Chapter 205: Similar Topics
"We've returned, Lord Fiander!"
The instant Ulquiorra and his companions' figures materialized outside the main entrance, every Arrancar assembled within the throne hall turned their heads simultaneously to observe them.
"Welcome back, Ulquiorra. Did the mission proceed smoothly?"
"Fortunately, I have not disgraced your expectations. However, revealing our whereabouts in the human world proved unavoidable."
After Ulquiorra bowed respectfully, he and Nelliel stepped aside, exposing Kurosaki Ichigo—with his sister secured on his back—to every Arrancar's direct scrutiny.
For Kurosaki Ichigo, this wasn't his first occasion setting foot within Las Noches. However, although he'd visited twice before with identical objectives, his mental state proved completely opposite.
The previous time he'd arrived, he'd been filled with spirited determination. He'd fought against numerous Espada in order to rescue Inoue Orihime, who'd been confined to Hueco Mundo.
At this moment, he'd also come here as a last resort—to save his sister. The difference lay in the fact that now he'd lost his Reiatsu entirely. Facing the covetous Arrancar assembled before him, Ichigo could only forcefully suppress the unease consuming his heart and steel himself to step into the throne hall.
Entering the chamber, he was greeted by strange gazes from the Espada. Their constant murmuring reached his ears clearly.
"Is this the human who defeated Captain Aizen? He appears so weak. If I released my Reiatsu, would he collapse to the ground trembling?"
"Don't court death, Yammy."
"I advise against attempting that. Otherwise... Lord Fiander will eliminate you directly!"
"What? That's utterly boring."
"I've heard that in order to defeat Aizen, he lost all his Shinigami power. It's admirable that a mere human possesses such courage!"
While the Espada discussed amongst themselves, Ulquiorra and Nelliel—who'd been standing near the entrance—also took their designated seats.
"Hey! Kurosaki, what are you doing standing there? If you're looking for Fiander, then approach directly. Don't concern yourself with those guys!"
At this moment, a voice familiar to Kurosaki Ichigo emerged from among the Espada. Grimmjow rose from his seat and came to Ichigo's side, guiding him forward so that Ichigo and Fiander could have their formal meeting.
Atop the elongated stairway, Fiander—seated upon the throne—spread his arms wide and spoke with a smile: "Welcome to Las Noches, Kurosaki Ichigo!"
"Speaking of which, this represents our first official meeting. In the past, whenever we encountered one another, various conflicts would inevitably arise. Now we don't appear to possess any reason for hostility, do we?"
As he spoke, Fiander slowly descended the lengthy steps, then approached Kurosaki Ichigo's position directly.
Observing Fiander—who stood nearly 1.9 meters tall, his body and appearance indistinguishable from ordinary humans—Kurosaki Ichigo opened his mouth, preparing to speak. Then he swallowed his words back with a grave expression. Finally, he simply addressed Fiander tersely: "My sister Karin's condition isn't right. Nelliel said you could help me, so I want to request that you examine her."
Glancing toward Kurosaki Karin positioned on Kurosaki Ichigo's back, Fiander observed the girl's deathly pale complexion. Her facial features were contorted with obvious pain. She lay curled upon Kurosaki Ichigo's back, her entire body trembling uncontrollably.
"Assimilation? It truly is a bloodline that runs through one continuous vein."
With merely a single glance, Fiander could determine precisely what symptoms Kurosaki Karin currently exhibited.
Having received identical assessments from two separate sources, Ichigo's anxieties eased considerably. He looked at Fiander with visible expectation and spoke: "Since you can diagnose Karin's illness, could you please help her..."
"Help her? For what reason?"
However, Fiander's impersonal tone instantly shattered the hope that had just ignited within Ichigo's heart.
"But... but... Nelliel said..."
Ichigo looked anxiously toward Nelliel's position at the elongated table. Seeing Kurosaki Ichigo display such an expression, Nelliel also glared at Fiander with obvious displeasure.
Fiander pretended not to perceive Nelliel's pointed gaze. Instead, he turned around and walked toward the steps with his hands clasped behind his back before sitting down once more.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, why didn't you approach Urahara Kisuke instead? Logically speaking, seeking Urahara Kisuke's assistance represents your most correct choice."
Facing Fiander's questioning, Ichigo simply lowered his head and remained silent, refusing to speak.
As though guessing Ichigo's internal struggle, Fiander smiled and spoke again: "Is this sort of question truly difficult to answer?"
"Well, allow me to speculate... I believe you no longer trust Soul Society as completely as before. Am I correct?"
Fiander's words seemed to touch upon the answer residing within Kurosaki Ichigo's heart. Ichigo suddenly raised his head, his pupils contracting sharply. He stared at Fiander, swallowed reflexively, and spoke in a hoarse voice: "That assumption holds absolutely no validity!"
"Within Soul Society, I have my most important companions!"
"Sophistry!"
Fiander regarded Kurosaki Ichigo and smiled lightly: "Soul Society represents your companions? Then tell me—thus far, have you protected Soul Society more frequently, or have they assisted you more often?"
Seeing that Kurosaki Ichigo offered no response, Fiander spoke again: "Is this question truly difficult to answer?"
"Very well, let me change the subject. For you personally, who represents your genuine companions—Sado, Ishida, and Inoue Orihime in the human world? Or... Rukia Kuchiki within Gotei 13?"
Fiander's inquiry caused Ichigo's eyes to transform suddenly. His entire being began exuding a peculiar aura.
"You don't know the answer? Or perhaps you don't know how to respond? I don't expect you to declare that Hueco Mundo represents your allies—that would constitute an unrealistic answer. However, I believe you should live more freely than this."
"You are far too burdened, Kurosaki Ichigo!"
After stating this, Fiander extended his hand and grasped at empty air. A wave of energy enveloped Kurosaki Karin secured to Ichigo's back. Then Karin's expression returned to calm. She no longer struggled as desperately as before.
Immediately afterward, Fiander gestured with a beckoning motion. Karin's body instantly floated upward, drifting directly before Fiander's position.
Observing the black void at her throat—resembling a spreading cavity—Fiander twisted his fingers. A sphere of blue luminescence slowly condensed at his fingertips.
A moment later, Fiander bent his fingers and flicked toward the black mark on Karin's throat. The azure light instantly penetrated the hollow void.
Several seconds afterward, the black cavity covering Karin's body gradually recovered at a speed visible to the naked eye. Then her entire expression calmed considerably, appearing extraordinarily peaceful as she fell into deep slumber.
"I've temporarily filled the portion of her soul that was lost. However, this situation won't persist indefinitely. After sufficient time passes, this condition will manifest once more!"
Witnessing Fiander resolve his sister's symptoms with casual ease, Ichigo's eyes flashed with desperate eagerness. Yet before his relief could fully materialize, the other party's following words made Ichigo's heart turn cold once again.
"Why... why is this? Why do you claim this will happen to Karin again in the future?"
Ichigo ascended the steps, approaching Fiander's vicinity. He stroked his sister's forehead gently and asked with obvious confusion.
"This topic requires considerable explanation. However, do you still remember the subject I raised when we first encountered one another in the human world?"
"In the human world... our first meeting?"
Hearing Fiander's words, the inexplicable statement Fiander had made during their initial encounter before the Battle of Karakura Town flashed through Kurosaki Ichigo's mind.
"You asked me whether I truly understood myself. I remember you saying precisely that, correct?"
"Exactly right. That's precisely what I inquired at that time. However, our conversation was interrupted due to Urahara Kisuke's arrival."
"Therefore, I pose the same question to you once more, Kurosaki Ichigo—do you genuinely understand everything about yourself?"
Fiander's voice remained calm, carrying a hint of magnetic gravity as it reached Kurosaki Ichigo's ears.
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