The One Being Protected! (End)
The Inner World.
"Go to hell!"
Gripping the Nejibana, he brought the tip of the blade down with a fierce slash, roaring "Hollow!"
Suddenly, just a centimeter from his head, the man opened his bluish-green eyes. There was no emptiness or confusion in them, only determination, the confidence that belonged to Kaien Shiba.
The Nejibana in "Xu's" hand disappeared abruptly, vanishing without even a moment to react. In less than an instant, the Nejibana reappeared, but this time it pierced through "Xu's" abdomen, and blood flowed out, dripping down.
The hand holding the sword belonged to Kaien Shiba. His body returned to normal in the blink of an eye, and he put his Shihakushō back on. He then kicked the Hollow away with a powerful kick.
"You······"
Staring wide-eyed in disbelief, the equally white figure pulled the Nejibana from its abdomen and looked at Kaien Shiba. He couldn't understand; it was clearly the one who had won.
Don't look at me like that!
With a flick of his wrist, Kaien Shiba produced another Nejibana, or rather, this one was the real Nejibana.
"What's impossible? This is my world!" Kaien Shiba's lips curled into a smile; "You said we were one, and that's true, everything is as you expected, but do you remember what I said before?"
"What!"
"Even if you transform into human form, you're nothing but a hollow!" Kaien Shiba sneered.
"Damn it! Don't think you're all set just because you won one game!"
Seemingly enraged, "Xu" roared and swung his sword.
"It's not just about winning one round! I will never lose to the same enemy twice!"
Two identical Zanpakutō swung down simultaneously. Hollow was fast, but Kaien Shiba was even faster. With a crisp clang, Hollow's Blade Severance, while Kaien Shiba's Nejibana pierced its chest once more.
"Why······"
Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he collapsed weakly to his knees, his pale hand clutching the Kaien Shiba of the Nejibana sword that had pierced his chest. His body trembled violently.
"I know all your memories clearly, how could I be wrong..."
"You know my memories very well, that's true, but memories don't equal emotions!" Kaien Shiba said in a deep voice; "It seems you know very well that Tomo's death is indeed the scene I regret the most. Even now, thinking about it still hurts me. I love my wife very much, so for her sake, I can pull myself together again..."
"What does 're-energize' mean?"
"You just don't understand!" Kaien Shiba paused for a moment, then said, "You understand all my memories, but do you know why I became the Lieutenant?"
"Lieutenant, wasn't it named by the captain?"
"It's only a part of it!" Kaien Shiba's voice was heavy; "because I don't want to experience that feeling again!"
"..." Xu was puzzled. He had a clear memory, but he didn't understand emotions.
"On that night more than a hundred years ago, my comrades were terribly harmed by Aizen. They were all captains and Lieutenant, and could have known what happened immediately and made decisions. But I couldn't, because I was only the Third Seat. I didn't want to become Lieutenant, so I repeatedly refused Captain Ukitake. By the time I realized what had happened to me, it was all too late..."
Kaien Shiba roared in a low voice, "My childhood friends, they've just vanished like that. I haven't seen them again. I... I miss them so much!"
"Back then, I had absolutely no idea what was going on. I didn't know how they were doing, whether they were doing well or not. I couldn't do anything, I was just a piece of trash. What kind of genius was I? A genius who couldn't even protect his own companions was just wasting air!"
Kaien Shiba growled excitedly, his voice trembling.
"Kukaku and I have been blaming ourselves for so many years. It was always Miyako who comforted me. She's right, I'm the eldest brother. If even I'm like this, Kukaku will be even more upset. That's why I became the Lieutenant. I've been searching. Everyone says they're all dead, but I don't believe it. I must find them. Kukaku, Ganju, Miyako... the Shiba Family has become the last thing that supports me..."
"I admit I'm very sentimental, maybe even pathetic!" Kaien Shiba chuckled softly; "I was awakened by my comrades, and they all wished I were like this. She knows what I'm most devoted to: for my comrades, I'd give everything..."
"From the moment I woke up, I've been working hard, trying my best to regain my strength, because I want to protect my family and my friends!"
"I've always thought that way, but you've made me understand so much!" Kaien Shiba looked up at the "Hollow" before him and said, "It turns out that my so-called protection was just a subconscious excuse..."
Kaien Shiba's voice carried a hint of relaxed laughter.
"Because, from beginning to end, I was the one who was always being protected!"
"My companions' beliefs inspired me; they gave me courage and helped me understand myself. Perhaps this is Shadow meant by 'my original self'!"
"Yeah!"
The hand that was holding Kaien Shiba's loosened weakly, and "Xu" knelt on the ground, its figure slowly disappearing, completely disappearing.
"Here's one last piece of advice!"
Kaien Shiba sheathed the Nejibana and, gazing at the vanished Hollow, said in a deep voice, "I'll say it again: human emotions cannot be replaced by memories!"
"Ah! You won, and I'll remember that, King..."
······
In the World of the Living, within the Dark Night Residence and its protective barrier.
"Five seconds left! What the hell?! Dead Bird, there's no way out!"
The Eroding Wolf had a ferocious expression on its face. Its black Shade surged up, sweeping away the surrounding Reishi. The barrier trembled under its pressure, as if it would shatter at any moment.
Shadow sighed, but looking at the Hollowfication Kaien Shiba, his eyes, gleaming with an eerie red light amidst the darkness, still held a hint of trust.
But he also had no intention of stopping the Eroding Wolf creature.
Shadow didn't know which way things would go; he couldn't guess, didn't want to guess, and didn't need to guess.
The black Shade, manipulated by the Eroding Wolf, swept down relentlessly. Their violent power required even the Shadow to exert considerable effort. However, suddenly, a familiar, clear voice rang out, seemingly piercing through the layers of Shade.
"Let the Revolve, Water and Heaven! Nejibana!!!"
"Bankai..."
Hearing this sound, Shadow rubbed his nose.
Kaien Shiba is back for good!!!
······
In the World of the Living, Dark Night Residence.
The barrier finally collapsed due to the collision of the two forces, destroying the surrounding forest. Fortunately, the Shadow reacted quickly and immediately erected another barrier to prevent the Reiatsu from spreading. However, speaking of which, the Shihōin's divine artifact is indeed sturdy, as expected of something passed down from the Soul King.
Kaien Shiba lay on the ground, panting heavily. He had no choice; he had used too much of his strength to fight off the attack of the Eroding Wolf, and he had only just recovered his strength.
"How are you feeling?" Shadow walked over and asked.
"Not bad!" Kaien Shiba looked up and grinned; "Ah! Shadow, where's Dead Wolf!"
"Let's go back!" Shadow patted the Zanpakutō at his waist and chuckled softly; "After all, things aren't over yet!"
"Are you going to Hueco Mundo?" Kaien Shiba asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course, time is running out! Oh, right!"
Shadow tossed the black cloak he was carrying at Kaien Shiba; "You should recognize this!"
"Ah!" Kaien Shiba sat up, holding the cloak in his hand, and laughed; "Of course, it's from the Shihōin! I remember Yoruichi play a trick on me with this!"
"This is the Heaven Cloak. You should know its purpose: to conceal Reiatsu. Now, gather your Reiatsu here before heading over there!"
Shadow said that when the Visored Incident occurred, Shihōin Shanqing appeared wearing this thing to conceal his Reiatsu. Kisuke Urahara's cloak was also modified based on this unique artifact. Shadow brought it back from the last time he returned to Seireitei, specifically for the current situation.
"Ah! I understand!"
"······"