10.

SERETEI:

Sasakibe wiped blood from his brow. His opponent had not yet suffered a scratch.

"Getting tired old man?" The commander taunted Sasakibe.

"Heh...you forget that I haven't shown you my full power yet."

"Oh...I see, well go ahead."

"Huh?"

"Show me your Bankai."

Sasakibe lowered his sword. "You want to see my Bankai...I've never shown it to anyone else before."

"Is that because nobody ever notices you around here?"

Sasakibe felt insulted. "Excuse me?"

"I've heard all the jokes the other captains make about boring old Sasakibe...so the only reason you haven't shown anyone is because no one cares enough abut you to bother witnessing it."

Sasakibe twitch with rage. "You'll pay for those words...very well then I will show you." He lifted his rapier triumphantly in the air, attracting lightning and energy as he uttered the famous word. "BANKAI!"

Sasakibe's rapier extended and had an aura of electricity around it. The sky blackened as the weather began to be manipulated by his Bankai. "This is my Bankai. Kaminari no senshi Gonryomaru."

"A zanpakuto that controls the weather...Now I'm impressed." The commander threw away his cape and resumed battle with the lightning warrior.

They clanged swords and each time sparked lightning from Sasakibe's swordThe commander was getting burned each time he clashed swords.

"Don't you get it already? Your sword conducts electricity – electricity which is coming off this sword."

"I thought so...in that case I'll just have to avoid contact with my sword then."

Sasakibe laughed at the idea. "Are you going to start throwing your sword and hope it will hit me?"

The commander scoffed. "Something like that." He pulled out his hairpiece to reveal two small protrusions in his head. "I must remember to thank Kakuzawa for this glorious power MWAHAHAHA!!!"

Sasakibe gripped his sword tightly. "I can't believe you're in league with the Diclonius."

"We aren't in league with the Diclonius...we're just finding new ways to utilise their power." The commander started using his vectors to swing his sword at his opponent. Even though he hadn't even used Shikai Sasakibe was finding this hard as the sword was more unpredictable like this. Everytime he tried to get within range of the commander he would bring up on or two vectors and hit him.

"It's useless Sasakibe; you may as well join us and stop this conspiracy."

"Never. My pride as a pure Shinigami will not allow it."

"A shame, I always thought you'd be a good subordinate."

"HYAHHH!!!" Lightning rained down on the battlefield. The commander had amazing agility to avoid each strike. He used some of his vectors to leap away from each bolt of lighting as it crashed down towards him.

"Heh-heh-heh that's the way Sasakibe, let everyone know the extent of your Bankai, make 'em pay for your neglect and suppression, always underneath someone else. First it was Yamamoto now it's me. Show me your full power!!!"

"DIE!!!!!!" Sasakibe concentrated the full energy of the skies into his blade. He would decide this with one final strike. "HYAAAAHHHHHH!!!!"

-----

An explosion of electricity obliterated the surrounding area. Yuhi's battle which was nearby felt some of the sheer force of that final attack. Yuhi saw his opponent distracted and froze him with his zanpakuto before slicing him in two.

"You should always concentrate on your own battle...I learnt that from my former master Hitsuguya."

-----

"Im...possible" The commander staggered on air as he stared at his opponent. A gaping hole had taken a huge chunk of flesh from his left side, including his arm. He struggled to lift his other arm. "Well...done...Sasakibe...you...are...the strongest..." His final words concluded as his body plummeted to the ground.

Sasakibe stood idle overlooking the clouds. His expression was numb. "What do you mean? I lost as well..." He uttered to himself before blood gushed from his body. He arched his back and fell with his opponent. Sasakibe's sacrifice would hopefully not be in vain as the war continued.

Sasakibe's battle has reached a draw...Yuhi has defeated his opponent and so too Hisagi. But another major battle remains to be decided...and with this much chaos, only more can follow...Don't miss the next exciting chapter.