I don't own Bleach
Long paragraph = Dreams
Place / Time
Chapter 11 One down, two to go
Royal Palace, Soul King's Palace, Moments earlier
Watching the battle from afar, at the only place at a higher level than Ichigo's Palace yet far enough that the island looked like a small pond, are the monk, the blacksmith, and the tailor sitting at the edge of a balcony.
" Can we really stay in his majesty's palace just to watch the fight? " Asks Senjumaru.
" Relax bruh, this fight's trippin, how could we not get permission to watch this? '' Says Oetsu, eating a bowl of snacks.
" But still… " She gets interrupted by a green dragon breathing wind, the force of the wind fluttering their clothes even from up there.
" Hm, impressive. " Says Ichibei, arms crossed and smiling as usual.
" It is, I can't believe that Shogun-sama can produce such a spell. " She said.
" Oh, that's not what's impressive. This spell was created by me, Ichigo helped me to test it and perfected it, it also helped him perfect his own spell which is the barrier he used earlier. I can only use it as a powerful barrier, but the true skill of this barrier is if the barrier blocks someone or something from another space it separates it from reality. While it's similar to Negacion used by Gillians, Subete no ma is on a whole other level, cutting the culprit or the victim off from space and time, it can even be shaped like a dome, a massive ball, a box, or in this case a wall. What's truly impressive however is how Yamamoto could survive the wind pressure. "
Senjumaru is breathless from what she hears, while Oetsu was too focused on the fight. " Unbelievable. " When she looks back, Ichigo just uses the Modified Hado 90. " He can even modify such a spell?! "
With his mouth full, Oetsu interferes. " I don't see what's so cool about that, I mean you did modify Hado 4. "
Senjumaru shunpo behind him and slaps his head, knocking his bowl of snacks down into the emptiness. " Hey, my food! Not cool man! " He stands up.
" How you became a Royal Guard is beyond me! Anyone with an average level of Kido mastery could change a Kido in the single digits, I did it to teach some arrogant jerk a lesson. But a Kido in the nineties?! That's considered impossible, even dangerous if you miss the process! "
The fight stops before it even begins when a hurricane of flames erupts and forms a dragon's head, Ichigo just uses the Hado 99 to match it. The audience watches with awe at the draconic challenge. When the purple dragon pushed by the purple energy wave passes through the fire dragon, they keep their eyes on it as it dangerously approaches them.
" Hum boss? " Asks Oetsu as he and Senjumaru step back a bit inside.
" Don't worry, it won't hit. " Ichibei brushes off the concern like it's nothing big.
With a roar, the dragon passes right before their eyes, shaking the palace. It flies, and flies, and explodes. Oetsu and Senjumaru protect their eyes from the light and the wind, but Ichibei didn't steer his eyes from the warriors below, he saw what happened. " Interesting. "
The two others heard him, curious they looked back down in time to see the inferno erupts. After vanishing they try to see through the smoke but unfortunately can't.
" Too much darkness bruh, it's the night. "
" Well if you take off your sunglasses maybe you could see better? " It wasn't a question. " Can you see anything, Ichibei? " asks Senjumaru, desperate to see the results of the battle.
" Yes… "
" ...So? Tell us. " She asks not nicely.
" Yamamoto managed something rather impressive. "
" How's the ghost going? " Senjumaru sends death glares at Oetsu for the lack of respect. " Wow, after kissing yo hand you really love the guy. "
Senjumaru blushes in embarrassment. " I do not! It's true that the Shogun is handsome I admit but that's just respect, and I told you many times to not speak of our superiors like that before! "
Despite how amusing this discussion sounds like, Ichibei doesn't partake in it. Knowing already what's about to happen, instead, he stands up. The action shut up the other two.
Sounds of thunder resonate everywhere, the white clouds turn gray and cover the entire blue sky. The gray clouds circle around, some purple light shines within at the center like a supercell storm. Oetsu and Senjumaru couldn't hear anything besides the thunder.
But Ichibei has heard it many times, enough to hear it even from up here.
" Zangetsu. "
A fitting name to the catastrophe it's causing right now.
But then suddenly bright purple lighting gathers at the center and a purple lightning dragon strikes down.
A shiver runs down on their spins, they freeze in place, unable to reach for their weapon in fear for their lives. The feeling is familiar since they have to protect a being that gives off the same feeling. One thought comes to both of them.
' God. '
Ichibei, unfazed, walks back inside. " Let's go back to our Palaces, let us leave Ichigo at his business. "
Thanks to that they are able to move again, they rush to the edge to look below, they ask themselves. ' How? How can he possess the power to rival a god? '
But that's not all.
A powerful gust of wind, similar to a bomb exploding, appears from nowhere forcing them to close their eyes, when they open back Oetsu decides to be more careful when he's close to the Shogun, Senjumaru's respect for Ichigo grows even higher.
The sky and half of the island got widely separated in two.
Seireitei, First division captains meeting hall, a day later
Sasakibe was the first one to wait, standing alone in the hall.
A few seconds later, the Captain of the 6th entered, the stoic man always early as usual.
Later on, it was the Captain of the 10th, followed by the Captain of the 8th and 13th who were oddly calm but, given the one who called this meeting it was reasonable.
After them was the Captain of the 2nd, he seemed to be glad to be here, must be the paperwork. They didn't have a lot of missions these days. How envious.
Then the Captain of 3rd, 5th, 12th.
Then the Captain of the 4th, who wasn't annoyed? Usually, he is because he's always interrupted while healing a bunch of members from the 11th. There have been some rumors recently about them saying it's the end of the world, avoiding causing a ruckus unless they disturbed their captain or something like that. Seems like the rumors are true.
Finally the Captain of the 11th. All the other Captains instantly knew why the rumors talked about the end of the world.
Yachiru Unohana walked in, relaxed with a nice happy smile, like she woke up from a nice dream, not soaked in blood and not with a deadly aura she would pass for a mature woman.
Yep, just a normal day for the new Gotei 13.
…
As if!
This was not a normal day at all since the leader of the said organization was gone for a day! Which did not please C46 who didn't know that it was the Shogun who took him for whatever reason, the only news everyone got was a recently sent Hell Butterfly they received an hour ago that Yamamoto would arrive at today's meeting!
Speaking of the devil, the Reiatsu of the Captain Commander just mysteriously appeared not too far from the doors, heading this way. What was surprising was how weak and yet calm it was.
The doors opened and the Captain Commander and the Shogun walked in talking to one another.
" … it will take time which I hope you can give us. " Yamamoto said, wearing a gray long-sleeved kimono, a gray shihakusho, and a gray hakama, and strangely is supporting himself using his sealed Zanpakuto with his left hand, like it was a cane, in his right hand was a white folded cloth.
Beside him was the one responsible for the disappearance of their leader with the usual small smile, nobody sensed him coming. " Don't worry, I don't expect everything to be ready in a year, it will take many decades to get everyone prepared for what's coming, and many more to put it to use, me and Reio will give you as much time as necessary, Genryusai. "
" Good. " Yamamoto positioned himself where he would always be in a meeting. " Then I bid you farewell, Shogun. " He bowed to his superior.
Ichigo bowed back, he then walked out of the room but not before stopping at the open doors. " I almost forgot. " He turned his head and smirked. " We can start whenever I have time so you better be prepared for some surprise tests. Oh, and you can call me whatever you want. "
Yamamoto smiled. " Understood. " And then Ichigo left but not before waving at Yachiru. " Sasakibe? "
" Yes? "
" Could you fetch me a haori? " The lieutenant of the 1st shunpo out of the room and came back with said haori. Yamamoto exchanged it with the white folded cloth and put back his uniform. " You can throw this one out. "
Curious as to what it was, Sasakibe unfolded the cloth before the eyes of the captains.
It was just the remains of haori, tattered around the 1st division's number, cut open in the middle, it almost looked like the haori was vaporized with only this the size of a napkin as a proof of its existence.
Yamamoto took off his gray shihakusho and all could witness that the haori wasn't the only thing that almost got vaporized. All around the body of the strongest Shinigami were bandages, from his neck to his feet like a mummy, with some traces of blood here and there as if the wounds inflicted on him were just too severe to simply heal in a day.
And they didn't ask any questions about what happened when the answer was crystal clear.
" Well now let us start this meeting. " said Yamamoto.
Then the captains started to talk but Yamamoto was barely focusing on the trivial matter.
A day before the meeting
" Wait what does that- "
" Zangetsu. "
A purple lightning dragon strikes Ichigo, the sudden brightness makes Yamamoto turn around. He looks back, only a cloud of smoke covering the area of impact.
Ichigo comes out of the smoke, little bolts of lightning appearing here and there around his body, his armor not affected at all. At his hands are two different swords, a khyber knife at his right with a thin, hollowed-out portion running along the back edge of the blade from the base to the middle of the blade, and a small sword at his left resembling a trench knife with an enclosed guard. Both the swords are as black as their previous sealed state.
It might be his imagination, but Yamamoto could feel something from the swords. The bigger one has a wild and strong aura while the smaller one feels more calm and refined. It's like there is a powerful beast and a wise master at Ichigo's side, two opposites of the same coin.
" This is my Shikai. "
After a long silence, Ichigo slowly lifts the khyber knife " Unfortunately I cannot show you its general power, all I can show you is only a peep of the strength it possesses. " The sword is already above his head. " You better survive this. "
Yamamoto's heart beats rapidly as he keeps his eyes on the blade
Thumb… … thumb… … thumb
The blade starts to fall behind gathering black and red energy, and Yamamoto watches its every movement,
Thumb… thumb… thumb
He stares as the blade swing grazing the ground
Thumb thumb thumb
And stops in front of Ichigo pointing at the sky.
Thumbthum-
Black clouds his vision everywhere, the sound of ringing shouts in his ears, Yamamoto forgets how to breathe and when he tries-!
-he succeeds, wood appearing right in front of him.
' What… happened? Where… am I? '
He tries to move but his body feels somehow numb, however, he can feel that he's lying in a bed with a sheet covering him.
One moment he's in front of the Shogun awaiting his, what seemed like a distant, attack, the next he's in a bed who knows where. Maybe he's back at the fourth?
Using all his remaining strength, he manages to raise himself despite all the agony in reaction. From his surroundings, he noticed that there were two pillows for people to sit on, one on his right, the other on his left. On his left was the only furniture in the room, a coffee table with his Zanpakuto and a little folded white sheet, or at least a piece of it. All of this in a little room with two sliding doors for the right and left wall.
A rather empty and simple room.
The door on his left slides open and a young lady with light-pink short hair, with strawberry red eyes, a white kimono with butterflies and vines, and a pink sash comes in, she carries a tray with a box, a bucket full of steaming hot water and a towel, the door automatically closes behind her. She was the most stunning woman he has ever seen. The beautiful lady notices him and bows with a light smile resembling a certain someone. " Hello Yamamoto Genryusai, it's a pleasure to meet you like this. " Her young voice could have put him to sleep if it isn't for all the pain that he felt.
He bows back as much as he can, no words came to his mind at the moment.
She approaches him on his right and sat down on the pillow, putting the tray aside. " I know you must have a lot of questions, but I must confirm your health first, please lie down. " He does what he is told but the pain comes back stronger through his action, she holds her hands above his chest, a transparent purple aura covers her hands then slowly his entire body, the pain lessening and becoming slightly uncomfortable that it could be unconsciously forgotten, the aura has an appeasing feeling. Is it Kaido? It seems different. " What is the last thing you remember? "
He closes his eyes and tried. " I remember… the Shogun…, we were fighting against each other, we were on an island. Do you know where I am? " The calm feeling from this aura is making him a bit weak-minded, he would usually be on his guard in unknown territory.
" Don't worry, we are in the Royal Palace. Do you remember what happened at the end of the fight? "
So they are not at the 4th. " Well… I… cut… ah, I cut the arm of the Shogun but he just regenerated it. " He says still a bit ashamed of his action.
" And? "
" And... and… there was a lot of black and I appeared here. " Yamamoto doesn't know why but he feels like there is something else.
" But what about between these two events? "
Right, something happened that time, something incredible, something shocking, something … that could reach the moon and slay anything in its path. " I am sorry, but I can't seem to remember. You keep asking me questions but can I also ask you some? "
" Please ask me anything you wish to know, I will answer to the best of my abilities. "
" How long has it been since the fight occurred? It feels like it was mere seconds ago. "
" It has been half a day. "
" I see. " Shocking news but he has to stay calm in front of a stranger. " May I know your name, young lady? "
She giggles, maybe she wasn't as young as she appear. " My name is Hogyoku, young man. " Definitely not young.
" A strange name. Any family name? "
She smiles as if she knows what is about to happen the second she answers him.
" Zangetsu, my name is Hogyoku Zangetsu. "
An electric surge passes through his body as if all the wounds are reacting to the name itself, he raises himself, clutching the sheets, sweat rolling on his face, shock written all over his face. He remembers now.
He collapsed from an attack by a sword worthy of its name. Zangetsu. Slaying Moon. He remembers that his eyes peered on the long sword, too afraid to move, his heart beating a mile away.
' Wait. ' " You said your name was Zangetsu, does this mean that you're…? "
She only nods.
His brain couldn't keep up, no words came out as he looks at nothingness, desperately trying to come up with a conclusion.
" I'll let you sort out your thoughts as I am certain you have more questions, meanwhile I need to replace your bandages, it seems your wounds have reopened. " She starts to unravel the bandages on him while his mind is still processing everything.
She takes the towel and dips it in the water, cleaning the blood from his body. The stinging contact with the burning towel brings Yamamoto back to reality, he now knows his next question. " Do you know where the Shogun is? "
" Currently he is carving the previous battle like he always does. "
" Always? "
" Yes. When an event happens he deems worthy, he carves it through paintings, sculptures and the likes. "
' So the Shogun is an artist, cannot say I didn't see this coming. For a man as old as him, he must have many, many ways to entertain himself. '
Aside from that, it is time for the real question. " When the Shogun released you, and he swung his sword, what special skill did he use? "
For a moment Hogyoku just stares at him until her smile widens a bit.
" He used his strongest technique. " Yamamoto feels prideful that he managed to survive that. " But at its weakest. " But that pride is shattered instantly. " Although, it's amazing you withstood it like that. " Yamamoto tilts his head in confusion. " Your Bankai was extinguished and all the wounds you received before only swelled even worse, some of your skin and your clothes were vaporized, all that's left is this. " She points to the white folded material.
She gets up, takes the fabric, and sat back. She unfolds it before his eyes and he discovers that this was the only proof that everything she said was true, the only proof that he survived the onslaught. A white torn-up haori.
She gives it to him and he carefully examines it, ripped all around the symbol of the first, and the said symbol has a gash separating the number in two. He remembers that cut he got on the back. His current state seems fine, but now he knows that it is thanks to Hogyoku's healing that he isn't on death's doors.
" What was that skill? "
" When Ichigo was younger it was his only energy attack. Now among the various others, he developed it is the strongest of his skill set. The Getsuga Tenshou. " She explains, still taking care of his bandages.
Hogyoku pauses and her eyes has a dazed look. Yamamoto notices it. She then starts to nod and hum in agreement like she is talking to someone, and then she says. " Alright, we're coming. " And continues her work. When she finishes she stands up and holds her hand for him. " Ichigo is almost done, would you like to speak to him? "
Yamamoto grabs the hand and stands up, she then guides him through the hallway.
" Miss? "
Hogyoku looks back while still walking, an confused expression was her response.
" Why is your name Hogyoku if your Shikai is called Zangetsu? And how am I supposed to call you? "
She smiles a bit understandingly and looks forward. " As Ichigo's Zanpakuto my circumstances are similar to my wielder, special and personal. But, you can call me Lady Hogyoku. " She answers with a tone demanding obedience similar to an empress.
After a moment they arrive at a double door, she doesn't bother to knock and just enters. There, inside a wide room open to the garden, sitting on a chair in the middle of the room was the Shogun, back to them, painting on a canvas. As they approach, Yamamoto discerns the painting.
The left side is in flames, he is among the flames, or rather he is covered in flames, charging in. On the left side is Ichigo with his armor also charging straight ahead. In the background ate two dragons, a fire one behind him and a purple one behind Ichigo.
The Shogun puts down his tools and stands up, the painting rises up and as Yamamoto follows it with his eyes, it flies within the Soul King's palace. ' There must be other events, other mighty battles up there, I am glad to be worthy to be among them. '
" How are you doing? "
Yamamoto snaps back to Ichigo as he looks at him with the same smile on his face, same as usual. " I am alive. "
Ichigo reacts with a small chuckle. " Good, walk with me. " They get out of the room and out of the house. Yamamoto looks behind him as Lady Hogyoku waves her hands at them instead of disappearing. How particular.
The youngest of the two men thought that he would see the devastated island, instead, it is a much smaller island with fields of flowers of all colors that welcomes him, the light wind bringing a few petals up to the sky. He must have changed it using that platform.
As they walk side by side on the field Ichigo starts the conversation. " I suppose this is the moment I ask why you wanted to fight me. "
" Since the moment I met you, with this battle, and with every conversation we had, I can already tell that you already know the reason why. " He may not know the Shogun personally but he understands that Ichigo is stronger in every way, thus Ichigo is more intelligent and perspective than any other.
" Yep. " Just as he thought.
" But you want me to say it. "
" Yep. "
If the Shogun already knows then he can keep that question for last. " You said that you'll answer every question I had. "
Ichigo sighs. " I knew you would say that. Well then, shoot, as promised I will answer but, you must never tell anyone without my permission. That's an order. "
Understandable, a general with hollow powers is not really something the others can easily trust. " How many other powers do you have that are not Shinigami? "
" Three. "
So four in total. " What are they? "
" Well, you already know about one being Hollow based, one of them is from a race you will discover later on, and finally Hogyoku is a special case, she is rather unique. "
The bandaged warrior recalls the words of the Zanpakuto. ' So Lady Hogyoku is also as special as the Shogun. Plus, it doesn't seem he will tell me about what that other power is. ' " Why can't I feel your Reiatsu at all? I do not doubt your control, it's just curiosity. "
" In my basic form, instead of lowering my Reiatsu, I hide it. However when I release my Shikai I can't hide my Reiatsu. "
" But then why couldn't I feel anything when it happened? "
" Well, there are different reasons in this universe of ours. We can become so strong that our Reiatsu cannot be felt by normal people unless those people have superior sensing abilities, are close to our strength, or can do the same. This phenomenon is called transcendence. Take the Soul King for example, he was given the power over the soul and transcended. "
" So you are like a god? "
The Shogun sighed. " The number of times I heard that. " He shook his head tiredly. " No, just because my Reiatsu is so vast doesn't mean I can do everything, some gods are not even able to do anything like Reio. We will discuss this later. "
And now the second to last question. " What is the danger you spoke of? "
The Shogun immediately shunpo at top speed, appearing 10 meters at the front, back turned. With his left hand, he grabs the air on his left and violently pulls to his right.
He doesn't open a Garganta. Instead, he creates a tear in space, then black claws and tentacles come out of the tear, struggling to enlarge it. Suddenly they succeed, the tear become larger than the doors of the Seireitei, within which the spoken danger is revealed.
The Shogun faces Yamamoto once again with his eyes glowing red as he puts a straight face on. " Before mankind was nature, and before nature, " He points behind him with his thumb. " chaos was there. "
And behind him are many white eyes with many masses of black, moving, growling, shrieking.
Yamamoto's thoughts are one of a true leader. ' A world of monsters. The Soul Society- No, the three worlds wouldn't survive. ' Fear, not just his subordinates but also for all life that he knows.
" I can read your thoughts, Captain Commander Yamamoto Genryusai, and let me tell you that these are not the only threat. Which is why, by the power that was given to me by the Soul King, " The Shogun unleashes his Reiatsu around him for the eye to see, an aura and whips purple-themed surrounded him, blowing the wind away, yet it remains immeasurable. " I order you and your army to grow stronger than you currently are, strong enough to defend against any dangers that lay beyond the boundaries of our universe. "
Yamamoto has never heard the Shogun so serious like this, he really has the aura of a general. " Until you finish this mission, me, the Soul King, and anywho I deem worthy, will hold this impending threat back. Do you accept this order, leader of the Shinigami? "
The Captain Commander puts a knee on the ground, lowers his head, and speaks with pride. " I, Yamamoto Genryusai, accept this mission given to me and will use all efforts to succeed. "
And after two seconds Ichigo closes his eyes, the tear sowing itself back to nothingness, and his Reiatsu disappears from sight. He shunpo back in front of Yamamoto and puts his hand on his shoulder.
Yamamoto looks up and sees Ichigo is back to his usually smiling face with his eyes back to normal. " I will explain a bit more on our way back. Now that everything's sorted, you wanted to ask an important question. This fight wasn't for nothing. "
Yamamoto had a dumb face, he was shocked that he forgot about the reason he asked for this fight in the first place.
He gets back up and asks his final question. " Then Shogun Ichigo Kurosaki, "
…mander…
" I would like to- "
...Commander...
Back to the meeting
" …Commander? "
' I still can't believe he accepted, I guess he knew from the beginning and was just testing me. '
" Captain Commander! "
As he ends his flashback, he remembers that he was in a meeting.
All eyes are on him. Many theories as to why their leader is distracted which isn't common.
Yamamoto may not know how to respond. " Well, carry on. " But his pride won't let him acknowledge that he is distracted.
" As…hum, as I was saying- " Sasakibe continues while stealing glances at his superior once in a while.
This time Yamamoto concentrates on the discussion but he still has one thought in mind.
" I almost forgot. " The Shogun walks back in and points to the Captain Commander. " I don't have a lot of time but when I do you better be prepared. " He starts to walk out but not before saying with a wave of the hand. " Also you can call me however you want, I don't really care. "
Yamamoto smiles. " Understood, Sensei. "
Great changes are about to come, with Ichigo Kurosaki as the spark.
To Be Continued
Omake
Ichigo shunpo back with a weird serious face.
' Oh what now. ' Honestly, Yamamoto wanted to rest.
" Hear me as this will be my first order as the Shogun of the Gotei 13… "
long dramatic silence*
" I want a long wooden table shaped like a U, tall seats, with the symbols of each division at the top as well as mine, the captain's seats on the side and two at the head for the Captain Commander and me. "
There was a long silence as to why the Shogun was serious for such a trivial request.
Minoru Kyoraku stepped forward with the same weird serious face, maybe she understood Ichigo's intentions. " Sir, I would like to volunteer for this mission. May I advise to add some comfort to the seats? "
" Permission granted, both for the back and the behind. "
" As you wish, I will personally supervise the project. "
" Good, I'll be counting on you. "
…
There were no words to describe what just happened.
…
Ichigo's transformed into a smiling comical one. " Okbye! " And he left, hopefully for the last time.
…
When Yamamoto thought that change would arrive he didn't think it would be quick and silly.
Omake 2
Right before Ichigo vs Yamamoto
Ichibei approached the king of this realm, for one request. The king is looking outside with a cup of tea floating beside him.
As he bows down the monk asks. " Great Soul King, I have a request. "
" Hm? " The king seems to be in a peaceful state.
" May we use your palace to watch the fight between Ichigo and Yamamoto Genryusai? "
" Sure. " The god looks distracted, that must be some good tea.
" I thank thee. " He then proceeds to tell the others they got the permission.
…
Wait what?
' Wait what? '
" Wait what? "
Instead of using his godly powers, he quickly rushes to the entrance of the palace and a wall of flames greets him.
Those flames have a perfect reflection on his eyes to represent his anger at not being told, or even asking his permission, that someone was going to step into his domain.
The cup of tea explodes with its content.
" ICHIGOOOOOOOO!!! "
" ... "
" ...A bit of laziness,-"
A million slaps.
Mr. Absolute is on the ground twitching covered in bruises despite his skin being total darkness. He gets up in his chair.
Shogun looks at him and does a light mocking chuckle " Hehe. "
" ...and a bit of lack of inspiration and a bit of frustration of not knowing what to do the next chapters since I still don't have a villain from the Soul Society(noble/rebels/bandita/group opposed to Gotei 13), if you guys have any idea no matter how bad or crazy it seems please share it with me, I take inspiration from anyone. " He then proceeded to fall his face on his desk, it did a hard sound.
" Moving on, don't forget to share your thoughts on anything bad or good, especially on his writing if there a some mistakes please say it in the comments or PM him. "
Shogun looks at TheAbsoluteZero.
" ... " Still twitching in pain, Shogun shrugs.
" Ichigo Kurosaki, Before Everything version,... leprechaun. "