🎉🎉DxD: Chapter 272/274

Chapter 272: Civil War

A cloud of sand rose beneath the feet of Tier Harribel and the others.

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez turned around to look at the collapsed building, falling into silence.

A few seconds later.

He locked eyes with the culprit.

"Nnoitra Gilga!!"

Grimmjow's voice trembled slightly. "What the hell did you do!!"

"Pah! Pah! Pah!"

Nnoitra spat out the sand in his mouth as he shoved aside the rubble that had landed on him, glaring back at Grimmjow with clear hostility.

"When did it become your place to lecture me, Sixth Seat?"

Hearing that, Grimmjow gritted his teeth and glared fiercely at him.

What's wrong with being the Sixth Seat?!

"Sooner or later, I'll make you the Sixth Seat!"

Nnoitra sneered as if he'd just heard the world's funniest joke.

"If you think you can, then come try it!"

"Bastard!!"

Grimmjow's spiritual pressure suddenly erupted.

But—

Snap!

A heavy hand pressed down hard on Grimmjow's shoulder.

His movements were immediately forced to stop.

Grimmjow turned back, visibly displeased. "Starrk, don't get in my way!"

Coyote Starrk replied helplessly, "Seriously… What a pain."

"Normally, I wouldn't bother. But don't forget, our enemies haven't even shown up yet."

"Fighting among ourselves now…"

Starrk paused, then added more seriously, "You might end up dead."

"And besides…"

"If Aizen finds out, things won't end well for you, right?"

"Tch…"

Hearing Aizen's name, Grimmjow clicked his tongue in frustration and turned away. Though he didn't say anything more, he suppressed his inner urge to attack.

Nnoitra, who had been sitting on the ruins, also went quiet. He even started feeling a bit anxious as he looked at the crumbled remains beneath him.

Not only had the Kyonyaku base been destroyed, but the buildings were reduced to rubble…

Nnoitra didn't even want to imagine what would happen if Aizen found out.

Suddenly—

A cold snort rang out.

Starrk raised an eyebrow and turned toward the source of the voice.

A burly figure stood there, wearing a white coat lined with black fur around the collar, exuding an aged yet oppressive aura.

Baraggan Louisenbairn…

This guy again…

What now?

Starrk already felt a headache coming.

As expected, the next second.

Baraggan let out a sneer and said mockingly, "Aizen really trained you mutts well. Look how scared you all are!"

The moment he said that, all eyes at the table turned toward him.

Facing their unfriendly stares, Baraggan showed no fear.

With his arms crossed and eyes blazing, he slowly swept his gaze over everyone and said, "What? Did I say anything wrong?"

Starrk: "…"

He felt even more tired now.

The conflict between Grimmjow and Nnoitra had just been de-escalated, and now Baraggan decided to go on a full-scale provocation.

But—

Baraggan had always been like this.

Although he was also one of the Ten Espada, he looked down on every single one of them equally.

He'd even said more than once that he was ashamed to be associated with them.

Tier Harribel frowned slightly. Her voice turned cold. "Baraggan, don't forget—you're also serving Lord Aizen."

"Hmph!"

That only made Baraggan angrier.

"I'm not the same as you!"

He clenched his skeletal fists tightly and said coldly, "One day, I'll take back everything Aizen stole from me!"

"Okay~ I wish you luck with that."

Starrk replied half-heartedly before continuing, "But for now, oh great former King of Hueco Mundo, can we focus on the invading enemies first?"

Baraggan glanced at him, his pupils flashing coldly.

This guy…

He doesn't take me seriously at all!

I'd love nothing more than to make him taste death!!

But—

Baraggan's eyes narrowed again.

Although Aizen never spelled it out directly…

Everyone knew.

The rankings of the Ten Espada reflected their power.

So—

The former king of Hueco Mundo was only ranked second among them. That said everything.

Starrk…

Was very strong.

Although Baraggan had countless complaints about Aizen, there was one thing Aizen once said that he silently agreed with:

"In battles between Soul Reapers, it all comes down to spiritual pressure."

His own aging ability was powerful—virtually undefeatable in most cases.

But—

Against Starrk, whose spiritual pressure far surpassed his own, his aging ability wouldn't be able to overwhelm him at all.

Tch!

Where the hell did Aizen find this monster?

Still—

Becoming First Seat…

That was his next goal!

If he couldn't even become number one, how could he hope to challenge Aizen and reclaim his former glory?

With that thought, Baraggan stopped talking.

Power ruled over all.

He lived by the law of the strong—only power earned respect.

He wasn't like Nnoitra and the others who barked and howled in front of the strong.

From the bottom of his heart, Baraggan looked down on people like Nnoitra who were beneath him.

Seeing that Baraggan had finally quieted down, Starrk breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Even though he was the First Seat, he had no intention of managing this group.

Too much hassle!

Every single one of the Ten Espada was a problem child!

And Starrk… was a naturally lazy man.

In the end.

As long as it was Aizen's command, they'd all obey.

Even a rebel like Baraggan would follow orders obediently—until the day he gained the strength to overthrow Aizen.

Now that Baraggan had gone quiet, the other Espada simply frowned but said nothing.

The tension between them was temporarily suppressed by Starrk.

All eyes turned toward the direction Nnoitra had flown in from earlier.

Over there…

An intense spiritual pressure was quickly approaching.

Before anyone could speak—

Nnoitra, still standing atop the ruins, suddenly looked up. His bloodshot eyes widened. His expression twisted into a snarl of rage.

"Nelliel!!"

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Ay Si Niño for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 273: Some Warmth

"Nelliel?!"

Tier Harribel's eyes flashed with surprise. She turned to Nnoitra Gilga, frowning. "Are you sure?"

Nnoitra's face was grim. "I got kicked back by her."

Baraggan Louisenbairn suddenly burst out laughing. "Now this is getting interesting!"

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and the others looked at Nnoitra and Szayelaporro Granz with mocking smiles.

Clearly…

Everyone already knew about what happened between them and Nelliel.

Grimmjow smirked. "Looks like that woman, Nelliel, is here for payback."

"Tsk, tsk…"

"Some people better start worrying~"

Grimmjow's voice echoed loudly, as if he wanted all of Hueco Mundo to hear him. "Those who only dare sneak attacks with backup, do you even have the guts to face the wrath of the Third Seat head-on?"

Nnoitra glared. "You bastard!"

But…

The angrier he acted, the guiltier he appeared.

He knew full well the gap in strength between him and Nelliel.

Just like how he had never taken Grimmjow seriously as the Sixth Seat.

The gap between him and Nelliel, the Third Seat, was just as overwhelming.

Damn it!!

That woman!

Did she regain her former power?

No… her current aura was even more terrifying than before!!

Thinking back to her cold gaze just moments ago, Nnoitra shivered involuntarily.

Even worse than him was Szayelaporro Granz, who had also taken part in ambushing Nelliel.

He clenched his fists, face pale, a trace of regret flickering in his eyes.

He never should've taken chances!

What now?

Nnoitra was stronger than him, and even then they needed to gang up just to bring Nelliel down.

If it came to a direct fight, what could he, the Eighth Seat, possibly do?

Ulquiorra Cifer didn't gloat. Or rather…

He simply didn't care.

He asked calmly, "Is the enemy the former Espada?"

Coyote Starrk and Tier Harribel exchanged glances, then murmured, "I'm afraid so…"

"It's not just that…"

There were others behind her, with spiritual pressure they couldn't even detect.

And…

The attack earlier wasn't anything like what they remembered from Nelliel.

As they spoke—

Whoosh!

A strong gust swept through.

Sensing something, Starrk and Harribel looked up into the distance.

Soon…

A flash of green came into view, growing rapidly, and a crushing spiritual pressure blanketed the entire area.

The next moment—

Nelliel appeared before them.

Her expression was icy, amber eyes sweeping across each of the Espada, finally locking on Nnoitra.

"!"

The moment Nelliel looked at him, Nnoitra's entire body tensed. His muscles locked up, and an overwhelming sense of danger hit him like a tidal wave.

I'm going to die!!

In that instant, Nnoitra came to a terrifying realization.

That woman…

She really had grown stronger!

Judging by the speed of her kick earlier, he had a bad feeling in his gut.

Now—

It was confirmed.

Damn it…

Nnoitra gritted his teeth.

Right now, he wished more than anything that his instincts were wrong.

How did it come to this?!

Nelliel, who had completely lost her power after their ambush, not only regained her strength…

She even broke through her previous limits!

He couldn't win before, and now…

He probably couldn't even escape!!

Starrk narrowed his eyes and greeted her lazily, "Hey, long time no see."

Nelliel glanced at him but didn't respond. Her gaze shifted to Tier Harribel instead. "Congratulations."

Tier shook her head. "The way you said that makes it sound like I took advantage of you to become the Third Seat."

Although…

That might be true.

Tier's expression was complicated.

If it weren't for the rumors about Nelliel's fall…

She wouldn't have been promoted so easily.

And…

Tier was silent for a moment, then said, "You…"

"Have become stronger than before."

Anyone could sense the pressure Nelliel now exuded.

She might even be worthy of the Second Seat now.

What on earth happened to her during her disappearance?

Nelliel replied calmly, "Yeah… I've been through a lot."

She thought of Lynn, and a rare softness flickered across her cold gaze.

Everything…

Was a gift from Lynn.

Meanwhile—

Starrk: "…"

Lilinette: "Wow, I got ignored~"

Starrk shook his head. "You talk too much."

He wasn't bothered by being ignored by Nelliel, but…

She clearly wasn't here with good intentions this time.

If it were just a personal grudge between her and Nnoitra, that would be fine.

But…

Nelliel wasn't alone.

And—

They had already attacked Las Noches!

That wave of seawater earlier had been a declaration of war!!

Just in case, Starrk asked, "So… is Nelliel planning to rejoin our big family of the Ten Espada?"

Hmm…

If she had no other plans, he could go back to being lazy.

Although…

Even just saying "big family" made him cringe a bit.

Clearly.

There was nothing "family" about the Espada at all.

Even Tier beside him gave him a strange look.

Big family?

This place was full of sarcasm, hostility, backstabbing, betrayal, and zero humanity…

Organization?

How did he even say that with a straight face?

Nelliel gave a cold laugh. "Yeah…"

"I just came to send some warmth to this so-called family."

Starrk: "…"

Ah…

That backfired, huh?

"So…"

Starrk tried to negotiate. "How about… we don't do that?"

Nelliel answered coldly, "No."

As the words fell—

Boom!!

A surge of emerald-green spiritual pressure exploded from Nelliel's body!

The sheer pressure felt like it had torn through the sky!!

Buzz—

Under the impact of her terrifying energy, the space around them seemed to tremble violently!

Gulp…

Watching this unfold, Nnoitra and Szayelaporro felt their throats dry up.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Ay Si Niño for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 274: Mount Dilemma

"Ah…"

Coyote Starrk scratched his head and muttered helplessly, "In the end… we're still going to have to fight."

He let out a long sigh, visibly troubled.

But…

As the strongest fighter in Las Noches, if he didn't act now…

Aizen would probably jot it down in that little black book of his, right?

Just the thought of Aizen's underhanded ways sent a chill down even his spine.

So…

Well…

The place still had to be defended.

The usual laziness faded from Starrk's expression. His eyes sharpened as he looked at Nelliel.

"Just your words won't sway the Espada. Call out the ones hiding behind you too."

He wasn't being overconfident. But if Nelliel's allies kept lurking in the shadows, he'd constantly have to watch out for sneak attacks.

Tracking them down one by one would be a major pain…

Although…

It didn't seem like they intended to stay hidden anyway.

At his words, Nelliel turned her gaze away from Nnoitra Gilga.

Seeing that…

Nnoitra's tense body finally relaxed, and he subconsciously let out a breath.

But the moment he noticed his own pitiful reaction, rage surged inside him again.

Damn it!!

He clenched his fists tightly, cursing in his heart!

Just a Third Seat! A woman he'd once ambushed so easily!

Nnoitra was furiously downplaying Nelliel in his mind to vent his fear and frustration.

But…

He didn't dare utter a sound. He was afraid she'd glance his way again.

Damn it—

Why!!

Why the hell did she get stronger?!

On the other side…

Szayelaporro Granz was also on edge.

He tried to shuffle behind the other Espada, body stiff, not daring to move, trying his best to erase his presence, praying Nelliel would just forget about him.

But…

After returning to Las Noches, Nelliel didn't spare another thought for Nnoitra, Szayelaporro, or the others.

In her eyes, they were already dead. Not even worth her attention.

What mattered now…

Was accomplishing her first major assignment within Lynn's Peerage.

She had to give it her all and leave a deep impression on Lynn!

Only then…

Would she have a chance to earn a proper place in his eyes.

And…

She had a massive advantage!

Her Antelope Knight form!

With that, maybe she could even become Lynn's mount!

Although…

She wasn't sure how many mounts Lord Lynn already had in his Peerage.

If there were any, she'd have to fight for the job. This was her best shot—her mount interview!

Nelliel's eyes gleamed. She clenched her fists with determination.

Just imagining it made a serious gleam flash in her amber eyes.

".…?"

Starrk glanced at the strange look in Nelliel's eyes and scratched his head.

The seriousness he had just worked up vanished completely. His energy slipped right back into his usual lazy rhythm.

Sensing his gaze, Nelliel snapped out of her thoughts and refocused.

"Um…"

She looked serious.

Here we go.

Starrk narrowed his eyes.

"…What did you just say?"

She'd been so wrapped up thinking about Lynn, she completely missed it.

Starrk: "…"

Seriously now…

Starrk rubbed the back of his head. "If I say it again, it'll totally lose its effect…"

Baraggan Louisenbairn scoffed coldly.

This guy is actually First Seat?

No presence, no pressure—what a joke!

Unable to bear it, Baraggan stepped forward and growled at Nelliel, "Hurry up and call out whoever's backing you. Let's get this over with!"

His hands itched for battle.

Nelliel alone wasn't enough for the Espada.

Nelliel blinked, then said with a strange expression, "They're already here."

"?"

Starrk and the others looked around, confused.

But…

There was no one.

Were they being tricked?

Just as that thought crossed their minds—

Buzz—

A sea-blue magic circle suddenly bloomed above their heads!

The next second—

A group of figures led by Katerea Leviathan appeared in midair!

"!"

Sensing the strange and powerful aura, Starrk's pupils narrowed sharply as he looked up.

At the same moment, Katerea looked down.

Their eyes met.

Katerea smiled slightly. "You…"

"You must be the strongest one here, right?"

She crossed her arms and tilted her head arrogantly, looking down on him as if he were an ant.

"Do you like the gift I brought?"

Starrk looked up. He wasn't annoyed by her arrogance. Instead, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "It's definitely… a unique and unforgettable one."

"Why waste words on her!"

Baraggan stepped forward, locking eyes on Katerea with a dangerous glint. "You're the strongest, huh? Let me test you!"

"You?"

Katerea curled her lips in disdain. "Don't bother. Let the guy next to you come out instead."

"You…!"

Baraggan was furious. He felt completely looked down upon and instinctively reached for his Resurrección.

Snap!

A hand suddenly pressed down on his shoulder.

"Baraggan."

Starrk's voice rang out.

His tone was firm. "As she said, let me handle this woman."

Baraggan's face twitched. He laughed bitterly, enraged. "Alright, alright. You really think I became King of Hueco Mundo just because I'm old?!"

He shoved Starrk's hand off and flared his spiritual pressure.

Buzz!

In a flash, he appeared in front of Katerea Leviathan.

Baraggan's eyes were cold. Without another word, he clenched his hand—

Two giant, pitch-black battle axes instantly materialized!

Whoosh—

With no warning—

He swung both axes down toward Katerea Leviathan!

(To be continued.)