The spatial marker Kensei had placed on Gorudo Roikodium acted like a beacon in the night, guiding him forward until the marker finally stopped moving.
It seemed the experimental subject had returned to its nest, reporting on its mission to the behind-the-scenes troublemaker Szayelaporro.
Sitting on Nelliel's back, Kensei signaled for her to pause momentarily. He turned to Aizen and Yoruichi beside him with a grin. "Let's just go directly. Give them a surprise."
Kensei placed his hand on Kūkon's hilt and focused his intent. The next moment, their surroundings instantly shifted.
A pungent odor filled their nostrils. Their field of vision transformed from Hueco Mundo's white sands into a space filled with massive cultivation tanks immersing all manner of bizarrely shaped creatures, along with related equipment. This was one of Szayelaporro's experimental sites in Hueco Mundo.
Kensei, Nelliel, Aizen, and Yoruichi silently materialized within the lab.
In the center of the laboratory, a figure stood with his back to them, occasionally letting out strange laughter before a screen still displaying footage. Szayelaporro Granz, his body covered in an outer layer resembling a white research coat, his pink hair tied back, was neither yet Arrancarized nor split into separate beings. He was still a genuine Vasto Lorde.
Beside him stood the recently returned Gorudo Roikodium, its eyes staring in confusion at the images on the screen, as if they didn't match its memories.
"Yo, watching some videos?"
Kensei greeted warmly, looking at Szayelaporro, whose back bore wings similar to Flandre Scarlet's.
Szayelaporro's body visibly stiffened, like a university student caught mid... activity when his roommate unexpectedly returned.
He didn't turn immediately. First, he glanced at the screen displaying injured and weakened images of Kensei and the others. The weakness depicted there formed an absurd contrast with the formidable spiritual pressure he sensed behind him.
Szayelaporro spun around rapidly. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, followed by realization.
So, it was a Shinigami's special ability—the power to create false images.
The corners of Szayelaporro's mouth couldn't help but curl upward. His gaze swept over the several people present like a scanning machine, finally fixing on Kensei. The almost deranged scientific interest in his eyes practically erupted, causing Kensei to instinctively take two steps back.
Damn. Pervert.
"Ahhh~ How exquisite!" Szayelaporro's voice was somewhat distorted from overexcitement. "This ability that defies convention, and the technology you possess that allows Hollows to further evolve..."
His hands tried to grasp Kensei through the air. "Let me have a good look. Your body's structure must be different from ordinary Shinigami, right? I so want to dissect you, to meticulously study every part of your composition."
Saliva practically dripped from Szayelaporro's mouth. His look at Kensei was like regarding a perfect experimental subject. "I wonder what kind of sounds you'll make during dissection, what reactions the reishi will produce, how beautiful the resulting data will be..."
"Dissect?"
Aizen's eyes narrowed as she repeated these two words. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an icy coldness.
Every word of Szayelaporro's ravings was like a needle, prodding nerves within Aizen that should not be touched.
Yoruichi and Nelliel instantly moved to shield Kensei, their killing intent almost solidifying. Golden lightning erupted from Yoruichi as she prepared to charge and beat this pink-haired pervert until even his mother wouldn't recognize him.
However, an arm suddenly blocked Yoruichi's path.
"This one," Aizen's gaze remained fixed on Szayelaporro, "I'll handle."
A cold smile graced her face as she looked at Szayelaporro's twisted expression, speaking slowly. "Since he's so fond of dissection, I'll grant his wish."
"Ha! You?!"
Szayelaporro seemed to finally notice Aizen, a flicker of disdain in his eyes.
He knew the situation wasn't ideal, but his mad scientist curiosity and confidence in his home turf led him to choose an aggressive response. Not only to avenge the humiliation of being toyed with, but also to take the opportunity to capture the premium experimental subject that was Kensei alive.
"Heh heh heh. Since you've walked right into the trap, you'll all become my experimental subjects." Szayelaporro's hand reached back, fingers rapidly tapping several keys on the control panel. "It's been a while since I've studied Shinigami. I hope your data will bring me some surprises."
In the spacious lab, several concealed hatches opened. Multiple figures lunged out with piercing roars, standing before Szayelaporro and glaring hostilely at Kensei and the others.
This group of modified Hollows varied in form—some with sharp claws and fangs, others with thick carapaces. Clearly, they were specially modified and specialized Hollows.
But that wasn't all. Several syringes filled with purple liquid had somehow appeared in Szayelaporro's hand. He casually flicked them forward, and the syringes firmly embedded into the six Hollows before him, automatically injecting their contents.
One more syringe, with an even more concentrated color, was plunged by Szayelaporro into the neck of the quietly waiting Gorudo Roikodium. He slowly depressed the plunger himself.
"Gyaaaaah!"
A piercing, agonized roar erupted from Gorudo Roikodium's throat. Its previously simple, vacant face instantly contorted, blood-red light exploding in its eyes. The Zanpakutō on its back, Ikomikidomoe, trembled wildly. Uncontrolled spiritual pressure surged forth, enveloping its body.
The six modified Hollows swelled up, their bodies growing larger, completely losing all reason, leaving only the most primitive desire for destruction.
"You can play with my toys first."
Satisfied with his creations, Szayelaporro laughed maniacally and stepped back.
"Nelliel, Yoruichi." Aizen slowly advanced, looking at Szayelaporro as if he were already a corpse. "Handle the others. Don't interfere with me."
"Tch."
Yoruichi clicked her tongue in annoyance. She'd hoped to really cut loose this time, but this pink-haired fool had to go and provoke Aizen of all people.
Golden light flashed beneath her feet. She instantly appeared before a charging modified Hollow and kicked it flying backwards.
Nelliel gripped her double-headed javelin tightly and hurled it with force. The javelin, carrying astonishing momentum, pierced through one Hollow's body and, its momentum undiminished, embedded itself in the ground.
"Sigh. Living off the ladies."
Kensei was happy to take it easy. He even backed up a few steps, finding a clean spot to sit and watch.
"Incubate, Perish, Ikomikidomoe!"
Gorudo Roikodium gripped the Zanpakutō on its back. The complete Ikomikidomoe appeared once more, though its size was slightly smaller than before, its spiritual pressure was more condensed.
A yellow eye opened on Ikomikidomoe's chest, releasing a powerful blast of spiritual energy that almost completely destroyed the instruments in the lab. If Szayelaporro hadn't built the place without cutting corners during construction, it would likely have collapsed by now.
Nelliel extended a hand, and the double-headed javelin she had thrown returned to her grip. Her gaze was solemn as she looked at the berserk Gorudo Roikodium and Ikomikidomoe.
On the other side, Aizen stopped at a certain distance from Szayelaporro. The Hōgyoku, kept in an inner pocket of her clothes, emitted an unprecedented radiance.
"First time meeting. I am Aizen." Aizen's tone was casual, as if catching up with an old friend. "Sōsuke Aizen."
"As you wished. Your dissection lesson... begins now."
***
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