Chapter 83
"Oh my, what a terrifying ability~ No wonder Mr. Arturo is so powerful, even daring to challenge the entire Soul Society alone… Indeed, for you, the presence of companions would only steal your prey, greatly reducing your gains."
Ichimaru Gin reined in his smile and sighed.
"It seems I shouldn't have let you out. Now even I am in danger."
"I am not a bloodthirsty being."
Arturo snorted, seemingly quite displeased.
"Otherwise, there would be no need to come to Soul Society. Killing and devouring spiritual power in Hueco Mundo is far more convenient than coming to Soul Society."
"I crave worthy opponents, like Yamamoto Genryusai, and like this Soul Society beneath my feet!"
"These are the enemies the King of Hueco Mundo, the strongest ruler of a world, should conquer and kill!"
"As for spiritual power, that's just a trophy, like cutting off the head of a powerful prey to preserve it."
"Then I'm relieved~ If I had to fight Mr. Arturo, I would just turn and run, then pray with all my heart that you wouldn't chase me."
"A person like you, who only runs, isn't worthy of being my opponent."
Regarding Ichimaru Gin's relief, Arturo snorted, then carefully examined the Hōgyoku before him, muttering to himself:
"I can indeed feel a powerful energy fluctuation."
"I didn't lie to you, did I?… But unfortunately, I also don't know how to use this thing. Mr. Arturo will have to figure it out himself."
Ichimaru Gin spread his hands, helplessly.
"A minor issue."
Arturo's lips curved slightly.
"Although I don't quite understand its nature and composition, I am certain that the power it emits is harmless to me. Knowing that much is enough."
"If it can make a Shinigami Hollowfy, it can naturally also allow a Hollow to break through its limits, allowing me to surpass my past self."
"How to fully absorb the power within it will require some time and careful study, but merely utilizing the spiritual pressure it emits and making it my own is not difficult for me."
With that, he tore open his chest with one hand.
Ignoring the gushing blood and the sharp pain of the wound, he pulled out a silver needle-like spike from within.
Thanks to his ultra-fast regeneration, the wound healed in an instant.
The spike in Arturo's hand transformed into a magnificent treasure mirror.
Seeing this mirror, Ichimaru Gin's normally narrowed eyes opened slightly, his blue-green pupils filled with an unprecedented seriousness.
"Tsk… After absorbing so much of my spiritual power, and being buried in my body for two thousand years, it can only barely pull it?… As expected of a divine artifact passed down through generations. Even that woman had to sacrifice her life to awaken it."
It was clear that Arturo's method was to use the mirror he took from his body.
Although he infused a large amount of spiritual power, attempting to resonate with it, it didn't cause the slightest ripple. The mirror was like a hero who had completed its mission, falling into a deep slumber. Only by using blood as a catalyst, like a Gran Rey Cero, and fully activating it, did the mirror slightly "move."
It released a wave of invisible attractive force, drawing out the spiritual pressure that was emanating from the Hōgyoku in Arturo's other hand.
At this moment, this "fragmented" power had already separated from the Hōgyoku itself.
Arturo then used this point to absorb the unowned Hōgyoku spiritual power into his body.
Just as Retsu Unohana had concluded when she saw him destroy the Tenkei Kūro.
Arturo himself possessed the special ability to absorb spiritual power.
Therefore, after his self-initiated Arrancar transformation, this ability evolved into "killing enemies and plundering all their spiritual power."
Although this level could only be achieved by releasing his core and returning to his original form.
But if it was just simply absorbing unowned spiritual power.
He could do it now.
"It's back… The spiritual power absorbed by the Shisuikyō is back! Just a little bit that escaped has such power… How was this Hōgyoku made? What exactly is this thing?"
The spiritual pressure emanating from Arturo gradually climbed, no longer describable as mercury filling the air. Even Lieutenants like Iba and Shūhei found it difficult to breathe, feeling their lives were in danger at any moment.
Rukia and Hachihara had even fainted.
But even in unconsciousness, their bodies trembled, as if they would disintegrate and collapse at any second.
Arturo himself was shocked by this significant change.
"Yamamoto Genryusai… Your and Soul Society's doomsday has arrived."
He interrupted the absorption with his powerful willpower.
His current power was already enough.
Comparable to his peak period.
And while the formidable enemy who once defeated him was far stronger than in the past, it was an undeniable fact that continuous battles had led to a decline in his condition.
Defeating him now would both wash away the humiliation of the past and eliminate the greatest obstacle to destroying Soul Society.
As long as the strongest Shinigami died.
No one would be able to stop him.
But before confronting him, he first needed to retrieve his sword.
Arturo placed the Hōgyoku and the Shisuikyō into a white box made of spirit particles, then cut open his chest and inserted the box inside.
This way, he would never lose these two treasures that could make him the sole king of the three realms.
Arturo's face showed a triumphant smile, and at the same time, he raised one hand and shouted:
"Come back, my core… Immortal King!"
Boom!
The no-longer-concealed spiritual pressure transformed into a pillar of light, piercing through the clouds, instantly alarming the entire Seireitei.
But more striking than this was the sudden violent reaction from the dormant «Haigyokuō» on Sōkyoku Hill. It spontaneously released itself without the cooperation of the Kido Corps.
It transformed into a giant firebird and flew directly towards Arturo.
"What's going on? Sōkyoku actually broke free from its seal, and whose spiritual pressure is that… A Hollow? But it doesn't seem like it at all."
On Sōkyoku Hill, Renji stared in astonishment as the firebird flew away.
If the loss of control of Sōkyoku could be attributed to an accident, then how should this powerful spiritual pressure, which surpassed that of a Captain, be explained?
"That guy… did he actually escape…!?"
A low voice from nearby startled Renji, and he realized he was still in battle and had just been knocked down by his opponent's Bankai, and was about to fight back desperately.
But when he turned his head, he found that the First Division Lieutenant, Chōjirō Sasakibe, who had knocked him down, paid him no mind, gazing intently in the direction the firebird had flown with a grave expression.
"That guy… who are you referring to? Who escaped?!"
Renji also realized the situation had changed and quickly asked.
"Arturo Platedo, a monster evolved from an Advanced Menos Grande, a Vasto Lorde."
Chōjirō Sasakibe did not beat around the bush.
"Two thousand years ago, he attacked Soul Society alone, and even Old Man Yamamoto was once no match for him. But due to his overconfidence, he was ambushed by a noblewoman of that time, wielding the ancestral divine artifact «Shisuikyō», which could absorb spiritual power. He was ultimately sealed by Old Man Yamamoto on Sōkyoku Hill."
"But this is only recorded in ancient texts. In reality, what was sealed here was his body's core. His true body was imprisoned in the Great Underground Prison, «Mugen»."
"Who exactly, who… "
Before he could finish, the bell, which had only rung the previous day when Yoruichi and the others forcibly broke through the Shakonmaku, echoed throughout Seireitei once again.
[Emergency Alert! Emergency Alert!]
[A high-risk prisoner has escaped. Initially identified as an Advanced Menos Grande. This prisoner is extremely dangerous and has gained control of Sōkyoku. All divisions are ordered to cease current missions and immediately take positions to apprehend the fugitive!]
[Repeating once more…]
"How grating."
Arturo looked at the firebird flying towards him, a satisfied smile on his face.
"As a scream of fear, it's quite novel, just too foolish."
"They only want to arrest me… Does that mean they want to capture me alive? How naive. Who came up with this? Such a clown must be saved for last."
"Because I'm very curious what astonishing words he'll utter when facing death."
"Astonishing words?"
Suddenly, someone exclaimed.
Drawing Arturo and Ichimaru Gin's attention.
The surface of the lake rose, transforming into a living person.
"A Hollow imprisoned for two thousand years shouldn't mind being caged and studied again… I issued the order to apprehend him alive based on this judgment."
"Is there something wrong, Mr. Arturo 'Clown' Platedo, who lost due to arrogant overconfidence?"
Mayuri Kurotsuchi tilted his head, feigning confusion as he asked.
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