Seriously, I wish I had two bodies. After chasing this morning's torrent of canon events back and forth, I—busy as ever—was now rushing to Orihime's room. My presence was concealed, of course.
(...I guess I didn't make it in time after all.)
Unfortunately, by the time I arrived, Grimmjow had already abducted her. The minor events seemed to follow canon faithfully—in Orihime's trashed room, Loly and Menoly were sulking. Whether they remained scum like in the manga version or had the slight redemption from the anime version, I'd check later.
If the Orihime event was over, nothing could be done. After Ichigo's treatment, there should be some downtime.
Besides, it was almost time for my monitoring shift, so I should settle down in the central surveillance room for now. My brilliant planning to schedule my shift during the lull before noon when there were few notable canon events... (still full of blunders though)
(The current fight is the Szayelaporro battle. That fight is mostly "wow amazing technique" or "wow OP ability," so it's not very useful reference for my own stylish techniques...)
It was a famous battle, of course, but frankly, the only real highlight in the first half was Ishida's Sprenger, so maybe just watching that part on video would suffice.
This idle time was precious. I needed to consult with Tobiume and the others about the design for my Momotama transformation, the pattern for my stylish rampage during the final battle, the flow leading up to it, confirming the choreography for my performance until Aizen's cut and the Kyoka Suigetsu stab setup, and so on. There was a mountain of things to do.
Postponing what could be done in Tobiume's mental world, I hurried to the main palace surveillance tower while considering how to handle real-world matters.
"You're moving around quite freely, Hinamori."
What greeted me upon entering the surveillance room was DJ's sullen scolding. Hey, I'm doing rear support work collecting and treating casualties, you know.
"Please say that to Captain Aizen and Captain Ichimaru, who've been watching me through the surveillance system since morning. I felt incredibly embarrassed, like I was being spied on even when changing clothes..."
"I warned Ichimaru, but he's currently at Lord Aizen's side. I can do nothing about matters over there. My apologies."
Both Tobiume and I blushed with shame at the confirmation that we'd indeed been watched, even while feeling touched by DJ's gentlemanly response. Damn it, I'll remember this, you snake bastard...
Well, but Gin was in the middle of working toward his century-long cherished wish, so maybe it was inevitable he'd be concerned about my actions as his greatest obstacle. It was my blunders that caused this in the first place, so I'll keep secret from Shiro-chan and Rangiku that he peeked at a female Shinigami equivalent to fifteen human years changing clothes.
...But yes, I see. Gin, DJ, and Aizen—today would be the last time the four of us could hang out together like this. Especially with DJ, this might be our final farewell in this life.
I want to revive him, but I wonder if he'd hate it. If I force it, he'll probably resent me terribly. It's not like I lack persuasive arguments... but I really hesitate to nitpick such a stylish death scene.
Oh, the peeping snake bastard I'm reviving without question. Chase after Aizen's Hogyoku that lacks the Rangiku soul fragment, recreate that famous scene, die, get revived, steal her back from that Cyclops, and be happy together—there you go. (all in one breath)
"By the way, was Kyoka Suigetsu used to lure Captain Zaraki here?"
Since DJ remained in the surveillance room even after his shift ended, I seized the opportunity to keep things going with small talk. We were alone—a chance to discuss future plans.
"Yes, apparently so. An order from Captain-Commander Yamamoto wouldn't raise suspicion."
"Reinforcement for Kuchiki and the others, repaying Kurosaki Ichigo, and demonstrating the Gotei's fighting spirit as an organization, right?"
"A deployment of six or more captain-class officers. Such reasoning would be necessary."
Reports from the covert Hollow information network left in the Soul Society confirmed that the canon invasion force for Hueco Mundo had been successfully organized. They were currently gathering at the Senkaimon, confirming the invasion procedure.
『...』
The small talk ended and mutual silence fell. Apparently DJ also had something he wanted to discuss, not just me. Though given the subject matter, we both seemed to struggle with how to broach it.
"...Hinamori."
"Y-yes!"
DJ was the first to speak. I straightened up reflexively from tension.
"What do you intend to do... after receiving Lord Aizen's blade?"
DJ and I faced each other directly. The air grew taut, but surprisingly there was no interrogative anger or hostility. The trust he'd built toward me over fifty years of acquaintance was genuine.
But I see—so that's what he wants to ask first. Maybe Aizen told his loyal retainer DJ a bit about my plan. It had been quite a while since I asked him to "cut me down."
Now then, I could safely answer "reorganizing the Arrancar army in preparation for battle with the Zero Division" and deflect Tosen's question. But I should probably state one of the real answers... one that could lead to his resurrection.
This was likely my last chance. Steeling my resolve, I opened my mouth and faced Tosen Kaname, prioritizing confirmation and persuasion.
"Yes. I will—"
***
Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez was fired up. He'd driven that annoying Ulquiorra into a closed dimension, and that strangely nimble female superior wasn't sticking her nose in for some reason. They'd fought several times over the past month, but interference always prevented a conclusion.
But his time of patience ended today.
"Perfect—this is what I've been waiting for! The moment I can crush you with everything I've got!"
Now that the woman had healed both their wounds, they could decide superiority at full power. Unable to suppress his surging emotions at this fact, Grimmjow clashed blades with the opposing Shinigami.
"Hahaha! Not bad—you're a completely different person from before! You're dying to crush me too, aren't you, Kurosaki Ichigo!"
"...I didn't come here to crush you!"
But though his power had increased, his mindset remained unchanged. To the Shinigami who kept spouting soft words about protecting comrades and having no intent to kill, the Espada sneered and demanded:
"Then let me ask you—why didn't you grab that woman and run when she was right in front of you?"
"...!"
"You've noticed it. It's not something stupid like 'to save my friends'—it's a much, much more fundamental reason."
You came here to fight.
Kurosaki caught his breath. Exactly right—he could see it. The instinctive path of combat that occurs when opposing forces of Shinigami and Hollow encounter each other.
"Whoever's left standing gets to go home alive! What other reason do you need!"
"...!!"
Cero and Getsuga crossed. But Grimmjow's attack easily broke through, cornering the Shinigami.
Little by little, the softness drained from Kurosaki's face. Not bad. The Espada enjoyed the sensation of his thirst being satisfied.
"I'll show you—this is the ultimate Cero permitted only to the Espada...!"
Running his fingers along his zanpakuto's blade, the secret technique using dripping blood as catalyst. In the firing line of that blue flash stood Kurosaki and his two female companions.
"Wait, Grimmjow!"
"Gran Rey Cero!!"
With a dull roar, a massive lump of spiritual pressure targeted all three. If he dodged, his friends would die. To withstand it required power surpassing Bankai.
『...!』
Grimmjow, who desired a fight with Kurosaki Ichigo at full power, had thus succeeded in drawing out the man's strongest form.
"Hahahaha! Perfect... I've been waiting for this moment!"
『You bastard, Inoue...!』
"Don't you dare remove that mask. Not until our fight... is settled!!"
He held his left claws before his zanpakuto and drew back. The situation couldn't be better for Resurrección.
"...Grind!"
—Pantera—
Immense power flooded through his entire body. Clad in silver panther armor, the Sexta Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez unleashed a tremendous roar across this supreme battlefield where he could devour his prey with his entire being.
***
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