Bleach 523: Monsters

Scene opens on Kuchiki Byakuya lying in bed. He is still bandaged up heavily from head to foot. Unohona Retsu stands next to him. The room is shaking with the powerful reiatsu being released outside.

Byakuya: so it has begun already.

Unohona: you still need to rest, you are not ready to face anyone in this battle.

Byakuya: ...

Unohona: I must go, please heed my words, do not act rashly and cause us to lose yet another captain.

Unohona disappears from the room. Byakuya stares at the opposite wall for a few moments.

Byakuya: Yamada Hanatoro, I would like you to do something for me...but this time it will be more dangerous than merely following me to Hueco Mundo.

Hanatoro walks slowly into the centre of the room.

Hanatoro: yes sir.

Scene change to Zaraki.

He stands facing off against Wairudo. They are about 50 feet apart from each other, they stand in front of the senkaimon, Wairudo standing with his back to it. They are both releasing off tremendous levels of reiatsu but neither seems to be moving forward for the attack.

Wairudo: I knew there would be some of you that wouldn't listen, which is why I made sure to position myself here.

Zaraki: Idiot. I've been looking for you from the start! You should have just made it easier and hung around closer.

Wairudo: hmph, Zaraki Kenpachi, I knew that you at least wouldn't simply follow orders. I knew we'd have to deal with you sooner or later.

Zaraki: Hah, When else would I get the chance to have a fight like this!

Wairudo: pft, as if you could defeat me, you should know your place captain of the Gotei 13.

Zaraki: Hah, are you just going to throw words around or do you plan to do anything with that sword of yours?!

Wairudo shifts his head slightly to look down at his sword. He looks back up again towards Zaraki. His voice is light as if he's mocking Zaraki.

Wairudo: and what makes you think that I would need to draw my sword against the likes of you?

Zaraki: Idiot. As soon as I even began to release my reiatsu you fully released yours in the blink of an eye. What was that? Am I supposed to think that you were just trying to scare me off?!

Wairudo:...

Zaraki: You had to power up in case I attacked you. Even against the likes of me you have to be careful.

Yachiru watches the both of them from a little way to the side. She looks on as Wairudo slowly shifts his stance and body so he is facing Zaraki sideways and places his right hand on to his sword.

Wairudo: In that case let me educate you here and now. Cut the night in half Makaze katta!

Wairudo's sheathe glows for a moment and then goes back to normal. Wairudo stands absolutely still not moving an inch. Zaraki looks left and right as I looking for something.

Zaraki: what? Was something supposed to happen?!

Wairudo: I have released my sword, Makaze Katta. I tell you this not because of any misplaced sense of honour, I would gladly cut you down like the trash you are.

Zaraki: hah

Wairudo: but I would not have the Kenpachi name sullied again by you saying that you weren't...prepared?

Kenpachi: Grrrr

Zaraki unsheathes his sword in one great swing. He takes his first step to rush at Wairudo. Immediately a great gash appears across his body rising from his right hip all the way upto his left shoulder. He stumbles back in shock and surprise, his blood flying in the air.

Zaraki: argh!

Yachiru: ken chan?!

Zaraki looks towards Wairudo who is still standing still in the same position about 50 feet away with his hand on his sword.

Wairudo: Tell me Zaraki Kenpachi, were you prepared?!

Scene change to Ichigo and Aizen.

Aizen: Caged out there you say?

Ichigo: before I came here I spoke to Urahara san about you.

Aizen:...

Ichigo: the seals that he placed in your body should be permanent. Even if you manage to remove them, he's confident in being able to place them back again. Your zanpaktou has also been completely destroyed by the hougyoku.

Aizen: Which means that anyone that was previously under its effect has now been released permanently, yes I'm aware of this.

Ichigo: Yes, I don't know how the captains would feel, or what would happen after this war is over, but for now I would allow you to go free and join the fight...

Aizen:...

Ichigo: as long as you meet a certain condition first.

Aizen: ...and what would that be.

Ichigo: you will need to have a change of heart.

Ichigo raises his sword and swings it in a semi-circle behind him. Behind him the bars of the cell disappear as a solid wall of flames appears, floor to ceiling, covering them from one end of the cell to the other. Ichigo walks behind Aizen and swings his sword down once more cutting off all his restraints and straps.

Ichigo: I will not allow you to leave here with the hougyoku.

Aizen:...

Ichigo: I don't know your reasons for what you have done until now, and I don't care. The hogyoku's true power lies in its ability to sense the hearts of those around it, and to materialize their deepest desire, remember.

Aizen: ...

Ichigo: Whatever your desires were before. But to leave this place you must desire to no longer have the Hogyoku. I don't care whether you wish to have shinigami powers once again but the Hogyoku must no longer exist for you to leave this place.

Aizen: ...and if I choose to refuse?

Ichigo: then stay here, it doesn't matter to me one way or another. The walls of this cave are still leeching your reiatsu, whilst here they make it so that you can't do anything yourself. That wall of flames will block the Hogyoku, whilst you still have it you won't be able to pass through and even if you manage it somehow, I'll cut you down once more and seal you again.

Ichigo turns away from Aizen and begins to walk slowly towards the wall of flames.

Ichigo: You are strong Aizen, I've made you this offer because it might mean that others might survive this war.

Ichigo stops as he reaches the wall of flames. He stands there facing the flames with his back to Aizen. His voice seems quiet over the roar of the flames but distinctly clear.

Ichigo: the greater your ability the more defined your path becomes...until eventually all that's left are two choices.

Aizen: ...

Ichigo: You've already used your power to take Aizen...maybe this time you could use it to protect.

Ichigo walks through the wall of flames leaving Aizen all by himself. The look on Aizen's face is the most somber one he has ever had.

Aizen: Indeed.

Scene change back to Zaraki and Wairudo

Zaraki stands looking at Wairudo, the front of his chest all bloodied. He shifts to dash forward once more. He's pushed back as a loud clash is heard in the air. As Zaraki comes to a stop you see him holding his sword out in front him with its tip pointed down.
Suddenly a gash appears on his right shoulder, this time going all the way down to his left hip. Blood spatters into the air, the two gashes leaving a big cross across his body.

Wairudo: There were two slashes that time.

Zaraki: Huh (gasps heavily).

Wairudo: I compliment you on noticing after just one attack, and even more for blocking the first. I see the name Kenpachi may not be completely wasted on you.

Zaraki: The art of the quick draw. I don't think there's anything I hate more.

Wairudo:...and why would that be?

Zaraki: hah, what's the point of a fight if you can't take the time to enjoy it!

Wairudo: I see. Well enjoy this for as long as you can, I intend to put you down right here.

Zaraki: idiot. We haven't even started yet.

Zaraki flexes his neck and then pulls off his eye patch with his left hand. He grins manically as his reiatsu surges and storms into the sky.
He wraps his left hand around the bottom of his sword hilt.

Zaraki: Let's see if you can cut me now!

Bleach 524: The Showdown begins.