Compared to the massive Adjuchas flanking him, Szayelaporro, who stepped out last from the very center, looked like an underage child, appearing completely devoid of any threat.
Yet, he was the most eye-catching presence in the group. That aura unique to a Vasto Lorde-class Menos could not be concealed no matter what.
The current Szayelaporro was completely different from the 8th Espada in Kōe's memories from his past life; they might as well have been two entirely different people.
Aside from an overall silhouette resembling a medieval European noblewoman, the future 8th Espada standing before him possessed absolutely no human characteristics. Looking closely at him even induced a sense of discomfort.
The noblewoman-like skirt of his lower half was composed of white tentacles that looked like maggots, and the Hollow hole situated below his abdomen couldn't help but remind Kōe of some rather unsavory things from his past life.
The writhing appendages on his back resembled octopus tentacles, though there were far more than just eight. His delicate mask featured distinct facial features, but Kōe couldn't find a single trace of familiarity in them.
"After your opponent has given their name, shouldn't you offer your own in return?" Szayelaporro pointed at Kōe, shaking his head as he continued, "However, it isn't strange at all for a lowly Shinigami to act this way. This is exactly how inferior beings ought to behave."
"Ao..."
"Right, right, right. Of course I know your name is Ao. In fact, I understand you even better than you understand yourself." Tapping his temple lightly, Szayelaporro spoke with a smug expression. "So be a good boy and give up your resistance. I really don't want my test subject to have too many scars."
"..."
Kōe was momentarily speechless. This display of extreme overconfidence and unparalleled narcissism was no different from his past life's memories. Then again, perhaps this was a common trait among scientists? At the very least, Kurotsuchi Mayuri always wore this exact same brimming confidence no matter who he faced.
"I highly doubt you are capable of leaving a single scratch on me!"
"How ambitious. But ambition alone won't save you from the inevitable." Szayelaporro's lips curled into a smile. "You will soon realize just how laughably naive you are for saying such things. But before that, I need to take back the test subject you stole from me."
"You lot, go bring back my lovely test subject. And naturally, I don't want to see a single scratch on her!"
"Yes, Lord Szayelaporro!"
The Adjuchas on either side gave slight nods. Grinning widely, they began walking toward the area behind Kōe, acting as if they didn't even consider him a threat.
"Calling me a thief is one thing, but to act like such blatant bandits right in front of me... how utterly insolent!"
Kōe muttered to himself as the Zanpakutō at his waist was instantly drawn. Even though the Adjuchas on his right subconsciously took a step back, its head was still cleanly severed by the blade, and Kōe vanished entirely from its fading line of sight.
*So fast!*
The same thought popped into the minds of all the remaining Adjuchas present. It wasn't just the speed of his sword draw, but also his footwork that resembled outright teleportation. A chill ran down their spines, and they involuntarily looked behind them.
"Why have you all stopped?"
Szayelaporro's familiar voice rang through the air. Just as the Adjuchas were about to answer, an aged, deep voice followed immediately after. "Because they understand that if they don't stop, they'll be the next ones to lose their heads."
Two massive bursts of Reiatsu erupted out of thin air. Looking up, they saw Szayelaporro, who had just been standing behind them. And the owner of the pristine white blade currently clamped tightly between Szayelaporro's five fingers was none other than the Shinigami who had just disappeared.
"Is that really so?" A contemptuous smile surfaced on Szayelaporro's lips as the tentacles on his back violently lashed out to envelop Kōe.
Facing the incoming tentacles, Kōe didn't retreat. He raised his left hand vertically right in front of Szayelaporro's face. "[Hadō #63・Raikōhō]!"
Accompanied by the crackle of electricity, a burst of blue light instantly detonated in midair, swallowing both Kōe and Szayelaporro within it.
"[Hadō #78・Zangerin]!"
Several of the Adjuchas still standing on the ground, unsure of what to do, were cleaved in half the very next second by a suddenly appearing white ring of energy. The strike was so fast that the expressions on their faces didn't even have time to change.
"It seems that is indeed the case." Landing back on the ground, Kōe claimed the life of another Adjuchas with a single slash. He turned around and spoke evenly, "Right, Szayelaporro?"
Not far away, Szayelaporro was half-kneeling on the ground. His pristine white body looked as though it had been coated in a layer of ash, and a few stray sparks of electricity occasionally arced across his form. He looked utterly disheveled.
Of course, it was only a superficial appearance. Even if he wasn't a Vasto Lorde known for defensive hardened skin, taking a dispersed-Reiatsu Kidō like Raikōhō head-on was still no problem for him.
Not to mention, he had retreated in time just moments ago, distancing himself from the core area where Raikōhō's destructive power was at its peak. In his current state, his body was at most slightly paralyzed by the electrical current.
Naturally, this was exactly why Kōe had chosen to use Raikōhō. It had a fast casting speed and a wide area of effect. Although its raw power wasn't strong enough to threaten the life of a Vasto Lorde-class Menos, the lingering electrical currents would still cause the opponent some trouble.
Szayelaporro had merely been testing the waters just now. If the opponent went all out, Kōe couldn't guarantee that Roca, who was standing behind him, wouldn't be captured by these Adjuchas.
Taking advantage of this opening, Kōe's figure continuously flickered through the forest. Every time he reappeared, it signaled the death of another Adjuchas.
"You are also one of the reasons I came to Hueco Mundo. I originally intended to give you a bit more time, but to think you would deliver yourself right to my doorstep... This truly exceeds my expectations."
Screams echoed one after another. At this moment, Szayelaporro seemed to have lost his will to fight. The shrill cries of his subordinates screaming his name right before their deaths seemed completely nonexistent to him.
"A belated meeting? How truly laughable!"
The final Adjuchas that attempted to resist fell beneath Kōe's blade. Without the interference of a Vasto Lorde-class Menos, they were no different from a colony of ants in Kōe's eyes.
"Did you go through all this effort to find me just to pay early respects to your new master?" Kōe raised the Zanpakutō in his hand, pointing it at Szayelaporro in the distance as he spoke evenly. "It was getting a bit noisy. I don't quite like that."
"A new master? Lowly Shinigami always have all sorts of laughable ideas, hee hee hee."
Szayelaporro stood up, his body trembling slightly. "Who could possibly be the master of Szayelaporro? Are you talking about Baraggan? That is truly distressing to hear. As far as I'm concerned, he's nothing more than a helper who gathers materials for me."
"And you?" Szayelaporro pointed at Kōe, grinning sinisterly. "You are just a pawn I placed on my chessboard long ago, dreaming sweet dreams of being a king. What a pity you don't realize there has always been a hand manipulating you from above!"
"Still acting tough?" Kōe sneered. "It seems that lesson just now wasn't enough."
"You still don't believe me?" Szayelaporro retorted. He shook his head and spoke nonchalantly, "No matter. You will experience it for yourself very soon. But before that, allow me to clean these stains off my body."
Power Stones, reviews, and comments— really helps a lot
Want to read ahead? Get access to 50+ extra chapters on my Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/Aragai_Sama