Chapter 1: Epiphany
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its relating material. All rights go to Tite Kubo and other official holders.
Hueco Mundo – Las Noches
Walking briskly through a dark hallway that blocked out the artificial sunlight within Las Noches, a dark-skinned man gripped his zanpakuto tightly in his left hand. Boots clapping against the hard marble floors, his goggles saw everything and nothing within its sightless gaze. Nothing constituted before him, just an endless sea of darkness that only took shape when he touched it.
To the powerful warrior, the air within this palace was still, temperature artificially lowered to allow one to see their own breath if they could. It was deathly silent, unable to even hear hollow crickets chirping beyond the white walls of the palace of sovereigns. Various scents could be detected, intermixed with perfume, cologne, sweat, and even blood from brutal training sessions. It disgusted the ex-captain since there always something foul in this world, no matter how hard he tries to clean it.
Coming to a great clearing, a massive door stood before him. Sensing a mighty power from within, the blind swordsman pushed it open. It creaked loudly, feeling the insulated air impacting against his body.
"I have been expecting you, Kaname Tosen."
Before Tosen was a mighty throne that was suspended in the air, accessible only by several dozen steps of stairs. In the seat of it was no other than Sosuke Aizen, wearing regal arrancar-esque clothing over his basic shinigami outfit. He was smiling, head resting on a raised fist like ancient Greek sculptures are portrayed.
When the doors magically closed behind Tosen, the ex-captain took a knee before his superior.
"I came as soon as I could my lord. Apologies in advance for my tardiness, but there was a disturbance I had to take care of."
"I am aware. Four arrancars tried to make a coup with the power we gave them, so you eradicated them for Las Noches benefit. I must thank you."
"I am honored sire."
"Arise to your feet Tosen. No need to be in that position anymore."
"Yes sir."
Seeing Tosen stand up, Aizen observed his figure in full. Uniquely he still wore his original clothing, minus the haori he discarded after battling Kenpachi Zaraki. Unlike himself or Gin, Tosen retained most of his attire intact, not adding or discarding pieces to reflect their new positions as arrancar leaders. It consisted of his shinigami garb, goggles, scarf, fingerless gloves, and even his iconic boots. Only difference is the lack of bandages covering his wounds from fighting Kenpachi.
"Do you know why I called you in today?"
"No sir."
"Hmm, I see. You know Tosen, you are very dear to me. I've known you for hundreds of years and you're my first true follower. I still remember the day we have met. I helped you get admitted into the academy and taught you everything I knew. I would even say you're a friend of mine."
Aizen then stood up, slowly walking down his stairs and making his feet create audible echoes.
"But why are you still wearing that set of clothing? Among me and Gin, you hate the shinigami the most, yet you're still representing that outfit like your proud of it. I must know your reasoning for it."
"It simple my Lord." Stated Tosen, making himself look stronger by straightening his posture.
Aizen, having reached the last step, stopped when Tosen spoke.
"And what is it?"
"Even though I am blind, I can still perceive the world around me using my other senses. I lack the gift to use a mirror properly, but my sense of touch is far more sensitive than most I like to imagine. So, whenever I put on this uniform, I can always feel my hatred running through my skin, and this empowers me in my pursuit of vengeance."
"I see now. It like your form of a tattoo that you like to view upon to remember a distinct memory or emotion. That makes plenty of sense."
"You still want me to discard it?"
"Well, you could still wear it if you prefer. You are my left-hand man, a commander of my entire army that higher than my own Espada. You have my blessings to still adorn that, but I would prefer if you wore the clothing our subordinates adorn just to maintain status quo."
"I see. I will change from this to make that into a reality."
"Before you do, do you still have that prescribed on your body?"
Tosen touched his chest, making Aizen narrow his eyes at that specific location.
"Yes, my lord."
"Show me."
Without hesitation, Tosen lowered his shihakushō shirt to reveal his upper chest. Quickly a Gentei Reīn in the form of a white poppy flower materialized, glowing over his heart.
Aizen smirked, putting his hands behind his back.
"I am glad I placed that seal over your heart before the Ryoka invasion took place. That was specially made that it seals only fifty percent of your overall power and can only be removed by the one whom placed it; me. And it stays active no matter what dimension you go to. An ingenious bakudo spell if I say so myself."
Tosen remained quiet, remembering when the seal was placed on him before he, Aizen, and Gin slaughtered Central 46. Thanks to him usually lowering his overall reiatsu output, nobody could tell he ultimately got weaker when placed. This enabled him to keep his true power at bay when fighting against Kenpachi Zaraki. Or making his shikai not putting Uryu Ishida in a permanent coma.
"Is it time for this to be removed?"
"It is. Are you ready?"
Without skipping a beat, Tosen took off his entire shirt and threw it to the ground, exposing his highly refined muscles. He spread his arms to the side like an eagle about to take flight.
"I am."
Smiling, Aizen made one index finger point at Tosen. The tip glowed blue.
"Gentei Kaijo."
The symbol over Tosen's heart glowed an ethereal blue before it dissipated, making an explosive geyser of power to consume Tosen. Reaching the ceiling, the strap that made Tosen's braids maintain a ponytail style snapped, allowing each lock to fall over his shoulders. The discarded shirt caught on fire from Tosen's immense power, becoming burnt scraps of cotton from the sheer proximity.
Feeling reborn, Tosen unsheathed his zanpakuto and swung, dissipating his own column of power from around him. Quickly the palace throne became still, slightly shaken up from Tosen's true ascension. In one solid motion, Tosen sheathed his zanpakuto once again by his hip.
Lowering his finger, Aizen folded his arms like a proud father does at his accomplished son.
"Well done Tosen. If you fought Kenpachi Zaraki at this level, you would have surely pushed him much harder than what you did. And that not including your other gift I given you beforehand as well."
Looking at his hands before cracking his neck, Tosen stared an Aizen's general direction.
"I have yet to complete it my Lord. Me, Suzumushi, and him are still not fully synced up yet. Do you want me to show you my progress however?"
"Yes."
"As you wish."
Placing one hand to his face, a plum of pink reiatsu covered it before he swiped his hand down. A plain hollow mask covered his face that had no distinctive features besides a demonic mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. Tosen's power level skyrocketed, consisting of a dual source of shinigami and hollow energies. Aizen loved what he was seeing, knowing his confidant was leagues apart from most in this state. The reiatsu Tosen was emitting got his blood pumping a bit just from sheer proximity.
After over a century of hollow research, Tosen was the first successful experiment that lacked any symptoms of aggression, inner hollow takeover, or soul suicide from his incomplete Hogyoku induced metamorphosis. This occurred twenty years ago after Isshin Shiba deserted his captain post. But Tosen was never able to truly perfect it, yet Aizen plans to merge Urahara's Hogyoku with his own and try to complete Tosen's evolution. He will surpass the visoreds that consisted of Shinji Hirako's group and even Ichigo Kurosaki himself.
Perhaps even attain Resurreccion.
Using the same hand to disengage hollowfication, Tosen stood before Aizen in silence. He felt amazing, knowing he has the power to best anyone that may stand before him and his ideals.
Unfolding his arms, Aizen's entire right-hand glowed green before snapping his fingers. Using a kido spell of his creation, energy dust surrounded Tosen before new clothing overtaken him. Now wearing clothing that was fitting for an arrancar, only his boots remained unchanged. The googles became a band-like visor that circled around his dead eyes from ear to ear. His hakama remained, but a white jacket materialized over it as his black gloves extended almost as far where his elbows rested. Uniquely his scarf became a neck tie like accessory that wrapped around his upper chest three times. Overall, he looked more fearsome than what he did beforehand. A appearance fitting for a commander of the hollow army.
Tosen surveyed his new look by tracing his fingers over the clothing, liking what he felt. Swiping a hand over his hair to have all of his dreadlocks fall to the back of his scalp so no bangs will grace his forehead, Tosen loved what Aizen done and welcomed it. Aizen silently used shunpo to appear back on his throne, sitting down like he never moved to begin with.
"I believe you have much to look forward to Tosen. Your rise on the pecking order is only just beginning. Never forget that you have my support and blessings, old friend."
Tosen made a stomach bow before straightening himself.
"Thank you, my majesty. I will not fail you."
"Before I send you off, I have an assignment for you. Szayelaporro Granz has detected a very powerful hollow signature deep within the Forest of Menos. It is confirmed to be vasto lorde class, and we will need it power for our future endeavors. I am sending you and two powerful arrancars to capture it. Mission will begin in one hour. Are you okay with these terms?"
"I am."
Aizen smirked, pleased with the faithfulness Tosen always exhibits.
"Very good. Go to the front gate of Las Noches and prepare to dock out in one hour. You are dismissed."
Making a quick head bow, Tosen used shunpo to leave the throne room. His audience with his leader was officially over and now has a new goal to accomplished. And with his true power now back to the surface, he couldn't wait to test it out.
One Hour Later
Flexing his muscles in a subtle manner, Tosen was surrounded by numerous Gillians and hollow dogs that were protecting the massive front gate of Las Noches on the North Side. Several arrancars of Numeros level were on standby, having authority to direct the hollows to their whims.
But all were fodder before Tosen, knowing that each one could sense his incredible change. He was stronger, wearing different clothing, and appeared more menacing. None could put their word on it.
Looking to his left, Tosen made a ghost smile before addressing his two cohorts on the mission.
"I see. Master Aizen made a wise decision to bring you here with me, Septima Espada, Zommari Rureaux. And former Septima Espada and current Ciento Siete Privaron Espada, Gantenbainne Mosqueda."
The two dark-skinned arrancars stopped and bowed their heads before Tosen, having the utmost respect for their commander.
"We wouldn't miss this for anything Commander." Said Gantenbainne, lifting his head to meet the blind gaze of Tosen.
"Likewise." Said Zommari, too lifting his head and allowing his deep yellow eyes to fall on Tosen. The ex-captain had some interesting talks with the Septima Espada, learning that many centuries ago he was a powerful witch doctor who performed countless miracles in the African countries of Uganda and Nigeria. He had the supposed ability to manipulate the souls of objects and could ride on green energy, something Tosen finds impossible for a normal man to do. But after being executed from accusations of cannibalizing on albino's during his Earthly years, he eventually he became an adjuchas class menos before becoming an arrancar of Espada might. His power was necessary for the greatness of Lord Aizen and his endeavors.
Erasing his barely visible smile, Tosen addressed his two soldiers.
"I am glad to here that. Let move out men. We have a soul to capture."
"Yes sire."
Tosen waved his hand, telling the lesser hollows to move out the way as the Numeros arrancars lifted the gate. Exiting with his two comrades, Tosen along with Zommari and Gantenbainne were enveloped in a golden light underneath the sand. It was the power of negacion, working in reverse to bring the three warriors underneath Hueco Mundo's immense sand. It was faster than taking the underground passageways connected to Las Noches or using the abilities of Runuganga or Battikaroa.
Passing through the sand, Tosen remained stoic and iron clad. He was prepared to accomplish this mission like no other. He was ready to appease Lord Aizen and strengthen his army by adding another member.
And with that thought, he closed his dead eyes and waited for the time he could open them again. Today will allow him to be a step closer where the forces of Seireitei are extinguished from this cosmos forevermore. He couldn't wait when all of Seireitei is enveloped in everlasting darkness, just like what he could perceive in real time. That is his dream and shall not fail to make that into a reality. As a ghost filled with vengeance, this is why he exists. To avenge the ones the powers of Soul Society have wronged.
"Rest in peace, Kakyo."
Clenching his fists as a single tear escaped a eye, Tosen continued to drift towards the darkness where a powerful demon awaited him. There was no turning back.