The Coming Pursuit

Izumi could have told Cangya the details of the Quincy's decline later.

But she hadn't. She had insisted on putting on airs like a noble lady, putting Cangya on guard.

She approached Cangya. "Guest, about what happened a hundred and fifty years ago... things were different then. What happened was tragic—a bloodbath that could have been prevented with enough effort. Sigh..."

She sighed again, recalling the events of her childhood. "I promise you, as long as the souls of the three realms remain in balance, nothing like that will happen again."

Helping Izumi persuade Cangya wasn't her job, but she didn't want to see Izumi become lonely again.

After all, her work here could end at any time.

Cangya shrugged indifferently. "I understand. Sister, I'll stay."

Delight appeared on Izumi's face, and then she coughed. "Welcome to the Ishida Family. We won't let you down."

"I'll train hard to stop the Hollows. In return, you have to pay all my expenses."

As long as he stayed in Karakura Town and fought Hollows, he wouldn't have to worry about money.

Lisa's face twitched. "Are you treating Lady Izumi like an ATM?"

As far as she knew, Soken was rich, but the Ishida Family's luxurious lifestyle was slowly draining his fortune.

Cangya might become the last straw that broke the Ishida Family's back.

"I mean, I'm risking my life fighting Hollows. Gratitude alone won't fill my stomach."

"My brother has a point, Lisa," Izumi said calmly. "As long as the expenses are reasonable, I'll gladly pay them."

"Let's have something spicy to celebrate!"

Tier Harribel and her companions traveled through a vast white desert, the five of them lost in its endless expanse.

They concealed their Reiatsu, leaving no trace behind.

As a result, weaker Hollows attacked them, but Mila Rose's Zanpakuto made short work of them.

The dead Hollows became easy food for Apache on her journey to becoming a Menos Grande of Hueco Mundo.

Tier Harribel watched expressionlessly as Apache devoured the Hollows' flesh.

Sun-Sun had worked up an appetite too, but it was nothing compared to Apache's.

Though she hated these sacrifices, after that battle, she could understand Apache's desire for power.

If she didn't have the power to protect Cangya, she would feel the same way.

"Does anyone besides me miss the skeleton (Cangya)?" Mila Rose said, casually waving her sword. "It's too quiet here without him..."

Apache and Tirutī were always lost in their own thoughts, only speaking when someone asked them something.

Tier Harribel rarely spoke.

Sun-Sun and Mila Rose were the only ones who could find things to talk about, just like in the old days before Cangya and Apache joined them.

"I have plenty to say, Rose," Sun-Sun replied seriously. "Honestly, this silence makes me uncomfortable... it's as if he took a part of our souls with him."

"You're exaggerating."

"You caught me," Sun-Sun said with a chuckle. "But it's not entirely a lie. He took a part of Apache's soul, and a little part of mine too."

A devastating Cero roared past Sun-Sun.

Apache cleaned herself with her Reiatsu, then glared at Sun-Sun. "Don't talk behind my back. It makes you look pathetic."

"Oh my, then I'll say it to your face. Cangya is out there having fun, while you're stuck here, devouring souls for a chance to become a Menos Grande of Hueco Mundo. How does that make you feel?"

"Have you forgotten what he said before he left? His goal is to find a safe place for us."

Apache didn't fall for Sun-Sun's ploy. She was openly trying to unsettle Apache.

Sun-Sun narrowed her eyes. "I think he's had enough time to find us a refuge. He could have gone to a deep forest where the Soul Reapers wouldn't go. Why has he taken so long... I wonder~?"

Apache's eyes widened, a flicker of emotion breaking through her brave facade. "You're lying to me. Cangya wouldn't betray us. I know him better than you do."

"Unfortunately, all the signs point to him having betrayed us."

"Drop dead!"

"Accept this painful truth and the sadness of betrayal, Apache. It's what we deserve for trusting someone as changeable as a chameleon."

Everyone except Apache saw the flash of mischief in Sun-Sun's eyes.

The thought of Cangya's betrayal filled her with despair.

She had been distraught since Cangya left, and a few words from Sun-Sun exposed her fragile state.

Tirutī couldn't help wondering if the blue-haired Sun-Sun had been her sister before they became Hollows.

They both loved tormenting others—she preferred physical pain, while Sun-Sun excelled at inflicting emotional pain.

"Is this fate?"

No one paid her any attention.

"That's enough, Sun-Sun." Tier Harribel approached Apache and patted her back with the hand holding her sword.

"You have a mind of your own. Don't let others shake your resolve."

"Of all people, who would believe Sun-Sun?" Apache snorted and strode ahead of them.

"One day I'll leave you all behind, you stupid women!"

Mila Rose's smile vanished. "Sun-Sun, that joke went a little too far."

Tirutī gave Mila Rose a displeased look. "It was the perfect trap to make her suffer, an entertaining show."

"You flatter me, Tirutī." Sun-Sun shook her head. "I did it to distract her. She'll be busy finding things to curse me for... instead of missing Cangya. She needs that."

Tier Harribel narrowed her eyes as she watched Apache's retreating back. "Longing can strengthen resolve."

They would need every bit of resolve to emerge unscathed when they faced the God King of Hueco Mundo.

Las Noches was shrouded in dead silence.

No Hollow dared make a sound, regardless of rank or strength.

Their ancient monarch's powerful Reiatsu hung heavily in the air like a suffocating curtain, even though it wasn't directed at them.

Baraggan's bony fingers drummed a rhythm on the armrest of his throne as he buried his face in his palm.

"Useless things," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

"Tirutī and Dordoni have done nothing but test my patience. Find out where they are. As for that Menos Grande of Hueco Mundo, I'll deal with them myself."

He had expected Tier Harribel and the new Menos Grande of Hueco Mundo to be trouble, but he hadn't expected them to be unable to deal with even two old Arrancars.

Tirutī and Dordoni were the finest warriors in his army, strong enough to rival a Menos Grande of Hueco Mundo.

Their silence for weeks meant one of only two things—either they had been defeated and killed, or they had defected.

Whatever the case, he couldn't count on the remaining Espada to be capable of dealing with two Menos Grandes of Hueco Mundo.

Szayelaporro was more focused on his bizarre experiments than actual combat.

Aaroniero, despite his immense potential, was still in the early stages of evolution.

Loly and Menoly were only as strong as Adjuchas, their value lying mainly in their roles as his mistresses.

Finally, Gantenbainne, Baraggan's fervent admirer, was the only capable warrior among the Espada besides Szayelaporro.

As the undisputed God King of Hueco Mundo, Baraggan hadn't spent much time strengthening the Espada.

"Lord Baraggan is going in person..." the blond Hollow standing behind him whispered. "Might I have the honor of accompanying you, Lord Baraggan?"

"Yes, Evaniya. Summon Gantenbainne as well."

Evaniya covered her face with both hands. "I'll fetch him right away, Lord Baraggan."

Baraggan tightened his grip on his scythe. After all this time, he was going to destroy another Menos Grande of Hueco Mundo.

He shook his head. "Tier Harribel, you just had to be a rebel."

If Tier Harribel had come to his palace, he could have warned her.

Despite his mercy and generosity, she had challenged his authority alongside another Menos Grande of Hueco Mundo.

Anyone who denied his authority would be punished.