Aside from that, the Thirteenth Division also possesses various soul abilities.
But Yoshio can't obtain them yet.
The entire Thirteenth Division is steeped in grief right now—this really isn't the time to befriend them.
He hasn't even spoken much with Rukia.
And Hollow White didn't keep Yoshio waiting long, either.
A day later, Jūshirō Ukitake summoned Yoshio, Shiba Kaien, and Rukia Kuchiki.
"The target's location has been found."
Ukitake said in a low voice, "Near Mount Kofukuyamayama. I'll go with you, but unless you're ready to fight to the death, I won't intervene."
He looked seriously at Shiba Kaien, and Kaien nodded.
Yoshio watched the two of them, considering the next steps.
He really wanted Kaien's ["Appearance Mimicry"] and Rukia's ["Stars."] This operation was the perfect chance to increase their favorability.
As for Jūshirō Ukitake...
He wanted to secure that [host] as well, but the thought of Kyōraku Shunsui stalling out at 50 killed his interest in Ukitake.
These old-timers who've lived for centuries have walls around their hearts that are just too thick. .
But what should he do...
Protect Hollow White while also raising Shiba Kaien's and Rukia Kuchiki's favorability?
Forget it—he'd have to play it by ear.
If absolutely necessary, he could sacrifice Shiba Kaien, but Hollow White had to be protected.
Hollow White was crucial not only to his own [Hollowfication], but also to his future "conquest" of Kurosaki Ichigo; how could it be lost here?
So when Yoshio followed Jūshirō Ukitake to Mount Kofukuyama, he sensed Hollow White's malevolent reiatsu even before they got close.
Hollow White had grown considerably in size, and its spiritual pressure was much stronger than right after its transformation.
He shot a subtle glance at Shiba Kaien.
He...
Couldn't win.
Hollow White probably already had captain-class combat power, and while Kaien was exceptionally gifted, he wasn't qualified to take on Hollow White.
Yoshio didn't know whether Ukitake realized this, but he still permitted Kaien to go in alone.
The three of them stood at the cliff's edge, watching Kaien leap down to face Hollow White.
At that moment, he looked up at the sky.
It had already darkened.
Only a thin new moon hung overhead, straining to shed its faint light.
Other than that, there was nothing.
Yoshio narrowed his eyes, looking at three distinct soul abilities beneath the moon.
["Apotheosis"]
[ "Viper"]
["Spirit of Vengeance"]
The first two were naturally Aizen's and Ichimaru Gin's abilities; the third belonged to Tōsen.
He hadn't paid it much attention before because it was nearly useless to him.
["Spirit of Vengeance: When activated, it produces a powerful, aggressive 'vengeful spirit' that attacks a target you deeply hate."]
This ability...
Is actually pretty good.
The only problem is that Yoshio has no enemies.
He didn't in the past, doesn't now, and maybe won't in the future.
An enemy isn't an enemy; if it can be used to deal with enemies, then it's very useful.
But if it's restricted to the set of "enemies," that's too limiting.
Yoshio...
Has no enemies.
Nor any hatred in his heart.
As if sensing his gaze, he noticed someone among the three also looking at him.
These three...
Really had time on their hands.
In the original, it made sense for Captain Shiba Isshin to face Hollow White—he was captain-class, and collecting data on a captain fighting Hollow White was necessary.
But Shiba Kaien, a Lieutenant—was he worth making three people stand around to watch him?
That was absurd.
Yoshio lowered his head expressionlessly.
"Roar!"
Hollow White had met Kaien before. It had no idea about Kaien's hatred for it, but since he was a Shinigami, he was food.
"What a strange Hollow..."
Kaien voiced the question on both his and Ukitake's minds.
Compared with other Hollows, Hollow White truly was too strange.
Its black shell, the emptiness riddling everything about it, its humanoid appearance—all hinted at an extraordinary essence.
"But regardless, I..."
With anger and gravity on his face, Kaien murmured, "Watery Heaven, Nejibana!"
He'd already judged it a troublesome foe and released his Shikai immediately.
His zanpakutō turned into a deep-blue trident, but at the same time, Hollow White was already in front of him.
So fast!
Kaien's pupils blew wide. He'd just released his zanpakutō, and Hollow White was already launching an attack?!
He hurriedly raised the spear to block, but Hollow White wasn't only extremely fast—it was monstrously strong.
With a single blow, Kaien was hurled back, and Hollow White gave chase; in a blink, Kaien was driven back again and again!
"Captain!"
Seeing this, Rukia blurted, "This is bad! Lieutenant Kaien isn't his match, we must—"
She didn't finish, because she saw Ukitake's expression.
His eyes were full of worry; he felt the impulse to save his subordinate, but he forcibly suppressed it.
He didn't move.
"This is... Lieutenant Shiba's battle of dignity."
Yoshio said softly, "If we help him, where does he put that dignity?"
"But if we do nothing... Lieutenant Kaien, he..."
"Will die," Yoshio said quietly.
"Rukia, you must remember something."
"Not everyone fears death; for some, dignity is above death."
"I... don't actually agree with that view, but I will respect those who hold it, and you should too."
"If you truly respect your Lieutenant, don't move."
"Rukia, go back first," Jūshirō Ukitake said gently. "What happens here next isn't suitable for a child like you."
"I..." Rukia froze, surprised that both Yoshio and Ukitake would say such things, but quickly said, "No. I won't be a burden!"
Yoshio ignored her and focused on the fight below.
Kaien truly was the genius Ukitake saw as his successor; though still a Lieutenant, he probably already had captain-level strength.
He was on the back foot, but saying he wasn't Hollow White's match at all wasn't accurate either.
Perhaps, Shiba Kaien might yet work a miracle...