Ch. 2

After escaping pursuing Soul Reapers, having a close call with Toshiro Hitsugaya, and upgrading his second form, Dante started hopping from roof-to-roof like a kid in a jumping-jamboree. "Oh yeah! This is how I roll! I'm just like that one brother in that game Crackdown leapin' in the city when shit be pumpin' 'cause Kermit ain't got shit on me', fo' real, knawmean? In fact, I caught that punk-frog's legs in mid-air and ate his ass like chicken to go." As the black teen jumped around, he heard a sudden loud crash nearby. He turned to the right and saw a small cloud of smoke on a rooftop. "What the fuck is that? Don't they know that you can't start a party without a gangsta like me?"

Meanwhile on the rooftop in question, Uryu Ishida and Orihime Inoue stood face to face with a large heavy bodied Soul Reaper Jirobo Ikkanzaka. The two ryouka prepared themselves as the enemy counted down for them to relent on meeting him. As soon as he counted to one and was ready to attack, everyone felt some kind of energy closing in quick. They looked up and saw a large wave heading straight to their location. Jiroba was equally surprised as he saw that it was heading his way. Quickly, the soul reaper lifted his sword above his massive body to at least absorb some of the damage. By the time it hit, the large man found himself in a crater.

"Oh yeah! Fear the power of the Heines!" Landing next to Uryu and Orihime was Dante, armed with his scythe. "Bo Jango Fett up in this bitch!" he shouted.

"Who are you and why are you here?" Uryu asked with a suspicious look in his eyes.

"Shit, you could be a little more grateful with your Quincy ass," Dante responded with folded arms. "'Cause I coulda just been one of them new villains that everyone adds in their stories an' whatever instead of a pimp-ass anti-hero that everyone and they mamas look up to."

Uryu and Orihime stared at the black teen with sweatdrops on their forehead. "This guy's really weird," Orihime said.

It wasn't long after the dust cleared from Dante's attack that Jirobo stood back up. He stared at the newcomer with an intense gaze. "So another one arrives," the massive Soul Reaper said. "No matter. I shall also dispose of you as well."

"Oh I know you didn't say you was gonna shank me! 'Cause I'm gonna give you a liposuction before you touch my black ass!"

"I hope you three used this extra time to repent. But don't worry, you'll have an entire eternity to do so." It was then that Jirobo dashed toward them, leaping in the air ready to attack. The three prepared themselves as the Soul Reaper's large sword was coming down on them. At the last second, the ryouka leapt out of the way as Jirobo's blade crashed into the ground.

"Come Soul Reaper!" shouted Uryu as he was in the air. "I will fight you!" However, the Quincy's response came in the form of a fistful of sand thrown into his face. Uryu was blinded by the cheap attack and slipped off the ledge after he landed.

"Man that's messed up!" Dante shouted. "Not only was that a punk move, but Uryu was blinded while wearing his glasses. You might as well be poisoning someone in a gas mask!"

"You are not the one who decides who I fight," Jirobo said. The large man then turned to Orihime, who got into a battle position. "Now to end your regret," he said with a indifferent look. "With death that is."

"Bring it on," replied Dante as he stood between the two. "Imma kick your ass so bad that yo' momma, yo' daddy, and even yo' ancestors are gonna bleed." With "The Turn" by Methodman and Raekwon playing in his ear, the young black teen charged into battle. As the blade of the juvenile's scythe ran along the ground, Jirobo raised his sword high above his head.

As soon as Dante was close, the two locked weapons, pushing off of one another to test their strength. "Do you really think you can defeat the me, little boy?" the Soul Reaper asked.

"Bitch, I'm part of the Tokyo Strikers. We get down with the bitches and hoes on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, fuck dragons in the ass on Sunday and Tuesday, and smoke some ganja with Marion Barry on Wednesday and Friday, son!"

"What does that mean?"

"I don't need to tell yo' bitch-ass!" Jirobo quickly lifted his sword and was ready to slam down on Dante. However, Dante dodged the attack. He then used his scythe to hook the back of Jirobo's left leg and pulled forward. The giant fell in the splits, his face expressing the serious discomfort of his current position. "Cou de gras, bitch!" replied Dante as he used a roundhouse kick that made a direct hit to the jaw. "You just got grilled, Porky Pig!" gloated Dante.

However, his expression changed as the wind was knocked out of him by a giant fist to the gut. Jirobo slowly returned to his feet, his balled-up hand still imbedded in the young teen's stomach. "I have to admit, your fighting style is impressive and unorthodox. Not many enemies have been able to do that. But you still have a long way and sadly, you won't have the time to refine those skills of yours."

Dante slowly rose his head, glaring daggers at the enemy. "Damn it…" he said weakly as he collapsed to the ground. As Jirobo raised his blade above the kneeling form of Dante, a speeding flash of light was heading straight toward the Soul Reaper.

Changing targets, the enemy slashed at the attack, which soon returned to its owner, Orihime. In her hand was a black and red fairy-like creature. "Stupid girl," it hissed. "I told you to aim before you shot!"

"Tsubaki…" Orhime whispered before the creature's form retreated into her blue flower hairpin.

Dante watched as Jirobo walked over to Orihime. A sinister glint shined in the Soul Reaper's eyes and his grip tightened around his sword. He towered over the orange-haired young woman before attacking. Dante used his scythe as support to lift himself off the ground. Thanks to those attacks dealt by the Soul Reaper, he could only watch as the foe attacked. "God, ain't this a bitch," he thought as he breathed heavily. "Here I am, bruised and shit watching something I already saw on the tube." He then heard the sound of a loose tile giving way. The black teen looked over the roof and saw Uryu trying to climb up.

The Quincy was giving it his all trying to return to the rooftop. "I must hurry," he thought. "Orihime is in danger." He then noticed a long wooden pole lowering next to his face. "What's this?" The Quincy looked up and saw Dante holding his scythe to assist him. "It's you!"

"Yeah it's me," Dante replied. "Now get your ass on this pole. Wait, why does that sound so wrong…"

"I won't even answer that," Uryu said. After grabbing the end of the scythe, he was pulled up by the black teen like a car at the end of a tow truck's hooked cable. After returning to the rooftop, the Quincy pulled out his blue and white striped bow. "Protect Orihime. Keep her safe."

"You don't have to tell me twice," Dante replied as he hurried to Orihime's aide. Just as he reached the girl, he saw Jirobo's blade ready to fall upon her. Luckily, it was intercepted by Uryu's spirit arrow, cutting his hand. "You might wanna get out the way, girl," Dante said as he dragged Orihime to a nearby corner.

After distancing themselves from the larger Soul Reaper, the two watched as Jirobo and Uryu squared off. "Uryu…" Orihime said. Dante turned his attention to the young woman. "That bow, his glove… He's been training hard."

"True that," Dante replied. "Kid Quincy's been busy. And look at that stare. He's ready to commit a 1-8-7 on this fool, ya heard!?"

"Well this is intriguing," Jirobo said. "One uses unknown techniques, the other wields a scythe, and the last is a Quincy. Two use projectile weapons, but all three are my enemies."

"What's your point?" Dante replied.

"I'm just saying this is a coincidence. A trick of fate, if you will." With a smile painted on his face, Jirobo held his sword in front of his, its blade pointing straight up. "Allow me to show you all the true form of my zanpakuto." The Soul Reaper placed his hand just over the end of the blade. He then pushed down on his sword, shouting "flap away, Tsunzakigarasu!" In an instant, the sword was reduced to a grip and the Death God was surrounded by small double-edged shuriken fluttering gracefully in the air.

Orihime was shocked while Dante and Uryu were unfazed. In fact, the black teen scoffed and said "I've seen that crap in a second-grade talent show."

"Now it is time for you to regret. I am Jirobo Ikkanzaka, the 4th ranked of Squad 7! I am also known as Kamaitachi Jirobo, thanks to my ultimate skill of projectiles. No one has seen my Tsunzakigarasu and lived to tell about it! I bet you are unable to follow them with your eyes. This is a glorious prelude to your demise." Uryu simply stood silently, waiting patiently as the enemy continued his ramble. "Your bows and arrows are useless against my attack. You're completely helpless. As a fellow master of flying weapons, you will-" Just before Jirobo could finish, his weaponry was completely destroyed by numerous beams of light. He stood still, flabbergasted at what happened.

"That's rather interesting, unlike in the living world," Uryu began. "It appears in this world, the ultimate skilled fighter just means windbag simply talking crap."

"About time you shut his fat ass up, son!" Dante replied. "This punk bitch was getting on my nerves."

"That… is impossible…" Jirobo replied. "You were simply lucky. Your arrogance shall be the end-" Just as Jirobo pulled out his weapon again, Uryu managed to shatter the blade with one simple shot.

"You still don't get it?" he asked. The only response he got was a loud yell of pain as blood rained upon the ground from Jirobo's wounded hand. "It looks like you'll have to drop your title. Because when it comes to projectile weapons, I'm the better man. Although Kamaitachi Uryu doesn't sound as good."

"Gyah! My hand! I can't move my fingers!"

"Oh yeah, you know what is!" applauded Dante. "Looks like big man Jirobo just got served on a silver platter with a side rice!"

"It would appear that now you are having regrets," Uryu said to Jirobo. "As a fellow user of projectile weapons, you must wish you had never met me."

"Insolent bastard," Jirobo hissed. "You dare to insult me!? I'll kill you!" Jirobo picked himself up and was ready to assault the Quincy. However, Uryu beaten him to the punch and shot two arrows at the ground near his feet. The Soul Reaper froze.

"I hope you know that was intentional. However, next time, I will not miss."

"Incredible! Such power… I hate to admit, but you speed and accuracy far surpasses my own! Never in my wildest dreams did I wish I would find such a powerful practitioner and fail miserably. You have already defeated me. Whether you torture me or destroy me, I don't care." After hearing the surrendering opposition's call, Uryu lowered his bow and straightened his glasses. "Why do you not finish me off? Are you going to let me live"

"I am a Quincy. I may not want to show mercy to Soul Reapers, but that does not mean I will beat on a weak foe either." With that said, Uryu's bow vanished into his glove. With a warning tone, he replied, "Now quit your whining and leave, before I change my mind."

Jirobo stood, his face lowered in shame as he held his wounded wrist. "It would seem you are a generous person. How unfortunate… for you that is!" Jirobo turned around to where Orihime and Dante stood.

But just before he could strike, Dante had already drew his sword, its blade aimed straight at Jirobo's head. "Like I didn't see that coming," he said. "Think you a big man for tryin' to out-muscle a chick that didn't have time to react? You're nothing more than a little fool who be frontin'. Time to teach you a lesson. Say sayonara, punk-ass!" With a powerful double slash, Dante struck Jirobo in his chest. The behemoth Death God collapsed from the attack. "Check it, 'cause that's how we do it."

"Dante, Uryu…" Orihime began. "Thank you for helping me."

"No problem. Just keepin' it real."

"There's nothing to thank," Uryu said nonchalantly.

"Because it was nothing, right?" Uryu turned to Orihime who gave a sweet smile. "So, is he…"

"Naw, I just shanked him so bad that he won't be able to use his soul power. The chump can shank his shimigami days good-bye."

"I see."

"Alright Dante, I have a few questions to ask you," Uryu said.

"Aight, lay it on me, cuz," Dante replied.

"Who are you and why did you help us?"

"Aight so check it, they call me Dante Blaine, agent of some secretive group. I found myself here in the Sereitei not too long ago after my powers be buggin', right? So after owning a few of these posers with my skills, I saw you two strugglin' with this nark and figured 'aight, time to lay the smackdown!' So here I am."

After the black-teen finished his explanation, Orihime and Uryu only stared at Dante in confusion. "What did he just say?" Orihime whispered to Uryu.

"I don't know for sure, but I think he said he help for no reason."

"Yeah, 'cause that's how I do, yo!" With a smirk on his face, Dante dashed over to Orihime his head tilted below her. "You know girl, how 'bout after your little rescue mission, you and I go study. I'm sure we have some lesson we can teach each other, eh?" he replied while suggestively moving his eyebrows.

"Well that sounds nice and all… but I think I'll be busy that day…"

"Oh that hurt."

"You know we're on a rescue mission?" Uryu said. "But how?"

"Well I'd tell you, but that would be breakin' the fourth. I don't wanna sound like my homeboy Wade, so imma have to keep it on the down-low and use da fif, knawmean?"

"Ever since you came here, we haven't understood a word you've said."

"True 'nuff." Ready to take his leave, Dante walked to the edge of the roof. Standing on the ledge, he said to the two ryouka, "Well, time to fade. If you need an assist, just holla at yo' boy! Peace!" With that said, the black teen hopped off the rooftop. Orihime and Uryu hurried to where they last saw him and looked down. Dante had seemingly vanished from the scene.

A few blocks away resting in a dead end, Dante stood against a wall inspecting his weapons. His battle with Jirobo enhanced his weapon's power and physical features. His katana was now a large zanbato. Its blade was longer and wider with a sharp end. His scythe had also grown. Its bottom tip had a diamond tip and four spikes protruded behind the blade. It was also bent back in the middle. "So, it's true. Not only do my forms evolve, but so does my steel along with 'em." A smile cracked on his face. "This is too cool to be true." Dante chuckled to himself before he left the alley. "Now I'll finally get this punk-bitches for what they've done to me."