The Hōgyoku Is placed Within Me

Hueco Mundo

A desolate desert.

Nnoitra stepped out of the Garganta, squinting at the figure in front of him.

"Why did you call me back all of a sudden?"

That annoying Shinigami brat was about to be finished.

If he had just a little more time, he could have crushed him with overwhelming force and proved that he was the strongest!

No one was stronger than him!

If it weren't for this man standing before him, he would have already succeeded.

But unfortunately, there were no "ifs."

Nnoitra stared coldly at the man before him.

He had short black hair, a pale complexion, piercing green eyes, and dark green Arrancar markings resembling tear stains running down his face.

An unmistakable hollow mask covered the left side of his head, shaped like a horned helmet. His body was extremely thin—so thin it seemed like a gust of wind could blow him away.

Yet, Nnoitra didn't dare to underestimate him.

Because the man before him was Ulquiorra Cifer.

The 4th Espada.

A Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar, a tier above him—an elite among Hollows, the true kings of Hueco Mundo.

"Nnoitra, you've gone too far. Don't interfere with our lord's plans."

Ulquiorra's voice was cold and emotionless, his green pupils devoid of any feeling.

"Tch..."

Nnoitra clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Why did you go to the World of the Living?"

Ulquiorra blocked his path and questioned him.

"I just sensed that woman's presence—that disgusting, hypocritical woman who makes me sick to my stomach. Just sensing her spiritual pressure makes me uncomfortable. I wanted to kill her."

"So I went to the World of the Living. And who would've thought I'd run into a rather interesting Shinigami brat? He actually forced me to use my Resurrección."

Nnoitra grinned viciously, his bloodlust evident.

"That... woman?"

Ulquiorra's expression flickered for a moment, as if recalling something.

But when he heard Nnoitra's next words, he frowned.

"A brat? A Shinigami kid forced you to release your Resurrección?"

There was a rare trace of surprise in Ulquiorra's eyes.

Nnoitra was an Adjuchas-class Arrancar, a force to be reckoned with. Even among captains, few could defeat him.

Only Vasto Lorde-class Arrancar could suppress him.

Yet a Shinigami brat forced him to that extent?

"Yeah, a brat. But next time we meet, I'll tear him apart with my own hands and crush him completely."

Nnoitra bared his teeth, his killing intent flaring.

"What's his name?" Ulquiorra asked.

"His name... is Abarai Renji."

Nnoitra spoke slowly.

"...Abarai Renji..."

Ulquiorra repeated the name, his eyes deep in thought.

---

Karakura Town - Shinigami Warehouse

"So, you're saying that Quincy girl was the one who repelled the Arrancar?"

Inside the warehouse, Shiba Isshin crossed his arms, listening intently to Shinji's report.

Though, for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that this Quincy girl seemed oddly familiar.

"Yep, exactly. It's all thanks to her. If she hadn't shown up in time, Karakura Town would've suffered massive casualties."

Shinji smiled. Then, turning his gaze, he pointed to another person.

"But by the way, Captain, why did Vice-Captain Rangiku come to the World of the Living too? Did you just leave all the 10th Division's work unattended?"

"Well, if the captain is coming, how can the vice-captain just sit around?"

Matsumoto Rangiku smirked, deliberately loosening her shihakushō collar a bit, revealing her alluring figure.

This bold act was clearly a distraction tactic.

"Don't listen to her nonsense."

Isshin waved his hand dismissively.

"I temporarily assigned the division work to the seated officers. There was too much spiritual disturbance in Karakura Town this time. That's why she came with me."

Then, narrowing his eyes slightly, Isshin focused on Shinji.

"But tell me, what's the name of this Quincy girl?"

"What, Captain, are you interested in her?"

Shinji raised an eyebrow, teasing.

"Her name is Kurosaki Masaki."

"...Kurosaki Masaki?"

Isshin muttered under his breath. His expression flickered for a moment, but he quickly regained composure.

"Ahem. Well, you know, I'm at that age, and the family is pressuring me... Ahem, never mind. Let's move on."

He laughed it off, but then suddenly leaned in close, giving Shinji a sharp look.

"But let me guess... that Quincy girl wasn't the one who defeated that Arrancar, was she?"

Shinji's eyes narrowed slightly.

"What do you mean by that, Captain?"

"The spiritual residue left behind clearly indicates a thunder-based ability. Quincies don't use thunder techniques."

Isshin folded his arms confidently.

"Maybe she's just... special?"

Shinji shrugged.

Quincy can't use elemental-based attacks?

That's just ignorance.

Pure-blooded Quincy granted a Schrift by Yhwach can wield any elemental power—fire, ice, wind, thunder, even earth.

But obviously, Shinji couldn't say any of that.

"Stop hiding it, Shinji."

Isshin patted him on the shoulder, staring straight into his eyes.

"You were the one who repelled that Arrancar, weren't you?"

"Including the Adjuchas that showed up a few days ago in Karakura Town..."

"And the one that appeared during the Soul Burial Training at the Shin'ō Academy."

"You defeated all of them."

Shinji spat out his tea.

"Pfft—!!"

"Ah?!"

Matsumoto Rangiku blinked, eyes wide.

"So it was Shinji-kun?! I knew it! My woman's intuition is never wrong!"

She smirked, playfully nudging Shinji.

"Really, Shinji, you lied to me the other night~. You owe me now. You better make it up to me tonight."

Pfft—!!

This time, Isshin choked on his tea.

His hands trembled as he put his cup down, staring at Shinji and Matsumoto Rangiku in horror.

"You... you two..."

Silence.

Isshin wiped his mouth, then solemnly patted Shinji on the shoulder.

With the experience of an elder, he spoke in an earnest tone:

"...Just remember to use protection."

Shinji: "..."

You old bachelor!

Are you insulting me?!

---

"What happened in Karakura Town was really done by that Quincy girl, and it has nothing to do with me."

Shinji's eyes were sincere, practically radiating the word "honesty."

"Stop pretending, I already know."

Shiba sneered knowingly.

Shinji: "???"

So, what exactly do you know?

"Well, don't look at me like that. It's scary. Makes me think you actually want to kill me."

Shiba backed up slightly, scratching his face. "Even if I don't know the details, I can guess. Maybe it's because of the Menos Grande attack three years ago? It gave you a sense of crisis, so you've been hiding your strength to protect yourself?"

"I think that's the case."

"That's why, after the incident during the soul burial practice, I suggested you come to the human world for a while."

Shiba looked at Shinji meaningfully, choosing words he could safely say.

Shinji: "..."

If you knew, you could have said so earlier instead of making me waste all this effort pretending.

But wait... you're the one who arranged for me to come to this world?

Good!

Too bad Karakura Town is cursed, something happens every few days.

"How did you find out?"

Shinji dropped the innocent act and asked curiously.

"Ah, finally dropping the act? Turns out I tricked you into admitting it. I thought you'd be harder to catch."

Shiba laughed heartily.

Shinji: "???"

Are you even human?

"Just kidding."

Shiba waved a hand. "Ichimaru Gin mentioned it during the last captain's meeting. He saw you using Shikai to take out an enemy, and he suspects you've either mastered or started learning Bankai."

"Considering your record in Karakura Town and the detected Reiatsu… you really have mastered Bankai, haven't you?"

"What a terrifying kid."

Shiba sighed in admiration.

A sixth-year academy student, not even an official Shinigami, and he's already mastered Bankai.

Ichimaru Gin, you little!

Shinji's expression twisted.

I was hiding just fine in the human world, taking it easy, and you had to go and sell me out!

I'll get you for this someday, you silver-haired snake!

"Well then, how about a spar? I'd like to see your level for myself."

Shiba suggested casually.

He was truly curious about just how powerful Kuchiki Shinji had become.

At this point, Shinji was already at the top among Shinigami—among the elite few.

If he took the joint captain's assessment, he could likely become a captain immediately.

The only problem was… there were no vacant captain spots.

"Can I refuse?"

Shinji deadpanned.

"I think you'd better not. Otherwise, with the captain's bad habits, he'll keep messing with you until you say yes."

Matsumoto Rangiku edged closer to Shinji, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

This was a guy who had hidden his talent for six years, letting himself be treated like dead weight at the academy.

As the future head of the Kuchiki clan, he could have revealed his strength anytime and been showered with praise, but he chose not to.

Instead, he even handed his achievements to others.

Just what kind of person was he?

And more than that… she was really curious about his Zanpakutō.

If she remembered correctly, its name was "Reki."

That lightning-type Reiatsu from earlier—was it from "Reki"?

"What a pain."

Shinji sighed, pushing away Matsumoto Rangiku's wandering hands. She pouted at him.

"You're such a cheapskate," she grumbled, turning away.

"Captain, is it really okay to fight here? Soul Society has rules about captains and vice-captains fighting in the human world."

It was a serious concern.

The sheer amount of Reiatsu that a captain or vice-captain gave off could be lethal to regular humans.

If Shinji hadn't completely suppressed Nnoitra's Reiatsu during their fight, Karakura Town would have turned into a ghost town in an instant.

Not to mention the physical destruction.

Captains were capable of wiping out half a city with a single swing.

Soul Society strictly forbade such battles in the human world.

"Don't worry, I've got it covered. I'll set up a barrier so no Reiatsu leaks. It'll be fine."

Shiba assured them as he led Shinji to an open space outside the warehouse.

Soon, blue light curtains rose up on all sides, enclosing them in a shimmering dome.

Then, the light faded, disappearing from sight.

Barrier, set.

"There, done," Shiba clapped his hands, looking proud. "This is a secret technique of the Shiba family. As long as this barrier is active, Soul Society won't be able to detect what's happening inside."

"Even if Squad 12's Tech Development Bureau is watching, they won't be able to pick up any signals."

Shiba looked smug.

Hearing that, Shinji understood.

This must be the same barrier the Shiba clan used later to block Aizen's search and hide their movements.

Even Aizen couldn't see inside—this barrier was the real deal.

"So, I'm coming at you now. Be careful, Shinji, if you're not, you might actually get hurt."

Shiba placed a hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutō, his expression serious.

"I won't hold back. I want to see your full strength."

Shinji: "..."

Is it you who has a problem, or me?

Did you really have to phrase it that way?

Now I'm thinking things I really shouldn't.