Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero

Chapter 93 Companions?

He paused, then slowly said, "Maintaining the balance between the Soul Society, the Human World, and Hueco Mundo, ensuring that the order of soul circulation is not disrupted, and that the foundation of the world is stable—this is the fundamental meaning of the Zero Division's existence."

Upon hearing this, Asido's body trembled again, and his eyes flashed intensely.

He was not unaware of the Zero Squad's transcendence and mystery, but hearing their core responsibilities explained so bluntly was a shock.

Liu Chuan continued, his tone like that of a calm analyst assessing strategic resources: "Stark, you are one of the autonomous Arrancar, the pinnacle of Hueco Mundo."

Your power is great, and more importantly, over the long years, you have not completely succumbed to the primal instinct to devour.

Instead, you accomplished what can only be described as a miracle of becoming an "Arrancar," possessing almost complete rationality and a capacity for self-reflection, which in itself proves your "uniqueness" and "controllability."

"For Squad Zero, and for the ultimate goal of maintaining the balance of the three realms,"

Liu Chuan's gaze seemed to penetrate Stark's body, seeing into the essence of his power and the state of his soul: "A special Void possessing extremely high intelligence and immense strength, and currently showing no intention of actively disrupting the balance of the three realms," whose value in "living" far outweighs that of being "purified and destroyed."

He gave more specific reasons and presented a more shocking background: "Excessive and indiscriminate elimination of the void will also lead to the disorder of the soul circulation in the three realms and disrupt the balance."

This point was mentioned many times by Lord Hyosube Ichibei when I was at the Rei-o Palace.

The Spirit King Palace views all things, including the void, from the perspective of overall balance, rather than simply good versus evil or opposing factions.

Liu Chuan's gaze deepened, as if recalling his experiences at the Spirit King Palace: "In fact, as far as I know, the Spirit King Palace's Sword God, Lord Nimaiya Oetsu, once sealed an ancient Hollow within his Zanpakuto using special methods, rather than choosing to completely annihilate it."

The chain reaction and energy imbalance caused by completely eliminating it could cause even greater harm to the Three Realms.

This is enough to prove that, at the level of the Spirit King Palace, there are by no means only "purification" as a way to deal with "the void".

Provided it is under control and beneficial to the balance, "utilization, guidance, or even—coexistence" are all possible options.

Asido was completely speechless. What was the Spirit King Palace's opinion? Nimaiya Oetsu sealed the ancient Great Hollow within Asahi?

This information completely overturned his understanding of death and Hollows!

So it turns out that—on a higher level, the relationship between Shinigami and Hollows can be so—complex and pragmatic?

Stark fell into a deeper silence; Liu Chuan's words had opened a window he had never seen before.

He never considered his own value from this perspective: is living more useful than dying?

Because of his power and uniqueness, is he useful for "balance"?

This statement was cold and realistic, yet strangely—it gave him an unprecedented sense of "being recognized."

They are not feared or loathed as "prey" or "monster," but as "beings" with "value."

To be evaluated.

Moreover, the Spirit King Palace actually has a precedent of "utilizing" Hollows? Sealing rather than destroying them?

"So," Yanagawa stepped forward, looking at Stark again with a sincere and earnest gaze, "I invite you, Stark, as a member of the Zero Division, to become my comrade."

"Go see different worlds, and even—explore the possibilities that go beyond your Arrancar."

In exchange, they will assist me in handling "special matters" that may jeopardize the balance of the Three Realms when necessary.

He extended his hand, his posture still calm, yet carrying an undeniable sincerity and strength: "So, Stark? Will you continue here, keeping company with eternal solitude and this desolate desert?"

Come with me, let's see the scenery on the other side. Perhaps it can help you find some new "meaning" in your long and lonely existence?

On the gray-white rocky ground, the wind and sand had completely stopped at some point.

Asido held his breath, his gaze fixed on Stark's face, trying to discern any emotional fluctuation from that usual indifference.

Stark, the pinnacle of Hueco Mundo, the lonely king, sat quietly on the rock, gazing at the emptiness in his chest that represented nothingness, then slowly raised his hand to look at Yanagawa's outstretched hand.

Finally, Stark slowly stood up from the rock.

Then, in a voice heavy with weariness but no longer entirely indifferent, he slowly asked, "Companions—? It sounds—a little more interesting than just standing here daydreaming."

Then, under Asido's complicated gaze, Stark raised his right hand.

His hand paused slightly in mid-air for a moment, as if passing through a heavy barrier called "race" and "position".

Finally, she gently landed and took Liu Chuan's hand.

There was no unusual phenomenon at the moment their palms touched.

But Asido seemed to sense that the heavy, cold spiritual pressure around him had produced a very subtle "loosening".

Death and Hollow, two beings that should be irreconcilable, have now crossed the boundary that was considered an insurmountable chasm, under the name of "comrades".

"Alright," Stark's voice rang out.

"Since there's really nothing left to miss here, let's give it a try."

"Welcome, Stark," Yanagawa said calmly, then seemed to remember something.

He reached into his robes and took out a special eye mask.

The style of the eye patch is about 80-90% similar to the one that Kenpachi Zaraki always wore to suppress his spiritual pressure.

"This is a spiritual pressure suppression device specially made by Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi of the Twelfth Division's Technical Development Bureau." Yanagawa handed the blindfold to Stark. "Your spiritual pressure is too great, and you don't have the skill to control it. If it dissipates unconsciously, it will cause the annihilation of all living beings around you."

After you return to Soul Society with me, you will need to keep it within a certain range to avoid causing unnecessary panic and trouble.

Wearing it can significantly suppress and control your spiritual pressure, allowing you to function normally in ordinary environments.

Stark took the blindfold and, without hesitation, put it on his face, covering his left eye.

The spiritual circuits behind the blindfold activated instantly, rapidly scanning and adapting to his spiritual pressure characteristics.

Almost the instant the blindfold was put on, the originally powerful spiritual pressure centered on Stark rapidly subsided!

Although one can still sense the hidden power within him when approaching, at least it will no longer cause indiscriminate and destructive effects on the surrounding environment.

"Oh?" Stark let out a soft sigh tinged with curiosity. He raised his hand, feeling the change in his spiritual pressure. "Indeed—it's much easier now."

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