Bleach: Stirring Up a Storm

When a person dies in the World of the Living, if their soul is not discovered by a stationed Shinigami, they will wander the World of the Living indefinitely.

During this time, if they are bitten by a Hollow or witness too many things that trigger their negative emotions, they will transform into an ordinary Hollow. Most lose their memories and consciousness, while a small fraction retain memories of their past life, though their personalities undergo drastic changes.

Therefore, the emergence of creatures like Hollows is ultimately inseparable from human desires and negative emotions. It might be possible to purge Hueco Mundo entirely—the Shinigami had done exactly that before the establishment of the Seireitei.

But to completely eradicate such creatures? Kōe felt that was an absolute impossibility. It wasn’t that the Shinigami were content with the status quo; it was simply a matter of helplessness.

”But have you ever considered that even if you could wipe out all humans in the World of the Living, and even if the Seireitei didn’t intervene, new life would inevitably emerge to replace them? After all, that is the very purpose of the World of the Living.”

Kōe wore a stern expression as he admonished Azashiro Sōya. ”Furthermore, the Seireitei will absolutely not allow you to run rampant in the World of the Living. That is their bottom line, which means your plan cannot succeed. Even if you defeated Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, Captain-Commander Yamamoto is still there. I don’t believe you could ever successfully assassinate him with your Zanpakutō.”

”Wipe out all living creatures in the World of the Living?” Azashiro Sōya shook his head. ”Even the apathetic Central 46 wouldn’t resort to such a thing, and I certainly don’t consider myself colder than them.”

Azashiro Sōya knew Kōe had misunderstood his plan. Since it superficially appeared to be the only method, he didn’t blame him.

”I told you before, the Quincy and I share the exact same dream: the complete eradication of Hollows.” Azashiro Sōya spread his hands in a helpless gesture. ”It’s just that they want to guide humanity themselves, spreading their noble Quincy spirit so that all humans become... well, greater? It’s a wonderful idea, but honestly, it’s nothing more than a fool’s dream.”

”So you realize it’s a fool’s dream too?” Kōe said with an exasperated look. ”I genuinely thought you believed that just chanting scriptures could make everyone stop killing...”

”Of course I don’t think that. But it truly is a wonderful idea. If we just take a more direct approach, it’s entirely achievable!”

Azashiro Sōya pulled his Zanpakutō from the ground, holding it horizontally in front of Kōe as he continued. ”My Zanpakutō, Urozakuro, can fuse my Reiryoku into any object containing Reishi and manipulate it. And souls just so happen to be composed of Reishi.”

Kōe’s expression changed drastically upon hearing this. Souls were composed of Reishi, but their structure was identical to a physical body—meaning, just as a body had a brain, a soul had one too.

If Azashiro Sōya used Urozakuro to control and modify the brains of the deceased, theoretically, what they became would be entirely up to his whims. Such souls naturally wouldn’t turn into Hollows, because they would become nothing more than indistinguishable machines.

But Azashiro Sōya’s next words made Kōe realize that his plan was far more insane than that!

”However, human bodies themselves do not contain Reishi. But perhaps even the Soul King wanted me to do this, because he allowed me to discover a gift!”

”Roca Paramia. She is an Adjuchas-class Menos that Kuruyashiki and I once encountered. Her ability is thought assimilation.”

Azashiro Sōya’s voice gradually rose with fervor. ”By going to the World of the Living, we can enter Hueco Mundo through a Garganta opened by invading ordinary Hollows. With your abilities, it won’t take long to find an Adjuchas like Roca. After that, I will use Urozakuro to mold her into my ideal state, and then use her thought assimilation to rid all humans in the World of the Living of the possibility of ever becoming Hollows!”

”This is a plan without reward, but we can make this world take a massive step forward! From then on, without the existence of Hollows, both the World of the Living and Soul Society will become the perfect paradise.” Azashiro Sōya placed his Zanpakutō behind his back and extended his left hand earnestly. ”Come assist me, Kōe!”

Kōe looked at the smiling Azashiro Sōya, the expression beneath his mask indescribably cold.

”Are Hollows truly your only target?”

”Only Hollows.”

Kōe let out a long breath and spoke slowly, his tone calm. ”Then why rely on the power of a Hollow? With your arrogance, would you really consider the very beasts you despise to be a gift?”

The smile on Azashiro Sōya’s face gradually vanished, reverting to his original emotionless state. He looked even colder than before, simply staring at Kōe without saying a word.

”Make the world take a step forward?” Although Kōe’s face remained impassive, his tone grew agitated. ”It took an untold amount of time for humanity to develop such complex emotions. They may not be perfect, but if they are completely lost, that isn’t moving forward—it’s stepping backward!”

”Besides, you should know that Shinigami and Hollows are two sides of the same coin. No, you definitely understand this perfectly well!”

”And so?” Azashiro Sōya said coldly. ”What is your conclusion?”

”The Shinigami are your true target, aren’t they?” Kōe stared at Azashiro Sōya, stating with absolute certainty. ”Back then, more than the Hollow that killed your older sister Kenichi, you hated the Shinigami who stood by and watched.”

*Clap, clap, clap.* Instead of answering, Azashiro Sōya chuckled and began to applaud. ”I underestimated you, just as I did a hundred years ago.”

”You’re right. Humanity did indeed go through a long history to acquire complex emotions, but that is not progress. The best example of this is us.”

”Us?”

Azashiro Sōya nodded and continued, ”We possess long lifespans, enough time for these emotions to grow even stronger. But think about it—what have these emotions brewed?”

”They haven’t gotten any better. On the contrary, they ooze filthy pus like an unhealing wound. It’s laughable, but even I am no exception. How ironic.”

Azashiro Sōya shook his head with a bitter smile. He suddenly thought of Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, a man who was absurdly pure-hearted. Perhaps he was the sole exception, but in a world where the vast majority were like this, it only made him seem all the more peculiar.

”So, what you want to see is the tragedy of the Azashiro clan replayed in the Seireitei, and replayed endlessly!” Kōe rebuked sharply.

”Without emotions, there naturally won’t be any Hollows. And without Hollows, what meaning would there be to the existence of Shinigami?” Azashiro Sōya smiled, speaking with a deeply mocking tone. ”Infighting? Hedonism? Whatever that meaning might be, the Shinigami will ultimately be unable to escape extinction.”

”Wouldn’t you still be around?” Kōe sneered.

”The Azashiro clan ceased to exist the moment my sister died.”

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