Deep within Las Noches, Baraggan propped his cheek on one hand, his hollow eye sockets sweeping across the five respectful figures before him.
Five Adjuchas-class Hollows had taken the new pills Szayelaporro had developed. Combined with Baraggan throwing most of his low-level subordinates to them for devouring, their spiritual pressure had now swelled to the level of ordinary Vasto Lordes.
Baraggan nodded with slight satisfaction, his gaze falling back to the pill bottle in his hand. A few pills containing Ikomikidomoe's power remained inside.
"Szayelaporro..."
Baraggan murmured the name, his tone carrying a hint of inner conflict.
Not long ago, he had watched with his own eyes as these five subordinates' spiritual pressure rapidly increased. The entire process had been painless, and their consciousness remained intact now.
This result was so good it surprised even Baraggan.
"He's actually produced something decent."
Baraggan stroked the pill bottle, momentarily uncertain whether that scientist had finally understood who he should be loyal to, or if he had woven another, more elaborate trap for him.
But regardless, at the very least, this power was real—the ability to grow stronger simply by devouring, just like that old rival of his.
Even if that madman Szayelaporro had some unspeakable plan, it would have to wait until after these Shinigami were crushed.
"Your Majesty, that group of Shinigami from before is approaching our location."
A reconnaissance Hollow responsible for perimeter security outside Las Noches ran in, flustered, to report to Baraggan.
"So they've finally come."
Baraggan rose slowly, the black mist around him roiling. The mere thought of the humiliation those ants had brought him made it difficult for his heart to remain calm.
He looked at the five subordinates before him, brimming with fighting spirit, and waved his hand in command: "Go. Use the blood of those ants to show this King your power!"
"Yes!"
Accompanied by the distinctive sound of Sonído, five figures vanished instantly from before Baraggan.
From his elevated position, Baraggan gazed into the distance. Those figures he wished he could devour flesh and sleep on hide came into view.
"It feels so quiet. There aren't many of Baraggan's people outside either."
Kensei walked at the front, hands clasped behind his head. They had fought all the way to Baraggan's doorstep, only to find not a single extra around.
"Somewhat abnormal. Based on traces, there were signs of considerable Hollow activity here not long ago."
Aizen swept his gaze across the surroundings, then fixed his eyes on the direction Baraggan's five subordinates had moved. "It seems Szayelaporro used some method to concentrate the low-level Hollows and feed them to these few."
As his words faded, five figures carrying immense spiritual pressure landed like meteors before Kensei and the others, kicking up a cloud of sand.
"Wow, delivery service!"
Kensei raised an eyebrow. As the dust cleared, five Hollows striking various bizarre poses appeared before them.
"We are the newly formed Ginyu Force under Lord Baraggan's command! Shinigami, your doom has arrived!"
The five Adjuchas spoke in unison.
Through Baraggan's careful feeding, their spiritual pressure had grown to levels they could never have imagined before.
Now, they were invincible, powerful existences!
"How tedious."
Ulquiorra, who had been at the rear, instantly appeared before one of the Hollows. Her five fingers pressed together like a blade, she pierced through its body.
She had no desire for these Hollows, worthless for observation, to waste her precious time.
With Harribel and Nel joining the fight, the battle was almost one-sided. These few Adjuchas were only capable of matching ordinary Vasto Lordes at best. For those around Kensei who had already completed their Arrancar transformations, dealing with them was almost too simple.
"Let me have a turn too!"
Lilynette watched Nel and the others' heroic figures with eager eyes. Producing a crescent-shaped blade from somewhere, she prepared to rush at a Hollow that had already lost its life, just to get her kicks.
In the distance, Baraggan sensed his subordinates' spiritual pressures rapidly vanishing. His already damaged throne completely crumbled beneath his fingers.
"Useless! All useless!"
Rage filled Baraggan's leaking chest cavity. Since Szayelaporro's pills weren't the problem, then these subordinates had simply grown too slowly!
"Your Majesty, please let me go.' Arturo said, walking in from outside. 'Even if I cannot destroy your enemies outright, I can at least reduce their spiritual pressure and increase your chances of victory."
Baraggan fell silent for a moment, considering his options. Regardless of the outcome, he himself wouldn't lose by sending this mysterious individual to consume the enemy. Moreover, he could assess the strength of this arrogant individual.
'"Granted."
Baraggan replied briefly. At the same time, a pill popped out of his hand and shot precisely towards Arturo.
Arturo reached out and caught it. He could sense the special power contained within the pill, but chose not to take it. Instead, he stored it away.
"Thank you for your gracious gift, Your Majesty."
After bowing, his gaze swept across the distant figures, finally settling on Lilynette, who was enthusiastically punching and kicking a Hollow that had already lost consciousness.
Arturo could sense that although the power within this little girl's body wasn't strong, her soul was unusually powerful. To him, she would be excellent nourishment.
"Let's start with an appetizer."
The corners of Arturo's mouth curled up slightly. The next moment, his figure slowly faded from before Baraggan's eyes—an afterimage left behind by his incredible speed.
When he reappeared, Arturo had already arrived before Lilynette, who was proudly showing off her masterpiece to her companions.
No need for weapons. Arturo's physical body was powerful enough on its own. His right leg, like a whip, viciously lashed toward Lilynette. Even before impact, the residual force from his immense power had already caused the surrounding ground to collapse.
"Lilynette!"
Stark's normally lazy demeanor vanished instantly. He hadn't anticipated that such a powerful existence might still be hidden within the enemy ranks.
"Ama-no-Iwato."
The instant Arturo's attack launched, Kensei directly ignored space itself, transferring the distant Lilynette from her original position to stand before Stark.
Arturo, his attack having missed, turned around. His tongue licked his lips, his gaze fixed greedily on Kensei. "So this is your spatial ability? It seems you're even more delicious than I imagined."
"Hey!"
A voice dripping with killing intent came from Arturo's side, followed immediately by spiritual pressure so dense it nearly solidified, pressing down on him like a great mountain.
Stark carefully examined Lilynette, who was still somewhat shaken. After confirming she was unharmed, his usually lethargic expression was completely darkened.
"What exactly were you trying to do to Lilynette just now?"
The smile on Arturo's face widened—the genuine delight of spotting high-quality prey. "Yes, just like that. Now you have the qualifications to become my nourishment."
"Stark! I'm going to tear this bastard apart!"
Lilynette, having narrowly escaped death, glared furiously at Arturo. How dare he embarrass her so badly in front of her companions! If she didn't avenge this, how could she ever hold her head up again?
"Yeah, I know." Stark placed his hand on Lilynette's head. Immense spiritual pressure erupted from them both.
"Hunt him down, Los Lobos!"
Lilynette transformed into two pistols in Stark's hands. After his Resurrección, Stark resembled a northern hunter stalking a pack of wolves, his muzzle coldly locked on Arturo.
Kensei walked toward Las Noches. With so many Arrancars remaining here, although he didn't know where this mysterious Arrancar had come from, surely this group was enough to handle him.
"Sōsuke, let them deal with this one here."
"Naturally." Aizen followed Kensei's pace, the two advancing unhurriedly. "As for that Szayelaporro, I still have unfinished business with him from last time."