-Las Noches, Throne Room, Huaco Mundo-
Josh Groban eyed the Espada before him, a mild look of interest filling his eyes. "Who indeed..." He remarked passively before resting his head on one his palms.
Ulquiorra made no reaction, his mind elsewhere as he waited for an answer.
"Why don't you scout ahead?" Josh Groban's voice brought him out of his stupor. The Espada blinking once before nodding to the order. He quickly took a few steps back and brought his hands together in front of his chest. Fingers barely touching as he started calling out from within, reiatsu quickly sparked through the air as the stone embedded deep within answered. His chest slowly started glowing as a small globe of concentrated reiatsu started forming between his hands.
After the ball of energy reached it's peak, Ulquiorra smashed his hands together. The ball of energy shattering and exploding outwards, his body uneffected, leaving a crack in the airin it's place.
He eyed the crack for a moment longer then usual before he raised one of his hands to his right eye, removing it in one swift movement. He then promptly shoved the eye through the crack in space and time.
The sudden backlash of having ten potential futures shoved into his head, admittedly enough, was rather painful.
And given the fact his Canonsight, As Lord Groban officially named it, was not as reliable as it once was, he hadn't seen Barragan coming after all, meant it was probably not going to be worth it...
...
Josh Groban kept the tight smile on his face as Ulquiorra gave him the, rather depressing, news. "Let me get this straight," He started as he sat up the slightest bit straighter. "Aaroniero get's captured-"
Ulquiorra promptly nodded.
"-Zommari almost dies, Yammy comes back with Soul Society on his back-"
Ulquiorra nodded once again, the indifferent look on his face unchanging even at the growing reiatsu from the irate +Espada.
"-And Grantz DEFECTS!?"
"Not to Soul Society," Ulquiorra quickly pointed out.
"That makes it worse." The +Espada ran his fur armband over the eyepiece, holding his head as if he were capable of headaches. "I can't believe I am asking this but, Eren?"
"Loses an arm," Ulquiorra answered, the shadow of a smile on his face.
Josh Groban's eyes minutely widened at the expression before a sour one filled his own. "Spoilers goddamit! What have I told you about ruining surprises!?"
"Apologies," Ulquiorra's face quickly turned passive as he deadpanned.
Josh closed his eyes for a second as his hands rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Was it atleast humorous?"
"Immensely, I was overtaken with laughter," Ulquiorra remarked passively.
"I can see that," Josh remarked seriously. "I've never seen you in such a good mood."
Ulquiorra nodded indifferently.
"But seriously, no more spoilers!"
Ulquiorra nodded again.
"What about Nnoitra? What happens with him?"
Ulquiorra internally sighs at the question. How was he supposed to answer that without spoilers? What even were these so called spoilers!? What is a spoiler!? What will it take before he finds out how to truly follow Lord Groban's command!?
"He dies,"
...
-Training Ground 5, Las Noches, Huaco Mundo-
"Nnoitra-sama!" A gruff voice suddenly called from outside the 'training ground.'
Noittra paused his three free arms from ripping his subordinates a new one as he turned his head towards the source.
"Huh!? Da hell do ya want!?" He called out as one of his four arms choked the Espada in his grasp.
"-t's -r- sam-" The winged hollows voice kept on drowning out in the midst of all the screams.
Rolling one eye he stopped pouring out his reiatsu, finally giving the hollows around him the chance to breath as he removed his blade from the hollow in front of him and stopped choking the life out of the two in his hands. The three scampering away as quickly as they could, the rest of the -espades backing away aswell.
"Da hell were ya saying? Can't ya see I am busy?" He cackled, his voice almost breaking in the process as he walked over towards the red winged hollow. The creatures sleek body, though covered by the white robes Groban insisted everyone wear, openly showing his Vasto Lorde status.
"It's Panthera-sama! He's on his way-"
Nnoitra's sudden swipe with his blade cut off the -Espada's words and right arm, as he narrowed his eyes. "How many times do I gotta tell ya fools? Nickname or full name! Ya will not call him by anything else-" Whatever he'd been about to say to the winged hollow was suddenly cut off as he felt the rapidly nearing reiatsu. He ignored the -espada's sudden whining as it fell to the ground clutching it's missing arm.
"Well, well, well..." Nnoitra started beforehand, entirely indifferent to the fact number six probably couldn't even hear him.
Said +espada suddenly crash landed onto the floor before him, his long blue hair rapidly swirling behind him as the Panthera hollow locked gazes with the Mantis.
"If it ain't Eren-fucking-Jaeger! Finally caught up yet? Or is 'ar match postponed indefinitely?" Nnoitra's, forcefully modified words, surprisingly enough, for once didn't get the reaction he expected. Panthera hated his new name with a burning passion... Still, Groban didn't give him, nor anyone else, a choice in the matter. He'd quite literally made it impossible to call him nor Panthera for whatever reason by their real names. Though he would never admit to doing it, naturally.
Though why the bastard changed Huaco Mundo's fucking name aswell he didn't have a clue.
Eren simply turned his head as he eyed the rest of the -espada surrounding them. "You know... I forgot how much of a sadistic asshole you were..."
Nnoitra blinked at the words. "The fuck are ya talking about forgot!? Ya've been gone a day!"
Panthera smiled at the response as he barred his teeth. "And what a fucking day it's been!" He stretched out his hands, getting into a combat stance. His eyes gleaming in the light.
Nnoitra tensed his guard as he took a few steps back. "What kind of fucking inner awakening did ya go through!?" He snarled as he bent his body the slightest and quickly picked up the scattered blades.
Eren simply kept the smile on his face. "Oh, you wouldn't believe some of the things I've seen..."
It was only then did Nnoitra notice something off as he stared at his fellow +espada. "Where the fuck did ya get that scar?" He suddenly questioned, referring to the half crescent shaped slash on the +Espada's right shoulder, moments before either of them could move.
Eren, for a moment didn't look like he was going to answer before the smile, for the first time since arriving, disappeared as he narrowed his eyes.
"From you," The whisper reached the +espada a second before he realised he was missing one of his arms, the bright blue narrow flash of reiatsu burning into his upper right shoulder causing him to scream. Eren, having not moved a single step simply straightened his back, one hand held up, his finger taunting him.
"Come on then! I've got a list to go through and frankly you're not really a priority,"
...
5 Minutes Later
-Las Noches, Throne Room, Huaco Mundo-
Josh Groban hummed along as he listened in to the story. Ulquiorra could paint a picture with his words.
"I see," He remarked bored with the result, not that he'd expected much out of Nelleil, but her not lifting a single finger against the shinigami was a new low. The man's eyes quickly widened as his brow furrowed. "The shinigami just let her go?" He questioned quickly.
Ulquiorra nodded quickly. "I do not know why, all I saw was a shadow protecting her, likely a pacifist of sorts."
He nodded passively, "Right... Who does that leave... What about Harribel?"
"I saw even less there." Ulquiorra's answer was, thankfully, to the point.
Josh Raised an eyebrow at the words. "What do you mean?"
"The vision ends abruptly."
Josh quirked an eyebrow at the words. "What?" He quickly asked for more information-
Ulquiorra's expression didn't budge. "The vision ends abruptly."
"I wasn't asking yo- What do you mean it ends abruptly?" He held in the sigh that threatened to leave.
Ulquiorra tilted his head the slightest. "I do not know, though it is remarkably similar to my attempted view of Barragan's future."
Josh Groban closed his eyes minutely at the words.
"Do these people not understand why the balance is important?" He questioned to no one in particular before a third voice quickly joined them.
"As always... Vastly overestimating these soul reapers..." The silky voice suddenly swept into the room, earning a frustrated groan from the man on the throne and no reaction from his dragon.
"Hello Boss-sama~" The higher-pitched voice continued on as the pink-haired man entered the room, his signature purple tattoo surrounding a widened amber eye.
Josh Groban held in the groan that threatened to escape. "Stop calling me that..." He demanded for the hundredth time.
"Sure thing Lord Boss Groban." The man remarked as he flicked his hair back, one finger tapping the side of his head.
"What do you want Grantz?"
The man put a finger on his lip as he processed the question before his smile widened as he quickly clapped his hands.
Josh Groban raised an eyebrow when two egg shaped -Espada quickly walked in, ontop of both of their shoulders-
He closed his eyes the moment they landed on the two battered +Espada, one Eren Jaegerjaquez and one Misog- Nnoitra Gilga... Both in their released states and both missing half their limbs...
"They were throwing up a fuss. I was having tea. You understand."
Josh rubbed the bridge of his nose at the words. "Grow their arms back and throw both of them in the dungeon,"
"The same cell yes?"
"Of course not!"
"Got it Boss-sama!"
Josh twitched as he eyed the irritatingly useful +espada before him.
"Say Ulqie~" Szayel quickly turned on his feet to face the other +Espada in the room.
Josh hid the sigh he released at the shifted attention. It was moments like these, particularly the ones involving the mad scientist before him, that made him miss his old espada...
"I couldn't help but overhear you talking about the future-" Grants had started before the only unreleased espada in the room quickly interrupted him. Evidently knowing what he was going to ask.
"Yes, you defect again." Ulquiorra deadpanned.
Again!? Josh thought to himself, ignoring the bead of sweat that started to roll down his head.
Szayel's face quickly lit up at the words as he clapped his hands. "Woo! Bullet dodged, amiright Boss-sama!?" He finished as he turned back towards him, flashing him a massive smile.
"Get out." Josh remarked through grit teeth as he considered introducing himself to Soul Society, if only to get away from Huaco Mundo.
...
-Broken White Tower, Seireitei-
So... What do you think happened to Huya?
Focus on the matter at hand... And stop calling him that. The broken recorder remarked for the thousen-
...
-dth time.
...Do you simply lack any preservation skills?
Instead of answering, I simply turned my gaze back to the shinigami before me.
"So since we don't have Kisuke... Any chance I can decide her punishment instead?" I remarked idly, my finger pointing towards the gagged woman in the centre.
My words, for whatever reason as I've frankly given up on trying to read these people, caused Hitsugaya's expression to shift, an uncomfortable aura originating from him and filling the air.
Yamamoto fixed me with a gaze before asking what I had in mind.
Needless to say, it turns out Yoruichi wouldn't in fact like it.
...
"You wish to absolve her of all her previous charges?" Yamamoto questioned me, his words somehow piercing through the sudden cloud of killing intent that had filled the room.
Most of it came from her.
I could practically feel the present tension palpating around. Byakuya's presence, oddly enough, being the least noticable. The man's expression had closed off ever since 'Yhwach' disappeared.
Hitsugaya's expression on the other hand was the easiest to read.
Sheer utter annoyance filled his face.
Apparently the capture hadn't been clean given Yoruichi's shocked face, courtesy of my proposal, had temporarily switched to a look of pride when the shorter captain had started speaking.
"You can't be serious Aizen..." He remarked the moment he'd seen the look on my face.
"Yes!" I admitted. "Under the condition that she works for the Gotei 13 for the next, at the very least, two decades."
I could see a myriad of expressions fill the woman's face at my words and thankfully, because of the gag on her mouth, I wouldn't have to hear them.
But judging by the most common look.
I am going to assume they involved many swear words.
"Does this involve the future by any chance?" Ukitake questioned from beside Shunsui, a neutral look to his face, though the man made an effort to avoid Yoruichi's gaze.
"You can never be too prepared." I answered honestly. Yoruichi was one of the more powerful shinigami.
Me being a fan of hers had nothing to do with it whatsoever!
...
Yamamoto didn't even deign to look at any other captain as he processed my words, before to my own and everyone else's shock, he tipped his head the slightest.
"Given Central 46 is currently indisposed, I, Genryusai Yamamoto, Captain-Commander of the First Devision of The Gotei 13 hereby place former captain ShihoinYoruichi under Captain Aizen Sosuke's superverision for the foreseeable future," The man remarked before proceeding to slam his giant stick, the point on the ground releasing a thread of reiatsu, the first end quickly found itself locking into a single point on, a horrified, Yoruichi's neck with the other end, likely, latching onto the end of my Zanpakuto.
I blinked as I replayed the man's words over and over again in my head, my eyes looking down onto my glowing sheath. My supervision... Doesn't that make me responsi- Ah crap... And judging by the amused look on the old man's face, he heard me. Still... Putting her under my supervision instead of absolving her crimes?
Freaking smart asshole...
Of course, while I had no intention of taking this lying down, I simply couldn't help but wonder why Shunsui looked even more put out by this then I did... And while the fact he was sitting opposite me didn't make it any easier to not notice, I don't think he was necessarily trying to hide his emotions around me anymore. So his issue with everything made even less sense...
Or maybe I am just reading this wrong... It'd be real helpful of you to interject right about now...
I promptly sighed at the lack of response and just before either me or Shunsui could, most likely in his case, protest against me on my behalf, the broken tower we were currently in buckled as the ground beneath us trembled. The reiatsu in the air intensifying. The still standing walls around us quickly started to break under the sudden pressure. Seriously, whose idea was it to use the same broken tower anyway!?
I quickly found myself in the air as I moved towards the gagged and cuffed assassin in the centre, my blade drawn within the instant.
I quickly rebuffed Aizen's sudden insistence on skewering the woman, her expression showcasing clear dread, in favour of cutting her handcuffs loose, it's not like she could run any more, presumably.
The handcuffs being surprisingly easy to cut through meant either the Shinigami were really cheap when it came to safety, or prisoner assassination attempts were really common.
The latter. Aizen thankfully chimed in then. Though even I could tell he was angry at me.
It was the perfect opportunity to get rid of her...
On that note, I quickly grabbed said 'her' by the waist and dashed out of the collapsing building, landing next to Hitsugaya Toshiro. The captain stood in the middle of the street trying to discern wherever that surge of reiatsu had come from.
"What are you doing!?" Yoruichi suddenly snarled as she kicked at me, before dashing a few feet away. The thread on her neck intensifying in colour as she was forced to stop on her feet. Her eyes outright glaring at me. Hitsugaya on the other hand quickly moved behind her the moment he'd seen her move, kicking at her knees to drop her into the floor before unsheathing his blade.
"Don't move a muscle, Aizen may not have the stomach for it but I have no problem with taking out traitors." He warned. Though, to his own irritation, the woman didn't seem to acknowledge neither his words nor sword as she kept her gaze fixed on me.
"It's true, not a fan of casualties-" I shrugged and before I could even make out her reaction to my words, a brilliant flash of blue suddenly lit up the sky behind me. Mine, Hitsugaya's and Yoruichi's attention suddenly snapped towards the pillar of reiatsu that had suddenly encompassed the central building of the city. The reiatsu moving upwards as if it were a reversed waterfall, almost as if the blast had come from underground.
The reiatsu itself had destroyed every speck of Central 46's headquarters. And in the sight of all this destruction-
"...Jokes on them, our government was already dead." -my mouth decided that was the perfect thing to say.
"Aizen!" Hitsugaya remarked with alarm, though to my own shock, I found the 10th devision captain trying to stifle his own laughter at my words.
As the reiatsu quickly dissipated from the air, leaving a massive hole where the building had previously stood, in the middle of Seireitei. Up high in the sky I could make out a single humanoid figure, lackadaisically standing in the middle of the air waving his hand out towards me.
Is... Is that Stark? Aizen, what the hell is Stark doing here!?
"Good afternoon Seireitei." The figure kept his eyes on me as he started speaking, his tone polite while his voice was enhanced to reverberate across the city.
Oh my god that voice... Where have I heard that voice!? My mind wracked itself in an attempt to remember.
"My name is Josh-" OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OHMYGOD! "-Groban! And I-"
He was about to continue before I accidentally interrupted him, once again entirely on instinct, with "-am a furry?"
Honestly speaking, I hadn't expected that much of Coyote Stark's body to be covered in fur... I'd also meant to say that quietly, Aizen however decided to enhance my voice for me...
I'd figured you to immediately release my sword as you've done on contact with everything else so far. You locked gazes with him did you not? Or are you telling me I would be incapable of catching him in Complete Hypnosis from this distance?
You are so not putting this on me... Anyone ever tell you you tend to get super defensive?
Hitsugaya blinked at the strange word as he, though he kept most of his view on the suddenly quiet intruder, turned his head minutely towards me.
"What is a furry exactly?" He questioned bemused.
Probably wanted to know if they had any weakness.
I kept my gaze on the building bubble of anger in the distance, which in retrospect means Stark- Groban knows what a furry is.
"Ask Komamura." I shrugged, idly wondering if the wolfman even knew/heard of the word, though given Yoruichi's reaction to my answer...
The woman had stifled the snort that threatened to come out. Her eyes immediately widening in the process as she found her guard, for the first time that day, lowered enough for me to catch her off it. She grit her teeth and kept her eyes locked on me. Disregarding the Espada in the sky completely.
Talk about a tough crowd...
...
Author Notes: Hope you enjoyed! Don't forget to leave feedback!