Chapter 38: Golden Thread

Laboratory, Las Noches

Ichigo's eyes narrow as he growls at the Arrancar before him, "What could we possibly have to talk about? What's your angle?"

The pink haired Arrancar waves his hands defensively, "I mean you no harm. In fact, I have been interested in you for quite some time, now. I've heard tales of your strength and would very much like to avoid being on the receiving end of your ire."

Ichigo doesn't loosen up at hearing Szayel's words, instead giving the Arrancar a cold reminder, "You didn't answer my other question. Talk."

Szayel sighs as he adjusts his spectacles before answering, indirectly, "I would not stand in your way if you truly wish to put an end to the God King's rule."

The dragon Vasto Lorde tilts his head to the side, somewhat confused by this admission. Suddenly, a beeping noise comes from one of the monitors behind the scientist, prompting him to turn around to regard it briefly before turning back to face Ichigo.

Szayel reveals, "It seems we must take this conversation to the room next door. We've a mutual ally who wishes to speak with us both…"

As Ichigo begins to follow Szayel to a door on the right side of the room, he clarifies darkly, "Remember my promise—if you try anything funny, I'll end you."

The Arrancar doesn't respond as the two enter a larger, well-lit room. Ichigo's eyes wince at the sight—adapting to the environment. As Ichigo's eyes finish adapting, he sees two odd-looking Arrancars, one with a large unique mask and the other with a mask akin to a beetle. The two Arrancars stand in front of a large, white bull Adjucha, whose legs are held in some kind of binding. Lastly, the dragon's eyes widen as they land on the form of a familiar woman with long, turquoise hair, a capricorn-esk mask worn as a helmet, and a tribal tattoo spanning across her face underneath her eyes.

The woman gives Ichigo a brief, friendly smile, before immediately shifting to a frown laced with contempt as she addresses Szayel, "I've honored my end of the bargain, now it's your turn."

The scientist, however, ignores the woman, as he berates the bull with a vicious smirk, "I can't believe I once shared a being with a fool like you. To have come here expecting anything less than a humiliating defeat at best is the height of arrogance! Perhaps I should kill you now, as clearly attempting to teach you any lessons would be a waste of my time~."

Yylfordt snaps back at his brother, "And I can't believe I used to share a being with a coward like you! You'll never change—you can't be bothered to do your own dirty work! I'd run you through right now if it weren't for these restraints!"

Szayel shrugs, "As amusing as that'd be, I've no interest in fighting you."

The two continue to bicker for a few more moments as, despite himself, Ichigo can't help but stare at the bull in mild interest, "I think I've seen that Adjucha somewhere before…"

The bull notices Ichigo's stare causing him to look at the Vasto Lorde for a moment before the look in his eyes becomes urgent, "Wait… YOU'RE WHITE!"

Ichigo rolls his eyes, finding his infamy somewhat annoying, "Yeah. Do I know you from somewhere?"

Yylfordt chuckles lowly, "It makes sense that you'd recognize me—but my name doesn't matter. I am a follower of your sworn nemesis; The Uncrowned King: Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez!"

The dragon's eyes widen in shock upon hearing this, "Grimmjow…?!"

The bull cackles, "It's good that you remember him, White! My King will strike down both you and Barragan, proving to everyone that he is the strongest! And then, he'll finally be the one, true king—"

Yylfordt's words are cut off as Szayel promptly presses a remote attached to a cable connected to the bindings around the bull's legs, which causes the Adjucha to spasm in pain. The two other Arrancars slowly step back towards the woman's side, having shocked looks in their eyes. The pink haired Arrancar does this for a long few moments before the bull's body falls motionless to the ground, unconscious.

The woman, Nelliel, sends Szayel a look of disgust, "So you even treat your brother like this!"

Szayel shrugs carelessly, "I'll keep my end of the bargain, as promised. That's all that should concern you, Nelliel…"

Ichigo zones out of the conversation, his eyes twitching back and forth between Szayel and Yylfordt on the ground, "Brother…?"

In the next moment, his eyes settle on mad scientist, staring at him with equal amounts of contempt as Nelliel does. Szayel snaps his fingers, prompting two large, spherical Arrancars to bumble into the room before each grabbing onto one of Yylfordt's horns and dragging him into another, separate room.

Now finally having the opportunity to converse, Nelliel regards Ichigo with a friendly smile, "It's good to see you again, White! And look how far you've come! Not only did you defeat the Cero Espada, but you were able to bring together a group of strong hollows who share your ideals. I knew you had it in you!"

Ichigo responds standoffishly, "Sure…"

Nelliel's smile turns into a frown somewhat, her expression becoming concerned, "Have I done anything to offend you?"

The teenage hollow's eyes widen as he recoils awkwardly, as if he were jump-scared, "W-what?! No, not at all! I honestly don't think I could've come this far without your help and advice…"

The woman smiles once more, "Oh, well that's good! I'm glad I could help!"

Ichigo nods and then shifts his attention to the two Arrancars flanking Nelliel, "Are those two those allies you mentioned?"

Nelliel's eyes widen as if realizing something, "Oh, right! You haven't met my brothers! You guys should introduce yourselves!"

The two Arrancars perform some kind of weird, dramatic pose, the beetle being the first to speak, "I'm Pesche, humble servant and adoptive older brother of Master Nel!"

The other Arrancar promptly follows up, "…And I am Dondochakka, Master Nel's eldest brother, so it's up to me to keep these two out of trouble, y'know what I'm talkin' about?!"

"I do, actually.", Ichigo responds knowingly.

This causes Nelliel to raise a brow, "You have siblings?"

The dragon nods, looking slightly downward in a dejected manner, "I did…"

The three hollows look at him with slight concern in their gazes, but they don't have the chance to comment on it further, as the dragon changes the subject, "So hey, is that guy really one of those allies you mentioned before?"

Nelliel follows Ichigo's gaze, which is directed at Szayel, which causes her to wear a scornful expression, hissing, "He most certainly is not. A sadistic gilipollas like him deserves no less than an eternity in Hell."

Ichigo flinches from the harsh words, "She didn't even show this level of contempt towards Barragan…"

Szayel chuckles, "Oh Nelliel, the feeling is mutual, I assure you. Although, unlike yourself, I prefer to keep such things to myself for the sake of being professional."

The woman's scowl deepens, looking ready to say something more, but pauses as a pair of light footsteps can be heard entering the room. Everyone in the room looks towards the door coming from the room Szayel and Ichigo were in just earlier to find the form of Roka Paramia wearing a white dress akin to what she wore a while back in Karakura Town. The girl's breath is a bit heavy, suggesting she spent a great deal of her energy prior to entering the room on something. She immediately gives a light bow of reverence towards both Szayel and Nelliel before giving Ichigo a blank look.

The dragon tilts his head, "Damn… I feel like I've seen her somewhere before too… definitely not from Grimmjow's group, though…"

As Ichigo ponders to himself, Szayel makes a declaration, "Nelliel; I shall hand over ownership of one of my most valuable possessions in exchange for bringing me my brother—fully intact—as agreed."

Roka promptly nods before beginning to walk over to Nelliel. Meanwhile, Ichigo's eyes narrow upon hearing Szayel's words, as if the implications deeply bother him.

Nelliel snaps at the scientist, "Don't speak about her like that! Her name is Roka and she's a person, just like the rest of us!"

Szayel scoffs, "No, that thing is not like the rest of us, because I created it. And, in case you forgot, it was I who bestowed a name upon that thing—albeit unintentionally. Indeed, that thing's attempts at being like the rest of us are as worthless as a pile of roka."

The Espada passionately responds, "But that's just it! That proves that she will cling to anything that gives her meaning and purpose! It proves her independence as a person because she chose that name for herself! I, for one, will do all that I can to make sure you never touch so much as a hair on her head again!"

The scientist shrugs carelessly before addressing the orange haired Vasto Lorde, "Now, shall we continue our former discussion?"

Ichigo instinctually clenches his fist, beginning to understand the bigger picture here.

The Vasto Lorde's black and yellow eyes widen after a moment as he takes a better look at Roka, "Wait, she's…!"

Ichigo fully turns to face Roka as Szayel continues, "Now, I believe that we would benefit from an alliance—"

"Has this man forced you to do things against your will?", the dragon asks the artificial hollow seriously, while simultaneously ignoring the scientist.

Ichigo can see Roka's eyes widen ever so slightly, something he would've certainly missed if he weren't looking right at her. Although her right eye is mostly hidden by her mask, Ichigo can see a faint light of purpose in her gaze, which wasn't there before.

Roka looks ready to say something, but Szayel cuts her off in a friendly tone, "Come now, White. That thing can't have a will of its own. I created it, so I would know."

Ichigo's fists continue to ball up, although he doesn't lash out as the scientist prattles on, "That creation of mine is an emotionless, guideless heap, not unlike a pile of roka, as I've stated. It only has its ability to speak telepathically with other beings. It's a tool and that is all it will ever be."

Szayel's words cause Roka to drop her expression towards the ground. Nelliel scowls at this sight, looking ready to speak her mind.

However, her brothers beat her to it as Pesche begins, "It's you who is wrong, Szayelaporro!"

Dondochakka follows up, "Yeah! How can you even think of Roka as a tool after all of the times that she's played eternal tag with us?! She's a friend to us, so it just wouldn't make sense to call her a tool, y'know what I'm talkin' about?"

The beetle hollow nods vehemently, "Exactly! And she's successfully outsmarted us more times than I can count!"

Dondochakka and Pesche both nod in agreement with each other before assuming defensive stances in front of the Arrancar girl, simultaneously declaring, "We won't let you hurt Roka ever again!"

Roka's eyes widen as she regards her friends, "Pesche… Dondochakka…"

Nelliel smiles as she doesn't miss the expression on the younger girl's face before nodding her head in approval of her Fracciones' words.

The woman then rests her left hand on the hilt of her Zanpakuto, adding, "And of course, I agree with everything they just said."

The mad scientist scoffs again, "Oh please. 'Friends' are pointless and a waste of time; something that I created should likewise never see use in such a concept. Now its existence truly is meaningless."

Roka's expression worsens as Szayel says this, which makes Nelliel and her Fracciones take aggressive stances, as if preparing to rebuke the scientist. The trio tense up, however, when the room begins to suddenly buckle under a dense, overwhelming pressure.

"SHUT THE HELL UP AND WAIT YOUR TURN TO SPEAK!", Ichigo—no, White, orders with venom in his voice.

Szayel's eyes widen as he begins to sweat lightly before nodding submissively before the apex predator.

Ichigo relents his reiatsu before turning back to face Roka, "I remember you from when I was an Adjucha. You're the one behind all of the golden thread that no one else can see. You looked into my mind without permission… I ought to kill you for that."

The girl flinches slightly in response, but Ichigo continues, "However, in light of new context, that clearly wasn't your choice. I'll let it slide this time."

Roka wears a surprised expression as her mind shifts to the image of a certain, smiling young girl with dirty blonde hair.

The Arrancar girl wears a light smile of her own as she reveals, "Your sister was right about you after all—you are a good person."

Now it is Ichigo's turn to look confused, his jaw dropping somewhat, "W-what…?"

The dragon's thoughts race, images of both of his sisters occupying his mind before he glares at Szayel with bloodlust, "What is she talking about?!"

The scientist's sweating continues, as he nervously adjusts his spectacles, "W-well, I was just about to get to that before we got sidetracked. I would be more than happy to reveal everything I know to you, as I do believe you will wish to hear it… Ichigo Kurosaki."

Ichigo's eyes widen briefly before narrowing in anger.

Nelliel, Pesche, and Dondochakka glance at each other in mild confusion, the Espada questioning, "Why did you call him that?"

The Vasto Lorde calmly explains, "That is my true name… from when I was alive. I've never told it to any of you…"

Ichigo balls both of his hands into fists as he barks, "Talk!"

Main Hallway, Las Noches

Sora, Halibel, and Cirucci all meticulously dig through the rubble, attempting to uncover their allies.

This continues for a few moments before the Espada pauses, glaring at the serpent who bested her in combat, "We may be allies now, but don't think for a moment I won't make you take responsibility for defeating me like that…"

Sora flinches before slowly looking back at the woman with a somewhat worried look in his eyes, "H-hey, you make me sound like some kind of creep when you word it like that!"

Cirucci smirks, looking as if she is going to say more, but promptly cuts herself off as she notices something behind Sora: Halibel glaring at her. The female Vasto Lorde's body is coated with golden energy, signaling her raising her reiatsu. Cirucci begins to sweat slightly as the shark's narrowed, green eyes stare at her coldly, as if to declare that the moth has trespassed on her territory and there will be severe consequences if she trespasses any further.

The Espada coughs into her hand, before regarding the rubble again, "F-forget it! Let's just get your friends out of here!"

The golden aura around Halibel fades as both females begin to dig through the rubble, leaving Sora confused, rubbing the back of his head, "Women sure can be confusing sometimes…"

The trio continues to dig for another several moments before they all pause, looking behind them. Both light and heavy footsteps can be heard approaching, prompting Sora and Halibel to assume aggressive stances.

Cirucci's eyes narrow briefly before she scowls somewhat, "Took him long enough…"

The two Vasto Lordes stare at the Espada questioningly, prompting her to continue, "You two can relax. They're not hostile."

After a few moments, a muscular man with an orange afro accompanied by a small dog Arrancar approach the group.

Cirucci complains, "You sure took your time, Gantenbainne! Were you able to find Nelliel or the old man?"

Gantenbainne shakes his head, "Dordoni and Nnoitora were both defeated in battle. I believe Szayelaporro collected their bodies for treatment…"

The man's words cause the moth Arrancar to tense up, letting out a shaken breath. Sora and Halibel glare at the man in interest at the mention of the pink haired Arrancar.

Gantenbainne continues, "I saw Nelliel and her Fracciones just earlier. She told me she would be keeping a close eye on Szayelaporro. If he were planning on doing anything questionable, she'll be there to stop it. She also mentioned that White would be there."

The dog next to the afro man starts to growl at the mention of the infamous hollow, which Sora notices, "Why does the dog react like that to White?"

Gantenbainne sighs, "This here is Kukkapuro. He was Yammy's Fraccion and closest companion before the Cero Espada's demise by the hand of White."

Halibel and Sora widen their eyes in shock at this revealation, the serpent noting to himself, "I didn't think such a brutish, blood lusted guy like him could have a soft spot for small animals… not that I'm one to talk, given what I did to him…"

The afro Espada notes Sora's silence and generally dejected posture, "I know that look…"

The serpent regards the Espada, who continues, "Look, what happened to Yammy was deserved—that bastard was evil. But even someone like him needed companionship of some kind. That's the only way anyone can bear surviving in this infernal land we all call home."

Sora nods as there is now silence among the group.

Gantenbainne then gestures to the pile of rubble, "It looks like you three were doing some digging—we'll help."

The group turns back to the pile of rubble and continue, however, Sora notes the way the dog almost immediately leaves the Espada's side, instead coming to his own.

The serpent dejectedly sighs as he can see the dog digging through the rubble with great vigor in the corner of his eye, "He must feel a connection to the traces of his owner in my reiatsu…"

Sora's eyes soften as his pace in digging slows, "I hope that defeating Barragan will truly lead to a Hueco Mundo where no one else has to die like that…"

Meeting Room, Laboratory, Las Noches

Ichigo huffs, internally sighing in relief, "Well, I'm just glad to know Yuzu has Chad and my old friends looking out for her. But I'm almost certain I never knew anyone by the name of 'Candice' when I was alive… I think I would've remembered someone so flashy looking…"

The Vasto Lorde is quiet for another moment before being stirred from his thoughts by Roka's patient, less blank than usual, stare, "Thanks again for helping out my sister. I owe you."

Despite not fully remembering the customs from when he was alive, Ichigo instinctively bows before Roka as a show of his heartfelt gratitude. The Arrancar girl nods a bit awkwardly in response, not used to receiving thanks like this.

The pink haired Arrancar then cuts in, "I hope you can grasp that your sister was merely my way of further observing you. No harm came to her, which is something rare for my subjects, and she—"

A violent, soul crushing force weighs down on Szayel's shoulders, so intense that he struggles to stand.

Ichigo slowly turns around to glare daggers into the scientist, who sputters in an attempt to defend himself. Ichigo is having none of it. The sheer intensity of the predator's glare, dead serious and not in the mood for compromise, causes Szayel to shut his mouth.

The hollow then calmly states in cold blood lust, "No one messes with my sister."

The Arrancars behind Ichigo all feel a chill run up their spines, all taking a cautious step back—including Nelliel.

In the next moment, Ichigo suddenly pounces and viciously grabs the scientist by his long pink hair. The Vasto Lorde continues charging, slamming Szayel into the wall at the end of the room so hard that it completely crumbles, before Ichigo, still holding the scientist, charges through it.

Ichigo continues charging through walls until both he and Szayel burst into a massive, open desert, which appears to have a sun. The Vasto Lorde finally throws Szayel's bleeding body away, sending the Arrancar slamming into a massive red spire, embedding him into the side of it.

Ichigo doesn't so much as acknowledge the unique surroundings as he charges a dense, pale red cero in between his horns. Szayel sees this and struggles as he grabs for the hilt of his Zanpakuto.

As the orange haired dragon launches his attack, Szayel shoves his blade down his throat and cries, "Sip, La Lujuriosa!"

As the cero is about to make contact, Szayel's body briefly vaporizes into a pink mist, which allows the cero to hit the tower behind, completely destroying the bottom half of it. Shortly after this, the mist reforms, revealing a fully recovered Szayel in his release state. The lower half of his body has become a multitude of purple tentacles, which hang to form something akin to a long skirt. The scientist's upper torso becomes segmented and appears not unlike the green shirt Roka often wears. This extends until his mid-bicep, converging to white sleeves with a purple lining. Szayel's hands have turned white, with slightly elongated purple fingers. His mask now takes the form of a headdress, and his left eye has purple markings which extend downward towards his cheek. Of particular note is how the scientist has grown four large, gray branch-like wings on his back with two on each side, with purple teardrop looking strands falling from them.

Szayel would typically smirk and boast as he enters his Resurreccion, but in this situation, he knows better. Indeed, Ichigo immediately charges at the Arrancar, giving him very little time to breath. However, in the Vasto Lorde's blind rage, he fails to notice that one of the scientist's wings hovers above him. The wing contorts into a tentacled bud-like structure, which immediately comes down on the young hollow. Ichigo senses this coming, turning back to strike at it with his fist, however, the bud absorbs the blow before beginning to suck the young hollow into itself. Ichigo struggles somewhat but is unable to put up enough effort to free himself in time. The bud completely engulfs the dragon before seemingly chewing on him for a moment and promptly spitting out, sending him plopping on the nearby ground. Thereafter, Szayel disappears with Sonido to make distance between himself and the Vasto Lorde.

At this point, Roka, Nelliel, and her Fracciones stand in the new opening in the wall of a dome-like palace.

Pesche cries, "Oh no! He got caught!"

Dondochakka and Roka look off in concern, albeit for different reasons. Nelliel, meanwhile, appears unconcerned, narrowing her eyes only slightly at the sight. Szayel chuckles as Ichigo slowly gets up. One of the teardrop extensions from his wings expand briefly before spitting out a doll with long orange hair, a tribal mask with forward facing horns, and red fur around its wrists and neck.

Ichigo charges towards Szayel once more, but suddenly finds himself being hit in the face by an invisible force, knocking him back a distance.

Szayel chuckles lightly as Ichigo looks around in confusion, "This is often the reaction I get whenever I use this form. I almost feel bad for doing this to you, White…"

Ichigo growls before deploying six blood-red reishi wings and flying towards the scientist with his right fist held back for a punch. As Ichigo is about to swing his fist, Szayel twists harshly on the same arm of the doll, causing the young hollow's arm to twist unnaturally as sounds of muscles and tendons snapping can be heard.

Szayel begins to laugh again, which is short-lived as Ichigo carries through with his punch anyway, slamming it on the scientist's face with a roar. Szayel is sent flying, bouncing off a nearby sand dune before hastily retaking his bearings with widened eyes.

Ichigo glares up at Szayel as his right arm hangs limp and broken—a crumpled mess. The hollow the does something a bit extreme: he grabs his right arm and promptly rips it off, stunning everyone present. The hollow winces in pain as his former arm falls to the ground. In the next moment, Ichigo's stump begins to grow outward before forming a brand new, clawed arm.

The Vasto Lorde sends a death glare to Szayel, proclaiming, "It will take more than cheap parlor tricks like that to kill White!"

The scientist recoils slightly at this, wearing an expression of mild disbelief, "I wasn't aware he had mastered high speed regeneration to this extend! Then again, I should've expected this given how long he survived respira as an Adjucha… still…"

Szayel lets out a maddened cry as he rips the doll into two pieces, revealing a variety of colored, labeled pieces within.

The madman hastily grabs one labeled "stomach" as Ichigo begins to resume his approach. Szayel promptly crushes the piece, causing Ichigo's eyes to widen as he vomits, his stride pausing.

The scientist cackles madly, "See?! Even you can't restore your stomach—?"

Szayel's eyes widen as Ichigo continues walking forward, declaring, "Oh, so that's what ruptured! It would've taken longer to restore… not that I need a stomach to kill you."

The scientist lets out a fearful cry and he pulls out piece after piece of the items in the doll, crushing them all. Ichigo continuously vomits, flinches, limps, falls, and contorts, among many other actions that would indicate pain. There is one constant among all of these as Ichigo's body parts are destroyed—he does not halt his advance.

Roka's eyes widen a distance away as she watches the scene in slight horror, which the others miss. This will change something.

As Szayel crushes the last of the pieces, he drops the doll to the ground dejectedly before falling to his knees. By this point, the form of Ichigo glares down upon him with piercing yellow eyes with black sclera, which have blood stains around them—a sign that they were destroyed by Szayel's actions. The teen's body is beaten, bruised, and bloody, shaking as a sign of both his rage and loss of a majority of his internal organs, which are currently restoring themselves.

Without any further delay, both of Ichigo's fists turn into their black bladed forms before he raises them for a death blow.

However, the Vasto Lorde pauses as he hears the command, "Cavort, Tillrenia."

Ichigo ignores it in the next moment, bringing his blades down to end Szayel, however, he watches in shock as the Arrancar's body is dragged out of the way of the strike by golden threads. The Vasto Lorde further ignores his momentary shock and the implications of what he saw, pursuing the defeated form of Szayel being dragged away, once more attempting to strike at him. However, as his blades are a mere arm's length away, he is finally forced to stopped as something stands between him and his prey, with outstretched arms. Ichigo's vision is clouded by rage and bloodlust, instinctually not sure what he should do in this moment.

Fortunately, his reason returns to him as he hears a feminine voice shout to him, "Stop! You've won!"

The red from Ichigo's sight fades as he takes in the form of a girl with short dark brown hair, which stops at her neck. The right side of her face is covered with white bandages in place of the usual half skull. Likewise, other areas of the girl's body is wrapped, particularly around the waist and lower back, from which four, white spider-like appendages sprout. The girl's arms are also completely wrapped in white bandages from the mid-bicep down, leaving her shoulders exposed. She still wears the same white dress underneath the bandages, and she wears white boots that go up to her knees.

Nelliel, Pesche, and Dondochakka have widened, shocked eyes as they stand on a nearby dune, seemingly having made an effort to stop the spider Arrancar.

Ichigo scowls beneath his mask, snapping at the girl, "Why are you stopping me? He tortured you and countless other hollows! It'd be one thing if he did it solely in the name of science, but this piece of shit gets off on hurting other people! He deserves to die!"

Roka flinches under Ichigo's intense gaze, yet somehow summons the courage to stand her ground, "No one deserves to die!"

The Vasto Lorde lets out a short, surprised breath, as Roka continues, "I have seen many things since my birth… I've heard the thoughts, dreams, and aspirations of countless hollows through my threads. Despite their differences, every single one of them, without fail, don't want to be alone! Master Szayelaporro is no different—even if everyone else gives up on him, I refuse to turn my back on the man who gave me the chance to live!"

A few moments pass as Roka breathes heavily upon making her declaration. Everything remains still in these moments. Ichigo and Roka stare into each other's eyes, neither backing down.

A voice in the back of Ichigo's head calls out to him with bloodlust, "Who gives a fuck?! If this girl stands in our way of killing a man who messed with our sister, she has forfeited her life!"

Ichigo brings his sword arm down slightly, but Roka doesn't flinch at the sight, adding, "You told me that you owed me for standing by your sister on the battlefield. But that's not all…"

Ichigo pauses in mild interest as Roka finishes, "A life for a life—I saved Ggio Vega from certain death. In exchange, I request that you spare Szayelaporro Granz's life and seek some other form of retribution."

The Vasto Lorde continues to stare down at the girl, conversing internally with his 'other half'; "Her request is fair and more than earned… I could sense Ggio go down but neither him nor his opponent died…"

White snaps at Ichigo, "So?! He still had intentions towards Yuzu—YUZU! Karin would be one thing, as she's tougher, but Yuzu? NO! Anyone who so much as looks at her funny deserves a punishment worse than death!"

Ichigo's eyes narrow before he smirks lightly, "Maybe you're both right… maybe there are things we can do with him that make him suffer."

White pauses before cackling, "Oh…? I like where this is going! Alright then, King! The stage is yours!"

Ichigo then gives Roka a light nod before his blade arms retract, turning his arms back to normal, "Very well, Roka. I shall spare Szayelaporro Granz from death on this day."

Everyone else in the immediate vicinity lets out a short sigh of relief.

Ichigo immediately follows up, "However, under my leadership, any and all hollow experimentation not directly approved by me will result in his immediate execution. Naturally, it will all be conducted in a humane manner, as well."

Szayel's body seems to seize as Roka nods before shaking his hand, "I agree to your terms."

The scientist spasms, "Well, I don't! Such highly restrictive and monitored research cannot result in any meaningful breakthroughs—"

"If you don't like being put on a leash, then I'll be glad to set you free… with death.", Ichigo warns coldly.

Szayel suddenly doesn't find these restrictions so unappealing, "I-I… agree with your terms… White."

Ichigo grunts, "It's 'Your Majesty'."

The Arrancar raises a brow, "Excuse me?"

The Vasto Lorde growls with some aggression, "As far as your ass is concerned, I'm your new King. Now, refer to me properly, you piece of shit!"

Szayel scowls towards the ground, before he begrudgingly obliges, "…Yes, Your Majesty…"

Ichigo chuckles, "You know, I usually hate it when people call me that, but with you, it's oddly cathartic!"

The Vasto Lorde continues to laugh, a bit more obnoxiously this time, as Szayel grits his teeth.

Roka bends down, offering her creator a hand of support. The scientist slaps it away.

"I don't need or want your pity!", Szayel barks.

Roka retracts her hand, looking down at the ground in slight disappointment.

Ichigo sends a death glare at the pink haired Arrancar, who by now has reverted to his sealed state, "I would be nicer to her too, if I were you. You may have been the man to give her life, but don't forget that she's the girl who saved yours. Because, believe me, if it weren't for her, you'd be smeared all over this desert."

Szayel continues to grit his teeth as he glares at the ground in frustration.

The teenage hollow tilts his head back towards the opening in the wall and Nelliel's group, "Now then, Roka; how about you show me where Ggio is?"

The spider gives one last look at her former master before nodding, leading the orange haired hollow back towards Szayel's castle. As they walk, Roka's body gradually shifts back to its normal, unreleased state.

Ichigo gives Nelliel a look as they approach, prompting the woman to sigh and smile, "You held back, didn't you?"

The dragon shrugs, "Maybe, but I still was going for the kill. I wasn't going to hunt a bug with a shotgun."

Nelliel maintains her smile, "But it's still impressive you were even able to hold back… you were angrier than I ever saw Yammy get, and that was his whole thing!"

Ichigo looks away uncaringly as the five hollows re-enter the building, "Well, unlike him, I've actually done a little thing called meditation."

Roka cuts in, correcting him, "Master Yammy did meditate."

The dragon tilts his, quiet for a moment, before responding, "…You're shitting me."

Pesche shakes his head, joining the conversation, "It's true! Although, I think it was more like sleeping…"

"Now that I can believe.", Ichigo nods, not seeing the irony in his words.

The group continues making small talk as their voices fade, leaving Szayel squatting on the desert by himself.

The Arrancar narrows his eyes, staring at the sands, "I don't want to be alone…? No matter how hard I try, I just can't understand you…"

Author's Note:

I used the VIZ English translation for the name of Szayel's sword release. The original means literally to fornicate in Spanish. While that is fitting for a man of Szayel's depravity, I grew up with the VIZ translation, so it just sounds better to me when reading it.

As for Roka, she was a criminally underutilized character in canon, which is understandable, as Kubo likely intended for her to be a one-off nurse who healed Yammy's arm and then died. Yep. That was it. Then, SAFWY happened, which revived her character, revealing her tragic backstory and connections to Szayelaporro, who used to be combined to form one hollow with Yylfordt (think like Stark and Lilynette) and was the original Cero Espada while Barragan was wondering around after his defeat by Aizen and Yammy wasn't a part of the group yet. I like all of those ideas from the novel, but I don't like how Roka was also made to be insanely overpowered, being able to reproduce Mugetsu with her threads. Some of the reviewers pointed out that she cannot spam it and it almost kills her using a fraction of its power, so I retract my statement about her possibly being able to spam it, but even so… The Final Getsuga Tenshou in the hands of anyone except Ichigo, Isshin, and perhaps Yuzu and Karin feels wrong, as it is a final, all or nothing attack that uses all of your power to such a degree that you not only lose your powers, but all spiritual awareness. The power is treated to be such an extreme, last resort, that Isshin's Zanpakuto straight up refused to teach it to him, and Ichigo only convinced Zangetsu to teach him after YEARS of training in the Dangai, where time moves more quickly than in the other realms. I don't think I need to explain any further why it's dumb to give that ability to a nothing character from canon, as much as I may love her character in the light novel itself. So, I nerfed her. Now, she is simply a supportive role, excelling in communication, gathering information, and healing. In the future, I might make her able to replicate weaker versions of other people's attacks, but certainly not transcendent, god-slaying attacks like Mugetsu. That's just silly.

Anyway, I hope that the build up to this particular climax between Roka and Szayel was worthwhile and impactful. Their characters will continue to be relevant as the story moves on, so I hope that's something you all are looking forward to.