Transforming into a lightning bolt was a technique Yekawa developed by pushing his Flash Lightning ability to its absolute limit and combining it perfectly with Sonido.
In this lightning state, Yekawa's speed was more than four times faster than continuously using full-power Sonido for long-distance travel. Naturally, the spiritual pressure consumption also increased explosively.
At this moment, Yekawa was gambling everything on speed.
He intended to devour all the Menos Grande guarding Las Noches and use them as nourishment to advance to Adjuchas before Baraggan could return.
Thus, Yekawa transformed into a streak of dark golden lightning and shot straight toward Las Noches.
Even so, it still took nearly half a day of nonstop rushing before the distant palace finally appeared in his vision.
At first, it was nothing more than a tiny black dot on the horizon.
As he drew closer, that dot gradually expanded, transforming into a magnificent, roofless fortress that dominated the desert.
Looking at the towering structure ahead, Yekawa finally slowed and stopped.
At that moment, a tiny white centipede emerged silently from beneath the sand.
It quickly scurried up Yekawa's leg, climbed onto his lower back, and merged seamlessly with the centipede armor covering his spine.
Staring at the stone palace before him, Yekawa shook his head repeatedly.
Even though he had observed Las Noches countless times through his scout clone, he still could not understand its design.
"A palace without a roof or proper walls. Can this really be called a palace? What kind of twisted aesthetic does Baraggan have?"
While complaining inwardly, Yekawa did not delay his objective.
The instant he approached Las Noches, he retracted his lightning form and pushed his Camo ability to its absolute limit, erasing his presence as he quietly advanced.
Near the main entrance, he immediately detected two Menos Grande on guard.
Their spiritual pressure was clearly weaker than that of ordinary Adjuchas.
They were special Gillians whose bodies were incomplete and who had fallen in rank.
Pfft.
Without hesitation, Yekawa swung once.
Before the two guards could even react, their bodies were sliced apart.
Soul Eater activated instantly, devouring them completely in moments.
"Not bad. Together, they're barely equivalent to one Adjuchas."
Passing through the massive gate, Yekawa entered the central hall.
Only then did he realize how truly enormous Las Noches was.
The main hall consisted of towering stone pillars nearly a thousand meters high, dwarfing any structure he had seen in his previous life.
However, it made sense.
This was a palace built for Menos Grande, not humans.
At the front stood a long stone staircase, and at its peak loomed an enormous throne.
Through careful sensing, Yekawa discovered that all remaining Adjuchas were currently resting within their individual palaces.
Without hesitation, he moved past the main hall and headed toward the residential structures behind it.
Inside the closest small palace, Yekawa encountered his first target.
It was a massive green centipede Adjuchas.
"Oh? Another centipede."
"Then you should contribute even more to my grand plan of transcendence."
A lightning whip snapped out.
The centipede Adjuchas was split in half before it could react.
Soul Eater devoured it completely.
Yekawa continued onward.
One palace after another.
One Adjuchas after another.
Silently.
Ruthlessly.
Within a short time, six Adjuchas had already vanished without anyone noticing.
…
Soul Society, outside the Seireitei East Gate.
"What?"
"You're saying Captain Aizen, Captain Ichimaru, and Captain Tosen all left together?"
Ito Makoto stared at the burly gatekeeper in shock.
"Jidanbō, are you sure you didn't see wrong?"
"Absolutely certain!"
Jidanbō scratched his head and replied loudly.
"Alright. I understand."
Ito Makoto handed him a thick wad of Soul Society currency.
Jidanbō accepted it happily and resumed his post.
With his current strength and Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu, Ito Makoto could not trust his own observations completely.
He needed an external witness.
Someone too insignificant for Aizen to bother manipulating.
Jidanbō was perfect.
Weak.
Simple.
Reliable.
Ito Makoto had spent most of his Fourth Seat salary bribing him.
Now, it had paid off.
The Gotei Thirteen had not issued any joint mission to those three captains.
Which meant only one possibility remained.
"Invasion of Hueco Mundo…"
…
"Aizen is coming?"
Deep within Las Noches, Yekawa received the message from his clone.
His expression instantly darkened.
"No. I have to accelerate."
There was no longer time to hunt slowly.
He needed drastic measures.
Yekawa immediately returned to the main hall.
After setting several arrangements, he boldly strode to the throne.
Then, he sat down.
Dark golden spiritual pressure erupted skyward like a pillar of divine light.
Instantly, every Adjuchas in Las Noches felt it.
One after another, they rushed toward the main hall.
Soon, all of them gathered.
What they saw made their pupils contract.
A humanoid Hollow, entirely black, covered in flowing dark golden markings, sat leisurely upon the throne.
His legs were crossed.
His posture relaxed.
His presence overwhelming.
His appearance was terrifyingly human-like.
To them, this could only mean one thing.
A Vasto Lorde.
"Strange Vasto Lorde," a bullfrog-like Adjuchas spoke cautiously.
"Do you dare challenge Las Noches? Are you not afraid of Emperor Baraggan's wrath?"
Yekawa sneered.
"Baraggan?"
"At this point, do you still expect a king who can barely protect himself
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