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"…Replicated? That's impossible. Zanpakutō are unique, there's no way one can be reproduced…"
Soifon stared, mouth slightly open, completely stunned.
Nothing she knew fit what she was seeing.
A Zanpakutō's ability was the manifestation of its wielder's soul. Two identical Zanpakutō shouldn't exist.
And wasn't this guy's Zanpakutō supposed to be Byakuya?
The terrifying dominator-type blade that turned its user into a "ruler" and could seal any fire-type Zanpakutō.
The entire Gotei 13 had built its strategy around the assumption that Ryo would use Byakuya.
Even that damn Urahara Kisuke she despised so much planned around it.
But if Ryo didn't use Byakuya and instead pulled out Suzumebachi at the last second…
The moment she imagined the Gotei 13 pouring everything into sealing Byakuya, only to be wiped out by her Suzumebachi, Soifon's heart trembled violently.
Wouldn't that mean she'd basically be the one responsible for killing the Gotei 13's last hope?
Her face went pale in an instant.
"I tried simulating it with my cosmo. Yeah… it works."
Ryo examined the golden finger guard, nodding lightly.
"And if I can do that, then collecting Quincy, Shinigami, and Hollow powers should be enough to push me into the four-digit tier legally."
His tone carried clear amusement.
Omega would cover up the true source of his power, but Ryo wanted to build a matryoshka of false narratives so most idiots in Little Garden would think he ascended by mastering Bleach-world forces.
Let them expect a Shinigami… then, right when they prepare to counter his bankai, he puts on the God Cloth instead.
That would be priceless.
The thought made him smile.
In his unusually good mood, he said brightly to Soifon. "Use the asauchi and imprint your ability."
"…Just kill me," Soifon muttered after a few seconds of silence.
Ryo's smile paused for a moment. Then he repeated. "Use the asauchi and imprint your ability."
"Captain Soifon…" Orihime tugged gently at her sleeve.
Soifon didn't respond to her and continued. "Kill me."
Ryo rubbed his temples, sighing.
"How about this. You imprint your ability into the asauchi, and as payment… I'll strip Yoruichi and deliver her to your bed."
Deal—The answer almost flew out of Soifon's mouth. She barely stopped herself through sheer willpower.
Good grief. This was a hell-tier temptation. Terrifying. Ryo Yagami was terrifying. Could he read minds or something…?
Ryo, who was indeed reading her mind, twitched at the corner of his mouth. He even picked up her… imaginative fantasies about Yoruichi.
He hesitated, then politely turned off the ability.
'These fantasies are weak… this little girl has no creativity.' He snorted inwardly, then smiled and added. "Of course, you can refuse. In that case, maybe I'll send Yoruichi to my room instead."
Good, as long as it's not Kisuke Urahara—The thought shot through Soifon's mind before her expression twisted and she glared at him.
Compared to before, when she'd only disliked Ryo on a professional level, this was the anger of someone staring down a potential romantic rival.
Soifon bit her lip, thought for a moment, then picked up the asauchi she had dropped earlier.
"Don't touch Lady Yoruichi," she said, eyes sharp as she stared at him.
"Relax. I'm not interested in her."
'Girls with each other are great, but they can't have kids… they need us to sleep with them...' Ryo laughed inwardly and turned his attention to the asauchi in her hand.
As it slowly absorbed Suzumebachi's power, his eyes narrowed.
The experiment worked. He let out a half-smile, half-sigh.
Working with Aizen had cracked Mayuri's Sleep Project in just three hours. Sure, they had full data and Urahara's annotated notes, but still… Aizen really was born for research.
Shame he'd never agree to work under anyone. Even with all the benefits Ryo offered, Aizen still refused to join Arcadia. Cooperation, though… that wasn't completely out of the question.
While he thought, he glanced at Soifon, who was forcing more reiatsu into the asauchi.
"That's enough. Stop."
She hesitated, catching her breath as she looked at him.
Ryo studied the blade and said. "For the next three days, record every change the Zanpakutō undergoes. Then report to me."
Soifon clenched her teeth, not answering, but her silence was agreement.
"Hope I'm not interrupting."
The sudden voice made both Soifon and Orihime turn toward the door on reflex.
Standing there was Unohana.
"Captain Unohana…" Soifon's pupils shrank as she stared in shock.
Why was Captain Unohana here? Did the rumors about her and Ryo… actually turn out to be true?
Or maybe… it wasn't even a rumor from the start.
Ryo, who had already sensed her presence earlier, turned his head and looked down at her.
"What is it?"
He knew she was temporarily staying in Las Noches after reaching an agreement with him.
Still, he wasn't sure what she wanted with him now.
Unlike Soifon, he didn't think their life-or-death battle had made this ancient monster genuinely interested in him romantically.
Her tightly condensed reiatsu was way too clear to someone who possessed a cosmo.
She was the type to tell people she liked him when what she really meant was "I want to stab you half to death every day" or "you can stab me half to death instead."
A relationship of stabbing and being stabbed, and she deliberately used a suggestive tone to make people misunderstand.
What a sword demon of a woman.
Unafraid of his scrutiny, Unohana simply smiled and said. "Aizen asked me to deliver a message to you."
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