Harribel lowered her head slightly. Her golden hair fell loose, shadowing her expression so that no one could clearly read it.
But her posture alone said everything.
At Shimo's side, Ikkaku Madarame leaned in and whispered:
"Shimo… aren't you worried this might backfire?"
As a friend, Ikkaku couldn't just stand by and watch him take a potentially dangerous path.
Shimo glanced at him calmly.
"Did you forget something?"
Ikkaku froze for a moment, confused.
"…What?"
Shimo replied evenly:
"Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck is also a Vasto Lorde-class Hollow. And now she's part of the Third Division."
Hearing the name, Harribel visibly stiffened.
Of course she knew Nelliel.
The former holder of the Tres Espada position—her predecessor.
Nelliel hadn't appeared in this war, likely due to her unique circumstances. But from Shimo's words, it seemed she was living far better in the Soul Society than she ever had in Hueco Mundo.
Did that mean…?
Harribel cautiously raised her head, intending to gauge Shimo's expression—
—but her eyes met his directly.
His gaze was deep, almost like a star-filled void.
Her heart trembled. She quickly lowered her head again, not daring to look further.
...
"Damn it!"
A furious shout broke the tension.
A tall, dark-skinned woman with a powerful build stepped forward, placing herself between Shimo and Harribel.
It was Mila Rose, one of Harribel's Fracción.
Her face burned with anger as she glared at Shimo.
As Harribel's subordinate, and the most hot-tempered among them—she could not accept what she had just witnessed.
To her, Harribel kneeling before a Shinigami was nothing short of humiliation.
And that was something she would never allow.
Even if it meant giving her life.
Shimo raised an eyebrow, completely uninterested.
To him, she wasn't even worth considering.
Even if he stood still and let her attack, she wouldn't be able to harm him.
"Harribel, step back!"
Harribel's expression changed immediately, alarm flashing across her face as she shouted:
"Mila, stand down!"
But Mila Rose shook her head, resolute.
"My lady… forgive me. I cannot obey this time!"
Her hand tightened around the hilt of her Zanpakutō.
"I won't allow you to lose your freedom for our sake!"
"Devour him… Leona!"
(Note: Mila Rose's Resurrección name varies in fan translations; here it is rendered as a lion-themed release consistent with her abilities.)
With her release command, her spiritual pressure surged. Her black hair lengthened wildly, and her blade transformed into a massive black greatsword.
Shimo didn't even spare her a glance.
"Harribel. Handle this yourself."
Fighting her directly wasn't even worth the effort.
Harribel bit her lower lip softly.
"…Understood."
In the next instant, she vanished with Sonído, appearing directly in front of Mila Rose.
"Stop this, Mila."
"Or I will be forced to act."
Mila hesitated, her grip tightening on the weapon—but she didn't lower it.
Blinded by anger, she couldn't understand Harribel's intent.
All she knew was that she couldn't allow her leader to become a subordinate of a Shinigami.
Hollows and Shinigami were enemies—always had been.
"…I'm sorry. I can't accept that."
Her resolve hardened.
She raised her sword and struck.
Like her release suggested, her fighting style resembled a lion's hunt—wide, aggressive swings filled with brutal force.
Her arms bulged with muscle, completely lacking any softness.
Shimo watched, shaking his head slightly.
"A true warrior."
Harribel's emerald eyes turned cold.
"So you've chosen this."
Before Mila could react, Harribel vanished.
Her strike hit nothing but empty air.
Mila's pupils shrank. She twisted her body instinctively, swinging backward—
—but she was far too slow.
"Forgive me, Mila."
Harribel's voice echoed beside her.
A sharp pain struck her neck.
In an instant, Mila lost consciousness.
Harribel caught her effortlessly, lifting her by the collar as if she weighed nothing.
"L-Lord Shimo…"
Harribel hesitated.
"Mila, she—"
Shimo cut her off casually.
"No need to explain."
"I'm not interested in her. Just take her back when you leave."
Harribel nodded instinctively—
Then froze.
Wait… what?
She looked up, stunned.
"Lord Shimo… what did you just say?"
Shimo smiled faintly.
"You're the strongest remaining Espada in Hueco Mundo."
"In that case, maintaining order there falls to you."
Harribel blinked, still trying to process it.
"B-But…"
Shimo looked at her calmly.
"I trust you."
"Compared to the other Espada, you're… relatively reasonable."
He swept his gaze across the remaining Arrancar and added with a slight smile:
"And besides…"
"I can open a Garganta and come to Hueco Mundo anytime."
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