[Script Complete]
[Pleasure World: Escape Battle - Demon Slayer Research Institute Deathmatch]
[Victor: Host]
The moment the voice echoed, Fujimiya Makoto and Sarapollo's world froze.
In the next instant, the shattered world crumbled, engulfing both figures.
In a flash, the spiritual pressure consumed by the Pleasure World transferred into Fujimiya's body.
Compared to his previous weakness when absorbing massive spiritual pressure, Fujimiya had grown exponentially.
Even Sarapollo's full spiritual pressure, that of a high-ranking Hollow in Hueco Mundo, could be endured for several seconds through sheer will.
[Sighing Wall]
Yet, the seemingly endless spiritual pressure continued to overflow from his body.
Forming a crimson pillar of flame, rising like an updraft.
Unceasing.
In contrast, Sarapollo, stripped of all spiritual pressure, knelt on the ground, face skyward.
The pale desert reflected the cold moonlight.
On Sarapollo's body, the skin appeared like dark gray clay, faintly cracked like fine porcelain.
"Crack..."
A faint sound emanated from within Sarapollo's body.
"Thump, thump, thump——"
Heavy heartbeats echoed, resonating from her crumbling form, dull yet powerful.
Birth of invisible vitality.
What the hell?
Fujimiya stared at Sarapollo, stunned.
Is this the rumored breakthrough?
Are you the protagonist?
Am I the villain?
"Rustle..."
Sarapollo's face slowly cracked into a smile, skin flaking like crumbling plaster, making a soft pattering sound.
"Truly... thank you."
"Death God."
"Without your Zanpakuto, I wouldn't have realized my path was wrong."
"Until the moment of rape..."
"I finally understood."
She spoke slowly, her skin flaking more with each word.
Though no spiritual pressure remained, her faint smile triggered an intense sense of crisis in Fujimiya.
Without hesitation, all absorbed spiritual pressure converged into his blade.
Forming near-tangible spiritual pressure.
Sarapollo, oblivious to his actions, continued:
"I thought a perfect Hollow needed to fill the Hollow hole to be complete."
"But I was wrong."
"True perfection is the fusion of two distinct beings!"
"Like... during rape!"
"This is what I seek—perfection!"
How did this turn into a research report and post-rape reflection?!
Is this normal?
Complex thoughts flashed through his mind.
Yet, he didn't respond!
As the saying goes, villains die from talking too much!
"Whoosh——"
Fujimiya's sand-filled feet propelled him toward Sarapollo, like a meteor.
His blade glowed brilliantly.
[First Form·Modified·Meteor Strike]
The blazing blade sliced through the air, compressing spiritual pressure into a light arrow piercing the pale desert.
Sarapollo merely extended her hand toward him.
Fujimiya's pupils contracted.
Though fleeting, almost an illusion...
He sensed no spiritual pressure from her!
"Boom——"
The blade struck, splitting in two along her outstretched arm.
Crimson spiritual pressure erupted endlessly.
The desert around Sarapollo split into a sharp chasm.
Only she remained, unmoving.
Her arm, vaporized by the strike, left her body like ash.
Yet, she had blocked the attack in this form.
Fujimiya halted, observing her.
"I see."
"Your core escaped the moment you awakened?"
"But..."
He frowned: "Your spiritual pressure vanished for an instant, right?"
"Impressive."
Half her body crumbled, her face partially gone, Sarapollo cackled:
"You noticed instantly?"
"Indeed, I've transcended the Hollow's limits."
"But thanks to you... I'll need time to recover."
"Don't die, okay?"
"By the way... your name?"
Fujimiya sheathed his blade calmly:
"Suzume Chojiro."
"If you survive, find me, Mr. Sarapollo."
"Heh... Suzume?" Sarapollo's body dissipated, only half her head remaining, staring intently.
"Next time we meet, it'll be your end."
"Suzume."
As her final words faded, the last ash vanished.
Ultimately, only two blade scars remained on the pale desert.
Fujimiya scoffed:
"Why would finding Suzume concern me?"
"Bye!"
Though his words were bold, Fujimiya resolved:
After this Hueco Mundo expedition, he'd never return to this hellhole.
"Hiss——"
A slight movement caused his body to ache.
As their battle ended:
[Bond Event: Birth of the Perfect Being]
[Your bond with Sarapollo/Ilfort Grants has increased!]
[Reward: Spiritual Power +1, Talent Points +1]
[Acquired Bond Trait: Perfect Being]
[Spiritual Power: Fourth Class·Upper → Third Class·Lower]
[Bond Trait·Perfect Being: Your soul perfectly fuses Hollow and Quincy traits, evolving toward 'perfection'—including abilities, appearance, body proportions, organ function, etc.]
[Note: Through the crudest method (forced rape), you inspired a researcher on the right path—well done, Fujimiya!]
As the panel lit up, Fujimiya's torn body surged with vitality.
The immense power rapidly healed him, still growing.
His reishi, once 'maximally compressed,' began 'collapsing' into indivisible 'points.'
Simultaneously, his Zanpakuto formed an indescribable 'cycle' with him.
As if, at this moment, they finally 'merged.'
Now, Fujimiya understood—why the woman at the Zanpakuto's final stage said he couldn't wield its full power yet.
His Zanpakuto had always maintained 'Third Class or higher' reishi, unlike any other.
As his spiritual pressure stabilized, its true name naturally surfaced:
[Tensa Zangetsu]
Fujimiya felt the profound difference between this moment and the last.
Yet, the exhilaration faded quickly.
"Thud."
Exhaustion overwhelmed him.
At least Urahara's request was fulfilled.
"Fuj... Master."
As he collapsed, Halibel emerged from the shadows, unused until now.
Fujimiya tensed.
Though he remembered Halibel from his past life, after battling countless Hollows, he dared not lower his guard, even with her.
Fortunately, perhaps due to his battle with Sarapollo and recent spiritual pressure display, Halibel kept her distance, her voice raspy:
"Master, let me stand guard."
Her words eased his tension.
"I'll leave it to you."
"Yes."
Halibel glided away.
Fujimiya sat on a gray branch, awaiting Saito.
In the distance, Halibel, like a desert shark, glided toward the battlefield, gazing at the collapsing chasm.
The desert, once pale, now crystallized from their battle.
Even from afar, the residual spiritual pressure was palpable.
Overwhelming.
What power could achieve this?
Halibel, viewing the devastated battlefield, saw the carefree, occasionally perverse man in a new light—unfathomable.
If she could reach this level...
She could protect what she cherished.
...
Deeper in the desert:
"Scuttle... scuttle..."
Spider-like Hollows crawled toward the depths.
Upon closer inspection, one stood out.
Its front half was stick-like, the rear a loose sack, with thin tentacles for limbs, digging toward the Hollow forest.
Its 'head' was not a mask, but a pink-haired man's head.
"Suzume Chojiro!"
"Your name... Suzume Chojiro!"
"I'll kill you! I must!"
Sarapollo seethed.
As she told Fujimiya, between deaths, she glimpsed a realm beyond Hueco Mundo.
She shed her mask, achieving 'self-released' form.
Unfortunately, her timing was disastrous.
With her spiritual pressure stolen and body gravely injured, completion was impossible.
She had to flee, abandoning her core.
Fortunately, having placed her mask on her 'second head,' this part was her essence.
In centuries, she'd regain her strength, break Hueco Mundo's bounds, and become a true—Transcender!
"Seems my path to 'perfection' is just a matter of time?"
"Cackle... cackle cackle..."
Envisioning her invincible future, Sarapollo laughed uncontrollably.
"Woof!"
A cheerful bark interrupted her reverie.
A dog-like Hollow approached.
"Get lost, mutt!"
Sarapollo shouted, resuming her digging.
Clearly, that was the future.
For now, regaining spiritual pressure was paramount.
...
Elsewhere:
"Pfft!"
A bone spear pierced an Adjuchas's mask, emerging from the other side.
Reishi dissipated into the air.
Around the Antelope Knight lay a dozen Adjuchas corpses.
Another group testing Hueco Mundo's might through numbers.
Her hooves tapped the pale desert, leaving faint prints.
Straightening, Neliel frowned, sensing a familiar spiritual pressure.
"This scent..."
"Fujimiya?"
She puzzled: "But... why is he in Hueco Mundo?"
Unnoticed, her pupils flickered with tiny pink hearts.
...