Chapter 394 BSUS Chapter 397: No Enemy Stands Before Us

This “companion” of Ashido’s was a valiant-looking female Arrancar with shoulder-length dark blue hair and heterochromatic eyes—one green, one red.

The two sides stood at odds with Ashido caught in the middle. Judging by the expressions of Ichigo’s group and the Arrancar named Apacci, the only reason they hadn’t come to blows yet was Ashido himself. From this perspective, Ashido’s words seemed credible.

“Put your swords away. Judging from the situation since we entered Hueco Mundo, Ashido is at least an enemy of Las Noches and shares some of our goals. Isn’t that right, everyone?”

Hiroe stepping forward at this moment was a show of sincerity, saving Ashido from remaining in an awkward position.

“Thank you for your trust, Captain Chōzuka.”

“You misunderstand, Ashido. I don’t have any so-called trust in you right now.” Hiroe’s tone shifted. He rested his right hand seemingly casually on the hilt of his sword, though it served as a clear warning. “Why would a Shinigami call a Hollow a companion? Why exactly are you fighting against Las Noches? I hope you can give me a satisfactory explanation!”

“Hmph, your heart is full of suspicion. How could any explanation satisfy you?” Before Ashido could speak, Apacci sneered unceremoniously from behind him.

“If you are worthy of temporary trust, I will naturally apologize for our rudeness. But expecting me to believe you without a shred of evidence… I’m not an omniscient god, so isn’t that asking a bit too much of me?”

Hiroe mocked himself. Apacci snorted coldly again and turned her head away, clearly unaccepting of his reasoning. Hiroe didn’t waste any more words on her, shifting his gaze to Ashido. “You’ll give me a basis to judge, won’t you, Ashido?”

“Of course. You might not believe it, but in this Hueco Mundo, a realm of Hollows filled with slaughter, there are anomalies who despise sacrifice and hope for peace. They were the ones who saved me when I was on the brink of death, treating me as a companion even after realizing I was a Shinigami.”

Ashido looked back and smiled. “Because of them, I realized there might be another possibility here besides slaughter. They feel the same way. Though our identities differ, we share the same ideals and hope to bring a different kind of change to Hueco Mundo. But in the eyes of Las Noches, we are the anomalies of Hueco Mundo. We are traitors!”

“In addition to the aforementioned Shinigami and humans, those stubborn fools who have been roaming the Forest of Menos will likely join the assault on Las Noches.”

Inside Las Noches, Tōsen Kaname stood with his hands behind his back to the left rear of Aizen’s throne. He meticulously briefed the seated Espada on the intelligence they had gathered, and as he spoke, the holographic images in the center of the long table shifted accordingly.

“Apacci, Mila Rose, and Cyan Sung-Sun. These are the members of the Resistance who have shown themselves so far.”

The projection displayed three female Arrancars. Unlike the majority of the inferior lower-class Arrancars in Las Noches, these three had achieved a very high degree of Arrancarization. Even within Las Noches, while they might not rank among the Espada, they would undoubtedly be top-tier Arrancars, at least on par with most of the Espadas’ Fracción.

They all belonged to an organization internally referred to by Las Noches as the Resistance. They typically operated in the lower levels of Hueco Mundo, at the very fringes of Las Noches’s sphere of influence, repelling the regional administrators sent after them. Occasionally, they would also operate in the upper levels of Hueco Mundo, causing quite a headache. To the seated Espada, they were truly old acquaintances.

Tōsen’s briefing continued. Soon after, another familiar face appeared on the screen. “Resen Dieter. He is also believed to be a member of the Resistance. According to Szayelaporro’s intelligence, the Resistance is a thorn the enemy planted in Hueco Mundo long ago, and they serve this man directly: Chōzuka Hiroe.”

Hiroe’s figure appeared on the screen, and for the first time, Tōsen’s voice grew solemn. “The strength of the Resistance cannot be underestimated, and it remains unknown how many more members they have hidden. I believe they are the force most worthy of our attention and vigilance this time.”

If Apacci and the other two were old acquaintances, Resen was even more so, having been a member of the Espada until recently. The people seated here wouldn’t fear him just because he was formerly the 2nd Espada, but they wouldn’t harbor the same contempt for him as they did for Ichigo’s group.

The Resistance alone possessed an unknown number of Arrancars capable of rivaling the Espada, and that guy named Chōzuka Hiroe was an absolute monster. To quote Szayelaporro: “I am very interested in him, but I do not expect to send him to my laboratory all by myself.”

“I don’t care about the others, but that Kurosaki Ichigo is my prey.”

“Picking off the easiest brat. You sure have a big appetite, Grimmjow.”

“You might not be able to stomach him, Yammy.”

“You bastard!”

Yammy slammed a fist onto the table. Just as he lost control of his anger and was about to start a brawl with Grimmjow before their great enemy even arrived, Ulquiorra spoke up to stop him. “Silence, Yammy! And you, Grimmjow. Do you dare act so insolently in front of Aizen-sama?”

Both of them resentfully backed down and obediently sat back in their chairs, each secretly cursing the other for being a nuisance.

Ulquiorra paid no mind to their petty thoughts. No emotion, be it excitement or fear, could be seen in his green eyes. “Please give the order on how to dispose of these people, Aizen-sama.”

“I am pleased to see your confidence.” Aizen set down his teacup. His voice wasn’t loud, but at this moment, no other sound dared to rise above it.

“We have many enemies this time. Aside from the Resistance, which includes Resen, who once sat among us, there are Kurosaki Ichigo, Ishida Uryū, Chad, and Inoue Orihime. They previously entered Soul Society as Ryoka and dared to challenge the Gotei 13. They cannot be underestimated either.”

“As for those five humans…”

“They each harbor their own ulterior motives. They don’t seem worthy of trust, Chōzuka.” Ashido stood side by side with Hiroe. Although he couldn’t use words to make Ichigo and the others completely trust his Arrancar allies, they could at least manage basic cooperation.

The “they” he referred to were Ginjō and his group. While others didn’t know their backgrounds, Ashido knew them inside and out through Roka. Not only had Hiroe revealed his hand to them early on, but he was now letting them split up to follow the five squads. It seemed a bit careless.

“What they have become today is the bitter fruit of our past actions, so naturally, I feel guilty. But if they would drag their feet when it comes to saving their own kind, it proves they’ve lost even the most basic sense of goodness in their hearts. Why should I continue to show them mercy?”

Hiroe waved his hand dismissively as he spoke. “Besides, even if they lack basic goodness, they probably won’t go too far until they’re certain I’ll fall. That brat Yukio said it himself—I’m the most exaggerated boss he’s ever seen.”

Ashido said in exasperation, “Right, you really are a difficult guy to deal with!”

“For Chōzuka Hiroe to be so reluctant to give up on them, those humans must possess something unique. Underestimating them might cost us.”

Aizen pushed himself up with both hands and stood, his tone shifting. “Though they cannot be underestimated, there is no need to pay them too much mind either. Their group will inevitably split up. Return to your posts and act as you normally would.”

“Do not be arrogant, do not be hasty. Simply wait patiently for the enemies to come to your door one by one. There is absolutely nothing to fear. A dangerous beast may don armor, but that armor is far more fragile than its body.”

“By the way, your attitude just now seemed to make Apacci quite unhappy. You’re showing a bit of favoritism~” Ashido teased Hiroe. He had no suggestions regarding the arrangement for Ginjō and the others; Hiroe was far more professional in that regard than he was.

“It’s not like I didn’t apologize to her. Besides, we were just putting on an act, so why take it so seriously?” Hiroe smiled helplessly, then feigned ferocity. “Furthermore, am I not an adult just because I don’t wear a mask? How dare she turn her head away from me—what nerve!”

“Wasn’t she just acting according to your orders?”

“Looks like you need a beating too,” Hiroe scolded with a laugh, quickly steering the conversation back on track. “Let’s stop catching up for now. We’re responsible for the outpost in this direction. We can’t lose to the brats.”

The two advanced rapidly through the desert with their captive, Luppi. Suddenly thinking of something, Ashido leaned in and asked, “Aizen forced us to split our forces like this. Did you ever consider that he won’t let us regroup smoothly before entering Las Noches?”

“Of course I did. But with the hostages in his hands, we lost the initiative long ago. Until I understand Aizen’s layout within Las Noches, even I have to tread carefully and advance step by step.”

“Aren’t you afraid they’ll be in danger?”

“I am, but that’s unavoidable, isn’t it? I’m not always going to be some savior-like existence. I have my moments of failure too, and this time is the best example. They can trust me, but they cannot rely on me.”

Ashido sighed. “That revelation might come at the cost of their lives.”

“How could it? They’re the brats I’ve placed my hopes on. They aren’t that fragile,” Hiroe retorted with a smile. “Formidable foes will only stimulate their potential to defeat the enemies before them. To break the prejudices in their hearts and entrust their backs to those they truly acknowledge.”

“They will understand. What connects them isn’t race, identity, or profit, but a heart that refuses to sacrifice others and values one another. And as long as they understand that, no matter…”

In Las Noches, Aizen’s figure stood tall in the great hall. He didn’t need grand gestures to draw everyone’s gaze.

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it was like a divine decree that commanded silent listening. “No matter what happens, as long as you are with me…”

“No matter what happens, as long as everyone is together, working as one…”

Hiroe and Ashido’s figures were like two ants in the vast, white desert—so tiny that a single gust of wind seemed capable of erasing them completely.

But looking closely, there were similar presences in all directions, each holding their heads high. Even the sheer immensity of Las Noches could not shake the resolve in their eyes.

“As long as you are with me…”

“As long as everyone is together…”

As if separated by an entire world, yet seemingly by prior agreement, both Hiroe and Aizen held an inexplicable confidence in their eyes.

“No enemy stands before us!”