"—Once again, I am deeply honored to receive the command of our illustrious General."
September 5th, the day after the Ichigo debriefing and Hinamori Momo (Ecstatic) ★6 implementation announcement.
Anticipating Grimmjow's rampage, I requested cooperation from the mad scientist Szayelaporro, who had become Octava Espada, the Eighth Espada, after the recent triumphant ceremony. I'd been relying heavily on him for nearly half a century, so I often received his reports not at my desk but on the VIP window-side sofa.
"I'm delighted to welcome you back to the Espada. The new secret technique of your Resurrección you showed me during the evaluation was, um... m-mystical..."
"Ah, my apologies. It's somewhat too stimulating for women. How careless of me to lack such consideration."
"N-no... congratulations on achieving your long-cherished goal!"
I shouldn't have said that—or rather, shouldn't have remembered it.
This womb-regression-fetish pervert apologized with a face oozing superiority and lewdness as he watched me reflexively squeeze my thighs together.
I coughed to warn the fiend who'd just twisted his usual handsome face into cruelty, then moved on to business.
Setting aside the Annunciation Gabriel, Szayelaporro himself was an extremely capable scientist, and I'd had him monitor Grimmjow and his group's movements through his own surveillance network since last night.
All of this was preparation to overcome an important canon event without any slip-ups.
"...As expected, suspicious movements have been observed from Sexta Espada and his faction."
"Just as predicted. Thank you for the surveillance report."
While serving him that premium tea as thanks, I worked out the details of what came next.
"What shall we do? He seemed quite dissatisfied with Kurosaki Ichigo... no, with Ulquiorra's choice. At this rate, an explosion is only a matter of time."
"Yes. I want to deepen the issue of Kurosaki Ichigo's Hollowfication, so I plan to have them go to the mortal world soon."
"...Oh my, how delightful."
Szayelaporro's business smile melted away as his wicked true nature peeked through. Well, we'd known each other a long time, so he'd probably figured out my intention to deliberately provoke Grimmjow's outburst.
"To so easily manipulate that beast—truly worthy of being Aizen-sama's foremost vassal. I'm impressed."
"Oh, you make it sound so bad. Grimmjow-san gets to act as he pleases. I support that while fulfilling Captain Aizen's wishes. Don't you think that's the only way for everyone to be happy?"
"How rude of me. You're absolutely right."
This man who mocked his colleague with a knowing laugh was quite the pleasure-seeker himself. Since he thoroughly looked down on emotional battle-maniacs like Grimmjow, he'd probably enjoy this assignment.
With the Grimmjow manipulation plan settled, I listened to reports on Szayelaporro's recent research, when a topic came up about a certain canon item.
"...So that one is already in the final testing phase?"
"Yes, it can restrain even souls with spiritual pressure at the upper Espada class level for about half a day. Below that, naturally, semi-permanently."
"Wow, impressive!"
The new tool Szayelaporro was describing was that dimensional imprisonment item, the Caja Negación. This should have been completed much earlier, but thanks to Tobi-chan's enthusiasm making all the Arrancar so well-behaved, there was no longer any reason to punish them, so it had been postponed.
Though it wasn't just frozen—I'd had him add several functions not in the canon.
"How's the research on remote activation devices and dimensional gates? I thought it would be convenient for coordinating with Chief Tōsen in security maintenance if I could manage imprisonment and release with General authority."
"Both are already complete. Unfortunately, I've yet to have the opportunity to use them in actual combat..."
His expression and tone seemed regretful, but there was no anxiety in his eyes. Well, he was one of the story's greatest geniuses, and if someone with appropriate pride was showing this to me, his patron, the quality would naturally be high.
"It's your invention, after all. Please let me adopt it after we conduct a final test somewhere soon."
"With pleasure."
Good, that should do it. Now I just needed to pick something suitable from upcoming canon events where I could use this, and it would be officially adopted.
(Wasn't there something... a combat event happening soon?)
After thinking for a moment, I immediately recalled one. By chance, it seemed to be something Szayelaporro had been planning to interfere with from the start.
"By the way, General, I have a proposal regarding the final test."
"What a coincidence. So do I—"
Sexta Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez and his Fracción had once been a party of Adjuchas-class Hollows, six traveling together toward the supreme Vasto Lorde class.
But at the end of their long journey, that path was cut off. Having hit their growth limits, they entrusted their hopes to the only one with evolution potential remaining—their "king," the blue panther Hollow Grimmjow—and offered their souls as sustenance.
One of the Fracción, Di Roy Rinker, was the Hollow whose evolutionary path had been sealed first among the group.
The reason: reckless courage, shortsightedness, self-inflicted consequences.
Long ago, before the party had formed a pack with Grimmjow as their "king," Di Roy had foolishly challenged him and had part of his body devoured. From then on, Di Roy was branded a loser and lost his future as a Hollow.
As the gap widened with his comrades who continued to progress, his arrogant behavior grew more extreme.
Even after reaching Las Noches following wind-blown rumors and being given an evolutionary path by Aizen Sōsuke. Even after challenging his disagreeable female superior and waking up alongside all six of his party in the medical bay's culture fluid.
His insolent attitude, as if hiding his own weakness, was just like a Hollow's mask concealing bare instinct, and Di Roy utterly despised his pathetic self.
But one day, a turning point suddenly came to the smoldering Hollow.
—I have a special mission for you.
The one who spoke with a smile was Hinamori Momo. Their direct superior, the General who had shown them hell when they'd challenged her alongside Grimmjow.
"That weak-looking little girl is our commander replacing Aizen-sama?"
"The mistress is using the master's power, what a joke."
A woman who was strong yet addressed everyone with polite language and a carefree smile regardless of their power. In a world of survival of the fittest where showing weakness meant the end, her way of completely hiding her claws gradually transformed into awe like a sleeping lion as her true nature became clear. That transformation process was earth-shattering and unprecedented for Di Roy.
The mission she gave him was surveillance of a certain town in the mortal world—Karakura Town.
Moreover, it was the tedious task of reporting every move of several humans and Hollows, working alongside Aisslinger, who'd been mysteriously promoted like him.
—Why are you in such a rush to die, Di Roy...!
The first experience of clashing with a comrade of similar strength.
—Wow, you finally found them, Di Roy-san!
The first time an overwhelmingly strong person acknowledged his efforts.
That first-time-filled tedious job helped untangle the inferiority complex of someone who'd always been putting on airs. He never could have imagined such a thing at the time.
Even after becoming humanoid again through the re-Arrancarization reward and returning as Grimmjow's Fracción, Di Roy couldn't forget those lukewarm days.
Perhaps that was why.
Wanting to prove his renewed worth to Grimmjow and the others with a fresh start, he'd begged "Take me with you" to those heading to the death zone where even that General had failed to kill the enemy...
"—Good evening, Di Roy-san."
His shoulders jumped.
Di Roy, who'd been moving alone through Las Noches in secret to participate in Grimmjow's covert operation, timidly turned around.
This was bad. Of all people, he'd been found by the one person who absolutely couldn't find him. Running into her right before using the Pesquisa-erasing tool Szayelaporro had given him was too unlucky.
"W-weird, ain't it? A General like you wouldn't normally bother with patrols."
"Hehe, not really? It's a perfect excuse for secretly delivering forgotten items."
General Hinamori Momo held out a long box with her usual carefree little-girl smile. Di Roy suspiciously accepted it and examined the contents, then froze.
"It's a prototype Caja Negación. Technically I shouldn't, but I convinced myself that 'within the bounds of not affecting the main flow' was acceptable, so I'm giving these to you all."
The female Shinigami's words didn't register. He was simply captivated by the number of black objects inside the box.
Six.
The same as the total number of Arrancar heading to assault the mortal world—himself, Grimmjow, Nakeem, Iceringer, Edrad, and Shawlong.
"Please distribute them before it's too late if possible. If they won't accept them, I'll gracefully give up."
"Y-you... know everything..."
"Even if I stopped you, it would just build up your frustration. This time I'll overlook it in consideration of your past service, Di Roy-san."
Hinamori Momo smiled brightly. Before this woman, rumored to read minds with her intelligence, even Sexta Espada Grimmjow might be nothing more than a weakling being manipulated.
While feeling awe at his superior's unfathomable depth, the man sighed in resignation.
"...Fine. I'll tell 'em it's your pet project when I hand 'em out..."
"Yes, thank you very much."
—Captain Tōsen's scary punishment will be waiting when you get back.
That warning made Di Roy recall that extreme order-fanatic bastard's detestable face, and he briefly, seriously considered ditching the mortal world assault altogether.
After giving Di Roy the Modified Caja Negación for all his companions, I immediately visited Szayelaporro's lab to observe the practical test... or rather, to observe Shiro-chan.
"...How's the situation?"
"Ideal. Perhaps because Di Roy persuaded them using the General's and Chief Tōsen's names? We can experiment with four Arrancar total: Edrad, Nakeem, Shawlong, and Di Roy."
Countless surveillance screens showed the six Arrancar. Apparently Grimmjow and Iceringer hadn't accepted the Modified Caja Negación, but that was fine. Grimmjow didn't need one anyway, and Szayelaporro could control his brother Iceringer's life and death as he pleased.
Now then. The test seemed problem-free, so while hiding my eager feelings, I turned my attention to the screen showing my target—the Gotei Thirteen reinforcements, the Hitsugaya advance team.
(...Ah, it's Shiro-chan!)
My composed expression crumbled instantly, but it had been two whole weeks, so forgive me. This was a precious Shironium collection opportunity, so I stared intently at his heroic figure.
Of course, the Caja Negación I'd distributed had special wiretapping functions attached, so I could hear voices perfectly too. I tuned in to Shawlong's, who was fighting Shiro-chan.
"A captain is wonderful. That means I drew the winning lot."
"No way. You probably drew... the worst lot!"
Haaaaah, so cool! You're so cool, Shiro-chan!
But even after using such a stylish line, you'll get beaten up by a mere Fracción when your limiter's on, so you've got cuteness fully equipped too! You're invincible! Cute is justice!
Ahhh, I wanted to go tooooo—
But while I agonized, the crucial Shawlong battle progressed. The quantified spiritual pressure could be compared to past data—very convenient.
"This is...!"
My cheeks loosened in surprise. Shiro-chan's spiritual pressure had increased!
"Tch, as expected of a captain... even if you're a child, you're worthy of bearing that title...!"
"Not done yet...! Go, Ryūsenka!"
Oh! Even with his limiter on, he's holding his own against Shawlong! In canon he was completely toyed with!
This was definitely thanks to "HINAMORIIII!"—no doubt about it. Someone who experiences tremendous setback or gains hope of reclaiming what they lost becoming incredibly strong is a fantasy staple!
As I'd predicted, Shiro-chan was a boy who truly shined when made to suffer... (deeply moved)
"—General."
"Wait, this is the good part...!"
"Di Roy is about to die."
"Eh, already?"
Reluctantly looking at that screen, I saw Rukia flirting with Ichigo while trying to freeze Di Roy with Sode no Shirayuki. I just noticed, but Rukia-chan really did come. Renji's here, and two from the Zaraki squad, and Rangiku-san too... wait, more importantly, if I don't hurry, Di Roy's gonna die!
"Ah, ah—Tentei Kura!"
I hastily chanted the communication kido and successfully locked onto the Caja Negación's remote control device with a whooom.
Now it was all about timing. Too early and Rukia's famous scene would be interrupted; too late and Di Roy's dead soul would completely revert to spirit particles.
Carefully...
"—Too bad! Your sword that freezes the ground can't handle my aerial combat! Hyahahaha!"
Ugh, so lame. We both sighed at the overwhelming thug vibes.
"Tch, disgrace to the Arrancar..."
"H-he did work hard on the mortal world surveillance mission though...?"
I tried to defend Di Roy. But for Szayelaporro, who'd been supporting them in various ways, this carelessness and ugliness probably inspired anger. Well, I understood the feeling.
And then... here it came, Rukia-chan's famous line!
"Too bad. Sode no Shirayuki doesn't freeze the ground."
"Wh-what... guaaaah!"
"Everything within this circle, heaven and earth—
is Sode no Shirayuki's freezing domain!"
Woohoo! The quasi-protagonist's precious combat scene realized! And farewell, my subordinate Di Royyyy!
I burned into my eyes the moment the thug was instantly killed by Rukia, just like in canon...
Now!
<—Activate>
At that instant, around Di Roy's shattered corpse on the screen, that black band-like spiritual pressure deployed.
"What is... that...?"
With Rukia and Ichigo's confused voices as BGM, Szayelaporro checked another screen. Curious, I peeked over too and saw countless numbers changing rapidly. No regularity at all—completely incomprehensible.
"H-how is it...?"
"No irregularities. Naturally, since it's my invention."
Szayelaporro calmly reported the results. As I absorbed his words with a sharp breath, the talented Arrancar spoke with a confident smile, as if to emphasize the fact.
—Di Roy Rinker's spirit particle factor has been recovered.
***
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