Apacci walked out of her chamber within the cave, a playful glint in her eyes as she prodded Mila Rose's butt with her horn. "Stop being so narcissistic, Bitch."
"Ouch! Stop poking my ass, you little slut."
Apacci laughed and walked around Mila Rose to reach Kazuya's side, and she affectionately rubbed her head against his arm. "You're safe."
"Of course." He patted her head tenderly, once again realizing how much his dear deer adored him. "Someone is unafraid of showing love today. Did Espada frightened my Apacci? Well, don't worry. He is dead."
"Bastard came to take you and Harribel-sama away. He got what he deserved."
Apacci had no remorse for anyone who came to harm her or anyone close to her. She could be more ruthless than him in some aspects.
"Well done, Kazuya and Mila Rose," Sung-Sun chimed in as she slinked out of her hiding place alongside Harribel. "I propose we move before Baraggan dispatches someone to investigate the missing Espada."
"Before that." Kazuya turned to Mila Rose. "Share your experience, Rose. It'll help everyone in understanding the Arrancar transformation."
"Hell yeah! I promised you I'll be the strongest Arrancar. I'm not going back on my word."
"It doesn't hurt to gain more power in Hueco Mundo… especially after we made enemies with the Godking."
Apacci and Sung-Sun exchanged determined glances, their ambitions to attain the Arrancar form fueled by their unique yet intertwined desires.
Harribel nodded thoughtfully at their hunger for power. "It's an excellent method to improve our strength, but we shouldn't be reckless."
She was relieved to hear their way to become strong without devouring another soul, even if it meant performing a dance with death. This gave her a trump card to protect others in case things got really desperate.
Mila Rose smiled, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes. "I thought you wouldn't ask. Well… It was painful from what I remember. I was losing my mind until you pulled me out of it." She pointed at him with a questioning look. "How did you do that?"
"I'm not sure," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Perhaps our heart-to-heart before the battle helped me reach your soul."
He made a vague excuse for his Crumbling Heart ability. Being Hollows and all, they wouldn't understand the concept of a System even if he told them.
"Oh, that." Mila Rose chuckled sheepishly. "It was a weird exchange now that I look back on it. I feel bad for misunderstanding you all this time. Such a bummer I let it mess with my head for so long."
Apacci stared at Mila Rose, eyes wide in disbelief. "Did… she just apologize? Is this a side effect of going through the process?"
"Rose grew out of her immature phase," Sung-Sun whispered, her eyes shining with emotions. "You make me proud, girl."
Mila Rose shot a glance at the pair, her eyebrows knitting together, and her fist trembling. She barely held back from smashing her fist on their heads. "Good lord… I was in the wrong. Is it that bad to apologize?"
"No…" Sung-Sun turned her attention to Kazuya. "It appears you played a crucial role in unlocking Mila Rose's Arrancar form. Is it possible that you possess an ability you're unaware of? Perhaps another advantage of being a Natural Vasto Lorde. Harribel-sama, what do you think?"
Harribel's brow creased with a thought. "We can't be certain. It'd be better to stay by Kazuya if any of you choose to undergo the transformation."
She hadn't been able to stop Mila Rose, even though she was present at the scene. There was no way she could intervene if the others chose to shatter their masks. Besides, Mila Rose's success would drive them to undergo the process sooner rather than later. So it was more helpful to give advice that increased their odds of success.
Because she, too, wished to walk upon this dangerous path and rise to the ranks of Arrancar in the near-future.
"I'll be next," Apacci declared, her eyes filled with determination. "Should I do it now?"
Kazuya cupped Apacci's deer head, gently rubbing her ears with his thumb. "Let me test some things first. I'll make sure nothing happens to you during this."
"Okay…" Apacci agreed, lowering her gaze as she avoided eye contact out of embarrassment. "Don't delay it for too long. I need to become strong… It hurts to watch everyone fight without feeling like useless trash."
Sung-Sun rested her head on his shoulder. "I agree with her sentiment. I do not want to stand by when Baraggan sends more of them after us."
Kazuya smiled. Their resolve had been further enhanced by today's battles and Mila Rose's transformation. "Don't worry. I won't keep you waiting for long."
He turned to Harribel and cleared his throat. "I have something important to say. I do have an ability that none of you know, apart from the ability Sung-Sun mentioned."
It was the perfect moment to reveal one of his crucial secrets. His Hollow companions had earned his trust.
Kazuya summoned the System menu and opened the race editor. Before their eyes, he selected his desired race. A hole materialized in the center of his chest, an eerie abyss reminiscent of a Hollow's Hole. From the depths of this void, azure blue liquid seeped out before the said liquid caught fire. Molten blue flames roared to life, encasing him in lively flames.
Everyone watched in surprise as a round, glassy cocoon spun itself around him. Moments passed as the flames underwent a mesmerizing transformation, shifting into a lighter shade of violet.
All four women held their breaths, a sense of anticipation and anxiety in their chests, as they wondered what kind of metamorphosis Kazuya was undergoing and what the outcome would be.
The cocoon cracked, sending shards of glassy fragments into the air. The flames retreated into his chest and disappeared as if they were never there.