Mazuru had originally thought that the quincy's first stop, once they launched their revenge, would be the Soul Society. Unexpectedly, they came to the Hueco Mundo instead.
Through his perception, he found that there were not many quincy masters approaching the periphery of Las Noches. Except for the first five individuals, whose presence felt very powerful, the rest were just ordinary quincy masters.
"Is it because they know I occupy Hueco Mundo as King, so they came to test me? Or… do they intend to conquer Hueco Mundo with so few people?"
Mazuru's eyes flickered as he considered the possibilities. But since they had come, there was no fear in him.
He looked around at those gathered in Las Noches and said leisurely, "There are some new guests coming towards the palace. Who among you wants to meet them?"
Hearing his words, the expressions of those in the hall shifted slightly.
Most didn't know how Mazuru had learned of the intruders, but Kenpachi Azashiro had also sensed them. After joining the Las Noches, he had used the ability of Urozakuro, fusing with the structure just as he had once merged with Seireitei. Given the palace's size, this integration made the entire Las Noches and its sorroundings his "eyes". He had naturally sensed the newcomers — reiatsu distinct from both shinigami and hollow, and strong.
"Has the Invisible Empire begun to take their revenge?"
Soon, several figures stepped forward, ready to face the intruders. Starrk, Nelliel, Harribel, Ulquiorra, and Grimmjow — the remaining Espada members. Some were not naturally inclined to battle, but with the enemy at their gates, retreat was not an option.
From the Bount side, Kariya Jin and his group also emerged. Over the past year, under relentless research by Ran'Tao, they had finally achieved a breakthrough. Though they still could not breed offspring but their time that had stopped had resumed flowing, their strength had grown. More than a year ago, when Kurosaki Ichigo invaded Hueco Mundo, the Bount had been overwhelmingly weak except for Jin himself. After that humiliation, they had resolved to grow stronger — and now they wanted to test their new power.
Tousen Kaname, a veteran from Aizen's era, had also resolved to fight to the death for Mazuru. Without a word, he stepped forward.
Seeing so many willing to confront the "guests", Mazuru chuckled. "I'm pleased to see such eagerness to entertain strangers, but there's no need for so many of you to go."
He pointed to a select few. "Harribel, Ulqi-kun, Grim-kun, Jin, Kaname — you will welcome our guests."
"Hey, don't give people random nicknames!" Grimmjow snapped. Being called "Grim-kun" annoyed him; it sounded immature and made him seem similar to Ulquiorra. He prided himself on being different from others. Still, despite his verbal protest, Grimmjow accepted the assignment without further complaint.
After briefing them on the intruders, Mazuru sent the chosen five out. They left the main hall and headed to the palace's outer perimeter.
...
Signs of intrusion were already visible, but before they could react, the quincy following the five Sternritters activated their sacred techniques. Arrows of condensed spirit particles flew instantly, cutting down hollows and erasing them entirely from existence — a reason shinigami had once hunted quincies, since such destruction disrupted the balance of souls.
"So this is the strength of Las Noches? Pathetic."
"Is such strength worthy of His Majesty's consideration as an ally?"
Seeing the hollows fall without even engaging them, Askin, the leader of this expedition and one of Yhwach's personal guards, looked on with disdain. Cang Du, standing beside him, sneered. "Didn't I say before? Haschwalth overrates them."
"The vermins of Hueco Mundo are only fit to be our slaves. I can't wait to see this so-called king begging under my hands."
"Careful, or you might be the one who will get defeated." came a mocking voice. The speaker was a young man with spiked purple hair, purple eyes, mismatched earrings — a screw-shaped stud in his left ear and a nut-shaped one in his right — a dark star pendant, black gloves, armbands, and slit-collared shoes. This was Bazz-B, Haschwalth's childhood friend, and unlike the others, he always addressed him casually as "Jugo". He had no patience for Cang Du's arrogance.
Cang Du simply snorted and ignored him.
"Whether they're worthy allies or not, we'll know once we meet them." said Quilge Opie, his military posture rigid as ever.
The quincy continued forward, killing any hollow they encountered in the palace outskirts until they reached an enormous square.
There, several figures appeared before them.
"Well, well, well. Is this the welcoming committee for the hero of justice?" sneered a burly middle-aged man wearing a golden mask, a neat bow tie, and the Star Cross emblem on his belt. His Schrift was "S," for "Superstar", and he enjoyed calling himself a hero. "I see despicable villains, disgusting hollows, and… things I can't even identify. This palace of yours — is it Hueco Mundo's pride, or just a trash heap?"
*****
Support me on my Ko-fi page and gain early access to my creations.
https://ko fi.com/rroy28 (put a "-" between "ko" and "fi")
You can access up to 30 advanced chapters.