Chapter 857: [857] : Fear Greater Than Hatred

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When Shin asked about Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki looked at him in surprise. As far as she knew, Shin and Ichigo had barely crossed paths.

"Why so surprised?" Shin asked, a faint smile playing on his lips as he observed her reaction.

"It is a little surprising," Rukia admitted, her eyes filled with curiosity. "I don’t recall you two having much interaction."

"We haven’t," Shin agreed. "But that guy is special. He possesses a power that’s nothing short of astonishing."

"Astonishing power?"

Soi Fon and Yoruichi both turned to Shin, intrigued. For him to offer such high praise was no small thing.

"Is Ichigo Kurosaki really that strong?" Rukia asked, her surprise growing.

She had to admit, Ichigo’s performance had been anything but ordinary. He possessed an immense natural Reiatsu that even she, a Soul Reaper, envied. But for Shin to describe his power as "astonishing" was on another level entirely.

"He is. But whether he’ll ever be able to tap into that full potential... that remains to be seen."

Shin knew it was a long shot. He had no idea if this version of Ichigo would ever have the chance to unleash that incredible power.

"Alright, I’ll train you when I have the time. For now, you should head out."

Just as Rukia was about to press for more details, Shin was already shooing her away.

She felt a flash of irritation—how could he just dismiss her like that? But then she remembered his personality, and her annoyance faded.

"I’ll be going then," Rukia said, standing up.

She couldn’t stay here indefinitely. This was the Second Division barracks, and she was a member of the Thirteenth.

After Rukia left, Shin stood and opened a Senkaimon.

"Hey, Shin, where are you going?" Yoruichi asked, seeing his movement.

"Why do you need to know? I’m not taking you with me this time, so don’t even think about it."

Shin replied before stepping through the gate. When Yoruichi tried to follow, she was blocked by an invisible barrier.

"Damn it, is that Dankū?"

She was right. Shin had used Bakudō #81, Dankū, to stop her. She couldn’t follow him now.

Shin passed through the Senkaimon and arrived in Hueco Mundo.

"The environment in Hueco Mundo is as terrible as ever," Shin commented, surveying the bleak landscape. It certainly wasn’t a pleasant place.

’I didn’t bother hiding my presence when I arrived. Aizen should know I’m here.’

Shin walked nonchalantly toward Las Noches. He figured Aizen was already aware of his arrival, but it didn’t matter. He had no reason to hide from him.

With his level of strength, he could do as he pleased.

———————— 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Aizen did indeed know Shin had arrived.

"Why would Shin Uzumaki come to Hueco Mundo now?" A cold glint flashed in Aizen’s eyes.

What was his purpose for suddenly appearing in Hueco Mundo? Was he an enemy or an ally?

"Whether he’s friend or foe, I should at least extend a ’welcome’."

Aizen didn’t move himself, but he ordered his Espada, along with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen, to greet Shin.

Of course, this "greeting" was merely a pretext to probe Shin’s strength. Their last encounter had been a one-sided beatdown, with Aizen on the receiving end.

Now, Aizen wanted his subordinates to test Shin, to get a better read on his abilities. He couldn’t afford to remain in the dark about him.

Upon receiving Aizen’s command, the Espada, along with Tōsen and Gin, set out immediately. A strange smile played on Gin’s face.

’Shin Uzumaki, what’s your purpose for coming here? You’ve even managed to rattle Aizen. That’s just like you.’

Gin’s smile grew wider as he speculated on Shin’s motives. He felt neither animosity nor goodwill towards Shin—just a detached curiosity.

"Is it him?" Baraggan seethed. When Aizen had ordered him to "visit" Shin, he knew exactly who it was.

If Baraggan had to name the two beings he hated most, it would be Aizen and Shin. He hated their guts, but he was powerless to do anything about it.

Beneath his fury, however, lay a deep-seated fear—a fear that was, in truth, far greater than his hatred.

The memory of being hunted down by Shin made him tremble. Shin’s strength far surpassed his own.

’But now, all ten Espada are here. This is Hueco Mundo. Dealing with him shouldn’t be that difficult, right?’ Baraggan thought to himself.

Perhaps this was his chance for revenge. If only that bastard Aizen were here too. He could let them destroy each other, and then he could swoop in and finish them both off.

Once they were gone, Baraggan was confident he would be the one true king of Hueco Mundo, an unstoppable ruler.

Though Baraggan had submitted to Aizen, his ambition burned as fiercely as ever. Despite being the second Espada, his power was no less than that of the first, Coyote Starrk.

"So it’s him." Coyote Starrk was also quite familiar with Shin, having fought him before.

If Shin hadn’t spared him back then, he would likely be dead.

"Gentlemen, our opponent is no simple matter. He’s someone who even gave Lord Aizen a hard time," Gin said with amusement.

"Oh, is that so? Then I’m very interested."

A cruel smile spread across Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez’s face. No matter how strong Shin Uzumaki was, he was confident he could take him—a confidence born from pure arrogance.

Kaname Tōsen said nothing. The blind Soul Reaper was surprisingly perceptive, walking calmly forward.

If one were to measure loyalty, Tōsen’s devotion to Aizen was absolute. It was a shame he would meet such a miserable end.

Tōsen would be killed by Aizen, executed for his failure. In the world of Soul Reapers, this seemed to be a custom—the big bosses had a habit of executing their own subordinates.

Aizen was relatively lenient in that regard. Yhwach, on the other hand, would execute his underlings at the slightest provocation. It was a miracle they weren’t betrayed by their own people. Of course, Aizen was betrayed by Gin, but Gin’s original goal was always to take Aizen down.

And Yhwach, it seemed, was also tricked in the end.

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