A wave of power rippled through Shiraha the moment his system prompt faded. His abilities sharpened, refined, and expanded as if new layers of strength slid seamlessly into his Reiatsu. The pressure surrounding his body grew denser, steadier, and far more formidable.
So this was the advanced stage of transformation.
Shiraha flexed his fingers, expression thoughtful. The new ability that surfaced was impressive. Not only could he now transform targets with Reiatsu lower than one-tenth of his own, but he could also grant them fragments of his abilities. That alone was an overwhelming change.
What did that imply?
It meant Shiraha could pass on control over gravity, spell manipulation, and even portions of his exclusive template techniques. Even the time stop Dio's signature ability could be bestowed, though only in fragments. He could not grant everything, but even a small portion of his power was enough to create overwhelming strength in someone else.
And considering his current Reiatsu, even one-tenth of it exceeded the threshold of an ordinary vice-captain. In other words, anyone at vice-captain level or below could be transformed by him without resistance.
"Brother Shiraha, what happened?"
Yoruichi, curled comfortably in his arms, tilted her head up to study his expression.
"It's nothing. Let's go back."
He smiled faintly and disappeared in a single flash step, carrying Yoruichi with him.
---
Meanwhile, inside Class 3 of the first-year division, the students whispered among themselves, staring at Hirako Shinji.
"Is that really Shiraha-sensei's relative? He looks like trouble."
"Impossible. Shiraha-sensei is so kind. There's no way he'd be connected to someone dangerous."
"Maybe he's just a distant relative? They don't look alike at all."
Shinji's yellow hair didn't help; it made him stand out like a delinquent. Worse, he didn't look like a high school student. If someone said he'd just finished university, no one would doubt it.
"Everyone quiet down. Let the transfer student introduce himself."
Ochi Miyuki clapped her hands with a bright, professional smile.
Although Shiraha had rejected her dinner invitation minutes earlier, she showed no outward irritation. She certainly didn't take it out on Shinji, whom she believed to be Shiraha's relative.
"Helping Ping. Sister Ono's son. True true. Spicy mentaiko's son."
Hirako Shinji scribbled his name backward across the board, bowing lazily. His grin never faltered.
"Um, Hirako-san, your name is written backwards."
Ochi blinked at the board while the class burst into laughter.
"It's fine. I'm good at writing backward."
Shinji paid no mind to the stares and shifted his gaze toward Ichigo.
"Alright, Hirako-san, take a seat…"
Ochi began looking for an empty desk.
"Teacher, may I sit next to Kurosaki?"
Shinji asked casually.
He had come for one reason: to monitor Ichigo closely.
"Oh, that's right. Kurosaki and Shiraha do know each other. There's an empty seat beside him. Go ahead."
Shinji nodded eagerly, grabbed his bag, and sauntered down from the podium. He sat beside Ichigo, smiling brightly.
"Kurosaki-kun, I'll be next to you from today. Let's get along well."
"…Who is this guy?"
Ichigo, head propped up by his right hand, tried to piece together Shinji's identity. His thoughts shattered the moment Shinji spoke again.
"Nice to meet you."
Ichigo forced a polite smile in return.
Class began shortly after. Ichigo reached into his pocket, pulling out his Shinigami Substitute Badge and examining it discreetly. Only those with significant spiritual power could see it.
"Agent Shinigami Combat License?"
Shinji murmured to himself, recognizing it immediately. As the former captain of the Fifth Division, he knew exactly what Ichigo was holding.
Suddenly, the badge emitted a sharp flicker of light.
Ichigo nearly jumped out of his seat. Ishida, Orihime, and Sado all noticed the strange phenomenon.
"What's wrong, Ichigo?"
Mizuiro asked from behind.
"No, uh… stomachache." Ichigo muttered.
"Do you usually shout when your stomach hurts?"
Ochi Miyuki raised an eyebrow from the podium.
"Sensei, I can't hold it. I'll be right back."
Ichigo grabbed the badge and bolted from the classroom.
Tatsuki, sitting by the window, glanced outside and froze.
Ichigo was already on the school field below, wearing his Shinigami form and Zanpakutō.
"What is that idiot doing…" she whispered.
---
Hueco Mundo Las Noches.
Inside one of the rebuilt palaces, only four stood present: Aizen, Ulquiorra, Tousen Kaname, and Ichimaru Gin. A single hollow creature its body shaped like a leopard with glowing blue patterns crouched within a transparent containment chamber.
"Lord Aizen, is reviving Grimmjow with the Hōgyoku truly necessary?"
Tousen asked, puzzled. Grimmjow had been killed by Shiraha long ago. His strength no longer held relevance, and the Sixth Espada position remained empty.
"This is only an experiment."
Aizen placed the Hōgyoku into the socket before him. The orb pulsed faintly.
Whether the remaining trace of Grimmjow's Reiatsu could be used by the not-yet-fully-awakened Hōgyoku to resurrect him this remained uncertain. And even if resurrection succeeded, would the Grimmjow who emerged retain his former consciousness? That too was unknown.
Aizen removed a black metal box and opened it. Inside lay preserved fragments of Grimmjow's Reiatsu, collected after his death over ten years ago at Shiraha's hands.
It was one of the necessary components for the Hōgyoku's resurrection process.