The Hōgyoku Is placed Within Me

"Is this… Urahara Kisuke's flawed and incomplete Hōgyoku…?"

Returning to the warehouse, Shinji closed the door and placed the Hōgyoku on the bed in front of him.

It continued to tremble.

As if sensing Shinji's presence—or perhaps the Hōgyoku within him—it responded, echoing the call to unite.

"What should I do…? How can I fuse this Hōgyoku?"

Shinji frowned, crossing his legs in thought.

Unlike the Hōgyoku already fused with him, this one was still unclaimed.

If he removed it from its seal, Aizen—who was always keeping an eye on the Hōgyoku—would surely sense the fluctuation.

But if he didn't take it out, how could he fuse it?

It was an endless loop.

"Maybe… I need you to help me."

Shinji pressed a hand to his chest.

Hōgyoku had the ability to manifest the desires of the soul.

Even if he didn't know any sealing techniques or couldn't create a barrier to hide its fluctuations, as long as he had the will to achieve it, the Hōgyoku should assist him.

And sure enough—

After resonating with Shinji's will, the Hōgyoku within his body released a pulse of energy, swiftly forming an impenetrable barrier that completely sealed off all spiritual pressure within the room.

—Hum!

The next moment, Shinji unsealed the second Hōgyoku.

A jewel, radiating a deep blue-black glow, floated in his palm.

This gem was mysterious and otherworldly, as though it didn't belong to this dimension. It held boundless energy within it.

At that moment, the newly unsealed Hōgyoku hovered quietly in Shinji's hand, releasing its overwhelming power like nerve endings instinctively extending outward.

"This is…"

"It's instinctively probing into the hearts of others?!"

Hōgyoku could absorb and materialize the desires of those around it, manifesting their subconscious wishes.

That was only a fraction of its power.

Shinji took a deep breath.

Without hesitation, he lifted the Hōgyoku and pressed it against his exposed chest.

In the next instant, as the two Hōgyoku came into contact—

—A dazzling, intense light exploded!

Boom!

His Reiatsu skyrocketed at a terrifying rate, both in quality and quantity, as though he were ascending to another level of existence.

Even though Shinji suppressed it, the sheer force of his Reiatsu still caused the barrier in the room to tremble violently, as if it might collapse at any moment.

The spiritual pressure flooding the warehouse was enough to suffocate any normal soul, yet Saito Yanagawa—who was standing guard—remained completely unaware.

As if separated by dimensions, just as a two-dimensional being could not perceive a three-dimensional entity.

"This sensation… Am I about to enter the second fusion state?"

Shinji clenched his fists.

It was undeniable—the degree of fusion had advanced significantly.

He was about to step into the second stage of fusion with the Hōgyoku.

—The pupation stage.

At this stage, the real high-speed evolution would begin.

His Reiatsu, strength, endurance, speed, defense, vitality—even his very existence—would begin to rapidly surpass that of the Shinigami race.

"With my current strength… I should be among the strongest captains, right?"

Still, Shinji remained cautious.

Arrogance led to downfall.

It was better to play it safe.

And, if possible, he'd prefer to take it easy—clock in, clock out, and enjoy a stress-free life.

---

The next few days passed peacefully.

Sometimes, he went out to deal with minor threats.

Sometimes, he entertained himself by keeping an eye on a certain black cat that enjoyed monitoring him.

It wasn't a bad way to pass the time.

But unexpected changes always arrived faster than one could anticipate.

"Master Shinji! A massive Reiatsu fluctuation has been detected in Karakura Town! It seems that a Menos Grande—Gillian-class or higher—has appeared!"

Inside the warehouse, Saito Yanagawa rushed in, respectfully handing over a locator device.

This time, there was no trace of underestimation in his eyes.

After witnessing Shinji effortlessly slay an Adjuchas, Saito Yanagawa knew—

This man was his chance.

Only by following Shinji could he obtain what he desired.

"Again? Could it be another Adjuchas-class Menos Grande?"

Shinji put down the bun in his hand, suddenly losing his appetite.

Sure enough, Karakura Town was a troublesome place.

As a land rich in spiritual energy, it constantly attracted all kinds of unwanted visitors.

"Where's the location? …Never mind, I found it."

Repeating their last exchange, Shinji disappeared in an instant, moving at Shunpo speed.

Saito Yanagawa had long since gotten used to this.

He put away the locator, drew his Zanpakutō, and quickly chased after him.

---

Western Development Area, Karakura Town.

This place was full of half-built commercial districts, still under development.

At this moment, Shinji stood atop a villa, looking into the distance.

"Something wrong, Master Shinji?"

Although Shinji's Shunpo was incomparably faster than his own, Saito Yanagawa still managed to arrive shortly after, since the distance wasn't too far.

"Wrong? No, Yanagawa. Something is very wrong."

Shinji's expression was unreadable as he spoke.

"What are those fools at the Technology Development Bureau even doing?"

"Do they not understand how to measure spiritual pressure levels properly?"

Saito Yanagawa felt his heart tighten.

A sudden sense of dread washed over him.

"Master Shinji, what… do you mean?"

A bad premonition welled up within him.

"I mean…"

Shinji exhaled slowly.

"That guy isn't just some insignificant Adjuchas-class Menos Grande."

"Adjuchas? That thing isn't even qualified to shine its shoes."

Saito Yanagawa's pupils shrank.

A chill crawled up his spine.

"Then… what is it…?"

Shinji's golden eyes narrowed.

His voice was calm, yet carried a heavy weight:

"That is an Arrancar. A Hollow that has broken the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow."

As Shinji spoke, an overwhelming Reiatsu erupted from the distance—

Boom!

The sheer force of it nearly crushed Saito Yanagawa's soul on the spot.

His body trembled violently.

His mind screamed in terror.

Just the pressure alone was enough to suffocate him!

"This… this isn't possible…!"

He had never felt such an overwhelming, despair-inducing power before.

What kind of monster was lurking there?!

---

"If it wasn't for Shinji-sama, my soul would have been wiped out just now..."

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Saito Yanagawa had heard of weak souls collapsing under sheer Reiatsu pressure before, but this was the first time he had experienced it himself.

Is this the power of the strong?

"Step back, Yanagawa. What happens next is beyond you. Even staying nearby is dangerous."

Shinji placed his fingers on the hilt of his Zanpakutō, his gaze locked straight ahead.

"Yes, Shinji-sama." Saito Yanagawa obeyed, but curiosity still lingered in his mind. "But, sir, that Menos Grande… it looks very human, doesn't it?"

Shinji glanced at him, understanding his thoughts, and decided to explain.

"Both Shinigami and Hollows have limits. Breaking those limits grants new power. When a Hollow surpasses its limits, it gains Shinigami-like abilities—its mask breaks, revealing a human face, and it wields a sword like a Zanpakutō."

"A Hollow that reaches this stage is called an Arrancar."

"As for Arrancar, even the weakest of them evolve from Menos Grande at the Adjuchas level."

"And an Adjuchas-level Arrancar is no weaker than a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande."

But that wasn't all.

Arrancar possessed a nearly impenetrable defensive layer—Hierro—tough enough to withstand most Zanpakutō attacks.

Like Shinigami, they could also release their Zanpakutō.

An Arrancar's Zanpakutō was not just a weapon; it was a seal that locked away their true power. When released—an ability called Resurrección—they reverted to their original Hollow forms, dramatically increasing their attack, defense, and overall combat abilities.

And as long as they returned to their released form, all their injuries would instantly heal.

"An Adjuchas-class Arrancar… as strong as a Vasto Lorde…"

Just hearing these legendary terms made Saito Yanagawa's pupils contract. Even though Shinji was bearing the brunt of the pressure, he still felt like his heart was being squeezed by an invisible hand.

It was as if the mere thought of such beings could crush him.

This was the terror of the Vasto Lorde.

"Step back, Yanagawa. This battle isn't for you." Shinji repeated, but Saito Yanagawa remained rooted in place. Shinji glanced at him in mild surprise.

After a moment's hesitation, Saito Yanagawa's expression turned resolute.

"Shinji-sama, please allow me to stay. I want to witness your strength… and my future."

"...Is that so?"

Shinji chuckled lightly.

"Do as you wish. Just don't die here, Yanagawa."

"Yes, Shinji-sama."

"If you survive, I'll have a gift for you."

Saito Yanagawa's eyes widened in excitement, but before he could react, Shinji had already leaped from the rooftop.

Stepping into Shunpo, Shinji's gaze locked onto the monster rampaging through the city.

His expression turned into one of puzzlement.

A towering figure with long, black hair parted down the middle, wearing a single eyepatch over one eye, stood among the ruins. In his hand, he wielded a massive, uniquely shaped scythe, its hilt connected to a chain wrapped around his waist.

With a single swing, the wind blade it generated ripped through an unfinished building like paper.

The figure ignored the collapsing structure, restlessly searching for something as he continued his path of destruction.

The fifth Espada, Nnoitra Gilga.

How could someone of his level appear in Karakura Town?

---

"This disgusting smell… this disgusting smell…"

Nnoitra's voice was laced with irritation as he crushed another building beneath his foot.

A voice called out to him.

"Hey! You big idiot over there!"

A crisp, youthful voice rang through the air.

Kurosaki Masaki appeared, wearing her high school uniform.

This time, thanks to someone's advice, she had worn safety shorts beneath her skirt, preventing any accidental exposure even in the strong winds.

"Huh? Another disgusting woman…?"

Nnoitra's single visible eye narrowed before a grin stretched across his face.

"Wait. This presence… You're not an ordinary human, are you?"

Licking his lips, his eyes gleamed with murderous intent. Without warning, he vanished.

An instant later, his foot was already aiming for Masaki's head.

Too fast!

Masaki's pupils shrank. She hadn't expected this kind of speed and barely managed to retreat in time.

Nnoitra's kick slammed into the ground, generating an explosive shockwave that sent her flying backward.

"This kind of overwhelming power… You're nothing like the Menos Grande I've fought before… What are you?"

Thanks to the Blut Vene—her Quincy defensive ability—Masaki emerged unscathed. But she was now staring at the humanoid Hollow in front of her with a growing sense of dread.

This wasn't like the Adjuchas she had encountered before.

This was something completely different.

"What?"

Nnoitra's face twisted into a snarl.

"Don't you dare look at me like that, woman!"

"Are you kidding me?"

"You disgusting things… Always looking at me with that same, pitying gaze…"

"You have no idea how that tramples on a person's soul!"

"Strong or weak, baby or beast, I don't care. When I fight, I kill my opponent with a single strike. I make sure they never get back up again!"

Nnoitra was deeply misogynistic—he despised women, loathed their very existence.

And just now, Masaki's gaze had triggered something deep inside him.

He lost control.

With a roar of fury, his scythe slashed through the air in a relentless flurry of attacks.

Ruthless. Inhumanly fast. Devastatingly powerful.

Masaki had hesitated for just a moment. That mistake was costing her now.

She barely managed to summon her spirit bow, but each strike sent her skidding backward.

Thin, branch-like red patterns appeared on her skin, dispersing and redirecting the damage to keep her body intact.

Without the protection of Blut Vene, the sheer force of Nnoitra's attacks would have already ruptured her organs, leaving her bleeding to death.

"This monstrous strength… Just what are you…?"

Masaki's voice trembled as she struggled to hold her ground.

She had no information—no knowledge of what she was facing.

She had underestimated her opponent.

And in battle, hesitation meant death.

"Die, woman!"

A golden slash shattered Masaki's Quincy bow.

Nnoitra laughed wildly, his scythe descending mercilessly— And the world trembled beneath the force of his strike.