In the dark jungle,a dark golden spiritual pressure clashed with a blue spiritual pressure, whipping up fierce winds that sent the scattered corpses flying through the air.
Lilynette clung tightly to a small tree, barely managing to stabilize herself against the storm-like force. Immediately, both Ren and Stark instinctively reined in their spiritual pressure, bringing the chaotic winds to a halt.
At this moment, Stark's usual indifference seemed to wane as he regarded Ren with a newfound sense of camaraderie.
Ren was secretly astonished. Since his evolution into an Adjuchas, his spiritual pressure had undergone a qualitative leap. Even his clone, receiving only 30% of his power, had advanced from the level of a vice-captain to nearly that of a captain.
Moreover, he had devoured nearly all the soldiers conscripted into his service, save for Shun. While a significant portion of the spiritual pressure he absorbed had been used to fuel his transformation, his overall strength had still grown considerably.
His death clone had encountered Jūshirō Ukitake multiple times. Based on his estimations, even if Jūshirō were to unleash his full power, he would be slightly weaker than Ren was now.
Yet, Starrk, without even releasing his Resurrección, was able to match him in spiritual pressure. Ren found it hard to comprehend how Stark had ultimately fallen to Jūshirō, despite the latter's Shikai abilities.
"You're very strong," Starrk said seriously, his gaze fixed on Ren.
"You're strong too," Ren responded, eyeing both Starrk and Lilynette. A daring thought took root in his mind.
"If I devour Starrk, could I achieve an Arrancar transformation or ascend to the Vasto Lorde class?"
However, he immediately dismissed the notion.
With his current strength, he could still hold his own against Starrk in his unreleased state. But if Starrk activated his Resurrección, Ren knew he wouldn't stand a chance.
"If Starrk is this powerful even after splitting his soul, just how strong was he before the split?"
Ren couldn't understand Starrk's seemingly self-destructive decision. Not only had he divided his soul, but he had also allowed the separated fragment to develop an independent consciousness. Ren himself would never permit his clones to form their own consciousness, nor would he sacrifice too much of his soul's essence for them.
"Was it loneliness? Did he split himself because he couldn't endure being alone?"
To Ren, solitude was an essential trait of true strength. Without the ability to endure loneliness, one would eventually meet their demise.
Perhaps that very weakness had led to Starrk's downfall in the battle of Hueco Mundo.
Still, this was Starrk's choice. Though Ren didn't fully understand it, he respected it.
"My name is Ren, and I'm looking for allies who can fight alongside me." Ren set aside his thoughts and addressed Starrk with a friendly smile.
"That's quite the coincidence. We're also searching for allies." Starrk replied, his tone more serious than usual. He had been alone for a long time, then he and Lilynette had searched together.
"Then… would you consider joining us? I have a few companions elsewhere in Hueco Mundo." Ren extended his invitation. Of course, he knew better than to try and subjugate someone of Starrk's caliber by force—especially since he knew he couldn't defeat him yet.
"Are they… strong enough? Our circumstances are a bit unique." Starrk's gaze lingered on the heaps of corpses surrounding them, his expression tinged with sorrow.
"Don't worry. If they can withstand my spiritual pressure, they'll have no trouble enduring yours."
Starrk pondered for a moment before recalling that Ren's spiritual pressure was already comparable to his own in his unreleased state. If Ren's companions could endure his power, they should be able to handle Starrk's as well.
A glimmer of hope flickered in Starrk and Lilynette's eyes. Just as they were about to follow Ren out of the jungle they had occupied for so long, Ren stopped them.
"Put some clothes on before we leave..."
Ren frowned at Starrk and Lilynette's tattered or nonexistent attire. While he didn't care much for the appearance of other Hollows, seeing two individuals so human-like walking around unclothed felt unsettling.
Reaching into his storage, he pulled out two uniforms scavenged from the remnants of the expeditionary army he had devoured and tossed them to Starrk and Lilynette.
With that, their journey together truly began.
Starrk fit right into the Death Domine outfit as soon as he put it on. With his Zanpakutō hanging at his waist and his immense soul power radiating around him, he truly resembled a Shinigami.
As for Lilynette, her slightly oversized outfit gave her a comical appearance. However, it was still far better than her previous state of undress.
...
In the dark jungle, Ren, Stark, and their group stood on the outskirts.
"Is it restored already?"
Ren was surprised as he surveyed the rejuvenated night jungle. He recalled his battle with Ulquiorra a few years ago, during which he had destroyed half of the area. Yet, in just three years, the night jungle had managed to return to its original state.
Without a word, Ren unleashed his spiritual pressure. A dark golden pillar of energy shot into the sky, illuminating half of the jungle in an instant.
In response, a dark green spiritual pressure erupted from the opposite end of the jungle, as if answering his call.
Seeing this, Ren grinned.
Moments later, a figure shot out from the depths of the jungle, heading straight for him.
Upon closer inspection, it was a tall Hollow with a snow-white body and a mask resembling a pair of black bat wings.
It was Ulquiorra Cifer.
"King..."
As soon as he laid eyes on Ren, Ulquiorra couldn't wait to speak.
"Well, it seems my act last time was quite convincing!"
Ren smirked. Seeing Ulquiorra willingly acknowledge him as king confirmed that his previous psychological manipulation had worked.
Originally, Ren had planned to use this opportunity to demonstrate his newfound power to Ulquiorra. But now, it seemed unnecessary.
"Ulquiorra, come with me."
Ren spoke with an air of authority.
Without hesitation, Ulquiorra knelt on one knee.
"As you command, my king!"
Starrk, watching from the side, was taken aback. He hadn't expected Ren to command the loyalty of a Vasto Lorde who had yet to fully evolve into an Arrancar.
Although this Vasto Lorde's spiritual pressure was weaker than Ren's, every Vasto Lorde was among the strongest in Hueco Mundo, each possessing immense pride. And yet, Ulquiorra had willingly submitted to Ren's command.
"Lilynette... maybe we really chose the right person to follow this time."
Starrk glanced at Lilynette, his voice tinged with excitement.
With Ulquiorra now in tow, Ren led his group toward Halibel's dwelling.
Inside a cave, Halibel leaned against the rocky wall, watching as Mila Rose and Sun-Sun sparred. Suddenly, she sensed four approaching spiritual pressures—one of which felt deeply familiar.
"Ren...!"
Recognizing his spiritual pressure, Halibel immediately rushed out of the cave, excitement shining in her eyes.
Sure enough, she found Ren and his group of four approaching.
"Tia, I'm back."
As soon as she reached him, Halibel moved in close, and Ren gently touched her forehead in an intimate gesture.
Starrk, Lilynette, and Ulquiorra, watching from behind, were once again stunned.
"Another Vasto Lorde...!"
.... patreon Seasay