Mila Rose returned to the burning tree, trailed by an impressive entourage. Over a hundred Hollows followed in respectful silence. This fear—respect—was burned into their souls after witnessing this deceptively friendly woman slaughter dozens of Gillians and Adjuchas by herself without breaking a sweat.
To them, she was a demon incarnate.
Their last reservations vanished upon spotting the two Vasto Lorde locked in a distant standoff. None realized Starrk and Ulquiorra weren't comparing spiritual pressure, no, they had long since exhausted their energy in a prolonged battle. Now, all they could do was stare at each other while recovering their Reiatsu.
"They look like complete idiots."
With the support of her powerful mate, she wasn't least bit afraid of Vasto Lorde.
Her bright grin faded when she spotted Apacci watching the confrontation. Living together for months made Apacci's depressive mood instantly recognizable. Mila Rose scratched her hair, frowning. The usual lunch invites and shopping tickets wouldn't cut it this time; Cirucci's evolution had dealt too severe an emotional blow. She had to come up with something more creative. Something unique. Something even Apacci didn't know she craved in life.
"Argh, I'll ask Kazuya… or Snake. Yeah, that devious woman is full of tricks."
She turned to find her new followers trembling in apparent terror. They, who weren't familiar with Mila Rose, clearly feared she might begin a massacre to vent her emotions.
Chuckling at their terror, she beckoned an Adjuchas. She had a head full of dark blue hair and a dragon-like mask covering half of her face. Just her aura revealed her as one of the authoritative figures in Las Noches. She had the misfortune to cross paths with Mila Rose during her return to Las Noches after a mission.
Naturally, she'd put up a fight, unwilling to fall in line. And naturally, Mila Rose beat her until she begged for mercy.
"What was your name again?"
"Alma…" the Adjuchas murmured, head lowered. "Alma Fría."
"Right, Alma. You're the temporary leader now." Mila Rose clasped her hands behind her back, posing as a dignified and respectable figure. The slight smirk betrayed her excitement—her first taste of power and authority was thrilling. "Take them to Harribel-sama."
A collective sigh of relief rustled through the crowd, though no one moved.
Alma pressed her clenched fist against her chest in formal salute. "Understood."
At Alma's command, a serpentine Hollow slithered forward, followed by a massive spider-like Adjuchas. The orderly discipline typically reserved for the Living World manifested in Hueco Mundo.
Mila Rose nodded in a pleased manner. "Things are improving already."
It was only a matter of time Reino Sereno attained an orderly, stable life for Hollows.
Once everyone departed, Mila Rose arrived by Apacci's side. The maid appeared to be locked in intense concentration.
"She seems fine…" Mila Rose whispered, gently shaking Apacci's shoulder. "Apacci. Hey, look at me!"
Apacci cracked an irritated eye open. "Don't. Disturb. Me."
She snapped her eyes shut again.
"..."
***
A short while later, hundreds of thousands of Hollows packed the open plaza within the crumbling remains of Las Noches. Despite their overwhelming numbers, not a single cry escaped their throats. It wasn't because they didn't want to, rather they couldn't control their own bodies under the crushing spiritual pressure.
Who was humiliating these once proud members of Espada?
The golden-haired conqueror, who stood upon a motionless wave of water, her Reiatsu forcing all of them to nearly prostrate themselves in submission. Yet not a single Hollow died. The fine control of Reiatsu only raised the wariness of those hoping to fish in troubled waters.
Satisfied with this display of absolute authority, Harribel drove her sword deep into the water beneath her feet and rested both hands upon its hilt, radiating the undeniable presence of a sovereign.
"My people…" Her gaze swept across the sea of faces, some monstrous, some humane. All of them had one thing in common—eyes filled with fear and anticipation. "This land will henceforth be known as Reino Sereno—a home for those who wish to live without fear of being devoured, who seek purpose beyond survival."
A nervous murmur rippled through the crowd as Hollows exchanged uncertain glances. From behind Harribel, Kazuya sensed the emotions churning below: fragile hope, deep-seated fear, resignation, and in some cases, barely concealed ambition.
"However," Harribel continued, her tone softening slightly, then her Reiatsu pulsed, silencing the crowd in an instant. "You must follow the rules. Whoever disobeys will be punished by the Disciplinary Committee."
Laws and punishments were required to establish order among Hollows. Kazuya had outlined the crucial regulations while leaving the finer details to Harribel and the soon-to-be established council.
He nodded to himself and quietly slipped away from the assembly. Though unfamiliar with politics, Harribel possessed the instincts of a born leader. Bending these unruly Hollows to her will wouldn't be challenging. As for loyalty, time would solve it.
In the first place, Harribel hadn't come here to build an army. She only had a simple desire.
As for him, he had a more pressing problem to address.
Pushing open the heavy stone doors with both hands, he couldn't suppress a smile at the sight of Yoruichi. Fortunately, his helmet concealed the expression from Soi Fon.
"Wait."
He only spoke a single word before he moved to the corner, leaning against the wall with arms crossed. His part in the script would only come at the third and final act.
The simple act of waiting sent turbulent waves through the "bystander" Soi Fon's heart. As Yoruichi's attendant as well as bodyguard, protecting her mistress was her sacred duty. Unfortunately, she couldn't guarantee her own survival, much less protect Yoruichi.
The thought gnawed at her relentlessly.
"Yoruichi-sama, forgive me for disgracing you…" Soi Fon murmured pitifully. "When we return, I'll devote all my time to training."
Yoruichi rubbed the back of Soi Fon's head. "You wouldn't mind training with me then?"
Soi Fon's eyes lit up. "It'd be my greatest honor."
"Then we'll train together under the same mentor."
"Mentor?" Soi Fon blinked in confusion. "I thought I'd be learning from you. Is it someone I know?"
Yoruichi's gaze drifted toward the armored figure with a mysterious smile. "You'll meet 'em soon."
Soi Fon reined in her curiosity and returned to studying the armored Hollow with wary intensity. She was certain this was the same Vasto Lorde who had fought with Aizen in Karakura Town. Every detail of the black armor matched Captain Yamamoto's intelligence reports perfectly.
"Yoruichi-sama, Kazuya… where did he go?"
Yoruichi's smile deepened. "I don't know."
"Yoruichi-sama is teasing me…" Soi Fon whispered. "Kazuya is her… He should be fine if she isn't concerned."
Such an excuse still didn't ease her worries.
Kazuya couldn't help but smile. After several tense minutes, his attention shifted toward the door. The star of the first act, Harribel, made her entrance with grace and authority.
...
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