CHAPTER 151: Master of Samsara?

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A sea of carmine flames danced wildly, their passionate embrace consuming the lingering ashes that filled the cavernous underground chamber. As each flame waned, the ash-veiled ground found itself nearly fifty meters swallowed into the earth's belly.

Kazuya floated in the chamber's center, dressed in his Arrancar form's spiritual clothes. A slender chain, born from Nami's flames, wrapped around him with an intimate possessiveness. It weaved a path up to his neck, finally contracting into a black blindfold. The crimson gem adorning his forehead shone to match the carmine theme before settling into a dim glow.

 [Hollow's Evolution 'Arrancar (Resurrección Form: Complete)' achieved.]

An awe-stricken murmur escaped him, "That was… something."

Achieving one of the greatest powers of Hollows filled him with equal dread and thrill. His hand grazed the blindfold, the catalyst for Nami to channel her powers into him — perhaps return the power that belonged to him.

'I'll reserve my Resurrección as my trump card.'

{The demon god must not invoke his authority haphazardly.}

He thoroughly agreed with Nami. The forcefield around him had barely caged his Reiatsu, despite the best he consciously limited his output to his limits. A mere whim of releasing his Reiatsu could've razed the town above. With his Resurrección activated, he could reap human lives with more ease than a farmer reaping wheat.

He was the walking scythe of death.

What baffled him was that this monumental power wasn't even his Hollow form's final evolution — the System still displayed two further evolutions. One of them being Segunda Etapa, the ability Ulquiorra showcased in his fight against Ichigo. The other remained a complete mystery.

'Nami, how fucking strong was Soul King?'

{A severed torso serves as an anchor to three massive realms. Mere shards of his being creates artifacts capable of twisting reality to materialize one's deepest desires. His right and left hand, while estranged, rivals the strongest powers. His self-proclaimed son wields the ability to peer into future timelines and temper with them… that should give you a good estimate.}

"Controlling life, growth, death, and rebirth…" he whispered. "Please let me be wrong about my origin."

{Yours is a false hope, Partner.}

'Fuck.'

With a weary motion, he caressed his cheek, turning his gaze to where Yoruichi and Lisa stood — near the exit door. "It's safe now."

Using her tremendously mastered Shunpo, Yoruichi arrived before him, holding his shoulders. "You aren't burning anymore…" she breathed, a weight lifting from her before the memory of his Resurrección returned, prompting her to flick his chin. "I felt like I died for a second. That tree—what was it doing to me?!"

Despite guarding herself with her Reiatsu, his Resurrección ability had yanked her into its grasp, albeit for merely a second.

{Foolish cat. She doesn't know she was most alive when connected to the Tree of False Samsara.}

He had barely used his Resurrección, and Nami had already come up with a chuuni name.

"Yoruichi, that was my Resurrección. That's all I can tell you right now."

His Resurrección was dangerous, so dangerous that the Royal Guard might hunt him down. As much as he trusted Yoruichi, revealing his Resurrección ability might change her stance on him.

Yoruichi furrowed her brows, detecting the careful evasion in his explanation. "If your Resurrección is so utterly ridiculous, can't you just own Aizen in a duel?"

He shook his head. "In an even playing field, his fighting skills are way superior to mine." He clicked his tongue, a tinge of bitterness seeping through. "These prodigies have no right to surpass thousand-year-old Soul Reapers with sheer talent. It's pure bullshit."

Yoruichi rolled her eyes. "You're the one to talk with that crazy backstory. Betrayed, reincarnated, and now saving the Soul Society from the man who murdered you."

Avoiding her teasing stare, his attention shifted to Lisa, catching the unusual stillness in her demeanor. "Maid-chan, what's the matter?"

{Probably wondering about agreeing to your idea,} Nami said. {Keep her by your side. Your ability is a cheat to evolve Hollows. For that broken ability, I dub thee the Infernal Lord, and the Master of Samsara.}

'When did I go from Prince of Hollows to Master of Samsara?'

{When you unleashed the infernal flames of Demonic Phenex to seize control of Samsara.}

'...'

With a graceful leap, Lisa descended to their level, yet a cautious gap lingered between them. His Hollow Form stirred a hesitance within her, yet he continued in his form.

Lisa fixed Yoruichi's back with a cold gaze and pointed at the ground. "I'll hold you accountable for this. Please bring Urahara to fix it before others arrive."

Yoruichi swirled to face her, confusion visibe in her eyes. "Huh? Why me? You saw him doing this with your eyes."

"You are friends with him," Lisa insisted, her glasses catching a stray gleam as she adjusted them. "And friends look out for each other."

Kazuya's hand landed on Yoruichi's shoulder, his touch as light as the whisper that followed, "Yoruichi, I asked your permission for the release. You're just as guilty as me…"

They made fine arguments to paint Yoruichi as guilty, despite the fact she was completely innocent. She knew she was being played, yet she had no chance to defend herself.

"Ah… Fine," Yoruichi agreed with a sigh, brushing his hand from her shoulder. "I'll go fetch Urahara."

It was a great opportunity to stick her neck for the man risking his life for her mission. The Flash Goddess wasted no time in leaving the Visored base.

She approached him with the wariness of a dear in an unfamiliar land, every sense alert and muscles coiled. Unleashing his Resurrección did something to her or the Hollow inside her.

"Kazuya, you're coming with me to see Izumi."

Her motive for casting the responsibility on Yoruichi became clear.

He smirked, his gaze mysterious behind the blindfold. "Alright."

…

Creak. The wooden door elegantly opened, inviting an autumn breeze and rustling leaves. There, in the frame, stood a silhouette Izumi found both strange and achingly familiar. Her heart leapt, pulsing waves of warmth. Her hands, hanging limply by her sides, twitched. Her lips quivered, parting slightly.

The light shifted as Kazuya stepped forward, his features coming into focus. She noticed changes in him, subtle like minor growth in his height and substantial like his short hair.

In the space between heartbeats, Izumi's hands found the courage her voice couldn't. They rose up, reached out, and touched him. The contact, skin and fabric grounded him into reality from a potential dream.

He was there with her.

Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him, taking in his familiar scent. "Otouto-kun…"

Holding her quivering and sobbing form, he rubbed her back. "I'm back."

{Partner… you knew her for, what, two weeks. Isn't her reaction too extreme? It's as if she had been reunited with long-lost son.}

'It's the bond of true siblings.'

{Nah, Partner. Izumi is a RED FLAG I'm telling you.}

'I don't see anything wrong.'

{Argh, blind love. I can't even do anything or Tsubasa will clash with me.}

…

Yes I know I skipped the reveal of his Resurrección. I'm saving the proper reveal for a different moment. It'll be better I swear.