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The Light of Destruction
Chapter 5
"ICHIGO…!" Renji screamed incoherently with his eyes bulging in their sockets as he violently convulsed on his bed, while medical personnel struggled to keep him down and prevent him from doing further harm to himself. Even then his convulsions were clearly reopening his barely healed wounds, blood staining through his bandages and into the bed below. "WHY…ICHIGO…WHY…?"
Unohana rushed over to assist her subordinates, calming words already at the tip of her tongue, but one glance was enough to ascertain that appearances aside Renji was clearly not yet fully coherent. Oh his eyes were open, and he could speak, but it was clear that his mind was still trapped in those terrible memories – both seen with his eyes and sensed via reiatsu – of being betrayed by someone he had trusted and considered as a friend.
Ichigo Kurosaki…
Months ago there had been rumors that the infamous Kuugo Ginjou might have been targeting the powerless former Substitute Shinigami, but then Ichigo had seemingly-vanished. At first they had thought that Ginjou might have gotten to him under the Onmitsukidou's nose, but it was soon made evident that even Ginjou and his gang had been caught flat-footed by the boy's disappearance.
An investigation had been considered but had ultimately been deferred. The boy had probably just gone on off on something the living had the freedom and opportunity to do, and considering his services in the past against Aizen it had been judged that he had earned the right to live his life freely.
What had really happened? What had turned that good-hearted boy into one of Yhwach's rightly-feared knights?
The captain's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of her lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu. "Is something the matter, Isane?" she asked.
"Captain Unohana…" the girl replied as Unohana personally sedated Renji. "…we've received a message. It seems that the other captains have gathered to greet the arrival of the Royal Guard, and…"
"I see…" Unohana interrupted her with a smile and a nod. "…very well. I suppose I can leave our patients in your care for the moment, can't I Isane?"
"...yes, captain!" Isane replied with an enthusiastic nod, and Unohana went off to meet with the other captains.
Yhwach…
The name of the dreaded Quincy King stirred her blood, and Unohana felt her fingers twitch in anticipation of battle. She had originally learned healing kidou from the master Tenjirou Kirinji as a means of healing worthy opponents that she might fight them again in the future, but with the end of the war over a thousand years ago and again with the Quincy Genocide centuries ago it had become something she had done only as a means of reliving the past.
There was simply no point in swinging her sword. Mere Hollows were simply not worth staining her proud blade, Minazuki, and so she allowed herself to take comfort in memories of glorious battles and spilled blood of worthy foes in the past.
But as time passed what had originally been a way of inducing nostalgia for those dark yet glorious years had become something more. Peace…justice…honor…things that she would have disdained in the past had become cherished and valued, and while a part of her accused her of being weak she knew better.
The First Kenpachi no longer had any need to exist in this world.
Even with the rise of Aizen she had suppressed the desire to draw her blade. Along with Yamamoto she was probably the only one who could have matched him in power, but she had decided against facing him. And it wasn't just Kyouka Suigetsu…much like Yamamoto she knew there were ways to defeat the traitor's vaunted complete hypnosis, but she'd chosen to place her faith in the new generation of Shinigami, in people like the current roster of captains, the Visored…and Ichigo Kurosaki.
All because in Aizen she saw the old generation, the Shinigami of the ancient war, who had fought Yhwach and his knights and matched them terror for terror, blood with blood, death with death, and atrocity with atrocity. And she recognized the fact that the new generation should be the ones to defeat him, and in so doing secure a future for the Soul Society that would not be built on blood and terror.
And that trust had been rewarded, and Aizen was sealed away.
But now Yhwach was back. The Quincy had returned. Ichigo Kurosaki was one of them. As she approached the meeting grounds, Unohana wondered if all her hopes for the old generation and their memories of fire, war, blood and death to fade away would be for naught.
Would Minazuki be drawn again, not to heal but to kill once more, and drown the battlefield in blood?
Her thoughts turned to Isane, and her cherished subordinates and students within the Fourth Division, and the First Kenpachi felt an unexpected pang at the thought of what the war would do to them. And then her thoughts turned to that person, who she had deemed long ago to be the one to surpass her.
But she had always decided against fully unlocking his potential, all because she had considered that there had been no need for her to be surpassed in this peaceful world. But it seemed that she was wrong, and that she needed to be surpassed.
She knew what the cost would be, but she would bear it regardless, all because the new generation needed a new champion among champions, one to wield the blade with equal no greater force than she had long ago, but one untainted by her past. As the Royal Guard arrived with much fanfare and exuberance, Retsu Unohana hardened her resolve, not to drown the foe in their own blood, but to make the ultimate sacrifice for the future of the Soul Society.
White boots slammed onto the ground with synchronized precision, white cloaks flowing through the air with the movements of their wearers, and light flashed off of silver crosses and chains as they were raised proudly into the air. "Hold your crosses high!" the assembled Stern Ritter shouted as one. "To His Majesty the Emperor Yhwach, Stern Ritter salute!"
"My Stern Ritter…" the Emperor calmly began as he took to the stage. "…I have something I wish to share with you."
The Stern Ritter remained silent, awaiting the words of their Emperor. The Emperor smiled and made a gesture, and a bespectacled teen dressed in a customized variant of their uniform stepped beside him. Eyes widened, faces contorted, and mouths fell open with shock…except for the Stern Ritter 'L' who simply gave a deprecating chuckle.
Figures…I knew he'd show up eventually one way or another...but while I'm not surprised that he's here, what's he doing on the stage with His Majesty?
"This is Uryuu Ishida." Yhwach introduced the younger Quincy, silencing the shocked whispers and muttering among the Stern Ritter. "The only surviving Quincy in the world of the living…"
Ichigo felt surprise at that, as technically speaking he too was a Gemischt, and the same went for his sisters. Perhaps he was finally recognized as an Echt for his services in the first strike? That thought however was quickly banished by the Emperor's next statement, and he joined his fellow Stern Ritter at gaping at the stage.
"…and he shall be my successor."
Stunned silence met the Emperor's words. The Emperor looked on expectantly, as though daring his knights to challenge his latest proclamation. And challenge there was, as Bazz-B broke ranks and charged the stage. "Your Majesty…!" the 'H' shouted. "What's…?"
Words died and the charge was halted by an outstretched arm across his chest by the Grand Master. "Is something the matter?" the Emperor asked.
"No Your Majesty…" Haschwalth replied. "…everything is as it should be."
Yhwach smiled with evident satisfaction. "In that case…" he said. "…dismissed…!"
Explosions erupted across the training ground, and made Ichigo consider making use of the Light. Bambietta was in one word PISSED. Well actually confused at the recent announcement, but her inability to understand why the Emperor would make an unknown his successor out of the blue had lit the fuse on her temper.
As a result Ichigo – despite his expert grasp of hirenkyaku – found it increasingly harder to dodge her bombs despite his creative use of the training grounds' Seireitei-like design to avoid precision strikes from Bambietta, as she responded with simply carpet bombing his general location. And worse of all Bambietta was steadily making that general area smaller and smaller with every wave of explosives as she measured his mettle.
She may be short-tempered, but she's not stupid. But I can be serious too, if that's what she wants.
Bambietta stood atop a building that wouldn't look out of place in the Seiretei and bombed Ichigo as the other Stern Ritter jumped from building to building and across streets. He was fast that much was certain, but his refusal to go on the offensive was starting to annoy her. And as much as she liked him – though she'd never admit it out loud – it seemed that she needed to step the game up.
There was no point in training at our level if we don't give it our all. Holding back in training is only for recruits.
Narrowing her eyes, she sped up the firing rate of her bombs and predicted Ichigo's course before sending off a volley in that direction. She smiled as Ichigo landed in the target area and was immediately engulfed in fire and smoke, although she felt her insides clench at the thought that she might actually hurt him.
As if Stern Ritter would fall that easily. With Blut Vene – and as a Kurosaki he's got strong Blut by Echt standards – he wouldn't get hurt that much…
Her thoughts on the matter went blank as blazing beams of light lanced from the dust cloud towards her, and her eyes went wide as she barely managed to dodge the surprisingly well-aimed attacks. Well she wanted him to go serious, but to actually use the Light even in its most basic form was something unexpected given Ichigo's preference for older and more time-tested battle tactics.
Blades swung at her neck, but she countered both with Blut Vene before using bombs to destroy Ichigo's doppelgangers, and using hirenkyaku stabilized herself in midair to meet the expected attack from the rear…although she certainly never expected a rather singed and dusty Ichigo to grab her by the wrists and force her against a nearby wall.
Bambietta blinked and felt her cheeks heat up as Ichigo's face came close to her own. "Bambietta…" he began softly, and she swallowed.
"Yes…?"
There was a pause. "…you got careless." He said, and she blinked again before beginning to grind her teeth as irritation built up with the realization that he'd just led her along. Before things could get explosive though, he quickly let go and stepping back began to dust his clothes. "I guess we're even."
Bambietta blinked again, and then she felt stinging from her neck. A brief investigation found a pair of shallow cuts along her neck's sides, and she realized that without Blut Vene she'd probably be dead. She smiled. "You're a nasty bastard, do you know that?" she asked, and Ichigo laughed.
"I am aren't I?" he asked back while handing her a first aid kit clipped to his belt. "But that makes you a vicious bitch."
She shrugged and accepted the offered help. "Maybe…" she said. "…but I really think we need to cut back on hanging around with Liltotto. I mean seriously, just listen to us."
"Yeah, that's true."
"By the way, what do you mean I was careless?"
"You expected an attack from the rear, and you were right, except that I didn't use a sword and instead used my bare hands. Granted most enemies would die if they tried that trick against you, but with opponents on our level…"
"Alright, alright…" Bambietta interrupted irritably. "…I get the idea. Seriously, you sound a lot like Hashwalth at times."
"Can't help it…" Ichigo said with a shrug as he and Bambietta walked out of the training grounds. "…he was behind refining my swordsmanship among other things."
"True…" Bambietta conceded. "…he's bound to rub off on you if that were the case. And point taken…maybe I should see if Meninas is willing to train..."
"Just be careful if she is." Ichigo said in all seriousness. "Have you seen the muscles that girl gets when she uses the Power?"
"...I know I've seen them before."
"Also…" Ichigo continued. "…you shouldn't get too worked up with what happened earlier. His Majesty always has reasons behind what he does, and if that's not enough, well Haschwalth clearly knows what he's doing, doesn't he?"
Bambietta spat out an incoherent curse, but nodded her assent. "I suppose I can't argue with you there." She finally said.
Urahara stood with the other captains as they watched the Royal Guard return to the Royal Palace accompanied by the unconscious Rukia and Renji. "Well there they go." Thirteenth Division Captain Jushirou Ukitake commented as the smoke from the Shiba Cannon began to dissipate. "And we have our own duties to attend to."
"That's certainly true." Urahara said with a chuckle, and Ukitake raised an eyebrow before allowing the other captains to go back to the Seireitei ahead of him.
"I'm certainly interested in hearing what you're up to, Urahara-san." He said, and Urahara favored him with a knowing smile.
"No doubt you do…" Urahara replied. "…alright, what if I told you that I was working on a countermeasure that would not only prevent the Quincy from stealing our bankai, but also allow those who had their bankai stolen to reclaim them?"
"Is it possible?"
Urahara laughed. "It still needs a lot of work but yes, it can be done." He said. "I managed to lift something of interest from a high-ranking Quincy back in Hueco Mundo."
"And what happened to that Quincy?" Ukitake asked, and Urahara looked to a distant hill where a bored-looking Grimmjow was sitting and lazily staring out over the Rukongai.
"He's dead. Our convenient ally from the Espada took care of him real quick."
"I see." Ukitake said with a nod, and then he followed after the other captains. "In that case I better leave you to your work."
"That would be most appreciated." Urahara said with another chuckle. "Oh and seeing that you'll probably be busy in the coming days, congratulations and good luck in advance."
Ukitake paused, and then he sighed. "Do you really think I'll be chosen?" the sickly man asked.
"It's not like we have much choice." Urahara replied in all seriousness. "Captain Unohana is eminently qualified, but despite all her years of service I strongly doubt the Central 46 will be able to look past who she was and who she is. And after her and with all our losses recently you're the only one with the seniority."
Ukitake sighed again. "You're probably right…" he said. "…but if that's the case then I'll probably be have the shortest tenure as Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13."
The man laughed and then looked over a shoulder at Urahara. "Well I suppose that's how things are, aren't they?" he asked. "But if that's the case, then I'll just have to do everything I can to make what little time I have as meaningful as probable."
"Don't make funeral preparations just yet. No one knows what the future might bring."
"Maybe…" Ukitake said as he began to walk away. "…but even if we win I'm not really sure if I'll live to see the day afterwards."
"Good luck with the Central 46…" Urahara said. "…you're going to need it."
"Less luck and more forcefulness would probably be more useful."
Ichigo strode down the snowy streets of Vandenreich, and paused before pulling his hood back and turning. "I never took you for the nostalgic type Ishida." He said, and after a moment Uryuu appeared from around a corner with his usual stoic expression on his face.
"Nostalgic…?"
"The first time we met…" Ichigo replied with a faint smile while looking up at the dark sky and the softly-falling snow. "…you were stalking me and Rukia, remember?"
"I was not stalking you."
"Fine…" Ichigo said disdainfully. "…you were following me. Some difference…"
"So you remember…"
"…of course I remember." Ichigo said with a snort. "Did you really think His Majesty had my memories erased?"
"…so why…?"
"Why what…?"
"Stop messing around!" Uryuu exploded. "The Daten states that you killed Byakuya Kuchiki, massacred the students in the Spirit Academy before destroying it, and your kill count of regular Shinigami is easily on-par with the other Stern Ritter!"
Ichigo sighed and regarded Uryuu sadly. "Ishida…" he began. "…please don't tell me that the only reason that you joined us was to avenge the Auswahlen?"
The bespectacled boy's eyes widened with shock. "What?" Ichigo continued. "Are you surprised that I'm not in this for the same reason? I'm not stupid. Revenge won't bring my mother back to life. It won't change anything. On the other hand working with my mother's relatives – with you and your relatives as well – gives me a chance to…"
"You ransomed them…" Uryuu interrupted with evident surprise. "…that's why the Daten states that they're to be spared. Inoue-san…Yasutora-san…your sisters…"
"…well you are or were the biggest nerd in our level…" Ichigo said with a smile.
"…that's neither here nor there…" Uryuu said while gritting his teeth. "…but what about everyone else? The Visored…your friends in the Soul Society…your father…"
Ichigo's face fell, and he wearily rubbed his forehead. "…you can't save everyone." He said simply, and Uryuu found himself drawing back in horror. The Ichigo he knew would never say something like that, and while he knew that it was a fact of reality that ought to be expected from a fellow Quincy it just shouldn't be coming from him.
"…what did they do to you Ichigo?"
Ichigo shrugged. "That…" he began. "…is a long story…"
"Kiyone…" Ukitake called to one of his Third Seated Officers, and the younger Shinigami immediately rushed over from where she'd been working over some paperwork. "…I want you to divide the management duties of the Thirteenth Division between yourself and Sentarou, at least until a new captain for the Thirteenth is chosen."
"Captain…?"
Ukitake just stood and handed her a piece of paper, and left for a walk to gather his thoughts. "Oh and request an immediate audience with the Central 46 regarding matters of importance."
"Y-yes…" Kiyone stammered out, and read the official proclamation from the Central 46 a second time. Even though she knew that it was something to be seen as a great honor, and that her captain was the logical choice as a successor, it was still something of a shock, as though it drove home that the legend that was Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto was truly dead.
And Captain Ukitake would be leaving the Thirteenth for good.
"By order of the Central 46, the next Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 shall be Jushirou Ukitake. This order is to take effect immediately, and Jushirou Ukitake is hereby transferred from the Thirteenth Division and given command of the First Division."
A/N
Sorry about taking so long, but I was busy.
The next chapter shall be a flashback showing Ichigo's recruitment into the Vandenreich.