Inside the Zero-Type Storm, compressed Cero fragments spun like blades.
Sombravida did not release a full Gran Rey Cero.
Instead, he fractured its outer compression layer and dispersed it into hundreds of razor-thin reiatsu arcs. The spiraling storm swept across the five low-tier Vasto Lordes before him.
Each arc cut like a high-speed Sonído slash.
The five Vasto Lordes reacted instantly.
Reiatsu surged outward.
Hierro hardened.
They formed a joint defensive field, overlapping spiritual pressure to withstand the shredding vortex.
Even so—
Their bodies began to bleed.
Sombravida's reiatsu was far more condensed than typical low-tier Vasto Lordes. His control over compression allowed the storm to bypass gaps in their defenses.
The cuts were shallow.
But numerous.
Enough to humiliate.
More importantly—
During the clash, micro spatial crystals infused with a trace of Respira slipped into their wounds.
Seeds planted.
The storm dissipated.
One of the five—crab-masked, arms morphing into twin hammers—stepped forward furiously.
"Barragan! Do you intend to start a war?!"
His reiatsu flared.
Doughand immediately raised a hand.
"Stand down!"
He stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Your Majesty. Surely this is sufficient to vent your anger?"
Barragan snorted coldly.
Sombravida retreated without protest.
The first act was complete.
Doughand continued:
"The previous clash with Kamra was a misunderstanding. We have accepted punishment. May we now speak properly?"
Barragan rested his axe over his shoulder.
"Speak."
Doughand nodded.
"Your Majesty has entered the central region. It is clear you seek expansion."
He paused deliberately.
"Lord Saros is willing to offer alliance."
Barragan's hollow eyes flared.
"You dare flatter me after drawing blades?"
Doughand's tone remained steady.
"We proved our worth. Now we speak as equals."
Sombravida stepped forward lightly.
"Your Majesty, one more ally strengthens your dominion. When the central region is pacified, they may govern it in your name."
Barragan pretended to consider.
"Continue."
Doughand exhaled.
"To the north lies an ancient ruin controlled by Susbus Oria."
"Her ability—mental interference—is troublesome."
"Neither Lord Saros nor Szayelaporro Granz can comfortably eliminate her."
That name drew Sombravida's attention.
Doughand continued.
"Susbus remains within the ruin's perimeter. She absorbs residual reiryoku from within. Her growth has accelerated."
"If left unchecked, she may surpass mid-tier."
Barragan's axe shifted slightly.
"You want me to eliminate her."
"Yes."
"If Your Majesty aids us in subduing Susbus, Lord Saros will not be stingy with the ruin's resources."
Barragan scoffed.
"You think me naïve? That ruin is the reason you three balance each other."
Doughand bowed deeper.
"Then name your price."
Sombravida interjected calmly.
"Have Saros speak in person."
Doughand's eyes narrowed beneath his mask.
Sombravida continued.
"Five days. If Saros wishes cooperation, he will come himself. Otherwise—"
He let the sentence hang.
Barragan's reiatsu surged slightly in agreement.
Doughand bowed once more.
"We will deliver your message."
The delegation withdrew.
After they departed, Barragan turned to Sombravida.
"Why grant five days?"
Sombravida answered simply.
"I will visit Szayelaporro."
Barragan's hollow eyes flickered.
"You believe you can negotiate with him?"
"There is a possibility."
"And if he dissects you instead?"
Sombravida smiled faintly.
"I will not give him that opportunity."
He outlined the strategy:
Feign alliance with Saros.
March against Susbus.
Observe all three factions.
If possible, incite conflict between Saros and Szayelaporro.
Eliminate Susbus first.
Then break Saros.
Szayelaporro could be negotiated—or delayed.
Barragan considered.
"The unknown factor is the ancient ruin."
"If Susbus unleashes something sealed within, matters become unstable."
Sombravida nodded.
"If it escalates beyond control, we retreat."
Barragan chuckled dryly.
"You forget. We are Hollows."
He gestured with his axe.
"We open Garganta."
Sombravida paused.
He had relied on spatial manipulation so long that he had nearly ignored the most fundamental Hollow technique.
Yes.
A coordinated Garganta evacuation could save the army—if properly shielded.
"Understood," Sombravida said.
"Then I depart."
Sombravida called Nel and Harribel.
"Nelliel. Tia."
They approached.
"I am heading to Szayelaporro's territory alone."
"You will remain here."
Nel nodded without hesitation.
Harribel bowed.
"If conflict erupts, signal me immediately."
He handed them a spatial badge.
"It will take at minimum ten seconds for me to respond. Possibly thirty."
Harribel's eyes hardened.
"I will hold for half a minute."
Sombravida nodded.
"That is enough."
He opened a spatial seam and vanished.
Far west, within his own territory—
Sombravida reappeared in the council chamber.
Timd and Jekain halted their discussion.
"My king?"
"Retrieving tools," Sombravida replied.
Tim blinked.
"Scientific equipment?"
"Yes."
"Bring reiatsu analysis devices. Monitoring systems. Tracking arrays. Demonstrable research."
He added calmly:
"Nothing crude."
"We are meeting Szayelaporro Granz."
Tim swallowed.
Half a day later, all research materials were secured within Sombravida's spatial storage.
"Purpose?" Tim asked.
"Resource exchange."
"And caution," Sombravida added.
"Do not reveal core methods."
They teleported toward the southwestern jungle of central Hueco Mundo.
After minor inquiries from wandering Adjuchas, they reached a dense forested mountain range.
Unlike Saros' carved cliff fortress, Szayelaporro's territory was concealed.
As Sombravida hovered above—
A faint scanning pulse brushed past him.
Tim stiffened.
"Reiatsu detection lattice."
Sombravida narrowed his eyes.
Optical camouflage.
Barrier field.
He released a subtle spatial vibration.
A ripple distorted the air.
Northward—
A translucent light membrane shimmered faintly.
Behind it—
The hidden stronghold of Szayelaporro Granz awaited.
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