(…Stay positive… Yeah, think positive…)
The nightmare of watching that canon event was finally over.
I led Ulquiorra and Yammy through the Garganta, heading to the debriefing with Aizen-sama.
(I had to play a few trump cards, but I avoided the worst-case scenario… I hope…)
I kept my back straight so the two behind me wouldn't see how much I wanted to curl up into a dejected ball. Seriously, even though it was my fault for forgetting to tell them to keep quiet, couldn't these guys value organizational intelligence a little more? I almost wanted to lash out at DJ, our information control officer.
At that forest park on the outskirts of town, I'd made two desperate recovery plays.
First: the "good person on the verge of darkness, trying hard to become evil" act.
Second: manipulating Hinamori Momo's reputation in this BLEBLEACH world by raising the protagonist's favorability toward me.
Of course, the former was just a slow-acting poison at best—making my opponents think my wickedness was only surface-level. The latter was nothing more than a good-luck charm or talisman. Neither would fundamentally solve anything.
At this point, no matter what I did, there was no avoiding the revelation that I'd been neck-deep in villainy far longer than the Gotei expected.
(…But if I really think about it, even if it gets exposed, it won't be fatal to my second "HINAMORIIII!" collection, right?)
Positive thinking.
When it came to my current main objective—getting a second helping of "HINAMORIIII!"—today's slip-up wouldn't have much impact. Because all I needed was for Shiro-chan to love me.
I'd been setting things up so his entire life would revolve around me since before he even came to the Soul Society. And as long as I could hide this sadistic hobby of mine, no matter how many evil deeds I committed—past, present, or future—Hitsugaya Toshiro would never be able to abandon or hate Hinamori Momo. Absolutely not.
Furthermore, the "good person on the verge of darkness" act I'd just performed was irresistibly sweet poison for anyone who wanted to believe Hinamori was good. Even if Urahara figured out my true intentions and warned them, he'd never completely clear the Gotei's doubts.
And once they saw Hinamori-chan being cut down by Aizen-sama during the Karakura battle, no one would escape my poison. Both the Gotei and the Arrancar army would waver to varying degrees, and everything would become delightful seasoning for Shiro-chan's "HINAMORIIII!"
Heheheh. For a moment I thought my massive screw-up might be fatal, but the web of pleasure I've been spinning for a hundred fifty years is more persistent than a cockroach.
From the narrative perspective of BLEACH, I'd also played the "mysterious beauty with a hidden past who only shows her seemingly good-natured true self to the protagonist" role in front of Ichigo-kun. Surely the "Hinamori is a good person" theory will dominate this world for a while! (From a reader's perspective)
…The real problem wasn't my past being exposed—it was my Bankai being revealed.
I'd been planning to pull off a surprise Bankai during the Karakura battle, just like Ikkaku, and score a massive "What…?!" Overwhelming Stylish Response. But that explosive stylish opportunity just got diluted.
Well, Aizen-sama had already hyped me up as a prodigy and my skills were pretty well-known thanks to Kurohitsugi, so I probably wouldn't have scored as high an OSR value as Ikkaku's Bankai reveal against Edrad anyway. Between the Sokyoku Hill incident and this mini-rampage, I should already be plenty stylish. I just have to accept that my "I never knew Vice-Captain Hinamori was so strong..." Character Development chance accumulated OSR points gradually rather than all at once.
Should I be disappointed there was no stylish bubble, or relieved I safely collected the points…?
It was a completely unwelcome turn of events, but somehow I managed to look on the bright side. After quietly taking a deep breath to reset my mind without being noticed, I addressed the remaining problem—the two Espada behind me.
This issue was still unresolved.
"…Yammy, can you attend the debriefing with Captain Aizen?"
"Y-yeah. No problem."
I slowed my pace slightly and asked him as we walked side by side. Even though it followed the canon plot, that severed arm looked painful. I praised Ulquiorra for properly retrieving it, and received a simple "Thank you" in return.
I also made excuses for why I'd suddenly burst into their mission.
"Also, Yammy—because you absorbed too many souls from Karakura Town's residents, you caused a minute change in the spirit particle concentration of the dragon veins. I fought Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi Shihoin and scattered some spiritual pressure, so it should be fine for now, but please refrain from carelessly devouring mortal souls in the future."
"Huh… O-oh, sorry…"
"…No, it's my fault for not telling you beforehand. I can't go into details yet, but the souls living in that town are necessary for Captain Aizen's plan, so please avoid consuming them—both for the plan and just as a person."
Since DJ, our information control officer, hadn't told the Arrancar about the King's Key creation plan, I kept quiet too. But phrasing it this way would make Ulquiorra and the others assume there was some important reason on their own.
Both of them nodded obediently, so they seemed convinced.
In fact, one analysis I'd read suggested that Aizen-sama chose Karakura Town in the real world as the battle site to cause large-scale combat there and raise the spirit particle concentration needed for King's Key creation. The reason he didn't flinch when the Gotei prepared a fake town was probably because he figured the Soul Society—where the real town was relocated—would let him collect all the spirit particles he wanted.
As a general who knew the plan, my actions on the scene weren't wrong at all.
Oh, before I forget…
"Can I still ask Ulquiorra to report on Kurosaki Ichigo to Captain Aizen as planned? It was urgent, so I didn't get much recorded data myself."
"Understood."
Good. Now the Arrancar won't find out about my meaningful tragic heroine moves.
Actually, Ulquiorra's Solita Vista reflects his circumstances from his Hollow days—it can only show "what his eyes saw." In other words, it can't transmit audio or spiritual pressure information, so he won't pick up on my conversations with Urahara or Ichigo, or my half-hearted fighting.
By the way, the reason I stood in front of Ulquiorra and the others to face Ichigo and the Karakura group wasn't just to play the superior worried about her subordinates—it was mainly to hide my meaningful expressions and gestures from the two Arrancar's field of vision.
"Then I'll attend Captain Aizen. I'm counting on you two for the report, Ulquiorra, Yammy."
"Yes, ma'am."
We returned to Las Noches, and after giving them a few more warnings and tips, I parted ways with Ulquiorra and Yammy for now.
At the debriefing, I'd probably get criticized for not killing Ichigo, but with only the visual information from Solita Vista, it would be hard to challenge my smooth talking. The officially-stupid Yammy and the emotionally-oblivious Ulquiorra showed no signs of suspecting me. The fallout from my screw-up among the Arrancar army should be kept to a minimum.
…But Aizen-sama will see right through everything and tease me again anyway. It's my own fault, so I'll take one or two mocking laughs with a smile, even if it's insult to injury…
***
"—Welcome back, Ulquiorra. Yammy."
Three thrones sat in Las Noches. The debriefing on Ichigo's combat capabilities was held at one of them. Just like in canon—a massive hall carved from rock formations, giving off serious evil organization vibes.
I stood to the left of Aizen-sama's pompous seat, mirroring the position of Number Ten on his right.
DJ was absent, apparently busy preparing for that Hollowfication training. I was personally curious, so I'd go watch later.
Now then, another canon scene in rapid succession. Since I had such a track record of screw-ups, I abandoned my usual cocky attitude and watched carefully.
Oh, of course I'm recording this.
"Now then, show us your findings—before our twenty brethren."
Yes, yes! Perfect, Aizen-sama! I knew I could count on the Master of Style to deliver that line. It was such a shock in the manga! (Note: Not really)
"Yes. Please watch."
And then cool Ulquiorra-san gruesomely gouged out his eyeball and crushed it. The glittering powder of Solita Vista spread throughout the hall with a crack.
Now then, how well did Momo-chan's acting turn out?
…Oh good. I'd been careful, so during the critical scene, all Ulquiorra saw was my back as I fought Urahara and the others. He was looking around quite a bit—probably because even his Pesquisa couldn't see through my Hakufuku spiritual pressure concealment. The Genius Hinamori Soul does excellent w—
(Wait, what…?!)
When Hinamori-chan flew into the air to cast the kido spell Gaki Rekko, her skirt fluttered up, and a glimpse of a lovely pure white triangle caught Ulquiorra's eye.
Wait, wait, my panties are totally visible! Stop, don't expose them, please! I haven't even shown Shiro-chan yet! And Number Ten, stop looking at my face and laughing!
Dammit, how embarrassing. From now on I'm sealing away skirts and switching to culottes…
"I see. So that's why you judged him not worth killing at this level."
And Aizen-sama, being the gentleman unlike that snake bastard next to me, graciously glossed over it. He'd also ignored my costume change earlier, but his skill at creating a stylish atmosphere is truly unmatched.
…Though to the Arrancar, who have neither sexual desire nor clothing culture, my shameful display seemed trivial, and the canon event proceeded smoothly. I'd be grateful if they could erase that memory too, though.
"—How soft! If it were me, I'd have killed those guys with my first strike…!"
For the first time ever, I felt grateful for this man's insolence.
Everyone's attention turned to the speaker—Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Sexta Espada, the Sixth Espada.
"No matter what the logic is, if the order includes the word 'kill,' you should obviously kill them!"
"…I agree. Either way, they're enemies. Even if they're not worth killing, they're certainly not worth keeping alive."
"And Yammy! You got your ass kicked! When someone in your condition says 'not worth killing,' it just sounds like 'I couldn't kill them'!"
Grimmjow's Fracción joined in criticizing Ulquiorra and Yammy. Also, Di Roy-kun, even though you spent a fair amount of time with me, you've reverted to a thug-smelling cannon fodder character—is this some inescapable stepping-stone curse?
Well, getting dissed by such a low-OSR-value character would obviously make Yammy angry.
"You bastard, Di Roy… didn't you watch Solita Vista? The ones who beat me were the sandal guy and the black woman."
"You really don't get it. I'm saying I'd kill those two with one hit too!"
"Hah? A nobody like you couldn't beat people who survived Hinamori-san's kido! Weaklings should shut up, trash!"
"What'd you say?! You wanna go?!"
Di Roy-kun tried his best to intimidate with his pathetic spiritual pressure. Yammy stood up to laugh it off and swat it away, and that's when Ulquiorra stopped them both.
"Grimmjow. What Aizen-sama is wary of isn't what he is now, but his growth rate."
"…Huh?"
Ulquiorra looked past the pathetic Di Roy-kun, his eyes only on boss Grimmjow. Di Roy-kun must be really hurt.
"True, his potential was considerable. But it's unstable, disproportionate to its magnitude…"
Then Ulquiorra glanced at me. Huh, you're bringing me into this?
"…If we leave him alone, I figured there's a possibility we could let him drag down the mortal world forces and have them destroy each other, or even turn him into one of our pawns."
Following his gaze, all the Arrancar in the hall turned their attention to me.
Ah, is this that pattern? Where he noticed I did something to Ichigo based on the pink spiritual pressure of the Reiatsu Seal?
Just because my spiritual pressure is a similar cherry-blossom pink to Byakuya's doesn't mean you should all suspect me like this.
Well, the culprits are me and DJ, so you're right.
"—Kurosaki Ichigo is an example of 'Shinigami Hollowfication.'"
It's mid-canon scene, but I couldn't stay silent, so I disclosed the information with a composed face. Note that I said "example," not "test subject"—maximum sleaziness.
"He's one of the research subjects we referenced to evolve you from Menos-class Hollows into mature Arrancar. If 'Shinigami Hollowfication' fails, it produces an extremely powerful Hollow, so as Ulquiorra said, there's a chance he'll self-destruct and reduce the mortal world's forces on his own."
"…!"
Impressed voices rose. But sorry—that won't happen.
"…However, if he succeeds in controlling Hollowfication, he'll gain tremendous power and challenge us. The reason Aizen-sama told Ulquiorra to 'kill him if he becomes a threat' is because he trusts that Ulquiorra will absolutely be able to make that judgment."
"Thank you, Aizen-sama."
Uru-kun's such a good boy, sincerely expressing gratitude. His lack of hesitation comes from confidence in his own power—that no matter how strong Ichigo gets, he can kill him.
And then Ulquiorra stylishly cut through Grimmjow's irritated concerns.
"—When that time comes, I'll finish him myself."
Ahhh~ Yes, yes! This is BLEACH, everyone! I can forgive you for blabbing my info to Orihime-chan now, Uru-boy.
Aizen-sama also seemed satisfied with this stylishness, giving his approval with his usual thin smile.
"…Yes. That's fine."
—Do as you please, Ulquiorra.
Cuatro Espada, the Fourth Espada, bowed politely to show his gratitude. Ulquiorra really shines when he's doing his loyal servant routine for Aizen-sama. Stay your stylish self forever!
"…Tch."
And Grimmjow's perfect "grrr" reaction was also great.
He rivals Ulquiorra and absolutely hates everything Ulquiorra does. Since he also dislikes both Aizen-sama and me, if the three of us support something, he'll definitely rebel and launch that raid the night Shiro-chan's advance team arrives in Karakura Town, just like in canon.
Of course, I won't let him screw up.
I'll naturally clear people away from around Grimmjow and his group on the scheduled day so they can attack. And if I have Ulquiorra retrieve them instead of the busy DJ, and set up a chance for the grudge match with Ichigo that I stole from him, I might be able to pull the flow back toward the canon route a bit.
It's a wonderful plan that also aims for recovery.
…I really want to go myself, but if I see Shiro-chan right now I'll probably screw up again somehow, so I'll swallow my tears and endure. Sniff…
And so, under Aizen-sama's smirking watch, the Arrancar arc steadily advances—