Chapter three
Jidanbo, the Gatekeeper!
The big guy started laughing until he suddenly brought down his huge weapon in front of Ichigo and I, making us cough again and closing our eyes. The big guy started laughing again
"Whenever you are ready, give it all you've got. And good luck, little man" The big guy said. Oh seriously? Yeah of course exclude me… Then again why should I be complaining?
"Well he said it, good luck Ichigo" I said as I quickly ran back towards the others.
"He's a leviathan. What kind of creature do you supposed he is, anyway? He's way too big to be a human being." Uryu said
"He is known simply as Jidanbo. He was chosen from among the very best warriors the soul society has. His task is to guard the Hakuto gate, one of four entrances that make up the spirit gate. "
"He's the guard? If we intend to get through this gate, it looks like we have no choice but to defeat him." Uryu said
"Yes but it doesn't seem like it'll be an easy task" I said
"You're correct. In the three hundred years Jidanbo has served at this post, countless invaders have tried. But not a single one has ever broken through the Hakuto gate. Jidanbo has become a legend of power and strength." Yoruichi said
"How in the world are we supposed to defeat something like that?" Uryu said.
"That's where your intelligence and creativity come in. The first thing we need to do is to have a meeting to decide on a strategy." Yoruichi said. Well we should observe on how this giant fights.
"Ichigo, let's start with-" Yoruichi then started screaming as he saw Chad, Orihime and I running towards the brute. "No! Chad! Orihime! Zion! Come back here, all three of you! Have you lost your minds?" He exclaimed.
"No! We just simply want to help our friend!" I answered as I kept running. Orihime suddenly put his hands next to her head. Suddenly Jidanbo slammed his weapon on the ground, making it crack and causing the ground to come up as he slide his giant weapon across it. Orihime and Chad screamed a bit while we were covering our face with our arms as well.
"Wow. He's not only huge but he has tremendous strength" I said
"You three need some work on your manners. What are you, country bumpkins, or something? We're civilized in this city. Here are the rules." He said as he showed us one of his fingers, making a number one. "Rule number one, always wash your hands before you sit down and eat." He said as he showed us another finger, making a number two "Rule number two, don't eat food that's fallen on the floor." He said as he showed us another finger, making a number three "Rule three, battles in the city are always fought one on one." He said which surprised Orihime and Chad. Battles are fought one on one… Where have I heard that before…? Suddenly another memory started coming back…
"Mom, where's Dad!?" The past version me yelled. She just arrived home, crying
"Zion… I'm so sorry… You're Father… He..." Mom said as her voice started cracking a bit.
"He what?" The past version me asked.
"Zion… You must understand that we were engage in battle… Battle's are supposed to be one on one. But believe me I tried the best I could to try to save your Father" Mom said. What… My Dad is… Dead?
"Save… What are you talking about Mom?" The past version me asked. Suddenly her eyes opened wide and she looked at Mom in disbelief. "Dad is… Dead?" The past version asked.
"Honey… I'm so sorry…" Mom said as she hugged the past version of me, however the past version of me quickly forced herself out of the hug and glared at Mom.
"You let a stupid honer to let Dad die!?" The past version me yelled.
"Zion, we're a warrior race called Saiyans. We have our pride and honor. To interfine your father's battle would have brought shame… He didn't want my help." Mom said.
"No Mom! You and Dad are warriors! I'm not! How could you let Dad die because of your foolish pride and honor!?" The past version me yelled which surprised Mom.
"I'm sorry… If I could I would go back and fix that mistake…" Mom muttered as she started crying more and more.
"I can't believe you let Dad die… I… I hate being a Saiyan… I hate being born into this warrior class… I… I HATE YOU!" The past version me yelled as she ran to a nearby room and slammed the door, leaving Mom crying even more… Mom… I don't hate you. I know this honor and pride are of great significance to you… Battles are meant to be fought one on one but… There are times and places that rule must be broken. I'm sorry Mom. I know it wasn't your fault. I'm sure you tried to do everything to save Dad… Tears started streaming down my face. I love you Mom… I always will no matter what.
"Zion, Orihime" Chad suddenly said which snapped me out of my thoughts. I noticed some tears streaming down my face which I quickly wiped away. "I'm going to wait for the right opportunity, and then punch a big hole through this wall. As soon as it's open, Orihime, you aim Subaki at the big guy and Zion, you aim an energy blast at the big guy through the opening." Chad said.
"No, Ichigo wants to fight this battle alone so let him. It's honorable and part of the rules here." I said as I crossed my arms.
"What was that?" Jidanbo asked as he turned around to see us. "Don't tell me you two are still plotting schemes over there. At least that girl understands our customs." He said as he pointed at me
"Even his ears are powerful" Orihime said
"No kidding" I said
"Orihime, Zion, Chad, are you there?" Ichigo suddenly asked.
"Yes, the three of us are here" I said
"Are you alright?" Orihime asked
"Yeah. I'm still alive and kicking." Ichigo said.
"We're coming to help you, just wait right there." Orihime said.
"Yeah, well here's the thing, Orihime. I actually agree with Zion. I want you three to just stay put, and let me handle this myself." Ichigo said
"What?" Orihime said in disbelief "Ichigo, this is too big a job for even you to handle alone." Orihime said
"Don't worry. Just wait for me over there. It'll be ok." Ichigo said
"I refuse to do that." Uryu said as he walked past Orihime and Chad.
"Yeah, tell him." Orihime said
"Ichigo, we can't afford to wait around. Instead of wasting time battling the guard individually, we've got to attack together, and get past this gate." Uryu explained.
"You're here too, Uryu?" Ichigo said which made me laugh a bit
"I've been here the whole time. It's just like you to waste energy with stupid comments, Ichigo." Uryu said
"Oh, shut up. You're giving me a headache." Ichigo said
"Can you defeat him?" Chad suddenly asked.
"Probably" Ichigo said. Uryu suddenly started banging his fist on the huge rock, separating us from Ichigo.
"Probably? What's wrong with you? Don't you understand this is a life or death situation we're in here?" Uryu said
"Look, don't worry about it, all right?" Ichigo said.
"How can I not worry, Ichigo?" Uryu asked as he stopped hitting the huge rock
"Listen, I'll tell you all an interesting little story. Remember when I was training with Mister Urahara? He said it was going to take me ten days for my soul reaper powers to be completely restored. But as it turned out, it only took me five days. So what do you think I did for those other five days?" Ichigo asked
"Knowing you probably goofing off." Uryu said
"I fought with him the whole time, for so long, nonstop, for five days and nights. He and I battled each other one on one" Ichigo said. So in other words… He gained tremendous strength…
"I see. And you learned all his fighting techniques, right?" Uryu asked
"Wrong again" Ichigo answered
"So what's your point then?" Uryu asked
"In other words he gained tremendous strength." I answered.
"Zion is correct, I didn't learned a single thing from him about fighting. But in those long hours, I gained tremendous strength and stamina" Ichigo said.
"You done making speeches yet?" Jidanbo asked
"Look pal. I never asked you to wait so you could have attacked at anytime, right?" Ichigo said which made Jidanbo growled
"So, you are a country bumpkin after all. Didn't your folks teach you any manners? Someone's polite to wait for you, you should always say thank you!" Jidanbo yelled as I saw him bringing down his weapon and heard it clashing with metal. It made more dust and high wind to appear which made us cover our face with our arms yet again.
"This can't be good" Uryu said
"Watch… Ichigo is barely getting started" I muttered. I saw Jidanbo smile quickly turned into a face full of surprise.
"Who are you spiky head?" Jidanbo asked
"I'm no expert, but isn't it also bad manners to attack before your opponent is ready?" Ichigo asked which seemed to anger Jidanbo… At least that's what I thought until he started laughing
"He's laughing?" I wondered
"You gutsy, I'll give you that, spiky head. I can't remember the last time someone was able to stop the thrust of my axe." Jidanbo said as he chuckled a bit "This is going to be fun. For once I'll be able to give it everything I have. Of all the intruders who have tried to get passed this gate, there have only been two who have come along before you who were powerful enough to stop my first thrust. But that is where the story ends. Because neither they nor you have the power to ever hope to fend off my second thrust!" Jidanbo yelled "YAH!" He roared as he brought down his weapon yet again and heard it clashing on metal. It also made more dust and wind to appear but not as bad as last time so we didn't cover our face "Are you still standing? I guess I get to keep trying my attacks on you then. See how you like this." Jidanbo said as he laughed a bit and aimed his axe at Ichigo yet again.
"Jidan ten strike festival" Jidanbo said as he brought down his weapon and clashed with Ichigo's weapon again. "One!" He yelled. He did the same thing yet again "Two!" He yelled. "Three!" He yelled. "Four!" He yelled. "Five!" He yelled. "Six!" He yelled "Seven!" He yelled
"What in the world is he doing?" Uryu wondered.
"Seven!" He yelled. Wait didn't he just say seven? "Eight" He yelled "Twelve!" He yelled. What?! He can't even count to ten!? "Nine!" He yelled "Six!" He yelled "Wait, I never had to count this high before. But I must be at ten by now, so it's time to finish this!" He yelled as he brought his axe to slash horizontally, cutting the gate and the boulders in front of us. The boulders were falling around us and I blast the ones that were going to land on top of me, Chad, Uryu and I.
"Thanks, Zion" They said
"No problem" I said as I smiled at them
"Got him. I think" Jidanbo said. As soon as the rocks in front of us crumpled into dust, I could barely see through the dust clouds that Ichigo blocked the attack with his sword. I smiled "What!? That's impossible! How can you still be standing after that attack spiky head?" Jidanbo asked
"I agree, it does seem impossible." Uryu said
"But he's still alright." Orihime said
"Nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it." I said
"Are you finished, Gatekeeper?" Ichigo asked as he readied his blade "Cause if you are then it's my turn now!" He yelled. Jidanbo was shocked and surprised before he glared at Ichigo
"I'm not done! I'm not done!" He yelled as he reached inside his weird uniform and brought out another giant axe "I just have to bring out some more weaponry!" He yelled
"Are you kidding me? He has another axe?!" I yelled. He brought both of his weapons up and suddenly the left arm's metal shield was destroyed as he buffed up a bit more.
"My ultimate attack! See if you can withstand the Jidan bonzi strike festival!" Jidanbo yelled as he brought down both axes on Ichigo, ready to hit him yet again.
"Sorry pal. But I'm going to destroy your axes" Ichigo said as he flipped his sword and sliced through Jidanbo axes, destroying them completely which also made the giant flying until he bump on the gate and a even more ferocious dust cloud and wind to appear, luckily Orihime covered us with her weird magical shield.
"What, what was that?" Jidanbo asked
"Wow" I muttered
"If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't believe it. Ichigo just sent that giant flying" Uryu said
"No kidding…" I muttered. Jidanbo quickly got back up to his feet and laughed a bit
"Woah, you almost caught me that time. I can't believe I slip and fell on my behind. It's been a long time since that happened." Jidanbo said as he looked at Ichigo "Uh what's that weird look on your face for? I bet you think you're the one who sent me flying backward don't you?" He asked as he laughed even more "You should really know better than that, but it's difficult for a country bumpkin like you to believe that a Gatekeeper like me could be blown away so easily. All I have to do is make one more swing with my mighty axe and-" He stopped as soon as he saw his destroyed axes. He started shaking
"Heh. It appears Jidanbo mighty axes had been modified somewhat" Yoruichi said
"Wow. He got them both in one hit" I said
"Well? Are you going to say something or just stand there?" Ichigo asked
"My axes… My axes ruined!" Jidanbo cried as he hit what was left of the axes on the ground, making the whole ground to shake "Why!? Why did you do it!? Why did you have to destroy my beautiful babies? Why?!" Jidanbo yelled as I saw some tears streaming down his face
"In the outside he's a tough guy but in the inside he's like a little boy" I said as I was trying to comprehend on what I was seeing
"Look, I'm sorry about your axes and everything but I couldn't let you keep swinging them at me. Although I could have just destroyed one of them and let you keep the other one, my bad." Ichigo said
"No you're not bad. Even though you're my enemy, you care. Instead of thinking only your lust and desire of getting through the gate, you're concern of your opponent and his axes." Jidanbo said as he touched Ichigo's shoulders with his hands "What a good person you are, my spiky headed enemy. What a generous heart you have." He said
"Well it's only natural to want to consult with someone who cries so much even if they are really… Big" Ichigo said. Jidanbo quickly got back up to his feet
"I know! I'm acting like a big baby. All that crying and moaning over a couple of old axes. I'm nothing but an embarrassment as a man." He said as he looked down at Ichigo again but with a sad face. "I'm a total loser" He said. We all looked at him, unsure what to say or do "A total loser!" He cried "He beat me not only as a warrior and Gatekeeper. You have defeated me as a man as well! It has been three hundred years since I became the keeper of the Hokuro gate and within all those year, never have I lost a challenge or allowed anyone to passed this way. I thought the day would never come, but you are the first man to defeat me." He said as he wiped away his tears "Therefore. I Jidanbo hereby grant you passage through the Hokuro gate" He said which surprised me and everyone else
"Woah, cool" Ichigo said
"You're allowing all of us to pass?" Uryu asked
"That's right, I was decisively defeated in battle by your leader. As a result I have no right to stop anyone in your crew." Jidanbo explained.
"WHAT?!" Uryu explained "Who ever said about Ichigo being our leader? Absolutely not!" Uryu yelled as he pointed at Ichigo.
"It's no big deal so why are you so upset, Uryu?" Ichigo asked
"So your name is Ichigo, huh spiky head?" Jidanbo asked
"That's right, I'm Ichigo Kurosaki!" Ichigo answered
"That's a pretty cute name for someone who takes himself so seriously, don't you think?" Jidanbo asked. Which made me laugh.
"My name is not cute! Ichi means number one and go stands for guardian and that's what I am!" Ichigo yelled. Jidanbo laughed a bit
"Yeah, whatever. Take care now" He said as he put his hand on the gate "I don't know why you are so determined to pass through this gate but those who are on the other side are all very strong" He said
"We're aware of that" I said
"Very well. As long as you think you know what you're getting into. Now stand back and I'll open the gate for you" He said as he put his hand under the gate "This is not going to be easy. It's been closed a long time." He said as he grunted a bit and picked up the gate. We all stared at him, surprised and amazed. That thing must be very heavy! He roared as he completely lifted the gate, granting us passage through this Seireitei which surprised us even more.
"Amazing" Ichigo said
"I never thought anyone can lift something so heavy" Orihime said.
"No kidding" I muttered. I suddenly noticed Jidanbo was afraid… Why is he afraid? Ichigo and I ran to his side
"Jidanbo what is it?" Ichigo asked
"Why are you frozen like that is something wrong?" I asked. I turned to see what he was staring at, to only find a weird guy wearing a uniform like Ichigo except he had a white cloak and his hair was silver. I could also clearly see his weapon
"Who is that?" Ichigo asked
"That is none other than the captain of squad three, Gin Ichimaru." Jidanbo answered.
"Ah, not good." Gin said. Suddenly Jidanbo left arm started gushing out with blood and I could see a wound there… How… How did he cut him?! His arm fell, making it useless. It also made the gate fall even more but Jidanbo still manage to keep the gate opened.
"Jidanbo, no!" Ichigo and I yelled at the same time.
"Unacceptable. Being the guardian of the gate doesn't mean you're supposed to open the gate" Gin said
"I defended the gate and lost. Once I lost I had to open the gate. There was nothing else I could do." Jidanbo explained. Gin smiled a bit… It was the smile that terrified me to the bone… His intention was to kill
"What you say makes no sense. A Gatekeeper who loses isn't supposed to open the gate. When a Gatekeeper loses, it means death." Gin said which terrified both Jidanbo and I even more. Suddenly Ichigo charged at him, ready to slash him. Gin quickly took out his dagger and blocked the attack. They jumped away from each other.
"You want to tell me just what the hell you think you're doing?" Ichigo asked as he pointed his giant sword at Gin. Yoruichi couldn't believe what Ichigo was doing
"Yes, Ichigo. What on earth are you doing?" Yoruichi asked
"What's the big idea showing up now and trying to butt in? You stupid freaking ass clown! Anyone who's pathetic enough to make a appearance in order to attack an unarmed man, deserves to be killed!" Ichigo yelled. Gin kept his smile.
"You're sure a funny kid. And you're not scared of me?" Gin asked
"Hell no" Ichigo answered
"Careful boy! You must stop, Ichigo! It is best we retreat for now!" Yoruichi ordered
"Huh? Why? I'm only just getting started here! There's no way I'm going to submit to this guy! Look I'll be fine just let me finish this guy off." Ichigo yelled
"You must be Ichigo Kurosaki" Gin said. How does he know about Ichigo?
"You know about me?" Ichigo asked
"How could you? You just barely met him" I said
"Just as I thought. How very predictable" Gin said as he started walking away. What is he planning?
"Hey! Where you going? Wait!" Ichigo ordered
"All the more reason I can't let you pass." Gin said as he stopped walking away. He lifted his arm horizontally, making us see his dagger.
"So then why are you standing so far back? Unless you're planning on throwing that dagger" Ichigo said
"It's not a dagger. In fact this is my Zanpakuto." Gin said as he quickly turned to face us and put his left arm above this Zanpakuto. What is a Zanpakuto? Is that what they call these weapons? Suddenly I felt a harsh wind hitting Jidanbo, Ichigo and I.
"Wow… This guy sure is strong" I muttered
"Impale him… Shinso!" Gin yelled. Suddenly his glade extended and aimed at Ichigo. Ichigo barely blocked it but as soon as it did he was sent flying, hitting Jidanbo and making them both fly away from the gate. As soon as they land Ichigo coughed up blood.
"Ichigo!" Everyone but Jidanbo and Gin yelled. Suddenly I heard a weird noise above me
"No! The gate!" Yoruichi yelled. "Zion you must get away before the gate crushes you!" Yoruichi ordered. Oh crap! The gate is going to fall right on top of me if I don't get out of the way! But which way do I go? If I go where Gin is I would die… But at the same time I would have a bit of an advantage finding their friend. If I go where Ichigo and the others are then I would be safe but we would be right back where we started… Ugh… What should I do!?
"Zion! You have to move now!" Uryu ordered. What should I choose!?
Well this is the end of chapter 3. Now it depends on you guys if you want Zion to go across the gate which she will most likely die or stay with Ichigo and the others. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and story so far.
