CHAPTER 60: Awaken

Apacci threw her head back and let out a blood-curdling roar. It wasn't a roar of triumph but one of frustration and rage.

Sung-Sun watched her companion with a soft sigh. Even though Baraggan's problem had been solved, the flame of Apacci's struggle for inner peace still burned brightly. She ate both corpses and even gained a definite boost in strength, yet there was no Vasto Lorde evolution.

"Just why isn't it happening?" Apacci whispered, staring blankly into the void. "I'm getting stronger but why won't I become a Vasto Lorde?"

Sung-Sun folded back her exaggeratedly long sleeve and extended her hand to pat Apacci's head. "We, Hollows, live for a long time. There is no rush. Our biggest enemy has been sent to the afterlife by our dear Kazuya."

Apacci blinked in surprise at Sung-Sun's unexpected display of kindness. "I'm not doing it for strength."

A playful arch of Sung-Sun's eyebrow hinted at her curious amusement. "What else could be your reason?"

Apacci groaned Sung-Sun's intentionally feigned ignorance. "You wouldn't understand."

"Then make me understand."

"It's for…" Apacci's eyes shifted, landing on Kazuya. His comforting smile greeted her. "Him."

"Ara, Apacci can be honest too. Who could have imagined that?"

Sung-Sun could never put a break to her teasing. Apacci had no choice but to admit that Sung-Sun was a perfect pair with someone like Kazuya.

"You are such a bitch," Apacci grumbled, her earlier despair replaced by a renewed resolve after talking to Sung-Sun. "I need your help… Sung-Sun."

"Kukuku. Speak up."

"I think Kazuya will leave for the Living World with everyone. Can you stay in Hueco Mundo with me?"

She needed some company to keep hunting down more Hollow — the Forest of Menos being the perfect place to fulfill her objective.

Sung-Sun's curiosity piqued, yet her playful smile didn't falter. "Ara, have you become addicted to my teasing? Is this a sign of your budding masochism?"

"No! I want to start with the Menos here…"

Sung-Sun narrowed her eyes, suddenly looking serious. "I'm not sure if Harribel-sama will agree with this."

"That's why I'm asking you…" Apacci's voice dropped to a near whisper, her gaze lowered in a rare show of vulnerability. "I'll be leaving convincing Harribel to you."

Sung-Sun couldn't turn away from Apacci's sincere request. "You're such a handful, jeez. I'll find some excuse. Until then, just go along with everyone."

"Okay."

…

From a distance, Kazuya observed as Sung-Sun signaled him with a wave of her long, billowing sleeve. A radiant smile danced on her lips, reflecting the ease with which she fulfilled her given task — taking care of Apacci and addressing any issues that arose after consuming the two Hollows. He had long anticipated Apacci's failure. Her insatiable desire and unbridled hunger for power was in stark contrast to the harmony needed between instinct and awareness to become a Vasto Lorde.

'She won't calm down without a proper lesson.'

He shelved thoughts of Apacci for the time being, focusing instead on Harribel's wounds. Despite their superficial nature, the sight of her drenched in blood sent chills dancing down his spine. The egg she held was tainted, its surface smeared with her life essence.

"Harribel, we'll leave with Yoruichi after you heal your wounds."

"Why?"

From Harribel's perspective, there was no need to risk their lives in the Living World now that Baraggan had been vanquished. They could comfortably reside in Hueco Mundo for as long as they wished.

"Harribel, do you trust me?"

"I do, but—"

"No buts. Just come with me."

Harribel couldn't reject him when he used such a cheap but effective tactic against her. Nodding her head, she used her Reiatsu to dispel the blood covering her. She then turned her attention to the blood-soaked egg, her expression twisting into a frown.

Her Resurrección ability was all about creation and manipulation of water. She had yet to discover anything about her innate ability in her Vasto Lorde form, only because of lack of water in Hueco Mundo.

It was one of the reasons he wanted to take her to the Living World.

'She might learn her ability—'

His thought abruptly halted, eyes widening as the blood began to detach from the egg's surface as if manipulated by an invisible force. Harribel looked away from the egg, and the blood intriguingly followed her gaze.

—Harribel awakened her innate ability when she couldn't bear to see the egg in a filthy state. She had the power to create and manipulate water out of nothing. For now she seemed to only have the power of water manipulation.

"Should I say, 'As expected of Mommy Harribel?'"

Mila Rose snickered at his comment. "The feelings—" The dark-skinned Arrancar paused as Harribel placed her sword arm around her neck. "H-Harribel-sama?"

"Do not bring up our private conversations." Harribel gently pushed Mila Rose and gave a soft-eyed glance to Kazuya. "Shall we go now?"

"What was—"

"Shall we go now?" Harribel repeated her question, her eyes closing as she tilted her head slightly. "Kazuya, shall we go now?"

An icy aura emanated from Harribel, filling the air with an unmistakable chill. It was as if she projected an unspoken warning: 'Argue with me now and you'll regret it.'

Mila Rose shivered tugged at Kazuya's shirt. "Just say yes, dammit! Do you want all of us to die?!"

Ignoring the urgency, he stood his ground. "Harribel, I'm not letting this slide. We will talk about this later, alone."

His stern tone left Harribel with wide eyes. She couldn't threaten her way out of the situation when Kazuya was involved. Now she had no choice but to engage in an embarrassment-filled conversation about her 'instincts' and the way she treated him.

"Okay…" Her voice was subdued, a clear indication of her discomfort.

Kazuya smiled comfortingly. "I'll be gentle, Harribel."

Finished with Harribel, he looked at the figures disappearing into the distance. Yoruichi was clearly having a blast being chased by Cirucci, who displayed an admirable level of tenacity, much like their battle a few days ago.

'Is she into cats?'

A sudden, spine-chilling glare jerked him out of his thoughts. Swiveling around, he found himself staring at a figure sporting a Hollow Mask. Despite the intimidating disguise, the figure's Reiatsu was unmistakably that of a Shinigami.

'A Shinigami impersonating as a Hollow? Wait, I think I remember him from the filler arc.'

He didn't remember the Shinigami's name but he vaguely recalled the backstory behind this Shinigami roleplaying as a Hollow. The Shinigami had followed some Hollows inside a Garganta and ended up in the Forest of Menos. Rather than returning home, the Shinigami decided to stay and kill as many Hollows as possible.

'Are you stupid enough to attack two Vasto Lorde?'

Sure enough, the Shinigami tactically retreated after a few cautious glances. Kazuya sighed in relief. The last thing he wanted was to kill a Shinigami in Yoruichi's presence.

***

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