The Protected One! (2)

In the World of the Living, Dark Night Residence.

"Is this really okay?"

Eroding Wolf spoke up, for he and Shadow were of one mind and naturally understood what was going on.

"Who knows!" Shadow shook his head; "Anyway, Little Wolf, keep the barrier under control!"

"I understand!" Lone Wolf nodded, then, as if remembering something, asked, "Shadow, speaking of which, that Void should just be a Lesser Hollow, right?"

"Hmm!" Shadow's lips twitched slightly; "Although it was Lesser Hollow and its power wasn't very strong, things are different now!"

"You mean..." The Eroding Wolf instantly understood; "When you were rebuilding the Dead Bird's body, you might have been rebuilding that ethereal Reishi as well..."

"Ah! It's in its purest state right now, just like Kaien. Whether it becomes Bleach or a Hollow depends on Kaien's luck!"

"Ah!!!"

······

The space was dark, quiet, and oppressive.

Kaien Shiba disliked this feeling because it brought back many unpleasant memories. But there was nothing here except him, groping his way forward alone.

"That bastard Shadow, he didn't explain anything clearly! What am I supposed to do?!"

Despite constantly complaining, Kaien Shiba kept walking forward, because he simply couldn't stop. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he had a feeling that he would regain his strength. Of course, he also knew very well that the process would be incredibly difficult.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but the silence only made Kaien Shiba more and more agitated. He knew this couldn't go on, but he simply couldn't control himself.

Perhaps it was a year, perhaps ten, perhaps a century had passed. Kaien Shiba had no idea how long he had been gone or what he had accomplished; he had lost all sense of time.

"Damn it! You bastard Shadow, wait till I get out of here I'll beat you to a pulp!"

Kaien Shiba was muttering to himself when suddenly, a familiar voice rang out behind him.

"Is this a good idea? After all, that guy saved us!"

His steps came to an abrupt halt. Kaien Shiba's blue-green eyes widened instantly. He turned around, and there it was—that familiar voice, that familiar face, and that unforgettable face, that ghostly face. It was this guy who had violated his wife's body and murdered his subordinates.

"How did you get inside my body? Aren't you dead?!"

Kaien Shiba shouted in disbelief, his body trembling slightly, though not out of fear.

"Oh dear! So many questions, Lieutenant!"

A familiar voice, etched deep in his memory, trembled eerily. "I did die, that's true, I died with you. But when your companion resurrected you, he also coincidentally cleansed my Reishi. So you understand now, right? You and I were originally one!"

"How so······"

"Haha! Isn't this great!" Ignoring the shaken Kaien Shiba, the "Hollow" laughed loudly to himself. "I'm just a Lesser Hollow. Even if Aizen turned me into Arrancar, I'm still just a failed product, ultimately still Lesser Hollow. But your idiot companion! He actually reconstructed my foundation and eliminated the impurities. Now, I'm brimming with power! Haha! If I run into that bastard Yammy again, I'll definitely tear him apart. This feeling is amazing! The power of Vasto Lorde! Haha..."

"Damn it, stop being so smug. In the end, it's just a Hollow!"

Kaien Shiba gritted his teeth, his handsome face contorted with intense hatred. However, he didn't rush forward recklessly, knowing that would only lead to his death. Right now, he had no strength, not even Asauchi.

"You can't say that! Didn't I already say that you and I are one?"

"Hollow" laughed arrogantly, its massive body gradually shrinking and changing under the horrified gaze of Kaien Shiba. The next moment, what appeared before Kaien Shiba was another "him," another "Kaien Shiba," one in black and the other in white.

"Hey! How could I possibly..." Swallowing hard, Kaien Shiba froze, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

"Nothing is impossible. Didn't I say we're one? So, you can become me, and I can naturally become you. Once you die, I will be Kaien Shiba!"

"Hollow" appeared in front of Kaien Shiba in an instant, his somewhat thin hand gripping Kaien Shiba's neck tightly, lifting him up with a slight force.

"Since we're all in this together, I'll kindly tell you something!"

"Hollow" grinned wickedly as he approached Kaien Shiba, saying, "The one who helped me regain control of my power was yourself!"

"Ah······"

"Can't speak anymore? Fine, just listen!"

"Hollow" spoke with a slight tremor in his voice, "You are indeed a genius, that much is certain. You don't really think you've cultivated for so long without any results, do you? No, actually, you already generated Reiatsu again in the early hours of the second day, but it's all inside my body now!"

"Your desperate efforts have all become my strength, haha..."

"Your companion is incredibly stupid! How could he have overlooked this point? If he had realized it sooner, you might have succeeded already. But now, I am Kaien Shiba!"

"..." He struggled to breathe and couldn't make a sound, but Kaien Shiba managed to move the corners of his mouth.

What do you want to say?

"Ghost" threw Kaien Shiba aside and laughed loudly, "Considering how much you've helped me, I'll be kind enough to let you die in your memories! Tell me! Which part do you want to see!"

"Hmph! The part where you died!" Kaien Shiba struggled to his feet and sneered.

"You'll never see this..."

In an instant, the figure reappeared in front of Kaien Shiba. With a flick of its wrist, the Zanpakutō appeared in its hand, and Kaien Shiba's eyes widened.

That is, Nejibana.

"Because you can only see when you die!"

With his Zanpakutō plunged deep into Kaien Shiba's chest, "Hollow" laughed triumphantly, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of you, Kaien!"

"Um... you..."

······

Meanwhile, outside...

Within the barrier formed by the Shade, the battle between Eroding Wolf and Kaien Shiba reached its climax. However, unlike before, Kaien Shiba's pupils were now red, clearly indicating that he had lost his mind. His entire body was covered in a white shell, or more accurately, it was... Hollowfication.

"Hey! Shadow, just how much have you enhanced that Hollow?!" Eroding Wolf finally couldn't hold back any longer and roared, "This is never going to end!"

"How should I know? I didn't do it on purpose!" Shadow raised an eyebrow; "Little Wolf, you're not about to give up, are you?"

"Stop talking nonsense!" After kicking Kaien Shiba away, Eroding Wolf turned around and the Roar, baring his teeth. "You think I'd lose to this guy? Don't be ridiculous! Whether it's Dead Bird or Dead Hollow, if I get serious, I can kill him with one hand!"

"Yes, yes! You're the best!"

Shadow's lips twitched. He was just saying it casually! Why are you getting so worked up?

"Roar!!!"

The Hollowfication Kaien Shiba lunged forward once more.

"This is so annoying!" the Eroding Wolf roared. "Shadow, how much time has passed?!"

"It's only been fifteen minutes, keep it up, Little Wolf!"

"Damn it! Stop spouting nonsense! You bastard!"

"Hi hi..."