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Hueco Mundo, Las Noches.
In this quiet land, silver moonlight streamed down like a light veil, illuminating every corner.
However, the scene before them was impossible to ignore.
Countless collapsed and shattered walls seemed to tell the story of an incredibly tragic war that had once taken place here.
Traces of scorching by the sun's fire, and marks of bombardment by Cero and Kido, were visible everywhere.
These ruins bore witness to that thrilling battle and foreshadowed the hardships this palace had endured.
Tōsen Kaname led a large group of Adjuchas Arrancar, along with Harribel and Ulquiorra, and other Arrancar, in the restoration work of Las Noches.
Their busy figures moved through every corner, striving to restore the once glorious palace to its former splendor.
On a damaged high tower, Aizen Sōsuke stood quietly in his room, gazing out the window.
There, Aozaki Reiji was flirting with a female Arrancar, drawing sidelong glances from those around them.
Aizen watched this scene, his heart filled with emotion.
Just a few nights ago, he had engaged in a life-or-death struggle with that guy.
And now, he had not only given up the palace he had only recently resided in but had also become that man's nominal "companion."
Aizen had no great dissatisfaction with becoming a companion to that man.
After all, they were of the same kind.
Aizen was quite tolerant of his own kind.
However, when he recalled Aozaki Reiji's "King and Mount" theory, Aizen couldn't help but sigh softly.
This analogy filled him with a strange sense of helplessness and unwillingness.
The relationship of dominance and subjugation between them was, in fact, perfectly normal.
After all, he was merely a loser, while Aozaki Reiji was an out-and-out victor.
It was truly hard to imagine that man had reached the same realm as himself so quickly, even surpassing him!
Could it be that his potential truly couldn't compare to his?
Aizen couldn't help but sigh.
So, the one truly undeserving of feeling lonely was myself...
Aozaki Reiji.
This name seemed to be deeply etched into his heart, impossible to shake off.
After his most prized Hōgyoku power also declared failure, he finally chose to concede.
If it were in the past, he would rather choose death than live humbly under the identity of a "companion."
However, now, he had already lost that courage.
There was indeed nothing to miss when he was alone.
But it was only a few days ago that he had just confirmed that he was not alone in this world.
I would actually crave? I would actually be afraid of death?
The more Aizen thought about it, the angrier he got, so he simply lay down on his spacious bed and closed his eyes.
For the first time in his life, he voluntarily gave up thinking.
......
One week later, late at night, Las Noches, the King Consort (self-proclaimed) of Hueco Mundo—Aozaki Reiji's bedroom.
"Hmm? You want to increase your strength?"
Hearing Harribel's words, Aozaki Reiji was a little surprised.
Harribel nodded, her pretty face slightly flushed.
She also knew what the King Consort of Hueco Mundo meant.
"Las Noches has just changed hands, and it is a time of great reconstruction."
"You have entrusted me with a great responsibility, making me the Queen of Hueco Mundo, but with my current strength, I'm afraid I cannot live up to it."
"And yesterday... I heard Sung-Sun and the others say that Lord Reiji has a way to help us improve our strength."
"In these past few days, I have indeed felt their Reiatsu increase..."
"To better complete the mission Lord Reiji has given to your subordinate, your subordinate dares to ask, please help me improve my strength."
Upon hearing this, Aozaki Reiji nodded.
The method of improving strength that Sung-Sun and the others spoke of was naturally the power of the cauldron produced by his and the Hōgyoku's mutual cooperation.
This power was personally experienced by the women of Soul Society, mysterious and powerful.
It could tap into potential and greatly enhance strength.
Before Aozaki Reiji attacked Las Noches, he had saved Harribel once more.
Since their first long separation, Aozaki Reiji had also visited Hueco Mundo multiple times.
But each time was a brief stay, simply to reconnect with everyone, without lingering for long.
Strictly speaking, however, they had known each other for quite some time.
Years of interaction had also allowed Sung-Sun and the others to see Aozaki Reiji's true character.
Aozaki Reiji and they were birds of a feather.
Therefore, this time they insisted on actively coming to repay his life-saving grace.
Hueco Mundo was currently in a state of rebuilding.
As the ruler of Hueco Mundo, Aozaki Reiji naturally had to exert himself fully and strive for good governance.
Facing everyone's enthusiastic actions, he initially tried to refuse in every way possible.
But in the end, he couldn't resist the women's persistent nagging, and being annoyed, he had no choice but to accept.
He couldn't help but yawn; he really hadn't closed his eyes for the past few days.
Of course, with his physical condition, there was no problem of insufficient energy.
This was just because he had been an ordinary person for too long and had gotten used to it.
Aozaki Reiji slowly spoke:
"That is actually a special ability I possess, but implementing it might be a bit... presumptuous."
A hint of helplessness was revealed in his voice.
"Your special ability?" Harribel looked up, staring at him blankly, "Will it cause you trouble?"
She had thought it was some kind of technique, not expecting it to be Aozaki Reiji's own ability.
"No, on the contrary, I really enjoy doing this."
Aozaki Reiji✎ said seriously, "But I want to confirm one last time, are you really prepared to do this? Once we start, there's no turning back."
Harribel took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
......
"Do you think Harribel will succeed?" Apacci asked, lying on the bed.
"She should succeed... After all, Lord Reiji likes Harribel the most."
Mila Rose's long, toned legs were crossed, and her arms were folded across her chest, highlighting her healthy complexion.
"I'm not worried about Lord Reiji. When I went to find Lord Reiji, he hesitated for less than half a second... I'm afraid Harribel will back down at the last minute!"
Apacci pouted.
"You know Harribel's personality. She likes to keep everything to herself and doesn't like to speak out."
At these words, Mila Rose suddenly froze; she had forgotten that point.
"How about we go cheer Harribel on?" Mila Rose asked.
"Cheer her on? I think you're just eager for something yourself, aren't you?" Apacci rolled her eyes in exasperation.
As the two chatted, the door was pushed open, and Sung-Sun walked in, panting.
"How was it? How was it? Did Harribel succeed?"
Mila Rose asked excitedly.
"Of course, with me on the job, there's no reason to fail."
Sung-Sun said, patting her not-so-obvious chest.
"Really?" Apacci asked suspiciously.
Looking at Sung-Sun, it didn't seem like Harribel had succeeded; it looked more like she herself had succeeded.
"I'm not lying to you, I waited at the door for an hour and only left when I heard sounds." Sung-Sun said.
Mila Rose and Apacci looked at her with disdain.
No wonder her face was so red, it turned out she had just finished enjoying herself before leaving...
It was too much; she didn't even call them!
That was Lord Reiji and Harribel.
Their two most favorite people together, they couldn't even imagine how happy it would be!!
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