As a meticulous teacher, Haruki aimed for perfection in mastering what he taught. With the Stern Master-Apprentice Bond buff enhancing his sensitivity to spiritual energy, he could keenly detect even subtle shifts around him.
On his way back, he sensed a faint Hollow presence in the distance.
Scanning his surroundings, Haruki realized it was already dusk. By the time he returned to Seireitei, his shift would be over. Yet, to encounter a Hollow at this hour felt like pure bad luck.
Feigning ignorance, Haruki continued walking, all the while strategizing how to handle the situation. If it was a regular Hollow, he could manage, but if it turned out to be a Menos-class...
He would have to rely on his recently acquired soul abilities.
Among the abilities at his disposal were Ultimate Defense and Destructive Death Beam. He hoped the Hollow was bird-shaped so he could use Kira's Avian Slayer.
The Hollow was likely intelligent and observing him cautiously. Haruki warned himself to stay vigilant, and suddenly, his sense of danger spiked.
A shadow loomed over him. Anticipating the attack, Haruki used Shunpo to leap forward, narrowly evading.
Turning back, he saw the Hollow—a spider-like creature. Its limbs crawled along the ground, and red, fleshy tendrils sprouted from its back like grotesque tentacles.
The sight made Haruki's heart skip. It looked eerily similar to Metastacia, a Hollow infamous for its ability to make Zanpakutō disappear and fuse with souls—a deadly foe.
Metastacia was the Hollow that, in the future, would fuse with Kaien Shiba, the lieutenant of Squad 13, ultimately leading to his death by Rukia's hand. Moreover, this Hollow was one of Aizen's experimental creations.
Aizen?!
A chill ran down Haruki's spine. Was he being targeted by Aizen already?
If this Hollow was sent by Aizen, it could only mean that Aizen had taken notice of him. That wasn't a good sign.
Though Haruki hoped the Hollow was acting independently, he couldn't shake the suspicion that Aizen might have guided it. Could his recent interactions with Renji, Kira, and Hinamori have drawn Aizen's attention?
Too perceptive, this guy.
Despite his inner turmoil, Haruki maintained a calm exterior. With a deadpan expression, he addressed the Hollow.
"This is such a hassle. I'm about to clock out. Couldn't you have waited until tomorrow morning?"
Metastacia tilted its head, puzzled by Haruki's nonchalance. From its perspective, Haruki shouldn't have been able to dodge the earlier attack.
"A strange Shinigami," the Hollow mused. "But no matter. Surrender your soul!"
With a roar, Metastacia lunged at Haruki. He didn't move, knowing full well the Hollow's capabilities. A single misstep could allow it to unleash its soul-fusion ability, which would spell disaster.
Instead, Haruki played the part of a frightened Shinigami, standing frozen in place.
Metastacia sneered. "What's the matter? Too scared to move, Shinigami?"
It opened its jaws wide, preparing to devour Haruki.
Snap!
The bite connected—but nothing happened.
Metastacia froze in disbelief. Its attack had been nullified. That's when it noticed Haruki's finger resting against its jaw.
"Goodbye," Haruki said softly.
"Destructive Death Beam."
A black light emerged from Haruki's fingertip, compressed into a pinprick before shooting out as a beam the width of a thumb.
Shhhhk!
The beam pierced Metastacia's brain, traveling upward and disappearing into the sky.
"You..." Metastacia's mouth opened in a silent scream. Though Hollows had regenerative abilities, they couldn't recover from destruction of the brain or heart. Haruki had exploited this weakness with precision.
Under the effects of Stern Master-Apprentice Bond, Haruki's analytical abilities were heightened. He had identified the Hollow's brain as its weak point and struck with pinpoint accuracy, leaving no chance for a counterattack.
"Finally..." Haruki sighed, watching Metastacia collapse. "I didn't want to fight."
Turning away, he continued toward Seireitei, maintaining his usual pace despite the battle's intensity.
The encounter had cost him two abilities—Destructive Death Beam and Ultimate Defense. Frustrated, Haruki vowed to avoid unnecessary risks in the future. But with Aizen potentially observing him, he couldn't afford to show panic or weakness.
Maintain composure. Maintain mystery.
Aizen wouldn't respect someone who groveled or tried to curry favor. To gain his attention, Haruki needed to appear intriguing.
Aizen, with his calculating nature, wouldn't directly confront Haruki. Instead, he'd play a game of discovery, enjoying the process of uncovering Haruki's secrets.
Haruki decided to let him. The longer Aizen dug, the better the chances of building rapport. When the time came, and Haruki had enough strength to stand as an equal, he'd reveal his intentions.
He imagined saying, "Oh, what a coincidence! You dislike the Soul King too? Let's take him down together!"
That would surely work better than groveling for Aizen's approval.
With that plan in mind, Haruki walked into Junrin'an and passed through the White Way Gate, returning to Seireitei as if nothing had happened.