The Alchemist in Bleach

Therefore, the strength of these Arrancars is far from that of the legendary, genuine Arrancars; it's largely exaggerated, and they are basically just slightly improved versions of their original abilities.

It simply means that by expanding potential, the rate at which strength increases will be somewhat faster.

In Hueco Mundo, the only known person to have autonomously completed the Arrancar process is Stark, so Barragan clearly understands what autonomous Arrancar means...

The second Stark...

Driven by selfish motives, Barragán's first reaction was to suppress the news and deal with the guy himself!

If he also joins Las Noches, when will he be able to take his revenge?!

However, he had barely stood up when he slumped back down...

That's unrealistic...

Firstly, he was probably the one who did what happened half a year ago. That means that, including the one from half a month ago, he has now killed three Vastods, a fifty-year-old Adjuchas, and several hundred Kyrians!

This kind of thing can't be suppressed at all. It won't be long before Aizen finds out, and he might already be investigating it.

Secondly, and most importantly and frustratingly, he might not be able to win...

Although his strength has greatly improved since becoming an Arrancar, a large part of this is because he became an Arrancar, and his own efforts only account for a small part of it.

So this doesn't prove anything, because his opponent was also an Arrancar. He became stronger simply because the version was updated. Naturally, he could crush the old version, but in the same version, sorry, it still comes down to skill.

Of course, the most important thing is that breaking through the enemy's defenses on his own... This puts too much pressure on him!

Therefore, Barragan finally sighed and said, "I understand. Report this information to Aizen."

Upon hearing this, Kelias and Mujiya looked up at Barragan in surprise. Was His Majesty... afraid?

The moment the thought crossed their minds, the two quickly lowered their heads, not daring to think about it any further.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Mujiya, in particular, quickly responded and then swiftly withdrew.

He feared that if he didn't retreat, his life might be in danger. Kelias was a trusted confidant who had followed His Majesty for many years. Back when Szayelaporro had died and not yet been resurrected, he even overpowered Vastod as Adjuchas and took control of Las Noches under His Majesty's orders. Now that Szayelaporro had been promoted to Espada, he had also become His Majesty's number one confidant.

So there are some things that Kylias can hear and see, but he can't, so he's not leaving now because he's worried he won't be able to leave later!

.......

Kelias glanced at Mujiya's departing figure and tentatively asked, "Your Majesty?"

Barragán waved his hand, signaling Kylias to abandon the idea: "None of that matters. Go and keep an eye on Szayelaporro."

Kelias looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with surprise: "Your Majesty, you mean Thrall might..."

Barragan shook his head, his gaze fixed on Szayelaporro's usual workplace, and said softly, "It's not a possibility, it's certain! I know Szayelaporro very well. Do you think he can resist the temptation Aizen offers?"

Despite his reluctance to admit it, Kelias had to acknowledge that Szayelaporro, a sorcerer in life, was powerless against the unknown.

Aizen had far too many things he could use to tempt him, and more importantly, Aizen himself was an outstanding researcher, which undoubtedly made him even more attractive to Szayelaporro.

Kylias paused for a moment, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes!

"Your Majesty! Perhaps...?"

“No need, just keep an eye on him. Sal has been with me for so many years, I want to trust him one last time.” Barragan’s face suddenly looked somewhat aged.

He had been preparing for the counterattack for centuries, yet, as time went by, he felt that the dawn of victory was slipping further and further away...

A century or two has passed, and not only has he dropped one rank in the Espada, being overtaken by a mere youth, but his forces have also dwindled...

One by one, they were bought off by Aizen...

Hollows are inherently not very loyal, and now that Aizen has dealt them a blow, nine out of ten will be grateful. Although this gratitude will be short-lived, it will be enough to erode their loyalty to Barragan, or rather, their fear of him.

I'm a broken man now, why should I still serve you?

King of Hueco Mundo?

I bother!

Having been the King of Hueco Mundo for so many years, he understands these intricacies all too well, because he himself is just like that, obeying Aizen while constantly thinking of betraying him.

Now, even Szayelaporro, whom he once trusted most, is betraying him...

Of course, he wasn't without countermeasures; after all, he was the one who personally resurrected Szayelaporro...

......

"Heh~ After waiting so long, you've finally succeeded. You've disappointed me after all, Your Majesty Barragán..."

In a laboratory in Las Noches, Szayelaporro lay shirtless on a chair. Beside the dark void in his chest was a long wound, through which one could even see his beating heart.

The culprit that turned him into what he is now is a wisp of black mist floating in front of him. It was just taken from his heart, and the one who put it in was, of course, his "respected" King Barragán!

Thanks to the powerful vitality of the Hollows, Szayelaporro's chest wound healed quickly. After the wound healed, Aizen stepped into the laboratory with a smile on his face.

"Congratulations, you are free."

Szayelaporro, who was lying in a chair, glanced at Aizen who had walked in. He calmly stood up from the chair, first carefully putting away the floating black energy, which was Barragan's death energy, before asking curiously while putting on his clothes: "It's really rare that you would come to Hueco Mundo in person."

Yes, Aizen is here in his true form now, unlike before when he came in a fake form.

Aizen smiled and said, "There are some things I'd like to confirm."

Szayelaporro raised an eyebrow and said, "That mysterious Arrancar?"

"You even know this? Looks like you've infiltrated his side and he knows everything!"

"He's too arrogant. On the contrary, aren't you worried that my actions might weaken the Hueco Mundo's fighting strength?"

Aizen smiled indifferently, "It doesn't matter, as long as those who remain are strong, what's the use of having more weak ones?"

'As expected, Las Noches is merely a tool for him. He doesn't intend to conquer the world through Las Noches; does he intend to rely on his personal strength? Is that realistic?'

While Szayelaporro was secretly speculating, he asked on the surface, "That's true, but is there anything wrong with that Arrancar? I've read the detailed report, and all the criteria prove that he is a Hollow. As for why he wasn't well-known before, that's perfectly normal in Hueco Mundo. We ourselves only learned of Stark's existence a long time ago."

“I know, but data can be manipulated. False information usually leads to false conclusions. I suspect that the suddenly appearing Arrancar is Tenshin Ichiro!”

"Tenshin Ichiro? That Mad Star?" At the mention of Ichiro, Szayelaporro frowned, a barely perceptible fear flashing in his eyes. After all, he had once died at that guy's hands...

Moreover, that was a hundred or two hundred years ago; its strength must have become even greater now!

"Yes, I recently confirmed this information. About half a year ago, the captain of the 2nd Division, Soi Fon, the captain of the 3rd Division, Gin Ichimaru, and the captain of the 11th Division, Kenpachi Zaraki, infiltrated Hueco Mundo under the leadership of Tenshin Ichiro. This information was kept very secret, and even I was kept in the dark until now."

As he spoke, a look of helplessness flashed across Aizen's face.

Originally, according to his plan, he should have climbed up the ranks step by step to become a captain of the Thirteenth Team, wielding power, which would have made it easier for him to conduct experiments or plan anything.

For example, to cover up traces, or to gather intelligence.

Unfortunately, due to the sudden rise of Tenshin Ichiro, a series of actions shattered his plans, forcing him to fake his death to escape and withdraw from the Thirteenth Division.

Although he later joined the Kidoshu, Aizen, knowing that his existence had been discovered, no longer dared to plot for a high position, as risk is often proportional to reward.

For example, in the simplest case, he becomes someone equivalent to the captain of the Thirteenth Division. In that case, he would inevitably have to come into contact with the Captain-Commander. In that situation, once his information is leaked, the Captain-Commander might summon him under the pretense of official business and then deliver a Bankai attack right to his head!

That's all over.

Therefore, Aizen now has to be much more cautious and is still just a nobody among the Kido sect.

However, while security was secured, a great deal of important information and intelligence was lost, and several positions that were subsequently cultivated were gradually removed or transferred.

So he only just found out about Ichiro and the others' departure, and he only learned about it while browsing through the library of a high-ranking noble family, overhearing them chatting...

Otherwise, he would still be kept in the dark...

He knew it! Captain Unohana of the Fourth Division suddenly took over the task of instructing Rukia, while Ichiro suddenly became idle. There must be something fishy going on here!

At the time, Aizen didn't think of it that way. He assumed Ichiro had gone to the human world, and he hadn't considered Hueco Mundo, since it was almost entirely under his surveillance and heavily guarded.

Moreover, he has a large number of troops here. No matter how you look at it, it's impossible for him to charge into the enemy camp alone, right?

Of course, as it turned out, Aizen was wrong...

"The timing matches... and if the nature of the spiritual pressure can be altered, perhaps he really can do it, so what you mean, Lord Aizen..."

"A direct meeting will clarify things. We can't rule out the possibility that he's just a bluff. If he really is, then we should at least try to acquire his level of combat strength. Whatever our objective, we have to fight him. Then we'll know the answer."

Upon hearing this, Szayelaporro nodded. Indeed, at their level, although they could disguise themselves by altering the nature of their spiritual pressure, they would be immediately exposed as soon as they made a move!

Especially when the two sides are evenly matched!

"Understood. Do you need me to make arrangements for you?"

"No need, you should take care of your own business first. I've already asked Kamui to handle it. You should prepare yourself, as we might need to arrange for all of you to meet with him later." As he spoke of preparations, Aizen glanced at Szayelaporro's chest before turning and leaving.

Szayelaporro understood, smiled, and turned to begin treating the heart.

Aizen wasn't lusting after his body; he was reminding him to clean up his tracks. He was going to meet Barragan soon, and if the fact that he had dealt with the hidden dangers in his body was exposed, the plan might change.

But should we let Kamui handle this?

Looking back in the direction Aizen had left, Szayelaporro's eyes flashed with admiration. No wonder he was able to gather this group together; this man's methods were truly impressive...

Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you don't trust.

Sending Kamui there was not only a way to test whether Kamui was truly loyal to him, but also a way to express his trust in Kamui.

See, I trust you so much to entrust with something this important~

He achieved two completely different results with just one thing, in comparison...

Szayelaporro glanced in the direction of the Palace of Barragán, a mocking glint in his eyes. "King?"

Ha~ Just a fool who can't see reality~

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After thinking about it, I decided to ask for leave.

I got a booster shot this afternoon, and now I feel dizzy and not in good shape. I spent ages trying to write a thousand words, then deleted five hundred... So I'm taking a break. I'm very sorry.

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Chapter 311 Devouring Aizen?!

On the other side, the middle-aged Arrancar quickly dealt with the Hollows here and devoured them.

Of course, while it's called "devouring," it actually just involves using the power belonging to the Quincy's spirit particles to break down their corpses into spirit particles, and then storing them along with their spirits. It doesn't mean they were actually devoured.

Needless to say, this Arrancar is Ichiro in disguise, using his second incarnation's appearance. His goal is to join Las Noches. For the past six months, he has been preparing for this identity, disguising his life and upbringing. You can definitely find such a person if you look for him.

With the identity issue resolved, the next step is to join Hueco Mundo, but we can't rush in; we need to be invited.