Infinite Anime [308-309]

Chapter 308: The Soul Singer

Kaname Tōsen heard Gusion call Lord Aizen so casually and felt a pang of discomfort, but he knew this wasn't the time to drift off in thoughts.

"Gusion, if Lieutenant Aizen learns you're still alive, he'll be delighted. Will you come back with me?"

Tōsen asked. He'd come to Hueco Mundo to gather intelligence and hadn't found the missing squad members or the two seated officers of the 5th Division, but he believed that bringing Gusion back would surely earn Lord Aizen's praise.

Thinking that way, his original mission seemed less important. If he advanced any further, he might encounter powerful Adjuchas-class Hollows—opponents he couldn't handle.

In fact, if not for the gadget Lord Aizen had given him, just searching Hueco Mundo this far would already have been extremely taxing.

"Personally, I'd love to hurry back and catch up with Sōsuke, but I still have unfinished business in Hueco Mundo."

As Gusion spoke, he glanced at Nel. "I promised this friend I'd help her rescue her companion."

He had other goals here, but there was no need to explain them to Tōsen. Once he met Sōsuke, they could discuss the details—Aizen would naturally understand.

"Mr. Gusion, you've been exiled in Hueco Mundo for so long—your comrades must be worried. Why don't you go back first? I can manage alone."

Nel was always considerate. Seeing that Gusion's Shinigami companion had arrived, she offered a new suggestion.

Gusion shook his head. "No way. I'm a man of my word. I promised to help you save Dondochakka; I won't quit halfway."

Listening to Gusion and Nel, Tōsen was dumbfounded. Since when could Shinigami be friends with Hollows? And it seemed Gusion was serious.

Colluding with Hollows was a serious crime in the Gotei 13. Was it really okay to flaunt it right in front of him?
At that thought, Tōsen grew nervous again. Would Gusion silence him?

If the other party made a move, should he reveal his and Lord Aizen's plan?
"By the way, I haven't asked your name."

After speaking with Nel, Gusion looked back at Tōsen.

"Tōsen Kaname, 9th Division, 5th Seat."

Seeing that Gusion wasn't attacking him, Tōsen breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

But Gusion's next words made his heart leap. With a playful smile, he said, "It's been years, and I haven't seen the Gotei 13 come to Hueco Mundo for a rescue. This is a private action, right? Let me guess—Sōsuke sent you?"

Tōsen felt Gusion was terrifying—not just powerful, but exceptionally shrewd. No wonder Lord Aizen couldn't forget him.

He didn't know how to respond. He knew that while Lord Aizen hadn't done anything high-profile in Soul Society yet, some of his private research already touched forbidden ground.

And in the long term, Tōsen could foresee what Aizen intended to do. That's why he chose to follow him.

But he couldn't gauge Gusion's stance. If he exposed Aizen's thoughts and intentions, and Gusion didn't understand, they'd be enemies.

The problem was that Aizen likely didn't want to be Gusion's enemy; otherwise he wouldn't have spoken of him for so many years.

This was a hard problem for him. He couldn't guess Aizen's or Gusion's minds—any answer felt wrong.

"Don't be so tense. You can see from me traveling with a Hollow that I don't think like the traditional Gotei 13. If Sōsuke sent you, then tell him I'm safe. If he's able, have him come to Hueco Mundo when he can. Tell him I have something interesting to show him."

Seeing sweat beading on Tōsen's brow, Gusion stopped toying with him. Whether he liked the role or not, for now they were theoretically on the same side; there was no need to make things hard.

He had previously made a pact with some Explorers to send word to the World of the Living, but that method was unreliable.

Now that Tōsen had found him, there was no need for such trouble. He could simply have Tōsen relay the message to Aizen—stable and efficient.

As for whether Sōsuke would come, Gusion believed he had every reason to pay Hueco Mundo a visit.

Judging from the timeline, Sōsuke hadn't reached his peak yet, but he was certainly far stronger than most captains, and with Kyōka Suigetsu's special ability, he should be able to retreat intact from this trip to Hueco Mundo.

"Yes. I will deliver your message."

Sweat dripped from Tōsen's forehead. He didn't dare say more, lest he reveal information Lord Aizen wished to keep hidden.

Gusion's arrangements relieved him of his dilemma. He wanted only to hurry back to Soul Society and report all he'd seen in Hueco Mundo to Aizen.

With that, he used shunpo to depart. Only after running dozens of kilometers did he finally exhale.

Tōsen realized he couldn't gauge Gusion's spiritual pressure at all. Being blind, his perception was otherwise very strong; earlier he simply hadn't expected the two Hollows to be so powerful, and hadn't paid close attention.

But even when he focused, he could perceive only a not-so-strong spiritual pressure from Gusion. Yet it was impossible that Gusion was weak. It could only mean Gusion's control over his reiatsu was so refined that Tōsen couldn't see through it.

...

Watching Tōsen recede into the distance, Gusion felt more confident. "Let's go rescue Dondochakka."

Time flowed on.

While Gusion, Ulquiorra, and Nel were enjoying their adventure in Hueco Mundo, changes unknown to outsiders were unfolding in the shadows of Soul Society.

…

In the Wandenreich, a man in blue wool leaned against a pillar in a great hall, idly spinning a black hat in his hand.

"Soul Singer, what are you plotting?"

A voice rang out, footsteps echoing in the empty hall. A white-clad man with long golden hair and noble bearing approached.

A sword hung at his waist, a white cape draped his back, and his emerald eyes seemed to see through everything as they fixed on the man by the pillar.

"Lord Haschwalth, what might you mean?"

Soul Singer smiled innocently. "I merely gathered a bit of intelligence in Soul Society, that's all."

Haschwalth rested a hand on his sword. "I gave you power not so you could act at will. If you expose the Wandenreich, not even dying a thousand times would atone."

"Lord Haschwalth, I have reason for my actions. I'm thinking of our compatriots."

The Soul Singer explained. He had no desire to clash with Haschwalth here. As Schrift B, the de facto leader of the Wandenreich while Yhwach slept, Haschwalth was someone few in this era of Bleach could defeat.

He hadn't spawned directly in the Wandenreich, but like most from Heaven's Will Space had landed among the Quincy in the World of the Living.

He'd anticipated that possibility and prepared extensively before entering this world, using special means to reach Soul Society and find the Wandenreich.

Haschwalth, recognizing his talent and shared lineage, hadn't eliminated him. Seeing his powerful reiatsu and superb Quincy aptitude, he had inducted him into the Sternritter.

It was a risky move, but the Soul Singer felt it necessary. Though he believed his imprint rank was higher than that of the Spirit-Seed holder from End Space, he couldn't be absolutely sure he had an overwhelming advantage.

With the enemy's intel unclear, his first priority upon arrival wasn't to run around blindly searching for targets, but to leverage his advantages to transform his own strength.

The Living World's Quincy had much to teach, but that no longer satisfied him.

Due to differences, the Ishida lineage and others unwilling to use the new Vollständig left the Wandenreich and returned to the Living World—precisely the prelude to their doom.

Without the Wandenreich's power behind them and brazenly hunting Hollows in the Living World, the Shinigami would never tolerate them. The result would be an impending genocidal war.

The Soul Singer himself didn't fear Soul Society's assault, but felt the benefits of remaining with the Living World Quincy were limited, so he came to the Wandenreich—the camp he considered the true Quincies.

As for Yhwach's Auswählen, Yhwach was still fast asleep; there was nothing to worry about.

Besides, Auswählen targets mixed-blood Quincies. As Explorers, they didn't actually carry Yhwach's bloodline at all; they simply had spiritual power to learn Quincy techniques.

A prodigy who thrived across Spaces, he quickly grasped Quincy basics in the Living World, and upon reaching the Wandenreich, Haschwalth instructed him and granted him greater power.

Now that he had all the abilities he wanted, he no longer wished to stay cooped up in the Wandenreich; he wanted to go hunt his targets.

Offenders or Spirit-Seed holders—both were his prey.

"Compatriots? From the moment they abandoned the Wandenreich for the Living World, they ceased to be our compatriots."

Haschwalth's voice was calm; he clearly disapproved of the Ishida line. He saw their departure as a betrayal of His Majesty.

If he didn't wish to trigger a major internal conflict before His Majesty awakened, he would have personally slain those who left long before any Shinigami could act.

His emerald eyes rested on the Soul Singer. "Or have you grown accustomed to the Living World, your heart no longer here?"

"Hardly. I simply find it galling to let Shinigami slaughter Quincies."

He explained. In this world's setting, the Living World Quincies had only just left. On paper, he too had been among those who left—only to return now.

If he showed a flip-flopping attitude, Haschwalth would show no mercy and execute him on the spot.

"I am aware of everything happening in Soul Society. The Shinigami's move has nothing to do with us. Sharpen your craft and be ready to serve when His Majesty awakens."

Haschwalth spoke.

"Forgive my presumption, Lord Haschwalth, but is it truly wise to let the Shinigami slaughter them? Pure-blood Quincies grow fewer by the day. If His Majesty requires them in the future and we cannot produce enough pure-blood clans, would that not trouble Him?"

The Soul Singer pressed. He needed a convincing reason to leave; otherwise he'd suffocate inside the Wandenreich.

Training under Haschwalth would indeed greatly boost his power. In an ordinary mission world, he'd gladly hole up and grow strong in safety.

But he'd planned long and hard to enter this world to seize two Spirit Seeds at once—an ultimate treasure across the multiverse. Everything else took a back seat.

"Arrogance."

Haschwalth stared into his eyes. "His Majesty has foreseen all, including Ishida and the others' departure. Since He gave no prior instruction, we will let things run their course."

The Soul Singer wanted to gripe that Yhwach's omniscience wasn't so reliable—he lost a thousand years ago and would be taken down by Ichigo later—but as a member of the Wandenreich, he couldn't say that.

After a moment's thought, he said, "But leaving more back-up is always wise, isn't it?"

He dropped to one knee, offering a knight's salute. "My loyalty to His Majesty is absolute. I swear that if I fail, I will not implicate the Wandenreich in the slightest."

Haschwalth looked down at him, gaze placid. After a moment, he turned away. As his white cloak swayed, his voice carried back. "As you wish. A pity about your talent."

Clearly, Haschwalth had given up on him. He had believed the Soul Singer possessed a once-in-a-millennium Quincy talent—perhaps even surpassing his own—and thus had taught him earnestly.

But he was disappointed. Despite a thousand reasons, he saw it as an inability to let go of the Living World Quincy clans—a softness of character.

Such a person, no matter how gifted, was unfit to be His Majesty's right hand in Haschwalth's eyes.

On the floor, the Soul Singer watched Haschwalth leave and breathed easier.

Although he knew that by leaving now he would no longer be welcome in the Wandenreich, he'd already acquired what he wanted. Next came the hunt.

Nothing to be nostalgic about. Once he seized the other two Spirit Seeds, the next time he entered the Bleach world, even Yhwach would be beneath his heel!

Rising, he stepped from formlessness into shadow, and from shadow into Soul Society.

"Mazuko, here I come."

Chapter 309: Nel, You Don't Want To…

Las Noches. The eternal gray moon hung high, casting its cold, impartial light.

True Bone had just finished showering Barragan, King of Hueco Mundo, with fulsome flattery. Leaving the throne hall, he prepared to tally the day's haul.

He didn't know what this magical system he'd obtained really was or where it came from, but since it let him fleece the Space, it had to be the work of a formidable powerhouse.

Judging by its functionality, perhaps it was crafted by a big-shot who'd walked out of Space. He didn't need to overthink it—just squeeze out as much benefit as possible.

If he could grow strong enough, maybe he'd find a way to escape Space altogether, no longer forced into troublesome tasks—free to roam the myriad worlds. Wouldn't that be delightful?
What he couldn't understand were those Hunters. With such power and talent beyond ordinary Explorers, why didn't they yearn for freedom and independence, instead choosing to be Space's dogs? He looked down on such behavior.

To him, a true powerhouse challenges authority, wins freedom, and breaks all shackles.

"Today's harvest isn't bad either… Looks like you're working hard for me."

Staring at his external system's details, he smiled with satisfaction.

As he stepped forward to issue new orders to the Explorers—"the will of Barragan"—a surge of danger hit. Before he could react, a jet-black combat dagger burst through his chest.

Under the gray moon, amid shattered walls, a woman's silhouette appeared.

Tall and lithe, clad head-to-toe in black that traced her curves, a dark red near-black mask covered her face. Her eyes were as cold as those of a surgeon regarding a cadaver.

"Hunter…"

Blood spilled from True Bone's lips. As the black dagger yanked free, his power poured out of him like water.

The woman said nothing. Her second thrust darted for his head to finish him for good.

But in that instant, anomaly struck. True Bone's body collapsed like mud, and green, tar-like tendrils rose from all sides, sealing the assassin's retreat.

Mandrake's brows knit as she assessed, black eyes flicking to another point.

True Bone's figure oozed from a broken pillar. Pale from blood loss, he said, "That was close. Rare to see a Hunter as strong as you."

He smiled. "You should have destroyed my head with the first strike. You won't get another chance."

Against assassin-types, surviving the first blow made things much easier. Still, since she was a Hunter, she might have other tricks. He didn't want to solve this personally.

He sent a reiatsu warning. They weren't far from the central hall of Las Noches. Once Barragan sensed it, he'd arrive instantly.

It wasn't that Barragan would rescue him for a bit of flattery, but the king would not tolerate anyone challenging his dignity in Las Noches.

Sure enough, after the signal, Barragan's aura of death swept in first.

"Pitiful."

Mandrake met True Bone's gaze through the cage of green tendrils, uttered those words, and vanished to his surprise.

True Bone poured his senses wide but couldn't find her. Annoyed, he'd let her escape despite having the advantage.

"True Bone, what happened?"

Barragan descended, voice laden with majesty and anger as he surveyed the scene.

He had doubted True Bone's claims, but someone had indeed infiltrated Las Noches and attempted to assassinate his close aide!
"My lord, my earlier concern may be true. A petty intruder came, likely targeting you. Fearing they might harm you, I had no choice but to disturb you. Please forgive me."

With Barragan present, True Bone dropped to one knee, head bowed in humble submission.

Barragan nodded, satisfied. "Rise. Since it's true, accelerate the purge of the surrounding area."

"I obey."

True Bone was delighted—not only had the assassination turned in his favor, he had just received a prompt from Chaos Space.

[A special mission: hunt down the Spirit-Seed holder from End Space!]
He'd long heard the legend of Spirit Seeds—supreme limited power among the Nine Spaces. If he could obtain one, perhaps he could "go legit."

According to the Chaos Space brief, if he seized the other's two Spirit Seeds and voluntarily abandoned his three external systems, all his "sins" would be erased and Hunters would stop pursuing him.

If it were an ordinary offer from Space, he'd refuse. The benefits of the systems were too great, even if Hunters were a huge risk.

But Spirit Seeds? That required real thought. Those were legendary boons—practically "official plugins."

In that case, returning to Space's good graces wasn't so bad. Being hunted was annoying.

Of course, he'd verify first. If the Spirit Seed disappointed, he'd consider keeping it and remaining a carefree violator.

Seeing the mini-radar on the mission panel and the moving red dot, True Bone nearly laughed aloud.

What a windfall. The target was heading toward Las Noches. He could borrow the tide and let Barragan strike—then the Seed would be in hand.

Even a Spirit-Seed holder under level 35 shouldn't threaten Emperor Barragan. With the king's might, how hard could it be?

…

"Limit of the thousands hands, respectful hands, unable to touch the darkness. Shooting hands unable to reflect the blue sky. The road that basks in light, the wind that ignited the embers, time that gathers when both are together, there is no need to be hesitant, obey my orders. Light bullets, eight bodies, nine items, book of heaven, diseased treasure, great wheel, grey fortress tower. Aim far away, scatter brightly and cleanly when fired…"

As the incantation ended, Gusion thrust both hands forward. "Hadō #91. Senju Kōten Taihō!"

At once, countless lances of light erupted, screaming toward the clustered targets in a roaring barrage.

The sands heaved toward the sky under the shocks, tearing a gap through the Hollow horde. Several Adjuchas died on the spot under the high-level Hadō.

Gusion's figure weaved through the billowing sand seas like a swordsman walking the waves. Mazuko flashed, tracing stark crimson arcs that severed heads one after another.

With rapid shunpo, he cleared the front line almost instantly and used Mazuko's Devour Magic effect to refill his soul source to max.

From the flank, an Adjuchas lunged, thinking to catch Gusion just as he sheathed his blade amid the flames.

But another figure was faster. Black membrane-wings beat, and a white, humanoid Hollow appeared before two Adjuchas.

He raised a hand. A black Cero coalesced at his fingertips, then thundered forth in a fan that blew away half the bodies of both Adjuchas.

On the other side, another Adjuchas charged, only to be skewered through mask and skull by a knight's lance.

Nel withdrew the lance, a violet arc of blood flicking free. "It's just ahead. I can feel Dondochakka's spiritual pressure."

After a night's march, having parted with Tōsen, Gusion had led Nel and Ulquiorra into central Hueco Mundo, nearing where Dondochakka was held.

Eager to save her companion, Nel showed no mercy, felling Adjuchas with every strike.

"Clear the field. Once your reiatsu is topped off, we go straight for the head."

Gusion spoke. Unlike him, Nel and Ulquiorra couldn't directly absorb soul source; they needed to replenish from combat loss. Devouring Hollows was best.

Ulquiorra obeyed without comment and began devouring. After days of continuous battle and many strong Adjuchas consumed, he was undergoing a clear metamorphosis.

Gusion had noticed something: Hollow evolution didn't correlate strongly with time, but with a pure accumulation toward a threshold.

If you devour enough powerful Adjuchas and your cap isn't locked, the jump from Adjuchas to Vasto Lorde theoretically doesn't require eons.

Ulquiorra's evolution had stalled before mainly because he'd wandered aimlessly, hollow inside with no goal—inefficient progress.

Now, following Gusion and fighting nonstop—and with Explorers clearly stirring up change in Hueco Mundo, mobilizing troops toward Las Noches—they had a glut of evolutionary "feed."

Not just Las Noches Adjuchas; many strong Hollows were driven outward by Barragan's forces. Lacking reason, seeing a Shinigami like Gusion, many attacked on sight.

Nel tried to talk them down, but most Hollows wouldn't listen—still beasts at heart.

In the end, all became feed for Ulquiorra's evolution.

Because Nel only devoured Hollows she'd killed herself, Ulquiorra's evolution had begun to outpace hers. At this rate, he might reach Vasto Lorde before Nel.

After listening to Gusion, Nel didn't hesitate. She devoured the few Hollows she had slain.

The coming fight concerned everyone's lives and Dondochakka's. She wouldn't falter now. She had to top off her reiatsu and grow stronger without breaking her principles.

"If things go south, once we free Dondochakka, Nel, you can take Pesche and him and retreat."

After they finished, Gusion spoke.

He said this because his Hunt mission had activated last night, and the radar suggested that a violator had already reached Dondochakka's holding site.

Even without a violator, the Explorers who first captured Dondochakka surely intended to use the hostage to spite them.

A rescue wouldn't be easy. With the added unknown of a violator, in the worst case Gusion might have to engage Las Noches' core forces—or even Barragan himself.

Stable world-locator items weren't easy to get, and Gusion hadn't come this far just for the mission rewards.

"Gusion, what are you saying? You came all this way to help me save Dondochakka—how could I abandon you in danger?"

Nel protested. After a few days together, she was less formal and called him by name.

To her, he was a Shinigami who could understand Hollows and a good person willing to help save Dondochakka—already a comrade.

Ulquiorra, however, felt an inexplicable displeasure toward Nel, finding her casual change of address odd.

"I'm just planning for a worse scenario. It could go smoothly."

Gusion knew her nature and that she wouldn't easily agree.

Feelings make people irrational sometimes. If he said this to Ulquiorra, the latter would leave without hesitation.

With the plan set, Gusion led them toward the sandstone mountain ahead. Nel's sensing and his radar aligned: that was the target.

Their shunpo and sonido were swift. In less than half an hour, they arrived.

"As expected."

Gusion looked at the half-buried rock mountain and the tidy formation arrayed there. The enemy had been waiting.

"Dondochakka!"

Pesche and Nel shouted together—they'd spotted their companion.

A cave in the mountain clearly served as a cell. Dondochakka clung to the iron bars. Seeing them, he shouted anxiously, "Lady Nel, run! It's a trap—"

They hardly needed his warning. Adjuchas had already crawled from the gray dust on all sides.

Guarding the cave mouth were several green-skinned Explorers from Chaos Space, glaring at Gusion's group with hatred. One of them, wielding a spear, reversed it and drove the tip into Dondochakka's belly. "Nel, you don't want me to kill Dondochakka, do you?"