Cruel to be Kind Chapter 6
Hello! Welcome to chapter 6, in which Ichigo enters Soul Society. Previously, he completed the training (which he did not actually need, except for the special training he underwent to regain his Shinigami powers). This story picks up from the day when Ichigo and his friends left for Soul Society through the Senkai gate.
The day of departure
Seven days had passed, and everyone was gathered in the basement. After receiving their instructions from Urahara, they ran through the severed world. The cleaner showed up as well, but luckily, or heroes outran it. Seeing slightly less of a need to act the part of a headstrong teenager, Ichigo followed Yoruichi's instructions and helped to find Kuukaku's house instead of running towards the gate and setting off alarms.
The usual drama happened at Kuukaku's house, with Ganju, with whom they had a run-in earlier, trying to attack Ichigo. The orange head had no intention of dealing with him, so he quickly knocked him out with a well placed strike. Kuukaku didn't mind either-since she usually would do the same thing, albeit more sadistically.
With that, Yoruichi asked Kuukaku to help them get into Seireitei. Kuukaku agreed to help, and explained the procedure to them. She then gave each of them a spirit orb and told them to practise forming a large reishi orb around them. The group of students went downstairs to a lower room to practise.
Ichigo, having been trained in kido by his father during his 3-year Shinigami arts training course, quickly grasped the concept of creating a reishi orb around himself, and got it on his third try. Ishida was an expert on controlling reishi, so he too got it easily, on his second try. He, however, had to examine the ball for quite a while, noting the structure of its reishi, and the spiritual pressure it emanated, before forming the orb around himself.
Sado and Inoue had trouble, as the entire concept was new to them. However, soon they got it as well. Then they went for dinner.
The next day, the launching was to take place. The team, along with Ganju, shot themselves to Seireitei, however, Ganju screwed up the incantation he was meant to recite along the way, leading to Plan B. They hardened the ball for impact with the barrier surrounding Seireitei, and went flying their separate directions. Ichigo ended up with Ganju, and Ishida with Inoue, while Sado and Yoruichi ended up by themselves on separate parts of the Seireitei.
Upon landing, Ganju used his elemental spells to create a sandpit to soften their blow. As soon as he landed, Ichigo tensed, then relaxed. There were two Shinigami close by. They were definitely ranking officers, but still nothing to worry about. Soon, just as he thought, the two had found them.
Shinigami #1 (Ikkaku): Hey Yumichika, look! The intruders fell right into our hands! How lucky we are!
Shinigami #2 (Yumichika): Indeed, Ikkaku. Wow, those two seem to have had an ugly fall.
Ichigo stood up while Ganju remained in the sand, frozen in place.
Ichigo: Well hello there guys. You see, I'm new here, and I don't know this place very well. Could you kindly point me in the direction of the Senzaikyu?
Ikkaku: You trying to be funny with us, ryoka bastard? We'll teach you a lesson you won't soon forget!
Ichigo: Very well soldier, I accept your invitation to battle.
Ikkaku: ….Say what?
Ichigo: Alright, let me put it in simple terms so an imbecile like you can understand. Bring it, bastard.
Ganju: Are you out of your mind, Ichigo? That guy is the third seat of Squad 11! That's the most bloodthirsty squad among all the squads! He could easily tear us to pieces!
Ichigo: Run if you want. I'm staying put and fighting.
Ganju: Fine! I don't care if you're suicidal or not, I'm running!
Immediately, he ran, followed by Yumichika.
Ichigo: Looks like it's just the two of us now.
Ikkaku: You bastard…you're gonna pay for that comment earlier!
Ichigo: Make me.
And the two fought. After trading blows for a while, Ikkaku had some cuts, while Ichigo was unmarked, deliberately holding back so as to be able to get some information out of him after the fight.
Ikkaku: Wow, you're rather strong. Time for me to get serious! Grow, Hozukimaru!
The bald man (oh, sorry, the man with a shaved head) released his Zanpakuto, and charged straight at Ichigo. Ichigo quickly dodged the first thrust of the spear.
Ichigo: You're open!
Ikkaku: Oh really? Split, Hozukimaru!
Ichigo: "Split"?
The shaft of Hozukimaru then split into three sections connected by chains. The sections surrounded Ichigo, and to the orange-head's surprise, almost cut him. Ichigo quickly jumped back, and decided to end things quickly. Using the miniature grappling hook device that he had thought to bring along to Soul Society, he shot a cable that wrapped it self around Ikkaku's neck. Before the bald man could cry out in surprise, Ichigo made his move.
Ichigo Hado # 11: Tsuzuri Raiden!
An electric current flowed through the metal cable and to Ikkaku's neck, immediately knocking him out.
A few minutes later, Ikkaku came to. He opened his eyes to see Ichigo sitting nearby.
Ikkaku: Why you dirty cheating bastard!
Ichigo: Sorry, but I had to do it. I'm here for a purpose, and that purpose is not to fight any and every Shinigami here. Tell me: Where is the Senzaikyu?
Ikkaku: Like I'll tell you!
Ichigo glared at him, then applied another electric shock. This was not enough to knock him out, but enough to cause him pain.
Ichigo: If you think about it rationally, there's only one thing to do for you now, and that is to let me go, and point me in the right direction. After all, sooner or later, the Captains and Lieutenants will find me out and kill me, right?
Ikkaku: You sound awfully confident. Wait til you meet my captain. He'll definitely beat you and tear you to pieces. I should go report to him as soon as I get healed. He'll enjoy fighting you for sure. Anyway, Senzaikyu is the white tower in the middle of Seireitei. It's thin, with a pointy top and is made of lethality stone.
Ichigo: Thanks for the directions.
The orange head then left. Soon, he got back to Ganju, who had somehow defeated Yumichika. However, Ganju made such a ruckus, that several Shinigami ran out and started charging at them. Soon, they were surrounded. But then, one rather feminine looking (male) Shinigami happened to fall out of the crowd and near the ryoka. The lone Shinigami was rather clueless and clumsy. Immediately, Ichigo decided to take him as a hostage, but when that did not work, because of the animosity between the Shinigami, the two ryoka went into the sewer system with the hostage in tow.
Ichigo: Alright Ganju. I have the directions to Senzaikyu. It's a white tower with a pointy top, and it's at the centre of the Seireitei. Rukia's there. We have to get there with a key if we want to break her out of there.
Hostage: Hey you two, did you just say Rukia?
Ichigo: Yeah, do you know something? What's your name anyway?
Hostage: Umm my name's Hanataro Yamada. I'm from Squad 4, and I used to be in charge of cleaning Rukia's cell in prison. We used to talk when I cleaned there, and she told me a lot about a man named Ichigo Kurosaki she met in the living world. That's you right?
Ichigo: Yeah, that's me. We're trying to rescue Rukia because she's a friend of ours.
Hanataro: Then let me help you! I know these sewers pretty well and I can guide you to the Senzaikyu.
Ichigo: That would be much appreciated.
Soon the trio exited the sewers. Ichigo sensed a familiar spiritual pressure. There was no doubt about it. Vice Captain Renji Abarai was nearby. He immediately told the two others to stand back.
Renji: So…you've come back, Ichigo Kurosaki.
Ichigo: Yeah, I have, Renji Abarai.
Renji: You sure pulled a fast one on me back in the world of the living. But be prepared! I'm five times stronger here than I was in the living world.
Ichigo: You're telling me your strength has grown five times in 19 days? That sounds like a childish threat to me.
Hanataro: Actually, he's right. Lieutenants always have a limiter placed on them when they enter the living world. The limiter seals away 80% of their power, so he really is 5 times stronger now than in the living world!
Renji: So the reports were true, a Shinigami was indeed taken hostage. But to think he went of his own free will…Despicable bastard…
Ichigo: You seemed to know Rukia personally, from what I've heard. How come you're so adamant that she be executed?
Renji: Shut your trap! Howl, Zabimaru!
Ichigo coldly fought back, on an equal level with Renji, much to Ganju and Hanataro's amazement. The swords clashed, and Renji occasionally shouted to Ichigo that he was not going to succeed, and that the Captains would certainly put Rukia to death. Ichigo soon decided that he was not going to listen to Renji's babble any longer, and decided to deal the incapacitating blow.
Ichigo: Getsuga Tensho!
Everything became bright blue and white momentarily, before the light dispersed, to reveal a bloodstained Renji, and a large crack in the ground caused by Ichigo's attack.
Renji fell
Dammit…I lost…
End Chapter 6
Renji is defeated. Ichigo now has to face the dreaded Kenpachi himself. Will Ichigo survive against such an enemy, even with his great training? Stay tuned to find out more!