Chương 248: CHAPTER 281-282: Recruitment (II-III)
The moon continued its celestial journey, witnessing the passionate fifteen minutes in its entirety. During these fifteen minutes, the whole mansion stirred, and everyone was awakened by Mila Rose's shenanigans.
When Kazuya entered the house with Mila Rose clinging to him, he saw all of his Hollow lovers. Harribel, Apacci, Sung-Sun, Lisa, Cirucci. Even Izumi had joined everyone. Only the basement dwellers — Starrk, Lilynette, and Menoly — were missing. In all likelihood, they didn't want to end their sleep early, and nobody could blame them.
None of his lovers seemed angry at his abrupt appearance except for Lisa. She glared at him like she wanted to pluck out his eyeballs and play marbles with them.
He promptly ignored the malevolent energy oozing from Lisa and smiled at his loyal maid on duty. After sensing his Reiatsu, Apacci had switched to her maid dress to welcome him.
Such devotion was commendable in his eyes.
Apacci's frown oozed barely concealed jealousy, his appreciative gaze having no impact on her demeanor at all. "Shameless."
While she had the heart to let them finish their intimate activities, where anybody could see them, she clearly held a grudge against him.
Sung-Sun snickered behind her sleeve. "You reek of jealousy, Deer."
The taunt ignited Apacci's temper, and she threw a punch at Sung-Sun's face. Her fist roared through the empty air as Sung-Sun nimbly ducked under it.
The snake-eyed Arrancar stepped behind Lisa, using her friend as a shield. "You're a degenerate at your core, Apacci. Does it scare you? Does it make you wanna cry, little girl? Do you wanna boohoo~?"
Apacci gritted her teeth. "Coward. Face me like a man."
"I am a woman," Sung-Sun said, her tongue darting out playfully. "We both are. Unless…"
"..."
With a look of triumph, Sung-Sun turned to Lisa and patted her shoulder. "Lisa-chan, it seems to me you have some words for my Husband?"
"I do." Lisa crossed her arms, eyes narrowing behind her glasses. "How will he compensate me for ruining my beauty sleep?"
Kazuya cleared his throat. "Let's discuss that later. I'm here for an important reason."
"Like doing us all on the same bed?" Mila Rose said, holding a look of anticipation in her eyes. "I'd be down for that, honestly."
Although she had her favorites in the family like Harribel and Cirucci, she considered everyone here a part of her pride. Ever since accepting Kazuya as her mate, the idea of pleasing him with the others in her pride felt as natural as sharing his affection with them.
"W-What?!" Apacci exclaimed, her trembling finger pointing at Mila Rose. "How can you suggest that so casually?!"
"Casually—"
Kazuya placed a finger on Mila Rose's lips. "No fighting for my sake. Be quiet and hear me out."
Mila Rose's defiant expression softened under his calm authority, and she gave a slow nod in response. "'Kay!"
Kazuya ruffled her hair before turning to everyone. Different levels of curiosity and anticipation were etched on their faces, and their full attention was on him, waiting for the reveal like children waiting for their parents to unwrap the gifts.
A smile reached his face. "I'm here to enlist everyone for a war."
Harribel's eyes narrowed slightly, the realization dawning on her. "Is it time…?"
"Yup." He confirmed with a nod. "We're going to establish an ever-lasting Empire in Hueco Mundo."
A chorus of cheers erupted from the group of Apacci, Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and even Cirucci. They began whispering to each other passionately, forgetting their prior arguments. Only Izumi remained quiet, a flicker of confusion crossing her face—understandable since she had yet to hear his plans for Hueco Mundo.
Apacci cracked her knuckles with a vicious grin. "Finally a chance to pummel some sense in those idiot Arrancars."
Mila Rose laughed. "My fingers have been itching for a real battle. I'm gonna crack open their skulls and stuff some humanity inside."
Cirucci brandished her whip, a sadistic smile on her face. "I'll see to Espada's demise myself."
Sung-Sun watched her friends and shook her head. "I'm more excited about helping my husband. It'll be my first battle as his beloved wife. I must give my all and prove my worth outside of his bedroom."
The last part made Apacci blush as she took a glance at Kazuya. He pretended not to notice her meaningful gaze and maintained his serious expression.
Lisa pushed up her glasses. "Am I allowed to join in on the fun?"
From her calm expression, one wouldn't imagine her head being full of conflicting thoughts such as 'I shouldn't be part of a Hollows war?', 'Aren't I a half Hollow?', and 'I don't care about it!'. She couldn't change her overthinking nature.
"Of course," Sung-Sun said. "Who else will have my back out there?"
"Treat me to some ramen later, yeah?"
Sung-Sun winked at Kazuya. "I'll invite Husband to make him pay."
"A crazy idea. I'm really down for it."
The pair exchanged a lively high five, acting as if they weren't going to war with some of the most powerful Hollows in existence. He was partially to be blamed as the two ladies considered themselves to be untouchable by his side. He had to do everything in his power to maintain this unshakable belief.
Harribel stepped forward, the sound of her slippers making everyone silent. "Kazuya, let's make sure no deaths are involved…"
She wanted to build a haven for Hollows — to end the cycle of endless violence — while avoiding any sacrifices. It was asking too much of her lover, she knew, but she also knew that only he could pull it off. What may be miraculous to many was just a tiny bit of trouble to him.
Kazuya nodded solemnly. "We'll incapacitate those who don't want to surrender. Still, we can't avoid death entirely. Some deaths will be outside of our control."
The flicker of regret in his eyes told of the conflict within—mercy toward enemies was not his first instinct, but he understood the need to maintain balance. Killing many Arrancars might draw the attention of the Royal Guards. For this, he needed Harribel and the others' support.
The upcoming battles would give everyone a chance to get stronger and potentially evolve in a safe environment.
As for Aizen, he wasn't worried at all. The recent events had painted Aizen as a mistrustful man in Yamamoto's eyes. A cunning man like Aizen would avoid leaving the Soul Society until the heat around him died.
Now was the perfect chance to strike and cripple Aizen's influence in Hueco Mundo.
Harribel breathed a sigh of relief. "I trust you, Kazuya… When do we leave?"
"At dawn," he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "And no provoking the Espada in my absence."
Kazuya proceeded to hand them every piece of information required to execute his plan. For the next few minutes, the room remained silent save for his voice. Harribel, Apacci, Sung-Sun, and Cirucci listened with an unwavering focus, while Lisa and Mila Rose didn't bother with the strategic warfare as they felt content listening to orders.
"Point me in the direction, and I'll rip anyone to pieces for you" was Mila Rose's justification. She simply had no desire or patience to stress her little brain for overcomplicated tasks.
Lisa's justification "I'd rather not waste my energy on this. I trust you and Harribel" fitted her laid-back personality.
Kazuya's gaze fell on Izumi, who stood off to the side, an unspoken sadness in her eyes. She longed to join them in this warfare as she had qualifications to be a great war asset against Hollows — she had Quincy powers of a pureblood Quincy, her raw capabilities reaching the Gillian-Class of Hollows. However, her powers would kill Hollows, which went against the very foundation of this war.
He walked over to her side and whispered a soft "Hey" in her ears.
"Hey, Otouto-kun," she replied, a force cheer in her voice. "I'll watch over the place while everyone's gone."
She could have protested, could have begged to join him, but she chose to swallow her desire and be more open to his wishes. And he wished for her to stay behind, otherwise, he would've asked her to join him by now.
"Thanks, Izumi. I'll make it up to you later."
She giggled at his compliment. "It's fine, Otouto. You've done so much for me. Let me repay you in some form…" She trailed her words and fidgeted with her fingers. "Though I wouldn't mind going on a date with Otouto."
She tried to act reserved, yet when it came down to it, she couldn't stop her desires from slipping out.
He couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright."
As he talked, or rather, flirted with Izumi, Apacci grabbed his hand and dragged him away.
"Apacci?"
She moved into his arms and gave him a hug that would put bears to shame. But as quickly as she'd embraced him, she pulled back, looking flustered. "Sorry. I don't know what came over me."
Kazuya smiled, shaking his head. "No need to apologize."
"No, I brought you here to tell you something important," she said, regaining her composure. "I don't know why I hugged you like that."
He knew the reason—her Aspect of Death, Devotion, was growing stronger. He refrained from explaining anything and let her decipher the truth for herself.
"Like I said, it's fine." He stroked her face. "What's so important?"
"Nelliel came here yesterday. She said she is moving to Hueco Mundo."
"Nel?" Kazuya's brow furrowed in thought. "Wasn't she busy with her tiny Hollows?"
"I asked her about that! But she didn't say anything. She seemed… sad."
A look of concern crossed his features. "I'll meet her there."
Apacci nodded, biting her lip as if struggling with something. "Kazuya…"
"Yeah?"
"It's… nothing." She shook her head and lowered her gaze to the floor, then looked up with a hint of defiance. "Don't make us wait too long, or I'll stop wearing this stupid dress for you."
At first, she was hesitant to share her thoughts, then she started threatening him. The cause of her uncertainty had to be related to her biggest ambition — becoming a Vasto Lorde.
Kazuya gave her a gentle hug. "I'll see you in Hueco Mundo."
"Mhmm."
***
Kazuya's next stop was his mansion's basement training ground, a rocky desert dwarfing the mansion above. The spatial Kidō spells had him intrigued. He'd pay Kisuke's friend, Tessai, in blood to learn these spells. He would devote his time to Kidō practice once he got rid of Aizen.
His versatility, impressive as it was, seemed but a pale shadow of what he could achieve. He craved more.
Drawing breath into his lungs, he cupped his hands around his mouth. "Get your asses over here."
His voice, amplified through Reiatsu, made the very space tremble, carrying his will to every corner of these barren grounds. The seals around the training grounds meant he could use his Reiatsu as he pleased.
In response to his summons, three figures dashed to his side.
"No need to yell, Leader," Lilynette said, stirring her ear with her pinky finger. "Right, Menoly?"
The eyepatched Arrancar with short blonde hair nodded her head with a quiet "Hmm". Nobody would even think of this tame woman as the same species as those soul-devouring monsters.
Starrk weaved his fingers through his messy hair, looking at Kazuya with his right eye closed. "Hell must have frozen over for you to show your face here."
"Ouch. Do I look like someone who doesn't care about his friends?"
Starrk glanced at Lilynette and knocked on her helmet. "I'm not saying you don't. It's just… I get bored just sleeping around, you know?"
Lilynette and Menoly would often go to play upstairs, whereas Starrk would be stuck here all alone. While it beat having to kill Hollows with his presence alone, he was starting to get bored. He did join Lilynette once, however, he quit after an hour of unbearable awkwardness he brought with him.
Starrk wasn't a fit for the good fellows upstairs.
Kazuya chuckled. "Got it. I promise I'll spend more time with you all after I take care of this thorn in my way."
"Aizen?" Starrk asked, rubbing the back of his head. "Call on me when you want to take care of his Arrancar army. I dislike fighting but it's the least I can do to help you…"
"I was here for that. Join Tier and the rest in the morning. We're going to war."
Starrk nodded his head. "We'll be there—"
Lilynette punched Starrk's belly, making him bend at the most awkward angle. "Ask Menoly before agreeing to this!"
Starrk rubbed his belly with a groan. "What the… Menoly, you aren't coming?"
Menoly turned her gaze to Kazuya instead, her eyes inquiring him 'Can I?' nonverbally. He was her leader, after all, and she had no desire to make any decision against his will.
Kazuya reached out and pinched her cheek. "What do you want to do?"
Her left widened in surprise, her right would too if it wasn't completely swallowed by her Hollow hole. She stared at his face, contemplating to herself or simply afraid to give a voice to her thoughts.
He took back his hand and dusted his shoulder. "Do you want to join us in the fight, or do you want to stay here? If you do come, I'll give you a VIP seat for Espada's end. You don't have to fight anyone either."
"Ah…" She glanced at Lilynette, who responded with a smug face. "I'll go."
"There you go!" Lilynette laughed and patted, or rather slapped, Menoly's back. "No need to be scared of this big guy. He's a softie inside like Starrk."
Starrk let out a sigh, looking like he had resigned to being toyed about at the hands of Lilynette, the manifestation of his Resurrección.
Kazuya patted Starrk's shoulder with a sympathetic 'I know your pain' look. They were in similar boats except his Resurrección was sexier (instead of cute) and a whole lot more unhinged.
Starrk frowned. "Is Grimmjow's group coming?"
"Wasn't he with you?" Kazuya asked, a little puzzled by the question. He had left Grimmjow's rowdy group with Starrk and Kisuke. "I didn't see him with Kisuke when you shifted here."
"He never returned after he left to help Kisuke that night."
Kazuya clicked his tongue. "That fucker must've escaped when Kisuke was fighting Aizen. Why didn't you bring it up earlier?"
Starrk scratched his cheek. "I wanted to confirm it with Kisuke. He never showed up here… then I forgot…"
"..."
"Where do you reckon he went?"
"Hueco Mundo."
***
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