“Put simply, the gaps between captains are substantial. The most obvious example: Tōsen probably can’t beat the Vasto Lorde standing right in front of us. I can. But here’s the real question — can Tōsen beat me?”

“Hmm... can he?” Gin Ichimaru made a show of thinking it over.

“You two... enough!” Tōsen had been holding it in. Now his blade was drawn. He was ready to fight Ichimaru and Wayne to the death.

“That’s enough, Gin. Tsuki. Joke’s over.” Aizen was in excellent spirits. Banter like this among his subordinates was something he let slide without a second thought. “Tōsen possesses abilities neither of you can rival. Of that I have no doubt. As for the number of Hollow legions required to face each captain in the future — I have my own calculations on that front.”

“Yes, my lord.” Wayne gave a slight bow.

“Yeah, yeah~” Ichimaru shrugged, utterly indifferent.

The brief jesting done, everyone’s attention returned to the battlefield.

Nel had taken a heavy blow. Did Wayne’s heart ache?

The answer was yes. That was exactly why he’d spoken up to attack Tōsen directly, the man harbored resentment toward her. As for stepping in physically, intervening now was a poor choice. He still had reasons he could use to persuade Aizen, but for the sake of testing the Arrancar’s capabilities, Aizen would not tolerate any outside interference disrupting this experimental match.

Besides, Wayne could still clearly sense Nel’s Reiatsu. No need to panic. If it truly reached the point where she was beaten to her last breath, nearly dead, Wayne would step in without hesitation.

Inside the sand pit, Nel slowly rose. She reached up, gently squeezed the stump of her severed arm, and a green light descended on the limb.

“Her healing ability leveled up?” Wayne was secretly stunned. The last time he’d seen her, she could only treat others with her saliva. Now she could directly project healing power.

The Arrancar above had no intention of giving her time to recover. Together with the two Adjuchas-class Arrancar beside them, they unleashed a barrage of ranged attacks. Some used their own Reiryoku-based skills; others simply fired Ceros. Newly formed though they were, their combat strength was undeniable.

Nel healed her wounds while dodging with Sonído.

It seemed that after becoming a Vasto Lorde, she hadn’t acquired High-Speed Regeneration. Or perhaps because she already possessed healing powers, the ability had simply passed her by.

Still, her capabilities went far beyond this. Otherwise Aizen wouldn’t have kept her as one of his own rather than fodder.

After evading for a while, her arm restored, Nel rejoined the fight.

But this time her fighting style shifted sharply. She hurled Lanzador Verde, then left her position entirely, charging straight at the enemy. The moment the grounded Arrancar dodged, Nel used Sonído to appear directly in front of him. She raised her fist and sent him flying with a single punch.

Immediately, she spat a pink Cero from her mouth, chasing the airborne figure.

A thunderous boom shook the sands. The massive explosion kicked up a storm of dust. When the smoke cleared, Nel was long gone.

Not far away, the Hollow she’d blasted with her Cero now dangled in midair, held aloft by one of her hands. And then Nel did something that left Wayne utterly stunned.

Her former devouring ability had evolved. Radically.

Her Hollow Mask opened and closed slightly. The Arrancar’s Reiatsu was visibly devoured into her mouth. Even his mask peeled away layer by layer, dissolving into pale blue Reishi motes of light that drifted between her lips. The wounds she’d just sustained healed bit by bit.

“Ara ara. No matter how many times I see it, that ability is freakishly twisted.” The slyness in Gin Ichimaru’s fox-like eyes dimmed, replaced by something heavier.

“A Law. It’s the power of a Law. She’s grasped some kind of Law,” Wayne thought silently. Only the power of a Law could grant Nel an ability that simply didn’t exist in the original story. He assumed it was because he’d altered her growth trajectory, given her the chance to wield one.

Other than that, unless the original work simply never depicted it, Wayne couldn’t imagine what else could grant her such terrifying power.

The ability to devour an enemy directly, converting them into Reishi to replenish herself. Wayne didn’t know the name of this Law. For now, he’d call it the Devouring Law.

“What... what kind of ability is that?!” The four remaining Arrancar panicked. An enemy who could literally eat you and heal herself, what the hell was the point of fighting?

“Very well. This test ends here.” Aizen watched the ability Nel had displayed, a faint smile crossing his face.

If he could make such an ability his own, it would be tantamount to possessing an immortal body.

Unfortunately, he’d tried using the Hōgyoku to absorb a portion of her Reiatsu, but couldn’t convert the ability for his own use.

The Hōgyoku could only convert pure Reishi. It couldn’t convert abilities.

Created from the nail of the Soul King, the Hōgyoku could serve as a temporary vessel for a Law, but unless the recipient was a compatible carrier, ability absorption was impossible.

This was also one reason why, when Wayne came into contact with the Hōgyoku, he could still sense the presence of his own power within it.

As for why Aizen kept Nel around, Wayne had already pieced together part of it.

Aizen couldn’t use the Hōgyoku to absorb her devouring ability. That didn’t mean he couldn’t use her flesh, blood, genes, and Reiatsu to modify and create a similar Hollow.

For instance... Wonderweiss Margela.

Of course, regardless of whether Aizen had used the Devouring Law as a reference to create Wonderweiss, Nel’s current ability alone was enough to justify research.

The power of a Law, that was something even Aizen had never touched.

To say he’d never studied Old Bai’s decay ability was certainly false. It was just that Baraggan’s time-based ability was too absolute, decaying everything it touched. Aizen naturally wouldn’t risk the Hōgyoku on an experiment like that. If he accidentally destroyed it, he’d have nowhere to weep.

But though both were Laws, Nel’s ability lacked the immense destructive scope of the Time Law, and it was an active ability. Entirely reasonable for Aizen to use it for research.

“Nelliel. Your work is finished for today. Tōsen, escort her back.”

“Not necessary.” Nel tossed the partially absorbed Hollow aside. The Resurrección-released creature no longer retained its previous form. It had reverted directly to its Arrancar state, body shriveled and limp. Long since unconscious. Even its remaining mask was shattered and ruined. Even if it were saved, it would have no further use.

“I’ll go back on my own.” Unwilling to spend one more second with Aizen and the others, Nel turned and left. As she departed, she cast a sidelong glance at Wayne, briefly sizing up this new lackey of Aizen’s, then walked away without looking back.

“My, what a cold personality,” Gin Ichimaru remarked with mock regret. “But that ability is really something — killing three Arrancar while surrounded by seven opponents.”

“That is also why Lord Aizen has always tolerated her,” Tōsen picked up. “If not for her ability, I would have killed her over a decade ago.”

“So Tōsen’s taken a beating from this Hollow before?” Wayne turned to ask Ichimaru. Ichimaru merely shrugged, saying nothing. Silent confirmation.

“...Hmph.” Unable to contain his fury, Tōsen turned and left.

“Indeed. That ability is exceptionally strong,” Aizen said calmly. “Tsuki — any confidence in getting that ability into the Hōgyoku?”

“Uncertain.” Wayne shook his head. “My lord, has there ever been a precedent for sealing a Hollow’s ability inside the Hōgyoku?”

Aizen shook his head. “The Hōgyoku has only ever been used to mutually convert Reishi. There’s never been a precedent involving the ability level.”

“In that case, we may need to start from scratch and attempt research.” Wayne prepared to keep stalling. “Or change our approach entirely.”

“Oh?” Aizen was briefly puzzled, but quickly caught on. “You mean... modification?”

“To be precise — creation.” Wayne cupped his chin in thought. “Modification is certainly faster, but it carries the risk of the Hollow rebelling and self-destructing. From a safety standpoint, it’s unsuitable for our current research. That said, Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi and I had extensive discussions long ago regarding the Nemuri Project. If Captain Mayuri could create Nemu Kurotsuchi, why can’t we create new Hollows?”

“...As expected of Tsuki.” Aizen praised him with closed eyes. “Both paths are arduous. But fortunately, we still have time.”

“My lord, do you need me to remain here and continue the experiments?”

“No. Let’s return to Soul Society first. Staying away too long will arouse suspicion. Conveniently, we can also ask Mayuri about the specifics of the Nemuri Project.” Aizen’s meaning was clear: once back, he’d use Kyokasuigetsu to view Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s plans directly.

“Yes, my lord.”

With that single sentence, Wayne’s plan to touch the Hōgyoku fell through. But he felt no discouragement. After all, he now knew Nel’s location, and she was right by his side. That actually put him more at ease than if she were wandering the wastes. At least here, no one would bully her. Baraggan was here, and mindful of old ties, he wouldn’t let other Hollows make trouble for her. Szayelaporro disdained meddling in such matters, but he also wouldn’t help anyone move against Nel, she was, after all, considered Wayne’s widow. Harribel, even if she’d set aside old bonds, certainly wouldn’t lay a hand on her. Ulquiorra had no grudge against Nel. The only one with a grudge was Grimmjow, and that grudge was against Wayne, not her. As for anyone looking to stir up trouble, with Nel’s current strength, no one could beat her.

Letting Nel stay in Las Noches was better than having her at his own base.

Her safety confirmed, Wayne returned to Soul Society at ease. After two days completing his summary report, he found himself with a long-awaited stretch of free time.

Back in his basement, he crushed a badge to send word to Timd.

He told Timd he’d found Nel, and gave him the enemy’s position. In the coming period, he’d find out how far Las Noches’ Reiatsu detection could radiate across Hueco Mundo. Meanwhile, Timd was to dispatch clones to contact Nel as soon as possible. If contact could be established, relay the news that Wayne was still alive. If not, set up as many traps as possible inside and outside Las Noches, even incite surrounding colonies to hostility against it. Reduce Las Noches’ overall strength by any means available.

As for Baraggan and the others, Wayne had no intention of informing them now. Putting everything else aside, in all of Las Noches, only Baraggan had any old ties with him. Everyone else, Szayelaporro included, he couldn’t be certain whether their hearts were truly willing to leave Aizen’s rule. One had to understand: the Hōgyoku in Aizen’s hand could grant them greater power and provide protection. Someone like Ulquiorra had clearly joined willingly. And as for Harribel... best not to mention her.

In any case, with Nel’s location confirmed, Wayne could do a great many things in private. And free up his hands to focus solely on the Hōgyoku.

But Aizen’s control over it was ironclad. He almost never gave anyone else the chance to touch it. Only Wayne, as experimental assistant, had occasional opportunities. But most times he touched it, Aizen was nearby. No chance to make a move.

After returning to Soul Society, Aizen used Kyokasuigetsu to steal a portion of Mayuri Kurotsuchi’s data on the Nemuri Project. As for stealing all of it, he didn’t go that far.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi was a mad scientist. No one knew what anti-theft measures he might have installed in his own home. Even with Kyokasuigetsu, completely evading his surveillance was impossible. Once discovered, Aizen’s position would become extremely passive, not in line with his original intent.

With a portion of the Nemuri Project data in hand, Aizen began refining the Arrancar modification plan and started work on creating artificial Hollows, along with methods to transplant Hollow abilities. And during the periods Aizen wasn’t going to Hueco Mundo, Wayne could naturally continue absorbing Reishi in Soul Society.

But just as Wayne had been recuperating for a month, word came from Momo Hinamori’s side. She was about to undertake her field training. Together with Kira and Abarai and the others, the training location was the World of the Living. Wayne wasn’t unfamiliar with this news. This was precisely when Aizen would build goodwill with these students. But it was also precisely because of this training that Aizen was actually participating, to conduct Hollow experiments.

“Momo. Confident about the training?” Wayne sat on the tatami, peeling a tangerine.

“Mm. Kira-kun and I have already run through lots of drills against Hollows. Now we just need real combat.” Momo was brimming with confidence. “Speaking of which, Big Brother was in Hueco Mundo for so long this time. I’ve been wanting you to give us some pointers.” She looked a little embarrassed.

“Ah, sorry.” Wayne scratched his head. “That includes Shiro-chan. I said before I’d guide him in practicing Bankai, but it ended up delayed for a whole year. I didn’t expect this mission would keep me away that long.”

“I’m fine, actually.” Shiro-chan sat to the side, drinking the milk Wayne had forced on him. “Captain Shiba’s taken pretty good care of me. Gave me a lot of combat practice, and told me a great deal about Bankai.”

“Oh?” Wayne was mildly surprised. “In that case, why don’t we have a practice match before the training?”

“Ehh?!”

➤ Next: Eve of the Internship