Friends in Low Places [Adventure, DP]

[Eshin Sōtō]

In the gloom of the Menos Forest, Eshin stood over Kazuhiko, the Shinigami quivering and whimpering on the ground, reduced to a mere child in the face of his torment. The supposed horrors that had brought the boy to his knees were nothing more than trivial skirmishes in the desolate realm of Las Noches. How could one trained to ruthlessly hunt down and eradicate creatures like Eshin be so consumed by sentimentality? It was a ludicrous notion that only fueled the wraith's frustration, a frustration that began to dissipate as he devoured the last remnants of the centipede hollows, his strength restored.

Part of him yearned to consume Kazuhiko in that very moment. The boy possessed extraordinary spiritual power, yet he seemed utterly impotent in the face of the gruesome battles that unfolded within Las Noches. If Kazuhiko truly wished to save Eshin, then relinquishing his power would be the path to salvation. Eshin made sure to vocalize his disdain, taunting the Shinigami with his words. But to his annoyance, Kazuhiko's response was not one of despair or defeat. Instead, the boy began to laugh, his laughter echoing through the desolate forest.

Confusion twisted Eshin's features, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. "Why do you laugh? Do you mock me, you fool?" he roared, his voice laced with a mixture of anger and bewilderment. The Shinigami's laughter only seemed to brighten his own mood, much to Eshin's dismay. Maybe he should have kept his mouth shut and let the Shinigami wallow in misery, at least then he would match the despair that the hollows felt. Kazuhiko admitted his own shortcomings, confessing his lack of strength to change the world. But his twisted perspective somehow found solace in the notion that if a hollow like Eshin could save his life, then perhaps the world didn't require as much saving as he had once thought.

And then came those detestable words, uttered with a misplaced familiarity. "We are friends," Kazuhiko declared, as if that alone could bridge the vast chasm that separated them. Eshin recoiled in disgust, his face contorting with revulsion. "No! I am not your friend, and I did not save your life! I had merely chosen to consume the hollow that had attacked you! I- gRAAAGH!" he spat, the venom in his words dripping with disdain. He stumbled over his own frustration, struggling to convey his repulsion towards this insipid Shinigami.

Why had he saved Kazuhiko? The question gnawed at Eshin's consciousness, though he fought to push it aside, unwilling to confront the truth that lurked within. "Whatever," he growled, his voice filled with bitterness. "Do not speak of this. We leave, now. We have revenge to seek." His words held a sinister edge, a declaration of their shared purpose, but the underlying animosity remained, a festering wound that refused to heal. Eshin despised this forced alliance, resenting the bonds that fate had seemingly woven between them.

---

Previously Consumed: 3 Class 8 Hollows

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Kazuhiko couldn't help but continue to laugh as Eshin's displeasure grew. He couldn't help it... He was happy. Happy they were both alive. And happy that he could see some light in Eshin's heart... Even if he would deny it. This journey into Hueco Mundo had been emboldening for him. The horrific experience resulted in a great deal of understanding regarding the hollow opposition. He had been called naive... But it was true. They could coexist! They could, despite Eshin's denial, become friends!

His laughter eventually ran its course. He took in a deep breath, nearly gasping from all the laughter, before addressing Eshin again. "Right! Right! Of course! I'm lucky that your goals and my livelihood intersected, or surely I would have perished. In that case, I should withhold my gratitude and replace it with fear." He gave Eshin a wide-eyed frown. It was overdramatic. An attempt to look panicked. And it shattered just a second later into a smile. It was warm and undeniable. The result of just enjoying being around Eshin. The dire wraith was bringing him joy, whether it was intentional or not.

"Revenge? Why would you bother with such a thing? You're free now. Right? And fed? Shouldn't you just go about your business? What... Is your business anyway?" He pursed his lips considering the hollow. In truth, Kazuhiko wasn't sure where to go now. He was wandering Hueco Mundo in hopes of finding something that might help him get home. A beacon perhaps. A gate. Anything. And wherever Eshin wanted to go would be just as good as anywhere else. For now, he would accompany him. At least this way he wouldn't be alone. He was so tired of being alone...

"Okay. One moment. Let me just take care of this yeah?" Kazuhiko's butt was still in the sand. His leg had been wrapped, but he wasn't quite ready to go just yet. He brought his left hand over the bandaged wound and concentrated. Fixing up such a wound would be light work for the prodigious member of the medical squad! He focused on his reiatsu. And channeled his healing ability into his leg. And... Nothing happened. "Huh?" He pursed his lips before turning his attention towards Eshin with an accusatory glance. "It's... Not working? Is this your fault? I'm sorry for laughing, so knock it off, will you?"

He attempted to focus his healing abilities once again... And again. Nothing. He couldn't manage even the most basic of healing anymore... "Um... Eshin?" He said his name as if it was a question. There was an edge of ominous apology to his words before he even said them. "I think you're going to have to carry me." He gave the Hollow a helpless look.

[Eshin Sōtō]

In the dim and gloomy Menos Forest, Eshin found himself tolerating Kazuhiko's presence, albeit begrudgingly. The Shinigami's joy and laughter at Eshin's expense grated on his already weary soul. While Kazuhiko believed in the coexistence of Hollows and Shinigami, Eshin harbored a deep-seated distrust towards the Shinigami, understanding their role as aggressors in their ongoing conflict. It was the Shinigami who relentlessly hunted down Hollows, condemning them for indulging in their instinctual hunger for souls.

Eshin's annoyance grew with each passing moment, his patience wearing thin. He met Kazuhiko's mockeries with a dismissive eye roll. "Laugh as you like, but I would prefer your dramatized fear over your endless laughter," he retorted, his voice tinged with bitterness. Despite his distaste for the Shinigami's naivety, Eshin couldn't help but marvel at Kazuhiko's innocence, so blissfully unaware of the darkness that plagued their worlds.

As Eshin prepared to exact his revenge on the Hollow that had ambushed and buried him alive, Kazuhiko displayed his confusion, unable to comprehend Eshin's thirst for vengeance. The young Shinigami, unaware of the insatiable hunger that consumed Hollows, questioned Eshin's motives, considering him free and fed. A sinister smile curled on Eshin's lips, his eyes glinting with malice.

"Fed? Oh, Kazuhiko, my appetite has only been whetted," Eshin explained, his voice dripping with a mix of hunger and derision. "All Hollows possess an insatiable hunger that can only be sated by devouring souls. Those who deny their hunger descend into madness, losing themselves to their ravenous instincts. The more powerful the soul, the less hunger we feel. My business is to silence my hunger, to be fully satiated, and that requires obtaining my revenge."

Kazuhiko, attempting to heal his own injured leg, found his powers failing him, leading him to accuse Eshin of tampering with his abilities. Eshin shook his head, dismissing the accusation with a cold glare. "I have no time for your petty accusations, child. Do not dare accuse me again." Kazuhiko's attempts at healing proved futile, frustration etching its way across his features. Seeking assistance, he turned to Eshin, beseeching the wraith to carry him.

Eshin's eyes widened at the unexpected request. He hesitated for a moment before relenting to the Shinigami's plea. "...Fine," he begrudgingly conceded. "Keep your eyes peeled for Hollows. We are in search of a Menos, at least of Adjuchas level." With those words, Eshin lowered himself, struggling beneath the weight of the Shinigami. Despite the strain, he managed to lift Kazuhiko, carrying him as he glided through the dense forest, a haunting figure that moved with an ethereal grace, leading them deeper into the realm of shadows.

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

"Insatiable hunger?" Eshin could hear his frown. "That sounds like such a terrible affliction. I'm sorry that you have to endure such a thing, Eshin. It must be really hard for you..." He couldn't imagine needing to hurt others in order to maintain his own sanity. "I... Can understand wanting to do whatever it takes to sate yourself." He gave a slow nod of understanding.

Life was precious to him. All lives. Not just the lives of humans, pluses, or shinigami. But he'd seen three perish today already... Each of them was consumed by this wraith-like hollow. It bothered him. It silenced him until Eshin's rebuke. "Wari wari. (sorry, sorry)." He rubbed the back of his head. Even despite the trespass, Eshin was still willing to lift him up.

Eshin carried Kazuhiko, supporting his weight even though it strained him. He was thankful, but he was still pondering the horror of having seen three hollows eaten in front of him. And of his role in having seen them disabled enough to be consumed in the first place. "Hey... Eshin." He spoke up from within the wraith's grasp. "What happens to the souls you consume?" The question was asked with the curiosity of a child.

While he waited for an answer he followed Eshin's orders. He kept his eyes out for any encroaching hollows. What a sight they must have been. A hollow carrying around a battle-worn shinigami. No stranger buddy cop movie had ever been written.

[Eshin Sōtō]

In the depths of the Menos Forest, a haunting sense of misery permeated the air. Eshin, burdened by the weight of his hollow existence, trudged forward with Kazuhiko in his arms. The hunger that plagued him, that gnawed at his core, was a maddening force that devoured all reason and compassion. Once, as a human, the mere thought of cannibalization would have been monstrous and sickening, but now, as a hollow, Eshin found himself accepting it as a twisted norm.

Kazuhiko, ever the innocent soul, listened intently to Eshin's words, his eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and concern. The Shinigami's presence in the Menos Forest had initially bred distrust within Eshin's hollow heart, but as time passed, a begrudging tolerance had settled in. The boy had shown a glimmer of understanding, a willingness to learn about the hollows' plight.

"There is no need for apologies, child," Eshin's voice echoed through the oppressive silence of the forest. "We, too, partake in sustenance, albeit in a different form. Just as humans consume food that once had life and soul, hollows hunt in accordance with their nature. It is the way of the world."

A wistful shake of the head accompanied Eshin's words, as if he contemplated the nature of existence itself. The hollow, once an Abbot in his human life, had long abandoned his path as a Buddhist. But now, in the depths of his afterlife, he found himself revisiting those forgotten teachings, finding fragments of wisdom that had eluded him before.

As they ventured deeper into the Menos Forest, Kazuhiko's innocent curiosity led him to question the fate of the souls consumed by hollows. Eshin's lips curled into a knowing smile, a sinister undertone hidden beneath his facade of wisdom. "I carry them with me," he replied, his voice dripping with enigmatic power. "They are under my control, each one a part of my being. Would you like to see them, child?"

Unbeknownst to Eshin, hidden within the dense foliage, hollows began to gather. Their glowing eyes fixated on the duo, their hunger piqued by the scent of spiritual energy. They remained patient for now, waiting for the opportune moment to strike, to satiate their own insatiable cravings. The forest whispered their presence, a foreboding chorus of imminent danger.

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

"I... See." Eshin's words made sense to him. Was it cruel to expect Hollows not to eat? The shinigami labored on the fact that they consumed pluses. Predators that hunted and deceived, destroyed and devoured. But then... Didn't he do the same to stay alive? Was it simply that Hollows didn't cook that gave them unrest?

"The way of the world, huh?" He repeated Eshin's thesis. Everything had a cost. Energy had to be expended to create all forms of locomotion. Life too, had to be paid for. "It is a cruel system... Isn't it?" It was a rhetorical ponderance. "But... I still want to do everything I can to ease this world's pain and suffering."

He was sure Eshin would find him naive. His peers in the academy had thought him naive as well. He understood that death was natural. An unavoidable part of the cycle. But it didn't have to arrive trailing pain and suffering.

"You carry them with you?" The seriousness of the conversation was broken as he snerked. "Like how you're carrying me?" He couldn't help but grin at Eshin. The jovial look in his eyes made it clear that he was joking. He couldn't resist playing on the parity of the words chosen and their given situation. Even in this dreary, danger-filled environment.

Kazuhiko, like Eshin, was completely ignorant of the presence of the prowling hollows. However, the hollows were clueless as to Kazuhiko's sensory field. With Eshin carrying him around, it would act as a defense against sneak attacks for both of them.

The moment one of the hollows came within a twenty-foot radius, Kazuhiko would become aware of them. Not just their presence. But their breathing. The inner workings of their biology. The strange sixth sense granted to him by Hyaakujuunou was a powerful offensive and defensive tool.

[Eshin Sōtō]

In the shadowed depths of the Menos Forest, Eshin and Kazuhiko walked together, an unlikely pair traversing the desolate realm. The air hung heavy with the stench of decay, and twisted trees reached out with gnarled branches, like skeletal fingers grasping at the void. The ground beneath their feet was a mixture of damp mud and bones, a morbid testament to the ceaseless cycle of life and death that plagued this forsaken realm.

Kazuhiko, the Shinigami, questioned the cruelty of the world's system, pondering the endless cycle of life and death, where one creature's demise served as sustenance for another's survival. Eshin could not help but agree with the boy's contemplations. "The cycle is cruel indeed," he admitted, his voice tinged with a somber tone. "Life becomes fuel for the strong, only to be reborn and suffer once more. Who knows how long the same souls have been recycled, only to be devoured once more."

The hollow knew all too well the torment of this existence, the unending hunger that gnawed at his soul, driving him to devour the souls of others. As they walked, Eshin's eyes darted around, keeping a vigilant watch over their surroundings, his distrusting and calculating nature always alert for potential threats.

Kazuhiko expressed his desire to ease the world's suffering, to bring comfort to those ensnared in this merciless cycle. But Eshin, ever the cynic, shook his head. "A pointless task," he said coldly, his words heavy with bitterness. "To end suffering, you must end life itself. The cycle is a trap, eternally tormenting the souls trapped within it. Only then will all be free. That is what I wish to do."

As they moved forward, Eshin noticed a set of footprints resembling those of a lion, a hollow he had encountered before, the very same that buried him in the ground. Typical of one whose monstrous form took the shape of a lion, its pride would be its downfall. He scanned the ground, searching for any signs of the creature's presence, ready to track it to the ends of Hueco Mundo. Yet, before he could delve deeper into his investigation, a crimson beam of energy sliced through the treeline, hurtling toward them with deadly precision.

Kazuhiko, ever vigilant, would be able to notice the impending danger first. He had mere milliseconds to react before they were struck by this incredibly powerful beam. If Kazuhiko was aware of the powers held by the Menos, he would know this to be a Cero. 

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Eshin was undeterred by his jest. Instead, he continued to walk the sands, carrying the shinigami. The pair continued to wax philosophical as they scoured the desert for Eshin's... Revenge. He'd never mentioned what they were seeking, but Kazuhiko was hopeful they'd not find it. That would be a sure ceasefire.

"A pointless task?" He repeated the wraith's words as a means to show engagement. "I don't think so." He said curtly as he turned to look towards the endless night sky. "Life is beautiful. It isn't without its difficulties. And pain is necessary to help restore peace. But the cycle isn't a trap." He looked back down towards Eshin. Their current travel arrangements saw to it that he couldn't look the hollow in his eyes, but he trusted that the wraith could feel the weight of his stare.

"It is cruel. But it isn't a trap. It is endless life. Endless second chances. The cycle ensures that we can achieve all possibilities, as our time is infinite as long as we are within it. So even if a world without suffering is only one in a billion... With infinite chances... I believe it's possible." His face lit up with his smile. "I know you must endure a lot, Mr. Eshin. But I believe that you too can know joy. Because as long as I'm alive, I'll make sure that this is that one in a billion world!" He put his left fist up to the sky. Flushed with life and warmth... Proof to both of them that he was still alive. That the possibility still thrived.

It was when he turned his attention back away from the sky that he saw it! A streak of red light! "GET DOWN!" He screamed, but it was far too late. Eshin wasn't going to be able to dodge, not while he was carrying him! His instincts took over! And he lashed out!

His legs shot out, burying his heels against Eshin's hips! His knees extended, shooting himself towards the Cero and smashing Eshin away! His right fist pulled back, and then thrust forward, directly at the beam with a straight punch!

The two attacks clashed! And the red beam simply ceased to be! The reiatsu that was powering it was dispersed by Kazuhiko's white-hot punch! And without Reiatsu to power the technique, it was simply no more! He tumbled forward, rolling! And at the end of his roll shot up onto his feet!

He... Didn't seem to be having any trouble standing at all anymore... It occurred to him likely after it occurred to Eshin... That was strange. The hole in his leg, while still painful, had already healed enough to support his weight. It was unbeknownst to Kazuhiko at the time, but this was a result of his inner hollow. It selfishly utilized all of his healing Reiatsu to sustain him, increasing his damage recovery far beyond what it had been before [Damage Recover 2]. What was left over was evacuated into the world as a part of his aura.

"Is this your friend, Eshin?" Kazuhiko asked optimistically. However, he already knew the answer... And was already taking on his stance! He was too far yet for the Rukongai Roll... Wherever the beast was... He'd need to get close in order to be effective!

[Eshin Sōtō]

In the midst of their conversation, Eshin's thoughts swirling with the weight of existence and suffering, a sudden shock jolted through him. He didn't have time to properly dissect Kazuhiko's poor understanding of the cycle and his insistence that the reincarnation of souls served as infinite chances to create a perfect world. Instead, his body collided with the ground, a painful impact that was as bewildering as it was painful. For a moment, he was consumed by a surge of anger and betrayal, wondering how the Shinigami he carried could dare to attack him.

The initial surge of rage and betrayal subsided as Eshin realized the Shinigami's intentions – a desperate bid to intercept the crimson menace hurtling towards them, a Cero of terrifying power. Now that it was closer, Eshin recognized the spiritual signature of that Cero. The beam of malevolence was filled with pride, perfectly crafted and created by one who was proud of his technique. This was the same arrogance he felt when he first fought this hollow, it was this same arrogance that caused the hollow to leave Eshin alive.

Eshin's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Kazuhiko launch himself towards the imminent destruction, his form bathed in a fiery resolve. His only chance and his only ally in this bid for revenge was about to be obliterated. The Cero's malevolent energy crackled and hummed, a harbinger of death bearing down upon them. Time seemed to slow as Kazuhiko's reiatsu-infused arm met the raging torrent of red energy, the collision resulting in what Eshin thought would be an explosion that would devastate the forest. 

Yet, it did not come to be. Instead, Kazuhiko's strange arm had managed to dissipate the Cero in its entirety, almost as if it erased it from existence. Was that the power Kazuhiko held? The positive energy strong enough to nullify the negative of Hollows? Whatever the case, he would bet that the lion Menos had hated him. The Cero was the pride of most hollows after all, not that Eshin was strong enough to utilize his own to its fullest. Cero, from his understanding, was one of the most basic yet powerful techniques held universally by hollows. It was pure and raw malevolence condensed into its purest and most destructive form. Yet, it was dismantled so easily.

As the dust settled and the remnants of the Cero dissipated, Kazuhiko turned his attention to Eshin, a question hanging in the air. Eshin nodded, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the approaching lion-like Menos, the source of his deep-seated vendetta. Eshin's response was cautious, "That's him, alright..." His gaze shifted to the menacing form of the lion Menos, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. He needed to strike now, before it was too late, before the hollow retaliated. He could not hide behind Kazuhiko forever, and this needed to be done. 

With a visceral determination, Eshin's fingers crackled with seething energy, and in an instant, he unleashed a barrage of twisted yellow lightning. The malevolent arcs of power shot forth like serpents, lashing out towards the monstrous creature that had once buried him in the merciless sands of Hueco Mundo. He unleashed a barrage of his own twisted malice, the crackling energy surging forth from his fingertips with a vicious intent. His aim was true, directed at the lion Menos that had disrupted his existence and now threatened both his and Kazuhiko's survival.

---

In the heart of the Menos Forest, a lion hollow prowled with a regal arrogance that matched its fearsome appearance. Its golden eyes glinted with predatory focus, every muscle in its hulking form tensed for the imminent strike. A gust of dry, desolate wind ruffled the tattered remnants of its once majestic mane, now a tangled mess of frayed fibers.

The lion had witnessed countless battles in the barren wasteland of Hueco Mundo, a realm where survival was a brutal dance of power and cunning. But today, a peculiar sight had caught its attention—a Shinigami, an agent of the very forces that sought to cleanse the hollow realm, walked amidst the shifting sands, accompanied by an obedient hollow ally. The lion's lips curled into a sinister grin, a mixture of amusement and disdain, as if the cosmic jest of such an alliance tickled its morbid sense of humor.

Fueled by a mixture of pride and predatory instinct, the lion hollow gathered a swirling maelstrom of malevolent energy, coalescing into a deadly sphere of pure destructive intent—a Cero of seething wrath. The air crackled with impending doom as the lion launched the attack, a streak of crimson light cutting through the air with a chilling hiss. But destiny, it seemed, had other plans, for the Shinigami's arm clashed against it, a surge of spiritual power that collided with the Cero, dispersing it like a shattered illusion.

Following this failure of an attack came three more beams of lightning, each one surging from the gnat of a hollow that served this Shinigami. It was pitifully weak, so much so that the lion barely acknowledged its presence. He completely dismissed all of the wraith's pitiful attempts at combat.

With each dismissed attack, the lion's growl intensified, a mixture of hunger and exhilaration echoing through the desolate expanse. It approached with a swagger, an embodiment of primal arrogance, its massive form casting long shadows on the ashen ground. Its golden eyes locked onto the Shinigami, a silent challenge issued through the air, daring the intruder to defy the King of Beasts.

"Is that all you got?" it rumbled, a rumbling symphony of disdain echoing in its gravelly voice. It was a taunt, a declaration of supremacy, a proclamation that it was the predator, the apex predator, and all others were merely playthings in its domain.

---

Reiatsu: 2500
-150 for 3x Cero Estallar 

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Kazuhiko nodded to Eshin as he confirmed the identity of the other hollow. This appeared to be the one who had jumped him and left him buried in the sand. It was a wonder he hadn't been eaten. But then... Perhaps the other hollow hadn't thought him worthy of even consuming. The thought caused the young shinigami to frown. He understood why Eshin was so angry. So hurt. This lion-like hollow hadn't been a predator. He had been a bully.

The lion approached with all the swagger of the villain he thought him to be. Its form was far more powerful than the humanoid form of Eshin or himself. A powerful body with muscles that surged beneath its pale flesh. It was a vulgar mockery of the King of the Jungle. His eyes locked with the lion's and he raised up his right hand. The golden prosthetic pulsed with his positive white reiatsu. A vulgar mockery of a human arm. He couldn't deny being amused at the parallels between the two of them.

"Why don't you let me teach him a lesson, Eshin?" He spoke over his shoulder towards the wraith hollow. He'd seen what his attack had managed. The Lion had shrugged it off. "Consider it returning the favor for taking care of the centipedes for me, yeah?" He offered Eshin a thumbs-up with his human hand before turning back to the lion. "After all. I think this beast has more bark than bite." He turned his attention pointedly back to the lion with a grin, clearly antagonizing him.

Whether Eshin agreed or not, Kazuhiko would shift his stance. He turned his body so that the line of his right shoulder and right hip lined up with the Lion's approach. His eyes slid closed and he drew in a deep breath, harmonizing with his environment. His left fist came up just beneath his chin. But his right arm, the focus, hung down across his abdomen. The shoulder of the great golden prosthetic was put before him like a shield. He intended to fight the beast bare-handed... This too would no doubt frustrate the lion. Eshin would recognize this strange stance. The same one he'd used in the fight with the centipedes.

SPOILER: Click to show

{The Rukongai Roll}
Technique Name: Beast King Boxing - The Rukongai Roll

Technique Class: 3

Technique Type: General Physical, Sensory

Usable By: All

Technique Element: N/A

Technique Cost: 100 Reiatsu a post.

Description: In order to use the Rukongai Roll the user must meet these qualifications at time of implementation:

Martial Skill >2
Sensory >450
Instinct >300

The user closes their eyes, blocking out this very important sense in order to harmonize with the opponent. Because of this, the technique can only be used when the opponent is within 10 meters. This is expanded to 20 meters at 600 Sensory, 30 meters at 900 sensory, and 50 meters at 1200 sensory.

The user focuses on their senses and reads their opponent's movements in advance. The sound of their heartbeat. The contracting of their muscles. The subtle changes in their body chemistry are all notes used to predict the opponent's attacks. And the longer the user is in combat with their opponent, the more they begin to understand them.

While active, the user is able to replace their Speed with their Sensory stat for the purposes of dodging attacks by opponents within their range. In the event that they are unable to dodge, they are able to add their instinct to their strength for the purpose of suffering the hit. This is because they are slipping the attack and moving with it, rather than against it.

The Rukongai Roll utilizes 75% of the user's Senses. This increases by 5% per post of combat within the same instance of combat, up to a maximum of 125% as the user becomes more accustomed to their opponent's movements.

How to Use: The Rukongai Roll is a defensive form that utilizes advanced sensory and instinct to allow the user to defend themself against an opponent once in close. This technique utilizes footwork and body movement to steal the momentum and threat away from an opponent's attacks by harmonizing with them.

In order to use the Rukongai Roll, the user must close off one of their most important senses. Their eyes. However, with enough sensory and fighting knowledge, they are able to read their opponent and react before their opponent strikes. This form is not the same as dodging, but rather slipping attacks. An attack that lands can be rendered completely harmless. But in the event that it isn't, its impact is mitigated by going with the flow of the attack and potentially leaving the opponent open for a bad trade!

This stance is very specific and identifiable. The user stands with their lead arm in front of their torso, in the center of their abdomen. Their off-hand stays up by their face. And lastly, their lead shoulder is tucked with a lean, serving as another barrier point.

Drawbacks: The user must close their eyes to avoid sensory overload. The user must pay 100 Reiatsu a post. This technique also has an identifiable stance.

Reserved?: Yes, Satoshi Kazuhiko.

Made By: Sucker Punch

[Eshin Sōtō]

As Eshin's twisted yellow lightning lashed out towards the menacing lion-hollow, the world seemed to slow around him. His heart pounded fiercely, anticipation mingling with desperation. Revenge was a powerful motivator, and he had longed for this moment since the lion-hollow had buried him in the sand. The very essence of his existence seemed to coalesce into that searing energy, a manifestation of his anguish and fury.

But as the lightning struck, the results were far from what he had expected. The lion-hollow, the very object of his vengeance, seemed unaffected by the devastating assault. It didn't flinch, didn't even acknowledge the attack. It was as if Eshin's effort was nothing more than an annoying insect's sting.

To make matters worse, the lion-hollow's attention shifted from Eshin to Kazuhiko. It was a moment of cruel realization for Eshin. His futile attempt at revenge had not only failed but also drawn the lion-hollow's gaze towards the Shinigami.

The beast's taunts and goading only deepened Eshin's shame and embarrassment. His anger welled up, and he yearned to prove himself, to show that he was not a mere pest. But a glance at Kazuhiko, readying himself in a boxing stance, quashed any such desires.

Eshin was relegated to the sidelines, a bystander in his own quest for revenge. The feeling of loathing, both towards himself and the lion-hollow, surged within him. He watched with a mixture of resentment and desperation, silently waiting for an opportunity to strike and devour one of them. This was not the outcome he had envisioned, and he was determined to regain control of the situation, even if it meant waiting for the right moment to pounce.

---

With a sinister sneer, the lion hollow beheld the Shinigami's posture—a stance of defense, a mockery of readiness. How quaint, it thought, a flicker of amusement tainting its predatory instincts. The King of Beasts needed no such pretense. He was the embodiment of strength, having risen to the lofty rank of Adjuchas, his raw power eclipsing that of hundreds of lesser souls that had succumbed to his might. Their essence flowed within him, a cacophony of voices, their submission a testament to his dominance.

A low growl, a rumbling symphony of impending violence, reverberated through the desolation. Crimson energy spiraled around his massive fists, manifesting as blazing orbs, twin lion heads forged in the crucible of his unrestrained fury. In an explosive instant, the lion charged, a juggernaut of malevolent intent. The ground shattered beneath him as he hurtled forward at breakneck speed, the very earth quaking in his wake.

The scarlet flames roared and surged as he swung, his fists cleaving through the parched air with cataclysmic force. The Shinigami's futile defenses crumbled beneath the onslaught, like fragile paper in a hurricane. If the flames found their mark, searing agony would follow, the skin melting away in the blistering inferno, leaving behind only the scorched memory of resistance. But it was the sheer might of the lion's punches that would truly make their mark, a seismic impact that promised to shatter not only the Shinigami's body but also his pride.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Lion Stats}Strength: 400
Speed: 200
SPPR: 200
RS: 200
Instinct: 100
Senses: 100
ES: 0
HE: 0
DA: 100
LA: 0

---

Previously Consumed: 3 Class 8 Hollows

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

The lion-like hollow charged! Both of his maws snapped, teeth gnashing as he exploded towards the shinigami! His paws beat into the desert. The heat of his flames glazing the sand beneath them! He was a ferocious inferno of fangs!

And the boy didn't move.

The raging leonine monster crashed into Kazuhiko! His body twisted in the air, spinning like a paper airplane in a hurricane! And it crashed into the sand kicking up a plume of dust like a meteor making landfall!

Was he naive, or stupid? Either way he was surely dead. Eshin had witnessed the hollows strength. And taking an attack head on was suicide.

The sand cloud began to clear, blown away by the undeterred winds of the sand-plains. And in that moment, the hollow would notice three curiousities.

The first. He felt a chill along his right jawline.

The second. A silhoutte amongst the clearing debris... The boy. And he was standing.

And the last. His flames had gone out!
_____
As the lion charged Kazuhiko put his weight down upon his injured leg. Pain shot up all the way to his hip. Dodging was out of the question.

He measured the beasts movements. Studied them. He was fast. But still so much slower than the healer's senses. He felt every twitch of the hollow's muscle fibers. Studied them. And learned their rhythm!

Their bodies made contact. But as they did so, Kazuhiko rolled his body with the momentum of the attack! He jumped not against, but with the impact of the devastating attack, launching himself into the air! There was no avoiding the creature's fangs, but the movement ensured their bite was shallow.

And as he'd done so, he'd landed a blow against the side of the lion's maw. A blow that the beast would never feel. For this fist was incapable of doing harm.

Instead. It smashed into his soul! Blasting his hollow reishi right out of him, but more importantly, out of his fire! The flames couldn't burn without fuel, and so they suffocTed and went out. He'd need to reignite them.
________
"Is that all you got." His voice came through the veil. A mocking call back of the lion's taunt.

As the sand fully cleared Kazuhiko was grinning. His chest was red with blood, the lion's fang marks apparent. His very human hand held two fingers aloft in a "V" sign. "Two more hits. That's all it'll take to put you down!"

He sounded so sure. But had Kazuhiko even hit him the first time? The lion might not have even noticed the touch. And if he had, he certainly hadn't felt any pain.

[Eshin Sōtō]

As Eshin concealed himself within the shadows of the crystalline Menos Forest, his perspective was one of an eerie detachment from the visceral combat unfolding before him. He became a silent observer, the forest's shadowy embrace cloaking him like a protective shroud as he watched the dreadful spectacle.

The lion-hollow and Kazuhiko clashed with an elemental ferocity that shook the very foundation of the forest. It was a one-sided confrontation at first, the lion's fiery fists and explosive might pummeling the Shinigami mercilessly. Each strike sent Kazuhiko tumbling through the air, blood gushing from his wounds like crimson rain.

In those moments, it appeared as if the battle was decided. The lion was a relentless force of destruction, its physicality and spiritual fire seemingly insurmountable. Eshin remained a hidden observer, his hollow heart pounding with a mix of fear and fascination.

But then, an unexpected shift occurred. Eshin's eyes widened with incredulity as the spiritual flames that enshrouded the King of Beasts flickered and died, leaving the creature vulnerable. Even more astounding was Kazuhiko's resilience. He rose from the ground, apparently less injured than his bloodied appearance suggested. In a display of brazen defiance, he taunted the lion, boasting that he would defeat it in just two punches.

Eshin's shock deepened, but he remained ensnared by the unfolding drama, his hollow nature eager to witness the outcome of this extraordinary battle.

Reiatsu: 2450
-50 for Mascara de Inocencia

---

In the searing crucible of battle, where flames roared and agony danced, the lion hollow reveled in the crescendo of violence. His attacks had found their mark, crimson flames licking at the flesh of his adversary as the boy was sent hurtling through the air. Pride gripped the lion's monstrous visage, an arrogant grin etched into his very being, as he charged forward like an unstoppable tempest, a force of unbridled fury.

The air around him crackled with the scorching resonance of his flaming blows. Each strike was a testament to his dominance, a savage symphony of biting teeth and relentless fire, a display of raw power that left no room for doubt. The boy's futile attempts at defense were met with a torrent of aggression that washed over him like a merciless tide, shattering bone and rending flesh with callous indifference.

Yet, in the midst of his fiery onslaught, a sudden chill seized the lion's form, a prickling sense of unease that cut through his arrogance like a blade. The Shinigami was not as broken as he had assumed. A blow, deftly struck amidst the chaos, had found its mark on the lion's mask, a reminder that even the mightiest could be vulnerable.

How could this be? The question burned in the lion's mind as he lunged for another punch, only to hesitate as a chilling realization washed over him—a distinct lack of energy coursing through his form. The flames that had once enveloped his fists, roaring and surging like a devouring inferno, had been siphoned away, leaving him stripped of his potent arsenal. "What is this!?" he roared, a thunderous cry of rage that echoed through the desolation.

The Shinigami's taunts, a cruel reminder of the lion's own underestimation, only stoked the flames of his fury. Anger surged within him like molten lava, a torrent of primal rage that drowned out reason and restraint. "YOU DARE UNDERESTIMATE ME!? I DON'T NEED MY FLAMES TO KILL YOU!" he bellowed, his words a declaration of defiance that reverberated through the air like a battle cry. And with that, he cast aside all finesse, all martial skill, and gave himself over to his basest instincts.

The lion attacked with a savagery that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. His strikes were a blur of motion, a frenzy of primal force that disregarded all subtlety. Each blow was an explosion of power, a symphony of unrelenting aggression that left the air quaking with its intensity. The Shinigami, though agile and skilled, found himself caught in the storm, the lion's onslaught a torrent that left him scrambling to respond.

The lion's onslaught created openings, moments of vulnerability that the Shinigami could exploit, yet the cost of hesitation was dear. The force of the lion's attacks threatened to rend his very being to ribbons, a relentless barrage that left no room for hesitation. If the Shinigami moved too slowly, the sheer ferocity of the lion's onslaught would ensure his demise, a testament to the boundless fury that had been awakened within the King of Beasts.

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

The sight of the boy must have been devastating for the lion hollow. An apex predator failing to catch a child in its' fangs. It was no surprise that the beast bellowed in fury!

And the angrier it got, the more confident Kazuhiko seemed to be! His smile widened noticeably. His stance became less rigid and more bouncy. And perhaps most irritating, he refused to step back and his eyes remained closed!

The beast charged once again! But this time, despite the rage burning within it, it lacked the fiery aura. But when dealing with fist, fang, and claw... What difference did had the fire made?

It became obvious almost immediately! The relentless attacks of the hollow rained down upon Kazuhiko! They buffeted him as he bobbed and weaved. He was too slow! They were all landing! Snapping his body to and fro! Digging new scarlet furrows into his dark skin.

But just as the beast never stopped attacking, he never stopped smiling.

"Come on! Hit me for real!" He called out in with a mirthful laugh. ...Impossible! Just one swipe from the beast should have reduced him to ribbons... But consecutive attacks. Over and over and over again... Left naught but scratches!

The lion was powerful and vicious! His great limbs could bend steel and shatter concrete. But somehow they could hardly rend this twig of a shinigami.

"Do you understand now, Lion-kun?"

Kazuhiko had shown the beast this technique in their previous exchange. The Rukongai Roll. A defensive boxing stance that relied heavily on his senses and intellect to predict his enemies movements with supernatural accuracy. Every one of the blows was glancing. Kazuhiko's body flowing with their impact like water.

This is what made the aura of fire so dangerous. All the bobbing and weaving in the world wouldn't have prevented his skin from being seared off. However, with that threat dispelled, it was the predator that had become prey!

"This phone booth we're in!" The longer the hollow's attacks went on, the less they were landing. And it had nothing to do with the lion's stamina! Kazuhiko was learning the truth's of the beasts body. Growing ever more familiar with his tells. The flexing of his muscles. The pattern of his breathing. The beating of his heart. The changes in his biochemistry.

"Is your cage!" It was a reference to a type of boxing match. A phone-booth fight. Where neither boxer would take a step back until the other fell.

And eventually the flurry began to kiss entirely! The whiffung attacks causing him to overextend! And in that moment, Kazuhiko's right fist shot out with a counter punch! The sort of perfectly arcing blow that would put a man out!

And when it landed, it would do so without the tell tale slap of a punch well landed. The lion's thick flesh wouldn't cave. In fact. It would feel nothing at all... Except the chill of the spectre of death passing through its body.

His right hand retracted and his stance resumed. But the lion could see a single finger extended from the golden prosthetic. A reminder of his promise. One. More. Punch.

"Get ready Lion-kun. For bullying my friend, I'm going to show you the true Beast King's Bite!"

[Eshin Sōtō]

In the heart of that savage skirmish, where flesh met fury and pride clashed with desperation, the lion hollow found himself in a maddening whirlwind. His flaming strikes, once a torrential onslaught, now seemed to dance through empty air as the Shinigami continued to evade with infuriating grace. What was worse, as seconds bled into minutes, it became evident that the Shinigami was not just avoiding his blows; he was improving at it, evolving before the lion's very eyes.

A roiling sea of frustration churned within the prideful beast, a maelstrom of anger and desperation threatening to consume him whole. The tantalizing scent of victory hung in the air, but it remained elusive, always just out of reach. The lion knew he could not allow this drawn-out spectacle to persist. It was time to change the game, to seize the initiative and force an outcome.

With a split-second decision that reeked of desperation, the lion prepared to pounce, his massive form coiling like a spring-loaded trap. But before he could execute his plan, the Shinigami executed a maneuver that left the lion dumbfounded. A punch, swift and precise, landed square on the lion's jaw, yet he felt nothing—no pain, no impact. It was an eerie sensation, one that sent a shiver of dread crawling up and down his spine. What sinister ability did this Shinigami possess? How could he defy the laws of pain and physics?

Fear, a sensation that had been a stranger to the lion for too long, gripped him like a vise. The Shinigami's taunting words hung in the air, a damning proclamation that one more punch would spell his doom. The lion knew he couldn't allow it to come to that.

All bets were off. Life or death hung in the balance. The lion lunged, a desperate, savage pounce, aiming to pin the Shinigami's arms to the unforgiving ground. His jaw opened wide, crimson energy surged, and a Cero, a beam of seething pride, erupted at point-blank range. There was no escape from this cataclysm, no evasion, no defense.

At least, that was what the lion hoped. The culmination of all his fury, his pride, and his fear was channeled into that devastating moment of reckoning, where the Shinigami's fate hung in the balance, and the very air trembled with the impending cataclysm.

---

Yet, amidst all of this, the wraith watched. He clung to the shadows of the crystalline trees, observing his prey succumbing to the power and technique of this young boy. This Kazuhiko, who had gotten injured from a mere hollow, not even a Menos like this one was. How was it so different? How could his technique outwit and outmatch a being of pure power!? The hollow didn't know, yet that itch of frustration began to gnaw at his flesh. Eshin was so sure that but a moment ago, he was powerful enough to dispose of Kazuhiko, but now, seeing what he was capable of, the wraith hesitated. 

Then the thought occurred to him. Why? Why was it so hard to believe that technique was enough to overcome the difference in strength and ability? Why was it so difficult to imagine that skills could outmatch raw power? More importantly, when did Eshin forget those differences? 

Visions of the past flung through his mind, a past that he sought not to remember, a past that he thought was left with nothing but regrets. There was once a time when he was the pinnacle of Martial Arts. There was once a time that he was the greatest practitioner of Shorinji Kempo. He was a respected Abbot at the Kiyomizudera temple, a great master and teacher to dozens of men! It was not his body that made him that way, it was his mind and his spirit. But what happened to him? What happened to that unshakeable soul, that elusive mind? 

Once again the vision of a boy with eyes as clear as the clouds in the sky began to rush through his mind, and his heart cried out in agony. The hollow's claws gripped at the hole where his heart used to be. He was hollow now. Hollow. Empty. The pain should have been washed away. It should have been. But it wasn't. 

"Enough of this useless reminiscing. The past is useless to me. Forget the pain, focus on the hunger." The wraith shut off his mind on command, instead giving in to the basest instinct of a hollow. His hunger. He looked on at the two in combat and waited for one to become the victor, so that he may feast upon it and take its power for himself. 

Reiatsu: 2400
-50 for the Mascara de Inocencia

Previously Consumed: 3 Class 8 Hollows