Besides these, the Thirteenth Division had many other Soul Abilities.
But Gaoyu had no way to obtain them right now.
The entire Thirteenth Division was mired in grief, so this really wasn't the right time to make friends with them.
He'd barely even spoken to Rukia.
And Hollow White didn't make Gaoyu wait long.
The next day, Jūshirō Ukitake summoned Gaoyu, Shiba Kaien, and Kuchiki Rukia.
"We've found the target's location."
Ukitake said solemnly, "It's near Mount Koi. I'll accompany you, but unless you're about to die, I won't intervene."
He looked seriously at Shiba Kaien, who nodded in response.
Watching the two of them, Gaoyu considered what he should do next.
He very much wanted to obtain Shiba Kaien's Similar Appearance, and he also wanted Rukia's "star." This mission was a great opportunity to earn their favor.
As for Jūshirō Ukitake...
Gaoyu wanted to obtain his host too, but when he remembered how Shunsui Kyoraku had been stuck at fifty for ages, he lost interest in Ukitake as well.
Those old guys who'd lived for centuries had walls around their hearts that were far too thick. Dealing with them would be like dealing with Shinji Ikari.
Heh. Just wait until I launch the Human Instrumentality Project. We'll see if your walls are still so thick then.
Gaoyu grumbled inwardly about these hundred-year-old monsters who refused to die.
But what should he do...
To keep Hollow White alive while also earning the favor of both Shiba Kaien and Kuchiki Rukia?
Forget it. He'd just have to adapt as things unfolded.
If all else failed, he could sacrifice Shiba Kaien, but he had to keep Hollow White alive.
Hollow White was crucial not only to Gaoyu's Hollowfication but also to his future conquest of Ichigo Kurosaki. How could he let Hollow White be lost here?
So when Gaoyu followed Jūshirō Ukitake to Mount Koi, he sensed Hollow White's evil spiritual pressure before they even got close.
Hollow White had grown considerably by now. Its spiritual pressure was far stronger than it had been when it first transformed.
He glanced discreetly at Shiba Kaien.
He...
Couldn't win.
Hollow White probably had the combat strength of a Captain now. Shiba Kaien was talented, but he still wasn't qualified to take it on.
Gaoyu didn't know whether Jūshirō Ukitake was aware of this, but he still allowed Shiba Kaien to fight alone.
The three of them stood atop the cliff and watched Shiba Kaien leap down to face Hollow White.
At that moment, Gaoyu raised his head and looked up at the sky.
It was already pitch-black.
Only a waning moon hung overhead, doing its utmost to cast what little light it could.
There was nothing else.
Gaoyu narrowed his eyes and looked at the three bright Soul Abilities beneath the moon.
"Ascension to Godhood"
"Venomous Snake"
"Spirit of Vengeance"
The first two were naturally Aizen's and Gin Ichimaru's abilities. The third belonged to Tōsen.
Since this ability was almost useless to Gaoyu, he hadn't paid it much attention before.
"Spirit of Vengeance: When activated, it creates a powerful and aggressive 'Spirit of Vengeance.' The Spirit of Vengeance attacks targets toward whom you feel intense hatred."
This ability...
Was pretty good, too.
But the one problem was that Gaoyu had no enemies.
He hadn't had any in the past, had none now, and might never have any in the future.
An enemy wasn't the same thing as someone you hated. If this ability could be used against enemies, it would be very useful.
But if it only worked on people you hated, then it was far too limited.
Gaoyu...
Had no one he hated.
Nor did he feel any hatred in his heart.
Perhaps someone had noticed where he was looking. Gaoyu sensed that one of the three had glanced at him.
Those three...
They sure had time on their hands.
It was one thing for a Captain like Isshin Shiba to face Hollow White in the original story. He was a Captain, after all, and it made sense to observe footage of Hollow White fighting one.
But Shiba Kaien was only a Vice-Captain. Why go to all this trouble and have three people come watch?
What a joke.
Gaoyu looked down impassively.
"Roar!"
Hollow White had spotted Shiba Kaien. Of course, it knew nothing of Kaien's hatred toward it, but a Shinigami was food all the same.
"So it really is a strange Hollow..."
Shiba Kaien voiced the question that he and Jūshirō Ukitake had both been wondering about.
Compared with other Hollows, Hollow White was indeed bizarre.
Its black shell, the Hollow hole that had been filled in, its humanoid form—everything about it seemed to proclaim how unusual it was.
"But no matter what, I..."
Shiba Kaien's angry face took on a grave expression. "Let the heavens turn, Nejibana!"
He had already judged his opponent to be a troublesome enemy, so he immediately released his Shikai.
The Zanpakuto in his hand transformed into a deep blue spear with a trident-shaped head. But at the same moment, Hollow White appeared right in front of him.
So fast!
Shiba Kaien's pupils widened. He'd only just released his Zanpakuto, yet Hollow White had already launched an attack right in front of him?!
He hurriedly raised his spear to block, but Hollow White was not only incredibly fast, it was immensely strong as well.
One strike sent Kaien rapidly stumbling backward. Hollow White pursued him without pause, forcing him back step by step in the blink of an eye!
"Captain!"
Seeing this, Rukia hurriedly said, "This is bad! Vice-Captain Kaien is no match for it. We have to..."
She didn't finish, because she saw the look on Jūshirō Ukitake's face.
His eyes were filled with worry, and he was just as eager to rush to the aid of his subordinate. But he forced that impulse down.
He didn't move!
"This is... Vice-Captain Shiba's battle for his pride."
Gaoyu spoke softly. "If we help him, where does that leave his pride?"
"But if we do nothing... Vice-Captain Kaien will..."
"Die," Gaoyu said quietly.
"Rukia, remember one thing."
"Not everyone fears death. In some people's hearts, pride stands above death."
"I... don't actually agree with that way of thinking, but I'll respect those who hold it. You should, too."
"If you truly respect your Vice-Captain, don't move."
"Rukia, go back first," Jūshirō Ukitake said softly. "What happens next isn't suitable for a child like you to witness."
"I..." Rukia froze. She hadn't expected Gaoyu and Ukitake to say that, but she hurriedly replied, "No! I won't hold you back!"
Gaoyu paid her no heed and instead carefully watched the Shinigami and Hollow fighting below.
Shiba Kaien really was a genius whom Ukitake considered his successor. Though he was still only a Vice-Captain, he probably already had the strength of a Captain.
He was at a disadvantage now, but it wasn't quite right to say he was completely outmatched by Hollow White.
Perhaps Shiba Kaien could still create a miracle...
Before you continue