Bleach [68-71] (Patreon)

Chapter 68: The New Espada

[‘The Animals: Your soul will serve as a special tonic; a portion of it can catalyze the completion of an item, a person’s endeavor, and the evolution of one’s own soul.’]

The Animals can bring a person’s efforts and their soul to full evolution.

It’s precisely because of this ability that Yoshio is confident he can help Szayelaporro achieve a so-called “perfect life.”

Otherwise, merely telling Szayelaporro the properties of “Gabriel” would be meaningless. Do you think Szayelaporro hadn’t anticipated that capability?

Of course not—he’s already made progress down that path.

In terms of scientific literacy, Yoshio has caught up a lot, but he still can’t compare to this world’s top scientists.

Though Szayelaporro falls slightly short of Aizen, Urahara, and Mayuri, he’s still an exceptionally talented scientist.

Discussing scientific creation with him is pointless.

Thus, to help him realize a perfect life, something arcane is needed.

And so, [“The Animals”] came into play.

His [The Animals] is not merely a boost to spiritual power; as the description says, it can help a person’s efforts succeed.

Just as Szayelaporro wishes to attain a perfect life, [The Animals] will aid him in that as well.

Although each use of [The Animals] costs Yoshio a portion of his soul from a full year, impacting his training in that period, Yoshio feels that paying this small price to gain Roka Paramia—plus Szayelaporro’s future attention and goodwill—is entirely worth it.

For Yoshio, every use of [The Animals] is timed for when he expects a real payoff.

The difference is, there are only mid, grand, and supreme prizes—no small prizes.

Minor wins don’t count as wins.

So when he walked out of Szayelaporro’s lab, he was in fairly good spirits.

But just as he stepped out, he ran into Starrk and Lilynette.

 “What are you doing here?”

Yoshio asked curiously, “Looking for Szayelaporro?”

 “……”

 “Starrk came to see you,” Lilynette said from the side, while Starrk remained silent. “He thought Szayelaporro would kill you.”

 “Ha, am I that weak?”

Yoshio couldn’t help a chuckle. “This is Roka Paramia. I’ve borrowed her from Szayelaporro; she’ll be with me from now on.”

Starrk glanced at Roka Paramia. Though she seemed ordinary, Starrk wasn’t the sort to judge people by raw power.

He nodded.

Lilynette, however, ignored Roka entirely and said to Yoshio, “Okay, Yoshio, I’m tired of the last story—I want a new one!”

 “What a coincidence, I just thought of a new story.”

Yoshio smiled. “Long, long ago, a Vasto Lorde named ‘Nine-Tails’ attacked the Soul Society. Back then, the Soul Society was divided among five great powers, and Nine-Tails struck the strongest: Konoha.”

He walked alongside Lilynette, narrating as they went:

Konoha was supported by one of the Soul Society’s Five Great Noble Families, the Tsunayashiro. The leader at the time was Minato Namikaze; his Zanpakuto ability was the ‘Flying Thunder God.’ Facing the Nine-Tails, he sacrificed his life, invoked a forbidden art, and sealed the Nine-Tails within his Zanpakuto.

 “And that’s how the story begins…”

Yoshio figured that compared to the melancholic Starrk, it was easier to win over Lilynette.

So he planned to start with her; once Lilynette’s favor rose, Starrk’s would naturally follow.

So he often told Lilynette stories. She’d spent so long in Hueco Mundo and had only recently split from Starrk—she’d never heard so many tales. Her goodwill rose quickly.

A pity her Souls Ability wasn’t the one Yoshio wanted most.

Only after obtaining Starrk’s [“Spirit Split”] would Lilynette’s [“Spirit Merge”] truly shine.

 “……”

Watching Lilynette trail Yoshio, listening intently, a trace of relief flashed in Starrk’s eyes, and he followed as well.

As for Roka Paramia, there was no need to say more. She had no self to begin with; since Szayelaporro had transferred her to Yoshio, then Yoshio would be her master henceforth.

She merely needed to obey Yoshio.

As Yoshio spun the tale of the “Konoha Shinigami,” he pondered the consequences of his actions of late.

…

The one most impacted was, of course, Szayelaporro.

 With [The Animals] Yoshio bestowed to become a perfect being—just how powerful will Szayelaporro become?

This time, he would undoubtedly be the rightful zero Espada among the Espada.

Beyond Szayelaporro, Starrk had also shifted to a degree.

Originally, Starrk had even considered weakening himself to gain friends.

So what exactly is the Hōgyoku’s ability?

The Hōgyoku extracts the surrounding desires and fulfills them.

Did Starrk truly grow stronger by leveraging the Hōgyoku?

Starrk’s Arrancarization was self-initiated, unrelated to Aizen’s Hōgyoku.

Thus Yoshio even felt that with the Hōgyoku’s “help,” Starrk might not have grown stronger—he might have been weakened by it!

But this time, Yoshio had already become Starrk’s friend, and could even encourage others to befriend him.

And then…

When Aizen arrives with the Hōgyoku in the future, will Starrk still wish to weaken himself?

Especially since Yoshio brought Szayelaporro, a powerful ally, to him—this time he might even grow stronger with the Hōgyoku’s aid.

One can imagine: if Aizen were to reassemble the Espada now, the lineup would be terrifyingly strong.

Back in his previous life, when Yoshio learned this bit of intel, he wondered: if Aizen mobilized all of Hueco Mundo again and launched another Karakura Town battle, would the Espada still lose?

This time, perhaps he could realize his earliest fantasy.

Of course, changes weren’t limited to Hollows; the Shinigami side had shifted too.

The most typical examples were Rukia and Renji. Rukia had the original Hollow White implanted in her, while Renji had entered Hueco Mundo. Who knew how their fates would unfold?

 “Then what?!”

Lilynette’s voice broke Yoshio’s train of thought.

 “Naruto, after stealing the ‘Sealing Scroll,’ be killed by Konoha’s Captain-Commander?”

Chapter 69: Return to Jingling Garden

“How could that be…?”

Yoshio ruffled Lilynette’s hair and said softly, “He’s the Nine-Tails jinchūriki. How could he be killed so easily?”

Lilynette slipped out from under Yoshio’s hand, then asked:

 “Can a Hollow… really become Shinigami?”

Yoshio fell silent for a moment, recalling the ancient Menos Grande that attacked the Soul Society but was sealed by the Monk and Ōetsu Nimaiya. He couldn’t help but say, “It should be possible. After all, Arrancar themselves possess Zanpakuto formed from their hollowed selves.”

 “In that case…”

He paused again. “It’s time for the Arrancarization experiments.”

 “Arrancarization experiments?” Lilynette asked in surprise. “Yoshio’s going to turn other Hollows into us?”

At first, they didn’t even know what they were. Other Hollows all wore masks; only hers and Starrk’s were broken.

Though just a small fragment of their masks remained, the other Hollows still wore full masks.

Yoshio kept saying the word “Arrancar,” which defined what they were.

 “How about this…”

Yoshio thought for a moment. “You and Starrk go back first. I’ve got something to do—I need to return to the Soul Society. When I’m back, you’ll have more companions.”

 “You’re going back to the Soul Society?” Starrk, following behind, heard Yoshio and said, “I thought Shinigami can’t travel freely between Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society. Need a hand?”

Yoshio couldn’t help but smile. “You’re talking about mere Shinigami. Don’t forget Captain Aizen can traverse between Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society. As his Lieutenant, how could I be the same as mere Shinigami?”

As soon as he finished, Yoshio’s aura shifted.

A spiritual pressure entirely different from a Shinigami’s rose from him.

Yoshio pressed a hand to his face and drew it diagonally from upper left to lower right; with the motion, a Hollow mask manifested.

 “!”

The sudden change startled both Starrk and Lilynette.

 “Alright—help me look after Roka Paramia. I’ll be right back.”

With that, Yoshio opened a Garganta.

Normally, a Shinigami’s hollowfication cannot use Garganta.

Even the Visoreds and Kurosaki Ichigo cannot use Garganta—but Yoshio’s hollowfication is different.

Yoshio’s hollowfication is a true hollowfication. Once a Hollow, he can wield nearly all Hollow abilities: not just Cero, super high-speed regeneration, and Sonido, but even sensory and Garganta.

This is the aristocracy of Souls Ability—do you have hollowfication like this?

Yoshio finished speaking, opened the Garganta, and vanished into the darkness.

 “…So… Yoshio is actually a Hollow.”

Lilynette stared wide-eyed in shock.

Even Starrk was surprised, though he quickly thought of himself.

 “……Perhaps it’s not that simple.”

If they, as Hollows, could break their Hollow masks, then Shinigami acquiring Hollow masks seems plausible too.

He’d just never heard of such a thing.

 Yoshio Kamado…

Aizen Sōsuke…

Who are they really?

Even after spending a month with Yoshio, Starrk still didn’t fully understand Yoshio’s group, its origins, or its aims.

However…

It didn’t matter.

What did their goals mean to him?

 “Let’s go. By the time Yoshio returns, Hueco Mundo will likely be very different.”

 ………………

Yoshio used the Garganta to return to the Soul Society.

However, he encountered a problem: Seireitei was covered by a barrier membrane.

That meant he could only reach the Rukongai via Garganta, not enter Seireitei directly, because it was wrapped in a massive barrier that was difficult to breach by force.

Unless… he had Aizen’s technique.

With Aizen’s technique, one could indeed open a Garganta inside Seireitei.

Otherwise the Hollows would be too dangerous—open a Garganta, rampage through Seireitei, then open another to flee as reinforcements arrive—repeat a few times and Seireitei would be ruined.

You hit him, he vanishes; he strikes, he descends like a divine weapon—impossible to guard against!

What kind of battle would that be?!

Therefore, “Garganta” cannot enter “Seireitei.”

Normal travel cannot pass through the barrier membrane—this is why, when the Quincies later moved freely in and out of Seireitei, the captains were shocked.

The Quincies were clever—simply hide inside Seireitei. The barrier defends from the outside, not the inside.

But Yoshio wasn’t truly a Hollow; once he released hollowfication, he was a bona fide Gotei 13 Lieutenant and could slip back into Seireitei from Rukongai.

 “Hey, long time no see, Jidanbō.”

Yoshio greeted the gatekeeper at the White Road Gate.

 “Lieutenant Yoshio?”

Jidanbō looked at him in surprise. “When did you go out? I didn’t notice.”

 “You looked distracted when I left, so I didn’t say anything.”

Yoshio waved. “Alright, I’ve got business back with my squad—won’t chat.”

But instead of returning to his division, he went to Aizen’s secret lab.

Aizen wasn’t there, but Tōsen Kaname was.

The four of them basically kept one man in the lab at all times. Previously, Yoshio had spent most of his time there. Now that he’d gone to Las Noches, someone else naturally filled his slot.

 “Why are you back?”

Tōsen Kaname looked coolly at Yoshio. In front of him, feeds from the Las Noches surveillance were live.

He knew Yoshio had returned from the monitors.

Tōsen Kaname had always had a poor attitude toward Yoshio. He hated Yoshio’s carefree, seemingly sloppy demeanor, and Aizen’s bottomless “indulgence” of it.

It was an insult to his ideals.

Even Ichimaru Gin, at least, had betrayed the Gotei 13 alongside them. Yoshio had done almost nothing.

But since Tōsen cared nothing for Souls Ability, Yoshio had no interest in his attitude either.

 “When did you install surveillance? That was quick.”

So Yoshio didn’t answer his question—just asked one of his own.

He didn’t answer Tōsen; Tōsen didn’t answer him.

He simply continued, “Aizen-sama wants you supervising Las Noches. You did almost nothing this past month, didn’t you?”

 “Mm… not bad.” Yoshio shrugged. “There wasn’t much to do. They didn’t rebel, and Captain Aizen issued no orders—what did you expect me to do?”

Chapter 70: Dark Rukia

As he spoke, he looked at the feeds and asked, “Where’s Hollow White?”

Tōsen frowned. “Isn’t he your subordinate?”

 “He’s always out hunting. I’m not going to tail him for that.”

Yoshio stepped to the console, tapped a few keys, and the screen switched to Hollow White.

 “This guy…”

Yoshio frowned. Hollow White wasn’t in the Human World, but in Hueco Mundo.

Apart from the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team, there were no other Shinigami in Hueco Mundo.

Yes, the second Hollow White had also encountered Shiba Kaien.

Too coincidental—as if fate decreed Kaien must die, dragging him repeatedly into peril.

The second Hollow White was created by Aizen with more advanced tech, but the creation time was still too short. Though his combat power was decent, he wasn’t gaining the upper hand against the Hueco Mundo Dispatch Team.

Kaien had trained in Hueco Mundo for years; his strength had improved, and with Eleventh Division Shinigami reinforcing him, Hollow White could only stalemate them for now.

 “Oh?”

Tōsen noticed the scene as well and said coldly, “Those are your friends, aren’t they? Not going to help?”

Hearing the sneer in his tone, Yoshio shrugged.

 “I said before, these people are just my subjects of observation. I’ve already mapped their behavior patterns—meaning they’re no longer useful to me.”

He actually didn’t think Hollow White could kill them. Though they were in enemy territory, they had the ability to return to the Soul Society at any time.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s gate wasn’t permanent, but it allowed a one-time in-and-out.

If they truly faced danger, they could simply return to the Soul Society.

If they chose death before retreat, there was nothing Yoshio could do.

You can’t save someone determined to die.

Yoshio switched the feed back to Las Noches and said, “Though those Shinigami don’t matter much, Hollow White’s actions will certainly be reported to the Soul Society and provoke a stronger backlash.”

From the Soul Society’s perspective, they didn’t know the first Hollow White had entered Rukia’s body. They would assume the second Hollow White evolved from the first.

The first was already strange. Now a second, even stranger. Even if they weren’t considered the same entity, they’d be seen as a special group.

If it’s a group, the Soul Society will pay more attention.

In short, what went unnoticed in the original timeline—Hollow White—will be noticed by more and more people this time.

 “So what?” Tōsen’s voice dripped disdain for the Soul Society. “Even if they discover Hollow White, they won’t catch him.”

Yoshio nodded agreement.

Though a Hollow, White wasn’t like blunt Menos Grande. After every battle with Shinigami, he changed in some way—growing stronger and smarter.

For the Soul Society, catching him would indeed be difficult.

With Aizen absent, there was no point staying, so Yoshio prepared to leave.

…

Back at Fifth Division, he found Hinamori at the office door.

 “Senior Yoshio, did you just go out?”

 “Yes, I took a stroll near Rukongai,” Yoshio said casually.

He knew that when he wasn’t in Seireitei, Aizen would have used Kyōka Suigetsu to have someone impersonate him.

And as for his return: though Aizen wasn’t in the lab, he certainly knew, and would have canceled the Kyōka Suigetsu.

 “Here to report something?” Yoshio asked curiously.

 “Oh, Kuchiki said she wanted to see you, Senior Yoshio.”

 “Kuchiki? Rukia?” Yoshio was a bit surprised.

After falling into a coma, Rukia became reclusive. For the first few months she never left the Kuchiki manor. Even after returning to Thirteenth Division, she seldom went out.

Yoshio felt Hollow White might have had some effect on Rukia, but it wasn’t obvious enough for the Kuchiki clan to pinpoint.

If Rukia Kuchiki had truly hollowfied, the Kuchiki would never have kept her.

At this time, Kuchiki Byakuya had not yet been “awakened” by Kurosaki Ichigo; he had sworn at his parents’ graves never again to break the rules.

So if Rukia had truly hollowfied, even with his deep love for Hisana, he likely wouldn’t hide her condition.

And now Rukia had come to see him?

This was the first time since that battle. Had Rukia’s abnormalities vanished?

Yoshio asked with some curiosity, “Mm… where is she now?”

 “She didn’t find you and went back to Thirteenth Division—said she’d come again next time.”

 “I see.” Yoshio said. “In that case, no need for next time—I’ll go to Thirteenth Division in a bit.”

For now, he needed to see Aizen.

After bidding Hinamori goodbye, Yoshio entered the squad office and found Aizen at his paperwork.

It had to be said, as a captain, he truly was diligent and responsible—the Fifth’s efficiency was the highest among the thirteen squads.

 “You’re back?”

Though phrased as a question, it sounded like a statement. Yoshio nodded. “Yeah. Hueco Mundo is too stuffy—I need to come back once in a while.”

 “Want to look at the drafts I wrote in Hueco Mundo first?”

Yoshio pulled a stack of documents from his person and set them on Aizen’s desk.

They were his updates from Hueco Mundo, enough for the next issue of Seireitei Communication.

Then he asked, “What’s up with Rukia?”

He knew Aizen must be monitoring her; after all, Hollow White transferring into her was an unexpected development.

Even if she were sequestered in the Kuchiki manor, Yoshio believed Aizen had a way to observe her.

 “Take a look at this.”

Aizen placed a photo in front of Yoshio.

Yoshio picked it up, and his pupils dilated.

It was indeed Rukia in the photo—but not quite.

Her hair was no longer black, but gray-white, even shading toward deep violet. Her clothes were no longer the black Shinigami uniform, but a white long coat.

Her features were identical to Rukia’s, but her skin was paler, her eyes crimson—evoking wickedness, but more so, an inscrutable mystery.

Especially… her Zanpakuto had changed into a massive purple-black scythe.

This…

Looks a bit like the movie’s Dark Rukia.

Chapter 71: Visiting Rukia at Thirteenth Division

Yoshio still remembered a movie plot.

Rukia had adopted two Rukongai children who later encountered a “Parasite Hollow.” The Hollow infested the two kids and ultimately fused with Rukia’s body.

When Rukia, the two children, and the Parasite Hollow merged, Dark Rukia was born.

With slightly more violet—darker eyes—she’d be even closer.

Except…

The movie should be a parallel world. Just as this world lacks Soujirou Kusaka, the two children Rukia adopted shouldn’t exist here—let alone Dark Rukia.

Except…

How far has Rukia’s transformation gone?

 “She looks like…”

Yoshio hesitated. “She actually looks pretty good.”

 “Don’t you find it fascinating that a Shinigami, a Hōgyoku, and Hollow White fusing could produce such a change?” Aizen said softly.

 “It is fascinating. Honestly, Rukia wielding a scythe like this looks really Shinigami-like.”

Yoshio joked, then sat down in front of Aizen’s desk and asked, “How did Rukia become like this?”

 “Well, you’ll have to find the answer yourself.”

Seeing Aizen’s expression, Yoshio knew he definitely knew but didn’t want to say.

He asked again, “Does the Kuchiki clan know?”

 “No.”

 “How could they not?”

 “Even Rukia Kuchiki herself doesn’t know.”

Aizen was cryptic. Realizing he wouldn’t get anything useful out of him, Yoshio pouted and prepared to leave.

But just then Aizen said, “You want to turn the Hollows in Las Noches into Arrancar?”

 “Since we already have Arrancar, why not scale up?” Yoshio said. “Otherwise, constantly handling ugly business puts me in a foul mood.”

Generally, only Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande have humanoid forms, and there aren’t many Vasto Lorde in Hueco Mundo.

Yoshio discovered that the conditions for generating Souls Abilities among Hollows were far stricter than for Shinigami.

 In Hueco Mundo, even ordinary Adjuchas can’t generate Souls Abilities!

If power alone were the factor, then theoretically any Gillian in Hueco Mundo should have a Souls Ability, never mind an Adjuchas.

Thus Yoshio hypothesized: the key factor for generating a Souls Ability isn’t “spiritual power,” but “heart.”

Compared to Hollows, Shinigami have clearer, richer inner worlds; powerful Shinigami often possess unyielding wills.

And Hollows? Insects, worms, creeping back and forth in endless despair and malice.

Such beings have no redemption, no heart—thus no Souls Abilities.

Only when they become as strong as Vasto Lorde—gaining human form, high intellect, and reflecting on the hearts they lost—do they gain Souls Abilities.

Therefore, Yoshio needed Aizen to rapidly perform Arrancarization on Menos Grande in Hueco Mundo.

Once Arrancar, Hollows gain greater power and gradually escape their miserable prior state.

Also, Arrancar are easier to interact with—though…

Still far from Shinigami.

But better than before.

This way, Yoshio could acquire more Souls Abilities.

If he was going to be stationed in Hueco Mundo long-term, he had to consider the long game of acquiring Souls Abilities.

Not only would Menos Grande without Souls Abilities benefit, but powerful Hollows who already had them would become easier for Yoshio to harvest via Arrancarization.

Aizen said nothing, so Yoshio took his leave.

After Aizen, he headed to Thirteenth Division.

With such an interesting change in Rukia Kuchiki, how could he not go see?

If Hollow White truly led Rukia to a Dark Rukia form, then…

He wanted to know whether her Souls Ability had changed.

If it was only a cosmetic change, the Souls Ability wouldn’t change.

But if her personality had shifted, then all bets were off.

If this Dark Rukia matched his impression, something interesting might happen.

So Yoshio had to see Rukia.

There was some distance from Fifth to Thirteenth Division, but at his speed he arrived quickly.

…

 “Lieutenant Yoshio.”

Many in Thirteenth knew him; after the Hollow White incident, Yoshio had occasionally visited.

Of course, that was only one reason.

Second, Yoshio’s novel “Thousand-Year Blood War” had become a hit. He was a minor celebrity novelist in Seireitei now, and many people he didn’t know were fans. That made earning goodwill much easier.

The Lieutenant badge plus bestselling author status quickly endeared him to ordinary Shinigami.

 “Is Captain Ukitake resting?”

He casually asked a Shinigami.

 “Yes, Lieutenant Yoshio. Do you need Captain Ukitake for something?” the Shinigami asked respectfully.

 “No, I’m looking for Rukia. Is Kuchiki here?”

Before he finished, Rukia’s voice came from nearby. She seemed back to normal now.

 “Lieutenant Yoshio… why are you here?”

 “You came looking for me earlier, didn’t you? I figured I had nothing pressing, so I came to find you. What’s up? Something you need?”

 “Yeah… something,” Rukia said softly.

Seeing her hesitation, Yoshio said, “Alright then—it’s almost lunchtime. I’ll take you out for something to eat, and we can talk.”

 “Uh…” Rukia looked surprised. “It’s not time yet.”

 “It’s fine. Captain Ukitake won’t mind, and I’m practically dragging you, so don’t worry,” Yoshio said lightly.

Thirteenth Division wasn’t strictly managed—Jūshirō Ukitake was a relatively benevolent superior, at least toward his own squad.

Plus, Yoshio and Ukitake were fairly acquainted.

Had it been another squad, Yoshio wouldn’t casually call out someone from another division.

 “This… okay.”

Rukia hesitated, then followed Yoshio out.