The World of the Living

Cangya was no fool. He understood the meaning behind Tirutī's whisper.

Her Aspect of Death was surely connected to despair or a similar negative emotion.

A cunning plan to cure her depression and win her loyalty formed behind his smile.

"Despair," he murmured.

"It's suppressed anger with nowhere to go. It's the darkest storm cloud, yearning to unleash its fury, yet forever trapped. It suffocates you, but it isn't enough to kill you. It's this darkness that makes us question the meaning behind every action."

Tirutī couldn't look away from his solemn expression. His words resonated deep within her.

He had described exactly how she felt. "Despair is... pure suffering."

"It certainly is, but." He raised a finger.

"Only in darkness can you truly see the light. So tell me, Tirutī, do you want to keep your head down and never see the light, or will you let me guide you toward the light of salvation?"

He held out his hand, a benevolent smile on his lips.

If he had been born in the Middle Ages, he might have become the most respected pope of his time.

Without realizing it, Tirutī placed her hand in his, falling deeper and deeper under his manipulation.

When his enchanting voice faded, she came to her senses and yanked her hand back. "It's impossible... I'm a Hollow. We have no future—and neither do I. I'll never be able to have the peaceful life I long for."

His persuasive words and sweet talk had exposed the insecurities deep in her heart, insecurities that had taken root when she was still an Adjuchas, an intermediate Menos Grande wandering the world.

She had searched all of Hueco Mundo, but nothing could fill the void in her heart.

Nothing she did could bring her true satisfaction.

The void in her heart had made her question the meaning of her own existence, as well as the meaning of Hueco Mundo and the entire Hollow race.

She had been in a state of mind akin to an existential crisis.

She wasn't the only Hollow who understood the "despair" their race faced.

Any powerful Hollow with a little intelligence could feel that fear deep down, but their desires and hunger left them no time to ponder such profound questions.

"What you're feeling is the fear brought on by an existential crisis," he said, reaching out to stroke her mane.

"The only way to free yourself is through self-discovery. Tirutī, I can change your mindset and guide you toward happiness. Will you give me a chance?"

Tirutī shook her head, keeping her distance from him with a hint of melancholy. "What's the point? You should spend your time and energy honing your skills."

The state of her damaged Zanpakuto only made her despair worse.

"Just give me one day. If I can't solve your problem, I won't bother you again."

Surely there was something in the World of the Living—some fun activity, an object, or a comforting pet—that could cheer her up and pull her soul from the abyss of despair.

He didn't love her enough to go to such lengths for her yet, but she would be a valuable ally to guide him through Las Noches.

Besides, seeing her in such a vulnerable state stirred genuine sympathy in his heart.

"Maybe I just can't resist goth girls."

She unclenched her fists and sighed helplessly. "...All right."

With that settled, Tirutī rushed into the void, leaving a pale pink trail of Reiatsu beneath her feet.

Without warning, she stopped and flicked the air, shattering the fabric of space around her.

She stepped back, then plunged headfirst into the rift, glasslike fragments of space bursting into brilliant light around her.

Cangya applauded the mysterious sight. "Oh my."

Cangya sped after Tirutī and soon hovered above a bustling street.

Below, cars roared past, their blaring horns and screeching brakes echoing through the stormy night.

He was surrounded by the familiar sights of Japan, but the atmosphere was noticeably different.

The billboards advertising games or anime were conspicuously absent, and video advertisements were nowhere to be found.

Without its usual energy, the city seemed unusually desolate.

Of course, no one around reacted to the enormous rift in the sky.

A rain-soaked newspaper blew past, catching his attention.

Most of the print was blurred, but the date in the upper right corner was clear: May 3, 1950.

"Was I reincarnated here on April Fools' Day?"

His reincarnation seemed like an April Fools' joke.

When he remembered the shape of his "Zanpakuto," it all seemed to make sense.

"Try to suppress your Reiatsu," Tirutī advised. "We need to move somewhere else."

"I know, I know. Don't nag me like my mom." Cangya paused and shook his head.

"What am I saying? I... never had a mom. Tirutī, would you be kind enough to adopt me as your child?"

Tirutī gave him the middle finger. "Get lost."

"Haha, then off you go. I'll call you when I need that day." He waved with a charming smile.

"Think about my offer to let you adopt me. Being my mom would be fun, you know."

"Pervert." Tirutī opened a Garganta again and glanced back at him. "Don't get yourself killed."

"Oh my, you're such a caring mom," he teased.

"If Baraggan attacks while I'm away, bring the girls here. Don't fight him, I repeat."

"I know how strong he is, Cangya. It would be foolish to confront him head-on. I'll do as you say. When will you be back?"

"A few days at least."

He had to use this opportunity to investigate a few things.

Tirutī nodded and vanished into the void, and the rift in space healed itself.

Now alone, Cangya looked around at the street. "I wonder what's popular in this era."

He spotted a clothing store on the same street, saving him the trouble of searching the entire city.

One glance at the store's address left him stunned.

Karakura Town.

"What kind of ridiculous luck is this?"

There might have been another reason Tirutī had been drawn to this place—Karakura Town was an area with a high concentration of Reishi.

This small town brought together the world's most powerful spirits.

"Should I stay here? Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin should be in that shop."

He decided to stay here for a few days rather than go to another town.

After quickly "borrowing" some nice clothes, Cangya slipped into a dark alley and transformed into his human form, perfectly disguised and ready to explore the town.

He ran a hand through his messy hair, which seemed to be the most unruly part of his look.

"Should I find a hotel for the night?"

The thought of sleeping in a soft bed lifted his spirits.

Neither Apache's plump body nor Sun-Sun's snakelike body could provide him with the comfort of a real bed.

"So much to do."

Walking alone in human form, especially in unfamiliar surroundings, he felt defenseless, as though he were walking around naked.

He had grown accustomed to the power of Pressure at his fingertips.

It could be said that he had wholeheartedly embraced his identity as a Hollow, and the four female Hollows had given him plenty of reason to remain in Hollow form for the rest of his life.

"Wouldn't it have been much easier if you'd just made me the strongest from the start?"