Ichigo groaned as he started to wake up. 'The wall is still as uncomfortable as it was last night.' Ichigo complained to himself as he attempted to stretch, but realized that Lady and Trish were still laying on him.
'Aren't you in a compromising position.' Dante taunted, slightly startling Ichigo.
'Since when the hell can you speak to me? And where's Nero?' Ichigo rapid fired questions.
'I'm here.' Nero answered with a sigh. 'And since Dante revealed himself, he's able to speak to you whenever he wants.'
'Geez, if I didn't experience everything up till now, I would have thought I was crazy'
'Oh don't be like that! If anything, I just make your life more fun!' Dante retorted. 'But I recommend you get going. It's early morning and there's no one above.'
'How exactly do you know that?' Ichigo asked.
'It's a technique called Pesquisa. It's like sonar for sensing Reiryoku, and there are none above you. You did use it last night to find this sewer.' Dante explained.
'Seems useful.' Ichigo mentioned.
"What you thinking about?" A voice whispered into his ear, causing him to slightly jump. Or he would have if a hand clenched his shoulder and kept him in place.
"Calm down," Trish suggested with an eyeroll. "It's just me."
"Then why are you whispering?" Ichigo harshly whispered.
Trish put a finger to her lips as a shushing motion and pointed to Lady. When Ichigo turned his head, he saw she was still sleeping on his thigh, but constantly turning her head and constantly muttering things.
When Ichigo focused his hearing, he could make out what she was saying. "No, leave her...alone!" She tossed and turned more before saying something else. "Please father, leave him alone!"
"What the hell is she freaking out about?" Ichigo asked in slight concern.
"It's a nightmare," Trish said. "She's been freaking out about Arkham and her mom. She's been holding it all in. I guess that you being her pillow relaxed her and caused it all to come out."
"That sucks," Ichigo muttered. "But we need to get up soon. It's morning according to Dante." With Trish nodding, Ichigo lightly poked Lady's head, causing her to stir. "Get up Lady. Unless you want to be stuck in a sewer and use me as a pillow."
"She probably would be fine with the latter," Trish mentioned.
"Screw it," Ichigo said with an eyeroll. "Oi! Wake up, Lady!"
"Mmhm!" Lady groaned as she finally began to fully wake up. "What are you yelling about Ichigo?"
"We need to get going," Ichigo explained. "It's morning and they're no one above."
"Alright," Lady answered as she reluctantly got off Ichigo. "Let's get a move on!"
Ichigo and Trish got on their feet and went up the ladder, with Ichigo going first, with Trish and Lady following. Ichigo pushed the tile up and peeked through it, just to make sure there was no one. Not seeing a soul, they made their way up the stairs they saw earlier, with Ichigo noticing that Renji had been moved.
"So it that Renji guy still alive?" Lady asked. "Your guns did a number on him."
"He is," Ichigo answered. "Ebony and Ivory fire out a Hollow technique called Bala. The one I used to finish him was pretty weak, so I just knocked him out."
"Is there any differences between the guns?" Lady asked curiously. "They seemed designed differently for a reason."
Ichigo pulled out Ebony and Ivory and held them so Lady could see. "Ivory is more rapid fire and Ebony is focused more on strength. They usually are set to standard mode; where they fire at the same time." He put them back into their holsters. "That enough of an explanation for you?"
"We don't want to overwork your mind, so yes." Lady taunted playfully. "But do you think that stuff is going to be enough to save this Rukia?"
"I can't die due to high-speed regeneration healing all of my injuries, I've got long-range capabilities, and my swords are pretty deadly." Ichigo listed off. "And with you two being my back up, I think we're pretty good."
"Why aren't you a flatterer," Trish said. "But how do you know that I'm strong? I haven't shown anything besides my lightning."
"You did say that you have a dragon equivalent of a Zanpakuto. And it's more like two now that I think about it." Ichigo said with his hand running through his hair. "What exactly can your sword do? It turn into a dragon or something?"
"It can do something like that," Trish answered. "Though I'll only do that if it's dire enough."
"Lucky," Lady said. "Here I am with only a fuckload of guns that can one-shot Shinigami. I feel so inferior." The sarcasm of her voice was so heavy it could be felt. "Ah!" She sounded as all three felt a heavy pressure on them like it was suffocating them.
Lady fell to her knees as the pressure became too much for her. "Mary!" Trish yelled in worry for her friend as she went to her side and helped her up, supporting her weight with her shoulder.
"What the hell is causing this?!" Ichigo asked as his eyes darted around, attempting to locate the origin of the pressure. He quickly remembered Pesquisa and used it, closing his eyes to concentrate. That was when he felt a terrifying amount of Reiryoku. It was like a wildfire and Ichigo felt that it was only a fraction of the Reiryoku.
When his eyes were opened and turned to where the Reiryoku was coming from, it caught sight of a monster of a man standing on top of a building. The man was giant and was muscular. The beast of a man had his black hair in spikes that flowed backwards. He appeared to only have one eye, the right eye covered by an eyepatch.
His attire was a standard Shinigami outfit, with bandages wrapped around his midsection, and having a white, ragged, haori covering the entire form. In his hand was an old and battered katana, the blade being dulled and chipped by many battles.
"So that's the asshole who's causing this?" Ichigo asked himself.
"If you're talking about Kenny, yes!" A voice said from his shoulder. Ichigo rapidly turned his head and saw a small kid with pink hair standing on his shoulder, wearing the standard Shinigami garbs and having a katana being held by a cord.
"Who the hell are you?" Ichigo asked as he tried to swipe the child off him, who dodged his attempt by jumping off his shoulder. The man soon jumped off the building and landed with the ground cracking under him, the kid landing on his shoulder.
"Who's he?" Trish asked with a struggle. Lady was fairing worse than her, having trouble staying conscious. But was soon doing better as the pressure lessened.
"So you're the Ryoka." The monster said as he approached Ichigo. "The Ryoka who took out Ikkaku."
"So you know who I am, but who are you?" Ichigo asked before turning his attention to Trish and a recovering Lady. "Get your asses out of here and leave him to me."
"Like hell we are!" Trish yelled, being serious for a rare occasion. "You'll be killed if you face him alone!"
"I'm not interested in either of the girls." The beast said. "They can go right past me. I'm only interested in you. So I recommend taking your friend's suggestion."
"I'll be fine." Ichigo reiterated. "So get going!"
"Fine." Trish agreed as Lady managed to stand on her own and they started moving past Ichigo. "Don't you dare die."
"Let's hope this turns out like the last battle." He retorted.
Lady was still for a moment as she was next to Ichigo. The next moment she had wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tight hug. "Don't leave us." She whispered as she detached herself from him and caught up with Lady.
"So who the hell are you?" Ichigo asked again.
"I am Kenpachi Zaraki, they Captain of 11th Division." The now named Kenpachi declared.
"Alright. I'm Ichigo Kurosaki." Ichigo said simply as the Captain pulled open his outfit to expose his entire chest.
"How about I give you the first strike?" Kenpachi offered.
"Aren't you a bleeding heart," Ichigo said sarcastically as he pulled out Rebellion and held it loosely, the blade clattering against the cobbled ground. "But cut the charity. If we're going to fight, let's do it full strength."
Kenpachi gave out a slow and low chuckle. "I'm not giving you charity. I'm evening the odds so I can enjoy this fight, even if just a little."
"Tch, if you want me to," Ichigo said as he raised Rebellion and grabbed Blue Rose from his thigh. "Rev up, Aka no Joe!" With the words spoken, the revolver soon transformed into Red Queen and held in his left hand.
He quickly launched himself towards a waiting Kenpachi, the Rebellion and the Red Queen crossing his body. The blades soon grew close to Kenpachi and then hit him.
Lady huffed as she and Trish stopped for a break. "You think Ichigo is going to be alright?" She asked Trish.
"Probably." She answered. "He's right when he said he's the strongest out of us."
"Heh, your right. He's probably already beat that guy's ass." Lady wiped some sweat off of her forehead, which had built up because of Kenpachi's pressure and moving so much.
"Come on, let's keep going," Trish suggested, earning a nod from Lady. "Though we'll have trouble getting up there."
Lady realized that they were right next to the Senzaikyu. "How the hell are we going to get up there?" She asked as she saw Trish gain a devious smirk.
"Oh just close your eyes and count to three and you'll magically be up there." Trish joked.
"You can't be serious," Lady said, though Trish's face remained straight as she sighed. "Fine." She closed her eyes. "One. Two. Three."
Lady then found herself weightless and the wind rushing past her. She opened her eyes and looked up to see Trish carrying her. She noted that her friend had lightning arcing out of her back in a rudimentary form of wings. "I see you are enjoying Trish airlines." She said cheekily.
"Just don't drop me and I'll be sure to give 5 stars," Lady replied, giving Trish's face a smirk as they flew to save Rukia.
Pain. That is what Ichigo felt as his blades connected with Kenpachi's body. He looked at his hands to see them bleeding. Even his Devil Bringer had it's hide pierced, a wound on the palm that was bleeding slightly. 'What the hell?' Ichigo asked himself as he felt his wound heal.
"Are you surprised?" Kenpachi asked, noticing that Ichigo was looking at his hands. "When two Reiatsu clash, the weaker one gets pushed back. It gets hurt." The captain gained a malicious smile. "Is that all you can do?"
Ichigo quickly used Sonido to get some space between him and Kenpachi. 'Alright. I can't use my swords since I'll just get the damage on me.' He strategized as he placed Red Queen and Rebellion on his back. 'Let's see what happens with ranged!' He quickly pulled out Ebony and Ivory and started shooting.
Kenpachi looked on as Ichigo put his swords on his back and pulled out two L-shaped objects that shot out red masses of energy. He stood still as the Balas hit his skin, his Reiryoku causing them to reflect back towards Ichigo.
Ichigo rolled out of the way of his reflected Balas. "Oh, this is bullshit!" He swore at Kenpachi. "You haven't even moved, and you're haven't got a scratch on you!"
"That sounds like your problem. I'm not even entertained at this point. This entire thing is an annoyance." Kenpachi tightened his grasped on his katana and started to speed towards Ichigo. "It's time your sorry, weak self to die!"
"Weak?" Ichigo asked as he holstered Ebony and Ivory and grasped Rebellion and Red Queen. "I'll show you weak!" He quickly countered Kenpachi's incoming swing with the crossing of his swords, his anger was subconsciously focusing his Reiatsu on one thing; Takedown Kenpachi.
"Oh? It seems you managed to figure it out." Kenpachi said as Ichigo started to wildly swing his swords, occasionally slashing him. "You've managed to focus your Reiatsu to pierce mine."
"Don't care," Ichigo said bluntly as he pressed the lever on Red Queen as he landed a strike on Kenpachi, causing the sword to roar to life with fire, burning Kenpachi where the sword cut him.
"Now this is starting to get fun." Kenpachi finally started to get on the offensive, quickly bringing his sword down. Ichigo matched it with a swing of Rebellion, the clash creating a shockwave.
Kenpachi gained a wide smile as he began to slam his blade down more and more, getting quicker as he did so.
Ichigo gritted his teeth as his feet began to dig into the ground. 'His strikes are becoming stronger!' He noted as he used Sonido to dodge a devastating blow from Kenpachi's sword. When the misplaced swing hit the ground, rubble was kicked up in giant pieces.
Ichigo's grip on Rebellion switched to a reverse style as red energy started to gather on the blade, lightning of the same color arced across it. "Drive!" He declared as a line of dark red energy ripped its way towards Kenpachi.
The man's smile widened ever so slightly as his Reiatsu glowed around him in a golden aura as the tip of his blade into the ground. An unruly golden energy wave began to extend from Kenpachi's aura and raced towards Ichigo's energy strike.
The two energy attacks soon clashed, each vying for dominance. The clash eventually ended with an explosion that engulfed the area with light.
Lady and Trish finally landed on a wooden bridge suspended by ropes. "Alright, let's save this Rukia," Lady said as she and Trish walked up to the door of the Senzaikyu. They noticed two figures in front of the door. One seemed vaguely familiar.
The other was a short Shinigami wearing the robes of his kind and he had black hair.
The familiar figure turned around after hearing Trish and Lady walk on the bridge. "Oh my!" The figure said surprised, the voice revealing it was Ganju. "I'm surprised that you two here. But where's your boyfriend?"
"He's a bit hold up with a Shinigami in our way," Trish answered as she turned her head to the Shinigami that was with Ganju. "Who's the Shinigami with you?"
"Oh!" The Shinigami said slightly scared. "I'm Hanatoro. I'm helping Ganju help rescue Rukia."
"I originally took him as a hostage, but I've grown to appreciate him as a friend!" Ganju explained as he slammed his hand on Hanatoro's shoulder.
"Thank you Ganju." He thanked as the door fully opened, revealing a dark room with a single occupant. Said occupant was short and petite, with black hair and purple eyes. She was wearing white as snow robes and a red collar.
"Huh?" Rukia sounded surprised as she saw the door opened and showed four people.
"Hey! You Rukia?" Lady asked bluntly.
"I am. But why do you ask?" Rukia asked slightly confused as of why they were asking if she was Rukia.
"Oh good," Trish said as she quickly walked over to Rukia and grabbed her by the waist and hoisted her by the shoulder.
"Hey! Let me down!" Rukia yelled as she attempted to remove herself from Trish's grasped.
"Calm it down midget," Lady ordered as she moved to Rukia's eye level. "We've been sent by Ichigo to save you."
"What!" Rukia yelled shocked. "Where is his?"
"Fighting some muscular guy missing an eye. Should be easy for him to take out."
"Did this man wear a white haori?" Rukia asked with slight panic.
"Yeah, he was," Trish answered. "What's so special about a coat?"
"That haori means he's a captain! And from what you said, that man was probably Kenpachi Zaraki!" Rukia yelled in a panic. "Why did he have to be so stupid to face him of all people?"
"You act like he's weak or something. Truth is, he's one of the strongest guys I've met." Lady argued.
"You don't get it to do you?! The man he's facing is a monster!"
"He seemed to think he'll be able to stop him, so we could get you. So quick complaining and let's get going!"
"Oh no we aren't," Ganju spoke up after being unusually silent. "I've got a bone to pick with her."
"What is that?" Lady asked annoyed.
"She's the one who killed my brother!" He quickly formed a fist and rushed towards Rukia and by extension Trish.
"We are not having this right now!" Lady declared as she stopped in front of Ganju and pulled out a pistol, pointing it at him.
"How dare you!"
"Oh shut it! I'm sure that we all have familiar issues and the like. But we can do this later when we're not in knee-deep in enemy territory!"
Ganju thought for a moment before putting his fist down. "Tch fine." He relented.
"Good," Lady said as she put her pistol away. "Let's finally get going."
Trish nodded and they began to leave the Senzaikyu, with Ganju giving Rukia a dirty look from behind.
When they were out on the bridge and making their way to escape, they felt a heavy pressure like Trish and Lady felt, though it was moderately weaker, with Lady only feeling slightly winded.
They looked forward to see a stoic man, slowly and methodically pacing towards them. He had fair skin that was complemented with black hair that was held with a fancy looking white headpiece. Around his neck was a white scarf that flowed in the wind. The rest of his outfit was the standard captain haori and Shinigami garb.
"It's Captain of the 6th Division, Byakuya Kuchiki!" Hanatoro informed in a scared voice.
"Crap. And he's blocking our only way out." Lady said annoyed.
"I see that that you Ryoka managed to get this far." Byakuya pointed out aloofly. "But I'm afraid that is as far as you will go."
Ganju moved ahead of everyone. "If you want to try and get to them. You'll have to get through me!" He declared.
Byakuya's face still remained as Ganju started to run towards him. "It seems I will have to dispose of this scum." He said as he disappeared in a flash, Ganju completely missing him. The Captain soon reappeared as a long cut appeared on Ganju's left arm.
Ganju collapsed on one knee, holding his arm in pain. "I recommend you flee, or else your life is forfeit."
"Sorry to inform you, but Shiba clan members don't run from fights! I can't say the same about coward clans like you though."
Being told that Ganju was a Shiba made Byakuya pause and unsheathe his sword. "I see. I apologize for being so soft on you." He held his blade straight and spoke, "Scatter, Senbonzakura."
The blade then glowed a pink color and started to fly off into small pieces.
Rukia's eyes widened at the recognition of what was happening. "No! Brother!" She screamed as she made a futile effort to escape Trish's arm.
The blade fragments soon flew above Ganju, appearing to be bright pink. They then descended like a pack of piranhas when they had smelled blood. They left Ganju a bloody heap, covered in numerous cuts.
"Shit," Lady swore. "What are we going to do?" She turned to see Trish was putting Rukia down with a serious look on her face.
"Watch her," Trish said as she walked to face Byakuya, whose sword had reformed its blade.
"Oh? So you Ryoka think that you can beat me?" He asked coldly.
"Maybe I can. Maybe I can't." Trish admitted as she pulled out Force Edge and prepared to fight Byakuya. "I just have to find out."
"Let us see if you can match me." He replied as they started to fight.
Ichigo took a gulp of air as he leaned on Rebellion, recovering from the flash of light that his and Kenpachi's energy attacks produced. The flash of light had been accompanied by a large sound boom that damaged them both presumably. 'Definitely did some damage to my organs.' Ichigo noted as he spat out a small amount of blood. 'But he should also be pretty banged up.'
"Are you still alive Ichigo?" Kenpachi asked as Ichigo looked to see him still standing, with small wounds, but still standing with a large smile on his face. "Nice to your still alive, otherwise this fight would just ending disappointingly. I'm surprised that you managed to make me use so much energy."
"Yeah, I guess I'm around your power level," Ichigo answered as he stood up and prepared his swords.
"You are right when I have my eyepatch on." Kenpachi soon grabbed his eyepatch and ripped it off. "And I think that I'll have to remove it to make this more interesting!" He ripped it off and his aura reformed in a destructive and large fashion. He soon rushed towards Ichigo.
Ichigo rolled to the side and slashed Kenpachi's back, but his sword strikes were reflected back onto him and harmed him. Kenpachi quickly turned and stabbed Ichigo through the stomach area, causing him to fall to his knees.
"How disappointing," Kenpachi said as he pulled out his sword and began to walk away. "Here I thought you could be a more interesting opponent."
'Damn it!' Ichigo raged as he fell to the ground, Red Queen and Rebellion clattering to the ground. 'Power! I need more power!' He told himself as he felt unconsciousness engulf him.
Instead of passing out, Ichigo found himself standing in a white void, akin to a painting waiting to be painted upon.
"Goddammit. This again?" Ichigo asked out loud as he looked around. "Nero? Dante? You around here?"
"They are not present." A voice informed behind Ichigo, who jumped slightly in surprise and turn around.
The person looked similar to Dante in appearance and age, though his hair was swept back. His face was stoic as a statue, though Ichigo could sense some form of hidden kindness in his eyes. He was wearing a blue trenchcoat with gold lining, three coattails and a white serpentine pattern around the collar, with the head hanging over the right and the tail extended to the bottom of the coat. The cuffs had 5 straps with golden buttons.
Underneath the coat was a blue ascot with a black vest. His pants were dark green with a scale pattern and were tucked into tall brown boots with two straps. He had on finger-less tan gloves.
"Who the hell are you?" Ichigo asked. "Are you their brother?"
"Do you hear it?" The man asked, ignoring Ichigo's question. "It speaks to you."
Ichigo growled at being ignored but focused his hearing and heard whispers all saying the same word: "Power."
"Isn't that what you desire. Power?" The man asked. "But what is your motivation for having this power?"
"I'll use that power to protect my friends. And to save Rukia." Ichigo answered.
His response had the effect of a surprise small smile on the man's face. "I see. I shall give you that power." The void then seem to shimmer for a moment before Ichigo saw that the man now had a black sheath in his left hand with a cord attached to it. In the sheath was a katana with a grip braided with white and dark blue material. The guard was an oval shape.
The man raised his left hand, positioning the blade in front of him. Ichigo walked towards him and grabbed the sheath, but the man kept a steel grip. "I should inform you before you wield me. Unlike my brothers, my power is more precise and requires training. So for this one time, I shall help guide you." He informed.
He let go of the sheath, letting Ichigo hold it as he did previously. "Okay. Thank you."
"Now let us beat our opponent. I am Yamato!" The now named Yamato told his wielder.
Ichigo soon disappeared as Yamato stood alone. "Let us begin."
Ichigo felt thrown back into his body. He also felt his stomach wound, but it was no longer bleeding. He pushed himself up and saw that Kenpachi was walking away. "Hey, asshole!" He yelled, causing Kenpachi to turn around in surprise.
"Oh? You're not dead? That's a surprise." Kenpachi admitted. "But how are you going to beat me if you couldn't before?"
Ichigo stood on his feet and held his left hand outward. A blue light appeared and Yamato appeared in his grip. "With this," Ichigo informed.
'Let us begin.' Yamato told Ichigo as Kenpachi stood.
"If your previous swords couldn't pierce me, what chance does your new one have?"
Ichigo slid back and bent his knees and put his hand on Yamato's grip and seemingly pulled it out partly and resheathed it.
Kenpachi was about to speak but was soon caught within a blue bubble that quickly had numerous cuts in it. The bubble soon disappeared and Kenpachi was left with numerous slashes on his body.
He began laughing maniacally. "So this is your new power?! It's wonderful!" He quickly ran towards Ichigo at a breakneck speed. His blade was raised and quickly came down, but instead of harming Ichigo, it just clashed against his skin.
Ichigo looked at his skin and saw a blue pattern on it. 'That is a technique called Blut Vene (Blood Vein)' Yamato informed. 'It uses Reiatsu to strengthen blood vessel to increase defense.'
"What technique is that?" Kenpachi asked.
"It's none of your concern," Ichigo told him as he quickly slammed the still sheathed Yamato into Kenpachi's chest and knocked him back lightly. He did it again and followed it by unsheathing the sword and slashing. He quickly spun around and hit Kenpachi again, sheathing Yamato as he did so.
"Ah!" Kenpachi grunted as he stumbled back. "Damn, your actually making me break a sweat." He slashed at Ichigo and managed to land it, but it was blocked by Blut Vene.
Ichigo slashed upwards, launching Kenpachi slightly into the air, where Ichigo followed and continued to slice him, eventually ending with a brutal downward slash that launched Kenpachi back.
Ichigo landed with a grunt and looked as Kenpachi got up. "What is your next move?" Ichigo asked.
"I'm going to kill you!" Kenpachi said. "This fight has been the most fun I've had for centuries! But I'm afraid that I will have to end this." His golden aura reignited, being the biggest and the wildest it has been.
Ichigo panicked for a moment before Yamato spoke to him. 'Calm yourself. I will help you, but you will be on your own after this.'
'Thank you, Yamato.' Ichigo thanked as he felt his own Reiatsu flare into a flame-like aura that grew more and more, eventually matching Kenpachi's.
"How is it that you are still growing stronger?" Kenpachi asked.
"You can thank Yamato. He pulled my ass out of water."
"You talk nonsense!" He dismissed. "A Zanpakuto is only a tool, meant to be used by the wielder!" Kenpachi's Reiatsu soon took a form of a menacing skull.
"Let's see then!" Ichigo responded as his Reiatsu soon took the form of a spectral warrior with a copy of Yamato in its right hand. It had an appendage on its left arm that looked like a sheath.
Ichigo tightened his grip on Yamato's sheath and soon dashed towards Kenpachi, who did the same. The soon were feet away and swung their respective weapons, causing a great shockwave accompanied by a flash of white.
The light soon died to reveal that Kenpachi and Ichigo were standing in a crater. They both soon recoiled in pain as large slashes appeared on both. They soon fell to the ground, barely conscious.
'I have held my end of the bargain.' Yamato told a barely conscious Ichigo. 'I am going to leave you. Do try to stay alive.'
Ichigo felt his presence leave his mind, and also felt his stomach wound start to bleed again. 'Oh no.' Ichigo told himself as soon passed out due to exhaustion. 'Get up!' His body did not obey, however, and he was soon passed out, on death's door.