"—Thank you so much, Szayelaporro-san!"
With the Shiro-chan viewing party—I mean, new item test—safely concluded, I thanked my subordinate who'd helped in various ways with a beaming smile. Of course I had the recording to watch back later—perfect. I wanted to return to my room immediately and savor it without anyone disturbing me.
But first, I should finish up about the Caja Negación and Di Roy's group.
"Please leave Nakeem and Di Roy's revival to me. Edrad and Shawlong, whose souls are severely damaged, are recovering in the regeneration cultivation chambers. By the way, what shall we do about other Arrancar who suffer casualties in the future?"
"Please handle them the same as Sexta Fracción this time. Maintain suspended animation for those where it's possible."
"Understood."
I bowed back to the bowing Szayelaporro. With this, recreating canon events while reorganizing the Arrancar army became simultaneously possible. Reviving everyone was impossible, but if I received a new Hōgyoku from Aizen-sama in the near future, forming an even more powerful legion wouldn't be a dream.
...This is completely the flow of breaking canon after the Thousand-Year Blood War based on my own likes and dislikes, isn't it?
My apologies to the Wandenreich folks, but please accept that you just didn't have enough OSR value. I handed over the reward for the job to Szayelaporro, the linchpin of the plan.
"I'll establish a second research facility dedicated to you at our mortal world hideout. I've already brought in various things, so basic facilities should be operational in about half a month."
"How marvelous—I'm grateful for such exceptional benevolence."
The mad scientist's eyes sparkled. Though this was less a reward and more a backup measure in anticipation of canon Mayuri-sama's battle. I lowered my voice and whispered in his ear.
"I recommend using it as a treatment facility for Arrancar whose souls have been partially regenerated in Hueco Mundo, and as storage for research materials. It depends on Captain Aizen's wishes, but he'll probably conduct a defensive battle here at Las Noches."
"Hmm, so there's a possibility this lab could be endangered in the worst case?"
"If the Research and Development Institute dispatches an investigation team to Las Noches, things will get somewhat troublesome. You can never have too many contingencies."
I tried gauging his expression, but surprisingly he didn't seem too displeased. Perhaps like in canon, he sensed something unpleasant from Aizen-sama and had been preparing for the worst? He had a composed expression as if to say "so it's finally come."
"...Direct advice from the General herself. I shall prepare on the premise the worst will occur."
"Sorry, even though I'm your patron..."
"Not at all—it would disgrace the Arrancar name to rely completely on the General even for my own lab's safety. Besides, our transactions are very meaningful, so please continue to favor me."
Szayelaporro smiled with a frank, untroubled expression. Who was this refreshing, handsome glasses guy?
But I see. What I'd given him was Urahara-san's research legacy and White Project data, but indeed, no one in Hueco Mundo had been conducting such extensive research until now.
Was he happy about his first transaction with a friendly colleague in the same field? Or perhaps Hinamori Momo's existence—supporting his research with various necessities while evaluating its value—was unexpectedly significant. Well, since I was stupid, unlike Aizen-sama I wouldn't threaten his specialty field and would continue relying on him, giving him a sense of superiority.
Either way, Momo-chan's view of Szayelaporro changed a bit today.
"Then I'll officially adopt your Caja Negación and Negación Regeneration. Congratulations!"
"A supreme honor, General Hinamori."
I—part of the "Make the Cocky Quincy Forces Understand the Terror of the Hueco Mundo Army Two Years From Now Squad"—exchanged a firm handshake with Szayelaporro and left the lab with a cheerful skip.
...Now then, Shiro-chan.
Let your heroic figure on repeat playback make your big sister smile more and more! (Crescent moon smile)
September 10th, after the three-day weekend Aizen-sama gave me following the canon Grimmjow raid event.
While healing my cheeks—sore from grinning too much during three days of watching the Shiro-chan Famous Scenes Collection—with healing kido, I sat in my office chair for the first time in a while, reading reports that Loly and Menoly brought me.
"—Chief Tōsen, who served as acting General, dismissed Grimmjow from the Espada. Former Arrancar Number Fifty-Two, Luppi Antenor, was promoted to the new Sexta Espada."
"G-Grimmjow had his left arm severed as punishment for acting without Chief Tōsen's permission..."
The two reported with pale faces about the recent incident of DJ getting super mad. I'd thought he'd lost some fangs compared to canon thanks to the Aizen farm and improved cooking environment, but apparently not. Canon recreation happened in strange places. I'd missed it, so I'd watch the recording later.
One-armed Grimmjow, but if he seemed about to be killed by powered-up Chad at the next mortal world raid event, I'd retrieve him early with Negación. If he lasted until the Hirako fight, that'd be perfect.
Oh right, can't forget about the Arrancar maids.
"Loly-san, Menoly-san, thank you for the report. Have you both gotten used to humanoid life yet?"
"Y-yes..."
"That's good to hear. I'd like to reassign you to Captain Aizen soon—what do you think?"
I'd temporarily made them my secretaries for rehabilitation, but they should be fine as Aizen-sama's attendants now. Both agreed, so arrangements complete—nice work! Loly-chan, good for you!
After continuing accumulated desk work until Hueco Mundo's kido sun set, I stood up for my daily sword, fist, flash step, and kido training. But on the way to my dedicated practice area, my spiritual pressure detection caught a strange presence.
(Captain Aizen, Captain Ichimaru... and Captain Tōsen's spiritual pressure?)
Canon Aizen-sama faction's trio of monsters had assembled at the practice area. How was I the only one left out?
Intensely curious, I erased my presence and form with Hakufuku and Kyokkō, quietly observing. It was a kido combo even battle-mode Urahara-san couldn't detect.
Peeking from the entrance, I saw a strange tableau in the practice area: Aizen-sama and DJ kneeling before him holding up his zanpakutō, with Number Ten watching them from a slight distance.
What was this, knight investiture?
But my question quickly dissolved. Aizen-sama took out a small orb from his pocket, which immediately emitted enormous light.
(Ah, so this is Tōsen Kaname's Hollowfication...)
Everything made sense now. The light that enveloped his zanpakutō and DJ gradually subsided after a while, revealing his usual appearance.
No visible changes. But the spiritual pressure I felt had increased significantly... I think.
Hmm, there's definitely a sense of breaking through the wall! (Wild guess)
"—Hello, everyone. May I join you?"
Since left-out Momo-chan apparently didn't exist, I normally entered among everyone. Aizen-sama and Number Ten's faces when they turned were perfectly calm too. DJ seemed absorbed in his own changes and didn't notice.
"Well, Momo. Did you enjoy your vacation?"
"Yes, thank you very much."
Well, what stretched wasn't feathers but the corners of my mouth. When I reflexively massaged my cheeks from the habit of the past three days, Aizen-sama grinned at me. I thoroughly enjoyed the Shiro-chan Festival, yes indeed.
"Huh, Momo-chan got curious and came to watch too? I'm a late arrival myself, but made it just in time."
"Is that so? I saw a big light earlier... is that the Hollowfication Captain Tōsen has been preparing?"
Glancing at DJ, he was already communing with Suzumushi through sword Zen. Apparently, just like in canon, he was the type to achieve complete Hollowfication through zanpakutō release like Arrancar Resurrección.
In the anime Bleach he'd had quite a death struggle with Captain Doggy, but in the canon manga he'd defeated him one-sidedly pretty normally, so it should be more complete "Shinigami Hollowfication" than the Visored.
"Now then, Kaname, show me. Your new power."
"Yes, sir...!"
Having understood his Resurrección's true nature, Tōsen chanted the release command with a trembling voice. His zanpakutō stance was the reverse of Suzumushi Final Form: Enma Kōrogi—blade pointed down.
...Here it comes!
"Suzumushi Hundredth Form—"
—Grijallar Grilljo—
In that instant.
Massive spiritual pressure, rough as a sandstorm, erupted, and Tōsen's body was enveloped in darkness. I caught my breath at the tremendous pressure, like Szayelaporro's old form.
And the jet-black spiritual pressure solidified into six limbs and two pairs of wings—the monster was finally complete.
—Riiiiiing...
It was like a giant fly or digger wasp. A body covered in jet-black body hair, with an eerie white compound eye covering his entire head. Having released his new power, Tōsen Kaname had transformed into a monstrous insect radiating an appearance and spiritual pressure that could only be described as evil.
Yeah, I'd seen it in the manga and anime too... incredibly creepy.
"—Ohhh."
As I held that honest impression, Resurrección-DJ tried to open his compound eyes wide. I hastily sent an eye-contact signal to Number Ten and we both moved out of his field of vision. The first person Tōsen should see in his life should be his greatest master whom he'd served for years—Aizen Sōsuke.
"O-ohhh...! I can see... I can see—Aizen-sama!"
DJ stared at Aizen-sama before him, trembling. It was a touching scene, except the sight of a giant black furry insect three times human size convulsing and shaking ruined everything.
And Aizen-sama gazing back with a happier face than usual was just... impressive.
"Yes, I am your master... Aizen Sōsuke."
"Ohhhh... You are... my...!"
A desire nearly two hundred years in the making. The servant prostrating himself to worship his master's face, and the kindly smiling master—the two created an emotional, wonderful atmosphere.
Good for you, DJ. But you probably shouldn't ever see what you look like right now, for your mental health.
As I felt indescribably ambivalent, Aizen-sama suddenly directed his gaze to Number Ten in the back. Following it, DJ also saw for the first time the face of his long-time colleague, Ichimaru Gin.
"...So you're Ichimaru. A silver-haired, fox-eyed, suspicious man—I'm slightly surprised it matches my imagination so perfectly."
"Well, as expected of Tōsen-san, famous for fake blindness suspicions. Ya were editing the Seireitei Communication, so ya don't need eyesight, right?"
"Ah, that sharp tongue is definitely Ichimaru."
For some reason, Aizen-sama's only lieutenant and confidant were sparking at each other. These two barely interacted even in canon, so there were theories in the Bleach fandom about them not getting along, but yeah, they don't mesh.
But actually, I knew Number Ten really liked DJ's Japanese cooking. Tsundere, maybe?
After glaring at each other for a while, both retainers turned their heads simultaneously. At their destination stood me, Hinamori Momo.
"..."
"H-hello..."
Being stared at intently by that huge, super creepy black insect several steps away almost made me retreat, but I somehow endured. DJ didn't choose that appearance on purpose. Dissing someone's physical characteristics was rude—I was a well-mannered, good girl Momo-chan who knew proper etiquette.
I somehow maintained my smile, but DJ's behavior was strange for some reason. After staring at me for a while, he suddenly started looking around, finally returning his gaze to Aizen-sama.
"...Aizen-sama, where is Hinamori?"
DJ said something incomprehensible. There were no other women here besides me—could he actually see?
"...Huh, we just made serious eye contact, right? It's me."
"Don't lie. There's no way Hinamori could be such an innocent, lovely girl. I've heard women transform with makeup, but do you always do that?"
"I'm bare-faced except for blush!"
"—Bwahahaha, this is too much! I can't take it...!"
How rude! What kind of image did DJ have of me normally? This Hinamori face was decided to be the story's top-tier perfect beauty, dammit!
Number Ten clutching his stomach and dying of laughter beside my indignant self would get it later. More importantly, why was DJ still staring at me with his jaw hanging? Learn from Aizen-sama's unchanging dark smile!
Tobi-chan, you can burn them both.
"Surprising, right, Tōsen-san? I had to triple-take when I first saw too."
"Ridiculous... this girl is that insane pleasure-seeking pervert...? No, indeed, with these looks no one would notice her true nature..."
"Captain Tōsen, is this how you always saw me!?"
Tōsen Kaname, whether from Hollowfication's influence or what, was exposing his inner thoughts more purely and candidly than usual. What the hell—wasn't DJ a natural airhead justice fanatic who noticed nothing...!
"Let me ask you instead—is there a more appropriate word than 'femme fatale' to describe someone who rolls Hitsugaya Toshiro around in the palm of her hand for pleasure?"
"She really is perfectly normal except with that boy. Makes it even worse."
"Ugh..."
What should I do? My male colleagues were too logical to refute at all. But DJ's Momo-chan dissing was still unreasonable.
"B-but Captain Aizen is also well-versed in the aesthetics of pleasure. Only blaming me is cruel..."
"What are you misunderstanding, Hinamori? I'm not blaming you—I'm merely shocked at the discrepancy between your appearance and true nature. I've never once blamed you, who serves Aizen-sama more than any of us."
"Being gentle now doesn't erase your earlier abuse!"
I take it back—you're still a natural after all, DJ-KANAME! If you think people won't get hurt without malice, you're dead wrong. Unlike Number Ten rolling around laughing behind me, you're impossible to hate, which makes it even worse.
Honestly, I was just a pitiful girl captivated by Shiro-chan's clouded expression. I'm not asking for understanding, but at least respect minority human rights.
Feeling sad from being told whatever they wanted, I'd have fellow pleasure-seeker Aizen-sama comfort me. Captain Aizen, those two are bullying me...
"Don't worry about it, Momo. Judging the fixed views of those in high seats as madness is the unconscious self-defense of ordinary people."
"Captain Aizen...!"
Ah, having someone who understands is wonderful. Aizen-sama smiling with such a wonderful handsome prince aura that Loly or canon Hinamori-chan would experience phantom pregnancy. I appreciated his comrade smile, but that smile was definitely toxic to emotionally-ignorant female Arrancar, so please be careful where you use it.
By the way, what's "those in high seats"? (Whisper)
"...Ain't part of that big Sokyoku Hill lie becoming truth...?"
Number Ten muttered that while watching me and Aizen-sama gazing at each other with smiles.
But listen here, Ichimaru-kun. I don't know what's bad about the lie "Hinamori Momo clings to Aizen-sama from the strong person's dilemma" becoming truth, but that concern is wrong in the first place.
Since I'm fine with anything as long as Shiro-chan suffers and shines, I'll just use both lies and truth as I please, hehe...
Afterward, I volunteered as a practice opponent to test-drive DJ's Grijallar Grilljo, forcibly dragged Number Ten in too, and after a fierce three-way death struggle, I blew both of them up with Tobi-chan's joyous Bankai.
The sin of hurting a maiden's heart is heavy.
Szayelaporro smiling at good relations with his patronEcstasy Hinamori with cheeks stuck from grinning at the Shiro-chan specialLoly at MAX tension from serving Aizen-samaResurrección-DJ excitedly frolicking because he can seeNumber Ten dying of laughter at DJ's shock at real Ecstasy HinamoriAizen-sama beaming at the fallen god's transcendent troubles
A WORKPLACE WITH ENDLESS SMILES
***
10 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!
https://patreon.com/Well_being