Chapter 207
After Yuta started cooking, the honey-grilled fish was quickly prepared.
When he placed the steaming bowl of grilled fish on the table, Soi Fon's eyes widened in surprise.
While Yuta was cooking, Soi Fon had washed her face and hands. In her small black cat form, her true features were revealed once again. Under the sunlight, the faint translucent hairs on her ears glistened slightly. Droplets of water still clung to her face, and her clear pupils reflected the light as if they were liquid, giving her a striking appearance.
Despite this, her expression remained cold, as if saying silently that no matter how delicious the food looked, she had no intention of eating it.
I will not eat.
I, Soi Fon, will never accept charity.
Even if I have to jump from here, I will not give in.
Yuta sat down, looking casual as he spoke.
"Oh, this honey-grilled fish turned out so well."
"Since someone doesn't want to eat it, I guess I'll just have to enjoy it by myself."
Fifteen minutes later-Soi Fon was already eating the grilled fish with genuine focus. She did not look up, her movements quick as though she might lose her share if she slowed down.
The aroma was too tempting, and the taste even more so.
Jumping down? That was fine. She no longer cared about that thought. She hadn't expected Yuta's honey-grilled fish to be so flavorful.
Her face remained serious as she muttered while eating.
"Hmph... you only did an average job. But honey and fish are already my favorites. You just combined the two together..."
Yuta interrupted smoothly.
"Yes, yes, I know. Soi Fon likes fish and honey the most, so naturally she'll enjoy what I cook. It has nothing to do with my skills as a cook, right?"
Soi Fon's face turned red instantly as she licked the last drop of soup from the bowl just like a cat would.
"You... you already know it. I... I just happened to be a little hungry after training. It doesn't mean I like your food."
Yuta glanced at her bowl. It was polished clean, requiring no washing. He reached out and patted her head gently.
"Alright, I'll be leaving now."
Soi Fon lowered her head, her face flushed so red it looked like steam might rise from it. After Yuta left, she lay on the ground, covering her face before rolling slightly in embarrassment.
"He... he actually touched my head..." she whispered to herself. "Until now, no one except Master Yoruichi has ever done that."
Her eyes grew damp as she blinked rapidly, her dark lashes quivering faintly. In the quiet of the place, she muttered a single word under her breath.
"...Baka."
---
Hueco Mundo.
It was a land without the division of day and night, where the moon and endless night sky stood eternal.
Yuta had come to observe the current situation of the realm. Not long after stepping into the endless white sands, he saw a figure rushing straight toward him.
"Uwaaaaah!"
The speed and impact of the pounce carried extraordinary force. For an ordinary human, the collision would have been fatal.
Yet Yuta managed to steady himself as the small body collided into his chest.
"Nii-sama!" cried Nelliel as she clung to him tightly. Her tiny hands gripped his clothes, her face pressed against his chest as tears and snot smeared his robe. "I missed you so much!"
Pesche and Dondochakka stopped in shock when they saw who it was.
"Lord Yuta!" Pesche exclaimed.
"It's really Lord Yuta," Dondochakka added.
Everyone had known that Hideki Yuta was the one who defeated Aizen Sōsuke. To them, he was a hero whose name carried weight across all realms.
Yuta adjusted his hold on little Neliel, patting her lightly until her sobs eased. She refused to release his robes, clinging as if he might vanish again at any moment. Holding her felt less like carrying an ally and more like carrying a small daughter.
"By the way," Yuta asked evenly, turning his gaze to Pesche and Dondochakka, "what is the current state of Hueco Mundo?"
Pesche answered immediately.
"At present, Hueco Mundo is under the rule of Lady Harribel. Everyone is busy with repairs and reconstruction."
With that information, Yuta continued forward through the land to see for himself.
Unlike before, the structures no longer glorified the authority of a king. Instead, practical housing had been built for Hollows. Under the canopy, the artificial blue sky and white clouds spread above them, creating a sight far calmer than what it had once been.
Before long, Yuta encountered three familiar figures-Tier Harribel's Fracción.
When Sung-Sun and the other two laid eyes on him, they froze on the spot.
"What? That's Yuta!" Sung-Sun called out.
"That terrifying man!" Mila-Rose added sharply.
Even Apache stiffened, straightening her chest as if to act braver than her trembling voice betrayed. They all remembered Yuta as the man who had crushed Yammy Llargo and even stood against Aizen-the same Aizen whom they themselves once believed invincible.
"You... what are you even doing in Hueco Mundo?" Apache demanded, her tone wavering despite her attempt at resolve.
Sung-Sun raised her sleeve to cover the lower half of her face. "Could it be... he's taken an interest in us and plans to capture us for amusement?"
Apache snapped suddenly, trying to mask her nerves.
"D-don't think we'll submit... we won't yield to anyone's whip!"
Yuta only smiled faintly.
"Is that so? You're not afraid, then?"
Before tension could escalate, Tier Harribel herself appeared from above. She landed gracefully, her tone firm and calm.
"You three may leave now."
Her golden eyes turned toward Yuta, and she inclined her head slightly.
"We in Hueco Mundo owe you our gratitude, Yuta-dono. Without your intervention against Aizen Sōsuke, we would still be trapped under his rule."
She stayed at his side, beginning to lead him through Las Noches as she continued.
"Aizen appeared to strengthen Hueco Mundo by making us Arrancar, but in his eyes we Espada were nothing more than tools-disposable weapons to conquer the world."
"Even under Baraggan's reign," she added, "Hueco Mundo was only a means of indulgence for his own desires."
"That is why I believe this current state, where we have no king, may actually be a blessing for Hueco Mundo."
She glanced at him once more.
"What is your opinion, Yuta-dono?"
Yuta adjusted the small weight of Nilu who still clung to him and replied evenly.
"A king's rule carries both flaws and advantages. What you've seen are only the flaws. If the ruler is a good king, Hueco Mundo could benefit as well."
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