Stark had practically moved in with Sonído the moment Harribel pointed out the location of the empty rooms, leaving behind only the words, "Finally, I can lie down," hanging in the air.
"Hey! Stark! Why do you have to be such a party pooper!"
Lilynette shouted at the closed door, her tone dissatisfied, wondering how she ended up with such a lazy half.
"Speaking of which." Kensei looked at the gradually increasing number of members, then glanced around the slightly shabby cave base. "I feel like this place doesn't really suit my status as the Crown Prince of Soul Society, the new Ruler of Hueco Mundo, and the Azure Star of the Three Realms."
"How did your titles increase again?"
Yoruichi, already used to Kensei giving himself all sorts of bizarre titles, patted him on the shoulder.
"I think we should move up the plan to eliminate Baraggan." Kensei spread his arms wide, making a gesture of embracing the sky. "Then, using Las Noches as a foundation, we can build a landmark structure belonging to the Arrancar. We can even have Urahara and Mayuri create an artificial sky."
"Ohh!" Lilynette's eyes sparkled, infected by the future Kensei described. She waved her arms. "When that happens, I want a super huge room, and the room number has to be number one!"
"Lady Lilynette," Kensei declared, arms crossed, making a solemn vow to the intellectually underdeveloped Lilynette, "if you help me take down Baraggan, this Emperor shall grant you whatever you desire." Seeming to bolster her confidence, he added, "With you Arrancar standing here, most of the Three Realms are already beneath our feet. The rest of Hueco Mundo can be taken with a snap of our fingers."
"Osu!" Lilynette, quite proud of Kensei's praise, puffed out her chest. "I'll help you convince Stark, so he doesn't slack off and not pull his weight again!"
Yoruichi pressed a hand to her forehead. "You two are really..."
Aizen didn't refute Kensei's statement. If Kensei wanted it, then she would simply help him obtain it.
Harribel quietly watched her three companions, who had also excitedly joined the discussion. A faint smile appeared on her face, hidden beneath her high-collared uniform.
Ulqui silently observed everything, committing everyone's emotional reactions to memory.
Late at night, the base was unusually quiet.
In his room, Kensei sat cross-legged on his bed, his Zanpakutō resting on his knees, going through his daily routine.
The moment his consciousness entered the Zanpakutō's inner world, the familiar sensation of spatial dislocation flashed by. Not far away, Kūkon was already waiting for Kensei's arrival.
"You're here?"
Kūkon's voice carried a cool, distant tone. Maintaining her aloof, mature woman demeanor, she stood there with her arms crossed.
"Uh... Should I leave then?"
Kensei looked at Kūkon, who was radiating an aura of 'do not disturb,' and slowed his approach.
Could sword spirits go through mood swings too?
"Recently, your spiritual pressure has increased quite a bit." Kūkon looked Kensei up and down. "It seems your recent battles have accelerated your growth."
"Really?"
Kensei stroked his chin, recalling his fights with Baraggan and that test subject. Maybe she was right.
"Speaking of which, Miss Kū." Kensei suddenly remembered their previous conversation. "I'm about to unify Hueco Mundo, so why haven't I encountered the opportunity to master Hollowfication? You weren't lying to me, were you?"
Kūkon looked at Kensei in silence. After a long moment, she sighed. "I didn't want to show you this so soon, but... forget it."
"Huh?"
Before Kensei could react, Kūkon lightly brushed a hand across her face. Cold-white, bone-like substance materialized from thin air, instantly forming a mask that covered her entire face.
The Hollow mask had sharp contours, fitting the lines of Kūkon's face. Several deep, blue-colored, flowing light patterns adorned the mask, resembling from a distance the veins of a starry sky.
"Wait!" Kensei stared closely at the cool, handsome style of the mask on Kūkon's face, incredibly envious. "Since you can perform Hollowfication, why can't I yet?"
"Partly because you haven't reached the point where you need it yet," Kūkon said calmly, her voice taking on the metallic resonance characteristic of the Hollowfied state. "And partly because I haven't completely mastered it myself."
As Kūkon finished speaking, the mask on her face shattered, dissipating into tiny fragments.
Kensei nodded. So that's why he still couldn't Hollowfy—it was all because Miss Kū couldn't keep up with his talent! She was holding him back!
Then, as if remembering something, a look of regret appeared on Kensei's face. "Ah... I was hoping a beautiful girl who controls Hollow powers might appear separately. But it's still just you, Miss Kū."
The surrounding space froze.
Kūkon narrowed her eyes at Kensei, the chill emanating from her nearly becoming solid.
"Heh." Kūkon laughed in angry disbelief. "You'd better go back outside and keep dreaming."
Without another word, Kūkon vanished from before Kensei's eyes, going somewhere to sulk. No matter how much Kensei called out, she didn't respond.
Left with no choice, Kensei could only terminate the connection and lie on his bed, staring at the ceiling. "Such a bad temper..."
In the quiet room, the faint sound of the door opening was heard. The nocturnal visitor was certainly being careful, avoiding making too much noise that might disturb others.
Nel cautiously poked half her body through the doorway. At night, she wore a simple white nightgown that Yoruichi had given her. The fabric was thin, and Kensei could see the full,傲人 curves of her body hidden beneath the clothes.
It wasn't Yoruichi or Sōsuke?!
Nel's face still held that simple expression, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Kensei.
Kensei's expression was peculiar, but he took the initiative to ask, "Nel, is something wrong?"
"I'm a little... can't sleep." Nel closed the door and walked over to Kensei's bed, sitting down nervously. "After becoming an Arrancar, I feel like I want to be closer to you, Ken. And I can sense your scent more clearly."
Have I become a succubus?
Kensei's mouth opened slightly. But Harribel and the others hadn't shown this reaction.
Maybe Sōsuke added something extra to Nel's transformation? It must be that. The problem definitely wasn't him.
You're truly heinous, Sōsuke!
"Nel, do you have any other specific symptoms?" Kensei's expression grew serious. This issue couldn't be ignored. What if it led to unforeseen consequences later?
"Hmm... Does wanting to sleep with you count?" Nel blinked, tilting her head inquiringly.
"Huh?"
Kensei was stunned. Was that a symptom? If so, how was it treated?
Before Kensei could respond, Nel naturally leaned sideways, her body resting against his shoulder. After adjusting her position, she was almost half-leaning in his arms. Then she closed her eyes and simply fell asleep just like that.
"..."
Kensei's body stiffly maintained the position, feeling the heavy weight and body warmth pressing against his chest. A question mark slowly formed above his head.
Seriously? That's it?
And you use this to test a cadre?
Kensei looked down at Nel's peaceful sleeping face, somewhat amused and exasperated. But there was no way he could wake the already sleeping Nel.
Left with no choice, he could only try to adjust his position and then close his eyes and sleep, hoping to get through the night.
But soon, Kensei realized this idea was impractical.
Nel was a bit restless in her sleep. She unconsciously shifted, allowing Kensei to feel the proud curves and wonderful touch clearly.
It seemed Kensei would be unable to sleep tonight.
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!