Seeking Death

Apache gave Sun-Sun a gentle nudge with her horn. "Trust me, she'll be fine. Rose won't die that easily."

Though she and Mila Rose weren't the closest of friends, she could see how important Mila Rose was to Tier Harribel and Sun-Sun.

That was enough for her to pray for Mila Rose, hoping she would succeed.

"Haha, I know."

They watched Mila Rose struggle, their hearts full of concern, yet they couldn't help laughing worriedly.

Cangya, meanwhile, focused on the different heartbeat in his chest.

"Mila Rose, control yourself, break through the barrier, and seal your power inside a vessel."

"Prove to me that you're not a cowardly little kitten, but a clever and fierce lioness... show me those fangs you're so proud of."

His advice ignited a spark of defiance in her heart. "Who are you calling a cowardly little kitten?!"

When the golden light faded, a striking humanoid figure appeared.

She was a tall, dark-skinned woman wielding a massive black broadsword, her imposing appearance like that of an Amazon warrior.

The remnants of her Hollow form could be seen in her golden mane, the bone claws supporting her full breasts, her leather armor, her neck armor, and her gloves and knee-high boots.

Apache and Sun-Sun cheered, full of admiration.

The process of Arrancarization was just as Cangya had described, even more mysterious than he had said.

"I don't want to be left behind." Apache gritted her teeth and muttered, "I'll—"

Sun-Sun wrapped her tail around Apache's foot. "Don't rush. It's not our turn yet..."

Apache reluctantly nodded and fired a small ball of Reiatsu at Mila Rose.

It didn't hurt Mila Rose, but it caught her attention. "Mila Rose, beat him!"

She pinned her hopes on Mila Rose, knowing full well that an opponent like Dordoni could suppress her with Reiatsu alone.

They were on different levels of strength. Unless she became a Menos Grande of Hueco Mundo (a Vasto Lorde) or shattered her own mask, she had no chance of matching him.

Mila Rose nodded solemnly and turned to Cangya. "Thank you for your help."

His provocation, and more importantly his Reiatsu, had helped her enormously when she needed it most.

Without him, she might have been consumed by her instincts.

Without him, she might never have been able to seal her Hollow power in a sword.

Cangya whistled, admiring Mila Rose's alluring curves, especially her ample breasts.

"When people want to protect something, they awaken their true inner strength. It's a powerful desire to protect."

He quoted Yoruichi, though she hadn't said those words yet in this timeline.

The will to protect and the power of friendship really did exist in the world of Bleach—Mila Rose was living proof of the legendary power of friendship.

"Protect?" Mila Rose said softly, looking around and scratching her wavy black hair.

"All right. I'll protect everyone, because I'm the strongest among us."

Cangya let her indulge in that misconception for the time being. "What a good kitty."

"I'm not a kitty. I'm a lioness." Mila Rose made a fierce face, baring her lion-like fangs.

She gripped her sword and took a fighting stance. "I'll destroy you with my sword, Dordoni."

As Dordoni approached Mila Rose, the whirlwind grew fiercer.

"Break time's over. Prepare to die."

The bird-headed whirlwind seemed ready to swallow Mila Rose whole.

She swung her broadsword, dispersing the raging wind with brute force.

"Vanish with the wind."

The vents in Dordoni's armor produced another whirlwind. "I can keep this up forever. I am the Baron of the Storm."

Mila Rose planted her feet firmly on the ground and charged at Dordoni with a sonic boom.

As an Arrancar, she used Sonído skillfully.

Unable to approach the fierce clash, Sun-Sun and Apache fired Ceros from a safe distance.

Dordoni easily blocked the Ceros with fierce blades of wind.

Their Ceros didn't hurt Dordoni, but they enraged and distracted him.

Cangya could hardly believe that the Tres Bestias had encountered a top Espada in their first team battle, at this point in the timeline.

"The future of the Espada should be a little different now." He sighed and placed a hand on Tier Harribel's shoulder. "Isn't her form beautiful?"

"Both beautiful and powerful..."

From a weak Adjuchas to someone who could fight an Espada evenly—Mila Rose's growth was astonishing, and it all stemmed from her determination, as well as the help of Cangya's ability.

Tier Harribel touched her mask.

"If Dordoni defeats Rose, I'm prepared to shatter my mask too."

He shook his head. "I've already told you, Tier Harribel. No more sacrifices. I have another trump card to beat him."

He lied without blinking.

If he had enough Reiatsu, he could easily defeat Dordoni.

Unfortunately, his fight with Tirutī had consumed a great deal of it.

Though he wanted very much to see Tier Harribel's Arrancar form, he didn't want to risk her life.

"I've learned a lot. It was all worth it."

He glanced at Tirutī, who was still lying there motionless.

Though she looked dead, he could now feel her Reiatsu fluctuating.

"She's still alive?"

He had really overestimated his attack power and underestimated Tirutī's Resurrección.

The attack he had intended to kill her had only knocked her unconscious.

The wound on her head had nearly healed. An Arrancar's vitality was indeed not to be underestimated—only decapitation or the destruction of their heart could ensure their death.

Tirutī dug her fingers into the sand and lifted her head, trembling with fear in her eyes. "Kill me..."

"Tier Harribel, keep an eye on them for me. I'll be right back."

Cangya walked over to Tirutī and crouched beside her.

"As the victor, I have the right to decide your fate. What if I don't want to indulge your desire to die?"

Tirutī's face was filled with terror, and despair enveloped her.

"I'm begging you... kill me, then dismember my corpse... I don't want to end up in his research facility."

Trembling with fear and weakness, Tirutī begged him to end her suffering.

With her mission failed and her Zanpakuto damaged, she had abandoned all hope of escaping this place.

If she left here alive, Baraggan would hunt her down.

If her body was found intact after her death, Szayelaporro would subject her to inhumane experiments.

Cangya reached out and stroked her head sympathetically.

"I won't kill you, but I'll give you a choice. Here's the thing: I want to take down Baraggan because he wants to take away my freedom. I know you don't like him either. Will you help me overthrow him?"

With his current strength, defeating Baraggan was nothing but a pipe dream.

But if he wanted to eliminate the tyrant who sought to deprive him of his freedom in Hueco Mundo, he had to start somewhere.

Anyone who tried to bind his freedom would not get away unscathed.

Tirutī's eyes widened in disbelief. Clearly, she hadn't expected him to offer her a choice between living and certain death.