However, neither Starrk nor Ulquiorra found Natsuro's newfound strength surprising.
Even during their last meeting, he had seemed close to a breakthrough.
"Starrk, Ulquiorra, the reason I came to Hueco Mundo this time is because I'm on the verge of breaking through, and I've chosen to seclude myself here to do it," Natsuro said, revealing his purpose.
He didn't realize how shocking those words were to everyone else.
Natsuro was already monstrously strong, and now he was about to break through again, even going into seclusion for it? How powerful would he be when he emerged?
Harribel stood off to the side, still shaken. That single glance of his earlier had already filled her with pressure...
Just how powerful was this Soul Reaper?
"During my seclusion," Natsuro continued, "you should keep following your original plan, recruiting new comrades. Don't change your principles. I still believe in quality over quantity."
"Understood," Starrk nodded.
"By the way," Natsuro asked, "does this organization have a name yet?"
After all, any group that hoped to spread its reputation needed a fixed name. It wouldn't do to be known only as "that organization."
For instance, Hueco Mundo's king had Las Noches as the name of his domain and his faction. Say "Las Noches," and every Hollow immediately thought of him. But this group didn't have anything like that yet.
Starrk and Ulquiorra exchanged glances, then both shook their heads.
The group hadn't even been planned in the first place, so naming it had never crossed their minds.
"Then how about I give it a name?" Natsuro asked with a small smile. "You two are the founders, so I should at least get your permission."
"Doesn't matter to me," Starrk said casually.
"You're the leader anyway," Ulquiorra added without hesitation. "You can name it whatever you wish."
Natsuro blinked, then looked at Ulquiorra for a moment before sighing softly.
Starrk also looked mildly surprised at Ulquiorra's words but didn't object.
As for Harribel, she didn't feel qualified to comment on the organization's internal decisions, nor did she have any intention to.
For one, Natsuro's power was overwhelming; for another, he hadn't harmed her companions even after their earlier disrespect. Compared to the petty and vengeful Barragan, he was leagues above.
Barragan had harassed her endlessly just because she refused his offer, that alone said everything.
"Then, I'll accept the position," Natsuro said finally. With those words, he had effectively become the leader of the organization.
"Of course," Ulquiorra replied, nodding slightly. "You're the strongest. Naturally, you lead."
Natsuro looked at Ulquiorra for a moment. The Arrancar's green eyes were calm and emotionless, as though his statement were an obvious truth. He sighed softly.
Now that he was the leader, Ulquiorra was technically his subordinate.
Ordinarily, someone with Ulquiorra's temperament would make a perfect "tool", utterly logical and efficient.
But this organization, though born accidentally, clearly had a guiding purpose: to unite like-minded souls.
If Natsuro were to treat Ulquiorra merely as a tool, he would be the first to betray that purpose.
Even if he hadn't founded the group, he agreed with its ideals.
Ulquiorra tilted his head slightly, confused by Natsuro's gaze.
"Ulquiorra," Natsuro said suddenly, "do you know what a heart is?"
Ulquiorra froze, then frowned in thought. Finally, he shook his head.
"Then what about emotions... joy, sorrow, frustration, anger? Have you ever felt them? Do you understand why they arise?" Natsuro pressed.
Ulquiorra's eyes grew distant, uncertain.
Seeing that confusion, he understood everything and continued gently.
"Ulquiorra, you are logical and composed, but incomplete. I believe you've been searching for these things all along, haven't you?"
The more void a soul is, the more it yearns to understand…
Natsuro then turned to Starrk. He was the same, the lonelier one is, the more one longs for companionship.
Ulquiorra was silent, lost in thought.
"Ulquiorra," Natsuro went on, "after I enter seclusion, continue working to control your power. Then go to the Human World, to Karakura Town, and find a merchant named Kisuke Urahara. Tell him I sent you."
"Have him prepare a standard gigai for you, and live in the Human World for a while without using any of your powers."
After some thought, Natsuro had decided to give Ulquiorra a mission.
"Will I find a heart that way?" Ulquiorra asked quietly, still uncertain.
"Not find, understand," Natsuro corrected, pointing to Ulquiorra's chest. "It's already here. Even Hollows are living beings. And all living beings have a heart of their own."
Ulquiorra fell silent, placing a hand over his chest before nodding slightly.
He would go to the Human World.
Natsuro watched him for a moment. The Human World was a vast and colorful place; throwing someone as blank as Ulquiorra into it might not be wise.
Perhaps once he learned emotion, he would no longer be an ideal "tool." Perhaps he'd even "go astray."
But that didn't matter.
With his power, did he really need Ulquiorra's strength?
He then turned to Starrk. The man seemed to expect some kind of assignment too, but Natsuro said nothing.
"Uh… Natsuro, do I not have a task?" Starrk finally asked.
Natsuro looked at him intently, long enough to make Starrk uncomfortable. Then he asked, "Do you still feel lonely?"
Starrk froze, then smiled faintly and shook his head.
"Lilynette and I have merged again," he said softly.
Natsuro blinked, then smiled as well. "Congratulations."
Lilynette had only existed to keep Starrk from being lonely. Now that he no longer felt that way, she had no reason to remain separate.
That meant Starrk's soul had healed, and with that, his power would soon return to its original peak, perhaps even surpass it.
"It's thanks to you," Starrk said with a smile. "If I hadn't met you, I might never have met Ulquiorra either…"
"No," Natsuro replied, "you would have, eventually. As long as you didn't give up."
"Maybe," Starrk said, still smiling, but inwardly, he was grateful.
Natsuro might think he hadn't done much, but Starrk knew exactly where his change had begun.
"In that case," Natsuro continued, "I'll give you a task as well. Once your soul fully recovers, your power will grow rapidly. During that time, focus entirely on refining your strength."
"Alright," Starrk agreed. Even the ever-lazy Starrk now had a purpose, perhaps it would help him overcome that laziness.
Natsuro nodded, then turned toward Harribel and her three less-than-brilliant subordinates. After a moment's thought, he said,
"Harribel, since I'm now the leader of this organization, I have some thoughts about your path going forward."
Harribel blinked, surprised. She hadn't expected to be included, after all, she wasn't close to them yet.
"Please, go ahead," she said respectfully.
She had listened closely to what he said to Starrk and Ulquiorra.
She genuinely liked the kind of person he was, someone who truly cared about their future, not a leader who merely pretended to.
With someone like that leading, she saw no reason to ever leave.
"During my seclusion, you should consult Starrk and Ulquiorra about the process of becoming an Arrancar," Natsuro said. "It'll benefit you."
Harribel nodded in understanding. She had already been considering it herself since both Starrk and Ulquiorra had no masks and were far stronger than she was.
She had heard that Arrancar evolution greatly expanded one's potential, and though she'd wanted to ask about it before, she hadn't dared to bring it up.
And now that he had spoken, Harribel no longer needed to feel embarrassed about it as it was an order from the leader, wasn't it?
Natsuro nodded. In truth, the process for a Hollow to become an Arrancar was actually simpler than a Soul Reaper undergoing Hollowfication.
The difficulty of the transformation itself might be similar, but the real difference lay in the aftermath: when a Soul Reaper became a Hollow, they had to endure the madness that came with it. The hatred, the rage, and an overwhelming desire for destruction.
That was why a Soul Reaper could so easily lose themselves during Hollowfication and fall completely.
But for a Hollow becoming more like a Soul Reaper that danger didn't exist because they had already been through that fall.
Once they had evolved into Vasto Lorde–class Hollows and regained self-awareness, they had already overcome the madness.
The process of becoming an Arrancar was not easy either but whether they succeeded or failed, it would not destroy their minds.
Natsuro turned his gaze to Harribel. Though her appearance was mostly humanoid, he could still see the many shark-like traits she possessed.
That explained it, every source of water in this oasis originated from her. Hueco Mundo had no natural water sources, after all.
It was clear that her abilities were connected to water.
Then Natsuro looked at the three not-so-bright Hollows behind her and said, "As for your three companions…"
At those words, Harribel immediately tensed. She feared he might forbid them from joining.
If that happened, she would have no choice but to leave the organization herself and continue surviving in Hueco Mundo with them.
There was no way she would abandon them.
"In theory," Natsuro said, "...the three of them aren't incapable of joining the organization."
Harribel froze, then looked up at him, eyes shining with hope.
Natsuro continued calmly, "From the conversation I had with Starrk and Ulquiorra earlier, you should have realized, strength isn't the main requirement for joining us."
He gave an example: "For instance, we once defeated the so-called King of Hueco Mundo. His power was by no means weak. But all of us agreed, he was unworthy of joining us."
"Yes," Harribel said firmly, nodding in agreement.
Natsuro gave her a glance, he could tell she had some personal grudge against Barragan, but didn't dwell on it and went on.
"However, as they are now, those three can't be part of us. You understand that, don't you?"
Harribel was silent for a moment, then nodded resolutely. "I understand. I'll help them become worthy of joining us."
Her three companions were unintelligent, driven entirely by primal Hollow instincts... hunger and aggression. Such beings didn't fit with the ideals of this organization.
But through his words, Harribel realized something. If she could guide the three she'd fought alongside for so long... teach them to change, to think, then no matter their strength they would be accepted as members.
And without even noticing it herself, Harribel had already come to see herself as a true member of the organization.
"Good," Natsuro nodded approvingly.
Then, glancing at the dim sky, his mind wandered to the world of the Soul Reapers.
He thought of the three realms built upon that corrupt noble foundation... the supposed "balance" that, in truth, left the Soul Society standing far above the others.
And then there was Hell… something Natsuro still couldn't quite understand.
The world's order felt unstable to him. Sooner or later, something would go wrong.
"Then," Natsuro said softly, "the name of this organization shall be… Akatsuki."
"Akatsuki…"
They each murmured the word to themselves, and in the end, all nodded in agreement.
That day, the Akatsuki Organization was officially named.
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