Chapter 537 - 537 Before Us, There Are No Enemies!

Las Noches, Conference Room.

The doors opened, and the Espada walked in one after another, as Aizen was about to hold a royal meeting here.

"It seems there are intruders in Hueco Mundo."

"Intruders?"

"Corridor 67 seems to have collapsed!"

"Corridor 67? That's quite a remote place for them to invade."

"Indeed. It would have been much more interesting if they had directly invaded the Throne Room."

"Haha! That would indeed be very interesting!"

"Hey, hey, I'm very sleepy. Could you please not be so loud?"

The Espada stopped before a long rectangular table in the conference room, then found their respective seats on either side of the table and sat down.

Tap, tap, tap...

After a while, footsteps sounded. Aizen walked in, flanked by Gin on his left and Tosen on his right.

"Good morning, Espada."

Aizen greeted everyone with a warm, refreshing smile. But the next moment, his expression suddenly turned serious. "The enemy has arrived! Let's brew some black tea first!"

Having said that, ignoring everyone's stunned expressions, Aizen sat down at the head of the table. Gin and Tosen continued to stand on either side of him.

Then an attendant came forward and poured black tea for Aizen and everyone else.

"Aside from Ulquiorra, all Espada members are present, correct? Then please listen while you drink."

Aizen took a sip of his black tea.

Although Aizen told them to listen while they drank, none of them actually drank tea while listening to Aizen.

"Tosen, play the footage."

Aizen instructed Tosen, who was standing beside him.

"Yes, Aizen-sama!"

Tosen replied respectfully, then took out a card-like object and inserted it into a slot on the table.

Then a circular light screen appeared in the center of the long rectangular table.

It showed footage of Toshiro and the others emerging from the underground structure.

"There are five intruders in total."

"Hitsugaya Toshiro, Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Captain of the 10th Division."

"Matsumoto Rangiku, Lieutenant of the 10th Division."

"Kusaka Sojiro, Third Seat of the 10th Division."

"Ashido, Third Seat of the 10th Division."

"And the former Tres Espada, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck."

Aizen explained to everyone.

"Hitsugaya Toshiro!!"

Hearing this name, everyone was shaken.

"Nelliel..."

While others were focused on Toshiro, Nnoitra Gilga, the Quinto Espada, and Szayelaporro Granz, the Octava Espada, paid attention to Nel.

"Why would Hitsugaya Toshiro come to Hueco Mundo at this time? Is he trying to have the final battle with us ahead of schedule?"

Baraggan Louisenbairn, the Segunda Espada, had a flicker of caution in his eyes. He had almost died at Toshiro's hands back then.

Most of the other Espada were also puzzled by Toshiro's appearance.

Unlike other Shinigami, he was the Vice-Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, the number two figure among the Shinigami, essentially a leader of the Shinigami, much like Aizen's position in Hueco Mundo.

Someone of Toshiro's status would not typically appear easily in the enemy's stronghold, just as during a war between two nations, the national leader would not appear easily on enemy soil.

If he did appear, it would signal the final battle between the two sides.

So, with Toshiro suddenly appearing in Hueco Mundo, the Espada who were unaware of the situation thought Soul Society was trying to come to Hueco Mundo to have the final battle with them.

"No, Hitsugaya Toshiro is not trying to have the final battle with us. He wouldn't be so foolish as to fight us in Hueco Mundo."

"The reason Hitsugaya Toshiro came to Hueco Mundo is primarily to rescue people. Earlier, I sent people to attack the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force and Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck's companions. As a result, we captured some Shinigami from the Expeditionary Force and two of Nelliel's companions. So, Hitsugaya Toshiro mainly came here to rescue them."

Aizen explained to everyone.

Hearing Aizen's explanation, the Espada did not press further as to why he had attacked the Expeditionary Force and Nelliel's companions. Since Aizen hadn't volunteered the information, it meant he didn't intend to tell them.

"Hmph, Hitsugaya Toshiro is seeking his own death. Instead of staying safely in Soul Society and the Living World, he comes to Hueco Mundo with only a few people. No matter how strong he is, can he single-handedly resist the entire Hueco Mundo?"

Baraggan snorted.

Baraggan hated Toshiro more than anyone except Aizen. So, upon learning that Toshiro had only come to rescue people, he couldn't help but mock him.

If Toshiro had come for a final battle, he certainly wouldn't have brought only a few people... there would surely be a large force behind him. In that case, unless Hueco Mundo won the decisive battle, Baraggan would have no way to defeat Toshiro.

But if Toshiro was only there to rescue people, then there would likely be no large force supporting him. In that case, Toshiro could only rely on the few people beside him.

Baraggan felt that if he used a human wave tactic, summoning an endless army of Hollows, he could surely avenge his past humiliation and defeat Hitsugaya Toshiro.

Thinking of this, Baraggan could no longer contain his eager thoughts and prepared to act immediately.

After all, Baraggan had fallen victim to Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu hypnosis. Seeking revenge against Aizen, his most hated enemy, held little hope of success.

In this situation, if Baraggan could seize the opportunity to kill Toshiro, his second most hated enemy, to vent some of his resentment and frustration, it would ease his mind somewhat.

Swish!

Baraggan acted on his impulse. He rose directly from his seat and, without regard for the ongoing meeting or even acknowledging Aizen, turned and walked out.

"Where are you going, Baraggan!"

Tosen scolded.

"I'm going to kill Hitsugaya Toshiro and clear out the intruding insects. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Baraggan showed no respect for Tosen, the so-called Espada Supervisor. In fact, except for Aizen, he had never respected anyone present, not even the Primera Espada, Starrk.

"Baraggan! Aizen-sama has not yet given the order. Return to your seat!!"

Tosen shouted sternly.

"Hmph! I am doing this for the sake of the 'Aizen-sama' you speak of. Do you have a problem with that?"

Baraggan snorted.

Having said that, Baraggan ignored Tosen and prepared to leave the conference room directly.

"Baraggan!"

Aizen suddenly called out.

Hearing Aizen's words, Baraggan instinctively paused.

"I am pleased that you are acting for my sake. But I haven't finished speaking. May I ask you to return to your seat?"

Aizen said gently.

However, Baraggan did not obediently return to his seat. But neither did he have the courage to continue walking out. He just stood there silently, protesting, desperately maintaining his dignity as the former [King of Hueco Mundo].

"What's wrong? I didn't hear your answer, Baraggan Louisenbairn!"

A cold glint flashed in Aizen's eyes. He turned his head to look at Baraggan.

Then, the next moment… Boom—!!!

An ocean-like, vast Reiatsu surged overwhelmingly, pressing down on Baraggan.

"Hnngh!"

Suddenly bearing the heavy mountain-like pressure, Baraggan couldn't help but grunt, his face turning red.

But after recovering, Baraggan immediately resisted Aizen's Reiatsu pressure with all his might.

Creak, creak, creak...

Under Aizen's terrifying Reiatsu, Baraggan's legs involuntarily began to bend! As if he were about to kneel before Aizen!!

"Haah!"

Baraggan, after all, was an expert among the Beyond Captain-class. With gritted teeth, he resisted being crushed to his knees by Aizen's Reiatsu.

Seeing this, Aizen frowned slightly and then intensified his Reiatsu.

Bang!

Under Aizen's Reiatsu pressure, although Baraggan continuously resisted kneeling, the floor beneath his feet suddenly shattered, and his legs sank into the ground.

It looked as if Baraggan was sitting on the ground.

"Oh, it seems you understand now, Baraggan."

Seeing this, Aizen withdrew his Reiatsu.

"Pant, pant, pant..."

Baraggan did not retort upon hearing Aizen's words. He just panted heavily, cold sweat on his forehead, as if struggling to breathe, or perhaps desperately suppressing the flames of humiliation and anger within him.

In the end, Baraggan did not leave. He remained in the conference room.

Although Aizen had only intimidated him with Reiatsu just now, it had already made Baraggan understand that even without Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu hypnosis, he could not be Aizen's opponent.

Under Aizen's Reiatsu, he could only barely support himself, trying not to kneel. He could not counter Aizen. The gap in their strength was too great!

Then, Aizen rose from his seat, placed his hands on the conference table, and looked down at everyone. "Alright, Espada. As you have seen, there are only five enemies. Even though Hitsugaya Toshiro is among them, there is no need to be overly concerned. After all, Hitsugaya Toshiro alone cannot resist the entire Hueco Mundo. So, you may each return to your own palaces and act as usual."

"Do not be arrogant. There is no need to rush. Just wait for the enemy to come. There is no need to fear. No matter what happens, as long as you follow me..."

"—Before us, there are no enemies!"