"Aizen-sama!"
While Yoshio and Aizen were talking, Tōsen Kaname suddenly said, "Look, Hollow White seems to be changing."
Yoshio and Aizen looked over simultaneously and found that the previously pale Hollow White was convulsing.
Suddenly, a pitch-black substance flowed out from the hole in its chest, rapidly dyeing its body black. A dense white material grew over its face and eventually covered it completely.
Aizen immediately walked over, eyes showing a hint of shock, but even more a keen interest in what would happen next.
Yoshio watched the Shinigami-Hollow and found it evolving into the Hollow White he knew.
Aizen murmured, "Interesting. Very interesting."
"Its name is 'Hollow White,' yet right now it's entirely black. A Hollow created from a Shinigami's soul truly doesn't disappoint."
Yoshio froze as well, because he noticed Hollow White's favorability toward him had risen again, to sixty-one.
My God, did he just get this Souls Ability—hollowfication—so easily?
Fantastic!
Yoshio couldn't help smiling. "Looks like I have some affinity with 'Hollow White.' I show up and immediately catch a great show."
"Indeed." Aizen openly acknowledged Yoshio's contribution. He carefully observed Hollow White's changes, then strode to the instruments to monitor its soul data.
Finally, Hollow White completed its evolution; horns sprouted from its head. From appearance alone, it was now identical to the Hollow White from the manga.
Yoshio also walked over and leaned in for a closer look.
After evolving, Hollow White seemed to have gained great power and sufficient clarity of mind. As Yoshio approached, it opened its eyes.
"Oh, looks like this guy woke up."
Yoshio said to Aizen, "Captain Aizen, how do you plan to use it next?"
"Testing."
Aizen's eyes still held surprise at Hollow White's birth, even a hint of excitement.
For someone like Aizen, very little could stir strong ripples in his otherwise calm heart.
His current look reminded Yoshio of that "slightly excited surprise" expression Aizen had in the manga when Hollow White chose to parasitize Kurosaki Masaki of its own accord.
Yoshio himself was somewhat excited too; after all, getting a Souls Ability just like that was practically free loot—who wouldn't be thrilled?
Of course, calling it free wasn't entirely accurate, since he had paid with soul fragments.
But Aizen, in order to test Hollow White's abilities, had already decided to set it to killing.
Naturally, it couldn't do that in Seireitei.
"Right."
Aizen told Tōsen, "Send Hollow White to the Human World. Let it practice on Shinigami first."
"…Yes." Tōsen Kaname nodded and went to make arrangements.
"…I'm not interested in that kind of scene," Yoshio said then.
He didn't care to watch how Aizen set up the Shinigami.
"Go keep Captain Kyōraku company,"
Aizen said blandly.
His attention had now shifted to Hollow White; whether Yoshio stayed or not no longer mattered.
Yoshio nodded and walked out.
Having lingered in Aizen's lab so long, the world outside had gradually grown dim.
The sun was setting, and a touch of desolation spread over the streets.
The laboratory behind him felt like the source of that decay, twisting like a monster in the afterglow of dusk.
Yoshio walked forward, farther and farther from the lab, that den of sin.
He had the rare chance to drink with Kyōraku Shunsui tonight, and he certainly wouldn't blow it.
Kyōraku Shunsui was a very busy man—well, maybe not "very busy"?
Let's say he was a very distinguished figure. Yes, upper-class.
He was a captain and from a high noble family. Although he himself didn't care much about status, others wouldn't proactively invite Kyōraku out for drinks either.
They usually drank with a few Lieutenants or third seats and fourth seats. Who would invite a captain to a drinking party?
If a captain was at the table, the usual carefree fun was gone.
You see, people typically don't drink with those on a very different social tier.
Don't think that Lieutenant and captain are just one rank apart; that single rank is something countless people can't cross in countless years.
Once you master Bankai and become a captain, your name is enough to be etched into the million-year history of the Soul Society!
So even now Yoshio hadn't obtained Kyōraku Shunsui's Souls Ability; his favorability was still 50.
No wonder people say some captains who've served for centuries have dark hearts. You want to connect with them? Who do you think you are?
You really think sharing a few meals and drinks makes you friends? If so, then wouldn't their friends be all over the world after so many meals?
Nobles who've lived for centuries have hearts walled thicker than city ramparts.
Especially someone like Kyōraku Shunsui, practically thick skin, dark heart philosophy. He not only lived long but was also shrewd and calculating. Such people are not easy to deal with.
If it were Jūshirō Ukitake, it might be simpler.
Unfortunately, Jūshirō Ukitake was ill, and Yoshio hadn't seen him even once.
How embarrassing.
…
Tonight's drinking party had only Yoshio, Rangiku, and Kyōraku; the other drinking buddies didn't come.
Shuhei and Iba had just been promoted to Lieutenant and had a lot to handle, so they hadn't been out drinking much lately.
Only he and Rangiku, two carefree souls, always had time.
Tonight they drank in the so-called "noble street," the Sixth District. Naturally, the restaurants here were upscale and elegant.
Of course, every place has its own hierarchy.
Even in a place like the Sixth District, there were high-end restaurants and ordinary ones.
This time they chose a relatively ordinary izakaya in the Sixth District called "Damo House."
Being considered "ordinary" in the Sixth District didn't mean it was actually ordinary.
"Yoshio! What took you so long!"
When Yoshio walked into Damo House, he heard Rangiku's voice.
He entered the private room and saw Rangiku and Kyōraku Shunsui already drinking.
Yoshio's mouth twitched; he said speechlessly, "Seriously, you two?"
"I'm the one paying for this meal; I'm the host, and before I even arrive you two are already eating and drinking. Is that really okay?!"
"Oh, relax!" Rangiku laughed unabashedly. "Besides, you're late, so it's not our fault."