Moreover, even this time when Toshiro goes to Las Noches to teach Baraggan a lesson, he doesn't necessarily plan to kill him. Of course, if Baraggan insists on being an enemy, Toshiro won't spare him. At worst, he can find another Hollow to replace Baraggan, and Harribel is a good candidate.
So, after much consideration, Toshiro decides to save Harribel.
At this moment, Pedro speaks up: "Whatever. No matter why you're here, since you dare to interfere with me, Pedro-sama, be prepared to die."
Boom!
Pedro releases his powerful Reiatsu, pressing down on Toshiro.
"Hmm?"
Toshiro suddenly notices something off.
'Although this Hollow has beyond-Captain-level strength, it's not a Vasto Lorde… it's an Adjuchas.'
'Is this guy an Arrancar?' Toshiro wonders.
If an Adjuchas hasn't evolved into a Vasto Lorde, the only way to attain beyond-Captain-level strength is by becoming an Arrancar to increase power, possibly breaking through to beyond-Captain-level.
Initially, Toshiro didn't notice that this Hollow was an Arrancar because, because in his impression, Arrancar mostly look very similar to humans. But the current Pedro looks even less human than Harribel.
'Naturally occurring Arrancar in Hueco Mundo are extremely rare. The only known one is Coyote Starrk. Most other Arrancar are created by Aizen using the Hogyoku. This one is likely also created by Aizen with the Hogyoku. Does that mean Aizen might be here?'
Thinking this, Toshiro quickly and carefully senses his surroundings but finds no trace of Aizen. Even using his [Dragon's True Eye], he detects nothing.
If Aizen were truly nearby, he couldn't possibly hide from Toshiro's [Dragon's True Eye].
'Not here, huh? Well, first deal with this guy in front of me,' Toshiro mused.
"Hey, no need to waste Reiatsu. Reiatsu pressure won't work on me," Toshiro says to Pedro.
Reiatsu pressure only works on opponents with lower Reiatsu. Although Pedro's Reiatsu is slightly stronger than Harribel's, it's only at the initial beyond-Captain-level, a lower level than Toshiro's, so it naturally has no effect.
"Hmph, die, Shinigami!" Seeing Reiatsu pressure doesn't work, Pedro directly swipes a claw at Toshiro.
Shunkuho!
Toshiro instantly appears behind Pedro using Shunkuho, then draws his sword and slashes in one fluid motion.
Squelch!
Blood splatters. A deep, bone-exposing wound appears on Pedro's body.
"Ice Dragon Flash!"
Since Toshiro still has to deal with Baraggan later, he doesn't plan to waste time with Pedro and decides to end it quickly, using Ice Dragon Flash right away.
Vast, powerful Reiatsu rapidly converges into his Zanpakuto, transforming into a blue slashing attack that strikes at Pedro.
Sensing the immense power of Ice Dragon Flash, Pedro's expression changes drastically. He quickly fires a Cero to meet Toshiro's attack.
Boom!
The red Cero beam and the ice-blue slashing attack collide instantly.
However, to Pedro's horror and despair, Toshiro's Ice Dragon Flash obliterates his Cero with overwhelming force, then continues towards Pedro.
Squelch!
The power of Ice Dragon Flash directly strikes Pedro.
Then, it cleaves Pedro in two from the center of his forehead.
Subsequently, Pedro's corpse dissolves into Reishi, scattering into Hueco Mundo.
Behind Toshiro, Harribel watches in shock as Toshiro kills Pedro with a single sword strike, her expression one of utter disbelief.
She was just utterly defeated by Pedro, but now Pedro is easily slain by Toshiro. It's hard for Harribel to imagine just how strong Toshiro is.
Although Harribel sees Toshiro easily killing Pedro as incredibly powerful, for Toshiro, it's nothing remarkable.
After all, Toshiro is currently in his full Bankai state, with mid-level beyond-Captain-level Reiatsu, Reiatsu density far surpassing ordinary beings, and the Strongest Ice-type Zanpakuto. Even late-stage beyond-Captain-level enemies wouldn't be a match for him, let alone an early-stage one.
Seeing Toshiro deal with Pedro, Harribel quickly runs to the severely injured Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose.
"Sung-Sun, Apacci, Mila Rose, how are you?" Harribel asks worriedly.
"Harribel-sama, we're fine. Don't worry," The three reply.
Seeing they indeed seem largely unharmed, Harribel breathes a sigh of relief, then turns to look at Toshiro.
"Why would a Shinigami like you help us?"
"Does being a Shinigami matter? Just like not all Shinigami are good people, not all Hollows are bad," Toshiro says.
Although most Hollows are cruel and bloodthirsty, Harribel is surprisingly a gentle Hollow.
She has always been unwilling to grow stronger by devouring other Hollows. Even when encountering Hollows who try to kill and devour her, she only defeats them, never kills them, let alone devours them to grow stronger.
In all of Hueco Mundo, perhaps only Nelliel is kinder than Harribel.
Of course, after today's events, Harribel might become more eager for power.
"Is that so?" Harribel says, somewhat surprised by Toshiro's words.
In Harribel's understanding, since who knows when, Shinigami and Hollows have always seemed like natural enemies. No one has ever said such a thing.
"Besides, I really just wanted to ask for directions. Why doesn't anyone believe me?" Toshiro says, somewhat helpless.
"Ask for directions?!" Harribel says incredulously.
"Yeah. If possible, could you tell me how to get to Las Noches?" Toshiro asks seriously.
Seeing Toshiro's earnest expression, Harribel has to believe he really just wants directions. She points in a direction and says, "Head straight in that direction, and you'll reach Las Noches."
"Really? Thanks," Toshiro says, then prepares to head to Las Noches.
"Uh, wait, please!" Harribel suddenly says.
"What else?" Toshiro turns back and asks.
"Um... thank you for saving us. Also, my name is Tier. Tier Harribel."