Chapter 97: God?


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Regrettably, I cannot,” Nelliel answered without thinking twice. Her voice was firm, her resolve unshakeable. “They rely on my protection.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nelliel’spassion reminded Kazuya of Harribel’s gentle nature. After all, Nelliel was a fairly energetic person in both her toddler and normal forms. The Nel from before Nnoitra’s ambush was indeed a different person — less vibrant and more of a serious person.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“We can share the responsibility,” Harribel said, her gaze resting on Kazuya. A glimmer of determination lit her eyes. “I propose we make this cave our stronghold in Hueco Mundo until we put our ns into motion.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The cave carried a lot of memories like his first meeting with M Rose and Sung-Sun, his insane growth through training, many touching moments, and his Arrancarification. No ce would be better to serve as a base of operations for their conquest of Las Noches.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Api huffed, folding her arms across her chest. “I don’t know. Why not just siege Las Noches and take Barragan’s house or something?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“This ce has a name now. I call it the King’s Stand,” Sung-Sun announced dramatically, looking towards Kazuya for an approving nod, which he gave with a charming smile. “Let’s hear your thoughts first.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya stroked his chin. In his perfect world, his Hollowpanions wouldn’t be in Hueco Mundo when Aizen starts his Hueco Mundo conquest — which could happen any day. It’d be problematic if Aizen ran into Harribel or any other Arrancar and took interest in them. He had to convince them to stay away from Hueco Mundo in the near future.


    <span style="font-weight:400">A flurry of strategies swirled in his mind, out of which he selected the one that best fit the situation.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Nobody is staying in Hueco Mundo after this,” he dered solemnly. “I received intel that a certain dangerous individual is out to hunt Hollows to use them as test subjects. And he is a more powerful enemy than I can handle right now.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nelliel was ensnared in theforting cadence of his voice, missing the critical information he shared. She was yet to build a defense against hispelling voice.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Api, meanwhile, blinked her eyes. His aplishment of killing Barragan cemented him as a god in her heart. He was the most powerful individual in her eyes without a shadow of a doubt. Just imagining someone stronger than him gave her the chills. Clenching her fists, she pushed down the fear, letting loose a smirk.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘He’ll outgrow that enemy in some years. So will I.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Her ambitions for strength were reaching absurd levels.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Sung-Sun, tapping her cheeks thoughtfully, chimed in, “We, as natural Arrancars, would make the perfect guinea pigs, wouldn’t we?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Yup,” Kazuya affirmed. “We’re perfect specimens.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Harribel crossed her arms defiantly. “We can confront him, together.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">With an abundance of confidence in strength, she proposed. Having such a criminal loose didn’t sit well with her. She was fearless, unwilling to let fear impact her decision — a great yet terrible quality for a queen.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He shook his head. “Won’t you listen to me?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Harribel gazed at him for a few moments before she exhaled a resigned sigh. “I will get M Rose and Ciri back home.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">She didn’t argue against him. Then again, she hardly ever went against his decision even though she was the elder one in their rtionship.


    <span style="font-weight:400">{Such a good mommy.}


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Thanks. Also, keep an eye out for powerful Hollows with good characters. I’ll evolve them into Arrancars with Kisuke’s Hōgyoku.” He pivoted to face Nelliel, who had been attentively absorbing their conversation. “If you desire peace in Hueco Mundo, join us. You don’t have to leave your friends either. I simply want you to stand by our side.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nelliel had been keenly observing him, her understanding of his character deepening with every word spoken. For one possessing the might to obliterate a Vasto Lorde instantaneously, he radiated an unexpected gentleness. Even with their vast power disparity, he treated her with an unwavering respect. Hisposure and charisma carved an irreceable mark on her heart. He embodied every quality she’d desire in a good leader.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“If that''s the case, I see no reason not to join your cause. But, there''s one thing I need to know.” Her voice was soft, yet her gaze was piercing. She ced a hand over her heart. “How do you intend to bring peace?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">He closed his eyes. “Through the only method known to Hollows — violence. We’ll rule with an iron fist. Diplomacy or any other method is futile.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Aizen’s reign in the canon had brought a sense of order to Hueco Mundo,pelling the more powerful Hollows topete for higher Arrancar rankings and reducing the ughter between them. Kazuya aimed to establish a simr system, fortified by a more robust structure and stricter rules.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘If Yama can do it, so can we. Hollows are more driven by desires but they also fear strength more than those in the Soul Society.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">{Things you do for women.}


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘What do you mean? Kingdom building is fun.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">{Minecraft is more fun.}


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘The day you be a Vasto Lorde is the day I… Insert Minecraft eating sound effects.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nami gasped. {Okay, Partner. I’ll let you eat me out.}


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘Good girl.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Throughout his exchange with Nami, Nelliel didn''t take her eyes off him. She wished to counter his logic, but found herself in agreement. Hollows weren’t creatures of words, but of violence. Overwhelming power was required to suppress the ravenous nature of Hollows and put them in their ces. And he possessed such power. Even the dark-skinned woman, while powerful, was below him.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘He is doing it with a noble cause.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Reassured by his intentions, she offered a solemn nod of agreement. “Just one more question.” She sounded embarrassed to be bothering him with one question after another. “What are you…? I know you’re Hollow but you’re not a pure one. I don’t know how to exin it in words.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Their appearance and nature were in stark contrast to every other Hollow she had seen in Hueco Mundo. She felt like an anomaly amidst their humanoid forms.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Hisughter rang out, easing the tension. “Rx. I’ll exin.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">He proceeded to detail the concept of Arrancars, broadening her understanding on the Hollow race as a whole. The allure of an Arrancar’s power and characteristics ignited a newfound desire within her. She attempted to inquire about the transformation process, but he swiftly dismissed her, saying that she had yet to meet the necessary prerequisites. He was correct in a sense. The bond necessary for his ability ''Crumbling Heart'' to function was yet to be established. He didn’t want her attempting Arrancarification on her own and potentially failing.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Her chivalrous disposition would serve as an excellent asset to his future kingdom.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘A perfect knight.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">{Who will be eaten by the Devil King of the Samsara Pce during nights,} Nami said, unamused. {At least she is smart, not a dumb bimbo like M Rose.}


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘Hey, don’t insult my golden retriever.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">Choosing to ignore Nami, Kazuya devoted some more time to borate on the impending dangers to Api and Sung-Sun. The former harbored a voracious appetite for power that could potentially lead her on a bloody hunt for weaker Hollows for months. She had to be put on a time restriction or she’d run into Aizen.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Afterwards, he ventured to interact with the small, endearing Hollows residing in the cave. They swarmed around him like he was that uncle who brought children candies and gifts. Surprisingly, some Hollows grew in size right before his eyes, experiencing power growth that raised them from the bottom of the barrel ss.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Nelliel observed this, her eyes widening in astonishment and disbelief. “A-Are you... could you possibly be a god?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">It was rare for her to loseposure and stutter, but the elerated growth of the Hollows, who had been stagnant for years, was an extraordinary sight.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He let out an awkward chuckle at her question. “It’s just my passive ability.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The effects of his ability were more subtle on Adjuchas due to their considerable Reiryoku reserves. However, for Hollows with Reiryoku even less than an average human, the impact was noticeable to eyes. It was no less than witnessing a miracle.