"What should I do? What am I supposed to do?"
Szayelaporro was rather anxious. Though he had easily wiped out one of the Gotei 13's divisions, and even the Soul Reapers known as division captains, Soul Society's greatest fighting force, could not contend with a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande like him, he had not the slightest intention of challenging Sōgo Shihoin. The gap in their Spiritual Pressure was far too great. All his little tricks combined could not bridge it.
"Angel! Swallow all these specimens into your stomach. Remember, don't digest them!"
After thinking for a long time, Szayelaporro spoke to a gigantic Hollow behind him.
This Menos Grande was a special Gillian modified by Szayelaporro, primarily for storing things. This Gillian also had another trait: it could block Spiritual Pressure.
"ROAR!!!"
The Menos Grande called Angel swallowed all the Soul Reaper specimens before him, along with the unconscious captain of the Tenth Division, in one gulp.
"Yo! Szayelaporro!"
Not long after Angel swallowed the specimens, three figures stood behind Szayelaporro.
"Uh..."
"Ahahaha... Lord Sōgo."
Beads of nervous sweat dotted Szayelaporro's forehead as he slowly turned around and gave Sōgo Shihoin an awkward smile.
"Szayelaporro, what have you been up to lately? You haven't come to see us, either. Are you still researching how to suppress Spiritual Pressure? Any progress?"
Sōgo Shihoin did not immediately state his reason for coming to see Szayelaporro. That would have seemed too deliberate and somewhat rude, as though he would never visit Szayelaporro unless he needed something.
"Hmm?!"
Szayelaporro froze briefly at Sōgo Shihoin's words and sighed inwardly... Could Sōgo Shihoin really not have noticed that I killed off an entire division of Soul Reapers? Or is this actually a probe?! No, with Lord Sōgo's strength, there's absolutely no need for him to probe me...
"I'm working hard on it. I've made a little progress."
Szayelaporro answered cautiously.
"Ah! There's really no need to rush the Spiritual Pressure suppression. I don't intend to leave Hueco Mundo anytime soon."
Sōgo Shihoin waved a hand at Szayelaporro.
"That won't do. Since I promised you, Lord Sōgo, of course I should hurry and complete the research."
Szayelaporro expressed his determination to Sōgo Shihoin.
"This is my own problem to begin with. You're making me feel embarrassed."
Hearing Szayelaporro say that, Sōgo Shihoin suddenly found it difficult to ask him to help build a sun. He had already helped him far too much. It wasn't good to keep troubling others.
"Is there something you need my help with?" Szayelaporro's eyes lit up as he noticed Sōgo Shihoin's slightly awkward expression. "Please, just say it. I told you, your business is my business."
"Ah... I'm ashamed to say it, but yes! I actually do have something to ask of you. You know, Las Noches is just too dark. I want to build a sun. Do you think it's feasible?"
Sōgo Shihoin explained to Szayelaporro.
"Build a sun?!"
"That would indeed be rather difficult..."
Szayelaporro shook his head gently. Building a sun, even a miniature one, was a little too difficult for them.
"So it really won't work?"
Seeing Szayelaporro's troubled expression, Sōgo Shihoin nodded slightly. Building a sun really was a bit too fanciful.
"Although building a sun would indeed be very troublesome, if you only want to light up all of Hueco Mundo, that would be quite simple."
Seeing Sōgo Shihoin's disappointed expression, Szayelaporro had a thought. He was now certain that Sōgo Shihoin had not come to make trouble for him. As for whom Sōgo Shihoin would ultimately make trouble for, that had nothing to do with him. As long as it wasn't him, everything was fine...
"Oh?!"
"Let's hear it. How can we light up Hueco Mundo?!"
Sōgo Shihoin's eyes lit up at Szayelaporro's words, though he wore a blindfold over them.
"It's very simple. We only need to build a luminous ceiling over a certain area of Hueco Mundo, separating Hueco Mundo's sky from the world below, then paint blue skies, white clouds, and a sun on the ceiling."
Szayelaporro proposed.
"Can that be done?"
Sōgo Shihoin asked Szayelaporro.
"Of course, and it's very simple. If I took charge, I could finish it in a month. But the difficult part isn't building the ceiling. You should know that His Majesty Baraggan Louisenbairn, the king of Hueco Mundo, detests bright, shining things. So the difficulty lies in how you'll persuade His Majesty Louisenbairn."
As Szayelaporro spoke, a hint of amusement flashed through his eyes, as though he were faintly anticipating something interesting.
"So the difficult part is persuading that king of Hueco Mundo called Baraggan, right?"
"That's easy!"
"Tell me where he is."
As Sōgo Shihoin spoke, he began loosening up his muscles and joints. He considered himself a gifted negotiator, especially skilled in the art of physical persuasion.
"His Majesty Baraggan is inside that palace."
Szayelaporro pointed toward Baraggan's palace.
"All right."
Sōgo Shihoin nodded slightly.
"Um, Lord Sōgo, I still have some research to do, so I won't be able to accompany you."
Szayelaporro added. He needed to use the time while Sōgo Shihoin was away to deal with everything in the laboratory that could easily give him away.
"Just leave it to us."
"Lilynette, and... Tier Harribel! Let's go!"
Sōgo Shihoin spoke to Lilynette and Tier Harribel behind him.
Lord Sōgo already remembers my name!
Tier Harribel nodded slightly, a feeling called joy flickering through her heart.
"Let's move!"
Led by Sōgo Shihoin, the three sped toward Baraggan's palace like three shadows.
"Phew... finally gone!"
"Time to clean everything up!"
Only after Sōgo had completely left did Szayelaporro slowly breathe a sigh of relief. The pressure Sōgo Shihoin placed on him was simply too great.
Meanwhile, Sōgo Shihoin and the other two entered the hall where Baraggan resided without obstruction. Every Menos Grande that dared to block their advance turned into Reishi and returned to the world.
"So you've come?"
After the three entered the main hall, they found a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande in black robes, wearing a crown and holding a massive axe, his face like a skull. He had been "awaiting" them for quite some time.
"You're Bara..."
At that point, Sōgo Shihoin turned sideways and blinked at Lilynette and Tier Harribel.
"Baraggan Louisenbairn!"
Tier Harribel caught his meaning and immediately supplied the name in a quiet voice.
"You're Baraggan Louisenbairn, right?"
After receiving Tier Harribel's prompt, Sōgo Shihoin questioned Baraggan Louisenbairn.
"I am indeed Baraggan Louisenbairn! What business have you, trespassing in my palace? Without a suitable reason, do not dream of leaving here alive..."
Flames seemed to burn within Baraggan Louisenbairn's hollow eyes, and his terrifying Spiritual Pressure filled heaven and earth.
(End of chapter)