Voluntary Arrancarization

Tier Harribel watched the fierce battle without looking away, pride and concern for Cangya flickering in her eyes.

She marveled at the tremendous progress Cangya had made in such a short time. He had absorbed her teachings and grown into a warrior.

Yet the intensity of the battle made her heart race with worry.

Her maternal instincts urged her to intervene, destroy Tirutī, and protect Cangya from harm.

"No, this is his fight. I can't interfere."

She clenched her teeth, her heart pounding in her chest, and reminded herself that this was Cangya's fight, not hers.

It was vital for him to face this challenge alone, grow, and test his limits.

As expected, he defeated Tirutī, landing a decisive blow to her head.

Yet there was no trace of satisfaction on his face.

"This is war... there are no true victors."

Seeing that Cangya took no satisfaction in the battle, she felt genuinely relieved.

Suddenly sensing a chill in the air, she turned toward Dordoni. His eyes gleamed with murderous intent as he stared at Cangya.

The moment she noticed his murderous gaze, she knew she had to act to protect Cangya.

"Don't even think about going after him."

Harribel charged at Dordoni, her powerful legs propelling her forward at astonishing speed.

She narrowed her eyes, focusing intently on her target—the Third Espada who had dared to threaten someone she cherished.

Golden Reiatsu enveloped her. She would not let anyone ambush Cangya, no matter how powerful they were.

Dordoni turned his attention to her, surprise flashing in his eyes.

He had not expected her to attack him outright, but he quickly recovered, an evil smile spreading across his face.

"Well, well. I didn't expect you to be so quick. All the better for me. I'll take care of these two Hueco Mundo Menos Grande (Vasto Lorde) first, then deal with that Adjuchas (intermediate Menos Grande) over there. A piece of cake~"

Cangya turned to face Dordoni. "One against five. How do you like those odds?"

"How do I like them? I like those odds." Dordoni gripped the sword hanging at his waist.

"Spin." As he drew his Zanpakuto, a storm rose around him and blew Harribel away.

He was the center of the storm.

His Zanpakuto transformed into a pair of large, wind-based bladed turbines, attached to his wrists and legs.

Two enormous curved horns jutted from his shoulders.

Two more whirlwinds erupted from the vents on his legs, giving him the ability to fly.

Harribel steadied herself and looked at Cangya. "Cangya, get back. Take everyone and leave. I'll deal with him."

After witnessing Cangya's growth, she was even more determined to make the ultimate sacrifice.

She also believed that, after his grueling fight with Tirutī, Cangya did not have enough strength to fight Dordoni.

"Go!"

She roared at Cangya, then lunged at Dordoni again, only to be driven back once more.

His wind attacks were deadly against her close-combat style, keeping her from getting near him.

She tried to cut through the whirlwinds with her sword, but they regenerated quickly.

Before long, she was pinned down.

Wind blades sliced through her armor, shattering it in several places, but she persisted in her fierce assault.

Her relentless attack was like that of a trapped lioness desperately protecting her cubs.

"Woman, are you insane?" Dordoni taunted. "With your strength, you couldn't even defeat the weakest Espada. Stop wasting my time."

Cangya caught Harribel in midair, then landed beside Apache.

"You can't beat him with brute force alone... my ability is an exception."

Harribel gritted her teeth, pushed him away, and stood up. "I don't need to beat him. I just need to buy you time. Go."

He couldn't help rolling his eyes. "Don't be so selfish, Harribel. Who said you could sacrifice yourself? All I'm saying is, shut up and fight him with me."

"Stop arguing like a young couple, or I'll finish you both off."

Dordoni laughed like a madman, reveling in his role as the villain. "You should know, I've been itching for a fight."

"You lunatic," Mila Rose roared at Dordoni.

She knew full well how much power this Arrancar possessed, and understood the risk of provoking him. "Why are you doing this? Stay... away from us!"

"You're asking me why?" Dordoni chuckled, his voice full of malice.

"We came here to complete our mission in peace and quiet, but this friend of yours was too arrogant and impulsive. Remember, every bit of pain I'm about to inflict is his own doing."

"You..."

"In Hueco Mundo, the king, the emperor, the god, is the one with the strongest fist."

"If you think that system is unfair, then grow your fangs and tear it apart. Until then, under the skies of Hueco Mundo, you must pledge your loyalty to Lord Baraggan."

Mila Rose glared at Dordoni, then turned her gaze to Cangya.

Like Harribel, she believed that in his current condition, Cangya could not fight an opponent like Dordoni.

And Harribel couldn't close the distance between them.

It's my turn to protect them and him.

Her relationship with Cangya had not been good these past days.

In fact, she had only just begun to set aside her previous prejudices and get to know him.

If he or Harribel died here today, how could she do that?

Killing Dordoni and protecting him from Baraggan were one and the same goal.

"Fangs... I'll bare my fangs and tear you to pieces."

She roared and slammed her head against Cangya's steel-hard knee.

Crack, crack, crack.

Mila Rose's golden mask shattered, and a golden light enveloped her.

No one had time to stop Mila Rose from breaking her own Hollow mask.

The sudden act caught both Harribel and Cangya off guard.

When Mila Rose's Reiatsu erupted, it was very similar to the energy of the nameless Adjuchas (intermediate Menos Grande) who had died halfway through Arrancarization.

Yet amid the chaos and uncertainty, Cangya stood there, watching Mila Rose with fascination on his face.

He could feel a heartbeat different from his own resonating within him.

It was as if their hearts had become one, connected by his mysterious innate ability, Shattered Heart.

Mila Rose's raging Reiatsu showed that she was gradually losing control of her instincts, her desires and instincts hovering on the brink of going out of control.

Harribel kept her gaze fixed on Mila Rose, without blinking.

"What did she do... Mila Rose?!"

Sun-Sun watched Mila Rose quietly.

She understood the significance of what was happening to her friend, because Cangya had often explained the complicated process and advantages of becoming an Arrancar to them a few weeks ago.

That only made her worry more about Mila Rose.

"You have to pull through, kitty," Sun-Sun said softly.

Although she and Mila Rose were always bickering and fighting, she cherished her friendship with Mila Rose more than anyone in the world.

Mila Rose was Harribel's oldest companion.

If anything happened to Mila Rose, Harribel might lose herself.