Hasumi Ren had killed Hollows before, but they had never dropped fragments.
These were actually Hollow Spiritual Pressure fragments.
'Was it because I unlocked the Hollowfication ability that killing Hollows now drops fragments?'
While Ren was deep in thought, the several third-year students behind him finally snapped out of their shock as the reality of their narrow escape set in.
Sato stood there with his mouth agape, his gaze darting between Ren and the empty space where the Giant Hollow had vanished, trying to process what had just happened.
"The Hollow? Where did that massive Hollow go?"
Sato's voice was thick with disbelief.
As a third-year student with decent grades whose goal was to join the Gotei 13, he knew exactly what that Hollow represented.
It was a powerful enemy that would likely require several teammates, a meticulous plan, and a grueling battle to defeat even after he became an official Soul Reaper.
Yet, before this fifth-year senior, it had been as fragile as a block of tofu.
Sato stumbled, grabbing onto Yoshida beside him to stay upright. His face was as pale as paper, and cold sweat drenched his forehead.
He noticed Yoshida staring fixedly at Ren's back.
The fear that had lingered in his eyes was replaced by a near-fanatical look of admiration.
"Senior Hasumi... He's so strong..."
Yoshida's voice trembled slightly with excitement.
On the other side, Kobayashi was completely dazed, slumped on the ground.
She was the youngest, and the terror of the Hollow's assault had nearly shattered her psychological defenses.
Now, the exhaustion of survival and the incomprehensible reality before her had turned her mind into a total mess.
She sat paralyzed, her fingers unconsciously clawing at the roof tiles beneath her, her eyes glazed over.
Suddenly, she began to shiver violently, as if she had just been pulled from freezing water.
She looked at Ren, then at the spot where the Hollow had vanished. She suddenly covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably as tears began to pour down her face.
"We... we survived..."
In contrast, the fifth-year students, Harada and Nanao, were much more stable.
After the initial shock, Harada forced down the alarm in his heart and took a deep breath to steady his emotions.
He immediately began to fulfill his duties as a senior, comforting the juniors who still had lingering fears.
Nanao did the same, approaching Kobayashi and gently patting her shoulder to help her calm down.
However, the hearts of the two were not nearly as calm as they appeared on the surface.
Harada was also a fifth-year, and his overall grades in class were even slightly higher than Ren's.
He could not comprehend the power Ren had just displayed; this cognitive impact left him feeling lost.
Nanao felt a sense of estrangement from the person she had spent nearly every day with for over four years.
She suddenly recalled Ren's frequent disappearances recently and his supposed training with Shiba Kaien.
At that time, she had vaguely felt that Ren was becoming stronger.
But could he be this strong?
At this moment, Nanao felt a slight wavering in her heart.
'It seems... I don't really know the real Hasumi Ren.'
This thought surfaced quietly, causing her heart to skip a beat.
But in the next moment, Ren seemed to sense her gaze. He met her eyes and offered a slightly lazy smile.
Ren's usual sluggish demeanor overlapped with the powerful and composed figure before her.
Nanao could almost still feel the warmth of his hand on her head.
In an instant, the fear and confusion within her were swept away.
Warmth and security, mixed with an indescribable flutter, quietly spread through her heart.
Ren hadn't changed.
He was still himself.
He was the one who protected them.
Nanao took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill her lungs to help suppress the pounding in her chest.
Nanao forced herself to focus and regained her composure.
Now was not the time for idle thoughts; she had to complete the task at hand.
As for Ren...
Once they returned to the Seireitei, she would make sure he explained everything he had been hiding from her.
With that thought, Nanao immediately suppressed all extraneous emotions, her face regaining its usual calm.
Only her slightly pale cheeks betrayed the lingering turbulence in her heart.
She quickly pulled a Denreishinki from her robes and began to contact their instructor for the Konso internship, Hasegawa.
After reporting to Hasegawa, she put away the device and looked at Ren again.
Under the moonlight, his white hair seemed to shimmer with a faint glow.
Nanao's heart stirred slightly as that complex feeling returned.
Once Kobayashi was calmed down, she stood up silently and instinctively took a few steps closer to Ren.
It was as if, subconsciously, she was drawn to the source of her safety.
Not far from this area, in a shadow where the moonlight could not reach.
Hasegawa turned off his device and looked at the person beside him.
"Lord Aizen, that student is much stronger than expected. It seems my assistance was unnecessary."
Aizen Sosuke stood quietly to the side, his eyes behind his glasses watching everything from afar as if appreciating a carefully choreographed play.
The night wind ruffled his brown hair.
He hadn't expected Ren to provide more surprises than he had anticipated.
"My Lord, Captain Hirako has been very active in the shadows lately. I fear he will soon trace things back to me. Some matters can no longer be hidden."
Hasegawa's voice sounded again.
This time, Aizen's gaze finally landed on him.
"What do you plan to do, Shinjiro?"
Hasegawa looked at Aizen, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.
"Back when I was just a lowly soul in the Rukongai, you were the one who saved me from the oppression of the nobles."
"You promoted someone of my low birth all the way to this position."
"Under my arrangements, my brother secured a guard job within the Seireitei, and my sister found a good family. These were things we couldn't have even dreamed of before."
"I am content with my life. I can never truly repay your kindness."
Hasegawa knelt on one knee and lowered his head.
"You wanted to test the depths of this student. Since the Hollow failed, let me do it."
"Shinjiro Hasegawa, the Sixth Seat of the Fifth Division. Driven by resentment over noble exclusion, he conspired with Hueco Mundo to harm his colleagues, attacked Spiritual Arts Academy students in the Living World, and committed suicide in the Dangai while attempting to defect."
"All leads will end with me. Dead men tell no tales."
"Please act as discreetly as possible for a while, and do not rush the Hogyoku experiments. As for Captain Hirako... if I may be so bold, he should be eliminated as soon as possible."
Aizen looked down at the man before him and sighed softly.
"You have been a good assistant. It is a pity..."
Aizen looked up slightly at the deep night sky.
The stars sparkled; though bright, they were distant.
He turned and gently patted Hasegawa's shoulder.
"I will remember your sacrifice, Shinjiro."
Hearing this, Hasegawa bowed his head deeply.
"I only hope that you, My Lord, will eventually stand atop the throne of heaven."
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