Chapter 573

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs". Just like no one told me that Baraggan had been effortlessly defeated by Hui, no one told Szayelaporro how terrifyingly powerful Hui really was.

So from the very beginning, from the moment Szayelaporro set his sights on picking a fight with Hui, his fate was already sealed.

In Karakura Town, Szayelaporro Granz's figure appeared.

After all, this city was famous for its dense Reiryoku. Whether in the Soul Society or Hueco Mundo, it had quite the reputation.

So Szayelaporro Granz wasn't surprised in the slightest when he arrived here.

But the moment Szayelaporro stepped into Karakura Town, Hui had already sensed him.

This time, Hui didn't even need to probe Szayelaporro mind, he could already guess what the Arrancar was here for.

Even so, Hui didn't go out of his way to confront him. He remained in his villa, waiting patiently for Szayelaporro to come to him.

Meanwhile, Yoruichi also sensed Szayelaporro's arrival, and she could only sigh in exasperation.

These powerful Arrancars, usually nowhere to be seen, were suddenly popping up one after another.

"Another poor soul. I really don't get where they're getting the courage to go up against that monster, Hui..." Yoruichi sighed.

But even as she sighed, she got up and started heading toward Hui's villa. After all, she had nothing better to do. Might as well enjoy the show.

This time, Ichigo was lucky, he didn't run into Szayelaporro.

Because honestly, Szayelaporro and Baraggan were both too freakish. If Ichigo had run into Szayelaporro, even if he survived, he would've been completely wrecked.

That said, part of the reason Szayelaporro came in the first place was because Hui had deliberately leaked a bit of his presence, just enough to attract him.

"So this is the place? Deliberately luring me here... how amusing. Such overwhelming confidence," Szayelaporro murmured to himself as he stared at the villa before him, then stepped inside.

The moment he entered, he could feel the difference between this place and the outside world.

Inside this villa, the density of Reiryoku was unimaginably high. Overwhelmingly so.

Karakura Town itself was already known as a city rich in Reiryoku, far denser than most other locations.

But the Reiryoku inside this villa far surpassed even that.

A flicker of unease stirred in Szayelaporro's heart. He liked being in control. He liked gathering every last detail about his enemies, calculating his response from raw data.

He hated the unknown. When faced with the unknown, his first instinct was always fear.

That, after all, was why his composure crumbled so quickly in the original story.

So he decided to retreat for now. It was better to get out of here first.

However, just as he was about to turn and leave, a voice rang out, making Szayelaporro freeze in place.

"You're already here, why rush to leave so soon?"

It was a calm voice, quietly spoken behind him, but it sent chills running down his spine.

With a stiff motion, he turned around, and saw a flawlessly handsome young man watching him with a faint smile.

"You are... Mochizuki Hui?"

Szayelaporro asked, sounding uncertain, but also oddly certain, as he stared at the boy before him.

"Yes. I'm the human you're looking for, the one who killed Nnoitra Gilga. I am Mochizuki Hui."

Hui spoke calmly. At this distance, everything Szayelaporro was thinking was no longer a mystery to him, every thought was laid bare in his mind with perfect clarity.

"How did you know I came here to find you?"

Szayelaporro's expression grew serious. 

From Hui's words just now, it was clear he had been expecting his arrival, he even knew Szayelaporro's purpose for coming here.

"Because not long ago, another Arrancar came to see me. I learned a lot of things from him."

Hui replied, not bothering to hide anything.

"Who?"

Szayelaporro asked instinctively.

"An Arrancar named Baraggan. He claimed to be the former King of Hueco Mundo—though whether that's true or not, I have no idea."

Hui answered casually.

"Him!? Then why are you still..."

Szayelaporro trailed off. He wanted to ask why Hui was still alive. 

Even he recognized Baraggan's terrifying power. In his mind, there were few who could survive an encounter with that man.

"Why am I still alive?" Hui smirked. "Because, Baraggan is dead."

His words made Szayelaporro's face twist in shock.

Baraggan was dead, and judging by the way Hui said it, it was by his hand.

This... was beyond belief. It was staggering.

Baraggan wasn't just anyone, he was the former ruler of Hueco Mundo, an Arrancar with terrifying power, one of the strongest among the Espada.

And now, he was dead. Just like that. Silently, in this very place.

"You don't need to look so shocked," Hui said indifferently, "You'll be joining him soon enough."

His words made Szayelaporro almost jump out of his skin.

The meaning was obvious, this human boy was going to kill him too.

"Hahaha! What a liar you are, kid! Do you really think I'd believe everything you say? You have no idea how strong Baraggan was, and yet you dare claim you killed him?"

Szayelaporro blustered, trying to sound confident, but in truth, his mind was already racing, trying to figure out how to escape this situation.

"Sigh... If only you people were a little stronger," Hui said, voice tinged with disappointment.

Facing someone like Szayelaporro, he truly couldn't find the motivation to fight. The opponent was just too weak. A single sword strike and it would all be over.

"You've been pretty bored lately, haven't you? I'll leave this one to you," Hui added, glancing at the black cat perched on the wall nearby. "You might as well test how strong you've become."

At those words, Yoruichi, still in her black cat form, nearly faceplanted.

She really wanted to retort, wanted to tell Hui not to be so overconfident, that there's always someone stronger out there.

But she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

Because right now, as things stood…

It really did seem like Hui was the strongest in the world.

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