Chapter 158
"If I'm not satisfied with the research environment after moving here, you must help me return to Soul Society as much as possible."
"... Miss Kirio, are you sure you're talking to me?"
Haruto gave a bitter laugh.
Kirio Hikifune's words were almost a tacit implication—unfortunately, Kirio Hikifune might not have had any information about what happened after Senjumaru Shutara "ascended to heaven," otherwise she would definitely have known about the Ōken.
Naturally, he wouldn't have said those words.
"That does seem a bit unreasonable. Why don't you just do your best?"
"..."
"Good."
Haruto hesitated for a moment, but then agreed.
What if members of Zero Division quit?
Although they gained near-immortality by linking their souls to the Zero Division Detached Palace, their activities were also confined to the Soul King Palace; the trouble of going out (to the lower realm) was no less than that of the Sternritter leaving the Wandenreich.
Haruto couldn't think of a good solution.
Let him do his best...
That would definitely have to wait until I could beat the monk.
"You agreed very readily."
Kirio Hikifune shook the previously clean tablecloth vigorously, and a brand-new feast instantly filled Haruto's field of vision.
"The agreement we just made will be imprinted into the soul along with the Soul King Hakusui."
Are you sure you won't regret it?
"I'm sure."
It's normal for Kirio Hikifune to have a backup plan.
After all, no one can guarantee that the contractor will definitely abide by the agreement... just like Haruto was completely unconcerned about the little bit of information that Ginrei Kuchiki was hiding.
"Then let's eat them while they're hot."
Kirio Hikifune flipped his hand.
On the empty plate representing the main course in the center of the table, the lion's head, symbolizing the Soul King Hakusui, was prominently displayed.
"... good!"
――――
The Soul King Hakusui.
Haruto tried his best not to think about the origin of this thing, and didn't even use a knife, fork or chopsticks to separate it—although he knew that after being cooked by Kirio Hikifune's Zanpakuto, there would be no reduction or disappearance of its effects, he still had a little bit of resistance in his heart—but instead controlled the invisible Reishi threads to weave into a hand and raised the whole plate to his mouth.
"Awoo!"
Melts in your mouth!
This description is not an adjective.
Kirio Hikifune's power allowed Haruto to absorb the Soul King Hakusui, but the latter's essence remained unchanged.
It is a divided yet independent soul.
The moment it entered his mouth, the Hakusui immediately merged into Haruto's soul: a fluid that was both cold and hot traveled through his abdomen, sometimes dispersing and sometimes gathering, extending to every part of Haruto's body in a very short time.
At last.
Whether it felt comfortable or like a foreign object, it all disappeared in the Hakusui area below the lower abdomen.
"Gurgle!"
"..."
Before Haruto could even process or express his feelings, an intense hunger he had never experienced before swept over his entire body in an instant.
Haruto had a strong premonition:
If he doesn't fill his stomach in time, Hakusui might directly convert his body into Reishi and absorb them all!
"A series of clanging and gurgling sounds."
Cutlery has become unimportant.
Haruto picked up the plate in front of him and began to devour the food like a glutton.
――――
Ten minutes later.
Thump!
Haruto slumped heavily against the back of the chair.
Not long ago, he was eating like a ball that could fly, but now he's completely skin and bones, with eye sockets so deep they could almost fit two ping-pong balls.
But.
Although his size has shrunk by several times, Haruto's weight has actually increased instead of decreased—judging from the noise, if the laboratory chairs hadn't been sturdy enough, they probably would have collapsed from Haruto's weight.
How are you feeling?
Kirio Hikifune watched Haruto eat the entire time.
"... I'm not full."
Haruto said very sincerely.
That's all we can do.
Kirio Hikifune replied with a smile.
"The Reiatsu I just used was all of my 'ordinary' Second-Class Spiritual Pressure reserves."
Kirio Hikifune hadn't mentioned it, Haruto wouldn't have known.
The Reiatsu that gave him no feeling of fullness, only a slight strength to stand up, had actually reached the level of Second-Class Spiritual Pressure.
At present, Kyōraku and Ukitake are only at this level.
"That is, after all, the Hakusui of the Soul King. To think that we can fill it with our own power is simply wishful thinking."
Even if Captain-Commander Yamamoto were to intervene, it would likely be very difficult.
Kirio Hikifune continued.
"And this level is more than enough: it already has initial activity, and the next step is self-sufficiency."
"So..."
Kirio Hikifune his hands together, ending the conversation.
"Haruto."
"Although I have a little personal speculation, what exactly is the effect of the Soul King Hakusui... could you demonstrate it to me?"
Kirio Hikifune's integrity and interests are very much in line with the identity of a scientist.
That's why she was even more eager to witness firsthand the actual effects of merging with the Soul King Hakusui.
"... Can."
Logically speaking, it's best to reveal as little information as possible about one's abilities; however, Kirio Hikifune had done him a great favor, and since even the finished product was completed by Kiryuki, Haruto had no reason to hide anything.
The abilities granted by the Soul King's organs, unlike Zanpakuto which require training, are as effortless as wielding limbs once integrated into the soul.
"As for abilities..."
Haruto stared at the dining table for a short while, estimating its size.
"Miss Kirio, is there anything here that you don't need?"
"Used as a target?"
Kirio Hikifune keenly sensed Haruto's thoughts.
"Right."
"Use this!"
Kirio Hikifune reached into her sleeve and quickly tossed out a biscuit—a biscuit that grew larger in the wind, which rapidly transformed into a strange, grotesque beast as tall as two people... Its Reiatsu was even at the level of Fourth-Class Spiritual Pressure.
"This is an upgraded version of that Tsuchigumo."
"By chopping and kneading ten ordinary Hollow souls together, you can create this incredibly strong candy puppet: perfect for moving heavy objects in the lab, and you don't have to worry about it being accidentally damaged by the anti-theft system."
"..."
Listen to it.
What does it mean to chop evenly and knead firmly?
The description of Kirio Hikifune is like making minced meat.
If Sakai Shukugo were still conscious, upon recalling his foolish actions, he would probably have already dug a hole and buried himself in it.
Pity.
Kirio Hikifune's earlier grab, though seemingly simple, had actually cleaved Sakai Shukugo's soul in two—
He's gone now.
In any case, Fourth-Class Spiritual Pressure is definitely enough as a target.
Haruto's gaze lingered on the "Candy Puppet".
"..."
Just as Kirio Hikifune was wondering what Haruto was planning to do—
"Buzz!"
As a silvery-white light swept across, the sturdy and durable candy puppet was cut in half.
"..."
The scene fell silent instantly.
"What are you doing...?"
Even Kirio Hikifune couldn't organize his thoughts well.
"Um."
Haruto nodded, pretending nothing had happened.
"That was Byakurai."
That's right!
He gave a live demonstration of Superman's truly captivating gaze: unleashing Byakurai with his eyes!
As is widely known.
Shinigami (death gods) can only release their spiritual pressure through their hands; Haruto's act of releasing Kido (demon arts) directly with his eyes—
Is there anything else?
—It has nothing to do with Soul Reaper anymore.
Kirio Hikifune didn't care at all; Haruto's performance only increased her interest.
"Um..."
"It can be done this way too."
Haruto opened his mouth to look at the candy puppet that had been broken in two.
Immediately afterwards, Naba's signature mouth cannon shot out from his mouth with lightning speed!
"Boom!"
"..."
After the small explosion, the candy golem was completely burned to ashes.
"This is Shakkahō Cannon."