"Shhk—shhk—"
Deep within the gloomy palace, the only sound was the incessant rush of violent air currents colliding.
Shattered rubble lay scattered haphazardly across the ground. Spiderweb-like cracks covered the entire area, proof that the battle fought here had been anything but easy.
Amid the wreckage, Ulquiorra stood expressionless, like a cold young man. His uniform hung open, revealing well-defined muscles that seemed at odds with his youthful face.
On the left side of his chest, the ominous black number "1" was engraved.
He pointed an index finger down at Barragan, who lay on the ground. At his fingertip hovered a shimmering green sphere formed from an immense amount of chakra. The violent currents of air filling the area were being stirred up by the orb.
"Give me your answer, Barragan Luisenbarn."
Ulquiorra spoke in an utterly calm voice.
At his words, Barragan, his body covered in wounds, looked grim. His cloudy eyes were fixed on Ulquiorra, who paid him no mind and simply watched in silence, waiting for his reply.
"This old man... agrees to follow Aizen's arrangements..."
Barragan spoke in a low voice, despite his reluctance. He had no other choice.
There was no way he could defeat Ulquiorra now. What was more, Aizen stood nearby, silently watching the battle with who knew what in mind. Even if Barragan regained the weight of his former power, the Segunda Etapa Ulquiorra had mentioned still made him wary.
Once the king who had ruled Hueco Mundo, he had been summoned by Aizen to this brand-new world. He didn't want to lose his life here!
He wanted to see this world for himself!
He wanted to plunder the power of a world, just like Cherubim in the legends!
More importantly, once he was strong enough, he wanted to destroy with his