Crossover Anime: Starting with Bankai from Demon Slayer

Chapter 288 The Card Players' Friendship

Its density and toughness are like a knife that has been forged through countless hammer blows.

Even within his own body, Stark vaguely sensed an even more ancient and profound power that he himself could not fathom.

"These two guys are definitely different; they can chat and laugh so easily around me."

Stark thought to himself.

"Hey! Stark! How long are you going to sleep?!"

Lilynette suddenly sprang into action and threw a stack of cards at Stark's face.

"Get up! We're one short! This round's on you!"

Looks like he lost the game, he's got such a temper...

Stark sighed helplessly and slowly sat up.

He looked at the three faces in front of him.

"...This is so troublesome."

Stark scratched his head, complaining, but his body betrayed him as he moved closer.

"How do you play this? Let's make it clear, you can't cry if you lose," he asked Lilynette.

"Ha! Who's going to cry! Uncle, just don't lose too badly!" Haiyan laughed as she dealt the cards.

And so, two lost Shinigami, and this solitary Hollow who self-destructed...

In this forgotten corner of the world, a strange friendship called "card-playing buddies" has miraculously been established.

After several rounds of card games, the relationship between the group had clearly grown much closer.

It wasn't the birds that had anything to do with it; it was mainly the petrel's outgoing personality that played a huge role.

Not only did it make Lilynette laugh out loud, but even Stark's usually dejected face would occasionally reveal a faint smile.

"Speaking of which, Starks, have you all been staying here the whole time?"

Taking advantage of a lull in the shuffling, Haiyan asked seemingly casually.

"Hmm." Stark glanced at the cards in his hand and answered casually, "It's the only quiet place here."

"I see... Do you know any other Hollows? Like Gillian or Adjuchas or something?" Haiyan pressed.

Stark, expressionless, arranged the cards: "...Don't recognize them, they're all the same. Wherever I go, the other Hollows will die."

These words sounded plain, yet they carried a chilling sense of sorrow.

Because it is too strong, it is lonely.

Because he was too strong, he couldn't even have companions.

But doesn't this also mean... Haiyan's plan is doomed...?

Asuka looked at Stark and suddenly said, "Well, we don't necessarily have to stay here."

Stark lifted his eyelids and glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

"The world is vast." Asuka put down the cards in her hand and said seriously, "Besides this desert, there's the human world, the Soul Society... and even other worlds."

There will always be a place that can contain your strength, and there will always be people who can stand by your side and never fall.

Stark paused for a moment.

He looked at the birds in flight, then at the petrels.

In fact, these two grim reapers had been in his cave for several hours.

Why are they so resilient?

Surprisingly, he never collapsed and could even joke with him and play cards.

He didn't think that the two little guys had any strong spiritual pressure. What was the reason?

Or is it simply because of the Hollows' constitution that the outside world is more normal?

"...Maybe."

Stark looked away and threw the cards in his hand away.

"Royal flush, I won!"

"What?! How did we lose again?!" Lilynette yelled angrily.

Haiyan gave a wry smile: "Uncle, your card-counting ability is just too amazing!"

"It's not actually that difficult." Stark stretched and stood up.

He walked to the cave entrance and looked out at the dark sky and the inverted moon.

"You... want to go back to Soul Society, right?"

The sudden words made Fei Niao and Hai Yan's hearts leap into their throats.

Although Stark didn't know much about the Soul Society, he had seen some of the Shinigami who came to Hueco Mundo on duty.

Even without the portal, Death would be trapped here.

"Yes." Asuka didn't try to hide anything, looking directly at Stark's retreating figure: "We have a reason to go back; someone is waiting for us there."

Is someone waiting...?

"6

Stark repeated the words in a low voice, a hint of envy in his tone.

"That's great."

He turned around and looked at the two of them.

"To avoid trouble, I can't send you to Soul Society, but I can send you to the human world." Stark scratched his head. "As for how you get back from the human world, that's none of my business."

"Really?!" Haiyan exclaimed with delight.

"But there's a condition." Stark held up one finger.

"What conditions? As long as we can do it, we will definitely do it without hesitation!" Haiyan patted her chest and guaranteed.

Stark pointed to the playing cards on the ground.

"Keep this for me."

"And... if we have the chance to meet again next time."

"Bring some of that 'wine' stuff. You were raving about it so much earlier, I'd like to try it."

Haiyan was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Of course! Our Male Death God Association's parties are very famous!"

"Not only do they have alcohol, but also all sorts of snacks to go with it! Oden, grilled chicken skewers, fried tofu..."

'

He started rattling off the names of the dishes, making Lilynette's stomach rumble.

Stark listened quietly, a longing flickering in his always melancholy eyes.

"It sounds lively."

He said softly.

"It'll be lively! Of course it'll be lively!" Haiyan slapped his thigh. "How about it, uncle? Want to come with us to Soul Society? It's on me!"

"Go to Soul Society?"

Stark shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips.

"Forget it. If I went there... I'd probably be chopped to pieces by your companions before I even got a drink."

""

"That's true..." Haiyan scratched her head, somewhat embarrassed.

After all, Hollows and Shinigami are enemies; this is an immutable law.

The fact that we can coexist peacefully like this is already a miracle.

Having said that, Stark said no more.

He led the two out of the cave and raised his hand toward the void before them: "Descorrer".

Sizzle—!

Space tore apart like paper under the spiritual pressure at his fingertips, revealing a huge black cavity before him.

On the other side of the dark cavity, one can vaguely see the familiar night sky of the present world, as well as the bridge spanning the river in the distance.

They were able to pinpoint the exact location where they disappeared.

Fuyuki City!

"Let's go." Stark waved his hand and lay back down on the boulder.

"You've had enough fun, so don't disturb my sleep."

"Thanks, Stark! And Lilynette too!"

Haiyan waved to the two of them, then pulled Feibiao towards the shady area: "My name is Haiyan! This guy's name is Feibiao!"

"If you ever get bullied by Shinigami in Hueco Mundo, just mention my name!"

"Hey! Remember to bring some alcohol! If you're lying, I'll go to Soul Society and chop you all up!" Lilynette shouted, still clutching the deck of cards tightly in her hand.

Don't worry!

Just before stepping into the dark cavity, the bird glanced back at the figure lying on its side in the shadows.

He is a powerful yet lonely man, but also unexpectedly gentle.