Today's update is a go!
Leaving Tatsuki with Is got me thinking—I remembered the original reason I wanted a Fracción was because of Nelliel. Her time is drawing near, so I realized it was high time to go bring her in. I pulled myself up from where I’d been resting.
Currently, Tatsuki wasn't staying in the lab anymore. Once I decided to make her my Fracción, leaving her in an experimental facility felt a bit off, so I moved her quarters while Is handled her training.
"If she's training, she'll be at that place, then."
However, Is mentioned that Tatsuki wasn't at the location I'd suggested; she was staying somewhere completely different. Apparently, she was training at a site slightly removed from the palace of Las Noches. Well, I had left the training entirely to Is, so I hadn't paid much attention, but first, I had to step outside.
BOOM!
Not long after I left Las Noches, a thunderous explosion rang out, and sand geysered into the sky. Judging by the flashy display, it looked like she had mastered a new technique. Tatsuki’s Zanpakuto was a constant-release type. In this state, she became the Flame-Haired Blazing-Eyed warrior, her blade transforming into a crimson longsword as tall as herself. Because it was a Fire-type, every swing left red afterimages or shed sparks of flame. In a word, it was one hell of a Zanpakuto.
"Quiet the noisy one, isn't she?"
On my way there, sand erupted several more times. Occasionally, the Reishi of Hollows would turn to blackened ash and float up into the sky. It was undeniably more chaotic than when I used to train. By the time I reached the source of the commotion, I heard Tatsuki’s vibrant, sharp voice.
"There! Engetsu Kenmu, First Form: Engetsu Ten'en!"
Fwoosh!
At Tatsuki's cry, her Zanpakuto glowed a fierce red. Light surged from the hilt up the blade, and from the tip, a crimson sphere the size of a person was fired directly toward me.
"Ah!"
It seemed she only realized the target was me after releasing the technique. I heard Tatsuki let out a startled gasp. A scorching orb of fire was barreling toward me, but I didn't dodge or panic. I simply stood my ground to gauge the power of the sphere.
"Spiritual Pressure is condensed, and the Fire-type attribute adds elemental heat. Its destructive power is higher than a simple Reiatsu blast. Looking at the scorched corpses around here, the firepower is exceptionally high."
Sizzle!
To verify the power firsthand, I deliberately raised my left hand to block the incoming orb. The moment it made contact, the condensed Spiritual Pressure delivered a massive physical shock. Simultaneously, the heat surrounding the sphere acted as a second wave, burning through my Hierro and scorching the flesh. This technique was less about slicing and more about pushing the opponent back with sheer force.
Flash!
"Not bad."
A technique capable of bypassing my Hierro, even slightly, to burn the flesh was commendable. Strangely, though, the expression on Tatsuki’s face as she looked at my slightly charred hand was full of apology.
"A-Are you alright?"
"What a ridiculous test subject. You worry for me right after attacking?"
"It was a mistake! I had no intention of attacking you!"
Tatsuki shouted her excuse. I knew it was a mistake without her having to say it. Judging by the corpses littering the area, this training was designed to cultivate three things simultaneously: removing hesitation by creating a constant fear of enemies appearing from anywhere, building rapid response times, and heightening focus. It also provided practical experience in one-versus-many combat, sharpening her survival instincts. It was a multifaceted training regimen. It was exactly the kind of training I would have ordered myself, but it seemed Is had recognized what she needed at a glance. What Arisawa Tatsuki needs most is combat experience.
"But are you really okay?"
Tatsuki spoke while staring worriedly at my scorched hand. It was true the previous technique was impressive, but since it was a blunt force impact, it hadn't dealt significant damage to me.
"A shame for you. If that had been a cutting technique, it would have definitely left a deep wound on my left hand."
"I told you, it wasn't on purpose!"
"Hmph. I am your enemy. I'm the one who dragged you to a place like this. Are you telling me you don't even have the desire to kill me or wound me?"
"Yeah. I don't want to kill you."
I was slightly surprised by her clean admission, delivered without a hint of hesitation. Seeing my reaction, Tatsuki nodded and continued.
"I certainly resented you at first for bringing me here. But not anymore. Now, I don't hate you..."
The last part was muttered under her breath, but it reached my ears clearly. Not hate me? A Soul Reaper saying that to a Hollow? To the one who kidnapped her? I didn't know what kind of mental shift led to that, but it was too much of a bother to care about the specifics.
"Fine, I've heard enough. If you're really sorry, then do the job I'm giving you properly."
"Huh?"
With that, I gave Tatsuki the mission to bring Nelliel to me and sent an Arrancar along to accompany her. After Tatsuki departed at my command, I scanned the surroundings. Among the scorched corpses, I noticed that the masks on their faces were missing in some places. There were several other types of wounds from her strikes as well.
"Ho? Interesting."
Arisawa Tatsuki’s rate of growth was astronomical. At this rate, she might even surpass Ichigo Kurosaki. Furthermore, because there were so many live targets to fight here, Tatsuki would eventually have the edge in combat experience before long.
Update! Update! Update!
As per the original plan, Tatsuki has gone to fetch Nelliel. Also, two of the protagonist's weaknesses were revealed in this chapter. Try to guess what they are~
To user 'Mulla-yo': It's perfectly natural for the protagonist to know about Hollowfication. He's known Aizen for nearly ten years. Aside from the five years they were apart, they met several times a week for the other five years. The setting is that they naturally discussed the Hogyoku and Shinji’s group during those times. I'm just mentioning it because it's not a major secret. Also, nobody knows the protagonist is a reincarnated soul. I mean, he can't just go around saying, "I'm a reincarnator, this is a manga world, and I know the future." Even if he did, I've never seen a protagonist in a parody novel who openly tells original characters that they are reincarnated. That's why in 'Soul Reaper War Records' (Sasin-jeon-gi), no one knew he was a reincarnator either.
To 'LoliconS2': Gasp! A proud daughter of Korea? You probably meant 'son.' Heh, your nickname tells the whole truth!
To 'Katsura Hinagiku': Are you picking a fight with me? Telling me to gouge out an eyeball... shudder.
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