Infinite Anime [326-327] (Patreon)

Chapter 326 – Yoruichi: What Is True Onmitsukidō?

“Mm, this should about do it.”

Gusion looked at the newly born, massive Las Noches before him and nodded in great satisfaction.

“Gusion, are you really a Shinigami? This isn’t kidō, right?”

Nel reached out curiously and poked the wall made of towering wood. In her perception, it was entirely physical, not an energy construct formed by reiryoku. Even without Gusion’s maintenance, it could exist for a long time.

“You can think of it as a small kidō-like ability, related to my personal constitution.”

Gusion explained casually. The principles behind his Wood Release were hard to clarify to people in the Bleach world.

In fact, even he wasn’t entirely sure what his Wood Release counted as now, because what he had obtained was a Sage Body adjusted for compatibility by a Chaos Spirit Seed. So even though he also acquired Wood Release, he didn’t need chakra to perform techniques.

He got Wood Release from Hashirama Senju, yet it was fundamentally different from the First Hokage’s. The wooden entities he condensed felt like a purer conversion between energy and matter.

But ultimately, Gusion had studied under his master. He felt energy and matter are one and the same, so such conversion isn’t incomprehensible.

After several rounds of soul-source replenishment and recovery, Gusion finally completed the grand construction of Las Noches—significantly larger than the one in the original work.

As for exterior beautification and subsequent detailed decoration, Gusion planned to hand it over to Szayelaporro. Mainly, among the Vasto Lorde around him, none seemed like they could sit down and do renovation work.

Ulquiorra would indeed obediently heed his words and improve Las Noches, but this sort of task was better left to someone more professional.

“Mr. Gusion, may I study your spiritual-body characteristics?”

Szayelaporro looked at Gusion with yearning—the curiosity of a scientist. Clearly, he wanted to figure out how Gusion turned spirit particles into material objects.

As a Vasto Lorde who had lived for ages and was adept at research, he understood the essence of various abilities. For example, if a Quincy’s ability was domineering enough, they could draw all kinds of reishi to themselves. If they were in Soul Society, facing buildings constructed from spirit particles, they could likely decompose them into their own power.

But Szayelaporro had seen with his own eyes—and even touched to feel—that the Las Noches Gusion built was not in the form of spirit particles, but genuine material—what the Living World commonly had.

That made it very interesting. He had never seen conversion between reishi and tangible matter. If he could fully research it, he felt he might be touching the ultimate truths of the world.

Before deep research, the first thing he realized was this: since reishi and matter could convert into each other, in essence, might they actually be the same thing? Perhaps he could understand the principle by which the Soul King opened the three realms from this angle.

“No.”

Gusion rejected him in a second, leaving Szayelaporro crestfallen.

It wasn’t that Gusion was stingy. It’s just that Szayelaporro wasn’t like Orochimaru. Orochimaru at most did some cloning and cellular research, and their relationship involved mutual utilization and other links.

But Szayelaporro was dangerous, with zero loyalty or scruples. If he got hold of Gusion’s body tissues, who knew when he might turn on him.

“Mr. Gusion, your ability is already near the doorway of truth, yet you cruelly shut me outside. Could you make an exception?”

Szayelaporro pleaded. “Rest assured, I would never do anything detrimental to you. I only wish to study the principles behind your ability.”

Gusion cast him a glance. “We’ll talk when your research partner arrives.”

Research into the essence of Wood Release wasn’t impossible, but he would only be at ease if Aizen handled it. Before Aizen took over the lab, he wouldn’t provide Szayelaporro with research material on himself.

“Oh? It seems you trust that Shinigami friend of yours quite a lot. Wouldn’t he be the same one who made Barragan suffer a few years back?”

Szayelaporro asked with interest.

“That’s him. He’s an outstanding researcher too. I’m sure you’ll get along.”

Gusion said, then tossed a hook. “For now, I’ll trouble you to refurbish Las Noches. Afterward, I’ll give you some research materials.”

Szayelaporro’s spirits lifted. Even if he had to research under supervision, that was better than getting nothing. He was instantly full of motivation. “Please rest assured, Mr. Gusion. I will make Las Noches befitting the royal capital of Hueco Mundo.”

He had a lot of subordinates and many scientific means to assist construction. With the foundation laid, decoration wasn’t difficult for him.

“Harribel, please manage Las Noches with Ulquiorra. Maintain stability in the central region of Hueco Mundo. You can also recruit some more rational Hollows to join Las Noches.”

Gusion ordered. He had them manage mainly because they’d been proven to have administrative ability, and their personalities suited command.

Harribel balanced sensibility and rationality, while Ulquiorra followed logic and reason more. They complemented each other, preventing oversights in Las Noches’ affairs.

As for Nel… she really wasn’t suited to management. Better to play with Pesche and Dondochakka. Starrk, for his part, lacked motivation in anything. Giving him busy administrative work would surely make him unhappy.

“Mr. Gusion, what about you?”

Faced with the assignments, Harribel had no objections, just looked at Gusion in some confusion.

By Gusion’s earlier words, it was he who wanted to rule Hueco Mundo. Why, after taking Las Noches and when a new order was to be built, was he leaving management to them?

“I have something to handle back in Soul Society, so I can’t stay in Hueco Mundo long.”

Gusion explained, “Besides, I’m a human Shinigami. Being the king of Hueco Mundo is too strange. It’s better to leave the surface-level rule to reliable Hollows.”

“Seems I’ve been labeled unreliable.”

Starrk scratched his hair on the side, looking drowsy.

“In terms of combat power, you’re probably the strongest, Starrk. You’re the most reliable there. But managing Las Noches—do you really want to do that?”

Gusion said with a laugh.

Starrk waved his hands repeatedly. “Forget it. Let Harribel and Ulquiorra do it.”

“Hey, Gusion, you think I’m unreliable too?”

Nel came back to herself and looked at Gusion in dissatisfaction.

“Of course not. But I think you wouldn’t like that kind of work either, right? You finally advanced to Vasto Lorde and no longer risk regression. Shouldn’t you focus on enjoying life and spending your days with your friends?”

Gusion shook his head. “Besides, Las Noches needs your strength too. Just live here normally. If you have opinions, you can discuss with Ulquiorra and the others.”

Hearing this, Nel finally nodded in satisfaction and affectionately lunged to hug Gusion. “Gusion still understands me best!”

Gusion pressed a hand against her shoulder. “Cut it out. Who was it that drew all over my face before?”

Nel’s surprise attack failed. Her cheeks puffed slightly. “You really hold grudges, huh. Fine, next time I’ll let you draw however you want—wherever you want.”

Wherever?

Gusion’s gaze briefly scanned Nel’s explosive curves and imagined the picture under her clothes. Not a good direction.

Luckily, his martial heart was firm, and he expelled the stray thoughts in an instant.

“All right, enough fooling around. Once Las Noches is settled, I need to prepare some things before returning to Soul Society.”

Gusion shifted the topic, planning to report his results and progress to Aizen first.

He’d pretty much scoured everything he could in Hueco Mundo. Gillians weren’t infinite. After successive Hueco Mundo battles, he had killed too many Adjuchas. Enemies capable of dropping inheritance crystals were basically nowhere to be found now.

And considering future changes to Las Noches’ structure, most Adjuchas who came later would likely be seeking to join them. Naturally, Gusion couldn’t go hunting for side-quest purposes.

Next, he had to consider his plan after returning to Soul Society.

The Soul Singer had been quiet this past month, but Gusion was sure they wouldn’t give up hunting his Spirit Seed and must be preparing something.

He had Aizen as a helper. Even if the other side was in the Quincy camp, they might still be able to hook up with the Wandenreich.

And because the original work gives little info at this time point, Gusion didn’t know the level of modern-world Quincies.

According to the original and Aizen’s intel, Soul Society would soon launch a general offensive against the Quincies in the Living World.

By outcome, in the end only Uryu Ishida’s family remained, with all others slain by Soul Society.

From Mayuri’s research records, there were actually quite a lot of Quincies in the Living World right now—numbering in the tens of thousands.

And in Aizen’s investigation, the Gotei 13 didn’t underestimate this operation. It’s said the Commander-Captain would supervise the battle and might take action.

Thus Gusion realized the Quincies in the Living World weren’t a weak force. Considering the addition of Explorers, the Gotei 13 likely wouldn’t win easily.

Not to mention, among 4th-tier Explorers, the stronger ones generally had entry-level captain strength. Even if they couldn’t beat captains, they could beat lieutenants and seated officers, right?

All told, Hueco Mundo might actually be the weakest side in this mission world.

Only thanks to his external influence did Hueco Mundo give birth to two new Vasto Lorde. With five Vasto Lorde garrisoning Las Noches, its defenses had become solid.

After this battle, those Explorers from Spaces would either choose to quietly fish for benefits in the Forest of Menos, or flee to the Living World and plan other layouts.

While he was carrying out his plan to rule Hueco Mundo, other Explorers in this mission world wouldn’t sit idle either. No doubt various strong figures would show their prowess in the upcoming Quincy extermination war.

So before the great war began, he still needed to further improve himself—and most importantly, he had to master his Bankai.

…

The Living World, Karakura Town

Morning sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, dappling the ancient stone-paved road.

On both sides of the street, wooden eaves swayed gently in the breeze, whispering softly.

The air was filled with the aroma of freshly made sushi rice balls and grilled fish, enticing the early risers. The market was already bustling. Vendors hawked the freshness of their produce, stalls piled high with colorful vegetables and fruits.

Schoolchildren in simple kimonos, bamboo hats on their heads, walked hand in hand down the street. The crisp clack of geta on stone echoed pleasantly. Book and brush bags slung on their backs, they softly recited the alphabet, their tender voices a sharp contrast to the street’s din.

In the distance, a group of kimono-clad women lifted their hems and stepped carefully over a gravel path, their laughter light as spring birdsong, lending a gentle charm to the busy morning.

Compared to these gentle women, the one in a black skintight outfit stood out. Wild as a cat, she slipped nimbly through the streets.

“Lady Yoruichi, please slow down. The reiryoku scan here isn’t finished yet!”

Not far behind, as if tugged by a string like a kite, a petite, shoulder-length-haired girl chased closely.

Yoruichi stopped at a grilled fish stand and, with cheerful generosity, pulled out currency of the era. “Boss, two grilled fish.”

Then she turned back to the slightly breathless girl who had caught up and smiled. “Soi Fon, you still need more training.”

Soi Fon quickly steadied her breath. It was her first time operating in the Living World using a gigai and she wasn’t used to it.

“Lady Yoruichi, weren’t we here to investigate reiryoku anomaly points and search for missing squad members? We can’t just be eating and playing around.”

Soi Fon was still young. Beneath the straight-cut short hair, there was even a faint trace of baby fat on her cheeks.

This was her seventh year in the Executive Militia, and she’d just been transferred to Yoruichi’s side. Only after meeting Yoruichi did she realize that the woman she had worshipped since childhood wasn’t quite what she had imagined.

From her manner of doing things, she didn’t look like the head of the Executive Militia at all—more like a girl who loved to have fun.

Faced with Soi Fon’s question, Yoruichi’s expression turned serious. “Soi Fon, do you know what Onmitsukidō truly is?”

They spoke using reiryoku techniques, so ordinary people couldn’t hear them. That was why Soi Fon had been speaking so loudly earlier.

Soi Fon tensed and began to recite, “According to the Onmitsukidō regulations…”

But Yoruichi just grinned mischievously, covered Soi Fon’s mouth, pulled her into her arms, dipped her chin onto Soi Fon’s shoulder, and murmured into her tender earlobe, “On missions, the Onmitsukidō must blend into the environment. Since we’re in the Living World, we should do as the locals do—act like we’re properly enjoying life.”

Chapter 327 – Yoruichi: Beg Me

After Yoruichi’s bout of teasing, Soi Fon’s petite body softened, leaving her powerless to argue. She could only obediently follow Yoruichi’s steps.

On the street, Yoruichi savored fresh grilled fish while holding a reishi anomaly detector developed by the Patrol Corps Captain, looking nothing like she was on official business—more like a tourist.

“Lady Yoruichi, based on my earlier records, there are indeed several anomaly points here. It seems Garganta were frequently opened nearby.”

Soi Fon was much more serious—walking, measuring, and taking notes all at once.

“Just monitoring isn’t very meaningful. If we’re to search for missing squad members, we probably have to enter Hueco Mundo.”

Yoruichi tossed the fish bones to a stray cat by the roadside.

“Enter Hueco Mundo!? Lady Yoruichi, that violates operational regulations. Without approval, we can’t just intrude, and we also have no way to…”

Soi Fon listed the many problems, honest and thorough.

But before she could finish, Yoruichi cut her off. Yoruichi leaned slightly forward, long fingers pressing against Soi Fon’s pale-pink lips. “I’m the one who makes the operational regulations.”

Soi Fon was instantly deflated, reminded once more how lawless the Executive Militia commander really was.

Not the aloof, noble Shihoin head of legend, nor the cold and merciless chief of the Onmitsukidō—just a little hellion.

“Lady Yoruichi, I looked at the search-and-rescue list and felt there was an issue. Why is there one extra person on this operation’s search targets?”

Unable to refute Yoruichi’s decision, Soi Fon raised another question—one she’d been curious about since receiving the roster.

Recently, a batch of Gotei members went missing. Along with them, two seated officers from the Fifth Division who went to support also vanished. Acting on a sense of duty, she had gone to each division to confirm the names registered as missing.

But strangely, in Yoruichi’s finalized list, she noticed one more person.

When she asked Fifth Division members about this “Gusion,” they said they weren’t sure if there was such a member, and they were certain Gusion hadn’t been in the rescue team the Fifth sent earlier.

“Oh? Little Soi Fon is very diligent—you even caught that.”

Yoruichi smiled and patted Soi Fon’s silky head, making Soi Fon shrink like a kitten.

“Lady Yoruichi, who is Gusion?”

Soi Fon asked curiously.

Yoruichi lifted her gaze to the clear, washed-blue sky. “An infuriating guy.”

“A friend of yours?”

From Yoruichi’s tone, Soi Fon sensed something unusual.

“I’m not friends with him. I just want to find him and settle a score—pay back an old humiliation.”

Yoruichi curled her lip, and her expression stunned Soi Fon.

As Yoruichi’s ardent fan, Soi Fon knew Yoruichi’s rise well. It’s said that even as a student, Yoruichi had terrifying talent in Shunpo and Hakuda. Not just among peers—even the instructors at the academy could hardly claim superiority in those two fields.

After joining the Onmitsukidō, Yoruichi carved out a name for herself with sheer ability, and in recent years some had even dubbed her the Flash Goddess.

For such a genius to say she wanted to settle a score—as if she had once suffered at the other’s hands—was shocking to Soi Fon.

“Was he your classmate?”

The itch of curiosity made her press a bit beyond her place.

“Smart little Soi Fon—you guessed right. He was my classmate at the Shin'ō Academy. Few remember him now, but back then he stirred up quite a ruckus.”

Yoruichi reminisced. “If you want to know about him, you shouldn’t ask within the Gotei. Ask the Academy instructors; they’ll remember vividly.”

Soi Fon lowered her head, embarrassed that her private questioning at the Fifth had been noticed. “Was he very famous?”

“Of course. To date, he holds the Academy’s record for fastest graduation. From enrollment to graduation—three months.”

Yoruichi continued, “The absurd part is that in his special graduation exam, in a match with reiryoku limited to equal levels, he defeated Captain Unohana.”

“He beat a captain while still a student?”

Soi Fon’s mouth fell slightly open. Even with reiryoku restricted to parity, that was unbelievable—captains’ battle experience was not something students could match.

But then she thought of Fourth Division’s Unohana. That felt a bit more reasonable—Unohana was known in the Gotei as gentle and quiet, a captain of a support squad mainly responsible for treatment. She probably wasn’t that strong, right?

As if reading her mind, Yoruichi said, “Don’t underestimate Captain Unohana. I went to see the exam site afterward, and it overturned my prior impression. Captain Unohana is absolutely a dangerous woman. Later, I asked my clan elders and learned she’s one of the only remaining original captains apart from the Commander-Captain.”

Yoruichi dropped her voice mysteriously. “A thousand years ago, rumor calls her an unprecedented arch-villain, also known as the first Kenpachi. Do you think she’s weak?”

“That strong!?”

Soi Fon gasped. “Facing such a Captain Unohana, Gusion still won?”

“If Captain Unohana passed him, then at least he didn’t lose. In any case—absurd.”

Yoruichi recalled, “I also kept losing to him in Hakuda.”

“That was the past. Lady Yoruichi is surely the strongest now.”

Like an uncritical little fangirl, Soi Fon clenched her tiny fists to cheer Yoruichi on.

“Who’s stronger is known only after a fight. Pity that guy might not even be alive.”

Yoruichi sighed. “And who knows if Aizen’s intel is reliable.”

Some days ago, Aizen came to her, saying he had suspected traces of Gusion. The Fifth Division’s prior report said some members seemed to see Gusion through a Garganta, fighting Hollows.

Frankly, Yoruichi found that claim ridiculous. After all, behind a Garganta wasn’t Hueco Mundo but the twisted Dangai. Who would fight Hollows in the Dangai?

She wanted to quip, “Aizen, have you missed your buddy so much you’ve gone mad?” But seeing his earnest face, she swallowed the perfect roast.

Later, he brought more analysis, saying Gusion’s reiryoku had seeped into this area of the Living World—proof he was alive. If they could enter Hueco Mundo, or stake out the next Garganta opening, they might rescue him.

Mm. Absurd. But Yoruichi still came.

Not because of any promise Aizen made for Gusion, but because she wanted to confirm his fate herself. If he wasn’t dead, she would wash away her past shame and prove she was the strongest in Hakuda.

“Lady Yoruichi!”

While Yoruichi pondered, Soi Fon suddenly cried out, wildly shaking the detector before Yoruichi’s face. “The reishi wave reading has spiked past peak!”

“Location?”

Yoruichi sharpened. Judging by this wavelength, it wasn’t a small Hollow about to emerge—it was a precursor to an Adjuchas opening a Garganta.

“Right above us!”

As soon as Soi Fon spoke, a surge of reiryoku rippled from above.

Yoruichi looked up. The clear blue canopy of sky looked torn open by a black mouth. The instant the Garganta yawned, a stronger reiryoku swept into the Living World.

Its intensity made Yoruichi’s color change, and the young Soi Fon tremble slightly.

Yoruichi instinctively shielded Soi Fon. “An Adjuchas-class Hollow!”

As if to answer her judgment, a roar of a great Hollow echoed from the Dangai behind the cavity.

With a blinding flash and a thunderous boom, what seemed like a Cero detonated within the Garganta—proof the Hollow was fighting something powerful.

Yoruichi wore a solemn look, yet was deeply puzzled. Adjuchas generally didn’t come to the Living World. To evolve, they preyed on each other in Hueco Mundo. Human souls were too weak and useless to them.

But here an Adjuchas had opened a Garganta toward the Living World, and seemed to be battling something powerful in the Dangai.

Two Adjuchas fighting?

The thought tightened Yoruichi’s chest. “Soi Fon, evacuate this area first, then return to Soul Society via a Senkaimon.”

She hadn’t been in her post long and, though she had captain-class strength, even her pride admitted she wasn’t among the stronger captains of the Gotei.

Facing two Adjuchas possibly bursting into the Living World mid-brawl, she dared not be careless and wasn’t confident she could protect the rookie she favored.

“Lady Yoruichi…”

Soi Fon hesitated only an instant before obeying. In the Onmitsukidō, one could not mix in personal feelings. She dared not disobey now. Without delay, she left her gigai, used shunpo, and fled to the rear.

Yoruichi shed her gigai as well and entered combat state. The one thing she could be glad of was that there weren’t many people by the riverbank. If she could finish quickly, casualties in the Living World might be kept acceptable.

Roar—

With a fearsome bellow, a hideous mask jut out into Yoruichi’s view from the Garganta.

Only, the mask was bloodstained, and the roar lacked kingly authority—more like a cry of terrified pain.

Tense, Yoruichi had no time to wonder. She stepped into shunpo, flashing into the sky to strike the Adjuchas that might attack the Living World.

But in the next instant, a dark-red blade light flickered. The Adjuchas’ head was flung from the Garganta, and blood rained in sheets.

The sudden development startled Yoruichi. She stared warily at the hole, thinking that if the one behind had killed the first, it must be stronger.

Yet when the figure behind walked out—standing where the Adjuchas’ neck was severed—and revealed himself, Yoruichi’s brain froze for a moment.

Pristine black shihakushō.

The zanpakutō’s hilt wrapped in black vine-like chains around his right arm. The man’s face hadn’t changed a bit over the years, just a few more traces of slaughter’s bloodlust in his bearing.

“Gusion!?”

Yoruichi blurted his name. The gathered energy for her flash step dissipated into the air behind, kicking up gusting winds.

“Yo, Yoruichi. Long time no see.”

Gusion hopped out before the Garganta closed.

Yoruichi stared blankly at Gusion, doubting if she was dreaming. Was her rescue mission…completed this easily?

No—that wasn’t right. She hadn’t found the other missing Gotei members yet.

“Where in the Living World is this? How many years have passed?”

Gusion feigned the look of someone who had finally escaped Hueco Mundo and didn’t know how the world had changed.

“Over seventy years. And you’re still as careless as ever. You’ve already been struck from the Gotei’s rolls.”

As she spoke, Yoruichi flashed behind Gusion, grabbed for his wrist with one hand, and bound both his hands with Onmitsukidō arresting kidō.

Gusion didn’t dodge and let Yoruichi catch him, his expression calm. “Old classmate—after so many years, you greet me like this?”

“Gusion, you’ve not grasped your situation.”

Yoruichi smiled wickedly. “You’re erased from the Gotei’s records—officially dead—yet you suddenly pop out of a Garganta from Hueco Mundo. Looks suspicious, no?”

“No way. I stayed behind to cover my teammates, did my utmost for the Gotei. While wandering in Hueco Mundo, I didn’t neglect the duty of slaying Hollows. Now that I finally made it back, I’m to be arrested?”

Gusion put on a thoroughly unconvinced look. “And what gives you the right to arrest me?”

“I’m the Onmitsukidō Commander, in charge of searching for missing Shinigami—and you’re on the list. By procedure, you’re coming with me.”

Seeing Gusion not resisting, Yoruichi’s smile widened. “Well? Gusion, how about you beg me a little? For old classmates’ sake, I might make an exception—”

“Lady Yoruichi!”

Sensing a change, Soi Fon had hurried back. Seeing this scene, she didn’t even have time to be shocked that Yoruichi had captured Gusion, and quickly urged, “According to militia—”

“Don’t be so rigid, little Soi Fon. I was only kidding.”

Yoruichi held both of Gusion’s wrists with one hand and pressed her body against his from behind. “See? Your slow mouth got us exposed by a subordinate. Now I can only go by the book.”

Gusion exerted strength, turned his arms, and looked at Yoruichi helplessly. “Stop teasing me. If you were really arresting me, would you use kidō this flimsy?”

As he spoke, reiryoku with flow-enhancement and keen pressure coated his wrists. He easily snapped the kidō rope.