《Bleach: Starting as a Vasto Lorde》 Chapter 1: Hey you! Chapter 1: Hey you! A dark basement filled with a suffocating stench and less than a healthy percentage of oxygen content ¡ª it was the type of shady ce every parent warned their children about. A ce you should never visit after dark. Unfortunately, Kazuya found himself in this devious ce, sitting on a rusty steel chair, hands cuffed behind him. A blonde man in a shiny suit sneered down at him and raised a revolver in his hand. The cold barrel touched his forehead. A wave of chill passed over him as a droplet of sweat dripped down his cheeks, falling onto his messy white shirt. ¡°Kazuya, me your hardass grandfather for prioritizing his job over your life,¡± the yakuza-like man said, his tone colder than Kazuya¡¯s terror but his eyes carried a faint look of pity. ¡°The sin for your death will be on his soul.¡± He shifted the me of murdering an innocent soul on someone else. Instead of crying or begging for mercy, Kazuya simply sighed. Almost half a day has passed since they brought him here, yet nobody came to his rescue. Giants danced in his stomach, requesting food maniacally. He wasn¡¯t going to cry and avert his eyes from reality ¡ª this was the end. There was no use pretending otherwise. He was fortunate to survive a simr crisis two times. First time with a broken right arm and second time with a bullet hole in his left thigh. He almost lost his little brother because of a misfire between the Yakuza and the police! Both times, the police arrived to negotiate in less than an hour. This time the stakes were too high. Between a university freeloader and a group of EX-ss terrorists, a hero of justice like his grandfather would choose thetter. ¡°Fucking Gramps,¡± Kazuya cursed under his breath. ¡°Kill me, man. He¡¯ll hunt you down sooner orter.¡± His grandfather had spoiled him rotten ever since his parents died. The old man gave him a private chef for his daily meals, a maid for his daily needs, a seat in a prestigious school, and most importantly, a home to live in. He was extremely grateful but also resentful. Love was irrational, hatred even more. His life became a terrible joke because of his grandfather¡¯s job. He wanted to leave the city, even the fucking country. But his only rtive became emotional and possessive, refusing to let Kazuya step out of his ¡®protection.¡¯ He merely wanted to live without constant aggression. Unfortunately, he won¡¯t get that peace in this life. The terrorist looked shaken at the mention of Kazuya¡¯s grandfather. ¡°No, he doesn¡¯t care about you. Anyst words before we put you out of misery?¡± ¡°Last words, huh?¡± Kazuya smiled at the men standing behind the blondie. The chances of making it out alive were almost non-existent¡­ But he wanted to punch this asshole so badly. If he couldn¡¯t live, then his ¡°enemies¡± shouldn¡¯t either. That¡¯s how he saw things. ¡°No¡­ then¡ª¡± ¡°I have a few.¡± Kazuya cut off the blonde man with a friendly smile. ¡°Leave a letter for Gramps in my stead. Ask him to transfer all my inheritance to my friend Ryosuke.¡± Ryosuke usually declined Kazuya¡¯s attempt to help him. Could Ryosuke refuse thest wish of a dead friend? Definitely not. With some money, Ryosuke could be free from his part-time jobs and live a decent life. ¡°...¡± ¡°And finish the Akame Ga Kill manga for me. I haven¡¯t read thest few chapters. I heard they were kinda mediocrepared to the rest of the series¡­ I still wanna finish it.¡± They kidnapped him near the climax of that heart-wrenching manga. What a tragic timing! The hooligan with a revolver was dumbstruck. Kazuya wasn¡¯t lying, though. He really wanted to finish that story and wallow in the following hollowness for a day or two. ¡°Oh wait. Send a letter to Yumi-sensei as well. Tell her I loved her to death. If she needs money, she can p my grandfather.¡± Yumi was closest to him after his grandfather and his stupid friend. After a year of corrupting¡ªpursuing his hot teacher, she agreed to date him. He would no longer get to enjoyte private lectures. His life wasn¡¯t that bad, per se. His teacher-cum-girlfriend bnced his daily life with a super possessive, justice-hungry grandfather. ¡°One more thing¡­ Fuck you and yourrades for kidnapping me now. Couldn¡¯t you have nned three more months? My grandfather might¡¯ve died in an borate scheme¡ªI mean ident. You dickheads would¡¯ve assassinated that stupid president. Jesus christ, you all are impatient like fucking kindergarteners.¡± He took a deep breath after his outburst. It felt like a stone was lifted off of his chest. ¡®Ah, there is no better stress relief than yelling.¡¯ Kazuya¡¯s words struck some nerves in his kidnapper as his handsome face turned crimson. ¡°You little cunt¡­¡± Terrorist-san pressed the barrel deeper into his forehead. Staring down at his death certainly gave him some regret. His only trouble with death was ¡ª does the afterlife exist? If not, where will he go after death? Will he simply stop existing? As he fell into a loop of thoughts, the blonde man squeezed the trigger. Bang! A red sheen filled his vision. A searing pain exploded in his head, making him cry out in agony. His eyes fluttered closed, and his head slumped, the burning sensation gradually waning. Silence fell in the aftermath of his death. ¡­ ¡­ ¡­ ¡®Hold on¡­ why can I think?¡¯ His consciousness was intact after the gunshot. Did his brain survive the bullet from that range? Unlikely, considering the pitch ck surrounding him. He was hovering in nowhere, devoid of every sensation, not even the pain inflicted by the bullet. Something was wrong ¡ª he could feel it in his bones.
[Character ¡®Kazuya Ishihara¡¯ created.]
An oh-so-familiar floating window emerged in the sea of darkness. ¡®Character? Is this system?¡¯ That shitty reincarnation trope of empowering a protagonist to the divine levels for no reason. He wasn¡¯t fond of systems, as they forced unreasonable tasks on their host. Let¡¯s not forget the fact that most systems were part of some end-level boss¡¯s scheme, or given by some alternate version of the main characters. Amidst his confusion, the sensation of his body returned. He felt lurching up and down, the exaggerated motion of a horse¡¯s gait all too familiar. He had been riding horses since he was a child, but hadn''t straddled one since he graduated from high school. As he blinked away thest vestiges of sleep, he saw a panorama of jagged peaks, craggy summits, and snow-covered ridgelines. The stars were absent in the ink-ck sky, only a half moon fighting a losing battle against the darkness. ¡®Was the moon always this close?¡¯ ¡°Hey, you. You¡¯re finally awake.¡± Chapter 2: Hueco Mundo Chapter 2: Hueco Mundo Following events happened prior to Kazuya¡¯s awakening. Hollows thrived on Reishi, the mystical substance that wove itself into the very soul of every being. The high concentration of Reishi in Hueco Mundo allowed even the weakest Hollows to convert the ambient energy into their Reiryoku. Hollows dwelling in Hueco Mundo could survive without consuming souls, unlike their ravenous counterparts that haunted the living world. However, there were those whose insatiable hunger could not be sated by mere Reishi or human souls. Compelled by a gnawing void, these Hollows resorted to cannibalism, feasting on their own kind. This grisly act of predation spurred their evolution into a new and terrifying breed: the Menos. The Gillians and Adjuchas existed in a perpetual state of predation, each driven by the desire for evolution. Aloof and enigmatic, the Vasto Lorde surveyed the lesser beings from their lofty perch, seldom finding a soul worthy of increasing their immense power. This relentless cycle of devouring and being devoured was the unspokenw that governed Hueco Mundo, where the weak were inevitably consumed by the strong. The weak be a part of the strong. Among the countless Hollows, one was named Emilou Api. One Hollow among the countless was named Emilou Api. She knew nothing about the origin of her name but she certainly had a bit of attachment to it. In the hierarchy of Hollows, Api was no weakling ¡ª she had triumphed in many battles. Yet it was the sting of her losses that etched deeper grooves into her soul. Over time, Api developed a cunning strategy for survival ¡ª avoiding formidable foes with her lithe, deer-like form. When fleeing was impossible, she channeled spiritual energy into her horns, unleashing devastating torrents of Cero. As an Adjuchas, she possessed immense power, but she chose to subsist on the ambient Reishi rather than devouring others. Today has been an easygoing day for the peace-loving deer. She gracefully traversed the vast, moonlit desert, her hooves crunching softly upon the pristine white sands. The pale moon hung low in the sky, casting a ghostly light upon the barren expanse. Abruptly, she halted, her heart pounding in her chest as she caught sight of two cerulean legs protruding from a nearby dune, as if their owner had been entombed alive. With her eyes narrowed to mere slits, Api scanned the deste horizon, her senses on high alert as she sought to detect the sinister Hollows responsible for this trap. ¡®I¡¯m no fool.¡¯ As an Adjuchas, her keen senses could vaguely pick up Hollows¡¯ presences, even those unseen by her eyes. The result, however, left her stunned. ''What? There''s no one here?'' Her curiosity piqued, she twisted her elegant neck to survey the surroundings once more before returning her gaze to the slender legs, which seemed too delicate to belong to a Hollow. "It''s none of my damned business," she muttered, turning away and storming off. Yet a minuteter, she found herself inexplicably drawn back to the mysterious legs, which remained motionless and unchanged. ''What on earth is their problem?'' Unable to quell her curiosity any longer, Api mped her teeth into the blue cloth wrapping the leg and yanked its owner free from the sands, finally getting a good look at the stranger. To her amazement, this was a Hollow unlike any she had encountered before. Every aspect of his appearance, from his tattered clothes to his disheveled, silvery hair, whispered of humanity. His mask, adorned with twisted horns and wicked teeth, signified his true nature as a Hollow. And she couldn''t help but notice the striking ck wings upon his back. "A male..." Api''s experiences with male Hollows in Hueco Mundo had been nothing short of disastrous, as they had all sought to eat her in a literal sense. However, this one seemed different. His serene and refined features exuded no aggression, and his weak Reiatsu gave her pause, making her question whether to kill and consume him. "He''s unconscious... and his legs..." Her eyes widened in shock. "What a terrible fate to suffer." Two translucent holes marred his thighs, reminiscent of a Hollow''s symbolic heart. While such holes typically caused no interference in daily life, the gaping voids in his legs seemed destined to have dire consequences, as there was scarcely any flesh left to support him. A distant howl sent shivers down Api''s spine, her body tensing with fear. A formidable predator¡ªan Adjuchas who preyed on weaker Adjuchas like her¡ªwas nearby. ''I have to go.'' Casting a fleeting nce at the unconscious man, she bit his shirt and tossed him into the air. As hended on her back, she dashed across the moonlit sands. ''I''ll use him as bait,'' she rationalized, attempting to justify the unexpected surge ofpassion that swelled within her for the stranger. In her mind, she reasoned that he would surely perish without assistance in this unforgiving realm. *** ¡°Hey, you. You¡¯re finally awake.¡± Kazuya might have mistaken everything for Skyrim opening if the voice speaking to him didn¡¯t have a feminine touch. ''Well, being a Dragonborn would have been a fine fate.¡¯ Kazuya adjusted himself into a morefortable position on his unexpected mount, a deer-like creature adorned with brown fur on its back and gray skin on its front. Two striking white antlers crowned its head. As he surveyed his surroundings, he realized there was no rider directing the creature¡ªonly himself. Api turned her head, catching a glimpse of Kazuya in her peripheral vision. "Are you a Vasto Lorde?" she inquired in a slow, husky tone, noting that his size matched the rumored dimensions of the powerful Hollows. "Your Reiatsu doesn''t line up with that." "Vasto Lorde?" Kazuya furrowed his brow, trying to remember where he had heard the term. It was a familiar phrase, one that lingered on the edge of his memory, but the details remained frustratingly elusive. He strained to dredge it up from the depths of his recollection. "Ugh, where did I hear that?" At the sound of his whispered question, Api stopped in her tracks, her ears nearly melting from the pleasant timbre of his voice. ''His voice is so nice... what am I doing?!'' Snapping out of her reverie, she shook her head vigorously, her ears pping against her face. "Do you not know Vasto Lorde? Is this your first day in Hueco Mundo? That can''t be right. Menos aren''t born with small humanoid forms like yours." As Api exined the nature of Hollows and their various forms, she wondered if, by some miracle, she had misread the man''s Reiatsu. After all, Kazuya was significantly smaller than a typical Gillian andcked the wildness of an Adjuchas. Behind his mask, Kazuya''s eyes narrowed in thought. The mention of Hueco Mundo and Menos swept away the fog obscuring his memories, and he gazed around in disbelief. The stark whitendscape, with rolling dunes punctuated by barren trees and enormous boulders, seemed surreal yet eerily familiar. The sand appeared lifeless, and the air was still and clear as if made of ss. It was as if he had stepped into a vivid world that mirrored his own reality. In a sudden moment of rity, he realized that this ce perfectly matched the world from a specific anime. ''Ah.'' Kazuya barely managed to suppress the urge to scream at the top of his lungs, as his current situation demanded an extreme reaction. Somehow, he had been transported to the world of Shinigami, Hollows, and Quincy¡ªthe world of Bleach. It had taken a bullet to his head, but he was finally free from his grandfather''s grasp. ''Is this my reward for putting up with all the bullshit?'' He drew in a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cold, dusty air that permeated Hueco Mundo. This was neither a dream nor a fabrication of his dying mind. As the reality of his situation settled in, he let out a long sigh. "Dear Deer, may I ask your name?" Politeness was necessary when one didn¡¯t know what the fuck was happening. A little respect went a long way in building trust and preventing unnecessary conflicts. The owner of the voice considered his request for a few seconds. ¡°...Api.¡± Chapter 3: Character System Chapter 3: Character System Api. After some recollection, Kazuya recognized the name. She was one of the Tres Bestias, Tier Harribel¡¯s Fri¨®n. Harribel, the tanned Espada with golden hair ¡ª easily one of his most favorite female characters ever ¡ª led Api and her two friends. ''This is rather bizarre.'' Somehow, he found himself in a timeline preceding the moment when Api encountered Tier Harribel and transformed into an Arrancar under Aizen. A timeline where the cunning Aizen had not yet seized control of Las Noches. ¡®Maybe he already did.¡¯ He couldn''t be entirely sure about the convoluted chronology of Bleach. ¡°What about yours? Don¡¯t expect to take mine without giving yours!¡± Api snapped at his silence. ¡°Cat got your tongue or what?¡± Perhaps it was Kazuya¡¯s even temper and obliviousness to Hueco Mundo that put her at ease. She felt no danger, allowing her true character to shine through; while polite on the surface, she was a Hollow with a fiery demeanor. "Kazuya," he answered, his fingers brushing the skeletal mask that concealed most of his face. "It''s¡­" This prompted him to observe the other changes in his body. He was wearing the same clothes during his death ¡ª a white shirt and jeans, both of which were torn in embarrassing spots, showing his pale white skin. One of those holes exposed the gaping hole in his thighs. Two holes, to be precise. ¡®Hmm. I think I remember this.¡¯ Every Hollow¡¯s hole, at least in higher evolutions, symbolized an aspect ¡ª what a Hollowcked in most cases before their death or the cause of their death. He remembered that much from the material. For example, a Hollow hole near the stomach signified a craving for strength, whereas one in the eye meant blindness to certain things. ¡®What is mine supposed to mean?¡¯ He gently punched his thigh, then tried moving his legs. He could use his legs just fine. ¡°Terrified of your holes?¡± Api asked. ¡°We are Hollows. Why tire out your legs walking when we can fly instead?¡± "Haha, indeed." He chuckled at her indirect attempt tofort him. "So, Api, where are we headed?" ¡°How would I know?¡± she retorted. ¡°Somece I don¡¯t have to constantly run away from those damning incarnations of gluttony.¡± As if by instinct, Kazuya tenderly stroked her crest, his fingers trailing through the velvety fur that extended down her head. It was a habit he had acquired while horse riding as a gesture of affection for his steed. ¡°Watch where you touch! I am not your pet.¡± Despite her irate tone, she didn''t order him to dismount. He nced at his legs and smiled, touched by her subtle kindness. Even in a perilous world, she extended herpassion to a stranger. Perhaps she was relieved to discover someone reasonable in Hueco Mundo, apanion who wouldn''t betray her and transform her into food. ¡®And they say Hollows are evil.¡¯ He would have considered seducing her if she was in her Arrancar form. He had always harbored a fondness for tomboys. Regrettably, she wouldn''t attain her human form anytime soon. ''A shame. Oh, right! I almost forgot about that pop-up window. Character System, wasn''t it?'' As if responding to his curiosity, a colossal gray box materialized, obstructing his vision.
{Character System} ¡­
He skimmed past the status and focused on the three-dimensional model to the side, which disyed his current appearance as if he were a character in a video game. His clothing alone served as ample evidence that the model represented him. Disregarding his newly elongated silver hair and pallid white skin, his gaze fixated on the pair of ck, feathery wings. He reached towards his back and grasped the soft bones protruding from his shoulder des. He gently rolled his shoulder des, sensing the muscles of his wings stretch and awaken. The wings, stirring from a profound slumber, appeared delicate and shadowy, as though they possessed a life of their own. ''I have wings!'' He widened his eyes with anticipation and took a deep breath. His wings fluttered almost hypnotically and then, with an inner strength that he never knew he had, he began to vigorously p them up and down. The wind generated by his efforts captured Api''s attention. "So, can you fly?" Kazuya ceased his winged antics and patted her back. "I don¡¯t know." ¡°...¡± He returned his gaze to the status and discovered that his half-mask bore a striking resemnce to a demonic skull. Its oversized holes revealed his striking blue eyes, and a menacing set of teeth aligned with the mask where it ovepped his lips. Even the twisted horns appeared as though they belonged to a demon. ''Am I some kind of demon?''
[General Information] Name ¡ª Kazuya Ishihara Gender ¡ª Male Race ¡ª Hollow (Vasto Lorde) Reiryoku Level ¡ª Great Level (Captain-ss) Alignment ¡ª Neutral Evil Affiliation ¡ª None ¡­
Racial Abilities [Cero: Reiryoku offensive technique Mastery level - Yet to learn.] [Sonido: Movement technique Mastery level - Yet to learn.] [Garganta: Limited Spatial Distortion technique. Mastery level - Yet to learn.]
Innate Abilities [Silvery Voice: Your voice can influence people¡¯s state of mind. The ability works best in persuading or seducing someone.] [Unnamed/Undiscovered: Manifestation of your Hollow Heart] [Crumbling Heart (Hollow): Living beings ssified as ¡®Hollow¡¯ receive nourishment and enhancements.] [Regeneration: Your wounds regenerate automatically. The time required depends on the severity of wounds.]
Acquired Abilities [Seduction: The ability to seduce those of the opposite gender. Mastery level - Basic] [Riding: The ability to ride a mount. Mastery level - Intermediate] [Arithmetic: The ability to process arithmetic problems. Mastery level - Intermediate]
[Equipment] Fine cotton shirt Denim jeans
¡®Did I lose some memories?¡¯ This certainly wasn''t the status of a Hollow who had just been born. A Vasto Lorde with Reiryoku rivaling a Captain-ss ¡ª such power ced him near the apex of Hueco Mundo''s hierarchy. In the grand scheme of things, however, he remained little more than high-ss fodder. He simply couldn''t measure up to endgame viins like the Quincy Sternritters. ¡®Neutral Evil. It¡­ makes sense.¡¯ He had always sought freedom, regardless of whether it vitedws. Not to mention the disdain he harbored for his grandfather, who risked his life for the greater good of society. Indeed, he never quite fit the mold of a Lawful individual. Next came the racial abilities ¡ª a set of unlearned skills inherent to all Vasto Lorde. Nothing extraordinary there. The truly exceptional aspectsy within his list of innate abilities. People had alwaysplimented his voice, which also granted him an easier time with women. He couldn''t fathom that this turned out to be one of his innate abilities. ¡®Crumbling Heart.¡¯ Despite its menacing name, it appeared to be a team-oriented ability that offered no tangible benefits to him personally. It could prove useful should he find trustworthy Hollow allies. Scratch that ¡ª he would either seduce Hollow women into trusting him or subdue them through the naturalw of Hollows. ¡®Unknown Hollow Heart.¡¯ He relegated the unknown aspect to the back of his mind and perused the remainder of his status. His skills were hardly extraordinary. In fact, they wouldn''t be considered overpowered in a world where a Quincy could bring his imagination to life and another could glimpse the future and manipte it at will. ¡®This can¡¯t be it. There have to be other functions.¡¯ A thunderous roar snatched away his attention before he could embark on another exploration of his System. Api trembled, recognizing the owner of the roar. "It''s back. Argh, we''re dead. SO DEAD." A few days prior, she had encountered the giant Adjuchas; her Sonido and natural agility had enabled her to escape its ravenous maw. However, her current Reiryoku wasn''t sufficient to use her rudimentary-level Sonido for more than thirty seconds ¡ª not enough time to evade the Adjuchas hellbent on consuming her. ¡°An enemy? This is troublesome.¡± He had yet to master basic Hollow techniques, such as controlling his Reiryoku, or spiritual power. While he could rival an average Captain-ss Shinigami in terms of Reiryoku quantity, he possessed no experience in controlling it. "You bet it is." Api kicked the ground, elerating her pace. "Learn to fly, dammit. I can''t carry you everywhere like a ve." Their predator appeared atop the hill behind them ¡ª a colossal snake-like beast with eight arms and the lower body of a caterpir. The skeletal mask on its head and the bone-like armor on its shoulders detracted somewhat from its fearsome appearance. The monster seemed right at home amidst the deste, agony-filledndscape of Hueco Mundo. The Adjuchas leaped down the hill and pursued them with its numerous writhing legs, kicking up a sandstorm in its wake. "There is only one fate awaiting you, little deer. Cease your resistance and be a part of a greater Adjuchas like me." Kazuya remained oddly unfazed by the situation, as if his mind refused to acknowledge the massive beast as a threat. He patted Api''s back. "Buy me some time. I''ll kill him." Chapter 4: Annihilation Chapter 4: Annihtion Api could feel the confidence seeping from his voice like a warm, invigorating elixir, expelling the fear and doubts that had been ricocheting in her mind. She found herself unable to question the source of his conviction, as though she had faith in him. ¡®A Hollow, having faith.¡¯ She scoffed, a touch of incredulity coloring her thoughts.. ¡°Trust me.¡± Then, like a gentle breeze, his pleasant whisper caressed her ears, washing away her skepticism. She was akin to a desperate moth, drawn irresistibly towards a zing inferno. Api groaned at the ludicrous predicament she found herself in. Her choices had been whittled down to two ¡ª perishing inside a Hollow''s stomach or cing trust in the man who exuded unwavering confidence in his abilities. ¡°Don¡¯t let me die!¡± Channeling her Reiryoku into her legs, a thunderous boom reverberated behind her. Though her Son¨ªdo skills were unremarkable, the sudden eleration caught Kazuya off-guard. The wind pped against his face, a sensation that would have sent his old body careening through the air. In his current state, however, the wind felt invigorating, reminiscent of riding his Suzuki. ¡®I love this world.¡¯ Seizing the opportunity, he closed his eyes and immersed himself in the energy coursing within him. Controlling Reiryoku was an innate instinct for every Hollow, and he deftly guided the flow of energy with his thoughts. ¡®Easier than I thought.¡¯ Suddenly, Api''s knees buckled as she was subjected to his bone-chilling Reiatsu. Her stumble sent them crashing down, and Kazuya''s clothes became even more tattered after tumbling across the ghostly white sand. Picking himself up and dusting off his clothes, he appeared unscathed after the devastating crash. His Hollow holes posed no hindrance to his movements, serving solely as ornamental symbols. The sand in Hueco Mundo was peculiar, its grains bonded more tightly than those on a beach, as if an invisible energy held them together. ¡®Fuuh. I¡¯m not a cripple.¡¯ Meanwhile, awestruck and petrified, Api gaped at the brilliant blue Reiatsu emanating from Kazuya, her body rendered immobile. The concentration of his Reiatsu surpassed that of an Adjuchas-ss, hinting at a power beyond. As if¡­ "Haha, I didn''t think there would be another one with you,"ughed the colossal Adjuchas, oblivious to Kazuya''s Reiatsu as if his senses had been severely dulled. In truth, the snake-like Hollow was teetering on the brink of regression. "I''ll eat you, first, then savor the female there." Kazuya pivoted toward the ravenous Adjuchas and focused his Reiryoku into his hand. A dense sphere of azure energy materialized, its very existence warping the air around it. "What can¡ª" Suddenly, an icy shiver raced down the Adjuchas¡¯s spine, electrifying his nerves. His heart hammered wildly as he swiveled around, his eyes wide with panic and dread, desperately seeking an escape from the spine-chilling presence lurking behind him. ¡°Cero¡­¡± At Kazuya''smand, the sphere of energyunched forward, expanding into a thick beam of light. The Cero Ray obliterated the Hollow''s mask and head before tearing a gaping hole through the mountain in the distance. Kazuya''s first kill left him reeling, but for entirely different reasons. ''Holy cow, I''m strong.''
[Racial ability: Cero learned.] [Current Master Level: Basic.]
The sheer destruction caused by his rudimentary Cero mastery left him in awe. He could barely fathom the might of a fully mastered Cero. Shaking his head, he approached Api, who remained in a state of shock ¨C understandably so. The Adjuchas that had nearly ended her life ¡ª he eradicated him with a single Cero attack. As she gazed into his eyes, it seemed as though she was attempting to discern his ¡®true¡¯ intentions. "H-Huh." He was a Vasto Lorde Hollow, a being that most, if not all, Hollows in Hueco Mundo feared. While not as numerous as Gillians and ordinary Hollows, Adjuchas could be found throughout Hueco Mundo, particrly in Las Noches. ¡®Is he going to¡­ eat me?¡¯ She swallowed hard and unsteadily got to her feet. Being devoured by him seemed more tolerable than meeting her end at the hands of the giant Adjuchas, but she refused to go down without a fight! ¡°I-I won¡¯t die easily.¡± Oblivious to her self-inflicted dilemma, he jumped onto her and stroked her back. "I told you to trust me... and I think I''m a Vasto Lorde." "No shit..." she whispered, suddenly aware of the weight on her back. "Huh?! What''s the meaning of this?! Aren''t you going to¡ª" she stopped herself, not wanting to give him any ideas. ¡®What if¡­ he doesn¡¯t know that Hollows be stronger by eating?¡¯ She found it highly possible, as he wasn¡¯t aware of his own power as a Vasto Lorde until now. Perhaps he lost his memories during a fight and ended up getting buried where she found him. She could specte her entire life about his past and still wouldn¡¯t find the exact reason for his moments of ignorance. ¡°Stop murmuring things. We gotta move.¡± Api''s tail pped his back in protest, the only act of defiance she could muster in her current position. "You can walk and fly. Get off my back!" He leaned down and caressed her ears. "I''ll protect you from Hollows. You''ll let me ride you. A fair deal, right?" Hueco Mundo seemed dreadfully dull without much variation in the environment. He needed her in his life, or he might just sumb to boredom. His soothing voice momentarily left her speechless. "Fair deal my foot. I''m not epting it because I''m g-grateful to you for saving me." Her flustered voice contradicted her feigned annoyance. Unable to handle the embarrassment, she strutted along obediently and quickened her pace. Kazuya rolled his eyes. Her behavior strongly resembled that of a tsundere, with the way she masked her gratitude beneath a facade of irritation. To be honest, he found the trait irritating. Seeing people being dishonest with their feelings, hiding their true emotions behind a veil of stubbornness, could be incredibly frustrating at times. ¡°Do you want to eat him?¡± He asked. ¡°You can if you feel like it.¡± Vasto Lorde, like him, didn¡¯t need to eat to evolve, and he didn¡¯t use enough Reiryoku to feel hungry. Not that he was interested in eating a giant blob of unsavory raw flesh. The thought alone repulsed him. ¡®My only evolution from here is Arrancar.¡¯ To achieve this, he would have to find a way to remove his mask. He recalled that Api and her friends hadn''t been Vasto Lorde when they met Aizen; they had be Arrancar with the help of H¨­gyoku, which proved that the transformation was possible for any Hollow. ¡®How am I supposed to do it? Just rip off my mask¡­¡¯ The mere thought of tearing away his mask filled him with an instinctual, primal fear, akin to the terror a mortal being might feel when faced with the cold embrace of death. ¡®Interesting.¡¯ No wonder Aizen had needed the H¨­gyoku to blur the line between Hollow and Shinigami in order to create Arrancar. Oveing this innate fear would demand an extraordinary amount of willpower and conviction¡ªqualities that not every Hollow possessed. Many would falter, either dying in the process or sumbing to their primitive instincts. ¡®I¡¯ll need more information before trying it.¡¯ As Kazuya was lost in thought, Api snuck a furtive nce at the fallen Hollow. She swallowed hard, her hunger gnawing at her insides after using up her Reiryoku. As an Adjuchas, she needed to consume others to maintain her individuality and rank, or else she would regress into her Gillian form, never to rise above Menos Grande again. For many, such a fate was considered worse than death. "I won''t say thank you because you provided me food," she dered with a huff. Kazuya gently patted her back and offered a warm smile. "It''s difficult for you to be honest with your words, isn''t it?" "Argh! I''mpletely honest!" In the midst of his amusing banter, Kazuya felt a sudden, sharp prickling sensation on his back. He slowly turned to look over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing behind his mask as he scanned the horizon. Atop a distant hill, a white figure stood, appearing hazy even to his enhanced vision. However, where his eyes failed him, his knowledge of the Bleach universe came to his aid, helping him identify the mysterious Hollow. ''Tier Harribel.'' Chapter 5: Goals Chapter 5: Goals Kazuya''s eyes narrowed, taking on the intensity of a predator stalking its prey. The wheels in his mind turned with an audible creak as he tried to recall all the details of Bleach. He was having difficulty remembering certain things, but there was one image that stuck in his head: a tanned woman with hair the color of shimmering gold, her seductive curves hugged by a white skin-tight jacket, and her ever soposed gaze holding an air of authority. The future n¨²mero tres of Espada, Tier Harribel. ¡®She should still be a Vasto Lorde like me.¡¯ Unlike other Hollows, Tier Harribel kept most of her humanity in this form. She, who didn¡¯t mind sacrificing her life for her Fri¨®n, her Aspect of Death was fittingly ¡®Sacrifice.¡¯ ¡®Hot, strong, and extremely devoted to her closed ones. Yep, just my type of woman.¡¯ He never hesitated when it came to women. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have gone after his teacher instead of his fellow students. Was his new race going to stop his vile seductions? ¡®Nope.¡¯ His new race merely elevated his goal. Now he could live without the restraints of conventional morals. He didn''t mind meddling with the plot either. The timeline already veered off course as soon as he interacted with this tomboyish tsundere deer serving as his mount. He wasn''t going to live in fear because of things beyond his control. After all, he was a¡ª ¡®What was that?¡¯ The word representing something crucial teased the tip of his tongue, only to vanish like a fleeting shadow. He scratched his head, furrowing his brow as he tried to summon the lost thought. It never returned. Harribel also disappeared from the hill while he was confused. ¡®Fuck¡­ System, tell me about your functions.¡¯ An awkward silence answered his inquiry. He asked the same question several times, only to receive a cold shoulder from his System. ¡®A System without sentience. Am I in the wrong genre?¡¯ He sighed and turned his attention to Api. She quietly nibbled at the Hollow, like a delicate mouse picking at a giant wheel of cheese. At her pace, it would take weeks to finish the towering beast. Fortunately, she had her fill in a few minutes, restoring her Reiryoku to nearly full. Kazuya patted her back gently and directed her toward Harribel''s location. ¡°Don''t think I''ll let you ride me everywhere,¡± Api grumbled with reluctance, yet still obeyed hismand. ¡°This is maddening.¡± ¡°Listen here, you little deer. You can ¡®ride¡¯ me when you be an Arrancar.¡± ¡°Arrancar?¡± Api shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know what an Arrancar is, but sure. I¡¯ll ride you once I be Arrancar.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a promise then.¡± There was nothing ostensibly rming about his proposition, yet Api felt like a mouse that had willingly walked into a mousetrap. The unabashed happiness in his voice sent a shiver down her spine, leaving her to wonder what she had just agreed to. After nearly an hour of searching, he didn¡¯t find any trace of Harribel, as if she had retreated into her base after she saw him annihte the Adjuchas. She may have mistaken him for another bloodthirsty monster. As a lover of peace and a hater of sacrifice, she went out of her way to avoid conflict with him. ¡°You know what, Appaci? I¡¯m gonna practice flying.¡± It would be a colossal waste not to utilize his wings. He stood on Api''s back and leaped into the air. She howled behind him as he spread his wings like an eagle preparing for flight. His feet brushed the sand before his wings powerfully pped, thrusting the air downwards. A swirling cloud of white sand enveloped Api. She coughed a few times before forcefully expelling the sand with her Reiatsu. ¡°Damn, get away from me.¡± Kazuya nearly tumbled out of the sky with the sudden shift but managed to stay afloat with nimble ps of his wings. He felt like he was learning the delicate art of bnce all over again. As he practiced, the movement of his wings became more familiar. In just an hour, he was soaring through Hueco Mundo¡¯s skies, while Api gazed up at him with envy. ¡°You can¡¯t fly?¡± Api shook her head at his question. "I can create footholds under my feet with my Reiatsu. It''s not the same as flying¡­ and boy, does it use a lot of Reiryoku." The dense concentration of Reishi in Hueco Mundo made it more difficult to create footholds in the air. While any Hollow could fly in the World of Living due to its low concentration of Reishi, Api''s conservative approach to life ruled out flying because of its expensive energy cost. "Creating footholds?" Kazuya mumbled, his wings continuing their steady rhythm. He manifested his Reiatsu and focused it beneath his feet, instantly feeling a stable tform materialize. "Like this?" "You improve fast," Api granted him a rarepliment. "I don''t find it draining, though." "¡­" If she had fingers, she would be flipping the middle ones at his face. Kazuya chuckled. With nothing else to do, he began training his racial abilities. As a creature of instincts, he possessed a basic understanding of each one. Mastering his racial abilities was simply a matter of investing time and effort. While frolicking with Api, he stumbled upon another Hollow, which he rapidly dispatched with a powerful Cero. He felt grateful for his reincarnation as a Vasto Lorde; random Hollows and Adjuchas posed no threat to him. At present, his most significant concern was the Hollow reigning over thend of Las Noches as its king. His arsenalcked the means to counter that skeleton guy''s Decay ability. It was wiser not to provoke him. ¡®That reminds me of Ulquiorra. Wasn¡¯t he a natural Arrancar?¡¯ He saw some hope in fulfilling the seemingly life-threatening task. Ulquiorra transformed into an Arrancar by identally breaking his mask. There were more circumstances at y for sure. ¡®Are Espadas a thing yet?¡¯ He remembered Aizen crafting his own H¨­gyoku to experiment with Hollows and create Arrancars. However, he was clueless about the current state of Espada as an organization. ¡®Forget about Espada. I should make some personal goals.¡¯ Shaking his head, he pondered some personal goals. After all, everyone needed to strive for something to keep life interesting. His objectives were straightforward, such as traveling across Hueco Mundo to find Tier Harribel, honing his Vasto Lorde''s power to its limits, and bing an Arrancar. He also wanted Api to be an Arrancar, just so he could fuck around with someone. Seducing her would take nearly zero effort. Heaving a sigh, he let his gaze wander. "Let''s take it slow. One day at a time." He had only just been born. As a Hollow, he possessed all the time in the world to experiment with new ideas. ¡°It''s always night in Hueco Mundo, don¡¯t you know?¡± Api snickered. ¡°You silly goose.¡± ¡°...¡± Chapter 6: Conviction Chapter 6: Conviction In Hueco Mundo, the concept of day and night, entertainment, andws were as absent as cheerful colors in a graveyard, as if its creator sculpted it with a satirical nod to Hell. Weary of the deste ambience, Kazuya sought refuge in a natural cave tucked within a mountain. ¡°Ahhhhh,¡± he groaned in frustration. ¡°Kubo, you bastard. This is so hard.¡± Api looked at him oddly. ¡°Kubo? Who is Kubo?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he said with a sigh. ¡°I¡¯m a little frustrated.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell youter. Let¡¯s rest for now.¡± Api agreed with the sentiment andid t on the ground. Her position revealed the see-through Hollow hole in her stomach. Discerning the symbolic meaning behind Api¡¯s Hollow hole was ridiculously simple. She was fed up with being pursued. Thus, she craved the strength to survive. He oversimplified her present desire, as he had no means of delving into her past life. ¡°Good night.¡± Kazuya folded his wings to make them as small as possible and rested his head on Api, careful to avoid her Hollow hole in case it caused her difort. Irritated by his wings, he turned to his side. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re sleeping?!¡± ¡°We had a deal, remember? Let¡¯s add something else to it. I¡¯ll use you as a pillow. You can do the same when you be an Arrancar.¡± In her Arrancar form, she wasn''t very tall, while he was nearly 6''3" ¡ª possibly taller after transforming into a Hollow. He could handle her with ease. ¡°Fine.¡± Api huffed and rested her head on the ground. He was the most insolent man she had ever met, not that she had any chance to deeply know anyone beside him. ¡°Ignorant guy.¡± ¡°Wake me up if anyone tries to attack. Don¡¯t fight on your own.¡± And he was also the most considerate one. Kazuya touched his mask, and dread consumed him. He hesitated in tearing off his mask, as a wrong step could spell his death. ¡®I¡¯ll find some Hollows to experiment with, preferably Adjuchas.¡¯ Api nced at him through her peripheral vision. His quiet reflection made her uneasy. ¡°You keep mentioning Arrancar this, Arrancar that. What is an Arrancar?¡± ¡°A Hollow whose essence is closer to a Shinigami. We supposedly get this power from taking off our mask.¡± ¡°Are you crazy?¡± Api retorted. ¡°The mask is a part of our soul. Take off the mask and we¡¯ll lose the power to control Reiryoku. We might even die or reform into a Gillian.¡± Once an Adjuchas regressed, they could never regain their form. They would forever be stuck wandering the Hueco Mundo as a giant, mindless Gillian. No Adjuchas wanted to suffer from such fate, thus driving them to devour other Hollows. Kazuya reached out and yfully tugged the unicorn-like horn protruding from her forehead. "Have faith in your determination to defy the norms... Well, who am I preaching to, anyway? You''d have been toast if I hadn''t stepped up back there." ¡°I¡­¡± She wanted to say something but hesitated. ¡°There is no point¡­ Arrancar or not¡­ we are just biding time. This is Hueco Mundo, dammit. Don¡¯t make me say the obvious.¡± They were going to die one day ¡ª she had realized the truth after witnessing the cycle of Hollows consuming the weaker ones. She wanted to die peacefully, if possible. Kazuya didn''t expect his teasing to elicit such a dramatic reaction from her. She was getting emotional over her eventual death. ¡°What obvious? That we¡¯re just prolonging our doom by surviving? That some Hollow wille that we can¡¯t defeat and devour us whole?¡± Api nodded vigorously. "We can never be the strongest." ¡°You¡¯re underestimating the power of a Vasto Lorde Arrancar,¡± he rebuked in an intense voice. ¡°One more thing. After dying in the world of living, shouldn¡¯t we, Hollows, make the most out of life here? Are you ready to throw down the towel and let some disgusting worm tear you limb from limb and savor your juicy legs? You will let it happen without retaliating?¡± He had felt weak in his entire life. Never ever was he going to experience the same fate. Gnashing her teeth loudly, she threw a furious re his way. ¡°Hell no. I want to live in peace¡­¡± ¡°Then say it with me. I¡¯ll kick every ass in Hueco Mundo and be the strongest Arrancar.¡± ¡°Why are you making me say embarrassing things?¡± ¡°Say it.¡± His whisper brushed by her ears, making her groan. ¡°I¡¯ll kick every a-ass and be¡­ the strongest Arrancar!¡± She doubted herself until she said it out aloud. His conviction forced her to believe that she, a Hollow who barely held enough Reiatsu to be an Adjuchas, could be the strongest Arrancar. She felt refreshed, so much so that she repeated in a cheery voice, ¡°I¡¯ll be the strongest Arrancar!¡± Kazuya smiled at her brimming confidence. ¡°We¡¯re off to such a fantastic start, youngdy!¡± *** After a dreamless sleep, Kazuya absentmindedly browsed through the status shown by his System.
[General Information] Name ¡ª Kazuya Ishihara Gender ¡ª Male Race ¡ª Hollow (Vasto Lorde) Reiryoku Level ¡ª Great Level (Captain-ss) Alignment ¡ª Neutral Evil Affiliation ¡ª None ¡­
Racial Abilities [Cero: Reiryoku offensive technique Mastery level - Intermediate.] [Sonido: Movement technique Mastery level - Basic.] [Garganta: Limited Spatial Distortion technique. Mastery level - Yet to learn.]
He had already grasped all the basic Vasto Lorde abilities except for Garganta. Garganta was useful for crossing over to the World of Living and Seireitei. He left its mastery forter, focusing on enhancing thebat abilities first. ¡®The World of Living.¡¯ The faces of his ex-girlfriend and friend surfaced in his mind. He hade from a different universe; otherwise, he wouldn''t possess any meta knowledge of this universe. That much was clear to him. ¡®They must have buried me¡­ if Terrorist-san was kind enough to leave my body intact.¡¯ As much as he missed their presences, he preferred his new life. Sure, it was boring at a nce, but he had the freedom to go anywhere! While cheering himself up like a fool, he spotted an intriguing detail in the System interface. Every row, except his equipment and abilities, had a pencil icon at the end; he tapped the symbol next to the gender out of curiosity.
Options avable for ¡®Gender¡¯ stat: 1 - Male 2 - Female 3 - Futa ¡­
The list went on forever, showing absurd names as gender. ¡®Helicopter?! How is that a gender?¡¯ Kazuya regretted experimenting on gender stat. At least he discovered one crucial element from this mishap ¡ª he could customize his status to some degree. The System referred to itself as ¡®Character System¡¯ for this very reason. His eyes wandered to the race icon, which sported the same pencil icon. ¡®Will it work?¡¯ He gulped down his saliva. Every race in Bleach had unique abilities. Shinigami had Zanpakut¨­, which could unlock Shikai and Bankai stages. Hollow had Cero, Son¨ªdo, then Arrancar had their own versions of Zanpakut¨­ to release different forms. Quincy with their own set of abilities, like Blut Vene and other busted techniques. Then there were Fullbringers born from extremely rare circumstances. The versatility of every race ¡ª he''d love to possess that power. Only one person in the Bleach Universe wille to have blood from each major race ¡ª Ichigo Kurosaki, the protagonist. The godly hybrid of Shinigami, Quincy, Hollow, and Fullbringer. Even that level of power failed against the Almighty Yhwach. It just went to show how terrifying the Father of Quincy truly was. With zed eyes, he reached for the edit button positioned after the Race option while bracing for disappointment.
Options avable for ¡®Race¡¯: Soul Human
The two options startled him. The second option seemed utterly unnecessary. He didn''t want to be ''powerless'' again. ¡®Can you show things in more detail?¡¯ Defying his expectations, a long list of options appeared before him. Chapter 7: My Aspect of Death Chapter 7: My Aspect of Death
[Loading ¡®Evolution Database¡¯ function.]
[Soul: The purest form of a being. ¡ªCurrent path of evolution (Hollow): Hollows are souls who materialize their Inner Heart through the corruption of sins. They lose their minds to raw instincts and animalistic desires. They have existed since the primordial times. Soul (Base form) -> Base Hollow (Materialization of Inner Heart and domination by raw instincts) (Achieved) -> Gillian (Fusion with Souls of simr affinity) (Achieved) -> Adjuchas (Formation of a new consciousness capable of dominating raw instincts) (Achieved) -> Vasto Lorde (Partial harmony of raw instincts with consciousness) (Achieved) Potential Evolutions in this path: Arrancar (???) -> ??? (???)] ¡ªAlternative path of soul evolution (Shinigami): Souls who manifest their Inner Heart by external means¡­ Soul (Base form) -> ??? (???) -> ??? (???) -> ??? (???)]
[Human: A soul residing in a vessel of Kishi to interact with the World of Living. ¡ªPotential path of human evolution (Quincy): ?? Human (Base) (Achieved) -> Quincy (???) -> ??? ¡ªAlternate potential path of human evolution (Fullbringer): ?? *Evolution Database will be constantly updated with your knowledge.
The wealth of information overwhelmed Kazuya. As he sifted through the options, he noticed an asterisk at the end, apanied by an exnation for the numerous question marks scattered throughout the list. It became clear that the status only reflected what he knew or remembered; any gaps in his knowledge or memory resulted in the mysterious question marks. ¡®When did I achieve Adjuchas-ss?¡¯ The (Achieved) marks hinted that he might have started as a simple Hollow. Somehow, those memories vanished or were discarded after he became a Vasto Lorde. ¡®They don¡¯t matter now.¡¯ He narrowed his eyes at the tick mark avable in front of every potential evolution path. He could regress to a previous evolution and even try out the Quincy path. It was a convoluted approachpared to his desired ability to switch races at will. Well, he wasn¡¯t going toin about a power with plenty of potential down the line. This also implied, ¡®I can be a Shinigami.¡¯ His face beamed with excitement. Most of the Bleach story took ce in the Soul Society, and most of the intriguing characters lived there. Compared to the intriguing events of the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo felt stupidly in. ¡®I wanna meet Mama Unohana and Yoruichi, and Rukia!¡¯ Setting his interests aside, remaining in Hueco Mundo as a Vasto Lorde would attract Aizen''s attention. Rather than waiting, it seemed better to move to the Soul Society and grow stronger by obtaining a Zanpakut¨­. He acted passively his whole life, letting others decide his fate. What did he receive in exchange? A life of mental anguish and a lead bullet through his head. Now, he had knowledge of the future, the power to switch races, and a ridiculously useful System. He possessed all the necessary tools to be strong and live on his own terms. How pathetic would it be if he became a doll dancing on Aizen¡¯s palm? ¡°It won¡¯t happen.¡± Anger swelled at the possibility of being controlled like a puppet. After all, he had no control over his previous life. No freedom to decide his future or even the freedom to leave home outside of curfew hours. He despised such a life with passion. His eyes behind the mask suddenly widened as an epiphany dawned on him. He vied for control all his life. A rebel who always wished to resist his grandfather¡¯s control. That control slowly slipped away, and he had to live under oppression ¡ª that was his life¡¯s biggest regret.
[Aspect of Death realized.] [Innate Ability: Aspect of Death ¡®Oppression¡¯ unlocked.]
Laughter erupted from him, as if insanity had taken hold of him. The cave reverberated with his maniacal cackles. ¡°Death by Oppression. Ah, this is perfect. I love it.¡± Api wondered if the brutal nature of Hueco Mundo had shattered his sanity in a day. "O-Oi, don''t lose it. You can fight it. Push down your instincts!" He turned to Api with a feral grin, his terrorizing aura emphasized by his menacingly glowing eyes. ¡°What do you mean? I am a perfectly sane human being¡­ Yes, I am.¡± Api couldn¡¯t help but miss his gentle, considerate voice. ¡®This rowdy Kazuya sucks.¡¯ *** Kazuya didn¡¯t step outside the cave for the next several hours. He wasn¡¯t looking to achieve Hikkikomori status in Hueco Mundo. To truly grasp the concept of Arrancars, he had to get acquainted with the basics of being a Hollow. He opted for ''closed door cultivation'' to hone his Vasto Lorde strength and unlock the full potential of his new innate ability. The Evolution Database provided the basic knowledge, while his own mind filled the gaps. Firstly, Hollows weren''t the mindless soul-eaters the Soul Society portrayed them as. In fact, Bleach showed they were quite different. The more he learned, the more intriguingplexities arose,plicating his intended path. Questions swirled in his mind: Why did a Hollow have a mask? Why did they consume others to fill the void in their souls? What was the nature of the void that expanded with their craving for souls? Why did most Hollows be more human-like after reaching the Adjuchas-ss? And most importantly, what exactly was this Inner Heart that triggered the creation of a Hollow? Most importantly, what exactly was the Inner Heart that triggered a Hollow''s creation? He had numerous theories, but none could be confirmed. Eventually, he abandoned the pursuit of the Inner Heart''s true purpose and shifted his focus to Hollow evolutions. Every evolution after Gillian ced great emphasis on suppressing raw instincts. The raw instincts that turned them into hyenas for souls instead of flesh. Each evolution beyond Gillian emphasized suppressing primal instincts, which had driven them to be ravenous soul-seekers. Arrancars, for the most part, resembled Shinigami. He closed his eyes, his mind swirling with countless theories. After several minutes of contemtion, he opened his eyes, now gleaming with newfound understanding. He felt like a hermit who had achieved enlightenment. ''I see. Menos don''t eat others to be strong and evolve. The primary goal is strengthening their consciousness, which suppresses their raw instincts.'' Failure to do so would result in regression to Gillian-ss. The theory made too much sense to be false or delusional. ''Then Arrancars...'' His lips curved into a smirk as he realized the true intent of tearing the mask for Arrancarization. Aizen was right about ''separating boundaries between a Hollow and Shinigami'' to create an Arrancar. But there was more to the process; otherwise, there wouldn''t be natural Arrancars like Ulquiorra Cifer and Coyote Starrk. ''Let''s test my theory and my new ability.'' Turning to his drowsypanion, he patted her mask. "Come with me." "Hmm¡­ where are we going?" "To cause some chaos, my little friend. Let us toy with the destiny of some hapless souls." "..." Api looked at him as if he had lost his mind. Chapter 8: Oppression Chapter 8: Oppression How would anyone imagine the ability of oppression? The power to overwhelm someone to the point they have no chance to fight back. The power to crush someone under sheer pressure like a bug. The manifestation of Kazuya¡¯s Aspect of Death worked simrly, yet worlds apart from those concepts. It was truly a breathtaking ability. He went out in search of a foe to test its effectiveness. Lo-and-behold, he found four massive Hollows hibernating in an underground cave. They were Menos Grande. Unlike Adjuchas and Vasto Lorde, a Menos Grande surpassed the height of an average house in Japan. Each cloaked in ck¡¯ wearing a mask with an extending nose bearing three holes. Despite their giant size, they were considered foot soldiers in Las Noches, as they were below Adjuchas in strength and raw power, and were moremonly known as Gillian. All the Gillians screeched as they sensed the intruders. Api shivered. ¡°They will chew us alive! Let¡¯s run!¡± She was terrified of four Gillians sting her with their Cero. Kazuya merely smiled and stretched his hand towards the Gillians. ¡°Oppress atmospheric air.¡± A blue Reiatsu surrounded the intimidating giant Hollows, and the wind howled like a wolf. Atmospheric air was everywhere, just like Reishi in Hueco Mundo. In a wide open world, the air alone weighed over hundred of thousands of pounds. Typically, the internal body pressure canceled the atmospheric air while body tissues absorbed the rest of the force. The Oppression overturned that perfect bnce in favor of pure destruction. A Gillian''s body structure was iparably more resilient than human, but could it survive nearly a ton of pressure from all sides? The answer revealed itself in the form of cracking bones. Flesh ruptured and blood spurted. In an expected turn of events, the four Gillians, towering over four stories, crumbled in balls of grotesque flesh. ¡°Amazing¡­¡± The sheer force of his innate ability left him astonished.
[Aspect of Death (Oppression): Oppression crushes all by infallible authority. With the power of oppression, you can heighten any aspect of a physical body, be it your surroundings or a part of your enemy¡¯s body. Reiryoku¡¯s consumption will be increased depending on the resistance faced and yourprehension of the aspect.]
A fitting ability for the man who always lived under the constant oppression of his grandfather, albeit a mental one. He could amplify one aspect of his surroundings as long as it existed physically. He could technically raise anyone¡¯s heartbeat and destroy their heart. An instant death that would require immense Reiryoku varying from individual to individual. The ability, however, wasn¡¯t perfect: its energy consumption was its biggest drawback, followed by its conditions. Just one use against Gillians drained his Reiryoku by nearly a quarter. The efficiency would be even worse if he tried to control stronger Hollows. The ability wouldn¡¯t work if his opponent repelled his Reiatsu with a greater concentration of Reiryoku. ¡®I need to expand my knowledge if I want to fully harness this ability.¡¯ He regretted skipping physics sses and having some juicy time with his math professor, who happened to be his girlfriend. Api stared at Gillians in horror, an icy shiver clinging to her spine. The iprehensible power left her in awe and terror. The random Hollow she found was a terrifying ughter machine. ¡°What did you do¡­?¡± Api whispered, shock refusing to leave her face. ¡°Is this the true ability of a Vasto Lorde? ¡°Hmm?¡± He tilted his head and smiled innocently. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand even if I told you. And no, not every Vasto Lorde should have something so terrifying.¡± ¡°You little rascal.¡± Api never wanted to skewer someone with her horns until now. His innocent ridicule truly pissed her off. ¡°I will¡ª¡± She paused, her eyes darting toward the distant hills, a primal terror overtaking her. Kazuya chuckled. ¡°You sensed it too?¡± Api slowly nodded at his question. ¡°My senses are vastly superior to other Adjuchas.¡± Her senses may have developed from her cowardly way of life, but she took pride in her achievement. Survival in Hueco Mundo depended on several things. Faster, stronger, and smarter ¡ª she had two things better than her counterparts. ¡°Commendable.¡± The youth, who only thought about his self interests, grinned ear to ear. ¡°They came at the right time. Api, why don¡¯t you hide in some corner and let me deal with them?¡± The neers didn¡¯t bother hiding their Reiatsu, which surpassed Api¡¯s Reiatsu by a small margin. Api didn¡¯t obey his order, standing rooted to her position. ¡°The hell do you think you¡¯re talking to? I¡¯m not some weenie coward. Watch my Cero rip them to shreds!¡± Her Reiryoku fully recovered after eating the Hollow; she could destroy weaker Hollows with her Cero rays, even if she was no match for a male Adjuchas. ¡°You are finally showing some backbone,¡± Kazuya whispered and gently rubbed her Hollow mask. ¡°I love it when you show sucy determination.¡± ¡°Grrrrr. Don''t treat me like a pet.¡± The enemies showed up soon. A humanoid lizard-like Hollow standing over two meters, a gargantuan monkey-like Hollow with a white mask, and another one in the form of a giant crow towering over hispanions. Three Adjuchas with hostile intentions appeared before him. It was only natural for him to treat them like dolls in a dollhouse. ¡°A white puny goat and a deer,¡± the monkey said in a sharp voice. ¡°They match the image of two Hollows killing my subordinates around this ce.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s crush them and go back to Lord Baraggan.¡± The crow nodded at the words of his fellow indirect subordinates of the undisputed king of Hueco Mundo. They had let out their Hollows subordinates to evolve in the wild, only to be killed by neers. Appaci¡¯s response ¡ª a crispy beam of Cero Ray that scorched the monkey¡¯s fur around his chest, leaving a bloody mess. ¡°You pathetic monkey, I am a reindeer. Kazuya also has wings. He is no goat. Open your damn eyes before spitting bullshit.¡± ¡°Goddamn.¡± Kazuya beamed a smile at the furious Hollows while patting Api¡¯s head. ¡°That¡¯s not a friendly way to approach our guests, now is that? Hey you three, why don¡¯t we sit down in my cave and chat about your life troubles? I¡¯m an A-grade listener. A professional therapist.¡± ¡°The heck are you saying?¡± Api retorted. ¡°They are mad now!¡± ¡°You dare to mock me, a retainer of Lord Barragan¡¯s court?¡± ¡°You will pay for this.¡± ¡°Death to the sinner!!!¡± The Hollows roared with rage and charged at him. He vanished in a blink of an eye, leaving a sonic boom. He reappeared momentster several meters away with his Son¨ªdo technique. He left the Hollows in the dust with his speed. ¡°No need to be so mad. Geez.¡± He raised his hand from Api¡¯s head and released the full pressure of his Vasto Lorde-ss Reiatsu. ¡°You guys should die but that¡¯s not what I want. You¡¯ll be part of something great. Be happy that you died for a great cause~.¡± The Hollows felt as if the sky copsed as their very souls shivered in terror. His Reiatsu was ripping their souls. ¡°A V-Vasto Lorde?!¡± ¡°Curse our luck. What is a Vasto Lorde doing here?¡± ¡°Fuck!!!¡± The realization came far toote; their deaths were written in stone the moment they approached him with malicious intent. Api, who was behind Kazuya, merely felt a fraction of his oppressive Reiatsu. Even that left her shaken to her core. ¡®Vasto Lorde are crazy strong.¡¯ How great would it be to have such power? She could say goodbye to her run and hide life and live the way Kazuya mentioned without fearing the inevitable ¡°end.¡± A desire not so different from envy flooded her chest. s, she was one of those Adjuchas-ss who barely received any strength increase even after consuming an Adjuchas-ss Hollow ¡ª to put it simply; shecked the potential to be a Vasto Lorde. Backing down on a promise irked her. She gritted her teeth. ¡°Screw Vasto Lorde. I¡¯m bing the strongest Arrancar.¡± Chapter 9: Nightmares Chapter 9: Nightmares Sometime earlier. A gray snake with a white underbelly slithered across the white dunes of Hueco Mundo. The three pink dots on either side of her head and the three pearls hanging from her white oyster-like mask all but confirmed her gender. Walking by this snake was a fierce lioness with pieces of white armor on her four legs. What set this lioness apart was a golden mask and a golden mane extending beyond it. Both Adjuchas females followed the lead of a golden-haired woman rtively smallpared to herpanions. A light blueyer of skin-tight suit covered her from neck to bottom, nearly merging with her healthy olive skin. A white, bone-like armor covered most of her body, with gills on her limbs and ribs. Sharp protrusions rose from her shoulders like pauldrons to an armor. A long tail extended from the back of her head; the tail had a shark-like fin in the middle and two joint fins at its end. A giant white broadsword, like an elongated shark fang, was fused with her arm. She was a powerful Vasto Lorde. ¡°Ara, M Rose, walk in front of us. We might lose sight of you in this darkness.¡± ¡°Gah, this snake bitch. Why is she so damn tall?¡± The snake and the lioness yelled at each other. The snake reared up, her white scales shimmering in the dark, and hissed a warning. The lioness crouched low, eyes zing, and roared her challenge. They faced each other like they were arch-rivals. Tier Harribel shook her head. Sitting in a cave wasn¡¯t the most exciting thing in the world, so Harribel and her tworades went for strolls in the white ashes desert enveloping Hueco Mundo. Sometimes she stumbled upon ruins from the ancient era inhabited by Hollows. Sometimes she found empty chambers. Sometimes she met people they could trust. The sense of a discovery on the horizon kept Harribel pushing every day. Today too, they came out for a stroll, but herpanions wouldn¡¯t stop fighting. Cyan Sung-Sun, the snake Hollow, turned to her leader. Harribel had a habit of calmly observing the situation and then speaking her mind. Harribel¡¯s sudden grim look spoke of hidden dangers. ¡°Harribel-sama?¡± Hearing Sung-Sun¡¯s serious voice, Franceska M Rose lowered her growl. ¡°Hah! Harribel-sama, what is the matter?¡± ¡°I sense a strong Reiatsu.¡± Harribel stopped in her path and blocked herrades with her sword-like arm. Her golden brows knitted in a concerned frown. ¡°A battle, perhaps.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t concern us,¡± said the lioness. ¡°Leave it be, no?¡± M Rose¡¯s tone embodied her matter-of-course, indifference to other lives. Harribel had brought her and Sung-Sun together to protect each other from other Hollows, even if Harribel did most of the heavy work. Intervening in others¡¯ battles didn¡¯t sit well with M Rose. ¡°We¡¯ll observe from a distance,¡± Harribel addressed M Rose. ¡°Follow me.¡± The cool andposed Vasto Lorde made a quick decision and sprinted ahead without herrades¡¯ response. Sung-Sun hissed. ¡°Harribel-sama has morepassion for lives than both of us. It¡¯s about time we ept it.¡± Harribel always forgave the Hollows who tried to attack them, even admitting that she despised killing. She still killed the most pesky one every once in a while to let Sung-Sun and M Rose maintain their current Adjuchas status. But she didn¡¯t help them devour Hollows to evolve further. Sung-Sun and M Rose respected Harribel since she had the power to act on her whims. She had the power to roam Hueco Mundo with confidence. Well, except for King Barragan¡¯s court. M Rose scratched the ground with her paw and leaped a great distance. ¡°Don¡¯t talk to me like I¡¯m ignorant. I know Harribel-sama¡¯s contempt for sacrificing others.¡± ¡°But you are impulsive, like a child.¡± Sung-Sun giggled. ¡°Harribel-sama, wait for us!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll kill ya, bitch!¡± A fierce lioness chased a snake through the white desert. *** Harribel soon found the source of the extremely thick Reiatsu ¡ª a Hollow, roughly the same height as hers, facing a giant Adjuchas. His Reiatsu was stronger than her, not by much. Still it was rare for her to meet a strong Hollow outside the boundaries of Las Noches. Harribel nced at her frozenrades, who were gripped by primal fear. They showed a simr reaction when she saved them from Hollows trying to devour her. ¡°Another Vast Lorde.¡± He was the second Vasto Lorde Harribel encountered in Hueco Mundo, the first being the ever so annoying Ruler of Hueco Mundo when she became a Vasto Lorde a few years ago. He was considerably stronger, which remained true even today. ¡°Harribel-sama¡­¡± Sung-Sun paused with a gulp, the Hollow¡¯s Reiatsu making her shiver despite their great distance. ¡°We should go before he notices us.¡± M Rose shook her head and stomped the ground. ¡°Argh, another man. He is gonnae after us. Let¡¯s ambush him while he is fighting the other Hollow.¡± M Rose regained her violent bearing once she dealt with her fears. Her suggestion contrasted Sung-Sun¡¯s peaceful approach. ¡°Ara?¡± Sung-Sun hissed. ¡°That Hollow has long hair and their face is concealed by a mask. How do you know their gender?¡± M Rose stopped momentarily, then scratched her head with her paw. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just had a feeling¡­ Gah, look at his figure. If that¡¯s not a man, I don¡¯t know who is!¡± Sung-Sun blinked her eyes. M Rose might be onto something, as a Hollow¡¯s instincts were like a beast. ¡°Harribel-sama, I¡¯d advise against engaging in a fight. We might draw more enemies to us.¡± She took on aposed and serious demeanor, contrary to her yful interactions with M Rose. Harribel nodded and continued observing the battle. She wasn¡¯t at all surprised when the unknown Vasto Lorde one-shotted the Adjuchas with a Cero Ray. ¡°W-What? He killed an Adjuchas in one attack?! M Rose, however, didn¡¯t take his prowess lightly. She had seen Harribel cut down Adjuchas like nothing. Fighting another Hollow on the same level as Harribel gave her quite the fright. ¡°I told you, M Rose,¡± Sung-Sun whispered. ¡°We can¡¯t fight him willy-nilly. Let us leave before he senses us.¡± Sung-Sun nudged M Rose¡¯s mane with her head before slithering away. M Rose listened to Sung-Sun¡¯s request this time and followed after her. Meanwhile, Harribel watched Kazuya stretch his hand to hispanion. Harribel had a few encounters with Api, but Harribel never contacted her. From Harribel¡¯s distant observations, Api minded her own business and never went out of her way to attack others. This led to Harribel marking Api as a friend of sorts. ¡®I¡¯m relieved she found someone reliable.¡¯ Harribel gave another nce at Kazuya, who had his back turned against her, showing off his wings. Being Api¡¯spanion meant he wasn¡¯t like other Hollows in Hueco Mundo ¡ª devouring others wasn¡¯t his goal. Besides, devouring other souls wasn¡¯t optimal at their current level, as Giin souls provided little to no improvements to their strength. Sharpening their innate abilities and gatheringrades was more than enough to survive in Hueco Mundo. She craved more strength but she never wanted it at the cost of other Hollows. The male Vasto Lorde suddenly turned in her direction. Despite their distance, she could feel his eyes inspecting her from top to bottom. Harribel retracted her gaze from eyes with bottomless depths and shook her head. ¡®There is no point in staying here.¡¯ -x-x-x- Hollows didn¡¯t dream. Their mind merely cycled through the memories of their soul¡ªtheir most dominant soul, to be precise. The fabricated phantasms could also be called an artificial dream. In her false dreams, Harribel regrly bore witness to a blurry white room, where metal screeched and sparked, blinding lights flickering everywhere. Figures with white heads incited panic in their hypnotizing whispers. Then an innocent cry rumbled through, shattering the reality itself until a void remained. Waves and waves of an infant¡¯s sobs chipped away at Harribel¡¯s soul, carving out her innards and crushing her heart. A pair of white eyes welled up with moisture and oozed a trail of crimson tears until the chilling red painted her vision. Harribel could instinctively feel the suffering behind each tear. ¡­ Harribel opened her eyes on a slope, with her hand on her left knee and her right knee folded. She showed no signs of difort, as though she forgot every experience inside her false dream. That was precisely the case. Her oozing sympathy and regret had receded back into her soul after she woke up. She could never truly recall the experience of her past life ¡ª the experience she once had as a mother. Harribel suddenly raised her head. Shrill screams echoed through the dreadful vistas of Hueco Mundo. It echoed as though it came from far away, bouncing off of the nearby hills. Grains of ash-white sands moved in waves as M Rose and Sung-Sun woke up from their brief slumber. ¡°Sung Bitch, did you hear that?¡± ¡°Ara, don¡¯t be vulgar. And yes, I did. Someone probably ticked off a pack of Menos Grande.¡± ¡°Could it be that male Hollow?¡± M Rose¡¯s mind immediately went to the terrifying Hollow they encountered. ¡°S-Should we leave?¡± ¡°Why would he disturb Menos Grande? The world doesn¡¯t revolve around him.¡± Sung-Sun squinted her eyes. ¡°Why do you keep bringing him up? Did you, by any chance, get a crush on him?¡± M Rose was always a worshiper of strength, her past ying a big role to make her envy the strong. It wouldn¡¯t be far-fetched to think M Rose would get feelings for a much stronger Hollow. ¡°Stop talking gibberish.¡± M Rose turned her head with a harrumph. ¡°I just thought he would be linked to this incident. He seemed like the troublesome type.¡± ¡°You certainly know him more than us.¡± Harribel closed her eyes. Herpanions hearing the howls revealed a ring detail ¡ª the conflict was closer this time around. She also sensed Api¡¯s Reiatsu ring up alongside her wingedpanion¡¯s Reiatsu. ¡®They can take care of each other.¡¯ She ignored the howls and hung her head for another session of light sleep, as if her subconscious yearned to relive the nightmare again and again. -x-x-x- Just a few minutester, Harribel got up with a jolt. A spine-chilling wail reverberated as an intense Reiatsu dered its position, rising with each moment. The pressure was so thick it nearly choked her Adjuchasrades. Then the pressure disappeared entirely, leaving her party in a state of confusion. Harribel nced at her friends. ¡°Head back to the base. I¡¯ll go check it out.¡± Before Sung-Sun and M said a word, Harribel leaped into the air and dashed. A boom resounded as Harribel reappeared several feet away. A series of sessive sonic bursts rumbled as she made a quick dash for the origin of excruciating howls. Another shriek came and died before she reached her destination. What she saw left her petrified. A giant bird-like Hollow screeched as he tried to cover his face with his wings. Dark Reiatsu overflowed from his entire being and pushed the ash sand around him. His Reiatsu surpassed the limits of an Adjuchas, faintly touching upon the realm of Vasto Lorde. His Reiatsu rampaged more before slowly receding into his soul. Vasto Lorde¡­ Adjuchas¡­ Gillian. His Reiatsu sank rapidly then disappeared entirely. The Hollow copsed to his knees and a gust of wind scattered his husk of a body into ashes. *** A/N: Since most of their backstories are unknown, I have taken the liberty to change some things. One of them is Harribel being a mother who died during childbirth, essentially going through childbirth despite knowing the risks to her own life. The story meshes too well with her Aspect of Death Sacrifice and her Hollow hole positioned in her womb. Chapter 10: A Proposal Chapter 10: A Proposal Kazuya''s experiment unfolded as anticipated. The three Adjuchas'' transformation into Arrancar culminated in disaster and their demise¡ªa disheartening yet logical oue. Expecting unnamed NPCs to subdue their primal instincts and then seal them into a weapon was just begging for disappointment. What he hadn''t foreseen was Harribel''s arrival, her attention piqued by the explosive surge in Reiatsu. Nheless, he remained unfazed by her current formidable appearance. ¡®A Vasto Lorde. Her Reiatsu is weaker than me?¡¯ It seemed she had achieved her Vasto Lorde rank not long ago. Otherwise, her Reiatsu would surpass his by a big margin. Putting on his most charming grin, he threw out a friendly wave. ¡°Bonjour, Mademoiselle. Pardon me for disturbing your rest.¡± In the presence of a withering Hollow, his formal greeting looked sinister. His melodious voice, like a choir of angelic bells, didn¡¯t help his case either. His presence screamed red gs, but Harribel, caught in Adjuchas¡¯ deaths, failed to recognize any. ¡°What happened to these Hollows?¡± ¡°They attacked us out of nowhere. When they couldn¡¯t beat me, they started tearing their masks.¡± He rubbed the back of his head with a feigned, helpless smile. ¡°The rest is history.¡± "Why would a Hollow tear their mask?" Harribel wasn''t swayed by his sweet voice and posed a valid question. She turned to Api, who seemed on edge. "Is that what happened?" Her distrust in Kazuya and trust in Api couldn¡¯t be more obvious. She¡¯d rather believe Api whom she had observed for some time than believing aplete stranger. Faced with Harribel¡¯s question, Api found herself stuck between a rock and a hard ce. Kazuya lied to Harribel without so much of a flinch as he was responsible for cracking the three Adjuchas¡¯ masks with his fists. He did it without a change in his expression as if all the pleading those Adjuchas meant nothing to him. He was ruthless and vicious like a devil, resembling the Hollows who wanted to devour her. Her first impression of him couldn¡¯t have been farther from his true face. She also understood the essence of his ¡®experiments¡¯: using others like a fodder to test the sess of Arrancarization. ¡®Are you willing to do anything for power?¡¯ Stealing a nce at him, she noticed his neutral lips but gleaming eyes, urging her to act. He wanted her to take a stance¡ªeither lie for him or betray him and side with Harribel. The decision might dictate her life from here on out. ¡®This jerk!¡¯ She gritted her teeth, frustrated at his obvious attempt to back her into a corner. ¡°Yes. They lost their minds to find a Vasto Lorde nearly as powerful as their master, King Barragan.¡± Reading Harribel¡¯s intention was much easier than predicting the intricate schemes brewing inside behind his sinister mind. In spite of it all, she refused to betray him! He had saved her life and helped her in recovering her Reiryoku. While she wouldn''t say it out loud, the past day had been the most fun she had in her lonely life. Getting Api¡¯s confirmation, Harribel didn¡¯t push the matter any further and regarded Kazuya with aposed gaze. ¡°King Baraggan sees all Vasto Lorde as a threat to his authority. He wille after us, eventually to recruit us into his Espada ranks. You two should keep moving¡­ stay away from Baraggan¡¯sckeys.¡± Barragan saw all of Hueco Mundo as his yground, everyone a piece for him to use and discard. The Espada under him was just more tools to do his bidding. Harribel, on the other hand, loathed the very thought of sacrificing anyone. Two powerful people with contrasting beliefs were bound to sh, even if she harbored no intentions of challenging his authority. ¡°Why should we trust your words?¡± Api questioned Harribel¡¯s goodwill with sharp eyes. ¡°Fuck this King Barragan. Kazuya will p his head off.¡± "Cough. Cough." Kazuya tried not tough but ended up coughing. He cleared his throat and rubbed her head. "Excuse me, Api. I''m a day-old Vasto Lorde and King Baraggan has been in power for centuries. His army alone can drown me in their spit. By me, I mean us. We live and die together now, Api." Api¡¯s eyes widened at the thought of an army of Gillian, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lordes. Her vivid imagination set her head spinning. ¡°You''re right¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re so hot-headed. The quote ¡®Think before act¡¯ is to teach impulsive Hollows like you.¡± He sighed and smiled at Harribel. ¡°King Baraggan will me me for his subordinate¡¯s deaths. I don¡¯t think I can fight him and his looneys by my lonesome. What should I do? How do I protect Api now¡­?¡± His Aspect of Death simply wasn¡¯t efficient enough to fight Barragan at this stage. Besides, he needed an excuse to invade Harribel¡¯s group and slowly bring them to his side. Did he actually took King Baraggan as a threat, though? Absolutely not. He always had the option of jumping to the Living World and changing his race to human or going to Soul Society as a normal soul and hiding among weak souls like a little bitch. The vast amount of choices didn¡¯t leave threats in Hueco Mundo¡­ Except for Aizen who was fated to take over Hueco Mundo. ¡®Fuck Aizen.¡¯ Api¡¯s throat produced a low, guttural growl reminiscent of an agitated canine. ¡®This maniptive bastard! He is acting helpless now.¡¯ Harribel''s aqua green eyes widened ever so slightly, her gaze fixated on Kazuya. A kaleidoscope of emotions danced within her eyes, each one fleeting and impossible to decipher. She hesitated, then inquired in a soft voice, ¡°Did you say you''re one day old?¡± Kazuya was momentarily perplexed by Harribel¡¯s unexpected question. He nced at Api for reassurance before refocusing on Harribel. ¡°I am. You can ask Api.¡± Api nodded in his support, confirming his lifespan. ¡°I found him half buried like a day ago. He didn¡¯t even know how to control his Reiatsu or that he is a freakin¡¯ Vasto Lorde!¡± As Api confirmed Kazuya''s statement, Harribel¡¯s eyes took on a soft glow. ¡°You cane with me¡­¡± His hand flew to cover his gaping jaw. Harribel¡¯s open offer dictated two choices ¡ª agree or disagree. Yet the spark of hope in her eyes desperately pleaded for him to agree. Even the always calm Kazuya felt a shiver. Harribel¡¯s behavior wasn¡¯t natural, not by a long shot. She looked way too eager to invite him as if it wasn¡¯t their first time meeting. Something was extremely wrong, an unease gnawed at his mind. Yet he couldn¡¯t point out the reason for this feeling. ¡®She changed after I said I¡¯m one day old. That¡¯s extremely sus.¡¯ Taking a deep breath, he nodded and smiled. ¡°The more the merrier, they say. Us weak ones gotta stick together.¡± Api nearly choked on his ridiculous im. ¡°You and weak, ptui. If you¡¯re weak, then everyone in Hueco Mundo is an ant.¡± ¡°Little Api learned to be sarcastic. What a terrifying development.¡± ¡°All thanks to you, rascal. All thanks to you¡­¡± He chuckled and saw Harribel staring at him. ¡°I am Kazuya, by the way. This is Api. What about you?¡± ¡°...Tier Harribel.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a unique name if I ever saw one. Mind if I call you Harribel?¡± Harribel shook her head. ¡°Follow me.¡± *** Kazuya and Api followed Harribel to her base, their footsteps silent like shadows on the moonlit ground. As expected, two Adjuchas were sitting in the cave, staring at him. The snake''s slitted eyes flickered with curiosity and amusement, while the lioness growled, openly expressing her hostility. Her reaction was as if Kazuya was the malevolent being that killed her loved ones. Cyan Sung-Sun giggled. ¡°Oh no, Harribel-sama brought a man home.¡± ¡°That¡¯s all you have to say?!¡± M Rose roared at her friend for being too nonchnt. They recently alluded to Kazuya being a bad guy who would attack them on sight. Now he and hispanion stood before them as Harribel¡¯s guests. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you asking anything about him?¡± The snake ignored M Rose¡¯s yells and waved her tail at Kazuya and Api. ¡°Hello there, neers.¡± Api pointed at Sung-Sun then M Rose with her feet. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s Harribel¡¯s full squad. I¡¯m Api.¡± Sung-Sun¡¯s tongue darted out of her mouth for a fleeting second. ¡°I¡¯m Cyan Sung-Sun. This ill-tempered puppy is Franceska M Rose.¡± ¡°They got first andst names?¡± Api whispered to Kazuya. ¡°We¡¯re the only ones without it.¡± ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s just you.¡± Kazuya smiled at Sung-Sun. ¡°I¡¯m Kazuya Ishihara.¡± Sung-Sun nodded, eyes crinkling as though she was pleased. ¡°Your voice is soothing. You¡¯ll be an excellent singer or storyteller.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have memories to derive any story from,¡± he said with a sigh, fully taking the role of an adolescent. He could feel an oppressive air settling in the cave, so heughed. ¡°I have a few amusing tales about Api. Would you be interested?¡± ¡°I¡¯d love to hear them!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t sell me out!¡± Api cut in with a fiery retort. ¡°Wait, I don¡¯t have any embarrassing moments. Do I?¡± He crossed his arms and grinned. ¡°You just made one.¡± Sung-Sunughed. ¡°You fell for it.¡± Harribel watched over the three with a stern look. Kazuya and Api meshed well with Sung-Sun. Then again, Sung-Sun was cunning enough to act friendly to anyone regardless of their personality. Meanwhile, M Rose blinked her eyes as the rest of the party interacted like they were old acquaintances. The new members adapted to their group like they belonged there, while she felt like aplete outcast as if she was a fish out of water. She despised this feeling. Kazuya nced at M Rose, clearly understanding the reason for her silence. He disturbed their group dynamic with his presence. ¡°If I make you anxious¡­ should I leave?¡± M Rose stared at him in barely concealed surprise. The one who hadn¡¯t forgotten her was also the source of her chaotic emotions. His polite apology certainly caught her by surprise, its effect further enhanced by his soft voice. M Rose released a tame roar before looking away. ¡°I¡¯m not berating Harribel-sama¡¯s decision. She won¡¯t do anything that will harm us.¡± Kazuya responded with a nod and a soft smile. M Rose seemed like another tsundere Hollow, but with more ferocity than Api. ¡°I legit forgot she existed,¡± Sung-Sun whispered. ¡°Geez, M Rose. Be more refined. Let¡¯s start with a simple introduction.¡± ¡°I-Introduction?¡± M Rose stuttered for a second and sat down like an obedient puppy. ¡°I¡¯m Franceska M Rose. My hobbies are tearing Hollows and kicking heads around. I also like sharpening my ws!¡± Her introduction left everyone speechless. M Rose¡¯s gaze drifted from face to face as she wondered about the effectiveness of her introduction. He pped with an innocent smile, breaking the silence. ¡°That was wonderful.¡± ¡°...¡± Chapter 11: Training Chapter 11: Training Kazuya spent some time chatting with his party. Harribel then motioned for them to follow her. They soon stepped out of the cramped cave, which had been narrow to fit everyone without it feeling cramped. He preferred it this way as it also helped M Rose and Sung-Sun slowly be used to his and Api¡¯s presence. Harribel turned around to leave. ¡°I¡¯ll inform you when we leave. Until then¡­¡± He reached out and grabbed her hand. ¡°I have a request. Can you help me with my training?¡± ¡°Training?¡± Harribel readily asked. ¡°What type of training?¡± ¡°What skills do I need in Hueco Mundo?¡± Harribel¡¯s eyes turned soft. ¡°Fight¡­ right now?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll ask youter.¡± He had to address Api¡¯s concerns first. As soon as Harribel left, Api red at him for obvious reasons. He had put her into a dilemma and made her lie. Now was the time to reward her. ¡°You forced¡ªgahh!¡± Appaci nearly choked when Kazuya hugged her neck, squeezing the deer for her dear life. ¡°Thanks for having my back.¡± Not expecting words of gratitude, Appaci stood there like an idiot until he drew back from her. ¡°Did you rip their masks to transform them into Arrancar?¡± ¡°I did, and the results were just as I expected. Also, don¡¯t feel bad for them. They came to kill us, remember?¡± All three Hollows ended up burning their souls, temporarily showing Reiatsu of Vasto Lorde-ss. He had a sudden idea. The unnamed NPCs couldn¡¯t endure the demanding process of Arrancarization, but Api was a different breed. She was a named character with her own role to y in the massive war caused by Aizen. The chances of Api seeding were enormous. Api shivered as his ¡®intent¡¯ locked on her. ¡°What are you thinking now?!¡± ¡°I feel hungry! Can I grill your leg?¡± ¡°No!¡± He decided to ditch the risky idea. The one percent chance of Api dying or being inflicted with Amnesia like Neliel was simply uneptable. ¡®I¡¯m getting way too obsessed with this Arrancar shit.¡¯ He shook his head and decided to rx for the day. *** Sometimeter. Kazuya strolled across the rocky terrain of Hueco Mundo until he came face to face with Harribel. On the cliff in the distance were M Rose, Sung-Sun, and Api, their shadows falling long and dark in the twilight sky. All three Adjuchas watched, fascinated, as the two Vasto Lorde silently sized each other up. Harribel made eye contact with him. ¡°Before we start, let me ask you something. Why do you want to be strong? ¡­Why do you want to fight?¡± Everyone needed a reason to seek strength, whether it was for survival, a sense of aplishment, or simply to tyrannize the weak. Harribel was determined to have strength for a meaningful purpose: to avoid meaningless fights. She wanted to be strong in body and spirit, gaining her control over her own animalistic desires. She had another dream, one that couldn¡¯t be fulfilled in the near future. Kazuya smiled at her question. ¡°For my survival and to protect Api... That¡¯s all I have on my mind right now.¡± He wasn¡¯t obsessed with fighting, neither did he need to be powerful to kill mindlessly. His only wish was a life free from control. This training was a necessary step in assuring his freedom and survival. Harribel gave him a cursory nod, finding his reason appropriate for a Hollow of his age. ¡°I¡¯ll test you first.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll perform really bad.¡± He gave an elegant bow, showing manners rooted in him by his grandfather. ¡°Please take care of me.¡± He never got into any brawl. His closest experience to a fight was during the self-defense lessons. This would be his first rodeo. Saying he wasn¡¯t a little nervous would be a lie. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± Harribel gave a single, sharp nod and her powerful Reiatsu shot out, wrapping around him with an invisible grip. It was sharper than a de, giving him a sense of danger. In an instant she was gone, reced by a silver sh and the distant hum of her Sonido. Then she was in front of him, her sword arm howling through the air. His skin broke out in cold sweat and his heart raced in his chest. In a split second, he shifted his body weight and used the technique of Sonido. His body disappeared with a loud swoosh followed by a giant cloud of sand as Her sword missed its mark and mmed into the ground, sending sand cascading outward in concentric circles. The attack could have sliced him in half ¡ª the realization made him gulp. ¡°This isn¡¯t training, Harribel. You¡¯re straight-up trying to kill me.¡± ¡°It will only scratch your thick bones,¡± Harribel said in a neutral tone. ¡°Physical injuries without Reiatsu heal faster in Hueco Mundo¡¯s rich Reishi.¡± He nced at the aftermath of her attack. ¡°Yeah, right. I totally believe you. Can we do it without inflicting injuries?¡± He wasn¡¯t ready to test his regeneration skill so soon. Especially not by getting his body crushed by her sword. Harribel shook her head. ¡°You have to teach your body¡­ or else, it¡¯ll not be ready when the momentes.¡± While the fear of death was necessary to push him to his limits, the fear could work against him in dangerous situations. He might abandon those he wished to protect. ¡°Harribel-sama, he is inexperienced!¡± Sung-Sun shouted. ¡°You should start with basic things like when to defend and when to attack.¡± Sung-Sun gave Harribel directions to help Kazuya with Harribel¡¯s inflexible demeanor. ¡°A Vasto Lorde who can¡¯t fight properly. It¡¯s quite an adorable sight.¡± ¡°Even I can knock him out,¡± M Rose spoke but no one paid her any attention. ¡°Fuckers.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Api wasn¡¯t so considerate. Throwing her head around, she let out a carefree giggle. ¡°His face is so hrious.¡± Herughter was loud enough to reach him, prompting him to re at her in return. ¡®I¡¯ll take care of herter.¡¯ ¡°N-No, I was kidding!¡± Api shivered and settled down. Sung-Sun and M Rose chuckled at her timid response. Harribel frowned. ¡°Gaining experience through battles is the best training for you.¡± Kazuya knew the importance of her advice. He could brute force weaker Hollows with his Reiatsu only; the same method wouldn¡¯t work with another Vasto Lorde or stronger opponents. A novice like him needed to invest both time and effort to get better. If he lost against another Vasto Lorde, it would be due to hiscking skills. ¡°Skill issue, fuck.¡± He pped his cheeks and clenched his fists. ¡°No pain, no gain. Come. Let¡¯s start.¡± Harribel pounced at him without hesitation. The sound of rending air reached his ears ¡ª her sword arm once again came crashing down on him. She was fast, but he was also a Vasto Lorde, both in body and senses. Stepping to the side of her attack, he saw her vulnerable after her wide attack. ¡®Found an opening.¡¯ He raised his leg to kick her undefended side. Goosebumps suddenly crawled on his skin, signaling danger. Another strike wasing. A frontal kick to his midsection at tremendous speed. ¡°Haph!¡± He leaped in the air without another thought. Swish. Harribel¡¯s kick rended the air; he dodged a fatal kick to his chest andnded on a boulder. Pure adrenaline pumped through him, a surge of energy rolling through him in waves. The training had barely started, but he was feeling its rush. Harribel reached him instantaneously with Sonido and swung her arm with brute force. He barely ducked to dodge. Yet, her arm changed its course and took his knees out from under him. Next thing he knew, he was kissing the ashen sand. ¡°Keep your eyes open and sharp,¡± Harribel said calmly as she kneeled before him and ruffled his hair. ¡°Don¡¯t expect your enemy to fight with honor¡­ the survivor is the winner. It¡¯s the unwrittenw of Hueco Mundo.¡± Kazuya pushed himself up and spat the sand out. Despite the ridiculous impact, the pain was nonexistent. He looked up at Harribel. Her soft gazecked any arrogance or negative emotions, for that matter. She looked like a teacher fullymitted to coaching him to the very end. No, he felt like her gaze was more akin to a mother teaching a newborn. She radiated that type of aura. ¡°You¡¯re gonna drive me nuts.¡± Harribel almost feltpelled to leave him alone and happy. She firmly shook her head, resisting her impulses. ¡®I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t stop¡­ Ick the strength to protect him from Baraggan. We both have to grow.¡¯ Clenching her fists, she told him to have a brief rest before continuing the training. She didn¡¯t use lethal force afterwards, and he could mostly keep up with her flurry of attacks. He continued trading blows with her, adapting his body to her movements and expanding hisbat knowledge. Chapter 12: Changes Chapter 12: Changes The open court of Las Noches was under the roof as its ruler had imed all thend under Hueco Mundo¡¯s sky as his domain. To earn his title, he had bested every Vasto Lorde of his era. Those who sought to defeat him died, and those who feared him became his war assets, namely the Espada. He currently sat upon his throne with a regal air, draped in an ethereal, navy-blue robe. A crown of gold adorned his skull head. He was a Hollow very reminiscent of a lich, the pinnacle of undead as known by many. His throne was upon a pedestal, and his followers-subjects kneeled on either side of the red carpet. Everyone in his court belonged to the Adjuchas tier or above. The Hollowdy serving him drinks from behind was a Vasto Lorde. A powerful Vasto Lorde who chose to submit her entire being to him once he beat her. King Baraggan, the Godking of Hueco Mundo, the Ruler of Las Noches. He was no mere Hollow. Achieving the realm of Vasto Lorde and then breaking his mask, he had be one the most fearsome being within Hueco Mundo. Bearing the Aspect of Death ¡®Senescence¡¯, he could decay and age any life around him at will. Hecked nothing in Hueco Mundo. He had everything. Nothing in Hueco Mundo interested him anymore. The monotony of such a life left him bored enough that he pondered over dividing his army into two factions and starting a war between them. It was at that moment a muscr Adjuchas ran up the red carpet. ¡°My Lord, two wandering Vasto Lorde are killing ourrades.¡± ¡°Two Vasto Lorde?¡± whispered Baraggan before holding out a hand. ¡°Summon them to the court. Wait, send Espada to fetch them.¡± Baraggab Louisenbairn considered every Vasto Lorde beneath him except for the Primordial Hollow. But two Vasto Lorde would prove to be a headache for his subordinates. Thus, he sent troops from the strongest army under him. The Espada. ¡°Yes, My Lord. It shall be done.¡± *** Keeping track of time was impossible in Hueco Mundo. Kazuya felt like it had been a month since he became a Hollow. In that unknown period of time, quite a few changes happened. Most noticeable one was in the Hollows of his party, mainly Api, M Rose, and Sung-Sun. Their Reiryoku level steadily grew. Api¡¯s growth was the most impressive of them all. Her Reiatsu had be thicker and denser, reaching the levels of the first Adjuchas Kazuya killed. All thanks to his generosity to provide her with a steady stream of Gillians and asionally Adjuchas. His innate ability ¡®Crumbling Heart¡¯ could also be held responsible for their growth. The second change was in Kazuya himself. Day by day, his mind and muscles became more attuned to battles. Harribel also gave immense help with honing his natural abilities. With every battle fought, he became an increasingly tougher opponent for Harribel. She also grew stronger after sparring with someone who could go toe-to-toe with her. She could go all out against him, letting her experiment with new techniques and styles. It was a win-win situation for both of them. Last one was ack of response from Baraggan after he killed three Adjuchas in Baraggan¡¯s service. He was even ready for a visit from Baraggan himself, yet nothing of sorts happened. It made him question if Aizen already transformed Baraggan into an Arrancar with the H¨­gyoku. In a conundrum, he sought counsel from the wisest of hispanions, Sung-Sun. He asked solemnly while she studied him with her beady eyes. Then suddenly, she threw her head back and released a cheeryugh. The earrings dangling from her ears swayed in rhythm with her joyous outburst. ¡°You¡¯re na?ve to think King Barragan can wipe every one of his subordinates¡¯ asses.¡± ¡°I overestimated him, huh?¡± He overrated the structure within the current Las Noches. Baraggan never left his court, and his most loyal subordinates rarely left his side. Naturally, there would be a massive dy in recognizing the missing Adjuchas and more dy in investigating their cause of death. ¡°Yep, Hueco Mundo is huuuuge, and Hollows die every day in every corner of itsnd. He can¡¯t ount for every Adjuchas under him. They might¡¯ve eaten each other for all he knows.¡± Sung-Sun coiled her tail around his waist and caressed his neck with the tip of her tail. ¡°All I¡¯m saying is, rx. King Baraggan won¡¯t know how and where his subordinates died.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Got it.¡± Sung-Sun¡¯s tongue flicked in and out as she stared at him. ¡°You look disappointed.¡± ¡°I expected Baraggan to send somepetent stepping stones for me to test my strength.¡± ¡°Talk about confidence.¡± Sung-Sun giggled. ¡°What if Baraggan didn¡¯t send anyone and came himself? What would you do?¡± ¡°I¡¯d run the fuck away, with all of you, of course.¡± She couldn¡¯t help butugh at his adorable response. ¡°Keep that mentality, and you¡¯d live a long life in Hueco Mundo. I mean every word I said. Listen ¡ª today¡¯s defeat can be converted into a victory tomorrow. Today¡¯s death can only be converted into sorrow and tears.¡± Sung-Sun had thought a long time to string together a wise quote to stop her group from taking a wrong step. She wanted everyone to live¡­ for a long time. He shook his head. ¡°I¡¯d take a fun life over a long life any day of the week.¡± On paper, his previous life was great, if not perfect. Did he enjoy it? Not much. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ I can¡¯t help but agree with you,¡± Sung-Sun admitted with a sigh. ¡°But we, Hollows, are confined to our fate. There isn¡¯t much we can do in the way of having fun. Why not go for long lives?¡± He gently extended his hand and touched the snake¡¯s head. The cold, scaly texture of the seashell mask fused to her head made him flinch. Her eyes showed confusion as they nced this way and that, blinking softly in the dim light. ¡°I¡¯ll teach you how to have fun. It¡¯s my promise, okay?¡± ¡°You treating me like a child might be the most absurd thing that ever happened to me.¡± He chuckled and drew back his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll do it again if you look depressed.¡± She had massively helped him in adapting to Harribel¡¯s training. She was the reason Harribel didn¡¯t go full hardcore from the start and took strides in guiding him through different levels of skills. ¡°Note to self, don¡¯t look depressed in front of Kazuya.¡± ¡°Won¡¯t work, Madame. I tend to bring out the worst in people around me. Just look at Api.¡± The mention of Api made Sung-Sun giggle. Over the past few weeks, Sung-Sun and Kazuya made Api¡¯s life lively by constantly teasing her and making pranks on her. Hearing distinct footsteps, he looked over his shoulder. ¡°Speak of the devil.¡± Api entered the cave, ring at him with fire in her eyes. ¡°What are you two plotting now?¡± ¡°I take the fifth on that.¡± ¡°Me too.¡± ¡°Fuck you, Sung-Sun,¡± Api muttered under her breath and strode out of the cave. Sung-Sun shook her head. ¡°She got angry¡­ or jealous.¡± ¡°She¡¯ll be back to her me-spitting form by tomorrow.¡± He nudged Sung-Sun before leaving the cave. He spotted Harribel sitting alone on a hill and joined her. ¡°Here for a breather?¡± Chapter 13: Unforeseen Chapter 13: Unforeseen Harribel''s gaze drifted up, her brow furrowed in contemtion as she studied the pale, round orb of the moon. She shook her head gently. ¡°I was reflecting on your growth¡­ and thinking about new things to teach you.¡± She was really invested in her role as his mentor, to the point of obsession. This very obsession pushed him to dy his n of seducing her, that and the fact both of them had yet to be an Arrancar. He felt weirdly turned off by the notion of having sex in his current body, even if both of them looked mostly humanoid. ¡®Guess I am not into monster sex.¡¯ It wasn¡¯t a bad thing per se as even Harribel, the closest to having a humanoid form, had most of her body covered in Hollow fragments. He rested his head on Harribel¡¯s thighs, looking utterlyfortable in his action. The white shell covering her legs was cool and soft to touch. ¡°I¡¯ll be here while you wreck your brain for ideas.¡± He had been on the receiving end of somep pillows after she wrecked him in training. She also loved showering him in care after beating the hell out of him. Kazuya closed his eyes, trying to maintain a steady breath as if he was sleeping. Harribel let out a soft sigh, and her fingers glided through his disheveled, white hair with a light touch. He sneakily opened his right eye and saw a tender look in her eyes. It was all the confirmation he needed. ¡®I was right about her.¡¯ In the month they spent together, he noticed many abnormalities ¡ª the way she always came up with things to teach him, the way her protective nature materialized every time he faced a Hollow, the way her eyes softened when she looked at him, and the way she never let him out of her sight for long time. All the signs pointed to Harribel loving him; like a sister loved her brother, or a mother loved her child. Familial love. That was why Harribel¡¯s demeanor shifted when he mentioned his age as a Hollow. A young one like him would be the perfect person to pamper and spoil. She subconsciously chose him as the target of her nurturing. It all made sense when taking her Hollow Hole¡¯s cement into consideration. ¡®Her Hollow hole is where her womb should be.¡¯ Harribel¡¯s death was most likely rted to a child. Her instincts unconsciously sought a recement for her missing child, and then she found him. ¡®Family-zoned by a Hollow.¡¯ The situation was so absurd that he didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry. It was truly ¡®one of the experiences¡¯ of all time. ¡®What am I supposed to do now? Call her mommy? Shark mommy?¡¯ He shook his head. There were more important tasks to fulfill than romancing Harribel, such as increasing his strength and starting the evolution chain of his other races. ¡®Baraggan wille after us, eventually.¡¯ Baraggan was a ve to his arrogance, expecting everyone in Hueco Mundo to view him as Godking. He wouldn¡¯t allow two Vasto Lorde to roam around unshackled, which would be akin to challenging his authority. Kazuya was bound to stick out on Baraggan¡¯s radar at some point. He needed strength if he hoped to survive Baraggan''s wrath. After all, no short-term training could help him defeat Baraggan and his army. ''The only other choice I have is Shinigami Academy... the den of hypnotized souls and its secret ruler Aizen. It''ll be fun stirring the assholes there.'' Aizen would be everywhere until he gets sit down by his own creation. Leaving also meant it was time to say farewell to Harribel, Api, Sung-Sun, and M Rose. A temporary farewell but a farewell?, nevertheless. He had gotten too used to teaming up with Sung-Sun, the two of them trying to tease Api into a miserable state. M Rose still hadn''t opened up to him, holding a grudge against him for destroying their group dynamic. Yet he had a strange fondness for her grumpy whining ¡ª more than he did for any of the anonymous Hollows they encountered in Hueco Mundo. He was going to miss them. ''I wish I could take them away from this hellhole.'' But his dream couldn''te true. Not with the Soul Reapers harboring deep prejudice for every Hollow. They saw Hollow as lost souls to be purified in the afterlife. He couldn''t me them either, as most Hollows lived to devour the souls of innocents. ''Let''s dy it until I help them get strong enough to survive.'' ¡°Yoooo, what do we have here?¡± M Rose strode up to them in a haughty demeanor. Seeing that Kazuya was asleep, she heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°Harribel-sama, you¡¯re pampering him too much.¡± Harribel looked at M Rose and back at Kazuya before drawing her hand back. ¡®Rose is right but I can¡¯t resist it.¡¯ It was like her instinct to spoil Kazuya, like a Gillian¡¯s instinct was to devour other Hollows, or a bird¡¯s instinct was to soar into the sky with its wings. ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­¡± she smiled gently. ¡°Kazuya needs to rest, or his training will bear no fruit.¡± She justified her ¡®instincts¡¯, wholeheartedly believing her behavior of spoiling Kazuya was the right way. ¡°Oh¡­¡± M Rose¡¯s head drooped and her body sagged as she lowered herself to the ground. Harribel¡¯s matter-of-fact response was like a gust of wind, blowing away her courage. After a few minutes of pretending, Kazuya stirred and got to his feet. He gave M Rose a surprised look. ¡°When did you arrive?¡± ¡°Been here before you were born¡­¡± M Rose whispered. ¡°Harribel-sama saved me before all of you.¡± His presence had be a negative influence in M Rose¡¯s life. She was unable to voice her discontent because of her unwavering loyalty to Harribel. ¡®I have to address her before it¡¯s toote.¡¯ He stretched his arm and beckoned M Rose. ¡°Come with me. We need to talk.¡± Harribel sharply narrowed her eyes, realizing his intentions. ¡°Don¡¯t push her too much.¡± Being the quiet, observant leader, she understood M Rose¡¯s problem with Kazuya. She looked forward to Kazuya¡¯s way of handling M Rose. From her observations, Kazuya wasn¡¯t rash, but he also wasn¡¯t kind toward strangers. While she spared those who obstructed her path, he mercilessly killed them and fed them to Api, and sometimes M Rose, and Sung-Sun. ¡®It¡¯ll be an excellent lesson for him,¡¯ thought Harribel, like a mother watching her child¡¯s growth. ¡®I expect him to get to her, eventually.¡¯ He was too stubborn to admit defeat. M Rose gritted her teeth. The way Harribel worded things, it seemed as if she was the problem here. She didn¡¯t like this feeling. Not one bit. Even so, she followed Kazuya like a pup, each step taking them further away from Harribel. When he was sure they were beyond Harribel¡¯s sight, he stopped and turned to face her. ¡°Franceska M Rose, are you a coward?¡± Chapter 14: Cure for Prejudice Chapter 14: Cure for Prejudice ¡°Franceska M Rose, are you a coward?¡± Kazuya¡¯s voice was soothing, yet his words were rage-inducing. ¡°Coward?!¡± M Rose roared fiercely, faint yellow Reiatsu flickering around her. The lioness¡¯ strongest show of Reiatsu couldn¡¯t intimidate him in the slightest. ¡°Who are you calling a coward? I have been chewing Hollows for longer than you.¡± ¡°Weird thing to be proud of.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Well, chewing bones doesn¡¯t stop you from being a coward. Only a coward would keep their thoughts contained for that long,¡± he said slowly, his eyes piercing into her soul. ¡°You have a problem with me, don¡¯t you? Say it to my face if you aren¡¯t a coward.¡± M Rose scowled. ¡°I don¡¯t have a problem with you. You are the problem looming over us!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to repeat what I just said. I want to know your reasoning forbeling me the problem? Every phenomenon in this universe has a reason. Your hatred should have one too.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because,¡± M Rose paused and looked around. After making sure nobody was eavesdropping, she red at him, eyes glowing menacingly. ¡°Harribel-sama is putting so much effort into training you. She will make you strong, stronger than herself¡­¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°You will betray us!¡± she growled. ¡°All male Hollows are scum. You¡¯ll kill Harribel-sama, me, and Sung-sun, and eat us... I have seen that happen so many times. Men are disloyal, backstabbing pieces of shit.¡± The pack she belonged to was torn apart because of a man''s megalomaniacal tendencies and the resulting internal strife. She would¡¯ve been a casualty if not for Harribel¡¯s timely rescue. In her eyes, Kazuya had all the markings of the man who caused her former pack to go up in ashes, even though their personalities were worlds apart from each other. She didn¡¯t have an ounce of trust in him. Kazuya expected some intricate reasoning behind her hatred. However, what he heard left him baffled. M Rose seems like one of those women who develop a profound detestation for all men after suffering one heartbreak. Perhaps this was her condition before she passed away and her soul became the dominant one in Adjuchas. ¡°Gosh, you¡¯re so¡­ strange. My image in your mind is that of an ambitious man who would destroy everything to gain strength. Right?¡± He was a bit twisted, but he wasn¡¯t a psychopath without empathy. M Rose¡¯s image couldn¡¯t be further from the truth. After all, he adored all four of his Hollow friends. M Rose nodded unconsciously, wondering how he read her mind so precisely. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Taking a deep breath, he looked her squarely in the eyes. ¡°Tell me one thing I did to deserve this assessment? Go on. Take as much time as you need.¡± He crossed his arms, tapping his left feet as if showing he was waiting. ¡°That¡¯s easy¡ª¡± M Rose paused, finding herself at a loss of words. After all, she couldn¡¯t find anything tangible to fire back at him, no matter how much she thought. He had been quietly supportive like Harribel. None of his actions so far resembled the evil man in her mind, causing her fantasy to crumble like a poorly constructed house of cards. ¡®I was¡­ wrong?¡¯ A tide of embarrassment swept over her upon recognizing her error. The confrontation brought about an end to her clouded perspective, which was obscured by the haze of bygone tragedy. She averted her gaze from his solemn eyes, looking remorseful for her immature judgment. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± She was quick to apologize as well, ying into her ¡®headstrong and quick to take action¡¯ archetype in his head. ¡°M Rose.¡± He raised his hand, index finger extended, sky blue Reiatsu enveloping his hand. Just when she thought he¡¯d p her as a punishment, he surprised her with a lightning fast flick on her chin. The attack wasn¡¯t vicious as M Rose expected. It still made her wince. ¡°That was your punishment. We¡¯re even now,¡± he said, his voice low and calming. He reached up and stroked her mane. ¡°I know there are terrible people out there, but their gender doesn¡¯t define who they are. There are just as many evil bitches out there as there are wicked men.¡± His face was a mask ofpassion and understanding as he brought her astray from the path of sexism. She nodded, listening to him as if his words were the profound truth of the world. He smirked. ¡°But then again, I don¡¯t care what you think about others. They can burn in hell for all I care.¡± ¡°...¡± He let his fingers linger, massaging her mane before trailing down to her ears in a gentle caress. Stepping back, he smiled at her with a look of contentment. He cured her deep sexism with little effort. The achievement was worthy of celebration on its own. ¡®My voice is so unfair against these naive girls.¡¯ He couldn¡¯t wait for the day his Hollow friends achieved the Arrancar stage and became humanoid. The day he would finalize his ns to take them. ¡®Is this considered grooming? Hmmm¡­ Who cares.¡¯ M Rose veered over and hit his leg with her head. ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to stalk me? It¡¯s creepy.¡± ¡°You wish! I will do it to make sure Harribel-sama is safe from you.¡± ¡°Funny you say that. I¡¯m worried Harribel might do something to me before I do anything to her.¡± M Rose recalled Harribel¡¯s extreme ways to train him. Harribel¡¯s interest in him bordered the lines of obsession. She felt like the chances of his words being true were higher than Harribel suffering at his hands. It was another aspect she had missed in her one-sided hate for Kazuya. ¡°T-Then I will make sure to keep you safe from Harribel-sama.¡± ¡°A. I¡¯m melting from your consideration.¡± ¡°Why do you have to act so annoying?!¡± ¡°Because it pleases me? Does it¡ª¡± Suddenly, a Hollow emanating a dangerous Reiatsu entered his perception. M Rose involuntarily shuddered, the terror of a powerful Vasto Lorde coursing through her. ¡°We have a guest,¡± he whispered, eying rapidly flying towards them in a blur. ¡°A powerful one.¡± The Hollownded on a mountain before him and their appearance became clearer. His mouth hung open in surprise. The Hollow was a striking sight in the darkness ¡ª a young woman with short, curly purple twin-tails and eyes of the same color. Her frilly dress clung to her body, itsrge puffy sleeves cutting off just above her shoulders, and two short wings extended from her back. The wings were a part of her dress. She had paired her outfit with opera gloves, knee-high boots, and leg warmers connected to garters at her thighs. A light purple teardrop marking painted onto each of her cheeks, violet lipstick, and ck fingernailspleted her voluminous Goth Lolita look. She was quite literally the embodiment of Gothic Lolita in Japanese fashion. Kazuya''s brows twitched. "Fuck me. Baraggan sent an Arrancar after us." She was what Kazuya strived to be - an Arrancar. The remnant of her Hollow form was a spiked hairpin. He wondered about his own Arrancar form. How would he look and what shape will his Zanpakut¨­ take? The woman''s eyes widened before she nodded to herself. "Knowing about Arrancars won''t change your fate. #5 Espada, Ciri Sanderwi is here to collect you and your friend Vasto Lorde." A smirk stretched across her face as she reached behind her and pulled out a long whip with arge metal disc attached to it. Her look of haughtiness was almost intimidating, as she casually swung the whip, its tip slicing through the air with a sharp crack. "Bring the other Vasto Lorde, boy," she said in a mocking tone. "or not, it doesn''t matter to me. I enjoy watching pathetic losers try to resist me. That always gives me an excuse to teach them a lesson with my whip. Ahahaha." Baraggan just had to send a sadistic one to fetch him. Chapter 15: A Real Challenge (I) Chapter 15: A Real Challenge (I) Ciri Sanderwi, current #5 Espada, under the reign of Baraggan Louisenbairbe. While not yet empowered by Aizen''s Hogyoku, her natural prowess as an Arrancar made her a force to be reckoned with. Her Zanpakut¨­, Golondrina, was a sight to behold. It was a whip in her hand, a giant golden disc-like de attached to the end. A formidable Zanpakut¨­ that covered both melee and long range. Kazuya never thought his first real opponent would be a woman, much less one with the attitude of a pissed-off alley cat. He saw M Rose trembling with fear and flicked her mask. ¡°Kitten, get off your ass and go to Harribel. Tell her not to interfere with the battle.¡± After honing his racial abilities and Aspect of Death for a month in a training montage worthy of a shounen anime, he felt ready to take on a foe of Ciri¡¯s caliber.
[General Information] Name ¡ª Kazuya Ishihara Gender ¡ª Male Race ¡ª Hollow (Vasto Lorde) Reiryoku Level ¡ª Great Level (Captain-ss) Alignment ¡ª Neutral Evil Affiliation ¡ª None ¡­
Racial Abilities [Cero: Reiryoku offensive technique Mastery level - High.] [Sonido: Movement technique Mastery level - High.] [Garganta: Limited Spatial Distortion technique. Mastery level - Basic.]
Innate Abilities [Silvery Voice: Your voice can influence people¡¯s state of mind. The ability works best in persuading or seducing someone.] [Oppression (Aspect of Death): The materialization of your Hollow Heart.] [Crumbling Heart (Hollow): Living beings ssified as ¡®Hollow¡¯ receive nourishment and enhancements.] [Regeneration: Your wounds regenerate automatically. The time required depends on the severity of the wounds.]
Acquired Abilities [Seduction: The ability to seduce those of the opposite gender. Mastery level - Intermediate] [Riding: The ability to ride a mount. Mastery level - Intermediate] [Arithmetic: The ability to process arithmetic problems. Mastery level - Intermediate] [Provocation: The ability to anger people with your tongue. Mastery level - Basic]
[Equipment] ¡­
His status reinforced his confidence. M Rose didn¡¯t share his positive outlook of the situation. ¡°You''ll go up against her alone?! She''ll tear you apart!¡± ¡°It¡¯ll be an honorable death then,¡± he said with a warm smile that crinkled his eyes behind his mask. He reached out and gently patted her head before straightening up to his full height. ¡°Hurry before she targets you.¡± ¡°No friggin¡¯ way. I don¡¯t abandon my people. I¡¯ll stay and fight.¡± ¡°A. It¡¯s so nice of you to finally acknowledge me as your own. But you¡¯re dishonoring me now. I said I want a solo fight with her.¡± M Rose stared at him for a long second before she turned around and made a run for Harribel, clearly not buying into his solo fight request. Ciri nced at M Rose, but he stepped in to hide the lioness from her view. ¡°Hollow Lady, you have the most punchable face I have seen on a woman. Care to share your secret?¡± Ciri¡¯s face twisted. ¡°You lowly lifeform. I¡¯ll add five whips to treat your insolence.¡± She had an unshakeable belief in her strength, so much so that she didn¡¯t take Kazuya as an actual threat. Well, Kazuya suppressing his Reiatsu also contributed to her inted ego. He wasn¡¯t about to expose the full extent of his power level to every Tom, Dick, and Harry Hollow. He had to be deliberate about attracting unwanted attention from some mega powerful Hollow of this era. He observed the battlefield. Ciri was seething, but not making any move. ¡®I¡¯ll go first.¡¯ Kazuya wasted no time and activated his Son¨ªdo skill in a heartbeat. With a resounding boom, he bridged the gap between them with electrifying speed and unleashed a devastating kick to Ciri''s midsection. The sheer force of the blow propelled her like aet through the mountainside. A cacophony of crumbling rock and shattering earth erupted as dust and debris rained down. The air was thick with the haze of destruction, a testament to the raw power that had just been unleashed. ¡°She is so hard,¡± he muttered, feeling like he kicked a wall of iron. ¡°Arrancars and their bullshit defense. Definitely not envious.¡± As the dust swirled and danced in the aftermath of the impact, Ciri''s massive disc emerged from the haze. The lethal weapon tore through the air, honing in on Kazuya''s skull with a furious velocity. It was a zingly fast attack, yet it paled inparison to the ferocious onught that Harribel had unleashed during their training sessions. With a deft twist of his body, Kazuya evaded the golden disc by a hair¡¯s breadth, narrowly escaping the jaws of death. As he darted away, her Zanpakut¨­ found a new target in the unsuspecting hillside mere feet from his previous position. The disc collided with the earth, carving a path of destruction as it plowed through the dirt, pulverizing stones and scattering them in its wake. Sod burst forth in every direction, a torrent of shrapnel born from the ferocity of Ciri''s relentless assault. Thendscape trembled, changed by the brutal dance of battle. ¡®This is her sealed state.¡¯ He could only imagine the destruction Ciri could cause in her Resurri¨®n state, the technique which allowed Arrancars to ess all of their Hollow powers. Ciri emerged from the dissipating dust cloud, holding her whip as the disc spun endlessly. ¡°Do you not know that Hierro hardens an Arrancar¡¯s skin? Give it your all if you want to hurt me physically.¡± As an Adjuchas Arrancar, her base Reiatsu was some levels below a Vasto Lorde. Her Hierro still allowed her to defend his physical attack. ¡°I do love a woman who can take punishment. Hey, how about you and I¡­ What do Hollows say when they want to court a woman? Care to show me the ropes as the older, more experienced one?¡± Ciri¡¯s face turned red. ¡°The hell is wrong with you? I¡¯d never court an asshole like you!¡± ¡°Bummer.¡± Chapter 16: A Real Challenge (II) Chapter 16: A Real Challenge (II) Ciri pounced at Kazuya like a ravenous predator. With a swift and ferocious swing of her whip, shemanded the golden disc to swivel towards him, the spinning de hungry to cleave him in half. Yet Kazuya vaulted over the lethal whirlwind of steel, evading its deadly embrace. In a blink, he employed his Son¨ªdo skill once more, shing away to another mountain in the distance. His Sonido was extremely polished, so much so that Ciri was having a hard time catching him with her Zanpakut¨­. This speed enhancement ability, however, had a steep cost in Reiryoku. As a gifted Vasto Lorde, he had all the Reiryoku in the world to run circles around the goth Arrancar for a day or two. He wasn¡¯t looking to just run, though. He wanted to defeat her with his own hands. To prove that Harribel¡¯s training bore a fruit sweeter than honey. Ciri, hot on his heels, swung her whip in an enormous arc. He leaped over the trajectory and dodged the follow-up attacks like a specter. ¡°Well, enough running around.¡± Ciri made a twisted face. ¡°I should be saying that. Stop and face your punishment, hooligan.¡± His shy maneuvers gave her whip a hard time. Kazuya shed a wicked smile and his knuckles sparked with a gentle blue light. ¡°You asked for it, woman. Don¡¯t cry now.¡± ¡°What is that?¡± Ciri asked, narrowing her eyes. ¡°It looks like Reiatsu but it¡¯s more than that¡­. Is that your special ability?¡± All Hollows had a guaranteed chance of developing a special ability once they became Arrancar. An ability based upon their soul. They could use their ability at the Vasto Lorde stage, albeit to a limited degree. However, Arrancars could fully unleash their ability in their Resurri¨®n state. ¡°Maybe.¡± ¡°Cocky, eh? I¡¯ll obliterate all your resistance and tame you¡­ before gifting you to our leader.¡± She had cut down countless of her kind to reach her current position in Barragan¡¯s army. She could tell the battle would take too long in her current form. She chose to use her trump card. ¡°Rip off¡­ Golondrina!¡± Ciri erupted with a st of pink Reiatsu. Her Resurri¨®n form materialized, changing her into an immense white swallow-like figure. Arge beak-like headpiece covered her forehead, a long feathery growing mane growing from it. She also grew two pairs of wings; oneposed of five slender metallic discs on each side and the other with normal feathers. She went from a normal-looking woman to a winged-predator at a moment¡¯s notice. Grinning, she shed her enormous yet thin w. ¡°Are you ready to be sliced apart, pitiful guy?¡± ¡°This form just eased my guilty conscience about beating a beautiful woman.¡± Just as Ciri lunged at him, a figure flickered in her path, interrupting the battle before it started. An imposing figure, stood tall and well-built with an air of sinister yfulness. His ck hair styled to resemble two demonic horns and the remnants of his Hollow mask were a stark white te adorning his forehead. ¡°Dun dana dana dat dat ta.¡± The intruder pointed at Ciri with a dramatic pose. ¡°Hey, old friend. Fancy running into you here¡­ in the middle of nowhere.¡± He lied as naturally as a chameleon changing colors. He had been stalking Ciri ever since she left their base. Neither Kazuya nor Ciri looked all too happy about the new guest. He was, after all, another one of Espada. An Arrancar even stronger than Ciri. She growled at her ¡®co-worker¡¯, like a beast prepared to devour another. ¡°Fuck off, Dordoni. I told you to stay behind.¡± She had vehemently refused to ept help from another Espada to experience a stimulus to her inner heart. She believed she could crush Harribel and Kazuya single-handedly and deliver them to Las Noches on her own. ¡°Using the released form against a young fawn is unbefitting of our status.¡± Dordoni Alessandro Del Socio crossed his arms with a somewhat solemn expression. There was no reason for him to obey Ciri, who was below him in both Espada rankings and power. ¡°We came here to escort this Ni?o to our king, not kill him.¡± The young fawn in question was undoubtedly the Vasto Lorde rearing to throw down with Ciri. Kazuya put out his innate ability and sighed. ¡°Ciri is right, Ni?o. Stay out of her business. Let me kick her ass.¡± Dordoni¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You said Ni?o as one should. Incredible, Ni?o.¡± ¡°...Move or I¡¯ll have to kill you both.¡± Kazuya¡¯s eyes glowed with the ferocity of a beast. He despised two types of people the most ¡ª those who butted in other¡¯s business for no reason and those who projected their beliefs upon others, expecting them to do what¡¯s right in their eyes. Dordoni belonged to the former category, albeit to a less annoying degree. The unfazed Arrancarughed. ¡°Go ahead then, Ni?o. Have your wish. I¡¯ll not save you if she kills you.¡± Dordoni didn¡¯t wait for an answer and flickered to a hill in the distance with his Son¨ªdo, taking the role of an observer over a participant. Ciri would answer to Baraggan should any Vasto Lorde die here. It wouldn¡¯t be his responsibility. A win win for him since he despised meeting Baraggan. ¡°Nobody is killing my people,¡± a cold voice echoed as Harribel appeared in front of Kazuya, as his guardian. Her Reiatsu swelled to the very limits of a Vasto Lorde, as if provoking Ciri toy her hands on Kazuya. ¡°I. Dare. You.¡± Ciri''s rage simmered and swelled like a tempest. Consumed by fury, she roared andunched all ten de wings at Harribel. The spiritual particles vibrated at extreme speeds around the edges of her de wings, enough to bisect a Vasto Lorde in half with ease. Kazuya felt a cold shiver run down his spine. ¡°Move!¡± Harribel, steeling herself for the onught, straightened her sword arm, ready to deflect the des head-on. Her intention was driven not by pride, but by the fierce determination to protect Kazuya from harm. Without another thought, Kazuya seized Harribel and employed his Son¨ªdo skill to whisk them out of the path of Ciri''s ferocious assault. ¡°Are you stupid?¡± he admonished, pushing her shoulder. ¡°You almost died. What are you even thinking?¡± He noticed her momentary distraction, her gaze lingering not on his face, but on his arm. Drip. Drip. Drip. The chilling sound drew his attention, and he flinched. Blood flowed in crimson waves, staining the pristine white sands of Hueco Mundo like paint on an artist''s canvas. Harribel came out unscathed from their encounter with Ciri¡¯s Resurri¨®n form but he wasn¡¯t so lucky. Chapter 17: Pain Chapter 17: Pain The stark reality of Kazuya¡¯s injury hit him like a tidal wave; his left arm had been cleanly severed from the shoulder when he grabbed Harribel. An excruciating pain coursed through him, igniting every nerve and searing his consciousness. Though he was a soul ¡ª a Hollow ¡ª his pain was as vivid and overwhelming as the most acute sensations in his life. "Agh." Kazuya bit down on his tongue, suppressing the scream that threatened to escape his lips. His rigorous training with Harribel had instilled in him the importance of restraint and self-control. He had already possessed a strong sense of discipline before entering this world, but now it was being put to the ultimate test. ¡°Fuck.¡± Harribel showed a horrified look. ¡°Kazuya, this¡­¡± ¡°Kazuya!¡± Harribel wasn''t the only one terrified as three anxious voices called out from behind Kazuya. Api, Sung-Sun, and even M Rose raced towards him, their faces etched with worry. Api''s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, on the verge of breaking, while Sung-Sun maintained herposure despite the gravity of the situation. Each of them felt the weight of Kazuya''s injury and the potential consequences thaty ahead. "She is too powerful. Let''s make a run for it." Api, unwilling to lose anyone, suggested the best strategy she could think of ¡ª running away from the threat. ¡°We can¡¯t win against her.¡± "It will be hard¡­" Cyan Sung-Sun shook her head, her expression grave. "She is faster than us. Way too fast. Kazuya, remember what I told you¡­ You can aplish anything as long as you''re alive. You can do nothing if you''re dead." Sung-Sun could discern that the Arrancar, Ciri, initially wanted Kazuya alive, but his relentless provocation had altered the dynamic. Now, the stakes were higher, and their survival hung in the bnce. ¡°Does it hurt, Ni?o?¡± Dordoni asked with a grin. ¡°Does it hurt enough to make you give up? Just know that your friends will be ughtered if you throw the towel.¡± Dordoni could see the terror in Sung-Sun''s and Api''s eyes, but their determination to stand by their friend was unwavering. They were willing to face their trembling hearts to support those they cared about. ''The kind of friends who make sacrifices for others. Ni?o is fortunate.'' He had once been like them, until the war had imed the lives of everyone he cared about. Now, he had no one worth sacrificing his life for. The memories of his past life, filled with camaraderie and selflessness, seemed like a distant dream as he stood there, detached from the bonds that once held him together. Forged in mes of war, Dordoni was reborn as a demon. ¡°No way, geez.¡± Kazuya closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath as he felt the agonizing pain running through his body. Despite it all, he opened his eyes again and forced a smile. ¡°Girls, ¡®Tis but a scratch. I can regen it easily.¡± ¡°Scratch? Your arm¡¯s off!¡± Api was losing her mind over their safety. ¡°You make me mad!¡± Harribel red at the Espadas. Despite frantically rummaging through her mind, she could find no way out of the dire situation she was in. She closed her eyes before opening them again with renewed determination. ¡®There is one way they can escape safely.¡¯ Her most despised act ¡ª Sacrifice. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about that, Harribel.¡± Kazuya shut down her idea as if he could read her mind. His eyes zed with defiance and rage. ¡°This is my fight. Stay out of it.¡± Harribel stood there, shocked out of her mind. He turned his back on her and walked to his previous spot, even as the pain was killing him from inside. Ciri hovered above him, a condescending smirk etched across her face as she reveled in his pain. She cast a fleeting nce at the severed arm twitching on the ground between them, daring him to make a move. ¡°Can''t take the pain now, Big Boy? I''ll do you a favor then. Take your arm and heal yourself.¡± Her intentions were clear: she sought to thoroughly humiliate him and crush his resilient spirit. Her haughty demeanor and mocking tone were yet another demonstration of her arrogance, a reflection of her belief in her own superiority. Kazuya picked up his severed arm and brought it close to his shoulder. The residual Reiryoku within the limb sought him instinctively. As the two sources of power connected, the detached limb was yanked into its rightful position, seamlessly reattaching itself. While his regeneration skill could fully recreate the limb from scratch, even if the arm had been lost. The process could have taken days or even weeks. As the sensation returned to his left arm and fingers, Kazuya allowed himself a moment of relief. "Phew. I thought I lost an arm."
[Ability: Pain Resistance acquired.] [Current Master Level: Basic.]
His experience crystallized into a great skill for prolonged battles. ¡°Ready to fight now?¡± He flexed his left arm and covered his knuckles with his Aspect of Death. "Let''s continue our dance." ¡°I''ll wipe that cheekiness from your mug.¡± Ciri pped both pairs of wings and charged at Kazuya. The de wings approached from both sides, poised to slice him into pieces. Kazuya proved to be one step ahead again, outsmarting her with his Son¨ªdo. In the blink of an eye, he teleported above her, evading the deadly ded wings that whistled through the air where he had just stood moments before. ¡°I am only using two wings. It¡¯s unfair of you to use four.¡± He reached out and traced the middle of her ded wings, his hands meeting in the center. His Reiatsu left a hazy blue glow on her wings. "Get off my back," she growled, attempting to grab him with her long tail. But once again, he evaded her grasp with his quick reflexes. She turned and red at him, only to feel her wings grow heavier and heavier with each breath until she couldn¡¯t control them. Her smaller feathery wings couldn¡¯t keep her afloat, either. Ciri descended, struggling to maintain her bnce and grace. In a hurry, she solidified Reiatsu beneath her feet to keep herself in the air. ¡°What did you do?!¡± ¡°Oh,e on now. You can¡¯t honestly be that oblivious,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll break it down for you in terms a toddler couldprehend. I increased the weight of your metallic wings.¡± Since her wings weren''t directly protected by her Reiatsu, he could easily increase their weight with a little amount of Reiryoku, taking away one of her strongest offensive weapons with ease. The simple structure of the wings made it even easier to manipte. Ciri attempted to infuse her wings with Reiryoku, hoping to eradicate his Aspect of Death, but to no avail. He had irreversibly altered their properties. "I really liked them, but I have no choice now... Alright then.¡± She gave a nonchnt shrug, and the once formidable ded wings plummeted to the ground, their metallic ngs echoing in the air. The colossal white ws slipped from her grasp. What remained were two elongated bones, a skeletal reminder of her former wings, a pair of lighter wings, and a dangerous, whip-like tail that seemed to harbor a life of its own. Chapter 18: End of Despair Chapter 18: End of Despair Kazuya observed Ciri with a look of admiration. By altering her physical form without deactivating her Resurri¨®n, Ciri had permanently damaged her Zanpakut¨­. She could never wield her ded wings and ws again, and more crucially, she would never assume her previous human form again. The lengths she will go to defeat him were both shocking and admirable. Her unwavering pride as an Espada refused to let her back down, regardless of the challenge. "Ciri, no matter how much of a bitch you are," he said. "I can''t help but admire you." ¡°I don''t need your pity or respect,¡± Ciri spat lowered her gaze, her wild silver mane casting a shadow over her sweat-drenched face. ¡°I¡¯m a soldier. A warrior. I¡¯ll defeat you and drag you to Baraggan, even if it kills me.¡± Ciri''s life had always been a whirlwind of stolen moments and borrowed time. She had once roamed the destendscapes of Hueco Mundo, an aimless Adjuchas who tore her mask off in a futile attempt to escape her despair. But she survived, even evolving further into an Arrancar. It was the biggest mistake of her life as Baraggan learned of her power and forced her into submission as one of his Espada. She was shackled to his cruel reign, a puppet dancing to his every whim. The alternative was bing a husk of a soul within a madman¡¯sb. "I¡¯ll liberate you from Baraggan¡¯s oppression," Kazuya said, his voice tinged with both empathy and conviction. ¡°¡ªWith death." As much as he sympathized with her helplessness, they stood on opposite ends of roads as enemies. He couldn¡¯t afford to show her any mercy. Ciri''sughter rang out, harsh and defiant, as she turned to Dordoni. "Dordoni, handle the other Vasto Lorde over there. I won''t have much energy left after dealing with this guy. That one is also strong." It was rare for her to put down her pride and seek assistance, even from fellow soldiers under the same ruler. Yet today, she made an exception, believing that her battle with Kazuya could very well be herst. She was determined to fulfill her duty as an Espada to the bitter end, just to avoid the same fate as the other Barragan¡¯s subordinates who failed him. Dordoni nodded at her request. ¡°I can do that, Ciri.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll focus my Reiryoku into one attack.¡± Ciri didn¡¯t stop a second to despair. She still had hope in wrecking Kazuya ¡ª the menacing tail looming behind her could finally use the Reiryoku she had previously channeled to maintain control over her wings. Her standing tail had projected an enormous pink fan at its end. A sharp fan of Reiatsu that could slice through physical matters with ease. ¡°I won¡¯t hold back either then.¡± Kazuya closed his eyes, feeling every fiber of Reishi making up his Hollow body. Channeling his Aspect of Death, he slipped wisps of his Reiatsu within his Reishi, causing it to integrate and intermingle with his body. A technique he had refined endlessly in the past month to raise the density of his muscles, leading to more explosive power and durability at the cost of lowered mobility. Could he outmatch an Adjuchas Arrancar in terms of durability? Probably not. But he felt like honoring Ciri for once and taking her head-on. It was a rare chance to engage in a bloody fight with an Espada. A pissed off, slightly depressed Espada, but an Espada nevertheless. Ciri grinned at his resolve. ¡°Come. I¡¯ll show you the despair of being a weak worm in Hueco Mundo. The despair of groveling at the feet of those stronger than you.¡± The two charged at each other. Ciri touched the ground as her tail extended at him, the massive fan swinging down at him. He kicked the fan away and charged at Ciri, his wings aiding his mobility greatly. Ciri leaped back, narrowly avoiding Kazuya''s fist, and retaliated by swatting him with the t side of her fan. He barely raised his arms to block the impact. Yet he was sent careening through the air, his body momentarily stunned by the blow. Ciri rubbed her sweaty face with the back of her hand and breathed heavily. ¡°st you. You think I¡¯ll fight you with honor now? After all the bullshit you pulled.¡± She had felt death when Kazuya¡¯s fist nearly grazed her. Her Hierro, once thought to be imprable, now seemed vulnerable against his crushing power of Oppression. She saw the same fear mirrored in his eyes ¡ª he, too, would not survive many a direct hit from her lethal tail. Whoevernded a clean hit would emerge victorious. ¡°Ahaha, Karma is a bitch.¡± Kazuya chuckled as he dusted his shirt. ¡°Not a bigger bitch than you.¡± With those final words, the two warriors charged towards one another, their speed and power intensified by the knowledge that everything rested on this final exchange. The ground rumbled beneath their feet as they collided, a dazzling explosion of Reiatsu erupting around them. They were in Kazuya¡¯s mostfortable fighting spot ¡ª closed range. He had trained his fighting skills with Harribel, another melee fighter. Even with reduced speed, he could avoid her attacks by his intuition. Ciri was a little exhausted after casting her Resurri¨®n form ¡ª a problem every natural Arrancar had to deal with due to their unstable powers. Her exhaustion was further intensified by the burden that came with permanently damaging her Zanpakut¨­. She grew slower with each exchange, the battle showing its effect on her. Sidestepping her fan, Kazuya lunged into her zone and smashed his fist in her belly. The enhanced fist instantly broke through her Hierro and sent her a few steps back. She copsed to her knees, blood spewing from her mouth. ¡°Cough. Cough. Cough. You¡­ You bastard.¡± She wiped the crimson stains with her white dress and red at him. While she was worse for wear, he looked energetic, as if he hadn¡¯t been battling her all this time. ¡°You are disgusting.¡± ¡°But I love you, sweetheart.¡± Gritting her teeth, Ciri poured thest of her Reiryoku to seal her wound. She had sacrificed the high-level regeneration one would need to heal internal wounds but she could still close those wounds so they won¡¯t impact her performance. She forced herself back to her feet, her fan morphing into a long spear. With its extended reach and increased difficulty to evade, the weapon demanded more precision than ever before. ¡°Just give up, Ciri. You are in no condition to use that.¡± The way she looked, it was hard to say she could bring out its full power. ¡°Shut up!¡± Growling like a cornered beast, she lunged at him once more. Though her physical reserves were all but depleted, her indomitable spirit refused to yield. Armed with nothing more than a spear and a weary body, she clung to the desperate hope that somehow, she would breach his defenses and deliver a decisive strike. Kazuya parried her spear strikes with precision, each deflection seemingly effortless. Despite appearing unscathed, he struggled internally ¡ª enhancing his body with Oppression raised his fatigue like no tomorrow. ¡®Dordoni is eyeing me¡­ I have to end this fast.¡¯ Dordoni remained an unpredictable variable, his intentions a mystery to Kazuya. Evading a barrage of spear thrusts, Kazuya utilized Son¨ªdo to maneuver behind Ciri. He tightened his fist and struck. His heavy fist split open the back of her head. Ciri couldn¡¯t react in time, and crumpled to her knees before copsing onto the white sands. Blood seeped from her wound, staining her silver mane and the pristine sands with its deep crimson hue. ¡°Farewell¡­ my first opponent. You will not be missed.¡± A hint of sadness washed over Kazuya as he gazed at the fallen Ciri. In different circumstances, she might have be a cherished friend or even a passionate lover. ''Not in this timeline.'' It was an anticlimactic yet fitting end for the prideful Ciri. Chapter 19: Broken Chapter 19: Broken Dordoni had been somewhat skeptical of Kazuya''s abilities as a Vasto Lorde until he witnessed the power that made Ciri''s ded wings useless. His amusement turned to shock at that very moment. He couldn¡¯t tell the origin of the energy enveloping Kazuya''s arms; the energy single-handedly pushed Ciri away and changed the tide of the battle. ''I''ve never seen anything like this. Ni?o''s ability is on the level of an Aspect of Death.'' In the struggling youth, Dordoni saw potential. A talent who could challenge the current #1 Espada, a potential threat to King Baraggan''s eternal reign over Hueco Mundo. As an Espada, he should intervene in the fight and y Kazuya before he could evene close to bing a menace to his ¡®Lord.¡¯ To eliminate the threat in its infancy. Yet Dordoni couldn''t help but imagine a world without King Baraggan in Las Noches. A beautiful world where Hollows weren''t forced into submission by a heartless tyrant. Like all good things, this beautiful reality would require sacrifices toe to fruition. In order to bring down Baraggan, Kazuya would have to be a demon himself. Dordoni sighed. ¡°I¡¯m asking too much from Ni?o. Should I kill hispanions to make him loath Baraggan?¡± While Dordoni pondered making a real enemy out of Kazuya, Ciri¡¯s battle ended with her defeat. ¡®Ciri is still alive, Ni?o. What are you doing by sparing her?¡¯ Dordoni shook his head, a disappointed sigh leaving his lips. ¡°Ni?o, you are not the demon Hueco Mundo needs. To give me hope, I must destroy you. Maybe you¡¯ll show your true potential if I push you.¡± ¡­ Harribel forgot to blink as the intense battle unfolded before her, her eyes shimmering with a blend of pride and concern for Kazuya. She marveled at how far he hade in such a short time, absorbing her teachings and growing as a warrior. Yet, the ferocity of the battle made her heart race with worry. The maternal instinct within her yearned to intervene, to crush Ciri and shield him from harm. ¡®No, it¡¯s his fight. I can¡¯t intervene.¡¯ She gritted her teeth, her heart pounding in her chest as she reminded herself that this was Kazuya''s battle to fight, not hers. It was essential for him to face this challenge on his own, to grow and test his limits. As anticipated, he bested Ciri, delivering a decisive blow to her head. Yet, he bore no look of satisfaction. ¡®That¡¯s war¡­ No warrior truly wins.¡¯ She was truly pleased to see Kazuya feeling no satisfaction with the battle. Feeling a sudden chill in the air, she turned to Dordoni, who red at Kazuya with killing intent in his eyes. The moment she noticed the murderous re, she knew she had to act and protect Kazuya. ¡°Do not think about it.¡± Harribelunched herself towards Dordoni, her powerful legs propelling her with incredible speed. Her eyes narrowed, focused entirely on her target ¡ª the #3 Espada who dared threaten her precious. Golden Reiatsu enveloped her. She wouldn''t allow anyone to sneak attack Kazuya, no matter how strong they were. Dordoni turned his attention towards her, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. He hadn''t expected her to engage him directly, but he quickly adjusted, a sinister grin spreading across his face. ¡°Well, well. I didn''t think you would be so quick. This is better for me. I¡¯ll end the two Vasto Lorde then the Adjuchas over there. Easy peasy~.¡± Kazuya turned around to Dordoni. ¡°One versus five. Do you like those odds?¡± ¡°Like? I love them.¡± Dordoni clutched the katana hanging by his waist. ¡°Whirl.¡± As he unsheathed the Zanpakut¨­, a storm rose with him in the center and blew Harribel away. He was the eye of the storm. The baron of wind. ¡°Giralda.¡± His Zanpakut¨­ transformed into a pair ofrge, wind-based, ded turbines attached to his wrists and legs. Two giant, curved horns protruded from his shoulders. Two cyclones jut out from the exhaust spores on his legs, granting him the ability to fly. Another two cyclones poured from the armor on his wrists, each ending with arge bird head. His Resurri¨®n form was unshackled. Kazuya exhaled and tightened his fist. Dordoni''s spiritual pressure was a cut above Ciri¡¯s level. ¡°As you wish, man. I¡¯ll send you to Ciri in the second afterlife.¡± "Kazuya, step back," Harribel said, regaining her footing and ncing in his direction. "Take everyone and leave. I''ll take care of him." Her determination to make the ultimate sacrifice only intensified upon witnessing Kazuya''s growth. She also believed Kazuya wouldn¡¯t have enough strength in him to fight Dordoni after his grueling battle with Ciri. "Go!" She roared at Kazuya and hurled herself back at Dordoni, only to be repelled once more. His wind attacks were lethal to her closebat style, preventing her from getting near him. She attempted to slice through the cyclones with her sword, but they regenerated rapidly. Soon, she was overpowered. The wind sliced into her armor, shattering it in ces, but she persisted in her ferocious assault. Her relentless aggression was like a cornered lioness, desperate to protect her cub. "Woman, are you foolish?" Dordoni taunted. "You can''t defeat the weakest Espada with your power. Stop wasting my time." Kazuya caught Harribel mid-air andnded near Api. "You can''t defeat him with brute strength... I''m an exception with my ability." Harribel audibly gritted her teeth and shoved him away, rising to her feet. "I don''t need to defeat him. I just need to buy time for you. Just go away." He couldn''t help but roll his eyes. "Don''t be so self-centered, Harribel. Who said you could sacrifice yourself? All I''m saying is, shut up and fight him with me." "End this lover''s quarrel, or I''ll end you both," Dordoni cackled like a madman, reveling in his role as the viin. "I''m itching for a battle here, you know?" "You madman." M Rose roared at Dordoni, fully aware of the power the Arrancar wielded and the risk she was taking in provoking him. "Why are you doing this? Leave¡­ us alone!" "You ask for my reason?" Dordoni chuckled, his voice dripping with malevolence. "We came here to do a job in peace, but your friend here is too arrogant and hot-headed. Every ounce of pain I''m about to inflict, just remember he brought it upon himself." ¡°You¡­¡± "In Hueco Mundo, the King, the Emperor, the God is the one with the mightiest fist. If you find this system unfair by any stretch, grow your fangs and tear it apart. Until then, you are bound to Lord Baraggan beneath Hueco Mundo¡¯s sky." M Rose red at Dordoni before she shifted her gaze to Kazuya. Just like Harribel, she assumed that Kazuya wasn¡¯t in any shape to fight a foe of Dordoni¡¯s level. And Harribel couldn¡¯t even close the gap between them. ¡®It¡¯s my turn to protect them and him.¡¯ They hadn¡¯t been on the best of terms these past days. In fact she had barely started to know him without her previous bias. How could she do that if he or Harribel died here today? Kill Dordoni and protect him from Baraggan ¡ª both goals aligned with each other. ¡°Fangs¡­ I''ll grow my fangs and rip you limb to limb.¡± With a shaking roar, she smashed her head against Kazuya¡¯s steel-like knee. Crack. Crack. Crack. M Rose¡¯s golden mask fractured, and a burst of golden light enveloped her. Chapter 20: Arrancarization Chapter 20: Arrancarization 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. 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).'' M Rose¡¯s rampaging Reiatsu suggested she was losing control over her instincts, her desires and instincts teetering on the brink of overpowering her. Harribel''s eyes remained locked on M Rose, unblinking. ¡°What has she done¡­ M Rose?!¡± 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. "You''ve got to pull through, Kitten," Sung-Sun whispered. 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. Api nudged Sung-Sun with her horn. ¡°Trust me, she will. Rose is too stubborn to die like this¡­¡± 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. ¡°Haha, I know.¡± Laughter tinged with worry escaped them as they watched M Rose''s struggle, their hearts pounding with anxiety. 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." His advice ignited a defiant spark within her. "Who are you calling a cowardly kitten?!" 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] M Rose¡¯s Resurri¨®n form was something else. 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. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be left behind,¡± Api whispered as she gritted her teeth. ¡°I will¡ª¡± Sung-Sun wrapped her tail around Api¡¯s feet. ¡°Slow it down. Now isn¡¯t our time...¡± 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!¡± 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. M Rose nodded solemnly and shifted her gaze to Kazuya. ¡°Thanks for your help.¡± 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. 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.¡± 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 ¡ª M Rose was a living testament to the legendary power of friendship. ¡°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.¡± Kazuya let her bask in the misunderstanding for the time being. ¡°What a good kitten.¡± ¡°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.¡± Cyclones surged with even more intensity as Dordoni approached M Rose. ¡°Break time¡¯s over then. Prepare to die.¡± The bird-headed cyclones threatened to engulf M Rose. She swung her broadsword with barbarian might, dissipating the wind with its sheer force. ¡°Get lost with the wind.¡± Dordoni¡¯s armor pores recreated the cyclones. ¡°I can keep doing this forever. I am the Storm Baron.¡± 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 Son¨ªdo ability. 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. Kazuya found it hard to believe that the Tres Bestias faced one of the top Espada (in this timeline) as their first team battle. ¡®Espada¡¯s future should be a little different now.¡¯ He sighed and ced a hand on Harribel¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Isn¡¯t her form beautiful?¡± ¡°Beautiful and powerful¡­¡± From a weak Adjuchas to fighting on an equal level with an Espada ¡ª M Rose¡¯s growth was astonishing, and all it took was determination and some help from his skill. Harribel traced her mask. ¡°I¡¯m ready to fracture mine if Dordoni overpowers Rose.¡± He shook his head. ¡°I already told you, Harribel. No more sacrifices. I still have a trump card to beat him.¡± 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 learned a lot. It was worth it.¡¯ 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. ¡®Damn she survived?¡¯ 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 ¡ª only beheading or destroying their heart guaranteed their demise. Ciri''s fingers dug into the sand as she lifted her head, her eyes shaking in fear. "Finish me¡­" ¡°Harribel, watch over them for me. I¡¯ll be back in a minute.¡± Chapter 21: Gift of Freedom Chapter 21: Gift of Freedom Some art Imissioned for Kazuya''s Vasto Lorde form. Looks a lil goofy :D Spoiler [copse] Kazuya walked over to Ciri and squatted before her. ¡°As the victor, I have the right to decide your fate. What if I don¡¯t want to y along with your death fetish?¡± Ciri¡¯s face turned horrified as despair took over. ¡°I¡¯m begging you¡­ please kill me and mutte my corpse¡­ I don¡¯t want to end up in his research facility.¡± Trembling with fear and frailty, Ciri pleaded for him to extinguish her suffering. She had abandoned all hope of escaping this ce after failing her mission and damaging her Zanpakut¨­. Baraggan would hunt her down if she left this ce alive. If she was found dead with an intact corpse, Szayporro would do inhumane experiments on her. Kazuya reached out andpassionately caressed her head. "I won''t kill you. But I''ll give you a choice. The thing is, I want to take down Baraggan for trying to rob my freedom. I know you hold no love for him, either. Will you help me in overthrowing him?" Defeating Baraggan with his current strength was nothing more than a pipedream. But he had to start somewhere if he wanted to destroy the tyrant who nned to seize his freedom in Hueco Mundo. No one who wished to shackle his freedom would go unharmed. Ciri''s eyes widened in disbelief, clearly not expecting him to offer her a choice between life and inevitable death. She weighed her options: return to Las Noches and get thrown into Szayporro''sboratory for her failure or join Kazuya in destroying the tyrant who forced her into submission. The choice would be obvious for anyone withmon sense. ¡°I will¡­ I will st Baraggan and his lunatic cult. Help me¡­¡± Kazuya stared into her eyes as if he was looking into her soul. Ciri didn¡¯t flinch from his stern gaze, instead showing a resolute look. ¡°Wee to the club, Miss Goth.¡± He smiled. ¡°Now, hold tight. I¡¯mma get you to a safe ce.¡± Hoisting his fifth ally in Hueco Mundo like a wounded princess, he soared through the sky, his wings carrying them towards his cave. "Goodness, you''re quite heavy in this form." Her wings and tail contributed a surprising amount of weight to her curvy form. ¡°...I have armor concealed beneath my undergarments.¡± ¡°It makes no sense for a woman to wear armor there.¡± Ciri¡¯s delicate fingers sped his neck, her violet lips curving into a sly smile. ¡°You don¡¯t understand the brutality of Hollows. They will resort to any measure to win. Injuring your opponent¡¯s genitalia is a very effective tactic. You were too quick or I¡¯d have definitely smashed your junk.¡± Kazuya couldn¡¯t help but shudder. He had almost lost his penis in his previous life. The fact that Hollows saw no shame in resorting to such a brutal measure worried him. ¡°You all are a bunch of animals.¡± ¡°All Hollows are.¡± He talked like friends as if they weren''t fighting to murder each other a couple of minutes ago. As they entered the cave, he carefully propped her against the jagged walls. "Focus on recovering. I''ll deal with Dordoni." ¡°Don¡¯t linger here¡­¡± Her voice, barely more than a whisper, carried a note of urgency. "Baraggan will discover..." Her words trailed off as she sumbed to unconsciousness once more. Kazuya left Ciri to recuperate and joined Harribel, who stared intently at the fierce battle unfolding before them. Dordoni dispersed his bird-headed tornados and hurled a behemoth version of it. The tornado rushed at M Rose, its maw open wide as if it yearned to consume her whole. "Not today, bastard," M Rose retorted, her voice resonating with steely determination. Grasping her broadsword with a white-knuckled grip, she carved a colossal arc through the air, her golden mane thrashing wildly. The sheer power of her assault cleaved the cyclone, dispersing it. M Rose descended to the ground, herbored breaths disying her exhaustion. Cuts marred her toned form, yet Dordoni appeared considerably more battered. The Hollow te adorning his foreheady half-shattered, blood streaking his visage like crimson tears. One of his shoulder spikes had snapped clean off at its base. Were it not for the augmentation of his Hierro by his Resurri¨®n ability, he would have met his demise. His defense was absurd. With her sword lowered, M Rose extended her palm, summoning a pulsating orb of orange energy. Without hesitation, she propelled Cero forth with a powerful punch. ¡°Take my Cero, Bitch.¡± The cataclysmic orange beam surged towards Dordoni, who countered with a series of deft hand gestures, ultimately forming a pentagon with his fingers. A sanguine Cero erupted from within the pentagon, colliding with M Rose¡¯s Cero. The violent impact catapulted Dordoni through the air, but he recovered with the help of his tornado. As he deflected yet another Cero from M Rose, his Reiatsu had significantly diminished from the time he first released. Kazuya hadn¡¯t expected M Rose to bring Dordoni down to this level. Then again, this Dordoni had yet to gain any power from Aizen¡¯s H¨­gyoku. ¡°Harribel, what else did I miss?¡± Harribel recounted the action to Kazuya. Dordoni''s Hierro was indeed impressive, but he couldn¡¯t disregard the full-powered Cero unleashed by strong Adjuchas such as Api and Sung-Sun. Forced to rely on his tornadoes to counter, M Rose seized the chance to deliver her own Cero st. A mere month prior, the trio would have posed no threat to Dordoni. However, Kazuya¡¯s innate ability, ''Crumbling Heart,'' elevated their prowess to the peak of Adjuchas. As an Adjuchas Arrancar, Dordoni found it nigh impossible to inflict damage upon a strength-centric Arrancar like M Rose. "Great teamwork," he murmured. "Where are they?" Harribel cast a worried nce in the opposite direction. He spotted the deer and snake sprawled on the sidelines, apparently unharmed. "Out of energy, I assume." Harribel nodded. "They did their part." "By the way, are you upset about my decision concerning Ciri?" Harribel''s eyes shimmered with emotions before she gestured with her sword arm at Dordoni. "We''ll discuss the Espada after we deal with him." ¡°I also have things to talk about,¡± he whispered,ing up with ways to exin his journey to the Soul Society. ¡°Fuck.¡± Instead of overthinking everything, he swung his wings and approached Dordoni. A small smirk made its way to Dordoni¡¯s face. ¡°Ni?o, you have finally arrived.¡± Kazuya disregarded Dordoni and nced over his shoulder at M Rose. "Thanks for wearing him down, Kitten. I''ll take over from here." ¡°Stop calling me Kitten¡­ Skull Face!¡± ¡°Skull Face? Is that supposed to be an insult?¡± M Rose shrugged and flew toward Harribel. After some talking, M Rose threw Sung-Sun and Api on her shoulders and carried them to their base. Harribel, alone, intently watched Kazuya prepare to fight another Arrancar. Her hands itched to stop the fight but she couldn¡¯t go against Kazuya¡¯s wishes. Chapter 22: Responsibility Chapter 22: Responsibility Kazuya flexed his arms. The strengthening of his muscles by Oppression was still present and would remain until he used Oppression again to lower the density of his muscles. He looked at Dordoni. ¡°How will Baraggan respond when he gets today¡¯s report?¡± ¡°Depending on his mood¡­ In the best-case scenario ¡ª he sends more Espada. The worst-case scenario ¡ª he sends more Espada.¡± ¡°Huh? What¡¯s the difference in the best and worst scenarios then? The orders he gives to Espadas?¡± Dordoni grinned. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t want to know the worst orders.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t ask then. Let¡¯s start.¡± ¡°I was about to say the same, Ni?o.¡± Kazuya charged recklessly. Dordoni roared like a ferocious beast, and his Reiatsu swelled to nearly its peak. More tornadoes emerged from his armor pieces, bird heads attached to their ends. Dordoniunched kicks and punches from a distance. The bird-headed wind creatures mimicked his movements and struck Kazuya. The assault flung Kazuya towards the ground. Using his wings, he steadied himself and assessed his chest. Apart from superficial cuts, he had sustained no significant injuries. ¡®This method is brilliant for improving my defense.¡¯ Dordoni widened his eyes. ¡°Even an Arrancar¡¯s Hierro is cut upon contact with my razor-sharp wind. What kind of technique are you using to protect your body, Ni?o? Why are your clothes unharmed?¡± ¡°My clothes are special.¡± His shirt and jeans had remained the same since he arrived in this world, apart from being stained with his blood. He had used Reiatsu to clean the shirt time and time again, but its durability couldn¡¯t be denied. ¡°I see, Ni?o.¡± Following their strange exchange, the two resumed exchanging blows. Unable to prate the multitude of cyclones, Kazuya opted tounch Cero Rays from a distance. Battered and bruised, Dordoni persistently countered Kazuya¡¯s every attack, his wind cyclones ying a big part in keeping Kazuya away from melee range and stopping the Cero Rays. However, he couldn''t keep it up indefinitely. Eventually, his ability depleted his Reiryoku, and his Resurri¨®n deactivated. Although Dordoni had gained a substantial amount of Reiryoku after bing an Arrancar, he couldn''t match Kazuya''s absurd efficiency and monstrous rate of Reiryoku recovery. His endurance was unmatched among the Vasto Lorde ss ¡ª the main reason for his rapid improvement in thest month. Kazuya smirked. ¡°We¡¯re on an even field now.¡± Dordoni held his katana with a purple hilt and drew a cross in the air. ¡°Not even close, Ni?o. Your spatial awareness is subpar. You can hardly distinguish between a feint and a genuine attack. And you¡¯re pathetic at concealing your intent. In short, Ninoo, you are solelycking in experiencepared to a veteran Espada such as I.¡± Kazuya''s lips lifted in amusement. "Apologies for being so young. I wouldn''t choose to be a one-month-old Vasto Lorde if I had the option." ¡°One month?! Ni?o is only one month old? That¡¯s impossible. It takes decades to go from a Gillian to an Adjuchas¡­ unless you¡¯re one of those.¡± ¡°Natural born Vasto Lorde? Indeed, I am one of those anomalies.¡± ¡°No fucking wonder you could beat the crap out of Ciri. She never stood a chance against someone of your potential.¡± With a chuckle, Kazuya unleashed a sonic boom, instantly appearing in front of Dordoni. The yful Arrancar didn''t hesitate to sh at Kazuya''s neck with his chipped katana. Kazuya reached out, seizing the de with his bare hands. The metal bit into his palm but couldn''t sever it entirely. Blood oozed down like a crimson waterfall. His regeneration tried to heal his wound, but the katana stuck in his palm made it impossible to do so. He had the blessing of the pain resistance skill, otherwise, the pain would force him into a pitiful state. "Ni?o," Kazuya called Dordoni with a wicked grin as a blue Reiatsu surged from his wounded hand. "Say goodbye to your Zanpakut¨­." Before Dordoni snatched away his Zanpakut¨­, Kazuya activated his Aspect of Death. An Arrancar¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ embodied their Hollow powers from before they became an Arrancar. It also sealed away their Hollow attribute, allowing them to attain human-like emotions. One could argue that an Arrancar''s Zanpakut¨­ held equal or perhaps more importance for a Hollow than it did for a Shinigami. Despite Zanpakut¨­''s extraordinary capabilities, the katana clutched in Kazuya''s hand was a physical object. With the power of Oppression, he could manipte any physical matter, as long as he understood its nature or brute force it with immense Reiryoku. As Kazuya tightened his grip on the katana, the entire de cracked before snapping in two. Dordoni stood frozen, clutching the hilt. After a tense moment of silence, he lowered his head. ¡°I should have been more cautious after I saw you fooling Ciri.¡± Dordoni fell victim to his own veteran experience. A true warrior would cut down their enemy without hesitation. That very impulse led to the demise of his Zanpakut¨­. ¡°I have been outsmarted¡­ your ability, your Reiatsu can alter physical properties of anything it touches.¡± ¡°Yeah. I made your Zanpakut¨­ extremely brittle.¡± Despite his defeat, Dordoni threw his head back andughed heartily. "Well yed, Ni?o. You might give the old king some trouble... I certainly hope you do. Well, you have to conquer me before you go anywhere¡­ As long as I breathe and my body can move, I¡¯ll continue to fight. That¡¯s what a soldier does, Ni?o." Refusing to grant Kazuya a simple win, Dordoni lunged forward, showing his sharpbat abilities with an intense barrage of punches and kicks. Unyielding, Kazuya expertly parried each of Dordoni''s strikes, ensuring that none found their mark on his body. After what seemed like minutes, Kazuya found an opening and struck Dordoni''s face, propelling him toward the ground. He caught up to Dordoni using Son¨ªdo and unleashed a powerful kick that sent him crashing into a nearby mountain. Blood sttered from Dordoni''s mouth as he gasped for breath. Chapter 23: Sacrifice Chapter 23: Sacrifice In a blur of motion, Kazuya materialized beside the battered Dordoni, his fingers clutching the defeated warrior''s hair with a firm grip. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "That was one hell of a battle," he said, his voice carrying a hint of admiration. "Please don''t try to take anyone''s freedom in the next life. It''s the worst thing you can do to a person, well, besides some messed-up stuff like making them watch Boku no Pico or a thousand episodes of One Piece." With a weak, raspy chuckle, blood flecked Dordoni''s lips as he coughed. "You''ve bested me, Ni?o. But beware... Baraggan approaches. Devour me, Ni?o. Inherit my Reiryoku, and be stronger." Kazuya''s gaze bore into Dordoni, his thoughts racing. Although he had lived in Hueco Mundo for a month, he had never consumed Hollow''s flesh aka soul. The sheer magnitude of Dordoni''s Reiatsu tempted him. "You goaded me into ending your life," he whispered. "What was your endgame, Dordoni? Why were you so desperate to die?" Dordoni¡¯s killing intent was far from genuine like Ciri. She truly wanted him dead while he pretended to have malicious intent for him. He could have taken M Rose and Api hostages if he was so eager to kill him. He was as honorable and chivalrous as a princess¡¯s ideal knight in shining armor. ¡°Sacrifice nurtures...¡± Dordoni squeezed out and reached for something in the distance. ¡°Don¡¯t let it be in vain¡­ Kill Baraggan or he will kill you¡­ be a demon, Ni?o.¡± Kazuya paused and intently gazed at Dordoni. He recalled Dordoni¡¯s role in the story ¡ª Dordoni taught Ichigo about the brutality of Hollows through twisted choices then he sacrificed himself to buy time for Ichigo. ¡®His Aspect of Death has to be Sacrifice like Harribel.¡¯ The revtion dawned on Kazuya, but it was toote. Dordoni''s Zanpakut¨­ waspletely broken unlike Ciri, his body shattered beyond repair. Even if he survived, he would never regain his former strength, let alone surpass it. Kazuya clenched his fists. ¡°That¡¯s stupid... I will kill Baraggan for my own desires. You don¡¯t have to tell me that¡­ let me put you out of your suffering.¡± Using Oppression, he elerated Dordoni''s heartbeat. Thump. Thump. Thump. Dordoni''s heart crumbled under the pressure and ceased functioning altogether. Yet, Dordoni''s eyes remained open, fear and terror etched into them, even as a brave smile graced his lips. ¡®Motherfucker will give me nightmares.¡¯ Kazuya gently lowered Dordoni''s eyelids. "It''s over..." "For now," whispered Harribel as she silentlynded beside him, taking his hand and squeezing it withforting warmth. ¡°Are you tired?¡± ¡°A little.¡± Harribel led Kazuya away from Dordoni''s lifeless form and had him sit by the entrance of a nearby cave. "Baraggan will keep hunting us down... I''ll be with you, no matter what... we''ll fight him together." Kazuya would be over the moon if she didn¡¯t utter those words with the tender, motherly look in her eyes. ¡°Harribel.¡± She looked at him, her eyes reflecting happiness. She seemed d that he emerged from the encounter rtively unscathed. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to shatter her happiness with his questions. With a sigh, he raised his head to the ever-so-close moon of Hueco Mundo. ¡°Thank you for having my back.¡± Harribel could tell that he had something on his mind. She chose not to pursue the matter and followed his gaze, admiring the lonely moon in the sky. ¡°You are my family, Kazuya¡­ You, Api, M Rose, Sung-Sun ¡ª you all give me hope in this world. That we, Hollows, can coexist peacefully without sacrificing each other for selfish gains.¡± She dreamed of making Hueco Mundo a utopia of peace. But her power was severelycking to achieve even a fraction of her dream. ¡°Without everyone, I would have given up hope¡­ I will protect my family, with my life if I must.¡± ¡°You are unsalvageable, Harribel.¡± He sighed and used Oppression to revert his body back to its original state. Freed from extra dense muscles, he rested his head on herp. ¡°I¡¯ll get some sleep.¡± He was too tired to be having an argument. She chuckled and gently stroked his hair. ¡°Sleep well...¡± In the silence, she considered his words. He wasn¡¯t entirely wrong in calling her unsalvageable. Everything in this world came at a price. Her life was too small of a cost for the safety of her ¡®family.¡¯ After all, protecting someone wasn¡¯t just helping them survive. It means giving them a ce to belong. Giving them a ce where they could feel safe and free. *** As Kazuya entered his sanctuary, he discovered an astonishing scene. M Rose paced around with her breasts bouncing with each step. The dark-skinned beauty stopped abruptly in front of him, cing a hand on her curvaceous hip. Kazuya''s eyes traced the captivating details of her body: her rosy-hued nipples, the Hollow Hole just above her navel, her sculpted abdominal muscles beneath, and the enticing slit between her legs. Her Resurri¨®n form gave her a lewd armor, a luxury her normal Arrancar formcked. Apart from the three-sectioned crown on her head and her white ne, she was practically nude. Kazuya shook his head. ¡°Lord, have mercy.¡± "Stop staring so rudely, Skull." M Rose covered her crotch with one hand and covered her breasts with the other, a disapproving frown creasing her brow. "Since you''ve observed so thoroughly, share your thoughts. This is my normal, unreleased form. Do you find it better than my Adjuchas form?" She sought his approval, even though she felt confident in her Arrancar form. It enabled her to achieve so much more with significantly less exertion. Herbat prowess had skyrocketed beyond her wildest expectations. ¡°It¡¯s way better, if you ask me.¡± He took off his shirt and tossed it at her. ¡°Don¡¯t run around naked. My heart can¡¯t handle it.¡± Prior to his Hollow transformation, he had an impressive muscr build. His physique had further developed after a month of rigorous training, allowing him to stride confidently in only his jeans. ¡°Pervert.¡± M Rose grinned and sniffed his shirt, her nose wrinkling. ¡°It reeks of blood¡­ Thanks, though. I appreciate it.¡± She donned the shirt, concealing her ample chest. The shirt extended just enough to cover her most intimate area. Despite her statuesque height of 177 cm, she appeared small inparison to him. After all, he towered at an impressive 6''4" (192 cm). The difference in their height allowed her to wear his shirt as an impromptu dress, the material draping gracefully over her curves. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a burst of Reiatsu, purging the bloodstains from the fabric with immacte control of her Reiryoku. Her Resurri¨®n didn¡¯t give her any special ability. However, bing an Arrancar improved her base strength and Reiryoku control. A/N: Shark mommy will protect her children. Chapter 24: Transform Chapter 24: Transform Api walked out of her chamber within the cave, a yful glint in her eyes as she prodded M Rose''s butt with her horn. ¡°Stop being so narcissistic, Bitch.¡± ¡°Ouch. Stop poking my ass, you little slut.¡± Api walked towards Kazuya and affectionately rubbed her head against his leg. ¡°You¡¯re safe.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± He patted her head tenderly. ¡°Someone is unafraid of showing love today.¡± ¡°Bastard came to take you and Harribel-sama away from us. He got what he deserved.¡± Api had no remorse for anyone who came to harm her or anyone close to her. She could be more ruthless than him in some aspects. "Well done, Kazuya and M Rose," Sung-Sun chimed in as she slinked out of her hiding ce. "I propose we move before Baraggan dispatches someone to investigate the missing Espada." ¡°Before that.¡± Kazuya turned to M Rose. ¡°Share your experience, Rose. It¡¯ll be helpful since everyone here wants to be an Arrancar. Am I right?¡± ¡°Hell yeah! I promised you I¡¯ll be the strongest Arrancar.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt to gain more power in Hueco Mundo¡­ especially after we made enemies with the Godking.¡± Api and Sung-Sun exchanged determined nces, their ambitions to attain the Arrancar form fueled by their unique yet intertwined desires. Harribel nodded thoughtfully at their hunger for power. ¡°It¡¯s an excellent method to improve our strength, but we shouldn¡¯t be reckless.¡± She was relieved there was a way to be strong without devouring another soul, even if it meant performing a dance with death. M Rose smiled, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes. ¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t ask about that, Kazuya. Well¡­ It was painful from what I remember. I was losing my mind until you pulled me out of it.¡± She pointed at him with a questioning look. ¡°How did you do that?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± he admitted, giving a helpless shrug. ¡°Perhaps our heart-to-heart before the battle helped me reach your soul.¡± He made a vague excuse for his Crumbling Heart ability. Being Hollows and all, they wouldn¡¯t understand the concept of a System even if he told them. ¡°Oh, that.¡± M Rose chuckled sheepishly. ¡°It was a weird exchange now that I look back on it. I feel bad for misunderstanding you all this time. I¡¯m sorry for that.¡± Api stared at M Rose, eyes wide in disbelief. ¡°Did¡­ she just apologize? Is this a side effect of going through the process?¡± ¡°Rose grew out of her immature phase,¡± Sung-Sun whispered, her eyes shining with emotions. ¡°You make me proud, girl.¡± M Rose shot a nce at the pair, her eyebrows knitting together, and her fist trembling. She barely held back from smashing her fist on their heads. ¡°Good lord¡­ I was in the wrong. Is it that bad to apologize?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Sung-Sun turned her attention to Kazuya. "It appears you yed a crucial role in unlocking M Rose''s Arrancar form. Is it possible that you possess an ability you''re unaware of? Perhaps another advantage of being a Natural Vasto Lorde. Harribel-sama, what do you think?" Harribel''s brow creased with a thought. "We can''t be certain. Just stay by Kazuya if any of you choose to undergo the transformation.¡± She hadn''t been able to stop M Rose, even though she was present at the scene. There was no way she could intervene if the others chose to shatter their masks. Besides, M Rose¡¯s sess would drive them to undergo the process sooner rather thanter. She couldn¡¯t stop them from walking the dangerous path since she herself wished to walk upon it and rise to the ranks of Arrancar. ¡°I¡¯ll be next,¡± Api dered, her eyes filled with determination. ¡°Should I do it now?¡± Kazuya cupped Api¡¯s deer head, gently rubbing her ears with his thumb. ¡°Wait for some time.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Api agreed, her voice a mixture of anticipation and understanding. ¡°Don¡¯t dy it for too long. I need to be strong¡­ It hurts to watch everyone fight without feeling like useless trash.¡± Sung-Sun rested her head on his shoulder. ¡°I agree with her sentiment. I do not want to stand by when Baraggan sends more of them after us.¡± Kazuya smiled, sensing their determination ignited by M Rose''s transformation. "Don''t worry. I won''t keep you waiting for long." He turned to Harribel and cleared his throat. "I have something important to say. I do have an ability that none of you know, apart from the ability Sung-Sun mentioned." It was the perfect moment to reveal one of his crucial secrets. His Hollowpanions had earned his trust. Kazuya summoned the System menu and opened the race editor. Before their eyes, he selected his desired race. A hole materialized in the center of his chest, an eerie abyss reminiscent of a Hollow''s Hole. From the depths of this void, azure liquid cascaded before the said liquid caught fire. Molten blue mes roared to life, a blue fiery tempest encasing him. A round, ssy cocoon spun itself around him. Moments passed as the mes underwent a mesmerizing transformation, shifting into a lighter shade of violet. All four women held their breaths, the anticipation tightening their chests, as they wondered what kind of metamorphosis Kazuya was undergoing and what the oue would be. The cocoon cracked, sending shards of ssy fragments into the air. The mes retreated into his chest as if they were a living entity, a sentient force returning to its origin. Chapter 25: ARGUMENT Chapter 25: ARGUMENT Chapter 25: ARGUMENT Kazuya emerged, seemingly unchanged, except for the absence of his Hollow Mask and his ck wings. He had shed all traces of his Hollowesque features. The most significant change eluded their vision, but the spiritually adept Hollows sensed it with ease. "How?" Harribel asked, her eyes trembling in shock. "You didn''t do it like M Rose... you don''t feel like a Hollow anymore. You feel like a¡ª" "A HUMAN!" M Rose eximed, her voice dripping with incredulity. "What the fuck? Why are you so handsome?¡± Sung-Sun stared at him with her sharp, beady eyes, a predatory gleam dancing within them. "What the fuck indeed. To be frank, anyone could imagine a charming face concealed behind Kazuya¡¯s mask. Though, he is a little older than I expected." ¡°Come on. Spill the beans. Why the hell can you do this?¡± As per her usual antics, Api poked his leg, but this time, her horn pierced through his thigh like a hot knife through butter. Blood gushed out in a crimson torrent, staining her once pristine white horn in its color. Kazuya gripped her horn and pushed her back with a grunt. ¡°Geez, don¡¯t go poking around me in this form. I am weak as fuck.¡± Miraculously, the wound closed before their eyes, as if time itself had reversed the injury, and the pain dissipated. ¡®Sweet. I carried over regeneration in this form,¡¯ he thought, feeling happy for the unexpected boon. Kazuya felt the urge to examine his current status, but the Hollowdies'' growing impatience demanded his attention. Harribel''s eyes practically pleaded for him to unravel the enigma, while M Rose, Api, and Sung-Sun appeared shaken by the power of his transformation. Harribel approached him and observed his body from behind, her gaze lingering on the ces where scars had once marred his skin, now faded after he switched his race. ¡°A Hollow turning human¡­ impossible¡­¡± It was well known that dead souls turned into Hollows. A Hollow assuming a human-like form after Arrancar transformation was nothingpared to a Hollow reverting to being human; it defied the norms on so many different levels. ¡°The proof is before your eyes.¡± ¡°Since when?" "From some time ago, actually. And I didn''t want to use it. Right now, we don¡¯t have a choice." He scanned their surprised faces and folded his arms over his chest. "We''re relocating to the human world." Harribel considered his words, her eyes thoughtful as she looked to the others for their opinions. "Hueco Mundo isn''t safe anymore but the Living World is fraught with dangers as well. Shinigami are guarding the world from Hollows like us." Harribel made a valid point. Shinigami possessed equipment capable of sensing Hollows in an area. "I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea either," Api said, her voice heavy with concern. She had been in Hueco Mundo all her life. The thought of leaving this realm for enemy territory didn''t sit well with her. "Like Harribel said, the human world is being guarded by Shinigami. They will purge us to the afterlife with their Zanpakut¨­." Between Hollows and Shinigami, Api would rather fight her own kind ¡ª the kind she was more familiar with. Shinigami and their Zanpakut¨­¡¯s strange abilities terrified her to the bone. M Rose clenched her broadsword. ¡°I don¡¯t want to run away like a cowardly bitch. I¡¯ll stand and fight.¡± The Arrancar form gave her immense confidence in her strength. Her confidence was reasonable, considering she almost brought down one of the top Espada right after her transformation. Kazuya intently listened to their reasons and turned his gaze to Sung-Sun. ¡°Do you have any words of advice for me?¡± ¡°Ara, allow me to stay neutral this time. I¡¯ll go with the side who wins this argument.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°Sure there are Shinigami in Living World but it¡¯s a safe havenpared to Hueco Mundo. Just think about it. We barely survived facing two Espada. What would we do if the rest showed up together with Baraggan? We have zero chance toe out alive. Actual zero.¡± He would have stayed in Hueco Mundo if his only concern was himself. No matter how many of Baraggan''s soldiers appeared, he would have been able to make his escape. However, he wasn''t in a position to act selfishly. While M Rose and Harribel would valiantly fight Arrancar soldiers, Api and Sung-Suncked the strength to be of any real use. If they stayed safe, he could focus on gaining strength in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo respectively. He also had to expand his knowledge to harness more power from his Oppression. His counterargument brought forth a wave of silence. ¡°That said, I¡¯m open to other options.¡± He gave M Rose a long nce. ¡°Besides engaging in a head-on fight with Baraggan.¡± M Rose dodged his gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t target me. I¡¯m just suggesting the easy methods here.¡± ¡°We shouldn¡¯t expect much from her musclehead brain.¡± Sung-Sun took a vicious jab at M Rose¡¯s intelligence. ¡°Please don¡¯t thank me for thepliments. I¡¯m just fulfilling my daily quota of roasting my favorite girl Rose.¡± He chuckled at Sung-Sun¡¯s lighthearted teasing. ¡°Rose, they have all kinds of clothes in the Living World. I¡¯ll buy you a ton.¡± M Rose¡¯s eyes gleamed with desire as her heart fluttered for new, shiny clothes. She brandished her Zanpakut¨­ and plunged it into the ground with a resounding thud, her hands resting defiantly on its hilt. "I agree with Kazuya and Harribel-sama. Let¡¯s leave for the Living World." ¡°That was fast!¡± Api retorted. ¡°This cheapskate switched sides for some clothes.¡± "You''re only agreeing with him for the sake of clothes." Sung-Sun yfully lifted M Rose''s shirt with her sinuous tail, exposing her most intimate area to the world. "This kitten is so easy to read." M Rose yanked down her garment and scratched her thick, wavy hair. "What the hell, Snake? I''m saying this so all of us can survive and be strong away from Baraggan''s gaze. Kazuya¡¯s proposal has logic. I have to side with him.¡± She hid her desire to explore the Living World and indulge in experiences she couldn''t have as a normal Hollow. They were just side benefits of moving to the Living World. Sung-Sun chuckled, a knowing glint in her eye. "Yeah, yeah." ¡°Api, only you are against me now.¡± Kazuya squatted down and intimately rubbed her ears. ¡°Come on, my tomboy sweetheart. You¡¯ll lose affection points for being stubborn.¡± ¡°Who even wants your affection points?!¡± ¡°I never said they were mine. They could be Harribel¡¯s too.¡± ¡°...¡± Api lowered her head and hit his knee with her hoof. ¡°Promise to buy me clothes when I be an Arrancar.¡± ¡°Just that? Sure. I¡¯ll even get you sexy bikinis so we can have our private pool party.¡± His offer came off so nice and genuine that Api nodded without inquiring a thing about bikinis. "Given that I hold the majority of votes," he began, his voiceced with a rare solemnity, "I shall take the lead and scout¡ª" He paused, his gaze shifting to the deeper part of the cave. ¡°Our new guest woke up.¡± Chapter 26: Jealousy Chapter 26: Jealousy Tap. Tap. Tap. Footsteps echoed through the cave as their newest ally, Ciri, emerged from the shadowed depths, her long tail trailing on the ground like a serpent. She couldn''t find rest with the chatter swirling around the cave, so she came out to greet her new teammates. Ciri''s eyes widened upon seeing Kazuya''s human form. "It can''t be¡ªKazuya? How did you be a human?" ¡°It¡¯s one of my abilities.¡± Kazuya''s vague response hung in the air as he transformed back into his Hollow form. With a deft flick of his wrist, he tore through the fabric of space using his Descorrer ability. The ck fissure expanded, its gaping maw akin to a ravenous beast, unveiling an infinite, abyssal void. (A/N: Garganta changed to Descorrer.) Kazuya''s face contorted with unease as he gazed into the boundless expanse connecting all realms in this world. ¡°What am I looking at?¡± M Rose nudged his rib, her voice tinged with apprehension. ¡°Are you sure you want to go there?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t been there.¡± ¡°Me neither.¡± Api and Sung-Sun confessed their ignorance of Garganta and its hidden dangers. They never had any desire to explore the Living World and incur the wrath of Seireitei¡¯s Shinigami. Kazuya turned to Harribel, the oldest and wisest among them. ¡°Do you have any experience with this?¡± Harribel shook her head, her golden hair softly bouncing to her movement. "I can pave the path for you. You won''t be harmed that way" He immediately rejected her offer, sensing her willingness to sacrifice herself for his cause. She was a truly admirable mother figure. One he couldn¡¯t handle in the current situation. Left with no choice, Kazuya walked over to the lovely goth girl and gently gripped her shoulders. Ciri didn''t appear as beautiful in her current battered condition. "Ciri~, help out your friend, will you?¡± Ciri felt a shiver running up her spine. His sweet, pleasing voice may as well be the whispers of a demon. ¡°Fuck,¡± Ciri cursed under her breath, regretting being curious about their talk in her absence. ¡°Where do you want to go?¡± As an Espada, she had been to the Living World numerous times. Instead of lying, she decided to help him out. She had to show her worth as an ally, otherwise, he would deem her useless and cast her aside. She couldn¡¯t let it happen under any circumstances. Her survival hinged upon him, after all. Unaware of her inner turmoil, he answered, ¡°The Living World.¡± ¡°To unt your new form?¡± Ciri''s brow arched, her face etched with skepticism. ¡°Give me some time. I don¡¯t have the required Reiryoku to reach there¡­¡± Kazuya closed the Garganta and patted her shoulder reassuringly. ¡°Rest as much as you want. Call me when you¡¯re ready.¡± Ciri departed to her resting ce without wasting another second. M Rose suddenly snaked her arm around his shoulder and yanked him into a yful headlock. "Harribel-sama, I''m borrowing him for a moment." Without waiting for any response, M Rose dragged Kazuya away from the group, herughter echoing through the cave. ¡­ Once M Rose left, the others exchanged curious nces, a mixture of bemusement and intrigue ying across their faces. Api poked Sung-Sun with her horn, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Where did she take him? What do you think will happen?" "What do you think?" Sung-Sun replied, her tone full of teasing. ¡°I¡¯ll let you guess.¡± ¡°She''ll probably ask him to fight,¡± Api guessed, recalling M Rose''s eagerness for swinging her sword. ¡°What do you say?¡± "Not out of the question, considering the musclehead Rose. However," Sung-Sun trailed off, her voiceced with suspense, drawing Harribel''s curiosity. "Have you not noticed M Rose giving him those lingering nces? This private meeting might lead to a deeper, intimate bond between them." Sung-Sun partially believed in her words. But she still said her piece to rile up Api and Harribel, who seemed to be brewing different kinds of rtionships with Kazuya. "Ridiculous. He wouldn''t¡ª" Api paused, her mind shing back to Kazuya''s undisguised admiration for M Rose''s new form. She gritted her teeth, frustration evident in her eyes. "Fuck, good for them, I guess." Sung-Sun could tell the underlying meaning of Api¡¯s goodwill. "You can''t me him for being drawn to M Rose. She is beautiful and loyal beyond words." Sung-Sun poured oil on the burning mes of jealousy, anticipating the oue to be chaotic and entertaining. Api nodded quietly and stumbled back to her section of the cave. ¡°Ara, when did Harribel-sama leave?¡± Both of them were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn''t notice Harribel quietly slipping out of the cave to follow Kazuya and M Rose. Sung-Sun looked at the cave¡¯s entrance. ¡°This is getting interesting.¡± ¡­ Api yearned for sleep after relentlessly unleashing Cero Rays upon Dordoni, but the tempest in her heart raged on, guing her with restless tossing and turning. "Goddamn Kazuya¡­" she grumbled, her voice heavy with frustration. "I met you first¡­ I rescued you. Why would you go to her¡­?¡± She felt like a child whose prized toy had been snatched away, but she couldn''tsh out at anyone. It wasn''t her fault Kazuya stopped giving her much attention. In her mind, M Rose and Harribel were to me. They possessed something shecked, a quality that ensnared Kazuya and held him captive. A humanoid body closer to Kazuya¡¯s own. Api mmed her head into the soft sand in a fit of exasperation. "I can''t¡­ fuck, why am I ming my friends?" She caught herself before the darkness of her emotions could drag her down further. Rising from her resting position, she ventured out of the cave, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind. The walk did indeed rejuvenate her, sweeping away the clouds of negativity. As she wandered, a shadow flitted across her path. Raising her head, she saw a horde of Gillians moving in eerie unison, their ghostly glide sending shivers down her spine. Curiously, they didn''t regard her as prey, as though something else took precedence over a powerful Adjuchas. Intrigued, she sprinted after them, soon discovering the source of their hunger ¡ª a fresh Arrancar corpse brimming with Reiatsu. ¡®These thieves are stealing Kazuya¡¯s Game. How dare they?!¡¯ Gritting her teeth, she stepped forward, her Reiatsu surging to its limits, which wasn¡¯t much after using everything on Cero. She couldn¡¯t overpower thebined Reiatsu of a dozen odd Menos Grande. "Get away, now!¡± The Gillians encircled themselves in their own Reiatsu, repelling Api''s razor-sharp energy. One by one, they twisted their necks in her direction, their long noses pointing at her like swords. ¡°Kiii.¡± ¡°Kiiiii.¡± ¡°Keeee.¡± Vicious screeches left their mouths as they drifted to Api, their giant forms towering over her rtively small dear form. Undaunted, Api charged a small Cero at the tip of her horn. ¡°Don¡¯t force me to kill you losers.¡± In response, the Gillians opened their maws wide, conjuring a Cero farrger than Api''s. Even so, she refused to back down. She couldn''t let these lowly Gillians steal Kazuya''s hard-earned prize. This particr corpse, an Arrancar, offered the only chance to strengthen Kazuya among all the Hollows they had found. She would fight tooth and nail to keep it here. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll kill you all.¡± Fueled by passion and recklessness, Api hurled herself against the dozen Gillians, even though her Reiryoku barely reached a quarter of its maximum capacity. Chapter 27: Mating? Chapter 27: Mating? M Rose halted a few paces from the cave entrance and locked eyes with Kazuya. Caught off-guard by her fierce gaze, Kazuya gasped dramatically. ¡°Such aggressiveness! Have you gone into heat after your transformation? Am I going to be pushed down and vited in the Amazonian position? I-I refuse to be defiled in such a manner!¡± Rolling her eyes, M Rose scoffed, "Amazonian position what? I swear, I''ll vite your ass if you don¡¯t stop spitting nonsense." He instinctively ced a protective hand over his rear, shivering. ¡°That ce is off limits. If you insist on viting my rear, I will fight you to death. It¡¯s not a question about my fetish or my affection for you. It¡¯s about my honor as a man!¡± M Roseughed at his melodrama and gripped his shoulders. ¡°Shove your manliness down the drain. I didn¡¯t bring you here to mate or whatever filthy stuff you¡¯re cooking in your mind. Besides, what¡¯s the point in two Hollows mating? We can¡¯t make babies as far as I know.¡± She saw no logical reason for Hollows to engage in reproductive activities. ¡°Ahem, sex is an act of pleasure¡­ I think?¡± He slipped into his naive, innocent personality and assumed a thoughtful look oozing with curiosity. ¡°I believe sex feels good.¡± M Rose¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Did you remember some significant memory?¡± If he was as handsome as he looked in his human form, M Rose could imagine Kazuya having a beautiful partner when he was a human. He must be recalling some memories of his past life. ¡®Hmph, I am miles better than anyone he ever had in his life.¡¯ A dark, envious urge overtook her,pelling her to put down anyone who had been close to Kazuya. Lost in thought, he murmured, ¡°Why does that matter? I''m a ruthless, bloodthirsty Hollow now, just like you.¡± ¡°That is true.¡± She yfully punched his chest. ¡°Hey, how did youe to learn about mating?¡± ¡°How do you know about mating?¡± ¡°I was born with the memories,¡± M Rose mused, her fingers scratching her chin as she delved into the depths of her mind. ¡°Or I overheard it in my Hollow tribe. Yes, that must be it. Someone mentioned the legend of a Hollow tribe living in the darkest shadows of the abyss. They all belong to the same species and engage in mating rituals, spawning more Hollows of their kind¡­ that¡¯s how the legend goes.¡± Kazuya''s eyes shed with recognition. Ulquiorra might be born in such a tribe, surrounded by Hollows of a singr species. That¡¯s how he believed Ulquiorra¡¯s story went. ¡°You imed Hollows can''t bear offspring. But now you speak of a Hollow tribe capable of reproducing. What are you trying to say, Rose?¡± M Rose widened her eyes. ¡°I never thought about it before.¡± Grinning slyly, Kazuya spread his arms wide, beckoning her. ¡°Well then, shall we attempt to create some offspring of our own?¡± ¡°Absolutely not.¡± M Rose shuddered at the thought of having babies. ¡°Even if I am capable of it, I am not having a baby. Not ever.¡± He mockingly sneered at her decision. ¡°Why not?¡± M Rose spread her arms. ¡°Look around us. We¡¯re barely scraping by here. Our child will only suffer if we bring him into this hellhole of a ce.¡± ¡°You want a better ce for our child?¡± He raised a brow. ¡°Let¡¯s wait until I kill Baraggan. That should make Hueco Mundo more peaceful.¡± He wasn¡¯t in any hurry to get into a rtionship. After all, he would miss out on the rest of the group if he got too deep in a rtionship with M Rose and others decided to give up. He had to seduce each and every one of them and open their eyes to the wonderful world of romance and sex. A tough but equally rewarding task. M Rose hesitatingly nodded before she widened her eyes. ¡°Wait, why am I discussing having babies with you?! Fuck, run after me! We have something important to talk about.¡± Without waiting for a response, she leaped gracefully over the hill and sprinted toward the next one. He chuckled and trailed after her, using his Son¨ªdo to keep up with her shenanigans. Together, they sped across the stark white expanse, covering kilometers in mere minutes before halting near a cliff¡¯s edge. Sheughed, pure bliss on her face. ¡°Tell me. That was fun, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Kazuya stared at her, unamused. ¡°What do you want to do here?¡± "This spot is quite lovely for sitting and rxing." She settled down on the edge of the cliff, her legs dangling over the side. She patted the space beside her. "Join me, Skull." M Rose had gone to great lengths to keep this conversation hidden from the others, especially Sung-Sun, who would never let her live it down. As skilled as M Rose was inbat, she couldn''t outwit Sung-Sun, Kazuya, or even Api in a verbal spar. Her only chance of victoryy in a contest of words against the soft-spoken Harribel, which had never happened to this day. Kazuya quietly sat down beside her. She clearly had something on her mind, but instead of addressing it, she began to whistle, swinging her legs back and forth like a carefree child. ¡°Lala~.¡± ¡°Can you try stating your point before I die of old age?¡± M Rose cleared her throat and looked at him, her green eyes reflecting his vicious skull mask. ¡°Skull¡­¡± ¡°Yes, I love you if you are thinking about confessing to me. Let us fly to church and put rings on each other.¡± ¡°PLEASE BE SERIOUS FOR ONCE. It¡¯s about my transformation.¡± M started slow, her voice husky with emotions, and her heart rate hiking. ¡°Everyone¡¯s Reiatsu was fluctuating wildly when it happened¡­ But you, you didn¡¯t show a single change¡­ Why was that?¡± His apparent indifference to her life-and-death struggle made her ufortable. Despite their recent conflicts, she had hoped that he would show some concern after they had resolved their misunderstandings. She was willing to risk her life to protect him and Harribel. A minor concern in return was nothing much. Kazuya tilted his head back, his gaze settling on the silvery moon above. "I had unwavering faith that you would seed." M Rose had no idea that he had known her long before their first encounter in Hueco Mundo, that he had recognized her potential as an Arrancar from the start. Somehow, she felt her cheeks bing hot. ¡°Where the hell did that truste from?¡± He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Can you exin every emotion and thought that courses through your mind? No, right? Some things simply exist without exnation, or for reasons beyond our understanding." ¡°Ohhh¡­ I¡ª¡± He leaned in, gently cradling her chin in his hand. In an instant, his mask vanished, revealing his human form beneath. The instantaneous transformation happened at his will. After a lengthy first time, he could switch between both races at will without even opening the Race Editor. ¡°Rose.¡± ¡°Y-Yeah?¡± Their close proximity and his sweet, whispery voice clouded her thoughts, causing her to stammer. ¡°Instead of questioning me, shouldn¡¯t you reward me for helping you?¡± ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right.¡± "So let me," he whispered, drawing nearer until their lips hovered a hair''s breadth apart. ¡°Embrace you.¡± M Rose closed her eyes, allowing herself to be swept up in the moment''s intensity. Their breath mingled as their lips met in a sweet, innocent kiss. Chapter 28: Care Chapter 28: Care Crackle. A vicious surge in Reiatsu brought the kiss to a premature end. M Rose snapped to her senses and pushed his face away from her. ¡°W-What the hell was I doing?¡± She kissed Kazuya, a lewd act she never imagined herself doing with someone else, much less a man. Kazuya didn''t dwell on M Rose''s distress. Instead, he swept his Reiatsu over the area, searching for the terrifying yet familiar presence that had interrupted their moment. He located the source of the familiar Reiatsu, well-concealed and undetectable to those not diligently searching. He nced over his shoulder. "Harribel, you cane out." ¡°Harribel-sama is here?!¡± Harribel emerged from behind a boulder and approached them. She wedged herself between M Rose and Kazuya, pushing M Rose away from him in the process. ¡°You called?¡± She acted like she wasn¡¯t eavesdropping and peeping at them from a hidden spot. Her calm and collected manner worked her in her favor this time around. M Rose just stared at Harribel, stupefied. ¡°Harribel-sama¡­¡± Despite her resentment toward Harribel''s interference, she respected her leader too much to question her suspicious actions. Harribel sighed. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, M Rose. I had to check up on him¡­ I didn¡¯t want you to get into a fight.¡± Kazuya would be stupid to take Harribel¡¯s words at a face value. She might be peeping on her ¡®son¡¯ for all he knew. ¡°I won¡¯t fight Rose. Heck, we were about to enter a new phase in our lovey-dovey rtionship.¡± Harribel responded with a shocked look, ¡°I see¡­ I wasn¡¯t watching you.¡± ¡°Oi, Skull. Stop spitting lies! Who the heck wants to¡ª¡± Kazuya leaned behind and winked at M Rose. ¡°You let me kiss you ¡ª that¡¯s a fact you can¡¯t deny.¡± ¡°You are horribly twisting the facts.¡± M Rose sprang to her feet and pointed at him with her sword. ¡°I didn¡¯t stop you because you mentioned something about rewarding you. Yeah, that¡¯s it. Think nothing more of it than a reward.¡± She was too embarrassed to admit being attracted to Kazuya, knowing that the menace Sung-Sun will rip her apart with teasing. Harribel closed her eyes and giggled, adoring the sight of her ¡®children¡¯ messing around instead of fighting. It was one of the few times she had been so lively. ¡°Kazuya, I need a favor from you.¡± Kazuya paused and looked into her eyes. Despite his deep understanding of her character, he could never guess the thoughts coursing through her mind. ¡°Sure.¡± Harribel lowered her head, her eyes brimming with seriousness. ¡°Can you¡ª¡± All three suddenly spun their heads in one direction. A familiar Reiatsu was ring up in the distance, as if it was preparing for a fight. Kazuya instantaneously slipped into his Hollow form. Standing up and unfolding his wings, he showed a grim look. ¡°Api is in trouble. I¡¯m going ahead.¡± With a burst of Son¨ªdo, he gained momentum and tore through the air, leaving M Rose and Harribel behind as he raced toward the source of the disturbance. ¡­ Kazuya found himself in the haunting battleground where he silenced Dordoni for eternity. A horde of monstrous Gillians unleashed torrential Cero rays, painting the destendscape in vibrant crimson. A blood-soaked Api nimbly dodged each lethal beam, her agility and determination evident as she lunged at a towering Menos Grande with every ounce of her strength. Yet the behemoth remained unfazed by her full-powered headbutt. The Menos Grande drew its colossal hands from its shadowy cloak and struck Api with a resounding impact. She was sent hurtling into a nearby mountain, crumbling rocks cascading around her crumpled form. Exhausted, injured, and drained of Reiryoku, Api couldn¡¯t even block a Gillian¡¯s attack. She struggled to her feet with trembling legs, only to copse once more. "N-Not yet... Damn it, where are the others?" "I''m here." Kazuya arrived by her side, cradling her face as he transferred some Reiryoku to her. "Just rest. I''ll take care of them." She looked at him, eyes overflowing with emotions. ¡°Y-You are sote.¡± Kazuya nodded solemnly, his focus shifting to the menacing Gillians. His Reiatsu bore down on them, a crushing force that made them shudder. With a swift motion of his hand, he unleashed Oppression, reducing the creatures to grotesque chunks of flesh. ¡°Did theye for Dordoni¡¯s body?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t let them touch it.¡± She seemed smug about putting her life in danger for a corpse. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re not dead..¡± He leaned his chin on her Hollow Mask and cleared the blood from her with his Reiatsu. Her tail adorably wiggled even while she refused to look at him. ¡°There, you are all clean now.¡± Sung-Sun approached the pair as Kazuya finished cleaning Api, while Harribel and M assessed Api''s condition from afar and returned to base. Sung-Sun cast a nce at the mangled remains of the Gillians, yfully nudging Kazuya with her tail. "Ara, am I interrupting your cuddle time?" Api shot Sung-Sun a re. ¡°I''m out of Reiryoku at the moment. Kazuya is helping me clean.¡± ¡°I¡¯d also request Kazuya¡¯s cleaning services after I be an Arrancar. They will be free for a friend, right?¡± ¡°Absolutely free. You can bring another friend if you want.¡± ¡°What a sweet gentleman. I¡¯d bring my old friend Rose then. She will appreciate your services.¡± After some light-hearted flirting, Sung-Sun left Kazuya alone with Api. It was for the best, as he needed to address her privately, away from prying eyes. ¡°Api, I care more about you than that corpse over there. I¡¯d be very sad if you became a corpse while protecting a corpse. You know, I can find Arrancar¡¯s corpse in Las Noches but I can¡¯t find another Api.¡± His tender words had the intended effect, prompting Api to stare at him wordlessly, touched by his sentiment. ¡°O-Of course. There is only one Api in this world but there are thousands of M Rose. You won¡¯t find me anywhere.¡± He chuckled at her budding envy or perhaps jealousy, for M Rose. He yfully tugged at her ears, making her wince in pain. "That''s why you should stop risking your life for nonsensical reasons." ¡°It¡¯s not nonsensical!¡± ¡°How is it not? You could¡¯ve called me, Sung-Sun, or even Ciri. Fighting them in your condition was beyond reckless. You could have died if I didn¡¯t make it in time.¡± His sharp voice contrasted with his usual gentle, honeyed tone. Api felt as if time had frozen. She had been waiting for a reward for enduring an impossible battle for him. Yet, here he was, scolding her for her recklessness. For the first time, Api experienced the biting sting of cold betrayal. Kazuya sighed and gently rubbed her horn. ¡°Look, I¡¯m sorry for being so harsh and controlling but I will do everything I can to protect you and others.¡± He gestured Api to Dordoni¡¯s corpse. ¡°You can eat him.¡± Api understood his reasoning, but it didn¡¯t ease her bitter feelings. ¡°No, you eat him to increase your Reiryoku capacity. It¡¯ll be beneficial for you.¡± ¡°You might break into Vasto Lorde if you eat him.¡± His enticing words made her pause and ponder, distracting her mind from his previous scolding. ¡°Vasto Lorde¡­¡± Api whispered. ¡°Will I have a body like Harribel as a Vasto Lorde?¡± Envy dripped from each and every word as she imagined herself in a simr form as Harribel and most likely M Rose. ¡°Most likely.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t hesitate. You risked your life to protect it. It belongs to you now.¡± Api nced in Dordoni¡¯s direction and shook her head. ¡°Your strength is harder to increase than mine. I can eat any random Hollow and gain little boost.¡± She was being selfless for once, hoping he could feel her care behind her small sacrifice and stop being so harsh. She just wanted him to be the casual, yful Kazuya. Kazuya grinned. ¡°Jeez, stop staring at me. I know I¡¯m handsome and you love me but get a human form before we take things further.¡± ¡°W-Who loves you, skullhead?¡± Api grumbled as she lowered her head, her heart pounding in her chest. ¡°Leave me alone!¡± ¡°Well, eat to your heart¡¯s content, my adorable dear.¡± He left Api alone to enjoy her meal. She might reach Lorde status or at leaste close to achieving it. More crucially, it will heal her wounds faster and recover the lost Reiryoku. Chapter 29: A Bloody Tale Chapter 29: A Bloody Tale Api trudged back into the shadowy cave, the weight of stress pressing her down. Her gloominess was well-founded. She had devoured every bit of Dordoni, absorbing his flesh to enhance her Reiryoku. Yet, despite her efforts, the Vasto Lorde ss remained a distant dream. A realm far away from her reach. "Should I break my mask?" she pondered, recalling the surge of power that such a simple act could unleash. But she knew, too, that great strength came with great risk. She was inextricably drawn to the possibility ever since witnessing the awe-inspiring might of M Rose. ¡®I promised Kazuya to be patient¡­ but I also promised to be the strongest Arrancar.¡¯ While eager to fulfill her promise, she had no choice but to slow down. Her gaze fell upon Kazuya, whoy nestled against Cyan Sung-Sun''s giant snake form. Sung-Sun''s scaled tail draped over him like a protective shield, yet he seemed to findfort in its embrace, sleeping soundly beneath it as if it were a makeshift quilt. One could say he was having the time of life surrounded by cuddly pets. ¡®How dare he sleep with her after making that deal with me? Did he goad her into a deal?¡¯ She seethed with jealousy. Sung-Sun lifted her head and hissed. ¡°The deer triumphantly returns after devouring an eagle. Yet one could not see any signs of happiness on the deer¡¯s face. Are these the signs of tragedy toe?¡± Api growled at Sung-Sun¡¯s unnecessarymentary of her actions. ¡°Fuck happiness.¡± Kazuya stirred, sitting up and gesturing for Api to join him. "Come here." Sheplied, sinking down and resting her head on his legs, using his thighs as her cushion. "It''s my turn to use you.¡± "Use my body as much as you want," he murmured, a gentle smile gracing his lips. "My dear deer, what''s weighing on your heart?" Kazuya could sense the storm raging within her, as well as her desperate yearning for strength to fill the void in her soul. Sung-Sun''s words about the tragedy had not been entirely off the mark; Api might very well attempt something reckless in her quest for power. Her Hollow Hole was more than proof of her lust for raw power. Api gritted her teeth. ¡°I am angry at myself. I just want to be strong and kick Baraggan¡¯s ass with you¡­ But I can¡¯t even get close to Espada with my current strength. This makes me so mad.¡± Kazuya listened intently to her impassioned outburst, his fingers gently stroking her head. Almost involuntarily, she leaned into his tender touch, findingfort in his caress. "Then stop dwelling on it," Sung-Sun advised, her voice cool and collected. "Only fools focus solely on surpassing their adversary''s strength. Why not try outwitting your opponent instead? Like Kazuya and his n for the Living World." ¡°Running away to a faraway ce isn¡¯t a smart strategy.¡± ¡°Then fighting your opponent against stacked odds is smart?¡± Sung-Sun scoffed. ¡°Don¡¯t make meugh, Api. I want to fight with everyone as much as you. You have to cultivate patience, or you¡¯ll end up as someone¡¯s food.¡± Api¡¯s teeth clenched in frustration. She had been using the flee and hide technique for years. However, in the present time, she couldn¡¯t shake off the urge to gain more strength, as if her hunger had expanded upon consuming Dordoni. "Slow it down,dies," Kazuya interjected, hoping to defuse the escting tension between Api and Sung-Sun. "Api, please." With a resigned sigh, Api rested her head on his thigh once more. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sung-Sun. I shouldn¡¯t have acted mean.¡± "Ara, friends needn''t apologize to one another. If you truly wish to express your gratitude, promise not to die before me... There''s nothing more heart-wrenching than losing a friend.¡± A heavy silence settled upon the group as Sung-Sun''s words, tinged with sorrow, hung in the air. No one had anticipated such vulnerability from the typically sharp-tongued and sarcastic Sung-Sun. Then again, she had been preaching the importance of survival to Kazuya for some time now. He tenderly brushed his fingers across her scales. "I promise to keep everyone alive, even our watcher kitten out there." ¡°For thest time, stop calling me kitten!¡± M Rose¡¯s yell made the groupugh. Harribel, who was sitting quietly in a corner, cast a warm gaze at the three. She closed her eyes again, returning to the warm-yet-cold embrace of her nightmares. ¡°Kazuya, I have been curious. How do you think an Adjuchas bes Vasto Lorde?¡± ¡°I am not sure but it has something to do with raising our Reiryoku level and subduing our wild instincts.¡± ¡°Subduing our wild instincts?¡± Api whispered. ¡°I am not following your words here. And howe you remember so many things despite your amnesia?¡± "They''re like instinct. Harribel, you remember how you became Vasto Lorde?" Api nced in Harribel¡¯s direction. The bronze-skinned Vasto Lorde leaned against the cave, recollecting distant memories. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t remember.¡± Sung-Sun drew close to his ears. ¡°Harribel-sama paused. That means she is lying.¡± He raised a brow. ¡°Hey, Harribel. Sung-Sun said you¡¯re lying.¡± ¡°Traitor!¡± Sung-Sun retorted. ¡°You sold me out! I-I trusted you.¡± ¡°Never trust a guy with a skull mask,¡± he whispered with a grin. ¡°Besides, it¡¯s a small price to learn more about our caring leader.¡± ¡°You act more like a leader than Harribel,¡± Api muttered under her breath. ¡°Cocky Skull Demon.¡± Harribel wordlessly gazed at everyone, studying and calcting something with little emotion in her eyes. Kazuya turned to his human form and smiled, feigning innocence and cheerfulness one would expect from a child. ¡°Harribel, it¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t want to share your story¡­ I¡¯ll bring it up when I do something to truly earn your trust.¡± Sometimes life leaves you with no choice but to gaslight your crush into revealing the truth. Harribel melted seeing his hurt expression. There was simply no way for her to resist spoiling him. ¡°It¡¯s nothing special. Are you sure you want to waste time with this?¡± Kazuya¡¯s expression brightened. ¡°I have nothing else to do until Ciri recovers. May as well listen to your bedtime story.¡± ¡°Most Vasto Lorde I know became one after consuming endless souls¡­ but I didn¡¯t. My evolution happened when I saw mindless violence and bloodshed.¡± Tracing her sword arm on the wall, she revealed the secret nobody knew. ¡°A vige of normal Hollows was desecrated by one cruel Vasto Lorde. A demon with four sword arms massacred the Hollows before my eyes¡­ and I was too weak to stop the demon. I wanted to defeat him even if I had to die fighting him¡­ My irrepressible anger became the fuel of my evolution.¡± Kazuya''s mind raced as he felt a flicker of recognition upon hearing Harribel''s tale. ¡®What are the odds it¡¯s Nnoitra?¡¯ While other Hollows might share simr physical traits, the likelihood of encountering a Vasto Lorde with four arms was next to impossible. ¡°She became Vasto Lorde because of Sacrifice,¡± he whispered. It seemed as if Harribel¡¯s evolution relied heavily on her desire to sacrifice ¡ª her Aspect of Death. One¡¯s indulgence in their Aspect of Death ¡ª doing everything to fill one¡¯s Hollow Heart ¡ª might be the key to advancing to Vasto Lorde from Adjuchas. ¡°Did you kill him or not?¡± Harribel shook her head. ¡°When I was ready to deliver a decisive blow, it used its rest of energy to flee. I haven¡¯t encountered it since.¡± ¡°The demon is still out there terrorizing Hollows?¡± Api asked in shock. ¡°Kazuya, you better ughter that asshole. Don¡¯t let it flee.¡± ¡°I will not fail, Madame. I am not the strongest but I can tweak my body to fly faster than a jet.¡± Harribel nodded. ¡°That coward preys on weak Hollows. He¡¯ll be no match for you¡­¡± Chapter 30: Hatred for Men Chapter 30: Hatred for Men As the group settled into afortable silence, Kazuya called forth his status.
[General Information] Name ¡ª Kazuya Ishihara Gender ¡ª Male Race ¡ª Human Reiryoku Level ¡ª Great Level (Captain-ss) Alignment ¡ª Neutral Evil Affiliation ¡ª None ¡­
Racial Abilities None
Innate Abilities [Silvery Voice] [Crumbling Heart (Human): You can walk unhindered upon any surface.] [Regeneration] [Pain Resistance]
Acquired Abilities [Seduction: The ability to seduce those of the opposite gender. Mastery level - Basic] [Riding: The ability to ride a mount. Mastery level - Intermediate] [Arithmetic: The ability to process arithmetic problems. Mastery level - Intermediate] [Provocation: The ability to anger people with your tongue. Mastery level - Basic]
His Crumbling Heart ability had changed along with his race. Instead of providing support to allies, it had transformed into a self-serving skill that was absurdly underwhelming. After all, he could easily create Reiryoku tforms to fly anywhere. What was the point of this innate ability? ¡®Can¡¯t have all the good things. Well, Ciri won¡¯t recover for a while. Should I train in my human form?¡¯ He shook off the idea. The only potential evolution for his human race was bing a Quincy. Normal Quincy¡¯s weapons and techniques were nothing extraordinary. Schrift ¡ª the greatest ability of the Quincy race was gatelocked by Yhwach, the Father of Quincies. ¡®Blut is the most useful. I¡¯ll focus on my Hollow powers first. Who knows if I can unlock a form beyond Vasto Lorde?¡¯ He was already so far in his Hollow evolution. He might need to train for years to achieveparable power with Human and Shinigami forms. They would merely be side questspared to the priority of his Hollow form. After all, he wasn¡¯t confident about achieving Bankai in ten days, like Ichigo. Fighting a Captain-ss without Bankai would be tough. ¡®First priority Hollow, second Shinigami, andst Quincy.¡¯ Leaving his cave, he found M Rose perched atop a mountain. She vigntly scanned the surroundings for any threats encroaching upon them. He soared above her and yfullyunched a tiny Reiryoku orb at her head. ¡°Hello, my sweet kitten.¡± M Rose snarled, eliciting a chuckle from him. He zipped away, soon pursued by an irritated M Rose. Landing on the ground, he turned to face her. ¡°Wanna train?¡± M Rose''s grumpy expression transformed into one of excitement. Casting aside her shirt, she took on the stance of a predator ready to pounce upon its prey. ¡°Dordoni''s nonsense didn''t let me show my full potential. Devour¡­ Leona! (Gold Lioness General)¡± Her Resurri¨®n form was unleashed with a torrent of Reiatsu. It was just as eye catchingly feral and seductive as he remembered. She set her green eyes on him. ¡°Kazuya, I''ming. Try not to be a t corpse." Dordoni hadn''t provided her with a proper opportunity to disy her physical prowess. Kazuya became the ideal contender for her to unleash her full force. He fortified his arms with Oppression and released his Reiryoku to augment his defenses with Reiatsu. M Rose closed the gap in a split second and swung her broadsword. ¡°Get wrecked!¡± He tilted his head, narrowly evading the immense arc of her de, and drove his knee towards her belly. He forced her to face him in a range where her weapon was hard to use. She countered by swiftly raising her knee to intercept his strike, thenunched a vicious elbow towards his face. He deftly ducked beneath her assault, snaked an arm between her legs, and hoisted her onto his shoulder with surprising agility. M Rose writhed on his shoulders, pounding the hilt of her weapon into his ribs and battering him with her knees. ¡°W-What the heck are you nning?¡± Grimacing through the pain, he found a firm grip on the back of her neck and flung her skyward. She mmed into the ground, sending plumes of white sand exploding in every direction. She was buried a couple of inches under the Hueco Mundo. "You bastard!" She leaped out, fuming with rage at being tossed about like a sack of potatoes. "Y-You''re despicable. How can you treat a woman like that?" ¡°Everything is fair in love and war. I approach every battle as if it''s war, and I also love you. So everything I do here is fair.¡± M Rose stared at him, stupefied. ¡°You love me? When the hell did that happen?¡± Aside from their kiss and some moments, their rtionship bordered on the verge of acquaintance and friend, leaning into thetter after their kiss. Suddenly hearing him confess his love shook her mind. He lunged at her with his fist. She blocked his punch with her broadsword and pushed him back. ¡°Focus on training first. Don¡¯t get distracted.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ignore my question, dammit. What the hell did I do to earn your love?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. You being sexy might have something to do with it.¡± "So you''re just after my body." M Rose¡¯s face turned dark as though she hated the thought of being lusted after for her body alone. Golden Reiatsu crackled around her as a tidal wave of murderous intent bore down on Kazuya. "All men are the same. I thought you were different. In the end, you''re like everyone else." He was certainly wrong about curing her hatred for men in one conversation. It would take time to cure her prejudice. Before he could ease the misunderstanding, M Rose charged at him with the ferocity of a lioness, shing at his chest. Her attacks were lethal, aimed to kill. He enveloped his hand in Reiatsu and caught her Zanpakut¨­ with his bare hands. Her Reiatsu sliced through his skin like a hot knife through butter, but her de failed to prate his flesh. The sight of his blood poured cold water on her impulsive fury. She retracted her Zanpakut¨­, her gaze fixed on his rapidly healing wound. While she regretted injuring Kazuya, he was of a different mind. ¡®Will my Hollow Mask regenerate if it¡¯s broken?¡¯ He decided to test the theoryter. ¡°Rose, I didn¡¯t mean it that way. Don¡¯t try to murder your man over a misunderstanding, dude.¡± ¡°What else did you mean by those words?¡± ¡°Youpletely ignored the ¡®might¡¯ part¡­ Your body is just one part of my love equation. I am still trying to figure out the other part.¡± He hadn¡¯tpletely fallen for her but he absolutely adored her. M Rose sighed, her shoulders sagging. She raked a hand through her hair, hoping her impulsive words hadn''t wounded him. ¡°Something went off in my head when you said that¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°You hurt me. It was emotional damage¡­¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± She let her Zanpakut¨­ fall to the ground and encircled his waist with her arms, seemingly attempting to crush him in her embrace. ¡°Forgive me or I¡¯ll crush you with my bear huuuug.¡± ¡°O-Oi, stop. It¡¯s starting to hurt.¡± He hadn¡¯t strengthened his waist with Oppression, focusing on his limbs to increase his explosiveness. M Rose¡¯s hug genuinely squeezed the life out of him. ¡°Just say the damn words.¡± ¡°Okay! I forgive you! Stop it now!¡± M Roseughed and tightened her grip before hoisting him off the ground and twirling him around. She set him down after a dozen dizzying spins andid a hand on his shoulder. ¡°You brute¡­¡± She continuedughing. ¡°Oh my god¡­ Kazuya, I don¡¯t hate whatever we have right now. Let¡¯s, you know, defeat Baraggan first then sort the rest of this stuff¡­ I want to focus on training and bing stronger.¡± ¡°I see.¡± She stepped back and ced her hands on her hips, drawing eyes to her abs. ¡°What am I saying is¡ª¡± ¡°That you love me and you can¡¯t live without me, but Baraggan is a bitch who won¡¯t let you sleep peacefully. So, we got to take care of him first.¡± ¡°You got nothing!¡± Kazuya chuckled before dodging a broadsword strike. They continued training with an intense, pulse-pounding battle. He found it increasingly difficult to counter her devastating blows. She exhibited far greater brute strength and agility than in her sh with Dordoni. Had she grown stronger within hours, or had she been holding back during her previous battle? It had to be the former, since she was still adapting to her new Arrancar form. ¡®Was she this strong in the story? I don¡¯t believe it.¡¯ M Rose had a st swinging her sword all over the ce. She fought him to her heart¡¯s content until her Reiryoku couldn¡¯t support her release form. Chapter 31: Experiment Chapter 31: Experiment Kazuya crossed his arms as his gaze drifted across M Rose¡¯s naked body. ¡°You¡¯re one terrifying exhibitionist kitten.¡± She scoffed and picked up her shirt from the ground before putting it on. ¡°Not more than you. When are you breaking your mask?¡± She couldn''t fathom facing him if he received the same power boost as her upon bing an Arrancar. However, it didn''t matter, as she was determined to hone her skills and grow even stronger. ¡°I wonder the same,¡± said Ciri as she jumped down from the hill. ¡°It¡¯s the single biggest power boost you can get as a Vasto Lorde. I did it. She did it. When we¡¯re in need of desperate power, why are you backing out of it?¡± Having replenished a substantial portion of her Reiryoku, Ciri had utilized some of her regained energy to clean herself and eradicate all traces of blood. Her silver mane now glistened with a captivating allure, revealing the meticulous effort she had invested in her appearance. Kazuya couldn''t help but observe her once more: a regal mane joint with two droopy wings, and a sleek, dolphin-like tail trailing behind her ¡ª all the result of her damaged Zanpakut¨­ leaving her in a peculiar half-released, half-Arrancar form. "Wow, you went through all this effort just for me. I''m so touched," he teased with a yful wink. "Here''s apliment for you, Ciri, our murderous goth chick ¡ª you look less fucked-up than before. Well done." His backhandedpliment earned him a re that could have in a dragon. ¡°Don¡¯t change the topic. Are you perhaps afraid of failure? The big jerk who beat down two of the strongest Espada is afraid of death?¡± Kazuya shrugged. ¡°I am more afraid of letting everyone down. As much as I trust in their abilities, they can¡¯t survive Baraggan without me.¡± It was just a sophisticated way of admitting he was afraid of dying mid-process. He was living quite the life in Hueco Mundo. It would be almost tragic if he died like that. Knowing his luck, it might just happen. He wasn''t a coward. He was cautious. M Rose frowned. ¡°Then don¡¯t fail, Skull. Here, I will break it with my sword.¡± Kazuya caught her sword mid strike and raised a brow. ¡°Ciri, let¡¯s leave.¡± ¡°Kazuya, don¡¯t back out. Have trust in yourself,¡± Ciri urged as she folded her arms. ¡°The process is easy. Subdue your wildness and seal your powers in the form of an object. It¡¯s how Szayel described it to Espada.¡± She absolutely had no ulterior motive like witnessing his agonizing screams. ¡°Szayel? That mad scientist? He is an Espada?¡± Ciri¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she realized her mistake in bringing up Szayel. She confessed to being a twisted soul, sometimes delighting in the suffering of others. But Szayel was an entirely different species of sadist¡ªa deranged lunatic with no qualms about pushing the boundaries of his experiments. The sheer terror he invoked was the sole driving force behind her allegiance to Baraggan. Life held no particr value for her, but she would do anything to avoid bing a specimen in hisboratory of horrors. Anything. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Ciri felt a little calm after hearing his soothing voice. ¡°Szayel is Baraggan¡¯s Court Alchemist. N¨²mero Uno Espada. How do you know him?¡± ¡°Damn. Give me the name of the rest of Espada, their abilities, their strengths, and their weaknesses.¡± Ciri divulged the information without a moment''s hesitation. While the Espada wererades in the loosest sense, their alliance was born solely out of mutual subjugation to Baraggan. No true bond of camaraderie united them like genuine soldiers. Kazuya became more and more surprised at the information being fed to him. How could he not? He never expected Espada under Baraggan to be as powerful as they would be under Aizen and his H¨­gyoku. But the reality waspletely different. Baraggan had seven Espada serving under him, which got reduced to five with Dordoni and Ciri¡¯s departure. #1 Szayporro #2 Luppi Antenor #3 Dordoni #4 Loly #5 Ciri #6 Aaroniero #7 Gantenbainne Kazuya marveled at the apparent weakness of the current Espada lineup. Aside from Szayporro and Baraggan, he anticipated little difficulty in defeating the remaining Espada. Their rankings weren''t based on raw strength or their Aspect of Death like Aizen¡¯s Espada; instead, they were determined by their usefulness and loyalty to Baraggan. After battling Dordoni and Ciri, two of the strongest Espada, Kazuya had overestimated the might of Baraggan''s forces. ¡®Baraggan is the only problematic opponent. Well, let¡¯s just have some rxing time in Japan.¡¯ The Hollowdies would appreciate a refreshing change of scenery, particrly Harribel, who harbored no love for bloodshed. Ciri regarded his contemtive expression. ¡°What are you thinking now?¡± ¡°Ciri, can you use your tail ability?¡± ¡°Yeah. What do you want to do?¡± ¡°Do it for a second. I want to cut something. Make the spear as small as possible.¡± Ciri lifted her tail and conjured a pinknce at its tip before it shrank into a dagger-like weapon. Kazuya seized her tail and brought the dagger close to his face, sensing the vibrating Reiatsu emanating from every edge of the de. ¡°Rose, take this and cut a small part of my mask. Keep it as small as possible.¡± Ciri¡¯s spear was the sharpest and most precise weapon at his disposal. ¡°Ugh.¡± Ciri grimaced as she saw her tail being passed around. M Rose gripped her tail hard, enough to make her wince. ¡°Be gentle.¡± M Roseughed. ¡°Bear with it, woman.¡± Kazuya closed his eyes, demonstrating unwavering trust in M Rose. She grasped his chin and carefully guided the dagger along the side of his mask. A tiny fragment of white mask tumbled to the ground. Kazuya flinched as a searing pain pierced his soul. In mere moments, the mask regenerated to its original size, confirming his hypothesis regarding his Hollow Mask. His regeneration powers had improved after his battle with Ciri. "Amazing," Ciri murmured, awecing her voice. "I have never seen a Hollow regenerate their mask, much less with a speed visible to eyes. Your regenerative power is both astonishing and terrifying.¡± Ciri¡¯s praises reminded Kazuya of the other Arrancar who had simr regeneration powers ¡ª Ulquiorra Cifer. Their wings and horns looked different, but they both looked close to a typical demon. ¡®Are we rted or what?¡¯ He narrowed his eyes and beckoned M Rose. "Get back to your Resurri¨®n form and shatter my mask. If I fail to control myself, knock me out cold. I''ll recover¡­ eventually." The toughness of a Hollow Mask depended on their Reiryoku level. With his great Reiryoku, it would be hard to shatter his mask without a strong strike. M Rose''s grin widened, revealing her ferocious lion fangs. ¡°I will chop your penis if you go berserk. You won¡¯t ever be able to mate.¡± Knowing Kazuya¡¯s obsession with the act of mating, she threatened to cut off his most precious organ that allowed him to fulfill his sexual fantasies. The threat worked wonders as Kazuya shuddered visibly. Having experienced an injury close to his little brother, he was having traumatizing shbacks. ¡°Don¡¯t even joke about that!¡± ¡°Haha.¡± M Rose stepped closer and held her Zanpakut¨­. ¡°How do you want me to strike? Horizontal, vertical or diagonal?¡± ¡°Strike the middle of my face. Just don¡¯t leave cut marks.¡± Kazuya closed his eyes, only to sense three presences closing in on him. ¡°Wait!¡± M Rose paused and looked at Harribel and the rest. ¡°Skull, they¡¯re gonna chew you alive.¡± Harribel crossed her arms on her chest, giving him a sharp look. ¡°How many times do I have to say this? Don¡¯t be reckless.¡± Api, on the other, seemed pissed. ¡°He tells me to hold off, then he pulls off something like this.¡± ¡°Ara, I¡¯m sure he is taking the risk to protect us. However.¡± Sung-Sun sharpened her reptilian eyes. ¡°At least inform us if you¡¯re making a decision of this stature.¡± They seemed pissed at his choice to recklessly start the process behind their backs; their anger showed their care for him. It also reminded him of his previous lover. Yumi was easy to anger but always cared about his well-being. ¡°It¡¯s not reckless, geez. Listen¡­¡± Kazuya exined the reasoning behind his impulsive decision. Despite his sweet voice and persuasive skills, it took him a full minute to alleviate Harribel''s fears, yet a hint of concern still shone in her eyes. Undeterred by their worries, Kazuya urged M Rose to proceed. ¡°Devour, Liona!¡± Unleashing her released state, she swung her Zanpakut¨­ with one hand, slicing his mask in two. Chapter 32-33: A Strange Zanpakuto Chapter 32-33: A Strange Zanpakuto Kazuya crumpled to his knees, clutching his face in agony. Pain was no stranger to him, having lost an arm before, but this torment surpassed all previous experiences, even exceeding his initial death. Despite his Pain Resistance skill, he felt like screaming ceaselessly, and in fact, he was screaming, oblivious to his own cries. "Kazuya!" Harribel reached out to him, but her words vanished into the chaos surrounding him. ¡°KAZUYA!¡± His Reiatsu began to surge, trembling the very ground they stood upon. It dwarfed M Rose''s Reiatsu, despite the fact she could rival a weak Vasto Lorde¡¯s Reiatsu in her base Arrancar form. A wave of Reiatsu erupted like a deafening sonic boom, hurling everyone beyond his reach. Harribel struggled to her feet, Kazuya now no more than a violet speck in the distance. His Reiatsu had propelled her that far. She raced back towards him, only to falter momentster, clutching her head. Kazuya''s Reiatsu permeated the air, bearing down on her soul with suffocating pressure, causing her head to pound. It was as if gravity itself had intensified in the area surrounding him. The Reiatsu was different from anything she had ever felt. It wasn¡¯t just powerful or massive. It felt alien. The thick and heavy energy felt like something other than Reiatsu. But Harribel knew it was Reiatsu belonging to Kazuya. ¡®Wait for me. I¡¯ll be there.¡¯ Determined and unyielding, Harribel pressed onward, her eyes locked on Kazuya. ¡°Harribel-sama!¡± M Rose, gripping her broadsword tightly, followed Harribel''s lead, with the others a mere step behind, united in theirmitment to aid Kazuya as he had once helped M Rose with her Arrancar transformation. However, their progress was short-lived, halted after a dozen steps. Kazuya''s Reiatsu bore down on them like an oppressive weight, sapping their willpower to the point they felt terrified of taking another step in his direction. Api let out a strangled cry, her legs trembling under the relentless pressure. "W-What the hell is this? This Reiatsu is too much." "This Reiatsu is different from his." M Rose, faring better than Api and Sung-Sun, discerned the unique property of the Reiatsu. "It''s... sinister and cold." ¡°We can¡¯t go further,¡± Sung-Sun whispered calmly as she moved back. ¡°Let¡¯s retreat for now.¡± Api gave her a death re. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. I¡¯ll help him.¡± Sung-Sun hissed. ¡°Don¡¯t you fucking give me that look. I want to help Kazuya as much as you. What the fuck can we do?¡± Api recoiled, terrorized by Sung-Sun''s furious eyes. Never before had the snake lost herposure, but the sight of her friend writhing in agony pushed her to the edge. She felt utterly powerless. Reluctantly heeding Sung-Sun¡¯s words, Api and M Rose withdrew and regrouped with Ciri. She looked terrified of his Reiatsu far more than the three. ¡°It¡¯s stronger than Baraggan.¡± Baraggan, having dwelled in Hueco Mundo for an unknown length of time, had amassed Reiryoku through innumerable battles. He was considered the Hollow with the most potent Reiatsu in Hueco Mundo. Yet, Kazuya, the young Hollow, disyed a Reiatsu that eclipsed even Baraggan''s. The difference was staggering. Ciri realized that Kazuya¡¯s dream of ying Baraggan would be reality. ¡°If he survives¡­¡± ¡°Argh!¡± Api screamed out in frustration and stomped the ground. ¡°What the hell do we do? We can¡¯t leave him be.¡± "What can we do?" Cyan Sung-Sun murmured, despair in her voice. "We have to trust Harribel-sama..." Harribel hadn¡¯t stopped for a second, even if her pace looked shaky. Sung-Sun put her trust in her leader to save the day. M Rose flung her Zanpakut¨­ aside and tugged at her hair in despair. Though her Reiatsu might have neared Harribel''s in her Resurri¨®n form, she couldn''t harness it after exhausting her Reiryoku during training. Even if she could assume her Resurri¨®n form, she wouldn''t have advanced farther than Harribel. ¡°Dammit. It¡¯s my fucking fault.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not the time to me yourself.¡± Api gritted her teeth audibly, her fiery gaze on the cocoon in the distance. ¡°Sung-Sun, you said you were smart and efficient. Think about something. Ciri, stop standing there.¡± ¡°What do you want me to do?!¡± Panic gripped all four of them, each expressing it in their own way. Three genuinely cared for Kazuya''s well-being, while the former Espada simply wanted him alive to fulfill his promise of revenge against Baraggan. ¡°I am doing my best¡ªwait, it ended.¡± Their attention snapped to Kazuya''s cocoon, which began to fracture, his Reiatsu gradually receding. They sprinted towards him with every ounce of speed they could muster. Harribel, with her superior Son¨ªdo, reached him first, catching him before he could tumble from the cocoon. As she knelt on the ground, she tenderly pressed a hand against his face, unfazed by the viscous fluid that coated him. Feeling his breath and the steady beat of his heart, she drew him into her embrace. "You scared me... I thought you wouldn''t survive." Holding him like this, she realized the depth of her affection for him. If he had died, she would have been consumed by madness. ¡°You¡¯re my family¡­¡± Unconscious, Kazuya was unable to hear her gentle murmurs. Perhaps it was for the best, as he would likely have responded with something offensive or teasing. "Harribel-sama, is he alright?" Api''s voice trembled with urgency as she inquired. "Is he...?" "Safe," Harribel replied, her voice a low murmur, oozing with fatigue. The oppressive Reiatsu had almost knocked her out. "Just unconscious." ¡°M Rose was so energetic after her thing,¡± Api mused. ¡°This guy does everything like an anomaly he is.¡± ¡°I also can¡¯t be a human, either,¡± M Rose retorted, rolling her eyes. She knelt beside Harribel, poking his face with a curious finger. A viscous, milky substance stuck to her fingertip, and she hesitantly tasted it. Grimacing, she spat onto the ground, desperate to get rid of its weird vor. "Yuck, it''s so salty." Api stared at M Rose. ¡°Don¡¯t taste everything you see.¡± Sung-Sun exhaled a sigh of relief, studying the changes that had urred in Kazuya¡¯s body. Harribel''s protective embrace obscured the full extent of his transformation, but as if sensing Sung-Sun''s gaze, she tenderly lowered him onto the ground, allowing them to observe everything. ¡°Wow¡­¡± A collective gasp echoed from three Adjuchas. Even Harribel''s eyes widened in awe. The most striking transformation was Kazuya¡¯s face, no longer hidden behind a mask. Instead, two imposing horns curved at the sides of his head, remnants of his once fearsome Hollow Mask. M Rose patted his face. ¡°Why does he look so fucking powerful in this form?¡± Api nodded at M Rose¡¯s words. ¡°Following this pattern, I will have a horn on my forehead, which will help me with Cero.¡± She could predict the direction of her Arrancar form after witnessing two Arrancar transformations. Sung-Sun flicked her tongue, imagining all the possibilities. ¡°I will keep the earrings. I like them. Do any of you see Kazuya¡¯s Zanpakut¨­?¡± M Rose¡¯s eyes darted around, only tond on something utterly unexpected. ¡°No way!¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡± Ciri¡¯s jaw hung open. ¡°st. It can¡¯t be his Zanpakut¨­.¡± The group received another shock. They were truly speechless this time around. ¡°Let¡¯s leave before Hollows get curious.¡± Harribel lifted him in his arms, finding him far more hefty than his form implied. ¡°Rose, take his¡­ Zanpakut¨­.¡± Harribel hesitatingly addressed ¡®it¡¯ as his Zanpakut¨­. M Rose lifted the round object in the air like a prized trophy. "I can''t wait for him to wake up. Hahaha!" She couldn''t help but grin, envisioning the sweet taste of revenge for all the teasing she''d endured, herughter ringing out once more. Ciri felt a tug at her lips. M Rose¡¯s energy was infectious. She stepped forward and ced a hand on Harribel¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Harribel, you¡¯re not in the best shape. Um, let me carry him.¡± It was a rare moment for Ciri to offer assistance on her initiative. After seeing the party work things out, she had to offer something. M Rose pointed at herself with her thumb. ¡°Yo, let me. I got stronger arms than this petitedy.¡± ¡°Who are you calling petite?¡± Ciri frowned, missing her whip more than ever. ¡°Brute.¡± M Rose¡¯s brow twitched. ¡°You want a fight?¡± ¡°Stop this meaningless fight right this instant.¡± Sung-Sun hissed. ¡°Harribel-sama, do you need help?¡± Harribel held Kazuya closer instead of separating from him like a mother clinging to her son. ¡°I can do it.¡± *** The colossal surge of Reiatsu ensnared the attention of nearby Hollows, regardless of their strength. They could feel the spiritual presence of a terrifying being,pelling them to stay far away. On the outskirts of a vige alive with the chatter, a centaur-like Hollow stood guard. Her head swiveled to the north, her grip on hernce involuntarily tightening. The ancient Reiatsu sent shivers cascading down her spine. She couldn''t fathom the fate that had befallen the Hollows in closer proximity to the source of this ominous power. Could they have died? Her hazel eyes flickered, narrowing into a razor-sharp focus."I have to investigate." ***
Hollow¡¯s Evolution ¡®Arrancar (First Form)¡¯ achieved.
Kazuya''s eyes flickered open to a System prompt announcing his recent achievement. ¡®I¡¯m alive¡­ barely.¡¯ He couldn''t fathom what might have happened if he hadn''t acquired the Pain Resistance skill. He surely wouldn''t have made it out alive. Feeling the familiar cool embrace of skin beneath him, he instantly recognized he was lying on Harribel''s thighs. Fatigue weighed heavily on every muscle in his body, yet he couldn''t help but smile, knowing the ever-devoted Harribel remained by his side. ¡®This obsessed mommy.¡¯ "You''re awake," Harribel noted, sensing the fluctuations in his Reiatsu. "You gave us all a scare." With considerable effort, he sat up, rubbing his head as the world swirled around him. His Reiryoku had barely recuperated while hey unconscious. "I didn''t think I''d survive either. That was... extraordinary." ¡°It¡¯s all in the past. You¡¯re an Arrancar now.¡± ¡°I guess I am.¡± He summoned his status and observed his model. ¡®What the fuck?!¡¯ His Arrancar form portrayed him without a mask, but with the same distinctive horns curving on either side of his head. The most significant change, however, was in his attire. He donned a white ensemble that revealed a symbol on his chest ¡ª a ck outline resembling a phoenix. Spoiler [copse] The Hollow holes on his legs had vanished, reced by metal shackles encircling his wrists and ankles, trailing a remnant of chain. He appeared like a runaway prisoner. ¡®I ran away from Gramps so it makes sense? Like hell it does!¡¯ He tried taking off the shackles but they were stuck fast. He clicked his tongue. ¡°Harribel, where is my Zanpakut¨­? I can¡¯t feel it.¡± "It''s here~. Feast your eyes on the strongest Zanpakut¨­ in existence!¡± As if waiting for an opportunity, M Rose rushed into the cave and thrust a football-sized egg into his hands. The egg''s shell bore a pale violet hue, its surface mimicking the texture of Sung-Sun''s scales. More importantly, the egg continuously released a small amount of Reiatsu akin to his own. Harribel ced a hand on his shoulder. ¡°This magically appeared at the ce of your transformation. We believe it¡¯s your Zanpakut¨­.¡± Kazuya watched, speechless. ¡®I¡­ Iid an egg. What the hell is happening?¡¯ He knocked on the egg. ¡°Anyone there? Is this like the case with Starkk¡­?¡± Coyote Starkk''s Zanpakut¨­ had taken the form of another Hollow, Lilte. But a Zanpakut¨­ in the shape of an egg ¡ª that was an entirely unprecedented phenomenon. ¡®I see a phoenix mark on my chest. Will the egg give birth to a new me?¡¯ He shuddered at the thought of another him running around the world, causing as much chaos as him if not more. ¡®Nah, it can¡¯t be another human. It has to be a creature.¡¯ The events unfolding were even more bizarre than the fact he reincarnated in the world of Bleach. There must be a reason behind the egg being his Zanpakut¨­, one that would surely be revealed when the egg cracks. Chapter 34: Jealous Deer Chapter 34: Jealous Deer Api and the others crowded into the cramped confines of the cave. It didn¡¯t take a moment for Sung-Sun and M Rose to start verbally berating each other. He felt like a father watching over a bunch of rowdy kids arguing for candy. Ciri scrutinized Kazuya with piercing eyes, as though attempting to decipher his very essence. "...How do you feel?" "Thanks for your concern, but I''m doing fine." He nced down at the egg cradled in hisp. "Except for this. What in the world is this?" Ciri snickered. ¡°I have no idea. Do you want to consult Doctor Szayel of Las Noches? He might solve your problem.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll hand you over to him while I¡¯m at it. He will love tearing apart a half-assed abomination of a goth chick.¡± ¡°Last I recall it happened when I was fighting you. You are the reason I am an abomination.¡± Despite her usatory words, she didn¡¯t me him for anything. She had torn her wings and extra limbs out of her volition. ming him for her decision would be unfair, especially for an action taken when they were mortal enemies. ¡°Just kidding. You¡¯re not an abomination.¡± He grinned, eyes twinkling. ¡°You¡¯re the second most beautiful Hollow in the world. Harribel is first.¡± Api nudged Ciri out of the way, pushing her closer to the entrance in a fit of jealousy. Her resentful gesture raised a chuckle out of him. ¡°Api, I¡¯m d you didn¡¯t act recklessly this time.¡± In the deepest recesses of his mind, he could picture Api ripping her mask apart in a frenzy, the moment anything befell him. She cared about him, otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have risked her life to protect his possession. Api lowered her head, her voice a whisper. "It wouldn''t have made a difference." Tearing her mask would bring her on par with M Rose, who was also struggling in the of his Reiatsu. He reached out, affectionately rubbing her crest. "You did well." ¡°Hmph.¡± Sung-Sun¡¯s serpent-like tongue flickered and licked the eggshell before slithering it across his cheek. ¡°A simr taste.¡± M Rose''sughter roared. "So, the skull has truly be a mother. Who''s the father, though?" Kazuya''s hand flew to his mouth, feigning shock. ¡°Did your kiss do it? I¡­ You better take responsibility for this.¡± M Rose found herself at a loss for words, her mouth agape. She''d intended to gain the upper hand with the egg, but Kazuya had effortlessly flipped the situation back onto her. Sung-Sun poked M Rose¡¯s face with her tongue. ¡°I warned you this was useless. You can''t triumph over superior beings such as Kazuya and myself. Inferior beings should just admit defeat and bow before us.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± M Rose clenched her sword. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡± ¡°Ara. Don¡¯t resort to violence.¡± ¡°Aaaargh.¡± Sung-Sun slithered out of the shadowed cave, M Rose hot on her heels with her Zanpakut¨­. Ciri followed them to make sure M Rose didn¡¯t end up killing Sung-Sun. ¡°They will never change,¡± he muttered, shaking his head. ¡°Just to set the record straight, what I said was a joke. I''m still very much a man. I''m talking to you, Harribel. Don¡¯t start treating me like a girl.¡± ¡°I know. I know¡­¡± Harribel exhaled a soft sigh. ¡°I might not join in your banter but I can understand your sense of humor.¡± They severely underestimated her observation skills. ¡°Why does it matter?¡± Api inquired. ¡°Man or woman¡­ she treats all of us with the same affection.¡± Kazuya¡¯s face twitched. Api was aware of his interest in Harribel, yet asked such a weird question. It was very much an attempt to poke the ho¡¯s nest. He was way too exhausted to deal with her right now. Before he could respond, Harribel intervened. With her sword arm, she pped Api''s back, a resounding thwack echoing through the chamber. "Let him rest. Come outside." ¡°Hey, don¡¯t hit me!¡± Harribel continued striking Api¡¯s back until she drove the deer out. Looking over her shoulder, she sighed. ¡°Kazuya, don¡¯t indulge Api too much¡­ let her learn to walk before she runs.¡± Kazuya tilted his head, waiting for an exnation. Harribel gave none whatsoever and left the cave. ¡®What did she mean? Come to think of it, she still hasn¡¯t told me about that favor.¡¯ Being quiet and observant, Harribel rarely shared her feelings and mostly kept to herself. ¡®I¡¯ll think about itter.¡¯ Kazuya copsed onto the frigid sand floor, the mysterious egg nestled securely against his chest. He checked his status for any new ability.
[General Information] Name ¡ª Kazuya Ishihara Gender ¡ª Male Race ¡ª Hollow (Vasto Lorde Arrancar) Reiryoku Level ¡ª Great Level (Captain-ss Plus) Alignment ¡ª Neutral Evil Affiliation ¡ª Unnamed Faction ¡­
Racial Abilities [Cero: Reiryoku offensive technique Mastery level - High.] [Sonido: Movement technique Mastery level - High.] [Descorrer: Limited Spatial Distortion technique. Mastery level - Basic.] [Hierro: Reiryoku defensive technique. Mastery level - Basic.] [Resurri¨®n: Zanpakut¨­ release. Mastery level - None.] [Pesquisa: Perception technique. Mastery level - None.]
Innate Abilities [Silvery Voice] [Oppression (Aspect of Death)] [Crumbling Heart (Hollow)] [Regeneration]
Acquired Abilities ¡­
¡®Phoenix symbol, ridiculous healing power, and now an egg.¡¯ Despite his demonic appearance, all signs showed he wielded the power of a mythical phoenix or something simr. ''At least I received some decent clothes,'' he mused, focusing on the silver lining of his transformation, as was his nature. ¡®Also Hierro and Pesquisa.¡¯ Chapter 35: I am your salvation Chapter 35: I am your salvation Chapter 35: I am your salvation Kazuya had immense control over his Reiatsu in his Hollow form due to the innate power of his Hollow Mask. His human form didn¡¯t have the same luxury. He used his resting time to fine tune his control and hide his Reiatsu from others, which required him to keep his Reiryoku from leaking out ¡ª a skill with great use in the Living World. He trained for a scant few hours before boredom forced him out of his resting ce. ¡°Harribel, protect this baby while I¡¯m away. Ciri, let¡¯s go.¡± Harribel cradled the egg and patted it gently with her left hand. Her tender gaze was very much like a mother. ¡°I¡¯ll protect your child with my life.¡± Her solemn words, paired with her motherly expression, left Kazuya momentarily speechless. ¡°Harribel, it¡¯s our child.¡± Harribel stared at with wide eyes before she gave a look of understanding. Her hunch about Kazuya was true all along. ¡°It¡¯s solely yours.¡± Ciri traced a line in the air, opening a Garganta with the same ease as Kazuya. "Leave the talk forter. Let¡¯s leave." She vaulted inside, and he plunged after her without hesitation. Suddenly, a maelstrom of turbulent Reishi swept through the vast void, forcing Ciri against his chest. Instinctively, he unfurled his wings¡ªnow twice as expansive as before¡ªand stabilized their footing with a tform of Reiatsu. "Phew, that nearly spirited us away to some unknown ce." The opportunist Kazuya held her by her side, his arms encircling her waist. He reveled in the delicate tickle of her feathers against his skin and her warmth. Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her nape. "Don''t worry. You''re in the safest ce in the world. Even if we were transported to some medieval fuckery, I¡¯ll protect your virginity¡­ Not from myself, of course." Ciri elbowed his chest, which did nothing against his Hierro defense. Left with no choice, she shoved him with her shoulder. ¡°Quit fooling around. How the fuck are you so horny all the time? There are more things in the world than chasing women.¡± Hollows, the creatures of instincts, showed not sexual excitement but hunger for her Reishi-rich body. He was one of the rare cases of a Hollow indulging in carnal desires, as she noticed in his interactions with his ¡®friends.¡¯ ¡°It¡­¡± Kazuya took a dramatic pause. ¡±Being so full of hormones is a pain. Did I mention I am just a month old? Newborns are always full of curiosity.¡± He med his lust on his new body. ¡°Baraggan won¡¯t care if you¡¯re one or ten months old. You should stop this tomfoolery and focus on training your new abilities.¡± ¡°Nada. I want to live a fun life, even if it bites me in the asster.¡± Ciri''s fists tightened. "If only every Hollow were as carefree as you, Hueco Mundo wouldn''t be a pit of despair." Sadly, most Hollows pursued their base instincts, rendering Hueco Mundo the most deste ce to exist, apart from maybe Hell. She dispelled the disheartening thoughts encroaching on her spirit, refusing to sumb to despair before eliminating the source of her hatred¡ªBaraggan and Szayel. Kazuya was no fool; he understood the implications behind Ciri''s whispers. Her Aspect of Death had to be Despair or a closely rted sentiment ¡ª a negative one. A cunning n to cure her depression and gain her loyalty formed behind his smile. ¡°Despair,¡± he murmured. ¡°It''s pent-up anger with nowhere to go. The darkest clouds, eager to unleash their fury, yet forever trapped. It suffocates you, never enough to take your life. It''s the darkness that makes us question the meaning behind every action.¡± Ciri found herself unable to tear her eyes from his solemn expression, her heart resonating with his words. He had correctly described her feelings. "Despair is¡­ it¡¯s just pure suffering." ¡°It is, but.¡± He raised a finger. ¡°Only in the darkness can you truly see the light. So, tell me, Ciri, would you rather keep your head down and never see the light, or allow me to guide you to the radiance of salvation?¡± He extended his hand, a benevolent smile gracing his lips. Had he been born in the medieval era, he might have been the most revered pope of his time. Unconsciously, Ciri ced her hand in his, falling deeper into his web of maniption. As the magic of his voice faded, she came to her senses and abruptly withdrew from him. "It''s impossible¡­ I am a Hollow. There''s no future for us¡ªfor me. I can never have the peaceful life I desire." His persuasive words and honeyed voice exposed her deepest insecurities, the insecurities that were born when she wandered the world as an Adjuchas. She had searched the entire Hueco Mundo but there wasn¡¯t anything which could fill the gaping hole in her heart. Nothing she did ever made her feel genuinely satisfied. The hole in her heart made her question the meaning of her existence. The meaning of Hueco Mundo and the entire species of Hollows. She constantly lived through a mental state akin to those experiencing an existential crisis. She wasn¡¯t a special Hollow to realize the ¡®despair¡¯ that awaited their race. Any powerful Hollow with a semnce of intelligence would feel the dread deep down in their hearts. But their desires and hunger kept them from pondering such deep questions. ¡°What you feel is the dread of an existential crisis,¡± he said, reaching out to stroke her mane. ¡°The only escape is through self-discovery. Ciri, I can change that mindset and guide you to happiness. Will you give me a chance?¡± Ciri shook her head, distancing herself from him with a sense of mncholy. "What even is the point? You should spend that time and energy on honing your skills." The broken state of her Zanpakut¨­ only served to intensify her feelings of despair. ¡°Just give me one day of your time. If I can¡¯t solve your problem, I won¡¯t bother you.¡± There had to be something in the Living World ¡ª some fun activity, some object, aforting pet ¡ª anything that could elevate her spirits and drag her soul out of the pit of despair. He didn''t love her enough to go to extraordinary lengths, but she would be an invaluable ally in guiding him through Las Noches. Besides, witnessing her in such a vulnerable state stirred genuine sympathy within him. ¡®Or I just have a soft spot for goth girls.¡¯ She unclenched her fists and released a resigned sigh. "...Fine." With the matter settled, Ciri dashed through the void, leaving a trail of pale pink Reiatsu beneath her feet. Without warning, she halted and flicked the air, causing the fabric of space around them to fracture. She stepped back and charged headlong into the fissure, shards of ss-like space erupting in a brilliant explosion all around. Kazuya pped at the mystical disy. ¡°Sheesh.¡± *** Chapter 36: Encounter in Town Chapter 36: Encounter in Town Chapter 36: Encounter in Town Kazuya sped after Ciri, soon finding himself hovering above a bustling road. Cars zoomed by below, their screeching horns and shrieking brakes reverberating through the stormy night. The familiarndscape of Japan surrounded him, but there was an unmistakable difference in the atmosphere. Billboards promoting games or anime were conspicuously absent, and video advertisements were nowhere to be seen. The city, devoid of its usual vibrancy, felt strangely subdued. Of course, nobody around them reacted to the massive fracture in the sky. A rain-soaked newspaper, carried by the wind, caught his attention. Most of the text in the newspaper was illegible, but the date in the top right corner remained fairly visible: 3rd May, 1950. ¡®Did I arrive here on the first of April?¡¯ It seemed as though his reincarnation happened as an April Fool¡¯s joke. It made all the sense in the world when he recalled his ¡°Zanpakut¨­¡¯s¡± shape. ¡°Suppress your Reiatsu as much as you can,¡± Ciri advised. ¡°We should change our locations.¡± ¡°I know, I know. Don¡¯t start acting like my mom.¡± Kazuya paused and shook his head. ¡°What am I saying? I¡­ never had a mom. Ciri, would you be so kind as to adopt me as your child?¡± Ciri flipped her middle finger in his face. ¡°Buzz off.¡± ¡°Haha, you can leave now. I¡¯ll call you when I want that one day.¡± He waved his hand with a charming smile. ¡°Do consider my proposal about adopting me. It¡¯ll be fun being my mommy, you know?¡± ¡°Pervert.¡± Ciri reopened Garganta and nced at him over her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t get killed.¡± ¡°A, you¡¯re such a considerate mom,¡± he teased. ¡°If Baraggan attacks in my absence, bring the girls over here. Do not fight him, I repeat.¡± ¡°I know his strength, Kazuya. It¡¯ll be foolish for us to engage him head-on. I¡¯ll do as you say. When will you return there?¡± ¡°A few days at the very least.¡± He had to use the opportunity to scout some things. Ciri nodded and vanished into the void, the fractures in the space healing on its own. Kazuya, now alone, looked around the street. ¡°What¡¯s in fashion in this era, I wonder.¡± He spotted a clothing shop on the same street, saving him the trouble of searching all over the city. A nce at the shop¡¯s address and he was left dumbfounded. Karakura Town. ¡®What absurd luck is this?¡¯ There could be another reason for Ciri to be drawn to this ce ¡ª Karakura Town was a Concentrated Spirit Zone. The town concentrated the greatest spiritual beings in the world. ¡®Should I stay around? Urahara and Yoruichi should be here in that shop.¡¯ He decided to stick around for some days instead of leaving for another town. After swiftly ''borrowing'' some fancy clothes, Kazuya ducked into a shadowy alley and transformed into his human form, donning the perfect disguise to explore the town. He ruffled his unruly hair, which seemed to be the wildest part of his getup. ¡®Let¡¯s spend the night in some hotel?¡¯ The thought of sleeping on a soft bed raised his spirit. Api¡¯s meaty body or Sung-Sun¡¯s snake body couldn¡¯t bring him thefort of a real bed. ¡®So much to do.¡¯ Strolling alone in this form, particrly amid unfamiliar surroundings, left him feeling exposed, as though he was walking around naked. He had grown ustomed to the power of oppression at his fingertips. One could argue that he had embraced his Hollow identity wholeheartedly, and the four Hollow women gave him ample reason to remain Hollow for the rest of his days. ¡®Wouldn¡¯t it be simple to make me the strongest from the start?¡¯ He sighed, feeling wronged by the one who had reincarnated him. He might have skipped honing his other races if Hollows hadn''t been the weakest race in the world of Bleach. The mightiest Arrancar, Yammy, could perhaps contend with one or two Captain-ss adversaries simultaneously, but he was mere cannon fodder for behemoths like Aizen and Yhwach. He had to train the other races to their maximum or perhaps find a way to fuse them. Those were the only ways for him to survive the disasters Aizen and Yhwach would bring to the world without leaving everything on Ichigo. As he rounded a corner, he halted, petrified, for a long moment. The eruption of Reiatsu hadn''t gone unnoticed by the spiritual beings lurking within Karakura Town. The presence of two formidable Hollows had drawn these powerful entities out from theirirs. One such being was a tall Shinigami perched atop a house, a bucket hat concealing his visage. The hat''s green and white stripes imbued him with an air of frivolity. The saying "Don''t judge a book by its cover" was tailor-made for individuals like Kisuke Urahara. Despite hisid-back demeanor, he was a fearsome genius who had crafted an array of specialized equipment that aided the Soul Society even to this day. ¡®He is probably here after Aizen pinned his crimes on him.¡¯ Urahara was used of conducting experiments on his fellow Shinigami¡ªthat''s how the Soul Society remembered the former Captain of the 12th Division and the founder of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. In reality, Aizen was the one performing such experiments on Shinigami. Knowingly or unknowingly, Aizen had created an enemy out of one of the most dangerous people in the world. ¡®Does Urahara still have H¨­gyoku?¡¯ At some point, Urahara would deactivate his version of H¨­gyoku and conceal it within Rukia''s soul. Kazuya was unsure if that had already transpired in this timeline. As it stood, H¨­gyoku would prove immensely valuable to him, as it could safely convert Sung-Sun, Api, and Harribel into perfect Arrancar without risk. The only two versions of H¨­gyoku were in the possession of Urahara and Aizen. He sure as hell wasn¡¯t going anywhere close to Aizen this early, so he had to get the H¨­gyoku from Kisuke at any cost. ¡®Let¡¯s troll him a little.¡¯ Kazuya gave a bright smile as he waved at Kisuke Urahara. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t stand there in the rain. You¡¯ll slip and break your legs!¡± He was flirting with disaster by taunting one of the most formidable Shinigami. One could say he was courting death. Chapter 37: Kiwincy? Chapter 37: Kiwincy? Kisuke paid no heed to the shouts, assuming they were directed at someone else. His attention was consumed by deciphering the dual-type spiritual presence left by two ''Hollows.'' These spiritual presences were akin to those of his Visored friends but carried a more distinct ''Hollow'' aura than the Visored¡¯s Hollow aura. ¡®Hollows who have acquired Shinigami powers. Arrancars.¡¯ He had encountered information about them in the Soul Society''s archives but never had the opportunity to meet one with such formidable power. Yet the question lingered: Why had two Arrancars infiltrated his town? If they sought to act like typical Hollows and consumed souls, they would have caused an uproar. Instead, their stealthy approach made him uneasy. ¡°You with the green hat! Don¡¯t ignore me, jerk!¡± Kisuke''s wandering thoughts were disrupted when a stone hurtled toward his face. With lightning-fast reflexes, he tilted his head just enough to evade the projectile and lifted his hat to glimpse at the public offender. What he saw left him dumbstruck. The man standing in the street appeared to be an ordinary citizen, save for a faint trickle of Reiryoku seeping from him; the man''s Reiatsu barely qualified him as a spiritually aware human. Kisuke couldn''t shake the feeling that he had encountered a simr Reiatsu before. Skeptical, Kisuke raised his hand in greeting. ¡°Quite the rude fellow, aren¡¯t you? Have you never seen a handsome man enjoying the rain on a roof?¡± ¡°I have. In fact, I used to be like you when I was a teenager. It was fun pissing down from my roof on rainy days. Those were fun times, man.¡± ¡°My, that¡¯s just gross.¡± ¡°You should try it sometime. It feels rxing and therapeutic. Pissing in the rain is scientifically proven to lower your stress.¡± Kisuke shook his head and looked over his shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s enough grossness for today. I will see you around.¡± The approaching group of Shinigami left him with no choice but to stop his unpleasant talk. He used Shunpo and shed to the sky, his form assimting with the darkness. As the Shinigami began to look around the scene, the silver-haired youth just stood there, baffled. For a human, he showed an appropriate reaction to see men in kimonos jumping all over the ce. That was merely the beginning, as two cars rolled onto the scene. A woman with short ck hair and a stern, piercing gaze emerged from the first car. She exuded an aura of dignity and authority, befitting her status in Karakura Town. Spoiler [copse] Izumi Ishida, an Echt Quincy (Pureblood Quincy), as well as the current matriarch of the Ishida Family. She had recently married S¨­ken Ishida, another Echt Quincy, in an effort to keep their Quincy bloodline pure. Somehow, she appeared exceptionally pissed today, perhaps furious about being roused from her sleep at 12 AM. Kisuke didn''t linger, as he had already nted a spy within the Ishida Family. He wasn''t concerned about the Quincy coborating with Hollows for an unexpected alliance. A very unlikely event but it was better to have safe measures for every incident, or so Kisuke Urahara believed. ¡®When will I find a good vessel for H¨­gyoku?¡¯ Unbeknownst to him, a demon had already set its sights on his disastrous invention¡ªa demon who would soon change Kisuke Urahara''s entire world. *** Kazuya was struck motionless as the raven-haired woman emerged from her car. Her icy gaze, sharp frown, andmanding presence reminded him of someone who had once held a special ce in his heart. ¡®What the hell is with her uncanny resemnce to Yumi? Who is she?¡¯ Most of the characters he had encountered until now possessed easily identifiable traits ¡ª Harribel for her shark-like characteristics, Api for her name, Ciri for her goth girl appearance, and Kisuke for his shady hat. The woman before him was different. Despite her undeniable beauty, her Quincy ne and intense gaze were her only distinguishing features. ¡®A richdy Quincy equals free hotel service.¡¯ As the woman walked, she stumbled, seemingly injured in her left leg. "Move. You''re obstructing our official work." Kazuya rubbed the back of his head and nced at the Shinigami squad. "Onee-san, I''m new in town. Do people in Karakura cosy as samurai? How can they jump so high? ¡­Do they possess supernatural abilities?" Izumi, who was about to walk away, widened her eyes. His voice enveloped her in a sense of serenity, as though she was taking a stroll in a vast forest. The man and woman in white uniforms behind her disyed simr reactions of surprise to both his voice and his ability to perceive the spiritual world. ¡°You can see them?¡± asked Izumi slowly as she hobbled to his side. ¡°Are you a descendant of some hidden survivor?¡± The Quincy Massacre 150 years prior had left their race in disarray. Some prominent Quincy chose for a life of solitude, distancing themselves from matters of the spiritual world. Consequently, numerous young Quincy grew up ignorant of their ancestral history. Izumi surmised that Kazuya might be one of those lost Quincy descendants. To preserve the Quincy race, she needed all remaining Quincy to unite so they wouldn¡¯t be killed off easily. She was a firm believer of the ¡®Power in numbers¡¯ motto. Kazuya rubbed his chin, frowning as if he tried to recall something. ¡°You mean Kiwincy? My mum told me to seek guys with crosses in this town¡­ before she passed away.¡± Izumi clutched the Quincy Cross tied hanging from her neck, bringing his attention to the silver ne. ¡°This cross?¡± Kazuya''s face lit up. "That''s it! That''s the one my mum told me about. You guys are the K-Kiwincy. I''m sorry if I''m pronouncing it wrong¡­ it¡¯s really hard to get it right." He sprinkled a dash of innocence into his words, perfecting his na?ve act. ¡°No worries. Would you like toe with us?¡± Izumi threw out an offer, willing to take a chance to test his potential. Even if he was a Gemischt (Mixed Breed) with limited potential, she could find a purpose for him in their n. It was a much better fate than being eaten by some Hollow far away from any help. ¡°Are you kidding? Of course I will. I want to know more about this Kiwincy stuff.¡± ¡°Akira, Katsumi, escort our guest.¡± ¡°Yes, Izumi-sama.¡± ¡°As you wish, Izumi-sama!¡± Kazuya followed the two Gemischt Quincy, a pep in his walk. Meanwhile, Izumi cast a sidelong nce at the Shinigami squad. They exchanged hushed words before dashing in different directions, seeking further clues on the incident. ¡®I¡¯ll have to keep an eye on Shinigami until S¨­ken-san returns¡­ it¡¯s been three weeks.¡¯ Her eyes lingered on the moon, findingfort in its solitary presence as it cast a silvery glow over thendscape. Chapter 38: Mommy? Chapter 38: Mommy? Upon her return to Hueco Mundo, Ciri could feel the Reiatsu of Api and the others in the distance ¡ª but the only one she saw was Harribel, sitting alone in the cave with her back pressed against the wall and an egg on herp. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡± Harribel broke the silence. ¡°Did you find any Shinigami?¡± ¡°No, we didn¡¯t.¡± Ciri responded, her voice barely audible as she quietly nestled herself into a shadowy corner of the cave. ¡°He told me to wait for a few days.¡± ¡°Ciri,¡± Harribel said, her toneced with uncertainty, ¡°do you believe he should make his return to Hueco Mundo?¡± ¡°Why should he not? His friends are all here. I have seen how much he cares for you and the rest. He even lost an arm protecting you from me¡­ temporarily.¡± Ciri found the question unbelievably dumb but she didn¡¯t say it to Harribel¡¯s face. As much as she looked down on Kazuya¡¯s yful nature, she admired him for his unwavering loyalty. If it was any other Hollow with his ability to switch races, they would have long abandoned Hueco Mundo for the Living World. But Kazuya didn¡¯t find her logic appealing. He prioritized hispanions, otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have waited this long to leave Hueco Mundo. She couldn¡¯t fault him for the decision. Harribel raised her head and regarded Ciri with an intense stare. ¡°Are those your honest thoughts?¡± Ciri paused for a moment before she furrowed her brows. ¡°If I was in his situation, I would never return to this hellhole¡­ This ce disgusts me beyond words.¡± She didn¡¯t hold back on her hatred for Hueco Mundo ¡ª the ce that gave her nothing but despair. Harribel offered a nod of acknowledgment before lowering her head. "Thank you for aiding me in making my decision." ¡°What decision?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell when the others are back.¡± After a few odd minutes, a lively chatter could be heard outside the cave. ¡°Api, what the hell is wrong with you? How can you eat so many souls?¡± ¡°Ara, Api is a growing woman. Let her eat as much as she wants.¡± ¡°What Sung-Sun said.¡± Api and the rest casually strolled into the cave in high spirits. All three feasted on the Gillians that attacked Api before. It was a feast that Api fully used to amass power. ¡°Yo.¡± M Rose greeted Ciri with a grin. ¡°How¡¯s Skull doing over there? Did he start flirting with some girls?¡± Ciri shook her head in response. ¡°He is good¡­ I don¡¯t know if he is flirting with anyone, but that guy asked me to be his ¡®mommy¡¯? Can you believe it?¡± Ciri tried to make M Rose¡¯s smile wider but ended up triggering Harribel with her words. Harribel''s eyes snapped open, and her gaze locked onto Ciri. "What did you say?" The atmosphere in the cave went cold from the Vasto Lorde¡¯s voice. Ciri felt like she was being ripped apart alive under Harribel¡¯s sharp Reiatsu and buttload of killing intent. She pushed back with her own Reiatsu which didn¡¯t seem to be enough to contend against a mature Vasto Lorde like Harribel. She might have been unfazed if she was at her peak. In her current state she was no match for Harribel¡¯s icy Reiatsu. ¡°Y¡­You.¡± Ciri misinterpreted Harribel''s actions as a brazen effort to intimidate and assert dominance over her, the newest member, in Kazuya''s absence. She stood her ground, refusing to submit to such oppressive tactics. ¡°These are your true colors, Harribel.¡± The crushing pressure bore down exclusively upon Ciri, who trembled under its intensity. Observing Ciri¡¯s condition, M Rose stepped in, delivering a firm punch to Harribel''s shoulder. "Harribel-sama, stop! Why are youshing out on Ciri?" Harribel snapped out of her daze. Faced with a straightforward question, she couldn¡¯t help but ponder. The thought of Kazuya addressing someone else as ¡®mommy¡¯ made her blood boil as if she had unconsciously taken Kazuya as her son. ¡®I¡­ I can¡¯t use Kazuya like that.¡¯ It was incredibly selfish to project her desires on him, even if acting like his mother satisfied her ego. ¡°Harribel-sama?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like Kazuya calling someone mommy,¡± Harribel confessed in a low voice. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ so dumb, I know.¡± M Rose crossed her arms, leveling a prating gaze at Harribel. ¡°You aren¡¯t his mother, Harribel-sama. Why are you jealous?¡± ¡°Because¡­¡± Exining the situation like this was sending unexpected stabs of embarrassment and contempt right through her and out the other side. She shuffled her feet and sat cross-legged, the tail attached to the back of her head waving with her, as if putting her embarrassment on full disy. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter¡­ we¡¯re leaving.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°We¡¯re going far away from here.¡± ¡°What? Why?¡± Api asked. ¡°Kazuya will return soon. How will he find us if leave? Are you thinking about abandoning Kazuya?¡± M Rose widened her eyes. ¡°Skull went to Living World to find a safe ce for us. It doesn¡¯t make sense to leave him behind!¡± Sung-Sun also looked a little surprised. ¡°Harribel-sama, please tell me we are not leaving to throw off Kazuya.¡± Harribel couldn¡¯t help but feel surprised by the resistance from everyone. It seemed like she wasn¡¯t the only one who created a deep bond with Kazuya in the past month. ¡°Nobody is leaving Kazuya. We¡¯re simply changing our base to keep Baraggan from tracking us,¡± Harribel said as she embraced the egg. ¡°Kazuya is a Vasto Lorde and an Arrancar... He can sense our¡­ his Zanpakut¨­¡¯s Reiatsu from far away.¡± Harribel¡¯s exnation quenched their worries for the time being. Meanwhile, Ciri relentlessly stared at Harribel, realizing Harribel¡¯s decision and how her own answer changed the said decision. ¡®She was thinking about leaving him¡­ so he can be happy on the other side.¡¯ Harribel could sacrifice her life to save others but she couldn¡¯t bear to see Kazuya waste away his life in Hueco Mundo when he could be a perfectly normal human in Living World. Harribel turned to Ciri and lowered her head. ¡°I acted out of line before¡­ I showed disgraceful behavior as a leader.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing. I understand you are conflicted about that ''mommy'' matter.¡± She waved her hand and faced M Rose, smiling a little. Out of all four, she had the most respect for M Rose, and it only increased after M Rose protected her from Harribel. ¡°Thanks for helping me.¡± M Rose chuckled. ¡°Aww, you¡¯re being too polite. We¡¯re all a family here. Covering each other¡¯s backs is what we should do.¡± Api nudged Sung-Sun with her horn. "Did she forget Ciri recently tried to kill us?" "It''s M Rose. Don''t expectplex emotions from her thick skull." "..." Chapter 39: The Maid Chapter 39: The Maid Kazuya abandoned the car with servants, opting instead for the sleek, midnight-ck vehicle that belonged to Izumi. He slid into the leather seat beside the driver''s, waiting for Izumi to get over her reflection. After a couple of minutes, Izumi opened the door and gave him an unamused look. ¡°I told you to go with them.¡± ¡°I have some questions, Onee-chan. Can you answer them while driving?¡± A spark of delight flickered in her eyes. She would have ejected him from the car with merciless force had he dared to call her Oba-san. Instead, he called her Onee-chan, a far cry from the dreaded Oba-san title given upon her by the demonic children of her neighborhood. After all, she and Kazuya looked the same age, or so she liked to believe. ¡°I can.¡± She sighed and assumed the driver seat. ¡°I¡¯m Izumi Ishida. What¡¯s your name?¡± The name Ishida stirred a torrent of memories, leaving him momentarily stunned. ¡®Ah, of course. It¡¯s Uryu¡¯s rtives. She has to be his grandmother or someone close to that level.¡¯ He never fathomed encountering Ury¨± Ishida''s grandmother in her prime or that she would bear a striking resemnce to his past lover. Thest he recalled of her from the shbacks, she was a typical housewife, venting her frustrations upon Ichigo''s mother, Masaki. She appeared moreposed and restrained than her future self. Well, she was also naive for epting his words at face value, rather than probing his background. Hecked an identification card in his pocket to validate his name. There was no way for him to prove the rest of his story. Yet, she didn''t entertain the possibility that he could be a fraud. Perhaps his persuasion skill clouded her rational thinking. "I¡¯m Kazuya," he replied, motioning for her to pause. "Put on your seat belt, Onee-chan. For safety." Izumi¡¯s hands on the steering froze as she turned to assess his innocent face. ¡°It¡¯s unnecessary, for me at least.¡± Having yed Hollows for years, she viewed a car ident as a trifling concern. Save for the injury inflicted by a formidable Hollow, she had gone unscathed in her five years of Hollow killing career. The car roared to life, its powerful purr resonating throughout the cabin. A hush enveloped them as she maintained unwavering focus on the road, her intense expression an uncanny echo of his past lover. Yumi and Izumi¡ªeven their names rhymed. ¡®What a sick joke.¡¯ He shrugged, his gaze drifting forward. Even if they looked simr, Izumi was not the person he had once loved. No good woulde out of chasing Yumi¡¯s shadow in Izumi. ¡°Hey, Onee-chan. How did you receive that injury?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ a big story. I don¡¯t want to talk about it right now.¡± ¡°Oh. I¡¯ll bother you another time then.¡± ¡°Okay. You¡¯ll be staying at Ishida''s house as a guest. We¡¯ll test something and teach you facts about the spiritual worlds¡­ hang in tight.¡± Her words implied she would provide him a ce to stay and food, and instruct him on the ways to harness the powers that qualify a human as a Quincy. Though hecked Quincy blood in his veins, he possessed the cheat-like prowess of his System. The inclusion of Quincy in his evolution paths signified his potential to acquire their abilities. There wasn¡¯t any harm even if he failed her test. ¡°Quincy¡­ so that¡¯s how you pronounce it.¡± She couldn¡¯t suppress a smile. ¡°Bing a Quincy ¡ª I believe your mother wanted it to happen. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have sent you here.¡± ¡°Me too. I¡¯ll try my best, Onee-chan!¡± She turned to him for a brief moment. ¡°Your hair makes you look like a ruffian.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ I like them big, Onee-chan,¡± he spoke while ncing at her chest but she was too absorbed in the front view to notice his gaze. ¡°Onee-san, what about you?¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°Size is just a matter of perspective. I have taken down some giant ones with my hands.¡± ¡°...¡± He was talking about tits while she spoke of her Hollow ying experience. ¡­ A mere thirty minutester, Kazuya found himself sprawled on a bed within a in room meant for a single person. This guest room was his domain until Izumi decided otherwise. He noticed that, aside from the two Gemischt, the family seemed toprise only Izumi. However, a photo of a middle-aged man in the living room and the ring adorning Izumi''s finger hinted at the existence of a spouse. This revtion snuffed out any intentions of seducing Izumi into an affair, as he had no desire to wreak havoc on her marriage life for a few nights of pleasure. "I hope I have some dreams today." In Hueco Mundo, he had consistently awoken with a ''hollow'' sensation, leading him to theorize that Hollowscked the ability to dream. ¡®Onee-chan, get ready to be shocked out of your mind tomorrow!¡¯ A yful grin appeared on his face as he eagerly awaited shattering some ''expectations'' tomorrow and getting a goodugh out of it. ¡­ That night, for the first time in a month, Kazuya found himself enveloped in the embrace of a dream. The dream was shrouded in mist, echoes of past memories from his slumbering mind. The dream painted a picture of him navigating an ordinary day, traversing the hallowed halls of his university, only toter mess around with his alluring teacher-turned-lover. He could recall every electrifying sensation of her body, the intimate connection they shared pulsing through his memory, until the dream world was abruptly torn away, yanking him back to the cold grasp of reality. Blinking open his eyes, Kazuya found a maid standing attentively by his bedside. ck locks cascaded over her forehead, framing her face, while a neat braided ponytail rested on her shoulder. The bespectacled maid gazed at him, her eyes devoid of any discernible emotion. Spoiler [copse] Izumi stood beside the maid, her expression filled with concern for him. As he sat up and rubbed his head, he felt a bit shaken by the dream, but it was nothing he couldn''t handle. ¡°It¡¯s creepy to watch me sleep, Onee-chan and Maid-chan.¡± Izumi folded her arms over her chest. "Your Reiatsu was hectic when you were dreaming. We came to check up on you." He almost terrified her with his rampaging Reiatsu, a byproduct of his violent emotions from his dream. If he had continued to unleash his Reiatsu, she might have lost her house. The incident also revealed a glimpse of his true potential, making her realize that the random Quincy she found on the streets possessed a freak-level Reiatsu. "He is no weakling, Izumi-sama," the maidmented. "Are you sure he is a Gemischt? He has a captain¡ªa great capacity for Reiryoku." Even if it was for a mere moment, she had felt his Reiatsu peaking at somewhere around Great Level, aka Reiatsu rivaling a Gotei 13 Captain. Kazuya didn¡¯t miss the maid¡¯s small error inparing his Reiatsu to a Captain-ss. ¡°Did you just stutter?¡± The maid shook her head. ¡°You are still sleepy.¡± "Lisa, prepare a bath for Kazuya," Izumi instructed before turning to Kazuya with a small smile and a polite nod. "I''ll be waiting in the dining room." Her attitude shifted dramatically after witnessing his potential. She went from treating him like a kid to treating him like an honorable guest. Chapter 40: The meeting of old comrades Chapter 40: The meeting of oldrades Sometime earlier. Anky blonde man in a zing orange shirt and obsidian-ck trousers swaggered down the street, one hand nonchntly buried in his pocket, while the other effortlessly bnced a in katana on his shoulder. Spoiler [copse] Strutting by his side was a short woman cloaked in a red jogging suit over a white shirt. Her short, golden hair, styled into spiky pigtails, was tamed by ruby-red clips that matched her fiery temper. The katana strapped to her back and the one held by the blonde man seemedpletely out of ce on the streets of Karakura Town. Spoiler [copse] Her freckled face twisted in disgust. ¡°Shinji, I¡¯m pissed.¡± ¡°Remind me of one time you weren''t pissed.¡± ¡°It¡¯s different this time,¡± she groaned. ¡°This Hollow smell¡­ It makes my stomach turn. I wanna stab these mother¡ª¡± In a swift motion, Shinji''s hand covered Hiyori''s mouth, silencing her before she could curse. He shed a grin at the elementary school students innocently passing by, making them flee for their lives. "Don''t curse in front of the young ones." Hiyori retaliated with a vicious kick to Shinji''s shin, causing him to stumble. "You better hope Urahara has answers for this, or I''ll make you wish you were dead." ¡°What the hell does it have to do with me, snaggletooth?!¡± Hiyori''s leg shot up again, her foot connecting with Shinji''s side and sending him crashing into a wall. Their supernatural resilience ensured that such impacts left no mark on them. ¡°Snaggletooth!¡± Their relentless bickering continued, akin to siblings locked in a never-ending feud, until they reached a deceptively ordinary-looking establishment ¡ª Urahara Shop. Kisuke Urahara had opened this unassuming storefront as a cover for his shady activities, selling wares from the Soul Society to Shinigami stationed in the Living World for missions. The ever-so-violent Hiyori raised her leg with a pissed face. However, the sliding door opened just in time, and Kisuke elegantly sidestepped her iing kick. ¡°I was expecting your visit, Hiyori-san and Shinji-san.¡± ¡°Tch.¡± Hiyori venomously spat on the side and walked past Urahara, weing herself as if she was entering a friend¡¯s house. Shinji waved at Urahara, his friendly smileing off as sinister because of his upper teeth. Momentster, they all sat around a low table, now joined by Tessai, Kisuke¡¯s childhood friend and assistant in Urahara Shop. Hiyori¡¯s face remained a scowl of irritation from Kisuke¡¯s teasing. With a resounding p, Shinji seized the attention of both. "What was thatst night, Urahara? What happened to those Hollows?" Kisuke took out a stack of papers from his sleeve andzily tossed them on the table before heid on the floor, leaning his head using elbow. From another sleeve, he pulled out a paper fan and smugly fanned himself. ¡°Go on, read them.¡± Shinji, who was used to Kisuke¡¯s antics, grabbed the reports and read through them. ¡°We have sensed a garganta opening in Western Karakura Town near the Shopping District,¡± Shinji said, eyes scanning the paper. He flipped to the second report. ¡°Twelfthpany arrived at the scene ten minutes after the incident and found nothing in their search.¡± ¡°Get to the point!¡± Hiyori snarled. Shinji frowned and flipped to thest page. ¡°Investigation results based on our observations of the scene: Two powerful Hollows emerged from garganta. Judging from their dual-natured Reiatsu, we have concluded that they are Arrancar. One of them has Spirit ss between Rank 4 and Rank 5 and the other one¡­¡± Shinji widened his eyes as he looked at Kisuke, Hiyori, and Tessai. The Soul Society determined one¡¯s density of Reiatsu through a ranking called Spirit ss. Spirit ss Rank 1 was the highest density while Rank 20 was the lowest one could have. Rank 4 and 5 belonged to Vice-Captains of a squad. ¡°Spit it out,¡± Hiyori snarled, impatient. ¡°Spirit ss between Rank 2 and 3¡­ which equals Captain-ss.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Hiyori mmed the table, her voice filled with disbelief. ¡°A Vasto Lorde Arrancar in Karakura Town? Are you fucking kidding with me?¡± She was barely close to Rank 5 after augmenting herself with her Hollow Mask. The Arrancar in question could outright kill a Captain-ss Shinigami, even giving a hard time to the Senior Captains. Urahara yfully waved his fan at Hiyori¡¯s face. ¡°Cool down, Hiyori-san. Take these reports with a grain of salt. It¡¯s impossible to urately measure someone¡¯s Spirit ss from their Reiatsu imprints. They could be an Adjuchas Arrancar with exceptionally gifted Reiatsu and an innate ability that boosts their Reiatsu like your Hollow Mask. Don¡¯t jump to conclusions.¡± Shinji tossed the reports back on the table. ¡°Okay, then what should we do?¡± He was the leader of the Visored and Karakura Town was their new home after they built an underground training space with Kisuke¡¯s help. A Vasto Lorde would absolutely bring massive attention to the ce, increasing their chances of being discovered by Soul Society. ¡°Nothing for now.¡± Kisuke shook his head. ¡°The Arrancars retreated to Garganta within minutes as though they came here by mistake.¡± Shinji frowned. ¡°They came and returned just like that? Ne, you think he is behind these Arrancars?¡± Kisuke looked at Shinji, eyes glowing with mischief. ¡°He who betrayed his Captain ¡ª the madman we shan''t name at any cost. Yeah, it could be him trying to probe Karakura Town¡¯s security or¡­ he is using this as a bait for your group.¡± Shinji¡¯s face darkened when Kisuke mentioned Aizen¡¯s betrayal. ¡°Nothing wille out of guessing stars here.¡± Hiyori got up from her seat. ¡°Shinji, let this guy deal with this mess. He can take down a Vasto Lorde or two by himself.¡± The Visored werebeled ¡®Hollows¡¯ by the Soul Society standards, even if they once held respectable positions within Gotei 13. There was also the threat of Aizen who might still be searching for them. Makingmunication with Kisuke wasn¡¯t a good move but the emergencyst night forced them to seek his assistance. ¡°You overestimate my abilities, Hiyori-san.¡± Kisuke tipped his down hat with his cane, his lips forming a sly grin. ¡°The Hollow is unknown with inexplicable abilities. While I am your lowly but handsome merchant.¡± ¡°Yeah, Kisuke can deal with them.¡± Shinjiughed as he gulped down the cold drink. ¡°By the way, Urahara. How long will Lisa y around in that maid costume? I am notining since she looks pretty in there¡­ but I don¡¯t like her being alone at times like these.¡± Urahara Kisuke stroked his stubble thoughtfully. ¡°Her job is technically done¡ª¡± Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted as everyone froze in ce. Their Reiraku (Spiritual Sense) detected an immense Reiatsu presence. Though itsted only a brief second, the powerful souls and keen senses of everyone present picked up on it. After all, even the weakest among them, Hiyori, once held a Vice-Captain position in the Soul Society. ¡°Another Captain-Level?¡± Hiyori muttered in shock. ¡°Are people with Great-Level Reiryoku growing on trees now, huh?¡± Shinji crossed his arms. ¡°This one is human.¡± Kisuke rarely forgot an individual¡¯s Reiatsu, especially the ones he found intriguing. He had sensed this same Reiatsust night. Chuckling, he spread the fan to its full length and covered his face. ¡®The guy who pisses from his roof.¡¯ His instincts about that man were right. He was no ordinary individual. In fact, Kisuke believed his presence near the garganta opening wasn¡¯t just a coincidence. ¡°If you guys aren¡¯t buying anything, leave. I have more important matters than entertaining customers who won¡¯t buy even one item!¡± Chapter 41-42: Quincy Lessons Chapter 41-42: Quincy Lessons The moment Izumi departed, Kazuya¡¯s gaze was drawn to the maid known as Lisa. Her calm, almost cold beauty effortlessly showcased the innate elegance and charm of her frilled maid dress. However, her Reiatsu proved to be disappointingly below an average human. ¡®Wait a minute¡­ A ck-haired girl with sses named Lisa¡­¡¯ A flicker of recognition ignited, as memories of a powerful group hiding in Karakura Town surfaced. If his recollection was urate, Lisa was one of the Visored ¡ª a small group of Shinigami who could don Hollow masks to augment their powers. Her involvement with Quincy matters certainly piqued his interest. Lisa adjusted her sses, the lenses momentarily gleaming. ¡°Do you prefer cold water or hot water?¡± ¡°Hmmm?¡± ¡°Cold or hot?¡± she repeated in a cold voice. ¡°I don¡¯t have time, Guest-dono. Shake your head if you prefer to bathe in cold water. Nod if you believe a hot water bath is better.¡± With a cheeky smile, he responded, ¡°You rekindled my love for cold things.¡± Lisa was momentarily disarmed by the soothing nature of his voice. It was as if it held a mystical power, one she had never encountered during her time in Soul Society. ¡°Cold water it is then. Clearly, the superior choice.¡± Lisa departed to prepare his bath. To kill some time, he rose from the bed and stretched his muscles before getting down to do some pushups. As he worked his body, he reflected on what just transpired. ¡®Lisa and Izumi.¡¯ His dream had all but exposed the full extent of his Reiryoku. Fortunately, Izumi refrained from prying further, attributing the surge in his Reiatsu to his dream. Only because she could not detect the true depth of his Reiatsu, as her Reiryoku level matched that of a seated officer in the Soul Society. The vast difference didn¡¯t allow her to properly feel his strength. Then again, a Quincy¡¯s might was not measured by their Reiryoku level, but rather their ability to gather Reishi from their surroundings and forge spirit weapons. In stark contrast, Lisa must have recognized his Reiryoku level, being a former Vice-Captain of the Squad led by Shunshui Kyoraku. As both Shinigami and Hollow were mere souls, Lisa evidently depended on a Gigai to assume a physical form and conceal her Reiatsu. ¡®Urahara must be behind her Gigai. On second thought, I can make some use of her.¡¯ He could use her to approach Kisuke Urahara. As a master inventor, Urahara undoubtedly possessed items capable of concealing a Hollow¡¯s Reiatsu, which would enable hispanions to live in the Living World without worrying about Shinigami. Lisa¡¯s appearance was a blessing in disguise. ¡®Or I can move to some ind that¡¯s outside of Soul Society¡¯s jurisdictions.¡¯ He was conflicted between the two choices: one allowed more fun with his group and a clear path in acquiring H¨­gyoku from Kisuke. The other choice led to more rxed days for his group and far less risky. ¡®I can¡¯t keep avoiding risks.¡¯ M Rose risked her life to protect him, Harribel was ready to sacrifice her life to save them, and Api almost died protecting something that belonged to him. Sung-Sun had yet to demonstrate her loyalty but she would undoubtedly go to great lengths for him. It would only be fair to take some risks to secure an Arrancar powerup for them. A powerup they would undoubtedly need in taking down Baraggan once and for all. ¡®H¨­gyoku will be mine.¡¯ He came to find shelter for his allies and ended up vying for the most powerful item in this world. Laughing at the absurdity, he got up and looked out of the window. The ludicrous situation reminded him of a certain quote from his world. ¡°The things you are passionate about are not random, they are your calling.¡± ¡­ Following a long bath and a healthy breakfast, Kazuya was brought to a realm with rows of towering bookshelves ¡ª a library. A wealth of knowledgey within arm¡¯s reach, beckoning him to delve in and explore its contents. He feigned an exhausted groan. ¡°It¡¯s my nightmaree to life.¡± Lisa, who was standing by his side, shot him a mild look of disdain. ¡°Unappreciative of literature. You must have been the least liked student of your teachers.¡± ¡°Quite the opposite. My teacher used to love me. It was true love, beyond the bond of a teacher and a student.¡± ¡°It must have been for reasons other than your grades. I doubt you were good at studying¡­¡± ¡°Maid-chan, never judge a book by its cover. Open it up and read first,¡± he said, ncing at her with immeasurable disappointment. ¡°My sensei used to praise my tongue, saying there is something magical about it. I always aced the oral tests.¡± Lisa arched a brow, her expression remaining deadpan. She flipped the book in her hand. ¡°There is something wrong with you, Guest-dono. Literature isn¡¯t about acing exams or bing proficient with anguage. A book is a dream that you hold in your hand. It has the power to transport you to other worlds, it can introduce you to characters and new perspectives, and immerse you in tales that can carve your heart with zing emotions¡­¡± The intricate analogy showed her deep passion for books. He felt like she would write a whole-ass essay on ¡®the magic of literature¡¯ if she was allowed. ¡°Hey, are you allowed to say that while holding a young adult romance novel? I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s a novel of that variety.¡± ¡°Manga, novel or erotica, they are all part of literature, Guest-dono,¡± Lisa muttered as she walked over to the table and busied herself in the pages of a ¡®cultured¡¯ novel. Izumi couldn¡¯t help but smile. Kazuya¡¯s presence made things a tad livelier in her otherwise quiet house. She patted his shoulder. ¡°Lisa is right, Kazuya. There is something wrong with all of us here. We might seem normal on the surface but this is just a facade. Say, Kazuya, have you evere across a Hollow ¡ª a monster wearing a white, bone-like mask?¡± He lightly shook his head, keeping up his naive persona. ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡± ¡°Your spiritual awakening is recent or you were incredibly lucky to never attract a Hollow,¡± Izumi said as she ran her finger along the spines of countless books, wandering past row after row of towering shelves. ¡°Cast aside your normalws and beliefs and open up your mind. Allow me to introduce you to a new, terrifying reality lurking beneath our mon¡¯ world.¡± ¡°That sounds¡­¡± ¡°Scary, right?¡± Izumi spun around, offering him aforting smile. ¡°But it won¡¯t be that hard for someone with your talent. Believe in me who believes in you.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to say scary.¡± He paused as his lips curved up. ¡°It sounds exciting, Onee-chan. It¡¯s every man¡¯s dream to smash giant monsters with their bare fists.¡± His excited grin put a pause on Izumi before she chuckled softly. ¡°I wish every Quincy had your enthusiasm.¡° ¡°I promise that you¡¯ll never find another like me.¡± Really, there was only one Hollow capable ofpletely twisting its roots and changing races. One other could be born if they wished for it upon H¨­gyoku. ¡®Imagine I am born from some organ of Soul King.¡¯ The absurd thought drew a chuckle from him. "Indeed," Lisa chimed in, her focus never lifting from her novel. "Quincy with monster-level Reiatsu are a rare breed in today''s world." From Lisa''s perspective, if Kazuya seeded in manifesting his Quincy powers, he''d be a prime target for the Soul Society''s scrutiny. The Soul Society simply wouldn''t allow him to roam freely and decimate Hollows, which would destabilize the bnce between the three worlds. As a spy, she also couldn¡¯t go against Izumi¡¯s decision in recruiting Kazuya into her n. He let Lisa¡¯s words slide in one ear and out the other before cing his hands on Izumi¡¯s shoulders, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. ¡°Onee-chan, tell me. Do we fight Hollows with bare hands?¡± He was referring to Blut, the ability most Sternritters showed in the Thousand Year Blood War. The technique allowed Quincy to significantly enhance their defensive power or offensive power, the only drawback being that they use the defensive and offensive powers at the same time. As a brawler, he could certainly make use of the Blut ability. Izumi blinked in surprise. As a Pureblood Quincy, she could certainly use Blut Vene and Blut Arterie. ¡°We might have spiritual powers, but our body is still that of a human. Fighting Hollows with bare hands is impossible with our Quincy techniques. We rely on these.¡± She swiftly grabbed a silver Quincy cross pendant from around her neck and held it out in front of her. A radiant blue light enveloped her hand, pulling the surrounding Reishi as if it was a ma. In the next instant, a magnificent spirit bow materialized. ¡°Haaaa!¡± She took a deep breath, steadying herself as she drew the bowstring back. Blue arrows of Reishi energy formed in the ethereal bow. ¡°These arrows can y Hollows ¡ª monstrous souls filled with vengeance, who eagerly devour other souls without discrimination.¡± Kazuya pped as if appreciating her performance. ¡°Magnificent, Onee-chan. You are so cool~.¡± Swept by his appreciation, she nodded with her chest high. Feeling Lisa¡¯s intense gaze, she coughed and dematerialized the spirit bow. ¡°My apologies.¡± His na?ve admiration brought out a wholly new side out of Izumi that only Lisa knew. ¡°Kazuya, the bow is the most important technique for a Quincy in battle. I¡¯ll be teaching you that first¡­ then we¡¯ll go over some basic theories.¡± ¡°¡®Kay, Onee-chan,¡± he replied. He never had a sibling but addressing Izumi like this was apletely new experience for him. He didn¡¯t mind being spoiled like this. ¡°So where do I start?¡± Izumi crossed her arms. ¡°The bow I used is made up bybining the ambient Reishi with my Reiryoku.¡± Lisa facepalmed at the stupidity of her employer. ¡°Izumi-sama, he is oblivious to the terms you¡¯re throwing around.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Izumi frowned. ¡°How do I exin them without overwhelming him?¡± Lisa ced her book aside and left the room. Momentster, she returned with a whiteboard and a pen. She drew two identical humanoid figures andbeled them ¡®Human (Kishi)¡¯ and ¡®Soul (Konpaku).¡¯ ¡°Your drawing is sick.¡± Lisa ignored his sarcasticments on her basic-level drawing. ¡°Listen carefully. Humans, like you and Izumi-sama, are physical beings. They live in the world of the living and are made up of Kishi, or matter, like everything else here. The bodies of Kishi can interact with each other but they can¡¯t see or touch Suls unless they are spiritually aware like you recently became. Are you following me so far?¡± ¡°I am, Maid Sensei.¡± ¡°What is a Soul then? In simple words, we call them spiritual bodies made up of Reishi. The samurai you saw were souls. Then, there''s Reishi, or spirit particles. They''re the smallest units that make up souls and all spiritual matter, simr to atoms in your world. In spiritual nes like Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, the concentration of Reishi is higher than in the world of the living.¡± He had a shallowprehension of spiritual concepts since he was born as a Hollow. These formal lessons gave him a deeper insight into the spiritual concepts. ¡°Hm. Hm.¡± Lisa looked over her shoulder to see his fully concentrated expression and pointed at the ¡®Soul¡¯ figure. ¡°Moving on, Reiryoku is the amount of spiritual energy a being has. Think of it as your spiritual muscles. The stronger your Reiryoku, the more power you can have as a spiritual being. And finally, Reiatsu is the pressure that your Reiryoku exerts. It''s like your spiritual signature. The stronger your Reiatsu, the more powerful and intimidating you appear to other spiritual beings.¡± ¡°Ah. Onee-chan said I have a high level of Reiryoku. Does that automatically make me an elite warrior to other souls?¡± Lisa shook her head. ¡°Reiatsu only reflects the Reiryoku you can consciously use. Don¡¯t worry about it. Izumi-sama will teach you how to utilize your Reiryoku first.¡± Kazuya took a deep breath. ¡°Alright. So, humans are made of matter, souls are made of spirit particles, Reiryoku is spiritual power, and Reiatsu is the pressure that spiritual power exerts. Did I get it right?¡± Izumi smiled at his quick learning. ¡°We¡¯ll start the Reiryoku and Reishi gathering lessons within a force field. Lisa, do you want toe?¡± Typically, any location would suffice for Reiryoku training, but Kazuya¡¯s vast Reiryokuplicated things. His immense spiritual energy would undoubtedly attract a slew of Hollows, requiring them to use the force fields to hide his spiritual presence. ¡°Izumi-sama, you¡¯ll have to forgive me. I have to prepare lunch.¡± ¡°We will order something. Lisa, you have no more excuses.¡± ¡°Checkmate, huh?¡± Lisa sighed. ¡°Lead the way, Madame.¡± From their interactions it was clear Izumi held a great deal of trust in Lisa, unaware of her true identity as a former Vice-Captain Shinigami. Unlike her husband, she bore no love for Shinigami. Lisa was ying with Izumi¡¯s feelings, just like he was ying with theirs. Chapter 43: Reishi Manipulation Chapter 43: Reishi Maniption Izumi took Kazuya to a secluded Quincy training ground in Karakura Town ¡ª an unassuming warehouse, empty on the inside. Izumi set up a force field using a specialized Quincy technique and began instructing him on the control of Reiryoku. Kazuya didn''t toy with Izumi this time and demonstrated results after only a few moments of fake struggle. However, he took great care to limit his Reiatsu to several levels below his peak, not wishing to frighten them with his Great-Level Reiryoku. They both showed a look of brief surprise ¡ª a priceless reaction ¡ª before Izumi began teaching him the crucial part that allowed Quincy to use their abilities. The gathering of Reishi. Kazuya was already familiar with Reishi maniption from his month-long training with Harribel. However, Quincy abilities demanded incredibly precise control overrge quantities of Reishi ¡ª a skill he had yet to acquire. ¡®It shouldn¡¯t be that hard.¡¯ Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. The thudding of his heartbeat drowned out all other sounds as he entered a state of deep concentration ¡ª the very state that had allowed him to discern so much about Hollows in Hueco Mundo. He referred to this state as ¡®Cultivator Mode.¡¯ Blue spirit particles materialized within the room, each vibrating molecule gravitating towards Kazuya. He tookmand of them, molding them into the shape of a typical bow. A faint, spectral silhouette of a bow began to manifest, only to crumble into non-existence at thest moment.
[Racial Ability: Reishi Maniption unlocked.] [Current Mastery Level: Basic.]
Kazuya''s brow furrowed, feeling a strange sense of resistance from the Reishi around him. Undeterred, he made repeated attempts, each one giving the bow to a more distinct look. Izumi watched, torn between interrupting his efforts and the desire to see him seed. Every Quincy needed a Cross to manifest their Spirit Weapon, yet Kazuya seemed resolved to defy this tradition. Eventually, his perseverance bore fruit as a grand spirit bow, matching his height, took form. He drew back the invisible bowstring, and a ridiculously massive arrow materialized. "Atst. I was starting to doubt myself there." A shared nce passed between Lisa and Izumi. The reality of Kazuya''s monstrous potential was sinking in. Izumi knew of no one who could conjure a Spirit Bow without a Quincy Cross, let alone on the first day of their training. It sparked a glimmer of hope in her that he could usher in a new era for their fading Quincy race. Lisa, however, eyed him skeptically. "Guest-dono, are you certain this is your first try?" She focused her senses on his Reiatsu, feeling any fluctuation that could tell her that he was lying. Caught off guard by the suspicion in her gaze, Kazuya tilted his head. "Absolutely. Onee-chan, you mentioned that Hollows are big monsters. I shall shoot them down with my divine bow, Gandiva¡­ I will call it that after I improve my marksmanship.¡± In Hueco Mundo, he was waiting for his Zanpakut¨­ before deciding on his main weapon. Then the egg showed up in the ce of his Zanpakut¨­, leaving him befuddled. With Reishi Maniption, he could try practicing with any weapon. They won¡¯t be as effective as Zanpakut¨­ but they were better than nothing. Plus, there was the potential of crafting more powerful weapons as his mastery over Reishi improved. Finding no trace of a lie in his words, Lisa discarded her suspicions of Kazuya being a spy like herself. She could discern no motive for Kazuya to deceive a Quincy of Izumi''s stature, and he shouldn''t have any knowledge of her hidden identity. ¡®I am being overly cautious.¡¯ Aizen¡¯s betrayal had filled everyone in their group with trust issues. The seemingly gentle Vice Captain had wrapped the entire Seireitei in his fingers, and they could do nothing but hide in the Living World, waiting for a day they could be powerful enough to destroy him. ¡°Guest-dono, your bow is an overkill,¡± Lisa said, observing his bow with a frown. ¡°Keep in mind that manipting Reishi drains stamina. Anything bigger than a standard bow is a waste of energy.¡± His response was a teasing wink. "I have infinite stamina, Maid-chan. Come to my bedroom if you want proof." ¡°Please don¡¯t try to seduce me,¡± Lisa whispered, adjusting her sses. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in one night stands.¡± He dispersed the bow and feigned a hurt look. ¡°I¡¯m sad that you think of me as a yboy.¡± ¡°Have you given me enough reasons to not assume you are not?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t. Your bias still hurts me.¡± Izumi''s lips curled into a gentle smile. "Don''t take it personally, Otouto-kun. Lisa''s rather...plex. Her passion is more in books than the world around her." If Lisa wasn¡¯t acting as a spy, she would have openly argued against Izumi. s her current role prohibited from making snarkyments on Izumi¡¯s husband. ¡°Onee-chan, some people are like ice cubes ¡ª they have no vor, no heat, and no substance.¡± The corners of Lisa¡¯s mouth twitched. He implied she was nd as hell, which was far from the truth. ¡°The world is a cold ce, Guest-dono. A candle like you can only provide so much warmth before the harsh gales snuffs you out.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a candle, Maid-chan. I¡¯m the whole damn sun. The wind can¡¯t approach me, much less snuff out my radiance.¡± ¡°Yeaaaaaah, right.¡± ¡°...¡± Kazuya formed ance with Reishi. ¡°How effective is it against those Hollows?¡± He had to ask Izumi since he couldn¡¯t use the weapon in this ce. Lest he ended up destroying the entire warehouse by ident. ¡°Not as effective as a bow,¡± Lisa said. ¡°And useless against a decent Zanpakuto wrapped in Seated Officer¡¯s Reiatsu¡­ I have to admit, your ability to manipte Reishi is out of this world.¡± ¡°I am also out of this world.¡± Lisa shrugged. ¡°Okay.¡± He continued honing his Reishi maniption skills until it was time for lunch. Despite his efforts, the System remained silent ¡ª no notification about unlocking or acquiring a new race. It seemed that merely learning a single Quincy technique didn''t warrant him the title of ''Quincy'' in the eyes of the System. ¡®Do I have to learn all Quincy abilities?¡¯ Even with his talent, learning all the abilities would take quite some time. ¡°Otouto-kun, before we go to lunch, I need to tell you more about our world¡­¡± Izumi ryed surface-level information on the three realms¡ªSoul Society, Hueco Mundo, Living World¡ªand their intricate dynamic that hung upon the bncing of souls. ¡°Soul-eating monsters in twisted masks, a group of old-fashioned samurai purifying those monsters with unique weapons known as Zanpakut¨­, and us. That¡¯s all the major factions you need to be aware of¡­ though we are not big anymore ever since the Quincy incident one fifty years ago.¡± She didn¡¯t sugarcoat the story and revealed the fall of Quincy. Somehow she found it appropriate to share this with Kazuya, whom she was supposed to recruit into her n. Maybe she had blind faith that he wouldn¡¯t get scared after hearing about a genocide. ¡°I can¡¯t judge the incident from listening to one side.¡± Kazuya turned to Izumi, looking into her cloudy eyes. ¡°However, the Quincy faction feels like the real viin. They should have listened to the Soul Society¡¯s appeals about the cycle of souls.¡± Izumi let out a weary sigh. ¡°As much as I despise those words, they are the bitter truth. Our ancestorsmitted grave sins.¡± ¡°The Shinigami are also unjust for wiping out thousands.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Izumi nodded. ¡°To make up for those mistakes, my husband S¨­ken wants to create a new system where we keep Hollows at bay and protect citizens until Shinigami arrives and purifies them with their Zanpakut¨­¡­ It will preserve the bnce and keep casualties to minimum.¡± Kazuya frowned. ¡°That¡¯s a pretty clever way of maintaining the bnce. Where is your husband though?¡± ¡°He is out¡­ training.¡± Izumi leaned her butt against the table, gripping the table with her knuckles. ¡°I¡¯ll give you some time to decide your future ¡ª whether you want to stay here or leave.¡± She was leaving the choice up to him, a pretty odd move considering the importance she attached to his talent. Lisa sighed at Izumi¡¯s stupidity. Izumi could have saved the Quincy Fall¡¯s details forter. But no, Izumi had to be a stuck-up noblewoman and make Kazuya wary. She approached Kazuya. ¡°Guest-dono, the thing happened one fifty years ago¡­ circumstances were different back then. What happened was tragic ¡ª a bloodshed that could have been prevented with some effort. s¡­¡± she trailed off with another sigh, recalling the events from her childhood. ¡°I can assure you that it won¡¯t happen again as long as the souls maintain a bnce across three worlds.¡± Helping Lisa convince Kazuya wasn¡¯t part of her job but she didn¡¯t want to see Izumi go back to her lonely self. After all, her job here coulde to an end any moment. Kazuya gave a nonchnt shrug. ¡°I understand. Onee-chan, I¡¯m staying.¡± Izumi¡¯s face brightened before she coughed. ¡°Wee to Ishida n. We¡¯ll not disappoint you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll train my ass off to stop Hollows. In return, you¡¯ll be paying for all of my expenses.¡± He wouldn''t need to worry about money as long as he stayed in Karakura Town and fought some Hollows. Lisa¡¯s face twitched. ¡°Do you see Izumi-sama as a cow cash?¡± From what she knew, S¨­ken was wealthy but Ishida Family¡¯s expensive lifestyle was slowly chipping away at his wealth. Kazuya might turn out to be the camel that breaks the back for the Ishida n. ¡°I mean I¡¯ll be risking my life fighting Hollows. Gratitude won¡¯t fill my stomach.¡± ¡°Otouto-kun¡¯s argument is valid, Lisa,¡± Izumi said in a calm voice. ¡°I¡¯ll happily pay for it if it¡¯s within reason.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s celebrate this with something spicy!¡± Chapter 44: Longing Chapter 44: Longing Harribel and her crew moved across the stark white desert, the group of five lost in the endless expanse. They kept their Reiatsu hidden, so their tracks remained concealed. This led them to get attacked by weaker Hollow, but M Rose''s Zanpakut¨­ made quick work of them. The dead Hollows became easy food for Api in her conquest to be a Vasto Lorde. Harribel observed Api devour the Hollow flesh with a stoic gaze. Sung-Sun had also grown an appetite, but it was nothingpared to Api. As much as she despised the sacrifices, she could empathize with Api¡¯s hunger for power after that battle. She would be feeling the same if shecked the power to protect Kazuya. ¡°Anyone else missing Skull, or is it just me?¡± asked M Rose, swinging her sword casually. ¡°It¡¯s been quiet without him¡­¡± Api and Ciri always stayed in their minds, only speaking when someone asked them something. Harribel rarely spoke. Sung-Sun and M Rose were the only ones who found things to talk about. It was like the old times before Kazuya and Api joined them. ¡°There is just so much I can talk about, Rose,¡± Sung-Sun responded solemnly. ¡°If I''m being honest, this silence bites me¡­ It¡¯s like he took a part of our souls with him.¡± ¡°You are being overly dramatic.¡± ¡°You caught me red-handed,¡± Sung-Sun said with a giggle. ¡°It wasn¡¯tpletely a lie. He took a part of Api¡¯s soul and a small part of mine.¡± A destructive Cero whizzed past Sung-Sun. Api cleaned herself with a st of Reiatsu and red at Sung-Sun. ¡°Stop talking behind my back. It makes you look miserable.¡± ¡°Ara, I¡¯ll say it to your face then. Kazuya is having fun out there, and you are stuck here, eating Souls for a chance at bing Vasto Lorde. How does it make you feel?¡± ¡°Did you forget what he said before leaving? His goal is to find a safe ce for us.¡± Api didn¡¯t fall for Sung-Sun¡¯s tant attempt to get inside of her head. Sung-Sun narrowed her eyes. ¡°I believe he had more than enough time to find shelter for us. He only had to travel to a deep forest where Shinigami wouldn''t bother going. What is taking him so long¡­ I wonder~?¡± Api¡¯s eyes widened, a re of emotion breaking through her courageous demeanor. ¡°You¡¯re just pulling my leg. Kazuya won¡¯t betray us. I know him better than you.¡± ¡°Unfortunately, all the signs point to his betrayal.¡± ¡°Fuck off!¡± ¡°ept the bitter truth and the sadness thates with betrayal, Api. It¡¯s what we deserve for putting our trust in a shifting chameleon.¡± The glint of amusement in Sung-Sun¡¯s eyes was visible to everyone except Api. The very notion of Kazuya¡¯s betrayal made her hopeless. She had been in tatters since Kazuya left, so much so that a few words from Sung-Sun exposed her fragile state. Ciri couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Cyan Sung-Sun was her sister before they became Hollows. They both shared a passion for tormenting others ¡ª she preferred physical pain while Sung-Sun excelled in inflicting emotional pain. ¡°Is it fate?¡± Nobody paid her any attention. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Sung-Sun.¡± Harribel approached Api and patted her back with her sword arm. ¡°You have a mind of your own. Don¡¯t let others cast doubt on your heart.¡± ¡°Who the hell would believe in Sung-Sun of all people?¡± Api huffed and stomped ahead of them. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you all behind one day, stupid women!¡± M Rose¡¯s smile vanished. ¡°That was a little too intense for a joke, Sung-Sun.¡± Ciri cast a look of disapproval at M Rose. ¡°It was a perfect trap to make her suffer. An amusing disy.¡± ¡°You give me too much credit, Ciri.¡± Sung-Sun shook her head. ¡°I did it to switch her focus. She will busy her mind in finding insults for me¡­ instead of missing Kazuya. She needed something like that.¡± Harribel narrowed her eyes at Api¡¯s back. ¡°Longing can strengthen resolve.¡± They will need every bit of resolve toe out unscathed against the Godking of Hueco Mundo. *** The Court of Las Nochesy in a deathly silence. Not a single Hollow, regardless of their stature or might, dared to utter a word. The formidable Reiatsu of their ancient sovereign hung heavy in the air like a suffocating shroud, despite it not being directed at them. Baraggan''s skeletal fingers drummed a rhythm on the armrest of his throne as he leaned his face into his palm. "Worthless," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ciri and Dordoni have done nothing but test my patience. Fetch me news of their whereabouts. As for the Vasto Lorde, I''ll handle them personally." He expected Tier Harribel and the new Vasto Lorde to be a pain in the ass but not strong enough to take down two old Arrancar. Ciri and Dordoni were two of the best warriors in his army, easily on par with Vasto Lorde in their right. Their weeks-long silence could only mean one of two things ¡ª either they were outmatched and died, or they had turned traitor. Regardless of the situation, he couldn¡¯t rely on the remaining Espada''s ability to handle two Vasto Lorde. Szayel was more engrossed in his bizarre experiments than in actualbat. Aaraniero, despite his immense potential, was still in the early stages of evolution. Loly and Menoly were only just on par with an Adjuchas, their worth lying primarily in their roles as his mistresses. And finally, Gantenbainne, Baraggan¡¯s fanatic worshiper, was the onlypetent warrior among the Espada, apart from Szayel. As the unchallenged God King of Hueco Mundo, Baraggan hadn''t invested much time in strengthening Espada. "Lord Baraggan going into the field..." the blonde Hollow standing behind him mumbled. "May I be so fortunate as to apany you, Lord Baraggan?" ¡°You may, Evanya. Call upon Gantenbainne as well.¡± Evanya pressed her hands against her masked face. ¡°I¡¯ll fetch him right away, Lord Baraggan.¡± Baraggan clenched his scythe. He would be destroying a Vasto Lorde after so long. He shook his head. ¡°You just had to be a rebel, Tier Harribel.¡± He would¡¯ve just warned Tier Harribel if she came to his court. For all his grace and mercy, she challenged his authority together with another Vasto Lorde. Nobody who denied his authority would go unpunished. Chapter 45: Peeping Tom Chapter 45: Peeping Tom Meanwhile, in the Ishida Family Mansion, Lisay sprawled on her bed, d in nothing but a skimpy panty and bra. The swishing sound of the fan overhead provided a modicum of relief from the madness that had ensued in the recent days. Watching Kazuya perform more and more Quincy techniques with ease took a great toll on her sanity, and she wasn¡¯t even a Quincy! "Just four days," she muttered to herself, ruminating on the staggering speed of Kazuya''s progress. He had quickly mastered the art of creating multiple Spirit Weapons and incorporating them into battle, and had even taken the first step towards mastering Hirenkyaku, Quincy¡¯s equivalent of Shinigami¡¯s Shunpo and Hollow¡¯s Son¨ªdo. His strength had grown to the point her Inner Hollow growled every time she saw him, warning her of the threat he posed¡­ and showing excitement to engage in a battle with him. One slip of control would expose her secret to Izumi ¡ª thest thing she wanted to do as a spy. ¡®I¡¯ll have to train extra hard when I return.¡¯ Zzzzzt. A strange sound jolted her out of thoughts. A crimson beam sliced through the wall like butter, revealing the grinning face of the narcissist merchant. ¡°H~.¡± "Urahara?!" Lisa eximed, sitting bolt upright. ¡°Hai. It¡¯s me, your beloved merchant of Karakura Town.¡± ¡°I know who you are, stupid. What are you doing here? If someone saw you¡ª¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about the consequences, Yadomaru-san,¡± Kisuke cut in with a chuckle. ¡°You are dismissed from your duties as a spy. You can leave.¡± The sudden order left her reeling. She lowered her gaze, frowning at the thought of leaving Kazuya alone with Izumi. She was worried about Kazuya taking advantage of Izumi¡¯s kindness. She would regret it if something happened to Izumi behind her back. Kisuke jumped inside the room, a hand holding the top of his hat. ¡°Are you against leaving this ce?¡± ¡°My real ce is with the Visored,¡± she said. ¡°You know that better than me.¡± ¡°You say that, yet you show reluctance in leaving. Has the new boy smitten you with his charm? Maybe you have fallen for your married master, turning into a forbidden romance.¡± ¡°Shut the hell up.¡± Lisa snorted. ¡°I¡¯ll leave in a couple of days¡­ I have some unfinished business here.¡± ¡°What you do from now on is none of my business now. Be aware, Yadomaru-san.¡± Kisuke lowered his hat as he turned around. ¡°Hold onto things lightly, for the tighter the grip, the harder the fall.¡± Lisa clenched her fists. ¡°Don¡¯t speak in riddles, jerkface.¡± ¡°Haha, I¡¯m off to meet the new guy. Wish me luck~.¡± *** Kazuya sat in deep meditation, dressed only in a pair of trousers. Traces of vibrant blue energy coursed through his exposed skin, a stark disy of the Reishi flowing within him. But in an instant, the pulsating lines dimmed, reced by ominous purple marks snaking across his arms. The sheer agony of ruptured blood vessels forced him to clench his teeth. ¡°Fuck¡­¡± His blood vessels hadpletely ruptured from exposure to high amounts of Reishi ¡ª fatal injury to any ordinary human but nothing for him. Within a few seconds, the bruises vanished, healedpletely by his regeneration. He had to go through so much to learn Blut, yet any Echt Quincy like Izumi could use it without any difficulty.
[¡¯Pain Resistance¡¯ Mastery Level improved to High.]
The agonizing training also contributed in improving the mastery of his Pain Resistance skills. He repeated the process for a few moments until the pain drained thest bit of his willpower. Afterwards, he sprawled on the bed, exhausted. Before he could find sce, a knock echoed through the room. He couldn¡¯t help groan from the familiar presence outside. ¡°Otouto-kun, can Ie in?¡± ¡°...Yes.¡± Izumi entered, delicately holding a tray adorned with two cups. She hobbled over to his bedside and ced the tray on the table. ¡°A cup of Hojicha will cure your fatigue overnight.¡± ¡°You should have just called me, Onee-chan. How will your leg heal if you keep abusing it like that?¡± ¡°This is nothing, Kazuya,¡± Izumi replied softly. ¡°Being of use to you brings me happiness.¡± In the span of four days, Izumi''s demeanor had undergone a remarkable transformation. Her care and sweetness seemed to have reached new heights, as if she had be an entirely different person. It wasn''t an act forced to keep him here; she found genuine happiness in servicing him as if he was some kind of higher entity. Did he have some innate ability that turned older women into kind andpassionate towards him? His mind drifted as took sips of the sweet and aromatic green tea. ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± Izumi nodded. ¡°Otouto-kun, I have a favor.¡± A sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu washed over Kazuya. Izumi¡¯s request reminded him of Harribel''s unfinished request in Hueco Mundo, interrupted by Menos nearly killing Api. ¡°Tell me.¡± ¡°I suggest you rest tomorrow and have fun outside. I don¡¯t want your body to wear down from constant training.¡± The favor was strangely skewed to help him, as he hade to expect from her. ¡°As long as you send Lisa with me.¡± He had gotten close to Lisa but there was still a noticeable gap between them. One that would keep standing as long as she remained skeptical of his character. He was confident in knocking down those walls if given enough time and space. A day-long date would suffice. Izumi¡¯s eyes narrowed as she smirked. ¡°Make the most of it, Otouto-kun.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t disappoint you, Onee-chan.¡± Once Izumi left with the tray, Kazuya returned to resting on the bed. A worry for Harribel and others¡¯ safety crept into his mind whenever he wasn¡¯t preupied. They had survived in the treacherous Hueco Mundo for longer than his two lifetimesbined. Yet, he couldn¡¯t shake off the concern gnawing at him. Returning to them through the Garganta was out of the question, for it would surely alert those who kept a watchful eye on the town ¡ª the list most likely included Aizen. The voyuer was probably monitoring the town for Visored and Kisuke Urahara, but it shouldn''t be his main focus until he gets to creating White and getting her mixed with Ichigo¡¯s mother, Masaki. ¡®Fuck this. I¡¯ll quickly check on them.¡¯ It was time to bring out his trump card that should conceal Garganta¡¯s presence ¡ª a Quincy forcefield. After seeing Izumi create force fields for like seven times, he could confidently create one without relying on any equipment. Since it could conceal his Reiatsu, it had to conceal the opening of a Garganta. ¡®I¡¯ll open far away from this town just in case.¡¯¡¯ He took out his clothes and tossed them on the bed. As he reached for his shirt when an unsettling sensation prickled the back of his neck. A gaze bore into him, causing him to spin around, his eyes narrowing on a minuscule hole in the wall. The hole wasn¡¯t present before. ¡°You peeping tom. Show yourself.¡± Without missing a beat, Kisuke Urahara nonchntly opened the window and made his entrance. The surprise etched across his face spoke volumes about Kazuya''s ability to sense his presence. ¡°Ahem, I''ve been discovered peeping on men. My reputation will sink to the bottom. What should I do~?¡± Chapter 46: Divulge Chapter 46: Divulge Kazuya never expected to be visited by Kisuke Urahara of all people. Then again, Kisuke could havee seeking Lisa and stumbled upon him. Or maybe Kisuke detected an anomaly in him during theirst interaction and had returned for further investigation. There could be a million reasons for Kisuke to be here. Slipping into his clothes, he looked at Kisuke. ¡°Your clothes are simr to traditional Japanese clothes. Are you a Shinigami?¡± He chose an icy demeanor over his usual frivolous self. Being yful would lead him nowhere against Kisuke. ¡°Nope. I would never sail the same boat as them.¡± Kisuke chuckled. ¡°The worth of a person is not found in the threads of their clothing, but in the fibers of their character. Mine is incredibly pure and lovable.¡± Kazuya never thought he would find someone more shameless than himself, yet here he was, getting swept into Kisuke¡¯s incredible bullshit. ¡°You are not a Shinigami, then what are you?¡± ¡°Just a handsome merchant in possession of the most useful shop~.¡± Kisuke fished out a silver card from his sleeve and waved it around cheerfully. ¡°Here, feel free to visit when you find yourself in trouble. Of course, our excellent servicees at a cost~.¡± Helping people that intrigued him then owing them a favor ¡ª Kisuke Urahara¡¯s motto was simple yet very effective in making backup strategies for the backup strategies. ¡°...I asked about your race.¡± ¡°That''s dangerously close to racism. Should I report you to the spiritual realm¡¯s civil rights authority?¡± Kazuya furrowed his brow. ¡°Since when asking about someone''s race be a vition?¡± Kisuke pressed a hand against his chest. ¡°I already told you I¡¯m just your merchant who happened to have a shop in this town. My race and background are irrelevant. Any further inquiry is an attack on my privacy.¡± ¡°...How long have you been peeping on me?¡± ¡°...The moment you opened the closet.¡± They exchanged an awkward nce before Kazuya took a sigh of relief. It would be problematic if Kisuke saw his regeneration ¡ª a skill mostly possessed by Hollow, not Quincy. It would be challenging to exin the origin of his regeneration skill to the guy who knew almost everything about all the races. ¡®I¡¯ll need a different approach. I gotta open his old wounds.¡¯ Looking out of the window, Kisuke said, ¡°I¡¯m afraid our conversation ends here for today. I need to retire for the night and open my shop early in the morning.¡± ¡°Kisuke Urahara, you have changed,¡± he whispered, a serene smile on his face. ¡°The former Captain of the 12th Division. The groundbreaking innovator behind Seireitei''s Research and Development Institute. I heard you¡¯re now known as the ¡®Exiled Shinigami¡¯ in Seireitei.¡± Gone was theid-back Kisuke, hiszy eyes reced by a focused stare. Kazuya seemed clueless about the spiritual world in theirst meeting, now he seemed to know things most Shinigami of this era wouldn¡¯t. The stark change waspletely out of Kisuke¡¯s calctions. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about acting like that on that rainy day. I had to make sure you were the real Kisuke Urahara, not some fake illusion made by that guy.¡± Narrowing his eyes, Kisuke gripped his cane, which happened to be his Zanpakut¨­ in disguise. ¡°Where did you get this information?¡± The information about Aizen¡¯s betrayal was only known to Visored, Yoruichi, Tessai, and him ¡ª none of them were foolish enough to divulge such information, apart from the youngdy living in this mansion. ¡°Nobody.¡± Kazuya shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t feel safe talking about him here. Can we go somewhere more private?¡± ¡°Are you talking about¡ª¡± ¡°Aizen, yes¡ªno, not now. Fuck!¡± He grimaced as he sensed the formation of a garganta not far from his location. A Hollow had breached the Living World to prey on innocent souls; it was significantly weaker than the Menos Grande, a Hollow yet to evolve from its base state ¡ª still a challenging foe for average Quincy. Kisuke sighed and waved his hand. ¡°Take care of it and meet me at my shop in the morning. The address is on the card.¡± Kisuke said his piece and phased through the wall like a ghost, leaving behind no trace of his Reiryoku. He clicked his tongue. The mention of Aizen''s treachery had fully captured Kisuke¡¯s interest. Despite being a scientist, Kisuke was far from a heartless individual. He banked everything on Kisuke being understanding of his fabricated circumstances. If he yed his cards right, Kisuke might just help him and his Hollowpanions. Even getting H¨­gyoku for Harribel and others wouldn¡¯t be out of the question. ¡®I have to be patient.¡¯ Izumi barged into his room, her face solemn. ¡°You need toe with us.¡± He held her shoulder and looked right into her eyes. ¡°Onee-chan, go to bed. I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± She shook her head defiantly. ¡°This Hollow isn¡¯t weak. Akira and Katsumi have already left. I¡¯ll support them while you can observe the battle.¡± She gave him the observer role in his ¡®first¡¯ meeting with a Hollow, despite having full knowledge of his abilities. Her overprotectiveness towards him was on another level. ¡°You¡¯re so stubborn.¡± He sighed, massaging his forehead. ¡°I prohibit you from fighting.¡± She crossed her arms and met his stern gaze with her own. ¡±On what grounds are you ordering me, the Matriarch of Ishida n?¡± ¡°Stop with the bullshit, baka Onee-chan.¡± ¡°I will let you fight on one condition¡­ prioritize your safety. If things go wrong, flee at the first moment.¡± ¡°As if I¡¯ll let it escte that far. Have some confidence in your pupil, Izumi-sensei.¡± Chapter 47: Vice Captain Chapter 47: Vice Captain Kazuya''s crew arrived at the scene in a car ¡ª the battleground was a children''s yground. Katsumi and Akira danced a deadly ballet around the Hollow, flinging Reishi arrows against its grotesque carapace. This Hollow, a monstrosity inspired by a giant beetle, wore a white mask adorned with red teeth ¡ª a sign of its victims. Izumi¡¯s face twisted. ¡°Katsumi!¡± "One, Izumi-sama," Katsumi bellowed back, her voice echoing with regret. "We arrived a tick toote!¡± Akira squeaked in between breaths, ¡°Izumi-sama, this overgrown beetle has high-speed regeneration like Wolverine! It''s shrugging off our attacks. We can¡¯t stall it for long.¡± In theory, Kazuya could have obliterated the Hollow with the sheer force of his fully unleashed Reiryoku. But unleashing such a formidable power would be akin to inviting more formidable Hollows. If a gang of Adjuchas showed up, Izumi might just have a heart attack on the spot. Izumi gripped her Quincy cross, torn between her promise to Kazuya and the need to aid herrades. ¡°It¡¯s no time to hesitate¡ª¡± He ced a reassuring hand on her shoulder. ¡°Remember what we discussed. Allow me to handle this.¡± Harvesting the ambient Reishi, he created a Spirit Crossbow. With a swift draw and release, he unleashed half a dozen azure arrows, each heading for a different limb of the Hollow. The giant Hollow, engrossed in its pursuit of the two Quincies, failed to detect its iing doom. The azure bolts smashed into its six limbs, decimating them. No matter how alert, the Hollow stood no chance of evading bolts moving with such blistering velocity. He had gotten significantly better after getting a hang of the bow¡¯s mechanism and shape. The de-legged Hollow let out a gut-wrenching screech, thrashing about on the ground like a beetle flipped on its back. Momentster, its limbs reformed, and it charged at Kazuya in pure rage. "Watch out!" He shrugged off Izumi''s warning. With an eerily calm demeanor, he fired six more bolts in an instant, dismembering the Hollow once again. Izumi¡¯s face paled as Kazuya repeated his brutal cycle, his face an emotionless mask as if he had grownfortably numb to such gore. Even Katsumi and Akira couldn''t help but tremble at his merciless methods. Finally, when the Hollow had exhausted its reservoir of Reiryoku, Kazuya let it writhe helplessly on the ground. He turned to Izumi, his face breaking into a grin that was a bit too wide to beforting. ¡°Done.¡± ¡°I have no words for your growth,¡± Izumi said and tossed the car keys at him. ¡°You can return home. I¡¯ll handle the talks with Shinigami.¡± ¡°You can''t just shoo me away when the fun part is about to begin. I wanna have a chat with the Shinigami too.¡± As long as Izumi stayed out of the mansion, he had no chance of sneaking out of town to rendezvous with Harribel. He might as well stick around to see who would be dispatched to Karakura Town after he had effectively set off the Seireitei¡¯s rms with the presence of two Arrancars. Lucky for him, a lone Shinigami showed up in a couple of minutes. A tall man with a sharp face and ck hair. His Reiatsu was on par with Gillian¡¯s, but Kazuya could sense something off about him. The Soul Reaper had the aura of a veteran. ¡®Vice Captains and Captains get a restraining seal in the Living World, don¡¯t they? This guy should at least be a Vice Captain.¡¯ There was a flicker of recognition in Kazuya''s mind, a sense of familiarity, but the Shinigami''s name remained just beyond his grasp. As the ck-haired Shinigami took in the scene ¡ª the Quincy group and the squirming Hollow, an expression of startled surprise crept onto his face. ¡°Who are you folks? Did you do this to this poor fellow?¡± Akira and Katsumi exchanged nces before pointing, almost in unison, towards Kazuya''s back. Izumi, without a trace of guilt, followed suit and threw him under the bus. ¡°My Otouto is heartless.¡± Kazuya¡¯s face twitched. ¡°I could have killed it if you didn¡¯t teach me the importance of bnce in three realms.¡± ¡°Bnce?¡± Shinigami''s eyes widened, a spark of understanding in his ck eyes. ¡°Ah, I see. You are¡­ Quincy. The n that was said to have been wiped from existence a century and a half ago.¡± He would¡¯ve known about Ishida n if he bothered reading the files given to him. s, he wasn¡¯t the type to go through a stack of rapports. A shadow fell across Izumi¡¯s face, her eyes clouding over. ¡°And who is responsible for wiping our race?¡± The Shinigami scratched at the nape of his neck, the weight of the Quincies'' tragic history seemingly hanging heavy in the air. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to open old wounds. It¡¯s just¡­ It¡¯s surprising to encounter your kind. I¡¯m Kaien Shiba, the Vice Captain of the Thirteenth Squad.¡± Kazuya felt a jolt of recognition. Kaien was from the Shiba n, a once noble lineage that had fallen from grace in the Soul Society. Isshin Kurosaki, Ichigo¡¯s father, was a Shiba before he took on the monumental task of suppressing Masaki¡¯s Hollow. Kaien¡¯s death yed a big role in Rukia¡¯s growth as a Shinigami and a person. Him being alive meant Rukia was still in the 13th Squad or she had yet to graduate from the Shinigami Academy. Kaien pivoted to face the Hollow and unsheathed his Zanpakut¨­. ¡°We can continue our conversation once I put this fellow out of his suffering.¡± With a swift, almost merciful motion, Kaien cleaved the beetle-like Hollow into two perfect halves. The Hollow let out a final, agonized shriek before its form flickered and evaporated into nothingness. The Hollow was cleansed and sent to Soul Society. With a sigh, Kaien slid his katana back into its sheath. ¡°I was expecting a group of Hollows. Turns out it was just one guy. Could it be the scout?¡± He would''ve been here earlier if he hadn''t been dozing off like a hibernating bear. ¡°Better safe than sorry,¡± Kazuya said, a smirk ying on his lips. ¡°By the way, what¡¯s this about Arrancars?¡± ¡°You guys probably don¡¯t know about Arrancars. They are Hollows who take off their masks. They are not much of a threat except the Menos like Gillian, Adjuchas, and Vasto Lorde¡­¡± Kaien narrowed his eyes. ¡°Seireitei is taking this matter seriously. I¡¯ll be in the town for a few days.¡± His Captain, Jushiro Ukitake, had dispatched him to monitor the Hollow activities. Being a Vice Captain, he came alone, armed with his Zanpakut¨­. The news of a Vasto Lorde Arrancar had sent ripples of concern through the Gotei 13. Shunsui Kyoraku believed that the Hollows were nning a full-scale invasion of this town under the guidance of a Vasto Lorde leader. In an ironic twist of fate, Kaien stood before the very Vasto Lorde he was supposed to be on guard against,pletely clueless. Suppressing augh, Kazuya said, ¡°Well, try not to be sote next time. It¡¯s a pain to hold back on small fries.¡± Kaien observed Kazuya before bursting intoughter. ¡°I like your confidence. It reminds me of my Captain¡¯s best friend. Well, Quincy friends, I think my job is done here. Goodnight.¡± Kaien never thought he would be befriending people of a near extinct n of Hollow yers. After saying a brief greeting to everyone, Kaein departed in a good mood. Meanwhile, Izumi stood rooted to the spot, her face ashen. She was all too aware of the power of a Vice Captain. Even her husband would struggle against such a formidable opponent. Now, one of them would be casually strolling around their town. Add to that the terrifying potential of Menos-ss Arrancars, and she was sure about having sleepless nights until the matter was solved. Chapter 48: The Black Cat Chapter 48: The ck Cat Time and time again, a ck cat could be seen skilfully leaping from one rooftop to another in Seireitei. No one knew where this cat came from or how it could dodge any Shinigami that tried catching it. This agile cat had be a mystery, and an often-told story among the Gotei 13. The cat was, in fact, Yoruichi Shih¨­in, a banished Shinigami who was exiled along with Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi. Before her banishment, her reputation in the Soul Society was legendary. Few were given the title of ''Shunpo Master,'' but Yoruichi went further in her pursuit of agility, earning the respected title of ¡®sh Goddess.¡¯ At one point in her life, she held the title for the youngest captain in the history of Onmitsukid¨­ ¡ª the special forces of the Soul Society ¡ª as well as the Captain of the 2nd Squad of Gotei 13. Like her noble titles, Yoruichi was born into the nobility of the prestigious Shih¨­in family, one of the five great noble ns of the Soul Society. Her family, renowned for their stealth and agility, were masters of Kid¨­ ¡ª a unique form ofbat derived from demon arts. As a princess, she carried the weight of expectations from the first day of her life. She didn¡¯t lose to the pressure, rather she excelled in her family arts. Even among the Shih¨­in, Yoruichi''s abilities stood out. She was excellent in hand-to-handbat, stealth, and had impressive control over Kid¨­ spells. But, despite her noble birth and all its advantages, Yoruichi wanted something more. The formal lifestyle and strict rules irritated her free spirit. She found hope in Kisuke Urahara, a man from a fallen noble n who hade to live at the Shih¨­in Mansion with Tessai Tsukabishi. Despite his humble beginnings, Kisuke was a man of extraordinary talent. While she had friends to spend time with, Yoruichi could not often leave the n''s estate. When her own family limited her freedom, Yoruichi came up with a creative solution - she developed a technique that let her turn into a cat at will. Decadester, Kisuke became the Captain of the 12th Squad, and Tessai became the Captain of the Kid¨­ Corps. Less than a decadeter, Kisuke and Tessai were arrested for experimentation on fellow Shinigami. Yoruichi was at a crossroads. Loyalty or duty? In a heartbeat, she gave up everything for her friends. Her status, her titles, her family - she left it all behind in order to help Kisuke keep his Shinigami powers. The Central 46beled them as ''Exiled Shinigami,'' forbidding them from entering Senkaimon, the doorway to Soul Society. Did that keep Yoruichi away from the Soul Society? Not at all. Her ability to transform into a cat altered her Reiatsu signature just enough to sneak past the Senkaimon restriction. Thus, she made a new legend ¡ª the Legend of the ck Cat. *** Currently, Yoruichi rxed under the moonlight in her cat form, her tongue smoothly sweeping over the bowl filled with creamy milk. Her old pal K¨±kaku Shiba savored the sak¨¦ from a cup held in her tattooed arm ¡ª her only arm. ¡°Yoruichi, you have balls of steel to pull that off with Byakuya Kuchiki.¡± K¨±kaku had met Byakuya once in Seireitei. The first meeting alone made her quite terrified of Byakuya¡¯s Reiatsu and his icy demeanor. As bold as K¨±kaku was, she wouldn¡¯t dare mess around with Byakuya. "ying tag with him was a thrill," the ck feline replied, her masculine contradicting her actual gender ¡ª a trait exclusive to her feline form."Thed is still training under his old man?" Despite being the same age, she treated Byakuya as if he was way younger than her. "I believe he is," K¨±kaku confirmed, setting down her sak¨¦ cup to pick up her pipe, taking in a satisfying, smoky drag. "Won''t be long before he seeds as the 28th head of Kuchiki n and takes on the Captain position in the 6th Squad." ¡°Still won¡¯t beat me in speed.¡± Yoruichiughed as she cleaned her whiskers with her paw. ¡°Nyaa¡­. I am feeling sleepy now.¡± ¡°It¡¯s my time to sleep, too. You can stay the night here.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mind if I do.¡± Yoruichi harbored a special fondness for K¨±kaku, primarily because of her unfiltered, down-to-earth nature. In stark contrast to the pretentious nobility, K¨±kaku acted ording to her heart, giving no care to what others thought of her. They shared an unyielding spirit and philosophy, leading their lives ording to a unique creed ¡ª to never shy away from bold choices even if they changed their lives forever. As Yoruichi curled up on the wooden floor, the fluttering wings of a butterfly disturbed her peace. A Jigokuch¨­, the spirit butterfly traditionally employed as a messenger by the Shinigami, drifted around her. ¡°Shop awaits you.¡± The message, as devoid of emotion as the emptiness of space, echoed within her mind, prompting her eyes to widen in rm. ¡°Kisuke?¡± She hastily departed for the Living World. ¡­ The moment Yoruichi entered Kisuke''s living room, she found him poised in quiet contemtion, his hand restlessly fidgeting with the brim of his hat. They hadn¡¯t met each other for almost a decade now, a time frame considered months for the long-living Shinigami race. ¡°Kisuke?¡± "Yoruichi, you''ve returned," Kisuke greeted, his usually jovial tone swapped for an uncharacteristically somber one. "Shall we catch up before or after milk?" ¡°I¡¯m not hungry. Tell me, how did you send a Jigokuch¨­?¡± ¡°They only restricted me from entering Senkaimon. It¡¯s easy to imbue Jigokuch¨­ with a Reiatsu signature different from mine.¡± ¡°You¡¯re still obsessed with that? Are you that desperate to enter the Soul Society?¡± ¡°Obsession is the greatest driving force,¡± Kisuke mused, waving his paper fan. ¡°Now, what did I call you here for?¡± Yoruichi brought her paw up and shed her sharp ws. ¡°I can cut nine thousand times in a second. Do you want to test me?¡± Kisuke raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. ¡°We have a problem. A big problem.¡± ¡°A problem you can¡¯t solve on your own?¡± She had seen himing up with ingenious solutions that nobody could have ever thought of. His intellect and adaptability were terrifying, even for her. Kisuke nodded in affirmation. ¡°Today I met a man.¡± "A man, you say?" Yoruichi''s chuckle tinged the air with mild mockery. "Who knew our Kisuke Urahara swung that way?" Kisuke swatted her head lightly with his fan. ¡°Let''s focus, shall we? How many people know about Aizen¡¯s true nature?¡± ¡°Huh? That would be us and the Visored. The man you met today¡ª¡± ¡°Yup, he knows about Aizen¡¯s hypnosis and his betrayal. There is something more bizarre, Yoruichi. He is part of the Quincy n.¡± ¡°Quincy? Now that¡¯s a name I haven¡¯t heard for a century.¡± Yoruichi narrowed her golden eyes. ¡°Who leaked it to him?¡± ¡°So it wasn¡¯t you. It must be one of the Visored. They opened their mouth against their will or¡ª¡± ¡°¡ªIt¡¯s another one of Aizen¡¯s tricks to shake us. That bastard is like a fox.¡± Kisuke couldn¡¯t help but let out a chuckle. ¡°Oh, how interesting it¡¯d be if Aizen is pulling the strings here.¡± His intuition told him otherwise, but he never trusted his judgment against Aizen. The treacherous Shinigami had shown to manipte the Central 46¡¯s judgment. How hard would it be to send a man at their doorstep pretending to oppose Aizen? Yoruichi snorted. ¡°Interesting for you only. A pain in the ass for the rest.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We''ll get to the bottom of this tomorrow when we have a heart to heart with our Quincy ''friend''.¡± Chapter 49: Control Chapter 49: Control Kazuyaid on the bed the whole night, pondering about every scenario that could take ce today. It was a day of monumental importance, and he couldn¡¯t afford a single mistake. The door creaked open just as the clock hit the eight o¡¯clock mark ¡ª Lisa came to wake him. Instead of doing her task, she observed him with ice in her gaze. His acting skill, which fooled Tier Harribel¡¯s Hollow senses, easily made a mockery of former Shinigami Lisa. ¡®What ticked her off?¡¯ Ssh! He didn¡¯t expect her to throw a bucket worth of cold water on him. Rising from his dampened bed, he stretchednguidly, a yawn escaping his lips. He was unperturbed, as if Lisa didn¡¯t give him a nonconsensual bath. ¡°To think you¡¯ll bathe me on my bed to save my time¡­ you are so caring, Lisa,¡± he praised her with a soft smile. ¡°You missed a couple of spots and forgot to apply soap.¡± Lisa¡¯s hands twitched, barely holding back from giving his neck a little squeeze. She grabbed a pillow and held it like a war hammer over him. ¡°What did you say to Izumi-sama? Why is she sending me on a date with you?!¡± Lisa being angry and flustered was a positive sign since she acted calm and collected to everyone. She was showing more and more of her true personality hidden beneath the cool facade. He released a long sigh. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I have to cancel that date.¡± As if frozen in a block of ice, Lisa paused, her lips parting into a stunned ¡®O¡¯. Her shocked face was a sight to behold. He smiled. ¡°Let me guess the reason for your shock. Your anger was just a facade, and you actually looked forward to a date with me.¡± Lisa was caught red-handed. Her n was to throw a tantrum and reluctantly agree to go on the date ¡ª her first ever date with a man. Ever since she came to the Living World, she had been stuck in the same loop of eating, reading, training, and sleeping. She was a little excited to do something new ¡ª the same feeling had led her to ept this ¡®spy¡¯ job. She narrowed her eyes. ¡°It was a rare opportunity to rx outside of my job. Yes, I was looking forward to it.¡± Her eptance caught him off-guard. ¡°Since you want it so badly, I¡¯ll give you a date once I¡¯m free.¡± "And what could possibly be keeping you busy?" She raised the question out of curiosity. From what she had heard, he recently came to the town searching for Quincy. Apart from Izumi and Lisa, he shouldn¡¯t know anyone unless¡­ ¡®He found romance.¡¯ Instead of questioning him, her head weaved a romantic tale between Kazuya and a random beautiful maiden he stumbled upon. ¡®I have to know if it¡¯s true.¡¯ Kazuya narrowed his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about following me.¡± Lisa nodded, her mind whirring with possible outfits that would allow her to merge seamlessly with the crowd. She had already decided about stalking him today. ¡°Why are you so stubborn?¡± Kazuya sprang from his bed and advanced towards her, shrinking the distance between them until he was firmly in her personal bubble. He lifted her chin, holding her gaze. ¡°You can hide your Reiryoku but the darkness in your soul? It shines like a candle in pitch ck. I can pick you blindly from a crowd ten out of ten times.¡± Lisa stiffened before her hand instinctively reached for her Zanpakut¨­. By the time she realized her Zanpakut¨­ was left in Visored base, he had left the room. She stood rooted, a trickle of sweat inching its way down her face. ¡°How is that possible...?¡± Kisuke''s special ''Reiatsu Concealing Gigai'' should have camouged all traces of her Reiatsu, even the faintest whiff of her Hollow aura. ¡°What do I do now?¡± She pressed her hand against her face. Her sclera turned ck and eyes red. ¡°Let me take control. I¡¯ll handle the rest.¡± The words she spoke weren¡¯t her own. They belonged to her Inner Hollow, which exerted control over her in moments of weakness. It wanted her to relinquish control and sink into the pit of bottomless ¡®instinct.¡¯ Every one of Visored experiences simr things now and then, and will continue to do so until they fully take control over their Hollow. ¡®Get lost.¡¯ She steeled herself, suppressing her Inner Hollow, and soon her eyes returned to their normal state. Apart from Shunsui Kyoraku, her ex-Captain, only Kazuya had ever rattled herposure like this. She let out an annoyed click of her tongue. ¡°I¡¯ll get him to fess up everything, no matter what it takes.¡± ¡­ Kazuya narrowed his eyes, taking in the swinging sign overhead. ¡°Urahara Shop.¡± He rapped on the door, which was promptly answered by a mountain of a man with a thick mustache connected to his sideburns. Tessai Tsukabishi, Kisuke Urahara¡¯s right-hand man, was decked out in a ck apron over aid-back white tee and blue jeansbo. The guy looked like a gangster instead of a shopkeeper assistant. Tessai straightened his rectangle-framed sses, his expression as unyielding as a wall. ¡°State your business.¡± ¡°Kisuke Urahara invited me herest night.¡± ¡°You¡¯re his guest. Hmmm,e inside.¡± Kazuya followed the big man through the hallway and arrived at the meeting spot. He could feel two presences inside, both masterfully restraining their Reiryoku. As Tessai slid the door open, Kazuya saw Kisuke sitting side by side with a ck cat. Her golden eyes narrowed as she spotted him. ¡®She is here.¡¯ Her appearance by Kisuke¡¯s side was no surprise. Chapter 50: A Tactical Nuke Chapter 50: A Tactical Nuke Yoruichi observed the young man, intrigue sparkling in her golden eyes. Shinigami (Soul) aged strangely in the Soul Society, but humans (Quincy) were not renowned for their longevity, at least the one she was familiar with. Despite appearing no older than twenty-five, he wielded Reiryoku rivaling that of a Captain-ss ¡ª she found this fact hard to swallow. ¡°Is he really the one?¡± Doubt, unmasked and raw, crept into her voice as she questioned Kisuke. ¡°You weren¡¯t pulling my leg about this, right?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± Kazuya''s eyebrows shot up, a sh of surprise in his eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t think Urahara-san was fond of talking cats. One of your crazy inventions?¡± Kisuke opened the paper fan and concealed his smirk. ¡°Yoruichi-san is a natural cat I found in the Shih¨­in mansion. Some pussies are irresistible, they say.¡± ¡°Shih¨­in? Don¡¯t tell me this is Yoruichi Shih¨­in¡­¡± The slightest widening of Yoruichi''s eyes betrayed her surprise. ¡°You seem rather well-versed in our ways. Who enlightened you about the Seireitei? A friend, a family member, or a stranger from the other side?¡± Skipping the flimsy pleasantries, she dived straight into the crux of the matter. Before Kazuya could utter a response, Kisuke smoothly interjected, "Yoruichi-san, let''s offer our guest a seat first. I wouldn''t want any rumors about my shopcking inmon courtesy." With a graceful sweep of her paw, Yoruichi motioned towards a cushion set opposite to her. ¡°Take a seat.¡± Kazuya moved forward at Tessai¡¯s gentle push, the door sliding shut behind him. ¡°Rx, guys,¡± he muttered, calmly settling down under Yoruichi''s intense stare. ¡°I¡¯ll reveal everything, but first, stop acting like I¡¯m here to steal your candies.¡± Kisuke couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°He is telling you to chill, Yoruichi-san.¡± Yoruichi snarled, baring her feline fangs. ¡°What? I¡¯m as calm as a moon¡¯s reflection on a still pond. It¡¯s you who looks ufortable.¡± Deflecting the me towards Kazuya was a convenient way to downy her own impatience. In response, Kazuya merely shrugged. ¡°Urahara-san, promise me one favor in exchange for my information. I can guarantee the information will be helpful in your ongoing battle against Aizen.¡± Kisuke paused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. He was not one to be easily indebted, but the stakes were too high to dismiss this offer. While he had faith in Yamamoto''s power, he doubted that Seireitei would anticipate a threat from their most peaceful-looking captain. Things might escte too far by the time they realize their mistake. Aizen''s Hollowfication experiments and his Kyoka Sugetsu made him such a terrifying wild card in his eyes. Kisuke bobbed his head in agreement. ¡°If it''s within reason, the always charming and trustworthy Kisuke Urahara will lend a hand. Just once.¡± Yoruichi swiveled to face Kisuke, a hint of warning in her tone as she spoke, ¡°Careful with the promises you make.¡± Being a former noble and formermander of the 2nd Squad, she was well-acquainted with individuals exploiting favors for their own malicious purposes. Though she didn¡¯t take Kisuke as the careless type, a note of concern lingered. ¡°I know what I''m doing.¡± Kisuke dismissed her worries with a wave of his hand and a yful tap on the table. ¡°Now, time for you to uphold your end, Kazuya-san.¡± The easy eptance from Kisuke was an unexpected curveball. Still, Kazuya remained stoic, all business, with no room for yfulness. ¡°I know a lot about Aizen because¡­ I used to be a Seated Officer serving Aizen. Even that didn¡¯t protect me from bing a part of his n. I ended up embroiled in his ¡®Hollowfication¡¯, consumed by a Hollow soul nted in mine.¡± Thus, he unveiled the first chapter of his twisted tale ¡ª a narrative that would have been impossible without his meta understanding of this world. ¡°Wa¡­ Wait, what do you mean you died? Is this¡ª¡± "¡ªReincarnation," Kisuke concluded Yoruichi''s sentence, his face a mask of grave seriousness. "A wed reincarnation, where the soul retains its memories. I have encountered a few such instances during my study, though none significant enough to raise rm." Kisuke had delved into the deepest reaches of Shih¨­in''s family archives, seeking the most obscure knowledge concerning the spiritual world ¡ª like the god of Shinigami being an anchor of three realms, a husk of his former self. A god who was massacred by five noble families out of fear for his power. Seeing Kisuke deep in thought, Kazuya smiled appreciatively. There was an undeniable pleasure in thepany of razor-sharp minds that saw profound meaning in the most nonsensical words. ¡®It¡¯s easy to bullshit with the genius ones.¡¯ He crossed his arms and nodded his head. ¡°Exactly. I reincarnated as a Hollow.¡± His bold deration was meant to be a calcted nuke on their minds, to provoke a reaction. He awaited their responses with an impish gleam in his eyes. Even under dire circumstances, his natural trickster spirit couldn''t be suppressed. Kisuke remainedposed, his eyebrows arching in bemused interest at the outrageous im. In stark contrast, Yoruichi reacted like a storm ¡ª hissing, her pupils shrinking to pinpricks, her tail standing straight in agitation. She looked ready to carve his face apart with her ws. ¡°Even a blind Shinigami can tell the difference between a Quincy and a Hollow. Do you take us for fools?!¡± His tale of betrayal had her entranced until he shattered the illusion with an oundishly false im. As a former Shinigami, she knew all too well the intricacies of souls and the delicate bnce of realms. The notion of a soul reincarnating with its memories was well within the realm of usibility, but a Quincy iming to be a Hollow? That was nothing short of ridiculous. "Ease up, Yoruichi-san," Kisuke implored with a calming gesture and nced at Kazuya. ¡°Yoruichi-san isn¡¯t known for her patience but for her vicious actions as the Commander of Onmitsukid¨­. Kazuya-san, I won¡¯t be able to hold her back if you don¡¯t provide a reasonable exnation.¡± Unwittingly, Kisuke and Yoruichi had slipped into the timeless ''good cop, bad cop'' dynamic. Kazuya calmly took the cup of tea under Yoruichi¡¯s calm gaze. ¡°I intended to exin but Shih¨­in-san interrupted me. Let¡¯s put that aside for now. Urahara-san, can this house conceal Reiatsu? What I am about to do may rm Quincy and Shinigami alike.¡± ¡°It can,¡± Yoruichi said and got up, walking to the door. ¡°I have no interest in your lies anymore.¡± Just as she reached to slide open the door, she stopped as if struck by a bolt of lightning. The Reiatsu of a Hollow, mightier than her own, seized her attention like a vice. Whirling around, she saw Kazuya surrounded by a sky blue Reiatsu. Even though she couldn¡¯t see his face from her position, she could see the hornsing from the side of his head. He looked over his shoulder, smiling after giving them the shock of their lifetime. ¡°Shih¨­in-san, do you believe me now?¡± *** Cute Yoruichi art Spoiler [copse] Chapter 51: Exchange Chapter 51: Exchange The room sumbed to a hush, a quiet so profound it seemed to envelop every corner, every nook and cranny. This tranquility was abruptly shattered by Tessai, his steps echoing as he hastily pushed open the door. ¡°A Hollow? This man is a Hollow? How?¡± Even the former Commander of Kid¨­ Corps couldn¡¯t wrap his hands around a Quincy suddenly turning into a Hollow. Kazuya stood amidst the chaos, a smug grin yed upon his lips. ¡°I apologize for being so abrupt. I expected you to react with a little surprise, nothing more.¡± Rising from his seat, Kisuke¡¯s ck Haori fluttered in the wake of Kazuya''s surging power. An uncanny gleam danced in his eyes, and he couldn''t hide his intrigue. ¡°Well, well, well. What¡¯s surprising is your ability, Kazuya-san. The Arrancar troubling all of us for thest few days had been you all along. How did you mask your Hollow aura this well?¡± The ever-so-innovative Kisuke couldn¡¯t help but ask a question out of curiosity. He had long abandoned the notion of Hollows being evil during his pursuit of removing the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollow. For him, the person mattered more than a person¡¯s race. ¡°Mask? No, no, no, that¡¯s a misunderstanding.¡± Kazuya gestured towards his face, his Hollow characteristics seamlessly morphing back to normal, and his wings folding back into his body. ¡°This isn''t concealment; it¡¯s transformation. A bitter irony to be a Hollow after a lifetime of ughtering them.¡± He kept feeding them lies mixed with grains of truth. Yoruichi approached him and touched his back, her animosity reced with a look of curiosity. ¡°Can you transform again?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not ab specimen. Besides, weren¡¯t you going to leave? What is keeping you around, Shih¨­in-san?¡± ¡°I would¡¯ve surely left, boy, if you didn¡¯t show me this¡­ I don¡¯t even know what to call this... Kisuke, do you think it¡¯s possible or are we under some kind of ability that¡¯s fooling all of our senses, like Aizen?¡± Kisuke considered her question, a contemtive frown etching into his features. He turned to Tessai. ¡°What you said can be possible. But I don¡¯t think it is the case here. Tessai, did you sense Kazuya-san¡¯s Hollow aura?¡± Tessai, who was standing at the door, nodded. ¡°I sensed it clearly. It¡¯s why I ran over here.¡± ¡°See, Yoruichi-san. Tessai couldn¡¯t have been under the same illusion as us¡­ well, unless Kazuya-san can trick people who are far away from his sight.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t that happen to Shinji?¡± Tessai retorted, nting seeds of doubt. ¡°We can¡¯t rule out the possibility of Kazuya-san possessing a simr ability to Aizen.¡± Kazuya rubbed the back of his head. Aizen¡¯s betrayal raised their wariness toward his unprecedented ability. Even Tessai, who was mostly chill and calm, questioned the realityid before his eyes. He transformed under Yoruichi''s scrutinizing gaze. ¡°What do you say? Is this real or just an illusion?¡± With a dismissive wave of his paper fan, Kisuke interjected, ¡°Aizen¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ is rtively unknown, and he himself has a formidable Reiatsu, above your average Captains. Kazuya-san, forgive us for doubting you. We shouldn¡¯t have used Aizen¡¯s illusions as an excuse for our ignorance.¡± ¡°Ignorance?¡± Yoruichi chuckled. ¡°We have to thank Aizen for tricking you. He helped us learn so many new things that we wouldn¡¯t havee across as Shinigami.¡± Kazuya smiled. ¡°The more you know.¡± Yoruichi ran her ws over his thighs before she turned to Kisuke. ¡°I wasn¡¯t seeing things. His body changes from Kishi to Reishi when he changes to Hollow.¡± Kisuke had invented Reishi Henkan-Ki to convert Kishi to Reishi and vice versa. Kazuya achieved the same result with no external help. ¡°I can see that,¡± Kisuke said. ¡°From Shinigami to Hollow to Quincy. Kazuya-san here is a peculiar case.¡± Kazuya returned to his Hollow form and crossed his arms. ¡°About the information I promised. I know some of Aizen¡¯s ns and his end goal.¡± Kisuke¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°How did you¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask me how. Aizen wants the H¨­gyoku in your possession. That item is crucial to his ns ¡ª creating ¨­ken. He is after the key to the Royal Pce.¡± A silent exchange transpired between Kisuke and Yoruichi, their eyes echoing a mutual understanding. ¡°We didn¡¯t expect it to be ¨­ken,¡± Yoruichi said. ¡°Kazuya, what does Aizen Sosuke want with the Royal Pce?¡± ¡°Your guess is as good as mine,¡± Kazuya said. ¡°I held my end of the bargain. Kisuke-san, you should fulfill yours.¡± Kisuke stepped back and held his Zanpakut¨­. ¡°I did make a promise. Well, what can this handsome shopkeeper do for you?¡± ¡°I need shelter.¡± ¡°Granted. A handsome Hollow like yours is wee to my underground chamber.¡± Kisuke happily weed Kazuya, who was a treasure trove of knowledge on all three major races ¡ª Hollow, Shinigami, and Quincy. ¡°Not just for me.¡± Kazuya shook his head. ¡°You see, I made some friends during my time in Hueco Mundo. Soooo, can you make some Reiatsu concealing Gigai for them?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t made one for Hollows yet but I can try. However, you or anyone isn¡¯t allowed to eat human souls while you¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Heh. They won¡¯t. Weak souls won¡¯t interest them.¡± Yoruichi sat down. ¡°Are you making a Hollow army to take revenge on Aizen?¡± Kazuya smiled. ¡°Do not seek beauty in battle. Do not seek virtue in death. Do not make the mistake of considering only your own life. If you wish to protect that which you must protect, slice the enemy you must defeat from behind.¡± He repeated the Shinigami¡¯s creed that stuck with him more than most quotes. With that, he ripped open a Garganta and stuck his hand inside. ¡°I¡¯m gonna fetch my friends. See you soon.¡± He stepped into the Garganta, only to sense Yoruichi releasing a burst of Reiryoku. He turned around to see Yoruichi flying into the shrinking Garganta. ¡°...¡± Chapter 52: Protector Chapter 52: Protector Kisuke''s gaze lingered on the fading portal, the corners of his lips lifting in an amused smirk. Yoruichi''s impulsive action didn¡¯t surprise him in the least. She was always the one for exploration. Kazuya¡¯s friends or Kazuya had caught her intrigue. Perhaps the limitless expanse of Hueco Mundo offered an allure she couldn''t resist. Deciphering her motivations, however, was akin to hunting for a single cloud in a boundless sky. ¡°There she goes on her own,¡± Tessai said, giving a resigned shake of his head. His gaze then turned questioning towards Kisuke. ¡°Was that the right trade-off? Was the information a justifiable reason to hide several Arrancars from the Soul Society?¡± In response, Kisuke lifted two fingers. ¡°Consider two things, Tessai. Firstly, Hueco Mundo provides more protection from the Seireitei than our shop. I suspect they''re running from something in Hueco Mundo, something potentially more powerful than Kazuya himself.¡± Tessai''s eyes widened behind his rectangr sses. The thought of a Hollow boasting a stronger Reiatsu than Kazuya was unnerving, to say the least. ¡°Who could that possibly be?¡± ¡°I have no idea.¡± ¡°And the second point?¡± ¡°Some investments might appear precarious in the short term, but they yield unexpected dividends when you least anticipate it. Kazuya-san is that type of investment.¡± Having Kazuya¡¯s friendship might just tip the favor in his hidden warfare against Aizen. Though banished by the Seireitei, the heart in his chest was still that of a Shinigami. Protecting Seireitei and the bnce will always be his duty. As he digested this information, Tessai absentmindedly twirled his mustache. ¡°I still find it hard to grasp what Kazuya truly is.¡± Kisuke chuckled at Tessai¡¯s confusion. ¡°Regarding Kazuya-san, I have a hunch about the source of his transformation.¡± He hade across equally baffling things when he was brought to Shih¨­in Mansion. It was only a matter of time before he understood every aspect of his confusion. ¡°What is it?¡± "I''ll share when I''m absolutely certain," Kisuke replied, rising to dust off his Haori sleeves. "Now, excuse me. I need to prepare a guesthouse for our new allies¡­ I wanna procrastinate.¡± *** While Kisuke fully expected Yoruichi¡¯s action, Kazuya wasn¡¯t of the same mind. The ck cat began walking by his side, her tail swinging in a rhythm. She acted like she expected him to understand her intentions on his own. ¡°Shih¨­in-san, we Hollows have a saying, ¡°Don¡¯t enter another man''s Garganta if you are not prepared for a battle to death.¡¯¡± ¡°You are a hundred years early to challenge me,¡± Yoruichi retorted with a chuckle, her golden eyes surveying the vast void surrounding them. ¡°It¡¯s my first time inside a Garganta. It sure is a boring ce.¡± Throughout her extensive lifespan, she had never ventured into a Garganta, the mysterious travel route essible only to Hollows. ¡°Hueco Mundo isn¡¯t any better than this,¡± he said with a shrug. ¡°Let¡¯s hurry now, shall we? I can¡¯t wait to meet my friends.¡± ¡°Neither can I wait to make their acquaintance.¡± She undoubtedly took an interest in hispanions. They hurried across the Garganta until Yoruichi abruptly halted him with a light kick on his shin. ¡°Stop. I sense your Reiatsu on the other side of this.¡± He honed his senses, detecting a faint trail of lingering Reiatsu. ¡°Yes, it seems to be scattered everywhere.¡± "Everyone can sense other Reiatsu more acutely than their own," Yoruichi exined. ¡°You''ve been in the Living World for a week, why is your Reiatsu still here in such a high concentration?¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably the ce I became an Arrancar.¡± He cracked his knuckles and spread open his wings. ¡°Let¡¯s get out here.¡± Rending open the fabric of space, they emerged into the stark, destendscape of Hueco Mundo. Yoruichi swiveled her head in all directions, taking in the stark contrast to the vibrant human world. Beneath a jet-ck sky, the endless white expanse stretched out, punctuated by an erged moon. This realm of Hollows, defined by an unsettling silence and stark destion, was a sight she had not beheld in a while. ¡°A world fitting souls known as Hollows.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± As Kazuya probed for Harribel¡¯s Reiatsu, he detected a potent presence lurking nearby ¡ª an Adjuchas, likely on par with Api. He dismissed the Adjuchas from his concern and resumed his search. ¡®They are concealing their Reiatsu but I can still feel it.¡¯ Their safety rid him of his worries. He just had to go out there and search for them. He turned to Yoruichi with a mischievous grin. ¡°I''m going to use Son¨ªdo now. Shih¨­in-san, do you think you can keep up?¡± ¡°Who do you think you are talking to? sh Goddess Yoruichi won¡¯t be surpassed by a mere Vasto Lorde.¡± She was a tad rusty from decades spent lounging in her cat form. Her speed ¡ª an attribute she held in high regard ¡ª hadn''t diminished to the point of being challenged by a young man like him. Kazuya¡¯s grin widened, sensing his question got under her skin. ¡°Let¡¯s put that to the test, then.¡± With a resounding crack, he surged ahead using Son¨ªdo. His body was way tougher after bing an Arrancar, allowing him to use Son¨ªdo at a higher level than before. He looked over his shoulder for a moment. Yoruichi in her cat shed over long distances, trailing him from the ground without much difficulty. Yoruichi bared her fangs. ¡°Impressive. Very impressive.¡± Although she was far from her peak, Kazuya¡¯s speed was one of the best even in the Seireitei. *** As the overwhelming Reiatsu faded, a centaur-like Hollow cautiously stepped out from her hiding ce. A pair of sharp eyes behind her mask locked onto the fading silver and white figures in the distance. One of their Reiatsu signatures had been so potent that it almost made her heart stop during her slumber. It was the same ancient Reiatsu lingering everywhere in this ce. ¡°Vasto Lorde¡­¡± This marked the second time she had crossed paths with such a formidable Hollow in this exact spot. Just the day before, a group of powerful Hollows had stayed here for an extensive time. And now, another strong presence made its appearance. She clenched her double-sidednce. ¡°Why are strong Hollows gathering here? What is happening in Hueco Mundo?¡± The thought of an impending war brewing beneath this unsettling silence troubled her. Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck couldn¡¯t shake off the unsettling feeling that a war was brewing beneath this unsettling silence. War signified conflict, and conflict invariably led to death, pain, and suffering. As an Adjuchas, she could only spectate as these superior Vasto Lorde fought each other like beasts. ¡°I need to leave.¡± With that resolve, she swiftly galloped across the stark white desert. After several minutes of swift travel, she arrived at her destination ¡ª a cave that led to a shelter constructed within a mountain. Sensing her familiar presence, a variety of Hollows scurried out of the myriad of openings dotting the cavernous walls, joyfully greeting Nelliel with cute noises. Amidst these tiny Hollows, she stood like a titan. Her lips twitched behind her mask before breaking into a small smile that nobody could see. ¡°I¡¯m back.¡± Their enthusiastic responses filled the air with a medley of sounds, each more endearing than thest. Cats, dogs, rabbits, and even birds ¡ª each being here was utterly fragile and defenseless. So feeble they were, that even a faint residue of Vasto Lorde''s Reiatsu could eradicate them entirely. Despite their fragility, these Hollows thrived here without the need for food or Reiryoku. The ambient Reishi of Hueco Mundo nourished their souls sufficiently, as if destiny had willed them to survive against all odds. For years, she hadmitted herself to the protection of this vige of lesser Hollows. This self-imposed duty of defending them against other Hollows had given her a sense of purpose. A purpose that drove her everyday. While she couldn¡¯t stop the Vasto Lorde from fighting, she could at least shield the vige with her own Reiatsu. Chapter 53: Promise Chapter 53: Promise Unbeknownst to Kazuya, Harribel and her group were caught in their own maelstrom of troubles. Nestled deep within a gargantuan underground cave, the five women were surprisingly quiet, a solemn air surrounding all of them. Ciri flew out of the giant hole over their head to scout the surroundings. Momentster, shended back in the cave. ¡°I can¡¯t sense him anywhere.¡± ¡°Neither can I,¡± admitted Harribel, her fingers gently caressing the mysterious egg clutched tightly to her chest as though its presence offered some form offort. ¡°It could be a trap to lure us out.¡± Ciri¡¯s brows knitted together in concern. ¡°It absolutely is.¡± Despite their heightened caution, they had yet to catch sight of their pursuer yet ¡ª the one chasing them for almost a day. What they felt, instead, was an overpowering Reiatsu steadily closing in on them. A Reiatsu that belonged to none other than King Baraggan. The moment they identified it, they had taken off at their best speed. M Rose forcefully dragged her Zanpakut¨­ across the granr white sand before nailing it on the wall. ¡°Tch. This hide and seek is suffocating me. I just want to beat him to death.¡± Befitting her lioness characteristics, she was proud and ferocious. Her Arrancarization only enhanced those traits. Crushing Baraggan was a bigger priority than her own life. Api sat beside the wall, her gaze fixated on the wall in a daze. ¡°If only we had that power." Harribel shook her head. ¡°We¡¯ll beat Baraggan, but not today. Let¡¯s keep¡ª¡± She stopped abruptly, her attention captured by the egg. It twitched unexpectedly, its activity highly unusual considering its quiet demeanor over thest few days. ¡°Is it about to hatch?¡± As Harribel attempted tomunicate with the egg, a surge of Reiatsu seeped out from it. She couldn¡¯t help but recall Kazuya¡¯s face upon sensing the Reiatsu. Sung-Sun chuckled lightly, her eyes twinkling with mirth. ¡°How cute. Did it sense Kazuya and start sending signals?¡± ¡°The hatchling is calling out to its mother.¡± M Rose chuckled, the egg¡¯s shenanigans shifting her mood for the better. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe Skull¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ is a literal egg.¡± Api jabbed M Rose¡¯s hand with her horn. ¡°Stop calling him mother¡­ Call him father if you must.¡± ¡°Why is that bothering you?¡± Api turned her head away at the question. ¡°It¡¯s gross to call a man mother. Harribel-sama would agree with me.¡± Harribel was too engrossed in the egg to pay any attention to her surroundings. Ciri also observed the egg with sharp eyes. An unsettling feeling gnawed at her. ¡°Harribel, it¡¯s almost at the level of a Gillian. Stop it before it reaches Adjuchas¡­¡± Harribel patted the egg, whispering to it many words offort. Despite her efforts, she failed to stop the egg from sabotaging their location. Looking helplessly at Ciri, she shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t think it understands us.¡± A wave of frustration passed over Ciri¡¯s face as she rubbed her forehead. ¡°st. We may need to abandon the egg.¡± ¡°What?¡± Thement sparked immediate outrage in Api. Her growl reverberated through the cave, reminiscent of a bloodthirsty wolf. ¡°Are you stupid? It¡¯s Kazuya¡¯s Zanpakut¨­. Do you want him to end up like you?¡± ¡°But we¡¯re left with no other choice!¡± Sung-Sun lightly poked Ciri¡¯s back with her tail. ¡°There¡¯s always a choice. Look, there¡¯s another path we can take.¡± Following Sung-Sun¡¯s gaze, they found their attention drawn towards a dauntingly steep pathway leading further into the undergroundbyrinth. M Rose squinted, trying to prate the thick nket of darkness. ¡°Where does it lead? What if it¡¯s a dead end?¡± Sung-Sun scoffed at M Rose¡¯s hesitation. ¡°Then we go through the Garganta to the Living World. We have better chances there than fighting Baraggan.¡± Harribel weighed her options for a moment and decided to follow Sung-Sun¡¯s suggestion. Standing up, she beckoned the group. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Hold on!¡± Ciri interjected. ¡°I remember what lies beneath Hueco Mundo ¡ª the Forest of Menos. A forest filled with Gillians and Adjuchas.¡± Api¡¯s eyes glowed fiercely. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± She was close to evolving into a Vasto Lorde, so much that she could feel it in her bones. Consuming a bunch of Gillians would undoubtedly aid her transformation. The prospect of attaining the same level of power as Harribel filled her with a thrill she couldn¡¯t suppress. ¡®I won¡¯t be useless against Baraggan.¡¯ Sung-Sun saw through Api¡¯s desires. The deer was like an open book. ¡°Harribel-sama, take Ciri and M Rose ahead. I have to talk to Api.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Somewhat surprised, Harribel shot Api a sharp nce. Their rtionship hadn¡¯t been the brightest ever since Kazuya left. Now left alone with Sung-Sun, Api curiously stared at the snake. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be consumed by your urges,¡± Sung-Sun whispered. ¡°Kazuya isn¡¯t interested in your strength, but your heart. That¡¯s all I¡¯ll say.¡± It was Sung-Sun¡¯s attempt to stop Api from degrading into a typical Hollow who kept devouring others for power. A path that might put her against Harribel. Api paused for a moment before she lowered her head. ¡°I promise it is only until I be Vasto Lorde. I¡¯m so close¡­ I want it, Sung-Sun. I want it so badly.¡± There was a crazed obsession in Api¡¯s eyes ¡ª an immense lust for strength. It wasn¡¯t just about bing a Vasto Lorde for Api now; it was to prove to Kazuya that she could also live up to her words. It was about pride. Sung-Sun shared the ambition despite not admitting to it openly like Api. ¡°I understand. Just try not to be too aggressive in front of Harribel-sama.¡± ¡°I know¡­ I am not denying Harribel¡¯s beliefs. This is a desperate time for us, and we need all the strength we can.¡± ¡°Desperate times call for desperate measures. I got you if Harribel goes to you about the sacrifices,¡± Sung-Sun remarked teasingly. ¡°In exchange, help me be Vasto Lorde after you¡¯re one.¡± Api raised her head, her wide eyes regarding Sung-Sun. The snake¡¯s tongue flickered as she narrowed her pupils. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m joking?¡± Sung-Sun shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Api. I refuse to stay the weakest in the group.¡± ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯ll try.¡± ¡°I just have to get Kazuya to make the same promise, and we¡¯re good to go.¡± Chapter 54: Final Confrontation Chapter 54: Final Confrontation Barely a mile away from the underground, a silhouette imed the crest of a barren hill. His imposing figure was entuated by an impressive afro of burnt orange and prominent sideburns. This was Gantenbainne Mosqueda, the 7th Espada. His distinctive mask remnants were fashioned like sunsses with four teeth protruding above each eye, allowing him to survey his surroundings through a central blue star embedded within the white te. The target of his observation ¡ª Harribel¡¯s group. Swiveling his towering form, he addressed Baraggan. The skeletal monarch of Hollows rested upon a throne of bones, emanating a sinister aura. ¡°I sense a new Adjuchas amongst them.¡± ¡°Interesting,¡± Baraggan said. ¡°The second Vasto Lorde¡¯s whereabouts are still unknown.¡± He had purposefully used his overpowering Reiatsu to force Harribel¡¯s hand, so she¡¯d join up with her Vasto Lorde aide ¡ª the one who had inspired Harribel''s defiance against his rule. It hadn¡¯t happened yet. ¡°Milord, may I make a suggestion?¡± asked the blonde servant standing behind him. ¡°What is it, Evanya?¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we capture them and get the information out of them?¡± She was tired of stalking her prey. She wanted to pounce and devour them. Baraggan casually dismissed her idea with an indifferent sweep of his skeletal hand. ¡°You underestimate Harribel. She¡¯d rather embrace death than betray her people. She is a foolish woman like you.¡± Baraggan may have a cult of his own, but Evanya had be his most devoted follower after he beat her into submission. ¡°I can make her speak,¡± Evanya said, her eyes glinting behind her white mask. ¡°Trust me, my Lord. My Aspect of Death can bend her will.¡± ¡°Submission?¡± Baraggan leaned his chin on his skeletal knuckles. ¡°Will it work on a Vasto Lorde?¡± Evanya shook her head. ¡°But Tier Harribel isn¡¯t alone.¡± ¡°Heh. Go. I¡¯ll disown you if you fail.¡± Evanya kneeled on the ground. ¡°Thank you, Milord. I¡¯ll bring Tier Harribel back alive with the information. I¡¯ll not let you get rid of me!¡± With a swift tap of her feet, she took flight, heading towards Harribel''s location. Baraggan watched her fading figure before turning to Gantenbainne. "Make sure she is safe." Evanya¡¯s abilities were strong but they consumed too much of her Reiatsu. She was his useful toy, one that he didn¡¯t want to lose yet. Kneeling before his lord, Gantenbainne responded. ¡°I¡¯ll guard her with my life.¡± Once they departed, Baraggan sat in solitude, a silent observer of the barrennd. Despite his yearning for the thrill of battle, he felt somewhat uninspired, his energy sapped by the continuous hunt across Hueco Mundo. Hours passed as he sat there. Suddenly, his senses picked up two Reiatsu signatures, both surpassing the strength of an Adjuchas. Strangely, one of these spiritual pressures wasn''t a Hollow, but a Shinigami. Baraggan beheld the approaching figures, his grasp instinctively clenching around his scythe-like ax. He hadn''te across such formidable Reiatsu in a while. From a Hollow and a Shinigami, no less. The cure for his boredom came knocking at his door. ¡­ Kazuya stopped, eyes squared on Baraggan. Both him and Dordoni had guessed wrong. Baraggan didn¡¯t send any Espada; he was so bored he left his kingdom to root out the rebels. What¡¯s even bizarre was Harribel¡¯s location ¡ª he could feel Harribel and others underneath him. Their Reiatsu was so faint as if they were hundreds of meters underground. ¡®They hid underground from Baraggan? Smart chicks.¡¯ Meanwhile, Yoruichi felt Baraggan¡¯s Reiatsu lock on her, making her fur stand on end. No Hollow, apart from Kazuya, had given her this level of threat. Moments of recollection hit her as she observed Baraggan¡¯s appearance. ¡°Isn¡¯t he Baraggan Louisenbairn, the King of Hollows?¡± While there might be more Hollows with the same look, none could possess a Reiatsu rivaling a senior captain. Kazuya shot her a surprised look. ¡°Yeah. He is the reason I ran away from this ce.¡± ¡°He is bad news¡ªwhy are you getting ready to fight him?¡± She almost yelled when she saw him cracking his knuckles in preparation for a fight. Kazuya spread his wings and continued stretching his arms. ¡°He ising to start the fight, but I¡¯ll finish it. Besides, do you think he will let us leave now?¡± Beholding Baraggan in person, he could sense their Reiatsu to be on the same level. Arrancarization had improved his already vast Reiatsu. ¡®I want to see Oppression and Senescence sh.¡¯ With Kazuya¡¯s swift regeneration and Son¨ªdo, Baraggan couldn¡¯t possibly kill him even if he wanted to. Facing Baraggan one-on-one was the perfect opportunity to test the limits of his Arrancar form. As Baraggan arrived before him, he raised a hand in greeting. ¡°Hello, Baraggan.¡± Baraggan set his intense Reiatsu on Kazuya. ¡°Teaming up with a Shinigami. How terribly pathetic for you.¡± Kazuya smirked. ¡°Yoruichi, will you let him insult you like this?¡± ¡°Heh. I was banished from the Seireitei ages ago. His words don¡¯t ruffle my fur.¡± Ignoring her cat joke, he turned to Baraggan. ¡°Tell me, self proimed God King of Hueco Mundo, will I be called a Godyer if I kill you?¡± Baraggan burst intoughter. ¡°Ant, you want to y me? Just because you became a Vasto Lorde Arrancar, you think you can rival the God King? Howical.¡± ¡°Then let it be I who paves the path for ants to be god yers.¡± With a tremendous burst of energy, Kazuya blurred into motion, reappearing in a breath behind Baraggan. But his movements were instantly slowed, as if treading through a swamp. The slow field around Baraggan was a perfect counter to melee fighters. Kazuya had no choice but to retreat with Son¨ªdo. ¡°What an annoying ability.¡± Any closebat with Baraggan was useless as long as he surrounded himself in his Senescence. Chapter 55: Sweet Revenge Chapter 55: Sweet Revenge Baraggan was shrouded in a time-dtion field which sapped the speed from anything within its range. Confronting him in hand-to-handbat was akin to suicide. Kazuya frowned. ¡®Is it just there to protect him from attacks or does it have hidden functions?¡¯ He pondered, a maelstrom of theories whirling in his mind''s depths as he prepared to unleash another onught. Propelling himself forward with the supersonic speed of Son¨ªdo, he paused at the brink of Baraggan''s time-twisted field, a vibrant Cero crackling ominously in his palm. The Cero Ray and Baraggan collided in a gargantuan eruption of searing light and churning energy, the force of the explosion sending shockwaves careening into the distance. As the chaotic disy settled, Baraggan re-emerged, covered in a shroud of inky purple-ck energy ¡ª his immense Reiatsu and his Senescence had weathered the brunt of Cero''s impact. Baraggan pointed his ax at Kazuya. ¡°These pathetic attacks won¡¯t affect me. I am the God of Death. Everything ages and decays under mymand. My power is the only absolutew in this world.¡± Yoruichi let out a snort of derision at Baraggan¡¯s arrogant deration. ¡°General Yamamoto will wipe the floor with you.¡± Baraggan redirected his attention towards Yoruichi. ¡°He and his captain entourage barely sealed Ikomikidomoe, the only Hollow who came close to rivaling my divinity. If your Captain is as powerful as you say, bring him to my kingdom. I¡¯ll ughter him.¡± Yoruichi had no idea about the fight between General Yamamoto and Ikomikidomoe. Then again, she was barely three hundred years old ¡ª arge number for mortals but an insignificant numberpared to the Seireitei¡¯s long history. ¡°Still, you will be burned to ashes in the General''s mes. Kazuya, you won¡¯t beat this guy by standing there!¡± Kazuya thrust his arm at Baraggan, who stood there, awaiting his attack. The King of Hueco Mundo was unwaveringly certain of his Senescence''s defensive capabilities. A surge of blue Reiatsu suddenly engulfed Baraggan, threatening to overpower the dark purple aura that cloaked him. However, Baraggan merely waved his hand. ¡°Suffer the dying breath¡­ Respira.¡± A shroud of ck-purple energy exploded outward from Baraggan, expanding ominously around him. Kazuya darted to Yoruichi, seized her, and raced a safe distance away from the deadly reach of Baraggan¡¯s Respira. The spreading breath gnawed at everything it touched. Luckily, the barrenndscape of Hueco Mundo remained untouched ¡ª the white sands of Hueco Mundo were the dust of fallen Menos, and the skeletal trees were mere surface twigs of underground forests. ¡°Let go of me!¡± Yoruichi wriggled out of his grasp, snarling. ¡°Is that ability dangerous?¡± ¡°Extremely.¡± The self proimed God King locked his gaze on Kazuya. ¡°Even Reishi can¡¯t resist the decaying of time. Reishi-based abilities are useless against me.¡± ¡°You really love flexing your powers, don¡¯t you?¡± Kazuya smirked. ¡°Many kings died because of their foolish arrogance. Do you want to end up like them?¡± ¡°I am above all the kings. I¡¯m the God King of Hueco Mundo. You are an ant against me¡ª¡± Baraggan''s sentence hung unfinished as a sudden, immense pressure bore down on him. His robust Reiatsu strained under the weight, his temporal distortion field unable to slow down the Reishi-filled atmospheric air of Hueco Mundo. It was as if the world itself wanted to squeeze him. This was the same technique which had reduced Gillians to a gory pulp ¡ª he simply manipted Baraggan¡¯s internal air pressure to an almost nonexistent value. The result ¡ª a massive impact that may have injured Baraggan. Kazuya could have done the same to Baraggan¡¯s time dtion field if he understood its inner workings. With Baraggan¡¯s immense Reiryoku, he knew he couldn¡¯t brute force through the time field. Baraggan waved his hand, releasing more Reiryoku to strengthen his Hierro. ¡°Hmph. Impressive technique. Is this all you have? I¡¯m starting to feel¡­ bored.¡± As his words fell, a denseyer of Respira surrounded him. Ax clenched tightly in his hand, he vanished, materializing behind Kazuya in the blink of an eye. A single sweep of his weapon unleashed enough Respira to wipe out an army of Hollows. The logical course of action would have been to use Son¨ªdo and flee. But Kazuya was not a creature of logic. He reached out through the fog of death and gripped the de of Baraggan¡¯s ax-scythe. His arm withered and disintegrated until only skeletal remains were visible. His regeneration spurred into action, reassembling flesh over bone, sparking a horrific cycle of dposition and renewal that made Yoruichi''s skin crawl. Yet, a calm resolve flickered in Kazuya''s eyes, a smirk ying at the corners of his lips. Baraggan¡¯s senses warned him of danger, but he was unable to pinpoint its cause. Overly prideful, he dismissed the very notion of Kazuya possessing an ability superior to Senescence. ¡°Hahahahaha. I underestimated your lunacy, insect. What do you hope to achieve by clutching my Zanpakut¨­?¡± As Baraggan attempted to wrench his weapon free, Kazuya''s skeletal fingers held firm. A surge of blue Reiatsu poured from his decaying hand, enveloping the ax-scythe. ¡°Say goodbye to your Zanpakut¨­, Baraggan.¡± At the echo of Kazuya''s words, he mped his skeletal fingers tighter. The force he exerted was barely enough to harm a low-ranking Hollow, yet the Zanpakut¨­ in his grasp shuddered before splintering into shards. Therge Zanpakut¨­ of Baraggan was outside of the time field, allowing Kazuya to catch the arrogant king off-guard and break it with his Oppression. A chill breezed past Kazuya¡¯s neck, and he retreated hastily using Son¨ªdo. Baraggan unleashed a gigantic wave of Respira, covering almost five hundred meters in death. It truly seemed as if someone incurred the wrath of a god. ¡°Unforgivable. Unforgivable. Unforgivable!¡± Baraggan''s voice echoed through the barrenndscape, seething with rage. ¡°You won¡¯t get away with this. Repent for your insolence against the God of Hueco Mundo and turn to dust.¡± Kazuya couldn¡¯t have been happier to see Baraggan suffer. He had to stay away from his preciouspanions because of Baraggan¡¯s threats, even taking the massive risk of confronting Kisuke Urahara. How could he not relish this sweet sweet revenge? Furious, Baraggan chased Kazuya, frenziedly swinging massive amounts of Respira at him. Baraggan couldn''t match Kazuya¡¯s speed under normal circumstances. He could forget about catching Kazuya¡¯sbination of Son¨ªdo and wings in his furious state. Kazuya¡¯s movements were simply unpredictable in Baraggan¡¯s state of madness. ¡°Hey, that stuff is dangerous. Stop chasing me like a yandere chases her love interest with a knife.¡± ¡°Perish. Perish. Perish. You worthless ant.¡± ¡­ Yoruichi observed the unfolding spectacle, a spark of amusement flickering in her golden eyes. ¡°This guy, hahaha.¡± Baraggan Louisenbairn, the most formidable Hollow recorded in the Seireitei database, was being toyed with like a puppet on strings. No Shinigami would believe her tale, unless she dragged them to this godforsaken wastnd to witness the spectacle. All her concerns about Kazuya dying werepletely unfounded. He had dismantled Baraggan¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ with negligible effort, stripping the King of Hollows of a significant portion of his power. ¡®Popcorn would be perfect right now.¡¯ She wasn¡¯t any less mischievous than her childhood friend. Chapter 56: Destruction Chapter 56: Destruction The root of Baraggan''s rage was less about the destruction of his Zanpakut¨­ and more from the perpetrator of the act. The Hollow he had dismissed and looked upon with scorn had turned the tables, making a mockery out of him. His pride was wounded, and for this humiliation, he had to destroy Kazuya. His provocation ability had also fueled Baraggan¡¯s mes of fury. However furious Baraggan might be, he maintained enough self-control to cease his rampage before it could exhaust all his Reiryoku ¡ª an unfortunate oue for the opportunist Kazuya. Sensing Baraggan''s reluctance, he halted and cast a smirking nce at Baraggan from afar. ¡°Can¡¯t stomp the lowly ant now, huh?¡± Baraggan''s fists clenched, the familiar grasp of his ax absent from his hands. ¡°Insolent worm.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Yoruichi arrived by his side. ¡°You are having fun¡­ I would do the same if I was in your situation.¡± ¡°This guy had me worried for so long. It feels great to see him like this.¡± Yoruichi''s gaze shifted to Baraggan, who hovered silently above them within the cloak of his Respira. His silent, brooding fury was unnerving on multiple levels. ¡°Fun and games aside, you have to eventually finish him.¡± ¡°Since we¡¯re allies now, why don¡¯t you finish him for me, Shih¨­in-san?¡± Despite shattering Baraggan¡¯s Zanpakut¨­, the battle had reached an impasse. Kazuya was yet to discover a strategy to neutralize Baraggan¡¯s time field, and he didn¡¯t possess enough firepower to obliterate Baragganpletely. At the very least, he had decrypted the actual purpose of Baraggan¡¯s time field ¡ª it counteracted the aging process of his Aspect of Death, enabling him to roley as the God of Death and Senescence. If the field was deactivated, Baraggan would be consumed by his own power ¡ª essentially the manner in which Baraggan met his demise in his battle against Soi Fon and the pink-haired Visored whose name he didn¡¯t remember. Yoruichi hissed. ¡°Stop joking. A melee fighter like me is the worst matchup for Baraggan. I also don¡¯t have your regeneration to contest with his decay mist.¡± She was guaranteed a death against Baraggan¡¯s utterly broken ability. Kazuya was aware that she might fare even worse than Soi Fon if pitted against Baraggan. After all, Soi Fon¡¯s Bankai was quite destructive for a ranged weapon. ¡°Then use your Zanpakut¨­¡¯s Bankai form.¡± He was curious about Yoruichi¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ which never made it to the manga or anime. Even if it was weak, a Bankai was no joke. She shook her head in dismissal. ¡°It¡¯s insufficient against a Vasto Lorde, let alone an Arrancar one.¡± Truth be told, she had a mutual agreement with her Zanpakut¨­ spirit. She was much stronger with her Shunk¨­ and Hakuda than the Bankai Release of her Zanpakut¨­. Herzy Zanpakut¨­ spirit also agreed with the sentiment. ¡°Kisuke should have an answer,¡± Yoruichi muttered. ¡°Should we go back and ask him to whip something out of hisb?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not leaving without my friends. You can go if you want.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t wanna leave either¡­ I have an idea. I don¡¯t know if it will work or not.¡± ¡°May as well give it a shot. What¡¯s the worst that could happen?¡± Yoruichi and Kazuya whispered to each other, refining the strategies proposed by the mischievous cat. They seemed to have forgotten Baraggan¡¯s existence, or they stopped treating him like a threat. Baraggan felt nauseous at the sight of Hollow and Shinigami coborating like friends. He jutted his chin out arrogantly, his gaze scrutinizing Kazuya from his elevated position. ¡°Are you done strategizing against me?¡± ¡°Yup.¡± ¡°Be careful,¡± Yoruichi said. ¡°You only have one chance. Finish it today.¡± The strategy had a fifty percent chance to seed on their first try and zero if Baraggan lived for another day. Only Kazuya could pull off this ''reckless'' strategy. Kazuya nodded and flew towards Baraggan. ¡°Let¡¯s start round two, old man.¡± He used Son¨ªdo and unleashed another Cero Ray in Baraggan¡¯s face, which was promptly eroded by the Respira. Kazuya didn¡¯t stop there andunched a flurry of Cero in quick session. Each blue explosive ray consumed small chunks of Respira from Baraggan. Regardless of how immense Baraggan¡¯s Reiryoku may be, it had a limit, like all Hollows. He was exploiting his faster Reiryoku recovery to drain Baraggan. ¡°This won¡¯t achieve anything,¡± Baraggan growled and arrived behind Kazuya with Son¨ªdo. With a swipe of his hand, he sent a wave of Respira at him. ¡°Decay away.¡± Kazuya shed away with Sonido before Respira touched him. ¡°The self-proimed God of Hueco Mundo is struggling so hard. Just retire. I¡¯ll take care of Hueco Mundo far better than you ever did.¡± ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Baraggan justughed in response. ¡°Even if I die today, you will have an army of Hollow chasing you down.¡± Baraggan trusted his mistresses and his most loyal woman Evanya to avenge him. The fact that Evanya will hunt down Kazuya¡¯s precious friends was just an icing on the cake. Kazuya raised his right hand and cut across his palm. As he curled his hand into a w, a small blue orb crackled ominously, warping the fabric of space with its concentrated power. It was one of the Cero techniques he recalled Grimmjow using in his fight against Ichigo. ¡°You are using Gran Rey Cero against me?¡± Baraggan scoffed, unable to tear his eyes away from the destructive Cero. ¡°It¡¯s useless as well. You may have destroyed my Zanpakut¨­ but you cannot bring down God.¡± Kazuya appeared behind Baraggan with Son¨ªdo and released the Cero at point-nk range. ¡°Die, asshole.¡± The ever-proud Baraggan didn¡¯t flinch, instead redirecting his Respira to engulf the Gran Cero Ray. Kazuya spotted the opportunity he had been awaiting. He quickly transformed into his human form and shed to Baraggan¡¯s defenseless front, which was only protected by the time dtion field. Baraggan looked at Kazuya, whose Reiatsu signature had transitioned from that of a Hollow to that of countless humans Baraggan had consumed before. He refused to ept that his senses could be deceiving him. ¡°Who are you?¡± Instead of indulging Baraggan¡¯s curiosity, he conjured two katanas of pure Reishi. The higher concentration of Reishi in Hueco Mundo made his Reishi gathering easier, enhancing the power of his Spirit Weapons. He stepped closer, entering Baraggan¡¯s time dtion field, and shed across Baraggan¡¯s chest. Baraggan quickly used Son¨ªdo to retreat, only to feel a chill on his back. He directed his Respira towards his back, but Kazuya appeared in front of him using Hirenkyaku, the Quincy equivalent of Shunpo and Son¨ªdo. Quincy¡¯s techniques were far more potent on Hollows, the same way a Hollow was poisonous to a Quincy. Respira could easily counter the Quincy offense but Baraggan had be frightened from Kazuya¡¯s unconvention abilities. He wouldn¡¯t take any of Kazuya¡¯s attacks head-on. So, the King of Hueco Mundo used Son¨ªdo time and time again, but Kazuya consistently reached him in a split second as if he had locked onto his Reiatsu signature and was tracking him effortlessly. Confronted with the threat of extermination, Baraggan no longer used Son¨ªdo to evade attacks but to retreat to a safer location. The cat-and-mouse game concluded when Baraggan ran out of Reiryoku to generate more Respira or use Son¨ªdo. Kazuya thrust both katanas through the time dtion field, each entering Baraggan¡¯s hollow eye socket. Just for anotheryer of security, he conjured a crossbow andunched a dozen bolts through Baraggan, impaling every part of his body with blue bolts. Transforming back into his Hollow form, he smirked at Baraggan. ¡°I¡¯m a godyer now.¡± Baraggan sneered. ¡°Celebrate this moment, Mortal. Evanya will kill Harribel and your other friends... including the treacherous Ciri.¡± ¡°Huh? Who is Evanya?¡± Baragganughed at his question until he was utterly and thoroughly destroyed by the Quincy arrows. Chapter 57-58: Citadel of Dove Chapter 57-58: Citadel of Dove Sometime earlier. Api groaned as another group of Gillians skittered away. The Forest of Menos lived up to its haunting reputation ¡ª a twisted wilderness filled with towering trees and hordes of Menos, mainly Gillians. Yet, amid this writhing mass of potential prey, Api had not yet imed a single Gillian as her meal. She vengefully looked at the offender snuggled in Harribel¡¯s embrace. The egg pulsed with a Reiatsu that had peaked at the Adjuchas rank, casting an invisible of fear that sent any approaching Gillians skittering for safety. ¡°Can this egg just stop for ten minutes?¡± Sung-Sun''sughter danced through the darkened forest at herpanion''s misery. ¡°Fate doesn¡¯t wish for you to exceed me.¡± As if held by invisible strings, Harribel froze in her stride, her eyes instinctively drawn to the towering ceiling shrouded in darkness. ¡°I feel his Reiatsu there. He might be fighting Baraggan.¡° Api widened her eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s return.¡± ¡°Hehehe, I won¡¯t allow you to return.¡± An unexpected voice cut through their conversation, a yful note dancing within its depth. The owner of the voice, a blonde woman, descended gracefully before them, a Hollow mask on her face. Her humanoid silhouette and her colossal Reiatsu, was an undeniable testament to her formidable power ¡ª she was a Vasto Lorde. Harribel stepped in front of everyone, assuming a protective stance. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°Evanya, the beloved servant of God King.¡± She eyed Ciri with a predatory gaze. ¡°You all will pay the price of rebelling against the God King. Even the traitor Ciri Sanderwi.¡± Ciri responded with a growl, her teeth gritting in vexation. ¡°st you. I didn¡¯t betray Baraggan. My loyalty was never with him.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t absolve your sin of turning your back on our God.¡± Ciri shot back, ¡°You weren¡¯t like this when you proimed yourself as the Queen of Hueco Mundo. What did Baraggan do to brainwash you like this?¡± M Rose gasped. ¡°Queen of Hueco Mundo? This woman?¡± With a solemn nod, Ciri affirmed, ¡°She used to be the strongest female Hollow until recently when Harribel became a Vasto Lorde. She had her own faction full of women who found her inspiring.¡± ¡°How did she go from that to this bootlicking bitch?¡± A shrug was Ciri''s only response. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Evanya scoffed at their exchange. ¡°Lord Baraggan showed me how feeble I was inparison. He taught me the only way to live and thrive ¡ª follow the one with greater power. The same hierarchy applies to you as long as you¡¯re a Hollow living in the Hueco Mundo. Respect the Vasto Lorde because we are your gods.¡± Sharing a quick nce, M Rose and Ciri smirked at Evanya''s remark. ¡°Excuses of a loser,¡± M Rose said,ughing. ¡°I¡¯d rather die than follow a pathetic piece of trash. Thankfully, it was Harribel-sama who rescued me. She is a leader worth dying for.¡± Ciri giggled. ¡°Kazuya isn¡¯t that bad of a leader either. At the very least he isn¡¯t stuck-up about power and authority like Baraggan.¡± Evanya¡¯s Reiatsu erupted violently as she heard insults being thrown at her lord. She held her throat, her head twisting stiffly. ¡°This is the fault of simple-minded fools like you, Ciri. You dwell on the past instead of looking into the future. I¡¯m d Lord Baraggan didn¡¯t expose his ears to your foolish whispers.¡± ¡°Ara, aren¡¯t you stupidly romantic for a Hollow?¡± Sung-Sun finally opened her mouth, eyes twinkling with mischief. ¡°You are almost on Api¡¯s level of hopelessness.¡± M Rose quickly hid herughter behind her hand. ¡°Sung-Sun speaking truth for the first time in her life.¡± Api growled, ¡°I¡¯m not romantic!¡± Growing increasingly vexed with their banter, Evanya spread her arms wide, her head tilting upwards towards the cavernous ceiling. Suddenly, a pair of wings, as pristine as newly fallen snow, broke through her back. The sudden manifestation of wings sent M Rose¡¯s senses into a frenzy. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°Her ability most likely,¡± Ciri cautioned, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°I have never seen her ability or heard anything about it. Stay on your toes.¡± Harribel handed the egg to M Rose, her gaze steeled on Evanya. ¡°Take the egg and return to Kazuya with everyone. I¡¯ll deal with her.¡± Beneath her calm exterior, Harribel was a whirlwind of concern. She could feel the fierce battle unfolding above. The urgency to join Kazuya was overwhelming, yet she understood the value Ciri might offer with her knowledge of Baraggan. The very notion of Kazuya in danger was driving her crazy. M Rose wanted to kill Evanya on her own but the scary look in Harribel¡¯s eyes made her flinch. ¡°Yes, Harribel-sama.¡± ¡°Wait, we¡¯re leaving Harribel?¡± Api interjected. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we all fight toge¡ª¡± M Rose covered Api¡¯s mouth. ¡°Juste¡ªwait, I sense someone else.¡± Ciri felt a familiar Reiatsu nearby. Narrowing her eyes, she saw an orange-haired man smirking from the distance. ¡°Gantenbainne.¡± ¡°He looks like an Arrancar,¡± said Sung-Sun. ¡°Another Espada?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Api bit M Rose¡¯s hand, freeing her mouth. ¡°He doesn¡¯t look that strong. I can take him on myself¡­ we need to hurry, though. Let¡¯s trash him together.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget about me!¡± Evanya suddenly swung her right wing, and four glowing feathers shot out in Api¡¯s direction. Harribel intercepted the projectiles with her sword arm, only to feel them impale her skin. The feather ignored her Reiatsu and directly prated her sword arm. As she tried to remove the feathers, it vanished, leaving bloody holes in her arm. Harribel focused her Reiryoku to heal the wounds. The process was painstakingly slow as remnants of Evanya¡¯s Reiatsu clung to her wounds. ¡°I have to finish it fast.¡± ¡°Tier Harribel, cease your interference!¡± Evanya¡¯s voice thundered, already predicting Harribel¡¯s resistance to her ability. ¡°As a fellow Vasto Lorde, you should align with me alongside your Vasto Lorde friend¡­ Join the ranks of Espada and Lord Baraggan will let your transgressions slide.¡± Harribel narrowed her eyes at the tempting peaceful proposal. ¡°Baraggan has too much pride to do that.¡± ¡°Lord Baraggan said it himself. We have to preserve every one of Vasto Lorde so the Shinigami will never think about invading our Kingdom,¡± Evanya paused and pointed at the Hollows rushing at Gantenbainne. ¡°The Vasto Lorde will live, but they need to die.¡± ¡°I refuse.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s your final stance,¡± Evanya whispered, her head tilting in an act of defiance. With an air of regality, she began to ascend, her figure floating eerily above the barren ground. Her wings unfurled gloriously. ¡°Rise to your queen... Trampa (Citadel of Dove).¡± Without a moment''s hesitation, Harribel unleashed a series of Son¨ªdo. A blur of speed, she manifested in front of Evanya and shed viciously at her adversary''s chest with her sword arm. Blood erupted in a scarlet geyser as Evanya¡¯s chest was brutally torn open. Yet in the face of impending defeat, Evanya¡¯s eyes wore a triumphant look. She swung down her wings with a force that rocked the air around them. The abrupt downstroke released a tempest of glowing feathers, each glistening ominously in the darkness. Like a barrage of ethereal arrows, they rained down upon the unsuspecting group of M Rose and others. M Rose, Api, and Ciri barely managed to avoid the devastating attack through the sharp eleration of Son¨ªdo. But Sung-Sun, whose Son¨ªdo ability was not as polished, found herself unable to escape the lightning-fast onught of deadly feathers. Harribel immediately reacted with a swift execution of Son¨ªdo and threw herself into the path of the iing projectiles, forming a shield between the deadly feathers and the unshielded Sung-Sun. ¡­ Cyan Sung-Sun saw Harribel shielding her from the rain of feathers. However, Harribel couldn¡¯tpletely shield herrge body. A couple of feathers snuck through and ruptured her scales. ¡°Argh.¡± Her body was wracked with torment as Evanya¡¯s Reiatsu surged through her. The pain tore at the very fabric of her soul, inciting involuntary convulsions on the barren ground. Then, in a cruel twist, every sensation ebbed away, her eyelids heavy as the abyss began to draw her in. ¡°Don¡¯t resist.¡± Evanya¡¯s voice echoed ominously. ¡°Your consciousness will fall under my control. That is the power of my ability, Trampa (Citadel of Dove). You cannot escape it once you lose control, like a dove forever trapped in a bird cage. A disgusting ability that I haven¡¯t used since I submitted my life to Lord Baraggan.¡± Evanya took a perverse pride in her twisted power, a relic from her days as the ¡®Self-proimed Queen of Hueco Mundo.¡¯ Meanwhile, Tier Harribel was left a bloody mess after taking Evanya¡¯s ability headone. Gritting her teeth behind her mask, she cast a nce at Sung-Sun who, despite her anguish, refused to sumb to Evanya¡¯s ability. She pointed her sword arm at Evanya. ¡°I will kill you before it takes effect.¡± In a sh of Son¨ªdo, she was confronting Evanya, whose former wound was already knitting itself back together. Harribel hesitated not a moment as sheshed out, her sword streaking towards Evanya in a deadly arc. Baraggan¡¯s servant had pushed her to the brink with the attack on Sung-Sun, igniting her killing intent. Evanya nimbly avoided Harribel¡¯s furious attack, repositioning herself behind the vulnerable Sung-Sun. Her hand grazed Sung-Sun¡¯s scales, her gaze locked with Harribel''s as if to dere her control over Sung-Sun¡¯s life. ¡°You are wrong, Harribel. My poison has already seeped into her soul. It¡¯s only a matter of time she breaks down and bes my puppet. Right? Be a good girl and tell me where your Vasto Lorde friend is.¡± She held no intention to harm or kill Harribel. Her aim was straightforward ¨C the acquisition of the Vasto Lorde¡¯s location, even if it meant employing her disgusting ability. The life of Adjuchas mattered nothing to her. ¡°I¡­¡± Sung-Sun hissed, refusing to fall under anyone¡¯s control. ¡°Won¡¯t.¡± Evanya chuckled at Sung-Sun''s tenacity and pped Sung-Sun. ¡°Stubborn little Adjuchas, surrender your soul to¡ª¡± Her words were abruptly cut off as Sung-Sun retaliated with a sudden head-butt before she mmed her head onto the hard ground. Seizing the opportunity, Harribel rushed forward, her sword slicing Evanya¡¯s throat open before she drove it mercilessly into Evanya¡¯s chest and dragged it upward. Having divided her focus between regeneration and her unique ability, shecked the necessary physical prowess to defend against Harribel¡¯s fury. Evanya copsed to the ground, her eyes wide in shock. With her brain sliced in half, she couldn¡¯t regenerate anymore. Harribel pivoted her attention towards Sung-Sun. Once, twice, thrice ¡ª Sung-Sun continuously struck the ground with her head, uncontrobly releasing her own Reiatsu to fight off Evanya¡¯s seizing Reiatsu. The power of a Vasto Lorde was beyond Sung-Sun¡¯s capability to purge on her own. She chose her own way of dispelling Evanya¡¯s Reiatsu from her body ¡ª by taking off her mask and bing an Arrancar. M Rose abandoned Api and Ciri during their fight, rushing to Sung-Sun¡¯s side. ¡°Stop it, Snake. At this rate, you¡¯ll shatter your mask.¡± Yet Sung-Sun didn¡¯t stop her single-minded pursuit, prompting M Rose to physically intervene. M Rose allowed Sung-Sun''s head to rest on her shoulder, and she cradled Sung-Sun''s scales in her arms. ¡°Sung-Sun, try to understand. You can¡¯t do it without Kazuya.¡± ¡°Let¡­ me¡­ die.¡± Her words hung heavy in the air. She would prefer death to a fate of living as an empty vessel, devoid of consciousness. M Rose looked deep into Sung-Sun¡¯s nearly shut eyes and gave her face a light p. ¡°Enough with this drama. You¡¯re not dying.¡± ¡°Sung-Sun,¡± Harribel murmured in a hushed whisper, her words echoing in the somber atmosphere. ¡°Keep fighting¡­ Kazuya is on his way.¡± ¡°Skull? Oh wait, he is zooming here.¡± ¡­ The moment Kazuya caught sight of the blood-soaked Harribel, his Reiatsu roared to life, blood rushing to his head. Without wasting any time, he materialized before Gantenbainne andnded a thunderous punch squarely on the Afro-haired man''s face. Gantenbainne''s head snapped back and he crumpled to the ground, lifeless, the result of a single devastating punch. Without sparing a nce at the shocked Api, Kazuya instantaneously teleported to the other side of the area where Harribel and M Rose were cradling the severely injured Sung-Sun. Out of everyone in the group, Sung-Sun was perhaps thest person Kazuya expected to be the most harmed. She might not have been the strongest, but she was certainly the most intelligent. Seeing her in this dire state was heartbreaking. Just then, Yoruichi arrived on the scene, finding the situation quite awkward for any kind of introduction. Unfamiliar with the physiological structure of a Hollow, she felt at a loss to provide any helpful suggestions. ¡°What happened?¡± demanded Kazuya as he ran his finger over Sung-Sun¡¯s shell-like mask. ¡°If it¡¯s wounds, Sung-Sun, eat that guy over there.¡± ¡°We have no time,¡± M Rose urgently stated. ¡°Evanya used her ability to control Snake¡¯s consciousness.¡± ¡°Mind control? No way¡­¡± ¡°There is still a chance if she bes an Arrancar,¡± Ciri intervened as she approached Kazuya, clutching his egg in her hands. ¡°When you break your mask, you are reborn and your Reiryoku increases. She might be able to resist Evanya¡¯s ability.¡± Trusting the urgency of the situation, he abruptly pulled back his hand and punched Sung-Sun¡¯s Hollow Mask. In an instant, the mask splintered apart, and Sung-Sun was engulfed in a luminescent pink glow. Chapter 59: Rebirth Chapter 59: Rebirth The atmosphere was thick with tension as everyone watched Sung-Sun undergo her transformation. Even Yoruichi, who was known for her yful nature, looked on with a level of fascination she hadn''t expected to feel for a Hollow. The determination and worry of Kazuya and his friends had somehow reached her, making her silently cheer for the snake Hollow. Kazuya and hispanions had changed her entire outlook on the Hollow race in one single day. That Hollows could be just as human as Shinigami. She finallyprehended fragments of Kisuke¡¯s obsession with the Hollow race. ¡°It¡¯s almost done¡­¡± Api muttered. ¡°Sung-Sun, show yourself already!¡± As the luminescent pink glow surrounding Sung-Sun receded, everyone held their breaths. Sung-Sun appeared in her Resurri¨®n form, just like M Rose had done following her transformation. While M Rose was strikingly alluring, Sung-Sun exuded a certain elegance. Her face was youthful and her hair, a dark shade of green that looked almost ck, was styled in a ssic hime cut with long side bangs framing her face. A fragment of her shell-like mask rested on the right side of her head, and the three pink dots on either side of her face added to her overall charm. Her Resurri¨®n form was significantly smaller than her original form. She was now a stunning young woman with the lower body of a snake ¡ª amia. Upon emerging from her transformation, Sung-Sun''s pale pink eyes immediately focused on Kazuya. She surged forward, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. Her thick tail coiled around him possessively, as though she had no intention of ever letting him go. Her grip around him was akin to vice but he barely felt a thing with his Hierro. ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± she squealed, excitement dripping from her voice. ¡°Thanks for saving me.¡± M Rose huffed quietly, looking away from the scene with a bit of a sulk. She felt a tinge of annoyance at Sung-Sun forpletely overlooking her role in all of this. Meanwhile, Api watched the disy with a sharp gaze. She was d for Sung-Sun''s survival, but it also filled her with a sense of mncholy. The stark reality was beginning to hit her¡ªshe was the only one among them who hadn''t assumed a humanoid form yet, despite yearning for it the most. ¡®I¡¯ll be a Vasto Lorde first then Arrancar.¡¯ Her eyes briefly scanned over the two fresh corpses on the field¡ªone a Vasto Lorde and the other an Arrancar of Adjuchas rank. She firmly believed that consuming them would elevate her rank. ¡®Be patient. Don¡¯t look desperate in front of Kazuya.¡¯ She had to be careful not to tarnish her image in his eyes. With M Rose and Harribel already wrapping his heart around their fingers, she couldn''t afford to give him more reasons to overlook her. Kazuya, meanwhile, smiled at M Rose and Api whileforting Sung-Sun with gentle strokes on her back. He would have been filled with regret if anything had happened to her due to his decision to leave them. ¡°I don¡¯t deserve more credit than Ciri and M Rose. Breaking your mask was Ciri¡¯s idea. I just acted on it.¡± Ciri smirked, pleased at his deep trust in her. He hadn''t hesitated for a second and had immediately acted upon her advice. Her smugness was quickly reced by surprise when Harribel snatched the egg from her hands. ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to eat it,¡± she grumbled. ¡°Of course. Of course. I could sense everyone¡¯s worries. Every concern should be med on Evanya.¡± Sung-Sun separated from Kazuya and cast her gaze on Evanya''s lifeless body a few meters away. With a look of distaste, she spat in the direction of the corpse. ¡°Trying to enve my mind, Baraggan¡¯s ve.¡± Sung-Sun felt a pang of disappointment that she hadn''t been the one to end Evanya''s life. She wasn''t one for physical torture, but she would have relished the opportunity to make Evanya suffer in every possible way. She decided to devour Evanyater ¡ª a small constion for all the suffering. ¡°Well, she will reunite with her master in Hell,¡± he said with a chuckle, gaze drifting to the dead Evanya. Baraggan¡¯sst curse didn¡¯t work out. ¡°We are finally free from the Democles hanging over us in the Hueco Mundo. What a relief.¡± Everyone, except Yoruichi, looked shocked by this revtion. Api, however, had mixed feelings about the news of Baraggan''s demise. Assisting Kazuya in killing Baraggan would have been a prime opportunity to demonstrate her growth to him. But even that opportunity had been taken away from her, adding to her mounting frustration. She huffed. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you have nothing to counter Baraggan¡¯s unique ability?¡± ¡°What does that matter now?¡± M Rose shrugged. ¡°We didn¡¯t get to witness the downfall of God King.¡± Harribel¡¯s gaze softened. ¡°You worked really hard.¡± ¡°I did.¡± He nodded seriously. ¡°Lap pillowter?¡± ¡°...Sure.¡± Sung-Sun released Kazuya from her grip and turned to Yoruichi. ¡°Kazuya, would you kindly introduce us to this ck kitty who is oozing a Shinigami¡¯s Reiatsu? I feel a little off about her eavesdropping on our private conversations.¡± Sung-Sun¡¯s question brought everyone¡¯s attention to Yoruichi. Even Kazuya had forgotten about her ¡ª she was way too silent, aplete opposite of her talkative demeanor when they were alone on the surface. Yoruichi let out a hearty chuckle. ¡°I am Kazuya¡¯s friend from the Living World. Don¡¯t worry about me cleansing you. I¡¯m no longer serving the Seireitei as a Shinigami.¡± Her deep, masculine voice immediately triggered M Rose. ¡°This cat is a he?¡± "Do you have a problem with my gender?" Yoruichi asked, amused. ¡°Assuming a cat¡¯s gender from their appearance is sexist.¡± "No, I didn''t," M Rose quickly replied. "I just assumed you were a girl. It¡¯s impossible to imagine Skull keeping a malepanion." ¡°Kazuya didn¡¯t tell me all of his Hollow friends were women¡­¡± Yoruichi looked at Api, whose gender was impossible to guess from eyes. ¡°I presume you¡¯re a girl.¡± ¡°I am!¡± While Yoruichi was busy introducing herself, Ciri stealthily approached and pounced at her. But Yoruichi nimbly jumped away, leaving Ciri to fall t on her face. ¡°Ha! You can''t catch me.¡± Her taunts only fueled Ciri¡¯s desire to catch her and pet her. ¡­ Api snuck away from the group, slinking toward Evanya''s lifeless form. The dense Reiatsu still clinging to the body was a heady, intoxicating scent that sent her senses reeling. The scent tantalized her predatory instincts, coaxing a pool of ravenous desire. Suddenly, Sung-Sun slithered onto the scene, her movements quick and graceful. Her delicate hand yfully masked her mouth. ¡°Don¡¯t steal my game, Evanya is mine to eat.¡± Api¡¯s eyes narrowed to mere slits, her Reiatsu ring against her will. ¡°Let me¡­¡± Sung-Sun looked between Api and Evanya. ¡°Alright¡­ You can eat her. But you will owe me one for this.¡± Being Sung-Sun¡¯s regr victim, Api knew Sung-Sun could get very handy with her requests. A tense silence hung heavy between the two Hollows as a sh of will ensued. Sung-Sun didn¡¯t blink, unwavering in her request. ¡°Deal or not?¡± Api nodded her head, unable to resist the promise of an evolution. ¡°Deal.¡± Api wasted no time then, throwing herself at the feast of Reiatsu before her. Each bite she took was filled with a desperate ferocity, a battle of survival and ambition. It was a sight that held an eerie beauty, an act of raw, primitive nature unfolding in its most visceral form. Chapter 60: Awaken Chapter 60: Awaken Api threw her head back and let out a blood-curdling roar. It wasn¡¯t a roar of triumph but one of frustration and rage. Sung-Sun watched herpanion with a soft sigh. Even though Baraggan''s problem had been solved, the me of Api¡¯s struggle for inner peace still burned brightly. She ate both corpses and even gained a definite boost in strength, yet there was no Vasto Lorde evolution. ¡°Just why isn¡¯t it happening?¡± Api whispered, staring nkly into the void. ¡°I¡¯m getting stronger but why won¡¯t I be a Vasto Lorde?¡± Sung-Sun folded back her exaggeratedly long sleeve and extended her hand to pat Api¡¯s head. ¡°We, Hollows, live for a long time. There is no rush. Our biggest enemy has been sent to the afterlife by our dear Kazuya.¡± Api blinked in surprise at Sung-Sun¡¯s unexpected disy of kindness. ¡°I¡¯m not doing it for strength.¡± A yful arch of Sung-Sun''s eyebrow hinted at her curious amusement. ¡°What else could be your reason?¡± Api groaned Sung-Sun¡¯s intentionally feigned ignorance. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°Then make me understand.¡± ¡°It¡¯s for¡­¡± Api¡¯s eyes shifted,nding on Kazuya. Hisforting smile greeted her. ¡°Him.¡± ¡°Ara, Api can be honest too. Who could have imagined that?¡± Sung-Sun could never put a break to her teasing. Api had no choice but to admit that Sung-Sun was a perfect pair with someone like Kazuya. ¡°You are such a bitch,¡± Api grumbled, her earlier despair reced by a renewed resolve after talking to Sung-Sun. ¡°I need your help¡­ Sung-Sun.¡± ¡°Kukuku. Speak up.¡± ¡°I think Kazuya will leave for the Living World with everyone. Can you stay in Hueco Mundo with me?¡± She needed somepany to keep hunting down more Hollow ¡ª the Forest of Menos being the perfect ce to fulfill her objective. Sung-Sun''s curiosity piqued, yet her yful smile didn''t falter. ¡°Ara, have you be addicted to my teasing? Is this a sign of your budding masochism?¡± ¡°No! I want to start with the Menos here¡­¡± Sung-Sun narrowed her eyes, suddenly looking serious. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if Harribel-sama will agree with this.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m asking you¡­¡± Api''s voice dropped to a near whisper, her gaze lowered in a rare show of vulnerability. ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving convincing Harribel to you.¡± Sung-Sun couldn¡¯t turn away from Api¡¯s sincere request. ¡°You¡¯re such a handful, jeez. I¡¯ll find some excuse. Until then, just go along with everyone.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± ¡­ From a distance, Kazuya observed as Sung-Sun signaled him with a wave of her long, billowing sleeve. A radiant smile danced on her lips, reflecting the ease with which she fulfilled her given task ¡ª taking care of Api and addressing any issues that arose after consuming the two Hollows. He had long anticipated Api''s failure. Her insatiable desire and unbridled hunger for power was in stark contrast to the harmony needed between instinct and awareness to be a Vasto Lorde. ¡®She won¡¯t calm down without a proper lesson.¡¯ He shelved thoughts of Api for the time being, focusing instead on Harribel''s wounds. Despite their superficial nature, the sight of her drenched in blood sent chills dancing down his spine. The egg she held was tainted, its surface smeared with her life essence. ¡°Harribel, we¡¯ll leave with Yoruichi after you heal your wounds.¡± ¡°Why?¡± From Harribel''s perspective, there was no need to risk their lives in the Living World now that Baraggan had been vanquished. They couldfortably reside in Hueco Mundo for as long as they wished. ¡°Harribel, do you trust me?¡± ¡°I do, but¡ª¡± ¡°No buts. Juste with me.¡± Harribel couldn¡¯t reject him when he used such a cheap but effective tactic against her. Nodding her head, she used her Reiatsu to dispel the blood covering her. She then turned her attention to the blood-soaked egg, her expression twisting into a frown. Her Resurri¨®n ability was all about creation and maniption of water. She had yet to discover anything about her innate ability in her Vasto Lorde form, only because ofck of water in Hueco Mundo. It was one of the reasons he wanted to take her to the Living World. ¡®She might learn her ability¡ª¡¯ His thought abruptly halted, eyes widening as the blood began to detach from the egg''s surface as if manipted by an invisible force. Harribel looked away from the egg, and the blood intriguingly followed her gaze. ¡ªHarribel awakened her innate ability when she couldn¡¯t bear to see the egg in a filthy state. She had the power to create and manipte water out of nothing. For now she seemed to only have the power of water maniption. ¡°Should I say, ¡®As expected of Mommy Harribel?¡¯¡± M Rose snickered at hisment. ¡°The feelings¡ª¡± The dark-skinned Arrancar paused as Harribel ced her sword arm around her neck. ¡°H-Harribel-sama?¡± ¡°Do not bring up our private conversations.¡± Harribel gently pushed M Rose and gave a soft-eyed nce to Kazuya. ¡°Shall we go now?¡± ¡°What was¡ª¡± ¡°Shall we go now?¡± Harribel repeated her question, her eyes closing as she tilted her head slightly. ¡°Kazuya, shall we go now?¡± An icy aura emanated from Harribel, filling the air with an unmistakable chill. It was as if she projected an unspoken warning: ¡®Argue with me now and you¡¯ll regret it.¡¯ M Rose shivered tugged at Kazuya¡¯s shirt. ¡°Just say yes, dammit! Do you want all of us to die?!¡± Ignoring the urgency, he stood his ground. ¡°Harribel, I¡¯m not letting this slide. We will talk about thister, alone.¡± His stern tone left Harribel with wide eyes. She couldn¡¯t threaten her way out of the situation when Kazuya was involved. Now she had no choice but to engage in an embarrassment-filled conversation about her ¡®instincts¡¯ and the way she treated him. ¡°Okay¡­¡± Her voice was subdued, a clear indication of her difort. Kazuya smiledfortingly. ¡°I¡¯ll be gentle, Harribel.¡± Finished with Harribel, he looked at the figures disappearing into the distance. Yoruichi was clearly having a st being chased by Ciri, who disyed an admirable level of tenacity, much like their battle a few days ago. ¡®Is she into cats?¡¯ A sudden, spine-chilling re jerked him out of his thoughts. Swiveling around, he found himself staring at a figure sporting a Hollow Mask. Despite the intimidating disguise, the figure''s Reiatsu was unmistakably that of a Shinigami. ¡®A Shinigami impersonating as a Hollow? Wait, I think I remember him from the filler arc.¡¯ He didn¡¯t remember the Shinigami¡¯s name but he vaguely recalled the backstory behind this Shinigami roleying as a Hollow. The Shinigami had followed some Hollows inside a Garganta and ended up in the Forest of Menos. Rather than returning home, the Shinigami decided to stay and kill as many Hollows as possible. ¡®Are you stupid enough to attack two Vasto Lorde?¡¯ Sure enough, the Shinigami tactically retreated after a few cautious nces. Kazuya sighed in relief. Thest thing he wanted was to kill a Shinigami in Yoruichi¡¯s presence. Chapter 61: A Wild Chase Chapter 61: A Wild Chase Beneath the nket of the Garganta''s pitch-ck sky, Kazuya¡¯s group strolled without a rush, their casual pace showing their rxed mental state. ¡°Yo, why are you still in your Resurri¨®n? It¡¯s gonna drain you dry,¡± M Rose asked, her voice echoing in the darkness. Sung-Sun shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t run around naked. My skin is not as thick as yours.¡± Her base form also left her naked like M Rose. The dark-skinned Arrancar was still running around in Kazuya¡¯s shirt. M Rose rolled her eyes. ¡°Fuck you.¡± Yoruichi let out a softugh. The yful banter between them was light, a sharp contrast to the stern interactions among most Shinigami groups. Yoruichi found herself understanding why Kazuya risked so much to save them. ¡°You''re quite a close-knit group, aren''t you? How did you manage to wee a man into your fold?¡± She knew of M Rose¡¯s obvious bias towards men and this intrigued her even more. ¡°My integration went more smoothly than I expected,¡± Kazuya said. ¡°Only M Rose showed some resistance in epting me.¡± ¡°Oh, what did you do? Saved her life? Charmed her with your voice?¡± Shaking his head, he replied with a yful tone, ¡°I waved my magic wand and cast a love spell. Now she is even ready to have my children. I went overboard¡­¡± The shocked outcry of M Rose echoed across the void. "Who would have your kids? This guy can''t stop spouting lies!" ¡°Hahaha,¡± Yoruichiughed and pointed at the egg held by Harribel. ¡°What¡¯s the story of that egg?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the byproduct of M Rose¡¯s intense passion for me.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s her egg.¡± ¡°He is spitting bullshit again!¡± M Rose retorted. ¡°It¡¯s his egg. His Zanpakut¨­. I got this sword after I became an Arrancar. He got a friggin¡¯ egg.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You are telling me you defeated the King of Hollows without your Zanpakut¨­?¡± ¡°It was a tough fight, though. I couldn¡¯t have done it without you. So, thanks, Shih¨­in-san.¡± His sincere smile and smooth voice were a disastrousbination that made her heart flutter. Having the thick skin of a crocodile, she stared at him without any emotion. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it.¡± Feeling left out, Api nudged Kazuya''s leg with her horn. ¡°You haven''t told us about your time in the Living World. What were you up to?¡± He observed the obviously jealous deer walking by his side and ced a hand on her head. ¡°Should I summarize it?¡± ¡°Sure¡­¡± ¡°Well, I was adopted by a beautiful sister, who wants to y Hollows but is restricted from killing them by Shinigami. I found a friend in a maid, who loves every piece of romance literature." His words painted a vibrant picture, each detail more intriguing than thest. "Then, I awakened new powers which let me kill Baraggan for good. To top it all off, I made allies with a genius Shinigami outcast and his childhood friend who, interestingly enough, loves shape-shifting into a cat form. That¡¯s an apt summary.¡± *** ¡°Otouto-kun hasn¡¯t been back for eight hours.¡± The prolonged absence of a certain someone had a huge impact on the matriarch of the Ishida n. Izumi was on the verge of a mental breakdown when Lisa couldn¡¯t find Kazuya. The maid had scoured the entire Karakura Town in search of his Reiatsu but to no avail. He had vanished out of thin air, leaving Izumi in a broken state. To her, Kazuya wasn¡¯t just a shining beacon of hope for their Quincy race, he was also someone whom she treated like a real brother. Copsing onto a chair, Izumi buried her face in her hands. ¡°My sweet, sweet Otouto¡­ it¡¯s all my fault. I should have been more vigi¡ª¡± ¡°Stop!¡± Lisa interjected, unable to handle Izumi¡¯s exaggerated reaction. ¡°You''re making a mountain out of a molehill, Izumi-sama. He isn''t a child. He''s capable of taking care of himself.¡± ¡°No, you aren¡¯t understanding the gravity of this. He could have been kidnapped by the Soul Reapers because of his potential.¡± Lisa couldn¡¯t find a reply to Izumi¡¯s hypothesis. Shinigami weren¡¯t very trusting of the leftover Quincy from the massacre. Heck even she was here to monitor Izumi and her friend who was mostly missing from home. A part of Seireitei thought of Quincy as a nuisance and the other part was indifferent towards them. "Izumi-sama,¡± Lisa tried to reason. ¡°We didn''t sense anybat. He might have just wandered to another town." ¡°Soul Reapers have many spells. Don¡¯t you know that?!¡± ¡°They certainly do.¡± Lisa had to admit that Izumi had a point. As a Shinigami herself, Lisa couldn''t even list all the countless Bakud¨­ and Had¨­ spells ssified under Kid¨­ spells. As for casting them, she could only manage less than a handful of sealing and destruction spells. Regret gnawed at Lisa for not keeping a closer eye on Kazuya. What could have been the worst oue? Getting found out? It seemed far more tolerable than witnessing a strong woman like Izumi break down into tears. Seeing Lisa''s silence, Izumi wiped away her tears, putting on a brave face. ¡°I shouldn''t lose hope so easily.¡± ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s¡ª¡± ¡°We¡¯ll drive through the nearby towns. Lisa, we¡¯ll find him at any cost.¡± Lisa let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Izumi-sama, rest here. I¡¯ll contact my friends who can help me locate Kazuya.¡± Izumi sped her hand, a grateful smile illuminating her face. ¡°Thank you, Lisa. I don¡¯t know how to repay this gratitude.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, Izumi-sama.¡± Lisa managed to ster a polite smile on her face, all the while recalling Kisuke''s cautionary words. Kisuke had been right all along. She should have severed her connections when she had the chance. Instead, she found herself more entangled in Quincy affairs than ever. Moreover, with Kazuya privy to her secret, she couldn''t exit her job until all loose ends were tied. ¡®Ugh, why am I apletionist?¡¯ She mentally berated herpulsive need forpletion, a habit cultivated from persistently finishing books regardless of their quality. ¡­ Minutester, Lisa stepped out of the car. Beyond the open shutterid a warehouse filled with junk. She lingered at the edge, a little uncertain about asking for help. ¡°Hey, Lisa!¡± Shinji¡¯s voice echoed from the warehouse''s cavernous interior. He emerged from the shadowy interior, a crease forming on his forehead as he spotted Lisa. "Why are you still wearing that? Are ya here to say goodbye and leave us for that¡ª" His words were abruptly silenced as a swift kick sent him sprawling onto the ground. Hiyori, the instigator of the sudden attack, darted out of the warehouse, her gaze falling on Lisa. ¡°Why are you here? Shouldn¡¯t you be on cleaning duty in that mansion?¡± A faint smile tugged at the corners of Lisa''s lips at the sight of Shinji and Hiyori''s disy of sibling love. ¡°Where is Hachi? I need his help in tracking down someone.¡± Hachigen Ushoda, former Vice Captain of Kid¨­ Corps, had numerous Kid¨­. One of them could certainly take care of her problem. Hiyori stomped up to Lisa, her arms crossed as she frowned up at the maid. ¡°Weren¡¯t you instructed to act like a human maid? Why are they sending you out on search missions?¡± ¡°I''m a human maid who can''t manifest her Reishi gathering ability,¡± Lisa corrected Hiyori, her tone matter-of-fact. ¡°This isn''t the time for an interrogation. This is urgent.¡± "Ugh, alright." Hiyori looked over her shoulder, calling out to the man still within the warehouse. "Hachi! Hey, Hachi! Get out here!" Momentster, a rotund man with short pink hair came out. He exuded a gentlemanly aura, emphasized by his olive-green tuxedo and neatly trimmed mustache. ¡°Lisa, you¡¯re back.¡± ¡°Hachi, help me out. Just a small task.¡± Hachigen interlocked his fingers as he raised a brow, a little skeptical about Lisa¡¯s request. ¡°I have nothing on hand. I suppose I can help you out. Don¡¯t give me too hard of a task.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go then.¡± Lisa drove while exining the task at hand. Hachigen ced a hand on his chin. ¡°I can cast Bakudo #56 ¡®Motomeru (Seek the Shadows). There is a drawback. The trailing mechanism of this spell isn¡¯t very quick.¡± ¡°I knew I could count on you, Hachi.¡± Upon their arrival outside the Ishida Mansion, Hachigen immediately picked up on the remnants of Kazuya''s Reiatsu. He began forming symbols in the air, his golden Reiatsu conjuring words. ¡°Chase them, you ck spirit of the night! Gaze upon this with curiosity and then seek the traitor out with your howls!¡± As Hachigen¡¯s words echoed in the air, Lisa saw ck trailse to life. ¡°That was easier than I thought.¡± Hachigen closed his eyes, giving her a soft smile. ¡°Most things in life are easy, but we needlesslyplicate them.¡± Lisa chuckled at his wise quote. ¡°Yeah. Yeah. Let¡¯s chase this guy.¡± She broke into a dash, following the trails. She was following familiar streets, the route giving her a feeling of deja vu. After weaving through narrow alleyways and bustling main roads for several minutes, the reason behind her sense of deja vu fell into ce. She skidded to a halt in front of a building she knew all too well ¡ª Kisuke Urahara''s Shop. CHAPTER 62: A Useless Gigai CHAPTER 62: A Useless Gigai As the Garganta gateway whispered shut behind him, Kazuya was met with an expanse that sprawled out in stark contrast to the world he¡¯d left behind. Not a lush field of verdant green, but rather a barendscape that stretched out before him. This ce, as barren as it was, felt like a slice of paradise when contrasted with the dark nightscape of Hueco Mundo. The sole reason for that was the pseudo-sunlight cast over everything, a byproduct of a kid¨­ spell. Yoruichi had directly brought them to the huge underground chamber under the Urahara Shop. M Rose¡¯s eyes swept over the vista. ¡°W-Whoa? It¡¯s so bright!¡± Her excitement was reminiscent of a small-town individual stepping foot into a gleaming metropolis for the first time. ¡°Skull, we''re finally seeing the light!¡± The rest of the group seemed equally awestruck, though they chose to express it in the silent marveling of their surroundings, unlike Api, who wanted to maintain a cool image. ¡°It¡¯s rather nice¡­¡± Ciri said, feeling the sunlight caress her skin. She tilted her head towards Yoruichi. ¡°Mister Cat, is this your home?¡± Yoruichi couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the misconception around her gender and form. It seemed like they had ignored Kazuya¡¯s direct boration on her shapeshifting ability and took her cat form as her real form. ¡°Nope. Just a training ce for Kisuke. Speaking of that guy. Kisuke, get your ass down here!¡± "Coming,ing." The response came from a door hundreds of meters above them, and momentster Kisuke appeared, casually jumping down to join them. He curiously observed them, Harribel in particr. ¡°This lowly merchant Kisuke Urahara is humbled by your appearance.¡± ¡°Stop with the useless ttery.¡± Yoruichi almost rolled her eyes. ¡°These are Kazuya¡¯s friends. More human-looking than we expected, right?¡± ¡°Certainly, Yoruichi-san.¡± Kisuke turned to Kazuya, his lips slowly curling into a smile. ¡°Kazuya-san, to think you befriended a Vasto Lorde and high-level arrancars¡­ are you attempting to build an army of powerful Hollows for revenge?¡± He was talking about Kazuya¡¯s ¡®past¡¯ with Aizen, which Harribel and others weren¡¯t aware of. The word ¡®revenge¡¯ reverberated around the underground space. This stirred Api and Harribel, their gazes fixating on Kazuya with a newfound curiosity and suspicion. ¡°Is it about Baraggan?¡± Harribel connected the dots to the wrong individual. ¡°If so, he¡¯s already been dealt with.¡± ¡°Bara¡ª¡± Kazuya cut Kisuke with a friendly smile. ¡°Yup, Baraggan. He was such a pain in the ass.¡± He gave the shopkeeper a sidelong nce and a wink. ¡°Right, Urahara-san?¡± He¡¯d rather keep the stuff about his ¡®Shinigami¡¯ past away from them. The unstable and passionate Api might just swear revenge on Aizen for him. It would needlesslyplicate their rtionship. Kisuke covered his face with his paper fan, hiding a devious smirk. ¡°Of course, Kazuya-san. It¡¯s not like you have enmity with anyone outside of Hueco Mundo.¡± His face twitched at Kisuke¡¯s obvious attempt to troll him. Being in this situation, he couldn¡¯t speak much lest the rest came to know about his ¡®made-up¡¯ past with Aizen. His silence, however, led the others to specte, their imaginations filling the nks with wild possibilities. A small, knowing smile curled the edges of Sung-Sun''s lips, her sleeve raised to her mouth as if to cover up her smile. ¡°Interesting.¡± Kazuya shook his head, swearing to get back at Kisuke at ater date. ¡°Urahara-san, have you started working on the Gigai I ordered?¡± He promptly shifted the conversation to Gigai which was necessary for everyone to move freely. After all, Kisuke only had this space to keep them. He was more of a bedroom guy than a cave guy. ¡®I gotta buy my own ce in this town.¡¯ Fortunately, his voice saved him the effort of workingborious jobs.Why work when he could scam¡ªguide wealthy women with his voice? ¡°There are some problems,¡± Kisuke whispered as he looked up. ¡°Tessai-san, get me the Gigai.¡± Kazuya watched in anticipation as a white, humanoid figure tumbled down from the high entrance. With a swift motion, Kisuke jumped into the air and caught the figure with his cane, gently lowering it to the ground. ¡°This is it, a generic Hollow Gigai¡­ But it''s not going to be of much use to anyone here.¡± Kisuke voiced his doubt, thinking the Gigai wouldn''t fit Api. He had crafted it with the assumption that Kazuya¡¯s friends would be ordinary Hollows, not Arrancars of Adjuchas and above ss. Api stared at the humanoid body. ¡°What is a Gigai?¡± The question was echoed by M Rose and Sung-Sun, their understanding of Shinigami tools being quite limited. Yoruichi poked the Gigai¡¯s leg with her paw. ¡°Gigai is what Shinigami use to interact with humans. Sometimes it¡¯s necessary to obtain knowledge. The ones Kisuke makespletely conceals Reiatsu. Even the sharpest Shinigami won¡¯t be able to track you.¡± Even M Rose, typically the least sharp, grasped the purpose of the Gigai from Yoruichi¡¯s simplified exnation. ¡°Skull wanted these for us?¡± There was a note of appreciation in her voice as she realized that Kazuya wasn''t just looking for a way to hide them; he was searching for a means to help them integrate with humans and experience a life that only he could ess as a Hollow with his mysterious ability. The sentiment was mirrored in Ciri''s softened gaze. Api pressed her head affectionately against his arm. ¡°Sung-Sun was wrong¡­ I knew you wouldn''t betray us.¡± Kazuya was taken aback at the mention of betrayal. He was about to question it when a familiar Reiatsu prickled his senses. ncing up, he caught sight of the one person who should never see him surrounded by Hollows in his Hollow form. ¡°Damn it¡­¡± His life as a Quincy had run its course, but he was unwilling to sever his bonds with Izumi and Lisa just yet. Yet, with Lisa''s arrival, it seemed all but guaranteed. ¡®No, not like this. There should be a way.¡¯ His ever-optimistic and maniptive mind began to weave a new plot. Yoruichi, who hadn¡¯t seen Lisa for years, tilted her head. ¡°Why is Lisa Yad¨­maru dressed as a maid? Why does she look so lost?¡± She had only ever seen Lisa berating Shunsui Kyoraku with borderline cold faces. Seeing Lisa shocked was apletely new sight. Kisuke took a step back from the group as though trying to fade into the background. ¡°This escted to the moon. Yoruichi-san, get some popcorn. We¡¯re about to be subjected to peak cinema.¡± Yoruichi sharpened her gaze. ¡°Is there a rtionship between her and Kazuya?¡± ¡°There is,¡± Kisuke confirmed, fluttering his fan. ¡°I¡¯ll exinter.¡± The mere prospect of the impending chaos put a mischievous grin on his face. CHAPTER 63: Back and forth CHAPTER 63: Back and forth Lisa''s gaze was locked onto Kazuya, shock apparent in her wide eyes. Her expectations had painted a very different picture ¡ª one of Kazuya captured by Kisuke. Yet here he was, in the midst of a group of Hollows, a dominant leader rather than a captive. The atmosphere around him, the very essence of his Reiatsu, had transformed, so much so that if she closed her eyes, she would perceive him as an entirely different entity. His aura was undeniably simr to those she had always considered her enemies. A Hollow/Arrancar. A tremor of unease stirred within her, resonating from her Inner Hollow. ¡°Impossible¡­¡± ¡­ Meanwhile, Harribel¡¯s group identified Lisa. Her frilly dress allowed Harribel and others to connect her to the maid in Kazuya¡¯s story. ¡°It¡¯s your maid friend,¡± M Rose said and looked at Kazuya, who was still in his Hollow form. ¡°Wait, should she be seeing you like this?¡± Kazuya merely shook his head, a subtle flicker of sorrow in his eyes. Api had a sinking feeling that the Kazuya she knew and cared for was slipping further away from her. ¡°Send her away. This friendship is over¡­¡± Kazuya had told her that the maid belonged to a Quincy faction ¡ª the avid haters of the Hollow race. Now that the maid had seen Kazuya in his Hollow form, they would never see eye to eye, bing enemies. Sung-Sun tugged gently at Api¡¯s tail. ¡°Let him deal with this.¡± A soft grumble escaped Api. ¡°I was just giving advice. He doesn¡¯t need to follow my words.¡± ¡°Api, the world isn¡¯t as ck and white as it¡¯s in Hueco Mundo.¡± Kazuya''s hand softly patted her head. He then turned to Harribel. ¡°Can you take them away for a few minutes? I need to address some issues.¡± Harribel''s gaze rested on Lisa for a moment before she nodded. ¡°Come with me.¡± With a gentle tap on Api¡¯s back, she used Son¨ªdo to sh onto a distant hilltop. The rest followed her, albeit with evident reluctance. Kazuya looked away from Api and gave a smile to Lisa. ¡°Are you waiting for me to carry you down here like a princess?¡± Gracefully, she leaped down, her braided ponytail fluttering in the air as shended. Her eyes flicked to the retreating Hollows before settling back on Kazuya. ¡°Kazuya, who¡ªwhat are you?¡± ¡°I am a Hollow.¡± ¡°How?¡± Lisa stared at him. ¡°You were a Quincy. How can¡ª¡± She cut herself off as she watched him transform into a more familiar form ¡ª one without the menacing ck wings and Hollow aura. ¡°I can switch between both.¡± Her hand reached out, clutching his cor with a force born of confusion and anger. ¡°My intuition about you was correct. You betrayed Izumi. No, you were using her from the start.¡± He held her wrist, his grip firm but gentle as he carefully pried her fingers from his cor. ¡°Lisa Yad¨­maru, the former Vice-Captain of 8th Squad, the curtains are lifted for both of us. Neither of us approached Izumi with kind intentions. We were using her for our own goals.¡± The biting cold of his words pierced her like shards of ss, freezing her in ce. His usations echoed the usations she kept hidden deep within her heart. How could she point an using finger at him when she herself was guilty of the same crime? A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he saw his method working. ¡°Look on the bright side, though. She found two people who genuinely care about her, like a family. Isn¡¯t that wonderful?¡± Despite Lisa¡¯s ulterior motives in staying with Izumi, there was no denying the fact she cared about Izumi. Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t be mad at him for betraying Izumi. ¡°Wonderful my foot,¡± Lisa scoffed. ¡°We¡¯re scum.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°We¡¯re viins.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t deserve Izumi.¡± ¡°Yeah, we don¡¯t.¡± With a bitter scowl, Lisa jabbed a finger towards Kisuke, who was lingering in the distance. ¡°I me this guy. He sent me on that spy mission. What¡¯s the rtionship between you two?¡± Kisuke casually fanned his face. ¡°It¡¯s purely transactional. You can call Kazuya-san one of my precious customers.¡± Yoruichi shook her head. ¡°Kazuya isn¡¯t a bad person, Lisa. He had his reasons for approaching the Quincy n. He used to be¡ª¡± ¡°Shih¨­in-san, please don¡¯t reveal other people¡¯s secrets without their consent. Besides, no point in bringing up my past. I¡¯m a Hollow now. A Hollow and a Quincy. That chapter of my story is closed shut.¡± Yoruichi sighed, acknowledging his request. ¡°Fine. Have it your way, stubborn little man.¡± ¡°We¡¯re adults here. Some shes here and there wouldn¡¯t break us apart.¡± With a curt nod of agreement, Yoruichi blinked out of the scene, her form dissolving into the thin air. Kisuke looked left and right. ¡°I guess I should also exit the scene.¡± And then they were alone, left to untangle the knot of their rtionship on their own. Lisa turned her back against him. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to feel about this. Will we still be friends like before or will you¡ª¡± Reaching for her hand, he yanked her and made her face him. ¡°Stop being a dramatic novel heroine.¡± ¡°You saw through me¡­ this is so embarrassing.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t look embarrassed, though.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Nothing''s gonna change. I¡¯ll continue being Izumi Onee-chan¡¯s Otouto. You¡¯ll be her maid until you¡¯re bored of it.¡± A slow nod was her response, her mind slowly wrapping itself around the situation. With Yoruichi''s and Kisuke''s stamps of approval, she could concede that Kazuya wasn¡¯t the viinous Hollow she had feared. ¡°Why did youe to Karakura?¡± ¡°I¡¯m just here to chill with my friends.¡± ¡°Your friends?¡± Lisa¡¯s gaze went to the Hollows in the distance. ¡°Those Hollows?¡± ¡°Yup. Pretty nice bunch.¡± ¡°Pretty and nice they are,¡± she said with a calm look. ¡°What was Shih¨­in-san trying to tell me? What did you used to be?¡± ¡°Take a guess.¡± ¡°Pervert.¡± ¡°Stop projecting on others.¡± ¡°...¡± Heughed at her speechless face. ¡°By the way, how did Onee-chan take to my disappearance?¡± ¡°She has been worrying nonstop about you. She¡¯d have searched you on foot if I wasn¡¯t there.¡± He let out a long sigh. ¡°Should I return?¡± ¡°Absolutely.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t reveal anything about me being a Hollow.¡± A nod was Lisa''s agreement, her eyes turning soft as she looked up at him. There was an unexpected relief in sharing her guilt with someone. ¡°How long will we deceive her? Lies don¡¯tst forever, Kazuya.¡± ¡°Sometimes aforting lie is better than a harsh truth.¡± ¡°A harsh truth may be painful, but it is the only way to true freedom and growth.¡± He rolled his eyes at her. "This isn''t apetition for countering each other with quotes.¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± Chapter 64: The Unkind Chapter 64: The Unkind ¡°Kazuya, did Kisuke snitch on me?¡± Back in Urahara Shop, Lisa threw another question at Kazuya, her gaze emanating cold anger. She suspected Kisuke of revealing her background to Kazuya for obvious reasons. Kazuya maintained a neutral expression, knowing well that a simple nod of his head couldnd Kisuke in a whirlwind of trouble. He was tempted to say yes, but given Kisuke¡¯s cunning, he would evade Lisa unscathed. He shook her head. ¡°I knew who you were the moment I heard your name.¡± ¡°How? Is it also rted to your mysterious past?¡± ¡°Kind of.¡± He wasn¡¯t lying but he wasn¡¯t telling the truth either. Honestly, he hadn¡¯t expected his bullshit lies to ever reach this point. He had hoped the truth would remain between the Urahara gang and him, but Yoruichi and Kisuke almost revealed it to Api and others. Lisa stared at him, feeling tempted to solve the mystery. ¡°I¡¯ll get it out of you one day.¡± ¡°Keep dreaming.¡± As they traversed through the shop, the muffled sounds of a conversation emanated from a room nearby. Lisa, without a second thought, opened the door. Tessai, the former Commander of the Kid¨­ Corps and his Vice-Chief, Hachigen, were having a casual chat over tea. Hachigen¡¯s gaze drifted to Kazuya, his lips curling up into a knowing smile. "So, you found him. I¡¯d appreciate a detailed updateter, if that''s possible." Lisa knew Hachigen was misunderstanding her rtionship with Kazuya but she was toozy to correct him. ¡°No problem, Hachi. I¡¯ll see youter.¡± ¡°Bye, Lisa.¡± With a nod towards Hachigen, Kazuya followed Lisa out of the shop, leaving the two Kid¨­ masters to their discussion. ¡­ In the meantime, Api kept her gaze locked on the door through which Kazuya and Lisa had vanished. ¡°That jerk. Shouldn¡¯t he say something before leaving?¡± Sung-Sun couldn¡¯t help but giggle. It was clear that Api was simmering with jealousy at the sight of Kazuya leaving with Lisa, a woman of considerable beauty. Harribel, on the other hand, looked at Api with a look of disapproval. ¡°I¡¯m d they didn¡¯t be enemies. Do you want Kazuya to be sad or happy?¡± Api huffed her head away, acting like she didn¡¯t care in either state, even though her consideration for Kazuya was only second to Harribel. No one beat Harribel when it came to caring for Kazuya. ¡°Now they will be something else,¡± whispered Sung-Sun, grinning mischievously. ¡°M Rose, Kazuya promised to buy us clothes. Let¡¯s drag him to the shop after we¡¯re given a suitable Gigai.¡± M Rose clutched her shirt which still had the lingering scent of Kazuya. She had made a little bond with the clothing since it was her first ever shirt. ¡°Right. I¡¯ll bury it somewhere safe.¡± ¡°M Rose, you need to learn a lot about your new form,¡± Ciri said with a wry smile. ¡°Clothes are stored, not buried.¡± M Rose knitted her brows. ¡°I like burying things. Keeps them safe.¡± Despite having been an Arrancar for a while now, her primitive, wild instincts were still very much intact. Kisuke popped into view at a distance, and then in a blink, he was standing in front of them thanks to his Shunpo. ¡°Ladies, sorry to interrupt your good time. I brought a couple Gigai.¡± Harribel frowned at the two humanoid bodies that Kisuke was holding. They appeared more masculine than feminine and were devoid of any reproductive organs. M Rose snatched one from Kisuke. ¡°So how do I?¡± ¡°Think about bing one with it. The rest is easy.¡± M Rose watched in fascination as her hand disappeared within the Gigai. Slowly her entire body melded with the artificial form, causing her shirt to drop to the floor. The Gigai radiated a brief shine as it shrank and adjusted to M Rose¡¯s shape. ¡°Wow,¡± M Rose breathed out, taking in the sight of her naked form. ¡°This is some incredible stuff.¡± Ciri¡¯s jaw practically hit the floor. ¡°I can''t sense her Reiatsu at all. She appears as a normal human.¡± Kisuke cracked a grin. ¡°No need for thanks. This view is payment enough for my efforts.¡± The self-proimed perverted merchant shamelessly feasted his eyes on the feral and alluring M Rose. His tant ogling didn''t go unnoticed. As soon as her initial astonishment subsided, M Rose grew aware of Kisuke¡¯s attention. She pointed at him, baring her sharp fangs. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare look at me, pervert.¡± With her warning delivered, she bent to retrieve her shirt and slipped it on in a hurry. She held no objections against Kazuya seeing, even admiring, her naked body. Kisuke, however, made her repulsed. Kisuke fanned himself, feeling the temperature rising under her intense re. ¡°My, my, no need to be so angry. I can refer you to a psychologist who can help you with anger issues.¡± M Rose clicked her tongue before spinning on her heel and bounding towards a distant hill. The training chamber wasrge enough to allow her to put ample space between herself and Kisuke. Harribel watched without expressing approval or disapproval of M Rose¡¯s actions. The fact that M Rose hadn¡¯t lost control and attacked Kisuke wasmendable growth in itself. The lioness¡¯ prejudice towards men was something else. ¡®¡¯His influence helped.¡¯ Harribel moved forward and epted the remaining Gigai from Kisuke. Instead of trying it herself, she passed it to Sung-Sun. Sung-Sun¡¯s eyes crinkled in happiness. ¡°Thanks, Harribel-sama~.¡± Kisuke scratched his chin thoughtfully. Harribel had made the right decision in passing the Gigai since it was only suitable for Arrancars. ¡°Excuse me. I have several questions.¡± ¡°What?¡± He pointed at Sung-Sun and then swung his finger towards Ciri. ¡°I¡¯m a little confused. Are you an Arrancar or not?¡± Sung-Sun arched an eyebrow. ¡°Do you know about Resurri¨®n?¡± Kisuke frowned before shaking his head. It was his first time hearing the term. His knowledge on Hollows was half bakedpared to his knowledge on Shinigami. ¡°Teach me!¡± ¡°...Just like Shinigami have various release levels for their Zanpakut¨­, we, Arrancars, have our own form of release. We call it Resurri¨®n.¡± ¡°Interesting.¡± Kisuke¡¯s voice was filled with intrigue. ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean Kazuya-san can grow even stronger?¡± He hadn¡¯t seen Kazuya in his Resurri¨®n state, leading him to reassess Kazuya¡¯s strength. ¡°Technically, yes,¡± said Ciri. ¡°However, he has yet to awaken his Zanpakut¨­.¡± ¡°Awaken?¡± ¡°You should ask your friend Yoruichi. He knows about Kazuya¡¯s unique condition.¡± Kisuke chuckled, hearing Yoruichi being referred to as a man. ¡°That brings me to my second question. Are you in a constant release state like the Lamiady?¡± He would¡¯ve ssified her in the same category as Harribel if it weren''t for the trace amounts of Shinigami Reiatsu emanating from her. Ciri patiently exined her condition. She wouldn¡¯t have bothered with Kisuke if he wasn¡¯t Kazuya¡¯s ally. ¡°Do you understand now?¡± ¡°Arrancar¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ are just like Shinigami¡¯s, except they don¡¯t have spirits.¡± Kisuke cupped his chin, contemting theparison between the Arrancar and the Visored. Both of them possessed powers of Hollow and Shinigami. However, Visored''s Hollow attributes were significantly weaker than natural Hollows, and likewise, the Arrancar¡¯s Shinigami attributes were weaker. ¡®It¡¯s no surprise the Gigai I made for the Visored is working perfectly with them.¡¯ Once again he observed Ciri. His Bankai could theoretically reconstruct her severed wings and arms, but the effects would be nullified once he deactivated the Bankai. Even if the effect was temporary, he couldn¡¯t recklessly reveal his trump card. ¡®She can manage like this.¡¯ He looked at Harribel. ¡°I¡¯ll inform Kazuya when I¡¯m done with your Gigai.¡± Api stepped out from behind Sung-Sun. ¡°Mister, don¡¯t make mine yet.¡± She had decided to return to Hueco Mundo after spending some time with Kazuya. The Gigai Kisuke will make for her now will be obsolete for her humanoid form. ¡°Less work for me~.¡± Thezy shopkeeper couldn¡¯t be happier with the arrangement. Chapter 65: Izumi’s Grand Scheme Chapter 65: Izumi¡¯s Grand Scheme A tide of relief flooded Izumi as sheid eyes on Kazuya returning with Lisa. She rushed toward him, her face wearing a bright smile. ¡°Otouto-kun.¡± ¡°Onee-chan!¡± She buried her face in his chest. ¡°Tell us before you disappear next time.¡± Lisa nkly stared at the brother and sister hugging each other happily. Rather than siblings, Izumi came off as his little sister. ¡°Izumi-sama, you wouldn¡¯t believe where I found him.¡± Kazuya¡¯s eyes met Lisa¡¯s sadistic gaze, which indicated a mischievous n on the horizon. She was most likely taking revenge for making her run all over the town or perhaps backing out of the date. Instead of interrupting her, he nudged her to continue feeding lies to Izumi. ¡°Where was he?¡± Izumi asked, stepping away from his warm embrace. ¡°I was so worried.¡± ¡°He was in a love hotel with a married woman. Thankfully, I reached there before he could get physical with her.¡± Izumi sucked in a sharp breath. ¡°Otouto-kun, is that true?¡± Kazuya let out a sigh. Of all the possible lies in the world, she chose the cliche cheating trope from the romance novels. ¡°That poor woman was in need of desperate love. You know how influential my voice is, Onee-chan. She might¡¯ve done something horrible if I wasn¡¯t there.¡± He added more depth to Lisa¡¯s one-dimensional story, more than willing to y along with her little games. Izumi''s features softened, and a gentle smile yed on her lips. ¡°You saved her from a horrible fate.¡± ¡°But, Izumi-sama, don¡¯t overlook his sin,¡± Lisa interjected, a hint of urgency in her voice. ¡°Ask him why he was in bed with her?¡± ¡°She wanted to reward me,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°I haven''t had sex for two months. You ruined everything, Lisa.¡± Izumi swiveled to face Lisa. ¡°I know I sent you to find Kazuya¡­ but you could¡¯ve waited until he had settled his private business.¡± Guilt slithered over Lisa until she remembered she had fabricated this entire situation. Her re bore into Kazuya, as if she wanted to kill him on the spot. ¡®Cunning bastard.¡¯ Izumi sped Kazuya''s shoulders, a stern frown creasing her forehead. ¡°Otouto-kun, you aren¡¯t allowed to impregnate any random women. Your partner should be a Quincy so we can bring more potential Echt (Pureblood Quincy) into the world. Lisa, consider Otouto-kun as a potential partner.¡± His exceptional genes would undeniably yield offspring with immense potential ¡ª she was already setting the gears in motion for an Echt Quincy repoption program. She needed Quincy women since it severely reduced the chances of the offspring being a normal human. Kazuya wasn¡¯t sure how to react to her grand n. As much as he loved women, he didn¡¯t need to degrade himself to the level of a sperm donor for some sex. The idea of adding more powerhouses to Yhwach¡¯s army didn¡¯t sit well with him either. So, Izumi''s grand n, while well-intentioned, was simply not in alignment with his principles. ¡°Never!¡± Lisa rejected instantaneously. ¡°I refuse to enter a rtionship out of any obligation.¡± She had read too many romance novels to have a forced rtionship. As a Shinigami, she was a firm advocate of personal freedom and the liberty to choose one''s own path, which also included finding her own partner whom she loved and adored. Izumi gave an apologetic smile. ¡°Forgive me if I came off as forceful.¡± With a gentle touch, Kazuya held Izumi¡¯s hand. ¡°Onee-chan, don¡¯t throw this responsibility on me. I¡¯m but a humble warrior.¡± Izumi''s nod was hesitant, her eyes shadowed with a flicker of disappointment. ¡°I understand.¡± Though she seemedpliant on the surface, he could sense her steadfastmitment to her Quincy race. ¡®This stupid sister of mine is a stuck-up.¡¯ ¡­ An hourter, Kazuya found himself descending back into the underground training grounds. Shaking off Izumi, who was bent on taking him out for a meal, proved to be a task of its own. Upon arrival, he was surprised to find Harribel honing her water maniption skills. Elsewhere, M Rose was engaged in a fierce sparring match with Ciri. Only Api and Sung-Sun seemed to be at leisure. The snakedy was no longer in hermia form, but instead was sitting by Api¡¯s side in a white towel. ¡°Kazuya!¡± At his entrance, Api sprung up from her position and unwittingly nuzzled her head against his palm, as if seeking affectionate pats. ¡°Did you unfriend that Shinigami witch?¡± He cast a quizzical nce at her adorable gesture. ¡°How do you know Lisa is a Shinigami?¡± ¡°My guess was right, fufu,¡± Sung-Sun chimed in. ¡°Yoruichi and Kisuke were familiar with Lisa. Her being Shinigami made more sense than a Quincy.¡± He gave her a round of apuse. Others may have grown in raw power but Sung-Sun¡¯s observation skills grew at a frightening pace. ¡°Actually she isn¡¯t a Shinigami. I¡¯ll tell you about her some other time.¡± Api bit his hand. ¡°Can we stop talking about her?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s talk about you then, my sweetheart.¡± ¡°W-What?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve grown pretty strong. How much did my gluttonous little deer eat?¡± In terms of sheer power, Api now stood shoulder to shoulder with the base form of M Rose. Undergoing Arrancarization would make her an unstoppable force among Hollows. ¡°I¡¯m not little!¡± she retorted. ¡°I¡¯m strong¡­ but not strong enough to be a Vasto Lorde.¡± Kazuya could see her spirits going down as she was still a little depressed after eating Evanya. ¡°Why don¡¯t you start with Arrancarification first? I have a method that has zero risks.¡± She would calm down after receiving some love from him. Her attraction towards him was inly obvious. He had to make her an Arrancar before Sung-Sun pushed him down, or else the deer would be heartbroken. He wanted to sleep with her first since she was so head over heel for him. "A safe method?" Harribel asked, halting her training as his words caught her attention. "How so?" He turned to the door. ¡°Urahara-san! Shih¨­in-san! Come down here!¡± It was about time he made Kisuke part with his precious H¨­gyoku. Chapter 66: First of Many Chapter 66: First of Many Kisuke and Yoruichi answered Kazuya¡¯s call instantaneously. Yoruichi stretchednguidly, yawning. Her voice was sleepy but teasing, ¡°Give me a good reason for disturbing my evening nap.¡± Kazuya smiled. ¡°It doesn¡¯t really concern Shih¨­in-san but Urahara-san. My friend, can I borrow the H¨­gyoku?¡± Kisuke, usually so quick with a response, was rendered speechless. Kazuya¡¯s request for the H¨­gyoku ¡ª the most unknown element in the world ¡ª was as casual as a friend asking for a book. ¡°What do you need it for?¡± The H¨­gyoku had only shown one use so far: aiding the survival of the Visored. Even then, it hadn¡¯t fulfilled Kisuke¡¯s original goal to fully rid Shinji and hispanions of their Hollow masks. ¡°I¡¯ll use it to make Api and Harribel Arrancars.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Yoruichi raised her voice in surprise. ¡°Kisuke, H¨­gyoku can do that?¡± Kisuke shook his head slowly, a gesture not of denial but of uncertainty. ¡°Arrancar and Visored are two sides of the same coin. Theoretically, it¡¯s a possibility.¡± Kazuya revealed a soft smile. ¡°Urahara-san, I know things about H¨­gyoku that you probably don¡¯t. Give me a chance.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t give you the Hogyoku even if I wanted to. It has been put in a deactivated state.¡± A spark of surprise flickered across Kazuya''s face. Reactivating the H¨­gyoku required an immense amount of spiritual energy, twice that of a Captain¡¯s. In canon, Aizen was one of those beings. While Kazuya¡¯s Reiatsu was above Captains, he was far from reaching the requisite level. ¡®I should be one and a half of Captain at max.¡¯ Uncertain, he gave a resigned sigh. ¡°I know of a method to activate it.¡± Even Kisuke didn¡¯t know the method of awakening the H¨­gyoku from its current dormant state. ¡°You know too much, young padawan.¡± The idea of handing over the H¨­gyoku to a Vasto Lorde Arrancar, let alone someone with past connections to Aizen, unsettled Kisuke. It felt like giving a loaded gun to a mischievous youngster. ¡°Let me try,¡± Kazuya insisted. ¡°I won¡¯t disappoint you, Urahara-san.¡± Kisuke weighed in his options before finally giving a nod. Kazuya¡¯s support was invaluable in his war against Aizen. Besides, he was curious about H¨­gyoku¡¯s mysterious abilities. ¡°I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on you throughout.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± ¡­ Minutester, Kisuke returned with the H¨­gyoku ¡ª an orb glowing with hues of purple and blue sealed in a ss-like, transparent dodecahedron. Despite its dormant state, Kazuya felt a connection to it, as if he could hear a heartbeat echoing from within its sealed depths. He wasn''t the only one drawn in by this strange phenomenon. The egg, resting in Sung-Sun¡¯spany, twitched to life, emanating waves of powerful Reiatsu that seemed to echo the rhythm of the heartbeat Kazuya sensed. ¡®I definitely have a connection to the Soul King.¡¯ Kisuke''s eyes, sharp as ever, caught the subtle nuances of Kazuya''s reaction. This strange disy solidified his suspicions about Kazuya¡¯s uncanny abilities. ¡°What¡¯s the activation method?¡± Kazuya shrugged nonchntly. ¡°We need someone who has twice the Reiatsu of a Captain.¡± A moment of stunned silence followed his statement. Yoruichi¡¯s golden eyes held a question, asking if he was joking. When he merely returned a serious gaze, she let out a sigh. ¡°Where will we find that someone?¡± Captains were already the strongest beings the Seireitei had to offer. Only the prestigious Royal Guard might possibly satisfy such an outrageous requirement. ¡°Haha, Aizen fits the requirement. That guy is a monster.¡± Kisuke unsealed the H¨­gyoku before tossing the orb at Kazuya and calmly fanning his face. ¡°Let¡¯s see you try.¡± Catching the H¨­gyoku deftly, Kazuya allowed his Reiryoku to infuse the orb. Its luminescent hues dimmed, reced by an almost void-like ck. However, it wasn''t enough. Just as he was about to cease his attempt, a sudden surge of Reiatsu flowed from his Zanpakut¨­. The egg, as though answering some unseen beckoning, floated towards him and began sharing its Reiatsu, as if co-conspiring to activate the H¨­gyoku. The egg¡¯s Reiatsu easily reached the level of an Adjuchas, a Hollow only second to Vasto Lorde and Captains in terms of Reiatsu. Kisuke turned to Yoruichi. ¡°Yoruichi-san, what do you think?¡± The ck cat gracefully hopped on his hat. ¡°I¡¯m genuinely happy he is on our side.¡± ¡°Me too.¡± Suddenly, the H¨­gyoku radiated a chilling aura, shaking everyone present to their core. It was akin to an ancient beast waking from a long slumber. Kisuke never imagined he would encounter this aura again after having sealed the H¨­gyoku away. It was unlike Reiatsu or anythingparable, existing in an entirely different dimension. ¡°Now you know why I sealed this thing.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Yoruichi nodded. ¡°We can¡¯t let Aizen get this.¡± ¡°Never.¡± Meanwhile, an involuntary smile crept onto Kazuya¡¯s face. This sess in reviving the H¨­gyoku was solely due to the egg¡¯s assistance. Affectionately, he patted the egg before tucking it securely under his arm. ¡°Let¡¯s fucking go, Egg-chan.¡± ¡°Egg-chan, the MVP,¡± Kisuke whispered. ¡°Kazuya-san, finish it quickly. I¡¯ll seal it back after you¡¯re done.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± he confirmed with a nod, hovering the reawakened H¨­gyoku over Api¡¯s head. ¡°Are you ready?¡± She stepped away from him. ¡°Will it stop me from bing Vasto Lorde?¡± The Vasto Lorde ss was her obsession. She wouldn¡¯t hesitate in giving up her Arrancar form if it meant bing a Vasto Lorde. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Her eyes hardened with determination. ¡°Then¡­ I''m ready.¡± Kazuya filled the H¨­gyoku with his Reiatsu and his aspirations. As his energy saturated the orb, its gray hue darkened until it reached the absolute ck of a moonless night. Suddenly, it expelled a blinding radiance. This dazzling light enveloped Api, and then it splintered, scattering around like countless shards of shattered ss. ¡°Kazuya!¡± A figure dashed through the swirling shards. It was Api, her form fully nude. Throwing her arms around him, she pressed against him, her form softer and more voluptuous than he remembered. In his memory, she leaned towards a slender silhouette, yet now, she seemed to mirror M Rose¡¯s curvaceous form, in both her figure and height. ¡®She is like 5¡¯5¡±. Almost four inches above her canon height.¡¯ She perhaps changed her desired body after seeing him gush over M Rose, resulting in her attaining a more curvaceous form. ¡®This jealous little.¡¯ Blushing, Api gazed up at him, her heterochromatic eyes looking deeply at him. Her eyebrows furrowed in a futile attempt to disguise her embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯m an Arrancar now.¡± He gave a gentle nod. ¡°I can see that.¡± ¡°Next step is to be a Vasto Lorde, then I¡¯ll work towards my promise of bing the strongest Arrancar.¡± She still remembered her vow from the days they wandered the Hueco Mundo by themselves. A vow he made her do for fun but she took it seriously. Still, he felt there was more to her hunger than their promise. ¡®She wants to protect me, doesn¡¯t she? How cute.¡¯ He ced his hands around her hips, and her blush deepened. ¡°You¡¯ll have to surpass me if you want to be the strongest Arrancar.¡± ¡°Why are you counting yourself? I¡¯m talking about Hollows and Arrancars. You¡¯re an abomination of Hollow and Quincy.¡± ¡°Hey, that one hurt.¡± ¡°I was joking¡­¡± She lowered her gaze and nuzzled her face against his chest. ¡°I just have to surpass Harribel who is the second strongest Hollow right now.¡± ¡°Good luck,¡± he replied and encouragingly patted her back. "You can do it." Api clenched her teeth, well aware that Harribel''s power would receive a massive boost after her own transformation into an Arrancar. ¡°Everyone in Hueco Mundo once believed that the formidable Baraggan they worshiped was invincible. You proved them wrong. I''ll do the same." Her determination ignited a surge in her Reiatsu, startling everyone around. *** Here is Api¡¯s new form for reference. Spoiler [copse] CHAPTER 67: The Shark Queen CHAPTER 67: The Shark Queen M Rose felt Api¡¯s Reiatsu spike in the midst of her mock battle with Ciri. She halted abruptly, signaling Ciri to cease as well. ¡°Absurd.¡± Ciri cast an envious nce at Api. ¡°She has surpassed both of us.¡± ¡°You mentioned Baraggan having a cult, right?¡± ¡°Yeah. They¡¯ll try to avenge their leader when they find out Baraggan is dead.¡± A wicked grin split M Rose¡¯s face, revealing her sharp, predatory fangs. ¡°Not if I devour them first. We¡¯re storming the doors of Las Noches when we return to Hueco Mundo!¡± The ferocious lioness set her eye on the poor Hollows under Baraggan, intending to use them as fuel for her growth. Harribel wouldn¡¯t be able to say anything if those Hollows attacked M Rose first during her tour to Las Noches. ¡®My n is impable.¡¯ Ciri¡¯s eyes widened at the audacious n. Entering Las Noches also meant a potential encounter with Szayel. She was unsure if her heart was prepared for his smug grin. ¡°I think I''ll sit this one out¡­¡± ¡°Stop being a pussy. I¡¯ll protect you.¡± ¡°...Okay.¡± The goth Arrancar changed her mind at M Rose¡¯s insistence. ¡®Kazuya wouldn¡¯t let me die, right¡­?¡¯ ¡­ Harribel approached Api and patted her back with her sword arm. ¡°I don¡¯t n on stagnating¡­ Kazuya, do me.¡± ¡°Oh my. You should ask us to leave before giving him an order like that~,¡± Kisuke said as he winked at Kazuya. ¡°You struck gold, Kazuya-san.¡± The chance of a man having multiple partners ¡ª a harem ¡ª was highest in the Hollow race since their race mostly followed thew of the jungle. He had hardly seen a man having a harem outside of the noble families of the Seireitei. Kazuya smiled. ¡°Isn¡¯t it natural to fully enjoy my life after my death?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t the only one who saw this as a harem gathering,¡± Yoruichi added, her golden eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°This kid went from a side mob to a main character. This is shitty writing I expect from teenagers, not the gods sitting in high heavens.¡± ¡°Gods aren¡¯t real, Shih¨­in-san,¡± he said. ¡°Even the one ruling over the Soul Society is a husk.¡± Kisuke narrowed his eyes. ¡°You know about that too.¡± ¡°Yup.¡± Yoruichi pawed Kisuke¡¯s face. ¡°What did he mean?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t tell you now.¡± ¡°Stop hiding things from your childhood friend!¡± Kazuya fiddled with the H¨­gyoku and looked at the tomboy who kept clinging to him. ¡°Api, how about we cuddle during the night?¡± ¡°You heartless goose, I¡¯m naked¡­ Do you want everyone to see my private parts?¡± She told a convincing lie to cover up her ulterior motive of feeling his warmth ¡ª a skill shepletely learned from him. Leaning closer to her, Kazuya whispered in her ear, ¡°This body is mine. I won¡¯t let anyone else defile it with their lustful gazes.¡± ¡°Excuse me, I feel like you¡¯re calling me out!¡± Kisuke jested. ¡°Yoruichi-san, I feel like we should leave.¡± ¡°I kinda have that feeling too.¡± The ck cat and the merchant felt awkward but they couldn¡¯t leave before retrieving the H¨­gyoku. Kazuya held Api close and started Harribel¡¯s transformation process. As the blinding light enveloped her, the surrounding moisture coalesced and rushed towards her, forming a massive, heart-shaped cocoon that lifted her into the air. Kisuke¡¯s eyes widened in rm. ¡°Oh no, she will flood my poor shop!¡± With Yoruichi sitting on his hat, he rushed up thedder, stopping halfway along its height. He found the current the safest location to protect him from a flood. Yoruichi, meanwhile, watched Harribel¡¯s transformation with intense interest. ¡°This woman embodies the phrase ¡®Still waters run deep.¡¯ The heart shape must represent her emotions.¡± She tried to decipher the symbolism behind Harribel''s transformation with the information at her hand. Spection was all she could do. Kisuke shrugged. ¡°It could be anything.¡± Meanwhile, Kazuya floated a safe distance away from Harribel¡¯s water cocoon, holding Api securely in his arms. ¡°Harribel sure knows how to leave asting impression.¡± ¡°She wouldn¡¯t be your mommy if she didn¡¯t do your way¡­ the shy way.¡± ¡°How do you know about our secret rtionship?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a secret anymore. Harribel confessed she treats you like her son.¡± ¡°Huh? When did that happen?¡± ¡°Sometime ago. Oh, she is here.¡± Suddenly, the tip of a white de pierced through the cocoon, slicing it in half. As the water sshed down in a massive wave, Harribel emerged, levitating in mid-air. Her expression was as serene and cold as the deepest ocean depths. Gripping her Zanpakut¨­, she held it up, examining it with a focused gaze. ¡°This power... it should be enough to make my dream a reality.¡± Kazuya observed Harribel''s transformation with a smile. Her Resurri¨®n form had revealed her gorgeous face, adding two lightning bolt tattoos on either side of her face. Her golden hair was just as wild as it was in her Vasto Lorde form. Her Hollow Mask had evolved into a fascinating form, with a bone cor encircling her neck and extending to cover her chest. Additional bone structures appeared on her shoulders, resembling shark fins. A spine-like formation ran down her stomach, and she now wore a bone mini-skirt and knee-high white boots. Her Zanpakut¨­ had morphed into arge gauntlet that resembled a giant shark¡¯s tooth, marked with three gill-like lines. Spoiler [copse] Unlike Api, he couldn¡¯t spot any differences in Harribel from her canon version. ¡®Strange. I thought her personality shift was just as big as Api.¡¯ As she turned to him, her features softened, her lips curling into a soft smile. ¡°Kazuya, I wish we had the H¨­gyoku for your transformation. You would have avoided so much agony.¡± Rather than reveling in her new power, Harribel wasmenting the agony Kazuya had endured during his own transformation, which had been a much more grueling process without the H¨­gyoku. Kazuya shrugged off her concern with a grin. ¡°No point worrying about it now. By the way, you¡¯re looking pretty deadly right now.¡± She looked at herself, as though observing her physical changes. She had shed her bone armor, which had be redundant after gaining Hierro, the defensive skill of Arrancars. The sensation of the air against her bare skin was actually quite refreshing. A hint of excitement flickered in her eyes. ¡°I want to test my new abilities. Will you spar with me?¡± Kazuya knew a small spar between could lead to hour-long battles, especially since they both were considerably strongerpared to theirst spar. ¡°Let¡¯s do that after I get you all some clothes.¡± He wanted them to take the time to appreciate and adjust to their new forms, particrly Api, who experienced a rough timetely. Harribel narrowed her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t need clothes. I have¡­¡± She trailed off, cing a hand on her chest and closing her eyes in concentration. A thinyer of water emerged from the gills on her Zanpakut¨­ and enveloped her in a smaller version of her heart cocoon. When the water subsided, it revealed a significant change in Harribel¡¯s appearance. Her blonde hair was now elegantly tied in a rxed ponytail, and she wore a crown featuring four horns. A translucent veil covered her mouth, unlike her vicious mask in the original canon. For attire, she was dressed in a pristine white coat trimmed with ck fur, draped over a revealing, high-cored white top. A grand cape of white with a royal purple interior cascaded from her shoulders, the base decorated with ck fur. Her outfit waspleted with loose white pants cinched with a water droplet-shaped golden belt essory. Harribel¡¯s aura wasmanding and demanded awe and respect, making her seem every bit the regal queen. Yet, there was a wild edge to her persona, a queen who wasn¡¯t afraid to get her hands dirty. Her Zanpakut¨­ hanging by her waist followed her regal appearance. While the de retained its unique shape from the anime, it was no longer hollow in the center. The purple Zanpakut¨­ with a massive hilt seemed like a broadsword when seen from afar. Spoiler [copse] ¡®It¡¯d make sense if she became more mother-like, but she turned into a queen.¡¯¡® He understood her inclination to remove her iconic mask since it made her seem more Hollow than a human. However, the rest of her aesthetic changes went over his head. ¡®Shark Mommy transcended to Shark Queen Mommy.¡¯ Api¡¯s pinch at his waist snapped him from his thoughts. ¡°Stop staring at her.¡± ¡°It¡¯s natural to admire beauty.¡± Pulling down her veil, Harribel offered a soft smile. ¡°I didn''t expect these kinds of clothes.¡± ¡°Neither did I,¡± he whispered. ¡°It¡¯s like an exclusive perk for Vasto Lorde Arrancars.¡± Some Arrancars gained clothes in their Resurri¨®n form but only Kazuya, Harribel, and perhaps Baraggan gained new spiritual clothes in their base Arrancar form. CHAPTER 68: The Emergence CHAPTER 68: The Emergence With a careful gentleness, Kazuya ran his fingers along Api¡¯s bare back, kneading the tension away with a firm yet soothing touch. His other hand cradled the egg pulsating rhythmically with vibrant waves of Reiatsu. The mystical egg seemed to brim with a sense of contentment, as if it enjoyed his touch, or perhaps it was merely using its Reiatsu to speak in anguage only it understood. The egg''s true thoughts were shrouded in mystery. ¡°Urahara-san, can I get a Gigai for Api?¡± Kisuke calmly nodded. ¡°Absolutely. Before I do, let¡¯s talk about an important matter. Come to my room.¡± A veil of solemnity was drawn over Yoruichi¡¯s usually yful eyes, a sight rarely seen by many. ¡°Alone.¡± Such gravity on their faces usually appeared in matters involving Aizen. ¡°Well, I gotta go.¡± Api peered up at him, her eyes slits of skepticism, mirroring the suspicion reflected in Harribel¡¯s gaze. ¡°What are you hiding from us?¡± Api harbored a sense of skepticism regarding Kazuya''s coboration with Kisuke. A gut feeling hinted at the existence of arger scheme at y, which was intricately woven around their association. Driven by her instincts, she yearned to stand by his side and help him, but she couldn¡¯t do so without knowing his troubles. ¡°The secret to immortality,¡± he whispered with a cheeky smile. ¡°Do you want in?¡± She scoffed. ¡°Liar.¡± Harribel gazed at him with the intensity of a huntress gauging her prey. ¡°You will tell us everything if you think of us as your family.¡± Withoutmunicating, she was on the same page with Api, both looking to offer him assistance. He blinked in surprise, taken aback. There was no overt threat in Harribel¡¯s words. What she had thrown at him was a masterstroke of emotional maniption. The thought of being subjected to such strategy by Harribel, of all people, was shocking, to say the least. ¡°Jeez¡­ I¡¯ll fill you in when I¡¯m done with Urahara-san.¡± Harribel showed a soft smile. ¡°Thanks.¡± Kazuya could only shake his head in response before flying in the direction of Kisuke and Yoruichi. ¡­ Momentster, all three could be seen sitting inside Kisuke Urahara¡¯s living room. His Zanpakut¨­y dormant in hisp, still releasing small waves of Reiatsu. He didn¡¯t pay it any attention, instead staring at the H¨­gyoku. The H¨­gyoku, despite its uninspiring appearance, seemed as enticing to him as a steaming bowl of Miso ramen. He felt a surge of an uncontainable urge to swallow the orb, yet his practiced discipline held his reckless impulses at bay. ¡°Don¡¯t get sucked into the swirl of temptations,¡± Kisuke said. ¡°Give it to me, Kazuya-san.¡± Kisuke''s caution, while heartfelt, seemed unnecessary. Despite his thirst for power, consuming the H¨­gyoku might transform him into an even more unknown species. His body was already a riveting puzzle without the involvement of H¨­gyoku. He exhaled a weary sigh. ¡°What kind of connection do I have to this?¡± ¡°One that¡¯s rather convoluted,¡± Kisuke responded, his tone neutral. ¡°Nothing connected to that entity will ever find aprehensive exnation. All we can find are theories.¡± Despite serving as an anchor to three realms, the Soul King once used to be the strongest entity, possessing nigh omnipotence powers. Every fragment of the Soul King¡¯s body possessed immense powers. Even H¨­gyoku¡¯s creation was made possible by Soul King¡¯s fragments. ¡°Actual facts, Urahara-san. Can I keep H¨­gyoku for a little longer?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t your objective finished?¡± Kisuke¡¯s eyes were serious, unlike his usual yfulness. The topic of H¨­gyoku had be of utmost importance after Kazuya told him about Aizen¡¯s objective. Kisuke wouldn¡¯t hesitate in bing enemies with him if it meant keeping the H¨­gyoku away from evil hands. ¡°What more could you possibly do with H¨­gyoku? Unless¡­¡± Yoruichi narrowed her eyes sharply. ¡°You know what Aizen intends to do with H¨­gyoku, and you want to achieve it first.¡± Reluctantly, he extended his arm, cing the H¨­gyoku back onto the low table. ¡°Here.¡± ¡°Good decision¡ª¡± A sudden interruption froze them all in their tracks. All eyes veered towards the egg. Crack Crack Crack A jagged line of fractures began to cleave the eggshell apart. His Zanpakut¨­ awakened at the least expected time. His breath hitched in his throat as a w ruptured the shell, revealing an entity shrouded in a maroon aura. It emerged and hovered above them. This day was brimming with revtions, not least of which was his Zanpakut¨­¡¯s true appearance. It was neither a Hollow nor an Arrancar. The being that emerged from the egg was a bird. Not just any bird, but a magnificent bird adorned with vibrant carmine and jet-ck feathers. A subtle flutter of its wings kindled dark red mes that yed across its enchanting form. Each ck feather was adorned with the merest hints of crimson at their edges, like droplets of blood. ¡®I knew it.¡¯ Somewhat close to his expectations, his Zanpakut¨­ was a ck phoenix, one that seemed oddly small and cute for its power level. The phoenix locked its obsidian eyes on Kazuya, delivering a piercing screech that echoed through the room. ¡°You''re the absolute worst, Partner!¡± Its voice was decidedly feminine. An indignant expression crossed Kazuya''s face. ¡°How dare a measly bird insult me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not insulting you. I¡¯m questioning your intelligence, you wannabe young master!¡± ¡°Are you talking to the bird?¡± Yoruichi questioned, her gaze shifting from Kazuya¡¯s yful face to the phoenix. ¡°This cute little phoenix. How can it be an Arrancar¡¯s Zanpakut¨­?¡± The phoenix swiveled towards Yoruichi with a menacing glow in her ck eyes. ¡°Do not interrupt my conversation with my partner!¡± It seemed like she had decided to address Kazuya as ¡®her partner¡¯, which made sense since they were divided from one soul. Yoruichi cocked her head curiously. ¡°Is it trying to say something?¡± Kazuya couldn''t help but chuckle at the exchange. It appeared his Zanpakut¨­ was tempestuous, a stark contrast to his own cool demeanor. However, it seemed she was only capable ofmunicating with him. He plucked her out of the air and held her gently. ¡°Urahara-san, Shih¨­in-san, can I have ten minutes with my Zanpakut¨­?¡± Urahara gave a nod of understanding as he picked up the H¨­gyoku under the watchful eyes of the phoenix. ¡°Sure. Sure. What I was about to say is less important than the well-being of your Zanpakut¨­. Yoruichi-san, let¡¯s give them space to connect to each other.¡± As a fellow wielder of a Zanpakut¨­, Kisuke found no fault in Kazuya prioritizing his bond with his Zanpakut¨­. ¡°Zanpakut¨­ spirits are a pain in the ass.¡± Yoruichi dered with a sigh, casting a lingering nce at the little phoenix before trailing after Kisuke out of the room. ¡°Later.¡± As the door slid shut behind them, the phoenix broke free of his grasp andunched herself at him. The tackle knocked him onto the floor. She perched atop his chest, her wings fluttering wildly, casting a radiant dark red fire around the room. Oddly enough, the fire danced harmlessly, burning nothing in the room. ¡°It should stop them from eavesdropping on us. Now, Partner. Let¡¯s talk.¡± Chapter 69: Visión del Diablo Chapter 69: Visi¨®n del Diablo Kazuya let out a sigh, running his hand through his silver locks. ¡°I¡¯d honestly prefer it if you were a busty chick sitting on my chest.¡± he said, the corner of his mouth pulling into a slight grin. ¡°Well, do you have a name, or should I provide one for you?¡± ¡°My name¡­ what was my name again? ...Nami? It¡¯s only a fraction of my name¡­ Just call me Nami. Not the Nami from One Piece mind you.¡± She scrutinized Kazuya¡¯s expression, finding it calmly unsurprised. ¡°You already knew, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s only logical that my Zanpakut¨­ will get ess to my memories.¡± ¡°My partner is as calcting as I¡¯d anticipated,¡± Nami mused, her praise tinged with a hint of reluctant respect. ¡°This intelligence works against you sometimes. Take, for instance, your recent incident with the Hogyoku... Your instincts were screaming at you to consume it, yet you perceived this urge as a potential trap. You suspected that the Hogyoku was tricking you¡­ or you were scared of bing an actual monster.¡± ¡°Kinda. I don¡¯t want to end up like Aizen. Harribel and others won¡¯t like it.¡± He¡¯d never cast away Harribel and the others for a surge of power, no matter how tantalizing the temptation. For a woman who¡¯d sacrifice everything for his sake, it was a negligible price to pay. ¡°Halting your natural growth for your women? You aren¡¯t cold enough, Partner. You¡ªwe missed a massive opportunity to evolve to our next stage. What¡¯s more, I burned my blood essence to awaken the H¨­gyoku. My sacrifice turned out to be meaningless.¡± The Reiatsu that was the catalyst in H¨­gyoku¡¯s awakening ¡ª it was drawn from her life essence, the crimson drops that glistened on her feathers. ¡°Rx. It¡¯s not like I can¡¯t get the H¨­gyoku again.¡± ¡°You absolutely can.¡± ¡°So, why do I feel anger from you? Like ¡®you¡¯ll throw a punch at me if you had hands¡¯ type of anger.¡± He was able to sense her emotional state, likely an effect of their deep connection. Her internal state was chaotic, a storm of conflicting emotions. ¡°Forget it.¡± She tilted her head towards the unseen ceiling, eyes closed as if she was having the inner monologue of a protagonist. ¡°It¡¯s raining outside¡­¡± ¡°Even though you¡¯re a part of me and I can sense your emotions, I can¡¯t understand you. My Zanpakut¨­ is such a mystery.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± ¡°Quit being such a tsundere.¡± Gently, he picked her up by her sides and sat up, nestling herfortably in hisp. Like soothing a child, he patted her head. ¡°There, there. Everything will be fine.¡± She stared back at him, rendered speechless by his actions. ¡°Just out of curiosity, do I get a release form now?¡± ¡°No, you don¡¯t. Not until I finish my evolution. As things stand, I¡¯m about the level of an Adjuchas. We both need to be on the same level to trigger a Resurri¨®n.¡± ¡°That¡¯s sad.¡± ¡°Sad indeed, Partner. I could¡¯ve hatched as a Vasto Lorde in a few weeks at max¡­ now, I have no idea how to evolve my form.¡± Kazuya gradually understood the root of Nami''s anger ¡ª her premature awakening had disrupted her evolution. However, he harbored no regrets about his decision not to consume the H¨­gyoku. ¡°You are like that¡­ Partner.¡± She let out a puff of fire as a sigh. ¡°I¡¯ll rest in your inner world and try to find a solution¡­ Let¡¯s forget about eating H¨­gyoku until I evolve.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± With that, she vanished from sight. But Kazuya could still sense her presence nestled deep within his being. Her existence seemed to deviate from a typical Arrancar¡¯s Zanpakut¨­, which remained as a physical object on Arrancar¡¯s body. Instead, she was more akin to a Shinigami¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, yet even they had a physical manifestation as a weapon. ¡®Mine is abnormal like always.¡¯ Every aspect of his existence appeared to diverge from the norm. His Arrancar form, the disappearance of his Hollow holes, his unique ability to manipte Reishi, and now his Zanpakut¨­, all chose to tread a different path. Concern gnawed at him regarding what his future might hold for him. Would he end up being simr to the Soul King?
[Racial Ability: Resurri¨®n (Partial Mode) unlocked.] [Current Mastery Level: Yet to learn.]
The System¡¯s notification presented a stark contrast to Nami¡¯s earlier assertion about their Resurri¨®n form being unattainable at the moment. Was Nami, his Zanpakut¨­, more knowledgeable than his System? Who was speaking the truth? Intrigued, he decided to put Nami to the test to determine if she shared his maniptive tendencies. ¡°Nami, I feel like I can use your Resurri¨®n.¡± ¡°Huh? How?¡± she asked, shock apparent in her voice. ¡°It¡¯s impossible!¡± Closing his eyes, he sought to tap into the primal instincts that knew his body better than his conscious mind. Suddenly, a surge of dark red me, akin to Nami''s own, erupted from him before disappearing. He opened his status, finding no discernable change except for a ck blindfold materializing over his eyes and a blood-red gem embedded in the center of his forehead. Interestingly, the blindfold seemed to be of a spiritual nature, as it brought no impairment to his vision. The blindfold twitched as Nami made her presence known. ¡°You did it. I remember our original ability now.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Focus, Partner. Let your eyes breathe the world around you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t talk like me!¡± With a yful retort, he focused his gaze over his surroundings. The world seemed to plunge into darkness, with only the white outlines of his room giving it form. His gaze fell on the low table before him, and suddenly a torrent of knowledge gushed into his consciousness ¡ª its physical structure,ponents, density, mass, dimensions, volume, temperature, and a multitude of other properties. Overwhelmed by the flood of information, he reeled back, eyes mped shut. ¡®This ability is gonna explode my brains.¡¯ ¡°You can analyze an object to gain an abundance of information. It should take away the weakness of your Aspect of Death: Oppression.¡± His Resurri¨®n ability allowed him to adapt in fights on the fly. It also took away his biggest gripe with the Oppression ability, which was digesting countless books. ¡°This is honestly creepy how well my wish came true. Is it an effect of H¨­gyoku?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ze over minor matters, Partner. Shouldn¡¯t we name this ability?¡± asked Nami in an upbeat voice. ¡°Something Spanish like other Hollow abilities¡­ how about Visi¨®n del Diablo (Vision of Devil)?¡± ¡°What does the devil have to do with it?¡± ¡°Who cares?! It sounds cool. That¡¯s what matters the most.¡± It seemed like his Zanpakut¨­ became fond of hobbies often associated with the ¡®edgy phase.¡¯ One of those struck with the 8th grade syndrome. ¡°Visi¨®n del Diablo is only a fraction of our power. It¡¯s not even connected to our original ability. You¡¯ll be surprised when you wield a full hundred percent.¡± ¡°Damn. What¡¯s our true ability?¡± ¡°The power of life and death. That¡¯s all I¡¯ll say for now,¡± she said cheerfully. ¡°I¡¯m canceling the release. Adi¨®s!¡± She retreated to his inner world, where she could rest without any disturbance. Sitting there in silence, he processed everything that happened for a couple of moments. ¡®No point stressing over it now. I¡¯ll see when Nami¡¯s powers fully awaken.¡¯ He called out to Nami to withdraw her barrier of mes and opened the door. Kisuke and Yoruichi, who were waiting at the end of the hallway, approached him. Yoruichi burst intoughter. ¡°Sneaky brat, you put a barrier kid¨­.¡± Kisuke gently hit her head with his paper fan. ¡°We agreed to give him privacy, Yoruichi-san. Kazuya-san, let¡¯s talk inside.¡± ¡­ Once they were seated, Kisuke unfolded his paper fan to cover his mouth. ¡°Kazuya-san, I want you to enter the Gotei 13 and be a Shinigami.¡± Kisuke dropped a bomb out of nowhere. Chapter 70: A Dangerous Mission Chapter 70: A Dangerous Mission CHAPTER 70: A Dangerous Mission The moment Kisuke¡¯s proposal escaped his lips, a nket of silence fell over the room. Yoruichi¡¯s eyes twinkled with amusement. Just as she''d predicted, Kazuya''sposure was rattled. To him, Kisuke¡¯s suggestion was nothing less than a call to step back into his own haunted past ¡ª the Gotei 13, home to his murderer, the wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing Aizen Sosuke. "What?! How could you ever think I''d say yes to that?" Kazuya responded, his surprise masterfully acted. He had a hunch about Kisuke¡¯s real n, but ying dumbfounded seemed necessary to keep things smooth. Kisuke sighed. ¡°I admit I have an amazing sense of humor but this isn¡¯t one of my pranks. Kazuya-san, if you were to pick a squad between the 4th, 8th, or 13th Squad, what would it be?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Why are you asking me?¡± ¡°In this mission, your goal would be to steadily climb ranks and grow close to one of those captains,¡± Yoruichi said as she sat up straight. ¡°Hmm, when you¡¯refortable enough, reveal the truth about Aizen. Captain Unohona, Captain Ukitake, and Captain Kyoraku are the closest to General Commander. They will do the job of convincing General Yamamoto. With your rich knowledge of the Seireitei and Aizen¡¯s ns, it won¡¯t take more than twenty years.¡± ¡®Twenty years.¡¯ The words echoed in the depths of his mind, reverberating like a gong. For Kisuke and Yoruichi, twenty years was a blink. But for him, it was almost his entire life. ¡®Their n is utterly useless.¡¯ Aizen was absurdly strong even without his Zanpakut¨­, Ky¨­ka Suigetsu. The only beings currently capable of fighting Aizen were the Royal Guards or the Sternritters. He doubted any Captain, even Yamamoto, could apprehend Aizen. Yamamoto may have a chance of killing Aizen in a battle. Then he remembered the names of Captains Kisuke recited to him. ¡®Captain Unohana¡­ Is she worth risking my life for? Absolutely!¡¯ His determination wavered as soon he recalled the elegantly psychotic captain. Yoruichi gave a knowing nod as she noticed Kazuya¡¯s gradual understanding. ¡°They won¡¯t recognize you if you be a Shinigami with your current appearance¡­ your soul form, I mean.¡± ¡°Still¡­¡± he drawled, reluctant despite the anticipation that bubbled within him at the prospect of meeting Unohana. ¡°Aizen will be there¡­ I¡¯m not confident I can fool Aizen¡­ Why not do it yourself?¡± His gaze flicked to Kisuke, questioning him to take up the challenge instead. ¡°This guy is prohibited from entering Senkaimon,¡± Yoruichi said as her gaze softened. ¡°Besides, wouldn¡¯t you feel at ease after you send Aizen to Central Great Underground Prison with your hands?¡± While Yoruichi and Kisuke didn''t harbor personal grudges, they would still relish the sight of Aizen¡¯s downfall. Yoruichi believed that Kazuya, too, should seize the opportunity to bring Aizen to justice, considering his own grim past with Aizen. ¡°I don¡¯t really care.¡± The Central 46 might already be under Aizen¡¯s hypnosis. There would be nobody to judge Aizen. Seeing Kazuya''s indecisiveness, Kisuke scratched the back of his head. ¡°Yoruichi-san, you promised to lend a helping hand if he resisted.¡± Kisuke had foreseen multiple objections from Kazuya. Who in their right mind would voluntarily risk their life for a couple of Gigai? Yoruichi was his secret weapon in swaying Kazuya¡¯s decision. ¡°I know,zy bum,¡± Yoruichi retorted, yfully pawing at his waist. ¡°Kazuya, I¡¯ll be there with you. If things ever go wrong, I swore I¡¯ll get you out of there. sh Goddess Yoruichi wouldn¡¯t let anyoney a finger on you.¡± Kazuya couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle at the contrast between her solemn promise, her deeply masculine voice, and her adorably feline form. ¡°I¡¯d get a little more confidence if this oath didn¡¯te from a cat.¡± Exploring the Seireitei with Yoruichi on his side ¡ª it was more than enoughpensation from Kisuke. Yoruich burst intoughter. ¡°I love this form. It provides an abundance of freedom. I don¡¯t even need to wear clothes!¡± ¡°Freedom is priceless,¡± he replied thoughtfully. ¡°I wouldn''t have met my end if I''d fought for my freedom¡­ but then, I wouldn¡¯t have crossed paths with those wonderful women without dying. My death was a new beginning.¡± Kisukezily swished his paper fan. ¡°How admirable of you to view your death in such a positive light.¡± ¡°He truly cherishes them,¡± Yoruichi chimed in. ¡°You should have seen his face when he saw Sung-Sun wounded. He took down an Adjuchas Arrancar with a single punch. His head went st just like a ripe watermelon.¡± His rage alone had dissolved any suspicions Yoruichi harbored about his intentions. Someone who cherished hispanions so deeply couldn¡¯t truly have an evil heart. ¡°So,¡± Kisuke said, lifting his head to lock eyes with Kazuya, his gaze unwaveringly sincere. ¡°Will you help us banished fools?¡± ¡°Say it,d. Say that you want to take down evil with your hands!¡± Under their hopeful gazes, he nodded in affirmation. ¡°I will. But, I have four conditions.¡± Kisuke leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. "Go on," he urged, his tone light but eyes sharp, not missing a single detail. ¡°I need some time before I leave,¡± Kazuya said, his gaze steady and resolute. ¡°Like a month.¡± He needed time to spend time with his family as well as get used to his Resurri¨®n. Kisuke nodded, giving a casual wave of his hand. ¡°No problem.¡± ¡°Yoruichi-san will not intervene if I feel like spending time with mypanions here. What I am saying is, I can leave Soul Society at any moment.¡± ¡°That''s a very specific one,¡± Yoruichi chuckled, the amusement clear in her eyes. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll humor this condition and let you fuck your women at any time.¡± ¡°Keep your head out of the gutter, Shih¨­in-san,¡± Kazuya continued with a calm expression. ¡°Next condition. I¡¯ll abandon my mission if any of mypanions are in danger.¡± ¡°Forget about this condition. They are safe here.¡± ¡°They won¡¯t stay here forever, and I don¡¯t like to restrict anyone¡¯s freedom.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Kisuke hummed, running his hand through his hair in thought. ¡°I¡¯ll be a heartless man if I deny this condition. Anything else?¡± Kazuya shook his head, the slightest of smiles ying on his lips. ¡°That¡¯s all. Yoruichi-san, my memory of Seireitei¡¯s customs is hazy. Refresh my memory on some thingster.¡± Understanding the survival-driven focus of Hollows¡¯ lives, she didn¡¯t me him for forgetting unnecessary details from his previous life. ¡°Sure thing.¡± And just like that, a pact was established ¡ª the most unsessful n to expose Aizen and a whimsical n to seduce the Captain of the 4th Squad, Yachiru Unohana. {Partner, you''re such a devil. It¡¯s a delight to see you y your games,} Nami¡¯s excited voice echoed in his mind, as she found amusement from observing the unfolding drama. {How will you be a Shinigami, though?} She reminded him of the primary challenge tied to Kisuke¡¯s proposal. More importantly, how did Kisuke expect him to have the power to be a Shinigami? Chapter 71: A Loophole Chapter 71: A Loophole ¡°Hold on,¡± Kazuya called out, halting Kisuke and Yoruichi just as they were about to exit the room. ¡°We overlooked something. I''m a Hollow, a Quincy. How on earth am I supposed to transform into a Shinigami?¡± He hadn¡¯t tested the power to revert to his Soul form. How did Kisuke expect him to be a Shinigami? Kisuke turned around and brandished his wooden cane. ¡°Kazuya-san, could you shift into your Quincy form? I¡¯ll demonstrate a simple way to turn you into a Shinigami.¡± ¡°But, that won''t work,¡± he protested, his skepticism peeking through. When detached from physical body in his Quincy form, he¡¯d retain his Quincy abilities. Could he develop Shinigami skills in that state? He was doubtful. ¡°Normally, Hollows are toxic to a Quincy, but your Hollow part ispletely distinct from your Quincy part. I¡¯m certain that you, as a Quincy Soul, can master Shinigami arts like Kid¨­ and Zanpakut¨­. I¡¯m betting on it, my friend.¡± Kisuke was a firm believer in the theory that Kazuya¡¯s powers came from a Soul King fragment. The miraculous abilities of the Soul King¡¯s fragment gave him the faith that Kazuya could pull off another nigh impossible feat ¡ª acquiring the powers of both Shinigami and Quincy in one form. After all, Visored and Arrancars could wield powers of two races. There was nothing stopping a Quincy from manifesting their own Zanpakut¨­. Kazuya reflected on the implications of bing a Shinigami through Kisuke¡¯s method. He would bypass the process of reverting his race to Soul through the System. More importantly, he would be able to ess the powers of both Shinigami and Quincy at the same time ¡ª partially achieving his goal of fusing the abilities of Hollow, Shinigami, and Quincy. ¡°And how will you stop my Soul from degrading into a Hollow?¡± When a human soul disconnects from their body, they gain a Chain of Fate. The Chain of Fate slowly corrodes over time, and at the end, the soul turns into a Hollow. Nobody knew if he was immune to this effect in his Human form. ¡°Remember the Arrancar you killed in your visit to Hueco Mundo? Baraggan, the King of Hueco Mundo,¡± Kisuke said with a mischievous wink. ¡°Stop thinking of yourself as an ordinary being ¡ª you¡¯re the King of Hollows now.¡± ¡°The King of Hollows,¡± Yoruichi said with a gleaming gaze. ¡°Damn. We¡¯re in the presence of His Majesty. Too bad we don¡¯t give an F about status here.¡± ¡°Neither do I.¡± He shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m still not convinced about leaving my body here for that long of a mission.¡± Kisuke waved his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Your body will be researched¡ªpreserved by yours truly.¡± Kazuya assumed a cold expression. ¡°You said RESEARCH just now.¡± ¡°My my. Don¡¯t sweat over the little things. I don¡¯t perform non-consensual experiments¡­ apart from some exceptions.¡± Kisuke sized him from top to bottom. ¡°Perhaps you¡¯re worth making one.¡± Yoruichi giggled. ¡°Rx, he is messing around. We can leave your body with yourpanions.¡± The proposition awakened images in Kazuya¡¯s mind ¡ª a vision of Harribel cuddling with him, her tender voice whispering words of maternal affection, and her hand gently brushing his hair. He could easily envision Api hugging him when nobody was around, sharing her problems with him in hushed whispers, and confessing how much she missed him. ¡®What will M Rose do?¡¯ {Use you as a punching bag. Sung-Sun will use you as a dildo.} Kazuya shivered at the thought and quickly transformed into his Quincy form. The red gem embedded in his forehead dissolved as he turned into his least shy form. ¡°Urahara-san.¡± Kisuke pointed his cane at Kazuya, the bottom part inscribed with an intricate emblem ¡ª a skull encased in blue mes. This was Gokon Tekk¨­, a device known for forcibly separating the soul from the body, incorporated directly into Kisuke''s cane. ¡°Very well, then.¡± The world shifted as he found himself pushed out of his body. His physical form slumped lifelessly to the floor. He summoned his status, his eyes flitting through the rows of texts hastily.
[General Information] Name ¡ª Kazuya Ishihara Gender ¡ª Male Race ¡ª Soul Reiryoku Level ¡ª Great Level (Captain-ss Plus) Alignment ¡ª Neutral Evil Affiliation ¡ª Unnamed Faction ¡­
Racial Abilities [Reishi Maniption: Spirit particle maniption. Mastery Level - Intermediate] [Hirenkyaku: Spirit movement technique Mastery Level - Intermediate]
Innate Abilities [Silvery Voice: Your voice can influence people¡¯s state of mind. The ability works best in persuading or seducing someone.] [Crumbling Heart (Human): You can walk unhindered upon any surface.] [Crumbling Heart (Soul): You are unaffected by the corrosion of time.] [High-Speed Regeneration: Your wounds regenerate automatically. The time required depends on the severity of wounds.]
Acquired Abilities [Seduction: The ability to seduce those of the opposite gender. Mastery level - Intermediate] [Riding: The ability to ride a mount. Mastery level - Intermediate] [Arithmetic: The ability to process arithmetic problems. Mastery level - Intermediate] [Provocation: The ability to anger people with your tongue. Mastery level - Intermediate]
[Equipment] Spirit Clothes
His System acknowledged him as a mere Soul, ignoring his racial abilities like Reishi Maniption and Hirenkyaku. The System¡¯s assessment of him as a Quincy Soul was due to the fact that he hadn¡¯t unlocked the Quincy Race. It also refused to identify him as a Soul (Human) for some odd reasons. ¡®Kisuke is right.¡¯ He could gain Shinigami abilities while retaining the Reishi Maniption and Hirenkyaku, at least in theory. Kisuke had perhaps helped him find a loophole in the System ¡ª letting him be a Shinigami/Quincy hybrid until the Quincy race unlocked in his System. The decision to unlock it solely relied upon him. ¡®This is nuts.¡¯ {Shinigami are ordinary souls who have learned some shy demon arts and the power of Zanpakut¨­. Do you know where ¨­etsu Nimaiya, the Creator of Zanpakut¨­, got his inspiration?} ¡®I don¡¯t know. Hollows probably.¡¯ He threw out a wild guess. {Yes. Hollows predate all the races. Even the Soul King was born in opposition to the first Menos. Hollows directly manifest their Inner Heart ¡ª the core of their soul ¡ª and the Shinigami took a safer approach by imprinting their Inner Heart on a nk soul. Those nk souls were named Asauchi, the coreponent of a Shinigami¡¯s Zanpakut¨­.} ¡®Where did this knowledgee from?¡¯ Even he, a bleach fanboy, didn¡¯t know as much as Nami. {From the Hueco Mundo¡¯s soil, which gave birth to you. You and I are the amalgamation of hundreds and thousands of dead Menos, which also includes the Original Hollows.} He was unfazed by the revtion. His origin didn¡¯t mean anything to him. ¡®Original Hollows? As in the primordial Hollows?¡¯ {Yeah, Ulquiorra is one of those. They used to terrorize the world until the Soul King killed them. You have, of course, diluted powers while Ulquiorra is a pure Original Hollow born in the depths of the pit of Original Hollows¡¯ ashes.} ¡®Did you just call me bootleg Ulquiorra?¡¯ {It doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯ll grow far stronger than his peak form.} ¡®Oh. Let¡¯s talk about the Crumbling Heart (Soul). Does it make me immortal?¡¯ Right now he had two versions of Crumbling Heart enabled in his Soul form. The new ability would have been a massive help in fighting Baraggan¡¯s Senescence. s, he awakened it toote. {Wee to eternal life, Partner. You won¡¯t die of old age¡­ ever.} He tried not to think about the severe implications of his immortality, like being the only one alive among his family at some point in his life. {Every good thinges at cost. Like, delicious meat needs the sacrifice of a life, the conception of a new lifees at the cost of countless unborn¡¯s death.} ¡®Okay, stop. Don¡¯t make me think about that stuff.¡¯ {Let¡¯s talk about something positive, Partner¡­ you¡¯re one step closer to achieving the perfect vessel. If you find a full-powered H¨­gyoku, like the one Aizen merged with, we''ll be able to merge all of your forms and enhance all of your abilities to the next level. You¡¯ll be unstoppable.} The prospect was alluring but it involved dealing with Aizen, which was easier said than done. {Partner, new goal ¡ª scam the H¨­gyoku out of Aizen and merge it with Kisuke¡¯s H¨­gyoku!} Kazuya couldn¡¯t help but smirk at his Zanpakut¨­''s audacity. She was speaking as if Aizen was just a gullible child who would fall for the cheap tricks. ¡°Kazuya-san, don¡¯t smirk.¡± Kisuke''s voice pulled him out of his deep musings, a hint of concern seeping into his usually lighthearted tone. ¡°You were lost somewhere.¡± ¡°I was having an interesting conversation with my Zanpakut¨­ Spirit.¡± ¡°Your Zanpakut¨­ Spirit stays inside your Inner World even when you transform.¡± Kisuke stroked his stubble, a thoughtful expression on his face as he contemted the uniqueplexity of Kazuya¡¯s soul. ¡°That aside, my ims were true. You don¡¯t have a Chain of Fate. You look like a natural Soul born in the Soul Society.¡± Kazuya stretched his body. ¡°I guess you were correct.¡± ¡°Turning doubters into believers is my special ability.¡± Yoruichi snarled. ¡°This idiot is such a narcissist.¡± Kazuya chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll call it a day now. You¡¯re the reason I can¡¯t go on a date today.¡± ¡°You horny brat,¡± Yoruichi said with a giggle. ¡°Don¡¯t get discovered by the Vice Captain patrolling the town.¡± ¡°Roger, Mom. Oh, sorry. My tongue slipped.¡± Yoruichi sharply red at him. ¡°I know what you¡¯re up to, brat.¡± Kazuya assumed a clueless expression. ¡°What are you talking about? I should return to my friends.¡± He had to inform thedies about his Zanpakut¨­, especially Harribel, who loved the egg like her child. He was prepared for her to snap out. {Just call her Mommy. She will calm down.} ''Get out of my head!'' {Hihihahaha.} Chapter 72: Constant Flow Chapter 72: Constant Flow As Kazuya walked back to hisrades, his gaze swept over Ciri and M Rose, who had abandoned their sparring session. The group had assembled together, radiating a familial bond that reminded him of a gathering around a bonfire. Sung-Sun and Api were bundled together, sharing the plush softness of arge towel, their bodies close enough to feel each other''s warmth. The outward warmth evaporated as soon as he heard Sung-Sun teasing Api. Harribel''s aqua green eyes widened in shock as Kazuya returned empty-handed. She''d sensed the abrupt disappearance of the egg''s Reiatsu earlier. Her sharp gaze drifted to the radiant red gem glinting in his forehead, discovering the fate of the egg without any exnation. The corners of M Rose''s mouth turned upwards into a sly grin. "Did you finally see your child, Mom?" He revealed a bright smile. "The egg hatched while I was in Kisuke''s room. Congrattions, M¡­ you''re finally a dad." A scowl instantly marred M Rose''s previously triumphant expression. "Enough with those jokes! What emerged from the egg?" The group leaned in, their bodies taut with anticipation, their eyes shining with curiosity. Even Ciri was drawn in, captivated by the enigma of his one-of-a-kind Zanpakut¨­. Rubbing the back of his head in an endearing, casual gesture, he shrugged. "A bird." The revtion led to a collective sigh, their previous excitement deting like a punctured balloon. "It should''ve been a chicken," M Rosemented, disappointment clear on her face. "What a missed opportunity to tease you." Harribel exhaled a sigh. "I''m d it happened safely." Despite the unexpected turn of events, her primary worry had always been for Kazuya. As long as he was unscathed, any oue was eptable. Besides, she was delighted with his powerup. "Api, Sung-Sun, it''s already dark out there. I''m gonna grab some sleeping clothes for you." Kisuke and Nami had consumed much of his evening. He saw this as an opportunity to n for a whole day''s date tomorrow ¡ª a strategic move to soften their defenses before he revealed his intention to depart for Seireiteiter this month. Sung-Sun narrowed her eyes into suspicious slits. "You promised to take us shopping. I won''t let you wiggle out of it." "Yeah," M Rose chimed in for Sung-Sun''s support. "I''m tired of wearing your shirt. Gimme new clothes!" A quick rification calmed their discontent and dispelled the misunderstanding. M Rose broke into a broad grin, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "A full day dedicated to us. Skull, you''re kinda reliable." "Of course. You all are my sweethearts." He turned to the only one who couldn''t apany him tomorrow due to her striking wings. "Ciri, I''ll talk to Kisuke about your Zanpakut¨­. He''ll find a solution." He''d refuse Kisuke''s mission if the shopkeeper turned down his request. The mission gave him a massive leverage. {You can repair her soul yourself.} ''How?'' {Once I evolve to give you a full Resurri¨®n.} ''Can we speed up the process by getting you Hollows to eat?'' {Yuck. I''m not interested in their disgusting souls. Bring me a source of pure and untainted energy¡­ like the Heart of a Virgin Maiden.} ''...'' {I''m kidding. I don''t know how we can speed up the process.} Ciri cast her gaze downwards, avoiding eye contact. "You don''t have to¡ª" M Rose ced a hand over Ciri''s mouth. "She got hit in the head earlier, making her speak the opposite of her true intentions. She is saying she''ll be happy if you do that for her!" Only M Rose could spin such outrageous lies with unwavering conviction. Ciri''s purple eyes shot daggers at M Rose as she bit down on her hand. "What is wrong with you?" "What is right with me, you mean?" M Roseughed heartily as she crossed her arms. "Everything. I''m perfect." "Only your figure is perfect," he corrected her. "Rest is a work in progress." Sung-Sun giggled softly. "Ara, who gave you the permission to roast my Rose? Only I have the right to call her dumb, stupid, idiot, knucklehead, airhead bimbo, a lost cause, a piece of¡ª" A swift throw from M Rose saw her sword sailing through the air, the de passing perfectly through the towel shared between Sung-Sun and Api. "You''re getting on my nerves, Snake." "Ufufu." Api wrapped the towel around her body, so only her head and neck were visible. "Can they ever stop fighting?" Harribel shook her head. "Probably not." ¡­ The next morning, Kazuya stirred awake to an unusual weight on his chest. It was an unexpected sensation given thefortable futons Kisuke had provided for them. M Rose was sprawled at his side, one arm flung across his face, a heavy leg resting on him. Sung-Sun was using his arm as a pillow, while Api, in a far morepromising position, had her hands resting on his belt and her headfortably nestled on his lower abdomen. Waking up surrounded by hisrades was amon urrence back in Hueco Mundo, but less expected after they had be Arrancars. ''The more things change, the more they stay the same.'' {Will you impregnate these women?'' ''Childbirth is a natural process of life. Though, I have to make our rtionship official first.'' Sung-Sun''s feelings for him were clear, he expected no rejection from her. Api would likely remain bashful until he presented her with a sincere confession. Harribel remained an oddball, her thoughts and intentions as mysterious as the first day he met her. On one hand, she saw him as her child; on the other hand, she trusted him as their leader, relying on him to protect herpanions. He couldn''t figure her out. As for M Rose, she was whimsical yet serious about rtionships. It would take time for her to trust, but once she did, she''dy down her life for him. {Does she look like someone who doesn''t trust you?} His eyes slid over to M Rose once more. His shirt barely draped over her, revealing tantalizing glimpses of her figure. The half-dressed state was more provocative than nudity, as it left much to his imagination. With a sharp inhale, he forced his gaze away before his lower half reacted and disrupted Api''s sleep. ''She is kind of an airhead.'' ¡­ Several hourster. Within the stately confines of the Ishida Mansion, Kazuya, Izumi, and Lisa sat around the dining table, engaged in a quiet breakfast. "Onee-chan, can I borrow some cash?" Izumi tilted her head, strands of ck hair covering her face. "Sure. How much do you need?" He leaned closer to Lisa, the subtle scent of her perfume tickling his senses. "Maid-chan, how much do I need to buy clothes for my friends? I also have ns to take them around the town." Lisa''s eyes narrowed at him. His audacity to ask her for advice after rejecting her date ¡ª a date he proposed initially ¡ª instigated a sudden urge to smack him. "Around fifty thousand Yen." Kazuya''s eyebrows raised in surprise. Fifty thousand Yen wouldn''t even cover a person''s rent in his time. But he reminded himself, this was 1950. Prices were different. "Fifty thousand Yen?" Izumi''s voice was soft, her smile tender. "Alright. I''ll have it withdrawn right away." Her willingness, almost eagerness to fulfill his request made him ufortable. It felt like he was taking advantage of her generosity. As Izumi excused herself to order her servants to withdraw the cash, Kazuya turned to Lisa. "Are you still upset about the date?" She rolled her eyes. "No." "You definitely are. How about we go out tomorrow?" He casually asked her for a date. Judging by the bright look in her eyes, she appreciated the proposal. She cleared her throat. "I''m busy tomorrow." "Too bad then." With those words, he pushed his chair back and left the room. Lisa was left behind, dumbfounded. She had been ying ''hard to get'', expecting him to insist a little. For all his faults, he was a ten out of ten for his appearance ¡ª a good candidate for her first date. But he epted her words at face value, leaving her embarrassed and a little frustrated. ''I fucked up¡­ but it works everytime in romance novels.'' CHAPTER 73: Incentive CHAPTER 73: Incentive Kaien had a soft spot for Ohagi, a ssic delicacy of rice cakes filled with red bean paste. He, of course, couldn¡¯t return to the Soul Society just for his cravings. Instead, he slipped into his Gigai and embarked on a quest for his desired treat in the bustling marketce of Karakura Town. Guided by the tendrils of fragrant scents wafting in the air, he quickly found a little restaurant serving his favorite food seemingly more delicious than the ones he ate in the Seireitei. ¡®The Living World is so resourceful.¡¯ As he indulged in his favorite snack, a group of women roaming the market streets caught his attention. Like a vibrant ssh of color on a monochromatic canvas, they drew in countless gazes. A blonde, olive-skinned woman in a royal outfit. Her regal expression made her seem like a queen of some country. Next was a woman with dark, honeyed skin and tumbling brown waves cascading from beneath a white cowboy hat. Her outfit consisted of a white top, paired with brown pants and a sweeping white cape. Spoiler [copse] Then there was a woman with striking heterochromatic eyes, a stylish white fedora sitting atop her head. She wore ck pants and a white top with bold red sleeves. Spoiler She came off a little too mature but I really like this look [copse] Andstly, an elegant figure adorned in a traditional kimono, her olive-green hair arranged with artistic precision, adorned with a white clip and delicate flowers. A paper umbre protected her porcin skin from the harsh rays of the sun. She exuded an air of nobility reminiscent of the prestigious Five Noble Families in the Seireitei¡ªactually four since the Shiba n hardly put effort in their appearance. Most members of the Shiba n hardly acted like nobility. Spoiler [copse] All of them seemed to be of different ethnicities, yet they had one thing inmon ¡ª they were all just as attractive as the man they followed. ¡®Kazuya? Yeah, it¡¯s him.¡¯ Kaien caught sight of the shopping bags cradled in Kazuya¡¯s grasp and let out an empathetic sigh. The mere thought of shopping was a tedious ordeal for him. Escorting not one but four women on shopping was akin to a death sentence for him. He was grateful that his wife wasn¡¯t demanding. ¡®Their Reiatsu is strange. Are they also Quincy like Kazuya?¡¯ Kazuya¡¯s gaze fleetingly met Kaien''s, and in response, Kaien lifted his hand in a casual wave. But Kazuya quickly diverted his attention, returning to converse with the woman d in the green kimono. ¡®Is he ignoring me on purpose? It¡¯s not like I¡¯ll steal your women.¡¯ Shaking his head, Kaien concluded it might be time to head back and conclude his investigation on the Arrancar case. ¡­ {How does it feel to ignore a good friend?} Kazuya chose to remain silent in response to Nami¡¯s probing question, instead fixing his gaze on the orange horizon above him. The day had been a whirlwind of shared experiences, ones he wouldn¡¯t have found as fulfilling if he was alone. Shopping had been the most time-consuming endeavor, with Sung-Sun showcasing a pickiness for fashion that perfectly mirrored her sassy, princess-like demeanor. Api¡¯s favorite activity came after shopping ¡ª having Sushi at one of the finest restaurants in Naruki City. Harribel derived the most joy from the simplest of activities ¡ª a serene walk through a renowned garden, while M Rose enjoyed breaking arcade machines and raging at the rigged crane games. The experiences didn¡¯t align with the Japan of the 1950s that he was familiar with, a country still in recovery from the aftermath of the Second World War. Karakura Town and Naruki City felt more like vibrant metropolises beyond their time. His experience wasn¡¯t actually that different from his date with Yumi in 2022. One thing was certain: M Rose, Api, and Sung-Sun had a st. Harribel, always one to find happiness in the joy of others, seemed content to just be in theirpany. {It¡¯s the fictional world of Bleach. Your logic won¡¯t apply here.} ¡®Fair enough,¡¯ he replied, shaking his head before turning his attention back to the group. ¡°Hop on.¡± M Rose urged. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± The evening had drawn them to their final stop, the city¡¯s Amusement Park and its towering Ferris wheel ¡ª a spectacle that had piqued Sung-Sun''s curiosity. Kazuya boarded the cabin before Sung-Sun and M Rose took his opposite seats. Typically designed for couples, the cabin didn¡¯t have enough space for all five of them. However, Harribel had insisted that everyone share the same cabin, an indication of their growing bonds. He handed the bags to M Rose and Sung-Sun and beckoned Api. ¡°Come on, Deer.¡± With a groan, Api settled into hisp, her arms curling around his neck. Her pose was a sitting rendition of the princess'' carry. Her cheeks bloomed a deep shade of pink as she avoided his gaze. ¡°Why do I have to do this?¡± Sung-Sun shot her a cold re. ¡°Quitining. My kimono is the only reason you¡¯re getting this chance.¡± ¡°No more fighting,¡± Harribel said as she entered the cabin and sat by his side. ¡°Kazuya, I don¡¯t want to ruin the good mood¡­ but you need to reveal the reason for your rtionship with Kisuke Urahara.¡± She revealed her true intention behind squeezing everyone into the same cabin. It offered great privacy away from onlookers. ¡°Yes,¡± Api agreed from hisp and tightened her grip around his neck. ¡°I won¡¯t get off until you tell us.¡± He hadn¡¯t anticipated Harribel to bring this up after a day filled with such memorable experiences. It was apparent that the question had been gnawing at her since yesterday. ¡°I promised to tell you. So, here it goes¡­¡± ¡­ A look of shock spread across all four faces as they dealt with the reality of him being a Shinigami. He had initially used the lie to take advantage of Kisuke. Now, he had to maintain this lie, or the situation would be moreplicated. {You used to be a Shinigami?!} ¡®Nami, I¡¯m not in the mood.¡¯ {Hmph. Lies requiremitment. You have to live with the veil of dishonesty you crafted with your hands.} ¡®Nami.¡¯ {Fine¡­ I¡¯ll shut up.} Harribel¡¯s hand found its way onto his shoulder, her touch gentle yet firm. ¡°Kazuya, when did this...memory resurface?¡± ¡°A couple of days after I joined your group.¡± She heaved a sigh of relief before smiling. ¡°You should have told us earlier.¡± Sung-Sun¡¯s lips formed an amused smile, her eyes glinting sadistically. She never thought she¡¯d see an anxious expression on his face. ¡°Kazuya was anxious about our reactions. How utterly adorable.¡± M Rose nudged her. ¡°He had the same face when you were almost dead.¡± ¡°Really? That makes me so happy.¡± Their half-hearted reactions took a weight off of his chest. ¡°Of course I¡¯m worried. As cheesy as it sounds, you all are my only family in this world.¡± ¡°And you are mine,¡± Api said with a strong determination in her voice. ¡°F-Family. I didn¡¯t mean to say it like that.¡± ¡°Haha, you¡¯re so cute.¡± He kissed her cheeks and turned his gaze over to Harribel. ¡°Am I forgiven for hiding the truth?¡± Harribel nodded. ¡°There is nothing else you could¡¯ve done in that situation.¡± ¡°True,¡± M Rose interjected. ¡°What will you do now?¡± ¡°I n to return to the Soul Society as a Shinigami.¡± His sudden confession dropped the air by over ten degrees. Harribel stared at him as if she didn¡¯t expect him toe out with these words. A genuine look of shock stered across Api¡¯s face. ¡°What? You want to leave us¡ª¡± His arms encircled her waist in reassurance. ¡°Rx, my dear deer. It¡¯s just a temporary leave to solve some issues over there. I¡¯ll finish the work and return to everyone¡­ Harribel, stop before you release your Reiatsu.¡± He, of course, had the opportunity to leave everything and relocate to another city with his women. But he had promised to live his life to the fullest without regrets. Visiting the Soul Society had always been a desire. {Nah, dude. You just want to fuck some Shinigami pussies.} ¡®Shush.¡¯ Harribel sighed. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous¡­ Let¡¯s go to Hueco Mundo. Kisuke can¡¯t force you if you leave now.¡± She was an honorable woman but his safety was above everything. This mission was different from the Living World. The Soul Society was a world filled with Shinigami ¡ª the people responsible for purifying Hollows. She wouldn¡¯t be able to rush to his aid if anything happened to him there. The separation of four days filled her with haunting thoughts. There was no way she¡¯d be able to live without him for a year or more. He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her overly protective demeanor. ¡°You¡¯re acting like my Mommy again. I appreciate the sentiments but let me go through this. I won¡¯t get hurt.¡± His light teasing was enough to banish her worries momentarily, and a blush crept onto Harribel''s face. ¡°Hah. Worrying about someone doesn''t make me their mother. Sung-Sun, tell this misguided kid.¡± Sung-Sun thought for a moment, her finger tapping her chin. ¡°In this context, Harribel, you¡¯re actually acting like his mother. He is a grown-up man. Let him make his own decisions.¡± It seemed Harribel had chosen the wrong person to back her up, the realization causing her to reassess her stance. He ced a hand on her thigh. ¡°Don¡¯t let fear and worries dictate your life.¡± ¡°Hm. Hm.¡± M Rose nodded. ¡°It¡¯s Skull we¡¯re talking about. He took down Baraggan on his own. I doubt any Shinigami can kill him with his god-like regeneration.¡± ¡°True.¡± He concurred with M Rose¡¯s opinion, even though he was fully aware there were many Shinigami who could pose a significant threat to him. ¡°I promise I won¡¯t let anything kill me before I make at least one baby with all four of you.¡± He stated his end goal with a serious look in his eyes. He won¡¯t let anyone interfere between him and them. {This possessiveness,} Nami¡¯s voice echoed in his mind. {You¡¯re starting to sound like a yandere.} ¡®I AM a yandere.¡¯ {Shudder.} Harribel patted her belly, pondering his words. She had expected these words toe out of his mouth sooner orter. After all, he had shown a passion for her time and again. Her maternal instinct overpowered her romantic feelings, which were once again overpowered by another desire ¡ª the desire to have a child of her own. She couldn¡¯t imagine having a child with anyone other than him. Her heart was a mess of conflicting desires. Api pinched his neck. ¡°Why do you want all four of us? Aren¡¯t you asking for too much?¡± A knowing smile danced on his lips as though he¡¯d been expecting this question. ¡°Most men would consider themselves lucky to have just one of you... but I don¡¯t want to settle with just one and live with regrets. I want all of you, so close that I can kiss and hug you anytime. I guess I¡¯m a greedy man.¡± The four of them were left speechless. ¡°Ara¡­¡± Sung-Sun eventually muttered, clearly at a loss for words. ¡°How bold of you. Guess it can¡¯t be helped then¡­¡± ¡°Hollows together strong,¡± Api mumbled. ¡°Big family unkible.¡± Her words were incoherent, like she was under the influence of overwhelming happiness and couldn''t think straight. He looked at M Rose. ¡°So?¡± ¡°Stop pressuring me into agreeing like this!¡± M Rose retorted, clearly flustered. ¡°Alright, I''ll consider the idea of taking you as a mate, but only if you make it back alive.¡± Harribel¡¯s eyes widened in realization. ¡°My answer is the same as M Rose.¡± If she couldn¡¯t stop him from leaving, she could incentivize him to return. A suitable incentive for the man who would risk everything for her family. He hugged Api with more force. ¡°Even God can¡¯t kill me now. Let¡¯s celebrate this moment with something special.¡± Curiosity sparked in M Rose¡¯s eyes. ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± He grinned. ¡°A buffet. You¡¯ll be my desert.¡± Chapter 74-76: First Conquest (R-18) Chapter 74-76: First Conquest (R-18) Anxious eyes darted around the modest yet tastefully furnished bedroom. There, at the room¡¯s heart,y a plush bed adorned with two crisp pillows. Alongside, a modest table hosted a flower pot, lending a touch of life to the room. On the wall hung a clock, its steady tick-tock resonating with her throbbing heart. She perched on the edge of the bed, her senses prickling as a quiet murmur began to intrude upon the calm. The sound rose gradually, from distant, muffled impacts to the unmistakable patter of footsteps. The door creaked open. The man for whom she had been waiting stepped in, a towel hanging from his neck, his white hair dripping with water. He had emerged from the bath in just a pair of underwear, while she remained fully clothed, save for the white fedora concealing her horn. ¡°Still anxious?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± she whispered, her trembling voice betraying her im. ¡°I ain¡¯t anxious.¡± He leaned against the door, shutting it with a drawn-out creak. As he settled onto the bed, a flicker of desire sparked in his eyes. Two months had passed since he started his new life, since hest engaged in any sexual activity. Two months of living with a sexy woman like Harribel, two agonizing months of sexual frustration to be unleashed on the beautiful tomboy. {Poor girl is gonna break.} ¡°Stop staring at me,¡± she said, a nervous flutter tugging at her heart. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°ying the ignorant fool, are we?¡± ¡°I am not!¡± she retorted. ¡°We¡¯ve been with everyone all day¡­ Why are we here alone now?¡± It puzzled her that he had sent everyone else home yet brought her here. She had some inkling of his intentions but was apprehensive about acknowledging them. ¡°Who said we¡¯re sleeping?¡± She swallowed hard, her thoughts racing. ¡°W-What else are we supposed to do on a bed?¡± ¡°You silly little goose,¡± he trailed his whisper as he drew closer and kissed her cheeks. ¡°Remember our promise? I¡¯ll let you ride me when you be an Arrancar. Time to fulfill that promise.¡± Lifting her gaze, her heterochromatic eyes locked onto his blue ones. ¡°Get on all fours then. I¡¯ll ride you as my mount!¡± ¡°...¡± She pushed his chest. ¡°Come on!¡± He caught her hand and used his grip to pull her into his embrace. His lips sought hers, and he kissed her slowly, almost tantalizingly. A sudden electric thrill darted up her spine, her heart fluttering from the hormonal surge unleashed by her first kiss. The engagement of lips set her heart on fire. He broke away from the kiss, a yful grin adorning his face. ¡°I¡¯ll have to educate you about the ride I promised.¡± She sighed and nestled into his chest. His scent brought her a flood of nostalgic memories. From discovering him in the wastnds of Hueco Mundo to sharing an intimate kiss in this quiet room, they had strayed far from their days as wanderers. Her affection for him had deepened gradually. Perhaps it was because he had dragged her out of a pathetic cycle of survival and mere existence, or perhaps he had given her the confidence and courage to reach new heights. He was the reason she could proudly im to be near the food chain in the Hollow Kingdom. He was her first true friend, and possibly, her first mate. Part of her wished they were still alone, while another part felt grateful for having found endearingpanions in Harribel, M Rose, Sung-Sun, and even Ciri. Feeling nostalgic, she rubbed her face against his chest. ¡°Are we doing it here?¡± He was gentle as he let his hands roam over her soft curves, holding her tightly against his own hard body. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll make you my mate tonight.¡± She wrapped her arms around him. ¡°Don¡¯t give me babies¡­ I want to be a Vasto Lorde before any baby shenanigans.¡± He expected nothing less from her. Her obsession with achieving Vasto Lorde ss dominated her priorities unless he was involved. ¡°No worries. I¡¯ll be careful.¡± With her explicit consent, he drew her into his arms,ying her down gently so her head nestledfortably against the plush pillow. He hovered over her and showered her cheeks and lips with light, teasing kisses¡ªa game of yful seduction for him that left her aching for more. The teasing was fun for him, but for her, it was torture. ¡°Jerk!¡± Her hands found his shoulders and yanked him closer. Their lips met in a searing kiss. This time, he took the lead in showing her the true experience of kissing. She awkwardly opened her mouth in response to his probing. The innocent deer tried her best to keep up with him in their sloppy exchange of saliva. Her novice exploration grew into a tantalizing dance of passion. ¡°Change into your Hollow form,¡± she murmured, her voice a hushed whisper, as she draped her arms around his neck. ¡°Do it for me¡­¡± ¡°Sure.¡± No sooner had the words left his lips than horns sprouted from his head, and a crimson gem appeared on his forehead. Folding his wings, he nestled his face in her neck, his lips grazing her skin with kisses that made her squirm beneath him. His hands roamed around her voluptuous body, pausing to undo buttons of her shirt, each loosened button unveiling more of her seductive tits to his hungry gaze. "Ah..." she moaned softly, biting her lip as a wave of anticipation washed over her. ¡°Something is happening to me¡­¡± His hands traced the contours of her bra, the fabric tearing away under his eager touch. Her glorious tits sprang free with a jiggle that awakened the beast inside him. He hungrily cupped her mound and pushed them against each other. ¡°Ahn~, the way you¡¯re sucking on my tits is¡­ it¡¯s intense and lewd.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just the tip of the iceberg.¡± He buried his face in between her squeezed breasts, tickling her with his nose. The warmth and softness brought out a child-like euphoria in him. ¡°I love boobs~.¡± She couldn¡¯t help butugh at his innocent act. ¡°I fucking knew you loved big boobs from the way you gawked at M Rose and Harribel. It was so obvious.¡± Her cheeks reddened as she realized the implications of her words spoken in the heat of the moment. She had just given him ammunition to tease her more. ¡°Oh?¡± He chuckled, his tongue tracing wet patterns around her nipple. ¡°So, you wanted a sexy body like M Rose to seduce me. You¡¯re also a perv alright.¡± Her back arched at his teasing touch, her moan filling the room. ¡°Um¡­ I wanted you to look at me the same way you looked at M Rose... Yes, I was jealous of her and Harribel.¡± Now that they were together, she didn¡¯t feel much about being honest about her envious feelings. Rather, she looked at him eagerly as though waiting for him to judge her ¡®bad side¡¯. ¡°I made you insecure,¡± he whispered and gave her a soft smile. ¡°I¡¯ll try to avoid these situations in the future.¡± He was inexperienced in handling more than one rtionship. Now he had the challenge of bncing his affection among four lovers and keeping them all happy. The responsibility, however, also came with four lovers to care for his physical and mental well-being. {Four times the baby-making sex!} Hepletely filtered out the cheerful voice in his head. Api pulled him closer, his face buried further into the warmth of her chest. ¡°Take this as a reward for me being a silly goose.¡± After a couple of moments of being spoiled, he broke free from her hug and kissed her lips. ¡°I¡¯m gonna take off your pants and then I¡¯ll fuck you silly.¡± Working on her belt, he tugged her pants down her legs and threw them with nonchnce. A barely visible damp patch on her ck underwear made him smirk. He traced a gentle kiss over it before stripping her of the final barrier between them. The tomboy was left in a half-unbuttoned shirt, showcasing her wet pussy eager to be prated. He had to say she looked like the sexiest woman on the. But he couldn¡¯t be hasty as it was her first time. Taking matters into her own hands, she tossed her shirt to the floor. ¡°I won¡¯t let you toy with me all day!¡± She wasn¡¯t the one to keep taking offense. Pushing him off her, she pushed him down on the bed and dragged his underwear down to his ankles. She was struck speechless as his fully-erect member popped out of his underwear. Her hiking breath caressed the sensitive skin of his penis. He raised his body and found her utterly absorbed in the sight before her. For nearly a minute, she just stared at his cock, observing every thick vein and taking in his scent. Her previous enthusiasm had all but faded after she came face to face with the monster hiding inside his underwear. He couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°You like it?¡± A shiver ran down the Arrancar¡¯s spine as she hurriedly bobbed her head. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s bigger than I imagined¡­ You¡¯re a beast!¡± Gently, he caressed her horn and lowered her head, bringing her closer to his eager cock. ¡°You know what to do now?¡± She wrapped her fingers around its veiny girth, her five fingers hardly covering the length of his shaft. ¡°I need to suck it¡­?¡± It was an uncertain suggestion that came out of nowhere, yet the thought had lodged itself in her mind. As she tucked her hair behind her ears, she lowered her head cautiously, her tongue darting out to taste him. A raised brow and a couple of slow, exploratory licks signaled her unexpected enjoyment of the taste of his cock. She grew more daring, her tongue swirling around the very top of his cock before she sealed the act with an unabashedly lustful kiss atop his bulbous crown. Her eyes fluttered up to meet him as she began to slide her lips along his shaft. ¡°Like this?¡± He lightly moaned at her kiss. ¡°Uhhmm. You¡¯re doing good.¡± His praise was the encouragement she needed to go all out. Her cheeks suctioned in a lewd manner as her tongue continuously teased his sensitive penis. Her bobbing head became more deliberate, maintaining a rhythm that was focused on the upper half of his magnificent cock. Unconsciously, his hand found her horn, tightening his grip and using it to guide her actions. A wild thought of her having two handlebars flitted through his mind before the intensifying pleasure drove it away. He had to take a pause to catch his breath, and to hold back his rapidly approaching orgasm. It was her first attempt but she somehow seemed better than his previous lover. ¡®Previous life experience?¡¯ He barely had the chance to ponder before pleasure clouded his thoughts. ¡°Api,¡± he called her name in a husky voice. ¡°I¡¯m close¡­¡± She only blinked at his warning and removed her hand from around his penis. Without slowing down or giving him a moment of respite, she continued bobbing her head down his member. This time, she didn¡¯t stop halfway and slid her lips down his saliva-covered penis, only stopping when he hit the back of her throat. Her tongue worked on his sensitive tip, her gaze still locked on him even as blush warmed her cheeks. It was the visual of her love,bined with her devoted efforts, that took away his control. A groan left his throat as he held her in ce with her horn and let out a massive load of semen. Her eyes widened as the twitching penis filled her mouth with slimy fluids. She came off of his cock with a pop and coughed, white semen trickling down her lips. ¡°S-Sorry. That was too much.¡± He took a moment, a breath, to gather himself before he slouched and smiled at her, a hand reaching to gently stroke her hair. ¡°It¡¯s fine. You did really well.¡± Puffing her chest, she wiped her mouth and quickly closed the distance between them to hug him. Her breasts squeezed against his chest under the ample force, and her erect nipples tickled him. Despite her arousal and despite her sexual urges barely satisfied, she found genuine content in his arms. ¡°See. I¡¯m better than M Rose could ever be¡ª¡± her words fell short when she felt him harden again, poking her waist. For some reason, she was under the misconception that hisid member signaled the end of their sexual act. As she¡¯de to realize, her assumption couldn¡¯t be further from the truth. Gripping her round, firm ass, he hoisted her up, and then she found herself thudding back onto the bed. A rush of d¨¦j¨¤ vu surged through her, memories of the moments when he had so teasingly toyed with her perky breasts ¡ª she was back in the same position. The process echoed the same moments ¡ª a trail of heated kisses beginning from her neck, migrating to the valley of her chest, then making a sensuous journey down her toned stomach. Skillfully avoiding her Hollow hole, he arrived at her crotch and nted an electrifying smooch right on her swollen clit. ¡°I wonder why you are so wet?¡± She squirmed at his question. However, he pushed her ankles and raised her knees. With everything set and ready, he methodically spread her pussy lips with his thumbs, revealing her glistening petals. Not wasting another moment, he dove in, his tongue gliding along her slick folds. His face buried between her thighs, he navigated her depths and searched for her sweet spots. His tongue continued its slow exploration, swirling and pressing, the slight suction causing her to gasp. His steady rhythm built an agonizing tension within her, spreading heat that made her writhing body glisten with sweat. The room filled with the intoxicating sounds of her pleasure-filled moans and the wet ps of his tongue against her. She was reduced to a quivering mess beneath him. ¡°Oh¡­¡± she cried out, her hands instinctively gripping the sheets. Her breath hitched in her throat as the sensations overtook her senses. He savored the taste of her love juices, her soft moans fueling his masterful act. He took things further as he prodded her entrance with a finger and slowly plunged it inside her, her walls mping down on it instantly. He inserted another finger and expertly curled them inside of her, hitting the sweet spots that made her muscles clenched. Every nerve of her screamed for release, the anticipation more painful than anything she¡¯d felt before. It was a delightful torture she never wished to end. She moaned out as waves of pleasure washed over her with more intensity each time, the sensation escting until she saw nothing but white in her head. ¡°Ah... K-Kazuya...¡± Words failed her as she sumbed to the intense sensations. Her body jerked, and then it happened. The pressure building within her exploded, sending her crashing over the edge. She grabbed the back of his head, her hips involuntary bucking. Her body spasmed as she squirted, a rush of wetness soaking his face and the sheets beneath them. ¡°Kazuya~!¡± she screamed, her back arching off the bed. ¡°I¡¯m going insane!¡± He didn''t stop until her body stopped shaking. Only then did he withdraw his fingers from her dripping cunt and lifted his head from between her legs. He wiped them with the back of his hand, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. ¡°Well,¡± he said. ¡°Was it good?¡± She could only nod, too spent to find her voice. Her body felt boneless, pleasure still humming in her veins. {Go on. Take your hard cock and shove it inside her.} ¡®Shut up, voyeur.¡¯ {Hmph.} He patted her thigh. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t fall asleep on me.¡± ¡°I am not!¡± she said with a lot more energy than usual and stretched her arms. ¡°Give a hand.¡± He dragged her off the bed, getting her settled in his arms. She was quiet at first then her hands roamed his chiseled torso, kneading and caressing, provoking him with her warmth. A sultry rhythm emerged as she rolled her hips, her wet pussy sliding against his stiff cock,thering it in her juices. ¡°You want to?¡± she whispered seductively in his ears, giving him a taste of his own temptation medicine. ¡°I can take it all and make you cum.¡± She was showing a different side of herself, one that didn¡¯t shy from intimacy. One that thrived in love and pleasure. He licked her ear and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. ¡°Be a good Api and ride me.¡± Gripping his shoulders, she rose on her knees and guided his cock to her wet entrance. The tip of his shaft nestled in her clit quite nicely and her cunt entrance clenched down immediately around him. He shuddered as she lowered herself on him. His cock split open her cunt, stretching her insanely wide as he entered her. The pration was slow but sure, giving her time to adjust to his size. A shuddering breath escaped her lips, the sweet pain mingling with pleasure. ¡°Mhmm¡­¡± ¡°There is no rush,¡± he whispered and kissed her lips. ¡°We can start when you get ustomed.¡± She shook her head and rested her chin on his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m gonna move.¡± Their eyes locked as she slowly began to move, her hips grinding against his in a erotic rhythm. His hands were drawn to her sexy hips as he firmly gripped them and guided herscivious dance. Her rhythm was slow and sensual. With each rise and fall, she took him deeper and deeper to the edge of pleasure. Her moans echoed like a melody in his ears, his name rolling off her tongue in sultry whimpers. She had several little climaxes during her seductive dance across hisp. ¡°Harder¡­¡± she gasped, her nail digging into his back as she swung her hips up and down with no abandon. An explosive orgasm consumed her, her pussy clenching around him in uncontroble and delicious spasms. Her unrestrained surrender was the trigger to his own climax. With a growl that echoed in the room and a final powerful thrust, he spilled his hot seed into her. Spent and satisfied, she slumped onto him, her body quivering with the aftershocks of her climax. He wrapped his arms around her, securing her trembling form against his. Their chests rose and fell in harmony, their sweat-drenched bodies tangled in blissful satisfaction. His cock remained lodged within her, a warm, pulsating reminder of their raw, unbridled passion for each other. ¡°Kazuya¡­¡± she whispered in his ears. ¡°I dere to the world that you¡¯re my lover¡­ and my mate.¡± ¡°How about being my wife?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the same thing, silly goose.¡± ¡°Eh, whatever.¡± She giggled. ¡°I want to apany you to the Soul Society. I know I can¡¯t but I want to!¡± ¡°Are you addicted to sex?¡± ¡°I just want to stay with you¡­¡± she tightened her arms around him and nuzzled her face close to his neck. ¡°Like this¡­ forever.¡± Now, whether intentional or not, she was provoking feelings of guilt in him about his impending departure for the Soul Society. The guilt was amplified by the fact that another woman wasrgely the reason for his leaving. {Fuck Unohana. We¡¯re doing it for H¨­gyoku. We need that power to survive Yhwach. You cannot rely on Ichigo to save the day in this world.} He found himself nodding to Nami¡¯s reason. ¡°Api, don¡¯t be stubborn. I promise I¡¯ll take leave every now and then.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± ¡°I want more. Can you still go?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± ¡­ It''s the longest I have gone in a harem story without lemons. You guys decide if it was worth it or not. Chapter 77: Riches and Bitches Chapter 77: Riches and Bitches Kazuya had decided early on that the ustrophobic confines of Kisuke¡¯s underground chamber were no ce for hispanions. It was, in many ways, more limiting than the Hueco Mundo. Thus, he made it his mission to secure them a mansion, where they could live safely and often go out to explore the city as they wished. So, in the following days, he embarked on a solo adventure in Karakura Town and its neighbor Naruki City. His target demographic consisted of rich housewives¡ªregardless of their age. With gentle persuasion, he convinced them to part with a small percentage of their wealth. No one faced bankruptcy, yet he became filthy rich. After a few challenging days, he could be seen lounging poolside, d in swimming trunks, spending rxing time with his women. {You got both riches and bitches, Partner.} ¡®I couldn¡¯t invite Ciri.¡¯ Despite his best efforts to persuade Ciri, she had remained as immovable as a mountain. He had so anticipated seeing her in a goth swimsuit. Her half-Arrancar form appealed to him in more ways than she imagined. {Dude, get a grip on your horny or you¡¯ll end up with more women than the fingers on your hands.} ¡®I see no problem with that.¡¯ {Should have known better. You have be too free-minded and loose, like a hoe on the streets!} ¡®Freedom: it¡¯s like taking a bath. Once you get used to it, you can never return. It¡¯s addicting.¡¯ {Too much of anything is bad, Partner. Mark my words!} ¡°I still can¡¯t believe you got this for us,¡± whispered M Rose from a deckchair behind him. Sung-Sun, Api, and Harribel rxed on their own chairs next to M Rose. ¡°Skull, how did you pull it off?¡± ¡°The best way to keep a secret is to forget it. So, yeah. I forgot.¡± She had been insistent about discovering the source of his wealth, but once again, he deflected her with a vague answer. Sung-Sun pushed her sunsses to her head before putting them back on. ¡°Why do you want to know the secret? You wanna get rich like him?¡± ¡°Probably,¡± Api responded, a giggle apanying her words. ¡°M Rose will buy a restaurant just to eat sushi every day.¡± M Rose¡¯s cheeks flushed. Howe everyone guessed her intentions without even trying? Was she really that predictable? Casting a sidelong nce over his shoulder, his lips curved into a teasing smile. ¡°Rose, you¡¯ve been ordering sushi three times a day ever since our date.¡± Harribel stretched her arms, yawning after all the recent rxation. ¡°If that wasn¡¯t enough, you¡¯ve been gushing about its exquisite taste for hours.¡± Even Harribel had joined the teasing, no longer observing from the sidelines. She had be just a little more active during their conversations recently. He couldn¡¯t help butpare Harribel to the hero mentioned in ¡°You either die a Hero, or you live long enough to see yourself be the Viin.¡± M Rose¡¯s blush deepened into a fierce scarlet. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, okay! I shouldn¡¯t be so passionate about things I enjoy.¡± Everyone chuckled at her outburst. Unintentional or not, M Rose¡¯s vibrant demeanor added a dash of liveliness to the group. Slipping off her sunsses, Sung-Sun took a sharp gaze at him. ¡°By the way, you haven¡¯t given our swimsuit any rating.¡± Hepsed into thoughtful silence, letting his eyes drift over each of them, beginning with Harribel. d in a stark white bikini and a midnight ck pareo that contrasted her sun-kissed skin, her aura had mellowedpared to her Arrancar outfit. ¡°Blonde hair, white crown, tanned skin, ck and white bikini ¡ª everything is vibrant but pleasing to eyes. Easily ten out of ten.¡± Harribel revealed a smile almost imperceptible to eyes. ¡°Thanks.¡± He nodded, his gaze then veering towards M Rose. She leaned back with her hand behind her head, in a pose that entuated her voluptuous boobs d in an unblemished purple swimsuit. A matching pareo entuated the graceful curve of her waist. ¡°Purple. A ssic choice to bring out the charm of your naturally dark skin and hair. The pareo adds a lovely touch to your long, toned legs. Hmmm, I¡¯ll give you an eight out of ten.¡± She was easily a ten in his heart but he couldn¡¯t overinte her ego now, could he? A frown creased her face at his less-than-perfect rating. ¡°Why did you cut two points? I am the sexiest one here!¡± Clearly, she was upset at not receiving a perfect score like Harribel. ¡°Be happy with what you got,¡± Sung-Sun said. ¡°Rate me.¡± Sung-Sun appeared less striking in her minimalist ck bikini, a loose ck hoodie with sleeves hanging long past her hands draped over it. ¡°ck color for your pale skin is a great choice. I have nopliments for your fashion sense other than the fact you¡¯re a ten in both appearance and personality.¡± He was a sucker for her endless tease and mature demeanor. ¡°Ara, darling. Are you perhaps a soap? Because you¡¯re so damn smooth.¡± ¡°Not the soap puns¡­¡± Sung-Sun giggled. ¡°Let¡¯s rate Api.¡± His gaze shifted towards Api, who was d in a white, frilly swimsuit top and denim shorts. A red hoodie was casually thrown over her attire, while her Zanpakut¨­ served as ornamental bracelets around her wrists. Api squirmed under his attentive scrutiny. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your rating.¡± All of his sweet talk during sex, which they had been doing nonstop every night behind everyone¡¯s backs, had made her a little more resistant to his voice. Yet, the warmth in his gaze stirred a familiar blush on her cheeks, evoking memories too lewd to be put into words. Before he could rate her, an uninvited ck cat scurried into the scene. ¡°Wow, brat. You¡¯re having a pool party without me, your senior.¡± ¡°If it isn¡¯t the old hag of Shih¨­in n. You¡¯re kinda wrong. No parties here. We¡¯re just chilling.¡± Yoruichi rolled her eyes. ¡°There are a couple of sses between a hag and a young woman like me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± he said with a shrug. ¡°Anyways,e sit on myp. I¡¯m good with cats.¡± ¡°Nope. I can lick my furs clean on my own.¡± ¡°...¡± M Rose stirred from her seat, approaching Yoruichi. "I hold you in high regard, but the only man allowed here is Skull. Please leave." She seemed more unnerved than the others, who remained quite indifferent to Yoruichi''s presence. Then again, she was the only one with a particr distaste for men. The ck catughed at M Rose¡¯s somewhat sincere request. ¡°Can I join you if I don¡¯t act like a man?¡± Befuddled by the unexpected response, M Rose could only gape as Yoruichi vaulted into the air. A smokescreen enveloped her mid-leap, and when it dispersed, she was no longer a cat. A dark-skinned woman with vibrant purple hair stood before them, her golden eyes filled with mischief. She broke any illusion of her true form being that of a male. Yoruichi bent her body and stretched her arms. ¡°Ahhh, it feels good stretching like this.¡± Chapter 78: Invitation Chapter 78: Invitation Performing a fluid sequence of stretches, Yoruichi Shih¨­in coaxed her lithe body into wakefulness. Her muscles, unlike the brute strength of M Rose, were defined by agility and flexibility, resembling the finesse of a panther ready to pounce. The early sun reflected off her dark skin, casting a lustrous sheen that emphasized her impressive physique. Yoruichi then surveyed the varied reactions around her, hoping that her unexpected transformation had its intended impact. M Rose was left aghast, her brows knitting into an expression of sheer bewilderment, while Api huffed in a noticeably irked fashion. Harribel maintained her typical aloof air, eyes unfazed, whereas an amused smirk yed on Sung-Sun¡¯s lips. However, Yoruichi found herself most intrigued by Kazuya ¡ª his expression, a puzzling mixture of disappointment, was a far cry from what she had anticipated. ¡®He¡¯s known me from the start. Why the disappointment? I don''t look inferior to his women, do I?¡¯ Keen to satiate her curiosity, she gently probed Kazuya for the reason behind his unusual reaction. ¡°I expected you to be a lot taller.¡± And his answer puzzled her. She was 156cm, a woman of average height in the Soul Society. Then again, she was facing a man taller than Kisuke, standing at almost six and a half feet tall. She¡¯d naturally appear smaller inparison. Yoruichi ced her hands on her hips. ¡°You know how age works for powerful Souls. Who knows, maybe I can grow a couple more inches!¡± ¡°Nice optimism,¡± he said with a round of apuse. ¡°shing your beautiful body to everyone ¡ª Shih¨­in-san definitely lives up to her title, the sh Goddess.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°I like your interpretation of the ¡®sh Goddess.¡¯ It lends a whole new level of ''interest'' to my legacy.¡± M Rose, finally regaining herposure from the initial shock, pointed an using finger at Yoruichi. ¡°Wait, you''re a woman?!¡± She cast a nce around, realizing that no one shared her surprise. ¡°I mean, I understand Kazuya knowing this, but why are you all acting like it''s nothing? Was I the only one in the dark?¡± A grin crossed Api''s face. ¡°It was pretty obvious from our first meeting.¡± Sung-Sun nodded. ¡°Yoruichi was baiting us from the get-go. I saw her tryhard attempts from miles away.¡± Harribel feigned ignorance to M Rose¡¯s gaze, attempting not to deepen M Rose¡¯s embarrassment. There was something endearing about M Rose''s asional denseness ¡ª it stemmed from her unwavering trust in her senses, rarely questioning what she saw or heard. ¡°Yoruichi-san.¡± The sudden interruption of a cold voice from behind Yoruichi startled everyone. It was Lisa looking at Yoruichi with exasperation. ¡°Don¡¯t sh your titties in front of a man engaged to multiple women.¡± Standing there in an aqua green bikini thatplemented her eyes, Lisa held a shopping bag in her hand. Kazuya¡¯s gaze inevitably wandered towards her ample chest, noting silently that her bust was somewhatrger than Api''s. {Boobs¡­ the first thing a man sees in a woman. Tiddies are truly the bane of all men.} Lisa tossed the bag towards Yoruichi. "Enough fooling around. Put this on." ¡°Hai hai.¡± In a well-choreographed motion, Lisa took off her sses and flung them to Kazuya before taking a graceful dive into the pool. She swam like she owned the ce,pletely at ease, despite the fact it was her first visit. Kazuya expected nothing less from the sassy full-time maid. ¡°I take it that you like this ce.¡± "A historic gothic mansion with Victorian architectural elements. You certainly have good taste." ¡°I have a wonderful taste in everything, or you wouldn¡¯t be allowed here.¡± Lisa was grateful she had her back turned on everyone, or they would have seen her blush. The subtlepliment caught her off-guard. ¡°Are you not returning to Ishida Mansion?¡± She shifted the topic. ¡°About that¡ª¡± ¡°Tada!¡± Yoruichi¡¯s jubnt exmation seized everyone¡¯s attention. She stood there, striking a provocative pose with her butt sticking out towards them. She had both of her hands pulling the tight ck swimsuit over her ass. Rather than an orange swimsuit, she went for a ck one with hints of violet and white. Spoiler [copse] One might have mistaken her disy as a seductive act. But he knew better. It was Yoruichi, always the tease, always dancing on the edge of yfulness, never crossing the line into the serious. He had to spend almost twenty years with her. There was no way he would let her yful antics slide unpunished in the Soul Society. She was getting bedded one way or another. ¡°Pretty good I say,¡± he replied. ¡°Are you offering your ass for spanking?¡± She pulled her hands back quickly and turned around, crossing her arms with a smirk. ¡°Someone¡¯s getting worked up over a ¡®hag,¡¯ huh?¡± ¡°No one said hags can¡¯t be attractive. We have a ¡®Gilf¡¯ category for them.¡± Yoruichi blinked in surprise, her brows furrowing slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t understand what that means.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to,¡± he said with a calm, soothing smile. ¡°Go swim with Lisa.¡± Diverting his attention from Yoruichi, he turned towards M Rose. ¡°You¡¯re calm now.¡± M Rose let out a sigh. ¡°I am. I was just surprised that the cat with such a thick, masculine voice...is actually a woman.¡± ¡°She is like Sung-Sun but more unhinged.¡± ¡°True.¡± ¡°Ara, Darling. Are you talking behind my back?¡± ¡°I am not!¡± He sprawled on M Rose¡¯s deckchair and let the sunlight wash over him. His vision was graced by the sight of three stunning, dark-skinned beauties, each one possessing a figure more alluring than thest. Only he was around to witness the gorgeous sight. ¡®Boys, I found heaven on earth.¡¯ {It¡¯s also heaven for lesbians, bisexual, and every weird gender attracted to women.} Sung-Sun took off her sunsses and draped them over his eyes. ¡°Have a fun sleep.¡± He cast her a curious nce. She hadn¡¯t attacked him yet, which was quite out of character considering her teasing nature. ¡®Is she shy about making the first move?¡¯ {Her Resurri¨®n is called ¡®White Snake Princess¡¯ in Japanese. I¡¯d say she is ying her part to perfection, being a chaste princess.} He pondered on this for a moment. ¡®Hmm.¡¯ After having her fill of swimming, Yoruichi leisurely swam to the edge of the pool and propped her elbows on the warm pool tiles. The water flowed down her shoulders, creating an enticing image. ¡°Kazuya, I almost forgot why I came here in the first ce.¡± ¡°Why is that?¡± Lisa too emerged from the water contrasting the dark-skinned Shinigami with her fairplexion. Yoruichi had brought her from the Ishida Mansion under some pretense, but there must be more to it than just shopping for swimsuits. ¡°Well,¡± Yoruichi began, injecting a sense of suspense into the air. ¡°It¡¯s about time you formally introduce your group to the Visored.¡± Lisa¡¯s brows arched upwards. ¡°You can¡¯t just bring a bunch of high-level Hollows to our base. Kensei and Hiyori will lose their shit.¡± Yoruichiughed. ¡°That¡¯s the n. I wanna see some shock on their faces.¡± ¡°You¡­ are fucked in the head.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just light fun,¡± Yoruichi said and turned to Kazuya. ¡°Choose a name for your faction. Something catchy like Visored did. I wanna hear a mic drop when you say your name.¡± Chapter 79: Gone Yandere Chapter 79: Gone Yandere Kazuya was a little stumped about choosing a name for his faction, which only consisted of six members ¡ª fivedies and him. He eventually wanted to introduce powerful Hollows like Starrk, but M Rose¡¯s prejudice for men hadn¡¯tpletely vanished. {I can help you with the name! How about Five Fingers of Doom? We can keep Ciri as a mascot on the side.} Nami''s voice echoed in his mind, suggesting names that reeked of her own chuuni tendencies. As he narrowed his gaze on the crystal-clear water, a curious thought about her chuuni tendencies emerged. She could be the manifestation of a part of him buried deep in his soul. A side that he had never allowed to surface ¡ª a suppressed persona birthed from his disciplined upbringing under his grandfather. {The Godyers. The Cosmic Warriors. The Void Kings of Demonic Realm! The Dark Einherjar.} She continued spitting out name after audacious name, each more grandiose and chuuni than thest but he didn¡¯t nod his head to any. {Keep ignoring me, Partner¡­} Letting out a sigh, he turned his attention to Harribel. Her aqua green eyes stared back at him, as calm as the moonlit sea. ¡°You¡¯re the leader of our group,¡± he reminded her in a soft voice. ¡°You should decide the name. The name will stick with us when we move on to rule the Hueco Mundo.¡± He had long since taken over as the voice of the group, mainly due to Harribel¡¯s quiet and thoughtful nature ¡ª she spent more time in her head than engaging with others. That didn''t imply his usurpation of her leadership. At best, he viewed himself as a co-leader, akin to a n elder supporting the n leader. There was also the crown-like Hollow remnant on her head, which possibly reflected her hidden aspirations to rule the Hueco Mundo as this peaceful and sacrificing Queen. He was subtly testing the waters, gauging if such an ambition was harbored within her heart. ¡°I was the leader. Now you are,¡± Harribel said in a firm voice, bluntly putting down any doubts anyone had about her current position. ¡°As for Hueco Mundo...¡± A subtle shift urred in her demeanor as she finally moved from her rxed position. Leaning forward, a crease formed between her brows, a sign that they were delving into serious territory. ¡°My dream is about achieving peace and minimizing meaningless deaths in the name of survival and evolution¡­ I believe we can do it.¡± She confidently revealed her vision with everyone. The vision that no longer seemed silly or impossible with Barragan¡¯s death and her massive power surge. She nced at every one of herpanions before settling her eyes on him. ¡°I want Hueco Mundo and our race to be better¡­ Will you help me?¡± "With pleasure," he replied calmly. "I just need you to wait for some time. Until then, we can focus on breaking the Las Noches structure and clearing the seeds from the previous monarchy.¡± He supported her wholeheartedly. However, an ominous shadow loomed over her dream. The problem was once again Aizen. The King of Hollows will soon be Aizen¡¯s target. Letting her be the Ruler of Hollows was foolish in the current year, to say the least. {Kill Aizen. All problems solved.} ¡®Eventually.¡¯ Aizen in his base state wasn¡¯t invincible. Kazuya could overgrow Aizen as long as Aizen didn¡¯t achieve his H¨­gyoku fusion form. A nod from Harribel marked her agreement, her eyes revealing a hint of delight at his foresight about her aspirations. ¡°Cunning yet empathetic, there is no more suitable ruler than you¡­ I¡¯ll assist you in whichever role possible.¡± There was no protest from the group. They had already embraced the prospect of him being the next King of Hollows the moment he destroyed Baraggan. Looking at the crown on her head, he grinned. ¡°How about you y the role of my queen?¡± Her lips paused mid-word before splitting into a broad smile. ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡± It was the biggest smile he had seen on her face. s, he couldn¡¯t capture the moment. Sung-Sun called for everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Harribel-sama has decided to pass the crown to our Kazuya.¡± ¡°She is Queen and she treats Kazuya like a son,¡± Api interjected. ¡°He should be the Crown Prince then.¡± ¡°The Prince of Hollows.¡± Yoruichiughed. ¡°It has a nice ring to it.¡± Lisa nodded. ¡°Sounds like a title from an erotica.¡± M Rose raised her hand as if she was in a ss. ¡°If Harribel-sama is the queen, then what are we?¡± Sung-Sun raised a brow. ¡°Mistresses? Concubines? King¡¯s brides? The Princesses of Hollows?¡± M Rose winced. ¡°Spare me from those fancy titles. I¡¯ll just stay as Franceska M Rose.¡± Api didn¡¯t confirm nor deny Sung-Sun¡¯s suggestion, her mind weaving thoughts one would consider obscene and lewd. Sung-Sun pped her hands. ¡°It¡¯s the official crowning of our new leader, the new King of Hollows, the Godyer, and the most handsome darling in the world ¡ª Kazuya. Fall on your knees and acknowledge him!¡± ¡°That¡¯s a lotta asslicking packed into one sentence,¡± M Rose guffawed. ¡°Though, I have to admit his face is better than those monstrous Hollows.¡± After the room filled withughter and cheerful jeers, Kazuya steered the conversation back to their original dilemma ¡ª the name of their group. ¡°Urahara-san said that Hollows are poison to Quincy, and Quincy¡¯s abilities are deadly against Hollows. I¡¯m a perfect specimen of both races. Since I¡¯m the leader, the name should be based on me.¡± Yoruichi frowned. ¡°What¡¯s it gonna be?¡± ¡°The Inverse.¡± ¡°The Inverse, huh? It suits you well,¡± Yoruichi said, a smirk ying on her lips. ¡°You''re the antithesis of your own existence. I quite like the name.¡± On top of beingzy and yful, Yoruichi was quite a wise woman. One of the reasons for her immense poprity among her fans. Nods and murmurs of agreement resonated throughout the room. Most members hadn¡¯t been particrly concerned with their group name, else they would have settled on one already. {Boooooo.} Nami wasn¡¯t happy about his choice. ¡®Oh well, you can¡¯t make everyone happy.¡¯ {I¡¯m not anyone. I¡¯m your Partner. PARTNER. We live for each other. We die for each other. We murder the world to protect the other. We are SOULMATES born of the same soul,} she retorted, her tone hinting at an edge of intensity that was borderline obsessive. Her words bore an uncanny resemnce to those of a yandere. While he wasn''t necessarily bothered by yandere, Nami wielded an enormous amount of power. A yandere of her level was nightmare fuel. ¡®Nami, I promise I¡¯ll let you name something elseter.¡¯ {Really? You better keep the promise or I¡¯ll transform into a kitchen knife and cut your throat.} ¡®...¡¯ Chapter 80-81: Meeting the Visored Chapter 80-81: Meeting the Visored The Visored took their training seriously as mastering their Hollow Masks was an important goal, surpassed only by their burning desire to hold Aizen ountable for his deplorable sins and kicking his ass. The training routine of the Visored typically involved fierce sparring matches between pairs within the confines of a force field created by Hachigen. One such bout was about to unfold at the very moment. A figure of towering stature and a solid physique, crowned with short silver hair, squared off against Hiyori. Her face was hidden behind her Hollow Mask, which was adorned with a single horn and a series of diamond patterns on her forehead. Her Zanpakut¨­, transformed into its Shikai form, resembled a cleaver with serrated edges. Hiyori''s Hollow Mask endowed her with a great strength boost, but she struggled to close the inherent gap between a Vice Captain and a Captain''s Reiatsu. Her opponent, Kensei Mugurama, the former captain of the 9th Squad, hadn¡¯t even worn his Hollow Mask. He held his bronze-guardedbat knife, his Zanpakut¨­ in Shikai form. His face was exceedingly calmpared to Hiyori¡¯s seething ferocity. ¡°I¡¯ming!¡± With a ground-shattering kick-off, Hiyori charged at Kensei, her cleaver raised high. He easily countered her vicious strike with hisbat knife, parrying her assault. The duel began slowly but soon escted, the air crackling with tension. Kensei remained casual, deflecting Hiyori¡¯s barrage of vicious strikes, even finding time to strike her defenseless side a couple of times. Every sting of his dagger cut was apanied by the summoning of a fierce wind de that inflicted even more injuries on Hiyori. In less than a minute, Hiyori was drenched in her own blood, her Hollow Mask chipped and battered in several ces. Taking deep breaths, she focused on Kensei, the adrenaline making her somewhat numb to the pain. Kensei clenched his jaw, admonishing, ¡°You can¡¯t extend the timer like that. Stop resting ande at me.¡± ¡°I know, jerk. Ha! Take a load of this de!¡± She pushed through the pain, which was the key to increasing the duration of her Hollowification. The longer they could maintain their Hollow Masks, the more feasible it would be to turn the tide against stronger opponents. The fight continued for two minutes before Hiyori¡¯s Hollow Mask dissolved on its own. Like always, Kensei avoided any direct hit from Hiyori. Overlooking the training area from a raised balcony, Shinji watched the duel with an air of detached interest, his hands nonchntly tucked into his pockets. But beneath the mask of indifference, he was sharply aware of every movement, every exchange of blows. He understood the pain Hiyori was pushing through, and it stirred a mixture of admiration and concern within him. Abruptly, his gaze shifted to the underground training chamber¡¯s exit. ¡°Lisa is back with Yoruichi-san¡­ and someone else.¡± Kisuke, who had been observing the Visored¡¯s growth, licked his lips. ¡°Let¡¯s meet them, shall we?¡± Shinji narrowed his eyes, sensing that Kisuke was cooking something. The self-proimed handsome merchant rarely ventured to their underground chamber, a ce he had constructed in the first ce. Today he just showed up under the guise of observing their training and gaining some ''enlightenment.¡¯ As if Shinji would believe those words. Shinji waved his hand. ¡°I''ll be back in a jiff.¡± As he emerged from the underground chamber, his eyes instantly fell upon an unexpected sight. Standing within the dimly lit warehouse was a man with silver hair flowing down his shoulders like a mane. His true nature could easily be discernible by two white horns on the sides of his head and the red gem on his forehead. He was an Arrancar, no doubt, who had torn off his mask and concealed his Reiatsu with a Gigai. But what caught Shinji¡¯s attention was the familiarity of the Arrancar¡¯s Reiatsu. ¡®The Arrancar we were worried about. Why does he look like those demon kings from Love¡¯s shounen manga?¡¯ Shinji swiveled towards Kisuke, his gaze sharp as a de. ¡°You know him.¡± Kisuke ced a reassuring hand on Shinji''s shoulder. ¡°He might be Arrancar but he is a friend. You¡¯ll find Kazuya particrly interesting.¡± The man who imed he served Aizen must also be familiar with Aizen¡¯s former Captain, Shinji Hirako. Kisuke couldn¡¯t wait to see the authenticity of Kazuya¡¯s im. ¡°I ain¡¯t familiar with the name Kazuya.¡± Yoruichi and Lisa walked into the warehouse, positioning themselves on either side of Kazuya. ¡°Yo, Shinji,¡± Yoruichi said as she raised her hand in greeting, still in her swimsuit. ¡°Meet our new friend, the leader of the Inverse.¡± Kazuya looked up as well, smiling. ¡°Nice to meet you, Shinji. Let¡¯s sit somewhere appropriate, shall we?¡± Kazuya¡¯s soothing voice made Shinji question if he was into women or men. ¡­ Minutester, Shinji, Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Kazuya were huddled around a table. The warm flicker of the artificial sun, the kid¨­ spell, bathed their faces in a subtle glow. Shinji was frowning, deep in thought, Kisuke fanned himself with an air of amused detachment. Yoruichi was leaning back in her chair, her gaze sharp and appraising. The Visored scrutinized them from a distance, their curiosity piqued, except for Lisa. She stood behind Kazuya, eager to know the secret he was so keen on concealing. He sat rxed like Yoruichi, one elbow resting on the table. His eyes held a gleam of cunning as they flicked towards Kisuke, his smile ying around the edges of his mouth. Kisuke had brought him here to test him against Shinji Hirako. And he hade prepared. He wasn¡¯t going to let his lies fall apart so easily. Dealing with Shinji was a breeze of airpared to dealing with Kisuke. ¡°This guy is the Vasto Lorde we were discussing, right?¡± Shinji cut to the chase with a direct question. ¡°Where''s the other Arrancar?¡± ¡°At my home,¡± he said with a faint smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring everyone here to give you guys a scare. Kisuke, why do you want my group to be familiar with the Visored? As far as I know, we have nothing inmon.¡± The Visored were unlikely to offer any assistance in his mission involving the Soul Society, unless Kisuke intended for them to forge friendships through conversation. The chances of that happening were one in a million. Shinji nodded at the question. ¡°Yeah. Why introduce us?¡± Kisuke, who was busy waving his fan, smiled. ¡°There is one thing inmon. You both got done in when Aizen used you as a test subject. You see, Kazuya here used to be a Seated Officer in your Squad before he was used by Aizen for the Hollowification experiment.¡± ¡°Huh? He reincarnated as a Hollow then became a Vasto Lorde in, what, a hundred years? That¡¯s some impressive growth.¡± Kazuya shrugged. ¡°You guys escaped with your lives. I straight-up got decimated from the inside.¡± Lisa, standing close behind, softened her gaze at his admission. His reincarnation and Shinigami background were revtions she could never have imagined. His affiliations with Kisuke and Yoruichi began to make sense. ¡°It¡¯s not like that, Kazuya. You died with honor. We¡­ we ran away.¡± He stretched his behind, beckoning her. Sheplied without a word, bridging the gap to stand beside him, an act that didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Shinji and the rest of her friends. ¡°I know you Shinigami are high on honor and stuff. Try living as a Hollow in Hueco Mundo. You¡¯ll forget everything about honor when you have to constantly hide and flee from every living being. Everyone in that world would happily kill you and chew on your bones for a sliver of chance of evolution. It¡¯s every man for himself there, survival of the fittest¡­ a literal fuckfest.¡± Lisa nodded in understanding. ¡°Survival is important but it takes a backseat when you have experienced centuries¡­ Honor keeps our conscience in check, never letting us stray far from our mission.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how that feels¡­ yet,¡± he said with a soft smile. ¡°Lisa, ask me the same question in a hundred years. I might have a different answer then.¡± A ripple of surprise washed over Lisa. His words implied they would still be in touch after a century, as friends or something else. Her mind wandered to questionable territory until she heard Yoruichi¡¯s yful tapping on the table. Yoruichi let out a theatrical yawn, drawing all eyes to her. Shezily stretched, a cat-like grin spreading across her face. ¡°I''m with Kazuya. I¡¯ll go with whatever my heart thinks is the right action. Honor and traditions are way too shackling for a small person like me.¡± Shinji chuckled. ¡°Cats are easily bored. Why don¡¯t ya y with a ball of wool in the corner?¡± Yoruichi gave an unamused smile. ¡°You got a shit face and a shit sense of humor.¡± Shinji got a critical hit from her surprise attack. Coughing, he turned to Kazuya, quickly attempting to steer the conversation elsewhere. ¡°What was your name, again? I¡¯m sure you weren¡¯t Kazuya back then.¡± Given the limited number of Seated Officers in any squad, it was feasible for a Captain or Vice Captain to recall each one¡¯s name. Kazuya shook his head. ¡°I have yet to remember my name. I guess the important memories areing back first. It¡¯s sad to say that Aizen¡¯s betrayal left a deeper scar on my soul than my own life.¡± Reincarnation was an intricate subject even in the Soul Society. Nobody waspletely sure about anything except the fact that the dead souls moved to one of the three realms with each death. The bnce was continuously maintained with Shinigami¡¯s casual duties, unless an influx of souls suddenly vanished from one realm. Yoruichi chimed in with a nod. ¡°It¡¯s already impressive that he remembered something in the first ce. The cycle of reincarnation leaves no traces of memories. If I had to guess, the Hollowification experiment must have done something to his consciousness.¡± Kisuke had a different reason for Kazuya keeping his memories but he didn¡¯t bring it up before anyone. The existence of Soul King was concealed even from Yoruichi. The less people knew about the anchor the better it was for the Soul Society¡¯s stability. ¡°Let¡¯s forget about that,¡± Shinji said with a casual shrug. ¡°I want to know why you¡¯re so close with Lisa.¡± Kazuya revealed a grin. ¡°The poor girl has a bit of a crush on me.¡± An ice-cold de made its way to his neck. Lisa red at him with the level of animosity one saved for their nastiest enemies. ¡°What were you saying?¡± His grin didn¡¯t falter a bit as gripped the tip of her katana and nudged it away from his neck. ¡°You were dying to go on a date with me, remember?¡± She almost blushed at the reminder of her previous embarrassment and the way he left her stranding. ¡°You asked me out first then you went back on your own proposal.¡± She made excuses to save some face before her friends. Shinji hung his head in a feigned defeat. ¡°I also proposed to you before but you rejected me.¡± Kazuya raised a brow. ¡°You say that to every woman youe across.¡± Hiyori yelled, ¡°He never said that to me!¡± Kazuya cheerfully waved to Hiyori. ¡°Let me correct my words. He says that to every beautiful woman.¡± Hiyori stared at him with an open mouth like a certain yellow rat. She could hardly focus her thoughts when subjected to the power of his voice. Shinji, on the other hand, burst intoughter, his cackles resounding throughout the underground chamber. ¡°Good one, mate.¡± R¨­j¨±r¨­ ¨­toribashi, the former captain of the 3rd squad, let out a whistle. He was a blonde with an unusually sharp chin, wearing what seemed like a ck suit with frilly cuffs. ¡°Someone bring ice from the fridge and treat that burn. Hiyori needs it!¡± Hiyori clenched her fists. ¡°I¡¯m gonna kill you for that!¡± She drew her katana andunched herself at Kazuya. With a casual flick of his finger, he sent a blue ball of Reiatsu, a Cero Ray, sailing over Shinji''s head and straight towards Hiyori. She halted mid-charge, adopting a defensive stance as her Hollow Mask manifested, augmenting her power. An intense explosion swallowed Hiyori. When the smoke cleared, she emerged unscathed, save for her tracksuit that was now ragged and torn in several ces. Kazuya smiled softly. ¡°I¡¯m d you are not hurt.¡± Hiyori''s scowl deepened. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that crap. I¡¯m exhausted or you¡¯d be dead right now. Hmph!¡± She flew away from the scene as though admitting her hot-headedness was too much for her. Yoruichi watched the events unfold with interest. The small skirmish with Hiyori didn¡¯t take away the fact everything went smoothly. The Visored not rushing at Kazuya to avenge Hiyori was a big testament of their trust in Shinji. Kazuya shrugged. ¡°Say sorry to her for meter, Shinji.¡± ¡°She rarely epts defeat like this,¡± Shinji said with an unamused face. ¡°A small Cero almost defeated her. You outss her, man. I doubt any one of us could go one on one with you.¡± Lisa¡¯s brows raised in surprise. ¡°Seriously, Shinji?¡± He was their strongest member as far as she knew. Kazuya turned out to be even stronger than she had expected. Shinji nodded. ¡°I¡¯m sensitive to Reiatsu. His surpasses mine by a big margin.¡± ¡°Hmm. I partially awakened my Zanpakut¨­ at Kisuke¡¯s house.¡± Yoruichi chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re at this level of strength at partial Resurri¨®n. What kind of monster will you be at your strength?¡± ¡°Capable of defeating Aizen, I hope.¡± He shrugged. ¡°That guy is a true monster. Shinji here knows that, right?¡± Shinji leaned against his chair and threw his back. ¡°I knew he was suspicious when I first saw him. I kept him at my side all the time¡­ Little did I know, I was being fooled so hard by his illusion. That fucker¡¯s smile¡­ makes my blood boil.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m gonna put an end to his tomfoolery.¡± ¡°Hah? What are you gonna do to Aizen?¡± Kisuke decided to answer on Kazuya¡¯s behalf. ¡°Shinji-san, Kazuya-san is going to the Soul Society to expose Aizen¡¯s crimes.¡± The tension suddenly rose at the mention of his mastern. Just one of his ns which he was hoping would work out. ¡°Huh?¡± Shinji stared at Kazuya. ¡°Couldn¡¯t you find¡ª¡± His words got stuck in his throat when Kazuya¡¯s horns disappeared, revealing his Quincy form. ¡°You were saying something?¡± ¡°WHAT THE FUCK?¡± Shinji¡¯s shocked voice resonated through the underground chamber. The Visored, previously standing at a distance, rushed towards Kazuya, forming a curious circle around him. Yoruichiughed. These were the types of reactions she lived for. The same type of reaction people gave her when she went from a male cat to a sexy woman. Her amusement was amplified by the expression Kazuya was making. It seemed like he was a cute alien surrounded by a bunch of earthlings trying to understand him but to no avail. ¡°Hang in there, buddy. Help is not on the way!¡± she teased. ¡°Definitely not!¡± ¡°Fuck off,¡± he said and pushed everyone with his hands. ¡°Stop acting like children. Switching between Quincy and Hollow is my innate ability.¡± "Don''t call Mashiro a child!" eximed a young woman d in a bodysuit that looked like it was straight out of a Japanese superhero TV show. "Mashiro is a grown-up!" ¡°Only a kid refers to themselves in third person, girl.¡± Kensei chuckled. paused before cracking his knuckles. ¡°She refuses to be normal.¡± Mashiro shot Kensei a childish grimace, pulling her eyelid down and sticking her tongue out. ¡°Kensei, you grouch. You big jerk.¡± Kensei paused before cracking his knuckles. ¡°I¡¯m gonna kick your ass.¡± A yful scuffle broke out between the former Captain and Vice-Captain of the 9th Squad ¡ª a tradition that had been carried on from their time in the Soul Society to the World of the Living. Kazuya looked at Shinji. ¡°Are you guys sure you don¡¯t need a therapist? I can refer you to one on my contacts list.¡± Love Aikawa, the tall Visored with a ck spiked afro, scratched his cheek thoughtfully. ¡°You should know how Souls are. You develop all types of entricity when you live for as long as us.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ true.¡± Kazuya agreed with a nod. ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean a little therapy here and there won¡¯t improve your mood.¡± Lisa rolled her eyes. ¡°Look at this Hollow giving us life tips. Go back to Hueco Mundo and devour your own race.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not some random Hollow,¡± he said as he crossed his arms, his expression serious. ¡°You¡¯re talking to the Prince of Hollows. The future King of Arrancars. ¡± ¡°If you¡¯re the future King of Arrancars then I¡¯m Queen of Shinigami.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t we perfect male and female leads for a romance novel?¡± ¡°I prefer erotica, but sure. Male and female leads with our backgrounds would sell as hot as Romeo and Juliet.¡± Shinji watched, speechless. ¡°You two¡­. Just marry already.¡± Kazuya extended his hand to Lisa. ¡°Let¡¯s go to church.¡± ¡°In your dreams!¡± NOTE NOTE Thest chapter somehow wasn''t publishedpletely. Read it again! Chapter 82: Apprehensions Chapter 82: Apprehensions At Kazuya¡¯s mansion. Ciri emerged from the building and shielded her eyes from the dazzling sunlight. Around the glistening pool, Api, Harribel, and Sung-Sun sprawled across chairs, their bodies still as statues basking in the sun. On the other side, M Rose sshed clumsily through the pool like an eager child. She was in the middle of learning how to swim, a challenge that went against her nature as a lioness. From Ciri¡¯s perspective, all four women rxed and enjoyed the lovely afternoon. ¡°Rose, where is Kazuya?¡± M Rose poked her head out of the water. ¡°He went to meet the Visored. It¡¯s the group Lisa is a part of.¡± ¡°Alone?¡± ¡°He insisted on going alone.¡± Ciri rubbed the back of her head. ¡°One of you should have gone with him. He is our leader for fuck¡¯s sake. What type of impression will it leave on the other party?¡± At that, Harribel stirred, removing her sunsses. Sparks flew as they stared at each other, unyielding spirits fighting an imperceptible battle. ¡°He insisted on going alone,¡± Harribel repeated M Rose¡¯s words in a steady, deliberate voice. ¡°He didn¡¯t want to scare them with a group of Arrancars wielding fearsome powers¡­ Try to understand the Visored¡¯s perspective.¡± ¡°A group of powerful Arrancars hiding in the same town as them. I get it.¡± Ciri¡¯s sigh was audible, a mix of realization and resignation. She approached the pool, sitting at the edge and dipping her feet into the water, creating ripples that disturbed its tranquility. ¡°When is he leaving?¡± ¡°Someone seems to be terribly lonely without our leader,¡± Sung-Sun said with a chuckle. ¡°We don¡¯t know yet. In a week or two I¡¯d assume.¡± A thoughtful expression cast a shadow over Ciri¡¯s features. Her anticipation for Kazuya¡¯s remedy of her broken Zanpakut¨­ surpassed her initial expectations. After all, her Zanpakut¨­ was the very reason she was rotting in the underground chamber while everyone else was having the tour of their lives. Left to her thoughts, she unknowingly sank deeper and deeper into the abyss of despair. A hand rose from the pool and yanked her into the pool, disrupting her contemtion. She emerged, dripping wet, her wings heavy and sodden. ¡°Hahaha.¡± M Rose¡¯sughter echoed through the air, wild and unhinged, as if she was a maniac viin who had just cracked the code to end the world. ¡°Stop being a sad bird. Chirp and open your wings like a happy bird!¡± Ciri red at her for a few moments before she climbed out of the pool. ¡°Don¡¯t bother me¡­ I¡¯m not in the mood.¡± M Rose''s smile faltered, reced by a concerned frown at her friend¡¯s dejected response. ¡°Cheer up, let me tell you what happened today.¡± As M Rose rted the conversation between Kazuya and Harribel about Hueco Mundo''s future, surprise flickered across Ciri¡¯s face. ¡°He actually took responsibility for killing Baraggan.¡± She took him for a leader but never the type to step up as a King after Baraggan¡¯s death. The fact that he cared about the future of the Hollow race made her hopeful for the future of Hueco Mundo. ¡®I¡¯m still not leaving this ce for Hueco Mundo.¡¯ She looked at Harribel in a new light. ¡°I¡¯m all for Kazuya being a king and Harribel being the queen.¡± Harribel responded with a firm, "Thank you," gesturing for Api and Sung-Sun to sit up. ¡°After Kazuya leaves, I¡¯ll go to Las Noches and talk to Baraggan¡¯s retainers¡­ I¡¯ll try the peaceful method.¡± The idea of sitting on a throne, dictating terms, didn¡¯t align with her nature. Yet, for the sake of peace, for fewer sacrifices, she epted this formidable role with an unwavering resolve. Leadership was not an exciting prospect, but a necessarypromise. M Rose froze in surprise. Api and Ciri weren¡¯t any different. Only Sung-Sun showed a look of mild surprise, clearly not expecting Harribel to take action so fast. Harribel¡¯s proposal shed with the personal agendas they had for Hueco Mundo after Kazuya¡¯s leave. Observing the silence, Harribel arched an eyebrow. ¡°I take it you all had different ns. It¡¯s fine... I can manage alone.¡± While not optimal, she had no qualms against storming the Las Noches on her own. She was confident in her Resurri¨®n being able to handle any number of Hollows. After all, the strongest Hollow, by her observation, had been dealt with by Kazuya already. M Rose turned to Sung-Sun and Api. ¡°Wait, what are you two cooking?¡± Sung-Sun narrowed her eyes. ¡°Api and I have ns to further explore the Forest of Menos.¡± ¡°That underground location? Ciri and I were going to visit Las Noches. A horrible scientist/Espada named Szayel lives there, performing inhumane experiments on Hollows and other races. I was going to kill him.¡± Ciri nodded in tune with M Rose. ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Harribel-sama, could we..." M Rose faltered, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Can you dy your n by a couple of weeks?¡± ¡°Yeah, please,¡± Sung-Sun chimed in for Api¡¯s. ¡°We need some weeks at most.¡± Harribel¡¯s mind was swayed by their sincere requests. ¡°Fine¡­ take care of your business after Kazuya leaves. Until then, you all will spend as much time with him as you can.¡± ¡°Consider it done,¡± Sung-Sun said with a teasing smile. ¡°Harribel-sama, we¡¯re grateful to have a lovable mommy like you.¡± Caught off guard by Sung-Sun¡¯s sudden shift in tone, Harribel could only stare, taken aback. ¡°I¡¯m not anyone¡¯s mommy¡­ stop talking nonsense.¡± Getting up, she manifested her spiritual clothes and left the pool. ¡°I¡¯m gonna be in the town.¡± Being identical to humans in her base Arrancar form, she could go out anytime without needing a disguise. A Gigai was all she needed to blend in with the humans. ¡°I¡¯ll convey that to Kazuya.¡± Api and M Rose exchanged bewildered looks, their gazes returning to Sung-Sun, pondering where she found the courage to tease Harribel of all people. ¡­ A few minutester, Sung-Sun pped Api¡¯s thigh. ¡°Wake up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m awake, bitch. What¡ª¡± ¡°Remember the favor you owe me?¡± A shiver of dread danced along Api''s spine. She could feel a troublesome requesting her way. A very troublesome one. ¡°Oh that? What do you want?¡± ¡°I know you¡¯ve been sleeping with Kazuyately, going at it all night like rabbits in heat.¡± Heat rushed to Api¡¯s face, her fierce demeanor dissolving into a flustered mess. ¡°W-W-What are you talking about? I¡¯m sleeping in my room. Just sleeping!¡± M Rose casually kicked Api¡¯s shin. ¡°When did you make your move on him?¡± It was no secret amongst the three women how thirsty Api was for Kazuya. It was only a matter of time before she made her move, although they hadn''t expected it to happen so soon after her Arrancarification. ¡°I did not!¡± Api refused to admit anything about her intimacy in front of them. ¡°You guys are delusional as fuck.¡± ¡°Stop bullshitting,¡± Sung-Sun said in a sharp voice. ¡°Open up your ears and listen. Tonight, you will¡­¡± M Rose and Ciri exchanged stunned nces as they listened to Sung-Sun¡¯s devious n that heavily involved Kazuya. She pointed an usatory finger at Sung-Sun. ¡°That¡¯s going too far, Snake.¡± ¡°Shut up, Coward Rose. I¡¯m not gonna deny my womanhood for some random excuse.¡± The words pierced M Rose¡¯s chest. ¡°I¡¯m not making excuses!¡± ¡°Don¡¯te crying to me when he loses interest in you. The Seireitei is as big as the Living World. He will find plenty of women there. Women who he used to work with and admire. I¡¯ll do everything I can to make sure he has a reason toe back. Hell, he might get together with Yoruichi and make a noble family there.¡± Her words served as a harsh reminder of Kazuya¡¯s background as a Shinigami and how easily he could be swayed to leave their side. Even though they trusted him with their hearts, there was still a lingering concern that he would leave them forever. To her surprise, M Rose threw her head back andughed like a maniac. ¡°Fuck off. He is Skull. My Skull. I¡¯m gonna storm the gates of Soul Society to bring him back here if I need to.¡± ¡°Oh, you care so much about me?¡± ¡°Of course I do, you dummy. He is a precious friend and a potential mate.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ttered.¡± M Rose paused, her head slowly moving to where the voice came from. She came face to face with a grinning Kazuya, her expression frozen in time as if he was the embodiment of her nightmares. Ciri burst intoughter. ¡°How can someone be so clueless and cute?¡± ¡°M Rose is a natural,¡± Sung-Sun said. ¡°How did things go with the Visored?¡± ¡°Good. I¡¯m gonna train with them starting tomorrow.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good but will you be spending less time with us?¡± ¡°Nope, because we¡¯ll all be training there.¡± ¡°Wow.¡± M Rose eximed. ¡°I¡¯m gonna beat them to pulp and show ¡®em the powers of a true Arrancar.¡± ¡°I¡¯d love to see you try.¡± He settled by Ciri¡¯s side andid his head on her wet thighs, feeling a surprising amount of plush beneath his head. ¡°Will you join us, Ciri?¡± Ciri didn¡¯t reject his initiative, leaning back with a sigh. ¡°Training won¡¯t help me in my current form.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I just want you to be there as a part of our group. By the way, our group has a name now. The Inverse. El Inverso.¡± Kazuya had already approached Kisuke for a solution for Ciri¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ after his meeting with Visored. The shady shopkeeper had agreed to help but made no promises. ¡°It¡¯s not bad¡­¡± she said with a slow nod and looked down at him. ¡°Kazuya, I support your decision to be the King.¡± ¡°Does that mean we can finally fuck?¡± ¡°...¡± Chapter 83-85: The Night (R-18) Chapter 83-85: The Night (R-18) Nights were often a toss-up between sleep and fun for Kazuya these days, hinging mostly on Api¡¯s whims. She¡¯d sneak into his bed every night before him and surprise him with kisses as soon as he crawled into the bed. Tonight was a little different. He was searching for Sung-Sun, who was nowhere to be found in her room or anyone else¡¯s room for that matter. As if she had vanished from the mansion. With the Reiatsu concealing Gigai, it was next to impossible to trace any of hispanions ¡ª a great and bad feature at the same time. ¡®Did she return to the Hueco Mundo?¡¯ He denied the thought. She¡¯d definitely tell him if she were to leave suddenly. ¡®Wait, I forgot to check my room.¡¯ He headed toward the most spacious bedroom in the mansion. In the moonlit room, he could see a silhouette underneath the nkets. Since everyone was in their rooms, Api included, the woman on his bed had to be Sung-Sun. ¡®We both thought about fucking on the same night.¡¯ {Herpatibility with you is only second to my impable bond with you. That¡¯s saying a lot, for we are soulmates bound to be together for eternity.} ¡®Tone down your yandere a bit. My heart can only handle so much sugar.¡¯ {My Partner deserves all the love in this world after your past life with a senile old fuck. I¡¯d have killed him if I were in your shoes. Straight up stabs to his heart then chop him into bits and flush him down the Tokyo Bay.} ¡®Chill.¡¯ He moved toward the bed and slid under the covers. Embracing Sung-Sun from behind, he nted kisses along her nape, his hands roaming her bare skin, finding her figure wrapped in mere bra and panties. She was cool as the air outside. As a Hollow with a physiology akin to serpents, her body temperature was heavily influenced by her surroundings. ¡°Api, your scent is a little different¡­ it¡¯s more enticing.¡± ¡°Fufu. It¡¯s the difference between a harmless deer and a venomous snake. A prey and a hunter.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± He feigned ignorance, reaching to rub her breasts with one hand. The supple softness under her thin brapelled him to give her tits a couple more rubs. ¡°Api, your chest shrank in a day? Did Sung-Sun pop its air like a balloon?¡± She pried off his hands and turned around to face him. ¡°Ara, can¡¯t you tell the difference between Api¡¯s oundishly useless pair of balloons and my twin peaks molded with magnificent elegance?¡± ¡°W-Wait, Sung-Sun? What are you doing in my bed?¡± Grinning in the dark, she stroked his face with the gentleness of a mother. ¡°Your innocent act isn¡¯t fooling anyone. You already knew who I was before you started groping me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a terrible actor.¡± ¡°Actually terrible.¡± She nodded seriously as she drew closer and pecked his lips. ¡°Do you know why I¡¯m here?¡± ¡°I¡¯d be a fool to not realize a woman¡¯s tant invitation.¡± ¡°Sweet,¡± she murmured as she pushed him on his back and straddled his waist. ¡°Darling~.¡± He had noticed something earlier when she was in her swimsuit and hoody. Her baggy clothes concealed a slender body gifted with the right amount of curves at ces. She pulled off the perfectbination of elegant and alluring. Her bare body also showed her Hollow hole in the same ce as Api and M Rose ¡ª all three girls of Tres Bestia had a yearning for strength for different reasons. The lioness wanted to protect, the deer wanted to surpass the world, and the snake most likely wanted strength to prevent the deaths of her precious friends. Seizing his hands in hers, she immobilized them above his head and nuzzled into his neck. Emitting cool sighs, she traced a path of kisses from his neck to his right ear. ¡°You have to hold my hands, kiss me, touch me intimately, and then fuck me. That¡¯s how you will turn me into a Snake Mommy.¡± Her seductive whispers near his ears set his heart aflutter. His erection slowly strained against his pants. He still let her lead, wondering how far the Snake Princess would go on her own. ¡°Do I have a choice in the decision?¡± ¡°A tiny bit like one percent. I¡¯ll be Ciri and Harribel-sama¡¯spetitor whether you like it or not.¡± She suddenly leaned in and kissed him. Her lips, soft and plump, perfectly fitted against his own so perfectly it sent a shudder trembling through him. She pulled back from the kiss and smirked at him ¡ª an undeniably seductive expression that left his pants feeling tighter. She drew away right as he extended his tongue, giggling as she proceeded to torment him with fleeting kisses, mirroring his own teasing tactics with Api. Never once did she loosen her grasp on his hands or permit him to deepen the kiss. He looked at her with slight annoyance, finallyprehending the reason for Api¡¯s irritation. Being teased was a first for him as he had been the dominant partner in his rtionships with Yumi and Api. ¡°I¡¯m gonna take revenge when I fuck you silly.¡± She shuddered visibly at his threatening tone. ¡°Oh, Darling. You¡¯re making me wetter.¡± He nced down at her panties. Indeed, there was a moist patch visible on purple panties. The anticipation of lying on his bed in his absence and their conversation had considerably hiked up her excitement. She let out a sigh. ¡°I¡¯m gonna stop. Which one of my forms would you like to fuck? This one or mymia form?¡± He gulped at her question which was far trickier than it seemed. Denying sex to hermia form would be the same as rejecting her true self. ¡°It¡¯s heresy to choose just between them. Both of them are Sung-Sun.¡± ¡°Lamia form, it is then.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s try that next time. For tonight, let¡¯s just indulge in each other like this.¡± She smirked mischievously as she released his hands and drew back. ¡°Darling still has inhibitions about my other form. You used to be a Shinigami, after all. Killing Hollows was your job, not bringing them to bed for a fuck.¡± His hands trailed around her legs, touching her slender butt held with a heated look. ¡°I¡¯ll be used to it like I became used to my life as a Hollow.¡± ¡°Mhmm.¡± She nodded and carelessly snapped her bra. A pair of big, soft-looking tits spilled out with a gentle ripple, their stiff peaks shimmering softly in the moonlight. For a few heartbeats, he just ogled her, captivated by her sensual allure. She broke into augh, fracturing the tranquil atmosphere that didn¡¯t match their intimate position. She guided his hands to her breasts. ¡°They aren¡¯t as big as Api or M and nowhere close to Harribel-sama¡¯s huge bust. Give me a sincere review of these divine breasts.¡± His hands found a home around the soft mounds of her breasts, gently squeezing them in his grasp. She gasped, a soft sigh slipping from her lips as he traced the curves of her breasts. ¡°Soft, supple, inviting, and most of all sensitive. Like they were made to be touched, to be admired. They don¡¯t need to be bigger than these; they are already perfect.¡± ¡°You never run out of flowery words, do you?¡± ¡°Theye out naturally.¡± He grazed her erect nipples with his thumbs, relishing in the soft gasps and shivers that ran through her body. A rough pinch of her nipples made her moan cutely. ¡°And these are so responsive, like they are begging for my attention.¡± Grinning foolishly at his unabashed praise, she leaned forward and captured his lips into a passionate kiss. At the same she rubbed her crotch against the bulge in his pants. ¡°Help me make this night unforgettable.¡± She wanted him to engrave every moment in his memory, never forgetting her during his time at the Soul Society. ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore,¡± she groaned and clutched his shirt before yanking it. With feral hands, she wed his shirt until nothing was left. ¡°Your pants.¡± He hurriedly unbuckled his pants before her savage hands made it anywhere close to his crotch. He very much wanted his cock to avoid the same fate as his shirt. She giggled as she twisted her body. Her back facing him, she leaned over his crotch, her butt unceremoniously hovering close to his face. A heavy scent of lust clung to the air, her enticing scent extending a silent invitation. Sensing his heated gaze, she peeked over her shoulder, catching his eyes transfixed on her concealed pussy. Hooking her thumb in her panties, she slid them down, allowing him an unobstructed view. He could see the most precious ce between her legs topped by a thin, olive green strip. ¡°Sung-Sun, be gentle with my dick,¡± he whispered as he felt her hands running over her crotch. ¡°I¡¯mma dive in.¡± He reached out and grabbed her ass, pulling her close. Her slit pressed against his lips, and she pushed her butt closer. At the same time, his nose pressed against her flesh, her gentle bush tickling his face. He flicked his tongue, relishing the opportunity to lick up her juices. Her body shivered and her breath hiked as his warm tongue vigorouslypped at her wet, cool folds. The constant wet ps filled the room as he eagerly explored her insides. ¡°You¡¯re so passionate,¡± she managed through the hints of a moan, letting out sighs of pleasure. ¡°Darling~.¡± She unzipped his pants and smoothly pulled his pants down, his boxers inevitably meeting the same fate. There was a soft gasp as she came face to face with his hardened cock, his scent making her heart flutter. She had known about its size from Api but nothing could prepare her for the veiny member gently twitching as if beckoning her for a touch. She curled her lithe fingers around his hardened cock, a gentle squeeze preluding the stroked that pumped from tip to base, the coolness of her skin sending a shiver through him. She let her tongue slide out between her lips, saliva dripping down onto the head. Her spit, cool and sticky, trickled down, her thumbing up a secondter to smear it around, acting like a makeshift lube as she began to tease his sensitive head with her other hand, her palm rubbing in slow, firm circles. ¡°Mmm,¡± he groaned with his mouth in her pussy, pulling back momentarily. He noticed her lower lips had be flushed, showcasing her arousal. ¡°Where did you learn this?¡± ¡°Nowhere,¡± she breathed out and pushed her butt in his face. ¡°Snakes are flexible and highly adaptive creatures.¡± She shared the knowledge she learned from her recent visits to the library. It was a great way for her to pass time while learning new things. ¡°What a little monster,¡± she moaned while wiggling her butt. ¡°Mmm, yes, Darling~! It feels heavenly.¡± Holding his thick shaft in her right hand, she switched to slower strokes, angling his cock slightly as she did. Her left hand toyed with the bulbous head, fondling it while stroking the shaft. Her double-handed blowjob easily fried his mind, stilted gasps andbored moans escaping him as she masterfully worked his dick. But she was far from satisfied with just jerking him off. Without missing a beat she removed her left hand and pressed her lips to the tip, right before weing him in the hole of her mouth. The slight coldness that enveloped his tip made him jolt, preluding the rush of pleasure that followed as her plump lips grazed down his hard cock, halting a bit past midway before sucking strongly up to the tip. Her lips never left his shaft as she plunged straight back down, shamelessly blowing him and her tongue teasing the tip with lewd motions. Despite her own approaching climax, her movements remained as focused as he was on the prize before him. He slowed down his tongue, letting his own pleasure build, while tasting her sticky juices. Then she took him deeper next, letting go of his shaft to almost deep-throat him. The throbbing tip bumped against the back of her throat, yet she barely gagged, unflinching as she sucked her way back up and plunged back down without hesitation. Her mouth became a wet orifice for his dick to slide into her. Her tongue, likewise, was a wet bed for it to rest upon ¨C licking the underside of his shaft with curls and flicks, sending sparks of raw desire up his spine. The certain coolness to her tongue and mouth only intensified his pleasure. It was the best blowjob he had, and it wasing from a virgindy. After what felt like an eternity of mutual pleasure, they both climaxed. Spurts of white erupted from his cock and sttered all over inside her mouth, while her folds contracted around his fingers, squeezing his finger with wanton need. Braced on her elbows, she let go of his saliva-slicked cock. Drawing in ragged breaths, she touched a finger to her lips. ¡°Darling¡­ I understand why Api isn¡¯t bashful about sneaking into your bed¡­ It¡¯s the best damn thing I have ever felt.¡± He let out a hot sigh that made her lower lips quiver. ¡°God blessed me with an amazing tongue.¡± ¡°He also blessed you with amazing semen. It tastes so naughty.¡± {He¡¯s the ck Phenex, the Demon in human form who singeth many sweet notes. He is an excellent poet, and obedient, he hopeth to return to the throne after a lifetime, and goveh the world from the Heavens.} ¡®Stop spouting chuuni prophecies. Lemme fuck.¡¯ He pped Sung-Sun¡¯s butt, inciting a lovely moan out of her. ¡°Um, Darling. Don¡¯t beat your delicate wife.¡± ¡°It¡¯s your reward for being so cute.¡± ¡°An agonizing reward for my undying love. Umm, Darling is so kinky.¡± Her imagination was vivid and perverted, like a certain maid with sses. They¡¯d make a terrifying pair of friends. She suddenly grabbed his cock which was starting to regain its vigor. ¡°Darling¡¯s cock is standing proud after that. This naughty thing needs to be punished.¡± ¡°How will you do it?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll show you.¡± She rolled off of him and pulled him to sit on the edge of the bed. With a smirk, she cupped her tits and then smothered his cock between them. The alluring softness, the squishy resistance, the cool touch of her skin against his heated cock, all of it felt downright heavenly as her boobs pushed and rubbed his cock between them. His tip poked out from between her tits, jutting into the cleavage of her breasts. She drooled onto the head, the spit stringing down his length creating a makeshift lube for her titfuck. Smirking, she looked up at him. ¡°Does this naughty fellow like the taste of my perfect breasts?¡± ¡°Absolutely,¡± he groaned, gripping onto the sheets and enduring her soft boobs as she pleased him with them. Sometimes she lifted both tits at the same time, other times she just squished them together and heightened the pressure around his cock. She lifted one while lowering the other. She leaned forward more and squished his cock against her chest more ¡ª her varied and infinitely-pleasurable tricks left his tip gleaming with pre-cum, twitching with a desire to unload. She let out her tongue and rolled it around the tip poking between her breasts. The cold sensation sent a shiver down his spine, bringing down thest wall of resistance. ¡°Cum now, Darling.¡± ''''Sung-Sun¡­!¡± With a gasp, he thrust his hips and busted his load, spurting his seed all over her tits. The sight made all the more lewd when she rubbed her tits together, smearing his own cum into his cock. She hurriedly pulled his twitching penis in her mouth, eagerly sucking out the leftover semen. A gleam of delight shone in her eyes. He moaned breathlessly. ¡°That was incredible¡­¡± He had received a couple of titfucks from Api. The deer¡¯s clumsiness had its own adorable charm but Sung-Sun¡¯s sheer techniques with her tits and mouth were out of this world. Sung-Sun released his cock with a pop and slowly scooped up the semen from her chest before licking it off. The seductive sight had him hard again within moments. Seeing his penis brimming with energy, she climbed on the bed and bent on all fours. With her ass facing him and her flushed pussy on full disy, she threw an expectant look over her shoulder at him. ¡°Darling, don¡¯t waste time. We have to do it all night to guarantee Little Kazuya and Sung-Sun.¡± Despite his usually yful and nonchnt demeanor, he was a responsible man at his roots. A child was the most promising reason for him to return back from the Soul Society. He let out a sigh. ¡°Sung-Sun, can we wait until my mission is done?¡± She narrowed her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll yield on one condition. You have to call me ¡®wife¡¯ both in private and in front of everyone.¡± ¡°Wife.¡± Her face shone with a brilliant smile, satisfied by hispliance. ¡°Husband! Now fuck me.¡± Her seductive voice turned him on more than it should. Swiftly, he shuffled behind her, eyes roaming over her shapely thighs and soft ass. He probed at the eager entrance with his cock and slowly pushed into her. With how wet she was he sunk in right up to the hilt on the first go, groin bumping up against her ass cheeks as he filled herpletely. Yet there was a snug grip on him that felt like a show of possessiveness. The enthralling sensation of her pussy propelled him into motion, hips rearing back and bucking forth slow at first but steadily gaining speed. With her head bowed low, she let out a slew of hot, husky moans. ¡°Haah~! That''s it! More! More!''¡± His hands found her waist, gripping tightly as his thrusts became more forceful; each powerful surge sent ripples cascading across her skin. Her soft pair of tits bounced from the force of his pounding, swaying back and forth with a hypnotizing rhythm. He reached out, kneading her sticky tits as he maintained his rhythm. Her intimate grip on him was downright heavenly. His grunts gradually became more guttural as he intensified his pace. The sudden roughness was well appreciated by Sung-Sun, her loud moan filling his ears and turning a tad breathless when his fingers found her nipples and gave them a rough tweak. ¡°Mhmmm~, do me anyway you want, Husband.¡± When she demanded it, how could he notply? Releasing her bosom he settled his strong hands on her shoulders, shoving them down against the bed. A mad howl of delight left her as she moved her ass back and forth to meet his rhythmic assault. Her voice once more ricocheting off of his bedroom walls as he gave her the pounding she deserved. His swollen girth stuffed between her wet petals and pummeled up against her sensitive region, leaving her engulfed in waves of pure euphoria. ''''Hyah! Y-Yes, Right there, husband!'''' she utterly howled with bliss, flooding his ears. ¡°You¡¯re amazing!¡± The seizing grip around his cock more than assured him of that, her pussy quivering and quaking as he buried himself balls-deep in her. The precum soon began to leak, sloshing within her, offering a sticky squelch to their relentless mating. He was so entrenched in his lust right now all he could think about was how good it felt to fuck her from behind, eyes roaming ravenously over her pale back and watching her olive green hair spill across it as she tossed her head this way and that, biting her bottom lip more often than not. A few more powerful and steady thrusts at her sensitive region pushed her to another orgasm. A shrill shriek escaped the voluptuous princess as she clenched tight around his dick, her tightness trying to coax all of his load out. Gritting his teeth, he withdrew and emptied his balls on her ass. She moaned arousingly and stayed in her position, having no energy to even move her body. After a few moments, she flopped down onto her side and brushed her messy hair away from her face. He crawled over to join her side, their sweaty bodies intermingling in the moonlight. ¡°Husband¡­ do you want more?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°I promised tost the whole night. I¡¯m not backing down!¡± He chuckled at her enthusiastic response. ¡°That¡¯s my good wife.¡± Apart from the small moments of reprieve, they ended up having sex until the moon vanished and the first ray shone on them. Chapter 86: Unusual Relationship Chapter 86: Unusual Rtionship Kazuya had a refreshing bath with Sung-Sun first thing in the morning. M Rose, Api, Harribel, and Ciri were already there, nestled around the table in the dining room. Each reacted differently as Sung-Sun walked into the dining room with him, her arm twined possessively around his arm. A scornful sneer twisted M Rose¡¯s lips as her gaze hardened with clear disdain. Api, on the other hand, attempted to cloak her emotions behind a mask of aloofness. But the subtle twitch of her fingers and a faint furrow of her brows betrayed the jealousy brewing beneath her cool facade. Harribel was visibly tight-lipped, her face creased with a barely perceptible frown of judgment. Ciri, however, appeared utterly indifferent, seemingly uninterested in his love life. ¡°Husband, let me serve you breakfast,¡± Sung-Sun purred, drawing out his chair and bringing the packed dishes to serve him. ¡°Here. I made you delicious food~.¡± M Rose made a disgusted face as if she couldn¡¯t bear to watch Sung-Sun¡¯s housewife act. ¡°Api, will you do me the favor of smacking this bitch in the head? She has clearly lost it.¡± M Rose was the type to poke fun at anyone, anytime, anywhere with her unparalleled inability to read the room. She¡¯d have been the type of person who made jokes at someone¡¯s funeral. Api shook her head. ¡°Let her act¡­ she was moaning all night.¡± Cyan Sung-Sun stifled a yawn, the corners of her lips curving up. ¡°Husband and I had a fancy night. I¡¯m tired¡­¡± ¡°Oi, Skull and Snake,¡± M Rose yelled. ¡°Can¡¯t you two fuck in moderation? You guys were so damn loud yesterday. I¡¯d have kicked your asses if Ciri didn¡¯t stop me.¡± Kazuya had forgotten to put on the forcefield that suppressed noise to an extent. M Rose¡¯sint reminded him of a crucial w in the mansion. Even though their bedrooms were so far apart, their superhuman senses could easily pick on the noisesing from another floor. ¡°Wait,¡± Kazuya said. ¡°M Rose sleeps with Ciri? Don¡¯t you two have separate bedrooms?¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with sleeping in Ciri¡¯s room? Her wings are so damnfortable pillows.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± His suspicions of their rtionship tickled his mind, unsettling him. If they were to take a romantic turn, he didn¡¯t know how he¡¯d handle it. ¡°Ciri, you gotta let me try your pillow wings.¡± Ciri rolled her eyes. ¡°Be happy I let you borrow myp. Don¡¯t push the boundaries, Leader.¡± Sleeping with him was different from sharing a bed with a friend. Both of them were aware of it. ¡°A.¡± He turned to Api. ¡°Oh, Api. I think your Resurri¨®n form gives you fur on your body.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not using my Resurri¨®n for you to use me as a body pillow!¡± ¡°Come on. Listen to your lover¡¯sst request.¡± Her resistance crumbled like a castle of sand under a wave. ¡°Fine¡­¡± she admitted with a sigh. ¡°Only tonight.¡± ¡°Thanks, Api.¡± She was trying not to show any happiness at his request but he could see through her facade. She was pleased that she was desired by him. Sung-Sun tugged at his sleeve. ¡°Can I join you tonight, Husband?¡± ¡°No!¡± Api rejected Sung-Sun with a red face. ¡°Sleep in your room.¡± ¡°Miser,¡± Sung-Sun said with a cute pout. ¡°Selfish, little miser deer.¡± ¡°...¡± The tension dissolved as he focused back on his breakfast, the sound of his lovers¡¯ bickering fading into the background. Once he finished his breakfast, he extended a hand towards Harribel, who was still seated, observing him with a soft smile. ¡°Come with me, Harribel.¡± She flinched as her smile vanished. Her shoulders slumped slightly, a hint of resignation clouding her features. She knew the reason behind his request. Turning to M Rose and Ciri, she revealed a stern frown. ¡°Don¡¯t try anything weird in my absence.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t!¡± He chuckled at her mother-like warnings to the group. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡­ Minutester, Harribel could be seen sitting on a bed while Kazuya leaned against the window of his room. Harribel looked at him. ¡°Kazuya?¡± His lips curved into a reassuring smile. ¡°I want to talk about you. More urately, I want to know about your inclination to treat me¡ªand others around me like your child.¡± She hesitated, her eyes wavering with a tinge of guilt. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ It¡¯s just my instinct to look after younger people. You¡¯re the only one I may have treated like my¡­ child.¡± The confession weighed on her. She¡¯d been fighting this battle within herself, knowing it was wrong to impose such a role without his consent, yet unable to resist. Acting like his mother provided her relief on deeper levels. ¡°Don¡¯t make that face,¡± he whispered, approaching her andying his head on her soft thighs. ¡°I¡¯d have said no if I didn¡¯t enjoy your care. I¡¯m just conflicted¡­¡± ¡°Conflicted about your feelings for me?¡± she asked softly. ¡°Do you remember the favor I was going to ask in Hueco Mundo?¡± ¡°What was that about?¡± She leaned in, so close that he could see his reflection in her aqua green eyes. ¡°I... I wanted you to ept M Rose as your lover. And for us to... remain the same. With me as... your mother.¡± Her confession hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her suppressed feelings. She had wished to maintain their existing dynamics, to continue cherishing him like a child. But Api getting attacked by Gillian had stopped her from asking the favor that may have changed their rtionship forever. ¡°I see,¡± he said, a soft sigh escaping his lips. ¡°What changed your mind?¡± ¡°You openly showed interest in me after you became an Arrancar¡­ I couldn¡¯t bring myself to ask the favor again.¡± He reached out and touched her face, tracing her soft skin. ¡°It¡¯s fine. You can continue pampering me as long as you want.¡± But she withdrew from his touch, her eyes shutting tight. A shake of her head followed her retreat. ¡°I won¡¯t take things for granted anymore.¡± ¡°Then how about you take up both roles? Act as my mother and my lover¡­¡± The words felt weird in his mind and sounded weirder in reality. He shut his eyes, trying to escape the awkwardness, only to feel a surprising softness against his lips. His eyes snapped open, meeting the sight of Harribel kissing him, her eyes sealed shut in concentration. It was a simple press of lips, but the emotional magnitude of sharing it with Harribel was enough to make his heart pound wildly. After a lingering moment, she pulled back, her breath mixing with his. ¡°It¡¯s decided then¡­ I¡¯ll cherish you like my child, and also love you... as your woman.¡± He could tell she wasn¡¯t immune to the oddness of their situation. The slight hesitation in her voice hinted at the embarrassment she felt about the unusual rtionship he had proposed ¡ª their current rtionship. ¡°Say something,¡± she grumbled. ¡°You¡¯re making it¡­ awkward.¡± Instead of answering her request, he burst outughing. ¡°It¡¯s refreshing to see Tier¡¯s cute side.¡± A yful ruffle through his hair was her retort, but her touch soon softened, her fingertips caressing his scalp with an affectionate ease. Receivingp pillows in Harribel¡¯s Vasto Lorde form was a blissful expression but receivingp pillows in her Arrancar form was apletely different experience. It was an entirely different level offort and intimacy. It was akin to being spoiled by royalty, which they both were going to be at some point. {Hey, Partner. Mommy Harribel is temporary and our bond is eternal¡­ forever and ever.} ¡®...¡¯ Chapter 87: The Balance Chapter 87: The Bnce For the next two weeks, Kazuya continuously trained with the Visored, refining every ability at his disposal, from the basic Cero to the most devastating ability at his disposal, Oppression. His Hierro armor hardened, absorbing lethal attacks from M Rose with ease. His Son¨ªdo soared to new heights with constant battles against the well-oiled battle machines like Visored. He hadn¡¯t been the only one who reaped rewards from this training. The influence of his ¡®Crumbling Heart¡¯ ability benefited all Hollow allies, including the Visored. Just in fifteen days, the Hollows inside the Visored had a visible growth in strength. Yet, they would never awaken a Resurri¨®n like Kaname Tosen, for their perception of their Hollow selves was skewed. They clung to their Hollow Masks as one would a weapon, failing toprehend that the Hollow entity residing within them was part of their very being. They needed to ept this Hollow identity, embrace it rather than viewing it as an external object. In contrast to the leaps and bounds Kazuya was making in his training, his personal life was marked with a significant issue ¡ª Izumi Ishida, the woman he held in regard as his own flesh and blood sister. He hadn¡¯t yet conveyed his imminent departure, which was due to take ce in a matter of hours. Spinning stories was an easy task, yet no scenario existed where Izumi would take his departure lightly. Regardless of the web of lies he spun, tears would inevitably follow. And revealing the true nature of his Hollow lineage would lead to a heartbreaking confrontation. He was in a sticky situation with no happy ending. {Bwahahahaha. Pay for thy cruel lies, Sinner!} ¡®Nami, shut up.¡¯ {Partner, there is a happy ending for her.} ¡®Huh?¡¯ {Kill her. Wipe her from the face of the earth. There will be no more tears or sadness. She¡¯ll live happily after she is taken to the povertynds of the Soul Society¡ªwait, she will be tortured by Kurotsuchi Mayuri for being a Pure-Blooded Quincy!} ¡®Fuck you.¡¯ {You don¡¯t need her in your life. I¡¯ll be your Onee-chan, Otouto-kun. You can also call me Okaa-san or simply Mommy Phoenix~.} With each passing day, his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit seemed to grow more and more detached from reality, turning into a bloodthirsty yandere. She might need professional therapy at this rate. ¡®I¡¯m just gonna repeat what I said to Api. Come to me when you get a human body. I don¡¯t bone animals or birds.¡¯ {Hmph, how uncultured of you. Our bond transcends the barriers of physical intimacy. Our love is spiritual, Partner.} ¡°Otouto-kun,¡± called out the ck-haired woman sitting across from him at a cafe seat. ¡°You¡¯re sleeping with your eyes open. Have you not been resting properly?¡± His heart clenched at the thought of seeing tears glistening in her gentle eyes. She had been nothing but sweet towards him. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Onee-chan. Is there any news about Ishida-san? When is he returning?¡± Izumi¡¯s face clouded over at the mention of her husband. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ neither do I care about our marriage at this point.¡± ¡°Huh? Are you unhappy with your marriage?¡± He could understand her frustration, but to lose all care for her marriage seemed too drastic. They had been married for like three or four months. ¡°This marriage¡­¡± she said, letting her words drift off into a mncholic sigh. ¡°Let¡¯s just¡­ let¡¯s just pretend I never said anything.¡± ¡°You can talk to me, Onee-chan. Maybe I can help with your problems.¡± ¡°There are no problems,¡± Izumi said, shaking her head softly. ¡°Our marriage was based around creating a lineage of Quincy¡­ Making a family that Quincy can rely upon in times of trouble.¡± ¡°So, it was a political marriage.¡± ¡°In essence, yes¡­ I don¡¯t need it anymore.¡± The shift in her perception could be traced back to a single person ¡ª himself. He had morphed into a beacon of hope for the Quincy race in her eyes, an illusion formed from her fantasies. She was unaware that the future of Quincy race was all but bleak with Yhwach¡¯s sinister ns to destroy the world by merging all three realms. Lisa¡¯s sharp re bore into him. ¡°Kazuya, you mentioned earlier that you had something important to share with Izumi-sama.¡± ¡°About that.¡± He rubbed the back of his head, realizing Lisa¡¯s attempt to make him omit the truth. ¡°Onee-chan, I¡¯m leaving Karakura Town for a vacation¡­ A long vacation.¡± ¡°Leaving the town? Where are you going and when will you return?¡± ¡°About a year. As for my destination, I¡¯d like to keep it a secret.¡± Izumi drew a sharp breath. ¡°Otouto-kun, you are joking¡­ Tell me it¡¯s a strange joke you learned from Lisa.¡± She was in denial. His recent absences, while bewildering, were manageable, but a vacationsting an entire year was beyond her capacity to cope with. His constant presence at her home had be aforting norm, and the prospect of his absence was akin to a serrated de cleaving her heart in two. He shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not joking, Onee-chan. Look on the bright side. You have one less mouth to feed.¡± His feeble attempt at humor backfired. As Izumi clutched his sleeve, her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. The cafe patrons began to cast usatory nces his way for making her cry. ¡°Onee-chan¡ª¡± Izumi abruptly pulled her hand back and sniffed, choking back her tears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Otouto-kun¡­ for being a clingy sister. You¡¯re free to leave anytime. I won¡¯t stop you.¡± She got up and dashed towards the exit at a superhuman speed ¡ª her leg injury had fully healed. As he tried to chase after her, Lisa grabbed his hand. ¡°Lisa.¡± "It¡¯s fine, Kazuya," she offered, her voice soothing as she pulled him back to sit beside her. ¡°Running after her now will onlyplicate things for both of you. You have to leave soon.¡± ¡°Fuck,¡± he cursed under his breath. ¡°Lisa, take care of her.¡± ¡°You can bet on that,¡± she said with a serious face. ¡°You take care of yourself on the mission. If you die, I¡¯ll expose your stash of incestual older sister ero-novels and magazines to Izumi-sama.¡± ¡°Those are yours, Lisa. Those are all yours,¡± he retorted, a chuckle escaping his lips. ¡°If I take down Aizen, we¡¯ll have a one-night stand. Got it?¡± ¡°In your dreams.¡± ¡­ The Gotei 13 was an establishment birthed from the vision of a single man, Genry¨±sai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who currently bore the title of the Captain Commander of the Gotei 13. He led a group of ruthless killers and formed an organization that imposedw and order with brute force. Then a certain massacre brought forth a transformation in their regtions. In the new era, the Gotei 13 was entrusted with stern responsibilities such as the safeguarding of the Seireitei ¡ª the heart of the Soul Society, the mobilization of Squad members forbat operations on enemy territories, the allocation of forces to defense measures in the Living World, and the guidance of souls to the Soul Society. All these undertakings were geared towards their core aim of maintaining the bnce. To visualize this bnce through data, Senjumaru Shutara, one of the esteemed Royal Guards, had conceived the Shutara Scale. The surveince of the Shutara Scale was now within the jurisdiction of the 12th Squad, which had a direct link to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. [Currently in the headquarters of the 12th Squad.] On the highest level of the headquarters stood a tall man with short, spiky ck hair, a prominent hairline bisecting his scalp. Three small horns adorned his forehead, and the absence of eyebrows made him a very impressionable Shinigami. Akon, the 3rd Seat of the 12th Squad, oversaw the division as they worked fervently before expansive screens. The Captain of the 12th Squad, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, held absolute authority over his department. If one dares to utter an opinion, they could very well be reconstructed into a Human bomb by the Captain. The secret to longevity here is working quietly and fulfilling all duties, never drawing attention to yourself. As for 12th Squad¡¯s duties, they developed innovative technology and spiritual devices. They also measured spiritual waves for the calibration of the Shutara Scale and managedmunications between different Squads. Akon nodded in satisfaction and shifted to the blonde man approaching him, carrying with him stacks of reports. ¡°Akon-san, we have a report from the Correction Squad to the Captain.¡± ¡°You can ry it to me. I¡¯ll pass it on to our Captain.¡± ¡°The Correction Squad have wiped out fifteen thousand souls in Rukongai. The Shutara Scale is back to Category 1 from Category 3.¡± Unflinchingly, Akon nodded his understanding at the grim news of fifteen thousand innocent souls from Rukongai being eradicated. The order had been issued by the Captain, then approved by the Captain Commander. It was not his ce to question it nor feel pity for the souls who¡¯d eventually reincarnate. ¡°You can leave.¡± Once his underling had left, Akon gathered the reports from his desk. A few weeks ago, nearly seventy thousand souls had mysteriously vanished from Hueco Mundo, causing a disturbance that had not been witnessed since the Quincy rampage. Nobody in the Gotei 13 realized that this disruption was caused by the death of a single Vasto Lorde ¡ª Barragan Lousenbairne. Chapter 88: Dangai Chapter 88: Dangai Within the next hour, Kazuya found himself back in Kisuke¡¯s well-lit underground chamber, facing Kisuke with Yoruichi on his side. Kisuke raised the tip of his hat. ¡°Ready to take a step back in time and explore your dark past? What I mean is.¡± Without awaiting a reply, Kisuke whipped out a ludicrouslyrge megaphone from the depths of his robe and roared into it, ¡°ARE YOU READY?¡± Kazuya snatched the megaphone and tossed it aside. ¡°Just bring out the Senkaimon.¡± ¡°Aye aye, Captain.¡± Kisukeplied, a quick snap of his fingers breaking the very fabric of reality, revealing four eerily rifts. Huge blocks of weathered gray stone emerged from each rift and formed a hollow rectangr block. The entire block looked as if it was put together by gluing a bunch of paper. ¡°The Senkaimon, the Tunnel World Gate. You might already know this, but let me refresh your memories on the dangers of entering a Senkaimon.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Api¡¯s voice echoed, a note of confusion tingeing her tone. ¡°I thought Senkaimon is Shinigami¡¯s version of Garganta¡­ and safe to transverse.¡± ¡°It is rtively simple if you have Jigokuch¨­, but us expelled Shinigami don¡¯t have ess to them. Kazuya-san and Yoruichi-san need to take the much more difficult route.¡± ¡°Exin why it¡¯s hard,¡± Api urged. ¡°The Senkaimon will close in four minutes. If you don¡¯t reach the Soul Society in four minutes, you will be trapped in the Dangai¡ªthe precipice realm between the Living World and the Soul Society ¡ªforever.¡± As the words seeped in, Api reached out, her fingers desperately clutching the fabric of Kazuya¡¯s shirt. ¡°Kazuya can fly. Four minutes should be enough for him.¡± ¡°The travel in Dangai¡­¡± Yoruichi said, looking at Kazuya with a soul-piercing gaze. ¡°It isn¡¯t dictated by speed but willpower. The will to go forward is our guide. Have no doubt. Have no fear. Do not stop. Do not look back. Do not think of those you are leaving behind. Just¡­ go forward.¡± She was obviously addressing his rtionship with his lovers, which might be a problem within the realm of Dangai. If his heart lingered in the Living World, he might not make it out of the Dangai. ¡°Shih¨­in-san,¡± he said with a confident voice. ¡°I can handle the willpower part. I¡¯m more worried about the currents that flow in the Dangai.¡± ¡°K¨­ry¨±? We need to avoid it at any cost. Once you¡¯re stuck in its grasp, crossing to the Soul Society in time will be impossible.¡± Harribel clenched her fists. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ absurd. Why can¡¯t he go through Garganta?¡± With a shake of his head, Kisuke exined, ¡°The S.R.D.I. are monitoring the Hollow activities all day all year. They will be alerted as soon as Garganta opens. We can¡¯t take that risk. This Senkaimon is our only choice in giving him entry to the Soul Society.¡± Compared to the reality-bending distortions caused by Garganta, the subtler ripples of Senkaimon often flew under the investigative radar. Harribel bit her lip, anger shing in her eyes. ¡°Why does he¡ª¡± ¡°Rx, Tier,¡± intertwining his fingers with hers and applying a gentle,forting pressure. She was openly showing concern about him, which warmed his heart. ¡°Shih¨­in-san will be there with me. There is no obstacle in this world we can¡¯t pass together. Even Baraggan got destroyed, remember?¡± Yoruichi nodded with a chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s a walk in the park for Shinigami with our resolve.¡± ¡°What they said,¡± Kisuke added,zily waving a fan in front of his face. ¡°I have prototypemunication devices to exchange words between us and the Soul Society. We¡¯ll know when he makes it to the other side.¡± M Rose gave Harribel¡¯s shoulder an encouraging pat. ¡°Harribel-sama, Skull is a bit perverted but he always lives up to his promise. Let¡¯s trust him.¡± Sung-Sun wrapped her arms around Harribel from the side. ¡°Husband is a god. Nothing can harm him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s going too far,¡± Api retorted, though a smile yed on her lips. ¡°I guess it¡¯s true in a sense. He is the King of Hollows for a reason.¡± Everyone except Ciri came together to reassure the worried mother of the Inverse, who showed genuinepassion and affection for Kazuya. Their collective encouragement had a splendid effect, lifting her spirits. Kazuya took his turn embracing each of them, his lips sneaking in a quick, affectionate kiss. There were noints or rejections when faced with the idea of living without him for a month at the very least. Witnessing the sweet rtionship between Kazuya and hispanions stirred a pang of guilt in both Kisuke and Yoruichi. They recognized the importance of stopping Aizen and maintaining the bnce but the emotional toll felt burdensome nheless. After warm farewells, he stepped into the Senkaimon, followed by Yoruichi. His physical body remained behind, entrusted to the loving care of his lovers. It was actually of no importance since he could create a new physical body every time he changed from Soul to Human race. ¡­ The Dangai unveiled itself as a seemingly endless tunnel swallowed in darkness. Surrounded by looming violet walls that exhaled a smoky aura¡ªthe dangerous K¨­ry¨± currents¡ªthe narrow path felt oppressive and eerie. Suddenly, as if provoked, the walls lunged forward, attempting to capture them in their shadowy grasp. ¡°Run!¡± Yoruichi said. ¡°Don¡¯t look back. Just run!¡± He threw her onto his head and sprinted, fueling each stride with a desperate urgency. His peak physical condition kept him just beyond the snatching grasp of the violet, time-altering currents of K¨­ry¨±. He wasn¡¯t risking using his spiritual power. ¡°There.¡± Yoruichi pointed towards a glimmering golden door, shining like a beacon of hope in the dark corridors. ¡°Keep running, Champ. The only way lies ahead of us. To the Soul Society, we go!¡± Fuelled by her rallying cry, he shed through the remaining distance and charged headlong into the glimmering door. They emerged under a clear blue sky over a Rukongai District. In the distance stretched a panorama of traditional Japanese buildings, a stark contrast to the humble cottages beneath him. The Rukongai was a glimpse of a time before stonework, while the Seireitei represented the serene beauty of Kyoto¡¯s historical architecture. He took a deep breath, letting the air of the Soul Society fill his lungs. ¡®I¡¯m finally here.¡¯ {Let¡¯s fucking go and murder Aizen.} ¡®Nami, go back to sleep.¡¯ Chapter 89: Rukongai Chapter 89: Rukongai Yoruichi let out a soothing purr of relief, her velvety paws finally rxing their grip in Kazuya¡¯s messy bed of hair. ¡°You came through.¡± Lifting a hand, Kazuya cradled Yoruichi¡¯s delicate feline head, his fingers tenderly tracing the contours of her soft fur. ¡°Never underestimate the resolve of a man who¡¯s survived a toxic rtionship. Do you have any idea how much self-control it requires to hold back from snapping, or even... killing that person?¡± His words were cloaked in bitter memories of his grandfather, yet she misinterpreted them as a reference to his rtionship to Aizen. ¡°What if my skepticism gave you the determination to pull through? You never know.¡± ¡°Just admit you were wrong. It won¡¯t make you a smaller woman¡­ Wait, I don¡¯t want to see you shorter than you already are.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°I was referring to your cat form,¡± he rified, a mischievous whistle escaping his lips. ¡°Your real form is perfect as it is. I¡¯d have preferred if you were just a tad taller. Like a couple of inches.¡± ¡°Now you¡¯re just asking for a beating,¡± she huffed. ¡°Go to the ground before anyone notices us. Hurry~.¡± Heeding her urgency, he descended, a second sigh of relief from Yoruichi brushing past him. ¡°Well,¡± she said. ¡°How does it feel to be back?¡± Her question was more than just casual conversation; she hoped to pry open the walls around his past life, to ease the burden upon his heart. After all, for souls as ageless as theirs, the emotional wounds often ran deeper than physical scars. She had no desire to witness him crumble under the weight of his past, not as an ally, and certainly not as a friend. ¡°I have no idea.¡± A brief silence, heavy with unsaid words, stretched between them. Yoruichi sighed, her third one since their arrival, settling morefortably on his head as if it were her personal couch. ¡°Sharing your feelings wouldn¡¯t kill you, you know?¡± ¡°I know, jeez,¡± he said. ¡°I hardly remember anything about my life here. I don¡¯t feel sad or overwhelmed. You don¡¯t need to be concerned.¡± ¡°If you say so.¡± ¡°Are we staying here until the next Shinigami recruitment process begins?¡± ¡°Yup. Just head in that direction. I¡¯ll introduce you to my friend.¡± The ''friend'' she was so eager to introduce was no mystery to him. ¡®Sexy fireworks woman.¡¯ He was excited to meet her, and not just because she was among the most attractive women in Bleach. K¨±kaku Shiba was closely tied to Kaien Shiba, a man who could put an end to his entire mission. Kaien had previously seen him as a Quincy. Encountering him again as a Shinigami could stir upplications. {Just kill him. Violence is the key to solving every problem. If it doesn¡¯t solve your problem, you simply aren¡¯t using enough violence.} Nami¡¯s suggestions had turned murderous, and it was only his first day in the Soul Society. ¡®Don¡¯t go down the murderhobo route please.¡¯ {I¡¯m sorry¡­ It¡¯s toote for me. I have embraced the path of death and loneliness. I¡¯ll be the Mistress of Heavens, then give you the Heavens as my dowry.} ¡®Oh no.¡¯ As they ventured towards their destination,Yoruichi filled him in on some interesting bits about their current location. Rukongai was the biggest and most populous part of the Soul Society, epassing a staggering 320 Districts, divided into 80 sections around Seireitei. The 1st District had peace andwparable to the Seireitei. The same couldn¡¯t be said to the districts further from the Seireitei¡¯s reach. The 80th District was a violent territory infested with some of the most violent souls. The living standards in Rukongai declined sharply beyond the fiftieth district, with an increase in people wearing rags. The further a district fell from the center, the more decaying slums it would be. The poverty was to the point no Rukongai resident wore sandals beyond District 59. Kazuya felt grateful that Yoruichi directly brought him to the 1st District of West Rukongai, where K¨±kaku Shiba resided. Soon, he could see a well-built house in the distance. Though humble in size, the house boasted a massive chimney. ¡®She didn¡¯t start using those hands yet.¡¯ Kaien¡¯s death would affect many people. His sister, K¨±kaku would shift to a deeper part of the Rukongai and use two giant human hands to hold up a banner with her name on it. He blinked, sensing an unusual stillness. ¡®Strange. I can¡¯t sense anyone inside.¡¯ He tugged at Yoruichi¡¯s tail. She retaliated by wing his hair. ¡°Stop messing with my tail,¡± she growled. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you.¡± Her tail to her was as sacred as a dragon¡¯s reverse scale. ¡°Calm down, Shih¨­in-san. Your friend isn¡¯t at home.¡± ¡°True. I don¡¯t hear any movements.¡± She gave his head an affectionate pat. ¡°Let¡¯s just wait inside.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that rude?¡± ¡°Who cares? K¨±kaku and I are like sisters. She wouldn¡¯t mind me barging into her house.¡± ¡°From a noble princess to a trespasser. Shih¨­in-san¡¯s fall is a story worth writing.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll obviously be the main character,¡± she said with augh. ¡°Stop calling me Shih¨­in-san, or I¡¯ll start calling you Lil¡¯ Kazu.¡± He cringed at the nickname. ¡°Fine, Yoruichi.¡± ¡°Better.¡± They pushed the sliding back door of the house open and plunked down by the entrance. The home was warm and inviting, with a snug living room and even a basement. But they chose to lounge near the entrance, basking in the waning daylight. As Yoruichi stretched next to him, her tail swirled in rhythmic arcs. ¡°I¡¯ll take a nap. Wake me when¡ª¡± ¡°Yoruichi, I need to tell you something.¡± He exined the potentialplication of Kaien Shiba''s presence and how it could disrupt their mission. Yoruichi narrowed her eyes. ¡°We¡¯re at the perfect ce to remedy the problem. The friend you¡¯re about to meet is Kaien Shiba¡¯s younger sister. We can ask her to summon Kaien and discuss things.¡± ¡°Perfect or should I say purrfect?¡± She nced at him and rolled her eyes. "You impudent little kitten. Where did you find the fur-balls to utter cat puns in my presence?" ¡°I¡¯m still scratching the surface... There will be a purr-ticr time when I¡¯ll be meow-tering cat puns as naturally as breathing.¡± ¡°Get out of here. Away from my sight, now!¡± ¡°...¡± *** After about an hour of idle chatter and the asional cat pun, Kazuya spotted three silhouettes on the serene horizon. A raven-haired woman was making her way towards them, her strides nked by two loyal servants wearing red hats. ¡°She looks pissed,¡± he whispered. ¡°What ticked her?¡± Yoruichinguidly rose from her spot, her tail yfully swatting at his back. ¡°One step at a time, Kazuya. We¡¯ll deal with her troubles first.¡± She was prioritizing her friend over the mission, and he couldn¡¯t fault her for it. ¡°Fair enough.¡± K¨±kaku Shiba came to a halt before him, her hands resting on her hips as she scrutinized him with a hawk¡¯s intensity. "Yoruichi, who is this gentleman?" Kazuya rose to his feet and gave a refined bow. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to meet the Princess of Shiba n.¡± His words, carefully chosen and delivered with a hint of admiration, would have been a perfect greeting for a princess. However, K¨±kaku clenched her fists, her face twitching. With the temperament of a tiger and a distaste for nobles, this princess was ready to snap at anyone at this moment. ¡°Shiba-san, did I perhaps offended you? If so, I apologize.¡± Yet, his soothing voice seemed to dissolve the anger before it could reach a crescendo. She became moreposed than when she first arrived. ¡°You¡­¡± she murmured, her eyes narrowing, clearly puzzled by his unexpected calming voice. ¡°Yoruichi, what the hell is this man?¡± Yoruichi burst intoughter, never expecting this baffled reaction from K¨±kaku of all people. ¡°Come inside. I¡¯ll introduce him properly.¡± Chapter 90: Return Chapter 90: Return Seated in the well-lit basement of Kukaku¡¯s house, they sipped their steaming tea. Yoruichi, as Kazuya anticipated, revealed only the bare bones of his story ¨C his name, and his aspiration to join the ranks of the Shinigami. ¡°Why?¡± Kukaku questioned, brows knitted in puzzlement. ¡°Last I heard you¡¯re banished from the Seireitei. Why help him get into Gotei 13?¡± ¡°He is a friend, just like you,¡± Yoruichi responded, smoothly sidestepping the question. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about you, Kukaku. I hardly saw you leave this ce. Facing some trouble?¡± K¨±kaku lowered her gaze, the Kid¨­¡¯s light casting a heavy shadow over her face. ¡°It¡¯s a huge mess made by Shinigami. Many families are in shambles.¡± Families rarely reunited in the Soul Society due to its sheer size. Most people formed bonds over centuries that were nothing less than a true family. ¡°Nothing unusual then,¡± Kazuya replied. ¡°They do this all the time.¡± The Quincy massacre, the Central 46 getting hijacked by Aizen, then Mayuri Kurotsuchi¡¯s experiments ¡ª Shinigami¡¯s scandals alone could fill a book. Kukaku¡¯s eyes narrowed into a re. ¡°Yet you want to join their ranks?¡± ¡°Fault them all you want but they do the job of maintaining the bnce,¡± he said with a sigh. ¡°Let my worthless life serve as a fodder for the greater good.¡± Yoruichi blinked her eyes. ¡°Stop being a dramatic kitty. Kukaku, he just wants to experience the life of a Shinigami.¡± He feigned surrender, palms up. ¡°Oops, I got caught red-handed.¡± Kukaku rolled her eyes at their yful exchange, a puff of smoke escaping her lips as she took a drag from her pipe. ¡°It¡¯s not aughing matter this time. Many in Rukongai were taken by Shinigami a few days ago, without any apparent reason. I¡¯ve reached out to Kaien for help.¡± Her older brother hadn¡¯t returned from a mission in the Living World and her uncle Isshin was tied up in an important mission, leaving her with no immediate support inside the walls of the Seireitei. Yoruichi dropped her gaze, her heart heavy. As a former captain of Gotei 13, she had a profound understanding of the Shinigami¡¯s reasons for taking souls from the Rukongai. ¡®It¡¯s mostly for Bnce. What caused it though¡­?¡¯ Her eyesnded on Kazuya and a chilling realization washed over her. He had recently in an ancient Vasto Lorde using his Quincy powers, known to eliminate Hollows entirely. A Vasto Lorde, being an amalgamation of hundreds of thousands of souls, could drastically upset the bnce. ¡®I messed up.¡¯ Kazuya was ignorant but she wasn¡¯t. She had to warn him about the oue of killing a Vasto Lorde as a Quincy. ¡®What can I do to fix this?¡¯ The chances of souls still being alive were next to zero. There wasn¡¯t any remedy for the situation. The only silver lining was that those souls escaped a mundane poverty-filled life for a chance at a better life in the Living World. She sighed. ¡°Kukaku, those people¡­ they aren¡¯ting back. They are most likely killed.¡± ¡°Say what?¡± Kazuya retorted in surprise. ¡°Why would Shinigami kill them? Wait, for the bnce?¡± Yoruich nodded solemnly. ¡°Survival of the majority over the minority. Kukaku, how many are missing?¡± ¡°About a hundred. That¡¯s from this district only,¡± Kukaku said with a sharp gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t know about other districts.¡± Yoruichi looked into the distance. ¡°Lower number districts are more protected than the uwful districts... I¡¯m sorry, Kukaku.¡± ¡°What are you apologizing for?¡± Kukaku grabbed Yoruichi¡¯s head with her prosthetic arm and rubbed her ears. ¡°You aren¡¯t a Shinigami anymore. It doesn¡¯t concern you.¡± Shrugging off Kukaku¡¯s hand, Yoruichi turned away. She couldn¡¯t reveal Kazuya¡¯s secret to Kukaku just yet. Lying to her friend didn¡¯t sit well with her conscience. She wasn¡¯t cut out for spy missions. Kazuya gave her aforting pat on her back. ¡°What are the chances it¡¯s the repeat of that Hollowfication incident?¡± He, of course, could discern that the imbnce was likely due to Baraggan¡¯s death. He was simply trying to lighten her guilt by ming Aizen for yet another thing. {You doing this was also a part of his¡ª} ¡®Don¡¯t finish that.¡¯ {Oki¡­} Yoruichi shrugged his hand. ¡°It¡¯s not zero. That¡¯s all I can say,¡± she said, turning to Kukaki. ¡°We¡¯ll be crashing here until the next Shinigami Academy entrance trial.¡± ¡°Any idea when that is?¡± K¨±kaku frowned at his question. ¡°It happens every six months. The next one should be right around the corner.¡± Every Shinigami entrance exam brought new energy to the district. Nobody wanted to miss the only chance to get rid of the shackles of poverty and live a better life. ¡°Great,¡± he said. ¡°As for the rent, I¡¯ll repay you with my body.¡± Kukaku¡¯s hands twitched, and she attempted to grab his head, but he nimbly dodged. ¡°You little punk.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the misunderstanding. I was referring to my skills as a masseur.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need them.¡± ¡°Alright then, Kukaku Ojou-sama.¡± ¡°Say that again and you¡¯ll have a hell to pay.¡± Her gaze fell on Yoruichi who was gazing into the distance. Seeing the ever-so yful cat looking serious was a new sight even for K¨±kaku. ¡°Yoruichi, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°Ah, it¡¯s nothing.¡± *** A couple of dayster, Kazuya was engrossed in a conversation with Nami when he felt a familiar presence. ¡®Well, he is here. There is someone else with him.¡¯ With a cheerful spring in his step, he climbed the stairs, swinging the door open before Kaien could even knock. He was met with Kaien¡¯s bewildered gaze. Beside Kaien stood a young woman d in standard Shinigami attire. She had long ck hair which she kept tied up with a strand hanging down on each side. Her warm smile radiated a gentle, weing energy. ¡°Oh~, big brother came with his wife.¡± The woman was stunned momentarily before sheposed herself and gave a small bow. ¡°I¡¯m Miyako Shiba, Kaien-sama¡¯s wife.¡± Kazuya returned a smile. ¡°Nice to meet you, I¡¯m Kazuya.¡± Kaien took a step back, his eyes scanning the house¡¯s structure, confirming whether he had perhaps arrived at the wrong ce. Out of all the people, he hadn¡¯t expected to be greeted by a Quincy in his sister''s house as though it were his own. ¡°Same structure, same design... Did K¨±kaku sell her house?¡± Miyako nced at her husband, and her brow furrowed at Kaien¡¯s reaction. To her, the man standing before them seemed like any other soul in Rukongai. She wondered if she was missing some vital piece of information, or if Kaien was merely being overprotective of his sister. ¡°Kaien?¡± Kaien shook his head, dismissing her worry. ¡°Nothing, Miyako. Kazuya, did you die on the other side? And what are you doing in K¨±kaku¡¯s house?¡± Kazuya held up a hand. ¡°Jeez, one question at a time. You know what, let¡¯s just talk inside. I¡¯ll tell you everything.¡± Chapter 91: The Art of Persuasion Chapter 91: The Art of Persuasion About twenty minutester, Kazuya and Yoruichi, now in her true form, found themselves under the prating gazes of three members of the Shiba family. Ganju, Kukaku¡¯s younger brother, would have swelled their count to four had he not been engrossed in having fun with his gang. Kazuya had deemed Ganju too green to be involved in this matter. Befuddled, Kaien raked his fingers through his ck hair. ¡°Let me get this straight. Kazuya is infiltrating Gotei 13 to inform the Commander about one person with a godly ability to manipte five senses of anyone.¡± ¡°Sounds¡­ right,¡± chimed Miyako, her head bobbing in a confident nod. ¡°Doesn¡¯t it, Kaien?¡± Kaien stared at his wife in disbelief. ¡°As if it does! Why are you epting his story at face value?¡± Miyako tilted her head, puzzled. ¡°Everything in my memory aligns with what Yoruichi-san and Kazuya-kun said. They don¡¯t have any reasons to lie to us.¡± Kazuya let out a chuckle. Miyako was a strong-willed woman but she had no power against his voice. ¡®Nami, you mentioned my voiceing from the ck Phoenix¡¯s prophecy.¡¯ {You¡¯re remembering it now,} Nami, his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, grumbled in his head. {You having the sweet, seductive voice of a demon was no coincidence. Our existence in this world is inspired by the Demon Phenex from the Lesser Key of Solomon.} ¡®Why phoenix? Wait, I know. A phoenix can undergo nirvana to remain immortal. In a sense, it¡¯s the only entity free from life, death, and the very cycle of reincarnation... A creature with true freedom.¡¯ Gaining freedom was always his dream. He had achieved sess in the most ridiculous way possible, by inheriting a vessel inspired from a mythological creature. ¡®It also exins my first transformation from Hollow to Human¡­ I was reborn from mes. My nirvana.¡¯ Yet a mystery remained unsolved. The System. What was it? Where did ite from? And what was the source of its powers? It couldn¡¯t have possibly originated from a god''s wish, as he had yet to encounter one. Perhaps he had, and his memory failed him. Countless questions were awaiting answers. {You silly little man, your brain might be bigger than your dick. However, unlike the Phenex depicted in the Lesser Key of Solomon, we¡¯ll be far more powerful. We¡¯re destined to rule the world as Soul King¡¯s sessor.} ¡®No fucking way I¡¯m bing a limbless vessel to anchor the worlds.¡¯ He¡¯d rather spend a nice and cozy life with his wives on some ind. A blissful life free from all the world¡¯s bullshit. {Like I¡¯d let any fool carve out your organs and make you disabled¡­ on second thought, it sounds nice to hold you captive like that. I¡¯d feed you, hug you, and wash you whenever you¡¯re dirty. I¡¯ll be able to keep and ride my soulmate anytime~. Ahn~, that¡¯s so¡­ thrilling. } Her yandere fantasies sent a shiver down his spine. {It¡¯s a trade offer you cannot resist. You¡¯d receive a loving wife and I¡¯d get to fulfill my dreams of taking care of my soulmate for all life~.} ¡®Begone, Demon. Get out of my head!¡¯ {Fufufu. Let me teach you the chants to purge demons. Demon, demon, full of strife. You can''t control my life! Be off with you, no more rife¡­ Or I''ll banish you with my kitchen knife!} ¡®...¡¯ Misinterpreting the source of his difort, Yoruichi gentlyid a reassuring hand on his thigh. ¡°I got this,¡± she murmured to Kazuya, before shifting her attention to K¨±kaku, who had maintained a stoic silence throughout the conversation. ¡°It¡¯s the truth behind our exile. Kisuke still feels down that he can¡¯t be a Shinigami.¡± K¨±kaku exhaled loudly before her lips stretched into a wicked grin. ¡°The Seireitei is in huge trouble if you¡¯re right¡­ and I love trouble. I¡¯m with you all the way.¡± Kaien massaged his temple, visibly vexed. ¡°Am I the only one who doesn¡¯t believe this story¡­? I have never heard of any Captain possessing this ability you mentioned.¡± ¡°Because every captain who saw his Shikai fell under his control,¡± Kazuya exined. ¡°You saw the Shikai and Bankai they wanted you to see.¡± Kaien crossed his arms. ¡°Let¡¯s say, hypothetically, your story is correct. Why is that unnamed captain doing this? What are they getting out of this?¡± ¡°We¡ª¡± Interrupting Yoruichi mid-sentence, Kazuya patted her leg. ¡°That person wants to bring down the Soul King Pce and be the God of Soul Society.¡± The revtion wasn''t only a shock to the Shiba n members. Yoruichi too was taken aback, having been kept in the dark about Aizen¡¯s true motive. ¡°You never told me or Kisuke that,¡± she rebuked. ¡°Howe?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want any of you to act impulsively after hearing that.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not impulsive!¡± ¡°You rushed to help Kisuke the moment you heard about his circumstances. That¡¯s pretty impulsive if you ask me.¡± His logical argument left her speechless. Her eyebrows knitted as she gathered a response. ¡°That wasn¡¯t impulsive,¡± she said with a slow nod. ¡°I had to act or they would have stripped away Kisuke and Tessia¡¯s Shinigami powers. It¡¯s as if they had deemed that Kisuke was the perpetrator from the start.¡± ¡°Well, knowing that guy, he is probably in control of Central 46.¡± Kaien listened to their conversation with a serious gleam in his eyes. Closing his eyes, he began to gather his thoughts. ¡°Alright, I believe you.¡±
[Ability: Persuasion acquired.] [Current Master Level: Basic.]
Persuading Kisuke hadn¡¯t given him this ability but persuading a hard-headed man like Kaien did. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± Kaien asked. ¡°Why am I a part of this n?¡± Since Kazuya and Yoruichi went to this length to exin everything, they must want him to y some role in bringing down this evil captain. ¡°Nothing.¡± Kazuya shook his head. ¡°I want you to act like this meeting never happened. If we meet in Gotei 13ter, you and Miyako-san need to act like we¡¯re strangers. That¡¯s all.¡± Yoruichi nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡± ¡°And don¡¯t go snooping around and try to investigate. You can¡¯t make that person suspicious at any cost.¡± ¡°Well, fine.¡± Kaien rubbed the back of his head. The less work he had, the more time he¡¯d have to enjoy his naps. ¡°I just have one question. Kazuya, why are you helping us, Shinigami, with this? What do you gain from it?¡± Kazuya leaned closer to Yoruichi and wrapped his arm around her waist. ¡°You see, Yoruichi promised to marry me if I help her with this. I¡¯m just a humble man wooing the woman of my dreams.¡± Yoruichi burst intoughter. ¡°This little me has driven this man mad with my charming body and soul. He is but a puppet dancing on my fingers¡­ he¡¯ll do anything to be with me.¡± The Shiba couple sat in stunned silence, mouths agape at Kazuya¡¯s outrageous deration. To this day, they hadn¡¯t heard about Yoruichi being romantically involved with any man. There were rumors about her having feelings for her childhood friend Kisuke but K¨±kaku had dispelled them long ago. They could only attribute this unforeseen change to the impact of her life in the Living World. K¨±kaku let out a sigh. ¡°Yoruichi and marriage ¡ª I never thought I¡¯d hear those two words in the same sentence.¡± Yoruichi withdrew from his hold and turned into her cat form, leaving K¨±kaku¡¯s revealing clothes behind. ¡°We¡¯re just messing around, Kukaku. Kazuya already has three or four lovers.¡± Understanding washed over K¨±kaku. She and Yoruichi shared the same view on intimate rtionships. They were shackles that bound them down, stealing their precious freedom. The mere thought of it was exhausting, an inconvenience they preferred to avoid. The world of romance was a maze they chose not to enter. Chapter 92: Interlude – Return of the Eater Chapter 92: Interlude ¨C Return of the Eater ¡°Silly little dear, take care of yourself.¡± As the obsidian butterfly fluttered, Kazuya¡¯s message filled with warmth echoed within Api¡¯s consciousness. Her heart fluttered, mimicking the butterfly floating before her. ¡®So sweet.¡¯ She turned to the other Hollow beside her. The olive-haired arrancar in an elegant kimono. Sung-Sun had taken a liking to the traditional Japanese clothes. ¡°Are you free now?¡± Sung-Sun had postponed their departure for two sunrises. The Snake Princess had found a new passion in visiting the library these days, digesting books of different genres. Api, too, felt a shade of mncholy with Kazuya¡¯s departure, else she¡¯d have yanked Sung-Sun back to Hueco Mundo without dy. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get you fat with souls. You¡¯ll be¡­¡± Sung-Sun trailed her voice, a mischievous smile on her face. ¡°A Fatso Lorde!¡± An awkward silence flowed between them. ¡°I¡¯m not fat,¡± Api grumbled. ¡°You¡¯re just skinny.¡± ¡°Skinny or fat, it matters naught. My beloved treasures me. Only his opinion matters.¡± Api¡¯s words couldn¡¯t put a dent on her steel-like confidence. ¡°It only happened because I let it happen,¡± Api said, hinting at the favor she did for Sung-Sun. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d pull it off¡­ you¡¯re so shameless, Sung-Sun.¡± Sung-Sun smirked. ¡°All is just in the fight for survival.¡± ¡°Why are youparing your romance to survival?¡± ¡°It is a matter of life and death for me¡­¡± Sung-Sun gazed at her nkly. ¡°I would have killed myself if he didn¡¯t ept me. Being with Kazuya is the same as breathing to me.¡± Api''s brows knitted together at Sung-Sun¡¯s words. Was she truly speaking the truth, or was it just another one of her games? The slight twitch at the corner of Sung-Sun¡¯s mouth did nothing to resolve her confusion. Api shook her head and opened a rift to garganta using Descorrer. ¡°Come.¡± ¡°Only Kazuya, my husband, can make me cum.¡± ¡°...¡± Emerging from the Garganta, Api and Sung-Sun found themselves within a hauntingly familiarndscape ¡ª the white desert that witnessed the birth of numerous Hollows, including themselves ¡ª Hueco Mundo. The wind of the barren desert whipped around them, tugging at the fringes of Sung-Sun¡¯s kimono and tossing Api¡¯s hair into a wild dance. Api tucked back her hair. ¡°This ce looks duller than thest time we were here.¡± Sung-Sun covered her mouth with her sleeve. ¡°We have tasted the lively air of the human world. Of course this barren desert will feel lifeless now.¡± Her eyes sparkled as she faced west. ¡°Can you feel that, Api?¡± Api¡¯s head swiveled toward the west, her senses catching a familiar Reiatsu. ¡°The ce where Kazuya became an Arrancar. His Reiatsu is still so strong here.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll need to name that ce something. The King¡¯s Stand. A magnificent name for the ce where our king ascended.¡± Api clucked her tongue at Sung-Sun¡¯s melodramatics. ¡°Mind if we check it out?¡± Their destination ¡ª the Forest of Menos ¡ªy in the opposite direction, but the desire to bask in Kazuya¡¯s residue Reiatsu proved irresistible. A wave of nostalgia beckoned her. ¡°You needn¡¯t ask.¡± They walked through the desert without suppressing their aura. Kazuya¡¯s current strength gave them full confidence. Not to mention they could rival Vasto Lorde if they fought together. Their Reiatsu, of course, sent the nearby Hollows packing except for the pack of Hollows staying in the cave they used to upy. That wasn¡¯t all. Api saw a lone Hollow standing outside the cave, armed with ance. Nelliel, who had upied the cave until now, stood her ground against a pair of hungry Adjuchas. ¡°An Adjuchas?¡± Api licked her tongue. ¡°Just what I needed.¡± Sung-Sun narrowed her eyes. ¡°Something doesn¡¯t feel right.¡± Normally, a threatened Hollow would instinctively release Reiatsu in defense. The Hollow before them was clearly perturbed ¡ª Sung-Sun could see the terror in those eyes. Yet, there was an absence of hostility, as if the Hollow didn¡¯t want to fight. ¡°You don¡¯t look like Hollows to me,¡± Nelliel said, eyes narrowing on the woman licking her lips. ¡°Who are you and what do you want from me?¡± Nelliel¡¯s delicate voice revealed her gender to Sung-Sun and Api. ¡°It¡¯s rare to see a female Adjuchas,¡± Sung-Sun said and pointed at Api. ¡°As for our intentions, my friend here wants to consume you. Make you a part of her. Will you surrender or fight for your life?¡± Nelliel¡¯s expression became clouded. ¡°As expected,¡± she whispered. ¡°Don¡¯t release your spiritual pressure here. We¡¯ll settle this somewhere else.¡± She needed to persuade the two women to move away from this location. She had moved her littlepanions to this cave where she could use the Reiatsu of a Vasto Lorde to keep unsuspecting Hollows away. As much as she abhorred death, there was little hope for her survival in a sh of this magnitude. She still would take a stance and fight for her life. ¡®I¡¯m not suited to be a Hollow.¡¯ It was already a miracle she had survived this long without killing a single Hollow. Api rubbed the back of her head. To attain Vasto Lorde status, she needed to devour souls and control her wild instincts. But she hesitated when it came to the woman before her. The centaur-esque Hollow hadn¡¯t budged even after Sung-Sun''s ominous revtion, even though she was facing two Hollows above her league. As if she had epted her death. Nelliel stirred echoes of Api¡¯s past within her. While she wasn¡¯t proud of her former cowardice, those moments of weakness were cherished memories. After all, they led her to meet Kazuya. Api let out a sigh. ¡°Are you protecting those weaklings?¡± Nelliel¡¯s eyes widened behind her Hollow mask. ¡°No,¡± Nelliel said, shaking her head. ¡°This intimidating Reiatsu around us has helped me avoid many potential battles. I simply wish for this ce to act as a safe haven for weaker Hollows.¡± Nelliel wasn¡¯t fond of lying but protecting her little friends was more important than bearing the guilt of deceit. ¡°Wow,¡± Sung-Sun eximed. ¡°Indeed, this ce is sacred, for our husband became an Arrancar here. This Reiatsu you feel belongs to him.¡± Nelliel gulped nervously. She had witnessed the Vasto Lorde they referred to, and even sensed his confrontation with Barragan. He was at a level of power she could never aspire to emte. ¡°R-Really? Who is he?¡± ¡°Who he is doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Api growled. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you want to protect someone. I¡¯m going to kill you and eat you.¡± Sung-Sun giggled and tugged at Api¡¯s shirt. ¡°You stopped hesitating when you thought she might fall for our husband, you jealous creature.¡± Api dodged Sung-Sun¡¯s gaze. ¡°I did not! What even gave you the idea?¡± ¡°Fufufu, you¡¯re so possessive.¡± Nelliel watched in silent astonishment as the two Hollows, whose intentions were to eat her, started a yful banter. Behind the annoyance of Api, she could see how close she was to Sung-Sun. ¡®They share the same mate. It¡¯s natural they¡¯ll be close.¡¯ In contrast to their camaraderie, Nelliel felt a sharp pang of solitude. Her little Hollowpanionscked the ability to converse, leaving her feeling lonely more often than not. Sung-Sun eventually refocused her gaze back onto Nelliel, her eyes softer now. ¡°Api, just look at this adorabledy. She doesn¡¯t want conflict like our Harribel-sama. Let¡¯s just leave her alone and go to the Menos Forest.¡± ¡°Ugh, fine,¡± Api epted with a grunt, her finger pointed usingly at Nelliel. ¡°But on one sole condition. Fight me.¡± Chapter 93: The Eater versus the Protector Chapter 93: The Eater versus the Protector Stepping into the space between them, Sung-Sun announced, ¡°I¡¯ll be the referee then. Standing on this corner is Api. And on the other side is¡­ What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. You can call me Nelliel,¡± Nelliel said. ¡°Or Nel tu.¡± ¡°Nel tu,¡± Sung-Sun repeated with a tone of appreciation. ¡°Such a sweet name.¡± Nelliel¡¯s brow furrowed behind her mask, unsure if Sung-Sun¡¯s praise was genuine or dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Can we¡­ not fight? Fighting out of pure desire topete will make you look animalistic¡­ and childish.¡± Sung-Sun had already rified that Api wouldn¡¯t eat her, making this whole conflict unnecessary. They had no reason to fight anymore. ¡°I¡¯m an animal,¡± Api said with augh. ¡°You¡¯re not fighting forpetition. You¡¯ll be fighting for your life and those Hollows you want to protect.¡± The mention of her cherishedpanions brought a surge of intensity to Nelliel¡¯s gaze. Her resolve was clear ¡ª she would do whatever it took to protect them. ¡°I¡¯ll never back down from a fight if it is to protect what I hold dear.¡± This courageous statement struck a chord with both Api and Sung-Sun. After all, everyone in the Inverse shared this sentiment about putting loved ones above their own selves. Except for Ciri, who had no love for the aspect of sacrifice. With a determined roar, Nelliel wielded hernce towards Api¡¯s face, a wind of raw power howling in its wake. Api retaliated with a fierce swipe, parrying thence, before using Son¨ªdo to appear above Nelliel andunch a downward kick. Nelliel employed her own Son¨ªdo, her figure blurring as she evaded the assault. Even for someone who detested violence, her mastery of Son¨ªdo was striking, rivaling even Api¡¯s own. Feeling Api closing in on her, Nelliel retaliated with a powerful kick using her hind legs. Api was forced to cross her arms in defense. The immense force sent her skidding backward, leaving her with numb arms. ¡°Fuck, what are those legs?¡± Api wasn¡¯t given any reprieve as Nelliel galloped towards Api, hernce enveloped in pink Reiatsu. Regaining herposure, Api skillfully weaved around Nelliel¡¯s onught of vicious strikes. Nelliel¡¯s centaur-like form gave her formidable strength, her kicks more powerful than her arms. So her attacks were not as threatening but Api still couldn¡¯t afford to take them head-on. Given their physical disparity, Api relied heavily on her intuition to avoid Nelliel¡¯s attacks. Beneath this overwhelming barrage, Nellielunched a well-ced kick, sending the Arrancar skidding back. In the realm of closebat, Nelliel¡¯s instincts reigned superior. Annoyed, Api reached for her cuffs, but paused mid-motion. She wasn¡¯t using her Zanpakut¨­ against an Adjuchas who wasn¡¯t even an Arrancar. ¡°Where did you get that weapon?¡± ¡°In one of the ruins,¡± Nelliel responded, her eyes reflecting a fierce determination. She was far from daunted by the ongoing sh. ¡°Thenceplements my fighting style.¡± After their brief exchange, the pair shed once more. Nelliel¡¯s fighting style was all about precisely striking an opponent¡¯s vitals with hernce and using her muscr legs to deliver punishing blows. Api, without her Zanpakut¨­, adopted a more brute force approach, like that of a brawler. Despite boasting higher Reiatsu and raw power, Api found herself on the back foot. Nelliel¡¯s superior technique kept her on the defensive, preventing her from mounting any offense. It wasn¡¯t a matter of battle experience but pure skill. Nelliel, despite herck of battle experience, was simply outssing Api. The future #3 Espada showcased a natural talent and a keen intuition for battle that was absolutely mesmerizing. Sung-Sun could hardly believe the scenario ying before her. ¡°Woah, Api. She is destroying you.¡± Kazuya¡¯s enhancements, precious souls of a Vasto Lorde, and then being enhanced by H¨­gyoku ¡ª yet Api couldn¡¯tnd an attack against an Adjuchas who wasn¡¯t even particrly fond of battles. She could destroy Nelliel if she used her Zanpakut¨­ and Resurri¨®n but without them she stood no chance at beating Nelliel. It was utterly humiliating. ¡°H-Hold up.¡± Flustered, Api called for a pause, the heat of embarrassment searing her ears. She stepped back and threw a murderous re at Sung-Sun. ¡°I was just testing her.¡± ¡°Suuuuuure.¡± Nelliel eyed her opponent. ¡°Do you wish to continue?¡± ¡°We¡¯re just getting started, Nel.¡± A red light started to gather on her forehead horn as she amassed an enormous amount of Reiryoku into a Cero. She unleashed the Cero Ray with a growl. This was her most powerful Cero in this form, second only to the enhanced Cero she could produce in her release state. Nelliel calmly stood her ground as the devastating Cero approached. To the astonishment of Sung-Sun, who was preparing to intervene, Nelliel opened her mouth and swallowed the entire Cero Ray. A small burp echoed in the aftermath, as though she had simply digested the energy. ¡°What in the¡­?¡± Sung-Sun gasped. ¡°Hey, that¡¯s illegal.¡± Api was left shocked. Even more when Nelliel opened her mouth and fired a pink Cero Ray that was more destructive than Api¡¯s Cero. Api had no choice but to use Son¨ªdo to get out of its path, else she¡¯d have been severely injured. Nelliel turned her head to Sung-Sun. ¡°Cero Double is one of my abilities. I eat Cero, enhance it with my own, then attack my opponent.¡± Api blinked her eyes, still processing what just happened. ¡°How did you learn that?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t. I sort of knew it the moment I opened my eyes as an Adjuchas.¡± Api had neverpared herself to Kazuya due to his anomaly status. But witnessing an Adjuchas effortlessly counter her powerful Cero attack was a harsh reminder of the world¡¯s unfairness. Api¡¯s Resurri¨®n form only allowed her to fire an enhanced Cero, whereas Nelliel had the unique ability to turn her opponent¡¯s Cero against them. Moreover, Nelliel hadn¡¯t even removed her mask yet. A chilling thought crossed Api¡¯s mind; if Nelliel ever became an Arrancar, she was unsure if she could defeat her. Gritting her teeth, she shot Nelliel a menacing re. ¡°You¡ª¡± She paused and so did others. They could feel a Reiatsu amidst Kazuya¡¯s overwhelming Reiatsu. A Reiatsu that belonged to a ss superior to Adjuchas ¡ª a Vasto Lorde. Nelliel broke into a charge without a second thought, rushing to the cave. ¡ªHerpanions were in danger. Chapter 94: Refusal Chapter 94: Refusal Yoruichi hadn¡¯t expected things to go smoothly with Kaien. Then again, she hadn¡¯t taken Kazuya¡¯s voice into consideration. She couldn¡¯t give enough praise to his mesmerizing voice that went against all the logic. ¡®How did he get that?¡± Even Kisuke, a man known for his relentless pursuit of knowledge, found the enchanting quality of Kazuya''s voice a mystery, ultimatelybeling it as Kazuya¡¯s "natural gift." While some people faltered in the cycle of reincarnation, bing memory-less "nks," Kazuya had somehow reaped immense rewards from an ''imperfect'' reincarnation. ¡®It can¡¯t all be coincidences. There has to be a reason for it.¡¯ Her curiosity ignited like a wildfire. His ability to switch between Quincy and Hollow had shattered the barriers of established lore and history. Furthermore, he was on the brink of attaining a Zanpakut¨­ and bing a full-fledged Shinigami. ¡®He is nowhere close to his ceiling.¡¯ If he survived, he¡¯d undoubtedly reach a level beyond Captain Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, perhaps reaching near the level of Soul King, the god reigning over the Soul Society. Then again, he never looked like the type to reign over people. A whimsical, carefree nature that was simr to her own. She could somehow trust him and his group to never walk the path of evil. Lying under a tree, she nced at the silver-haired man leaning against the tree. ¡®I¡¯m excited to see his future.¡¯ It wasn¡¯t everyday she¡¯d stumble into a man of his potential. To increase the odds of his journey to hispletion, she had a couple of ns. One of them was imparting him with the knowledge of Shunk¨­, the highest form of Hakudo techniques. Kazuya noticed her nce and raised a brow. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Yoruichi shook her head. ¡°No ce can match the Soul Society¡¯s air.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because you grew up here,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°Nostalgia is one hell of a drug.¡± Silently nodding in agreement, Yoruichi studied him. ¡°You don¡¯t look so cheerful now. Regretting your decision toe here?¡± Kazuya widened his eyes before he burst intoughter ¡ª a contagiousughter that could make even the sternest person crack a smile. Had Yoruichi been a little weak-willed, she would have startedughing alongside him. ¡°Yoruichi, you¡¯re a dumbass. Wanna know why?¡± The ck cat narrowed her eyes at his cynical remark. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°You keep thinking I¡¯m here to finish your stupid mission.¡± He leaned back against the tree, hand resting on his forehead, a smirk of disdain on his face. ¡°I didn¡¯t volunteer to sacrifice my peaceful life for your cause. I have no love for the Soul Society or anyone here. In fact, I wouldn¡¯t mind watching it disappear into mes.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s Reiatsu red. Despite being exiled and treated like a criminal, she very much loved the Soul Society. He continued, ¡°I¡¯m here on my volition because I''ve got something to gain. What is it? Figure it out yourself.¡± Apart from meeting Unohana and awakening his own Zanpakut¨­ as a Shinigami, he had his own ulterior motive behind helping them. Making Yoruichi and Kisuke, two of the best teachers in the Bleach world, owe him a huge favor. His strength would reach another level with their help. They were a necessary piece in bringing his fusion ns to reality. Yoruichi rolled her eyes. ¡°Knowing you, it¡¯s probably some chick.¡± {Distracting her mind from worrying¡­ Partner, you¡¯re too soft.} Nami saw through his cynical disy with ease. They weren¡¯t soulmates for nothing. ¡®I hate to see her acting all concerned. She looks the best when cracking shitty jokes and being a tease.¡¯ Making a woman fret needlessly was not his style. He scooped up the ck cat, settling her on hisp. ¡°What if I say it¡¯s you, Lady Yoruichi?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll say, you¡¯re a hundred years too young to chase me.¡± ¡°Eh, I¡¯m not gonna wait a hundred years. What do you want in your lover?¡± ¡°Not a single thing.¡± Yoruichi wriggled out of his grip and sprang away. Looking over her shoulder, golden eyes glinting, she tilted her head. ¡°There is no man in this world who can tie down sh Goddess Yoruichi.¡± Instead of disappointment, she was met with his bubblyughter. ¡°Then I have a chance,¡± he said with a mysterious smile. ¡°Don¡¯t go yet. I need your help with something.¡± Yoruichi walked back to him and hit him with her soft paws. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Mind teaching me some Kid¨­?¡± ¡°Huh, why? You¡¯ll eventually learn them in the academy anyways.¡± Kid¨­ was extensively covered in the academy since the students hardly awakened the Shikai form of their Zanpakut¨­. Kid¨­ spells continued to serve as the main source of offense/defense of the students even after they became Shinigami. Kazuya patted her head. ¡°I¡¯d prefer to learn from you. Teach me everything¡ªfrom the basics to the most advanced. Make these seventeen days count.¡± The Shinigami¡¯s admission was still seventeen days away. Kaien had proposed to get him admission right now with his influence. He, of course, declined. He didn¡¯t want to stick out like a sore thumb by being associated with the Shiba n. Yoruichi rolled on her back, cutely swinging her paw in the air. ¡°You mistake me for someone else. ¡®Coz I¡¯m just azy cat, riding the waves to the sunset~.¡± ¡°Stop that. Teach me!¡± ¡°¡®Coz I¡¯m just azy cat~.¡± ¡°You know what, I¡¯m going back to the living world.¡± With that, Kazuya rose and headed towards K¨±kaku¡¯s house. Yoruichi yawned, her golden eyes following his retreating figure. Like most cats, Yoruichi was prone to afternoon drowsiness, particrly in a cozy andfortable environment. She hopped onto a branch, allowing her body to rx. However, a surge of energy abruptly disrupted her drowsiness, snapping her back into alertness. She recognized this energy ¡ª a byproduct of the spatial distortions caused by Senkaimon, the dimensional gate. The gate had barely opened before it snapped shut, and every hint of Kazuya¡¯s Reiatsu went absent. He had left the Soul Society. ¡°He... He wasn¡¯t joking...¡± A sudden restlessness gripped her as she dashed to hisst known location with her Shunpo. She couldn¡¯t help but feel that herziness and negligence had jeopardized the sess of her crucial mission. ¡®Dammit. When did he be such a snowke?¡¯ Arriving at the location where the Senkaimon had opened, she found Kaien¡¯s wife, Miyako, standing there with a somewhat solemn expression. ¡°Where did Kazuya go?¡± Yoruichi asked with urgency. ¡°Karakura Town,¡± Miyako answered. ¡°He missed his wives. I can empathize with that sentiment, so I requested Kaien to apany him.¡± It was against Shinigami¡¯s rules to open a Senkaimon for personal reasons but the Shiba couple had no qualms against breaking a few rules for him. Yoruichi¡¯s breath left her in a weighty sigh. ¡°What¡­?¡± Kisuke and her had extended Kazuya the freedom to visit his family at any time. However, an undercurrent of unease stirred within Yoruichi ¡ª a nagging dread that he might not return after she ignored his request to teach him. ¡°Miyako, take me to Karakura Town.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask.¡± ¡°...Okay.¡± ¡­ Elsewhere, nestled in the far reaches of the First District, a duo of youngsters satnguidly outside their modest home, indulging in the sweet delight of a ripe watermelon. Suddenly, they felt a shockwave that seemed to ripple through the very fabric of their beings, drawing their attention towards the northern reaches of the district. The young girl with short twintails knitted her brow in confusion. "What was that?" The young boy with short silver hair mirrored her frown. ¡°It was the second one, wasn¡¯t it? I¡¯m going to check it.¡± ¡°Shiro-chan, let¡¯s go!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me that!¡± Thus, the naive pair of Momo Hinamori and Toshiro Hitsugaya set off on an adventure to uncover the mysterious fluctuations of spiritual energies within their district. At their current age, they were mostly oblivious to the concepts of Reiryoku and Reiatsu. However, their world was about to expand in ways they could never have anticipated. Chapter 95: The Visit Chapter 95: The Visit Kaien gazed over the bustlingbyrinth of Karakura Town¡¯s marketce, a nostalgic gleam in his eyes as he rekindled sweet memories of savoring local delicacies. His stomach howled in yearning, but without a Gigai, he couldn''t indulge in his cravings. His attention strayed from a stall dishing out his favorite ohagi, settling onto Kazuya, whose mind seemed to be drifting in the realms of thought. Meanwhile, Kazuya was zeroing in on Harribel¡¯s Reiatsu. Her presence was detectable around the vicinity, whereas Api, M Rose, Sung-Sun, and Ciri had all but disappeared. They had likely departed, and it wasn¡¯t difficult to discern Api¡¯s motivations¡ªmore souls, more strength, a step closer to bing a Vasto Lorde. Sung-Sun, ever the teasing yet faithful friend, had followed Api. M Rose may have embarked on a simr journey to gain strength since she was sopetitive, taking Ciri with her. ¡®I knew they would do this.¡¯ He had previously enlisted Kisuke¡¯s aid to craft a device that could generate camouging force fields at will. He could only hope they had used the device before opening a garganta, or the Gotei 13 woulde sniffing around for an investigation. It wouldn¡¯t be just one Vice Captain this time around. ¡®They left my Harribel alone.¡¯ {Sad mommy noises,} Nami whispered. {You¡¯re a failure of a son.} ¡®Ouch.¡¯ Kazuya¡¯s hand instinctively gravitated towards his chest as if he could physically feel the pain from her words. ¡®I¡¯ll make up for it.¡¯ {Don¡¯t forget Yoruichi. You left her after saying you don¡¯t want to trouble women. You¡¯re contradicting your own rules, Partner.} Nami reminded Kazuya of the ck cat who waszier than him on his worst days. He had left the Soul Society to check up on his lovers, seeing how they coped with his absence. His departure would make Yoruichi think twice before rejecting his earnest request to teach him. ¡®You¡¯re more worried about Yoruichi than me. Is there something I should be aware of?¡¯ {I am worried about you, Partner. I don¡¯t want you to blow your chance with her and act all sad and depressed. I want to see my beloved partner happy.} ¡®A, you¡¯re so sweet today. What did I do to deserve this treatment?¡¯ {Absolutely nothing. I¡¯m utterly indifferent to your women, Partner. They are but fleeting distractions on our endless journey towards Transcendence. It is I, Nami, who will stand by your side forever and ever and ever.} He let out a sigh. The more he didn¡¯t want to think about his long life, the more Nami brought it up to his attention. {Sorry¡­} ¡®It¡¯s fine.¡¯ Kaien patted his shoulder, rousing him from his thoughts. ¡°Where do you want to go?¡± ¡°Kaien, feel free to eat anything here. I¡¯ll be back in a few hours.¡± He would rather not bring Kaien to his mansion where his Hollowspanions lived. Kaien punched his arm. ¡°You did see me on your group date.Why did you ignore me? And thosedies, were they Quincy?¡± He simply nodded, deciding to let the misapprehension about Harribel and the others¡¯ race linger. It was a safer fa?ade than their Hollow truth. ¡°Don¡¯t tell the Soul Society about them or I¡¯ll ignore you for the rest of my life.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a snitch,¡± Kaien said with a shrug. ¡°Just don¡¯t betray my trust by nning the next war or I¡¯ll punch in the face myself.¡± He was so trusting due to Kazuya¡¯s deep friendship with Yoruichi, who had been a long time friend of his sister. Also Kazuya¡¯s courage to visit the Soul Society to root out the Viinous Captain had earned Kaien¡¯s respect. Kazuya put on a show of astonishment. ¡°You¡¯re onto me already?! Who exposed me?¡± Kaien gave a disapproving click of his tongue. ¡°I¡¯ll return to the Soul Society to fetch some bounties and a Gigai. Find me here at six.¡± ¡°Got you. By the way, thanks for helping me.¡± ¡°No worries.¡± Kaien responded, scratching the back of his head, a hint of bashfulness in his face at the earnest gratitude. ¡°Not everyone in the Soul Society is out for Quincy. There are people like me there who don¡¯t give two hoots about it.¡± ¡°Kaien, you¡¯re a smooth talker. If I was a girl, I¡¯d fall for you right now.¡± Kaien¡¯s face morphed from bashful to irked in a second, rewarding Kazuya¡¯s teasing with a solid punch in the back. ¡°Get lost already.¡± ¡°Stop punching me, jeez.¡± ¡°M-My bad.¡± Parting ways with Kaien, Kazuya made sure his spiritual pressure waspletely concealed as he moved towards Harribel''s location. He found her idly lounging on a grassy riverbank, her gaze absorbed in watching a group of children making merry in a distant park. It would be an understatement to say any parent would be rmed seeing the imposing, queenly figure of Harribel seemingly stalking their child. The parents aside, Harribel had gathered quite the following around her. He noticed a handful of bystanders stopping in their tracks to observe her. It wouldn''t be surprising if the local news crew swooped in to interview the mysterious woman in the town. Harribel only became aware of his presence when the sound of his shoes crunching on grass reached her ears. "You''re back..." she murmured, her features dancing between surprise and relief. "Did you fail the entrance?" Her voice held a glimmer of hope, as if she wished he had indeed failed and would consequently stay longer by her side. ¡°It¡¯s half a month away, Tier,¡± he said, settling down next to her. ¡°What¡¯s happening here? Thinking of ways to kidnap children to rece me?¡± ¡°You''re irreceable,¡± she stated tly, shaking her head. ¡°I was merely watching them y around in the park. It¡¯s calm yet lively here.¡± Her words were a subtle confession of her solitude, having been left behind while her ''family'' pursued their individual paths. Resting her head on his shoulder, she wrapped her arms around his, nestling it against her chest. ¡°Do you feel lonely?¡± ¡°A little,¡± she confessed, her voice no more than a hushed whisper. ¡°I''m not worried about them¡­ it¡¯s just I didn¡¯t expect them to leave like this when I took them under my wings.¡± ¡°The time came for the chicks to embrace the sky,¡± he said. ¡°And that¡¯s a good thing, isn¡¯t it?¡± Harribel let out a sigh. ¡°You made it¡ªeverything possible.¡± Without his presence in her life, they might have been trapped in Hueco Mundo for eternity. Her small decision to extend a kind invitation had drastically altered her life¡¯s trajectory. She could enjoy a more humane life than other Hollows. For this, she was immensely grateful. Following a few more peaceful moments, they made their way back to the mansion. Some curious onlookers attempted to trail them, but he easily ditched them by taking overlyplicated streets throughout the market. Back in the mansion, he opened a garganta within the force field. ¡°I¡¯m going to check up on others.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do fine here. Roaming around the town by myself is fun¡­¡± Despite her efforts at optimism, the undertone of sadness in her voice was as transparent as daylight. ¡°Thene with me. I need your help with something.¡± A pair of aqua green eyes lit up at his invitation. ¡°I¡¯ll do anything.¡± Her eagerness was almost powerful enough to coax a horny request from him. He took deep breaths to stabilize his fluttering heart and calming his desires. Harribel picked up on the fluctuation in his Reiatsu and reached for his hand, examining him for signs of fatigue or illness. ¡°Is something wrong? We can rest if you''re tired.¡± He shook his head and guided her into the garganta. They strolled through the pitch-ck void, engaging in light conversation about his experiences in the Soul Society. Harribel was a woman of few words, which made her an excellent listener. Her sharp perception also meant she could respond with the perfect bnce of empathy and kindness. He felt refreshed after having a long conversation with her. {Partner, you¡¯re falling deeper.} ¡®That¡¯s fine. Tier deserves all the love¡ª¡¯ His train of thought abruptly derailed as he detected a massive Reiatsu presence nearby. Coincidentally, it was located at the very spot where he had achieved his Arrancar status. He could also sense the presence of Api and Sung-Sun nearby, though thankfully, they didn¡¯t appear to be engaged inbat with the new Vasto Lorde. A grim expression shadowed Harribel''s face. ¡°I know this Reiatsu¡­ it¡¯s the man who forced me to be Vasto Lorde. Kazuya, I want to put a stop to his rampage¡­¡± The thought of meeting Nnoitra Gilga almost provoked a smirk from him. He had ns to recruit future Espada like Starrk, Grimmjow, Nelliel, and even Ulquiorra to add more power to his and Harribel''s kingdom. However, the moment he saw Harribel¡¯s distressed look, Nnoitra''s name was instantly scratched from his list. ¡®I¡¯ll kill him for troubling Tier.¡¯ {Ahhh~, partner, you¡¯re truly captivating when you reveal your yandere side.} He tuned out the obsessive voice in his head, which had be a routine act by now. Taking Harribel¡¯s hands, he revealed a small smile. ¡°You don¡¯t need to dirty your hands with his blood. You should go to Api and Sung-Sun.¡± Harribel nodded her head in understanding. Everyone in the family knew how much she detested meaningless bloodshed by now. She might be bloodthirsty like her battle with Evanya ¡ª a sight she¡¯d rather not disy to Kazuya. ¡°There are other Hollows around¡­ try not to kill them with your Reiatsu,¡± Harribel said and sprinted towards Api¡¯s direction. As Kazuya emerged from the garganta, the Vasto Lorde turned to face him. A male Hollow cloaked in white armor from head to toe. His long, ck hair flowed freely, and a disturbingly wide and massive grin was spread across his Hollow Mask. Tworge, crescent-shaped horns adorned his head. Each of his four arms terminated in a sharp, curved de, and the ends of his legs were fashioned into ws with elongated fingers. Nnoitra was certainly an intimidating Hollow even without considering his Vasto Lorde-level Reiatsu. Chapter 96: Another Invite Chapter 96: Another Invite Nnoitra felt an icy shiver dance down the spine of his soul, prickling his skin in frostbitten excitement. A Hollow so obscenely powerful that his presence felt like the sky itself. He was Nnoitra¡¯s golden ticket, the key to unlock strength beyond his imagination, the promise of heart-pounding, adrenalineced battles that stirred his battle-hungry spirit. Or perhaps a grim reaper who would send him straight to hell after, of course, a thrilling battle. Nnoitra threw his head back and cackled. ¡°A new Vasto Lorde. I¡¯m going to take my time killing you¡ª¡± His boast was cut short as a vice-like grip squeezed his heart. Kazuya¡¯s hands shone with a blue light, invoking the punishing effects of Oppression. Nnoitra suffocated and spasmed. Dancing on the edges of his awareness until the world spun, his eyes blurred and his body went numb. His heart, however, refused to cooperate, each beat crashing like a storm against his chest, the only noise in a world gone quiet. Summoning every shred of willpower, Nnoitra clung onto the bare threads of his consciousness. If he was to die, he''d do so on his feet, drenched in his own blood and that of his enemy. To perish without a fight, without even a chance to draw his swords, was a demise that injected pure despair into his soul. Weakening, Nnoitra staggered, reaching out in a futile gesture towards his enemy. ¡°D-Don¡¯t¡­ Coward.¡± The only answer was a smug smile from his enemy as the luminescence in his hands grew brighter. With that, thest vestiges of his world slipped away into the abyss, and Nnoitra sumbed to unconsciousness. ¡­ Kazuya brushed his shoulders, scattering the dust. To him, Nnoitra was a Vasto Lorde in name only, his Reiatsu barely scraping past Api¡¯s peak Resurri¨®n form. This disparity made his Oppression technique an absolute beast. He hadpletely manipted every aspect of Nnoitra¡¯s body ¡ª throttling the blood supply to the heart, thickening his blood, and increasing the weight of his brain fluids. High-level souls that functioned simrly to humans were especially vulnerable to his Aspect of Death. ¡®I should be above normal captains.¡¯ He mused and turned his attention to the unconscious Nnoitra. With a stomp, he crushed Nnoitra''s head, the soft crunch reverberating in the eerie silence. Nnoitra shared Ciri¡¯s existential crisis as far as he recalled. To cope with despair, Ciri inflicted pain on others. She had fallen into pure despair when her sole pleasure was taken away. Nnoitra was a lecherous and an amped up version of Ciri, and even bigger sexist than M Rose for his constant arrogance towards women. ¡®Api has another soul to eat. You know what, I¡¯m giving it to Sung-Sun.¡¯ He couldn¡¯t be biased towards Api all the time. The snake princess also deserved some free soul for being his supportive lover. A nce towards the cave confirmed that none of the weak Hollows had been harmed. His promise with Harribel had been upheld. As he pivoted on his heel, he noticed Api, Sung-Sun, Harribel walking towards him alongside a familiar-looking centaur Hollow that stirred familiarity in his memory. ¡®Nelliel? Yeah, that¡¯s her. She is still an Adjuchas.¡¯ She charged past him into the cave. He could feel the little Hollows surrounding her like a group of children flocking to their mother. His mind drew the connection between Nnoitra, Nelliel¡¯s status as an Adjuchas, and herpassion towards the little Hollows. He realized, without him, Nnoitra would have ughtered her littlepanions, triggering a chain of events that would have inevitably led to Nelliel¡¯s evolution. It was eerily simr to the series of events that had ignited Harribel¡¯s evolution to Vasto Lorde status. ¡®I took away her chance.¡¯ {Nelliel and Harribel ¡ª both #3 Espada became Vasto Lorde in simr situations. Another fascinating connection between them.} As he pondered, the three women watched him, their curiosity piqued by his silent musings. They¡¯d always wondered about the nature of his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, whose conversations often consumed his thoughts, and left him visibly lost in a world only he could ess. With a firm grip, Api seized his shirt. ¡°I¡¯m eating this knucklehead Vasto Lorde.¡± She didn¡¯t wait for his input and marched towards Nnoitra, her steps mirroring her confidence in his approval. After all, he had always indulged her request for souls, even killing others to give her. His hand darted out to sp her wrist. ¡°Api, let Sung-Sun have this one.¡± The world seemed to pause as Api slowly turned around with a shadow concealing her expression. ¡°Kazuya, why¡­? Do you not like me anymore? Am I not worthy anymore?¡± Misunderstanding his favoritism for Sung-Sun, her thoughts spiraled into a dark abyss. Every Hollow had a trigger point, a topic that made them passionate, agitated even. For Api, it was the prospect of being thrown aside from his life. Harribel pped Api¡¯s back, almost flooring her. ¡°Stop troubling him over nothing.¡± ¡°Harribel, you¡ª¡± Before she could target Harribel, Kazuya pinched her cheeks, making her pale skin red. ¡°You already had a Vasto Lorde and a couple of Adjuchas before. Let Sung-Sun grow strong. The poor girl is currently the weakest.¡± ¡°Call me wife,¡± Sung-Sun retorted cheerfully. ¡°Thanks for your gift. I¡¯ll cherish every bite~.¡± She opened her mouth and created a strong suction force that fractured Nnoitra¡¯s body into a swirl of particles. Within seconds, Nnoitra waspletely gone. Arrancars had a different technique to consume souls that set them apart from animalistic Hollows. Sung-Sun patted her belly with her oversized sleeve, feeling a little stronger than before. ¡°Yummy.¡± Nelliel returned from her cave, her towering form making Kazuya feel uncharacteristically short. She stood there, her spear clenched, studying him. She had envisioned him as some enormous, menacing Hollow based on his Reiatsu. His appearance was worlds apart from her imagination. ¡°Thank you for saving my friends.¡± Kazuya shook his head. ¡°Harribel has taught me that unnecessary bloodshed results in nothing.¡± A cough escaped Api. She alone had witnessed his ruthless experiments on his enemies. She was the only one who truly knew his evil heart, a secret she shared with none. Nelliel¡¯s eyes sparkled behind her mask. ¡°You¡¯re correct. Those little things have done nothing wrong. They simply want to survive out here but every Hollow is out for them¡­ it makes me sick.¡± Nelliel couldn¡¯t even imagine the number of weaker Hollows suffering because of Menos¡¯ uncontroble urges to devour Hollows. Harribel¡¯s face softened as she listened to Nelliel¡¯s grievances. She approached Nelliel, her hand reaching out to stroke her back. ¡°I promise there¡¯lle a day your friends can roam Hueco Mundo without fearing for their lives.¡± Nelliel¡¯s eyes widened at Harribel¡¯s bold statement. She stepped back and shook her head, dismissing Harribel¡¯s dream almost instantly. ¡°Changing the innate, ''gluttonous'' instincts of our kind is an impossibility. I¡¯m happy there are people like you in Hueco Mundo who don¡¯t fight without a reason.¡± Harribel could sense Nelliel¡¯s skepticism, an entirely justified sentiment considering the current state of Hueco Mundo. ¡°Would you consider joining us?¡± The offer caught everyone off-guard. Chapter 97: God? Chapter 97: God? ¡°Regrettably, I cannot,¡± Nelliel answered without thinking twice. Her voice was firm, her resolve unshakeable. ¡°They rely on my protection.¡± Nelliel¡¯spassion reminded Kazuya of Harribel¡¯s gentle nature. After all, Nelliel was a fairly energetic person in both her toddler and normal forms. The Nel from before Nnoitra¡¯s ambush was indeed a different person ¡ª less vibrant and more of a serious person. ¡°We can share the responsibility,¡± Harribel said, her gaze resting on Kazuya. A glimmer of determination lit her eyes. ¡°I propose we make this cave our stronghold in Hueco Mundo until we put our ns into motion.¡± The cave carried a lot of memories like his first meeting with M Rose and Sung-Sun, his insane growth through training, many touching moments, and his Arrancarification. No ce would be better to serve as a base of operations for their conquest of Las Noches. Api huffed, folding her arms across her chest. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Why not just siege Las Noches and take Barragan¡¯s house or something?¡± ¡°This ce has a name now. I call it the King¡¯s Stand,¡± Sung-Sun announced dramatically, looking towards Kazuya for an approving nod, which he gave with a charming smile. ¡°Let¡¯s hear your thoughts first.¡± Kazuya stroked his chin. In his perfect world, his Hollowpanions wouldn¡¯t be in Hueco Mundo when Aizen starts his Hueco Mundo conquest ¡ª which could happen any day. It¡¯d be problematic if Aizen ran into Harribel or any other Arrancar and took interest in them. He had to convince them to stay away from Hueco Mundo in the near future. A flurry of strategies swirled in his mind, out of which he selected the one that best fit the situation. ¡°Nobody is staying in Hueco Mundo after this,¡± he dered solemnly. ¡°I received intel that a certain dangerous individual is out to hunt Hollows to use them as test subjects. And he is a more powerful enemy than I can handle right now.¡± Nelliel was ensnared in theforting cadence of his voice, missing the critical information he shared. She was yet to build a defense against hispelling voice. Api, meanwhile, blinked her eyes. His aplishment of killing Barragan cemented him as a god in her heart. He was the most powerful individual in her eyes without a shadow of a doubt. Just imagining someone stronger than him gave her the chills. Clenching her fists, she pushed down the fear, letting loose a smirk. ¡®He¡¯ll outgrow that enemy in some years. So will I.¡¯ Her ambitions for strength were reaching absurd levels. Sung-Sun, tapping her cheeks thoughtfully, chimed in, ¡°We, as natural Arrancars, would make the perfect guinea pigs, wouldn¡¯t we?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Kazuya affirmed. ¡°We¡¯re perfect specimens.¡± Harribel crossed her arms defiantly. ¡°We can confront him, together.¡± With an abundance of confidence in strength, she proposed. Having such a criminal loose didn¡¯t sit well with her. She was fearless, unwilling to let fear impact her decision ¡ª a great yet terrible quality for a queen. He shook his head. ¡°Won¡¯t you listen to me?¡± Harribel gazed at him for a few moments before she exhaled a resigned sigh. ¡°I will get M Rose and Ciri back home.¡± She didn¡¯t argue against him. Then again, she hardly ever went against his decision even though she was the elder one in their rtionship. {Such a good mommy.} ¡°Thanks. Also, keep an eye out for powerful Hollows with good characters. I¡¯ll evolve them into Arrancars with Kisuke¡¯s H¨­gyoku.¡± He pivoted to face Nelliel, who had been attentively absorbing their conversation. ¡°If you desire peace in Hueco Mundo, join us. You don¡¯t have to leave your friends either. I simply want you to stand by our side.¡± Nelliel had been keenly observing him, her understanding of his character deepening with every word spoken. For one possessing the might to obliterate a Vasto Lorde instantaneously, he radiated an unexpected gentleness. Even with their vast power disparity, he treated her with an unwavering respect. Hisposure and charisma carved an irreceable mark on her heart. He embodied every quality she¡¯d desire in a good leader. ¡°If that''s the case, I see no reason not to join your cause. But, there''s one thing I need to know.¡± Her voice was soft, yet her gaze was piercing. She ced a hand over her heart. ¡°How do you intend to bring peace?¡± He closed his eyes. ¡°Through the only method known to Hollows ¡ª violence. We¡¯ll rule with an iron fist. Diplomacy or any other method is futile.¡± Aizen¡¯s reign in the canon had brought a sense of order to Hueco Mundo,pelling the more powerful Hollows topete for higher Arrancar rankings and reducing the ughter between them. Kazuya aimed to establish a simr system, fortified by a more robust structure and stricter rules. ¡®If Yama can do it, so can we. Hollows are more driven by desires but they also fear strength more than those in the Soul Society.¡¯ {Things you do for women.} ¡®What do you mean? Kingdom building is fun.¡¯ {Minecraft is more fun.} ¡®The day you be a Vasto Lorde is the day I¡­ Insert Minecraft eating sound effects.¡¯ Nami gasped. {Okay, Partner. I¡¯ll let you eat me out.} ¡®Good girl.¡¯ Throughout his exchange with Nami, Nelliel didn''t take her eyes off him. She wished to counter his logic, but found herself in agreement. Hollows weren¡¯t creatures of words, but of violence. Overwhelming power was required to suppress the ravenous nature of Hollows and put them in their ces. And he possessed such power. Even the dark-skinned woman, while powerful, was below him. ¡®He is doing it with a noble cause.¡¯ Reassured by his intentions, she offered a solemn nod of agreement. ¡°Just one more question.¡± She sounded embarrassed to be bothering him with one question after another. ¡°What are you¡­? I know you¡¯re Hollow but you¡¯re not a pure one. I don¡¯t know how to exin it in words.¡± Their appearance and nature were in stark contrast to every other Hollow she had seen in Hueco Mundo. She felt like an anomaly amidst their humanoid forms. Hisughter rang out, easing the tension. ¡°Rx. I¡¯ll exin.¡± He proceeded to detail the concept of Arrancars, broadening her understanding on the Hollow race as a whole. The allure of an Arrancar¡¯s power and characteristics ignited a newfound desire within her. She attempted to inquire about the transformation process, but he swiftly dismissed her, saying that she had yet to meet the necessary prerequisites. He was correct in a sense. The bond necessary for his ability ''Crumbling Heart'' to function was yet to be established. He didn¡¯t want her attempting Arrancarification on her own and potentially failing. Her chivalrous disposition would serve as an excellent asset to his future kingdom. ¡®A perfect knight.¡¯ {Who will be eaten by the Devil King of the Samsara Pce during nights,} Nami said, unamused. {At least she is smart, not a dumb bimbo like M Rose.} ¡®Hey, don¡¯t insult my golden retriever.¡¯ Choosing to ignore Nami, Kazuya devoted some more time to borate on the impending dangers to Api and Sung-Sun. The former harbored a voracious appetite for power that could potentially lead her on a bloody hunt for weaker Hollows for months. She had to be put on a time restriction or she¡¯d run into Aizen. Afterwards, he ventured to interact with the small, endearing Hollows residing in the cave. They swarmed around him like he was that uncle who brought children candies and gifts. Surprisingly, some Hollows grew in size right before his eyes, experiencing power growth that raised them from the bottom of the barrel ss. Nelliel observed this, her eyes widening in astonishment and disbelief. ¡°A-Are you... could you possibly be a god?¡± It was rare for her to loseposure and stutter, but the elerated growth of the Hollows, who had been stagnant for years, was an extraordinary sight. He let out an awkward chuckle at her question. ¡°It¡¯s just my passive ability.¡± The effects of his ability were more subtle on Adjuchas due to their considerable Reiryoku reserves. However, for Hollows with Reiryoku even less than an average human, the impact was noticeable to eyes. It was no less than witnessing a miracle. Chapter 98: A Pledge to Unseen Strings Chapter 98: A Pledge to Unseen Strings An elongated flexible pipe, its end resembling an elephant¡¯s trunk, snaked on the floor. The one holding the peculiar gadget ¡®Suniff¨¡¡¯ was Kisuke Urahara. ¡°It¡¯s sensing traces of Garganta. Kazuya-san left for Hueco Mundo.¡± An audible cluck of the tongue escaped Yoruichi. Having arrivedte, she missed the opportunity to intercept Kazuya. The cause of her blundery in the time-altering effects of the Dangai. ¡°Got any way to enter Hueco Mundo?¡± ¡°Nothing right now,¡± Kisuke said, shaking his head in quiet disappointment. He had yet to get to his Descorrer replication that essed Garganta like Hollows. Curing Ciri was at the top of his priority list. ¡°What happened?¡± Yoruichi had told him about the Shinigami trials scheduled in seventeen days. The most logical exnation for Kazuya¡¯s return to the Living World would be to spend time with his family. He, however, couldn¡¯t pinpoint the reason behind Yoruichi¡¯s urgency to go after Kazuya in Hueco Mundo. Seeing her silence, he shook his head. ¡°Did you have a fight with him?¡± Yoruichi was wise, mature, and even caring but her whimsical nature, which saved him at the most crucial moment, but the same nature often troubled the people around her. She could be a pain in the ass without being aware of it. ¡°Kind of,¡± Yoruichi acknowledged with a sigh. ¡°I may or may not have rejected his request.¡± ¡°Ouch. Always the heartless one, aren¡¯t you? What did he request?¡± ¡°He wants to learn Kid¨­ from me.¡± ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with that? It would be beneficial to him as a Shinigami and get him a higher seat right after graduation,¡± Kisuke paused and punched his palm in realization. ¡°You thought it was too much effort and wanted to dy it for another day.¡± ¡°Be gone, Demon,¡± she growled. ¡°I know I messed up.¡± She had all types of experiences as the formermander of the most versatile squad in Gotei 13. A small problem like this wouldn¡¯t disrupt her mission. ¡®Things would¡¯ve been easy if I wasn¡¯t a banished Shinigami.¡¯ Her banishment and criminal status handcuffed her. Her words bore no weight in the eyes of the Central 46, meaning shecked the standing to act as a witness in Aizen¡¯s trial. Moreover, she wasn¡¯t close enough with other captains to sway their opinions. She had no choice but to rely on Kazuya. With a renewed determination, Yoruichi strode out of the room¡­ only to return momentster. Waiting at Kazuya in his ce was a better choice than aimlessly wandering the streets. Kisuke chuckled and left Yoruichi to wait alone. He had more productive things to do like finding the cure to Ciri Sanderwi¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ problem and working on his Garganta project. He had yet to find a breakthrough in both of his problems. As the vibrant hues of sunset gradually melted into the velvet darkness of the night, Yoruichi saw no sign of Kazuya¡¯s return. Fortunately, patience was a virtue shared among all long-living souls. ¡­ Upon returning, Kazuya was surprised to discover Yoruichi sleeping on Harribel¡¯s bed. She rustled into alertness upon detecting their arrival. ¡°Wife, I told you dogs are superior for guarding the mansion. You still went ahead and adopted a cat.¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Husband,¡± Sung-Sun faked a sob, ying along with his charade. ¡°This cat was pleading with me to adopt it.¡± ¡°A. I know cats are cute but dogs are cuter. They are also more loyal and lesszier. Cats only sleep all day and night.¡± Eachment was like a sharp dagger thrust into Yoruichi¡¯s heart, particrly the jab about herziness. Yet, she could sense he harbored no resentment towards her. She snarled at him, shing her deadly ws. ¡°How dare you call the dogs superior? Cats are fluffier and he adorable.¡± Kazuya smiled at her sassy reply. ¡°Yoruichi, why did you break into my house?¡± ¡°You left without exining. I thought you permanently shifted to Hueco Mundo with everyone.¡± ¡°I just wanted to spend some time with my family.¡± ¡°Enough about that, let¡¯s return,¡± she urged, swiftly changing the topic. ¡°I promise to teach you every Kid¨­ in my possession. Don¡¯t disappear next time without telling me, okay?¡± A mere unexpected departure from the Soul Society had spurred her to be more cautious about rejecting him. He could proudly im everything happened ording to his n. Now, Yoruichi was more than motivated to teach him. He was especially eager to learn Shunpo and Shunk¨­ under her guidance, skills that would certainly be useful down the line. {Learn fire-based Kid¨­ spells too. We¡¯ll use the demonic life mes of ck Phoenix lineage to banish our enemies!} His Chunni Zanpakut¨­ Spirit reminded him about a phoenix¡¯s signature mes. Even though he was a phoenix, he had no me-based abilities, which was indeed strange. His outstanding Reishi control indicated potential to evolve into his Power of Creation, while Oppression could arguably be deemed his Power of Death. ¡®Will I get in my Shikai or Bankai?¡¯ He was optimistic that his Shinigami Zanpakut¨­ would have different powers from his Partial Release Arrancar Zanpakut¨­ and his Aspect of Death. Possessing multiple forms of offense was better than being a one-trick pony. {They should be different. Remember, Hollows, and by extension, Arrancar, draw out power from their regrets and the cause of their death. A Shinigami¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ manifests power from their identity. This has nothing to do with race or origin.} ¡®Nami, I love it when you go full sensei mode.¡¯ {Anything for you, Partner. Anything¡­ I have a good hunch about my partner¡¯s Shikai and Bankai. They will be extremely strange, useless, and powerful at the same time. I won¡¯t spoil it.} ¡®I¡¯ll find it sooner orter.¡¯ Wrapping up the conversation with Nami, he flicked his gaze to the clock. ¡°I got one hour before meeting up with Kaien. What should I do?¡± Api seized his hand, firmly squeezing it in her grip. ¡°C-Come to my room. I have something to talk about.¡± Her expression was stern, signaling that the matter was of importance. She would have convinced anyone, had it not been for the subtle blush warming her cheeks. She was anticipating some lewd time, and he was all for it. Before he could answer, Sung-Sun took a hold of his left hand, her smile radiant. ¡°Husband, spare that hour for me. Let our bodiesmunicate with each other in a symphony of passion and love.¡± Sung-Sun had the same thought of spending some lewd time with him. However, it was unlikely for him to satisfy them both in one hour. After all, as high-level Hollows, their stamina and lust were on another level, especially Api. She was a bundle of lust. Api shot Sung-Sun a heated re. ¡°Back off, Snake.¡± ¡°No you. I¡¯m not backing down. Who knows when he will return again?¡± {How about a threesome? Assert your dominance by bending them both at the same time.} Ignoring Nami¡¯s devil-like whispers and the two arguing over him like cats, he turned to Harribel. ¡°Want to spend some time with me?¡± Rather than fueling the fire, he chose the third and safest option, even though Harribel would certainly reject his request for sex. She had reserved the lewding option for after his mission in the Soul Society, just like M Rose. Still, he was more than happy to apany her just for herp pillows. Harribel shook her head. Stepping forward, she pressed her lips on his cheeks. ¡°Keeping back like this.¡± ¡°Hmmm. I¡¯ll return as much as I can.¡± She offered a nod in response and exited the room, leaving Sung-Sun and Api to exchange awkward nces, both shamed by Harribel¡¯s mature approach. Harribel never allowed selfishness to take over, even though her love for him was unparalleled. This characteristic was why he found her so endearing, and he could admit she was his favorite lover by far. Yoruichi let out a snicker and swiftly jumped out of the window, eventually settling on the mansion¡¯s rooftop. The ck feline made herselffortable there until passionate moans jolted her from her slumber. The cries belonged to Api and Sung-Sun. Instead ofpeting for his attention, they had chosen to share him in their first ever threesome. ¡®He is lucky to have them.¡¯ She sighed and dashed to another roof, where the moans couldn¡¯t disturb her sleep. Chapter 99: Sunbeam Melts the Frost Chapter 99: Sunbeam Melts the Frost Toshiro and Momo beheld an isted house in the wilderness after a few hours of journey. The dwelling set a perfect eerie backdrop for the mystery that had led them here. Their age might have spanned nearly a century, yet this uncharted side of their district was entirely new to them. They had only ever seen the vibrant fireworks, spewing color and excitement, from their house. They didn¡¯t know it came from the towering chimney of this very house. Momo ced her hands on her chest. ¡°This is the fireworks girl¡¯s house. It looks quite good.¡± Her ears had been filled with rumors of K¨±kaku Shiba from her neighbors, all of them singing praises for the beautiful woman¡¯s kind gestures towards the District residents. However, Toshiro stood with suspicion creeping across his young face, not sharing Momo¡¯s innocence. ¡°The fireworks were a ruse for her deep schemes.¡± Unlike Momo, Toshiro had caught sight of K¨±kaku leaving the district on multiple asions. His intuition about busty women hiding an insidious side seemed to be spot on. Trust was not something to be handed out to women withrge breasts. They were all evil, or so young Toshiro believed. ¡°Momo, we¡¯re leaving.¡± Momo sent the featherweight boy stumbling forward with a p on his back. ¡°It¡¯s just a neighbor¡¯s house. Let¡¯s just greet her before we leave, Shiro-chan.¡± ¡°Quit calling me ''Shiro-chan,'' you bedwetter,¡± Toshiro grumbled. ¡°I¡¯m not sticking around here.¡± Everyonepared him to ice. Perhaps it was his silver hair, reflecting the moonlight, his piercing blue-green eyes, or his stand-offish demeanor that brought about a chill in others, but he remained a disliked figure across from his neighbor. This reality was a hard pill to swallow initially, but over the decades, he had grown to ept this situation. Unlike him, Momo was a social butterfly. Unlike him, she could strike a conversation with anyone and draw smiles with her cute demeanor. Unlike him, people approached her for radiance. And unlike him, everyone spoke highly of her. He wasn¡¯t letting his ice field freeze the mes of Momo¡¯s bright social life. That¡¯s why he would always make his leave whenever Momo bumped into acquaintances or friends. Today was supposed to be the same, until a voice echoed from behind him, shattering his expectations. ¡°K¨±kaku got guests, huh?¡± If Momo¡¯s voice was a spark of joy that could melt ice, then the voice behind him was as radiant and weing as a morning sun, a melodious tune that made people¡¯s day within seconds. Swallowing hard, Toshiro turned to see a man with long, messy silver hair. Despite his small stature, Toshiro was an eternal optimist, always believing that he¡¯d match Momo¡¯s height one day. But achieving the man¡¯s height seemed as faraway of a dream as him making ten friends. It was impossible. ¡°Who are you¡­?¡± Momo, however, seemed frozen in ce, as still as a tree in winter. Her interactions with men were limited to her small social circle. And none of her friends held the same allure as the charming man before her. Overwhelmed, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her words not reaching the tip of her tongue. The sleek ck cat by the stranger¡¯s side pricked up her ears, her eyes twinkling with intrigue. ¡°These kids have significant potential.¡± ¡°Wha! A talking cat?!¡± Shock ripped Momo from her daydream. Animals weremonce in the Soul Society, but felines were a rarity. A talking one seemed straight out of the fantastical stories spun by their grandmother. ¡°A-Are you a Shinigami?¡± A grin, wide and scheming, spread across the stranger''s face, like a viin who had just uncovered the final piece of his master n. ¡°Not at all.¡± Toshiro felt visiblyfortable but Momo was sent into another daydream. ¡°What¡¯s all this ruckus?¡± K¨±kaku¡¯s grumble echoed from inside as she slid open the door. ¡°Who are these kids? Wait, they have pretty good Reiatsu. This silver-haired kid especially.¡± Despite her job as a fireworks maker, K¨±kaku, as a noble descendant, possessed inherent Reiatsu that rivaled a Vice Captain¡¯s. Her decision to refrain from joining the Gotei 13 seemed like a wasted potential, given her impressive talent in Kid¨­. She could have easily secured a position as a high-ranking Seated Officer. Even a Vice-Captain Seat wouldn¡¯t be far fetched if she poured effort into awakening her Zanpakut¨­. Some geniuses never lived up to their true potential ¡ª the bitter reality of life. Toshiro didn''tprehend what Reiatsu was, but he could discern that the woman was singling him out as special. It set off bells in his head, that he was going to be used for nefarious schemes of the adult woman. He wanted none of it. The stranger shed a disarming friendly smile. ¡°I¡¯m Kazuya. Care to introduce yourself?¡± Momo quickly pressed her arms against her sides and executed a rushed bow. ¡°I-I am Momo Hinamori.¡± ¡°Toshiro,¡± he replied, his words forced out more by obligation than desire. ¡°Toshiro Hitsugaya.¡± ¡°What lovely names,¡± Kazuya said with a slow nod. ¡°Momo, Toshiro. We can all sense your potential. Would you two be interested in joining the Shinigami Academy with me?¡± In his eyes, bringing them along would be advantageous. He could change Momo¡¯s fate from bing Aizen¡¯s ything and earn Toshiro¡¯s loyalty. Contrary to Toshiro¡¯s height, his potential surpassed that of an average Captain. Momo Hinamori, though not as prodigious as her friend, had the capability to earn a Vice Captain position on her own. Their inclusion in Kazuya¡¯s faction would only raise his influence in Gotei 13. Momo raised her head, eyes sparkling. ¡°We can be Shinigami!?¡± Her curiosity had always piqued about life within the Seireitei, the thrilling adventures a Shinigami embarked on, forging unbreakable through numerous battles ¡ª a stark contrast to her monotonous life in the Rukongai. ¡°You can,¡± Kazuya confirmed with a confident nod. ¡°Take your time. There¡¯s no need to rush into a decision.¡± His persuasive voice made Momo blush again. ¡°O-Okay.¡± His request was more of a formality since she had already made up her mind about joining the Shinigami Academy. Grabbing Toshiro¡¯s hand, she tugged him along and moved a short distance away. She turned back to wave at Kazuya. ¡°We¡¯ll let you know our decisionter!¡± And with that, she dashed away to her home in the far distance. ¡°That poor guy,¡± Kazuya muttered under his breath. ¡°K¨±kaku, I¡¯m starving. You got something for me?¡± K¨±kaku¡¯s brow twitched at his shameless request, which had be a regr tease these days. She had tried a dozen times to hit him, but he always evaded her, slithering away like a snake. She had no choice but to relent, recognizing that Yoruichi¡¯s chosen candidate indeed had the potential to ascend to the rank of a Captain. ¡°Did Kaien and Miyako leave?¡± Kazuya merely nodded in response. The married couple had dropped them at the Western Gate before heading off for their duty in the Seireitei. K¨±kaku harrumphed and strode back into the house. ¡°Kuragenohiko made some extra. Eat it or else I¡¯ll need to throw it away.¡± ¡°Tough on the outside and a big softie on the inside,¡± Yoruichi stated as she looked up at him. ¡°Isn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°Yup.¡± ¡°I have a question, Kazuya. Are you going to seduce that young girl as well?¡± He blinked in surprise. While he found Momo¡¯s cuteness endearing, her innocence wasn''t exactly his type. ¡°I only have eyes for mature women like you.¡± {Ah yes. Kazuya Ishihara, the tall dommy mommy lover.} ¡®A proud member of the mature lover society.¡¯ ¡°I like your determination. Keep at it, and I might fall for you in a thousand years~.¡± She cheerfully announced and walked into the house. He had the urge to grab her dancing tail but he didn¡¯t act on his impulses. She went into a frenzy thest time he touched her tail. ¡­ Momo and Toshiro returned to their dwelling, greeted at the door by an elderly, hunched over woman. Her weary visage was a constant source of worry for the young duo. ¡°Shiro, Momo, where were you?¡± ¡°Grandma, you won''t believe what just happened!¡± Momo excitedly ryed her encounter with Kazuya, K¨±kaku Shiba, and the talking cat. Toshiro¡¯s grandmother, Nozomi, wouldn¡¯t have believed it if Toshiro wasn¡¯t confirming Momo¡¯s story by her side. ¡°I¡¯m going to be a Shinigami, Grandma!¡± Nozomi beamed a smile. ¡°That is good¡­ what about you, Shiro? Will you apany Momo?¡± Toshiro crossed his arms, looking unconvinced. ¡°No. What¡¯s so special about those Shinigami anyway?¡± Someone needed to stay behind and care for his grandmother, who was losing more and more of her weight as time passed. His grandmother had showered him with love and care for over a century. He couldn¡¯t abandon her, even if the prospect of joining Momo and starting anew in the Seireitei was tempting. ¡°Come on.¡± Momo tried to persuade him, but he refused to budge. Chapter 100: The Ripples of Fate Chapter 100: The Ripples of Fate Upon a hill that overlooked an endless sea of trees, two figures stood, bathed in the gentle light of a rising sun. One was a young woman, the ck tangles of her unkempt hair swaying slightly in the morning breeze. She was d in a light purple kimono that billowed around her. Next to her was a red-haired young man, wearing a sleeveless tunic that had gathered the dirt and grime of his usual struggle in District 78 of the Soul Society. A struggle that reduced their group of five to just the two of them. Rukia¡¯s hands clenched into fists. ¡°Renji, I¡¯m going to be a Shinigami.¡± Their friends, notorious for their mischief, had been apprehended by the Shinigami, their fate now uncertain. She and Renji had easily outran the Shinigami since they possessed stronger bodies due to their high Reiatsu. Renji ced a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Me too. Life inside the Seireitei is surely better¡­ let¡¯s hope our friends are finding some joy there.¡± Rukia shook her head, an almost sad smile gracing her lips at Renji¡¯s naivety. Their friends had been hauled away like animals, not invited like nobles. It was hard for her to imagine her friends leading any semnce of a good life inside the Seireitei. He was in pure denial. ¡°We better set out now,¡± Renji said. ¡°The exams are in fifteen or something days.¡± *** The repercussions of the cruel yet necessary sacrifices for Soul Bncing rippled through multiple lives, not just the lives of Rukia and Renji. Second floor of the 5th Squad¡¯s Barracks. A ck-haired man held a brush, his strokes on the canvas as sharp and elegant as a sword. The ck-framed sses and white coat over his Shinigami Uniform gave off a gentle aura. Aizen Sosuke, the Captain of the 5th Squad, believed that the art of calligraphy required as much, if not more precision, than the art of swordsmanship. He had immactely mastered both arts alongside many others. His calligraphy skills were so profound that he was bestowed with the honor of being a special lecturer in the Shinigami Academy. His charm and expertise maized the attention of the students, making him one of the most popr lecturers, despite the optional nature of the calligraphy course. The calm rhythm of Aizen¡¯s brush was disrupted when the door behind him slid open, revealing a man with silver/white hair, an unsettling smile on his face. His eyes, forever shut, only made him look creepier, like a snake who would bite you any second. Gin Ichimaru, the Vice-Captain of the 5th Squad, closed the door behind him. Settling down beside Aizen, he maintained his eerie smile. ¡°Captain Aizen, you might want to hear this beautiful news.¡± ¡°Oh, could it be rted to that ce?¡± ¡°Indeed it is, Captain. Your assumptions were correct,¡± Gin said. ¡°A wandering hero put an end to the Emperor¡¯s reign. That ce lost its ruler.¡± Among many countless reasons for the disruption, Aizen believed the death of some Vasto Lorde was the most likely scenario. A pause punctuated the air as Aizen¡¯s brush came to a halt. Laying it down, he turned to face Gin. ¡°Has that person taken over the throne?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the most surprising part, Captain Aizen. That person simply vanished after the act. That ce is now plunged in a chaotic civil war with everyone fighting for a chance to be the next ¡®God¡¯.¡± A cold smile settled on Aizen''s face as he adjusted his sses. ¡°A false god you mean. Hmmm¡­ Gin, bring me the identity of that hero. I wonder how strong they can be under our influence.¡± ¡°I will try, Captain Aizen. But what about our n of taking over that ce?¡± ¡°Let the waves stabilize under a new ruler.¡± Killing/Subjugating the new ruler required less effort than calming the current chaos in Las Noches. ¡­ At the same time. A door quietly parted to the office room of the 10th Squad. A figure, d in standard Shinigami outfit, slipped through the door. His gazended on the sprawling figure of a blonde woman, syed out on the sofa dominating the room. Her voluptuous form was generously entuated by hernguid posture, and the pink scarf draped around her neck was like a g, drawing unwavering attention to the lush valleys of her cleavage. The silent intrusion did not break the spell of her dreams, her chest rising and falling in the rhythm of peaceful slumber. A sly smirk bloomed across the intruder¡¯s face, mischief flickering in his ck eyes. Rather than retreating and letting the sleeping beauty rest, he chose to take revenge for the woman¡¯s continuous naggings. Tiptoeing across the room, he reached for a ck pen from the table. He leaned before the sleeping woman, his pen ever so slowly reaching towards her face. The rest was history. ¡­ Rangiku Matsumoto bolted upright, blinking sleepily after waking up from a dream. The same dream about her childhood friend who had lost touch with kindness. Her eyes fell upon a man with spiky ck hair engrossed in writing on a scroll. In a daze, she squinted her eyes and pinched her cheeks, questioning the reality of the scene. ¡°It¡¯s not a dream?!¡± Isshin Shiba, her Captain, sighed. ¡°Quiet down, Rangiku. I¡¯m writing down the reports of nine hundred sixty nine purifications I performed in Nagasaki. The number of suicides there is simply abnormal.¡± Rangiku¡¯s face turned serious at the mention of Nagasaki, a city grappling with the destructive aftermath of a nuclear disaster five years past. The Hollows spawned there were unusually toughpared to other regions. Such conditions wouldn¡¯t ordinarily warrant the deployment of a Captain, yet Isshin had stubbornly insisted on undertaking the mission alone. Despite his lewd humor andziness, Isshin was deeply conscientious, unwilling to let his novice Seated Officers fight the nightmarish Hollows. He was dependable when the situation demanded. Suppressing a chuckle, Isshin cleared his throat. ¡°Anything happened here when I was away?¡± Rangiku absentmindedly scratched her neck, "Actually, K¨±kaku paid a visit a few days ago." ¡°Huh? Why did she¡ª¡± ¡°Like I know anything about your entric niece. You¡¯re the Head of Shiba n.¡± ¡°Head of a Branch,¡± Isshin corrected her. ¡°I better go and check on her. Rangiku, my beautiful Vice Captain, finish these reports for me!¡± Rangiku¡¯s face twitched as she raised a clenched fist. ¡°Stop finding reasons to ck¡­¡± she paused, feeling a friend approach her room. ¡°Isane?¡± As Isane stepped through the door holding a tray, Isshin seized the opportunity to make a swift exit with Shunpo. ¡°Oi, cker! Come back here!¡± Rangiku could only wave her fists around as Isshin ran away after dumping his workload on her. Isane didn''t bat an eye, seemingly unfazed by the theatrics, a typical day in the 10th Squad. However, upon glimpsing Rangiku¡¯s face, she couldn''t stifle a chuckle. ¡°Rangiku, your face¡­¡± Rangiku summoned a hand mirror to inspect her face. The cker Captain had drawn childish doodles around her eyes, her nose, and an unsightly sketch of a pair of breasts on either cheek. She wiped her face clean, her face cold. ¡°Isane, I¡¯m sorry. I have to pay that bastard back for this.¡± She couldn¡¯t let him get away with his prank. More importantly, she found a reason to ck off in her Captain¡¯s absence. She wasn¡¯t finishing Isshin¡¯s reports even if her life depended on it! With a dismissive wave, Isane replied, ¡°No worries¡­¡± As Rangiku made her fiery exit, Isane sighed, her gaze dropping to the tray in her hands. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll visit Vice-Captain Yachiru. She is always eager for a snack.¡± Chapter 101: A Brief Appearance Chapter 101: A Brief Appearance "ACHOO!" Kazuya''s sneeze echoed within the walls of K¨±kaku¡¯s basement. Wiping his nose with a cloth, he let out a sigh heavy with longing. ¡°My girls are already missing me.¡± Cloaked in sleek ck, form-hugging clothes, Yoruichi flicked a dismissive hand through the air. ¡°Two days Kazuya, only two days. Don''t you think you''re being overly dramatic?¡± ¡°I¡¯m too much of a loving husband I guess.¡± ¡°Heh. What do you want to learn today?¡± Two days had passed since he killed Nnoitra and returned to the Soul Society, days during which he surprised Yoruichi by showcasing the Kid¨­ spells he had learned from her. His enhanced thought processing (Thanks to his arithmetic skills) and his exemry senses allowed him to replicate a Kid¨­ spell after merely a handful of demonstrations. It had reached a point where he could cast Kid¨­ spells based on Yoruichi¡¯s instructions. Yoruichi found herself both intrigued and unnerved by his talent, seeing an uncanny resemnce to her old friend, Kisuke Urahara. ¡°I want to learn the art of sex.¡± ¡°Go find a prostitute somewhere.¡± ¡°Oof. I got rejected,¡± he said with a sigh. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll settle for Shunpo today.¡± ¡°Watch closely then.¡± With a blink of an eye, she whizzed around the room, a streak of ck lightning. Her extraordinary disy of Shunpo had once earned her the revered title of ''sh Goddess.'' Through narrowed eyes, he observed her fast-paced movements as if she were sprinting in slow motion. Hirenkyaku and Son¨ªdo had different mechanicspared to Shunpo. The former required users to ride the ambient Reishi to achieve superhuman speed, making it quite an efficient technique given the environment''s Reishi density. Thetter allowed an Arrancar to dart through the air with a burst of eleration, akin to a sonic jet. There was a plus point to Son¨ªdo; it helped Arrancar in slipping through the supernatural Reiatsu sense every high-level soul had. On the flip side, Shunpo demanded absolute control over Reiryoku and decent physical strength to build up the pace, using a lot of Reiryoku and stamina in the process. The only upside, perhaps, were its variant techniques that Yoruichi and Byakuya had mastered. ¡®Son¨ªdo is most useful.¡¯ Yoruichi demonstrated the technique one more time by sprinting back and forth.
[Ability: Shunpo acquired.] [Current Master Level: Basic.]
Learning Shunpo wasn''t an earth-shattering achievement since he was already versed with two other high-speed movement techniques. ¡°It¡¯s not that hardpared to Quincy¡¯s movement technique,¡± Yoruichi said as she came to a halt, a trickle of sweat on her forehead. ¡°Just keep trying¡ª¡± But before she could finish, a whooshing sound interrupted her. Kazuya had already materialized behind her using the same technique as hers. ¡°Come on. You didn¡¯t think I¡¯d take weeks to learn this.¡± Yoruichi rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. ¡°My bad. How could Imit the cardinal sin of applyingmon sense with the protagonist of this story!¡± {Oh god, this girl. She is jinxing everything!} Kazuya remained silent, his brows knitting as he nced at the window. They were holed up in K¨±kaku¡¯s basement, a ce not exactly buzzing with visitors. Yet, a powerful Reiatsu was rapidly approaching their location. ¡®A Captain?¡¯ He pondered. It appeared the universe was in no mood to grant him fifteen days'' peace before the Shinigami entrance exam. Trouble seemed to have a maic attraction to him, regardless of his whereabouts. ¡°I don¡¯t recognize this Reiatsu,¡± Yoruichi murmured, her yful demeanor instantly reced with a steely gaze. ¡°A new captain. I¡¯ll hide just in case.¡± With a swift leap, she took to the air, transforming mid-jump and leaving behind a pile of discarded ck clothes. "Could it be Soi-Fon? You know, your number one superfan who holds you on a pedestal higher than the Soul King''s throne," he said, his eyes twinkling with yful mockery. Soi-Fon was Yoruichi¡¯s biggest simp. She would rip open the void if she got the news that her ¡®Yoruichi-sama¡¯ was residing in Western Rukongai. ¡°Ah, her.¡± Yoruichi chuckled, a tinge of nostalgia coloring her words. ¡°She took over the 2nd squad after me. I don¡¯t think she admired me with my current criminal status.¡± ¡°You underestimate the power of a simp, Yoruichi.¡± Soi-Fon was an advanced-level simp for Yoruichi, turning into an emotional mess as soon as she caught sight of Yoruichi. The ck-haired tomboy had a mad passion for the feline lover. ¡°Simp? What does that mean?¡± ¡°Best you don¡¯t know," Kazuya replied, suppressing augh. "But rest assured, if shees looking for you, she¡¯ll have to deal with me first. I¡¯m, after all, first in line to court you.¡± Taken aback, Yoruichi broke into a heartyughter before leaping onto his head. ¡°I¡¯d call her a generational talent like Byakuyad. She is also a trained master assassin who can slit your throat in your sleep. You sure you¡¯d want to offend someone like her for me?¡± Of course, she didn''t mention that Kazuya''s talent made Soi-Fon''s look like a child¡¯s y. The best way to keep his ego in check was to leave that detail out. ¡°Absolutely. Anything for a dark-skinned catgirl.¡± His instant answer left her speechless. ¡­ Flinging open the door to the living room, Kazuya stopped in his tracks. A peculiar sight greeted him: Ganju sat in one corner, observing in stoic silence. In the middle of it all was a visitor performing dogeza before Kukaku. The firecracker of a girl looked down at the man, arms crossed, her expression fierce. ¡°Come on, my dear niece. Forgive me this time. I¡¯ll do better in the future!¡± Caught up with his Shinigami duties, Isshin had once again fallen short of his responsibilities towards his family. It was probably the fourth time he was unable to help her in time. Keeping her arms crossed, K¨±kaku brought her foot down on his head full of spiky ck hair. "Out. Now. You''re never around when your family needs you." Kazuya¡¯s eyes widened as he recognized the man being squashed under K¨±kaku¡¯s foot. ¡®Ichigo¡¯s Dad.¡¯ {Such a goofball.} As K¨±kaku stepped away, Isshin popped up, grinning at Kazuya as if he hadn''t just been humiliated by his niece. ¡°And who is this handsomed, K¨±kaku? Finally got yourself a partner?¡± A visible tic manifested on K¨±kaku¡¯s face. ¡°Isshin Oji-san, stop bbering crap. He is Kazuya, a friend and a future Shinigami.¡± Isshin¡¯s face brightened. ¡°A future Shinigami you say. Trying for the uing test?¡± Kazuya nodded. ¡°What kind of test do they give to entrants?¡± ¡°Something like Reiatsu limits test and control over one¡¯s Reiryoku. It wouldn¡¯t be hard for you,¡± Isshin said with narrowed eyes and a smile. ¡°Your control is impable from what I see.¡± Despite being in the same room as Kazuya, Isshin could hardly sense his Reiatsu. Many would take that as his Reiatsu being low, but Isshin knew that the man before him was considerably strong. Kazuya shed a modest smile. ¡°I owe it to K¨±kaku. She¡¯s an excellent mentor.¡± Isshin''s eyes bulged at this revtion, while K¨±kaku didn¡¯t object to Kazuya''s im. After all, someone apart from Yoruichi had to take credit for his impable Reiryoku control. Better her than her brother Ganju or the cat. Seeing no rejection, Isshinughed heartily before turning to Ganju. ¡°K¨±kaku and Kaien are set, but her Oji-san is still a loner.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a lone wolf,¡± Ganju said with augh. ¡°Handling the Tenth Division should keep you busy.¡± Isshin rubbed his nose, a twinkle in his eye. ¡°Haha, true. I¡¯m only doing this until I find a good sessor.¡± Turning to Kazuya, he crossed his arms. ¡°You might be a good candidate in a hundred years.¡± Kazuya offered a small smile. Little did Isshin know, his long-awaited sessor was residing in this very district¡ªthe short, silver-haired prodigy. K¨±kaku and Yoruichi exchanged a knowing look, both subtly shaking their heads. Isshin was aiming too far into the future. Given Kazuya''s abilities, it wouldn''t take more than a decade for him to awaken the Bankai release of his Zanpakut¨­. More importantly, he wasn¡¯t even aiming to join the 10th Squad. Suddenly, Yoruichi''s eyes narrowed, her senses picking up on an approaching presence. K¨±kaku let out a sigh. ¡°Oji-san, your Vice-Captain is also here.¡± Isshin lifted his head with a surprised look. ¡°What¡¯s she doing here?¡± ¡°To drag you back to work,¡± K¨±kaku said with a shrug. ¡°Life of a Shinigami is tough, isn¡¯t it?¡± Kazuya racked his brain to remember who served as Isshin¡¯s Vice-Captain during this time. His train of thought was interrupted by the sliding door creaking open, revealing the 10th Squad''s current Vice-Captain. A blonde with wavy hair reaching her shoulders entered, her standard Shinigami uniform entuated with the Vice-Captain¡¯s armband tied to the sash around her waist. The way she used her Reiryoku to glue her clothes to her breasts just spoke of the woman¡¯s prioritizing fashion over practicality. He had always considered Harribel well-endowed, yet Rangiku was in a league of her own. Sweeping the room with her gaze, Rangiku¡¯s attention was immediately drawn to Kazuya and the ck cat perched on his head. Despite his in clothes, his untamed silver hair and striking looks were hard to miss. ¡°What a cute pet you have. I¡¯d spoil her rotten if she was mine.¡± Having her own catgirl in the form of her Zanpakut¨­ Spirit wasn''t enough; one can never have too many cats, especially given the Seireitei''s current cat shortage. ¡°I have good eyes for pussies,¡± he said with a straight face while tugging at Yoruichi¡¯s paw. ¡°And this one is splendid.¡± Yoruichi hissed, but didn¡¯t say a word. "Wow," Rangiku gasped, thrusting out her chest. ¡°Your voice is like silk. I¡¯d totally listen to you sing a song or just hear you sing a luby. Too bad you¡¯re from Rukongai or we might have be good friends.¡± "Oi, Witch!" Isshin roared. ¡°Don¡¯t you try to charm K¨±kaku-chan¡¯s man right under her nose.¡± K¨±kakunded a solid punch at the back of Isshin''s head. ¡°Can you quit with that nonsense already?¡± Rangiku spun to face Isshin, her eyes zing. Striding up to him, she yanked him by the cor. ¡°K¨±kaku, mind if I take this blockhead away?¡± ¡°Nope. Drag him to his office.¡± Isshin sobbed in betrayal as Rangiku dragged him through the hallways. K¨±kaku turned to Kazuya. ¡°She doesn¡¯t know you aren¡¯t gonna stay in Rukongai for long¡­ good for her that you won¡¯t enter her Squad.¡± Kazuya shed a knowing grin. ¡°We''ll see about that.¡± There was now stating he couldn¡¯t charm the Vice-Captain of a different squad. Even if such a rule existed, he¡¯d dly break it for the sake of Rangiku. At first nce, the blonde might not strike one as being inclined towards rtionships, but her tragic past involving Gin could drastically shift anyone''s perception of her. She could be more than friends with benefits as long as he yed his cards right. {Partner, you¡¯re at it again.} ¡®Be quiet.¡¯ Chapter 102: The First Trial Chapter 102: The First Trial Fifteen dayster, the time hade. The Rukongai shimmered with excitement under the glow of the morning light. A stark contrast to Hueco Mundo¡¯s sky which was shrouded in perpetual darkness, forever separated from the light of life. These realms were pr opposites in every sense. Precisely why the topic of Hollow wielding Shinigami powers (or vice versa) was forbidden within Central 46 and Gotei 13. {Cannot wait for you to reveal your true face as the Prince of Hollows.} Nami hummed with enthusiasm. She shared Kazuya¡¯s excitement to bid farewell to Rukongai. {Before you say anything, you¡¯re the Prince of Hollows. Harribel has legally and nobly adopted you as her boy.} Kazuya could only respond with a dismissive, ¡®Whatever you say.¡¯ He had no interest in bickering on this particr morning. He contentedly savored his breakfast, his eyes drifting towards Yoruichi as she casuallypped milk from a bowl. Her decision to assume the form of a cat for the sake of freedom was truly baffling in his eyes. {Powerful people always have some quirky personalities.} ¡®I¡¯m also powerful but I don¡¯t see anything quirky in myself.¡¯ Sure, he had his unhinged moments, but on the whole, he saw himself as apletely normal person. {You¡¯re perfect as you are, Partner. That¡¯s why I¡¯ll burn down this whole damn world if anything happens to you, starting from the one who harms you.} Kazuya got shivers. Her burning passion didn¡¯t allow him tough it off as a joke. Every word wasced with a chilling promise that couldn¡¯t be overlooked ¡ª his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit had thoroughly embraced her unhinged, yandere side. ¡°It¡¯s thest day,¡± Ganju broke the ice, serving as a distraction from the madness in Kazuya¡¯s mind. ¡°Nee-san, we won¡¯t see him for years now. Let¡¯s throw him a farewell party.¡± Ganju, who had warmed up to Kazuya after a couple of friendly sparring sessions, saw the parting as bittersweet. He had sought Kazuya a few days ago to learn the art ofbat. Suffering from boredom, he went along with the idea. To sweeten Ganju¡¯s experience, he even demonstrated a few Kid¨­ spells. The younger Shiba brother had a tiny dream of bing a Shinigami but was hesitant about leaving his sister alone. K¨±kaku cast a sidelong nce at Kazuya. Over the weeks, she too had developed a soft spot for him, and Ganju¡¯s suggestion nted an idea in her mind. A farewell party seemed a bit too extravagant, but she figured a memorable surprise for his departure couldn¡¯t hurt much. "Going to miss me?" Kazuya asked teasingly. ¡°Don¡¯t be shy. It¡¯s thest day to pour your heart out and confess your passionate feelings. Regrets can be pretty hefty.¡± K¨±kaku had warmed up to him significantly, to the extent that she now brushed off his yful flirtations without ire. His intense training with Yoruichi had left little time for seducing K¨±kaku. A fiery tsundere like K¨±kaku required a lot more time and care, even more when Yoruichi was by his side. K¨±kaku punched the table with her prosthetic arm. ¡°I only have one regret ¡ª I couldn¡¯t get to smash your face with my fist.¡± ¡°A. You¡¯re such a considerate sweetheart.¡± ¡°...¡± After the breakfast chatter had quieted down, Kazuya joined Momo, who had been eagerly waiting outside his house. Her smile shone as brightly as the day, then she pointed him towards the Seireitei. The noble estate couldn¡¯t be seen with the towering walls surrounding it, summoned by any presence near the vicinity of the Seireitei¡¯s boundaries. His sharp gaze spotted a sea of people gathered outside the western gate. Given theirck of physiological needs or carnal desires, many low-level souls aimed to join the ranks of the Shinigami for a taste of purpose. Today was an opportunity for them to break the shackles of poverty and step towards a better life and a more remarkable destiny. ¡°We should head there,¡± Momo suggested, her voice filled with anticipation. ¡°Come on.¡± He smiled at her enthusiasm. ¡°Toshiro didn¡¯te?¡± Only a week prior, he''d given the young Toshiro aprehensive lecture. Toshiro¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Spirit Hyorinmaru¡¯s ice powers and his own Reiatsu severely hurt his grandmother whenever he slept. Toshiro had to be a Shinigami to control his frost powers. Kazuya wasn¡¯t in any way, shape, or form brainwashing thed. {Keep telling yourself that.} "Shiro-chan¡­" Momo''s voice faltered, her expression clouding over. "I couldn''t find him..." ¡°Kind of a waste,¡± Yoruichimented. ¡°He could¡¯ve be a high-level Shinigami in no time.¡± He brushed off Yoruichi''sment, patting Momo¡¯s shoulderfortingly. "He''lle, don''t worry." ¡°Un.¡± As they started their journey towards the western gate, Momo continually snuck nervous nces at Kazuya, her worries hanging unsaid in the air. ¡°He''ll be here,¡± he reassured her once more. ¡°Just rx.¡± Momo nodded her head vigorously. ¡°I believe in Kazuya-san.¡± She had an innocent crush on him but he was sure he¡¯d get over him. Despite being over a hundred years old, she was way too innocent. His train of thought was interrupted as a familiar head full of silver hair caught his eye amidst the sea of people. A wave of relief washed over him; he¡¯d begun to worry that Toshiro wouldn¡¯te. If he couldn¡¯t convince a child like Toshiro, what chance did he stand against Yamamoto? "Shiro-chan!" Momo¡¯s voice pierced the crowd, her arm waving in the air with uncontainable enthusiasm. "Over here!" Toshiro turned around to Momo¡¯s voice and frowned. ¡°Bedwetter¡­¡± As Toshiro approached them, Momo pped his shoulders affectionately and hugged him. ¡°You made me so worried. Why couldn¡¯t you juste with me?¡± Toshiro gently nudged her away, scratching his cheek awkwardly. He¡¯d been busy gathering a parting gift for his grandmother, but the words stuck in his throat until... ¡°Yeah, tell us why you were so busy?¡± Kazuya posed the question, and Toshiro averted his gaze. The boy had mad respect towards him for pointing out the harm he had been unknowingly inflicting upon his grandmother. His negligence could¡¯ve killed his grandmother ¡ª the realization still gnawed at him. ¡°I-I was collecting flowers for Oba-san.¡± Momo¡¯s features softened into an understanding smile. ¡°Thanks, Shiro-chan. Don¡¯t you worry over Oba-san. We¡¯ll visit her as much as possible.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Toshiro mumbled, his agreement barely above a whisper. ¡°I will.¡± Meanwhile, Kazuya watched their exchange with a hint of a smile. The innocent dynamics between Toshiro and Momo stirred within him a sense of nostalgia, invoking memories of his own pure bond with Izumi. He was a little curious how Izumi was coping with his absence. After all, the first weeks were the hardest that could make or break someone, but he tookfort in knowing that Lisa was there to lend her a shoulder. {Don¡¯t you darepare that cultist woman to these kids.} ¡®I don¡¯t care about that. Our rtionship is pure. That¡¯s what matters.¡¯ {Yare yare.} A thunderous roar echoed around them as the towering entranceway gradually lifted, revealing the colossal figure casually holding the door''s weight. With ast Herculean effort, the giant hoisted the gate and stepped into the Rukonga. The monumental gate crashed behind him, making the ground tremble beneath their feet. A cheer erupted from the crowd, rivaling the impact of the massive door. ¡°Jidanbo-san!¡± Momo also joined in on the excitement. ¡°Kazuya-kun, this giant is Jidanbo. Formerly from the Rukongai, he has been the Western Gate¡¯s Guardian for over three hundred years. As you can see, everyone here loves him.¡± ¡°Can''t see why,¡± Toshiro retorted with a shrug, unfazed by the fanfare. ¡°When does the test start, anyway?¡± ¡°Be patient,¡± he said, cing his hands on Toshiro¡¯s shoulders. ¡°The key to everything is patience. We get a chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.¡± {Says the most impatient man on the.} Toshiro nodded solemnly. He had learned more from Kazuya in ten days than he did in the past few decades. As Jidanbo stepped aside, a middle-aged woman in a ck kimono took his ce. With her tidy sses and a book in hand, she seemed every bit the schrly type. But standing next to Jidanbo¡¯s hulking form, she looked more like a child than a woman. The giant was over ten feet tall, boasting muscr arms thicker than most trees. ¡°Wee to the annual Shin¡¯o Academy¡¯s entrance exams. I¡¯m Eri Masashi, your examiner,¡± she dered, adjusting her sses and flipping open her book. ¡°Anyone wishing to enter the Academy, pleasee forward and register your name before afternoon.¡± As her words dissipated into the bustling crowd, an overwhelming pressure washed over the scene. Jidanbo had released his Reiatsu, dispelling any doubts about the difficulty of the test. Eri smiled coldly. ¡°I wish you the best of luck!¡± Chapter 103: Arrival of Geniuses Chapter 103: Arrival of Geniuses Eri knew that Jidando, the giant, was a powerful warrior, possessing brute strengthparable to the freaks of the 11th Squad ¡ª the battle-hungry Shinigami squad led by Kenpachi Zaraki. That didn¡¯t mean his Reiatsu was weak; he was easilyparable to a Seated Officer if he went all out. Of course he wasn¡¯t allowed to go all out and massacre everyone with his Reiatsu alone. The gatekeeper showed mercy when it came to people in Rukongai. He had a big soft spot for everyone here. Eri let this favoritism slide since the second test was there to weed out the unworthy. As Eri looked at her book, she heard footsteps and raised her gaze to a silver-haired man. Seireitei was certainly notcking in handsome men, but this man made her heart skip a beat. ¡®Not even a minute. Did he use a movement technique?¡¯ With disbelief painting her features, Eri scanned the others who, unlike him, were struggling to cover the distance. Some had even sumbed to their knees before taking four measly steps. The closer one was to an overwhelming Reiatsu, the tougher it was to hold ground. Yet, the man before her stood in the full-blown proximity of Jidanbo¡¯s Reiatsu. He even had the leisure to show a refreshing smile. ¡°Examiner, do the honors.¡± And his voice blew away every bit of confidence she had mustered. Taking another deep breath, she calmed herself down. ¡°Speak.¡± ¡°Kazuya Ishihara,¡± he said with a smile as he sidestepped to reveal two figures. ¡°Momo Hinamori and Toshiro Hitsugaya.¡± The bespectacled examiner nodded in acknowledgment to the pair behind Kazuya. She then handed him a translucent crystal. ¡°Please focus on this¡­ try to fill it with Reiryoku. This is the second test you must pass.¡± She watched with bated breath as Kazuya handled the crystal that measured one¡¯s Spirit ss. The device was made by ¨­etsu Nimaiya to make the tests easier. After what felt like an eternity, a string of words materialized on the crystal, making Eri''s eyes go wide. ¡°S-Spirit ss Rank one!¡± A collective gasp echoed from the distant souls. Though ny-nine percent of them were clueless about the Spirit ss Ranking, the one percent that did know about it caused amotion that would put a market square to shame. A hint of a frown shadowed Kazuya''s features. He had only released enough Reiatsu to qualify as Rank 4, the pinnacle of the Vice-Captain ss, same as Kaien''s. After all, his goal was to score a Vice-Captain seat at most to fulfill his n. Yet the Spirit ss measuring device urately gauged his maximum Reiatsu, putting him on the same level as Senior Captains. He innocently tilted his head. ¡°Did I pass?¡± The examiner dropped her book out of sheer panic before hurriedly picking it up. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry but can you try again? I-It could be a mistake.¡± Kazuya''s brows furrowed, disying evident annoyance. ¡°Don¡¯t you have faith in your own equipment?¡± Momo, with her wide-eyed curiosity, peeked from behind Kazuya. ¡°Is Rank 1 the highest?¡± Eri responded with a trembling nod, ¡°I-It¡¯sparable to a Captain. Of course, it¡¯s just potential¡­ but Ishihara-sama will be able to release this Reiatsu under stressful conditions.¡± She didn¡¯t remember anyone getting Rank 1 during this test in thest few hundred years. Momo had stars in her eyes as she gazed at Kazuya¡¯s back. ¡°Kazuya-kun is amazing¡­¡± Eri gave a pleading gaze to Kazuya. There were even tears at the corner of her eyes as she thought Kazuya would identally release his Reiatsu out of annoyance. With such a massive difference in Reiatsu ss, she wouldn¡¯t faint but straight up die. ¡°P-Please.¡± He sighed and repeated the test, achieving the same result. Eri didn¡¯t bar his admission any longer and directly wrote his name under the column for ss 1, the ss filled with aristocratic geniuses. He easily qualified for ss 1. Eri penned something else at the book''s end, tearing the page out with a cheeky grin. Extending it towards Kazuya, she cooed, ¡°That''s my address. Feel free to visit if you need ''assistance'' in any regards.¡± In a world where souls lived for centuries, establishing ties with a potential authoritative figure, especially one who could make it to the Vice-Captain or even a Seated Officer¡¯s position, was an easy decision for Eri. His charming face and voice also made its way deep into her heart, making the choice of sleeping with him easier. Kazuya could urately guess everything from the devious smile on Eri¡¯s face. Still, he gave a polite smile and epted her gesture. He may or may not decide to humor her depending on his mood. Then it was Momo and Hitsugaya¡¯s turn to take the second test. ¡°Rank 5! R-Rank 2!!!¡± Eri almost fainted from surprise. She came looking for souls with Spirit ss below Rank 9 but ended up with a group of potential monsters. Two cream of the crop geniuses and one elite talent. After Kazuya saw that Momo and Toshiro were taken to the same ss as him, he nodded and went to stand by the side. ¡°Both of them have the same silver hair as Gin Ichimaru-sama. Is this a coincidence? I-I¡¯ll dye my hair silver after this.¡± Hearing Eri¡¯s crazy but funny rambling, he chuckled and signaled Yoruichi to follow him. They found sce by Jidanbo¡¯s side, who began talking to Momo. Nami¡¯s idlements also made things less boring overall. Jidanbo, despite his size and might, was endearingly awkward in conversations, making him the ideal chat partner for a rather shy Toshiro. By day¡¯s end, out of the swarm, only three hundred souls registered their names, with two hundred clearing the second round. Only five of them made it to the illustrious ss 1. The rest had to return home disappointed, leaving Jidanbo with a sad face. Momo did her best to cheer him up, which didn¡¯t take more than a minute. The giant was gullible like a child despite possessing the power to destroy a dozen Hollows with a swing of his ax. Eri took some time in writing more details about all the students before she cleared her throat. ¡°You''ve done well today, but your journey is just beginning. Cherish tonight with your families and loved ones. Tomorrow, a new chapter awaits. An instructor will meet you here in the morning, guiding you into the Seireitei and onwards to the Shin¡¯o Academy.¡± As she finished, Eri sent a yful wink in Kazuya''s direction before making her graceful exit through the gate. Yoruichi wasn¡¯t even in the mood to retort to his budding rtionship with the instructor. ¡®He didn¡¯t even try¡­ shouldn¡¯t I just let him seduce Captain Unohana?¡¯ Despite Captain Unohana¡¯s past dripping with bloodshed, she was still a woman. Perhaps she¡¯d fall under his charming spell. It was better to let him work his magic on Captain Unohana then use her to warn Captain Commander. ¡®Getting into the fourth squad should be easy with his Kaido skills.¡¯ She felt relieved that she taught him the branch of Kid¨­ that specializes in healing ¡ª Kaido. Toshiro blinked in confusion, scratching his head. ¡°Hey, I thought they would take us to the Seireitei right away.¡± He wouldn¡¯t have wasted so much time gathering flowers if he knew that the instructor would give them some time. Momo, with puffed cheeks, murmured, ¡°Uh huh. It¡¯s a constion for the time we can¡¯t spend with Oba-san for the next few months.¡± Kazuya rubbed their heads. ¡°You guys know Jidanbo. He will let you slide out of the gate without questions.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t corrupt them!¡± Yoruichi retorted. ¡°Just don¡¯t teach them bad stuff.¡± Momo giggled before she looked at her fellow district people leaving with drooping shoulders. ¡°I feel sad for them¡­¡± ¡°Those who are denied should be grateful about this,¡± Yoruichi said in a stern voice. ¡°Reiatsu ys a huge part in battles for us souls. We can¡¯t have Shinigami who can¡¯t withstand the minimum-level Hollows on the battlefield.¡± Kazuya nodded. ¡°Yoruichi, which was your Spirit ss before entering the academy?¡± ¡°Rank 2 like Toshiro,¡± she said and looked at Toshiro. ¡°Don¡¯t let this get to your head. This is merely your potential. To be a Vice Captain-ss candidate, you¡¯d need hundreds of years of practice and master the Shikai release of your Zanpakut¨­. To qualify for the Captain seat, you¡¯d need the mastery of Bankai release as well. Having high Spirit ss ranking means nothing on the battlefield.¡± Toshiro intently listened to her serious lecture. While Kazuya took a calm and yful approach in teaching, Yoruichi adopted a serious demeanor, unlike her usualid-back style. Toshiro was grateful to both of them since he got to learn so many new things from them. The mood lightened as Momo enthusiastically dered, ¡°Shiro-chan will be a Captain and I¡¯ll be his Vice-Captain!¡± Yoruichi let out a sigh. ¡°Kazuya, you handle her¡­ my words don¡¯t get through her.¡± Kazuya chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s fine. She¡¯ll learn in her academy time.¡± While he looked forward to observing her progress, he didn¡¯t intend to spend his full six years in the academy. His time in the academy was whimsically dependent on his mood. {Let¡¯s fucking goooo and wreck havoc in the academy.} As the group strolled towards Toshiro¡¯s home for a cozy sleepover, the night sky suddenly burst alive with fireworks. Dazzling images of Kazuya¡¯s chibi face and a cheeky cat dancing filled the sky. ¡°ssic K¨±kaku,¡± Kazuya said with a chuckle. ¡°I love her.¡± Yoruichiughed heartily. ¡°Me too.¡± Chapter 104-105: Shifting Loyalties Chapter 104-105: Shifting Loyalties A grand chamber was illuminated by a single orb of light flickering on the ceiling. In the center of the room sat a throne-like chair, a woman perched atop it with a fierce aura. She had raven-ck twintails that hung down to her shoulders, an eyepatch mask covering her left eye ¡ª the physical manifestation of her transformation from a hollow into an Arrancar. Former #4 Espada and former mistress of King Barragan, Loly Aivirrne. The only two surviving Espada were Szayporro and Aaraniero. Szayporro was busy in his researchboratory as always, never caring about the political outlook of Hueco Mundo. Aaraniero left Las Noches once the news of Barragan¡¯s death spread around. The Gillian Arrancar had no desire to wait for Barragan¡¯s killer to find them. As an Espada, Loly could easily calm down the chaos and take over as Las Noches''s new ruler. Her time in power had not been a tranquil one so far. Her sole pink eye narrowed as she surveyed the group of Hollows before her with disdain: two Adjuchas and no less than two dozen lesser Hollows. ¡°Did you manage to track them to their base?¡± The Adjuchas stepped forward as he spoke, ¡°My Queen, we couldn¡¯t¡­ they weren¡¯t within the boundaries of Las Noches.¡± Loly gritted her teeth. Two Arrancars came to her kingdom, killed her troops, and left without any repercussions. How would she manage her credibility as a queen if she let two random Hollows step all over her? ¡°You ipetent bastards,¡± she roared. ¡°How¡ª¡± ¡°Loly, calm down,¡± said Menoly Mallia, one of Barragan¡¯s other mistresses, standing beside Loly. She had slicked up blonde hair with bangs partially covering her right eye, which happened to be the fragments of her Hollow mask. ¡°It¡¯s not their fault. We have not seen those Hollows for over two weeks now¡ª¡± Before Menoly could finish, Loly threw a kick at her stomach, sending her crashing into the wall. Loly appeared before Menoly with Son¨ªdo and grabbed her cor, yanking her to her feet. ¡°Never interrupt the Queen when she talks.¡± Menoly red at Loly defiantly yet managed to remain silent ¡ª an act that always seemed to drive Loly into a rage. ¡°Bitch,¡± Loly snarled and bashed Menoly¡¯s head into the wall. ¡°I¡¯m assigning those criminals to you then. Take these bastards and get me results.¡± ¡°Yes, My Queen¡­¡± Menoly nodded obediently and led the Hollows away from the throne room while Loly returned to her seat of power in Hueco Mundo. Barragan¡¯s death was a constant reminder for her to keep her arrogance in check but her subordinates always provoked the bully inside her. ¡°My, oh my, the Hollows of Las Noches are more intelligent and ruder than I could ever imagine.¡± A series of slow ps echoed as Gin Ichimaru walked into Loly¡¯s chamber, the loose and oversized sleeves of his yukata swaying with the wind. His eyes were shut in that characteristic, enigmatic smile, and yet, they seemed to see everything. Truth be spoken, he hadn¡¯t expected the waves of civil war to die down so soon. Then again, the intelligent Hollowdy on the throne was a cut above every Adjuchas since she wielded the powers of both Shinigami and Hollow. ¡®She is¡­ weak.¡¯ Gin felt let down. He thought he''d find at least a Vasto Lorde or some Hollow who had awakened monstrous power. Instead, he saw a pack of haplessckeys with no ambition and no desire to improve themselves. No single one of them could be considered worthy enough to offer Aizen as a gift. ¡®Aizen-sama would be more interested in those rebels.¡¯ Loly¡¯s breath caught in her throat when the corner of Gin''s lips curved into a cruel arc. His closed-eyed smile sent chills down her spine and her heart raced as she instinctively shrank back from the Shinigami¡¯s looming figure. ¡°W-Who are you? What do you want from me?¡± she stammered, fearcing every syble. ¡°Nothing. I just thought I¡¯d walk into Las Noches,¡± Gin said, his grin widening. ¡°And tease the new ruler a bit.¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m just a lowly queen. Please¡­¡± She stepped off the throne and presented it to Gin. ¡°You can be the King of Hueco Mundo, Shinigami-sama.¡± She even tried stripping to seduce him, throwing her body away for survival. But he held her hand, seemingly uninterested. ¡°I don¡¯t appreciate that,¡± Gin said, shaking his head. ¡°What I desire is information.¡± ¡­ ¡°You¡¯re utterly useless.¡± Loly closed her eyes, shaking on the ground. ¡°Please don¡¯t kill me¡­ please.¡± Gin was never a bully but he could understand the tion some people felt towards beating down the weak. ¡°I won¡¯t kill you.¡± Loly raised her head, showing a bright smile on her tear-stained face. ¡°Shinigami-sama, you¡¯re so¡ª¡± Gin let loose a portion of his Reiatsu, making her freeze. ¡°As long as you maintain control over Hueco Mundo as its ruler.¡± The sooner Aizen¡¯s ns for Hueco Mundo were finalized, the sooner Aizen would begin his attack on the Soul Society and the sooner Gin would get to thrust his Kamishini no Yari through Aizen¡¯s heart. He¡¯d relish every moment of his vicious poison avenge the suffering Aizen inflicted upon his childhood friend. ¡°My, let¡¯s not get impatient.¡± ¡°Indeed, friend,¡± his Zanpakut¨­ spirit chimed. ¡°Be the viper in the tall grasses and strike when your enemy never expects you to.¡± ¡°Or prepare a counter-attack for the counter-attack he will have for my surprise attack.¡± Loly mmed her head into the ground. ¡°I will, Shinigami-sama. I will do anything to keep the throne. You don¡¯t have to worry!¡± Gin sighed. He wouldn¡¯t have to jump through so many hoops if he could overpower Aizen. The world gifted him with impable talent but not enough to fulfill his sole desire of vengeance. ¡°The tragedy of a man who chose a path of shadows to protect the light he cherished.¡± Gin didn¡¯t confirm nor deny the im of his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. ¡­ ¡°Hahaha, this fat hunter is so shit.¡± ¡°Or rather, the rabbit has more wits.¡± The troublemaker, Franceska M Rose, was sprawled across a couch, watching a monochrome version of Looney Tunes on the television. Ciri was sitting at the end of the couch, unable to resist the temptation to correct M Rose. They were forced to retreat two weeks ago, and now they had no choice but to stay within the Living World. But M Rose wasn¡¯tining. Even in a short period of time, she had aplished her goal of devouring over a dozen Gillians and a couple of Adjuchas. And her life here was great. Sushi feasts and endless television shows, all financed by Kazuya¡¯s wealth, kept her more than content. The only missing piece to her perfect life was Kazuya, who provokedplicated feelings in her. Sung-Sun and Api walked down the stairs, catching Harribel¡¯s attention. Harribel crossed her arms under her chest. ¡°Where are you going?¡± ¡°To the library,¡± Sung-Sun said with a soft smile. ¡°I¡¯ll educate Api and teach her how to read and write. Can¡¯t have her embarrass our family.¡± Sung-Sun only needed a couple of hours to master the modern Japanesenguage. Api, however, needed more than a week to grasp evenmon words. Api turned her head, refusing to humor Harribel. She was still a little pissed about the fact she couldn¡¯t go to Hueco Mundo to hunt down Hollows. The so-called Hollow Hunter made her blood boil. She eagerly awaited the day Kazuya brought her the news that the ¡®Hollow Hunter¡¯ was dead. Venturing outside the mansion, Sung-Sun and Api didn''t even cross three streets before they stumbled upon an unexpected sight: a maid and her mistress. Kazuya¡¯s Quincy older sister, Izumi, apanied by her maid Lisa. Sung-Sun knew how much Kazuya cared about Izumi, and he was also pursuing a romantic rtionship with Lisa ¡ª that¡¯s what Sung-Sun had deciphered from their interactions so far. Lisa was also one of the Visored she could easily get along with. ¡®Where could they be going?¡¯ Curious, Sung-Sun whispered to Api about the situation. ¡°This doesn¡¯t feel right,¡± Api said. ¡°We should let them be¡­ besides, I don¡¯t want Izumi to notice us.¡± ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. Just don¡¯t release your Reiatsu under any circumstances.¡± Api groaned and agreed to join in on Sung-Sun¡¯s stalking n. Izumi and Lisa came to a stop before a strange ce. ¡°Karakura¡¯s Boxing Gym,¡± Api slowly spelled the words written on the white board stuck to the building. ¡°What is this ce?¡± Sung-Sun narrowed her eyes as she saw a burly man guide Lisa and Izumi into the building. Lisa had a strange perverted personality but she was actually a virgin who never entered any intimate rtionship. But seeing Lisa and Izumi enter a closed space with another man raised her skepticism. ¡®What if she fell for someone else?¡¯ Sung-Sun waited for five more minutes before entering the building with Api. What she saw baffled her. ¡°Go go go, Izumi-sama!¡± Kazuya¡¯s so-called Quincy older sister was throwing left and right hooks at a punching bag. The matriarch of the Ishida n was d in a tank top and shorts, sweat glimmering across her entire body. Her ferocious strikes left no room for spection ¡ª she was simply using the punching bag as a means to vent her rage. Izumi¡¯s maid relentlessly cheered for her. ¡°Beat the sandbag to a pulp.¡± Izumi clutched the punching bag within the grip of her forearms and mmed her knees into it. After a few more minutes of bashing, Izumi took a break and wiped her sweat with a towel. Her eyesnded on the pair of curious onlookers, a native Japanese beauty, the other a striking foreigner. Izumi revealed a refreshing smile. ¡°Are you also here to practice boxing?¡± Lisa turned to Sung-Sun and Api with a skeptical look. ¡°They appear to be your fangirls, Izumi-sama.¡± Sung-Sun giggled. ¡°I¡¯m far too delicate to throw punches. But my friend Api is good at it.¡± Api rolled her eyes. ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡± She¡¯d rather fight Nelliel than throwing punches at an object. The centaur Adjuchas was still in Hueco Mundo, where the Hollow Hunter could hunt her down. ¡®What does he want to achieve?¡¯ The overcalcting Kazuya she knew wouldn¡¯t make such a ring mistake. There had to be some reason for Nelliel to be roaming Hueco Mundo when her littlepanions were shifted on a safe ind. ¡­ Izumi¡¯s uplifted mood vanished as soon as she saw a ck car standing outside Ishida Mansion. The source of her turmoil was standing at the door with her servants ¡ª Akira and Katsumi. He was a man of average height with slicked up ck hair and a pair of frameless spectacles on his face. Wearing a ragged cloak, his serious expression emphasized his broody aura. Four months of Quincy training was a brief stint for his skewed perception of time. ¡°S¨­ken-san,¡± Izumi muttered and approached the man. ¡°You¡¯re finally back.¡± S¨­ken nodded without a change in his expression. ¡°I was waiting for you.¡± Izumi clenched her fists as she looked at S¨­ken¡¯s back. ¡°S¨­ken-san, I have decided.¡± S¨­ken looked over his shoulder, a little frown on his face. ¡°Izumi?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to continue our rtionship.¡± The words hung heavily in the air, and S¨­ken''s eyes lingered on her face, probing, searching. He had saved her from a Hollow after he was exiled from Wandenreich. She then proposed the marriage, and he epted her suggestion to continue the Quincy bloodline. A Quincy family who wouldn¡¯t be ignorant fools like those residing in Wandenreich, the Quincy Empire. Now she wanted to get away from this rtionship. His previous experience with women in Wandenreich made Izumi¡¯s change much more eptable. Every woman in that ce was a psychopath. ¡°Can I ask why?¡± S¨­ken wanted an exnation; not out of love ¨C he wasn''t even sure if he knew what that felt like ¨C but out of respect for her as a fellow Quincy. If she were to make a misstep, it would gnaw at his conscience. Izumi nodded as she continued, ¡°I have decided to devote my life to someone else.¡± S¨­ken let out a sigh. It was just another case of a woman falling for another man. He was d it happened before he cultivated any meaningful rtionship. Rather, he didn¡¯t even know if he was capable of loving anyone in the first ce. ¡°Are you sure about that? Are you sure he is the one?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Izumi said without borating further. ¡°But as two people with simr goals, I¡¯d still like to stay as allies.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll let Akira file for divorce,¡± he agreed, his tone light. With a knowing look, he turned and headed for the mansion. Izumi felt a massive weight lift off of her chest. While waiting for Kazuya¡¯s return, she could take her time in handpicking Quincy partners or women with strong spiritual powers. Lisa adjusted her sses. The romance novels depicting erotic situations couldn¡¯t change her mind on political marriage being utterly garbage. The situation before her only increased her goodwill towards her marriages built upon love. ¡°Izumi-sama, would you still live in this mansion?¡± ¡°How would that be appropriate after this?¡± Izumi shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry about your sry. I can fund it¡­ as long as you¡¯re ready to move to a different town. I own a couple of stores around Japan.¡± In fact, the mansion belonged to her but she didn¡¯t take it from S¨­ken out of respect. After all, S¨­ken hade to Japan empty-handed while Izumi had been working tirelessly in expanding the family business her father left behind. Lisa hesitated. She had already fallen behind her fellow Visored in training. She wouldn¡¯t even be able to maintain her currentbat skills if she stuck around with Izumi. Izumi let out a wry chuckle. ¡°No worries. I¡¯ll buy a ce here.¡± Her mind would still be a mess if Lisa wasn¡¯t there to support her. She couldn¡¯t afford to lose Lisa¡¯spany at any cost. ¡°That makes things easier,¡± Lisa said. ¡°However, I¡¯d like to apply for a part time schedule from now on.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll happily agree to that condition. You can¡¯t waste your own life while looking after me.¡± Chapter 106: A Disruptive Ceremony Chapter 106: A Disruptive Ceremony Observing the Seireitei from afar and stepping through its colossal gates was apletely different experience. Momo Hinamori found herself bewitched by the city''s elegance, so different from the rough simplicity of Rukongai. Majestic buildings like titans, their stately arches and glistening rooftops lending the city a noble aura. The citizens on the streets wore decent clothes, their Reiatsu robust and more rigorous than 99% of the Rukongai poption. The wall dividing them did more than separate districts; it was a chasm cleaving heaven from earth. Momo¡¯s eyes darted everywhere without a stop. ¡°This is stunning.¡± "Stop gawking like an idiot," Toshiro scolded, though a hint of embarrassment and apology colored his tone. ¡°It¡¯s just a fancier version of our vige.¡± Momo red at Toshiro as if he was the idiot here, not her. Her unblinking re strangely intimidated him. ¡°This is the paradise we were promised.¡± Kazuya poked Yoruichi who was resting on his head. ¡°But it¡¯s reserved for Shinigami. Life is never fair but the afterlife should have some equality.¡± Yoruichi bit his ear. ¡°Get your head out of religious books.¡± She didn¡¯t shy away from speaking in her cat form. The boisterous crowd of three students made a good cover for her. {Comins the motherfucker who spawned with Vasto Lorde-level power,} Nami¡¯s sarcastic reply made him chuckle. {Partner, destroy the Seireitei after wee into power. Equally shitty life for everyone, baby!} ¡®Let others be happy.¡¯ {Nevah!} Soon the academy came into sight ¡ª a sprawling multi-story building with an architectural style resembling the Seireitei. Kazuya¡¯s group, along with many other new students, were taken into different halls. Each hall basically had the same responsibility of providing uniforms and rying the assigned dormitory numbers to each student. Kazuya caught two unexpected faces in a different queue. ¡®Rukia and Renji?¡¯ Rukia looked focused and determined. He remembered hercking both when she joined the academy. Only after meeting Kaien did she reveal more confidence. {They were supposed to join two yearster¡­ What happened?} His mind whirred, connecting the dots. ¡®If I had to guess, it¡¯s because of the bnce disaster in Rukongai.¡¯ He didn¡¯t feel an ounce of guilt even after hearing the consequences of Barragan¡¯s death. His alignment wouldn¡¯t be ¡®Neutral Evil¡¯ if he began sobbing for random people. {Possibly. I wonder if the world will force different events to fuel her growth.} ¡®You talk like this world is a living entity.¡¯ {World isn¡¯t but fate truly is a thing, Partner, or we wouldn¡¯t have been together like this.} ¡®So smooth.¡¯ Nami giggled. {Don¡¯t tter my flirting skills. Do you know what bugs me about Rukia? Kaien. Will he go through the same events after meeting you?} In a few years, Kaien¡¯s wife would soon be killed by a discarded Hollow experiment made by Aizen. Kaien would try to avenge his wife but fall against the Hollow. Kazuya did want to save Kaien from his fate but it was difficult to convince Kaien. Miyako was a 3rd Rank Seated Officer and Kaien was a Vice-Captain. They both knew all the danger that came with the duty of purifying Hollows. {Sacrifice the 4th Squad¡¯s dreams and join Kaien¡¯s Squad.} ¡®No way. I¡¯m bing a battle healer and seducing Unohana.¡¯ Yoruichi patted his head, bringing his attention back to the queue. He received his uniform from the instructor then regrouped with everyone. Momo looked crestfallen after hearing the dormitory number from him. ¡°Why can¡¯t we all be in the same dorm room? It¡¯s so unfair.¡± Boys and girls dormitories had different dorm buildings as if they were high schoolers. ¡°Life is never fair,¡± Toshiro said with a chuckle. ¡°Inded in the same dorm room as Kazuya-san.¡± ¡°It¡¯s great. Nobody will bully you with me there.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like people even want to bully me¡­¡± Toshiro muttered under his breath, earning a soft look from Kazuya. ¡°We¡¯ll be in ss 1.¡± Today was reserved for students to get ustomed to the academy and dorm grounds. The sses would start tomorrow, beginning with an opening ceremony conducted by some bigshot from the Gotei 13. ¡­ The next morning. As if following some type of tradition, sakura petals drifted everywhere in the morning. Students, donned in crisp uniforms, milled about the grounds, their blue and red hakama adding vibrant strokes of color to the scene. The student uniform¡¯s design matched a traditional Shinigami outfit but with blue hakama (trousers) for male and red hakama for female students. Kazuya personally wasn¡¯t a fan of wearing traditional outfits but they were very light andfortable. He followed the herd of first year students to the courtyard, where the opening ceremony was set to take ce. His steps faltered when he caught sight of the petite woman on the podium. She had short hair, with two thin braids bound in white cloth. She looked young but her dangerous Reiatsu kept anyone from uttering any word in her presence. The word ¡®Captain¡¯ was inly written across her armband. ¡®Sheesh. Her Majesty¡¯s simp is here.¡¯ He wasn¡¯t surprised to see Soi Fon. A different captain from the Gotei 13 hosts the opening ceremony every year. This year¡¯s responsibility fell upon the Commander of Onmitsukid¨­ and the Captain of the 2nd Squad, Soi Fon. Honestly, he¡¯d have preferred someone like Unohana or Ukitake here. Soi Fon might sense her precious Yoruichi-sama and cause a massive ruckus. ¡°Wanna say hi?¡± ¡°Nope,¡± Yoruichi instantly replied before reclining against his shoulder. ¡°Heh. Look at her act all tough now. She used to chase me like a lil¡¯ baby.¡± ¡°Say it to her face, coward.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not failing my mission.¡± Soi Fon, who was on a hunt for potential assassin candidates, suddenly felt goosebumps. Looking around the crowd, she came across a pair of striking golden eyes belonging to a ck cat sitting upon a student¡¯s shoulder. The cat¡¯s eyes gave her a sense of familiarity, stirring something within her ¡ª a deep, visceral reaction that made her blood boil. She narrowed her eyes on the white-haired man who surprisingly grinned back at her. It was a grin reserved to tease others. A grin that provoked memories of the most loved yet hated person in her life. Both the pet and its master got on her nerves without saying a word. She could almost feel the satisfying crunch of her fist against that grinning face. She pointed at him, making the students around him step away and single him out. ¡°You with the ck cat. Do you see anything funny?¡± He cluelessly looked around before pointing at his face. ¡°Me?¡± His voice sent ripples of fascination across the students. Soi Fon also fell dazed for a second. ¡°Why were you grinning like a fool?¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± He rubbed the back of his head. ¡°Smiling isn¡¯t a sin, is it?¡± Even though he was in a Captain¡¯s presence, he showed no respect or courtesy. Soi Fon didn¡¯t demand pure reverence but basic courtesy was the least a student could afford. It was not just an institution of learning; it was a crucible, molding future soldiers for the Gotei 13. Discipline was not an option; it was a mandate. His nonchnce reminded her of the exiled Shinigami, the man she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to murder in a heartbeat ¡ª Kisuke Urahara. Soi Fon¡¯s hand clenched involuntarily. ¡°There is a time and ce for every action,¡± she said, beckoning him with a finger. ¡°Come over here.¡± The entire crowd of students looked at him with pity. To offend a Seated Officer was to gamble with one''s future; to offend a Captain was to dance with death itself. And this was no ordinary Captain. This was the master assassin, the one ruling over the Stealth Force Onmitsukid¨­ and the 2nd Squad. Kazuya¡¯s response was anything but typical. He let Yoruichi slip down before he made his way through the path students made by parting, a carefree bounce in his step as if he wasn¡¯t walking to his execution. Jumping up the podium, he stood a few meters away from Soi Fon. ¡°What can I do for you?¡± ¡°This opening ceremony will be a little different,¡± Soi Fon said as she turned to the students. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a little demonstration of Hakuda techniques and different ways to master them.¡± Soi Fon decided to abuse her authority for the first time in her life. Chapter 107: A Hakuda Masterclass Chapter 107: A Hakuda Masterss Yoruichi¡¯s lessons about Shinigamibat were still fresh in Kazuya¡¯s mind. Shinigami used four types of basic fighting techniques. Zanjutsu, the sword fighting techniques. Hoh¨­, the name for all high-speed fighting movements based on the art of Shunpo. Kid¨­, the spells. Andstly, Hakuda, the unarmed fighting technique. Soi Fon was going to demonstrate Hakuda techniques by using him as a punching bag. As if he¡¯d let Yoruichi¡¯s simp humiliate him. He crossed his arms. ¡°I didn¡¯t consent to participating in this demonstration.¡± Soi Fon looked at him coldly. ¡°Are you going against your superior¡¯s orders?¡± ¡°My superior? I¡¯m a student affiliated with the Shin¡¯o Academy. There are nows suggesting that students are under the directmand of Gotei 13,¡± he said with a light shrug. ¡°To put it simply, the graduates who join your squad will be under yourmand. Right now, every academy personnel is under Central 46¡¯s control.¡± He tried to achieve the impossible ¡ª convincing the hopeless tomboy captain to leave him out of her sinister plot. Unfortunately for him, his long and logical statement had no effect on Soi Fon. It only made him more and more simr to Kisuke in her mind. She hated that man with the passion of a burning sun. ¡°Are you backing out of a small demonstration? Who is to guarantee that a coward like you won¡¯t desert your friends under a threat? If you continue to insist, I¡¯d have you depart the academy immediately.¡± Soi Fon countered his logic with her own, striving to maintain her image as Captain in the eyes of the students. If it was up to her, she¡¯d have smacked his face a dozen times by now. He raised a brow. ¡°That is where you¡¯re wrong, Captain Soi Fon. I¡¯m not fighting you because I¡¯m a coward. I¡¯m saving you the embarrassment of getting your ass kicked by a first-year.¡± He was done being reasonable. She wanted a fight; he¡¯d dly give it to her. The air around him seemed to catch fire, a burst of spiritual pressure erupting and enveloping him ¡ª the Executive Militia locked him with their Reiatsu. They were Soi Fon¡¯s personal force specializing in unarmed and stealthbat. To Soi Fon¡¯s surprise, he didn¡¯t even flinch. She had realized that he wasn¡¯t normal the moment she sensed his controlled Reiatsu. But for a first-year student to easily ward off thebined Reiatsu of her Punishment Force was simply a miracle. Was he a noble n¡¯s descendant or a spy infiltrating the Gotei 13 for some nefarious scheme? Soi Fon couldn¡¯t discern his identity. Kazuya cracked his knuckles. ¡°Come on. You¡¯re dying the opening ceremony for no reason.¡± Soi Fon¡¯s hand met her left shoulder, fingers gripping the fabric of her Captain Haori, and in a single fluid motion, she whisked it off. d in a ck sleeveless uniform, she revealed her muscr frame, each curve and cut honed for maximumbat efficiency. She caressed the ck armbands wrapping the majority of her arms then assumed a fighting stance. ¡°Cherish the experience I¡¯m about to carve into your body.¡± Then she dashed at him, her leg a blur as it aimed a kick at his face. He deflected it with the calcted ease of his left forearm and retaliated with a vicious strike aimed at her ribs. Stranded midair with no control over her movements, she had no choice but to use Shunpo for an immediate retreat. ¡°Not a bad reaction time,¡± she admitted with a grudging nod, gray eyes sparkling. ¡°We run it back.¡± She came at him with a flurry of kicks and punches that forced him on the defensive. Her body seemed to be a blur, her fists and feet striking from all angles. She was vicious like a devil, even trying to kick him between the legs. But she had the same style and ferocity as Yoruichi, whom he had sparred for fifteen days. He also had the experience of fighting some of the strongest Captains in the form of Visored. Fighting Soi Fon wasn¡¯t that hard for the current him. Soi Fon¡¯s eyes widened as she concentrated on her assault. Despite her best efforts, he met her ferocity fist for fist, his blocks and counterattacks flowing with a fluid grace she would expect from a veteran, not a first-year student at Shin¡¯o Academy. His movements were precise and decisive, reminding her of the predecessor she still admired to this day. ¡®Yoruichi-sama¡­¡¯ Even as she felt nostalgic, they threw a dizzying number of attacks at each other, each one like a sh. The sound of strikes, blocks, and rapid movements filled the courtyard, reverberating like thunderps. Thebatants'' feet barely touched the ground as they weaved in and out of each other''s space, creating a symphony of human movement that was both beautiful and terrifying to behold. The onlookers got eye candy of a Hakuda masterss. Their first day couldn¡¯t have started better. Even the senior students joined in, admiring and cheering the fight from a distance. Their fight gathered quite the crowd. Meanwhile, Yoruichi watched the match with almost a smug look in her eyes. She could see Soi Fon¡¯s serious improvement in martial arts but Kazuya was the proud prodigy she had trained. He was inferior in raw skills and battle experience but his reaction speed and talent somewhat made up for it. There was no way Kazuya would lose to Soi Fon in a contest of martial arts. The two suddenly paused, with Kazuya¡¯s fist against her jaw and her straight chop hand on his neck. A collective gasp went through the crowd as they realized the oue of their spar. ¡°W-Wow, hended a hit¡­¡± ¡°This is unreal.¡± ¡°Who is this guy? Does anyone know him?¡± ¡°No fuckin¡¯ way he is a first year!¡± Ignoring the randoms gawking at him, he calmly smiled. ¡°That¡¯s a draw I guess.¡± Soi Fon scoffed. ¡°Who trained you? Was it¡ª¡± p. p. p. ¡°Captain Soi Fon, thanks for the beautiful demonstration of your Hakuda techniques,¡± a steady voice cut through the tension as Isshin Shiba shed on the stadium. In a heartbeat, his arm slung over Kazuya''s shoulder, pulling him into a yful headlock that was more an embrace than a hold. ¡°You couldn¡¯t resist making trouble on your first day.¡± He hade to fend off any snobby nobles who dared to mess with Kazuya, only to find the young prot¨¦g¨¦ locking horns with Soi Fon. ¡®He is just like K¨±kaku.¡¯ Kazuya slipped out of the headlock and fixed his hair. ¡°Look, I was just minding my own business in the crowd over there. She started it.¡± He threw Soi Fon under the bus. She was rightfully med for everything. ¡°Captain Shiba,¡± Soi Fon said, her eyes darting between the two men, suspicion and realization warring in her gaze. ¡°What¡¯s your rtionship?¡± ¡°A family friend. A close one. He is like my own kid.¡± Soi Fon let out a sigh and turned to Kazuya. ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s my mistake. I provoked you into this¡­ but Captain Shiba never revealed that you were hiding a generational talent like him. With his Hakuda techniques, he can even take over as my sessor.¡± She was quick to correct her course in light of Kazuya¡¯s connection to another captain. Isshinughed off Soi Fon¡¯s suggestion to take Kazuya into her squad. ¡°Get off. He¡¯ll be my sessor.¡± Kazuya shook his head. ¡°Get on with the opening ceremony. Haven¡¯t we dyed it enough already?¡± ¡°Yeah, Captain Yama will chew my ears off tomorrow.¡± Soi Fon hurriedly summoned her men to kick off the extras who had gathered in the courtyard. After what followed was a simple and direct speech about the students being treated as soldiers. That they had to work hard on honing skills if they wanted to be epted into the Gotei 13. Of course, Kazuya was more interested in inquiring the reason behind Isshin¡¯s appearance. ¡°I just dropped by to show you some support.¡± There was more than Isshin let out but he nevertheless appreciated the sentiment. The main members of Shiba n became his allies ¡ª not the development he had nned but he dly weed them on his side. Then, Soi Fon sent everyone off to their respective homerooms. Isshin also left after giving him a massive hug. ¡­ Yoruichi began walking by Kazuya¡¯s side as they followed the way to their ssroom. ¡°You could¡¯ve beaten her.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not make your fangirl cry in front of children.¡± Soi Fon had lost the drive to fight halfway into the battle, possibly seeing him fight in a simr way to Yoruichi. Beating her like this wasn¡¯t appealing to him in any way. Gloating about victories was only satisfying when the other party gave their all and still lost, or when the other party gotpletely outwitted. ¡°Valid argument.¡± Yoruichi nced back at Momo and Toshiro who quietly followed behind. ¡°They are like actual children.¡± He could guess the reason behind their sad faces. They froze when he was being bullied by a Captain, even though they wanted to help him. ¡°We are not!¡± Momo yelled. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ we wanted to help Kazuya-san but we couldn¡¯t.¡± ¡°We are cowards.¡± He turned around and ruffled their hair. ¡°Jeez. No need to feel down. The opponent was way above your league.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Yoruichi chimed in with a nod. ¡°Let this memory be a reminder of your weakness. Use it well to grow strong beyond your limits.¡± Momo¡¯s eyes shone with resolve. ¡°I won¡¯t let it happen again!¡± Toshiro simply gave a heavy nod, even though his resolve was no weaker than Momo¡¯s. Chapter 108: First Class Chapter 108: First ss Kazuya was feeling satisfied with the result of his impromptu battle with Soi Fon. Creating buzz about his strength was an easy ticket into the Gotei 13, even though it¡¯d also attract attention from Aizen and the likes. {I¡¯m still salty you didn¡¯t beat her.} ¡®Let¡¯s not make an enemy out of her.¡¯ Soi Fon had trained her martial arts and Shunk¨­ relentlessly after Yoruichi departed from her life. To get over the shadow of Yoruichi, she had passionately honed her craft. She absolutely would have gone insane after losing against a first year student. The moment Kazuya walked into the ssroom, everyone regarded him with cautiousness and a hint of respect. He, however, was more intrigued by the ssroom itself ¡ª a high school ssroom, but one furnished in ancient Japanese style, more spacious and packed full of seats and chairs. Among the students, a majority were nobles but none dared to act pompous in front of him. His individual strength aside, he had the backing of a Captain, and even the 2nd Squad Captain showed open interest in him. Crossing him was thest mistake they wanted to make. The students even treated Momo and Toshiro with utmost respect. Momo being Momo easily made friends whereas Toshiro acted flustered, his mind shutting down in the face of friendliness. ¡°Who let this kid in ss one?¡± There were always exceptions. Kazuya''s eyes narrowed as they settled on a delinquent-looking figure with a high crimson ponytail ¡ª Renji Abarai, a simmering disdain for Toshiro evident in his bodynguage. Momo moved to intervene, but Kazuya held her back. ¡°He can handle it.¡± Resigned, Momo stepped back, taking on the observer role alongside him. Toshiro took a moment to crane his neck and re up at Renji. ¡°Are you stupid? Souls don¡¯t physically age the same as humans.¡± ¡°I-I know, dumbass. Doesn¡¯t excuse you from being a toddler.¡± ¡°Toddler?¡± Toshiro scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re just half a meter taller than me.¡± ¡°You¡ªsensei is here. I¡¯ll deal with youter.¡± ¡°Idiot.¡± With an authoritative stride, their bald homeroom teacher mmed a stack of books on his table. He wore piercing sses thatplimented his sharp aura. ¡°Wee to a new chapter in your lives, students. I¡¯m Gengoro Onabara, the homeroom teacher of first year students from ss 1.¡± His introduction brought pindrop silence to the ssroom. ¡°So, does anyone here know about the most important duty of a Shinigami?¡± Momo immediately raised her hand. ¡°Protecting humanity from Hollows by cleansing them with a Zanpakut¨­.¡± ¡°Cleansing Hollows is important to protect humanity, yes. But there is something even more important to a Shinigami,¡± Gengoro said as his gaze drifted to Kazuya. ¡°You¡¯ve made quite an impression in the opening ceremony, Ishihara-san.¡± Kazuya stood up and chuckled. ¡°Trying to hide true brilliance is like attempting to cover the sun with a cloud; it shines through, regardless.¡± Gengoroughed. ¡°Well said. The Gotei 13 will be expecting a lot from you in the future. As for our current question, can you shed some light on the most important duty of a Shinigami?¡± ¡°Governance over the Bnce. Without the soul bnce between worlds, everything will copse.¡± Cleansing Hollows was just a method to achieve the said bnce. After all, without the bnce, all realms would distort and spill into each other, eventually bing one. Gengoro gave a nod of approval at his answer. ¡°Right. The Bnce between the worlds is Shinigami¡¯s utmost priority.¡± His eyes scanned the faces before him, pausing briefly on each, as if absorbing their potential, before he turned to the chalkboard and sketched a diagram. ¡°Zankensoki. Here, Zan refers to sword fighting techniques. Ken refers to unarmed fighting techniques. So refers to movement techniques, and Ki refers to Kid¨­. To be a Shinigami, you¡¯ll need to be familiar with all the techniques depicted in Zankensoki.¡± A student¡¯s mastery over these techniques also dictated their future in the Gotei 13. ¡°You have to hone your abilities if you¡¯re aiming to enter the Gotei 13 or any of the special departments. Work hard and you¡¯ll easily get through the entrance test.¡± ¡°Special departments?¡± Renji¡¯s voice cut through, his hand raised in curiosity. ¡°What are those, Sensei?¡± ¡°Some of the divisions in the Gotei 13 are reserved for Shinigami with specific masteries. Take the 2nd Squad for example; it requires great mastery over Hoho and Hakuda from their Shinigami. Likewise, to enter the 4th Squad, you need to have talent in Kid¨­ and Kaido, which is crucial in providing healing.¡± Kazuya raised his hand. ¡°Is it possible to be part of two squads at once?¡± His question left the entire ssroom in an uproar. A graduate of Shin¡¯o Academy wasn¡¯t guaranteed a spot in the Gotei 13. Instead of worrying about Gotei 13¡¯s eptance, Kazuya was contemting joining two squads. Gengoro raised his hand to calm down the students. ¡°Why, student Ishihara-kun? What good will joining two squads do?¡± ¡°I was just asking if it¡¯s possible.¡± ¡°It has never been done and I don¡¯t believe it¡¯s possible.¡± Kazuya sighed. He wanted to join the 10th Squad as well as the 4th Squad ¡ª to seduce Rangiku and Unohana at the same time. There were only benefits in joining the 10th Squad since he¡¯d get even closer to Isshin Shiba. ¡®It might be possible.¡¯ He just had to create a situation where both Captains desired his strengths and made an agreement to let him act as a part of both squads. Convincing Isshin of his ability would be easy but the same couldn¡¯t be said for Retsu Unohana. The woman was just as old as Captain Yamamoto. He had to show something incredible to seize her interest. Something that she wouldn¡¯t be able to find in anyone else. ¡®The question is: how?¡¯ Leaning against the chair, he caressed Yoruichi¡¯s head on hisp as he recalled details about Unohana. After being humbled by the kid Kenpachi Zaraki in the past, she abandoned the life of bloodshed and became a healer. Even when Aizen was causing chaos, she didn¡¯t lift her sword. Instead, she waited until the Quincy War and Yamamoto¡¯s death to use her sword in helping Zaraki regain his powers. She still loved battles but she refused to fight, as if she took on an oath. ¡®I have no choice but to tickle her battle-freak nature.¡¯ {Like I said, Partner, violence is the key to everything.} ¡­ Soon, the first lecture ended, and their next lesson on ¡®Zanjutsu¡¯ had to take ce outside. The trio ¡ª Kazuya, Momo, Shiro ¡ª exited the ssroom, followed by Yoruichi in her cat form. Renji ambushed Yoruichi from behind with every intention to apprehend her. His hands met air as Yoruichi hopped on the window then jumped outside. The whimsical woman left for yet another whimsical adventure. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t disturb Yoruichi-san,¡± Momo scolded Renji. ¡°You still haven¡¯t apologized to Shiro-chan.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Renji said with a condescending chuckle and looked at Kazuya. ¡°Dude, your cat reminds me of my friend.¡± Kazuya¡¯s smile widened, his eyes following a ck-haired figure turning the hallway corner. ¡°I take it your friend isn¡¯t a cat.¡± ¡°Naw, she is a girl. Small and kind of cute,¡± Renji rambled, his hand stroking his chin as if finding a fitting description from the depths of his memories. ¡°She is bossy. kind of like a delinquent leader. She is a pain in the ass sometimes.¡± Kazuya¡¯s smile turned mischievous. ¡°Oh. Does your friend happen to have shoulder-length ck hair?¡± ¡°Yes, how do you know?! OUCH!¡± Rukia kicked Renji¡¯s butt, making him fall on the floor. She stomped on his back a couple of times. ¡°Stop calling me short. You guys are just freakin¡¯ tall abominations.¡± Renji got back to his feet and scratched his cheeks. ¡°Stop eavesdropping on me like a stalker. It makes me embarrassed.¡± ¡°Who would even want to stalk a monkey-faced pig like you?!¡± Rukia harrumphed and crossed her arms. As her face softened, she realized the students standing around Renji, her drifting to Kazuya. Her first thought was that he was even more handsome in person and second how ridiculously tall he waspared to her. ¡°Aren¡¯t you¡­ the student who fought Captain Soi Fon of the 2nd Squad?¡± She didn¡¯t think she¡¯d find Renji hanging out with the most famous student in the academy at the moment. Her friend had the most unexpected luck. ¡°He almost won against a Captain,¡± Momo answered excitedly as she grabbed Rukia¡¯s hands. ¡°I¡¯m Momo Hinamori. You are?¡± Faced with Momo¡¯s aggressive friendly behavior, Rukia almost took a step back. She wasn¡¯t used to dealing with people like Momo. ¡°Rukia¡­¡± ¡°Rukia-chan! Do you want to be friends?¡± ¡°Sure¡­¡± Momo didn¡¯t notice Rukia¡¯s ufortable gaze and gave her a quick hug. ¡°Then we¡¯re friends. Which ss are you from?¡± ¡°ss 2¡­¡± Rukia lowered her head and sighed. ¡°They took Renji but didn¡¯t think I was good enough for ss 1. Something must be wrong with their eyes.¡± ¡°Oi, my Spirit ss is Rank 3. Yours is 5 or 6. Youck talent, little girl.¡± A twitch of Rukia¡¯s face, and Renji found himself nursing a bruised shin. Watching the two fight, everyone smiled. Even Toshiro cracked a small chuckle seeing Renji facing consequences for his loudmouth. Chapter 109: Hibernation Chapter 109: Hibernation The students of ss 1 and ss 2 were escorted into a well-furnished dojo-like area. Polished wooden floors reflected the glimmering of ornatenterns, and the room was adorned with an array of training equipment; wooden dummies for Kid¨­ target practice, a dueling arena, and even a track zone for exercise. One could see how much resources the Central 46 had poured into making Shin¡¯o Academy as well-facilitated as possible. A stern-faced instructor, a veteran with eyes that bore wisdom, stepped forward, his voice resonating through the dojo¡¯s silence. He began to elucidate the purpose of this ss: Each student was to be entrusted with an Asauchi, and every one had to spend every waking moment with their Asauchi, slowly imprinting the essence of their soul on the Asauchi. This practice would bring the Zanpakut¨­ and its master together, revealing the name of the Asauchi, and molding their own unique Zanpakut¨­. After the instructor thoroughly lectured the students about the Asauchi, the students formed a queue to receive their Zanpakut¨­. Since Toshiro was standing in front of Kazuya, his turn came first. Kazuya was curious to see if Toshiro would directly manifest his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit Hyorinmaru. ¡°Name?¡± ¡°Toshiro Hitsugaya.¡± ¡°Noted. Hold this.¡± Toshiro took the katana from the instructor¡¯s hands and injected his Reiryoku into it. For a moment nothing happened, then a blue wave traveled from the base of the katana, covering the entire Asauchi with ayer of frost. Crack. Crack. Crack. The frost shattered like ss ¡ª Hyorinmaru showed happiness for finally receiving a home within the Asauchi. Toshiro stood there, stunned. Then he recalled Kazuya¡¯s words about his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit being a frost entity. He looked over his shoulder, a grateful look in his eyes. ¡°Told you.¡± The instructor¡¯s lips curved up. ¡°Kid, you have the ice element Reiatsu. Your Zanpakut¨­ will also be ice-type. Work hard on nurturing this bond, and you¡¯ll easily be a Seated Officer.¡± Kazuya rubbed his chin. The instructor had misinterpreted Hyorinmaru¡¯s frost powers as Toshiro¡¯s own Reiatsu. Then again, Toshiro was the only case of a Zanpakut¨­ Spirit residing in someone¡¯s soul, not being born through bonding with Asauchi. Toshiro clutched the katana close to his chest, finding it cool andfortable. ¡°I will!¡± Kazuya¡¯s turn was next. After giving his name and ss to the instructor, he received his Asauchi. He took a moment to observe the Asauchi. It was the most generic katana one could find. {Lame.} He took a step back and injected his Reiryoku into the Asauchi. He felt like a part of his soul disappeared into the de. Immediately, a wave of dark red mes burst out, wrapping the katana. He expected some type of development after observing Toshiro¡¯s Hyorinmaru. What shocked him was Nami¡¯s reaction. {Ahhhh~, Partner. What are you doing to me~?} Nami sounded as if she was drunk or sexually aroused ¡ª perhaps a mixture of both. {Ahh, I¡¯m being ripped from inside. I¡¯m dying¡­ I AM DEAD.} ¡®What the heck is happening?¡¯ {Partner¡­} Nami¡¯s voicecked any energy. {I¡­ feel sleepy.} ¡®NAMI?¡¯ The mes vanished as soon as Nami¡¯s voice faded. She stopped responding to him as though she fell unconscious. ¡°W-What was that?¡± The instructor got up and came to examine his Asauchi. ¡°F-Fire type Reiatsu? Could it be the same type of Zanpakut¨­ Spirit as Captain Commander?¡± Ignoring the heated instructor, Kazuya observed the katana, finding a minor change in its appearance ¡ª a carmine red bead was embedded on the katana¡¯s hilt. The bead resembled the beads on Nami in her phoenix form. Kazuya scratched his head. ¡°I¡¯m just as confused as you are, Sensei.¡± ¡°Huh. Our Zanpakut¨­ are still a mystery,¡± the instructor whispered with a nod. ¡°Take care of your Asauchi. It will respond to your sincerity.¡± Kazuya nodded and moved away from the queue. Every attempt to contact Nami failed. She stayed true to herst words about falling asleep. Two truths were clear to him: his Zanpakut¨­ was a me type, and its Spirit would either be born from his own soul or be a fusion of his and Nami''s. He silently prayed for the former. One obsessed woman in his life was more than enough; he didn''t need another yandere toplicate things further. ¡®Fuck. I might¡¯ve jinxed it.¡¯ ¡­ In the 10th Squad''s Barracks, Isshin''s heavy footsteps resounded as he returned to his office, weariness etched into his very being. He copsed onto his chair with an exaggerated sigh, his body aching forfort. ¡°Rangiku, get me some tea. I¡¯ll be eternally grateful to you.¡± Rangiku rose from her seat and nted a solid knuckle on his head. ¡°I¡¯m not your servant.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ Please. My head is killing me¡­ I¡¯m not used to waking up early.¡± He seemed to be in genuine pain but Rangiku didn¡¯t budge an inch. Isshin copsed face first on his table. ¡°Please¡­¡± Her resolve finally weakening, Rangiku let out a sigh, her face softening. She left the office, returning a few minutester with a tray bearing two steaming cups of tea. ¡°Ahhh, it smells so good.¡± Isshin sat up, his eyes wide and sparkling, his previous agony forgotten. ¡°Give me!¡± Rangiku puffed her chest out proudly as she served the tea, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. ¡°It¡¯s inconvenient, but I must admit, I¡¯m rather skilled at it.¡± She had absorbed the art of brewing from observing Isane Kotetsu and Nanao Ise, the masters of tea-brewing at the Shinigami Women¡¯s Association. Such careful observation had honed her craft. She sat down on the couch ced on the side. ¡°What happened out there? Did that guy pass the entrance?¡± Rangiku was obviously referring to Kazuya since Isshin had gone out of his way to see the result. Curiosity was all over her face. Sipping his tea with an appreciative hum, Isshin raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why the sudden concern for his results?¡± Rangiku shrugged. ¡°Nothing. I was thinking of having him start a singing club in the Shinigami Association. It¡¯ll be a waste of his voice to rot in Rukongai.¡± As someone who often visited the other world for clothes and fashion, she found the Seireitei to be severelycking in the entertainment department. They had a bullet-in that published some entertaining stories every couple of years, and that was it. Kazuya¡¯s voice might just spark the revolution for a new industry. Rangiku obviously was looking to take the credit for the revolution and earn a boatload of money. Isshin waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Off with the shitty clubs. I¡¯ll train Kazuya to be the next captain.¡± Rangiku widened her eyes. ¡°By hierarchy, I should be the next captain.¡± ¡°You¡¯rezy. You skip your duties to go out drinking, and you don¡¯t have a Bankai release for your Zanpakut¨­. Nothing apart from your experience makes you a Captain material.¡± Isshin¡¯s voice was unapologetically blunt, his words hitting Rangiku like targeted arrows. With a defeated groan, she copsed onto the couch, her mind swirling. She could mend the first two ws, but the elusive Bankai Release haunted her like an unsolvable riddle. Unfortunately, Bankai Release was a mandatory requirement to be a Captain. ¡®Haineko, why can¡¯t I force you to materialize?¡¯ Bringing a Zanpakut¨­ Spirit to the physical world and subjugating them was necessary for a Zanpakut¨­ to evolve. Rangiku always failed in the first part of the process ¡ª materialization. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Haineko replied from her inner world. ¡°Your skills arecking. It¡¯s because of your age.¡± ¡®I¡¯m still young, idiot.¡¯ Rangiku folded her arms behind her head and sighed. She had no problemmunicating with her Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, and she had enough Reiatsu to qualify as a Vice Captain. Someone of her talent shouldn¡¯t have any trouble with the Bankai Release. It was as if the universe felt jealous of what she may aplish with another evolution of her Zanpakut¨­. ¡®Meh, I don¡¯t want to deal with this.¡¯ She shifted restlessly, finally looking to Isshin. ¡°Captain¡­ I¡¯m suddenly in the mood to drink. Adjust without me.¡± ¡­ Elsewhere, within the dimly lit confines of the 2nd Squad barracks, Soi Fon sat meditating in a lotus position, her mind tormented by her recent ''defeat.'' The techniques, the style, and thebat flow ¡ª everything about her opponent echoed in her consciousness. Had her predecessor trained a student before or after her exile? Did she train him on a whim or was there a deeper reason behind everything? She was dying for answers. ¡°Stop with your delusions,¡± her Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, Suzumebachi, snapped, her voice dripping with disdain. ¡°Get over worshiping thatme noble girl. Find a real man.¡± As usual, Suzumebachi was critical of her admiration of Yoruichi Shih¨­in. ¡°The man you fought would be pretty suitable for your squad. Hire him then groom him to be your partner.¡± ¡®You are out of your mind.¡¯ She ignored Suzumebachi for the next hour and ordered one of her men to keep an eye on Kazuya¡¯s activities across the academy. Nothing was hical in her line of work. Not even stalking a first year student who bore no malicious intent towards her. Chapter 110: Operation Chapter 110: Operation Chapter 110: Operation Nestled within a traditional room, sat a beautiful ck-haired woman. At a nce, one would find her to be the epitome of graceful beauty, none imagining her to be the most vicious criminal in the Soul Society¡¯s history. Yachiru Unohana, having embraced her new identity as Retsu Unohana, had sessfully concealed the shadows of her past, her braids skillfully hiding the only ''mark'' that betrayed her history. This day found her not in her 4th Squad barracks but in a conference room, adorned with a paper banner that hung from the ceiling, proiming in elegant script: Shinigami Women''s Association. This room was a meeting spot for the influential women of the Gotei 13, a ce to conspire and craft ways to improve the lives of Shinigami in the Seireitei. Unohana¡¯s reasons for joining this association were simple and devoid of any underlying ambitions. It was merely a choice influenced by Isane''s decision to participate. Her eyes, gentle yet piercing, scanned the room, resting momentarily on faces familiar and respected across the Seireitei: Rangiku Matsumoto of the 10th Squad, Yachiru Kusajishi from the 11th, Kiyone Kotetsu from the 13th, and Nanao Ise from the 8th. Her gaze lingered particrly on the petite figure with short raven-ck hair, the only captain present aside from herself ¨C Soi Fon. Unohana hadn¡¯t fought many opponents who could be as brutal with fists as Soi Fon. She¡¯d have loved an honest fight with Soi Fon but her time for battle had passed. She was now but a humble healer. ¡®Soi-Fon looks a little distracted.¡¯ "What are we doing today?" Rangiku''s voice, apanied by azy yawn, cut through Unohana''s thoughts. "I want to sleep¡­" Soi Fon¡¯s eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on Rangiku. "When do you not want to sleep or get drunk?" As the Captain of the 2nd Squad, Soi Fon rarely graced these meetings with her presence. When she did, it was often to find Rangiku drunk out of her mind or dozing off. Rangiku, unfazed, squeezed her breasts with a yful expression. "It''s not my fault these sweaty puppies make my back hurt all the time." Demonstrating her point, she flirtatiously raised her assets, teasing them to the brink of spilling out of her kimono. Soi Fon stepped away in horror. ¡°K-Keep them away from me.¡± A soft giggle escaped Unohana¡¯s lips. "It''s fine, Rangiku. You don''t have to force yourself to attend this meeting." Rangiku shook her head. ¡°I want to be here, Retsu. It¡¯s the only ce that understands my perspective. We need to improve our daily lives and bring more entertainment!¡± ¡°Vice Chairwoman Nanao Ise!¡± yelled Yachiru as she smacked the floor. She was a young girl with pink hair and perpetual blush across her face. ¡°What¡¯s on today¡¯s agenda?!¡± Nanao adjusted her sses as she took out a stack of reports and distributed them to every woman in the room. This was the intel she had procured from her own information channels, not the Gotei 13 informationwork. ¡°This matter is serious.¡± Yachiru hummed and nodded as she read the report out loud. ¡°A student ¡®Kazuya Ishihara¡¯ learned all the Kid¨­ avable for students, defeated instructors from the Kuchiki n in Zanjutsu and Shunpo, bested members of Fon n in Hakuda in three months.¡± Soi Fon''s body stiffened, her face losing color as the name that haunted her memories resurfaced. ¡°It''s him.¡± Unohana lifted her eyes from the report, her voice reflecting her intrigue. ¡°An exceptionally talented student. At this point, he should graduate early and join the Gotei 13.¡± Her centuries of existence had allowed her to witness the rise and fall of many prodigies, but none had sparked her curiosity quite like the Rukongai child who had bested her. Compared to Kenpachi Zaraki, every genius was basically below average. Nanao frowned. ¡°This part was only about his achievements. Read the next part. You¡¯ll see why I brought him up here.¡± Unohana gave her a quizzical look before continuing through the reports. ¡®In three months, the student ¡®Kazuya Ishihara¡¯ has been rumored to be in a sexual rtionship with thirteen women, nine of which were instructors and academy staff¡­ the student ims that he is the best Kaido user in the Soul Society¡­ He wants to be a fighter and healer at the same time¡­ he wants to be a ¡®Battle Healer¡¯.¡¯ Unohana''s lips curled into an amused smile at the audacity of Kazuya Ishihara. A few hundred years ago, a genius named Koga Kuchiki had raised quite a ruckus that Captain Commander and Captain Kuchiki had to step in and seal him away. ¡®Battle Healer. Does this kid want to be like me?¡¯ Unohana had mastered the art of Kaido ¡ª healing ¡ª to prolong her battles. Did Kazuya harbor the same ambitions? She was a tad curious. Isane gave a serious frown. ¡°Where did he learn Kaido?¡± The academy didn¡¯t teach the basics of Kaido, leaving her to wonder if he was linked to someone in the 4th Squad. Nanao paused at Isane¡¯s question. ¡°I couldn¡¯t find it.¡± Soi Fon crossed her arms. ¡°I have an idea¡­ but I want to confirm my suspicion first.¡± ¡°From the exiled Captain Yoruichi Shih¨­in?¡± Unohana''s soft voice was apanied by a knowing smile. ¡°Is that right?¡± Soi Fon froze. ¡°H-How did you know?¡± ¡°You only show so much interest when the talk involves Yoruichi. I also remember the news that this student fought you to a draw in the academy opening ceremony.¡± Soi Fon groaned, ¡°I have no interest in Yoruichi-sama. I just want to show her I am better than her at her job.¡± A soft, knowing giggle escaped Unohana''s lips, her hand delicately covering her mouth. Her eyes twinkled with mischief. ¡°Does that mean you wouldn¡¯t mind if Kazuya Ishihara is in a rtionship with Yoruichi Shih¨­in?¡± The mere image of Yoruichi sharing a bed with a man sent a frosty jolt through Soi Fon''s veins. Something inside her shattered, a wild panic gleaming in her eyes. Her voice was a low, haunted murmur before she vanished from the room with the swiftness of Shunpo, leaving only a trace of her internal tumult. Isane covered her face with her palm. ¡°Captain, what have you done?¡± Unohana shrugged, her expression an artful picture of innocence. ¡°I did nothing, Isane. Nanao, please continue the meeting.¡± Nanao smacked the green board. ¡°Ladies, we have to be serious about this man¡­ this menace to all women in the Seireitei. We can¡¯t let him run amok. Someone must teach him to respect women and not use them for his sexual desires.¡± She took a chalk and wrote down: ¡®Operation: Humble the Genius.¡¯ Nanao in all honesty didn¡¯t want Kazuya to be a more predatory version of her Captain Shunsui, who liked teasing women but he never did anything inappropriate¡­ But he already had physical rtionships with multiple women. They had to bring him back before he went too far. Rangiku, who had been silent until now, raised her hand. ¡°You all are overreacting. Kazuya is a family friend of my Captain, Isshin. He seemed like a nice guy to me.¡± ¡°Looks can be deceiving,¡± Nanao said as she nced at Unohana. ¡°Captain Unohana, do you have any suggestions?¡± Unohana''s head inclined slightly. ¡°Let him graduate and join my department.¡± She closed her eyes, her lips twisting into a smile that was simultaneously serene and sinister, a duality that sent a shiver through the room. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of him.¡± Taming a wild pup wasn¡¯t tough for someone of her caliber. The real intriguey in the question: how much fight the pup will put up before yielding to her will? Would it make her blood pump? Unohana found herself looking forward to meeting the man who may share her insatiable thirst for battle. Nanao shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s after his graduation. What if he doesn¡¯t want to graduate early? We have to stop him from exploiting women in the Shin¡¯o Academy.¡± ¡°Exploit is a far-fetched word, Nanao,¡± Rangiku said. ¡°He isn¡¯t forcing the students or teachers to sleep with him. They are doing it out of their own consent. Who are we to interfere in their lives?¡± Rangiku felt like she had to object to Nanao¡¯s far-fetched nder against her rising superstar. Nanao fell silent for a moment. ¡°I believe he is using his supernatural voice to seduce women.¡± She hadn¡¯t heard it herself but every report indicated how soothing and charming Kazuya¡¯s voice had been to women. It was the most mysterious aspect about the notorious yboy of the Shin¡¯o Academy. Rangiku raised her brows. ¡°He does have a good voice but I wouldn¡¯t call it supernatural.¡± Isane tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. ¡°Captain, do you mind if I meet the Battle Healer ahead of his graduation?¡± ¡°You may,¡± Unohana said with a smile. ¡°You may also suggest that he graduate early and apply to our division.¡± Rangiku ced a hand on Isane¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯lle along and meet him.¡± Chapter 111: Assassin Chapter 111: Assassin Inside the dojo, Kazuya could be seen meditating in a lotus position, his Zanpakut¨­ lying on hisp. His torso was bare, putting his muscr upper body on full disy. Unfortunately, no one was here to witness his near-perfect stature. Jinzen (Sword Zen) ¡ª a Shinigami technique that allowed one to enter a tranquil state and journey into the inner world, connecting their minds with the Zanpakut¨­. He had been refining this technique, wing desperately at the barrier separating him and his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. Zero progress happened in three months. Nami¡¯s hibernation was even longer than her supposed time in the egg. Out of desperation, he had scoured the libraries for a possible solution ¡ª a task that led him to seduce multiple instructors for deeper library ess ¡ª yet nothing worked. Yoruichi and Kisuke¡¯s solution was forcibly materializing his Zanpakut¨­¡¯s Spirit. As if he¡¯d interrupt Nami again during a potential evolution. All he could do was wait and try Jinzen meditation every day. Shaking off his concerns, he let out a sigh. ¡°Another day. Another failure.¡± Wearing his kimono, he felt a sudden chill, an instinctive warning. His eyes darted, seeking the hidden danger, but the threat was already upon him. A sudden weight on his shoulder, the lethal embrace of Soi Fon¡¯s toned legs around his neck, and the cold touch of her Zanpakut¨­¡¯s stinger against his face. An assassin came for him for the first time, and he was caught off-guard. ¡°Soi Fon, nice way to greet an old friend.¡± He hadn¡¯t met her since the opening ceremony. Now she suddenly wanted to kill him. There was a big misunderstanding at y here, one that intrigued him more than threatened him. ¡°Kazuya,¡± Soi Fon whispered in a cold voice. ¡°Suzumebachi¡¯s special ability is Nigeki Kessatsu. Anyone who gets hit twice in the same spot inevitably dies.¡± Her words were deliberate to strike fear into his heart, yet he remained calm. Three months of gradual growth had increased his Reiatsu to a point where he could unseal a H¨­gyoku on his own. Not to mention his regeneration ability served as a perfect counter to Soi Fon¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ ability. Even without his regeneration, he could negate her ability with his Zanpakut¨­. ¡°Scary ability for such a cute woman,¡± he said with a chuckle. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you tell me the reason for this?¡± ¡°You will answer my question. If you try to be smart, it¡¯s not hard for me to stab your neck twice.¡± ¡°Well, what do you want to know?¡± ¡°Did you¡­¡± Soi Fon''s voice trailed off, and she took a cold, steely breath as if bracing herself for an unwee truth. ¡°What do you know about Yoruichi-sama?¡± ¡°Yoruichi-sama? Could you be talking about the exiled princess of Shih¨­in n? The legendary sh Goddess who united the Second Division and Onmitsukid¨­ Corps?¡± Like a ho''s sting, her de dug into his neck, a swift and precise movement that drew a bead of blood. A butterfly-shaped mark bloomed at the wound, only to vanish as she pulled out the stinger. His wound healed instantly, his immense spiritual power and regeneration ability neutralizing her venomous Zanpakut¨­. Soi Fon¡¯s eyes, clouded by emotions, missed the disappearance of her beautiful crest. ¡°Do not try to lie. You have been using her Hakuda style inbat.¡± ¡°We did meet a couple of times after her exile.¡± Her body trembled momentarily at the revtion, which didn¡¯t escape his senses. ¡°What is your rtionship?¡± ¡°Good friends is how I¡¯d describe us.¡± Sensing the truth in his words, Soi Fon¡¯s tense form rxed. Captain Unohana had been bluffing. The Yoruichi she knew would never sumb to the charms of a man. ¡°For now,¡± he continued, his voice tinged with mischief. ¡°Can¡¯t say what''ll happen in the future. I have already confessed my love to her.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± ¡°Hold your hand, Captain Soi Fon.¡± Rangiku arrived before him in a Shunpo sh, followed by another woman with messy silver hair. She was a head taller than Rangiku, yet she didn¡¯t possess half the confidence of Rangiku in her demeanor. The Vice Captain of the 4th Squad was a lovable tomboy no matter how he looked at her. Rangiku¡¯s katana pointed at Soi Fon, her voice authoritative yet tempered. ¡°It''s beneath your Captain status to show killing intent for a student.¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, Captain Soi Fon,¡± Isane stammered, her smile awkward but sincere. ¡°Let''s talk things through. We¡¯ll find a solution.¡± Kazuya gripped Soi Fon¡¯s thighs and tried to free himself but her grip was like a vice. He didn¡¯t want to exert too much force and break her bones. ¡°Soi Fon, please don¡¯t bully me.¡± Isane found herself stunned, captivated by his pleading voice. Nanao wasn¡¯t lying; she was underselling how utterly persuasive his voice was. ¡°You aren¡¯t innocent,¡± Isane said with a frown. ¡°You¡¯re a woman predator.¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°Lady Soi Fon, please let me go. I have to clear this misunderstanding.¡± He was a bit depressed after Nami¡¯s disappearance and ended up sleeping around more than necessary. However, he only seduced the teachers, the senior students came to him on their own out of curiosity. He, of course, weed the desserts that kept knocking at his doorstep. Not that anyone involved with him took the rtionship seriously ¡ª it was just a transaction to find a solution to his Zanpakut¨­ problem. No serious rtionships. Suddenly, Soi Fon tightened her legs around his neck and growled at Rangiku and Isane. ¡°Stay out of my business, Vice Captains.¡± She clung to him, desperation and determination in her eyes, still hoping to make him reveal Yoruichi¡¯s location. Rangiku¡¯s jaw dropped at Soi Fon¡¯s overbearing tone. ¡°You don¡¯t get to order us around. Stop this before we file an official report against you.¡± Soi Fon gritted her teeth, her Reiatsu revolting around her. ¡°You leave now.¡± Rangiku scoffed. ¡°Isane, get your Zanpakut¨­ out. We might have to use force against her.¡± Isane shook her head. ¡°Ugh, we¡¯re colleagues. Let¡¯s just sit down and talk¡­¡± He clicked his tongue. ¡°Soi Fon, listen to Vice Captain Isane. Let¡¯s talk like adults.¡± Instead of acquiescence, she grabbed his chin, her ded gauntlet grazing his neck with a dangerous promise. ¡°I will¡ª¡± His grip, steely and relentless, tightened on her ankles as he pried her hold with unsettling ease, her joints creaking ominously in protest. Seizing her butt with an audacity that defied his earlier delicate tone, he flung her meters away like a sack. ¡°Get off me, idiot.¡± Soi Fon, ever graceful, stabilized her posture andnded like a fierce cat, her eyes zing. Then she froze, stunned ¡ª the absence of the butterfly crest on his neck unraveled herposure, leaving her in sheer astonishment. Even Yoruichi had not been immune to her Zanpakut¨­¡¯s effect. Caught in her shock, she couldn¡¯t register his Shunpo movement as he appeared before her, his hand clutching her throat, lifting her with cruel ease. ¡°I was being nice, but you mistook my kindness for weakness,¡± he spat, his voice as cold as ice, his fingers tightening menacingly. ¡°Soi Fon, let¡¯s test if a Captain can suffocate to death.¡± Soi Fon clutched his hand but there was no chance she could overpower him in this position. Mustering her core strength, she raised her legs and coiled them around his neck, trying to strangle him in reverse. He didn¡¯t even flinch at her desperate attempt to choke him. ¡°Laughable.¡± Isane felt her spine shiver at the sight. A first-year student was overpowering Soi Fon who was known for her exceptionalbat skills among the Captains. She rushed at him, grabbing his arm. ¡°S-Stop. Don¡¯t hurt her.¡± Rangiku also joined Isane from the other side. ¡°Just let go already. What is wrong with you two?!¡± She was starting to believe that Unohana¡¯s previous reputation wasn¡¯t unwarranted ¡ª she was a devil in setting up unanticipated conflicts. With an air of indifference, Kazyya tossed Soi Fon on the floor. Soi Fon grasped her aching throat and coughed violently. Despite her vulnerable position, her eyes were filled with a dangerous fire. Her emotions reached unbelievable heights once Yoruichi was involved in any capacity. The fact that she could meet Yoruichi again filled her with unrelenting willpower. She was determined to fight him, despite her odds. Turning to Rangiku, he shrugged. ¡°She tried to kill me first. You witnessed that with your own eyes.¡± Rangiku had nothing to say against him. She was there when Captain Unohana provoked Soi Fon into chasing Kazuya and she was present when Soi Fon pressed her Zanpakut¨­ against his neck. ¡°Let¡¯s just forget this happened. Isane, heal Captain Soi Fon.¡± Soi Fon pped Isane¡¯s helping hand away. ¡°Just tell me where Yoruichi-sama is,¡± Soi Fon roared, her hoarse voice cracking, and tears threatening to spill from her eyes. ¡°WHERE IS SHE?!¡± As if summoned by her emotions, a ck catnded gracefully beside Kazuya, purring affectionately against his leg. ¡°Meow~.¡± He chuckled and cradled Yoruichi in his arms, stroking her chin. ¡°Yoruichi is in the Seireitei. Do whatever you must with that information.¡± Soi Fon stared at him with wide eyes. Then, with a sh, she vanished from the scene, hurrying over to the 2nd Squad¡¯s Barracks. Kazuya¡¯s face softened at Soi Fon¡¯s desperation, a gentle smile recing the earlier menacing look. ¡°Ladies, do you mind joining me for lunch?¡± From pleading for his life to threatening a Captain to extending a casual lunch invitation ¡ª his mood swings were like a tempest, unpredictable and more dangerous than ny-nine percent of women. Chapter 112-113: Conditional Arrangement Chapter 112-113: Conditional Arrangement Spending time with well-versed teachers taught Kazuya a lot of things, one of which was about Kan, the currency used by residents of the Soul Society. Shinigami sries were paid in Kan, which resembled Japanese Yen coins. The Seireitei had a fully realized economy. The shops in the Seireitei likewise epted Kan as payment. Isane¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment as Kazuya confidently led them to avish restaurant, where the prices would make even a Vice-Captain gulp. Yet he nonchntly walked inside and took a seat. From overpowering a Captain to casually dining at an expensive restaurant ¡ª none of his actions so far had resembled a student. Sittingfortably, he waved at them. ¡°Come on, Vice Captains.¡± The two Vice Captains entered the restaurant. Settling down on a chair in front of him, Rangiku gave Isane aforting pat on the shoulder, winking at her with a reassuring smile. ¡°Order anything you want. The treat¡¯s on Kazuya.¡± Isane¡¯s brows knitted in concern. ¡°How can I let a student pay? I¡¯ll cover the bills.¡± The Vice-Captain was not one to splurge, living a modest life with the asional expenditure on outings with her sister or contributions to the Shinigami Women¡¯s Association. Her sry was on the lower side for a Vice Captain but more than enough for her to save a fortune. Rangiku raised a brow at Isane¡¯s generosity. ¡°What if we didn¡¯t have enough for the bill? What would he do then? Use your Uncle Isshin¡¯s name like a good little boy~?¡± He chuckled softly at the yful jab regarding his bond with Isshin. A hint of edge was present in Rangiku¡¯s tone. Perhaps rumors of his debauchery had reached her ears. ¡°It might be a ¡®how I took your mother out on her first date memory.¡¯ Of course we need a decent ce to show off to those little demons,¡± he replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief. ¡°And don¡¯t worry about the bill. I can afford it.¡± Some of the seniors he slept with hailed from noble families. And they had given him quite a lot of money for giving them a good time, though most of them tried to unt their wealth to make him their boyfriend, only to fail. Coming from noble families, money was thest thing those noble princessescked. Isane¡¯s gaze went to Rangiku, who was beautiful, confident, and caring ¡ª the ideal woman of most men. ¡°It almost sounds like a proposal.¡± Rangikuughed it off. ¡°Let the kid dream. By the way, did you borrow money from Captain Isshin?¡± ¡°No. I worked my ass off.¡± Kazuya shifted his gaze to Isane, a decisive look appearing on his face. ¡°Vice Captain Isane, I have something important to discuss with you.¡± Three months of arrogant deration about ¡®Battle Healer¡¯ had led to this moment ¡ª a meeting with Unohana¡¯s closest person. He had to make the most of this opportunity and convince Isane to be a friend, which would give him an easier time in climbing the ranks of the 4th Squad. From his canon knowledge, he remembered that Isane had a bit of aplex regarding her height. She even stopped sleeping at a point in her life to stop growing taller. There were also her weird nightmares, though they were pretty useless in their current conversation. ¡®It¡¯s just me and my voice.¡¯ Isane¡¯s eyes widened, a pulse of surprise coursing through her, as she was addressed by her first name. It was a privilege often reserved for close friends, but never had a man used it with such nonchnce. Her thoughts raced, ''What is wrong with him...?'' Gathering herself, she inhaled deeply and lightly patted her warm cheeks. ¡°So do I. What a coincidence.¡± ¡°You first.¡± ¡°You can.¡± Rangiku stared at the two, who simultaneously gave each other the ¡®go ahead¡¯ call. ¡°What in the world was that?¡± Isane¡¯s chuckle was tinged with nervous energy. ¡°Ishihara-kun, you can ask me anything.¡± ¡°Anything reasonable,¡± Rangiku corrected Isane, narrowing her eyes at him. ¡°Don¡¯t ask her out on a date, though. She¡¯ll reject you.¡± He let out a sigh. ¡°How did you read my mind?¡± ¡°You were going to ask her out?!¡± Kazuya chuckled, warmth in his eyes as he looked at Isane. ¡°Maybe. Isane is friendly, beautiful, and strong. What¡¯s there not to like about her?¡± Isane felt her cheeks grow hot. ¡°Rangiku, Ishihara-san. Stay on topic!¡± Getting this type of attention from a man made her nervous, and it showed on her face. He cleared his throat. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I creeped you out.¡± Rangiku gave him a teasing grin. ¡°You smoothtalker. I can see how you charmed thirteen different women in such a short time.¡± ¡°There was a reason,¡± he said with a sigh. ¡°I had no choice.¡± ¡°And what was that reason?¡± He picked up the restaurant menu. ¡°Any dish you want to try?¡± With a swift motion, Rangiku took the menu, her smile gentle and inviting. ¡°We¡¯re all friends here. You can tell us. Right, Isane?¡± Isane nodded. ¡°Yeah. We won¡¯t reveal your secrets.¡± Like Rangiku, she was curious about the thing thatpelled him to such extremes. She wanted to learn more about him so she could put Nanao off his back. He sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s order some food first.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like some dried persimmons,¡± Rangiku whispered with a distant look. Every mention of the dish¡¯s name brought her mind back to some sweet moments spent with her childhood friend. ¡°Isane, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re ordering porridge here?¡± Isane averted her gaze. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? I like porridge.¡± Rangiku just shook her head. Isane was the only person who could porridge three times a day then eat it again at the restaurant. ¡°So,¡± Rangiku said, urging him with a coy look. ¡°What is it?¡± Isane leaned her chin on her palm and gazed out of the window, trying to appear uninterested but every fiber of her being was tuned to Kazuya¡¯s answer. ¡°Library ess,¡± he said slowly and raised his katana, which suddenly burst into dark red mes. He doused the mes with a thought and looked at the two with a sincere look. ¡°I can¡¯t connect to it no matter what I do. It¡¯s like she isn¡¯t even there. I was hoping something in the forbidden sections will help me.¡± Rangiku leaned forward, interest sparkling in her eyes. ¡°How do you know your Zanpakut¨­ Spirit is female if you can¡¯t connect with your Zanpakut¨­?¡± ¡°I heard her when I took my Asauchi,¡± he said, tapping the de of his Zanpakut¨­. ¡°She said something about going to sleep. Haven¡¯t heard from her since.¡± ¡°That¡¯s unheard of,¡± Isane whispered. ¡°Did you¡­?¡± He simply shook his head, sliding his katana smoothly back into its sheath, a subtle hint of frustration in his movement. ¡°Forget about that. Might just be a snobbish spirit.¡± Rangiku giggled. ¡°I know the feeling. Mine refuses to manifest in this world¡­ the little feline knows that I¡¯ll whoop her ass and get a Bankai release.¡± ¡°You hag,¡± Haineko growled in her head. ¡°You¡¯re way too old topete with me.¡± A knowing smile touched his lips, remembering how Rangiku¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Spirit had once manifested under Muramasa¡¯s influence like many others. To everyone¡¯s surprise, Rangiku¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Spirit was a literal catgirl. ¡®Muramasa was pretty strong for a Zanpakut¨­ Spirit without a Shinigami. Is he canon in this world?¡¯ His thoughts shifted as he looked at Isane, his eyes earnest. ¡°Isane, I¡¯d like to be part of the 4th Squad when I graduate.¡± ¡°We know. Captain Unohana¡ªwe would love to have you on board¡­¡± Isane¡¯s voice was warm but trailed off, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. ¡°Is this really what you want?¡± ¡°Why? What¡¯s wrong with joining the 4th Squad?¡± ¡°I saw your fight with Soi Fon¡­ you can be part of any other squad.¡± The 4th Squad was one of the most important divisions of the Gotei 13 but they were pretty much mocked by most Shinigami for being the weakest. ¡°I¡¯m not going to be exclusive to the 4th Squad.¡± He directed a confident grin to Rangiku. ¡°I¡¯ll be part of the 10th Squad as well. Like three days here, three days there, and one day off. Nice, yeah?¡± He hadn¡¯t given up hope of joining two squads. In fact, he was more confident that he¡¯d seed after his debacle with Soi Fon. ¡°Then just stick¡­¡± ¡°Nope. I said I¡¯d be the Battle Healer. I¡¯m not abandoning my goal,¡± he interrupted her with a confident voice. ¡°Besides, being a healer isn¡¯t all bad. It¡¯s a nice job forzy people like me.¡± Rangiku reclined, crossing her arms, her eyes sharp. ¡°I¡¯ll let you join the 10th Squad on one condition.¡± ¡°I mean, your approval wouldn¡¯t mean anything. Uncle Isshin wouldn¡¯t say no to my request.¡± Rangiku¡¯s eyes shook. Every one of his words were right. Isshin had made up his mind to train Kazuya to be his sessor as the next captain. Her disapproval meant nothing. ¡°Offending the Vice Captain before you¡¯re part of the group. I¡¯ll make your life hell.¡± ¡°Hey, that¡¯s so petty. Didn¡¯t you say we were friends?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be your superior.¡± Rangiku raised her chin, mimicking the arrogant nobles to the best of her ability. ¡°At work, I¡¯m the pettiest woman in the world. You can confirm it with your Uncle Isshin.¡± ¡°...What¡¯s your condition?¡± Rangiku¡¯s expression was sultry, her eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°I want you to use your voice to entertain people.¡± He blinked, taken aback. ¡°Like singers?¡± He never thought Rangiku of all people would ask him to be a singer in the Seireitei. Something was wrong with this timeline. ¡°Yes.¡± Rangiku nodded. ¡°You''ve got a lot of potential from what I can see. What¡¯s more, your poprity will skyrocket. You¡¯ll be the name upon every soul in the Soul Society.¡± He wanted to roll his eyes at her outrageous suggestion. ¡°No thanks.¡± ¡°Why? Don¡¯t you want to be famous? Don¡¯t you want every girl in the Soul Society to idolize you? It¡¯ll be so fun!¡± ¡°NO.¡± He had greater ambitions and no desire to be a mere idol. Rangiku¡¯s eyes widened, a flicker of shock and disbelief dancing within them at the unanticipated rejection. Her best temptations had crumbled against the imprable wall of his resolve. ¡°Come on, Kazuya. Give it a try.¡± ¡°I told you I¡¯m not interested. Just kill some singer from the Living World and bring him here.¡± His ice cold tone left no room for questions or protestations. Rangiku had no choice but to abandon her yful pursuit of erecting an empire, despite her unwillingness. ¡®Looks, voice, confidence. He is the perfect candidate.¡¯ Isane looked at her friend whose disappointment was immeasurable. ¡°Ishihara-kun, give it a try please¡­¡± She pleaded on Rangiku¡¯s behalf but he simply shook his head. Even if he was attracted to both women, getting swept into the entertainment industry was far from his goal. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Isane. I can understand his point of view. He wants to be a Shinigami, not a singer for the masses.¡± Isane ced a consoling hand on Rangiku¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Ishihara-kun, you have to convince Captain Unohana about your two squad n... It¡¯ll be hard.¡± Captain Unohana was open to Kazuya joining their squad but she wouldn¡¯t be keen on sharing him with the 10th Squad. Hiring a part time Shinigami in their division would make them look even weaker. Kazuya leaned forward and took her hands in his own, his warmth taking her by surprise. ¡°Isane, can I rely on you¡­?¡± His voice was a caress, tempting and tender, nearly coaxing a nod from her. But she resisted the urge, summoning every bit of willpower she had honed as a Shinigami. As a healer, she was used to physical contact with the opposite gender. Yet, the intimacy of the moment, the warmth of his touch, his handsome face, allbined to challenge her professionalism. A blush colored her cheeks as she met his gaze, a myriad of emotions in her eyes. ¡°Help Rangiku if you want me to cooperate¡­¡± Isane clenched her teeth and threw out her own condition to help him. ¡°Please, just try it once. You might enjoy this more than you think.¡± In her childhood, she never would¡¯ve imagined living the life of a healer yet here she was. Saving people¡¯s lives and spending time with her mother figure was such a blessing for her. She wouldn¡¯t give up her current life for anything in the world. ¡°Fine¡­¡± He pulled back his hands, his eyes softening into a warm smile. He was weak to sincere women and Isane was the embodiment of sincerity right now. ¡°And our dishes are here.¡± There was no condition for him tomit to the job as a singer. He could dip out after one try while Isane had to convince Unohana. She was on the losing side no matter how he looked at it. Rangiku immediately poured herself some wine and raised her ss with a bright smile. ¡°To a new opportunity.¡± Isane also raised her ss filled with water, clicking it against Rangiku¡¯s ss. ¡°To a new opportunity.¡± Rangiku¡¯s eyes sparkled with anticipation as they turned to Kazuya. He reached for the wine, filled a ss, and raised it, drawing a joyous ''Cheers'' from the two women. ¡°To a new opportunity.¡± Chapter 114: A Misunderstanding Chapter 114: A Misunderstanding Kazuya returned to his dorm room and was met with an unexpected sight at his door. Momo Hinamori stood there, her eyes brightening with a radiant smile as she caught sight of him. Yet, the subtle shine at the corner of her eyes revealed a different story ¡ª she was crying. ¡°Momo, who bullied you?¡± His voice was tinged with fury that made Momo shiver. ¡°Tell me that bastard¡¯s name and I¡¯ll fucking burn them down.¡± Though she was surrounded by a circle of friends, he couldn¡¯tpletely dismiss the thought of some haughty noble targeting her. He would stir up the entire academy if anyone bullied her or Toshiro. Momo was taken aback by his fiercely overprotective response. ¡°I wasn¡¯t crying! Why did you skip sses again?¡± Her reprimands had be a familiar scene, a well-intentioned but exasperating ritual every time he missed sses. It was almost endearing, like a concerned friend persistently trying to mend his delinquent behavior. She had yet to realize that he was beyond saving at this point, that he hardly cared about the academy. He gripped her shoulders, eyes locking with hers, sincerity shining in his gaze. ¡°If I ever found out that you lied to me, I will¡­¡± He paused, thinking about the mildly shameful punishment for her. ¡°I will spank you.¡± Momo¡¯s cheeks flushed a bright crimson, like ripe tomatoes, and she hastily brushed his hands from her shoulders. ¡°No one is bullying me!¡± His eyes, trained to discern even the subtlest deception, found no signs of falsehood in her bodynguage. He nodded, satisfied. Swinging open the door with a graceful gesture, he invited her inside and unceremoniously plopped onto the bed, assuming a rxed lying position. Her eyes darted around the room, finding the third of their group missing. ¡°Shiro must have gone to do his daily Jinzen training.¡± In the span of three short months, Toshiro had reached a monumental milestone; he hade so close to unlocking the Shikai form of his Zanpakut¨­. He just needed that one moment of threat to crave more strength from his Zanpakut¨­ and unlock his Shikai. ¡°Shiro is pretty hardworking.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Momo nodded and perched herself on the bed opposite to Kazuya. ¡°Kazuya-kun, do you really want to graduate this month?¡± Her voice oozed with sadness as she contemted his departure from the academy. She neither had Kazuya¡¯s talent nor did she possess anything special like Toshiro¡¯s Zanpakut¨­. It would take her three years minimum to graduate. ¡°Momo, don¡¯t make that face. You and Shiro know my deal. The academy has nothing to teach me now.¡± Had any other student uttered such audacious words, Momo might have burst intoughter. Buting from Kazuya, the promation was true in every sense. He was more than qualified to be a Shinigami before he enrolled into the academy. She drew her knees to her chest and hugged them, her eyes pinning him down. ¡°Why do you have¡­ blood on your neck?¡± He touched the spot unconsciously, the memory of Soi Fon¡¯s de briefly shing in his mind. ¡°Yoruichi bit me there earlier.¡± ¡°Liar¡­¡± she whispered, the word barely escaping her lips. ¡°Yoruichi-san told me everything.¡± It looked like Yoruichi had revealed his fight with Soi Fon during his outing with Rangiku and Isane. Why would she do that? He had no idea. It just added another question to the stack he had reserved for Yoruichi today, most of which were regarding her stance on Soi Fon¡¯s fanatical obsession. With a sudden intensity that contrasted her earlier distant demeanor, Momo approached his bed and straddled his waist. Her hands clutched his cor, her eyes on the verge of tearing up. ¡°I-I was so scared when I heard that. Provoking the Captain of Assassination Squad¡­ what were you even thinking?!¡± Her trembling voice was every bit of proof for her concern. In his first spar with Soi Fon, Momo had marveled at the dance of martial arts, a beautiful disy of their fighting skills. Back then, she was na?ve. It was only after the lectures, with the cold rity of knowledge, that she understood the deadly reality of Soi Fon and the 2nd Squad of the Gotei 13. These were no ordinary warriors; they were a ruthless hand of justice, dishing out torture, interrogation, and assassination within the Soul Society. Kazuya¡¯s silence only deepened her distress. She nestled her head against his chest, her tears seeping into his uniform like dark stains of worry. ¡°You can¡¯t be so reckless¡­ what if she had killed you?¡± He sighed and calmly patted her back. ¡°Yoruichi fooled you, idiot. I sent Soi Fon away crying. She was no match for me.¡± She raised her head in surprise. ¡°What? Yoruichi-san imed you wouldn¡¯t have survived if he hadn¡¯t healed you in time.¡± He raised his hands. ¡°You¡¯re free to undress me and search for any wounds.¡± Momo¡¯s eyes shed with a dangerous glint as she reached for the straps of his hakama, tugging them open with a purposeful hand. ¡°I-It¡¯s only for examination.¡± She flicked open his hakama and his undershirt, checking for any sign of wounds. When she didn¡¯t find any, her eyes moved to his lower body. ¡°No.¡± He flicked her forehead, a teasing reprimand that brought her back to her senses. Her innocent crush had matured into something more perverted, shaped by her exposure to diverse personalities in the academy. Though she often seemed reserved, her underlying curiosity and boldness would asionally surface. ¡®When will she give up?¡¯ He had caught her watching him with different seniors multiple times, yet her adoration for him remained unwavering. Then again, this was the same woman who had idolized Aizen to the brink of obsession. She clung to belief over evidence, her convictions unshaken even by a sword through her chest. She was the perfect devotee for any cult. ¡°That mischievous cat,¡± Momo muttered, rubbing her reddened forehead. ¡°Why would he lie to me?¡± ¡°Never take Yoruichi¡¯s words at face value. That cat likes to cause chaos and revel in it.¡± ¡°I knew Yoruichi-san had a hidden evil side,¡± Momo whispered. ¡°You never told me how you two became friends or why Yoruichi-san is cursed to be in a cat form.¡± She misinterpreted Yoruichi¡¯s cat form as a curse like those powerful characters getting cursed in fairy tales. Yoruichi¡¯s wisdom only solidified the idea in Momo¡¯s mind. He noticed a spark of hope in her eyes. Rather than knowing about his friendship with Yoruichi, she wanted to learn more about him. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you after you get off me.¡± A nce downward, and the reality of their intimate position dawned on her. She darted to the other bed with a panicked Shunpo. ¡°It was nice¡­¡± she murmured, hastily clearing her throat. ¡°Kazuya-kun, let¡¯s talk about Yoruichi-santer. I have an urgent request for you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask to see me naked. Even I have my limits.¡± Her cheeks reddened, as if the mere suggestion had set her imagination alight. Her fantasies seemed to resonate within her, causing a subtle disruption in her Reiatsu. ¡°Can you please stay until the starting week of next month?¡± she asked, her voice soft and pleading. ¡°Two more weeks?¡± ¡°Mhmm.¡± She nodded, her eyes wide and earnest. ¡°Sensei informed us that our ss will have our first training mission in the Living World. We¡¯ll practice Soul Burial and engage inbat with artificial replica Hollows.¡± Kazuya''s eyes narrowed, his thoughts taking a sharp turn. ¡®Is this the same event that Aizen ns to use to test his Menos breed?¡¯ The puzzle pieces were beginning to align, but hisck of concrete canon knowledge left him feeling like he was walking in the dark. The absence of Nami gnawed at him more than ever. He ced a hand on his katana, sending thoughts to his violent freak Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. There was no answer as he expected. ¡°Where exactly is the mission taking ce?¡± Momo tilted her head, her expression one of concentrated innocence. ¡°It¡¯s somewhere in Japan called¡­ Karakura Town.¡± That name struck him like a chord, resonating with his suspicions. Of all the ces they could have chosen, they had somehow selected the very ce where some of the most powerful Hollows lived. Was this an intricate y to draw attention to Kisuke and the Visored? Or perhaps a devious trap to lure out the members of El Inverso? ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll apany you on the mission.¡± Momo¡¯s face lit up. Gone were the traces of her previous gloom, all that remained was pure happiness. ¡°Thanks, Kazuya-kun~.¡± Humming cheerfully, she skipped out of the room, a spring in her step. ¡®What is she nning?¡¯ Chapter 115: Re-start Chapter 115: Re-start Kazuya was lying on the bed after Momo left, waiting for Yoruichi¡¯s return. ¡®Two more weeks. Should I return to Harribel or give her a surprise at the mission?¡¯ He ruled out the second option since he might be under surveince as a Shinigami. Fighting Soi Fon, stirring troubles within the academy, and showing potential to be a powerhouse ¡ª all these deeds had painted a bulls-eye on him. Countless eyes would be scrutinizing his every action during the mission. ¡®Guess I¡¯ll take a week off and spend some time with them.¡¯ While the taboo thrill of romantic affairs with teachers had its allure, none could replicate the soothing haven that Harribel¡¯s presence offered. He could do a reconnaissance mission to Hueco Mundo to see if Nelliel had undergone any transformation during his absence. Thinking about his future, he unknowingly drifted into a slumber. He didn¡¯t resist the urge as a nap was necessary to reset his mind after everything. ¡­ He woke up to the rhythmic motion of a moving mount beneath him. Deja vu washed over him. He found himself engulfed in the perpetual dusk of Hueco Mundo, apanied by an eerily familiar riding experience. A knot of dread tightened in his chest. Shifting slightly, he caught sight of Api in her deer-like form, a form he hadn¡¯t seen in what felt like ages. "Hey, you. You''re finally awake," she greeted, much like their prior encounter. But a ring anomaly stared him in the face. Gone were his horns, wings, and even his once-flowing locks were shorn, echoing a past life''s hairstyle. He was stripped of all Hollow attributes, as if time had wound back and morphed him into a regr soul. His Reiryoku levels had plummeted, sinking him to the mundane level of an average living soul. In a reflexive act, he pinched his cheeks and twisted his own ear until it flushed crimson. The resultant sting squashed any notion that this could be a figment of a twisted nightmare. Even his callouts to the mysterious System yielded utter silence. ¡®I got a hard reset as a powerless man¡­¡¯ Powerlessness. The term clung to him like an ill-fitting garment. He was weaker than the lowest ss of Hollows. And the worst part? He had no regrets about his life or longing for a redo. His life was perfect as it was. Now, every bond he had built was snatched away from him. Lovers and friends he couldn¡¯t live without. Could he regain those rtionships without the crutch of his System and his Vasto Lorde prowess? Doubt clouded his usually resolute spirit, marking the first instance of vulnerability. He was on the verge of a mental breakdown. ¡®Is this the scheme of the god who reincarnated me? What a sick bastard.¡¯ Grimacing, he felt a surge of rage welling up within him, directed at the unseen architect of his shattered existence. The things he would do to the orchestrator would be unsuitable for even the most depraved minds. ¡°You¡¯re one rude fellow,¡± Api said. ¡°What else did I expect from a male¡­?¡± Api¡¯s grumbles brought him out of ever-consuming hatred. He extended his hand to caress the fur bordering her sensitive ears. Her eyes shut momentarily as a soft purr resonated from her throat. The action was undeniably Api; she¡¯d always had a soft spot for his tender touch. ¡°Api.¡± She snapped out of her contented state, her hooves skidding to a halt. ¡°How do you know my name?!¡± Hopping gracefully from her back, he stood before her, locking eyes. ¡°Believe it or not it¡¯s not our first meeting. You and I go way back.¡± She blinked her eyes in confusion. ¡°...How? I never saw you before today. I¡¯m pretty sure of it.¡± ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know why you forgot about me,¡± he said with a shake of his head. ¡°Tell me, Api. Why did you save me?¡± The old Api showedpassion for his Hollow holes. She had no reason to rescue an average soul. It¡¯d be far easier to just consume him and be done with him. Only he could discern the inconsistency because of spending too much time with her. ¡°Why save you? You looked fragile, defenseless. I¡¯m regretting my¡ª¡± Her words were abruptly severed by a bone-chilling roar. Her body quivered, and her eyes darted backward. ¡°Fuck, it¡¯s back! We¡¯re dead. SO DEAD.¡± He immediately climbed atop her and patted her back. ¡°Is it the Adjuchas who look like abination of snake and caterpir?¡± ¡°You know that too?! Never mind. Questions can wait after we survive him!¡± With a powerful lunge, she shot forward, the wind from her sprint nearly knocking him away from her. He bent down and hugged her before she incorporated Son¨ªdo into her movement and destroyed his body from sheer wind pressure. ¡®It¡¯s right behind us¡­¡¯ Even without his finely-tuned senses, the emanating menace of the pursuing Adjuchas made his heart race and his skin slick with nervous sweating. The irony was cruel; once he could have shattered a Vasto Lorde with his Reiatsu alone. Now, standing close to an Adjuchas¡¯ Reiatsu would destroy him. ¡°There is only one fate awaiting you, little deer. Cease your resistance and be a part of a greater Adjuchas like me.¡± ¡°Api, it¡¯s closing in on us.¡± He loathed the feeling of depending on someone else for survival. Yet, it was his only choice if he wanted to discover the truth. ¡°I''m doing the best I bloody can!¡± Api''s voice tore through the air as her hooves pounded with renewed fervor. ¡°Damn that fiend. That ABSOLUTE FUCKER.¡± Furiously, Api cursed the menacing Hollow trailing them, its razor-sharp ws aching to snare them. For the Adjuchas, devouring Api was essential for maintaining its existence as an Adjuchas; for Api, escape was a desperate bid for survival. It was a deadly race with only one possible victor. Fate, however, seemed to have rolled the dice against Api. Small and less endowed with energypared to her hulking pursuer, her stamina was quickly draining. Despite Kazuya¡¯s earnest words of encouragement, her hooves eventually faltered, and she copsed on the ashen soil of Hueco Mundo. He caressed Api, his eyes darting around for the shark-themed Vasto Lorde. She was nowhere in the vicinity as far as he could see. ¡®It¡¯s not a reset. It¡¯s a different timeline or¡­ a fabricated reality.¡¯ Api sluggishly opened her eyes and nudged him with her horn. ¡°This is¡­ it for me. He won¡¯t chase you after eating me. Run away.¡± Her words echoed the sacrificial motto that characterized the Tres Bestia. Yet, Kazuya found her response most peculiar. Before meeting him and falling head over heels for him, she was the kind to go down fighting rather thanying down and giving up. She had even been prepared to challenge him¡ªa Vasto Lorde¡ªwhen she thought he¡¯d eat her. Would that type of woman sacrifice herself for a man she knew for an hour? ¡®Absolutely not.¡¯ The Adjuchas was closing in at an rming rate, and time for deliberation had run out. Faced with the grim decision of abandoning Api or confronting their mutual doom, he threw away the thought of self-preservation for the first time. ¡®If my assumptions are wrong, I¡¯m dead for real.¡¯ nting himself firmly in front of Api, he greeted the Adjuchas with a disarming smile, every ounce of his being radiating defiance. ¡°You aren¡¯t eating my wife today¡­ I swear on my life, I¡¯ll protect her.¡± Chapter 116: Shinku no Tsubasa Chapter 116: Shinku no Tsubasa The hulking Adjuchas unleashed a scornfulugh that echoed around them. Locking eyes with Kazuya, who had bravely positioned himself in front of Api, the creature jeered, ¡°What utter garbage you are to face me. Die.¡± The Adjuchas''s arm swung through the air with such force that Kazuya could hear the very wind shrieking in its wake. Yet, he stood his ground¡ªsteadfast and unyielding. ¡®It¡¯s not real.¡¯ He repeated within his head, almost as though his mantra could ward off the impending doom. Yet, when the arm should have struck him, a breathtaking explosion of vivid mes burst forth instead. Whirling around, he realized Api had vanished¡ªswallowed by the inferno. A surge of energy coursed through him; his dormant powers were reawakening, filling his fists with the tingling sensation of Oppression. ¡°I knew it,¡± he said, tilting his head upwards to address the heavens. ¡°Nami, I swear to God if you don''t cut this crap right now.¡± He fully expected Nami to be behind this twisted prank. Nobody would be surprised if this was her way of saying wee back. ¡°Nami should not be med for my actions,¡± echoed a dream-like voice. From the swirling vortex of orange and vermilion mes emerged a towering figure. She was swathed in avish, impossibly long gown that looked as though it had been woven from moltenva, its ivory ents stark against the deep red. Five burning pairs of de-like wings sprouted from her lower back, and an ostentatious winged mask obscured her face, leaving only her smirking lips visible. His gaze fastened onto the two energy sword-like des that hovered beside her, each encasing a crimson crystal that mirrored the gem at the hilt of his own Zanpakut¨­. He would''ve mistaken her for Nami if not for those des. Spoiler [copse] ¡°You must be my new Zanpakut¨­ Spirit.¡± ¡°Correct. I¡¯m Shinku no Tsubasa. You may call me Tsubasa.¡± Her high and mighty tone made him clench his fists. ¡°Tsubasa, why did you do that?¡± ¡°What you experienced was merely a trial orchestrated by me,¡± she said slowly as she gazed at him with a gentle smile. ¡°To test your determination to protect your loved ones. I cannot let an unworthy master wield my powers.¡± He blinked his eyes in surprise. ¡°How was that a fucking test?¡± His typically rxed demeanor had shattered, reced by a seething rage catalyzed by her maniptive trial. Slightly shaking her head, Tsubasa replied, ¡°To see your true conviction, I had to observe you at your lowest. People only care about themselves in their most desperate times. I¡¯m d you forgo the thought of self-preservation to protect your beloved. You¡¯ll be a splendid master.¡± With eyes clenched shut, he inhaled deeply, as if trying to draw calmness from the very air. But tranquility eluded him. His intrusive thoughts broke through the barriers of his rationality like a tempest. In his mind, there was no reasoning that could excuse her for plunging him into an abyss of helplessness. He would drown her in her own blood until she regretted her sadistic machinations. Morphing into his soul form, he summoned his Zanpakut¨­. A dark, purple aura enveloped him¡ªthe tangible manifestation of his insatiable urge to kill. He surged towards her. As he lunged, one of the ornate daggers beside Tsubasa dematerialized. In its ce, a zing, hollowed-out shield erupted into existence. His katana collided with her incandescent barrier repeatedly, sending sparks cascading like falling stars. Yet, her shield remained unscathed, a stubborn defense against his relentless strikes. Spoiler [copse] This shield was a projection of his own Shikai. It was an ironic realization that Tsubasa, a Zanpakut¨­ born from his overprotective nature, used the very same protection against him. A disconcerting giggle escaped Tsubasa¡¯s lips. "This unyielding shield will soon be yours tomand, Master." ¡°Couldn''t care less.¡± In a flicker, he utilized Shunpo to materialize behind her, his de descending toward her unprotected back. Yet, with a pyrostic burst, the shield rematerialized to thwart his deadly assault. "Let me cut you down just once. You¡¯ll likely regenerate from those phoenix mes of yours." ¡°Master, has Nami rubbed her violent tendencies on you?¡± Tsubasa mused. "I was right in suspecting her as a bad influence on you." The mention of Nami brought his attacks to a halt, his rage subdued by the worries for his other Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. ¡°Where is she?¡± With a flourish of her hand, Tsubasa manipted her mes, weaving them into a fiery wall. It depicted Nami, in bird form, trying to bite the of a bird cage. ¡°She''s currently detained without any ess to her mes.¡± His eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Stop being a cliched viin. Release Nami and maybe, just maybe, I''ll consider forgiving you.¡± "I cannotply. Without her distractions, you can focus on what truly matters¡ªprotecting those you love. My Shikai ability, ''Fumetsu no Seiiki'' (Indestructible Sanctuary), can shield you from anyone. You do not need her in your life." Tsubasa¡¯s perspective on Nami was simple ¡ª the ck phoenix was a distraction as observed in her constant reminders about his lovers¡¯ mortality. She was very much against Nami¡¯s stance. ¡°Who the hell do you think you are for dictating my life?¡± "I am a shadow born from your soul, your Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. Your resolve shapes my very essence,¡± she said, a smile pulling at her lips as she raised a finger. ¡°However, I¡¯ll consider releasing Nami¡ªif you can make me submit and reveal the chant needed to unlock your Shikai.¡± Exhaling a weary sigh, he muttered, ¡°Make you submit? I have to beat you?¡± To attain Shikai, a Shinigami must gain the approval of their Zanpakut¨­ Spirit and learn of its name as well as the release incantation¡ªa well-known fact among the Shinigami. She nodded, her gaze unyielding. ¡°Correct. Can you ovee the imprable wall that is my shield¡ª¡± Before she couldplete her sentence, he metamorphosed into his Hollow form and grabbed ahold of her shield. Fiery eruptions burst from the shield, a desperate, zing attempt to dislodge him. But he clung tenaciously, his palms pulsing with the power of Oppression. The torrent of mes almost withered under his Oppression. Just as he was about to break apart the structure of her shield, her fingers wrapped around its edge, and she swung it brutally into his chest. ¡°I can¡¯t allow you to do that.¡± ¡°Afraid much? So much for being imprable.¡± She shook her head, her eyes aze with conviction. ¡°A shield is only as robust as the mind that wields it. A shieldmaster would be egregiously foolish to stand idly by, allowing their enemy to dismantle the first line of defense¡ªespecially when that defense stands between their enemies and those they¡¯ve vowed to protect.¡± ¡°Jeez, you never shut up about this golden rule of protection, do you?¡± Tsubasa let loose a smile but he could feel the anxious strains of her smile. ¡°My would-be master, we both follow that creed. I¡¯m simply more vocal about our vision.¡± ¡°Yeah, sure.¡± Chapter 117: At Mercy Chapter 117: At Mercy Though Kazuya wished to humble the haughty Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, he knew better than to squander his energies in futile attacks against her shield. He paused, eyes narrowing to study the almost celestial mes surrounding Tsubasa and her guardian shield. These luminous, incandescent fires stood in stark contrast to Nami¡¯s sinister carmine mes. It was as if Tsubasa was crafted to be Nami¡¯s pr opposite ¡ª the radiant light to Nami¡¯s darkness ¡ª her antithesis. ¡®She might have inherited the life property of Phoenix¡¯s mes.¡¯ One conclusion was irrefutable from their first sh ¡ª her mes did not wound him, not even superficially. And why would they? They all originated from his soul. Gently resting her palm against her ornate mask, Tsubasa tilted her head with a maniacal stiffness. ¡°While I have no objection to standing here as you marvel at my wless grace, the clock is unforgiving, Master. Each moment you waste in this inner world will take a toll upon your consciousness.¡± ¡°Say, am I allowed to beat you by any means necessary?¡± Thest thing he wanted was for her to invalidate his hard-earned victory through an underhanded tactic; she might do that just to piss him off further. ¡°Your sole objective is to liberate Nami from my grasp. The means are inconsequential as long as your goal is achieved.¡± She paused, her lips curling into a sly smirk. ¡°Any attempt to use your Oppression ability from a distance would be in vain as we possess the same level of Reiatsu in this realm. It¡¯s almost a pity, really. You have the determination, the unyielding will for protection. What youck is the capacity to bypass my invincible defense.¡± Her taunts, whether premeditated provocations or genuine overconfidence, only stoked the fires of his resolve to put her into her ce. Confronted with his seething silence, Tsubasavishly licked her lips. ¡°Conceding¡ª¡± Defying her calcted predictions, Kazuya morphed into his Soul form, conjuring his Zanpakut¨­ into existence with a wave of his hand. The katana materialized effortlessly, a stark realization washing over him: Tsubasa had methodically manipted his inner world, transforming it into her personal battleground. It now made sense why she had spent three whole months summoning him into this trial; she was not just growing, but plotting for this precise moment. Even so, he had no desire to lose against a three months old soul, much less the manifestation of his own desires. ¡°You do know that de has no special power,¡± she said, pointing at the katana in his hand. ¡°It¡¯s a de that can never cut through my shield.¡± ¡°A de is as strong as the one wielding it.¡± Abruptly, he vanished, reappearing before her in a dazzling streak of Hirenkyaku. Her shield sprang forth to fill the air between them. He lunged, his katana seeking the minuscule gaps in her seemingly invincible shield, only to be repelled by an unseen force. The physical shield, it seemed, was but an illusion ¡ª the real protection was a barrier that protected its owner. Not one to be easily deterred, he kept the onught relentless, darting and shing in fluid strokes, searching for a weak spot in her defense. ¡°It¡¯s of no use, Master. You must find a new strategy. Isn¡¯t that one of your specialities?¡± She was at full leisure to talk despite being attacked from all sides. Even he would be hard pressed to react to such attacks without feeling overwhelmed, which confirmed his theory regarding the automated defense ability of her shield. The shield acted on its own to protect its master from any danger or she had far superior reflexes than him. A spark ignited in his eyes. ¡®I need a pincer attack!¡¯ He transformed into his Hollow form and drew a cut across both of his palms, the blood serving as a catalyst to the superior version of Cero ¡ª Gran Rey Cero. Flexing his fingers into talon-like formations, he conjured two azure orbs, each crackling and swirling with raw energy. The orbs expanded enormously until it dwarfed a standard Cero by magnitudes. It was the strongest Gran Ray Cero to ever exist. Tsubasa curiously observed his actions. It was evident that she still didn¡¯t take him seriously. Her underestimation worked in his favor. He unleashed a Gran Rey Cero from his right hand. Concurrently, his heel struck the earth, propelling him beyond the sound barrier to materialize behind her. Since her shield was guarding her from the first Gran Rey Cero, her back waspletely exposed. Unfurling his left hand, heunched the second Gran Rey Cero. Suddenly, mes burst forth from the second de hovering near Tsubasa, materializing into yet another shield. The two barriers expanded, amalgamating into a translucent red sphere around her ¡ª her ultimate defense, Fumetsu no Seiiki (Indestructible Sanctuary). In this form nothing could reach her. ¡°Valiant, but fruitless,¡± she said, a smirk curling her lips. "I cannot be harmed¡ªwhat''s happening?¡± Her realization came a second toote. He was already gripping both shields, his hands glowing with the familiar glow of his unique ability. Her shell-like barrier presented an opportunity before him ¡ª and he had seized it. His lips contorted into a sneer as his Reiatsu crept like tendrils through her once-unbreakable shields, manipting its essence from within. He lightly flicked each shield, disintegrating them into a cloud of bronze dust that dispersed, eventually bing one with the ashen expanse of Hueco Mundo. Her uniquely crafted des tumbled gracelessly to the ground. His ¡®Oppression¡¯ didn¡¯t distinguish between the real world or his inner world ¡ª it destroyed her shields with ease. ¡°You tricked me¡ª¡± Cutting off her stunned retort, he lunged forward, seizing her head in a vice-like grip before smashing her into the ground with shattering force. Kneeling atop her chest to secure her, he squeezed her throat and ripped away her mask. Her oceanic eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her ethereal beauty capable of evoking a sense of sympathy in any man. But he wasn¡¯t fooled by her crocodile tears. He raised his hand and swung in a ruthless arc until it made a shuddering impact with her pale cheek. The merciless p instantly painted a side of her face in a vivid scarlet. A shiver ran through her body, her eyes closing involuntarily, lips bitten as though to trap unspoken words. ¡°This humiliation¡­ is nothing, Master. I shall never regret my decision to put you through a trial. If I¡¯m to lend my strength to someone, I want them to be worthy of it.¡± Quietly, he delivered a reverse p on her right cheek then another on her left cheek. ¡°Master¡ª¡± SLAP! ¡°Listen to me¡ª¡± ¡°MAST¡ª¡± SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! His hands moved with grace as he delivered sickening ps across her red face. Her muffled cries and whimpers served as a pleasing music to his vengeance. He satiated every bit of rage in his chest by beating his helpless Zanpakut¨­ Spirit ¡ª and he loved every moment of it. He only stopped when her face had swollen to the point of being unrecognizable. Her entire face was smeared with tears, no haughtiness to be found within her eyes. The ps had humbled her demeanor, at least for now. With a satisfied smile, he got back up and pulled her to her feet. ¡°Bring Nami to me.¡± Her trembling lips managed a stutter, ¡°Y-Yes, Master, after I heal¡­¡± As she reached out, her des bolted into her grip. Instead of morphing into shields, they transmuted into twin red muskets, their barrels ornamented with intricate bronze phoenix motifs. Aiming the muzzles toward her chin, she squeezed the triggers, and a roaring inferno enveloped her. When the mes dissipated, her face was back to being wless ¡ª she waspletely healed. ¡°Your cruelty ismendable,¡± she whispered as she gazed at him in awe. ¡°A brute such as you would give his all in protecting your loved ones.¡± ¡°Did you not hear me? I said, bring me to Nami.¡± ¡°As you wish.¡± With a synchronized p, she ignited the destion of her imaginary Hueco Mundo. He found himself in a dpidated throne room. Atop the fragmented majesty of a once regal throne rested the birdcage that held his self-proimed soulmate hostage. Chapter 118: End of line Chapter 118: End of line ¡°PARTNER! You¡¯vee for me!¡± Nami''s fervent shout pierced through his emotional armor for a brief moment. He choked down the rising sentiment and directed his icy gaze toward Tsubasa. ¡°Hand me your des and open the cage.¡± A shadow of bewilderment flickered across Tsubasa¡¯s face before sheplied with an obedient nod. With an almost ceremonial gesture, she made the des drift to his side. Nami¡¯s cage clicked open, releasing her from her confinement. Like a phoenix rising, Nami burst forth until she hit the ceiling, her wings erupting into streaks of dark red fire. She rocketed toward Tsubasa with a divine fury, mming her into the wall with an impact that echoed through the chamber. Stripped of her shields, Tsubasa was nothing but vulnerable to Nami¡¯s assault. As Naminded on the ground, she underwent a surreal transformation ¡ª morphing into a humanoid figure built from the essence of her own dark, sanguine mes. Hernky limbs and featureless face floated above a congration sea of fire that served as her lower body. Though her facecked defining emotion, he could feel the raging inferno within her ¡ª Nami did not take her imprisonment lightly. She yanked Tsubasa from the ground and mmed her into the wall. ¡°I¡¯ll make you pay for keeping me away from Partner.¡± Not pausing for Tsubasa to even muster a response, Nami unleashed a flurry of merciless blows upon her face. Tsubasa reached out to him with a trembling hand, or rather the des in his hands that acted as her shields. As though hearing her plea, the des in his grip twitched, yearning to rush to their master¡¯s defense. But he held them fast. ¡°Nope,¡± he said with an indifferent look. ¡°Nami, go wild.¡± Tsubasa¡¯s Shikai ability provided excellent defense, even if it was a bit one-dimensional in nature. However, he very much loved Nami and supported her. Trapped in the same ce for three months ¡ª he couldn¡¯t evenprehend the resentment and rage bubbling inside her heart. She needed to unleash those negative emotions. He also couldn¡¯t deny that he enjoyed Tsubasa¡¯s one-sided epic beatdown at Nami¡¯s hands. It was satisfying to watch Tsubasa being pummeled like a punching bag. Nami threw Tsubasa to the ground and jumped at her, throwing punches at her bloodied face. Seemingly bored of beating Tsubasa, Nami pulled Tsubasa up by her blonde hair. ¡°You ambushed me when I was at my weakest and caged me like I was a beast. You lied and manipted my Partner into believing that I was not a suitable soulmate for him. YOU pathetic woman will pay for your sins.¡± Her hands clenched into ming talons around Tsubasa¡¯s head. ¡°With your life.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t¡­¡± Tsubasa''s whisper was a dying ember as she shot a feeble nce toward him. ¡°I am your Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. Without me, you''re defenseless¡ª¡± ¡°Shut your fucking mouth,¡± Nami roared, her mes unleashing with even more ferocity. ¡°This is the end of line for you, Hoe.¡± She burst into a fog of mes and engulfed Tsubasa¡¯s figure. Tsubasa desperately channeled her own mes to ward off Nami but Nami¡¯s carmine mes easily overpowered her. She stood no chance in a frontal fight against the senior Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, despite Namicking in terms of Reiatsu. Across the room, the des exerted even more force then they went limp, quenched of life. Tsubasa waspletely swallowed by carmine mes and her presence faded away. The mes then coalesced and twisted into a breathtaking form he¡¯d never anticipated from Nami ¡ª a mature woman with blonde wavy hair and an azure eye, punctuated by a heart-shaped pink glint. A dark eyepatch draped across half her visage, culminating in a winged ornament that adorned her head like a crown. Though bearing some resemnce to Tsubasa, she was a mesmerizing mix of elven ears, demonic horns, and fiery, leathery bat wings sprouting from her lower back. Her fashion sense was also worlds apart from Tsubasa. She wore a scandalously revealing white dress, offset by an imperial crimson cape. She was a bewitching subus. Spoiler [copse] Hand on her waist, she struck a sultry pose. ¡°Behold the Demon Empress, who shall conquer this world with her beloved Partner.¡± ¡ªA chuuni subus roleying as a Demon Empress. ¡°Eyepatch - check. Edgy dialogues - check. ¡®Cool¡¯ fashion sense - check. Congrats, you¡¯re finally a full-blown chuuni.¡± ¡°Ufufu, you¡¯re right. This is my first form. I can shapeshift into anyone with a snap of my finger. Want to see the versatility of a fire-based life form?¡± Rather than ying along with shenanigans, he shifted the topic. ¡°Is Tsubasa dead?¡± She nodded her head with a radiant smile. ¡°Completely erased from this world, devoured by me. Why are you worried, though? Do you miss her presence?¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to miss about her?¡± He retorted on an impulse before taking a pensive breath. The des in his hand had be inert and lifeless, revealing Tsubasa¡¯s end, alongside her broken Shikai ability. ¡°Fuck, all my hardwork went to shit.¡± Nami¡¯s repetitive praise for his Shikai and Bankai had set his expectations high. He had spent almost six hours every day for the past three months. Yet, his reward was a treacherous, arrogant Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, who almost broke him with her trial. Calling him disappointed was a massive understatement. He let out a sigh. ¡°Not gonna lie. Today was wild.¡± The dormant des suddenly sprang to life, breaking free from his grasp to whirl around Nami, the same way they drifted around Tsubasa. ¡°Nami, you¡ª¡± ¡°Yes, Partner. I¡¯ve assimted that whore¡¯s essence, her potential, and her existence as a Zanpakut¨­ Spirit,¡± she dered, her bat-like wings ring as she closed the distance with Shunpo and tackled him onto the ground. Looming over him, she revealed a grin that perfectly encapsted every bit of her deranged infatuation. ¡°I¡¯m your sole Zanpakut¨­ Spirit now. Nobody wille between us. EVER.¡± Rather than being creeped out by absurd craziness, he simply smiled and pulled her into his arms, her massive breasts squishing against him. ¡°Are you trying to give Harribel a run for her money?¡± ¡°Exactly. I can¡¯t lose against Partner¡¯s most beloved wife,¡± she murmured as she audibly sniffed his scent. ¡°Partner, I missed you so much. It was so boring here without you. My imprisonment wasn¡¯t even the worst part about this whole ordeal¡­¡± ¡°What else could be worse than that?¡± ¡°Tsubasa was born from both of our essence ¡ª she reflected our souls. Think about it for a moment. She was maniptive like you and she was obsessed with an aspect like me. She was our daughter¡­ and I murdered her with my own hands.¡± His mouth hung open, speechless. Her poetic reframing of Tsubasa¡¯s existence unsettled him deeply. Their actions seemed extremely immature once he took a moment to contemte. They could¡¯ve solved the situation more peacefully but their raw emotions overwrote their reason. The result was Tsubasa¡¯s demise. ¡°Forget her,¡± he replied, nonchntly brushing off her concerns. ¡°Forget that she ever existed.¡± ¡°Fine with me. Partner, do you remember your promise?¡± ¡°Which promise?¡± She leaned in and her fangs pierced the flesh of his neck. It was an intimate, lethal kiss that drew out blood, as if she were a vampire. ¡°The promise about eating me out when I became a Vasto Lorde.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t actu¡ª¡± Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of Reiatsu filled the air like a torrential downpour,ing from the very woman wrapped in his embrace. Devouring Tsubasa triggered her evolution, bringing her Reiatsu on par with Harribel¡¯s base Arrancar form. ¡°I am a Vasto Lorde or its equivalent.¡± Gently withdrawing from him, she caressed his face, the heart-shaped twinkle in her eye glowing brighter than ever, as if implying her burning passion. ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time for us to do the deed?¡± Seeing her beautiful face up close and feeling her warmth, his heart began to beat loudly, as if anticipating a passionate time with her. Just as he prepared to surrender to the moment, reality ¡ª or whatever passed for it in this realm ¡ª shuddered violently as if engulfed in a high-scale earthquake. ¡°The inner world is destabilizing. You spent too much time here, Partner,¡± Nami said with a sigh and pressed a reluctant kiss against his cheek. ¡°We¡¯ll have to wait.¡± ¡°Hmm. Talk to me when I¡¯m outside.¡± ¡°You bet I will.¡± *** RIP Tsubasa. Chapter 119-120: The Aftermath Chapter 119-120: The Aftermath When Shunsui Kyoraku first received the summons to the Shin¡¯¨­ Academy, he was skeptical. What could the academy possibly conjure that required the presence of a Captain? But the moment he tilted the brim of his straw hat to survey the scene, his skepticism was blown into dust. Arrayed before him, members of the elite Kid¨­ Corps had woven their Reiatsu into a force field that enveloped what was once a student dormitory ¡ª now a ruinous husk of its former self. Peering through narrowed eyes, Shunsui discerned the cause of the mayhem ¡ª a silver-haired student tightly gripping his Zanpakut¨­, encased within the shimmering force field. The boy was unleashing a storm of raw, uncontroble Reiatsu that couldn¡¯t be contained by the Kid¨­ barrier. ¡°What was his name again?¡± Nanao adjusted her sses, a calcted move that concealed her own disbelief. ¡°Kazuya Ishihara. First-year student. He has been releasing extremely strong Reiatsu for almost two hours with no signs of slowing down.¡± Nanao had been on-site since the cmity unfolded, having been invited by the Headmaster for a guest lecture ¡ª a perfect reason for observing the resident yboy. Fortunately, casualty counts stopped at a couple injured since the student body had beenrgely absent, attending the lecturers. She didn¡¯t even consider the massive property damage as it was a normal urrence in her line of work. ¡°This boy could be another Zaraki in the making,¡± Shunsui said with a chuckle. ¡°I believe he is having a hard time in his inner world. Perhaps his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit didn¡¯t agree to reveal their name without a battle. That being said, Nanao-chan, you handled the situation nicely. I¡¯m proud of you.¡± Nanao almost rolled her eyes. She had sent him a message through the Hell Butterfly as soon as she could but he only showed up now. The officers of Kid¨­ Corps, on the other hand, showed up at a moment¡¯s notice; they were hardly in a position to deny a Vice Captain¡¯s order. ¡°What do I do next, Captain Kyoraku? Will he ever stop¡­?¡± Shunsui patted her shoulder. ¡°He will eventually run out. Have the relief team secure him when that happens. They are better equipped to examine his condition. In the meantime, I''ll persuade the Headmaster to hold off on disciplinary measures against him.¡± Nanao didn¡¯t argue against him. Going by Kazuya¡¯s posture, it seemed like he had no idea about his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit¡¯s intentions. It wouldn¡¯t be right to pin the me on him. ¡°Understood, Captain Kyoraku.¡± While waiting for Kazuya¡¯s Reiryoku to drain, Nanao nced behind her. She caught sight of a silver-haired boy peeking over the wall. He wasn¡¯t that tall, and she could imagine him standing on his friend¡¯s shoulders for the extra height. Their antics unwittingly coaxed a smile from her. ¡®These kids are so stubborn.¡¯ She had read about them in her intel ¡ª Momo Hinamori and Toshiro Hitsugaya ¡ª two talented rookies with great potential. The two had stubbornly tried to disrupt the Kid¨­ Corps¡¯ officers in their work until she pulled them aside and patiently exined about Kazuya¡¯s condition. Even now they harbored doubts and kept an eye on her from a distance. ¡®When is it going to end?¡¯ ¡­ Kazuya¡¯s eyes fluttered open, each blink like a drumbeat reverberating through his skull. It was the most severe headache of his life, worsened by the gnawing emptiness in his gut that sapped his remaining shards of mental fortitude. ¡°Kazuya-kun!¡± Momo''s voice broke through his disorientation the instant he stirred on the bed. Her hand enveloped his own, tears glistening in her ck eyes. ¡°You''re back with us.¡± ¡°Take it down a notch, Momo,¡± Toshiro scolded Momo for being overexcited, yet he couldn¡¯t suppress his own rising emotions. He swiveled his head towards the door, as if the gesture would hide his vulnerable expression. ¡°I''m going to update Vice Captain Kotetsu.¡± ¡°Fetch me something to eat while you¡¯re at it,¡± Kazuya said, getting a nod from Toshiro as he ran out of the room. ¡°It¡¯s the 4th Squad?¡± "Y-Yes," Momo stuttered, using her sleeves as makeshift tissues. ¡°Hic.¡± {We¡¯re at the healer squad. Let¡¯s fucking go and seduce Unohana right now.} ¡®She¡¯ll fucking gut me¡­ I¡¯m so tired.¡¯ {You did spend an excruciating amount of time in your inner world.} Pushing himself into a sitting position, he shifted his attention back to Momo. ¡°Mind giving me a recap of everything?¡± Rather than humoring his request, Momo turned her head away with a pout. ¡°You scared me twice in a day¡­ Why are you like this, Kazuya-kun?¡± At least she was assured about his safety the first time around. This time, she had gnawing doubts that he¡¯d burn himself out alongside his Reiatsu. He cleared his throat. ¡°Well, my Zanpakut¨­ Spirit was acting like a pain in the ass. Had to chastise her for her actions.¡± ¡°Chastise?¡± Momo stopped pouting and burst into a fit ofughter. ¡°Who even uses that word anymore?¡± ¡°Did you just call me old? Let me remind you that I¡¯m twenty one years old. And you¡¯re a hundred.¡± ¡°You¡¯re lying¡­¡± Momo stared at him with a nk gaze. ¡°How is it possible for you to be so strong?¡± He shrugged. ¡°Proper diet and training with Yoruichi.¡± ¡°...¡± {Tell me, Partner. When did you get so close with this chick?} ¡®Stuff happened.¡¯ {Such an borate exnation. I¡¯m moved to tears, Partner. It cured my depression. I was sick, depr¡ª} ¡®Don¡¯t use that shit on me, bitch.¡¯ {Heh.} After a few more minutes, Toshiro returned, alongside another woman dressed in a pink nurse outfit ¡ª the standard dress issued to the 4th Squad¡¯s members stationed at the relief center. The high-level Shinigami of the 4th¡¯s Squad weren¡¯t mandated to wear the nurse outfit. Truly a disappointing decision. The meals served to him were a bigger letdown inparison. Nevertheless, Kazuya tore into the meal like a ravenous beast, unhesitatingly asking for¡ªand annihting¡ªseconds. As he wolfed down the food, Momo recounted the events: his own Reiatsu-induced demolition and coteral damage. The presence of Nanao at the scene might have something to do with the absence of shackles on his hands. {Call Isshin if anything happens.} ¡®I will.¡¯ {And for hell¡¯s sake, tell me everything that happened in the past three months. I wanna know about everything.} ¡®A lot actually. Let¡¯s talkter.¡¯ With a swift motion, Kazuya picked up the katana perched at his bedside, turning it over in his hands. The de had adopted a more aggressive curve, as if evolving to mirror his adaptability. The katana had another gem added to its hilt, bringing the number to two. The gems held significance. ¡®Is thest one saved for Bankai?¡¯ {Yup. Tsubasa deceived you on many fronts, even the Shikai¡¯s abilities. The muskets are loaded with Restoration Bullets, which can heal anyone from the brink of death. Tsubasa¡¯s mes are all about healing while mine can do destruction and limited creation.} ¡®Basically, I¡¯m unkible with my Shikai.¡¯ {As long as you don¡¯t run out of juice, yes.} ¡®Can I ess your mes?¡¯ {Technically, I can lend them to you through our Zanpakut¨­ bond. It will destroy your Zanpakut¨­. Use them with your Shikai.} ¡®Got it. One more question: can you still be my Resurri¨®n?¡¯ Nami¡¯s existence as both his Zanpakut¨­ and his Resurri¨®n still baffled him. In theory, he could ess both Resurri¨®n and Shikai at the same time, which seemed overpowered just from the Reiatsu boost of both skills. However, things might not be as simple. {I think¡­ I¡¯m tied to you still, as your Resurri¨®n. I¡¯m also your Shinigami¡¯s Zanpakut¨­. The Demon Empress will do it all for her partner!} ¡®We¡¯ll test it in the Living World.¡¯ Before he could muse further, the door swung open, and Vice Captain Isane strode in, her face illuminated by a polite smile. Both Toshiro and Momo looked up, their expressions freezing into nk stares that bore into Isane, enough to make her squirm. Toshiro showed no happiness at the arrival of another busty woman, while Momo''s eyes fired icy daggers at the woman who came to visit Kazuya. ¡°Ah, Vice Captain Isane. A pleasure to see you here,¡± Kazuya greeted, before yfully pping Toshiro and Momo on their backs and gesturing toward the door. ¡°I¡¯ll catch up with youter.¡± ¡°Call me if you need anything, Kazuya-san,¡± Momo responded, her smile towards him as tender as she could be. Then she turned her gaze towards Isane, her smile growing increasingly hollow. ¡°Pleasure meeting you, Vice Captain-sama.¡± Isane felt a chill crawl up her spine, sensing resemnce between Momo and her own Captain¡¯s unnerving smile. "Erm, yes, likewise." Kazuya found the scene hrious. The tall Isane cowering before a rtively short Momo. Only when they exited did Isane shake off her meek facade. She lowered herself onto the bed beside him, her eyes fastened on the Zanpakut¨­ cradled in hisp. ¡°It seems different. Did something happen?¡± She could feel spiritual energy around the katana, which was absent in theirst meeting. Even the physical shape was different from her memories. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you noticed the difference,¡± he said, holding up his katana. ¡°She told me her name. I can finally use her Shikai form.¡± Isane''s face lit up with a genuine, warm smile, wiping away the hesitancy that had clouded her features earlier. ¡°I¡¯m d you seeded. Congrattions for earning the qualifications to be a Vice Captain.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t congratte me. I¡¯m gonna rece you or Rangiku.¡± Isane lightly shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m not relinquishing my position in this life.¡± She admired her captain too much to change her division. "Ah, well, Rangiku is the one who¡¯ll get the boot. Then she¡¯ll be jobless and burn through her savings drinking out of depression. I¡¯ll find her sipping sake in some alley, save her like a knight in shining armor, help her back on her feet, and win her heart. wless n if I must say so myself.¡± ¡°Keep those vile ns to yourself!¡± ¡°Jeez, I haven¡¯t even joined the Gotei 13. Besides, I won¡¯t settle for the Vice-Captain position. I¡¯m aiming for the Captain seat or the General Commander seat.¡± His audacious confidence gave her pause, locking her words in her throat. He had every quality to be a future captain apart from hisck of Bankai, which would be solved in time. The same could be said for her but she was content living in Retsu Unohana¡¯s shadows rather than vying for her position. Isane crossed her arms. ¡°You can leave now. I¡¯d caution you to not use your Reiatsu and put pressure on your Reiatsu vents.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± ¡°Also, don¡¯t worry about the academy property damage. Captain Unohana said she¡¯ll take care of this.¡± ¡°Wow. Your captain seems like a nice person.¡± "The gentlest soul you¡¯ll ever meet," Isane mumbled, her voice tinged with a reverent undertone as memories of her Captain rescuing her from cutthroat criminals flickered through her mind. The haunting yet beautiful memories had changed her life for the better. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for drifting off.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It was cute.¡± She cleared her throat, her cheeks blushing in spite of herself. His flirtatious ambiguity always kept her guessing, whether he was flirting with her or mocking her. But instead of wading further into that confusing territory, she chose to steer the conversation. ¡°About our previous talk, I also ryed your suggestion to Captain Unohana.¡± ¡°Oh, what did she say?¡± ¡°She said she''s willing to consider it once she has met you face to face.¡± Intrigue washed over him. So, he didn¡¯t even have to go seek out Unohana; she had opened the door for him. The question now was ¡ª if she would show her crazy nature in their first meeting. {How about attacking her out of nowhere? Make her submit like you did to Tsubasa.} ¡®I despised Tsubasa, but I adore Unohana. There is a big difference.¡¯ Plus, he didn¡¯t like his odds of beating Unohana in a straight fight without his Hollow form. His Shikai specialized more in support than in offense ¡ª unless he invoked Nami¡¯s destructive mes. {Call me Izanami, for I wield the mes that govern life and death.} ¡®Shush.¡¯ Chapter 121: Thirst Chapter 121: Thirst By the time night arrived, themotion had died down, and the academy staff allowed the students to go back to their dorms. Rukia and Renji stood before Renji¡¯s dorm, barely surprised at the state of the dormitory that reflected the recent chaos within its walls. It felt like the calm after a violent storm. A storm created by their friend. Earlier, Rukia had felt a surge of berserk Reiatsu, an overpowering force so intense that it made her doubt that the Reiatsu actually belonged to Kazuya. By the time she got over her fear, the lecturer had begun to herd everyone out of the academy, calling it a safety measure but offering no specifics. ¡°Kazuya did it,¡± Rukia muttered under her breath. Her eyes scanned the surroundings as if expecting Kazuya to materialize out of thin air. ¡°Where did they take him?¡± ¡°Argh!¡± Renji let out a roar as his knuckles collided with a half-torn wall in a fit of frustration, the impact resonating with a hollow thud. ¡°The teachers are clueless about his location. The city is enormous. Searching for him will be worse than finding needles in a haystack.¡± "We can head over to the 10th Squad," Rukia suggested, her voice soft yet determined. ¡°The Captain of that division is friends with Kazuya.¡± Renji looked skeptical, but he still nodded in agreement anyway. It was their only lead in finding Kazuya¡¯s whereabouts. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°A, I didn¡¯t know you were so worried for me.¡± Just as Rukia was about to leave, a yful voice she knew well interrupted them. She pivoted sharply, her eyes meeting Kazuya¡¯s. He stood there, arms crossed, wearing an impish smile on his face. As always, his repressed Reiatsu carried a level ofplexity ¡ª nigh untraceable on the surface but deep as the ocean on the inside. ¡°Kazuya! So you¡¯re... fine,¡± Rukia said in surprise, taken aback by his appearance. ¡°We were about to go looking for you.¡± "Disappointed, are we? Were you hoping to swoop in and y the hero to this damsel?" Kazuya teased, the mysterious power of his voice making the jest hard to dismiss outright. ¡°Today isn¡¯t the day.¡± ¡°Don''t be ridiculous,¡± Rukia shot back, her cheeks turning a faint pink. She gave Renji a yful kick, propelling him towards Kazuya. ¡°Monkey face, you exin.¡± Before Renji could advance any further, Momo and Toshiro blocked his path, their eyes heavy with silent judgment. ¡°You were nowhere to be found when we needed you,¡± Momo said, disappointment oozing from her voice. ¡°Great friends you both are.¡± Toshiro nodded heavily. ¡°I knew Renji was a coward.¡± ¡°Oi! Who are you calling a coward?!¡± Renji¡¯s knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists, fire zing in his eyes. ¡°The lecturer dude held us like prisoners. We couldn¡¯te.¡± ¡°Yeah, he is right,¡± Rukia chimed in with a loud voice. ¡°I¡¯ll never abandon a friend in need. Never.¡± While Renji¡¯s reason was half-assed at best, Rukia¡¯s fervent voice easily convinced Momo. Her eyes softened. ¡°I¡¯ll forgive you this time. Shiro-chan, what about you?¡± Toshiro crossed his arms and turned his head away. ¡°Another day.¡± Kazuya''s eyes flickered back to Rukia, prating her facade. He had his suspicions about losing her Rukongai friends but her current state confirmed everything. The deep-rooted loss had brought her to attend the academy prior to the canon timeline, which was also the reason for her distant demeanor at times. {Could be victims of the Shinigami genocide. Why would she join the academy? To get revenge on Gotei 13?} ¡®I¡¯m more interested in Byakuya and his wife¡¯s reaction.¡¯ Byakuya Kuchiki was married to Rukia¡¯s sister, Hisana Kuchiki. Hisana had abandoned Rukia at a young age since living in District 78 had overwhelmed her. Rather than embracing the responsibility, she left Rukia behind, who grew up without knowing about her sister. {She is alive right now. Not sure how long she will hold on. Wanna cure her?} ¡®I can?¡¯ [I¡¯m not entirely sure if it¡¯s possible. I know only the surface details of our new powers¡­ Partner, let¡¯s experimentter.} ¡®Forget Hisana. Let¡¯s help my goth chick first.¡¯ Momo tugged at his sleeve, disrupting his conversation with Nami. ¡°Kazuya-san, are you there?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± She lowered her gaze to the ground and twiddled her fingers nervously. ¡°Where will you stay tonight¡­?¡± It was perhaps the most veiled yet tant sexual invitation he¡¯d ever received. She seriously wanted to get into his pants, despite the fact she saw him with so many women. Her adoration was nothing short of amazing. Momo¡¯s almost palpable infatuation with Kazuya garnered varying reactions from everyone. Rukia frowned deeply, her thoughts a mystery. Toshiro shrugged nonchntly, having known about Momo¡¯s crush since day one. Renji chortled, not bothering to hide his amusement. ¡°What¡¯s this? Am I seeing a budding romance?¡± Momo¡¯s face erupted in a radiant shade of red, her eyes widening. She iled her hands, almost hitting Kazuya¡¯s face. ¡°You''re reading into things! I was just worried that Kazuya-san wouldn¡¯t find a ce to sleep tonight¡­¡± Kazuya interrupted,ying aforting hand on Momo¡¯s trembling shoulder. ¡°Don''t sweat it. I can go weeks without sleep.¡± Technically, he could go on forever with his new Shikai but he loved spending his nights dreaming. ¡°Really? That means you¡­¡± Momo trailed her words, her blush deepening from her perverted imagination. ¡°Cough, Kazuya-san, Shiro-chan,e to my dorm. We¡¯ll adjust.¡± Only she knew the fantasies brewing in her pretty head. Toshiro frowned. ¡°Girls'' dorm? No, I don¡¯t want to.¡± Kazuya slung his arm around Toshiro¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Shiro and I will be sleeping at a hot springs inn.¡± Toshiro¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Thousand times better than her messy dorm room.¡± ¡°Hot springs?¡± Momo beamed a bright smile as she raised her hand. ¡°Kazuya-san, take me too. I always hear about it from my friends.¡± Kazuya cast a casual nce toward Rukia and Renji. ¡°Might as well take everyone.¡± Renji rubbed the back of his head as he shared a nce with Rukia. They both wanted to join him but they didn¡¯t have the money to afford the luxury. ¡°Some other time.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Rukia said. ¡°We¡¯ll see you¡ª¡± Kazuya unsheathed his katana and pointed at Renji. ¡°I¡¯ll cut you down if you don¡¯te with me. You don¡¯t need to worry about your expenses. I¡¯ll cover it.¡± Rukia didn¡¯t think she¡¯d ever be coerced into joining her friends for a trip but she wasn¡¯tining about it. The thought of warm water rushing down her skin raised her anticipation. ¡°I¡¯m in.¡± Renji stared at Rukia then slowly nodded. ¡°Got no reason to reject now.¡± ¡°Yay!¡± Momo threw her arms around Kazuya. ¡°Everyone ising.¡± {Partner went from having a sugah mommy to being a sugar daddy. What exceptional character growth.} Nami didn¡¯t know about the source of his wealth in the Soul Society. It was for the better as she¡¯d have roasted him more. ¡­ A few minutester, a shadowy figure descended onto the wrecked dormitory ¡ª the lithe form of a ck cat, golden eyes piercing through the darkness. Yoruichi was baffled at the sight. She could feel Kazuya¡¯s lingering Reiatsu, which made her even more curious. ¡®I¡¯ll ask him.¡¯ Sheughed, knowing that their next meeting would be a chaotic mess. She¡¯d be a fool to believe Kazuya would let her walk away after her harmless prank. ¡®How will he punish me?¡¯ Chapter 122: Rendezvous Chapter 122: Rendezvous A sigh of pure ecstasy flowed from Kazuya¡¯s lips as he slipped into the steaming water. The world outside melted away as the soothing embrace of the hot water worked wonders on his taut muscles. He had splurged half his fortune to reserve this secluded inn solely for his group, just so he could rx like this without any interruption. It all seemed worth it in this moment. {You make the same face when you cum. Don¡¯t ask why I know that¡­ I won¡¯t be able to answer it.} ¡®I won¡¯t. Leave me alone.¡¯ {Okay.} Her unexpected acquiescence made him pause, a look of bewilderment crossing face. The katana resting by the side caught fire and spewed a whirl of mes, out of which Nami materialized in her signature temptress dress. ustomed to her long-time residency in his head, he had almost forgotten that Nami was a physical entity capable of interacting with the world. ¡°Izanami, the ck phoenix goddess, has descended,¡± she proimed theatrically, settling gracefully by the edge and yfully dappled the water with her toes. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me like that. I hate water with passion. It¡¯s the most I¡¯ll do.¡± ¡°What about my dream of banging my yandere girlfriend in the shower? Who will fulfill that if not you?¡± A sparkly twinkle lit her eyes. ¡°I can make an exception for you, my beloved partner. Do you wanna try it¡ª¡± Her enthusiasm suddenly faded, and her gaze snapped to the sliding door. The culprit wasn¡¯t a person but a ck cat, who walked in like she owned the world. ¡°Yoruichi, get lost. Let me flirt with my beloved.¡± Henguidly propped his head on inteced fingers, intrigued by a standoff between the two. It seemed like a thrilling time worthy of popcorn. However, Yoruichi¡¯s attention wasn''t on Nami. It was fixed on Kazuya. She had expected irritation, perhaps a sarcasticment about her prank, but his calm gaze revealed something far colder ¨C sheer indifference to her existence. She fiercely narrowed her eyes. ¡°Why does she know my identity?¡± ¡°Because,¡± Nami said, her contagiousughter echoing through the bath. ¡°I''m his True Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. I know everything there is to know about him. You and your mission are no exception.¡± There was a tangible pause as Yoruichi processed this revtion. The tales she''d heard of Nami did little justice to the reality before her. Her audacious appearance was fitting for one born from Kazuya, the incarnation of lust. ¡°You got Nami back. The moment calls for celebration!¡± Yoruichi''s cat form dissipated in a puff of clouds, and her normal form emerged. She stretched her arms towards the sky as though getting the weariness out of her muscles. She stood poised with her hands on her hips and then jumped into the inviting waters, sshing water everywhere. ¡°God, it feels good to be back in a hot spring.¡± She settled by his side, leaning back in a way that her breasts dipped up and down the surface. The sight would¡¯ve ensnared any man but his eyes remained distant. Her conscious gesture to tease him earned her zero attention from him. Witnessing Yoruichi''s epic failure, a mischievous chuckle bubbled up from Nami¡¯s throat. ¡°Don¡¯t bother, Yoruichi. Partner isn¡¯t in the mood to be horny.¡± He offered a muted nod in agreement with Nami, allowing himself to be cradled by the steaming water''s embrace. His unique constitution ensured that even prolonged immersion in water wouldn¡¯t harm him in the slightest. ¡°Let me rest.¡± Intrigue and a flicker of concern danced in Yoruichi''s eyes, hearing the weariness in his voice. Thest few months had been filled with his persistent pursuits of her ¡ª he didn¡¯t hesitate to show his affection for her at any point. To now be met with a cold shoulder struck her heart with a sting ¡ª a feeling of betrayal. What unnerved her further was the genuine exhaustion seeping into his body and mind; she could¡¯ve helped him out if she wasn¡¯t busy checking up on her sessor. ¡®What happened behind my back?¡¯ Were Yoruichi a little less restrained, she might''ve barraged both him and Nami with a flurry of questions. ¡®It can wait.¡¯ Nami gave Yoruichi a silent nod, her form then igniting into a fiery dance before merging with his katana, leaving only the two of them in the intimate ambiance of the hot springs. Yoruichi could keenly sense the presence of Kazuya''s academy friends nearby, a fact that prickled at her nerves, intensifying the awkwardness of potentially being found in such apromising position with him. ¡®He is like a brat. What¡¯s there to be afraid of?¡¯ Shaking off her uncertainty, she chose to vigntly remain by his side. Yet, with each passing moment and the gentle cadence of his breathing, it became evident he had slipped into a restful sleep. ¡®Moving him to a bed would be better.¡¯ Years serving as the Captain of the 2nd Squad had equipped Yoruichi with expertise in handling bodies. The task itself wasn''t formidable, but the notion of walking through the inn naked gave her pause. Spotting a pair of towels conveniently near the entrance, she quickly draped one around herself. As she gently drew him out of the water, her eyes briefly lingered on his crotch. ¡°He''s more man than boy,¡± she murmured to herself, securing him in a towel before lifting him in her arms. ¡°He is freaking heavy.¡± With footsteps as delicate as a cat, she navigated through the inn''s hallways, her senses keenly attuned to any lurking Reiatsu. But fate wasn''t in her favor tonight. Momo unexpectedly switched directions as if she felt something off and headed towards her. Rather than trying to hide, Yoruichi just stood there and let Momo discover her. As their gazes interlocked, a myriad of emotions flitted across Momo''s eyes, akin to the hues of a sunset sky. The bottle of milk she held was swiftly tossed aside as she rushed forward, driven by a whirlwind of worries. ¡°What happened to him?¡± ¡°He is just sleeping,¡± Yoruichi replied in a gentle voice, aiming to alleviate Momo¡¯s worries. ¡°Don¡¯t be worried.¡± Understanding washed over Momo, followed quickly by curiosity. ¡°And you are? Another one of Kazuya-kun¡¯s girlfriends?¡± Yoruichi simply nodded, unwilling toplicate her identity. He already had flings with dozens of women at the academy alone. One more to his list of conquest wouldn¡¯t hurt anybody. ¡°Yor¡ªI¡¯m Yor.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a strange name¡­¡± Momo raised a brow but didn''t press Yoruichi further, focusing more on the matter at hand. ¡°Kazuya-kun¡¯s room is that way. Come.¡± Chapter 123: Entangled Affairs Chapter 123: Entangled Affairs Kazuya hadn''t anticipated waking up sandwiched between Momo and Yoruichi after his impromptu decision to sleep at hot spring inn. But here he was, nked by the two women, as if he was the object of their desire. Yoruichi¡¯s knee rested possessively over his stomach, her arm draped intimately across his chest, creating an unmistakable impression of a lover¡¯s embrace. To add to his surprise, while he and Yoruichi were scantily d in mere towels, Momo¡¯s loosely worn kimono added a hint of charm to her cuteness. ¡®What the hell did I dost night?¡¯ {Stay calm, Partner. Neither Yoruichi nor Momoid a hand on you. I was watching you the entire night¡­ Argh, if only I had a camera to capture your cute faces.} His major concern had been the inadvertent possibility of crossing a line with Momo in his drowsy state. Assured that no such event urred, he breathed a sigh of relief. ¡®Thanks, I guess.¡¯ {Heh. How are you feeling now?} ¡®I feel... spirited. Energetic¡­ Almost free. I¡¯m back.¡¯ {That¡¯s the spirit. You¡¯ve a meeting with Unomama today. I hope she behaves, or I¡¯ll burn her to ashes.} ¡®Not on my watch, Partner.¡¯ Dealing with Nami¡¯s craziness had bolstered his confidence. He hoped his encounter with Unohana wouldn''t escte into a skirmish. Given the capabilities of her Bankai and his Shikai, they had the potential to sustain an eternal cycle of regeneration ¡ª a wet dream for Unohana, but a nightmare for him. Yoruichi shifted beside him, her eyes fluttering open. Momentarily disoriented, she gazed into his face, just inches away from hers. As her morning haze dissipated andst night¡¯s events reyed in her mind, a look ofprehension dawned. She let out a soft groan and gracefully sat up, stretchingnguidly even as her towel dropped to herp. ¡°Good morning, Kazuya. Before you ask, I got you out of the bath and threw you here.¡± His brows knitted in confusion. He gently shifted Momo so she wouldn¡¯t wake up. ¡°Why? What exactly did you do to me when I was sleeping?¡± She smirked. ¡°Nothing, idiot. I convinced Momo that I was one of your... girlfriends. Sleeping elsewhere would be suspicious so I stayed with you.¡± She nonchntly gestured towards Momo. ¡°As for her, I believe you''re already aware of her reasons.¡± Yoruichi had anticipated at least a flicker of surprise from him regarding the girlfriend ruse. Yet, his expression remained utterly unfazed. He was still furious at her. ¡®What did I do? Is it rted to yesterday?¡¯ Yoruichi realized her anxiousness over a trivial matter. ¡®I can¡¯t let him drift away from me. We¡¯ve to finish this mission. Together.¡¯ ¡°On the topic of Momo, you crossed the line yesterday. Why did you lie to her?¡± Yoruichi¡¯s eyes trembled at the question. ¡°I did good by motivating her to seek strength. Think about it. She adores you. The thought of you being hurt will get her pumped up.¡± It became clear to him that Yoruichi wasn¡¯t toying with Momo frivolously. She had strategically utilized his duel with Soi Fon as a catalyst for Momo¡¯s growth. With the knowledge that both Kazuya and Toshiro were bound for early graduation, Yoruichi understood that Momo would need to stand her ground at the academy. Only by being strong will Momo be able to fend for herself. He shook his head. ¡°They aren¡¯t part of our n. Why mess with their lives?¡± Momo already had a bright future as a Kid¨­ genius. Currently, she hadn¡¯t learned much about Kid¨­ outside of theories since Kid¨­ training would be part of the second semester ¡ª where she¡¯d get a chance to showcase her talent. ¡°To make them survive the world or what else?¡± Yoruichi replied in a matter-of-course voice. ¡°Did you forget the purpose of this academy? They¡¯re here to be Shinigami. And Shinigami¡¯s main job is to purify Hollows. They fight Hollows.¡± ¡°And?¡± She locked eyes with him, her gaze sharp and unyielding. ¡°What if she crosses paths with some Arrancar like yourpanions. Her entire squad could be decimated. A few tears shed now to unlock hertent potential is a fair trade, in my opinion.¡± He couldn''t refute the logic behind her approach, however cunning it was. Boosting Momo''s strength could indeed be advantageous, whether within the ranks of the Gotei 13 or outside the Soul Society. ¡°You made Momo believe that I almost died, so she could fight this hypothetical Hollow,¡± he said with a baffled look on his face. ¡°Since when did you be so¡­ maniptive.¡± Despite acting with the right intentions, she had made his rtionship with Momo plenty awkward. He had to put her down a little or she¡¯d be encouraged to create more chaotic situations in his life. Yoruichi stared at him unblinkingly. ¡°You of all people should know my principles. Maniption isn''t in my ybook. I acted in the best interest of that young girl.¡± Nami¡¯s fiery figure materialized by his side as she pointed at Yoruichi. ¡°Face the consequences for your wrongdoings. Justice shall be delivered.¡± Then she retreated into the katana. ¡°Is that so? What punishment do you have in mind?¡± Yoruichi asked, amused. ¡°Say it.¡± His lips slowly twisted in a grin, which was no less fiendish than an actual fiend. ¡°No milk and afternoon naps for a week.¡± Her eyes widened in horror. ¡°Noooo.¡± The punishments left her devastated. It was impossible to live without milk and naps in her cat form, which made it an appropriate punishment for her crime. She could always sneak away from him to escape her punishments but she knew better than to provoke him. He already had a bone to pick with her for some reason. Transforming seamlessly into her cat form, she leaped onto hisp, nestling her face against him. ¡°You can¡¯t do this¡­ think about it again for me.¡± His response was a firm ¡°No¡±. She waved her paw, a pleading look in her eyes. ¡°Paw-retty please?¡± A moment of awkward silence flowed as Yoruichi held her pose, her cat face immactely hiding her cringe. ¡°Three days.¡± Yoruichi sighed. ¡°eptable.¡± He affectionately skimmed his fingers under her chin, a gesture universally adored by cats. ¡°Where were you yesterday?¡± ¡°Went to check up on Soi Fon. She seemed fine after destroying a dozen training dummies with her fists.¡± ¡°You and I both know she isn¡¯t giving up,¡± he whispered. ¡°She ising for your ass.¡± Yoruichi groaned. ¡°What did I do to deserve it?¡± Despite treating Soi Fon like any other member of her squad, she''d unwittingly secured the undying adoration of her sessor. ¡°Being beautiful is a sin. Don¡¯t you agree?¡± ¡°With so many men chasing after me, I can¡¯t help but agree,¡± she let out yet another sigh. ¡°What happened at the academy?¡± Kazuya caught her up to the events in the academy. When he was done, he found Momo gazing at him while lying in the same position. Noticing his gaze, she smiled. ¡°Good morning, Kazuya-kun and Yoruichi-san¡­ where did Yor-san go?¡± While he was confused at her question, Yoruichi replied, ¡°She ran away when she saw me. She has a cat allergy, it seems.¡± ¡°Ah, that is sad. Kazuya-kun, let¡¯s leave after breakfast. We have to¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯ll drop you at the academy. I¡¯ve an important business elsewhere.¡± Chapter 124: A Test Chapter 124: A Test ¡°How did the rest go? I assume it went fine since you¡¯re here.¡± With soft, gray eyes filled with unmistakable concern, Isane¡¯s words made Kazuya¡¯s lips curl into an appreciative smile. Only Nami and Isane had taken a moment to ask about his well-being. It amused him that even Momo, with her obsession, had overlooked such a detail. {Isane is peak waifu material. Yoink her.} ¡®Begone my intrusive thoughts.¡¯ Returning Isane¡¯s gaze, he offered a soft smile. ¡°Yup. Is your captain ready to entertain a guest of my caliber?¡± A soft snort escaped Isane¡¯s lips, humor briefly lighting her eyes. She quicklyposed herself, adopting a solemn demeanor fitting for her status in the 4th Squad. ¡°I advise you to act with respect. Captain Unohana will swat you like a fly if you don¡¯t.¡± Though many Shinigami remained blissfully unaware, Isane had dug up about the past of her captain. From her days as a nefarious criminal within the Soul Society to her instrumental role in the conflict against Yhwach, Unohana¡¯s abilities were eclipsed only by the Captain Commander himself among the Gotei 13 ranks. She was the First Kenpachi, after all. ¡®Kazuya has potential to reach her level.¡¯ Isane found it puzzling why he''d elected to align himself with them, rather than with squads better suited to unlock his untapped potential. But any fleeting doubts about him harboring ulterior motives were quelled by his close association with Isshin Shiba. ¡°You know, Isane, I can¡¯t decide if your captain is benevolent or scary.¡± Rather than indulging in describing her captain, Isane simply gestured to the door. ¡°Find it yourself.¡± ¡°I suppose.¡± They traversed the pristine hallways and ascended the staircases. Ordinary at first, but a definite change enveloped him as they scaled the stairs leading to the third floor, where the Captain¡¯s quarters were located. The ambient Reishi thickened, its texture almost tangible to his senses. Isane approached the door, her knuckles rapping against the solid wood. ¡°Captain, do you remember our conversation about the Battle Healer? He is here to meet you.¡± A brief, tension-filled silence ensued. Then, an abrupt onught of Reiatsu overwhelmed him. He had experienced and in the so-called God King of Hueco Mundo, yet this Reiatsu was a different beast altogether. It wed into him, manifesting an illusion of knives impaling his heart in relentless session, each thrust eviscerating chunks of his willpower. He unconsciously released his Reiatsu to counter Unohana¡¯s Reiatsu. The pressure ebbed away instantaneously; for all her battle prowess, Unohana couldn¡¯t overpower him when it came to spiritual energy. Just as abruptly, her intense Reiatsu receded, leaving a stillness in its wake. A voice, gentle velvety yetmanding, resonated, ¡°Come inside.¡± A pang of disappointment washed over him. A woman with such strength refused to lift her de against anyone, even when the fate of the Soul Society hung at stake. He would¡¯ve loved to witness a battle between Aizen and Unohana, without Aizen relying on his hypnosis. s, his wish would nevere to reality. Isane slowly slid open the door then bowed her head. ¡°Good morning, Captain.¡± He took his time observing Retsu Unohana, the kind and gentle woman wearing her long ck hair in a signature braid in front of her. He¡¯d have mistaken her for a friendly, next door healer Shinigami if not for his previous world¡¯s memories. Her dual nature was just that well concealed. He nodded his head in a gesture that seemed superficially courteouspared to Isane''s heartfelt bow. ¡°Good morning, Captain Unohana.¡± Unohana¡¯s gaze was tranquil but prating as she observed him. It wasn¡¯t a response to his greeting but his voice. The pleasing timbre of his voice was oddly soothing and rich. Nanao wasn¡¯t over-exaggerating; she was underselling the enchanting lure in his voice. ¡®How is he doing this?¡¯ She curiously probed his Reiatsu, and her eyes quivered momentarily. He was a monstrous ocean of spiritual power ¡ª the sole reason he shrugged off her Reiatsu as if it were a breeze, a feat hard for most captains these days. The reports about his Spirit ss Ranking and the events of yesterday were absolutely correct. He was no mere student; he was a prodigy on par with Kenpachi Zaraki. ¡®Another prodigy born in Rukongai or...¡¯ As her thoughts cascaded, an old scar on her corbone tingled, her chest flooding with an almost forgotten exhration ¡ª the thrill and anticipation of a worthy battle. ¡®I¡¯m not Yachiru anymore. I¡¯m Retsu Unohana, and I despise murder.¡¯ Her strong conviction pushed back her dark, murderous urges. Closing her eyes, she revealed a gentle smile. ¡°Good morning, Isane and Kazuya-kun. I¡¯ve heard so much about you from my friends.¡± Intrigued, he arched an eyebrow. ¡°Seriously? What did you hear?¡± ¡°Nanao told me some unsavory details about your rtionships but let¡¯s forget about that. Your personal life has no rtion to your duties as a Shinigami,¡± she paused and opened her eyes, a dangerous glint flickering in them. ¡°I¡¯m the Captain of Squad 4, Retsu Unohana. Convince me that you¡¯ll be a worthy addition to my family. Then we¡¯ll discuss your dual association to the 10th Squad.¡± He certainly didn¡¯t expect Retsu to make such a demand. ¡°How? Throw me a hint.¡± Retsu pulled back her sleeve and traced her finger along her wrist. A slender cut materialized following her finger, blood slowly seeping out. "Show me the extent of your Kaido." Isane¡¯s hands trembled. ¡°Captain, you could¡¯ve asked me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Isane,¡± Retsu gently said without breaking off eye contact with him. Hisck of reaction to her move intrigued her. Most Shinigami would freak out at her disy but he remained stern. ¡°Come, before it heals on its own.¡± {Come. He will. Inside you. When your heart is still.} He moved to sit before her and held his palms over her wound. A gentle green light covered his hands as the wound on Retsu¡¯s hands closed within moments. ¡°There, all unblemished. Don¡¯t go cutting yourself for small tests. It makes you look like a freak.¡± Her smile barely faltered at his words. ¡°By Shinigami¡¯s standards, you¡¯re the freak, for desiring to join two divisions.¡± Isane chuckled then quickly covered her mouth. ¡°I¡¯l gol brew some tea.¡± No sooner had Isane¡¯s silhouette vanished beyond the doorway than Retsu fluidly rose, drawing her katana from its sheath that hung on her shoulder with a string. The de glinted coldly, resting ominously on his shoulder. Her eyes had lost all signs of its previous serenity and motherly gentleness, taking on a sharp, intense, and ruthless glint. Her smile turned into a subtle, sinister smirk that exuded confidence and danger. The woman before him wasn¡¯t the captain of the 4th Squad but the ¡®First Kenpachi¡¯ ¡ª the most fierce criminal to ever step foot in the Soul Society. ¡°Kazuya Ishihara,¡± she whispered, her de inching closer to his throat. ¡°Fighting Soi Fon to a draw on your first day in academy, seducing the staff of said academy, then overpowering Soi Fon ¡ª a master of Hakuda ¡ª with your bare hands. Tell me. Who are you and what do you want with Squad 4? What are you scheming?¡± Chapter 125: Edge of Conviction Chapter 125: Edge of Conviction The icy edge of Retsu¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ grazed Kazuya¡¯s skin, but he remained unmoved, meeting her prating gaze with unwavering calm. ¡°I am exactly who I say I am. The events you mentioned are merely reflections of my capabilities, not indications of any malicious intent.¡± The air between them grew dense, thick enough to cut with a de. Retsu slowly lowered herself onto one knee. As Yachiru Unohana, she would have severed his vocal cords long before allowing such a discussion to proceed. But she had forsaken that past life, evolving into a womanmitted to aiding others. ¡°Do you know why Soi Fon wanted to fight me? Because I was smiling to myself during the ceremony,¡± he began, smiling as if the edge of a katana wasn''t pressed against his skin. ¡°You, of all people, should understand her obstinacy.¡± His voice, known for its power to sway others, dripped with sincerity. He understood that against someone of Retsu¡¯s caliber, the truth was his best weapon. Her grip on the hilt rxed ever so slightly ¡ª a validation that he had chosen his strategy wisely. ¡°What is your goal behind joining the Gotei 13?¡± ¡°You.¡± That singr word made her features crease in a puzzled frown. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I desire you, Captain Unohana. I need you more than you could ever imagine.¡± She was no stranger to flirtation, but Kazuya¡¯s audacity¡ªto make advances on her under the looming guillotine of her Zanpakut¨­¡ªleft her bbergasted. She was, once again, reminded that she was dealing with the Shin¡¯o Academy¡¯s notorious yboy. The thought of her being a nonexistent threat in his eyes never crossed her mind; her faith in herbat prowess was like an unbreakable fortress. ¡°Exin or I¡¯ll gut you alive.¡± ¡°Take it easy, Captain,¡± he whispered as he cleared his throat and gently gripped the edge of her Zanpakut¨­. ¡°I want to be good in Kaido skills. So I can be as efficient and prepared as possible when I find a worthy opponent. Fighting to my heart¡¯s content without worrying about my physical limits ¡ª that¡¯s my n.¡± She could feel the passion and hunger in his voice, and it made her heart throb. However, she maintained control, not letting her dark impulses get the better of her. ¡°Your Kaido is already above average. I assume you desire my mentorship to further improve.¡± ¡°Exactly. The true nature of healing. Not just the physical act, but the essence of it. The bnce between life and death, and the boundaries that define them.¡± He paused, his eyes bing focused. ¡°If there¡¯s anyone in Gotei 13 who understands this, it¡¯s you, Captain Unohana.¡± Time seemed to freeze as Retsu absorbed his request. Then, with a slow grace, she retracted her de, the bloodlust in her eyes receding. She sheathed her katana, once again wearing the smile associated with the benevolent captain of the Squad 4. ¡°Unfortunately I can¡¯t take you under my wing.¡± She genuinely wanted to see him seed in experiencing his defining battle but she couldn¡¯t aid him. Being around him provoked her instincts, which must not be allowed to surface. Kazuya''s eyebrow arched in genuine surprise. ¡°A shame. I thought the ''First Kenpachi'' would understand my situation.¡± ¡°That was a lifetime ago,¡± she responded, her eyes momentarily clouding as if touching upon the fragments of a past life. ¡°I¡¯m no longer that person. However, if you genuinely wish to improve, let Isane be your mentor. She is amazing in both Kid¨­ and Kaido utilization.¡± A smirk made its way to his face. ¡°I¡¯ll make you reconsider by surpassing Vice Captain Isane.¡± He¡¯d show so much potential that she wouldn¡¯t be able to ignore him. The audacity of his confidence made her smile widen. The smile of a seasoned veteran taking delight in the enthusiasm of a novice. ¡°I wish you luck on your endeavor.¡± Just then, the door slid open and Isane shuffled in, setting a tray on the floor. She nced around, a perplexed frown clouding her features. ¡°Is it just me or is the room somehow colder...?¡± Something was different in the room but she couldn¡¯t put the change into words. ¡°Forget that. Isane, Captain Unohana decreed that I¡¯m to learn Kaido spells under you.¡± {Partner being the bottom... that¡¯s a new fetish.} Isane nced questioningly at her captain, who nodded in confirmation. "Wee to Squad 4. I¡¯ll save the rest for when you graduate and officially join us.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t take more than two weeks,¡± he replied nonchntly, lifting a cup of tea for a sip. ¡°For a porridge lover, you sure brew some good tea.¡± Retsu giggled at Isane¡¯s troubled expression. ¡°Isane used to think she wouldn¡¯t grow if she kept eating porridge.¡± ¡°That didn¡¯t work out,¡± he said, the yfulness in his voice erasing any trace of the life-or-death confrontation that had just unfolded. "I find tall women quite cool and captivating." "Please, no teasing," Isane murmured, a flush coloring her cheeks. ... As Kazuya left the barracks, Yoruichinded in front of him. ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡± He had already ryed his departure ns to Momo, Toshiro, Rukia, and Renji. Hisst task was to visit his old friend Kaien. Using Garganta was risky ¡ª the 12th Squad constantly monitored spatial anomalies in case of any invasion. Even the Soul Society wasn¡¯t safe from Hollow attacks. ''Hopefully, Kaien isn¡¯t out on some mission.'' {We can always persuade his wife to open the gate.} ¡®True.¡¯ ¡­ Isane had outlined the route to the 13th Squad. Despite this, Kazuya found it hard to navigate the ce. It was Yoruichi who eventually guided them, relying on her lingering memories of the ce. Upon their arrival, he instantly spotted an unusual Shinigami duo: a petite young woman sporting a pixie-cut of blonde hair, and a taller man with unruly curls and a short goatee. ¡°You big buffoon, Kaien told us to send this letter. We¡¯ll send this letter first then drink,¡± the young woman argued, waving an envelope in the air. ¡°Are you a dumbass? We can do it after taking a sip.¡± ¡°I said no!¡± The tension between them crackled, fueled by a timeless debate over duty versus pleasure, and neither side was willing to budge an inch. {You recognize them, don''t you?} ¡®Kaien¡¯s idiot subordinates. The girl is Isane¡¯s sister.¡¯ Approaching them, Kazuyaid his hands gently on their shoulders. ¡°Excuse me, could you direct me to Kaien?¡± His soothing voice cut through their squabble like a hot knife through butter. The young woman examined him curiously before her gaze fell on Yoruichi. She waved at Yoruichi with a bright smile. ¡°You have a nice kitty. I¡¯m Kiyone Kotetsu. This meathead is Sentaro Kotsubaki.¡± Sentaro''s brow twitched at her introduction. He yfully pped Kiyone¡¯s back. ¡°Dumbass.¡± ¡°Hey! What was that¡ª¡± ¡°Kotetsu?¡± Kazuya cut in, preventing them from having another fight. ¡°Are you rted to Isane by any chance?¡± Kiyone¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°She¡¯s my older sister. How do you know her?¡± ¡°Friends. Now, can you take me to Kaien?¡± Kiyone smirked and ced her hands on her hips. ¡°Addressing Vice Captain with his first name and without proper honorifics. You two must be friends.¡± Given their Captain¡¯s chronic illness, Kaien pretty much managed the entirety of the 13th Squad, even if his subordinates rarely vocalized their respect for him. ¡°You can say that.¡± With a dramatic flick of her hand, Kiyone pointed toward the door behind her. ¡°Kaien is taking a nap in the garden. Come with me.¡± Chapter 126: Fragment Chapter 126: Fragment While en route to rendezvous with Kaien, Kazuya bumped into a tall, pale-looking man with flowing, white hair. Kazuya¡¯s pulse quickened, and a shudder of excitement charged through his veins. It wasn¡¯t because of the white-haired man¡¯s emaciated looks, but the secret hidden within him. The man carried an organ of the Soul King, and it messed with his mind. He controlled himself, suppressing any urges that might alert Ukitake. ¡°Kiyone, Sentaro.¡± Jushiro Ukitake greeted his subordinates with a leisurely gait, his friendly smile unwavering even as he faced Kazuya. ¡°And who graces us with their presence?¡± ¡°He is¡­¡± Kiyone blinked, her eyes widening like saucers. ¡°Hey, you didn¡¯t give your name!¡± ¡°You got way too distracted by my cat,¡± Kazuya teased with a chuckle. ¡°Well, you can call me Kazuya, written as ¡®Harmony, Peace.¡¯¡± {The wind of peace that causes war¡­} Ukitake ced a hand on his chin, his eyes taking on a keen glint. ¡°A long, unruly silver mane and a voice that leaves an unforgettable impression ¡ª Kaien¡¯s depiction of you was spot on.¡± Ukitake knew Kaien more than almost everyone, maybe excluding his wife. Underneath the rowdy, blunt exteriory a man of unparalleled honor andpassion. Thus, a friend of Kaien should, theoretically, have been an ally to Ukitake. However, as he took in Kazuya¡¯s charismatic grin, an ominous feeling tugged at the back of his mind. The silver-haired youth had more going for him than eyes could unveil. If Kazuya could peer into the depths of Ukitake¡¯s mind, he¡¯d erupt into a gleefulugh andmend Ukitake¡¯s perception. After all, he was a Vasto Lorde Arrancar ¡ª the embodiment of everything Gotei 13 stood against. His lips curved into a subdued but telling smile. ¡°Kaien talked about me? How intriguing.¡± {We told him to stay quiet, but he paid no heed to our warning. How do we punish him? Do we resort to stealing his beloved wife away from him?} ¡®Don¡¯t be mean to my friend. Having his and Isshin¡¯s support will help us in the long run.¡¯ Aizen was a man who executed every strategy as wlessly and precisely as possible. An alliance with the Shiba n introduced countless variables for Aizen if he ever wanted to go after Kazuya. Besides, Aizen¡¯s current priority revolved around experimentation on Hollow. ¡°Of course,¡± Ukitake said, chuckling softly. ¡°Your prodigious feats in the Shin¡¯o Academy had every Shinigami whispering. Didn¡¯t expect you to scout our division. I thought you were eyeing a position in the 4th Division.¡± Ukitake¡¯s chronic illness didn¡¯t stop him from picking up the rumors from his squad. ¡°A prodigy? Kazuya...¡± Sentaro raised a brow. ¡°I remember you. The rookie who went toe-to-toe with Captain Soi Fon!¡± Kiyone grinned cheekily. ¡°I get why Nee-san is friends with you. You want to join her squad!¡± Kazuya nodded, a hint of impatience creeping onto his face. ¡°Yeah.¡± The impatience didn¡¯t go past Ukitake¡¯s keen gaze. He ced a hand on Sentaro and Kiyone¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Kaien gave you a task, right? Prioritize it. I¡¯ll entertain our guest.¡± The pair immediately bowed their heads. ¡°Yes, Captain!¡± Ukitake smiled at Kazuya. ¡°You must be here to meet Kaien. Follow me.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± As Kazuya trailed a step behind Ukitake, he marveled at the expansivepound, a sprawlingbyrinth of living quarters intermingled with training grounds that seemed to stretch out infinitely. The long stroll allowed him the time to have a discussion with his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. {Ukitake Jushiro, the carrier of Mimihagi, the Right Hand of the Soul King,} Nami spoke mysteriously. {Partner, you already know the reason for your excitement.} ¡®Soul King.¡¯ {Exactly. I believe we are fragments born of him¡ªmy working theory or "headcanon," if you will.} Nami didn¡¯t know more about their circumstances than him but she had ess to all of his memories, including all the random theories from way back. It allowed her to form conclusions that were hard to dispute, at least for him. ¡®It has to be true. How else can you exin my powers and connection to H¨­gyoku?¡¯ {Hmm, indeed. Do you want to devour Mimihagi and gain his unique power ¡ª Stagnate ¡ª the power that denies growth and stops any event from happening against your will? It¡¯s not on the level of Almighty but it¡¯s still beyond your average Bankai.} Mimihagi¡¯s ¡®Stagnate¡¯ was capable of evading the future sight of Yhwach¡¯s Almighty. Capable of holding together the three realms once it attached itself to the Soul King¡¯s body. The thought of taking away that power was rather enticing but it wouldpromise Ukitake¡¯s life and make allies like Yoruichi turn against him. {To be evil and selfish is to walk the path of freedom, Partner.} ¡®The power of Stagnate. Won¡¯t it affect our evolution?¡¯ As much of a power boost it provided, he couldn¡¯t let his evolution stagnate, not before finding the mysteries thaty beyond Bankai and Vasto Lorde Arrancar. {It might. Shall we save it for after our final form? At that point we can simply intimidate Ukitake into submission.} He shook his head at her violent tendencies. She was more American than most Americans. ¡®Or we can cure his illness.¡¯ {We can most certainly try.} His train of thought was interrupted as he spotted Miyako reclined against a tree, giving ap pillow to Kaien. The husband and wife both blissfully dozed off in the peaceful garden, stirring an irresistible feeling to tease them. ¡°This couple really doesn¡¯t care about showing some discretion,¡± Ukitake sighed, though the corners of his mouth betrayed his contentment. Kaien and Miyako, his top seated officers, were his biggest pride in the 13th Squad. The slight rustle of their approach disturbed the slumbering pair. Kaien¡¯s eyes flickered open, his expression hardening into a frown. "Captain, and¡ªKazuya? Why are you here?" Kaien¡¯s confusion was reasonable. He had told Kaien to steer clear of him, yet here he was, appearing unannounced in the heart of Kaien¡¯s division. Taking the opportunity to tease Kaien, Kazuya spread his arms wide, and with a melodious giggle, sprinted toward him. ¡°Kaien darling~, did you miss me?¡± Kaien¡¯s whole body seemed to quiver, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his Zanpakuto as if faced with a threat far more dire than even a Vasto Lorde. ¡°Back off, you freak! Don''te any closer.¡± ¡°You wound my heart with your words,¡± Kazuya dered theatrically, his eyes shimmering like shards of crystal as he feigned an agonized expression. ¡°Miyako Nee-san, my pure heart has been shattered to pieces. Your husband is so heartless.¡± Miyako couldn¡¯t hold back any longer; she erupted into giggles, herughter infectious. ¡°I can''t help it. Kaien only has room for me in his heart, I''m afraid.¡± Ukitake grinned at the drama. ¡°Things would be different if Kaien wasn¡¯t so entwined with Miyako.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Miyako said with a heavy nod. ¡°I can¡¯tpete with Kazuya¡¯s voice. It¡¯s irrefutably seductive.¡± With everyone taking turns teasing him, Kaien couldn¡¯t help but make an exaggerated expression of despair. ¡°Kazuya, what is your business with me?¡± ¡°My friend, I¡¯m here for a favor. The same asst time.¡± Kaien assumed a serious expression. ¡°Again? Alrighte with me. Captain, Miyako, I¡¯ll see you bothter.¡± ¡°Have fun out there~,¡± Miyako teased, waving her hand at Yoruichi, who sat upon his shoulders. ¡°Cutie cat, take care of these idiots for me.¡± Yoruichi nodded her headzily, much to Ukitake¡¯s surprise. Kaien and Kazuya left the 13th Squad together and ventured outside the Seireitei before they stepped through the Senkaimon. Personal use of the Senkaimon like this was absolutely forbidden, even for Vice-Captains, yet Kaien broke the rule twice. As a man with a loving wife, he understood Kazuya¡¯s plight. As they arrived in Karakura Town, Kaien turned to him. ¡°Before you go, one brief question: are you set on the 4th Division?¡± ¡°I¡¯m also joining the 10th Division. Can¡¯t make Uncle Shiba unhappy.¡± Kaien narrowed his eyes. ¡°Two squads. I doubt Captain Unohana¡ª¡± he froze mid-sentence, noticing a knowing grin on Kazuya¡¯s face. ¡°You already convinced her?¡± ¡°I was with Captain Unohana beforeing to you. She has no problem with me joining both divisions.¡± ¡°To make that scary woman share her healer with another squad ¡ª I have no choice but to apud your way with women. You¡¯re the greatest seducer I¡¯ve ever met.¡± Clearing his throat, Kazuya corrected, ¡°I haven¡¯t seduced her¡­ yet.¡± Kaien shook his head in exaggeration. ¡°Don¡¯t end up dying at her hands. Your mission is more important.¡± As a Vice Captain, he was privy to information most wouldn¡¯t know, including Captain Unohana¡¯s bloodstained past. ¡°I know, friend. I know.¡± Chapter 127: Hikikomori? Chapter 127: Hikikomori? {That fool Kaien doesn¡¯t know about your fetish. Partner likes to stick his dick in the crazy.} ¡®That will exin my attraction to you.¡¯ {Fufu. I¡¯m born to take care of my Partner. Born to be irresistible to you.} ¡°Ukitake hasn¡¯t changed a bit,¡± Yoruichi whispered after they parted ways with Kaien, bringing up her former Gotei 13rade. ¡°If I had to bet my life on one person to believe Aizen¡¯s true nature, it would be Captain Ukitake.¡± Kazuya gently tugged at her whiskers. ¡°How much do you know about his disease?¡± ¡°How did you know that? Never mind, I keep forgetting about your past.¡± Her eyes shed as she pped his intrusive hand away, her w tips slightly grazing his skin. ¡°Captain Ukitake has been suffering from a lung disease from a very young age. That¡¯s all I know.¡± ¡°Heh.¡± ¡°Your smirk implies you know more than me.¡± His contemptuous nature sometimes got under her skin so much that she almost couldn¡¯t resist unleashing her special w attack on his face. ¡°I do know more than you. However, I can¡¯t share it. It¡¯s considered forbidden knowledge.¡± As the words left his mouth, he could almost hear Kisuke¡¯s chiding voice in the back of his mind. The forbidden knowledge wasn¡¯t much of a secret among the top brass of the Great Noble ns. Had Yoruichi indulged her curiosity in her family archives, this conversation would be redundant. ¡®Nami, should we infiltrate Shihoin¡¯s library? It might have some useful info.¡¯ {Agreed. You can also p your meatstick against her trap little brother. In the wise words of Izanami-no-Makoto: when you get rejected by her sister, you either seduce her mother or her femboy brother.} His body recoiled subtly, a visible cringe transforming his expression. ¡®Stop right there, you perv.¡¯ {Hmph. Heed my wisdom for a heavenly pleasure, or oppose me and suffer in measure.} Yoruichi poked his face with her w. ¡°Forbidden knowledge? Is that secret much more than our rtionship?¡± Cats were curious creatures, and Yoruichi was a cat through and through, albeitced with a mature, observant side to her as well. ¡°Maybe try seducing me in your other form. This voice isn¡¯t working, Yoruichi.¡± With an audacious click of her tongue, she cleared her throat loudly. ¡°How about now? Is this voice better?¡± His eyes widened a smidgen. She spoke to him in a voice identical to her human form ¡ª a symphonypared to her grating old man voice. She smugly narrowed her eyes at his surprise. ¡°I can switch into a cat. What made you believe I can¡¯t change my voice?¡± He shrugged. ¡°All hail our sh Goddess and her mysterious spells.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, mortal. Worship me. Muahahahaha.¡± One meaningful praise was enough to distract her curiosity away from the forbidden knowledge. {That¡¯s a cat for you.} ¡­ Inside a dimly lit living room where shadows danced in the corners, the flickering ck and white hues from a vintage CRT television illuminated the space intermittently. M Rose was sprawled luxuriously across a plush couch, her long legs nonchntly resting on Api¡¯sp. Api would have erupted in anger if she actually paid attention to M Rose¡¯s presumptuous posture. Fortunately, both of them existed in harmony and peace, owing to their interest in the thrilling drama ying on the monochromatic screen. Just then ¡ª Ding-dong! Ding-dong! ¡ª the insistent ringing of the doorbell punctured the serene ambiance. Api¡¯s eyes narrowed into slits. Harribel won¡¯t be back tillte afternoon. Sung-Sun had gone off to spend time with Lisa, and would return after sunset. ¡®Could it be him?¡¯ Her heart fluttered like a butterfly. The mere possibility of a reunion sent her excitement through the roof. Months of messages through the Hell Butterfly only cured her loneliness so much. She ached for the physical touch of her lover. A nudge against her chin, however, snapped her back to reality. ¡°Get the door already,¡± M Rosezilymanded as she prodded Api with her toe. ¡°Api, are you there?¡± Api''s grip tightened around M Rose''s ankle, her eyes smoldering with fury. ¡°Sung-Sun was right about you. You''re utterly hopeless, even for the standards of lioness. A lioness hunts for her pride; you fucking sit in front of television all day. There¡¯s a term for people like you in Japan ¡ª hikikomori.¡± Api swept M Rose¡¯s legs off herp and darted towards the door. Her heartbeat rose in a frantic rhythm as she could already smell his unforgettable scent on the other side. With an almost reckless urgency, she flung the door open, nearly yanking the wooden piece with her brute strength. ¡°Kazuya!¡± Joy radiated from her, a smile so bright it could rival the sun. But that light dimmed dramatically as her eyesnded on the stunning woman clinging to him, her demonic horns and the subtle Reiatsu around her revealing her race. A stabbing pang of envy cut through her as she registered the woman¡¯s Reiatsu. ¡°You¡¯re a Vasto Lorde¡­?¡± A tsunami of emotions engulfed her, the realization crashing down that yet another woman in his life had achieved what she so desperately yearned for. ¡°It¡¯s nice to finally meet you, Emilou Api,¡± the Vasto Lorde said with a charming smile. ¡°You¡¯re cuter than my husband¡¯s descriptions.¡± The word ¡°husband¡± plummeted through Api like a bullet, darkening her expression. ¡°How did you marry a Hollow in the Soul Society?¡± Yoruichi, unperturbed by the familial drama unfolding, nimbly navigated between Api¡¯s legs and slipped into the mansion. Kazuya cleared his throat, the weight of the unfolding drama dawning on him. He had underestimated the extent of Api¡¯s jealousy. Teasing her any further with Nami¡¯s presence would be nothing short of cruel. He freed himself from Nami¡¯s grasp and drew Api into his arms. ¡°Silly Api, don¡¯t you find any simrity in our Reiatsu? She is my Zanpakut¨­ Spirit.¡± A veil of confusion clouded Api''s eyes for a moment, her pupils dting and contracting as she processed the information. ¡°I thought your Zanpakut¨­ Spirit was a bird or something.¡± ¡°Evolution, baby!¡± Namiughed and held Api¡¯s hand. ¡°Something you¡¯re most terrible at.¡± Api¡¯s eyes widened just in time to see Nami dissolve into a ray of dark red mes, curling and unfurling as they shot into the hilt of Kazuya¡¯s katana. He rubbed Api¡¯s back. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll not leave this time before you¡¯re a Vasto Lorde.¡± He had exactly one week. And with Api teetering on the brink of transformation, he was confident in his ability to tip the scales. Hearing his promise, her grip tightened on his hand, the words ''thank you'' spoken so softly they were almost lost in the wind. Leading her into the living room, he found M Rose slouched on the couch. Her unkempt hair covered most of her face, her bra-and-panties attireying bare the chaos that had been her life during his absence. Absorbed in her own world, she seemed impervious to his arrival. {The cheerful lioness became a shut-in. What the actual fuck, Partner?} ¡®I¡¯m more surprised than you.¡¯ Stretching his arm out, he gave M Rose¡¯s cheeks a yful pinch. ¡°Rose?¡± Her hand pped his away almost instantaneously. It took her a moment to register his presence; when she did, her eyes red open and a smile illuminated her face. ¡°You¡¯re back after three months. Busy pounding Shinigami women, right?¡± Yoruichi¡¯sughter erupted with unrestrained delight. Kazuya had indeed bedded more than a dozen women. She could¡¯ve stopped his debauchery but he was seducing them with the intent to awaken his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. It was a necessary evil to their mission¡¯s sess as he wouldn¡¯t progress far in the Gotei 13 without a Zanpakut¨­. Well, unless he joined the 11th Division, where raw prowess mattered more than their Zanpakut¨­ evolution. ¡°A lot of shit happened,¡± he said with a shrug. ¡°By the way, I don¡¯t sense Harribel and Sung-Sun around.¡± ¡°Sung-Sun went to Lisa¡¯s home. Harribel,¡± Api paused, hesitating. ¡°She is at her job.¡± He raised an eyebrow, puzzled. ¡°Job? Since when¡ª¡± The atmosphere suddenly shifted, everyone sensing an eruption of Reiatsu in the middle of the town. ¡°--What the hell? More than a dozen Hollows?¡± He frowned at the numerous presences that suddenly showed up. With the uing test in the Karakura Town, he had every reason to believe it was orchestrated by Aizen. ¡°Api, I know you want to eat them, but not this time. Can you stay here?¡± Api groaned. ¡°If M Rose stays here with me.¡± M Rose shrugged, flicking the TV remote to turn off the screen. ¡°I¡¯ve no interest in stomping low-level freaks. Skull and Yoruichi can go.¡± ¡°Thanks for understanding, you two. Yoruichi, with me.¡± Chapter 128: A Strange Invasion Chapter 128: A Strange Invasion Kazuya arrived on the scene, wearing a stylish fedora that shaded his features. The hat was more than a fashion choice; it was a discrete measure against any prying Shinigami who might recognize him. As an added measure, he had Yoruichi stealthily hopping from roof to roof instead of walking by his side. Yoruichi was a valuablepanion, but her presence could give away his identity. A stirring surprise greeted him ¡ª Tier Harribel was already present, her arms tenderly encircling a young girl. The trembling girl was a Plus, the spirit of a deceased person. The Hollows present around the streets would¡¯ve eaten the Plus without the duo of Quincy toying with the Hollows. Izumi and a middle-aged man ¡ª whom Kazuya recognized as S¨­ken ¡ª were systematically maiming them with Reishi arrows. When any Hollow dared to advance, S¨­ken¡¯s limbs became blurs, executing punches and kicks with unequivocal uracy. He was utterly decisive, holding off the almost thirty Hollows without killing a single. Thebat disparity between Izumi and S¨­ken wasn¡¯t just about their Reiatsu. Soken was far more experienced and versed with Quincy techniques. {He is at his peak right now. By the way, Partner, your mommy is looking mighty fine in that outfit.} His eyes swiveled toward Harribel, who had traded her regal attire for a more casual one: a white cropped jacketyered stylishly over a midnight ck top, her white trouserspleting the monochromatic theme. She was confidently showing off her well-sculpted abs. ¡®Lisa and Sung-Sun are here.¡¯ The odd pair of friends arrived, taking on an observant role in the battle. Kisuke, too, observed from a secure distance, his fan veiling whatever thoughts upied his mind. The only missing piece was the reason for these Hollows¡¯ gathering ¡ª he couldn¡¯t sense any one from Aizen¡¯s faction lurking around. ¡®They could be observing through some device.¡¯ He refused to believe the group of Hollows invaded the Karakura Town on a whim. Low level Hollows only formed organized groups under an Adjuchas¡¯ order but there were no Adjuchas here. {This might be done to provoke a response from Visored or Kisuke. We don¡¯t need to act rashly.} His eyes widened. Nami¡¯s cautious response had the same energy as a wolf feeding a sheep instead of devouring it ¡ª an impossible feat. {I¡¯m merely prioritizing your survival. We aren¡¯t evolved enough to crush Aizen¡­ until we do, we¡¯ll hide and y coward.} Something was wrong with Nami, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Izumi, meanwhile, had fully recovered from her leg injury, allowing her to use Blut techniques for both offense and defense. Despite so much firepower, they held back and merely stopped the Hollows from killing others. Within ten minutes, a small squad of Shinigami showed up in response to Hollows¡¯ invasion. Choosing his moment, Kazuya swiftly led Harribel and the girl into a narrow alley adjacent to the chaos. The girl punched his leg. ¡°Bad guy!¡± "Shhhh." Harribel''s fingers pressed gently yet firmly against the young girl¡¯s lips, hushing her cries before they could reverberate in a ce brimming with Spiritual Beings. She then turned to Kazuya, her eyes softening into a warm smile. ¡°You''re back¡­¡± ¡°Like an hour ago. This kid is?¡± "I have a name, you know. It''s Aikawa Hino," the girl retorted, her eyes wide and flickering with youthful defiance. ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°They call me Hikaru Genji.¡± Harribel¡¯s fingers rested gently on Aikawa''s slender shoulders. "I found her haunting children at my school. She fled to this area when I confronted her¡­ I stuck around in case Izumi needed help.¡± She had seen many souls like Aikawa throughout Naruki City and Karakura Town. They either became food for Hollows or evolve into Hollow themselves after a long time. She didn¡¯t wish for either to happen to the young girl. Kazuya rubbed his chin. ¡°I can purify her and send her to the Soul Society.¡± The concept of Rukongai grated against him ¡ª it was nothing more than a bleak and aimless afterlife ¡ª but it was undoubtedly a better alternative to a young soul bing a Hollow. Babysitting was never on his list of preferred activities, after all. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere!¡± Aikawa''s voice cracked with childish defiance. ¡°I¡¯ll stay at the school. Papa will¡ªhe wille to pick me up!¡± Harribel nced down, a soft mncholy fogging her eyes. ¡°Kazuya, can we take her home?¡± The question was tinged with maternal concern. Harribel was prepared to bear the emotionalbor of helping Aikawae to terms with her current state. It was a difficult conversation to have, especially with someone so young. He knelt and held Aikawa¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Do you remember your home address?¡± She averted her eyes, her cheeks blossoming into a shade of red. ¡°I-I-I forgot¡­ But Papa knows¡­ he always picks me up after school.¡± Kazuya crafted his next words carefully. ¡°What if I leave a letter at your school, asking your Papa to pick you up from our ce?¡± ¡°You...¡± She stepped back and pointed at him. ¡°You want to kidnap me?!¡± A pause stretched through the air, only to be broken by stifledughter. ¡°Ufufu, Husband came back and decided to indulge in an unripe fruit. He knows how to make things interesting.¡± ¡°He is a trouble ma. A group of Hollows invade our town the day he returns. Coincidence? I think not!¡± Sung-Sun and Lisa tried to tease him in their own ways but they hardly made a dent on hisposure. Lisa¡¯s former identity gave him a better idea to deal with Aikawa without risking Harribel getting attached to Aikawa in any sense. ¡°Tier, can you leave Aikawa to me?¡± She hesitated for a split second before nodding. ¡°You¡¯ve just returned, and I¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Think of it as my first trial as a Shinigami. Aikawa, you¡¯reing to our home. It¡¯s a mansion this big.¡± He spread his hands wide, smiling sweetly to persuade the young girl. ¡°It also has a pool.¡± Aikawa''s eyes sparkled, her previous hesitations all but forgotten. ¡°Woah. Yeah!¡± ¡°Nice. Lisa, I might need your help.¡± Lisa¡¯s brows knitted together, caught off guard by his request. She had long distanced herself from any Shinigami duty, and suddenly being asked to assist in purification felt like stepping back into the world she left behind. Still, she nodded, albeit reluctantly. ¡°Lisa-senpai will help her Kouhai.¡± He grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "Well, considering our respective ages, you wouldn¡¯t be my senpai but my great granny." Lisa let out a brokenugh. ¡°I¡¯ll fucking kill you.¡± Sung-Sun cupped her. ¡°Oh no. My friend wants to kill my husband and make me a widow. What should I do?¡± {Simple. You kill your friend.} ¡­ ¡°You, Quincy, are you behind summoning the Hollows?¡± Izumi¡¯s eyes were clouded with the exhaustions of relentless battle. Her muscles ached; her spirit felt like it had been wrung out. So when the leader of the Shinigami squad used her without a shred of evidence, something inside her snapped. ¡°Why yes. I was feeling lonely. So, I invited these Hollows to dine with me. You can detain me for colluding with the residents of Hueco Mundo.¡± She raised her hand, gesturing to the Shinigami to handcuff her. ¡°Go ahead and arrest me.¡± Every Shinigami stifled augh except for their frowning squad leader. ¡°You¡¯re crazy.¡± S¨­ken, who stood beside Izumi, shook his head. ¡°Please forgive her words. We¡¯re as baffled by the sudden Hollow activity as you are.¡± The Shinigami leader red at Izumi. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll overlook this¡ªjust this once¡ªgiven your efforts. Alright, men. We are retreating.¡± As the Shinigami stepped into the Senkaimon and Izumi left in a huff, S¨­ken let out a sigh. ¡°The Hollow bait wasn¡¯t this effective. What caused this?¡± Chapter 129: The Calm Before the Storm Chapter 129: The Calm Before the Storm A/N: Forgot to add Harribel¡¯s new outfit in thest chapter. Spoiler [copse] ¡­ As the door creaked open with a note of foreboding, M Rose found herself staring at Kazuya. ¡°Gosh, he brought a new girl home.¡± Api shrugged her shoulders. "She''s not a woman, you dimwit. I see them all the time outside¡ªoh right, you never go outside!¡± She pointed a finger at M Rose and erupted intoughter. The biting scorn rattled M Rose to her core, causing her teeth to grind in suppressed fury. With a roar of pent-up frustration, she jumped off the couch and dashed up the stairs, vanishing into the sanctuary of her room like a wounded animal. ¡°There she goes.¡± Kazuya shook his head. ¡°Jeez, M Rose was already feeling depressed. You kicked her mood all the way down to the abyss. It¡¯s not right.¡± Sung-Sun nodded her head in somber agreement. ¡°That was truly mean, Api. Husband, why don¡¯t you spend some time with Roseter?¡± His absence had an undeniable effect on M Rose¡¯s psyche, despite what the lioness imed. A sprinkle of his affectionate teasing would certainly uplift M Rose¡¯s mood. Mimicking Lisa, Aikawa looked at Api with pure disdain in her eyes. ¡°Evil Onee-chan. Bullying is bad!¡± Harribel flicked Aikawa¡¯s forehead. ¡°You aren¡¯t innocent either. Remember what you did to children at the school.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± she averted her gaze. ¡°I-I was bored of waiting.¡± He chuckled at their banter and gestured to Api to leave with Aikawa. She didn¡¯t resist and dragged the mischievous little girl to her room. Once everything was set, he invited everyone to take a seat. ¡°Tier, let¡¯s talk about your job. I take it you work at a school. In what capacity?¡± With her arms elegantly crossed and a hint of a smile gracing her lips, Tier Harribel revealed, ¡°A teacher at an elementary school.¡± Spending time with kids and nurturing them ¡ª shended her dream job while he was banging his teachers and senior students to find a solution for his Zanpakut¨­¡¯s problem. Just the thought of Harribel fulfilling her desires made him smile. ¡°That¡¯s wild. How did you do it without an education degree?¡± Harribel didn¡¯t even have a proper identity, much less the qualifications to be a teacher. He was curious if she lied or intimidated her way into her dream job. She cast a knowing, sidelong nce at Sung-Sun, who theatrically puffed out her chest in pride. ¡°I couldn''t have done it without you or Sung-Sun. She¡¯s friends with Izumi, which helped me get in.¡± ¡°Onee-chan helped out Tier. I guess I¡¯ll thank herter.¡± ¡°You absolutely must meet her,¡± Lisa interjected, her voiceced with a rare sternness. ¡°Between her madman training and her obsession with Quincy, she is abusing her body¡­¡± Izumi¡¯s remarkable prowess today was the byproduct of an unyielding training regime. He hadn¡¯t anticipated that her escapism would manifest through rigorous training rather than enacting her Quincy revival mastern ¡ª repopting the Quincy race. ¡°Onee-chan is still far from her thirties. She can endure these hardships.¡± Irritated, Lisa thumped her thigh. ¡°I can¡¯t help but worry, dammit. She¡¯s shining so brightly with passion that I fear she¡¯ll burn out¡­ you know, like a firefly.¡± With her obsession regarding literature, especially erotic ones, one wouldn¡¯t take her for the sentimental type. She had be so attached to Izumi and her service that it hadpletely changed her priorities. Nothing like this would have happened had he stayed away from Karakura Town. {That is just the beginning, for we are the storm that will sweep away every atom of the ¡®canon timeline.¡¯} ¡°The light of a firefly is all the more beautiful because it is destined to fade,¡± he whispered with a yful smile. ¡°Maybe her brilliant light is what the Quincy race needs to rise again.¡± ¡°What use is the brilliant light if it leaves a shadow of sorrow in its wake?¡± Harribel questioned with a calm face. ¡°Sacrificing yourself for a cause is noble¡­ it¡¯s also sad.¡± Her gaze turned distant, as if she were grappling with the weighty philosophical implications concealed within her own statement. After all, she embodied the Aspect of Sacrifice, yet wished to never see any sacrifice. With a melodramatic sigh, Lisa threw her head back. ¡°Fuck, don¡¯t get me started on the Quincy shit. I fucking hate her ¡®Quincy needs to repopte the world again¡¯ mindset. Does she not know she can¡¯t do it alone?¡± It was surreal to hear Lisa venting and cursing her employer, Izumi, while wearing a maid dress. {A certain demographic will kill to date this Lisa.} He wholeheartedly agreed with Nami while feeling happy that he wasn¡¯t a part of that demographic. ¡°Enough, Lisa,¡± Sung-Sun interjected, her voice icy with restrained emotion. ¡°My husband returned after so long. This should be a day of jubnce for us all. Instead, Rose is depressed, Api is steeped in mncholy, and here you are, bitching about your employer. What the fuck, friend?¡± Lisa''s eyes widened, as if struck by a bolt of realization. ¡°Sorry,¡± she murmured, bowing her head slightly. ¡°I got swept by my emotions.¡± He revealed a smile at the exchange. ¡°Don¡¯t be like that, Sung-Sun. You know how much I cherish Izumi. I¡¯d be mad if anyone hid her status from me.¡± Lisa returned his smile with a sly grin. ¡°Yeah, Kouhai. It¡¯s up to you to fix Izumi. How about we make a deal? You take care of my employer and I¡¯ll deal with the child you brought. I promise the kid will pass onto the Soul Society with zero regrets.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± {She scammed herself. Silly pervert.} Harribel looked intrigued with their arrangement. Unlike Kazuya, Lisa was a Shinigami with decades of experience. She could rest assured that Aikawa would get her proper send-off to the afterlife. ¡°By the way, I want you all to meet Izanami.¡± At his beckoning, his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit materialized before them, capturing their attention as though she were a rare, enchanting creature. Far from shrinking under their gazes, Nami puffed out her chest and smirked. ¡°Ahhh~, Partner. You have a nasty kink of showing off your soulmate like amodity.¡± ¡°You are amodity, my sword.¡± ¡°A, can''t I just be your trusty kitchen knife instead? That way I can justify a massacre in the name of thinning out mypetition.¡± ¡°Hell no.¡± Lisa adjusted her sses with an imperceptible smirk. ¡°The chances of a man having a female Zanpakut¨­ Spirit is quite slim. You willed her into existence with your sheer lust.¡± Sung-Sun couldn¡¯t help but giggle. ¡°That¡¯s my adorable husband for you.¡± Nami licked her lips deviantly. ¡°Partner is a man of focus,mitment, and sheer fucking will. And fuck him I will.¡± ¡°...¡± Sung-Sun turned to Harribel. ¡°Any words for your favorite egg?¡± Harribel crossed her arms with aplicated look. She had nurtured Nami''s egg as if it were her own flesh and blood. Now, witnessing Nami as a full-grown Zanpakut¨­ Spirit made her recall all the fond memories of Heuco Mundo. ¡°Wee to family, Izanami.¡± Nami smiled at the warm wee. ¡°You can call me Nami. Thank you for protecting me during my most fragile phase, Mama Harribel.¡± Suddenly, Api dashed down the stairs, her Reiatsu leaking through her Gigai. ¡°M Rose and Ciri¡ªthey disappeared!¡± Chapter 130-131: The Hunt Chapter 130-131: The Hunt Ciri cast her eyes over the deste expanse of Hueco Mundo, andscape so barren it mirrored the ghost towns of her memories. Time had left no marks here, and the void around her offered no reason to return here. She turned her gaze to herpanion, Franceska M Rose, who was passionately assaulting a mountain with fierce shes of her sword ¡ª the woman responsible for dragging her back into this abyss. ¡°Franceska, this isn¡¯t right. We have to go back.¡± With a fierce swing, M Rose cleaved a boulder in half and buried the de of her Zanpakut¨­ into the ashen earth. ¡°No, let me enjoy freedom.¡± ¡°Why? What happened? Did Kazuya say something?¡± ¡°Him? No. He¡¯d never¡­¡± M Rose shook her head. ¡°Forget about it. We¡¯re in Hueco Mundo. Let¡¯s go kill some fucking Hollows.¡± Ciri shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Don¡¯t expect my assistance when Leader drags your ass back to the Living World.¡± Given Kazuya¡¯s protective disposition, she knew he''de in search of M Rose sooner thanter, and punishment was not beyond the realm of possibility. ¡°I fucking hope he spanks you for your childishness.¡± M Rose chuckled darkly. ¡°Let hime. I¡¯ll whoop his ass.¡± ¡°Yeah, Friend. Good luck fighting the King of Arrancars.¡± ¡°No, he is just a prince. I¡¯ll be the Queen of Hollows,¡± she roared at the top of her lungs and raised her sword, as if challenging the gods residing beyond the veil of darkness. ¡°I¡¯ll kill that bitch sitting upon the throne and im it for myself. I¡¯ll be the Empress of thisnd.¡± Her deration reverberated across the deste ins. Rolling her eyes, Ciri couldn''t help but massage her temples. ¡°For the love of... don¡¯t you remember our Leader¡¯s warning about the Hollow hunter?¡± M Rose tightened her grip on her sword and smirked. ¡°I¡¯m not scared. They are¡ª¡± A morousughter erupted through the air, interrupting their banter. Emerging on a distant cliff was a Hollow, his presence so imposing it couldn''t be ignored. ¡°Did you hear that, Brother Grimmjow? This woman wants to be the Queen of Hueco Mundo?¡± This Hollow, humanoid yet bestial, possessed a bull-like visage,plete with a gaping Hollow hole in his abdomen. His long blonde mane flowed behind him, and hisrge, armored shoulders and menacing horns only added to his fearsome appearance. A second Hollow materialized beside the first, skeletal in hisnky physique. He wore a mask akin to the medieval knights,plete with a lengthy w-tail extending from the back of his head. ¡°Themoner¡¯s dream is a castle in the air, while a true king will raise his kingdom from nothing but a stone.¡± Another Adjuchas made his way to join the duo, a sand-worm behemoth sporting a crested head reminiscent of a hammerhead shark. ¡°We all know Grimmjow is the True King. His ascension is just a matter of time.¡± That wasn¡¯t all as two more Hollows materialized. The first boasted a crown of fiery red hair, a robust torso, and pauldrons that extended above his shoulders in the shape of wings. His lower body was swathed in a thick coat of fur. The second was an imposing Gillian, towering above all, his mask and Reiatsu betraying his Adjuchas status despite his appearance. Together, they emanated an overpowering Reiatsu that could single-handedly crush a Gillian. That is, until their leader emerged, stepping out onto the cliff¡¯s edge. A white panther, his eyes aglow with an ethereal blue light, stared down M Rose. His spiritual pressure was nearly on par with Api in her base form; he was one step away from achieving the Vasto Lorde level that Api craved. ¡°What are you?¡± Grimmjow asked, or rather demanded, to know the nature of M Rose''s existence. ¡°You¡¯re clearly an Adjuchas but why do you look like that? Your presence is like that Shinigami I devoured years ago. It¡¯s repulsive.¡± Grimmjow was a tad confused. He had never seen an Arrancar or ever heard about them. His group shared his ignorance. ¡°We are Arrancars,¡± M Rose exined patiently. ¡°A suitable evolution for us animals. It¡¯s more exciting to tear into flesh with my ws in this form.¡± ¡°Arrancars?¡± Grimmjow narrowed his eyes. ¡°A suitable evolution heh? You¡¯re inferior to a Vasto Lorde in power. How is that even an evolution?¡± An evolution that granted no boost in strength was no evolution in Grimmjow¡¯s eyes. His sole desire was to evolve into a Vasto Lorde and obtain the strength to destroy everything in his path. Irritation flickered across M Rose¡¯s face. ¡°Inferior evolution, you say?¡± She brandished her sword, leveling its tip at Grimmjow. ¡°Come, fight me then. A lioness¡¯ challenge to a panther. Let¡¯s find out which one of us is the apex predator.¡± She didn¡¯t underestimate Grimmjow. Rather, she could discern the seething power coiled within his lithe frame. He was a dangerous foe, which made the prospect of facing him all the more exhrating. Life in the Living World might have dulled her ws, and he was the ideal opponent to sharpen them. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± Edward Liones, the red-haired Adjuchas, burst into uproariousughter, clutching his abdomen. ¡°Oh my fucking lord. I gotta give it to her. She is stupid but she got balls, unlike that green-haired wench.¡± The bull-like Adjuchas, Yylfordt Granz, chuckled. ¡°What¡¯s up with thedies of Hueco Mundo? It¡¯s like each is more stupid than thest. Is this a disease?¡± Shawlong Koufang, the Hollow with the mask of a medieval knight, shook his head gravely. ¡°At least we now have proof that the female Hollows are not only weaker but less intellectually endowed than their male counterparts.¡± M Rose¡¯s jaw tightened. Clenching her sword, she bent her body. Before she could charge, Ciri held her hand and restrained her. ¡°Did you just mention a green-haired woman? By any chance did she resemble a horse?¡± It clearly concerned her to hear Nelliel being mentioned by a gang of ravenous Adjuchas. She had encountered Nelliel when she ventured to the Living World with her cute Hollowpanions. Choosing to serve Kazuya for a greater cause rather than personal attachment, Nelliel shared Harribel''s lofty ambitions for Hueco Mundo and had thus earned universal respect among the members of El Inverso. Ciri¡¯s inquiry doused M Rose¡¯s rising fury. ¡°That can¡¯t be Nelliel. She won¡¯t run away from this trash.¡± ¡°Oh, you know that centaur?¡± Grimmjow asked as he jumped down the cliff, his tail flicking behind him. ¡°She tucked her tail between her legs and ran away from us. That cowardcked the guts to face me.¡± His appetite for carnage had been momentarily dulled by missing out on what could have been a delectable meal in Nelliel. But now, standing before these formidable Adjuchas, that disappointment evaporated. He was itching to dismantle them, consume their essence, and hopefully go through a Vasto Lorde transformation. ¡°She is safe then. That¡¯s a relief,¡± Ciri exhaled loudly and smirked. Her long tail floated skywards as the pink de at its tip gleamed with a dangerous light. ¡°You¡¯re lucky that Nelliel didn¡¯t fight you. My liege would¡¯ve destroyed you if anything happened to Nelliel.¡± ¡°Forget Kazuya. Harribel would¡¯ve thrashed these mobs.¡± M Rose had no respect for Grimmjow or any of hispanions. Grimmjow snarled, his fangs bared as a disy of excitement. ¡°You serve someone? This Harribel or this ''liege'' is more powerful than you both.¡± The notion sent surges of adrenaline coursing through him. The person they mentioned could be a Vasto Lorde ¡ª a being Grimmjow was craving to battle for a long time. ¡°Where is he?¡± M Rose shed a predatory grin. "Never mind him. You¡¯ll be fighting me.¡± With a burst of speed, she lunged at Grimmjow, brandishing her sword. An enormous shadow cascaded over her as the massive Bull Adjuchasnded in her path, shaking the very ground they stood on. Yylfordt Granz''s crimson eyes shimmered malevolently,den with unspoken contempt as he towered over M Rose. ¡°Brother Grimmjow doesn''t have time for women. I¡¯ll kill you and offer your soul to Brother. He will evolve today.¡± M Rose smacked her lips. ¡°Grimmjow is your name. Alright, Grimmjow. The evolution you called ¡®inferior¡¯, behold its awe-inspiring power.¡± As her words fell, a massive surge of pale golden aura sted from her. Grimmjow held his ground. However, Yylfordt was hurling dozens of meters away from her. However, Even he was not immune to surprise. M Rose¡¯s Reiatsu had almost doubled, touching upon the realms of a Vasto Lorde. M Rose forced him to understand the true potential of an Arrancar. She flicked her golden mane back and smirked. ¡°Come, Bull Man. I¡¯ll give you the smacking your parents should¡¯ve given you.¡± Yylfordt¡¯s hulking form quivered under the suffocating weight of M Rose''s Resurri¨®n-infused Reiatsu. ¡°Cursed¡­ I¡¯m going to end you.¡± Grimmjow growled at Yylfordt. ¡°You¡¯ll lose.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± Yylfordt roared with impassioned resolve. ¡°Brother Grimmjow, I won¡¯t lose.¡± Closing his eyes, Grimmjow muttered an indifferent acknowledgment. ¡°Do whatever the fuck you want.¡± Yylfordt bent his body forward and wed the ground, preparing to charge like those bulls M Rose had seen in cartoons. A yellow Reiatsu surrounded him as his already colossal form burgeoned further. ¡°My horns will impale anything.¡± Roaring, he catapulted forward like a juggernaut d in raw fury. M Rose, the embodiment of untamed ferocity, let her sword plummet to the ground. Leaning forward, she charged at him. No Son¨ªdo. No weapon. Only raw speed born from her muscles. The ensuing collision was cataclysmic, the Hollow and Arrancar crashing into each other with the force of titans. Their impact birthed a seismic shockwave, churning the very sands into swirling tempests. When the sandy haze cleared, M Rose stood victorious, her golden mane dancing in the wind, embodying her Zanpakut¨­¡¯s name ¡®Golden Lion General.¡¯ Yylfordty on the ground, his armor shattered and his once-imposing mask now fractured alongside his horns. Blood dripped from his head, lending his hair an eerie hue. As he feebly attempted to rise, it became evident: his Reiatsu was leaking through the wounds ¡ª he had no way of surviving. ¡°Damn you¡­ to the abyss,¡± he rasped. ¡°Fuck¡­ I should¡¯ve¡­ listened.¡± A wide smirk made its way to M Rose¡¯s face. ¡®Will Skull like this?¡¯ Her first thought wasn''t of finishing off her foe, but of sharing her hunt with Kazuya. She unconsciously realized thest shard missing from her life ¡ª the void that television and games could hardly fill ¡ª was the tion of hunting and sharing her prey with Kazuya. ¡®Wait, why would I¡­ for a surprise gift! Yeah, a gift. It all makes sense.¡¯ She chalked her strange thoughts to something else entirely and focused on the dying Yylfordt. ¡°A pity your Reiatsu couldn¡¯t keep up with me, or the oue could¡¯ve been different. Tell me your name. I¡¯m gonna put your name in my hall of memories.¡± ¡°Yylfordt!¡± ¡°Yylfordt!¡± ¡°Granz!¡± Hispanions converged upon Yylfordt¡¯s fading form, each gasp of breath reminding them of the camaraderie shared for decades, perhaps even a century. The sight of their fallen friend stoked the inferno of their rage. Even Shawlong, the calmest among them, couldn¡¯t suppress a venomous re aimed squarely at M Rose. Ciri rushed to M Rose¡¯s side and passed M Rose¡¯s sword back to her. Her purple eyes scanned the four Adjuchas who seemed eager to rip M Rose to shreds. ¡°Franceska, pick your two.¡± ¡°Hehe. I want the Mask and that red-haired guy.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± Edward Liones'' fists tightened, raw fury seething in his eyes. He couldn¡¯t fault the women for dismissing their strength, especially after M Rose decimated Yylfordt, the second strongest of their group. Still, he lunged toward Ciri, outstretching his bare hand. ¡°You¡ª¡± A vivid burst of pink light illuminated the air, just as Ciri¡¯s tailde, pulsating with a life of its own, sliced through Edward¡¯s wrist with the effortless grace of a knife gliding through softened butter. A geyser of blood erupted in its wake, sttering in dark contrast against the white sand. Edward¡¯s severed hand plummeted to the ground. ¡°Ahhh! Mother¡ª I''ll kill you,¡± Edward roared, his voice a mixture of agony and fury. Suppressing a triumphant smirk that was itching to spread across her lips, Ciri steeled her resolve, acutely aware of the consequences and dangers of arrogance. The defeat at the hands of Kazuya was fresh in her mind. With a deadly lunge powered by, she hurled herself at Edward. Her tail sliced through the air, the vibrating pink de swinging towards the vulnerable flesh of his neck. ¡°Die!¡± In the face of inevitable death, Edward¡¯s eyes ballooned with terror. As he willed his body to move, a sonic boom shattered the eerie silence of the battlefield. Grimmjow materialized by his friend¡¯s side, his jaws agape, poised to sever Ciri¡¯s tail from the roots. At the same time, M Rose closed the gap between them and shed Grimmjow¡¯s face with her sword. Detecting the imminent threat, Grimmjow summoned the explosive velocity of Son¨ªdo, his form bing a blur. Yet, he was a second toote. The sword tore through not only the pristineyer of his white armor but also grazed his face. On the other side, Edward¡¯s head descended in a tragic arc. His headless form remained momentarily upright before it staggered into eternal rest. ¡°Thanks,¡± Ciri exhaled, her voice tinged with a rare note of gratitude. Had it not been for M Rose¡¯s well-timed assistance, she would have lost herst source of offense ¡ª her tail. ¡°Let¡¯s kill ¡®em all and return to Leader.¡± Shouldering her de with a flourish, M Rose cast a predatory grin toward the trio of Adjuchas, their forms almost paralyzed from the events unfolding before them. ¡°You¡¯ll make a fine return gift for my dear friend Skull.¡± Just as she took a swaggering step toward her terrified prey, an overwhelming tide of Reiatsu mmed into her senses. Pivoting slowly, she found the source of this spiritual energy: Grimmjow, now enveloped in an awe-inspiring aura of sky-blue luminescence. ¡°Fuck.¡± Grimmjow was undergoing a transformation that, by now, was all too familiar to her ¡ª a metamorphosis made possible through suffering and violence ¡ª Arrancarification. Chapter 132: Battle of Instincts Chapter 132: Battle of Instincts M Rose¡¯s lips curled into a devilish smirk. Grimmjow¡¯s transformation was more a boon than a threat. The Adjuchas were child¡¯s y for her as she could insta-kill them all. However, the evolving Grimmjow had the potential to be her next great hunt ¡ª an even worthier present for Kazuya. With Ciri and M Rose distracted, the three Adjuchas retreated, only to pause. A sudden shift in Reiatsu permeated the area. The Reiatsu emanating from Grimmjow became a dual-natured blend of Hollow and Shinigami ¡ª the quintessential signature of an Arrancar. Grimmjow let out a ferocious roar. The lingering clouds of sand around him dissipated, revealing his metamorphosed form. His newly formed white armor ¡ª his enhanced Hierro ¡ª gleamed ominously under the moonlight. A shard of his Hollow mask covered his forehead, and his extended ears, whip-like tail, and ck ws served as unmistakable traces of his previous panther form. Straightening up, Grimmjow grinned as he examined his ck ws and the des on his forearms. The same des protruded from his calves, gleaming with ferocity ¡ª perhaps the most striking features of his Resurri¨®n. He flexed his ws and swiped the air, reveling in his newfound power. He felt invincible. That is, until his eyes fell upon the corpses of his fallenrades. ¡®Those idiots.¡¯ All his empathy vanished as he recalled their deaths. They weren¡¯t able to grow through grueling battles, to rise from the ashes as he had. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have entrusted him with their dream of bing a Vasto Lorde. ¡®I¡¯ll still avenge them.¡¯ Looking at M Rose, he said, ¡°Woman, what was your name?¡± ¡°Franceska M Rose,¡± she replied, licking her lips. ¡°You¡¯re finally a worthy hunt.¡± Grimmjow''s fangs shed as he grinned. ¡°Long and idiotic, just like your face. I¡¯ll call you Dead Rose ¡®cause you¡¯re not surviving me.¡± M Rose pointed at him with her Zanpakuto, her eyes narrowing with a smirk. ¡°Try me, Kidjow.¡± With a maniacalugh, Grimmjow exploded forward, leaving a rippling vacuum of distorted air in his wake. M Rose could barely react to astonishing speed, her eyes narrowing as she brought up her Zanpakuto to parry. When their des shed, the resultant burst of Reiatsu was so intense it screeched through the air. The sparks created illuminating the dark like firecrackers on a moonless night. Grimmjow crouched low and swiped his ws at her legs, prompting M Rose to leap back. She saw Grimmjow¡¯spanions watching the battle with full focus and Ciri creeping around their back to assassinate them. Her attention fractured for a split second ¡ª a crucial mistake against a predator such as Grimmjow. With an explosive burst of speed, his leg rocketed upwards, his foot aiming square at her face. She raised her arm just in time to block, but the sheer force catapulted her towards the moon. Grimmjow didn¡¯t let up; he leapt after her, spinning in the air to deliver a devastating roundhouse kick to her back. The impact was catastrophic. M Rose shot through a rocky cave, which copsed over her in a cascade of rubble. Grimmjow crossed his arms, anticipation in his veins. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend to be dead. Come out.¡± Rubble exploded outward as M Rose burst free, her form cloaked in golden Reiatsu as if she was a goddess of war. A trickle of blood flowed between knitted brows ¡ª the price of idling for months. Her battle instincts had dulled in the rxed and peacefulness of her new home. ¡®Api was right.¡¯ She should have epted Api¡¯s requests for spars against the Visored. Api used to ask her nicely but she always rejected as she had no motivation to leave the house. ¡®Fuck. I¡¯ll regret itter.¡¯ She let out a feral roar and swung her broadsword in a massive arc ¡ª a killing blow with all of her strength put into it. ¡°Get wrecked!¡± Grimmjow met her challenge, crossing his arm to block the edge of her sword. The collision set off a shockwave of Reiatsu that echoed like a thunderp, sending him skidding through the air nearly a hundred meters. His forearm des had chipped, and a numbing sensation crawled up his arms. Feeling his thumping heart, Grimmjow smirked. ¡°You fucking gori.¡± M Rose clenched her jaw. ¡°I¡¯m a lioness!¡± Heughed and charged, his ws reaching out for her throat. She parried, her broadsword meeting his ws in a symphony of grinding metal. But he had a different n in his mind. He crouched, then shot upwards like a missile. M Rose looked up, squinting to see his form shrink to a mere dot in front of the moon. Then he plummeted, like aet, except theet was homing in on her. She could see his crazy grin as he elerated toward her. Rather than avoiding his charged attack, which was the most obvious action, she clenched her de and flew toward him with her de, her grin as wicked as him. His w, strengthened by Hierro, shed against her broadsword. The broadsword dug halfway into his forearm de. She gripped the sword and forced the de deeper, trying to wrench it off his forearm. He, of course, didn¡¯t stay still and let her take away his precious des. He swung his other arm wildly, the sharp des shing at her face ¡ª the part she never wanted harmed. So, she used her sword to block his attack. The small opening wasn¡¯t unmissed as Grimmjowunched a flurry of w attacks. It was an onught without rhyme or reason, an assault based on his instincts. He was fighting like a beast ¡ª a style simr to her own. The only difference was the strength ¡ª every blow from him was filled with raw, explosive power that M Rose would never have guessed coulde from an Adjuchas-level Arrancar. She found herself reflexively dodging kicks that felt like they could pulverize her body and swiping away at ws that could easily rip through her body. It began to dawn on her why Api and Sung-Sun persistently raved about Nelliel¡¯s talent. The man before her was the same kind of person as Nelliel ¡ª a prodigy. Just as she had begun to adapt to his frenzied pattern, he froze, locking his gaze onto her. Confusion trickled through her veins, but her instincts screamed at her to seize the window of opportunity. Swinging her sword at his neck, she didn¡¯t notice the ephemeral flicker of crimson light that danced on his right w. He caught her sword with his forearm de, a grin splitting his face. ¡°Got you.¡± An eruption of crimson Reiatsu burst forth from his w, blossoming into a devastating Cero Ray that engulfed her. When the blinding light dissipated, M Rose was revealed, her arm raised defensively, her gloves scorched. Apart from scratches, she wasrgely unharmed. ¡°Why are you gawking? You aren¡¯t the only one with Hierro, dumbass.¡± While not as strong as Grimmjow, her Hierro was more than capable of defending a rushed Cero Ray. Grimmjow burst intoughter. ¡°You¡¯re making me work for my meal. Perfect for me. Means we can fight for longer.¡± Undeterred, M Rose lunged forward, shing her broadsword in a deadly arc aimed at his face. He dodged effortlessly, but she was relentless. "You might be strong, asshole. But do you know who¡¯s even stronger?¡± Pinning her sword between his forearm des, he sneered as he closed the gap. ¡°The Lord that other Arrancar mentioned?¡± ¡°Yup. He can obliterate us both without lifting a finger.¡± Grimmjow¡¯s eyes red with battle lust. ¡°Bring him to me. You¡¯ll see him bite the dust with your own eyes¡ª¡± ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± The yful voice that cut Grimmjow¡¯s boasting carried a distinct charm; it was followed by a chaotic disruption in the space as a Garganta formed behind them. Chapter 133-134: Heart Chapter 133-134: Heart Kazuya didn¡¯t expect Grimmjow, in his Resurri¨®n, to face off against his precious lioness. The sight of two dead Adjuchas, three Adjuchas standing on the side, and Grimmjow¡¯s battle with M Rose painted a vivid picture of the conflict in his mind. This unexpected wrinkleplicated his ns to recruit Grimmjow, who could have proven a potent ally in fortifying Harribel¡¯s future kingdom. After all, Grimmjow¡¯s single, insatiable craving was for battling strong foes, and he had no shortage of strong people, whether it was Shinigami, Visored, or Arrancars. He was the perfect muscle to work for Harribel. ¡®Just need to find Starrk, and Aizen¡¯s top three Espada won¡¯t be with him.¡¯ {Not like it¡¯ll weaken Aizen. The Espada were useless in his n.} Even though the Espada boasted power beyond the Captains, the Espada had been woefully ineffective during Aizen¡¯s invasion of Karakura Town. Ultimately, Aizen had to take on multiple Captains by himself. ¡®Don¡¯t call my Tier useless.¡¯ {What about Ulquiorra? Will you shelter your distant rtive from Aizen¡¯s maniptions?} ¡®Will decide after I find him.¡¯ The vastness of Hueco Mundo presented its own challenges in tracking down the Hollows on his recruitment shortlist, which included the ''heartless'' Ulquiorra. Just then, Grimmjow gestured towards him, erupting into raucousughter. ¡°Gori woman, you vouched for this silly fucker. He doesn¡¯t even have any Reiatsu¡ª¡± Kazuya unleashed seventy percent of his Reiatsu, aiming it squarely at Grimmjow. Considering his meteoric ascent in spiritual power, even a Vasto Lorde would be hard-pressed to endure the full weight of his aura. Grimmjow¡¯s thoughts scrambled as he momentarily lost control of his Reiatsu, causing him to plummet towards the deste ground below. But in a triumph of sheer will, he managed to rise to one knee, his teeth clenched and eyes ame with a mad intensity. ¡°I¡¯ll... I vowed to be King... Damn it, I won¡¯t lower¡ª¡± A smirk of genuine amusement danced on Kazuya¡¯s lips as he dialed up his spiritual pressure. ¡°Jeez. Go to sleep. I¡¯ve got more pressing matters.¡± Summoning the full magnitude of his Reiatsu, he dispatched Grimmjow into the gentle embrace of unconsciousness. Then he gazed upon the lioness who seemed to be going through her rebellion phase. M Rose ced her broadsword on her shoulder and let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°This dumb brat. You couldn¡¯t feel Skull¡¯s Reiatsu because he is far above your league.¡± She swiveled towards Kazuya and gestured towards the lifeless Yylfordt with a glint of pride in her eyes. ¡°Since you never brought me a present, I thought I¡¯d do something special for you. Here it is, a fresh Adjuchas soul.¡± Caught off guard, Kazuya found himself momentarily at a loss for words. But the look of sheer triumph etched onto M Rose''s face elicited a chuckle from him. ¡°Ah, thanks, I suppose.¡± {She did the Hollow equivalent of giving her crush chocte.} ¡®I can¡¯t even argue against that.¡¯ M Rose¡¯s eyes sparkled with a sense of keen anticipation, practically urging him to consume the Adjuchas right then and there. The wrinkle in this scenario, of course, was that Kazuya was far from being a seasoned devourer of Hollows like his deer wife; he had yet to consume a Hollow. His passive Reiatsu growth boosted his strength with no effort from his side. He had no incentive to eat Hollows. {One can say you¡¯re a virgin Hollow. We both are, as a matter of fact.} ¡®When did you pick up dad jokes?¡¯ {Three months of istion¡­ I may be schizophrenic. Partner, don¡¯t hate me if I start acting differently¡­ or I¡¯ll tie you up in your Inner World.} With a quizzical shake of his head, Kazuya descended toward Yylfordt¡¯s body. M Rose and Ciri made a synchronizednding beside him, while Grimmjow¡¯s allies began a frenzied inspection of their fallenrade. ¡°Don''t even think about leaving,¡± Kazuya warned them before looking at Yylfordt''s lifeless frame. The grand, bull-like Hollow had a bright future as an Arrancar, a potential that was eradicated the moment he thought about devouring M Rose. ¡°Here goes nothing.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to force yourself,¡± Ciri said, sensing his difort. She showed no qualms about M Rose¡¯s sudden obsession with forcing him to eat Hollows. ¡°I can do it for you.¡± Ciri was determined not to let Yylfordt¡¯s corpse stay here, no matter the cost. After all, he carried thest name ¡®Granz¡¯, which belonged to Szayeloporro. The mad scientist wouldn¡¯t hesitate to experiment on even his brother should he get his hands on the corpse. M Rose¡¯s eyes contracted into a scorching re, her feral fangs unsheathed for full effect. ¡°The choice is yours.¡± Yet the raw intensity of her voice and her battle-ready posture defied the notion of any real choice. She¡¯d surely hold a grudge against him if he rejected her. That much was certain. {It¡¯s the rite of passage for officially starting her route and bing her mate. Don¡¯t fail the lioness, Partner.} Kazuya mimicked the move Sung-Sun used to devour Nnoitra and sucked shreds of Yylfordt¡¯s soul into him, expecting some sort of horrendous aftertaste. Yet, there was none. Just a surge of pure, untainted spiritual energy coursed through him, leading to an almost imperceptible boost to his Reiryoku. So insignificant as if it never happened. {Achievement Hollow Eater unlocked.} M Rose felt jittery and relieved at the sight. To distract herself from her growing giddiness, she punched his chest, feigning an intense look. ¡°Skull, why the fuck are you here? You ruined my battle. It was going so well too. I was about to beat¡ª¡± Before she could finish her rant, he stepped into her personal space and wrapped his arms around her. Her bony armor felt rigid against him. Still, he persevered, maintaining his embrace even as she instinctively tensed up and wrestled to break free. ¡°What is this?! Let me finish before you do this!¡± The more she struggled, the tighter his grip became. Against his stubborn embrace, she ceased her resistance. ¡°Take a deep breath, Rose,¡± he whispered softly in her ears, using his voice to ease her tension. ¡°I¡¯ll be here to listen to everything in your heart. But first, we have to go home.¡± He had chosen toe alone since arge party would attract too much unwanted attention. That also meant he had to return before he made them too worried. ¡°You are still the same,¡± M Rose whispered and dug her fangs into his right shoulder. ¡°This is what you get for not stopping Api from bullying me.¡± First Nami and now M Rose ¡ª women were bing fond of digging their fangs into him. Then again, Nami and M Rose both had an animalistic side, stemming from their origin races: ck Phoenix and Lioness. He nced at Ciri, who looked away as if she couldn¡¯t be held responsible for anything. Ciri was in a position to easily prevent M Rose¡¯s descent into the realm of ¡®shut-in¡¯. Then again, Ciri faced her own demons day in and out. It¡¯d be unfair to me the goth Arrancar. ¡°Rose, Api is sorry for going too far. Don¡¯t you want to see Api bite her ego and say sorry for once?¡± Her eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Really? She said that?¡± ¡°Yup. Come with me and see it for yourself.¡± {Liar. Api never said that.} ¡®Api knows her mistake. I¡¯ll spank her if she doesn¡¯t apologize.¡¯ Seizing her chance, M Rose disengaged from him, her grin a feral twist of delight. ¡°Alright, then. Let''s¡ª¡± ¡°You are not going anywhere, Dead Rose.¡± Grimmjow stomped towards M Rose. Surprisingly, he showed no interest in going against Kazuya, as if conceding that a sh against Kazuya would lead to certain death. ¡°Coward, fight me.¡± Brandishing her broadsword, M Rose¡¯s biceps tensed, primed for action. ¡°Skull, hold this spot. I''ve got a feral kitty to murder.¡± Kazuya disarmed her, passing the sword to Ciri. ¡°Grimmjow, as you are now, you can¡¯t kill Rose. She can¡¯t kill you either. We¡¯ll be stuck here for hours if you two start a fight.¡± They were more or less equal in Reiatsu at the moment. The only deciding factor would be theirbat skills. M Rose had a higher chance of killing Grimmjow. ¡°Hours?¡± Grimmjow¡¯s lips curled, showcasing his feral set of teeth. ¡°I¡¯m fine with that, Skull.¡± M Rose¡¯s brow twitched. ¡°Stop calling him Skull. Only I call him that. For you, he is¡­ Hey, Skull. What should he call you?¡± With his arms crossed, an air of unstated authority emanating from him, Kazuya turned his prating gaze towards Grimmjow and his Adjuchas friends. They couldn¡¯t help but grow tense under his scrutiny, instinctively recognizing the ease with which he could kill them. ¡°Grimmjow, take your friends and work under me. Don¡¯tply, and I¡¯ll kill all four of you.¡± Although Kazuya¡¯s voice was devoid of intimidation, for Grimmjow those words may as well be the words of a Soul Reaper. He did not doubt that Kazuya wouldn¡¯t hesitate in ughtering him and his threepanions. Even so, Grimmjow hated the idea of being ordered around, and he hated being someone¡¯s goon. So, he only had one answer for Kazuya. ¡°No.¡± Grimmjow¡¯s reaction came as a surprise to no one. {Destined to be a King ¡ª as far as I know, his friends have inted his ego.} Kazuya tilted his head. ¡°Let me reiterate my condition. You¡¯ll get to fight strong people.¡± Unconcealed battle lust sparked in Grimmjow¡¯s eyes. ¡°Hueco Mundo doesn¡¯tck strong Hollows. We have Barragan sitting at the top and many Vasto Lorde in Las Noches.¡± ¡°Barragan who?¡± Ciri burst intoughter. ¡°That old bag of bones crumbled under Leader¡¯s power. He is the strongest Hollow you can find today.¡± Kazuya smiled at Ciri¡¯s eagerness to assist him. ¡°Grimmjow, it¡¯s up to you to decide the fate of yourself and your friends.¡± A conflicted expression shed across Grimmjow¡¯s features. Almost involuntarily, his eyes sought out his friends. Shaolong shook his head wearily. Di Roy averted his gaze. Nakeem solemnly closed his eyes. Their silence conveyed the message louder than words ¡ª they had collectively consigned their fates to his judgment. Grimmjow rubbed the back of his head. ¡°Fuck. I¡¯ll work for you. What do I have to do?¡± Kazuya¡¯s smile turned mischievous. ¡°Nothing.¡± ¡°...¡± Grimmjow''s face twisted, already looking as if he regretted epting the offer. ¡­ ¡°Franceska!¡± Api rushed down the stairs the moment M Rose set foot inside the mansion. Seeing M Rose in person filled her with relief. ¡°Why did you take so long?¡± Kazuya shrugged in response. Persuading the shady shopkeeper to keep Grimmjow¡¯s group took some decent time. ¡°Ran into some problems on the way. It¡¯s all fine now.¡± M Rose gave a cheeky grin. ¡°Got anything to say, Chief Api?¡± ¡°Fuck you,¡± Api hissed. ¡°And sorry. I was a little mean. Happy?¡± tion radiated from M Rose as she nted her hands defiantly on her hips, savoring her victorious moment like a queen relishing her conquest. She then shifted her posture, cing a hand on Api¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m also sorry for bing a pathetic piece of trash.¡± Api¡¯s eyes flickered with surprise. ¡°You know you were being a pain in the ass. Why make me apologize then?!¡± ¡°Cause it was fun!¡± M Rose pped Api¡¯s belly heartily and dashed the stairs. She paused and looked over her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m gonna dive in the pool. Anyone joining me?¡± Api flipped her middle finger. ¡°Drown yourself, you dumbass.¡± Unperturbed, M Rose''sughter reverberated through the halls as she bolted towards her room, a whirlwind of infectious energy. Kazuya couldn¡¯t be happier to see her back to her golden retriever self. M Rose¡¯s trip to Hueco Mundo worked out better than he could have anticipated. Sung-Sun glided into the scene, herughter muffled by an oversized sleeve delicately pressed to her lips. ¡°What a lovely family we have, or should I call it ¡®Hollow Prince¡¯s Personal Harem¡¯?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s stick to family,¡± Ciri said, breezing past Sung-Sun before doubling back toward Kazuya. ¡°Fuck, Leader. I forgot to inform you about Nelliel. Grimmjow said he tried to fight her but she escaped from him.¡± The notion of Nelliel dodging abat encounter caused Kazuya to shake his head incredulously. ¡°I can¡¯t me her for running. Grimmjow¡¯s group is a scary bunch to fight alone, even for a Vasto Lorde.¡± ¡°A bunch of hyenas led by a rogue panther,¡± Ciri murmured with a hint of condescension in her tone. ¡°Can you check up on Nelliel just in case?¡± ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll leave after an hour.¡± {Let¡¯s look for Starrk while we¡¯re there.} ¡®Yeah.¡¯ Chapter 135: The Death Chapter 135: The Death Nelliel hadn''t forgotten her oath to Kazuya. In order to honor her vow, she didn¡¯t have to just value her life but also thrive in the treacherousndscape of Hueco Mundo. By virtue of her strength, she had ovee all hostile forces except for one harrowing encounter with a group of battle-hungry Adjuchas that forced her to flee. Today, fortune seemed to favor her with a bizarre discovery ¡ª a sprawling cave that burrowed deep into the Hueco Mundo. Amidst the plethora of crumbling ruins that littered this realm, none ventured so deep below the ground as the one before her. ¡®Perhaps I¡¯ll stumble upon another treasure here.¡¯ She hade across hernce in one of the ruins. The promise of another treasure led her deep within the ¡®abyss.¡¯ Towering, skeletal trees pierced the inky darkness around her. But any wonder at the surreal underground forest was quickly swallowed by the mor of battle that reverberated through the still air. Her steps hesitated momentarily, until she sensed an anomaly ¡ª a Reiatsu both piercing and sinister, an energy signature that neither belonged to Hollow or Shinigami. Drawn as if by a maic pull, she pressed on, each step apanied by the torturous cries of Hollows, their voices thick with an unsettling terror and despair. Thesementations roused something primal within her, propelling her forward with redoubled urgency. She arrived at a tunnel more ominous than any she¡¯d seen, a maw bathed in an imprable darkness. Suddenly, the cries faded, reced with a silence so absolute, it seemed as if the very air had been sucked away.. ¡®They all¡­ died.¡¯ Nelliel galloped into the dark expanse. A nauseating waft of blood enveloped the cave,ing from the Gillians¡¯ corpses haphazardly strewn about the ce. Death was everywhere, and it weighed her down with sorrow. Ignoring the screaming instincts that warned her of imminent danger, Nelliel brandished hernce, charging through the bloodied tunnel like a gant knight. The entity who killed these Hollows for no reason, she was going to put a stop to his ughter using Kazuya¡¯s creed ¡ª ending violence through greater violence. ¡®I¡¯m sorry, Kazuya, Harribel.¡¯ She whispered an apology to the supposed rulers of Hueco Mundo, knowing that she might perish in the encounter. Someone who could single-handedly take down these Gillians alone had to be an Adjuchas of the highest level or, worse, a Vasto Lorde. As Nelliel ventured deeper, the cave¡¯s ustrophobic tunneling gave way to a colossal cavern. Two figures, frozen in the middle of what seemed to be an intense standoff, immediately caught her eye. One was garbed in a tattered ck kimono reminiscent of Shinigami attire, his face obscured by a gazelle-like Hollow mask. An assortment of other Hollow masks adorned the brown fur coat that draped his shoulders, each one a grim trophy of his in enemies. His katana and the Reiatsu signaled his affiliation with those purifying Hollows for the bnce. However, the Shinigami wasn¡¯t the imminent threat against the Hollows, but the man facing the Shinigami. The man whose Reiatsu she had felt earlier. Sickly tall and pale skin, with disheveled brown hair, his attire was as strangely stylish ¡ª a fur-cored robe-like coat that exuded a sense of elegance. A katana rested in his grip, its handle almost ensnared by his unusually elongated fingernails, as sharp as daggers. Oblivious to the Adjuchas¡¯ presence, the two maintained their confrontation, their Reiatsus locked in an invisible but fierce contest of wills. Muramasa was the first to break the silence. ¡°A Shinigamiing to the aid of Hollows. Master may have been right somewhere in his twisted dream of eradicating the Shinigami.¡± From a passionate soldier for the Gotei 13 to a man raising his de at his father figure and ughtering innocents ¡ª Muramasa¡¯s Master became a different person after betrayals by men envious of his achievements. The Shinigami, Ashido Kano, remained unfazed by Muramasa¡¯s cryptic musings. ¡°What are you?¡± ¡°It depends on who is asking. Is it the man who served the Gotei 13¡¯s soldier or the beast sharpening his fangs by living among monsters?¡± ¡°...Both are me.¡± ¡°For the Shinigami, I¡¯m Muramasa, a Zanpakut¨­ Spirit serving Koga Kuchiki. For the beast, I¡¯m a lost traveler crawling in the desert in search of an oasis.¡± He spread his arms, and his fingernails uncurled with audible cks. ¡°A crimson oasis of Hollow flesh and blood. These vile creatures¡­ they¡¯ll quench my thirst and satiate my hunger. The Hueco Mundo will be my banquet.¡± Ashido loosened the grip on his katana. ¡°ughter them as you wish. I¡¯ll not stop you.¡± He leaped towards a tform near the ceiling and disappeared into a cave. Muramasa didn¡¯t stop Ashido. Fighting a Shinigami, especially one close to Vice-Captain level, would have been an effortless task in his peak form. However, centuries of separation from his Master had deteriorated his strength. He could still use his abilities to make a Shinigami¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ rebel but it just wasn¡¯t worth it at the moment. Ashido¡¯s departure was the best case scenario for Nelliel as she didn¡¯t have to fight two opponents at the same time. However, she wasn''t relieved. Her mind was hung up on Muramasa casually revealing his n to ughter all the Hollows in Hueco Mundo. She felt a visceral stir within her core. Her very spiritual energy red up and recoiled at the thought of his pure evil. Unaware of the raw, intense emotions pushing her Reiatsu past her natural limits, she continued ring at Muramasa. ¡°You will not kill anyone¡­ I¡¯ll kill you.¡± Chapter 136-137: The Highs of Power Chapter 136-137: The Highs of Power The imposing throne of Las Noches stood vacant, yet Loly Aivirrne found sce without sitting upon it. The man who had overtaken her throne was a domineeringly powerful and wise ruler, so intoxicating that she would willinglyy down her life for him. He¡¯d be a wless master, if it weren''t for his one ring shoring ¡ª his prolonged absences that stretched over months. The monumental doors to the throne room swung open, and a group of people sauntered in. Spearheading this trio was a man with dark skin and ck braids cascading down his shoulders. Despite wearing clear goggles, he kept his eyes closed. His identity would be ringly obvious to any member of the Gotei 13 ¡ª Kaname Tosen, the esteemed Captain of their 9th Squad. Trailing respectfully behind Tosen were Menoly and an imposing giant with tanned skin d in standardized white uniform issued to the Arrancar subservient to Aizen. Four menacing ridges etched onto his bald skull, and a ck ponytail hung low from the back of his head. What remains of his Hollow mask was the jawbone resting on his chin. Yammy rgo, #10 Espada, observed Loly with a fury in his eyes. ¡°Why do we tolerate her at all?¡± The fact that Loly, whom he considered fodder-level Arrancar, held a higher rank bothered him a great deal. He would have killed Loly if not for Tosen¡¯s prior warning to maintain order. Menoly took a step away from Yammy¡¯s bursting Reiatsu and looked at Loly, who hardly resembled the sadistic woman who constantly abused and harassed her for no reason. ¡°Wow¡­¡± ¡°Tosen, I¡¯m asking you.¡± ¡°Her loyalty serves us well,¡± Tosen responded cryptically. While Aizen brewed chaos within the Soul Society and the Living World, it fell upon someone to keep the roiling sea of Hollows in check. Loly served as an ideal puppet to fulfill those responsibilities. Yammy scoffed disdainfully. ¡°That¡¯s not loyalty; that¡¯s pure lust.¡± ¡°Nobody said Hollows aren¡¯t allowed¡ªwhat was that?!¡± An earth-shattering surge of Reiatsu could be felt in the distance ¡ª this Reiatsu at the very least belonged to a Vasto Lorde, whom Aizen wanted in his ranks. Even Loly snapped out of her dream and began looking in the direction of the new Reiatsu. A cruel smirk unfurled across Yammy''s lips. ¡°Tosen, do you mind if I beat this one to submission?¡± Tosen spun on his heels and moved past Yammy. ¡°Stay in Las Noches. I¡¯ll see to this Vasto Lorde.¡± In the current process, Tosen¡¯s job was to identify and survey Espada candidates. Aizen retained the exclusive responsibility of recruiting. Such was the gravity with which Aizen approached the assembly of his Hollow legion. Tosen had no reason to doubt that, given Aizen¡¯s oozing charisma and his unrivaled ability to read others. Nobody could perform this task with greater finesse. Gritting his teeth, Yammy felt a seething fury ze through his eyes. The temptation to strike Tosen¡¯s open back was almost overwhelming, yet the lingering memory of having his face trampled underfoot by Tosen held him back. Even his Release form was no match for Tosen¡¯s prowess. An assault on Tosen would be an invite for a thrashing. ¡°Heh, go on. Attack the Shinigami,¡± whispered Loly as she patted Yammy¡¯s back. ¡°You know you want to.¡± ¡°Bitch, I¡¯m not a masochist,¡± Yammy growled and grabbed her cor, throwing her into the wall. ¡°Know your ce, weakling.¡± With a final sneer of disdain, Yammy lumbered out of the throne room. Menoly nced at Loly, who remained kneeling on the floor. Helping Loly would get her in trouble and not assisting Loly would yield the same result. After a moment of hesitation, she darted forward to assist Loly to her feet, only to have her offered hand contemptuously pped away. "What''s that expression for?" Loly seized a fistful of Menoly¡¯s hair and ruthlessly mmed her head against the wall. ¡°You think I¡¯m pathetic. You think I¡¯m not even worth admiring Master Aizen. Isn¡¯t that what you say to Master Aizen?¡± "I¡ªI didn''t say that," Menoly stammered, her voice tinged with fear. ¡°There is some misunderstanding, Loly.¡± ¡°I''m lying,¡± Loly gritted her teeth and mmed Menoly¡¯s head into the wall. ¡°Is that what you¡¯re trying to imply?¡± Frantically, Menoly shook her head, her eyes widening in sheer terror. Loly was bursting with anger; any word from Menoly would be twisted and used as a weapon against her. Getting no verbal response, Loly yanked Menoly forward and thrust her back against the wall. A series of ps crashed against Menoly¡¯s face, which she had learned to endure in silence. The absence of her screams dulled the edge of Loly''s sadistic enjoyment, which in a twisted way mitigated the brutality of her punishment. However, today was different. A tempest of kicks and punches descended upon Menoly''s quivering form, wrenching guttural groans of pain from her. Still, Loly wasn¡¯t satisfied. She hurled Menoly to the floor and proceeded to deliver a barrage of kicks to her abdomen. ¡°Spineless wretch, say something, won¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Stop¡­¡± Menoly croaked. ¡°Please¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Loly¡­ I beg you.¡± With an irritated click of her tongue, Loly snarled, ¡°Fine. Don¡¯t ever let me see you around Master Aizen again or I¡¯ll make this session feel ¡®painless¡¯ inparison.¡± Storming out of the room, Loly left Menoly to curl into a fetal position on the cold floor. Since seizing power and falling for Aizen, Loly¡¯s tyranny had escted, and today had been an unnerving esction. Menoly understood that Loly¡¯s brutality today wasn¡¯t just for pure fun; it was an outlet for her pent-up frustrations, a method to assert some domination and control after her humiliation at Yammy¡¯s hands. Yet, shackled by her circumstances and the haunting walls of Las Noches, all Menoly could do was suffer in silence ¡ª she had nowhere else to go. ¡­ Meanwhile, deep in the Forest of Menos. Muramasa pivoted slowly, his eyes sharpening as they met Nelliel¡¯s. With anguid grace, he tucked his hands into his pockets and hunched slightly, scrutinizing the female Hollow. Nelliel emanated a Reiatsu that dwarfed the self-proimed Guardian of the Menos Forest, and it was slowly growing as if building up to a destructive crescendo. ¡°Intriguing,¡± Muramasa mused, an eyebrow arching in genuine surprise. ¡°Not a drop in my oasis. You¡¯re a tide. What stirred the waves within you?¡± Rather than straight up killing her, he chose to engage in idle conversation with one purpose ¡ª finding her motivation and using it to fan the mes within her. Pushing her to evolve into a Vasto Lorde would make her a worthwhile harvest. No act was too far when it came to freeing his Master from his shackles. ¡°You,¡± Nelliel answered in a cold voice. ¡°You killed these Gillians and n to kill more. That alone makes me want to drive mynce through your heart.¡± She was very much against the idea of killing someone unless done out of vengeance or self defense. But someone who could kill so many without any remorse, someone who could talk about killing millions with a smile ¡ª someone like that had no right to live in her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s the big deal about that? Your kind have been eating each other since time immemorial.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a fight for survival between us, the same as animals in a forest. You, however, are not a part of our world.¡± Muramasa narrowed his eyes. ¡°Who are you to decide that? Who gave you the right to protect these Hollows?¡± Nelliel closed her eyes, yet his maniacal voice continued taunting her. Such conflicts wouldn¡¯t happen under Kazuya and Harribel¡¯s rule. Until their vision was realized she had to stop external threats like Muramasa from making her race extinct. In a flicker of motion too swift for the eye to track, Muramasa vanished from her sight, using Shunpo to arrive at her nk. But after her skirmish with Api, Nelliel was hardly surprised by this adept use of high-speed movement. She blocked the shing strike aimed at her side with ease. ¡°You think of yourself as the Messiah for your race? Don¡¯t make meugh. You¡¯re just a Hollow stuck in this abyss forever.¡± Nelliel countered his de. Sparks flew as hernce shed with his katana, illuminating the feral intensity zing behind her Hollow mask. ¡°I¡¯m not a Messiah¡­ just someone true to her desires.¡± Muramasa tightened his grip, wielding his katana with both hands and pressing against hernce. Despite brandishing her weapon single-handedly, Nelliel held her ground, tilting her head forward and advancing a step, nearly forcing him back. Muramasa took a graceful leap, withdrawing away from her. He observed the continuous growth of her Reiatsu, as though it was feeding upon her emotions. ¡®So close. How do I give her the final push?¡¯ He had already drained the ¡®Messiah¡¯ angle, and hecked further insight into her vulnerabilities. ¡°Say, will someone mourn your death?¡± ¡°No,¡± she answered coldly and stepped towards her. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you wanted to consume all Hollows? Come, kill and eat me.¡± ¡°With pleasure.¡± The twobatants lunged at each other in a maelstrom of shing Reiatsu. Nelliel thrust hernce at his heart, but Muramasa deftly evaded the blow, using a perfectly executed Shunpo to materialize above her. His katana descended upon her in a blinding arc then it blurred. She hastily raised hernce to parry, yet his de had already left its signature ¡ª a series of grievous wounds seared into her flesh. Nelliel¡¯s experience mattered nothing in front of Muramasa, the Zanpakut¨­ Spirit of the prodigious Koga Kuchiki. He effortlessly dominated the sh, forcing her into a reactive stance. Nevertheless, the fury zing in her eyes remained undimmed. The mounting injuries, the excruciating pain, and the grim odds of her survival ¡ª nothing could break her spirit. If she were to lose, thousands would die to fuel Muramasa¡¯s selfish ambitions. The single spark kept her in the fight. That was an oue she could not¡ªwould not¡ªtolerate. Empowered by her unyielding will, her heartbeat pulsed in harmony with her smoldering desires. Her strength surged exponentially,pelling Muramasa to elevate his own Reiatsu to keep up with her. Oblivious to these invisible fluctuations, Nelliel¡¯s attention remainedser-focused on Muramasa¡¯s every move. Being on the defensive allowed her to observe everything in detail. ¡®He is shallow.¡¯ Though Muramasa¡¯s raw power and speed may have rivaled or even surpassed that of Api, his tactical approach was one-dimensional. He repeated the same shing attacks, never bothering to mix things up ¡ª clearly, he was underestimating her. Despite knowing how to counter his offense, Nelliel continued her defensive actions. She could feel a growing unity with hernce. The relic moved to block and parry with extreme responsiveness as if it was an extension of her body. Her spirit and flesh were harmonizing, forging an unbreakable bond with her cherishednce. Disengaging momentarily, Muramasa executed a lithe backward leap, breaking their stalemate. ¡°You wanted to kill me, now you won¡¯t even attack me. Have you given up?¡± Nelliel didn¡¯t answer him, looking intently at hernce. There was a feeling that something inside thence called out to her. Guided by her raw instincts, she closed her eyes and took a steadying breath, gripping hernce in a poised, reversed hold, while her free hand took a steady hold in the air. Everything felt natural as if she had done this before. In response to her stance, her spiritual pressure surged and cascaded like a tidal wave. Her Reiatsu changed her from inside out. Her wounds miraculously closed, her skin hardening. In a fluid, graceful motion, she hurled hernce toward Muramasa. The weapon drilled through the air, conjuring a vortex in its wake. It punctured Muramasa¡¯s shoulder with unerring uracy, obliterating his entire right arm in a stter of ectosmic gore. Thence¡¯s momentum didn¡¯t end there as it ripped a gaping hole through the cavern¡¯s wall. ¡°Impressive. You finished your evolution. I want to apud you but,¡± Muramasa paused and briefly nced at the stump where his right arm had been moments ago. The flesh writhed grotesquely as slowly a new arm emerged from nothing. He brought his hands together and offered a sincere apuse. ¡°Eating Hollows gave me high-speed regeneration. How much will I grow from eating you? I cannot wait.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a freak,¡± Nelliel said. ¡°This isn¡¯t¡ª¡± Her senses tingled with the unmistakable pulse of a familiar Reiatsu. A Reiatsu that she once saw as insurmountable, even now it carried the same oppression. But what caught her off guard was Muramasa''s expression ¡ª a brief sh of uncharacteristic astonishment. ¡°You know him?¡± Muramasa blinked and regained his disinterested look. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s him. This Reiatsu is a little different¡­ that guy is a Shinigami, not Hollow.¡± Nelliel shook her head at his mutterings and nced at the new hole in the cave. She couldn¡¯t afford to go for hernce as it''d give Muramasa an opportunity to escape. ¡°I¡¯ll die if I stick around. She isn¡¯t worth the trouble of fighting him.¡± With a casual flick of his newly regenerated arm, Muramasa invoked a swirling Garganta. Nelliel lunged at him with her Son¨ªdo, but he had already stepped into the portal. For a fleeting second, she contemted diving into the Garganta. She pushed away the thought just as it resurfaced. Without hernce, she would absolutely die at Muramasa¡¯s hands. ¡®He won¡¯t be lucky next time.¡¯ Chapter 138: Small Comforts Chapter 138: Small Comforts Kazuya burst through the cavernous ceiling,nding before Nelliel. The very moment he had sensed her in a dangerous skirmish, he¡¯d raced to her side. s, by the time of his entrance, the battle had already concluded. Nelliel¡¯s eyes glistened with surprise as they took in his new attire. His Arrancar outfit and his untamed hair remained the same as their previous encounter. The striking new addition was the wolf-like Hollow mask adorning the upper half of his face, shrouding his identity inplete mystery. ¡°I don¡¯t see the guy you were fighting.¡± Nelliel¡¯s gaze drifted toward the fallen Hollows. The euphoria of bing a Vasto Lorde was overshadowed by mncholy. ¡°He escaped.¡± Sensing the heaviness in the air, he stumbled over the right words tofort her. ¡°I¡¯m d you aren¡¯t hurt.¡± A gentle nod was her acknowledgment to his heartfelt concern. He had rushed to help her, so she couldn¡¯t me him for Muramasa¡¯s escape. ¡°The deranged man responsible for this, he called himself Muramasa.¡± His eyebrows shot up in surprise. The fact that Nelliel survived an encounter with Muramasa pointed towards two possibilities ¡ª Muramasa had yet to acquire the strength shown in the anime, or he was fooling around with Nelliel. Perhaps a mix of both. While Muramasa wasn¡¯t on the level of Aizen, he harbored a cunning mind. In the anime, he had made all the Zanpakut¨­ Spirits believe in an uprising that existed only to help him achieve his goal: unsealing his Master, Koga Kuchiki. {We can safely me Partner for messing up somewhere, causing Muramasa to show up decades before his canon appearance.} Faced with Nami''s allegations, he couldn¡¯t help but self-reflect. His minor, inadvertent choices had ripple effects, drastically altering the fate of many. And perhaps, just perhaps, one of those ripples had spurred Muramasa into action. {What will we do about him?} ¡®I want him.¡¯ {Partner, I know Muramasa is slim, handsome, and stylish. He is also the epitome of a tragic, abused male¡­ Please, I beg you to stay within the hetero boundaries set by your ancestors. If you don¡¯t listen to me, I will¡­ I will kill Muramasa.} ¡®What the actual fuck, Nami? I thought you were smarter than that. Also, weren¡¯t yandere supposed to confine their love interests away from the world?¡¯ {To hell with that trope. I¡¯m not imprisoning anyone. Death is better thanplete istion.} She wasn¡¯t even going to joke about locking someone in a dark ce. Tsubasa had forced her to realize the loneliness that came with imprisonment within a tiny ce. Nelliel turned to him. ¡°I believe he knew you¡­ he implied it through a strange monologue.¡± His expression grew contemtive. While the possibility of Muramasa observing him in the Soul Society existed, he¡¯d be aware of any prying eyes with his keen senses. ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll deal with him.¡± ¡°He¡¯ll return here.¡± A fire ignited in Nelliel¡¯s eyes, matching the fervor in her voice. ¡°Can you take me to him? I¡ªI can¡¯t let him threaten innocent lives. I¡¯ll¡­ kill him.¡± Despite emitting a Vasto Lorde-level Reiatsu, she trembled at the mention of killing someone. Her Aspect of Death ¡®Lamentation¡¯ inherently opposed her the very act of taking a life. And yet, in an unlikely turn of events, she was prepared to go against these innate instincts to protect Hollows ¡ª monsters who might potentially be more evil than Muramas. ¡°We¡¯ll talk about itter. For now you¡¯reing with me.¡± Nelliel acknowledged with a soft hum, but then her eyes grew wide, a dawn of realization breaking through. ¡°Are you saying I¡¯m ready for Arrancarification?¡± His affirmation was apanied by an amused grin, his mind delightfully projecting a scene where Grimmjow mocked Nelliel for running away in their previous encounter, only to find himself thoroughly outmatched. Once Nelliel evolved into an Arrancar, she¡¯d be close to Harribel¡¯s prowess. Nheless, he had no intention of using her as a war asset. Her demeanor was unsuited forbat, but she would integrate seamlessly into Harribel¡¯s new kingdom. {Oh man. I can¡¯t wait to see Api¡¯s reaction. Hahahaha.} ¡®Give my poor deer some break.¡¯ Nelliel reached out and ced a hand on his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll go retrieve mynce.¡± They ventured together out of the cave''s gaping hole. An eerie hush draped over the forest. Instead of rushing, Nelliel seemed to savor each step, cherishing the rare opportunity of being in hispany. After all, he¡¯d be surrounded by his family when they returned to Karakura Town and be very hard to approach. This was her opportunity to know more about him. ¡°Damn, how far did you fling thatnce of yours?¡± Not one to endure prolonged silence, he struck up a conversation, hoping to lift Nelliel¡¯s spirits and distract her from the recent bloodshed. Unstable Reiatsu mightplicate the Arrancarifaction process. Nelliel gazed into the distance. ¡°I intended it to be a killing blow for his heart but he tilted his body at thest moment.¡± ¡°Impressive. Your ability, does it have a name?¡± ¡°¡®Lanzador Verde¡¯ (Green Lancer).¡± Nelliel¡¯s candidness in her naming mirrored her personality. Her soft yet genuine demeanor was a breath of fresh air to be around. She was different from Api¡¯s fiery possessiveness, Sung-Sun¡¯s teasing and yfulness, M Rose¡¯s brimming fervor, and Tier¡¯s mother-like gentleness. ¡°Nel, when we¡¯re in Hueco Mundo, you¡¯ll call me Cazador.¡± {That¡¯s Spanish for Hunter. Well yed, Partner. We can improve it further. Like ¡®Cazador de ta¡¯ (Silver Hunter) or ¡®Cazador de Damas¡¯ (Hunter of Ladies)} ¡®I want it simple.¡¯ {Suit yourself. Hmph.} He firmly believed in the charm of simplicity. Cazador also fitted with all the Hispanic motifs of Hueco Mundo. ¡°You took inspiration from Lanzador,¡± Nelliel said, a hint of amusement in her voice. ¡°Cazador as your Hollow name and Kazuya as your human name. I adore the concept, and they¡¯re very easy on the tongue.¡± While making small talk, they arrived at the location. Thence had traveled almost a kilometer and embedded deep into the base of a towering mountain. Even Nelliel looked momentarily taken aback, amazed by her raw power. Yet, amid the calm, an unsettling feeling gnawed at Kazuya. It was as if icy fingers grazed the nape of his neck, hinting at an unseen presence. He could sense a Reiatsu nearby, the faintness of which kept it out of reach. Someone was spying on him¡ªon Nelliel. ¡®Nami, am I being paranoid?¡¯ Nelliel, despite her Vasto Lorde senses, didn¡¯t feel anything amiss. Fortunately, he had another formidable Hollow to validate his suspicions. {I don¡¯t sense it, Partner. But I have an idea to force them out of their concealment.} ¡®What?¡¯ {Let this goddess of fire break free from her confines and unleash her ravenous ze upon this lifeless forest. Those who dare lurk in the shadows, attempting to deceive us, will soon find themselves embraced by our unforgiving mes.} Amidst Nami¡¯s passionate monologue, the presence vanished from his senses ¡ª the concealed soul realized that they were exposed and left the area. ¡®Could it be Gin or Tousen looking out for Hollows?¡¯ {We¡¯ll never know now¡­ that was such a brilliant opportunity to showcase my mes¡­ I¡¯m sad, Partner. Comfort me please.} ¡®...¡¯ Chapter 139: Reason Chapter 139: Reason Grimmjow almost choked on the water when a familiar silhouette gracefully danced through the air andnded on a nearby hill. It was Nelliel, the centaur he had encountered in Hueco Mundo, but she now seemed like apletely different person. There was a raw intensity about her; she radiated an aura of dignity and authority, despite the fact her Reiatsu was very much concealed by her Gigai. ¡°Holy¡­ what is a coward like her doing here?!¡± Nelliel sauntered closer, her towering stature casting a shadow over him. ¡°You¡¯ve also evolved. Still an Adjuchas, though.¡± ¡°Still an Adjuchas? What the hell do¡ª¡± ¡°She became a Vasto Lorde not long ago,¡± Kisuke interjected, materializing seemingly from nowhere. Tipping his hat ever so slightly, his eyes roamed the expansive underground, lips curling into a wry grin. The space, once reserved for his training and experiments, now became an orphanage for Hollows. ¡°Nel-chan, wee back and congrattions. You¡¯ve proven yourself in many ways today. I¡¯m proud of you!¡± Yet, beneath the facade of enthusiasm, Kisuke was gripped by doubts about the growing power under Kazuya¡¯smand. After all, two Vasto Lorde, a squad of eight Adjuchas, and the mysterious strength of Kazuya himself, could pose a great challenge to the Gotei 13. He had faith in Kazuya, but the cautious side of him whispered for a contingency should this power ever cloud Kazuya¡¯s judgment. Nelliel nodded politely. ¡°Thank you, Kisuke Urahara.¡± Grimmjow cracked his knuckles. ¡°Kisuke Urahara, get the hell out of here. I¡¯m in the mood to kick some Vasto Lorde¡¯s ass.¡± Nelliel¡¯snce moved threateningly close to Grimmjow¡¯s throat. ¡°You sought to consume me ¡ª a weak and beastly justification to kill someone. I¡¯ll not pursue our encounter in Hueco Mundo since we serve the same person.¡± Asking to get along with someone like Grimmjow would be foolish. So, avoiding a conflict with him was the second-best course of action. Grimmjow snorted. ¡°Like I care about that stuff. I don¡¯t need a reason to kill someone.¡± Nelliel pinned him down with a cold gaze. ¡°Do whatever you want. Just don¡¯t get in my way. I¡¯ll not hesitate to put down a rampaging beast.¡± ¡°You woman.¡± A tense silence hung between them. But before Grimmjow could make a move, the familiar swish of Kisuke¡¯s paper fan yfully connected with the back of his head. ¡°Get Kazuya-san¡¯s permission before fighting Nel-chan. Need I remind you about the punishments he listed?¡± Grimmjow growled. ¡°That guy¡­ fuck, she¡¯s not worth the hassle.¡± Watching Grimmjow''s retreating figure, Nelliel let out a quiet exhale. ¡°Cazad¡ªKazuya said he¡¯ll be back soon. I¡¯ll rest in the meantime¡­¡± The fight with Muramasa was mentally draining. She could use a good nap before Kazuya started her Arrancarification process. ¡°Rest as much as you need.¡± ¡­ Nelliel¡¯s eyes fluttered open, as though rousing from a dream. Before her, Kazuya lounged casually on a chair, his lips curved into a sly grin, eyes twinkling with mischief as they met hers. The vast underground chamber was silent ¡ª he was her onlypany. ¡°Wee back.¡± ¡°You¡¯re strange,¡± she stated her genuine feelings. Even though she respected him, having someone watch her sleep was unsettling. ¡°I meant that as an insult.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Twenty hours, Nelliel. It¡¯s fascinating how even a Vasto Lorde can be so vulnerable.¡± Of course, it was a lie to tease her. Nelliel barely slept for three hours. ¡°I trust you,¡± she replied matter-of-factly. ¡°You had numerous opportunities to harm me. Yet, here I am, as alive as a Hollow can be.¡± She had closed the power gap with him considerably, but the deep-rooted impressions wouldn¡¯t alter easily. The memory of their initial encounter, his overwhelming Reiatsu that day, remained engraved on her heart. ¡°What if I¡¯m a weirdo who takes pleasure in killing my closest allies?¡± Nelliel crossed her arms. ¡°If, by some miracle, you turn out to be a lunatic, I won¡¯t retaliate. Given you once saved my life, it¡¯s only fitting I permit you to end it.¡± The noticeable shift in Nelliel¡¯s demeanor didn¡¯t slip by Kazuya. Perhaps it was her solo journey in Hueco Mundo or the result of her choice to go against her Aspect of Death ¡ª she was acting particrly cynical. He shook his head. ¡°Let¡¯s get you amped up with H¨­gyoku.¡± ¡°Hog¡­ yoku?¡± Nelliel whispered with narrowed eyes. ¡°It sounds like a person¡¯s name.¡± He only smirked in reply. With a wave of his hand, he channeled his Reiatsu into the orb clutched within hands, unsealing the H¨­gyoku. Its radiant glow covered Nelliel, and as its luminescence fractured and dispersed, from the settling mist emerged Nelliel, holding a green katana ¡ª her Zanpakut¨­ ¡ª in her right hand. He nodded approvingly. Nelliel hadn¡¯t diverged much from her anime appearance except for her Hollow Mask¡¯s remnants remaining intact. Unlike Harribel and Kazuya, she hadn¡¯t acquired any spiritual clothes. The criteria for obtaining the spiritual clothes remained a mystery, even after multiple Arrancarifications. As Nelliel caught his lingering gaze, her eyes flew wide open. Hastily, she used her weapon to shield her breasts and crotch, though it proved to be an imperfect solution. Her Hollow form used to conveniently hide her behind armor and fur, but now, she waspletely exposed. {She made it sexier. Partner, did you notice anything strange about her?} ¡®What exactly?¡¯ {Her Hollow hole¡­ She doesn¡¯t have any.} ¡®She¡¯s like me, I think. We achieved our ¡®wish¡¯ and restored a part of ourselves.¡¯ Nelliel¡¯s Aspect of Death had always revolved around the pain of loss. In her own unique way, she had always strived to preserve life, taking numerous Hollows under her wing even in a ce as ruthless as Hueco Mundo. Her soul, in many ways, was more human than many humans themselves. It was only natural she¡¯d be cleansed of her past regrets. ¡°Do you¡­ have anything to wear?¡± ¡°Take this.¡± Nelliel caught the bag with nimble fingers, using it as an instant shield. She felt the weight of it, realizing it contained clothing. As he turned his back respectfully, she hurriedly adorned herself with the attire he¡¯d provided. The only reason he made her wait was to get some decent clothes for her. He turned around and waited for the rustling sounds to settle before checking up on her. Spoiler [copse] {Sheesh. We gave her the drip.} Nelliel dusted her sleeve and gave him a smile. ¡°Dying, being reborn as beasts, and then returning to a form resembling humans with emotions and reason¡­¡± ¡°We wed our way back to humanity. That means we earned our ce in this world.¡± She nodded at his confident statement. ¡°I guess I owe most of my efforts to you.¡± ¡°Stay by Tier¡¯s side and help her with her dream. That¡¯s all I want from you.¡± Her face took on a determined look. ¡°It¡¯s not just Harribel¡¯s dream. I want to help other Hollows realize their former humanity and be like us. I want them to be fortunate like us.¡± It was an absurd dream, but his unfathomable existence gave her a sliver of hope. ¡°Oh, by the way, feel free to stay at my ce. I know you and Grimmjow don¡¯t get along.¡± She shook her head. ¡°I was nning to visit my little ones. You don¡¯t need to apany me¡­ I¡¯ll hide my mask and blend into the crowd.¡± An excited grin crept on her lips as she thought about walking between the living. She acted on her feelings and threw her arms around him. Squeezing him in her embrace, sheughed joyfully, as though sharing her happiness with him. ¡°It really feels nice to hug someone. Thank you, Cazador, for yourpassion.¡± Her mood swing caught him severely off-guard. Letting out a deep sigh, he rubbed her back. ¡°Get moving already. I have a lot of work to do.¡± {Liar. You¡¯re enjoying the moment. It¡¯s written all over your face.} ¡®How is that my fault? Besides, I have to meet Izumi. There¡¯s also the little ghost girl. Api too.¡¯ {Don¡¯t forget our Zanpakut¨­ practice and fixing Ciri. That''s also important.} ¡®Zanpakut¨­ training is the first thing on my schedule tomorrow.¡¯ Chapter 140: Devotion Chapter 140: Devotion As Kazuya stepped out of the Urahara Shop, his gaze was immediately drawn to Api,fortably perched atop an old-fashioned motorcycle. This elegant bike, with its bold ck and red paint,cked the sleekness of modern motorcycles but made up for it with its undeniable vintage charm. The design had one major drawback. The primary seat, plush and inviting, cradled Api infort. But the secondary seating, rather than being a cushioned extension, was a bracket made of steel joints. It looked less like a ce for a passenger and more like an instrument of mild torture. ¡°When did you start driving?¡± ¡°Picked it up to drive Sung-Sun to different libraries in Tokyo. Now I love my baby Honda D-Type.¡± Api caressed the fuel tank with a beaming grin. ¡°Come on, Pretty Boy. Let¡¯s go grab a drink. This Onee-chan is thirsty.¡± The invitation was yful and cliche, reminiscent of a scene from some romance drama. She must have been waiting for months to recreate it with him ¡ª the thought made him smile. ¡°Move over. Make room for your pretty boy.¡± ¡°What? Sit there.¡± Seeing her point to the torture device, he gave a determined frown. ¡°Sit on myp or I¡¯m not going with you.¡± ¡°You,¡± she groaned and rose from her seat before plopping down on hisp. ¡°You¡¯re such a kid sometimes.¡± He ignored her whining and ced his hands on her waist. ¡°Deer wife, take me somece where it¡¯s just the two of us.¡± The promise to make her a Vasto Lorde wouldn¡¯t be fulfilled if he didn¡¯t spend time with her. She kickstarted the bike and drove out of the street. ¡°Not now. I¡¯m going home.¡± ¡°A, I thought you were in the mood. I forgot you like having threesomes now.¡± Time constraints may have forced her into a threesome but she took great pleasure in getting teased by him and Sung-Sun. That night would remain an unforgettable experience for all three involved. {Freak in the sheets. Api is just like me for real.} Api nudged his waist with her elbow, clearly embarrassed about her threesome experience. ¡°What were you doing at the shady shop?¡± ¡°Having a chat with my old pal Kisuke. He gets lonely sometimes, you know.¡± ¡°Kisuke and lonely? I never thought I¡¯d hear these words in the same sentence. I¡¯ll believe that you don¡¯t love me over epting Kisuke as lonely.¡± ¡°Ouch. Don¡¯t treat my feelings like that.¡± ¡°It was just an analogy!¡± She huffed. ¡°Also¡­ thanks for helping me with Franceska. I shouldn¡¯t have riled her over nothing.¡± ¡°You got it all wrong. I wasn¡¯t helping you; I was helping my future wife.¡± Listening to his shameless confession, she almost swerved into a car on the road. ¡°Almost lost control there¡­¡± ¡°Let me guess. You imagined a threesome with Rose and lost focus.¡± ¡°I did not!¡± Her loud denial was every bit of proof of her lewd fantasies. {This horny deer is always ready to get pounded.} ¡®You can also join.¡¯ {No. I¡¯m shy.} ¡®...¡¯ {I want my first time solo.} ¡®Got it.¡¯ The subtle warmth of his breath caressed Api¡¯s ear as he rested his chin tenderly against the delicate curve of her shoulder. ¡°I was wondering if you have any wishes or anything you¡¯re unsatisfied with.¡± Had he used a different tone, Api might have thrown a snarky retort. But the gravity in his voice made her pause, searching for the right words. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s say I¡¯m interested in making my deer wife happy.¡± Discovering her deepest desires was the key to uncover her Aspect of Death and seeding in her Vasto Lorde ascension. As things stood, she could devour another Vasto Lorde and still fail to evolve. They had to fill the ¡®emptiness¡¯ in her Hollow Heart first and foremost. {Could her Aspect of Death be envy or devotion? She was envious of the attention M Rose received from you, and she chose a simr body type in her evolution. We can also think of her willingness to change her perception as her dedication to you.} Api¡¯s hand suddenly pressed on the brake. The motorcycle halted, just a whisper away from the serene river of Karakura Town. For a fleeting moment, the world around them stood still. Theforting hum of the town and the distantughter of children ying merged with the gentle rustling of leaves. After a long moment of inner reflection in the peaceful neighborhood, she gave a shake of her head. ¡°I have everything I want with me.¡± He gently lifted her shirt and brushed over the opening within her stomach ¡ª her Hollow Hole, the representation of her emptiness. ¡°Why does this still exist?¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t know,¡± she answered in a trembling voice. ¡°Stop touching me.¡± He wrapped his arms around her. ¡°Api, close your eyes for me and take a deep breath. I¡¯ll show you the path to be Vasto Lorde.¡± She let his hypnotic voice guide her, the mesmerizing rhythm of the flowing river caressed her senses, enveloping her in calmness. ¡°Now, concentrate on my voice.¡± She hummed and bobbed her head in daze. ¡°I am.¡± He had never used his voice with the intention of charming his lovers. For Api¡¯s benefit, he instilled every word with intent to lower her defense and open her true heart ¡ª a skill he learned while seducing the women in the academy. ¡°Api Emilou, do you believe that you¡¯re the most beautiful woman in my life?¡± ¡°I¡¯m inferior to Nami, your Zanpakut¨­ Spirit.¡± {To satisfy my soulmate for all eternity, I¡¯ll be the sexiest and most gorgeous piece of meat in the market.} Paying no heed to Nami¡¯s strange pride in her beauty, he continued, ¡°Are you the strongest woman in my life?¡± She shook her head in disagreement. ¡°I¡¯m barely able to beat the duo of Snake and Lioness whereas you have evolved to the pinnacle of the Hollow race. Harribel¡¯s strength is closer to you than it is closer to mine¡­ and I¡¯m not even the strongest Adjuchas. Nelliel took that title away from me.¡± The battle with Nelliel still lingered in her mind and for good reasons. She got overconfident in her strength and underestimated the Non-Arrancar Nelliel. The price ¡ª she lost. ¡°What¡¯s your dream? What¡¯s the goal you want to achieve at any cost?¡± ¡°I want to get¡­ strong. So strong that no one can deny me from living in the Soul Society with you. I want to shield you from every harm in the world¡­ I want to¡­¡± She paused as the sound of her gulp echoed through the air. Lowering her head, she clenched her fists. ¡°I want to be the fucking strongest in the world and crush anyone who wants to hurt you.¡± {There''s no mistaking it. The depth, the intensity, the unwavering dedication she has for you is only second to me. Her Aspect of Death can only be ''Devotion''. Nothing else would make sense, well, apart from Love.} He couldn¡¯t help but agree with Nami. Api may have yearned for strength out of peace but meeting him deeply changed her priorities ¡ª now, he was her everything. Nelliel fulfilled a part of her Aspect of Death ¡®Lamentation¡¯ by putting her life on the line to protect Hollows. How could Api receive the same amount of fulfillment with her Aspect of Death being ¡®Devotion¡¯? Suddenly, a droplet of tear rolled down Api¡¯s face, making a soft tink against the hollow fuel tank. The barely audible impact shattered her trance state. ¡°Huh?¡± Api reached up and wiped the tears from her face. She had answered something strange, and the fact they made her cry eluded her. ¡°What did you do to me?¡± ¡°My silly goose,¡± he whispered. ¡°You couldn¡¯t help but cry when expressing your love for me. I¡¯m such a lucky guy, aren¡¯t I?¡± She feigned annoyance but the hint of a smile betrayed her. ¡°Hmph. It¡¯s good you know that.¡± ¡°Just stay put on myp. I¡¯ll drive us home.¡± Chapter 141: Be her god? Chapter 141: Be her god? ¡°What the fuck, Skull? Why did you do that?¡± The air was thick with tension as M Rose directed her piercing gaze towards Kazuya, her face veiled by an uncharacteristic scowl. His offense was trimming his majestic silver hair. The new slicked back hairstyle added a touch of professionalism to his overall look. The person who saw him in Hueco Mundo as a Hollow would have easily identified him by his eye-catching hairstyle. He had to mix things up. (A/N: Imagine Archer¡¯s hairstyle lol.) His new hairstyle unexpectedly caused M Rose to freak out, leaving him a bit bewildered. Api rolled her eyes and let out a disdainful huff. ¡°Why are you throwing a tantrum? He looks so much better, like I can see his face without his hair getting in the way.¡± M Rose was usually assertive and fearless. Right now she looked flustered. Her lips parted as if to retort, but all she managed was a whisper. ¡°He looked better before.¡± Sung-Sun moved closer, eyes glinting in the face of an opportunity to tease M Rose. ¡°Oh, I think I understand,¡± she purred. ¡°Husband¡¯s previous hairstyle resembled a lion¡¯s mane, and we all know Rose is a lioness through and through.¡± ¡°Yes, I loved his previous hair,¡± M Rose confessed. ¡°Because it looked infinitely better.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just hair.¡± Kazuya reached out and stroked M Rose¡¯s ck mane. ¡°They¡¯ll grow back.¡± The tender caress and the subtle smirk in his eyes had the desired effect. Her cheeks bloomed into a subtle rose hue. ¡°Promise you won¡¯t cut it again without telling me.¡± He let his fingers linger a moment longer on her scalp before retracting his hand. ¡°You own the rights to my hair now. Happy?¡±¡± Laughing softly, she yanked him down next to her on the plush couch. ¡°You¡¯ve given Api enough of your time. Now it¡¯s my turn.¡± Sung-Sun quietly moved over and snuggled up next to him, putting her head in hisp. ¡°He can spoil us both. It saves him the time he can spend with our Queen Harribel.¡± ¡°Works for me.¡± The bully and the bullied resolved their issues when they had to be around him. He couldn¡¯t be more ecstatic about their bond. Api watched Kazuya¡¯s sunny smile as he was surrounded by her friends. An indescribable warmth washed over her. ¡°I¡¯ll fetch the groceries then. Kazuya, do you want something?¡± Kazuya didn¡¯t miss the fleeting yet tender expression that briefly crossed Api''s face. This time, she genuinely felt happiness for him, rather than envy. ¡°Some sweet dango,¡± he requested, the very mention of the treat causing his eyes to light up with anticipation. ¡°And lots of sake.¡± ¡°You want to drink Alcohol?¡± ¡°Yup.¡± Api¡¯s lips curled into a tender smile as she twirled her keys around her finger, pivoting gracefully on her heel. ¡°Got you.¡± {Drinking tonight, are we? Who is the luckydy to apany you?} ¡®How about everyone?¡¯ {Hooo, an orgy. I¡¯ll watch it from the sidelines then.} ¡®Coward.¡¯ {The Demon Empress is no coward but a bashful maiden in love,} Nami said with a giggle. {I have an idea to indulge Api¡¯s Aspect of Death. Make her dress as a nun! Let her worship you and thend you walk upon. Roley as her god.} ¡®That¡¯s too much. I¡¯m not going to degrade her existence just to raise her power.¡¯ As much as he loved a nun cosy, he¡¯d never force Api to do anything against her wishes. He fought for his own freedom and believed that his lovers deserve nothing less than the same. {Then you can turn her into your maid. Teach her the ways of a devoted maid!} ¡®I¡¯ll see.¡¯ He nudged Sung-Sun. ¡°I don¡¯t see Tier anywhere.¡± ¡°Took the kid outside with Lisa,¡± M Rose chimed in with a mischievous grin. ¡°You got reced by a little girl. If you want to cry your heart out, feel free to borrow my shoulder.¡± ¡°Can I borrow your chest?¡± ¡°Eh, I don¡¯t see any problem with that,¡± she giggled. ¡°Just know Harribel-sama won¡¯t ever rece you. She loves you too much.¡± Sung-Sun guided his hands to squeeze her breasts. ¡°You haven¡¯t wifed her up yet. You may use my royal pair to heal your broken heart.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mind me.¡± M Rose¡¯s eyes narrowed as she watched Kazuya yfully teasing Sung-Sun¡¯s breasts. Though she found Kazuya to be the epitome of all the traits she admired¡ªstrength, protection, and courage¡ªthere was an intangible force that held her back, preventing her from fully surrendering to her passion. All she could hear was the persistent whisper of her instincts, warning her that things would never work out with Kazuya. He abruptly stopped his yful antics and directed his attention towards her. ¡°Rose, like I told you before, you don¡¯t have to bottle up your troubles and anxieties. We¡¯re here to listen.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± she deflected, evading the weight of her own feelings as she fumbled with the remote. ¡°What do you wanna watch? ¡°Anything you suggest.¡± M Rose searched through the channels, hoping to find something captivating, but all she found was a sea of mediocrity. ¡°It¡¯s all boring.¡± ¡°Husband,e to my room. We¡¯ll read my spicy older women manga I borrowed from Lisa.¡± Lisa had led her down the rabbit hole, and now Sung-Sun wanted to pull him in too. Unfortunately for them, he was already a bigger degenerate than both of thembined. {They can¡¯tpete with the Lords of Degeneracy.} M Rose red at Sung-Sun. ¡°Why are you so damn horny all the time?!¡± ¡°You¡¯re the strange one who doesn¡¯t get horny around Husband!¡± Sung-Sun retorted with a cheekyugh. ¡°Husband, let¡¯s make some heartwarming memories in my abode.¡± ¡°No, he¡¯ll stay here.¡± The Snake and Lioness began pulling at his arms in a literal tug-of-war. He found himself yanked back and forth, both growling at each other as they fought over him like he was a toy. ¡°Girls,¡± hemanded, his voice dropping to a chilling tone that sliced through their heated battle. ¡°Stop this shit right now.¡± Sung-Sun relented with a sigh. ¡°I concede. Snakes aren¡¯t meant to win against goris in raw strength.¡± M Rose hugged his arm like a trophy and stuck out her tongue, her expression the epitome of childish gloating. ¡°Loser~.¡± Sung-Sun leaned in, her lips lightly brushing his cheek as she whispered her next move. ¡°Husband, your objective now is to make her ept you as her mate. Seed or no threesomes ever.¡± ¡°Challenge epted.¡± Losing the pleasure of a threesome, especially with the erotic Sung-Sun, was not even an option. After the earlier event in Hueco Mundo, he had full confidence to make M Rose ept him. {Rise to the asion, O¡¯ Prince of Hollows.} Chapter 142: Internal Crisis Chapter 142: Internal Crisis As Sung-Sun left, Kazuya gazed into M Rose¡¯s eyes. ¡°Rose, do you remember our talk on the Ferris wheel?¡± ¡°...It¡¯s been a long time.¡± The hesitation in her response was a telltale sign she was lying. It was so out of character for her, as she was usually so direct and assertive. She didn¡¯t have to lie as she had rejected his advances before. He had to figure out the cause of her indecisiveness, or he¡¯d be forever stuck at the ¡®close friend¡¯ status. ¡°I¡¯ll remind you then. You told me you¡¯ll ept me as you mate if I make it back alive. I¡¯ve done that twice now.¡± ¡°I said I¡¯ll consider the idea!¡± M Rose shot back, springing up from the plush couch like a lioness ready to pounce. Her gaze, full of conflicting emotions, met him. ¡°I want to be with you. I don¡¯t think I can be with you.¡± The more she thought about herplicated feelings, the tighter the knot in her stomach became. Her anxieties reached a breaking point,pelling her to m her fist onto the table, shattering itpletely. She sank onto the couch, her head throbbing and her breathing in ragged gasps. ¡°I don¡¯t make any damn sense¡­ Skull, I love you but I can¡¯t escape this nagging feeling that I can¡¯t make you happy. Why do I feel this way?¡± He couldn¡¯t answer her confusion until he recalled Sung-Sun¡¯s statement on M Rose¡¯s nature. Out of every Hollow around him, only M Rose fully embraced her bestial instincts, finding genuine joy in activities such as hunting and leisurely lounging. He had to shift his perspective and adopt the mindset of a lion to help her. ¡°Skull, say something. Is my gut feeling right? Or am I overthinking things? I¡¯m so¡­ confused.¡± Facing her vulnerable look, he assumed a serious expression. ¡°You¡¯re not entirely wrong, Rose. But you¡¯re not entirely right, either.¡± ¡°You aren¡¯t helping, Skull.¡± He chuckled. ¡°You like to hunt, right?¡± She quizzically nodded, still unsure why he brought up her pastime activity. ¡°I love it.¡± ¡°Do you want to hunt for me?¡± Her eyes widened dramatically. ¡°How do you know that?¡± ¡°What you¡¯re feeling is a sh of your emotions and your instincts.¡± ¡°Emotions and instincts? I don¡¯t understand. Make me understand in simplenguage¡­¡± {She is a little thickheaded.} He cleared his throat. ¡°You¡¯re a lioness, right?¡± ¡°Of course. My Zanpakut¨­ is named the Lioness General.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the role of a lioness in a lion¡¯s pride?¡± ¡°Pride? Like the lion¡¯s group with a harem of lionesses? What do they do?¡± Born in Hueco Mundo, shecked the basic knowledge on animals ¡ª the biggest reason for her current confusion. ¡°A lioness hunts for her pride.¡± ¡°Okay¡­ what does that have to do with us?¡± ¡°It has everything to do with us,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°You see me as a mate, the leader of our ¡®pride.¡¯ Your instinct is to always hunt for me and provide me with sustenance. But when I bought the mansion and became a wealthy man, you lost your purpose.¡± He was a perfect mate with one w ¡ª hisck of dependence on her, which led her to lose self-esteem in herself as a ¡®lioness.¡¯ Her depression was also deeply linked to her instincts ¡ª with her ¡®mate¡¯ far away from her grasp, shecked motivation to do anything and ended up lounging around all day. When confronted by Api, she even tried to prove her worth by hunting Grimmjow and his group for him. s, it wasn¡¯t enough to cure her confidence issues. A look of dawning realization spread across her face, as though she were piecing together aplex puzzle. The weight of this revtion settled over her. ¡°Motherf¡­ I¡¯m useless in your pride.¡± Gently taking her hand, he brought it to his lips and tenderly kissed her knuckles. ¡°That would be the case if we were beasts living in a forest. Don¡¯t forget that we¡¯re Arrancars ¡ª hybrids of Shinigami and Hollow. We don¡¯t need to live by our animalistic instincts.¡± She raised her eyebrows. ¡°You¡¯re saying I can be a good mate without hunting for you? ¡°Exactly. Aside from hunting, you can do so much more to be a good wife.¡± She beamed a smile when he mentioned being a good wife. ¡°You glib-tongued pervert, you¡¯re suggesting sex.¡± Clearing his throat as if to downy her insinuation, he smiled. ¡°Sex is just one of those things.¡± She giggled at his innocent gesture before moving to straddle hisp. ¡°Alright, Skull. Let¡¯s give this thing a shot. Me, Snake, Api, Harribel-sama, and you being part of a pride.¡± He had changed her entire perspective on every male in the world then got rid of the problem that made her fall into depression for months. He was the most reliable man in her eyes, with Harribeling in second. ¡°What about Ciri? She won¡¯t be in the pride?¡± Cough. Cough. A series of fake coughs pulled them out of their private world. There stood Ciri, leaning against the banister of the staircase above them, a smile stretching across her face. M Rose shot her an unamused look. ¡°Ciri, what will you say to my mate¡¯s proposal?¡± Ciri shrugged with casual indifference. ¡°What I¡¯ve always said. Family and mates aren¡¯t for me.¡± ¡°The audacity,¡± M Rose muttered and turned her attention back to Kazuya. ¡°What do you say about tying her up?¡± ¡°Forget it,¡± he leaned close to her ear. ¡°Is she still depressed?¡± ¡°Kind of¡­ I don¡¯t understand her sometimes.¡± He shook his head, his expression turning contemtive. ¡°It¡¯s better you don¡¯t understand her circumstances.¡± Healing her Zanpakut¨­ would be a piece of cake but healing her heart would be tricky. Seizing the moment of his contemtion, M Rose leaned in to nt a soft kiss on his cheek. ¡°Kazuya, let¡¯s go on a date.¡± The bold spark in her eyes and the allure in her voice were signals he couldn¡¯t possibly misunderstand with his experience. And quite frankly, he was more than willing to take the hint. Chapter 143-145: Heat in the Onsen (R-18) Chapter 143-145: Heat in the Onsen (R-18) The wooden balcony jutted out only a dozen feet, with a wide onsen beyond it. A vast valley stretched out beyond the onsen, with mountains on either side glittering in the evening sunlight. As the sky began its gradual surrender to twilight, the atmosphere was awash in a subtle blend of amber warmth and soft, pink hues. Even though Kazuya had been to many onsens, he found the view quite ster. ¡°What a lovely view¡­¡± Hispanion also agreed with him. He nced behind, noting M Rose holding a towel to her voluptuous chest. The white towel covered most of her, leaving her long legs and hips bare. However, everything in this moment was secondary to the wonder on her face ¡ª eyes wide, a slight, growing smile, the rxed expression, and the quiet contentment in her eyes ¡ª her radiant happiness made her utterly mesmerizing. Spoiler [copse] ¡°You¡¯re lovelier.¡± Giggling at hispliment, M Rose offered her hand. ¡°Sk¡ªKazuya~. Your lovely, sexy, and strong mate wants to hold hands with you.¡± {Handholding is LEWD! Cease your actions or I shall call upon the overlords of the realm ¡ª the Federal Bureau of Investigation.} ¡®They have no power over me.¡¯ He epted M Rose¡¯s hand, letting her lead him over to the onsen. The warm mist invitingly caressed his skin as he sat down on the edge and dipped his toes in. The temperature was pleasantly warm. Yielding to the temptation, he sighed contentedly as he sank into the warmth. ¡°This never gets old.¡± She joined him a momentter, sighing in equal bliss. ¡°This is the paradise Hollows like us deserve for being kinder than most humans.¡± ¡°If it was that easy,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°Enjoying the date so far I assume.¡± For their date, she had insisted on taking him to a hot spring ¡ª his second onsen visit with a beautiful dark-skinned woman this month. ¡°Yup. My mate makes for a goodpany.¡± She stretched her arms before cuddling into his shoulder. ¡°Those filthy couples on the television made me so envious. I finally have a mate I can enjoy this with.¡± Coming to terms with her feelings, she had fully epted him as her mate. ¡°Rose, your honest side is adorable. You¡¯re almost like the golden retriever I never got the chance to have.¡± The first half of his words had her in smiles but the second half made her scowl. She punched his shoulder, baring her fangs with vengeance. ¡°Fuck you. I¡¯m a proud lioness.¡± ¡°Haha.¡± The two of thempsed into afortable silence, neither really in a rush to break it. They had been friends for so long, asionally shing over their different perceptions. And right now, cosying up in a warm onsen and overlooking a gorgeous view, the silence between them amply conveyed the quiet wonder that such a view gave them. For the first time, it was a silence they could savor alone, undisturbed by the presence of his otherpanions. Lost in the moment and lulled by the ambient sounds of nature, M Rose lifted her gaze to meet his, and her fingers timidly turned his face toward hers. The intimacy flushed her cheeks, her heart pounding against her ribs. His gaze unconsciously traced her sensual curves wrapped tightly within the towel. She looked stunning in the waning sunlight. ¡°Kazuya¡­¡± Her lips, delicate and full, curled invitingly as she looked up at him, her eyes slowly closing. Without stopping to think, he leaned in and kissed her. It felt like time stopped for a brief instant, his lips pressing against her own ¡ª and then time resumed as she tentatively pushed back, reciprocating the kiss with even more passion. Itsted just a few seconds but by the time both drew apart their eyes were locked onto one another, too enraptured by the other to look away. ¡°Sweet,¡± M Rose breathed, shifting and climbing onto hisp. ¡°Kiss me more.¡± Once again their lips met in a gentle collision, eliciting a soft, almost feline mewl from M Rose. His hand trailed from her cheek to her side, grazing the wet surface of her skin, but the way his palm inched towards her chest made his desire apparent. With an unspoken understanding, she let her towel go, the soaked-through fabric drifting in the warm water and unveiling her plump, full breasts bare to him. He was tempted to break the kiss just so he could get an eyeful of them. She pulled away just far enough so they could both take in the sight of one another in this waning light. Her breasts were voluptuous yet perfectly round, and her t stomach was decorated with a six-pack. Her arms and back showed off toned muscles without being overly masculine. ¡°You¡¯re breathtaking.¡± Puffing her chest proudly, she reached under her breasts and lifted them. ¡°I know you love my tits. You can touch mine as much as you like.¡± He smiled appreciatively at her actions and reimed her lips in a passionate kiss. Both of his hands came up to grope at her ample breasts, squishing them between his fingers and eliciting a moan from her. Their lips drew apart momentarily before reconnecting in the next, their locked lips muffling the surprised mewls that arose with her throat. The chilly air barely registered to the embracing couple taking pleasure of the warmth radiating from each other and the onsen pool. ¡°Mmph¡­¡± she mewled into the kiss, pulling back with a slight, breathless smile. ¡°Don¡¯t stop. Keep touching me¡­ Kazuya¡­¡± He almost trembled at the way she whispered his name and how she gazed at him beneath her disheveled tresses with open affection. Unable to resist the charm she was exerting on him, he returned to their embrace. But instead of kissing her lips again, he concentrated on her neck, showering her smooth skin with a barrage of pecks. He moved from her nape to her shoulder, and then he took her right nipple in his mouth. ¡°Ah~,¡± she moaned in surprise, her back arching as he suckled on her tit. She began to grind herself against his erect penis beneath the towel, her heat of arousal mounting under his caress. ¡°Skull, let me touch you too~.¡± He hummed an agreement between licking and swirling his tongue around her nipples. Her hands pawed over his chest and slid down until she reached his towel. She was far from gentle when she ripped away the fabric towel with her ws. The sight of his throbbing penis in the water made her gasp. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ huge.¡± ¡°Scared?¡± ¡°Absolutely not. I can handle anything for my lovable mate.¡± He sucked cold air as her hand reached for his penis. With a gentleness, unlike her previous ferocity, she grasped his thick staff, her thumb teasing the bulbous crown. ¡°Hahaha, you were so scared shitless,¡± she teased, leaning towards him and sinking her fangs in his shoulder. She drew back, showcasing her blood-covered fangs, as she grinned. ¡°You¡¯re my mate. Mine forever.¡± He kissed her, feeling the vor of his own blood on his lips. It had a charred and acrid taste, but not unpleasant. ¡°And you mine.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so sweet that my heart¡¯s melting.¡± She released his penis and rose to her knees, flushing her right breast against him. ¡°Can you feel it?¡± ¡°Ummm. I can.¡± ¡°Oi, I wasn¡¯t asking you to suck them again!¡± she burst intoughter, watching himp at her nipples, and giving her tingles. ¡°Mhmm, you¡¯re so good at it.¡± Popping his lips off of her nipple he swapped over to her other breast, peppering her soft skin with kisses and leaving her moaning in bliss. Her hands rested on her shoulders and her sharp nails gently scraped his skin ¨C not enough to hurt or even leave marks, but enough to be felt, to let her ground herself on something. He grabbed her hips and lifted her above him, nting a wet kiss on her toned stomach with a quiet murmur of appreciation. ¡°Lovely.¡± She chuckled, seemingly enjoying the show of affection. ¡°It¡¯s ticklish.¡± ¡°How about I tickle down¡­¡± he trailed his words as he went further, hovering a breath away from her lower lips. ¡°¡ªHere.¡± Feeling his warm breath against her, she shivered. ¡°Go ahead¡­ I won¡¯t say no.¡± He buried his face into her crotch, eagerly dragging his tongue up her slit. She cried out, voice sweet and shaky as she felt his tongue flick again, moving in quick, eager strokes, and savoring her desiring taste. His hands groped her mounds and twisted her nipples,mitting every curve, every inch of detail to his memory. His tongue worked furiously,pping at her petals and flicking at her clit. ¡°M-Mn~,¡± Mewling in response M Rose ran her fingers through his hair, pushing him down into her crotch. ¡°You¡¯re electrifying me¡­! My mate~!¡± Listening to her call him with so much tenderness and sexual longing drove his desire higher and higher. His passion zed with intensity as he continued eating her out, seeking out the quivering spots that gave her extreme pleasure. He paused briefly and reced his tongue with two fingers, thrusting them in and out of her rapidly. He moved to her inner-thighs where he kissed and licked gently, bringing forth an array of pleasurable moans from his lovely mate. Her head tossed from one side to the other as he explored her with his fingers, curling and stroking them within her wetness. He met her half-lidded gaze, a rosy hue apparent on her healthy bronze skin. As he twisted his finger inside her, a whimper escaped her ¡ª one that spiked when he ran his tongue along her clit, licking her little nub and making her whole body spasm briefly. She grinded her crotch against his face, lost in chasing a bigger climax with his mouth. Pinching her nipple in a tease, he drew back, a trail of her nectar and his saliva dripping down his lips. ¡°M Rose, may I?¡± Muttering his name between long breaths, she weaved her hand through his hair. ¡°My mate, you¡¯re stupid to ask for permission¡­ You¡¯re way too gentle to me, all of us.¡± Her rough, passionate voice changed the sensual ambiance to that of a solemn one. It was unintentional as she never read the room when opening her mouth. ¡°A man ought to be good to his loved ones, even those shitty, good-for-nothings.¡± She chuckled. ¡°Yeah, right. Then I¡¯ll make sure those good-for-nothings don¡¯t get you killed. I¡¯ll protect my mate, my pride.¡± {That is wrong,} A voice whispered inside his head. It was Nami¡¯s voice, but distant and icy, unlike the gentle yandere he knew and loved. {You protect your loved ones. You¡¯re their shield. Risking your soul for those you cherish, holding them so close their harm falls upon you ¡ª it¡¯s how you are and will always be, Master.} He recognized the voice¡¯s true identity the very moment ¡®Shield¡¯ was uttered ¡ª only one person had such an obsession with shields. His former Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, which should¡¯ve died. Yet she lived, speaking to him through Nami. He couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that Izanami hadn¡¯t devoured Tsubasa ¡ª they had merged together instead, with Nami holding a dominant position. {My head¡­ it¡¯s spinning like hell. What just happened, Partner? I feel like I said something strange.} ¡®We¡¯ll talk about itter.¡¯ {Partner¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to ruin your mood.} ¡®I said we¡¯ll talk about itter.¡¯ ¡°What happened, love?¡± asked M Rose as she leaned into his arms and cupped his cheeks. ¡°You look¡­ pale. Did I¡ª¡± He held her face and kissed her forehead before giving his most assuring smile. ¡°It¡¯spletely unrted to you. Also, were you about to suggest we call it off?¡± ¡°I was¡ª¡± He suddenly pinched her butt, twisting the firm yet soft flesh, all the while grinning like a viin. ¡°Do you know how much I looked forward to breeding my adorable lioness?¡± ¡°The moment I became an Arrancar?¡± ¡°Correct. That¡¯s why I¡¯m fucking you today no matter what happens.¡± With her in his arms, he settled on the edge of the pool. Their eyes drawn instinctively to one another even as he shifted into position, her legs sying on either side of him. ¡°Wait, I¡¯ll do it.¡± She grabbed his cock and guided it towards her entrance, the tip lightly brushing against her delicateher lips and nearly dipping in once, twice ¡ª and then on the third go she lowered on him. She made an involuntary gasp then a slight whimper as she felt his fullness within her. Her spine arched up as her body responded to him, her hands curling into tight fists as she endured the initial difort of his length. He held onto her tightly, groaning in total bliss as he felt her wet heat gradually engulf his erect shaft. Hissing out a soft breath he pulled out until just the tip was inside before spearing back in M Rose, feeling her slick insides part for his intruding length. He was careful not to be too rough but staying still bordered on impossible. Her insides caressed his cock in such a way that it felt more natural to move, to glide between her wet walls. M Rose moaned at the sensation, her lip caught between her teeth. Their eyes locked as his hips moved in tandem with hers, creating an ever-increasing friction. His own pleasure was a distant thought, overshadowed by her growing cries of ecstasy. There was no rush, no haste, and with every roll of his hips any difort she felt melted away bit by bit, her hands sliding over his torso with growing confidence ¨C touching and feeling his muscles freely. He responded by daringly picking up the pace, his slow thrusts quickening and fucking a gentle moan out of the lioness, her insides clenching down on his cock tightly. ¡°Do you like this position?¡± Sheughed even as she bounced and swirled her hips around his manhood. Stretching her arms invitingly, she embraced him and pressed her lips against him. ¡°I get to kiss you and look at you while we mate. This position isn¡¯t good; it¡¯s the¡ªahhh~! best!¡± Breaking off the kiss he groaned, his flesh smacking against M Rose¡¯s own as he got more into it ¡ª everything beyond the two of them seeming to fade from his perception. He dove in to shower her neck with a slew of kisses. She squirmed under him, moans tumbling freely from her lips before they pursed, holding the flood back for only a mere second before more tumbled forth, as endless as they were erotic. ¡°Mm, Rose.¡± nting onest kiss on her neck, he grabbed her thighs and raised them. ¡°I¡¯m about to fuck you harder. Are you ready?¡± ¡°As I said, I¡¯ll do anything¡ª¡± M Rose¡¯s passionate mewl escted into a yelp as he folded her legs over herself, shifting her to the side and more on top of her ¡ª and with renewed vigor he started pistoning down into her tight tunnel, mating-pressing her into the wooden deck. ¡°Ah! Ah!¡± The sound of pping flesh reverberated throughout the steamy air, each smack more passionate than thest. His hands left her trembling legs and nted on the deck, his hips in constant motion and driving his swollen shaft deep inside ¡ª each thrust roughly knocked on her cervix as he went to town on her, railing her with unbridled passion. M Rose sumbed to her mate¡¯s passion willingly, her shrill cries and throaty moans permeating the air. He kept up the rapid tempo, each ragged gasp and fierce moan leaving him breathless. Yet he refused to relent, exquisite pleasure radiating along his cock as he thrust deeply into her inner walls. He could feel her muscles contracting around him, the gripping sensation bing more intense with every movement. His climax was upon him but he pushed on, pounding himself into her clenching haven¡ª ¡°S-Skull~!¡± ¡ªUntil with a cry M Rose climaxed, her insides seizing around his cock. Suddenly holding back wasn¡¯t an option and he bucked his hips back, gasping as he grabbed his cock and jerked off ¡ª and with a throaty moan he unloaded right up her stomach; thick white streaks painting themselves up her stomach and over her breasts, each rope hitting her skin with an audible st. She quivered at the feeling, eyes half-lidded as she peered down at him, mewling as he shot another couple spurts onto her stomach and groin, leaving her entire front sticky with his load. Breathlessly, he smiled at her, getting one in return, both of them too busy panting to really form words. His gaze, though, descended back to the mess he¡¯d made on her stomach, the mere sight of her voluptuous covered in semen ¡ª his semen ¡ª perked his shaft back up. The stiffness of his shaft didn¡¯t bypass her notice either. The lioness grinned. ¡°Wanna do more?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± She rose up and stepped into the hot spring bath, her brief dip in the water water washing away his semen. But what truly held his interest was the way she stood up, exposing her ass to him as she bent forward over the stone edge of the onsen. She nced back at him and brazenly presented herself, water glistening across her dark skin. Entranced by her beauty, he gradually sank back into the water and scooted behind her. There was just enough space between them for him to fit, his erection rubbing against her ass as he positioned himself behind her. Just before he stuck it inside, she said, ¡°Do it inside if you want. I don¡¯t care if I get pregnant.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll think about kids after I¡¯m done with the Soul Society.¡± ¡°Okay¡­ but I¡¯m always open to having Skull¡¯s babies. We¡¯re in a ce to support our children.¡± The tenderness in her expression when she gazed at him made his heart go weak. While he held her gaze, he speared back inside of her ¡ª stuffing M Rose to the brim in a single, clean thrust. The lioness cried out in pleasure, but he was past the point of taking things slow. Both hands settled on her hips as he pounded her raw. The water around their thighs sloshed from the force of his movements, his cock seamlessly sliding out to the tip and ramming back in until he practically kissed her womb, stuffing her to the brim, again and again. Her loud, blissful cries echoed through the air, telling him her feelings on their intimacy. He pped her cheeks, her rear jiggling from the force of his quick thrusts. He paid it little mind though and ran his hands up her front until he could grope her breasts, practically spooning her from behind as he felt her up mid-fuck, the overwhelming barrage of sensation rendering her little more than a moaning mess, her hair bing more dishevelled as their bodies jerked back-and-forth. ¡°Hah, a-ahh~!¡± M Rose threw her head back and moaned, ncing back at him from the corner of her eye. ¡°S-Skull¡ªmmph~!¡± A hand to her cheek pulled M Rose right into a kiss, the surprise in her eyes fading in a heartbeat as she reciprocated, her lips mashing against his. Even as he kept pounding her from behind they dragged it out, their tongues soon getting involved and wrestling between their mouths, his experience guiding her to raw ecstasy. Moans bubbled up their throats, forcing them apart several times before mashing their lips back together, going at it like animals. Breaking off the kiss first, he groaned, leaning back upright a bit and peering past her sweaty form, the picturesque scenery of the valleys only amplified when a naked M Rose was bent over in front of him, love in her eyes as she peered back at him. Smiling tightly back at her, Kazuya released her plump tits andid his palms upon her waist instead, bracing her as he sped up. His thrusts became shorter but faster as he focused just on jamming his dick into her tight, velvety tunnel, moaning freely as pleasure seared his nerves. ¡°Mm! Hn! Ah-ohhhh!¡± The array of noises he fucked from M Rose¡¯s lips were as exciting as they were erotic, the noise only fuelling his thrusts and making him hilt in her with every ounce of strength he had; confident that the lioness could handle it. She did and with ease, pushing herself back onto his dick with a needy whimper, her womanhood pressing down upon his length as if to massage the cum out of him and impregnate herself. The mere thought only hastened his end. Of cumming inside of M Rose. Of knocking her up. Of watching her stomach swell as the two of them prepared a humorous name for the baby. Of introducing his many wonderful moths to the baby. So many thoughts, equal parts lewd and wholesome, circled in his lust-addled mind and just added fuel to the fire, primal instinct egging his hips forth, his swollen shaft ramming deep inside M Rose. It took every bit of his resolve to purge the wholesome thoughts of a family with M Rose. ¡°Rose!¡± Gritting his teeth he managed to rock his hips just a little longer before his limit reached, and with a deep moan he pulled out and came ¡ª unloading gushing ropes of cum across her firm butt and lower back. Spasming nonstop, M Rose waved her butt, a burst of nectar gushing out of her. ¡°Hgghhhh! Kaz¡ªuyaaaaaa!¡± After climaxing, she stayed where she was, clinging onto the stones for support and unintentionally presenting him with a nice view of her lovely ass. Then she sank into the water, the warm water washing away the cum. With a giggle that was music to the ears, she stretched her arms like a spoiled princess. ¡°Hug meeeee, Skull.¡± He smiled and let her settle in his arms, embracing each other as the mist surrounded them. ¡°Rose, I promise we¡¯ll have a couple of children.¡± She kissed his face. ¡°Something tells me you¡¯re guilty about not having them right now. Here¡¯s the big deal ¡ª you don¡¯t have to be. Time is thest thing weck as Hollows, right?¡± He hummed in agreement and tightly embraced her. ¡°Let¡¯s do some rounds before we return. Tier will worry if we spend the whole night out.¡± ¡°Haha, very true.¡± Chapter 146-147: Alter Ego Chapter 146-147: Alter Ego The next day, Kazuya stepped out of the bath, putting on a gray sweatshirt and cargo shorts¡ªhis go-to casual attire. Making his way to the breakfast table, he found Tier looking captivating in her teacher attire, an outfit that somehowbined professionalism with her wild allure. Not even Nami could top the nurturing charm Tier exuded. ¡°Morning, Tier.¡± As he took his seat, Tier¡¯s hand gently covered his. ¡°I¡¯ll be back by the afternoon. After which I¡¯m free.¡± After a three-month longing, the thought of spending uninterrupted time with him filled her with anticipation. She even contemted taking a day off, but knowing Kazuya, he wouldn¡¯t appreciate her sacrificing her responsibilities for his sake. {M Rose and Harribel back to back. Partner¡¯s luck is going insane. I wonder what tragedies fate is cooking for us.} ¡®Stop jinxing it.¡¯ {It was a jinx to counter-jinx every jinx.} ¡°We haven¡¯t sparred together in a while,¡± Kazuya suggested, giving Tier¡¯s hand a reassuring squeeze. ¡°How about we head to Kisuke¡¯s underground chamberter?¡± It¡¯d be a challenge to leave Karakura Town once he made love to Tier. In addition, he had to focus on getting stuff done and work out his Zanpakut¨­ issues. Tier¡¯s eyes gleamed at the idea. ¡°Just like the old days.¡± ¡°Yup, just like the old days.¡± As they shared a moment, lost in each other¡¯s eyes, M Rose cleared her throat and stood up, capturing the attention of everyone at the table. ¡°Attention, everyone! I have an announcement¡ª¡± ¡°You and Husband fucked for hours yesterday,¡± Sung-sun yfully interrupted, concealing an evil smirk behind her sleeves. ¡°We already know that, Rose.¡± Their long disappearance yesterday,bined with M Rose¡¯s affectionate nces at Kazuya at the table, hinted at a new milestone in their rtionship. Sung-Sun couldn¡¯t be happier about M Rose epting her feelings. Now, she won¡¯t have to see M Rose having depressive episodes again. M Rose¡¯s attention shifted to Tier, who verified Sung-Sun¡¯s statement with a gentle smile. Her shoulders drooped, her face a priceless blend of embarrassment and shame. ¡°Ugh, I was so looking forward to breaking the news to everyone...¡± Sung-Sun arched an eyebrow. ¡°Rose, never forget that you¡¯re our family, and a real family knows each other like the back of their hands.¡± ¡°Damn yes,¡± Api agreed. ¡°I¡¯m d Franceska stopped being a stubborn bitch and decided to be with Kazuya.¡± M Rose blinked at the rare show of affection from Api. ¡°I also love you both¡­ though I love my mate and Harribel-sama more.¡± Ciri crossed her arms, tapping the floor. ¡°What about me, Rose? You didn¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°You idiot,¡± she said, hugging Ciri from behind. ¡°You¡¯re my bestie. I love you too.¡± Api let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°Great, now she¡¯s going into full-on sentimental mode.¡± After the lively exchange at the breakfast table, Kazuya retreated to his room and sprawled across his bed. ¡°Nami, take me to the Inner World. We need to talk.¡± {Sure, Partner.} In the blink of an eye, he went from the room to a tiny ind, surrounded by an endless sea that stretched as far as the eye could see. Nami stood before him, her presence dominating the surreal environment. ¡°So you went with the ¡®it¡¯s lonely at the top¡¯ aesthetic here.¡± Nami closed the distance and wrapped her arms around him in a surprisingly tame hug, contrasting her intensely horny nature. ¡°Lonely? Not when you¡¯ll be surrounded by your harem and your soulmate ¡ª Izanami. Now, what did my alter ego say to you?¡± Kazuya sighed. ¡°Tsubasa¡­ she talked to me in your voice, through you.¡± After the anger over Tsubasa¡¯s maniption had faded, he was more epting of her existence. Yet, there was one condition ¡ª Tsubasa inhabited Nami, taking his already unhinged Zanpakut¨­ Spirit to a new level. Out of all the potential developments for a yandere, it had to be the dreaded emergence of a dual personality. ¡°I¡­ I screwed up, Partner,¡± Nami let out an anxious chuckle. ¡°I thought I devoured her. I should¡¯ve known better. A Shinigami¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Spirit is part of their soul; how could they die that easily?¡± He narrowed his eyes sharply, seeing through her feigned surprise. ¡°I understand why you aggressively pushed me on Unohana and Isane. You had an inkling about remnants of Tsubasa¡¯s ego and worried that you might lose the psychic battle against her. They were your backup, to keep me from spiraling into despair if you were gone.¡± ¡°I got caught¡­¡± Nami looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Yeah, I lied¡­ I was havingpses, nk spaces popping up in my memories. Strangely, they only happened when you were asleep¡­ Partner, will you punish me for deceiving you?¡± He revealed a soft smile. ¡°Considering how essential a Zanpakut¨­ Spirit is to a Shinigami, you must¡¯ve hesitated inpletely devouring Tsubasa. It¡¯ll be stupid to punish you.¡± Since Tsubasa was part of his soul,pletely annihting her would¡¯ve harmed his soul. How could he have the mind to punish her when she acted with the intent of helping him? She cradled her own face in her hands as her eyes widened and her lips twisted into the signature smile of a yandere. ¡°You cannot know how happy I¡¯m to be understood by my beloved. It means the world to me!¡± Others might find her level of obsession creepy and unnerving, but he held a different perspective. Her love, however twisted, was undeniably sincere ¡ª a dangerous mix of passion and devotion that he found adorable in its own unique way. ¡°I can never predict the inner workings of a woman, much less a yandere like you,¡± he mused, eyes locking onto hers. ¡°But when you began pushing women on me, I knew something was off. You said it yourself that the other women in my life meant nothing to you ¡ª you were indifferent to them.¡± ¡°Ah, my Partner¡¯s love made me touch more¡­ amodating to others.¡± Nami spun in an elegant pirouette, herughter echoing like a haunting melody around the isted ind. ¡°I¡¯ll still call Tsubasa my Alter Ego. She is, after all, my pr opposite. The life to my death. The light to my shadows. I exist to protect and elevate my beloved to his righteous position in Heavens, while she exists to protect your loved ones. In short, Tsubasa and Izanami are two sides of the same coin. Weplete each other.¡± His theory about the antithetical rtionship between Tsubasa and Nami was astute. In theory, with Tsubasa, Nami represented an ideal yandere ¡ª one driven by the desire to protect him and the other driven to protect those around him. It epassed everything he needed to enjoy his life. The only dreadful oue of their continued existence was the possibility that Nami may transform into a stranger or lose her sense of self. ¡°Well, what happened to Tsubasa being our daughter?¡± ¡°No longer possible. Moreover, I¡¯m not old enough to be a mother¡ªoops, I forgot Partner loves milfs. It¡¯s unfortunate that Tsubasa can¡¯t be my daughter with her living in my head and all.¡± ¡°You live in my head, and Tsubasa lives in yours¡­¡± He chuckled. ¡°We¡¯re one fucked-up trio.¡± ¡°Perks of being the main characters,¡± she cooed. With a graceful gesture, she ced a hand on her chest and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her demeanor had shifted, eyes solemn and tinged with reverence. ¡°Master¡­ we meet again.¡± ¡°Tsubasa, you¡¯re one stubborn Zanpakut¨­ Spirit to survive the wrath of a yandere.¡± Tsubasa¡¯s lips curled into a soft smile. ¡°That may be truer than you imagine. I almost died when Nami devoured me, but Nami was gracious enough to preserve my essence and merge her soul with it¡­ My specialization in restoration allowed me to reconstruct my ego. It was made possible by staying close to you, physically and spiritually.¡± ¡°I guess the saying about Shinigami and their Zanpakut¨­ Spirit being inseparable is true.¡± She kneeled on the ground and touched her head on the floor, performing a dogeza ¡ª a gesture used to show deference to a person of higher status or express deepest apologies. In Tsubasa''s case, it was thetter. ¡°Master, I apologize for the harm I caused¡­ and for my despicable actions against Izanami. I never intended to mock your strength during our battle¡­ I was swept away by the fantasy that Master would get more motivated to grow strong and ovee me.¡± His brows arched in surprise. ¡°You sound like one of those side viins whose real goal is to help the protagonist, so the protagonist can kill the main viin.¡± ¡°They were my inspiration to fuel your growth. I¡­ never considered you would leave me to die in a battle against Izanami.¡± She had taken her defeat into ount, but not the possibility of a Shinigami abandoning his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. She severely underestimated his rage and his adoration for Nami. ¡°You¡¯re so weird,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°Then again, you¡¯re just the reflection of my desires. It was a little stupid of me to let you die. So, we¡¯re even.¡± She raised her head, surprise painted across her features. ¡°Thanks, Master¡­ I swear I¡¯ll never act without your permission.¡± ¡°You better, because I¡¯d hate to see you die again.¡± She happily nodded her head and rose to her feet. Her eyes fluttered close before she fell towards him. Instinctively, he reached out to catch her, supporting her weight as she transitioned back to Nami. ¡°Partner, I¡¯m back!¡± Nami¡¯s eyes twinkled as she looked at him. ¡°What did Tsubasa say?¡± ¡°Before that, I have a question: do you hate Tsubasa?¡± Despite having an inkling about her feelings, he needed to hear it straight from her. ¡°I had nothing but hatred for her until I burned her soul with my mes, leaving just her essence. While she mayck maturity, her heart was in the right ce: to assist you. How could I loathe someone aiming for the same goal as I do? So yes, I¡¯ve forgiven her, even for trapping me like a caged bird.¡± His eyes crinkled in a pleased smile. ¡°You were a bird when it happened.¡± ¡°I WAS A PHOENIX. Get that right, Partner.¡± ¡°Yandere bird.¡± Watching her huff and puff about being called a bird, he gave her a brief rundown on Tsubasa¡¯s apology and her promise to Nami. Her arms tightened around him, her entire weight leaning against him. ¡°I¡¯m absolved from the guilt of ying my blood and flesh daughter.¡± ¡°That makes the two of us.¡± ¡°I long for the day Tsubasa separates from me. I want my head full of Beloved¡¯s thoughts, not her!¡± ¡°Me too. I think we should refrain from fucking while Tsubasa is merged with you.¡± Nami pouted, sulking, but not pushing the issue. ¡°Mom incest is fine. Daughter incest is not. I see.¡± ¡°...Now that the problem is solved, let¡¯s go train.¡± ¡°Fucking finally!¡± Chapter 148: What a Teaser Chapter 148: What a Teaser The moment Kazuya''s eyes fluttered open, his vision was filled by the upside-down face of Yoruichi, her feline face inches from his own. She patted her fluffy paws against his face, as if pinching his cheeks. ¡°Kazuya,d, here¡¯s your good morning greeting,¡± she purred, her feminine voice sultry yet yful. ¡°Few have the honor of getting this luxurious treatment from me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ttered.¡± He picked her up before cing her on the bed. ¡°Do you want me to groom your fur?¡± His hand hovered before her, as if asking for consent to caress her. A fleeting look of puzzlement crossed her face. She had grown so ustomed to his spontaneous chin rubs that his respectful approach felt out of ce. Nevertheless, she kept her feelings under wraps and continued as if nothing were out of the ordinary. ¡°Harribel cleaned me yesterday with shampoo, which was unnecessary. A little Reiatsu is all I need for my grooming needs.¡± During his time in Hueco Mundo, he had relied on Reiatsu for cleansing, but it never provided the same satisfying sensation as water. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m nning to test my new Zanpakut¨­ abilities. Wanna tag along?¡± Her golden eyes lit up, reflecting her excitement. ¡°Heck yeah. Your Zanpakut¨­ has piqued my interest since day one. I¡¯m curious what type of absurd power you will manifest.¡± ¡°I got a condition, though.¡± Her tail flicked skyward, its tip twitching. ¡°Conditions again¡­ Very well, state them.¡± ¡°You''lle with me in your Shinigami form to help test my Zanpakut¨­.¡± ¡°That, I can do.¡± With a fluid grace that only she possessed, Yoruichi leapt off the bed and transformed into her human form. Retrieving an orange ribbon from his drawer, she quickly tied her violet locks into a ponytail. In one swift motion, she pivoted on her heel and bent down low onto her hands and feet, taking up a stretch that would test the limits of her flexibility and bnce. Her legs were spread wide, the closest one stretching forward and the back one reaching back, her toe barely grazing the ground. Her hands, with fingers syed, grounded her chest parallel to the floor. As she held her stance, every muscle in her body tensed powerfully, from the swell of her deltoids to the defined ridges of her calf muscles. Her athletic form was even more impressive than Sung-Sun, despite the fact Yoruichi hadn¡¯t trained for almost a century. In her stretching position, her puffy vulva and tiny butthole were entirely exposed. But it didn¡¯t bother her as she felt no shame in being fully undressed before him. ¡°Hngh, it¡¯s so satisfying to do it every time I transform back.¡± {Beloved, we can¡¯t let her get away with it!} In response to Nami''s words, he shook his head, his brows furrowing. The more he indulged Yoruichi¡¯s yful teasing, the less she regarded him with any seriousness. When it came to someone like Yoruichi, the best approach was either overpowering them through brute force or dismissing their teasing without a reaction. He took thetter approach since he found the idea of forcing himself on women in disgusting. Yoruichi shifted her weight, sending a ripple of muscle through her abdomen. As he had expected, she covertly nced at him from the corner of her eyes, trying to assess his reaction. In the face of his indifference, a disappointed sigh escaped her, and she quickly got back up. The whole point of doing the nude stretches was to capture his interest and get some usual yful remarks. She failed miserably in her task. ¡®He¡¯s not upset with me, then it means¡­¡¯ The way he barely acknowledged her presence, with a distant and detached look in his eyes, pointed towards his waning interest in her. His indifference was entirely justified as she had witnessed him charm many stunning women that she felt uncertain about holding his gaze with her body. ¡®Well, it¡¯s better this way. I¡¯m not cut out for this shit.¡¯ Despite her efforts to reassure herself, she couldn¡¯t shake the conflicting emotions of pride and mncholy that swelled in her chest. She approached Kazuya''s closet, her hand gripping the doorknob before she swung it open. ¡°You have a closet full of clothes when you don¡¯t even live here.¡± ¡°Sung-Sun arranged everything. She is a bit of a fashion deviant.¡± ¡°She is fulfilling the duties of a good housewife,¡± Yoruichi muttered and mmed the closet shut. ¡°None of them will fit me.¡± ¡°You can ask Sung-Sun. You both are of the same height, give or take a few centimeters.¡± ¡°I guess I have no other choice.¡± While Yoruichi went to borrow clothes from Sung-Sun, he passed time by engaging in a conversation with the yandere living rent-free in his head. He weighed the pros and cons of training in Urahara¡¯s basement and Visored¡¯s base with Nami. The thought of exposing his Zanpakut¨­ to Kisuke unsettled him; he knew the mischievous scientist would brainstorm ideas to neutralize his shield in his pastime. {Yet you asked Yoruichi to test your Zanpakut¨­.} ¡®She won¡¯t reveal it if I ask her.¡¯ Despite being azy cat, her most admirable quality was her loyalty. {That¡¯s true. Then the Visored base is our best bet.} ¡®I¡¯ll ask Lisa to send everyone out. She won¡¯t say no to her future husband.¡¯ {Just promise her a stack of new erotica to make her agree. I¡¯ll write her the erotica about the Hollow Prince and an exiled Shinigami Vice Captain.} ¡®The simrities between us and your characters are just a coincidence, right? Right? Right?¡¯ {My work may take inspiration from the real world but everything will be fiction!} He rang Lisa''s contact on thendline, the static reminding him that he held what would be considered a relic in his timeline. She willinglyplied with his request, not asking for anything in return. With the sacrifice he was making for the Soul Society in mind, she must have perceived this as an opportunity to give back in some way. Yoruichi returned not long after and knocked on the door. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Kazuya. I¡¯m ready.¡± As the door opened, Yoruichi came into view. She was standing with one knee on the floor, her hand raised in a mock salute. The sight of her took him aback; she wore a red military uniformplete with golden tassels and ents and white trousers tucked into ck knee-high boots. He immediately recognized the look as being inspired by 19th Century British Redcoats. Spoiler [copse] She leaned in and reached out her hand, imitating the ssic act of requesting ady¡¯s hand to bring it to her lips for a kiss. ¡°Let us depart, My Prince.¡± Soi Fon would have suffered a nosebleed and then fainted from happiness just by glimpsing at her beloved Yoruichi in this attire. Yoruichi exuded such strong authority and confidence that most women would find her tempting. Only god knew what it would do to the fanatic Soi Fon. He smiled and ced his hand on hers. ¡°I feel like a princess, though.¡± She chuckled and rose to her feet, still holding his hand. ¡°How do you like my new outfit? I thought it looked sick.¡± Just like her nudity, her old-fashioned attire was just a ploy to get a reaction out of Kazuya. Given his smile and the admiration in his eyes, she had seeded splendidly in her goal. His reaction gave her a new perspective on things he liked. ''He likes being spoiled.'' Kazuya nodded his head. ¡°It looks regal, but why is my wife keeping it in her wardrobe?¡± {Sung-Sun¡¯s fashion sense is unrivaled. Being a horny pervert, she must have realized the potential of ¡®cosying¡¯ to please you. Such a sweet little minx.} ¡°Hell if I know.¡± Yoruichi grinned and led him down the stairs by his hand. ¡°Follow me, My Prince. I¡¯ll escort you safely.¡± Chapter 149: Cleanse Chapter 149: Cleanse Lisa Yad¨­maru, a maid whose snarky demeanor opposed her subservient title, folded her arms over her chest. Her eyes flickered with a mischievous glint as theynded on Kazuya and Yoruichi, thetter adorned in a crisply red military uniform. ¡°You turned her into ady of culture. As expected of the man who nearly took my heart.¡± He chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re still not over that date.¡± ¡°As if I could forget. You brought great shame to my name. I can¡¯t look my seventy-three suitors in the eye.¡± ¡°What is that number without the people in your imagination, Maid-chan?¡± Lisa averted her gaze. ¡°Zero.¡± ¡°Make it one.¡± He extended his hand. ¡°For you shall be the mother of my child.¡± With a swift motion, Lisa pped his hand away. ¡°To propose to me despite having multiple lovers, your skin is thicker than a rhinoceros.¡± Yoruichi stared at them with narrowed eyes. ¡°Soul Society, Living World, or Hueco Mundo. Is there a ce where I can¡¯t find your admirers?¡± ¡°There is one.¡± {The Soul King Pce. The cuddly and cheerful chef Kirio Hikifune or the regal yet yful weaver Senjumaru Shutara. Pick your poison, Partner.} ¡®We¡¯ll think about that if I survive my first meeting with the Royal Guards.¡¯ Given that the Royal Guards had the unenviable job of guarding the lifeless husk of a god, they were more than likely well-versed in the intricacies of Soul King¡¯s essence. Which, unfortunately, meant that they could see right through Kazuya¡¯s peculiar origins. And Ichibei, the most ancient of the Royal Guards, would most certainly discern his true nature. Even though Kazuya was a formidable force in the current timeline, facing the Royal Guards would be a fool¡¯s errand. His best chancey in mastering his Zanpakut¨­¡¯s shield, working towards achieving the Bankai Release. Additionally, there was the untapped potential of hisplete Resurri¨®n, a form made essible ever since Nami¡¯s ascension to Vasto Lorde status. Thankfully, Ichibei¡¯s motto was to never interfere with the events of the Soul Society, so he wouldn¡¯t be meeting the Royal Guards anytime soon. {There is a possibility Oetsu knows about me through his Zanpakut¨­ Sense.} ¡®I know. He¡¯s probably baffled about your existence.¡¯ Snapping back to the present, he found Yoruichi and Lisa staring at him, their eyes riddled with confusion. Yoruichi touched his shoulder gently. ¡°Limit monologues with your Zanpakut¨­ when you¡¯re in the middle of something. You look like a goofball with those unfocused eyes.¡± ¡°The frequency of such conversations will wane as your bond deepens.¡± Lisa wrapped her fingers around her Zanpakut¨­¡¯s hilt. ¡°Since my own Hollowification, my Haguro Tonbo barely talks to me. But when it matters, they lend their power to me without hesitation.¡± Kazuya held back the retort that danced at the tip of his tongue. Lisa and the other Visoreds had so much untapped potential ¡ª they could grow so much more than just a Shinigami sprinkled with Hollow traits. Kaname Tosen had shown the Visored¡¯s full potential through mixing his Inner Hollow and Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, transforming it into a Resurri¨®n. Tosen¡¯s Resurri¨®n took his existing Zanpakut¨­ abilities to the next level. {She needs to embrace her Inner Hollow, not shun it like it¡¯s a monster. It¡¯s about bing a bridge between the Zanpakut¨­ Spirit and the Inner Hollow.} ¡®It ain¡¯t that easy, Chief. Her Hollow isn¡¯t exactly sentient like an Adjuchas. It¡¯s a risky maneuver to introduce it to her Zanpakut¨­ Spirit.¡¯ {Yet, it¡¯s through risk that we evolve, that we surpass the limits imposed upon by the world.} ¡®True.¡¯ ¡°Then there¡¯s little old me who never uses Zanpakut¨­.¡± Yoruichiughed. ¡°I fight better with my body.¡± He raised an eyebrow. ¡°And they made you Captain of the 2nd Squad, how?¡± Grinning, she prodded his waist with her elbow. ¡°I¡¯m an excellent assassin, and an even better stealth expert.¡± Lisa nced at her wristwatch and opened the door. ¡°Kazuya, we don¡¯t have time to dally around. Shinji and rest will return around the afternoon.¡± ¡°You¡¯re certain they won¡¯t return sooner?¡± ¡°I shooed them off to step outside and enjoy life for once.¡± Lisa gave him an exasperated look. ¡°It won¡¯t be a surprise if they stay outte. Do you not trust me?¡± His eyes met hers, steady and unyielding. ¡°I trust you as much as I¡¯d trust a cat to babysit a rat.¡± Lisa¡¯s eyes red, her mouth opening to unleash what would undoubtedly be a scathing retort. But before the words could escape, Kazuya interjected, ¡°The cat I¡¯m referring to is Yoruichi, who never eats rats. That means I trust you as much as I trust Yoruichi, and I trust this girl with my life.¡± A smirk yed at the corners of Lisa¡¯s mouth. ¡°I know, doofus, or else I won¡¯t be part of your inner circle.¡± Yoruichi, however, took a step away, her eyes widening just enough to betray her surprise. His words echoed in her mind, heavier than she¡¯d expected, and they filled her chest with an unanticipated warmth. She collected herself before her uncharacteristic reaction could draw attention. ¡°Yad¨­maru is right. We shouldn¡¯t waste time, My Prince.¡± ¡­ Standing in the vast underground chamber, Kazuya held his Zanpakut¨­ before him. Despite harboring a Vasto Lorde-ss entity, the weapon remained as light as any regr katana. He slowly unsheathed the katana, and as it reached halfway, he whispered, ¡°Weave, Shinku-no-Tsubasa.¡± As the incantation dissolved into the air, his Reiatsu erupted. A furious tempest of energy that picked up particles of dust, swirling them into an impromptu cyclone around him. Tongues of soft, ethereal mes crawled out of the sheath and wrapped around the de. Kazuya slowly drew his katana, its de aze with me. He reoriented the searing de and pointed it towards his own chest before he plunged the ming sword inward, piercing the core of his very being. A convulsion of spiritual energy surged through him, the mes igniting him from the inside. His eyes turned incandescent. With a sudden, explosive burst, the mes detached, condensing into dual, luminescent des that hovered in the air beside him. Lisa shielded her eyes, peering through the gaps between her fingers. Her Reiatsu sat somewhere between a Vice-Captain and Captain-ss, yet next to Kazuya¡¯s overwhelming force, she felt like a flickering candle facing the sun¡¯s searing might. But fear was a stranger to her at that moment as the Reiatsu had no intent to harm her. ¡°Goodness,¡± Yoruichi whispered, licking her lips subconsciously. ¡°I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d grow this much. What a terrifying man.¡± ¡°For all that show-off, his Shikai is just two weird floating des.¡± ¡°Yad¨­maru, did no one ever tell you not to judge a Zanpakut¨­ by their appearance?¡± ¡°Keep your wisdom to yourself, Cat Lady.¡± Ignoring their sidelinementary, Kazuya gestured with a wave of his hand. The hovering des responded, swirling around him in a beautifully choreographed dance, harmonizing to his mentalmands and physical movements. ¡°Yoruichi, get into your Shunk¨­ form. Lisa, use your Bankai. Give me your best.¡± Yoruichiughed. ¡°You¡¯ll apologize to Sung-Sun for what I¡¯m about to do.¡± She thrust her hand to the side and clenched her fist. Her Reiatsu turned ferocious, materializing ayer of white energy around her. Her ponytail danced in the wind, a sharp contrast to the white lightning crackling and snaking around her. The Kid¨­ enveloping her grew denser and denser until¡ª Crackle! ¡ª the pressure reached a crescendo, and arcs of lightning erupted. Her sleeves were ripped apart, as was the fabric covering her back. Sung-Sun¡¯s dress was half ruined. Yoruichi grinned, turning to Lisa. ¡°Don¡¯t hold back. This guy can take on both of us.¡± ¡°As they say, the road to ruin is paved with overconfidence.¡± Lisa pushed up her sses and unsheathed her Zanpakut¨­. ¡°For you, the road will lead to thrashing by two beautiful onee-san.¡± She mmed the hilt of her Zanpakut¨­ into the mouth of its scabbard before twirling it over her head with both hands. As the de twirled, her Visored Mask manifested ¡ª a diamond shaped white mask with a cross-shaped opening instead of a mouth and eye slits. ¡°Smash¡­ Haguro Tonbo!¡± Her Shikai activated, transforming the de into an elongated polearm, its spearhead mimicking the shape of a monk¡¯s spade. Lisa, the former Vice-Captain with all the qualifications of a Captain, aimed her weapon at Kazuya. ¡°My fellow abomination, prepare to bleed magma from your heart.¡± Chapter 150: Enmyaku Chapter 150: Enmyaku The former Shinigamidies didn¡¯t dally around. Yoruichi¡¯s lightning fast Shunpo closed the distance between her and Kazuya in an imperceptible instant. She threw a kick at him, her leg snapping in an arc so fast it tore through the air with a sonic boom, electric arcs trailing her heel. At the same instant, Lisa¡¯s gigantic polearm descended on his head like a hungry guillotine. Kazuya stood stoic, his arms arrogantly folded across his chest. The shimmering des hovering beside him morphed, coalescing into formidable shields that materialized just in the nick of time. Electrical currents cascaded from Yoruichi¡¯s extended leg, a furious tempest of lightning battering against his shield. Sparks flew. Lisa¡¯s polearm shed against the second shield, her de rebounding as if it hit an unyielding wall. Refusing to be stopped by a mere shield, Yoruichi shifted her stance and unleashed a whirlwind of kicks and punches, each strike apanied by the dazzling white lightning. Her Shunko mixed the power of Kido spells and fighting techniques into a killer technique ¡ª the peak offense a Shinigami could show with their body. Yet, each scorching impact seemed to evaporate upon hitting the shield. Lisa, grunting with sheer determination, swung her polearm around, flipping it to its other end; it was armed with a small but insanely heavy ball designed for crushing. With a yell, she mmed it against the shield. The shield held fast. It would have been odd if it hadn¡¯t; these very shields had once fended off Kazuya¡¯s own devastating power. And he was stronger than Barragan in terms of raw spiritual power. Yoruichi and Lisa were strong, but they were still around the level of a Vasto Lorde. A smile flickered across Yoruichi¡¯s face, her eyes twinkling with excitement rather than frustration. If nothing else, she relished the unwinding of her muscles against the shield. ¡°Take this!¡± In contrast, Lisa¡¯s frown showed the frustration anyone would have when facing an unbreakable shield. Though she had yet to unleash her Bankai, she sensed that even that might be inadequate. Her Bankai boosted her fighting prowess, not her overall destructive power. And she required overwhelming destructive power to breach his shield. Vaulting off the unyielding shield, she ricocheted off the ceiling, flipping mid-air to descend like a human missile. ¡°Smash him!¡± Yoruichi cheered, quickly sidestepping the targeted area. With an impact likened to a mini meteor, Lisa¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ collided once more, creating a resonant ng so loud it felt as though their very bones had rung like a gong. Thus, a radial shockwave rippled through the underground chamber. Kazuya casually flicked his wrist, the shields evaporating back into the des whence they came. ¡°Jeez, you went all out, huh.¡± Lisa, panting heavily, shot him an icy re through the gaps of her dissipating Hollow mask. Her Zanpakut¨­ returned to its original form, and she sheathed it back with a crisp motion. ¡°What a stupid shield.¡± Yoruichi deactivated her Shunko, and her electrical aura slowly dissipated. ¡°Your Hollow powers are anything but defensive in nature. Why do you have a Support-Type Zanpakut¨­?¡± ¡°Zanpakut¨­ are a manifestation of a Shinigami¡¯s desires,¡± Lisa said. ¡°A coward who hides behind his shield ¡ª I¡¯d say so if I didn¡¯t know any better.¡± One needed extreme courage to pose as a Shinigami in the Gotei 13 while being a Hollow ¡ª the very beings Shinigami purified. ¡°His shield is meant to protect,¡± Yoruichi said. ¡°What I don¡¯t understand is the number of shields? You¡¯ve got like five lovers. Two shields can¡¯t guard that many hearts.¡± Heughed at her skepticism and snapped his finger. One of his fingers caught fire, disintegrated, and morphed into a third de. {These energy swords are a big part of our existence. We have to name them appropriately. Hon¨­ no D¨­myaku (me Artery)... let¡¯s shorten it to Enmyaku.} Yoruichi looked intrigued. ¡°Sacrificing your body ¡ª that¡¯s smart. Messed up but smart.¡± Lisa adjusted her sses with keen wisdom. ¡°True love is selfless. One must be prepared to sacrifice everything. In this case, your own body.¡± ¡°If by my life or death I can protect someone, I will,¡± he whispered a quote from the Lord of the Rings, which resonated nicely with the theme of his Zanpakut¨­. ¡°The more I want to protect, the bigger price I¡¯ll have to pay.¡± {The Enmyaku travels so fast it may as well be Son¨ªdo. One of them can protect multiple people if attackse at different intervals.} ¡®Hmmm. The true value of my Shikai is in my mastery over the timings and my decision making.¡¯ As he focused, one Enmyaku dissolved and returned to his finger. In essence, the Shikai temporarily transformed his entire body from the inside out, letting him convert parts of his bodies to form Enmyaku, which could then be converted into shields or muskets. {It¡¯s so limited.} ¡®That¡¯s just Shinigami¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ in general.¡¯ Every Zanpakut¨­ was powerful but limited in the way their abilities worked. The Resurri¨®n acted oppositely as they merged with their host, allowing them to fully control its power. The Resurri¨®n had one limitation ¡ª theycked the potential to grow alongside their host in the same way as Zanpakut¨­. None of the rules applied to him with the existence of Tsubasa and Nami. As he reached out, the Enmyakus flew into his hands. He looked at Lisa, the Visored who could sidestep the rule imposed upon typical Shinigami. ¡°Maid-chan, pay close attention to what I¡¯m about to do.¡± With a flick of his wrist, Kazuyabined the Enmyakus into a single,rger de, plunging it deep into the center of his chest. The mes coursed beneath his skin, threading through his very being before converging into the sword. The de expanded, its length almost rivaling that of Lisa¡¯s Shikai. ¡®Nami, start your engine,¡¯ {As you wish, Partner.} The color of the me morphed, now radiating a dark, malevolent carmine that seemed to channel Nami¡¯s intrinsic violence. The energy flooded his senses, saturating his mind with the sheer fervor of destruction. He would have lost his mind if hecked a strong willpower. This much was made clear as he merged with her mes. {Let the chaos flow through you!} ¡®It¡¯s no surprise you¡¯re violent all the time.¡¯ In the same process as Tsubasa¡¯s Shikai, the mes detached and morphed into two separate Enmyakus. These, however, bore the menacing carmine hue. Lisa crossed her arms, a sharp look in her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s disturbing watching a friendmit you know what.¡± Yoruichi chuckled. ¡°Those des look a little different. If I had to guess, they have offensive powers now.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± he said, as the Enmyakus whirled around him, finally settling into his hands as curved daggers. Each hilt was set with a crimson gem, pulsating softly. ¡°Wow, they look weak.¡± In an act of defiant response, tongues of me erupted from each dagger, searing the ground. The momentarily contact evaporated left two long gnashes on the ground, each deeper than a meter. {The only counter to my mes is¡­ dodge¡­ or offset them with Reiatsu of higher level.} He didn¡¯t expect any less from Nami. In a fight where people can use high-level movement techniques, it will be hard to consistentlynd hits given the daggers¡¯ range. Yoruichi blinked at the destruction of his mes. ¡°Your Zanpakut¨­ has so much potential. The only downside is the long time to switch forms.¡± Lisa walked back until she was over a hundred meters away from him. ¡°Is this what you wanted me to see?¡± Heughed at her cautious, unwilling-to-get-burned attitude. ¡°Do you know how I changed my Zanpakut¨­?¡± ¡°Merging it with a different me? Why do you have two different mes in the first ce?¡± Both Yoruichi and Lisa were curious as the destructive mes of his Shikai reminded them of their Captain Commander. Yet the supportive nature of his other mes was something they had yet to see. ¡°That me belongs to my Hollow side ¡ª my Resurri¨®n if you will,¡± he paused for a dramatic moment. ¡°I know you¡¯re afraid of your Inner Hollow, and reasonably so. The fact you dominate it to make it a weapon shows your great willpower.¡± Lisa remained skeptical. ¡°What are you getting at?¡± He tossed the daggers in the air, letting them return to the Enmyaku form. ¡°Your hesitation is stunting your growth. If you want to grow beyond the limits of Shinigami and Hollows, let your Inner Hollow develop.¡± Lisa¡¯s eyes widened, shocked at his audacity at suggesting such a thing. To every Visored, their Inner Hollows were shackles, preventing them from returning to their respective positions in the Gotei 13. They despised the malevolent spirits residing in their Inner Worlds. ¡°It¡¯s your choice to heed my advice or not.¡± He shrugged/ ¡°So Yoruichi, wanna fight some more?¡± Yoruichi¡¯s gaze flicked from a visibly unsettled Lisa to him, a mischievous smile curving her lips. ¡°I¡¯m down for some action.¡± ¡°Good, I¡¯ll use my Resurri¨®n now.¡± Chapter 151: Master of Samsara? Chapter 151: Master of Samsara? A sea of carmine mes danced wildly, their passionate embrace consuming the lingering ashes that filled the cavernous underground chamber. As each me waned, the ash-veiled ground found itself nearly fifty meters swallowed into the earth¡¯s belly. Kazuya floated in the chamber''s center, dressed in his Arrancar form¡¯s spiritual clothes. A slender chain, born from Nami¡¯s mes, wrapped around him with an intimate possessiveness. It weaved a path up to his neck, finally contracting into a ck blindfold. The crimson gem adorning his forehead shone to match the carmine theme before settling into a dim glow.
[Hollow¡¯s Evolution ¡®Arrancar (Resurri¨®n Form: Complete)¡¯ achieved.]
An awe-stricken murmur escaped him, ¡°That was¡­ something.¡± Achieving one of the greatest powers of Hollows filled him with equal dread and thrill. His hand grazed the blindfold, the catalyst for Nami to channel her powers into him ¡ª perhaps return the power that belonged to him. ¡®I¡¯ll reserve the Resurri¨®n as my trump card.¡¯ {The demon god must not invoke his authority haphazardly.} He thoroughly agreed with Nami. The forcefield around him had barely caged his Reiatsu, despite the best he consciously limited his output to his limits. A mere whim of releasing his Reiatsu could¡¯ve razed the town above. With his Resurri¨®n activated, he could reap human lives with more ease than a farmer reaping wheat. He was the walking scythe of death. What baffled him was that this monumental power wasn¡¯t even his Hollow form¡¯s final evolution ¡ª the System still disyed two further evolutions. One of them being Segunda Etapa, the ability Ulquiorra showcased in his fight against Ichigo. The other remained aplete mystery. ¡®Nami, how fucking strong was Soul King?¡¯ {A severed torso serves as an anchor to three massive realms. Mere shards of his being creates artifacts capable of twisting reality to materialize one¡¯s deepest desires. His right and left hand, while estranged, rivals the strongest powers. His self-proimed son wields the ability to peer into future timelines and temper with them¡­ that should give you a good estimate.} ¡°Controlling life, growth, death, and rebirth¡­¡± he whispered. ¡°Please let me be wrong about my origin.¡± {Yours is a false hope, Partner.} ¡®Fuck.¡¯ With a weary motion, he caressed his cheek, turning his gaze to where Yoruichi and Lisa stood ¡ª near the exit door. ¡°It¡¯s safe now.¡± Using her tremendously mastered Shunpo, Yoruichi arrived before him, holding his shoulders. ¡°You aren¡¯t burning anymore¡­¡± she breathed, a weight lifting from her before the memory of his Resurri¨®n returned, prompting her to flick his chin. ¡°I felt like I died for a second. That tree¡ªwhat was it doing to me?!¡± Despite guarding herself with her Reiatsu, his Resurri¨®n ability had yanked her into its grasp, albeit for merely a second. {Foolish cat. She doesn¡¯t know she was most alive when connected to the Tree of False Samsara.} He had barely used his Resurri¨®n, and Nami had alreadye up with a chuuni name. ¡°Yoruichi, that was my Resurri¨®n. That¡¯s all I can tell you right now.¡± His Resurri¨®n was dangerous, so dangerous that the Royal Guard might hunt him down. As much as he trusted Yoruichi, revealing his Resurri¨®n ability might change her stance on him. Yoruichi furrowed her brows, detecting the careful evasion in his exnation. ¡°If your Resurri¨®n is so utterly ridiculous, can¡¯t you just own Aizen in a duel?¡± He shook his head. ¡°In an even ying field, his fighting skills are way superior to mine.¡± He clicked his tongue, a tinge of bitterness seeping through. ¡°These prodigies have no right to surpass thousand-year-old Soul Reapers with sheer talent. It¡¯s pure bullshit.¡± Yoruichi rolled her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re the one to talk with that crazy backstory. Betrayed, reincarnated, and now saving the Soul Society from the man who murdered you.¡± Avoiding her teasing stare, his attention shifted to Lisa, catching the unusual stillness in her demeanor. ¡°Maid-chan, what¡¯s the matter?¡± {Probably wondering about agreeing to your idea,} Nami said. {Keep her by your side. Your ability is a cheat to evolve Hollows. For that broken ability, I dub thee the Infernal Lord, and the Master of Samsara.} ¡®When did I go from Prince of Hollows to Master of Samsara?¡¯ {When you unleashed the infernal mes of Demonic Phenex to seize control of Samsara.} ¡®...¡¯ With a graceful leap, Lisa descended to their level, yet a cautious gap lingered between them. His Hollow Form stirred a hesitance within her, yet he continued in his form. Lisa fixed Yoruichi¡¯s back with a cold gaze and pointed at the ground. ¡°I¡¯ll hold you ountable for this. Please bring Urahara to fix it before others arrive.¡± Yoruichi swirled to face her, confusion visibe in her eyes. ¡°Huh? Why me? You saw him doing this with your eyes.¡± ¡°You are friends with him,¡± Lisa insisted, her sses catching a stray gleam as she adjusted them. ¡°And friends look out for each other.¡± Kazuya¡¯s handnded on Yoruichi''s shoulder, his touch as light as the whisper that followed, ¡°Yoruichi, I asked your permission for the release. You¡¯re just as guilty as me¡­¡± They made fine arguments to paint Yoruichi as guilty, despite the fact she waspletely innocent. She knew she was being yed, yet she had no chance to defend herself. ¡°Ah¡­ Fine,¡± Yoruichi agreed with a sigh, brushing his hand from her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll go fetch Urahara.¡± It was a great opportunity to stick her neck for the man risking his life for her mission. The sh Goddess wasted no time in leaving the Visored base. She approached him with the wariness of a dear in an unfamiliarnd, every sense alert and muscles coiled. Unleashing his Resurri¨®n did something to her or the Hollow inside her. ¡°Kazuya, you¡¯reing with me to see Izumi.¡± Her motive for casting the responsibility on Yoruichi became clear. He smirked, his gaze mysterious behind the blindfold. ¡°Alright.¡± ¡­ Creak. The wooden door elegantly opened, inviting an autumn breeze and rustling leaves. There, in the frame, stood a silhouette Izumi found both strange and achingly familiar. Her heart leapt, pulsing waves of warmth. Her hands, hanging limply by her sides, twitched. Her lips quivered, parting slightly. The light shifted as Kazuya stepped forward, his featuresing into focus. She noticed changes in him, subtle like minor growth in his height and substantial like his short hair. In the space between heartbeats, Izumi¡¯s hands found the courage her voice couldn¡¯t. They rose up, reached out, and touched him. The contact, skin and fabric grounded him into reality from a potential dream. He was there with her. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him, taking in his familiar scent. ¡°Otouto-kun¡­¡± Holding her quivering and sobbing form, he rubbed her back. ¡°I¡¯m back.¡± {Partner¡­ you knew her for, what, two weeks. Isn¡¯t her reaction too extreme? It¡¯s as if she had been reunited with long-lost son.} ¡®It¡¯s the bond of true siblings.¡¯ {Nah, Partner. Izumi is a RED FLAG I¡¯m telling you.} ¡®I don¡¯t see anything wrong.¡¯ {Argh, blind love. I can¡¯t even do anything or Tsubasa will sh with me.} Chapter 152: Encroachment Chapter 152: Encroachment Kazuya settled into the cozy living room of Izumi¡¯s apartment, which wasn¡¯t as grand as her sprawling mansion. But the bookshelves stuffed to the brim with lewd books, the stylistic paintings, and an assortment of knick-knacks lent the space an intimate, homely atmosphere. Izumi gracefully appeared carrying a tray adorned with cups of matcha green tea and sweet bean paste snacks ¡ª some of his favorite Japanese things ever. Setting the tray down, she stifled a yawn that still managed to escape. ¡°Forgive me for that. Otouto-kun, please enjoy." ¡°Don¡¯t mind if I do.¡± {And just like that, you¡¯re a happy man.} Kazuya ignored the voice in his head and lifted the steaming cup to his lips, savoring the nuanced bitterness of the matcha. ¡°So, what have you been up to these days?¡± Furrowing her brow, Izumi seemed momentarily lost in thought. ¡°It¡¯s been a quiet time for Karakura Town.¡± The brief aversion of her gaze signaled a lie. Feeling guilty about her deception, she reached for a basket of fresh fruit and started slicing an apple. ¡°Anything else?¡± He probed for valuable information ¡ª anything to persuade her to slow down and take better care of herself. Izumi¡¯s lips curved into a soft smile. ¡°Let¡¯s see. I¡¯ve been practicing my Blut abilities and other techniques. It has yielded beneficial results so far. I also joined a boxing, taekwondo, and judo club to deepen my understanding of martial arts. It¡¯s going great so far.¡± {Look how happy she looks. We don¡¯t have to steal that happiness from her.} ¡°I¡¯ve got the news that you aren¡¯t resting enough, as in overworking yourself.¡± ¡°Lisa.¡± Her eyes sharpened instantly. ¡°She tends to worry excessively. Look at me, Otouto-kun, do I look like I¡¯m not well rested?¡± With a sweep of her arms, she struck a theatrical pose, exuding confidence. Her experience in high school drama club had made her an actress adept enough to fool masses. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t believe you,¡± he said. ¡°You have yawned four times in the thirty minutes I¡¯ve been here. There are subtle dark circles under your eyes. Speaking of eyes, yours don¡¯t have the same energy they once had.¡± He had noticed these telltale signs the moment he walked in, and now was the perfect moment toy them bare ¡ª to show her that he cared enough to notice even the subtlest details about her. Caught off guard, Izumi¡¯s hand instinctively flew to her eyes, causing the knife to tter onto the table. ¡°Otouto-kun is observant¡­¡± ¡°As I should be,¡± he retorted. ¡°especially when ites to family.¡± She let out a sigh before shaking her head. ¡°You should also know my responsibility. I have to do this, as a pure-blooded Quincy. I must guide them.¡± ¡°That again. Izumi, what you¡¯re trying can¡¯t be achieved alone.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not alone, right, Otouto-kun?¡± She reached forward and grasped his hands. ¡°I have you. You and I, together, we can sow seeds for a brighter future. All you have to do is¡ª¡± He closed his eyes and squeezed her hands. ¡°I¡¯ll support you with everything else except this. You should consider¡­ giving up.¡± It cut him deep to utter such words. At the same time, she had to hear the bitter reality from someone ¡ª it was time for her to wake up from her dream of reviving the Quincy race outside of Wandenreich. Izumi¡¯s eyes widened, petrified, as if her entire world had suddenly copsed. She leaned back against her chair and threw her head back unnaturally, covering her face with a hand. ¡°Hahahaha.¡± Her maniacalughter echoed through the room ¡ª the kind Kazuya only expected from lunatics. {She¡­ is broken.} Herughter distorted into a broken mess before transitioning to sobs, tears trickling down her face. ¡°After all this time I thought you¡¯d be different¡­ It¡¯s my fault to pull you into my world, isn¡¯t it? I¡¯m a pathetic excuse for a sister and an even more miserable disgrace for Quincy¡­ I deserve to die.¡± Swiftly uncovering her face, she reached to grab a kitchen knife that glinted ominously on the table. She raised it to her throat. His Reiatsu red in response to the crisis. In a blink, he lunged forward and yanked the knife from her grasp. Yet even without the de in her hand, her motion to sh her throat continued in a daze ¡ª a sobering remind of the depth of her suicidal intent. Izumi¡¯s eyes blinked in disbelief, fixated on the knife in his hands. ¡°I¡¯ve failed everyone¡ªmy parents, ancestors, everyone¡­ I¡¯ve failed as a Quincy. I don¡¯t have the right to exist anymore. Let me die¡ª¡± He swiftly arrived behind her with Hirenkyaku and struck her head with just enough force to make her unconscious. Catching her slumping form, he carried her to the bedroom,ying her gently on the bed. Sitting by the bedside, he let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Life is just more than some old family tradition. When will you understand that?¡± He could hardly understand the way things escted. They¡¯d been sharing a seemingly peaceful moment over tea, and then she was holding a knife against her throat, intent on ending her life. It was as if her entire self-worth was tied to her responsibilities as a Quincy. The moment she lost her purpose, she made an extreme decision. {The mindset of a cultist. They pour everything into their faith, and when that faith crumbles, they don¡¯t want to live anymore. It never ends nicely for anyone involved with a cult.} ¡°I hope it¡¯s just an emotional meltdown caused by extreme stress.¡± {Most likely is. We¡¯ll know when she wakes up.} ¡®Lisa was so off about her. Izumi is a ticking time bomb.¡¯ {Can¡¯t me Lisa. Izumi wasn¡¯t like that until you told her to give up,} Nami said, clicking her tongue. {Partner, you have to be careful about this nutjob. Some wrong words will send her deeper into the pit of despair or make her dependent on you. Both of which are bad endings. Perhaps get the true ending ¡®I turned my cultist sister into a yandere and added her to my ever-growing harem.¡¯} Gently caressing Izumi¡¯s face, he whispered, ¡°I won¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡± {I forgot you¡¯re the yandere here.} Realizing he had to inform Tier about the change in ns, his heart sank at the thought of leaving Izumi alone, even for a moment. ¡®Nami, can you report this to Api? Tell them not to worry.¡¯ {Ugh, my head kills me when I¡¯m away from you.} ¡®Please, Nami. I can¡¯t take my eyes off her.¡¯ {Rawr¡­ fine. Only because you¡¯re asking me.} Chapter 153: Wrong Flag! Chapter 153: Wrong g! Only when the sky turned orange did Izumi stir from her seven-hour long sleep. Something told Kazuya this was her best sleep in three months without him. The exhaustion that had lined her face seemed to have eased. Grasping her hand, he gently helped her into a sitting position. ¡°Hey.¡± Izumi blinked back at him, her eyes filling with tears as they locked onto him. ¡°Otouto-kun¡­¡± Her voice wavered, tinged with remorse. ¡°I''m so sorry. What I did was unforgivable.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. All that sleeping should¡¯ve gotten you hungry.¡± She hesitated, then nodded. ¡°A bit... I''ll go prepare¡ª¡± ¡°No, no, no. You stay put. I¡¯ll get something for you.¡± Before she could raise an objection, he exited the room. During her lengthy sleep, he had tossed out every lethal object ¡ª even something as small as a needle ¡ª from the bedroom. Nevertheless, he returned to her side as quickly as possible, bringing a ss of milk and some meticulously sliced fruits. {You¡¯re a terrible brother.} ¡®Shut up. I didn¡¯t have time to whip up a gourmet meal.¡¯ {Even if I gave you three hours, your cooking will still taste like a freshly brewed disaster.} ¡®In my defense, I have so many talented lovers to do it for me.¡¯ Serving the healthiest meal to Izumi, he watched as she epted it without question, sipping the milk before setting the ss back onto the table. ¡°Otouto-kun, I''m grateful for everything, but you really should¡ª¡± ¡°Leave? Not happening.¡± She chuckled softly. ¡°You should have warmed up the milk. Cold milk sucks.¡± {She looks better.} ¡°Otouto-kun.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± She unfurled the nket enveloping her, moving close to slip into his arms. ¡°Let me feel your warmth.¡± He stayed silent, letting her findfort in her own way. Though his voice carried an innate soothing quality, he chose not to lean on that crutch in this delicate moment. It was better to naturally solve her psychological troubles than hypnotizing her. ¡°I tried,¡± she whispered after a while. ¡°I tried everything to convince women of our race throughout many cities in Japan¡­ None of them agreed to my proposal. I promised them money, safety, and a great future ¡ª but they¡­ theyughed at me for clinging to an age old dream. They said they were living a fulfilling life as humans and will never let their children be Quincy. Never ever ever.¡± The stress of such a massive responsibility, the stress of her search for Quincy, and the stress from never being able to convince any Quincy to join her dream ¡ª her stress continuously grew. She held out hope in Kazuya, believing that she would always find a supporter in him. And when he told her to give up, everything came crashing down on her, and her heart snapped. As they nestled together, Izumi''s voice quivered with earnest inquiry. "Otouto-kun, I can''t understand why they despise us so. We¡¯re noble to protect the world from Hollows and shield innocents from evil forces beyond theirprehension. Why must we be eradicated for a crime our foolish ancestorsmitted?¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t a crime. They tried to destroy the bnce, which could¡¯ve spelled the end of the world. That¡¯s not all. Another war happened between Quincy and Shinigami nine hundred years ago, led by the Progenitor, the Father of Quincy.¡± He didn¡¯t side with either Quincy or Shinigami. However, he had to end Izumi¡¯s crazy devotion to the misguided cause of Quincy. Her hands trembled against his chest. ¡°Are you speaking of the Sealed King mentioned in the King¡¯s Hymn¡­?¡± ¡°He was not some legend. He was real, and he waged a war to end the Gotei 13. A full-blown war that imed countless lives.¡± ¡°He must have a¡ª¡± ¡°No, he wanted to unite the three worlds,¡± he muttered. ¡°And remove the concept of ¡®Death¡¯ entirely. Do you know what that means? Every living person would¡¯ve died if he seeded.¡± She let out a shocked gasp. ¡°Horrifying¡­ Can you reveal where you learned this?¡± A few months ago he could barely pronounce Quincy. Now he spoke of a war even her parents were unaware of. ¡°You can ask S¨­ken about it. He knows about this more than me.¡± ¡°S¨­ken-san?¡± Her arms tightened around him, her face burrowing into his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll believe you.¡± ¡°As for your question, why would the world want to eradicate Quincy? It¡¯s not them. The Quincy, at least the sane ones, don¡¯t want to risk their lives to fight Hollows, and they absolutely don¡¯t see any reason in getting punished by Shinigami for breaking the bnce. Aside from that, do you think a sane mother will willingly raise her child for such a risky upation?¡± With passion and gentleness, he tried to fill her head with logic, unintentionally calling Izumi¡¯s mother insane in the process. She tilted her face upward, her eyes shimmering with unshed emotion. ¡°Will you stay tonight?¡± ¡°Of course. Want me to cook something?¡± She let out augh. ¡°Never. I¡¯ll do the honor.¡± He allowed her to step in the kitchen, but he was there to supervise her. She didn¡¯t mind his presence. Rather, she found his protectiveness and care heartwarming, making her smile. ¡°Otouto-kun, I wish we were true siblings.¡± ¡°Me too.¡± Her smile blossomed like a flower in the spring ¡ª her most beautiful smile to date. ¡°So it¡¯s official then. I¡¯m Izumi Ishihara from this day on.¡± ¡­ Nighttime. The soft creak of the door roused Kazuya from his light sleep. Still wary of Izumi¡¯s intentions, he was alert to every nuance of sound and movement. It was unmistakably Izumi slipping into his room, her presence confirmed as she gently lifted the nket andy beside him. The fresh scent of her damp hair hinted that she¡¯de straight from the bath, and her delicate lingerie amplified the warmth and softness against him. Curious about her motive, he continued feigning sleep, which grew harder with her presence in his bed. ¡°Your scent is everywhere, mingling with the air I breathe,¡± she whispered, her fingers lightly grazing his chest before tracing the lines of his face. ¡°If I give up... if I let go of this purpose that defines me¡ªI¡¯ll be left in a void. There¡¯ll be no reason for me to greet the dawn, no emotions to color my days¡ªneither joy nor despair. I¡¯ll be an empty shell, devoid of reason. A nothing.''" Contrary to the darkness of her words, her voice held a note of inexplicable optimism, absent of vulnerability. ¡°I¡¯m not without purpose with you here.¡± She reached up and pressed her lips against his face. ¡°My Otouto, my dearest, we¡¯ll honor the tradition adopted by our ancestors ¡ª we¡¯ll marry each other and start a family.¡± {Partner, you triggered the wrong g!} Chapter 154-155: Heal My Heart Chapter 154-155: Heal My Heart ¡°Otouto-kun, do you think I should dye my hair to match you?¡± ¡°Dyes can damage hair. You don¡¯t need them.¡± ¡°Okay. Do I wear girly dresses or stick to formal clothes?¡± ¡°You look fine in anything. After all, true beautyes from within.¡± ¡°Hehehe. What about my hair length? Should I grow it or cut it even shorter like you?¡± ¡°No need for that. Your current hairstyle is perfect. You don¡¯t have to change yourself for me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m doing it because I want to!¡± ¡°...¡± Lisa felt like she walked into a lovey-dovey couple¡¯s morning regime rather than the house of a divorcee and her adopted brother. Izumi had never been this vibrant. This version of Izumi radiated such contagious energy that she could cure people¡¯s depression, and that nothing in the world could make her stressed. Izumi tilted her head, finally noticing Lisa¡¯s arrival. ¡°Wee back, Lisa. You don¡¯t have to cook or clean today. I did everything.¡± ¡°What happened yesterday?¡± Lisa blurted out, her eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°Why does it feel like I skipped three arcs and jumped straight into the epilogue?¡± ¡°Well. Izumi, can I leave the exnation to you?¡± ¡°Of course, Otouto-kun,¡± Izumi cooed. ¡°Lisa, I¡¯ve abandoned my Quincy mission. It wouldn¡¯t have gone anywhere with a single person¡¯s efforts.¡± Lisa turned to Kazuya, whom she had tasked to fix Izumi. He went above and beyond, making Izumi abandon her futile mission. The absolutely fine work earned a thumbs-up from her. ¡°My respect and admiration for you have grown beyond mortal bounds. From today onwards, I¡¯ll consider you the greatest man ever to step foot on the three realms.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Kazuya said with a shrug, a subtle grin pulling at his lips. ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a seat with us?¡± Izumi propped her elbows on the table and gently cradled her face in her palms. Her soft smile oozed with affection. ¡°Others have moved on in their lives, pursuing happiness in lives as normal people. It¡¯s time I cast my past and embrace a new future with Otouto-kun.¡± Spoiler [copse] Lisa crossed her arms. ¡°I have always been against political marriages and even more against the Quincy resurrection. Let Shinigami handle the job of bncers.¡± Izumi nodded in a trance, her gaze unwavering from Kazuya, as if fascinated by him. ¡°Otouto-kun and I don¡¯t need to risk our lives. That reminds me, Otouto-kun, you have yet to reply to my confession. I know you¡¯re considering Harribel-san, Api-san, and Sung-Sun¡¯s feelings¡­ but can you answer me soon? My heart cannot take this suspense.¡± Kazuya almost spat his coffee. ¡°Which confession are you talking about?¡± Her lips stretched into a gentle smile. ¡°Naughty Otouto-kun, don¡¯t you y with my heart like that. You were wide awake when I poured my heart out to you.¡± She had noticed the tiniest of fluctuations in his Reiatsu when she entered his roomst night. The fluctuations only became wilder as she expressed her feelings. He cleared his throat. ¡°I didn¡¯t interrupt because it was better to free your emotions than bottle them up in your heart.¡± ¡°Very true, Otouto-kun. You¡¯re so incredibly sweet and caring. It was Kami¡¯s blessing that I ran into you that night.¡± {Partner, it¡¯s official that Izumi is balls-deep obse¡ªin love with you. Because you were present at the right ce and time. Open your heart and embrace her love, for you¡¯re a harem protagonist.} ¡®I caused this, so I¡¯ll take full responsibility.¡¯ Izumi might resort to self-harm if he rejected her newfound purpose of having a normal life with him. It wouldn¡¯t be farfetched to say he was her sole reason for existence. She might just break at his rejection. Izumi would¡¯ve continued a normal life if he hadn¡¯t changed her fate to such an extent. Besides, he had a soft spot for Izumi, who had been nothing but kind to him. Ifmitting to her would ensure her happiness and presence in his life, then it was a price he was more than willing to pay. {You¡¯re just hard to bone a yanderedy who resembles the lover from your past life.} ¡®Quiet.¡¯ The sheer anticipation in Izumi¡¯s eyes made him sigh. ¡°Izumi, if you¡¯re fine with the other women in my life, I won¡¯t reject you.¡± Her smile blossomed, and the delicate sheen of unshed tears turned her eyes into reflective pools of emotion. ¡°I won¡¯t have any problem as long as others don¡¯t have a problem with me.¡± Her innocence and sweetness suggested she would be content as long as he gave her attention and love, which might be impossible given his mission in the Soul Society. {She is dangerous, Partner. Neglect her and she may just attack others.} Sung-Sun, the weakest of his lovers, could effortlessly floor Izumi. His lovers won¡¯t be in trouble unless Izumi awakens some ridiculous powerup. {She will get one. It¡¯s only a matter of time.} Ignoring Nami, he smiled at Izumi. ¡°Nobody will cause trouble for you. I¡¯ll take care of everything.¡± Izumi nodded her head in a daze. ¡°Otouto-kun, my heart is beating hard¡­ it¡¯s making me dizzy.¡± She stretched her arms. ¡°Can you carry me to bed?¡± {So the maniption begins.} He carried his spoiled lover to her resting quarters, her sweet murmurs nearly breaking his resolve. It took every shard of his courage to repel her attempt to monopolize his affection. He needed to stand firm, or she would manipte him into staying with her forever. As much as he adored her, he couldn¡¯tmit to her alone. Exiting the room, he found Lisa barring his way, her eyes still wide with bewilderment. ¡°I take it Izumi and you are a thing now.¡± ¡°Seems that way.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my ce to question your decision¡­¡± She shook her head. "Izumi had no expectations from her previous marriage, which isn¡¯t the case with you. Don¡¯t break her heart is what I¡¯m saying.¡± ¡°I know.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Lisa proimed, the corners of her mouth lifting into an impish smile. ¡°I¡¯m quite pleased to be honest. I foreshadowed this forbidden romance from day one. A frustrated housewife takes in an incredibly handsome stranger under her roof and then suddenly she wants a divorce from her husband. It''s almost like a screeny begging to be written.¡± ¡°...¡± Lisa watched him with a mix of amusement and curiosity, her hands perched on her hips. "Well, if I ever fall for you, it''s going to be quite theplicated household, wouldn''t you agree?" ¡°Yet you look excited. I wonder why.¡± ¡°Charming husband dominating his sexy wife and busty maid ¡ª that story may or may not be my favorite erotica.¡± She chuckled. ¡°Let¡¯s put the horniness aside for the moment. I have an important question for you: when will you go back to that ce?¡± ¡°In a few days.¡± Her expression grew solemn. ¡°Izumi won¡¯t take your leave lightly.¡± ¡°Otouto-kun is leaving?!¡± The rmed cry pulled their attention abruptly. Izumi peeked through the door, unable to resist her urge to eavesdrop on them. When the topic of his leave came up, she couldn¡¯t resisting out to question him. Kazuya pulled her out of the bedroom. ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving for a month.¡± Izumi paled, her eyes welling up. She bit her lip in an attempt to stabilize her emotions. ¡°Have I... have I done something wrong? Why are you leaving me?¡± The moment she saw the possibility of being left behind, she seemingly forgot every one of his promises about being with her. {First stage of yandere: Tame. She will whine, shed tears and try everything to appear vulnerable to manipte her significant other. It¡¯s merely the start of a toxic rtionship like no other.} ¡®Don¡¯t badmouth my Izumi.¡¯ Lisa ced a hand on Izumi¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Izumi-sama, it¡¯s not like that. He¡¯s not leaving because of you.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Kazuya kissed her forehead, which made her tremble. It was just his lips touching her forehead, yet she gained immense happiness from the gesture. ¡°It¡¯s the nature of my work that makes me travel a lot.¡± ¡°Then take me too. I promise I won¡¯t interfere with your job.¡± Rather than convincing her with words, he took action ¡ª leaning down and pressing his lips against her. Her very first kiss made her weak in the knees. She clung to him so tightly that she might¡¯ve broken a normal person¡¯s back. As he drew back, she hungrily chased him, eyes zed with lust and face reddened beyond imagination. ¡°Nn~, Otouto¡­ don¡¯t tease me¡­¡± His gaze softened at her raw disy of passion. ¡°I can¡¯t take you with me, but I¡¯ll be doing my best to return as quickly as possible. Can you try enduring for me?¡± He reinforced the thought by giving her another kiss on her lips. ¡°Please, Onee-chan. Can I rely on you?¡± ¡°A-Ah, of course.¡± She nodded, trying to appear more mature as the bigger sibling. ¡°I won¡¯t cry anymore.¡± ¡°I love you.¡± {Heavens¡­ if Izumi is Level 1 yandere, then you¡¯re Level 5.} Ignoring Nami¡¯spliments, he coddled Izumi and indulged her with hugs. For some reason, she loved hugging him. After ensuring that Izumi was emotionally stable, he left her in Lisa¡¯s care. {So, when will youe clean to her?} ¡®Not anytime soon.¡¯ Keeping Izumi forever in the dark was possible but something he¡¯d avoid. He had to wait for the time when Izumi¡¯s heart was healed and ready for that type of surprise. Else, the reveal might just push her over the edge again. ¡­ Back in Kazuya¡¯s mansion. ¡°Api, I got a gift for you.¡± M Rose, Ciri, and Api ¡ª all watched in anticipation as Kazuya unfurled the maid dress out of the bag. The dress was a byproduct of Sung-Sun and Lisa while his input refined some aspects like the frilly choker and the low neckline ¡ª all in effort to suit Api¡¯s style. ¡°But why this?¡± M Rose asked, skeptical. ¡°Surely there are better dresses out there for Api. She¡¯ll be happier with an Adjuchas soul than this¡ªthis crappy dress.¡± ¡°You mate¡¯s fetish,¡± Ciri whispered. ¡°He¡¯s a freaky leader alright.¡± Sung-Sun snorted. ¡°You two have shitty taste. The ssic ck and white contrasting dresses have been alluring for centuries. They have caused thousands of divorces in Japan alone.¡± M Rose blinked. ¡°You collected the most useless knowledge¡­¡± Kazuya tossed the dress at Api. ¡°It has to do with your evolution. That¡¯s all I can say at the moment.¡± She had to embrace her Aspect of Death on her own. His help might achieve the opposite in pushing away her ¡®Devotion¡¯ side. Api¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°Okay.¡± She didn¡¯t question his decision. Taking his hand, she dragged him to her room. As he tried toe inside, she closed the door in his face. ¡°Wait outside!¡± He couldn¡¯t help but shake his head at her weird embarrassment. During their intimacy, he had seen her naked over a dozen times. She had even shared a threesome with Sung-Sun. {Be patient. The reveal is a delicate bloom, best when unrushed.} All the rustling inside the room raised his anticipation. After what felt like an eternity, Api let him open the door. His heart skipped a beat when he found her standing with crossed arms. Her frown was firmly at odds with the maid headdress resting on her head. Spoiler [copse] He found himself captured by her unexpected charm, feeling his heart sinking deeper for her. There was an innocence in the frills and folds of her outfit, a sharp contrast to her untamed intensity spirit. ¡®Something is wrong with me.¡¯ {It¡¯s the gap moe. The contrast of her innocent frills and her untamed spirit.} His silent admiration made her more conscious of her dress. She loosened up, fidgeting nervously. ¡°Wearing this is embarrassing enough,¡± she huffed, the corners of her lips twitching downwards in a pout that was too cute to be real. ¡°I don¡¯t need you gawking like that.¡± ¡°It looks great on you. I mean really great,¡± he reassured her, closing the space between them with a warmth in his smile. ¡°Why is this embarrassing?¡± ¡°It''s just...¡± she started, her voice trailing off into a murmur as if she were revealing a vulnerability she hadn¡¯t nned on sharing. ¡°It¡¯s like I¡¯m running around as a servant, and not... not your lover.¡± Although she was one of his lovers, she took great pride in her current status. It meant everything to her. The thought of being perceived as a family maid¡ªespecially as Sung-Sun¡¯s maid¡ªwas a straight blow to her pride. He held her hands. ¡°You¡¯ll be my exclusive maid. A maid solely devoted to serving me.¡± He watched her, seeking any sign of distaste or disapproval. He¡¯d drop the whole idea if it caused her any difort. Instead, what he saw was the furrowing of her brow, a look of perplexed contemtion. ¡°I should be infuriated,¡± she whispered, a trace of astonishment in her voice as her fingers subconsciously grazed her neck. ¡°And yet, I¡¯m... okay with it. What is this bullshit? And how is it rted to my evolution?¡± He pointed at her chest. ¡°The obstacle in your evolution isn¡¯t physical but mental.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. It¡¯ll be solved in time.¡± M Rose¡¯s departure to Hueco Mundo made her realize about her denseness and impulsiveness to say hurtful things. Rather than dealing with the matters of the heart on her own, she chose to take his help. ¡°So what are my duties... as your maid?¡± she inquired, her tone a mix of sarcasm and genuine intrigue. ¡°I¡¯m not cleaning the whole mansion just so you know.¡± His gaze drifted to Api¡¯s bed, where a plush panda rested against the wall. ¡°We¡¯ll talk after I reward you for your cooperation.¡± Her cheeks flushed at the realization. ¡°I¡¯ll take these off. Don¡¯t want them getting dirty¡ª¡± ¡°No! Leave it on. It¡¯s perfect.¡± ¡°...¡± Chapter 156-157: A Temporary Solution Chapter 156-157: A Temporary Solution Ciri''s gaze darted around the dark garage, chasing Kazuya as he meticulously stackedyer uponyer of force fields in every corner. The moment they shared was ripe with possibilities, and Ciri¡¯s mind leaned into the darker ones, wondering if she was being forced to join his harem, or if he might lead down a far darker path and experiment on her body. The mere thought brought an involuntary shudder. ¡®It can¡¯t be sex¡­¡¯ Her suspicions were further inmed as Kazuya¡¯s hands went to his shirt, removing it from his torso. Ciri¡¯s heart mmed against her ribs. ¡°Leader, you wouldn¡¯t... The Leader I know isn¡¯t a monster who forces his dick on women,¡± she stepped back, her voice a mix of horror and defiance. "If you still won¡¯t listen, I-I¡¯ll bite your penis off.¡± He winced at her usation. ¡°Chill out, I¡¯m not here for sex. This is just to save my shirt.¡± Ciri¡¯s tension eased, but only marginally. ¡°O-Okay¡­¡± Kazuya drew his Zanpakut¨­, beginning the borate and somewhat harrowing ritual to invoke his Shikai ¡ª the act of self-stabbing terrorizing Ciri. The web of glowing yellow force field imprisoned his Reiatsu within the garage. Mesmerized, Ciri held her breath, feeling the growing pressure of his Reiatsu for the first time since their first confrontation. ¡°You¡¯ve improved so much, Leader.¡± Kazuya¡¯s eyes took on a sinister gleam as he regarded her. ¡°Ciri, just stay there and¡­¡± His words trailed as he transmuted his Enmyaku into dual muskets, the barrels trained unflinchingly on her chest. ¡°Let me shoot you.¡± ¡°Wait a second!¡± Ciri raised a hand. ¡°Why does a Shinigami have guns in the first ce?¡± Spending half of her day before the television had informed her of many things, the guns being one of them. ¡°Because they¡¯re convenient to use.¡± A resignation settled over Ciri, and she opened her arms in a gesture of surrender, a silent acknowledgment of his needs over her own existence. ¡°If it makes you happy, then go ahead¡­ shoot me dead.¡± ¡°Thanks and goodbye, Ciri,¡± came his stoic reply. He fired twice in quick session, and the ming bullets shot vanished into Ciri¡¯s chest. The inferno engulfed Ciri. His heart thumped as the mes flickered and grew to touch the ceiling. {It¡¯ll work, Partner. You have my stamp of guarantee.} As Nami¡¯s reassuring words fell, the mes vanished, and a massive pair of metallic ck wings unfolded. Long, slender arms with ws reached out, their owner looking utterly confused. ¡°L-Leader, my¡­ my Zanpakut¨­ restored?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you feel it?¡± Violet eyes that werecking hope until now ¡ª those eyes held a look of hesitation. Dying to know the truth, yet afraid of tasting disappointment. ¡°I don¡¯t believe it. Your Zanpakut¨­ ¡ª it must be manipting my senses to show me visions.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°I¡¯ll forgive you if youe clean. Say it. Say that I¡¯m under your Zanpakut¨­ ability.¡± Narrowing his eyes, Kazuya responded not with words, but with a question conveyed through his steady gaze. ¡°Ciri, you¡¯re one of my own, my sweet little goth chick. Do you think I¡¯ll y such cruel tricks on you?¡± ¡°BUT it was impossible ¡ª that mad scientist himself said that the Arrancar¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ loses its essence when it¡¯s damaged during the Resurri¨®n form.¡± ¡°Impossible, you say. Do you know who you¡¯re talking to?¡± A look of realization dawned on her face. ¡°Ah¡­¡± She hadpletely forgotten that the man before her could transform into Quincy, Shinigami, and Hollow. His abilities were so iprehensible that restoring her Zanpakut¨­ seemed so trivial. More trivial than her tiny presence in the whole wide universe. Recalling the size of the universe depicted in Sung-Sun¡¯s books, she suddenly lost all excitement. Letting out a deting sigh, she deactivated her Release State, returning to a form she hadn¡¯t taken for months. She felt lighter, agile, and morefortable in her base Arrancar form. Her Zanpakut¨­, a whip ending in a massive disc, manifested in her hands, bringing along a rush of power. The feel of the whip¡¯s handle reminded her of the battles fought in the Hueco Mundo, of survival and ascension in Barragan¡¯s army. She also recalled the times she tortured her opponents for being weaker than her, the despair she carved into their hearts, and the exquisite pain they took to their graves. ¡®Back when I could let loose and enjoy whipping my enemies.¡¯ The thrill of battle still coursed through her veins, as recent skirmishes with Grimmjow¡¯s crew had proven, yet none matched the intensity of her past glories. ¡°Leader, I¡¯m grateful for everything. It really makes me happy to serve a caring man.¡± Her smile was more of a brittle facade than a reflection of joy, and it didn¡¯t escape his discerning eye. ¡°You don¡¯t look happy to me.¡± She shook her head. ¡°Can¡¯t see you this wide smile?¡± ¡°Lying doesn¡¯t suit you.¡± Caught red-handed, she rubbed the back of her head, a hint of red covering her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ yeah, I was lying. It¡¯s just, this Zanpakut¨­ doesn¡¯t change anything.¡± Her original powers were restored along with her Zanpakut¨­, but they served no purpose in her current life. She hardly left the house, making her safer than a turtle hiding in its shell. He simply acknowledged her confession with a nod. ¡°I see.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry for killing the mood¡­ after you went through so much to fix me. You even gave me the peaceful life I was dying for. Fuuuuck, I feel like I¡¯m being a stuck up bitch for nothing. I want to p myself right now.¡± ¡°I can do it for you. You¡¯ve the most punchable face for a woman.¡± His jest made herugh. ¡°In my humble opinion, Sung-Sun¡¯s teasing face is the most punchable among us.¡± ¡°Fuck you for insulting my wife,¡± he said with a chuckle. ¡°Anyway, can you clear things for me? What makes you unhappy?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± She firmly shook her head, her vulnerability surfacing once more. ¡°I have this¡­ giant gaping emptiness in my chest that gives me the feeling, ¡®Nothing I ever do will have meaning.¡¯¡± ¡°I¡¯ll help you get through this.¡± Ciri smiled at his eagerness to help her. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Leader. You don¡¯t have to waste your time on me.¡± ¡°Ciri, I won¡¯t say that I think of you as my world. I¡¯m physically attracted to you, but I don¡¯t care about you as much as Tier or even Rose.¡± ¡°...I know.¡± ¡°But I do care about you,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°Since you¡¯re Rose¡¯s best friend and a member of my squad. That¡¯s why let me spend a day looking after you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll look like an asshole if I deny you,¡± she whispered. ¡°I promised you a day before anyway.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s go. OUTSIDE.¡± ¡­ Kazuya had a day to find a way to fill the hole of emptiness in Ciri¡¯s heart. He approached the quest quite casually, deciding to watch a movie with her. The Frankenstein inspired horror flick seemed tailor-made for Ciri and her love for gothic culture. During the movie, the monster¡¯s face covered the whole screen, apanied by a loud noise ¡ª a typical jumpscare he was prepared for. But Ciri wasn¡¯t. She clutched his arm and leaned in, genuinely terrified. ¡°st¡­ What a frightening sound¡­ That monster looks seriously cool.¡± {Who could¡¯ve thought dead people can be scared of ghosts?} Nami giggled. {She became like Frankenstein at Mayuri¡¯s hands when he revived her.} Ciri was prepared for jumpscares, yet they managed to terrify every single time. He genuinely wondered if it had something to do with Ciri¡¯s Hollow resembling a bird. As they walked out from the theater, Ciri was all smiles until she wasn¡¯t. The pattern repeated several times, as if there was a voice in her head constantly reminding her of the meaninglessness of life. {She is too deep in her own head.} ¡®You noticed that too. This idiot is just overthinking everything, dissecting the meaning behind every action.¡¯ Living with M Rose and the rest gave her a sense of belonging as well as happiness. At the same time, it allowed her so much idle time that her inner demons only grew stronger. {Do we just hypnotize and make her forget?} ¡®I¡¯ve a better idea. We fill her head with something else.¡¯ {Sex?} ¡®Nothing horny.¡¯ Taking Ciri¡¯s hand, he changed direction. ¡°Change of ns.¡± ¡°Huh? Where are we¡ª¡± ¡°Come with me.¡± The confusion that flitted across her features was met with a mysterious smile, as he steered them towards an unexpected detour. Ciri was under suspense for fifteen minutes. The ¡®Neko Zoo¡¯ carved in English above the door revealed his ¡®Change of ns¡¯. They were here to meet cats ¡ª the thought alone made her smile. ¡°Very considerate of you to remember my adoration for cats.¡± ¡°You have a predatory look every time you see Yoruichi. Besides, making girls smile is my second profession.¡± She giggled. ¡°Cats are cute creatures. Maybe that¡¯s why I get along well with Franceska. She is like a cat in human form.¡± ¡°Minus the fluffy ears and tail.¡± ¡°Right.¡± {M Rose¡¯s tiddies make up for it.} ¡®They do.¡¯ As Ciri reached for the door, he held her back. ¡°Wait here.¡± ¡°Why?¡± He quickly went inside and returned with a box. She took a curious look inside, meeting two pairs of innocent golden and green eyes. ¡°Congrattions, Ciri. You¡¯re a mom of two now.¡± Her face morphed from shock to a wide-eyed expression. ¡°Leader, you can¡¯t just shove kitties on me.¡± She loved cats, but she wasn¡¯t cut out for the whole nurturing like Harribel. ¡°Then kill them. Should be an easy task for the former Espada.¡± His nonchnce instilled her with horror. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious¡­¡± Just the thought of hurting the innocent creatures made her tense. Facing her greatest foe Szayporro was easier than harming the kittens. ¡°I¡¯m dead serious,¡± Kazuya spoke softly, bringing her attention back to him. ¡°You said nothing you do seems to have meaning. Their death shouldn¡¯t have any meaning either.¡± For a moment, they simply stood there, Ciri gazing at the kittens, grappling with her emotions. ¡°Leader¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s an order from the man who spared your life and offered you a ce in his family. Either take them or end them.¡± ¡°st¡­¡± she grumbled. ¡°I¡¯ll take them.¡± He watched as she tentatively reached out to the box. The kittens, curious and unphased by Ciri, poked their heads further out, their mewls soft but insistent. Her stoic expression crumbled entirely at the sight, reced by a softness that rarely saw the light of day. It was as if the presence of the kittens had momentarily filled her emptiness. ¡°You cute little things,¡± she finally said, the words a whisper against the backdrop of purring and the gentle rustle of ck and gray kittens. ¡°It¡¯ll be fucking weird to look after you.¡± Watching her act tsundere toward kittens was quite amusing for Kazuya. Forcing Ciri into an ufortable position was necessary to bring her out of herfort zone. As long as she remained in her zone, she¡¯d sink back to despair. {It should have a positive impact on her.} ¡®It won¡¯t be enough.¡¯ {That¡¯s where sexes in. You fuck her until her head craves for your dick every minute.} ¡®Nami, sex addiction isn¡¯t good.¡¯ {Big words from you, who bangs a girl every day. Partner, aren¡¯t you addicted to sex too?} ¡®No.¡¯ He shook his head. ¡®It¡¯s about making wholesome rtionships for me. Sex is just an added benefit.¡¯ {Lies.} Chapter 158: Unyielding Chapter 158: Unyielding ¡®I¡¯m tired of being too good at everything. I¡¯ll take a week off to hopefully lower my skills and let everyone catch up¡­ who am I kidding? You will never be my equal. No one will be.¡¯ Every day Rukia was forced to see this elegantly written message left by her friend. Her roommate had stuck the message on her side of the room. This wasn¡¯t even the worst part of having Momo Hinamori as her roommate. Rukia had to watch Momo kiss Kazuya¡¯s portrait before sleeping. She had to watch Momo sleep naked in Kazuya¡¯s kimono, which she had stolen from his room. She had to watch Momo write something in her diary while giggling like an idiot. Fiercely loyal and devoted, Momo was the best friend one could ask for. At the same time, she was the worst roommate one could genuinely have. ¡°It¡¯s the eighth day¡­¡± Momo whispered, gazing lovingly at Kazuya¡¯s sketch drawn by her own hands. ¡°Kazuya-kun,e back already. Life is colorless without you¡­¡± Rukia exhaled a tired breath. ¡°Why do you love him despite the reputation he has garnered? He is rumored to be dating multiple third-years.¡± In Rukia¡¯s eyes, Kazuya was a great friend due to his mentoring nature and his trait of protecting his friends at any cost. He had single-handedly stopped many nobles from beating up Renji, whose harsh tongue got him into conflicts every other week. Despite his great character, he would never be boyfriend material due to his single ring w ¡ª his hedonism. Momo stared at Rukia as if she was the most stupid person in the world. ¡°He was using them to fix the oddity with his Zanpakut¨­.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t make it any better!¡± Momo chuckled. ¡°It does. He felt nothing for them, and they confirmed as much.¡± ¡°You spoke to them?¡± ¡°I made friends with them over thest few days,¡± Momo said with a cheeky grin. ¡°Through our little chats, I discovered Kazuya-kun¡¯s preferred style.¡± Momo swiftly pulled out the ribbons keeping her twin tails in ce. After a couple of minutes of styling, she looked at Rukia with a grin. ¡°All of them looked old. Do I look more mature?¡± Spoiler [copse] Rukia was at a loss of words. ¡°A little.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll grow my hair more and do a single ponytail.¡± Momo giggled and kissed Kazuya¡¯s portrait. ¡°Let¡¯s leave. Kazuya-kun might be in ss already. I can¡¯t wait to show him my progress!¡± ¡°Momo, your obsession is unhealthy. This rtionship is unhealthy.¡± Despite knowing it could drive a wedge between them, Rukia spoke her mind in an attempt to steer Momo away from blindly loving Kazuya and getting hurt in the process. The room¡¯s air stiffened as Momo¡¯s eyes dimmed, a chilly aura emanating from her. ¡°How can you say that when you don¡¯t know a single thing about love?¡± To Momo, her feelings were sacred. She felt warmth when she thought of him, terror at the thought of any misfortune befalling him, joy when by his side or upon seeing his smile, motivation when contemting impressing him, and ecstasy at the thought of intimacy with him. He had given her the opportunity to feel so many wonderful emotions. She would give up on life rather than return to her previous loveless self. Rukia took a long pause before replying, ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ I¡¯ve never been in love or met someone who is. Still, I am entitled to give my opinion as a friend.¡± ¡°Then I have the right to deny your opinion and pursue what makes me happy.¡± Rukia¡¯s shoulders drooped under Momo¡¯s unyielding attitude. ¡°I¡¯m from the 78th District¡­ you should know how chaotic and violent that ce is. Stealing food and then surviving the chase ¡ª every day was kind of a fun struggle, now that I look back on it.¡± Rukia¡¯s life was quite the opposite of Momo, who lived a little too peacefully with Oba-san and Toshiro. The peace gave birth to the fantasies of a thrilling life like those fairy tales her Oba-san read to her and Toshiro. ¡°I¡¯ll exin the rest with a drawing.¡± Rukia snatched the portrait from Momo and scribbled on its back. She mmed it on the bed, looking proud of the result. ¡°Check this.¡± Momo furrowed her brow as she nced between the uncharacteristically cute drawing of a rabbit chasing its shadow in a circle and Rukia''s earnest eyes. ¡°You ruined my forty-eighth Kazuya-kun portrait for rabbits... Why are you so cruel?¡± ¡°...There was amon saying in our District, ¡®Chasing shadows will keep you busy but never give you fulfillment.¡¯¡± ¡°I don¡¯t get your meaning. What do rabbits and shadows have to do with me?¡± ¡°Your obsession with Kazuya is like that,¡± Rukia exined, clearing her throat. ¡°It¡¯ll keep you busy but you¡¯ll go nowhere with him. He doesn¡¯t view intimate rtionships as you do¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll change him,¡± Momo said with raw confidence. ¡°My love will transform him.¡± ¡­ As the morning lessons concluded, Momo found herself sitting in the cafeteria amid the clinking of cutlery and the whispered conversations of her peers. Kazuya¡¯s absence had left a void in her heart. ¡°Why is Kazuya-kun punishing me?¡± The table she shared with Renji, Rukia, and Toshiro was otherwise unaffected by Momo¡¯s gloom, with herpanions continuing their meal as usual. It was clear that they had be ustomed to Momo¡¯s tantrums over Kazuya¡¯s unexpected vacation. Momo¡¯s gaze sank to her untouched te, a disy of her dwindling will to engage with the world without Kazuya¡¯s presence. Her appetite, it seemed, had wandered off in search of him. Toshiro slid the te towards her. ¡°Use this as an opportunity to train your Zanpakut¨­. The stronger you be, the more impressive his surprise will be.¡± A flicker of life returned in Momo¡¯s eyes. ¡°Who told you I was training to impress him?¡± Renji¡¯sughter rippled across the table. ¡°You thought we won¡¯t notice yourte evening disappearances?¡± Rukia cleared her throat. ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ª¡± Suddenly, a hush fell over the cafeteria, a silence forced upon them by a sudden and oppressive Reiatsu that smothered everyone with its intensity. Rukia noticed a group of four Shinigami entering the cafeteria. The two at the rear were unremarkable, but the two Shinigami leading the group caught her attention. An elderly man with a thick gray mustache and long gray hair ¡ª his Reiatsu was contained unlike the young man but his Shinigami uniform betrayed his prestigious status in the Gotei 13. ¡®A Captain¡­¡¯ With the captain was a gray-eyed young man, cold and detached, his Reiatsu so formidable that it struck terror into everyone in the cafeteria. It wasn''t directed at anyone; his presence alone was simply that intimidating. The intricate headpiece ¡®kenseikan¡¯ nestled in his long ck hair indicated his noble heritage. ¡®Why is heing to us?!¡¯ She held her breath, hoping the Shinigami would pass by her table. Contrary to her hopes, they halted before her. ¡°She bears a striking resemnce to her,¡± the elderly man whispered, looking down at Rukia. ¡°Forgive the interruption, but Student Rukia, you must apany us to the Kuchiki Manor on urgent business.¡± The mention of the Kuchiki name sent a shiver down everyone¡¯s spine. The nobility of the Soul Society was a frequent topic among their teachers. The Kuchiki n, one of the Five Great Noble Families, was charged withpiling and safeguarding the history of the Soul Society, and its n head served as the Captain of the 6th Division. The elderly man talking to her was Ginrei Kuchiki, the 27th Head of the Kuchiki n and the Captain of the 6th Squad. Rukia¡¯s mind was racing, anxious about what awaited her. The Kuchiki''s reputation was untarnished, but her experiences at the academy had taught her to be wary of any noble family. Moreover, the Kuchikis were influential, so much so that she doubted even Kazuya would dare to offend them. ¡°Girl, did you not hear Captain Kuchiki?¡± growled one of the burly men apanying Ginrei Kuchiki. ¡°Rise and follow us.¡± Rukia tried to speak, but her words were trapped by a knot of anxiety and unvoiced queries. She rose, but her legs trembled, like amb surrounded by wolves. Tap. Tap. Tap. The sound of deliberate footsteps cut through the quiet. Wide-eyed, Rukia turned toward the neer. A familiar figure strode into the cafeteria with an unhurried pace, almost dismissive in the face of the overwhelming figures that dominated the space. ¡°You all call yourselves nobles and gang up on a youngdy. Pathetic.¡± She was wrong about Kazuya. Chapter 159: A Commoner Tongue Chapter 159: A Commoner Tongue ¡®You are interrupting nobles in their mission! The Head of the Kuchiki family no less! Do you have some death wish or something?!¡¯ ¡®You survived Captain Soi Fon but you¡¯re dead this time.¡¯ ¡®Not even Captain Shiba can save you today.¡¯ ¡®Die a miserable death, you fucking bastard!¡¯ Almost every student had the same thoughts. Yet, what everyone feared to be Kazuya¡¯s demise was merely amusement to him. Byakuya, the picture of stoic nobility, finally acknowledged Kazuya with a look of pure apathy. ¡°You¡­ are from Rukongai.¡± The te gray eyes of Ginrei Kuchiki, full of wisdom befitting his elderly appearance, studied Kazuya. It was not the man, but the presence of the ck cat at his side that sparked a hint of recognition ¡ª the reports of a student with a ck catpanion shing with Soi Fon had spread like wildfire three months ago. However, he chose to stay silent, even stopping his subordinates from acting. How could he let go of an opportunity to test Byakuya¡¯s maturity? Kazuya clicked his tongue. ¡°Commoners or nobles, what does one¡¯s origin change? It¡¯s not like nobles shit gold or bleed silver.¡± At his side, Yoruichi¡¯s whiskers twitched as she valiantly fought to contain herughter. She pawed his leg to get his attention and assumed her angriest cat face. She and Byakuya shared a rivalry steeped in respect, both masters of the art of Shunpo. The thought of needlessly antagonizing the powerful Kuchiki n was unappealing, even to her mischievous nature. Byakuya slightly furrowed his brows. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for you. Do not interfere in affairs exceeding your station.¡± Kazuya¡¯s arms folded defiantly across his chest. ¡°It¡¯s my business if it involves my friends. I¡¯m trying to say: You¡¯re not taking Rukia anywhere.¡± He was aware that Byakuya came to escort Rukia to her sister, Hisana. Still, he had to give the pair of noble grandfather and grandson a hard time for terrifying his friends. They could¡¯ve been more straightforward about everything, but they had to act all mysterious and frighten their tiny little hearts. {Look at you acting petty. I love it.} In the blink of an eye, Byakuya closed the distance, his form a blur as he attempted to deliver a paralyzing strike to Kazuya¡¯s throat ¡ª an attack that connected effortlessly ¡ª or so the gathered crowd saw. The truth was revealed when Kazuya''s afterimage dissipated. His true form casually leaned against a table amongst his friends, a half-eaten dumpling in hand. ¡°Delicious. It tastes like victory.¡± For a fleeting instant, Byakuya¡¯s mask of indifference wavered, his eyes betraying a spark of astonishment. He was a Captain-candidate whose Shunpo was second to none. The fact that a student anticipated and evaded his attack wlessly irked him. ¡°You aren¡¯t all talk¡ª¡± ¡°Kazuya-kun!¡± Momo¡¯s enthusiastic voice interrupted Byakuya. Disregarding the growing tension in the cafeteria, Momo hugged Kazuya from behind, clinging to him. ¡°You¡¯re back¡­¡± ¡°Momo. Hey, it¡¯s not the time¡ª¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care, Kazuya-kun. I haven¡¯t seen you for so long.¡± Kazuya melted into a gentler expression as he registered the delicate tremble in her voice. ¡°I promise I¡¯ll be with you after I settle this.¡± With a sigh that carried more resignation than she felt, Momo retreated to a seat, pulling Rukia down beside her. ¡°It¡¯ll be fine now that Kazuya-kun is here.¡± Rukia¡¯s response was a gentle shake of her head. ¡°Kazuya, you don''t have to fight anyone. I''ll go with them.¡± She couldn¡¯t ept his help after her earlier conversation with Momo. It felt wrong to ept his help. Rather than epting her heartfelt request, he raised his hand and firmly tapped her head. ¡°You don¡¯t even know what they want from you, idiot.¡± The unexpected reprimand caused a sting in Rukia¡¯s eyes. She shot him a defiant re, the kind that would dere war if nces were weapons. ¡°Stop deciding things for me. I can handle it¡ª¡± Another blownded on Rukia¡¯s head, this time courtesy of Toshiro. ¡°You were shaking like Momo when she used to wet her bed. Be quiet and let us help you.¡± Making Momo and Rukia speechless in a few words, Toshiro smiled at Kazuya. ¡°Kazuya-nii, I¡¯m with you.¡± Renji stared at Toshiro. ¡°Damn, little guy. I¡¯ll look pathetic if I don¡¯t man up.¡± He raised his Zanpakut¨­ like a trophy. ¡°I¡¯m also in.¡± Momo couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°It¡¯s an opportunity to showcase Tobiume¡¯s power.¡± Rukia looked overwhelmed. No, she was overwhelmed. Her friends sticking by her side at the moment filled her heart with warm feelings. ¡°You all¡­¡± Byakuya, meanwhile, stared at Kazuya. He had always disregarded his peers, but never once had he been disregarded to this level by someone, especially not a student of the Shin¡¯o Academy. ¡°Someone of your strength does not belong in the academy. Solely based on your Shunpo you¡¯re already qualified to be a Seated Officer.¡± ¡°I¡¯m graduating next week and bing a battle healer.¡± ¡°Battle Healer?¡± Byakuya¡¯s eyes flickered with realization. ¡°You¡¯re the student who fought Captain Soi Fon.¡± ¡°I did. I¡¯ll also fight you if you stop being so mysterious about this important business. Captain Soi Fon can attest to my strength if you don¡¯t find me worthy.¡± He fearlessly challenged Byakuya to a duel in a threatening manner. As if he could scare the Vice Captain into backing down or perhaps provoke him into epting his challenge. Byakuya¡¯s Reiatsu red in response, locking down Kazuya and only him. ¡°I will ept.¡± ¡°Byakuya, maintain yourposure. Remember what we came here for,¡± Ginrei¡¯s voice cut in, his authority halting the esction. He regarded Kazuya calmly. ¡°You and yourpanions are invited to the Kuchiki Manor. Everything will be revealed there.¡± ¡°Eh, I was looking forward to¡ª¡± Yoruichi bit on his leg and red up at him. He felt like she¡¯d get genuinely angry if he continued provoking Byakuya. ¡°Fine, Captain Kuchiki. I¡¯m passing up the opportunity to test your grandson because I respect you. Your legacy casts a long shadow that every Shinigami here, including myself, hopes to outshine one day.¡± ¡°And young man, we¡¯ll be a part of the same organization. It¡¯s best for everyone to avoid meaningless blood spills.¡± Kazuya nodded and hopped down the table, extending a hand to Rukia. ¡°It¡¯ll just be me, Rukia, and my cat.¡± Momo¡¯s gaze was like a de on Kazuya¡¯s back. It took a great deal of courage to ignore his yandere littlepanion and stick to his decision. {An older sister yandere in the living world. A younger yandere in the Shinigami world. A yandere born from your soul, who is the same age as you, was found in the Hollow world. This can¡¯t be a coincidence, Partner¡­} ¡®I¡¯m a yandere ma.¡¯ Yoruichi¡¯s feline form shifted gracefully onto his shoulder, her rough tongue softly caressing his face in a rare disy of gratitude. ¡°Thanks¡­¡± He responded to her affection with a kiss on her forehead and indulged her with a gentle chin scratch. ¡°You owe me one for this.¡± Chapter 160: Aristocrat District Chapter 160: Aristocrat District Mansions, high-ss restaurants, and exclusive establishments lined the roads leading into the eastern sixth ward ¡ª the aristocratic district. Inessible to themoners without an invitation or formal authorization, this district was among the most protected ces in the Soul Society. Along one such prestigious road, a group of six figures made their way. At the forefront, two formidable Shinigami, embodying the ideal of stoic bodyguards, cleared the path. Following closely were Ginrei Kuchiki and his grandson Byakuya, dignified andposed, epitomizing aristocratic pride. Apanying them were two aspiring Shinigami from Rukongai, and trailing the group silently was a cat with glistening ck fur. Byakuya maintained his usual serene fa?ade, but a rare glimmer of agitation flickered in his eyes ¡ª a result of the silver-haired youth''s interactions with his sister-inw, who bore a strong resemnce to his wife. ¡°Rukia, your legs look shaky. Let me carry you.¡± ¡°Rukia, you¡¯re about to fall.¡± ¡°Hey, do you think I can¡¯t carry you?¡± ¡°Rukia, why aren¡¯t you saying anything?¡± Each remark from Kazuya tinted Rukia¡¯s cheeks a deeper shade of red. Kazuya, relishing the moment, was inwardly grateful for the absence of Toshiro, Momo, and Renji. There was no one to interrupt his yful teasing of Rukia, allowing him to go all out. Finally reaching her limit, Rukia swung her fists, hitting nothing but empty air. ¡°Leave me alone!¡± ¡°But we¡¯re friends,¡± Kazuya responded smoothly, effortlessly lifting her onto his shoulder. ¡°A good friend shares in burdens, while a great one carries them. I consider myself a great friend.¡± Elevated to this new vantage point, Rukia found herself looking down at Byakuya rather than up, a refreshing reversal that made her reconsider her annoyance. ¡°Enjoying the view, huh?¡± ¡°Your voice,¡± Rukia said, frowning slightly. ¡°I know that for a fact you use it to seduce women.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need it to seduce women. My charm is enough to melt any heart.¡± Rukia ruffled his hair. ¡°It sounds like pure bullcrap, but I don¡¯t feel like you¡¯re lying.¡± His unwavering confidence had a big effect on her judgment. It wasn''t blind confidence ¡ª it stemmed from his close rtionship with Tier and others. ¡°Because I¡¯m telling the truth.¡± Rukia crossed her arms. ¡°There¡¯s a girl who is deeply in love with you. What are the odds of you quitting your yboy life and getting into a serious rtionship with her?¡± ¡°Like serious serious?¡± ¡°Yeah, serious serious. ¡®I might spend the rest of my life with her¡¯ type of serious.¡± He threw his head back and hit her belly. ¡°Are you talking about Momo?¡± The silence that followed his question was priceless. She clearly underestimated him, believing him to be ignorant of Momo¡¯s feelings. He chuckled. ¡°I know Momo is kind of obsessed with me.¡± She attempted to put him in a chokehold, trying to make him pass out. Of course, she failed miserably. Her efforts couldn¡¯t bear fruit against his superior physical resilience. ¡°And yet, you did nothing?!¡± ¡°It was toote by the time I realized the change in her feelings,¡± he said with a sigh. ¡°An innocent, pure attraction blooming into twisted love ¡ª the unsung tragedy makes my heart ache. Yet I can¡¯t help but root for her sess.¡± His words, shamelessly honest, left her momentarily speechless. ¡°How can you say that when you¡¯re the man of her affection?!¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I¡¯ll graciously ept her love,¡± he replied, nodding solemnly as though making a solemn vow. ¡°Protecting one more maiden heart is feasible with my current abilities.¡± Rukia gritted her teeth. ¡°Can¡¯t you just be content with Momo?¡± ¡°Nope. I have many women I love dearly. Look there, Rukia. Doesn¡¯t that ce look elegant?¡± Ahead of them was an extravagant estate with an expansive roof that towered over the surrounding structures. Unlike the typical architecture of the Soul Society, which more closely resembled Japan in the Heian era than the high rises of the current world of the living, this estate seemed like it was designed to look down at the other nobles¡¯ mansions. It was as if the owners of the estate asserted that they were the ruler of the neighborhood. ¡°It¡¯s over the top!¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Kazuya anticipated the Kuchiki duo to enter this grand estate. Instead, they veered towards a manor directly opposite it. While the Kuchiki Manor was undoubtedlyvish, it paled inparison to the grandeur of its neighbor. He yfully tapped Byakuya¡¯s back with his sheathed Zanpakut¨­. ¡°Byakuya.¡± Byakuya swiveled, his expression one of restrained irritation. ¡°Do not touch me.¡± ¡°It was my Zanpakut¨­. Why would I even want to touch another man? That¡¯s just gross.¡± Byakuya gave him a piercing, unblinking stare. ¡°One day that mouth of yours will bite more than it can chew.¡± ¡°True,¡± Rukia chimed in, siding with Byakuya. ¡°Just stay happy with one loving woman. Why do you gotta make it aplicated mess of rtionships?¡± He closed his eyes, pulling his lips in a slight smirk. ¡°Fools mock the king¡¯s ambition, not knowing it¡¯s the seed of greatness. I was born in this world to be a king.¡± {Wrong. You were born to be a god.} His dignified voice convinced Rukia that his ambition wasn¡¯t foolish and arrogant, and his real ambition was beyond his hedonism. Recalling Momo¡¯s words about him using those women to achieve his goal further solidified her impression. ¡°I give up,¡± Rukia yielded to his sweet talk. ¡°I tried my best. It¡¯s between you and Momo now.¡± He acknowledged her concession with a nod, then turned his attention back to Byakuya. ¡°That estate we saw earlier ¡ª who owns it? Care to indulge the curiosity of the man who outdid you in Shunpo?¡± ¡°The head of the Five Great Noble ns,¡± Byakuya spoke coldly, disdain dripping in his voice. ¡°Tsunayashiro n.¡± Kazuya¡¯s eyebrow arched in genuine surprise. ¡°Who?¡± The nobles usually came to boast to him about their ns, but no Tsunayashiro had done so. He didn¡¯t even know a n named Tsunayashiro existed within the Soul Society. Rukia gave his ear a quick pinch. ¡°Didn¡¯t your Sensei teach you about the Five Great Noble ns?¡± ¡°I nap during lectures.¡± Rukia couldn¡¯t help but let out a weary sigh. Without the presence of Momo and Renji, his yful approach to everything shed with her typically serious demeanor. ¡°Listen, the Tsunayashiro n is the most influential family. They are kind of crazy.¡± ¡°How so?¡± ¡°They,¡± Rukia trailed her voice intentionally. ¡°They kill their weak members in the name of ¡®survival of the fittest.¡¯¡± ¡°What an extreme motto.¡± ¡°I heard that their n Zanpakut¨­, Enraky¨­ten, is very powerful. It¡¯s also cursed. No one in the family uses it.¡± {The curse is nothing to us for we are a walking gue.} ¡®No, I am the storm that is approaching.¡¯ {Hoooold up, Partner. Did you cut your hair short because you wanted to cosy Vergil?} ¡®Ahem. Maybe?¡¯ Chapter 161: An Awkward Reunion Chapter 161: An Awkward Reunion As Rukia and Kazuya entered the imposing Kuchiki Manor, Rukia dismounted from Kazuya¡¯s back, her feetnding with a soft thud on the ground. The shift from being aloft to standing on her own evoked a fleeting sense of loss, quickly masked by her determined demeanor. She faced Ginrei Kuchiki. ¡°Captain Kuchiki, we¡¯re at the manor. Can you tell me the reason for bringing me here?¡± Kazuya¡¯s unwavering support seemed to ignite a spark of boldness in her, prompting her to confront the elder Kuchiki with a boldness she seldom felt. ¡°We want you to meet someone,¡± Ginrei said. ¡°They have been in search of you for decades.¡± ¡°For me?¡± Rukia pointed at herself, frowning skeptically. ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°The details will be disclosed in due time,¡± Ginrei responded with a calm that seemed characteristic of him. ¡°You¡¯ll have to see it with your own eyes to believe it.¡± ¡°Wow, so helpful,¡± said Kazuya sarcastically. ¡°Rukia, let¡¯s just follow them. If they have any ill intentions, I¡¯ll get us out of here, even if I have to fight these esteemed nobles.¡± Ginrei and Byakuya, usually unppable, were momentarily taken aback by Kazuya''s hostility. Yet, there was something in his tone, a soothing quality that seemed to soften the threat in his words. It was a contrast that left them more intrigued than offended. It was an entirely different situation for Rukia. His threats to kill two incredibly powerful aristocrats filled her with warmth. Having someone go far for her sake was a new experience to her. Rather than revealing her emotions, she shed her Zanpakut¨­ with a tomboyish grin. ¡°I don¡¯t need your protection. I can fight my own battles.¡± ¡°Yeah, sure. You can.¡± {Stop provoking them.} Being told to stop acting violent by Nami of all people was a surreal experience for him. ¡®Wait, you don¡¯t sound like Nami. Tsubasa?¡¯ ¡®Yes, I¡¯m Tsubasa. And I disapprove of your penchant for stirring up trouble for amusement.¡¯ ¡®Scolding your own father, Tsubasa? I must say, I''m impressed.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ll do it again if you continue this reckless behavior.¡¯ ¡®My gramps turned me into a menace to society. I¡¯m not changing now.¡¯ ¡®¡­¡¯ Noticing Kazuya¡¯s silence, Ginrei spoke, ¡°I get Captain Isshin¡¯s fascination with you. He himself is a man of direct actions.¡± Not many people befriended Isshin to the point of getting hisplete protection. Kazuya was an odd case because of Isshin relying on him to be his sessor and giving him a much deserved retirement. Despite the Central 46¡¯s mediocre treatment of the Shiba n, they still remained one of the Five Great Noble ns. Their influence was undeniable. Kazuya, unaware of Ginrei''s thoughts, casually draped an arm around Rukia¡¯s shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s the whole Shiba Family¡¯s shtick. They don¡¯t beat around the bush; they express themselves through their actions.¡± Ginrei nodded in agreement. ¡°I do believe they are a vital presence in the aristocratic society.¡± ¡­ In a secluded room of the manor, overlooking a serene garden, Kazuya and Rukia awaited their mysterious visitor. The servants arrived and provided refreshing drinks as well as snacks. Kazuya put Yoruichi on hisp and shared snacks with her. She had been uncharacteristically silent throughout the whole trip. He even wondered if she got reced with a normal ck cat. If it was any other day, Rukia would¡¯ve jumped at snacks without any modesty. She anxiously stared at the door, her heart pounding with anticipation. The moment the door creaked open, her breath caught in her throat. The woman who entered was like a reflection from a parallel world ¡ª her face, a striking mirror image of Rukia¡¯s, framed by longer, more elegant bangs. She was draped in a pristine white kimono, a stark contrast to Rukia¡¯s formal academy uniform. Hisana, on the other hand, seemed to be waging a battle against her own emotions. Tears welled in her eyes, constricting her breath. She had struggled to believe Byakuya when he spoke of finding her long-lost sister. Memories of abandoning Rukia in the harsh reality of District 78 haunted her, and over the years, the hope of reuniting had dwindled to a mere flicker. District 78 was a harsh and unforgiving ce through and through. Seeing Rukia now, not just alive but a Shinigami, overwhelmed her. ¡°Rukia¡­¡± Hisana¡¯s trembling voice was barely a whisper. ¡°How are you¡­?¡± Byakuya held her shoulders, supporting her in case she fell over. The illness had weakened her constitution to a frightening degree. Rukia¡¯s gaze turned sharp. ¡°Are you my doppelg?nger?¡± This unexpected question jolted Hisana from her emotional struggle. ¡°What?¡± she gasped, her tears momentarily forgotten. ¡°Why would you¡­ say that?¡± Kazuya stared at Rukia. ¡°Where the hell did thate from?¡± Rukia nced around the room, her fingers twitching as if instinctively seeking something resembling a pen and paper. s, there was nothing that allowed her theforting simplicity of exining things through her drawings of rabbits. She sighed with a hint of frustration. ¡°Momo told me that every person has a lookalike out there. That¡¯s why I asked her if she was mine.¡± ¡°No, I am not!¡± Hisana chimed, her volume breaking her record of the past decade. ¡°Rukia, I am¡­ I am your doppelg?nger.¡± ¡°...¡± Byakuya¡¯s grip on her shoulders tightened a bit. ¡°Hisana, Rukia has the right to either forgive you or me you for your past actions. You¡¯re condemning yourself for nothing.¡± Byakuya had extensively researched the disease gnawing away at his wife¡¯s body. Her frail body had only a few years left in her. Now that Hisana and Rukia were present in the same room, Byakuya did his best to mediate their rtionship. He absolutely won¡¯t let this regret consume Hisana. Perhaps, just perhaps, the reunion would create a miracle. Hisana shivered. ¡°But I¡ª¡± Kazuya gave her the ¡®Stop right there¡¯ gesture. ¡°You¡¯re Rukia¡¯s older sister. There, I said it.¡± Rukia¡¯s mind struggled to grasp the reality before her. ¡°That can¡¯t be.¡± The thought of a doppelg?nger upied her head so much that she forgot the possibility of Hisana being her family. Sge may have willingly overlooked such possibilities to keep her expectations to zero. Hisana confirmed her doubts with a firm nod, clearlycking the confidence to say it out loud. Rukia¡¯s reaction was one of stunned disbelief, her mind racing to piece together the fragments of her past with Hisana. She couldn¡¯t recollect any memory ¡ª she was simply too young to remember Hisana. ¡°Nee-san¡­?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t call me that.¡± Hisana waved her hands. ¡°I¡¯m unworthy of being your sister¡­¡± Byakuya gently pushed his wife towards Rukia. ¡°We¡¯ll leave the decision to Rukia.¡± Kazuya walked to Byakuya and pulled at his kimono. ¡°Let the sisters sort things out.¡± Chapter 162: The Deal Chapter 162: The Deal ¡°Byakuya, your wife is sick.¡± At Kazuya¡¯s solemn words, Byakuya¡¯s stride came to an abrupt halt. He whirled around, his sharp gazending on Kazuya, a man who until now had maintained a confrontational stance towards him. ¡°How did you find that?¡±¡± ¡°People don¡¯t simply weaken at her age without reason,¡± Kazuya replied, leaning nonchntly against the bridge¡¯s railing. Below, the water in the pool mirrored the serene sky, a stark contrast to the emotions in Byakuya¡¯s eye. ¡°It has to be a sickness.¡± Byakuya¡¯s eyes closed for a moment. The memory of Retsu Unohana¡¯s grim diagnosis of Hisana¡¯s situation shed through his mind. ¡°It doesn¡¯t have a name yet, but she showed simr symptoms to Captain Ukitake¡¯s disease.¡± The Vice Captain¡¯s expression remained stoic, yet he couldn¡¯t conceal the pain in his voice. He loved Hisana to death, yet he was helpless against the relentless march of her disease. Kazuya uncrossed his arms, his posture easing slightly. ¡°Did you try asking the 12th Squad? They might be able to find a cure.¡± Mayuri Kurotsuchi was obscenely talented, capable of most absurd experiments ¡ª reviving dead Arrancars being one of them. A crazy scientist like him could develop a cure to any disease in the world as long as he put his mind into it. Byakuya¡¯s jaw clenched as he recalled his encounter with Mayuri Kurotsuchi. ¡®I¡¯ll work on the cure if you provide a justification for spending our resources and precious time on such a specific case?¡¯ ¡®ording to our data, this disease only affects 0.001% of the entire Soul Society¡¯s poption.¡¯ ¡®Captain Byakuya, you don¡¯t have any? Then our discussion was a waste of time.¡¯ Kazuya''s sheathed katana gently touched Byakuya''s shoulder, snapping him out of the bitter recollection. ¡°Judging from your anger, Captain Kurotsuchi didn¡¯t want to help you. Bold of him to reject the future head of the Kuchiki n and a future captain.¡± Byakuya averted his gaze, his face momentarily clouded by a hint of guilt. The thought of using his n¡¯s influence to force cooperation was against his ethics and thews he upheld. However, the desperation had almost driven him topromise his principles. He had crossed the line for Hisana once, and he¡¯d have done it again if not for Mayuri Kurotsuchi''s notoriously entric personality. The Captain of 12th Squad could not be threatened with anything. ¡°You''re in luck,¡± Kazuya said, breaking the silence. ¡°I have the means to cure Mrs. Kuchiki¡¯s illness.¡± Byakuya¡¯s eyes initially widened in disbelief, then quickly narrowed into a suspicious re. ¡°Are you toying with me? Offering false hope only to revel in my desperation?¡± ¡°Easy there,¡± Kazuya replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. ¡°As a husband deeply in love with his wife, I can empathize with you. Of course, my help wille with a price attached.¡± Byakuya¡¯s eyelids fluttered shut for a brief moment as he prepared himself mentally. ¡°Name your price. I am prepared to pay, even with my life, if necessary.¡± Kazuya wouldn¡¯t have believed those wordsing from anyone else¡¯s mouth. However, Byakuya was a prideful individual, living up to every word that came out of his mouth. ¡°I don¡¯t need your life; I need your allegiance. There maye a day I¡¯ll take drastic measures or perhaps the other way around ¡ª actions the Soul Society won¡¯t condone. When that dayes, I want your unwavering support.¡± If Aizen, or anyone else, exposed his Hollow nature, it could lead to unpredictable consequences. Having the backing of a Captain like Byakuya, especially for a mere exchange of two bullets, was a worthwhile deal. Yoruichi¡¯s support alone wouldn''t be enough if he faced opposition from the entire Gotei 13. ¡°Once,¡± Byakuya muttered, his gaze resolute. ¡°I will stand by you in one battle, regardless of how heinous or hopeless your cause is.¡± ¡°Never took you to be the bargainer type.¡± ¡°If someone in my position ys with thews, it¡¯ll inspire others to do the same. Fighting for you will be thest time I break anyw¡­ I swear upon my life.¡± Kazuya nodded in acknowledgment, a slight smile on his lips. ¡°Consider me ttered by your honesty. You got yourself a deal.¡± Byakuya gave a silent nod and turned his attention back to the bridge¡¯s railing, his hands gripping it lightly. Afortable silence settled between them, neither man inclined to disturb it. {I just realized the insane synergy between your Resurri¨®n and his Bankai¡­} ¡®Yep.¡¯ {I don¡¯t understand one thing though. Why fight Byakuya when you wanted to strike a deal all along?} ¡®To make everything seem like a coincidence. The circumstances at the academy were different¡­ and I wanted to have some fun.¡¯ {Understandable¡­ Argh, why are these sisters taking so long? Partner, try focusing on their conversation.} ¡®Isn¡¯t there more thrill when you don¡¯t know what awaits us on the other side?¡¯ He was eighty percent assured about Rukia epting each other. The twenty percent part would happen because of Rukia taking time to digest her emotions. {I totally get your meaning. Predictable life is boring. We future gods will live ording to our desires, regardless of consequences¡­ after we take care of Aizen that is. He is the biggest thorn in our pursuit of perfection.} ¡®Jeez, we¡¯re just getting started. One step at a time, remember?¡¯ As he idly chatted with his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, the door slid open. Rukia stepped out of the room, her dull expression revealing a picture of conflict. The distant look in her eyes spoke volumes of the emotional storm she had just weathered. {Fuck.} The oue with lower probability happened. He couldn¡¯t me Rukia for reacting this way. Hisana had left Rukia to rot, despite knowing that Rukia could die in the unforgiving chaos of the 78th District. Rukia won¡¯t be able to forgive Hisana in one day. ¡°Kazuya,¡± Rukia spoke, her voice a hollow echo of its usual vibrancy. ¡°Let''s go back.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± She was taken aback, clearly expecting him to bother her with questions. ¡°You have nothing to ask?¡± ¡°I do, but I¡¯ll wait till you¡¯re ready. Anything you want to say?¡± She paused in the motion of shaking her head. ¡°Can you carry me on your back? I don¡¯t have the¡­ energy to walk.¡± She had plenty of energy but zero motivation. ¡°Now you¡¯re just abusing my friendship.¡± ¡°Haha.¡± Rukia¡¯sughter quickly dissolved into a more somber expression. The room behind her echoed with faint, ragged coughs, each one seeming to w its way out of Hisana¡¯s throat. Being rejected by Rukia worsened Hisana¡¯s condition. Byakuya used Shunpo to be by his wife¡¯s side. The speed of his movement sent a brief gust that momentarily ruffled their clothes. Rukia¡¯s gaze flickered towards the room, her brow creased slightly. She reached for Kazuya, urgency in her voice. ¡°Come. Momo and Renji are waiting for us.¡± He turned to her, bending down just enough to offer his back for her to climb on. Rukia adjusted her kimono, hopped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck. He ced his hands under her supple thighs, making full use of the opportunity. ¡°Rukia is hard on the outside and very soft on the inside.¡± A flush of embarrassment warmed her cheeks, extending to the tips of her ears. ¡°Just get going, will you?¡± Contrary to her expectations, he walked towards the room with Hisana and Byakuya. She pulled at his hair, trying to steer him towards the exit. ¡°Oi, my puppet is malfunctioning. Who do I call to fix ut?¡± ¡°Your mom. Her ride can fix my malfunction.¡± ¡°What? If my dead mom can fix it, then I can do it as well. Tell me what to do.¡± He mentally noted down her inability to understand innuendos. She was innocent, and he wouldn¡¯t bear the guilt of corrupting her innocence. {She is a virgin, duh.} Kazuya locked Rukia¡¯s legs around his waist and walked into the room without permission. The sudden appearance of Rukia being carried piggyback by her friend caused Hisana to look up, a trace of confusion crossing her weakened features. He unsheathed his katana without a word and thrust it into the center of his chest. The suicidal act without any context garnered panic from Rukia. Hisana also panicked when the mes born from Kazuya¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ engulfed Rukia. Byakuya¡¯s stoic expression masked his emotions well, but his eyes revealed his anxiety. He felt overwhelmed with the sheer madness happening in the small room. Kazuya smiled at their goofy reactions. ¡°Sheesh, don¡¯t be restless. It¡¯s just my Shikai.¡± Byakuya¡¯s hand twitched towards his Zanpakut¨­. The contract between them was the only restraint holding him back from unleashing the thousand des of his Bankai. ¡°I¡¯m not burned?¡± Rukia''s voice was filled with disbelief as she realized the mes didn¡¯t harm her. ¡°Kazuya, what is this?¡± ¡°My speciality.¡± He wielded the muskets and aimed their barrel at Hisana. ¡°It won¡¯t hurt.¡± Hisana instinctively raised her hands in defense. ¡°You''re Rukia''s friend... why would you...?¡± Byakuya stared at Kazuya. ¡°Is this part of the treatment?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Byakuya leaned in close to Hisana, whispering words of reassurance. After a moment, he stepped aside, giving Kazuya the space he needed. Hisana¡¯s eyes, though filled with uncertainty, also held a flicker of hope. Her trust wasn¡¯t in Kazuya, but in Byakuya, the man she loved and believed would never deceive her. ¡°Byakuya-sama won¡¯t lie to me¡­¡± Nami giggled. {Great reaction from someone held at gunpoint.} Bang. Bang. Two brilliant fiery trails left his muskets, engulfing Hisana in a radiant, warm ze that seemed to dance around her rather than consume her. Chapter 163: A Coincidental Meetup Chapter 163: A Coincidental Meetup The Shin¡¯o Academy has a long history filled with crazy moments, and this year was shaping up to be the craziest among them. A certain student had gained quite a reputation for going head-to-head with the Captain of the 2nd Squad, an event that still echoed through the corridors in hushed, awe-stricken tones. This same student was also responsible for the dramatic copse of the student dormitory. And if those events weren¡¯t shocking enough, today he boldly challenged the Vice-Captain and the Captain of the 6th Squad right in the middle of the bustling cafeteria. This day had been anything but ordinary. Fortunately, the day took a slightly brighter turn for ss 1 students as Isane Kotetsu and Rangiku Matsumoto, the esteemed Vice-Captains of the 4th and 10th Divisions, graced them with their presence. The arrival of these two renowned individuals brought a mix of excitement and reverence among the students, as their fame and aplishments were well-known throughout the academy. However, not everyone shared this sense of excitement. In the back of the ssroom, Momo sat with a grimace, biting her lip in frustration. Her mind couldn¡¯t help but visualize Kazuya flirting with Isane, which would undoubtedly eat into the time he had promised to spend with her. It was unforgivable. Momo stood up, involuntarily casting an envious nce towards the tall and busty woman. ¡°Vice-Captain Kotetsu, why are you here?¡± Isane nervously scratched her cheeks, unable to understand the reason behind Momo¡¯s behavior. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Kazuya-kun. He mentioned he¡¯d be back today.¡± Since Kazuya had learned everything from the academy, Isane had been contemting the idea of starting Kazuya¡¯s Kaido sses during their free time. Kaido, though not as intricate as high-level Kid¨­ spells, still required a level of expertise that few possessed. Even with Kazuya¡¯s remarkable talent, it would take years of dedication for him to reach her level. The sooner he began, the faster he would grow as a healer, and the faster he¡¯d reach his goal of bing the so-called ¡®Battle Healer.¡¯ ¡°Me too,¡± Rangiku chimed in, emphasizing her statement by firmly nting her hands on her hips. Nobody could even guess that she apanied Isane to evade the nasty paperwork. ¡°So, where¡¯s he hiding?¡± Momo shook her head, a polite smile ying on her lips. ¡°He is busy with some work. Pleasee back after a few days.¡± Ignoring Toshiro¡¯s disapproving stare, she effortlessly weaved a lie. Her infatuation with Kazuya had caused her to be unhinged. However, Toshiro couldn¡¯t me Kazuya or Momo for this. ¡°That little punk,¡± Matsumoto muttered quietly to herself, her wordsced with annoyance. ¡°Just where did he go?¡± ¡°Vice-Captains!¡± Renji spoke, raising his hand. ¡°Don¡¯t trust this lying friend of mine. Kazuya went to the Kuchiki Manor. He''ll probably be back in a couple hours.¡± Rangiku¡¯s eyebrows arched in response to the truth. With just one nce at Momo¡¯s flustered face, she instantly connected the dots. ¡°Aha, so it¡¯s like that. Even his ssmates can¡¯t resist his voice.¡± Isane¡¯s face turned crimson as she recalled her own experience in the restaurant. ¡°What do we do now?¡± ¡°The sses should end soon. Let¡¯s wait for him in his dorm room.¡± ¡°Good idea.¡± Rangiku approached Renji to ask him about the directions to Kazuya¡¯s dorm room before heading out. Momo¡¯s eyes locked onto Renji, filled with an intense re. ¡°Kazuya-kun promised to spend the day with me. You should support me as your friend.¡± Renji yfully grinned as he rubbed his nose. ¡°Don¡¯t ruin Kazuya¡¯s future just because of your clingy love.¡± ¡°How?!¡± ¡°Those two were from the 4th and 10th Squads ¡ª the squads Kazuya wants to join. They said they had important business with him.¡± Momo closed her eyes, clenching her fists. ¡°I¡¯m going to join the 10th Squad.¡± Clearing the Shinigami course and joining Kazuya at the Gotei 13 ¡ª a single thought echoed relentlessly in her mind. She¡¯d channel her passionate feelings into motivation and reach her goal in the shortest time possible. ¡°I might do it too,¡± Toshiro answeredzily. ¡°I¡¯m knocking that titty monster down from the Vice-Captain seat.¡± His ambition wasn¡¯t solely about following Kazuya. Toshiro had his own reasons, one of them being his admiration for Captain Isshin Shiba¡¯s direct and unpretentious nature. The idea of serving under Captain Isshin was appealing to him. Working alongside Kazuya was just a cherry on top. Renji couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at Toshiro¡¯sment, a smile forming on his face. ¡°Howe you hate tits so much? Are you a man or not?¡± Toshiro narrowed his eyes dangerously. ¡°I¡¯m more man than you can ever be.¡± ¡°Oh. Wannapare our dicks, little guy?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡­ After finishing the lectures, Momo arrived outside Kazuya¡¯s dorm room. The unmistakable sound of Rangiku¡¯sughter rippled through the air. ¡®Why are there three Reiatsu here?¡¯ Toshiro had gone off to spend time with the Zanpakut¨­ meditation training, so the Reiatsu couldn¡¯t belong to him. Kazuya¡¯s Reiatsu was still far away, so it couldn¡¯t be him either. Driven by curiosity, Momo nuzzled the door open. Inside the room, Rangiku was sprawled on the bed with her head resting on Isane¡¯sp. They were both giggling over a suspicious-looking book. Sharing the bed with them was a beautiful bespectacled woman in a standard Shinigami uniform. Her long ck hair was elegantly pinned back, with bangs falling to the right side of her face. Momo immediately recognized the bespectacled woman as Nanao Ise, the Vice-Captain involved in the dorm disaster incident. ¡°Why is Vice-Captain Ise here?¡± Nanao Ise offered a small, polite wave. ¡°I wanted to chat with the owner of this room.¡± ¡°What¡¯s your business with him?¡± Nanao¡¯s expression turned thoughtful, a hint of intrigue in her violet-tinted eyes. ¡°I want to experience the magic of his voice myself. Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m quite curious about him.¡± She had heard nothing but praise about Kazuya from Isane and Rangiku. To persuade Captain Unohana to let him join two Shinigami Squads only deepened her interest. Momo barely fought the temptation to roll her eyes. She had a strong inkling that Nanao¡¯s curiosity would end with her beingpletely smitten by Kazuya. ¡°You should¡¯vee tomorrow¡­ I wanted to spend some alone time with him.¡± ¡°Sorry for intruding, Hinamori-chan,¡± Rangiku said with a light-hearted giggle, neatly putting the book aside as she sat up straight on the bed. ¡°You know, it¡¯s rare that us Vice-Captains get a break from our duties.¡± Isane and Nanao exchanged a knowing look. The workload of a Vice-Captain varied significantly. Nanao¡¯s responsibilities involved supporting her Captain, Shunsui Kyoraku, and stepping in for him to lead squads. However, since Shunsui was not always the most proactive Captain, Nanao often found herself with free time to pursue her own interests. Isane, on the other hand, was mostly upied with special missions alongside other Squads, though these were bing increasingly rare. Her primary role involved providing treatment, leaving her with considerable free time outside her duties. Rangiku was the only one who actively went to the Living World for Hollow purification. Despite this, she was notorious for skirting the more mundane aspects of her job, such as paperwork. From their perspective, Rangiku¡¯s words were a white lie but Momo couldn¡¯t have known better due to herck of knowledge. As Momo sat surrounded by the three Vice-Captains, she couldn¡¯t shake off a creeping sense of inferiority. This feeling wasn¡¯t about her power or abilities as a Shinigami. Rather, it stemmed from her self-perception of femininity. Each of the Vice-Captains possessed an alluring figure and, most importantly, a physical presence that made Momo feel somewhat inadequate. They had the air of authority and confidence that Momocked because of her inexperience. In a moment of self-doubt, Momo mentally reached out to the Zanpakut¨­ Spirit living in her Inner World. ¡®Tobiume, what can I do to grow like them?¡¯ ¡®I don¡¯t know¡­¡¯ Tobiume replied. ¡®But maybe you shouldn¡¯tpare yourself to them in terms of beauty. You possess something they allck ¡ª a sense of truepanionship.¡¯ Momo foundfort in those words. ¡®¡®You¡¯re right. Bust size doesn¡¯t matter. My feelings are what truly counts.¡¯ She¡¯d willingly throw her life away to protect Kazuya ¡ª a conviction born from her passion. ¡®Don¡¯t doubt yourself, Momo. Show the same persistence you did when reaching out to me.¡¯ ¡®I will!¡¯ ¡­ Unbeknownst to Momo and the three Vice-Captains, a shadowy figure stood above the dormitory building. ¡°Three Vice-Captains and four Zanpakut¨­ Spirits to im as mine,¡± the slouched figure mused, his long nails making clicky sounds with every movement. ¡°How fortunate I am.¡± ¡°So am I.¡± A shiver went down Muramasa¡¯s spine. Turning his head, he saw a smile stretching ear to ear ¡ª a smile he would never forget in his entire life. Chapter 164: The Report Chapter 164: The Report As Tosen stepped into Aizen¡¯s room, the soft sound of pages turning reached his ears. He found the Captain engrossed in a book. No Shinigami would dare think of Aizen as the man plotting to overthrow the ¡®God¡¯ and change the very foundations of this realm. Aizen closed the book with a gentle thud, his smile warm but with a hint of calction in his eyes. ¡°Tosen, how did the search go?¡± ¡°We could not find Vasto Lorde, Aizen-sama,¡± he admitted, shaking his head slightly. ¡°There were no signs of any Vasto Lorde outside of Las Noches. Captain Ichimaru and I personally searched the whole Hueco Mundo.¡± Tosen was inwardly frustrated, feeling the weight of his failure. He was well aware of the importance of locating the newly ascended Vasto Lorde and herpanion, whose immense Reiatsu had sent shivers down his spine. A Hollow with that power must belong to their army. ¡°Interesting,¡± Aizen mused, pushing his sses up the bridge of his nose thoughtfully. ¡°It means they¡¯re no longer in Hueco Mundo.¡± ¡°Could they have ventured into the Living World? But the 12th Squad hasn¡¯t detected any strong Garganta signals recently, nor sensed any Vasto Lorde-level Hollow." ess to a Garganta for each Hollow depended on their power level. Had a Vasto Lorde opened a Garganta in any city under the Gotei 13¡¯s supervision, they¡¯d have been alerted already. Aizen leaned back, his gaze piercing as he considered the possibilities. "There are only a few usible exnations. They evaded your search and remained in Hueco Mundo, they¡¯ve mastered opening a Garganta outside Shinigami¡¯s jurisdiction, or they have found a way to deceive the devices searching for dimensional distortions." ¡°I see.¡± Tosen nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. ¡°What does Aizen-sama believe?¡± ¡°Third.¡± Aizen rose from his seat and tucked the book in the bookshelf. ¡°Three months ago, a Vasto Lorde Arrancar showed up in Karakura Town with another Arrancar. The time frame aligns with Barragan¡¯s hunt for the Vasto Lorde Tier Harribel and her Vasto Lorde aplice.¡± Tosen held his chin, recalling the details from Las Noches. ¡°I see. He is working in cahoots with multiple Hollows.¡± ¡°What¡¯s fascinating is theck of reports aboutrge souls disappearing. The stronger Hollows need souls to maintain their strength. Karakura Town is bing more and more¡­ intriguing.¡± ¡°Theck of souls must be rted to Tier Harribel. As per Las Noches¡¯s reports, she refused to indulge in any Hollow. Barragan spected her Aspect of Death to be Sacrifice.¡± ¡°A Hollow who doesn¡¯t eat her kind¡­ she seems like an interesting individual. For this mysterious Vasto Lorde to work with Harribel, he must share the same virtue of kindness and mercy.¡± Tosen crossed his arms. ¡°I can send out a group of Hollows to disturb the order.¡± Aizen shook his head at Tosen¡¯s suggestion. He had sent out a group of fodder-ss Hollows when Quincy used a Hollow bait ¡ª a whimsical test to test the waters of the Karakura Town and provoke a response from the former Captain of the 12th Squad. ¡®Well, no matter. Urahara-san won¡¯t be able to resist the lure of my Karakura Town¡¯s grand spectacle.¡¯ The thought of the mysterious Vasto Lorde lingered in the back of his mind, but Aizen knew he had to tie up the loose ends with Kisuke Urahara first. ¡°Aizen, I almost forgot why I came here,¡± Tosen interrupted, breaking the silence. ¡°That student you told me to keep an eye on ¡ª he humiliated Vice Captain Byakuya Kuchiki in Shunpo. From the reports, he seemed confident enough to take on both Kuchikis.¡± Aizen¡¯s lips curved into a self-assured smile, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous glint. The student ¡®Kazuya Ishihara¡¯ joined the academy out of nowhere and started fighting on par with Captains. Even Kenpachi Zaraki, the man with the most absurd raw stats, had a vague exnation for his powers. Kenpachi Zaraki was a result of the endless violence infesting the deeper districts of Rukongai. But this student, Kazuya, was different. Aizen couldn¡¯t decipher the source of his strength or his hypnotic voice. The fact that Kazuya had ties to the noble Shiba n, a family with a Captain and Vice Captain among their ranks, only added to his mystery. Yet, Aizen held back from acting at the moment. From every report so far, Kazuya showed ack of ambition, using his powers to fuel his ego and indulge in intimacy with women. Kazuya had even chosen his Shinigami Squad based upon his attraction to the Dai Senpai of the Gotei 13 ¡ª Yachiru Unohana ¡ª the second most troublesome individual in the Seireitei. ¡®Lust is an easy sin to exploit. Dangle a beauty and they will bark like a dog.¡¯ He was in no rush to deal with Kazuya. In due time, Kazuya would be another victim of Ky¨­ka Suigetsu ¡ª they who saw what he wanted them to see, felt what he wanted them to feel, heard what he wanted them to hear, and sensed what he wanted them to sense. The whole of Soul Society would one day dance in the palm of his hand. Chapter 165: Temptations Chapter 165: Temptations Despite having walked away from the Kuchiki Manor half an hour ago, the heartfelt words of gratitude from Byakuya and Hisana still echoed in Kazuya¡¯s mind. The image of Hisana tearing up, embracing Byakuya, and repeatedly professing her love for him remained just as vivid; it was mostly because of the wetness on his shoulder ¡ª Rukia had held back her tears in front of Hisana but ended up crying on the way back. By the time he neared the academy, Rukia had recovered from her storm of emotions and started making little talks. ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± Rukia whispered and climbed off his back, curbing the possibility of spreading weird rumors. Messing with Momo was thest thing she wanted. ¡°Can you hide this from Momo and Renji?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± he agreed without any resistance, eyes locked on his dormitory building. ¡°Want me to apany you all the way?¡± ¡°First you tell me why are you frowning like that again?¡± Every time she saw him frown like that, some noble got the beating of their life. The fact that he bullied the bullies, the descendants of those sitting at the top of society, always made herugh. His rtionship with Shiba n and his own strength made him a force not even aristocrats wanted to mess with. ¡°Just a bit surprised. Wannae hangout with some Vice Captains?¡± ¡°Some other day maybe.¡± ¡°Then see you tomorrow.¡± As they parted ways, a whisper reached him. ¡°Thanks for saving Hisana¡­¡± Following that, he heard Rukia¡¯s hurried footsteps gradually fading away. Unaware of his arrangement with Byakuya, she misunderstood his motives for saving Hisana, believing he had set aside his animosity towards Byakuya for her sake. Yoruichi climbed on his shoulder and pawed his ears. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you had it in you to reveal your Shikai for someone else¡¯s wife.¡± Since Yoruichi was absent during his agreement with Byakuya, she also arrived at the same conclusion as Rukia, albeit with a hint of skepticism. ¡°Yoruichi, you¡¯re old friends with Byakuya. Rukia¡¯s blood sister is married to him. I¡¯d be a douche to let her die when saving her takes no effort.¡± ¡°I sense something sinister from you,¡± Yoruichi whispered, gently tugging at his ear with her soft paws. ¡°You gained something from helping Hisana. What was it?¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°A small promise. Think of it as a backup n to my own backup n in case things go south here.¡± ¡°You¡¯re starting to sound like Urahara.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tter me, Princess Shih¨­in. This little me is nothingpared to one of the most decorated minds in the world.¡± ¡°Urahara may be a master in thenguage of numbers and logic, but he¡¯s as dense as a meteor when ites to matters of the heart.¡± He raised an eyebrow at her unexpected remark. ¡°Sounds like he didn¡¯t reciprocate your feelings the way you wanted.¡± He didn''t believe the present-day Yoruichi harbored romantic feelings for Kisuke, but their past was a mystery to him. Knowing Yoruichi¡¯s demeanor he could only specte on the type of life she led as a teen. Yoruichi couldn¡¯t help but giggle. ¡°Oh, Young Kazu, did I see a sh of jealousy just now? Imagining me with Urahara, were you?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Hearing him outright confess his jealousy was a breath of fresh air for Yoruichi. She believed that his jealousy was a product of her recent efforts in spoiling him in her own way. She wrapped her paws around his neck in a yful embrace, rubbing her face against his. ¡°I wasn''t referring to myself, silly. Urahara had a whole fan club back at the Shih¨­in mansion ¡ª maids, noblewomen, Shinigami, and even ordinary folk. His naive charm attracteddies, though I was an exception. It feels weird to see him as anything other than my childhood friend.¡± He nodded, visibly relieved. A gentle breeze wafted by them, carrying with it the faint scent of cherry blossoms as silence fell between them, save for the distant sound of students chatting. Yoruichi¡¯s eyes searched his face as if contemting something. ¡°There is no man in this world who can tie down sh Goddess Yoruichi. I¡¯ve held the same belief for as long as I can remember.¡± ¡°A fellow freedom enjoyer,¡± he whispered. ¡°Well, I never limit the freedom of my lovers. Doesn¡¯t that make us a match made in Heaven?¡± Yoruichi took a pause as if considering his words. A nonmitted rtionship was the best-case scenario for her, given her aversion to the responsibilities of a rtionship. They were shackles to her. He shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Just speaking facts. We can take it one step at a time, starting as friends. The next stage could be friends with benefits ¡ª enjoying the freedom of being single while sharing¡­ certain perks." ¡°Friends with benefits¡­¡± Yoruichi¡¯s breath caught, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Is that your excuse to fuck me?¡± Clearing his throat awkwardly, Kazuya watched as she yfully tapped his cheek. ¡°You''re quite the charmer,¡± she teased, herughter light and flirtatious. You almost convinced me with that sweet tongue of yours. Almost tempted to open my legs for you. I¡¯m lucky that I was trained to resist honey traps as the Captain of 2nd Squad.¡± He clicked his tongue in mock annoyance. "One of these days, you¡¯ll regret teasing me like this." She shrugged off his yful threat with a giggle. ¡°I''d love to see you try.¡± {Do her. Give her the best hentai female lead treatment.} ¡®...¡¯ Teasing her and getting teased by her, he returned to his dorm. Outside his room, he found Momo waiting, her demeanor anxious as if she had been eagerly anticipating his arrival. ¡®She must¡¯ve sensed my Reiatsu.¡¯ He had stopped concealing his Reiatsu, unless it was necessary to hide from someone. His fight with Soi Fon made his strength public knowledge. {Wasn¡¯t she with the Vice Captains? Did she make some excuse to meet you alone here?} ¡®Probably.¡¯ Momo suddenly rushed towards him, her movements creating a soft rustling sound, as she hugged him ¡ª a brief hug to reassure herself of his well-being. ¡°You¡¯re alright¡­¡± ¡°Do I not look alright?¡± he asked, smiling down at her while his hand gently patted her head in aforting gesture. ¡°Rukia is also fine.¡± ¡°What a relief¡­¡± she whispered. ¡°What did they want from her?¡± ¡°Well, things are a bitplicated. I can¡¯t reveal it without Rukia¡¯s permission.¡± Momo nodded in understanding, her eyes briefly darting behind her. ¡°Your friends are waiting for you.¡± She seemed reluctant to tell him about the Vice Captains, clearly desiring to spend more alone time with him, away from the watchful eyes of the Vice Captains. ¡°Let¡¯s see what they have to say.¡± Chapter 166-167: The List Chapter 166-167: The List Upon opening the door, Kazuya was met with three pairs of eyes ¡ª Rangiku, Isane, and Nanao, whose presence in the room didn¡¯t surprise him. He expected her to pop up any day since she had handled the dormitory destruction incident with her Captain. {Woah, says Kazuya, the Incarnation of Phenex, upon seeing four beautifuldies waiting for him in his room. Will he disrobe his kimono and jump at thedies like a fiend?} ¡®Nami, write your fanfiction somewhere else.¡¯ Kazuya nipped Nami¡¯s growing hobby in the bud. ¡°If it isn¡¯t my future Vice Captains. Who is the new guest?¡± Nanao froze upon hearing his voice for the first time. Her reaction wasn¡¯t that different from every other woman during their first meeting. After recovering herposure, she narrowed her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re him?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m him. And this is my cat, her.¡± He pointed at Yoruichi, who jumped down and left the room, tail swinging. ¡°Well, she is anti-social.¡± Nanao¡¯s hand twitched, almost as if she wanted to hurl her heavy book at him ¡ª reaction she usually reserved for her own Captain. ¡°...You¡¯re unbelievable.¡± He grinned. ¡°What you mean to say is I¡¯m unbelievably handsome and charming.¡± Nanao¡¯s frown deepened as she observed Momo shift closer to Kazuya. She opened her book and tore out a page. ¡°Shizu, Amane, Himeko¡­¡± She proceeded to list every girl he had seduced in the Soul Society. ¡°And Momo Hinamori. You were intimate in some manner with the girls I just mentioned.¡± Rangiku covered her face with her palm, feeling immediate regret for giving Nanao the opportunity to start the argument. She exchanged a subtle nod with Isane, both understanding that they had to find a way to diffuse the situation. Having gained personal acquaintance with him, they strongly objected to the ¡®Operation: Humble the Genius¡¯ initiated by the Shinigami Women¡¯s Association. Momo cupped her flushed cheeks, stealing shy nces at him. ¡°D-Do we look like couples from your perspective?¡± Her serious usations left Kazuya bewildered but Momo¡¯s bashful response was even more surprising. Curious, he stayed silent and let Momo handle the situation, taking it as an opportunity to assess her yandere level. {Partner, your yandere will own this Karen wannabe.} ¡®Let¡¯s see.¡¯ Meanwhile, Nanao fixed her gaze on Momo, her eyes filled with exasperation as she watched Momo fail toprehend the weight of her usations. ¡°Were my words not loud and clear? Every girl on this list has been intimate with this lustful man in some capacity. EVERY one of them.¡± Momo lowered her hands and met Nanao¡¯s gaze steadily. ¡°And?¡± Nanao¡¯s eyes grew wider with disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re already smitten.¡± ¡°How is that a problem to you?¡± Momo asked, her lips curving into a smile. A sickly sweet smile, yet her eyes carried a certain emptiness. ¡°Have you grown so delusional with power and authority that you can¡¯t fathom a girl wholeheartedly loving a boy?¡± The notion of defending her man brought out a confidence she didn¡¯t know she possessed. ¡°You are delusional, incapable of seeing things clearly.¡± Nanao pointed at Kazuya. ¡°This man has seduced numerous girls. As the Vice-President of the Shinigami Women¡¯s Association, I can¡¯t sit by and watch him ruin the lives of girls in the Soul Society.¡± ¡°Then stand up,¡± Momo growled. ¡°And change your sses. Because you can¡¯t see that Kazuya-kun didn¡¯t ruin any lives. I have talked to every girl you mentioned ¡ª none of them had any bad things to say about him. All of them knew that their rtionship would be transactional.¡± Rangiku and Isane froze, unable to match the fierce Momo with the meek girl from earlier. Even Kazuya was baffled by Momo¡¯s thorough research. Nanao was visibly shaken, finding it unbelievable she had overlooked something as crucial as interviewing the girls in question. ¡°You¡¯re right. I should have done more investigation before pointing fingers¡­ It doesn¡¯t excuse him from using the girls to further his means.¡± ¡°Stop mimicking those braindead nobles, Ise-san,¡± Momo said in a condescending tone. ¡°Nobles don¡¯t have the right to intervene in our personal affairs. We¡¯re free to choose our partners.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a noble....¡± Nanao replied, ack of confidence in her voice. ¡°What Ishihara-san did was hical. Transactional or not, he yed with their feelings.¡± ¡°This again¡­¡± Momo gave Nanao a nk stare. ¡°Kazuya-kun showed them a good time, and in return, they let him ess the secured sections of the library. His Zanpakut¨­ needed him, and he did everything in his power to help it. Ethics weren¡¯t his concern.¡± Just as Nanao was about to speak, Rangiku extended her hand and yfully squeezed the younger woman¡¯s cheek. ¡°Let it go, Nanao. Kazuya assured me this was a one-off thing. It won¡¯t happen again.¡± Nanao red at Rangiku. Although they had the same position, Rangiku was her senior. ¡°Okay, Rangiku-san¡­ I apologize for my earlier behavior.¡± She didn¡¯t act stubborn once she realized her argument held no meaning. Rangiku then turned towards Kazuya and Momo. ¡°Don¡¯t be too hard on Nanao. She¡¯s still learning. And let¡¯s not forget, she helped him when his Reiatsu spiraled out of control. Without her Captain, the academy would¡¯ve imposed a heavy penalty on you.¡± Isane affirmed Rangiku¡¯s statement with a nod. ¡°You may have suffered severe consequences without immediate treatment. Fortunately, my Kaido stabilized your fluctuating spiritual energy.¡± Their roles as mediators seemed to bridge the gap between the conflicting parties, easing the atmosphere in the room. Momo unveiled a soft smile before ncing over her shoulder. Catching sight of his gentle smile, her newfound boldness seemed to melt away. ¡°K-Kazuya-kun, I sessfully defended your honor.¡± Kazuya¡¯s hand reached out, tenderly brushing through her hair, admiring the transformation she had undergone in the past months. From a shy, innocent girl to a fierce tigress, unafraid to confront a Vice Captain for his sake. ¡°You were incredible.¡± She couldn¡¯t help but fidget and giggle, leaving those around her in surprise once more. ¡°I stood up for myself and¡­ you.¡± {Yandere level: Stage 2, potentially escting to Stage 3. The obsession has taken root in heart and mind.} ¡®What is Stage 3?¡¯ {Stage 3 is where the obsession dominatespletely. The yandere struggles to function without her beloved. Stage 4 is the final stage, where she might go to any lengths, even harm her beloved. Entity Izanami is nearing Stage 4.} ¡®Nami¡­¡¯ {Luckily for both of us, Tsubasa won¡¯t let it happen.} With a sigh of relief, he turned his attention to Nanao, acknowledging her apology with a nod. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your name was?¡± He already knew almost everything about her, but he had to act clueless to maintain his character. ¡°Nanao Ise,¡± Nanao said, emphasizing each syble to properly introduce herself. ¡°The current Vice Captain of the 8th Squad.¡± ¡°Ise n? You¡¯re from that n of priests?¡± The Ise n, althoughcking noble status, held great prominence in the Soul Society. They were a matrilineal line of Shinto Priests responsible for overseeing and conducting sacred rituals. Nanao remainedposed, unfazed by the customary looks of surprise she received when she mentioned her n name. ¡°Yes, I was born in that n of priests.¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it in any offensive way. It¡¯s just, I find your n interesting and unique. Doesn¡¯t a curse targeting men make you curious?¡± The Ise n enjoyed a strange reputation for only having a female born into the n and always having to bring in husbands from other families into the n. The strangeness only grew from there. The men who joined the Ise n by marrying the n Head died an untimely death. These deaths urred so often that this phenomenon became known as the Ise Curse. This curse struck even if the n Head left the family and married into another. {You should¡¯ve phrased it as ¡®a curse targeting walking dead men.¡¯} Nanao shook her head in a dismissive manner. ¡°There is no curse. It¡¯s all a series of convenient deaths that someone exaggerated to the heavens.¡± Rangiku struck her palm, as if a sudden realization dawned on her. ¡°I bet it was some grumpy aristocrat who didn¡¯t like the prestige of the Ise n. It happens all the time in the Seireitei.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t believe so,¡± he refuted her theory. ¡°Tsunayashiro n has a Zanpakut¨­ that shaves its wielder¡¯s life force bit by bit. The Zanpakut¨­ inherited by the Ise n Head might work simrly. As for why it targets the n Head¡¯s husband, I believe it changes its target to n Head¡¯s husband once they engage in a physical rtionship.¡± Rangiku frowned, her curiosity piqued by this theory, but paused upon noticing Nanao¡¯s reaction. The mention of the curse seemed to have stirred something within her. Nanao was subconsciously embracing her heavy book close to her chest, her body quivering imperceptibly. Isane also observed Nanao¡¯s apprehension and gently ced a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Nanao?¡± Nanao¡¯s hand came to rest on top of Isane¡¯s, as she gave a strained smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Isane-san. I just remembered my mother¡¯s passing¡­ she was executed for the crime of losing the Zanpakut¨­.¡± Though she was only a child when it happened, the haunting memory of her mother¡¯s hanging execution asionally resurfaced in her nightmares. ¡°I didn¡¯t know about that,¡± Isane replied softly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Nanao shook her head slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t be. It¡¯s not your fault.¡± Rangiku massaged the back of her head, visibly thrown off by the sudden shift in mood. She nced at Kazuya, who seemed to be lost in a sea of thoughts. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± He shook his head and looked at Nanao with a serious expression. ¡°Do you mind if I ask you some questions about your mother?¡± Isane stared at him in disbelief. She and Rangiku gave him the same ¡®Read the air before opening your mouth!¡¯ looks. Nanao brushed Isane¡¯s hand away and nodded firmly. ¡°As long as you say nothing disrespectful towards my mother.¡± ¡°Did your mother lose her husband?¡± ¡°Yes, when I was very young. I¡¯ve heard Captain Kyoraku was just a teenager then.¡± ¡°Your mother med her Zanpakut¨­ for her loss. To prevent you from going through the same experience, she hid the Zanpakut¨­ somewhere, practically ending the ¡®Ise Curse¡¯ from iming any more victims.¡± Nanao leaned in, hugging her book, as if her shoulders suddenly grew heavier. ¡°Mother didn¡¯t have to do that¡­ for a superficial phenomenon.¡± Her skepticism about the curse was clear. If she only knew the true potential of her family¡¯s Zanpakut¨­, her perspective might change. The curse was a short price to pay in exchange for the borderline broken ability of Ise n¡¯s Zanpakut¨­. Leaving Nanao to deal with her emotional strain, he turned to Rangiku. ¡°So, why are you here?¡± ¡°Before I answer, tell me how did you grow the nerves to oppose Kuchikis?¡± ¡°Some friendships are worth dying for. Besides, Captain Kuchiki would¡¯ve made for a good assessment of my strength.¡± Isane wasn¡¯t surprised by his audacity. Nanao, however, seemed taken aback by the idea of someone willingly challenging one of the most formidable captains in the Soul Society as a test of strength. Captains were, after all, the single most destructive forces in the Soul Society. They had to be sealed before going to the Living World or they¡¯d distort their surroundings with their mere Reiatsu. ¡°Boy, that¡¯s the blind confidence I need in my superstar.¡± Kazuya raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re still pursuing that idea?¡± Rangiku held her chin up, looking at him with a narrow-eyed re. ¡°How cute of you to think I¡¯ll give up.¡± ¡°Can we fulfill your unconventional fetish after I join your squad?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t twist my revolutionary idea into some fetish,¡± Rangiku retorted and pointed at the ceiling as if aiming for the stars. ¡°You and I will change the way the Soul Society functions. We¡¯ll pioneer new exciting means of entertainment for bothmoners and aristocrats.¡± Her eyes sparkled as if she could already envision the impact her idea would bring. Once she changed everyone¡¯s minds, a big portion of the Soul Society would join her in bringing a fresh wave of excitement to the Soul Society. She wouldn¡¯t have to leave the Soul Society just to have some entertainment outside of the conventional books published in the Seireitei. The books found in the Soul Society were always a hit or miss. Momo gave him a strange look. ¡°Kazuya-kun, what is this superstar stuff?¡± Rangiku eagerly dived into an exnation, her enthusiasm infectious enough to draw a smile from even the solemn Nanao. Not even Isane expected Rangiku to have such passion for something not named alcohol. Next, Kazuya asked Isane about her reason for leaving her job anding over to meet him. She pressed a hand against her cheek. ¡°I wanted to start your Kaido lessons today¡­¡± ¡°Not today,¡± he said, shaking his head. ¡°I have to spoil young Hinamori.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s start tomorrow.¡± Chapter 168: Tutor Chapter 168: Tutor Kazuya loungedfortably on the bed, masterfully ying the part of an oblivious observer to Momo¡¯s probing nces. Her fierce argument with Nanao was like a confession, yet he acted as if nothing of sorts took ce. His deliberate ignorance was nothing but pure torture to the young maiden, who expected a ¡®reward¡¯ for her ¡®performance.¡¯ ¡°Kazuya-kun¡­¡± Momo whispered, voice trailing in a disy of absentmindedness. ¡°Did I go too far with Ise-san?¡± His prolonged silence sent her down a spiraling path of self-doubt. While he found her worries endearing, he also knew that her insecurities were not healthy. He wrapped an arm around her waist, gently guiding her to rest her head on his chest. His hand tenderly caressed her face as he offered her a reassuring smile. ¡°Don¡¯t doubt yourself now. I praised your actions, didn¡¯t I? That means you were right.¡± She gently nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve learned to do Shikai Release of my Zanpakut¨­.¡± This revtion genuinely took Kazuya by surprise. Achieving Shikai was a fairly straightforward process of imprinting one¡¯s Reiryoku on an Asauchi and nurturing its growth, yet it was a hurdle where a majority of Shinigami stumbled. They eithercked the Reiryoku orcked the dedication to sit down and meditate with a sword for hours. Momo was already a top-tier talent in Reiatsu and Comprehensive skills. With her progress, she also revealed her unwavering will and passion to reach new heights, mostly owing to her obsession with him. She desired to remain with him and saw that graduating from the academy as soon as possible, by proving herbat capability through Shikai Release, was the fastest way. {A dedicated maiden I must say,} Nami uttered a rarepliment. {The plum tree doesn¡¯t just look up to the only star in her world. Light, water, pollution, and pests ¡ª she cares for naught but her dream of growing tall enough to touch the star.} Momo might have squealed after hearing such high praises from his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit or she might have dered war on Nami ¡ª he couldn¡¯t urately predict her responses after her recent growth. ¡®Why the sudden support for Momo? Weren¡¯t you wary of Izumi for her yandere tendencies?¡¯ {Momo is miles better than Izumi. She wants to support you without bogging you down. She suffered in silence but never questioned your decision to leave her for a week. Izumi tried manipting you into staying with her. Let¡¯s not forget she tried to kill herself without considering the consequences it will have on you or Lisa. She is a selfish little bitch whether you believe it or not.} ¡®Now now. No need to be so critical of Izumi. She is going through a rough phase. It won¡¯t be long before she bounces back stronger than ever.¡¯ {She¡¯ll bounce everyone back to heaven if you be careless for one day.} ¡®Izumi might be clingy but she won¡¯t harm anyone around me.¡¯ {Only time will tell, Beloved.} Ending their conversation, Kazuya noticed Momo sitting on the bed, her Zanpakut¨­ carefully sheathed and resting on herp. She partially drew her katana, a slow, deliberate motion, before gently sliding it back into its sheath. She turned towards him, a look of earnest pride in her eyes. ¡°Every day after sses, I injected Reiryoku into it and poured my heart intomunicating with it. Tobiume, my Zanpakut¨­, had no choice but to acknowledge my resolve and reveal her name.¡± ¡°You worked hard.¡± A small word of praise made her smile brightly. ¡°Do you want to see Tobiume in action?¡± ¡°Sure.¡± {Will her personality change bring changes to her Zanpakut¨­ Spirit?} ¡®She¡¯s different but not that different. She was a bit obsessed with Aizen.¡¯ {I don¡¯t believe she loved Aizen like she loves you. She felt admiration towards Aizen and sought his approval. It was akin to a child seeking a father¡¯s validation after scoring high in their tests.} ¡®The only reward she got was a sword through her chest. First by the said father figure and second by her childhood friend.¡¯ {I¡¯m d this indestructible specimen of a woman is on our side. One day she shall solo Yhwach with her EX-ss durability.} Recalling all the memes about Momo¡¯s miraculous ability to survive, he couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡­ Leaving the dormitory, Kazuya sensed a watchful presence. ncing sideways, he spotted the bespectacled Vice-Captain lurking behind the building. ¡®This nerdy, stalkerss.¡¯ {With her mighty fine ass.} ¡®Her sses are rather cute.¡¯ {Gotta hold them when she blows you.} Shinsui would release his Bankai if he ever heard the short poem dedicated to his niece. There would be a bloodbath. Ignoring the stalker, he made his way to the dojo. She positioned herself at the center of the training area, her demeanor exuding a solemn sense of purpose. Grasping her Zanpakut¨­¡¯s hilt, she drew it with a swift motion. ¡°String, Tobiume (Flying Plum Tree).¡± Her Reiatsu, a shade closer to pink than pure red, spiraled around the sword and transformed it from a katana to a straight, double-edged sword. Her Shikai grew a prong on each side like the branches of a tree. The sword looked suitable for ceremonies and rituals more than a military weapon. {Her Shikai chant is canonically ¡®Snap¡¯, not ¡®String.¡¯ I don¡¯t spot any other differences though.} As Momo held the sword with both hands, a sphere of fire matching her Reiatsu color bloomed at the bottom of her de. She swung the sword, hurling the fireball at a dummy. The wooden dummy caught fire instantaneously. Even her Shikai ability was no different from her canon Shikai. {It¡¯s because her ideal self has yet to deviate. She wants to be the girl who brings warmth to everyone. The bubbly girl everyone loves and adores. She sees her cheerful demeanor as the best self around you.} ¡®The ideal self, huh? You¡¯re telling me Shikai personifies a Shinigami¡¯s ideals?¡¯ {It does. Shikai reflects the ideal self, and Bankai reflects the true self. Your Shikai confirmed it for me. It¡¯s literally a shield that sacrifices your body and grants you god-like healing that bends time to save your allies.} ¡®I read that somewhere.¡¯ {Let¡¯s not delve into specifics, shall we? To borate more, I¡¯ll take Soi Fon as an example. Her ideal self is an ice-cold assassin that surpasses Yoruichi. What¡¯s her weapon? An instant death stinger that requires extreme precision. Then there is her Bankai reflecting her true self ¡ª ady who blows at the smallest things.} ¡®Hmm. Unohana as well. Ideal self ¡ª a gentle healer. True self ¡ª a woman with an insatiable lust for blood and battle. If that¡¯s the case, what will my Bankai be?¡¯ {I¡¯m really curious. Your maniption tactics were subdued after you fell for Harribel. What will your true self be when you release Bankai? A twisted yandere man who will bend reality to protect his lovers, or perhaps a maniptor who will stop at nothing to achieve his desires.} p. p. p. The apuse came not from Kazuya but Nanao as she walked into the dojo. ¡°Hinamori-san, your tongue isn¡¯t the only sharp thing; your mind is just as sharp.¡± ¡°Did you have fun stalking us?¡± Cold sweat trickled down Nanao¡¯s forehead. Hiding her Reiatsu, she had followed them, suspecting them of having an intimate session in seclusion. She didn¡¯t think he¡¯d see through her concealment so easily. ¡°I was simply walking by and felt Hinamori-san release her Shikai. I came to check.¡± ¡°I believe you.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Momo diffused her Shikai and smiled at Kazuya, paying no attention to Nanao whatsoever. ¡°Kazuya-kun, our Zanpakut¨­ are connected to fire in different ways. Isn¡¯t that interesting?¡± He watched the crackling fire enveloping the dummy, causing it to crumble on the floor. ¡°It¡¯s brilliant if you ask me. What does Nanao think?¡± Nanao flinched at his casual use of her given name. ¡°Please call me Ise. I don¡¯t feelfortable when men use my first name.¡± She had lived with her n of traditional priests for the better part of her childhood, causing her to take the honorifics and seniority seriously. He shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s just a name.¡± Nanao shook her head. ¡°Hinamori-san¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ resembles the Seven-Branched Sword. It¡¯s unique and beautiful from a traditional standpoint.¡± ¡°I¡¯m on the same page. Momo, you already have the Zanpakut¨­ part down. Would you be willing to learn Kid¨­?¡± ¡°Yes, I want to!¡± He nodded at her enthusiasm and turned his attention to Nanao. ¡°Ise-san, please take my poor friend under your wing and impart her with your Kid¨­ knowledge.¡± Momo frowned, but she didn¡¯t question his decision. Nanao, on the other hand, blinked in surprise. She had stopped despising him for his actions. Their rtionship improved significantly but they were still acquaintances. Only he had the audacity to ask such a big favor from an acquaintance. ¡°I apologize but I can¡¯t do it.¡± She politely turned down his request. ¡°Please try to understand.¡± Kazuya raised one finger. ¡°One week. I want you to train Momo for one week. Surely you can spare this much time for your ¡®friend.¡¯¡± He was sure Nanao would continue the training herself after recognizing Momo¡¯s exceptional affinity with Kid¨­. Nanao nodded with a sigh, taking it as a moment to mend her rtionship with Momo. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to teach her.¡± Chapter 169: Like a farewell Chapter 169: Like a farewell Nestledfortably beneath the sprawling branches of an old tree, Shunsui Kyoraku, the Captain of the 12th Squad, was indulging in one of his favorite pastimes ¡ª a leisurely nap. The day was pleasantly uneventful, a wee respite from the usual hustle of Soul Society, allowing him to rx after enjoying a couple of cups of sake. Tap. Tap. Tap. A series of steady footsteps gently intruded upon his serene moment. It was a sound he knew well ¡ª the stride of his diligent Vice-Captain, Nanao Ise. ¡°Nanao-chan¡ª¡± ¡°Captain, I¡¯d like a week off from my Vice-Captain duties.¡± Shunsui¡¯s eyes snapped open, a flicker of surprise crossing his usuallyposed face. He adjusted his straw hat, an unconscious response to his surprise, and peered at Nanao, who stood before him with an earnest demeanor. ¡°Is this rted to Kazuya-san?¡± Losing his previous Vice-Captain had left a deep scar on his heart. Having simr features to Lisa only raised Shunsui¡¯s desires to keep her close to him, to ensure history didn¡¯t repeat itself. His protective instinct as her uncle led him to keep tabs on her through tracking her Reiatsu or ordering his subordinates to monitor her. He was naturally aware of her budding obsession about humbling a certain genius. Nanao''s unconscious nod, quickly followed by a double shake of her head, conveyed her internal conflict. ¡°I¡¯ll be training Hinamori-san,¡± she exined, ¡°who has an exceptional aptitude for Kido spells.¡± From the day she was promoted to the Vice-Captain seat, she hadn¡¯t taken a day off, even finding work to do on festival holidays. Her perfect attendance streak would end to make amends for her impolite conduct. The sacrifice would be worthwhile if Momo turned out to be half as good as Kazuya¡¯s words. Shunsui sat up and took off his hat. Gazing at his niece with a warm smile, he said, ¡°Nanao-chan, you know how useless I be without someone to nag me around. You can invite Hinamori-chan here. We¡¯ll teach her together~.¡± Nanao mmed her book on his head. ¡°She already loves Ishihara-san.¡± Shunsui rubbed his head,ughing. ¡°I wasn¡¯t inviting her just so I can flirt with a young Shinigami.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because I know what you¡¯re capable of.¡± She had witnessed his flirtatious antics at their weekly drinking parties and, despite her own reservations about Kazuya, she wouldn¡¯t allow her Captain to interfere in someone else¡¯s rtionship. ¡°Nanao-chan, are you determined to go?¡± His yful tone didn¡¯t stop the air from growing somber. Nanao turned away, her gaze drifting towards the distant sunset, her expression thoughtful. ¡°It¡¯s only one week, Captain. I¡¯ll check back in to finish the paperwork.¡± Nanao had been by Shunsui¡¯s side for a long time, long enough to see past the mboyant fa?ade he often presented to the world. She had caught glimpses of the deep-seated grief he carried, a sorrow born from the loss of many friends over his lengthy lifespan in the Soul Society. Hearing no response, she turned her attention, finding him stunned. It wasn¡¯t hard to grasp his astonishment. She resembled Shunsui¡¯s former Vice-Captain, the bespectacled woman who used to read her books once every month. ¡°Captain?¡± Regaining hisposure, Shunsui mustered a smile. ¡°Wonderful, Nanao-chan,¡± he replied, leaning back against the tree, his demeanor returning to its usual rxed state. ¡°What else do you n to do at the Shin¡¯o Academy?¡± ¡°Nothing¡­¡± Nanao¡¯s voice grew soft. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, Captain. I¡¯ll go rest.¡± ¡°Goodnight, Nanao-chan~,¡± Shunsui called out cheerfully, waving her off. However, as soon as she was out of sight, his smile faded into a more serious expression. Alone, he whispered to himself, ¡°A field trip¡­ Are you hoping to encounter Lisa-chan somewhere in Japan?¡± ¡­ A weekter. The sun cast smoldering rays over the Shin¡¯o Academy, leaving the students exhausted even before the lunch break. Kazuya, however, hadn¡¯t broken a single sweat because of his affinity with mes. He was sitting in a ssroom, rxed. The woman before him sat with a straight back, droplets of sweat trickling down her messy silver hair. ¡°In essence, Kaido is best used with patience. Never rush or you¡¯ll lose the primary advantage Kaido has over traditional methods,¡± Isane said, her confident tone stirring something in him. She forgot the very concept of meekness during her ¡®Sensei¡¯ mode. ¡°Calmness is the key to be a healer on the battlefield.¡± ¡°Sensei, I didn¡¯t panic when a terrorist pointed a gun at my forehead. I even told that man to give my regards to my friend and my lover at that time.¡± Isane¡¯sposure vanished, her pupils dting out of pure surprise. ¡°You¡¯re joking. The purification deliberately erases memories rted to death to prevent any trauma in Rukongai.¡± ¡°I do, though.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Maybe their Zanpakut¨­ wasn¡¯t strong enough to affect someone with my Spirit ss.¡± ¡°That could be a reason,¡± Isane said, wiping her nape with her handkerchief. ¡°Let¡¯s end the ss here today. I¡¯ve taught you most of the technical aspects of being a Kaido user. The rest wille with practice¡­ and Kazuya, what magic do you use to resist the heat?¡± Isane, despite wielding an Ice-Element Zanpakut¨­, was visibly struggling with the heat. Kazuya, a Fire-Element Zanpakut¨­ user, seemedpletely at ease. It should bepletely the opposite. ¡°Isane, I have too many fans keeping me cool. Get it?¡± {Partner, I should kill Tsubasa if this is the level of your dad¡¯s jokes.} Isane stared at him, dumbfounded. ¡°Fans¡­ I can¡¯t believe you made that joke.¡± He chuckled before cing a hand on his chest. ¡°Isane, it¡¯s been a week. Looking back, I can¡¯t help but reflect on our time here. I¡¯ll treasure every lesson you gave me.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be dramatic.¡± Isane rose from her seat and dusted her Shihakush¨­. ¡°You¡¯ll be seeing me everyday once you graduate. In two days.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t be a student by then. There is¡­ a certain satisfaction in learning from a beautiful teacher.¡± {Teacher? You hardly know her.} ¡®¡­¡¯ Isane blushed, despite hearing hispliments for the hundredth time. ¡°Stop that¡­ I don¡¯t want Momo to give me cold stares.¡± Quickly exiting the room, Isane closed the door behind her, as if worried Momo would find her. Kazuya chuckled and lied down, gazing at the ceiling. This week was the busiest he had been in the Soul Society. Most of his time went to learning Kaido from Isane. When he wasn¡¯t busy teasing Isane or messing around with Yoruichi, he¡¯d train Momo and Toshiro inbat. Coming from the most peaceful Rukongai District, the two had zero experience in real fighting. They could ughter Hollows without issues but even the lowest Seated Officer would floor them in a duel. {You have a couple of hours. Quite possibly yourst in the Shin¡¯o Academy. Feeling emotional, Daddy of my child?} To attract less attention, the ss 1 field trip was nned for the night. They had to gather in the evening then go to the Living World. ¡®No, and don¡¯t call me that. It feels weird. My first child will be with Tier.¡¯ {Oho. Do you not remember where her Hollow hole is located?} ¡®I¡¯ll plug her hole with my love and cum.¡¯ {¡­} After resting, Kazuya joined Momo, who had finished her Kido training with Nanao. She was in thepany of Renji, Rukia, and Toshiro, all lively and engaged in conversation. Renji waved at him with a wide smile. ¡°Get your ass here. Let¡¯s grab something at the cafeteria.¡± Toshiro crossed his arms with a serious frown. ¡°Glutton.¡± ¡°Dumbass. You don¡¯t know what they¡¯ll feed us during the test.¡± Momo giggled. ¡°Stop fighting, you two. Rukia, don¡¯t make that face.¡± ¡°What face?¡± Rukia asked, feigning ignorance. ¡°Stop reading too much into things.¡± Renji pinched Rukia¡¯s cheek. ¡°Stop being jealous of us ss 1 talents. You¡¯ll get your field trip¡­ in two years. Hahahaha.¡± Rukia pped his hand away and stomped on his foot. ¡°Shut it, Monkey-face. I can be a Shinigami anytime I want. Byakuya Nii-sama offered me a seat in the 6th Squad.¡± She had been visiting Hisana throughout the week. After having a second chance at life, Hisana didn¡¯t spare any opportunity to make things easier for Rukia. Renji, who was rubbing his foot, paused. His expression grew serious. ¡°Noble privileges¡­ did you ept?¡± Rukia crossed her arms and revealed a smile full of tomboyish charm. ¡°I turned him down. I made it out of Rukon on my own. I¡¯m not taking any shortcuts now.¡± Renji let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Idiot.¡± Rukia kicked his butt, knocking him down on the grass. ¡°Dumb buffoon. Go get your ass kicked by dummy Hollows.¡± Amid the animated chatter and yful banter of his friends, Kazuya remained unusually pensive. A sense of unease hung over him. The imminent field trip stirred in him a sense of foreboding. ¡®Just what is Aizen scheming?¡¯ {We shall see soon.} Chapter 170: Field Trip (I) Chapter 170: Field Trip (I) Chapter 170: The Field Trip (I) Prior to the field trip, students were tasked with drawing lots. A trio would be formed by students of matching numbers. Kazuya was familiar with the rules, but most of ss 1 drew their lots without a clue. He, of course, didn¡¯t keep his group in the dark. Luck seemed to favor Kazuya and Toshiro as they ended up in the same group. On the other hand, Momo and Renji, with their mismatched numbers, found themselves separated into different groups. Toshiro couldn¡¯t help but shoot a re at Renji, who stared at his lot with envy. ¡°Shoo. It was my luck.¡± ¡°st,¡± Renji cursed. ¡°I¡¯ll be stuck with randoms.¡± Toshiro smirked. ¡°You can handle it alone.¡± ¡°As if they¡¯ll let me do that.¡± Momo walked up from student to student, inquiring about their lot numbers. Atst, she found the person with her desired ticket ¡ª a girl about as tall as Renji with menacing eyes. Momo pointed at the ticket in the girl¡¯s hand. ¡°Can we please exchange?¡± The girl¡¯s gaze drifted down to Momo. ¡°Why, Hinamori-san? Do you understand the point of¡ª¡± She paused, her eyes flickering wide. ¡°Never mind¡­ you can take it.¡± Momo exchanged lots with the girl and happily skipped over to Kazuya¡¯s group. ¡°What are the odds we three are in the same group?¡± Not only did she subtly coerce the girl with her Reiatsu, but she also had the audacity to im it as a coincidence. She had almost reached his level of shamelessness Toshiro shook his head, a wry smile ying on his lips. ¡°Momo, please get some help.¡± ¡°What? Why are you being mean to me, Shiro?¡± ¡°Whatever. Forget I said anything.¡± ¡­ Kazuya stepped onto the open grounds, his eyes widening at the sight of Nanao and Rangiku standing before the grand Senkaimon door. With two 6th-year students as assistants, they looked every bit the authority figures they were. {Rangiku too? One Vice-Captain was already an overkill. Now they¡¯re sending two.} ¡®Did Shunsui send Rangiku to protect Nanao?¡¯ {The only reasonable exnation I can think of.} Yoruichi also sensed something amiss but she couldn¡¯t convey her thoughts in the silence. A silence that shouldn¡¯t be present with thirty plus students in the same ce. Nanao¡¯s Reiatsu made the air so oppressive that nobody dared utter a word. Even Rangiku¡¯s friendly smile alone failed to make the students feel at ease. Nanao¡¯s gaze swept over them, icy and detached. ¡°Some of you may know about the war that gued Japan a few years ago. The high amount of deaths have led to the creation of numerous powerful Hollows. In lieu of the danger, the Academy has assigned us to be your guides.¡± Rangiku casually brushed her breasts, looking displeased with the heat. ¡°Kids, don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll send any Hollow packing if that¡¯s your concern. Now, be good students and split into groups of three ording to the lots you drew earlier.¡± As the students formed their trios, murmurs and nces exchanged, Rangiku continued with her usual confidence, ¡°Your seniors have already gone to the Living World to make a barrier around a suitable area. Each group will engage inbat with the dummy Hollows roaming inyour assigned section.¡± Nanao nced at Rangiku. ¡°Every group has to fight the dummy Hollows. None of us will support you in any way. If your group feels overwhelmed, exit the section immediately. You¡¯ll be safe but the academy may expel your group for sheerck ofpetence.¡± She didn¡¯t mince her words. If three of them couldn¡¯t cooperate to take out a dummy Hollow, then they wouldn¡¯t be able tost a week in their job. They were better off training a couple more years outside the academy to hone their skills. Rangiku crossed her arms, nodding seriously. ¡°Hold yourposure and apply everything you¡¯ve learned so far to thebat. It¡¯ll be a breeze, I promise.¡± Momo suddenly raised her hand and waved from the crowd. ¡°Vice-Captain Matsumoto, can we leave after finishing our assigned section? I¡¯d like to roam the city¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± Nanao rejected sternly. ¡°You aren¡¯t going there to sightsee¡ª¡± Rangiku yfully nudged Nanao. ¡°Ara, jealous Momo-chan got a date?¡± Nanao had spent a week growing closer to Momo. Rangiku tried to stop Nanao from undoing the results of her hard work. Nanao scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m acting ording to my duty.¡± ¡°Hai hai.¡± Rangiku giggled and winked at Momo. ¡°You can leave on one condition. Take thatd Kazuya with you.¡± It was a clear show of favoritism but no student had the courage to speak it out loud. Momo beamed a smile. ¡°Thank you so much, Vice-Captain Matsumoto.¡± ¡°Have fun on your outing, Momo-chan!¡± Nanao huffed and turned around, displeased with Rangiku mixing her duty with personal rtionships. At her will, the majestic doors of the Senkaimon slid open. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± The students followed Nanao¡¯s lead and vanished into the dimensional door. Momo pushed Toshiro before she turned and waved at Kazuya. ¡°Come with us!¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± {Momo schemed with Rangiku behind our backs.} ¡®An borate scheme to iste me. She must be nning on confessing.¡¯ {Be careful. She might stab you or take you to a dark dungeon.} ¡®I¡¯m a veteran at dealing with crazies. Besides, she gave me a huge opportunity.¡¯ ¡­ Coming out of the power nt, Kazuya observed the area. The academy chose a massive power nt forbat training. The power nt had been out of service due to Japan¡¯s earlier conflicts. The massive structures served as a vantage point for the 6th year students, allowing them to take early action against any Hollow. ¡®Nobody is hiding there. At least I don¡¯t sense anyone.¡¯ {Aizen might be on his way.} As Kazuya was lost in thoughts, two Shinigami stopped before him. A lean built young man with sharp eyes and messy ck hair. The ck choker around his neck and the ck ¡®69¡¯ tattoo on his left cheek revealed his identity ¡ª the future Vice-Captain, Sh¨±hei Hisagi. In the current timeline, Sh¨±hei had earned somewhat of a reputation as a 4th year student for his talent. Apanying Sh¨±hei was a petite girl with rtively short brown hair. Part of her hair was tied up at the right side of her head with a hairclip consisting of two red pearls. For Kazuya, the cute student was a walking red g. In the original timeline, she¡¯d die two yearster during Momo¡¯s first training mission. Her presence here gave him an ominous feeling. {Is the timeline fixing itself to avoid repercussions?} ¡®Could be. We have to be cautious.¡¯ Meanwhile, Sh¨±hei was appraising Kazuya just as he was being appraised. ¡°You¡¯ve made quite a name in your first year. I wish I saw your fight in person like Hotaru did.¡± While his tone was overly serious, Sh¨±hei seemed inspired by Kazuya¡¯s courage to fight a Captain. Hotaru nodded seriously. ¡°It was an amazing show of techniques. How much did you train to achieve those results?¡± Before seeing his battle with Soi Fon, Hotaru felt satisfaction in being one of the more gifted students. Compared to this year¡¯s ss 1, she felt extremely ordinary. ¡°Twenty years,¡± Kazuya answered with a shrug, leaving Hotaru stunned. ¡°Or more. I don¡¯t remember.¡± Hotaru widened her eyes. ¡°I expected at least a hundred years. Well, this is how geniuses are I suppose.¡± Sh¨±hei ced a hand on Hotaru¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m Sh¨±hei Hisagi, 4th year.¡± ¡°Hotaru Kanisawa, also a 4th year,¡± Hotaru said and stretched her hand for a handshake, which he epted. ¡°We¡¯re here to take you to your assigned section.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Momo smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to fight some Hollows.¡± Toshiro gripped his Zanpakut¨­¡¯s hilt. ¡°Makes the two of us.¡± ¡­ At the same time. Over a dozen screens flickered in the otherwise dark room. Sitting casually on a chair, Aizen calmly observed the live footage of the abandoned power nt, his gaze particrly affixed upon the silver-haired student. It was a pity he couldn¡¯t hear Kazuya¡¯s voice through the experimental screens. ¡°They invited Vice-Captain Matsumoto at thest second. Isn¡¯t that interesting, Gin?¡± Gin was standing behind Aizen, his hands concealed in his long bell sleeves. His ever-so mischievous smile faltered for merely a moment. ¡°Some people¡¯s intelligence grows weaker with age. Matsumoto-san is the prime example.¡± Tosen, who stood beside Gin, stared at the screens. He was blind, yet he often mimicked actions of those around him on an unconscious level. ¡°Sir, when do we start?¡± Aizen¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile. ¡°Soon, Tosen.¡± Chapter 171: The Field Trip (II) Chapter 171: The Field Trip (II) Guided by Sh¨±hei Hisagi and Hotaru Kanisawa, Kazuya passed by many sections, each echoing the ensuing sh between students and dummy Hollows. Over half of the students in ss 1 struggled against the weakest of constructed Hollows, a given for students with a few months of training. ¡®At least Renji is doing fine.¡¯ {The student may not survive if Aizen unleashes his Hollows. They might if you¡¯re not busy rawdogging Momo in the wild like dogs in heat.} Nami¡¯s unfilteredments always managed to amuse him. Straightforward to a fault, she perfectly personified her destructive mes. {But then again, he shouldn¡¯t try something drastic this early.} He, however, couldn¡¯t shake off the nagging suspicion.¡®Why do I have a feeling he will?¡¯ Aizen got away with killing thousands to awaken the H¨­gyoku; what stopped Aizen from making another big move? The timeline had shifted dramatically with his presence. Muramasa ¡ª whom Kazuya couldn¡¯t find anywhere in the Soul Society ¡ª introduced so many unknown variables on his own. {I¡¯m a bit conflicted. On one hand, we¡¯ll finally get some action. On the other hand¡­ everyone we know in Karakura Town will be put at risk. Fuck, our brazen daughter is messing with my head again.} ¡®Shhh. Don¡¯t worry about anything.¡¯ Pushing aside his worries, he followed Sh¨±hei to a secluded part of thepound, which seemed to be a building for storing various equipment. ¡°This is your section. Vice-Captain Ise had this prepared for you.¡± Hotaru nodded, looking no less serious than Sh¨±hei. ¡°This is the hardest training mission in history, let alone your ss 1.¡± Kazuya narrowed his eyes. Every student had to fight one dummy Hollow, where his group was given a section with about twenty dummy Hollows with more than twice the Reiatsu of the other dummies. The entire 6th year batch would struggle here, let alone a trio of 1st year students. ¡°I¡¯m ttered that Nanao thinks so highly of me.¡± He chuckled. ¡°But aren¡¯t these dummies hard to make? Why waste them on our group?¡± ¡°Only the 12th Squad specialists can make them. True, it¡¯s strange they will throw them away for your test when you¡¯ve already been selected as a Seated Officer.¡± Even Hotaru was skeptical about the arrangement. The whole trial served no purpose as he had more than proven his abilities. "It¡¯s just procedures," Momo whispered as she grabbed his arms and gave him a gentle push from behind. ¡°Let¡¯s finish this quickly. We have to check the town after!¡± She couldn¡¯t wait to be alone with him on this special trip. Toshiro joined in, and together they pushed Kazuya into the pitch-ck building. Despite the darkness, their Shinigami eyes pierced the shadows with ease. No sooner had they entered than three grotesque, toad-like Hollows descended from the ceiling, their whip-like tonguesshing out. Kazuya reacted instinctively, seizing the tongues and yanking them towards him. The dummy Hollows offered no resistance,cking the survival instinct ingrained in every living being. They were built with only a function in mind ¡ª attacking Shinigami with as much aggressiveness as possible. ¡°Let Momo and me handle them,¡± Toshiro called out, his figure blurring into motion. As he sheathed his katana, the mask of the dummy Hollows fell apart, and they turned into ck ashes. Toshiro stood vignt, eyes darting in search of the other dummies. Suddenly, a flurry of bat-like Hollows emerged from the dark, spewing volleys of bullets formed from condensed Reiatsu. Although the ability wasn¡¯t as strong as Cero or B, Toshiro couldn¡¯t afford to be wounded and slowed down. He raised his katana to block a wave of Reiatsu bullets. Then, using his Shunpo, he closed the gap and cut down two Hollows in an instant. The rest scattered and surrounded him, once again targeting him with waves of Reiatsu attacks. These types of dummy Hollows were to make students familiar with flying and agile Hollows, or simply to harass students. Toshiro gritted his teeth and used Shunpo again to catch them. A few more uses of Shunpo left him breathless ¡ª unlike Shunpo veterans, he couldn¡¯t use Shunpo for more than a few times. ¡°Need a hand, Shiro?¡± ¡°Kazuya-kun, leave this to us.¡± Momo stepped forward and held out her hands. A high amount of Reiryoku flowed through her being, enveloping her hands in red Reiatsu. ¡°Shiro, move¡­ Hado #4. Byakurai (Pale Lightning).¡± Casting a Kid¨­ spell without incantation with just one week of practice ¡ª Kazuya expected nothing less from Momo. The credit also went to Nanao for having the heart to pour time into training Momo. Toshiro swiftly moved to the side, narrowly avoiding the scorching red st of Momo¡¯s Kido spell. The beam incinerated the dummies, leaving behind only ck ashes. Her spell¡¯s range was vast, yet its area of effect was limited. Momo focused her gaze, directing the beam from one bat to another. Most of the Hollows disintegrated upon contact, but three survived. Their bodies began to grotesquely swell, giving the impression that they would burst at any given moment. The three Hollows charged at Kazuya, Momo, and Toshiro. Kazuya¡¯s instincts screamed a warning. Something was amiss; these dummies were behaving abnormally. In one swift motion, he scooped Momo onto his shoulder, darted toward Toshiro, and flung him onto his other shoulder. He immediately dashed through the nearest window. Behind them, the bloated dummies erupted in a violent explosion, coating the inside of the building with a viscous, white substance. He was intimately familiar with the acrid stench. ¡®Hollow essence.¡¯ An icy shiver raced down Kazuya¡¯s spine. He had acted just in time; any dy, and Momo and Toshiro would have faced the brunt of the explosion. The infected Hollow essence would have seeped into their bodies through the open wound. As souls with high levels of Reiryoku, they would¡¯ve essentially gone through the same process of Hollowification as the Visored ¡ª mindless Hollows with the Reiatsu ss of Vice-Captain and Captain, or worse, sumbing to Soul Suicide under the unbearable strain ced upon them. {That sneaky rat altered the dummy Hollows. Was he specifically targeting you or these two?} ¡®All of us.¡¯ Toshiro and Momo slipped from his grasp and swiveled to observe the building where the Hollows exploded. The silver-haired boy held his chin, frowning in confusion. ¡°What is that white liquid? Bleh, it looks utterly disgusting.¡± Meanwhile, Momo silently gazed at Kazuya¡¯s face. Observing him for a long time had given a deep understanding of his expressions. She had never seen him wear such a grave look. Her intuition told her that something was deeply wrong ¡ª the dummy Hollows weren¡¯t meant to act the way they did. The explosion was an attempt to harm them ¡ª an attempt to assassinate them. The fact turned her blood cold. Still, she pushed past her emotional strain to discern the identity of the person out for his life. She¡ªshe will not let the person get away with this. ¡°Kazuya-kun,¡± she whispered, tugging at his sleeve. ¡°Could it be the nobles?¡± His eyes widened at her sharp observation. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, rubbing her hair. ¡°No, they don¡¯t have the balls.¡± ¡°Then who?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. I want you both to act like this never happened.¡± The fighting happening everywhere within the power nt neatly masked the explosion sound. Toshiro¡¯s brows furrowed in bewilderment. ¡°Why, Nii-san? Shouldn¡¯t we report this incident?¡± ¡°Shiro,¡± he said in a firm tone. ¡°I¡¯ll exin my reasoningter. For now, just do as I say. Can you do that?¡± Toshiro sighed and nodded. ¡°Understood, Nii-san.¡± ¡°Momo, can you?¡± Momo¡¯s response was more visceral. She clung to him, her body pressing close, as if seekingfort or perhaps offering it. ¡°Your word is mymand, Kazuya-kun¡­ I¡¯ll never disobey you.¡± {Hahaha. This kinky little slut.} ¡°Meow.¡± Yoruichinded beside him and licked his face. ¡°What is that foul-smelling fluid?¡± ¡°You¡¯rete to the party,¡± he replied, looking down at her with a look of disappointment. ¡°Well, Yoruichi. Take Shiro and Renji to Rangiku and Nanao. I¡¯m going out with Momo.¡± Chapter 172-173: Reflection Chapter 172-173: Reflection Spoiler Happy new year, my beautiful folks. Hope you have an amazing 2024! [copse] Kazuya meandered through the quiet, almost contemtive streets of Karakura Town with Momo on his side. He couldn¡¯t help but reflect on the recent incident. He¡¯d harbored this belief, a somewhat na?ve one in retrospect, that Aizen wouldn¡¯t directly target any Captain until the eve of his grand n. But today, Aizen acted far more viciouslypared to the canon event of him testing out his Hollows. After dissecting through many theories, he arrived at two reasons. The first, that Aizen had somehow discovered his secret as a Hollow, was quickly dismissed. It didn¡¯t align with Aizen¡¯s modus operandi; such a discovery would make Kazuya not a target, but a subject of intense, perhaps morbid curiosity. His rare ability to switch between races was a key that could unlock new realms of power for Aizen, even take him through transcendence. Aizen wouldn¡¯t rashly send some mere Hollow essence for him. The second reason, however, held a grim usibility. The chessboard of power had shifted with Kazuya¡¯s actions ¡ª Espada¡¯s ranks had weakened considerably whenpared to the canon lineup of Espada. On the other side, Gotei 13 kept getting stronger with the inclusion of Vice-Captain and Captain-ss candidates like Kazuya, Renji, Rukia, Momo, and Toshiro. Aizen¡¯s actions might have been to kill these rising threats. {I can believe in that. The loss of Barragan and Starrk, the #1 and #2 Espada, is immense.} During the week Kazuya stayed in the Living World, he had taken Coyote Starrk and Lilte Gingerbuck from Hueco Mundo and turned them into a permanent member of Kisuke¡¯s shop, granting them the same fate as Grimmjow¡¯s group. He didn¡¯t have to threaten Starrk. In fact, Starrk was rather rxed abouting with him. ¡®Then there is the Hollow essence infection. He deliberately used it.¡¯ If he, Momo, and Toshiro went through the Hollowification in Living World, the me would fall upon the Shinigami who had been previously charged for the Visored¡¯s incident. The former Shinigami who had fled the Soul Society to avoid the judgment from Central 46. Kisuke Urahara. {Taking out three potential Captains/Vice-Captains and shifting the me on his rival in one move. He is even more terrifying than we had anticipated¡­ How exciting, Partner!} ¡®That sly motherfucker has his eyes on Kisuke¡¯s H¨­gyoku. Does that mean he has a countern for Yama¡¯s Zanpakut¨­?¡¯ {Kukukuku. He can prepare all he wants for Yama¡¯s mes. Our mes will destroy him.} Kazuya shook his head at Nami¡¯s eagerness to fight Aizen. Even after Aizen tried to assassinate him, he didn¡¯t change his stance ¡ª he¡¯d only fight Aizen until he waspletely confident in killing him. ¡®Unohana¡¯s training should fill the gap.¡¯ {Let Mamahana whip you into shape so you can whip her into shape. It¡¯s a win-win for both of you, umu.} ¡®Did you just imitate¡­ the Umu Empress Niro?¡¯ {No, I¡¯m the Umu Goddess. Umu.} ¡®...¡¯ Momo, who was walking by his side, grabbed his hand. ¡°Kazuya-kun, people don¡¯t realize we¡¯re here with them¡­ it¡¯s like we¡¯re in a separate world, where we can do anything without being judged.¡± Her glinting eyes and slight smirk carried positive sexual energy. Unfortunately for her, he wasn¡¯t in the mood to do anything remotely close to sex. ¡°Momo, is this your first time in the Living World?¡± ¡°I think so,¡± she said, looking towards the starry sky. ¡°I died when I was four or five. Shiro-chan too¡­ We were fortunate that Oba-san adopted us and took care of us like her children.¡± ¡°Hmm, having good parents is nice.¡± Momo nodded, then she excitedly dragged him to the Shopping District of Karakura Town. Being a regr visitor to this ce, he helped her with directions. After strolling the streets for a couple of minutes, she stopped at a bouquet shop. Strangely, he could sense two familiar Reiatsu within the store. Things started to make sense when he checked the shop¡¯s name. Heiwa na Mure no Hanaya ¡ª the shop¡¯s name directly tranted to ¡®Peaceful Pride¡¯s Flower Shop.¡¯ ¡°Kazuya-kun, these flowers smell nice. Will it be robbery if I take some?¡± ¡°No.¡± Momo pulled him into the flower shop. Inside, the cramped space was a riot of colors and scents. On the right, rows of fragrant flowers in full bloom, their petals a vivid contrast against the ck dress of Sung-Sun, who seemed absorbed in tending to the flowers. On the left, a counter where M Rose was lost in slumber. {It weirdly suits Sung-Sun to open a flower shop. Why is Franceska here?} ¡®Probably bullied into doing this.¡¯ {Sung-Sun is a menace.} Meanwhile, Momo was struck by surprise. The random flower shop they walked into had two of the prettiestdies she had ever met. The warmthing from Kazuya¡¯s hand swept away every sense of inferiority. Holding his hands was every bit of proof of her charm, that she meant something to him. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, inhaling the fragranceing from many flowers. ¡°Which one do I choose?¡± M Rose tipped her fedora, and her eyes widened upon seeing Momo and Kazuya. ¡°S-Skull¡ª¡± ¡°Ara, Rose. Don¡¯t scare customers like that.¡± Sung-Sun looked over her shoulders and ced down the watering can. ¡°Dear, how can we serve two budding Shinigami?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, what do ya need?¡± Only after Sung-Sun¡¯s deliberate reminder did M Rose realize Kazuya¡¯s current identity. Momo immediately became vignt. ¡°You two know about Shinigami? How?¡± In her eyes, even those sensitive to spiritual energy shouldn¡¯t be aware of Shinigami. After all, every Shinigami carried gadgets to swap humans¡¯ memories if they were discovered. Sung-Sun covered her mouth with a sleeve and giggled. ¡°We normally don¡¯t tell our secrets to everyone, but¡­ I feel like I can trust you two. Me and this lovelydy are, in fact, descendants of Quincy.¡± She could feel the affection bursting from Momo the way she held Kazuya¡¯s hand. Thus, she revealed her made-up identities to pacify Momo¡¯s suspicion. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s trust the guy with a shady smile,¡± M Rose retorted. ¡°Cyan, you¡¯re ridiculous.¡± Sung-Sun red at M Rose, who was going overboard with the act. ¡°Rose, I¡¯m the owner. I decide the rules. Obey me, or I shall kick you out.¡± M Rose mmed her fists on the counter. ¡°Don¡¯t threaten¡ª¡± ¡°Slow down,¡± Kazuya said, reaching out to pat her head. ¡°Anger doesn¡¯t suit your lovely face.¡± M Rose leaned into his hand, silently enjoying his caress. ¡°If you say so~.¡± Momo was left astounded by how effortlessly Kazuya tamed the furious employee. The man she chose was a little too good with the opposite gender. Sung-Sun giggled. ¡°Rose is also a natural at forming bonds with customers. People always leave a tip for her because of her sheer enthusiasm.¡± Momo couldn¡¯t help but nod in agreement. She skidded to Sung-Sun¡¯s side and whispered, ¡°Florist-san¡­ can you help me pick some romantic flowers?¡± ¡°Are you going to propose?¡± Momo firmly nodded her head, showing no embarrassment in admitting her love. ¡°I want to confess my feelings¡­ You look quite experienced yourself. Do you have any advice for me?¡± Sung-Sun couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. Momo came to ask her for advice on how to get together with her husband. Being the magnanimous wife she was, she decided to y the wingman. ¡°Here¡¯s how you do this¡­¡± Momo listened to every word of advice with even more attention than her Kid¨­ training. Some things genuinely made her confused, bbergasted even, but she couldn¡¯t question Sung-Sun¡¯s wisdom. After Sung-Sun enlightened her and she received her bouquet of Camellia flowers, Momo meandered to Kazuya¡¯s side. He was still having fun flirting with M Rose. ¡°Kazuya-kun, we can leave now.¡± Kazuya noted the bouquet in her hand before giving her a warm smile. ¡°Sure.¡± M Rose waved at him, a hint of longing in her eyes. ¡°Come again, Kazuya and Momo!¡± Sung-Sun also waved her oversized sleeve. ¡°Pleasee back soon.¡± ¡°We will!¡± Momo replied enthusiastically. ¡°Bye, Florist-san, Receptionist-san.¡± As they left the flower shop, Momo¡¯s demeanor shifted. She walked beside him, her gaze flitting between him and the bouquet. Even after they traveled halfway back, Momo remained silent, unable to find the courage to say a word. She seemed hesitant about angering him and losing the rtionship she currently had with him. ¡°Momo,¡± he called calmly. ¡°Don¡¯t you have something to say?¡± ¡°Kazuya-kun¡­¡± ¡°You should know by now that I don¡¯t like meek girls.¡± Momo froze in her tracks, her eyes flying wide open in surprise. Hearing his preference, she threw all modesty out of the window and went down to one knee. She extended the bouquet in her hands towards him. ¡°Kazuya-kun, I love you¡­ I can¡¯t live without you. Please ept me as one of your girlfriends!¡± Momo knew all about his attraction to Rangiku. Rather thanpeting with someone else and losing her chance, she straight-up asked to be one of his women. He took the bouquet with a smile. ¡°What if I say no?¡± Her face went pale, but observing his yful smile gave her a sense of relief. ¡®It¡¯s a test.¡¯ She joined her hands before her chest and looked straight into his eyes. ¡°I will try again¡­ if you reject me again, I¡¯ll try for the third time. Third time¡¯s a charm, you know¡­ hehe.¡± ¡°And what if that¡¯s not enough?¡± ¡°It will be,¡± Momo stated, mustering fake confidence to bolster her voice. ¡°My sincerity and affection will reach you one day. That day¡­ As a Shinigami, I¡¯ll easily live until that day, trying my absolute best to win your heart.¡± He extended his hand. ¡°Sheesh. Alright, alright. I ept¡ª¡± A loud spatial distortion interrupted their moment as a garganta opened above him. A man with ck hair and glowing green eyes walked out. He was a pale-skinned Arrancar with half of his head covered in the fragments of his Hollow Mask and two ck lines running down from the center of his eyes. ¡°Silver hair, blue eyes.¡± Ulquiorra Cifer¡¯s cold eyes looked down upon them. ¡°Is it my luck to find you immediately or your bad luck to be here at this exact moment?¡± Chapter 174: First Act Chapter 174: First Act Sometime earlier. As twilight embraced Karakura Town, Rangiku found herself perched atop the towering power station, her gaze sweeping over the urban expanse. The city, awash in the glow of night lights, presented a sight of mundane beauty, a stark contrast to the ancientness of Seireitei. It wasn¡¯t just the scenery that captivated her; the fruity sake she sipped added an extrayer of sweetness to the moment. Of course she didn¡¯te here just to drink. She¡¯d never ck off on her duty when her negligence could result in someone being hurt or worse. As the highest-ranking Shinigami in this operation, she had strategically selected this vantage point, ensuring a panoramic view of the area. That also meant herpanion Vice-Captain, Nanao Ise, was present by her side. While Rangiku lounged with a sense of ease, Nanao stood upright, her sharp eyes drifting vigntly. ¡°Loosen a bit, Nanao. Join me for a drink. This melon-vored sake won¡¯t make you wasted. It¡¯s pretty easy on the body.¡± Nanao cast a sidelong nce at the bottle in Rangiku¡¯s grasp. ¡°No. I never drink during my work time.¡± Rangiku saw her stern refusaling from miles away. ¡°No need to be so perfectly vignt. The sixth years are also keeping watch. Well, if any Hollow shows up, I¡¯ll whoop their ass.¡± Rangiku seemed confident despite the seal that lowered their strength to twenty percent of her peak. Nanao slowly turned to Rangiku. ¡°I don¡¯t chase perfection for someone else. I do it for myself.¡± ¡°Deep. Very deep. I¡¯ll drink one to that.¡± Rangiku raised her cup in a toast before downing the sake in one smooth motion. ¡°Ahhh¡­ the perfect bnce of sweetness and fruitiness.¡± Nanao¡¯s response was a gentle head shake. She remembered all too well the many Hollow encounters in Karakura Town. This very locale had witnessed the emergence of the most formidable Vasto Lorde ever documented by the 12th Squad. The inexperienced sixth-year students wouldn¡¯t stand a chance at detecting such a formidable Reiatsu. ¡°Woah, who is that?¡± Rangiku pointed in the distance, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. ¡°Ohhh, it¡¯s Kazuya¡¯s kitty. She¡¯ll make for a better drinkingpanion than Nanao.¡± ¡°...¡± Rangiku poured another cup and jumped down, her smile broadening as she approached Toshiro and Renji. ¡°I¡¯m guessing he left with Momo.¡± Renji raised his brow. ¡°You gave her permission. Why will they not go?¡± ¡°A, kitty.¡± She ignored Renji and slowly neared the cat with inviting open arms and a friendly smile. ¡°Come to me~. I¡¯ll be a better owner than Kazuya.¡± Yoruichi red at her before she hopped on Toshiro¡¯s head. ¡°Meow.¡± ¡°Kitty?¡± Toshiro smiled smugly. ¡°Leave Yoruichi alone. She doesn¡¯t like women with big breasts.¡± Rangiku¡¯s brow twitched. ¡°Why do you do that, Yoruichi?¡± Yoruichi shook her head, denying any part in Toshiro¡¯s overt disdain for big breasts. Feeling an intense gaze, she nced up, meeting Nanao¡¯s surprised gaze ¡ª Nanao recognized the name Yoruichi. Still, Yoruichi didn¡¯t feel an ounce of worry. Granting a human name to a pet was very natural both inside and outside of the Soul Society. Nanao had nothing to rte a cat to Shinigami. Absolutely nothing. ¡°Ara, Toshiro-chan. You¡¯re the one of the few men to hate big breasts. Why do you do that, I wonder?¡± Rangiku narrowed her eyes, a smug smirk ying on her lips. ¡°Did a girl with big boobs hurt you in the past? Did she say something like ¡®I can¡¯t love a man shorter than my titties!¡¯?¡± Renji turned to Toshiro and burst outughing. ¡°Holy¡­ you killed my little friend.¡± Toshiro clicked his tongue. ¡°Get lost, you perverted Vice-Captain.¡± Rangiku brushed back her hair and took a leisurely sip of her sake. ¡°Whatever, kid. I don¡¯t need your validation of my charm.¡± As she turned, her cup slipped from her grasp, shattering on the ground. The group¡¯s attention simultaneously shifted upwards, drawn by an ominous tear in the moonlit sky. The rift opened as if the very fabric of dimensions were torn thread by thread, unveiling four figures. A tall, muscr Arrancar with dark skin. The remnants of his Hollow mask were a row of bony spikes along the crest of his bald head, forming something simr to a Mohawk hairstyle. His golden eyes were perhaps the calmest of the group. ¡°Your salvation has arrived.¡± On his side was a blonde girl, her posturecking the confidence of her peers. ¡°Loly¡ª¡± Her words were cut short by a sharp p from another woman, her hair ck and styled into twin tails, bangs cascading over one side of her face. ¡°Who the heck gave you permission to speak?¡± ¡°Hahaha,¡±ughed the slim man standing furthest to the left. The white helmet covering his scruffy ck hair resembled the skull of a saber-tooth cat. ¡°Always a fun time with you two.¡± Even with their overly rxed banter, no one from Shinigami dared to underestimate the four. How could they when the four Hollows¡¯ Reiatsu was on par or even stronger than Rangiku¡¯s peak? Loly ced her hands on her hips andughed haughtily. ¡°For so long we, Hollows, have died at Shinigami¡¯s hands. Today, I, Loly Aivernne, will take a stand for Hueco Mundo.¡± She pointed a finger down at them, smirking condescendingly. ¡°Hear me, Shinigami. This is a deration of war against your race. A war to annihte the entire Soul Society for good.¡± ¡­ Meanwhile in the hidden dimension. Gin¡¯s eyelids lifted ever-so-slightly, revealing the striking blue of his eyes. The screens before him captured the stunned expressions of Renji, Toshiro, Nanao, and Rangiku from various angles. Though he knew the deration of war to be a mere facade, a flicker of unease lingered in his heart. Aizen had nned to spare one Shinigami to convey the information to the Soul Society. The chosen one¡¯s identity remained mysterious until now. It could be Renji, Toshiro, Nanao, anyone from the group of students¡­ or Rangiku. The odds of Aizen choosing Rangiku out of fifty Shinigami present at the scene were two percent. The uncertainty squeezed his heart, and he was helpless to do anything about it. ¡®Is it the day?¡¯ ¡°No, trust your instincts. Aizen won¡¯t kill her,¡± His Zanpakut¨­ Spirit assured him in a calm voice. ¡°His ego rivals our thirst for revenge. He wouldn¡¯t extinguish her life without first subjecting you both to excruciating torment.¡± Gin shut his eyes close and revealed his signature smile. ¡°It¡¯s getting boring here. When will they fight?¡± Aizen chuckled. ¡°Have a little patience, Gin. We aren¡¯t here to watch our colleagues die.¡± Patience was hardly a virtue Gincked, yet he nodded in concurrence. ¡°Indeed, Captain Aizen. I became overly eager to assess the Espadas¡¯bat potential against the Vice-Captains.¡± ¡°They are nothing spectacr.¡± Aizen shook his head. ¡°Quite underwhelming for my vision. They are decent ceholders until we find better recements.¡± Gin settled into a chair, a leg casually draped over the other. ¡°Regrettably, we¡¯ve yet to locate the wolf-masked individual and his allies.¡± ¡°It¡¯s only a matter of time,¡± Aizen whispered. ¡°Only a matter of time.¡± Chapter 175: The Struggle (I) Chapter 175: The Struggle (I) Meanwhile, Kazuya¡¯s dearest ck cat, Yoruichi, observed the four beings emanating the dual-natured Reiatsu of Shinigami and Hollow. She had anticipated trouble from Hollows, but an ambush by high-level Arrancars, especially those aligned with Aizen, was beyond anyone''s predictions. The evidence was clear in the intricate high-ss barrier spell shrouding the power nt zone ¡ª a Kid¨­ spell so precisely timed with the Garganta¡¯s opening that it almost escaped her notice. Everyone focused on the Garganta rather than the real threat. As long as the barrier stood, nobody from the Gotei 13 would sense these Arrancars. And Kazuya, the Senior-Captain equivalent, wouldn¡¯t sense them either. She needed him here as the Vice-Captains, under the effect of their seals, wouldn¡¯t be a match for the Espada. Her concern grew as she nced at Nanao, who appeared visibly shaken, her body trembling as if overwhelmed by the intensity of the Reiatsu ¡ª a surprising reaction for a Vice-Captain who should have some resistance to such power. ¡®Captain Kyoraku is protective of her.¡¯ At least Rangiku acted reliably in shielding Toshiro and Renji from Arrancars. Her facecked any yfulness, only a somber expression that reflected the dire circumstances. ¡®She might buy enough time. I¡¯ll go and dismantle the barrier quickly.¡¯ She patted Toshiro¡¯s head intently. ¡°Shiro, use your Shikai and support the Vice-Captains from afar.¡± Toshiro could barely nod when Yoruichi leaped off of him and darted to Nanao. She pped the shaken Vice-Captain¡¯s face with her paw. Her soft p snapped the Vice-Captain back to the present. Nanao rubbed her face with wide eyes, unable to believe that a cat just pped her like a human and escaped. ¡°Yoruichi¡­¡± She shook off the distracting thoughts and looked up at Loly. ¡°You must be the leader of the group.¡± Loly crossed her arms arrogantly. ¡°Will a bottom feeder make a grand deration of war?¡± Rangiku¡¯s giggle cut through their conversation. ¡°Grand? Please. Even a thousand of you won¡¯t stand a chance against the Soul Society.¡± Loly responded with boisterousughter of her own. ¡°You won¡¯t live long enough to see us demolish the Soul Society. Because all of you will die here.¡± Rangiku unsheathed her katana from its red sheath. Either it was her love for cats or her own cat-like nature that granted her Zanpakut¨­ a unique design characteristic of a cat ¡ª her katana¡¯s handguard was shaped like a cat¡¯s head, with pointed ears on the top half and a sleek tapering point on the bottom. ¡°Loly, let the students leave. I¡¯ll take on all four of you on my own.¡± Loly sneered contemptuously. ¡°You take on everyone? It¡¯s not apetition to use your vulgar body, bitch.¡± Rangiku¡¯s eyes shed with anger. ¡°Everyone can see who¡¯s acting like a bitch. And please stop projecting your vulgarness on others. You might¡¯ve reached your rank through bootlicking and sexual favors, but I¡¯m a Vice-Captain for my ability.¡± Rather than jumping into battle, she continued the fiery conversation to stall for reinforcements. Unlike Yoruichi, she hadn¡¯t sensed the high-level barrier obstructing the transmission of Reiatsu and hoped the reinforcements would arrive soon. ¡°Rangiku-sensei, you own her,¡± Toshiro added and casually kicked Renji¡¯s ass. ¡°Oi, dumb buffoon.¡± Renji rubbed his rear, a hint of tears in his eyes. ¡°What was that for?¡± Toshiro narrowed his eyes smugly. ¡°You looked frightened like a little girl. The kick on your ass worked.¡± Renji grabbed Toshiro¡¯s cor and pointed at Loly. ¡°Rukia will tease me to death if I let a girl named ¡®Loly¡¯ scare me. Who the hell names their child ¡®Loly¡¯?¡± Toshiro pped Renji¡¯s hand away and smiled. ¡°I know right.¡± Renji cracked his knuckles and pulled out his Zanpakut¨­ from his back. ¡°Yeah, I agree with you on this.¡± Their banter infuriated Loly, rightfully so. She looked venomous. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you bastards.¡± ¡°Not if I¡¯ll kill you first.¡± Renji chuckled and leaped over Rangiku. He raced towards Loly, creating tforms of Reishi beneath his feet. ¡°Here Ie.¡± ¡°You idiot,e back!¡± Toshiro yelled, but his warning fell on deaf ears. Gripping his de, he whispered the chant to release his Shikai, ¡°Sit Upon¡ªI won¡¯t make it in time. Rangiku, help him.¡± Finding his Shikai chant too long, he yelled at Rangiku to stop Renji from dying foolishly. Loly¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. She vanished ¡ª followed by the explosive sound of Son¨ªdo ¡ª and arrived before Renji in the blink of an eye. Caught off-guard by her high-speed technique, Renji couldn¡¯t react to the curved dagger swinging down at his face. Just as the de touched his forehead, Rangiku shstepped to his side and parried the dagger with her katana. ¡°Too reckless, Renji!¡± Rangiku grabbed Renji by the cor and yanked him back to safety. Her eyes locked onto Loly, a fierce determination burning within. ¡°No one will hurt these students on my watch.¡± ¡°This is a war, dimwit. We don¡¯t take hostages or spare enemy soldiers.¡± Loly gestured to Ggio Vega, the Arrancar with a saber-tooth helmet. ¡°Kill the rest of the students.¡± Ggio shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m not interested in tainting my ws with the blood of weaklings. Menoly, why don¡¯t you please your friend by doing her dirty work?¡± Menoly, though hesitant, drew her katana. ¡°Fine, if I must.¡± Chapter 176: The Struggle (II) Chapter 176: The Struggle (II) Menoly dashed towards her objective, only to collide against a translucent yellow wall ¡ª a high-level barrier spell. Her katana ¡ª her Zanpakut¨­ ¡ª slipped from her hands and ttered to the ground. As she scratched her head, her back bumped into another massive wall. Confusion and panic set in as she realized she was imprisoned in a shrinking box of energy. ¡°Vessel of the divine, fury of the lord.¡± Menoly¡¯s gaze followed the direction of the voice, seeing Nanao extending her hand with a w-like gesture. The Vice-Captain was controlling the barrier, unafraid of the two Espada attacking her in this state. ¡°I won¡¯t let you kill them,¡± Nanao said through gritted teeth and forcefully closed her w hand. ¡°With light, crush the prisoner. Shimen-sei no shi.¡± The barrier responded to Nanao¡¯smand, contracting with a force meant topress Menoly into oblivion. Menoly frantically reached for her Zanpakut¨­ to activate her Resurri¨®n, but it was futile; her sword was beyond her reach. In a panic, she pounded against the barrier with her fists, but it was like striking steel. Desperation in her eyes, Menoly turned to Ggio Vega. ¡°Ggio, help me,¡± she pleaded for herrade¡¯s help, hoping they¡¯d help get her out of the pinch. Ggio Vega, the Arrancar with the saber-tooth helmet, looked on with cold indifference. ¡°Fear not. I¡¯ll dly take the #7 from you.¡± Menoly¡¯s heart sank. She had always seen Ggio as an ally, a friend even, but he was going to let her die for her rank. ¡°We¡¯re on the same side. Why won¡¯t you help me?!¡± ¡°Miss Menoly, we don¡¯t need ipetent Hollows filling our ranks. Zommari, do you agree with me?¡± Zommari nced down at Menoly briefly before closing his eyes. The silence spoke his decision louder than words. Menoly was shocked beyond words. Even though she had done her best to please them and make herself useful to herrades, they abandoned her at the drop of a hat. Atst Menoly turned to Loly for help. Her bully colleague happened to be looking at her, her face twisted in raw disgust. She shivered, closing her eyes out of fear. ¡°Please save me¡­¡± ¡°You utter trash of an Arrancar,¡± Loly growled. ¡°Kill yourself. Kill yourself now¡ªargh¡­¡± Loly¡¯s attention was drawn away by a sudden, sharp pain. Her eyes widened in shock as she looked down to see a de protruding from her chest. ¡°Damn you, Vice-Captain.¡± Rangiku had swiftly taken advantage of Loly¡¯s distraction and stabbed her. As Loly crumpled to her knees, Rangiku pressed her foot firmly onto Loly¡¯s shoulder, wrenching her bloodied katana free with a fluid motion. Confident in her final blow, she didn¡¯t register Loly¡¯s trembling hand reaching for her dagger. Rangiku¡¯s gaze swept over the other three Arrancars. The strongest among them, the dark-skinned man resembling a monk, showed utter indifference to Loly¡¯sst gasp. Ggio, with a smirk ying on his lips, seemed almost entertained by the turn of events. Menoly, on the other hand, was slowly being crushed under Nanao¡¯s absurdly strong barrier spell. Rangiku might think Nanao wasn¡¯t under a seal had she not walked through the Senkaimon with her. ¡°Nanao, don¡¯t get soft now.¡± The Arrancars became her enemy the moment they chose to dere the war. Showing mercy to the enemies was the same as stabbing her allies in the back. ¡°But¡­¡± Nanao hesitated. ¡°Maybe she won¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Vice-Captain, Nanao,¡± Rangiku said firmly. ¡°I won¡¯t say it again¡­¡± ¡°Poison,¡± a familiar voice whispered from her side, seizing her attention. ¡°Escolopendra (Centipede).¡± Suddenly a storm of pink Reiatsu whipped around Loly before covering her body. Her form began to change dramatically, her mask extending across her face while white armor encased her body. Her arms transformed into elongated, headless centipedes. Most importantly, her Reiatsu had amplified to the point she would be in the same league as Nanao in raw Reiatsu. Rangiku blinked her eyes. ¡°Did you just use¡­ Shikai?¡± Loly got to her feet andughed maniacally. ¡°It¡¯s Resurri¨®n, dickhead. It fully heals our wounds. Now, I¡¯ll poison you. I¡¯ll poison everyone in this city.¡± Toshiro frowned. Observing Zommari and Ggio¡¯s movements, he hadn¡¯t paid any attention to Loly, or he wouldn¡¯t have allowed Loly to recover. He had to make sure the Vice-Captains fight one opponent at a time. The Arrancars¡¯ck of camaraderie made his job so much easier. ¡°Rangiku-sensei, you aren¡¯t qualified to lecture Nanao-sensei.¡± ¡°Ugh, my bad.¡± Rangiku assumed a serious expression, holding her katana with both hands. ¡°Growl, Haineko (Ash Cat)... Huh?¡± But to her shock, nothing happened. Her Zanpakut¨­ remained unresponsive to her chant. Pouring Reiatsu into her Zanpakut¨­, she frowned. ¡°Haineko, this isn¡¯t the time to joke around. Haineko? Haineko?!¡± Her screams received no response from her Inner World. Haineko was whimsical, but she never messed around during a serious battle. She gritted her teeth, a sinking realization hitting her ¡ª without her Shikai, she was at a significant disadvantage. ¡°I can¡¯t use it¡­¡± Engulfed in a whirlpool of confusion and fear, Rangiku didn¡¯t notice Loly¡¯s monstrous arms closing in on her. The headless centipedes mmed into her from both sides and coiled around her. Rangiku winced and bashed her elbows on Loly¡¯s arms, feeling as if she was hitting steel rather than arms made of bone ¡ª she had yet to learn about the Hierro defense of Arrancars. ¡°Die, wench. Melt away in my poison,¡± Loly hissed, her face twisted in sadistic pleasure. The tiny, razor-sharp ws ¡ª the centipede¡¯s legs ¡ª began to secrete a violet toxin. Loly¡¯s ecstasy was disrupted by a pleading voice. ¡°Loly¡­¡± Menoly barely squeezed out a whimper, the barrier forcing her into a curling position. ¡°Please¡­¡± Loly¡¯s expression contorted with contempt. With a violent swing, she attacked the barrier with her poison-coated limb. The impact didn¡¯t weaken the barrier but her purple poison corroded the barrier within seconds. Menoly, unable to believe Loly¡¯s kindness, stared in disbelief. ¡°T-Thanks¡­¡± Loly swung her arm again. This time, the massive limb connected to Menoly¡¯s face and sent her crashing into a building. ¡°Gross¡ª¡± ¡°Sit upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyorinmaru!¡± Chapter 177: The Struggle (III) Chapter 177: The Struggle (III) Toshiro unwillingly released his Shikai and pointed his katana at Loly. An immense Reiatsu overflowed from his Zanpakut¨­ as three chains of ice spiraled out of the base of the de, condensing into a thick chain. The ice chain moved through the air, absorbing moisture from the environment to grow into a massive dragon with zing crimson eyes. The frost dragon roared at the heavens before flying down towards Loly. ¡°Fuck.¡± Loly hurriedly released Rangiku and pped the ice dragon. Of course, with her higher Reiatsu, she easily shattered the ice dragon, but not without consequences. Her poison began to crystalize, the frost creeping along her limbs. The ice forced her to expend Reiatsu in shattering the ice crystals. ¡°A little brat has Shikai.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a brat,¡± he growled. ¡°Rangiku-sensei, let¡¯s fight her together.¡± Rangiku¡¯s Shihakusho was half-melted and her skin singed by the poison. It was pure agony. But she didn¡¯t let her injuries slow her down. She had joined the Gotei 13 with the intention to get her childhood friend back, but she ended up bing a responsible Shinigami. Giving her life to duty wasn¡¯t something she frowned at. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s end this pathetic worm.¡± ¡­ Nanao, meanwhile, aimed an arm at Loly, whispering a chant under her breath. ¡°It¡¯s getting boring for you, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ggio asked, yawning. ¡°I¡¯ll join too. Miss Vice-Captain, I apologize for killing you.¡± Cold shiver went down Nanao¡¯s spine ¡ª Ggio was already behind her, his left leg raised over her head. In a fit of panic, Nanao raised her hand and whispered a chant under her breath. ¡°Seki.¡± Ggio smirked and brought his leg down, unbothered by the tiny orb of energy floating above Nanao¡¯s back of hand. As soon as his leg touched the orb, the counterforce of the spell sent him reeling back into a wall. ¡°Hahaha, impressive. You¡¯re very impressive.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t feel happy with your praise¡­¡± Nanao whispered, feeling sweat cover her face. ¡°What do Arrancars want from attacking students?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll know soon. In the meantime, enjoy your death at the hands of Ggio Vega, the #8 Espada.¡± Ggio once again vanished. Nanao didn¡¯t slow down this time and utilized Shunpo to stay away from him while muttering chants to a Kid¨­ spell. Whirling to face her opponent, she thrust her hand forward. ¡°Had¨­ #31. Shakkah¨­!¡± A zing orb of crimson energy erupted from her palm, hurtling towards Ggio. Even a Hado spell in the thirties had highly destructive power in the hands of Nanao. Ggio could¡¯ve easily dodged the me projectile but he casually deflected the me ball with his bare hands. The intense mes barely singed the back of his hand. ¡°Anything else you want to try, Vice-Captain?¡± Nanao¡¯s heart pounded. Her repertoire of destructive Had¨­ spells was severely limited by the seal, and Shakkah¨­ was her most efficient option. There was nothing else she could do to harm her opponent. She had only ever been in battles with Hollows far weaker than her. Fighting an opponent of such strength left her feeling overwhelmed. ¡°You¡¯re not amusing me anymore, Miss Vice-Captain. Well, I should end this now.¡± He rushed at Nanao with his peak speed. Nanao couldn¡¯t even register his movement as he arrived before her. He seized her throat and ruthlessly flung her into the wall. He continued his onught, relentlessly throwing, kicking, and punching her through the air. She crossed her arms in defense, which did nothing to stop him. She was no match to a peak-Adjuchas Arrancar in her peak form, much less with a seal limiting her strength. Meanwhile, Rangiku and Toshiro were engaged in a stalemate battle with Loly. Her enormous centipede arms swept in wide, venomous arcs, creating a hazardous barrier of poison. They couldn¡¯t approach her but she couldn¡¯t chase them either. On the sidelines, Renji watched the brutal scene unfold, rooted to the spot in shock. His brush with death had left him momentarily incapacitated, his mind racing to find a way to intervene and save Nanao from Ggio¡¯s relentless attack. He couldn¡¯t think of any way. ¡­ On the other side of the city. Kazuya stared at Ulquiorra, whose Reiatsu was terrifyingly close in nature to his own Hollow Reiatsu. ¡°Momo, go back to the flower shop. Tell them to send the masked reinforcements to the field trip site immediately.¡± He wouldn¡¯t be able to help Rangiku and others in time. After all, his Shikai wasn¡¯t offensive enough to destroy Ulquiorra, and revealing Nami¡¯s mes risked exposing his Hollow side. He wasn¡¯t sure that Aizen wouldn¡¯t sense Nami¡¯s Hollow origin through her mes. Momo stared at him briefly before nodding her head, fully following her earlier vow of always obeying hismand. ¡°Kazuya-kun, don¡¯t get hurt¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Who do you think you are talking to?¡± Momo giggled and made a beeline for Sung-Sun¡¯s flower shop, unaware of the true purpose behind her actions. Ulquiorra trailed Momo with his gaze but didn¡¯t intervene. His objective was Kazuya, not Momo. ¡°I do hope you put up a fightparable to your confidence.¡± ¡°I absolutely will, my Arrancar friend.¡± Kazuya chuckled and drew his Zanpakut¨­. ¡°Weave, Shinku-no-Tsubasa.¡± ¡­ In a dimly lit room, Aizen sat before a bank of screens, each one disying a different scene of the unfolding chaos. ¡°He wasn¡¯t lying about seizing Zanpakut¨­ Spirits,¡± Gin said. ¡°A frightening Zanpakut¨­ indeed.¡± ¡°Hmmm.¡± Aizen¡¯s gaze, however, was drawn not to the high-stakes duel between Kazuya and Ulquiorra, but to a more subtle, yet equallypelling confrontation. On one of the screens, a ck cat tinkered with the barrier around the power nt zone as if she was a human. It reminded Aizen of a certain amusing fact about the Shih¨­in n¡¯s bloodline, which sounded rubbish at the time he read it. ¡°Shih¨­in¡¯s descendants can assume the form of an animal. It has only happened two times in the past.¡± [1] Gin pointed at the ck cat on the screen. ¡°Yoruichi Shih¨­in.¡± ¡°Interesting¡­¡± After a few moments, Yoruichi brought down the barrier setup by Tosen. Aizen threw one leg over the other and smirked. ¡°The final spectacle will start.¡± ¡­ [#1: Kubo confirmed it in a Q&A. Q: I want to know why Yoruichi can take the form of a ck cat. One way of interpreting things is that it is some sort of binding that changes her from her humanoid form to that of a ck cat, but it seems to be fundamentally different from Hado and Bakudo. Is it a power not rted to Kido? Or does it have to do with Kisuke''s technology? A: It''s due to the Shihouin bloodline. Sometimes the Shihouin n breeds people that can assume the form of an animal.] Chapter 178: The Guilt Chapter 178: The Guilt Izumi jolted awake, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared at the ceiling. ¡°Otouto¡¯s spiritual energy¡­¡± Even though the Quincy were not known for their acute spiritual sensespared to Shinigami, Izumi had a deep, almost instinctual recognition of Kazuya¡¯s Reiatsu. She would never mistake his Reiatsu for someone else. ¡®He is fighting something. A Hollow or a Shinigami?¡¯ She pondered, her brow furrowing. Ultimately, the opponent mattered little. The dream of reviving the Quincy race might have slipped through her fingers, but she wouldn¡¯t hesitate in wielding her Quincy bow to protect him. She tossed aside her nket and donned a cardigan over her simple nightdress. ¡®Hang on, Otouto-kun. I¡¯ming.¡¯ Upon reaching the doorstep, Izumi halted, noticing Lisa, the titr maid, hurriedly slipping on her shoes. Much like her, Lisa had hurried out of her room in a casual shirt and skirt. Feeling Izumi''s presence, Lisa turned, a hint of surprise shing in her eyes. She had hoped, rather optimistically, that the heightened Reiatsu signatures crowding the Karakura Town wouldn¡¯t rouse Izumi. The sight of Kazuya in his Shinigami outfit would destroy all of his hard work. ¡°Izumi-sama, you¡­ no, you can¡¯t go to him.¡± Izumi¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°Because¡­¡± Lisa faltered for a moment, her eyes flicking down to her shoes. ¡°He is fighting a strong opponent. You¡¯ll make things worse for him in your current condition.¡± Izumi¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°I have fought Hollows for years. Don¡¯t underestimate me just because I experienced a few rocky weeks.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not underestimating you.¡± Lisa tidied her shoces and got back to her feet before clicking her shoes together. ¡°You¡¯re underestimating your man. He is the strongest Quincy in my knowledge. Simply being near his Reiatsu will kill us. You¡¯ll not be able to show your affection if you die.¡± She made up excuses that sounded convincing from her perspective. ¡°B-But¡­ I want to see him, hug him¡­ I want to feel his warmth.¡± Lisa¡¯s gaze softened upon seeing Izumi¡¯s needy side. ¡°I¡¯ll bring him back as soon as he knocks over his enemy. Please, you can sleep without worry.¡± ¡°Okay¡­ thanks, Lisa. I appreciate your concern for me.¡± Lisa nodded and rushed out of the door. Her steps came to a halt as she saw Shinji leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and eyes closed. ¡°Doing your drug dealer impersonation today?¡± Shinji gave a wry chuckle. ¡°Lisa, they¡¯ve already kicked us out of their world. Whatever happens to them isn¡¯t our problem.¡± Lisa rolled her eyes. She barely convinced Izumi to stay at home, and now Shinji wanted to convince her to stay back. ¡°I just want to see which Arrancar is wreaking havoc in my town.¡± She kept her deeper suspicions to herself, suspecting that amidst the Shinigami¡¯s Reiatsu, there lurked a familiar presence. She had to check up if she was hallucinating under Aizen¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ or the tiny girl she read stories to was present in the town. Shinji, however, blocked her path, his expression serious. ¡°They¡¯re Aizen''s underlings. Do you understand the implications of that?¡± ¡°Ah. Kazuya was right, then?¡± ¡°Exactly. I won¡¯t stand by and watch you risk your life foolishly.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not dying before I meet my charming prince and corrupt him into a DEMON.¡± Lisa walked and looked over her shoulder, shing a cheeky grin. ¡°I appreciate the heads-up, though.¡± ¡°Fool,¡± Shinji groaned, rubbing the back of his head. He grabbed the covered katana standing by the wall and threw it at Lisa. ¡°Take this then.¡± Lisa caught the sword without turning around and tore apart theyers covering the sword. ¡°Thanks, Shinji.¡± ¡­ At the same time, Kazuya¡¯s Mansion. Api felt a surge in her veins ¡ª a reaction to the spike in Kazuya¡¯s Reiatsu. She was seated at the dining table with Harribel and Ciri, who seemed unfazed by the disturbance. Ciri was tenderly bottle-feeding milk to kittens, her maternal instincts on full disy, while Harribel watched her with a gentle, almost wistful smile, reflecting her own innate nurturing nature. ¡°Tier, he is fighting an Arrancar. Can you stop ignoring it?¡± Though everyone was aware of Kazuya¡¯s excursion, the sudden appearance of numerous Arrancar was unexpected. Api would have dly taken his ce in battle if it weren¡¯t for his current guise as a Shinigami, whichplicated their ability to intervene. Harribel turned to Api, her smile still in ce but her eyes serious. ¡°Doesn¡¯t that Reiatsu remind you of Kazuya''s when he first became an Arrancar?¡± ¡°Now that you mention it¡­ yeah, it does have some resemnce. Is he fighting his brother?¡± Harribel shook her head. ¡°It can¡¯t be his brother¡­ you both stay here. I¡¯ll go over to see if he needs any help.¡± ¡°I want to go too,¡± Api grumbled. ¡°BUT he said I can¡¯t be involved.¡± Ciri grinned, holding the kittens wrapped in a soft towel. ¡°Lady Api, there is a good reason behind his wariness.¡± ¡°I know, fuck. I might do something irrational to expose him. Tier, you too. Don¡¯t do anything that might ruin everything.¡± Acknowledging Api¡¯s words with a nod, Harribel rose from her seat. She slipped on a ck sweatshirt over her shirt, zipping it up to her chest and pulling the hood over her head. The cover of night outside provided a perfect chance to conceal her distinct features as she prepared to venture into the uncertain darkness. *** Soul Society. The bustling high-tech 12th Squad headquarters, the Shinigami Research and Development Institute was awash with a sudden, frantic energy. The Operators scurried about in a state of near-panic. The reason for their distress ¡ª their gadgets had just detected multiple high-level Arrancars converging in the same location as a group of their students. Their precise devices messed up somewhere and overlooked the spatial distortions of Garganta. In a division where small mistakes could spell disaster, such an oversight could have dire, even life-altering consequences. Akon, however, didn¡¯t seem at all worried about the consequences. ¡°Send a transmission to the Captain Commander. He must know this as soon as possible.¡± He understood the stakes ¡ª the presence of powerful Arrancars in close proximity to their students was a threat of the highest order, one that demanded immediate action and the involvement of the Soul Society''s highest echelons. The Gotei 13 had to mobilize reinforcements to provide support as soon as humanly possible. Chapter 179: The Replacement Chapter 179: The Recement Ulquiorra curiously watched Kazuya release his Shikai. Despite the astonishing process, the endresults left him underwhelmed. He pointed a finger at Kazuya, his eyes the embodiment of apathy. ¡°Cero.¡± At the tip of his finger, a flickering green light revealed the imminent release of his destructive energy. In an instant, a massive beam shot forth. Kazuya simply brought his Enmyaku together and formed a shield. The fiery shield absorbed the devastating Cero that threatened to consume him, and the rest illuminated the night sky with its green glow. Ulquiorra''s expression remained unchanged, but a hint of intrigue sparked in his eyes. ¡°A shield is an unconventional choice for one as arrogant as you.¡± ¡°Is that so? How about I show you something traditional?¡± He grabbed the Enmyakus with his hands and merged them together, which took the form of a sword with a ridiculouslyrge handle. ¡°Let¡¯s fight with swords, shall we?¡± Ulquiorra grasped the green hilt of his Zanpakut¨­ and drew it in one swift motion. ¡°The weaker de will chip out and break.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll be surprised.¡± In a burst of speed, theyunched themselves skyward above Karakura Town, their des shing with a force that sent shockwaves rippling through the night air. The metallic ring of their swords echoed, distorting the atmosphere with each powerful strike. Kazuya aggressively pushed Ulquiorra, aiming to create an opening where he could target Ulquiorra¡¯s vital spot. But Ulquiorra didn¡¯t lose his calm in the face of aggression. He remained as calm as the moon bearing witness to their sh, his katana moving like a whisper in the darkness. The Zanpakut¨­ was swift and precise in fending off the aggressive strikesing from Kazuya. Despite not using his Resurri¨®n, Ulquiorra wasn¡¯t losing an inch in the sh. As they fought, Kazuya¡¯s swordy grew more intense, ripping the air apart with the sheer effort of his swings. He held back his maximum Reiatsu but he didn¡¯t hold back his physical strength. In fact, he only grew stronger shing with Ulquiorra, since he was the strongest opponent he had ever fought. Harribel didn¡¯t count since she started holding back after he officially became her lover. He wasn¡¯t the only one growing through the battle. Ulquiorra too became strong through battling an equal opponent ¡ª something he couldn¡¯t find in Hueco Mundo as the #1 Espada. ¡°You¡¯re surprisingly strong for a student,¡± Ulquiorramented. ¡°You also have a decent grasp onbat itself. I understand why he thought of you as a barricade in his ns.¡± ¡°He?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to know that.¡± Ulquiorra keenly blocked and evaded the flurry of aggressive shes ¡ª until he found an opening. Kazuya grew impatient and shoved his de at Ulquiorra¡¯s heart. Ulquiorra waited as the de inched close to his chest and stabbed through him. ¡ªHe let the sword pierce him. His move caught Kazuya off-guard. The perfect opening didn¡¯t go to waste, as Ulquiorra pushed his katana through Kazuya¡¯s throat. Ulquiorra nonchntly drew back his katana and plunged it back into its sheath. ¡°You put on a good fight.¡± He grabbed the massive hilt of Kazuya¡¯s sword and drew it out so he could regenerate. The sword briefly glided out of his chest before it got stuck. Khach. Khach. Khach. The sword roared as it split apart inside Ulquiorra and extended into a whip sword. The growing detched onto Ulquiorra, wrapping itself around his waist like a living entity. ¡°You shithead,¡± Kazuya whispered. ¡°You celebrated too early.¡± Ulquiorra grabbed Kazuya¡¯s throat and flung him away before grabbing the sword¡¯s hilt. He, however, was toote. The mes between the sections of the whip word continued growing brighter and brighter ¡ª until they exploded. The two Enmyakus dashed out of the smoke of the explosion and reached Kazuya¡¯s side. He quickly converted one Enmyaku into a musket and shot his throat, concealing his innate regeneration from any prying eyes. As the smoke settled, Ulquiorra¡¯s state was revealed. His entire shoulder and a big portion of his waist had disintegrated into ashes. The bloodied torso healed within seconds, however, he paid a hefty Reiatsu in exchange for the regeneration. {My mes would¡¯ve finished the job.} Nami didn¡¯t exaggerate one bit. He only used Tsubasa¡¯s mes as a ranged technique. The bright mes were simply not made for destruction. His senses suddenly registered a familiar presence approaching him fast. ¡®Ah, finally. My beautiful Tier is here.¡¯ Ulquiorra brushed his right shoulder, frowning. ¡°Our intelligence severely underestimated you. Your versatile abilities to defend and regenerate, and your willingness to go this far for victory make you a great threat.¡± ¡°Be quiet for a second please.¡± Kazuya pointed at Tier, whose shark-like eyes gleamed in the distant park. She had taken the perfect spot to hide and observe. ¡°Is that beautifuldy part of your crew?¡± {What are you scheming by exposing her to Aizen?} ¡®Can¡¯t you read my mind?¡¯ {I don¡¯t read minds; I make assumptions based on your emotions. But sometimes I feel like there is an external entity interrupting our connection.} ¡®That¡¯s quite bizarre.¡¯ Ulquiorra turned around and nced down at Tier. As if taking disrespect from the pale Arrancar looking down on her, she soared to an even higher point and then flipped her hoody. ¡°Arrancar, Shinigami. Do not fight in my town.¡± ¡°I know you.¡± Ulqiuorra narrowed his eyes. ¡°You are Tier Harribel. Las Noches has been searching the Hueco Mundo for you.¡± Tier crossed her arms, radiating an air of authority. ¡°Am I that famous in Hueco Mundo now?¡± Ulquiorra stared at her with the same apathetic gaze. ¡°Yes. Every Espada knows you. Why did you hide after ying Barragan? Did you have no interest in the crown or was your victory a fluke?¡± Despite his typically emotionless demeanor, Ulquiorra had a penchant for engaging in lengthy dialogues, a trait somewhat at odds with his usual stoic nature. Tier¡¯s eyes red with rage. ¡°You pathetic Arrancar dare challenge my pride. I¡¯ll make you pay for this.¡± She dashed at Ulquiorra with Son¨ªdo and grabbed his throat. Her explosive speed and raw strength caught him by surprise. She ripped open the Garganta with her other hand and tossed Ulquiorra inside. Turning to Kazuya, she gave him a menacing re. ¡°Stay where you are, Shinigami. It¡¯s between me and him.¡± He raised his hands. ¡°Whoever wins between gets the privilege to die at my hands.¡± Tier snarled before dashing into the void. Alone now, Kazuya exhaled deeply. Tier¡¯s reaction had been astoundingly intuitive, almost as if she could read his mind. She understood his desire to leave and assist Rangiku and the others, and chose to rece him in the battle. {God bless our holy mother.} Kazuya narrowed his eyes. ¡°Nanao¡¯s Reiatsu is getting weaker.¡± {Fuck the voyeur Aizen. I bet he is having an orgasm seeing everything go ording to his n.} ... The whip sword design Spoiler span> [copse] Chapter 180: The Freefall Chapter 180: The Freefall Only a day prior, Gin Ichimaru might have staked everything on Ulquiorra¡¯s victory against a Shin¡¯o Academy novice like Kazuya. Aizen had put extra effort into enhancing Ulquiorra with H¨­gyoku. As the strongest Vasto Lorde and a key figure in the Arrancar Project, Ulquiorra, thest Original Hollow, enjoyed privileges that set him apart. Yet, today unfolded with startling revtions: Kazuya Ishihara toyed with Ulquiorra, baiting the Vasto Lorde into an explosive st. Without his extreme regeneration ability, Ulquiorra would have died right there. The Arrancar project¡¯s crowning achievement faced an unexpected humiliation, and unless he released his Resurri¨®n, he¡¯d have certainly lost at a student¡¯s hands. It was a bummer that Gin didn¡¯t get to see the finish. Tier Harribel unexpectedly showed up and altered the course of the battle. His gaze then shifted to the Shinigami¡¯s side of the equation. Rangiku Matsumoto was struggling, her body sumbing to toxins that rendered her a sluggish mess. She¡¯d have long died if not for Toshiro¡¯s Shikai contending against Loly. However, the stalemate wouldn¡¯tst long. Toshiro was visibly strained, running out of Reiryoku using his newly developed Shikai. Their situation was growing increasingly dire. ¡®I can trust him to send away the Espada.¡¯ Of course, Gin¡¯s face betrayed none of his internal urgency. ¡°Kazuya-san is brimming with raw potential like an uncut diamond. It¡¯s strange he decided to be part of the 4th and 10th squad. This battle maniac could easily fit in with the 11th Squad.¡± Gin sensed deeper undercurrents influencing Kazuya¡¯s decisions beyond his ties with Isshin Shiba and Vice-Captain Isane Kotetsu. However, their limited intel provided no solid footing for these spections. ¡°His Zanpakut¨­ is a Support-Type and quite suited for the 4th Squad.¡± Aizen¡¯s eyes gleamed behind his specs. ¡°It can be restructured into an offensive form. It¡¯s a sign of his extraordinary adaptability.¡± With a hand on his chin, Gin grinned. Extraordinary was the highest praise Aizen ever gave to anyone. Even Ulquiorra, one of the Original Hollows born from the ashes of Hueco Mundo, received an ¡®adequate for our mission¡¯ remark. ¡®Is there a chance he has a monstrous talent like Aizen?¡¯ It¡¯d be quite a miraculous twist if Kazuya ended up bing a bigger threat to Aizen¡¯s n than Captain Commander Genry¨±sai Shigekuni Yamamoto. A twist Gin would wholeheartedly wee with open arms. ¡°Captain, what do we do with Harribel?¡± Gin asked to keep the conversation flowing. ¡°She is in Hueco Mundo as we speak. Capturing her would be easy.¡± ¡°Leave her be.¡± Gin already predicted Aizen¡¯s answer. Recruiting someone against their will went against Aizen¡¯s philosophy as far as Gin knew. The alternative was killing Harribel, which wouldn¡¯t provide any benefits to them. The silver-haired snake rose from his seat. ¡°I¡¯ll tell Szayel to monitor her power level.¡± ¡­ Meanwhile, at the power nt zone. The Vice-Captain of the 8th Squad was beaten, bruised, and drained of Reiatsu. Yet Ggio didn¡¯t believe Nanao had given up. On the contrary, her near-death state made her resentment more intense. Crouching before Nanao, he grasped her hair, lifting her head. ¡°You look so¡­ hopeful, Miss Vice-Captain. What¡¯s the secret of your undying resilience?¡± Nanao clenched her jaw defiantly. The thought of dying in such a ce haunted her, yet the idea of begging for mercy was even more abhorrent. Her eyes drifted towards Rangiku and Toshiro, both locked in their own desperate battles. Defeat was not just imminent; it was already upon them. Their only saving gracey in the safety of the students, owing to Renji sneaking off earlier. ¡°You¡­ will never¡­¡± Nanao¡¯s words trailed off into silence, her consciousness sumbing to the overwhelming blood loss and fatigue. ¡°Win.¡± Suddenly, Ggio felt an unnerving whisper brush against his neck, sending chills down his spine ¡ª someone had snuck up on him, a feat he had thought impossible given his heightened Arrancar senses. Grabbing his katana¡¯s handle, he whirled around with a furious sh. When no sensation came from the de, he fluidly transitioned into a side flip to dodge any counterattack. Nothing happened even then ¡ª the person made a mockery out of him yet again. ¡®Fuck.¡¯ Frustrated and alert, Ggio spun around and red at his adversary ¡ª a girl casually standing behind him, wielding a katana. Her diamond-shaped mask was reminiscent of a Hollow¡¯s, but without any animalistic signs. She hoisted Nanao onto her shoulder and leaped towards a nearby tower. The turquoise pupils peeking through the horizontal slit of her mask held a chilling resentment. ¡°Wait for your punishment, you sick pervert.¡± ¡°Wait¡ª¡± She ignored his call and sh-stepped to the perimeter of the power zone. Her Shunpo was so fast that it seemed like teleportation ¡ª her speed was on par with his own. Ggio attempted to pursue, but Zommari Leroux abruptly blocked his path. ¡°Zommari, what are you doing?¡± ¡°Your hubris led to her escape.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t block¡ª¡± ¡°Your mission is here. You cannot leave until it is fulfilled,¡± Zommari said indifferently before he nced at the Shinigami whose aura was a mix of Hollow and Shinigami but very distinct from an Arrancar¡¯s Reiatsu. ¡°Fascinating. I must tell Aizen-sama about it.¡± Ggio didn¡¯t argue against Zommari, who was higher ranked and more powerful than him. Instead, he redirected his fury towards another target ¡ª Vice-Captain Rangiku Matsumoto, who seemed momentarily distracted, possibly by the mysterious figure who had whisked Nanao away. ¡°You¡¯ll do.¡± Closing the gap with a burst of Son¨ªdo, Ggio unleashed a ferocious kick into Rangiku¡¯s abdomen. The impact sent her flying, her body crashing against a nearby wall with an echoing thud. Struggling to regain her bearings, she reached for her katana, her eyes lifting to meet Ggio¡¯s. ¡°You should¡¯ve dodged to your right,¡± Ggio taunted, a twisted smile ying on his lips as he approached her with a slow, deliberate motion. ¡°Or to the left.¡± His sarcastic criticism made Loly burst intoughter. ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Ggio. Keep beating the shit out of her.¡± Rangiku pushed herself off the ground but struggled to maintain a steady stance. Blood trickled down her face, which she wiped away with her sleeve and then red at Ggio. ¡°Where is Nanao?¡± ¡°Oh, her. Unfortunately, I have no idea. Some mysterious girl kidnapped her. Besides, Miss Vice-Captain. You should worry about immediate threats such as me~.¡± His figure flickered, the explosive sound of Son¨ªdo following his disappearance. Showing up before her, he drove his knee into her already battered abdomen. The brutal strike knocked the wind out of her. She dropped to her knees, the pain carving a silent scream on her face. To escape the excruciating pain, her consciousness plunged into distant, sweeter memories of her childhood. ¡°You should have crossed your arms to block the knee,¡± he instructed, making a mockery out of his opponent. ¡°Well, she passed¡ª¡± His gloating was cut short. A sudden surge of instincts red within him, signaling an immediate danger. He had barely a moment to react before someone grabbed the back of his head and dragged him violently through the air. Ggio¡¯s eyes caught a brief glimpse of his attacker ¡ª gleaming blue eyes, silver hair ¡ª a figure he recognized as a significant threat to their mission. A fleeting thought crossed his mind, ¡®Wasn¡¯t he fighting with Ulquiorra?¡¯ That question remained unanswered as his face brutally smashed into the wall. ¡°You should have chosen different enemies or stayed in Hueco Mundo.¡± Chapter 181: The Culling Chapter 181: The Culling Kazuya didn¡¯t break through Ggio¡¯s Hierro defense with the head-bashing, which he never intended in the first ce. He continuously smashed Arrancar¡¯s head against the wall purely to vent his mounting frustration. The anger was directed at Espada and¡­ himself for trusting in Visored to assist Shinigami during the crisis. He had sent Sung-Sun to request Visored¡¯s help, but they deliberately turned a blind eye to the matter. Shinji didn¡¯t want to get involved despite harboring a great hatred for Aizen. {Ungrateful bastards. And where did Yoruichi go?} ¡®She must¡¯ve gone to Urahara after clearing the Kido spell around the zone.¡¯ ¡°Shinigami.¡± Hearing a powerful voice, Kazuya pulled Ggio out of the dirt and nced around. Zommari was ring down at him, unfiltered hatred flowing through him. Zommari had no sense of camaraderie with Ggio Vega or any other Arrancar for that matter, but he utterly despised Shinigami. ¡°I¡¯d be damned if I let you kill an Espada before my eyes.¡± Zommari moved to engage Kazuya using his Son¨ªdo, which was only second to Ulquiorra among the current Espada. In an instant, he was behind Kazuya, his sword thrusting forward. The de pierced through the back of Kazuya¡¯s Shinigami uniform. ¡°You may¡ª¡± Zommari¡¯s words came to a pause and a look of shock shed on his face. Kazuya¡¯s figure on the other end of his sword faded ¡ª he had been tricked into stabbing an afterimage. He waspletely embarrassed in a battle of speed. Kazuya appeared nearly a hundred meters above him and joined his Shikai aspects into the whip sword version before cing it against Ggio¡¯s neck. His grip on Ggio¡¯s chin was so tight that the Arrancar couldn¡¯t swivel left or right. Ggio blinked his wide eyes. Being oppressed to this degree wasn¡¯t something he expected even from a Captain-ss Shinigami. The academy student possessed absurd physical strength. But he had a trump card up his sleeve ¡ª his Resurri¨®n. He clenched his jaw and spat out the words to release hisplete power, ¡°Bite¡ª¡± Kazuya pushed the sword a tad deeper, effortlessly slicing through Ggio¡¯s Hierro and drawing a crimson line across Ggio¡¯s throat. ¡°Where is the other Vice-Captain?¡± Ggio gritted his teeth. ¡°We have nothing to do with her disappearance. She was taken by some masked girl.¡± ¡°Describe her. What did her mask look like?¡± ¡°ck hair... She had ck hair. And her mask, it was shaped like a diamond with two slits.¡± Ggio honestly answered every question. It hadn¡¯t been long since he became an Arrancar from an Adjuchas ¡ª he had so many unfulfilled goals. Kazuya heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°Why did you attack us?¡± ¡°That¡­ I¡ª¡± Zommari red furiously at Ggio. ¡°Silence. You¡¯ve disgraced yourself more than Menoly. I should cut you down myself.¡± Ggio raised his brows. ¡°Fucking help me out or fuck off.¡± Kazuya couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. As expected of Espada, they turned on each other the moment things got tough. It was impossible for them to act as one unit in any given timeline. ¡°Excellent team synergy.¡± Zommari pointed at Kazuya. ¡°A man with your strength should feel ashamed of taking hostages.¡± ¡°Huh? When did I say I was taking hostages?¡± ¡°Wait, wait, wait.¡± Ggio grew panicked at the thought of death. ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡± Kazuya silenced him with a hand over his mouth, forcing the whip sword deeper. Zommari once again tried to stop him with his high-speed movement. Having anticipated Zommari¡¯s actions, he used Shunpo ahead to reposition again and again, each instance digging his sword deeper into Ggio¡¯s throat. Zommari could only watch with wide eyes as the de cut through Ggio¡¯s flesh and bones and decapitated him. The headless body lost its footing and fell to the ground. Kazuya raised Ggio¡¯s head in a moment of triumph before dropping it to the ground. Reversing his whip sword transformation, he made twin muskets and shot Rangiku, who was seemingly at death¡¯s door. mes engulfed her body, weaving a cocoon around her. When the cocoon dissipated, all her injuries had been healed. Her breathing reached an even pace, yet she showed no signs of waking up any time soon. ¡®The battle took its toll on her.¡¯ Rangiku could¡¯ve put up a great fight if not for the automatic seal ced on her by the Senkaimon. Even if she wasn¡¯t able to defeat these Arrancars, she most certainly wouldn¡¯t have received life-threatening injuries. {Don¡¯t forget her soul is kind of iplete after Aizen took that out of her.} He reverted his muskets to the whip sword and pointed at Zommari. ¡°You wanna talk now or do I have to kill more of your colleagues?¡± He still couldn¡¯t get the full picture of Aizen¡¯s strategy at y. It was neither to kill Rangiku or Nanao nor was it to get Ulquiorra to kill him. Otherwise, Ulquiorra would¡¯ve used his Resurri¨®n from the get-go to finish the job. Ulquiorra was trying to assess him while stalling time for an unknown purpose. ¡°Damn you, you arrogant Shinigami,¡± Zommari roared at the top of his lungs, his eyes aze with fury. ¡°I¡¯ll make you pay for this.¡± Zommari finally lost his calm. He held his Zanpakut¨­ horizontally before releasing his grip one finger at a time. Kazuya knew Zommari was performing the release of his Resurri¨®n. Stopping Zommari was pointless, as any injury he received would be healed after the release. He alsocked the means to insta-kill Zommari without revealing hisplete hand. Shifting his attention to Loly and Toshiro¡¯s battle, he made a split-second decision. He shstepped to Loly and stomped her arm. The force of the stomp shattered her centipede-like arm into brittle bone fragments, oozing a white, mucus-like fluid. Loly¡¯s face contorted in agony and she unleashed a guttural scream. ¡°Arghhh. You¡ªfuck you!¡± She swung her other arm in retaliation. But Kazuya was quicker. With a swift sh, he severed her arm at the base, then plunged his de into her forehead. Her single eye widened in shock before life drained from her. As he pulled the de, she copsed, motionless ¡ª dead. Toshiro¡¯s face lit up with a relieved smile upon seeing Kazuya safe and sound. ¡°Nii-san made a joke out of her. Our gap is like heaven and earth.¡± He had struggled alongside Rangiku against Loly, yet Kazuya had dispatched her effortlessly. ¡°Nii-san, where is Momo?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Momo. Take Rangiku and leave. I¡¯ll finish these idiots and meet up with you.¡± He couldn¡¯t let Zommari use Toshiro against him. It was better to face him alone. ¡°I see¡­¡± Toshiro reverted his Shikai transformation and sheathed his Zanpakut¨­. ¡°There is something I should tell you. A girl wearing a mask took Vice-Captain Ise. She seemed to know the Vice-Captain, which is very odd.¡± Kazuya ruffled Toshiro¡¯s hair affectionately. ¡°Got it. Now, hurry.¡± Toshiro nodded and departed with novice Shunpo skills. Kazuya refocused on Zommari. The Espada was now engulfed in a thick, white, foamy liquid, mixing in with his violet Reiatsu. As the foam receded, Zommari¡¯s transformed figure was revealed ¡ª a grotesque form adorned with numerous eyes scattered across his body. His lower half resembled a pink, pumpkin-like structure, ringed by cyclopean faces echoing his own. A skull-shaped neck brace with an open eye on the front covered his neck. Chapter 182: The Curtain Rises Chapter 182: The Curtain Rises Zommari clearly remembered the n, which was quite easy to follow. He also knew that Kazuya was meant to engage Ulquiorra during their part in the power nt. To defeat Ulquiorra, who was currently the strongest Espada, in a short period proved Kazuya¡¯s strength. Understanding the limits of his own abilities, Zommari harbored no illusions of defeating Kazuya in a directbat. However, his Resurri¨®n could massively shift tides in his favor. He stretched his palm towards Kazuya. The golden eye on his palm shimmered ominously, and the ck dot in the eye¡¯s center rapidly expanded. ¡°Your end is nigh.¡± Kazuya was well aware of Zommari¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Brujeria¡¯s ability dubbed ¡®Amor¡¯. The ability took full control over one object, which could even be a living being¡¯s limb. With each eye capable of dominating a single target, Zommari could manipte up to fifty objects simultaneously. Furthermore, there was no established rule that a massive difference in Reiatsu ss would negate the control effect. The only downside to Amor was its inability to guard againstrge-scale attacks like Byakuya¡¯s Senbonzakura. His own mes also had the power to purify effects. Without further dy, he closed the distance with Shunpo and shed the eye living in Zommari¡¯s palm. His boldness in confronting an enemy with unfamiliar powers momentarily caught Zommari unprepared. However, Zommari was no rookie and had countless years of battle experience as an Adjuchas. He immediately blinked a distance away with Son¨ªdo, eyes ring at Kazuya with a crazed look. ¡°The insolence,¡± Zommari growled like a beast, and the eye in his palm glowed purple with his Reiatsu. ¡°You¡¯ll pay for your arrogance by losing your right arm.¡± A ck sun-shaped tattoo bloomed on the back of Kazuya¡¯s hand ¡ª the mark of Amor. {The ability works like a Kid¨­ spell. It must be why it¡¯s working on you¡­ that said, how dare he mark my beloved¡¯s perfect body with his taint! Let me out, Partner. I shall ughter this man¡­ starting with burning every eye on his body then incinerating his pumpkin body.} Nami turned extremely passionate and hostile when it involved him or his body. She¡¯d undoubtedly devour Zommari if he let her out. ¡°Your right arm is under my dominion,¡± Zommari, on the other side, boasted pridefully and pointed up at the sky. ¡°Like the subordinates are the subject to their superiors. The clouds are subject to the wind. People are subject to their kings. With my Brujeria, I can overrule any established authority and grant it my dominion.¡± Kazuya¡¯s ability, ¡®Oppression,¡¯ mirrored the mechanics of Zommari¡¯s Brujeria in some ways, yet its effects were less convoluted. Engaging Zommari in his Hollow form promised a more exhrating duel, one Kazuya might have relished under different circumstances. Zommari took Kazuya¡¯s silence as him being lost and confused. ¡°It must be difficult to understand the concept of sovereignty for an arrogant man such as yourself. You have my sympathy. Many things in this universe are iprehensible for those whock wisdom.¡± ¡°A sophisticated way to call someone an idiot. Well, aren¡¯t you also stupid for preaching knowledge to someone you consider an idiot?¡± ¡°Pitiful creature, your arrogance has blinded you. I shall open your eyes.¡± Zommari slowly raised his hand and beckoned. ¡°Right arm¡­ cut off his left arm. Punish his imprudence.¡± Kazuya looked at his arm, which suddenly moved against his will. Although he could feel every sensation in his limb, he had lostmand over it. Swiftly, he transformed his whip sword into twin muskets, firing a shot at point-nk range at the mark of Amor. The radiant mes covered his right arm and erased the mark of Amor. He easily extinguished the dominion of Zommari¡¯s Zanpakut¨­. Zommari looked on, utterly befuddled, as if unable toprehend the ridiculous move Kazuya just pulled. He maintained the silence for longer than a moment, as though awaiting an exnation from Kazuya. ¡°When in doubt, burn things down.¡± Kazuya assumed his whip sword and pointed at Zommari. ¡°I¡¯ll wrap it up fast, pumpkin man.¡± Clenching his jaw, Zommari glowered. The many thin slits on his forehead opened in a snap, revealing eight more eyes hidden underneath. ¡°You think you overcame my Amor with that? I¡¯ll make you witness your glorious death.¡± A ck sun mark appeared on every part of Kazuya¡¯s body. He extended his whip sword and let the mes engulf him. Every mark was cleansed in an instance. ¡°Nonsense!¡± Zommari growled. ¡°Take it, take it, take my Amor! Take it!!!¡± Every attempt ended in the same way ¡ª Kazuya cleansing the mark almost immediately. Stripped of his control ability, Zommari was even weaker than his base Hollow form. His movements were quite impaired as a glorified pumpkin. Kazuya arrived before Zommari, who seemed hopeless. ¡°Mercy.¡± ¡°Nothing for you.¡± He straight away plunged his zing sword into the heart of the Espada. The searing tip of his weapon, engulfed in mes, tore through Zommari¡¯s pristine white garb and impaled him. Simultaneously, a sinister ck tattoo emerged on the back of Kazuya¡¯s hand, wresting control of his arm away from him. However, Kazuya¡¯s mes were swift and relentless, consuming the mark of Amor in moments. This briefpse, though fleeting, was a substantial advantage in a battle between Captain-ss individuals. Zommari seized the chance and vanished using Son¨ªdo, reappearing hundreds of meters away. Kazuya gave chase, but the Espada evaded him again in the same manner, clinging to hopes of survival. Despite having the speed and power advantage, Kazuya couldn¡¯t swiftly dispatch Zommari. The small moment of control allowed Zommari to run endless interferences with his body and continuously avoid a fatal attack. Nevertheless, Kazuya inflicted significant damage ¡ª his mes scorched Zommari¡¯s face, riddled his attire with holes, and even maimed parts of his lower half. Gradually, the umtion of injuries began to take their toll on Zommari. ¡°Man, stop being annoying. Just die already.¡± Zommari huffed, beads of sweat covering his forehead. Out of choices, he turned to the corpses of his deadrades, and his purple Reiatsu filled his eyes. The ck sun tattoo appeared on Loly¡¯s forehead, whereas it was present on Ggio¡¯s limbs. Loly rose up stiffly, as if she was a mannequin, and stared at Kazuya with lifeless eyes. Ggio¡¯s headless body, standing up with a katana in hand, was a scene straight from a nightmare. Misinterpreting Kazuya¡¯s reaction as fear, Zommari¡¯s confidence returned. ¡°You fake god of death, learn the life of a vermin and be one.¡± Loly lunged at Kazuya with her one poisonous centipede arm. Ggio also dashed at Kazuya. The fallen Espada pincered him from both sides, their speed no less than the time they were alive. Yet, unexpectedly, they halted mere inches from striking Kazuya and retreated to Zommari¡¯s side. They both turned their attention to an area where Rangiku¡¯s blood stained the ground. The space fluctuated akin to a Garganta opening but was far more stable. Then, a massive eastern-style door materialized out of nowhere. From the Senkaimon, many familiar figures walked out ¡ª Captain Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain Isshin Shiba, and Vice-Captain Isane Kotetsu arrived with her squad as medical staff. A host of lower-ranking Shinigami trailed behind them. Zommari¡¯s mouth split in a disturbing grin. He joined his palm in a praying gesture. Every eye on Zommari¡¯s body expanded, filled with violet, miasma-like Reiatsu. {Fuck this timing.} Chapter 183: In the Heart of the Blaze Chapter 183: In the Heart of the ze Isane felt her heart sink as she stepped through the Senkaimon. The sight of blood-stained grounds and the tumultuous waves of spiritual energy churning through the air repulsed her. She had prayed for everyone¡¯s safety when they traversed the Senkaimon, but that hope crumbled in mere moments ¡ª Rangiku and Nanao¡¯s Reiatsu had vanished from the face of the earth. Being so familiar with the two, she could¡¯ve sensed her friends¡¯ Reiatsu for an upward of a dozen miles. Sharing the same duties, she had expected this to happen eventually. But the actual loss, the possibility of never exchanging farewells, was a cruelty she had never prepared for. ¡°Nanao-chan¡­¡± Turning her head, she saw Captain Shunsui Kyoraku carrying a gloomy expression. She may have lost her friends, but he lost his Vice-Captain ¡ª for the second time. Nanao Ise was the whole reason behind him volunteering for this mission. Her attention was abruptly pulled above by a familiar Reiatsu. Kazuya hovered in the air, surrounded by bright, almost ethereal mes. The mes emerged from his Zanpakut¨­ ¡ª a weapon carrying the essence of a whip and a sword. Seeing him safe and sound filled her with a sense of relief. Her feelings evaporated the moment she saw his opponents ¡ª the Arrancars the 12th Squad had reported to the Captain Commander. With a multitude of eyes dotting his body, the Hollow was one of the freakiest monstrosities in the world. He was nked by two Arrancars ¡ª a girl with a stab wound in forehead and a headless man. They should be dead, yet they lived through some twisted ability. Even more sinister than the pair was the smirk ying on the dark-skinned Arrancar¡¯s face. The raw sadism behind the sinister smirk sent shivers down her spine. ¡°Amor.¡± Suddenly, every eye on his body glowed purple. Sensing a spike in Reiatsu, Isane drew her Zanpakut¨­ to intercept the attack. So did Captain Isshin Shiba. However, Captain Kyoraku had a different n in mind ¡ª he shstepped out of their sight, his Reiatsu growing fainter with each passing moment. ¡ªShunsui departed to search for his Vice-Captain. ¡°Captain Kyoraku?!¡± ¡°Focus on the battle at hand, Vice-Captain Kotetsu.¡± Isshin kicked the ground and leaped at the Arrancars. ¡°Kazu boy, go rest. We¡¯ll take over.¡± ¡°You pretenders,¡± the ck-skinned Arrancar dered solemnly. ¡°Your body belongs to me, Zommari Rureaux, Espada #3.¡± Isshin froze right before his sword found its mark on Zommari¡¯s chest. He turned the sword on himself. His hands quivered, fighting against Espada¡¯s control, but it was futile. ¡°W-What the heck?¡± Isane shuddered at the abnormal scene of Captain Shiba trying to stab himself ¡ª trying to stop his hands from killing him. She rushed to his side and spotted an ominous tattoo resembling a ck sun on the back of Isshin¡¯s hands ¡ª and then, to her disbelief, on her own. Before she could even process this bewildering development, a sinister force seized control of her limbs. Just like Isshin, her hands moved against her will and aimed the sword at her own heart. A cold, numbing dread filled her as she realized the same grim fate had befallen every Shinigami who had apanied her through the Senkaimon. Paralyzed and vulnerable, they stood frozen. Strangely, they didn¡¯t turn their sword on themselves or each other. It didn¡¯t stop them from panicking. Amidst the discord, the headless Arrancar Ggio Vega moved explosively with his high-speed movement technique and appeared in the ranks of frozen Shinigami. His sword, glowing with an unnatural white light, delivered a brutal sh across a Shinigami¡¯s chest. ¡°Stop!¡± Isshinmanded, his entire being strained against the invisible force controlling him. ¡°What is this?!¡± Neither he nor Isane came prepared for an ability that controlled the body. As a matter of fact, they had nevere across such an ability in their entire career or even heard about it. ¡°Arrghh,¡± Isane roared, drawing out high-level Reiatsu and every fiber of her willpower to resist the control. But despite her efforts, the de inched ever closer to her heart, piercing her Shihakush¨­ and skin. The pain, though sharp, was nothingpared to the terror she felt. The thought of having such a loathsome death terrified her. More terrifying was the thought of never seeing her Captain again. The image of Unohana, who was akin to her mother, crying at her grave twisted her heart. ¡®I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t die.¡¯ She looked towards Kazuya for help, who happened to be aiming muskets at her and Captain Shiba for some odd reason. Even in this crisis, he seemed calm ¡ª almost too calm for an ungraduated Shinigami. His confidence, however, sparked a tiny hope ¡ª that he might be able to save her. Bang. Bang. mes trailed the bullets, one hitting her chest, the other finding its mark in Captain Shiba. A zing fire engulfed her, however, she felt no sensation from the fire itself, only its warmth. The agony in her chest disappeared, so did the ck marks on her limbs. Regaining control of her limbs, she quickly withdrew her Zanpakut¨­ from her chest. Meanwhile, Kazuya swung his whip sword, and its de coiled around Zommari¡¯s neck like a snake. Only the skull-shaped neck brace separated his sword and Zommari¡¯s neck. Oddly enough, Zommari¡¯s reaction was far from fear. Throwing his hands in the air, he celebrated like a lunatic. ¡°Banzai! Banzai!¡± Kazuya could sense an anomaly in Zommari¡¯s behavior, but he couldn¡¯t let go of the opportunity. Pouring more and more Reiatsu into his mes, he empowered his mes. The mes began melting the neck brace and soon spread to his entire body. Yet he continued his fanatic chants. ¡°Las Noches, Banzai! Lord de Las Noches, Banzai!¡± Kazuya nced towards Isane. The injuries inflicted upon the Shinigami were serious but not fatal, something within the realm of healing through Kaido. Isane was already at work, applying her healing techniques to a Shinigami who kneeled before her. The worrying part was that every Shinigami attacked by Ggio showed simr symptoms. He was familiar with these symptoms. Kazuya clenched his jaw. ¡°Isane, get away from him.¡± Whether she didn¡¯t hear him or ignored his warning, Isane continued her healing efforts, as if she couldn¡¯t sense the pure Hollow Reiatsu emanating from the Shinigami. ¡®Fuck.¡¯ His focus, however, remained unshaken as his whip sword burned through Zommari Rureaux¡¯s neck brace. The de tightened and tightened until it severed Zommari¡¯s head from his body. ¡°The miracle of samsara, Banzai!¡± Zommari rejoiced as his head flew through the air, his hands eerily repeating the celebratory gesture. ¡°I fulfilled my mission¡­ Banzai¡­¡± With ast cheer, Zommari dissolved into ck ashes. His death killed Ggio and Loly for the second time, and freed the rest of the Shinigami. Chapter 184: The Embers Chapter 184: The Embers The man Isane was healing began coughing violently. He vomited a gooey white liquid that eerily drifted to cover his face, taking the form of a Hollow-like mask. A deep, guttural roar, more akin to a beast than a man, escaped his throat. Isane stepped back in horror, unable toprehend the horrifying transformation. She had never seen or heard about the concept of ¡®Hollowification¡¯. The Shinigami, now almost resembling a Hollow, lunged at her with a feral aggression. Abandoning his sword, he wed at her like a wild animal. Reacting on pure instinct, Isane raised her Zanpakut¨­ to defend herself, her mind racing to make sense of the chaos. ¡°Captain Shiba-san!¡± Isane yelled, her gaze darting across the battlefield, only to be met with simr scenes of horror. Shinigami after Shinigami underwent the same grotesque transformation, turning into creatures they were trained to fight. Amidst the turmoil, Kazuya appeared beside her and sent the Hollow-Shinigami hybrid flying with a powerful kick. Grasping Isane¡¯s hand, he shstepped to the rtive safety of a distant tower. ¡°This is madness,¡± he whispered, surveying the chaotic battlefield of Shinigami and Shinigami-turned-Hollows. The only way to stabilize the Shinigami¡¯ soul undergoing Hollowification was through H¨­gyoku. And the owner of H¨­gyoku lived in the same town. Aizen¡¯s goal became extremely clear in his mind. Almost everything that happened before the Captains arrived was a sideshow: Ulquiorra was stalling him to allow the other Espada to rampage and force the Gotei 13 into sendingrge reinforcements. Aizen¡¯s main goal was to let the Espada infect as many Shinigami as possible and guilt-trip Kisuke into revealing the H¨­gyoku. Despite being a calcting individual, Kisuke was one with a kind heart. There was simply no timeline in which Kisuke would let almost fifty Shinigami die when saving them was as simple as waving his hand. The moment Kisuke revealed the H¨­gyoku would be the moment Aizen took initiative. {Cunning bastard. Has he really found a way to take care of Yamamoto?} Kazuya thought back to all the changes from the canon timeline. The first and most important change was Muramasa¡¯s early awakening, who could steal even Yamamoto¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. ¡®Aizen could¡¯ve gained his cooperation?¡¯ {Oh shit.} ¡®We can¡¯t let him take both H¨­gyokus.¡¯ Isane tugged at his sleeve, tears glistening in her eyes, clearly overwhelmed by the Hollowification. ¡°K-Kazuya, why have the Shinigami... turned into Hollows?¡± He shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. All I can say is that using Kaido won¡¯t help them.¡± His Resurri¨®n could solve their problem, but he would never sacrifice his identity for a bunch of no namers. He¡¯d dly take the risk to save Isane or Rangiku. Isshin appeared above him, his expression genuinely chilling. ¡°They are no longer ourrades in arms.¡± He clenched his fists tightly. ¡°Kazuya, Kotetsu, I have a request. Help me immobilize them.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Kazuya ced a hand on Isane¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Let us handle it. I can¡¯t afford to risk your life.¡± She shook her head. ¡°I can help.¡± The Vice-Captain of 4th Squad acted stubborn, despite knowing her limitations. Her unarmed fighting was simply not on the same level as other Vice-Captains. She still wanted to help. ¡°Just don¡¯t get hit by their attacks.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try!¡± Kazuya deactivated his Shikai and sprang into action, followed by Isshin and Isane. It was an effortless task for him. The number continued to grow as the infected Shinigami attacked the non-infected and Hollowified them, but theirbined effort stopped the Hollowfied Shinigamis¡¯ assault. They quickly immobilized and bound the infected Shinigami. ¡­ Isane¡¯s gaze trembled as she spotted the uniforms of fallen Shinigami the ground, symbols of those who couldn¡¯t survive the infection and sumbed to Soul Suicide. The loss on their side was staggering ¡ª twenty transformed into Hollows, five lost to Soul Suicide. Isshin walked up to her. ¡°Vice-Captain Kotetsu, I sent a transmission to the Soul Society. They¡¯ll soon dispatch personnel to collect these Hollowfied Shinigami.¡± ¡°I see. What about Rangiku and Nanao? Kazuya, did you see¡­ them?¡± Kazuya, who was gazing into the distance, turned his attention to their conversation. His eyes softened at her expectations. ¡°They both are alive as far as I know. I¡¯ll bring them back.¡± Isane¡¯s posture slumped as if a massive weight was lifted off of her shoulders. ¡°What a relief¡­¡± Isshin couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. Despite taking care of Arrancars, Kazuya didn¡¯t look exhausted and volunteered to take another task. He had chosen the right candidate to seed him. ¡°What about the students?¡± ¡°I have no idea, but they should be safe.¡± ¡°Okay. Want me toe along?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± Isshin shrugged and left to watch over the Hollowfied Shinigami. He had unhesitatingly entrusted Kazuya with the life of almost forty people. Isane, however, didn¡¯t seem convinced as she stepped in to block his path. ¡°Kazuya, take me with you. I can heal¡ª¡± He gently held her shoulders. ¡°Isane, tend to the injured here. I¡¯ll take care of the rest with my Shikai. You saw its healing power yourself.¡± Persuaded by his soothing voice, she unconsciously nodded her head. ¡°Please find them. I¡¯m begging you¡­¡± ¡°I will.¡± He nted a kiss on her forehead before flying out to follow Yoruichi¡¯s trails. As he glided over the devastatedndscape of the power nt, his attention was drawn to a faint, unique Reiatsu ¡ª a blend of both Shinigami and Hollow energies. He had caught its traces earlier but the chaotic Reiatsu of Hollowfied Shinigami ran interferences in his senses. ¡°There it is¡­ oh shit.¡± Amidst the debris of a ruined building, he found a sight that made him shiver. An Arrancary copsed, her body gruesomely damaged, having lost her entire left side to the searing poison of a certain centipede-like Arrancar. The scene was more haunting than the surreal sight of a headless Arrancar returning to life. {She didn¡¯t even spare her duo. What a toxic bitch.} ¡®Menoly. Wasn¡¯t she like this when Grimmjow killed her?¡¯ {Yup. You can outrun death but you can¡¯t outrun your fate! The canon will catch up to you sooner orter.} He shook his head andnded before her. As if registering his presence, she feebly turned her nk gaze to him and reached out with a shaky hand ¡ª her only hand. ¡°You¡­ kill me¡­¡± {Where have I heard those words before¡­? Ah, our resident goth madame uttered the same words.} ¡®Another girl for El Inverso.¡¯ He bent down and grasped her hand. ¡°Do you want to die as an Espada or do you want to live as yourself?¡± ¡°Live¡­¡± She spoke without hesitation. ¡°Help me¡­ live¡­ Please.¡± ¡°Got you.¡± Chapter 185-186: The Illusion Chapter 185-186: The Illusion Renji Abarai was grappling with a day that defied all his expectations of reality. What had started as an ordinary field trip with his ssmates had spiraled into an extraordinary crisis, plunging him deeper and deeper into unimaginable dangers. The shock of narrowly escaping death had barely settled in his mind when the situation took another bizarre turn ¡ª he encountered a talking cat who had taken the form of his friend¡¯s pet. He could¡¯ve taken the cat as a hallucination if his ssmates didn¡¯t see the same thing. The sleek ck cat had promised him safety, speaking in the voice of a wise old man. With no other options, Renji and his ssmates put their trust in this unlikely guide. As they followed the cat through the streets of Karakura Town, Renji couldn¡¯t help but feel increasingly skeptical about his decision. ¡®What if the cat was a Hollow in disguise?¡¯ The thought wasn¡¯tpletely without a reason. He had seen Hollows take simr form to humans. Nothing stopped them from bing cats. Yoruichi suddenly stopped in front of a modest house, her piercing eyes scanning the area for someone or something. ¡°Yoruichi-san, are we here?¡± Renji asked, looking up at the sign hanging from the house. ¡°Urahara Shop?¡± ¡°I sense Shiro.¡± Renji skeptically followed her gaze and spotted a familiar silhouette in the distance, leaping from rooftop to rooftop with lightning speed. Toshiro Hitsugaya, carrying Rangiku Matsumoto on his shoulders,nded gracefully in front of Yoruichi and carefully set her down on the ground. ¡°She¡¯s quite heavy,¡± he grumbled between deep breaths, clearly exhausted after battling Espada. ¡°Thanks, Renji. Tracking your Reiatsu was easy.¡± Renji couldn¡¯t help but shrug sheepishly. ¡°I¡¯m trying to control it, you know?¡± ¡°Shiro,¡± Yoruichi interjected firmly. ¡°What¡¯s happening over there?¡± ¡°The Vice-Captain is missing, and Kazuya Nii-san has taken down two Espada,¡± Toshiro reported. ¡°He¡¯s currently fighting thest one.¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t there originally four?¡± Yoruichi asked. ¡°Or was one of them not an Espada?¡± ¡°They betrayed their fourth.¡± ¡°Animals,¡± Yoruichi whispered, shaking her head. ¡°Wait, Toshiro.¡± Renji grabbed onto Toshiro¡¯s shoulders. ¡°You knew Yoruichi could talk?¡± ¡°Since day one,¡± Toshiro replied with a shrug, brushing off Renji¡¯s hand. ¡°Momo knows it too.¡± Renji clicked his tongue in annoyance. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± ¡°I told him not to,¡± Yoruichi interjected, tapping her paws impatiently against the closed door. ¡°Urahara, open up already.¡± ¡°Coming~,¡± sang a cheerful voice from the other side of the door, its owner casually opening it as if he wasn¡¯t eavesdropping on them from the other side. ¡°Ohhh, Yoruichi-san came with her friends.. a group of friends.¡± Yoruichi looked at him with an unamused gaze. Despite the chaotic spiritual energies swirling around the town, he seemed unfazed. It was obvious that he was putting on a facade. ¡°Shelter these kids until the Soul Society acts.¡± Bringing the students here was an enormous gamble that could potentially sabotage their mission. However, she couldn¡¯t help it. Protecting innocent students took priority at the moment. Kisuke responded with a warm smile, fanning his face with his hand in aforting yet slightly annoying gesture. ¡°Sure~. As long as they pay the price.¡± Yoruichi knew exactly what price he was referring to ¡ª the loss of their memories once this entire ordeal was over. Renji looked visibly rmed at the mention of the price. ¡°What do you want...?¡± Renji asked, scratching his cheek sheepishly. ¡°I mean, do you want Living World¡¯s currency?¡± Yoruichi chuckled. The young Shinigami wanted to hide his financial situation at any cost. ¡°The price is obviously your soul,¡± Toshiro said nonchntly. ¡°Yoruichi-san, can we trust this man?¡± ¡°Yeah. He is my old friend.¡± Kisuke waved his cane dismissively and kicked the door open. ¡°You all can talk inside. Shoo now.¡± Yoruichi rolled her eyes at his carefree attitude and turned to address the students. ¡°Follow me.¡± ¡°Yoruichi-san, please don¡¯t take them to the basement~,¡± Kisuke hollered. ¡°You¡¯ll anger the guests.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s cat-like hiss reached him, making him chuckle. The moment the door closed behind thest student, Kisuke¡¯s demeanor shifted. The tip of his hat raised slightly, revealing eyes that were suddenly sharp and prating. ¡°It¡¯s been a while¡­ Aizen-san.¡± Unbeknownst to Yoruichi, Aizen had been silently stalking her through the night, concealed by his Reiatsu-concealing cloak and the twisted illusions of his Zanpakut¨­. But Kisuke, with his keen eye for detail and a heightened awareness of spiritual energy, could not be so easily fooled. He had spotted the small grains of Reiatsu bending light to conceal Aizen the moment he stepped out of his shop. Yet, Aizen didn¡¯t undo his Kid¨­ as if refusing to acknowledge defeat. ¡®Typical egoist behavior.¡¯ Kisuke stood there, his gaze boring into the spot. As he began to doubt his instincts, an amiable chuckle echoed. A hand swept away an iridescent curtain of light, revealing Aizen in his seemingly harmless guise, a facade that fooled many but not Kisuke Urahara. ¡°Kisuke Urahara and Urahara Shop¡­ quite a courageous move to hide in in sight.¡± Never could Aizen have predicted such a foolish move from Kisuke Urahara, the only man who mighte close to being his equal. Kisuke clenched his fist around his cane. Aizen¡¯s deep voice and warm smile had haunted and mocked Kisuke ever since that night. Facing Aizen under the moonlight, he couldn¡¯t help but feel shivers. ¡°...Forgive my prudence, Aizen-san. I¡¯m still a criminal in the eyes of Gotei 13. I have no one but you to thank for that.¡± Kisuke suddenly drew his Zanpakut¨­ from its sheath and pointed his de at Aizen. ¡°Awaken, Benihime.¡± The cane melded into a sleek sword, its hilt bending at the end. Aizen was one of the few individuals to witness his Shikai twice. Without warning, Kisuke shstepped behind and shed Aizen¡¯s neck ¡ª his blind spot. The sh carried every bit of his hatred for the man who destroyed many lives for his amusement, for his ego. A burst of vibrant crimson energy surged forth in a sweeping arc, carrying more destruction than mid-level Kid¨­ spells cast with long chants. A green hexagonal barrier suddenly emerged behind Aizen and erged in an instant. However destructive Benihime¡¯s ability may be, the hexagonal absorbed it all before discharging its dispersed energy towards Kisuke. Seeing his surprise attack fail miserably, Kisuke retreated with Shunpo and hovered in the sky. ¡°You have nted a Mill¨®n Escudo in your blind spot. So terrified of getting jumped, are we?¡± He knew deep down that a single sneak attack wouldn¡¯t be enough to defeat Aizen, but he had to try. After all, innovation oftenes from countless failed attempts. He could have never reached any breakthroughs if he gave up just because something seemed absurd on paper. Aizen calmly observed Kisuke, as if he didn¡¯t register Kisuke¡¯s attempt to assassinate him. ¡°ming others for your problems and responding to civility with hostility¡­ When did you be such a ¡®loser¡¯?¡± ¡°Look at me, Aizen-san. A middle-aged man who can¡¯t afford a salon visit because his candy shop isn¡¯t popr with kids. Isn¡¯t that the very definition of a loser?¡± Kisuke attempted to deceive Aizen by self-deprecating humor, hoping to catch him off guard. But Aizen remainedposed, refusing to give any hint of vulnerability that could be exploited. Aizen shook his head as if deeply disappointed in Kisuke. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate that the imbeciles ruling the Soul Society ruined a brilliant mind. Had you utilized your full potential, no meager authority in this world could have stopped you.¡± ¡°Life rarely goes in the direction we want it to go.¡± ¡°The logic of a loser. A winner dictates the world as it should be, not how it should be.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s agree to disagree.¡± Kisuke ced a hand atop his hat and gazed up at Aizen with an unwavering smile. ¡°What brings Aizen-san out here tonight? Are you not afraid of being seen with an exiled Shinigami like myself?¡± ¡°The creator of ¡®H¨­gyoku¡¯. I¡¯m here for him.¡± Kisuke remainedposed upon learning Aizen¡¯s reason for seeking him out. However, a flicker of surprise crossed his face when a ferocious roar echoed in the distance, reminiscent of a chilling night over a century ago. A night that forever altered the lives of many, including Kisuke. ¡°Aizen-san, you did it again¡­ What do you get out of tormenting innocents?¡± The implications of Aizen¡¯s actions were clear ¡ª he had once again set in motion the cruel process of Hollowification on unsuspecting victims. Aizen gave Kisuke more and more reasons to hate him. ¡°I¡¯m simply giving Shinji more ¡®friends¡¯. That is, if ¡®someone¡¯ can recreate their Hollow and Shinigami boundaries.¡± Aizen smiled coldly, cockiness oozing from him. ¡°Kisuke, hand me your H¨­gyoku. I¡¯ll help them.¡± Kisuke obviously couldn¡¯t meet anyone from the Gotei 13, much less save those suffering through the Hollowification process. He had to rely on external help if he wanted to help the victims ¡ª the simple fact allowed Aizen the opportunity to make unreasonable demands. ¡°Help them, you say? Don¡¯t have your own H¨­gyoku?¡± Aizen retrieved his H¨­gyoku from his pocket and held it up for Kisuke to see. ¡°Unfortunately, it has lost most of its energy.¡± ¡°I see.¡± He lowered the tip of his hat, hiding his expression. ¡°It¡¯s not my obligation to help those¡­ At the end of the day, I¡¯m an exile.¡± His selfishness weighed heavily on him as he thought of the potential lives at stake. But giving into Aizen¡¯s demands could lead to an even greater catastrophe ¡ª one that could spell doom for the entire Soul Society. ¡°Is that your stance? Will you show the same indifference to this?¡± With a snap of his fingers, Aizen lifted the illusion he had ced on Kisuke. Chapter 187: The Victim Chapter 187: The Victim Kisuke had run countless experiments in an attempt to counter Aizen¡¯s Shikai ability, but every idea met a dead end. No device or technique could help him when his senses were fed false information on all fronts. However, he knew the sight before him was no illusion. ¡°Yoruichi-san¡­¡± She sat unconscious within a transparent barrier shaped like a cube, her body bound by a thick ropemonly used by the Onmitsukid¨­ to subdue criminals and suppress their Reiatsu. He had sent off Yoruichi half a minute before he faced Aizen. The thought of Aizen defeating her in thirty seconds was outrageous, disrespectful even. After all, Yoruichi was one of the strongest Captains, having mastered Shunk¨­ and a multitude of assassination techniques. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a dissonance with facts and illusion. ¡°How long do you think passed while you stood here¡­ waiting for me to unravel my concealment Kid¨­?¡± Aizen held up one finger, then slowly raised each one until his hand was open. ¡°Five minutes. More than enough time to approach Yoruichi in disguise. Shepletely let her guard down around me because I looked, smelled, and acted just like her childhood friend to an extent¡­¡± Kisuke¡¯s grip on his Shikai weapon shook as the realization hit him like a tidal wave ¡ª Aizen¡¯s Ky¨­ka Suigetsu wasn¡¯t just an instrument for creating illusions; it also had the power to manipte one¡¯s perception of time. Aizen unsheathed his Zanpakut¨­ and admired the katana gleaming under the moonlight. ¡°A fascinating night to conduct¡ª¡± ¡°Rikuj¨­k¨­r¨­ (Six-Rod Light Restraint),¡± Kisuke whispered the name of Bakud¨­ #61 as he snuck up behind the distracted Aizen and touched his back. Six bright beams of energy shot towards Aizen¡¯s waist, enough to restrain a regr Vice-Captain. But Kisuke knew it would take more than one binding spell to hold Aizen. Not wasting a second, Kisuke pointed his finger at Aizen, invoking another kid¨­. ¡°Saj¨­ Sabaku (Ethereal Binding Chain).¡± A burst of yellow energy obeyed hismand and split into multiple thick ropes that wrapped around Aizen¡¯s torso. Despite rapidly casting two high-level Kid¨­ back-to-back, Kisuke wasn¡¯t done. He joined his index fingers before tracing an inverted triangle in the air. ¡°T¨­zansh¨­ (Inverted Mountain Crystal).¡± A brilliant blue energy responded to hismand, shooting forth and expanding into four points above Aizen. The points of light coalesced into an inverted pyramid, solidifying into a translucent barrier that encapsted Aizen within. Aizen stared wide-eyed, as if surprised by Kisuke¡¯s ability to quick-cast kid¨­ spells with no chant. ¡°Such highprehension of spiritual energy¡­¡± Kisuke ignored Aizen¡¯s whispers and punched the barrier around Yoruichi, shattering it into countless pieces. With Yoruichi in his arms, he turned to escape, nning his next move while retreating toward the safety of his shop. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you at least check on Yoruichi-san¡¯s well-being first, Kisuke?¡± Kisuke nced down at his arms, only to witness her body shattering into thousands of shimmering shards. Whipping around, he saw Aizen floating unscathed with a smug smile stered across his face. Yoruichi was still trapped by his side, enclosed in a perfect barrier that seemed to mock Kisuke¡¯s every effort to free her. Aizen unsheathed his katana again, its de coated with the same substance that induced the Hollowification state in Shinigami. He slid the de gently through the barrier and positioned it beneath Yoruichi¡¯s chin, threateningly close to her throat. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have made so many errors in the past. The simple conception of Yoruichi getting hurt ¡ª it took away yourposure. You¡¯re freaking out. You¡¯re losing grip on your strengths.¡± Aizen poured salt on Kisuke¡¯s wounds, relishing every moment of triumphing over the brilliant mind that precariously came close to his level. Kisuke lowered his hat, his eyes darting in the direction of battle between Espada and Kazuya. The battle had concluded, yet he couldn¡¯t feel the Reiatsu of hisst hope. ¡®He¡¯lle. I just have to stall for time.¡¯ Aizen let out a soft chuckle. ¡°The entire section of the town is under a Kid¨­ barrier. Even a Hado in the nies won¡¯t break the force field.¡± Kisuke looked up, his sharp, disdainful gaze boring a hole through Aizen. ¡°Proiming victory so cockily when you¡¯re holding my childhood friend hostage¡­ Aizen-san, you¡¯re quite shameless.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t hold anyone hostage. This¡­¡± Aizen replied calmly and deliberately lowered his sword to the center of Yoruichi¡¯s chest. ¡°Is an experiment to test the limitations of mutated Shih¨­in bloodline.¡± ¡°Aizen, stop! I¡¯ll give you the H¨­gyoku.¡± Kisuke desperately cast another Rikuj¨­k¨­r¨­ spell, but once again, Aizen shattered into shards and revealed himself as an illusion. As the illusion faded away, Aizen reappeared in a different spot and slowly drove the infected de into Yoruichi¡¯s chest. As he pulled back the blood-covered sword, Yoruichi¡¯s eyes snapped open. She started coughing and struggling against the thick rope. ¡°Aiz¡­ Aizen. You bastard¡­¡± Her blood boiled with rage, visible on her contorted face. She recalled being in Kisuke¡¯s home, conversing with Toshiro, before Aizen ¡ª disguised as Kisuke ¡ª lured her away under the pretense of an ¡®important¡¯ talk. She had let her guard down in her friend¡¯s home, allowing Aizen to trap her with a swift cast of Rikuj¨­k¨­r¨­ spell. She barely got the chance to utter a word as Aizen cast a series of chantless mid-level kid¨­ spells to incapacitate her. ¡°The hatred in those eyes¡­¡± Aizen said with a gentle smile. ¡°You seek to destroy me over prioritizing your survival¡­ the former leader of Onmitsukid¨­ hasn¡¯t lost her touch.¡± ¡°As if this can kill me,¡± Yoruichi growled before letting loose a fierce smirk. With the same unyielding spirit, she looked at Kisuke, who stared at her with wide eyes. ¡°Kisuke, stop being a dramatic pussy. I¡¯ll smash this bastard once I be a Hollow.¡± Her time spent with Kazuya and all the friendlydies around him had changed her perception of Hollows. Bing a Hollow was a far better alternative to letting Aizen manipte Kisuke into revealing H¨­gyoku and achieving his ambitious goals. Just then, Yoruichi¡¯s spiritual pressure perception registered a familiar Reiatsu, prompting her to turn her head. ¡®Huh? Isn¡¯t that¡­¡¯ A tide of crimson petals cascaded from the sky, swirling and coalescing into a tempest fiery. The tempest slowed down, the person who emerged wasn¡¯t her friend, but¡­ a woman. Long, silver hair drifted around her, each strand gently waving to the rhythm of her Reiatsu. She even wore the same blindfold Kazuya wore in the first form of his Resurri¨®n. Yoruichi¡¯s mind reeled. The oppressive Reiatsu, the crimson mes, and even the familiar features ¡ª all the logic pointed towards the mysterious woman being herpanion. Having grown close to Kazuya, she refused to believe in a reality where he existed as a woman. It was simply ridiculous that she flirted with a woman all this time. ¡®Could he have gained the ability to switch genders? No, that¡¯s crazier than him switching races at will.¡¯ Yoruichi¡¯s pupils suddenly dted as a burning sensation welled up in her throat, a visceral urge to vomit overtaking her. She bashed her head against the barrier, fighting the barrier with every ounce of her will. As courageous as she was, shecked the strength to defy the naturalws. A/N: So¡­ uh¡­ Kazuya finally used his syatem to be a hot girl¡­ Chapter 188: The Hollowification of a Cat Chapter 188: The Hollowification of a Cat A/N: Here''s a reference for Kazuya''s temporary gal form (Jingliu from Honkai Star Rail) Spoiler [copse] ... It required immense self-control for Kazuya to finally utilize the gender-changing feature of his System. Now, he could step into the biggest fight and use his Hollow powers without anyone being able to link him to his Shinigami identity. The only traits he retained from ''Kazuya'' were a captivating voice and silver locks. Even his figure had shrunken down to 5''7". The only concern left now was Aizen, who had utterly dominated the battle with Kisuke. The perverted shopkeeper had backup ns prepared for everything except for Aizen''s powerful illusions. As he contemted, Yoruichi''s Hollowification reached its climax. The slimy white matter drifted to her face and formed her distinct Hollow Mask. To no one''s surprise, her Hollow mask took on the shape of a cat,plete with two sets of ears - onerge and one small. Three w-like marks etched above the hollow sockets for her eyes, while sharp canines filled her mouth with a fearsome appearance. {Yoruichi became¡­ cooler.} ''Surprise surprise.'' Suddenly, a pair of zing golden eyes ignited within the hollow sockets of her skull. With a deafening roar, she shattered her restraints and materialized in front of Aizen in an instant. Kazuya was taken aback, unable to sense even a trace of spiritual energy behind her lightning-fast movements. She relied not on Shunpo or Son¨ªdo, but on her own body to achieve this speed. She had alsopletely suppressed her spiritual energy, blending seamlessly into her surroundings as if she were one with nature itself. It was a monstrous disy of power and control that left everyone both impressed and terrified. Aizen''s piercing gaze widened in surprise as he saw Yoruichi''s fierce white ws approaching his face. As impressive as she was, she was far from the level of sessfully ambushing Aizen. Raising his katana in one hand, he casually blocked her flurry of offense. Her sharp ws could''ve torn any other Shinigami to shreds. Yet Aizen''s fluid and elegant sword skills easily deflected the extreme force behind her attacks. He made Hollowfied Yoruichi look weak, when in reality, she could floor your average Captain with ease. After all, she reached the realm of high-speed movement techniques with her body alone, making it extremely hard to track through a Shinigami''s innate spiritual pressure perception. Her fighting style abandoned any martial arts and purely relied on her bestial instincts, which made her unpredictable. Technically, she was one of the best fighters in the world, but shecked the crucial element that separated good fighters from great ¡ª intellect. In a high-stakes battle, where quick thinking and predicting the opponent''s next moves were paramount, her skillset fell quite short. Aizen''s lips curled upwards into a sly smile as he extended his left hand, fingers spread wide. With a flick of his wrist, a small orb appeared above his palm, pulsing with dark, otherworldly energy that seemed to bend and twist the air around it. "Hado #90, Kurohitsugi." Caught in a powerful torrent of gravity, Yoruichi was pulled down to the earth. A surge of dark energy erupted, its surface etched with intricate symbols that glowed ominously. The ck energy cracked and hummed before coalescing into a massive box-like structure that enveloped her. Massive spears pierced through the ck box, each going through Yoruichi and heavily wounding her. For once, Kazuya was grateful for his blindfold. Otherwise, someone sharp like Aizen could''ve easily discerned his raw concern for Yoruichi, making his gender switch useless. The chantless version of Kurohitsugi could heavily wound a Captain-ss. It was only natural for him to feel worried over his loved one''s safety. {Calm, Partner¡­ you can''t act like you care for her. We must y the role to perfection.} ''I know. I know.'' As the ck box vanished, Yoruichi''s bloodied body came into view. The once graceful figure was now marred with deep wounds, but even as they watched, the flesh and skin began to knit itself back together. The newly regenerated skin was covered in the signature-white armor of Hollows, adding an extrayer of menace to her already dangerous appearance. Yoruichi didn''t seem bothered and dashed past Aizen. Her sharp ws extended eagerly towards his back. As a natural hunter, she couldn''t not attack Aizen''s ''vulnerable'' spot. But just as she was about to make contact, a shimmering emerald shield materialized behind him, thwarting her mischievous assassination attempt and protecting him from harm. Unable to attack his back, she loomed over Aizen then appeared on his right. Bing a white blur, she moved in every direction, elerating even beyond her previous limits. After having fun stalking her prey, she pounced at him with her ws open. "Hiss." Aizen, catching a glimpse of her figure in the corner of his eye, smiled before impaling her chest with his katana. "Tremendous raw speed and explosiveness. It''s all wasted with a barbaric mind." He pulled back his right fist and threw a punch at her face. Her Hollow mask shattered, revealing a pale-skinned Yoruichi. "Bakud¨­ #99, Kin." At Kisuke''s ominous whisper, thick tendrils of dark spiritual fabric swirled around Yoruichi, tightly binding her arms behind her back. Desperate to break free, she strained against the tight grip, but her efforts were in vain as heavy metal weights appeared out of thin air and pressed her body firmly into the ground below. She couldn''t move an inch. Kisuke tipped his hat. "This is where I take my leave, Aizen-san. Thanks, and fuck you for everything~." "Stop right there, Kisuke," Kazuya called out, his blunt voice, although soft, was just as if not more enchanting for the two men present at the scene. "Where is my Tier?" He and Tier lived in the same town as Kisuke, so it''d be strange if he acted like they never ran into each other. "I don''t know. You should ask this man." Kisuke pointed an usatory finger at Aizen. "He''s responsible for everything that happened here." Aizen''s eyes widened momentarily before a hint of intrigue shed in his eyes. "You are the Vasto Lorde with Tier Harribel¡­ I was under the impression you were a man." "Disappointed that a woman slew the King of Hollows?" Kazuya smirked and let his Reiatsu loose ¡ª immediately a Reiatsu almost as dense as a Captain filled the air, the kid¨­ surrounding them creaking. "Scum of Soul Society. Where is my Tier? Don''t make me beat the answer out of you." Overbearing and authoritative ¡ª he tried to be consistent with the character Tier yed. Aizen chuckled. "The sheer arrogance¡­ I''m amazed you didn''t take the chance to rule Hueco Mundo. You''d have been a fine recement for Barragan." "Not interested in ying the ruler." Kazuya shook his head. "You leave me no choice. Kisuke, get out of here. You don''t want to be a bystander casualty." Kisuke spread his paper fan to cover his face. As he tapped his feet on the ground, an explosion of smoke filled the air, allowing Kisuke to retreat without leaving a trace. Kazuya clenched his fist, swearing to beat the ever-living hell out of Aizen. Chapter 189: The Shatter Chapter 189: The Shatter Kazuya dreaded the day he¡¯d have to face Aizen but he always tookfort in knowing that the day wouldn¡¯te for at least fifty years. His prediction turned out wrong. Extremely wrong. But he didn¡¯t feel like he¡¯d lose in a straight-up battle. In fact, he felt an overwhelming sense of confidence burning within him. After all, he had every bit of information on Aizen¡¯s abilities, but Aizen knew nothing about him. He held a massive advantage over Aizen. {I¡¯m stoked, Partner! Let¡¯s put him down like the fucking dog he is.} Nami¡¯s excitement made him chuckle. Casting his amusement aside, he assumed a serious expression. ¡°I just realized we didn¡¯t exchange names. Cazador is mine. What about you, Shinigami?¡± ¡°Aizen S¨­suke.¡± Kazuya nodded and used the unique ability of his Partial Resurri¨®n ¡ª Oppression ¡ª the only ability he needed to cripple Aizen¡¯s future ns in the Soul Society. Instantly, a surge of information flooded his mind, each detail meticulously recorded and analyzed by thebined power of his and Nami¡¯s extraordinary senses. He filtered out the irrelevant data, focusing solely on Aizen¡¯s Zanpakut¨­. From the sword''s physical properties to its spiritualposition ¡ª hemitted every detail to his memory. With a single thought, Kazuya imnted multiple weaknesses within Aizen¡¯s Zanpakut¨­. Aizen immediately sensed the changes in his Zanpakut¨­ and lifted it in response, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "I felt a surge of Reiatsu... Did you target my Zanpakut¨­ with your Resurri¨®n ability?" Even so, Aizen showed no signs of caution or fear. His confidence remained unshaken. How could he even lose to an Arrancar as the master of the greatest Hollow army in existence? Kazuya¡¯s lips curled into a smile. ¡°You think this is my Resurri¨®n? I¡¯m sorry, Aizen. You are wrong.¡± {Overdrive mode: God of Life and Death ready to engage!} He yanked off his blindfold and tossed it in the air. ¡°Sing, Phenex (The Great Demon Poet).¡± The blindfold stayed still momentarily then it transformed into a beam of intense red and ck, shooting through Kazuya with blinding speed. The beam grew into a me pir that connected him to the earth and continuously poured out scorching heat. The intensity of the mes was enough to melt away the kid¨­ barrier Gin had set up to conceal Aizen and Kisuke¡¯s faceoff. ¡°Fascinating,¡± Aizen whispered, watching the downpour of mes melting the earth. ¡°So much power was sealed in her small blindfold, and still her Reiatsu was on par with Senior Captains.¡± Aizen had anticipated that the Arrancar who defeated Barragan would possess exceptional power, but he never imagined it to be of this magnitude. On the basis of Reiatsu alone, the Arrancar before him could crush half of the Gotei 13. After what felt like an eternity, Aizen finally found a Hollow worthy to be his toy. Someone who could give him a challenge in his journey to recing the husk of god as the new divine. As the roaring mes slowly subsided, a figure loomed where Kazuya previously stood. His armor was a cascade of shadow and mes, with a billowing cloak of deep cks and muted reds draped over his shoulders. Two branch-like horns sprouted from his helmet, spiraling and intertwining like the cycle of life and death. The very essence of life and death had been encapsted in his very being. Spoiler [copse] ¡°The Demonic Poet hath descendeth.¡± Nami¡¯s voice echoed around him. ¡°Let life and death flourish at our hands.¡± Kazuya winced within his helm and then extended his hand towards the pit of mes. The earth split apart as if yawning ¡ª a gaping maw of darkness from which a colossal tree wed its way towards the heavens. Its fiery roots grasped the edges of the chasm, intertwining with the shattered earth, as if it was a living being. Anyone with a working sense wouldn¡¯t attribute the tree to a living entity ¡ª despite its divine and majestic appearance, the tree filled the air with a stench of decay. It wouldn¡¯t be wrong to say the tree held dominion over death itself. ¡°That is the strangest Resurri¨®n I have ever seen,¡± Aizen remarked in awe. ¡°Resurri¨®n unseals the power a Hollow sealed in an object as they became an Arrancar. Your Zanpakut¨­ instead sealed a tree of unknown origins¡­ How fascinating.¡± The master maniptor experienced genuine surprise after such a long time. After all, he had studied Hollows and Arrancars deeply. Kazuya¡¯s Resurri¨®n defied everything his research concluded on the very basic level. Silently, Kazuya''s hand rose up in amanding gesture. The towering tree behind him unfurled its fiery canopy, the burning branches stretching out like the wings of a majestic phoenix, casting smoldering embers across the entire town. Three branches, which were thicker and darker than the rest, extended in the vague shape of hands. These hands carried a tear-shaped golden gem, reminiscent of the gems present on Nami¡¯s phoenix form. At Kazuya¡¯smand, one of the gems burst open and unleashed a barrage of thin golden strings. Hundreds and thousands of almost imperceptible strings approached Aizen. Aizen immediately felt the threat and took a swing at the strings, only to have his de pass through as if they were mere illusions. Unable toprehend the nature of Kazuya¡¯s Resurri¨®n, Aizen tried to retreat, but¡ª ¡°Aren¡¯t you leaving yourself too open?¡± Kazuya¡¯s soft whisper reached Aizen from behind him. Just like Hollowfied Yoruichi, his movement was purely based on his physical strength. Aizen, in the middle of warding off the strings, couldn¡¯t have the leisure to keep Kazuya in his vision. He was left open for an attack. Rather than admitting to his oversight, Aizen whirled around and swung his de furiously at his opponent. Kazuya grasped the de in between his gauntlet-covered fingers. A gentle blue aura enveloped his gauntlet and spread to Aizen¡¯s Zanpakut¨­. Aizen yanked his Zanpakut¨­ away. Crack Crack Crack. The once-proud de of Ky¨­ka Suigetsu began to fracture under the effect of Oppression. The shards drifted in the air, reflecting Aizen¡¯s shocked face ¡ª an expression that he had always faked to y with others. Having this expression born out of pure emotions filled his chest with rage. An Arrancar ¡ª a lowly Hollow born in the soil of Hueco Mundo ¡ª crushed his most valuable tool. The outrageous part of it all was how ignorant ¡ª how foolish he was made to look throughout the exchange. He had always been the one to make others feel this way ever since he remembered, never the other way around. Aizen''s hand curled tightly around the hilt of his Zanpakut¨­, his face contorting into a twisted expression. With a menacing growl, he reached out for Kazuya''s throat. But before he could do so, his body was suddenly frozen in ce as numerous golden strings pierced through his back, connecting him to the Divine Tree of Samsara. Chapter 190: The Echo Chapter 190: The Echo The Divine Tree of Samsara enactedws from the ¡®Original World¡¯ from millions of years ago. Those who were connected to it were granted immortality, as long as they possessed Reiatsu. Any wounds they sustained would heal instantly, but at the expense of their Reiatsu. The ability would be worthless without the true power of the tree ¡ª creating a domain where Kazuya ruled over the life and death of everyone and everything. Those who possessed no Reiatsu would have no resistance to the tree, and by extension, Kazuya¡¯s will. They would live at his whim. They would die at his whim. Connecting Aizen to the tree was the easier part of the n. The tougher part was to wound Aizen over and over to drain his Reiatsu ¡ª a tall but achievable task. Aizen was currently having a first-hand experience with the feeling of ''death'' just like Yoruichi. Unlike his usualposed demeanor, he reacted with pure terror. It was a reminder, that even someone as powerful as Aizen was not fearless in the face of death. Kazuya didn¡¯t forget to capitalize on the sweet, sweet chance. Wrapping his gauntlets in Nami¡¯s mes, he unleashed a barrage of punches at Aizen. The very moment the mes touched Aizen¡¯s face, his skin melted, and his white cheekbones could be seen. Golden threads appeared and stitched Aizen¡¯s face. The pain jolted Aizen out of his trance and reignited his fighting instincts. Despite his eyes being closed, he was able to evade Kazuya¡¯s attacks. Aizen¡¯s expression softened, a faint smile appearing on his lips. ¡°Life is transient like cherry blossoms. Apes, humans, gods, they will all eventually perish.¡± He sheathed his broken Zanpakuto and opened his eyes with a piercing gaze. ¡°This is what drives them to evolve. I had somewhat forgotten what made me start this whole n in the first ce. Cazador, thanks for the reminder.¡± His ultimate goal was to ascend beyond all beings in the universe, to be the supreme deity above all. A true god. Someone like him shouldn''t rage from temporarily losing something as worthless as his Zanpakut¨­. Kazuya couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°So much arrogance for someone connected like a puppet.¡± Aizen nced back and reached for the strings attached to his back. Once again, he was unable to touch them as if they existed in another dimension. "Do these strings serve any purpose other than evoking fear of death and healing my wounds? Perhaps they also create a curse each time my injuries are healed?" Kazuya lunged at Aizen and threw a fist at Aizen¡¯s smiling face. He was nowhere close to Aizen in terms ofbat skills, but he had the massive advantage in closebat because of his armor and Nami¡¯s mes. He¡¯de out on top in a war of attrition. The only blockade between Aizen and his death were the Shinigami present in the city. The massive tree would attract Shinigami to it like moths flocked to mes. Those present on site like Isshin and Isane would be appearing any minute now. He had to wrap up his battle with Aizen as quickly as possible. Aizen evaded Kazuya¡¯s ferocious punches with ease. His Haori fluttered in the night breeze as he effortlessly caught yet another ming fist aiming for his face. The mes charred his skin, even so, he maintained a calm expression. ¡°You seem hurried¡­ this desperation, does ite from yourpanionship with Tier Harribel?¡± Kazuya responded with a fierce kick at Aizen¡¯s gut, which was blocked by Aizen¡¯s elbow. Using his wildly unpredictable moves, he kept Aizen on his toes. As he didn¡¯t formally train, apart from Yoruichi and Tier¡¯s unofficial lessons, he hadn¡¯t locked into one style of fighting. One could say he had refined his own style of martial arts. The rampant pressure prevented Aizen from concentrating on casting Kid¨­ spells. Even though Kid¨­ spells drained Reiatsu, he would rather not let Aizen change the pace with high-level destruction spells. But it didn¡¯t stop Aizen¡¯s mouth from spitting maniptive words. ¡°Are you worried about her?¡± Aizen attempted to get under Kazuya¡¯s skin. ¡°Cazador, she is fighting Ulquiorra, the most sessful Arrancar after you in Hueco Mundo.¡± The silence paired with Kazuya¡¯s helmet made him extremly hard to read, but he couldn¡¯t stop his Reiatsu from fluctuating slightly. For someone as observant as Aizen, noticing any slight change was quite simple. Kazuya¡¯s passionate feelings for Tier became obvious to Aizen. Aizen smirked. ¡°If Tier Harribel somehow survives Ulquiorra, the rest of my army would devour her for their soul nourishment. I can stop her if you agree toe with me. To a Hueco Mundo where Hollows are treated as individuals, not as beasts.¡± Aizen couldn¡¯t reveal the full extent of his Reiatsu to the world. Instead of overpowering his enemy, he directly attacked their weakness. Thus, Kazuya¡¯s feelings became his prime weapon to easily achieve victory. ¡°No.¡± ¡°It seems you aren¡¯t willing to believe that a world like that exists. When was thest time you visited Hueco Mundo?¡± ¡°Could you just shut up and die already?¡± Aizen¡¯s eyes widened a tad before a spark of fury gleamed in them as if he couldn¡¯t ept a Hollow continously reject him. Immediately, he swung his fist at Kazuya¡¯s chest. ng! A resounding ng echoed as Aizen¡¯s Reiatsu-wrapped fist struck the thin yet exteremly durable armor. Aizen became serious, and it showed in the battle. He moved and fought with a grace that depicted his mastery over every form ofbat, his movements a seamless dance of attack and defense. As wild and ferocious as Kazuya was, Aizen belonged to a league of his own. His skill was not just in his physical prowess but in the way he anticipated and blocked every move ¡ª Aizen had mostly adapted to the nuances of Kazuya¡¯s violent martial art. Just when Aizen thought he could overpower Kazuya, he pulled out his trump card ¡ª Son¨ªdo. In an instant, he disappeared and reappeared behind Aizen,unching a powerful kick towards his head. But Aizen quickly raised his hand, blocking the attack with his wrist. While this simple tactic didn''t catch Aizen off guard, Kazuya¡¯s next move certainly did. He withdrew his hand and sliced through the air. Crimson Reiatsu was condensed around his hand and shot out as a crimson bullet. The howling crimson bullet ¡ª B ¡ª struck Aizen¡¯s right shoulder and left a gaping a massive hole in its wake ¡°Captain Sosuke!¡± Isane¡¯s distressed voice echoed through the battlefield, having arrived just in time to witness Aizen¡¯s injury. Chapter 191-192: Dagger to the Heart Chapter 191-192: Dagger to the Heart Isane stopped in her attempt to heal Aizen. Golden threads formed around his vicious wound. The wounds closed right before her eyes, seemingly faster than the regeneration of Kaido. ¡°What¡­?¡± She blinked her eyes at yet another twist in a night brimming with them. Only then did she find the golden strings of the tree were connected to Aizen¡¯s back. ¡°The tree is healing Captain?¡± The massive tree emitted no Reiatsu, as if it was a mere illusion. But it was real. As real as the Arrancar who injured Aizen. The mysterious nature of the tree simply made it hard to find its true owner between the Hollow and Aizen. ¡®How are Hollows suddenly so strong?¡¯ Comparing the Arrancar in armor to the grotesque Arrancar Kazuya previously defeated was likeparing a Seated Officer to a Captain; they were in separate leagues. Aizen¡¯s scorched Shihakush¨­ spoke volumes; he was outmatched in the battle. ¡°Shinigami girl,¡± the Arrancar spoke in a distinctly feminine voice, yet it had a familiar allure to it. ¡°Get lost. This is between me and this asshole.¡± Isane pulled out her sword. ¡°I will¡ª¡± Suddenly, the Arrancar nced in her direction, pinning her down with her Reiatsu. Isane froze, feeling as if she was being eyed by the Soul King himself. Aizen arrived before Isane, protecting her from the Arrancar¡¯s Reiatsu. ¡°Vice-Captain, can you return to the Soul Society and ask for Captain Commander toe here? Without him, we can¡¯t take this Arrancar down.¡± The hint of weakness in Aizen¡¯s voice made her heart tremble. Even a Captain wasn¡¯t able tobat the unnaturally strong Arrancar and needed General Yamamoto¡¯s help. ¡®Kazuya took down three on his own¡­ he is a fool to join our squad.¡¯ Isane clenched her fists, a determined light in her eyes. ¡°Alright, Captain Sosuke. I¡¯lle back as fast as I can.¡± The Arrancar in armor, whose voice carried a simr charm as Kazuya, lunged at Aizen, who also didn¡¯t shy from a full-on brawl. Their battle raged on in the sky, bing a spectacle not even Isane could keep up from the sidelines. Sparks and embers flew as gauntlet-covered fists shed with Aizen¡¯s in the night''s darkness. Each howling strike charred Aizen¡¯s skin and burnt his flesh, but the damage recovered in mere moments. Isane could hardly believe her eyes. The Hollow¡¯s stance was open yet guarded, like that of a formally trained warrior. It felt like she was in the presence of a genius martial artist like Soi Fon. Aizen, on the other hand, was calm and elegant as he traded blows with his opponent. The flurry exchange of counters and even more counters to those counters ¡ª it was a sight to behold even for a non-martialist like Isane. Aizen was a far more skillful fighter than she could¡¯ve discerned from his gentle demeanor. In fact, he was the superior martial artist between the two. Yet Aizen was the one receiving injuries. Everything boiled down to the Hollow¡¯s berserk style of fighting; she dodged no attacks, no matter how deadly they were. Her armor absorbed every bit of punishment. Normally, Hollow fought to consume the other party or to survive, but the Arrancar in armor fought with the intent to kill her opponent. It was as if she harbored a deep hatred for Aizen and would stoop to any level to carry out her revenge. Isane had never seen any Hollow act in this manner. Then again, she had never seen any Hollow having the ability to control people¡¯s bodies. Today changed her entire perspective on the Hollow race as a whole. ¡®This is a fight above me. I have to bring Captain Yamamoto here.¡¯ With a heavy heart, Isane tore her gaze away from the intense battle and opened a Senkaimon door. ¡­ A surge of relief washed over Kazuya as Isane departed the battlefield. He would have to hurt Isane if she joined the battle. Fortunately, she thought things through and heeded Aizen¡¯s request. {Partner, we are halfway there¡­ Just how much Reiatsu does this fucker has?!} The crimson mes continuously tormented Aizen on top of the bone-crushing blows he dealt to Aizen. But his Reiatsu drained at a snail¡¯s pace ¡ª slow but steady. He knew he would easily win if given enough time, but luck was not on his side. Isane would return soon with General Yamamoto, and he didn¡¯t want to waste any more time dealing with other captains. ¡°Afraid you can¡¯t drain my Reiatsu now?" Aizen taunted Kazuya as they traded blows. ¡°Your Resurri¨®n ¡ª the tree ¡ª works by draining Reiatsu from your targets, doesn¡¯t it?¡± In just a short amount of time, Aizen had already figured out the ability of Kazuya¡¯s Resurri¨®n. It was this fearsome intellect that made Kazuya determined to finish the job today. Theck of expression on Kazuta¡¯s face once again disappointed Aizen. ¡°Are you sure you can dally here? Tier Harribel is fighting a losing battle in Hueco Mundo¡­¡± Kazuya paid no attention to Aizen¡¯s attempts to distract him. Instead, he nced at the tree and quickly cut off the strings attached to Aizen ¡ª a move that went unnoticed in the heat of battle. Kazuya made his move before Aizen could notice; he drew back and conjured his Oppression ability. As he reached out towards Aizen, a cyan-blue Reiatsu immediately enveloped his right hand. The ground beneath began shaking as an influx of Reiatsu filled the surroundings. ¡®All or nothing.¡¯ Aizen immediately used Shunpo to reposition away from the Reiatsu and egged Kazuya with a provocative gaze. ¡°You are ready to ¡®sacrifice¡¯ the whole town just to kill a Shinigami you just met. Is that a worthy trade in your eyes?¡± ¡°My ability¡­¡± Kazuya shifted his gaze to the fading glow around his gauntlet. ¡°It¡¯s already reached you.¡± As if on cue, the blood vessels in Aizen¡¯s hands ruptured and sprayed blood. His hands fell to his side, numb and limp. A painful gasp left Aizen¡¯s lips. He stared at his bloodied hands with wide eyes. ¡°You¡­ concealed this ability.¡± Nothing could¡¯ve prepared Aizen for the manifestation of Kazuya¡¯s Aspect of Death Oppression. The wild card quite literally crippled Aizen. Kazuya shook his head. ¡°I had to, because it consumes too much Reiatsu.¡± Even after studying Aizen through his partial Resurri¨®n ¡®Visi¨®n del Diablo¡¯, he had to consume almost all of his Reiatsu to prate Aizen¡¯s defense and destroy all the blood vessels connected to his arms. That was Aizen with less than fifty percent of his total reserves. Kazuya¡¯s entire spiritual energy wouldn¡¯t have worked on Aizen at his peak. Aizen was truly a monster. Watching Aizen struggle with the awkward movements of his injured hands, Kazuya felt a surge of satisfaction. The sacrifice of expending so much Reiatsu was worth it. Not only did it hinder Aizen¡¯s fighting capabilities, but it also caused chaos within his spiritual energy, disrupting its efficiency. {Fuck him up. DESTROY HIM.} Kazuya took a deep breath and rushed at Aizen. Left with barely functioning hands, the Captain had no choice but to shstep away. A series of afterimages flickered as Aizen put more and more distance between himself and Kazuya. He could use kicks to fight but that would yield no result against a berserker like Kazuya. It was better to stall for time than engage him in a straight-on duel in his condition. ¡°Don¡¯t leave, Sweetheart.¡± With a quick flick of his wrist, Kazuya maneuvered his golden strings and yanked Aizen to a halt, preventing him from escaping. The Divine Tree ensured that no matter where Aizen tried to run, he would always be pulled back. Aizen red at Kazuya, a hint of anger in his usually calm eyes. ¡°What are you doing?! Have you considered the consequences of killing a Captain? You¡¯ll be put on the highest bounty list and hunted to the end of the world.¡± Undeterred, Kazuya closed the distance between them in an instant, using Son¨ªdo to move faster than the eye could see. His gauntlet-d fist collided with Aizen¡¯s face, shattering bone and sending shockwaves through his entire body. Blood gushed from Aizen''s lips, staining what little was left of his Shihakush¨­. ¡°I can never rest easy with scum like you invading Hueco Mundo for power. You¡¯ll die here today.¡± ¡°Scum? You low¡ª¡± But before he could finish his retort, Kazuya drew back his hand andnded a satisfying reverse-handed p across Aizen''s right cheek ¡ª a p for causing so much chaos and suffering. Flesh tore on impact, blood spraying outward in a grotesque disy. Aizen breathed heavily as his Reiatsu flowed out of him, trying to repel Kazuya away. He grabbed Aizen¡¯s cor and curled his fingers into a chop hand position. The sharp nails on his gauntlet glinted menacingly as they aimed straight for Aizen¡¯s chest ¡ª right where his heart should have been. Wrapped in crimson mes, his hand was no less lethal than the edge of a Zanpakut¨­¡¯s de. nk! His fingers crashed into a solid object, and the mes started flickering as if they were under a fierce gale. The object drew in his mes and absorbed it as if it wasn¡¯t one of the most destructive elements in the world. He immediately yanked open Aizen¡¯s Shihakush¨­. Stored in a hidden pocket was the object that devoured Nami¡¯s mes as a snack ¡ª the H¨­gyoku. Despite its dim, almost dying, its bottomless darkness captivated him. A longing filled his chest. An urge more visceral than any he felt in his life. {Partner, snap out of it! STOP DAYDREAMING!} The urgent cries of Nami broke through the haze of temptation, bringing Kazuya back to reality. The distraction, while momentary, was more than enough for Aizen to capitalize. A small ck orb crackled in the space between him and Aizen, bursting with energy that twisted the very air. ¡°Hado #90, Kurohitsugi.¡± Kazuya reached out to grab Aizen, but before he could make contact, a torrent of gravity pulled him towards the earth ¡ª into the abyss his Divine Tree had created. The ck surface carved out of intricate closed around him, trapping him in the ck box of torture. This box was evenrger and more terrifying than the one Aizen had used on Yoruichi. Despite the swollen face, Aizen was smiling as the massive spears jutted out of the box. ¡°The destruction of the fully chanted Kurohitsugi¡­ H¨­gyoku should survive.¡± He barely brought out the half power of Kurohitsugi but it was more than enough to extinguish Captains. A Hollow who had no Reiatsu to her name would have no hope of survival. ¡°The most stubborn woman I¡¯ve ever met.¡± As hemented the loss of a potential pawn, he sensed disturbances in space not far from Urahara''s Shop. ¡°Useless as always,¡± Aizen muttered under his breath, forcing a weak smile to greet the approaching reinforcements. At the same time, the ck box faded. What¡¯s left behind wasn¡¯t a skewered corpse but a ck armor wrapped in crimson mes. Kazuya charged at Aizen to finish the job but he shstepped to the Senkaimon, hiding behind his rades¡¯. He didn¡¯t give chase and simply hovered in the air as a hunched figure stepped out of the Senkaimon. A bald elderly man with deep wrinkles and pronounced cheekbones. The massive cross-shaped scar above his eyes and the well-defined body hidden beneath his loose clothes were one of the few telling signs of his deep background. General Genry¨±sai Shigekuni Yamamoto. ¡°Captain Sosuke, let the medics tend to your injuries,¡± Yamamoto said and sharply looked up at Kazuya. ¡°Arrancar, you¡¯ve caused much destruction to the living world. For what purpose?¡± Kazuya stayed silent, staring at the two shadowy figuresing out of the Senkaimon. Following the old man were none other than Captain Retsu Unohana and her Vice-Captain Isane Kotetsu. The Captain with a motherly demeanor stared at the tree for a long moment before busying herself in healing Aizen¡¯s bleeding arms. ¡°Stay still, Captain Sosuke¡­ your injuries are severe. You only survived because of the dense Reishi of your body.¡± Aizen nodded before smiling at Kazuya. ¡°Captain Commander, please be careful. She has abilities even I couldn¡¯t grasp.¡± His warning was superficial. He wouldn¡¯t mind if Yamamoto gets eradicated at Cazador¡¯s hand. ¡°Thank god, you survived¡­¡± Isane whispered under her breath. ¡°Captain, you should carry Captain Sosuke to the Soul Society with Minazuki. I¡¯ll stay back with Captain Commander.¡± Retsu nodded her head. ¡°That¡¯s the best course of action.¡± Kazuya, meanwhile, couldn¡¯t help but grit his teeth in frustration. The taste of victory was snatched from him, only because of his connection to the H¨­gyoku. ¡°Savor your triumph for today, Shinigami.¡± {It¡¯s fine, Partner. We got the H¨­gyoku¡­ Let¡¯s go check up on Harribel.} Yamamoto¡¯s eyes widened at his voice, his red pupils filled with surprise. Kazuya extended a hand toward the tree. The massive tree grew dimmer and dimmer, and disappeared out of existence, and the Reiatsu making it flowed back to him. Immediately, a portion of strength returned to him. ¡°That felt nice¡­ Now, Old man, it was nice meeting you.¡± He ripped open the Garganta with a flick of his hand and leaped inside. The lineup of Shinigami was extremely powerful. Kazuya couldn¡¯t fight them all on his best day, much less in his current condition. ¡­ A/N: The H¨­gyoku is saving Aizen even though they aren¡¯t fused. Account issue ount issue Well Patreon just deleted my ount for viting some stuff. No report, no warning. They just removed my page and then sent me a mail for it. If any patron was charged, they said they''d refund the amount. I don''t know if they''ll do that. Following tomorrow, I''ll be posting the rewrite on my other patreon. /Lordheaven Tiny update Tiny update Just got done with my brother''s wedding. Now I''m sick as fuck with fever and cold. Normal updates should resume from Sunday and onwards. Anyway, rmend me your best Pokemon fics that are not just about recing Ash with an OC and following the canon. I''m in the mood to write one after ying Palworld. Chapter 193-194: Creeping Uncertainties Chapter 193-194: Creeping Uncertainties Earlier. Retsu Unohana was quite satisfied with the conclusion of the ¡®Emergency Meeting¡¯. Captain Shunsui Kyoraku, who was always underestimated because of his yful nature, Isshin Shiba, the Shiba n¡¯s greatest achievement in thest few centuries, and Isane, one of the best healers. With two Captains and her own Vice-Captain taking charge, she, like every other Captain present, felt confident that the matter would be resolved without trouble. But then, another round of reports came from the 12th Squad, detailing a major threat that called for yet another emergency meeting. A powerful Vasto Lorde Arrancar had emerged in Karakura Town and Captain Aizen¡¯s Reiatsu was detected on the scene. Yamamoto didn¡¯t intend to take any action as he trusted in Captain Shunsui¡¯s capabilities. Isane barged into the meeting to pass Captain Aizen¡¯s request, and the fact Shunsui had seemingly disappeared somewhere. Yamamoto had no choice but to leave the Soul Society. So, she, alongside Isane and Yamamoto, stepped through the Senkaimon. Isane prayed hard for Aizen¡¯s safety, as he was one of the nicest people in the Gotei 13. Retsu didn¡¯t hold on to false hope. In her mind, the best-case scenario was Aizen surviving with serious injuries so she could use her Shikai ability to heal him, while the worst oue would be his death. To her surprise, Aizen not only survived the strongest Hollow she had met, he brought her Reiatsu to the bare minimum where even Isane could¡¯ve taken her down. All the effort, however, went to waste. ¡°Why did you let her go, Commander?¡± A Vasto Lorde¡¯s death would have far-reaching consequences and disrupt the delicate bnce every Shinigami sought to maintain. But sometimes sacrifices had to be made. Having an Arrancar that powerful swear revenge on one of their captains was no less than having a Sword of Damocles hanging over them. After all, it was quite hard to find a worthy captain. ¡°We can¡¯t purify her with Zanpakut¨­,¡± Yamamoto refuted her. ¡°There are too many souls inside her¡­ like Ikomikidomoe.¡± ¡°Ikomikidomoe?¡± Retsu¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion, a name from the past resurfacing in her mind. ¡°The Adjuchas you battled in your youth?¡± Yamamoto¡¯s grave nod confirmed her thoughts. ¡°I¡¯d have to use my Shikai to burn her away.¡± Unleashing his Shikai in the Living World would kill half the town or perhaps more. ¡°Ikomikidomoe?¡± Isane chimed in with a question. ¡°Captain, what is that?¡± ¡°An Ancient Hollow,¡± Retsu responded with a serious expression. ¡°He was an Adjuchas who invaded the Soul Society a long time ago.¡± ¡°Just an Adjuchas? He¡¯d have been in easily.¡± ¡°He defeated me back in the days when Zanpakut¨­ were rare,¡± Yamamoto confessed. ¡°He became immensely powerful by bloating himself with over a million souls. An abomination like him couldn¡¯t be purified, only sealed through the Royal Guard Ichibei¡¯s technique... He is still sealed to this very day.¡± Isane couldn¡¯t help but blink her eyes. The entire story felt like a legend from a fairytale. ¡°The Royal Guard stepped in to help the Soul Society? Does that usually happen when we face great cmities?¡± ¡°We don¡¯t know.¡± Yamamoto nced up at the ¡®Urahara Shop¡¯ sign on the building. ¡°Urahara¡­ Kisuke?¡± Retsu noticed the subtle spike in Yamamoto¡¯s Reiatsu. He still hadn¡¯t forgotten the ambitious traitor who had used his fellow captains as experiment subjects. Despite her skepticism about the whole incident, Retsu couldn¡¯t dismiss the possibility of Kisuke harboring dual facets to his character like herself. ¡®As always, there is more to the story.¡¯ The one who gave testimony to Kisuke¡¯s crimes was Aizen ¡ª the same man who was found in the vicinity of today¡¯s invasion. ¡°It¡¯s him,¡± Aizen confirmed Yamamoto¡¯s suspicion. ¡°He might be behind the Arrancar Invasion.¡± Aizen¡¯s eagerness to paint Kisuke as the mastermind behind everything only made Retsu more skeptical. She kept her doubts to herself. After all, she couldn¡¯t throw usations at her fellow Captain without evidence. Yamamoto¡¯s eyes widened, revealing red pupils that rarely emerged. ¡°Is he still inside?¡± Aizen rose to his feet and pointed at the shop¡¯s door. ¡°Yes, he is. We have to seize him before he escapes.¡± Retsu grabbed his wrist and gently struck his chest with her palm. Her serene smile held a hint of danger that even gave Aizen pause. ¡°Captain Sosuke, I have stopped the bleeding. Please follow Isane to receive proper treatment at the medical facility.¡± ¡°But Unohana-san¡ª¡± ¡°No buts. You will go with Isane.¡± Retsu considered the matter settled and turned to Yamamoto. ¡°Commander, I¡¯lle with you to apprehend Kisuke Urahara.¡± Yamamoto gave Aizen a long side nce. ¡°Captain Sosuke, get well soon¡­ You have much to answer for.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander.¡± Aizen respectfully nodded before he smiled at Isane. ¡°I owe you my life.¡± ¡°I-I was just doing my duty, Captain Sosuke.¡± ¡­ As soon as the Senkaimon door closed behind them, Yamamoto used his cane to slide open the door and entered the shop. ¡°A force-field. That exins why we couldn¡¯t sense anyone inside.¡± ¡°He was a one-of-a-kind inventor,¡± Retsu said. ¡°The founder of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.¡± She rarely gave anyone the moniker of genius, but Kisuke deserved the title for his unparalleled talent. Kisuke¡¯s sessor, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, was chasing in his footsteps to this very day. ¡®Kurotsuchi can surpass Kisuke if he returns the Hollowfied Shinigami to their original selves.¡¯ She looked at the row of rooms on the first floor. ¡°Commander, let¡¯s split up to cover more area.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t confront him alone.¡± ¡°I know, Commander.¡± Despite thoroughly searching every room, there was no sign of Kisuke to be found. However, in her search, Retsu stumbled upon a hidden door that opened up to an unexpected sight ¡ª a bright underground area. In the vast wilderness, she spotted many young teens dressed in Shin¡¯o Academy¡¯s uniform. Among the thirty or something students, she could sense a familiar Reiatsu. She leaped into the air for a better view of the area and quickly located the source ¡ª a blonde Shinigami lying on a makeshift bed. ¡®Rangiku?!¡¯ She shstepped to Rangiku¡¯s side. A quick look and it was clear ¡ª the Rangiku before her now looked drastically different from the one in her memory. Her once shoulder-length blonde hair now reached all the way down to her ankles, a feat that was record-breaking for just a week¡¯s time. Retsu reached out to check on Rangiku¡¯s health, only to have her hand grabbed by a young silver-haired boy. ¡°Who are you?¡± Taken aback but maintainingposure, Retsu introduced herself. ¡°I¡¯m Retsu Unohana, Captain of the 4th Squad. What¡¯s your name, young man?¡± ¡°Toshiro Hitsugaya.¡± ¡°I see. Do you know what happened to Rangiku?¡± ¡°Injured by Arrancars. Kazuya Nii-san¡¯s Shikai healed her at the right time or...¡± He trailed his words with a clench of his jaw, eyes filled with remorse. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. My Shikai couldn¡¯t kill those Hollows.¡± Retsu hugged the young boy and stroked the back of his head, showing genuine warmth. ¡°You were supposed to be having a simple field trip. We couldn¡¯t protect you from the Hollows. Ourpetence caused you to suffer. None of this is your fault.¡± She couldn¡¯t let a young student bear the me for the ipetence of their organization. If they had better preparations for an ambush, the situation wouldn''t have reached this stage. Toshiro pushed her back, ring at her. ¡°No need to coax me, Captain-sama. Yoruichi specifically requested my help in keeping the Vice-Captains alive. I failed at my job.¡± ¡°You know Yoruichi?¡± Retsu took a pause, realizing that the students weren¡¯t at Urahara¡¯s base by any mistake. ¡°Why did she bring you here?¡± Toshiro made a clueless face. ¡°Yoruichi wanted to shelter us until people from the Soul Society took us back. Why else will Kisuke throw us in this dusty basement?¡± Retsu¡¯s pupils briefly flickered. From her observations, she could conclude that Kisuke wasn¡¯t the perpetrator behind the Arrancar Invasion, else he wouldn¡¯t protect the students. There was a chance Kisuke intended to use the students as hostages, but he should know the Gotei 13¡¯s principles by now. Killing a small thousand to save millions. Yamamoto absolutely wouldn¡¯t give in to any demands. ¡®Captain Sosuke has to be lying.¡¯ First of all, Aizen shouldn¡¯t have been in the Living World, much less fight an Arrancar so out of an average Captain¡¯s league. Yet, he survived the encounter and suffered barely any injuries. The Arrancar¡¯sst words about Aizen¡¯s victory also formed a different picture ¡ª one that sought to harm the Arrancar for his own ambition. ¡®My gut feeling was right about Urahara and Yoruichi.¡¯ The Yoruichi she knew were strong andpassionate, far from the kind to aid an evil man¡¯s ambitions. ¡®Then Shinji Hirako and others¡­¡¯ A shiver ran down her spine as she recalled the previous Hollowification incident. Aizen had been with them for nearly 150 years, perfectly putting on the mask of a gentle, kind person while scheming and experimenting on his fellow Shinigami. She herself put on the mask to repress the bloodthirsty, vicious beast. But their motives were on different sides of the spectrum ¡ª she genuinely wished to heal others while Aizen put Shinigami through torture for his ambitions. ¡®I have to inform the Commander. But first¡­¡¯ With a gentle touch, Retsu ran her hands over Rangiku¡¯s body, using her spiritual powers to conduct a thorough check-up. The results were surprising - Rangiku¡¯s Reiryoku had be denser and more powerful, almost rivaling her own. This was quite a change from thest time Retsu had examined her a few years ago. A Shinigami¡¯s Reiatsu grew through near-death experiences, but it had its limits. One could not simply be a Captain-ss if their innate limit was that of a Vice-Captain. However, it seemed that Rangiku had gone through an extraordinary experience, which also caused her hair to grow exponentially. She nced at Toshiro. ¡°Toshiro, do you know where Yoruichi and Kisuke went?¡± Toshiro shrugged, his small shoulders rising and falling. ¡°I do not know, Captain-sama. May I ask a question?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Did you meet Kazuya Nii-san, by any chance?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Kazuya. He went out to search for Vice-Captain Ise.¡± After seeing Isane¡¯s return, Retsu had first and foremost asked for Kazuya¡¯s safety. This question prompted Isane to gush about Kazuya¡¯s strength and how he saved both her and Isshin Shiba from Zommari¡¯s ability to control people¡¯s bodies. Toshiro heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°Thanks.¡± Retsu nodded before she bent down and picked up Rangiku in her arms. ¡°Students,e with me. I¡¯ll escort everyone to the Soul Society.¡± ¡°Wait a moment.¡± He walked towards a red-haired student, who was sleeping with his back against a boulder. He bent down and flicked the red-haired student¡¯s forehead. ¡°Wake up, Renji. We¡¯re leaving.¡± Rubbing his forehead in annoyance, Renji awoke with a start and tears forming in his eyes. ¡°WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!¡± ¡°STOP YELLING, IDIOT! WE HAVE TO LEAVE!¡± ¡°I AM NOT YELLING, DUMBASS!¡± ¡°YOU ARE.¡± Retsu let out a soft giggle. The scene of Toshiro and Renji yelling reminding her of the bond between Isshin and Rangiku. The two bickered with each other all the time but their bond was deeper like every other Captain and Vice-Captain. Toshiro himself reminded her of Soi Fon - explosive temper with a deep sense of loyalty. ¡®I haven¡¯t seen her since that day.¡¯ The day she provoked Soi Fon into picking a fight with Kazuya. Thanks to her mischief, Soi Fon faced defeat after a long time and became more driven to hone her craft. Chapter 195: The Showdown (I) Chapter 195: The Showdown (I) Hueco Mundo. The destendscape of Hueco Mundo stretched out before Harribel, the colorless sand and eternal darkness evoking a sense of nostalgia within her. She hadn¡¯t been here since she shifted to the Living World except for a brief return to bring Sung-Sun and Api home. To her surprise, she faced Ulquiorra in the same spot where her path first crossed with Kazuya, making her even more nostalgic. She pulled back her hood, and her golden Reiatsu enveloped her, materializing into her regal spiritual attire. Then she reached behind her, her fingers curling around the hilt of her sword, drawing it slowly from its embellished sheath. ¡°Will you die like this, or will you use your Resurri¨®n?¡± She held no personal grudge against Ulquiorra, but it seemed he had a reason to harm Kazuya ¡ª enough of a reason for them to be enemies. While Harribel didn¡¯t believe in resorting to violence as a means to solve problems, sometimes it was the only option. Ulquiorra remained silent as he observed her, perhaps acknowledging that among Hollows, her Reiatsu was one of the strongest he had encountered. ¡°Still pointless,¡± he finally spoke, raising his finger towards her. ¡°You have diverted me from my mission, trash. For that, I will eliminate you.¡± The burgeoning energy at his fingertip signaled the impending onught. In response, Harribel drew back her right hand and rested her left hand under the sharpened edge of her de. A golden surge of Reiatsu amassed in the hollow of her sword. ¡°Cero.¡± ¡°Aura Azul.¡± The moment Ulquiorra released his Cero, Harribel thrust her sword forward and unleashed her special technique. A golden wave-like projectile erupted from her de, shing with Ulquiorra¡¯s Cero in a spectacr explosion. The sky erupted in a kaleidoscope of green and gold, painting the destendscape with transient vibrancy. For a moment, it seemed like a stalemate, until Harribel¡¯s golden Reiatsu suddenly broke through the Cero. Although surprised at Harribel overpowering his weakest Cero, he quickly reacted and cut down with a quick swing of his sword. From the oue, both could see that their powers were evenly matched. In their current forms, whoever had superior skills or faster regeneration would have the advantage in a fight. Ulquiorra didn¡¯t gamble on Harribel¡¯s specialization. He wanted this battle over with, so he could focus on the mission Aizen gave him. Pointing the de at Harribel, he whispered, ¡°You aren¡¯t utter garbage like others in Las Noches¡­ Imprison, Murcigo (The Great ck-Winged Demon.)¡± Harribel was a little surprised at Ulquiorra¡¯s eagerness to release his Resurri¨®n. ¡°You want to finish it fast? Makes the two of us¡­¡± A burst of greenish-ck Reiatsu erupted from beneath his feet, resembling a colossal lotus. Some of the aura flickered rapidly and rained down around him as if he was shedding his skin, while the rest encased him in a cocoon. When the rain ceased, Ulquiorra revealed his Resurri¨®n form ¡ª he now hadrge, ck bat wings on his back, wild and untamed hair, and remnants of his Hollow mask formed a headpiece over his head, with two massive horns jutting outward to the sides towards the front, giving him a more menacing demon-like appearance. His attire evolved with him, molding into a form-fitting robe that tapered elegantly downwards. But the most striking aspect of his Resurri¨®n was the immense power radiating from him. Even Harribel, who stood in front of him, could feel the tremors caused by his overwhelming Reiatsu. Even an Adjuchas would feel despair from being in his presence. Yet, her eyes showed no fear, but a look of pity. ¡°You¡­¡± Ulquiorra spoke slowly, raising his chin. ¡°Why are you making that face? Do you find my Resurri¨®n¡­cking?¡± Something about her expression irked him in the wrong way. ¡°No,¡± Harribel said, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s the emptiness in your eyes ¡ª you have never experienced true happiness in your life, have you?¡± From her perspective, Ulquiorra¡¯s expression screamed ¡®I hate everything equally.¡¯ With everything she had in life, she couldn¡¯t imagine living like him. ¡°A hollow preaching about true happiness. Do you not know how pathetic it makes you seem?¡± Ulquiorra replied with his usual monotonous expression. ¡°I can only assume living with humans gives you the idea that you¡¯re ¡®one¡¯ of them¡­ that you canprehend those things harbored in their ¡®heart¡¯ known as ¡®feelings¡¯.¡± ¡°I do have those feelings,¡± she spoke firmly, with conviction, and ced a hand on her chest. ¡°As far as heart goes, I have one right here; it carries all my emotions - my love, my passion... my feelings to protect those I hold dear from harm... they who are my pride.¡± ¡°Friends and family?¡± Ulquiorra couldn¡¯t help but scoff at the very concept. ¡°My eyes can prate everything¡­ The thing you refer to as ¡®heart¡¯ does not exist in Hollow, nor does it exist in Humans. If this eye cannot see something, then that ¡®something¡¯ does not exist.¡± Harribel shook her head. ¡°Your ignorance, your denial of anything beyond your understanding, it¡¯s... pitiable.¡± If they had met under different circumstances, she could have helped him ovee his nihilistic mindset, but they stood on opposite sides. He was an enemy she had to defeat. Harribel let go of her Zanpakut¨­ and held it with a reverse grip, pointing its de towards the ground. ¡°Hunt, Tibur¨®n (Supernal Shark Empress).¡± A tide of Reiatsu washed over the area as a surge of water gushed out from the space behind her and enveloped her in a cocoon shaped like a heart. The very form of her transformation mocked Ulquiorra¡¯s beliefs about the existence of a ¡®heart¡¯. ¡°Foolish...¡± he whispered. ¡°Your Resurri¨®n is garbage like you.¡± Harribel cut out of the water cocoon, revealing her thinly d Resurri¨®n form. ¡°My heart and your nihilistic beliefs¡­ let¡¯s see which one cuts sharper.¡± Ulquiorra conjured a green javelin of pure energy in his clenched right fist. ¡°Don¡¯t falter then. I¡¯ll show you that you¡¯re wrong.¡± The confrontation, initially sparked by random circumstance, had now evolved into an intensely personal duel. Chapter 196: The Showdown (II) Chapter 196: The Showdown (II) As Ulquiorra''s bat-like wings flicked, Harribel''s instincts surged into action. She instantaneously activated her Pesquisa, the unique Arrancar technique for sensing and tracking Reiatsu. Yet, even with this heightened perception, tracking Ulquiorra''s Son¨ªdo proved challenging. ¡®He is fast.¡¯ And then, she felt it - the almost imperceptible vibrations in the air, a telltale sign of Ulquiorra''s presence. She predicted his next strike and was ready when he materialized before her, his javelin lunging towards her chest ¡ª her heart. Reacting quickly, she brought up her sword arm to block, the force of the impact making her entire body tremble. But Harribel was not one to back down easily. Ignoring the sharp pain thatced her arm, sheunched a counterattack. ¡°Cero.¡± Her sword arm charged golden Reiryoku, which sheunched with a sh at Ulquiorra. He flicked his wings and instantly appeared almost a hundred meters away from her, saving him from the intense Cero. Their first sh resulted in a draw, but Harribel couldn''t shake off the feeling that she was at a disadvantage. Despite her exceptional Son¨ªdo abilities, Ulquiorra''s wings granted him an upper hand in mobility. Her ability to block his attack was less about her Pesquisa and more a testament to her finely honed battle instincts, forged in countless brutal encounters with other Hollows. He was a foe she couldn¡¯t underestimate, for he possessed strength above every Visored, who themselves were ridiculously strong fighters. ¡°You¡¯d have lost your ¡®heart¡¯ if you reacted a momentter¡­¡± But his attention swiftly shifted, his gaze drawn to the ground. Harribel followed his line of sight, her eyesnding on a silver-haired man standing outside the very cave where she introduced Kazuya to M Rose and Sung-Sun. The man¡¯s loose sleeves fluttered in the wind. His smile was every bit as sinister as his Reiatsu ¡ª he was one of the strongest Shinigami in the world. Her lover being a Shinigami didn¡¯t make her friends with them. As a Hollow, she was still a prime target of them. What¡¯s more Ulquiorra seemed to be acquainted with the Shinigami, who might be one of the evil Kazuya set out to defeat in the Soul Society. It seemed like she couldn¡¯t get away after dealing with Ulquiorra ¡ª she¡¯d have to fight the Shinigami afterwards, possibly more depending on the situation. Recalling his smile of appreciation, she didn¡¯t regret swapping ces with him. It was but a small sacrifice for his happiness. ¡°Gin, get out of here,¡± Ulquiorra said coldly. ¡°I don¡¯t need you stalking me.¡± Gin awkwardly rubbed the back of his hand, as if caught off guard. ¡°Oops, the Reiatsu concealing tech didn¡¯t work on either of you. How about you two think of me as an audience member enjoying a nail-biting fight? This way you can fight each other without interruption.¡± Harribel narrowed her eyes, a chilling Reiatsu emanating from her. ¡°A Captain came to Hueco Mundo to watch Hollows fight¡­ Do you even think before speaking?¡± ¡°Ignore this Shinigami,¡± Ulquiorra said. ¡°He will not interfere in our battle.¡± ¡°How are you so confident?¡± ¡°Because we¡¯re colleagues working under the same master,¡± Gin replied with a whistle. ¡°That¡¯s thest you¡¯ll hear from me.¡± He retreated into the shadows beneath a hill, eventually bing so indistinct that Harribel could no longer pinpoint his location. ¡®He deliberately showed himself to scare me. He wants me to be nervous and lose my battle.¡¯ Gin¡¯s tricks worked as he intended. Now, she couldn¡¯t afford to be reckless in the middle of two extremely powerful enemies. With her cold eyes trained on Ulquiorra, she raised her sword arm, causing it to glow up with Reiryoku. Before she couldunch her attack, Ulquiorra appeared behind her in a blur, holding his javelin against her neck. Just as the javelin cut into her Hierro, she spun swiftly, aiming her sword arm at him. ¡°Trident.¡± A shockwave erupted from her arm and hurled Ulquiorra back with tremendous force. The destructive strike carved a massive sh wound across his chest. The technique followed three simple steps: ¡®Charge Reiryoku, aim, and release a shockwave.¡¯ The attack staggered the target first then delivered a high-force sh. Any normal Vasto Lorde would¡¯ve been divided in half by the impact, but Ulquiorra¡¯s high durability due to his Hierro saved him from being cleaved in two pieces. Ulquiorra looked down and traced his finger on the wound. His wound closed within moments, whereas the wound on Harribel¡¯s neck showed no sign of healing. ¡°I gave up power for regeneration, but you went the opposite way. It exins how a natural reached this level of power.¡± Harribel pressed a hand against the wound. Once she let go, the wound stopped bleeding and closed itself. Her regeneration was even slower than an average Adjuchas. ¡°That which I desire can¡¯t be obtained without power. I need every bit of strength to fulfill my promise.¡± Her dream was far above her reach even with her current power. It was a sacrifice she willingly made to shorten the power gap between her and Kazuya, which only increased after Nami¡¯s arrival. Ulquiorra pointed a finger at her. ¡°Promises are meaningless like your existence, which I¡¯m going to end with thisst attack.¡± ¡°Only time will tell.¡± The three gill markings on Harribel¡¯s sword arm started glowing. The moisture in the environment coalesced as droplets of water and drifted to her sword arm. As moments passed, the speed of her water generation continuously ramped up. She poured everything in her final attack. Meanwhile, Ulquiorra concentrated his Reiatsu into a small, ck orb at his fingertip. It was a tiny sphere, yet held the power to obliterate a massive city with ease. ¡°Cero Oscuras.¡± Chapter 197-198: The Proposal Chapter 197-198: The Proposal Kazuya arrived in Hueco Mundo in his female body without his armor. This ce was under Aizen¡¯s rule. Until he dealt with Aizen, he¡¯d have to keep up this appearance to deceive him. He still kept up his Partial Resurri¨®n, a form requiring minimal energy to function. ¡®And there she is.¡¯ With Tier¡¯s unique spiritual energy signature etched into his memory, locating her was effortless. Swiftly, he glided through the air, muffling his own Reiatsu to maintain the element of surprise. Nearly a mile away, his keen eyes caught the sight of Tier, locked in a fierce standoff with Ulquiorra. Both of their Reiatsu red intensely. He hade just in time the battle escted to what promised to be an ultimate technique battle between them. Tier¡¯s deep yet warm voice echoed, ¡°Cascada.¡± {Woah.} A torrent of high-pressured water, condensed to the brim, gushed from Tier¡¯s sword arm. Ulquiorra countered with his Cero Oscuras, a colossal beam of ck energy that initially vaporized Tier¡¯s water attack. Yet, as Tier funneled more Reiryoku into her assault, the bnce shifted, her high-pressure torrent gradually overpowering Ulquiorra¡¯s Cero. Normally, Cero onlysted for a brief moment, as even a small exposure to it could annihte opponents. Ulquiorra extended his Cero¡¯s duration by consuming more Reiryoku. The battle scene, illuminated by the stark contrast of Ulquiorra¡¯s ck Cero against Tier¡¯s luminescent, high-pressure water, captivated Kazuya. He could afford a moment of admiration since Tier¡¯s technique steadily sliced through Ulquiorra¡¯s Cero. {Sheesh, our mom ys. We were worried about her for nothing¡­ Or were we?} Kazuya shook his head. In a barren ce like Hueco Mundo, where moisture was extremely limited, Tier¡¯s technique was a double-edged sword, depleting her Reiryoku at an rming rate to both generate water and maintain its immense pressure. Even if she overpowered Ulquiorra in his Resurri¨®n state, she wouldn¡¯t have been able to fight the other Shinigami in the area, let alone the Arrancar reinforcements heading their way. ¡®Is it Gin or Tosen?¡¯ {Why does it matter?} ¡®It does. If it¡¯s Gin, I can get him to do my dirty work.¡¯ {Ohhhh, that¡¯s so brilliant of my beloved.} The battle¡¯s intensity escted as Ulquiorra unleashed the full magnitude of his Reiatsu, enveloping the area in a suffocating, ominous aura. He brought his other hand into the mix and channeled more Reiryoku into his Cero. ¡°Get lost, Miserable Trash.¡± It was Tier¡¯s turn to lose ground. {Partner, do something! Save our Mommy!} Kazuya stopped holding back his Reiryoku, which caught both Ulquiorra and Tier¡¯s attention. ¡°Hey, Tier.¡± Hearing the enchanting voice, Ulquiorra straight-up fell into a daze. The momentarypse cut off the Reiryoku supply to his Cero, leaving him vulnerable. The forceful rush of Cascada''s streamunched him backward, his body colliding forcefully with a nearby hill. The force of the pressurized water was unforgiving, mercilessly shredding his Hierro, tearing into his flesh, and audibly fracturing his bones. His regeneration ability kicked in, intensifying the already gruesome spectacle. Desperately, Ulquiorra attempted to block the water jet with his hands, only to find them bending unnaturally under immense pressure. Tier ceased her Cascada, her face glistening with sweat from the exertion. When she turned to face Kazuya, her expression transformed from exhaustion to shock. ¡°You¡ª¡± ¡°Shhh. No need to act so surprised,¡± Kazuya interrupted, appearing behind her and gently cing his hands on her back. ¡°Rx your nerves. I¡¯ll transfer some energy to you.¡± His voice, altered due to his temporary gender change,cked its usual enchanting effect on females. Tier, however, thought very little of it. She was simply relieved to see him. ¡°Did you finish your business?¡± ¡°Thanks to you,¡± he replied. ¡°You wanna go back home?¡± Tier¡¯s gaze shifted back to Ulquiorra, who hadpletely healed during their brief exchange. Ulquiorra possessed so much power, yet his regeneration remained remarkable ¡ª another trait he shared with Kazuya. She couldn¡¯t help but feel curious about the mysterious link between Kazuya and Ulquiorra. ¡°Don¡¯t move. You have already lost¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not talking to you.¡± Ulquiorra dismissed Tier and red at Kazuya. ¡°You, why does your¡ª¡± Rather than indulging Ulquiorra¡¯s curiosity, Kazuya forcefully grabbed Ulquiorra¡¯s pale face and hurled him towards the ground. Ulquiorra swiftly halted his descent, using his dark, feathery wings to regain control. In an instant, he conjured two gleaming, emerald javelins in his hands and swiftlyunched them towards Kazuya. The green javelins sliced through the air with a piercing sound, reaching Kazuya¡¯s chest in a split second. However, Kazuya¡¯s reflexes were equally impressive as he effortlessly caught the javelins in his hands. ¡°Futile.¡± Kazuya clenched his fists to crush them to dust. ¡°You aren¡¯t using your energy to regenerate your internal organs. You think you can beat me as you are? Howughable.¡± Ulquiorra appeared normal on the surface, but Tier¡¯s Cascada had ravaged most of his internal organs. He was a ¡®Hollow¡¯ husk until he focused more Reiryoku into regeneration. However, he had reserved his spiritual energy for offense, believing he could defeat Kazuya without fully healing himself. Ulquiorra showed no change in his expression and calmly produced another pair of javelins. ¡°Who are you, and why is your Reiatsu simr to me?¡± The Original Hollow could feel a sense of connection with Kazuya, whom he had never met in his life. Pairing it with their simr Reiatsu, he became curious to know the truth. As Kazuya disappeared from his line of vision, his pupils contracted. In the next instance, he felt Kazuya¡¯s presence right beside him. ¡®She slipped past my Pesquisa?¡¯ Ulquiorra swiftly used the javelins as melee weapons and attempted to sh Kazuya, but they crumbled against his Hierro. Kazuya gripped the back of Ulquiorra''s head and forcefully drove him down onto the ground. His colossal strength sculpted a hollow into the ground. Ulquiorra attempted to shift his position, but he pushed his heel firmly onto Ulquiorra''s chest, just beneath his Hollow Hole. ¡°This is for calling Tier a miserable trash.¡± He was restricted in his Shinigami form, but handling Ulquiorra was effortless for his Hollow form. All of his taunts were just to provoke Ulquiorra into triggering the second release state of his Resurri¨®n ¡ª Segunda Etapa. Ulquiorra gripped Kazuya¡¯s ankle with both hands, his ws digging deep into his skin and drawing out blood. Kazuya remained calm, as if not registering his attempts. ¡°I¡¯ll acknowledge she isn¡¯t trash. Her having a ¡®Heart¡¯ makes her unique among Hollows.¡± ¡°Of course she is special. She is my lover, after all.¡± Ulquiorra''s eyes grew wide as he stared at him, then he shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re also delusional like her¡­ here I thought you¡¯d provide me with some answers. You turned out to be the same kind as her.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°This is meaningless. You have already defeated me. Just kill me and get it over with it.¡± Kazuya stepped back, allowing Ulquiorra room to rise. ¡°I can answer the things thatplicate you in life but you have to be loyal to me and me only.¡± Ulquiorra was a perfect killing machine, who followed orders without a question. His proposal was less about getting Ulquiorra to work for him and more about crippling Aizen¡¯s kingdom. Moreover, he could also learn the process of gaining the Segunda Etapa form from Ulquiorra ¡ª an evolution that was still beyond hisprehension. After all, everything about the Segunda Etapa was covered in mystery, apart from its obvious benefits of boosting one¡¯s strength. Ulquiorra considered the offer, his head tilting slightly. ¡°I serve Lord Aizen because he is the pinnacle of strength in Hueco Mundo. You don¡¯t cut the bill.¡± In a world ruled by the survival of the fittest, allegiance to Aizen was not just a choice, but a necessity for survival. Aizen¡¯smands also added an element of unpredictability that Ulquiorra found intriguing. ¡°Lord Aizen? Are you talking about that brown-haired Shinigami?¡± ¡°How do you know that? Did he also turn you into Arrancar?¡± Kazuyaughed heartily. ¡°It¡¯s such a small world, isn¡¯t it? I¡¯m justing from the Living World after giving that guy a thorough ass-whooping. He had to hide behind his Seniors to save his sorry ass.¡± Ulquiorra, skeptical, gestured towards his eye. ¡°Rip out your eye and show it to me. I need to verify the truth of your words.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going that far, but I have proof.¡± He whipped out the H¨­gyoku he had snatched from Aizen and let it hover above his palm. ¡°You know what this is?¡± Ulquiorra seemed calm but his eyes betrayed his shock. ¡°It¡¯s the H¨­gyoku. Aizen used this to enhance me. How did you get your hands on one?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you fucking hear me? I got it from him.¡± ¡°I¡ª¡± Before Ulquiorra could respond, Kazuya unleashed his Reiatsu in full force, a disy of power that significantly overshadowed Ulquiorra¡¯s, despite both being Vasto Lordes. ¡°I¡¯ll eliminate you if you continue to doubt my words.¡± Ulquiorra slowly nodded his head. ¡°You do have the power to contend with Lord Aizen¡­¡± The unexpected appearance of the H¨­gyoku not only secured Ulquiorra¡¯s trust but also drew out the Shinigami who had been lurking in the shadows. Gin Ichimaru approached, his characteristic unsettling smile on disy. ¡°To defeat Captain Aizen and take his prized H¨­gyoku¡­ you are amazing beyond words.¡± ¡°I know, right?¡± Kazuya responded with a self-assured smirk. ¡°I also destroyed the Zanpakut¨­ he was waving around. If not for that fossil-looking Shinigami, I¡¯d have killed Aizen right then and there.¡± Gin¡¯s blue eyes opened briefly, a testament to his shock. ¡°You destroyed Ky¨­ka Suigetsu in its Shikai form? Given Aizen¡¯s Reiatsu, it¡¯ll need days to regenerate.¡± Thoughts of vengeance swirled in the white-haired snake¡¯s mind, envisioning a perfect moment to strike now that Ky¨­ka Suigetsu was temporarily out of the equation. Kazuya flung a harmless Reiryoku bullet at Gin¡¯s face. ¡°By the way, you¡¯re friends with Aizen. Do you want to take this H¨­gyoku from me?¡± His bloodthirsty smile was all the proof one needed to read his mind ¡ª he was looking for a bloody fight, looking for an excuse for an excuse to beat people to death. Gin nervously shook his head. ¡°No, of course not. I have more pressing concerns. It was a pleasure chatting with you!¡± Gin took flight in a hurry, quickly bing a white dot in the distance beforepletely vanishing from their sight. Kazuya could only hope that Gin took this opportunity to kill Aizen or die trying. {Sending Rangiku¡¯s childhood friend to death so you can give her a shoulder to cry on¡­ You¡¯re so evil, Partner. My type of evil.} Kazuya smiled and pped Ulquiorra, who was pondering something deeply. ¡°Have you decided to trade your loyalty for the truth?¡± Ulquiorra remained unswayed. ¡°Your victory over Lord Aizen doesn¡¯t change the status quo. As long as Aizen controls Hueco Mundo, I will follow hismand.¡± He flicked his wings and flew away, showing no intention of either fighting them or joining them. Tier ced a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Is letting him go a good idea?¡± She didn¡¯t say it outright but her words implied killing Ulquiorra was the better option out of everything. For a peace-loving woman, it was quite a drastic shift in her perspective. ¡°He¡¯ll be more useful for us alive.¡± He ced his hand on hers and brought it to his face. Feeling her warmth, he smiled. ¡°You must have questions about Aizen¡­ and everything that happened today.¡± She gently nodded. ¡°Naturally. Are you finally ready to reveal everything?¡± His secrets were his alone until he chose to share them with her. She didn¡¯t want to push him into revealing anything and needlessly straining their rtionship. He couldn¡¯t help but feel warm at her understanding. ¡°Let¡¯s talk with everyone after I make sure others are alright.¡± {Speaking of secrets, you didn¡¯t tell me how you changed genders so fluidly.} He dismissed Nami with a brief ¡®Later¡¯ excuse. ¡°Tier, you can cancel your Resurri¨®n. I¡¯ll take care of everything.¡± ¡°Do you not find me tempting in this outfit?¡± He blinked his eyes. The soft smirk and mischievous look dancing in her eyes revealed her intention to tease him. It was surprising since she had never teased him to this day. So her teasing just came out of nowhere. Unbeknownst to him, his height was the true reason behind Tier¡¯s behavior. In his female form, the System reduced his height to 5¡¯7¡±, making him a few inches shorter than Tier. This striking contrast with his usual 6¡¯4" form stirred Tier¡¯s yful instincts ¡ª the same instincts that led her to tease Api and M Rose once in a blue moon. {Your new body is getting everyone frisky, including me. I wanna push you down and cuddle with you all day. Having a hunk as my lover is fine and all but turning my partner into a hot babe¡­ it sounds so forbidden! I love it!} ¡®Go away.¡¯ Nami began sulking in his mind, which hepletely ignored. ¡°Tempting, yes. Also distracting,¡± he replied to Tier¡¯s earlier question. ¡°You can keep it activated and help me fight ¡ª huh? Where did they go?¡± She also showed a confused look. ¡°It¡¯s odd those Hollows I sensed earlier didn¡¯t show up. Did that Shinigami send them back?¡± While he fought Ulquiorra, Gin secretly met up with the Arrancars and sent them away to keep his meeting with him a secret. Chapter 199: On the Cusp Chapter 199: On the Cusp Izumi had to break her promise with Lisa and leave the apartment. The ce felt suffocating by herself. Her loneliness only intensified from knowing that Kazuya left without meeting her. There was a different oue of his battle, which she dreaded to think about. ''Where have you vanished to, Otouto-kun?'' Her heart ached with the question. The urge to throw herself on the bed, to let tears soak into the pillow, was almost overwhelming. Yet, the memory of his gentle, reassuring words held her back from the brink of despair. Crying was useless if he wasn¡¯t there tofort her sadness. Driven by a desperate hope, Izumi wandered the streets, her soul yearning for a miraculous reunion with Kazuya. The city, a maze of shadows and light, seemed to mock her fruitless quest. ¡°Otouto¡­¡± When she was almost tired of running around, another fight broke out between two extremely powerful entities, a Hollow and a Shinigami. In the past, she¡¯d have died fighting the Hollow. Her sole priority was finding Kazuya¡¯s whereabouts; nothing more, nothing less. However, fate led her not to Kazuya, but to a Shinigami. Draped in a pink, flower-adorned kimono that contrasted starkly with his rugged demeanor, he stood on a bridge lost in contemtion. His gaze, heavy with mncholy, scanned the town below. Feeling her stare, he turned, a look of surprise crossing his features. ¡°You can see me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Izumi, a house¡ªa former Quincy,¡± Izumi corrected herself with a bitter sigh. ¡°Did you see a Quincy fight a Hollow around the town? He is quite tall, a sturdy build. He has beautiful blue eyes and lustrous white hair which is cut short... His spiritual energy is also very high.¡± The vivid description invoked a student¡¯s image in Shunsui¡¯s mind, but he shook it off. The man who fought Arrancars was a Shinigami, not a Quincy. ¡°I didn¡¯t spend much time at the scene. However, I don¡¯t remember seeing any Quincy there.¡± Even if there had been Quincy¡¯s involvement, Shunsui doubted any could have survived against the overwhelmingly strong Arrancars. Izumi''s face paled, stricken with dread. ¡°How is that possible? I sensed my Otouto¡¯s Reiatsu myself.¡± ¡°Ah, you¡¯re looking for your family¡­¡± ¡°Yes, he is my only family in this world. Please¡­ help me find him.¡± Izumi¡¯s expression progressively became desperate. ¡°I-I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do without him.¡± Shunsui let out a sigh. ¡°I¡¯m going to regroup with my squad. They might know something about your Otouto.¡± After separating from Captain Isshin, he had checked the surrounding cities but he couldn¡¯t feel Nanao¡¯s Reiatsu anywhere. His only hope was the Kid¨­ experts who could cast specialized Kid¨­ to track Nanao¡¯s Reiatsu to her location. ¡°Thanks¡­ Shinigami-san. You¡¯re so nice.¡± He dismissed her words of gratitude with a shake of his head. ¡°No need... From what I heard from my colleagues, Quincy has been a huge help in protecting citizens in Karakura Town. I¡¯m¡ª¡± Their conversation was interrupted by the rhythmic tap of boots against the pavement. Both turned towards the sound. Anky blond man approached, hands casually tucked in his pockets. ¡°Shunsui-san,¡± he spoke with a grin. ¡°Still can¡¯t get rid of your womanizing ways?¡± ¡°Shinji?¡± Shunsui¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You are¡ª¡± ¡°Alive. Yes, very much alive. You don¡¯t look so well, though. Why are you running around the town?¡± Shinji''s yful grin faded into a sharp gaze. ¡°If it¡¯s about Lisa, I¡¯ll kindly ask you to stop your meaningless efforts.¡± Shinji had felt Lisa¡¯s Reiatsu earlier when she did her Hollowification for a short while. He assumed Shunsui recognized Lisa through her Reiatsu and ran around the town in search of her. Although Shinji was no longer a Shinigami, he hated to see Shunsui with such desperation. ¡°Lisa-chan¡­¡± Shunsui''s face briefly contorted in pain, then he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Someday I¡¯d like to apologize to Lisa-chan, but today isn¡¯t that day¡­ ¡± "Lisa?" Izumi interjected, recognizing the name. "You don''t mean Yad¨­maru, do you?" Shunsui and Shinji simultaneously turned to Izumi, staring at her with wide eyes. ¡°I know you,¡± Shinji said. ¡°You¡¯re Lisa¡¯s Quincy friend. Izumi, right?¡± Although it took time, Shinji finally recognized Izumi. He had seen her a few times when she worked as a Quincy. The present version of hercked the solemn aura, making it hard to associate her with the Quincy of Karakura Town. ¡°Former Quincy,¡± Izumi corrected Shinji. ¡°I¡¯m no longer active in that field. Actually, Lisa and I share an apartment these days.¡± ¡°My bad, my bad. Lisa mentioned it to us before.¡± Shunsui was quite baffled by the fact Lisa started living with a former Quincy. He knew Lisa wille to despise Shinigami after the Hollowification incident, but he never imagined she¡¯d go this far. Shunsui cleared his throat. ¡°Do you and Lisa-chan sleep together and embrace each other that way?¡± ¡°What? No!¡± Izumi immediately refused the idea. ¡°The man I asked you about ¡ª he is my Otouto-kun¡­ and my husband.¡± ¡°That lucky bastard,¡± Shinji cursed Kazuya under his breath for his luck. ¡°Shunsui-san, if you weren¡¯t looking for Lisa, what were you doing earlier? Showing off your Shunpo skills to Hollows?¡± ¡°It¡¯s about Nanao-chan¡­¡± Shunsui told his side of the story in a heavy tone. Shinji frowned. ¡°Did you ask the students on site?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± He shook his head with a bitter smile. ¡°The blood rushed to my head when I thought about Nanao-chan being hurt¡­ I abandoned my mission and ran around like a headless chicken in search of her Reiatsu.¡± Shinji gave him a wide-eyed look. ¡°I didn''t imagine Shunsui-san to be the type to get hot-headed.¡± ¡°I know I shouldn¡¯t have lost my calm. Well, they won without me,¡± he said, looking toward the location of Yamamoto and Unohana¡¯s Reiatsu. ¡°Dai-Senpai also came¡­ Shinji, can I ask you a favor?¡± ¡°As long as it¡¯s not rted to Lisa. In return, I want you to stay quiet about us.¡± Shunsui solemnly nodded his head. ¡°I promise¡­ I want to meet Hachigen Ushoda, the former Vice-captain of Kid¨­ Corps.¡± ¡°Ya want Hachigen to track Ise down?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Sure. Come with me.¡± Shunsui was rather rxed about rules in the Gotei 13. Not to mention he had shown Shinji the ropes when he first became a Captain. So he didn¡¯t show any hesitation in bringing Shunsui to his base. ¡°Can I also join?¡± Izumi asked with a curt smile. ¡°If it¡¯s not too much to ask for.¡± Izumi wanted to make sure Shunsui did his due diligence in interrogating his colleagues. Furthermore, this was also an opportunity to know more about her mysterious maid Lisa and her connection to Shinigami. Shinji rubbed the back of his head and groaned. ¡°That guy will kill me for this¡­ but sure. Come along, Izumi-san.¡± Chapter 200: The Guests Chapter 200: The Guests Api opened the door to an unexpected assembly: two former Shinigami and two Arrancars, apanied by a coffin cloaked in a luminescent, emerald haze. The coffin pulsed with a strange, unfathomable aura, invoking goosebumps. Ignoring the coffin entirely, her gaze drifted from Kisuke to his friendly Tessai to the Arrancars.First one was a girl of petite stature, with simply styled short hair and a confident, almost brash smile that revealed her personality. She was a girl with a tomboyish nature ¡ª Api concluded at one nce. The green-haired Arrancar¡¯s Hollow mask¡¯s remnants formed a helmet, with two horns on the top of her head. The left horn looked as if it had been cut off, and the left half of the mask extended down to cover her left eye, leaving her with one twinkling pink eye. Api¡¯s nce went to the girl¡¯s Hollow hole, which was right in the center of her stomach. ¡°Hi, fellow tomboy.¡± ¡°Tomboy?¡± Lilte¡¯s single eye widened as she turned to Starrk. ¡°What does that mean, Starrk?¡± Starrk shrugged. ¡°No clue, Lilte.¡± Starrk was a tall, lean man with deep blue-gray eyes, his dark brown hair cascading in unruly waves to the nape of his neck. The remnants of his Hollow mask, resembling a fanged jawline, rested along his neck. His Hollow hole was on his sternum, right above the edge of his mask. ¡°Coyote Starrk and Lilte Gingerbuck,¡± Api whispered. ¡°Kazuya told me about you both. You guys were staying in Kisuke¡¯s basement.¡± They were the most unusual pairing that nobody would believe came from one being. Then again, it was hard to believe the unhinged psycho Izanami coulde from her calm and often yful lover. Tessai pushed his sses. ¡°We had to leave the shop, Api-dono.¡± ¡°I see. What¡¯s in that coffin?¡± Tessai briefly gave her a rundown on the coffin wrapped in Jikanteishi, a Kid¨­ spell to temporarily suspend time. The spell stopped Yoruichi¡¯s condition from worsening until Kisuke used the H¨­gyoku to help her. Any Kid¨­ that manipted space and time were forbidden in the Soul Society, but so was using the H¨­gyoku. They were no longer Shinigami to care about them. Kisuke looked just as if not more serious than Tessai. ¡°Api-san, can we stay at your ce for some time? Our ce got raided by our long-time enemy.¡± The Visored¡¯s base was also on his list for backup bases but Kazuya¡¯s spacious mansion remained his first choice. Shinji and the rest wouldn¡¯t bug him about the H¨­gyoku here. He kept those thoughts to himself. It was neither the time nor was he in the mood to say that many words. Api tilted her head. ¡°Long-time enemy? Did you mean that Shinigami Kazuya is currently fighting?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Lilte suddenly punched Starrk¡¯s belly ¡ª a brutal punch that made him double over for a moment. ¡°Starrk! We should be there, helping him fight that dumbass Shinigami.¡± Lilte wanted to repay Kazuya for bringing them out of their ¡®lonely¡¯ life in Hueco Mundo. More importantly, she didn¡¯t want to see him fall to some Shinigami¡¯s schemes. Starrk took a step away from his violent other half and rubbed his belly. He looked over his shoulder and revealed a solemn expression. ¡°It¡¯splicated, Lilte¡­ he doesn¡¯t need our help. You can feel his Reiatsu yourself.¡± ¡°Excuses for yourziness!¡± Lilte fumed. ¡°Don¡¯t cry in regret if something happens to him.¡± Starrk cleared his throat. ¡°I¡¯m quite sure he isn¡¯t in any danger out there.¡± Api leaned forward and poked Lilte¡¯s cheek. ¡°Starrk is right. Kazuya doesn¡¯t rush into battles¡­ unless anyone close to him is harmed. Then he bes a force of destruction.¡± She had only seen this side of Kazuya a few times in Hueco Mundo, but he could be quite the menace when someone stepped on his reverse scale. ¡°Grimmjow said that too.¡± Lilte nodded in agreement. ¡°It¡¯s good Kisuke sent that battle-crazy panther¡¯s group to Hueco Mundo, or else he¡¯d start a fight with you or someone else.¡± ¡°It¡¯s better he isn¡¯t here. Ciri won¡¯t spare anyone who messes with her kittens.¡± Nobody messed with Ciri¡¯s kittens, not even Api. Lilte ced her hands on her hip, frowning. ¡°Api, right? Don¡¯t you have manners? Let us in already!¡± Api blinked her eyes at Lilte¡¯s ability to switch from serious to mischievous in the blink of an eye. ¡°You¡¯re adorable but don¡¯t talk to me like you owe me anything. Got it?¡± ¡°Oh,e on!¡± Lilte drew closer and wrapped Api in an impromptu hug. ¡°Kazuya is friends with both of us. That makes you, his wife, as our friends too! Did you get my awesome reasoning?¡± Api couldn''t help but chuckle, disarmed by Lilte''s charming audacity. ¡°You sure know how to please people. Alright,e in, all of you.¡± Stepping aside, she gestured them in. Tessai bowed before sternly walking into the lobby. Kisuke smiled dand dragged the coffin with the help of heavy chains. Staring at the coffin, Api whispered, ¡°Starrk, you know what¡¯s inside that container?¡± Starrk shook his head. ¡°He already had the coffin when he asked us to leave the shop.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see soon!¡± Lilte winked at Api mischievously. ¡°I only sense one Arrancar here. Where are the rest?¡± She remembered Kisuke briefly telling them about the five powerful Arrancardies living in Kazuya¡¯s mansion. ¡°Probably working,¡± Api said with a sigh. ¡°I have no idea, honestly.¡± ¡°I see. I see.¡± Lilte nodded curiously. Just as she was about to follow Kisuke, the doorbell rang again. ¡°I sense another Arrancar on the other side.¡± Api¡¯s expression turned to a frown as she sensed an unfamiliar Reiatsu. ¡°Who might this be?¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m Menoly,¡± a timid voice responded from the other side. ¡°I-Is this where Kazuya lives?¡± Api hurriedly opened the door, finding a blonde Arrancar on the other side. In terms of power levels, she was on par with Ciri. Nothing spectacr. Her appearance, however, was quite the refreshing change from everyone around her. ¡°That husband of mine sure has a diverse taste.¡± Lilte peeked from behind Api, grinning. ¡°Peek-a-boo!¡± Menoly stared at the two in confusion. ¡°Arrancars? Are you also Lord Aizen¡¯s subordinates?¡± She mistook Kazuya for another one of Aizen¡¯s allies and the Arrancars in his mansion as Aizen¡¯s Arrancars. It was quite reasonable for Aizen to have hidden allies among Shinigami and even in the Living World. ¡°Lord Aizen?¡± Api¡¯s face contorted in disgust. ¡°This is Kazuya¡¯s home. He is the Lord here. How do you even know him?¡± ¡°He¡­ saved my life today,¡± Menoly said, her raspy voice carrying a hint of gratitude. ¡°He instructed me to wait at his mansion.¡± ¡°Tell me more.¡± Api made Menoly confess the whole event of her invading the town, getting betrayed by Loly, and her fortuitous encounter with Kazuya. Api wouldn¡¯t have believed the story if the same thing didn¡¯t happen with Ciri before. ¡®Just how many women does he want? This Aizen¡­ why is a Shinigami like him ruling over Hueco Mundo?¡¯ Api let out a sigh. ¡°Fine,e inside. But any funny business, and I¡¯ll kick you out.¡± She didn¡¯t buy into Menoly¡¯s meek behavior as it was a very unfitting act for one of the strongest Arrancars under Aizen, the mysterious ruler of Hueco Mundo. ¡°I-I won¡¯t do anything,¡± Menoly said in a hurry. ¡°Thanks for having me here!¡± Chapter 201: Imperfection Chapter 201: Imperfection The mansion¡¯s lobbies, adorned with ornate carpets and dimly lit chandeliers, echoed with the sound of a heavy coffin being dragged. Kisuke maneuvered through the corridors as if he intimately knew every twist and turn. Just as he took a turn, a familiar face entered his sight. Ciri greeted him with a scowl. ¡°Would it kill you to add wheels to that thing? The unbearable noise is disturbing their rest.¡± Ciri contained her anger because of Kisuke¡¯s earnest attempts to fix her Zanpakut¨­ in the past. Even if he didn¡¯t seed, he tried his best. Kisuke raised the tip of his hat, staring at Ciri with wide eyes. ¡°We¡¯re taking this coffin to the basement. I have a question, Ciri-san. Did you cut off your Hollow traits?¡± He quickly dismissed the idea upon sensing her spiritual pressure. Had she discarded her Hollow traits, her power would¡¯ve considerably diminished rather than growing more intense. ¡°Or you restored your Zanpakut¨­ and sealed your Hollow traits in there?¡± ¡°I did just that,¡± Ciri said, arching her left brow skeptically. ¡°Leader helped me restore my Zanpakut¨­. His mes are miraculous.¡± A shiver ran down Kisuke¡¯s spine at the fervor in her eyes, reminiscent of a zealot¡¯s. In theirst meeting, she was depressed as hell. Now she had the passion of a cultist. Her transformation was startling, to say the least. ¡°Well, ain¡¯t Kazuya the savior of everyone here?¡± Lilte quipped as she arrived with Starrk, Api, and Menoly. ¡°Yet nobody fucking wants to help him. Y¡¯all are the worst friends.¡± Lilte continued throwing sarcastic remarks, still bitter that nobody went to help Kazuya. Api clenched her fists, her Reiatsu ring in response. ¡°I¡¯d do anything to go up there and stab Kazuya¡¯s enemies with my chakrams¡­ but my help might sabotage his schemes. Like Starrk said before, it¡¯splicated.¡± Lilte shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m done preaching. If anything happens to that guy, I¡¯m gonna kill everyone here, then the guy who kills him. I¡¯ll avenge him!¡± Stark ran his fingers through his hair. ¡°Lilte, focus that energy somewhere else. He¡¯ll be fine, I promise.¡± Kisuke, who was deep in thought until now, opened his mouth. ¡°Tessai, let¡¯s start the process. We¡¯ll discuss the limitations of Kazuya¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ter.¡± If his Zanpakut¨­ could restore a part of someone¡¯s soul, then it should also be capable of restoring Yoruichi without requiring the help of H¨­gyoku to merge her Soul Boundaries. Tessai nodded, and under Kisuke¡¯s guidance, they arrived at an unsuspecting staircase leading down to the basement. Tessai entered the basement and performed a mix of high-level and forbidden Kid¨­ spells in session. After the colorful disy of Kid¨­ spells faded, the small basement transformed into a massive underground zone rivaling that of the Urahara Shop. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Lilte murmured, apuding in awe. ¡°Now that Kisuke¡¯s shop is dead, can we live here from now on?¡± Api shrugged. ¡°Ask Kazuya. He decides what goes on around here. I¡¯m just his maid.¡± ¡°A, pretty please,¡± Lilte pleaded with sparkling eyes. ¡°Kazuya won¡¯t say no if you ask on our behalf.¡± ¡°He won¡¯t say no to you either.¡± ¡°Fuck¡­¡± Lilte cursed under her breath. ¡°Starrk, it¡¯s up to you now.¡± ¡°...¡± The former shopkeeper turned to the party of Starrk, Lilte, Api, and Menoly. ¡°I¡¯ll be busy for some time. Can everyone keep an eye out for Kazuya¡¯s Reiatsu? Don¡¯t hesitate to help him. His life is more important than anything.¡± After Kazuya had saved him and helped Yoruichi, Kisuke couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing him, even if it meant exposing Kazuya¡¯s identity and risking their mission. Api nodded, a look of determination in her eyes. ¡°If ites to that, I¡¯ll not hesitate.¡± Kisuke turned towards the stairs, a small smile ying on his lips. ¡®Yep, this is a cult.¡¯ He clenched the metal chain and dragged the coffin through the door. Closing the door, he asked Tessai to cast a force field around the whole underground area. Disturbing the residents posed a risk to his life. Kisuke brought the H¨­gyoku from his sleeve, broke its seal, and poured his Reiatsu into it. The H¨­gyoku remained unresponsive ¡ª Kisuke¡¯s Reiatsu fell short of activating the H¨­gyoku. ¡°I¡¯m not qualified for the job.¡± Tessai scratched his chin thoughtfully. ¡°Do we wait for Kazuya now?¡± ¡°I expected this to happen someday,¡± he said calmly and tugged at the coffin¡¯s chains beforepletely yanking it. Yoruichi, in her Hollowfied state, was tied to the coffin with Reishi bindings, her formpletely frozen under the influence of forbidden Kid¨­. Though Yoruichi was just a little over 5 feet tall, she didn¡¯t fill the entire coffin. There was apartment under her, housing a box that looked like an old television without a screen. ¡°Tessai, behold ¡®Seishin Z¨­ky¨­¡¯, the solution to our current problem.¡± Tessai¡¯s sses gleamed. ¡°A Reiatsu enhancer? You managed to finish that project! Do you know how big of a break¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get too excited, big man. Just see how useless it¡¯ll be in a fight.¡± Kisuke picked up the box and started tinkering with it. At the back of the box, two tubes, one red and one green, were attached. Kisuke connected the green tube to the H¨­gyoku. Then he cut his wrist and inserted the red tube into the wound. Closing his eyes, he fed his Reiatsu into the tube. The box named Seishin Z¨­ky¨­ inted like a balloon as it stored the Reiatsu, enhanced it throughpression, then pumped the enhanced Reiatsu into the green tube. The H¨­gyoku started emitting a cold, eerie glow. ¡°We seeded,¡± Kisuke said with a sigh of relief and yanked the red tube. He took the H¨­gyoku and stood before the slumbering Yoruichi. ¡°An imperfect solution, but it¡¯s all I can do at the moment.¡± The H¨­gyoku started glowing as if responding to his desires. Yoruichi¡¯s Hollow Mask fell off into small white kes, followed by her arm that was protected under ayer of Hierro. She cast off all the Hollow traits and returned to the Yoruichi they used to know. Only on the surface. ¡°Tessai, you can remove your Kid¨­.¡± Tessai performedplex hand gestures, and the green glowing energy around Yoruichi dissipated. Kisuke poked Yoruichi¡¯s face with the tip of his staff but she showed no signs of waking up. ¡°The Hollowification and battle with Aizen drained her Reiryoku¡­ let¡¯s leave her to rest.¡± Kisuke plopped down on the ground, cross-legged, and crossed his arms. Tessai sat in the same manner as Kisuke. The childhood friends settled after one of the most hectic days of their lives. One minute, two minutes, five minutes¡­ Time flew by in silence. Only after fifteen minutes did Kisuke break the silence. ¡°Tessai, Aizen was even more dangerous than our predictions. We frankly underestimated his willingness to obtain my H¨­gyoku.¡± Tessai nodded. ¡°Using a simple field trip of students to force the Gotei 13¡¯s hands¡­ he is a despicable animal.¡± ¡°Tessai, you didn''t witness what I did. Aizen casually cast a Level 90 Kid¨­ spell with no chant. Kazuya was right. He isn¡¯t just a Captain with a powerful Bankai ¡ª he is a disastrous threat to everything with his strength alone.¡± ¡°You guys.¡± The mischievous yet mesmerizing voice drew their attention ¡ª they saw an enchantingly beautiful woman with long, silver hair standing at the door, looking down at them with scorn. Chapter 202-203: Cat-astrophic Chapter 202-203: Cat-astrophic After arriving at the mansion, Kazuya decided to skip meeting Api and Ciri, feeling a pressing urgency to see Yoruichi¡¯s condition. His steps quickened as he followed Yoruichi¡¯s scent through the familiar corridors. Her scent took him to the basement, which no longer resembled his basement when he opened the door but Kisuke¡¯s underground chamber. Tessai and Kisuke were in the middle of a heavy discussion, while sitting in front of a coffin. ¡°Tessai, you didn''t witness what I did. Aizen casually cast a Level 90 Kid¨­ spell with no chant. Kazuya was right. He isn¡¯t just a Captain with a powerful Bankai ¡ª he is a disastrous threat to everything with his strength alone.¡± ¡°You guys,¡± he said in a condescending tone. ¡°look so depressed.¡± Kisuke turned toward him and revealed his signature cheeky smile. ¡°Still in that body, eh? Yoruichi will be traumatized if she sees her favorite man¡­ as a beautiful woman.¡± Imagining Yoruichi¡¯s shocked expression, he burst outughing. Her exaggerated reactions were always amusing. ¡°This is just temporary. I¡¯ll change before I return to the Soul Society.¡± Hisughter faded as he remembered the urgency of his situation. He had to conclude his business quickly; if Isane or someone else noticed his absence and sent a search team, it would be more than just awkward. The thought of being reported missing after he himself hade to find Rangiku and Nanao was quite ironic. {No, we have to punch Shinji for letting us down.} He couldn¡¯t sense Nanao, Lisa, or Izumi¡¯s Reiatsu in the town. The only two locations with Reiatsu-concealing force fields belonged to the Visored and Kisuke. One was destroyed, leaving Lisa with only one ce to heal Nanao. ¡®She is also getting some scolding.¡¯ {Don¡¯t forget Momo.} ¡®She is with Sung-Sun and Franceska.¡¯ Kazuya used Son¨ªdo to arrive before the coffin in an instant. Inside the coffin, Yoruichi slept peacefully with her hands ced on her stomach. Her sleeping posture flooded his chest with a feeling of relief. ¡°Look at her sleeping like a vampire after that fierce battle.¡± He vividly remembered his inner turmoil when he saw Aizen overpowering her in battle. If the battle went on for one more minute, he¡¯d have certainly jumped in to help Yoruichi. ¡°I¡¯m d you didn¡¯t,¡± Kisuke said with a reassuring hand on Kazuya¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Yoruichi-san would¡¯ve cursed you for ruining the mission. She is like that.¡± {At least we avenged her by pping Aizen in the face.} Kazuya nodded. ¡°You already stabilized her soul with the H¨­gyoku.¡± Yoruichi had be a Hollow-Shinigami hybrid, much like Shinji, following the H¨­gyoku¡¯s stabilization of her Soul Boundaries. Kazuya possessed the power to remove her Hollow side with his Resurri¨®n, but he resolved to wait for her permission before attempting such a drastic measure. ¡°Kazuya, how did your battle end? Did Aizen-san stall enough time for the Gotei 13¡¯s reinforcements?¡± Kazuya blinked, surprised yet impressed by Kisuke¡¯s insight. ¡°You predicted that too. As expected of the Founding Father of the S.R.D.I (Shinigami Research and Development Institute).¡± Kisuke covered his face with his paper fan. ¡°You knew Aizen¡¯s strengths and weaknesses as you¡¯ve worked with him before. I didn¡¯t bet on you losing. I didn¡¯t bet on you winning either¡­ Aizen is such a troublesome enemy.¡± ¡°Yeah, he ran away with his tail tucked between his legs. The Old Commander saved him today, but I managed to destroy his Shikai.¡± Kisuke narrowed his eyes, reflecting a dangerous intent hidden within. ¡°It¡¯s the best opportunity to take him down. We have to capitalize on this opening before he recovers his Shikai.¡± Kazuya had never seen him so eager to get rid of Aizen. The former shopkeeper finally realized the danger Aizen posed to him and everyone else in the Soul Society. Unfortunately, Kisuke couldn¡¯t enter the Soul Society until Gotei 13 removed him from the Senkaimon cklist, or he¡¯d have gone to fight Aizen himself. ¡°I¡¯ll see if I can convince Captain Unohana about Aizen.¡± Kisuke cast a skeptical side nce at him. ¡°It¡¯s only been, what, four months since you went to the Soul Society. Does Captain Unohana trust you enough to question a Captain¡¯s integrity?¡± ¡°Trust? She is head over heels for me.¡± Kisuke¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Dai-Senpai who used to be one of the most feared people before the Soul Society¡¯s establishment ¡ª I can¡¯t imagine her falling in love, even with that voice of yours.¡± ¡°It was just a joke.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°I¡¯ll ask her if she felt something off about Aizen.¡± Retsu wasn¡¯t the most knowledgeable, but her instincts were possibly the sharpest among the Gotei 13. It¡¯d be quite strange if she failed to notice incongruities in Aizen¡¯s story. ¡®I¡¯ll slowly probe her.¡¯ {With your dick¡ªwait, you don¡¯t have one right now!} As he was about to retort, a sharp intake of breath drew his attention ¡ª Yoruichi¡¯s eyes snapped open as she took shuddering breaths. Her heart pounded fiercely, a rhythm so strong Kazuya could hear it without focusing his senses. He stepped toward her and ripped the Reishi bindings with his bare hand. Yoruichi slowly slumped into his arms, her body radiating a searing heat as if she was experiencing high fever. She weakly wrapped her arms around him, her touch gentle yet trembling, as though caught in a dream-like state. ¡°Kazuya¡­ take me to bed¡­¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Kazuya rubbed Yoruichi¡¯s back and turned to Kisuke. ¡°She has a fever. Do you know something?¡± ¡°It could be a side-effect of her transformation. She¡¯ll be fine after some rest.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯ll tuck her into the bed.¡± He slipped his hands under her thighs and locked her legs around his waist tight. Then, he grabbed her butt, ensuring a secure yet gentle support for her. It seemed to be thefiest way to carry her, apart from the princess carry. ¡®She is stacked down there.¡¯ {As one should be. Having no tits is fine, but having no meat on your ass is unforgivable! Thankfully, I¡¯m packin¡¯ everywhere.} Nami seemed awfully proud of her figure. Kisuke whistled. ¡°I can¡¯t see you as anything other than lesbian lovers. Somewhat erotic I¡¯d say. Right, Tessai?¡± Tessai maintained his serious expression. ¡°I have noment.¡± ¡°Lesbian¡­?¡± Yoruichi muttered, half-awake. ¡°Soi Fon, you lesbian¡­ idiot.¡± He ignored the sluggish cat cursing a certain fervent Captain, and leaped toward the door. Opening the door, he saw Api, Ciri, Tier, Menoly, Starrk, and Lilte crowding the door. He noted that everyone, except Tier, seemed taken aback by his female form, which shouldn¡¯t be the case. He had specifically instructed Tier to inform everyone about his change being temporary. Tier averted her gaze and coughed softly. ¡°They weren¡¯t listening to me.¡± {She learned mischief¡­ Partner, Mommy is evolving.} Ciri covered her mouth, barely containing herughter. ¡°Leader, I didn¡¯t know the Soul Society awakened a new fetish in you.¡± She looked more lively than theirst meeting ¡ª his experiment with cats seeded in alleviating her negativity. Api ced her hands on her hips, looking troubled. ¡°Harribel wasn¡¯t joking about it. My husband¡­ became ady. I don¡¯t know how to feel about it¡­ how are we going to have sex now?¡± He barely caught her whispers with his keen senses. She seemed to be confused in figuring out the optimal sex position with his new form. Lilte mischievously patted his butt. ¡°Wow¡­ when will I grow these muscles?¡± Starrk attempted to take Lilte away, only for her to bicycle-kick his shoulder. Starkk didn¡¯t even react to her absurd move,pletely used to the physical abuse. ¡°I was telling you he¡¯ll be fine.¡± Lilte nodded before she took Starrk¡¯s hand and led him away. ¡°See yater, Kazuya.¡± Afterwards, Kazuya spent a few moments reassuring Api and Ciri while Tier watched him with clear amusement in her eyes. Finally, he addressed the fourth Arrancar in the room. ¡°Menoly, I¡¯ll talk to youter.¡± She gave a firm nod. ¡°Thanks¡­¡± The small gesture earned her gratitude. It simply showed how much abuse she went through as Loly¡¯s friend. He turned to Api. ¡°Don¡¯t be mean to Menoly. She¡¯ll be a part of our group from now on.¡± Api flinched at the usation. ¡°I-I wasn¡¯t mean to her. I just told her to not act rashly, or I¡¯ll kick her out.¡± She wasn''t like Sung-Sun or Ciri, who derives pleasure from emotional or physical pain. Menoly hummed in agreement, trying to score some points from Api. Kazuya ced a hand against Api¡¯s face. ¡°Thanks. Can you help her settle in?¡± ¡°Of course. Leave the odd jobs to me.¡± Api took Menoly¡¯s hand and dragged her through the corridors. He smiled at Tier before walking towards his room. ¡°Um¡­ Kazuya¡­ why do you feel so soft today¡­?¡± The sleepy kitten mumbled as he opened the door. ¡°Did a dog steal all your muscles¡­? Those¡­ sinful animals. Heavens purge them.¡± {Hahahaha. She is hrious.} Carefully climbing into bed with Yoruichi, Kazuya gently lowered her down. She instinctively tightened her grip around his neck, her legs locking around him as if unwilling to let him go. ¡°Kazuya¡­¡± she whispered and licked his ear with her strangely dry tongue. ¡°Pet¡­¡± Apanying her seductive gesture was an intense Reiatsu release ¡ª a Hollow¡¯s Reiatsu. rms went off in his head, but it was toote ¡ª she exerted pressure on him and pushed him down on the bed. ¡°Kaz¡­ uya.¡± He gently pushed against her shoulders, seeking distance from her, but she clung to the bed sheet with a stubborn, almost childlike determination. Hunched low against his stomach, she crawled forward, mirroring the predatory stance of a cat. Despite emanating the spiritual energy of a Hollow, she bore a striking resemnce to her regr self, except for the emergence of two pointed cat ears and a sleek ck tail yfully swaying behind her. Yoruichi had turned into a certified catgirl. Her cat eyes gleamed with a predatory glint as she climbed over his chest and licked his face. ¡°Pet¡­ Kazuya¡­¡± She hugged his chest and closed her eyes, clearly unbothered by her soft tits squishing against him. Her form rxing against him was both innocent and intimate. He cautiously reached out to touch her new cat ears. But in a swift reaction, her eyes snapped open, and she batted his hand away with a sharp hiss ¡ª a clear warning to keep his hands to himself. ¡°Pet¡­¡± She rolled to the side and clung to his side. With a mewl, she nuzzled against his neck, nting gentle, dry kisses. She firmly ced her knee on his stomach, as if trying to prevent her hug pillow from moving. ¡°Still¡­ stay.¡± {Yup, you¡¯re the hug pillow now.} The way she uttered words informed Kazuya about the origin of her new form. It was the fusion of her newly awakened Hollow with the instincts of her cat form ¡ª the very same instincts she disyed in her sh War Cry: Thunder Beast Battle Form. The amalgamation of these two aspects created an entirely new persona ¡ª a moody cat who only followed her instincts and saw him as her pet. {It¡¯s realistically impossible to remove her Hollowfication even with our Resurri¨®n.} In his Resurri¨®n form, he could kill any specific aspect of his target once he drained their Reiatsu, but in this case, attempting to separate her Hollow from her beast form could be catastrophic. Killing her Hollow would take away her cat form and possibly eliminate her strongest Shunk¨­ form. ¡®Damn it.¡¯ His jaw clenched, but his anger melted in the face of the dark-skinned catgirl snoring softly on his side. He felt his head throb at the mere possibility of this animal permanently recing Yoruichi. ¡®She has to be in there¡­¡¯ He refused to believe in the possibility of Yoruichi eternally relinquishing control of her body. She was too proud for that to happen. {Only one way to find out¡­ wait for her to wake up again.} ¡®I don¡¯t have the time.¡¯ {Then use your Resurri¨®n and kill her Hollow. It should wake her up from her slumber.} He shook his head, opting for the patience route over the hasty one. After a few minutes of waiting, he attempted to gently lift her knee. She opened her eyes and red at him. She patted his chest. ¡°Hiss¡­ Pet.¡± ¡°...¡± He only had two ways to get out of the sticky situation. First one was quite straightforward ¡ª using force against Yoruichi. He dismissed the idea as soon as he felt her dry tongue licking his face. He was no saint, but he was no monster either. So, he had to go with his second, more peaceful choice ¡ª seduction. He summoned his system and switched his gender through his focus. A viscous purple aura oozed out of his chest and began enveloping him. Yoruichi sprang back like a startled cat,nding lithely on the edge of the bed. Her cat-like eyes, wide with a look of curiosity and caution, fixed on him. ¡°Pet?¡± When the me-like aura dissipated, he found himself in his mostfortable Hollow form. Grinning, he beckoned the cat girl. ¡°Come.¡± His voice came out gentle yet demanding, filled to the brim with enchanting power. He fully utilized the power of his ability ¡®Silvery Tongue¡¯, even more so than his hypnotic session with Api. Unable to resist thepelling suggestion directly imnted in her consciousness, Yoruichi slowly crawled towards him, a dazed expression on her face. She sat before him, her gaze still locked onto his. ¡°Kazuya¡­¡± As Kazuya extended his hand towards her, she instinctively tried to retreat. ¡°Hold.¡± The single word halted her movement, allowing him to gently pat her cat ears. She responded positively, leaning into his touch, her tail swaying contentedly. ¡°Good pet!¡± He scratched her ears, stroked her hair, and rubbed her face. After fully lowering her guard through intimacy, he approached her ears. ¡°Sleep.¡± The powerful suggestion made her quiver as if she tried to resist its influence. ¡°I said sleep.¡± This time, themand took full effect, sending her into a deep, peaceful slumber. He ced her on the bed and draped the nket over her with tender care, his hand lightly caressing her face. ¡°Sleep well¡­ Yoruichi, I want to see you when I return.¡± He shrouded himself in a few sound-canceling kid¨­ spells and left the room. Outside the room, Tier leaned against the wall, her arms crossed on her chest. ¡°Did something happen to Yoruichi?¡± ¡°Tier¡­¡± Kazuya approached her and wrapped his arms around her in aforting embrace, resting his chin on her shoulder. ¡°I need to leave soon.¡± He would have copsed if not for thebination of his absurd regeneration ability and quick Reiryoku recovery time. The day¡¯s ordeals had left him mentally exhausted, but his fatigue disappeared in her warm embrace. ¡°That¡¯s not a reason to be depressed.¡± She stroked his back encouragingly, even though she was just as reluctant to see him leave. ¡°Think about all the friends you made in the Soul Society. They¡¯ll be worried if you don¡¯t return to them soon.¡± ¡°Mhmm.¡± ¡°Do you want to lie down with me?¡± He drew back immediately and shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m only lying with you when we take the next step.¡± She stared at him, as if processing his words. Her cheeks flushed as she nodded with a soft smile. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the timing up to you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see youter.¡± Once Tier walked past him, his attention was drawn to a goth girl peeking around the corner. Before he could address her, she vanished using Son¨ªdo, retreating to her room. {What was that?} ¡®She wants to talk to me.¡¯ {Anyways, let¡¯s go check up on Momo. She must be so anxious for not seeing you for hours!} Chapter 204: Mistrust Chapter 204: Mistrust Kazuya obviously couldn¡¯t meet his fellow Shinigami like Rangiku, Nanao, or Momo in his Hollow form. He had to be a Soul and wear his academy uniform, which wasn¡¯t in his possession at the moment. After ying Zommari, Kazuya had used Bakud¨­ #26 Kyokk¨­, a rtively low-level kid¨­ spell that bent light around the target, to shake off any stalker on his trail. On his way to meet Aizen, he had tossed his academy kimono in an abandoned warehouse. He switched into his Human form and requested Kisuke to separate his soul from his body. ¡°Oh, by the way, I left those students and a Vice-Captain in the basement of my old shop.¡± ¡°Rangiku Matsumoto was her name,¡± Tessai expanded on Kisuke¡¯szy report. ¡°You should confirm it just in case Captain Yamamoto leaves without investigating the shop.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll do that. See yater.¡± With a brief farewell, he left the basement with his physical body in his hands. Since he was tight on time, he chucked the body into Tier¡¯s room. After casting Bakud¨­ #26 Kyokk¨­ on his own, he left the mansion. Aizen and Gin had gone to the Soul Society, but he didn¡¯t see the third member of the trio, Tosen. He couldn¡¯t move around freely as the blind Captain could be observing Karakura Town from a hidden ce. ¡°That¡¯s the ce.¡± He dove through the broken window, burned his current clothes, and wore the Shino Academy¡¯s kimono. Like every traditional Japanese dress, wearing the kimono alone was quite a tedious process. {Partner, you never told me how you switched genders¡­} ¡®The same way I switch races. mes of rebirth.¡¯ Azure and purple mes always manifested during his gender or race transformations. He decided to call them mes of rebirth as they allowed him to be reborn into a new form. {Oh. Can you use them for anything else?} ¡®As of now, nothing.¡¯ {Bright mes possessing an ability bordering on time reversal, crimson mes possessing the power of pure destruction, and azure mes possessing the power of metamorphosis at will. Shinku-no-Tsubasa, Izanami-no-Mikoto¡­ who¡¯s the Zanpakut¨­ Spirit for the third?} The question posed by Nami made him pause in the middle of tying his hakama (trousers). He narrowed his eyes, a plethora of wild theories rising in his mind. The most prevalent of which was bordering on terrifying. He always thought the Temte System let him assess his strength and modify his status because it relied onws outside the Bleach verse. However, the System achieved the race/gender switching through a unique me. The mes that originated from his own soul. ¡®The System is from this universe.¡¯ Going by the logic, some powerful entity had read his mind when he reincarnated as a weak Hollow. Using the information from his memories, they made a System and attached it to him. ¡®No one in Bleach has that type of power¡­ unless it¡¯s the Soul King himself.¡¯ He consciously let the thought echo in his head in the same manner as he talked with Nami. Ack of reaction from Nami only strengthened his doubts. The System was an extremely powerful entity capable of removing any mention of its existence. ¡®Let¡¯s hypothetically say it¡¯s the Soul King. What will be his motive behind it?¡¯ Does he want to reincarnate through me?¡¯ In his prime, the Soul King was more powerful than Yhwach¡¯s final form. The nobles sealed him and then mutted his body. The Soul King hadn¡¯t resisted one bit; he died to let the three realms flourish without an absolute ruler. After a death like that, it wouldn¡¯t make sense for the Soul King to pluck a random human from another universe and use him as a vessel for his resurrection. ¡®No, I¡¯m overthinking this.¡¯ He pushed the absurd thoughts out of his mind. ¡°Honestly, Nami. I have no idea. You live inside my Inner World. You should know what¡¯s inside there and what¡¯s not.¡± {Don¡¯t be ridiculous, Partner. Your Inner World is endless. I don¡¯t explore anything outside of this ind.} ¡®I have no idea.¡¯ {From what I can guess, it has to be another hot chick. Here¡¯s my theory. Tsubasa, our daughter, acted like a clingy daughter, who wanted her Master to be perfect from her perspective. I¡¯m mature but my experience is limited to yours. I consider myself your equal in every sense. Going by logic, the third will be one rank higher.} ¡®You mean¡ª¡¯ {This one will be a mommy!} ¡®Or even older.¡¯ {Sheesh, Partner. She¡¯s gonna discipline you into a good boy.} ¡®I already have a mother. Her name is Tier Harribel.¡¯ {Nobody said you can¡¯t have two! A, we¡¯re already here. I wanted to tease you some more.} While having a conversation with the quirky Nami, he reached Sung-Sun¡¯s flower shop. Since he was concealed and his Reiatsu fully suppressed, the twodies didn¡¯te out to greet him. {Wanna bet ifdies will sniff you out?} ¡®Nope.¡¯ Only people with extremely sharp senses could hope to find him; somehow most of his lovers fell under that category, even Izumi. As a clingy and obsessive yandere, she arguably stood as much chance as Api. ¡®I¡¯ll check up on Izumi after this.¡¯ Since her Reiatsu was quite weak, he couldn¡¯t locate her whereabouts. {Do you believe that pervert stayed home after sensing her Otouto-kun battling a Hollow?} ¡®No. Lisa probably took her to the Visored¡¯s base.¡¯ Now that Izumi wasn¡¯t Quincy, Lisa might¡¯ve chosen to reveal her secret to Izumi ¡ª so was his spection. He opened the door to Sung-Sun¡¯s flower shop and took a curious look inside. Sung-Sun carefully trimmed a bonsai nt, fully concentrated in crafting a masterpiece. M Rose, on the other hand, sat behind the counter, idly tapping the ground as if waiting for someone. Then there was Momo leaning against the wall, knocked out cold. {That¡¯s why she didn¡¯te to help you. Poor girl was jumped by your lovers.} A gust of wind blew into the shop, rming M Rose. She perked up and sniffed the air. ¡°Skull?! That¡¯s Skull. Oi, stop hiding. I know you¡¯re here!¡± Sung-Sun turned around, smiling. ¡°Hubby, wee back.¡± M Rose got up on the reception table and dove at him. ¡°Skull!¡± He calmly caught her, letting the overly excited lioness brace slide her arms around. ¡°I so wanted toe out and punch those bastards troubling you. I ignored my instincts and listened to Sung-Sun¡­ it was so hard to sit there and wait, but I did it.¡± Stroking her back, he nted a kiss on her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m proud of your resilience. It¡¯d be over for me if anyone from the Soul Society saw you helping me out there.¡± She looked up with a bright smile. ¡°Thank you. Thank you.¡± Sung-Sun approached him with a smile. ¡°Guess who didn¡¯t listen to me and got knocked unconscious?¡± His nce drifted to Momo. ¡°Thanks for stopping her. I wouldn¡¯t have been able to protect her on my own.¡± Sung-Sun nodded and hugged him from the side. ¡°Hubby, I love you.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°I just wanted to say that¡­¡± she whispered. ¡°Feeling all those strong Reiatsu scared me a little.¡± M Rose¡¯s arms trembled. She captured him in a bear-like hug and buried his face in her chest. ¡°I also love you¡ª¡± she suddenly drew close to his face and sniffed him. ¡°It smells like Yoruichi¡¯s human form¡¯s saliva. What¡¯s more, her scent is all over you.¡± ¡°How do you know her saliva¡¯s smell?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the important question, Hubby.¡± Sung-Sun held his chin and made him look into her trembling eyes. ¡°Hubby, we were worried sick for your safety here. You could¡¯ve said hello here before mating the wild cat.¡± ¡°Yeah! You should have shaboinked her after meeting us. Why did you do that?¡± {They¡¯re encouraging you to cheat on them. Everyone needs wives like that.} ¡°Shaboinked?¡± Sung-Sun burst intoughter. ¡°Franceska, you perv. Where did you find that word?¡± Kazuya couldn¡¯t help but smile after listening to their grumbles. They were passionate about him. Such passion often came with high expectations. When he didn¡¯t meet their expectations, they voiced out their discontent. {It¡¯s a healthy rtionship.} He nodded at Nami¡¯s words. ¡°Sung-Sun, Franceska, Yoruichi¡­¡± A brief exnationter, the two stared at each other with wide eyes, speechless. ¡°Hubby, I¡­ please forgive me. I¡¯m such a bad wife for doubting my husband¡¯s character.¡± ¡°Me too¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± He wrapped them both in his arms. ¡°I¡¯ll forgive you on one condition. If it ever happens in the future, you won¡¯t bury it in your chest. But you¡¯lle to me and say it to my face like today.¡± He wanted his rtionships tost for a long time. Sorting out their personal issues with him from time to time would only bring them closer and deepen their understanding. Sung-Sun pecked his face. ¡°Deal.¡± ¡°You bet I will.¡± M Rose giggled and head-butted his chest. ¡°Skull, can you stay today? I want to¡­¡± The glimmer of desire in her eyes couldn¡¯t be more apparent. He gently shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m¡ª¡± ¡°Shoo.¡± Sung-Sun pressed a finger against his lips and pointed at Momo. ¡°She is awake.¡± Momo¡¯s fingers twitched before her eyes slowly opened. She sat up and rubbed her eyes sleepily. Kazuya pushed the two out of the door, whispering to them to wait outside. He hurried to Momo¡¯s side and held her hand. ¡°Kazuya-kun¡­¡± ¡°Sleep,¡± hemanded firmly, imbuing the word with every bit of his charm. ¡°Sleep for a while.¡± Her head drooped down as her consciousness drifted to thend of dreams. He lifted her and gentlyid her on the counter. ¡°Wait here. We¡¯ll go back after I get Nanao.¡± Chapter 205-206: The Reconciliation Chapter 205-206: The Reconciliation In a dimly lit room, Lisa could be seen sitting with her arms crossed, her eyespletely focused on the ck-haired woman lying on the bed. ¡®Time sure flew by while I was here.¡¯ Over the course of fifty years, a chasm of time that seemed both an eternity and a fleeting moment, Nanao had transformed. No longer the child Lisa remembered reading stories for in the Soul Society, she had blossomed into a refined beauty. Her elegance was only enhanced by the pair of sses that currently sat on the bedside. Lisa, on the other hand, hadn¡¯t changed one bit. The aging of souls was one of the fascinating mysteries that nobody seemed to care about in the Soul Society. ¡®I wonder what Kazuya thought when he met her. Did he mistake her for my sister?¡¯ Lisa couldn¡¯t help smirk, imagining an awkward scene of Kazuya indirectly probing Nanao for their rtionship. The fantasy crumbled when she recalled his outright rejection of their date. ¡®Tch, that kiddo is too cocky. I¡¯ll teach him a lesson someday¡­ wait, I had to bring him to Izumi.¡¯ Shepletely forgot about her promise to Izumi. Normally, she wouldn¡¯t care about trivial things, but Izumi had be quite the special person to her. The former Quincy had transformed from a rich mistress into a half-pervert obsessed with receiving the seed of her ¡®brother.¡¯ A brother who was equally Quincy as he was a Hollow, and now he posed as a Shinigami in the Soul Society. The web of lies spread around him was disgusting yet one of the most fascinating things currently in her life. ¡®It¡¯s either going to end with Kazuya fucking something up¡­ or fucking Izumi up.¡¯ She¡¯d wee thetter over the former. In fact, she¡¯d happily pose as Izumi¡¯s bridesmaid at their wedding. ¡°Hold on, if they get married¡­ wouldn¡¯t I permanently be his maid?¡± She never thought too deeply into the matter, but now she had to face the consequences of the changing dynamics. Living with Izumi had be her new norm, which she didn¡¯t want to change any time soon. ¡®The three of us in the same apartment¡­¡¯ Her thoughts began to spiral, descending into dark fantasies far removed from the ordinary. She fantasized about the groom, Kazuya, dragging the bridesmaid into the wedding chamber and forcing Izumi to watch his vile act of iming the bridesmaid¡¯s innocence with the lust and passion of a demon. Lost in these forbidden imaginings, Lisa¡¯s hand moved of its own ord, slipping beneath the fabric of her skirt. A whimper escaped her lips, slowly escting into full-blown moans. Consumed by lust, she abandoned every sense of shame and pleasured herself. ¡­ Few minutester, the woman once aze with forbidden fervor now could be seen slumping in the chair, disheveled and lethargic. Each shuddering breath made her chest rise and fall in uneven tides. She slowly withdrew her hand from her skirt and stared at her fingers coated in her sticky bodily fluids ¡ª the living proof of her depraved action. The throes of post-orgasm syndrome made her like she hadmitted a grave sin. ¡®What the fuck¡­¡¯ She clenched her fist, feeling a surge of regret rising in her chest. She had masturbated to the strange fantasy of getting pounded by Kazuya, her friend¡¯s ¡®husband.¡¯ What¡¯s worse was her imagined scenario ¡ª she had been forced into doing the deed, yet she loved every moment of it like aplete degenerate. ¡®I didn¡¯t just get off to that. No, I didn¡¯t! I¡¯m not a horny bitch like the female lead of boss and secretary stories!¡¯ She decided to act as if it had never happened and buried the memory deep in her chest, where another traumatizing memory apanied it. ¡®I gotta change. But my clothes are back at the apartment.¡¯ After ensuring Nanao hadn¡¯t woken up from all the moans, Lisa left the room to clean her hands and tidy her appearance. She didn¡¯t want Nanao or anyone else to see her current appearance. ¡­ Nanao Ise¡¯s senses gradually returned as she awakened, the soft light of an unfamiliar room greeting her. She slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes, trying to clear the haze of grogginess. An unfamiliar scent lingered in the air, but she decided to ignore it for the time being. Her vision, still blurred without the aid of her sses, revealed enough to confirm her suspicions: this was not her own quarters nor the Gotei 13''s medical wing. Instead, everything from the bed to the decor hinted at this being a room in the Living World. A sudden sh of memory jolted her, ''I passed out¡ªthat Arrancar!'' The vivid recollection of the encounter at the power nt flooded her mind, each moment reying with painful rity. She involuntarily shuddered as phantom pain from the Arrancar¡¯s brutal assault coursed through her. The brutal kicks and punches had broken numerous bones in her body. Holding her arm, she realized theyers of gauze wrapping around her chest and her hands. It was evident that someone had not only rescued her from the battlefield but had also employed Kaido to heal her injuries with a level of proficiency that made the previous night''s battles seem distant. But she didn¡¯t have the luxury of feeling relieved as the weight of her failure came crashing down on her. ¡°I should¡¯ve fought more decisively¡­¡± Her self-reproach was abruptly interrupted by a voice, both familiar and unexpected. ¡°The students will be fine,¡± the voice dered, just as the door creaked open, revealing the source of the reassurance. The sight that greeted Nanao momentarily washed away all traces of pain and disbelief. ¡°Everything was neatly handled by that b of delicious meat.¡± ¡°Lisa Nee-san?!¡± Lisa casually took a seat on the chair and threw her leg over the other, her smirk devilish. ¡°Long time no see, Nao-chan. Did you miss this Onee-san?¡± Nanao blinked her wide eyes then pinched her cheeks. Then blinked some more as if she couldn¡¯t believe the sight before her. She hade to Karakura Town in search of Lisa, and now that very person sat before her. It was like a dream, or it was a dream ¡ª she couldn¡¯t tell what was what after getting beaten to pulp by the Arrancar. Lisa giggled, amused. ¡°Your sses are by the bedside.¡± Nanao grabbed her sses and immediately put them on. ¡°I¡¯m still seeing Lisa Nee-san. How do I wake up from this dream?¡± ¡°Dreams and Reality are interchangeable.¡± ¡°No, they are not!¡± Nanao retorted. ¡°Lisa Nee-san, are you real?¡± Lisa rose up from her seat and unbuttoned her shirt. Gently shifting the bra covering her right breast, she pointed at the big mole just outside her are. ¡°Remember this?¡± Nanao seemed to be in a daze, recalling memories of a century ago. Back when she was young. One night, she visited Lisa to read her a story from the book, only to find the Vice-Captain sittingpletely naked in her room. ¡°That night¡­¡± Lisa shrugged and put her shirt back on. ¡°It wasn¡¯t my fault. I was sweating a bucket after working out.¡± It was a yful workout involving an erotic book and her nimble fingers ¡ª Lisa cleverly omitted the perverted detail. Nanao slowly nodded as reality sank in. Then, all of a sudden, emotions long held at bay surged forth. Overwhelmed by a mixture of relief, joy, and the surreal nature of their reunion, she couldn¡¯t contain herself. She leaped from the bed, her actions guided more by heart than thought, and enveloped Lisa in a fervent embrace that sent them both tumbling to the ground. "Nee-saaan!" she eximed, her voice muffled against Lisa''s chest. ¡°I¡¯m so d to meet you again¡­ so d to see you¡¯re fine.¡± Lisa embraced her back and gently stroked her hair. ¡°Silly girl, why will I not be fine?¡± Nanao drew back and wiped her tears away. ¡°I read some horrible reports that were traced back a hundred years ago¡­ every one of the reports listed you as an unique ¡®Hollow.¡¯ You were to be purged. But seeing you just reassured me of the corruption rooted in the nobility.¡± Lisa chuckled nervously. ¡°Nao-chan, those reports were true.¡± ¡°Huh?! What are you saying?¡± But their conversation was abruptly cut short by a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Lisa¡¯s attention snapped to the door, her expression turning grave as she sensed a familiar spiritual pressure. ¡°Captain?¡± they both said, almost in unison, though their tones could not have been more different. Nanao''s was filled with hope, while Lisa''s was tinged with solemnity. Nanao didn¡¯t seem to register Lisa¡¯s uncertainty as she held Lisa¡¯s hand and rushed out of the room. ¡­ Meanwhile, on the other side. Izumi stepped into Shinji¡¯s base. The ce looked run-down on the outside but very neat inside. Her mouth hung open when she saw the massive underground space bathed in natural sun-like lighting. ¡°Looks can be deceiving¡± ¡ª Izumi had often heard the quote from Lisa but she never realized its true meaning until today. Once her initial shock wore off, she noticed six figures standing imposingly, each exuding an overwhelming presence. They were much more powerful than herself. ¡®Did I step into the tiger¡¯s den?¡¯ However, she had no desire to turn back. Any danger was worth taking as long as she got the chance to embrace Kazuya again. Shunsui stepped forward and waved politely,pletely ignoring the hostility directed at him. ¡°Um, Shinji. I think it would be a lot better if you exined the situation to everyone.¡± ¡°Shinjiiiii!¡± Hiyori yelled as sheunched herself at Shinji. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you.¡± Shinji calmly caught Hiyori¡¯s lethal kick, which was precisely aimed at his family jewels. ¡°Hiyori, rx. Shunsui-san will go away in a few minutes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the problem, dumbass,¡± Hiyori retorted and pointed at Shunsui. ¡°You¡ªyou exposed our base to a Shinigami. Do you want them to capture us for execution?!¡± ¡°He isn¡¯t any Shinigami, Hiyori. He is Shunsui Kyoraku, the man who has always looked out for us in the Soul Society.¡± Hepletely shut down Hiyori with his serious and firm tone, which he had hardly used in Living World. ¡°He won¡¯t expose us. I¡¯ll take full ountability if he does.¡± ¡°Shinji, you¡­¡± Hiyori paused, unwilling to argue any further. ¡°Have it your way.¡± Shinji nodded and turned to the rest of the group. ¡°You guys got any objections?¡± Kensei slowly shook his head, his expression ever-so-serious. ¡°No, I trust Shunsui-san as much as I trust you.¡± Although he rarely interacted with Shunsui, he and Shunsui always engaged in conversations during the Captain meeting. From what he had observed, Shunsui was more inclined to skirting around the rules and even breaking rules than on his whim. Someone like him wouldn¡¯t sell them out. Love zipped up his tracksuit and flicked his sunsses. ¡°Ain¡¯t winning no war without trusting therade walking shoulder to shoulder with you.¡± Shinji let out a sigh. ¡°Not another manga reference¡­¡± Rose chuckled. ¡°Shunsui-san, don¡¯t betray us. My guitar would mourn if we lose an ally¡ªhey, those two are here.¡± Shunsui paused and turned around. Standing at the door above was his Vice-Captain alongside his former Vice-Captain. Side by side, they seemed like siblings, despite the fact they shared no rtives. He sh-stepped to Nanao¡¯s side and wrapped her in his arms. ¡°Nanao-chan¡­ I thought I lost you.¡± His seriousness surprised Nanao, but she gradually settled in his arm. ¡°I thought the same, Captain,¡± Nanao whispered. ¡°It was¡­ a crazy experience.¡± ¡°It¡¯ll be fine from now. I¡¯ll protect you.¡± Lisa took a step back and admired the pair of uncle and niece embracing each other. Her smile vanished once she caught a glimpse of Izumi standing by Shinji¡¯s side. ¡®I¡¯m not in my Gigai either.¡¯ Her Shinigami origins would be revealed if she went anywhere near Izumi in her soul form. The frisky daydreams in the bedroom already made her feel guilty towards Izumi. Adding the pressure of being interrogated simply made her want to run away. Yet, the thought of potentially hurting her friend kept her feet firm. ¡®No more lies. It¡¯s the day toy it all bare.¡¯ She found the conviction to reveal everything about herself to Izumi, putting an end to the act of deceiving once and for all. Nanao pushed Shunsui away and looked back at Lisa. ¡°Nee-san, aren¡¯t you going to greet Captain?¡± She found it weird that Lisa didn¡¯t look excited to reunite with Shunsui, her former Captain. ¡°Do I have to?¡± Lisa asked with a chuckle and waved at Shunsui. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you, Captain. Nao-chan became a fine Vice-Captain in my absence, didn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°She absolutely did,¡± Shunsui said with a soft smile. ¡°Lisa-chan, forgi¡ª¡± Lisa threw a punch at his chin, shutting down his apology. ¡°You abandoned yourrades to find Nanao. What kind of disgraceful Captain are you?!¡± The fact that Shunsui was here meant he didn¡¯t aid the Shinigami in fighting Arrancars. ¡°Ah, that one hurt¡­¡± Shunsui rubbed his chin with a wince then assumed a serious expression. ¡°I¡¯ll abandon any mission if Nanao-chan is in danger.¡± His calm deration would¡¯ve made any girl fluttery but Nanao showed more anger than joy. If she had her book in her hand, she would¡¯ve smashed it into his face. ¡°Seriously, Captain?! Are you out of your mind? What if¡ª¡± ¡°Someone died?¡± Lisa¡¯s eyes widened as she spun around to the familiar voice. A hand swept away the curtain of light. Kazuya stepped out of the kid¨­¡¯s influence, a rare serious look on his face. ¡°I almost died out there. Uncle Isshin almost died out there. Isane, your friend, barely escaped death. Captain Kyoraku, your hastiness almost led to aplete wipe.¡± ¡°Kazuya¡­¡± Nanao stepped forward and bowed her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for my ipetence. If only I¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Nanao,¡± Shunsui said as he pulled Nanao out of her bowing stance. ¡°You are Kazuya, right? The Kazuya who has been making waves in the Soul Society.¡± Shunsui didn¡¯t imagine his first meeting with the infamous future Captain would be under these circumstances. Chapter 207-208: The Uncovering Chapter 207-208: The Uncovering Kazuya, of course, saw Izumi when he snuck into the Visored¡¯s basement. He would have left her alone if Lisa wasn¡¯t present on the scene alongside Nanao and Shunsui. Lisa didn¡¯t look panicky or flustered ¡ª she had mustered the courage to spill the beans about her affiliation with the Visored. He would never find a better opportunity to reveal the truth and stop Izumi from growing overly concerned with his absence. He always had the option of using his voice to stop Izumi¡¯s stress from escting to extreme levels. {Yooo, hypnosis is evil.} ¡®Better than losing Izumi.¡¯ He couldn¡¯t care less about ethical concerns of using hypnosis when not using it could result in a disastrous situation. Shunsui turned to Nanao. ¡°Should I take his silence as a yes?¡± ¡°Yeah, he is Kazuya Ishihara,¡± Nanao replied, mistaking Kazuya¡¯s silence for anger. ¡°You better say thanks to him¡­¡± Nanao didn¡¯t know the whole picture, but she definitely knew two things: Shunsui had abandoned his duty to find her, and Kazuya had stepped up big time to y the Arrancars, saving Isane, Rangiku, and Captain Shiba from grave danger in the process. Shunsui would be absolutely put on trial before Council 46 if any high-ranking member died on this mission. Shunsui touched his nape, smiling foolishly. ¡°It won¡¯t look sincere with just my words. How about we go out for a drinkter?¡± Kazuya shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Let¡¯s just return to the Soul Society first. We¡¯ll have to brief everything to the General Commander.¡± Shunsui shivered at the mention of Yamamoto. ¡°Old man must have one helluva punishment in store for me.¡± Even if Shunsui was like a son to Yamamoto, he wasn¡¯t letting Shunsui off with a p on the wrist. Kazuya grinned. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t that better¡ª¡± Before he could finish his words, a figure shed past Shunsui using Hirenkyaku, the high-speed movement of Quincy. Izumi, the only Quincy in the vicinity, threw herself in his arms. ¡°Otouto!¡± So desperate for his warmth, she embraced him right after she sensed his Reiatsu. She didn¡¯t pay attention to his current outfit or his ¡®Soul¡¯ form for that matter. He responded with a warm pat on her back and a reassuring smile. ¡°Izumi, what happened?¡± ¡°I¡ªI was worried. You were there, then you disappeared. I thought s-something happened to you.¡± ¡°Just a little scuffle with some minor Hollows. Nothing to worry about,¡± he lied smoothly, his hand gently caressing her hair to soothe her. ¡°Ready to go home?¡± She clung to him, her grip betraying a fear of losing him again. ¡°Carry me, please¡­¡± ¡°You spoiled little princess.¡± He chuckled and teasingly pinched her butt, acting oblivious to the three people in front of him. ¡°Otouto-kun¡­¡± she whispered, taking a shuddering breath. Pushing back slightly, she reached up, encircling his neck with her arms. Then, in a bold, affectionate gesture, she captured his lips in a heartfelt kiss. His eyes widened at her unexpected boldness. Their first kiss was his surprise, and the second was hers ¡ª she made the score even. While savoring her soft lips, he unsheathed his katana and shed the air. mes erupted from the de, cascading into a fiery barrier that enveloped them, shielding their intimate moment from Lisa and the others¡¯ prying eyes. He needed to give affection to the desperate yandere. ¡­ Outside the fiery veil, Shunsui and Nanao exchanged puzzled nces. Nanao, misconstruing the situation, spected that Kazuya might be wooing one of Lisa¡¯s friends from the Living World. Shunsui, however, knew the deeper truth of Izumi¡¯s Quincy heritage. ¡°Kazuya is her Otouto¡­ How is that¡ª¡± ¡°Possible?¡± Lisa interjected with a knowing smile, nudging Shunsui yfully. ¡°They¡¯re not rted by blood, but by passion.¡± ¡°But he is a Shinigami. She is a Quincy.¡± ¡°A former Quincy,¡± Lisa corrected her former Captain, sighing as she recalled the intimate kiss between Kazuya and Izumi. ¡°She is a hopeless maiden in love now.¡± Nanao felt utterly left out. Grabbing the sleeves of Shunsui and Lisa, she forced them to exin Kazuya and Izumi¡¯s rtionship. Shunsui told his side of the story as he sneakily closed the door behind him. Lisa soon found herself in a precarious situation ¡ª either reveal everything about Kazuya or lie to the two people who considered her a part of their family. ¡®No, it¡¯s not my ce to speak of his most-guarded secret.¡¯ Clearing her throat loudly, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll let Kazuya speak for himself.¡± As she spoke, the me wall dispersed, revealing Izumi with a flushed expression. Her infatuation with him couldn¡¯t be more evident. Lisa couldn¡¯t tell if Izumi consciously filtered out his kimono or simply didn¡¯t care about his affiliation with the Soul Society. ¡®A bit of both I think.¡¯ Kazuya assumed a solemn expression. ¡°Izumi, look at me.¡± Confused, she lifted her eyes to his. ¡°T-That¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m not a Shinigami.¡± He closed his eyes and reached into his consciousness. His skin grew a shade paler as curved horns protruded from both sides of his head. A pair of ck wings grew from behind him, opening in a massive radius. ¡°I¡¯ve always been a Hollow.¡± His revtion was blunt and unguarded, exposing his true nature to all three present. Nanao gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, her Reiatsu spiking due to sheer shock of discovery. Shunsui seemed both fascinated and scared of his ability. Izumi stood petrified, her heart grappling with the reality that her beloved Otouto was not a Quincy, but a Hollow. Lisa smiled faintly,pletely supportive of his decision to tear down the web of lies. {Oh boy, you have done it now. There is noing back from this¡­ unless you kill everyone. Don¡¯t be angry, Partner! It was a joke.} Izumi reached out with a shaking hand and touched his horn¡¯s tough surface. ¡°It¡¯s real. How¡ªhow is this even possible?¡± His ability to change race at the drop of a hat left three of them as equally astonishing as they were terrified. Kazuya rubbed the back of his head with a wry smile. ¡°Every Arrancar has a unique ability. I have the ability to switch freely between human and Hollow. Discarding my physical body in my human form lets me be a Shinigami.¡± ¡°This Reiatsu¡­¡± Shunsui whispered with narrowed eyes. ¡°You were fighting Aizen out there. What was your goal behind joining the Soul Society and helping us against the Arrancars?¡± Lisa ced a hand on Shunsui¡¯s shoulder. ¡°He was helping us. Aizen¡­¡± She recounted the night of the Visored¡¯s Hollowification, Aizen¡¯s obsession with breaking the limits of Shinigami, and Kazuya¡¯s reasoning behind posing as a Shinigami. Kazuya also helped fill in the missing pieces like Aizen¡¯s real objective in orchestrating the entire n to manipte Kisuke into giving up his H¨­gyoku. For Nanao, who had been oblivious to Lisa¡¯s predicament, the extent of Aizen¡¯s betrayal was overwhelming. Shunsui felt the sting of betrayal even more acutely due to his deeper understanding of the broader implications. By close rtionship to Aizen, both Tosen and Gin could be traitors. Shunsui crossed his arms, his gaze distant. ¡°I myself was sure of Kisuke¡¯s innocence. He never struck me as the type to willingly harm anyone.¡± Kazuya offered a knowing smile. ¡°He¡¯s being framed by Aizen once again.¡± ¡°Aizen always seemed like a man with many secrets. Still, who could¡¯ve thought his treachery ran that deep.¡± Lisa ced a hand on Shunsui¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Captain¡ª¡± ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t doubt a word they said to me,¡± Shunsui interrupted Lisa with a gentle look. ¡°Nanao-chan seems distrustful of Kazuya.¡± Nanao remained silent in the face of usation. A few momentster, she turned to Kazuya. ¡°Correct me if I get anything wrong. You came to Karakura Town to protect your Hollowpanions from a dangerous Hollow. You stumbled into Izumi and met Lisa Nee-san through her¡­ then you encountered Kisuke Urahara and entered the Soul Society to earn the trust of those close to Captain Commander. All for the sake of unveiling Captain Aizen¡¯s schemes.¡± He nodded firmly. ¡°That¡¯s the gist of it.¡± ¡°Why would you risk your life like that?¡± Nanao asked in a neutral, almost cold voice. ¡°You had nothing to gain from exposing Captain Aizen but everything to lose from entering the realm of Shinigami.¡± She didn¡¯t doubt Lisa for one second but she wanted to probe his motive for sticking his neck out for the Soul Society. ¡°I owe Kisuke a favor,¡± he replied with a casual shrug. ¡°I also have some vague memories of dying to Aizen¡¯s sword. It¡¯s also some revenge for me.¡± {Ah yes. Aizen pins his crimes on Kisuke, and you pin made-up crimes on his ass. Well deserved I¡¯d say.} Nanao slowly nodded,ing to an understanding. ¡°Thanks for sharing your secret with us. I-I¡¯m also sorry for doubting you earlier.¡± ¡°It¡¯d be weird if you didn¡¯t question my motive.¡± With Lisa acting as a mediator, he had sessfully enlightened Shunsui and Nanao about Aizen''s deceptions. Now, only Izumi remained, her expression reflective, lost in thought. The fact that she hadn¡¯t sumbed to a breakdown was a relief far exceeding his expectations. ¡°Izumi, say something.¡± She raised her gaze, an intense frown etched across her face. ¡°Kazuya, you walked deep into enemy territory to help Lisa and others. You held me together when I was falling apart like a sandcastle without asking anything in return¡­ your actions speak volumes about yourpassion and loyalty.¡± ¡°Well, you treated me like a family first. I was just repaying the favor. Things just escted from there.¡± She shook her head. ¡°It wasn¡¯t out of kindness. I wanted to use you for the revival of my race.¡± She omitted her n to appoint him as a leader figure and make him impregnate every willing Quincy woman. ¡°I knew your n from the start. I stuck around to stop you from shouldering the burden alone.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Izumi took his hand and brought it to her chest. ¡°My affection for you is still here in my heart. Nothing can change that. I can¡¯t, no, I don¡¯t want everything to end because of a trivial matter.¡± ¡°Will you still be my Otouto-kun?¡± Kazuya took a sigh of relief. ¡°I won¡¯t give it up for anything in the world.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so d¡­¡± She smiled and kissed his palm. ¡°Lisa, you too. I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re a Shinigami or a Hollow. To me, you¡¯re still a kind friend, who is somewhat of a pervert.¡± ¡°Hey, that was uncalled for!¡± Lisa¡¯sughter mingled with her words as she wrapped Izumi in a side hug. ¡°Thanks, Izumi-sama. I¡¯ll still be your maid, right?¡± ¡°No.¡± Izumi shook her head and smirked at Kazuya. ¡°I¡¯ll be with Otouto-kun wherever he goes¡­ doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s Soul Society or Hueco Mundo.¡± Kazuya felt a shiver run down his spine. It seemed like she was dead-set on following him. ¡°Otouto-kun, I promise I¡¯ll work hard to learn everything to be of use. I can also leave my physical body behind to be a Shinigami.¡± Shunsuiughed boisterously. ¡°I can get you admission in the Shino Academy. It¡¯s where you can learn to be a Shinigami.¡± Izumi¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Thanks, Shunsui-san!¡± ¡°Pleasure is all mine,¡± he said, grinning at Kazuya. ¡°Nanao can also help you with the basics to reduce your graduation period.¡± Nanao¡¯s brows twitched. ¡°I¡¯ll try.¡± Kazuya gave him a deadpan stare. ¡°You can convince Captain Commander to take care of Aizen. With Ky¨­ka Suigetsu out of the picture, Captain Yamamoto should be able to kill him.¡± He, of course, was eager to return, but he couldn¡¯t act desperate in front of them. After all, his only objective in the Soul Society could be taken care of by someone else. Shunsui smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t help you with your mission, Young Man.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Ick the influence to persuade Old Man Yamamoto to use his Shikai against Aizen. Only someone of Unohana¡¯s seniority could convince him of the true stakes. You¡¯ll need to stick to your n and inform Dai-Senpai about Aizen¡¯s scheme.¡± Nanao tugged at his sleeve. ¡°That¡¯s not true. He should know that you won¡¯t lie about such usations.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand him like I do, Nanao-chan. I alone can¡¯t make sure he understands Aizen¡¯s threat.¡± Kazuya rubbed his chin. ¡°I wasn¡¯t wrong about Shinigami¡¯s ipetence.¡± Shunsuiughed. ¡°You were quite right. Nanao-chan,e with me for a second.¡± His mischievous wink was a clear signal to Kazuya, who understood the hidden message. Nanao and Shunsui made their way out of the shop, leaving him alone with Izumi and Lisa. The erotica lover looked quite sad about Izumi¡¯s decision to leave her behind but she didn¡¯t oppose it. He stepped forward and wrapped her in his arms. ¡°She looks so sad. Izumi, you should stay back with her.¡± Lisa pushed him away and shot him a deadly re. ¡°I can survive on my own like I always have. It¡¯s more important that Izumi gets to live her dream life with you.¡± A dream life for her but hell for everyone around him ¡ª Lisa kept the thought to herself. Izumi narrowed her eyes. ¡°Otouto-kun, I¡¯ll stay here with Lisa. Your mission should prove Lisa¡¯s innocence. We both can move in with you to the Soul Society.¡± Lisa crossed her arms and nodded her head. ¡°That¡¯s good as well.¡± ¡°See ya then. I¡¯ll work hard in the Soul Society to make it happen.¡± He kissed Izumi again and hugged Lisa before rushing out of the warehouse. Izumi caressed her lips, as if relishing the warmth left behind by him. ¡°Otouto¡­¡± ¡°Izumi, let¡¯s go. I¡¯m a bit hungry.¡± Izumi grasped Lisa¡¯s hand before she could leave. ¡°Lisa, the longing look in your eyes. You have some feelings for Otouto-kun if I am not mistaken.¡± Lisa neither denied nor confirmed Izumi¡¯s statement but her silence was enough proof of her budding affection. In fact she could hear Kazuya¡¯s cheeky voice in her head, ¡®Maid-chan, did my rejection pull you so down that you fell for me?¡¯ She couldn¡¯t suppress a giggle. ¡°Just a fleeting crush. A little distance will clear it up.¡± ¡°Lisa, we¡¯re friends. I don¡¯t want you to suppress your feelings because of me.¡± Kazuya already told her that he had other lovers. Including Lisa, her best friend, in his harem wouldn¡¯t be an issue. ¡°I¡¯m not doing it for you. I¡¯m doing it for myself.¡± She turned around and held Izumi¡¯s shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t want to ruin your rtionship because of my lust. I have to make sure these feelings are genuine beforemitting to him.¡± Izumi nodded, finding her reason satisfactory. ¡°It¡¯s good to hear you take it seriously.¡± ¡°Because it is, Izumi. I have never felt this way towards any man¡­ mostly because I didn¡¯t think of anyone as a potential lover until I met this cheeky mother¡ª¡± ¡°Language, Lisa.¡± ¡°Hai, Izumi-sama!¡± After a pause, they both burst into giggles. Chapter 209: Acceptance Chapter 209: eptance After telling Shunsui to find Sung-Sun¡¯s flower shop, Kazuya made his way back to his mansion to pick up Yoruichi. {Izumi epted you quite easily, Partner. I thought she¡¯d go through another meltdown.} ¡®She loves me that much, I guess.¡¯ {More like she¡¯ll cling to you like a parasite.} ¡®Come on, Nami. You two should get along as fellow yanderes.¡¯ Kazuya harbored no illusions about all his lovers living in perfect ord. However, he had to maintain a semnce of peace among the yanderes, or things might escte to a battle royale. Nami clicked her tongue in annoyance. {The only thing we have inmon is our love for you¡­ But I¡¯ll try for your sake, Partner.} ¡®I knew you¡¯d understand me.¡¯ {That¡¯s because we¡¯re soulmates~.} {By the way, Partner. Are we letting Shinji go?} ¡®I¡¯ll see him next time.¡¯ Revealing the secret lifted a massive weight from his shoulders, though it consumed more time than necessary. Now, with his conscience clear, he could direct his undivided attention towards bringing down Aizen. {Partner, don¡¯t you want to take the H¨­gyoku from Kisuke and merge it with yours?} ¡®I¡¯ll try to hit my natural limits before taking the H¨­gyoku.¡¯ He had yet to reach his full potential as both Shinigami and Arrancar. Mastering them both would bring the most out of the H¨­gyoku¡¯s benefits. {Aren¡¯t you just chickening out because of Aizen¡¯s monstrous forms?} ¡®Nope.¡¯ With the power of rebirth at his disposal, he could change his features and figure by simply thinking about it. The only concern was Soul King¡¯s Royal Guards, Squad Zero. Aizen¡¯s H¨­gyoku transformation didn¡¯t alert them but Kazuya, who was born from a Soul King¡¯s fragment, could very likely bring the attention of Ichibei and the rest. {Better safe than sorry¡­} Entering the mansion, he greeted Api with a kiss at the door and made his way to his room. Standing before the door, he couldn¡¯t help but recall Schr?dinger''s cat experiment. ¡®Will she be back to her usual self or will she be a feral cat?¡¯ {Just kick down the damn door!} Hisughter echoed softly as he swung open the door, revealing Yoruichi sitting on the bed¡¯s edge. Her cat ears twitched as she gazed at the ground, surroundedby an aura of mncholy. Her somber demeanor was the least expected oue after that life-changing experience tonight. ¡°Yoruichi.¡± His soft call ended her daydreams, bringing her attention back to the room. ¡°Kazuya!¡± she eximed, her eyes alight with an unbridled joy that contrasted sharply with her previous disposition. Gathering herself, she pounced towards him. ¡°Catch me!¡± Today seemed destined for catching women mid-air. Casting aside his musings, he weed the embrace of the dark-skinned catgirl. ¡°I have never seen you like that¡­ is it about your Hollowification? I¡¯m sorry I let that happen.¡± If only he had reached her side sooner, he might have spared her this transformation. Yoruichi drew back and narrowed her eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding.¡± She had been grappling with her decision to stay with the students, a choice that, in hindsight, had kept her from helping him fight the Arrancars. Herck of caution had nearly allowed Aizen to leverage her as a pawn, threatening Kisuke and nearly securing the H¨­gyoku ¡ª a move that could have spelled disaster on a grand scale. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She lightly punched his chest. ¡°I let my guard down and got thoroughly bested by Aizen. By all ounts, I should have met my end at his hand... yet, you were there to save me. Are you sorry about that?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Her demeanor softened, a smile breaking through. ¡°Then, it is I who owes you an apology. I chose my duty to the students over standing by your side against the invaders. Both apologies cancel each other out, don¡¯t they?¡± He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. Her way offorting him was downright threatening. ¡°Understood. Can you switch into your cat form?¡± Her head tilted in curiosity. ¡°Are we leaving?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± She took a few steps back and leaped at him. With a puff of smoke, she transformed mid-air, leaving her ck bodysuit behind. Taking a seat on his shoulder, she let out threatening hisses, her ring Reiatsu switching its signature between Hollow and Shinigami. Her Shinigami Reiatsu thoroughly squashed her Hollow Reiatsu in a one-sided battle. ¡°Don¡¯t you try that again,¡± she hissed and climbed atop his head. ¡°Sorry for that, Kazuya. My Hollow tried to take over my body.¡± Theck of seriousness in her voice conveyed her eptance of her Hollow side. She wasn¡¯t against living as a Visored. ¡°Well, it did take over your body when you were unconscious.¡± He ryed his experience with her feral side without leaving out a single detail. Yoruichi wentpletely silent for a few seconds, then she burst outughing. ¡°Out of all possibilities, you gave it themand to sleep. Kazuya, you could¡¯ve made me do every perverted thing on your mind. You missed a golden opportunity.¡± He shook his head. ¡°The thought never crossed my mind. I was more upied with ¡®Will Yoruichi stay like this forever?¡¯¡± She reached out and patted his cheeks with fluffy paws. ¡°This one is quite ted that you didn¡¯t lose your mind in the face of temptation¡­ more ted that you didn¡¯t join thedies gang.¡± ¡°That transformation was a one-time measure tobat Aizen. It won''t happen again.¡± ¡°Even if my life is in danger?¡± He refused to answer her tricky question, which would lead to even trickier questions. She giggled and rxed on his head. ¡°Kazuya, tell me everything that happened today. I wanna know more.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Chapter 210: Fated Meeting (I) Chapter 210: Fated Meeting (I) Kazuya engaged in light conversation with Api and Tier regarding Menoly. Api, though harsh, rarely defied his orders. Nheless, he feltpelled to ensure she neither mistreated Menoly with severity nor with too much kindness. They had to treat her normally. Afterwards, he said goodbye to thedies and headed out to Kisuke¡¯s old shop. He gave the vacant shop a thorough examination, finding nothing but remnants of Toshiro, Unohana, and Rangiku¡¯s Reiatsu. ¡®Yup, Unohana took her.¡¯ {Let¡¯s go to Momo!} He went to regroup with Shunsui and Nanao at Sung-Sun¡¯s flower shop. Opting not to wait indoors, the pair stood outside the entrance. Nanao¡¯s angry look and the red fingers mark on Shunsui¡¯s face conveyed the whole story ¡ª Shunsui got punished for making advances towards thedies inside the shop. Therge hand belonged to M Rose, which was quite fitting reaction from M Rose. Sung-Sun fought her battles with words over her fists. ¡°He¡¯s here¡­¡± Nanao greeted him with a smile. ¡°Captain, why do you get into situations where you have to apologize to him?¡± Merely a week prior, the notion of her Captain apologizing to the notorious charmer of Shino Academy would have seemed far-fetched to Nanao; even stranger was the fact she asked him to do it. Kazuya gave an amused smile. ¡°No need. He already got his just desserts at Rose¡¯s hand.¡± Just the mark alone told the force and annoyance behind the p; it also showed Shunsui hadn¡¯t gone overboard. Otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t have ended with one p. The fierce lioness would¡¯ve gone to war like she did with Grimmjow. Shunsui rubbed his chin with a genial smile. ¡°Isn¡¯t it a man¡¯s duty topliment every beautiful woman?¡± {The skirt-chaser of the Gotei 13 is on a different ying field. Partner, level up your game!} ¡®Get off Adderall.¡¯ Nanao smacked his back. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Captain!¡± ¡°Haha.¡± Laughter ensued among them until the door abruptly slid open with a sharp sound. Momo¡¯s eyes widened upon noticing Kazuya, and she swiftly lunged towards him with arms outstretched. ¡°Kazuya-kun~!¡± ¡°Not again.¡± Kazuya resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Being the affectionate man he was, he gently caught Momo in his arms. ¡°Can you stop doing that?¡± {Momo suffered for you. Console her with love.} ¡®What if I don¡¯t?¡¯ {I¡ªI¡¯ll never make an effort to connect with Izumi.} ¡®I got no choice then.¡¯ {Maniption sessful, ufufu.} Kazuya ignored Nami¡¯s obvious attempts to get a reaction out of him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Momo whispered, looking up with teary eyes. ¡°I-I couldn¡¯te to help you¡­ The flowerdy knocked me out from behind.¡± Shunsui crossed his arms, his expression one that of an enlightened fellow. ¡°They both pack a punch. Really they are¡ª¡± Nanao cut him off with a light jab at Shunsui¡¯s chin. ¡°Stay quiet, Captain.¡± Kazuya¡¯s gaze returned to Momo, who offered him a look so imploring it seemed she would disregard the entire world until he pardoned her perceived transgression. He pulled her cheek until she began tearing for real. ¡°You little idiot.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sowwy!¡± ¡°Wait here. I''ll knock some sense into that arrogant woman.¡± ¡°No¡ª¡± Brushing Momo aside, he stormed into the shop, as Yoruichi jumped down from his shoulder. As Momo reached out to follow, the door clicked shut, firmly locked. Nanao grasped Momo¡¯s hand and pulled her away from the shop. ¡°Let him handle it.¡± Unlike Momo, Nanao knew Kazuya¡¯s deep rtionship with the two women inside the flower shop. And unlike Momo, she knew his true nature as a Hollow. She felt strangely proud of knowing Kazuya¡¯s biggest secret that Momo, his love interest, had yet to learn. ¡°Nanao-san, it¡¯s not their fault¡­¡± Momo shook her head. ¡°They wanted to stop me from interfering in a battle beyond my league.¡± Reflecting on her awakening in the shop, Momo remembered her anger towards the receptionist and the florist. The memory of her futile attempt to fight the florist, Sung-Sun, brought a flush of embarrassment to her cheeks. Sung-Sun had floored her with one move, leaving Momo utterly humiliated. ¡®Dividing his attention to protect you could¡¯ve caused him his life. Learn to know your limits if you want to support him from the bottom of his heart. Sometimes¡­ not rushing head-first into your death is the best option.¡¯ It was this lesson that caused Momo to calm down and think about the situation logically. Momo had to acknowledge that the flowerdy was not only stronger physically but also more intelligent and mature. Nanao ced a hand on Momo¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Momo slowly nodded. ¡°Sorry for spacing out.¡± Soon, they heard things being thrown around inside the shop, which Momo interpreted as things bing physical between Kazuya and Sung-Sun. Momo wanted to intervene but she had to stay here. After all, she had promised him to never go against his wishes. ¡°It¡¯s not what you think,¡± Nanao whispered in her ears. ¡°It¡¯s like an argument between friends.¡± Momo was reminded of her heated argument with Rukia. Choosing to trust Nanao¡¯s words, Momo waited outside the door with a bated breath. Eventually, Kazuya emerged, looking as if he had endured a storm¡ªhis appearance disheveled. Nanao¡¯s cheeks flushed upon noticing the love bite marks on his neck. Shunsui''s smirk indicated a simr understanding. The Captain and Vice-Captain duo easily connected the dots with the earlier noises inside the shop. He had been battling Sung-Sun but not in the way Momo anticipated. Unconcerned with his disarrayed state, Momo immediately inquired about his well-being. After pacifying Momo¡¯s worries, he made Shunsui summon the Senkaimon door. Kazuya and hispanions stepped through the Senkaimon, emerging into a vast chamber. Captains of the Gotei 13 were arrayed in disciplined ranks, forming two lines that faced each other in silence. Isshin Shiba, Retsu Unohana, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Soi Fon, and Jushiro Ukitake stood on the left while Kenpachi Zaraki, Ginrei Kuchiki, Kaname Tosen, Gin Ichimaru, and Saijin Komamura stood on the right. Meanwhile, right in front of him, seated on a tall wooden chair that seemed almost out of ce in its simplicity against the grandeur of the surroundings, was the Captain Commander. Their Senkaimon was intercepted and made to open in the assembly hall of the 1st Squad¡¯s headquarters. Momo leaned towards Kazuya, shivering from the dense Reiatsu enveloping them. ¡°Kazuya-kun, this is¡­ Captain Commander?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Isshin, Ukitake, Ginrei, and Unohana acknowledged Kazuya with either a smile or a polite nod. Soi Fon fixed her intense gaze on Kazuya and the cat sitting on his shoulder. Mayuri only nced at him before going back to counting the lines on the floor¡¯s design. The rest of the captains looked disinterested aside from Saijin. The dog-headed warrior seemed to have smelled the lingering scent ofdies on him. ¡°Shunsui Kyoraku,¡± Yamamoto called out in a low but intimidating voice and lightly struck his cane on the floor. ¡°I, hereby, seize your captain seat.¡± Chapter 211: Fated Meeting (II) Chapter 211: Fated Meeting (II) Shunsui''s offense, although grave, did not justify the extreme measure of stripping him of his captaincy. Yamamoto¡¯s response seemed disproportionately harsh, likely intended as a deterrent against future misconduct, or perhaps harboring apletely different motive. As Kazuya''s eyes swept the assembly, he registered unanimous astonishment among the captains at Yamamoto¡¯s decree. ¡®Old man didn¡¯t tell anyone.¡¯ Sweeping his gaze across the room, Kazuya noticed every captain showing looks of surprise at Yamamoto¡¯s decision. {Seems like it, Partner. An impulsive decision befitting his fiery Zanpakut¨­.} ¡®Can I beat him with your mes?¡¯ {It¡¯s hard to measure his mes without experiencing them. We might not win but I can confidently say we won¡¯t lose either.} He acknowledged her analysis with a nod. ¡®I might have to stop Yama. There is one percent chance of a fight breaking out.¡¯ With all the chaotic personalities like Kenpachi and Mayuri crowding one ce, a fight could break out at any moment. Now that his strength was known, he had no need to hold back if someone provoked him except for Kenpachi. That guy was simply bad news. {Brandish thy fist and strike Yama¡¯s bald head for a critical strike!} ¡®...¡¯ Yamamoto, unaware of the chaotic schemes going on in Kazuya¡¯s head, continued in a detached tone, ¡°Shunsui, what you did was contemptible. You dishonored your rank.¡± Shunsui revealed a faint smile at the truthful criticism. ¡°Captain Commander, I appreciate the sentiment behind giving a hard worker like me a long vacation. Just know I¡¯ll not vacate my seat until we resolve the conflict with Hueco Mundo.¡± If it wasn¡¯t for the threat within the Soul Society, he¡¯d have epted Yamamoto¡¯s order with open arms ¡ª Kazuya felt that type of energy from Shunsui¡¯s answer. Unohana¡¯s gaze sharpened, detecting an unusual seriousness in Shunsui''s stance. Her attention then shifted towards Kazuya, her eyes searching for answers. ¡°What transformed him?¡± Her scrutinizing look seemed to inquire. ¡°What the hell happened to thiszy asshole?¡± Kazuya winked back with a friendly smile before shaking his head, resulting in Unohana getting all frowny on him. Communicating that level of information without words was simply impossible. Captain Ukitake crossed his arms with a slight frown. ¡°Can we just punish Captain Shunsui for the time being?¡± ¡°I support Captain Jushiro in this matter,¡± Unohana voiced out. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t rashly dismiss one of our finest. His strength could be crucial against future threats from Hueco Mundo.¡± The long-time friends of Shunsui finally made their discontent known to the Captain Commander. Yamamoto rose from his seat, still keeping his hands firm on his cane. ¡°Every Shinigami in Gotei 13 has a duty to uphold. A Captain who abandons hisrades in the battlefield is no different from our enemies.¡± Captain Ukitake shook his decision. ¡°Master Genryuu-san, you have raised me and him together. He has a firm sense of duty and loyalty. You and I both know that.¡± Shunsui and Jushiro, as the first captains under Yamamoto, have been instrumental across countless conflicts, assuming both leadership and support roles. The notion of negating Shunsui¡¯s enormous contributions over a singrpse in judgment didn¡¯t sit well with Jushiro. Yamamoto lightly tapped his cane on the floor, sending a tremor through the chamber. Whoever supports this rascale forward. ¡°Who else supports this rascal? Come forward and speak your mind.¡± Mayuri tilted his head as a disturbing grin stretched across his face. ¡°General, I do not have any interest in these matters. Moreover, I need to research some more on this new breed of Arrancars with Zanpakut¨­.¡± Yamamoto raised his hand before waving. ¡°You can return to your base.¡± ¡°Thanks, General~,¡± saying his gratitude, the entric captain strolled out of the assembly hall. Just as Kenpachi was about to stroll out, Kazuya brushed off Momo¡¯s hand and walked towards Yamamoto. Despite wearing a student kimono, he looked no less dignified than the other captains. ¡°I take issue with your decision.¡± Yamamoto¡¯s piercing gaze settled on Kazuya. ¡°You are Kazuya Ishihara... Young man, you have my gratitude for protecting the town and our own from the Arrancars¡­ What is your reason for standing up for Shunsui after his selfish decision to abandon you in the battle?¡± Kazuya crossed his arms, standing unflinching in the face of Yamamoto¡¯s aura. ¡°He trusted my ability to handle all those twerps by myself. So, he prioritized searching for his Vice-Captain. And besides¡ªmhmm~!¡± Yoruichi suddenlypped his earlobe with her dry tongue. Winking mischievously, she leaped on Momo¡¯s head. ¡°Me~.¡± After gaining the information of Kazuya¡¯s great role in protecting Isane and Isshin, Yoruichi knew full well that Yamamoto wouldn¡¯t punish Kazuya under most circumstances. She seized the moment to tease him in front of everyone. ¡°Twerps?¡± Kenpachi burst intoughter at his bold and arrogant words. Grinning, he slung his jagged and chipped katana over his shoulder and walked towards Kazuya. ¡°You have a big mouth and a bigger spiritual energy to back it up. What do you say about a fight with Kenpachi Zaraki of the 11th Squad?¡± ¡°No thanks,¡± Kazuya immediately refused. ¡°I just reached my yearly limit for fighting sweaty men.¡± ¡°Who said you have the right¡ª¡± ¡°Kenpachi Zaraki,¡± Unohana interjected, her voice resonating authoritatively throughout the chamber. ¡°Leave him alone.¡± Kenpachi whipped his head towards Unohana, only to see the former criminal with her eyes closed, as if he wasn¡¯t worthy of entering her eyes. ¡°Heh.¡± Kazuya¡¯s keen senses picked up the reason behind Unohana¡¯s strange behavior. Just uttering Kenpachi¡¯s name tinged her Reiatsu with bloodlust and killing intent, lowering the room¡¯s temperature by a couple of degrees. Direct eye contact with Kenpachi Zaraka ¡ª the man who decisively defeated her centuries ago ¡ª risked awakening her other self. Her original depraved self who craved nothing but battle and blood. The transformation might be irreversible due to her craving bing stronger and stronger in the face of her suppression. {She¡¯ll climax after murdering everyone¡ª that¡¯s borderline crazy.} ¡®I love her, though.¡¯ {Get some HELP, Partner.} Unohana¡¯s lips curled into a soft smile, even though her eyes still avoided Kenpachi. ¡°Wait for the day Kazuya bes a captain. Then you¡¯re free to challenge him.¡± ¡°Hey, he is my squad¡¯s future captain.¡± Isshin arrived by Kenpachi¡¯s side with Shunpo and pointed at Kazuya. ¡°While he may have agreed to work with the 4th Squad, he will seed me.¡± Unohana crossed her arms. ¡°I¡¯m not stealing your sessor. My squad¡¯s future is set in stone with Isane.¡± Isshin chuckled. ¡°Your future would have been lost if myd didn¡¯t save our asses out there.¡± Even the assembly hall couldn¡¯t make Isshin serious. Unohana turned to Kazuya, a soft smile ying on her lips. ¡°It¡¯s Shinigami¡¯s duty to look out for each other. It¡¯s the only way we can contend with the looming threats of Hollows.¡± ¡°Or we just send me out there,¡± Kazuya added. ¡°I¡¯ll make their race extinct.¡± {Traitor!!!} Isshinughed. ¡°Our duty is to maintain the bnce. Wiping out Hollows will achieve the opposite.¡± Kenpachi brushed Isshin aside and confronted Kazuya. The battlemaniac¡¯s intense gaze seemed to be etching the young man¡¯s face into his memory. ¡°I¡¯m gonna wait for the day you be a Captain. Then we¡¯ll fight until you kill me or I kill you.¡± Kazuya wore a troubled look. ¡°That day is quite far, so why not?¡± A bloodthirsty splitted Kenpachi¡¯s mouth. With a nod, he casually walked towards, tapping his chipped katana on his shoulder. Unohana exhaled deeply, visibly relieved from Kenpachi¡¯s departure. ¡°Sorry for the interruption, Captain Commander.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Yamamoto replied, eyes on Kazuya. ¡°I can forgive Shunsui¡¯s transgression under one condition. You¡¯ll lose your merits for this¡ª¡± ¡°Go ahead,¡± Kazuya interrupted Yamamoto. ¡°I don¡¯t even want merit for bullying those trash Hollows.¡± Yamamoto¡¯s easy persuasion confirmed Kazuya¡¯s doubts. Shunsui¡¯s trial was a setup to test Kazuya¡¯s demeanor ¡ª whether or not he was worthy to be a captain. Were this truly a matter of disciplinary action, the Central 46 would have been the adjudicators, not Yamamoto. The trial also served to teach Shunsui about the potential oue of his grave mistake. A flicker of surprise crossed Yamamoto''s features at Kazuya¡¯s indifference to des, hinting at an undercurrent of respect or perhaps reconsideration of Kazuya¡¯s character. ¡°I will dy Shunsui Kyoraku¡¯s punishment until we¡¯ve dealt with the war waged by the Arrancars,¡± he dered, signaling the end of the discussion with a tap of his cane before seating himself. ¡°All Captains are hereby ordered to stay prepared for any potential invasion from Hueco Mundo.¡± ¡°Yes, Captain Commander!¡± Every Captain present replied in unison. Kazuya exchanged a knowing nce with Shunsui and Nanao, feeling a hint of respect in their gazes. Yamamoto¡¯s spontaneous decision earned him more loyalty from Shunsui and Nanao. He turned his attention to Unohana. ¡°Captain, are you going to the 4th Squad¡¯s barracks?¡± ¡°You seem to be in a hurry to meet Isane.¡± ¡°A little. She went through a lot.¡± Unohana let loose a warm smile. ¡°She is doing fine, but you¡¯re free to meet her.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go then.¡± Chapter 212: Fated Meeting (III) Chapter 212: Fated Meeting (III) ¡°Captain Soi Fon.¡± Soi Fon was about to follow Kazuya out of the assembly hall when Yamamoto called out her name. She inwardly grumbled at the prospect of losing another potential discussion time with Kazuya, but listening to her superior was her duty. Duty couldn¡¯t be neglected unless she wished to walk in the footsteps of her predecessor. As she pivoted, her gaze swept across the remaining captains¡ªSajin, Tosen, and Gin¡ªeach standing in anticipation of Yamamoto¡¯s directives. A sense of unease stirred within her at the sight of Captain Ichimaru, whose demeanor she found inherently disconcerting. The instinctual distrust she harbored for Gin required no further justification, as his very presence irritated her. Gin¡¯s gaze met hers, his infamous grin all but confirming her suspicions, yet she managed a nod of cursory respect. ¡®Please, make it an order to kill Captain Ichimaru.¡¯ Soi Fon sped her hands behind her back, looking attentive and respectful in her disciplined pose. ¡°I¡¯m here, Captain Commander.¡± ¡°Everyone except Captain Soi Fon is dismissed,¡± Yamamoto said, his gaze drifting from Sajin to Tosen and finallynded on Gin. ¡°Captains, was I not clear?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander!¡± Gin took the lead and headed out, followed by Tosen and Sajin. Now alone with Soi Fon, Yamamoto addressed the 2nd Squad¡¯s Captain with a stern gaze. ¡°I want you to investigate Captain Sosuke. Be covert and prioritize caution.¡± Soi Fon looked puzzled for a moment. If any Captain was to be investigated, it had to be Gin. Aizen, on the other hand, was as kind and gracious as they coulde. What crime could he possiblymit to warrant an investigation¡ªher thoughts circled back to recent events and Aizen¡¯s questionable actions, prompting a reassessment of her assumptions. ¡°Are you suspicious because of his presence in the Living World?¡± Yamamoto nodded. ¡°There are many reasons except for the reason you just mentioned.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± she pledged with a bow. ¡°There won¡¯t be any mistakes.¡± ¡­ Momo, Shunsui, Nanao, Isshin, and Ukitake trailed behind Kazuya as they exited the assembly hall, with Yoruichi making herselffortably perched atop Momo¡¯s head. She exhibited the behavior one wouldn¡¯t expect from a former assassin leader but from a domestic cat. Shunsui grabbed Kazuya¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I usually don¡¯t like having men in my squad, but I¡¯m willing to make an exception for you. What do you say to that?¡± Kazuya rolled his shoulders innocently. ¡°Convince those two first.¡± As Kazuya stepped aside, Shunsui found himself confronting the intimidating stares of the 4th and 10th squad captains. Without uttering a single word, Isshin and Unohana made their opposition to Kazuya¡¯s recruitment crystal clear. Nanao felt a chill from the overwhelming spiritual pressure of the two formidable captains and sought refuge behind Shunsui. ¡°Captain, it¡¯s best not to antagonize them¡­¡± ¡°I was joking,¡± Shunsui replied. ¡°Or was I?¡± Unohana¡¯s narrow-eyed gaze took on a dangerous gleam, reminding Shunsui of the scary reputation of ¡®Dai Senpai¡¯. ¡°Kazuya,e.¡± {I¡ªI have an uncontroble urge to make dirty puns.} ¡®You aren¡¯t alone, Nami.¡¯ As Kazuya and Nami bonded over their dark urges, Momo arrived by his side, trying to sneakily hold his hand amidst themotion. {Let her have it¡­ She already lost in life by joining the cult.} ¡®...¡¯ Momo tugged at his sleeve. ¡°Kazuya-kun, should Ie with you or return to the dorm?¡± From the way she looked at him, she undoubtedly expected a follow-up to her confession in the Living World ¡ª a sweet rewardful event with him. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°I¡ªI¡¯ll do anything you want!¡± {A, this sweet little bitch.} Yoruichi leaped through the air,nding squarely on Kazuya¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m back,¡± she whispered. ¡°Did you miss me?¡± ¡°A lot,¡± he whispered back and aggressively rubbed her chin, making her whimper from an overdose of sensations. ¡°Are you hungry for some milk?¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Unohana noticed Yoruichi and smiled warmly. ¡°How did you protect the cat during the battles?¡± ¡°Protect? This guy ditched me at the first signs of danger.¡± Yoruichi bit his nape, hissing, as if refuting his usations. She very much would¡¯veid down her life to protect him if she didn¡¯t have to refrain from revealing her true form. Unohana¡¯s gaze sharpened at Yoruichi¡¯s unusual actions. ¡°His name?¡± ¡°Yoruichi,¡± Momo eagerly answered. ¡°In terms of cunningness, he takes after his master.¡± ¡°You chose an odd name.¡± ¡°It¡¯s abination of multiple names who were all dear to me.¡± Kazuya revealed a faint smile. ¡°I¡¯ll say it¡¯s an odd name for this oddly intelligent cat.¡± Unohana nodded in understanding. ¡°Fair enough.¡± Yet, a hint of skepticism remained in her eyes, though she chose not to directly confront him over the minor issue of naming his cat after a figure long gone. In doing so, Kazuya avoided raising suspicion; being forthright about Yoruichi¡¯s name lessened the likelihood of Unohana harboring doubts, especially when she could easily verify the name through Toshiro or another student. {I wish you¡¯d seduce her faster¡­} ¡®What¡¯s the rush, youngdy?¡¯ {Nothing. I just want to see Yoruichi and Kisuke back in their home.} ¡®Hmmm.¡¯ ¡­ Unohana escorted Kazuya and Momo to the Coordinated Relief Station, the central medical hub within the 4th Squad¡¯s barracks. He could conclude Isane¡¯s well-being from the way her Reiatsu drifted all over the facility. Ultimately, he found her providing routine Kaido on Aizen to speed up his natural regeneration. Yoruichi was rattled upon seeing Aizen but she didn¡¯t let it affect her Reiatsu. ¡°Kazuya, I¡¯ll return ahead.¡± After a gentle scratch on her neck, he allowed her to depart. As a former inhabitant of the Soul Society, she would navigate her way back to his dormitory with ease. Aizen nced in his direction and showed a well-crafted genuine smile. ¡°Look there, Kotetsu-san. Captain Unohana came to meet you with your friends.¡± Isane turned around with a skeptical frown, only to be surprised by Unohana. The icing on the cake was Kazuya and Momo by Unohana¡¯s side, making her break into a wide smile. ¡°Captain! Kazuya and Momo too¡ª¡± She suddenly paused, assuming a solemn expression. ¡°Captain recovered Rangiku from the Living World. Did you manage to find Nanao?¡± Her attempt to appear undaunted was betrayed by her eyes, shimmering with the dread of possibly losing her friend. Although she wasn¡¯t as close to Nanao as she was with Rangiku, losing a member of the Shinigami Women¡¯s Association would greatly hurt her. ¡°We have,¡± Kazuya answered, ending her worries for good. ¡°She is back to her Captain¡¯s side.¡± ¡°Oh thank goodness¡­¡± Isane took a big sigh of relief. ¡°Kazuya, are you alright though? You haven¡¯t rested since it all started.¡± Unohana grabbed Kazuya¡¯s wrist and checked his pulse. ¡°He is as healthy as one can be.¡± Isaneughed softly. ¡°I meant his mental state, Captain. This experience must have been taxing.¡± Unohana looked straight into eyes, smiling. ¡°He is fine.¡± Kazuya smiled and nced at Momo, who seemed to be staring at Aizen since she came here. Aizen also hadn¡¯t looked away from Momo the entire time. {Aizen and his puppet Momo ¡ª Fate came full circle... Partner, something doesn¡¯t seem right. Could Momo be under an illusion?} ¡®We broke that damn thing.¡¯ {Ah¡­ maybe he repaired it with some magic.} Kazuya was skeptical but he didn¡¯t rule out the possibility. Nothing was impossible when it came to Aizen. He lightly nudged Momo, breaking her out of her trance. ¡°Momo?¡± Stepping closer, she positioned herself out of Aizen¡¯s line of sight. ¡°Kazuya-kun, something about him makes me ufortable.¡± Perhaps it was Yoruichi¡¯s teaching or hispany that made her sharper and more mature. She could see through Aizen¡¯s mask. ¡°You must be Kazuya Ishihara from the academy,¡± Aizen interjected with a smile, eyes gleaming with interest. ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot about you from my peers and Vice-Captain Isane.¡± Smiling, Kazuya blocked Momo from Aizen¡¯s sight since she seemed ufortable under his gaze. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure Isane was just fangirling over me. She is so fond of me.¡± Isane¡¯s face flushed from his teasing. ¡°I-I didn¡¯t say anything weird!¡± Unohana crossed her arms, unamused. ¡°Flirting with my Vice-Captain when you have a girlfriend ¡ª you are quite the shameless man, Kazuya.¡± ¡°One can never have enough love, Captain,¡± he whispered with a faint smile. ¡°Besides, polygamy is a thing in Soul Society, right?¡± ¡°It is,¡± Aizen answered. ¡°Though many refrain from such measures¡­ Shinigami seldomly falls in love. When a Shinigami does be enamored, they¡¯ll never find the drive to love someone else. Hence, polygamy is mostly practiced within the aristocrats for ensuring worthy heirs.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like the way you phrased the answer.¡± Aizen chuckled softly. ¡°I said mostly. There are still some Shinigami who are in multiple rtionships, some consensual and some non-consensual.¡± {No one would believe you two were trying to kill each other just a few hours ago.} ¡®I can¡¯t either.¡¯ Kazuya shook his head. ¡°Anyway, Captain Sosuke. It¡¯s gettingte. I better take Momo back to her room, or she¡¯ll pass out on me.¡± Aizen waved his hand. ¡°It was nice exchanging romantic wisdom with you, young man. Come, visit mypany whenever you¡¯re free.¡± ¡°I will.¡± Kazuya nodded politely and turned to Unohana. ¡°I¡¯m off then.¡± ¡°Hold on, I have onest matter to address with you.¡± Unohana took him and Momo away from Isane. ¡°Come with me to visit Vice-Captain Rangiku.¡± Chapter 213: A Great Change Chapter 213: A Great Change Rangiku always had strange dreams. Sometimes blissful like her sweet, innocent days of childhood. Sometimes anguishing like the times she got thrashed in her academy days. These dreams were quite forgetful, lingering in her mind for brief moments upon her awakening. However, the dream that visited herst night was strikingly vivid and surreal; it kept her in a daze for a long time after waking up. As the door to her chamber creaked open, revealing Unohana and Kazuya stepping inside, she remained fixed in stillness upon her bed, busy reminiscing about the horrible events that took ce in her dream. ¡®Dream or a long forgotten memory?¡¯ Her intuition and feelings continuously pointed at everything being real ¡ª her beatdown at the hands of Shinigami in Rukongai wasn¡¯t a figment of her imagination.. ¡®But why?¡¯ Kazuya sat by her side and ced a hand on her forehead. ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem sick. Are we sure Arrancars didn¡¯t rece her? The Rangiku I know can never be traumatized from some beating.¡± His action brought her out of her thought bubble. Her response was a vacant stare as if she was offended by his remark. ¡°Are you still the same girl who tried forcing me into bing an idol for the Soul Society?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Captain, she is an imposter!¡± Unohana gently pinched Kazuya¡¯s cheeks. ¡°You might be responsible for her change. Your Zanpakut¨­, to be precise.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m not sure myself.¡± Kazuya shook his head. ¡°I only healed her¡­ Then this happened.¡± He had healed her in the heat of the moment without realizing he might heal her iplete soul at the same time. Then again, his Zanpakut¨­¡¯s ability had repaired Ciri¡¯s Zanpakut¨­, which was also a part of her soul. There was no reason he couldn¡¯t regenerate the part of her soul that was taken by Aizen toplete his H¨­gyoku. The H¨­gyoku in his possession. ¡°This?¡± Rangiku questioned with a sharp gaze. ¡°Young man, what do you mean by this? Speak or I¡¯ll throw you to the thirsty maidens of the Shinigami Women¡¯s Association.¡± ¡°Look at yourself.¡± Kazuya reached out and weaved his fingers through her hair to bring attention to her extremely long hair. ¡°Your hair can reach your ankles now.¡± Rangiku held her hair in surprise. ¡°Woah when did this happen? And why?¡± ¡°I have a theory. But before that, do you feel anything different from before? Anything?¡± Feeling somewhat like a patient under scrutiny, sheughed lightly. ¡°No, I feel normal¡ªhealthier than before. I feel refreshed.¡± ¡°The change can¡¯t just be physical. It can be spiritual as well. Like something you felt during your sleep.¡± Rangiku¡¯s casual expression shifted dramatically, her wide eyes reflecting a hint of realization. ¡°There is this strange dream I saw earlier. I don¡¯t know if you can even call it a dream¡­¡± She exined the long-repressed memories that entailed her younger self being beaten almost unconscious by a group of people dressed in the same manner as Shinigami. They had towered over her bruised self, whispering to each other about souls and some experiment. ¡°That¡¯s all I can remember off the top of my head.¡± Unohana adopted a more solemn demeanor, understanding that the dream could be intrinsically linked to the mystery behind Rangiku¡¯s change. ¡°How long ago do you believe it happened? We can¡¯t investigate it without a concrete timeline.¡± ¡°It was before my growth spurt¡­ when I was like a little pipsqueak,¡± Rangiku said, touching the back of her head with a sheepish smile. ¡°To be more precise, it was around the time Captain Ichimaru joined the Shino Academy.¡± ¡°It should be enough to get the investigation off the ground.¡± ¡°There¡¯s something more!¡± Rangiku held Unohana¡¯s shoulders with an earnest look. ¡°My Zanpakut¨­¡ªI can¡¯tmunicate with it. Haineko ispletely unresponsive.¡± Kazuya found himself clicking his tongue in frustration. Muramasa had begun his n in the Soul Society. From what Kazuya could surmise of Muramasa, Haineko wouldn¡¯t be the only one manipted to the rogue Zanpakut¨­ Spirit¡¯s side. Muramasa would continue stealing Zanpakut¨­ Spirits until he was confident on breaking the seal on his master, K¨­ga Kuchiki. Kazuya had to contain Muramasa before he realized his ambition. ¡°What?¡± Unohana uttered in surprise. ¡°Weren¡¯t you very close with Haineko? How did this happen all of a sudden?¡± Unohana quite fondly remembered Rangiku conveying her experience with her whimsical Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. Rangiku rubbed the back of her neck. ¡°If I had to take a shot for all the times Haineko called me ¡®old hag¡¯ and ¡®washed-updy¡¯, I¡¯d be wasted for days. She didn¡¯t spare an opportunity to mock my age.¡± Kazuyaughed. ¡°People don¡¯t joke around like that with strangers.¡± Unohana agreed with a nod, though still puzzled over the mystery. ¡°They stuck with each other for this long. Haineko wouldn¡¯t distance herself from you, unless you had a big fallout.¡± Shinigami losingmunication with Zanpakut¨­ Spirits was umon but it always happened due to shes in personalities. ¡°Haineko is somewhat childish and impulsive¡­ I won¡¯t find it surprising if she is mad at me for something small.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Kazuya said. ¡°We can have someone look at your Zanpakut¨­. We should have some specialists for that, right?¡± Unohana nodded her head before shaking it. ¡°He is a Royal Guard. The Creator of Zanpakut¨­, Oetsu Nimaiya. Getting him toe down from the pce is near impossible.¡± Rangiku blinked her in surprise. ¡°It¡¯s better he doesn¡¯te. I don¡¯t want to mingle with the likes of the Royal Guards.¡± She had no problem socializing but the Royal Guard were an exception. She¡¯d rather do her paperwork than make a request to the high and mighty bodyguards of the Soul King. Kazuya crossed his arms. ¡°Why don¡¯t you rest and recover? I¡¯ll find a way to fix things for you. I fixed mine before so have some confidence in me.¡± Rangiku grinned at his direct way of assuring her. ¡°Your Zanpakut¨­ went through something simr, right? I¡¯ll dly ept your assistance.¡± She snaked an arm around Kazuya¡¯s shoulder with a sly grin. ¡°Help me, and I¡¯ll be your wingman with Isane.¡± He almost rolled his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t need help with that. Just take me out for a treat, and we¡¯ll be even.¡± As if he¡¯d ever need help in wooing women. Rangiku drew back with a sigh of disappointment. ¡°Your loss then.¡± Kazuya only got the offer for help to pursue the cinnamon roll Isane due to his closeness with the two. She knew Isane harboring a little bit of a crush on him, and helping them get together would put her in the good graces of both. Unohana turned to him, a curious look in her eyes. ¡°Did your Zanpakut¨­ Spirit also go silent?¡± ¡°She was scheming a strange n,¡± he responded with a light chuckle, dismissing the concern. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the story for another day. Captain, I¡¯ll be heading for my dorms now. Next time I¡¯ll meet you as a full-fledged Shinigami.¡± Unohana smiled. ¡°Feel free to prolong your stay at the academy if you wish to spend more time with your friends.¡± She wanted him to enjoy his academy life since it would never return. The duty, on the other hand, would go on as long as the Soul Society existed. Rangiku grasped Kazuya''s shoulder, deliberately adjusting her hair to draw his attention to her most eye-catching feature. ¡°Ne, Kazuya. Do you want to stay at the academy or be an adult with us~?¡± {Partner, she is asking to be mindbroken!} Kazuya seared the enchanting view into his mind then pushed Rangiku away. ¡°Momo and Shiro will be more motivated to train if I leave the academy.¡± His goals would stagnate at the academy, and stagnation was thest thing he¡¯d want with an enemy like Aizen. Unohana shook her head, realizing she wasn¡¯t dealing with a normal person. Kazuya was the nutjob who wanted to be an unkible demon by mastering Kaido. ¡°I gave you the advice. The decision is up to you.¡± Chapter 214: The Night Approaches Chapter 214: The Night Approaches Kazuya picked up Momo, who was awaiting his return by Isane¡¯s side, and returned to the dormitory. Concealing his Reiatsu, he quietly opened the door and peeked inside. Toshiro could be seen sitting on the bed, meditating with his Zanpakut¨­ on hisp. He¡¯d have looked cool if not for the specks of rice around his mouth. The silver prodigy had a feast in the absence of Kazuya and Momo. A growl from his stomach made him aware of his nutrition deficiency. He hadn¡¯t eaten anything after the meal he took with Momo and the rest in the cafeteria. What¡¯s worse, he exerted himself beyond his limits. He could eat like Goku today. {Hold up, Partner. That¡¯s Rukia at the window!} He turned his gaze, noticing the petite ck-haired girl standing at the window. From what he could see from her back profile, she seemed disheveled, her hair looking messier than usual. Either Renji or Toshiro told her about the Hollows at the Living World and made her worried sick about Kazuya and Momo¡¯s safety. Or perhaps she felt lost at the thought of never seeing Kazuya again. He had told them he wouldn¡¯t return from the field trip and stay at the Gotei 13 from now on. Kazuya pushed open the door with a casual greeting, ¡°I¡¯m back.¡± Rukia and Toshiro turned to the door, their expression brightening immediately upon noticing Kazuya and Momo. The apparent relief on Rukia and Toshiro¡¯s faces filled Kazuya with warmth. The two truly cherished him as a friend. Then again, he had done quite a lot to solidify his ce in their hearts. {Will that stay the same if they discover your Hollow nature?} Ignoring the chaotic voice in his head, he ruffled Toshiro¡¯s hair. ¡°Don¡¯t you remember what Yoruichi said? Meditating to merge your thoughts with Zanpakut¨­ is only good in moderation. Give Hy¨­rinmaru time to rest and gather energy.¡± Toshiro clenched his fist, veins popping on his slender wrist. ¡°I¡¯m frustrated how weak I ampared to Arrancars. Hy¨­rinmaru is also angry at his weakness and wants to grow strong as quickly as possible.¡± Hy¨­rinmaru was a fierce and proud dragon. Getting his frost powers almost nullified by Arrancars motivated the dragon to reach new heights, for the sake of his pride as well as protecting the people around his partner. ¡°Forget about that!¡± Rukia almost yelled. ¡°All my ss 1 friends look like they went through hell. Renni looks traumatized whenever I bring up the topic of a field trip. Just what the heck happened out there?¡± She had tried asking Toshiro but he simply shut her off with a ¡®I must train more¡¯ excuse. The silver-haired boy hadn¡¯t moved a muscle after dinner. Rukia was dying to know the things that traumatized her friends to help them. Kazuya rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°It¡¯s a long story. Why don¡¯t we talk about it during dinner?¡± ¡°You can go without me,¡± Toshiro said. ¡°I already filled my belly with some rice cakes.¡± Momo took out a handkerchief from her pocket and cleaned Toshiro¡¯s face. ¡°We can see what you ate¡­ Just don¡¯t overdo it like Kazuya-kun said.¡± ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be the one saying that to me,¡± Toshiro whispered, hinting at the times Momo went overboard for Kazuya. ¡°Since you requested it I¡¯ll only train for six more hours.¡± Momo crossed her arms, looking displeased. ¡°Kazuya-kun, let him train. You can sleep in my room tonight.¡± {This sly little slut,} Nami said with a giggle. {How can someone not adore this creature?} Kazuya just shrugged. ¡°Sure.¡± He had noticed the wide-eyed look on Rukia¡¯s face but he didn¡¯t really care. Rukia and Momo, after all, shared one room. He¡¯d be sleeping in the same bed with them. ¡®Plenty of opportunities to tease her.¡¯ Rukia¡¯s red face gave him a twisted sense of pleasure. The same twisted pleasure he got from teasing M Rose. {A yandere and a sadist¡­ My man is bing a unique abomination, and I¡¯m all for it!} Momo took Rukia and his hand with a bright smile and dragged them to the cafeteria. Of course Rukia didn¡¯t allow him to eat in peace, so he had to tell her about the events while stuffing his mouth. Momo too asked some questions since she was pretty much disconnected from the whole action. After listening to the whole ordeal, Momo, as expected, had stars in her eyes. Rukia looked awestruck. Born in the Rukongai District, Rukia¡¯s first exposure to quality storytelling came in the form of his own. The story made her pound with a newfound sense of thrill. Momo leaned her face in her hands, smiling with a dazed expression. ¡°I fell in love with the right man.¡± Rukia slid her chair a step away from Momo and cleared her throat. ¡°You saved the day for everyone. I thought you were only good for bullying others.¡± Kazuya gave her a mean stare. ¡°I guess it was my twin who helped you with the Kuchikus.¡± Rukia paused, looking a little embarrassed. ¡°Okay, that was also a thing. It feels like I was always a part of the Kuchikis.¡± In just a few weeks, she had be ustomed to meeting her sister and her somewhat stoic brother-inw. ¡°Just goes to show the exceptional love of your sister,¡± he said, letting out a yawn. ¡°I feel tired. Can we go to sleep now?¡± ¡°In my room,¡± Momo whispered. ¡°To a night of passion¡­¡± Rukia¡¯s excitement faded, reced by a flushed look. ¡°Damn¡­¡± she muttered under her breath. ¡°Momo, you didn¡¯t ask for my permission. We¡¯re roommates, right?¡± Momo beamed a smile. ¡°It¡¯s hisst day with the academy. I want to make more memories with him here¡­ I know my best friend won¡¯t deny me the chance.¡± Rukia couldn¡¯t help but smile sheepishly at being called best friend. ¡°My heart isn¡¯t made of stone, you know? You guys do whatever you want. I¡¯ll have my peaceful sleep in the corner.¡± ¡°Thanks, Rukia!¡± {From being manipted to manipting her best friend¡­ this is the evolution my yandere loving partner wanted to see.} Rukia sharing giggles with Momo, despite thetter manipting her, just showed her simpleton mind. ¡®Wait, where did Yoruichi go?¡¯ Recalling her promise to meet him at the dorm room, he expanded his senses in search of her Reiatsu ¡ª he couldn¡¯t find her Reiatsu anywhere in the Soul Society. {What¡¯s your gut feeling saying?} ¡®Hmm?¡¯ {As an almost perfect being, your instincts are unparalleled. You can rely on them even outside of the battle.} He closed his eyes, his concentration making his brows furrowed. While he couldn¡¯t find the so-called gut feeling, he found something far more significant for the moment ¡ª Yoruichi¡¯s Reiatsu. He only sensed it for one moment before it disappeared. {Either she suppressed her Reiatsu¡ª} ¡®It¡¯s changing.¡¯ Yoruichi¡¯s final form ¡®Shunk¨­: Raij¨± Senkei: Shunry¨± Kokuby¨­ Senki¡¯ rendered her Reiatsu fickle and unstable like a cat¡¯s mood, changing its signature 48 times in one second. {Did she turn into her Hollow form?} ¡®I¡¯ll have to see it for myself.¡¯ Chapter 215: An Undesired Reunion Chapter 215: An Undesired Reunion Due to recent events, Yoruichi became more cautious when returning to the dormitory. Even without the Ky¨­ka Suigetsu, Aizen had a stronghold on the Soul Society, not to mention he knew her secret identity. The former assassin had firsthand witnessed the results of carelessness. Another mistake might just lead to the death of everyone around her. In the past, she wouldn¡¯t have particrly cared about this oue. However, after making many bonds with Kazuya, Momo, Toshiro, and many nice Arrancardies? Nope, the cat loving Shinigami didn¡¯t n to leave numerous sad faces in her wake. ¡®Heh. I¡¯m bing more like him.¡¯ She found the prospect of one event having such a drastic effect both strange and amusing. Then again, the event altered her life, giving her the powers of beings she used to purify, as well as a second entity inside her soul. A mass of bear-like aggression packed in the form of raw feline instincts. Having such thoughts in her mind, she safely returned to the dorm room, which was practically vacant for the time being. ¡®Shiro is having himself some nice dinner.¡¯ The thought of dinner made her crave the milky white elixir. Knowing that Kazuya would visit Isane and Rangiku before returning, Yoruichi decided to go out to get some milk. ¡®Or I can take some from the cafeteria.¡¯ Every cat had undeniable sovereignty over milk in three realms, and her cat form was no exception. Nobody could stop her from taking what was rightfully hers! So Yoruichi headed towards the cafeteria and indulged in a feast of creamy milk to her heart¡¯s content. When she returned to the dorm, a familiar face awaited her outside Kazuya¡¯s room ¡ª her sessor in the 2nd Squad. ¡®Did shee for Kazuya?¡¯ Curious, she strolled to Soi Fon¡¯s side and pointed at the door. ¡°Meow.¡± Soi Fon looked down at Yoruichi, her brows furrowing. ¡°Do you want me to open the door?¡± ¡°Meow.¡± Soi Fon ced a hand on the door and slowly pushed it. Just as Yoruichi was about to enter, Soi Fon pulled her hand back and kneeled down, reaching for Yoruichi¡¯s cat ears. Yoruichi darted back and hissed, unwilling to let even her former disciple touch her. Soi Fon chuckled. ¡°From mastering the art of assassination to mastering the art of shapeshifting into a cat¡­ you are really something, Yoruichi-sama.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s golden eyes widened. Lowering her head, she cursed Kazuya for giving Soi Fon such a massive hint about her presence in the Soul Society. ¡°Meow¡­?¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯tpletely sure it was you until I saw you and Kazuya¡¯s interactions in the Assembly Hall. Your form may have changed but your ck pupils¡­ they dted to the same degree whenever you were happy. Your disguise can fool everyone in this world but not me.¡± Yoruichi couldn¡¯t help but feel goosebumps. Kazuya wasn¡¯t lying about Soi Fon¡¯s unfettered obsession with her. It was unsettling, far worse than the thing Momo had for Kazuya. ¡°Soi Fon, what the hell do you want from me?¡± Unwilling to hear more strange details about herself, Yoruichi practically confessed her identity. Hearing Yoruichi¡¯s smooth voice made Soi Fon¡¯s eyes glisten with moisture. ¡°Yoruichi-sama¡­¡± Yoruichi pushed open the door and hopped on the bed. Soi Fon followed her inside and locked the door shut, keeping everyone from the uing discussion. Yoruichi narrowed her eyes. ¡°Soi Fon, I¡¯m tagging along with Kazuya to see his true potential. Can you keep my identity secret?¡± Yoruichi hadn¡¯t lied to Soi Fon; she had made the decision to stay and witness the extraordinary heights Kazuya could achieve under her guidance, even after her mission in the Soul Society wasplete. Soi Fon crossed her arms, her passion igniting in her gaze. ¡°Yoruichi-sama, you are an exile. You being here gives every Shinigami the right to apprehend you. It¡¯s up to you whether you want to die as a warrior or rot in Central Great Underground Prison for centuries.¡± The once timid little girl who always followed Yoruichi now stood up against her master, determined to fulfill her duty. Yoruichi frowned and took a good look at Soi Fon. Her previous interpretation of Soi Fon¡¯s motive changed upon noticing the burning fire in Soi Fon¡¯s eyes. Her dear disciple from the century past wanted revenge against her, toe out of her predecessor¡¯s shadows and seize the title of the best Onmitsukid¨­ Leader and the best Captain of the 2nd Squad. Yoruichiughed out loud. ¡°The duty is just a facade for your true intention, my dear.¡± Soi Fon clenched her fists before pointing a finger at Yoruichi. ¡°My motives don¡¯t matter as long as I act by thew. And thew decreed you as a criminal long ago.¡± Yoruichi tilted her head. ¡°Heh, I ept your challenge. I¡¯ll remind you why I was the master, and you were the disciple.¡± She swiftly darted out of the window, her ck figure flickering from one building to another. Soi Fon had previously engaged in a martial arts battle with Kazuya, but Yoruichi doubted she would use the same tactics against her. Therefore, their fight couldn¡¯t take ce at the academy, as their powerful spiritual energy would disrupt the order there. Soi Fon followed Yoruichi using her own Shunpo, cing full trust in her former mentor to keep her word. Instead of moving away from the Seireitei, Yoruichi led them deeper into it. Yoruichi finally stopped in the depths of a forest, where a set of extensive stairs led to a temple-like structure. ¡°Yoruichi-sama, why did youe here?¡± Soi Fon was puzzled at Yoruichi¡¯s decision to lead her into her home-ground ¡ª thevish barracks of the 2nd Squad ¡ª where she could call upon reinforcements any time. Yoruichi bared her fangs. ¡°To get my old attire. You wanna fight me naked?¡± Soi Fon¡¯s eyes widened before her cheeks flushed. Coughing, she looked away. ¡°Not like it will change anything.¡± Yoruichi rolled her eyes at Soi Fon¡¯s response. Chapter 216: Old Times Chapter 216: Old Times Yoruichi pointed at the shadow of a tall oak tree in the dense forest. ¡°Soi Fon, can you dig there?¡± She had buried a stash of clothes, rations, and other emergency supplies, just in case someone were to falsely use her of a major crime. It wasn¡¯t umon for people in her line of work to unabashedly shift me onto others. She wanted to be prepared if things took a turn for the worse. And unfortunately, that framing did happen. The victim wasn¡¯t her but her childhood friend. At the time, she didn¡¯t have the opportunity to retrieve her belongings as she had to hastily flee the Soul Society. Soi Fon¡¯s brows twitched at the request, looking visibly annoyed. ¡°I¡¯ll not do your bidding.¡± Yoruichi was supposed to fight Soi Fon for her life, yet she acted carefree, clearly not taking the challenge seriously. Although she yearned to meet Yoruichi, she could barely endure Yoruichi¡¯s disregard for everything. The Captain of 2nd Squad drew dangerously close to her limits. Yoruichi seemedpletely unfazed by Soi Fon¡¯s growing agitation. ¡°Soi Fon, Kazuya is a talentedd. It won¡¯t be hard for him to write a story detailing the most embarrassing scenes of your life.¡± Yoruichi tantly and shamelessly threatened her former disciple ¡ª a clear sign of Kazuya¡¯spany rubbing off on her. She was quite unaware about the change Kazuya¡¯s influence had brought in her. Soi Fon, on the other hand, could clearly see the resemnce between her former mentor and the man who had nonchntly threatened to kill her before. Gritting her teeth, Soi Fon said, ¡°I have nothing to be ashamed of.¡± Yoruichi chuckled, her eyes narrowing dangerously. ¡°Did you forget the time you wet your¡ª¡± ¡°I get it!¡± Soi Fon stopped Yoruichi from revealing her deepest and darkest memory ¡ª the only memory that Soi Fon intended to take to her grave. ¡°It¡¯s just digging! I¡¯ll do it for you!¡± Soi Fon was thick-headed, brash, and unyielding in her beliefs. But even she wasn¡¯t shameless enough to let the whole Soul Society know about her most vulnerable and embarrassing moments. She couldn¡¯t maintain her dignity if no one respected her character. Yoruichi licked her lips, baring her fangs. ¡°Thanks! I can¡¯t transform right now, or I¡¯d absolutely help you in digging.¡± ¡°Keep your excuses to yourself,¡± Soi Fon replied with a snort. ¡°How deep do I need to dig?¡± ¡°Six feet probably?¡± ¡°After this, I¡¯ll bury you six feet under,¡± Soi Fon muttered under her breath. ¡°I swear.¡± Yoruichi giggled. ¡°We shall see about that.¡± Soi Fon, the Captain of the 2nd Squad and Leader of Onmitsukid¨­, clenched her fist and brought it down on the ground. Instead of traditional digging, she pounded the earth, creating small craters. The physical exertion momentarily distracted her from the mixture of frustration, annoyance, and lingering affection that churned within her. Her heart beat steadily in her chest, matching the rhythmic thuds of her fists against the ground. Despite her previous reservations, Soi Fon didn¡¯t feel any shred of humiliation. There was an undeniable sense of satisfaction in aiding Yoruichi. The sweat trickled down Soi Fon¡¯s forehead, mingling with the dirt that clung to her skin. Lost in the sweet past, she absentmindedly carved a hole that grewrger andrger, reaching a depth of over ten meters. ¡°Take it easy, tiger,¡± Yoruichi warned. ¡°I don¡¯t want my bags to get torn.¡± Soi Fon acknowledged with a nod and then loosened her grip, shaping her hands into ws to skillfully excavate the earth. In no time, she discovered a ck piece of cloth sticking out of the dirt. ncing up, she unconsciously grinned. ¡°Found it.¡± ¡°Woah!¡± Yoruichi almost jumped in excitement. ¡°Come on. Whip it out!¡± Soi Fon yanked the bag out of the earth and threw it out of the hole. Getting on her feet, she jumped in the air and caught the bag. With a casual but gracefulnding, she arrived before Yoruichi. Yoruichi urged Soi Fon to put down the bag and reveal its contents. Soi Fon took out the knife tucked in her sleeve and sliced open the bag. The sight of the purple clothing at the top caused her serious expression to vanish, and her cheeks turned as red as a tomato. Yoruichi couldn¡¯t help butugh at Soi Fon¡¯s innocent reaction. ¡°My old panties. They were an article of luxury when everyone used to wear loincloths.¡± ¡°Why would you put it on top?!¡± ¡°To tease innocent people like you,¡± Yoruichi said. ¡°Take the bag. There is a hot spring nearby. We¡¯ll get a quick dip before starting our match.¡± Yoruichi''s invitation to Soi Fon was heartfelt, as she desired Soi Fon to be in her prime during the duel. Martial artists of their level often had one or two undiagnosed injuries. The special hot springs would alleviate Soi Fon''s fatigue and help her with any injury. However, Soi Fon showed apletely unexpected reaction ¡ª her cheeks turned so red that Yoruichi could almost imagine steaming from her head. ¡°You little pervert,¡± Yoruichi remarked, apanied by a roll of her eyes. ¡°What were you fantasizing now?¡± Soi Fon stomped her feet, frustrated at her uncontroble embarrassment. ¡°It was no fantasy... I was recollecting my first time visiting the hot springs. I got injured during a dangerous mission, and you dragged me there to enhance my recovery.¡± Back in the day, Soi Fon was a rookie, barely any more powerful than the low-ranked Seated Officers. Despite her inferior status, Yoruichi had treated her kindly and made her feel like a friend. Such a moment would never ur after Kisuke ruined Yoruichi¡¯s life. She never felt the urge to torture anyone, but she¡¯d absolutely make an exception for Kisuke. Being condemned to Hell would be worth it for a chance to torture the perverted, maniptive childhood friend of Yoruichi. Sensing a growing killing intent, Yoruichi patted Soi Fon¡¯s thigh. ¡°Can¡¯t wait to kill me?¡± Soi Fon nodded nkly. ¡°Yoruichi-sama, would you be willing to change the conditions of our duel?¡± Yoruichi blinked, taken aback by the shift in Soi Fon¡¯s demeanor. ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± ¡°I¡­ If I were to defeat you, you¡¯d expose Kisuke Urahara¡¯s current location. He¡ªhe must be held responsible for his vile crimes.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe you are still jealous of Kisuke.¡± Yoruichi sighed, shaking her head. ¡°I have full faith in my victory, however, I¡¯ll never ept your condition. Do you want to know why? Because it¡¯s disrespectful towards him.¡± Soi Fon gritted her teeth, looking vexed about Yoruichi defending Kisuke with passion. ¡°You¡¯re only stalling for time. His recent deeds gave us plenty of leads about his trail. His sins are catching up to him.¡± ¡°Stop being a dramatic bit¡ª¡± Yoruichi paused, eyes widening at thetter part of Soi Fon¡¯s words. ¡°What recent deeds are you talking about?¡± Soi Fon looked a bit confused at Yoruichi¡¯s exaggerated tone. ¡°The invasion of Arrancars. Captain Yamamoto has proof that Kisuke Urahara pulled the strings to make everything happen. Many lives would be lost without your friend Kazuya.¡± Kazuya''s actions cleared him of any suspicion from everyone. Soi Fon believed that Kisuke Urahara orchestrated everything without the knowledge of Yoruichi and Kazuya ¡ª since they were both in the Soul Society the entire time. Yoruichi snarled. ¡°Believe what you will. But the truth is way crazier than your wildest dreams.¡± Yoruichi didn¡¯t have the energy or patience to clear Soi Fon¡¯s decades of pent-up hatred. It hadn¡¯t worked out before, and it won¡¯t work out today either. She had long epted that Kisuke and Soi Fon would never get along in any timeline. Soi Fon felt like Yoruichi held a big revtion ¡ª a truth that might change everything. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll change my condition.¡± She cleared her throat. ¡°Once I defeat you, you¡¯ll reveal this truth you speak of.¡± Yoruichiughed. ¡°Alright. What if you lose, though?¡± ¡°You earn your freedom.¡± Yoruichi waved her paw. ¡°Uh uh. You¡¯ll never bother me again and keep my identity secret. Aaaand you¡¯ll keep Kazuya out of everything regardless of our duel¡¯s oue. He doesn¡¯t deserve to lose sleep over my stupidity.¡± Soi Fon closed her eyes and let out a sigh. ¡°You always consider him before yourself. Just what did he do to deserve this?¡± ¡°A lot more than you can imagine,¡± Yoruichi said without a change in her casual tone. ¡°For starters, he wants to protect me from harm. You, my former disciple, are looking to murder me. It¡¯smon sense to choose him over you, right?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Chapter 217: In the Hot Springs Chapter 217: In the Hot Springs Soi Fon and Yoruichi reached their destination, the hot spring pool. Even after a century, the water cascading into the natural pool still retained the same warmth. ¡°Those days I spent training here to be strong¡­¡± Yoruichi whispered, an undeniable hint of nostalgia in her voice. ¡°A century has passed, yet I haven¡¯t reached my limit.¡± Her ceiling had further expanded with her Hollowification. She didn¡¯t mind learning new abilities as long as they were fun. Thankfully, she had the perfectpanion to educate her in Hollow abilities while keeping her entertained. Disappointment filled Soi Fon''s eyes as she shook her head. ¡°You haven¡¯t reached your limit because you grew weak away from battles.¡± Yoruichiughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. ¡°Wait for this out-of-shape youngdy to beat the crap out of you.¡± Soi Fon let out a disdainful snort before she started removing her Shihakush¨­. Yoruichi transformed back into her original form and yfully dipped her toes into the warm water. ¡°Ahh~, it feels so nice.¡± And with that, she took a plunge into the hot spring, sshing water over the surprised Soi Fon. ¡°What ya standing there for?¡± Soi Fon raised her arm and pointed at the twitching cat ears on Yoruichi¡¯s head. ¡°Yoruichi-sama... Are those real?¡± ¡°Huh? These?¡± Yoruichi asked as she pinched her ears. ¡°You saw me transform from cat to my true form. Where did I get the time to put these on?¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re wondering why I have them in the first ce, right?¡± Soi Fon slowly nodded her head. ¡°You didn¡¯t have them before.¡± ¡°I also wasn¡¯t an exile before.¡± Yoruichi shrugged before revealing a grin. ¡°They look cute, though.¡± ¡°Indeed¡­¡± ¡°I can¡¯t wait to tease¡ª¡± Yoruichi suddenly paused as her Reiatsu spiked, making the water quiver. Her eyes narrowed as pulled at her cat ear. ¡°This baka neko.¡± Her Hollow self was the embodiment of a wild feline, so it had a natural aversion to water. The aversion was so strong that it made her Reiatsu unstable ¡ª the Hollow self did her best to take control of Yoruichi and pull her out of the water. ¡°Yoruichi-sama?¡± Soi Fon asked, bewildered. ¡°What¡¯s happening to you?¡± Yoruichi ignored the confused Soi Fon and crossed her arms, stubbornly remaining seated in the hot spring pool. ¡°Get used to it, for I¡¯ll not move an inch.¡± Soi Fon moved out of Yoruichi¡¯s line of sight and undressedpletely, wrapping a white towel around herself. She had bathed with Yoruichi before, but she didn¡¯t feel at ease with the current Yoruichi. Yoruichi¡¯s unhingedughter echoed behind Soi Fon. ¡°I won¡¯t let you be a dirty cat who never cleans herself!¡± Soi Fon trembled and cautiously entered the hot spring. ¡°Y-Yoruichi-sama, you¡¯re starting to creep me out. Why is your Reiatsu acting like that?¡± Yoruichi opened her eyes and revealed a grin. ¡°Don¡¯t mind me. Just enjoy the hot spring.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Why are you wearing a towel? Take it off.¡± Soi Fon clenched her towel. ¡°No.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s brows twitched. ¡°You¡¯re tainting the spirit and cultural significance of hot springs. The towel should be up on your head, not around your waist.¡± Soi Fon tried to argue, but Yoruichi effortlessly silenced her with her overwhelming confidence. In the end, Yoruichi left her no choice but to bepletely naked in the hot spring. ¡­ Following Yoruichi¡¯s Reiatsu led Kazuya deep into a dense forest. He started to grow worried. For one he couldn¡¯t sense any other Reiatsu on the same level as his favorite ck cat. If she was having a battle, her opponent couldn¡¯t hide her Reiatsu to the point of bing invisible to his spiritual senses. The second and more frightening possibility of Yoruichi¡¯s erratic Reiatsu entailed Yoruichi losing control to her Hollow side. Skeptical and concerned, he walked into a hidden cave. As he ventured further, the darkness gave way to a cavernous space, revealing a towering wall adorned with a single sliding door. His heart raced as he sensed Yoruichi¡¯s familiar Reiatsu emanating from the other side. Without hesitation, he pushed the door aside, only to be greeted by a room enveloped in a misty haze, the steam rising from the natural hot springs that surrounded him. Not too far from the door he could see the dark-skinned cat girl rxing in the hot spring. Her back was turned against him but he wouldn¡¯t mistake her skin color and cat ears for anyone else. His gaze fell upon the familiar toned back of the dark-skinned woman rxing not far from the entrance. ¡°Yoruichi.¡± He had been tirelessly searching for her, expecting her to be engaged in a wild battle against Aizen or some other captain. Yet here she was enjoying her time in a hot spring. What caught him off guard was the presence of another woman in the steamy waters. ¡°Kazuya?!¡± The naked assassin hurriedly covered her modest breasts and red at him with an unmistakable killing intent. ¡°Leave before I¡ª¡± Yoruichi kicked the pool, sending a ssh of water at Soi Fon¡¯s face. ¡°Rx, little pup.¡± Leaning back against the warm stones, Yoruichi looked over her shoulder. ¡°Take off your clothes and join us. This water has the power to heal both your body and mind. Such an opportunity may note again.¡± Soi Fon didn¡¯t speak against Yoruichi¡¯s wishes, but her eyes made her intentions known to him. ¡®I will kill you if you step inside with me¡¯ was more or less the message behind her deathly re. A sly smirk formed on Kazuya¡¯s lips as he reached for his belt, swiftly unfastening it in one fluid motion. Against Soi Fon¡¯s wishes, he began to undress, much to her chagrin. {Partner being a massive S is turning me on.} He wasn¡¯t that big of a sadist but inflicting emotional damage to a bully like Soi Fon would never stop pleasing him. He simply loved oppressing those oppressed others. {Partner, kiss Yoruichi. The simp would literally explode.} ¡®Not now.¡¯ After taking off all his clothes, he reclined in the position beside Yoruichi, who proudly and unabashedly revealed everything to him. He revealed a faint smile. ¡°One of these days you¡¯ll pay for your seduction.¡± The side of her eyes crinkled ¡ª an unmistakable sign of joy. ¡°You couldn¡¯t sleep without checking on me.¡± Kazuya sighed. ¡°I thought you were caught by him, and were fighting for your life.¡± Yoruichi paused, her expression turning solemn. She yanked him closer, sandwiching his arm between her soft, jiggling tits. ¡°My other self was throwing a tantrum over water. She became calm when you came. It¡¯s as if she likes having you by her side.¡± Kazuya blinked in surprise. Hisst interactions with Yoruichi¡¯s Hollow weren¡¯t the brightest as he had brainwashed her to sleep and let Yoruichi take control of her body. Somehow he became the Hollow¡¯s favorite person. {It¡¯s simple, Partner. She likes strong, dominating men.} He couldn¡¯t argue with Nami¡¯s logic when proof was before him ¡ª Yoruichi¡¯s Reiatsu had indeed returned to its normalcy now that he joined her in the hot spring. The Hollow cat truly found hispany pleasant. ¡°Did you seduce her when I was sleeping?¡± Yoruichi whispered in a honeyed, almost sensual voice. ¡°You can say it to me. I won¡¯t judge you.¡± The alluring former assassin devised her first honey trap to extract his secret. She, however, forgot she was dealing with a man who had plentiful experience with women of three realms. ¡°I prefer you over a kitten,¡± he whispered, his voice captivating the catgirl, and pressed his lips against her wet neck. ¡°Because I adore you.¡± Yoruichi took a shuddering breath, gripping his arm tightly. Her breath hiked, her heart pounding in her chest. ¡°Kazuya, I have something to tell you.¡± He swallowed hard, feeling a sense of anticipation building in his mind. The excitement she disyed gave him a kindling of hope ¡ª that Yoruichi was ready to confess her love for him. The chances of everything being a yful attempt to tease him were considerable, but he was willing to take the chance. With zed eyes, she nced up, her gaze unfocused and distant. ¡°Kazuya, I want you¡­¡± A/N: Soi Fon in the background Meanwhile Yoruichi in the background Spoiler [copse] Chapter 218-220: Warmth in the cold (R-18) Chapter 218-220: Warmth in the cold (R-18) ¡°I want you to¡ª¡± ¡°Wait one bloody second,¡± Soi Fon cut into the pink bubble around Yoruichi and Kazuya after losing herst shred of patience in the face of their shameless flirting. ¡°...I want you to be the judge of my duel against Soi Fon,¡± Yoruichi finished her proposal with a smile. ¡°Can you do that?¡± Kazuya¡¯s lips contorted into a grimace. The icy gaze emanating from his eyes sent chills down Yoruichi¡¯s spine, freezing her heart in its tracks. ¡°Yoruichi, never talk to me again.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°O-Oi, you¡¯re overreacting.¡± He silently shook his head and moved away from Yoruichi. Taking afortable position in the pool, he closed his eyes, preparing to take a nap in the cozy water. {Show her the consequences of ying with your heart then guilt trip her into marrying you.} ¡®Nami, please don¡¯t use your brain.¡¯ He wasn¡¯t giving her the cold shoulder to guilt trip her but giving her a little taste of the emotional damage she gave him. {Hmph!} Meanwhile, Yoruichi stared at him in utter surprise. Drawing closer, she tugged at his arm for attention but hepletely ignored her. Overwhelmed with defeat, she withdrew and massaged the back of her head, racking her brain for a way to fix the situation. ¡®I¡¯ll give him some time to cool his head.¡¯ Her fight with Soi Fon was a big deal, but he didn¡¯t even bother asking her about it ¡ª from this alone she could sense the depth of his anger. He was truly upset with her, and it was somewhat justified. She had gone too far in giving him hope and then taking it away. ¡®He might just forget about me¡­¡¯ The thought of ending his somewhat childish yet intimate rtionship made her heart ache. Kazuya had many lovers to fall back on but she ¡ª she only had him. ¡°Hiss, you bad,¡± came the cold voice of her Hollow from her Inner World. ¡°Go close to Pet.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s sinking mood was brought back by the childish scolding of her Hollow. She didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry at her Hollow for treating Kazuya like a pet. ¡®When did you learn tomunicate?¡¯ ¡°Cumyunicat?¡¯ ¡®Forget it.¡¯ She shook her head. ¡°Soi Fon, mind if we dy our duel for another day? I¡¯m not feeling like fighting right now.¡± Soi Fon shook her head. ¡°Let¡¯s settle itter.¡± She wanted to crush Yoruichi, who was giving her all in the battle. The Yoruichi before her was distracted and torn between multiple thoughts. She wouldn¡¯t feel any satisfaction in defeating Yoruichi in her current state. Yoruichi nodded and nced at Kazuya. ¡°When will you return?¡± ¡°Later.¡± ¡°How long though?¡± ¡°Half an hour.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The silence hung heavy for a moment as Soi Fon stared at him, her eyes searching for something. Finally, she rose from the hot spring, water droplets cascading down her skin, and stepped out of the pool. After wearing her clothes, she said goodbye to Yoruichi and left the premises. Kazuya peered at Yoruichi through his left eye. She was lying in the pool with only her head poking out of the water. {Yup, that¡¯s the look of remorse.} ¡®Let¡¯s leave her alone.¡¯ He spent a few more minutes then stepped out of the pool to wear his clothes. Yoruichi emerged from the water, her sleek figure glistening in the dim light. She grabbed a towel and began to meticulously clean herself, paying extra attention to clean her cat ears and tail. ¡°Wait for me.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± She quickly dried herself and turned into her cat form. ¡°Can you take this bag?¡± Kazuya¡¯s gaze drifted to the ck bag. ¡°Your clothes?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± As he grabbed the bag, she jumped on his head, her weight barely noticeable. ¡°Conceal your Reiatsu and use Shunpo.¡± He silently acknowledged her request and headed towards the dormitory. *** Yoruichi stared at the door before her. ¡°Why are we outside Momo¡¯s room?¡± ¡°Shiro is training in mine,¡± Kazuya answered. ¡°It¡¯s myst day here. I¡¯ll spend it with Momo and Rukia.¡± Yoruichi jumped onto Kazuya¡¯s shoulder and affectionately licked his cheek. ¡°I won¡¯t disturb you then. Goodnight.¡± And she slinked away in the darkness of the night. {Wow, she is more considerate than I gave her credit for.} ¡®She looked sad.¡¯ {Don¡¯t give in, Partner. She needs to make more effort to get you back.} He shook his head and stepped into the door, cing the bag by the wall. Momo and Rukia slept peacefully on the bed, or it seemed. He had doubts about Momo¡¯s true state of rest, as her spiritual energy appeared more active than Rukia¡¯s on paper As if to confirm his suspicions, Momo peeked her head out from under the nket and beamed at him with her brightest smile. ¡°Kazuya-kun!¡± Kazuya pressed a finger to her lips, gesturing her to be quiet, to be more mindful of the sleeping Rukia. Momo nodded earnestly and shifted to the edge of the bed, leaving a space between herself and Rukia. ¡°Is that for me?¡± Momo gave a nod. ¡°Come.¡± Not one to feel shame, he took the position between the ¡®best friends.¡¯ Lying next to him, Momo simply couldn¡¯t wipe the happy smile off her face, as though she was floating on cloud nine. ¡°Kazuya-kun¡­¡± she whispered and ced a hand on his face. ¡°Can we¡­¡± Her unfinished request wasn¡¯t hard to guess. He turned on his side to face the ever-so horny girl eagerly looking forward to receiving love. ¡°You do know Rukia is sleeping beside us.¡± ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t care. She already knows about our rtionship. Also.¡± She paused, pulling the nket to cover them both, drawing them closer. Their breaths mingled in the intimate space. ¡°She can¡¯t see us now.¡± He chuckled. ¡°What do you want to do?¡± ¡°K-Kiss?¡± She asked sheepishly, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. ¡°I¡¯m inexperienced, so you¡¯ll have to guide me.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ll give you free reign to do anything you want.¡± His eyes gleamed with curiosity, eager to witness just how wild a girlpletely obsessed with him could be, and how far she could go relying solely on her instincts and theoretical knowledge. The two of them stared at each other ¡ª Kazuya being patient while Momo not knowing what to do or say next. The silence stretched on, and Momo¡¯s impatience grew, yearning for more than just lying there and staring at him. She wanted more from him. She wanted to feel his warm embrace and inhale his scent. She wanted his lips against hers ¡ª something she had been dreaming about for months. She wanted to make her dreams be reality. ¡°I want to try kissing,¡± Momo whispered. ¡°Can I?¡± Receiving a silent nod in response, Momo grabbed him by the face and pressed her lips against his. The brief intimate connection made her moan softly. Momo was in heaven. After a few seconds of kissing, Momo drew even closer and pushed her against his lips, deepening the kiss. As soon as she started feeling Kazuya¡¯s lips against hers she never wanted that feeling to go away. She wished that she didn¡¯t have to breathe at that moment, that she could continue kissing him like this for days and nights. s, she had to part from him to take a breath. ¡°Hah¡­. Was it good?¡± Kazuya slid a thumb over his wet lips and gave a soft smile. ¡°Not bad.¡± The basicpliment ignited passion in her eyes. She pushed her lips against Kazuya¡¯s lips even harder with each kiss. With each subsequent kiss, she pressed her lips against his more fervently, her reasoning fading away, reced by unadulterated lust. As Momo and Kazuya were taking a breath, Momo stuck her tongue out of her mouth and pressed it against his lips. To her surprise, he immediately reciprocated and parted his lips, allowing her tongue entry into his mouth. The two of them kept their lips pressed against each other as they swirled their tongues against one another, enjoying the feeling of every bump of their partner¡¯s tongue as well as the taste of their saliva permeating their own tongues. ¡°Ahmm, Kazuya-kun¡­¡± Momo said in between breaths. ¡°I want to go further. Those girls described sex like it was something godly. I¡ªI want to experience it with Kazuya-kun!¡± Brimming with passion, she almost shouted the desire in her mind. It was vulgar but she didn¡¯t want to hide herself behind a mask. She had to be honest with herself and Kazuya, or she¡¯d be undesirable in his eyes. Kazuya smiled sweetly at her request. ¡°We¡¯ll have to be naked for that.¡± A voracious desire ignited in her eyes. She reached out, and with little difficulty, she released the hold of his belt over his trousers and took off his kimono and undersleeves. She didn¡¯t remove his trousers, instead diving to pepper his chest with soft kisses. He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. Taking her hand, he gently guided it to his rock hard member. ¡°Give it some of that passion.¡± Momo traced the bulge in his pants and loudly gulped. ¡°O-Oh my. I¡¯ll use the advice given by my seniors. Kazuya-kun, can you lie on your back?¡± He did as she asked, and she straddled his waist. Naturally, his throbbing dick lined up with her leaking crotch, awakening a primal urge in her. ¡°Mhmmm.¡± She held back her consciousness from sumbing to the pleasure and drew down his trousers alongside the underwear. With nothing to conceal it, his proud member sprang up, throbbing with desire to mate. Momo crawled a step lower and leaned down, immediately bing drunk on his natural scent. Her eyes zing in lust, she wrapped her fingers around the base of his manhood and began to stroke it. The sheer thickness of the pulsating cockpletely filled her hand. ¡°K-Kazuya-kun, I-I¡¯m going to use my mouth.¡± She had learnt the technique from her friends, some of whom were already involved with Kazuya before. Still, it would be her first time putting her knowledge to use, and she wanted to please him, no matter how little skill she had. ¡°Sure.¡± With his permission, she licked her lips wet and pressed a gentle kiss over the bulbous crown. The taste motivated her to crave more, her tonguepping at the tip again, again and again. Feeling the cock shiver against her lips motivated her to pour more passion into her movements. But it wasn¡¯t enough. She needed to do more, and growing bolder, she began to lick his length before finally she pushed his manhood into her mouth, sliding it up and down. ¡°Kazuya-kun¡ªmy beloved¡¯s cock is delicious.¡± Kazuya brought a hand over her head, giving her headpats. ¡°You¡¯re doing so well.¡± She was feeling over the moon for receiving encouragement for indulging in her lust with him and began to suck him while studying his expressions. With her obsession, she didn¡¯t take long to find his sensitive spots. Kazuya prolonged his release as long as possible, but he could only hold for so long under her intense blowjob. Holding her head, he began to thrust into her mouth, literally using her mouth as a cocksleeve for his pleasure. And his thick seed erupted in her mouth. Eyes half lidded, brain foggy and barely aware, Kazuya barely slid his drenched cock out of her mouth. Momo covered her mouth and tilted her head, making sure to gulp every drop of her lover¡¯s precious semen. ¡°Ah.¡± She took a sigh of relief and smiled upon seeing his content expression. ¡°Was my blowjob good? How will you rate it for the first time?¡± ¡°Eight out of ten. You have to refine your tongue movements.¡± Momo¡¯s smile brightened at the feedback. ¡°I¡¯ll get better as long as you let me!¡± He nced down at his cock, which was still erect, and looked back at her. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Momo silently loosened her obi and slid her kimono off her arms. Her perky breasts sprang into view, rosy nipples erect in arousal. His first eyeful of Momo in all her glory was entuated by the contrasting ck lingerie, skimming gentle curves and lean muscle born from sword training. ¡°Take your bra off.¡± She followed hismand without hesitation. Boasting a subtle proud smile, she gently arched her back, and guided his hands to her breasts. Cupping her full breasts in his hands, he nearly groaned as it reacted instantaneously to his touch. She was sensitive, almost painfully so, as she tipped her head back even further with a soft moan. Though they were notrge, her breasts were incredibly soft and had a pleasing sticity to them. Furthermore, they were highly sensitive, enhancing her sensations. He sat up on the bed under the cover of the nket and let his talented fingers appreciate the curves of her breasts. Then he drew closer to tongue at one of her lovely breasts. He blew a little air against the tip and enjoyed how it pebbled. He wasted no time in doing the same on the other side, making her squirm and gasp ¡ª gasps that were felt more than heard, as she breathed harshly on hisp. Under his ministrations, her arousal grew. He could feel the gentle rock of her hips back against his cock, desperate for all the things he¡¯d hinted at but refused to give her over thest few months. She felt impatient to finally be his. Peppering kisses along the side of her neck, he admired her form. ¡°I¡¯ll take it from here.¡± ¡°Please~,¡± she obliged happily. ¡°I love you. I¡¯ll always let you use me however you desire.¡± He slid aside her panties, which felt wet to the touch, and inserted a finger. A warm wetness enveloped his finger, signaling her readiness. ¡°Mhmm.¡± Momo stifled her moan for Rukia¡¯s sake. Leaning closer, she filled the air with her fragrance, as she whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t hesitate. I can take it.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± He grabbed the base of his shaft and guided the head of his dick to the entrance of her pussy. Grabbing her hips, he steered her in taking him slowly. Immediately, a silken heat wrapped around his shaft, clenching squeezing before letting him progress. The grimace Momo made had him stopping, as he reached up to run his thumb between her brows, eyes clenched in pain. She arched back a little and rested her hands on his thighs. ¡°Mmm. Kazuya-kun, you¡¯re so warm. You¡¯re filling mepletely.¡± ¡°Come here.¡± He brought her closer for a kiss while her wetness gradually loosened around him. But she wasn¡¯t so patient. Drawing away from him, she mmed her hips against his thigh, the contact of their flesh resounding through the room. A gasp made it out of her, but she pushed aside the pain and fell into his embrace. ¡°I¡¯m the happiest woman in the world, Kazuya-kun.¡± Although the pain danced at the edges of her vision, Momo had never felt more at ease than under Kazuya¡¯s knowing stare. His wisdom, his care, his kindness ¡ª she never felt morepelled to be anyone¡¯s than his. He brushed her hair. ¡°I¡¯m d you feel that way.¡± ¡°Mhmm, Kazuya-kun. Don¡¯t stop now. Continue making me the happiest woman~.¡± Her innocent yet sultry voice loosened his grip on his desire. He let his fingers sink into her plump rear, and raised it before slowly bringing it down. The careful approach to lovemaking was to help her adjust. The pleasure, the warmth, the wetness, and the tightness he was feeling from her pussy against his cock urged him to fuck her as fast as he could, but he held himself back, for her sake. But as the seconds passed by, Kazuya could feel his rationality slipping away and the lust to breed her taking over. Carefully he angled her hips a bit, hoping to find that errant spot that eluded most men. He was careful in his search for it, adjusting his own pelvis until he found what he was looking for. The sudden jump of Momo¡¯s hips into his hands and her moan was his cue. ¡°That was amazing¡­¡± His expression turned roguish before he captured her in another head-spinning kiss. And then he cocked his hips back and sought that spot again, feeling her shudder as she sank even further into his embrace. Moans, sensual and pleasing, continuously left her lips, as he thrust into her weak spots. She was starting to catch on and helping him in hitting her pleasure spots. Eventually her pain melted awaypletely, leaving ardent moans against his lips and his own fervor to bring his lover to her peak. They moved in sync, as if they¡¯d shared a bed many times before now. With his face buried in the crook of her shoulder Kazuya did his best to stave off his own climax, concentrating on pushing Momo over the edge first. The earlier blowjob made it easy for him to hold on long enough. What he didn¡¯t count on was Momo¡¯s own need to push back, give just as much as he did. It would exin the wrapping of her legs around his waist, drawing him impossibly deep at a particrly strong thrust, making them both cry out as he thrust into her in earnest. When she pulled him into another tender kiss, she purposely tightened around him in hopes of catching him off-guard. ¡°My friend said we have to do it together,¡± Momo exined between moans, slowing him down and dodging his thrusts into her weak spot. ¡°It strengthens the bond.¡± She was willing to do anything to prolong her stay by his side. ¡°As you wish.¡± He epted her request before stabbing none-too-gently back into her. Losing his desire, he chased the release, which arrived sooner than he expected. Momo didn¡¯t expect the wave that hit her, engulfing her body and drowning her by stealing the air from her lungs. ¡°Hah¡­¡± Kazuya went through a strong climax of his own. Paralyzed muscles shook as his grip tightened on her round butt, muffling a growl into her soft skin. All the while Momo sped her limbspletely around him, neck arching as she epted his seed into her womb. Deep breaths passed under the nket as the couple enjoyed the post-coitus moment. After a few moments, Momo raised her head, eyes glimmering with affection. ¡°Kazuya-kun, you¡¯re still hard.¡± ¡°Mhmm.¡± Momo wiggled her hips to clench around him. And holding his shoulders, she guided him to lie on the bed and kissed his face. ¡°Let me try it once.¡± He rested his arms under his head as a pillow. ¡°Go ahead.¡± Momo pressed her hands on his chest and mmed her hips down on him with an echoing p. Before she could move again, the intimate air under the nket was taken. They both turned to the ck-haired girl who had seized their nket in the middle of lovemaking. A look of disapproval crossed Momo¡¯s face. ¡°Rukia, why did you do that?¡± A/N: Threesome with Rukia next? Chapter 221: Lies of M Chapter 221: Lies of M Blood rushed to Rukia¡¯s head, her body giving her ample fuel to brainstorm her way out of this tricky situation. As a result, her face waspletely flushed. ¡°I-I didn¡¯t,¡± she stammered, her voice hoarse with nerves. But then, a sudden realization struck her, and she quickly assumed a stern expression.¡°I am trying to sleep. Why are you two being noisy in the middle of the night?¡± Momo, unamused, turned her gaze to Kazuya. ¡°Don¡¯t buy her tough girl act. She is scared like a rabbit.¡± Kazuya remained silent, maintaining a neutral stance in front of the best friends. ¡°No, I am not!¡± Rukia retorted. ¡°Why are you guys having sex on the same bed I¡¯m sleeping on?¡± ¡°I am desperate,¡± Momo said with a sigh. ¡°Rukia, this is myst day with Kazuya-kun as my ssmate¡­ this¡ªthis is a memory I can hold on to for the time I¡¯ll be staying in the academy. This opportunity will never return once he graduates¡­¡± The heartfelt words softened Rukia¡¯s gaze. ¡°Sorry for not considering your situation¡­ I¡¯ll do anything to make it up for you.¡± ¡°Anything?¡± Momo¡¯s ck eyes gleamed with a mischievous intent as she sought confirmation. ¡°I want you to do something, but I¡¯m not sure you¡¯ll be willing to¡­¡± Rukia nodded resolutely. ¡°Just say the words. I¡¯ll cross the 320 Rukon districts to fulfill your request.¡± She seemed so focused and determined that the presence of the naked couple in her room didn¡¯t even register in her mind. Momo pulled herself away from Kazuya, causing Rukia¡¯s gaze to widen in surprise. Her eyes were drawn to the sight of the overflowing bodily fluids from Momo¡¯s slit and the imposing, veiny cock before her. ¡°No way¡­ How did it even fit in there?¡± ¡°It stretched me from inside,¡± Momo whispered and faced Rukia in earnest. ¡°My request¡ªI want you to join us.¡± ¡°What the heck do you mean by ¡®join us¡¯? Is there some membership I¡¯m unaware of?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing major. I simply want you to have sex with Kazuya-kun¡­¡± ¡°How the hell is that not major?!¡± Rukia raised her voice in a stupor,pletely caught-off guard by Momo¡¯s request. ¡°Why? Just why would you suggest that I be intimate with your lover?¡± Even Kazuya was taken aback by Momo¡¯s favor, knowing it went against her usual neediness. It was a foolish move for her to offer him another lover, as it would only eat into her own time with him. ¡°There are two reasons,¡± Momo said and dragged Rukia into the corner of the room to whisper the secret reasons. ¡°It has to do with¡­¡± Kazuya had sharp senses but even he couldn¡¯t hear a coherent word from their whispers. Rukia¡¯s stolen nces at his crotch only confirmed the sexual nature of their conversation. Tired of having his penis assessed like it was the sexiestdy on the street, he sat upright on the bed, hastily covering himself with a soft, warm nket. {I have to know what type of schemes are cooking in Momo¡¯s mind. Partner, fire up your senses in overdrive mode.} Since he was curious himself, he did as Nami told and concentrated his senses to their limits ¡ª something he usually reserved for high-level battles. Their whispered gibberish transformed into clear, audible words. ¡°I was saving my first for my special¡­¡± Rukia whispered, her voice finally audible. ¡°This doesn¡¯t feel right¡­¡± ¡°But you haven¡¯t found him yet, right? Moreover, gaining some experience will be more beneficial for you in the long run¡­ Please, Rukia. I¡¯m begging you on my knees.¡± Momo was giving her all to convince Rukia into joining them in a threesome. Her efforts seemed to have an effect as Rukia closed her eyes, contemting hard. {Momo is a keeper, Partner.} After a long moment of silence, Rukia nodded her head. ¡°Only because you¡¯re my best friend, and I owe this scoundrel too much.¡± {She agreed to be your sex ve, Partner.} ¡®Nami, please update your lewd dictionary to thetest version.¡¯ {Oh, Dear Kazuya. The update prerequisite is that I have to be lewded by you.} ¡®I¡¯ll see to it personally when Tsubasa stops living in your head.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯m extremely sorry for causing a rift between Master and Mistress.¡± Tsubasa was quite apologetic for the inconveniences herck of form caused to Nami and Kazuya. ¡®Don¡¯t call me Master, Tsubasa.¡¯ He felt something strange every time Tsubasa called him Master in Nami¡¯s voice using a detached tone. He was just so used to Nami being the absolute bundle of chaotic energy. ¡°What should I call you then¡­?¡± ¡®Just my name.¡¯ ¡°No, we aren¡¯t of the same status. Would you be fine with calling you Father?¡± ¡®Let¡¯s talkter.¡¯ Rukia approaching him while holding Momo¡¯s hand forced him to end the discussion with his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. Seeing Rukia standing in a loose kimono and messy bed hair just reminded him of the sheer tomboy charm of the petite bunny lover. ¡°Wanna say something?¡± Meeting his gaze overwhelmed her, causing her to avert her eyes and fidget with adorable nervousness. ¡°Uh, Kazuya, I am¡­¡± Her cheeks flushed red, and she turned to Momo. ¡°I can¡¯t say it with a straight face!¡± It was already a miracle she hadn¡¯t fled the room out of sheer embarrassment. As though realizing the possibility, Momo held Rukia¡¯s shoulders and made her sit down. Wrapping her arms around Rukia¡¯s neck, she provided Rukia courage and stopped her from escaping at the same time. Momo gave him a mysterious smile. ¡°Kazuya-kun, I want you to take Rukia¡¯s first time. Give her the memory of a lifetime.¡± Even though it was his best chance to pull Rukia into his harem, he wasn¡¯t taking it too seriously. He waspletely confident in his skills, and that Rukia would keep craving more fun time with him. ¡°Y-Yeah,¡± Rukia said with a clumsy nod, her purple eyes glimmering with what felt like a look of anticipation. ¡°I have zero experience in this¡ªthis stuff. I¡¯m gonna fight you if you make fun of me, you hear?!¡± Feeling jitters, Rukia turned fiercely overprotective of her inexperience. {Funny she says that to one of the strongest beings in the world. Partner, punish this rabbit lover by lewding her like a rabbit in heat.} Like always Kazuya ignored the chaotic voice in his head. ¡°No one is born an expert.¡± ¡°You get me,¡± Rukia said with a sagely nod then loudly cleared her throat. ¡°Momo, what¡¯s the first thing in s-sex?¡± Momo gently brushed Rukia¡¯s hair, preparing her for what was toe, as if preparing amb for the ughter. ¡°Ask the butch¡ªI mean Kazuya.¡± As Rukia turned her gaze to Kazuya, he extended a hand towards her with a smile. ¡°I can¡¯t do anything if you sit that far.¡± Hesitatingly, Rukia ced her hand in his, feeling the warmth of his touch. He yanked her towards him, causing her tond on hisp. Her right hand brushed against a concealed object under the nket, drawing her attention to the thick outline that she could feel through her fingertips. A slight blush colored her cheeks as she marveled at his size. ¡°W-What did you eat to make it that big?¡± ¡°Why? Do you want to grow taller or get bigger boobs? You don¡¯t have to, though. You¡¯re quite pretty and cute as you are.¡± Thepliment he gave her was so confidently delivered that it made her blush once more. However, her feelings of ttery quickly faded when she realized that to him, it was just another night of attempting to seduce women, and she would be merely another woman in his pursuit of bing a Captain. ¡®I can¡¯t think like that! We¡¯re friends¡­ this¡ªthis is just a gift for his sessful graduation!¡¯ She pushed aside her uneasiness and focused on the positive impact he had on her life. The reality where she could reunite with her sister was all because of him. The reality where she was no longer an orphan but a part of the Kuchiki Family. ¡°You know nothing,¡± she said slowly and raised her clenched fists with a stern frown, as if she was ready to throw hands. ¡°Spill your secret before you get hurt.¡± ¡°It¡¯s gics.¡± ¡°Gics what? Talk to me in the Rukonnguage.¡± Momo pulled Rukia¡¯s cheeks. ¡°You can ask thister. Right now, we have to relieve Kazuya-kun.¡± Rukia let her fists fall, looking dejected, before perking up with a nervous giggle. ¡°Let¡¯s just get it done. We have Zanpakut¨­ training in the morning!¡± Chapter 222: LITTLE CRAZY (R-18) Chapter 222: LITTLE CRAZY (R-18) Looking Rukia in the eye, Kazuya gently ced his hands on her waist. ¡°Shall we start with a kiss?¡± Since it was Rukia¡¯s first time, he opted to ask for her consent rather than surprising her with one. A look of astonishment crossed her face as her eyes grew wider. ¡°K-Kiss? You want me to get pregnant with your kid?!¡± It looked like she was truly convinced that the children were born because of a male kissing a female. Then again, herplete ignorance about sex suited her tomboyish personality perfectly, and that¡¯s what made her so endearing. Kazuya nced at Momo, who was barely containing herughter, obviously trying her best to not fluster Rukia. ¡°What if I want to have a cute daughter with Rukia?¡± ¡°Go somewhere else, you lunatic!¡± Rukia crossed her arms, ring at him as if she wished ro grill him alive. ¡°I¡¯ll leave those things for after I be a high-ss Shinigami.¡± Right now, her focus was on training and forming a bond with her Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. Everything else came second. Momo rested her chin on Rukia¡¯s head. ¡°He is just teasing you, Ru. A woman can only conceive a child through sex.¡± Patiently, she educated Rukia about reproduction, a perk essible only to the Shinigami with high Reiatsu. Carrying the potential of Vice-Captain and more, Momo and Rukia both qualified in this regard. Rukia looked flustered at her ignorance. ¡°Gosh, it¡¯s soplicated.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± Kazuya shook his head and gently lifted her chin, gazing into her eyes. ¡°Are you ready?¡± His voice had a maic pull, lulling her into nodding her head and closing her eyes. The next she knew, their lips touched, sending a strange shiver down her spine. She had never kissed before, but she had caught students in the academy sneaking away to make out in obscure locations. She finally realized why those couples did this¡­ Kissing was thrilling, wonderful, and most of all mind-numbing. His tongue slid against hers, traveled up the walls of her cheek,pped over the roof of her tongue. Their salivas mixed lewdly yet¡­ romantically. Rukia was taken to another world, for she never expected him to be so rough yet so gentle. A gentleness that betrayed his giant stature. After blowing her mind away for a few more seconds, he pulled back, giving her room to breathe. The fascinated look on her face as she traced the drool on her lips made her look out of this world. ¡°Kazuya¡­¡± Without bothering to reply, he dove back in, eagerly kissing her. She trembled with feverency, releasing a shuddering moan against his mouth. But she didn¡¯t fight against him, letting hisrge fingers grip her face and letting his tongue dominate her. The searing heat and the electrifying sensations left her breathless and an utter-mess-of-a-spiritual-being. She didn¡¯t hate it, if anything she wanted more of it, much more of it. Yes, she had utterly fallen in love with kissing. When he tried to draw away, she hurriedly wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for another passionate kiss. This time she took the initiative and explored his mouth, enjoying his pleasant taste. Then she did the unthinkable ¡ª with her hands busy around his neck, she unconsciously pressed her crotch against his raging penis, as though the kiss had awakened her natural instincts to breed. While having a sloppy kiss, her slow rubbing turned into hardcore grinding as she wantonly and greedily sought the wonderful bliss of her first orgasm. Kazuya¡¯s breath also hiked in his arousal. After all, Rukia had interrupted him during sex. And with the tomboy hungrily grinding herself against his cock, he simply couldn¡¯t hold back. Pulling away the nket from his lower body, he brought Rukia¡¯s thighs together and sandwiched his member. He held her thighs closed and raised his hips off the bed, thrusting his fat cock between her thighs and against her clothed pussy. The smooth sensation of her supple thighs paired extremely well with the slightly wet fabric of her panty. The ck-haired Shinigami was too lost in her own pleasure to pay any attention to him. Or perhaps she wanted it from him that she began moaning with more intensity. Kazuya didn¡¯t hold back. A few more thrusts between her soft thighs turned Rukia¡¯s panties wetter, as she squirted a little, experiencing micro-orgasms from his dominating kiss and the growing friction against her crotch. Realizing Rukia¡¯s lewdness, he reached out and brushed her clothed clit with his fingers. Her eyes suddenly widened, causing her to break the teasing union of their kiss. ¡°Wait, Kazu¡ªya!¡± She threw her head back and gripped his neck, her eyes shut and her teeth clenched. A hoarse, throaty moan escaped her. ¡°Nghhhh.¡± Kazuya¡¯s dick didn¡¯t stop thrusting nor did his fingers stop ying with her clit. Her senses fired up in overdrive as she grew closer and closer to the biggest release of her life. And then it happened. She let out a pleasurable scream. It was loud, so loud that even Kazuya had to cover her mouth with his own. The intense pleasure drove her crazy. Her back arched, her hips bucking wildly and rubbing her wet core against his rock-hard cock. A rush of fluids slipped from her as she squirted a ton against her panty, leaving a visible stain on her bunny-themed pair of pink panties. Watching her intense orgasm before him also triggered his own. Clenching her knees together, he closed them ever so slightly and lifted his hips off the bed with a powerful thrust. With a rough groan, he let loose ropes of cum over the gaspy tomboy¡¯s kimono. The white kimono was stained in his seed. Chapter 223: THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER (I) (R-18) Chapter 223: THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER (I) (R-18) After her intense climax, Rukia parted from him, their passion manifesting as a thick strand of saliva between their mouths. She still panted and shuddered in orgasmic ecstasy. ¡°What was it¡­?¡± she asked, eyes unfocused, and brushed her fingers against her lips. ¡°Why is it so good? Connection of two mouths should be dirty and unhealthy, so why do I feel like this?¡± The seemingly innocent curiosity behind her question was betrayed by the look of arousal in the shimmering purple hues of her eyes ¡ª she wanted more. Kazuya let out a heated sigh. Instead of answering Rukia¡¯s question, he checked Momo''s reaction to their orgasm. The younger girl still held her affectionate and slightly devious smirk, as if feeling no hint of jealousy. For someone so obsessed with him, it was quite the odd reaction. Then again, Momo was also an oddball for inviting Rukia in the first ce. She perhaps wanted to make him happier by offering her bunny loving friend. He finally turned his attention to Rukia. ¡°Well, that¡¯s just how humans and souls function.¡± Momo couldn¡¯t help but snicker. ¡°Rukia, Kazuya-kun is just that good at it.¡± Without Rukia¡¯s permission, Momo took off Rukia¡¯s kimono, leaving her shivering in the cold wind. The only source of heat was his searing member still pressed against her crotch. It was Momo¡¯s turn to do the unexpected ¡ª she began scooping Kazuya¡¯s spunk from Rukia¡¯s kimono before putting it in her mouth. ¡°Mhmm, Kazuya-kun¡¯s taste is amazing.¡± It¡¯d be a lie to say he wasn¡¯t turned on by a woman greedily seeking his cum. Rukia, on the other hand, was baffled by the weirdness of her best friend. She turned her attention towards his cock and scooped the droplets of cum from its tip. ¡°She is eating this, right? What the heck even is this?¡± ¡°Semen,¡± Momo answered. ¡°A man¡¯s seed that makes babies in a woman.¡± Rukia¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You idiot, why are you eating this? Momo approached Rukia and put the tomboy¡¯s semen-covered finger in her mouth. Her eyes crinkled in bliss as she pressed a hand against her face. ¡°So tasty.¡± ¡°Answer my question first!¡± Momo snickered. ¡°Rukia, our stomach isn¡¯t connected to the womb. Drinking semen is safe.¡± ¡°B-But you said babies are in a woman¡¯s belly.¡± Momo raised a brow. ¡°A baby is conceived when a woman receives a man¡¯s seed while she is ovting.¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t get it.¡± Momo rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll exin tomorrow. Today, your duty is to satisfy Kazuya-kun with me.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Rukia sheepishly nced at his cock and lifted her gaze to his smirking face. ¡°Well, you¡¯re still hard down there. Is it time for s-sex now?¡± A mix of anticipation and fear made its way to her face. ¡°Rukia,¡± he spoke, his firm voice tugging at Rukia¡¯s heartstrings in a way that sent a shiver down to her core. ¡°You want to feel that again?¡± Rukia gulped and gave a heavy nod in affirmation. She had agreed to be his sex partner tonight. Might as well get the most pleasure out of her deal while easing her gratitude on the young future Captain. Kazuya stroked the smooth skin of her legs, running his fingers over her delicate thighs and stretched tummy. His big hands traveled up and up until they rested on her bra-covered tits. She squirmed around under his touch. ¡°Mhmm, it¡¯s ticklish.¡± He traced a finger on her smooth belly and pressed a finger in the center of her bra. ¡°Momo.¡± Momo, as helpful as ever, unsped Rukia¡¯s bra from behind. The bra fell in his hands,pletely exposing the most unwomanly part of her to his eyes. She shut her eyes, too afraid of his reaction to her sweaty little things. ¡°I-I¡¯m so¡ª¡± ¡°Well, aren¡¯t they cute?¡± He interrupted her meek voice with his firm one and reached for her breasts. His hands were hot, just like the rest of her body when he began to massage them. She brought a hand to her mouth the moment his mouth wrapped around her are and a shot of pleasure ran straight to her core. His teeth bit lightly, just light enough to draw a moan out of her, before he began to pull and suck the small bud until it was throbbing. ¡°K-Kazuya,¡± she groaned his name against her hand and grabbed a lock of his hair as Kazuya grazed his teeth over her nipple again, and she couldn¡¯t help but let out a pathetic whine. ¡°Uhmm, you like them?¡± ¡°Why would I hate them?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, why would you hate them?¡± She stuttered in a raised voice as if trying to hide her insecurity. ¡°I mean, I still have time to grow.¡± Kazuya gave her breast one final lick and smiled. ¡°Like I said, you don¡¯t have to be worried about them. Every size deserves love. Yours are no exception.¡± Rukia felt strangelyforted by his words. ¡°Will you ever stop ying with them?¡± ¡°Maybe.¡± He roughly squeezed her breasts and turned to Momo. ¡°Let Rukia rest her head on yourp.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Momo eagerly grasped Rukia¡¯s shoulders and pulled her back, putting her friend¡¯s head on her soft thighs. ¡°Like this?¡± ¡°Yep.¡± Kazuya was nning to give Rukia a cunnilingus, one that would rock her world, but the scene before him forced him to reconsider. Rukiay on Momo¡¯sp with her shapely legs in M shape while thetter stroked her friend¡¯s hair and face with a smug smile. The beautiful sight overflowing with sensuality and yfulness awakened the beast inside him. Chapter 224: THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER (II) (R-18) Chapter 224: THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER (II) (R-18) Kazuya yanked Rukia¡¯s panties down her legs and drew her knees apart from each other. ¡°Rukia, I¡¯m putting it in.¡± ¡°Eh?! W-Wait one second. Let me prepare myself¡ª¡± ¡°Trust in me,¡± said Momo in a soothing voice. ¡°Simply follow Kazuya-kun¡¯s instructions.¡± {This girl is preaching. Start of a real cult question mark.} Consumed by lust, he ignored Nami¡¯s observation and dragged Rukia closer by her hips, letting her legs close around him. He took his aching cock and teased her flushed lips for a while before pushing himself into her tight heat. Her core suddenly tightened on his cock, deliciously squeezing him within its squirming wetness. Thanks to her earlier climax and her aroused state, he pushed into her without a problem. A loud and altogether lewd moan left Rukia¡¯s mouth as Kazuya prated her for the first time. ¡°It¡¯s hot¡­¡± Kazuya paused and looked over at Rukia¡¯s face. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± Rukia shook her head. Looking down at her crotch, she saw their intimate connection and blushed. ¡°Just numb.¡± Giving her a nod, he pushed up her legs in the air and found afortable spot by hovering over her. Rukia immediately grabbed a fistful of the young man¡¯s silver hair and unabashedly pulled him down for a deep, tongue-filled kiss. While sloppily kissing her, he teased her breasts and continued his slow and steady thrusts into her. Soon, she was stretched around him,pletely bing used to his length. That was when he folded up her slender legs until they went past her shoulders. He went to town plowing her right on Momo¡¯sp. She loudly cried out under his glorious pistoning member, even as her pussy experienced one micro-orgasm after another. ¡°Oh fuck! Kazuya, ungh! Don¡¯t stop kissing me, damn you!¡± Rukia squealed as his cock speared into her squelching depths again and again and again. Even as she moaned up a storm and even as she got plowed senseless under him, she demanded to be kissed, as if it was her right. Kazuya, of course, gave her his lips, his tongue, his mouth, and his best kissing techniques to keep her entertained while he pounded her lithe body under him. Soon, he could feel a searing sensation running up his core. He picked up the pace and a few thrusts more made Rukia arch her back and spasm as she felt his seed pouring into her, painting her insides white and hot. The bunny lover nearly squealed from orgasmic bliss as he emptied his balls inside her. Sheid hot in his bed, an arm slung over forehead as she tried to catch her breath. ¡°Hah¡­ hah¡­¡± He pulled out of her with a contented sigh and sat down on his naked butt, watching the mixture of their fluids sexily dribble down Rukia¡¯s entrance. {What if she gets pregnant?} He shook his head at Nami¡¯s question and let out another sigh. ¡°Momo, you¡¯re up next.¡± Momo nced at Rukia¡¯s blissful expression and nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s wait for her to recover. I want to try something fun.¡± When the tomboy came out of her pleasurea, Momo put a pillow under Rukia¡¯s head and straddled Rukia¡¯s waist. After a bit crawling around on top of Rukia, Kazuya saw thedies brushing their nipples with each other as Momo had perfectly aligned her entrance right above Rukia¡¯s. Momo¡¯s idea of fun was giving Kazuya easy ess to slickly prate them one after another in a true threesome experience. He absolutely adored her devotion. ¡°O-Oi,¡± Rukia said with wide eyes, trying to make sense of Momo¡¯s intentions. ¡°Momo, what is this? Why am I under you?¡± ¡°Shhh.¡± Momo ced a finger on Rukia¡¯s lips before she looked over her shoulder and reached behind with one hand to stretch her outer lips. ¡°Kazuya-kun, put it in.¡± He didn¡¯t need to be told twice. Moving behind her form, he dug his hands into her asscheeks and separated them. To nobody¡¯s surprise, she was drooling out of her slit, her walls quivering as if pleading to be plowed. ¡°H-Hurry, Kazuya-kun. Give me the reward for being a good girl!¡± He chuckled and slid his cock up and down for a few moments before he slowly sank into Momo¡¯s needy depths, going ever slower than the first time he prated her. Momo realized his teasing but she was powerless against her desires, her love¡ªher undying obsession with him. ¡°K-Kazuya-kun, please¡­ I¡¯m beg¡ªohhhhh!¡± Before she could finish begging him, he shoved his cock all the way with one jerk of his hips, sheathing every inch of throbbing warmth inside her. The sudden pration raised a loud cry out of Momo as she began to spasm all over while her insides coated him with even more fluids. Kazuya smirked and began to fuck her, contrasting his earlier gentleness and caring disposition with powerful, domineering thrusts. Momo¡¯s eyes turned wet, tongue sticking straight out of her mouth, and her eyes crossed. She squealed, shook, and shuddered through orgasm after orgasm. The waves of pleasure continuously tormented her. Then it suddenly stopped as he pulled out of Momo and sheathed himself inside Rukia. ¡°K-Kazuyaaaaa!!!¡± Rukia¡¯s cry was assuredly heard throughout the dormitory, but she was too deep into pleasure to care. Not that Kazuya would ever care about those trivial matters. He had already marked Rukia as his woman. Letting the whole academy know about their debauchery in midnight would only help in preventing anyone from attempting to flirt with her. Tossing the idea of future aside, Kazuya indulged in the present, in the lithe bodies offering their everything to him. Alternating between their tightness, he enjoyed Momo¡¯s sensual, borderline eargasmic moans and Rukia¡¯s throaty and raspy moans. Hearing noises outside, Kazuya looked toward the door and shook his head. The cries of youngdies had gathered a crowd of female students in the hallway, all keenly listening to the sopping wet fleshes sound and the moans. {Degenerates.} He pped Momo¡¯s ass and gripped it tightly before delivering a powerful thrust. Ropes and ropes of cum flooded inside her, making her climax once again. Momo copsed on top of Rukia, heaving for air as pleasure wrecked her body. Rukia¡¯s eyes gleamed at the opportunity presented before her. She mustered her strength and flipped her position with Momo. ¡°It¡¯s better¡ªNnghh~! Don¡¯t spank my butt, you dimwit!¡± Kazuya chuckled and spanked her once again before digging his big fingers into her silky flesh and kneading it. ¡°Your fault for waving it around.¡± Rukia had unknowingly offered a sensual view of her peach-like butt, which absolutely didn¡¯t match her thin waistline and slender thighs. The sexy butt provoked him, prompting him to spank her supple flesh. Rukia squirmed and waved her butt even more. ¡°My butt is all tingly now.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s fix that.¡± He spread her asscheeks and prated her wet hole. The tingly pain and pleasure mixed together, making her cry out his name in raw ecstasy. He leaned forward and got ahold of her breasts. The overload of sensations made her eyes roll to the back of her head, her tongue lolling out in the typical ahegao manner. After giving Rukia a second creampie, he switched to the neglected Momo and began pounding her. Rukia, the addict to kissing, pressed her lips down on Momo¡¯s lips. ¡°E-Eh?¡± Momo uttered a cry of surprise, which Rukia ignored. Like Momo had said, this moment probably won¡¯te again. Rukia threw away all her shame and embarrassment to make the most out of her first ever intercourse. So, the pair of rookie Shinigami sensually locked lips while teasing each other¡¯s breasts, while the only man in the room pounded them both like they were animals in heat. On hisst day at the academy, he made a mewling mess out of the twodies for hours, to the point that sun had risen in the Soul Society. The two no longer had the strength to even stand up. With his cum overflowing from their contented entrances, the best friends crawled into his arms and went to the dreamworld. Chapter 225: A Blatant Call Chapter 225: A tant Call The Seireitei had many houses with massive open yards. In one such yard, under a tree, Yoruichi curled on the ground, intending to borrow the ce for the night. The hour-long nap at Kazuya''s mansion wouldn''t cut it for the physical and mental abuse she received at Aizen''s hands. She needed more sleep! Yet, barely an hourter, her sleep was interrupted by a whisper, ¡°Pet¡­¡± Yoruichi groaned and tried to filter out her childish Hollow¡¯s voice, treating it as a background noise. ¡°Pet!¡± ¡°PET!¡± ¡°PET!!!¡± ¡°Please, shut your mouth.¡± Yoruichi snapped at her Hollow, who was more or less equivalent to a human child in terms of intelligence. ¡°Your pet isn¡¯t here.¡± ¡°Go¡­ Go to Pet. Sleep with Pet¡­?¡± ¡°He is sleeping with someone else.¡± Her Hollow hissed, enraged at the thought of imagining her so-called Pet going to someone else¡¯s side. ¡°Pet ours¡­ take Pet back.¡± Yoruichi was quite tempted to go to the Living World and bother Shinji¡¯s group for tips to keep her Hollow from being so damn noisy. ¡®I don¡¯t think they can help me.'' Her Hollow was unique for embodying her feline nature more than its Hollow nature. She doubted any Visored would have a Hollow as unique as hers. ¡°Go to PET!¡± ¡°I swear I¡¯ll kill you if you said Pet one more time.¡± ¡°Pet¡­?¡± Yoruichi groaned and plopped her head on the floor. Her Hollow was so dumb that threatening it made her look like a fool. It seemed impossible to convince the moody creature, but she had to find a way to silence the Hollow. It was her only choice as Kazuya, in Momo¡¯s room, would be busy doing lewd things. ¡®I¡¯ll go to himter.¡¯ ¡°Okay¡­¡± Yoruichi¡¯s eyes widened. Her Hollow¡¯s response showed its frightening growth. In one day, it had began to understand and speak basic sentences. After sleeping for a few hours, Yoruichi headed back to the dorm to fulfill her Hollow¡¯s wishes. Just as she reached the dorm building, the ecstasy-filled cries of Momo and Rukia reached her ears. ¡®This guy¡­¡¯ She had no words for herpanion. It didn¡¯t take a detective to predict Rukia would end up in his bed, but she didn¡¯t expect the day toe so soon. Rukia and Momo¡¯s lewd cries filled her mind with obscene images. Images that her Inner Hollow also had ess to. ¡°Grrrr.¡± Judging from its growl, her Hollow didn¡¯t enjoy her Pet getting frisky with anyone. ¡°Pet mating¡­ I hate it..¡± ¡®Why does it matter?¡¯ Yoruichi suddenly winced, feeling a pang in her chest. A mixed feeling of jealousy and possessive rage washing over her. Her Hollow transmitted its feelings to her, letting her resonate with its instincts. Forcefully cutting off the connection, Yoruichi let out a sigh. ¡®I don¡¯t care what your instincts say. You¡¯ll not try to be possessive of him.¡¯ ¡°Pet ours¡­¡± ¡®No, he is not. He isn¡¯t a toy who belongs to you or anyone.¡¯ ¡°Pet¡­ we need Pet.¡± Yoruichi sighed for what felt like the tenth time. Dealing with her Hollow exhausted her more than thinking about Aizen¡¯s schemes. ¡®What did he do to get this level of affection?¡¯ ¡°Pet? Pet!¡± ¡®...¡¯ *** Meanwhile, on a hill stood anky young man with his hands tucked in his pocket. The night breeze caressed his face, sweeping away the messy bangs and revealed a pair of cold eyes. ¡°Aizen-san,¡± he whispered, addressing the man concealed by a high-level Kid¨­ spell. ¡°The strongest Shinigami shouldn¡¯t move in the shadows.¡± Aizen tore the shroud with a hand, revealing himself and Gin, both carrying smiles on the opposite ends of spectrum ¡ª one considerate, polite even, and the other extremely sinister. Gin tilted his head. ¡°The strongest has to be smart, or he¡¯ll get devoured by the envious fools coveting his wisdom.¡± ¡°Snakes, you mean,¡± Muramasa retorted before shaking his head. Seeing Gin¡¯s smile ticked something off in him, making him go against logic and reason. After all, it didn¡¯t matter to him whether Gin was a snake or a lion. Aizen raised a hand, gesturing to the two to stop bickering. ¡°Muramasa, I¡¯lle out of the shadows once you take away Yamamoto¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Spirit.¡± Until then Aizen had to remain the mastermind in the shadows. Although many people had begun doubting him, none had the evidence to prove his guilt. Those who did are now either dead or exiled. Muramasa shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m working to uphold my end of the bargain. You mustn¡¯t forget yours.¡± Aizen stepped forward and stood by Muramasa¡¯s side, looking down upon the Seireitei as if the collective nation of Soul King¡¯s subjects were nothing more than an insect. Muramasa looked at Aizen¡¯s face before taking in the view once again. ¡°My master used to train vigorously in these mountains¡­ centuries ago. Why does this nation look the same today?¡± Aizen raised his gaze, peering at a certain object in heaven. ¡°It will look the same until someone gets rid of that dead god.¡± ¡°Dead god? Are you referring to the Soul King?¡± Aizen turned around and began walking, ready to leave Muramasa on a note of suspense. Muramasa bore his cold gaze into Aizen, who remained unflinching. ¡°I can¡¯t sense your Zanpakut¨­. Who did you fight?¡± Muramasa was quite curious about the opponent who could push Aizen to the point of breaking his Zanpakut¨­. Aizen¡¯s back trembled for a moment. He looked over his shoulder. ¡°A Hollow.¡± Muramasa¡¯s eyes widened, then a look of recognition flicked in his eyes. ¡°Did her Reiatsu feel oppressive?¡± Aizen caught the look of familiarity in Muramasa¡¯s eyes ¡ª the Zanpakut¨­ Spirit knew something about the troublesome Cazador. ¡°Have you met her?¡± ¡°I almost encountered her when I was wandering around in Hueco Mundo. She came to defend another female Adjuchas¡ªlet me correct that. That Adjuchas became a Vasto Lorde before my eyes.¡± ¡°She has two Vasto Lorde on her side. How fascinating.¡± Aizen assumed a thoughtful expression, breaking into a smile at the thought of meeting her again. ¡°You said almost. Did you not see her?¡± Aizen was feeling more and more drawn to the Hollow and her fascinating powers. It was quite tragic that they stood on the opposite sides, for she harbored a deep grudge against him for attacking her home, Karakura Town. The grudge didn¡¯t make any logical sense, but Hollows were never creatures of reasoning. They lived and died for violence, well, apart from a few oddballs. Muramasa sighed. ¡°No. I escaped as soon as I sensed her¡­ fighting her was extremely risky at the time.¡± Aizen looked over to Gin. ¡°Search every nook and cranny in Karakura Town.¡± ¡°Who am I looking for?¡± Gin asked. ¡°I¡¯ll need more than just a female Hollow to find her, you know?¡± ¡°Average height, slim build, with long silver hair. Her voice is¡­¡± Aizen paused for a second and adjusted his sses. ¡°You¡¯ll realize it¡¯s her as soon as you hear her speak.¡± ¡°What¡¯s so special about her voice?¡± Muramasa asked. ¡°Is she like that guy in the Academy? Kazuya Ishihara, right? His voice is¡­ magic. No other word can describe it better.¡± Muramasa had been very obsessed with Kazuya Ishihara, hoping his powerful Zanpakut¨­ would harbor an equally powerful Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. A Zanpakut¨­ Spirit that could contend with Yamamoto¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Spirit and help Muramasa free his master. The n changed when Muramasa stumbled upon Gin at the Shin¡¯o Academy and met Aizen through Gin. Aizen nodded his head. ¡°Kazuya¡¯s voice shows most effect on females, whereas Cazador¡¯s voice mostly affects males.¡± He had drawn parallels between Kazuya and Cazador the moment he heard Kazuya¡¯s voice for himself. But he remained skeptical. After all, they had nothing inmon apart from their voices and silver hair. They weren¡¯t even of the same race and gender. What¡¯s more, Cazador had watched Yoruichi getting stomped at his hands with an indifferent look, which Kazuya would never do. Kazuya, after all, had a deep rtionship with Yoruichi, from the information his spies had gathered. ¡®They must have inherited the same type of Soul King¡¯s fragment.¡¯ This was the conclusion Aizen had drawn after meeting Kazuya. If Kazuya hadn¡¯t received such honor from the Gotei 13, Aizen would¡¯ve snatched the young prodigy for experimentation. s, everyone¡¯s eyes were on the student for making such a big ssh against the invading Arrancars. Meanwhile, Gin smirked, looking so clearly tempted to stab Aizen¡¯s heart in his moment of reflection. He suppressed the urge since he couldn¡¯t observe any opening. ¡°I¡¯ll depart as soon as I take a Hollow bounty.¡± Muramasa hunched low and sat on the edge of the hill. ¡°Zanpakut¨­ Spirits are getting restless because of your Reiatsu. Can you two leave now?¡± ¡°Heh.¡± Aizen threw a nce past Gin, towards the series of caves behind him. ¡°Muramasa, don¡¯t wait for an opportunity. Make it yourself.¡± Even though Aizen addressed Muramasa specifically, Muramasa felt like the words contained a deeper meaning. Gin maintained his smile, even though his fists clenched ever so slightly under his loose sleeves. Aizen revealed an imperceptible smile, reveling in the thrill of provoking Gin Ichimaru. Chapter 226: New Mission Chapter 226: New Mission Basking in the pale, silvery moonlight that bathed the tranquil garden and enjoying the smooth, high-quality sake from their delicate ceramic cups, the Captain and Vice-Captain duo of the 4th Squad savored a rare moment of respite after a long, arduous day. This moonlit sake ritual had been their weekly tradition for as long as Isane had agreed to be Unohana¡¯s loyal drinkingpanion, as it offered them a sacred time to unwind from the stresses while bonding with each other. But tonight was different ¡ª tonight wasn¡¯t meant to be just another weekly gathering. Unohana sipped the fragrant rice wine and smiled softly, drinking to celebrate her dear lieutenant Isane¡¯s sessful return from her most dangerous mission. And Isane¡­ ¡°Captain, why? Why did they have to be like that?!¡± Isane slurred, her words thick with the haze of alcohol as shimmering tears pooled in her eyes. Raw emotion caused her voice to tremble. ¡°This isn¡¯t fair! It¡¯s just not fair!¡± The silver-haired woman gulped down the sake, the burning liquid searing her throat as she desperately drank to drown the heart-wrenching sorrow that consumed her. The pain of losing so many of her fellow Shinigami to the cruel fate of Hollowification was almost too much to bear, their agonized faces vividly carved in her mind. ¡°Isane, don¡¯t cry. Some¡ªsome things in life are simply unavoidable.¡± Unohana tried tofort Isane, but her attempt fell short, unable to prate the shame and regret consuming Isane. Isane hupped, her shoulders shaking with each uneven breath. ¡°There must be something we can do to save them. Like some Zanpakut¨­¡­¡± Unohana''s eyes flickered with a hint of inspiration, a sudden realization dawning upon her. ¡°There is a way. Kazuya¡¯s Shikai.¡± Isane¡¯s eyes widened, the revtion cutting through the fog of alcohol and sobering her up. ¡°Why didn¡¯t I think about that?! Anyways, Captain. Stay here. I¡¯ll go get him.¡± Unohana rolled her eyes at Isane¡¯s impulsiveness, reaching out to grab her lieutenant before she could run off to Kazuya¡¯s house in her intoxicated state. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. Captain Kurotsuchi took the Hollowfied Shinigami. He will not part with his ¡®experiment subjects¡¯ without a fight.¡± ¡°Those men¡­ they went out there with the confidence that the Vice-Captain of the 4th Squad would not let them die. I let them down, Captain¡­ I let them die on my watch.¡± ¡°I want to say it wasn¡¯t your fault, but your stubbornness won¡¯t ept that.¡± It didn¡¯t take a detective to know how thoroughly Unohana understood Isane. ¡°I want to help them regardless,¡± Isane spoke with unwavering conviction, her eyes zing with resolve. ¡°I¡¯ll do everything to make things right.¡± Unohana nodded, her expression pensive yet approving. ¡°I¡¯ll get Kazuya to cooperate with you. It¡¯ll be his first task here.¡± ¡°You shouldn¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Isane, don¡¯t be overly concerned. Even if he is more powerful than most captains, he is still a lower seat member in the 4th Squad. You''re to order him on missions as you see fit, and he will follow your lead.¡± Isane still looked unconvinced. After all, Kazuya simply had far more value to the Gotei 13 than a healer like her. Going from his charisma, he¡¯d be a better leader than her. ¡°I¡¯ll try...¡± Unohana gulped another sip of sake, yet the alcohol had zero effect on her. ¡°Put away this meekness, or our new mischievous friend won¡¯t stop bullying you.¡± ¡°Mou, Captain. How do I look meek with thisrge stature of mine?¡± Isane protested, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, the heaviness in her heart momentarily lifted by Unohana¡¯s gentle teasing. Unohana closed her eyes and smiled. ¡°I was not.¡± *** Two hours after drifting off into a deep slumber, Kazuya was roused from his peaceful sleep by a firm knock on his door. Despite his relentless battle within Momo and Rukia''s room, Kazuya wasn¡¯t the least bit fatigued. With a yawn, he stretched his limbs and rose from the bed and quickly donned his clothes, before making his way to the door. As he opened it, he was greeted by the sight of Toshiro standing outside, holding a pristine envelope with a neatbel that read, ¡®From Byakuyu Kuchiki to Kazuya Ishihara.¡¯ ¡°Nii-san, a servant from the Kuchiki n handed it to me,¡± Toshiro exined, his eyes ncing at the envelope¡¯sbel. ¡°It¡¯s a gift from¡­ Vice-Captain.¡± A smirk tugged at the corner of Kazuya¡¯s lips. ¡°Must be my wee gift in the Gotei 13. He¡¯s probably too embarrassed to give it to me on his own.¡± {He must be proud to hear your deeds.} ¡®Will that pride remain after he hears aboutst night?¡¯ {Depends on Hisana¡¯s reaction¡­ If she is fine, he won¡¯t go against you.} ¡®Guessed as much.¡¯ Toshiro stared at Kazuya¡¯s face, his brow furrowed slightly. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine Vice-Captain Kuchiki getting flustered.¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t seen the real Byakuya then.¡± Kazuya chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes as he took the package from Toshiro. ¡°Alright, I''ll see youter at the dorm.¡± Toshiro nodded, his expression unreadable as he turned and headed off without uttering a word about Momo or Rukia, leaving Kazuya to his own devices. Closing the door behind him, Kazuya tore open the package. What emerged from within was a neatly ironed Shinigami uniform, the ck fabric crisp and unblemished. Alongside it was a pristine white scarf, and a pair of Kenseikan ¡ª the hair ornaments worn by nobles like Byakuya. These ornate essories were worth more than multiple annual sries of higher seated Shinigami but he had casually gifted them to Kazuya. ¡°Nah, I don''t need this,¡± Kazuya muttered, casually cing the Kenseikan back into the envelope, deeming them useless. However, his attention was drawn to the bundled uniform, its unique appearance setting it apart from the standard Shinigami attire. With a single touch, he could feel the high-quality fabric used to weave the uniform, its texture smooth and luxurious. The white haori that apanied it gave the ensemble a striking resemnce to a Captain¡¯s Shihakush¨­. {Irregr uniform for the irregr you.} ¡®Can¡¯t argue against that.¡¯ Kazuya tossed the uniform aside and made his way to the bathroom, which, like every other room in the Shin¨­ Academy, was fully functional and well-maintained. The Gotei 13 spared no expense when it came to the academy, knowing that the future of their organization depended on the quality of the students they produced. As he scrubbed himself thoroughly, his thoughts drifted tost night. He had sensed her presence during his intimate moments with Momo and Rukia, but approaching her at that time had been impossible. Then, just as suddenly as she had appeared, she vanished, leaving no trace of her Reiatsu behind. ¡®Geez, what will I do with her?¡¯ {Some punishment is needed to put her back in her ce.} He shook his head, the droplets of water cascading from his hair. ¡°Let her be. She knows what she is doing.¡± After drying himself off and donning his new uniform, Kazuya cast a final nce at the sleeping beauties, their faces serene and peaceful in their slumber. They most likely wouldn¡¯t wake up before afternoon. Leaving them to enjoy their rest, he walked out of the room. Chapter 227-228: The Mission of All Time Chapter 227-228: The Mission of All Time Isane hadpletely sobered up by now, courtesy of Unohana¡¯s own form for curing hangovers, meticulously formted from herbs gathered from mountains. After a swift shower and a change into a fresh, crisp uniform, Isane was absolutely ready to wee Kazuya to their ranks. As she waited outside the barracks, Isane hummed a tune. She was positively bubbling with an exceptionally good mood, partially from receiving a golden opportunity to redeem her failure and partially from the prospect of working alongside Kazuya. Captain Kurotsuchi may have been an unhinged researcher, but Isane had unwavering faith in Kazuya. If there was one man who could persuade Captain Kurotsuchi, it was undoubtedly Kazuya. ¡®Telling him about it will be very awkward.¡¯ After all, they were essentially strong-arming him, however politely, to take a task that was gxies outside the usual mundane duties of a 4th Squad¡¯s Shinigami. Even though she knew in her bones that he would ept her bold request, she couldn¡¯t shake the nagging feeling that she was somehow taking advantage of him, that she was abusing his kindness. ¡®I¡¯ll do something nice to make up for it.¡¯ As she was lost in her musings, Kazuya showed up in the distance, impably on time. He was adorned in a tweaked version of Shinigami uniform that looked refined, noble even. Isane had to admit how good he looked in his new attire. It was just one more reason for women to fall madly, hopelessly in love with him. ¡°Morning, Vice-Captain,¡± Kazuya greeted her with a charming, heart-melting smile, apanied by a slight, gentlemanly incline of his head. ¡°Oh, someone was drinkingst night.¡± The sharpment caught Isanepletely off-guard, and she visibly flinched, her eyes widening in stunned surprise. ¡°How did you know?¡± Kazuya stepped closer, boldly reaching up and sensually swiping a thumb over her plush lips. ¡°Your eyes are slightly redder than usual. Your skin and lips are also dry. Those are clear signs of a hangover.¡± To be perfectly honest, he had made an audacious guess that fortunately turned out to be true. But he carried it off with such confidence that it seemed like a keen observation. Isane reflexively stepped back, unconsciously covering her mouth, her heart hammering, threatening to leap out of her chest. ¡°Why do you pay so much attention to me?¡± She was truly baffled by Kazuya¡¯s intense interest in her. In her own critical eyes, someone of her height could never be considered attractive or feminine. She simply couldn¡¯t bring herself to believe his ims about her being a ''cool and captivating woman''. Such honeyed words seemed like impossible ttery to her own ears. Kazuya tilted his head slightly, studying her with a sharp yet gentle gaze that seemed to pierce right through to her very soul. ¡°Isn¡¯t it natural for guys to appreciate a beautiful woman?¡± he casually inquired, quirking a brow. ¡°Are you still clinging onto the belief that you¡¯re somehow not good enough?¡± Charmingly flustered, Isane¡¯s eyes timidly darted away from him, desperately seeking a distraction to escape the awkward topic. Her gazended on his striking Shinigami uniform. ¡°W-We didn¡¯t issue you any uniform,¡± she stammered,tching onto the wee change of subject like a drowning woman. ¡°Where did you get it?¡± Kazuya didn¡¯t pursue the sensitive matter of her crippling inferiorityplex, perceiving that she wasn¡¯t in the right headspace to have such a raw, vulnerable conversation about it at present. ¡°It¡¯s a gift from Byakuya.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ You are close to him as well,¡± Isane marveled, eyes glittering in wonderment. ¡°At this point, you¡¯ll be the person with the most connections here.¡± ¡°What makes you think I¡¯m not that guy already?¡± He had an almost familial bond with the Shiba n, theplete and unwavering support of captains Shunsui and Byakuya, and he effortlessly maintained rtions with multiple Vice Captains and even Unohana herself. His growing importance was on par if not more than the lower-ranking Captains. In the span of a mere four months, he had amassed quite the formidable web of influence in the Soul Society, most of which could be attributed to his timely disys of skills and a series of fortuitous encounters. {You got the plot armor.} ¡®...¡¯ Isane pensively rubbed the back of her messy hair, a deeply thoughtful expression on her lovely face. ¡°Yeah, you might be¡­¡± She timidly lowered her gaze to the ground, internally debating how to bring up her request. ¡°Kazuya, can you¡ªno, never mind me.¡± She abruptly backpedaled on her decision, losing her nerve to an impulsive thought ¡ª that she shouldn¡¯t burden him with such a task when he had yet to even formally introduce himself to the division. Mentally berating herself, Isane resolved to find a better time for the discussion, perhaps after Kazuya had a chance to properly settle into his new role. Kazuya waved a hand before her face. ¡°Something weighing on your pretty mind, Isane?¡± ¡°No, no, it¡¯s nothing,¡± she whispered, shaking her head and ncing over her slender shoulder. ¡°We really must check in for the morning assembly. Our fellow Shinigami are very interested in knowing more about you.¡± As she gracefully turned to leave, Kazuya boldly grabbed her hand, his fingers curling around her wrist. ¡°I¡¯m not letting you leave me in suspense.¡± ¡°W-We can surely discuss itter,¡± Isane stammered, a blush staining her cheeks. ¡°Right?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Please¡­¡± She slowly turned back to face him, her eyes upturned and pleading like an adorable puppy. ¡°I¡¯d hate for you to bete to your first assembly.¡± ¡°Frankly, my dear, I don¡¯t give a damn,¡± he dered with a grin. ¡°Call me a bully if you must, but I¡¯m not letting you get away.¡± Isane sniffed, her shoulders trembling. ¡°Okay¡­¡± Reluctantly, she gave him a brief of her meeting with Captain Unohana the previous night, wisely omitting the drinking and crying portions, of course. She won¡¯t have any dignity left if anyone in her division saw her crying like a literal child. Kazuya was both pleasantly surprised and deeply gratified to receive such a vital mission on the very day he joined the 4th Squad. It clearly demonstrated that Unohana regarded him as one of her trusted people rather than an outsider. He expected nothing less from the elegant but crazyss. ¡°Kazuya¡­¡± Isane muttered, biting her bottom lip. ¡°I willpletely understand if you don¡¯t want¡ª¡± He firmly sped her wrist and gestured to the exit with his free hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go then.¡± ¡°Wait just a moment¡ª¡± ¡°Everything else can wait,¡± he said with a firm tone that tolerated no argument. ¡°This mission is our priority.¡± Mayuri was a scientist unrestricted by the shackles of trivial things like ethics or conscience, unlike his more principled predecessor Kisuke Urahara. Once his interest in the phenomenon of Hollowification and the Hollowfied Shinigami waned, he would likely destroy his research subjects. After all they would be nothing more than a reminder of his failure. Alternatively, Mayuri might be obsessed with the Hollowfied Shinigami and relentlessly pursue the secret of Hollowification and a method to undo its effects on a Shinigami. Regardless of which dark path the deranged scientist¡¯s whims led him down, the oue would be terrible for Isane. While Kazuya had no particr moral obligation towards the Hollowfied Shinigami, he could inly see the immense importance Isane attached to their wellbeing. As the most skilled healer present during the Arrancar invasion, she clearly took the Hollowification of her fellow Shinigami as a personal failure. Failing to save them now might just carve a deep,sting scar on her heart ¡ª an uneptable oue that neither he nor Unohana wished to see befall her under any circumstances. {Isane is our cinnamon roll, Partner. She must be protected at any cost.} Isane took a deep breath and bowed her head, loose strands of gray hair falling to frame her face. ¡°Thanks for helping me¡­¡± His eagerness to assist her spoke volumes about his genuine care for both her and the 4th Squad as a whole. For that, she had nothing but admiration for him. Kazuya flicked her forehead, making her nearly jump in surprise. ¡°Save that stuff for after I do something.¡± ¡°No, you agreeing to help me is very¡ª¡± "Oh, sheesh. Stop treating me like some outsider already. It hurts me, truly," he said with a cheeky grin. ¡°My Vice-Captain.¡± Isane¡¯s eyes widened at his yful words. Closing her eyes, she giggled. ¡°Got it.¡± ¡­ Meanwhile, in Rukongai''s 1st District... Arms crossed beneath her ample bosom, a deeply perplexed K¨±kaku stared down at the napping ck cat currently upying the cramped room reserved for drinking sake under the moonlight. Her friend had mysteriously arrived on her doorstep right around the sunrise. Without offering an exnation whatsoever, she had proceeded to drink everyst drop of milk in the house before plopping down here for afy sleep. Everything was so reminiscent of Yoruichi¡¯s behavior back when she used to sneak into the Soul Society in her cat form. However, K¨±kaku hadn¡¯t expected her to slip back into old habits, given that she apanied Kazuya these days due to their mission. ¡°Oi, Yoruichi!¡± K¨±kaku called, prodding the dozing cat with her bare foot. ¡°Was your super secret mission sessful or what?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± ¡°Then why are you here? Where is Kazuya?¡± At that, Yoruichinguidly raised her head, golden eyes narrowed with an uncharacteristic seriousness. ¡°Am I not invited here anymore?¡± K¨±kaku¡¯s brows twitched. ¡°Don¡¯t make me punch your stupid mug.¡± ¡°What did I do to warrant such hostility?¡± ¡°ying dumb doesn''t suit you. You damn well know why I¡¯m asking about Kazuya¡¯s whereabouts.¡± ¡°Heh. You¡¯re worried about him,¡± Yoruichi said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. ¡°Like the several dozen women who have a crush on him.¡± In Yoruichi¡¯s very humble opinion, if Kazuya wasn¡¯t widely known to be as powerful as a Captain, his admirers would have already taken him away against his will, probably trapping him in some dark basement for all eternity. Of that, she harbored no doubt. It was K¨±kaku''s turn to narrow her eyes, a suspicious glint flickering in their depths. ¡°Is that the stench of jealousy, old friend?¡± ¡°Spare me. I was merely stating objective facts,¡± Yoruichi scoffed. ¡°And if we¡¯re talking cold, hard facts... I¡¯ve seen you blushing like a lovestruck maiden in his presence." ¡°You need to get your eyes checked,¡± K¨±kaku snorted mockingly, barely restraining herself from pummeling the insufferable cat. ¡°And if we¡¯re being honest here, you shamelessly flirted with him the entire time he lived here. I won¡¯t be shocked to receive an invitation to your and Kazuya¡¯s wedding.¡± ¡°As if!¡± Yoruichi retorted. ¡°One of these days your uncle is gonna marry your ass to him.¡± ¡°What? Why would he do that?¡± ¡°To make Kazuya his sessor.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t happen.¡± The two bickered back and forth with increasing intensity, hurling insults at each other in a manner more befitting bitter love rivals than long time friends. Only after exhausting their arsenal of insults did they finallypse into tense silence, settling for ring at one another. ¡°K¨±kaku¡­ why are we arguing?¡± ¡°Dumbass,¡± K¨±kaku muttered, rubbing her temple. ¡°You started it.¡± They both heaved a synchronized sigh, the hostility dissipating and leaving awkward silence in its wake. Yoruichi was clearly frustrated and on edge after talking to her Hollow, while K¨±kaku was simply worried for both her friend and Kazuya. Though she often acted like she despised Kazuya, she very much cared about him. His charisma, strength, potential, and firm passion to fight for his desires made him a man worthy of her admiration. Yoruichi abruptly hopped to her feet and walked inside the house, her tail swishing behind her. ¡°K¨±kaku,e with me. There¡¯s something I need to show you. Now.¡± Her unusually serious tone left no room for debate. Immediately grasping the gravity of the situation, K¨±kaku trailed after her friend and descended into the basement. The space served both as K¨±kaku¡¯s room and fireworks workshop, but Yoruichi had an open invitation toe and go as she pleased. As K¨±kaku¡¯s feet hit the bottom step, she froze, eyes widening in shock. There stood Yoruichi in her true form. However, something was drastically different ¡ª her friend now sported real cat ears and a cat tail, her very aura screaming of Hollow. She hadn¡¯t seen many Hollows in her life, but she could never forget the aura of the monstrous souls. ¡°Y-Yoruichi¡­¡± K¨±kaku managed to utter, her breathing in ragged gasps. ¡°How is this even possible¡­?¡± Yoruichi slowly turned to face her, revealing a bone-white cat-shaped mask that seemed to have merged with her face. ¡°Do you find this disgusting?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be an idiot. It¡¯s just a fucking mask,¡± K¨±kaku reassured. ¡°Like that would ever change how I feel about you.¡± At that, Yoruichi nodded and snapped her fingers. The eerie Hollow mask fractured into glowing shards that slowly dissolved into thin air, leaving Yoruichi¡¯s face bare. ¡°That makes four people who are fine with my change.¡± ¡°Let me guess the identities of the other three ¡ª Kazuya, Kisuke, and Tessai.¡± ¡°Got it in one try, as expected of Shiba n¡¯s princess,¡± Yoruichi confirmed with an approving nod. ¡°Though, I think Kazuya¡¯s whole Hollow harem would wee me with open arms.¡± ¡°No shit. They¡¯re Hollows themselves.¡± Yoruichi shook her head. ¡°You can¡¯t tell they are Hollows just by looking at them.¡± K¨±kaku held up an impatient hand. ¡°Enough about them. Let¡¯s talk about you. What the hell did you do to be a Hollow?¡± ¡°It¡¯s one hell of a long story¡­¡± Without hesitation, K¨±kaku plopped down cross-legged on the ground, patting her bent knees with her only intact hand. ¡°Time is the only thing I don¡¯tck.¡± Usually K¨±kaku would¡¯ve forced Yoruichi to wear some clothes, but she had different priorities at the moment. Yoruichi gave a yfulugh before settling in to ry yesterday¡¯s events. Chapter 229-231: Discoveries Chapter 229-231: Discoveries Izumi found herself grappling with a sight that she never would¡¯ve expected. There, lounging in the living room, were a group of women she had known and admired for quite some time ¡ª the incredibly nurturing teacher Tier Harribel, the owner of the flower shop Cyan Sung-Sun and her assistant M Rose, and Sung-Sun¡¯s close friend Api. Only after following Lisa to Kazuya¡¯s real home did the shocking pieces of the puzzle finally click into ce for Izumi. These women, everyst one of them, belonged to her beloved¡¯s harem. And most shockingly of all they were Hollows. Not the Hollows she used to fight as a Quincy, but the most powerful species Izumi had only read about in the books ¡ª the legendary Adjuchas and Vasto Lorde. Even at the very peak of her power, she would have been stomped by even the weakest of the Menos ¡ª a Gillian ¡ª as these creatures possessed the power to erase an entire town from existence. The group of Hollows before Izumi sat near the peak of the Hollow food chain, wielding more power than Gillians. They had the capability to destroy a city before the Soul Society could intervene. ¡°What in the actual hell¡­?¡± Izumi whispered, the crude words foreign on her tongue. Cursing was far from her desirednguage, but this revtion had turned off her verbal filter. ¡°This is... this is crazy.¡± Lisa, who sat by Izumi¡¯s side, let out a giggle, her eyes dancing with yfulness behind her sses. ¡°Don¡¯t be frightened. Our Kazuya can defeat every soul in this room without breaking a sweat.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± Harribel nodded quietly to confirm Lisa¡¯s bold statement, her chest straining against her crossed arms. ¡°It¡¯s true. Kazuya has transcended the boundaries of Vasto Lordes. Right now, he can call himself the God-King of Hueco Mundo.¡± As Kazuya¡¯s very first sparring partner and instructor, Harribel¡¯s heart swelled with fierce pride. He had evolved from a Vasto Lorde who could barely hold his own against her into an entity that every Hollow could only look up to. And most impressively, he had achieved this growth while consuming one Hollow ¡ª the poor unfortunate soul that M Rose had forced Kazuya into devouring. M Rosenguidly leaned her chin on her palm, her lips curving into a smug smirk. ¡°He is the leader of our pride. It¡¯s only natural for him to surpass us all.¡± Being a member of Kazuya¡¯s pride filled M Rose with immense pride and lit a fire in her to contribute to the pride. However, she had managed to reign in those base instincts thus far, using them to motivate her to assist Sung-Sun in her flower shop. ¡°Ah fuck. I can¡¯t wait to buy that perfect gift for Kazuya,¡± Sung-Sun spoke suddenly, giving voice to the thoughts bouncing around M Rose¡¯s head. ¡°M Rose, you¡¯re so predictable, so easy to read.¡± M Rose let out an almost feral hiss, baring her fangs at the other woman in a clear disy of threat. ¡°Snake, I¡¯m warning you. Keep your tongue to yourself, or else I¡¯ll yank it out.¡± The brief reunion with Kazuya had left M Rose more frustrated than satisfied. After all, Sung-Sun had hoarded Kazuya during theirst night¡¯s threesome, and he had to use his fingers to satisfy M Rose. Although she had climaxed a couple of times, it wasn¡¯t the same as climaxing from receiving his hot seed inside her. She was quite pissed at Sung-Sun as a result. ¡°Tsk tsk. For that threat, I¡¯ll dy your pay by a week,¡± Sung-Sun retorted breezily, examining her manicured nails covered in a fresh coat of ck paint. ¡°Take it as a lesson to always respect the higher-ups.¡± M Rose smashed her fist on the table, rattling the finely built furniture. ¡°Why you little¡ª¡± ¡°Rose, what have I said about resorting to violence in this house?¡± Harribel cut in sternly. After stopping M Rose from exploding, she turned to Sung-Sun. ¡°Cyan, you know better than to tease Rose about her sry¡­ That money means the world to her right now.¡± ¡°You''re right, Harribel-sama. I won¡¯t let her take that away from me,¡± M Rose growled, still ring daggers at a seemingly calm Sung-Sun. ¡°Snake, don¡¯t mess with my dream and I won¡¯t hesitate to spank the pancake you call ass.¡± Api threw her head back and cackled. ¡°Pancake, hahahaha! M Rose, what aeback.¡± Sung-Sun pressed her lips together in a thin, disapproving frown, momentarily at a loss for words. As the most slender girl in a family full of voluptuous women, she was indeed the ttest of them all, as such as shecked absurd curves like their best. Covering her mouth, Lisa snickered. ¡°Sung-Sun, I definitely wouldn¡¯t let that slide.¡± Clearly, the bespectacled Visored was not above fanning the mes for her own entertainment. The family drama was far more engaging than anything on television. Sung-Sun clicked her tongue in annoyance, but then lifted her chin, her eyes gleaming with a clear look of superiority. ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about your petty opinions. The only one that matters is my husband. He adores me exactly as I am, which is everything I need in my life.¡± She had experienced the depth of Kazuya¡¯s love through her body and soul. No words could shake her confidence. ¡°Ugh, I can¡¯t really argue¡­¡± M Rose grumbled. But then a thought urred to her, sparking a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°Ooh, here¡¯s a fun question, everyone. Out of all of us, who do you suppose is Kazuya¡¯s favorite? His numbah one?!¡± That question had the potential to trigger an all-out war, but thankfully, most of the women present were reasonably certain about the reason, and they had no desire topete with the said number one. Sung-Sun, Api, and Lisa swiveled their heads in Harribel¡¯s direction. Harribel blinked, tilting her head in confusion. ¡°Me?¡± M Rose heaved a long sigh before shaking her head. ¡°Well, obviously. It¡¯s Harribel-sama¡­¡± ¡°No, that can''t be right,¡± Harribel objected, holding up her hands. ¡°If anyone here is first in his heart, it would be Api. They have been together since his birth as a Hollow. Or perhaps M Rose, considering how he has tried to win her affection.¡± While Harribel was keenly aware of Kazuya¡¯s fondness for her, she felt unworthy of iming the top spot in his heart when they had yet to fulfill the physical side of their affection. He wouldn¡¯t dy it for so long if she was his most beloved¡­ right? Api practically glowed at Harribel¡¯s praise. ¡°Harribel, that¡¯s incredibly ttering, but I don¡¯t think I¡¯m number one..." ¡°Yup, Husband is a total Mommy¡¯s boy when ites to Harribel-sama,¡± Sung-Sun said in a yful tone. ¡°It¡¯s pretty sweet and wholesome if you ask me.¡± M Rose hummed, a dreamy expression overtaking her face as she cradled her chin in both hands. ¡°Ahh, those carefree days of us goofing around in Hueco Mundo... they were something else.¡± The rest of the Hollowdies exchanged nces before unanimously deciding to leave the lioness to her rose-tinted recollection. As much as they liked Hueco Mundo, their new life was simply superior in every sense. Lisa nudged Izumi with a mischievous smirk and leaned closer to whisper, ¡°Izumi-sama, this is your chance. Dere that Kazuya¡¯s love for you reigns supreme above all others.¡± Izumi''s lips curved into a serene smile. ¡°There¡¯s no need for that, Lisa. Otouto-kun loves me deeply. I don¡¯t want to push him away bypeting.¡± Sung-Sun let out an appreciativeugh at Izumi¡¯s heartfelt confession, which echoed her own decision. ¡°Izumi, it warms my heart to see you responding to our true nature with such level-headedposure. I¡¯m so d you didn¡¯t behave irrationally upon discovering our origins.¡± As everyone¡¯s intrigued gazes concentrated on Izumi, she straightened her back, and squared her shoulders with dignified posture. ¡°Otouto-kun already told me he has multiple lovers. I might have hated it if Lisa brought me to meet a group of strangers vying for his affections¡­ but thankfully, that¡¯s not the case. Everyone here has been my friend for some time now.¡± Beforeing here, Izumi had steeled her nerves. She had fully expected toe face to face with monstrous creatures that only superficially resemble people. Instead, she met the people who had rallied her during the darkest chapter of her life. p. p. p. Izumi¡¯s brutally honest confession earned everyone¡¯s apuse. ¡°Ah, speaking of dear friends¡­¡± Sung-Sun turned to Lisa with a sly grin. ¡°Correct me if I¡¯m wrong, but I do believe Lisa here has quite the crush on darling Husband.¡± Izumi let out a warm chuckle, her eyes crinkling at the corners. ¡°I told her to reveal her feelings to Otouto-kun. But she decided to figure her heart out before taking the final step.¡± ¡°Wait just a damn minute! Why are you two dragging me out like this?¡± Lisa uttered, her wide eyes darting back and forth between Sung-Sun and Izumi. She pointed an using finger at Izumi, puffing her cheeks as if she was mad. ¡°Izumi, you said you¡¯ll keep it a secret.¡± ¡°Lisa, no one here is clueless to your obvious affections. It¡¯s in as day,¡± Izumi exined patiently, reaching over to pat the flustered Visored¡¯s clenched fist . ¡°Everyone here is practically family¡­ You have nothing to be embarrassed about.¡± Heaving a weary sigh of defeat, Lisa sank back into the sofa. Her sharp, witty demeanor deserted her the moment the conversation steered towards her crush on Kazuya. ¡°I''m not embarrassed, per se... I¡¯m just not ready to bare my silly feelings to the world just yet. What I¡¯m saying is, I want to go at my own pace.¡± Izumi¡¯s expression softened in the face of Lisa¡¯s request. She reached out to caress Lisa¡¯s hair, treating Lisa as her younger sister, despite the fact Lisa might be the oldest woman in the room. ¡°Please, take all the time you need to search your heart. Make your move when you feel absolutely confident.¡± Lisa mustered a nod of gratitude, the tension gradually leaving from her stiff shoulders. ¡°Thank you for understanding, truly." After a moment of silence, Api and Sung-Sun moved toward the kitchen, only to return carrying trays filled with tea and an array of refreshments. Eyes lighting up with surprise and pleasure, Lisa took the steaming cup in her hands, breathing in the heady aroma with a blissful sigh. ¡°My, how lovely it is to be on the receiving end of service for once. I could get used to this treatment!¡± Sung-Sun¡¯s lips curved as she let out augh. She turned to their resident mother figure. ¡°Harribel-sama, we should let Lisa and Izumi move in here. The mansion has so many empty rooms, and it would be so nice to have the whole family under one roof.¡± Her sudden suggestion was fueled in equal parts by a genuine concern for Lisa and Izumi¡¯s safety and emotional wellbeing, and a desire to spend more quality time with Lisa who had so effortlessly be her best friend. Harribel nodded her head. ¡°I don¡¯t mind. I¡¯m sure Kazuya would like to have everyone under the same roof.¡± Izumi bowed her head in acquiescence. ¡°I¡¯ll be happy to relocate here.¡± ¡°Hell yes!¡± Lisa cheered in her seat, pumping her fist with enthusiasm. If she wasn¡¯t so attached to Izumi, she¡¯d have done the moving part ages ago. Betterte than never, she thought with a wide grin. ¡°I want the room right next to Sung-Sun.¡± She was going to turn everyone into her partner in crime for romance novels. Sung-Sun smirked. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way, my dear. Let¡¯s check the room, shall we?¡± Sung-Sun and Lisa scampered out of the living room to scout the better room nking Sung-Sun¡¯s own chamber. Api cocked her head to the side, one brow arched as she eyed Izumi with a cautious look. ¡°I don¡¯t need to worry about you stabbing us in our sleep, do I?¡± Izumi let out a carefree giggle. ¡°No. Even if I wanted to, no knife here can harm ady as strong as you.¡± ¡°I was just messing around,¡± Api snickered, shing her a tomboyish grin. ¡°But in all seriousness, go ahead and pick any vacant room. We¡¯ve got a ton of space to spare." ¡°That¡¯s very kind of you! If it isn¡¯t too much trouble, I would love to get a room near Otouto-kun.¡± ¡°Done and dusted,¡± Api confirmed with a slow nod, mentally running through theyout of the sprawling manor. After a few back and forth questions, she had Izumi¡¯s desired room all but figured out. ¡°I¡¯ll get the room ready for you.¡± ¡°Thanks a lot.¡± Api nodded and proceeded to drain her teacup dry in one gulp before reaching over to grab M Rose¡¯s elbow, yanking the lioness to her feet. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get Menoly to help us.¡± ¡°Waaaait, why me?¡± M Rose questioned. ¡°I¡¯m not good at that type of stuff.¡± ¡°You have to get better at this stuff. How else will you be his wife?¡± ¡°I-Is that necessary?¡± Api nodded with a serious look. ¡°Very much is. You see, I have this arrangement in mind. When Kazuya permanently returns, every one of his wives will take turns doing household chores. This way, no one person will be overworked. Is that suggestion good, Harribel?¡± Api did her best to keep things clean in her free time. However, the mansion was too big for Api to clean alone, and some rooms became covered in dust as a result. ¡°This is an excellent arrangement,¡± Harribel said. ¡°I¡¯ll try to fill in for anyone who can¡¯t do their part.¡± M Rose clenched her fist. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to learn.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the spirit.¡± With that, the odd pair made their exit to tackle the task of room-cleaning, leaving Harribel and Izumi alone in the living room. Afortable silence settled over the space, disturbed only by the clink of teacups and the asional crunch of cookies. As Harribel finished her tea, she turned to regard Izumi with an earnest gaze. ¡°I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for deceiving you. Back then, we had no other choice but to conceal our true nature.¡± Izumi hastily shook her head. ¡°Please, Harribel, there¡¯s no need for apologies or exnations. I would have done much the same in your position.¡± Harribel responded with a slow nod, a flicker of relief and gratitude softening her usually stoic features. Her gaze drifted toward the window, her true focus in some distant memory. ¡°There was a time when we were little more than beasts trying to survive the wastnds of Hueco Mundo... Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine our peaceful days to be in the Living World¡­ by integrating into human society as one of them,¡± she mused, her expression deeply contemtive. ¡°Kazuya was right¡­ fate truly works in mysterious ways.¡± Izumi inclined her head, her soft smile brimming with wonder and appreciation for the whims of fate that had brought them all together. ¡°I couldn¡¯t agree more.¡± After a time, Harribel turned to Izumi. ¡°Kazuya might be one of the strongest peoples in this world.. I fear his heart is not nearly as strong as his Reiatsu. He never revealed it but I feel like he has had his fair share of suffering.¡± ¡°I know¡­ No man can be so understanding without suffering himself.¡± Harribel leaned forward to sp Izumi¡¯s hands in her own. ¡°Let¡¯s make sure he doesn¡¯t suffer anymore.¡± She hadn¡¯t made such a promise to anyone, but she felt like Izumi was mature and level-headed enough to understand her worries. Izumi squeezed Harribel¡¯s hands. ¡°I¡¯ll devote my body and soul to ensure that he never suffers.¡± ¡°Me too!¡± chimed Ciri as she appeared at the door without an invitation. ¡°I want to join this¡­ pact.¡± Chapter 232: Unwinnable Chapter 232: Unwinnable Seated on the soft bed, Rukia was lost in her thoughts. Ignoring the lingering scent of their passionate night, she focused solely on her inner turmoil. She paid no mind to the lingering scent of their intimacyst night or to the fact she had no clothes on. ¡°I¡¯m so stupid.¡± When she had agreed to assist Momo, she had naively believed it would be a one-time arrangement. She never expected that sex with him would awaken her lust and a desperate craving for kissing. ¡°I wanna die...¡± She¡¯ll never be able to look him in the eye after the shameless acts shemitted on this very bed. At that moment, the door creaked open. Momo appeared, carrying a packet of melon bread and a steaming cup of tea. ¡°Let¡¯s push back your death a couple of thousand years. Here, I brought your breakfast.¡± Rukia groaned, her hands instinctively burying her face as if to shield herself from embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry.¡± Momo¡¯s eyes softened. ¡°I refuse to believe you have no appetite after all the jumping you didst night. You were like a rabbit.¡± Rukia¡¯s ears turned red in embarrassment. Worst of all, she found herself unable to retort against Momo¡¯s words. So, she did something she had never done before ¡ª she remained silent, her lips sealed in the face of humiliation. ¡°Rukia?¡± ¡°Why are you speaking like him?¡± Momo tilted her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Didn¡¯t our teacher say something about people unconsciously mimicking the person they admire the most? Hehe, my most admired person is Kazuya-kun.¡± ¡°Figures.¡± Momo giggled and brought the breakfast tray close to Rukia, making the tomboy inhale the tea¡¯s inviting fragrance. ¡°Still not hungry?¡± Rukia removed her hands from her face and snatched the tray from Momo. ¡°Just leave it here.¡± As Rukia made her way to the bathroom, Momo reluctantly began tidying up the room and changing the sheets. Although Kazuya¡¯s scent lingered, it was not as strong as before. ¡®He is gone. I must work hard and return to his side.¡¯ She had to graduate as soon as humanly possible, even if she had to sleep deprive herself. ¡®I also have to brain¡ªhelp Rukia find her feelings for Kazuya-kun.¡¯ She was certain that Kazuya held a special ce in his heart for her, at least for now. However, she couldn''t guarantee that it would remain the same in a year or even a decade. Rukia was a part of Momo¡¯s master n. Her way to solidify her ce in his heart. He really adored the piece of work that was Rukia. Alone she might be forgotten, but with Rukia by her side, there was a very slim chance of that happening. And besides, having a friend¡¯spany was always better than having none. Momo found the package sent by Byakuya, as well as the noble-looking hair ornaments. Having no use for them, she shoved them into her wardrobe, alongside Kazuya¡¯s clothes. Rukia returned in a fresh set of clothes ¡ª a purple kimono that looked pretty worn out but cute nevertheless. Momo really appreciated that Rukia cherished her clothes from her time in Rukongai. Rukia turned red at Momo¡¯s scrutiny, as though remembering the intimate moments she shared with Momo. ¡°Stop staring at me.¡± Momo chuckled and passed the tray to Rukia. ¡°Eat up.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± Rukia sat down and began devouring the melon bread. Momo had a sudden urge to say something mean to Rukia, something along the lines of ¡®You sure are eating a lot for someone who wasn¡¯t hungry¡¯. ¡®Mhmm, Kazuya-kun is infecting me.¡¯ Rukia tilted her head, looking puzzled. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Nothing.¡± Momo shook her head. ¡°Rukia, we are skipping lessons today, but tomorrow¡­¡± ¡°Tomorrow what?¡± Rukia asked. ¡°Don¡¯t keep me hanging.¡± Momo assumed her most serious expression. ¡°Be prepared for students to point at you and make obscenements.¡± ¡°Huh¡ª¡± Rukia¡¯s eyes widened as realization dawned on her. ¡°You mean¡­ the noises? Geez, we were so loud.¡± Rukia hadn¡¯t cared about the moansing out of her in the heat of the moment, and now she had to face the consequences of her action. Momo nodded firmly. ¡°Kazuya-kun¡¯s influence made them afraid of informing the dorm managers. But some girls will still talk behind our backs. I want you to be prepared for that.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care about it,¡± Rukia said and suddenly punched the bed. ¡°Let me make something clear. It was his fault for making us m-moan like that. H-How dare he?!¡± Momo unconsciously smiled at the tomboy full of energy. ¡°Now, now, Rukia. There is no loss in epting defeat.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t get defeated. I-I was tricked, backstabbed, and just¡­ bamboozled.¡± ¡°Nobody tricked you!¡± ¡°I was kidding.¡± Rukia stuffed thest piece of sweet bread in her mouth and washed it down with tea. ¡°Hah, I¡¯m full¡­ Momo, I don¡¯t feel like doing anything today. I¡¯ll sleep for a while then meet Hisana.¡± Momo¡¯s eyes gleamed, as though she had found an opening. ¡°Kazuya-kun helped you with your sister, right?¡± ¡°Yeah. He gave her a new leash on life. I¡¯ll always be grateful for that,¡± Rukia chuckled, her gaze distant as though recalling the day she reunited with her sister and the day Kazuya performed a miracle. ¡°You know, that¡¯s the only reason I gave up on my¡­ virginity. Is that what it¡¯s called?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°God, what a stupid thing to do¡­¡± Rukia scratched her cheeks. ¡°But I won¡¯t forget this stupid night.¡± ¡°Me neither,¡± Momo said as she reached out and held Rukia¡¯s hands. ¡°Rukia, will you apany me next time?¡± ¡°What the¡ª¡± Rukia paused after seeing the pleading look in Momo¡¯s eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t get you. Why do you want that?¡± Momo let out a heavy sigh. ¡°You saw Kazuya-kun¡¯s libido. I-I can¡¯t satisfy him alone.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± Momo squeezed Rukia¡¯s hands. ¡°You said you won¡¯t marry until you be a high-ranking Shinigami. Can you¡­ help me until then?¡± Rukia was bbergasted, but she couldn¡¯t find the courage to break Momo¡¯s heart. What¡¯s more, her heart began beating faster as she imagined another night with the two, making her throat feel parched. ¡°I will¡ªI¡¯ll think about it.¡± Her body was ready for the proposal, but her pride¡ªher pride wouldn¡¯t let her admit a weakness, especially a weakness as embarrassing as this. Momo beamed a radiant smile and lunged into Rukia¡¯s embrace. ¡°You¡¯re the best!¡± Rukia sighed and patted Momo¡¯s back while revealing a wry smile. ¡®It¡¯s impossible to win against this couple.¡¯ *** On the other side of the Soul Society. Kazuya didn¡¯t know the way to the 12th Squad, but he had Isane to help with the directions. In no time, they arrived outside the infamous 12th Squad. The entrance to the barracksprised a wooden door under arge, sloping golden roof. The number Ê®¶þ, meaning 12, was engraved on both sides of the door. Kazuya took the initiative and knocked on the door, resulting in a CCTV-like device popping up from the wall. ¡°Wee to the 12th division,¡± came a near synthetic voice from the device. ¡°How can I help you?¡± Kazuya cleared his throat and put on his best smile. ¡°I¡¯d like to meet your captain for an important business.¡± ¡°Have you made an appointment?¡± ¡°¡­No.¡± ¡°Then, please fill a form from our sister building and submit it there. If you¡¯re lucky, your earliest appointment would be in six months.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Isane reached out and grabbed the device. ¡°We don¡¯t have that time. Vice-Captain of the 4th Squad wants to meet him.¡± ¡°Vice Captain Isane Kotetsu. I don¡¯t want to be respectful, but here is the list of rules by our Captain¡­¡± The voice paused for a moment as if finding the document with the rules written on it. ¡°No soul, regardless of their status, shall be given permission to meet me directly. The only exception to the rule is Captain Commander¡­ there you have it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s absurd!¡± Isane yelled. ¡°Try to understand me. We need to meet your Captain right now¡­¡± ¡°My hands are tied¡­¡± The voice replied. ¡°If I don¡¯t follow the rules, I¡¯ll be turned into a human bomb by my Captain.¡± Isane turned to Kazuya, almost tearing up in helplessness. ¡°What do we do now¡­?¡± Kazuya took her hand reassuringly. ¡°You know I¡¯m a very impatient man. If you don¡¯t open the door in three seconds, I¡¯ll break it down.¡± ¡°Huh? Are you trying-¡± ¡°One.¡± ¡°Do not try to-¡± ¡°Two.¡± ¡°O-Oi, you can¡¯t-¡± ¡°Three.¡± As his calm voice fell, Kazuya clenched his left hand and smashed it into the door. Chapter 233: Mayuri and Nemu Chapter 233: Mayuri and Nemu A frenzied cking reverberated through the dimly lit chamber,ing from a man furiously typing across an array of high-tech equipment simultaneously. Surrounding him was an array of scientific equipment that only he couldprehend within Soul Society, and only he could use them to their peak performance. This man¡¯s face was painted in stark contrasts of ck and white, while his body was shrouded entirely in white paint. Both his ears as well as his chin were seemingly reced with stubbed golden cones. In all of Soul Society, only one individual would adorn himself with such unsettling makeup. That man was none other than Mayuri Kurotsuchi ¡ª the crazy and controversial captain of the 12th Squad, an ex-criminal that Kisuke had taken out from the Maggot¡¯s Nest. Currently he was working on something important as one could see from his concentrated expression. The screens before him disyed strings of intricate data at a dizzying pace, yet Mayuri¡¯s mind effortlessly kept up with the surge of information. His fingers sped up as a maniacal grin crept across his painted face. ¡°The secret to Hollowification lies in its¡ª¡± At the most crucial moment of his research, a knock on the door interrupted him, followed by the meek voice of his daughter. ¡°M-Master.¡± Mayuri immediately teleported to the door with Shunpo and flung it open. Standing on the other side was a young woman with a slender figure and green eyes. Her ck hair was tied back in a long braid with slightly parted bangs. Unlike other Shinigami, she wore a short ck kimono that reached mid-thigh, and she carried no sword on her in person. The youngdy, Nemu, served the role of Vice-Captain within this squad. ¡°Master¡­¡± Her meek whisper matched the soft look in her eyes. ¡°Vice¡ª¡± Before she could utter another syble, Mayuri¡¯s fist collided with her face, sending her crashing into the wall. Crumpling to the cold ground, coughing up blood, she gazed up at Mayuri with an absence of emotion. It was as if she was used to such treatment from her creator. ¡°You fool. You wretched little being. I told you specifically to not disturb me today. Give me one reason to not self-destruct your soul.¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, Master. We have an emergency¡­¡± Mayuri slowly walked to her. ¡°What is so important?¡± ¡°V-Vice-Captain Isane and an unknown Shinigami have breached the facility,¡± Nemu conveyed the events beyond Mayuri¡¯s underground facility. ¡°Akon and others went to intercept them but were defeated swiftly¡­¡± Mayuri¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Akon is defeated¡­?¡± Vice-Captain Isane, as far as he knew, was a healer first and fighterter. Akon should have more than enough intellect to annihte someone of her level. In fact, Akon could defeat even a captain with sufficient research and preparations. That was the most terrifying aspect of 12th Squad. Even though they looked frail and schrly types, they were more than capable of assisting the Soul Society against any enemy. ¡°T-The silver-haired Shinigami on her side¡­¡± Nemu whispered as she wiped the blood from her mouth. ¡°He is very powerful. I believe he is Captain-level.¡± ¡°Captain-level?¡± Mayuri narrowed his eyes. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s that subject from the academy. Why is he here?¡± Mayuri¡¯s interest in subject Kazuya Ishihara was less than his interest in solving a mystery Kisuke had failed to decipher ¡ª the Hollowification. Kazuya¡¯s innate strength didn¡¯t interest him one bit. After all, his research with Kenpachi Zaraki had definitively proven that souls of Captain-level Reiatsu could manifest organically. Kazuya Ishihara was simply one of them. Even Arrancars took more priority in research than a man whose voice could bewitch women. ¡°He said he has an important business with you¡­¡± Nemu responded in her usual mncholic tone. ¡°Do I have the permission to engage him in battle?¡± ¡°You want to battle him?¡± Mayuri scoffed. ¡°You may as well request self-destruction.¡± Although Mayuri was confident in Nemu¡¯s battle capability as her creator, he didn¡¯t believe she could defeat Kazuya. At least not without pushing her body to the point of breaking down. Nemu remained silent, waiting for Mayuri to cast his verdict. ¡°There is a way you defeat him without much destruction involved¡­¡± Mayuri rubbed his stubbed metal chin, recalling all the rumors he had heard surrounding the subject Kazuya Ishihara. However, another look at Nemu¡¯s bloodied condition made him back away from the suggestion. She wouldn¡¯t be able to seduce him in her current state. ¡°You¡¯re a failure in everything. A worthless creation.¡± Being called a failure in her face, from her creator nevertheless, had no effect on Nemu. She was simply used to this, used to being abused and mistreated at his hands, and very used to unconditionally loving him. Nemu picked herself up and stood with her hands sped in front of herp. ¡°What shall I do, Master?¡± Although she was curious about this non-hostile method, she dared not utter the question, as it would trigger Mayuri to start abusing her again. Nemu, like all living beings, was capable of feeling pain. Being designed to take more punishment than any Shinigami didn¡¯t mean she liked being tormented. On the contrary, she abhorred pain. Yet she wouldn¡¯t hesitate to throw her life for her Captain. Mayuri pointed Nemu out of the facility. ¡°Bring them to me. I¡¯ll deal with them personally.¡± Nemu gave a convincing nod and made a dash for her objective at a speedparable to first-ss Shunpo without using an ounce of spiritual energy. Although the wound on her face stung, she didn¡¯t stop for a second to apply any medicine on it. Fulfilling her creator¡¯s orders was always her utmost priority. It wasn¡¯t long before she intercepted the duo, who were making their way through the facility at a rapid pace. ¡®Isane¡­¡¯ As a member of Shinigami Women¡¯s Association, Nemu was on good terms with Isane. But she had never seen the silver-haired man by Isane¡¯s side. His Reiatsu was dangerous, she concluded with one nce, realizing that Mayuri had been right about the man¡¯s capabilities. ¡°Oh, Nemu,¡± Isane said with a surprised look on her face. ¡°What happened to your face?¡± Nemu wasn¡¯t least bit surprised to find concern on Isane¡¯s face. Maintaining her doll-like expression, she said, ¡°It¡¯s surface wounds. They won¡¯t hinder my vital functions.¡± ¡°Your face has literally swollen,¡± said the silver-haired man, his kind voice sending Nemu into an involuntary daze. ¡°Let me treat it with Kaido.¡± Nemu suddenly snapped out of her daydream, her eyes widening in shock as her pupils dted. Despite her limited emotional range and lower emotional intelligencepared to others, she instinctively understood that the warm, pleasant sensations welling up inside her were caused by the mysterious man¡¯s voice. She felt a sense of curiosity, wanting to know the precise name for this emotion, while also craving to experience more of it. Like her creator, she could be utterly curious about certain topics in life, most of which pertained to her own evolution. As these thoughts swirled through her mind, Kazuya had already begun to work his Kaido on her injured face. Isane revealed a kind smile. ¡°Thanks, Kazuya.¡± Nemu inclined her head, giving him her best gesture of gratitude. ¡°Thanks¡­ Kazuya.¡± Kazuya chuckled at thedies¡¯ gratitude. ¡°In exchange for my help, how about you take us to your captain?¡± Nemu nodded firmly. ¡°I was sent here to bring you two to him. Please follow me closely.¡± Chapter 234: Threat (I) Chapter 234: Threat (I) ¡°Master is inside.¡± Nemu said so after bringing the duo of Kazuya and Isane to the entrance of Mayuri¡¯s secret underground research facility. {My most belovedpanion, how shall we deal with this Mayuri insect?} Nami spoke, her voice dripping with disdain ¡ª she wasn¡¯t a fan of Mayuri. {I suggest we put him through the iron maiden ny-nine times. Then we y his skin and crucify him at the door of his barracks. After nine days, we grant him, let¡¯s say, a very merciful death.} ¡®Since when did you be a torture specialist?¡¯ Nami let out a heavy sigh. {I¡¯ll dly take any burden to protect my partner.} ¡®Well, let me try to handle this peacefully.¡¯ Mayuri might be evil, but Kazuya was no saint either. Kazuya had little reason to battle the deranged scientist if he willingly handed over the Hollowfied Shinigami. Otherwise, he might have to resort to other means that won¡¯t get him in trouble with the Gotei 13. {Mayuri won¡¯t listen to reason¡­ Tsubasa has something to say.} ¡®Master, protecting yourself and others is important. But always staying defensive is not possible. Therefore, we need to take action to eliminate future threats before they be too troublesome!¡¯ Nodding at Tsubasa¡¯s considerate advice, he turned to Isane. ¡°Let me handle it alone.¡± Isane shook her head before revealing a determined look. ¡°I want to help¡­¡± ¡°I expected that response from my stubborn Vice Captain.¡± ¡°Everyone keeps saying that,¡± Isane grumbled, her brow knitting in a troubled frown. ¡°I¡¯m not stubborn. I¡¯m just¡­ loyal to my duties.¡± His smile widened at her almost childlike protestation. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it after we finish here.¡± As they stepped through the door, they instantly perceived an uncanny shift in the ambient Reiryoku. The chamber¡¯s atmosphere and equipment seemed extremely futuristic, especially given the era of 1950. ¡°Hey, this ce is amazing. Can¡¯t say the same about your face though. You¡¯ll give me nightmares for weeks.¡± The scientist cocked his head at an unnatural angle, his golden eyes intensely analyzing Kazuya. ¡°Your voice¡ªhow does it work? Your Zanpakut¨­ is sheathed so it doesn¡¯te from there. You aren¡¯t using any artificial imnts either. Ah, interesting! I have nevere across an ability like this!¡± Ironically, Mayuri had indeed previously witnessed, or rather heard, Kazuya¡¯s voice, yet on that day he had shown no interest.. With a shake of his head, Kazuya said,¡°Interesting ability without any practice use, well, outside of charmingdies.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand the potential of your ability. With your ability, I can persuade anyone to willingly be my research subject. I might be able to enhance its effects to work on non living beings. Think about controlling the very Reishi through mere voice!¡± Mayuri grew more enthusiastic the more he dwelled into the peak potential of Kazuya¡¯s innate ability. ¡°Captain Kurotsuchi!¡± Isane interjected, dismissing Mayuri¡¯s excitement without a single consideration. ¡°Our purpose for being here is to gain custody of the Hollowfied Shinigami. Please allow us¡ª¡± ¡°Silence, woman! You invaded the 12th Squad and harmed my personnel. Do you know what that means?¡± Mayuri slowly raised his chin and disyed an evil smile. ¡°It means I canwfully apprehend you and turn you into my research subjects.¡± ¡°Are you¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, Kazuya.¡± Isane ced a hand on his shoulder with a strained smile before she faced Mayuri. ¡°Captain Kurotsuchi, I¡ªI will be your research subject on the condition you release those Shinigami.¡± She had long ago epted the consequences they would face for their bold actions. Even a Captain was strictly forbidden fromying a finger on another division¡¯s lowest seat, yet they had stormed the barracks and rendered nearly every member of the 12th squad unconscious. Stripping the two of their positions and imprisoning them would be the most lenient punishment. But to save innocent lives and atone for her mistakes, Isane was ready to offer herself up as Mayuri¡¯s test subject. ¡°Sadly, I have no interest in you,¡± Mayuri said dismissively and looked at Kazuya. ¡°What about it, brat? Are you willing to be my research subject? I¡¯ll give you top-ss special treatment!¡± Mayuri was being unreasonable, but that¡¯s just how he was. His squad was nothing more than disposable pawns to him, but the act of interrupting his precious research ignited fury in him. Revenge was what he craved, and what sweeter revenge could there be than turning the perpetrator into an extraordinary test subject? Kazuya crossed his arms, looking skeptical. ¡°I have a hunch your special treatment is only good for nutjobs like yourself.¡± Mayuri rubbed his hands, an unconcealed eagerness on his grinning face. ¡°I¡¯ll only drug you nine times a day. And only five hours of machine operations a day. You¡¯ll be well-fed in a nice room and given clothes to wear. I won¡¯t even try life-threatening operations on you!¡± These were the most generous terms Mayuri had offered to this day. Only a female subject could hope to receive better, as their agonized screams never failed to arouse him. But Kazuya simplyughed in the face of Mayuri¡¯s offer. ¡°I¡¯ll give you an even better deal. Hand over the Hollowfied Shinigami, and I¡¯ll let you walk away without spanking. Phenomenal deal, right?¡± Mayuri burst into maniacalughter. ¡°Where negotiation fails violence prevails... I don¡¯t have tomit to that effort either. I shall report your crimes to the authorities and let them punish you. Thest Shinigami whoid his hands on hisrades ¡ª he was imprisoned, his Zanpakut¨­ confiscated. You both will suffer the same fate.¡± Mayuri knew he required weeks of preparation to have any hope of subduing one of Kazuya¡¯s caliber. But they had practically gifted him the leverage to bend them to his whims. Isane couldn¡¯t help but tremble imagining Kazuya in such a future. ¡°No, you can¡¯t! It was me who brought him here. If you want to report¡ª¡± Kazuya gently pinched Isane¡¯s cheeks, saving her from falling further into despair. ¡°Have faith in me. I won¡¯t let anything happen to either of us.¡± Kazuya had defied her constant pleas to avoid violence, only because he was up against Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Kazuya understood Mayuri''s depraved mind and precisely which buttons to push to get Mayuri dancing on his palm. Unaware of Kazuya¡¯s thoughts, Mayuriughed. ¡°I have physical evidence for your crimes in the form of surveince footage. However strong you may be, you can¡¯t weasel out of this situation. ept my terms, and you will survive.¡± Mayuri¡¯s smug confidence made his beliefs obvious ¡ª he was assured of his victory, that he had Kazuya firmly in his grasp. Chapter 235: A Threat (II) Chapter 235: A Threat (II) Kazuya didn¡¯t even bat an eye at Mayuri¡¯s tant threats. ¡°Mayuri, be honest with me. How much time do you think I¡¯ll need to kill you?¡± Mayuri raised his brows in surprise and then stared nkly, the gears of his mind shifting in calctions. ¡°I have thirty-three methods to escape this ce. Because, you see, I value my life. There¡¯s no amusement to be found in my knowledge if I am but a lifeless corpse.¡± While Mayuri wasn¡¯t as cautious as Kisuke, he had multiple contingencies to survive nearly every predicament. Kazuya smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s test that, shall we?¡± He snapped his fingers. In the infinitesimal fraction of a moment it took for the sound to reach Mayuri, the scientist felt a cold de pressed against his throat. All it had taken was a single snap to get Mayuri¡¯s neck at the tip of his sword. Mayuri¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°That¡ªthat was Quincy¡¯s movement technique Hirenkyaku.¡± Mayuri¡¯s assessment had been only partially correct. The technique Kazuya had used was a fusion of Shunpo and Hirenkyaku, granting him speed that surpassed both added with the stealthy nature of Hirenkyaku. ¡°Let¡¯s just say you aren¡¯t the only one who studied Quincy for their techniques.¡± A twisted grin spread across Mayuri¡¯s features. He seemedpletely unafraid of the sword at his throat. ¡°Ah, Quincy. Those deluded, idealistic imbeciles. I had so much fun making them burn their own children. I mentally broke them by dismembering their limbs¡­ unfortunately, their scarce numbers made me put the project on hold. Such a pity¡­¡± Isane shuddered from hearing Mayuri boast about his cruel actions. ¡°You are a sadist¡­ a monster.¡± ¡°Very riching from you,¡± Mayuri sneered. ¡°You serve the greatest criminal of the Soul Society. She cut down hundreds for no reason, whereas my purpose is to research. It¡¯s a purpose higher than you uneducated lot can understand.¡± Isane clenched her fists, her body shaking with barely-restrained anger. ¡°Captain Unohana has changed. All she wants now is to help others. I know¡ª¡± ¡°Isane, don¡¯t waste your breath trying to exin anything to this dumbass,¡± Kazuya cut her off, pressing the sword¡¯s edge into Mayuri¡¯s throat, which drew a crimson smile across his neck. ¡°Captain Mayuri, you are quite fearless. Does this confidencee from your ability to abandon your body and escape in another form?¡± Mayuri¡¯s eyes widened, a glimmer of begrudging appreciation shining through. ¡°It appears you came well-prepared. I seem to be at a disadvantage.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t kill me even if you had months to prepare.¡± Kazuya unsheathed the top of his de back, and immediately, searing mes came pouring forth. ¡°And I don¡¯t care what form you take. I can track you down and incinerate you whenever I want, however I want.¡± ¡°Murdering a Captain will get you in trouble¡ª¡± Kazuya pulled back his de and grabbed Mayuri by the throat. Eyes narrowing with murderous intent, he said, ¡°If you want to report me to the higher-ups, consider this ¡ª I will burn down your entire squad before they can catch me. This trouble you mentioned won¡¯t mean much if I just escape to the Living World.¡± Mayuri never feared anyone to this day, but the sheer conviction in Kazuya¡¯s gave him shivers. He understood one thing ¡ª the man before him would risk everything to destroy one person. He was¡­ insane, no less than himself. Kazuya loosened his grip on Mayuri¡¯s throat. ¡°I can live a cozy life in the Living World. But you, can you continue your research after I kill you? Is the satisfaction of imprisoning me worth gambling your life¡¯s work?¡± Mayuri rubbed his neck. ¡°Crazy brat¡­¡± He responded with a smile before turning to Nemu. ¡°Take me to the Hollowfied Shinigami. I¡¯m going to help them recover.¡± Nemu nodded mechanically, then abruptly shook her head as if to clear it. She had very nearly sumbed to his charm and betrayed her father. ¡°Master, should I?¡± Mayuri assumed a serious expression. ¡°Did you just say you can help them recover? Are you going to put them down or reverse their Hollowification?¡± ¡°Our squad members are paid to heal others. Not kill them.¡± ¡°And how will you do that?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll show you how after you take me to them.¡± Curious by Kazuya¡¯s method, Mayuri agreed to take them to his experiment material. Kazuya let out a sigh of relief. Even though he utterly despised Mayuri, he couldn¡¯t free the world from his craziness. Killing Mayuri would ruin everything all his efforts in the Soul Society. {Partner, give in your bloodlust¡­ let these darker urges guide your fists¡­ strangle this madman!} ¡®Mayuri ¡®s turn wille after Aizen.¡¯ {That is fine as well.} On the way to the Hollowfied Shinigami, Isane continuously nced at Kazuya. Until now, she had only witnessed himugh, tease others, and just be a kind man. Though she had seen his serious side during the battles, she had never expected him to harbor a terrifying side. The memory of his chilling threat still made her shiver. Atst, they arrived into another sprawling cave, where the Hollowfied Shinigami were imprisoned in cages like animals. Kazuya frowned. ¡°Forty-three¡­ What happened to the rest?¡± ¡°Dissected for my study. I selected the female first since their anatomy is more pleasing to the eyes.¡± Isane clenched her fist, so damn ready to throw one punch at Mayuri¡¯s repulsive face. ¡°Kazuya, should we transport them¡ª¡± ¡°No need.¡± He took his Zanpakut¨­ and activated its Shikai form, the transformation earning a look of fascination from Mayuri and an intrigued look from Nemu. Kazuya approached the nearest cage and squeezed the trigger of his musket. A burst of radiant mes engulfed the Hollow born from a Shinigami. ¡°Arghhh!¡± The whiteyer of skin burned away, revealing the tormented woman trapped beneath. The mes disintegrated everyst trace of her Hollow traits, leaving the ck-haireddy with wless skin. She copsed on the ground, her butt raised high in a rather provocative manner. Kazuya cleared his throat. ¡°Isane, would you mind checking her condition?¡± Isane swiftly sliced through the cage and knelt beside the woman. A radiant smile blossomed across her face as she lifted her head to meet Kazuya¡¯s eyes. ¡°You did it! I expect her to regain consciousness in a few minutes.¡± Kazuya nodded and moved his musket away from Mayuri¡¯s grasping fingers. ¡°Hands off, lunatic.¡± ¡°I¡¯m simply borrowing it for a few days.¡± ¡°No means no.¡± Smirking at Mayuri¡¯s frustrated scowl, Kazuya brought the musket to his lips and nted a soft kiss on its polished surface. His action elicited a seductive moan that echoed through his mind. ¡°Master¡­ you just kissed my butt,¡± Tsubasa whispered meekly. ¡°Next time say it before, so I can prepare myself¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± Ignoring the young Zanpakut¨­ Spirit, he decided to finish the job as quickly as possible. Bang! Bang! Bang! The cave echoed with gunshots, each bullet finding its mark in a Hollowfied Shinigami. In a matter of minutes, all forty-three had been returned to their original form. They all looked severely traumatized, showing no glee at their second chance at life. Mayuri observed the entire process, yet he couldprehend nothing. ¡°Your Shikai restores a being to a previous state.¡± ¡°Wow, so insightful.¡± Mayuri gritted his teeth. ¡°I have the entire footage. I won¡¯t rest until I understand everything about your Shikai.¡± Kazuya shook his head. ¡°Nemu, can you bring some clothes for everyone?¡± Hypnotized by his voice, Nemu nodded her head. ¡°I shall.¡± Chapter 236-237: Vivid Red Chapter 236-237: Vivid Red Nearly an hourter, the previously Hollowfied Shinigami were ready to depart Mayuri''s undergroundb and return to their respective divisions. Although they had fought the Hollows all their lives, the experience of actually bing one had undoubtedly left deep scars on their souls. Some time away from their duties would be immensely helpful to their recovery. Just as Kazuya and Isane stepped outside theb¡¯s entrance, a gentle, soothing voice called out to them. ¡°So, you were both here.¡± Kazuya and Isane turned in unison towards the voice they knew so well. Unsurprisingly, Unohana stood near the entryway, her spiritual energy in a perfect harmony with the ambient energy around them. She seemed stealthier than the expert assassin Yoruichi. {Two thousand years will give you enough time to master every basic skill out there.} ¡®I might be a multiversal entity in that time.¡¯ {That sounds¡­ lonely. Thankfully, Partner will have mypany for all eternity.} Nami never missed a chance to remind him of her importance in his life. Nothing unusual for the Yandere Phoenix. She would let him fuck any woman,pletely confident in the fact that only she could remain by his side until the very end. Kazuya pushed aside the gloomy reflections out of his mind and turned his full attention to Unohana. ¡°What¡¯s up, Captain?¡± ¡°Captain! Did youe here for us?¡± Isane asked. Unohana''s lips curved into a gentle smile. ¡°You both didn¡¯t show up for the morning assembly. I took it upon myself to stop you from doing anything mischievous¡­¡± Her eyes drifted to the horde of Shinigami behind them. ¡°I believe I¡¯m a littlete for that.¡± The interference from Mayuri¡¯s facilities had obstructed her attempts to track their Reiatsu, else she would have arrived here before the duo confronted the crazy scientist. Isane reached up to rub the back of her head, chuckling sheepishly. ¡°E-Everything went fine. Kazuya managed to persuade Captain Kurotsuchi. Forty seven of the fifty are now normal Shinigami!¡± As tragic as it was to lose three of their number, the fact that the vast majority had been saved filled her with pure relief and joy. Unohana acknowledged the good news with a calm smile. ¡°Let¡¯s return to the division. We have much to discuss.¡± Kazuya ced his hand on his chest. ¡°Captain, don¡¯t look at me like that. It makes my heart jittery.¡± Unohana¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Perhaps your heart needs surgery. Shall I cut it open with my de?¡± ¡°Cut me down if it means I¡¯ll no longer feel like this when I¡¯m with you¡­ I can¡¯t endure it anymore.¡± ¡°Kazuya, are you really sick?¡± Isane asked, brow furrowed in innocent confusion. ¡°Captain and I can fix mostmon diseases.¡± The two shared a chuckle at Isane¡¯s charming cluelessness. ¡­ Afternoon. Kazuya and Isane sat down before Unohana in her room. Freshly brewed tea and snacks ced within their arms reach, beckoning the two with its aroma. Unohana smiled, yet her eyes didn¡¯t crinkle ¡ª she wore a fake smile. ¡°Please, begin.¡± Kazuya had a sinking feeling in his guts that Unohana nned something sinister, that they were likembs being fattened up before the ughter. ¡°Thanks for the tea!¡± Isane cheerfully took the tea and began savoring it. ¡°Delicious as always!¡± Unohana tilted her head. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Isane nudged him. ¡°Come on. Captain¡¯s tea is pure perfection. You won¡¯t find its equal anywhere in Soul Society.¡± Kazuya cleared his throat and took the cup before sipping it. He wasn¡¯t worried about Unohana poisoning him as such insidious tricks were against her battle-maniac nature. If she intended to end someone, it would be decisively, with her de in hand. Unohana¡¯s smile softened into something small but genuine. ¡°Kazuya, let me thank you for helping Isane. This child would¡¯ve been devastated if nobody saved those Shinigami.¡± Isane nced over at him with an awkwardly sweet smile. ¡°Kazuya, that scary act you put on just worked on Captain Kurotsuchi.¡± ¡°What scary act?¡± Unohana inquired, arching a brow. ¡°While we''re on the subject, I¡¯d like to hear the full tale of everything that transpired at the 12th Squad.¡± Isane dly retold everything, including the chaos they unleashed on the 12th Division as well as Kazuya¡¯s confrontation with Mayuri. ¡°For a second I thought he was serious¡­ Thank goodness, it was just an act to intimidate Captain Kurotsuchi.¡± Unohana nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Having Kazuya with us is already paying dividends. His Shikai is an absolute treasure for our division.¡± Kazuya chuckled. ¡°It better be overpowered after the absurd lengths I went to attain it.¡± {I am the best Zanpakut¨­ in the world.} ¡®No, we are the best Zanpakut¨­ in the world,¡¯ Tsubasa took a hold of Nami¡¯s voice to correct her arrogant fellow Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. ¡®Isn¡¯t that right, Master?¡¯ ¡®Absolutely.¡¯ Unohana gave her signature close-eyed smile. ¡°A healer¡¯s truest reward is the fulfillment thates from easing the suffering of others¡­ but your contribution should be rewarded properly.¡± Kazuya regarded her with a look of startled surprise. ¡°I only want one reward in my life¡ªyou.¡± Unohana''s eyes narrowed to razor-sharp slits in an instant, a chilling murderous intent oozing from her very being. ¡°Kazuya Ishihara,¡± she spoke in an emotionless voice. ¡°would you be so kind as to exin the meaning of your request?¡± Kazuya cleared his throat. ¡°I mean, I want your training as my reward. Surely you haven¡¯t forgotten about our first meeting.¡± ¡°Not so fast, young man. In our previous discussion, I told you to learn Kaido under Isane¡ª¡± Unohana paused, her piercing gaze studying his smirk intently. ¡°Isane, has he¡­?¡± A sheepish chuckle escaped Isane¡¯s lips. ¡°Ahaha. He has surpassed me. I¡¯m not even embarrassed to admit it. His efficiency in flowing spiritual energy through another person is¡­ well, it should not be possible for a Shinigami with half a year experience in Kaido.¡± Unohana heaved a soft sigh. ¡°You keep surprising me. Very well, I¡¯llmence your training next week. Take this week to get used to mine and Captain Shiba¡¯s division.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be in your care, Captain.¡± Isane tugged at his kimono, a puzzled look on her face. ¡°What training do you want?¡± Her curiosity was piqued, considering Kazuya had already reached Captain-level prowess. What could he possibly need training for, and why would he specifically choose Captain Unohana? ¡°Just some long-lost techniques,¡± he replied vaguely. ¡°When one wants to be the absolute best, even the smallest advantages can¡¯t be overlooked.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ I wish you the best of luck! Never hesitate to tell me if you need any help.¡± People often bandied about such offers for the sake of, but Isane¡¯s words came straight from her heart. After the earlier events, she was prepared to move heaven and earth to help him. ¡°I absolutely will.¡± Unohana smiled mysteriously as she observed their interactions. ¡°I still haven¡¯t punished you two for missing the morning assembly.¡± ¡°Oh no. Isane, save me!¡± Isane giggled. ¡°Captain, I¡¯ll ept his share of punishment as well.¡± She had been so giddy, feeling like she could conquer any problem in the world. Unohana crossed her arms. ¡°Then you alone shall do the weekly 4th Squad¡¯s clean-up duty.¡± Isane¡¯s joyful expression melted in the face of Unohana¡¯s punishment. ¡°C-Captain, you do know how big our division is¡­¡± The barracks of the 4th squad included the relief stations where injured/diseased Shinigami were treated. To clean everything alone would take multiple days. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be a punishment otherwise. As for Kazuya¡­¡± Unohana trailed her words with an imperceptible glimmer of mischief in her eyes. ¡°Tomorrow, you will apany me on my next outing to gather medicinal herbs.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± He¡¯d dly take the opportunity to spend more time with Unohana. Isane gaped at her Captain, her mouth forming a perfect O of stunned disbelief. ¡°I... I understand. I will carry out my duties to the best of my ability.¡± Under normal circumstances, Isane apanied Unohana on the weekly herb-gathering excursions. But this time, she would be stuck picking trash and cleaning hallways. She was about to get the definite experience of being a low-ranking member of her squad but ten times worse. ¡°Isane, it¡¯s time for your routine relief station patrol.¡± It was a reminder to send the Vice-Captain out and give her a moment alone with Kazuya. ¡°Oh! I¡¯ll attend to that right away.¡± Isane rose to her feet and walked to the door. Pausing at the threshold, she nced over her shoulder and beamed at Kazuya. ¡°I¡¯ll see youter.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t miss me too much, sweetheart~.¡± ¡°I¡¯lle to you if that happens.¡± Kazuya expected the room¡¯s temperature to drop by at least ten degrees the very moment Isane closed the door. After all, he''d been shamelessly flirting with Isane right before Unohana¡¯s eyes. It was a well-known fact that Unohana treated Isane as her daughter. As he turned to the front, he found the elegantdy looking rather calm and rxed, as if unbothered by his yful antics. For a moment they stared at each other. He met her unblinking gaze, keeping his thoughts a mystery. Unohana studied him, her blue eyes boring into his as if she could see straight through to his soul. He maintained his calm expression, refusing to so much as twitch under her scrutiny. ¡°Captain, got something on your mind?¡± ¡°You lied to Isane,¡± she spoke in a soft voice. ¡°Everything you said to Captain Kurotsuchi ¡ª you nned to carry out if he reported you to Central 46. You were ready to ughter him.¡± His eyes widened briefly before he closed them. Eyes were the keys to a person¡¯s soul, and he wasn¡¯t quite ready to hand them over to Unohana. ¡°Captain, what gave you that idea?¡± ¡°First of all, Captain Kurotsuchi isn¡¯t a man who will fall for lies. He¡¯ll see right through a rubbish act.¡± Unohana lifted a finger and tapped her pursed lips. ¡°You specifically mentioned everything being an act to conceal your true nature from Isane. That girl is gullible enough to believe anything, especially if ites from the man she admires the most.¡± ¡°Well, damn. I got caught lying.¡± He sighed. ¡°Will I be punished? Perhaps a battle between us until only one is left standing.¡± Unohana¡¯s throat moved as she swallowed hard, the battle-hungry beast within her stirring to life at the very mention of a death match. She wouldn¡¯t have felt this longing before. But after knowing his strength and knowing their Zanpakut¨­¡¯s resemnces, she could no longer suppress her fervor. The thrill to cutdown his flesh again and again began consuming her. She shut her eyes forcefully, her nails digging into her palms where they rested clenched on her thighs. ¡°No. I have no intention of punishing you.¡± Kazuya watched her internal struggle y out on her face, marveling at the sheer determination required to rein in her crazy bloodlust. Her fortitude very much impressed him. {Partner, isn¡¯t it exciting to be with a woman who can kill you any moment? To be with a woman who wants to kill you so badly, yet she madly wants to embrace you and feel your warmth. The rush of never knowing when her evil thoughts will win out, such a rtionship¡­ don¡¯t you find it hypnotizing, beloved?} ¡®Nami, don¡¯t go crazy now,¡¯ hemented, equal parts amused and rmed by her fetishes. ¡®I promise I¡¯ll cuddle with youter.¡¯ {Hah¡­ I shall stay quiet then.} Returning his attention to Unohana, heughed. ¡°I guess I¡¯m too weak to fight you. I¡¯m going to train. Just you wait for the day I defeat you.¡± Exerting the power of his voice, he tried to calm her mind and distract her from her bloodlust at the same time. Her trembling brows came to peace, and her lips curved into a smile. ¡°What will your ns be after killing me?¡± The very thought of a rookie defeating her would¡¯ve been utterly nonsensical before she met him. Right now though she knew for a fact he¡¯d surpass her in no time. Kazuya tilted his head, his eyes widening in exaggerated bewilderment. ¡°Why in the world will I kill you? The Soul Society alreadycks good women. What kind of man will I be to make the list even shorter?¡± Genuine surprise flickered across her eyes, disappearing as quickly as it appeared. Then her smile returned, deeper and more genuine. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you are knocking on the wrong door for this¡­ good woman you speak of. There is no love or passion within these walls¡­ only death and ughter.¡± ¡°Oh, seriously? For a self-proimed killer, you sure care a lot about your division.¡± Unohana¡¯s lips parted, a glimmer of something unreadable in her eyes, but then she caught herself from delving deeper. ¡°We¡¯re getting off-topic here. We need to talk about you and Isane.¡± The Captain chose to change the topic rather than argue with him. As fluent as she was with words, she had no chance against him. He acknowledged her clear defeat with a smirk, which made her frown. ¡°What¡¯s there to talk about me and Isane?¡± ¡°For starters, did you think Isane will distance herself after learning about your insanity? Because, quite frankly, only a lunatic would threaten Captain Kurotsuchi in that manner.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t anticipate her reaction to my so-called insanity. I yed my cards safe.¡± Unohana nodded in understanding. ¡°I didn¡¯t think someone like you could feel a bout of insecurity.¡± ¡°Everyone has ws, even someone as elegant and beautiful as you. Besides, what other choices did I have?¡± Kazuya asked with a shake of his head. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to be Mayuri¡¯s research subject, and I also didn¡¯t want Isane to end up in a prison. She was ready to be a test subject to help those people. What kind of man will I be to let her be imprisoned over my actions? I took a risk to fulfill her pure wish, and it paid off.¡± Unohana¡¯s eyes gleaming with interest. ¡°Are you telling me you¡¯ll live the life of an exile to protect one girl?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll dly be an exile to preserve Isane¡¯s smile.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Unohana could only shake her head, momentarily at a loss. ¡°That is the most absurd yet most in-character thing you¡¯ve ever said.¡± Heughed. ¡°I mean, it won¡¯t be that bad. I can hang out more often with Kisuke over there and learn some new things from him.¡± Casually mentioning Kisuke, another exile, didn¡¯t sit well with Unohana. Instantly, the room was filled with a thick murderous intent, so powerful that Kazuya almost hallucinated blood red fog around him. The next moment, he felt a cold de pressed against his neck. Unohana towered over him like a grim reaper ready to deliver death. Yet, despite her icy gaze and killing intent, she remained the embodiment of elegance. Chapter 238: Confident, Not Arrogant Chapter 238: Confident, Not Arrogant ¡°Kazuya¡­¡± Unohana spoke coldly. ¡°You joined the academy, fought Captain Soi Fon on your first day, befriended many influential figures, and helped us out with the Arrancar¡¯s situation ¡ª you did everything to win favors on behalf of Kisuke¡­ You and him are deeply involved.¡± From their initial encounter, Unohana had an rming sense that the charismatic youth concealed ulterior motives behind his nonchnt, womanizer demeanor. This foreboding feeling now rang true. The newest recruit to the 4th Squad was in league with none other than Kisuke Urahara ¡ª the exile pinned with the crime of orchestrating an Arrancar Invasion that nearly resulted in the death of multiple Captains and Vice-Captains. ¡°Well, I know that guy,¡± Kazuya answered without hesitation, confirming her thoughts with a nod. ¡°But we¡ª¡± ¡°You betrayed us,¡± Unohana interrupted him with a decisive tone. ¡°After Isane treated you like family. After I gave you¡­¡± She trailed off as a disappointing expression clouded her face, startling even herself. ¡°From the very beginning, you exploited our trust. For what reason did you infiltrate our ranks?¡± She hade to appreciate the cheeky young man for his daringness, so his betrayal stung harder than the tip of a de through her body. If it happened before she became the Captain of the 4th Squad, she¡¯d have cut him down without hesitation. Even ten betrayals wouldn¡¯t have mattered back in those days. She had lost that edge ¡ª healing others and saving lives had made her¡­ soft. ¡°You are right about one thing.¡± Kazuya gripped the sharp edge of her sword with his hand and pushed it back. Even as blood flowed out from hiscerated palm, he met her gaze steadily and rose to his feet. ¡°I did infiltrate your ranks for a purpose.¡± ¡°I knew it¡­ You¡­¡± Unohana paused and drew back her Zanpakut¨­, returning it to its sheath. With an odd look, she gazed at the thick red fluid oozing out of his wound. ¡°We¡¯ll talk after I use Kaido.¡± The sight of blood had strangely cooled her head, allowing her to rethink the situation. Probing Kazuya¡¯s sincere gaze, she feltpelled to hear out his side of the story. ¡®There had to be a reason for everything¡­ I want to know his story.¡¯ After the genuine joy he had brought Isane ¡ª a happiness Unohana herself could never provide ¡ª he deserved the benefit of the doubt. She clung to the sliver of hope that he wouldn¡¯t be guilty. He could be coerced into following Kisuke¡¯s orders, or perhaps¡­ there was a chance Kisuke wasn¡¯t the bad guy here. Kazuya raised his hand, revealing unblemished skin where the previous cut had been mere moments before. ¡°elerated self regeneration?¡± Unohana asked with a surprised look. ¡°Impossible. Shinigami can¡¯t have this ability.¡± Unohana had not witnessed Kazuya unsheathe his Zanpakut¨­, as such the regeneration couldn¡¯t havee from his Zanpakut¨­. ¡°Just a little talent of mine,¡± he replied vaguely. ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you going to ask about this purpose of mine?¡± ¡°I was just getting to that,¡± Unohana murmured. ¡°So tell me, what exactly¡ª¡± ¡°All will be revealed in due time,¡± he interrupted her again with a cheeky grin, making it the most someone had ever done in one day and lived to tell the story with their head intact. ¡°Let me eat these delicious cookies!¡± True to his word, he plopped down and began munching on the lovingly crafted confections Unohana had prepared for him and Isane. His carefree manner suggested either reckless overconfidence or aplete disregard for the consequences of angering Unohana. ¡°You are arrogant¡ª¡± ¡°Captain,¡± he said with a faint smile. ¡°You have lived a hundred times longer than me. Surely you know the line between arrogance and confidence. It¡¯s a little thin, but it exists nheless.¡± Unohana crossed her arms. ¡°Arrogance is self-centered and focused on elevating one¡¯s own ego, whereas confidence is rooted in self-assuredness and unwavering belief in one¡¯s capabilities.¡± ¡°Exactly! There is no arrogance here. Just a charmingd who knows the extent of his abilities,¡± he spoke with a keen gaze. ¡°And I¡¯m damn sure I can kill everyone in the Soul Society.¡± The conviction in his voice left Unohana with little doubt as to the authenticity of his im. Having not witnessed enough of Kazuya¡¯s abilities, she refused to trust his im of killing everyone in the Soul Society, which included herself, Kenpachi Zaraki and Yamamoto Genryusai ¡ª two men she had yet to defeat. Unohana¡¯s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, losing every trace of the gentleness she had been known for in the past few centuries. ¡°Is your ultimate aim, then, to ughter every soul here?¡± ¡°Quite the opposite, actually.¡± He leaned back with a heavy sigh. ¡°I was dispatched by Kisuke to save the Soul Society from its impending doom.¡± Unohana arched a skeptical brow. ¡°Soul Society has weathered two millennia; we even survived a war against the King of Quincy. What force can cause our downfall?¡± The foundations of the Seireitei were rock-solid, so much so that not even the death of Captain-Commander Yamamoto himself would trigger a copse. Only an inside job by a figure of great influence could inflict irreparable damage. ¡°You guessed that right,¡± he said, as though reading the thought right out of her mind. ¡°A Captain in your ranks is waiting for the right opportunity to take over your world. He is the guy you won¡¯t ever suspect to be a cunning fuck¡ªI mean fox.¡± ¡°One of the captains?¡± Unohana¡¯s thoughts immediately turned to Aizen, whose recent behavior had been rather suspect. ¡°Which one? And what evidence do you have for your brazen ims?¡± ¡°The evidence is a little far away. Ah, fuck it. I¡¯ll carry you there myself.¡± ¡°Huh? Where are¡ª¡± He swooped her in his arms, princess style, in one fluid motion, her loose kimono Shihakush¨­ nothing more than a minor obstacle for the young man. Though she had not let her guard down for even a fraction of a second, he had approached her without a shred of malicious intent. Even more shocking was the realization that his speed surpassed that of any opponent she had faced. As the most notorious battle-junkie of her time, her tally of foes easily crossed four digits. ¡°Wait just¡ª¡± ¡°Time waits for no one, Unohana.¡± Heunched himself forward with an explosive speed, elerating beyond anything achievable via Shunpo or any other technique known to Shinigami. ¡°Hang on tight.¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± With a sigh, Unohana wrapped her arms around his neck, still annoyed about being carried like a damsel in distress. Nevertheless, she had to admit that his raw speed far surpassed her own. Wherever their destinationy, there was little doubt they would arrive in record time. Indeed, only a few momentster, they reached their destination ¡ª the 8th Squad¡¯s barracks. Chapter 239-240: Purrsuasion Chapter 239-240: Purrsuasion Unohana immediately jumped off before anyone could see her in such apromised position. ¡°Listen. If you try to harm anyone here, I¡¯ll not hesitate in slitting your throat.¡± Though she lied a little, she was confident Kazuya¡¯s senses weren¡¯t keen enough to detect the minuscule waver in her resolve. ¡°I¡¯m just gonna heal,¡± Kazuya muttered under his breath, once again reminding her of the absurd regeneration ¡ª a feat she would have dismissed as impossible had she not witnessed it first hand moments ago. ¡°Now then, Captain, if you¡¯d be so kind as to apany me to meet with Captain¡ª¡± Suddenly feeling a familiar Reiatsu, both individuals turned to watch as the door to the barracks swung open. A bespectacled beauty stood on the other side, showing nary an ounce of surprise at the two unexpected guests at her doorstep. Nanao¡¯s poker expression was on par if not better than Lisa ¡ª she hade here specifically to greet them. ¡°Kazuya, to what do we owe the pleasure of yourpany?¡± ¡°Come now, Nanao-chan. Can¡¯t a guy visit a friend without some ulterior motive?¡± ¡°No.¡± Her rejection was swift and without a hint of hesitation. Shifting her attention to Unohana, she offered a polite smile. ¡°It¡¯s a wee surprise to have you here, Captain Unohana. Pleasee inside.¡± Kazuya put a hand between Nanao and Unohana. ¡°I don¡¯t mean to brag, but I¡¯ve earned a warm wee after the sacrifices I made for your Captain.¡± ¡°You should¡¯ve known by now that I¡¯m not a warm wee type of girl,¡± Nanao said with a small smile. ¡°Your uniform is quite fancy. Which poor man did you bully for this?¡± Kazuya brushed his sleeves with a smug grin. ¡°Byakuya Kuchiki.¡± ¡°Good grief. This punk is stealing from aristocats now. Usdies were right inunching an operation to take you down for good.¡± The throwback to their first meeting made him chuckle. ¡°There¡¯s not a woman in the Soul Society who can take me down¡­ I¡¯m just too damn charming fordies.¡± Nanao rolled her eyes. ¡°Let me test that with my fists.¡± ¡°As long as you promise to nurse the wound afterwards.¡± ¡°...¡± Unohana observed their yful back-and-forth with her usual serene smile, though inwardly she found herself intrigued by the unlikely friendship between Kazuya and the usually reserved Nanao. In all her years, she had never known the bespectacled vice-captain to joke around with anyone other than her uncle. Unohana regarded Kazuya with a sharp gaze. ¡°Why don¡¯t you enlighten Nanao about our business here?¡± Nanao naturally noticed the undercurrent of tension in Unohana¡¯s words, however, she thought it prudent not to remark upon it. ¡°Kazuya, you lied abouting here to see me¡­¡± The faint note of disappointment in Nanao¡¯s voice did not escape Unohana¡¯s keen perception. At this point, she would have been more surprised if the young woman hadn¡¯t developed a bit of a crush on Kazuya. Had Unohana followed through with her initial decision to execute Kazuya for his perceived betrayal, his legion of admirers would have hunted her to the ends of the earth. Kazuya cleared his throat. ¡°Nanao, is your Captain here?¡± ¡°Where else will hiszy ass be?¡± Nanao muttered under her breath and forced a bright smile. ¡°Of course. My Captain is tending to¡­ the garden. Follow me.¡± Nanao led the pair to a cozy little cottage nestled in the heart of the division¡¯s sprawling backyard. The rustic charm of the ce reminded Kazuya of K¨±kaku Shiba''s humble abode in the middle of nowhere ¡ª both structures had a clear view of lush gardens from their rooms. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind living here forever.¡± Nanao cleared her throat, her cheeks reddening for some inscrutable reason. ¡°Captain Unohana, please wait here while I fetch Shunsui-san. Do keep an eye on this ruffian. He¡¯ll steal something just to mess with me.¡± A look of realization crossed his face. ¡°Ah, this is your ce. That exins why your scent is everywhere.¡± Nanao¡¯s blush deepened to an even more vivid shade of scarlet. ¡°K-Kazuya! Stop saying weird things, or I¡¯ll smack your face with this book!¡± He shed a cheeky thumbs up. ¡°Rx, Nanao-chan. It¡¯s very pleasant for the senses. A solid nine out of ten.¡± Nanao clutched her book and tossed it in his face. ¡°Die.¡± He snatched the book out of the air and lobbed it right back at her. ¡°Nanao-chan tsundere¡­ so cute.¡± {Shouldn¡¯t be that surprising with her isted upbringing.} Stomping her foot in a fit of frustration, Nanao spun on her heel and ran off, leaving Kazuya and Unohana alone in the cozy room. Unohana gave him a nk stare. ¡°How many girls have fallen for you?¡± ¡°Too many to count.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°God gave me a massive heart so I can love a lot of people,¡± he said and plopped down in the center of the room. ¡°You look concerned... Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re afraid of my women hunting you down for your actions.¡± Unohana studied his face with a look of visible interest. ¡°How are you so good at it?¡± ¡°Good at what? You mean reading thoughts?¡± Kazuya smiled. ¡°Most people instinctively avoid eye contact during conversation. I like peering into eyes whenever I talk to someone¡­ it gives me a near-urate grasp on their innermost thoughts. Haven¡¯t you heard the saying about the eyes being windows to a person¡¯s soul?¡± ¡°Fascinating,¡± Unohana whispered, a hint of amusement in her smile. ¡°For the record, I have no fear of your women seeking vengeance against me... I¡¯m worried they might harm others in my division.¡± She didn¡¯t mince her words since he already knew her love for her division. ¡°Only a couple of them can kill you if they go all out. And they live outside of Soul Society. So, you have nothing to worry about.¡± Unohana sighed softly and settled down into a formal seiza position. ¡°Does the list include Yoruichi as well?¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask her yourself?¡± Kazuya inclined his head towards the garden outside. ¡°Yoruichi, no need to hide anymore.¡± Unohana sharply followed his gaze to the outside, where a ck cat emerged from between bushes. ¡°Is that¡ª¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me, Yoruichi Shih¨­in, the sh Goddess herself,¡± Yoruichi confirmed in her distinctly feminine voice as she hopped inside the room and assumed a position of utmost respect before Unohana. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again, Unohana.¡± Unohana revealed a genuine smile. ¡°I¡¯m happy as well. I must confess I hadn¡¯t the slightest clue that his cat was you in disguise. Your transformation skills are nothing short of extraordinary.¡± ¡°How can you be so certain of her identity?¡± Kazuya asked, a tad confused at Unohana¡¯s easy eptability. ¡°She can be someone else capable of mimicking voice.¡± Unohana reached out and gently stroked Yoruichi¡¯s ears. ¡°One¡¯s voice can be imitated, true¡­ but you can¡¯t mimic spiritual pressure. I tend to remember spiritual pressures better than most. While her Reiatsu has evolved over the years, I can still feel the essence of her aura here.¡± ¡°A fair point,¡± Yoruichi said with a nod before turning to Kazuya. ¡°Are you going to tell her everything?¡± ¡°Yup. It¡¯s as good a time as any to get her on our side,¡± he said, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°That said, she¡¯ll need a bit of purr-suasion. Captain Shunsui should be enough for the job.¡± Yoruichi chuckled at his out-of-ce cat pun. ¡°It never won¡¯t be bad to have Unohana¡¯s support.¡± Unohana looked at the two with anticipation in her eyes. She found herself eager to know the facts that would convince her of Kazuya and Kisuke¡¯s innocence, the chances of which grew marginally with Yoruichi¡¯s unexpected appearance. As they waited for Shunsui, silence flowed in the room, the type of calm anyone would appreciate every now and then. Yoruichi slinked onto Kazuya¡¯sp and rubbed her face against him. Seeing him keep his hands raised to avoid contact brought to mind her most recent prank. ¡°Aboutst night¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Kazuya. I don¡¯t know what got into my head.¡± Apologies were a rarity from the mischievous cat, but even she could acknowledge when she had gone too far in her teasing. He relented and ced his hands on her back, caressing her the way she enjoyed. ¡°You won¡¯t get off the hook that easily.¡± Even though he never took her teasing seriously, he wouldn¡¯t mind getting somepensation out of the whole thing. ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to you,¡± she purred, her form melting into hisp. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss the specificster. For now, you have Shunsui-san to worry about.¡± As the words fell, the footsteps of the Captain and Vice-Captain could be heard. Kazuya gently set Yoruichi aside and rose to his feet, adjusting his posture to one of proper decorum. He greeted theid-back captain with an amiable smile. ¡°You took your sweet timeing here.¡± Shunsui took off his straw hat with a sad smile. ¡°It took everything to escape the gentle embrace of afternoon slumber. But it was worth it for the rare arrival of Dai Senpai.¡± Unohana didn¡¯t bat an eye at his ttery, which made his eyebrows twitch. ¡°I was brought here by Kazuya.¡± ¡°Oh? Do you need something?¡± Kazuya put aside Yoruichi and rose to his feet. ¡°Shunsui-san, Captain Unohana believes I¡¯m some sort of viin, hell-bent on using her squad to destroy the Soul Society at Kisuke¡¯s orders. Can you kindly set the record straight?¡± Shunsui¡¯s eyes widened in surprise before narrowing in understanding. ¡°I see. Dai Senpai, Kazuya is here to rid the Soul Society of a great evil¡­ His name is Aizen Sosuke, the mastermind behind the Arrancars¡¯ incursion to the Living World.¡± Unohana cocked her head slightly, showing barely any surprise at the revtion. ¡°I see.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it? That''s all you have to say?!¡± Shunsui almost yelled, clearly taken aback by her nonchnce. ¡°I lost a day of sleep when I learned about it. How can you take it so easily?!¡± Unohana shook her head. ¡°You simply confirmed the suspicions I had about Captain Sosuke. I assume his treachery dates back to centuries. He also yed a pivotal role in the first Hollowfication incident.¡± ¡°As expected of Dai Senpai.¡± Shunsui nodded his head in admiration. ¡°All this while Kazuya has been working to earn your trust. Through you he wanted to ry this information to Captain Yama and have him deal with the traitor.¡± Unohana shifted her attention to Kazuya and lowered her head. ¡°I owe you an apology¡­¡± Kazuya waved off her apology with a dismissive gesture. ¡°Just tell Captain Yama about Aizen. I don¡¯t want to fight that guy again.¡± Unohana¡¯s brow furrowed in confusion. ¡°Again, you say? When did you fight him before?¡± ¡°Yoruichi, put up a force field.¡± Kazuya requested, turning his back on the assembled group of Shinigami. ¡°I¡¯m about to do something crazy. Try not to look too surprised.¡± As soon as Yoruichi covered the house within her force fields, Kazuya let the mes flow through him, reshaping him into his original race. Horns erupted from the side of his head and ck leathery wings sprouted on his back. In a matter of seconds, he went from the friendly Shinigami to the nightmare of Shinigami ¡ª a terrifyingly powerful Arrancar. Nanao swallowed hard, feeling utterly overwhelmed by the sheer pressure of his presence, despite having seen his transformation once before. ¡°Those Arrancars were like a flickering candle before him.¡± Unohana, too, realized that he didn¡¯t lie about having the power to kill everyone in the Soul Society. Rather than feeling terrified like a normal Shinigami, she was gulping excitedly as if she was a hungry man staring at heavenly delicacies. The scar on her chest pulsed, begging and pleading her to unsheath her katana and battle the Hollow right here and now. Kazuya turned around and gave Unohana an odd look. ¡°Captain, it¡¯s not the time to lose control of your bloodlust.¡± He wasn¡¯t the least surprised by Unohana¡¯s nonchnce about him being a Hollow or her thirst to battle him. {Partner, she is gonna attack you one of these days.} Unohana looked away and nodded. ¡°Forgive me for the blunder.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. Anyways, I¡¯m an Arrancar who can transform into other races at a whim.¡± Unohana reached out and touched his horns. ¡°It seems like you battled Captain Sosuke in this form¡­ still, why didn¡¯t he recognize you when you met him¡ª¡± Her words died in her throat as Kazuya''s features began to warp and shift before her very eyes. In a few seconds, his face took on the appearance of someone recognizable ¡ª the female Hollow woman who had sworn revenge on Aizen in Karakura Town. Everyone was holding their breaths in the face of his stark transformation ¡ª he had gone from burly demonic being to an exotic beauty with glowing silver hair as if she was a divine being out of this world. Kazuya let out a sigh at their predictable reactions. Without waiting for them to fawn over him, he assumed his Shinigami form. Shunsui couldn¡¯t help but apud Kazuya. ¡°Lad, wanna go out sometime with me in that form? Every drink will be on me.¡± Unohana pped the back of Shunsui¡¯s head. ¡°He is already spoken for by my Isane.¡± ¡°Ah, what a pity¡­¡± Chapter 241: The Final Plan Chapter 241: The Final n Captain Shunsui bade farewell to Unohana and Kazuya, having fulfilled his duty of vouching for Kazuya. With Unohana now involved, Shunsui could return to his typical routine of napping, avoiding work, and flirting with the lovelydies of his division. His willingness to entrust the future of the Soul Society to Unohana spoke volumes about his unshakable faith in Dai Senpai. In the wake of Shunsui¡¯s departure, a silence settled over the room, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves and the melodic chirping of birds drifting in from the garden outside. Kazuya sat in a rxed posture, eyes closed and a faint smile ying about his lips. Much like Shunsui, he looked relieved at how smoothly events had unfolded. Unohana¡¯s eptance of his true Hollow nature hade as a most wee surprise. Nanao, for her part, seemed lost in thought, her mind a million miles away from her immediate surroundings. Witnessing Kazuya¡¯s transformation into a Hollow and then a female had her questioning the deeper meanings of the universe and its purpose. Meanwhile, Yoruichi''s unblinking gaze remained fixed on Unohana, whose own eyes were closed for an entirely different reason than Kazuya¡¯s. She could see the tightness around Unohana¡¯s mouth and the barely suppressed anger in her clenched fists. Unohana had been in this state of controlled agitation ever since Yoruichi had revealed the truth about her Hollowfication. Nanao shook off the dreadful existential crisis and gently set aside the book she had been clutching to her chest. ¡°I think I¡¯ll brew tea for everyone.¡± In truth, she so rarely entertained guests in her private quarters that the finer points of hospitality had momentarily slipped her mind. Moreover, her burning curiosity regarding Kazuya¡¯s purpose in seeking her captain had her distracted. ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯ll pass,¡± he said and poked Unohana¡¯s knee with his sheathed Zanpakut¨­ to get her attention. ¡°Unohana, you don¡¯t have to make that face. Yoruichi doesn¡¯t regret her transformation.¡± ¡°I did. In fact, I am happy it happened,¡± Yoruichi chimed in with a snicker. ¡°Now I have a shot at reiming my sh Goddess title from Chameleon-san, who can take the color of every race.¡± ¡°sh God,¡± Kazuya corrected her with a nk stare. ¡°Don¡¯t get it wrong ever unless you want to get spanked.¡± Yoruichiughed. ¡°Why not both? You can assume both genders, after all.¡± He reached out and pulled her furry cheeks. ¡°Naughty kitty needs to be punished.¡± Heaving a sigh, Unohana finally broke her silence. ¡°I¡¯m angry at myself for underestimating the Arrancar threat. If only I had suggested Captain Yamamoto to send more reinforcements, then¡ª¡± ¡°Nothing would¡¯ve changed,¡± Yoruichi insisted. ¡°More reinforcements would¡¯ve made for more Hollowfied Shinigami. Aizen wouldn¡¯t have stopped. I can¡¯t me Kazuya either for not showing up on time. He was doing his best against the Arrancars.¡± ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right,¡± Unohana agreed with a nod. ¡°After this is over, maybe Kazuya can try his Shikai on you.¡± ¡°I am not going to undo it, even if it makes me distant from the Soul Society,¡± Yoruichi said in a serious tone. ¡°By the way, how do you know his Zanpakut¨­ can undo Hollowfication? Did he tell you?¡± ¡°He already fixed many afflicted with Hollowfication.¡± Yoruichi turned to him with wide eyes. ¡°I was away for a few hours, and you pull this off.¡± ¡°Your fault for leaving. Where the hell were you?¡± The fact that Yoruichi had apparently voluntarily removed herself from his side for an extended period piqued his curiosity. Kazuya didn¡¯t take her as someone who¡¯d run away just because he ignored her for a few minutes. Tenacity was one of her defining traits, after all. ¡°I was at K¨±kaku¡¯s ce,¡± Yoruichi said in a t voice. ¡°I needed her advice on something.¡± ¡°I see. Anyways,¡± he said, eyeing Unohana. ¡°When will you expose Aizen?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t do it right now,¡± Unohana said with a distant look. ¡°Captain Yamamoto can temporarily seize Sosuke¡¯s seat, but we can¡¯t put Aizen. Without evidence, he will be out in no time.¡± Unohana didn¡¯t point out the obvious case of Yamamoto doing things the non-traditional way ¡ª killing Aizen. Yamamot had grown ustomed to the judicial system of the Central 46. ¡°Wait, our testimonies won¡¯t be enough? We have Shunsui, you, Nanao, and me. That should be enough, right?¡± ¡°No, Aizen has Tosen and Gin for support,¡± Yoruichi added with a snarl. ¡°We need concrete evidence to convict a Captain. During Kisuke¡¯s trial, Sosuke must have manipted the high-level figures of the Council to rule against Kisuke.¡± ¡°Ky¨­ka Suigetsu,¡± Kazuya said with a sigh. ¡°I thought telling Unohana should be the end of my mission. I guess I was too optimistic¡­¡± {Aizen won¡¯t go down that easily. Partner, you have to stop him yourself¡­ as is the burden of the chosen one.} ¡®This is karma for thinking with the wrong head. I don¡¯t regret it though.¡¯ {That is because you managed to seduce them. Imagine helping the girls, making an enemy out of Aizen, and saving everyone in the Soul Society¡­ only to get rejected. The worst case would be everyone showing disgust upon learning your Hollow nature.} ¡®That sounds sad as fuck.¡¯ {It¡¯s brutal, yeah. Even in the direst of circumstances, I¡¯ll be here¡­ we¡¯re soulmates, you know? All I¡¯m saying is, never hesitate about acting on your evil urges. I¡¯ll never leave your side.} ¡®Eh, ying saint is boring and ying pure evil is also boring. It¡¯s fun being in the middle.¡¯¡¯ {Keep that ¡®Middle is the best shit¡¯ away from your sexuality¡­} ¡®...¡¯ Kazuya noticed Nanao staring at him with wide eyes and quivering lips. ¡°Nanao?¡± She held out a hand. ¡°Are you really going to leave after this¡­ this mission?¡± Her poker face fell apart under the surprise. She hadn¡¯t expected her time with Kazuya to end right after she befriended him. Then again, she had forgotten that he was a Hollow ¡ª he had no business following the Soul Society¡¯s orders to purify Hollows when he could have an easy, peaceful life with his lovers in the Living World. As these thoughts churned in her mind, Nanao made an effort to collect herself. It was then that she noticed the mean smirk ying about Kazuya¡¯s lips. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Kazuya held himself back from teasing her, instead going for a more earnest response. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you would be sad about my hypothetical departure.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a monster with a heart of stone,¡± she retorted and rubbed her pooling tears with a handkerchief. ¡°I know I made a terrible first impression with my foolish operation¡­ but I care about you. How can I not after everything you did for my Captain and Lisa Nee-san¡­ not to mention your willingness to risk your life to help the Soul Society.¡± Yoruichiid her head on Kazuya¡¯sp, gazing at Nanao with a soft look in her eyes. ¡°Lisa and you aren¡¯t just alike in appearances but also demeanor. Are you sure your mother isn''t the same?¡± ¡°H-Huh? No, we aren¡¯t. We¡¯re not even from the same n.¡± Kazuya rubbed Yoruichi¡¯s ears. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on our mission, shall we?¡± ¡°My mischievous friend, you¡¯re always the one getting distracted¡­ so, what¡¯s our next goal?¡± ¡°I can seduce the female council members and make them judge Aizen.¡± {You can do that for males as well. Have you forgotten how divinely beautiful your other form is?} ¡®Never.¡¯ He¡¯d rather fight Aizen to the death than stooping to the act of seducing a man. Yoruichi shook her head. ¡°Those high in position were too egoistic and narrow-minded to ept women into their mix. Has that changed, Unohana?¡± ¡°No.¡± Unohana rose up and closed the door, covering the room in darkness. ¡°We don¡¯t need to rely on cheap tactics. I have a better n.¡± Something in her tone sent a ripple of unease through the assembled group. Kazuya could feel it in her voice, that her n was violence or very closely rted to it. She turned around, her blue eyes gleaming and a cold smile dancing on her lips. ¡°Kazuya, I¡¯ll train you to bring out a hundred percent of your strength. Afterwards, I¡¯ll use my position and power to create a scenario where you and Sosuke are alone outside of the Soul Society, preferably Hueco Mundo.¡± She paused, letting the gravity of her words settle in before continuing, ¡°When that happens, you¡¯ll finish what you couldn¡¯t because of external interference ¡ª remove his poisonous existence once and for all.¡± ¡°ughter him.¡± Chapter 242: Unwell Wishes Chapter 242: Unwell Wishes After the strangest meeting of Kazuya¡¯s life concluded in unanimous agreement to Unohana¡¯s crazy n, Kazuya took his time strolling back to the 4th Division¡¯s barracks, content to let Yoruichi and Unohana catch up along the way. Yoruichi entertained her old friend with tales of her crazy adventures, most of which included him, while Unohana could only offer tidbits of the Soul Society¡¯s mundane recent history in return. Nothing of importance had happened in Yoruichi¡¯s absence. The ck cat suddenly jumped off his shoulder and faced him with an uncharacteristic serious glint in her eyes. ¡°Listen, I have to go to the second division.¡± ¡°Soi Fon?¡± Kazuya asked with a frown. ¡°Is she giving you too much trouble?¡± She shook her head at his probing inquiry. ¡°It has nothing to do with Soi Fon. I must¡­ retrieve something important. Why don¡¯t I fill in on the detailster?¡± He shrugged nonchntly. ¡°Run along then. You have your husband¡¯s permission.¡± Yoruichi rolled her eyes exasperatedly that conveyed fondness more than annoyance. ¡°Thank you, my gracious husband. You¡¯re the best.¡± ¡°I sure am,¡± he agreed with a shameless grin, which prompted Yoruichi to shake her head. ¡°Off you go.¡± As Yoruichi dashed to the roof, Kazuya turned to check on Unohana¡¯s reaction. The battle-maniac healer wore an expression of utter incredulity, as if she couldn¡¯t quite believe the exchange she had just witnessed. ¡°Did that really just happen?¡± she muttered, more to herself than to Kazuya. Kazuya had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from bursting intoughter at her bbergasted look. ¡°What, you don¡¯t think I¡¯m husband material?¡± ¡°Far from it,¡± Unohana said, shaking her head. ¡°Was that real, or were you just fooling around?¡± ¡°What do you think it is?¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s both,¡± Unohana slowly said. ¡°She is alwaysidback and carefree about most things, but she is also quite aloof and proud to call any man ¡®her husband¡¯¡­ it¡¯s simply unprecedented.¡± ¡°Even as a joke?¡± ¡°Even as a joke,¡± she repeated in a solemn voice. ¡°Her teasing doesn¡¯t extend to these lengths. I know she isn¡¯t the same woman I used to know. She couldn¡¯t have changed to that extent.¡± They might not have been the closest, but Unohana had worked together with Yoruichi ever since her introduction by the Shih¨­in Family. ¡°She didn¡¯t change much,¡± Kazuya said, stroking his chin in contemtion. ¡°I just managed to domesticate the stray kitty.¡± ¡°An impressive feat, to be sure¡­ Isane is here.¡± Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the hurried arrival of a familiar figure ¡ª the endearingly awkward Isane Kotetsu,. A slight frown marred her delicate features, hinting at her displeasure at being left out of her captain¡¯stest excursion outside the division. ¡°Captain, Kazuya¡­ where did you two sneak off without me?¡± Chuckling, Kazuya waved off her question with a dismissive gesture. ¡°Unohana had some business with Shunsui. I just tagged along with her.¡± Calmed by his exnation, Isane started to nod in understanding, only to pause mid-motion, a look of confusion clouding her features. ¡°Wait, you addressed our Captain by her name¡­¡± Unohana red at him, the glee in her eyes refuting any real anger. ¡°Yeah, who told you to use myst name? Did you forget I gave you the permission to call me ¡®Retsu¡¯?¡± Poor Isane could only gape at the exchange, her mind reeling at the notion of someone addressing her captain so intimately. Only a handful among the senior officers of the Gotei 13 would dare to use Unohana¡¯s given name so freely, even though the person couldn¡¯t care less about these things. ¡®What just happened between them?¡¯ Isane wondered, her imagination running wild with possibilities. ¡®It¡¯s like how he and Nanao became a lot closer when they returned from the Living World.¡¯ As if sensing the direction of her thoughts, Kazuya reached out to give Isane¡¯s shoulder a reassuring pat. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Isane. It¡¯s just a one-time thing. I promise I won¡¯t steal your job of shadowing Retsu everywhere.¡± He had a much better idea in mind. ¡°As if I¡¯ll let it happen,¡± Unohana scoffed, a yful smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. ¡°Although, I must say¡­ Kazuya, you are overqualified to be a mere lieutenant.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Isane agreed readily, her momentary curiosity about Unohana and Kazuya forgotten in the face of Kazuya¡¯s undeniable talent. ¡°He will be a Captain for certain.¡± At that, Unohana¡¯s expression grew pensive. She nced over at Kazuya, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. ¡°He won¡¯t stay long enough to be a Captain.¡± As much as it pained her to admit, Unohana knew that Kazuya¡¯s pathy elsewhere. For all his prodigious skill and leadership qualities, she could envision no future in which he remained bound to the Soul Society as a Shinigami. Isane nced in his direction. ¡°He¡¯s going to leave for the 10th Squad. Captain Shiba wants to promote him to his seat one day.¡± Unohana simply smiled, making no attempt to correct Isane¡¯s innocent assumptions. ¡°Isane, show him to his new home.¡± ¡°Of course, Captain!¡± Isane cheerfully saluted before turning her attention to him. ¡°Right his way.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± As Kazuya followed the steps of the tall, silver-haired girl, Unohana caught hold of his sleeve, forcing him to stop. ¡°Make sure you get plenty of rest tonight. I need you at your best tomorrow.¡± He nodded at her. ¡°It¡¯s not like I have anything to do in my room.¡± Beyond the asional drinking session or casual chat with fellow Shinigami and friends, the Soul Society offered precious little in the way of leisure activities to upy anyone¡¯s free time. And today, he didn¡¯t even have Yoruichi or Momo to mess around with. {It¡¯s 1950 outside, mate. They don¡¯t have smartphones or gaming rigs.} ¡®Fuck. I gotta wait another five decades for good games.¡¯ {On the bright side, you¡¯ll be watching the old ssic anime as they air. Maybe the shows in this reality will bepletely different from the ones you grew up with.} ''I hadn''t thought of that. Can''t wait to turn M Rose into an anime addict!'' Putting his musings aside for the moment, Kazuya trailed after Isane as she led him to his newly assigned living quarters. Truth be told, he would have been perfectly content with a simple bedroom ¡ª after all, he really only required a ce toy his head at night. Unohana, it seemed, had other ideas. The residence she had set aside for Kazuya was nearly a mini-sized mansion by Soul Society standards. Boasting two sprawling floors and more rooms than he could ever need, the ce was neatly furnished and equipped with every convenience possible. Chapter 243: Startled! Chapter 243: Startled! After a tour of his new amodations, Kazuya and Isane found themselves sitting across from each other in the spacious living room, a low table separating them. Kazuya let out a low whistle of appreciation. ¡°Does every starting Shinigami get this level of treatment?¡± Isane couldn¡¯t help but giggle at his awed reaction. ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, Kazuya. Surely you realize this is Captain¡¯s way of acknowledging your contributions to the division¡­ and to the Seireitei as a whole.¡± She paused, a mncholic look entering her warm amber eyes. ¡°You know, for all our division¡¯s reputation as the most weing and nurturing of the Gotei 13¡­ we¡¯re still most recruits¡¯ absolutest choice for squad assignment. Not everyone is interested in tending to the sick and injured and cleaning and maintenance of the Gotei 13.¡± Shinigami who came to the 4th Squad were rejected by other divisions, those not suitable for violence, or those who pursued serenity amidst the grim nature of a Shinigami¡¯s job. ¡°Their loss,¡± Kazuya said and leaned back in a more rxed posture. ¡°I¡¯d join the 4th Squad just for this cool and pretty Vice-Captain.¡± Her solemn expression disappeared, and a blush blossomed and colored her cheeks a shade of crimson. ¡°K-Kazuya! Don¡¯t start that, or I-I¡¯ll be mad. I¡¯m being serious here!¡± Kazuya let out a wary sigh. ¡°People are always mad to hear the truth. Really, you need to learn to take apliment.¡± ¡°MaybeI would¡­ if you ever gave me one that didn¡¯t make me want to die of embarrassment!¡± Isane shot back, burying her face in her hands. ¡°You¡¯re just too much!¡± Despite her flustered protestations, however, Isane couldn¡¯t quite suppress the tiny, pleased smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. For all his shameless flirting and ttery, there was something undeniably sincere about Kazuya¡¯s words. Something that set her heart fluttering in a way that was both exciting and pleasant. Kazuya rubbed the back of his head with an apologetic smile. ¡°Do you hate mypliment?¡± Her eyes widened as she waved her hands in a panic. ¡°N-No, I never said that! I like them¡­ but I get nervous when you say good things about me. I¡¯m not used to it, you know? I mean, you¡¯re the first man...¡± She trailed off, her blush deepening as she realized what she was about to reveal. ¡°First man what, Isane?¡± He asked, blinking his eyes innocently. ¡°Can you be more specific?¡± {My partner is manipting her heartstrings¡­} Gritting her teeth, Isane forced herself to meet his gaze. ¡°You¡¯re the first man who f-found me attractive... yeah, it¡¯s a bit embarrassing to admit.¡± ¡°Bullshit.¡± She lightly punched the table with a red face, tears pooling at the corner of her eyes. ¡°Why would I lie about this?!¡± ¡°I guess you¡¯re right...¡± He cleared his throat. ¡°Just so you know, I mean every word I say about you. You¡¯re an incredible woman, and anyone who says otherwise will be my enemy for life.¡± For a long moment, Isane simply stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, all at once, the floodgates opened, and she burst into tears, burying her face in her hands. ¡°O-Oi, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Kazuya asked, nearly panicking at her sudden breakdown. ¡°Did I say something wrong?¡± Sniffling, Isane shook her head, peeking out at him from between her fingers. ¡°N-No, it¡¯s not that. It¡¯s just... you¡¯re nice¡­ too nice for a giant, birdbrained, stupid woman like me. I don¡¯t deserve¡ª¡± She paused as he leaned closer and reached out to pat her head. Even though Unbothered about her reaction orck thereof, he continued patting her head. She stopped hiding her face and wiped her tears. ¡°What are you doing¡­?¡± ¡°Treating you the way I should¡¯ve from the start.¡± He took her hands and yanked her to her feet. Because of their proximity, she had to lean back to look him in the eyes. ¡°By the way, did you call yourself a giant?¡± Isane¡¯s cheeks flushed. ¡°You just want to bully me!¡± The expressions she made just made him want to bully her more. Squeezing her hand reassuringly, he held her chin with a smirk. ¡°As for the thing about you being a birdbrained, stupid woman. Well, some of that is true. You can be stupid at times, like, right now.¡± ¡°Hey¡ª¡± ¡°Momo is also an idiot. Have you seen that little woman? She can be quite stupid at times. Doesn¡¯t stop me from loving her.¡± The mention of Momo brought a mixed expression on her face. ¡°Yeah, Momo¡­ You want me when you already have her¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re both special to me. Besides, who says a man can¡¯t have two wives in the Seireitei?¡± ¡°W-W-W-Wife?!¡± She jumped back, startled like a rabbit. ¡°N-No, you¡¯re going too fast! I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ll see youter!!!¡± She dashed out of the room and then the house using her Shunpo. It wasn¡¯t long before her spiritual presence faded from his senses, reced by just an inkling of her Reiatsu. Kazuya stared at the door without blinking. {Ahahaha! Partner, you didn¡¯t just say that to a shy maiden.} Feigning ignorance to Nami¡¯sughter, he picked up the cup of water and gulped it down. The fact that Isane didn¡¯t reject him was a clear indicator of her feelings. ¡°Progress is progress.¡± ¡­ After a couple of minutes, Kazuya could be seen lying on the nted roof of his new quarters, enjoying the orange hues of the setting sun in a rxingly loose shirt and shorts. Unohana had provided him with somefortable clothes. ¡®Watching the sunset alone is pretty nice sometimes.¡¯ {Did you say something, Partner?} ¡®¡­No.¡¯ {Hahaha. I couldn¡¯t help it. You were being a melodramatic bitch. Though, I admit wanting some rxation time for yourself is a good thing. We can¡¯t have you stressed out all the time.} He ced his hands under his head and let out a long sigh. ¡°Izanami, it might just be Stockholm syndrome¡­ but I like you.¡± {Heeeeeh. How rare it is that you call me by my actual name?} ¡®Never, honestly.¡¯ {Very true.} ¡®Listen, I¡¯m gonna sleep up here. Just guard my body.¡¯ If the hot spring incident with Momo and Yoruichi was anything to go by, he was a careless sleeper through and through. He¡¯d leave the task to Yoruichi, but she had yet to return from her business. {What about the bed?} ¡®Call me spoiled or whatever, but sleeping on bed isn¡¯t fun without cuddling with someone.¡¯ {I can be that someone.} He shook his head. As much as he liked her, he wanted to avoid physical contact with Nami until they took care of her fusion with Tsubasa. {As you wish¡­ Rest as much as you need. You¡¯ll need it for tomorrow.} ¡®Hmm. Something tells me Unohana isn¡¯t so gentle in her training.¡¯ {If Kenpachi Zaraki¡¯s training is anything to go by¡­ Yes.} ¡®I can endure it¡­ probably. Anyways, Goodnight.¡¯ Trusting Nami to be a proficient guardian, Kazuya closed his eyes for a deep slumber. Chapter 244: Disillusioned (I) Chapter 244: Disillusioned (I) ¡°Heading out at thiste hour, Harribel?¡± The soft voice drew Harribel''s attention, and she turned to find Izumi d in a loose t-shirt and denim shorts, looking awfully cozy in the rather warm environment. The former Quincy had settled in as if she¡¯d always belonged here. And despite her clear yearning for Kazuya¡¯s affection, Izumi seemed untroubled by his roster of other lovers¡ªan attitude that Harribel found both admirable and refreshing. Less conflicts among them meant fewer headaches for Kazuya, after all. ¡°My mind wanders every time I sit idly. I need a walk to cool my head.¡± Izumi nodded in understanding. ¡°I can rte to that. I also can¡¯t stop thinking about Otouto¡­ which happens every other minute. I miss being in her warm arms.¡± The raw longing in Izumi¡¯s expression softened Harribel¡¯s gaze. ¡°Izumi, it¡¯s only been a day. Be more patient.¡± ¡°It feels like forever...¡± Izumi said with a sigh before shaking her head. ¡°In any case, try toe back before dinner.¡± ¡°That is my intention.¡± With a parting nod, Harribel took her leave, setting out for her favorite spot to quiet her restless mind¡ªthe bridge overlooking the gently flowing river, the only one in the town. Bathed in the orange hues of the sunset, she reminisced about her times with Kazuya. She had gotten his messages through the Hell Butterfly but they couldn¡¯t make up for theck of his warmth around her. ¡®This mission wille to pass soon¡­ And we¡¯ll be together again.¡¯ Lost as she was in wistful remembrance, Harribel almost failed to notice the approaching spiritual pressure until its owner was nearly upon her. ¡°My, my¡­ you look really sad out here, Harribel. Is yourpanion not around to keep youpany?¡± Her solitude thoroughly shattered, Harribel nced up to find a familiar silver-haired Shinigami hovering above her, his smile no less unsettling in the fading sunlight. He was the only man capable of setting her on edge with his mere smile. ¡°Did you have a fallout?¡± Gin asked, his grin widening a tad. ¡°I¡¯m usually good for rtionship advice but lesbians are outside of my expertise.¡± Harribel narrowed her eyes. ¡°I do not need your advice on anything. Nor do I recall extending an invitation for yourpany.¡± She had little reason to believe the captain¡¯s presence signaled a purification attempt on her¡ªKazuya would¡¯ve informed her of the Soul Society assembling an expedition. No, Ichimaru''s motives were more personal in nature and likely tied to Kazuya in some fashion. ¡°You look calm in the presence of a Captain. Do you not fear me ratting out your location to the Soul Society?¡± ¡°Your organization has nothing to gain from expending resources for a harmless Vasto Lorde, which will severely affect the bnce of souls in three realms.¡± Kazuya had answered many of her questions, among these was the question every Vasto Lorde had in mind ¡ª what stopped the Shinigami from invading Hueco Mundo and hunting down the most powerful Hollows? Gin raised his brows, smiling. ¡°You¡¯re more educated than I¡ªwe assumed. Did Kisuke tell you about the bnce?¡± Harribel maintained her disinterested expression. ¡°If you have no pressing business with me, I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± ¡°I was getting to that jeez.¡± Gin jumped down andnded on the bridge, facing her squarely. ¡°Let¡¯s say there have been¡­ circumstances that require me to meet your beloved. Could you please direct me to her? Pretty please~.¡± ¡°No, Kaz¡ª¡± Harribel caught herself before calling her beloved¡¯s name. ¡°¡ªHas no intention of meeting you. She made that clear when we met in Hueco Mundo.¡± Gin turned to lean against the railing, his gaze trained on the sluggish flow of the river below. ¡°My reason foring here benefits her as well. The Shinigami she wishes to kill is my mortal enemy. I want to see him trampled, his arrogance smashed.¡± The sudden spike of bloodlust in Gin''s aura nearly stole Harribel¡¯s breath¡ªthe man before her craved revenge. A revenge so thirsty that he would sacrifice his life to fulfill it. ¡°Aizen¡­¡± Gin muttered the name, his jaw clenched. ¡°Right now is the best chance to kill him, when he is vulnerable. Your friend and I can put an end to his mad reign once and for all.¡± Harribel had heard the name from both Kisuke and Kazuya¡¯s mouth ¡ª Aizen Sosuke was the man they both despised. An unexpected opportunity had presented itself, one that could potentially bring Kazuya¡¯s mission to a decisive close. She was tempted. So incredibly tempted to agree to Gin. After all, the reward would be staying by Kazuya¡¯s without interruptions. A reward worth going through all the trouble in the world. Considering the risk behind it, she shook her head. ¡°Kaz doesn¡¯t need anyone¡¯s help. She can handle her own revenge.¡± Gin¡¯s smile evaporated, reced by a concerned look. ¡°She¡¯ll never get another chance because Aizen isn¡¯t leaving the Soul Society. If he does, he¡¯ll be more powerful than ever. Just take my deal. I¡¯ll bring him to Hueco Mundo and iste him with your friend. Once he is gone, you won¡¯t have to worry about a schemer targeting your peaceful life.¡± He sounded genuinely desperate, or he was a god at faking emotions ¡ª Harribel leaned towards the former rather than thetter as she was decent, if not excellent, at judging people. She crossed her arms, sizing up the creepiest Shinigami she had crossed paths with. ¡°What if this is a setup to get rid of Kaz? How can a Hollow like me trust you, a Shinigami, to keep his words?¡± Gin turned to face her fully, his icy blue eyes glimpsing from half-closed lids. ¡°No one in the current Soul Society has the power to stop your friend from leaving. She is abnormally powerful for a Hollow¡­¡± She was once again reminded of the ridiculous strength of her lover. In the likelihood she was deceived by Gin and everything turned out to be a trap, she was confident in Kazuya¡¯s ability to escape with his life. Her lips curled up. ¡°I can say the same about Aizen¡­ someone like him shouldn¡¯t exist among the Shinigami.¡± Gin smirked. ¡°Let¡¯s correct that little mistake. Are you in?¡± Harribel hesitated, torn between her desire to see Kazuya¡¯s mission concluded and her instinctive wariness of Gin¡¯s motives. ¡°I will... discuss the matter with Kaz. Though I cannot guarantee her agreement.¡± ¡°Fair enough.¡± Gin tucked his hands into his loose sleeves and gave a smile that was far less creepy, seemingly genuine. ¡°I¡¯ll meet you here tomorrow. Give me your decision then.¡± With a curt nod, Harribel turned to leave, her mind already racing ahead to her next steps. She would need Kisuke¡¯s expertise in contacting Kazuya, and quickly. She turned around to leave. She had to hurry home and borrow Kisuke¡¯s expertise in sending a message to Kazuya. ¡°Gin Ichimaru,¡± the Shinigami called her, prompting her to nce back. ¡°Since we might well be working together soon, I thought you ought to know my name. Until tomorrow, then.¡± And with that, he vanished in a flickering blur of Shunpo, leaving Harribel alone with her troubled thoughts and the looming darkness of the night. Chapter 245: Disillusioned (II) Chapter 245: Disillusioned (II) Sung-Sun regarded M Rose with a troubled look. ¡°Rose, don¡¯t nk out in the middle of conversation.¡± The sudden grim look on M Rose¡¯s face had her confused and worried. ¡°Someone was up there on the roof,¡± M Rose spat. ¡°I don¡¯t sense them anymore. They fled pretty quickly.¡± Sung-Sun frowned, a worry creasing her brow. ¡°A Shinigami, you think?¡± M Rose¡¯s instincts were seldom wrong, and the rest of their little family had learned to trust her uncanny perceptiveness without question. But the idea of a Shinigami skulking about, spying on them from the shadows, was deeply troubling. The entire house, including Sung-Sun, never doubted M Rose¡¯s senses and instincts. What bothered Sung-Sun was the identity of their stalker. M Rose crossed her arms, keeping vignce. ¡°Why will a Shinigami eavesdrop on us?¡± ¡°Because we don¡¯t look like the locals?¡± Sung-Sun shrugged. ¡°Maybe they were just on a routine patrol and got curious about us. I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m throwing guesses here.¡± M Rose slowly nodded, processing the different scenarios that could be connected to a Shinigami looking for them. ¡°Let¡¯s just tell everything to Harribel-sama. I have a bad feeling about this stalker¡­ My skin crawled when I was being watched.¡± Sung-Sun covered her mouth with her oversized sleeves andughed. ¡°Your skin is thicker than a gori. They must¡¯ve been real creepy to make your skin crawl.¡± M Rose shot her a re, clearly unamused by Sung-Sun¡¯s frivolity. ¡°I¡¯m fucking serious, Snake.¡± ¡°I know, I know. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Sung-Sun waved her hands. ¡°We¡¯ll take detours in case we¡¯re being tailed.¡± ¡°I know just the route for that.¡± M Rose tossed her hair confidently. ¡°I have every street memorized. Just follow me like a duckling.¡± ¡°Very well, Kitty. Lead the way.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡­ Meanwhile, Soul Society. The night sky was a brilliant view today, but not as brilliant as the face Izanami had her eyes on. Resting his head on her thighs, Kazuya looked nothing short of perfection. Caressing his face gently, she looked up and let out a heavy sigh. ¡°This peace isn¡¯t going tost.¡± She had a strong hunch that this calm signaled an approaching storm, one that was bound to plunge Kazuya into a whirlwind of endless bloodshed and violence he had yet to experience. ¡°I¡¯m a bit torn here.¡± The conflict between the sweetness of violence and the agony of seeing her soulmate suffer was slowly ripping her apart. She, of course, endorsed the violence as passionately as the God of War himself, but this duality had grown more muted after Tsubasa merged with her. ¡°You¡¯re being moody,¡± she spoke, words not hers but the other spirit in her soul. ¡°Father has grown stronger¡­ he can endure the storm.¡± ¡°I know, Tsu. I know he can endure it. It¡¯s just, he might lose something when he emerges on the other side.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re being disillusioned. I¡¯ll tell him myself.¡± ¡°Shhh. Tsu, have you ever noticed how weplete each other?¡± Nami sneakily changed the topic to something she always felt curious about. ¡°Like you¡¯re the Life to my Death. Defense to my Offense. Assertiveness to my receptivity¡­ Pure rationality and logicality to my emotion-driven brain¡­¡± Tsubasa had no reply. Rather, she wasn¡¯t intelligent enough toprehend Nami¡¯s musings. ¡°That¡¯s not all, Tsu. You make him think of his future and how his actions will impact it¡­ I only drag him back to his past life. I remind him of memories he¡¯s better off forgetting. Tsubasa, you¡¯re literally the progression to my stagnation.¡± ¡°Nami¡­¡± Tsubasa spoke slowly. ¡°The way I see it, we are strongest when we¡¯re in harmony. It also means you and I can¡¯t take care of Father on our own, but together we can.¡± Nami couldn¡¯t help but giggle at Tsubasa¡¯s optimism. ¡°That wasn¡¯t the point of my rant.¡± ¡°Then what was?¡± ¡°Why are we like this? Who and what made us this way like we¡¯re two halves of a greater whole? I want answers, and I want them now!¡± Having the knowledge from his past life, sometimes she dreaded if she was just some pawn in a grand scheme, ying to the whims of some omnipotent entity outside of their universe. The thought made her extremely ufortable. ¡°...You should ask Father tomorrow. In any case, be on your guard. We can¡¯t let anything happen to Father.¡± Nami nodded her head. ¡°Yoruichi is approaching us. Let¡¯s act normal in front of her.¡± ¡°Ummm.¡± After a few moments, Yoruichi appeared before them in her normal form. Now that Aizen knew her identity, she didn¡¯t bother hiding her human form, especially during night when her stealth excelled. Putting her hands on her hips, she looked at the pair. ¡°This horny rascal. He got you to coddle him when Momo and I weren¡¯t around.¡± Nami chuckled before pointing at the rope hanging from Yoruichi¡¯s waist. ¡°What¡¯s that for?¡± Yoruichi nced down, a faint blush suffusing her cheeks as she fumbled for a response. ¡°Oh, this? It¡¯s just... ah, that¡¯s for my training¡­¡± And there she paused, shooting Nami a pleading look that was quite inly, ¡®please, for the love of Reio, do not ask me to exin myself further.¡¯ Nami revealed a smile. ¡°Say no more, Yoruichi. He is yours for the night!¡± ¡°Thanks, Nami. I¡¯ll take him to the bed.¡± A/N: What are Yoruichi¡¯s intentions and what will happen to Kazuya? Find out in the next episode of Dragon¡ª Chapter 246-247: Constricted (R-18) Chapter 246-247: Constricted (R-18) Kazuya¡¯s heavy eyelids fluttered open, revealing not the glow of moonlight, but the dull ambiance of a dimly lit bedroom. His new bedroom in the 4th Squad. Slumbering peacefully on his chest was Yoruichi in her signature ck sleeveless undershirt and form-fitting ck stretch pants. The peculiar position was perplexing enough, but the sight of his arms bound above his head by a normal-looking rope,bined with the sunlight cascading through the window, had him utterly bewildered. How in the world did he find himself in such a strange situation after dozing off on his rooftop the previous night? Even more baffling was his inability to tear through the ropes, despite possessing the strength to pulverize mountains with his bare hands. The special ropes prevented him from channeling his spiritual energy, as if the rope was freezing the flow of his Reiryoku. Though, he was sure he could brute-force through them if he tried to. As though hearing his struggle with the ropes, Yoruichi¡¯s cat ears twitched. Her eyes slowly opened, and shenguidly rubbed them before sitting up. With a long stretch, she shook away the morning lethargy. ¡°This bed gave me a sore¡ª¡± Yoruichi¡¯s calm voice trailed off as her gaze drifted downwards, locking with his intense stare. ¡°Oh yeah. I forgot about this.¡± Kazuya raised his knee and nudged her back with it. ¡°Did I get drugged and assaulted in my sleep?¡± The chances of such a scenario were admittedly slim, but Yoruichi¡¯s unpredictable nature made it difficult to anticipate her actions¡ªmost of which were born from spontaneous whims. Yoruichi¡¯s eyes widened at his usations. ¡°What gave it away?¡± ¡°Wait, it actually happened?¡± She covered her mouth andughed. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything¡­¡± ¡°Then why am I¡ª¡± ¡°Yet,¡± she finished her previous thought, her golden eyes glinting mischievously and her tail dancing yfully. She leaned down and traced his jaw. ¡°This is my way of making up for my mistakes. You always wanted to be sex friends. I¡¯ll fulfill your fantasy today.¡± From the way her eyes crinkled, he could tell how much fun she was having in teasing him. He started to suspect that she had merely used her ¡®mistake¡¯ as a pretext to conceal her true affection for him. ¡°You went to the second division for this special rope.¡± ¡°Only ce where one can find the rope to subjugate dangerouswbreakers.¡± Kazuya burst intoughter. ¡°Do these guys know their special rope is being used for some kinky bondage y by their former captain?¡± ¡°They don¡¯t need to.¡± Yoruichi gave a t response and gripped his cor. ¡°Now, be quiet like a good boy and let me do my job.¡± ¡°Honestly, you could¡¯ve done that without the rope. Unless this is your kink¡ª¡± ¡°Hush now, Kazuya.¡± She pressed a finger against his lip and squeezed her firm breasts against his chest, her crotch sliding sensually against the bulge in his shorts. ¡°Feeling excited in this situation. Hmmm¡­ Am I that desirable, Sweetheart?¡± ¡°More than you can imagine.¡± Despite knowing she was teasing him for fun, he gave an honest answer. The answer made her smile in satisfaction. ¡°If it makes you feel any better, you have the same effect on me sometimes¡­ These ropes are there to restrain you just as much as they are for me.¡± Yoruichi was very sure that he¡¯d take this intimacy beyond her set boundaries, and she would be powerless to resist him. The binding gave her the assurance that things wouldn¡¯t escte to that final, irreversible act. The binding would prevent them from having sex. Although she promised to be his sex friend, she was only going to use her hand and mouth to make him cum over and over until he was satisfied. ¡°Restraints are for the weak,¡± he said, throwing a thinly veiled challenge as though to provoke her. ¡°Are you weak, Yoruichi?¡± ¡°Oh, I am. I¡¯m just a damsel in distress before the Prince of Hollows.¡± And his provocation had zero effect on Yoruichi. She was in the zone, and nothing could stop her. cing her hands on the side of his waist, she crawled back until she came face to face with his crotch. With a look of anticipation, she tossed up his shirt and yanked down his shorts. His fully erect penis, partially from the morning reaction and partially from excitement, sprang free. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Eyes widening, Yoruichi¡¯s gaze trailed his thick shaft all the way to the glorious crown and gulped. ¡°It¡¯s really menacing-looking from up-close,¡± she whispered, her warm breath on his cock sending shivers down his spine. She wrapped her fingers around his skin and gave him a pump. ¡°Almost stiff like a rock, and it smells weird, in a good way. It¡¯s no surprise thosedies look like they will go through a battle royale for this.¡± Tying him up like a prisoner, she was fully indulging her curiosity. A curiosity she openly disyed, yet refused to admit. She gently held up his jewels and stroked his shaft. Her fingers had the same level of dexterity as Sung-Sun, but her movements were more refined. It wasn¡¯t the same refinement that came from experience. Rather she seemed to be trialing and improving by observing his reactions through her sharp gaze. From gentle to tightly squeezing him, she was giving him what could be called a perfect handjob. Abruptly, her mouth descended toy a feather-light kiss right on the tip, his most sensitive spot. She stuck out her tongue and licked the underside of his shaft in a long, slow, upward motion. Her dry tongue tickled and teased him in the best way possible. ¡°Fuck¡­¡± He took a deep breath through a clenched jaw and cursed softly under his breath, fingers contracting in between the rope. But he recovered quickly, watching her as she tilted her head to the side to sweep her hair out of the way and wrap her lips around the head. The first time she plunged down, cheeks hollowed out, taking him inch by inch, he grew even stiffer and vented out his feelings by writhing and driving the his hands intothe mattress, hard. Despite his experience, it didn¡¯t take long for Yoruichi to reduce him to incoherence, teasing the ridge of the head with her dry tongue, taking in the length of him slowly again and again, until half of his length was in her mouth. Her hand glided smoothly along his slick shaft,plementing the movement of her mouth. ¡°Does it feel good?¡± She bbered disjointedly with his cock still in her mouth. ¡°Never mind.¡± He was breathing heavily, absorbed in pleasure with his eyes closed. His entire torso undted in sync with his panting, back arching and falling, and from the way his legs squirm around her, she could tell he was dying to be unrestrained. Dying to grip her face and fuck her mouth before forcefully shoving his seed down her throat. The very thought sent a shiver down her spine, and a bundle of heat gathered in her belly. Her nipples felt itchy, pleading her to undress and caress them. ¡®Oh my lord. The stupid Hollow is influencing me into this.¡¯ Innocently shifting the me of her own growing mix of lust and love, she swallowed hard and sped up her movements. Even though she couldn¡¯t take him entirely, the portion that her warm mouth and rough tongue pleasured was the most sensitive. She popped his cock out of her mouth and looked up at him with a smirk. ¡°I never imagined you could make those expressions. You look so cute, though~. I really want to tease you more like this~!¡± The satisfaction gained from teasing a helpless Kazuya was even more than her usual teasing and pranks. After all, the man she had restricted could annihte her inbat and he could take control over this situation if he so wished. But it still excited her to see him helplessly writhing in pleasure under her control. Rather than answering her, Kazuya suddenly pushed himself off the bed and ced his bound hands on her head. His fingers threaded into her ponytail, and he raised his hips, scraping the back of her throat with his cock. His movements started out slow, more for her sake than his, giving her the time to rx and breathe as he slipped in deeper. Heat had filled her golden eyes, and her breathing grew ragged. Her heart began beating faster and faster, realizing that her wildest imagination was about toe true. Unaware of Yoruichi¡¯s growing lust, he increased the pace little by little. Every thrust that brushed the back of her throat punctuated with a low moan. Breathless, he gripped her ponytail tighter and raised his hips with borderline desperation. As though knowing what wasing, Yoruichi unconsciously gripped his cock in hand once more,vishing it with a few final, slow licks. That pushed him over the edge, and he emptied his balls in her mouth, firing ropes of white seed. Yoruichi winced but didn¡¯t seem to be against swallowing his cum. ¡°W-Why did you have so much?¡± He drew back his hands and heaved a long breath. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you were a virgin? Why the hell are you so good at it?¡± She ced a finger on her lip, smiling. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Taking his cock in her hand, she rubbed the tip with her thumb. ¡°If I didn¡¯t know any better, I would think it¡¯s normal to stay this energetic after ejaction.¡± ¡°Does that imply you have seen others?¡± Yoruichi gripped his knees and rose. Reaching forward to grasp his chin, she held him steadily while maintaining eye contact. ¡°Is my naughty boy jealous?¡± ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be?¡± She smirked at his whiny response. ¡°Honey traps are the basic techniques taught in the Onmitsukid¨­ Department. Everyone there is taught to pleasure both men and women.¡± He cocked his head, frowning. ¡°How many men have you seduced?¡± ¡°Never got the chance to put my theoretical knowledge to use. I was always sent on assassination missions. Sneak in, eliminate the target, and get out. The espionage stuff was for my underlings. You could call it a perk for having strength and influence.¡± ¡°I see. So, when you said strength, did you mean this?¡± She looked confused until she saw the ropes descend from his arms. ¡°Jeez. They shouldn¡¯te off like that. How did you do it?¡± ¡°I just flooded it with Reiryoku. The rope wasn¡¯t made to handle that level of output.¡± ¡°Ohh¡ª¡± Kazuya grabbed her waist and tossed her on the bed. Yoruichi perked up and gripped his shoulders. ¡°Why you¡ª¡± ¡°Shhhh.¡± He also got a hold of her shoulders and pinned her down under him. ¡°You know nothing about me if you think you can toy with me without retaliation.¡± ¡°What are you gonna do to retaliate? Fondle my titties? Fuck my mouth again? Huh? What will you do?¡± Sheid on her back, her gaze daring him to touch her. Her brown skin was smooth and the glistening sweat made her look even more alluring. Her revealing clothing did not look obscene at all because the flowing lines from her bust to her waist were just too perfect. Despite being around beautiful women all the time, even he had to admit she had one of the sexiest bodies. Just looking at her made his arousal ten times worse. Kazuya traced her jaw before holding her chin. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. My retaliation will be unforgettable.¡± Chapter 248: Final question (R-18) Chapter 248: Final question (R-18) Kazuya swiftly took her wrists and brought them over her head. Her eyes widened as she realized his intentions. However, she was a second toote to outmaneuver him through her dexterity. Overpowering him was out of the question. Holding her wrists, he tied them up with her own rope with just enough tightness to make it painless. She was leftpletely at his mercy. ¡°Tying me up so you can have your way with me. Kiddo, I didn¡¯t raise you like that.¡± She felt like she had to say something, or the embarrassment of the situation would settle in, making her react in ways she usually wouldn¡¯t, or worse, she¡¯d be swept into his pace and end up doing some shameful things. Both scenarios wouldn¡¯t be good for her image. ¡°Say something¡ª¡± Kazuya silenced Yoruichi with a kiss, and her golden eyes widened. His hand trailed down her neck and squeezed her breast before he pinched the erect nipple sticking against her cloth. ¡°Ahh~.¡± As sensitive and aroused she had be, the small pinch made her moan in his mouth. Kazuya¡¯s tongue invaded her mouth right then, taking her kissing experience from barely decent to mind-numbingly good. The sensation couldn¡¯t bepared to anything she had ever done ¡ª a ravenous, passionate lock of lips that only seems to prolong the hunger behind it instead of satiating it. She felt like she was drunk without the alcohol. His hand stopped caressing her soft tit and went straight to caress her crotch beneath her tight pants. Slipping his hand inside, he gently caressed her damp lips sticky from her fluids before pushing a finger inside her drenched entrance. ¡°Nghhh.¡± A low, unrestrained moan escaped her throat, reverberating in their joined mouths. Her body quivered in delight, her eyes nearly rolling back from the burst of pleasure that shot through her ¡ª she experienced a micro-orgasm. He didn¡¯t let her rest with just one. No, his ferocious fingers wed their way deep inside of her, scratching her right where it felt good. She felt so good that she began moaning against her will. With her hands tied and her mouth open, she was nothing more than a moaning whore. And right now, she couldn¡¯t care less. The pleasure had removed all her inhibitions, to the point that she was grinding herself against his hand to amplify her pleasure. It didn¡¯t take long for Yoruichi¡¯s vision to blur. Kazuya sensed her descent and rubbed his thumb over her sensitive button, teasing it with just the perfect amount of roughness. Her mind went nk from ecstasy. Then her back arched on its own while she drew back from the kiss and threw her head back, groaning as her best orgasm to this date consumed her. ¡°You foooool!¡± Kazuya watched in fascination as Yoruichi fell back to the bed. She might have the stamina to run for hours, but the bombardment of novel sensations had herpletely spent like she was just a normal human. A haze of lust covered her eyes as she gazed at him. ¡°Kazuya, you stupid¡­¡± He smirked like a mischievous kid. ¡°I never imagined you could make those expressions. You look so cute, though~. I really want to tease you more like this~!¡± She bit her lips, blushing like a teenager. To think she¡¯d be put in a situation where her own words were against her. And she couldn¡¯t retaliate when she was like this. ¡°Untie me now. I¡¯m going to kill you then kill myself to remove every trace of this-this memory.¡± He removed his hands from her crotch andpped at the juices covering his fingers. ¡°You taste delicious, Yor.¡± He was quite tempted to taste her from the source and even more tempted to fuck her, but he didn¡¯t want to take that step without her consent. The wariness in her gaze was apparent enough. Yoruichi once again blushed. ¡°When will you untie me?¡± ¡°On one condition. Bepletely honest with me. Did it feel good?¡± ¡°You already know the answer. Stop teasing me.¡± Heid by her side, resting his head against his palm. ¡°Then let me rephrase my question. Do you want to be with me so I can make you feel like this and more?¡± The prideful Yoruichi needed an excuse just to be his ¡®sex friend without sex¡¯ for a day. If he remained passive, he¡¯d have to wait until she found another excuse to be his sexless sex friend again. Even though her body was ready for the act, her heart seemed to be against the idea ofmitting to the rtionship. He had to go on the offense, or else he¡¯d never progress past this hurdle. Yoruichi threw her head back and let out a sigh. ¡°Look, Kazuya. I like you. I adore you more than any man in the world, but I¡­ I need a little more time to process this.¡± Fearing that her half-assed response earned a frosty gaze, she continued looking at the ceiling. But he held her chin and made her look into his eyes, which seemed warm and full of affection, quite unlike her expectations. ¡°You can take your time. Just don¡¯t make me wait for a hundred years.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s tense expression vanished, reced by a cheeky smile. ¡°Oh please. I¡¯m not that indecisive. Can you untie me now, sweetheart?¡± ¡°How about I keep you tied up until you say yes?¡± ¡°...¡± Chapter 249: Bite me Chapter 249: Bite me ¡°Stop gawking. Your te is right there. The grilled fish is getting cold.¡± Yoruichi chided Kazuya in a firm voice, yet a blush crept up her cheeks as she caught his gaze. A warm, affectionate gaze that spoke a million words without so much as a squeak; the gaze made her utterly self-conscious after their intimate act in the bedroom. Kazuya reached out, his thumb brushing a smudge of milk from her lips. ¡°A glimpse at this golden-eyed catgirl can satiate every need in a man¡¯s life.¡± {If I had a dor for every time you lied to women, I¡¯d have a couple hundred bucks to my name, which is a lot in the current era! } Nami¡¯smentary fell on deaf ears as he had no interest in anything besides Yoruichi at the moment. Yoruichi narrowed her eyes sharply, a hint of annoyance in her expression. ¡°Why did you make me cook then?¡± She had spent thirty precious minutes of her life preparing the dishes, only for Kazuya to barely touch the fruits of herbor. She wasn¡¯t hurt, just perplexed about his actions. The thought of the dishes tasting awful didn¡¯t cross her mind ¡ª she had taste-tested everything before presenting them to him. They tasted decent enough for breakfast, with plenty of nutrition. He wiped his mouth with a napkin. ¡°The meat is three or four times saltier than it should¡¯ve been.¡± He had tried to eat without showing any difort, but his efforts had been futile. Despite all his evolution, his taste buds remained the same as humans. The food on the te wasn¡¯t made for humans. Yoruichi knitted her brow, looking even more perplexed. ¡°It wasn¡¯t salty when I tasted it. Strange¡­¡± ¡°Yoruichi, did you consume anything other than milk in the past few days?¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Her eyes snapped wide in realization. Sticking out her tongue, she rubbed a thumb across the dry, sandpapery surface. ¡°Woah! My tongue also changed!¡± He chuckled, seeing the usually wise and proud Yoruichi ying with her tongue. ¡°The Hollowification affected your whole anatomy. You¡¯re the first Shinigami to not only have a tail and cat ears but also their tongue. I¡¯m so proud of you!¡± ¡°Well, you know what? I¡¯m also proud. I always found cats cute. I¡¯d have taken your Zanpakut¨­¡¯s bullet if Hollowification gave me something like a dog¡¯s ears. Yuck.¡± ¡°¡­Dogs aren¡¯t that bad.¡± Yoruichi leaned closer, narrowed eyes gleaming with a murderous glint. ¡°Did you say something?¡± He licked his lips. ¡°I said dogs are better than cats.¡± The bold remark earned him a re from the golden-eyed former captain. Unfazed, he pushed back his chair and walked towards the door. Yoruichi smacked the table. ¡°I hate you.¡± *** Kazuya made his way to the 4th Squad. Rather than dawdling around the premises, he made a beeline for Unohana¡¯s office. His only business was with Unohana. A bloody and violent business that made him equal parts exhrated and apprehensive. Strangely, Isane¡¯s Reiatsu retreated from Unohana¡¯s office as soon as he stepped foot into the barracks. {She still can¡¯t face you. Gosh, how can she be so cute?} ¡®Don¡¯t talk to me, you traitor.¡¯ {W-What did I do to deserve that title?! Partner, I need answers, or Tsubasa and I are going on a Zanpakut¨­ strike.} ¡®You sold me out to Yoruichi.¡¯ {About that¡­ When I saw her rope, I became a victim of my morbid curiosity. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine Yoruichi bing your sexless sex friend. But all¡¯s well that ends well, right? Right?} ¡°Does sex feel good, Father?¡± asked Tsubasa curiously. ¡°It must feel heavenly if Father engages in it all the time. Even Izanami wishes to partake in it with such fervor.¡± ¡®Let¡¯s talkter. I¡¯m busy now.¡¯ ¡°Okay¡­¡± Unohana was already waiting for him at her door, a half-amused smile ying on her lips. ¡°Isane didn¡¯t want to see you. What happened at your ce to make my poor girl even more shy?¡± ¡°I just asked her out. Before you say anything, I was very nice and polite.¡± ¡°That silly girl¡­¡± Unohana let out a sigh. ¡°She has to be more assertive, else a delinquent like you will continue taking advantage of her.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re worried, why don¡¯t you date me as well? That way you can make sure Isane is treated fairly. You¡¯ll be the bncer of power dynamic between us.¡± Unohana brushed off his smooth proposal with a calm smile. ¡°The insignificant passion I have in my heart is reserved for¡­ Forget about Isane. You¡¯re here for training. Let us proceed to a more suitable location ¡ª to the hills where flowers bloom.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Without waiting for his response, she strode down the stairs. Emerging in the open area, she drew her katana and plunged it into the earth. ¡°Mend the broken flesh, Minazuki (Flesh-Drops¡¯ Gorge).¡± The de quivered as viscous, green fluid burst forth from the hilt, coalescing into a massive silhouette. As her katana vanished, the gurgling flesh sprang to life. Unohana¡¯s Shikai took the form of an immense, manta ray-like creature, its slick body supported by two talon-like feet. A single, unblinking eye gazed out from its face, while countless teeth lined its grinning maw. Perhaps, it was grinning. No one except Unohana could read the creature¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Wow, Captain¡¯s Shikai is cute like her,¡± he whispered, confusing Unohana whether he was being sarcastic towards her or talking to himself. ¡°Retsu, does it bite?¡± ¡°Minazuki¡¯s master carries enough bite for both of them.¡± He pulled back his sleeve, baring his wrist. ¡°In that case, bite me.¡± Silently, Unohana gave him a side nce before shaking her head and getting on top of Minazuki. ¡°Come, let¡¯s not waste more time.¡± Completely ignoring his yful whims was less effort and time than entertaining him. ¡°If you insist so much.¡± He hopped aboard the giant manta ray and took a rxed seat on its back. ¡°I have to say it¡¯s prettyfortable.¡± Minazuki pped its wings and took off into the sky. In the barracks, many nurses and Shinigami stopped in their duties and waved their hands at Unohana, wishing her good luck on her excursion. She returned their well-wishes with a serene, close-eyed smile before taking a seat beside Kazuya. Chapter 250: The Challenge Chapter 250: The Challenge Taking a seat by Kazuya¡¯s side, Unohana¡¯s face returned to her usual calm. ¡°This cold breeze feels invigorating. You won¡¯t feel the same energy when rushing towards your destination with Shunpo.¡± ¡°To be fair, yesterday I rushed to save my neck from you. Not exactly the best circumstances to take notice of our nature.¡± Unohana turned to him, smiling. ¡°I remember you dering that nobody in the Soul Society could harm you. Whatever happened to that im?¡± ¡°Oh, it still holds true. Not many people can kill me when Imit to defense.¡± With his shield and ridiculous regeneration, he was the most resilient cockroach in the world. Trading his offensive abilities for defensive was very situational, but at least he had the option. Unohana, who didn¡¯t know about his Zanpakut¨­¡¯s defensive capabilities, attributed his confidence to his regeneration ability ¡ª a boon for her since she wouldn¡¯t have to use her Bankai to heal the wounds he¡¯d suffer in theing days. Unaware of Unohana¡¯s designs, Kazuyay back and gazed up at the ever-changing sky as they journeyed from the bustling Seireitei to the lush forests beyond. ¡°Retsu, I¡¯m feeling drowsy. Can I get ap pillow?¡± ¡°Isane might oblige if you stop teasing her. Just being sincere will make her ept your affectionate advances.¡± Unohana had no qualms about Kazuya pursuing Isane, or rather, she was in full support of them being together. As sharp as she was, she didn¡¯t know that he was serious about taking both the Vice-Captain and Captain. ¡°But if you harm her in any way,¡± Unohana whispered, slowly turning toward him with her narrow-eyed smile that held a sharp edge like a de. ¡°I shall remind you why I was known as the most infamous viin in Soul Society¡¯s history.¡± ¡°But she isn¡¯t here. You are!¡± Unohana blinked, momentarily taken aback by his nonchnce in the face of her threat. She had yet to be used to his ¡®I don¡¯t fear anyone, not even you, Yachiru Unohana¡¯ attitude. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes. ¡°I will not indulge any of your quirky ideas.¡± ¡°...¡± As they crossed the forest, the aforementioned ¡®Hills where flowers bloom¡¯ came into view ¡ª gentle slopes nketed inyers of white and violet flowers. He had imagined some barren hills with a few flowers, not this rich scenery. ¡°This ce is too colorful for our training,¡± he remarked with a side nce at the stern captain. ¡°I thought you''d choose something dark and edgy like Muken.¡± The Muken was a voided spacepletely sealed off from the outside world, aside from the main tower that served as its entrance and exit. The vast darkness gave the illusion that it stretched on infinitely ¡ª it was a perfect arena for them to go all out without disturbing anyone in the Soul Society. ¡°I¡¯d take you there if it was within my authority¡­ Unfortunately, non-prisoners aren¡¯t allowed in there without the Captain Commander¡¯s permission.¡± {She and Kenpachi entered Muken when they were under threat of extermination by Quincy.} Kazuya gently nudged Unohana with his knee. ¡°I happen to know someone who can design our very own Muken.¡± ¡°Kisuke Urahara¡­¡± Knowing his secret alliance with Kisuke certainly allowed her to decipher his thoughts more clearly. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be hard for a genius like him.¡± Unohana nodded her head. ¡°It will be invaluable for your training. Perhaps I should escort you to the Living World afterwards?¡± As a Captain, she had authority over the Senkaimon door, without any obligation to disclose her intentions behind trips. ¡°I¡¯ll ept your kindness then.¡± {Oh, I just remembered something!} Nami''s sudden exmation jolted Kazuya. ¡®Well, care to share it with your lover?¡¯ {Nothing¡ªI¡¯ll tell you after your training.} ¡®Is it important?¡¯ {Somewhat. Your training is more important.} ¡®Tsubasa, is she lying?¡¯ ¡°Father, I¡ª¡± {Tsu, do not disturb him. His strength has stagnated. He must take this opportunity to sharpen his skills, or else he¡¯ll suffer in the not-so-distant future.} Truthfully, he didn¡¯t stagnate. He simply didn¡¯t experience the same explosive growth he did in the past few months, which was bound to happen sooner orter. ¡°She is right¡­ Father must be stronger.¡± His Zanpakut¨­ Spirits teamed up against him, denying him of this ¡®important¡¯ information rted to him. ¡®Nami, expect a thorough spanking if it turns out to be very important.¡¯ {Ahhh~, I¡¯m so ready for the abuse!} Jumping down from Minazuki¡¯s back, Kazuya¡¯s feet met the lush grass, the vibrant des bowing beneath his weight. Unohana gracefully descended behind him as Minazuki shimmered and distorted, flowing into her sheath as the same green viscous fluid and once more taking the form of her katana. Kazuya took off the garments gifted by Byakuya and neatly folded it. He loved the fitting too much to let it get shredded by Unohana¡¯s de. The cold breeze caressed his bare torso, reminding him of the days of meditating with his Zanpakut¨­ in the dojo. ¡°What a girly body,¡± Unohana remarked with a smile. ¡°Fear not. I shall make a true man out of you by carving scars of glory on your entire body.¡± ¡°Just spare the innocentd between my legs.¡± ¡°I shall endeavor, however, I cannot promise your gential¡¯s safety.¡± He grimaced and faced Unohana before ncing at the flower field. ¡°You chose a real contrasting ce for our violent dance.¡± ¡°The flowers will elevate your focus. I have to make sure you don¡¯t get distracted during a crucial moment.¡± Kazuya closed his eyes, the biting failure with H¨­gyoku and Aizen still fresh in his mind. Had he maintained his focus, Aizen would have returned to the Soul Society not as a living soul, but as a dposing corpse. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. My focus needs a lot of work.¡± ¡°Admitting your shorings is as good a start as any. Anyhow, you aren¡¯t alone in your struggle.¡± Unohana¡¯s hands moved to the strap across her shoulder, deftly pulling it over her head. Gripping her sheath, she drew her katana with deliberate slowness, letting each section of the de glint in the pouring sunlight. The de, like its hilt, was unusuallyrge, more akin to a nodachi than an ordinary katana. Her de shed as she severed the clips binding her braids, freeing her hair to dance wildly in the wind. The jagged scar beneath her throat stood out on her otherwise unblemished pale skin. Her cold gaze collided with him. ¡°When I sense your strength, I, too, find myself losing grasp of these dark urges.¡± ¡°Now I¡¯m losing for apletely different reason,¡± he muttered under his breath, desire and anticipation warring within him at the sight of her ghostly beauty. He pinched his cheek, and the pain that washed over him purged his distracting thoughts. ¡°Well, let¡¯s lose control.¡± ¡°Draw your sword and face me. No Shikai. No Shunpo. No Sonido. Fight me like you¡¯re a sheep before wolf. Fight me like you¡¯re desperate to survive.¡± She pointed her sword at him. ¡°Prove to me that you are more than a helpless weakling when stripped of your sublime gifts.¡± He smoothly slid his katana out of its sheath. ¡°Nami will have a field day today.¡± Chapter 251: A Lamb and Wolf Chapter 251: A Lamb and Wolf Unohana stood at ease, her stance riddled with openings. Kazuya knew better than to trust his eyes when facing an opponent of her caliber. This was undoubtedly a bait to lure him into a killing strike, only to counter and lecture him on the virtue of patience. ¡°Did you not hear me?¡± She questioned, her voice cold and emotionless. ¡°Plunge your de through my heart like you¡¯d do with Aizen.¡± Narrowing his eyes, Kazuya lunged forward, his sword aimed at her chest. There was no hesitation in his movements, as if he truly sought to end her life. Unohana¡¯s lips curved up in a subtle smile as her hand twitched. ng! Her sword intercepted his with blinding speed, and despite keeping his eyes trained on her hand, he could only perceive a blur of motion. Instinctively, he blocked, relying on reflex rather than sight. The attacks that struck his sword were lightning-fast, he managed to keep pace ¡ª the moment the thought crossed his mind, a sharp pain hit his right palm. He looked down to see blood pouring from the back of his hand. Meanwhile, his sword arced through the air and plunged into the hill behind him. ¡°Wow¡­¡± He muttered, feeling speechless from witnessing a short sword in her left hand. She walked towards his katana and tossed it at him. ¡°Don¡¯t get too fixated on your opponent¡¯s de that you lose sight of everything else.¡± ¡°I just didn¡¯t expect you to resort to cheap tricks, given the massive disparity in our skills.¡± ¡°Always expect the unexpected on the battlefield. The price of unpreparedness is your life¡­¡± ¡°I know. I know. Let¡¯s start again.¡± He shook his hand, scattering droplets of blood on the white flowers. The wound began to knit itself back together. ¡°You won¡¯t catch me off guard this easily again. I¡¯ll even let you take the first strike.¡± Unohana gleefully took the chance and lunged at him like a predator rushing at its harmless prey. As their swords locked, she drew back andunched a follow-up sh at his torso, intending to carve her first mark on his body. He emted her defensive technique to parry her diagonal sh. Just a heartbeatter, her sword shed once more. Against his expectations, she had retraced her attack tounch yet another sh with scarcely a pause between them. He instinctively repeated the block, which was the right move. ng! A massive impact sent him skidding backward, his feet gouging a devastating trail in the flowery field. ¡°You¡¯re disappointing me.¡± ¡°Look, I¡¯m not the best with a sword. I fight better with my fists.¡± Wearing a mildly disappointed expression, Unohana rushed forward and immediatelyunched more attacks. Her gaze was distant, almost bored, yet her sword movements flowed like a river, each sh carrying mind-blowing power behind it. Sparkles erupted as their swords shed, the ringing of steel echoing across the serene hills. Be it the rhythm of their swords, the way they moved around each other ¡ª it was as if they were two dancers engaged in a beautiful, deadly dance. Despite holding his own against Unohana, Kazuya couldn¡¯t help but feel awe for the 4th Squad¡¯s Captain. The way she parried him with ease made it seem like every tiny motion of her body was predetermined ¡ª she had dueled so many katana wielders that her body unconsciously countered attacks based on where her opponent¡¯s sword touched hers. Her mastery of the sword was both sublime and graceful. What''s more, she seemed barely focused on the fight, while he pushed every muscle to its limit just to keep pace. ¡°Put more intent in your strikes. Make every strike count, but never be too predictable with your attacks. That is, if you¡¯re fighting an equal. Against lesser opponents, you simply cut them down.¡± And still, she had the leisure to lecture him in between the battle. ¡°I will stop going easy on you.¡± ng! A shockwave rippled through him as he blocked her strike, the force of the impact reverberating in his bones. He was granted no reprieve, no opportunity to counter as a barrage of shes assailed him. Left, right, up, down ¨C her de shed him from all sides with no respite. Her attacks were faster than Yoruichi, and her slender hands exerted nearly the same power as Aizen. Whenbined with her unparalleled swordsmanship, she was a monstrous opponent that he simply couldn¡¯t beat without his abilities. Under the onught of her attacks, he found himself overwhelmed, unable to find a moment to breathe, let alone mount an offense. It was then that Unohana¡¯s sword found a crack in his defense, leaving a deep gash across his waist. Blood sprayed forth, painting her de a vivid crimson. The instant her sword tasted his flesh and drew blood, Unohana¡¯s eyes widened, a crazed smile twisting her lips. Her Reiatsu fluctuated wildly, sending ripples through the sea of flowers surrounding them. A spine-chilling bloodlust radiated from her smile. ¡°Ahh, more! Let me cut you more! Let me ughter you more!!!¡± Kazuya winced at the burning sensation but he remained calm enough to dodge her vicious attacks. At least most of them. A couple made it past his defense and covered him in his own blood. As predicted, the training had devolved from learning experience to an act of survival in a mere minute. He suddenly jumped back with Hirenkyaku. ¡°Retsu,e back to me.¡± Theplete brunt of his charm ability put Unohana in a dazed state. Her vicious killing intent immediately disappeared, leaving behind a Unohana who just stared at his closing wounds. She gave him a disinterested look. ¡°I told you to attack me like you mean to kill me. Or else I will kill you.¡± Kazuya shook his head. ¡°I can keep using my voice to bring my Retsu back.¡± ¡°Now is not the time to develop a heart,¡± she replied with an amused smile. ¡°I have found major ws in your style. You have a LOT to work on.¡± ¡°Oh pray tell.¡± ¡°First of all, you have to deepen your arsenal ofbat. As it stands, your offense and defense are exceptionally shallowpared to other Captains. You rely too much on your observation for openings. You need a backup strategy to fall on when your eyes can¡¯t keep up. Since you are with me, I¡¯ll show you techniques to brute force an opening in a fight.¡± Unohana had astutely gauged his fighting style as well as his weaknesses through the exchange. {She is saying, ¡®You are not using enough violence. I will teach you more VIOLENCE!} Kazuya chuckled at Nami¡¯s unseriousment. ¡°It¡¯s never bad to have multiple win conditions in a fight.¡± She lowered her sword and beckoned him with her left hand. ¡°Come. I¡¯ll traumatize your body to an extent that you¡¯ll be confident in letting your skills dictate the battle, not your keen observation. Once we¡¯re done, you¡¯ll be outskilling your opponents.¡± ¡°Hey, that wasn¡¯t what you said earlier!¡± Chapter 252: The Message Chapter 252: The Message Kazuyay sprawled amidst the vibrant flowers, his crimson-stained figure stark against the colorful backdrop of the flowers. He gazed up at the mesmerizing sky, his thoughts drifting with the clouds. ¡®The sky is mesmerizing vivid, the birds soaring through a testament to the equivocal freedom granted to all living beings¡­ I can just fly up above the sky, can¡¯t I?¡¯ {Stop going off the rail with your delusions!} Nami chuckled in his mind, her tone simultaneously amused and scolding. {Honestly, people gain a newfound appreciation for life after surviving a crisis. Partner just survived the cmity known as Yachiru Unohana.} Nami was right in every sense. Unohana had lived up to her promises ¡ª she had systematically traumatized his body over the long hours of their training, carving wound after wound into his flesh, the intensity of which grew when she lost control of her urges. The endless cycle of wounding followed by healing, over and over, had continuously drained his vast reserves of spiritual energy. And while his Reiryoku had nearly recovered by now, his mental and emotional state was still left thoroughly exhausted by the process. Suddenly, Unohana¡¯s upside down face popped into his vision, her long raven hair dangling down and tickling his face. ¡°Do you still want to visit Kisuke?¡± The mere thought of moving made him wearily shake his head against the soft grass and flowers. ¡°I just want to rest today.¡± He had already made up his mind to force Yoruichi to take on her human form, so he could snuggle up with her warm, voluptuous body. She owed him at least that much constion for leaving him hanging earlier without an answer to his heartfelt question. {I¡¯m the backup cuddle n if she refuses.} ¡°We can also have sex.¡± Kazuya simply couldn¡¯t believe that his actually horny Zanpakut¨­ Spirit pitched a wholesome idea while his naive yet maniptive Zanpakut¨­ Spirit had the devious idea for intercourse. Tsubasa was driven by a curious fascination with sex, a curiosity that children often disyed for knowledge. {Tsu, do that when you recreate your own body.} ¡°Okay¡­¡± Unohana¡¯s piercing eyes turned soft, oozing a soul-melting warmth that stood in stark contrast to her intensity during the training. ¡°I can carry you back to your ce.¡± ¡°Just give me a few minutes.¡± In response, Unohana did something unexpected ¡ª she suddenly reached down, tenderly lifted his head, and ced it delicately in herp, giving him an impromptup pillow. The silky fabric of her hakama felt cool and soothing, more so when he had been lying on the grass for a while. He just stared up at her lovely face in wonder, utterly dumbstruck by this open disy of kindness and care that was a stark contrast to her crazy, bloodthirsty side. ¡°A privilege for today only,¡± she rified as though perceiving his unspoken question. ¡°I say that so you don¡¯t grow ustomed to me spoiling you. I am, after all, not one of your mistresses.¡± Despite her blunt words, a small, quite pleased smile graced her lips. She was feeling an even greater sense of fluttering satisfaction deep within her soul. The source of her deep contentment was the unexpected results of today¡¯s long, grueling training session. Even ounting Kazuya¡¯s absurd talent, Unohana had anticipated him to be utterly thrashed by her for at least a week straight before he could even begin to defend himself. Yet, amazingly, by the time the red sun finally dipped below the horizon, he was parrying her lightning-fast attacks with nearly a hundred percent uracy ¡ª his body and mind had fully adjusted to the blinding, inhuman speed of her de. This growth, put simply, was nothing short of astonishing. ¡®His swordsmanship will soon rival my own¡­¡¯ She mused silently to herself. ¡®When that happens, who will have the strength to challenge him? Perhaps only the Royal Guards.¡¯ The old, never-fully-healed scar on her chest throbbed and ached, as if in instinctive response to her racing heart. ¡®He will outgrow the Zaraki who defeated me¡­¡¯ Her scar pulsed harder at the exciting thought. Yet Kazuya¡¯s strength and potential alone were not the only things that had Unohana so thrilled. She had also gained some invaluable new insights during their intense duel today, insights that would allow her to further refine and perfect her own nearly-peerless sword techniques. ¡®If it¡¯s with him as my opponent¡­ I can shatter my limits.¡¯ Kazuya gently flicked her chin, yanking her awareness back to the present. ¡°Your face suddenly became scarily intense. What on earth were you thinking?¡± Slowly tilting her head down, she smiled at him. ¡°Take a guess.¡± ¡°You want to train me even harder, so that someday I can fulfill your battle urges in a deathmatch.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Ha! Another wless read by yours truly. Do I get a prize?¡± Frowning, she pinched his cheeks and pulled them until they turned red. ¡°This is what you get for ruining my fun.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, even as she made his cheeks red. ¡°Somehow, you manage to be both the most predictable and unpredictable person in the world.¡± ¡°I appreciate your honest opinion.¡± {Partner, you got a Hell Butterflyst night.} Nami dropped an unexpected revtion that made him wide-eyed. ¡®You¡¯re telling me this now?!¡¯ {It¡¯s probably Api calling you ¡®Silly goose this, silly goose that.¡¯ I forgot to tell you in the morning, all thanks to you and Yoruichi acting like an idiot couple.} ¡®What if it was an emergency?¡¯ ¡°She didn¡¯t think about that,¡± Tsubasa answered. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for withholding the information from you.¡± ¡®Just don¡¯t let it happen again.¡¯ ¡°I promise not to fall for Nami¡¯s cheap tricks in the future.¡± Unohana cupped Kazuya¡¯s face gently in her soft, slender hands, her brow furrowing slightly in concern. ¡°What¡¯s troubling you?¡± Kazuya ced his own hands over hers and met her gaze with a serious expression. ¡°It¡¯s about my family¡­ One of them sent me a Hell Butterfly through Kisukest night. My Zanpakut¨­ Spirit only informed me about it now.¡± Unohana studied his earnest expression for a long moment before nodding. ¡°I¡¯ll take you back.¡± ¡°Thanks. There is a chance I¡¯ll have to leave for the Living World.¡± Api, M Rose, Sung-Sun, Harribel ¡ª they had always been endlessly supportive of his personal endeavors here in the Soul Society, despite how long his absences from home could be. It would be a poor showing as their lover to not prioritize their message. ¡°Understood. Let us depart with haste.¡± Kazuya cleaned his body with the help of Reiatsu before putting on his uniform. On the back of Minazuki, they departed the flower field, now partially devastated by the aftermath of their fierce battle. The wind whipped at their hair and clothes as they cruised through the air. Thanks to Minazuki¡¯s speed, they arrived at Kazuya¡¯s quarters in practically no time at all. As Kazuya entered the main hall, he spotted Yoruichi leaning casually against the wall, her arms crossed under her ample chest. ¡°Done with the training?¡± ¡°Nah, I actually left early so I could spend more quality time with you like we did in the morning.¡± He reached out to pull her into a hug, but she yfully dodged his grasp. ¡°Uh-huh. Like I¡¯ll fall for that. What really happened?¡± ¡°I promise I''ll fill you in on all the detailster.¡± ¡°Hmph¡­¡± The sh Goddess didn''t look overly convinced, but she made no move to stop him as he ran. Taking the stairs two and three at a time, Kazuya burst into the empty room beside his main bedroom. Sure enough, there was a single ck Hell Butterfly fluttering around beneath an overturned ss bowl on a small end table, just as Nami had said. Right on cue, Nami herself materialized out of Kazuya¡¯s sheathed katana in a swirl of crimson mes, making the sheath instantly feel far lighter on his waist. Whether it was intentional or not, Nami¡¯s casual, swaying walk as she sauntered over to the trapped butterfly oozed sensuality. It was as if she unintentionally seduced him. She gently tapped the bowl with her fingers and smiled at him. ¡°Silly things can travel dimensions but can¡¯t ovee a simple object.¡± With a chuckle, she lifted the bowl. The ck butterfly flew at him and scattered in ck particles. ¡°Kazuya¡­¡± Harribel¡¯s husky voice echoed around him. ¡°I met Gin Ichimaru today, and we talked a bit¡­ Come to me as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Nami,¡± Kazuya said tly, crossing his arms and giving his Zanpakuto spirit a dangerous re. ¡°Anyst wishes?¡± ¡°Cough. Cough.¡± Nami suddenly clutched at her ample chest and began coughing dramatically, bending over at the waist. ¡°Partner, I-It¡¯s getting a little suffocating here¡­ I think I should return to your Inner World.¡± Nami¡¯s form scattered into a swirl of bright embers, retreating back into Kazuya¡¯s katana. He let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his temples. ¡°Change of ns. Yoruichi, I need to see Harribel.¡± Yoruichi, who had apparently snuck upstairs to eavesdrop, let out a disappointed groan and snapped her fingers. ¡°st, and here I thought I''d finally get to surprise you properly for once¡­¡± ¡°Are youing with me?¡± ¡°Nope, I¡¯m good. I always feel like an outsider when you and Harribel are together.¡± She sprawled on the bed before turning and burying her face in his pillow. ¡°Mhmm, I¡¯m just gonna take a nap here.¡± ¡°Just don¡¯t let me catch you doing anything crazy in my house.¡± ¡°It¡¯s our house now.¡± Chapter 253: Introductions Chapter 253: Introductions Although normal humans couldn¡¯t see Kazuya and Unohana in the Karakura Town, he still opted to conceal their presence with a fewyers of Kid¨­, just to be safe. It may have taken an extra minute to properly cast the incantations, but that beat letting some unseen Shinigami, or worse Aizen¡¯s spies, catch him. As they walked down a cozy side street, Kazuya felt a twinge of anxiety stirring in his guts. He felt a bit nervous about the meeting between his elegant but crazy mentor and his motherly, queenly Arrancar lover. He could have made Unohana stay behind, he supposed, but that would only dy their inevitable first encounter. Better she met with Harribel and the rest today than a month down the line. {Just rx, Partner. Harribel knows not to offend your Shinigami allies and love interests¡­ aren¡¯t they the same like ny percent of the time?} ¡®I¡¯m afraid of it happening the other way.¡¯ {Oh! Yeah, I don¡¯t expect Unohana to react to your lovers the same way she reacted to you.} ¡°Father, look at Unohana¡­¡± Tsubasa said. ¡°This woman shouldn¡¯t harm your lovers, right?¡± Kazuya nced sidelong at Unohana as they walked. The elegant Shinigami was humming pleasantly to herself, seemingly absorbed in her own little world, paying him no mind. It was almost impossible to mentally connect her to theughing, blood-drenched devil he¡¯d faced in the flower fields mere hours before. ¡°Hmm?¡± She tilted her head towards him with a confused look. ¡°Are we there yet?¡± ¡°Just a little more.¡± ¡°Ah, excellent.¡± {Chill all the time, but violent as fuck when the situation demands. Partner, she is just like me!} ¡°Weren¡¯t you having a depression episode yesterday? You aren¡¯t exactly like her.¡± Tsubasa brought up an intriguing piece of information that shed light on a new side of Nami. The side he rarely got to see. {Shush, Tsu. We don¡¯t talk about that here.} Nami shushed Tsubasa from revealing anything. ¡®Don¡¯t leave me in the dark. What¡¯s this depression episode?¡¯ {Just girls talk, Partner. You really don''t need to concern yourself with every little aspect of our lives, y¡¯know.} ¡®You having a depression episode doesn¡¯t feel like girls talk to me.¡¯ {....I mean, if you wanna be technical, it was still private girl talk since it was strictly between us girls, yes?} Nami was being suspicious. However, he wasn¡¯t in the best ce to make her spit everything about this depression episode. Right now, he had to focus on the things at hand, which was making sure the meeting between his lovers and Unohana went smoothly. Soon, he could see the high wall surrounding the mansion grounds just ahead. He took a deep, calming breath, held it for a count of three, then slowly let it out. ¡®Nothing will go wrong between Harribel and Retsu.¡¯ Kazuya ced his hand on the iron gate and gently pushed it open. Unohana looked at him with a suspicion glint in her eyes. ¡°How did youe into possession of thisvish property?¡± ¡°I worked my ass off. That¡¯s how I became the owner of this mansion.¡± {You did good by not backing down. One day of hard work is still hard work!} Unohana¡®s lips curled into a cheeky smile. ¡°I was wrong to assume you murdered someone and imed their ce as your own.¡± His brow twitched at the usation. ¡°I don¡¯t kill people when the alternative requires barely any effort.¡± ¡°Barely any effort, you say? You must have convinced the human with your voice. I still think it¡¯s too eye-catching a ce for your family to stay¡ª¡± Unohana paused when she saw a figure emerge from the distant door. ¡°The housemaid? I feel something is off right about her Reiatsu¡­ I don¡¯t know how to exactly describe her¡­ it¡¯s like something is concealing her Reiatsu from my senses.¡± ¡°Yep, she is using the Reiatsu concealing Gigai made by Kisuke.¡± The ''maid'' in question was of course Ap. Despite looking filled to bursting with excited energy at his visit, the heterochromatic beauty was clearly holding herself back from sprinting into his arms, likely due to Unohana¡¯s unfamiliar presence. Her adorably grumpy pout said it all. Kazuya quickly strode over to Api and gently took her small hand in his, leaning down to whisper in her ear. ¡°Can you do it?¡± Api nodded her head, while keeping her gaze focused on Unohana, and then kissed his cheeks. ¡°Just give me one minute.¡± Saying so, she walked back into the mansion. Unohana watched the intimate interaction with a strange half-lidded gaze, head tilted slightly. ¡°What are you scheming now, boy?¡± Despite calling him out, she didn¡¯t seem the least bit worried. Overthinking things led her to have trust issues, and she¡¯d much prefer history to not repeat itself in this case. He revealed a faint, almost mysterious smile. ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡± She shook her head before turning her gaze up to the moon. ¡°Japan¡­ Karakura Town is filled with souls of the undeparted. Normal Shinigami would feel very ufortable living here.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a Shinigami. Besides, I haven¡¯t seen more than two.¡± ¡°They instinctively avoid you. You¡¯re leagues above them,¡± Unohana said softly. ¡°It does make me wonder though... what are the odds that Shin¡¯o Academy selected your hometown for the rookies¡¯ training?¡± ¡°I was spooked out when I heard that from Momo. In the end, everything turned out to be a big fat coincidence.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± He narrowed his eyes. ¡°Is my allegiance under scrutiny again?¡± A strained beat of silence fell between them as Unohana continued to gaze out past the estate¡¯s high walls, deliberately not meeting his eyes. Kazuya grabbed her hand, forcing her to face him directly. Even then, her face remained perfectly neutral, her eyes closed and lips drawn in an emotionless line. Then a small twitch at the corner of her mouth gave her away. ¡°I get it. You¡¯re just messing with me.¡± Her eyes slid open as her lips curled into a grin. ¡°You can tease my poor Isane but you won¡¯t allow me to tease you?¡± ¡°Jeez, I do it as a show of affection. You¡¯re doing it just to mess with me.¡± She giggled. ¡°Who said it wasn¡¯t a show of affection?¡± ¡°Was it?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°...¡± Kazuya let out a long sigh. Grabbing Unohana''s hand once more, he tugged her along through the hallways and entered the living room. Three out of the four couches were upied by Harribel and Api, the unusual duo of Izumi and Ciri, and the thorny yet sweet pairing of M Rose and Sung-Sun. The harmony between everyone made his heart swell with affection. {Hollows together strong!} Nami chuckled. {Api is such a dumbass. I love her.} ¡®That makes the two of us.¡¯ As one, the women rolled an appreciative gaze over Kazuya, taking in his new Shinigami attire. The sheer tant desire in their eyes was both ttering and a little unnerving ¡ª he hadn¡¯t expected them to find his outfit so appealing. Sung-Sun in particr was eyeing him like a tasty snack, eyes roving slowly up and down his body. ¡°Don''t move a muscle, darling,¡± she purred, licking her lips. ¡°I need tomit every detail to memory... so I can design a simr outfit for myselfter.¡± Her lustful grin left zero doubt in Kazuya¡¯s mind just where she intended to wear said theoretical outfit. M Rose¡¯s lips parted with a gasp. ¡°You will look like a stick in that. It¡¯s better you make one for me instead.¡± ¡°Absolutely not.¡± ¡°What? Why the hell not, Snake?¡± Sung-Sun ced her elbow on M Rose¡¯s shoulder and leaned against her. ¡°Because I¡¯d have to charge you an entire month¡¯s sry for my service.¡± M Rose¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Are you drunk?! No way am I blowing that kinda cash on a stupid dress!¡± ¡°Then back the fuck off and let me memorize Dear¡¯s outfit.¡± ¡°Ugh, fine¡­¡± As the Arrancardies bickered, Unohana silently assessed them with a keen, calcting gaze, as though taking mental notes. ¡°I had thought Kazuya was an exceptional case, but it seems every Arrancar here is nearly indistinguishable from ordinary humans, save for a few unique traits.¡± The crazy captain sounded genuinely surprised to see the Arrancars having such resemnce with humans. Harribel gave a soft smile. ¡°Our physical and spiritual evolution follows the shape of our desires to an extent. In our case, the desires were formed and inspired by him. Without him, we would have remained stuck in a limbo ¡ª more than a beast but less than true humans.¡± Unohana nced at him, an amused smirk on her face. ¡°His actions earned him a group of extremely powerful and devoted women.¡± ¡°Yes, well, let¡¯s discuss thatter. Come take a seat.¡± He made Unohana sit on thest couch and took a seat beside her. ¡°So, did everyone like the surprise visit?¡± Api crossed her arms with a frown. ¡°Not much of a surprise after Harribel sent that message.¡± Sung-Sun chucked the tv remote at Api¡¯s face, which Api caught without blinking. ¡°Dear, don¡¯t listen to this ass. We loved your surprise.¡± Izumi nodded in agreement, a soft smile on her face. ¡°Feel free to do it again¡­ in fact, many of us wouldn¡¯t want you to leave again.¡± ¡°Damn right!¡± M Rose chimed in with a boisterousugh. ¡°Enough about us. Kazuya, introduce us to the pretty Shinigamidy already.¡± ¡°I was getting to that.¡± He cleared his throat and gestured to Unohana. ¡°This is the Captain of my squad, Retsu Unohana. She¡¯ll be lending me a hand in exterminating my enemy.¡± ¡°Well hot damn!¡± M Rose cheered, pped excitedly. ¡°Wait, hold up. Does this mean you might be able to finish your mission ande home for good way sooner?¡± He gave a slight nod. ¡°Kind of. Before we continue, I want to hear about Gin. Harribel.¡± Harribel assumed a stern expression as she leaned forward. ¡°About Gin¡­¡± Chapter 254: Enthusiasm Chapter 254: Enthusiasm Kazuya wasn¡¯t the least bit surprised to learn that Gin Ichimaru had been seeking him out. Leveraging every possible advantage was very much Gin¡¯s method of handling important business. And through his battle against S¨­suke Aizen, Kazuya had more than proven his immense potential usefulness to the sly snake. Kazuya wasn¡¯t surprised about Gin seeking him out. Using every card at hand was very much Gin¡¯s way of handling business. Through his battle with Aizen, Kazuya had shown the potential to be of use to Gin. ¡°Why would Gin betray Aizen now? Is it because Aizen without Shikai isn¡¯t a worthy leader in Gin¡¯s eyes, and he wants to get rid of Aizen?¡± While Kazuya found Gin¡¯s proposal to be sensible given the situation, Unohana seemed utterly baffled by this abrupt shift in Gin¡¯s apparent loyalties. But her confusion was understandable ¡ª after all, she had always viewed Gin as being Aizen¡¯s closest aplice and confidant, even more so than the blindly devoted Kaname T¨­sen. For a brief moment, Kazuya considered sharing what he knew of Gin¡¯s rather tragic origin story, to help Unohana grasp his true motivations... but he quickly dismissed the notion. There was simply nothing to gain by making her sympathetic towards Gin Ichimaru. ¡°Gin probably wasn¡¯t on Aizen¡¯s side from the beginning,¡± Kazuya said. ¡°Or it could be the other way around. Their rtionship is irrelevant for us. What we should focus on is Gin¡¯s promise of isting Aizen in Hueco Mundo.¡± Although he trusted Unohana¡¯s skills, she was from the most optimal choice for the task she volunteered for. Gin, on the other hand, would have a much easier time convincing Aizen to leave the Soul Society. ¡°One moment, Kazuya,¡± Unohana said, holding up a hand. To his surprise, she pivoted on the couch to sit in the traditional seiza position, as if preparing for a formal tea ceremony. Clearly, she wasn¡¯tfortable sitting on the couch in her uniform. ¡°We don¡¯t need Ichimaru¡¯s help. The n I had is full-proof.¡± The confidence in her voice piqued his interest. ¡°Well, care to share your game n?¡± Unohana put a finger on her lips. ¡°The threat of Arrancars is still fresh on everyone¡¯s minds. Captain Commander will initiate an assignment to assess the Arrancars forces in Hueco Mundo, as it¡¯ll prevent invasions in the future.¡± Kazuya leaned forward, listening intently. ¡°And...?¡± ¡°Let me finish,¡± Unohana chided with a solemn expression. ¡°At the discussion for the mission, I¡¯ll pitch Captain Ky¨­raku and Aizen as the main leaders for the assignment, with Isane and you providing support. If I were in Aizen¡¯s shoes, I¡¯d jump at the opportunity to get rid of a Captain as well as the most unpredictable variable in the Soul Society ¡ª you.¡± {For a battle-maniac, she sure has good intellect. The saying about wisdoming with age wasn¡¯t wrong after all.} Kazuya shook his head. ¡°We can¡¯t rely on your n.¡± He could see a w in her n ¡ª a hole greater than the biggest Hollow hole in any Hollow. Unohana frowned skeptically, looking mildly discontent about his quick dismissal. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Aizen¡¯s ego won¡¯t be satisfied without everyone acknowledging his superiority, that he was right in his pursuit to overthrow the Soul King. He won¡¯t get that if the captains aren¡¯t around. Only their submission and recognition will satisfy him. After all, he doesn¡¯t just want to rule... he wants to be worshiped as a God.¡± A stunned silence fell over the room as Kazuya finished his blunt assessment of Aizen¡¯s sinister worldview. He could see the surprise flickering across the faces of his beloved Arrancar family. Unohana fell silent as well, contemting the implications of what he had said. On the other side, M Rose scrunched her nose. ¡°Aizen reminds me of Barragan. It¡¯s typical of every person with a godplex.¡± Staying with Sung-Sun all the time had its perks ¡ª for one it greatly broadened her horizons as Sung-Sun had a habit of spouting things from books, and even stranger habit of exining the strangest concepts. ¡°It truly does,¡± Sung-Sun chimed in, showing rare support for M Rose. ¡°Husband, be careful when you fight him. ¡®The person who has nothing to lose is the most dangerous person on earth.¡¯ I read that in a book yesterday!¡± Sung-Sun had seen Hollows bing fiercer at death¡¯s door. Fathoming the craziness of an unrestrained egomaniac was hard even for someone as knowledgeable as her. ¡°He who fights for others can be just as formidable,¡± Harribel whispered with a thoughtful look. ¡°In my eyes, Kazuya¡¯s true strength lies in protecting others...¡± ¡°Otouto-kun will not lose!¡± Izumi said in her most cheerful voice, her bright smile rivaling the radiance of a sun. ¡°Our love will empower him to kill even the gods!¡± Coming out of the shadows of her ¡®Quincy duties¡¯ did wonders for Izumi. She had be more cheerful and less moody. M Rose pumped her fist, swept by everyone¡¯s enthusiasm. ¡°Hell yeah! Kazuya, hunt your enemies and devour them!¡± Api couldn¡¯t help butugh. First Barragan and then Aizen ¡ª her lover seemed to have a thing for provoking men with a godplex. Smiling, she said, ¡°Silly goose will kill this guy too, just the way he annihted Barragan.¡± Their immense trust put pressure on Kazuya ¡ª the pressure to go to any length to protect their smiles. Right now, he felt confident enough to take on the whole world ande out on top. {I like their confidence, but jeez they are jinxing the hell out of us.} Unohana turned to him, regarding him with an assessing look. ¡°It¡¯s a wee surprise to see them having this level of trust in you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m quite lucky to have them.¡± She nodded slowly, then tilted her head, her eyes shing with a fresh resolve. ¡°Kazuya, I¡¯ll double or triple the intensity of our training tomorrow. You must do everything to never let them down.¡± He let out a dry chuckle. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m down.¡± Unohana let out a hum of acknowledgement, finding his confidence to face her quite charming. ¡°Since my n is a little wed, I¡¯ll let you seek Gin¡¯s assistance¡­ just be careful with him.¡± She showed no faith in Gin ¡ª a reasonable reaction after Aizen¡¯s epic performance had her fooled for over a century. He leaned closer to her ears. ¡°Is that worry I sense in your voice?¡± ¡°The future of the Soul Society rests on your shoulders¡­ which includes the safety of Isane. I will not let you fail.¡± She prioritized Isane¡¯s safety above everyone ¡ª above her own. Kazuya looked at Harribel. ¡°Did Gin give any way to contact him?¡± ¡°There is no need. Gin wille to the same spot as yesterday,¡± Harribel paused and nced at the ticking clock on the wall. ¡°In two hours.¡± ¡°Where is that?¡± ¡°The bridge.¡± ¡°Oh, our favorite spot.¡± A tiny smile graced Harribel''s lips, which went away in a blink. ¡°It¡¯ll be better for you to change into your other form before meeting him. I¡¯ll apany you.¡± ¡°Dammit.¡± {Sheesh, Partner. Keep your charm in check, or Gin might end up falling for you like Aizen¡­} Nami hummed. {Beating two of the most powerful Shinigami by genderbending¡­. that''s one heck of a twist.} ¡®Yeah, no. I¡¯d rather not.¡¯ As if sensing his inner turmoil, Harribel shifted beside him and sped his hand in both of her own. Her skin was warm and pleasant against his. ¡°If it¡¯s any constion, Kazuya... once Aizen is defeated, you¡¯ll never have to assume that form again.¡± In any other case, she¡¯d be the first to protest against killing someone, but she had judged Aizen as beyond redemption. Someone who deserved no mercy orpassion from anyone. Kazuya sighed and nodded, raising her hands to his lips to nt a kiss across her knuckles. ¡°I know, Tier. I know.¡± Harribel¡¯s eyes softened. ¡°You have two hours. Can you spend it with everyone?¡± ¡°Hmmm. Retsu, I¡¯ll be back in two minutes.¡± Taking Harribel¡¯s hand, he left the room, leaving Unohana alone with his family, who were all a bunch of strangers to Unohana. Chapter 255: Crucible (I) Chapter 255: Crucible (I) Harribel had all the time in the world, but Kazuya only had two hours ¡ª one hundred and twenty minutes ¡ª before leaving the mansion. Instead of spending it solely with Harribel, he chose to share it with everyone. This way, Harribel, Api, Sung-Sun, M Rose, Izumi, and Ciri ¡ª all of his lovers ¡ª would get to be with him. Harribel seemed genuinely pleased with the agreement. {Partner, why does it feel like you¡¯re an escort for giving them limited time?} ¡°Escort?¡± {You don¡¯t have to learn about it, Tsu!} ¡°But I want to!¡± Kazuya paid zero attention to the bickering idiots in his head, as he had be ustomed to ignoring them. Nothing about their talk was worth holding his attention when Harribel was by his side. The golden-haired woman led him into her bedroom and invited him to sit beside her on the bed. He cleared his throat loudly. ¡°Tier, I promised to do thatst time, but let¡¯s not do that today.¡± Confusion clouded her expression, causing her to tilt her head before a subtle flush of embarrassment colored her cheeks. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring you here for sex¡­ I want our first time to be free from time constraints.¡± ¡°Oh, it was just a misunderstanding.¡± She nodded slowly. ¡°I wanted you to have some rest¡­¡± Without giving him a chance to respond, she gently ced his head on herp. Not content with just thep pillow, she started caressing his hair with a tender touch. ¡°You looked tired when you arrived,¡± she softly said, weaving her fingers through his silver locks. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you leave here feeling refreshed.¡± Her affectionate action didn¡¯t surprise Kazuya at all, as she knew how much he loved being on the receiving end ofp pillows. Getting angel-like kindness from her was just a side benefit of having this double rtionship. He no longer felt tired, but he wasn¡¯t about to reject her. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask why I¡¯m tired?¡± She shook her head. ¡°The cause doesn¡¯t concern me... caring for you this way makes me feel good. This¡­ brings me more satisfaction than anything else.¡± A sigh escaped his lips. Though his view was obstructed by her ample bosom, he could still imagine the warmth of her smile ¡ª the smile that always made him feel warm and fuzzy inside. Harribel kept showering him with affection as the minutes slipped away. ¡°Sheesh, Tier. You¡¯re spoiling me too much. Is it a ploy to always keep me here?¡± He was obviously teasing her ¡ª an old habit that won¡¯t ever go away. Leaning over slightly, she locked eyes with him. ¡°I¡¯ll be happy if you decide to stay.¡± In fact, everyone in the family would prefer he stopped going to the Soul Society and risking his life. They could find a new home far away from the reach of the Soul Society and Aizen and spend a peaceful life. Harribel, of course, kept her thoughts private. But she couldn¡¯t hide her internal conflict from him ¡ª he saw every emotion reflected in her deep eyes. With a smile, he held her hand. ¡°I promise I¡¯ll stay with you all after this is over.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t feel forced to relinquish your freedom for us,¡± Harribel said as she gently patted his face. ¡°Api, Rose, Sung-Sun, Ciri, Izumi¡­ we all want you to be happy. Everyone will be heartbroken if you were to lose your own heart because of everything happening in the Soul Society.¡± ¡°I have the best lovers¡­ it makes me a little guilty for forcing everyone to go along with my whims.¡± Harribel grabbed his cheeks tightly, effectively shutting him up. ¡°You aren¡¯t forcing anyone¡­ A smallpromise is nothingpared to the happiness you bring us.¡± Her stern tone had him speechlessly amused. After all, she had never scolded him with this much intensity. ¡°Kazuya, you¡¯re the central pir of our family. Our happiness hinges on yours¡­¡± Just as she finished speaking, the door creaked open, and Sung-Sun strolled into the room with a confident gait. She kneeled before the bed and yfully poked his face. ¡°Darling, you¡¯re the core of my universe, the words that paint the pages of a book. Without you I¡¯m nk, colorless.¡± She leaned down and pecked his lips. ¡°Without you I¡¯m just¡­ Hollow.¡± After hearing Harribel¡¯s impressive talk, Sung-Sun felt like she had to add something of her own and frankly convey his importance in his life. She did just that with her most straight face and her most calming voice. Kazuya felt every bit of their affection for him, which could be simply described as borderline obsessive. ¡°Wife, I¡ª¡± ¡°Shhh, I already know the depth of your love surpasses the Mariana Trench.¡± {Partner, Lisa infected her mind with trash romance stories. What a tragic fate¡­} Kazuya moved her finger from his lip and sat up from Harribel¡¯sp. ¡°Wife, I was asking for something to eat. I¡¯m starving.¡± Sung-Sun covered her mouth and giggled. ¡°Cheeky as always.¡± He pulled her up and hugged her lithe figure. ¡°You girls don¡¯t have to worry about anything. I¡¯m not letting anything happen to me before I take Harribel.¡± Sung-Sun turned to Harribel. ¡°Then it¡¯s decided. Harribel-sama must stay virgin forever for my dear husband¡¯s safety.¡± Kazuya bit Sung-Sun¡¯s nape, causing her to yelp adorably. ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of time before I pin Tier down and im her. Nobody can stop me.¡± ¡°Not even Harribel-sama herself?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Howe I didn¡¯t know my husband was into kinky force y?!¡± Harribel looked at the two with a slight smile. ¡°Kazuya, forgive me¡­ but I can¡¯t let you touch me for at least a hundred years. By that time, our family would be strong enough to protect you from anything.¡± Harribel was, of course, teasing him, and her smile was the clear sign of her mischief. He was still speechless by the confidence in her voice. Using the opportunity, Sung-Sun suddenly pushed him down on the bed and straddled his waist. ¡°Husband, Harribel-sama enjoys teasing others now. She is learning from the best husband and wife in the world.¡± ¡°True. By the way, why are we in this position?¡± He wasn¡¯t dumb enough to not know Sung-Sun¡¯s intentions. Her sheer lust was greater than Api and M Rose¡¯sbined. She wasn¡¯t the type to let a great opportunity slide by. Licking her lips, she revealed a predatory smile. ¡°Because¡­¡± She unzipped her baggy jacket and took it off in one smooth motion. Tracing her hands up her waist, she cupped her covered breasts and twisted her figure. ¡°Husband, sex?¡± Chapter 256: Crucible (II) Chapter 256: Crucible (II) The morning with Yoruichi had left Kazuya quite unsatisfied. Twenty minutes of pure bliss with Sung-Sun wouldpletely flip his mood, but he felt a bit strange about having sex when Unohana sat just a floor below him. ¡®It can¡¯t be now.¡¯ As he opened his mouth to reject her, he saw Harribel pick up Sung-Sun¡¯s jacket from the ground and put it back on her. Harribel wrapped her arms around Sung-Sun¡¯s waist and pulled up the zipper, covering the lewd snake in her baggy jacket. ¡°Save it for another time. Kazuya is tired today.¡± Sung-Sun gave Harribel a wide-eyed look. ¡°Look at Husband¡¯s eyes. Are those the eyes of a tired person? No, they are the eyes of a man who can¡¯t wait to ravage his wife!¡± Kazuya cleared his throat. ¡°Tier is right. I had a brutal training session with Retsu.¡± Sung-Sun ced a finger on her lips. ¡°I can do the moving part and the cleaning after. You just have to lie there and enjoy¡ª¡± Harribel pulled at Sung-Sun¡¯s ear, twisting it until Sung-Sun got off him. ¡°No means no.¡± Sung-Sun faked a sob. ¡°Hic¡­ No sex today but triple sex when you return next time. Promise?¡± ¡°Million yen promise.¡± ¡°Be mindful of the time.¡± Harribel ruffled Sung-Sun¡¯s hair before waving at him. ¡°In twenty minutes, I¡¯ll send Api with some food.¡± As soon as the door closed, Sung-Sun returned to her previous position. She leaned down and began taking off his kimono. Theck of exnation for her aggression left him confused. Sung-Sun was capable of many things but disobeying Harribel wasn¡¯t one of them. ¡°Wife, we made a promise to Tier.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not breaking any. Just cooperate, Husband!¡± Sung-Sun peeled off his shirt and made him lie on his front. ¡°Good. I¡¯ll be back in a second.¡± She hurriedly dashed out of the room. Keenly listening to her footsteps, he knew she headed back to her room. ¡®What is she gonna do?¡¯ As he waited for her return, his heart pounded with a sense of anticipation. {Is she going to perform a cosy BJ?} ¡®Unlikely.¡¯ Sung-Sun returned not long after, carrying a vial of greenish liquid with a higher consistency than water. She poured a good amount in her palm and rubbed her hands, approaching Kazuya with a slightly devious smirk. ¡°Wife, what is that?¡± ¡°Grapeseed oil. It¡¯s great for soothing tired muscles and relieving fatigue. Don¡¯t worry, Husband. Lisa taught me very well!¡± With a cheerful yelp, she straddled his lower back, adjusting until she found afortable enough spot for her butt. Then Sung-Sun¡¯s hands, slick with the oil, began to work their magic on his tense shoulders. Her touch was firm but gentle, kneading his muscles. ¡°Lisa taught you, huh?¡± Kazuya murmured, his voice slightly muffled by the pillow beneath his head. ¡°I thought she was only capable of teaching ero stuff. Guess I underestimated her.¡± Sung-Sun chuckled softly, her fingers dancing along his back. ¡°She has grown from her erotic obsession¡­ she is now obsessed with you like everyone here. And admit it. Despite all her ws, you adore that silly bitch.¡± The warmth of the oil and the rhythmic motion of Sung-Sun¡¯s hands sent waves of rxation through Kazuya¡¯s body. The tension he didn¡¯t realize he had been holding onto began to melt away. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to fully sink into the sensation. ¡°She is a fun woman to be around. Where is she, anyway?¡± She leaned down, pressing a kiss to the nape of his neck. ¡°Training at Kisuke¡¯s new base with her masked friends. You and Izumi sparked something in her to get stronger.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t just us. She also met Nanao recently.¡± She hummed as she moved down his back, putting more pressure on his muscles using her thumbs. ¡°Lisa cares a great deal about that girl¡­ Husband, forget everything about the world and rx your body¡­ show me how much you trust your wife.¡± ¡°As you wish.¡± He did as she said, allowing himself to let go of all the tensions. Her diligent efforts ramped up. Each stroke, each press of her fingers, made him feel more and more at peace. Time seemed to slow down, the world outside the room fading into insignificance. It was just the two of them, sharing a quiet, intimate moment that required no words. Lying there on the bed, he basked in the simple pleasure of Sung-Sun¡¯s touch. Kazuya and Sung-Sun were brought back to reality when the door opened. As he turned his head, he caught sight of Api, who was wearing a maid dress and holding a te. Api paused for a moment, as if taken aback by the sight of Sung-Sun, of all people, giving him a massage. ¡°Time¡¯s up, Snake.¡± Sung-Sun rubbed his back with a towel before she got off his back. She gave a firm pat on his butt and turned towards Api. ¡°Have fun, you two~.¡± ¡°Bye, Snakie.¡± Api waved, holding a te in her hand. ¡°Kazuya, let¡¯s eat!¡± He sat up and stretched his muscles, which felt better than ever. Suddenly, he was hit with an enticing aroma. ¡°Hmmm. I¡¯m guessing chicken.¡± Api smiled. ¡°Yeah. You¡¯ll absolutely love it.¡± ¡°What are you waiting for then? Give it to me!¡± ¡°Be patient, jeez.¡± Api put down the te before him. His eyes were immediately drawn to the beautifully presented golden-brown cutlets on the white te, which was in stark contrast to the white rice upying the other half of the te. ¡°This looks delicious. Did you¡ª¡± ¡°I got it from a restaurant.¡± Api shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m working on improving... Enough about that. Say Aaaa.¡± Taking the chopstick, Api dipped a piece of chicken into the sauce and brought it to him. He unabashedly ate from her hand, savoring the juicy chicken peppered with spicy seasoning and tangy sauce. ¡°Hmmm. This is nice.¡± ¡°Heh. I knew you¡¯d like this.¡± Api revealed a boastful smirk and brought another piece to his mouth. ¡°Oi, Kazuya. Are most Shinigami in the Soul Society around the level of Adjuchas?¡± The only people she met from the Soul Society were Visored, Captains, or Vice-Captains. It had painted the wrong picture in her mind. She mistook the Soul Society as this massive organization stacked to the brim with powerful Shinigami. ¡°No, ny percent can¡¯t even kill a normal Hollow on their own. It¡¯s only the ten percent that are a pain in the ass.¡± Api frowned. ¡°That¡¯s so pathetic. I expected more from them.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°What would happen if the Hollows united and attacked the Soul Society in perfect coordination? Do Hollows stand a chance?¡± Kazuya contemted her question for a second. ¡°It¡¯s possible if someone took out the big hitters on the Soul Society¡¯s side. Why are you asking, though?¡± Api¡¯s eyes gleamed menacingly as she smirked. ¡°So there¡¯s a chance¡­¡± ¡°Dear Deer, are you nning to lead an attack on the Soul Society?¡± Chapter 257: Crucible (III) Chapter 257: Crucible (III) Api hurriedly shook her head at Kazuya¡¯s direct question. ¡°Why will I be hostile towards the organization that took my lover away from me? I don¡¯t have any bitter resentment for sleeping alone in my bed while reminiscing about the old days¡­ AND I never feel annoyed every time I see loving couples on the street.¡± She topped off her passive aggressivements with a nice, gentle shove of a spoon full of rice in his mouth. As she removed the spoon, he chuckled, despite knowing that it¡¯d piss off Api even more. He couldn¡¯t help it when she was acting so adorable. A deep frown formed on her face. ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± ¡°Nothing. Come here.¡± He gently took the te from her hand, setting it aside, before pulling her close into his embrace. ¡°I know it¡¯s my fault.¡± She buried her face in his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her cheek. ¡°No, it¡¯s not. You won¡¯t go away if the Soul Society didn¡¯t exist. It¡¯s their fault. They should stop existing.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t hate the sword, hate the hand that wields it,¡± he whispered. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for making you feel lonely.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll forgive you on one condition.¡± ¡°Api has learned negotiation¡­ My peaceful life is just over.¡± She bit his chest as her arms wrapped around him tightly. ¡°Come back sooner this time¡­ or I¡¯ll wage war on the Soul Society. I¡¯m dead serious.¡± ¡°I will.¡± For the rest of his twenty minutes, he showered her with affection, making her forget every resentment. Right as the twenty minutes ended, M Rose showed up, wearing a blue string bikini with yellow floral patterns. M Rose yfully tugged at the strings of her bikini, posing in a way that highlighted her toned abs and stunning, slender legs. ¡°Honey, let¡¯s go for a dive. This kitty is thirsty!¡± She separated from him, shaking her head in disappointment. ¡°You got to stop spoiling this weirdo. She¡¯ll get out of hand one day.¡± The intention behind her words was crystal clear ¡ª she wanted to provoke a strong reaction from M Rose. M Rose pped the wall, making the entire room shake from her fury. ¡°Fuck off, Api. It¡¯s my time. I can do whatever the hell I want.¡± Stepping away from the bed, Api confronted M Rose head-on. ¡°Who the fuck swims at this hour?¡± The lioness red at the deer. ¡°I DO! Do you have a problem with ME?¡± Api flexed her fingers, cracking her knuckles, and twisted her neck. ¡°Let¡¯s settle it with a duel, then. I¡¯ll beat the crap out of you.¡± M Rose snorted. ¡°We¡¯ll settle it tomorrow. I¡¯m gonna go swimming today.¡± Api bumped shoulders with the lioness as she walked towards the door. Just as the door closed, M Rose lunged at him and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a bear-like hug that could have squeezed the life out of any normal human being. ¡°Kazuyaaaaa.¡± She stepped back and gave a wide smile. ¡°Did you feel that? My arms are stronger than ever!¡± ¡°You nearly killed me with your grip. What¡¯s your secret?¡± She thumped her chest before cing her hands on her waist. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I woke up with this feeling, like I could crush anything with my bare hands. Sung-Sun said I¡¯m getting crazier. Do you think I¡¯m getting crazier?¡± He shook his head. ¡°Nah.¡± ¡°My response exactly. Snake needs to stop being so self-centered. Anyway, let¡¯s stop wasting time. We have some swimming to do!¡± Kazuya took his Shinigami outfit before the excited lioness dragged him down the stairs. What awaited him in the swimming pool nearly blew his mind away. Sitting on the edge of the pool and waving her legs like a child was Ciri, wearing a ck revealing swimsuit. The ck color certainly matched her goth vibes. As though noticing his gaze, she leaned back with a smirk. ¡°Ka-zu-ya. Fran-ces-ka.¡± {She¡¯s a goner¡­ so is my beloved. Rest in peace.} ¡°Huh? Izanami, what are you talking about?¡± M Rose snatched his uniform. ¡°I¡¯m gonna hang it in your room. Be right back!¡± She darted away, making her sneaky n to put him and Ciri in the same ce just in obvious. ¡°She is unstable.¡± Ciri chuckled as she patted the ground beside her, motioning him to sit with her. ¡°Come over, Leader.¡± ¡­ Meanwhile, Unohana watched as Api, the third woman, returned to the living room. None of them had anything negative to say about the arrangement, as if they were content with any decision Kazuya made for them. ¡®It must be the reason he cares so much about them.¡¯ Harribel calmly patted the empty seat beside her. ¡°Api.¡± Api sighed and plopped beside Harribel. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°You look happier. He must¡¯veforted you.¡± Api¡¯s eyes widened at the unexpectedment. ¡°W-What do you mean? We just talked about the Soul Society.¡± Harribel narrowed her eyes, looking skeptical. ¡°I believe you.¡± ¡°Like hell you do!¡± A soft chuckle escaped Harribel¡¯s lips. ¡°Sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to tease you.¡± ¡°I believe you.¡± ¡°...¡± After a moment of silence, Harribel turned to Unohana. ¡°I hope you aren¡¯t feeling bored.¡± Unohana shook her head. ¡°Observing the bonds between you and others is quite fun actually. I nearly forgot youdies were Hollows.¡± Far from nearly, she hadpletely forgotten about Harribel and others being Hollows. While a bit odd and quirky, they could easily pass as a family in the Living World. If it wasn¡¯t for Kazuya, she would have never allowed them to live like this. Izumi nodded her head. ¡°I forget about it too sometimes. It¡¯s not half bad sharing a house with them¡­ they are all very sweet in their own way.¡± ¡°Sharing? You aren¡¯t a Hollow?¡± Izumi tilted her head before she let out a giggle. ¡°You¡¯re mistaken. I¡¯m just a normal human girl who fell in love with Kazuya.¡± Unohana once again looked at Izumi, probing the brown-haireddy¡¯s Reiatsu with her senses. She couldn¡¯t find much difference in Izumi and every other Hollows¡¯ Reiatsu in the room. Kisuke¡¯s concealment tech was throwing off her senses. ¡°Quincy is the right word to describe her,¡± Api said. ¡°Also, she didn¡¯t fall in love. She became obsessed with the man she once called her younger brother.¡± Izumi scratched her cheek, clearly embarrassed to have her secret spilled in front of the guest. ¡°Api, you didn¡¯t have to say it like that.¡± Sung-Sun burst into giggles. ¡°Dear god, moments like these make me feel happy about being with everyone.¡± Unohana chuckled softly. ¡°Since we have time on hand, why don¡¯t you tell me more about everyone?¡± Chapter 258-259: By the glimmering shore Chapter 258-259: By the glimmering shore As Kazuya sat down by the poolside, Ciri ced her hand on his. ¡°Leader, I wish to talk about the thing you gave me.¡± For a moment he thought she¡¯d go off on him for troubling her with the kittens. However, the hint of vulnerability in her gaze changed his mind. She was anxious that he¡¯d reject her. The Ciri before her whole kitten adoption wouldn¡¯t have given two flying fucks about Kazuya rejecting a conversation. ¡°Well, what is it?¡± Ciri¡¯s eyes, usually sharp with cynicism, now brimmed with an unfamiliar earnestness. ¡°Leader, you¡­ This whole shit is the best thing that ever happened to me. I mean it from the bottom of my heart.¡± {I sense an iing smash?} ¡°Hmmm?¡± Once again ignoring the voices in his head, Kazuya redirected his gaze towards the swimming pool reflecting the lights. ¡°Me beating you to near death is the best experience of your life? Never knew Ciri is kinky like that.¡± She gazed at him nkly, clearly unamused by his attempt to lighten the mood. ¡°I did not mention that moment. Gosh, why do you like teasing your women?¡± Every time she was around him, he¡¯d either tease her or someone else, as if he couldn¡¯t resist these urges. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe because it¡¯s fun for me. Also, did I hear you call yourself my woman?¡± A fleeting blush colored her cheeks as she realized her verbal misstep. Regaining her clearposure, she rxed her shoulders with a sigh. ¡°I want you quiet for my pep talk. My thoughts scatter whenever I hear that voice.¡± She was clearly embarrassed but tried to act serious. Kazuya decided to stop teasing her. ¡°For fifteen minutes I¡¯m all yours.¡± Ciri nodded gratefully. ¡°Look, what I¡¯m about to say wille as a big shock to you. Believe me it was a shock to me too¡­¡± She gazed into the rippling water, idly swinging her legs to create yful sshes. To an uninformed observer, the scene might have been mistaken for a love confession. But Kazuya knew her better. Whatever she wanted to talk about was absolutely unrted to her slowly growing fondness for him. She drew a long breath, steeling herself for her next words. ¡°st it. I¡¯ll just say everything to your face... Leader, thank you for fixing my¡­ strange mindset. It¡¯s thanks to you that a whiner like me has a purpose in life¡­¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything though¡ª¡± She reached out and pressed a finger against his lips, stopping him from speaking further. ¡°Stop lying. You paid more attention to me than this stupid friend.¡± He grasped her wrist and moved her hand away. ¡°You and I both know it¡¯s not Rose¡¯s fault. She did notice your depression but she isn¡¯t, well, bright enough to do anything about it. Besides, as the head of this family, the responsibility of ensuring everyone¡¯s well-being falls on me, not her.¡± He tried fixing any potential misunderstanding that could ruin M Rose and Ciri¡¯spanionship. ¡°I wasn¡¯t ming her,¡± Ciri murmured. ¡°Huh¡­ How do I say it? I was trying to highlight your consideration. If you weren¡¯t there, I really could have done something stupid¡­ Like¡ª¡± His hand found its way to her hair, caressing her to ease her tense somber expression. ¡°It¡¯s no use dwelling on the past.¡± ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right,¡± Ciri said, cing a hand on her heart. ¡°Let¡¯s focus on what lies ahead. Don¡¯t hesitate to call on me for anything. I¡¯lly down my damned life for you¡­ if it makes you happy.¡± A passionate deration of loyalty from Ciri wasn¡¯t what he had in mind, but he quite weed the pleasant surprise. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m ttered by how much everyone cares about me.¡± ¡°Heh. Just don¡¯t let it get to your head. Arrogance was Barragan¡¯s downfall. I don¡¯t want that happening to ya.¡± Kazuya revealed a faint smile. ¡°The son of a bitch who can kill me won¡¯t be born for half a decade.¡± {Are you talking about Yu-ha-baak or Ee-chee-go?} ¡®Both.¡¯ Ciri shook her head, clearly not taking him seriously. ¡°Franceska, you cane now.¡± The tiny whisper was all M Rose needed to charge back in. ¡°That was fast. I thought Ciri would skirt around the topic for ten minutes and then take another five minutes to speak her mind.¡± Ciri rolled her eyes. ¡°st off. I have more courage than you.¡± ¡°All bark no action.¡± M Rose crossed her arms, shaking her head. ¡°If you had courage, you wouldn¡¯t be calling him Leader. You¡¯d call him Sweetheart, my dear husband etcetera etcetera.¡± Ciri stared at M Rose, speechless. ¡°What¡­ is wrong with you?¡± ¡°Everything,¡± M Rose dered and swiftly maneuvered onto hisp. Turning over, she gazed at him with a smile. Taking his hand, she ced it on her head. ¡°Pat me.¡± Havinge to expect such brazenness from the lioness, he barely had a change in his expression. ¡°Where did thate from?¡± ¡°You do it to Yoruichi all the time¡­ I want some of it too.¡± He couldn¡¯t suppress a chuckle at her bizarre envy over such a simple gesture. His fingers brushed past her white headpiece and weaved through her dark wavy hair. As per her wish, he patted her head the same way one would pat a cat. Being with Yoruichi¡¯spany had at least taught him to discern between the right and wrong way of patting. ¡°Enjoying this?¡± ¡°Mhmm, it¡¯s making me rxed,¡± she whispered, her eyes drooping. ¡°Kazuya¡­ I¡¯m¡­ sleepy.¡± Within moments, she had drifted to deep slumber. Kazuya continued stroking her hair, albeit with negligible force. ¡°Was she upst night?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Ciri whispered absentmindedly, shaking her head. ¡°My room is only for Yuki and Hana. The male kitten is Yuki because of his neat white fur. And the girl with vibrant orange fur is Hana.¡± Her expression brightened as she educated the origin of her kittens¡¯ names. He couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°How much research did you do for these names?¡± ¡°I just asked Sung-Sun. She chose these names because of their rhyming with Yuki-Onna. Her bizarre obsession with books can be helpful.¡± ¡°Yuki-Onna? You mean the spirit from Japanese folklore?¡± Ciri nodded deliberately, recalling the details of her talk with Sung-Sun. ¡°Yes, the youthful but dangerously beautiful woman with snow white skin and a sharp, piercing gaze. She leads people astray in blizzards and does other horrible things¡­ I feel a huge Yuki-Onna energy from Unohana. There¡¯s something¡­ chilling about her. Am I making any sense?¡± She may have lost her Espada status, but she very much retained her sharp instincts. Kazuya nodded. ¡°You¡¯re making more sense than you realize. Unohana is the definition of ¡®don¡¯t judge a book by its cover¡¯.¡± ¡°Hmph. I might not look like it now but I used to be apetent leader. I was much moreposed¡­ Now, a few words from this dumb woman can tick me off. I have grown¡­ softer.¡± ¡°I interpret it differently. You always had a short fuse. In your emo phase you stopped caring about anything. M Rose ticking you off is a sign that you care how others perceive you¡­ You give a fuck about how I view you, which makes all my effort worth it.¡± ¡°Do I?¡± ¡°Yes, you do.¡± She clicked her tongue, looking spiteful as hell. ¡°st¡­ everything¡¯s because of you.¡± Suddenly, Ciri lunged forward, her fingers cradling Kazuya¡¯s face. Without hesitation, she pressed her soft lips against his in a tame kiss that ended as swiftly as it began. A delicate blush colored her pale cheeks, yet she maintained their intimate position. ¡°You will take responsibility for seizing my first kiss.¡± ¡°Hold on. That was your first?¡± He couldn¡¯t believe an unhinged sadist like was actually inexperienced. ¡°Who else could I have kissed in Las Noches?¡± ¡°Well, you had¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even suggest Barragan,¡± she spoke in a heavy voice, her nose scrunching in disgust. ¡°I never had any intention to join his harem. Yeah, you guessed it right. I¡¯m a virgin who never got to know the pleasure of intimacy. Don¡¯t have high expectations or any expectations.¡± Her sarcastic tone was just a facade. She simply wanted to reveal her experience with rtionships, and he might be her first andst. He shook her head. ¡°You have nothing to worry about. Everyone starts somewhere.¡± ¡°You¡¯re damn right about that.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll still teach you the proper way to kiss your lover.¡± She leaned in, her breath warm against his skin as she brushed his lips with hers. As she drew back, a mischievous grin yed across her lips. ¡°Pardon? I didn¡¯t quite catch that.¡± Reminiscing about her old life seemed to have boosted her courage and confidence. ¡°I said you¡¯re a rookie at kissing.¡± ¡°Tch.¡± She loudly clicked her tongue. ¡°Trying to provoke me into kissing you¡­ Still, I¡¯ll prove to you that I¡¯m at least better than a rookie.¡± True to her promise, she once again imed his lips. She didn¡¯t take a swift retreat like thest time and sucked his lips. With her eyes closed and her expression melting from the kiss, she looked nothing like the menacing sadist he had first encountered in Hueco Mundo. She withdrew, her chest heaving and her half-lidded eyes filled with unfiltered desire. ¡°What¡­ about now?¡± Her whispered question nearly escaped his notice as he was so entranced by these glimpses of her true self, but she reminded him of her reason to kiss him in the first ce. She gently patted his face. ¡°Hey, would you still call me a rookie?¡± ¡°A little.¡± She shut her eyes and let out a sigh. ¡°Be honest with me. Am I worse than¡­ Rose?¡± Her question drew his mind into the sweet memories of M Rose and her passionate kisses. Recently, she had been like a kitten, mewing and licking him during their lovemaking. Ciri¡¯s approach was too tame to rival her friend. ¡®So that¡¯s why she wants to improve.¡¯ Ciri didn¡¯t feel worse for being bad at something ¡ª she wished to be better than M Rose. She cupped his face with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°You will help me improve from ¡®a little¡¯ to ¡®great¡¯. Right?¡± ¡°I will. But any reason to speedrun improvement in specifically kissing?¡± ¡°There is a reason. M Rose has all the qualities I think a good mother needs. She is my standard so to speak. If I be half as good as her, I¡¯ll be a good mother to my kittens and o-our children¡ªthat is if Hollows are even capable of having children!¡± Using M Rose as a standard for a good mother sounded weird. But then again, the lioness was overprotective, eager to support others, and most of all, she wanted to make her family happy. She also improved herself every day through Sung-Sun¡¯s lectures and her sparring battles against the Visored and Api. Kazuya patted Ciri¡¯s head the same way he patted M Rose¡¯s. ¡°We will. Don¡¯t worry about that part.¡± She leaned into his touch, showing no reproach against having her head patted. After a few moments, she grasped his wrist and leaned against his shoulder, moving his arm to wrap around her shoulder. ¡°When everything is over, will you take us around Japan and other countries?¡± ¡°A family trip? I guess we can afford that.¡± ¡°Umm, I want to push M Rose down some mountain and hear her screams.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Oh, I also want to open a pet shop. You know the non-profit type where people cane in and adopt pets for themselves, or leave pets they don¡¯t want or can¡¯t afford to raise anymore.¡± ¡°I can get behind that.¡± ¡°You have to. Fulfilling your wife¡¯s wishes is your duty, Mister Husband.¡± She giggled. ¡°This is the price you pay for being kind to a fucked-up, evil beauty.¡± ¡°A fucked-up, evil beauty will never open a pet shop.¡± ¡°...A half fucked-up, evil beauty then.¡± He chuckled at her defensive argument. ¡°Yeah, yeah. What else does my evil wife want?¡± ¡°A basement dungeon with an infinite supply of bastards and some fun torture machines.¡± ¡°...¡± He spent the rest of his time talking with Ciri and reassuring M Rose had a good sleep. When Izumi showed up, Ciri picked up M Rose. The two women exchanged respectful nods before Ciri departed with M Rose in her arms. Izumi immediately dove into his arms. ¡°Otouto, I missed you!¡± Hugging her tightly, he stroked her hair. ¡°It¡¯s only been a day.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t tell the difference between a day or a month. My time freezes without your warmth,¡± she said, giggling to herself at his surprised reaction. ¡°Otouto-kun¡¯s love turned me into Shakespear.¡± His fingers brushed past her waist and found a grip on her butt. ¡°I haven¡¯t even loved you that way. What will happen after that I wonder?¡± She looked up, a faint red coloring her cheeks. ¡°My heart can¡¯t love you more without it turning poisonous.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t.¡± He lifted her chin and kissed her on the lips. ¡°Let¡¯s go to my room and cuddle.¡± ¡°Otouto, carry me.¡± Chapter 260: Undeceive Chapter 260: Undeceive After gently tucking Izumi into the bed, Kazuya returned to the living room, where an almost surreal sight greeted him ¡ª Unohana wearing a soft smile while engaged in a conversation with Harribel and Api. She was quite vibrant for someone hell-bent on fighting a thrilling deathmatch. Upon noticing Kazuya¡¯s presence, Unohana assumed a neutral, almost grave expression. ¡°You should leave now. And exercise caution when dealing with Gin.¡± ¡°Stop worrying, Mo¡ª¡± He caught himself mid-word, his gaze flicking to Harribel¡¯s face. The bronze-skinneddy¡¯s gentle smile remained the same, but her eyes had gonepletely nk. ¡°Cough, Aunt Retsu. I know how to handle guys like him.¡± Harribel rxed noticeably at his correction. She wouldn¡¯t let anyone steal her title away from her, regardless of their identity. There could only be one ¡®Mommy¡¯ in his life. ¡°Excellent, Kazuya. Are you going to change in your room?¡± ¡°Ah, about that,¡± he said, shifting his attention to Sung-Sun. ¡°Get me something from your wardrobe.¡± Although he was taller than her in his other form, Sung-Sun¡¯s clothes would be the easiest fit for him. Sung-Sun¡¯s eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement at being entrusted with this responsibility. ¡°You needn¡¯t ask, Precious. I¡¯ll make you the sexiest darling in the world.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need to be sexy. Just get me somethingfortable.¡± She thumped her chest with a sincere look. ¡°Then apany me to my room.¡± ¡­ A short whileter, Kazuya emerged from the mansion alongside Harribel. He, or rather his female form, cut a striking figure in a ck, full-sleeved hoodie and dark blue jeans, a stark contrast to Harribel¡¯s attire of a pale blue turtleneck and white jeans. In no time they were at their destination. Gin stood alone on the bridge, carrying his usual, creepy smile. ¡°You came after all.¡± The false sweetness in his voice was masterfully done to lure strangers into disarming their guard around him. It¡¯d have worked wonderfully if not for his fox-like smile. {Nah, Partner got edged again and again without a chance to relieve all this growing tension.} ¡°Nami, you¡¯re taking away Father¡¯s focus. Stop being a nuisance.¡± Kazuya waved Gin off, fully knowing that Gin saw him as hisrade-in-arm for revenge. ¡°You told Harribel you can bring Aizen to Hueco Mundo. Was that true or not?¡± ¡°I have no reason to lie.¡± Gin¡¯s smile vanished in his thin air, and his eyes slightly opened with an unquestionable seriousness. ¡°The real question is ¡ª how certain are you about killing him?¡± ¡°Well, if we cut every escape route, I can guarantee his death.¡± A straight, no nonsense question demanded a straightforward answer, and Kazuya gave that to Gin. Gin nodded, satisfied with his answer. ¡°I¡¯ll look for a way to cut off his ess to the Senkaimon Gate, which shouldn¡¯t open in Hueco Mundo. Still, just in case. You can also consult Kisuke on the matter. His expertise in these subjects is close to unparalleled.¡± Despite being on the opposite sides, Gin had respect for Kisuke. Kazuya crossed his arms. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of that.¡± ¡°One more thing. Aizen has forces in Hueco Mundo. A group of Arrancars he calls Espada. You should take care of them before bringing Aizen there. Should be pretty easy for you.¡± Gin didn¡¯t want Ulquiorra or anyone else¡¯s interference. For that to happen, the Espada group had to be out of the picture during the battle. Kazuya narrowed his eyes. The possibility that Gin was manipting him into eliminating the Espada to clear his own path to Aizen flickered through his mind. However, the chances seemed minuscule; Gin had alwayscked the confidence in his ability to fight Aizen. Gin closed his eyes with a coy look. ¡°Don¡¯t stare at me intently, beautiful. I¡¯ll get charmed.¡± Kazuya clicked his tongue. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of Espada too.¡± Another encounter with the nihilistic Ulquiorra, while less than appealing, was necessary. He nced at Harribel, who showed keen interest in the conversation. ¡°Gin, why don¡¯t you contact us in two weeks?¡± Unohana¡¯s training, wiping the growing Espada group, and creating a device to contain Aizen in Hueco Mundi shouldn¡¯t take more than two weeks. Gin paused for a moment, thinking things through in his head. ¡°Aizen will have his Shikai repaired by then¡­ It¡¯s not like you¡¯ll have any problem with it. Yeah, I¡¯ll find you or this woman in two weeks.¡± As Gin spoke, the gears in Kazuya¡¯s mind turned. It seemed Gin had contemted killing Aizen while his Shikai was out of the picture. However, such a n would introduce far too many variables ¡ª the most concerning being the increased risk of Aizen evading their carefullyid trap. ¡°I¡¯ll see ya then.¡± Gin pivoted on his heel, offering a casual wave as he began to walk away from the bridge. ¡°Wait, Gin Ichimaru. Do you know anything about a freak with long nails named Muramasa?¡± Gin froze in his tracks and looked around with a surprised expression. ¡°How do you know about Muramasa?¡± ¡°He ran amok in Hueco Mundo, feeding on Hollows. On top of that, he nearly killed my friend.Do you know where he is hiding?¡± ¡°Ah, so you were the Hollow Muramasa ran away from.¡± Gin chuckled. ¡°He is now in cahoots with Aizen.¡± ¡°Where is he?¡± ¡°Hiding in the caves outside the Soul Society. You don¡¯t have to worry about him invading Hueco Mundo again. He¡¯s busy gathering Zanpakut¨­ Spirits on Aizen¡¯s demand.¡± Kazuya¡¯s brow furrowed in contemtion. He had to find Muramasa before he began his whole Zanpakut¨­ Rebellion and bring back the Zanpakut¨­ Spirits to their original masters. He also had to orchestrate this as though it were mere coincidence. ¡°Very well. You can leave now.¡± {What an anticlimactic deal, partner. I hoped you¡¯d threaten to kill him in case he tricked you.} ¡®We already know his backstory. Why would I doubt him?¡¯ {You know, you could¡¯ve intimidated him with your alpha energy. Just to be edgy!} ¡®Nami¡­¡¯ {T¡¯was was a joke, Partner. I¡¯m d everything went well¡­} Harribel held his hands. ¡°Don¡¯t stress yourself. Everyone is waiting for us at the dinner table¡­ except for M Rose. She¡¯ll wake up at midnight to scour the kitchen.¡± A smile tugged at his lips. ¡°As expected of Mommy, she knows everything that goes on in the family.¡± She crossed her arms, staring at him with an expressionless face. ¡°I just look after everyone as the second inmand, Leader.¡± ¡°Not you too.¡± She giggled through her nose. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Something about this form gives me the urge to tease you.¡± ¡°What more urges do you get?¡± She took his hands and yanked him, burying his face in between her huge breasts. She smothered him in her warmth while stroking the back of his head. ¡°You being short makes hugging you easier. I wish I was taller so I could do the same with your real form.¡± ¡°This is heaven.¡± She leaned closer to his ears, her warm breath tickling him. ¡°They are yours.¡± ¡°Mhmm. I know.¡± He drew back and took her head. ¡°Would you mind taking the longer route?¡± ¡°I was about to propose that¡­ let¡¯s take the longest route.¡± Chapter 261: Fractures Chapter 261: Fractures After a hearty meal with everyone, including Unohana, Kazuya took the Senkaimon Gate back to the Soul Society. The moment he stepped out, the scent of crushed petals hit him like a wave, a reminder of the ruin they brought to the beautiful scenery. Unohana had opened the Senkaimon Gate here to avoid any prying eyes. Kazuya plucked a vibrant flower and ced it behind Unohana¡¯s ear. ¡°Ending our first date right where it began. How poetic.¡± Unohana clicked her tongue. ¡°A date where the man spends half the time with five other women has to be the worst date imaginable.¡± Her sarcastic remark made himugh. When interacting with people beyond her close circle, she put on a serene, elegant, and kindhearted demeanor. However, in his presence, she abandoned all pretenses and showed her true colors. ¡°Well, I can make up for it now.¡± ¡°How will you do that?¡± He extended a hand. ¡°By inviting you to my house.¡± Her curiosity had led him right into his carefullyid-out trap. Tricking one of the oldest women in the world wasn¡¯t that hard. Unohana rolled her eyes, looking more amused than annoyed. ¡°You¡¯re a smooth talker, I¡¯ll give you that.¡± The begrudgingpliment made him chuckle. ¡°So, what¡¯s your answer?¡± ¡°Obviously no. You can¡¯t handle my killer instincts.¡± She had no intentions of bing anyone¡¯s beloved; her genuine affectiony with the four-foot de resting in the sheath behind her back. Even if she considered romance, she wouldn¡¯tpete for affections of the same man as Isane. That was something she refused to do. Kazuya had his work cut out for him if he wanted to win her heart. He smiled, unfazed as if he didn¡¯t register her sarcastic remark. He gently touched her shoulder. ¡°I can¡¯t just handle your killer instincts,¡± he said, leaning close to her ear and whispering in his most charming voice, ¡°I can tame them.¡± His voice had her entranced, frozen in ce as if trapped in a surreal dream. It took her a few moments to regain her senses and push him away. ¡°Leave now. I¡¯ll return on Minazuki.¡± There was a tremble in her voice that Kazuya easily caught. His eyes gleamed as he suppressed a smile. The half-crazydy seemed quite vulnerable when exposed to his voice ¡ª he had more effect on her than she let on. He shook his head. ¡°What kind of gentleman will I be if I don¡¯t escort ady home at this hour?¡± ¡°Kazuya-san, you needn¡¯t be concerned with my safety. I have the strength to defend myself.¡± ¡°I¡¯m well aware of your strength,¡± Kazuya replied with a wry smile. ¡°I¡¯m more concerned about any unfortunate man who might cross your path.¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t kill anymore,¡± Unohana whispered, her voice carrying a hint of sorrow. Shaking off her creeping emotions, she looked at him and her lips curved upwards into a gentle smile. ¡°Rest the night. I want you fully invigorated tomorrow morning.¡± ¡°Goodnight to you too, Miss Yachiru.¡± ¡°...¡± Once Unohana departed, Kazuya made his way back to his residence. He noticed not one but three familiar spiritual pressures nestled within the boundary of his house. {Our first guests!} ¡®Not guests. Those are my wives.¡¯ Right as he reached the doorstep, the door slid open by itself. Kazuya slid the door all the way,ing face-to-face with Momo Hinamori. Just one look at him brought a silly smile to her face. She stepped forward and meekly hugged him. ¡°Kazuya-kun, are you happy to see me?¡± ¡°Of course. But aren¡¯t you breaking dorm rules by being here?¡± The students weren¡¯t allowed outside the dorm at this hour. Momoing here showed how desperate she was to see him. It was endearing in a way. Momo looked up, shaking her head. ¡°I took Dorm Granny¡¯s permission.¡± In fact, the Dorm Master happily let Momo go when she mentioned Kazuya¡¯s name. He was like a legend at the academy. Nobody wanted to earn his wrath by provoking Momo or anyone associated with him. Kazuya ruffled her hair affectionately. ¡°You convinced Rukia toe with you. Good job, girl.¡± He hadn¡¯t met Rukia after that night. But he knew her reactions would be an amusing sight. Of course, he would stop before she got ufortable. Momo leaned into his hand, looking utterly pleased by the light intimacy. {As a yandere, I¡¯m not sure whether to feel happy or scared about your ability to tame my kind¡­} Momo giggled softly. ¡°I had to drag Rukia with me. She was so embarrassed to see you. I¡¯ve never seen anyone with that kind of blush. Kazuya-kun, I¡­ I think¡ª¡± ¡°Kazuya! Momo!¡± Yoruichi roared from upstairs. ¡°Get here already!¡± He rubbed Momo¡¯s head. ¡°Yor is getting impatient.¡± Using Yoruichi¡¯s nickname was the right choice as neither Momo nor Rukia were acquainted with Yoruichi¡¯s original form. Whether or not they came to know about Yoruichi solely depended on her whim. ¡°Umm¡­¡± Chapter 262: Isolated Chapter 262: Isted Shortly after, the bed was upied by all three women ¡ª Yoruichi casually lying on it, Momo sitting quietly on the edge, and Rukia attentively observing Yoruichi from her seat next to Momo. The catgirl seemed oblivious to the subtle animositying from the small girl with ck hair, or she simply didn¡¯t care. Yoruichi waved her hand dismissively without bothering to move from her position. ¡°Kazu, take the guests to another room. I¡¯m sleeping here.¡± She acted more spoiled than before, partially out ofziness and partially to tease the ticked-off Rukia. Her nonchnt behavior aplished her goal, splendidly so. Rukia¡¯s brows furrowed, a clear sign of her increasing hostility towards Yoruichi. ¡°Kazuya, who is thisdy and why is she ordering you around?¡± Momo pointed a finger at Yoruichi¡¯s tail. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we ask about that? Why does it move like it¡¯s real?¡± ¡°That too, but my question is more important right now!¡± ¡°Uh, okay!¡± Kazuya looked at the friends with contrasting priorities. ¡°How long have you two been here?¡± ¡°We just arrived,¡± Momo replied before turning her gaze to Yoruichi. ¡°Rukia, she is Yor. I met her on our hot spring trip¡­ I¡¯m not sure about their rtionship.¡± Momo would¡¯ve made a connection between Yor and Yoruichi if it weren¡¯t for her cat form¡¯s masculine voice. Yoruichi¡¯s choice went againstmon sense on so many levels. Rukia snorted, eyes ring daggers at him. ¡°This house has one bed, and she is sleeping on it. How hard is it to guess their rtionship?¡± Rather than jealousy, she felt anger towards him for ¡°cheating¡± on Momo. The anger had seeped into her tone, despite her previous oath to act withposure. Momo nced at him, pleading with him to put an end to the undesired conflict. ¡°Rukia-chan, we should go to the living room.¡± Rukia swiveled to Momo with a surprised look. ¡°He is having an affair with this woman! Girl, why am I more pissed than you?!¡± ¡°Because you like me,¡± Kazuya said with a smile. ¡°Also, Yor is my future wife. It¡¯ll be better for everyone to get along.¡± Yoruichi, who had been acting disinterested until now, hurriedly sat up. ¡°When did I agree to be your wife?¡± Kazuya chuckled. ¡°Yor is just shy.¡± ¡°Shy my foot,¡± Yoruichi snarled before lightly kicking the back of Momo¡¯s head. ¡°I¡¯m Yoruichi, idiot. The ck cat is my alternate transformation. This is my real form, how I was born.¡± To further illustrate her point, Yoruichi jumped into the air and transformed into her cat form with a loud poof. ¡°See. I am YORUICHI!¡± Startled, Momo and Rukia exchanged a nce before pinching each other¡¯s cheeks. ¡°We aren¡¯t dreaming,¡± Rukia whispered. ¡°That ck cat wasn¡¯t an old man but ady. A beautiful one at that.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Momo nodded. ¡°Yor Yoruichi¡­ we should¡¯ve connected the dots.¡± Yoruichi couldn¡¯t contain herughter at the sight. ¡°Geez, you girls could¡¯ve discovered sooner if you just asked yourself the question ¡ª why is a lecherous guy like Kazuya keeping an old cat? You¡¯d have gotten your answer.¡± Momo¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I-I thought you mentored him. That¡¯s why you¡¯re important to him.¡± The misunderstanding had prevented her from thinking too deeply about the wise talking cat. ¡°I only taught him minor things. In any case, I hope you all have a pleasant evening. I''m gonna sleep in the living room.¡± Carefree and nonchnt, she hopped off the bed and made her way out of the room. Rukia rubbed the back of her head. She had something a lot on her mind but clearlycked the courage to say it. Momo abruptly stood up and directed her finger straight at the door. ¡°I¡¯m suddenly feeling thirsty.¡± She hurriedly exited the room before anyone could utter a word. Kazuya knew that she had done this to give him some alone time with Rukia. Momo inviting Rukia to a threesome wasn¡¯t an on-the-spot idea ¡ª she had pre-nned everything to insert Rukia into her rtionship with him. The clueless Rukia took a deep breath and faced him. His calm expression made her heart slow down, allowing her a chance to regain some much-neededposure. ¡°K-Kazuya¡­ how was your first day here?¡± ¡°Pretty good, actually.¡± He picked a simple response that would make her feel more rxed around him. ¡°I see¡­ Look, I¡¯m sorry for doubting you¡ª¡± She paused when she saw himing over and plopping down next to her. ¡°H-Hey, you¡¯re too close!¡± ¡°This is close?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± She scooted an inch away, but before she could escape, an arm wrapped around her waist, firmly holding her in ce. ¡°Stop taking advantage of me¡ª¡± Rukia¡¯s words all but froze in the next instant. Their eyes locked, and he gently grasped her chin, drawing closer and closer. Her eyes were glued to his lips, her own quivering as though recalling their passionate night inside her dorm room. ¡®T-This crazy guy!¡¯ She could push him back and end whatever was going on between her and him. OR she could experience that incredible moment again and feel his warmth at the same time. Rukia faced a tough decision, one that might change her future for better or for worse. As her heartbeat soared, time seemed to slow down around her. She felt his lips hovering just a breath away from hers, tempting her into probably the dumbest decision of her life. ¡®He did it first. It¡¯s not my fault!¡¯ From the corner of her eyes, she took a quick nce at the closed door. Relieved that nobody woulde without knocking, she shut her eyes and tilted her head ever-so slightly. The lips she so craved pecked her cheek. ¡°Rukia, it¡¯s done. You can open your eyes now.¡± With a wide-eyed stare, she locked eyes with him, realizing that she had been tricked into an embarrassing situation. ¡°Why did you do that?¡± ¡°What did I do?¡± ¡°You¡­ you know exactly what you did.¡± He blinked his eyes at her usations, looking like an honest-to-goodness innocent person ¡ª the opposite of his true nature. ¡°I still don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Was he being mean to her? Just a bit. The small amount of teasing was nothingpared to his fun. In addition, he was conditioning her to be more sincere with herself and him. In simple words, he wanted her to be more proactive with her desires. Rukia clenched her jaw, shooting him a menacing sideways look. His response was just as unconcerned as before. She shrugged his hand off her back and climbed on hisp. ¡°Rukia¡ª¡± She roughly grabbed his kimono¡¯s cors and leaned her entire weight against him. If someone like Harribel did this to him, he¡¯d have lost his bnce. However, Rukia¡¯s petite figure just wasn¡¯t enough to make him buckle under its weight. ¡°Kazuya, I hate you.¡± Contrary to her previous statement, she couldn¡¯t resist her urges and drew him closer before locking lips with him. And contrary to her rough grip on his cors, she gave him the most vani kiss possible. ¡°I want more. Give me more¡­¡± He rested his hands on her hips, smiling. ¡°Everything in this world is yours to take, if you put in the effort.¡± She didn¡¯t even blink at his suggestion and immediately dove in for another kiss. The moment her lips met his, it was on. Adrenaline zed through him. There were no light pecks, gently probing tongues, or chaste kisses. It was full-throttle passion. Her lips pressed hard against his, and their tongues were frenzied as they explored each other¡¯s mouths. Her ¡®hateful¡¯ kiss allowed no opportunity to escape. Not that he wanted to escape her. Amidst their sloppy kiss, the door slowly opened, its creak barely above a whisper. So lost in her moment that Rukia paid no attention to her friend walking inside. She didn¡¯t register Momo sitting by her side and observing the two with a pleased smirk. Chapter 263: Reasons Chapter 263: Reasons After a minute or so, Rukia broke the kiss to catch her breath. Strands of silver bridge their lips as she unabashedly gazed at him. The slight flush on her cheeks and her wet eyes gave her an enamored look. She seemed to want more but restrained herself. Truth be told, she¡¯d have kissed him for hours if they were deserted on an ind. Kazuya brushed the bangs from her face and ced a hand against her cheek. ¡°Ru-chan, do you still hate me?¡± She nodded. ¡°I hate you¡­ but I like kissing you.¡± ¡°Ehhh, do you also hate having sex with me?¡± Her cheeks flushed even more at his question. ¡°Not¡­ really.¡± ¡°Momo, she hates me but likes kissing me. What should I do?¡± The mere mention of Momo made Rukia dizzy. ¡°Kazuya-kun needs to work harder on earning her affection.¡± And she nearly fainted from hearing Momo¡¯s voice right by her side. Rukia fell into Kazuya¡¯s arms and buried her face, trying to hide herself from the shame and embarrassment of kissing her friend¡¯s lover. What¡¯s more, it wasn¡¯t just any kiss but one of the most intimate kisses of her life. ¡°I¡¯m not here¡­ I¡¯m not here¡­¡± Momo let out a soft giggle at Rukia¡¯s foolish behavior. ¡°Stop it, Idiot. You already know I don¡¯t mind Kazuya-kun¡¯s rtionships.¡± She looked genuinely happy for her friend, something Kazuya had honestly expected from her. Despite all her maniptions, she wanted the best for Rukia ¡ª and being with him had to be the best choice for Rukia as it was for her. Rukia slowly turned her head and faced Momo, who had an encouraging smile on her face. ¡°Momo¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay~. You can bepletely honest with him like you¡¯re with me. He won¡¯t bite you.¡± ¡°Honest¡­? Uh, Kazuya, I don¡¯t hate you.¡± He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her adorable little confession. ¡°Thanks for not hating me.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ I also wanted to say I-I like you.¡± ¡°Thanks for liking¡ª¡± She pinched his waist, stopping him from acting like a silly goofball. ¡°No¡­ I should thank you for¡­ everything.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s official. We¡¯re a couple now.¡± Rukia looked up at him with wide eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it that way!¡± She still harbored some hesitation. After all was said and done, she was someone with lots of insecurities, most of which came from growing as an orphan in Rukongai. ¡°Oh, silly Rukia. You do know that we can¡¯t kiss without dating each other.¡± Her eyes widened even further. ¡°W-We can¡¯t?¡± ¡°Of course, we can¡¯t.¡± She lowered her head, bumping into his chest and just leaning it there. ¡°Okay¡­¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t hear you.¡± ¡°I said it¡¯s okay! I¡¯ll give you the privilege of dating me!¡± Grabbing her shoulders, he gently pushed her back and flicked her forehead. His quick movements were barely registered to her senses. The end-result was aically dyed yelp. Her eyes shone with tears as she covered her forehead and gave him a fierce re. ¡°W-Why?¡± ¡°You were getting too cocky.¡± She formed a fist and punched his chest. Despite her best efforts, she barely tickled him. ¡°You fiend! What are you made of?!¡± ¡°Water, carbon, ammonia, lime, phosphorus, salt, saltpeter, sulfur, fluorine, iron, silicon, and some fifteen other elements.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Momo, Rukia, you¡¯re staying over today. Let¡¯s have lots of sex.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± He cupped Rukia¡¯s face and pecked her lips. ¡°The only butt we¡¯ll discuss is yours.¡± ¡­ The next morning, Kazuya was lying in bed, snuggled between Rukia and Momo. He had to get up, take a bath, and leave for the. But he felt a tad reluctant to leave the adorable pair. ¡®They might be too tired to attend the academy.¡¯ He only took partial me for their absence. Rukia, who was usually shy about intimacy, became an entirely different person when her horny switch got flipped. Momo was¡­ Momo ¡ª filled with passion and love that was second to none. The two had too much energy and chemistry together, yet they couldn¡¯t hold a candle to his innate recovery. The result was several hours of passionate lovemaking. ¡®Oh well, time to get up. Wait a minute. Is that¡­¡¯ He picked up the familiar Reiatsu of someone who usually wouldn¡¯t be up this early. She approached him at a rxed walking speed, giving him enough time to hop out of bed and put on some clothes. Pushing open the window allowed sunlight to stream into the room. The birds chirped as they flew by, bringing with them the scent of a fresh morning. The scenery only got better with the blondedy walking down the pathway to his door. The blonde who used to have short hair but probably the biggest breasts in the 10th Squad. Rangiku Matsumoto. After trimming her hair to just below her lower waist, she looked just like how he envisioned her when watching the anime. {The bimbo!} ¡°Aren¡¯t we bimbo as well?¡± asked Tsubasa innocently. {WE ARE NOT!} ¡®Pipe down, you two. It¡¯s six in the morning.¡¯ {As you wish, Beloved.} ¡°As you wish, Beloved¡­ Father.¡± Shaking his head at their antics, he jumped down from the window and intercepted Rangiku outside the door. Rangiku ced her hand on her hip and gave a casual wave. ¡°Someone¡¯s excited to see the old me.¡± Her grin carried too much energy for someone who barely survived a deadly encounter a few days ago. Then again, she must have gotten used to near-death experiences after all this time as a Vice-Captain. He chuckled. ¡°Can¡¯t let our patient go unattended for too long.¡± ¡°Me and a patient? Oh, buzz off. I¡¯ve already recovered to my peak prowess.¡± She pumped her biceps with a grin. ¡°See these eggs. You think a patient will have that?¡± Despite having formal training in swordsmanship and otherbat techniques, she had almost no defined muscles. ¡°Muscles aren¡¯t an indication of good health.¡± Kazuya shrugged before pointing at her breasts that nearly spilled out of her kimono. ¡°And the only eggs I see here are these.¡± She yfully pped her chest and burst intoughter, her breasts bouncing with each movement. ¡°Gosh, they aren¡¯t egg-shaped¡­ More like inted water balloons.¡± Openly discussing the shape of her breasts was nothing new for Rangiku. He furrowed his brows. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t say for certain without seeing them with my eyes.¡± ¡°Nice try, friend,¡± she said and tossed her hair back. ¡°How do you like my hair? I downgraded myself to a mortal from a goddess. Couldn¡¯t have everyone bowing down to me all the time.¡± ¡°I like that confidence.¡± ¡°I could say the same about you,¡± she said with a cheeky grin, directing her gaze to the window above him. ¡°Momo and Rukia together. I knew those two would end up with you. I feel sad for Isane though¡­ Poor girl really liked you.¡± It was probably the first time Rangiku had seen Isane interested in a man. What made her even more regretful was her choice to take a passive approach instead of proactively helping Isane. If she had acted sooner in bringing him together with Isane, she could¡¯ve stopped him from tying knots with Rukia and Momo. Kazuya revealed a faint smile,pletely clueless to Rangiku¡¯s regrets. ¡°I confessed to her yesterday. She isn¡¯t against my rtionship with Momo or anyone else for that matter. Such a sweet woman.¡± Rangiku raised a brow, clearly skeptical. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious. No, you are serious. What the heck is Isane thinking?¡± She couldn¡¯t make sense of Isane¡¯s decision to be with him when he already had Momo and Rukia. He stretched his arms before letting out a long yawn. ¡°Mhmm. I get where you areing from. But Isane didn¡¯t think about matters of the heart with her mind.¡± Rangiku let out a sigh. ¡°Dammit. I can¡¯t do anything If this is her final decision.¡± Still, she was determined to drop by the 4th squadter to make sure Isane wasn¡¯t making a hasty decision. Kazuya suddenly narrowed his eyes. ¡®Someone¡¯s stalking us.¡¯ Chapter 264: Fabulous Tea~ Chapter 264: Fabulous Tea~ Even with his senses, Kazuya couldn¡¯t pinpoint the exact direction of this stalker. Rangiku, on the other hand, waspletely oblivious. This stalker was very skilled at their job. ¡°Rangiku, let¡¯s go inside. I¡¯ll treat you to some tea.¡± ¡°I¡¯d have preferred some alcohol but tea is fine. I can¡¯t be too greedy.¡± Kazuya opened the door for her. ¡°Do you never get tired of alcohol?¡± ¡°Booze is love. Booze is life.¡± Rangiku walked inside and took off her sandals. ¡°Why don¡¯t I take you out for some today?¡± ¡°A date with my Vice-Captain. Breaks my heart to say no to that.¡± Rangiku turned around and gave him a judging look. ¡°What¡¯s keeping you busy today?¡± ¡°Training, training, and more training. I can¡¯t stagnate my growth because I beat some goofy-ass Arrancars.¡± ¡°Those goofy-ass Arrancars nearly ended me.¡± Rangiku shook her head. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t reject me next time.¡± ¡°I promise.¡± While wearing slippers, Rangiku took a peek down the long hallway. ¡°It¡¯s bigger than it looks from the outside. Captain Unohana gave you an expensive ce.¡± ¡°She is the best.¡± Rangiku nced at his smile and realized that her Captain would need more than just words to convince Kazuya into bing his sessor. At the same time, she understood the expenses were justified to gain the loyalty of a talent with his potential. It was near-impossible to predict his ceiling. He might even end up joining the Royal Guards and directly serve the Reio. ¡®Why are all silver-haired brats geniuses?¡¯ One had already be a Captain, and the other was most likely to seed her Captain. She felt bittersweet about working under Kazuya in the future as he¡¯d always remind her of herck of talent. ¡­ Fifteen minutester. Kazuya put down the tray on the low table and sat down on the floor. The living room was preupied by the sleeping Yoruichi. As such he had to utilize the other living room. Seriously, the house had half the rooms as his Living World¡¯s mansion, which was just absurd for a house of this size. Rangiku leaned in with closed eyes and deeply inhaled the tea¡¯s aroma. ¡°This smells heavenly. Let¡¯s see if it tastes half as good as its aroma.¡± She picked up the tea cup with both hands with more elegance and grace than Kazuya expected from her. Slowly bringing the cup to her lips, she took a small sip. Her eyes immediately lit up, and she continued sipping. With a final slurping sound to show appreciation, she put down the tea cup. ¡°Haah, it was divine. The best tea of my life! How did you brew this?!¡± She only sensed his presence in the kitchen, so she knew the tea was brewed by his hands only. ¡°Oh. It¡¯s a secret.¡± He chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m d you liked my first brew.¡± Observing Unohana paid off massively. With all the same ingredients present in the kitchen, he had no trouble taking guidance from the memory and recreating the same magic Unohana¡¯s tea had. ¡°First brew?¡± Rangiku asked with wide eyes, nearly flipping the table out of shock. ¡°You gotta be kidding me¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not.¡± He shook his head, revealing a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I¡¯m very good at observing and applying the said knowledge. Captain Unohana is the one you should praise.¡± ¡°I have tasted Captain Unohana¡¯s tea. It¡¯s good but not as vorful as yours.¡± She reached forward and grabbed his cors. ¡°Can Ie here for He scratched his cheek. ¡°I get it. Can we put it behind us and talk about why you graced my home?¡± Rangiku went back to her seat and smiled. ¡°Can¡¯t Ie to see my fellow Shinigami without an ulterior motive?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Ouch, that went straight through my heart.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Rangiku giggled and then suddenly put on a serious expression, the air around her shifting with her mood. ¡°I asked around for any clues about my missing Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. Can you guess what I found?¡± ¡°More missing Zanpakut¨­ Spirits?¡± She raised her brows in surprise. ¡°How did you know?! Y-You must be the mastermind behind these incidents! Wait¡­ is this the part where you reveal that the tea was drugged, and then I¡¯ll pass out and wake up in a dark basement?¡± He flicked a Reiatsu bullet at her face. ¡°It¡¯s not a murder mystery.¡± ¡°Ahahaha. I watched a good one the other day. The Living World¡¯s theaters are amazing. Why don¡¯t we go there someday? You can help me choose some clothes and we can even dine at a restaurant there.¡± ¡°What you¡¯re describing is a date.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s called hanging out with a friend. Besides, I¡¯ll cover all the expenses.¡± ¡°You look desperate. Well, fine. I¡¯ll be your boyfriend.¡± Rangiku narrowed her eyes, smiling. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s talk about the Zanpakut¨­ Spirits.¡± ¡°So who else lost their Spirit?¡± ¡°Ikkaku Madarame, the Vice-Captain of the 11th Squad.¡± ¡°Never heard of him.¡± She let out a soft giggle. ¡°He makes some of the funniest faces. Yesterday, when we were drinking in the town, he brought up ack of voice from his Zanpakut¨­ recently. Then he med it on ¡®H¨­zukimaru¡¯ being upset with him for not properly utilizing its strength.¡± Kazuya nodded as he listened to her. ¡°I heard that the guys from the 11th Squad don¡¯t treat their Zanpakut¨­ Spirit with proper respect.¡± Although he knew that Muramasa was behind Ikkaku¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Spirit¡¯s disappearance, he had to act skeptical before Rangiku. Otherwise, she¡¯d grow suspicious of him when he eventually ends Muramasa¡¯s ns. The alcoholic blonde had one of the keenest observation skills among her peers. Rangiku nodded her head. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not really certain Madarame is suffering from the same condition as me. But it¡¯s suspicious nevertheless.¡± ¡°I see. I¡¯ll look into your matter when I¡¯m free from my training.¡± Rangiku stood up and fixed her kimono. ¡°That tea alone was worthing here all the way. But I gotta go now or the Captain will eat my ear off.¡± ¡°See you soon.¡± Once Rangiku left, Kazuya stretched and returned upstairs for a quick shower. As he returned to the bedroom, he heard a scraping sound outside the window. The noise would¡¯ve eluded anyone without hearing as sharp as his. He picked his Zanpakut¨­ from the bedside and carefully approached the window. Chapter 265: Pride Chapter 265: Pride Soi Fon clung to the wall like a spider, holding onto the roof that nted downwards just above the window. As an assassin, she had been trained to conceal her Reiatsu and take cover in unexpected ces. She never thought she¡¯d put her skills to hide from Kazuya of all men. She had no one to me but her own impatience. The important task of monitoring Aizen had kept her upied. But she couldn¡¯t take it anymore today ¡ª she had to conclude her business with Yoruichi as soon as possible, or she¡¯d lose her mind. So, after leaving her underlings to monitor Aizen, she arrived at Kazuya¡¯s new home in hopes of finalizing a date for their battle. She ended up getting there before Kazuya left for his new job with the 4th Squad, leading to her current predicament. Tap. Tap. Tap. She heard footsteps close in the window and quickly held her breath. She may not like Kazuya very much but she respected his strength ¡ª his only redeeming quality in her eyes. Someone of his caliber would be perceptive enough to sense the slightest of movements. ¡®He must be opening it for sunlight.¡¯ Kazuya opened the window and peaked his head out, looking for something or someone. ¡°Huh? I swear I heard something¡­ Was it my imagination?¡± ¡®Go!¡¯ Soi Fon yelled in her head. ¡®Leave so I can talk to Yoruichi-sama!¡¯ Kazuya closed the window, letting her rx, as much as she could in her position. ¡®He is perceptive.¡¯ She had never met someone who was sharp as a de, yet dumb as a rock. Her former mistress truly found an interesting person to teach. Depending on Kazuya¡¯s next actions, she¡¯d have to reposition. Of course, her original intention had been to hide in the courtyard and wait for her opportunity. The presence of Momo and Rukia had piqued her curiosity. But before she had the chance to get a look at the two, Rangiku arrived to ruin her ns. Soi Fon had pounced on the chance to eavesdrop on them. What she learned baffled her. Swish! The window suddenly flipped open, and Kazuya leaned out again. This time he wasn¡¯t looking down, rather, he looked straight into her eyes. ¡°Long time no see¡­ you look cute in that, Barefeet Barry.¡± It was rare for Soi Fon to be seen outside of her Shihakush¨­, and a miracle to catch her in a ck skin-tight sleeveless top and matching tights. A ck scarf covered the lower half of her face, adding an alluring mystery to her presence. He had to admit that she looked like apetent assassin in her new clothes. Soi Fon stared at him, barely a hint of surprise across her face. ¡°I received a confidential mission from the Captain Commander. The tuck tuck sound of footwear would¡¯ve blown my cover.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°How did you discover me?¡± He pointed at his own heart. ¡°You can control your breathing but you can¡¯t control your pounding heart.¡± She shut her eyes and drew a long breath. Opening her eyes again, she showed her brightest smile. ¡°Hah. I got youst time, but you didn¡¯t fall for it today. You¡¯ve been improving every day, it seems. Give yourself a pat on the back.¡± Her obviously fake acting earned a nk stare from Kazuya. ¡°I¡¯ll get Yoruichi to do it¡ªafter you tell me why are you here?¡± ¡°I just told you¡ª¡± He grabbed her ankle and yanked her off the wall, hanging her upside down. ¡°You¡¯re sneaking around my property. Speak up unless you want this matter to reach Captain Yamamoto.¡± Hearing his tant threat, her brow twitched in annoyance. He was the only man to threaten her openly, p her in the face, beat her up without any consequences. Kazuya looked down at the stubborn girl who showed no signs of panic even when hung upside down ¡ª she had been in this position before. ¡°Masochist Soi Fon, I don¡¯t have all day.¡± She was on a spy mission. Her target wasn¡¯t him or he¡¯d have felt her eyes on him. Still, he had to know the identity of the person on Yamamoto¡¯s radar. For the sake of being informed about the happenings in the Soul Society. ¡®I need to get Soi Fon on my side.¡¯ With Unohana, Shunsui, Byakuya, and possibly Isane, he had plenty of firepower. He still fell behind Aizen in the field of information. This hot-headed ¡°lesbian¡± was the current head of Onmitsukid¨­, the eyes and ears of the Soul Society. Assassinations, infiltration, and information gathering were some of the specialties of her department. She might be a big help in finding Muramasa and keeping those close to him safe behind his back. {You¡¯re doing a convincing job to get her on our side ¡ª by hanging her like a bat.} ¡®She¡¯ll freak out if I start treating her normally.¡¯ Nami giggled. {I can imagine that happening. Why don¡¯t you just seduce her with your voice?} ¡®It¡¯s not mind control. Every¡ª¡¯ He cut off his conversation with Nami and stared at Soi Fon, who seemed to be ready to execute her escape n. Chapter 266: No Escape Chapter 266: No Escape Meanwhile, Soi Fon saw Kazuya distracted and used her greatest assets ¡ª quick reflexes and exceptional core strength. Gaining momentum with a quick swing, she catapulted her upper body and reached out, grabbing the window frame. Using her newfound bnce, she whipped her free leg over his head and kicked him right in the biceps. The sharp pain of her explosive heel made him wince, his grip loosening for a moment. She immediately wrestled her ankle free. Her lips curled into a victorious smirk as she let go of the window frame and let her body sumb to the gravity. She had outsmarted him and escaped his clutches. The satisfaction had her feeling like she was on cloud nine. ¡®So easy.¡¯ Victory was in her grasp¡ªuntil she felt something prevent her fall. Her happiness came crashing down as she registered the smirk on Kazuya¡¯s face. He had seized her wrists with speed faster than she could follow. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going, Darling?¡± The thought of another defeat at his hands made her blood boil. ¡°I won¡¯t let you!¡± With a spirited roar, she kicked the window with both legs, using the momentum to propel herself. Her legs coiled around his neck, and she pulled him down with her entire weight. ¡°Let go of me. Now!¡± ¡°Fine.¡± He released her wrists and took hold of her butt, using it to lift her. Thest time she wrapped his thighs around him, he had barely felt anything because of her loose clothes. The skin-tight suit made her muscr legs feel quite nice around his neck. {Death by snu-snu?} Soi Fon wriggled. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for everything. Can you stop groping me there?!¡± ¡°Only if you promise to stay and answer my questions.¡± ¡°I promise.¡± She had never been in a more awkward position, so she had to relent to him. Every breathing out of his mouth caressed her crotch, making her more conscious about theck of panties on her lower body. Kazuya got ast squeeze of her firm ass before letting go. ¡°There you go, Soi¡ª¡± She cupped his face. ¡°Don¡¯t say my name.¡± ¡°Whatever.¡± She suddenly grabbed his hair and made him look up at her. ¡°How will I enter the room like this?¡± ¡°Why do you want to enter my bedroom?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t answer your questions like this. Let mee in, or meet me outside.¡± He freed himself from the grasp of her thighs and gently shoved her. The hot-headed assassin fell down from the first floor in slow motion, her eyes wide from his betrayal. Although she was surprised, hernding was graceful andpletely silent, as though she weighed less than a feather. She looked up at him with a frown. ¡°Why did you do that?¡± Somehow, she didn¡¯tpletely lose her marbles over his small prank. Perhaps the constant defeats at his hands had humbled her. He pointed at the door. ¡°Guests are only allowed through the front door.¡± ¡°...¡± She quietly walked up to the door. ¡°It¡¯s locked. Can I break it?¡± ¡°No! Come through the window.¡± She clicked her tongue and leaped up. Using the window as the tform, she bounded into the room and yanked off her mask. The sight of almost naked Rukia and Momo on the bed nearly made her trip over. ¡°You¡ª¡± Kazuya ced a hand on her mouth and dragged her out of the room before she had the chance to disturb Momo and Rukia. He took her to another room and shut the door. ¡°You can speak now.¡± She gritted her teeth, pointing a finger at him. ¡°You! You are the worst for sleeping with them after Yoruichi-sama favored you. She deserves better than you.¡± ¡°Better than me? Does that person¡¯s name start with Soi and end with Fon?¡± She froze, as if struck by lightning. ¡°No¡­ I have no romantic feelings for Yoruichi-sama.¡± ¡°Averting your eyes from reality won¡¯t do anything. Everyone knows how much you adore Yoruichi.¡± ¡°I DO NOT!¡± Soi Fon snapped, her figure trembling with fury. ¡°Why would I challenge her to a deathmatch if I had feelings for her?¡± ¡°Deathmatch? As in a fight to the death?¡± He had no inkling of this promised deathmatch between Yoruichi and Soi Fon. But he could tell that this happened the day he found them rxing in the hot spring. ¡®Yoruichi wants to keep me out of this.¡¯ Soi Fon slowly nodded her head. ¡°It¡¯s a fight with some chances of death. I have to prove to Yoruichi-sama that she is nowhere as strong as she was before¡­ And I¡¯m strong enough for...¡± ¡°Strong enough for? Were you trying to say something?¡± Soi Fon waved her hand dismissively. ¡°Forget I said anything.¡± She walked toward the door, reaching for the knob. Kazuya took her hand and inserted himself between her and the door. He won¡¯t let her go that easily. Soi Fon looked at him with a sharp glint in her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t push my limits. You might have beaten me in a fight, however, I¡¯m still your superior. You¡¯re preventing me from performing my duties.¡± Knowing that fighting him would end up in her humiliation, she tried to use or rather abuse her position. Kazuya chuckled as he ced a hand on her head, ruffling her hair. ¡°You silly little thing. Do you think I know nothing about you and Yoruichi? I know the reason for this deep resentment in your heart.¡± Soi Fon pped his hand away and clenched her jaw. She began to despise Yoruichi a little for willy-nilly sharing their past with an ¡®outsider¡¯. ¡°It does not matter. I won¡¯t go back on my decision.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t interfere with your promised deathmatch. And since it¡¯s the most important battle in your life, shouldn¡¯t we raise the stakes a little?¡± His grin, when paired with the gleam in his eyes, gave her an ominous feeling. ¡°What stakes?¡± But she didn¡¯t back out, for she wasn¡¯t a coward like Yoruichi. Kazuya crossed his arms. ¡°If Yoruichi loses, you¡¯ll get whatever Yoruichi promised you, plus I¡¯ll distance myself from her for five hundred years.¡± Soi Fon narrowed her eyes. ¡°Throwing away the rtionship on a bet¡­ you once again prove that you aren¡¯t suited for Yoruichi-sama.¡± He only revealed a faint smile at her disappointed look. ¡°Then defeat Yoruichi and make me leave her side. If you lose, however, you¡¯ll be my information agent for the next five years. You won¡¯t find a better deal anywhere.¡± {Yo, Partner. Don¡¯t scam the hundred-year-old kid.} ¡°I agree,¡± Soi Fon said without taking a moment to consider. ¡°I won¡¯t lose to an out-of-shape Yoruichi-sama. Nah, I¡¯d win and kick you out of her life.¡± The level of confidence she exuded would have been awe-inspiring, if only Kazuya hadn¡¯t already known the oue of the match. In the main timeline, she lost to Yoruichi who hadn¡¯t battled for 150 years. His Yoruichi had warmed up with a few battles. More importantly, she had her own inner Hollow to empower her. Yoruichi would wipe the floor with Soi Fon any day of the week. He nodded. ¡°It¡¯s a deal. When will this match happen?¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t decided yet.¡± ¡°Make it tomorrow.¡± He stepped away from the door. ¡°Yoruichi is in the living room. Inform her about the date. Be quiet about our arrangement.¡± Soi Fon¡¯s sour expression vanished, reced with gleaming joy. With his permission, she could talk to Yoruichi without any barriers. In high spirits, she left the room. {Partner, what if Yoruichi threw the match?} ¡®I have a few measures to guarantee her victory. If she still loses¡­ I¡¯ll have to kill Soi Fon.¡¯ There was no world in which he¡¯d let a wager force him to leave Yoruichi. He liked her too much for that to happen. {Partner¡¯s yandere level is rising. It¡¯s making me hot~.} ¡°Father, can I p Izanami?¡± {You¡¯ll be pping yourself, Idiot. We share the same body.} ¡°I¡¯ll p you when I recreate my body.¡± {When will you do that?} ¡°I¡¯ll try it when Father returns home. I don¡¯t want to alert his enemies here with my Reiatsu.¡± {Oh lord, this girl is so considerate. I sure hope she didn¡¯t traumatize her father¡¯s best partner by imprisoning in a cage.} ¡°¡­¡± Chapter 267: A Different Approach Chapter 267: A Different Approach Kazuya took his sweet time in the bath and even more time just looking around the kitchen. He had to prepare breakfast for five ¡ª himself, Momo, Rukia, Yoruichi, and an unwee visitor. It was as good a time as any to make Soi Fon warm up to him. As Kazuya began chopping vegetables, a chill went down his spine, prompting him to take a quick nce over his shoulder. There, in the dark hallway, a pair of glowing blue eyes stalked him. Focusing, he made out a familiar face. Pale blonde locks fell across her face, framing her beautiful pair of blue eyes. ¡°Nami, what are you doing?¡± The woman was none other than his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit Izanami. Her physical form, the katana, rested in the bedroom. She had returned to her katana and then manifested physically to stalk him from the shadows. Nami emerged from her hiding spot and walked into the light. ¡°It was an experiment. I tried to step into the shoes of a stereotypical stalker yandere.¡± She had be too obsessed with the topic of yandere, which may or may not be good for his future. Tsubasa¡¯s presence at least assured him about the safety of himself and those close to him. ¡°So, what did you learn from this experiment?¡± ¡°My hunch turned out to be correct. It¡¯s boring to be here when I could just be over there and flirt with you like a normal lover, or,¡± she said, pointing at him with a grin. ¡°Or I could stalk you from inside your head.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind either, to be honest,¡± he said with a shrug. ¡°I¡¯m busy right now. Please don¡¯t disturb me.¡± Nami tip-toed to his side and silently observed him, intentionally or unintentionally ying into her yandere fantasy. ¡°You¡¯re making ramen for breakfast. Want my help?¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re probably worse at this than me.¡± He could rely on his dexterity and sharp memory to whip up something edible. The same couldn¡¯t be said about Nami, who hardly manifested these days. ¡°You are right,¡± Nami said, leaning against the countertop. ¡°It¡¯s my first time seeing you in the kitchen. What got you in the mood?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t exactly leave until Soi Fon does. Besides, there isn¡¯t anyone who can do this.¡± His today¡¯s schedule only had one thing ¡ª trying not to die at Unohana¡¯s hands. He could dy his training to make sure Soi Fon didn¡¯t start fighting in his house. After all, she wasn¡¯t in her best mental state right now. Yoruichi¡¯s recent streak of blurting hurtful things might just trigger Soi Fon into whipping out her Shikai. Nami threw a nce behind her. ¡°About that¡­ I don¡¯t think Soi Fon will leave anytime soon.¡± ¡°I¡¯m gonna throw her out after breakfast.¡± ¡°As expected of my beloved, you love violence,¡± she whispered, leaning closer to him. ¡°When Little Tsu and I are separated, I want you to violently fuck until I pass out.¡± He gave her a nk stare. ¡°Why stop at passing out?¡± His zero-hesitation reply made her grin, stupidly so. He shook his head and concentrated on cooking the first¡ªbest breakfast of his life. ¡°Make some for me too, Beloved.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± ¡­ ¡°My Shunpo has reached another level of mastery. You¡¯ll not be able topete with me, Yoruichi-sama.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll show you tomorrow.¡± Interrupting Soi and Yoruichi¡¯s conversation, Kazuya slid open the doorway to the living room and ced two bowls on the low table between them. They stopped their conversation and stared at him, as though waiting for his permission. ¡°What are you waiting for? Dig in.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s golden eyes gleamed as she ced her paws on the table and licked the milk from her bowl. ¡°It¡¯s lukewarm. I like it.¡± Soi Fon changed her staring target to the bowl. He had served her a bowl full of ramen noodles topped by boiled egg, veggies, and fragrant seasoning. Probably some of the best ramen he ever had; the statement was backed up by Nami. He gently hit the back of Soi Fon¡¯s head. ¡°Stop daydreaming.¡± She shot him a piercing re before taking up the bowl and chopsticks. She skeptically brought the noodles to her lips and slurped them down. Her eyes widened in surprise as the vors melted in her mouth. She closed her eyes, relishing the vor. Yoruichi gave him a side-eyed nce. ¡°You¡¯ll be in charge of breakfast from now on.¡± She loved milk but only in her cat form. She would need normal food to function properly in her normal form, partially for her own freedom and partially to tease him. Her life just wasn¡¯t the same without teasing someone. ¡°No,¡± Kazuya replied without hesitation. ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll split the duty. Four days on you. Three days on me.¡± ¡°No.¡± His firm rejection left her at a loss for words. She put the bowl on the side and faced him, her golden eyes gazed at him with an earnestness one wouldn¡¯t expect from her. ¡°What ratio do you want?¡± He raised four fingers, making her scowl in disgust. With a flick of her paw, she exposed her sharp ws, yet he remained steadfast in the face of her threatening gesture. He was like a boulder. Soi Fon slurped ramen in the background, barely paying any attention to the ongoing sh. The long sh of willpower and determination ended with Yoruichi looking away. ¡°Got it. But you better help me do the dishes or I¡¯ll poison us both.¡± ¡°Hah. Why poison both of us?¡± ¡°Someone has to apany you down to Hell,¡± Yoruichi said, and her eyes gleamed with wisdom. ¡°The poisoning idea seems good to monopolize you. I¡¯ll need to consult Unohana for a poison that could affect you.¡± {Partner, stop her. She is surpassing your yandere level.} Kazuya cleared his throat. ¡°Yor, my sweetheart. I have a better deal. We¡¯ll help each other every day. It¡¯ll be more fun that way.¡± Yoruichi thought for a moment before nodding at his suggestion. ¡°As long as you behave and act like a good kiddo.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try to. No promises, though.¡± Soi Fon suddenly mmed her empty bowl on the table and dashed outside the door. Yoruichi and Kazuya shared a confused nce, wondering what happened for Soi Fon to leave in such a hurry. {Didn¡¯t even thank you for the wonderful ramen. Truly fatherless behavior.} Kazuya looked at the door, sensing Soi Fon¡¯s Reiatsu heading rapidly in one direction. ¡°Did she dine and dash out of a friend¡¯s home?¡± ¡°Forget about her. Look at me,¡± Yoruichi said, getting his attention all on her. ¡°Soi Fon told me some things.¡± ¡°About your battle?¡± ¡°Yeah. She couldn¡¯t win against the final boss.¡± He smirked. ¡°Of course. Before you ask, I forgive you for hiding it from me.¡± ¡°I never asked for it,¡± she said with a scowl. ¡°She said you¡¯ll observe the battle tomorrow.¡± ¡°Yep. Someone has to make sure nobody cheats, and the battle is as fair as possible.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t. I can¡¯t guarantee Soi Fon wouldn¡¯t try something despicable after I kick her face t. She can¡¯t win. It¡¯s just not possible.¡± ¡°Cocky.¡± She licked the back of her paw. ¡°It¡¯s called confidence. You¡¯ll experience it when you excel in a certain skill.¡± ¡°I¡¯m confident in a few things,¡± he said with a whistle. ¡°One of them is making you limp with my fingers.¡± She unconsciously raised her paw in objection, only to put it down a secondter. Turning her back against him, she began to lick the milk in her bowl. She had epted that there was no room for aeback. It was a losing battle; any attempt to fight back would only bring her embarrassment. Raising the white g was the best option. Kazuya chuckled and scratched her head. ¡°Good kitty.¡± She clicked her tongue. ¡°Go away.¡± ¡°Alright, sheesh. No need to be so mad.¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± Chapter 268: An Ordinary Morning Chapter 268: An Ordinary Morning After patting Yoruichi some more, Kazuya returned to his room, where he saw Momo sitting on the bed and rubbing her eyes. Soi Fon¡¯s escape most likely disturbed her sleep. He couldn¡¯t say the same about Rukia, who squeezed his pillow in her arms. She would be out cold for another few hours. ¡°Kazuya-kun¡­¡± she greeted him in a lethargic voice. ¡°Good morning.¡± ¡°Wake the hell up. I got you breakfast.¡± She looked at him in confusion until her gaze fell on the bowls in his hand. ¡°Ah¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°What for?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take culinary sses,¡± she said, pumping her fist enthusiastically. ¡°I won¡¯t let you carry this burden forever!¡± She seemed in high spirits for the training to be his chef. Probably because it¡¯d make him more dependent on her and get him to be more affectionate towards her. {A schemer for a schemer. You two are a perfectly bnced couple.} ¡®What about us?¡¯ {Couple stuff is temporary. Our bond is eternal, for we are soulmates tied to the same fate.} Kazuya rubbed Momo¡¯s head. ¡°Just don¡¯t overdo it. I¡¯d hate to see you get sick.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Momo said, beaming a smile. Then she stroked Rukia¡¯s leg in an attempt to wake up her friend. ¡°Rukia,e on. Noodles will get soggy.¡± Rukia pulled up the nket and covered herself. ¡°Let me sleep¡­¡± Momo¡¯s brow twitched in annoyance. ¡°You little.¡± She yanked the nket off of Rukia and straddled Rukia¡¯s back. Pulling Rukia¡¯s arms behind her, she locked them. Then she slowly put pressure, making Rukia¡¯s back contort unnaturally. Rukia let out a ragged whimper as though she couldn¡¯t breathe properly. ¡°My shoulders! STOP! IT HURTS! STOP PLEASE!¡± Although this bullying wasn¡¯t justified, he didn¡¯t save Rukia and remained as a bystander. He had done much worse to his friend back in his old life. Friendship was all about messing with each other. {He might still be mourning you.} ¡®Let¡¯s hope he gets over it and enjoys his own life.¡¯ Momo maintained a steady pressure, unflinching by the painful cries of her friend. ¡°Will you get out of bed?¡± ¡°I WILL!!!¡± Momo released the submission hold and patted the back of Rukia¡¯s head. ¡°Hurry.¡± Rukia turned over and sniffed. ¡°This demon isn¡¯t Momo. Kazuya, what did you do to my caring friend?!¡± Kazuya crossed his arms. ¡°She always was. You just noticed it now.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be¡­¡± Rukia whispered with wide eyes. ¡°Momo! Were you acting until now?!¡± Momo revealed a sweet smile. A smile without a hint of emotion. ¡°Rukia,e here. I¡¯ll show you another hold. It¡¯ll bend your legs and make them touch your shoulders.¡± Rukia shuddered from imagining herself in the pose. She immediately jumped at Kazuya and hid behind him. ¡°Kazuya, you said you would be my b-boyfriend. Come on, protect me from this demon.¡± Although exaggerated, she seemed genuinely traumatized by Momo¡¯s painful submission move. Momo might have applied too much pressure. The gleam in Momo¡¯s eyes revealed her true intentions to Kazuya ¡ª she had orchestrated the whole situation as a ploy to make Rukia turn to him for protection. She willingly assumed the role of a viin to bring them closer. Kazuya waved his hand. ¡°Momo, that¡¯s enough.¡± ¡°Yeah, no more holds. Go practice your moves on some masochist.¡± Momo gave a close-eyed smile. ¡°Hai!¡± Kazuya nodded and nced back at Rukia. ¡°Aren¡¯t you a masochist?¡± ¡°Wha? I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you fight back then? Show that you¡¯re the more dominant female in this triangle.¡± Rukia¡¯s eyes became hollow. ¡°Are you kidding me? Momo beat the crap out of a senior yesterday. I don¡¯t stand a chance against her in a street fight.¡± ¡°Pathetic excuses.¡± ¡°They are not!¡± Momo giggled. ¡°Let¡¯s settle that after breakfast.¡± ¡­ After bullying Rukia for a few more minutes, Kazuya left his house. With Yoruichi around, he wasn¡¯t worried about the two. It¡¯d be a splendid opportunity for them to get to know Yoruichi better. Not the wise, old cat they had been admiring her as, but the real confident, observant, and a tiny bit silly version of Yoruichi. A few minutes of stroll brought him to the 4th Squad¡¯s main barrack. He couldn¡¯t sense Isane¡¯s Reiatsu nearby but further into the residential area ¡ª she had yet to report to the squad, or she must¡¯ve left for an errand. Judging from her stale Reiatsu, he leaned toward the possibility of her sleeping. Honestly, he was tempted to show up unexpectedly at her doorstep. ¡®Let¡¯s save it for after training.¡¯ He walked into the open area, where tons of nurses stopped to look at him. People wouldn¡¯t stop whispering things behind his back, questioning each other about the nature of his rtionship with their captain. Thest time they saw him was hitching a ride on Minazuki with Unohana. Feeling amused by the development, he took the stairs to Unohana¡¯s office. He found herdy kneeling in seiza position, her eyes shut tight. She seemed to be meditating ormunicating with her Zanpakut¨­ thaty unsheathed on herp. He made an effort to be as quiet as possible as he approached her and then took a seat in front of her. Within moments, he was captivated by her. Her elegance was simply unrivaled when she wasn¡¯t speaking or actively trying to murder him. And despite her age surpassing 2000 years, she possessed the looks of a woman in her mid-thirties, which, in his humble opinion, represented the height of a woman¡¯s attractiveness. {Content creators from your previous life want you to reconsider that thought.} ¡®Fuck them.¡¯ Unohana opened her eyes. For a few moments, they just gazed at each other, one confused and the other calm. ¡°Morning.¡± A troubled expression crossed Unohana¡¯s face. ¡°Kazuya, I can¡¯t talk to it¡­ Minazuki isn¡¯t responding to me.¡± A/N: Plot thickens from next chapter. Chapter 269: Summon (I) Chapter 269: Summon (I) {Muramasa got Minazuki. Boy, it¡¯ll be a pain for you to deal with him.} The rapid progress of Muramasa¡¯s n gave Kazuya a strong hunch that the rebellion drew closer. A rebellion that was in name only, the true goal of which was to weaken Yamamoto by taking away his ability to use his Zanpakut¨­. ¡®Aizen isn¡¯t messing around now.¡¯ {Brother Sosuke took a long rest and went back to scheming.} Unohana suddenly ced her sword against his neck. ¡°You don¡¯t look the least bit surprised.¡± He casually pushed back her de, showing a solemn expression. ¡°I talked to Rangiku today. Ikkaku Madarame of the 11th Squad might be dealing with the same issue.¡± ¡°Madarame too? Who could be behind this?¡± No matter how hard Unohana thought, she couldn¡¯t pinpoint anyone with the ability to take someone¡¯s Zanpakut¨­ Spirit away ¡ª the ability went against the very fundamentals of the Soul Society. Kazuya would be her first suspect if she wasn¡¯t familiar with him. After all, his mere existence defied every established notion about Shinigami and Hollow. Her close second suspect would be Aizen, someone she knew next to nothing about. ¡°It might be Aizen¡¯s trump card.¡± His answer made her frown, as she imagined the fate of the Soul Society with everyone being unable to use their Zanpakut¨­. Most captains wouldn¡¯t be able to fight at their designated rank without their Shikai or Bankai. Only abnormalities like Kenpachi and Yoruichi could fight at their best, as their fighting style never relied on their Zanpakut¨­. ¡°If your doubts aren¡¯t misced, this will be catastrophic for the Soul Society,¡± she whispered, looking mighty serious. ¡°Will the ability work on you? Your Zanpakut¨­ is principally different from a normal Shinigami.¡± She had no knowledge of his Zanpakut¨­, but she knew he wielded two fundamentally different types of Zanpakut¨­ ¡ª a support-type and aplete offensive-type in his Hollow form. She hadn¡¯t seen his Hollow form in action, but she had heard of it from Aizen himself. And from those words, she had felt nothing but curiosity about the full potential of his Zanpakut¨­. Kazuya shook his head. ¡°Probably not. My Zanpakut¨­ is¡­ Nami,e out.¡± As he knocked on his katana¡¯s guard, wisps of mes emerged from its sheath, and from them emerged Nami. Unohana was somewhat surprised to see his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit dressed in overtly regal clothing that starkly contrasted with the traditional Japanese aesthetics embraced by the Soul Society. Nami smiled, raising the edge of her dress and giving a curtsy bow. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to make your acquaintance, Unohana-sama. I¡¯m Izanami-no-Makoto. Nami for short.¡± Nami¡¯s formal etiquette surprised Unohana as she expected his Zanpakut¨­ Spirit to be a reflection of him. There wasn¡¯t a speck of rudeness or yfulness to be gleaned from Nami¡¯s behavior. Smiling, Unohana waved her hand. ¡°No need to be formal, Izanami-san.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a matter of needs but a matter of want.¡± Nami sat down on the floor, mirroring Unohana¡¯s overly formal seiza style. Feeling Kazuya¡¯s intent gaze, she cleared her throat loudly. ¡°Partner, it¡¯s not nice to make people ufortable with your stare.¡± ¡°Ufortable my ass,¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°Why are you roleying Soi Fon when she is around Yoruichi? Don¡¯t tell me you have a crush on Retsu.¡± ¡°Uh, it¡¯s not like that. Unohana-sama is my idol!¡± Nami chuckled. ¡°Truth be told, I have always admired her.¡± ¡°Idol?¡± Unohana asked, confused. ¡°What have I done to earn your adoration?¡± Ever since she hung up her boots¡ªsword¡ªshe had done nothing but heal her people and even enemies she had encountered along the way. She never thought her work could get not one but two women¡¯s admiration, with Isane being the first. Nami revealed a cheeky grin. ¡°Unohana-sama is everything I want to be ¡ª a perfect blend of gentleness and insanity. And she brings it all together with a sense of impable grace. How can I not admire her?¡± Unohana took back her previous words ¡ª Nami was just as, if not more, entric than Kazuya. ¡°What are you teaching your Zanpakut¨­ Spirit?¡± He shrugged. ¡°She has been infected from the start.¡± ¡°Indeed, my desires aren¡¯t Partner¡¯s fault,¡± Nami said. ¡°He likes crazy, and I want to be the craziest bitch out there. It¡¯s as simple as that.¡± Unohana couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°Even your Zanpakut¨­ Spirit is obsessed with you. I¡¯d be more careful if I were in your shoes. Obsession, when extreme, can lead to extremely dangerous situations for the victim¡­ One of these days, you may wake up with a knife in your chest.¡± She had heard too many stories¡ªtragedies¡ªthat ended poorly for both parties. After all, even the strongest person was vulnerable in their sleep. Walking up to him and stabbing him over, over, and over would be a delightful feeling¡ªshe pped her cheeks, snapping herself out of the vivid, bloody vision. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind being stabbed by Retsu¡¯s sword.¡° Unohana looked at him with a nk gaze, wondering what she had done to get him to act this way toward her. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Nothing was her fault. He had an abnormal personality to begin with. Nami burst intoughter. ¡°Partner, how could you say that with a straight face? Say it with a tiny smile toe off as even crazier.¡± ¡°Nah. I¡¯m not crazy.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Yes. Liking crazies doesn¡¯t qualify me as one¡­ I think?¡± ¡°Kind of true¡­¡± Nami nodded slowly as thoughing to an enlightenment. ¡°Partner is wise beyond his years.¡± Unohana rubbed her forehead, suddenly looking concerned about resting the Soul Society¡¯s future in his hands. ¡°This discussion will lead nowhere.¡± He reached out and took her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s leave whatever this is and go to my ce.¡± She swatted his hand away. ¡°We still have your training. Come, let¡¯s finish it quickly so I can discuss this Zanpakut¨­ Spirit vanishing phenomenon with Captain Yamamoto.¡± She had to discuss this matter with Yamamoto and find the culprit behind it, or else the whole Soul Society might lose their Zanpakut¨­ Spirits. He let out a sigh. ¡°We¡¯ll have to use Shunpo today.¡± ¡°It¡¯ll be a good warm-up for¡ª¡± she suddenly looked to her right, sharp eyes seemingly gazing beyond the wall. ¡°Captain Soi Fon¡­¡± She turned to him with an inquisitive look. ¡°Have you done something to her?¡± He looked like he wanted to curse out loud. ¡°Nothing, well, aside from beating her a couple of times in the past. Doesn¡¯t feel like she is here for that.¡± ¡°...¡± Nami nced between the two of them before disappearing back into the katana with a ¡°Goodbye¡±. She wanted no part of the drama that would soon ur due to Soi Fon. Sliding through the door in a hurry, Soi Fon showed, her forehead covered in sweat. ¡°Kazuya, get up now¡­ Captain Commander has summoned you.¡± Chapter 270: Summon (II) Chapter 270: Summon (II) As Kazuya made his way to the 1st Squad¡¯s barracks, he couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that something was wrong. Yamamoto had several reasons to summon him, but none were in his favor. {Is he finally on to you?} ¡®I don¡¯t think so.¡¯ In the event that Yamamoto discovered Kazuya¡¯s Hollow side, Yamamoto wouldn¡¯t send Soi Fon alone; he woulde here on his own. {What if he did this to lower your guard?} ¡®Old man isn¡¯t a pussy.¡¯ As far as he knew, Yamamoto wasn¡¯t the type to y mind games or scheme. The old man settled his matters withws. When thewful approach failed, Yamamoto fell back to the old-fashioned method of brawling it out with bare fists. ¡®Maybe he wants to know more about Arrancars from me.¡¯ He had yet to answer any question regarding the Arrancar Invasion in Karakura Town. Quite surprising, since he had been at the forefront of the incident. {Could be that too. Let¡¯s stay cautious, yeah?} ¡®Those words don¡¯t suit someone trying to be crazy.¡¯ Namiughed. {How about ¡®don¡¯t back down if Yamamoto wants a fight. You¡¯ll smoke his ass and burn down the Soul Society.¡¯? Is that crazy enough for you?} ¡®I¡¯m in love.¡¯ Retreating from the odd conversation, he took a nce to his left. Soi Fon dashed from roof to roof with him. They were nowhere close to their peak Shunpo speed. Still, she was barely breaking a sweat from exertion. {She is a cardio-monster. Imagine someone with her endurance riding you. She¡¯llst hours!} ¡®Yoruichi won¡¯t fall behind her.¡¯ {True. Both have excellent endurance.} Kazuya flicked a Reiatsu bullet at Soi Fon¡¯s face, which she dodged with a slight tilt of her head. ¡°Any idea what Captain Commander wants from me?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll know when we get there.¡± ¡°Come on. You¡¯re making me nervous.¡± ¡°As if I¡¯ll believe that crap,¡± Soi Fon said with a snort. ¡°People like you exist to make others nervous and miserable.¡± ¡°A. You¡¯re being so nice today.¡± ¡°...¡± Unohana watched the two with a calm gaze. ¡°Kazuya, it¡¯s probably for something important.¡± Although she couldn¡¯t see a hint of worry on his face, she knew that being called out of nowhere by Yamamoto made him anxious, rightfully so. The rare vulnerability in his otherwise persistent calmness invoked a strange emotion in her chest. She felt a strong urge to reassure him about his safety, that everything would turn out fine as long as she was there. Soi Fon¡¯s presence changed Unohana¡¯s mind from acting sporadically on her emotions. ¡­ After a couple of minutes, Kazuya could sense Yamamoto¡¯s vigorous Reiatsu. Yamamoto wasn¡¯t alone as he could feel Ginrei¡¯s Reiatsu in the same location. Theck of Captain-level forces gave him some assurance that he wasn¡¯t walking into a trap. Soi Fon led him into the Assembly Hall, where two elderly but very healthy men were engaged in a serious conversation. They paused in surprise when they saw him, clearly not expecting him to show up with Soi Fon. Their reaction was a little out-of-ce as, ording to Soi Fon, Yamamoto had summoned him. This, at least, provided him with the assurance that his Hollow identity remained safe. ¡°Soi Fon, you¡¯re such a liar.¡± She flinched momentarily. Regaining herposure, she assumed an aloof expression. ¡°Be a little patient. We¡¯ll address your confusion in a minute.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Kazuya raised his hand with a smile. ¡°How are you doing, Ginrei Oji-san?¡± In reply to his greeting, the old man nodded back, maintaining his typical stoic demeanor. Byakuya¡¯s grandfather was the type to choose death over acting unbing of an aristocrat. Yamamoto, on the other hand, gazed at Soi Fon with cold, emotionless eyes. ¡°Is he the best candidate?¡± ¡°He is the best support we¡¯ll need for this particr expedition. He can cover the healing needs, and he won¡¯t slow me down like the rest. With him, I won¡¯t have to be too cautious when scouting and gathering information.¡± With a serious expression, Soi Fon threwpliment afterpliment, praising his abilities to the high heaven. She picked words that would stroke one¡¯s ego in perfection. Kazuya realized her goal ¡ª she wanted to prove it to Yamamoto and Ginrei that she trusted and respected him, and she wanted to do the bare minimum to make him feel like she couldn¡¯t do it without him. Ginrei revealed a look of understanding. ¡°I can vouch for Kazuya-kun¡¯s Shunpo. He is the very best this new generation has to offer.¡± ¡°I can vouch for his healing capabilities,¡± Unohana said, stepping forward and eying Soi Fon with an unblinking gaze. ¡°He is the best my division has to offer at the moment¡­ Regarding the assignment, can I know the specifics and where it would take ce?¡± Kazuya rubbed the back of his head, feigning a look of embarrassment. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s talk about that. Soi Fon has given me no information whatsoever. It¡¯ll be bad if I mess up cause I was thrown into a mission outside of myfort zone.¡± He couldn¡¯t leave the Soul Society for too long or else Aizen might take over with Muramasa¡¯s ability. He had to pick his path carefully and avoid involving himself with long-term missions. Soi Fon gave him a skeptical look. ¡°You can adapt to any situation. Like you adjusted to the high-level battle in Karakura Town. This assignment will be nothing for you.¡± ¡°Okay, I was lying to weasel my way out. I don¡¯t wanna leave my girlfriend alone for too long.¡± ¡°Girlfriends,¡± Soi Fon retorted. ¡°The operation shouldn¡¯tst longer than a week. It¡¯s not that big of a deal.¡± ¡°Two days. I can¡¯t spare more than that.¡± Soi Fon¡¯s eyes widened at his confidence. ¡°It¡¯s not impossible to finish it within two days¡­ but you¡¯ll have to forgo rest.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine with that. So, what is the goal?¡± ¡°Invading Hueco Mundo,¡± Yamamoto spoke in a solemn tone. ¡°Thest invasion had a drastic effect on the Soul Society¡­ I fear the Hollows have united a leader and are nning a major attack. We need someone to get in, gather information about their ns, and safely bring the information back to us.¡± The Captain Commander had be a bit restless from the silence shown by Arrancars. The strength Arrancars showed could pose a threat to the Soul Society¡¯s stability. They had to take proper measures to make sure they weren¡¯t caught off-guard at a vulnerable moment. Kazuyaughed as he pped Soi Fon¡¯s back. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m ready.¡± Soi Fon looked at him like he had lost his mind. ¡°We¡¯re going into enemy territory. Where is all that fearlessnessing from?¡± ¡°Considering your mediocre stealth skills, you¡¯ll surely be discovered by Arrancars. I need to be there to save your sorry life. And I¡¯m fairly confident in my ability to ughter Arrancars.¡± {The majestic King of Hollow will y his people.} ¡°Why you-!¡± Soi Fon nearly cursed him for his insolence. ¡°Not everyone is stupidly perceptive like you. I¡¯ll be fine with my skills.¡± He gently rubbed her head. ¡°Silly girl, we¡¯re dealing with Hollows. Souls who have animalistic traits. It¡¯ll be hard to fool them.¡± This time, Soi Fon didn¡¯t argue with him. She had tested and perfected her stealth against Shinigami. But she had never put her skills to test against an Arrancar. Unohana ced a hand on his shoulder while looking at Yamamoto. ¡°When will they depart?¡± ¡°Tomorrow,¡± Yamamoto answered. ¡°At dawn.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Yamamoto turned his attention to Kazuya. ¡°I¡¯ll need you to answer some questions.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Chapter 271: Encounter Chapter 271: Encounter Yamamoto¡¯s inquiry began with seemingly straightforward questions that anybody who fought Arrancars could have answered, such as the strength of an individual Arrancar, their motive, and their tendency to harm Shinigami. But the questions quickly becameplex with ¡°Who among them was the strongest and why did he think this one in particr was the strongest?¡± and ¡°How many Arrancars escaped with their lives?¡± Fortunately for Kazuya, he had long prepared answers for each one of these questions. Yamamoto had given him too much time toe up with facts weaved with lies. ¡°Don¡¯t know his name but I fought him first in the town. He was the toughest opponent by a mile. I couldn¡¯t have defeated him on my own without losing an arm or two.¡± He deliberately downyed Ulquiorra¡¯s abilities to save himself from bing the second ¡°too powerful for a rookie¡± target, the first being Kenpachi Zaraki. Soi Fon¡¯s expression darkened as a realization dawned on her. Given that Kazuya had defeated her fairly effortlessly, she might not stand the slightest chance of victory against this Arrancar. Noticing her reaction, Kazuya turned to Soi Fon, a faint smirk ying at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Your line of thought is correct. He would utterly demolish you. You might be fast but you have no chance ofnding two hits with your Shikai on him.¡± He never let go of an opportunity to belittle Soi Fon as seeing her angry and frustrated yet powerless to do anything pleased him. He wasn¡¯t aplete sadist, but for some reason derived a little too much pleasure from Soi Fon¡¯s suffering. Maybe it had something to do with their first meeting, where she had tried to humiliate him in front of hundreds. Soi Fon clicked her tongue, visibly irritated by his blunt assessment. ¡°I didn¡¯t be a captain from doing paperwork. I have ingrained Hakuda techniques in every fiber of my muscle. Even if I go up against someone stronger than me, I¡¯ll be able to adapt on the fly.¡± Her confidence came from over a century of honing herbat skills on her own. This type of confidence wouldn¡¯t break, of course, unless someone truly showed her the depths of despair. He reached out and patted her shoulder. ¡°I have no doubt about your skills, but trust me you won¡¯tst a minute against that freak.¡± The sympathetic look he gave her was a salt on her wounds. She gritted her teeth, yet she could do nothing in Yamamoto¡¯s presence. She silently swore to have her payback tomorrow, when she would be alone with him in Hueco Mundo. Kazuya chuckled softly before turning to Yamamoto. ¡°Any other questions for me?¡± ¡°Nothing. I¡¯ll hear from you after you return.¡± Yamamoto shifted his gaze to Unohana, his wrinkled face carrying no emotion. ¡°Captain Sosuke will be here any moment. I want everyone to leave. Even you, Ginrei-san.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Unohana murmured as a look of understanding crossed her serene features. ¡°Be mindful of Captain Sosuke¡¯s behavior. He has been acting rather¡­ strangely ever since the incident.¡± Rather than outright voicing her suspicions, she sowed seeds of doubts. ¡°I will be.¡± Kazuya couldn¡¯t help but frown. Although Yamamoto¡¯s strength surpassed Aizen, the idea of them meeting without any supervision bothered him. Yamamoto kept Aizen in check just by existing. The whole status quo would shift if Aizen used some underhanded tactic to injure, or worse, kill Yamamoto. {A, you¡¯re so jealous!} ¡®Nami.¡¯ {T¡¯was a joke, Partner! Anyways! You¡¯re overestimating Aizen. Being cautious is good but being overly cautious is not healthy for you!} Of all people he wasn¡¯t expecting Nami to be mindful of his mental health. ¡®Yeah, I gotta trust the old man. He won¡¯t fold over without a crazy fight.¡¯ Pushing his concerns to the back of his mind, Kazuya prepared his heart for the grueling training thaty ahead. He knew that Unohana wouldn''t go easy on him, regardless of her current inability to sense her Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. And truthfully, he wouldn''t have it any other way. While not a battle-hungry maniac, the exhration of crossing des with her and witnessing tangible growth in his skills was one of the most rewarding experiences he could imagine. Pushing his concerns to the back of his mind, he prepared his heart for the training toe. Unohana wouldn¡¯t go easy on him just because she couldn¡¯t sense her Zanpakut¨­ Spirit. And honestly, he wouldn¡¯t have it any other way. While not a battle-hungry maniac, he enjoyed shing swords with her. She showed him all the holes in his skills, giving him a perfect stage to evolve his skills. Right now, he considered growing strong one of the best feelings in the world. Gently pulling at Unohana¡¯s hand, he said, ¡°Captain, let¡¯s leave.¡± Unohana nodded, offering a polite bow to Yamamoto and Ginrei. ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave now.¡± Soi Fon pointed at Kazuya¡¯s face. ¡°Be prepared for tomorrow.¡± ¡°Stop acting like you owe me something. I¡¯ll show up if I feel like it.¡± ¡°Y-You¡ªwhy are you treating it like it¡¯s not important business?!¡± ¡°The mission is important but you aren¡¯t. I can aplish this mission on my own.¡± His calm and collected answer only poured more fuel on her fire. Knowing Soi Fon¡¯s temper, he left before she could explode on him. *** As though preordained by fate itself, Kazuya came face to face with Aizen the moment he walked out of the Assembly Hall. Unlike thest time, he had zero sense of anxiety. ¡°Why, if it isn¡¯t Captain Unohana,¡± Aizen greeted with his perfect good-guy smile that had kept him away from any suspicions until now. ¡°I didn¡¯t get the chance to express my gratitudest time. Thank you for your assistance with my injuries.¡± Unohana epted his gratitude with a gentle smile. ¡°It¡¯s my duty to heal the wounded.¡± ¡°As humble as ever,¡± Aizen said with a wry smile before looking at Kazuya. ¡°A rather unexpected surprise to see you apanying Captain Unohana in Vice Captain Kotetsu¡¯s ce.¡± ¡°She is out on an errand,¡± Kazuya lied with an honest smile. ¡°Captain Commander needed some answers regarding Arrancars, so I got summoned here.¡± ¡°I see. Well, consider this an opportunity to get to know other captains better. You¡¯ll be working with them as a Captain in no time.¡± ¡°No way. Captains have so many responsibilities. I wanna enjoy my life for a few hundred years first if you know what I mean,¡± Kazuya replied with augh. ¡°By the way, thanks for handling that final boss Arrancar in Karakura Town. Her Reiatsu was making me shiver on the other end of the town. I¡¯m d I didn¡¯t have to fight her.¡± Aizen maintained his pleasant demeanor, but Kazuya caught the brief sh in his eyes. Aizen hadn¡¯t expected Kazuya, the most ambitionless man in Aizen¡¯s n, to be the biggest hurdle to his Karakura Town¡¯s ns. ¡°The academy is the future of the Soul Society,¡± Aizen responded to his gratitude with a modest chuckle. ¡°I only did what any other Shinigami would do.¡± ¡°Captain Sosuke, you might be the most reliable captain.¡± Unohana¡¯s fingers found Kazuya¡¯s arm, delivering a subtle but firm pinch. ¡°Are you saying I¡¯m not reliable?¡± ¡°Umm, it¡¯s a different type of reliability. Like you¡¯ll heal all my wounds and support me but Captain Sosuke ¡ª he¡¯d protect me from receiving those injuries in the first ce.¡± {Oi, stop fanboying over Aizen! This acting is going too far.} Aizen revealed a warm smile. ¡°You¡¯re a little mistaken about Captain Unohana. She is¡ªwell, forget I said anything.¡± The shrewd captain stopped short of revealing Unohana¡¯s secret and bade his farewells to the two before walking into the Assembly Hall. Even though he revealed nothing concrete, his words were clearly designed to nt a seed of doubt about Unohana in Kazuya¡¯s mind. It would¡¯ve been a clever move to drive a rift between Kazuya and Unohana if they weren¡¯t so familiar with each other. As soon as the door shut behind them, Unohana firmly gripped his hand and led him away. Chapter 272: Promise Chapter 272: Promise Once she was back to the familiar grounds of the 4th Squad, Unohana ced a hand on her chest and let out a sigh of relief. ¡°I know Sosuke was putting on an act¡­ yet his smiles, hispliments, his expressions looked so genuine. I almost let my killing intent slip.¡± It was evident that she hadn¡¯t been fully prepared for this encounter with Aizen. And it had led her to almost making a massive blunder. Kazuya patted her shoulder. ¡°You were inplete control back there. I forgot that Aizen was a bad guy. That¡¯s how good you were at acting.¡± After a bout with Aizen, he had learned to read Aizen¡¯s subtle expressions. And he had seen no noticeable signs of doubt on Aizen¡¯s face regarding Unohana. His consideration earned him a small, grateful smile from Unohana. ¡°Still, if Aizen bes suspicious of you, the me is mine.¡± ¡°He¡¯ll never go after you as long as you¡¯re Retsu Unohana. Yachiru Unohana is a different matter though. He¡¯ll try to get rid of you if you ever pick up that sword for the Soul Society again.¡± Even under the influence of Aizen¡¯s Shikai, Unohana posed a significant threat. When thrust into a precarious situation, a natural born killer like her could adapt to the sense-warping powers of Ky¨­ka Suigetsu. Aizen would never underestimate her or Yamamoto. Closing her eyes, Unohana put a hand on the hilt of her Zanpakut¨­. ¡°I can¡¯t do that. I made a promise.¡± ¡°Even if Aizen goes after Isane?¡± Curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn¡¯t resist asking this question. Will she break her promise for Isane whom she treated like her daughter more than her Vice-Captain? Unohana¡¯s eyes snapped open, taking on a murderous look. An overwhelming bloodlust emanated from her. ¡°I¡¯ll put him under Minazuki and kill him. Over, over, and over, until his mind fades into nothingness. I won¡¯t let anyoney a hand on Isane.¡± As expected, she showed willingness to throw away her promise for Isane. Greater good of the Soul Society mattered less than her own Vice-Captain. He revealed a faint smile. ¡°That¡¯s probably the reason I like you.¡± Without mincing his words, he revealed his true feelings. His straightforwardness caught her off-guard. ¡°This isn¡¯t the time for your tomfoolery.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not though. Besides, you won¡¯t ever have to break your promise. If anyone tries to harm Isane or anyone else close to me, I¡¯ll give up on being an upstanding Shinigami and kill them. Even Aizen.¡± Despite his nonchnce, Unohana knew that he wasn¡¯t lying. Not one bit. She was once again reminded of why she had entrusted everything to this young man. His determination to see through had earned her respect. ¡°Kazuya,¡± she whispered. ¡°Are you hiding your true abilities even now?¡± Her question received a quiet nod from him. She studied his face intently. ¡°Unbelievable¡­ you still have a trump card ¡ª an ability that can kill Aizen before he can get support from any Captain. Could it be your Bankai?¡± ¡°Nope. It¡¯s something else. Though I¡¯d prefer not to use it with my current capabilities, or I might end up bing an abnormality.¡± Unohana smiled. ¡°What are you talking about? You already are an abnormality by every metric used in the Soul Society.¡± He took a dramatic step back, cing a hand on his chest. ¡°That one hurt.¡± She shook her head at his melodramatic behavior. ¡°I have one more question for you. Why did you agree to go with Soi Fon? You made no attempts to refuse her. Does our training matter to you at all?¡± The Assembly Hall didn¡¯t allow her the opportunity to probe his true motive behind helping Soi Fon. ¡°Do you know what would happen if I didn¡¯t agree to go?¡± Unohana¡¯s gaze drifted towards the distant gate. ¡°Another healer would have to apany Soi Fon¡­ The default option for high-profile assignments is Isane.¡± ¡°Yeah, exactly. Either Isane had to leave, or Soi Fon had to go on her own,¡± he said with a frown. ¡°I¡¯m not doubting Isane¡¯s ability, but Hueco Mundo is far more dangerous than a Captain and Vice-Captain can handle. It¡¯s Espada¡¯s base. Taking unnecessary risks simply isn¡¯t my approach.¡± She slowly nodded her head, looking satisfied with his exnation. ¡°You can leave with a clear conscience. I¡¯ll look after your little girlfriends.¡± ¡°You better keep them safe.¡± Unohana bared a vicious smile, one that looked far from her typical saintly demeanor. ¡°Anyone who tries to touch them will have their innards gutted by Minazuki.¡± ¡°Wow, Retsu is finally showing her true colors!¡± She let out a disappointed grunt. ¡°There¡¯s no need for pretense. You knew the real me from the beginning. How madly I lust for blood and battle.¡± He reached out and patted her head. ¡°Well, it¡¯s a good thing your future husband is an immortal being, isn¡¯t it?¡± All traces of viciousness vanished from her face, reced by a look of mild annoyance. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate I stopped being a criminal. Or else I¡¯d have put your ims to the test with my de.¡± ¡°Feel free to try me anytime.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do itter.¡± She grabbed his cor with a grin. ¡°When we train.¡± Kazuya gulped. ¡°Okay, Ma¡¯am.¡± *** Meanwhile, the Living World. Api opened the door to a green-haired woman in a denim jacket and tight pants. The visitor appeared ordinary, only a lot more beautiful than the people in the town. ¡°Hey¡­¡± ¡°Hey! How are you doing?¡± Api¡¯s awkward greeting was met with an enthusiastic greeting like no other. The reason for Api feeling so awkward had to do with her past visit to Hueco Mundo. She grappled with how to face the Hollow she had tried to kill. Was she meant to smile warmly and pretend it never happened, or act all grumpy because the Hollow defeated her? Nelliel cocked her head slightly, puzzled by Api¡¯sck of energy. ¡°Are you the same person who tried to ¡®devour¡¯ me? Did putting on the maid dress change you?¡± ¡°Still the same old Api who got her teeth kicked in by you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be bitter about it. There will always be people beyond our current reach,¡± she whispered with a distant look, her lips curving into a nostalgic smile. ¡°This is what fills life with a sense of purpose, you know. I¡¯ll keep bashing my head against the wall until I reach their level or surpass them.¡± ¡°Fat chance of that happening.¡± Api knew the man Nelliel wanted to surpass, and she could never imagine any Hollow evering close to his strength. Nelliel epted Api¡¯s discouraging words with a calm face. ¡°People can cling to unachievable goals.¡± ¡°My goal is bing unachievable too¡­¡± Api whispered,menting her inability to be a Vasto Lorde. She did her best every day ¡ª training with Lisa and the other Visored, consuming the rogue Hollows around the town, and even trying out the weird meditation techniques shown on the television. Nothing could nudge her toward the final boundary. What was she meant to do to be a Vasto Lorde? Shaking off her mncholy, Api pinned Nelliel with a sharp gaze. ¡°Why exactly are you here?¡± Nelliel took off her heat, which had been covering the remnants of her Hollow mask. ¡°Is he home?¡± ¡°No.¡± Api crushed Nelliel¡¯s hopes with a curt response. ¡°Don¡¯t ask me where he is. He doesn¡¯t want anyone to disturb him.¡± Nelliel¡¯s shoulders sagged visibly as a dispirited sigh left her lips. She had hoped Kazuya was concealing his Reiatsu as usual, and she would be able to meet him. ¡°Api, can you tell him Nelliel returned to Hueco Mundo? I¡¯ll be at my usual spot if he requires anything from me.¡± Nelliel put on her hat and tucked her hands in her pocket before walking away. ¡°Wait, what about those annoying little critters?¡± For Nelliel to leave the Living World would mean abandoning her people. Api never took Nelliel for someone who abandoned her people. ¡°They¡­¡± Nelliel revealed a bittersweet smile. Her entire demeanor shifted at the mere mention of her littlepanions. ¡°I¡¯ll talk about it some other day.¡± With a vague answer, Nelliel adjusted her hat once more and tucked her hands in her pockets before walking away, leaving a perplexed Api behind. ¡°What the hell happened to her?¡± Chapter 273-274: Restrained Jealousy Chapter 273-274: Restrained Jealousy With Momo and Rukia staying at home, Yoruichi found herself pleasantly upied, rather than bored as she would have been alone. Calm, confident, and with centuries of experience, she could guide the conversation in any direction ande up with light-hearted subjects to tease the young women. Witnessing their initial blushing brought her joy, but eventually, it grew boring. Rukia wasn¡¯t as open to teasing as Momo. What¡¯s more, there was little amusement to be found without a challenge. The challenge was one of the reasons she took pleasure in teasing Kazuya. And after all this time, she had only seeded one time ¡ª the time she chose to pleasure his penis with her mouth. ¡®A priceless memory for sure.¡¯ Although embarrassing, she wouldn¡¯t trade the moment for anything in the world. The reminder of him stirred her to check on his Reiatsu. Her senses registered his Reiatsu in an instant, despite the distance between them. His aura was intense and erratic ¡ª he was engaged in a battle. She also felt Unohana¡¯s Reiatsu, which was no less wilder than him. ¡®They are finally going at it.¡¯ Their Reiatsu had been stuck at somece for a while, but now she could rest assured that his training hadmenced. Honestly, she would have done the honor of training him on her own. s, her true talenty in unarmedbat, while Unohana excelled at wielding a de. Training with Unohana would benefit him more at this stage. ¡®I¡¯m not jealous of Unohana, am I?¡¯ Her brows furrowed in contemtion. ¡®Whatever. I can still help him refine his movement and unarmed skills.¡¯ As she had no pressing matters to attend to, she racked her brain for a way to make Kazuya blush without resorting to sexual means. Her cat-like ears twitched as she plotted, taking inspiration from a certain someone, and before she knew it, a mischievous grin had spread across her face. ¡°Hisana Nee-san¡­¡± Rukia paused and pointed at Yoruichi¡¯s face, a perplexed frown on her face. ¡°I¡¯m talking about my sister¡¯s sickness, but she is grinning¡­ What an awful woman.¡± A tinge of disappointment colored Rukia¡¯s gaze, as if she had expected more from someone who imed to be Kazuya¡¯s mentor. Momo pursed her lips. She could see Rukia using the opportunity to target Yoruichi. Still, she stayed silent, assuming a neutral position as she didn¡¯t want to favor one over another. Yoruichi rubbed the back of her head. ¡°You¡¯ve got it all wrong, Kiddo. I wasn¡¯t paying attention. Me grinning has nothing to do with your sister.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bother. I know you¡¯re one of those freaks who take pleasure in someone else¡¯s suffering.¡± Instead of epting Yoruichi¡¯s half-hearted apology, Rukia voiced the thought that had been weighing on her mind. All the teasing from Yoruichi had led her to believe that Yoruichi was a sadist. And her cat features only solidified Rukia¡¯s suspicions, as cats were known to y with their prey before killing them. A natural sadist. Yoruichi simply shrugged her shoulders at the usations. While she did take pleasure in teasing others, she didn¡¯t quite fit the definition of a sadist. She wasn¡¯t that far gone. Rukia turned her gaze, whispering, ¡°Yoruichi-san isn¡¯t the right person for him.¡± Yoruichi finally realized Rukia¡¯s problem with her. Byakuya¡¯s sister-inw was just looking out for Kazuya by singling out unworthy women around him. From an outsider¡¯s perspective, Yoruichi hadn¡¯t done anything notable. Rather, she sat around while Kazuya prepared breakfast. Afterwards, shezed around the bedroom while teasing them,ing off as a sadist. Of course, Rukia would take issue with Yoruichi now that she was officially Kazuya¡¯s girlfriend. The catdy reached out and pinched Rukia¡¯s nose. ¡°You sillyss. I¡¯m not a sadist. What¡¯s more, Byakuya and I are old buddies. I¡¯ll never wish for his or Hisana¡¯s misfortune.¡± She had trained with Byakuya since before Rukia was even a toddler. Everyone in the Shihoin and Kuchiki ns at the time knew about their unruly tag games and chases that spanned the entire Seireitei. Her bond with Byakuya was second only to her bond with Kisuke. As she thought back on these memories, a slight frown creased her forehead. ¡®Where does that put Kazuya? First?¡¯ ¡°Yes! Pet best! Bring Pet!¡± The spirited voice in her mind belonged to the child-like being residing in her Inner World. Yoruichi had assumed her Hollow was gone since she hadn''t heard from it in a while. It was just her wishful thinking. ¡°PET!!!¡± ¡®Go back to sleep.¡¯ ¡°PET! PET! PET!¡± Yoruichi covered her ears, even though the voice wasing from within her own head. This put an end to the Hollow¡¯s demands, at least for the time being. ¡®Phew, she went back to sleep.¡¯ She opened her eyes and saw a look of worry on Rukia and Momo¡¯s faces. Rukia¡¯s concern quickly disappeared, and she made what Yoruichi thought was an exaggerated sound of dissatisfaction. ¡°Byakuya Nii-san would never be friends with someone like you.¡± It hadn¡¯t been half a year since Rukia had reconnected with her older sister, but it was enough time for her to develop immense admiration for her brother-inw. She could never imagine a dignified man like him associating himself with azy bum like Yoruichi, much less being ¡®buddies.¡¯ ¡°Someone like me?¡± Yoruichi smirked. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just a slut mooching off of Kazuya. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± Rukia blinked, surprised that Yoruichi had voiced her exact thoughts. ¡°Yeah¡­ As Kazuya¡¯s¡­ girlfriend, I think I have a right to protect him from badpany.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not just badpany, kiddo. I¡¯m the baddest of them all. I¡¯m the ultimate baddie of the Soul Society.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°It¡¯s enough,¡± Momo spoke in a firm yet gentle voice. ¡°Rukia, let¡¯s end it here. Your judgment won¡¯t sway Kazuya-kun. She has earned her ce in Kazuya-kun¡¯s heart, and mine as well. Dare I say, her ce is more solid than ours.¡± She could no longer stay neutral. More importantly, she couldn¡¯t let Rukia continue to look down on Yoruichi and see her as an unworthy lover for Kazuya. Rukia¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°What? You¡¯re saying he likes this catgirl more than us?¡± Momo matched Yoruichi¡¯s gaze and nodded earnestly. ¡°He does. There is a reason behind his affections, I¡¯m sure of it. I¡¯ll wait until Kazuya-kun tells me everything on his own.¡± Yoruichi revealed a smug grin. ¡°Lil¡¯ Rukia, Momo is right. The man you love has secrets. More secrets than you both can imagine.¡± ¡°Everyone does.¡± Rukia raised an eyebrow, ck strands of hair outlining her face. She watched Yoruichi for a while before shrugging her shoulders. ¡°Momo, I¡¯m hungry. Bring me something.¡± Momo rolled her eyes, but paused as she remembered the delicious ramen prepared by Kazuya. ¡°Yoruichi-san, did Kazuya-kun make extras for breakfast?¡± Rukia scowled. ¡°You wanna eat soggy noodles?¡± ¡°It¡¯s made by Kazuya-kun. I¡¯ll eat it¡­¡± Momo turned her hopeful gaze to Yoruichi. ¡°Should I check it myself?¡± Yoruichi extinguished Momo¡¯s hopes with a shake of her head. ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Momo fell back on the bed and clutched the nket close to her face, which had his scent all over it. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m going to sleep¡­ wake me up when Kazuya-kun is back.¡± She would pay any price to time travel into the future to skip any extra moment and only experience moments with Kazuya, or to return to the past and relive her precious memories with him. Rukia grabbed Momo¡¯s legs and yanked her off the bed. She crossed her arms, looking down at Momo with a look of disapproval. ¡°No, you are not. You¡¯reing with me to the dorm. We¡¯ll get something to eat there.¡± As students, they had pretty much no money to spend. It was quite fortunate that the academy¡¯s free meals were both delicious and nutritious. Momo dragged the nket and wrapped herself in it. ¡°No, let me soak in Kazuya-kun¡¯s scent.¡± ¡°Argh, you weirdo. You had him all night yesterday. How are you missing him already?¡± Momo lowered the nket, peeking innocently. ¡°I-I just love him too much, okay?¡± ¡°What you show isn¡¯t love, idiot. It¡¯s obsession!¡± Rukia gazed at her friend for a moment before sighing. ¡°Yoruichi-san, I¡¯ll make something myself.¡± Yoruichi whipped her head around andzily waved her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t ask for my permission. This house belongs to your boyfriend. I¡¯m just a freeloader.¡± An intense blush spread across Rukia¡¯s face. ¡°Y-Yeah, you¡¯re right. It¡¯s my house too.¡± She darted out of the room, and a calm silence fell in the room. Momo fidgeted with the nket and stood up, pinning the chocte-skinned girl with a sharp gaze. The type of gaze her younger brother showed when he had caught her scribbling on an unconscious n elder¡¯s face. ¡°Yoruichi-san, when you were distracted earlier, were you thinking about Kazuya-kun?¡± Momo spoke slowly and assuredly, oozing confidence that Yoruichi had never felt from Momo. What¡¯s more, the ck eyes contained no innocence that Yoruichi had seen in her and Shiro in their first meeting. She felt like the person standing in front of her wasn¡¯t Momo, but someone else entirely. Still, she wouldn¡¯t be the sh Goddess if she let something as meager as this startle her. ¡°I was monitoring his Reiatsu, which makes you right in a sense.¡± Momo smiled knowingly, her gaze seeming to prate into Yoruichi¡¯s soul. ¡°Have you officially started a rtionship with him?¡± ¡°...There is nothing between us.¡± Yoruichi hesitated in revealing her arrangement with Kazuya until she sorted out her feelings and decided her future. Momo plopped down beside Yoruichi and swung her legs cheerfully. ¡°I love Kazuya-kun. I love him so much¡­ I think I love him more than myself.¡± ¡°Everyone knows that, but has anyone told you how this love has changed you? You used to be a sweet, innocent kid, now you¡¯re a clingy, desperate woman.¡± It had also changed Yoruichi, substantially. But pointing out changes in Momo was much easier than realizing her own changes. Momo turned to her with a sweet smile. ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡± ¡°Figured as much.¡± Yoruichi chuckled. ¡°Why are you telling me about your love, though?¡± Momo rested her head on Yoruichi¡¯sp and took her hand, cing it on her head and guiding it to stroke her hair. The gesture was more than enough for the chocte-skinned woman to understand her intentions. So, she began stroking Momo¡¯s hair. Momo smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t want Kazuya-kun to ever stop loving me.¡± Yoruichi gently pressed her hand against Momo''s face. ¡°He won¡¯t. He isn¡¯t that kind of man.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Momo whispered. ¡°Still, if therees a day Kazuya-kun loses his love for me¡­ will you help me?¡± Yoruichi threw her head back and erupted into a breathyughter. ¡°An unlikely scenario but sure. I¡¯ll whoop that brat¡¯s ass and make him love you again.¡± Momo revealed a grateful smile. Her request wasn¡¯t to force him to love her again ¡ª it was to end her life. But she liked Yoruichi¡¯s suggestion too. ¡°Thank you, Yoruichi Nee-san.¡± Yoruichi simply shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m¡ª¡± Her nose scrunched, picking up a scorched scent. ¡°Momo, how would you rate Rukia¡¯s culinary skills?¡± ¡°No idea. I¡¯ve never seen her cook.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s brows twitched. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier?!¡± *** Evening. Walking across the dark hallway, Yoruichi transformed into her human form and opened the door. Her cat eyes patiently observed the man standing before her. Dressed in spotless Shihakusho garments with such nobility, those shallow aristocrats could only strive for. The only w on his perfect countenance was a subtle hint of exhaustion. She felt weird to see him not smiling or grinning like a fool. Being so familiar with him, she could easily see exhaustion from the way he carried himself and theck of energy in his eyes. ¡®He couldn¡¯t have gotten that type of training from her, could he?¡¯ Yoruichi pierced him with a seething re. Unable to contain herself, she leaned closer and took a sniff of his clothes. Theck of Unohana, or any feminine scent, on him cleared her doubts away. He simply felt worn out from over-exerting himself. He pushed her face away. ¡°No need to be the jealous housewife. I won¡¯t lie if I fuck someone behind your back.¡± A pleased smile made its way to her face, and she hummed. ¡°A lot of toughness from a man who looks so defeated. Unohana must¡¯ve whooped you like a dog.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just say something happened, and I was stabbed in the chest.¡± Theck of sarcasm on his face or voice wiped the aura of yfulness around her. She tugged his robes this way and that, loosening them enough to see his chest. There were no scars to be found. ¡°Your natural regeneration is just silly. Wait, do I also regenerate like you now?¡± He wrestled control of his clothes and fixed his appearance. ¡°Gosh, you didn¡¯t have to undress me in the open.¡± She pulled him inside and shut the door. ¡°Answer my question, sweetheart. Or I¡¯ll cut open my wrist and report you for domestic violence.¡± He shrugged as if he couldn¡¯t care less. ¡°Go ahead.¡± Her brows twitched at his coldhearted answer. ¡°Come on, say it. I wanna know my limits.¡± ¡°You probably won¡¯t,¡± he said with a thoughtful look. ¡°Remember, you¡¯re a Shinigami with a Hollow. Not aplete Hollow.¡± A look of disappointment shed on her face, which was reced by a confident smirk. ¡°Will it be worth it to be aplete Hollow?¡± She saw a sh in his eyes. The pause in his actions told him that he was imagining her naked with a Hollow mask and more lethality. ¡°Oh, sweetheart,¡± she whispered, pressing herself against his chest and looking up with a cheeky smirk. ¡°Can you be a little less transparent with your depraved thoughts?¡± He flicked her forehead. ¡°I won¡¯t let you be aplete Hollow.¡± His serious rebuke had her speechless for a moment. Instead of exining his reasoning in a more detailed fashion, he walked past her. She sh-stepped to cut him off. ¡°There is warm water in the bath. Take a quick dip while I heat up dinner.¡± He patted her small back with a warm smile. ¡°It¡¯s refreshing to have you as my wife.¡± ¡°Keep dreaming.¡± A brazenughter shook her chest, the corner of her eyes crinkling happily. ¡°Don¡¯t take too long, Kiddo. I¡¯m dying to know why Unohana stabbed you.¡± Chapter 275: Nature Chapter 275: Nature The sliding shoji screens, adorned with delicate cherry blossom patterns, allowed slivers of moonlight to filter onto the muted tatami mats. When paired with the faint light of the delicate papernterns and the elegant low table, it invoked an intimate atmosphere. This serene setting, however, was disrupted when Kazuya and Yoruichi took their seats at the table. Between them sat a te of steaming delicacies, their aroma nearly making his stomach growl. ¡°Yor, I¡¯m a little skeptical about this¡­¡± He put on a brave expression as he eyed the delicacies. ¡°But if it¡¯s for my dearest wife, I¡¯ll dly put my life on the line and eat food that¡¯s clearly not made for¡­ human consumption.¡± Swallowing down food with radioactive seasoning was a small price to pay for Yoruichi¡¯s happiness. Yoruichi tapped her fingers on the table. ¡°I had Rukia and Momo help me this time.¡± Although things started rocky with Rukia, they could recover and create some positive memories ¡ª at least Yoruichi did. She suspected Rukia didn¡¯t share the same sentiment. Frankly, it was Rukia¡¯s fault for making a glorious mess out of the kitchen. Kazuya¡¯s eyebrows rose in surprise. ¡°Damn. They returned without seeing me.¡± ¡°More like Rukia dragged Momo away. Rukia looked like she was fighting the urge to spend more time with you. Lass made the tough decision to prioritize her future over you.¡± ¡°As her boyfriend, I¡¯m pleased with her priorities,¡± he said, lips slowly curving into a cold smile. ¡°After all, she knows she¡¯ll be spending the rest of her life in my basement, as my lovely wife.¡± Yoruichi shook her head, unable to discern if he was joking or serious. ¡°You do realize that kind of talk would provoke Byakuya to fight you to death, right? Thatd bes protective for family¡­ or he used to be. I¡¯m not sure anymore.¡± Still considered an exile, she hadn¡¯t introduced herself to Byakuya and the rest of her people in the Soul Society. She had seen Y¨±shir¨­, her brother, from a distance, and he was holding up pretty well on his own. He cracked his knuckles. ¡°I¡¯ll sit Byakuya down with just my right fist.¡± ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t doubt that for a second.¡± Yoruichi chuckled, propping her elbow on her thigh and leaning her chin on her palm. ¡°You¡¯ll not believe the things that happened behind your back.¡± The very memories of her little adventure with Rukia and Momo had her grinning silly. Kazuya leaned forward, intrigued to hear her mischievous activities behind his back. ¡°Seems like you all had a st without me. Care to share some snippets?¡± ¡°I will, after you share why Unohana attempted to murder you.¡± She needed to know if her friendmitted some grave mistake to incur Unohana¡¯s wrath, or if it was just a slip-up during their training. He let out a deep sigh. ¡°I¡¯d appreciate it if you showed a little more concern for your husband.¡± ¡°You survived the soul shredding process of reincarnation, then you survived Aizen. A tough bastard like you¡¯ll live through anything. At this point, I¡¯m more concerned about the deity who is working overtime to save your ass.¡± {Someone finally recognized my hard work! Partner, I demand a raise!} ¡®You don¡¯t even have a sry.¡¯ {I do. It¡¯s watching you. For the raise, I want five stuck-to-each-other-like-a-glue hugs and three French kisses, ON TOP of my current sry.} ¡®You can have it.¡¯ {Yay~! So happy!} ¡°Father, who is this woman¡­?¡± The happy-go-lucky Nami quite bbergasted Tsubasa. Kazuya gave a nod as he spoke, ¡°Yor, the only deity in this world is the Soul King¡­ I think I¡¯m rted to him.¡± ¡°Rted to Reio?¡± Yoruichi asked, wide-eyed. ¡°You¡¯re pulling my leg, aren¡¯t you?¡± Not even Yoruichi believed him ¡ª that¡¯s just how absurd his words were. The Soul King was the epitome of power and authority in the Soul Society, a ruler that people never saw but believed in, regardless. ¡°Well, it¡¯s a littleplicated. I¡¯ll tell you everything when I have verified it myself.¡± Her gaze sharpened as she pointed at his face. ¡°You¡¯d better. Anyway, what did you do to Unohana? Did you try to make a move on her, or did you piss her off?¡± ¡°Wow, you¡¯re doubting your husband. What happened to the unwavering trust between couples?¡± She clicked her tongue, looking mighty annoyed by his yful antics. ¡°Stop going off-topic. Unohana won¡¯t try to kill you for no reason.¡± ¡°There is a reason,¡± he said with a sigh, his gaze distant. ¡°You know Unohana¡¯s past, right?¡± ¡°Gathering information is Onmitsukid¨­¡¯s speciality. I was the head of that organization. There aren¡¯t many influential people I¡¯m not familiar with here.¡± ¡°Oh yeah. I sometimes forget myzy cat wife used to be a badass assassin.¡± ¡°For the love of Reio, stop calling me your wife!¡± Yoruichi snapped, giving him what felt like a final ultimatum. ¡°As for Unohana¡¯s past, is there a reason to bring it up? Unohana has reformed and became a healer to make up for her past actions. She hasn¡¯t been involved with violence for centuries. There was even one case where she healed a vicious criminal because she didn¡¯t want him to die.¡± Although she wasn¡¯t the closest to Unohana, she had been on the receiving end of Unohana¡¯s kindness many times. Apart from a few asional slip-ups in her Reiatsu, Unohana had been the definition of a kind soul. ¡°Reform?¡± Kazuya chuckled. ¡°Can a cat stop meowing and start barking?¡± Confusion clouded Yoruichi¡¯s face. ¡°What are you implying?¡± ¡°It¡¯s cat¡¯s nature to meow. And it¡¯s Unohana¡¯s nature to fight a bloody battle. She can suppress her nature, but she can never get rid of it. She¡¯ll always live and die for violence. Does that paint the picture for you?¡± Yoruichi nodded slowly, somewhat unfocused. ¡°I don¡¯t get the vague metaphors. Tell me the whole damn story.¡± ¡°Then listen closely because I¡¯m not going over it again.¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 276: Vicious Attack Chapter 276: Vicious Attack (Half an hour ago) Kazuya basked in bliss from the soft sensation of Unohana¡¯s thighs beneath his head. The gentlep pillow was his ¡°reward¡± for surviving the extreme training, which Unohana promised him back at his home. Unohana agreeing to his request was not on his list of surprises today. She pinched his cheeks gently. ¡°Is this enough? I have to check back on my squad too, after I bathe.¡± He ced his hands over hers. ¡°No. I¡¯m still tired. Let me rx a bit more on my future wife¡¯sp.¡± She made a troubled expression before letting out a sigh. Since he had to leave tomorrow, she was spoiling him a little. She might have given too much leniency. ¡°My Shihakusho is drenched in sweat. There is your blood on my clothes, too. How this is rxing for you in any capacity is beyond myprehension.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t make you any less attractive,¡± he whispered, kissing her palm. ¡°I quite enjoy spending time with my future wife. You probably don¡¯t, I guess. But you¡¯ll learn to appreciate small intimate moments one day, that¡¯s my promise.¡± ¡°Small moments¡­¡± She raised her head, contemting his words. Kazuya closed his eyes and let the older woman digest his promise in peace. Rolling around, he found a morefortable position. Exhausted from the long training, he didn¡¯t take long before the loving arms of slumber embraced him. His peaceful reststed a while but came to an unfortunate end by the distinct sound of a katana sliding out of its sheath. The sound was subtle, but it may as well have been the howl of a wolf against his ears. Before he could open his eyes, an overwhelming bloodlust enveloped his entire being, wrapping him in its cold, hostile domain. A sharp pain in his chest followed the bloodlust. ¡°Kuh.¡± He groaned, his eyes flying open to the gloomy smile of Unohana beneath the dark sky. Her hands gripped the katana protruding from his chest. ¡°R-Retsu, what the hell?¡± He asked incredulously, the blood rushing up his throat and filling his mouth. ¡°O-Oi, don¡¯t be crazy.¡± Rather than listening to him, she forcibly pulled the katana, blood spurting from the gaping wound in his chest. She raised the katana over him and stabbed him again, aiming for his heart. He barely caught the katana between his hands. ¡°Retsu, snap out of it.¡± The katana slipped from Unohana¡¯s grasp,nding with a dull thud on Kazuya¡¯s chest. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and the blood-stained de. The familiar green glow of Kaido enveloped her hands as she began to heal him. Not even a scar was left when Kaido and his natural regeneration worked on the wound together. ¡°What happened here?¡± She asked, despite understanding the crux of the matter. ¡°Did I¡­ do this?¡± Kazuya focused, allowing a tiny amount of Reiatsu to envelop him. It clung to the excess materials on his clothes before shooting off in the shape of a blood-red bullet. He sat up and dusted his clothes. ¡°If you¡¯re referring to the injury you just healed, yeah, you did.¡± His hand found the tear in her Shihakush¨­, fingers grazing her thigh.¡°You stabbed right through me.¡± Though he had anticipated Unohana might attack him someday, he hadn''t expected it so soon. Somehow his involvement had made her violent tendencies worse than her anime counterpart, that too by a long shot at that. {This is what you get for sleeping on a madwoman¡¯sp,} Nami spoke with an edge in her voice. {Partner, there is still time to ditch her route.} ¡®I thought she was your idol.¡¯ {Still is~.} Unohana pressed a hand to her forehead, looking a little lost. ¡°Just what am I doing?¡± She vividly remembered a sound, like that of shattering of ss, when she saw him sleeping so peacefully on herp. Little did she know it was the sound of her dark urges breaking out of its shackles. In her carelessness, she had tried to assassinate thest hope of the Soul Society. A gentle pinch on her thighs brought her attention to the present. She looked down to Kazuya caressing her thigh through her torn hakama. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t beat yourself up. I¡¯ll treat it like a valuable training lesson.¡± She brushed his hand away and stood. Frictionlessly sliding the katana out of its sheath, she ced it against his neck, which made him raise a brow in surprise. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. You were sleeping and vulnerable. And I¡­ I tried to kill you. It¡¯s inexcusable¡­¡± Clenching her trembling fists, she pointed the sword to her own neck before bringing it down to the middle of her chest, right where she had stabbed him. ¡°An eye for an eye. A wound for a wound¡­ Kazuya, take the sword and drive it into my chest.¡± His eyes flicked from the sword''s handle to her face, not a hint of emotion on his face. She pushed the sword towards him. ¡°You can heal me afterward.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the point of it then?¡± ¡°To even the suffering caused by my weak will.¡± More so than the physical pain, she craved punishment. Any form of punishment would do as long as it held her responsible for her violence. He grabbed the sword and tossed it aside before bringing her into his arms, all in an instance. Stunned by his actions, she stared up at his charming face. ¡°I knew your murderous side, and I still slept like a log on yourp. Can you me yourself for myck of caution?¡± Frustration welled up in Unohana, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. Anybody else in his situation would freak out and leave her alone. But he ¡ª he had the audacity to treat it like just another day in his life. The whole situation made her wonder if his head was in the right ce. ¡°Say something,¡± he whispered. ¡°Or I¡¯ll touch you.¡± Unohana punched his belly. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare me me if this happens again.¡± ¡°This? You mean by this warm hug?¡± He tightened his hold, pressing her against his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll dly wee it.¡± She shoved him away, her eyes frosty. ¡°I¡¯m not joking. Next time I lose control, it won¡¯t end up with one wound. I might kill you.¡± He erupted into a heartyughter. ¡°Retsu, don¡¯t overestimate yourself. If I¡¯m serious, not even two of you can take me down. For you, I may as well be an immortal.¡± ¡°I have made immortals crawl at my feet, begging for death¡­¡± Unohana whispered, slowly walking toward her Zanpakut¨­. As she picked it up from the ground, she nced over her shoulder, her eyes gleaming with malice. ¡°Immortality doesn¡¯te with resistance to pain. Even if it did, my sword will burn through everything and make you regret ever iming immortality.¡± Kazuya crossed his arms before holding up his chin. ¡°Ah, you¡¯re talking about your Bankai.¡± All the seriousness faded from her face, her eyes widening in shock. ¡°How do you know¡ª¡± He shstepped to her back and rested his hand on her shoulder. ¡°Retsu, I know everything there is to know about you.¡± Chapter 277: Progress Chapter 277: Progress ¡°And that¡¯s how it ended.¡± Yoruichi stared at him for a good moment. His audacity to flirt with Unohana and being so nonchnt about everything had her dumbstruck. He ignored her and dug into the food, devouring te after te everything like a certain spiky hair main character. ¡°Ahhh¡­ that was wonderful.¡± Yoruichi shook her head. ¡°Say thanks to Iser.¡± ¡°Huh? Why?¡± She pointed at the dishes on the table. ¡°She paid for all the ingredients.¡± Yoruichi told him all about her day. The small confrontation with Rukia at the start and then she briefly nced over as her bonding moment with Momo. Then she scolded Rukia for almost burning down the kitchen and forcing Rukia to clean up the whole mess. After all that, they left the house together to buy some supplies, only to find that none of the shop owners put payments on the tab. Isane¡¯s timely appearance in the market had saved them from returning home empty-handed. Kazuya hummed as he listened to Yoruichi. ¡°Isane doesn¡¯t deserve thanks for that ¡ª she deserves a whole night of love.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s call it a night. I gotta wake up early tomorrow.¡± Yoruichi yawned as she stretched like a cat. ¡°Night¡­¡± ¡°What night? You¡¯reing with me. Who else will be my pillow, huh?¡± He grabbed her tail and dragged her to the bedroom. *** Reading books by himself was one of Aizen¡¯s favorite pastimes. The constant stream of ideas and knowledge helped him keep up with the current world. The evolution of books also let him glimpse into the progress. There had been no major change in the Seireitei Bulletin, the biggest publishers in the Soul Society ¡ª a stark contrast to the ever-evolving books of the Living World. Aparison between the histories of both realms would tell the truth behind the Soul Society¡¯s stagnation. One realm suffered wars on a massive scale, and the other only went through one defining conflict over thest millennia ¡ª the Quincy. The Soul Society needed a new god. One that wasn¡¯t beloved by people but despised by them. An infallible tyrant god. And only he could fill the role of such a being and guide the Soul Society to a better future. ¡°Captain Aizen, I¡¯m back~.¡± Gin¡¯s abrupt appearance put Aizen¡¯s musing to an end. The ever-smiling viper shuffled across the room. Closing the book, Aizen raised his head. ¡°Wee back. Any report worth paying attention to?¡± ¡°There is,¡± Gin said, crossing his oversized sleeves on his chest. ¡°There is a hot one you¡¯ll want to know, Captain Aizen.¡± Aizen put the book back on the shelf as Gin ryed the information he had gotten from his informants scattered through the Soul Society. Even though Aizen had zero trust in Gin, every piece of information brought by Gin turned out valid. ¡°The old man is sending someone to gather information in Hueco Mundo. It¡¯s a secret expedition.¡± ¡°He is assessing Arrancars to be a grave threat to the bnce, as expected. Do we have any names?¡± ¡°Why would I call the news hot without the names?¡± Gin said with a smirk. ¡°It¡¯s Captain Soi Fon and your favorite rookie, Kazuya Ishihara.¡± ¡°Interesting. Very interesting of them to trust him.¡± Gin rubbed his hands, expecting . ¡°The boy is already going ces. Isn¡¯t it better to take care of him now?¡± ¡°No. We won¡¯t touch him.¡± Aizen shook his head. ¡°I won¡¯t mind you informing our people in Hueco Mundo to give him a hard time.¡± It was better for Kazuya and Soi Fon to stay busy in Hueco Mundo. The less powerful people stayed in the Soul Society, the less friction Aizen would face in executing his n. Gin grinned. ¡°Oh. I¡¯ll make sure he has the time of his life there~.¡± ¡°How are they going to enter Hueco Mundo for this task?¡± asked Tosen, whose presence waspletely ignored until now. ¡°Outside of Royal Guards, do Shinigami even have a way to enter Hueco Mundo at will? (1) The Senkaimon Gate only worked within the Living World and the Soul Society. The only known method to enter Hueco Mundo was through Garganta. To rip open a hole in Garganta, one had to be a Hollow. Gin rubbed his chin. ¡°That¡¯s a million yen question.¡± ¡°Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi,¡± Aizen whispered the name of Kisuke¡¯s spiritual sessor. ¡°He must have found a way through dissecting Arrancars¡¯ corpses. We cannot underestimate him.¡± Aizen would¡¯ve been wary of Mayuri without Kisuke¡¯s mentorship. The maniacal scientist had no ethical or moral boundaries. In a sense, Mayuri could prove to be a worse enemy than Kisuke. Gin scoffed. ¡°That nutjob. I dread the day someone from our side has to fight him.¡± ¡°I have not aplished much these past days,¡± Tosen whispered. ¡°Captain Aizen, you have something nned for me, right?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Aizen nodded. ¡°You¡¯ll y the role of my messenger tomorrow.¡± ¡­ A/N for (1) - I had forgotten about Senkaimon Gate not working in Hueco Mundo. I think I made some mistake about it in the chapter where Harribel and Kazuya meet Gin. Chapter 278: Not enough fluffy Chapter 278: Not enough fluffy ¡°Partner, wake up.¡± Kazuya¡¯s eyes fluttered open at Nami''s gentle touch. She sat by the bedside, her divine form partially eclipsing the moon¡¯s glow from the window. On any other night, he would have whooped Nami¡¯s ass for this disruption. But tonight... Tonight, he had granted her special privilege to ruin his sleep. Nami¡¯s fingers traced his forehead, her smile soft in the dim light. ¡°Unohana won¡¯t say no to me. I could go in your ce.¡± ¡°I have to do it myself.¡± As he attempted to rise, he found himself anchored by Yoruichi¡¯s arm draped across his chest. She clung to his side like she wouldn¡¯t let go no matter what. He may have dragged her into the bed, but she liked using him as her plushie more than he did, at least during her sleep. Nami snickered. ¡°She does that after rejecting a rtionship for the hundredth time. Partner, I know the best way to convince Yoruichi. Push her down and tame her with your D.¡± ¡°Easy now,¡± he said, running his fingers through Yoruichi¡¯s hair, trying to ease her into letting go. ¡°She lived all her life without romance. She needs more time to adjust.¡± Even Yoruichi could no longer deny her feelings for him. She just needed a little more time to grow ustomed to this dynamic, where she was more than just a friend to someone. ¡°Pet,¡± she whispered as her eyeszily opened. ¡°Pet...¡± With another mumble, she nuzzled into his chest, and her breathing grew soft. She had drifted back to sleep in thefort of his, or rather her ¡®Pet¡¯s¡¯ presence. This wasn¡¯t the first time he had seen Yoruichi¡¯s Hollow taking over during the night. She left herself too vulnerable when she slept by his side, a typical habit of cats relying on others in the group to keep an eye out for threats. ¡®This cute little thing.¡¯ Although his first meeting with her Hollow was far from great, he had warmed up to her cute antics. He didn¡¯t mind its presence as long as it acted within its boundary, which was never attempting a forced possession of Yoruichi¡¯s body. ¡°Release me and go to sleep,¡± he whispered in Yoruichi¡¯s cat ears, and her right ear twitched in response. ¡°I said release me and go to sleep.¡± Yoruichi¡¯s Hollow sumbed to the power of charm and loosened her grip around him. He gently disentangled himself from her arms and stepped off the bed before draping a nket over her. Nami wrapped her arms around his waist, ncing up at him from her seated position. ¡°Someone learned to tame bad kitties. Or should I say baddies and kitties?¡± ¡°Both works,¡± he said with a faint smirk. ¡°Do you wanna be tamed too?¡± ¡°Haha. Partner truly looks the most charming when abusing your natural gifts.¡± He stroked her hair affectionately. ¡°I thought I had a weird fetish, but you¡¯re in a league of your own.¡± She dismissed hisment with a soft giggle. Standing up, she reached up and unbuttoned his shirt with a deliberate slowness. ¡°I like every side of Partner. But if I had to pick... I¡¯ll go with a moderate evil version with a bnce of smarts and violence.¡± ¡°Oh? Which version am I currently ying?¡± ¡°The good guy, of course.¡± Nami looked away with a pout that looked oundishly adorable on her regal face. ¡°You haven¡¯t been evil ever since you entered the Soul Society... there was that fight with Byakuya. It was an exception, not the norm.¡± He patted her back in the mostforting way. ¡°It¡¯s just the circumstances that made me. I¡¯ll be plenty evil for you in the future. Now, can you watch over Yoruichi while I¡¯m gone?¡± ¡°Babysitting feral kitties isn¡¯t exactly my forte, Partner.¡± She nced at the sleeping Yoruichi and shook her head. ¡°She is so unreasonable. I¡¯d be really down if she was cute, fluffy, and meowie-wowie. Gosh, I¡¯m gonna have to wait another few centuries to find a little catgirl pillow. I¡¯m talking about your daughter with her, Partner.¡± She got along exceptionally with Yoruichi, however, the same couldn¡¯t be said for Yoruichi¡¯s Hollow. The feral entity had only one person in its eyes ¡ª her Pet. The rest of the world may as well be invisible to her senses. Kazuya nted a kiss on Nami¡¯s cheek. ¡°You¡¯re the alpha of Hollows. The future God Empress. How can you let a feral cat intimidate you?¡± Her eyes widened as she realized her uncharacteristically spineless behavior. She took his hands and ced them on her cheeks. A smile bloomed on her face. ¡°I know you¡¯re tantly manipting me into this¡­ but I can¡¯t help it, you know. Yourpliments fill to the brim with joy¡­ and also, my title is ¡®Destined Empress of Heavens¡¯ now.¡± He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. A brief contact of their lips was all it needed to make her grin ear to ear with confidence. ¡°I¡¯m gonna get ready then, current Empress of Happiness.¡± The title got a good chuckle out of her. ¡°Go without worry, for I, Izanami-no-Makoto shall protect this kitten with my very life.¡± He shed her a thumbs up gesture before heading towards the bath. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 279: Pushing Boundaries Chapter 279: Pushing Boundaries Half an hourter. Kazuyanded silently in Unohana¡¯s backyard, which proved to be a waste of effort. The back door was open, and Unohana was moongazing with a cup of sake in her hand, reflecting on the events that had spiraled out of her control. The matter weighed heavily on her heart, despite his best attempt to ease her guilt. Her lips curled into a soft smile at the sight of him. ¡°One stab didn¡¯t satisfy you enough? s, I¡¯m not in the mood to indulge your¡­ fetishes.¡± Her voice was filled with a feeling of deep sorrow as if she truly regretted disappointing him tonight. She raised the sake cup. ¡°You¡¯re wee to join me on this sleepless night, however.¡± He settled down by her side, immediately noticing the subtle notes of fruity sake mixing with her scent. She had been drinking for a while, the proof of which was evident from the three empty bottles on the low table behind them. All the alcohol only made her cheeks a bit flushed. ¡°Since when did Retsu be an alcoholic?¡± ¡°I¡¯m celebrating your survival,¡± she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she pushed the cup toward him. ¡°Will you ept a treat from a woman who tried to assassinate you in your sleep¡ª¡± Before she could finish, he took the cup and downed the sake in one motion. He tossed the cup on herp and wiped lips with his thumb. ¡°Actually, not bad. You have a good taste in sake.¡± Unohana slowly shook her head as if she had expected him to react in this fashion. ¡°I¡¯m still unhappy about earlier.¡± ¡°In that case, what can I do to make you happy?¡± ¡°Ending me...¡± she whispered, more to herself than conveying her emotions. ¡°Are you here to nag at me?¡± ¡°I do have that right, as your future husband.¡± She mmed the sake cup on the tatami floor, shattering it into bits. ¡°Enough. I have seen enough. I¡ªhave heard enough. It is time you stop calling yourself my future husband, or I will¡­¡± As much as she adored him, there was no world in which she would marry anyone, much less the desired man of Isane. Because there was no happiness for the man she would choose. Only misery of bing her target ¡ª someone she would fight to death whileughing like a maniac. ¡°Hic¡ª¡± An unintentional hup destroyed her serious demeanor. She pressed her thumb against her throat, which got rid of her hups for good. ¡°I was saying¡ª¡± ¡°On one condition,¡± he said, looking at her in earnest. ¡°Be my present wife.¡± ¡°No.¡± Kazuya clicked his tongue. ¡°It was worth a try.¡± Silence settled between them. Kazuya refrained from mentioning his original purpose foring here. He had to address Unohana¡¯s situation before leaving Soul Society. Leaving her in her current state could lead to some disastrous consequences. As he contemted how to help her, she pushed her sheathed katana towards him. ¡°I¡¯ll consider marriage if you hold me ountable for my mistake.¡± He drew the katana, letting the curved de soak in the moonlight. ¡°This weapon has been through a lot of battles. Still looks so pristine. It kind of reminds me of you. A woman older than the current human calendar, yet still so beautiful.¡± She barely reacted to his flowery words, which he hadpletely expected. ¡°I pried its Asauchi from a noble¡¯s cold fingers,¡± she whispered, gazing up at the moon as if recalling nearly faded memories. ¡°A young noble and his entourage leaving the safety of their estate to kill criminals. To earn recognition from his family. His misfortune was to encounter me of all criminals.¡± Before the Gotei 13¡¯s formation, nobles used to regte the criminals¡¯ activity in Rukongai, or so they tried. The number of ouws in Rukongai vastly outnumbered the nobles. The nobles only killed the criminals close to their territories and let the innocent suffer in Rukongai. The old Rukongai was far more violent than today. ¡°Back when my future wife used to be a delinquent,¡± Kazuya mused, inspecting her katana. ¡°What was life like back then?¡± ¡°Delinquent? I was a criminal. The strongest of them all until¡ª¡± Unohana cut herself off, shaking her head. ¡°I might return to my former life without this favor. Kazuya... I can only rely on you. Use the sword on me.¡± She would stab herself if it yielded the same result. But it had to be him. He slid her katana back into its sheath. ¡°My answer is still no.¡± ¡°Did you not say you have feelings for me? Are you happy seeing the woman you adore devolve into a lowly criminal?¡± Left with no choice, she resorted to using his feelings to manipte him ¡ª the one area where he could write a thesis and be her master. He ced a hand on her thigh and turned to face her with a solemn look. ¡°Listen, punishing yourself won¡¯t address the root cause of your concern. It¡¯ll just be a band-aid solution.¡± Her hunger for violence had been rtively tame until he arrived and gave her a taste of what she had forgotten. Her former addiction had returned in full force. Now, she struggled to control her urges and couldn¡¯t be satisfied with mere mock battles. She craved more. She craved blood. She craved ughter. Worst of all, there was no cure for her condition. Even his charm ability could only temporarily help her regain control; it couldn¡¯t permanently erase her desire for violence. ¡®Maybe myplete Resurri¨®n can.¡¯ He, however, couldn¡¯t experiment until he returned from Hueco Mundo. Her brows furrowed at his words. ¡°Do you know of a permanent solution?¡± ¡°Other than letting you indulge in violence, nope.¡± She stared at him for a long moment, as though expecting more. When he remained silent, she continued, ¡°Then help me with the temporary solution.¡± She slightly shifted the tail of her braid, exposing the scar hiding beneath. ¡°Don¡¯t drag it out unnecessarily.¡± He let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Retsu, you¡¯re stronger than that.¡± ¡°I am not. You saw it with your own eyes. I may be able to y a Vasto Lorde with my sword¡­ but I can¡¯t control myself when it matters. Please, I do not wish to let Isane see me in that state.¡± Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, he drew her closer. ¡°You held it off for centuries and became a better person. That alone deserves some credit. And you¡¯re still trying to ovee it.¡± She forcefully shut her eyes, her jaw clenched. ¡°Even now my heart is throbbing¡­ my fingers are twitching to hold my Zanpakut¨­ and cut you. Just do me this favor, you stubborn kid.¡± He barely flinched at her confession. ¡°My future wife has some issues. Oh well, nothing I can¡¯t fix.¡± ¡°You cannot fix what¡¯s not broken,¡± she growled. ¡°That is why, after this is over, I want¡ª¡± He pulled her even closer and pressed his hand against her mouth, silencing her from uttering any ominous foreshadowing. ¡°Retsu, stop thinking about it. You¡¯ll forget everything about the incident for two days.¡± Using the full effect of his ability, which he had only used once on Api, he attempted to make her forget the incident for two days. He had no idea how much of a sess this would be, or if it would evenst for an hour. Unohana¡¯s wide eyes grew distant before gently closing. When she opened her eyes again, they were clouded by confusion. ¡°I¡­ must¡¯ve nked out.¡± Kazuya pumped his fist behind his back. Smiling, he said, ¡°You drank too much sake, probably.¡± ¡°Uhmm.¡± She put her hands between them and retreated from him. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me why you came here.¡± ¡°Take me to the Living World. I¡¯m going to need Harribel in Hueco Mundo.¡± Chapter 280: Recruitment (I) Chapter 280: Recruitment (I) In the twilight hours, when the worldy hushed and still, Franceska M Rose would often be caught in a restless dance between wakefulness and slumber. The umted weariness from the rigorous training with Api and Visored would force her to sleep about the whole day on the living room¡¯s couch, leaving her wide awake at night. Whenever she found herself unable to sleep ¡ª which she usually did ¡ª she would roll around in the bed, tune into the television, and then take a nap and repeat until the sunlight spilled through the window. Her lusterless night schedule couldn¡¯t fill the gap left in her heart by Kazuya, and to a certain extent, Ciri. She could understand Kazuya¡¯s absence from her side, but Ciri¡­ Her old friend had moved into her own room to look after her precious little kittens. The memory of Ciri¡¯s departure still stung whenever she found herself alone in her room; it was like a thorn embedded in the proud flesh of her soul. ¡®You can stay here with them!¡¯ M Rose had pleaded to Ciri. ¡®I won¡¯t eat them, I promise.¡¯ ¡®Franceska, you don¡¯t stay still when you sleep. You¡¯re gonna crush my kittens if we stay together!¡¯ M Rose had tried every trick that day, from throwing a tantrum to acting cutesy. Yet nothing could put a dent in Ciri¡¯s determination. The fierce adopter of kittens had made it her life¡¯s purpose to protect them. Suffice to say, M Rose would lose most of her cheerfulness without truepanionship. Today, too, she was lying on her bed, hoping to fall asleep watching the most mundane weather recaps of drama shows. Yet even as her eyelids grew heavy, sleep remained just beyond her grasp. As if summoned by her yearning forpanionship, a familiar scent wafted through the open window, carried on by the night breeze. In an instant, M Rose¡¯s senses stirred, her nose twitching as she inhaled her truepanion¡¯s aroma. ¡°Kazu!¡± Grinning with joy, she struggled to contain a shiver of excitement. She jumped off her bed and crouched on the ground. Then sheunched herself at the open window in a perfect trajectory like an arrow let loose by a bow. Outside, the garden below became a blur of shadows as she pumped her legs with Reiatsu, as much as she could conjure inside her Gigai body, and transitioned her dive into a makeshift Son¨ªdo step. The speed boost allowed her to fly straight at the young man, who quietly walked through the garden in hopes of staying low profile. He obviously noticed her and let out a sigh of defeat before taking a stance to brace himself. She crashed into him with all the force of a meteor striking the earth. Thud! With an audible crash, they both tumbled into the bushes. M Rose, triumphant in her goal, pinned Kazuya beneath her, her eyes gleaming with a primal hunger that sent shivers down his spine. ¡°Rose, what the hell are you doing?¡± She hugged his neck and rubbed her face against his own before affectionately licking his cheek like a cat. ¡°Who¡¯re you trying to hide from, Love?¡± A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. ¡°It¡¯s impossible for me to hide from you, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Haha. You shouldn¡¯t even try that, mate.¡± M Rose smirked smugly and tapped her forehead. ¡°Your scent is stored here. I can sniff you out from another town.¡± He could hide his Reiatsu but he couldn¡¯t cover up his scent. Well, he could, but it would take too much effort, and there would still be a chance of his efforts failing in the face of a creature of instinct like her. Shaking his head in fond exasperation at her extraordinary capabilities, Kazuya gently pinched her cheeks. "My sharp-noseddy, why exactly are you up thiste?" ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep,¡± M Rose confessed, her hands brushing his chest as if to memorize the very shape of his body. She raised herself and licked her lips like she had seen the most scrumptious feast of her life. ¡°Now, I don¡¯t wanna sleep.¡± ¡°Rose, not here. Anyone on the street can see us.¡± ¡°I have done more shameful things with you and Snake,¡± she said in an assertive voice and gripped his cor. ¡°Do you think I give a fuck now, huh?¡± She could drag him back to the sanctuary of her room, a more private ce, where the equally passionate Sung-Sun could foil her ns. Or she could give in to the wild urgings of her heart and im him here. The stupidly courageous lioness chose thetter. Recognizing the futility of resistance, Kazuya''s hands found their way to her waist. ¡°No, probably not. I¡¯ve taken away all your shame if there was any in the first ce.¡± She threw her head back andughed boisterously. ¡°I¡¯m the alpha lioness. How can I lead the pride with you if I shy away from everything?¡± He couldn¡¯t help but nod, acknowledging the truth in her words. ¡°Valid reason. I''ll let you win this time.¡± She had let Ciri take away her twenty minutes in theirst meeting. It would be criminal of him to not give her some bits of happiness. ¡°I love how my mate puts up zero resistance.¡± She leaned down and gripped his chin before giving a peck on his lips. ¡°I¡¯ll have so much fun riding you till sunrise~.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have that much time,¡± Kazuya replied with a gentle smile, tempering her expectations even as desire coursed through him. ¡°Let¡¯s end it in fifteen minutes.¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 281-282: Recruitment (II-III) Chapter 281-282: Recruitment (II-III) The moon continued its celestial journey, witnessing the passionate fifteen minutes in its entirety. During these fifteen minutes, the whole mansion stirred, and everyone was awakened by M Rose¡¯s shenanigans. When Kazuya entered the house with M Rose clinging to him, he saw all of his Hollow lovers. Harribel, Api, Sung-Sun, Lisa, Ciri. Even Izumi had joined everyone. Only the basement dwellers ¡ª Starrk, Lilte, and Menoly ¡ª were missing. In all likelihood, they didn¡¯t want to end their sleep early, and nobody could me them. None of his lovers seemed angry at his abrupt appearance except for Lisa. She red at him like she wanted to pluck out his eyeballs and y marbles with them. He promptly ignored the malevolent energy oozing from Lisa and smiled at his loyal maid on duty. After sensing his Reiatsu, Api had switched to her maid dress to wee him. Such devotion wasmendable in his eyes. Api¡¯s frown oozed barely concealed jealousy, his appreciative gaze having no impact on her demeanor at all. ¡°Shameless.¡± While she had the heart to let them finish their intimate activities, where anybody could see them, she clearly held a grudge against him. Sung-Sun snickered behind her sleeve. ¡°You reek of jealousy, Deer.¡± The taunt ignited Api¡¯s temper, and she threw a punch at Sung-Sun¡¯s face. Her fist roared through the empty air as Sung-Sun nimbly ducked under it. The snake-eyed Arrancar stepped behind Lisa, using her friend as a shield. ¡°You¡¯re a degenerate at your core, Api. Does it scare you? Does it make you wanna cry, little girl? Do you wanna boohoo~?¡± Api gritted her teeth. ¡°Coward. Face me like a man.¡± ¡°I am a woman,¡± Sung-Sun said, her tongue darting out yfully. ¡°We both are. Unless¡­¡± ¡°...¡± With a look of triumph, Sung-Sun turned to Lisa and patted her shoulder. ¡°Lisa-chan, it seems to me you have some words for my Husband?¡± ¡°I do.¡± Lisa crossed her arms, eyes narrowing behind her sses. ¡°How will hepensate me for ruining my beauty sleep?¡± Kazuya cleared his throat. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss thatter. I¡¯m here for an important reason.¡± ¡°Like doing us all on the same bed?¡± M Rose said, holding a look of anticipation in her eyes. ¡°I¡¯d be down for that, honestly.¡± Although she had her favorites in the family like Harribel and Ciri, she considered everyone here a part of her pride. Ever since epting Kazuya as her mate, the idea of pleasing him with the others in her pride felt as natural as sharing his affection with them. ¡°W-What?!¡± Api eximed, her trembling finger pointing at M Rose. ¡°How can you suggest that so casually?!¡± ¡°Casually¡ª¡± Kazuya ced a finger on M Rose¡¯s lips. ¡°No fighting for my sake. Be quiet and hear me out.¡± M Rose¡¯s defiant expression softened under his calm authority, and she gave a slow nod in response. ¡°¡®Kay!¡± Kazuya ruffled her hair before turning to everyone. Different levels of curiosity and anticipation were etched on their faces, and their full attention was on him, waiting for the reveal like children waiting for their parents to unwrap the gifts. A smile reached his face. ¡°I¡¯m here to enlist everyone for a war.¡± Harribel¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, the realization dawning on her. ¡°Is it time¡­?¡± ¡°Yup.¡± He confirmed with a nod. ¡°We¡¯re going to establish an eversting Empire in Hueco Mundo.¡± A chorus of cheers erupted from the group of Api, Sung-Sun, M Rose, and even Ciri. They began whispering to each other passionately, forgetting their prior arguments. Only Izumi remained quiet, a flicker of confusion crossing her face¡ªunderstandable since she had yet to hear his ns for Hueco Mundo. Api cracked her knuckles with a vicious grin. ¡°Finally a chance to pummel some sense in those idiot Arrancars.¡± M Roseughed. ¡°My fingers have been itching for a real battle. I¡¯m gonna crack open their skulls and stuff some humanity inside.¡± Ciri brandished her whip, a sadistic smile on her face. ¡°I¡¯ll see to Espada¡¯s demise myself.¡± Sung-Sun watched her friends and shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m more excited about helping my husband. It¡¯ll be my first battle as his beloved wife. I must give my all and prove my worth outside of his bedroom.¡± Thest part made Api blush as she took a nce at Kazuya. He pretended not to notice her meaningful gaze and maintained his serious expression. Lisa pushed up her sses. ¡°Am I allowed to join in on the fun?¡± From her calm expression, one wouldn¡¯t imagine her head being full of conflicting thoughts such as ¡®I shouldn¡¯t be part of a Hollows war?¡¯, ¡®Aren¡¯t I a half Hollow?¡¯, and ¡®I don¡¯t care about it!¡¯. She couldn¡¯t change her overthinking nature. ¡°Of course,¡± Sung-Sun said. ¡°Who else will have my back out there?¡± ¡°Treat me to some ramenter, yeah?¡± Sung-Sun winked at Kazuya. ¡°I¡¯ll invite Husband to make him pay.¡± ¡°A crazy idea. I¡¯m really down for it.¡± The pair exchanged a lively high five, acting as if they weren¡¯t going to war with some of the most powerful Hollows in existence. He was partially to be med as the twodies considered themselves to be untouchable by his side. He had to do everything in his power to maintain this unshakable belief. Harribel stepped forward, the sound of her slippers making everyone silent. ¡°Kazuya, let¡¯s make sure no deaths are involved¡­¡± She wanted to build a haven for Hollows ¡ª to end the cycle of endless violence ¡ª while avoiding any sacrifices. It was asking too much of her lover, she knew, but she also knew that only he could pull it off. What may be miraculous to many was just a tiny bit of trouble to him. Kazuya nodded solemnly. ¡°We¡¯ll incapacitate those who don¡¯t want to surrender. Still, we can¡¯t avoid death entirely. Some deaths will be outside of our control.¡± The flicker of regret in his eyes told of the conflict within¡ªmercy toward enemies was not his first instinct, but he understood the need to maintain bnce. Killing many Arrancars might draw the attention of the Royal Guards. For this, he needed Harribel and the others¡¯ support. The uing battles would give everyone a chance to get stronger and potentially evolve in a safe environment. As for Aizen, he wasn¡¯t worried at all. The recent events had painted Aizen as a mistrustful man in Yamamoto¡¯s eyes. A cunning man like Aizen would avoid leaving the Soul Society until the heat around him died. Now was the perfect chance to strike and cripple Aizen¡¯s influence in Hueco Mundo. Harribel breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°I trust you, Kazuya¡­ When do we leave?¡± ¡°At dawn,¡± he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. ¡°And no provoking the Espada in my absence.¡± Kazuya proceeded to hand them every piece of information required to execute his n. For the next few minutes, the room remained silent save for his voice. Harribel, Api, Sung-Sun, and Ciri listened with an unwavering focus, while Lisa and M Rose didn¡¯t bother with the strategic warfare as they felt content listening to orders. ¡°Point me in the direction, and I¡¯ll rip anyone to pieces for you¡± was M Rose¡¯s justification. She simply had no desire or patience to stress her little brain for oveplicated tasks. Lisa¡¯s justification ¡°I¡¯d rather not waste my energy on this. I trust you and Harribel¡± fitted herid-back personality. Kazuya¡¯s gaze fell on Izumi, who stood off to the side, an unspoken sadness in her eyes. She longed to join them in this warfare as she had qualifications to be a great war asset against Hollows ¡ª she had Quincy powers of a pureblood Quincy, her raw capabilities reaching the Gillian-ss of Hollows. However, her powers would kill Hollows, which went against the very foundation of this war. He walked over to her side and whispered a soft ¡°Hey¡± in her ears. ¡°Hey, Otouto-kun,¡± she replied, a force cheer in her voice. ¡°I¡¯ll watch over the ce while everyone¡¯s gone.¡± She could have protested, could have begged to join him, but she chose to swallow her desire and be more open to his wishes. And he wished for her to stay behind, otherwise, he would¡¯ve asked her to join him by now. ¡°Thanks, Izumi. I¡¯ll make it up to youter.¡± She giggled at hispliment. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Otouto. You¡¯ve done so much for me. Let me repay you in some form¡­¡± She trailed her words and fidgeted with her fingers. ¡°Though I wouldn¡¯t mind going on a date with Otouto.¡± She tried to act reserved, yet when it came down to it, she couldn¡¯t stop her desires from slipping out. He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°Alright.¡± As he talked, or rather, flirted with Izumi, Api grabbed his hand and dragged him away. ¡°Api?¡± She moved into his arms and gave him a hug that would put bears to shame. But as quickly as she¡¯d embraced him, she pulled back, looking flustered. ¡°Sorry. I don¡¯t know what came over me.¡± Kazuya smiled, shaking his head. ¡°No need to apologize.¡± ¡°No, I brought you here to tell you something important,¡± she said, regaining herposure. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I hugged you like that.¡± He knew the reason¡ªher Aspect of Death, Devotion, was growing stronger. He refrained from exining anything and let her decipher the truth for herself. ¡°Like I said, it¡¯s fine.¡± He stroked her face. ¡°What¡¯s so important?¡± ¡°Nelliel came here yesterday. She said she is moving to Hueco Mundo.¡± ¡°Nel?¡± Kazuya¡¯s brow furrowed in thought. ¡°Wasn¡¯t she busy with her tiny Hollows?¡± ¡°I asked her about that! But she didn¡¯t say anything. She seemed¡­ sad.¡± A look of concern crossed his features. ¡°I¡¯ll meet her there.¡± Api nodded, biting her lip as if struggling with something. ¡°Kazuya¡­¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ nothing.¡± She shook her head and lowered her gaze to the floor, then looked up with a hint of defiance. ¡°Don¡¯t make us wait too long, or I¡¯ll stop wearing this stupid dress for you.¡± At first, she was hesitant to share her thoughts, then she started threatening him. The cause of her uncertainty had to be rted to her biggest ambition ¡ª bing a Vasto Lorde. Kazuya gave her a gentle hug. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in Hueco Mundo.¡± ¡°Mhmm.¡± *** Kazuya¡¯s next stop was his mansion¡¯s basement training ground, a rocky desert dwarfing the mansion above. The spatial Kid¨­ spells had him intrigued. He¡¯d pay Kisuke¡¯s friend, Tessai, in blood to learn these spells. He would devote his time to Kid¨­ practice once he got rid of Aizen. His versatility, impressive as it was, seemed but a pale shadow of what he could achieve. He craved more. Drawing breath into his lungs, he cupped his hands around his mouth. ¡°Get your asses over here.¡± His voice, amplified through Reiatsu, made the very space tremble, carrying his will to every corner of these barren grounds. The seals around the training grounds meant he could use his Reiatsu as he pleased. In response to his summons, three figures dashed to his side. ¡°No need to yell, Leader,¡± Lilte said, stirring her ear with her pinky finger. ¡°Right, Menoly?¡± The eyepatched Arrancar with short blonde hair nodded her head with a quiet ¡°Hmm¡±. Nobody would even think of this tame woman as the same species as those soul-devouring monsters. Starrk weaved his fingers through his messy hair, looking at Kazuya with his right eye closed. ¡°Hell must have frozen over for you to show your face here.¡± ¡°Ouch. Do I look like someone who doesn¡¯t care about his friends?¡± Starrk nced at Lilte and knocked on her helmet. ¡°I¡¯m not saying you don¡¯t. It¡¯s just¡­ I get bored just sleeping around, you know?¡± Lilte and Menoly would often go to y upstairs, whereas Starrk would be stuck here all alone. While it beat having to kill Hollows with his presence alone, he was starting to get bored. He did join Lilte once, however, he quit after an hour of unbearable awkwardness he brought with him. Starrk wasn¡¯t a fit for the good fellows upstairs. Kazuya chuckled. ¡°Got it. I promise I¡¯ll spend more time with you all after I take care of this thorn in my way.¡± ¡°Aizen?¡± Starrk asked, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Call on me when you want to take care of his Arrancar army. I dislike fighting but it¡¯s the least I can do to help you¡­¡± ¡°I was here for that. Join Tier and the rest in the morning. We¡¯re going to war.¡± Starrk nodded his head. ¡°We¡¯ll be there¡ª¡± Lilte punched Starrk¡¯s belly, making him bend at the most awkward angle. ¡°Ask Menoly before agreeing to this!¡± Starrk rubbed his belly with a groan. ¡°What the¡­ Menoly, you aren¡¯ting?¡± Menoly turned her gaze to Kazuya instead, her eyes inquiring him ¡®Can I?¡¯ nonverbally. He was her leader, after all, and she had no desire to make any decision against his will. Kazuya reached out and pinched her cheek. ¡°What do you want to do?¡± Her left widened in surprise, her right would too if it wasn¡¯tpletely swallowed by her Hollow hole. She stared at his face, contemting to herself or simply afraid to give a voice to her thoughts. He took back his hand and dusted his shoulder. ¡°Do you want to join us in the fight, or do you want to stay here? If you doe, I¡¯ll give you a VIP seat for Espada¡¯s end. You don¡¯t have to fight anyone either.¡± ¡°Ah¡­¡± She nced at Lilte, who responded with a smug face. ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡± ¡°There you go!¡± Lilteughed and patted, or rather pped, Menoly¡¯s back. ¡°No need to be scared of this big guy. He¡¯s a softie inside like Starrk.¡± Starrk let out a sigh, looking like he had resigned to being toyed about at the hands of Lilte, the manifestation of his Resurri¨®n. Kazuya patted Starrk¡¯s shoulder with a sympathetic ¡®I know your pain¡¯ look. They were in simr boats except his Resurri¨®n was sexier (instead of cute) and a whole lot more unhinged. Starrk frowned. ¡°Is Grimmjow¡¯s grouping?¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t he with you?¡± Kazuya asked, a little puzzled by the question. He had left Grimmjow¡¯s rowdy group with Starrk and Kisuke. ¡°I didn¡¯t see him with Kisuke when you shifted here.¡± ¡°He never returned after he left to help Kisuke that night.¡± Kazuya clicked his tongue. ¡°That fucker must¡¯ve escaped when Kisuke was fighting Aizen. Why didn¡¯t you bring it up earlier?¡± Starrk scratched his cheek. ¡°I wanted to confirm it with Kisuke. He never showed up here¡­ then I forgot¡­¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Where do you reckon he went?¡± ¡°Hueco Mundo.¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!