Another chapter for today!
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Two weeks had already slipped by since the start of the experiments. Time truly flies when you’re elbow-depth in research. Within that first week, I had dismantled and remodeled 500 Hollows to fill out my stock of 100 Modified Arrancars. Following the same protocol as before, I sent them into the chamber in groups of 25, ultimately resulting in four finished Kodoku Arrancars per batch.
“Even so, this is a poor showing.”
The abilities of these finished Kodoku Arrancars didn't meet my expectations. Sure, their Reiatsu had surged past the Captain-class threshold, but that was the extent of it. Even with spiritual pressure that eclipsed a Captain, their minds were too weak to harness it. Their actual combat effectiveness remained virtually unchanged from their previous states.
“Their Reiatsu is formidable, yet they can't utilize even a fraction of it, so their battle prowess hasn't moved an inch. All they've gained is a boost in raw pressure and hardened skin for defense. As for the other group, the only difference is their intelligence.”
I looked over the 12 completed Kodoku Arrancars with a critical eye. It wasn't a great evaluation. Those that managed to retain their will became significantly smarter, while the others were mindless drones. These Kodoku Arrancars were a study in extreme, polarized opposites.
‘Should I mix them one more time?’
I contemplated feeding the high-will Kodoku Arrancars to those with fire and ice attributes. I was certain it would lead to growth, but there was also the risk that the state would remain stagnant—or perhaps, it might trigger an explosive evolution.
“Hmm... quite the dilemma.”
There was still a little time left. If I needed more Modified Arrancars, I could just gather another batch of trash Hollows and start over. In that case, trying another fusion was the right call. However, this time I would only merge one ice-attribute type with one high-intelligence type. The survivors would be reserved for a different experiment.
“A failure, then?”
I synthesized the ice-specialized Kodoku Arrancar with the high-intelligence specimen. The result was disappointing. Initially, the creature displayed a moderate amount of will and intellect, but as the days passed, its intelligence began to degenerate, eventually regressing to its starting point.
“What exactly is missing?”
Using that failure as a baseline, I continued my experimentation. I tried shifting the ratio from 1:1 to 1:Many, putting in multiple high-intelligence specimens for a single fusion, but the result remained the same. It only lasted a bit longer; given enough time, the intelligence naturally eroded. In the end, they always lost their sense of self.
“Based on the results, the only plausible reason is that the specialized power eventually consumes the will.”
That was the only hypothesis that held water. Because I had banked everything on a single specialized power, they were incapable of obtaining or learning anything else. Eventually, having sacrificed everything to specialize in one area, their will simply couldn't withstand the weight of that power and was swallowed by it.
“So, even the will forged through the Kodoku ritual couldn't overcome the raw power.”
Continuing the experiments in this direction was useless. It would be a waste of time to pursue a research path where failure was already predestined. Not that I was out of options, though. What I needed was a will so strong it wouldn't be devoured by the specialized power.
“A strong will... a will...”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
My eyes drifted shut, and my finger began to drum against the arm of my chair of its own accord. The rhythmic sound echoed through the lab, cooling my racing thoughts. One, two—the finger struck the wood in a steady cadence. I sat like that for a long while until the laboratory doors swung wide.
CRASH!
“I finally did it! I learned Bankai!”
The voice belonged to Yeriel, who stood there in her Espada-style Arrancar uniform, clutching her crimson blade. Judging by the sand caked onto her clothes and her tattered condition, she had just finished a grueling training session. Her red hair was a mess, but her eyes were bright.
“Huh? Are you listening? Are you asleep?”
When I didn't respond immediately, Yeriel approached and asked again. I could feel her footsteps getting closer along with her Reiatsu, but I didn't feel the need to open my eyes yet. Now that she had mastered Bankai, the next step was Hollowfication. But that was something Is—the owner of the Hogyoku—would handle. It wasn't my concern.
“Hey! Are you really sleeping?!”
Yeriel was right in front of me now. Her Reiatsu was undeniably Captain-class. At this level, she could put up a decent fight against the Espada. Of course, she'd still get crushed by someone like Grimmjow, but she could probably handle the Septima Espada, Zommari Rureaux. Regardless, it was impressive growth. To master Bankai only a month after attaining Shikai... she could easily be called a genius.
‘Bankai... Bankai...’
Her words echoed in my head. The prerequisites for mastering Bankai are materialization and subjugation of the Zanpakuto spirit. That meant Yeriel had successfully subjugated her sword's spirit. Subjugated...
A thin smirk tugged at my lips.
“This might be interesting.”
“Whoa!”
As I snapped my eyes open, Yeriel, who had leaned in quite close to my face, jumped back in a flustered scramble. Her face turned bright red as she clutched her chest and looked away, clearly startled by my sudden movement.
“You said you learned Bankai?”
“Y-yeah. That woman said it’s definitely Bankai.”
Yeriel still referred to Is as "that woman." Given Is’s temperament, she wouldn't normally let that slide, so she must only be doing it when it was just us. But that wasn't important right now.
“Yeriel, I’m going to need your help with an experiment.”
“Huh?”
Initially, my plan was to have her complete Hollowfication and then throw her into a fight with Ichigo. But my priorities had shifted. I was going to take Yeriel’s iron will—the will she used to break her Zanpakuto spirit—and use it for one final experiment.
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Release! Release! Release!
Well, we’re taking Yeriel straight into the experiments! Rather than adding more new characters, it makes more sense to use Yeriel now that she’s mastered Bankai, Kehehehe. I briefly considered killing off Gin Ichimaru and doing it that way, but Yeriel seems like more fun. Let’s fuse her with the Kodoku Arrancars and create a total munchkin-tier protagonist! (Why is Yeriel’s screen time getting so big? Honestly, I kind of regret adding her; I feel like killing her off right now... Argh! Anyway, the novel is probably ending next week, so just assume the author is going off the rails!!! I’m sorry~!)
By the way, is the content too cluttered or difficult? I don’t think I’m using words that are that hard, but let me know. If it’s confusing, tell me where.
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