Chapter 008
I see.
At that time, Szayelaporro Granz-still in his Vasto Lorde form-had discovered a Hollow with unique potential. Out of scientific curiosity, he forcibly evolved it to the level of Adjuchas. That explained why its spiritual pressure and combat capability were both above average, even though it lacked the cohesion of higher Hollows. The result was intriguing but ultimately flawed-a phenomenon of unstable potential limited to one subject.
For Szayelaporro, finding a Hollow capable of flexible adaptation was valuable for experimentation. Yet considering that the Hollow called Anishut had not appeared anywhere in the original records, the importance of that discovery was evidently limited. Her eventual fate was predictable-either forgotten in some dark corner of Hueco Mundo or disposed of by Szayelaporro himself during one of his tests or moments of irritation. Neither outcome could be considered fortunate.
[Mission 2: Discover the truth behind the manipulation (Completed)]
[Reward processing-please stand by for distribution]
Kazuki watched the system notice appear before him. The information was now confirmed as genuine.
For him, the purpose of exploring Hueco Mundo had been fulfilled. Killing several weaker Hollows on the way back would complete another objective and earn additional rewards. It would be best to finish the mission cleanly without risking another demotion.
As for Anishut's case, that could be left to the Shinigami researchers. Kisuke Urahara only needed proof-samples of her spiritual pressure or her direct transfer to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. The scientists there could analyze her existence and design preventive measures to stop similar occurrences from threatening the Soul Society again.
Ending her here was also possible.
After what the people in Rukongai had suffered because of her influence, killing her could be seen as justice for the lives she had affected.
Static noise came through the communicator in his ear, suggesting the technicians were analyzing fluctuating readings from their sensors. Kazuki ignored the chatter. He leaned casually against the doorway, flicked his Zanpakutō lightly with his thumb, and pressed Nagare-tsuki's edge toward Anishut's throat.
There were questions left before he could leave.
"Answer me."
His tone was calm but suffused with pressure as his gaze fixed on her terrified eyes. "You said this whole thing was planned by someone named Szayelaporro. Is that true?"
"...Yes! It's true!"
"This question decides whether you live or die, so don't lie to me." Kazuki narrowed his eyes, his tone turning cold. "You didn't act on your own initiative, did you?"
Anishut shook her head rapidly, tears spilling over her cheeks. Her breath trembled between words. "I-I didn't want to fight the Shinigami! I had no choice... If I disobeyed, he would've killed me! I'm sorry-truly sorry!"
Kazuki studied her face closely. Her terror looked genuine.
For Hollows to show fear at that level was rare. It wasn't impossible-but it required truly dire circumstances.
Perhaps she wasn't lying afterall.
His expression softened slightly, the tension fading from his features. Anishut didn't seem to notice-she continued whispering apologies, her head lowered as if afraid to raise her gaze again. Kazuki sighed inwardly at the awkwardness of the scene, thankful when the communicator ended the silence.
"Continue observing that Hollow." The distant operator from the institute spoke quickly. "Your communicator's camera is active-record the facility's interior for analysis. We might detect additional data... Wait-Fifth Seat Tone, we're registering intense spiritual pressure approaching your position!"
Kazuki immediately sensed it himself.
There was no mistaking it-an oppressive weight settled over the area, crashing down with force that rivaled or surpassed even Captain-level reiatsu. It distorted the very air around the structure, closing in like the deep pressure of the sea.
Light followed.
Everything was engulfed in one blinding instant.
---
"No, Captain Urahara! Kazuki's signal just vanished!"
"Calm down," Kisuke Urahara replied evenly, scanning the last recorded data from the communicator's analyzer. "It's just his clone that was destroyed-he's safe."
His frown deepened as he read the final energy spikes on the graph. "And the one who attacked him... that was Cero."
---
Within the collapsing structure, the attack had come too quickly to evade.
Blinding energy tore through the building and vaporized everything in its path. Kazuki's body turned to ash beneath the searing light-and then the glow faded.
"Cut through it, Nagare-tsuki."
His calm command echoed through the empty space.
Reality seemed to skip, as if one frame of existence was removed and replaced with another. Kazuki stood again exactly where the blast had consumed him, entirely unharmed.
Only his helmet was gone now.
He floated in midair, using spiritual particles for support, Zanpakutō drawn and leveled forward as he looked downward to identify his attacker.
It was a man with pink hair and the mask of a Hollow-a face almost human but marked by cruelty. From his back extended several branchlike appendages, each one bearing translucent capsules that pulsed with light.
There was no mistaking him.
Szayelaporro Granz-still in his Hollow form, not the Arrancar he would one day become. A pure Vasto Lorde whose replicated body could go head-to-head with even Kenpachi Zaraki.
"A surprise attack?" Kazuki raised his blade and gave him a cold smile. "You have strange manners."
"Heh. I don't care about manners with trespassing Shinigami," Szayelaporro replied smoothly, laughing as he spread his arms wide in theatrical fashion. "Our first meeting deserves some warmth, don't you think-?"
Bright energy gathered along the tendrils at his back again.
"Cero!" he shouted, releasing another wave of blinding power that consumed Kazuki's position once again.
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