章節 22: Cursed Parakeet

The Hogyoku Fragment caught his eye. 'This could be exactly what I need to become an Arrancar,' Kiyota mused. 'But it's also the most expensive...'

Kiyota carefully weighed his options, his mind working through the possibilities. 'The Hogyoku Fragment is tempting, but at 600 SP, it's way out of my reach right now. Besides, I'll need it later to become an Arrancar and to help my future fracción evolve as well. Best to save up for that.'

He ruled out the Hashirama Cells, given his already impressive regeneration abilities. The Byakugan, while powerful, seemed too risky given his current situation in Hueco Mundo.

'Lelouch's Geass could be incredibly useful, but its one-time use makes it a gamble. And the Byakurai... it's similar to my Chidori, so maybe not the best use of my SP right now.'

After careful consideration, Kiyota made his decision, 'I'll need every advantage I can get in this world.'

As he confirmed his purchase and seeing his status points go down, a memory surfaced. 'Wait a minute... those three hollows I killed when I first arrived. They mentioned something about an immense spiritual pressure in a cave far to the south.'

Kiyota's eyes widened as he made the connection. 'Of course! There were more than a few Vasto Lordes in Hueco Mundo before Aizen arrived and turned them into Arrancars. Barragan, Harribel, Starrk and Ulquiorra. That's the known Vasto Lordes, but there are a quite a few more. If I could find them and convince them to join me... That's wishful thinking. Right now, I couldn't even stand in their presence, let alone recruit them. Anyone one of those hollows could obliterate me without any difficulty.'

He grinned, a plan forming in his mind. 'It's risky, but has to be done to have powerful allies. I'll need to get much stronger first.'

Hours later, Kiyota was in a dire situation. A group of Gillians had started to attack him, and now he was frantically dodging a barrage of Ceros. His wings spread wide, he swerved and dived through the air, the red beams of destructive reiatsu barely missing him.

'Damn it!' Kiyota thought as he barrel-rolled in the air to avoid another Cero. 'These guys just don't give up! Infinite reiatsu, I'm telling you!'

He tucked his wings and plummeted, narrowly avoiding a crossfire of beams that would have vaporised him. As he spread his wings again to regain altitude, Kiyota's mind raced for a way out.

'I can't keep this up forever. I need to find an escape route, and fast!'

Spotting a narrow crevice in the distance, Kiyota made his decision. With a burst of speed, he shot towards the opening, zigzagging to avoid the continuing assault of Ceros.

'Almost there...' he thought, gritting his teeth as he felt the heat of a near-miss singeing his wing.

With a final burst of speed, Kiyota dove into the crevice, the sounds of frustrated Gillian roars fading behind him. As he caught his breath, a mix of relief and excitement coursed through him.

'That was too close,' he thought.

~~~

Rukia Kuchiki raced down the street, her heart pounding with a mixture of urgency and frustration. The parakeet containing the soul of a young boy was in danger, and she knew Chad was trying to protect it. But her gigai's limitations were holding her back.

'Damn this body!' Rukia thought, gritting her teeth as she pushed her legs to move faster. 'If only I had my Shinigami powers, I could've caught up to them by now!'

As she ran, memories of Kiyota's apparent death flashed through her mind. The image of him being pulled into the Hollow's portal, his desperate cries fading away, haunted her. Guilt and anger welled up inside her.

'Kiyota... I'm so sorry. We couldn't save you. And now, I can't even protect a child's soul properly!'

A voice cut through her thoughts. "My, my... you smell delicious. I think I'll devour your soul!"

Rukia's eyes widened as she saw the Hollow materialise before her. Without hesitation, she handsprung away from its attack, narrowly avoiding its claws.

The Hollow's eyes narrowed in surprise. "Oh? You can see me, and you didn't die in one hit. Who are you, little girl?"

Rukia's violet eyes flashed with determination. 'I may not have my powers, but I'm not helpless! I have to get my powers back and become stronger!'

In a swift motion, she leaped towards the hollow, driving her knee into its face. Using the momentum, she sprang off the back of its head, launching herself into the air behind it.

As she soared, Rukia began to recite an incantation, her voice steady despite the danger. "Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws!"

Energy crackled around her as she finished the spell. "Hadō #33: Sōkatsui!"

A burst of blue fire erupted from her hands, striking the Hollow's back and engulfing it in a cloud of smoke.

As Rukia landed, she kept her guard up, knowing the battle was far from over. 'I have to end this quickly and find Chad. I can't let anyone else get hurt... not like Kiyota.'

The smoke began to clear, the hollow was unfazed. Rukia's eyes widened in shock. The hollow, stood unscathed, a wicked grin spreading across its mask.

"Is that all you've got? I recognise that spell. You're a Shinigami!" The hollow taunted, its voice dripping with malice. "I expected more."

Rukia gritted her teeth, frustration and fear mingling in her chest. 'My kidō barely scratched it. Without my powers, I'm...'

Before she could finish the thought, hollows tongue lashed out, splitting into multiple appendages. Rukia dodged desperately, but one of the tongue-leeches latched onto her leg.

"Got you now!" The hollow cackled.

Rukia's mind raced. 'I can't let it end here. Chad and that boy's soul are still in danger. And Ichigo... he needs me to guide him. And Kiyota...'