"What do I do? What should I do now? "
Szayelaporro was visibly anxious.
Even though he had effortlessly wiped out an entire division of the Gotei 13, and even captain-level Shinigami—considered the Soul Society's strongest forces—were no match for a Vasto Lorde-class Hollow like him, he still had no intention of confronting Sōya Azashiro.
The difference in spiritual pressure was too vast.
No amount of trickery or strategy could close the gap between them.
"Angil! Swallow all these materials—don't digest them! "
After much thought, Szayelaporro barked an order at the towering Hollow behind him.
This Hollow, known as Angil, was a special Gillian he had modified—primarily used for storing objects. It also possessed a unique ability: it could completely isolate spiritual pressure.
"ROAR!!"
Angil obediently swallowed all the gathered materials—including the unconscious Captain of Squad Ten—in one gulp.
"Yo! Szayelaporro! "
Just as Angil finished swallowing the materials, three figures suddenly appeared behind Szayelaporro.
"Uh…"
"Ahaha… Lord Azashiro…"
Beads of cold sweat formed on Szayelaporro's forehead. He slowly turned around and greeted Sōya Azashiro with an awkward smile.
"Szayelaporro, what have you been up to lately? Haven't seen you around. Are you still working on suppressing spiritual pressure? Any progress? "
Azashiro didn't reveal his true intentions right away—it would've seemed too abrupt and impolite, as if he only ever visited Szayelaporro when he needed something.
"Huh?"
Szayelaporro was briefly stunned by the casual tone.
Does this mean he hasn't found out I destroyed a whole division?
Or is he testing me?
No… with Lord Azashiro power, he doesn't need to test anyone...
"Still working on it. I've made a little progress," Szayelaporro replied carefully.
"No need to rush. I'm not planning to leave Hueco Mundo anytime soon," Azashiro waved his hand.
"That won't do. Since I promised you, I have to do my best to finish it quickly," Szayelaporro said with determination.
"You're making me feel bad now—this was my own request," Azashiro chuckled.
It was moments like this that made him hesitant to keep asking Szayelaporro for help.
Szayelaporro noticed Azashiro's slight discomfort and offered:
"Do you need something from me? If so, just say the word—your problems are my problems."
Azashiro sighed.
"Honestly… yes. I feel a little embarrassed to say it.
You know how dark Las Noches is… I want to make a sun. Do you think that's possible? "
"A… sun? " Szayelaporro's brows furrowed. "That's a bit difficult..."
Even a miniature sun would be an extraordinary challenge.
"So it's impossible? " Azashiro asked, nodding slightly. The idea was a bit far-fetched.
"Making a sun is tough… but if all you want is to brighten up Hueco Mundo, that's actually simple," Szayelaporro said, sensing this was not a confrontation after all.
Let him go deal with someone else—just not me...
"Oh? " Azashiro eyes lit up behind his blindfold. "Let's hear it."
"We can build a large, glowing ceiling over a portion of Hueco Mundo—something that separates it from the sky. Then, we paint the ceiling with a fake blue sky, clouds, and a sun. Done."
"That's possible? "
"Of course. I could do it in a month. The challenge isn't technical—it's political.
See… there's one issue: Baraggan Louisenbairn, the self-proclaimed king of Hueco Mundo, hates bright and shiny things. So the hard part is convincing him."
A mischievous glint flickered in Szayelaporro's eyes—clearly curious to see what would happen next.
"So the problem isn't building it, but convincing this Baraggan guy, huh? "
"That's easy," Azashiro said, stretching his limbs. "Just tell me where he is."
Azashiro had always been talented at... persuasive diplomacy—especially the physical kind.
"He's in that palace," Szayelaporro said, pointing at Baraggan's fortress.
"Got it."
Azashiro nodded.
"Um, Lord Azashiro... I've still got some research to do, so I won't be joining you," Szayelaporro added.
He needed to clean up his lab while he still had time.
"Leave it to us."
Azashiro turned to his two companions.
"Lilynette, Halibel—let's move! "
"Lord Azashiro remembered my name! "
Halibel nodded gently, a rare feeling of joy passing through her heart.
"Let's go! "
With that, the three vanished like shadows, speeding toward Baraggan's palace.
Back at Szayelaporro's lab, he finally exhaled in relief once they were gone.
"Whew… they're gone."
"Time to clean everything up! "
Meanwhile, Azashiro , Lilynette, and Halibel entered Baraggan's throne room without resistance.
Any Hollow foolish enough to block their path had already been reduced to particles of reishi.
"So... you've arrived."
Inside the dark grand hall, a Vasto Lorde-level Hollow was waiting.
Wearing black robes, a crown on his head, and wielding a massive battle axe—his skeletal face was unmistakable.
Azashiro stepped forward, then glanced sideways and winked at his companions.
"Baraggan Louisenbairn! "Halibel," she whispered the name to him.
"You must be Baraggan Louisenbairn, then? "
"Indeed, I am! "
Baraggan's hollow gaze burned like fire.
"You dare trespass into my palace—state your purpose.
If you have no reason... You'll not leave here alive."
His spiritual pressure thundered across the hall like a storm.