Joining Tier Harribel's Group

Cangya's experiment unfolded just as expected.

The attempt to turn the three Adjuchas into Arrancar ended in disaster and their deaths—a frustrating but logical outcome.

Expecting these nameless non-player characters to suppress their primal instincts and seal them inside a weapon would only lead to disappointment.

What he hadn't expected was Tier Harribel's arrival. The explosive surge in Reiatsu had caught her attention.

Even so, he wasn't afraid of how powerful she looked now.

"A Vasto Lorde whose Reiatsu is weaker than mine?"

It seemed she hadn't reached the Vasto Lorde level long ago. Otherwise, her Reiatsu would have far exceeded his.

He put on his most charming smile and gave her a friendly wave. "Hello, miss. Sorry for disturbing your rest."

His formal greeting seemed rather sinister in front of a dying Hollow.

His voice, as pleasant as a chorus of angelic bells, didn't make things much better.

His presence was full of warning signs, but Tier Harribel was focused on the Adjuchas' deaths and didn't notice them.

"What happened to these Hollows?"

"They attacked us for no reason. After they couldn't beat me, they started tearing at their own masks." He scratched his head in feigned helplessness and smiled. "And that was the end of that."

"Why would a Hollow tear at its own mask?" Unmoved by his pleasant voice, Tier Harribel asked a reasonable question.

She turned to Apache, who looked nervous. "Is that true?"

Her distrust of Cangya and her trust in Apache couldn't have been more obvious.

She would rather believe Apache, whom she had observed for a while, than a complete stranger.

Faced with Tier Harribel's question, Apache found herself in a dilemma.

Cangya had lied to Tier Harribel without hesitation. He was the one who had smashed the three Adjuchas' masks with his fists.

He had done it without a change in expression, as though the Adjuchas' pleas meant nothing to him.

He was as ruthless and savage as a demon, just like the Hollows that wanted to devour her.

Her first impression of him had been completely different from his true nature.

She also understood the nature of his "experiment": using others as cannon fodder to test the success rate of Arrancarization.

"Are you willing to do whatever it takes for power?"

She stole a glance at him, noticing his expressionless lips and flickering eyes, which prompted her to act.

He wanted her to take a stand—either lie for him or betray him and side with Tier Harribel.

This decision could determine how she would live from now on.

This bastard!

She clenched her teeth, furious that he was so blatantly forcing her into a corner.

"Yes. They lost their minds after running into a Vasto Lorde as strong as their master, Lord Baraggan."

Reading Tier Harribel's intentions was far easier than predicting Cangya's complex schemes.

Even so, she refused to betray him!

He had saved her life and helped her recover her Reiatsu.

Though she wouldn't say it aloud, the past day had been the most fun she'd had in her lonely life.

After Apache confirmed it, Tier Harribel didn't press the matter further and instead looked calmly at Cangya.

"Lord Baraggan sees every Vasto Lorde as a threat to his authority. He'll eventually come looking for us, hoping to recruit us into the Espada. You two should keep moving... away from Baraggan's lackeys."

Baraggan treated all of Hueco Mundo as his playground, and everyone in it as a pawn he could use and discard.

The Espada under him were merely tools for him to command.

Tier Harribel, on the other hand, hated the idea of sacrificing anyone.

Two powerful beings with such different beliefs were bound to clash, even if she had no intention of challenging his authority.

"Why should we believe you?" Apache questioned Tier Harribel's goodwill with a sharp look. "To hell with Lord Baraggan. Cangya will smack his head right off."

"Ahem, ahem." Cangya tried hard not to laugh and ended up coughing.

He cleared his throat and ruffled Apache's hair. "Sorry, Apache. I've only been a Vasto Lorde for a day, while Lord Baraggan has been in power for centuries. His army alone could overwhelm me. And by me, I mean us. Our lives are tied together now, Apache."

Apache's eyes widened at the thought of an army made up of Gillians, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lordes.

Her vivid imagination made her dizzy. "You're right..."

"You're too impulsive. 'Look before you leap' is meant to teach impulsive Hollows like you." He sighed and smiled at Tier Harribel.

"Lord Baraggan will blame me for his subordinates' deaths, and I don't think I can stand against him and his lunatics alone. What should I do? How am I supposed to protect Apache now...?"

His Aspect of Death wasn't enough to stand against Baraggan at this stage.

Besides, he needed an excuse to join Tier Harribel's group and gradually draw them over to his side.

But did he really see Lord Baraggan as a threat?

Absolutely not.

He could always choose to jump to the World of the Living and change his race to human, or go to Soul Society as an ordinary soul and hide among the weak souls like a nobody.

The sheer number of options made the threats in Hueco Mundo insignificant... except for Aizen, who was destined to take over Hueco Mundo.

"To hell with Aizen."

A low, harsh growl rose from Apache's throat, like that of an angry dog.

That manipulative bastard! He's playing the victim now.

Tier Harribel's aqua-green eyes widened slightly, her gaze fixed on Cangya.

Complex emotions flickered in her eyes, each one fleeting and hard to grasp.

She hesitated, then asked softly, "You said you've only been a Vasto Lorde for a day?"

Cangya was momentarily puzzled by Tier Harribel's unexpected question.

He glanced at Apache for support, then turned his attention back to Tier Harribel. "Yes. You can ask Apache."

Apache nodded, confirming his age.

"When I found him a day ago, he was half buried underground. He didn't even know how to control his Reiatsu, or that he was a damn Vasto Lorde!"

After Apache confirmed Cangya's words, a soft light shone in Tier Harribel's eyes. "You can come with me..."

He raised a hand to cover his mouth, which had fallen open in surprise.

Tier Harribel's unsolicited invitation gave him two choices—accept or refuse.

Yet the glimmer of hope in her eyes eagerly implored him to accept.

Even the normally calm Cangya couldn't help shuddering.

Tier Harribel's behavior was highly unusual, far from it.

She had invited him so eagerly, as though this wasn't their first meeting.

Something was terribly wrong, and a feeling of unease gnawed at him.

But he couldn't say what caused it.

She changed after I said I'd only been a Vasto Lorde for a day. That's too suspicious.

He took a deep breath, nodded, and smiled. "As the saying goes, there's strength in numbers. Weaklings like us have to stick together."

Apache nearly choked at his absurd claim. "You're weak? Pah. If you're weak, then everyone in Hueco Mundo is an ant."

"Little Apache has learned sarcasm. What a terrifying development."

"It's all your fault, bastard. All your fault..."

He chuckled and noticed Tier Harribel staring at him. "By the way, my name's Cangya. This is Apache. And you?"

"...Tier Harribel."

"That's a unique name. Do you mind if I call you Harribel?"

Tier Harribel shook her head. "Follow me."