Chapter 305: A Meeting of Two Kings?

Aizen Sōsuke?!

Why?

Why was he here?

Makoto's gaze swiftly shifted to Aizen's waist—completely devoid of a Zanpakutō.

"To remain hidden in the shadows, to ensure I wouldn't detect his movements… he even abandoned his Zanpakutō temporarily?"

Although Makoto had once speculated that Aizen might go to such lengths, seeing it firsthand confirmed just how much Aizen viewed him as a threat—an opponent worthy of both caution and respect.

After all, to a Shinigami, their Zanpakutō was an extension of their very soul, a power that could never be willingly forsaken.

"I'm honored, Aizen Sosuke."

Makoto mused silently before shifting his focus to the two Vasto Lorde standing beside Aizen.

Among them, the man wielding twin pistols was unmistakable—Coyote Starrk.

As the former Espada No. 1 in the original and one of Hueco Mundo's only two naturally evolved Arrancar, Starrk was impossible to mistake.

Just moments ago, he had entered his Resurrección, Los Lobos, unleashing an Infinite Cero Barrage—a relentless storm of thousands of Cero within seconds, forcefully carving an opening through the Great Hollow Forest.

Terrifying.

Compared to the barrage of Cero fired by Baraggan's amassed Hollow army, Starrk was a one-man walking Cero Gatling gun. Moreover, the quality of his Cero was vastly superior to the scattered and inconsistent attacks of the ordinary Hollow horde.

As for the second Vasto Lorde, a figure bearing a striking resemblance to a demon, Makoto quickly identified him.

Ulquiorra Cifer.

The one whose Resurrección, Murcielago, was known as Giant Black-Winged Demon.

More importantly, he was the only Hollow who, after his initial transformation via the Hōgyoku, had undergone a second self-evolution—unlocking Segunda Etapa.

At that thought, Makoto instinctively glanced at the little leopard beside him…

Sometimes, comparisons were cruel.

The arrival of Aizen and his entourage had instantly altered the entire battlefield.

Stepping forward, Aizen met the many gazes upon him with an air of indifference, striding through the Great Hollow Forest as if he were inspecting his own domain.

Neither the massive alteration of Hueco Mundo's landscape nor the thousands of Hollows radiating immense spiritual pressure seemed to register in the lenses of his glasses.

Flanked by Starrk and Ulquiorra, Aizen walked steadily toward the heart of the Great Hollow Forest, forming a triangular standoff between himself, Makoto, and Baraggan.

His gaze flickered briefly toward the imposing figure of Baraggan before settling on Makoto, seated atop his withered throne.

Then, Aizen clapped his hands.

A sharp, almost jarring applause echoed through the dead forest.

"That remarkable display of spiritual pressure just now… I had assumed it belonged to Hueco Mundo's so-called 'King'—Baraggan. But it seems I was mistaken. How intriguing."

He paused, adjusting his glasses, before continuing with a measured tone that completely ignored Baraggan's presence. His eyes remained fixed on Makoto.

"I must admit, I have underestimated Hueco Mundo. In terms of spiritual pressure, presence, and composure… it is you, the once-unknown entity before me, who truly deserves the title of 'King of Hueco Mundo.'"

Makoto remained silent, his hand resting against his chin as he observed Aizen without reaction.

It was Baraggan who could not tolerate such blasphemous words. Black mist surged around his form, and his voice erupted with fury.

"You dare speak such arrogance, Shinigami?!"

At those words, Aizen merely cast him a sidelong glance.

Then, without warning, a crushing surge of spiritual pressure exploded from his body, rocketing skyward. The sheer force rippled through the Great Hollow Forest, sending out tangible shockwaves.

This level of spiritual pressure…

Makoto narrowed his eyes, focusing on Aizen's slightly lowered head, his expression concealed behind the gleam of his glasses.

An equal match.

Even though Makoto had always overestimated Aizen's potential, he had not expected him to be this powerful at this point in time.

After all, Makoto had been secretly amassing spiritual power within the Seireitei for years through the 'Seeds of the Forest.'

Had Aizen truly reached this level purely through his own talent?

No—this surpassed the theoretical limits of a normal soul.

"The Hōgyoku…?"

As Makoto pondered, the Vasto Lorde across the battlefield were experiencing sheer terror under the collision of their overwhelming spiritual pressures.

Some of the weaker Gillian-class Hollows, caught too close to the epicenter, began disintegrating under the sheer force.

Even Baraggan… took a step back.

For the first time, an unsettling thought surfaced in his mind.

Was this still a battle where the 'King of Hueco Mundo' could intervene?

Ordinarily, pure spiritual pressure meant little in a fight. Even against overwhelming power, Baraggan's Aging ability ensured he would never back down.

However, the mental blow of witnessing Makoto completely ignore the effects of Aging, followed by the emergence of two spiritual pressures exceeding Vasto Lorde-class, caused an inescapable shadow of doubt to take root in his mind.

Unconsciously, he took another step back.

With that movement, the fragile triangular standoff unraveled.

Now, only two figures remained at the heart of the battlefield—staring each other down.

Makoto.

Aizen.

Their monstrous spiritual pressures clashed violently, colliding like the wills of two kings.

Finally, for the first time, Makoto straightened his posture upon the withered throne, sitting up as he regarded Aizen with genuine interest.

"Shinigami… your name?"

"Aizen Sōsuke."

Aizen spoke his name without hesitation. Then, he tilted his head slightly and asked in return.

"And you, Hollow? What is your name?"

"Asura Gensei."

Makoto's expression remained unchanged as he uttered the name.

Aizen lifted his gaze slightly, the light reflecting off his glasses as he examined Makoto.

"To bear the name of Asura… You are, without question, the most powerful being I have encountered in Hueco Mundo."

"You flatter me."

Makoto's tone was calm, unfazed by the praise. Instead, he shifted the conversation forward.

"Rather, as a Shinigami, what is your purpose here in Hueco Mundo?"

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