111 [Spiritual Cases Arc] Part 111: Behave
The gravity of the situation sank in as Orihime and Uryū exchanged worried glances, their hearts heavy with concern for their friend. The subtle change in Yato's demeanor did not go unnoticed, and they braced themselves for the unknown challenges that lay ahead.
Orihime: "Y-Yasakani-kun..." - She stammered, her voice trembling with uncertainty. - "What's... happening to you?"
Uryū's mind raced with possibilities, his analytical nature striving to make sense of the inexplicable events unfolding before him.
Uryū: "Could this be... the Hollow's reishi somehow infect him?" - He speculated, his tone laced with apprehension.
Ririn and Kurōdo remained silent, their expressions mirroring the palpable tension that hung in the air.
Yato's eyes narrowed slightly, his consciousness wrestling against the intrusive presence within. Orihime, sensing the internal struggle, hesitated but soon found herself compelled to act.
Orihime: "Y-Yasakani-kun, I'll heal you!" - She summoned her Shun Shun Rikka, the five fairies appearing with their characteristic glow. - "Sōten Kisshun!"
A radiant, oval-shaped shield enveloped Yato, shimmering with restorative energy. However, to Orihime's dismay, the healing effect seemed to dissipate upon contact with Yato's body.
Orihime: 'It's not working... Why isn't it working?!' - She thought in frustration, her brow furrowed in deep concern.
Uryū, watching the scene unfold, clenched his fists in frustration, his analytical mind working overtime to understand the nature of the spiritual anomaly.
Uryū: "The Hollow's presence is interfering with Inoue-san's healing ability? We need to find a way to expel it from Yasakani." - He spoke with a sense of urgency.
Ririn and Kurōdo, recognizing the severity of the situation, exchanged glances filled with concern. In a hushed discussion, they quickly brainstormed a potential solution.
Ririn: "Hey, Kurōdo, what if we contact Urahara-san? He might know how to deal with this!"
As Yato leaned against the wall and sank to the ground, a wave of dizziness washed over him, his senses reeling from the internal turmoil raging within. Orihime's frustration mounted as her attempts to heal him proved futile, the shield of Sōten Kisshun flickering weakly before dissipating altogether.
Orihime: "I-I don't understand... Why won't it work?!" - She exclaimed in frustration, her hands trembling with a mix of anxiety and helplessness.
Uryū pick up his cellphone and with practiced ease, he dialed Urahara's number, his thumb hovering over the call button as he waited for the connection to be established. The device emitted a soft electronic tone, connecting them to the enigmatic owner of Urahara Shop.
Urahara: [Hello, hello~! This is Urahara! What can I do for you~?]
Uryū: "Urahara-san, we have an emergency! Yasakani encountered a Hollow, and it seems to have infected him somehow. Orihime's healing abilities aren't working, and we don't know what to do."
Urahara's voice remained calm and composed, betraying none of the urgency conveyed by the Quincy's words.
Urahara: [I see. That is indeed concerning. Stay where you are. I'll send assistance right away.]
Meanwhile,
The group comprising Ichigo, Rukia, Tatsuki, Chad, and Nemu raced through the city streets, desperation etched on their faces as they tirelessly sought a way to locate Soi Fon.
Though Tatsuki possessed the speed to match the captain, she made a conscious choice to stay with the group. A glance at Ichigo's weary expression, drained from the exertion of his reiatsu, and Nemu's injured form, weighed heavily on her decision.
As they pressed onward, the group encountered a slew of Hollows, drawn by the powerful reiatsu pulsating from Baishin.
With each encounter, the group swiftly dispatched the Hollows, their movements synchronized with practiced efficiency.
After several minutes of relentless combat, a momentary lull in the Hollow attacks provided the group with a brief respite. They exchanged weary glances, silently acknowledging the toll the battle had taken on them.
Ichigo: "We need to keep moving."
Just as they were about to resume their search, a sudden gust of wind heralded the arrival of an unexpected visitor. With a flash of movement, a figure materialized before them, her form graceful yet exuding an air of authority.
Yoruichi: "I'm afraid you won't be able to continue your search just yet." - Her voice, smooth and commanding.
Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of his former mentor, his mind racing to comprehend her sudden appearance.
Ichigo: "Yoruichi-san?! What are you doing here?"
Yoruichi's expression softened slightly, a hint of concern flickering in her golden eyes as she regarded the group before her.
Yoruichi: "There's something you need to know about Yasakani." - She paused, her gaze lingering on the group's troubled visage.
Rukia: "What in the world happened?" - Her voice trembled with concern.
Nemu: "Is Yasakani-sama alright?" - Her tone laced with worry mirrored the anxiety etched on her features.
Yoruichi: "He was attacked by a Hollow... and it seems the Hollow... merged with him."
The news hit the group like a sledgehammer, leaving them stunned and speechless. Rukia's mind raced, memories of her late mentor, Kaien Shiba, flooding her thoughts. Tremors shook her hands as she grappled with the horrifying possibility of history repeating itself.
Tatsuki: "Merged...?!" - Her incredulous tone echoed the disbelief written across her face.
Ichigo: "What the hell do you mean, Yoruichi-san?!" - His voice, edged with urgency, demanded clarification amidst the confusion.
Yoruichi: "I don't know all the exact details. Head to Kisuke's place; he'll give you a clearer picture of what's going on. Leave Baishin to me."
Hours passed in anxious anticipation as the group gathered at Urahara's humble abode, their worried gazes fixated on the unconscious form of Yato Yasakani lying on a makeshift bed.
Urahara, with his trademark hat perched atop his head, moved around Yato's prone form, his expression grave as he examined the young man's condition. After a thorough assessment, he straightened up, his brows knit together in deep concentration.
Urahara: "It appears that Yasakani-san is undergoing a process Hollowfication." - His words hung heavy in the air, drawing startled gasps from those gathered around.
Rukia's hands clenched into fists at her sides, her jaw set in a firm line as she struggled to contain the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.
Rukia: "No... Not again..." - Her voice trembled with a mixture of anger and despair, her thoughts flashing back to the tragic fate of her former mentor, Kaien Shiba.
Uryū: "Urahara-san, what can we do to stop the Hollowfication process and save Yasakani?"
Urahara's expression turned solemn as he regarded the group with a sense of gravity, his eyes flickering with a mixture of empathy and concern.
Urahara: "Given the current state of Yasakani-san's condition, there is little that any of us can do." - His words fell heavily, casting a pall of despair over the room.
Ichigo: "Damn it!" - His voice reverberated with frustration, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as he struggled to contain his anger.
Orihime had buried her face in her hands, her shoulders slumped in defeat as she grappled with the overwhelming sense of inadequacy, unable to offer any meaningful assistance to Yato.
Chad and Tatsuki stood in solemn silence, their expressions grave and contemplative. Tatsuki's jaw was set in a firm line, her frustration evident in the way she clenched her fists at her sides, while Chad's stoic demeanor betrayed the weight of concern etched in his eyes.
Uryū: 'If only I had my powers...' - He thought, his gaze averted from Yato, his expression clouded with a mix of regret and helplessness.
Nemu, usually composed and stoic, visibly faltered at Urahara's proclamation. Her hands trembled ever so slightly as she struggled to maintain her composure, her voice wavering with suppressed emotion.
Nemu: "But... What will happen to Yasakani-sama?" - Her voice, though soft, held a note of desperation.
Urahara: "Hollowfication is the process by which the strength limit of a soul is increased by removing the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow. Normally... when this happens, the Hollow merges with the person's soul, causing them to lose their sanity and transform into a monster like the Hollows... however... from what Inoue-san told me, the only change Yasakani-san underwent was the change of one of his eyes, and he retained his own personality before passing out, and now he looks just like himself..."
Rukia: "What's your point with all this?" - Her voice was heavy with resignation as she spoke, her gaze fixed on the ground, a sense of weariness evident in her posture.
Urahara's expression softened slightly as he continued, his gaze shifting to meet Rukia's troubled eyes.
Urahara: "My point is... somehow, Yasakani seems to have retained control over the Hollow within him, despite the merging of their souls. This is an unprecedented phenomenon, and it's why there's nothing we can do at the moment. The situation is entirely dependent on Yasakani himself."
Urahara nodded slowly, his expression grave yet tinged with a cautious optimism.
Urahara: "It's a possibility. But whether he can maintain control or not... Well, that remains to be seen."
# Meanwhile #
Mad Eater's amorphous body, once a swirling mass of black reishi, gradually coalesced back into its original form after successfully infiltrating the young man's soul.
Mad Eater: "HaHaHaHa!!! Who woulda thought that Aizen fella would hook me up with power like this!!! I'm gonna enjoy every bit of this kid's soul—"
The Hollow's boastful laughter abruptly ceased. Its attention shifted as it scanned the surroundings, realizing the environment had plunged into complete darkness, illuminated solely by thousands of beams of light directly overhead, casting intricate reflections on the ground.
As the Hollow fixated on the beams of light, a surge of curiosity flickered within its consciousness. Yet, before it could delve deeper into its musings, an intense wave of pain washed over it, causing the creature to collapse onto the ground in agony. It felt as though a torrent of information had been forcefully thrust into its mind, overwhelming its senses.
Mad Eater: "What the...?!"
Yato: "I wouldn't linger too long on them lights if I were you."
The voice resonated within the Hollow's mind, drawing its attention to the source. Slowly lifting its head, the Hollow caught sight of the teenager seated confidently on a makeshift throne woven from crimson threads. A mischievous smirk adorned Yato's face as he observed the Hollow, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
Yato: "I'm kinda in a rush, so I'll cut to the chase." - He pushed himself up from the chair, his movements deliberate and confident. - "My situation's a bit of a mess right now, and to straighten things out, I need a Hollow soul. Since you've graciously offered yours, I'll just absorb it to avoid any future headaches with my powers." - He spoke casually, as if discussing the weather.
Mad Eater: "You... you rotten brat...!! You really think you can snatch my soul?!" - His voice resonated with both anger and agony as he struggled against the pounding headache.
Yato: "I ain't just thinking it. I'm doing it... but... I ain't exactly thrilled about having someone else chattering away in my head... especially some Hollow... and who knows what Aizen might've stuffed into you."
As Yato's words hung in the air, the beams of light, now revealed to be comprised of red threads, began to sway and twist, forming a colossal grin and massive pairs of feline eyes, casting an eerie glow around them.
The Hollow's struggles intensified as the threads of light, now resembling massive crimson serpents, coiled around its writhing form, binding it tightly from head to toe. With each passing moment, the threads multiplied, weaving intricate patterns around the Hollow's body, ensnaring it in a web of glowing reishi.
The Hollow's frantic cries echoed through the darkness, drowned out by the deafening roar of the threads as they continued to weave their intricate design. The pain coursing through its being intensified with each passing second, threatening to consume it entirely.
Yato watched with detached amusement as the Hollow struggled against its inevitable fate, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
Yato: "Looks like you're having a tough time there. But don't worry, I'm just making a few... modifications to your soul. After all, you said you only devoured special souls, so there's gotta be something in there that I can make use of. Consider it a... personal touch."
The Hollow's struggles grew weaker as the threads tightened their grip, wrapping around it like a cocoon. Its agonized screams filled the air, mingling with the crackling energy of the threads as they completed their work.
With a final surge of reishi, the threads constricted tightly around the Hollow's form, enveloping it in a blinding flash of light. When the brilliance faded, all that remained was a small, pulsating orb of crimson energy, hovering in mid-air.
After the commotion settled, the crimson threads gracefully returned to their original positions, weaving intricate patterns in the air. Then, as if guided by an unseen hand, smaller threads began to intertwine and coalesce, gradually forming the shape of a vibrant red cat before Yato's eyes. The feline's features took shape, and soon it sported a mischievous grin that seemed to dance across its face.
Cheshire: "And there we have it. One freshly remodeled Hollow soul, courtesy of yours truly." - The cat's voice carried a playful tone, its eyes sparkling with an enigmatic gleam as it addressed Yato.
Yato: "Thanks, Cheshire. You're the boss."
Cheshire: "I know~"
Yato approached the orb, a triumphant smile gracing his features as he reached out to claim it.
