Bleach [58-60] (Patreon)

Chapter 58: A Well-Known Secret and Beautiful Things

Yoshio had nothing to add. He was green—barely out of the Shin'ō Academy. The things he was supposed to know by the book, Shiba Kaien knew even better.

So he didn't nag; he just shared a farewell drink with Shiba Kaien.

After that, Kaien's favorability toward him rose to eighty.

…

The next day after drinking, Yoshio watched Shiba Kaien and members of the Eleventh Division step into a specially designed, giant Senkaimon.

This "Senkaimon" would send them to Hueco Mundo—a world similar to the Soul Society, yet seemingly entirely different.

Still, neither the Thirteenth's Shiba Kaien nor Renji—transferred from the Fifth to the Eleventh—showed even a hint of fear, to say nothing of the Eleventh's battle maniacs.

According to Aizen, Kenpachi originally wanted to go to Hueco Mundo but was refused by Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

Knowing Kenpachi's temperament, if he went to Hueco Mundo he definitely wouldn't obediently hunt the designated weird Hollow—he'd just brawl everywhere.

Breaking into Hueco Mundo to exterminate Hollows isn't the duty of Shinigami; Shinigami need only maintain the balance of the Three Realms. So under normal circumstances neither the Gotei 13 nor the Central 46 would allow Kenpachi to lead a team.

Captains are the Gotei 13's highest combat power; each stands at the summit of Seireitei—never dispatched lightly.

Even so, the Eleventh Division had plenty of elites going.

Third Seat Ikkaku and Fifth Seat Ayasegawa Yumichika—both destined to be renowned—were on the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team.

Ikkaku's Souls Ability was ["A Well-Known Secret,"] and Ayasegawa Yumichika's Souls Ability was ["Beautiful Things."]

["A Well-Known Secret: designate a secret you want to hide, and it will be inadvertently discovered by others."]

["Beautiful Things: designate a person or object and make it more beautiful."]

Uh, while those two abilities don't look like combat skills, they're actually pretty interesting.

A well-known secret—this must be referring to Ikkaku's Bankai, right?

In the story, Ikkaku hid the fact he could use Bankai so he could keep fighting under the Eleventh Division's Kenpachi, but in the end it felt like everybody knew.

So that's the origin of the Souls Ability ["A Well-Known Secret."] It seems useless, but Yoshio thought of a way to use it.

Having others learn your secret isn't good—unless the secret is fabricated.

Like, say, if he hid the secret "Yoshio Kamado is actually a fragment of the Soul King," then that "secret" would, through various coincidences—or "careful thought"—be discovered by others.

It would be their own minds arriving at that conclusion, so no one would doubt it. Wouldn't that make Yoshio Kamado, for all intents and purposes, the "Soul King fragment"?

When people take you for something, even if you aren't, aren't you that thing?

There are many other uses too: for example, if he designates the secret "Aizen is actually a traitor to the Soul Society," then as people slowly discover that secret, wouldn't Aizen's schemes be exposed early?

Or, if he designates "The Quincy are still alive, they hide in Seireitei's shadows and formed the Wandenreich," then after a while, wouldn't someone find traces of the Quincy?

Of course, for a "secret" to be exposed, there needs to be some basis—at least not something that sounds utterly ridiculous.

Like if Yoshio says his secret is "I'm Aizen's dad"—who would believe that?

If "Aizen is a traitor," it might be credible to an old schemer like Kyōraku Shunsui;

If "The Quincy's Wandenreich exists in Seireitei's shadow," it might plausibly be noticed by Kyōraku Shunsui or Mayuri;

But nobody's going to buy that he's so-and-so's father, right?!

As for Yumichika's ["Beautiful Things,"] that's also a pretty nice ability. Like Rukia's ["Stars,"] it's convenient for Yoshio to learn.

After all, who doesn't like beautiful things?

Yoshio used the ability on himself, making himself more handsome. Most people judge by appearances; a good-looking face often gives you an edge in many situations.

In fact, the Fifth Division once had a Third Seat with a similar ability, but she's gone now.

On a patrol, she encountered a Menos Grande and fell in the Rukongai. As a result, Yoshio never had the chance to obtain ["Appearance Enhancement."]

Now that a similar ability had appeared, naturally Yoshio wanted it.

But they were heading to Hueco Mundo, so Yoshio had no chance to talk to them.

He had zero interest in Hueco Mundo; the Soul Society still had a pile of Souls Abilities waiting for him. If he went to Hueco Mundo, he'd go nuts.

After seeing them off, he watched Shiba Kaien lead the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team into the Senkaimon.

Then Yoshio returned to the Fifth Division and resumed daily life.

He was either working in the Fifth or training. He could somewhat understand why, later on, many Shinigami seemed a step slow, and why Kyōraku Shunsui's "heart wall" was so thick.

It couldn't be helped. If someone spent decades or centuries doing basically the same thing like an old man, their "heart wall" couldn't thin out.

Work isn't scary—what's scary is working for decades.

Thinking of the coming decades serving Seireitei, Yoshio couldn't help but sigh.

"Senior Yoshio, are you unhappy?"

Hinamori had just walked in and, seeing Yoshio sigh, asked curiously.

"Ah, no," Yoshio shook his head. "Just some work stuff bothering me."

"Work?" Hinamori said, puzzled. "But hasn't Senior Yoshio left all your work for me to do?"

"Uh…" Yoshio hurriedly changed the topic. "Hinamori, did you need me for something?"

With a gloomy look, Hinamori said, "I heard from Captain Aizen that Kira is getting reassigned too?"

…Yoshio was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, he seems to be transferring to the Fourth Division."

"Sigh…" Hinamori sounded a bit regretful. "After Abarai left, I thought Kira would stay. I didn't think that in under two years, Kira would leave too."

The Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team had been in Hueco Mundo for almost two years now, and in those two years, there had been no word at all from the dispatch office.

Yoshio hadn't asked around—he didn't think a small team like that would just die in Hueco Mundo.

Chapter 59: A Second Blank

Even without a captain present, there were quite a few captain-class fighters among them.

Shiba Kaien, Ikkaku Madarame, Ayasegawa Yumichika—so long as they didn't mess with a Vasto Lorde, they'd be fine.

Remember, Hueco Mundo hadn't been mass-upgraded by Aizen's Hōgyoku yet. Without Arrancar, only high-level Menos Grande were truly worthwhile.

Of course, there were also some special low-level Menos Grande capable of threatening captain-class Shinigami, but the deployed unit wasn't just a single Shinigami.

Plenty of fodder might die, but the truly strong ones could still come back.

It's just that they were destined never to find Hollow White, because even now, Aizen hadn't created a second Hollow White.

"It's just a squad reshuffle."

Yoshio smiled, comforting Hinamori. "The Fourth isn't far from the Fifth. You can still meet up easily."

"Yeah… I wonder how Abarai's doing. It's been so long with no news."

"Don't worry. Abarai's strong. I'm sure when he returns from Hueco Mundo, he'll have grown a lot. Maybe he'll become a Lieutenant before you and Kira."

"I don't want to be Lieutenant!" Hinamori blurted out. "I just want to stay in the Fifth Division!"

Right now Yoshio was the Fifth Division's Lieutenant. If she became Lieutenant, wouldn't she have to go to another squad?

No way—she had to stay in the Fifth. Only the Fifth had Aizen.

Seeing the longing for Aizen brimming in Hinamori's words, Yoshio sighed inwardly.

Poor kid, to believe in Aizen. That guy is truly cold-blooded.

After chatting a bit, Yoshio left the office with her.

He was about to step out for some fresh air when he found Aizen outside as well.

After Hinamori left, Yoshio said coolly, "Didn't I tell you? Don't show up unless it's absolutely necessary."

Anyone else hearing Yoshio talk to Aizen like that would think he'd lost it. But only Yoshio knew this Aizen wasn't Aizen.

This was one of Aizen's subordinates disguised via Kyōka Suigetsu.

The real Aizen had been in the lab lately, conducting experiments.

"Mr. Yoshio," the "Aizen Sōsuke" stepped up to him. "Aizen-sama's experiment appears to be complete. He asks that you come."

"I understand," Yoshio nodded.

Hollow White No. 2 was complete?

That was fast—only two years.

For a Shinigami, two years isn't much.

When Yoshio arrived at the lab, he saw Aizen seated at a computer, tapping away, configuring some program.

Curious, Yoshio went over to look at the code.

Damn it, I don't understand a thing.

Though he didn't understand what any of it meant, Yoshio's expression didn't change—like he'd already grasped it.

Oh, so that's how it is.

He'd been studying science lately—reading as part of his training.

Because he often read, he and Nanao had gotten closer, frequently visiting the library together, recommending useful books to each other.

But most of what Yoshio read was improving Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Shunpo, and Kido, and some principles of reiryoku usage.

Though he tried to study scientific theory, he was at best a beginner.

In the Research and Development Institute, he'd probably run errands and haul stuff.

No matter. Thirty years east, thirty west—don't bully a poor youth. I'll work them to death!

"Captain Aizen, this isn't the same as 'Hollow White,' is it?"

He had no clue, but that didn't matter—he believed Aizen wouldn't go to such lengths to make a duplicate.

Scientists like Aizen pursue the unknown, so when their plans deviate, Aizen gets excited.

Even though Hollow White was an accidental product of fusing with Yoshio's [The Animals], its data and some principles had been clarified by Aizen beforehand.

In other words, Hollow White no longer held much "unknown" for him.

So why would Aizen go all out to create something he'd "lost interest" in?

Thus Yoshio guessed this Hollow White that Aizen was creating definitely differed from the previous one.

This had nothing to do with science; Yoshio simply felt he knew Aizen quite well.

Aizen smiled. "As expected of Yoshio-kun. You're exactly right."

He stood and led Yoshio to a device resembling a stasis pod.

Inside lay another "Hollow White."

However…

This Hollow White differed from the first version.

Pitch black all over, its outward form resembled the original Hollow White, but…

Of its facial features, only… a pair of eyes remained!

This "Hollow White" had no ears, no nose, no mouth. This appearance…

Reminded Yoshio of the original story's Aizen fused with the Hōgyoku.

When Aizen reached the Hōgyoku's second stage, his entire body was covered by a milky substance; his face had only a pair of eyes and no other senses.

Or like an Asauchi.

When Kurosaki Ichigo was training in the Soul King Palace, sword god Nimaiya Ōetsu had thrown him into a pile of Asauchi; they looked similar then too.

The only difference was that this "Hollow White" was jet black, whereas the "Hōgyoku," "Aizen," and "Asauchi" were white.

"This is… a Zanpakutō, right?"

Yoshio whispered.

Ōetsu Nimaiya had said before that Aizen's creation of "Hollow White" was the same process as Ōetsu's crafting of Asauchi. Its current look reminded Yoshio of that line.

Aizen…

Did he turn Hollow White into a true Zanpakutō?

Would Kurosaki Ichigo still need to go to the Soul King Palace to forge his sword afterward?

"You could say there are certain similarities," Aizen said. "But it is not a Zanpakutō. It's premature to call it a new species either. Let it go hunting first."

"Now?" Yoshio asked, puzzled. "The Soul Society is still very sensitive about 'Hollow White.' If No. 2 gets spotted, we might draw attention."

"Don't worry," Aizen turned, speaking lightly. "If something this small can obstruct it, then No. 2 is a failure."

"…I see," Yoshio murmured. "Captain Aizen, what's the biggest difference between No. 2 and No. 1?"

"Excellently…"

Aizen's lips curved slightly, teasing. "You'll see in time."

Chapter 60: Breaking the Cocoon, Becoming a Butterfly

"Acting all mysterious…" Yoshio curled his lip.

"If you don't want to say it, don't. It's not like I'm dying to know."

This time, Hollow White's favorability toward him wasn't that high.

The first Hollow White's rapid rise in favorability was purely because it contained a fragment of Yoshio's soul.

No. 2 Hollow White had no fragment of Yoshio's soul, so everything returned to normal.

Moreover, the second Hollow White hadn't fully transformed yet—it hadn't even generated a Souls Ability.

Once it did, Yoshio might glean some clues from it.

And those clues didn't take long to arrive.

…

About a month later, Yoshio returned to the lab.

He found the second Hollow White no longer in the cultivation tank but moved to another device that could hold it upright, filled with some unknown fluid.

Yoshio looked over and found that the second Hollow White's Souls Ability was ["Cocoon Transformation."]

[Cocoon Transformation: usable upon reaching a new realm. Once activated, a white cocoon envelops the user. After breaking out, the user's spiritual pressure, cutting power, speed, defense, recovery, etc., are all enhanced.]

["Note: the stronger the user, the longer it takes to break out."]

"…," Yoshio stared at the ability, practically drooling.

I want it. I want it. I want this ability!

Glancing at Aizen standing nearby, he couldn't help asking, "Captain Aizen, is No. 2 complete?"

Aizen nodded. "Whether we can call it a finished product still requires further testing."

"How about I handle the testing?" Yoshio said. "I don't have much going on these days—why not let me oversee No. 2's growth?"

To obtain No. 2's Souls Ability, he'd need to spend more time with it; otherwise, how would he raise its favorability?

Hence his suggestion to Aizen.

"Rare to see you so enthusiastic," Aizen smiled. "I was planning to assign this to Gin, but since you've volunteered, I'll entrust it to Yoshio-kun."

"Thank you, Captain Aizen," Yoshio said gratefully. "Then I'll trouble you to cover for me with your ability. Daytime is enough—if someone invites me for a drink, I'm still going."

"Heh… you've been getting along with Kyōraku lately," Aizen quipped.

"Not really. Captain Kyōraku isn't exactly easy to deal with."

After a few more words, he left the lab.

From now on, Yoshio would likely spend most of his time there.

Outside, Aizen would use Kyōka Suigetsu to create a decoy to stand in for him.

All Yoshio had to do was focus on bonding with Hollow White.

Thinking this, Yoshio walked up to Hollow White.

According to Aizen's notes, the second Hollow White was formed by fusing and converting the souls of one hundred and thirty-three shinigami, and at birth already possessed spiritual dominance and the combat power of a stationed captain.

Whether from a technical standpoint or the quality and quantity of the souls composing its spirit, No. 2 was superior to No. 1.

The only edge the original Hollow White had was the [The Animals] made with a fragment of Yoshio's soul.

Yoshio had wanted to further raise the first Hollow White's favorability, but before he got far, it was implanted into Rukia Kuchiki's body. Who knows what she'll become.

Following Aizen's plan, Yoshio sent the second Hollow White to the Human World.

No. 2 would capture souls in the Human World—be they human, Shinigami, or Hollow…

Yoshio's job was to record all its combat data and observe all its changes.

It was dull work, especially because No. 2 Hollow White didn't communicate with him.

It had intelligence, and it grew smarter in battle, but it seemed unable to speak.

Even so, Yoshio didn't lose heart; he kept patiently keeping it company.

…

Time flowed by in that companionship.

Yoshio stayed in the lab most of the time, occasionally going out drinking with Rangiku and others.

As time passed, Tōshirō Hitsugaya graduated.

Yes—the prodigy Tōshirō Hitsugaya graduated from the Shin'ō Academy, prompting a recruiting scramble.

But Hitsugaya decided to join the Fifth Division—after all, Yoshio had brought him out of the Rukongai.

By the time he left the Academy, Hitsugaya had already mastered Bankai. Yoshio was amazed by his unbelievable talent.

Even he himself, by repeatedly using Hitsugaya's [Child of Kirin] talent, felt he was close to Bankai level.

This wasn't to say [Child of Kirin]'s boost was inferior to Hitsugaya's; rather, Yoshio studied a wide array of things, not just trainig.

He often used that ability to read, study various theories, and research Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō. Those activities took about a third of the ability's uptime.

The remaining two-thirds went to enhancing mental power and communicating with his Zanpakutō.

And the skill had a one-day cooldown.

Still, though he hadn't mastered Bankai, Yoshio's actual strength wasn't tightly bound to Bankai.

He had many soul techniques, quite a few combat-related; even without bankai, his combat power wasn't below some captains.

On the day Hitsugaya graduated, Yoshio took him to the Sixth District for a good meal. After they parted, Yoshio returned to the lab.

Through surveillance, he discovered Hollow White seemed to sense something, opened a Garganta, and entered Hueco Mundo.

Fortunately, Aizen's monitoring was flawless; even in Hueco Mundo, surveillance was perfect.

In Hueco Mundo, Hollow White went still again.

"What's it doing?" Ichimaru Gin asked, curious.

"It's searching for something," Yoshio said. Having spent so much time with No. 2, he understood some of its thoughts.

Even if it couldn't speak, Yoshio could grasp its meaning.

Hollow White was looking for something—something that had piqued its interest.

"Interesting—something that can attract Hollow White…"

Aizen walked over then; their little group had all arrived.

Aizen looked at the screen. On it, Hollow White seemed to have located its target and began to move.

"Looks like whatever it is has quite the pull," Yoshio said.

Then he saw Hollow White stop in a certain area. He narrowed his eyes at the two people on the opposite side of Hollow White on the screen.

"It's you…"