Then Makoto Ito took a moment, approached the dying Halibel, and stabbed directly to end her life. At this critical moment, three shots flashed, and Makoto Ito swiftly retreated. When he looked closely, he saw that the three Adjuchas under Halibel's command were Mila Roz, Apache, and Sun Sun.
"You three... why don't you run!" Halibel, who was lying against the rock wall, asked weakly.
"The three of us will not abandon Lord Halibel and run away alone!" Sun Sun declared, her gaze cold as she glared at Makoto Ito.
"You damn god of death, die!" Apache, Mila Roz, and Sun Sun echoed in unison.
Makoto Ito sneered. "A mere three Adjuchas... you are simply looking for death!"
He discarded the Angry God, then grasped the iron chain behind its hilt. The chain instantly extended. "Crazy!" The God of Annihilation lashed out like a whip, and with a single blow, he sent the three Adjuchas flying. They crashed to the ground, unable to rise again.
Retracting the Annihilation God, he turned back to Halibel, who was embedded in the mountain wall, and prepared to strike the final blow.
"Lord Halibel!" The three Adjuchas cried out in despair.
Clang!
However, at this critical moment, a sudden clash rang out as a blade intercepted Makoto Ito's attack.
Halibel, who had already resigned herself to death, opened her eyes to find a mysterious figure—a Vasto Lorde clad in waxen, bone-like armor etched with dark golden patterns—blocking the deadly strike.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
In an instant, this strange Vasto Lorde engaged in combat with the young god of death, completely suppressing him within moments.
"So strong!" Mila Roz, Apache, and Sun Sun exclaimed as they watched the battle unfold. They had witnessed Makoto Ito overpower their lord, yet this mysterious Vasto Lorde had effortlessly turned the tide.
Halibel, lying amidst the rock wall ruins, was equally stunned. "How could he be this strong? As another Vasto Lorde, the gap between us is this vast?"
The mysterious figure looked down at Makoto Ito with disdain. "A mere god of death dares to trespass into Hueco Mundo?"
With a wave of his left hand, a dark golden thunder whip materialized. Holding the whip in his left hand and a Zanpakutō in his right, he lunged at Makoto Ito.
This mysterious Vasto Lorde was, of course, Ren. His true goal was to make Halibel surrender completely. Rather than force her submission through enslavement, he sought to win her loyalty through a carefully orchestrated performance.
To make the act convincing, Ren and his clone, Makoto Ito, engaged in an actual battle.
Makoto Ito stepped forward in an instant, gripping the Annihilation God with both hands as he brought it down with tremendous force.
Ren merely raised his right hand slightly and intercepted the attack with a simple block. The force of the strike sent a powerful shockwave through the ground, yet Ren only sneered. "A little trick."
A surge of immense spiritual pressure burst from him, dispelling the impact. Then, with a flick of his left wrist, the thunder whip lashed out, striking Makoto Ito's chest.
Even though Ren held back, the force was enough to leave a charred mark on Makoto Ito's torso.
"Ahem... I never thought Hueco Mundo harbored someone as powerful as you," Makoto Ito admitted, his expression cold as he steadied himself.
Raising the Annihilation God once more, he unleashed his next attack. "Three Styles of Annihilation—Mustard Net!"
A dark net of energy surged forth with overwhelming power, tearing through the air toward Ren.
Halibel's pupils contracted at the sight. This was the same move that had devoured her Cero, the attack into which she had poured everything.
Yet, with a single casual swing of his blade, Ren effortlessly cleaved through the attack, dispelling it as if it were nothing.
"The gap between my clone and my true self is massive," Ren mused. Even though Makoto Ito possessed 30% of his spiritual pressure, Ren had still held back significantly—yet his overwhelming strength was undeniable.
"The act should be almost complete now."
Makoto Ito then raised his right hand. "Thirty-Three of the Way of Destruction—Blue Fire Crash Down!"
A surge of blue and white flames erupted from his palm, striking the mountain wall behind Ren and causing an explosion of smoke and dust. Seizing the opportunity, Makoto Ito retreated at full speed, while Ren made no move to pursue.
Mila Roz and Apache cried out in shock as they watched the scene unfold.
"Don't let this god of death escape, kill him!"
Ren shook his head slightly and said, "The strength of this god of death cannot be underestimated. Besides, I suspect he may have companions in Hueco Mundo. He's likely part of the so-called expedition team, and any god of death capable of joining such a force is not to be taken lightly."
With that, Ren subtly shifted the blame onto the Void Expeditionary Army.
Then, in a blur, he appeared beside the ruins and helped the wounded Halibel to her feet.
"Why... why would you save me?" Halibel, covered in wounds, hesitated for a moment before voicing her doubts.
"Since the dawn of Hueco Mundo's existence, this is the first time I've seen someone willing to sacrifice themselves for their companions."
"In the brutal battlefield of Hueco Mundo, the willingness to protect others is called sacrifice."
"That is why I deem you worthy to continue surviving—to stand beside me as my companion."
"Walk alongside you?" Halibel murmured.
Ren simply extended his hand toward her with a calm smile.
Listening to his resolute words, Halibel felt her heart waver for the first time. Slowly, she knelt on one knee before Ren.
At the same time, Mila Roz, Apache, and Sun Sun followed suit, bowing their heads in allegiance.
"Mysterious Vasto Lorde... we do not yet know your name."
Ren met their gaze and answered, "My name is Ren."
Halibel's voice was firm as she spoke, "Mr. Ren, I, Tier Halibel, am willing to follow you—to stand by your side, through life and death."
Mila Roz, Apache, and Sun Sun echoed her declaration, their conviction unwavering.
Ren smiled slightly before gently helping Halibel up. "From this moment on, we are companions."
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