Kensei floated out of his room, yawning. He had barely slept a wink last night.
Any normal person, upon hearing Nel's "wanting to sleep with you" and enduring the subsequent physical torment, would have found it impossible to remain calm.
"Yo, Your Highness, overworked last night?" Yoruichi teased, looking at the listless Kensei as she stretched. Her tempting curves were exposed before Kensei's eyes, but he wasn't in the mood to appreciate them. After a whole night of tempering, his Dao heart was now as hard as iron.
"Namu Amaterasu." Kensei now resembled an enlightened monk, his face devout as he spoke. "Benefactor, please conduct yourself with dignity."
Nel pushed open the door. After changing clothes, she was radiant, like a female demon who had just finished absorbing vitality.
She quickly walked to Kensei's side, her eyes filled with delight. "I slept very well last night. Thank you, Ken!"
"You're welcome."
The corner of Kensei's mouth twitched as he forced a smile.
"Where's Stark?" Kensei looked around but didn't see the lazy figure. He planned to find Stark and learn from him—how to sleep peacefully.
Lilynette was energetically asking Apache and the others all sorts of questions. Upon hearing Kensei's words, she replied without turning her head, "He's probably still sleeping. Stark's always like that. Don't worry about him."
Ulquiorra had chosen a spot in the corner, her eyes sweeping across everyone in the room as she silently observed their behavior.
Just then, Aizen emerged from the direction of the laboratory. "Looks like everyone's up. Since that's the case, I have something important to discuss with you all."
"Everyone, meet in the laboratory in ten minutes."
Her voice carried a magic that made people instinctively obey. Ten minutes later, all the members in the base had gathered in the laboratory.
Fortunately, when this place was built, the laboratory had been made quite spacious; otherwise, there really wouldn't be enough room for everyone.
Stark, dragged out of bed by Lilynette, leaned against a chair, still looking half-asleep.
"Everyone's here." Aizen called up images of Szayelaporro and Baraggan on the screen. "Although we defeated Baraggan and Szayelaporro before, we now need to reassess the threat level they pose to us."
"Szayelaporro took the Zanpakutō Ikomikidomoe when he fled earlier." Aizen's gaze swept calmly across present. "Baraggan lost a large number of troops and his dignity as the King of Hueco Mundo here. He also harbors a grudge against us."
"If Szayelaporro wants revenge against us, then Baraggan is undoubtedly his best partner for cooperation." Although it was speculation, Aizen's tone was very certain. "So, it's highly likely these two have already formed an alliance."
Yoruichi nodded after listening. "That's actually good. Saves us the trouble of hunting them down one by one."
"Two Vasto Lordes," Ulquiorra said, looking at the images of the two on the screen, her voice filled with doubt. "Don't you find that troublesome?"
"Whether it's one speck of dust or two, they all look the same."
Aizen said this calmly. She wasn't about to develop fear towards these two Hollows. They were merely a bit more troublesome to deal with.
"Sōsuke, you stole my line!"
Kensei slapped the table in dissatisfaction. Lines this cool should obviously be spoken by someone of his status.
"Although their individual strength isn't enough to pose a threat, Szayelaporro does possess some intelligence." Ignoring Kensei's outburst, Aizen continued her explanation. "Since he took that Zanpakutō, he will definitely use it on Baraggan."
Harribel's brow furrowed slightly. "So you're saying that mad scientist might use the two of them to create some kind of fusion monster?"
"Precisely." Aizen nodded. "We can't rule out other fusion materials, but the main combat power will certainly be Baraggan and Ikomikidomoe."
"Then what are we sitting around here for!" Rose immediately stood up, rubbing his hands together, preparing to strike. "Find that old bones Baraggan, tear him apart, and be done with it once and for all."
Aizen ignored Rose's proposal and instead looked at Kensei.
In private, how she treated Kensei was a matter between the two of them, but in front of Kensei's subordinates, the decision still had to be left to Kensei himself.
Kensei received Aizen's look. At first he was confused, then suddenly understood.
"Well then, let me assign everyone's tasks." He cleared his throat, lowering his head for a brief moment of thought.
"Stark, you stay and guard the base. It suits your personality, after all." Kensei paused. "As for everyone else, come with me directly to Las Noches to deal with Baraggan and Szayelaporro."
Aizen rubbed her temples. Kensei's plans were always this simple and crude.
"I disagree!"
Lilynette wasn't having it. She slapped the table and stood up, her face full of dissatisfaction. "If you all go, won't it just be me and Stark left here again? No way!"
"Hey, don't be so dismissive of yourself."
Stark scratched his hair discontentedly. Kensei's arrangement did suit him quite well; he should have been happy about it.
He was a person who hated trouble, and he really didn't want to get involved in others' battles.
But how should he put it? Although it had only been a short day, Stark had indeed felt an atmosphere here that he had always been seeking.
"Stark! It's all your fault for always being so lazy!"
Lilynette made a face at Stark. She didn't want to be left at home like this.
"Tch. Since you want to go so badly, I'll go too." Stark was still as lazy as ever, as if to compensate for his unusual behavior. "But I'm just going to keep an eye on Lilynette. Don't expect me to put in too much effort."
"What about you, Ulqui?"
Kensei felt it was necessary to ask this taciturn girl for her opinion.
"Naturally, I will go with the observation subject," Ulquiorra replied matter-of-factly. If she were left alone, where would she observe emotional reactions?
The corner of Kensei's mouth twitched. He had originally meant well, but no one appreciated it.
What if Szayelaporro's side pulled a "famous sword steals fate" and stole his base while he was gone?
Oh, right, there's nothing here. Never mind.
"Well then, all forces charge into Las Noches! Straight to Baraggan's four-wheeled cart!"
With a lineup like this, forget two mere Vasto Lordes—even if Old Man Yama showed up, they wouldn't be afraid.
"Ooh!"
Lilynette and Rose cooperated perfectly, cheering as if praising the wisdom of Kensei's decision.
"Looks like someone's going to have to work a little harder."
Yoruichi walked over to Aizen, a smile on her face.
"I'm used to it." Aizen also curled into a slight smile. "Besides, for Kensei, these things don't pose too much of a threat."
While Kensei and his group were preparing to go straight for Baraggan's dog life, elsewhere in Hueco Mundo...
An Arrancar with green hair, the remnants of a shattered mask growing on the right side of her face, crushed the message from Szayelaporro in her hand.
"A Shinigami who masters spatial abilities and illusion abilities?" This Arrancar looked toward the direction of Kensei's base, a calculating smile appearing on her face. "Interesting. Let me absorb your abilities!"
"And as for Szayelaporro and Baraggan, since they want to use me, they'd better be prepared to be devoured by Me, Arturo Plateado.
***
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