Chapter 409

"It's you."

"I didn't expect you to actually catch up. Looks like there's someone among you who isn't afraid of death."

The appearance of Erza and the others drew the gazes of the five people standing ahead of them, and the one speaking in such a tone was, naturally, Toushirou himself.

Staring at Erza, Toushirou spoke without the slightest courtesy. Just as always, he didn't give her a pleasant look.

Regarding this, aside from Natsu feeling a bit angry, Erza and the others had long grown used to it.

After all, Toushirou's personality didn't mesh with theirs — this had been clear from the very first time they met. Compared to that, they were more concerned about something else.

"But, by the way, where is Aizen-dono? Why don't I see his figure?"

Looking at Toushirou and Gin Ichimaru, Kurea, who rarely spoke, glanced left and right and asked.

Although the situation had been very chaotic at the start, based on what they knew, Aizen, Toushirou, and Gin Ichimaru had ultimately been acting together. So why were there only two people here now?

Gin Ichimaru replied: "We got separated during the battle just now, and with the heroes lost in the fog, Aizen and we split apart. Still, given his strength, he should be fine."

"I think, instead of worrying about that guy, you'd better worry about yourselves."

Toushirou suddenly added another stab.

Lucy and Wendy immediately showed awkward expressions.

Indeed, as Toushirou said, with Aizen's strength, they didn't need to worry about him at all. They knew Aizen's strength clearly — even if all of them attacked together now, they wouldn't gain much advantage against him.

Regarding this, Gin Ichimaru didn't think much of it and simply continued speaking.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, leave quickly. We're still fighting now. If you don't go, even if you get caught up in it, I won't care."

"Fighting?"

Hearing Toushirou's words, Lucy turned her gaze toward Ogaust, Dimaria, and Wahl, and said in a slightly questioning, surprised tone: "Them? How is that possible?"

Lucy had already noticed the three of them — Ogaust and the others — when they first crossed paths.

In fact, the initial melee had been too hasty. Although there had been a brief clash, Lucy had also taken note of them.

Lucy had only assumed that the three of them were also adventurers or mages who had come for the 'Grand Will' fragment, so she hadn't paid them much attention.

But from the situation before her, their identities didn't seem as simple as they had imagined.

One had to know that Toushirou and Gin Ichimaru were captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads of Soul Society. Their strength had been experienced by them back when they were inside the Fapingyi Society — they were Shinigami who could rival Aizen.

The fact that Ogaust and the others could stand against these two Shinigami captains, Toushirou and Gin Ichimaru, was completely beyond their expectations.