Las Noches.
The palace of Barragan, emperor of the western Hueco Mundo.
"What the hell is with this tacky architectural style?"
The moment Aizen stood before the palace, he was deeply shaken by everything in front of him. Its gaudy splendor resembled the half-finished estate of some suddenly wealthy third-rate Soul Society noble, afraid others would look down on him for being poor as they had before. He had deliberately rebuilt his clan grounds according to the standards of the Five Great Noble Clans, only to discover halfway through that he had run out of money and hastily settled for this unfinished product.
"Pfft, how lame..."
Ichimaru Gin could no longer hold it in and burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
"..."
Only Kaname Tosen stood there, utterly at a loss.
It could not be helped. He was blind, after all~
"All right, let's go inside and take a look!"
After falling silent for a moment, Aizen spoke to Ichimaru Gin and Kaname Tosen at his side.
"As you command, Lord Aizen."
Ichimaru Gin and Kaname Tosen nodded lightly at Aizen's words, then followed behind him into the resplendent palace.
Once the three entered the palace, they naturally saw the neon lights decorating the entire hall, as well as the black skeleton wearing a golden crown and seated upon a decaying throne.
"You are King Barragan, correct?"
Aizen looked at the skeleton before him and asked.
Though he phrased it as a question, the confidence in his voice made it clear that Aizen was certain the skeleton on the throne was Barragan Louisenbairn.
"Address me as His Majesty the Emperor!"
"You insolent lot..."
After hearing Aizen's words, the skeleton on the throne seemed to stir. A glass-like Crimson Light suddenly flickered within his pitch-black eye sockets...
Clearly, the sleeping king