Bleach [90-93] (Patreon)

Chapter 90: Starrk's Segunda Etapa

The Arrancarization of the Hollows in Hueco Mundo was an event of absolute significance to every Hollow in Las Noches.

A fiery longing burned in every Hollow's eyes—they yearned to become stronger through the Arrancarization, to step into a higher realm and complete a further evolution.

Starrk watched that hunger in their eyes and fell into thought.

Yoshio had put it well: if you want to make friends, if you don't want to drown in solitude, then you need one thing—"social ease."

If everyone else wants to do something and you don't, then you simply won't fit in.

"Don't go thinking you're hot stuff," Yoshio murmured beside him again. "There are plenty of strong ones out there—you're not the strongest. In a world like this, wanting to grow weaker is downright arrogant."

"Maybe," Starrk sighed.

He fell silent. In that silence, more and more Hollows completed their Arrancarization.

Even Baraggan swallowed his pride and accepted becoming an Arrancar under Aizen's rule.

Starrk exhaled another sigh, then took Lilynette by the hand and walked forward.

Yoshio stiffened for a moment.

Wait.

Starrk and Lilynette were once a single existence, and yet also two independent individuals.

They'd already entered the Arrancar stage, so Yoshio wasn't sure what would happen if they were further strengthened by the Hōgyoku.

But now, Yoshio faced a practical problem.

If both Starrk and Lilynette received Hōgyoku enhancement, did that count as one enhancement or two?

Yoshio scratched his head—this really pushed past his knowledge boundary.

If they could be enhanced twice, wouldn't that be kind of cheating?

Aizen seemed mildly surprised to see Starrk approach, but he didn't refuse to grant more power.

The Hōgyoku's power washed over Starrk, and in an instant, a gentle light enveloped both him and Lilynette at his side.

Under its power, he directly entered his Resurrección, allowing Lilynette to return into his soul.

As the light gradually faded, Starrk's form shifted once again.

All the Arrancar present fixed their eyes on Starrk, because they understood that whatever form he was about to take represented a possible further evolution for them all.

Under their expectant stares, Starrk's chest suddenly split open again—

A hollow hole!

Starrk and Lilynette's holes had originally both been near the chest; but now, Starrk bore two: one in his chest and one in his abdomen.

Most importantly, both holes seemed filled with some kind of energy—as if that energy were occupying the emptiness, somewhat like the hole in Hollow White.

But whereas Hollow White's hole was wedged with a heart-like lump of flesh, Starrk's was packed with an energy that seemed to lack physical substance.

The twin pistols in his hands also changed. Their shapes stayed the same, but the engraving on each was no longer identical.

The patterns on both barrels shifted into crescent motifs, and five rays of light fired from the crescents' mouths.

This look…

Yoshio thought about it and decided it resembled the Hōgyoku-boosted Espada version of Starrk from the Shinigami mobile game.

Except the colors weren't as gaudy—the game's tacky browser-game palette was gone, replaced by the classic black-and-white of Shinigami aesthetics.

Is this… Segunda Etapa?

"And now you…" Aizen seemed quite interested in Starrk's condition—after all, Starrk was the only special case among Hueco Mundo's Arrancar. He watched Starrk, who had his eyes closed, and asked, "How do you feel?"

"It's…" Starrk opened his eyes, looked down at his hands, and said reflexively, "Not bad."

As he spoke, he seemed to relax. His body reverted to the initial Resurrección form, the two holes merging back into one. Then he even canceled the Resurrección, and Lilynette separated from him again.

Once they returned to being two people, only a subtle residue of the changes remained.

Whether it was Starrk or Lilynette, their hollow holes shimmered with a mysterious light—an intangible force that seemed intent on filling the emptiness.

"This guy…" Baraggan eyed Starrk with displeasure. He already had Shinigami above him—so why was there a Hollow more advanced than the King of Hueco Mundo himself?

It shouldn't be like this!

He was the King of Hueco Mundo, god of all Hollows! Anything that defied him should not exist in this world!

"With this, the Hollows of Las Noches have basically all completed Arrancarization," Yoshio hopped down and said to Aizen. "I think we can officially form the Espada now."

Then he couldn't help adding, "Oh, right—there's still one Hollow who hasn't undergone Arrancarization."

"Szayelaporro?" Aizen said coolly. "Don't worry about him. He won't be out any time soon."

Aizen clearly understood Szayelaporro's experiments.

Yoshio wasn't surprised.

Ever since obtaining [The Animals], Szayelaporro had holed up in his lab conducting secret research.

The last time Yoshio saw him was a month after he'd delivered the fluid from Aaroniero to Szayelaporro; he'd gone back to retrieve research data.

It had been three years since then. Szayelaporro had remained sealed in the lab the whole time, never emerging.

He must be undergoing a critical evolution to achieve the immortality he craved.

What Yoshio couldn't see didn't mean Aizen couldn't.

Szayelaporro's research prowess was formidable—depending on whom you compared him to.

With Aizen's techniques, he could fully infiltrate Szayelaporro's lab; there were no secrets where that man was concerned.

So Yoshio had no doubt Aizen knew Szayelaporro wouldn't be appearing soon.

Perhaps, by Aizen's judgment, Szayelaporro no longer needed the Hōgyoku for enhancement.

"What do you plan to do next?" Yoshio stood beside Aizen and asked, "So it's time to decide a new 'disposition' for Yoruichi Shihouin and Kisuke Urahara, right?"

Aizen smiled at that. "Yoshio-kun, you haven't done anything wrong."

"Kisuke Urahara… His life is too comfortable in the Human World. If he simply rots away there, that would be boring for me."

Aizen pushed his moonlit glasses up and said softly:

"It's time they felt some urgency—enough that even their lives might be forfeit."

Chapter 91: Captain-Class Imaginary Bodies

Soul Society was exceedingly cautious in handling Kisuke Urahara.

They had suffered plenty at his hands.

Over sixty years ago, one of Urahara's Hollowfication experiments resulted in the Captain of the Third Division's Fifth Patrol Squad, the Captains of the Seventh and Ninth Divisions, the Lieutenants of the Eighth and Twelfth Divisions, and even the Vice-Chief of the Kidō Corps all entering Hollowfication, inflicting severe damage on Soul Society.

Keep in mind, Soul Society has only thirteen captains; of those, four Hollowfied. Meanwhile, the Captains of the Second and Twelfth Divisions defected—nearly half the captains were effectively incapacitated, dropping Soul Society's fighting strength to its lowest point!

During his betrayal, Aizen Sōsuke once said—

Gotei 13's greatest advantage lies in its thirteen captains. But with three captains defecting and four trapped in Hueco Mundo, Soul Society's fighting power is gravely weakened.

That statement applies perfectly to the Hollowfication incident of the past.

That incident was only the beginning. Subsequent Hollow-related abnormalities experienced by Soul Society have now also been pinned on Kisuke Urahara.

For example, in that little game Aizen Sōsuke and Yoshio played back in the day, the unfortunate Third Division captain who died…

And finally…

The mysterious Bull-Head Hollow incident.

In Soul Society's eyes, Kisuke Urahara could be called "heinously guilty." Naturally, they were extremely cautious about deciding his fate.

Mostly because they still didn't fully grasp the principles of Hollowfication and feared any Shinigami they sent would fall into Urahara's trap and Hollowfy again.

Thus they ordered the Research and Development Institute to produce tools capable of isolating Hollowfication. Until those were ready, Central 46 would not rashly go after Kisuke Urahara.

According to intelligence Yoshio received, the Twelfth Division was on the verge of developing a similar invention. Once that was done, it would be time for Gotei 13 to settle accounts with Urahara.

That was why he said what he said to Aizen Sōsuke then.

He believed that Aizen's push to turn the Hollows of Las Noches into Arrancar was likewise intended to stir up trouble in the near future.

From Aizen's words, he felt that Urahara was wasting away in the Human World. With talent like that, he should be allowed to fully exercise his abilities—not be stuck running a corner shop in some small town.

Yoshio didn't quite know Aizen's next move, but the battlefield would probably be Hueco Mundo.

Perhaps these Arrancar would be in play soon.

It seemed his arrival was finally going to significantly change the plot. Could it be that a war between Hollows and Shinigami would break out even before Kurosaki Ichigo was born?

Yoshio followed Aizen Sōsuke back to the great hall of Las Noches. Aizen sat upon the throne, facing a light screen like a virtual monitor displaying data on various Menos Grande.

These Hollows were ones Yoshio had collected over the past three years.

Nelliel had chosen to remain in Hueco Mundo back then as well—because she saw Hueco Mundo's future in Aizen Sōsuke.

Hollows like her were rare—most came for Aizen Sōsuke's power.

"In just three years to reach this level, Yoshio-kun—you've done well." Aizen Sōsuke chuckled, eyes on the Menos data.

"I worked hard when I served Captain Aizen," Yoshio said with a smile. "So then, Captain, have you decided who will be Espada?"

"I'll leave that to you—the Commander of the Espada," Aizen said lightly, dismissing the screen.

Originally, that commander post belonged to Tōsen Kaname, but now, since Yoshio had been in Hueco Mundo for years, no one was more suitable.

Meaning, from now on, who qualified as Espada would be decided by Yoshio.

"I'm awful at picking people," he sighed. "Captain Aizen always gives me the tricky assignments."

"Don't you often assign tasks to Hinamori?" Aizen replied. "You should be busy once in a while too."

"Forget it—we'll deal with that later."

Rubbing his temples, Yoshio admitted, "I have to head home today."

"Last time I returned, I promised to have a drink with Captain Kyōraku—I can't send a fake to meet him."

"What a sly fox," Aizen murmured. "If Captain Kyōraku spots anything amiss, you can forget about working under me anymore."

"Got it, got it," Yoshio said, walking toward the door.

As he neared the exit, he stopped, turned, and looked at Aizen on the throne. "Right… Captain Aizen, I've had Roka Paramia prepare what you asked for."

"Such a convenient ability." Aizen's tone sounded like praise for Roka Paramia, yet also like a hint to Yoshio. "Let them act freely."

"Mhm."

Yoshio nodded, left the hall, and returned to his quarters.

His room connected to a massive laboratory—his own. Over the three years, he'd been conducting small experiments of his own as well.

He always remembered: science and technology are the primary productive force!

"Yoshio-sama."

By now, Roka Paramia had also completed her Arrancar transformation, but as a mid-tier Menos, even with the Hōgyoku's enhancement, only half her mask had broken.

Her eyes were gray, with medium-length black hair and a slim build, though her gaze lacked spirit.

Seeing Yoshio enter, she bowed respectfully: "Everything is ready."

"You've worked hard."

He spoke kindly, then looked at the twelve jarred instruments in the room—resembling the cultivation tanks where Hollow White had once been kept.

Inside were twelve souls.

Yoshio narrowed his eyes, looking—he saw the forms of those twelve souls.

"Kisuke Urahara, what a genius."

Softly he said, "The Hōgyoku… what an interesting invention."

In Seireitei, any Shinigami—even a still-studying student, or a hedonistic noble scion—would be stunned at the sight of these twelve souls.

Because these twelve souls…

Were the twelve captains of Gotei 13!

All but the Fifth Division Captain, Aizen Sōsuke—every other captain was in those tanks!

Of course, these were not the real captains, but "imaginary bodies" created through special means.

Kisuke Urahara truly was a genius.

Even Aizen Sōsuke firmly believed that.

Many knew the Onmitsukidō possessed a special spiritual device called the "Tenshintai," which helps its user achieve Bankai.

Zanpakutō training for Shinigami boils down to Shikai and Bankai.

Shikai requires a "manifestation" and "Release Call" with the Zanpakutō; Bankai requires "Materializationn" and "Subjugation."

Generally speaking, Materializationn takes at least ten years of training.

But with the Tenshintai, you could force the Zanpakutō to materialize by impaling it into the device.

If you could subdue your spirit during that period, you could achieve Bankai.

However, aside from Kisuke Urahara, no one else had reached that level.

What few knew was—

Kisuke Urahara had also developed a tool similar to the Tenshintai, called the Hōgyoku—

The Reversal Body.

Its function was to use your own memories, amplify them, and then create an imaginary body identical to yourself to fight.

Like the Tenshintai, it was a tool to train a user's combat ability.

If you used the Reversal Body, and added the information and thoughts extracted by Roka Paramia's Resurrección: Telaraña, plus Aizen Sōsuke's Hōgyoku, you could create long-lasting "imaginary bodies."

These imaginary bodies were almost identical to the originals, and could even reach a deeper "sword-and-man-as-one" state.

Of course, this couldn't compare to true unity. It was simply, as originally designed for the Reversal Body, a slight improvement over the original.

Kisuke Urahara designed the Reversal Body to help a user continually push past their limits—to break through when facing a slightly stronger version of themselves, and surpass their past self.

And even with Roka Paramia's Resurrección: Telaraña, and Aizen's Hōgyoku, what was amplified wasn't power but duration.

Each imaginary body could survive outdoors for at least a month.

If Roka continued supplying Resurrección: Telaraña, they could persist even longer.

Per Aizen's plan, these counterfeit captains would be dispatched to Seireitei.

Controlling them wouldn't be easy; whatever they did once inside Seireitei was no concern of Yoshio.

His job was merely to deploy them.

"Roka Paramia, get ready. I'll open a Garganta shortly, and we'll deploy together."

"Yes, Yoshio-sama," Roka answered with the same respectful tone.

Yoshio glanced at Roka, then at her Souls Ability.

It wasn't easy for a Hollow to attain a Souls Ability. Even if spiritual power met the threshold, some Hollows in the original story never manifested one.

Like Roka Paramia—for all her brief original appearance, perhaps due to that brevity and mostly novel presence, she didn't have a Souls Ability prior to becoming an Arrancar.

Only after her Arrancar transformation did her Souls Ability reveal itself.

Roka Paramia's Souls Ability was the ["Telaraña."]

["Telaraña: usable only after permanent acquisition; upon use, generates a special organ that can produce Resurrección: Telaraña."]

Whether judging by her impression, experiences, or abilities, it was the most fitting Souls Ability for Roka Paramia.

Though it looked not unlike acquiring someone else's ability.

And though Roka was steadfastly loyal to him, her favorability remained only in the thirties—because Roka Paramia, as a Hollow, was originally a modified Menos Grande and was born with emotional defects.

You could say she lacked a self.

Thus her favorability was hard to raise, and Yoshio was currently trying to repair the defect in her soul to see if he could restore her emotional system.

Naturally, that would be a long and arduous task.

Gazing at the "imaginary" captain bodies, Yoshio fell into thought again.

After pondering a moment, Yoshio entered Hollowfication.

He opened a Garganta and stepped straight into Soul Society.

Roka Paramia would be sending the captains' "imaginary bodies" in as well, so it was better for him to go first.

He canceled Hollowfication and made for Seireitei at a brisk pace.

This time he returned via the eastern gate, the Blue Stream Gate. After greeting the gatekeeper Kaiwan, he entered Soul Society.

He had plans to drink with Kyōraku Shunsui tonight—really just an excuse to return.

Yoshio's true goal was to get back to his home—his safehouse.

Only there could he avoid all prying eyes.

Because after Starrk's Hōgyoku enhancement, the Vasto Lorde Arrancar's favorability toward him had finally reached sixty.

Still far from eighty, but it meant he could use "Spirit Split" once.

He intended to go see what that Spirit Split actually entailed.

He needed a clone to do the things he himself couldn't conveniently do.

Because he was almost always under Aizen Sōsuke's watch, which meant many things were off-limits.

Taking advantage of the chance to drink with Kyōraku Shunsui tonight, he'd return to his safehouse and complete this task.

Of course, this would have to wait until after drinks with Kyōraku—this would be his first attempt, and he didn't know what might happen.

No need to have an accident before meeting Kyōraku Shunsui.

With that thought, he hurried toward the Fifth Division.

"Tōshirō!"

As soon as he came back, Yoshio saw Tōshirō Hitsugaya and called out, "Where are you headed?"

"On patrol," Tōshirō sighed. "And you? Where were you all day?"

"Must be rough for Captain Aizen to have a lieutenant like you."

"Haha," Yoshio chuckled. "I'm having drinks with Captain Kyōraku later—want to come?"

At present, Hitsugaya was the Fifth Division's 3rd Seat. Though he hadn't been there long, he was already the third-highest ranked in the division. Hinamori who graduated earlier than him was only Sixth Seat.

Next, he would be transferred to the Thirteenth Division.

Chapter 92: Hitsugaya Transfers to the Thirteenth Division

Three years ago, Aizen had suggested transferring Tōshirō Hitsugaya to the Thirteenth Division, but perhaps he was a procrastinator—Tōshirō was still in the Fifth.

Now he'd already reached 3rd Seat rank in the Fifth; next would be Lieutenant.

Of course, the Fifth didn't have that slot open, so he could move to the Thirteenth, where the lieutenant seat was vacant.

Ever since Shiba Kaien's death, the Thirteenth Division's lieutenant position had remained unfilled.

Currently the Thirteenth had two 3rd Seats, and ultimately needed a lieutenant to cover the gap.

So, proposing the transfer once Hitsugaya became a 3rd Seat was indeed a fine choice.

If Hitsugaya became the Thirteenth's captain someday, wouldn't Rukia be his subordinate?

At that thought, Yoshio found it a bit odd.

Would the two ice-type Zanpakutō users in the story end up in the same squad?

He clicked his tongue and returned to the Fifth with Hitsugaya.

…

Back in the office, Yoshio found a stack of documents on his desk.

"Where's Hinamori?"

He rubbed his temples—he didn't want to handle that much paperwork. Too tedious.

"Don't even think about Hinamori helping you. She just received an assignment to the Human World."

Hitsugaya walked in, and from Yoshio's expression, he could tell exactly what the man was thinking.

"Huh? Hinamori's stationed in the Human World?" Yoshio sighed, then brightened with expectation. "Tōshirō, I'll leave it to you."

Seireitei's jurisdiction was Japan in the Human World. In theory, Japan alone had seven to eight hundred cities, which meant under normal circumstances as many as a fifth of all Gotei 13 Shinigami might need to be stationed in the Human World.

Altogether, counting Shinigami and Shin'ō Academy's first- through sixth-year students, there were over six thousand people. That averaged only a few hundred per squad.

So, a single squad should not be solely responsible for Human World duty. In the original, only the Thirteenth and Tenth Divisions were shown stationed there because the plot covered only two or three cities.

The remaining cities couldn't be left unguarded, of course.

The Fifth Division would also have Shinigami stationed in the Human World—though normally not high-ranking officers.

"Drop that idea!" Hitsugaya scoffed. "You're a lieutenant—you've got to do some work for the squad!"

"Unfair treatment," Yoshio lamented.

In the original, wasn't Rangiku's work all done by this kid? Why was it different now? What a traitor—abandoning righteousness for beauty.

Helplessly, Yoshio flipped through the reports and asked, "So? You didn't come just to watch me work, did you?"

"Captain Aizen said the higher-ups plan to transfer me to the Thirteenth Division," Hitsugaya murmured.

"…" Yoshio looked up with feigned surprise at the boy genius before him. "You're going to the Thirteenth?!"

"Lieutenant Shiba has been missing for a long time—long enough to be presumed dead," Hitsugaya said gravely. "So the Thirteenth's lieutenant seat is vacant."

"Captain Ukitake's health hasn't been good. Handing the entire squad to him isn't good for his condition, which is why the higher-ups decided this."

"…" Yoshio was silent for a moment, then said: "Good. You've already mastered Bankai, haven't you? Forget lieutenant—you could be captain. The Fifth really has no room left for your growth…"

"Besides…"

He smiled. "Captain Ukitake himself likes you, right?"

Perhaps because they shared hair color, Jūshirō Ukitake was very fond of Hitsugaya and valued him highly—their relationship was quite good.

"Don't worry," Yoshio continued with a smile. "I may have brought you into Seireitei, but I won't hold back your advancement. With your talent and strength, just being a 3rd Seat is a waste."

Seeing Tōshirō's faintly gloomy expression, Yoshio added, "Don't act like this is goodbye forever—you're just switching squads, not disappearing."

"Renji and Kira transferred too—do I see them less now?"

"…Thanks," Tōshirō said quietly.

"No need for that," Yoshio coughed. "If you really want to thank me, help me finish the paperwork."

Tōshirō glanced at him, then took the stack from his desk. "After I leave, take good care of Hinamori. She's too soft…"

"Are you an idiot? Our Fifth Seats don't get bullied."

Yoshio watched Tōshirō leave, then shook his head, hoping the impending war wouldn't affect these new sprouts.

When it was about time to clock out, Yoshio headed to his usual Damo House.

Kyōraku Shunsui and Rangiku were drinking together today, asking about Tōshirō's transfer as they sipped.

Apparently even Kyōraku wasn't fully informed.

Yoshio mentioned casually that Hitsugaya would likely be the Thirteenth's lieutenant; Rangiku couldn't help saying, "He really is a genius. If Yoshio hadn't snatched him up, I'd have brought him to the Tenth!"

"…" Kyōraku stayed silent.

As Jūshirō Ukitake's close friend, he knew some of his old friend's thoughts.

If Tōshirō performed outstandingly in the Tenth, his old friend might gladly hand the captaincy over to him someday.

Meaning the kid wasn't headed for a lieutenant's seat, but for a future captain's chair.

A captain that young… it seemed these old-timers really were reaching retirement age.

He drank a bit more. Not fully drunk, but dulled by the alcohol.

After the three parted ways, Kyōraku was on his way home when he suddenly saw Ukitake.

"Ukitake, what are you doing here?"

"I heard you were drinking here, so I came to check on you," Ukitake smiled. "Are you done?"

"You're late," Kyōraku said. "Oh, right—I heard that little prodigy is joining your squad?"

"You mean Hitsugaya-kun…" Ukitake said. "Yes. Since Kaien left, the Thirteenth really does need a lieutenant."

As they spoke, the distance between them closed.

Then—

Ukitake thrust in an instant!

Chapter 93: The Embodiments Move; Angra Mainyu

Sōgyo no Kotowari!

One of Sōgyo no Kotowari's twin blades shot toward Kyōraku in an instant!

Kyōraku's pupils shrank. He'd had plenty to drink, but once in a real fight, even ten days and nights of drinking wouldn't dull his combat senses!

He hurriedly leapt back, but the blade still grazed him, carving a deep wound across his chest!

"You're not Ukitake…"

Using Shunpo to keep distance from the "Ukitake," Kyōraku asked in a low voice, "Who are you?"

"…How did you notice?" The fake Ukitake frowned slightly. At that distance, if Kyōraku hadn't been on guard, the strike should have punched right through his body.

Not just left a wound like now.

"Even if Hitsugaya is about to become the Thirteenth's lieutenant, Ukitake wouldn't know yet," Kyōraku said, studying the "Ukitake" before him.

Unbelievable…

Truly unbelievable.

Exactly the same—not only the appearance, but the spiritual pressure as well.

"You suspect me because of that?" the "Ukitake" asked.

"You're not the real Ukitake." Kyōraku tipped his hat brim. "If he were, he'd never say something like that."

"For us, even the slightest difference is enough to raise suspicion."

Squelch!

Kyōraku's pupils blew wide. In that instant, a blade punched straight through his chest!

"Got it. I'll learn that."

From behind him came a painfully familiar voice!

Kyōraku grit his teeth and slowly turned his head—and sure enough…

Another version of himself!

The "Kyōraku Shunsui" said softly, "Too careless… Kageoni—that's not our style."

Kageoni!

That was one of Kyōraku's Zanpakutō abilities—enter the shadows, then suddenly emerge to launch a surprise attack.

Squelch!

As the blade withdrew, blood sprayed from Kyōraku's chest and he collapsed heavily to the ground.

But the instant Kyōraku hit the ground, the entire street erupted.

"Hadō #57. Daichi Ten'yō!"

Rumble—

The rolling tremor of the earth immediately alarmed the surrounding Shinigami. Both the "Kyōraku Shunsui" and the "Jūshirō Ukitake" frowned. The "Ukitake" hoisted Kyōraku's body from the ground and, after only two or three steps, vanished from Shunpo's sight.

"Captain Kyōraku?!"

Soon, large numbers of Shinigami rushed over. All they saw were the broken street—and a brow-knitted "Kyōraku Shunsui" who looked as if he'd just fought someone.

"Kyōraku…"

Kuchiki Byakuya appeared swiftly as well. He glanced at the frowning, seemingly contemplative "Kyōraku" and asked, "What happened?"

The Sixth District was the Sixth Division's turf to begin with, and Damo House was close to the Kuchiki family's ancestral grounds, so he hadn't taken long to arrive.

"Someone… ambushed me," the "Kyōraku" said slowly. "They were fast—and wore a Hollow mask…"

"…" Byakuya frowned as well. "Kisuke Urahara?"

"Unclear for now. We need to report to Captain-Commander Yamamoto."

"Seems the drink hit me a bit early tonight…" Kyōraku said. "Let's go see what the Captain-Commander says."

…

"…"

Yoshio had, of course, felt the spiritual pressure of Daichi Ten'yō. He knew the "imaginary bodies" had made their move.

These bodies were born from particularly strong "fixations" in the captains' pasts—those ideas were extracted by Roka Paramia's Resurrección: Telaraña, then fused with the Reversal Body under the Hōgyoku's power.

Once formed, most of their behavior was governed by those past "thoughts."

Roka Paramia could forcibly control one with Resurrección: Telaraña, but only one at a time—and if the target was especially strong, control was difficult.

So even Aizen probably didn't know what these phantoms would do.

Judging from the traces and direction of the spiritual pressure, they had clearly targeted Kyōraku first.

These phantom bodies had no Hueco Mundo memories and appeared directly within Soul Society, so Yoshio wasn't worried they'd expose the existence of himself and the others.

Still—going straight for a captain. Bold.

With that, Yoshio quickened his pace home.

He needed to try the Spirit Split as soon as possible.

He returned swiftly to his safehouse, set it up to appear as if he'd come home and fallen asleep, then sat cross-legged on the bed.

He activated the gatekeeper ability again—no one could enter without his permission now, unless they defeated him.

Spirit Split!

He triggered the ability at once and felt himself enter a dark, unknown world.

It was dark, yet countless currents floated within, gathering into a mysterious glow.

This was his spirit body…

At this moment, Yoshio gradually grasped the essence of Spirit Split.

Select a portion of a person's soul and separate it to form a second body.

Yoshio thought for a moment and decided to split off part of the Hollow factor within his soul first.

After selecting some black gases emanating an evil aura, he felt a ripping sensation—like tearing paper—and something in his soul seemed to crack.

No pain—just a strange itch. When Yoshio opened his eyes again, he found a puddle of black sludge before him—and another self.

Two viewpoints: one was his main body; the other was the puddle of black mud in front of him.

Was this the Hollow portion of his soul?

If he were a Hollow…

Would he become a puddle of black muck?

Well, it certainly looked ugly enough.

He couldn't handle dual perspectives just yet, but to his surprise, his mental power hadn't diminished; even after separating the Hollow factor, he could still Hollowfy.

It was just that the duration had drastically shortened—once able to maintain it for half an hour, he'd now reverted to only a few seconds like at the very beginning.

"I'll give myself a name…"

Staring at the puddle of black sludge, a name surfaced in his mind.

"Angra Mainyu…"