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 walked towards Kazuya and affectionately rubbed her head against his leg. "You're safe."
"Of course." He patted her head tenderly. "Someone is unafraid of showing love today."
"Bastard came to take you and Harribel-sama away from us. 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. "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 be helpful since everyone here wants to become an Arrancar. Am I right?"
"Hell yeah! I promised you I'll be the strongest Arrancar."
"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 there was a way to become strong without devouring another soul, even if it meant performing a dance with death.
Mila Rose smiled, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes. "I thought you wouldn't ask about that, Kazuya. 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, giving a helpless shrug. "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. I'm sorry for that."
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. Just 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.
She couldn't stop them from walking the dangerous path since she herself wished to walk upon it and rise to the ranks of Arrancar.
"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. "Wait for some time."
"Okay…" Apacci agreed, her voice a mixture of anticipation and understanding. "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, sensing their determination ignited by 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 liquid cascaded before the said liquid caught fire. Molten blue flames roared to life, a blue fiery tempest encasing him.
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, the anticipation tightening 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 as if they were a living entity, a sentient force returning to its origin.
***
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