Friends in Low Places [Adventure, DP]

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Thread Title: Friends in Low Places
Participants: Eshin, Satoshi Kazuhiko
World: Hueco Mundo
Death Setting: Permanent Injuries Enabled
Rating: R
Location: Menos Forest
Special Conditions: N/A
Plot: Kazuhiko, wandering in Hueco Mundo, happens upon a hollow in need!

The escape from Marik's quartz tree dwelling had been trying, to say the least. If it hadn't been for 'Yoruno', he might have been stuck there for the rest of his life. Due to the restrictions of his power, it had it only took a living thing to keep him perfectly contained. A strange shinigami had assisted him in escaping via a garganta. Though further inspection had resulted in said Shinigami being anything but... And their encounter had somehow resulted in him wandering the wilds of Hueco Mundo once more.

Eager to get away from his interaction with this world's cruel King, Kazuhiko found himself lost in the Menos Forest. In truth, he was lost just about anywhere in Hueco Mundo. It seemed to stretch on infinitely and he was beginning to wonder, if someone did come for him, how would they even find him? This was perhaps a moot point, as none of the denizens seemed to have any issue finding him in the first place. This was due in large part to his enormous Spiritual Pressure.

Kazuhiko's great spiritual pressure was constantly releasing. Pulsing like a beacon. For weaker hollows, it was a signal to flee from a potential predator. But for the ravenous and more capable hollows, it was a dinner bell. Just like it had been in the desert and the halls of Los Noches before then. But unlike that time, Kazuhiko himself had changed.

He still wore his shredded robes of snow white beneath his shihakusho. But they both fit like they were meant for him. In the course of a few days, he'd grown into them. His sandals were gone, but they wouldn't have fit him anymore anyway... His glasses were long gone. Broken weeks ago... And yet he found himself not needing them. The unintimidating boy who was short and scrawny for his age had rapidly begun to change in appearance since his conversation with 'Yoruno'. The changes began as his strength had returned and his reiatsu began to recirculate. It was the influence of the entity that had been implanted within him... The vestige of Lagos Obscuras. And lastly, he was missing his Zanpakutou. To any of the less clever hollows, it would appear as though the shinigami was entirely unarmed! Weakened... And Desperate!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Kazuhiko}

[Eshin Sōtō]

Hunger. Hunger was all that Eshin felt at this point. Above all the malice, the hatred, the anger, hunger reigned supreme. But why? If he was meant to be an Enlightened being, one who transcended his own mortal coil, then why would he have to suffer through this endless starvation? The wraith-like hollow roamed the endless desert of Hueco Mundo, feeling this concentrated negativity lending itself to his rising spiritual energies. Still, the hunger persisted. In truth, Eshin's senses were not what they used to be. In his life, he was sharp, strong, viciously quick, but now? He felt fragile, slow, blind, but this was the reward he received? This was his ascension? It made no sense.

Despair was oh so common for the all-powerful hollow, who loathed his own weakness again and again. He could not come to terms with his lack of strength, as if his reality was nothing but disappointment. Could he have been fooling himself from the start? Was this bold-faced lie meant to comfort himself? Was this some sort of cruel joke, a twist of fate? Perhaps this was Karma even, working in its mysterious ways? Maybe this was even a self-inflicted punishment. Maybe this was what he deserved, the endless struggle of wanting to gain more power than was possible. The arrogance of being strong, only to time and again be crushed into the ground. 

In this case, it was literal. Eshin's aimless wandering, spurred on by his own self-destructive thoughts, had eventually led him to the den of hollows far stronger than he was. This was the Menos Forest, a normally welcome escape from the bleak emptiness of the desert, if Eshin had been aware enough to notice it. His lack of perception had failed him once again, and it would not be the last time. Without knowing, a powerful hollow had approached him from behind, masking its spiritual pressure until the moment it struck Eshin in the back of the head, causing the wraith to lose consciousness. 

Time passed, more time than should have been necessary for any hollow to feast on his spiritual pressure. It only made sense, after all. If there was one thing that Eshin had, it was a powerful spiritual aura about him. He wouldn't have been surprised to know that his Spiritual pressure matched those of far stronger hollows, making him the prime target for a meal. But he lived. Why did he live? Why was he stuck in the ground, buried but not devoured? Any self-respecting hollow would try to consume him, to sate their hunger with such a spiritually enticing meal... right?

"Who are you fooling? You are weak, weaker than you ever have been before. No wonder it was so easy to rip your life away from you. All it took was the loss of one measly boy and everything you had worked for crumbled before your very eyes. Pathetic. Idiot. You don't deserve to live." His thoughts berated him as he faced himself for the first time in months. Little did he know that he uttered that last part out loud. Eshin wanted to cry, to tremble in fear as he further descended into the depraved madness of his own inner thoughts.

He longed for the release of tears, the relief that washed down his face as his regrets were freed in droplets of water. Water that never came. His hollowed form had disallowed him of that privilege, trapping him in this void of disdain. All he could do to express this pain, this horror, was to scream. As he did, the distraught and agonizing yell of a broken man had transformed, becoming an inhumane roar that was common among the hollows of Hueco Mundo. Within the Menos Forest alone, his agony only echoed the sentiments of everyone around him. 

This suffering was hell itself. This was not a higher realm. This was not the Pure Land. This was not his enlightenment. This was nothing but punishment, for all the loss that he had drawn upon himself. How sobering, to think that it took being buried alive to come to terms with his own actions, after decades of self-imposed self-reflection. Even his own death was not enough to shatter his illusion. It was only now, now that it was far too late to do anything. It was then that he felt resigned, as if he could just let go of the malice that drove him forward, and let the curtain fall on Eshin's ego once and for all, to succumb to the hollow's base instinct forevermore. It was far better than being alive, or whatever this state between life and death was. 

It was in this state of utter desperation that he had failed to sense the warning signs, the large spiritual pressure that stood out like a beacon to every hollow within the forest. Weaker hollows scurried away at the presence of this Shinigami, but the stronger ones began to search for its source, to feast on it and grow ever more powerful, fueled by their resentment of the black-cloaked swordsmen that condemned their brethren to death. Eshin's internalization had left him completely head blind, even as the Shinigami would see the half of his body, still buried in the ground. 

---

Edit: Medium Difficulty Adevnture!

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

He heard the scream before he sensed anything else. A longing, pained scream. It echoed throughout the strange forest, bouncing off of the trees and filling the void that was otherwise only occupied by an occasional breeze. He'd heard many screams like this when he was trapped in the quartz tree. The opening at the top of the pit had left his reiatsu to leak out and draw the attention of many a ravenous hollow. The opening had been too small for any of them to fit through, and so they had bayed at the open like wolves at the gate. Some of them had fought one another, causing great flashes of red light, not unlike lightning.

This scream was like those... But different. Feral as it might have been, Kazuhiko could empathize with it. It was a scream of agony. Whatever poor beast had made this bellow was surely injured. Of body, perhaps, but of mind and heart, surely. It was a funny thought to have. He'd been taught at the academy that hollows were without a heart. But he'd seen them laugh. He'd seen them grow angry. He'd seen them run scared. They were far more than consumers. There was a sentience within them that other Shinigami dare not speak of, lest they be labeled unable to complete their purpose.

The suffering drew him in. The need to aid another being called to him the way light does a mosquito. And make no mistake, in Hueco Mundo, he was considered little more than that. A rogue pest. Not dangerous on his own. But in what he could bring to the land. In time his sister would come for him. And he doubted she'd come alone. He had faith that Soul Society would send a rescue party. And if they were for some reason obstructed, it would mean war. He was wandering in hopes of finding his own way home. A way to avert violence. But it was impossible for him to pursue his own interests while another was in need!

Kazuhiko wandered in the direction where he'd heard the cry of sorrow originate from. It didn't take long, the creature hadn't been far. "My oh my, you seem to be having as bad a day as me, hm?" He spoke to the half-buried Eshin before approaching it. And when Eshin's attention turned upon him, he would put his left hand out and show him his palm. "Easy. I don't want to fight and I'm not going to hurt you." He was ragged and unarmed. But he was also unmistakeably a shinigami.

"I'll even help you, if you'll let me!" He continued. "Do you have a name?" He asked as he steadily began to walk towards the half-buried hollow. "Mine is Kazuhiko!"

[Eshin Sōtō]

Eshin continued his internal assault on his senses, feeling the self-loathing imbue his entire being with pain. He hated that he was not even worthy of devouring in the forests of Hueco Mundo, as normally the nest of countless powerful hollows competed to become the most powerful. The pit in his stomach only deepened with the realization that he had failed to become anything close to what he once believed himself to be. He had once been the most powerful monk in the country, feared and respected by all, but now he was nothing but a shadow of his former self.

He looked down at his broken form, half-buried in the dirt, and let out a deep sigh. "You're pathetic, Eshin," he said to himself, his voice filled with venom. "A disgrace to your kind. No wonder you're alone, abandoned by all." His self-hatred only grew stronger with each passing moment, as he reflected on his own inadequacies. Little did he know that his inner voice had become verbalized. "You're nothing," he muttered under his breath. "Nothing but a failure." It was true. All the expectations placed upon him, the prodigious monk from the Kiyomizudera temple, the hope of Buddhism in Japan, had amounted to nothing. The death of one child, too young to have affected the Order as a whole, was enough to bring down the mighty Eshin? Pathetic. He locked himself in the room for decades, out of cowardice. 

The words echoed in his mind, a constant reminder of his own shortcomings. He felt powerless and trapped, as if there was no escape from the never-ending cycle of self-loathing. He remembered the four walls of the room he trapped himself in, the walls of the self-imposed punishment he put himself through. He tried to shake the feeling, but it only grew stronger with each passing moment. "Why do I even bother?" he thought to himself. "No one cares about me, and I'm not even worth the dirt that I'm buried in." The thought of being alone, of being trapped in his own thoughts, terrified him more than anything else. He didn't want to be left alone with his own self-hatred.

Then, as if his prayers were answered, someone did approach. A man, not a hollow. No, not even a man, a Shinigami. Powerful from the feeling, from the smell. Eshin felt a sense of distrust and apprehension, his instinctual nature as a hollow kicking in. He could feel the immense spiritual energy emanating from the man, an energy that he had never felt before. He tried to sense the intentions of the Shinigami, but all he could feel was an overwhelming desire to destroy him. After all, it was only natural. Shinigami were the natural predators of hollows, it only made sense for one to end his life once and for all. Was this fate? Destiny? This was the most honorable death a hollow could have, after all. 

But the end never came. Fate seemed to be toying with him, prolonging his suffering. Eshin didn't understand why he was being spared, why he was being given false hope. Was this the universe's way of torturing him? He could feel the anger and frustration building inside of him. The fear and paranoia began to spiral in his mind, wondering why this Shinigami would approach him without any hostile intentions. He had seen countless of his brethren slain by the Shinigami, using their so called purification to justify their cause. If this man truly harbored no ill will, then he couldn't understand why this man would even bother approaching him.

But as he looked into the Shinigami's eyes, he saw a glimmer of something that he couldn't quite place. It was a mix of pity and understanding, and Eshin couldn't help but feel like he was being judged. He wondered if the Shinigami was playing with him, trying to lure him into a false sense of security before attacking him. His distrust only grew as the Shinigami spoke to him, promising to help him if he allowed him to. He wondered what kind of help a Shinigami could provide for a hollow, and why he would even bother trying to help one of his sworn enemies.

Despite the Shinigami's seemingly genuine offer of help, Eshin couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He had been alone for so long that he had lost his ability to trust others, and the mere thought of relying on someone else made him feel vulnerable and weak. But was that so different from what he had already felt? Did he even have pride to lose at this point? Any hollow would use this opportunity to devour the Shinigami, unarmed as he was, but those same hollows had disgraced him and tossed him aside. 

"Kazuhiko... hmm," The wraith-like hollow's voice escaped like a whisper, raspy and hollow in tone. "Eshin. My name is Eshin... Please free me from this turmoil..." 

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

"Turmoil? Ha. No need to be dramatic, Eshin. It's just a bit of sand. We'll have you out in a jiffy!" The boy's jovial nature showed as he let out a merry chuckle. The hollow in front of him was... Piteous. He didn't mean to laugh at him or to mock him. But there was a strange relief to finding something, no, someone, that was having as bad a day as he was.

"You've gotten yourself in quite the pickle, hm? Let's see what we can do to get you out of there!" He pursed his lips, tapping upon them with the index finger of his left. He dropped down to a kneel to investigate Eshin a bit closer. He was well within striking range of the hollow, even buried as he was. And yet, Kazuhiko didn't seem worried in the slightest. "Gosh. How did you end up like this in the first place?" He brushed his hand along the sand. It hadn't collapsed, the sand was convex rather than concave. He'd been buried. "Someone did this to you, hm? How cruel." He sighed.

"Okay. If I tried to pull you out I might hurt you, so... I'm going to have to dig, please be patient, okay?" His right arm finally moved. Until this point, it had been still. Unnaturally so. But now as it emerged from his sleeve it became clear why. It was a prosthetic made of gold. White light flowed through it, reiatsu, like blood in the veins of a normal arm. The metal of it creaked as it moved. It swept over the sand, pulling it away from Eshin. Both hands worked meticulously to try to buy Eshin the space needed to move on his own. To begin pulling himself free.

"So, Eshin. We've got some time together as I try to unearth you, yeah? So. What do you want to talk about?" He might not have wanted to talk about anything at all... But in truth, Kazuhiko didn't want to sit in silence. The silence would force him to contemplate his dire situation. Trapped in a strange land. Tired and battered. He sought a rescue but feared that those who came to get him might just be endangering themselves as well. No... He would much prefer conversation to that.

[Eshin Sōtō]

The wraith-like hollow grimaced as Kazuhiko spoke, the Shinigami radiating with an optimism that had eluded him for decades at this point. "I am not being dramatic... I despise small spaces like these." The wraith admitted, malice and hatred spewing from his lips. This aggression was non-directional though, as he had no reason to turn it towards the only one willing to help him out of his predicament. Truthfully, he abhorred small and cramped spaces like this, it reminded him too much of the isolation chamber he trapped himself in.

Desperation clawed at him relentlessly, urging him to escape the suffocating binds of his buried state. It was the only way he could hope to evade the suffocating grip of his own thoughts. It was humiliating. Though, it wasn't as if he had any pride or dignity left to protect. He transcended that as he shed his humanity, taking on the shamelessness that hollows embraced. What once was a monk had hollowed himself out, forgoing his identity to become a being of negativity incarnate, a monster.

But even monsters had weaknesses, and this particular Shinigami was one of them, with his unique spiritual pressure. Eshin's trembling form recoiled as the sickening waves of positivity emanated from the Shinigami, assaulting his senses like a cruel mockery of his own despair. "I was ambushed. This is not my fault." The thought of having to defend himself to his race's greatest enemy filled him with a profound sense of wounded pride and bitter resentment. How had he fallen so low, reduced to accepting aid from those he despised? The anguish within his soul deepened, gnawing at his already shattered sense of self-worth.

As the Shinigami, with his strange prosthetic arm, worked tirelessly to unearth Eshin from the sand, a radiant glow emanated from the limb, pulsating with an abundance of positive spiritual energy. Maybe he would have found solace in this warmth, long ago. Yet, to Eshin as he was now, it was nothing but repulsive, like a sweltering heat that threatened to consume him. He endured, his resolve wavering but unbroken, for he knew that he had no other choice. It was then that the man asked for his patience, but Eshin just nodded. "Do it quickly. I cannot stand this much longer."

Every fiber of his being longed to retreat, to distance himself from the nauseating warmth radiating from that glowing arm. Its very existence mocked him, reminding him of the light he had lost, the hope he had forsaken. But he pressed on, gritting his teeth and suppressing the revulsion, for he knew that escape was his only salvation. In the face of such overwhelming positivity, he held on to his flickering ember of defiance, refusing to be engulfed by its blinding brightness.

Time seemed to stretch, each passing second an eternity of torment as the Shinigami persisted in his rescue efforts. The wretched warmth of the golden arm enveloped Eshin, seeping into his being and threatening to dissolve his resolve. The pain of enduring this sickening positivity was unbearable, yet he clung to his fraying sanity, a threadbare lifeline in the abyss. He knew that his liberation was within reach, and he would endure whatever torment necessary to escape the clutches of his own torment, even if it meant he had to converse with him.

"Your arm. What is it? It hurts to be near it."

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Kazuhiko laughed at Eshin's reaction to being called dramatic. It wasn't cruel, it was a genuine delight. That of course didn't make it not mocking, but it hadn't been his intent. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. You're not being dramatic. And if I was in your position, I wouldn't be happy either." He reflected on his tree prison. His captor hadn't known it at the time, but it had been the perfect cell to seal him in. He'd put his all into breaking out. And the results had been hilariously inadequate. It put another smile on his face. He bet that having witnessed it would have cheered Eshin right up.

"Ambushed?" He was about to ask why someone would do something like that... But he halted himself. He had himself survived ambush after ambush. "So it's like that for you guys too, huh?" He frowned, his hands still working diligently to dig the wraith free of his sand trap. "That must be a really difficult life... Constantly chasing or being chased." He let out a deep, empathetic sigh. "Well. While I'm here, you won't have to worry about that. I'll keep you safe, okay?" It was a strange promise for a Shinigami to make to a Hollow. But then. Kazuhiko was turning out to be something of a strange boy.

Eshin was nearly clear by this point. The joint of his elbow would be free. It would take some working, but if he wasn't too weak he should be able to pull his arm free. From there, he would have some agency in the speed of his unearthing. Which seemed to be lucky for the hollow, as the situation appeared to be wearing upon his vigilance.

"My arm?" He looked over towards it with his eyes. "Ah. Its name is Hyakuujuunoou. And he's my Oyabin- Er. Zanpakuto." He considered the rest of his statement then. "It hurts?" How could that be? "I'm sorry, but I um... I can't exactly... Put it away." He laughed nervously. It was a bit embarrassing to admit. But Kazuhiko had more power than he could control. Where a normal Shinigami could release and unrelease at will, Kazuhiko's arm had been this way ever since his fight with Lagos Obscura.

"We've nearly got you out, okay? So just... Endure it a little longer." The smile was gone. The look on his face was akin to apologetic sadness. There was nothing funny about Eshin being hurt... And it was much less amusing when he was the cause of it.

[Eshin Sōtō]

Beneath the weight of rubble and debris, Eshin's wretched form wailed with annoyance, his ethereal cries carrying a bitter resonance. The sound of his misery echoed in the desolate air, mingling with the sardonic laughter that seemed to drip from Kazuhiko's lips. Even as the Shinigami offered hollow words of apology, Eshin sensed the twisted enjoyment lurking beneath his facade of concern. It was a mockery, a cruel jest at his unfortunate circumstances, and it fueled the flames of bitterness within him.

The wraith-like hollow recoiled instinctively, his ethereal essence wincing away from the suffocating aura of positive reiatsu that the Shinigami's golden arm exuded. It was an abomination, an affront to the darkness that shrouded Eshin's being. How could he endure such a repulsive display of light, a constant reminder of the hollow he had become? In the twisted recesses of his mind, he sneered at the Shinigami's surprise, his naivety. Did they truly believe that ambushes and betrayals were foreign concepts among the hollows? How conveniently they had been shielded from the depths of their enemy's consciousness, their ignorance allowing them to slaughter hollows without a shred of remorse. In Eshin's eyes, they were the true embodiment of evil.

His attention half-drawn, Eshin only partially listened to the Shinigami's words, his thoughts consumed by his own disdain. The hollow scratched and clawed at the surrounding soil, desperate to free himself from the clutches of his earthly prison. "There is only so much I can endure! My existence is suffering enough, Kazuhiko." His words spread forth like venom, anger and desperation laced within his tone. It was then that the hollow's attention would turn away from the Shinigami, another source of energy spilling forth from the surrounding Forest.

The skittering sounds that emerged from the encroaching forest drew his attention, a chilling reminder of the imminent danger that awaited them. The hollows, drawn by the pulsating pool of spiritual pressure radiating from the Shinigami's golden arm, converged upon their location like vultures circling their prey. "They found us, Shinigami. These are lesser hollows, weaker than the one that had ambushed me, but their numbers are many. Prepare yourself." True enough, four hollows began to approach from the treeline. Two of them resembled that of reptiles, one of them resembling a scorpion, and the final one showing itself to be a tree frog. For now, they simply watched, but any sudden moves could cause them to strike. 

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

The sounds of supernatural suffering that came from the strange hollow's mouth were haunting. Shrill, piercing sounds that were filled with contempt. Kazuhiko sought to bring comfort to those around him... And yet, his very presence caused Eshin unrest. Was it harm or merely dissatisfaction? It was difficult to tell. And in the end, it didn't matter. When he finally spoke again it was somehow with more contempt than the stray cat cries he'd been making just a moment prior.

The words caused him to pause in his digging. "Your existence is suffering?" The concept was difficult for Kazuhiko to grasp. Existing was so important to him. It was something he strived to protect, not only for himself but for others. Even for hollows. And yet, for Eshin, existence was agony. Or so he presented it. "How can that be?" The question came out, but he quickly rerouted it with another, more important question. "Isn't there some way to make it better?"

Before Eshin could answer his question the party found themselves interrupted! "Ah darn it! This is my fault Eshin, I'm sorry! I can't-" He paused mid-explanation. Couldn't what? Turn it off? Control it? It didn't matter. What mattered was that he take responsibility for the situation. "I brought them here... So I'll take care of them. You just finish digging yourself out, okay? I'll protect you. I promise!" As he spoke, he moved to step between Eshin and the forest from whence the beastly hollows threatened to emerge. He faced them. But most notably., he put his back to Eshin.

"Hey. I know this seems like a good idea. And we both seem really delicious. But please! Go back into the forest!" He assumed a fighting pose. He turned so that his right hip and right shoulder were facing the direction of his enemies. His golden arm fell across his abdomen and his other arm came up near his chin. "I don't want to have to hurt you!" It was something of a bluff. He'd fight them. But in truth, he wouldn't be able to hurt them regardless of what actions they took. Such was the nature of his newfound weapon.

[Eshin Sōtō]

In the depths of his despair, Eshin labored to free himself from the suffocating embrace of the earth, the weight of his own existence pressing down upon him. As he dug, his muffled voice reached Kazuhiko, the young Shinigami who stood nearby. The hollow's words dripped with bitterness, a testament to the profound misery that permeated his very being.

He spoke of his cursed life, the perpetual suffering that accompanied his every breath, as if it were a fate uniquely tailored to torment him. The young Shinigami, however, appeared hurt and offended by such notions, unable to fathom a reality in which existence itself was nothing but anguish. Eshin's laughter, devoid of mirth, filled the air as he shook his head in disbelief at the ignorance of youth.

"Typical of the ignorant youth," he sneered, his voice laced with derision. "Even in this life, you remain blind to the true nature of suffering. You cannot free me from my own torment, Shinigami. That much, you should already know." The hollow's words hung in the air, a bleak proclamation that resonated with the desolation in his heart. There was no escape, no reprieve from the relentless agony that gnawed at his very soul.

Before he could delve deeper into his existential contemplation, a palpable sense of impending danger stirred within him. Hollows were drawing near, their presence tainting the air with malevolence. With a momentary pause, Eshin alerted his unlikely ally to their approach, his hollow eyes fixed on the encroaching threat. The weight of his earlier words seemed to have cast a shadow of guilt upon the young Shinigami, who swiftly apologized for their current predicament and pledged to confront the hollows alone.

Accepting the offer without resistance, Eshin nodded solemnly, his expression a mix of resignation and exhaustion. He mustered what little strength remained within him, using it to pull his emaciated form out of the suffocating embrace of the earth. His limbs trembled with the effort, his hollow body straining against the burdens it bore. The wraith-like hollow stood beside Kazuhiko, who himself was ready to face the impending battle, a flicker of opportunisty mingling with the despair that haunted his very being.

"I will try to support you, Kazuhiko, but I remain weakened as of now. Permit me to regain my strength and I shall join you in the fray." He spoke, but he held no intention of putting himself in further danger. Instead, when the opportunity arose and Kazuhiko had wounded the rapidly approaching hollows, it would be Eshin to deliver the final blow and devour their power for himself. After all, cannibalization was the cornerstone of the life of a hollow. Little did he know that Kazuhiko's weapon was unable to deliver harm.

---

In the eerie stillness of the Menos Forest, a trio of grotesque creatures slithered across the ground, their segmented bodies undulating with an unnatural grace. These abominations resembled a macabre fusion of centipedes and millipedes, their elongated forms writhing with countless legs that scuttled in unison. From their chitinous exoskeletons, a chorus of haunting voices resonated, filled with a hunger that knew no bounds.

Drawn to the pulsating wellspring of spiritual power radiating from Kazuhiko, these hollows, with their insatiable appetites, saw him as nothing more than a tantalizing morsel. To taste even a fragment of his potent energy would grant them a fleeting surge of strength, an opportunity they simply couldn't resist. Their malevolent eyes glimmered with a savage anticipation, fueled by an instinctive drive to consume and grow.

As the young Shinigami attempted to reason with the approaching horrors, his voice carried a tinge of desperation, a plea to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Yet, his words were met with the chorus of monstrous laughter that echoed through the night, twisted and discordant. These abominations cared not for his intentions, their minds consumed by the primal urge to feast upon his essence.

With a coordinated malevolence, the centipede-like hollows launched their assault from different angles, each aiming to exploit a vulnerable point. Two of them sought to latch onto Kazuhiko's legs, their razor-sharp appendages poised to sink into flesh and bone, rending and tearing. Meanwhile, the third creature lunged, its venomous mandibles aimed at his exposed neck, thirsting for the taste of his lifeblood. The air crackled with a foreboding energy, a prelude to the imminent clash between predator and prey in the heart of the Menos Forest.

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Kazuhiko looked over his shoulder and gave the sad wraith a warm smile. Like an old friend. "Maybe you're right. But I'm not blind. I just refuse to see things that way. But if that is the truth of the world..." He hesitated a sigh built in his chest. But what came out instead was a declaration! "Then I'll just have to change the world until it becomes one I'd rather see!" The warmth in his smile deepened. He was serious. Sincere. Soul King help them, he was sincere!

He turned his attention back to their gathering attackers. He nodded along with the hollows promise of assistance. He trusted the wraith's words without hesitation. He showed the brooding creature his back as he prepared to receive the storm of assailants! They charged, eager and hungry. His warning was more than unabated, it was mocked. There would be no peace. He closed his eyes, and Eshin could feel a warm wind as Kazuhiko's reiatsu began to surge.

They were upon them quickly... But their approach slowed in Kazuhiko's mind as they entered the strange field of reiatsu that his Shikai harnessed. For Eshin, there was no change. They charged ravenous and undeterred, claws and fangs bared. But for Kazuhiko, it was far different. They splashed into it and their momentum was sapped away, as if they were attempting to charge through a cube of gelatin! Their movements traceable... Predictable.

They weren't slowed at all, in reality. But Kazuhiko was attuned to every particle of Reiatsu that he was leaking. He could -feel- them with his sixth sense. He saw far more, ironically, than he could with his eyes. He could feel the contractions of their muscles. The shifting of their bones. The activity within their alien circulatory system. And his mind worked quickly to assemble all of that data into statistical models that were so accurate he'd been able to convince some opponents that his power was being able to see the future! And in a way... They weren't wrong.

These hollows made no attempts to obfuscate their approach or intent. They were moving as one hive-mind, all set to attack Kazuhiko! His mind raced as he tried to find a solution. With the knowledge of what they'd do he could move as if he was far faster than them. Weaving through the gaps in their three-pronged attack would be easy. However, if he moved, they would crash into Eshin... The one he'd promised to protect. He could let out a great roar to disable all three... But Eshin too, would be caught in the crossfire. He'd promised to protect him. And he would do just that!

Kazuhiko's golden arm began to glow bright white! Luminous and blinding! He was preparing an attack!

There was the sickening sound of tearing flesh as all three of the hollows converged on Kazuhiko! Blood splashed across the white sands of the Menos Forest Floor! "Ngh! AHN!!" The boy let out a cry of agony! The two hollows' sharp claws sank into his legs... Trapping him. But also preventing them from getting to Eshin. His legs trembled as he bit back the urge to let out another scream... "I won't... Let you-" Or to fold and let them through! "Get to him!!" Meanwhile, The third Hollow's terrible fangs descended, intent to snap upon the boy's neck!

However, it was the glowing golden arm that the fangs found themselves attempting to dig into! And strangely, they couldn't pierce it! In fact, stranger still, the hollow found itself being on the receiving end of the damage! Kazuhiko's technique, Beast King's Pride, redirected the beast's aggression and overwhelmed it with his own strength! And instead of tearing apart Kazuhiko's arm, the Hollow found itself suffering the effects of Hyakujuunoou. And in all likelihood, the low level hollow would find itself knocked unconscious as its ability to hold reiatsu was depleted entirely!

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{Stats}Stats: Before Type|After Type

Strength: 100
Speed: 200
Riatsu Strength: 25
Spiritual Pressure: 400/600
Instinct: 300
Senses: 25
Energy Sense: 50
Light Aura: 100
Dark Aura: 0
Healing Expertise: 0

Skills 15/15
Abilities
Strength of Will: 1
Lack of Fear: 1
Battle Analysis: 2
Martial Arts: Boxing: 2
Pain Tolerence: 1
Bleeding Tolerence: 1
Damage Recovery: 2
Charisma/Leadership: 2
Hoho: 2

Cinematic Skills:
Knowledge: Medicine
Knowledge: Survival

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{Tracker}
Techniques Used:
Rukongai Roll - 80% (75+5 (1 turn)) - 100 Reiatsu
Beast King's Pride - 300 Reiatsu
5600/6000 Reiatsu Total

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{Technique References}

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{Hyakujuunou Kyogou (Beast King's Pride)}
The unique nature of Kazuhiko's overwhelming spiritual pressure allows him to interact with the "Cutback Effect" differently from most. As long as Kazuhiko's release is of the same class or higher, this unique form of cutback is effective.

This technique is similar to cutback, but is not permanently active but is instead a reaction. It can only be activated for one post. By focusing his reiatsu, Kazuhiko is able to allow cutback to apply to an incoming attack, regardless of immunities.

This can affect ranged attacks -if- the attack has a physical component. For instance, if Reiatsu is used to manipulate shurikens, the cutback will resonate along that connection and affect the user. Or if it is a Reiatsu-infused arrow. However, if the attack does not have a component for Kazuhiko's attack to make contact with, such as fire, it will not work. The exception to this rule is if that "Fire" is somehow an extension of the user's soul. If the effect can travel down the length of the attack and reach the soul of the user, then it can still strike them. This is a very edge-case scenario but is thematically worth noting.

This does not work if Kazuhiko's OS is not greater than the opponent's by at least 100.

If the technique is successful, it does not deal any physical damage. Instead, the opponent suffers the effect of a strike from Hyyakujuunou.

The cost to use this defensive technique is 300 Reiatsu. Further, this effect only works if the offense in question makes contact with Kazuhiko's release. The opponent is able to see when this technique is active, as the channels within Hyyakujuunou radiate and surge with white reiatsu.

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{Beast King Boxing - 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]

Eshin, consumed by his own suffering, saw the Shinigami's attempts to alleviate the sorrows of others as nothing more than arrogant folly. How could this naive soul believe he could mend the unfixable, unaware that his pursuit of an ideal was nothing but a deceitful mirage? The bitterness in Eshin's voice was palpable as he scorned the young Shinigami, condemning him for his ignorance and blind optimism. "Forcing your view on the world is a greater offense than any I can commit, fool."

But Kazuhiko, ever clinging to the innocence of youth, admitted willingly to his self-imposed blindness, hoping to reshape the world into one that would bring him joy. Eshin's gaze darkened, his hollow eyes reflecting the depth of his disillusionment. He knew all too well the hollowness of such dreams, the futility of seeking solace in an unforgiving existence. Kazuhiko's foolishness, his willful ignorance, would inevitably lead him into grave peril.

As Eshin clawed his way out of the suffocating earth, his gaze fixated on the unfolding scene before him. He watched with a mixture of horror and fascination as Kazuhiko, in a misguided attempt to protect him, became the target of the three incoming hollows. Their grotesque forms pierced the Shinigami's flesh, their presence a reminder of the brutal and relentless nature of this world. Eshin remained still, an observer of this macabre spectacle, until his metal arm, impervious to their assault, emitted a blinding light.

In that moment, the hollow's true terror was revealed. The radiant glow dissolved its form, reducing it to fragmented remnants before it succumbed to unconsciousness. Eshin's heart quickened with a savage hunger, the sight of a fallen comrade awakening his primal instincts. Seizing the opportunity, he lunged forward, his wraith-like figure converging upon the unconscious hollow. With a voracious appetite, he tore into its essence, devouring the remnants of its existence.

Meanwhile, Kazuhiko valiantly grappled with the remaining two hollows, his determination shining through the chaos. Eshin watched with a mixture of awe and revulsion, recognizing the strength and tenacity within the Shinigami. Though they stood on opposing sides, a flicker of begrudging respect ignited within the hollow's tortured soul. But the hunger that plagued Eshin was insatiable, a relentless force that demanded constant satiation.

---

In the eerie depths of the Menos Forest, a grotesque dance of horror unfolded as the two centipede hollows, their malevolence intensified by the glimmering radiance emanating from Kazuhiko's arm, recoiled momentarily. Their jagged forms twisted and contorted, their segmented bodies intertwining like twisted tendrils of darkness. It was a macabre display, a twisted ballet of malevolence and menace.

With a silent understanding forged through their shared primal instincts, the centipede hollows circled one another, their movements fluid yet jarring. The air grew thick with anticipation, the forest itself holding its breath as the ominous predators plotted their next strike. Their intertwining forms created a disorienting illusion, a nightmarish spectacle designed to confuse and dishearten their foes.

In the heart of this unholy tangle, one of the centipede hollows lunged forward with blinding speed, its elongated body arching towards Kazuhiko's knee, a vile intention concealed within its savage attack. It sought to cripple the young Shinigami, to shatter his resolve and bring him crashing down into the clutches of despair. In its wake, the other centipede hollow surged forward, its fangs dripping with ravenous hunger as it aimed to sink its venomous bite into Eshin's vulnerable back.

---

Consumed: 1 Class 8 hollow

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

"Ngh!" Kazuhiko let out a grunt as the two hollows who'd slashed his legs withdrew. The glow from Hyaakujuunoou had caused them to pull back, leaving exit wounds from where their claws had sunk into the meat of the boy's legs. His pants joined the rest of his attire in becoming ever more tattered. Jagged tears were embellished with the red of his blood.

But despite the pain, he was smiling! He'd kept his promise. At his own peril perhaps. But he'd managed to protect the weakened hollow from the hungry fangs of these centipedes. However, Eshin's actions caused his smile to falter. "N-no... Why!?" He asked as the wraith dove upon the unconscious centipede and began to devour it! He'd unwittingly condemned this other hollow to the same death he was attempting to prevent for Eshin!

The grotesque sounds of consumption were impossible to ignore! He reached a hand outward as his mouth opened to demand that Eshin stop! But he froze! "So naive!" There was a mocking cackling. It was an unpleasant sound. A sound a human throat couldn't make. Like so many shards of broken glass raining down onto asphalt in the aftermath of a car crash. It dripped with violence and capricious malice. "This is the way of the world, brat. You have done it. You have secured the 'life' that you cherish so. But should this pitiful creature you saved starve? All things have a cost. Life, more than anything else."

Kazuhiko's eyes opened. And they were wild with panic and confusion. "Who said that?!" He searched desperately... But there was no one there. Noone whom that could have made a sound so horrid as that unnatural laughter! And none whom heard it other than himself.

The centipedes were already mid-air! And worse... Kazuhiko hadn't been able to maintain his concentration, breaking his own stance! "No!" He moved instinctively. His right fist balled and lashed out, the knuckles of it crashed into the side of a centipede's head! White reiatsu surged into it! And then erupted out of the other side of its face! Like a geyser, its ability to maintain its own reiryoku escaped the hollows body. Leaving it dead-eyed and unconscious, like its brethren.

At the same time, there was a splash of blood that hit the sand, painting alabaster scarlet.

"Ha ha!" The boy laughed in relief. "I guess I was too slow." And the length of the centipede he'd struck flopped along the sand beside Eshin. Leaving him unharmed. "To save us both." While Kazuhiko dropped one knee into the sand. He'd turned his back on his attacker to save the wraith. And as a result... The Hollow's claw had torn through the flesh of his leg. The sickle-like edge entered at the back of his leg and emerged through the white of his pants. A new tear. One that would keep him from standing... A critical hit. Just like the hollow had hoped for!

[Eshin Sōtō]

In the heart of the oppressive Menos Forest, a twisted symphony of misery and despair unfolded. Eshin, driven by an insatiable hunger and a deep-rooted distrust towards others, reveled in the devouring of his fallen foe. With each bite, the wretched hollow could feel strength and energy surge through his decaying form, revitalizing his shattered essence. It was a moment of cruel satisfaction, a respite from the unending torment that plagued him.

Yet, as Eshin relished in his feast, a cold realization seeped into the depths of his consciousness. Kazuhiko, the young Shinigami who had foolishly believed in the possibility of change, stood devastated by the act of consumption. How naive he was to forget the true nature of hollows, the instinctual drive to consume and grow stronger. Eshin watched with detached amusement as panic gripped Kazuhiko's fragile mind, shattering his illusions of hope and trust.

The centipedes, sensing the Shinigami's vulnerability, seized the opportunity for a second strike. Kazuhiko, in a desperate bid to defend himself, managed to ward off one of the relentless predators with a powerful blow, unleashing a surge of reiatsu that rendered it unconscious. But his lack of composure, his faltering resolve, left his flank exposed, an easy target for the ravenous jaws of the other centipede.

With a cruel twist of fate, Kazuhiko sank to one knee, his spirit shattered and his hope extinguished. It was a sight that stirred a deep frustration within Eshin's tortured soul. The hollow groaned in anguish, his distrust for the Shinigami intensifying. How could one who spoke of changing the world succumb so easily to despair at the sight of carnage? It sickened Eshin to witness such weakness.

In a surge of malevolence, Eshin pointed a bony finger towards the centipede that had claimed the Shinigami as its meal. Arcs of lightning crackled through the air, a manifestation of his twisted malice, piercing through the creature's mask and shattering its vile form with a single point. A needle of electricity, surging with the negative energy of Eshin's own hatred, had pierced clear through the skull of the centipede.Two more lifeless husks lay before him, awaiting his insatiable hunger.

"You pitiful Shinigami," Eshin hissed with contempt, his voice laced with bitterness and scorn. "You dare speak of changing the world, yet a single moment of darkness is enough to make you abandon everything you claim to stand for? You sicken me." The hollow's words dripped with venom as he continued to feast upon the corpses of his fallen adversaries, his power swelling with each macabre bite.

In the twisted dance of misery and power, Eshin reveled in his ruthless consumption, savoring the fleeting moments of strength it granted him. The forest bore witness to his grotesque transformation, a reflection of the darkness that gnawed at his being. Powerless and consumed by his own wretched hunger, Eshin sought to devour all that lay before him, fueled by an insatiable desire to rise above his own misery. "If this is all you have, Kazuhiko, then relinquish your strength to me. I will make better use of it." 

Reiatsu: 2650
-50 for Cero Estallar

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Blood dripped onto the sand. Kazuhiko grit his teeth in pain. The centipede hollow's fangs sank deep, their points grazing bone. A redoubling of its efforts was all it would take to see fang meet fang; to see the boy's leg removed. He could strike the creature with his fist... But not before it could bite down.

And then, just behind him was the other hollow. The miserable seeming wraith who had just cannibalized its' kin. One-legged, would Kazuhiko have to fend him off? And even then, could he continue to search for a way out of Hueco Mundo? No... Amputated his leg might not result in his death, not right away... But it would be an incline that he couldn't hope to claw his way up. He could only slow the descent. His error had been fatal. Something inside of him was laughing. It wasn't his voice.

That golden arm began to whir and tense. He knew what he had to do. If he was going to lose his leg anyway, then so be it! He wasn't going to die without a fight! He raised his fist and met his eyes with the centipede hollow. It was hard to tell, with its mouth full of his limb, but was it grinning at him?

A flash of light. And Kazuhiko didn't even get to watch the life drain from its eyes as its face shattered! "Uwa!?" It was sudden and violent and the naive shinigami couldn't keep from letting out a shout of surprise! He fell backward onto his bottom. He'd been compensating for the struggle, and without the hollow's weight hanging from his leg, his balance was forfeit. He turned his head and he was left looking up at the wraith as it loomed over him.

Its words were heavy and dripped with more venom than all three of the centipedes had in all of their bodies. He looked down for a moment. Considering his rebuke. He considered the moment of darkness that had made him lose his focus. He didn't really understand it either... Hope in the face of absolute turmoil was what had managed to get him this far. But what was it that had made this different? What was it that had caused the light in his heart to dim? He frowned as he came to the realization. Saying it aloud at the same time it occurred in his head.

"I was afraid that I wasn't going to be able to save you." He said plainly, as he turned his head towards the hollow, who had gone back to feasting. It was grotesque. But it was restoring Eshin to health, to power... And at the same time, Kazuhiko's own hope was welling up. Restoring his strength as well.

Kazuhiko had never had to confront fear, not truly, whilst enduring Hueco Mundo's survival game. He didn't want to die. He didn't want to hurt or starve. But he wasn't afraid of his own mortal end. Not truly. That was why he'd thrown himself in front of a bullet to save his sister in his human life. It was her death he was most afraid of. It was the possibility of Eshin's death that had created the oppressive stakes that had stricken him with terror.

The boy tore away the remnants of the left leg of his pants and began to bandage his pierced limb. If this kept up, he'd be naked before he was ever found. The thought put a childish smile on his face. But something else tugged the edges of his mouth into an even wider smile. It was Eshin's words. Angry and cutting. But... Was that... Encouragement?

He laughed. He knew already that Eshin hated being laughed at... But he couldn't help it. He was happy to be alive. And for Eshin to be alive as well. He threw himself backward and laughed up into the eternal night sky of Hueco Mundo. He laughed until he had to gasp for air. And as it died down, he looked at Eshin with a warm smile.

"You know Mr. Eshin. You might be right. I might not be strong enough to change the world yet." His smile didn't falter. But it did warm further to become something affectionate. "But maybe the world doesn't need to change all that much either, yeah?" He asked, taking a moment to look back up at the stars. His chest swelled with warmth. Comfort. Something he hadn't felt in many weeks. His dream had a purpose.

"Because at the end of the day, Mr. Eshin. It was you, a hollow, who saved me. Wasn't it?" He turned his attention back to Eshin with a look that could only be described as appreciation.

"I think that makes us friends!"