Hello everyone, here's your precious Dakan69.
I'm deeply sorry for the one week delay, since I'm working a lot right now, I even barely have time left for writing.
Hope you still enjoy this story.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, not even the soundtracks. Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo while the soundtracks and anything else copyrighted belongs each to their originator.
Vaizado no Ashido
Chapter 9: uncertain foreboding
(OPENING: Leader – Warrior Inside)
OUTSIDE OF URAHARA SHOP - KARAKURA TOWN – AFTERNOON
The first ones to arrive back at the shop were Shiyo and Tessai, who still couldn't believe how much Shiyo has improved on her Kido skills.
The second ones to appear were Urahara, Jinta, and Ururu, along with three other Visoreds named Hiyori, Lisa, and Hachigen, whom Shiyo also immediately embraced since she knew him as well.
„so, you both know her, Hachi and Tessai? " Lisa asked out of curiosity.
„yes, she's the daughter of Konoka Suzunami, our previous Captain." Hachigen answered happily, wondering why Shiyo didn't age.
„ you mean the Captain of the Kido-Corps before Tessai? " Hiyori asked annoyingly,„ and that girl is supposed to be … " Hiyori added still annoyingly before looking towards Urahara.
„as I've explained already, Shiyo disappeared 2 centuries ago and now they're back. it's a miracle, isn't it Hiyori-chan." Urahara interrupted her with his eccentric manner.
Hiyori, who of course didn't like to be interrupted, immediately hit Urahara with one of her sandals.
„don't blabber around when I'm talking, IDIOT." Hiyori shouted, „anyway, you and that idiot Shinji blabbered something about 3 guests altogether, but those twins aren't here."
„you're a little bit wrong about that, Hiyori" she heard Shinji's voice behind her.
Hiyori turned around, now seeing Shinji, along with Love, Rose, and a young Shinigami with dark blond hair and a red ribbon that rests from his hair to his left shoulders.
A few seconds later, Kensei and Mashiro arrived as well, along with Ashido and a young blond girl with a flower-attached headband around her head.
The two Shinigami then looked towards the new people, only to see another very familiar face.
„ „ HACHI ! " " Matsuri and Fujimaru shouted in happiness, immediately recognizing him by his large and rotund appearance while running towards him, embracing him as well as Shiyo did a moment ago.
„Matsuri, Fujimaru, " Hachi asked happily in relief, while still wondering why the three still looked so young since it has been around 200 years since he himself, Tessai, and the others saw them.
Mashiro, who saw how Hachi is being embraced by the new people, immediately pouted: „huuuuuh not fair not fair NOT FAIR, how can it be that everyone knows them except me, NOT FAIR" Mashiro shouted while throwing a tantrum, which this time not only bother Kensei, as usual but also Hiyori.
„don't talk bullshit Mashiro, I don't know them either, AND SHUT UP !" Hiyori stated annoyed.
„oh, you don't know them too Hiyori? " Mashiro wondered.
„I don't know them eighter" Lisa added as well.
„Anyway, I'm glad that everyone could finish each their targets, " Ashido asked towards Shinji, Urahara, and Tessai, all three nodded, while being somehow relieved that the other Visoreds of Karakura Town have arrived for help.
„well, excluding the new horde, of course !" Urahara explained making a serious expression, „you've realized it, didn't you." Urahara added.
Ashido and Shinji both nodded to Urahara's question.
„These hollows seemed to act very organized " Ashido stated to everyone while most of them also saw that statement coming, like Urahara.
„so they didn't go wild in front you too? " Shinji asked Ashido.
„not only that but we four even saw one of their possible superiors, both humanoid appearance. " Urahara stated.
„ a Vasto Lorde? , or maybe even Arrancar? " Kensei wondered.
„but non of them would really have a reason to hide themselves." Lisa added.
„that's right, hollows, no matter which classification, don't care about 'anonymity'." Ashido clarified.
„except when they appear outside of Hueco Mundo because in this case, they would be targets by the Shinigamis, Quincies, or the likes of us all here." they heard another voice, which belonged to Naibu who just joined them, along with another person, who seemed familiar with the Visoreds as well.
„ nice to see you here too, Naibu, Fuji … " Urahara said. He wanted to add one more piece of information but decided against it before changing it into a comical again.
"well, back to the topic, I do have to add something ... " Urahara added, "the cloak, which was worn by the person we've confronted, was very similar, if not nearly identical to the cloaks I and Tessai used when we escaped soul society altogether. And considering that I've invented these, there's only one other particular person who might be capable of creating his own version." Urahara stated.
At this moment, while most Visoreds knew whom Urahara was referring to, the three youngsters on the other hand wondered what Urahara meant by 'escaping the soul society', only to remember that Shinji still didn't tell them their story of how they've become Visoreds.
„ then what are we waiting for, you already said that you know where they're hiding" Hiyori complained why she has to hear this information twice, " my guess: let's confront these jacka***s before they attack us first " Hiyori complained.
„oh don't worry about that" Urahara explained, „after all, I bet the enemy just wants our attention, which means that if we wait here, they'll come here on their own, and with the traps I prepared, it will be much easier for us to deal with them, how does that sound everyone? " Urahara eccentrically suggested.
„Sounds good, but what if they circumvent your traps, after all, we know of what 'he' is capable of if it's really 'them three'." Love explained his concernes.
„you don't need to worry about that as well, since my traps work 99.9 % of all cases." Urahara clarified optimistically.
„you seem to be too 'confident' with you if I may add, Urahara-san." Ashido expressed his incredibility about Urahara's trap this time, since he remebered his fellow Visoreds mentioning how 'childish' and 'predictable' his traps seem to be.
Urahara then suddenly opened a fan he is holding in his hand
„well 0.01 % indeed remains, but anyway … " Urahara said before making a gesture towards the three youngsters, who were still staying beside Hachi, to come forth.
„Shinji, can you come here for a moment? "Hiyori said to him while for some reason pressed her eyes slightly towards the new three Shinigamis.
Shinji did as Hiyori wanted and came beside her, wondering what she wants from him.
Then, out of nowhere and without for Shinji to see it coming, Hiyori fastly lifted her right foot, taking her sandal with her right hand before using it to hit Shinji's face with it.
„AND THIS IS FOR WHAT YOU'VE MADE ALL OF US COMING FOR ?, SINCE WHEN THE HELL ARE WE DEALING WITH SHINIGAMIS THAT WAY ! " Hiyori shouted after hitting him, which resulted in Shinji's jaws, which made them bleed.
„That was really not necessary, Hiyori … " Shinji said while holding his teeth with his left hand, „and besides, it's more complicated than you think" Shinji continued, but saw that Hiyori was still angry enough to hit him again, „but maybe we should really introduce each other first like Urahara suggested, what do you think? " Shinji suggested while still holding his teeth with his left hand.
Hiyori really thought to hit Shinji again, but seeing that Aniki Ashido was really here as well, meant that the situation is quite serious, what's more, besides Shinji himself, most others like Kensei, Rose, and even Hachi seemed already familiar with them. Hiyori then made a step forward towards the three Shinigamis.
„since this Idiot here presumably took the trouble for you three to call us I'll be polite, but only just for once" Hiyori seriously stated towards them, „the name's Hiyori Sarugaki. Like this idiot here, I'm a Visored as well."
Fujimaru, Matsuri, and Shiyo looked towards each other at first with confused looks, since they've never seen a little girl like that talking in front of them, but came forth to introduce themselves nevertheless.
„nice to meet you Sarugaki-san, I am Matsuri Kudo, the previous 3rd Seat of the 5th Division. " Masturi introduced first.
„And my name is Shiyo Suzunami, daughter of Konoka Suzunami and heir of the Suzunami noble Family." Shiyo introduced herself as well.
„And I am Fujimaru Kudo, the previous fourth seat of the 5th Division, it's also a pleasure to meet you." Fujimaru introduced himself the last.
„those twins here served under the 5th Division around 200 Years ago when I still was Lieutenant there." Shinji explained, his mouth not bleeding anymore.
„I see, so you're my namesake Naibu-sensei has informed me about." the three heard someone speaking.
When the three lifted their bodies, they saw a lean-built man with a youthful appearance, blue eyes, purple-colored hair, and striking looks. His attire consists of clothing that seemed for the three youngsters to be similar to Shinji's, only that's completely in black.
Over his chest he dons a jacket he usually leaves unzipped and open, preferring the feeling of the wind on his skin. His lower attire is a simple pair of trousers, colored black, with a protective leg tasset worn over his right led, colored dark-blue. What's more, he also wears a belt, along with a thin cylinder-like stick similar to that which was Naibu wearing.
„Oh, how rude of me, I am Fujimaru Namikaze, partner and previous pupil of Naibu Shizuka-sensei. And like Shizuka-sensei I'm also an 'Ankoite' " Fujimaru Namikaze friendly introduced himself as well to the three youngsters.
„ 'Ankoite'? " Matsuri and the two others wondered what he meant by that.
Namikaze also blinked with his eyes, only to realize why they are irritated now, making him look towards his master.
„you didn't tell them anything about us sensei? " Namikaze asked towards his previous master, who also now came forth.
„I intended, but when Kawahiru-dono told me that he had no time to fully explain his history since they three just woke up, I decided to wait until all three of you are clearheaded." Naibu stated, „but yes, as Namikaze already implied, we both aren't Visoreds, but so-called 'Ankote'." Naibu stated.
While Naibu explained, Matsuri noticed that her twin's Namesake looked towards her brother with a rather serious expression as if he wasn't really happy for him to be here, which somehow surprised him since he introduced himself in a rather friendly way. Luckily, her twin brother didn't notice it.
„ I already noticed that your reiatsu is somehow different than those of the others in Heisekai ?" Shiyo stated while being watched by the Kudo twins, „So what are 'Ankoites' then ? " Shiyo asked.
„Good Question, But let me answer your Question with a counter Question … " Naibu said, „How would you three define a 'Visored' ? "
Shiyo and the Kudo twins looked towards each other, wondering who's gonna answer until they agreed for Matsuri to do it.
„well, basically 'Shinigami's who gained Hollow powers' ? " Fujimaru bluntly answered.
„That's Correct! " Naibu congratulated her while he took out something from one of his pockets, which turns out to be a pendant with a yellow ring with spikes along its outer edge and an 'X'-symbol in its center.
„and comparing it with this simple definition, you could say that 'Ankoite' are basically 'Quincies who obtained Shinigami powers' " Naibu stated calmly.
This statement surprised the three youngsters. So not only Shinigami with hollow powers but also Quincies with Shinigami powers exist as well?
The three, now looking towards the other Fujimaru, his serious expression still on his face, also took out an identical pendant, presenting it towards them.
Lisa saw that Namikaze and Naibu ended their introduction then came forward herself in front of the three.
„Hello, my name's Lisa Yadomaru, previous Lieutenant of the 8th Division under Shunsui Kyoraku-taichou, nice to meet you. " She introduced herself rather less excited.
„oh, so you were under Kyoraku-sempai? how is he, does he still drink too much sake? " Fujimaru asked, much more excitingly than Lisa herself.
Lisa blinked a few times at Fujimaru's question, „well it's been a while since I saw him as well, but he surely still keeps drinking too much sake I guess." Lisa answered while looking with her eyes above, slightly wondering how her previous Captain and Nanao are doing now.
„and I'm Mashiro Kuna, I was the Lieutenant of the 9th Division under Kensei." Mashiro introduced herself.
The three blinked for a while before looking towards Kensei.
„you were a Captain as well, Muguruma-senpai? " Matsuri asked surprisingly.
Kensei nodded towards Matsuri before looking towards Ashido „now explain, what is the meaning of this, how is it possible that those three of all people came around you two, what's more, they didn't seem to have aged at all from the time I remember them."
Not only Kensei and the other Visoreds but also the other Fujimaru seemed curious about this matter as well after what Naibu has explained about them in advance.
„well, besides what Shinji already said, I and Naibu have found them three unconscious in the forest of menos. Why they were there is still a mystery for us, but Oyabun is convinced that they've somehow 'time-traveled. "
„time traveled? You mean like in 'Back to the Future' ? " Love wondered if he heard them right
„how else would you explain their still young ages? " Shinji asked his comrades.
„Do you even realize what you're talking about? I mean how is that even possible ?" Hiyori expressed her disbelief in a rather feisty way.
„I and Shinji speculated a lot until we came to one possible explanation." Ashido stated.
„which is? " Kensei wondered.
Ashido wanted to explain further until everyone in front of the Urahara shop heard the growling of hollows.
Everyone turned around, seeing another horde of winged Hollows flying towards them.
„everyone" Naibu stated loudly, „leave this to us both."
Naibu and Namikaze then used their Pendants to create their spirit weapons, which turned out to be each a Quincy's spirit bow.
While Naibu's spirit bow glowed light blue, Namikaze's spirit bow glowed light green.
Then, Naibu and Namikaze started shooting countless arrows towards the hollow horde, killing them successfully. And as they hit and killed the hollows, everyone saw how instead of the hollows being destroyed, they were purified, like if they've been killed by a Shinigami or a Visored.
At first, they've thought that they've dealt with all the Hollows, but then they saw that suddenly two giant hollows were running towards them.
Naibu and Namikaze then deactivated their spirit bows, making them turn back into their signature pendants before giving them back into their pockets.
Both then took out each of their cylinder-like sticks, holding it as if it's their sword.
„Are they going to … " Love wondered rather excitingly.
„now we'll finally see 'Obi-wan' and 'Luke' in action" Rose stated fascinated with a smile on his face.
The three wondered again what their peers are talking about, But then something happened they didn't expect as well.
Out of their sticks, an amount of Reishi seems to be collected from around, only for some kind of glowing ray/beam to come out from the cylinders which seemed glowing similar to a Kido-spell but also to their spirit bows, finally, it formed itself into a glowing blade. What's more, a distinctive hum, which rose in pitch and volume, could be heard. And like with their Spirit bows, while Naibu's glowing blade glowed light-blue, Namikaze's glowed light-green.
Except for Shinji and Ashido, all of the Visored's, Shiyo's, Kudo twins, and even Jinta's eyes gaped wide while witnessing what just happened in front of them.
„Hey, tell me that I'm dreaming, are that … " Jinta asked perplexed at Hiyori.
„It seems they are. " Hiyori answered perplexed as well.
„Are you ready, Fujimaru? " Naibu asked his pupil.
„I am, sensei" the previous pupil answered.
Both started running towards the two giant hollows. Both of them have barely arrived in front of the hollows, they used Hirenkyaku, disappearing, only to appear again, this time the two suddenly calmed hollows facing their backs.
Naibu and Fujimaru then started going back. The two giant hollows wanted to follow them, but then both their bodies have been cut half horizontally, making them fall on the ground before being purified, erasing them.
Love went to Rose, putting his stretched hand in front of his mouth „imagine Naibu saying 'Padawan' to him " Love stated.
„This would be indeed epic" Rose clarified.
„I agree" Shinji suddenly said while joining Rose and Love in their conversation. „I remember thinking the same when I saw those two using it for the first time." Shinji added while looking towards the glowing swords of Naibu and Namikaze.
When Naibu and Namikaze came back towards the group, they stood again in front of Fujimaru, Matsuri, and Shiyo, who was joined by the other, all of them of course couldn't stop staring at their both glowing swords.
„Are that … your Zanptakutos? " Fujimaru asked the two Ankoites, who are supposed to be Quincies who obtained Shinigami powers. What's more, Fujimaru could feel a rather similar Reiatsu as that of his Zanpakuto.
„ Indeed, but we prefer the term 'Einhander' " Naibu clarified.
„ 'Einhander' ? Why not call it 'light saber' officially ? " Jinta asked rather excitingly.
„ Because That's how its inventor decided to call it officially, which was around 200 years ago. " Naibu explained to everyone about their weapon name's origin.
„but some of our equals, especially the younger ones like myself, do 'indeed' call them 'light sabers' sometimes. " Namikaze clarified, „but Naibu-sensei doesn't like that term, right ? "
„wait, so you are mad at us for calling you 'Obi-wan Kenobi'? " Shinji wondered.
„To be honest, I would prefer the nickname you gave to Ashido because THIS name makes me kinda feel old and unimportant if you understand. " Naibu confirmed that he doesn't like the Nickname Shinji gave him.
While the twins and Shiyo wondered what 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' means, the Visoreds, as well as Urahara, Tessai, Jinta, and Ururu, looked towards Naibu, who for some reason became speechless as they all realized.
Fujimaru, remembering that Shinji already used the term 'Obi-Wan Kenobi', guessed at first that it must be some kind of code name, since the Visoreds, and possibly the Ankoite as well, are considered as Outlaws by the soul society, as Seireitou already confirmed it already.
But now it seems that this strange term seemed more like a rude nickname, well at least it was rude for Naibu, proven by his upset behavior.
„What? I don't see why … wait? Didn't you saw the new one? " Love asked him.
„new one? " Naibu asked, wondering what they're talking about.
It was Namikaze who shook his head immediately, confirming the Visores suggestion.
Now everyone seemed more speechless than before.
„ OMG, guys, Naibu didn't saw the new one" Lisa confirmed.
„well, it's not like it's better than the Original Trilogy, at least I think that the originals are better if it's about storytelling" Rose stated.
„but even you agreed that the portrayal of 'Obi-Wan Kenobi' is one of the few things the new movie has done better than the originals. " Love added towards his partner.
„Yeah that's true, " Rose confirmed.
While everyone else talked about Naibu's Nickname, Matsuri, Fujimaru, and Shiyo still looked confused, wondering what they are all talking about.
But then, everyone suddenly stopped small-talking:
„What ... is this? " Hiyori asked in disbelief
A very strong Reiatsu shockwave could be felt around the area of the Urahara shop, which made everyone look towards the particular direction of where the Shockwave is coming from.
„it's strong." Kensei commented with a rather concerned expression.
„and it's not the only one, but … " Shinji continued with his opinion, trying to figure out whom the other Reiatsu belongs to, since he can't figure it at all. But then, for some unknown reason, he had a presentiment who the second Reiatsu could belong to.
„It feels like those of two strong Visoreds." Ashido commented, which made everyone, including Shinji looking at him. Shinji saw that even Ashido had a concerned expression on his face as if he's having the same presentiment as Shinji himself.
What's more, even to Naibu, those Reiatsu's seemed quite concerning.
'is it possible that … ' Ashido thought, which made him somehow angry since memories of being tortured came back.
Urahara meanwhile is still looking towards the direction where he felt the Reiatsu shockwave, remembering how the cloaked one Person, who presumably controlled the hollows, talked to them as if remembering the person's voice.
„ Fujimaru, Matsuri, Shiyo … " Ashido suddenly spoke, „ we will deal with that, while you wait here with Urahara and Tessai, understood ? " he ordered before disappearing with shunpo, along with all the other Visoreds.
„Wha … ? " Fujimaru wondered why Ashido made such an obviously stupid decision, remembering that troop strength is very important, especially in this situation.
„ ASHIDO ! " Fujimaru shouted further, but to no avail.
„Fujimaru, you'll wait here as well." Naibu ordered towards his previous pupil who nodded, but hesitantly, before Naibu disappeared as well, but with the technique 'Hirenkyaku'.
„Well … " Urahara suddenly spoke, „I and Tessai need to inside to get something, so please wait here with them, Jinta and Ururu, " he said towards the two Children.
„understood." was Ururu's response while Jinta just nodded.
And so, the three youngsters, along with the two children and the other Fujimaru remained.
As for the other Fujimaru, he looked down at his left hand.
He couldn't explain it clearly, but when he slew the hollow with his 'Einhander', he somehow felt stronger, much stronger than usual.
It was at this moment, that Yuzu came into his mind as well. 'Does she has something to do with that ?' he wondered while remembering when his hand came into contact with hers, he had a strange feeling. 'Just what is that Feeling ?'
When he saw that his namesake and the two girls felt rather bothered that they couldn't come along, Namikaze then came towards them.
„you all seem quite upset somehow, " Namikaze asked them to distract himself from these thoughts for now.
„you're not? Reducing your troop strength is obviously a stupid decision." Fujimaru explained while looking towards his name twin.
And it was true, why would even his master order him to stay here. Of course, it's possible that the situation might be not serious as he believes, but remembering that the hollows have presumably captured Yuzu on purpose makes this situation quite concerning for the young Ankoite.
And what's more, not only there were two strong Reiatsu's, but one of those two Reiatsu's seemed quite familiar to Namikaze, making him suddenly look serious, having bad memories again.
Then Namikaze remembered what his sensei told him about the twins, and how to behave around them when he finally meets them. What's more, Namikaze now remembered the familiar reiatsu he felt earlier, which made him start being angry if it turns out to be true.
„then what are we waiting for, lets join them." was Namikaze's answer while moving his hand towards the direction to follow the others before he jumped himself, followed by his namesake, Matsuri and Shiyo. Namikaze knew that the only way to confirm it was to follow his sensei and the Visoreds along.
STREETS OF KARAKURA TOWN - AFTERNOON
All the Visoreds and Naibu used each their speed run technique.
Naibu meanwhile had the same thoughts as his previous Pupil. He also felt somehow stronger while thinking about if Yuzu and her touch has something to do with that.
„so you don't think they're arrancars at all ?" Mashiro asked everyone, which brought Naibu back to the present
„you want it to be easy as back then? " Hiyori counter questioned her with an annoyed expression.
„well at least we knew what exactly we were facing, how are we supposed to fight someone we don't know about, hmpf … " Mashiro pouted in annoyance.
„well, I wonder about the last part. " Shinji commented.
All Visoreds looked towards Shinji for a moment.
„what do you mean, Shinji? " Kensei asked
„ Well, do you remember the story about Ashido's hollow transformation? " Shinji questioned every other Visored, a serious expression on his face.
At first, Kensei and the other Visoreds wondered what exactly Shinji is referring to, only to remember how they spoke about two particular ex-comrades, whom they've never expected to be traitors as well.
„Is that why you didn't want to take the three along? Because you think it's 'him' ? " Kensei asked Ashido about the twins and Shiyo, but he just kept looking forward, where the two Reiatsu's are located.
„ Even If my apprehension turns out to be wrong, I won't allow any reluctance. " Ashido said, looking towards his comrades „ Understood ? " he added, to which all the other Visoreds immediately nodded with a loud „YES !", understanding that this is an Order, which the other Visoreds needed to follow.
(ENDING: Aqua Timez - 1mm)