A subtle tension hung in the air.
All around, intersecting glances swirled with complex emotions, each hiding its own purpose.
Besides the original members of Aizen's faction, the others present turned their eyes toward the man being given such weight.
What made him so special?
No one knew.
And Aizen wasn't interested in giving them time to wonder.
"That's all I wanted to say. The rest… you can discuss among yourselves."
He had once considered mimicking the Gotei 13's meeting style, inviting debate and strategy discussions.
But that idea quickly bored him. Imitations held no value for someone like Aizen. What he sought was essence, transcendence—never replication.
Half-measures had no meaning to him.
"Ulquiorra Cifer."
The unexpected call drew a silent, pale-skinned figure to look up from the shadows.
"You'll oversee matters concerning Seiya. Don't disappoint me."
"Understood."
The one who responded had short black hair, lifeless green eyes, and distinct green markings running like tears down one cheek—his Hollow mask fragment.
Seiya took notice.
He recognized this man: Ulquiorra Cifer, a pivotal character from Hueco Mundo's arc, intertwined with the protagonist's journey, immensely popular among fans.
To see him in the flesh...
Worth dying for, honestly.
Still, Seiya kept his expression calm. A moment like this demanded composure.
With his orders delivered, Aizen made no move to linger.
The benefits of being the boss—come and go as you please, let the others figure things out.
"Seiya, if you need anything, come to me."
And with that, he vanished.
Though Tōsen and Gin remained, they clearly weren't enough to rein in the unruly beasts that filled the chamber.
The first to rise was an imposing, elderly-looking man—broad-shouldered, solemn, with a crown-like headpiece.
Baraggan Louisenbairn.
Espada No. 2. The former king of Hueco Mundo.
It was clear he'd only bowed to Aizen's strength. With Aizen gone, his demeanor shifted.
He swept a gaze across the room, paused briefly on Seiya, then turned with a cold snort and left.
"Pointless…"
Tōsen looked ready to step forward, but Seiya gently pulled him back, shaking his head.
"Don't bother with him. Stay calm, Tōsen."
A mocking voice rang out nearby.
"Oh? So without your master backing you, you won't even argue back?"
"What are you, some pampered noble? You won't last long acting so cautious around here."
Seiya turned slightly, clearly surprised.
—He hadn't expected someone to pick a fight already.
It was a tall man with medium-length black hair, parted down the middle, wearing a single eyepatch.
Nnoitra Gilga. Espada No. 5.
Not the most memorable from the original story, but after a pause, Seiya recalled—he once beat up Ichigo badly before getting wrecked by Kenpachi.
Eyepatch bros, maybe?
In any case, Seiya had no plans to stir trouble. First impressions mattered.
But wishes rarely align with reality.
Just like Gin had warned—these beings were wild animals, guided by strength. Trying to coexist was naive.
Seiya released Tōsen's arm and was about to speak when Ulquiorra's voice cut in.
"Apologize to Lord Seiya, Nnoitra."
"…What?"
Everyone turned toward the emotionless Espada No. 4, his expression flat as ever.
"I said, apologize to Lord Seiya."
No anger. Just cold, factual clarity.
Then, Ulquiorra turned toward the doors.
"And Baraggan… return to your seat."
The former king, nearly at the door, stopped and half-turned, his face darkened in shadows.
"Do you understand what you're saying?"
A provoked beast, baring its teeth.
But Ulquiorra's answer was calm as death.
"I do. But it's not my will."
"Lord Aizen said we are to show Seiya the same respect we give him."
"So if that had been Aizen you ignored—would you have said the same thing?"
Baraggan was silent.
He had no retort.
Anger simmered. His body trembled as he stepped forward, a deep growl rumbling in his chest.
"Do you want to die, Ulquiorra?"
Tension rose.
Seiya tried to intervene, but Gin pulled him back, shaking his head again.
This was Espada business.
Unless it got out of hand, Aizen welcomed such conflict. Fighting kept their claws sharp.
Ulquiorra stood up.
"I'm not your equal. But I won't avoid a fight."
"Lord Aizen's orders come first. If you continue this disrespect… I will answer with my life."
Dead calm. As if he'd already accepted death.
Seiya glanced at Gin—seriously? You're just gonna watch this?
But before it escalated further…
"Then what if you add me to the mix?"
The voice belonged to Harribel.
Espada No. 3.
She stood, poised and unshaken. Alone, she might not defeat Baraggan. But with Ulquiorra?
Baraggan snarled, then—after a pause—grumbled and returned to his seat.
Gin released Seiya's arm. The worst had passed.
Seiya watched it unfold, realizing he understood far too little of the Espada's internal order.
Even his own apprentice seemed to grasp this twisted system better than him.
One by one, the others began to relax.
Nnoitra clicked his tongue and looked away.
"Tch… sorry…"
A reluctant apology, but an apology nonetheless.
The meeting continued, and Seiya raised his hand.
"If there's nothing else, let's adjourn."
First to leave was Stark, Espada No. 1—quiet, listless, uninterested in everything.
The rest followed suit.
Baraggan shot Ulquiorra another venomous glare before exiting.
Once the room had mostly cleared, Seiya noticed two figures approaching.
He looked to one.
"Harribel. Do you need something?"
Her earlier aid hadn't gone unnoticed. She bowed slightly.
"I want to thank you, Lord Seiya."
"...?"
"If you hadn't spoken up, those lesser Hollows would've been executed."
He realized she meant the ones who had failed to bring the right chair.
A top-ranked Espada… mourning over minor Hollows?
Seiya wasn't sure if it was sentiment, but he knew she was different.
Harribel had been strong even before Aizen arrived. She followed a personal creed of minimizing unnecessary bloodshed. Her three Fracción were all Hollows she'd saved.
Her aspect of death—sacrifice—was fitting.
Seiya smiled lightly.
"It was nothing."
"You understand. That's enough."
Her eyes curved slightly behind her half-mask, a soft smile in her voice.
"You're… not like the other Shinigami."
"Most of them despise us. And it's understandable—we feed on souls, after all."
"Even Lord Aizen doesn't see us as equals… I know we're tools to him."
She understood that much.
"But you… you showed us kindness. That surprised me."
Kindness?
In the Soul Society, Seiya might've offered diplomatic words.
But in Hueco Mundo? He had to play by different rules.
Aizen had already shown him what it meant to command.
He lifted his chin slightly and smiled.
"Mercy is a luxury of the strong."
"If you see it as kindness, that's your interpretation."
"Don't overthink it, Harribel."
Her face wavered ever so slightly, and she bowed her head.
"As you wish, Lord Seiya…"
----------
Powerstones?
For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates