Chapter 42: Las Noches
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Baraggan, floating in mid-air, commanded his subordinates to assemble.
Shortly after, the ruthless king of Hueco Mundo led his entourage, vanishing into the distance with deadly intent.
Meanwhile, Aaron, steadily making his way toward the Menos Forest, paused to collect spoils after dispatching a group of mid-level Hollows that had dared to ambush him.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for acquiring Reiatsu x986!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Hollow armor fragments x3!"
Feeling the minor boost in his Reiatsu, Aaron sighed with faint disappointment. "Still so little..." he muttered, continuing his journey.
After half a day's travel, he finally arrived at the outermost entrance of the Menos Forest.
Suddenly, a sight in the distance caught his attention.
"Huh? A white palace?"
Aaron whispered, narrowing his eyes. Without hesitation, he activated Shunpo, moving rapidly toward the unfamiliar structure.
From the crest of a sand dune, about a hundred meters away, he finally saw the scene clearly.
Before him stood a grand, unfinished white palace, surrounded by swarms of Hollows toiling away like ants. Tens of thousands of smaller Hollows worked tirelessly, while hundreds of larger Hollows, including Gillian, loomed over them, ensuring order.
Recognition dawned on him.
"This palace... it's unmistakably similar to Las Noches from Bleach."
He paused, taking in the surroundings. "Judging by my current location, there's no doubt. This is Las Noches, still under construction."
Aaron's thoughts drifted to the events of Bleach's story. He recalled Las Noches as Aizen's base of operations after he betrayed the Soul Societyâa fortress of immense power. But before Aizen's arrival, it had belonged to someone else.
"The original ruler of Hueco Mundo..." he murmured. "Baraggan Louisenbairn, the Espada representing 'aging.'"
Recalling Baraggan's terrifying Resurrección form, Aaron couldn't help but admire his raw power, even before gaining the enhancements of an Arrancar. But he also acknowledged the mastermind behind it allâAizen.
"Aizen's influence on the world of Bleach... truly unparalleled," Aaron mused. "Though, considering the current timeline, Aizen himself might not even be born yet."
Shaking off his thoughts, Aaron refocused.
"No matter how strong Baraggan is, without his Arrancar powers, he's just a Vasto Lorde. A formidable opponent, but not invincible."
For the first time in a century of traversing Hueco Mundo, Aaron felt a thrill of anticipation. He had slain countless Hollows over the years but had yet to face one as powerful as Baraggan.
"Perhaps today will change that," he muttered, gripping his ZanpakutÅ.
Before him, the Hollows laboring around the palace seemed like a sea of walking Reiatsu. A wave of determination surged through him as he prepared to strike.
The Battle Begins
Aaron unsheathed his ZanpakutÅ and launched himself toward Las Noches with unparalleled speed.
At the perimeter of the palace, several Gillian stood guard. Spotting the intruder, they unleashed guttural roars, signaling the approaching danger.
Thousands of Hollows turned their attention toward him. Their gleaming eyes filled with malice and greed as they sensed the unmistakable aura of a Shinigami.
To them, Aaron was prey. But to him, they were nothing more than stepping stones.
"Swallow it... Taotie!"
With a quiet command, Aaron activated Shikai. His black ZanpakutÅ radiated an ominous glow, and a wave of crushing Reiatsu burst forth from his body.
The weakest of the Hollows quivered under his pressure. Several collapsed outright, their forms dissolving into the sands of Hueco Mundo.
The Gillian roared in response, rallying the larger Hollows. Waves of black tides surged forward, thousands of Hollows scrambling to devour the Shinigami who dared to challenge their dominion.
Aaron ascended into the air, his calm demeanor masking the storm brewing within him.
"The End of the Thousand Hands, the noble hand who cannot touch the darkness, the heavenly archer who cannot be deflected...
HadÅ #91: SenjÅ« KÅten TaihÅ!"
A torrent of Reishi condensed between his hands, forming hundreds of massive crimson beams. With a deafening roar, the beams shot toward the advancing Hollow horde.
Explosions erupted across the battlefield, the blazing heat reducing weaker Hollows to ash. Even the larger Hollows and Gillian were caught in the destruction, their forms mangled and burned.
The white sands surrounding Las Noches turned black, scorched by the sheer force of Aaron's attack.
Not satisfied, he unleashed another volley of KidÅ, this time blending elements of fire, wind, and lightning. The multicolored blasts illuminated the dark skies of Hueco Mundo, raining destruction upon the remaining Hollows.
The Aftermath
As the battlefield fell silent, Aaron hovered in mid-air, surveying the carnage below. The remaining Hollows, their strength drained, writhed in agony.
With a flick of his ZanpakutÅ, he unleashed a final strike. The spiritual energy coalesced into a massive blade of light, cleaving through the remaining Gillian as if they were nothing more than paper.
When the dust settled, the once-bustling construction site was reduced to ruins.
Aaron descended, landing amidst the charred remains of his enemies. At his feet, hundreds of glowing boxes materializedâthe spoils of his conquest.
"Ding! The system has detected nearby treasure boxes. Would you like to open them?"
A faint smile played on Aaron's lips. "Open them all.
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