Mask shielded his face with both hands.
The gusting winds were too fierce; if he didn't defend like this, even his enhanced physical body would struggle to withstand it.
James beside him made "aaaaaaah" sounds, and if he hadn't been pinned to the spot, he would have been blown to who knows where by now...
"This feels so dangerous! Mask, Mask, should we run away?!"
The wind was like a knife, slicing all of Mask's clothes to bits, turning them to powder. In the end, only his wrestling tights remained as underwear, looking miserable and strange.
But faced with the suggestion to retreat, how should Mask respond?
"You must be joking!"
A hero can't flee at a time like this!
Letting out a strange cry that sounded like "huha," Mask's hands swung heavily, completely shattering the gale attacking him.
"A hero should step forward especially in times of danger..."
"If we can't overcome such difficulties, there would be no meaning to a hero's battle!"
"James, cheer for me more!!!"
The chubby little man, as if inspired, made "wooooo" sounds, raising both hands above his head, attempting to continue his cheering as before.
But.
The process didn't go smoothly.
With a hoarse hum, a black light pillar breaking through space instantly engulfed half of James's body, leaving only legs silently swaying in place.
Plop...
The "belatedly aware" remains fell to the ground, without any further movement.
Mask's eyes widened, hands covering his face, unable to hold back a shrill scream.
"Woooooh!!! James, my James! That you would meet such a fate... how despicable, these villains won't even spare the innocent?!"
Answering Mask was another powerful, forceful Cero.
The hero was swallowed in the light pillar, and at the same time, a figure slowly walked out from the dissipating smoke.
"Villains? Being called that isn't strange."
After all...
"Hollows are such characters by nature, aren't they?"
Starrk appeared with a calm face.
His attire had undergone a dramatic change... the original standardized white robe was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a beast-like black mane.
His now sky-blue hair fluttered in the wind, as exquisite as silk while simultaneously swirling around his body, as if possessing its own will.
On his bare upper body, between his abdomen and chest, appeared a round filling.
From afar, it had a jewel-like smooth luster, yet more like a heart... slightly trembling with each breath, fluctuating.
Whoosh...
Tufts of dark blue light fire emerged from around his body, flickering with eye-catching brightness, displaying an absolutely unquestionable presence.
Espada Hōgyoku Form.
This was the conclusion drawn from Seiya's long-term research.
Even with the person "not existing," the large amount of data and experimental content left behind was still sufficient for other research members to conduct deeper research, thus achieving this goal.
Whether Hollows or Arrancar, they essentially represent typical figures with deficient hearts who have fallen onto the wrong path.
But this doesn't mean they don't need redemption.
The emptiness in their hearts can be filled... and the current reality has become absolute favorable evidence.
Lightly stroking his chest, Starrk calmly closed his eyes.
Different from any past forms, the Hōgyoku form led by Seiya, continuously corrected and improved, maximally satisfied the Arrancar's needs.
He could hear it.
Lilynette didn't disappear but returned to his body.
For Starrk, this was the best outcome. From now on, he would never feel lonely again... their souls hadn't merged, but the warmth in his heart would never dissipate.
Thank you, Lord Arima.
Beyond this, Starrk couldn't imagine any other words to express his inner feelings.
Adapting to his new power and body, Starrk calmly raised the now-black spear in his hand.
With a calm face, he pulled the trigger again at the figure in the distance who hadn't yet fallen.
As repayment, there was only one thing he could do.
Give his all to eliminate these invaders who had come from afar.
Boom boom boom boom boom!!!
Having been strengthened a second time, Starrk's Cero demonstrated strength far surpassing before!
His attack, like a surging torrent, instantly broke through Mask's defense line.
The disheveled hero was completely torn apart, his muscles, tissues, and even organs completely penetrated and evaporated.
Screams choked in his throat, unable to make the slightest cry or wail...
Appearing silently from the shadows, swinging dual blades, his head was completely cut off.
Shunsui's figure playfully flashed out from within, lightly raising his right hand while Kidō power erupted forth.
Completely slaughtering this combo of hero and cheerleader.
Even among the Sternritter, they possessed strength worthy of attention... but such powerful figures died under such a different combination.
In a sense.
This is also a manifestation of "compatibility."
The cooperation between Soul Reapers and Arrancar, though seemingly strange and unreasonable in nature... but at this moment, the actions and movements of the two were as skilled and swift as old friends.
Perhaps because they had fought before?
Now Starrk and Shunsui, seeming more like partners who had reached some consensus, displayed an extraordinary sense of "synergy."
"You've become Captain-Commander, yet your methods have become more sinister."
Faced with Starrk's somewhat mocking tone, Shunsui just shrugged with an unchanged expression.
"Is that so? Well~ I don't think it matters."
It has no connection with status, strength, and such things.
Suppressing and killing opponents in the simplest, quickest, even unexpected way... as long as the goal is achieved.
The methods don't matter.
This is what battles are.
"I already handle too many complicated, troublesome things in daily life. To bring these things into battle style now would be too much to ask~"
Moreover.
"I'm not strong enough to be that composed."
Starrk cast him a noncommittal glance.
Then withdrew his gaze, returning the spears in his hands to his waist.
"For someone who hasn't even shown his Bankai yet to say such humble words, it really makes you seem damp and scary..."
"Hahaha, giving people a bit of mystery is necessary, isn't it?"
Just laugh it off to get away with it.
Essentially, it's also a manifestation of the other not "pursuing the matter."
After consecutively killing two Sternritter members, before the two could catch their breath...
A sharp and harsh voice came to Starrk's ear.
'What... among the research subjects, the first to release power is you?'
'Did you encounter opponents too difficult to handle? Well... for me, there's no meaning worth discussing.'
'What matters most is your experience as an individual. So...'
How does it feel?
Within Squad Twelve's territory.
Mayuri, who was now settled in the Department of Research and Development's center, continuously typed on the keyboard in front of him, staring at the screen, speaking in his usual tone.
"Although I hate taking over others' work, after all, experiments without aesthetics and personal characteristics are completely worthless."
"But my curiosity about you deficient beings has already surpassed my disgust."
"For subsequent experiments to correct deficiencies and shortcomings, your feedback as experimental subjects is a very important part."
Honestly report.
Physical condition, experience, and all aspects of subtle changes.
Even the slightest differences need to be recorded entirely, and then further adjustments will be made based on the information you provide!
A light named fanaticism flickered in Mayuri's eyes. As the subsequent executor of the Espada Hōgyoku Plan, he himself was also very interested in this behavior.
That's why he accepted this commission.
And correspondingly.
Starrk had already started sweating—when did this guy implant a communication device in him? Why couldn't it be blocked...
This psychopath is so annoying!
Although he wanted to complain about something, before Starrk could speak.
Another unfamiliar noise had already reached Mayuri's ear.
"Hey~ So this is the so-called center of Squad Twelve's Department of Research and Development?"
"I thought I'd see something interesting, but instead I only see a psychopath talking to himself..."
"It seems Soul Reapers are just that, just some mediocre guys self-indulging~"
Didn't immediately respond.
Even without any accompanying movements.
Mayuri just let his expression become smooth, and now slightly straightened his spine.
His modified, plasticized eyeballs turned smoothly like machines to the side.
Then...
Mayuri saw a stranger, smiling all over his face, standing beside him.
It was someone with a strangely styled buzz cut with decorative hairpins.
With abnormally large eyes, wearing hexagonal-framed glasses, protruding teeth, and a wrinkled face—a strange old man.
Making some meaningless stupid laughs from his mouth, like some kind of strange, deformed machine, giving people a strong sense of oddity.
What the...
Who is this guy?
How did he get in?
There were many researchers and Squad Twelve combat personnel outside.
But this guy broke through without a sound? Didn't anyone else notice?
Even more... Nemu? She couldn't detect this guy's whereabouts either?
From his innermost thoughts, Mayuri had already "denied" this idea. However, facts triumph over all conjectures and speculations.
Now appearing before the Squad Twelve Captain was evidence that his squad's defense line had been breached, to the extent that even intruders could easily enter the core area.
"Who are... you?"
"Guenael Lee! A member of the Sternritter, and the one who will take your life!!!"
I see, in that case, no further communication is needed.
Kill enemies on sight.
Click!
Reflexively pressing a button on the keyboard in front of him.
The entire room had a moment of distortion, as if indicating some command that couldn't be ignored, a flash of electricity appeared.
Then, the electric arcs extending to the laboratory began to dance like swimming snakes.
Click click click click click click...
The instruments in the room were almost simultaneously subjected to abuse and destruction. After continuous intense sounds, dense smoke and explosions arose, tormenting the entire laboratory beyond recognition.
The guy who had just appeared also let out a scream at this moment.
"Wooooh!!!"
"How is it? This high-voltage current specially prepared for intruders? If your strength is insufficient, it can even turn you into charcoal in an instant."
Seemingly satisfied with this guy's reaction, Mayuri once again showed that "composed" expression.
He even had time to turn his head aside, grinning as he raised his right hand, covering his ear canal.
"This pleasing scream is truly never tiresome to hear... so, so, to ensure I have some necessary information and content, let's have some deeper exchanges."
Lying on the ground, his body like charcoal, Guenael Lee's tone became considerably choked.
"You, why can you..."
"Why can I remain unharmed? If you can ask this question, it seems your brain doesn't work well either~"
Simple reason.
"Would a scientist create something that could harm himself?"
The devices installed inside the laboratory were designed to resist external enemy intrusion, and before that, Mayuri had already implanted various devices in his body to isolate electrical currents.
"It's just some trivial tricks... well, for you, it's probably not the same matter."
Regaining control of the situation, Mayuri once again displayed that smug face.
The distant door was knocked open, and Nemu, whose expression rarely changed, rushed in, now showing a somewhat surprised expression.
"Lord Mayuri, I just heard a lot of noise coming from inside the laboratory, may I ask..."
"You're too slow, Nemu! As a lieutenant, your reaction speed should be faster. But I won't pursue your responsibility this time, first take away this guy lying on the ground, and then..."
Couldn't finish his words.
Because Mayuri found that the guy who had been lying on the ground.
Had already disappeared?
"I see, so this is what a scientist is? I'm very interested in you... wonder if we could have a deeper exchange?"
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Powerstones?
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