Whoosh~~
A breeze swept past, dispersing the smoke and dust around them.
Including Barragan's four Fracción, ten figures stood around the basin, all staring coldly at Duan Mu in its center.
Bam!
Barragan casually tossed Zommari Rureaux aside, propped his chin on his elbow, and said flatly:
"Since Aizen isn't here, I'll be in command. You..."
Barragan paused and swept his gaze over those around him.
"No objections."
Halibel glanced at Barragan but didn't argue. She simply watched Duan Mu below.
She didn't know much about Duan Mu.
She only knew that before she became an Espada, he had twice invaded Hueco Mundo, killed the former NO. 9, and severely wounded Nnoitra.
But apparently...
He had defeated Nnoitra through trickery alone. So before coming here, everyone present had already learned about the weakness of his Shikai and how to counter it.
Yet the moment Duan Mu attacked, Halibel realized that this Soul Reaper was far more powerful than the information they had received suggested.
"Stay by my side."
Halibel turned to Tier and said gravely, "Don't get too close to him. His spiritual pressure isn't especially strong, but his killing power is not to be underestimated."
"Uh..."
Tier nodded, hiding the strange look in her eyes by lowering her head.
She had to admit that this new NO. 3 was far too kind—so kind she barely seemed like a Hollow...
But thinking it over, neither Halibel nor Nelliel, the women who had become NO. 3, seemed like Hollows.
Perhaps because they were both female Espada, Halibel had looked after her ever since becoming NO. 3.
That made Tier feel a little bad about going after her.
Still, Duan Mu hadn't asked her to act.
A hint of tension flashed in Duan Mu's eyes. He didn't launch another attack as