Chapter -96: Return of the Pendulum
Alternative Title: Woe to the Misfortune
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its relating material. All rights go to Tite Kubo and other official holders.
Notes: This is a origin story dealing with the Visoreds the moment they are still comatose in the underground chamber in Soul Society till them first hearing about Ichigo Kurosaki in the human world. Thus a centuries worth of exploitation will be dealt with here. And Soul Society problems will also be seen too.
Soul Society – Secret Underground Chamber
"Thank you Yoruichi" said Kisuke Urahara as he adjusted into the new setting. The last 24 hours have been a nightmare for the inexperienced captain, and has just escaped permanent banishment administered by Central 46. Tessai Tsukabishi, his childhood friend and comrade, stood beside him as the eight unconscious shinigami slumbered in their hollowfied states.
Having no more need for concealment, Yoruichi Shihoin, captain of the second division and head of the Shihoin Clan, removed her garb since it no longer served a purpose.
"Yoruichi...I."
"You don't need to thank me Kisuke. I'll even save the brutal kick I was going to give you for not saying a word to me last night." Stated Yoruichi as she watched Urahara massage his wrists that were locked away in reiatsu-cancelling metal bars not too long ago.
"I brought all eight of them here too along with the new gigai prototype you were working on. So get started on it." Said Yoruichi as Urahara stopped rubbing his wrists. Tessai decided to remain silent until otherwise, with Yoruichi deciding to continue on.
"Heh, from the moment you heard about this incident from Hirako, you envisioned the worst-case scenario while also coming up with the best solution to counter that."
'Wow, she figured me out' thought Urahara as he became amazed by Yoruichi's analytical skills. She never lost her touch hasn't she? But work needs to be done before that question can ever be answered anytime soon.
"You saw through everything I see. You really are a nasty one, huh."
"Look who is talking."
Grinning, Urahara slightly turned around to adjust Tessai.
"Tessai, can you put another jikanteishi [Note: this is the kido spell that stops time. It literally means "temporal stasis"] on Hirako and the others. Then can you place either a double or triple barrier around this place."
Urahara's face grew grim with the amount of work ahead of them.
"Starting now, for the next 20 hours, we are going to build a total of ten gigai's with a reiatsu masking function attached to them. It will be for the two of us and Hirako's group."
"But what about Yoruichi?" Asked Tessai as he looked at a smiling Yoruichi.
"Don't worry about me. I can always manage to get away."
"We'll lay low in the human world and shall take our time to solve this mystery. And we will...without fail." Stated Urahara as he gave a critical eye to the fallen eight shinigami.
"We will find a way to undo this hollowification..."
First Division's Barracks - Captains Meeting Room
"It is imperative that we find Kisuke and Tessai as quickly as possible. They are now a threat to the seireitei, and must not roam free among our world anymore." Yelled Genryusai Yamamoto, the Head-Captain of the entire Gotei 13.
"But Yamaji-san, we have all of our troops on watch and scouting, but they have simply disappeared without a trace. Perhaps they are out of seireitei by this point." Said Captain Shunsui Kyoraku with his eyes overshadowed by his straw-hat. The captain took a glance around the room and was chilled by the decreased numbers in their ranks. Rojuro "Rose" Otoribashi, Kensei Muguruma, Rabu "Love" Aikawa, and even Shinji Hirako are now convicted criminals that must be destroyed since they are now labeled "hollows". Such a darn shame. And Kisuke Urahara did not seem like the cruel and sadistic type to carry out such a evil deed. His apparent love for Hiyori Sarugaki, his lieutenant, was proof of this. But did he simply misjudged Urahara this entire time? And where is Yoruichi Shihoin at? She never fails to attend the meetings. Perhaps she is distraught by her friend and former subjects betrayal. Anyhow there is only six captains remaining, seven once Yoruichi returns. At this rate there will be no more captains left and...
"No excuses" snapped Yamamoto, whom's cane stomping on the marble floor waking up Kyoraku from his thoughts. "Those two possess intimate knowledge about Soul Society that may be detrimental to our national security. Central 46 was attacked, our highest body of law, and we ultimately lost four captains, three lieutenants, and a Kido Corps lieutenant. This is almost unprecedented, and we cannot let this get away from us."
"Yamamoto-san, perhaps they managed to escape into the human world." Said Jushiro Ukitake in a calm voice.
"No, we would have known of their escape since they would have went through the senkaimon gate, which has been heavily guarded when the arrest warrant was issued for Urahara." Said Unohana to answer Ukitake's question. The captain of the thirteenth division merely looked at the floor in defeat.
"Tch, perhaps they killed themselves in some dump. Fools like them tend to do stupid things like that" said Kenpachi Kiganjo, captain of squad 11 and the 10th kenpachi to ever exist.
"Humph, you miss practically every single meeting for the last ten years and the first thing you say is garbage like this. My, my, you continue to surprise me Kiganjo." Said Kyoraku with a tone of disgust in his words. Since this morning he has been in a bad mood since his Lisa Yadomaru, his lieutenant, is either dead or nearly dead. He can never forgive himself if she ends up deceased thanks to his orders.
"What did you say noodle head." Roared Kenpachi as he placed his hand on his zanpakuto's hilt. Shunsui's eyes grew dark by the action.
"That is enough" roared Yamamoto. Kenpachi withdrew his hand as Shunsui coughed to regain his composure. "I order all of our reserve troops to spread beyond the seireitei to the farthest reaches of rukongai and beyond. Shinigami from 3rd seat and lower would handle these tasks. All troops stationed in the human world should be notified and be on high alert. All lieutenants will be on guard all across the seireitei. And as for you captains, special duties will be decided for you."
Shunsui Kyoraku made an inaudible gulp at the implications of their future tasks.
"Ginrei Kuchiki, you will be stationed at the senkaimon gate just in case if Urahara and the others try to to blitz in there."
"Yes sir" said Ginrei as he appeared to be uninterested in the entire situation. But truth be told he was deeply worried, let alone why he hasn't been contacted by Yoruichi yet. And it is possible that they already left by simply using other means. Urahara appears like a resourceful man besides his odd characteristics.
"Retsu Unohana, you shall remain on standby in your division just in case any more casualties are resulted."
"I understand sir."
"Kenpachi Kiganjo, prepare your entire division for mobilization. Once you or someone makes contact with Urahara, you shall take them down."
"I get it." Said Kenpachi as he refrained from yawning. Tasks like these are the reason why he rarely comes to the meetings in the first place. Besides he has other things on his mind right now.
"Jushiro Ukitake, you shall go out and immediately fetch Yoruichi Shihoin. Her participation is important for us."
"Yes sir."
"And Shunsui Kyoraku, be on standby until further notice."
Kyoraku was relieved that his duty was light compared to the others. "Yes sir."
"Excellent, then this meeting is adjourned."
All captains besides Yamamoto utilized shunpo to leave the room and into the great world called seireitei, home of the shinigami.
"Chojiro Sasakibe, enter at once."
"I am here sir" yelled the lieutenant, who heard his captains loud voice and immediately rushed in. He immediately took a knee before his captain.
"I need you to be on the lookout for any Central 46 messages. Times are perilous now."
"I am on it at once."
"Wait" yelled Yamamoto, which froze up the lieutenant from flash stepping away. Yamamoto looked directly in the eyes of his lieutenant as he approached him until he was a mere feet away.
"Perhaps it is time for you to become a captain yourself Sasakibe. You are more than qualified for the position, and it will do us a big favor."
Chojiro remained silent as he lowered his head, thus obscuring his face.
"No disrespect captain, but I have already told you in the past that I wish to just serve you and you alone."
"I am aware of that, but seireitei needs your power more than ever. The tenth division will be perfect for you, who has been out of a captain for over a decade when the previous one was killed in combat."
Chojiro swept his head back and forth, which told Yamamoto that he meant "no".
"I am sorry captain, but I cannot do it. This division is my home, and I have no intention of leaving it."
"Disappointed, Yamamoto refrained from signing, but did appreciated the man's loyalty to him. He always was the stubborn one.
"Very well, but do not forget the order I have given you Sasakibe. Understood?"
"Yes sir" said Sasakibe, who revealed his face that shone with fire in his eyes.
The lieutenant immediately left the vicinity, which left the captain-commander of over 900 years all by himself.
"Oh man, things sure aren't looking good now." Said Shunsui as he jumped over a few buildings in the seireitei. Since his mission was to simply be on standby, Kyoraku figured he might as well remain posted around his divisions barracks until further notice. Better than just waiting around and fumbling his thumbs.
"You got that right Shunsui Kyoraku."
Shunsui stopped sprinting on top of the high-rise buildings to turn around. To his dismay it was Kenpachi Kiganjo. And the rough looking captain did not look pleased.
"I knew I smelled your foul stench a mile away. Care to continue from where we left from?" Said Kyoraku as he lowered his straw hat further down his face. But on the contrary, Shunsui was not in the mood for combat, especially against the massive buffoon before him.
Kenpachi couldn't help but spit.
"You better watch yourself Shunsui, or you will rue the day you ever crossed me. Disrespect is something I absolutely loathe no matter who it is from."
"Is that why you followed me? To threaten me with such words? My, my, I never thought my opinion about you will fall even further down into the ground."
Irritated, Kenpachi used flash step to appear a few inches away from Kyoraku's face. Shunsui was glad he lowered his hat otherwise he would be forced to smell his bad breathe.
"I don't make threats, but I make promises. When this mission is over, I will eventually hunt you down if I suspect any unusual activity from you. For all I know you could be a accomplice to Urahara. Sympathizers such as yourself tend to work this way."
"Sympathizer?"
"Of course. You know, weak people who feel sorry for someones misfortune and go out of there way to help them. You fit the bill easily." Said Kenpachi with a murderous smile plastered on his face.
"I don't follow."
"Don't play dumb. After all, with your whore of a lieutenant missing thanks to him, I find it strange that-"
Bash!
Kenpachi managed to parry a sword strike from Shunsui, which created many fiery sparks between their blades.
"Never talk about Lisa like that ever again. If you mention her like that, I will make sure you never speak again."
"Hehe, so you do have a soft spot to that promiscuous clad female huh? I would too if I bedded her in my office space."
"This will be your first and only warning. Leave." Shouted Kyoraku as he disengaged the sword struggle and backspaced a few yards away. Kenpachi laughed out loud before sheathing his zanpakuto. Kyoraku was anything but pleased.
"And here I thought you were one of the reserved captains. To think I managed to make you draw your blade and make the first strike is quite uncharacteristic of you." Said Kenpachi that made a wave of hot anger run through Kyoraku. Does he think this is a game? If this continues, Kenpachi will experience a rude awakening very soon.
"Don't you have a mission to carry out Kenpachi? Better to get started on it before something unfortunate happens to you." Said Shunsui as the wind blew that made his clothes ruffle. He lifted his face to reveal his murderous eyes to the captain of squad 11. Kenpachi got the tingles upon looking at Kyoraku's eyes, and instantly had the urge for battle.
"Your right that I do have a mission to carry out. It just so happens that both the eight and eleventh division barracks are so close, which is why I was with you for this time."
"What a load of crap."
"Perhaps, but it is a necessary excuse just in case we did started to fight for court. And trust me I will love to bury you right now. But duty calls after all."
Kenpachi then walked past Kyoraku, with the flower kimono wearing captain remaining on guard. Kenpachi couldn't help but snicker.
"I will see you real soon Shunsui." Said Kenpachi as he disappeared. Still remaining motionless, Shunsui cursed before sheathing his zanpakuto sword. And to think that his late friend, Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, would have such a piggish successor such as Kiganjo. Madness cannot even describe such a turn of events.
Still seething underneath, Shunsui departed to calm down for whatever battle that may come to him, real or within his heart...
Secret Underground Chamber
"Okay the first gigai has been completed." Said Kisuke as he dangled the humanoid piece of equipment in his hands.
"Right on time too. Since it takes about 2 hours to make a single piece, then we will meet our deadline within 20 hours. Good work Kisuke" said Yoruichi as she approached and inspected the gigai.
"Urahara and Yoruichi, something is not right" yelled Tessai as he maintained his stance to sustain his triple barriers.
"What is it" asked Yoruichi, which made a pang of worry run through Urahara.
"I can feel it. Someone among the eight is starting to wake up despite jikanteishi is in place. Based on the reiatsu signature, I think it is-"
"Shinji...Hirako."
All three captains directed their gaze to the bunch of fallen shinigami to see Shinji Hirako, the captain of the fifth division, standing up at full height. But with his hollowfication complete, his entire mask was fully formed, though it was obvious he was struggling to contain it to prevent further evolution from occurring.
"Help...me" whispered Shinji as he fell right back onto the floor, which caused Yoruichi to run to him.
"Shinji, how are you feeling" asked Yoruichi as she cradled the fallen captain in her arms. To her worry his eyes were completely gray with his sclera being black, not including the fact his voice sounded like two people speaking at once.
"Like...crap..idiot" said Shinji as he closed his eyes. Breathing was the only thing he had strength left to do.
"Urahara, bring that gigai over here now." Yelled Yoruichi with Urahara doing just that.
"Shinji, I know you are in bad shape, but I need you to squeeze into this gigai. It might help." Said Urahara.
With superhuman effort, Shinji Hirako slowly but surely attempted to get inside of the gigai. After a ten solid minutes had passed, he was inside of it and appeared like a human version of himself in modern 20th century clothing. He was still conscious, but appeared to be asleep.
"Well it appears to be a success. For the most part he is stabilized though he is far from treated. I will get started on the other nine gigai's right away." Said Urahara as he went over to his spot to manufacture the next set.
Second Division Barracks (Four Hours after the Central 46 Incident)
Soifon, personal bodyguard and student of Yoruichi Shohoin while being a outstanding member of the stealth force, was alone in her captain's quarters. Everyone else both in the division and assassination squads were out either scouting for Urahara or looking for their commander-in-chief. So far nothing has came up yet, with even Jushiro Ukitake popping up to see anything new. But with nothing being discovered on either spectrum, the tension was thick in the air.
Marenoshin Omaeda, lieutenant of squad 2 and corps commander on the Patrol Guard, has taken command over both forces and has abided to the will of the captain-commander of the gotei 13. Soifon quickly realized that Marenoshin only did so in the hopes of finding his captain and Urahara for personal reasons, but she was told by the lieutenant to sit out and wait in the quarters just in case if the captain did returned. She hated this since she loved her captain more than life itself, but being the seventh seat of the division makes her have less authority compared to the other higher ups. Hell Yoruichi made it very clear that she did not want her to become a seated officer between the 3rd or 5th seats since she will automatically become a corps commander of the three lower divisions, something which will take away time from them. Now Soifon regrets not challenging her decision since she might have more leeway with the reconnaissance efforts. The thought alone made Soifon curse as she continued to kneel in front of the empty seat her captain usually lays in. A seat that harbored her haori in full glory.
And as time slowly crawled forward, a deeper seed of hatred grew for the man known as Kisuke Urahara within her heart. She vowed that if she sees him, she would kill him without any hesitation for ruining her life.
Secret Underground Chamber (Ten Hours since the Central 46 Incident)
"Whoo, five down and five more to go" exasperated Urahara as he helped a unconscious Lisa Yadomaru into her gigai. So far Shinji Hirako, Love Aikawa, Rose Otoribashi, Hachigen Ushoda, and now Lisa are safely inside of their gigai's. Their hollowfication is still very much active if they left their artificial bodies, but at least they will be okay and operable once they regain consciousness.
"Kisuke, take a look at this."
Intrigued, Urahara looked at Yoruichi and immediately understood why she called him. For absolutely no reason, the pure hollow transformations associated with Kensei Muguruma, Mashiro Kuna, and the incomplete one on Hiyori Sarugaki regressed until there was nothing but a mask on them. Were they resisting the transformation while unconscious, or was it something else entirely different?
"Well, this makes things alot more easier for us" said Urahara at the change of things. Before this he was worried if he would even be able to get their bodies inside of a gigai since their hollowfication stages were so advanced. But now, it should be no more difficult than the other five.
'Heh, if only you were still here Bansui Amatsuki-san" thought Urahara about his late mentor. For reasons left unknown, Bansui, a powerful captain who taught to both him, Yoruichi, and Tessai, got into a huge dispute with Central 46 that eventually lead to his defamation followed by a publicly seen execution in the Spirit-Sealing Pit. He was one of the forefathers on hollow studies, and even wished to suppress the natural hollowfication process on human souls while strengthening shinigami souls via hollowfication for experimental reasons. Unfortunately neither came into fruition, with the latter being impossible due to technology not being advanced enough in his generation. His knowledge would do wonders in their current predicament.
"Tessai, how are you holding up over there?" Asked Yoruichi as Urahara began to work on the sixth gigai of the day.
"Good for the most part. But I will admit that I am getting somewhat tired. But I can easily manage another ten hours if that is what you are asking." Responded Tessai without breaking his concentration.
"Excellent. At our current rate we will meet our deadline and be out of soul society for good. But Tessai, I've realized that you've left your zanpakuto behind. Will you be okay with that?"
"It is a necessary sacrifice. Me and my zanpakuto spirit rarely got along as it was, so I am sure he will not miss me in the slightest. The only thing he was good for was making me more imposing while in shikai since he became a shukajo, but other than that he served me no other purpose."
"My, my, that is quite mean to say about your zanpakuto Tessai" teased Urahara as he was tweaking the gigai in front of him.
"Hmm, of well I suppose. Frankly if I try hard enough I can still talk to him in my inner world, but it would be more difficult without my actual zanpakuto to focus on. Perhaps I will develop a kido spell to retrieve it in some form of teleportation, but right now the matter at hand is far more important to me."
"I feel you Tessai. My zanpakuto spirit is one moody chick I tell you. I should have left her behind just like my haori back at the division barracks too." Said Yoruichi as she playfully touched the hilt of her zanpakuto.
"Man you are all some mean people to your partners." Said Urahara with sarcasm in his voice.
"Better than being whipped like you are to Benihime huh" teased Yoruichi.
"Naw, naw, don't be like that Yoruichi."
"But it true Kisuke."
Urahara decided to remain quiet in the hopes to not fuel Yoruichi any further.
Rukon Forest (Secret Base)
"It appears that all of Soul Society is in chaos Lord Aizen" said Gin Ichimaru as both he and Kaname Tosen stood behind their leader as he alone sat in a chair.
Aizen, the mastermind behind the experiments, smiled to himself.
"Yes, it appears that Soul Society is under alot of stress. At this stage our goals to become captains are easier than ever. When the time is right, we will be seen as among the strongest in seirietei. Then we will move on to phase three."
"Ruling over Hueco Mundo" said Tosen through his mask.
"Exactly Tosen. Once we are captains, we shall march into the realm of the hollows and seize control of it." Said Aizen as he continued to stare out at a strange object in his hands.
"But Lord Aizen, how will we manage that" said Gin Ichimaru, the only child among the group.
"Simple Gin, and that is taking down the current establishment in it."
"Current establishment?" Questioned Tosen by what Aizen meant. Wasn't Hueco Mundo always a chaotic realm full of monsters? How could a government grow in such a place?
Gin Ichimaru also shared the same questions.
"Within Hueco Mundo, a castle of sorts has been in place for several decades known as Las Noches. Within its borders powerful hollows dwell with some being the level of menos."
Both Gin and Tosen were at awe, but Aizen never noticed and carried on.
"The strongest soldiers are among the adjuchas class, and can summon a innumerable amount of gillians from the forest of menos. But the king who resides there is a being who fancies himself as a god, and is the sole vasto lorde among the army."
"Vasto...lorde" choked out Tosen at that little tidbit. After all vasto lorde are exceedingly rare to form, and have a power that rivals if not downright surpasses a captain with or without bankai. The fact they may have to fight this hollow was terrifying to the blind swordsman. Gin Ichimaru was feeling very similar to Tosen.
"The vasto lorde is called Baraggan Louisenbarn, but I think within 50 years he will be dealt with. I will make sure to train and increase your powers, starting with you Gin in achieving bankai."
"Yes sir" said Gin, who deepened his bow to his back turned lieutenant.
"I have a hunch that very soon Urahara and the others will make a break for the human world. It will definitely get the ball rolling." Said Aizen as he slowly twirled the orb in his hand.
"But sire, are you not mad about them escaping their fates at central 46" questioned Tosen.
"Not at all. You see I expected such a thing would happen, but the end result will still work in our favor. All that is left is to see them disappear in the mundane realm full of humans."
"I understand now" said Tosen as he readjusted his bowing stance.
"By the way Tosen. You have done a wonderful job for me so far and appreciate the level of power you have achieved. But..."
Tosen felt like his heart was going to stop when he sensed Aizen slowly turning around in his chair to briefly gaze into his dead eyes.
"You need to become much more powerful. Shinji Hirako was pressuring you throughout your skirmish. And better refinement for your bankai is necessary too, otherwise it will only be useful for diversions or ambushes, but never in direct combat."
"I perfectly understand sir. Please forgive me as I vow to better myself."
Tosen was relieved to hear the chair swivel back into its original position while hearing a chuckle from the lieutenant.
"The last thing we need to figure out is creating a good story on why you are the sole survivor in Muguruma's expedition squad. But whatever it is, I know it will work."
"But Lord Aizen, was the hollow experiment truly a success" questioned Gin to his lieutenant.
"Yes it was. Thanks to the hogyoku I have created, I can turn any soul based person into a hollowfied form. And it is now proven that it is capable of achieving just that, but three traits must be present."
Both Gin and Tosen remained quiet.
"First the user must contain a large amount of reiatsu at least up to lieutenant level. Second they must be injured so that the hogyoku could mutate them. Lastly a sense of stress must be in place to facilitate it, though even without this I think the hollowfication will continue. Either way I will find ways to perfect this transformation to new uncharted heights."
Aizen then stood fully up, with his motion causing the seat to move away a few inches. Aizen then turns around to gaze at his loyal subjects.
"Even right now the hogyoku is responding to the will of the fallen eight. I am the one who is sustaining them, not Kisuke Urahara. And soon, they will do my bending as research subjects as I reap in the rewards of their struggles."
Feeling the wave of euphoria coursing through Aizen, the hogyoku began to emit a soft purple glow in the hands of its creator and master.
All three became enthralled by the power of the hogyoku, and sang within their hearts that their ambitions were close to fruition once the horizon called time meets the eclipse of power within their sights.
Secret Underground Chamber (16 hours since the central 46 incident)
In the last 6 hours, Urahara worked tirelessly to the point that he was now yawning with his eyes becoming heavy. He didn't even really make small talk with Tessai or Yoruichi, but his hard work paid off and now all of the hollowfied shinigami are now in gigai's. All that is left is to make a set for him and Tessai.
"Whoo, I am sure beat. This is probably the hardest thing I ever done."
"Knowing you Kisuke, I believe it." Said Yoruichi who was standing near the fallen eight.
"Hey Yoruichi, I have been meaning to ask, but did you bring any Hell Butterfly for when we pass through the senkaimon."
"I haven't unfortunately. We will pass through the dangai, so we need to be on our best behavior in there." Said Yoruichi as she crossed her arms.
"Darn, so we have to deal with both the koryo and kotetsu. Hey Tessai do you have any kido that can stop either?"
"Nope" said Tesaai as he continued his barrier duties.
"Drats. But how are we going to carry them anyhow?" Questioned Urahara to no one in particular.
"Once you finish those last two gigai, we will use 'bakudo number 51: kage bunshin' to make corporeal clones of ourselves to carry the unconscious. We will then defeat the stationed shinigami, enter the senkaimon, cross through the dangai, and boom we are home free. We will then go on from there." Said Yoruichi.
"I like that since it is short and sweat, but how will we get through the defense force. Not only the kido corps, but a captain or two might be around there." Said Urahara.
"Please, with the three of us, we got this. Nobody is going to stop us." Said Yoruichi with utter confidence fused into her tone.
"If anything, you should make the first move Urahara" said Tessai, now finally joining the conversation.
"Why so" asked Urahara.
"You have that unique black cloak that hides all traces of your reiatsu. With that on you can get the jump on them without them ever predicting it."
"Ummm, I am not wearing it Tessai."
"I can clearly see that, but you still have it in your belongings right?"
"Yeah but I took it off after capturing Shinji and the others. It is in my office, and Yoruichi did not pick it up."
"Dang it. I thought you still had it."
"No unfortunately, but I have a much better method of getting in anyway."
"Which is?"
"I'll tell you in a bit. But first let me finish these last two gigai, which I am going to do something special with."
Senkaimon Gate
Ginrei Kuchiki verbally signed at the current situation he was in. In front of him stood five hundred shinigami that were all squeezed in the courtyard of the Senkaimon Tower. Half of the armed forces were members of his own division with the other half consisting the members of the kido corps. Daisuke Araki, 3rd seat of the kido corps, was now in charge of the kido corps and was jointly operating with Ginrei Kuchiki. So far Ginrei thought he did a fine job handling the entire forces, but still appeared to be quite young and inexperienced with the role. Unfortunately his entire body was wearing the standard kido corps garb, so everything was hidden besides his amber eyes and black hair sticking out weirdly through the face covering cracks.
"So everything is okay on your end Daisuke." Asked Ginrei as he walked to the young commander.
"Everything is fine Captain Kuchiki. There is no way they will penetrate through us."
"Hmph, I see" said Ginrei as he decided to walk away since his question has been answered. But a feeling of dread has been creeping up on him, and slowly figured out why.
To his dismay, Kenpachi Kiganjo appeared on the tower with five of his finest surrounding him. To make matters worse, the rugged looking captain immediately walked towards Ginrei's direction.
"Hey Ginrei, mind if I join in for a bit if your royalness will allow it" spoken Kenpachi with a tone of mockery laced into his words. Ginrei refrained from signing out loud.
"Have you talked to Head-Captain Yamamoto about this? Last I remember you were ordered to patrol all across Soul Society in pursuit of them."
Kenpachi released a deep bellowing laugh, whose occasional snorting irritating Ginrei at his laid-back attitude.
"Psh, there is no point in that. I have my entire division doing that for me. It will be more productive if I wait here than wandering around for a hopeless hide-and-seek chase. And if they do come by, I am going to rock their world hard." Said Kenpachi as he grinned widely that will scare off small children.
'What a undignified man' thought Ginrei as his opinion about Kenpachi lowered even further.
"Do as you like, but do not get in my way or my men's operations. Understood?"
"Is that a threat Mr. Royal" threatened Kenpachi as he darkened his gaze at the elder captain.
"If you perceive so, then yes and no."
"What do you mean yes or no" said Kenpachi at the ambiguous answer he has received.
"If your mind cannot fathom it as simply as a request, then yes it is a threat."
Ginrei then turns around to walk a few paces before stopping and briefly turning his head around, thus making eye contact with the giant captain.
"But I don't make threats. I make promises. So beware of your next course of actions Kenpachi. It might be your last."
Ginrei Kuchiki then continues to walk forward, with his personalized scarf's tail dancing in the breeze. Kenpachi, safe from the older man's sight, smiled to himself since it might be soon that he could kill the smug captain sooner rather than later. After all, Kenpachi hates people who always appear to be superior to him. So he better pray that Urahara shows up, or else Ginrei's blood shall drip off of his blade.
A zanpakuto that designed for killing...
Secret Underground Chamber (A full 20 hours after Central 46 Incident)
"Okay, we are ready to go" said Urahara as he tightened his wristwatch that contained his reiatsu concealing gigai. Tessai too had one attached to his wrist, and was ready to move out. To Tessai, it was ingenious to modify the gigai into a wristwatch since it can be activated by a mere click. A function that will be useful once they are in the real world.
"So remember guys, stick to the plan and we shall be alright" said Yoruichi as she stretched for the battle to come.
"Yeah but Yoruichi, our strike plan is kind of...well...plain" said Urahara as he fought back the urge to simply sleep.
"It is, but it is the most effective. Can you come up with anything better Mr. Tired, hmm?" Teased Yoruichi at Urahara's expense.
"No."
"Just like I thought. Now lets create the clones before Tessai stops the barrier that well expose us."
"Sure." Said Urahara as he cross his index fingers together to create a cross. Yoruichi did likewise, but Tessai bypassed the hand signs since he was still in a deep meditative stance and being a master kido user himself.
"Kage Bunshin" they all yelled out simultaneously, which immediately created eight clones between them all. Both Urahara and Tessai created two with Yoruichi creating four. Since she was the most rested and the fastest, it would make sense for her to make the most amount of clones.
The clones then picked up a single member of the fallen eight onto their backs. Tessai clones had Hachigen Ushoda and Love Aikawa with Yoruichi having everyone but Hiyori Sarugaki and Shinji Hirako. When Urahara's clone picked up Hiyori with the other about to pick up Shinji, it was surprised when it heard "dimwit" coming out of the captain's mouth.
"Well, well, awake again huh Shinji" said Urahara's clone that surprised everyone conscious in the room.
'Incredible. Twice he woke up despite being in a time stasis. This man is truly something else.' Thought the real Tessai as he watched the new turn of events.
"Yeah, I couldn't help but become stirred from all of your poor planning. But news flash, I was awake the entire time" mocked Shinji as he slowly got up. But once he was on his feet, he unintentionally leaned too far ahead and had a imminent date with the ground once again. But instead of kissing the floor, he fell onto the back of Urahara's clone instead.
"No need to be in a hurry Shinji. Once we are in the real world, I will have you fixed up in no time."
"Finally some good news for once" said Shinji as he relaxed a little bit. He had no power to stand up, so helping in the actual fight up ahead is out of the question.
"Tessai, it is time to move out." Said Yoruichi as she gave the signal to advance forward.
"Yes Ma'am" said Tessai as he finally released his stance to dissipate his barriers.
And with their hideout exposed to the sensing elements of the shinigami once again, all eight clones with the injured shinigami including the original clones personas rushed out from their secret spot. Now out into the open which was next to Sokyoku Hill, they immediately went straight for the lone senkaimon gate, their one-way ticket to freedom and resolution.
But unknown to the group, a robotic Hell Butterfly captured their escape that was sending back important info to its creator.
And that creator was Sosuke Aizen, the antithesis of Kisuke Urahara.
Author's Notes: I hope you guys have enjoyed this chapter as much as me for writing this. Just to make it clear this story will not be too long. Lots of content will be released since it is dealing with a centuries worth of content, but it will mainly focus on the visoreds when the time is due. And this will be written on the side since my main AU, Fused Destiny, is still my top priority.
And to be specific this story actually happens 101 years ago from the beginning of Bleach. Pointing it out to cover my ducks so to speak. [Thus it is year 1900]
Also I spell Sui-Feng as Soifon. I am simply used to the old ways, and not the new romanization of her name.
Also this stories cover art was made by a deviantart artist named Arrancarfighter. The official name for this art is called "Shinji Resurreccion?." He makes some excellent bleach art, so check him out!