Chapter 403: BSUS Chapter 406: Choice

“Alright, alright, let’s be a bit more patient.” In the center of the room, Szayelaporro kept his head down, his body trembling slightly as if he were desperately trying to hold back his laughter.

On the other side, his true body was in a similar state. Even from a great distance, the dangerous aura unique to Hiroe filled him with endless excitement—and at the same time, deep dread.

“Of course, that is assuming you have truly lost your patience.”

Szayelaporro suddenly raised his head, his golden eyes locking onto the man opposite him. Hiroe’s calm expression made it impossible to associate him with words like anxiety or loss of composure.

However, the feeling from just a moment ago had been incredibly real. It made it impossible to tell—was the man before him using a calm exterior to shield his true emotions? Or did he simply not even care to finish a lie properly?

Searching for an answer in his mind, Szayelaporro blurted out his thoughts, “Do you truly care about those brats? No, rather, do you even possess the emotion of caring in your heart?”

“Or perhaps, those brats—or at least one of them—are very important to you. No less important than Roka was back then. Fine, I’ll admit a few of them are somewhat interesting, but they are all far too weak, too insignificant.”

“Of course, of course! You are the type of person who can shatter mediocrity and forge miracles. I never would have imagined back then that a piece of trash like Resen could reach his current level. You have the ability to see a person’s potential!”

Szayelaporro spoke quickly, his words tumbling out faster and faster, making him appear somewhat crazed. “But now is hardly a good time to stimulate potential. You are trapped here, and they will have to fend for themselves.”

“Could it be that this is what you want to see? The coldest, most urgent survival of the fittest. It seems Aizen has truly placed an immense amount of pressure on you…”

Szayelaporro was feeling immensely pleased with himself, anticipating Hiroe’s response. Hiroe did not disappoint him; with a mere raise of his hand, he swung his blade and cleanly severed both of the Arrancar’s legs.

“I told you I don’t have time to entertain your bizarre curiosity, Szayelaporro.”

Szayelaporro collapsed to the ground, laughing as he propped himself up. “What’s the use of venting your anger on a mere shell like this? Hahaha, you’re looking far too pathetic, Lord Chōzuka!”

“Besides, haven’t I already told you what you wanted to know? From here on out, you won’t be able to interfere in those brats’ battles.”

“You’re mistaken on two counts, Szayelaporro.”

Hiroe interrupted him coldly. “First, cutting off your legs wasn’t me venting my anger; it was a warning! If I obliterate this ‘shell’ right now, then no matter where your soul flees, I will obliterate it as well!”

“Second, I am well aware that Aizen doesn’t want me interfering in the others’ battles. But even if he were here in person, he couldn’t order me to do so—let alone you!”

Watching Hiroe approach step by step, the smiles on Szayelaporro’s faces—both the one in the room and the one in front of the screen—gradually froze. He didn’t dare make a single sound, forced to respectfully listen to the man’s words.

“If you want to watch me take the stage, you will sit obediently in the audience. Be quiet when it’s time to be quiet, and applaud when it’s time to applaud. You might not understand your own place, but you must know the rules you are required to follow. Do you understand, Szayelaporro?”

In front of the screen, Szayelaporro felt his throat go dry. He hurriedly nodded, and after a moment, controlled the shell in the room to speak, “Under… stood…”

“Within this Las Noches, there are five Karakura Towns. Of course, only one is real…”

A three-digit Arrancar was truly not to be underestimated. Ichigo panted heavily as he sprinted down the long, dark tunnel. He had originally intended to defeat his opponent without relying on his Bankai, but in the end, he had been forced to go all out, which had drained a significant amount of his energy.

However, the physical strain was ultimately nothing compared to the psychological pressure. Ever since he entered Las Noches, this pressure had been a constant presence, and it finally reached its peak when that Arrancar revealed the information about Karakura Town’s location just moments ago.

There were five Karakura Towns located within Las Noches, but only one was real. Unfortunately, each of them could only choose one to secure. This was the rule—an unbreakable rule!

*If we can find the only real Karakura Town, it would be the best choice for our side,* Tsukishima thought to himself. He had even used his ability for this purpose, but he hadn’t obtained any information.

It was no wonder. Aizen was a man who could rival Chōzuka Hiroe, perhaps even faintly surpassing him. How could a game designed by such a man allow pawns like them to find a flaw?

In their current situation, the trust between squads and the trust between individuals were facing a severe test. A simple victory was meaningless; only a meaningful victory counted as a true win. But aside from oneself, did the others have the capability to shoulder this responsibility?

Even trust in oneself was being tested. After all, regardless of whether they could secure the real Karakura Town, what they had to face were full-fledged Espada!

Tsukishima pondered it over and over. If he truly had to face such monsters, he had no absolute certainty of victory. The same went for the others, with the exception of one guy—Chōzuka Hiroe.

If the enemy hadn’t forcibly prevented him from acting, then Hiroe would also have one chance to choose. Knowing how that man operated, Tsukishima believed he would do everything in his power to select the location of the real city.

The problem was, was there really a way to detect it? If there wasn’t, which side would Hiroe choose?

“Even for you, whether through Kidō or any other means, saving everyone simultaneously like you did a hundred years ago is impossible. Escaping might be difficult, but destroying a single thing before you kill us is still quite simple.”

“So, this isn’t a joke. You only have one chance to act. Which side will you go to?”

Szayelaporro chuckled softly, his gaze full of anticipation as he looked at Hiroe. He didn’t believe for a second that the man would truly be distracted by a boring half-city. There was only one factor that would influence Hiroe’s judgment: importance!

Out of all those brats, which one was the most important? Which one could he absolutely not abandon?

*Tell me, tell me, Chōzuka!*

“Is that all?”

“Huh?”

Szayelaporro was a bit confused. The other party’s reaction was far too ordinary; there was absolutely no sign that he was even thinking about it.

“It seems that’s all.” Hiroe was so calm it was as if none of this had anything to do with him. Without even sparing him another glance, he continued, “Let’s go, Ashido.”

“Hey, hey, hey!”

Szayelaporro twisted his head frantically. “Do you actually think those brats can defeat us? Us Espada!”

Unfortunately, his words had no effect on Hiroe whatsoever. No matter how much Szayelaporro shouted, it seemed he couldn’t affect that retreating figure in the slightest.