Chapter 20: Arrancarization


    <span style="font-weight:400">No one could prevent M Rose from shattering her Hollow mask; the sudden act caught both Harribel and Kazuya off guard. As M Rose''s Reiatsu surged, it resembled the energy of the unnamed Adjuchas who had perished midway through their Arrancar transformations.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Yet, amid the chaos and uncertainty, Kazuya stood there, observing M Rose with a look of fascination etched on his face. He could sense a heartbeat, distinct from his own, resonating within him. It was as if their hearts had be one, united by his mysterious innate ability, ''The Crumbling Heart (Hollow).''


    <span style="font-weight:400">M Rose’s rampaging Reiatsu suggested she was losing control over her instincts, her desires and instincts teetering on the brink of overpowering her.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Harribel''s eyes remained locked on M Rose, unblinking. “What has she done… M Rose?!”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Sung-Sun quietly regarded M Rose. She understood the significance of what was happening to her friend, for Kazuya had often enlightened them about the intricate process and advantages of bing an Arrancar weeks ago. It only made her more concerned for M Rose.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"You''ve got to pull through, Kitten," Sung-Sun whispered.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Although she and M Rose fought and teased each other all the time, she cherished M Rose’s friendship more than anyone in the world. M Rose was there as Harribel’s oldestpanion. Harribel might lose herself if anything happened to M Rose.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Api nudged Sung-Sun with her horn. “Trust me, she will. Rose is too stubborn to die like this…”


    <span style="font-weight:400">While she wasn’t best buddies with M Rose, she could see how much M Rose meant to Harribel and Sung-Sun. It was enough for her to pray for M Rose’s sess.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Haha, I know.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Laughter tinged with worry escaped them as they watched M Rose''s struggle, their hearts pounding with anxiety.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya, on the other hand, focused on the sensation of the other heart within his chest. "M Rose, take control, break the barriers, and seal your power within a vessel. Prove to me you aren''t a cowardly kitten, but a smart and ferocious lion… Show me your prided fangs."


    <span style="font-weight:400">His advice ignited a defiant spark within her. "Who are you calling a cowardly kitten?!"


    <span style="font-weight:400">As the golden light dissipated, it unveiled a striking humanoid figure. A tall, dark-skinned woman wielding a massive ck broadsword, her imposing presence resembling an Amazonian warrior. Remnants of her Hollow form were visible in her golden mane, the bone ws that supported her ample bosom, the armored thong she wore, and the armor adorning her neck, as well as her gloves and knee-length boots.


    Spoiler


    [copse]


    <span style="font-weight:400">M Rose’s Resurrión form was something else.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Api and Sung-Sun let out a roar of cheer and admiration. The Arrancar transformation worked just as Kazuya described, perhaps more mysterious than his stories.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t want to be left behind,” Api whispered as she gritted her teeth. “I will—”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Sung-Sun wrapped her tail around Api’s feet. “Slow it down. Now isn’t our time...”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Api begrudgingly nodded and fired a small ball of Reiryoku at M Rose. It didn’t hurt M Rose, but drew her attention. “M Rose, kick his ass!”


    <span style="font-weight:400">She ced her hope in M Rose, knowing an opponent like Dordoni could suppress her with his Reiatsu alone. They were different levels of existence, one she couldn’t fight without being a Vasto Lorde or tearing her mask.


    <span style="font-weight:400">M Rose nodded solemnly and shifted her gaze to Kazuya. “Thanks for your help.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">His taunt and, more crucially, his Reiryoku had helped when she needed it. Without him, she would have sumbed to her instincts. Without him, she would have never sealed her Hollow powers in a de.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya whistled, admiring M Rose’s alluring curves, especially her lovely bosom. “People awaken their true inner powers when they want to protect something. A fierce desire to protect.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">He quoted Yoruichi’s words, which were yet to be said in this timeline. The will to protect and power of friendship existed even in the world of Bleach — M Rose was a living testament to the legendary power of friendship.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Protect?” M Rose whispered and looked around her, scratching her wavy ck hair. “Ah, fine. I’ll protect everyone because I’m the strongest among us.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya let her bask in the misunderstanding for the time being. “What a good kitten.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’m no kitten. I’m a lion.” M Rose made a vicious face, showcasing her lion-like fangs. She gripped her sword in a fighting stance. “I’ll destroy you with my sword, Dordoni.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Cyclones surged with even more intensity as Dordoni approached M Rose. “Break time’s over then. Prepare to die.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">The bird-headed cyclones threatened to engulf M Rose. She swung her broadsword with barbarian might, dissipating the wind with its sheer force.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Get lost with the wind.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Dordoni’s armor pores recreated the cyclones. “I can keep doing this forever. I am the Storm Baron.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">M Rose nted her feet on the ground andunched herself at Dordoni with a sonic boom. Being an Arrancar, she could proficiently make use of the Sonído ability.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Sung-Sun and Api, unable to venture near the ferocious sh, unleashed their Cero Rays from a safe distance. Dordoni cut down the Cero with fierce wind des with ease. Their Cero wasn’t harming Dordoni, but it greatly annoyed him and took away his focus.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kazuya found it hard to believe that the Tres Bestias faced one of the top Espada (in this timeline) as their first team battle.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘Espada’s future should be a little different now.’ </i><span style="font-weight:400">He sighed and ced a hand on Harribel’s shoulder. “Isn’t her form beautiful?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Beautiful and powerful…”


    <span style="font-weight:400">From a weak Adjuchas to fighting on an equal level with an Espada — M Rose’s growth was astonishing, and all it took was determination and some help from his skill.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Harribel traced her mask. “I’m ready to fracture mine if Dordoni overpowers Rose.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">He shook his head. “I already told you, Harribel. No more sacrifices. I still have a trump card to beat him.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">He was lying without blinking an eye. He could easily take down Dordoni if his Reiatsu tank was full. Unfortunately, the fight with Ciri took a great toll on his spiritual power reserves. As much as he wanted to see Harribel’s Arrancar form, he didn’t feel like taking a gamble with her life.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘I learned a lot. It was worth it.’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">He cast a nce towards Ciri, who stilly there without any movement. Despite her seemingly dead state, he could feel fluctuations of her Reiatsu now.


    <i><span style="font-weight:400">‘Damn she survived?’</i>


    <span style="font-weight:400">He had truly overestimated his attack power and underestimated Ciri’s Hierro. The attack that was meant to kill her only knocked her out. Her head wound had nearly closed. An Arrancar''s vitality was a force to be reckoned with — only beheading or destroying their heart guaranteed their demise.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Ciri''s fingers dug into the sand as she lifted her head, her eyes shaking in fear. "Finish me…"


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Harribel, watch over them for me. I’ll be back in a minute.”