Shinigami: Medicine Can't Save The Soul Reaper Society

In truth, Makoto's explanation was nothing more than a fabrication—though not an entirely baseless one.

For most Hollows, their existence begins when a human dies with lingering attachments. As a result, the Chain of Fate—which represents their heart—erodes and collapses, forming the signature hole in their chest. Devoid of a heart and driven solely by instinct, they begin devouring other souls to fill the emptiness within.

The lowest-ranked Menos Grande, the Gillian, is formed when a particularly strong Hollow consumes the spirit particles of hundreds of weaker ones, merging them into a single, towering entity.

Gillian share nearly identical appearances, their sheer spiritual pressure rivaling that of a Vice-captain-level Shinigami. However, in most cases, they lose their individual consciousness, reduced to mindless, beast-like instincts.

Above the Gillian are the more advanced classes: Adjuchas and Vasto Lorde.

However, according to the records of the Soul Society, not all Hollows originate from the spirits of the deceased. There exist some unique cases where Hollows form through other means.

Thus, Makoto's claim of being a Hollow born from the withered trees of Hueco Mundo—while undoubtedly a fabrication—was not entirely impossible.

Yet, for Baraggan, the true concern was not where Makoto had originated.

What truly mattered was Makoto's apparent immunity to aging and decay—his power.

A natural enemy?

A monster?

Baraggan's spiritual pressure fluctuated dangerously, teetering on the edge of an eruption. As the self-proclaimed God-King of Hueco Mundo, who had ruled for millennia, he could not tolerate the existence of such a threat.

This was an unthinkable danger to his reign.

And yet—after a moment of silence, the dark mist around Baraggan thickened slightly. His skeletal jaw moved, and, unexpectedly, his tone shifted to one of warmth and enthusiasm.

"When did Hueco Mundo give birth to a Vasto Lorde of such caliber? This is a momentous occasion for Hueco Mundo!"

Pausing briefly, Baraggan let out a sigh before continuing.

"As it happens, I have been troubled by the latest incursion of the Soul Society's Expeditionary Force—those Shinigami who keep sending troops to invade Hueco Mundo and slaughter our kind. If you were to join Las Noches in defending against these invaders, then the Hollows of Hueco Mundo would never have to fear the Soul Society again."

Expeditionary Force… invading Hueco Mundo… slaughtering Hollows?

Underneath his mask, Makoto's lips twitched involuntarily. For a brief moment, he felt an odd sense of irony.

It was as absurd as a cuckolded man asking his wife's lover for help in catching the adulterer.

More importantly, having long grown accustomed to the perspective of a Shinigami, he found Baraggan's apparent concern for the "well-being of Hueco Mundo" utterly unconvincing.

As thoughts raced through his mind, Makoto quickly formulated a suitable persona, aligning his fabricated identity with an appropriate worldview and way of thinking.

"Soul Society? Shinigami? What are those?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of confusion.

"You… You don't know?" Baraggan was momentarily stunned.

"I have slumbered within the withered trees for countless ages, untouched by the passage of time. When I wake, the night sky remains unchanged. Surely, that means little has changed, does it not?" Makoto replied, his voice tinged with both ancient weariness and calm detachment.

Then, glancing at Baraggan, he asked, "The Shinigami… are they truly slaughtering Hollows? Are they that ruthless?"

Hearing this, Baraggan immediately seized the opportunity, his voice filled with fervor. "Ruthless! Unbelievably ruthless!"

Makoto fell silent for a moment before asking, "Even more ruthless than the way you Hollows prey upon and devour one another?"

Baraggan was momentarily speechless.

In Hueco Mundo, where the law of the jungle was even crueler than the Dark Forest Theory, every Hollow existed in a constant state of predator and prey.

From a Hollow's perspective, the threat posed by the Expeditionary Force was no different from the danger posed by other Hollows.

However, looking into Makoto's calm, seemingly clear gaze, Baraggan did not hesitate to reply.

"Of course. The battles between Hollows are a necessity—for survival and evolution. But the Expeditionary Force indiscriminately slaughters all Hollows without cause."

Pausing, Baraggan sighed in an almost exasperated tone.

"It is precisely to stop the Expeditionary Force's atrocities that I sought an alliance with Harribel. I wished to enlist her strength in protecting Hueco Mundo."

…??

Senju Makoto.

If he hadn't already known a great deal about Baraggan's history, he might have been fooled—just a little—by the self-proclaimed "benevolent ruler" of Hueco Mundo.

But before Makoto could decide how to respond, a voice interrupted them.

Despite the deep wound on her chest, the injury so severe that her internal organs were faintly visible, Harribel forced herself to stand beside Makoto and spoke.

"Do not trust Baraggan, my lord. This so-called God-King of Hueco Mundo has never had any intention of opposing the Soul Society. Everything he does is solely to maintain his own rule over Hueco Mundo."

Then, raising her massive white bone-forged sword, she pointed it directly at Baraggan.

"Baraggan, do not think I am unaware of your true motives. You sought to ally with me not out of concern for Hueco Mundo, but simply to use my strength to eliminate another rising king."

"I have never met this so-called new king, but surely—anyone would be better than you. So tell me, why would I ever align myself with you?"

In an instant, although Baraggan's skeletal face displayed no visible expression, the dense black mist around him thickened considerably, a clear sign of his rising anger.

"Harribel…!!"

Baraggan ground his words out through gritted teeth, his voice seething with rage and murderous intent.

From his perspective, Makoto had been this close to being swayed.

Whether he planned to first placate Makoto and keep him under watch, allowing Szayelaporro Granz to study his immunity to aging, or to manipulate Makoto into attacking the Expeditionary Force—forcing the Gotei 13 to deal with him—there were multiple paths he could take.

However, as these thoughts churned in Baraggan's mind, he took another deep, cautious look at Makoto.

Despite being unable to sense even a trace of spiritual pressure from him, the instinctual dread Baraggan felt remained unshakable.

Caution and wariness outweighed his initial intent to kill.

Especially because, deep down, Baraggan understood—the ability to resist his Respira was a direct threat to his very existence.

That creeping fear and uncertainty within him only screamed one thing.

Stay away from this man.

"Harribel… there are things far beyond what you can comprehend," Baraggan muttered, his tone laden with unspoken meaning.

And with that, he turned, lifting his battle-axe, and strode away without another word.

The moment he departed, the remaining Adjuchas trapped within the withered forest wasted no time in breaking free and hastily following in his wake.

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