Going to the World of the Living

If he had only been thinking of himself, he would have stayed in Hueco Mundo.

No matter how many of Baraggan's soldiers appeared, he could escape. However, he couldn't be so selfish.

Although Mila Rose and Tier Harribel would fight the Arrancar soldiers bravely, Apache and Sun-Sun weren't strong enough to make a real difference.

If they could stay safe in the World of the Living, he could focus on increasing his own power in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, respectively.

He also needed to expand his knowledge so he could draw more power from his Pressure ability.

His counterargument left everyone silent for a while.

"That said, I'm willing to hear other options." He gave Mila Rose a long look. "Other than confronting Baraggan head-on."

Mila Rose avoided his gaze. "Don't single me out. I was just suggesting a simple solution."

"We shouldn't expect too much from that brainless one." Sun-Sun mercilessly mocked Mila Rose's intelligence.

"Don't thank me for the compliment. I'm just carrying out my daily task of teasing my favorite Rose."

Cangya laughed at Sun-Sun's easy teasing. "Rose, there are all kinds of clothes in the World of the Living. I'll buy you lots."

Mila Rose's eyes sparkled with longing, and the thought of new clothes set her heart fluttering.

She swung her Zanpakuto and drove it into the ground, then rested both hands defiantly on its hilt. "I agree with Cangya and Lady Harribel. Let's go to the World of the Living."

"You changed your mind fast!" Apache retorted. "This cheapskate switched sides over a few clothes."

"You only agreed with him because of the clothes."

Sun-Sun playfully used her winding tail to lift Mila Rose's shirt, exposing her most private parts. "This little kitty is so easy to read."

Mila Rose yanked her shirt down and scratched her thick, wavy hair.

"What the hell, snake woman? I said that so we can all stay alive and grow stronger out of Baraggan's sight. Cangya's suggestion makes sense, and I have to side with him."

She hid her desire to explore the World of the Living, enjoy herself, and have experiences she couldn't have as an ordinary Hollow.

Those were just side benefits of moving to the World of the Living.

Sun-Sun chuckled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Yes, yes."

"Apache, you're the only one still against me." Cangya crouched down and affectionately rubbed her ears.

"Come on, my tomboy sweetheart. If you're this stubborn, you'll lose affection points with me."

"Who cares about your affection points?!"

"I never said they were mine. They could be Harribel's."

"..." Apache lowered her head and kicked his knee with her hoof. "Promise me you'll buy me clothes when I become an Arrancar."

"That's all? Of course. I'll even buy you a sexy bikini so we can have a private pool party."

His offer sounded so wonderful and sincere that Apache nodded without asking about the bikini.

"Since I have the majority's support," he began, his voice unusually serious.

"I'll lead the way and scout ahead—" He paused, looking toward the depths of the cave. "Our new guest is awake."

Tap, tap, tap.

Footsteps echoed through the cave as their new ally, Tirutī, emerged from the depths of the shadows, her long tail trailing along the ground like a snake.

The conversation in the cave had kept her from resting, so she came out to greet her new teammates.

Tirutī's eyes widened when she saw Cangya's human form. "Impossible—Cangya? How did you become human?"

"It's one of my abilities."

Cangya's vague answer echoed through the air, and then he returned to his Hollow form.

With a practiced flick of his wrist, he used Garganta to tear open the fabric of space. The black rift widened, its gaping maw like that of a ravenous beast, revealing a boundless, abyssal void.

Cangya gazed into the infinite space connecting the various realms of this world, an uneasy expression on his face. "What am I looking at?"

Mila Rose gently nudged him in the ribs, concern in her voice. "Are you sure you want to go in there?"

"I've never been."

"Neither have I."

Apache and Sun-Sun admitted they knew nothing about Garganta or the dangers it concealed.

They had never thought of exploring the World of the Living and angering the Soul Society's Soul Reapers.

Cangya turned to Harribel, the oldest and wisest among them. "Do you have any experience with this?"

Harribel shook her head, her golden hair swaying gently with the movement. "I can lead the way for you. That way, you won't get hurt."

He immediately rejected her offer, sensing her willingness to sacrifice herself for his goal.

She was a truly admirable motherly figure. Under the current circumstances, he couldn't accept her sacrifice.

With no other choice, Cangya walked over to the lovely goth girl and gently held her shoulders.

Tirutī didn't look quite so pretty now that she was covered in injuries. "Tirutī~ Help your friend out, will you?"

Tirutī felt a chill crawl up her spine.

His sweet, pleasant voice sounded like the whisper of a demon.

"Damn it," Tirutī muttered, regretting her curiosity about the conversation they'd had while she was away. "Where do you want to go?"

As an Espada, she had been to the World of the Living many times.

She didn't lie, deciding to help him out.

She had to show her value as an ally, or he would consider her useless and abandon her.

No matter what, she couldn't let that happen.

After all, her survival depended on him.

Unaware of her inner struggle, Cangya answered, "The World of the Living."

"Going to show off your new form?" Tirutī raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical. "Give me some time. I don't have enough Reiatsu to get there..."

Cangya closed the Garganta and patted her shoulder comfortingly. "Rest as long as you need. Let me know when you're ready."

Tirutī didn't waste another second and returned to her resting place.

Mila Rose suddenly threw an arm around Cangya's shoulders and playfully locked his head in a hold. "Lady Harribel, I'm borrowing him for a while."

Before anyone could respond, Mila Rose dragged Cangya away from the group, her laughter echoing through the cave.

After Mila Rose left, the others exchanged curious glances, their faces showing both confusion and curiosity.

Apache poked Sun-Sun with her horn, narrowing her eyes in thought. "Where did she take him? What do you think will happen?"

"What do you think?" Sun-Sun replied, her tone full of teasing. "I'll let you guess."

"She might ask him to fight her," Apache guessed, recalling Mila Rose's eagerness to wield her sword. "What do you think?"

"Considering how simple-minded Rose is, that's not impossible. But..." Sun-Sun deliberately paused, her voice full of suspense, piquing Harribel's curiosity.

"Didn't you notice the tender looks Mila Rose gave him? This private meeting might lead to a deeper, more intimate relationship between them."

Sun-Sun herself somewhat believed what she was saying.

But she still voiced her thoughts to provoke Apache and Harribel, who both seemed to have different relationships with Cangya.

"Ridiculous, he wouldn't—" Apache stopped, recalling Cangya's undisguised admiration for Mila Rose's new form.

She clenched her teeth, obvious frustration in her eyes. "Damn it. Good luck to them, then."

Sun-Sun could hear the underlying meaning behind Apache's goodwill. "You can't blame him for being attracted to Mila Rose. She's beautiful and incredibly loyal."

Sun-Sun added fuel to the fire, looking forward to things becoming chaotic and interesting.

Apache nodded silently and stumbled back to her area of the cave.

"Oh my, when did Lady Harribel leave?"

The two of them had been so focused on their conversation that neither had noticed Harribel quietly slip out of the cave, following Cangya and Mila Rose.

Sun-Sun looked at the cave entrance. "This is getting more interesting."