Chapter 298: A Doctor's Joy

The moment those words left Szayelaporro's lips, Mila Rose and Apacci realized the severity of the situation.

So, Szayelaporro had been eavesdropping on them the entire time using that pink tentacle?

Their plan—!

If that was the case, then everything—Harribel and Asura's entire strategy—might already be in Szayelaporro's hands.

And Szayelaporro was one of Baraggan's subordinates. If a Vasto Lorde like him had made his way here, then the far more terrifying King of Hueco Mundo himself might have already set a trap for Asura.

This is bad!

A chilling sensation ran down Mila and Apacci's spines.

It felt as though an intricate web of despair was closing in on them, wrapping around their bodies like an iron noose, suffocating them.

As Szayelaporro finished speaking, a swarm of Adjuchas-class Hollows emerged in the distance behind him.

"What a shame~"

Szayelaporro casually brushed aside his pink bangs, his tone laced with mock regret.

"When I overheard that your next destination was the Forest of Menos, I immediately rushed ahead to intercept you. I even went out of my way to induce some… rather excruciating pain."

His sharp gaze scrutinized them before continuing.

"Which makes me wonder—just how important are you little Adjuchas to Harribel? Would she surrender for your sake? Or better yet… would she trade Asura Gensei for your lives?"

He licked his thin lips, his voice tinged with an insatiable hunger.

"I must say, I'm fascinated by that peculiar Hollow. A being born from the Withering Woods, one who also seems to have some rather critical knowledge regarding the Arrancar transformation…"

Before he could finish, Mila—whose leg had nearly been blown apart—let out a furious roar.

Her muscles swelled with power, and with a forceful grip, she grabbed Apacci and hurled her backward. At the same time, a crimson Cero ignited in her mouth as she lunged at Szayelaporro.

"Apacci, go! No matter what, you have to get this information to Harribel-sama!"

"Mila!!"

From where she was thrown, Apacci screamed her name.

She watched helplessly as Mila's Cero detonated, engulfing the battlefield in an explosion of smoke and debris.

But beyond the rising dust, more Adjuchas were rapidly closing in!

Apacci's expression twisted in anguish. She clenched her jaw, her eyes brimming with fury and desperation. Then, with a single tear rolling down her cheek, she turned and ran.

She pushed her speed beyond its limits, fleeing as fast as her body could carry her.

And just as Apacci's figure vanished into the distance, the smoke around Szayelaporro and Mila dissipated.

Szayelaporro stood there—completely unscathed.

As for Mila…

She was suspended upside down, her unconscious body entangled in writhing pink tentacles that coiled around her like a grotesque cocoon.

"How dull."

Szayelaporro sighed as he pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, dusting off his pristine clothing. With practiced ease, he adjusted his uniform, ensuring that any exposed fragments of Hollow bone armor were once again concealed.

As for Apacci's escape, he made no move to stop her.

Or rather—he allowed it.

He wanted Harribel to return.

With her subordinate captured, it was only a matter of time before she came running back to rescue Mila.

As for chasing Harribel into the Forest of Menos?

That was out of the question.

Szayelaporro knew full well that that place was the territory of another King of Hueco Mundo.

As a servant of Las Noches, he had no intention of walking into that Hollow's domain without reason.

'But what exactly is Harribel looking for? Something related to the Arrancar transformation?'

A sinister glint flickered in his eyes.

Unfortunately, Mila's knowledge was limited. Harribel had never shared the full details of her plan with her subordinates.

But…

Szayelaporro glanced up at his captive.

The tentacles constricting Mila's body tightened.

"With Harribel's bleeding-heart nature, having a hostage should be more than enough to force her into the open…"

---

Meanwhile, in Another Corner of Hueco Mundo

Cloaked in a Reiatsu Concealing Cloak, Makoto moved swiftly through the endless, desolate landscape of Hueco Mundo.

As he continued forward, he suddenly sensed a shift—one of the "Seeds of the Forest" he had planted inside Harribel and her group had moved unexpectedly.

Makoto's expression darkened slightly.

Still, he felt a bit reassured when he noticed that Harribel and Sparx were steadily approaching each other.

While he wasn't sure about Sparx's current strength—given how much that cowardly Hollow preferred to hide—he was still a genuine Vasto Lorde.

With two Vasto Lordes working together, they wouldn't necessarily dominate Hueco Mundo, but unless they ran into someone like Aizen, they should have no trouble getting away safely.

On the other hand, his own situation was proving to be far more annoying.

Everywhere he looked—nothing but sand.

At this moment, Makoto couldn't help but long for Unohana-sensei's beautiful gardens and soothing hot springs.

Even with Harribel by his side, he had already decided—there was no way in hell he was staying in Hueco Mundo forever, eating nothing but sand.

Besides…

Walking alone through Hueco Mundo had a way of amplifying isolation.

Even as a Shinigami, he could feel his own thoughts being swallowed by the vast emptiness of the realm.

It was frustrating. It was boring. It was irritating as hell.

So—his solution?

Everything that moved…

He slapped it first, healed it second, then politely asked for directions.

It was the perfect combination of violence and medical expertise.

And as Makoto finally reached the area where Harribel had once encountered Nelliel, he found… nothing.

Not even a trace of her Vasto Lorde-level spiritual pressure.

Not even a single strand of her seafoam-green hair.

Makoto's face darkened.

His irritation only grew, but before he could dwell on it, he suddenly sensed two Adjuchas-level spiritual pressure signatures clashing in the distance.

His eyes narrowed.

Without a moment's hesitation—he took off in their direction.

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