Chapter 342: The Woman Who Whispered Kenpachi
If one were to delve into the purest essence of the soul, it would become clear—no matter how thoroughly Roka’s personality had been overwritten by that of Szayelaporro Granz, the fundamental existence still belonged to Roka Paramia. She was Roka at her core. The soul, the spiritual signature, the very thread of existence that tethered her to the universe—it had not changed.
But the soul alone did not define presence.
From the perspective of memories, identity, consciousness... it was another story altogether.
The entity now acting through Roka’s body, speaking her voice, moving her limbs, and carrying her intellect—was undoubtedly Szayelaporro.
After unraveling all of this in his mind, Mazuru’s heart stirred with mixed emotions.
Amazement. Curiosity. And most of all, a sense of discomfort.
He had to ask the obvious: where was Roka now?
Her body was walking, speaking, breathing... but her self, her being, seemed entirely absent.
Were the signs of instability he’d seen recently—her stuttering speech, erratic eye movements, inconsistent spiritual pressure—all a manifestation of Szayelaporro’s mind reviving itself within her?
At first, Mazuru had valued Szayelaporro solely for one purpose: his brilliant conceptual invention—the Gabriel—a method by which Mazuru was able to flawlessly reunite his two split selves, merging his bifurcated soul into one complete entity.
That alone had earned Szayelaporro temporary use.