Time rewinds twenty years.
During the White Project—where I parasitized a Hollow onto Kurosaki Masaki (Ichigo's mom), a pure-blood Quincy—I laid several groundwork pieces for canon progression. One was data collection to counter Head Captain Yamamoto's Ryūjin Jakka, who would become our greatest enemy after defecting from Soul Society.
Perhaps "experiment" would be more accurate than "groundwork," but the data I collected then included not only information about the Bankai of Shiba Isshin (Ichigo's dad) and his flame-type zanpakutō Engetsu, but also combat information from the modified Vasto Lorde-class Hollow White himself who'd fought him.
The reason I risked showing myself to Urahara-san back then wasn't just to implant a spirit particle connector in Dad's gigai, but also to recover the spirit particle medium recording this combat information from the parasitized White.
And naturally, the reason I collected Ichigo's dad's Bankai information and White's combat and research data was to create that canon character.
"—A 'modified Arrancar'... you say?"
Time returned to the canon timeline. Hueco Mundo's entire brain trust—Aizen-sama, DJ, and Szayelaporro—had assembled in the lab.
By the way, I was also mandatory attendance.
"Correct. Now that we have Urahara Kisuke's Hōgyoku and complete data on Arrancarizing Menos-class Hollows, we can finally begin creating a modified Arrancar to seal Ryūjin Jakka."
—You shall prepare the Vasto Lorde-class Hollow to serve as its base.
At Aizen-sama's command, the geniuses immediately began preparations... plus me as an extra.
Creating a Vasto Lorde-class Hollow had White-kun's successful example, and sealing zanpakutō abilities had succeeded in the Tentaclus Experiment—the preliminary stage before the White Experiment. By applying these two methods to create an individual hiding tremendous potential that seals flame-type zanpakutō abilities, then using the Hōgyoku's power to give that potential the directivity of "flame sealing" and Arrancarize it, that anti-Ryūjin Jakka Arrancar—Wonderweiss Margela—should be complete.
"The base will be Shinigami souls like White. However, this time we'll use only flame-type zanpakutō holders matching the Head Captain, except for those certain individuals."
"Most conveniently, several spatial-type zanpakutō holders essential for 'flame sealing' happen to be in prison?"
"Indeed. What a remarkable coincidence, wouldn't you say, Hinamori?"
"...Well it really is, isn't it?"
Avoiding DJ and Szayelaporro's meaningful gazes, I used Loca-emon's Negación Thread to reproduce Aaroniero's Glotonería spiritual data. This was done hoping to fully manifest all abilities of fused souls, and included not only Gotei seated officer holders of flame and spatial-type zanpakutō, but also a clone of Tentaclus-kun.
Taking the completed modified Vasto Lorde-class Hollow to Aizen-sama who'd finished adjusting the Hōgyoku, we wrapped it thoroughly in spirit-sealing plaster to prevent weird influences from surrounding spirit particles, then put it in a stylish inverted triangular pyramid glass capsule for completion.
"Excellent work. As expected."
"Thank you, sir."
Receiving praise from Aizen-sama, we'd begin Arrancarization once observers gathered.
By the way, I'd ordered the Espada to assemble for canon recreation, and all ten actually came. I guess in the manga Zommari and others weren't shown, but everyone was just outside the panel! (Looking away)
Aizen-sama gave his signature stylish explanation before the assembled Arrancar.
Everyone should gratefully listen. It's a precious example of ability explanations essential for opening battle speeches and word choices useful for provocation.
"...The Hōgyoku's awakened state is fifty percent. As planned—for Soul Society, that is."
This naturally imposing phrasing and baritone handsome voice always made my ears happy. Though difficult with my cute Hinamori voice, I always referenced his vocal inflection aside from the lines themselves.
"Only one who directly holds the Hōgyoku could know. And perhaps even Urahara Kisuke, who sealed it immediately after developing it and never once unsealed it, doesn't know. A Hōgyoku released from its seal in a dormant state temporarily fuses with someone possessing spiritual pressure double that of a captain-class... and for just an instant, manifests power equivalent to complete awakening."
That famous "spiritual pressure double that of captain-class" line that became the benchmark for Aizen-sama's power among many Bleach fans. Though in this world it had risen even higher than "double" due to my screw-ups—how charming.
As the Hōgyoku began increasing spiritual pressure, I stuck firmly to Aizen-sama's side to watch the modified Arrancar. Oi Hōgyoku, grant my wishes too, hurry up.
The Hōgyoku extended writhing tentacles to fuse with Aizen-sama, and after intense light flashed like DJ's Hollowfication, spiritual pressure exploded from the modified Hollow, revealing a blond male Arrancar.
"...May I hear your name? Our new comrade."
Oh, amazing. Perhaps because I'd asked the Hōgyoku's will that reflects surrounding hearts, he'd properly taken his intended canon appearance.
And the foolish-looking buck-toothed young man who quietly raised his face haltingly spoke the name he should bear.
—Wonderweiss Margela.
***
Now then. With Wonderweiss Arrancarized, let's immediately prepare for the next canon event—I mean, the third mortal world invasion.
Members: new Sexta Espada Luppi, veteran Yammy, one-armed ex-Espada Grimmjow, and finally Wonderweiss—four total.
This invasion operation had multiple intentions as usual, one being Wonderweiss's spec confirmation.
He was a modified Arrancar created primarily using techniques cultivated in the Momo-chan-produced White Project, but whether that was actually the same method as canon was now unknowable. To understand those differences, this invasion operation was quite important.
The most important ability—"storing flames inside the body"—was granted by the Hōgyoku, so what remained was minimum combat ability as an individual. He obviously couldn't directly defeat Head Captain, and his spiritual pressure before Arrancarization wasn't as much as White-kun's, so it should be within margin of error.
...Since I'd be troubled if opening act Mashiro-chan and original 69 died, maybe I'd have Aizen-sama use Kyōka Suigetsu so he wouldn't go all-out against anyone but Head Captain.
"—Ulquiorra, I'm coming in."
"Please enter."
And the other operational objective was heroine Inoue Orihime's recruitment, which Uru-kun would handle from now on.
Of course, just like canon, she was bait to lure monster captains like Zaraki Kenpachi and Unohana Retsu into Hueco Mundo for imprisonment.
Though this world's Aizen-sama didn't seem to consider Kenpachi or Unohana-san as threatening as his manga self, so I held operational control to some degree. While advancing canon developments like relocating Szayelaporro's lab, I was actively utilizing this for force preservation plans anticipating the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
That's why we had to abduct Orihime-chan, the keystone for recreating famous BLEACH scenes, and this was absolutely unmissable for Ulquihime fans. Ulquihime supply was already scarce, so we had to work hard.
"Ulquiorra, I order you to recruit Inoue Orihime. Win her as an ally on the condition we won't lay a hand on Kurosaki Ichigo or mortal world forces except for 'defense against attacks.'"
"Understood, General."
Honestly, Ulquiorra. I'd arranged for him to get near Orihime-chan when retrieving Grimmjow last time, yet he returned without even speaking to her.
Well, even so, his Solita Vista had captured a scene where he briefly locked eyes with her standing near Shiro-chan, so it was more connected than canon. I didn't know Uru-boy's true feelings, but at least thanks to me repeatedly telling him "Orihime-chan is interesting!" he seemed interested.
"When recruiting her, please give her this bracelet and one night's grace period."
"This is..."
"The latest stealth equipment Szayelaporro-san developed. Use this to allow Inoue Orihime to 'secretly bid farewell to one acquaintance,' then retrieve her for an audience with Captain Aizen."
After brief thought, Ulquiorra quietly bowed, seemingly understanding my intention. It seemed like a sadistic hobby, but canon Aizen-sama taught him too, so it's safe... I think. He should still be able to accept Orihime-chan's pure heart.
I was IchiRuki faction, but I was fine with the IchiHime ending Stylish-sensei decided in the end. I just wanted to consume more of that precious IchiRuki and Ulquihime than in the manga.
So work hard and flirt with Orihime-chan.
"Listen well, Ulquiorra. Inoue-san is a fragile human girl unlike us souls!"
"...Yes."
"Her power is very important to us. But just being human might make her receive various resentment from the Arrancar. So I'd like you—one of the most rational Espada—to guard Inoue-san and look after her."
"Understood."
"Mental and physical care is especially important, okay? Don't treat her harshly... well, just a little, and occasionally send kind words asking about her condition and feelings."
"Leave it to me."
Wow, what magnificent "I'm being made to do this" vibes.
An immediate answer, but watching your usual self, I had absolutely no idea what to be reassured about.
...Wait, thinking about it, Ulquihime wasn't such a friendly atmosphere—it was more of a desolate jailer-prisoner relationship where Ulquiorra felt interest and irritation at Orihime-chan's devotion and strength, beginning a complex pairing. Readers who hallucinated the image of a man and woman clashing over different beliefs yet faintly drawn to each other went thump... so watching two people at normal not-quite-lovers distance felt somehow wrong.
Hmm, maybe just increasing their time together without saying anything was best? For now, I ordered Ulquiorra to forget my earlier advice since it was my misunderstanding, and spoke an important keyword instead.
"Ulquiorra. Do you remember when I told you about Inoue-san before?"
"...Yes. The General said she would be my 'heart's navigator'..."
Ah, he remembered that? In his expressionless way, was he unexpectedly looking forward to meeting Orihime-chan?
Then unnecessary words were unneeded. I'd just give Uru-boy one last push and leave the rest to my subordinate's autonomy.
"No extra wisdom necessary. Do as you please, Ulquiorra."
—She will surely show your eyes a new world.
At my beaming smile, Ulquiorra bowed with a slightly troubled expressionless face.
That's right, Uru-kun—girls were creatures who went kyun wanting to "help" when boys seriously agonized. So your conflict was indispensable to the Ulquihime world too. Good luck.
"—Oh, right."
"...?"
"When giving Inoue-san that one night's grace, confiscate her ability's focal point—the Shun Shun Rikka hairpins."
...Forgive me, Ichigo. If you recovered in just one day from Orihime's abduction through her Sōten Kisshun and stormed Las Noches like in the manga, the Ulquihime maturation period would be too short.
To create time for those two, you'd sleep longer than canon! (Utterly heartless)