At this moment, in the lowest tier of Hueco Mundo, a door that looked like a black void opened high in the night sky. Fiander emerged from this door and gazed at Baraggan, who had been waiting there.
"What a remarkable ability. I never imagined that there were other ways to traverse space besides the black void," remarked Baraggan, appearing as an elderly man seated on a stool adorned with mysterious designs.
"Quit your nonsense. Is this what you were showing me earlier? "
The atmosphere here starkly contrasted with the endless white desert found elsewhere in Hueco Mundo. Beneath Fiander's feet lay pieces of dark black gravel, infused with an unknown energy.
"How peculiar; I've never encountered these before. " Fiander knelt down and delicately crushed the gravel with his fingers, releasing a gray-black essence that mingled with the air around him.
"This is the forbidden domain of the Hallow Clan! Apart from me, you are now the second person to arrive here alive," Baraggan stated, a serious expression replacing his earlier demeanor.
"Is it really that grave? Maybe I should take my leave," Fiander replied while straightening up, a mocking grin on his face.
"As one of the very few who know of this place, you ought to show it some respect," Baraggan continued. "Your presence here suggests that you are not as carefree as you usually appear; you simply wish to steer clear of trouble. " Fiander accepted Baraggan's assessment without argument and casually sat on the ground, saying, "You know me well, old man! "
"Tell me, what secrets require my long journey to convey that you couldn't share at the Night Palace? "
"Do you understand this world, Fiander Moros? As a newly ascended Vasto Lorde Menos Grande, how do you perceive the human realm, Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo? "
If Fiander were to sum up Baraggan at that moment, he could only describe him as peculiar.
"Strange, coming from a haughty king, that you would exhibit interest in such matters. Weren't you the one who ranted in front of Aizen? "
"I have existed in Hueco Mundo for ten thousand years, having witnessed its vast history, yet I would never claim to embody the entirety of Hueco Mundo's history," Baraggan responded, disregarding Fiander's jibe with a sigh.
"Ten thousand years? ! That's truly… astounding! " Fiander had no reason to doubt Baraggan's words; a Menos Grande with such longevity who refrained from asserting that he was the essence of Hueco Mundo raised many questions. What had Hueco Mundo endured before Baraggan proclaimed himself its King? Who held the title before him? With an array of questions swirling in his mind, Fiander found himself bewildered.
"What relevance do these aspects hold regarding your advice on how to exceed the Scrito level? "
"Indeed, Fiander Moros, after years of observation, I've come to realize you're the lone Vasto Lorde capable of independent thought, possessing a resolute personal will and a vision for the future. "
"I have seen numerous newly ascended Menos Grande, regardless of their power, they are consumed by their desire for strength. They resemble beasts awakening, and although they are capable of thought, they only focus on their own interests. "
Then Baraggan posed an unforeseen question: "Are you aware of Aizen's motives for coming to Hueco Mundo? What compelled him to arrive in Hueco Mundo? "
Prior to today's discussion, Fiander would have stuck to the anime narrative, believing Aizen sought to usurp the Soul King, requiring the "King's Key" to access the Soul King's Palace, and so on.
Everyone understands the issue. Aizen aims to dethrone the Soul King, having acted or formulated plans for centuries.
What Aizen has discovered about the Soul Society over the years is beyond Fiander's knowledge. Ultimately, Aizen was defeated, and upon his sealing, he uttered astonishing words to Urahara Kisuke, suggesting the situation is more complex than it appears.
"Why do you submit yourself to such a reality with your intellect? "
What reality is he referring to? Additionally, even though Urahara Kisuke imprisoned Aizen, he never contradicted Aizen's assertions. What kind of existence is so overwhelming that even a discreet individual like Aizen could not endure it, leading him to rebel and attempt to overthrow the three realms?
Some claim Aizen formed the Espada to replace the Zero team and establish a new Soul King Palace. However, based on the Arrancar's performance in the Espada arc, they were swiftly eliminated when Yamamoto's group appeared.
I once learned about Baraggan's battle with an ancient hollow, yet I currently have no information on this hollow in Hueco Mundo.
After a lengthy period of contemplation, Fiander eventually remarked,
"Perhaps it's for the summit. "
Fiander simply raised his finger towards the heavens, not clearly specifying where this so-called summit lies.
"That's a decent response. For a Menos Grande who has existed for only a century, your thought process is commendable! " Baraggan offered an unusual smile.
"Aizen Sōsuke, the Shinigami, is the most ambitious and idealistic entity I've encountered throughout the years. Naturally, his ideals do not bode well for us."
"I've lived for ten thousand years, yet I was vanquished by a Shinigami who has trained for merely hundreds of years. Those should be your considerations, correct? "
"How can that be? ! I never held that view, and I hold you in high regard. " Fiander, momentarily caught off guard, felt a jolt of surprise; it was evident that Baraggan's statements resonated with the thoughts he had harbored.
"I mentioned that Menos Grande of Scrito level had once appeared, not because I was fabricating tales for you, but because they truly are real beings! "
"Over one thousand two hundred years ago, as the ruler of Hueco Mundo, I held the title of Menos Grande at the Scrito level, governing all of Hueco Mundo! "
"What? ! ! ! "
Baraggan's declaration left Fiander in disbelief. He envisioned Baraggan's demise at the hands of two average Shinigami, Soi-Fon and her lieutenant. It was difficult to fathom that Baraggan possessed strength on par with a Scrito level entity, considering a Vasto Lorde could easily eliminate those two in a single blow.