SI Szayel the Perfect Life Form!

『250 Years Ago Soul Society, Somewhere in Rukongai』

In a plain, somewhere on the outskirts of Rukongai, the sound of metal clashing reverberates. Shinigami are the protectors of spirits in the Human World and the Soul Society, but they are also hunters. Hunters who cut down Hollows with their Zanpakutou.

These hunters are dancing on the battlefield, cutting through a group of Hollows that appeared in these outskirts.

They are Shinigami.

They are warriors.

They are the edge of the blade.

They are swordsmen.

They belong to the 11th Division, the most battle-specialized of the 13 divisions. They smile because they love fighting battles that risk their lives, but also because they have absolute faith in their leader. This man seemed to radiate "danger." The size of the reiatsu surrounding his body made the Hollows' masks tremble.

The Captain of the 11th Division: *Kuruyashiki Kenpachi.*

He was the seventh "Kenpachi," a title passed to the strongest Shinigami. Kuruyashiki fought the previous Kenpachi to the death in a duel. He had defended his title for hundreds of years. In truth, he was quite sociable and popular, even outside his own division.

A "crack" appears in the sky, and from this fissure emerges a Gillian (Menos Grande). Kuruyashiki brings the Hollow down with a swing of his sword, "Yōna." But the Gillian doesn't interest him; there's something else within the crack. He orders it to come out. Countless white threads shoot out of the rift. They intertwine, forming cords and then merging into a massive net.

The net wraps around Kuruyashiki's sword, trying to pull him into the crack. A small tug-of-war ensues. Then, a small Hollow is dragged out. It looks like a white spider. Its reiatsu is stronger and heavier than the Gillian's. It's an Adjucha. Suspended by one of its threads, it dangles between the rift and the ground as Kuruyashiki utters words of disinterest toward it.

– It's not you either. There's someone else behind you; maybe a Vasto Lorde. –

The spider doesn't respond, attacking again. In response, Kuruyashiki stabs it. Still without an answer, he sympathizes with its situation.

– You lack substance, huh. I don't have time to cut down puppets. Get lost. – He tosses the spider back into the rift. He knows "someone" is in there, but the rift closes. Kuruyashiki feels disappointed for a moment but then rejoins the battle on the ground.

『Somewhere in Hueco Mundo』

The Shinigami weren't the only ones involved in this battle. Even though, at this time, the concept of "surveillance cameras" didn't exist in the Human World, there were bug-type Hollows capable of such feats. And a certain humanoid Hollow, who controlled these small Hollows, used them to observe everything.

He was a Vasto Lorde, orchestrating the Hollow attack on the Soul Society a few hours ago.

He had intended to witness Kuruyashiki's battle. However, he's unfazed by the development. He will replay the spirit bugs' recordings to analyze what transpired in the duel. The man lets out a chuckle, reminded of who he is now.

In the past, he was a Menos Grande (Gillian). His name was *Szayelaporro Granz.* After consuming countless Hollow souls, he transformed into a Vasto Lorde. He was feared by many. Typically a "calm" scientist, he conducted all sorts of experiments, including creating artificial Adjuchas. He rarely fought, for entering battle mode caused him to lose control of his powers, killing his opponents (whom he preferred alive for experiments). Eventually, he was employed as a scientist by King Barragan.

When the new king, Aizen, appeared, Szayelaporro was chosen to become one of the Espada. He was bestowed the number reserved for the strongest Espada 0.

"Or at least… that was the future destined for me."

Deep within a cavern, strangely civilized in appearance, a Hollow with long pink hair streaked with blond gazed through his cross-shaped mask at the screen before him.

Despite the calm demeanor he exuded, his thoughts couldn't be more frantic—

'DAMMIT! That was SO CLOSE! I thought I was dead for a moment!'

The pink-haired Hollow trembled beneath his long robes and mask, while his subordinates kept their distance, mistaking his reaction for rage.

In reality, it was terror from witnessing a powerful individual—*a Kenpachi*—even through a camera!

"L-Lord Szayel-sama?" A spider Adjucha muttered. Though its voice lacked emotion, its body instinctively recognized the danger its master represented.

"Nothing, my dear Roka. You have my permission to serve me a little longer. Don't disappoint me." The Vasto Lorde's voice was tense, as if holding something back, waves of reiatsu spilling from him. "Good! Prepare yourself, Roka! We have a Hollow King to meet!"

"Hai! Szayelaporro-sama!"

At a certain distance, a small entourage of Hollows moved toward a certain Hollow kingdom. A particular Vasto Lorde clenched his teeth, aware of the humiliation he carried.

Behind him, his servants and his adorable assistant followed. Roka Paramilia, his card—someone who, if treated well, would remain eternally loyal to him. A woman capable of creating near-perfect clones, replicating powers, and producing "Negacion" webs? She was a weapon he intended to wield at will. Just the thought of it ignited a possessive vein within him.

All he wanted now was to bind her in his tentacles and hide her from everyone. She was his assistant, after all! Her techniques, her soul, her body, her potential—EVERYTHING WAS HIS! He HAD the right to do whatever he pleased wi—

Calm down! Calm down, Szayel! You're letting your instincts take over again!

"S-Szayel-sama?!"

Hearing Roka's tense voice, Szayel turned toward her, startled to find his tentacles wrapped around her, nearly crushing her! Once again, his body seemed to have a mind of its own. He'd have to get used to this...

________

After brushing it off with a wave and keeping a single tentacle tied to Roka's wrist, he resumed heading toward his destination—Las Noches.

The "palace" of Barragan. Why was he doing this? Simple—he didn't like the idea of being beneath anyone.

Knowing it was impossible to hide anything from Aizen, Szayel preferred to "pretend" to be caught in his illusion while secretly having Roka gather data on Aizen and transfer it to him, rendering him immune to Aizen's hypnosis.

Not that he wanted to defeat Aizen Sosuke. He wasn't suicidal. He simply wanted to stop constantly worrying about being watched or followed.

Pausing for a moment, he looked at his hands and body. After becoming Szayel, he decided to train both his mind and body. Szayel the 8th Espada and Szayel the 0th Espada differed in more than personality.

While Szayel the 8th Espada had his "perfect form" powers at their peak, he was weak in physical combat and raw power. Szayel the 0th Espada, on the other hand, was immensely powerful—far stronger than Yammy in his Resurrección, even at 60% of his power—but was highly emotional, impulsive, and lacking in special abilities.

If he could unite the intelligence and contingency of the 8th Espada with the strength and power of the 0th Espada, he would easily become one of the most powerful Hollows!

Yes, he WOULD survive this wretched world! Even if it meant swallowing his pride and bowing his head for now, he wouldn't let himself lose his second life!