Upon returning to the palace of Las Noches, I received the report on the first invasion of the World of the Living. To summarize the results, I would call it roughly an 80% success. That 80% accounts for the successful elimination of several Soul Reapers, but a failure regarding Ichigo Kurosaki. Unfortunately, just as Grimmjow was about to finish him off, Shinji Hirako and his group interfered, allowing the boy to escape.
"You look like a complete mess."
Grimmjow was currently the most severely injured of the lot. The rest of the Espada had merely depleted some Reiatsu or suffered minor cuts. It made sense; even with the Spirit Restriction limiting them to 20% of their power, it would have been pathetic for the Espada to struggle against ordinary Soul Reapers.
"Now, shall we hear Yeriel’s report?"
"I brought Orihime. She's in my room now. I’ve also handled the other matters exactly as you specified."
"Then bring her here. She can start by treating Grimmjow."
One of the several orders I had given Yeriel was to retrieve Orihime. Postponing the detailed report on the other tasks for a private setting, I told her to bring the girl in first. Grimmjow’s condition wasn't life-threatening, but it wasn't something to leave unattended either, and I wanted to see her 'Phenomena Rejection' with my own eyes.
A moment later, Orihime Inoue arrived, dressed in her school uniform and accompanied by Yeriel. As she approached with the other Espada looking on, her expression was etched with visible anxiety.
"Welcome to Las Noches," I greeted her.
"......."
"First, let us see that power of yours. Heal Grimmjow over there."
I pointed toward Grimmjow, who had received only temporary first aid. A massive wound from a Getsuga Tenshō tore across his left chest, and his left arm was missing—likely the work of that Shinji fellow. There were other minor lacerations, but those two were the primary concerns.
At my command, Orihime looked to Yeriel instead of me. Then, closing her eyes, she cast Sōten Kisshun toward Grimmjow. As a yellow, shield-like barrier enveloped his body, his flesh began to slowly knit back together.
"Ho?"
"What is this?!"
The rest of the Espada leaned in with interest. Seeing it through Ulquiorra’s recorded data was one thing, but witnessing it in person was quite another story. Szayelaporro, in particular, watched Orihime with a gleam in his eye, his researcher's instinct clearly screaming to take her apart and study her.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Marvelous. Once again, welcome. Welcome to the Espada's ranks."
"......."
She remained silent, but that was enough. Orihime Inoue could never betray Yeriel. The very reason she first gained her power was to protect her friend. If forced to choose between Ichigo Kurosaki and Yeriel, Orihime’s personality would dictate she choose the latter. After all, the one who had stayed by her side during her hardest times was Tatsuki Arisawa—the woman who was now Yeriel.
"Well then, the next invasion of the World of the Living will be in one week. Everyone, go and take your rest."
I stepped out of the meeting room with a thin smile. I needed to receive the report on the other tasks Yeriel had handled. This specific operation was a secret known only to a tiny elite, as it would serve as the decisive factor in the final war.
"Good. You've completed everything I asked."
Leaving the meeting room, I headed toward my personal quarters, where I had instructed the results to be kept. With this, the scales of war would tilt even further in our favor. Once Orihime is fully integrated into our side, it will be the end for the Soul Reapers—and the moment the Hogyoku reaches its completion.
With this, we’ve taken another big step toward the conclusion. My personal belief is that Orihime would choose Tatsuki over Ichigo. I just feel like Orihime might value her best friend over a crush... anyway, next up will be the second invasion and the completion of the Hogyoku.
Regarding the protagonist's manner of speech, it’s not that it changes with my mood—I just happen to slip up occasionally while writing! Haha. To be honest, it’s a disaster born from failing to focus on a single personality. If the protagonist wasn't such a bizarre character to begin with, I'd have had to rewrite the whole thing.
Well, since the MC is a Hollow, he gets stronger the more he eats. He devoured a massive number of Hollows to become a Vasto Lorde, and then he ate Baraggan, Hilda, and those 29 Arrancar. Come to think of it, he's eaten quite a lot. He also gained power by consuming the 'scraps' of Arrancar who died during experiments. After all, to Hollows, a meal is just souls (spiritual power).
The reason the power of Death doesn't work on Retsu Unohana is because she’s the eldest next to the Captain Commander. In the past arcs, even Shunsui says Retsu is terrifying when angry. I figured that purely in terms of Reiatsu, she’d probably be the second highest based on her age.
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