[You, the Mood of the Chaotic Star]
[Level: None]
[Type: Noble Phantasm for oneself / for others]
[Ichimaru Gin's life was shaped by love. Born of it, chasing it, saving it and ultimately dying for it. After his death, his life was interpreted by Hermes, who, after usurping Gin's soul and infusing it with divine essence, created a unique Noble Phantasm derived from none other than Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love.]
This Noble Phantasm causes subtle evolution in its wielder until they attain flawless beauty, a figure sculpted by divinity itself. The ultimate embodiment of charm.
When activated, it conjures a vision of Aphrodite herself. Those who are susceptible to beauty, love, or lust suffer intense damage merely from her gaze. A Noble Phantasm not based on raw power, but on concepts.
Daemon had obtained it by slaying Gin. And while not destructive like thunder splitting the stars, its uniqueness couldn't be denied.
True, it lacked combat power or upgrade potential but Daemon wasn't without options. Two group members specialized in enhancing abilities. Possibilities remained.
[Group Chat]
Uchiha Miyuki: "Wait, seriously!? That's Aphrodite's Noble Phantasm! Isn't this clearly meant for a woman? Daemon, you're really gonna use something like this?"
Daemon: "...You're beautiful, Miyuki. But your brain? Not so much."
Tohsaka Sakura: "W-Wait, does that mean Brother Daemon who's already handsome is going to become even more beautiful!?"
Luo Hao: "Tch. Leave it to Aphrodite, the infamous goddess of lust, to create something this indecent."
Esdeath: "How dull. Even if it's from a major god, it seems... underwhelming. Flashy but toothless."
Uchiha Miyuki: "Underwhelming? This is divine beauty! Girls like me could become the most beautiful in the world!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "So... our Mr. Daemon, future icon of beauty, is going to seduce enemies into surrender? Now that I'd pay to see."
Jibril: "Pfft—seduction? That's the last thing that suits Daemon's vibe."
Tohsaka Sakura: "S-Seduction techniques?! Brother Daemon's got those!?"
Nakiri Erina: "I'm... oddly intrigued. A fallen beauty, blessed by Aphrodite herself. Imagine if it causes nosebleeds…"
Uchiha Miyuki: "I'd faint from blood loss on the spot!"
Daemon: "...Forget it. Do what you want."
With a grumble, Daemon exited the group chat, a dark cloud hanging over his head.
Soul Society
Yamamoto Mei and Kasumigaoka Utaha were eyeing Daemon with smirks tugging at their lips.
"Even if it's not obvious, you have become more attractive, Daemon," Mei teased, matching his pace.
"Your skin's clearer, muscles more defined… even your face looks slightly retouched."
"Get lost," Daemon growled. "I haven't even activated that damn Noble Phantasm yet!"
"Pfft—hahaha!"
Utaha, transformed into a dragon moments ago and now strolling beside them, burst out laughing.
"What's wrong with being beautiful? Think of all the pretty girls who'll throw themselves at you now. You probably won't even have to fight anymore just flash that face."
Daemon rolled his eyes, ignoring her barbed tone. But inwardly, her words gnawed at him. Sure, beauty had its perks but this was Aphrodite's relic. Would he become... feminine?
Squad 1 Grounds
To avoid drawing attention, Daemon and his group infiltrated quietly. Soon, they arrived at an old, quiet dojo.
"This is where the old man trains in secret," Mei explained. "I'll go call him. Please wait here."
A seat had been prepared for Daemon. Mei left with a gentle smile but inwardly, she was giddy. She couldn't wait to see the 'unbeatable' Yamamoto Genryusai get humbled by Daemon.
"This is where the strongest Shinigami lives?" Utaha muttered, gazing around in boredom.
"Could've fooled me. Looks like a garden shed."
She leaned against Kocho Shinobu, who blushed faintly under her touch.
Daemon sat nearby, Hinamori Momo cuddling beside him, while the still-fainting Sui-Feng lay in his arms. Matsumoto Rangiku knelt alone in the back, motionless, eyes locked on the ground.
"She's still in shock," Utaha noted, glancing at Rangiku. "Must've cared for Ichimaru Gin more than we thought."
Daemon didn't even look. "Doesn't matter. Emotions are fleeting."
His fingers absentmindedly brushed Momo's hair. "She'll realize the truth eventually. Gin wasn't who she thought he was. That sadness will twist into rage and she'll forget him completely."
"...Oh?"
Utaha blinked. Her mind spun.
How could someone be disappointed in a man who was already dead? Unless…
...Aizen?
Captain's Chamber — Squad 1
Shunsui stood at attention before Yamamoto Genryusai.
"That's the situation, Sensei. Unknown enemies have infiltrated Soul Society. They don't seem like Hollows—Gin's body wasn't devoured."
Yamamoto's expression barely shifted at the news of Gin's death. "...I see. A shame."
In truth, he had lived long enough to grow numb to the deaths of talented warriors. But the slight tremor in the hand gripping his cane revealed the storm beneath.
This was his domain. Soul Society. And no matter who this intruder was even Yhwach they would pay the price for their arrogance.
Suddenly, footsteps approached.
Clack. Clack. Clack.
A cold voice came through the door.
"Old man. It's me."
Yamamoto's face softened immediately.
"Come in!"
The door creaked open.
A black-haired beauty stepped inside, cool and graceful as ever.
"You've grown even more beautiful, Mei-chan."
Shunsui Kyoraku's tone was light, but his usual playfulness was noticeably restrained.
A warm smile touched his lips as he looked at Yamamoto Mei, yet his gaze held an unusual respect.
Mei rolled her eyes. "Hah. I remember someone getting most of his ribs broken last time he tried that line on me."
"Ahem…" Shunsui coughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, it did take a while to recover from that. Painful experience really drove the lesson home."
He chuckled sheepishly, clearly recalling the aftermath of his reckless flirting. Since then, he'd known better than to test Mei's patience twice.
"All right, if you two want to catch up, do it later," boomed a firm voice, punctuated by the sharp tap of a cane against the floor.
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, head captain of the Gotei 13 and Mei's grandfather, stood tall despite his age. His stern eyes softened slightly as he looked at her. "Mei, what brings you here?"
"I have a few friends who've recently arrived in the Soul Society," Mei said, her voice calm but deliberate. "One of them is quite powerful. He heard about the great Captain-Commander—supposedly the strongest Shinigami alive and would like to challenge you to a friendly match."
She didn't reveal Daemon and the others' identities. Instead, she dangled the word battle in hopes of piquing her grandfather's interest.
Yamamoto blinked. "Your friends? You mean, a group of outsiders has entered Soul Society without authorization?"
"Yes."
Mei answered without hesitation, her expression unchanging.
A heavy silence filled the room. Shunsui and Yamamoto exchanged a glance, the same troubled realization flickering in both their eyes.
Outsiders weren't allowed in Soul Society, and their arrival had coincided suspiciously with two major incidents: the assault on the 10th Division captain and the death of Ichimaru Gin.
"Mei," Shunsui said quietly, hand resting near his Zanpakutō, "have you been deceived? Or… controlled somehow?"
"What? No!" she frowned, clearly annoyed. "You think I'm that easy to manipulate?"
"Mei!" Yamamoto's voice was sharp. "This is serious. Tell me the truth."
His stern gaze bore into her. "Is your friend responsible for Gin's death?"
The room turned ice cold.
After a tense pause, Mei met her grandfather's eyes and replied softly, "Yes. Gin was killed by my friend."
BOOM—!
A wave of spiritual pressure exploded from Yamamoto Genryūsai. Cracks spiderwebbed across the walls and floor. Shunsui, caught off guard, was thrown backward, landing in a heap with a groan.
Yet Mei stood firm, unmoving amidst the overwhelming pressure. Though she appeared delicate, her strength and composure in that moment spoke volumes.
"Do you understand what you're saying, Mei?" Yamamoto roared. "Gin was your comrade. How could you allow an outsider to kill him? I demand an explanation now!"
Disappointment and fury burned in his eyes. Shunsui, normally light-hearted, looked on in grim silence. If Mei had betrayed the Soul Society, they would be forced to act, family or not.
"…Give me a second," Mei said quietly, ignoring the pressure around her. She opened her interface and entered the multiverse chat group.
[Chat Group]
Daemon: "I just felt a surge of spiritual pressure. That must be him. He knows Gin's death is connected to us?"
Yamamoto Mei: "Yeah, and he's demanding answers. If I mess this up, I'm dead."
Daemon: "Aizen, your turn."
Aizen Sōsuke: "Understood. It's a minor issue. Gin has served his purpose. Let's make use of his death now." ( PS: Damn )
Uchiha Miyuki: "Oof. Poor Gin. Lost his girl, died for love, and now even his corpse is being milked for political gain. Cold-blooded."
Aizen Sōsuke: "Well, Gin lacked the talent and luck I possess. If I'm in this chat group, then clearly fate favors me."
Aizen Sōsuke: "[Red Envelope] — here's some 'evidence.' Give it to the Captain-Commander. He'll believe you and probably even commend you."
Yamamoto Mei: "Thanks. I owe you one."
Aizen Sōsuke: "No debt between allies. Besides, with Daemon here, do you really think I'd risk harming the group?"
Yamamoto Mei: "…Sorry, but your anime persona doesn't inspire trust. I'll lower my guard when I can resist your illusions."
Aizen Sōsuke: "Fair enough. Trust is a slow process especially for those with my powers."
Back in the captain's quarters, Mei raised her hand. Several documents materialized in the air with a subtle shimmer and landed gently in front of the two men.
"This is proof that Ichimaru Gin was colluding with Hueco Mundo," she said coolly.
"I've suspected it for some time but waited until I had enough evidence. He provoked my friend because of Rangiku Matsumoto… and was killed."
Yamamoto picked up the papers. Every detail was precise meticulously constructed and verifiable. These weren't fakes. If anything, they were too perfect.
"So Gin… was a traitor?" he murmured.
For a long moment, the room was silent. The Captain-Commander slowly nodded, the weight in his chest beginning to lift.
"Then what about Hitsugaya Tōshirō?" he asked. "He's no traitor. Why was he injured?"
Mei hesitated for a second, then let out a breath. "That… you'll have to see for yourself."
Her expression was difficult to read.
Without another word, she turned and began walking. After a moment, Yamamoto and Shunsui followed in silence.
--
"Squeak—"
In a quiet, secluded dojo deep within the Soul Society, Yamamoto Mei gently pushed open the wooden door.
The soft creak echoed in the still air, drawing the attention of the powerful figure seated within—Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
"...What is the meaning of this?"
Genryūsai's sharp eyes widened slightly. Even Kyōraku Shunsui, known for his usually relaxed demeanor, stood stunned at the sight before him.
Inside the dojo, a young man with eyes marked by mysterious divine patterns sat calmly at the center.
In his arms, nestled comfortably on either side, were Vice-Captain Hinamori Momo of the Fifth Division and Captain Soi Fon of the Second Division.
Behind him, as if waiting her turn, sat Vice-Captain Matsumoto Rangiku of the Tenth Division, leaning against the wall with crossed arms and a strangely amused look in her eyes.
If Shunsui didn't recognize all three women—and if the scene weren't unfolding right in the revered dojo of the Captain-Commander himself, he might have thought he had accidentally walked into some scandalous pleasure house.
Yamamoto Mei, clearly uncomfortable, cleared her throat and stepped forward.
"This is my friend, Mr. Daemon," she said, gesturing to the man in question. "And these two beside him are Miss Kasumigaoka Utaha and Miss Kocho Shinobu."
Daemon simply nodded, unfazed by the intense scrutiny.
Genryūsai's stern gaze remained fixed on the peculiar scene. "Explain," he said curtly.
"What happened to Hitsugaya Tōshirō? Why is Soi Fon unconscious? And what, in the name of Soul Society, is going on here?"
With a half-forced smile, Mei rubbed her temple and sighed. "Old man… remember you asked me earlier about Tōshirō's injuries?" She paused. "Well, it's kind of simple… but also not."
She hesitated a moment longer, then said bluntly, "Hinamori Momo has strong feelings for Mr. Daemon. But Tōshirō, as you know, has been her childhood friend and harbors feelings of his own. That… didn't sit well with him."
Shunsui blinked. "Wait don't tell me…"
Mei shrugged helplessly. "Tōshirō acted on impulse. He confronted Daemon, and well, Daemon responded. Swiftly. The fight didn't last long."
"And Soi Fon being the person she is...arrived on the scene and attacked without asking questions. She assumed Daemon was a threat to Soul Society. Naturally, Daemon defended himself."
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