Slime Soul (Tensura x Bleach Crossover) (Patreon)

Chapter 21: Crownless King

Back With Caius

“…And that’s pretty much everything.” I finished my explanation and relaxed now that everything was out in the open.

Of course, to ensure nothing I said was overheard, I had Astra run a full scan on the others to make sure they hadn’t been bugged by that bastard Kurotsuchi.

Thankfully, it seemed the clown had heeded my warning back then and decided to leave them alone.

Didn’t mean I still wouldn’t kill him at the first opportunity.

“Yes, such an individual is best taken care of permanently.” Astra agreed calmly.

I was pulled from my thoughts of murdering a certain mad scientist by Nelliel’s voice. Turning to her, I saw her looking at me with a determined frown.

“…Caius.”

“Yes…?” I asked, raising an eyebrow while keeping my expression neutral, unsure what she was about to say.

“Are you sure you’ll be able to reach this Central World you want to travel to?” Nelliel asked seriously.

“Yes, it shouldn’t be a problem.” I nodded calmly. “You see, when the being known simply as the All-One created everything, they built a dimensional wall around every universe. It acts as a border between worlds and keeps them separate. To cross it, one needs an insurmountable amount of energy, precise spatial and temporal coordinates, and the ability to perform unfathomably complex calculations.”

The trio listened with rapt attention.

“Currently, I possess two of those requirements.” I continued, raising two fingers. “Thanks in part to the Hōgyoku I took from Aizen, I now have the capacity to perform those calculations.”

Or rather, Astra did.

“Indeed, as Caius-sama said earlier, we are two halves of a whole.” Astra said in the back of my mind, sounding far too proud of that fact and more than a little smug.

“Additionally, thanks to constantly growing stronger since arriving in this world, I’m almost certain I now have the energy required to cross the dimensional wall. All I lack are the precise coordinates, and that will take a little more time.”

“…I had no idea other worlds and universes existed out there,” Nelliel muttered softly, pressing her fingers to her forehead. “All this talk is slightly going over my head.”

“Same here.” Pesche nodded seriously, looking completely lost.

“Uggh, I have a headache, don’t cha know.” Dondochakka groaned, holding his head.

I smiled faintly at them but remained silent, knowing Nelliel wasn’t done.

Sure enough, she straightened seconds later and nodded to herself.

“While I may not understand the specifics of traveling between worlds… I do understand one thing.”

Her serious expression melted away, replaced by a radiant smile directed entirely at me.

I blinked, and felt a faint blush creep onto my face.

“I don’t want to be separated from you, Caius~” she said softly. “If traveling to another world means I can stay by your side… then so be it~”

Staring at her silently for a moment, while ignoring the way my heart skipped a beat, or whatever counted as my heart since I was technically a slime, I finally let a smile form on my face.

“I see… you have no idea how relieved and happy I am to hear that.” I muttered softly, feeling the small knot in my stomach finally loosen at her words.

My response only made Nelliel’s expression shine brighter.

“Where Nelliel-sama goes, we go.” Pesche said simply, giving me a cheesy thumbs-up.

“Yes.” Dondochakka nodded firmly.

“By the way, what are you planning to do with the Primera and the current Tres Espada, Caius?” Nelliel asked curiously, tilting her head.

“I was actually planning to see if they’d be willing to become my subordinates, along with their Fracción.” I said with a small shrug.

“Whether they accept or not is up to them, of course. I don’t have any particular reason for recruiting them beyond the fact that they seemed like the most reasonable of the current Espada.”

I supposed Grimmjow could technically count in that list too… but he was far too much of a wild card for me to consider reviving and recruiting. Now that I thought about it, I’d rather revive Ulquiorra than Grimmjow if I was being honest. He was far more manageable and actually followed orders.

The only issue would be whether he’d be willing to follow me.

‘I can always revive him later, I suppose.’ I thought silently.

“They do seem to be the most reasonable from how you described them.” Nelliel murmured thoughtfully, resting a finger under her chin.

“What do you think, Nel? Should I bring them out now and ask them?” I asked, genuinely wanting her input.

“Hmm… I don’t see why not. Don’t worry, Caius. You have my full support if anything happens.” Nelliel said with a nod, placing her hands on her hips confidently.

“Very well. Best get this over with.” I nodded back before extending my hand toward the space in front of us and releasing Starrk and Harribel from my Imaginary Space.

From a violet-and-black vortex, the forms of the Primera and Tres Espada materialized on the ground before us.

It only took them a moment to awaken and become aware of their surroundings.

Harribel was the first to visibly react, immediately rising to her feet and leaping back several meters, positioning herself defensively while watching us warily.

Starrk, on the other hand, remained lying on the ground with his eyes closed, even though I could tell he was fully awake and aware.

The lazy bastard probably decided standing up was too much effort.

“What’s going on here? Where am I?” Harribel demanded cautiously, her eyes flicking between me, Nelliel, and finally toward Starrk. “Where’s Aizen?”

“Relax, Tier Harribel.” I spoke calmly from my seat, not worried about her in the slightest.

From my memories, she was a reasonable individual. And even if she wasn’t, she stood no chance against Nelliel in her current state, let alone me, if things somehow went south. There was simply nothing to worry about.

My words made Harribel’s full attention snap to me. A moment later, recognition flickered in her eyes as she properly took me in.

“As you might have guessed by now, my name is Caius Aurelius. The lovely lady next to me is Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, along with her subordinates behind us.” I began with introductions.

Nelliel blushed slightly at my wording but still offered Harribel a small wave and a polite smile.

“Hello~”

“We’re currently in Hueco Mundo, more specifically, in the Forest of Menos. Now, as for your last question…” I paused, letting an amused smirk form as I leaned back casually, relaxing on my seat and resting my head against my hand.

“Aizen is dead. I killed him… and then completely devoured him.”

Her eyes widened at that.

To drive the point home, I raised my free hand, palm up. A moment later, a small bluish-purple orb materialized above it.

The Hōgyoku.

The sight of it, something Aizen had never allowed anyone to touch, was confirmation enough. Especially the ominous feeling it was letting out passively.

I let the orb hover for a second before absorbing it back into my Imaginary Space.

“Before you succumbed to the wounds Aizen gave you, I was able to rescue you and your subordinates. The same goes for the lazy ass pretending to be asleep, and Lilynette.” I finished calmly.

Then I pulled back my index finger, focusing a small, well for me it was small, amount of reiryoku into it before snapping it toward Starrk.

It nailed him right in the ribs.

“Guuh! You noticed, huh?” Starrk groaned, clutching his side before finally cracking a blue eye open to look at me lazily.

“Everyone noticed, lazy ass.” I rolled my eyes before shifting my focus back to Harribel, who had managed to compose herself again after the shock.

“…I see. Thank you for rescuing my subordinates.” Harribel said with quiet dignity, bowing her head slightly in respect.

“…Is Lilynette really alive?” Starrk asked a moment later, his voice low as he looked at me from the corner of his eye.

And now he was fully awake.

It just showed how important Lilynette was to him, which made sense as the girl was literally a part of him that he split from his original form in his loneliness.

“Yes, here, let me prove it to you. I have a feeling with her here, things will go more smoothly with you.” I said with a nod.

Raising my hand once more, I released Lilynette from my Imaginary Space. She landed beside a startled Starrk.

I turned to Harribel while Lilynette immediately threw herself at him, tears streaming down her face as she hugged him tightly.

“Starrk!”

“…You’re too loud.” Starrk muttered, but his voice lacked any real complaint.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll bring out your subordinates a bit later,” I said to Harribel. “There’s something I want to discuss with both of you first. From what I’ve heard, your Fracción can get a bit rowdy.”

“…That’s a fair assumption.” Harribel admitted quietly with a resigned sigh. “Very well. What is it you wish to discuss?”

With Lilynette still clinging to his side, Starrk gave me a small nod to show he was listening.

“Become my subordinates.” I stated simply, leaning back with a relaxed smile. “If you do, I’ll look out for your interests, and you’ll look out for mine. As an added bonus, I’ll grant you power making it possible for you to evolve even further, like Nelliel here. Once you do, you will no longer be Hollows.”

With my offer made, I relaxed back into my seat and waited patiently as they thought over my answer.

“No longer a Hollow?” Harribel repeated, brows narrowing slightly before her gaze shifted to Nelliel more carefully.

Her eyes widened as she finally noticed a glaring detail about her.

“Your Hollow mask…”

“That’s right~” Nelliel replied proudly, puffing out her chest slightly. “I no longer have a Hollow mask. And my Hollow hole is gone too.”

“…Impossible.” Harribel muttered, genuine surprise slipping through her calm demeanor. Even Starrk blinked at that.

While they processed it, Lilynette sniffled one last time, wiped her eyes, and stepped forward, planting herself in front of me.

“You’re the one who saved us, right?” she asked with a wide grin. “The one who brought me back?”

“That would be me,” I nodded calmly. ‘Well it was actually Astra, but my point stands.’

“Then we’re in~” she declared immediately.

“Oi, Lilynette…” Starrk started lazily.

“Shut up, Starrk!” She smacked the back of his head hard enough to make a solid thwack, even if it did no real damage. “He saved us! We owe him! And do you want to go back to being alone? The others are dead, you know?”

The air went quiet at that.

No one mentioned that I was the one responsible for most of those deaths.

And I appreciated that.

“…Haah. Fine, fine.” Starrk sighed in surrender before flopping back onto the ground. “Too much trouble to argue anyway.”

I nodded, satisfied, before turning my attention back to Harribel, the one whose answer I actually wanted to hear.

She remained silent, deep in thought.

I wouldn’t force her of course, but hoped she would say yes.

Several moments later, Harribel finally seemed to come to a decision as she focused her gaze on me with a serious look.

“Before I answer, I have a question for you.” Harribel asked calmly.

Nodding at her, I signaled with my hand for her to continue. “What is it?”

“What are your plans?” she asked seriously.

Her question caused Starrk and Lilynette to pay attention as well while I mulled over whether I should tell her or not. Eventually, I decided there was no real harm in doing so.

“My plans, huh?” I muttered with a slight tilt of my head before smiling calmly. “It’s actually rather simple. I plan to leave this world and return to where I belong.”

My answer caught her, and the silently watching Starrk and Lilynette, off guard as they looked at me in confusion.

“…Leave this world?” Harribel asked slowly, blinking once.

“That’s correct.” I nodded. “The reason I’m so different from everyone else, why Aizen was so interested in me, and why I’m able to do the things I can is all the same reason. I’m not from this world.” I explained calmly.

“If you need proof, just look at Nelliel one more time.” I said, pointing briefly at the greenette, who smiled and nodded. “Tell me, do you know of anyone with the ability to turn Hollows into another race?”

They thought over my words for a moment as realization slowly began to set in that I might be telling the truth.

“If you’re speaking the truth, and from what you’ve said so far, I’m inclined to believe you, then what is your purpose once you reach your destination?” Harribel asked again.

Her question made me pause.

I realized that I had never really thought about what I would do once I reached the Cardinal World. Since arriving here, my focus had only been on finding a way to leave while amassing as much power as possible so I wouldn’t die again so soon after reincarnating.

But when I looked inward, the answer came quickly.

“As hard as it might be to believe, I just want to live among my kind and try to live a peaceful life, even if that sounds impossible. To accomplish that, I’m willing to use all my power to make that dream a reality, and I will show no mercy to anyone who gets in my way.” I said honestly.

In the end, I just wanted what any living being wanted.

To live freely.

And I wasn’t naïve enough to believe everyone would allow that for any number of reasons.

My answer caused Harribel’s face, from what little I could see beneath her mask, to relax slightly as she gave me a small nod.

Then, without hesitation, she stepped forward.

She stopped in front of me… and knelt, lowering her head as she spoke in a firm, steady voice.

“If that is the case, and as long as you hold to your word, then I vow to serve and follow you from this day forth.” Harribel declared solemnly.

A pleased smile spread across my face and I gave her a nod.

“Good. Lift your head.”

She did so a moment later, rising back to her feet.

I stood from my seat and looked at my new subordinates, who were all watching me expectantly.

“Welcome to the team, you three. Now it’s my turn to keep my end of the deal and further empower you. And don’t worry, Harribel, I’ll do the same for your subordinates later.” I said, turning briefly to the blonde woman.

“Thank you, Caius-sama.” Harribel replied with a respectful nod.

“Without further delay, from this day forth I name you, Coyote Starrk, Lilynette Gingerbuck, and Tier Harribel.” I declared clearly.

A moment later, I felt a portion of my magicules leave me and flow into the three of them, causing them to blink in surprise at the sudden surge of power.

“With that, you are officially my subordinates.” I said with a small grin, placing my hands on my hips as Pesche and Dondochakka cheered in the background while Nelliel clapped happily at gaining more friends.

“Now, what do you all say we take a trip to the World of the Living for a while?” I asked with a grin.

“The World of the Living? Won’t the Shinigami be on the lookout for any remaining Hollows?” Lilynette asked curiously.

“Hmhmhm… who said we’d be traveling to Japan?” I replied, my grin widening into something more teasing.

‘Time to see what all the fuss is about with Burn the Witch. Hopefully we can get something useful out of those dragon things.’