Ito Makoto used Shunpo and appeared before the dying Halibel, raising Annihilation God and thrusting forward, intending to end her life in one strike.
At that critical moment, three Ceros shot toward him.
Sensing danger, Ito Makoto immediately retreated.
When he looked closely, he saw that the newcomers were Halibel's three Adjuchas subordinates: Mila Rose, Apache, and Sun Sun.
"Why haven't you three escaped?"
Halibel, embedded in the rock wall, asked weakly.
"We will never abandon Lady Halibel and flee alone."
The white snake Hollow, Sun Sun, stared coldly at Ito Makoto.
"You damned Shinigami, prepare to die!"
Apache and Mila Rose roared in unison.
Ito Makoto sneered.
"Three mere Adjuchas. You're only throwing your lives away."
He hurled Annihilation God forward and grabbed the iron chain attached to the hilt.
The chain instantly extended.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
The bone blade spun through the air like a steel whip.
With a single sweeping strike, all three Adjuchas were sent flying.
They crashed to the ground, blood spraying, unable to rise again.
Ito Makoto recalled his weapon and charged once more toward Halibel.
"Lady Halibel!"
Mila Rose, Apache, and Sun Sun cried out in despair.
"Clang!"
At that instant, an Asauchi suddenly appeared between Ito Makoto and Halibel.
The fatal strike was blocked.
Halibel, who had closed her eyes and accepted death, opened them in surprise.
Before her stood a tall Vasto Lorde.
His body was covered in black bone armor streaked with shimmering dark-gold patterns.
He wielded a sword and was clashing fiercely with the Shinigami.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
In just a few exchanges, the unfamiliar Vasto Lorde completely suppressed Ito Makoto.
"So strong…"
Mila Rose, Apache, and Sun Sun stared in disbelief.
The Shinigami who had dominated Lady Halibel moments ago was now being overwhelmed.
Halibel herself was even more shocked.
"How… can he be this powerful? We are both Vasto Lorde, yet the gap is so enormous…"
On the battlefield, the mysterious Hollow looked down on Ito Makoto with disdain.
"A mere Shinigami dares trespass into Hueco Mundo."
With a flick of his left hand, a dark-golden lightning whip formed in his grasp.
Holding the whip in his left hand and his sword in his right, he launched another assault.
This mysterious Hollow was none other than Yekawa.
His purpose was clear.
He intended to make Halibel submit willingly.
He wanted her loyalty, not forced obedience.
That was why he did not implant a lightning core or use coercion.
To conquer the heart, one must first inspire awe.
Thus, this battle was real.
Yekawa and his clone fought in earnest.
Ito Makoto closed the distance with Shunpo, gripping Annihilation God with both hands and slashing downward, releasing powerful vibrations.
Yekawa casually raised his blade and blocked.
The tremor force surged into his body.
He sneered.
"Child's play."
A massive Reiatsu burst outward, dispersing the vibration.
With a beckoning motion, the lightning whip reformed.
It lashed toward Ito Makoto's chest.
Yekawa deliberately restrained his strength.
Otherwise, a full-power strike would have ended the battle instantly.
Even so, Ito Makoto was sent flying.
A charred whip mark burned across his chest.
"Cough… cough…"
Ito Makoto staggered and glared at Yekawa.
"I didn't expect such a powerful Hollow to exist in Hueco Mundo…"
He raised his blade once more.
"Annihilation God, Three Styles, Mustard Net!"
The pitch-black net expanded and surged toward Yekawa.
Halibel's pupils shrank.
This was the move that had devoured her Gran Rey Cero.
Yet Yekawa casually swung his sword.
The net was split apart in an instant.
The strongest technique Ito Makoto possessed was shattered effortlessly.
"So this is the true gap between my clone and my main body…"
Ito Makoto currently held thirty percent of Yekawa's Reiatsu.
Yekawa himself was using only seventy percent of his power.
Yet he could still suppress a Captain-level Shinigami with ease.
At last, Yekawa fully grasped his own strength.
"That should be enough acting."
Ito Makoto raised his hand.
"Hadō Number Thirty-Three, Sōkatsui!"
Blue-white flames burst forth, striking the mountain wall behind Yekawa and raising a massive cloud of dust.
Using the explosion as cover, Ito Makoto vanished with Shunpo.
Yekawa did not pursue.
"Don't let him escape!"
"Kill him!"
Mila Rose and Apache shouted.
Yekawa shook his head calmly.
"That Shinigami is not simple. He likely has companions in Hueco Mundo. He is probably part of the expeditionary force. Such opponents should not be underestimated."
With that, he casually shifted the blame onto the current expeditionary team.
Then, using Sonido, he appeared beside Halibel and supported her.
"Why… did you save me?"
Halibel asked weakly.
Yekawa looked at her steadily.
"Since becoming a Hollow, you four are the first I've seen willing to sacrifice yourselves for one another."
"In this slaughterhouse called Hueco Mundo, you still possess loyalty and resolve."
"You are worthy of living."
"You are worthy of walking beside me."
He extended his hand.
"Will you walk with me?"
Halibel felt her heart tremble.
Slowly, she knelt on one knee.
Mila Rose, Apache, and Sun Sun followed.
"Great Vasto Lorde, we do not know your name."
"My name is Yekawa."
"Lord Yekawa, Tia Halibel is willing to follow you, through life and death."
The three Adjuchas echoed her vow.
Yekawa smiled faintly.
He bent down and helped her up.
"Then from today onward, we are companions."