Baraggan shot Aizen a furious look, yet he faltered and refrained from speaking too much. His pride as a ruler had once again been crushed by Aizen.
"Fiander, do you have any suggestions? " Aizen asked Fiander, who was sipping coffee, dismissing Baraggan's rudeness.
"I've heard that there are numerous fitting Adjuchas in the outer circles and the Menos Grande forest. Perhaps Master Aizen could explore those areas. "
"How can an insignificant Adjuchas be considered my equal! " Fiander's suggestion irritated Baraggan. He only acknowledged Fiander and Starrk as they were Arrancar evolved from Vasto Lorde-level Menos Grande, indicating his disdain for those he deemed weaker.
Fiander redirected his thoughts, questioning why this elderly man remained so obstinate. Aizen's direct inquiry suggested that he sought more than just Vasto Lorde level Menos Grande.
After all, wouldn't it be simpler for him to select Espada solely from Vasto Lorde level Menos Grande? Frankly, this old man possessed excessive self-assurance and failed to discern reality.
Despite living longer than Fiander's combined three lifetimes, Baraggan's mindset and limitations halted there, explaining Aizen's eventual abandonment of them.
"Baraggan Louisenbairn! Remember whom you are speaking to—Lord Aizen is not seeking your approval! "
"BoooOOOOOOOM--! ! "
Fiander's expression shifted, and he sprang to his feet, releasing his Reiatsu throughout the Night Palace. Countless Arrancars with meager spiritual power found themselves overwhelmed, their faces pale and bodies trembling.
"Let's cease this for now, Fiander," Aizen's voice stated, prompting Fiander to immediately contain his Reiatsu and bow.
"My apologies, Master Aizen. I couldn't help myself. . . "
"I overlook your insolence. Please take your seat now."
"Yes! Master Aizen! "
Seated majestically, Aizen retained his composed demeanor as if the immense Reiatsu emitted by Fiander had never occurred.
With Fiander's Reiatsu dissipating, numerous Arrancars remained suppressed outside the Palace, unable to move.
"What kind of monster is that? ! " the Arrancars whispered, afraid to enter the main hall.
"Could it be the new member Starrk? I heard he underwent Arrancarization without relying on Master Aizen's power! "
"Unlikely! I challenged Starrk before, and his Reiatsu wasn't that fierce! " claimed one Arrancar who had confronted Starrk.
"Who could it possibly be? Has another new Espada been chosen? " Ignoring the commotion outside the Palace, once Fiander reacquired his seat, Baraggan, who had previously been overpowered, ignored him and sat with a dark expression, hands clasped, eyes shut in contemplation.
"Hey, Fiander, you frighten Lilinette." Starrk reassured his subordinates. After all, they share the same essence, but the spiritual energy in the main body and the avatar differs. Thus, it's understandable that Lilinette couldn't handle Fiander's Reiatsu from such close proximity.
"My apologies, Lily-chan! I promise to bring you something tasty next time. " Fiander sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, completely shedding his previous intimidating demeanor.
To uphold Aizen's authority, he feels an inherent obligation to do so. Everything hinges on survival; as long as Aizen sees value in him, he won't be easily disposed of.
Fiander mulled over this internally, knowing he must wait for his strength to return before he can depart the Bleach universe.
"Really. . . is that true? " At this moment, Lilinette, still shaken, averted her gaze. She hadn't anticipated that the man who joked with Starrk possessed such immense power. It made sense why they formed a bond.
"Don't worry, I, Fiander, will always keep my word. "
"Now, let's focus on the task at hand—what does Aizen-sama need from me? " Fiander steered the conversation back to business, directing his question to Aizen.
"I want you to investigate if there's a Menos Grande with that unique ability. Even a Menos Grande at the Adjuchas level could wield considerable strength with sufficient time. "
"Understood, Master Aizen! " After speaking, Aizen rose from his seat. Just before exiting the gathering hall, Aizen turned back and spoke meaningfully to Fiander.
"I'll leave this in your hands! Also, congratulations on reaching this level of spiritual power, Fiander. It seems selecting you was indeed a wise decision. "
With that, Aizen departed, leaving Fiander sweating and frozen in place for a while.
What did Aizen mean by that remark just now? Has he already figured me out? Why else would he say such a thing? It completely took me off guard.
"What's wrong, Fiander? " After Aizen's exit, Baraggan scoffed and left. Starrk noticed that Fiander had not moved.
He kept his head down and didn't reply, so Starrk approached and gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "It's. . . it's nothing serious. "
Snapped back into reality by Starrk's words, Fiander forced a smile and quickly said, "I just remembered that I have things to take care of, so I'll head out first and get in touch when I can! Catch you later! "
After saying this, Fiander left the Night Palace, feeling heavyhearted, and rushed back to his hideout. Outside the cave, Reinhard lay lazily at the entrance, swishing his tail behind him in a very relaxed manner.
"Thud! ! "
Seeing Reinhard's lackluster attitude, Fiander kicked him in the back in annoyance and scolded, "Why are you acting like a lazy pig! You eat, sleep, and sleep again! When will you achieve the Vasto Lorde tier, and when will you be able to Arrancarize! "
Reinhard, who had his aspirations shattered by Fiander, expressed his frustration, saying,
"But my lord, we Menos Grande train in this manner! "
"That's nonsense! There are numerous reasons for your stagnation. I've never encountered anyone who can train while asleep. Have you finished all the techniques I provided? You deserve to remain an Adjuchas forever and to be mere fodder! "
"Get out of here and schedule a meeting with Baraggan for me; just mention that we'll convene at the usual spot! "
Upon finishing his words, he propelled Reinhard into the air, and as a flurry of meteors streaked by, Reinhard's form vanished into the sky. Though Reinhard departed, Fiander remained anxious.
He recalled the secret rendezvous with Baraggan a decade prior, as well as their conversation, and found it somewhat amusing that he had indeed accepted his stipulations. This was due to Baraggan's revelation about the concealed truths of the Menos Grande lineage.
For instance, the Vasto Lorde tier is not the ultimate level among the Menos Grande. This revelation caused Fiander, who was eager for greater strength, to rein in his restless spirit. The evolution to Scrito level, followed by Arrancarization, explains why Fiander consistently regulated his body to avoid complete Arrancarization.
According to legend, the singular Menos Grande that attained Scrito level was the Primordial Hallow. Surprisingly, during that time, he sought to consume the Soul King and assume his position, launching an assault on Soul King Palace before vanishing following a clash with the Zero Division.
Baraggan desires Fiander's assistance to reclaim the throne and vanquish Aizen; however, Fiander believes the timing is suboptimal. Aizen cannot be defeated now, and they lack the power to overcome him. He is biding his time, needing to visit that location for further insights.
This embodies Fiander's ambition: the quest for greater power.