Just as Minato tossed the carrier pigeon into the air.
High above the tower within the Forest of Death.
Several strange figures of varying heights appeared one after another in different parts of the sky, then slowly advanced together toward the center.
"Hmm~ hmm-hmm~~"
A petite little girl wore a face full of delighted joy, softly humming to herself with an easy, cheerful air.
Beside her, a tall man could not help glancing sideways at her. He sighed and said softly.
"Lilynette, don't be so disrespectful in front of Lord Aizen..."
Hearing him, Lilynette's cheerful humming abruptly stopped. She shot the man beside her an irritated glance, then quietly drove an elbow backward.
"Cough..."
In an instant, the tall man seemed to have suffered a heavy blow. His face turned slightly pale as he looked at Lilynette with utter helplessness.
In response, Lilynette merely snorted and said quietly.
"Idiot Starrk, I already know that without you telling me, hmph!"
After saying that, she lifted her proud chin and strode forward like a victorious little rooster, spirited and imposing.
Behind her, Starrk lightly dusted off his clothes and slowly straightened up, his face once again assuming its lazy expression.
Clearly, the pained expression from before had merely been an act.
As he watched Lilynette proudly marching ahead, tenderness shone in his eyes, and a warm smile slowly rose at the corners of his lips.
In another direction, a burly man was rubbing his gleaming bald head, his lips occasionally splitting into a terrifying grin.
When he gradually made out the blurry figure standing not far ahead, he slightly reined in the ferocious smile on his face and muttered to himself.
"This time, I have to make sure Lord Aizen agrees... I must be the one to take that woman's life!"
"Heh