Downtown, Chad, Tatsuki, Ikkaku, and Yumichika had sensed the massive spike in spiritual pressure and were running towards where they had seen the Garganta appear. Ikkaku and Yumichika had both shed their Gigais. Without warning they saw a few figures appear before them in the intersection. It was Abura and Yuukaku. Yuukaku had pulled the black mask over his nose. Abura had a meek looking young man with him, or at least at first glance it was a man. He was rather small and frail looking with long and scraggly pink hair with bangs that dangled down over his eyes, but clearly showing the violet blue eyes underneath. He was wearing a bulky white robe and black socks with sandals. Dangling from around his neck was a dagger attached to a small chain necklace.
"Well-well-well, it looks like we've got ourselves a couple of pathetic little punks. But wait, aren't you two from Squad Eleven?" Abura asked as Ikkaku grinned.
"We're what you might call an insurance policy." Ikkaku said as he drew his Zanpakuto.
"You're nothing compared to us." Yuukaku said calmly.
"Hey we're stronger than we look moron!" Tatsuki yelled, taking all three of them by surprise.
"Apparently she is able to see and hear us. Judging by the spiritual pressure of the tall one, he can as well." Yuukaku said as Abura snarled.
"Then we'll have to deal with them later. Kamoku, come and deal with these humans." Abura said as the small boy approached and grasped the dagger around his neck.
"Speak softly, Mokutou." Kamoku said with a soft feminine voice as the dagger around his/her neck glowed and the chain shattered. The dagger became a blank silver metal rod. The rod glowed purple for a moment before Kamoku raised his/her rod at the two humans. Without thinking, Chad's arm became covered in the black with red striped armor.
"El Directo!" Chad shouted as he threw a punch straight at the young boy/girl. Kamoku was sent flying into a nearby wall by a large ball of blue spirit energy, much to Abura's surprise.
"You two have strange spiritual powers." Yuukaku said as he drew his sword and adopted a fighting stance.
"Hey slick, if you want to see what we can do, then let's you and me fight, one on one, no swords or Kido. Only hand to hand." Tatsuki said as Yuukaku mulled the challenge over for a moment before finally sheathing his Zanpakuto.
"Very well, but be forewarned that you are facing the new Segunda Espada." Yuukaku said as Tatsuki smirked.
"Well lucky for me it's an even match, 'cause you're going to be facing the second strongest girl in Japan." Tatsuki said as she ignited into blue flames for a moment, letting her spiritual pressure harden around her like an Arrancar's Hierro. The two bowed before sidestepping off to the side, away from the other two.
"Hey while you're dealing with him, I guess it's me against the old fart." Ikkaku said with a grin. Without warning a strange blast of bright purple energy hit him. Surprisingly Ikkaku looked unharmed.
"What the hell?" Ikkaku asked confused as he looked around. He then looked up and saw something he didn't expect. Kamoku was approaching from the rubble covered wall, bleeding slightly from his/her forehead but what surprised all four of them even more was that instead of the dagger or rod, Mokutou had been replaced with…
"Hozukimaru?! How?!" Ikkaku asked in shock as Kamoku raised the sealed Zanpakuto.
"Extend, Hozukimaru." Kamoku said meekly as the Zanpakuto became the long segmented naginata. Ikkaku and Yumichika watched in surprise as Kamoku flash stepped away towards another nearby intersection.
"You like what the kid can do? Mokutou steals the Shikai of a Zanpakuto, allowing Kamoku to use it against its wielder." Abura smirked.
"Damn it! I'll get Hozukimaru back, even if I have to kill that kid!" Ikkaku yelled.
"Then go. I can handle him." Chad said as he flexed his arm.
"Heh, I know what you can do Sado. Good luck, you might need it." Ikkaku said as he and Yumichika raced off after Kamoku.
"You? You're nothing but a little fly. You cannot hope to stand up to the likes of me! I'm the Quatro Espada!" Abura declared proudly. He was surprised however when a fist full of blue spirit energy nearly impacted against him, had he not thought to dodge. Abura quickly drew his Zanpakuto in response.
"Oh so we're going to be that way eh? Fine then! Expand! Meiunmaru!" Abura shouted as his Zanpakuto morphed into the large sledge hammer form of its Shikai.
Meanwhile…
Orihime, Nel, Halibel, Rangiku, and all three of Halibel's Fraccion were racing towards where the Garganta had appeared. Each of their respective Gigai had been removed and left in the hands of Rangiku's mod soul possessed Gigai. Rangiku then saw something nearby that made her skid to a halt. The others skid to a halt as well.
"What is it Lieutenant Matsumoto?" Halibel asked as Rangiku put a hand on Haineko's hilt.
"I think I saw something." Rangiku said before turning back towards the rest of the group. They were all surprised when a sword blade suddenly shot past them and skewered Halibel on the right side of her stomach before retracting again. Rangiku spun around to see a fleeting figure disappear towards an alleyway but Rangiku gave chase.
"LADY HALIBEL!!!" her Fraccion exclaimed as Nel quickly drew her Zanpakuto and spun around in time to block a blow from behind by a towering figure with a halberd in hand.
"My, aren't you quick for a Soul Reaper." Kiza said with a grin. Nel quickly kicked him away into and through a nearby building before turning back to the three Fraccion.
"Apache, Mila-Rose, Sun-Sun, take your mistress to the Kurosaki Clinic as fast as you can. It is much closer than the warehouse and former Captain Kurosaki and Hanataro will be able to treat her wounds. Stay with her and protect the clinic at all costs." Nel ordered as the three Fraccion nodded in unison with their mistress unconscious in their arms before using Sonido to disappear with Halibel along with them.
"What can I do?" Orihime asked as Nel turned to her.
"Go find Yuzu. Your combined healing abilities will help us treat any wounded more easily. Go! RUN!!!" Nel yelled before she quickly Sonido'd between Orihime and Kiza as he attempted another surprise attack. Orihime quickly started running, searching for Yuzu's spirit energy. In the meantime, Nel glared at Kiza before kicking him away again, however this time he only skidded on his feet a short distance.
"You're a pretty strong little girl, you know that?" Kiza asked.
"You are wrong." Nel replied softly. Kiza was confused but he didn't care. Instead he raised his Zanpakuto again.
"It doesn't matter Soul Reaper, I'M GOING TO END YOU ANYWAY!!!" Kiza shouted excitedly as he brought down his Zanpakuto, resulting in a cloud of smoke and dust.
Elsewhere…
Renji and Momo had both seen the Garganta and were flash stepping as fast as they could towards where it was. As they did however they suddenly had to dodge a fireball and large ball of water, both shaped like giant skulls from below. They looked down in time to see Ni and Aoi flying towards them with their Zanpakuto's drawn and in Shikai. Renji and Momo both drew their Zanpakuto in time to block the blows.
"Well-well, look what we have here brother. A pair of Lieutenants." Aoi said as Ni grinned.
"Heh, they don't look so tough." Ni replied. Renji and Momo both scowled and flash stepped back a bit, facing their opponents in midair.
"You guys again?!" Renji asked angrily.
"Who did you expect? The tooth fairy?" Ni asked flippantly.
"Ugh. Come on Momo, these two are pathetic weaklings." Renji said, before having to dodge a sudden flurry of flaming skulls.
"OH YEAH?! WELL TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE!!!" Ni shouted as he continued to fling fiery skulls at the Sixth Division Lieutenant, who had been caught completely off guard by the sudden attack.
"RENJI!" Momo shouted before turning back to deflect a skull of water.
"You know, it would be easier if you just went ahead and died." Aoi said with a smirk.
"I think not! Snap! Tobiume!" Momo shouted as her Zanpakuto entered its Shikai. She then heard…
"Roar! Zabimaru!"
She and Aoi turned in time to see Ni getting shoved away while blocking the ever extending form of Zabimaru.
"Well now, things might be a bit exciting AFTER ALL!!!" Aoi said excitedly as he and Momo's swords clashed.
Near a clothing store downtown…
Uryu and Nemu both were racing towards the sight of the Garganta when suddenly a flurry of blue and red squared bolts of energy crashed into the ground in front of them. They both looked up and saw Ungaii with two women standing on either side of her, standing in midair. One woman had long blond hair that went down to her waist in a long ponytail and wearing clothes very similar to the former Sexta Espada, Luppi, only with a definitely noticeable bust and her Zanpakuto on her back. The other woman had red hair and was wearing some rather skimpy clothes. Her attire was similar to Lilynette's except instead of the open vest, there was a simple white tube top like Ungaii's and her Zanpakuto was in its sheath on her right calf.
"Looky here ladies, we've got ourselves a Soul Reaper. And it's none other than my old Lieutenant. Nemu Kurotsuchi." Ungaii said as the blond sighed with a bored tone.
"But why can't it be some cute guy?" the blond whined, causing the redhead to groan.
"Senjo you're an idiot you know that right?" the redhead asked, receiving a dark glare from the blond. The blond smirked however.
"Why sister you offend me. I never realized that such a skank could be so mean." Senjo replied in a mocking tone.
"Shut up Senjo!" the redhead growled.
"Sennyo, Senjo! Both of you can cram the chatter! Sadly, from the looks of things I won't be able to cut loose, but you two girls feel free to play with that Lieutenant there. I'll just stand back and watch." Ungaii said as both of the women glared at her.
"Like hell Ungaii! You may have been born first but that doesn't mean you're the boss of us!" Sennyo (the redhead) yelled before getting backhanded by Ungaii.
"Oh yeah?! Well what do you suppose this means?!" Ungaii asked angrily as she raised her left fist which showed a black number six tattooed on the back.
"That was a stupid move Sennyo. I knew not to mess with the older sister from experience." Senjo said smugly before getting backhanded herself.
"Both of you! SHUT UP AND ATTACK THE SOUL REAPER!!!" Ungaii ordered as both women glared down at Nemu and charged towards her with their swords drawn. None of them were expecting a sudden flurry of blue arrows to fly up at them from below. The two women narrowly dodged the attack, reappearing in midair and looking very surprised.
"You made a critical error when you targeted just her instead the two of us. I'm just as strong as she is." Uryu said as he held his bow in his left hand.
"My, isn't he full of himself." Senjo said with a smirk.
"Shut up. He nearly killed us, sister." Sennyo said as Ungaii's visible eye narrowed.
"And who might you be Soul Reaper?" Ungaii asked as Uryu pushed up his glasses.
"I am Uryu Ishida, and I am not a Soul Reaper, I am a Quincy." Uryu explained as Ungaii grinned.
"Ah so you're the one my former Captain was so impressed with. He's got a bit of a soft spot for you ya know. However I've got my eye on you for a different reason. I hear you almost defeated my former Captain upon your first meeting. If that's true then I wouldn't mind seeing what you're made of. Stand aside ladies, the nerdy Quincy boy is mine." Ungaii said as she drew her Zanpakuto.
"What about the Lieutenant?" Sennyo asked as Ungaii shrugged.
"Kill her. I don't care how." Ungaii said casually as her two Fraccion grinned and started charging towards Nemu who raised her arms straight out and curved upwards at ninety degree angles. Her arms then started spinning like drills which she used to effortlessly block the two Zanpakuto's of the two women.
At the Soccer Field…
The entire group was about to start moving towards the Garganta when they suddenly heard…
"Hado four! Byakurai!"
Instantly a bolt of lightning hit the ground near where Karin was standing. They looked up and saw Angela along with Shuyou and another man standing above them in midair. The other man looked somewhat dignified with his white hair combed back and slicked down and he wore a long white lab coat, buttoned up all the way and with a pair of white pants visible from underneath.
"Hyah Karin. It's been a while hasn't it?" Angela said with a smirk as Karin scowled. She, Toshiro, and Yuzu each popped a Soul Candy in their mouths while the four Arrancar simply stared up at them in silent distain.
"Well this is a surprise. Captain Hitsugaya, what brings you here?" Angela asked as Toshiro reached for Hyorinmaru and drew it from its sheath.
"I'm here on orders of General Yamamoto. I am also filling in for Karin since she is currently not fit for combat." Toshiro said as Karin groaned.
"Why did ya have to put it like that Toshiro?" Karin mumbled as Angela shrugged.
"Whatever, my fight's with her, not you. Shuyou, heal her." Angela ordered as Shuyou gave her a curious glance.
"You want me to heal her? What for? She's an easy target. Deal with Hitsugaya first and she'll fall quickly." Shuyou said before receiving a death glare from the new Quinto Espada.
"I gave you an order Fushimatsu. Last time I checked, I was the Quinto and you were the Septima." Angela said as Shuyou gave a tired groan.
"Lord Aizen said the only one who is superior to an Espada other than himself or his fellow Captains was the Lieutenant. You technically have no control over me or my Fraccion either." Shuyou replied as Angela growled and glared back down at Toshiro and Karin.
"Fine then, looks like it's you and me frosty!" Angela said as she flash stepped to the ground with her Zanpakuto drawn. In the meantime Shuyou looked down at Yuzu and sighed.
"She's nothing more than a child. Fuseikoui, deal with her if you will." Shuyou ordered as the man next to him nodded silently before flash stepping down to the ground and drawing his Zanpakuto. Yuzu stepped back a bit with Hitoku Kasumi in hand.
"I am Fuseikoui. I shall be performing your autopsy." The man said calmly with a dignified tone. Yuzu stood firm regardless. She didn't want to fight him but she had no choice.
"Hey Yuzu, I know ya don't like fighting, so why not let us give it a shot." Lilynette said as Loly and Menoly both nodded with determined smirks. Yuzu gave them a small smile.
"Okay then, I'll just hang back to treat your wounds if necessary." Yuzu said as the three Arrancar turned towards the Septima Fraccion.
"What do you three think you are doing?" Fuseikoui asked curiously.
"We're not exactly normal humans. Heck we're not even human for that matter." Lilynette said as she and the other two started putting a fingerless white glove on their right hands with the skull insignia on the palm.
"Yeah we're what you might call…" Menoly said as she and the other two face palmed, shedding their Gigai and revealing their Arrancar forms.
"…Arrancar." They said in unison. Stark watched the three with a small smirk on his face as he hung back with Karin, Yuzu, Jinta, and Uluru. He knew Lilynette and the two Numeros could handle the Fraccion. He then noticed Shuyou still standing in the air.
"He's the new Septima Espada eh? Well if the Fraccion goes down then there'll be nothing to stop him from attacking Lilynette, Loly, and Menoly. I might as well deal with him." Stark said mentally before he started walking away towards the nearby street. As he had hoped, Shuyou's gaze shifted to him with curiosity. Stark paused and looked up at him, acknowledging that he was aware of his presence. Shuyou's interest was immediately piqued.
"Who are you? Another Soul Reaper or are you an Arrancar like the other three?" Shuyou asked as Stark reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out a small silver box with decorative designs on the cover. He opened it up, revealing the skull insignia printed on the inside. He simply touched the insignia and instantly shed his Gigai. Shuyou was rather surprised.
"I am an Arrancar like you suspected, but unlike those three, I'm neither Numeros nor Fraccion. I am an Espada." Stark said as Shuyou arched a curious eyebrow.
"Oh, and which number were you then?" Shuyou asked as he drew his Zanpakuto. Stark merely sighed and pulled off the glove on his right hand, revealing the number one tattoo on the back of his hand, causing Shuyou's eyes to widen in surprise.
"I am the Primera Espada." Stark said as he Sonido'd up to Shuyou's level.
In another part of town…
Midoriiro was grumbling as he followed Hotokegi and Wonderweiss through the town.
"Where the hell are we going?" Midoriiro asked.
"I am following Lord Aizen's instructions. He told me to try and find some kind of store." Hotokegi said as Midoriiro groaned.
"A store?! What is he out of bleach for our uniforms or something?!" Midoriiro asked in an annoyed tone.
"I am only following Lord Aizen's orders." Hotokegi replied before stopping, causing Midoriiro to crash into her from behind.
"Ugh, what is it now?!" Midoriiro asked before leaning over and seeing what it was. Standing in the intersection was a man in green clothes with a green and white striped hat on his head and wooden clogs on his feet. Standing next to him was a dark skinned woman with purple hair an orange shirt and black pants.
"As much as I would enjoy serving a trio of customers about now, I would like to go on record as saying that the Urahara Shop reserves the right to refuse service to any human, Soul Reaper, and slash or Arrancar who plot to overthrow the Soul Society. I'm afraid that this means the three of you." Kisuke said cheerfully.
"Get out of the way you crazy old fool!" Midoriiro yelled as Kisuke smiled even wider.
"My-my, we've got a bit of a temper don't we? Well no matter, it'll all be over soon." Kisuke said as Wonderweiss let out a threatening sounding slur.
"Oh don't you worry little guy, we've brought along someone for you to play with, in fact I think you're even old friends. Here's a hint, he's got blue hair, he's rather catlike, and of course he has no sense of humor." Kisuke said as Grimmjow appeared in a Sonido with a scowl on his face.
"You sent some kind of "Dying message bomb" through my window telling me to come here you moron!" Grimmjow yelled as Kisuke popped open his fan, over his face.
"Kisuke, the dying message bomb? I thought you had run out of those." Yoruichi said with an amused smile as Kisuke smirked from behind his fan.
"Oh I've got plenty of where those came from. But in the meantime let's give our friends an appropriate aloha." Kisuke said as his voice turned serious and he pocketed his fan and raised his cane.
"Awaken, Benihime." Kisuke said, as his cane transformed into the form of his Zanpakuto's Shikai.
"So, Yoruichi, you take the woman, I'll take the guy and Grimmjow takes the small fry." Kisuke said as Yoruichi smirked and dropped into a fighting stance.
"That's correct." Yoruichi said.
"Yeah, I've been waiting a long time to get rid of you!" Grimmjow said glaring at Wonderweiss as he drew his Zanpakuto.
Meanwhile…
Rangiku was following a spiritual pressure that seemed familiar to her. She continued running after it until she saw a brief flash of white clothes and black tabi socks disappear in a flash step. Rangiku then sensed the same spiritual pressure coming from the center of a nearby park. The same park where Ulquiorra and Yammy had first attacked last year and left a massive crater in the ground. Rangiku flash stepped into the park and looked around carefully. She didn't see anyone until she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She turned and sitting, plain as day, out in the open, was none other than Gin Ichimaru. Rangiku froze the second she saw him.
"Hey there Rangiku. It's been a while hasn't it?" Gin asked as he reclined on the park bench. Rangiku quickly reached for her Zanpakuto and drew it from its sheath.
"Aww do we really have to fight Rangiku?" Gin asked as he whipped out a bottle of sake from under his sleeve. Rangiku looked unfazed.
"(Sigh) You really want to do this?" Gin asked disappointedly as he gently placed the bottle down on the bench and stood up.
"Come on Rangiku? Can't we just talk for once like we used to do?" Gin asked as Rangiku narrowed her eyes at him and kept Haineko primed.
"Well…Can't say that I didn't try to be civil." Gin said as he drew Shinso from its sheath.
"If you wish to fight me then you're going to have to make the first move." Gin said as Rangiku remained silent. She didn't know what to do. She didn't want to talk at all but she didn't want to fight him either. He had broken her heart yet she still had a soft spot for him.
"Damn it Rangiku get a hold of yourself. You can't let him intimidate you." Rangiku said mentally.
"I don't think he's intimidating you. He seems genuine to me." Haineko whispered in her mind.
"But what if it's all a trick? What if he's playing me?" Rangiku asked mentally.
"If he is, then we'll make him pay for it." Haineko replied before Rangiku took a deep breath. She knew what she was going to do.
End Chapter 35.