Chapter 125: The God of Hueco Mundo

No matter how imposing Barragan’s words were, reality unfolded exactly as Chojiro had anticipated: those four incompetent modified Arrancar were easily defeated by Ikkaku, Ayasegawa, Kira, and Hisagi, who were responsible for guarding the pillars.

Consequently, Barragan, determined to destroy the pillars, sent out his remaining four subordinates to attack. It is worth noting that because Abirama had been instantly killed by Chojiro, the Arrancar fighting Kira was now the elephant-like one.

Even with a change in opponents, the outcome remained the same. After suffering countless strikes from Kira, Nirgge Parduoc finally collapsed under the immense weight of his own tusks, unable to lift his head, and was finished off with a remarkably stylish slash to the neck.

However, the "unchanging" nature of events naturally included everything—including Ikkaku being defeated by Choe Neng Poww, who successfully destroyed the pillar, only to be struck down by Komamura’s Bankai immediately after.

Come to think of it, no matter how lackluster the ability might be, a Bankai is still a Bankai; that kind of power is truly terrifying.

Chojiro, who had never thought much of "Tengen," couldn't help but slightly alter his perspective. If Ikkaku had used his Bankai, perhaps he wouldn't have lost to that whale, which was such an eyesore to look at.

Of course, these were just passing thoughts; after all, the situation at hand was not relaxed enough for Chojiro to actually try out this or that.

Had he not noticed that the old man sitting on the throne looked increasingly displeased?

"Ggio Vega."

"At your command, Your Majesty."

The last remaining subordinate by Barragan’s side bowed respectfully. There was no trace of panic or anger on his face, as if the death of his comrades were merely a natural end of life, unworthy of any extra emotion.

"Eliminate that guy in front of us. He is an eyesore."

"As you command."

With a casual gesture toward Chojiro, who still stood at the forefront of the Shinigami, Barragan closed one eye, the light of disdain still flickering within it.

This was hardly surprising; after all, the gap in strength between those subordinates and himself was so vast that their deaths caused him no concern. When the time came, he would simply dispose of a few ants himself.

"Are you prepared, Shinigami?"

Having received the order to kill from his master, Ggio Vega used Sonido to appear less than ten meters away from Chojiro. He made no attempt to conceal his killing intent, radiating it with blatant arrogance.

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that? Haven't you seen your comrades being instantly killed by me?"

Chojiro was genuinely speechless. His comrade had just been wiped out by him right before his eyes, so why was he still being threatened like this?

"Enough talk!"

As an enemy, Ggio Vega was not kind enough to listen to Chojiro’s complaints. He drew his peculiar weapon and charged at his target.

"Clang!"

"!"

Usually, at a moment like this, some character would intervene to stop the fight, leaving the boss to the protagonist—a classic cliché. And so, a cliché occurred here.

"Captain?"

"Bang!"

Just as Ggio Vega was surprised that a captain-level Shinigami had stepped out to protect the lieutenant, that petite figure did not hesitate, kicking the equally small Ggio Vega away instantly.

"Charging in so brazenly—it seems Aizen’s training for the Arrancar is nothing more than this."

With a cold smile on her lips, Soi Fon landed lightly in front of Chojiro. It went without saying that her intention was, "Leave this guy to me."

This was a predictable development. After all, Chojiro had once been a mentor to Shihouin Yoruichi, so it was only natural that Soi Fon recognized him. Furthermore, now that Soi Fon had reconciled with Yoruichi, it was standard procedure for her to step in and block one or two Arrancar for Chojiro.

"Be careful, Soi Fon."

"Don't you worry about me."

As for respect, the little bee was just like her master; she held no respect whatsoever for Chojiro.

"Tsk... you bastard, don't get in my way!"

Ggio Vega, having been kicked away by Soi Fon, wiped the filth from his face and roared. There was nothing more humiliating than being knocked back in a single strike in front of His Majesty.

"That’s my line."

Soi Fon raised the finger adorned with Suzumebachi, her cold smile not fading in the slightest.

"I was just thinking of finishing off that old man behind you, so don't you get in my way."

"How dare you be disrespectful to His Majesty!!"

Having touched Ggio Vega’s bottom line, he went completely berserk, abandoning his attack on Chojiro entirely to engage Soi Fon in a fierce battle.

"How about it? Is it really okay to keep sitting on that throne so comfortably? You’re the only one left, you know."

Chojiro glanced provocatively at Barragan, who remained unmoved, his mouth curling into a smile that made one want to punch him.

"I'm talking to you, Barragan."

"…You’re noisy."

The Great Emperor, who had intended to ignore him, finally had no choice but to stand up slowly from his throne. There was no helping it; all his subordinates were gone, and the other two Espada—whether from their own perspectives or Chojiro’s—had no intention of treating the other as an enemy. Although he did not know why that woman held such deep hostility toward him, since she wanted to challenge him, it was necessary to teach her a lesson.

"If you want to fight so badly, I shall trade blows with you myself."

Reaching out to take a massive black axe from his throne, Barragan began to exude a chilling aura.

"Stinking brat."

"Ha, the title of 'brat' isn't one for you to be handing out."

He was an ancient Shinigami over a thousand years old; why should this old man, who was younger than him, call him a brat?

"A word of advice: you’d better release your form before coming at me, if only to improve your defense. After all, I don't know how much power it will take to kill you, God of Hueco Mundo."

"You talk too much."

He placed the axe upside down in front of him. The blood-red eye in the center of the axe blinked suddenly, and a shocking amount of Reiatsu was released from within.

"Rot, Arrogante."

Black matter erupted from the center of his axe, enveloping Barragan’s entire body and making it impossible for anyone to see what was happening inside.

"How boring..."

Harribel, who had remained silent throughout, kept her arms crossed, displaying her proud figure to its fullest extent. However, the coldness flowing from her eyes would make any admirer stop in their tracks.

"That old man really loves doing such troublesome things..."

On the other side, Starrk merely scratched his head. Even though he was No. 1, since the opponent hadn't targeted him, he had no desire to involve himself in such troublesome affairs.

"Phew..."

The black matter gradually dissipated, revealing Barragan, who had transformed into a pile of white bones after his release. Yet, despite his skeletal appearance, the Reiatsu and aura emanating from that gaunt frame were enough to dispel any thoughts of underestimating him.

The white skeleton exhaled a long breath, spitting out the turbid air, and then opened his mouth, looking at Chojiro, who still wore a faint smile.

"Come, let me show you that what you call 'terror' is nothing more than child's play, you stinking brat."