A.N: What's up? Good to be back for another chapter. Things have gotten pretty crazy in the respective canon universes, for anyone's who been keeping up.

Bleach: Is it just me, or is Kubo taking a page out of Tim Burton's book in character designs? Because a lot of these new Sternritter seem like a bunch of Tim Burton ripoffs.

One Piece: Doflamingo's quickly going from a badass philosopher, to a spoiled brat who seriously needs to get the crap beaten out of him. Don't get me wrong, he's still a badass, he's probably the strongest Shichibukai along with Mihawk and Hancock, his crap about noble blood is just reopening the proverbial wounds that the World Nobles opened when I first saw them. I hope Luffy beats him worse than Charloss.

Naruto: *Spoiler* Well, Sasuke just had to be a total dick again, all things considered, I'm not surprised. The only reason I even put him in the Alliance was because I thought even if he was an ass, he'd willingly work with everyone again for the good of the world. But no, he has to go and pull the kind of BS he just pulled. You know what the sad thing about this is? Sasuke probably won't die in this fight because Naruto needs him alive to dispel Infinite Tsukuyomi, and Kishimoto will probably spare him to keep the theme of Naruto being able to change anyone. *End Spoiler*

Fairy Tail: *Spoiler* Good to see Igneel and Natsu reunite. The reunion was both touching and hilarious, as the dynamics between Igneel and Natsu are…well, hilarious. *End Spoiler* The excellently done Tartarus Arc seems to be reaching its final stages. I just hope we get to see E.N.D. before this is over. I can't wait to see who he really is, I have a pretty good idea (which I will be using until I actually see E.N.D. for real).

Anyway, nothing much will happen in this chapter. It's just another downtime chapter that will tie up a few remaining loose ends. Enjoy!

Chapter 21: Better Yourself

Chad had seen some strange things in his life. Considering that his closest friend was a Substitute Soul Reaper, that was almost a given. However, of all the strange things he had seen, nothing compared to what he was looking at right now…

Ichigo Kurosaki sat in a meditative state. Meanwhile, Chad found himself uncharacteristically confused. It is not that Ichigo was stupid, not at all. In fact, out of the Four Acts of Order, he was probably the smartest (than again, considering the lack of intelligence that Luffy and Natsu have, that's not saying much). It was just that he rarely thinks about anything. He just charges in head-on and learns as he goes along. To see Ichigo in this state was…shocking, to say the least.

Chad could not be silent any longer. "Umm, Ichigo, are you…thinking?"

Ichigo blinked in surprise and looked at Chad. "Well, yeah."

Chad paused. "Ichigo, are you sick?" He asked.

"What the hell are you implying, Chad?" Ichigo shouted in annoyance.

"I think what Chad is saying is that you're not the thinking type, Ichigo." Sakura Haruno interjected. "You're so much like Naruto and those other two Acts of Order it's almost scary."

Ichigo frowned. "Even if I ignore being compared to that ramen-loving Fishcake," Ichigo said, fondly referring to Naruto by his own special nickname, "don't compare me to Luffy and Natsu. Those guys may be my friends, but they're not exactly the brightest bulbs."

Far away, Luffy, Natsu, and Naruto sneezed…

Sakura laughed. "Don't be so mean," she chided, "I may not know Luffy and Natsu as well as I know Naruto, but I can tell that their good qualities outweigh their bad, just like Naruto."

"What are you thinking about, anyway?" Chad asked curiously.

Ichigo took a deep breath. "I'm trying to figure out a way to take down Midnight." He replied.

Chad and Sakura both took on a grim expression. "Any luck?" Sakura asked hopefully.

Ichigo shook his head. "I have never seen a power like his before," he admitted, "the power to reflect all attacks is terrifying."

"His power does what?" Sakura was shocked.

Ichigo folded his arms. "He's able to reflect any attack I fired at him, even direct attacks didn't work on him."

"Reflect?" Sakura repeated in confusion.

"Yeah, almost like some sort of barrier or something." Ichigo shrugged. "Every time I used Getsuga on him, it would just change course at the last minute. Even attacking him directly with Zangetsu didn't work. He just distorted the blades and moved them out of the way."

"How is that possible?" Chad asked in awe.

Ichigo shook his head. "I don't know," he said, "magic really is a weird thing, isn't it?"

"Maybe you should talk with a wizard here, maybe they can shed some light on your problem." Sakura suggested.

Ichigo blinked in surprise again. He then wanted to tear his own hair out. "Dammit why didn't I think of that?" He shouted.

Chad and Sakura sweat-dropped. Nice to see that even if he acts different, he's still Ichigo. Chad thought.

(With Roronoa Zoro)

Zoro looked at the shattered remains of Archenemy with curiosity. He then looked at a nearby soldier. "You," he said, "who does this belong to?"

"I don't know," the man said.

Zoro frowned. "Nobody is telling me anything I want to know…"

Zoro had been at this for awhile ever since he had found Archenemy's remains. He had been asking around to see if anyone knew who had wielded the sword because it looked so familiar to him. That, and it was a fine piece of work, whoever wielded it should have its remains.

"Does anyone know who this sword belongs to!" Zoro shouted.

"It belongs to Kagura Mikazuchi." A soft female voice said.

Zoro turned to see Millianna grimly walking towards him. "And you are?" Zoro asked.

"I am Millianna," she introduced herself, "and that sword belongs to the woman I admire the most."

"I don't know how that sword was broken," Millianna continued, "but it is, and now Kagura is broken as well."

Zoro looked grim. "That sword is everything to her," Millianna continued, "she grew with that sword every day, training with it to one day become strong enough to fulfill what had been her greatest desire at the time."

Zoro's expression saddened. He now understood why Kagura was acting the way she was. He would be behaving the same way if he lost Wado Ichimonji. That sword was everything to him, it was all he had left to remember her.

"Where is Kagura?" Zoro asked, picking up the remains.

Millianna was surprised. "She is at the medical tents, has been ever since she was taken from the battlefield."

"I'm going to see her." Zoro said, turning in a direction.

"Ah! Zoro, you're going in the wrong direction!" Millianna shouted, flailing her arms about.

Zoro looked at her in surprise. "Which direction should I go?"

"Why don't I just show you?" Millianna could already tell that this man had a horrible sense of direction.

(In the Alliance Interrogation Center)

Ibiki Morino, the Leaf Village's top interrogator, looked at Dan Katō with sadness. "I never would've imagined I'd be seeing you in this situation, Dan." Ibiki admitted. "But, you know the regulations."

Dan smiled, still heavily bound to avoid him escaping under Konton's orders. "Do what you must, Ibiki, I'll tell you everything I know without his influence acting up."

Ibiki nodded grimly and prepared to begin his interrogation. However, before he could begin, he was interrupted by a male voice. "That won't be necessary, Ibiki." He said. "Why don't you go and interrogate someone who has joined the Coalition of their own free will? I do believe that the Privaron Espada is ready."

Ibiki bowed. "Lord Chitsujo, I'm surprised to see you here."

Chitsujo smiled. "Leave us, Ibiki, I would like to analyze Dan's situation myself."

Ibiki frowned. "Forgive me for expressing my worry Sir, but what if Konton's influence over Dan worsens in your presence. From what I've heard your brother despises you."

Chitsujo sighed and nodded grimly. "I'm aware of that." He said.

Ibiki feared he had crossed the line. However, he breathed a sigh of relief when Chitsujo smiled again. "If Dan acts up because of me, I will restrain him myself. After all if he does act up because of me, that makes him my responsibility, right?"

Ibiki nodded. "You are absolutely right, my Lord, I'll leave him in your hands."

Ibiki left the room. Chitsujo turned to Dan and smiled in a very friendly manner. "You must be Dan Katō, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"If you really are Chitsujo, then the pleasure is all mine." Dan said respectfully.

Chitsujo smiled. "You doubt my identity?"

Dan shook his head. "Of course not, I'm just surprised that thee Being of Order has come to see someone as insignificant as myself."

Chitsujo was surprised by Dan's words. "My word, did my brother's control depress you as well as make you violent? Please do not act in such a way in my presence, Dan, it breaks my heart." Chitsujo said.

"After all," he continued, "with the kind of responsibility I hold, nobody is insignificant in my eyes."

Dan was amazed at how…good, Chitsujo was. Good was the only word that he could use to describe the man, and that was not even doing him justice.

"Why are you here, Lord Chitsujo?" Dan asked.

"I'm here because I want to help you, Dan." Chitsujo replied.

Dan looked at Chitsujo in surprise. "Help me?" He repeated.

Chitsujo nodded. "My brother's powers are the opposite of mine." Chitsujo explained. "If he can do something to bend you to his will, I can do something that can stop it. And if I can save you, I can save the others who are under Dan's control."

"Just say the word Dan and I will get started on my research immediately." Chitsujo continued. "Say the word and I can—no, I will make you the man you once were."

Dan could not believe what he was being offered. "But what about those I killed in the war? Some of those were your own men. Why would you want to help me?"

Chitsujo's shook his head. "Dan, if I killed someone you cared about with a sword, would you blame the sword or me?"

Dan looked at Chitsujo incredulously. "You, of course, the sword is just a weapon."

Chitsujo nodded. "Exactly, so if you killed someone I care about because you were being controlled, who would I blame?"

Dan's eyes widened. "The controller." He replied simply.

Chitsujo nodded again. "I don't blame you, Dan. I don't blame you now, and I won't blame you in the future."

Dan wanted to cry. There was one more thing he wanted to get off his chest though. "Tsunade," he choked out, "does she know I'm here?"

Chitsujo shook his head. "No," he replied, "for her sake, I'm keeping your existence hidden until I have fixed you."

"That's good," Dan said softly, "I'm happy to hear that. I don't want her to see me like this"

Dan looked at Chitsujo. "I've made my decision than," he said, "I want you to save me, Lord Chitsujo."

Chitsujo smiled. He raised his hands, which had begun to glow with golden light. "Very well, let's get started."

(At the First Division Medical Tents)

An elderly woman with gray hair dressed in a very youthful garb sighed as she looked at the mentally broken form of Kagura Mikazuchi. "Dr. Kureha," her assistant said, "are you really willing to leave things the way they are? I mean, she…"

Kureha glared at the man. "I've done all I can, young man." She told him. "Her physical wounds are healed."

"That may be the case, Ma'am, but what about her mental wounds?" The assistant asked.

Kureha gave him a hard look. "Let me tell you something," she said, "physical wounds are easy to heal, compared to mental wounds."

Kureha gave Kagura one last look. "The only way those are going to heal is if she allows them to heal. The only thing we can do is let her sort things out and make sure that she doesn't lose it."

The assistant looked ashamed of himself, questioning Kureha's expertise. "I understand, Dr. Kureha."

"Excuse me, is this where Kagura Mikazuchi is being treated?"

Kureha and the assistant looked to see Roronoa Zoro and Millianna standing at the tent's entrance. Millianna then noticed Kagura and her eyes widened. "Kagura!" She screamed in worry.

"This is the place, and that's Kagura right there." Kureha gestured to the girl with her knees to her chest.

"Mind if I talk to her?" Zoro requested. "I think I know why she lost it."

Millianna glared at Zoro. "Don't act like she's crazy!" She shouted.

Kureha face-palmed, that green-haired fool had no tact. Then again, from what she could remember, he was from Straw Hat Luffy's crew, and from what she had seen the only people who had tact were that Nami and Kureha's own student, Tony Tony Chopper.

"Do you really think you can help her?" Kureha asked.

Zoro nodded. "Well, I've already tried everything I know. I'll allow it just this once."

Kureha looked at her assistance. "Let's give the man some space, Yoshi."

"Yes, Dr. Kureha." Yoshi said obediently.

The two left the tent. Zoro looked at Millianna. "You should go too." He told her.

"What, no way! Kagura's my friend!" Millianna objected vehemently.

"Exactly," Zoro replied, "Kagura doesn't need to be coddled, she needs to understand something."

"And you're going to be the one to make her understand?" Millianna said skeptically.

"I've been through a similar situation to what I think she just went through." Zoro said. "If I'm right, I can help her."

"And if you're wrong?"

"Then I'm wrong," Zoro shrugged, "it won't make things any worse than they already are."

Millianna sighed. "Fine," she said, "but she better not be any worse than she already is."

Zoro nodded and Millianna left the tent. "Here goes nothing." Zoro muttered.

The swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates walked over to Kagura. Kagura ignored the man approaching her. Once Zoro was close enough to her, he called out to her. "Kagura," he said.

Kagura ignored him. "Kagura," he repeated, more firmly.

Kagura ignored him again. Zoro narrowed his eyes. "Kagura!" He shouted.

Third time truly is the charm. Kagura seemed to snap back into focus. She then seemed to notice Zoro for the first time. "Oh, you're Roronoa Zoro, right?" She said, seeming disinterested.

Zoro nodded. "I want to talk to you, Kagura." He said.

"Talk away." Kagura said lowly.

Zoro narrowed his eyes. "Did this breakdown of yours happen because your sword broke?" He asked.

Kagura's eyes widened in anger. "And what if it did?" She asked angrily. "I loved Archenemy! It's been with me ever since I started my training!"

"You need to calm down." Zoro said sternly.

"Don't you dare tell me to calm down!" Kagura shouted. "You have no right to tell me to calm down. You who parades around with three swords, it makes me sick! How can you possibly care about a sword when you've clearly got two good backups?"

This made Zoro want to slap the girl, but he restrained himself. However, he did give Kagura a long, burning glare that made her want to retreat into herself again. "You think I don't care about my blades?" Zoro said in anger. "Don't talk to me like you know me!"

Kagura was shocked at Zoro's outburst. "I lost one of my swords a long time ago. It was called the Yubarashi. It was a fantastic weapon, and it felt like a part of me was destroyed with it. Even replacing it with a blade just as good didn't do much!" Zoro told her sharply. "And God forbid the day should ever come when I lose my most treasured blade."

At this, Zoro pulled out the Wado Ichimonji. Kagura briefly forgot her sadness to marvel at the fine blade before her. "It's beautiful," she said softly.

Zoro nodded. "And it's all I have left to remember someone very precious to me." Zoro said. "This sword is everything to me, and I'll be damned before I ever lose it."

Zoro took a deep breath, calming himself down. "Look, Kagura, I get it. I'd be going through a similar kind of a funk too if I lost Wado Ichimonji." He admitted.

Zoro sheathed the Wado Ichimonji. "I won't deny that losing a sword is hard, it feels like losing a part of your soul, but it's still not the end."

"If it's a part of you, than how can that be?" Kagura inquired.

Zoro's response surprised her. "You've still got your pride, don't you?"

Kagura looked down. "I don't know," she admitted, "I don't know what pride is anymore. Archenemy was my pride. I put so much effort into mastering that sword, I…"

Zoro stopped her right there. "Do you know where my pride lies, Kagura?"

Kagura shook her head. Zoro gestured to his arms. "These," he said, "as long as I have these, I can still be a swordsman. And as long as I can be a swordsman, I can still protect my crew, and their dreams."

Kagura's eyes widened. "Even if it means losing your Wado Ichimonji."

Zoro nodded. "It'll be tough," he admitted, "but the minute I lose my pride…I've failed my shipmates."

Kagura was speechless. Zoro waited for her to comprehend his speech.

She then spoke up softly. "Do you think it's possible for me to change where I place my pride?" She asked.

Kagura now realized what Zoro's speech meant. It was not the end of the world, she was still a swordsman, even without Archenemy. As long as she was still a swordsman, she could still move forward.

Zoro nodded. "Of course," he replied.

"Then," Kagura began, "I want to start following your line of thinking. I want my pride to stay with me and not my blade, so I have the strength to continue to protect those precious to me."

Zoro smiled lightly. "That's good," he said.

Zoro then placed the remains of Archenemy next to her. "You know, with the pieces intact it's possible for this blade to be repaired." Zoro told her.

Kagura looked at Archenemy and then did something that surprised Zoro. She shook her head. "I don't want to have it repaired," she said, "not yet."

"Not yet?" Zoro repeated.

Kagura nodded. "These past events have made me realize I have been going in the wrong direction as a warrior. First I must make myself stronger on this new path of mine before I consider myself worthy of wielding Archenemy again."

Zoro grinned. "How do you intend to do that?" He asked.

Kagura took a deep breath. "I'm going to do something that most people would consider very foolish…and very selfish."

Kagura got out of bed and walked to the tent. However, Zoro's voice stopped her. "By the way," he said, "I carry three swords because that's how I fight. They're not backups. All of my swords are precious to me."

Kagura smiled upon hearing this. "My apologies," she said genuinely.

Kagura's smile remained. Thank you, she thought, Roronoa Zoro.

No sooner had that thought entered Kagura's mind, she collapsed to her knees, clutching her head. Kagura screamed in shock and pain. Zoro's eyes widened. "Hey, Kagura!" He shouted in worry.

"What's happening?" Kagura wondered. "Why do I feel like this?"

Zoro's eyes widened. "This looks familiar…" he muttered.

Flashback

Zoro had been sparring with his teacher, the Warlord Dracule 'Hawk-Eye' Mihawk when a similar incident happened. Zoro suddenly collapsed to the ground in, clutching his head. "What is this…" he groaned.

Mihawk frowned. "You haven't been sneaking sake, have you?"

"Of course not!" Zoro shouted. "I've been sober as a judge per your request, Hawk-Eye!"

Mihawk smirked. "Then it looks like you've awakened your Haki."

"Haki?"

Mihawk nodded. "There are two ways to awaken it," he explained, "either through intense shock, or intense training. Yours seems to have been caused by the latter. I suppose that's to be expected, considering how intensely I've been training you."

"Is this good, or bad?" Zoro inquired, not wanting a handicap for the rest of his life.

Mihawk's smirk remained. "Zoro," he said, "if you can master your Haki, depending on the type you have, you can cut enemies like Crocodile."

Zoro's eyes widened in amazement. "Are you serious?"

Mihawk nodded. "It appears I now have something else to train you in." He mused.

End Flashback

I guess the shock of losing Archenemy awoke Kagura's Haki. Zoro thought.

The Pirate Hunter was broken out of his thoughts by a dropkick to the face. Zoro grunted in pain as he flew into the bed. "What the hell did you do, you meanie?" Millianna shouted.

"I didn't do a damn thing!" Zoro shouted. "Her Haki is awakening."

Kureha looked at Kagura. "Haki?" She repeated.

Zoro nodded. "I didn't think it was possible," he said, "considering that as far as I know, only people from my world have awoken it."

Kagura managed to get to her feet. "Zoro," she said, "will this be a problem for me?"

Zoro shook his head. "Not at all," he said, "if anything you'll become a lot stronger."

Kagura nodded. "Then my path remains unchanged, I'm going to see Commander Kyōraku."

"Not in this condition you aren't!" Kureha shouted.

"Let her go, Kureha." Zoro told her. "This is for her own good."

Zoro gestured to her. "As you can see, I did manage to break her out of her funk. So there's no reason for her to stay here anymore."

Kureha looked at Zoro. "And this whole awakening-thing will pass?"

Zoro nodded. Kureha sighed. "Fine," she said, "I'll take you to see the commander."

(With Shunsui Kyōraku)

Shunsui sighed as the nurse tended to his injuries. "I heard about what you did," the nurse said, "it was very brave of you, Commander."

Shunsui smiled, his injuries forgotten. "Ooh, I've got an admirer here than. Do you admire me enough to give me a little kiss."

The nurse frowned. "No Sir."

Shunsui sighed. "Shot down again," he muttered.

Shunsui immediately brightened up. "Not to worry though," he continued, "I'll get one of you eventually."

"I'm sure you will, Commander." The nurse had gone from admiring the man to being annoyed with him.

"Commander Kyōraku?" Another female voice spoke up.

Kureha and Kagura entered the tent. "This young woman would like to speak with you." Kureha told him.

Shunsui grinned. "I knew it." He said.

"Nurse, with me," Kureha said, "let's give them some privacy."

Ooh, she's just falling into my lap, perhaps this is a reward for my selflessness! Shunsui thought pervertedly.

The nurse and Kureha left the tent. Kagura cleared her throat. However, before she could speak, Shunsui interrupted her. "There is nothing that is needed to say." Shunsui said. "I know why you are here."

"You do?" Kagura was amazed.

Shunsui nodded. "I don't blame you," he said, "I understand completely."

"Really, that's amazing, Commander."

"Of course it is," Shunsui said, "after all, women simply cannot resist my charms."

This broke Kagura out of her state of admiration. "Huh?"

"You are much younger than me, Kagura, I acknowledge that, but I'm sure we can make this work." Shunsui continued.

This made Kagura narrow her eyes in anger and disgust. The next moment, the young wizard was slapping Shunsui repeatedly. "What the hell gave you the idea I was here for that you perverted old man?" Kagura shouted, uncharacteristically angry.

Kureha listened to this happen outside of the tent. "This is going well." She muttered.

Back inside the tent, Kagura calmed down and took a deep breath. "Commander," she said, "this is a selfish request of me, but I would like to take a leave of absence from the First Division to train."

This surprised Shunsui. "A leave of absence, huh? Wow, in all my years I've never had a request like that being made."

"Please, Commander, I realize now I've been going down a bad path in my training." Kagura pleaded. "And I want to correct that path."

Shunsui sighed. "I can't do that, Kagura," he said, "you're one of our strongest soldiers."

"With all due respect Commander, I am weak!" She shouted. "I had no part in our victory today."

Shunsui watched her continue. "The way I am now, I won't be able to do much in the next battle." Kagura admitted. "That's why I'm requesting an opportunity to train and better utilize my potential."

Shunsui had to admit, she was making a good case for herself. "What's more, Sir," Kagura continued, "I've discovered that I've awoken what is known as Haki in the Pirate World."

Shunsui's eyes widened in shock. He had spoken with Shanks and Dragon about that power, and now Kagura, a wizard, has awoken it? That should not be possible.

This changes things, Shunsui thought, I'm going to have to request that Kisuke do some research on this new development as well.

Shunsui smiled at Kagura. "Okay, Kagura, I'll allow it." He said.

Kagura bowed deeply. "Thank you, Commander."

Shunsui waved his hand. "Think nothing of it," he said, "I'm doing this for selfish reasons as well. I want Kisuke Urahara to look into your awakening of Haki as well. This new development might just give us an advantage in this war."

Kagura nodded in understanding. "Now then, why don't we go find someone to transport you back to Crocus, eh?" Shunsui grinned.

(With Sanji, Chōji, and Elfman)

Sanji leaned against a tree, still shaken by recent events as Elfman and Chōji dug into their respective meals that the Straw Hat Chef had prepared. What still bothered Sanji was the part he had played in the massive brawl over the zombies civilians. There was no sugarcoating it for him, he had been the spark that had set off a powdered keg that would have done irreparable damage to the First Division's teamwork.

Elfman, being less absorbed in his meal than the Akimichi, noticed Sanji's distress first. "You're not looking very manly, Sanji, is there something wrong?" He asked.

Sanji shakily took out a cigarette, but found that he could not bring himself to light it.

Elfman raised an eyebrow at this. "Don't bother lying, Sanji, I can already tell that something's bothering you."

Sanji sighed, deciding that he could trust Elfman and Chōji with this. "How are you two still not shaken by what happened?" He asked.

Elfman and Chōji shrugged. "No point in dwelling on it." Elfman said. "Real men don't dwell."

"Yeah, what he said." Chōji added.

"I know but…" Sanji paused. "…guys, I started that whole thing when I tore through the crowd. I couldn't help it, I saw the corpse of this one girl and I just snapped."

Chōji smiled. "You know, Sanji, I think what you're forgetting is that nobody's bothered by what's happened anymore. What the Commander did really brought us back together and really put things in perspective."

Elfman nodded. "Commander Kyōraku is a real man for doing what he did."

"Nobodies mad about what happened anymore," Chōji reassured Sanji, "and they certainly aren't mad at you for starting the fight."

Sanji nodded. "I guess you're right," he muttered.

Still, Sanji thought, I don't think I can let this go until I apologize to the Commander for what I did, especially considering what he did for us…

(Alliance Intelligence Headquarters)

Kisuke Urahara and Shikaku Nara stared at each other with determination. On the side, Mavis Vermillion watched in awe while Benn Beckman looked on with indifference. Shikaku then smirked and made his move. Kisuke watched in horror as his king was suddenly trapped.

Shikaku's lazy smirked widened. "Checkmate." He said.

Kisuke groaned and fell backwards, visibly upset that Shikaku had beaten him in Shōgi. Mavis pouted, upset at Kisuke's loss. "Kisuke!" She upset at his loss. "You said you had this in the bag! I picked you to win this because I believed in you!"

"I did have it in the bag!" Kisuke moaned. "You hustled me, Shikaku!"

Shikaku frowned. "That would imply that I said I wasn't good at Shōgi. I never said I was good or bad at it. You just challenged me to a game after I mentioned how I play it. Don't be such a sore loser, Kisuke, it's a real drag."

"But it's just not fair!" Kisuke whined.

"Aww, Kisuke I hate being wrong. Why did you have to make me wrong?" Mavis whined.

A vein on Beckman's forehead twitched. They are lucky they're so smart, otherwise I wouldn't put up with them. He thought.

"Commander Urahara?"

Kisuke looked up to see a Squad 12 Soul Reaper walking towards him. "Yeah?"

"I have a message for you from Commander Kyōraku." The Squad 12 Soul Reaper told him.

"Okay, give it to me." He said.

Kisuke took the message from the Soul Reaper and read it. Mavis leaned in. "What's it say? What's it say?" She asked curiously and excitedly.

"It seems that Shunsui has found something rather interesting." Kisuke noted.

Kisuke turned his attention to Beckman. "Hey, Beckman, about that Haki thing you guys have."

Beckman looked at Kisuke. "Yeah, what about it?" He inquired.

"It looks like a wizard has awakened it." Kisuke told him.

This got Beckman's attention. "Someone outside our world has awoken it? That's impossible."

"Apparently not," Kisuke said, "apparently the extreme shock this girl went through has awoken hers."

"Surely that's not the entire message." Shikaku noted. "Shunsui wouldn't waste our time with something like this."

"On the contrary, he wants me to study this phenomenon." Kisuke grinned. "But there's something else he's also requesting."

"Oh?" Beckman was interested again.

"He wants to send Ms. Kagura Mikazuchi to Crocus to control and use her Haki."

This surprised Mavis. "Kagura Mikazuchi? She's the one who awakened her Haki?"

Kisuke nodded. The gears in Mavis' head went to work. "We should encourage Lord Chitsujo to approve this request, not just to study Kagura, but I think we have potential to create an even stronger soldier." Mavis said.

"And how are we going to do that?" Shikaku was curious.

"Beckman," Mavis said, "who is the strongest Haki user in your world?"

"Definitely Shanks," Beckman said, "but he can't teach to save his life. The guy who taught him though, Silvers Rayleigh, the First Mate of thee Roger Pirates, he's just as good."

"That's our teacher." Mavis said.

"You've got more than that in mind, right?" Kisuke inquired with a knowing grin.

Mavis grinned back. "Considering Kagura's unique talents with a sword, I'm going to do one better for her. Contact Mifune, I think he'd love the chance to teach this girl."

"You sound certain of this." Beckman noted.

Mavis' grin widened. "He won't say no, especially when he sees Kagura's skills. Kagura may be a prodigy, but even prodigies can be improved."

Kisuke chuckled. "All right than. I'll go see if Chitsujo will approve the request. After that, let's get Ms. Mikazuchi down here. I myself am curious about this phenomenon."

A.N: Yep, Kagura's going to be getting a few power-ups. Expect this to happen to quite a few different characters, important or unimportant. Don't worry, Kisuke will explain this strange phenomenon when he figures it out, I of course already know what it is, but I'd rather save that surprise for when Kisuke explains it. Feel free to take a guess though, I'll point it out in the chapter Kisuke explains the phenomenon if you manage to get it right. Winners get bragging rights, so guess away.

As for the reviews requesting certain fights, I will neither confirm nor deny that these fights will happen. I do appreciate that the story has gotten popular to the point where people are actually requesting fights. It makes me happy to see that people like this story to the point where they want to have their own input.

Now, as for humbertorojo96, I will confirm that there will be pairings in this story. I will simply be keeping them a secret to surprise people. Ichigo, along with Luffy, Naruto, and Natsu, will find love in this story.

Onto the questions

Humbertorojo96, most of the redeemed villains are under Konton's influence. I'll leave it at that to avoid revealing too much.

, hard to say when Hollow Ichigo will make an appearance, if he even does make an appearance, considering that now he's technically Zangetsu and not Hollow Ichigo.

As for the guest with the excellent question concerning Haki and how it compares to the sources of energy for wizards, soul reapers, and ninja, here's all I have to say about that. Even if Haki is the only weakness of a Logia type Devil Fruit user, there's only one type of Haki that actually works against them, Armament Haki. Therefore, it stands to reason that not all forms of attacks from ninja, wizards, and soul reapers won't work on Logia users either. That being said, ninjas, soul reapers, and wizards will find their own unique ways to strike Logia users. All I have to say about that is just wait and see.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as usual. Keep your eyes peeled for the next chapter. And to all my Infinito Espada fans, the reason I have not updated Endgame in awhile is that I simply have more inspiration coming my way for this story than Endgame. I am working on the next chapter for Endgame, it's just taking a bit longer than I expected.

Until next time, folks. Peace out!