Las Noches, Aaroniero's palace.
Two spiritual pressures existed in the dark palace unreached by sunlight. Aaroniero, master of the palace, and the intruder Kuchiki Rukia—I know both.
In the original, their battle begins with Aaroniero disguised as the late former Thirteenth Division Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien, joyfully reuniting with Rukia who was deeply involved in his death. The dialogue phase in OPB.
Afterward, it transitions to combat phase when Aaroniero reveals it was all a false act, and though he overwhelmingly dominates Rukia throughout, she exploits his carelessness with her last strength for a mutual defeat.
This battle produced a result that could never occur by normal battle manga standards—where victory is determined by differences in technique, supernatural energy (spiritual power), mental strength, intelligence, abilities, equipment, etc. Therefore, large-scale verification by Bleach fans was conducted, and OPB theory, now common knowledge, was first proposed at this time.
Of course, any BLEACH reincarnator who'd miss such a historic event would be questioned "What did you even come here for?"—that level of screw-up. I'd installed countless surveillance devices in Aaroniero's palace beforehand, and naturally even today, I carefully sneak in undetected to secure the best seat.
"—What's with that gloomy face? Same depressing woman as always, hahaha!"
"Th-this is my normal face! Don't tease me, Kaien-dono!"
Good, dialogue phase begins. I immediately start OPB commentary in my head.
(In the commentary booth is Momogyoku-san, whose friends are flies. Thank you for joining us today.)
'—I'm not "friends with flies"!—I'm clean now!—I returned the screw-up title with Di Roy's revival!—Isn't treating the Hogyoku as carelessly as BBS too harsh, Onee-sama...—'
Calling out in my heart, an indignant voice echoes in my mind. Do flies even actually exist in Tobai-chan's inner world? Apparently the oxen pulling ox-carts worked hard on the manure pile though.
"—Anyway. Having regained my body like this, I replaced one of the Espada and have been waiting for a chance to strike down Aizen."
"Such a thing..."
Now then. Let's begin commentary, Aaroniero vs. Rukia. First, Aaroniero player's transformed state.
(Commentary Momogyoku-san, does his Shiba Kaien appearance have powerful mental super-effectiveness against Rukia player... but can we expect high OSR value from this false claim too?)
'—Yes—showing hope before dropping them is a staple of psychological attacks—feels like a straightforward approach—...Ah, so we're all starting commentary mode—'
(I see. Shaking the opponent's heart makes counter-OSR easier to set up.)
'—Yes—but Aaroniero's underestimating Rukia's mental state—tactics hitting psychological landmines must be done carefully, or you risk getting hit with huge counter-OSR from the enemy's [Trauma Overcome]—'
(Ah~ that's critical. Can Rukia player activate counter-OSR? Looking forward to it.)
While doing so, Aaroniero casually says "I'll explain the plan inside" and leads Rukia deep into the palace. The girl innocently toddling along is worrisome.
'—Aaroniero's too obvious, I understand his intent to earn [Betrayal Foreshadowing] OSR value bonus—but Rukia appears full of openings, yet conversely when that trust is betrayed she gains OSR reversal skill activation chances—if used effectively, she could produce magnificent numbers—'
(I see. Using the massive gap from complete trust to betrayal directly as an indignant style boost. It's amazing she's doing this intuitively.)
Afterward, Aaroniero suddenly slashes at Rukia. But Rukia barely dodges despite a scratch on her cheek. Seeing this, he praises "You've improved, Kuchiki," while Rukia stares at him with a blank, dumbfounded face at the sudden attack.
(Ah~ as expected, she dodged. Momogyoku-san, how do you see this?)
'—Extremely careless—surprise attacks should target the torso, hard to dodge, like original Captain Aizen did to Hinamori-chan—but immediately maintaining psychological superiority with [Master's Praise] despite being dodged was splendid—'
(Finally seeing Espada-worthy OSR presence of mind. What about Rukia?)
'—She's been preparing counter-OSR groundwork this whole time—Rukia's special bonus [Hostility: Deceased Master] series may activate, possibly reversing into Aaroniero being cornered—'
Even during commentary, the two's OPB dialogue phase accelerates. To the stunned Rukia suddenly slashed, Aaroniero demands she commit suicide with "You killed me" and "Atone for your sins here." Rukia nearly cries but resolutely bows her head.
"I must save my companions! Could you wait until after I rescue Inoue Orihime...?"
(Mm, truly sincere resolve befitting her. Not sparing her life one bit, accepting atonement as natural—showing trauma depth. What do you think, Momogyoku-san?)
'—Extremely skillful [Trauma Overcome] bonus flag-raising—plus the optimal style choice of weighing [Trust in Deceased Master] & [Debt] against [Feelings for Companions] and choosing the latter—Rukia's overwhelmingly more skilled. Very splendid—'
(I see. From the commentary booth, we'd like to expect Aaroniero's comeback from here, but...)
Watching the progression together, as expected Aaroniero fails to induce gag time-space with "Just kidding" as in the original, then continues hostile provocations like "Go kill Inoue Orihime" and "Then I'll forgive you."
Momogyoku and I are exasperated.
'—This is lame~—if going this far, better methods exist like lying "Negative emotions intensified from becoming a Hollow," or acting to suffer and struggle with that to induce sympathy—'
(Then finally fake-crying and asking Rukia for mercy-killing, exploiting that second opening with "I won't miss this time" for comeback victory!)
'—Being that cunning would make the current low "Noveno Espada" ranking show craftiness and be stylish...—'
Of course, his original defeat stems from being unable to do that. Even in the combat phase that finally began, Aaroniero makes Rukia furiously snap with indignation while leisurely watching her OSR value accumulate.
"No need to ask you to 'kill them.' Your companions will die soon anyway."
"Kuh, Ichigo...!"
"What will you do, Kuchiki? You can't do anything, hahaha!"
Then, as if obligatory, he even brings up battles elsewhere for cheap provocation. Ah, this won't work either.
'—Crises of distant fighting companions don't work as psychological attack material—conversely, it raises OSR value through opponent's [Feelings for Allies] bonus—'
(That utterly tasteless lame provocation... I can't imagine Aaroniero's victory at this point.)
'—W-well, though he keeps digging his own grave, without Rukia's own total OSR value being overwhelming, she still can't overturn that massive spiritual pressure gap—plus Aaroniero still has that, fufufu—'
Afterward, Rukia continues earning OSR value with stylish zanpakuto techniques, trying to gain advantage against Aaroniero. However, Aaroniero still prevents this with [Master's Praise], finally releasing his zanpakuto.
But it's not an Arrancar's Resurrección. What he released was—amazingly—a Shinigami's zanpakuto. None other than Shiba Kaien's Nejibana, whom he's currently impersonating!
(Now, Aaroniero player's greatest showcase! This has special feeling—super stylish!)
'—An ability only he possesses, plus multiple coincidences creating an extremely rare sword release—[Nejibana] couldn't be seen in Rukia's flashback due to being sealed by Metastacia, so this is the long-awaited reveal—the spinning blade release moment, the stylish trident form, the first water-type zanpakuto whose existence was mentioned but never shown as physical object, the deceased master's power used by an enemy, etc.—truly a one-of-a-kind release pattern!—'
(The release command "Surge, Nejibana" is so cool too...)
Momogyoku and I are entranced by Aaroniero's supreme sword release that instantly overturns his previous low OSR state.
"You've certainly improved, but that level can't beat me!"
"Kuh—aah...!"
Overwhelming despite the ice-type ability disadvantage—truly how Espada should be. Rukia helpless and defeated—big crisis!
(Rukia's character design generally doesn't pander to men at all, making her popular with readers, but hearing her voice in reality, her gasps and screams are incredibly sexy. Also her little gestures are super cute.)
'—I know—the gap effect makes her seem about 50% cuter than other anime heroines—'
While getting excited over unrelated impressions, we excitedly await Rukia's next stylish action.
Though her zanpakuto was deflected by Aaroniero in a life-or-death moment, Shinigami kido can forcibly earn OSR value even disadvantaged. Restraining Aaroniero with her specialty So no Kire Tsui.
"Tch, the wall..."
And coincidentally, that desperate strike becomes a hint revealing the opponent's weakness, as Rukia tries a move to break the situation.
"—Bakudo Number Four: Hainawa!"
"What are you planning, Kuchiki?! Such time-wasting tricks now...!"
Captured and irritated Aaroniero. Rukia presses further.
"—...Mask of flesh and bone, all things of the universe that fly, that which bears the name of Man—chariot of thunder, gap between spinning wheels—inscribe twin lotuses on walls of blue flame, await the great fire's abyss in distant heaven—split this into six with light..."
"What, dual incantation?!"
Shiba Kaien's memories held by Aaroniero contain no information about Rukia being able to use this. But in the thirty-plus years since his death, Rukia continued daily efforts to never repeat that tragedy.
"**Bakudo Number Sixty-One
—Rikujokoro**!"
"**Hado Number Seventy-Three
—Soren Sokatsui**!!"
(It's here, it's here, it's heeeere!!)
'—Haaaaah, so good~!—First appearance of high-level hado in the series!—Plus a hado name clearly recognizable as the superior version of Rukia's specialty [Sokatsui]!—'
(Dual incantation is also a first, I think! Plus the reason for using it isn't just brute force attack but a tactical play!)
Rukia's aim with such stylish kido was behind her opponent. The wall destroyed by high-level hado lets in sunlight illuminating Aaroniero.
And what emerged screaming from the melted Shiba Kaien skin was a red cylindrical water tank.
"Wh... what are you...?!"
'Tch, got peeled off.' "Can't be helped. Let me reintroduce myself."
'"I'm Noveno Espada Aaroniero Arruruerie."'
Rukia gasps in shock. Floating in that water tank were two Hollows. Palm-sized spheres with attached faces speaking alternately.
(Yes, stylish. Needless to say, a too-wonderful design only Sensei could imagine.)
'—Not a single reader could've imagined this—some predicted the true form differed from Kaien-dono, but a dual entity, moreover a bio-SF existence like a self-acting cultivation chamber—'
(Brain-jar types like Lupin's Mamo exist, but this type is a first. This un-BLEACH-like design—honestly love it so much.)
'—Just, how to say—too unique—the visual villain feel is so strong you realize "If not the final boss, must be dying here"—'
(Ah, shonen magazine cliché... Maybe his abilities couldn't keep up with this too-stylish appearance, becoming a death flag. Another rare OPB example.)
While Momogyoku and I feel melancholy about original Aaroniero's fate, suddenly the previously canon-compliant dialogue changed strangely. Breaking Rukia's bakudo with one hand, the Arrancar mocks the female Shinigami.
'Hmph, Rikujokoro and Soren Sokatsui, huh?' "How different with a different user." 'Hardly seems like the same kido.'
"...!"
'Compared to that person's, such bakudo equals paper scraps.' "Your Soren Sokatsui imitation would barely injure us at best—if you'd hit us directly, that is."
(...Wait, was this line in the original?)
'—Onee-sama, stop the reality denial—this is a screw-up from you making early rampage Arrancars into kido targets continuously—Aaroniero always watched Yammy become a fireball—'
(Ah, wai—Aaroniero-san? L-look, about me, let's leave it at that, okay...?)
A bad development making me forget commentary roleplay, but fortunately current Rukia's head was apparently full of Kaien-dono. Certain he's not Kaien himself, she slashes with further hatred.
"Now knowing you're not Kaien-dono, I can cut you... without any mercy!"
"...Did I mishear?" 'I heard you think you can beat me without mercy.'
"That's what I meant...!"
(Ah yeah, nice one, Rukia player. Good provocation.)
'—How to say—she's absolutely not overestimating her abilities, but her nobility constantly trying to surpass opponents shows in her posture—'
(What seems like cocky provocation toward opponents are actually words to fire up her own fighting spirit. Really noble. Love it.)
But still, their abilities had a hopeless gap. Aaroniero finally voices his ability's essence, usable freely with shadows. Simultaneously, about Kaien's fate.
"...The reason I, an Arrancar risen from lowest-class Gillian, was given Espada rank. It's because among all Arrancars—only I can evolve infinitely!"
"?!"
"I can make the memories, experiences, abilities, and forms of devoured Hollows all my own! This Shiba Kaien body was obtained by devouring the Metastacia body that possessed him! The nostalgia and déjà vu you felt from me—all because I am the real Shiba Kaien!"
Hideous tentacles peeking from removed gloves. Aaroniero mocks Rukia, who involuntarily grimaces at the physiological disgust—
"It's over, Kuchiki. As parting gift, I'll show you an Espada's sword release."
And the Arrancar finally played his final trump card.
"...Devour them all."
—Glotonería—
With Aaroniero's release command, his lower body swells. What appeared was a gigantic deformed octopus. Multiple toothed mouths covered in tentacles opened and closed seeking prey. That form was like a monster embodying endless Hollow hunger made manifest.
(Eldritch!? What are you doing here—quickly go to Firelink Shrine!)
'—That one was more slime-like though—anyway, gross appearance—plus enlargement is a death flag in not just the Bleach world but most shonen magazines—'
(You guys... no, never mind.)
These guys previously said they wanted to become similar grotesque monster reincarnators, but reminding them would be troublesome, so Momo-chan zips her lips.
While doing so, the battle finally reaches climax. Overwhelming spiritual pressure, massive body, hideous form, and... the truth about Kaien he impersonates. Everything invites Rukia's heart to despair as the girl sorrowfully loses focus.
"Don't think Espada sword releases equal common Arrancar ones. My Glotonería can manifest all devoured Hollows' abilities simultaneously."
"Ah..."
"I've devoured 33,650 Hollows. The battle from here equals fighting that entire army alone!"
Her beloved superior killed by her own wretchedness. She consoled herself that at least she recovered his remains, but that too was illusion. His body was stolen by a Hollow.
Heart broken, sword broken. Moreover, she has no right to cut Kaien-dono's body.
And giving up everything, desiring a place to die, Rukia was... helplessly pierced by the revered former superior's trident.
(—Now, now, it's begun! The BLEACH world's greatest style bonus usable only by Rukia fighting Aaroniero who possesses Shiba Kaien's body—[Past Flashback: Tragic Master-Disciple]! Using all groundwork laid over forty-nine years at once—truly the ultimate secret technique using her half-life, once per lifetime!)
'—Unfortunately outsiders like us can't see it, but probably mountains of bittersweet memories with Kaien-dono are being recalled in Rukia's head now—that anime Bleach piano BGM is probably playing too—'
(I think in the original, the flashback event started with the memory of Kaien-dono hitting her head when she was spacing out long ago.)
'—She recited about three high-OSR-value poems like "The wind caresses my cheek~"—inserting poems into flashbacks? A greedy style combo set?—'
(This combination really helps reference OPB. Also, didn't Rukia in this flashback seem incredibly cute? Blushing bright red from stomach growling, enviously watching Miyako-dono flirting with Kaien-dono—completely being Kaien-dono's heroine.)
'—Even the animation seemed about 30% cuter than usual—this alone confirms victory—cute is justice—'
(And finally the flashback ends with Kaien-dono's line "When you die, entrust your heart to your comrades," restoring fighting spirit toward Aaroniero... well, about now.)
We eagerly await the original's famous scene. Below, Rukia pierced by Aaroniero's Nejibana, swaying.
Then.
"—Oh, still conscious? Excellent. Or should I say pitiful?"
Near-death Rukia grabs the trident impaling her. Momogyoku and I shine our eyes in joy.
"...I... remembered..."
"What?"
Around Rukia, sparse white snow dances. Her gripped zanpakuto is broken halfway.
"...Fight with that? Unsightly. Lower it."
But she points that broken tip at the enemy with trembling arms.
And then—
"...Third... Dance..."
—Shirafune—
A new blade appearing from nothing pierced Aaroniero's head.
"—I remembered... where my heart is..."
'Gah...'
"In that body you possess... Kaien-dono isn't there...!"
Shiba Kaien's body peeling away. Both main bodies pierced, the red water tank shattering.
Having delivered a fatal thrust to her hated foe, Kuchiki Rukia poured all her compassion, gratitude, and pride into those words.
"Kaien-dono's heart...
—was entrusted to me!"
At that moment, a new principle—OPB—was born into the world.
***
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