Hollow Zangetsu
Zanpaktou/Quincy Zangetsu
speaking
Thought
Chapter Five: Into the lions den part 3: The truth Revealed
Shihoin Manor
"Now Soifon it's time to tell you the truth of what happened 110 years ago and why I left my post." Yoruichi said.
"110 years ago citizens of the rukon district were disappearing and nobody knew the cause. The head captain decided to send someone to investigate the disappearances and he chose Shinji Hirako, Love Aikawa, Kensei Mugurama, Rojuro Otoribashi, Mashiro Kuna, Hiyori Sarugaki, Hachigen Ushoda, and Lisa Yadomaru the captains and lieutenants of squads 3,5,7,8,9,12, and the kido corp respectively. Once they started their investigation everything was fine at first, but then everything started going wrong. First Kensei and Mashiro disappeared and when they were found both of them had already been hollowfied and attacked the others, during the attack the others themselves started to undergo hollowfication. This went on for a few minutes until Kisuke and Tessai showed up to subdue them but they weren't the only ones there." Yoruichi said as she stopped to let Soifon and her parents process the information.
"Aizen had been there from the start, he was the one that started the Hollowfication experiments and the one who forcefully hollowfied the others. When Kisuke and Tessai tried to stop Aizen and bring him to justice he got away and blamed everything on them which central 46 believed. Before he fled Aizen told Shinji that he had been manipulating him from the beginning using his zanpaktou's special ability called Kanzen Saimin or complete hypnosis, we found out later that the release of Kyoka Suigetsu gives Aizen the ability to perfectly control all five senses, once you see its release you are ensnared in it permanently. When Central 46 found out about what had happened and Aizen's version of events they were going to kill our friends and exile Kisuke and Tessai which is what Aizen wanted from the start, you know the whole no lose ends shtick, it was then that I made my move. I broke Kisuke and Tessai out of Central 46 custody, rescued the hollowfied shinigami and fled with Kisuke and Tessai to the world of the living and that's were we've been ever since. Soifon I need you and my parents to understand, I didn't want to leave you or my family behind it's just that Aizen didn't leave me much of a choice. I either stay with you and watch as my closest friends get executed or exiled or I leave you behind and do what ever I could to help them knowing that what ever I did would have its own set consequences regardless." Yoruichi said. "I hope you and my parents can now understand why I did what I did."
Soifon and Yoruichi's parents nodded their understanding before Soifon asked, "Why don't we go and get the bastard?"
"Because it would be our word against his. As far as the Gotei 13 and Central 46 is concerned he has done nothing wrong. In order for our word to mean anything he has to come out in the open as a traitor otherwise you would just be seen as a trouble maker and if I'm with you; you'll just end labeled a traitor yourself. Just wait he will screw up and when he does it will only tighten the noose around his neck that's been hanging there for over a century." Yoruichi told her.
Elsewhere in Seireitei
"Ichigo where are we?" Tatsuki asked.
"Not sure, but no time like the present to create a little havoc." Ichigo said with an evil grin.
"You got it." Tatsuki, Orihime, Chad, and Uryu all said an equally evil grin as they went there separate ways.
Orihime went with Uryu, Tatsuki went with Chad and I went with Ganju. It wasn't long till we got involved in our first fight.
"Well, Well look what we have here two ryoka without dance partners." A voice called out.
"Hey Ganju look what we have here a bald idiot and a peacock." Ichigo said.
"I agree Ichigo I wonder if they can fight." Ganju said.
"The bald reaper got a tick on the side of his head looked to his partner and said "You take fat ass and I'll take the carrot top."
"See you later Ichigo." Ganju said. "Hmm." Ichigo replied without taking his eyes off of his opponent.
"Well ryoka lets get this started," the bald soul reaper said as he started to dance around.(AN: this is implied to be Ikkaku's tsuki-tsuki dance so I will not be writing the dialog for it.)
"Well did you come here to dance or fight?" Ichigo asked.
"Fool!" the bald reaper shouted. "This my lucky dance!"
"Ahhh...I don't have time for this." Ichigo said as he groaned and drew his sword. Ichigo brought his sword up and then down so quickly it created a shock wave and a small crater in front of his opponent.
His opponent took note of this and decided that the fun and games were over.
"What's your name?" he asked Ichigo. "It's proper manners to introduce yourself first before asking for someone else's name." Ichigo responded.
"My name is Ikkaku Madarame 3rd seat of Squad 11 the Zaraki Corps." He replied. "And you."
"My name is Ichigo Kurosaki." Ichigo replied."
"You must be strong as those with 'Ichi' in there names are always strong capable warriors." Ikkaku said. "Maybe but you'll have to find that out for yourself." Ichigo replied.
Ikkaku drew his sword and brought the pommel and scabbard together and said "Extend, Hozukimaru!" Turning his zanpaktou into a long staff with a red fur like extension on one end and a 10 inch blade on the other. Ichigo just stared at it incredulously and thought to himself "Is that all you got? If it is this will a short fight."
"What's the matter Ichigo? Are you not going to release your shikai as well?" Ikkaku asked.
"I will if your worthy of it which remains to be seen." He replied.
With this statement Ikkaku got a tick mark on the side of his head and promptly attacked Ichigo. Ikkaku thrust his blade towards Ichigo which he dodged and in turn gave Ikkaku a cut above his left eye which brought a shocked looked to Ikkaku's face causing his to back off. Ikkaku then sealed his blade long enough to open the hidden compartment and use the medicine kept within to stop the bleeding on the cut he just received. After the cut had been treated Ikkaku got his mind back on the fight, but this time he didn't re-release his blade as he realized he released to soon so he decided to change tactics. This time he came at Ichigo with his blade in one hand and his scabbard in the other, thrust his blade at Ichigo which Ichigo dodged again only to have Ikkaku use his scabbard to give a strong thrust to Ichigo's solar plexus briefly knocking the wind out him. Ikkaku then took action and decided to try to go for the death blow and take off Ichigo's head but all he heard was a loud 'CLANG', as there two blades connected he realized that Ichigo had blocked the strike rather easily. Ichigo looked up at Ikkaku and thought to himself "alright that's it I have officially had enough of this bald moron" Ichigo flexed his reiatsu and said "cut the moon and rage across the heavens, ZANGETSU!" the released form of Zangetsu was in the form of a Khyber knife with no guard, a red hilt, and curved inward at the tip (AN: THE WAY HIS SHIKAI LOOKED DURING THE FULL-BRINGER ARC.) this gave Ikkaku pause and he released his zanpaktou again only this time attacked Ichigo with the pommel first which was caught by Ichigo bare handed, shocked by this Ikkaku thrust the blade at Ichigo which again was dodged by Ichigo then Ikkaku said "Split, Hozukimaru" causing the once one piece staff to become a tri-section staff, as the blade whipped around to meet Ikkaku's chosen target which was Ichigo's right eye. Ichigo just smiled and caught the blade between his thumb and index finger. Ikkaku looked at him in shock and said "How can you do that? No one has ever caught Hozukimaru's blade bare-handed before." "Well I guess that makes me special then." Ichigo said with a smirk. After this Ichigo cut Hozukimaru in half at the mid point and then brought Zangetsu down on Ikkaku's right side leaving a long slash that went all the way from his right collar bone to the right side of his groin, just when Ikkaku thought Ichigo was done Ichigo gave him an extremely powerful open palm thrust to the gut sending Ikkaku flying into a building 25 feet away knocking him out.
When he awoke he saw that his wounds had been treated although he couldn't move and Ichigo was sitting there holding his zanpaktou. "Give it back!" Ikkaku screamed.
"Oh, relax would ya I'm not going to steel your blade, I have one my own that I'm very happy with." Ichigo replied.
He said "one" because he didn't want anyone knowing that he had three zanpaktou at least not until Aizen was dealt with.
"Then what do you want?" Ikkaku asked.
"I Just want to know where Rukia Kuchiki is." he replied.
"The Death Row Inmate?" Ikkaku asked.
"Yeah." Ichigo replied.
"Why do you want to know?" Ikkaku asked.
"Because I owe her and that's all you need to know." He said.
"Fine. Do see that white tower over there? That's where she is in the senzaikyu cell 4 deep." Ikkaku said.
"Thanks" Ichigo replied.
"Tch, Whatever." Ikkaku replied. "Ichigo who is the strongest member of your group?" he asked.
"That would probably be me why?" he asked.
"Then you would do well to watch out for my Captain for he will want a good fight from you." Ikkaku said.
"What does he look like?" Ichigo asked.
"It doesn't matter, just know that he will seek you out." Ikkaku replied.
"Fine see you later, Ikkaku Madarame." Ichigo replied.
URYU POV
Uryu and Orihime were walking around trying to decide what to do when the question was answered for them.
"You might as well come on out I know you're their shinigami!" Uryu spat venomously.
"My, my and after all the trouble I went through to hide my reiatsu to observe the two of you, you just had to do go and ruin it oh well, get them!" the soul reaper shouted. As the soul reapers got closer Uryu blasted some of them with arrows and missed quite a few others.
"Oh well you idiots served your purpose I have no need for incompetent morons who can't follow orders" the shinigami said as he pulled out a device and pushed a button. "But Captain Kurosuchi you said…..'BOOOOOM!', Ah, living bombs can be so useless sometimes, oh well there's more were they came from." Captain Kurosuchi said. Lucky Orihime was there as she was quicker on the draw than the captain was her 'santen kesshun' protected her and Uryu.
"Ah whats this, the Quincy I am not interested in, but you woman I will take with me, you are going to be my new lab rat. I know I'll keep drug testing to a minimum and do my best to keep you whole and not dissect you what do say woman? I've already dissected over 2,600 Quincy so I don't think I could gain anymore knowledge from them but you're different." the Captain said. "I'm afraid I will have to decline your oh so generous offer." Orihime said as she released her zanpaktou "Burn Everything Black, Kasai no Ojo!" (Princess of Fire) (An: her rejection powers combine with her bankai not her shikai I have done this for a reason, it has to with a bombshell I'm going to drop later on after this chapter, but her bankai will have the word rejection in it but it will still be fire based.) The blade was unique among fire type zanpaktou as it got longer and was white hot. The temperature of the blade was just over 1100 degrees and fire was all around Orihime; she didn't even blink to her it was like a day at the beach and Uryu didn't really feel it either because she was protecting him from it.
The blade was 52 inches long, white hot with hints of burnt orange, the guard was in the shape of fire and comprised of the different colors that fire takes on white, blue, green, orange, and red. The hilt was red-orange with a chain attached to the pommel and a small ball of red fire at the end of the chain. To say that Uryu was impressed would be an understatement but decided to ask her about it later for now he thought it best to put all his attention on the fight ahead of them. Just then Kurosuchi's lieutenant jumped at Orihime in an attempt to take her away but Orihime dodged her and landed a quick strike to her gut and sent her flying into a nearby building with the lieutenant out of the way they could focus on there real opponent.
"What did you mean when you said you experimented on 2,600 Quincy's?" Uryu asked.
"I meant just what I said." Kurosuchi replied. "Now that you've gotten rid of my useless lieutenant I guess I have no choice but to fight you myself. "Tear off, Ashisogi Jizo." he said as he released his zanpaktou.
"If you must know Quincy I'll show you this picture of my last specimen, he just went on and on calling out the name of his student or grandson until I finally put him out of my misery I can't remember the name of the student though." Kurosuchi said as he tossed the picture at Uryu.
Uryu's eyes went wide at the picture and his reiatsu increased dramatically this surprised the Captain standing in front of him as he didn't think this level of power was possible for a Quincy. "Do you want to know the name of his student?" Uryu asked "It was Uryu Ishida this man was Soken Ishida he was my teacher and my blood grandfather, today you die shinigami!" Uryu removed his sanrei glove and was engulfed in a massive wave of reiatsu and when everything calmed down he was standing before his friend and the Captain in the Quincy's final form. Uryu drew his bow and fired a single arrow the captain dodged by jumping up and he found Orihime there waiting for him, with a single slash of her blade she sent him flying back about a hundred feet with a pitch black mark on his blade were he tried to block the strike. Uryu was waiting for him, he fired a final arrow more powerful than anything he'd ever fired before, upon contact with Kurosuchi's body it blew off the entire top half of his upper body from the middle of his chest up. With the fight over Orihime came over and stabbed her blade into Kurosuchi's chest and said "Shinseina hai no maisō"(sacred ash burial) the fire on her blade became coal black and turned what was left of Kurosuchi's body into a pile of smoldering ash. Orihime then sealed her blade and she and Uryu left.
"Orihime go find the others I'm sure they could use your help." Uryu said.
"What about you, you're not looking so good." she asked.
"I'll be fine I won't be able to move normally for while and the others need your help more than I do right now." Uryu replied.
"Alright Uryu but be careful." she replied. "I will." he said. And Orihime left.
Sometime later Uryu was walking aimlessly through the seireitei when he came upon another Captain.
"I am sorry young one but for the sake of piece I must eliminate you. Cry, Suzumushi." The Captain said. When Uryu awoke he was in holding cell in the 4th squad with his reiatsu suppressed. "I wish they knew that these reiatsu suppression cuffs weren't needed. After my last fight I no longer have any powers." Uryu thought.
ICHIGO POV
Ichigo was walking towards the white tower when he came upon a stair case going up and discovered that someone was waiting for him.
"Hello Renji Abarai." Ichigo said.
"You remembered my name, I'm honored." Renji said.
"Don't be, I always remember the names of morons who's asses I've kicked or will kick." Ichigo said as he drew his blade.
"Tough talk thief, now lets see if you can back it up." Renji replied as he drew his own blade.
"ROAR! Zabimaru!" Renji screamed as he released his blade. " You should know that my power in the living world was nothing compared to here." Renji further elaborated as his reiatsu continued to increase.
"Is that so well then allow me to educate you on the true nature of power." Ichigo said.
MEANWHILE BACK AT SHIHOIN MANOR
"Yoruichi-sama how much did you teach Ichigo and the other two ladies? I couldn't even sense there reiatsu." Soifon said.
"Well they've mastered reiatsu control, Zanjitsu, Hakuda, learned the basics of HoHo and mastered the cicada technique, they've also mastered kido up to mid 60's as well as mastered all the abilities of their shikai." Yoruichi said. Soifon and her parents were shocked. "WHAT!" they all said at the same time.
"Yoruichi dear you didn't tell us they were that talented." her mother said. "You didn't ask." Yoruichi said with a grin. "Fair enough." Her mother replied with a chuckle.
"I've got another surprise for you, there speed is almost equal to my own, and that's when they're wearing a ginjotan. I have no idea how fast they are now that they're not wearing them." Yoruichi said.( AN: A Ginjotan is a heavy steal sash worn under clothing for training purposes, Soifon is seen using one in episode 276 of the anime we she released her Bankai although she wore it to keep her stable after firing said Bankai.)
The look her parents and Soifon gave her was hilarious as it looked like their eyes would pop out any minute.
"Wait a minute, you had them wear a ginjotan while they were training with you, were you trying to kill them?" her mother asked.
"Mom, of course not but I figured since it worked with soifon why wouldn't it work with them. Now if you'll excuse me I've got students to start rounding up." Yoruichi said.
"Yoruichi no matter what happens know that we are proud of you. Your father and I also wish to inform you that the prior engagement to your former fiance will be voided upon your return. Although he will not be happy about it, he and his family will probably challenge Ichigo for your hand, but as talented as Ichigo is I doubt either of you have anything to worry about. I will also inform Yushiro and Yukina that you have returned to us, your little brother and sister have been so worried about you." her mother told her.
"Thanks mom." and with that she disappeared.
BACK TO ICHIGO AND RENJI
"ROAR! Zabimaru!" Renji screamed as he released his blade. " You should know that my power in the living world was nothing compared to here." Renji further elaborated as his reiatsu continued to increase.
"Is that so well then allow me to educate you on the true nature of power." Ichigo said.
"Cut the Moon and Rage Across the Heavens, Zangetsu!." Ichigo said as his was released.
Now Renji could truly see and feel the difference between them and he didn't like it one bit.
"I came here to save Rukia from an unjust fate Renji and if you don't get out of my way I will kill you." Ichigo said as his eyes began to glow.
His declaration made Renji very angry and he said "Save her from an unjust fate! She's in this situation because you stole her powers and wouldn't give them back! She's going to be executed because of you!" Renji screamed.
By this time Ichigo had enough of Renji's selfish bullshit and disappeared in a burst of speed only to have Renji to attack him. Renji attacked over and over again only to have Ichigo dodge and try to get inside his range.
"As long as you still have powers she will never regain hers!" Renji shouted.
"Regain her powers." Ichigo said with indignation. "Let's get a couple of things straight Pineapple, one, there isn't any point in Rukia regaining her powers since you're trying to kill her, and two, I didn't steal her powers she gave them to me to save my little sisters from the hollow that injured her in the first place." Ichigo said while mentally counting the number of Renji's attacks.
"Nice try Ichigo counting the number of attacks too bad it didn't work." Renji said as he extended Zabimaru again.
Ichigo caught Renji's blade and said "Well I guess the fight is now over Renji, my teacher told me about counting attacks to look for weaknesses in the defense of my opponents I guess it didn't work with you did it. He also told me one or two other things." Raising his blade above his head he said "When you dodge don't let yourself be cut, When you protect someone don't let them die, and When you attack KILL!" he said bringing his blade down against Renji. The shock wave of the swing not only sent Renji into the brick wall behind him but also shattered Zabimaru in the process.
Ichigo approached Renji to make sure he wasn't dead which he wasn't, but as he turned to leave he felt a hand gab his ankle he looked down at the hand and realized it was Renji. Ichigo bent down to see what Renji wanted and instead was pulled down by his shihakusho.
"You gotta save Rukia promise me you will she is my best friend I want your word swear it on your soul that you'll save her." Renji said.
"That's why I'm here, but yes I swear on my soul that I will save her." Ichigo said and with that Ichigo sealed his Zangetsu and left headed for his next fight."
Ichigo started walking up the stair case and began to feel like someone had a blade at his throat, it was the most intense feeling of killing intent he'd ever felt.
"Are you the one?" a voice from the darkness asked.
"I am. You must be the Captain that Ikkaku warned me about." Ichigo said.
"I am Captain of Squad 11 Zaraki Kenpachi and you must be Ichigo Kurosaki." Captain Zaraki said.
"Ichigo" Zangetsu said gaining Ichigo's attention.
"Zangetsu what's up?" Ichigo asked.
"Kori wishes for you to use her for this next fight." Zangetsu said.
"Are you sure? You and Shiro told me to hide my true abilities so wouldn't this kind of be like advertising them for the whole world to see?" Ichigo asked unsure of whether or not to follow Zangetsu's advice.
"King just do it. You said you trusted us so do what we say, besides its not like Aizen can really do anything about it even if he is watching you." Shiro said.
"Alright but no more calling me king Zangetsu. Ichigo is how I prefer to be addressed understood. Ichigo said.
Zangetsu's hollow half just smiled and said "Alright Ichigo I can do that."and with that Ichigo swapped out Zangetsu for Kori who had a big grin plastered all over her face as she was eager to please her wielder and show him what she could do.
Ichigo drew Kori from her sheath and said "Freeze, Kori no Ryu." Ichigo noticed the difference right away he felt an overwhelming amount of power from her release far more than he ever felt from Zangetsu's. Noticing his wielder had a lot of questions both sides of Zangetsu decided to give Ichigo the answers he sought.
"Ichigo the reason why Kori's release is so much more powerful than mine is because in terms of sheer power she is by far the most powerful ice type zanpaktou in soul society history, also because my hollow half and I have been limiting the amount of power that is available to you. However when you gain access to my true form after the forging the power of my shikai release will be equal to or greater than Kori's. But for now we need to make sure that no one detects my hollow half until you gain an asauchi to forge my true blade, because by then all anyone will feel is soul reaper powers regardless of what I am, so until you train for bankai use Kori I know she would like to show you what she can do." Zangetsu said.
"What type of zanpaktou are you Zangetsu?" Ichigo asked
"I am the most powerful melee attack type zanpaktou. No zanpaktou of the same type could ever hope to match my power in combat which is why your last two opponents lost to you so shamefully. Now pay attention to your current fight instead of talking to me." Hollow Zangetsu said.
Looking at Kori's release he could feel the prideful grin she had on her face, but the thing that shocked him the most was what she looked like now that she was released. The handle of her release was an ice blue colored staff about 5 feet tall with an ice blue colored dragon at the top that had a blue and silver two tone blade coming out of the dragons mouth. The blade itself had a nasty looking inward curve towards the tip which Ichigo instantly took a liking to. Casting his gaze to the end of the staff Ichigo saw that it had a silver point at the end that had a long ice blue chain going from the tip and was fastened to the lower jaw of the dragon at the top of the staff.
"Okay Kori here we go." Ichigo said "Okay Ichigo let's make this meat head think twice about fighting you." Kori said."Kori I do believe that is the first time you've ever spoken to me I always wondered what your voice sounded like." Ichigo said.
"I didn't speak until now because I didn't have much that needed to be said." Kori said.
"Fair enough." Ichigo said with a smirk.
"You done daydreaming yet Ichigo?" Zaraki asked.
"Yeah sorry about that I was having a conversation with my Zanpaktou and I got a little to involved with it." Ichigo said
"That's quite alright Ichigo but I would suggest you pay attention." Zaraki said.
Ichigo's eyes glowed blue as he got into his fighting stance. He decided to start this fight of with a bang Ichigo banged kori on the ground and said "Sō menseki tōketsu"(AN: Total Area Freeze) the technique froze the battle field entirely including Zaraki which brought a smile to Ichigo's face. Ichigo promptly used the silver point at the end of the staff and struck Zaraki in the chest with such force that it not only shattered the ice shell around Zaraki and sent him flying into the tower behind him, it also shattered all the ice on the battlefield.
Ichigo walked up to Zaraki to check on him, his injuries weren't life threatening but he was unconscious. Yachiru walked up to Ichigo and asked "Is Kenny ok?" "Yes, he's just fine. The force of the strike cracked or broke almost all of his ribs but he's fine, although he will be in a lot of pain for a while." he told her. "That's okay Kenny's been through worse and come back from it, being hurt is better than being dead." Yachiru said. Ichigo chuckled, patted her head and said "That's true little one, now I suggest you take him some place to get checked out so he can rest." "Okay ichi" the little pink haired lieutenant said as she picked him up and disappeared.
"Ichigo!" Ganju shouted getting his attention.
"Yeah!" he responded.
"You beat Zaraki?" Ganju asked.
"Yeah I sent him packing but I doubt he'll be fighting for at least a week." Ichigo replied
"Ichigo!" Yoruichi exclaimed as she gave him a warm embrace.
"I don't believe it you beat Zaraki Kenpachi without even trying" she said.
"How did you know that?" Ichigo asked.
"I had a front row seat to your fight, I'm so proud of you. But we have to go. You've got bankai training to do and not a lot of time in which to do it." she said.
"Why what's going on Yoruichi?" Ichigo asked.
"Central 46 changed Rukia's execution date, it's in five days and we have a lot of work to do." she said.
"Alright let's go." Ichigo said.
Yoruichi led them to a cave beneath Soukyoku hill were she and Kisuke would play as children and later trained as adults.
"Now then Ichigo bankai training takes 10 years of training even for the most talented, and before you say anything I am aware that we don't have that long so through and entirely different method I'm going to have you attain bankai in three days. This is training tool called Tenshintai it's used by the stealth force for bankai training and it is how you will obtain bankai." she said as she held up a doll.
"Ichigo train with Kori and I for bankai but first Nejibana wishes to Materialize to say something to you." Hollow Zangetsu said.
Just then Nejibana Materialized in front of Ichigo, Ganju, and Yoruichi.
"Ichigo you said that I could leave and go back to the Shiba family if I chose to do so, well I have chosen to do just that but I do not want you to think that I do not want to be with you. I have decided to do this because I still have a very strong bond with a member of the Shiba family and I wish to be bonded with her. The look on your face tells me you already suspected this didn't you?" She said.
"Yes Nejibana I did. I could tell by the large smile on your face when we met Kukaku, you loved her as much as your previous wielder didn't you?" Ichigo replied.
"Yes Ichigo I do, don't get me wrong I love Ganju just as much however by bond with Kukaku is far stronger. When Kukaku was younger she was member of the 13 court guard squads more specifically squads 1,8. During an operation she was caught in a fight alone with a renegade soul reaper who's zanpaktou had a unique ability, it could destroy another soul reapers zanpaktou the minute it was released and in that fight her zanpaktou Rai Megami(AN: Thunder Goddess) was destroyed all that's left is that blade she carries with her. Even the properties that make up asauchi's were stripped from the blade. If that wasn't bad enough to add insult to injury the bastard cut off her arm and destroyed it as well with kido, after that her carrier as a soul reaper was over." Nejibana explained.
"You need not explain your decision any further Nejibana. I will gladly transfer you to Kukaku as soon as all this nonsense is cleared up." Ichigo said.
"Why not right now." Kukaku said as she, Orihime, Tatsuki, and Chad stepped out from behind the rock face. Ichigo noticed right off that Kukaku was carrying an asauchi and her arm was healed. He immediately walked up to Orihime and gave her a warm embrace and fiery kiss.
"Alright Nejibana you already have my permission so do what you need to, however Kukaku before you do anything you should know that during my intermittent training here in soul society I have been funneling a small portion of my energy into Nejibana so be warned she will be stronger than you remember so don't be surprised." Ichigo said. Kukaku nodded and said "Good maybe the bastard that took my arm and those like him will think twice before challenging me in the future." Nejibana walked around behind Kukaku and asked her if she trusted her and if she would accept her completely and Kukaku answered yes to both. Nejibana then ran Kukaku through with her blade the minute she did this we all heard Kukaku speak Nejibana's release command "Surge Waters and Heaven, Nejibana!" the minute she was released the asauchi in Kukaku's hand changed and we got a glimpse of the true form of Nejibana's blade, it was a long blue staff in the form of a trident. Afterward we all congratulated Kukaku and Nejibana and then Tatsuki, Orihime and I all began our bankai training. It turned out that we were all a great deal closer to Bankai than we thought. Ichigo was closer to bankai than he thought but so was Kukaku with Nejibana in fact Nejibana gave Kukaku her bankai the moment she was released. Ichigo mastered Zangetsu's Bankai with in a day and Kori's 2 days later. Kukaku also mastered Nejibana's Shikai and Bankai within a day and a half. Orihime and Tatsuki mastered bankai three days after Ichigo mastered Zangetsu's and they all made to the execution right on time.
EXECUTION GROUNDS
Just as the Soukyoku was about to pierce Rukia's chest Ichigo appeared between it and her. A few seconds after Soukyoku made contact with Zangetsu there was a massive explosion. Everyone looked up were the Soukyoku was supposed to be and saw nothing except Ichigo and the smoking blade of Zangetsu. It turns out that the Soukyoku had used Zangetsu as a medium to gain access to Ichigo's soul for she had chosen him as her master but not because she saw something in him, it was because her sister had held Ichigo in place so she could. Her sister was none other then Kori no Ryu Ichigo's own ice type zanpaktou. The Soukyoku or Kikoo as Ichigo was about to find out didn't want to be the execution tool of the soul society any more she wanted to be with her sister.
Ichigo turned back to look at Rukia and said "It's been a while hasn't?" "You fool I told you I didn't want you coming after me I told I'd never forgive you if you did!" Rukia shouted.
"Yeah whatever. You're getting rescued whether you like or not from now on all your opinions are rejected!" Ichigo exclaimed.
"That's no way to rescue somebody! What kind of tyrannical asshole rescue's someone like that?! The rescuer isn't supposed to disregard the opinions of the person being rescued!" Rukia screamed
"Oh shut it your the damsel in distress and your supposed to be all 'My hero's here to save me'" Ichigo said
"Save me my ass, I am no damsel in distress!" Rukia yelled
"Are you done boy?" The old man down below asked.
"I haven't even started yet." Ichigo said as he fired off a low powered getsuga tenshou directly in front of the old man.
The old man drew his sword and Ichigo said "Don't bother old man my business right now is with Byakuya Kuchiki, but I'll be more than happy to take you on later in fact after I kick his ass you can consider yourself next." The old captain bristled at this as no one had ever spoken to him like that.
"This young man is either very strong or very stupid." The old captain thought.
"I see Kikoo found herself a wielder." The old captain said
"Ichigo thank you for letting my sister in I haven't seen her in ages." Kori said.
"Your welcome kori I hope you'll tell her about me and make introductions later." Ichigo replied which Kori gave him a big dumb grin as if to say "Duh!"
"I guess you could say Kikoo found a new wielder old man she wanted to be with her sister after all!" Ichigo exclaimed
The old man's eyes went wide at this. "You mean Kikoo has a sister blade?!" The old captain asked.
Ichigo nodded and said "Yes I wielded her when I defeated Kenpachi." Everyone was shocked by the young mans admission.
Just then a large commotion was heard and everyone turned to see that Renji was the cause.
"Rukia!" he shouted. "Renji, I'm so glad your alive!" Rukia Replied
"Hey pineapple you finally showed up I was beginning to wonder. Here catch!" Ichigo yelled as he threw Rukia down to Renji.
"Ichigo you Bastard/lunatic!" Renji and Rukia yelled together. "What would you have done if I'd dropped her you moron?!" Renji yelled.
"I would've killed you!" Ichigo replied with a kidding smirk. "Now get out here, take her away from here that's your job now and don't let her go even if it kills you!" Ichigo yelled down to Renji.
Little did Ichigo know that Soifon and Yoruichi's parents had already talked to the head captain about what had transpired at the manor privately, and he wasn't surprised in fact he had suspected something along those lines but with Central 46 blocking his investigation attempts all these years he couldn't do anything. He also knew that the young man standing before them all was the son of Isshin Shiba but he chose to keep that bit of information to himself for the time being.
Renji turned to run and Soifon took this opportunity to play her hand "All lieutenants after them!" she ordered.
And Ichigo took off after the Lieutenants and a few seconds later appearing in front of them "Out of the way" Lieutenant Omaeda of the 2nd squad ordered before releasing his zanpaktou "Crush, Gegetsuburi" and Ichigo Promptly did just that by putting his fist through the zanpaktou and into Omaeda's stomach, the other lieutenants released their blades as well and quickly received an opened palm thrust to the gut and chin respectively instantly knocking them out just in time for Ichigo to turn around grab his blade and block a strike from Captain Kuchiki.
"I can see through your moves Byakuya Kuchiki." Ichigo said
To Be Continued…..
Okay that's Chapter 5 the final part of the "Into the Lions Den Arc" will be coming next.
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get this out but my Grand Mother isn't doing so well health wise. We just found out that she has a major blood clot in her lower right leg and is facing an amputation of said leg above the knee so my thoughts have been with her as of late. I also wanted to make sure I got this chapter done just right. Writing this chapter has been a great stress reliever as it has helped me to relax and take my mind off the troubles that my family is facing right now.
I would also like to make a few more announcements. One-I want to thank StringDman for being my beta thanks a lot man I really appreciate it. Two-StringDman is currently writing three really great fic's that are personal favorites of mine called "Ichigo's new zanpakuto's", "Ichigo vs. Soul Society", and "Ichigo's New Mom" I encourage anyone that has never read his work to go to his profile and check them out. Three-there is a crossover fic by RHDTHING called "The Crowned Prince and the Crimson Princess" in my opinion it is really good, one of the better High school DxD/Bleach Crossovers that I personally have come across so check it out.
As always R&R and no flames. Once again thanks for reading.
Fanficlover2017