From Within

This chapter contains spoilers for those who only watch the anime and do not read the manga. You have been warned.

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"I must admit, I did not expect this."

"What were you expecting then?"

"Something… sleeker? More subtle? Smaller? Something more akin to your shikai form, Suzumebachi?"

"You must understand. Where did I come from?"

"From within me."

"Why did I take on such a shikai form? What was your heart focused on in those years, Soifon?"

"To make it to the Onmitsukido. To uphold my family's honour. To serve in the keigun."

"And what about the keigun?"

"We are assassins. You are born of those desires within me, those dreams that became me."

"That is my shikai form – the ultimate assassination weapon, as your Yoruichi-sama used to say."

"Do not say that name in front of me. She is no longer relevant."

"You know that is not true, Soifon. I say it because it is still in your heart. It is still part of me."

"I do not understand, Suzumebachi."

"What consumes your heart now?"

"Anger. Revenge. Rage. Against her."

"Anger. Revenge. Rage. Spilling forth like tidal waves on oceans, vast pits of all-consuming darkness, wildfires that rage. Uncontrollable, massive, overwhelming. Explosive, like volcanic mountains. Everywhere, all-consuming, destroying everything in its path. Now, do you understand why I have taken this form in bankai?"

Soifon laughed a hollow, bitter laugh.

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The missile sped towards Baraggan and exploded in a massive burst, overwhelming everything within its destructive radius. Soifon was flung back, but this time, the ginjohan ripped, unable to withstand the sheer power of her bankai release.

Did… did I get him?

She slammed into something soft, which broke the force of the recoil. She was exhausted, and would have fallen to the ground if not for two arms holding onto her tightly.

"Taichou! You did it!"

She looked on the cloud of ashes that her bankai had thrown up. Beads of sweat trailed down her face. It was sheer effort just to stay upright, let alone speak. "L… let go of me. You repulse me."

Omaeda managed a small smile. Taichou is all right.