A/N...THIS STORY IS THE BLEACH VERSION OF ANOTHER STORY I DID...KEEP AN EYE ON DEVIANT ART FOR IT...I JUST MAINLY CHANGED THE NAMES AND SITUATIONS...OCC ON SOME CHARACTERS...SOME PAIRINGS...RATED M..BE WARNED

DISCLAIMER...I OWN NOTHING...


THE ASSASSINS

[REPORTER...I'M HERE LIVE AT THE HUECO MUNDO COURTHOUSE...WHERE WE ARE AWAITING THE VERDICT ON SZAYEL APORRO GRANZ...WHO WAS CHARGED WITH THE MURDER AND RAPE OF COLLEGE STUDENT RYO KUNIEDA...]

[JUDGE...HAS THE JURY REACHED A VERDICT?]

[JURY FOREMAN...WE FIND SZAYEL APORRO GRANZ...NOT GUILTY ON BOTH COUNTS]

[UNKNOWN...YOU'RE UP...THE CLIENT IS SZAYEL APORRO GRANZ...CANCEL THE ACCOUNT]

LOCATION...HUECO MUNDO...11:30 PM

A BLACK ON BLACK LINCOLN MKZ TRAVERSES THE STREETS OF HUECO MUNDO, FINALLY PULLING INTO A PARKING GARAGE OF A THIRTY STORY OFFICE BUILDING ON THE WESTIDE. A LONE FIGURE IS IN THE DRIVER SEAT CHECKING HIS WATCH WHICH READS 11:45 PM, "ON TIME...NEED TO BE DONE...QUICKLY" HE THOUGHT. THE MAN HOPS OUT HEADING TO THE OPENING TRUNK, ADJUSTING HIS WHITE TIE AS HE REACHES FOR A BUTTON ON THE TRUNK SUPPORT. A FALSE BOTTOM OPENS REVEALING SEVERAL WEAPONS, A PAIR OF CUSTOMIZED SILVER COLT 1911S WITH THE ACE OF SPADES ON THE GRIPS. A TAURUS RAGING BULL 454 MODEL, AN UZI WITH A SUPPRESSOR AND A FNP90 RIFLE, "NEED TO BE SUBTLE BUT THERE IS HARDLY ANY RESISTANCE TO THE TARGET" HE WHISPERS, GRABBING THE COLTS. THE MAN SLIDES THE COLTS INTO HIS BACK WAIST HOLSTERS UNDER HIS BLACK SUIT COAT AND GRABS A SILVER BRIEFCASE. THE MAN CLOSES THE TRUNK LOOKING AT HIS WATCH, "11:59...SECURITY WILL BE CHANGING SHIFTS...I HAVE FIFTEEN MINUTES TO CLEAR THE FIRST FLOOR AND ITS SMOOTH SAILING TO THE 30TH" HE THOUGHT. THE MAN WALKS TO THE ELEVATOR TAKING IT THE FIRST FLOOR, SECURITY GUARDS WATCH THE MONITORS AND PATROL THE FIRST FLOOR. TWO GUARDS PAST THE ELEVATORS AS A FIGURE WAITS IN THE SHADOWS FOR THEM TO PAST. THE GUARDS TURN THE CORNER AS THE FIGURE PRESSES THE BUTTON BUT RETURNS TO THE DARK HALL WAITING. THE DOOR DINGS AND THE FIGURE SLIPS IN AS A GUARD ENTERS THE HALL, "ON SCHEDULE" HE THOUGHT, AS THE DOORS CLOSED. THE ELEVATOR DINGED ON THE 30TH FLOOR, THE FIGURE SLOWLY WALKED OUT LOOKING AROUND BUT SAW NO ONE. THE FIGURE WALKED A LONG HALLWAY TO THE OFFICE OF HIS TARGET SZAYEL APORRO GRANZ. THE FIGURE STANDS IN FRONT OF THE OFFICE DOOR SLOWLY TURNING THE HANDLE BUT FINDS THE OFFICE EMPTY, "ON TIME..HE SHOULD ARRIVE ANY MINUTE" HE THOUGHT. THE FIGURE CHECKS THE OFFICE AND TOOK HIS PLACE WAITING FOR GRANZ.

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SZAYEL APORRO GRANZ ARRIVED AT HIS OFFICE BUILDING AT 12:30AM, "COMING HERE LATE MR GRANZ?" A GUARD ASKED, "JUST PICKING UP SOME THINGS...WON'T BE LONG" HE STATES, PRESSING THE ELEVATOR BUTTON. GRANZ ARRIVED AT HIS OFFICE ON THE 30TH FLOOR BUT WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR, A FIGURE WAS WAITING FOR HIM AT HIS DESK. GRANZ STOOD SHOCKED SEEING THE MAN DRESSED IN A BLACK SUIT AND ORANGE HAIR, "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM MR GRANZ?" THE MAN ASKED. GRANZ ADJUST HIS GLASSES, "I DO...I'VE HEARD RUMORS BUT WHY WOULD THE FIRM SEND ONE OF THE ESPADA TO SEE ME?" GRANZ REPLIES. THE MAN RISES FROM THE SEAT, MOTIONING FOR GRANZ TO SIT AT HIS DESK, "SIT...MR GRANZ...IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT THE FIRM SENT ME...ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT YOUR LIFE COMES TO AN END TONITE" THE MAN STATES. GRANZ SITS AT HIS DESK REACHING IN HIS DESK, "ITS NOT THERE" THE MAN STATED, HOLDING UP A .22 REVOLVER. THE MAN TOSSED THE GUN ON THE DESK, "WHO HIRED YOU?...WHATEVER THEY'RE PAYING YOU...I'LL DOUBLE...NO...TRIPLE IT" GRANZ STATES. THE MAN LEANS ON THE CHAIR OPPOSITE GRANZ, "MR GRANZ..YOUR CRIMES HAVE WARRANTED THE USE OF SOMEONE LIKE ME...YOU WON'T SWAY ME...ACCEPT YOUR FATE" HE STATES. GRANZ GRIPS HIS CHAIR SEETHING, "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM...I AM SZAYEL APORRO GRANZ!...YOU DON'T KILL ME!...YOU FUCKING FOOL!" HE HISSED. THE MAN REACHED IN HIS COAT PULLING A PHOTO OF A YOUNG WOMAN WITH LONG BLACK HAIR AND A MOLE UNDER HER LEFT EYE, "DO YOU REMEMBER HER?...RYO KUNIEDA...YOU RAPED AND MURDERED HER...MY CLIENT CONTACTED US AND I WAS SENT" THE MAN STATED, PLACING IT ON THE TABLE. GRANZ GRABS THE PICTURE, "SO WHAT...THAT BITCH WOULDN'T PLAY BALL...SO I DEALT WITH HER...THAT WAS SIX MONTHS AGO...I WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY" HE SMIRKED. GRANZ CRUMPLED THE PICTURE THROWING IT AT THE MAN, "IF WHOEVER WANTED ME DEAD...WHY WAIT SIX MONTHS?" HE ASKED, "MR PRICE IF WERE UP TO ME...YOU WOULD'VE BEEN DEAD THIS MORNING...WHILE YOU WERE KISSING YOUR MISTRESS GOODBYE OR AT YOUR LUNCH MEETING WITH YOUR WIFE BUT MY CLIENT WANTED TO THIS TO BE FACE TO FACE" THE MAN EXPLAINED. GRANZ'S EYES FLASHED IN ANGER AS HE GRABBED THE REVOVLER BUT IT ONLY CLICKED, "WHAT THE FUCK!" HE SHOUTED, FIRING AGAIN BUT IT ONLY CLICKED. THE MAN REACHED IN POCKET THROWING THE BULLETS ON THE TABLE, "MR GRANZ FOR CRIMES YOU ARE SURELY DAMNED BUT NONE THE LESS I'LL SAY PRAYER" THE MAN STATED. GRANZ REACHED FOR THE BULLETS, "YOU PRAY FOR ME!" HE SHOUTED BUT BEFORE HE COULD LOAD. THE MAN PULLED HIS COLTS FIRING SIX SHOTS, FIVE TO GRANZ'S CHEST AND THE LAST TO HIS HEAD. GRANZ SLUMPED IN HIS CHAIR AS THE MAN PLACED THE SILVER CASE ON THE DESK. HE PULLED OUT A IPHONE 5 AND DIALED A NUMBER, "SHIROSAKI HERE..ITS DONE" HE STATED, "GOOD WORK HICHIGO...FINISH UP...THE PLANE WILL BE AT THE AIRFIELD AT 9AM" A VOICE ANWSERED. THE MAN NOW KNOWN AS HICHIGO SHIROSAKI POCKETED HIS PHONE AND VANISHED INTO THE HALL. HICHIGO REACHED THE FIRST FLOOR AS THE GUARDS HEADED UPSTAIRS. HE REACHED HIS MKZ AS HIS PHONE BEEPED. HICHIGO GRABBED THE PHONE AS A VIDEO POPPED UP SHOWING THE INSIDE OF GRANZ'S OFFICE, THE GUARDS FOUND GRANZ DEAD AND THE BRIEFCASE. HICHIGO PULLED OUT OF THE GARAGE BUT AS HE LEFT PRESSED A BUTTON ON A SMALL REMOTE. THE GUARDS SEARCHED THE OFFICE BUT FOUND NO TRACE OF ANOTHER PERSON. ONE GUARD REACHED FOR THE CASE BUT IT EXPLODED DESTROYING THE OFFICE AND EVERYONE INSIDE.

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HICHIGO PULLED IN THE PARKING GARAGE OF THE MARRIOT, HEADING TO HIS ROOM ON THE 40TH FLOOR. HICHIGO SIGHED CLOSING THE DOOR AND WALKING TO THE BED, HE THREW HIS GUNS ON THE BED, REACHING FOR A LARGE BLACK AND SILVER CASE UNDER HIS BED. HICHIGO OPENED THE CASE REVEALING A DISASSEMBLED SNIPER RIFLE AND PLACES FOR HIS OTHER GUNS, "JUST A FEW MORE" HE THOUGHT, RUNNING HIS FINGERS THROUGH HIS ORANGE LOCKS. HICHIGO TOOK A SHOWER AFTER PICKING UP HIS GUNS, HE PLOPPED ON THE BED GRABBING AN LG OPTIMUS V. THE LINE CONNECTED AND A WOMAN ANWSERED, "DID I WAKE YOU..MIDGET?" HE ASKED. THE WOMAN CHUCKLES, "NO..STRAWBERRY..I JUST PUT THE GIRLS TO BED...YOU SOUND WIRED?" SHE REPLIES. HICHIGO WALKS OVER TO THE MINIBAR GRABBING A JACK DANIEL BOTTLE, "A LITTLE...WORK STUFF...MY CLIENT MOVED UP THE DEAL TIME BUT I NAILED IT THOUGH" HE STATED. THE WOMAN YAWNED ON THE PHONE, "OH...SORRY HONEY...BUT CONGRATS...DON'T FORGET...THE GIRLS BIRTHDAY IS IN FOUR DAYS" SHE STATED, "I KNOW...I'LL BE HOME DAY AFTER TOMMORROW...RUKIA...GIVE EM A BIG KISS AND HUG FROM ME ALRITE" HE REPILES. RUKIA CHUCKLES ON THE PHONE, "OK..I WILL..GOODNIGHT...I LOVE YOU..ICHIGO" SHE REPLIES, HANGING UP. HICHIGO OR RATHER ICHIGO TOSSES THE PHONE THE BED, "IF SHE KNEW THE TRUTH" HE THOUGHT, SIPPING THE JACK N COKE.

[HICHIGO NARRATING]

MY NAME IS HICHIGO SHIROSAKI BUT TRUTHFULLY MY NAME IS ICHIGO KUROSAKI. I WAS BORN IN A TOWN CALLED KARAKURA, MY PARENTS WERE GONE BY THE TIME I WAS A TEENAGER. THE WOMAN ON THE PHONE WAS MY WIFE RUKIA AND THE GIRLS SHE MENTIONED ARE OUR TWIN DAUGHTERS HISANA AND MISAKI. MY WIFE AND KIDS HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I REALLY DO, THEY THINK I'M AN INVESTMENT BANKER BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT I AM AN ASSASSIN. THE ORGANIZATION I WORK FOR IS CALLED THE FIRM, IT HAS TIES TO EVERY GOVERMENT IN THE WORLD BUT ALLEGIANCES TO NONE. THE FIRM SERVES AS A SHADOW ORGANIZATION DEALING WITH TARGETS OF INTERESTS FOR OUR CLIENTS, ITS SPILT INTO THREE BRANCHES. THE AMERICAN BRANCH STATIONED IN SEIREITEI, THE EUROPEAN BRANCH IN PARIS AND THE ASIAN BRANCH IN JAPAN. THE ASSASSINS IN THE FIRM WORK IN ANONYMITY USING CODE NAMES OR FAKE NAMES, MINE BEING HICHIGO SHIROSAKI. THE FIRM'S TOP TIER ASSASSINS ARE KNOWN AS THE ESPADA MEANING TEN BLADES IN JAPANESE OR SWORD IN SPANISH, THEY ARE THE ELITE HIGHLY TRAINED AND THROUGHLY EFFECTIVE. THE FIRM IS SIMPLY THE THING THAT GOES BUMP IN THE NIGHT.

LOCATION...AIRFIELD OUTSIDE HUECO MUNDO...8:59AM

HICHIGO ARRIVES TO AIRFILED JUST THE PRIVATE JET LEFT THE HANGER, "GOOD MORNING MR SHIROSAKI...WE'RE ALMOST READY FOR TAKEOFF" A MAN STATES. HICHIGO NODS AS HE BOARDS THE JET, "WOULD LIKE SOME JUICE MR SHIROSAKI?" A FLIGHT ATTENDENT ASKS. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT BRINGS HIM A GLASS OF APPLE JUICE AND THE MORNING PAPER. THE TOP HEADLINE READS SZAYEL APORRO GRANZ AMONG THE BODIES FOUND AT HIS OFFICE BUILDING WHICH EXPLODED DURING THE NIGHT, OFFICIALS SAY GRANZ WAS INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL DEALS AND INVOLVED IN SELLING COMPANY SECRETS. HICHIGO INWARDLY CHUCKLES SEEING THAT THE FIRM HAS STEPPED IN AND DIVERTED ATTENTION FROM GRANZ'S DEATH AND USED SUSPECTED TERRORISTS AS HIS KILLER. THE FLIGHT WAS ABOUT TWO HOURS LONG, ARRIVING AT AN AIRFIELD IN SOUTHERN SEIREITEI. THE JET'S DOOR OPENED AS HICHIGO STOOD, "ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR DAY..MR SHIROSAKI" THE FLIGHT ATTENDENT STATED. HICHIGO WALKED THE STEPS SEEING A DARK BLUE ESCALADE EXT AND SOMEONE WAITING. THE MAN WAS TWENTY FOUR WITH BROWN WAVY HAIR AND WEARING JEANS AND A GREY POLO SHIRT, "WELCOME BACK HICHIGO" HE GREETED. HICHIGO WAVED AS HE APPROACHED, "WASSUP...KEIGO...GOING CASUAL?" HE ASKED. KEIGO SHUFFLED SLIGHTLY AS PLACED HICHIGO'S CASES IN THE BACK, "NAW..I WAS AT SCHOOL..WHEN THE CALL CAME TO PICK YOU UP" HE REPLIES. HICHIGO LAUGHS AS HE TAPS KEIGO'S SHOULDER, "ITS COOL...JUST YANKING YOUR CHAIN" HE SMILES. KEIGO CHUCKLES AS THEY CLIMB IN THE TRUCK HEADING TO THE OFFICE.

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KEIGO AND HICHIGO ARRIVE AT THE OFFICE WHICH IS LOCATED NEAR THE OCEAN, TO AN OUTSIDE OBSERVER IT LOOKS LIKE REGULAR OFFICE BUILDING BUT HOUSED INSIDE ARE SOME OF THE MOST HIGHLY TRAINED, REMORSELESS KILLERS IN THE WORLD. KEIGO AND HICHIGO WALKED THROUGH THE LOBBY BUT AS THE PAST. THEY SAW A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WITH LONG PURPLE HAIR AND A BLACK HEADBAND, "GOOD MORNING SHIROSAKI" SHE GREETS AS SHE PASTS, "MORNING..FLASH GODDESS" HICHIGO REPLIES. KEIGO TURNS TO GET A LAST GLANCE BEFORE SHE LEAVES, "MAN THE TRES...IS SMOKING HOT" HE STATES, "THAT SHE IS...SEXY AND DEADLY" HICHIGO REPLIES. THE ELEVATOR DINGS ON THE 37TH FLOOR AS KEIGO AND HICHIGO WALK THE HALLS, "SO HOW'S YOUR WEAPON'S TRAINING GOING?" HICHIGO ASKS. KEIGO SIGHS AS THEY WALK, "ITS FINE...I'M GETTING GOOD WITH RIFLES AND MY HAND TO HAND IS TOP NOTCH...MY PISTOL WORK IS COMING ALONG...OH I PICKED MY PERSONAL WEAPON...BERRETA BRIGADIER INOX" KEIGO REPLIES. HICHIGO WHISTLES AS THEY ARRIVE TO HIS OFFICE BUT STOPS SEEING TWO MEN NEAR THE OFFICE. THE MEN ARE DRESSED IN BLACK SUITS, ONE IS ABOUT EARLY FORTYS DARK SKINNED MAN WITH A BALD HEAD AND THE OTHER IS ABOUT LATE TWENTY'S WITH ELECTRIC BLUE HAIR. HICHIGO HANDS KEIGO HIS THINGS AS HE GREETS THE MEN, "PRIMERA...GRIMMJOW...A PLEASURE AS ALWAYS" HE SMILES. THE OLDER MAN SHAKES HICHIGO'S HAND, "EASY...I MAY BE PRIMERA BUT I'M STILL ON EQUAL GROUND WITH YOU SEXTA" HE REPLIES. THE YOUNG MAN SCOFFS, "COME ON NOW PRIMERA...YOU ARE THE TOP OF THE ESPADA...SEXTA...MAY HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY PRIMO BUT HE'S STILL OF LOWER RANK" STATED THE YOUNGER MAN. JACK SLIGHTLY GLARES, "COME NOW GRIMMJOW...GOING BY THAT LOGIC...THEN YOU'RE OF LOWER RANK THAN ME" HE SMIRKS. GRIMMJOW TRIES TO RETORT BY PRIMERA STOPS HIM, "HICHIGO...GOOD WORK WITH GRANZ...I WAS WONDERING IF YOU TAKE CARE OF A SIMPLE JOB FOR ME...IF YOU DO CONSIDER IT YOUR BIG PAY DAY JOB" PRIMERA STATES. HICHIGO INWARDLY GASPS, "CAN IT WAIT A FEW DAYS SIR...I HAVE SOME PERSONAL THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF" HE REPLIES. PRIMERA CHUCKLES SLAPPING HICHIGO'S BACK, "OF COURSE...OF COURSE...I'LL SEND ISANE THE DETAILS AND...HICHIGO...AGAIN GOOD WORK" HE STATES, AS HE AND GRIMMJOW LEAVE. HICHIGO AND KEIGO ENTER HIS OFFICE, "HICHIGO YOUR OFFICE IS LIKE AN APARTMENT...SHOWER..BED" KEIGO PRAISED, "WHEN YOU MAKE THE BIG BUCKS LIKE ME...YOU GET STUFF LIKE THIS" HICHIGO SMILED. HE WALKED OVER TO A WALL MOVING A SMALL STATUE, WHICH REVEALED AS THE WALL OPENED AN ARRAY OF GUNS AND KNIVES, "KEIGO..ITS NEARLY LUNCH..PICK UP SOME PHILLYS AND SOME CHERRY COKES AIGHT?" HE ASKS. KEIGO NODS AS HICHIGO HEADS TO THE SHOWER, HE TURNS ON THE SHOWER AS HE STRIPS NAKED REVEALING SEVERAL TATTOOS. A SCORPION ON HIS LEFT ARM, A SKULL INSIDE A SPADE ON HIS RIGHT BUT THE MOST DISTINCT WAS A JAPANESE SYMBOL FOR SIX BETWEEN A PAIR OF BLACK WINGS ON HIS BACK. HICHIGO SIGHED IN RELIEF AS THE HOT WATER RAN OVER HIS SKIN, "A HOT SHOWER MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE" HE THOUGHT, TURNING OFF THE WATER.

HICHIGO EXITED THE BATHROOM NOW WEARING A PAIR OF BLACK SLACKS AND WHITE SHORT SLEEVE POLO SHIRT, "HELLO HICHIGO" A VOICE SAID. HICHIGO TURNED TO A WOMAN WITH BRAIDED SILVER HAIR WEARING A BROWN BUSINESS SUIT, "HEY ISANE" HE STATES, SITTING DOWN. ISANE HANDS HIM A FILE, "THIS THE FILE..PRIMERA WANTED YOU TO HAVE...ALSO THE GRANZ LIQUIDATION HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED...NOW IT TOTALS...19,988,000...YOU'RE ALMOST THERE" SHE EXPLAINS. HICHIGO SIGHS LEANING BACK IN HIS CHAIR, "YEA...THEN I CAN RETIRE FREE AND CLEAR...THEN I CAN FOCUS ON RUKIA AND THE GIRLS" HE WHISPERS. ISANE NODS AS THE DOOR OPENS REVEALING KEIGO WITH THE STEAKS, "YOU WANT A PHILLY ISANE?" HICHIGO ASKS, "NO THANK YOU..I'M DIETING" SHE REPLIES, LEAVING. HICHIGO AND KEIGO ENJOY THE LUNCH, "YOU KNOW..NOTHING BEATS A PHILLY" HICHIGO CHUCKLES, "SO WHAT ON THE AGENDA TODAY?" HE ASKS. KEIGO GRABS A FEW FILES OFF ANOTHER DESK, "A FEW JOB CHOICES...WE GOT A DRUG LORD IN MEXICO" HE STATES BUT HICHIGO PASSES. KEIGO OPENS ANOTHER FILE, "SOMALI PIRATES OR A NNOITRA GILGA" HE STATES, "NO ON THE PIRATES...TELL ME ABOUT NNOITRA?" HICHIGO ASKS. BOBBY SHOWS HIM THE FILE, "NNOITRA GILGA LUISENBARM...SCUM OF THE EARTH..A PEDOPHILE BUT NEVER CONVICTED" BOBBY EXPLAINS. JACK LOOKS OVER THE FILE, "HOW?...HE'S BEEN CHARGED NINE TIMES?" HE ASKS, "BARRAGAN LUISENBARM...HE'S A SENATOR...HE KEEPS JUNIOR OUT OF JAIL...NOW THE CLIENT WANTS IT PUBLIC" KEIGO EXPLAINS. HICHIGO TURNS HIS CHAIR, "I SEE...SO KEIGO HOW WOULD YOU DO THIS?" HE ASKS. KEIGO SCRATCHES HIS CHIN, "WELL...IF I'D TAKE HIM OUT...THE BEST WAY TO DO IT...SNIPER RIFLE" HE REPLIES. HICHIGO CHUCKLES CROSSING HIS LEGS, "EXACTAMUNDO...SO KEIGO...THIS WILL BE YOUR JOB...I'LL ASSIST BUT THE KILL GOES TO YOU" HE SMIRKS. KEIGO POPS UP SMILING, "SERIOUSLY...THANKS HICHIGO...OH HE'S IN COURT FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS...I'LL SCOUT THE BEST VANTAGE POINT" HE EXPLAINS, "ALRITE...I'LL SUPPLY THE GUN...A REMINGTOM MSR" HICHIGO STATES, "OK..NO PROBLEM" KEIGO STATES, HEADING OFF.

[HICHIGO NARRATING]

THE EAGER BEAVER IS KEIGO ASANO, HE'S AS STRAIGHT LACED AS THEY COME. KEIGO STILL BELIEVES IN GOOD AND EVIL BUT THE WORLD IS NOT BLACK AND WHITE BUT ENDLESS SHADES OF GREY. THE CLIENT WHO WANTS GILGA DEAD MUST BE AN OPPONENT OF SR AND WANTS TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE THROUGH THE SON. THE WOMAN WHO LEFT BEFORE HIM IS ISANE KOTETSU, SHE'S THE ONLY PERSON OTHER THAN KEIGO AND PRIMO, I REALLY TRUST IN THIS PLACE. SHE HANDLES WEAPONS PROCURMENT, TRAVEL AND LOGISTICS AND THE AMOUNT SHE MENTIONED IS MY NET WORTH. THE SEXY GODESS IS YORUICHI SHIHOUIN NOTED FOR HER SPEED BUT SHE CAN BE TRUSTED AS THE THIRD ESPADA. THE TWO MEN WERE THE NEW PRIMERA, WHO TOOK OVER FOR PRIMO LAST YEAR AND GRIMMJOW JEAGERJAQUES, A KISS ASS AND WANTS TO BE A ESPADA QUITE BADLY. THE FIRM DIVIDES ITS PEOPLE INTO FOUR CLASSES, THE BOTTOM IS THE C-CLASS, THE SECOND IS THE B-CLASS. THEN THE A-CLASS AND LAST S-CLASS OR THE ESPADA. THE C-CLASS ARE THE GRUNTS, THEY WORK FOR HIGHER RANK ASSASSINS, CASE IN POINT KEIGO. THE B-CLASS HAVE SOME FREEDOM BUT ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM TEN JOBS NO QUESTIONS ASKED FOR THE HIGHER RANKS BEFORE MOVING UP. THE A-CLASS ARE LIKE GRIMMJOW, THEY HAVE TOTAL FREEDOM EXCEPT FROM THE ESPADA BUT CAN'T MOVE UP UNLESS AN ESPADA STEPS DOWN, RETIRES OR DIES. THE ESPADA OR THE S-CLASS ARE THE ELITE, TOTAL FREEDOM AND ARE ALLOWED FREE REIGN. THE ESPADA ARE CHOSEN BY THE FIRST ESPADA AND THEIR ARE TEN TOTAL BETWEEN THE THREE BRANCHES. THE FIRST, THIRD, FIFTH AND SIXTH ARE HERE IN AMERICA, WHILE THE SECOND, FOURTH AND TENTH ARE IN PARIS AND THE SEVENTH, EIGHTH AND NINTH ARE IN JAPAN. THE BIG PAYDAY PRIMERA MENTIONED IS WHEN AN ESPADA REACHES A NET WORTH OVER TWENTY MILLION, THEY ARE ALLOWED TO RETIRE FROM THE RANKS FREE AND CLEAR.

LOCATION...JURAININ...KUROSAKI RESIDENCE

RUKIA KUROSAKI STROLLS FROM HER DECK OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN INSIDE TO FIND HER TWIN DAUGHTERS COMING DOWNSTAIRS, "HEY GIRLS...WHATS UP?" SHE ASKS. THE GIRLS SMILE HOLDING HANDS, "NOTHING MOMMY" BOTH GIRLS REPLY. RUKIA CHUCKLES BUT STOPS HEARING THE SOUND OF A LOUD ENGINE, BOTH HISANA AND MISAKI SMILE RUNNING TO THE FRONT DOOR FOLLOWED BY RUKIA. THE TRIO REACH THE FRONT AS A BLACK 1970 CHARGER R/T PULLS UP, THE DOOR OPEN AND SOMEONE GET OUT, "DADDY!" BOTH GIRLS SQUEAL, "ICHIGO" RUKIA SMILES. ICHIGO KNEELS DOWN HUGGING HIS DAUGHTERS, "HEY...YOU GUYS MISS ME" HE SMILES, "OF COURSE THEY DID...SO DID I" RUKIA SMILES. THE TWINS COVER THEIR EYES AS THEIR PARENTS KISS, "SO GIRLS..YOU READY FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?" HE ASKS, "YEA" BOTH REPLY. THE REST OF THE DAY IS SPENT PLAYING AND CATCHING UP WITH HIS FAMILY AND PUTTING HICHIGO SHIROSAKI IN THE BACK OF HIS MIND. THE NIGHT COMES AND ICHIGO AND RUKIA MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME. SHE COLLASPES ON HIS SWEATY CHEST SIGHING, "MISSED THAT" SHE MOANS, KISSING HIS CHEST. ICHIGO CAREESS HER RAVEN LOCKS, "ME TOO" HE REPLIES, "SO MR BIG TIME INVESTOR..HOW DID IT GO?" SHE ASKS, "IT WAS A KILLING...TOTAL LIQUIDATION...BIG BONUS" HE STATES. RUKIA CHUCKLES KISSING HIM, "MY BOSS GAVE ME ANOTHER JOB TOO..IF I PULL IT OFF..I CAN RETIRE" HE SMILES, "SERIOUSLY...ICHIGO YOU ARE ONLY 29...THATS TRULY IMPRESSIVE" SHE REPLIES. ICHIGO STARES AT THE CEILING AS SHE FALLS ASLEEP ON HIS CHEST, "JUST ONE MORE..THEN WE ARE FREE" HE THOUGHT, FALLING ASLEEP. THE DAY OF THE GIRL'S BIRTHDAY COMES QUICKLY AND ICHIGO ELECTED TO MAKE THE FOOD FOR LUNCH, "SO DEAR..WHATS ON TAP?" RUKIA ASKS. ICHIGO TAPS HIS CHIN, "WELL MADAM...WE WILL SOME DOWN SOUTH HOME COOKING..SOME JAMBALAYLA...SOME GUMBO...A LITTLE CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE AND SOME OTHER THINGS" HE STATES, "COOL DAD" HISANA PRAISES, "I LOVE YOUR GUMBO" MISAKI ADDS. THE DAY GOES BY WITH NO PROBLEMS, THE GUEST ENJOY THE SOUTHERN COOKING AND THE TWINS LOVE THEIR GIFT ESPECIALLY ICHIGO'S GIFT OF MATCHING AUTOGRAPHED PICTURES FROM MICKEY MOUSE AND THE GANG. ICHIGO WAS PROUD OF HIS FAMILY, DESPITE THE MONEY THEY HAVE THE FAMILY IS STILL DOWN TO EARTH.

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THE NEXT DAY ICHIGO RETURNED TO THE OFFICE IN SERIOUS MODE TO DEAL WITH NNOITRA GILGA. HE ARRIVES TO HIS OFFICE TO FIND KEIGO WAITING DRESSED FOR WORK, "JACK...YOU READY?" HE ASKS, "YEA...I'VE GOT THE RIFLE" HICHIGO STATES, GOING BEHIND HIS DESK PICKING UP A LARGE SILVER CASE. KEIGO AND HICHIGO HEAD TO THE PARKING GARAGE, GETTING INTO THE ESCALADE EXT AND HEAD TO SEIREITEI SOUTH COUNTY COURTHOUSE. THEY PULL UP TO A HIGH BUILDING ABOUT 800 METERS OVERLOOKING THE COURTHOUSE. KEIGO LOOKED THROUGH BINOCULARS AS HICHIGO SETUP THE RIFLE, "ALRITE..THE MSR EFFECTIVE RANGE IS 1500M AND WE'RE USING THE .300 WIN MAG...SO WE GOT ENOUGH LEEWAY" HE EXPLAINS, "HE SCHEDULED TO LEAVE AT NOON WHICH IS IN 12 MINUTES" KEIGO REPLIES. KEIGO HANDS HICHIGO THE BINOCULARS AND GETS DOWN TO GET IN POSITION, "THE WIND IS LIGHT...YOU SEE THE COURTHOUSE?" HE ASKS. KEIGO GIVES A THUMBS UP, "ALRITE...STEADY AND CALM...OK WE GOT MOVEMENT AT THE ENTRANCE...ONLY REPORTERS...NO TARGET" HE STATES. HICHIGO LAYS FLAT, "RIGHT...ADJUST 2 DEGREES...SEVEN MINUTES" HE STATES. THE MINUTES TICK BY LIKE HOURS BUT ON TIME AT NOON THE DOOR FLY OPEN. NNOITRA GILGA AND HIS FATHER BARRAGAN WALK OUT TRIUMPHANTLY AS HE HAS SKATED ON HIS TENTH TIME IN COURT. NNOITRA SMUGLY TALKS TO REPORTS BUT IS COMPLETELY UNAWARE THAT HIS LIFE IS TICKING DOWN. HICHIGO SLOWLY GAVE KEIGO THE POSITIONS NEEDED FOR THE PERFECT SHOT, "WHEN YOU'RE READY" HE STATES, AS KEIGO GRUNTS. TIME SEEMS TO SLOW AS KEIGO SQUEEZES THE TRIGGER AND THE BULLET FIRES, NNOITRA GILGA ANWSERS QUESTIONS BUT HIS HEAD BLOWS BACK. THE CROWD SCREAMS AS NNOITRA FALLS SPILLING BLOOD EVERYWHERE. BARRAGAN STANDS SHAKING COVERED IN HIS SON'S BLOOD AND BRAIN MATTER. KEIGO SIGHS HEAVILY AS HE SITS UP, "NOW YOU THE WEIGHT OF A LIFE...RELISH THIS FEELING...BUT TRY KEEP TO A CODE OF AESTHETICS" HICHIGO STATES, "YEA..ITS HEAVY...WHAT DO MEAN CODE?" KEIGO ASKS, "SOME OF US LIVE BY A CODE OF AESTHETICS IN THIS WORLD..MINE IS NO WOMEN...NO KIDS...PRIMO TAUGHT ME THAT...I CAN BE THE DEVIL TO SOME BUT AN ANGEL TO OTHERS BUT NEVER LOSE YOUR CODE" HICHIGO EXPLAINS. KEIGO AND HICHIGO PACK UP AND HEAD BACK TO THE OFFICE TO FILE THE REPORT. KEIGO WENT HOME TO REFLECT WHILE HICHIGO SAT IN HIS OFFICE GOING OVER THE FILE ISANE GAVE HIM.

HICHIGO OPENED THE FILE FINDING TWO PICTURES, "SO THIS IS WHAT PRIMERA WANTS...YUKIO HANS VORARLBERNA...ARMS DEALER AND TSUKISHIMA SHUKURO...UP AND COMING TERRORIST...MAKES ME WONDER WHY THE EURO BRANCH CAN'T HANDLE IT...MUST BE CONFLICT...ESPECIALLY WITH TATSUKI AS THE SECOND ESPADA...NO MATTER...TATSUKI WILL UNDERSTAND...HMM ITS SEEMS...I'LL HAVE A PARTNER...GINJO KUGO...MUST BE TATSUKI'S PART...I'LL PLAY IT BY EAR BUT I MUST CAUTIOUS..I NEVER DID TRUST PRIMERA" HE THOUGHT. HICHIGO CALLED ISANE TELLING HER TO MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIS TRIP TO PARIS, "PUT THE TICKET UNDER THE NAME KAIEN SHIBA...ONE WAY...WEAPONS...I'LL LEAVE TO THEM..AS WELL AS HOUSING" HE STATES, "ALRITE..THE FLIGHT WILL LEAVE TOMMORROW" SHE REPLIES, HANGING UP. HICHIGO CALLS HOME TO INFORM THE FAMILY, "HEY DEAR..HOW'S WORK?" RUKIA ASKS, "SLOW BUT YOU REMEMBER MY BIG JOB...WELL I GOTTA LEAVE TONIGHT FOR PARIS...SOME FRENCH CHEF WANTS TO EXPAND HERE IN AMERICA AND I GOT THE DEAL" HE STATES. RUKIA SIGHS ON THE LINE, "ALRITE..BUT IF YOU SUCCEED YOU CAN RETIRE?" SHE ASKS, "YEA...THEN WHAT DO SAY WE MOVE...BACK TO KARAKURA?" HE ASKS, "YOU SURE...THE GIRLS WON'T MIND...AND NIETHER DO I" SHE REPLIES, "OK..WE'LL TALK WHEN I GET BACK..TE AMO MI AMOR" HE STATES, "TE AMO DEMASIAADO MI AMOR" SHE REPLIES, HANGING UP.

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HICHIGO HEADS TO THE PARKING GARAGE, GETTING INTO A SILVER AUDI R8 AND HEADS TO THE GOTEI MARINA. HICHIGO WALKS THROUGH THE MARINA SERACHING FOR A PARTICULAR BOAT AND AFTER THIRTY MINUTES FINDS A SHIP CALLED SOGYO NO KOTOWARI. THE SHIP IS FIFTY FEET LONG BUT HE DOESN'T OWN IT, ITS OWNED BY THE MAN WHO TRAINED HIM, THE FORMER NUMBER ONE PRIMO. HICHIGO NOTICES AN OLDER MAN SITTING ON THE REAR DECK, HE LOOKS ABOUT FORTY WITH LONG WHITE HAIR, "HICHIGO!" HE SHOUTS. HICHIGO CAN ONLY SMILE, WAVING BACK AS HE APPROACHES, "YO PRIMO!" HE SHOUTS BACK. HICHIGO CLIMBS ABOARD AND PRIMO GIVES HIM A HUG AND GIVES THE ORDER TO CAST OFF, "WHAT BRINGS YOU TO SEE AN OLD MAN?" PRIMO ASKS, "I WANTED YOUR ADVICE...I'M CLOSING IN ON MY BIG PAYDAY" HICHIGO REPLIES. PRIMO WHISTLES, "WOW..YOU WORK FAST KID..ITS ONLY BEEN EIGHT YEARS SINCE YOU SIGNED ON AND SIX YEARS AS AN ESPADA...ITS SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY" HE SMILES. HICHIGO CHUCKLES, "YEA...WENT FROM NO NAME ARMY SNIPER TO HIGH CLASS PROFESSIONAL" HE STATES, "TO TRUE BUT WHAT PUT YOU ON THE MAP WAS YOUR FIRST JOB AS AN ESPADA...SOSUKE AIZEN AND HIS SON YOSUKE" PRIMO STATES AND HICHIGO CHUCKLES REMEMBERING.

LOCATION...TOKYO JAPAN..SIX YEARS AGO

HICHIGO SHIROSAKI WALKS THROUGH THE AIRPORT ON THE PHONE, "I'M HERE PRIMO" HE STATES, "GOOD..THE SEVENTH WILL BE WAITING...JUST LOOK FOR A HOT CHICK" PRIMO REPLIES. HICHIGO CHUCKLES BUT STOPS, SEEING A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WITH LONG SEAFORM GREEN HAIR HOLDING A SIGN WITH HIS NAME, "KON'NICHIWA MR SHIROSAKI" SHE SMILES, BOWING. HICHIGO POCKETS HIS PHONE, "UM...HAJIMEMASHITE...SEPTIMA" HE STATES, "ITS ALRITE..I SPEAK ENGLISH...PLEASE FOLLOW ME...ALSO..ITS NELIEL" SHE STATES, LEADING HIM TO A WAITING CAR. THEY ARRIVE AT A BEAUTIFUL ESTATE, "THIS IS MY HOME...YOU WILL BE STAYING HERE" SHE STATES, "ALRITE...SO YOU ARE AN ESPADA?" HE ASKS. NELIEL NODS, "YES...I WAS THE YOUNGEST TO JOIN...WELL EXCEPT FOR YOU...YOU AMAZE ME...YOU MUST'VE MADE AN IMPRESSION ON PRIMO" SHE REPLIES. HICHIGO RUBS HIS CHIN, "YEA...HE TRAINED ME FROM THE RIFLE TO THE KNIFE" HE STATES, "PARDON?" SHE ASKS. HICHIGO AND NELIEL WALK THE GROUNDS HEADING TO HIS ROOM, "WHAT IT MEANS..WELL ITS OLD SCHOOL...THE SNIPER RIFLE IS THE FIRST THING A PROFESSIONAL USES...IT ALLOWS YOU TO DISTANCE YOURSELF FROM THE CLIENT AND THE KNIFE IS THE LAST STEP..WITH NO ERROR" HE EXPLAINS, "I SEE..THEN YOU ARE TRULY WORTHY OF BEING THE SEXTA" SHE REPLIES. THE NEXT DAY HICHIGO WAKES TO RAIN AND LIGHT SLEET, "OHAYO...SHIRO...SAKI" NELIEL STATES, "OHAYO..NEL...FUNNY" HE SMILES. NEL DRIVES HIM TO THE FIRM'S ASIAN BRANCH OFFICE, "DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CLIENTS?" SHE ASKED, AS THEY RODE THE ELEVATOR. HICHIGO SIGHED LEANING ON THE WALL, "SOSUKE AIZEN...TWENTY YEARS AGO...AIZEN...ANGERED QUITE A FEW PEOPLE..THEN DISAPPEARED INTO SECLUSION" HE STATES, "YES...THE CLIENTS WANTS AIZEN...MANY HAVE TRIED BUT FAILED...SO WE CONTACTED THE STATES FOR A NEW FACE..I HOPE YOU CAN END THIS" SHE REPLIES. NEL AND HICHIGO ENTER HER OFFICE, "HAVE YOU TRIED?" HE ASKS, "NO..ITS A FOOL'S ERRAND...NO ONE HAS SEEN AIZEN IN PUBLIC FOR YEARS..BUT THE CLIENT IS INSISENT..HE WAS WRONGED BY HIM AND WANTS VENEGANCE" SHE EXPLAINS. HICHIGO SITS AT HER DESK GOING THE FILES ON AIZEN WHEN HE NOTICES A PICTURE OF NEL AND A YOUNG MAN, "YOUR HUSBAND?" HE ASKS AND NEL NODS, "DOES HE KNOW?" HE ASKS, "NO BUT HE DOES NOT WORRY...DO YOU HAVE FAMILY HICHIGO?" SHE REPLIES. HICHIGO SIGHS LEANING IN THE CHAIR, "DO NOT WORRY..IT WILL NOT LEAVE THIS ROOM" SHE ASSURES, "YES...A WIFE...SHE'S NEARLY NINE MONTHS PREGNANT...IF WERE NOT FOR PRIMO..I WOULD'VE PASTED ON THIS BUT...BUT RUKIA DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS LIFE...SHE THINKS I'M HERE AS AN INVESTOR FOR A JAPANESE BUSINESS MAN...SHE TOLD ME WHEN I COME HOME..I'LL HAVE THREE LADIES WAITING FOR ME" HE SMILES. NEL SERVES HIM SOME TEA, "DO HAVE A PLAN?" SHE ASKS, "MAYBE...HE'S GOT A SON..YOSUKE...MAYBE USE THE SON TO GET TO THE FATHER" HE STATES, "HOW?...HE WOULD NEVER BETRAY HIS FATHER" SHE STATES. AIKO SITS BACK AT HER DESK, "HE WON'T TELL US..NOT LIVING ANY WAY..HIS CORPSE WILL" HE STATES, "I SEE..THE CLIENT IS NOT ABOVE KILLING THE SON...HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT IT?" SHE ASKS, "POISON...LEAVES NO TRACE...AFTER HE DIES...THE FATHER WILL SEND FOR HIS BODY..WE PLANT A MIRCO TRANSMITTER ON HIM AND BOOM WE HAVE AIZEN'S LOCATION" HE EXPLAINS. NEL LEANS IN HER CHAIR, "I SEE...WELL MR SHIROSAKI...ITS SEEMS PLAUSIBLE...YOSUKE FREQUENTS A GEISHA BAR CALLED LOTUS...HE'S LOVES PUFFER FISH SUSHI...THAT WILL BE OUR POISON" SHE STATES.

THE REST OF THE DAY IS SPENT PLANNING THE MISSION AND SCOUTING THE BAR, THAT NIGHT HICHIGO GOES TO THE BAR UNDER THE GUISE OF AN AMERICAN INVESTOR INTERESTED IN BUILDING A SIMILAR RESTURANT IN AMERICA. THE OWNER SHOWS HIM AROUND THE PREMISES AND THE KITCHEN, THE OWNER EVEN INVITES HIM BACK FOR DINNER THE NEXT NIGHT. HICHIGO AND NEL RETURN THE NEXT NIGHT FOR THE DINNER TO FIND YOSUKE THERE AND DRINKING HEAVILY, NEL DISTRACTS THE OWNER, WHILE HICHIGO SLIPS INTO THE KITCHEN. THE CHEF RECOGNIZES HIM FROM BEFORE AND PAYS HIM NO MIND. HICHIGO SEES A CHEF PREPARING THE PUFFER FISH MEAL OF PUFFER SOUP AND SASHIMI FUGU. THE CHEF STEPS AWAY FOR A FEW MINUTES AND HICHIGO MAKES HIS MOVE, HE SLIPS THE MIRCO TRANSMITTER IN THE MEAT AND POURS A VIAL OF PURE PUFFERFISH TETRODOTOXIN IN THE SOUP. HICHIGO SLIPS AWAY UNNOTICED AS THE CHEF RETURNS FINISHING THE MEAL, THE FOOD IS BROUGHT TO YOSUKE. JACK JOINS AIKO AT A TABLE FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM YOSUKE BUT IN RANGE TO SEE HIM, AS THE GEISHA BRING HIM THE FOOD. YOSUKE LAUGHS AND FLIRTS AS HE EATS THE SASHIMI FIRST, HE THEN GULPS DOWN THE SOUP. YOSUKE STARTS TO GRAB HIS CHEST HOWLING, "WHAT THE FUCK" HE YELLS AS HE STAGGERS. THE OTHER PATRONS SCREAM AS HIS EYES ROLL BACK AND HE FALLS TO THE GROUND, A MAN CHECKS HIS PULSE TO FIND HIM DEAD. HICHIGO AND NEL SLIP OUT BEFORE THE POLICE ARRIVE, "IS IT WORKING?" SHE ASKS, "YEA..NO PROBLEMS..NOW ITS THE WAITING GAME" HE REPLIES. THE DAYS PASS AND THE THE TRANSMITTER YIELDS RESULTS, "HIS BODY HAS BEEN TRACKED TO A CASTLE IN CENTRAL JAPAN BUT THE SNOWFALL WILL MAKE INFLITRAION TRICKY...ALSO SOME HEAVY SECRUITY AND SURVEILLANCE" NEL EXPLAINS. HICHIGO LOOKS OVER THE SATELLITE IMAGES, "DO HAVE A LAYOUT OF THE CASTLE?" HE ASKS, "NONE...ALSO..WE CAN'T PROVIDE BACKUP...WE CAN DROP YOU ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE ENTRANCE BUT WE CAN'T AID YOU TILL THE STORM LETS UP" SHE REPLIES. HICHIGO SIGHS HEAVILY, "SOLO MISSION HUH?..IT WILL BE TOUGH WITH THE STORM...IT MIGHT HINDER US BUT IT HINDERS THEM TOO..I'LL MAKE MY WAY TO THE ENTRANCE...DESTROY THE ALARM SYSTEM AND SLIP IN..FROM THERE..I'LL FIND AIZEN AND ELIMINATE HIM...I'LL THEN SLIP OUT SOME WAY" HE EXPLAINS. NEL NODS, "GOOD LUCK" SHE STATES, AS HICHIGO BEGINS PREPWORK AND GEAR CHECKING.

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A CARGO TRUCK PULL UP ABOUT TWO MILES FROM A LARGE CASTLE WALL, "GOOD LUCK..SHIRO" NEL STATES, AS HICHIGO JUMPS OFF. HICHIGO ADJUSTS HIS WHITE COAT AND CHECKS HIS GEAR, OF A COMBAT KNIFE AND A INFRA RED SUNGLASSES, "VISIBILTY IS NIL BUT IT WORKS FOR ME" HE THOUGHT. HICHIGO TRUDGES THROUGH THE WOODS AS HE NEARS THE LARGE WALL, HE SPOTS SEVERAL GUARDS PATROLING BUT THE SNOWFALL HAMPERS THIER MOVEMENTS, "TRUCKS...THAT CAN PROVE USEFUL" HE THOUGHT, NEARING THE WALL. HICHIGO HEADS WEST ALONG THE WALL COMING TO A CORNER, HE PEERS AND SEES A GUARD PATROLING NEAR A TRUCK. THE GUARD TURNS JUST AS HICHIGO COMES UP BEHIND HIM AND SNAPS HIS NECK. HICHIGO LOADS THE DEAD GUARD IN THE TRUCK AND SWAPS CLOTHES, HE NOW EMERGES AS ONE OF GUARDS COMPLETE WITH A MASK. HICHIGO THEN PROCEEDS NORTHWEST TO THE ALARM SYSTEM GENERATOR, HE PASSES SEVERAL GUARDS BUT NONE STOP HIM DUE TO HIS DISGUISE. HICHIGO FINDS AN ENTRANCE TO AN UNDERGROUND TUNNEL, HE SLIPS INTO A PASSING TRUCK AND ENTERS THE CASTLE'S FIRST ENTRANCE UNDETECTED. THE TRUCK STOPS NEAR THE GUARD SHACK AND HICHIGO SLIPS OUT, HE NOTICES SEVERAL GUARDS BUT HE BYPASSES THEM FINDING A VENT. THE VENTS OPENS JUST ABOVE THE GUARD SHACK, "THIS STORM IS BRUTAL..BY IT HASN'T COOLED BOSS AIZEN'S RAGE" A GUARDS STATES, "YOU'RE RIGHT..HE WANTS THE FOOL WHO KILLED LORD YOSUKE...DEAD" ANOTHER STATES. HICHIGO REACHES INTO A POCKET AND DROPS A GAS BALL THROUGH THE VENT, THE GAS KNOCKS OUT THE GUARD AND HICHIGO SLIPS IN. HICHIGO CHECKS THE COMPUTER BUT FINDS A SMALL PROBLEM, "THIS IS ONLY HALF THE SYSTEM..THE REST IS ON THE GROUNDS NEAR THE CASTLE" HE THOUGHT. HICHIGO EXITS THE SHACK HEADING NORTH THROUGH MORE OF THE GROUNDS, THE WIND PICKS UP SLIGHTLY AS THE SNOW FALLS MORE. HICHIGO REACHES A POWER GENRATOR FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM BUT ENCOUNTERS A GUARD NEARBY, HE ACTS QUICKLY KILLING THE GUARD. THE SNOW FALL STARTS TO THE COVER THE BODY AS HICHIGO NEARS THE SECOND CASTLE ENTRANCE.

HICHIGO APPROACHES THE GATE BUT TWO GUARDS ARMED WITH H&K SMG, THEY STOP HIM BUT HE FOOLS THEM WITH FLUENT JAPANSESE AND GAINS ACCESS TO THE CASTLE MAIN GROUNDS. HICHIGO WALKS THROUGH GROUNDS NEAR THE COURTYARD, "ALL BUSINESS...NO DECTECTION YET...THIS PLACE MAY BE OLD BUT IT MAY PROVE TROUBLESOME" HE THOUGHT, WALKING THROUGH THE COURTYARD. HICHIGO SLIPS INTO THE FIRST FLOOR FINDING SEVERAL GUARDS PRAYING AND MEDITATING. HICHIGO SLIPS OUT A DOOR AND FINDS A HELIPAD AND AIZEN'S CHOPPER, "IF HE GET PAST ME..I CAN USE THIS" HE THOUGHT, SNEAKING UNDER THE CHOPPER AND PLANTING A REMOTE BOMB. HICHIGO THEN CUTS ACROSS THE COURTYARD TO THE LOWER LEVEL GUARD'S ROOMS, HE FINDS SOME SPARE CLOTHES AND CHANGES INTO THE BLACK VERSION OF THE GUARDS CLOTHES AND A KEYCARD. HICHIGO MAKES HIS WAY THROUGH THE FIRST THREE FLOORS SILENTLY, HE NOTICES GUARDS WAITING IN THE RAFTERS AS HE ASCENDS THROUGH THE CASTLE BUT THE PAY HIM NO MIND DUE TO HIS DISGUISE. HICHIGO REACHES THE FOURTH FLOOR FINDING A DOJO AND SEVERAL GUARDS SPARRING AND WORKING OUT, "LOOKS LIKE A NEED A NEW KEYCARD" HE THOUGHT, SWIPPING ONE FROM THE PILE OF CLOTHES. HICHIGO SLIPS INTO AN EMPTY ROOM AND TRIES TO CONTACT NEL, "SHIRO...ARE YOU CLOSE?...THE STORM IS BREAKING..WE'LL HAVE AIR SUPPORT FOR YOU" SHE STATES, "JUST A FEW MORE FLOORS...I'LL BE WAITING" HE REPLIES. HICHIGO CONTINUES HIS SILENT ASCENCION TO THE TOP OF THE CASTLE, HE REACHES THE STAIRS TO AIZEN'S ROOM.

HICHIGO SLOWLY WALKS UP THE STEPS, COMBAT KNIFE IN HIS HAND TO FIND AIZEN SITTING IN A CHAIR, "AT LAST YOU'VE COME" HE STATES. HICHIGO ENTERS THE ROOM AND SHUTS THE DOOR, "YOU KNEW I WAS COMING?" HE ASKS, "I KNEW SOMEDAY SOMEONE WOULD COME...REMOVE YOUR MASK...ASSASSIN" AIZEN STATES. HICHIGO REMOVES HIS MASK, "AN AMERCIAN...INTERESTING" AIZEN STATES, PICKING A KATANA AND THROWING IT TO HICHIGO. AIZEN PICKS UP HIS OWN KATANA AND TAKES A KENDO STANCE, "IF YOU'RE HERE TO KILL ME...THEN TRY...ASSASSIN" HE STATES. HICHIGO STATES A SIMLAR STANCE AND SLOWLY DRAWS CLOSER, THE TENSION IS PLAPABLE AS AIZEN CHARGES AND THE SWORDS CLANGED. HICHIGO SIDESTEPS A DOWNWARD SLASH BUT AIZEN FOLLOWS UP WITH A QUICK SLASH CATCHING HICHIGO IN THE ARM. HICHIGO COUNTERS WITH A UPWARD SLASH BUT AIZEN STEPS BACK BUT HICHIGO RUSHES FORWARD WITH A SHOULDER BLOCK. AIZEN STAGGERS BACK AS HICHIGO SWINGS HORIZONTALLY CATCHING AIZEN IN THE GUT. THE BLOOD SEEPS INTO HIS SHIRT AS HE CLUTCHES THE WOUND. THE DOOR OPENS AS A SERVANT ENTERS, SHE SCREAMS ALERTING THE GUARDS. AIZEN PUSHES A BUTTON OPENING A SECRET DOOR AND SIPS INSIDE AS A GUARD ENTERS, HICHIGO CHUCKS HIS KNIFE KILLING THE GUARD AND GRABS HIS H&K SMG AND TWO CLIPS. HICHIGO TAKES COVER AS THE GUARDS RUSH IN OPENING FIRE, HE TRADES SHOTS KILLING TWO, "HE MUST BE HEADING TO THE CHOPPER" HE THOUGHT. HICHIGO GRABS A DAGGER AND THROWS IT AS HE MAKES A BREAK FOR THE OPEN WINDOW. HICHIGO RUNS ALONG THE PLANKS FINDING AN OPEN WINDOW, HE GRABS SEVERAL CLIPS AND MAKES HIS WAY TO THE COURTYARD. AIZEN MAKES IT TO HIS CHOPPER JUST AS HICHIGO EXITS TO THE COURTYARD. THE CHOPPER TAKES OFF JUST AS HICHIGO MAKES TO THE HELIPORT. AIZEN SMIRKS AS HE TAKES OFF BUT DOESN'T NOTICE THAT HICHIGO PULLED A SMALL REMOTE FROM HIS POCKET. HICHIGO PRESSES THE BUTTON AND THE CHOPPER EXPLODES IN A HUGE FIRE BALL, THE GUARDS SCATTER AND HICHIGO USES THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAD FOR THE FRONT GATE. HICHIGO REACHES BUT IS SURROUNDED BY SEVERAL GUARDS, HE RAISES HIS HANDS BUT NOTICES A LIGHT BEHIND THE GUARDS. HICHIGO HITS THE DECK AS CHOPPER OPENS FIRE CUTTING DOWN THE GUARDS. JACK POPS UP AS GUARDS CHARGE BUT HE MAKES THE CHOPPER, "DID YOU SUCCEED SHIRO?" NEL ASKS, HELPING HIM ON. HICHIGO PANTS GIVING A THUMBS UP, THE NEWS SPREAD AMONG THE ESPADA THAT HICHIGO HAD DONE WHAT NO OTHER HAD DONE AND CEMENTED HIS STATUS AS THE SEXTA ESPADA.

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N...CH1 IS IN THE BOOKS...NEXT CHAPTER GOEST BACK TO PRESENT DAY...THANK FOR FOR READ...FOLLOW...FAV..REVIEW AND STAY FROSTY