Chapter 003
"Hueco Mundo exploration?"
Shunsui's words made Kazuki fall into deep thought.
"Let's not talk about why we're doing this. Even if there's a plan, it should be the 13th Division's job. Why does it fall on me?"
"Alas, the number of people in the 13th Division is limited afterall."
Shunsui puffed out smoke with a sigh before continuing. "Hollows have been unusually active lately. The 13th Division has already deployed everyone they could spare, and even then, it's not enough to cover the gap. Ukitake is running himself ragged."
"Is Captain Ukitake alright...?"
Thinking of Ukitake Jūshirō's frail condition that could collapse from the slightest breeze, Kazuki's mouth twisted slightly. "I understand, Captain. Please continue."
"Another Garganta that won't close has appeared in the 72nd District of South Rukongai," Shunsui said, his tone turning heavier. "Many Hollows have invaded from there, and the residents have suffered heavy losses. According to reports from the 3rd Division, the Hollows emerging from it are growing stronger - recently, they've reached the level of Menos Grande. It's not a situation we have the luxury to ignore."
"I see..."
Kazuki frowned. So it's an event outside the main timeline... The disappearance of the Shinigami assigned to Lisa could easily be recognized as Aizen's doing - he's the only one with both the motive and means. However, Urahara Kisuke has only just established the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, and there's some time before the Hollowfication incident. The plot ensures Lisa's safety for now, so Kazuki had no plans to interfere.
Yet this new Garganta in Rukongai wasn't part of anything he remembered.
"The Research and Development Institute is studying ways to close the Garganta, but progress is poor," Shunsui continued. "Someone has to enter directly to investigate from within."
At this point, his tone grew serious. "You already know the danger of Hueco Mundo. It's not comparable to Rukongai or the Human World. Ukitake and Kaien are tied up elsewhere - I won't risk regular soldiers' lives for this."
"So you're fine risking mine instead?" Kazuki raised his sleeve to his face dramatically, pretending to wipe away tears. "Captain... this is tyranny!"
"The reward is two years' salary," Shunsui said flatly.
Kazuki slapped the table. "Why didn't you say that first? Time? Place?"
"Afterall, Kazuki-kun's ability suits this job perfectly." Shunsui pulled out a thick envelope from within his haori and handed it over. "Like Lisa, you'll depart today. Members of the Research and Development Institute are already stationed in District 72 - they'll brief you when you arrive."
"Got it."
Kazuki took the envelope with ease, weighing it in his hand before narrowing his eyes in satisfaction. "Same arrangement as before?"
"Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong."
Receiving Shunsui's reassurance, Kazuki grinned, lay down where he was, rested one hand on the Zanpakutō at his hip, and whispered softly-
"Break it apart, Nagareru Tsuki."
Blue light flashed through the room.
Moments later, another Kazuki stood beside the one lying motionless on the floor - identical in every detail.
"I'll leave the Captain to watch the main body. I'll be back soon."
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Zanpakutō: Nagareru Tsuki
An initial-release Kidō-type Zanpakutō with the command phrase "Break it apart, Flowing Moon."
Its recorded ability is to consume the user's entire spiritual power to create one clone identical to the original body. The original body falls into deep sleep during use. Any damage or death sustained by the clone does not transfer to the main body. However, if the clone is destroyed by external force, the main body's spiritual power is exhausted completely.
At least, that was the version recorded by the Central 46 and known publicly as Kazuki's ability.
In truth, that's only half of it.
Nagareru Tsuki's true ability is to interfere with time itself.
Creating a double is merely one application - it manifests the user's self from one second in the past into the present. The original body doesn't actually fall asleep; what others perceive as slumber is the result of operating two bodies with one consciousness simultaneously. In effect, there's no distinction between clone and original - whichever one falls, the remaining one becomes the main body.
For anyone wielding time-based abilities, subtlety is survival.
Being too conspicuous would only draw the eyes of entities like the Central 46, the Wandenreich, or even Aizen.
Remaining as nothing but the Fifth Seat known for his Kidō proficiency suited him best.
It was safer to be underestimated.
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It took little time for Kazuki to reach the 72nd District of South Rukongai. Several distinct spiritual pressures marked the location clearly, allowing him to navigate there quickly.
Passing through dense brush, he stopped upon seeing the massive Garganta hanging in the air - swirling darkness that rippled across the sky.
Below it, members of the Research and Development Institute busied themselves with various unfamiliar instruments.
At the center stood a blond man in a white haori, locked in argument with a small, furious girl.
Urahara Kisuke and Sarugaki Hiyori - the Captain and Lieutenant of the 12th Division - were already on scene, along with several division members.
"Listen!" Hiyori's loud, impatient shout carried across the clearing. "Just lemme go in already! What're you waiting for?!"
"No, this Garganta's readings are unstable," Urahara said calmly, adjusting his hat. "Charging in without analysis could-"
"How long's that gonna take, baldy?!"
"We already said reinforcements are on the way, and-ah, Kazuki-kun, you've arrived at last!"
Spotting him jogging over, Urahara quickly slipped free from Hiyori's grip and sped forward to grab his hand, shaking it enthusiastically. "Great timing! Let's begin right away."
Kazuki looked at him - or rather, at the disheveled state of his hair that was close to becoming an afro - and fell silent for two seconds.
He'd been delayed only slightly, helping lift a cat from a tree and escorting an elderly woman across the street. There was no way this could be the result of his lateness... right?
No, absolutely not.
"I've already been briefed by Captain Kyōraku," Kazuki said, offering a polite nod before getting to the point. "I'm currently operating under my ability's effect. Time is valuable, Captain Urahara - tell me what needs to be done."
"Fifth Seat Kazuki, follow me."
Urahara led him toward one of the main instruments set directly below the Garganta's swirling maw. "Measurements taken earlier have shown remarkable results. Look here-"
Lines of unfamiliar data filled the instrument's display - Kazuki couldn't make much sense of it, but Urahara clearly could. He adjusted his hat and continued, "It's expanding with time. Soul Society has no means to forcibly close it. Until recently, we didn't know why - now we have some hypotheses."
"Go on," Kazuki prompted.
"We've detected multiple Hollow spiritual pressures within the Garganta," Urahara explained. "There might be at least one Menos Grande maintaining the structure from within and sending others through it into Soul Society."
"So this could be... an invasion?"
"Or possibly... an experiment," Urahara mused, tone vague. "Either way, we must confirm what's happening firsthand."
He handed Kazuki a large, oddly shaped helmet. "We'll use this for communication across the Garganta. It's freshly developed - not portable enough for standard use, so you'll be our test subject, Kazuki-kun. Keep the link stable with Watanabe Gosei here."
"Got it. I'll head in immediately."
Kazuki adjusted the oversized helmet, gave it two light taps for confirmation, and turned toward the swirling darkness ahead. In one step, his body vanished into the Garganta.
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At the same moment, glowing text appeared before his eyes:
[Limited Time Mission]
[Mission 1: Eliminate at least 10 Hollows during the Hueco Mundo exploration]
[Reward: 4 Free Attribute Points]
[Mission 2: Discover the truth behind the Garganta anomaly]
[Reward: Special Item from Another World]