— — — — — —
Starrk narrowed his eyes and greeted her in his usual laid-back tone. "Yo… long time no see."
Nelliel gave him a glance but didn't respond. Instead, she turned to Harribel. "Congrats."
Harribel shook her head. "You say it like I just picked up your leftovers and became the new Tres."
Well… she kinda did.
Harribel's expression was complicated.
If Nelliel hadn't disappeared, that spot never would've gone to her.
She hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "You've become stronger than before."
Anyone could feel the pressure pouring off Nelliel now.
Honestly, at this point, she could probably be called the new Segunda Espada.
What the hell had she gone through during all that time away?
Nelliel responded calmly, "Yeah… went through a lot."
On the side—
Starrk: "…"
Lilynette: "Wow, she totally ignored you~"
Starrk shook his head. "You talk too much."
He didn't seem too bothered about being ignored, but… it was clear this Nelliel wasn't here to play nice.
If it were just a personal grudge against Nnoitra and Szayelaporro, that'd be one thing.
But she wasn't alone.
And worse? She'd already attacked Las Noches.
That tidal wave from earlier? That was her declaration of war.
Still, just to be safe, Starrk casually asked, "So, Nelliel… you thinking of rejoining our happy little Espada 'family'?"
If she wasn't planning anything crazy, he might be able to go back to slacking off again.
But the second he said "family," even he felt awkward.
I mean, come on.
The Espada? A family?
With all the backstabbing, ambushes, petty rivalries, and complete lack of trust?
Even Harribel gave him a weird look.
A family? This toxic mess of betrayal and bitterness?
How the hell did you say that with a straight face?
Nelliel actually let out a laugh—cold and sharp. "Oh, absolutely…"
"I came back to give this so-called family a little warmth."
Starrk: "…"
Uh-oh.
That… might've made things worse?
"Hey, um…"
He tried to negotiate. "Can we not do that?"
Nelliel didn't even blink. "No."
As soon as the word left her lips—BOOM!!!
A storm of green Reiatsu exploded from her body!
It was so intense, it felt like it could tear the sky apart!
WOOOOOOM—
Under that pressure, the entire dimension seemed to tremble!
GULP!
Nnoitra and Szayelaporro stared in horror, feeling their mouths go dry.
This... was way beyond what they could handle.
"Ah…"
Starrk scratched his head with a sigh. "So in the end, we're really doing this, huh."
There was no helping it. He was honestly kind of annoyed—it all felt like such a hassle.
But as the strongest Espada in Las Noches right now, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
Otherwise, knowing Aizen, that scheming bastard would definitely mark him down in his little black book.
The thought alone sent a chill down his spine. Even someone like him didn't want to be on Aizen's bad side.
Sigh…
So gotta protect the place, huh…
The laziness in Starrk's eyes slowly faded, replaced with a rare seriousness as he looked at Nelliel.
"Just you showing up isn't going to sway the Espada. Why don't you bring out whoever you've got hiding behind you?"
It wasn't that Starrk was being arrogant or anything. He just didn't like the idea of someone lurking in the shadows—it made him feel like he had to stay on edge, watching for a sneak attack the entire time.
Hunting them down one by one would just be a pain in the ass.
That said, the people backing Nelliel didn't seem like they were trying all that hard to stay hidden, anyway.
Hearing Starrk's words, Nelliel finally shifted her gaze away from Nnoitra Gilga.
Nnoitra immediately felt the pressure lift. His whole body relaxed as he let out a breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding.
Then, just as quickly, he got pissed at himself for being so pathetic.
Damn it!!
He clenched his fists, cursing himself nonstop in his head.
She's just a woman I took out with a cheap sneak attack!
He kept trying to mentally tear Nelliel down just to vent his frustration over the fear she'd stirred in him.
He didn't dare make a sound. He was terrified of drawing her attention back.
Damn it all!!
Why?! Why the hell did she get even stronger?!
Meanwhile, Szayelaporro Granz was just as uneasy. He made sure to position himself at the very back of the Espada, standing stiff as a board and doing his best to disappear from everyone's notice.
He was silently praying Nelliel would just forget about him entirely.
But in truth—
Now that she was back in Las Noches, Nelliel wasn't even thinking about Nnoitra or Szayelaporro.
To her, they were as good as dead already—nothing worth worrying about.
What mattered right now… was completing the first big mission assigned to her and the Familia.
She had to give it her all and make sure she left a lasting impression on Lynn!
Only then… Would she have a shot at earning a place in his heart.
And besides, Nelliel had another ace up her sleeve.
Her released form—Capricorn Knight!
If she played her cards right, maybe she could even become Lynn's personal mount?
Although, she wasn't sure how many people in the Familia already had that position.
If there was some sort of competition for it, then this battle might be the perfect opportunity to prove herself!
Her eyes sparkled with determination as she clenched her fists.
This time, she would show Lynn that riding her wasn't just fast and smooth—the "seat" was soft and comfortable too!
Clearly, she was the ideal mount!
As that thought crossed her mind, a serious glint appeared in her amber eyes.
"…Huh?"
Starrk gave Nelliel a strange look. She was acting weird again.
He scratched his head, and just like that, the seriousness he'd built up dissipated.
Back to being lazy.
Sensing his gaze, Nelliel snapped out of her thoughts and turned her attention back to him.
"Hmm…"
She looked serious again.
"It's happening," Starrk thought, eyes sharpening.
Then Nelliel asked, "Wait, what were you saying again?"
She'd been so wrapped up thinking about Lynn that she hadn't caught a word.
"…Seriously?" Starrk deadpanned.
He scratched the back of his head with a sigh. "If I say it again now, it'll totally kill the vibe…"
Tier Harribel: "…"
"Humph."
Baraggan Louisenbairn let out a cold snort.
This guy's the Primera Espada?
He didn't even sound intimidating!
Annoyed by how long this was dragging out, Baraggan stepped forward and barked, "Quit stalling and call out whoever you've got hiding. Let's get this over with!"
He was itching for a fight too.
Just Nelliel wouldn't be enough for all the Espada to have fun.
Nelliel blinked, then tilted her head with a strange look.
"Huh? But… They're already here."
"???"
Starrk and the others exchanged confused glances, scanning their surroundings.
But there wasn't a single unfamiliar face in sight.
Were they being played?
The thought barely crossed their minds when—Vmmm—
A deep hum echoed overhead as a sea-blue magic circle flared into existence above them!
And in the next instant— A group of powerful figures descended, led by none other than Katerea Leviathan!
Starrk's eyes went wide, his pupils contracting sharply as he felt the same familiar pressure from above. He instinctively looked up.
Right as Katerea Leviathan locked eyes with him.
Katerea's lips curled into a smirk.
"So…" she said, voice dripping with condescension. "You must be the strongest one here?"
Arms crossed, chin slightly lifted, eyes staring down at him with contempt—like he was nothing more than a bug.
"Hope you're enjoying the little welcome gift I brought."
Starrk looked up, unfazed by the insult, and actually smiled a little. "Yeah… definitely a bold introduction. I won't be forgetting it anytime soon."
"Tch. Enough talking," Baraggan cut in, stepping forward and locking eyes with Katerea. "You must be the strongest one, right? Then I'll deal with you myself!"
"You?" Katerea scoffed and tilted her head dismissively. "Nah. Don't waste my time. Let the guy next to you step up instead."
"You—!!"
Baraggan was livid. He felt completely brushed off and immediately moved to use Sonído.
Snap!
But before he could move, a hand landed firmly on his shoulder.
"Baraggan."
It was Starrk's voice—calm, but serious.
"Let me handle this one. Like she said… she's mine."
Baraggan's face twitched. Furious, he forced a laugh.
"...You think I earned my title as King of Hueco Mundo just 'cause I'm old?!"
He brushed Starrk's hand off and vanished with a burst of Sonído.
FWOOM—!
He reappeared right in front of Katerea in an instant.
Without a word, eyes sharp as ice, he reached out.
Two massive obsidian axes materialized in his hands.
FWOOOSH—
With no warning whatsoever, he swung both axes down on Katerea Leviathan with a savage roar!
.
.
.