46

Tier came to the Shihion clan as soon as she heard about Ren. When Tier arrived, she could see several dark-skinned individuals which was the signature skin color of members of the clan. They led Tier inside until she reached a room where 4 individuals were standing or kneeling around a bed and looking down on the figure lying on it.

Kisuke and Yoruichi were on either side of the bed while a young kid who looked similar to Yoruichi was by the young woman's side. The last person in the room was the current 5th seat of the 4th division who Yoruichi had kidnapped on the way there, Isane Kotetsu.

The woman had performed kaido on Ren but was surprised to see that most of the injuries were healing themselves and at a fast rate.

"How is he?" Tier asked as soon as she studied the room and made sure that Ren was not in danger. She ignored two people kneeling and talked to the only person wearing a shinigami uniform.

"His body was injured while he was training in his inner world. I am not sure what type of training he was doing since he had already achieved bankai but the damage he had received was quite extensive.

His body also seems to be undergoing some sort of change and I think it has something to do with his zanpakuto. The thing has slowly been changing from a custom zanpakuto into an asauchi.

This would usually mean that the shinigami is dying but his vitality is getting stronger and stronger with each moment. I am truly puzzled as to what exactly is going on with Lord 8th."

Tier nodded and walked over to the bed before sitting down beside Kisuke. Everyone's attention was on Ren.

Under Yoruichi's order as the 22nd Head of the Shihion clan, no one was allowed the spread the news of Ren getting injured. So for the next week, only the officers of the 8th division, the few guards who brought Ren back to the compound, and the people in Ren's recovery room knew of what happened.

During that week, Ren's body had undergone several major changes while his zanpakuto had completely reverted into the standard katana most asauchi started off as.

------Inner World-------

A shirtless man was running through the forest within the inner world. Ren had only walked along the original path to Dryae's tree before and had never explored the large place. The size of it was unbelievable.

Ren jumped from tree to tree using just his physical body and realized that he had gotten much stronger.

'This is what he meant when he said that his power would be my own. It seems that my body has finally stopped changing after a week.'

During the past week, Ren was aware of the changes his body was going through outside because he was going through the same changes in his inner world. Ren could barely recognize himself anymore.

Ren had inherited most of Khorne's abilities but several of them had a few modifications to them. He had inherited all the gifts and 2 of the bankai abilities.

Ren's version of the Gift of Flesh was similar to the one Khorne had used when they battled and was always active. Ren's was not as powerful as Khorne's as well but it at least kept his appearance more normal by only increasing his height and the density of his body.

Ren was able to master the use of his body as it slowly increased over the week and was no longer afraid of damaging anything when he left his inner world.

"Dryae!"

Right after he shouted her name, Dryae appeared in front of Ren as if she had always been there. She looked over Ren's body with a teasing look before she licked her lips.

"Ara, Ara. Your body looks so good after you took over that guy's abilities."

Ren shook his head at Dryae. He realized after being alone with her for several days that Dryae was a huge flirt and tease but he did not mind that since the spirit was very loyal and he would not have survived his fight with Khorne without her help.

"You've had me to yourself for a week now. I need to head out to make sure that my division has not collapsed in on itself without their great leader."

Dryae nodded and tried to pat Ren on his head before realizing that he had grown too tall for her to do it. Dryae puffed out her cheeks as she pouted.

Ren chuckled seeing this and kneeled a bit so his spirit could do as she wanted. After patting Ren's messy hair, Dryae felt satisfied and disappeared as if she was never there.

Ren was used to her disappearing act and let his conscious be pulled out of the inner world as he could not wait to eat something for the first time in a week.

-------- Shihoin Compound ---------

Ren sat up from the bed so fast that he scarred the 4 people looking after him. Before Ren could say anything, his stomach let out a loud growl.

Ren gave a sheepish laugh before asking "Any chance I can get something to eat real quick?"

----------------

Author's Note:

We made it to the top 15 in only about a week. That is amazing guys and gals!