Death: This Death is a bit unorthodox.

After all, the farthest place he had ever been since birth was the present world, and that was only for his regular duty.

I've never even seen a Vasto Lorde, let alone the lowest-ranking Hollow Gryllium.

"Hmm, what you said makes a lot of sense, but I have a reason why I have to go."

Aozaki Mayuki grinned.

Upon hearing this, Gin Ichimaru froze, a look of astonishment crossing his face, but he quickly regained his composure and said firmly:

"I want to go with you!"

However, Aozaki Mayuki shook her head without hesitation and said firmly:

“Absolutely not. With your current strength, you are far from being able to deal with the dangerous situations in Hueco Mundo. Even I would have a hard time taking care of you.”

Then, Aozaki Mayuki patted Ichimaru Gin on the shoulder and continued earnestly:

"You just need to stay here and take care of the squad's affairs for me. That will be the greatest support and help you can give me!"

Gin Ichimaru clenched his fists, his lips trembling slightly, as if he wanted to refute something, but in the end he held back.

Because he knew very well that what Aozaki Mayuki said was true.

Aozaki Mayuki is a captain-level powerhouse with second-class spiritual power.

If a crisis were to strike that even he could not resolve, then even if he, a fifth-rank spiritual power vice-captain, went along, he would probably be nothing more than a useless burden.

Aozaki Mazuki sensed Ichimaru Gin's inner turmoil and unease, so she patted his shoulder again and comforted him with a smile, "Don't be too nervous."

He then paused briefly, a hint of confidence and pride on his face, and added softly:

"Don't forget, I'm the Captain-Commander's prized student! Compared to you, I know those Hollows much better."

Finally, Aozaki Mayuki looked into Ichimaru Gin's eyes and solemnly promised:

"With my current strength, I am more than capable of protecting myself, so there is no need to worry about my safety."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Gin Ichimaru stared at the receding figure of Maki Aozaki, his brows furrowed, his heart filled with worry.

…………

Three days later.

The earth shrouded in night,

A bright moon hung in the sky, but it appeared somewhat hazy and indistinct, as if it were shrouded in a layer of gray mist.

This mysterious and eerie place is the abode of the Hollows—Hollow Cove.

As far as the eye can see, there is only a gray and white color scheme, as if you are in an endless white desert.

The ground beneath my feet was unusually dry and hard, devoid of any sign of life.

The scattered, quartz-like deadwood added to the desolation and deathly stillness of the scene.

The wind howled past from time to time, stirring up clouds of sand and dust, which made people feel fearful.

Several dazzling beams of light streaked across the night sky like meteors, leaving long red trails as they hurtled toward the four white-masked figures rushing forward at lightning speed.

Judging from their spiritual pressure, the four figures fleeing were all powerful Hollows.

Following behind were three Hollows, each in the form of an Adjuchas-class Hollow: a horned deer, a python, and a lion.

The Hollow at the forefront wielded a bone greatsword and was remarkably similar in size to a human.

Although its entire body was covered in hard white bone armor, with only its eyes and long golden hair exposed, it could be inferred from the pair of enormous, human-shaped organs on its chest that it was actually a female Vastod-class Hollow.

With deafening roars, "Boom boom boom!!"

Pieces of pure white sand exploded around the four female Hollows, shooting straight into the sky like surging sandstorms.

Immediately afterwards, bursts of bright red flames exploded violently in the sky, releasing billowing smoke that resembled blooming mushroom clouds, turning the entire sky a fiery red.

"Hribel!! Don't run!! I'm going to catch you today!!!"

Not far from the four fleeing Hollows, a dozen Hollows followed behind them. One of them, also in human form, roared angrily, swinging its thick hands like a windmill, hurling huge rocks at them.

"It's Oswell again!! When will this bastard ever stop!? He's been chasing us for three days and three nights!! Why do these bastards have to keep chasing Lady Harribel? Aren't they tired!?"

Beside the humanoid Hollow named Harribel, came the slightly irritable voice of a deer-shaped Hollow.

"I'm sorry, Apache, I've dragged you into this."

A cool, slightly apologetic voice came from the face hidden beneath the mask of Harribel.

Upon hearing this sound, Emile Apache's expression changed drastically.

Her eyes were filled with panic, as if she had just said something she shouldn't have.

"No, no, no... Lady Harribel, please don't misunderstand me!" Apache quickly explained.

"I really wasn't blaming you! It's just... it's just that Barragán's men went too far!"

Chapter 173 Knight

"Lady Harribel, Oswell is catching up quickly!"

With a shout, Francesca Mila Rhodes, the Lion-shaped Hollow, had an even more anxious and uneasy face.

She nervously watched behind her while issuing a warning to Halibel beside her.

Hearing this, Halibel did not show much surprise or panic.

However, the serpentine Great Void Grandson standing to the side couldn't help but feel guilty:

"It's all our fault for dragging Lady Harribel down. Otherwise, with Lady Harribel's Vastrock-class Hollow strength, how could she have been caught up by those guys so easily..."

Before she could finish speaking, Halibel cast a stern look at her grandson, as if warning him not to continue.

Sun Sun instantly realized what was happening, her face flushed red as she lowered her head, inwardly sighing:

"Sigh, that's just how Lady Harribel is. Although she's usually quiet and reserved, she's actually a gentle person. Even if we give up on ourselves, she won't give up on us."

Heribel gently shook her head, not blaming her grandson further.

She turned and gazed at the distant horizon shrouded in dust and smoke, where a horde of Hollows swept toward them like a surging tide.

By visual inspection, she keenly sensed that the distance between them was shrinking at an alarming rate.

Faced with such a pressing situation, Herribel's mind raced.

Oswell is one of Barragan's most capable subordinates, a rare Vasto Lorde-class Hollow, whose strength is comparable to hers.

If he were alone, he would still have a chance to escape from Oswell and his Achookas forces.

But now, the people following her—Apache, Mila Rhodes, and Sun Sun—are all Adjuchas.

No, we'll be caught up soon if this continues!

If things continue like this, being caught up is inevitable, and then it will be a great battle, with Hueco Mundo having a large number of people.

The three of them are bound to face a life-or-death situation if they participate in the battle; they might even lose their lives here.

Heribel slowly lowered her head, her gaze sweeping swiftly across the massive blade in her hand like that of a hawk, as if trying to see through the blade to the power and destiny hidden within.

Those once sharp eyes now held an even stronger resolve, burning with an indomitable fighting spirit.

Looking back, she realized that she had been subjected to endless resentment and relentless pursuit simply because she refused Barragan's request to make her his subordinate.

Ultimately, this series of events was caused by himself, but Sun Sun and the others were innocent victims.

"Sun Sun, you take everyone and leave first!"

Heribel gritted her teeth, her voice low but resolute.

She clenched her fists tightly, then turned abruptly, raising her greatsword high, ready to face the approaching storm.

“Go to the Forest of Death. If I am not able to meet you in three days, then there is no need to wait any longer.”

Her words were forceful and resolute, revealing a determination to face death without fear.

Right now, the only thing to do is to buy enough time to ensure they can hide safely in a safe place.

With their own strength, they still have a sliver of hope to break through the encirclement of the Oswell forces.

In this way, the chances of everyone surviving will be greatly increased!

All that could be seen was a dazzling golden spiritual pressure continuously gathering on the greatsword in Harribel's hand, gradually forming a spherical spiritual pressure mass.

In the blink of an eye, the golden light shot off into the distance like a pillar of light piercing the sky!

A deafening roar erupted—

"Boom!!"

The beam of light transformed into a light cannon, crashing heavily onto the left side of the virtual group like a falling meteor.

In an instant, a deafening explosion suddenly rang out, and a powerful shockwave raged wildly outwards from the point where the light cannon landed.

Not far away, Oswell was also shaken by the sudden force, causing his body to tilt slightly. The white sand flying all over the sky fell down like raindrops, making a crisp and pleasant rustling sound.

"That woman, Harribel, dares to hold back at a time like this? Does she look down on us?"

Oswell wore a white mask resembling a dragon and a suit of hard bone armor, looking like an ancient knight from the Western Middle Ages, gripping a giant lance several meters long in his hand.

He wiped the sand from his forehead, and the jet-black cloak on his back, which resembled wings, fluttered wildly and wildly under the impact of the air waves stirred up by the golden flash.

Despite his sharp tongue, Oswell still held some admiration for Halibel in his heart.

This woman is not only exceptionally strong, but she also never uses her power to bully the weak.

Even when faced with an enemy who intends to kill her, she would never easily resort to violence unless absolutely necessary.

In Oswell's eyes, Harribel was a knight.

However, as a knight of His Majesty Barragán, Oswell must obey his lord's orders and will never show mercy no matter how much he admires him.

"Pegasus, speed up! We're almost there!"

Oswell patted the massive horse-shaped Adjuchas beneath him, then turned to the numerous Adjuchas behind him and said...

"Pegasus and I will engage her first, and you can catch up later!"

"Yes." The group nodded.