A startling theory. Discovering the 198 missing chunin plus the two empty mattresses, Ash believed that Aizen's ploy involved him and Orihime. His female companions, Rukia and Sakura, seemed puzzled with Ash's beliefs that the marriage concerning Orihime was on him for some reason or another and not Aizen. "What cockamamie idea makes you think that Aizen wants to itemize you and Orihime?" Sakura wondered. Ash pondered by looking at the unconscious 198 kids then the two vacant beds. Something about the kids prompted the opinion.

"He wants a kid," he summarized. "He has an overwhelming supply of chakra and I possess a concoction of Reiatsu and aura." That would explain the chunin and Ash but what did Orihime have to do with this? Rukia realized something that she'd bet neither of the two knew about the redhead in question.

"Of course," she figured. "Her Shun Shun Rikka!" Ash and Sakura had the befuddled looks that desired a clarification. "Orihime has a hairpin which harbors spirits capable of different abilities like counterattacks and healing traits. I should know since she used it to heal Ash after his encounted with a vicious Hollow named Grand Fisher. Of course, those spiritually honed would be able to see them. That would mean that Aizen seeks ultimate power from an offspring from Orihime that possess the combined powers of ninjas, Soul Reapers and Aura Guardians." Even with that explanation, Ash couldn't ponder why he would need all these ninjas who were in their training stages.

"Let's say that's the case," he started his doubts. "Why then would you need a village amount of chunin when one would be sufficient?" He did raise a good point. It would seem unnecessary to empower an offspring with an overwhelming amount of one set of energy. Of course, he forgot about the invasion plot.

"I believe that's where the invasion against Yamamoto would be subjected." It all would come together. Aizen would infuse Ash or Orihime with chakra, force both to mate and have a powerful child to rule the Soul Society while he commands the chunin to ratify the home of the Soul Reapers to conquer the location. Ash couldn't believe what Aizen had cooking and in part had Cyrus to help out. That's when Sakura discovered something which spelled off.

"Guys!" she voiced. Ash and Rukia spun around to see Sakura standing over a turquoise-hair man in a gray jumpsuit with a yellow "G" on the left of the top. Could that be Cyrus? He was motionless and Sakura knew why. "I doubt at full power that I could revive him." Rukia put two fingers by his neck for a pulse. Nothing.

"Indeed." This man was dead. Ash saw the "G" on the clothing and gritted. He knew the insignia.

"That's Team Galactic's logo," he identified. "Aizen believed Cyrus served his purpose and finished him off." Cyrus was used as a slave? There was another tidbit Ash remembered. "I remember Meowth saying that Team Rocket was also here." This stirred more voices and guess who they were from.

"The twerp!" shouted...James? It was male. The kids turned their heads to a cell. Jessie and James, still in their uniforms, shook the bars to get free. Ash snickered, seeing Team Rocket in a place he'd dream they'd end up for all the crimes they've committed in the Pokémon World.

"Guess I shouldn't really be surprised that you'd end up behind bars one day." It was funny to see Team Rocket get their just desserts...unless you're Jessie. She was fuming mad.

"I'll have your neck if it means pleasing the boss by taking your Pikachu!" she snapped. Ash just blew off her steam. There was more pressing matters to get to.

"Anyway, did you guys see what happened to Cyrus?" After that mock, Jessie refused to talk. James?

"That handsome man stabbed that Galactic boss," James summarized the obvious. "But that's when something black emerged from that deceased boss. It had a menacing white hard mask and scowled so loud, I'm surprised none of the kids were awakened." Something black and it had a white mask? Rukia shuttered. She knew what really happened to Cyrus.

"Aizen has turned Cyrus into a Hollow?" she concluded. Ash understood Rukia's take.

"Now Cyrus is like Grand Fisher, and knowing that he tried to commit genocide in the Pokémon World," Ash studied. "He's possibly gonna be in control of his new vessel." But it felt rather weird to Ash. "Hey, I thought Soul Reapers exercise Hollows, not create them."

"True, but Aizen's powers have grown immensely." This was bad and Ash had to make sure Aizen didn't sick his new Hollow onto Pikachu or Orihime. But first, he had to get the kids out of bed.

"I hate to do this, mostly because I don't exactly trust you. One of you know how to get these kids awake?" Sakura and Rukia were startled with Ash's way of working along Team Rocket. Team Rocket was stunned that he even would ask for their help.

"Why should I help the twerp when he never helped us by handing over his Pikachu?" Jessie scorned. Instead of explaining to them why, Ash resorted to a question.

"Let's say you did get Pikachu from me or my friends. How do you plan on getting back to your boss?" This left the Rockets stuck on the launching pad. They had an idea to get Ash's Pokémon. Just not a way to return to their world. However, Jessie would remain absurdly defiant.

"Team Rocket will not disclose information in regards to operations to common citizens and non-Rocket members. Operations conducted are copyrighted by the head CEO of Team Rocket and any leaks about said plans will be considered expunged from organizations." That's one long-winded way to keep secrets but James had a different take.

"You don't know, don't you?" he guessed. Jessie's response? KAPOW! Sucker punch to the jaw. James was out. Seeing Jessie knock James into next week, plus remembering when Rukia decked him and Tsunade blasted Naruto, he had something on his mind.

"Is it just me or are women that much stronger than men?" he questioned. It could be but that's not important right now. Surrendering to the thought of a lack of escape, the reluctant Team Rocket agreed to help Ash and his female entourage. Ash released the cell lock and opened where James ran to and worked on a control panel. He powered down the inventions and jarred open the capsule mattresses. The chunin were stirring. A good sign. The kids from the numerous villages were rather groggy but when they viewed each other, some wanted to start fighting each other. They were from different villages, and some had some bad blood spilling.

"Stand down, chunin," Rukia ordered. The kids stopped glaring at each other to see Ash, Rukia and Sakura. The two Rockets slicked away, possibly trying to locate their other member. Those who stayed explained that despite their different homes, cooperation was needed to stop the man...or Soul Reaper behind it. Speaking of Soul Reapers, Ichigo was even with Aizen, move for move. Aizen was rather fascinated with Ichigo's abilities. Pikachu was back protecting the rest while Ichigo's zanpakutō was glowing, literally.

"You've gotten stronger," Aizen complimented. Ichigo wasn't about to take any thanks from him. "That rodent may have used his electricity to power up Tensa Zengatsu but I should let you know that even with your ninja friends, I'm in the best position to be victorious." So that's why Ichigo's Bankai was glowing. Pikachu provided a little boost. Ichigo was concerned with Aizen's words.

"What the hell do you mean?" he ordered a response. All Aizen did was sneer. "Answer me, dammit!" Instead of hearing it from the ex-Reaper's mouth, footsteps shook the ground. Orihime and Hinata stumbled to the dirt while Pikachu and Naruto braced it, maintaining balance. Out came a floating black thing with a white phantom mask. The rest couldn't believe what it was they were seeing.

"A Hollow?" Orihime gasped. It wasn't just any Hollow as they were about to discover.

"The power," it roared. "It's incredible! Soon, all emotions will be considered history!" Pikachu knew one person who had zero tolerance for emotions and feelings.

("Cyrus?") he shrieked. This was what Rukia feared and now, there he was. Wait...how was he able to tremor the ground when he had no feet?

"Pikachu, the Pokémon that belongs to the one I despise the most. His overwhelming emotions have helped tarnish the world I call a former. Now with this new source of power, I can destroy those who emit emotions." Someone who hates emotions? Talk about soulless. A force of wind hit the ground and kicked up dirt, causing another tremor which shook the ground.

"What in the name of the Hokage have you been on to hate emotions?" Naruto spat. "We all live on emotions and that includes you!" The Cyrus Hollow saw the young ninja in orange, really showing his reactions to his statement.

"Full of emotion. You pollute the world with such overwhelming emotions." This guy had a serious problem with emotions, human or Hollow. His day was about to get much worse.

"Either you have a serious issue with honest emotions or you have one huge poker face you're hiding," sounded Ash. Aizen and Hollow Cyrus spun to see Ash on a tree, leaning to the bark casually. "And I don't mean just the mask helping out." Pikachu and Naruto were glad to see Ash was okay. Aizen was also happy to see Ash. He still wanted to obtain him to fulfill his master plan.

"It's nice to see you again, No. 199," he coldly smirked. "By the way, I prefer your new voice. You sound a lot more in control." To Ash, Aizen entered his trap.

"Thanks. That's saying a lot." That's when the other 198 ninjas emerged from the various trees, ready to attack. Aizen's grin was now some concern. "In fact, I think I should let loose these kids to attack!" The chunin began with a Kunai Rain Assault. Kunai were flying right at Aizen and Hollow Cyrus. It was a blinding attack that Ichigo needed. He raced in and began striking Aizen with his Bankai. Hollow Cyrus tried to evade the rain of the throwing knives and chased Ash down.

"You shall suffer for the pollution you've stained in every land you've walked upon," Hollow Cyrus promised. The sound of anger had Ash smiling.

"Was that anger in your voice?" Hollow Cyrus barreled into the tree Ash was standing on, but Ash leaped clear onto another tree. Hollow Cyrus circled around another tree and aimed his charge at Ash again...only to face some of the chunin.

"Earth Style Jutsu: Raging Sandstorms!" they chanted as they made numerous hand gestures before blowing vicious sands, blinding Hollow Cyrus. This infuriated the Hollow.

"Stand still, pest!" he growled even louder. The more frustrated the Hollow acted, the more Ash wanted to play with it.

"Looks like your emotionless life is showing some feeling," he snickered. The snarl from Hollow Cyrus kept a beaming smile. "As much as it is playing with you, I think it's time to put you out of your misery." More chunin entered with kunai attached to rope. Despite Hollow Cyrus being legless, he still had arms. The chunin chucked their kunai and snared Cyrus with the rope. Naruto...two Naruto came in, a blue sphere tucked in all four hands.

"Here's for endangering my friends!" he spat. How would he know about this? They've just met. "Rasengan!" One Naruto vanished in a puff of smoke while the other slammed the sphere to the mask. KABOOM! The explosion of the sphere kicked up Hollow Cyrus where it whiplashed his head back, cracks askew to the point of falling apart. "Rukia!" Rukia, her zanpakutō unsheathed, was in perfect position in the air to end Hollow Cyrus.

"Time to send you to the afterlife!" she shouted. One swipe cut across the bridge of the nose. That slash sent the phantom-like creature to the ground. Begrudgingly, Hollow Cyrus rose back up despite that series of strikes. That's what teamwork gets. The mask fizzled a little bit but retained it's busted shape. That's when a green beam fired to the sky. That's when the skies became dark while the rest filed out of the lab. In a flash, from the ground below, a black door appeared. This door had skeleton tops with wraps around their skulls and chains to the doors keeping it shut tight...all appearing behind Cyrus. The chunin saw the door and had fallen back, feuding villages working alongside for such the attack. Sakura emerged by Ash's side, worried about what popped up, literally.

"Ash, what's up with that door?" she wondered. Ash remembered that door in the past as Aizen stopped his bout with Ichigo to see the door for himself.

"The Soul Reaper's sword purifies and cleanses the soul of Hollows defeated," he recalled. "In most cases, the soul that resides within the Hollow is guided to afterlife. However, there are those who've committed crime while they were alive...let's just say that their final destination's a bit warmer than others." The chains on the door broke and opened a door with the backdrop of crimson and fire. A bit warmer? Who's he trying to kid? A giant sword skewered Hollow Cyrus.

"He failed," Aizen groaned. He should be paying attention like Sakura was. She tapped Ash on the shoulder to say that Aizen was wide open. Ichigo was down, exhausted from his exchange with him. Ash looked like he was enjoying this blitzkrieg more and more because both leaped down and began their attack. Aizen sensed Sakura coming and quickly drew out his zanpakutō, slicing Sakura and propelling her back to Ash. Then it got more interesting. She quickly became a log. Substitute Jutsu? She was a ninja-in-training, herself. Ash caught the log and fed it his aura. He lofted the wood to the sky as Pikachu, catching up to his master, leaped.

"Iron Tail!" Pikachu's tail was aglow. BANG! The log was split in half and half was spiraling at Aizen who slashed it. Not a wise idea. BOOM! The log exploded into a thick cloud of burnt cinders...and Ash was about to seal the deal. He held the log of glowing blue like a baseball bat. "3-2!" Huh? SMACK! BLAM! Another blast kicked up more debris and shot Aizen toward the gates as the hollow was dragged into it. Sakura reappeared by Ash once more. Aizen flew into the gates which soon closed, carrying Cyrus along for the ride. The chunin watched in stunned dismay about what just happened. Finally, the gates crackled. POOF! The gates shattered and scattered. It was all over. Everyone from the ninjas to the Soul Reapers and those in between were glad that this was finally over.

"It's...over...," Suì-Fēng sighed. "That Hollow...and Aizen will no longer be a bother." Not according to the glare on Ichigo.

"Don't bet on it," he doubted. "Aizen will find his way out of Hell. He won't surrender until he destroys the head general." Yoruichi and Rukia would agree. Aizen's tenacity shouldn't be underestimated. Orihime came forward to meet her friend.

"Ichigo!" she called out to him. Ichigo twisted around to see the girl who ran off from home. He was upset with Orihime for going on an adventure without even letting Tatsuki know.

"Tatsuki's worried about you, you know." Orihime seemed clueless about the trouble she's caused. That, or something else in the matter because her cheeks were rather rosy.

"I-I'm sorry...and I'm sorry about getting myself into trouble in finding Ash but there's something I wanted to tell you...in private." This wasn't really private. Not to worry with Ash.

"We'll take care of that," he acknowledged before turning to the chunin. "Thanks for your help. You can return to your villages and brief them about what happened." The chunin all nodded before they vanished. That's one way to clear out nearly 200 ninjas-in-training. Gathering Pikachu, Ash, Sakura, Suì-Fēng, Rukia, Yoruichi, Naruto and Hinata left to give Orihime a little more confidence.

"Thanks, Ash." Taking a deep breath, Orihime was about to let Ichigo have it. "Ever since you've become a Soul Reaper, you've protected me and I've felt more safe than before I met you. I've-" Uh oh! She's struggling. Ichigo wanted to help her out.

"Orihime..." he called her name. That made her dart her eyes onto Ichigo's. "I'll protect everyone as much as possible." Orihime wasn't going to argue about that. She already knew how strong Ichigo was.

"Well, the thing is...I confessed my feelings before I had been taken to Hueco Mundo and I want to be truthful about it." She wrapped her hand around his head and pulled him in for...SMOOCH! Ichigo was taken by surprise. This redhead girl expressed her feelings in a way he never expected. Now he knew how Ash felt.

'Orihime...' He succumbed to the soft lips and heavy bust of who he'd call a classmate. She's no longer just a classmate. She's more. But their private moment wasn't private enough. Ash and Sakura stuck around to see the moment unfold. It nearly brought Sakura to tears.

'I wanna ask the Hokage if...' she paused her thought as her eyes peeled to Ash. 'If I can go with him. I no longer want to look for Sauske...because he's here with me.' Sakura had a wish. Could Tsunade grant it?


TO BE CONCLUDED...