Bleach: Starting as a Vasto Lorde

Chapter 52: Protector

Kisuke's gaze lingered on the fading portal, the corners of his lips lifting in an amused smirk. Yoruichi's impulsive action didn't surprise him in the least. She was always the one for exploration. Kazuya's friends or Kazuya had caught her intrigue. Perhaps the limitless expanse of Hueco Mundo offered an allure she couldn't resist.

Deciphering her motivations, however, was akin to hunting for a single cloud in a boundless sky.

"There she goes on her own," Tessai said, giving a resigned shake of his head. His gaze then turned questioning towards Kisuke. "Was that the right trade-off? Was the information a justifiable reason to hide several Arrancars from the Soul Society?"

In response, Kisuke lifted two fingers. "Consider two things, Tessai. Firstly, Hueco Mundo provides more protection from the Seireitei than our shop. I suspect they're running from something in Hueco Mundo, something potentially more powerful than Kazuya himself."

Tessai's eyes widened behind his rectangular glasses. The thought of a Hollow boasting a stronger Reiatsu than Kazuya was unnerving, to say the least. "Who could that possibly be?"

"I have no idea."

"And the second point?"

"Some investments might appear precarious in the short term, but they yield unexpected dividends when you least anticipate it. Kazuya-san is that type of investment."

Having Kazuya's friendship might just tip the favor in his hidden warfare against Aizen. Though banished by the Seireitei, the heart in his chest was still that of a Shinigami. Protecting Seireitei and the balance will always be his duty.

As he digested this information, Tessai absentmindedly twirled his mustache. "I still find it hard to grasp what Kazuya truly is."

Kisuke chuckled at Tessai's confusion. "Regarding Kazuya-san, I have a hunch about the source of his transformation."

He had come across equally baffling things when he was brought to Shihōin Mansion. It was only a matter of time before he understood every aspect of his confusion.

"What is it?"

"I'll share when I'm absolutely certain," Kisuke replied, rising to dust off his Haori sleeves. "Now, excuse me. I need to prepare a guesthouse for our new allies... I wanna procrastinate."

***

While Kisuke fully expected Yoruichi's action, Kazuya wasn't of the same mind. The black cat began walking by his side, her tail swinging in a rhythm. She acted like she expected him to understand her intentions on his own.

"Shihōin-san, we Hollows have a saying, "Don't enter another man's Garganta if you are not prepared for a battle to death.'"

"You are a hundred years early to challenge me," Yoruichi retorted with a chuckle, her golden eyes surveying the vast void surrounding them. "It's my first time inside a Garganta. It sure is a boring place."

Throughout her extensive lifespan, she had never ventured into a Garganta, the mysterious travel route accessible only to Hollows.

"Hueco Mundo isn't any better than this," he said with a shrug. "Let's hurry now, shall we? I can't wait to meet my friends."

"Neither can I wait to make their acquaintance."

She undoubtedly took an interest in his companions.

They hurried across the Garganta until Yoruichi abruptly halted him with a light kick on his shin.

"Stop. I sense your Reiatsu on the other side of this."

He honed his senses, detecting a faint trail of lingering Reiatsu. "Yes, it seems to be scattered everywhere."