CHAPTER 68: Emergence

With a careful gentleness, Kazuya ran his fingers along Apacci's bare back, kneading the tension away with a firm yet soothing touch. His other hand cradled the egg pulsating rhythmically with vibrant waves of Reiatsu. The mystical egg seemed to brim with a sense of contentment, as if it enjoyed his touch, or perhaps it was merely using its Reiatsu to speak in a language only it understood. The egg's true thoughts were shrouded in mystery.

"Urahara-san, can I get a Gigai for Apacci?"

Kisuke calmly nodded. "Absolutely. Before I do, let's talk about an important matter. Come to my room."

A veil of solemnity was drawn over Yoruichi's usually playful eyes, a sight rarely seen by many. "Alone."

Such gravity on their faces usually appeared in matters involving Aizen. "Well, I gotta go."

Apacci peered up at him, her eyes slits of skepticism, mirroring the suspicion reflected in Harribel's gaze. "What are you hiding from us?"

Apacci harbored a sense of skepticism regarding Kazuya's collaboration with Kisuke. A gut feeling hinted at the existence of a larger scheme at play, which was intricately woven around their association. Driven by her instincts, she yearned to stand by his side and help him, but she couldn't do so without knowing his troubles.

"The secret to immortality," he whispered with a cheeky smile. "Do you want in?"

She scoffed. "Liar."

Harribel gazed at him with the intensity of a huntress gauging her prey. "You will tell us everything if you think of us as your family."

Without communicating, she was on the same page with Apacci, both looking to offer him assistance.

He blinked in surprise, taken aback. There was no overt threat in Harribel's words. What she had thrown at him was a masterstroke of emotional manipulation. The thought of being subjected to such strategy by Harribel, of all people, was shocking, to say the least.

"Jeez… I'll fill you in when I'm done with Urahara-san."

Harribel showed a soft smile. "Thanks."

Kazuya could only shake his head in response before flying in the direction of Kisuke and Yoruichi.

…

Moments later, all three could be seen sitting inside Kisuke Urahara's living room. His Zanpakutō lay dormant in his lap, still releasing small waves of Reiatsu. He didn't pay it any attention, instead staring at the Hōgyoku. The Hōgyoku, despite its uninspiring appearance, seemed as enticing to him as a steaming bowl of Miso ramen. He felt a surge of an uncontainable urge to swallow the orb, yet his practiced discipline held his reckless impulses at bay.

"Don't get sucked into the swirl of temptations," Kisuke said. "Give it to me, Kazuya-san."

Kisuke's caution, while heartfelt, seemed unnecessary. Despite his thirst for power, consuming the Hōgyoku might transform him into an even more unknown species. His body was already a riveting puzzle without the involvement of Hōgyoku.

He exhaled a weary sigh. "What kind of connection do I have to this?"

"One that's rather convoluted," Kisuke responded, his tone neutral. "Nothing connected to that entity will ever find a comprehensive explanation. All we can find are theories."

Despite serving as an anchor to three realms, the Soul King once used to be the strongest entity, possessing nigh omnipotence powers. Every fragment of the Soul King's body possessed immense powers. Even Hōgyoku's creation was made possible by Soul King's fragments.

"Actual facts, Urahara-san. Can I keep Hōgyoku for a little longer?"

"Isn't your objective finished?"

Kisuke's eyes were serious, unlike his usual playfulness. The topic of Hōgyoku had become of utmost importance after Kazuya told him about Aizen's objective. Kisuke wouldn't hesitate in becoming enemies with him if it meant keeping the Hōgyoku away from evil hands.

"What more could you possibly do with Hōgyoku? Unless…" Yoruichi narrowed her eyes sharply. "You know what Aizen intends to do with Hōgyoku, and you want to achieve it first."

Reluctantly, he extended his arm, placing the Hōgyoku back onto the low table. "Here."

"Good decision—"

A sudden interruption froze them all in their tracks. All eyes veered towards the egg.

Crack Crack Crack

A jagged line of fractures began to cleave the eggshell apart. His Zanpakutō awakened at the least expected time. His breath hitched in his throat as a claw ruptured the shell, revealing an entity shrouded in a maroon aura. It emerged and hovered above them.

This day was brimming with revelations, not least of which was his Zanpakutō's true appearance. It was neither a Hollow nor an Arrancar. The being that emerged from the egg was a bird. Not just any bird, but a magnificent bird adorned with vibrant carmine and jet-black feathers. A subtle flutter of its wings kindled dark red flames that played across its enchanting form. Each black feather was adorned with the merest hints of crimson at their edges, like droplets of blood.

'I knew it.'

Somewhat close to his expectations, his Zanpakutō was a black phoenix, one that seemed oddly small and cute for its power level.

The phoenix locked its obsidian eyes on Kazuya, delivering a piercing screech that echoed through the room. "You're the absolute worst, Partner!"

Its voice was decidedly feminine.

An indignant expression crossed Kazuya's face. "How dare a measly bird insult me?"

"I'm not insulting you. I'm questioning your intelligence, you wannabe young master!"

"Are you talking to the bird?" Yoruichi questioned, her gaze shifting from Kazuya's playful face to the phoenix. "This cute little phoenix. How can it be an Arrancar's Zanpakutō?"

The phoenix swiveled towards Yoruichi with a menacing glow in her black eyes. "Do not interrupt my conversation with my partner!"

It seemed like she had decided to address Kazuya as 'her partner', which made sense since they were divided from one soul.

Yoruichi cocked her head curiously. "Is it trying to say something?"

Kazuya couldn't help but chuckle at the exchange. It appeared his Zanpakutō was tempestuous, a stark contrast to his own cool demeanor. However, it seemed she was only capable of communicating with him.

He plucked her out of the air and held her gently. "Urahara-san, Shihōin-san, can I have ten minutes with my Zanpakutō?"

Urahara gave a nod of understanding as he picked up the Hōgyoku under the watchful eyes of the phoenix. "Sure. Sure. What I was about to say is less important than the well-being of your Zanpakutō. Yoruichi-san, let's give them space to connect to each other."

As a fellow wielder of a Zanpakutō, Kisuke found no fault in Kazuya prioritizing his bond with his Zanpakutō.

"Zanpakutō spirits are a pain in the ass." Yoruichi declared with a sigh, casting a lingering glance at the little phoenix before trailing after Kisuke out of the room. "Later."

As the door slid shut behind them, the phoenix broke free of his grasp and launched herself at him. The tackle knocked him onto the floor. She perched atop his chest, her wings fluttering wildly, casting a radiant dark red fire around the room. Oddly enough, the fire danced harmlessly, burning nothing in the room.

"It should stop them from eavesdropping on us. Now, Partner. Let's talk."

***

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