So, apparently, Bleach characters are really, really, fast. Shaak Ti can't even keep track of us with her eyes at half-assed speeds, forget keeping up! The other Espada all ignored her most of the time, although the females and, unsurprisingly, Loly and Menoly, took to her reasonably well. It helped that she was semi-clairvoyant and that I vouched for her having powers they couldn't even comprehend. Odd, that. However, no matter how indulgent Tousen was or how low Tia paced her lessons, it was almost impossible to catch her up, not for lack of trying on our or her part. Eventually, I asked her to shelve the idea for the moment, since I had a sneaking suspicion there was something I could do about it, just not right then.
I visited the Las Noches gates, the highest point above the dome, the Forest of Menos, the center of the vast desert that was Hueco Mundo, and Barragan's old arena to claim the last five [Location Collectibles]. Because I leveled up, I got forty points per collectible now, bringing the total up to two hundred easily. I spent fifty each into the rogue attributes, and twenty-five each into all the others. I didn't gain any new skills… but the difference was obvious, now. In the process, I was taught how to use Reiatsu to stand and move about when not on the ground, but it just created a subskill for my chakra control skill called 'flight'. I wasn't complaining either way.
I never really paid much attention to the way my stats impacted my actual capability, but it was obvious now. I had to be careful with my strength when I sparred with Shaak Ti. I could keep up with all of my opponents, now, even Stark. Dodging was never easier, and things always happened that made my spars much quicker to end. I had a perfect memory and could comprehend ideas and tactics that would be Nara-level, back home. Against beings that required multiple captain-class Shinigami and a taken-over Hollow-Ichigo to deal with, I considered myself strong enough to stand on their wavelength.
I didn't just waste all my time, though.
I'd make a shadow clone, then wait until my chakra regenerated, then made one again. Apparently, the chakra split only occurred when the technique is initialized, so this way I had many clones having half of my effective chakra. While their pool was limited thusly, their stats still remained as effective as mine were, so their energies were replenished pretty quickly every half-minute. This allowed me to grind a lot of my skills, some even to the very max level. I practically took over the training grounds for a couple of months as winter set in on the human world… and the time to strike came near.
Currently, I was waiting for Aizen in his room, sitting besides Shaak Ti on his couch. We were now, apparently, trusted enough that we could be left alone here. Big mistake for them, but it's not like I can do much damage when the guy isn't even in the room. My fingers cradled my chin as I contemplated the list in front of me.
[Perks
1. Eye of Mikhail – By being bestowed upon with Michael's Eye, you are now able to use Zaiphon.
Cost: 200PP.
2. Augmentations – By learning David Sarif's knowledge, you have learned to augment yourself and those around you.
Cost: 200PP.
3. Conduit Gene 1 – Unlock a Conduit element.
Cost: 200PP.
4. Fullbring – Unlock a Fullbring.
Cost: 200PP.]
I had a reasonable guess that I couldn't actually choose what fullbring I could give someone, but I think that would be the best skill to impart to Shaak Ti at the moment to bring her up. If my guess about The Force being what I thought it was, was right, then she'd be far more powerful in the Elemental Nations than here. I know squat about Zaiphon, and I'm reasonably sure I won't be able to procure a Bacculus from anywhere sans visiting the 07-Ghost world, and given that I don't know how to travel between worlds yet, I thought to shelve that for me for later when I had even more points to spare, possibly buying it off as the last to finish this tier. The same went for the Augmentation knowledge – I'm not sure if Adam Jensen's unique DNA genome would be included in the package, so it's best to have that knowledge in my head where I won't turn the world into drug-craving addicts simply to be able to fight off massive amounts of pain.
The conduit gene… I'm reasonably sure would be dependent on Qi, too. After all, there wasn't much of spirituality in the series, and any leg up I can give Shaak Ti in the coming battles would be good. I have seven hundred and three perk points now, thanks to Shadow Clone training, so I could pick up three of them. When my other clones disperse, maybe I'll be able to pick up the last one and finish the tier altogether.
"Alright then." I spoke out and stood. "Master Ti, please stand. I'm going to try something out."
The Togrutan Jedi, having been forced to relay all knowledge she had on me to Aizen, was almost surely certain of what I had in mind. "Are you sure this is wise?" she asked but stood anyway. That made me smile. I don't know what she saw about me that made her honor me with such a valuable commodity as trust but trust me she did. Maybe it had something to do with how I was her ticket back home.
I shrugged. "What's life with a bit of risk?" I asked, coming to stand behind her and grasping her hand. "The influx should not be painful, given that even babies didn't react, but you're and adult with only one source of energy, so I'm not a hundred percent sure it won't be without pain. Be rest assured, though, it will be worth it." I lifted her hand to the screen, drenching it with a bit of my chakra, and tapped.
PING!
[Are you sure you want to give Shaak Ti Conduit Gene 1?]
I tapped yes without asking her.
[Please select one of the following:
Ionic Energy
Telepathic Blood
Junk
Body Projection]
I arched an eyebrow. All the powers from the first game. I guess there will be more perks with the powers from the other games? Pity, I wanted to give her Abigail's neon powers if at all possible… oh well. I guess that delicious morsel has someone else's name on it. "Alright, you have the choices between Ionic Energy control, the choice to secrete a blackish goo through which you can telepathically take control over people, the ability to control Junk, or creating bodily projections of yourself. Personally, I'd go for the Ionic Energy, since that's the most versatile one on the list." I grinned. Imagine having a Cole McGrath on your side, and you'd be pretty hyped too! I mean, seriously, the guy was awesome!
"Is there a better choice?" she dryly asked, no doubt amused by my childish glee.
I blushed. Can you blame me, though? She could be a female Cole, man! That's fucking slick! "Nope. The Junk… seriously? Telepathic Blood is a little too gross for anyone, and Body Projection is practically useless." I mean, defeating the First Sons conduits were pretty easy, so I'm not sure that's a good choice at all. Why was that option even here? Kessler had- oh. Wait. He was Cole from the future. Damn it.
She sighed. "Then I will trust in your judgement."
I grinned at tapped the option, and then again to confirm my choice.
[You have given Shaak Ti the Conduit Gene to control Ionic Energy!]
And... nothing else. Shaak Ti didn't double over in pain, the room wasn't abruptly blown away, and I was just looking at her expectantly. Her face was frowning in concentration, though. "Anyway, ready for the next one? I think this will actually be much easier to control as time goes on than the other, given where we are."
She let out a shaky laugh. "I'm not certain that would be the wisest course of action. Power corrupts – I would rather not expose myself to such a possibility."
I took her hand in mine again. She only weakly protested. "Relax, it will be fine! In fact, this way you might form a bridge to being as fast as the beings here. What could possibly go wrong?" I asked, then tapped and accepted the [Fullbring] perk for her.
For one second, something around us all stilled. In Hueco Mundo, where anything that moved could only be a hollow, this was a foreboding feeling. A sudden hum began to pick up, and a light breeze began to drift through the room.
Then, an ominous bell tolled loud enough to almost burst my eardrums.
I tensed, waiting for some form of attack. I leaped away, gripping my Zanpakuto and unsheathing it, ducking into a crouch…
Only to face-fault when a lightsaber appeared in front of her. I totally forgot that a Fullbring needed an object that you had an intense emotional attachment to, to work! That strange feeling was probably the system pulling her lightsaber from whichever dimension it fell into along her way here!
I relaxed and turned to observe her. She was surprised, but wetness was slowly coming to her eyes as she slowly reached forward and grasped it. "I… I didn't know that I would see it again so soon…"
A slight smile crept onto my face when I saw her expression. Cool power or not, I guess I did the right thing unknowingly. I don't know why some Jedi have a stronger connection with their lightsabers than some wizards to their wands in the Harry Potter universe, but I guess it was a Force thing.
"Great. All's well that ends well." I beamed. "Now, we only need to find… someone…"
Wait.
Xcution was already dead, thanks to Aizen and me.
Crap.
"I guess we can wait for it to manifest on its own." I gave her a strained smile. "At least we have something else to train with in the meantime, right?"
She laughed a little. It was the first time I'd heard her laugh ever since we met. I didn't even know her character to laugh in any media I'd seen her. She was always the strong-serious-but-kind type woman. "I care not for more power at all; in reuniting me with my lightsaber… you have given me strength again. My thanks, Legion." She actually bowed a little. "This is a debt I cannot repay."
I sheepishly rubbed the back of my head. "That's a bit too much, Master Ti."
She stood and shook her head. "It is not. You clearly do not understand what their lightsaber means for a warrior using the Force… but rest assured, it is as important to my mental well-being as much as breathing is." She then quirked an eyebrow at me. "Which has suddenly become as easy as it is on my home-planet."
I gave her a horrified expression. "You were having trouble breathing all this time?! Why didn't you tell me?!"
She sighed. "It is because of this place we are in. It was not meant for those not its own. However, this… Fullbring… that you have given me seems to have tricked it into believing I do, indeed, belong."
That made sense. Ulquiorra already told me it was possible for Humans to survive here, but that their health would degrade over time. And Yasutora Sado also found that his powers were far more reactive here than back in the world of the living. "Okay, fine, but if you would have told me, I'd have given you the damn thing earlier! It's been… what… a full week since I freed you?! These are things you're supposed to tell me, you know!"
She looked at me for a moment in surprise, then smiled an indulgent smile and patted my head. "Alright. The next time I am in need of assistance, child, I'll simply ask it."
"Good." I huffed, crossing my arms. "There's no point in you being in pain when I can do something about it! Until we're able to drop you off home, you're my responsibility, you know!"
She looked at me with clear amusement. "Of course. How irresponsible of me."
"Something tells me you don't entirely mean that." I grumbled.
It was then that Aizen sauntered into his room, flanked by Tousen and Gin. "Ah, Legion. It has been a while since we last spoke."
"Aizen." I greeted. "I take it things are going well?"
"I took your advice to mind and tried my hand at… converting… some members of Soul Society." He smirked as he took a seat. "It has worked wonderfully. It's always satisfying to see what a well-placed illusion can do."
"Illusions are underrated." I agreed. In fact, I had only recently maxed out my skill so that it evolved to [Master Illusionist] and using it against Yammy was amusing to no end.
"What is it that you wished to talk about?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. "Any more bits of knowledge you have stored in that head of yours?"
"I actually wanted to request to be allowed to go to Karakura town." I responded. "I need to pick up a few things that aren't available in my new home-world… and then trace them back to their factories and loot them blind."
He looked at me with a hint of mirth dancing in his eyes. "Is that so?"
"Well, it's not my fault that the Elemental Nations is so behind on the advancement scale!" I retorted, feeling my cheeks burning.
He tilted his head to the side. "Well… you have been a very good boy for the past half year…"
I gave him a look.
He laughed. Oh god, I wouldn't never stop being surprised when he laughed, ever. "Very well, you may go. You will have to be accompanied by an Espada member, of course, but you can go. In fact…"
His tone made me feel just the slightest hint of dread.
"I have been contemplating launching the invasion into Soul Society." He confided. Behind him, Gin's smile just turned the tiniest bit forced. Ah, wasn't he doing all this so he could protect that Rangiku girl? "We need a good distraction so that we can isolate the combat areas more effectively. Why don't you accompany…. Half of the Espada to Karakura Town, and then go off on your own whenever? You may also test your mettle against the enemy stationed there."
"I thought you would like to convert Urahara and Yoruichi to your side?" I asked, tilting my head. "One has a brilliant mind, and the other is faster than any Shinigami alive… or dead… today."
He waved me off. "Urahara detests me for he knows many of my secrets. Of course, he doesn't know it's me, but that little illusion is bound to dispel when he learns of my involvement in the new system Soul Society and the human world will be in soon enough. As for Yoruichi, Zommari is faster than her. She's of no use to me."
I nodded. Valid points, all of them. "What about… Kurosaki Ichigo?"
Aizen let his head rest on his hand. "You know, then?
"You should know better than to think I do not." I snorted. "Whatever he is today, there's a direct hand of both you and Juuha Bach in his powers. There's no way you're not monitoring him every moment you can."
"True enough… before." He allowed. "Now, after I have strengthened my army with the incomplete Hogokyou, I am inclined to think he isn't something I cannot replicate. Deal with him. I wish to see how the two of you match up."
"There won't be a contest." I pointed out. "Because you didn't manipulate events to kidnap Rukia, he's still not gotten his Ban Kai. In fact, he hasn't even learned to draw out his hollow powers or gotten stronger by facing the various Gotei 13 members he would, had events gone as they should."
"Hm. True. Very well. Kill him before you return."
"But why?" I asked, not liking the idea.
Aizen sighed. "You and your pacifist views. Very well, how about this? Kill Kurosaki Ichigo, and only then will I give you the knowledge to return to your home." He paused. "In fact, amuse me. You will be the one to deal with Genryuusai."
PING!
[Main Quest Alert!
Strawberry Troubles
The time has come for things to change, for better or for worse. You have been tasked with killing the most naturally powerful beings by Aizen himself during the invasion of Soul Society.
Objectives:
Kill Kurosaki Ichigo
Kill Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto
Reward:
100000xp, Mirror Dimension Skill Book]
Holy. Crap. WHAT? The Mirror Dimension can be used to travel?!
But… can I really do it? Can I kill Ichigo even though I know he hasn't done anything wrong? And, and! Am I strong enough to kill the Captain Commander?
Naruto's face filled my vision.
"I will do it." I allowed, glaring at him truly. "But you must promise me one thing: I will be the one to personally slit the throats of every single Quincy when we find their prison."
He nodded genially, not at all perturbed by mine and Shaak Ti's anger. "Of course. I know you get stronger when you kill. That was going to be your reward actually, but now that you've asked…"
I scoffed and accepted the quest. Not for the first time, I began to have doubts on my mind about this. Was this right? I looked to Shaak Ti in askance, but she just shook her head. Oh, right, she can't use the Force here or risk severing her connection permanently. Ugh! "Okay. I'm ready to go right now."
"Bringing the Gotei 13 to Karakura town will be done by myself." Aizen spoke, shrugging off the palpable annoyance in the air effortlessly. "You will be accompanied by the higher tiered Espada to the town. However, ending Yamamoto and Kurosaki will be your personal directive."
I waved him off and stood, stretching. "Alright. Let's get going."
It was only a matter of moments next when I was in the throne room. Shaak Ti, like me, felt conflicted about the situation, but knew she was well out of her depth here. Jedi normally loved being martyrs, so something that she must have seen when in her trance must have convinced her to play along… but what? And if so, why was she not telling me what she saw?
Laying eyes on the top five Espada was a new sight. For one, their numbers were prominently displayed on the back of whatever garments they wore. Also, clearly, while I had been training my ass off, they had too, because the ranks were different from what I remembered them being.
Ulquiorra was now number one. He didn't look much different at all, but the way he held himself had changed completely from calm acceptance to serenity. Odd. The Segunda was none other than, surprise-surprise, Tia. She hadn't changed much either, except that there was now a bone fragment that covered her navel laterally. Her Fraccion were nowhere in sight. Barragan was now number three and was scowling heavily. I guess he didn't like that he'd been bumped down a spot – I really wonder how that ranking battle played out, and when; I had to be pretty deep in concentration to miss something like that. There was a '4' emblazoned on the back of Stark's jacket, but he didn't seem very bothered by it. Lilynette, on the other hand… I'd rather not be around her for a while. The Quinta was, someone I had helped find.
"Nelliel!" I greeted, a happy smile coming to my face at the sight of the woman. It soothed something in me to know that her Reiatsu was not leaking off of her in a near-death-inducing level. "How do you feel?"
"It is odd remembering the things I dis as Nel." She admitted, a soft smile adorning her features. "The thanks I owe to Dondonchaka and Pesche for taking care of me is far too great for me to pay off for the next hundred years."
"Where are they, anyway?" I asked, looking around. The three had been inseparable, and for good reason, so it was odd not to see them at her side like always.
"Mila Rose said something about training them back to their former power levels." Tia piped in, narrowing her eyes at nothing in particular. "The ripping of their masks brought them down by quite a lot, but not so much that it can't be recovered over time."
I nodded. "Good, good." Then I turned to address them all. "Our mission, if you otherwise do not know, is the destruction of the current Gotei 13, and only them. Any other soul you attempt to eat, kill, or otherwise eradicate, and you will be facing me personally."
Barragan snorted but said nothing. Good. When we sparred once, his powers didn't affect me at all. I guess it had something to be with [Gamer's Body], but I had been hard pressed to find out how exactly. After that, defeating him had been a breeze. Pity that I don't get experience points for sparring.
"We will be heading to Karakura town – which will be the main battlefield for now." I continued. "If you can divert the captains far away from each other, your fights will be easier. If you can drag them out of the town limits, you will be able to limit collateral damage and thus evade my wrath." I smirked, then sobered up. A quick flex of my chakra and a Genjutsu shimmered around us into existence, to show the image of the person as I spoke about them. "As for the captains themselves, they're pretty easy to deal with except for a few figures – Kyoraku Shinsui's Zanpakuto is a whimsical one, wanting to play games and the like. He has many he can choose from, and his Bankai is almost worse than the Captain-Commander's. If he shows up, Ulquiorra will handle him, and quickly – don't give him time to activate his sword."
The Primera nodded.
"Junshiro Ukitake's Zanpakuto is antithetical to your powers, Stark. He's also said to have been revived by the Soul King himself, so if he shows up, Tia will take care of him – besides knowing that his sword can reflect Reiatsu back at the attacker, I don't know much about his abilities. But he is a captain, so expect him to have hidden cards."
"Consider it done." She agreed.
"Good. Besides them, and perhaps of greater danger than all of them combined, is Soi-Fong. She's the captain of the Onmitsukido, essentially the sneaky ninja brigade of the Gotei 13. Her released Zanpakuto is the most dangerous of all. If she strikes the same point on your body twice, you die. It doesn't matter whether you have the best defenses, or the strongest Hierro, or anything of the sort. Two strikes, and you're dead." I said, grimly. "I'll be handling her personally."
There was no disagreement.
"There are four other high-priority targets." I added. "Kurosaki Ishin is a former Shinigami captain with a fire-element Zanpakuto who seems to be involved with a family in the same town we're visiting. Let me make this clear – the family is off limits. If I see so much as a shiver from them, whoever is responsible will die painfully." I smiled a little too sharp to drive the point home. "No one in this dimension has managed to throw off my illusions, not even Aizen himself. Keep that in mind while you're here."
I continued without waiting for a response. "His son, Kurosaki Ichigo, is my target, like the Captain Commander himself. Leave. Him. Alone. He's too irritating for you to take head on and is known to pull new tricks out of his ass when he's been outdone. He may or may not be accompanied by a Quincy named Ishida Uryuu, and two humans with strange powers named Inoue Orihime and Yasutora Sado." I paused to let their images fully form. "These three are off limits. If they insist on interfering, you may incapacitate them in the least harmful method you possess. The Quincy's father, Ishida Ryuuken, may interfere – deal with him as you see fit."
"Alongside them, however, will be these two." I gestured to the images of a man and woman that appeared. "They're both former Gotei 13 captains. The man is Urahara Kisuke, first head of the Scientific Research Division – expect him to pull weird gadgets and toys into play. He's too powerful for anyone besides numbers one and two to deal with. The woman is Soi-Fong's predecessor, so I'll be dealing with her too." I sighed, running fingers through my hair. "I have a suspicion that there is something that can make me more powerful in Karakura. If this is true, I'll gather it up and try my best to assist you in your battles. Remember, it is not the strongest one that wins, but the quickest. Don't try to add flair to your battle – style is far less important than staying alive. The five of you are the strongest of the Espada – act like it."
They looked at each other in askance. Barragan seemed to be looking at me with narrowed eyes. Considering that he was seated on his flying throne without any of his Fraccion by his side, I think he was just cranky that his feet weren't being massaged. I dispelled the illusion around us and set on up around Shaak Ti to make her appear human.
"Very well." I nodded. "Let's go."
The trip through the Garganta was odd. In this strange world between worlds, it felt as if something was calling out to me. No one else seemed as perturbed by it as I did, so I let [Gamer's Mind] take over and shove it aside. Now wasn't the time to let my thoughts wander.
When we emerged from the Garganta, we were high above the town itself.
"Ah!" I breathed in deep and smiled. "It feels good to be in the realm of the living again. I guess my Shinigami powers didn't change who I was at the basest level."
"True. Simply being here makes me feel far better than I ever felt in Hueco Mundo." Shaak TI agreed, then frowned. "At least… until a few minutes ago."
"Well, team, all we have to do is wait until the Gotei 13 arrive." I cheerfully informed the others. A single cross-seal had two shadow clones appear next to me in a puff of smoke. One immediately departed, beginning the long search for [Location Collectibles] – apparently, it didn't matter whether I or my clones touched it, but I always got the points and the clones were updated simultaneously. The second clone left to travel far from the city and create the skills for air-bending and earth-bending – something I was feeling odd not having.
Meanwhile, I opened my inventory and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a snap of my fingers. "So… until they get here… how's things going?"
Barragan looked at me incredulously.
"Eh, I tried." I shrugged. "Shaak Ti, before we return home, I'm going to get you acquainted with your Conduit powers. If you somehow end up back in your home dimension first, I don't want you to go over with it blind."
The woman nodded distractedly. "Of course, Legion. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that-"
There was a PING. "Hold up. I just…. Holy shit!"
[You have discovered: Karakura City Hospital! 1/75 Karakura Town locations discovered!
Please select one of the following –
6000 Exp
150 Perk Points.
40 Stat Points.]
Forty stat points per collectible. Seventy-five of them. That means, what, three thousand stat points? Crap, crap, crap, I expected there to be a lot of them, but not so many! Even Konoha has less, for crying out loud!
Well… now what? Do I take them? Stupid question – I'm never coming back here, so I've gotta. I will just bother me if I don't. But… what will I be back in the Elemental Nations? I set out deciding that I wouldn't be one of those planet-destroying ninjas. But here…
Ugh. You know what? Let's just get this over with. I selected the stat points. Almost immediately next, another screen popped up. I sighed and settled in for a long while of tapping.
It felt odd, just standing there in the air, tapping away at something only I could see. Barragan's narrowed gaze never left my finger. Shaak Ti's eyes were rapidly widening once she caught on to what was happening. Ulquiorra and Tia were quietly conversing a few steps away, and Stark was using Lilynette as a pillow to… sleep. Wow, that guy is worse than a Nara.
Anyway, a few minutes later I was done with the last screen and was hit with the memories of the clone. Ouch. Urahara was on his way here right now, as were Yoruichi, Ryuuken, and Ishin. Eh, it turns out that a lot of those collectibles were scattered around the place hidden in secret areas, like the Visored hideout and the training area underneath Urahara Shoten, or even the secret Quincy repository. Thank god for the phasing capabilities that the Speed-force bestows upon me, no?
Since there were no options that usually replaced the experience one with a quirky option of its own, I collected three thousand stat points. My mind was numb for a while, but then I shrugged it off and assigned them, five hundred to each stat.
[Character Page
Gundan – Level 40
Title: Outsider's Chosen
Next Level: 7,000/45,000xp
HP - 6680
QI - 6680
RR - 6680
CON - 658
STR - 658
AGL - 737
INT - 658
LCK - 737
WIS - 658]
Before I finalized the changes, I hesitated. "Guys." I spoke up. "We have the other high-priority targets approaching us, and fast. Get ready for a fight."
"Did you find what will empower you?" Tia asked, looking away from Ulquiorra to me. She had an idea of what I was talking about, since she was there when I took my first collectible in Hueco Mundo.
I closed my eyes. "Yes."
And then I confirmed the changes.
For one moment, the gentle breeze around us seemed to still. Then, it picked up as I felt my body adjusting and accommodating for the new numbers.
PING!
[Due to crossing the 250-point threshold for Agility, a skill has been updated!
Amazing Speed Force Connection (Active) Lv MAX (100%)
The Speed Force has created a very strong connection with you. Your now have a better connection with it than some speedsters in the multiverse.
Increase speed by 1000 times when active.]
[Due to crossing the 500-point threshold for Agility, a skill has been updated!
Exemplar Speed Force Connection (Active) Lv MAX (100%)
The Speed Force has sunk a fragment of itself in you. Your now have a far better connection with it than most speedsters in the multiverse.
Increase speed by 10000 times when active.]
[Due to crossing the 250-point threshold for Luck, a skill has been updated!
Protagonist's Tumultuous Luck (Passive) Lv MAX
Interesting events will happen to you much more frequently as time passes on. Don't be surprised at the rate at which they occur.]
[Due to crossing the 500-point threshold for Luck, a new skill has been created!
Lemon-Chili Girdle (Passive) Lv MAX
No one's evil gaze will affect you anymore! You now receive double the rewards from every quest, and rare items are now easier to find!
+100% EXP and Ryo from quests.
+50% chance for rare item drops.]
[Due to crossing the 250-point threshold for both Constitution and Strength, a skill has been updated!
Might of the Offensive Stonewall (Passive) Lv MAX
Your might is noteworthy, whether in battle or not. Now, you can no longer be interrupted by enemy attacks, and can simply not be knocked down. Enemy combatants can no longer resist being knocked back by your attacks, regardless of how strong they are, if chances exist. You now reflect a percentage of the damage you receive back towards the attacker.
25% damage reflected.]
[Due to crossing the 500-point threshold for both Constitution and Strength, a skill has been created!
Second Wind (Passive) Lv MAX
You just stand back up after being put down! When health bar is empty, you are reinvigorated with your single-minded focus, regaining ten percent of your health once every twelve hours.]
[Due to crossing the 250-point threshold for both Intelligence and Wisdom, a skill has been created!
Quick Learner (Passive) Lv MAX
Your raw mental processing and comprehension power shines when you decide to learn! Skills now advance 100% faster!]
[Due to crossing the 500-point threshold for both Intelligence and Wisdom, a skill has been updated!
Rapid Learner (Passive) Lv MAX
Your amazing rate of study is only further enhanced by your raw mental processing and comprehension power! Skills now advance 200% faster!]
I sighed as I flexed my hand. Excellent… NOT! I am now exactly what I NEVER WANTED TO BE! [Rapid Learner] is a downright CHEAT-CODE, as is [Second Wind]! [Might of the Offensive Stonewall] just makes me ANGRY, [Lemon-Chili Girdle] is like a FUCKING FARMING HACK, and [Exemplar Speed-Force Connection] is TOO OVERPOWERED now! Only a part of me was pacified that my non-main stats didn't get as many skills due to point advancement as my main Rogue stats did, but still! I'M SO MAD, I COULD-
Ugh. Sometimes you really gotta hate the calming effects of Gamer's mind.
I sighed and rolled my shoulders, then opened my eyes.
The Espada were staring at me.
"What?" I asked, tilting my head. Internally, I was smirking. Well, if nothing else, I was now leagues beyond them. [Location Collectible] s for the win!
"How… is this possible?" Ulquiorra asked, staring at me with unrestrained fascination, an expression mirrored on every other face there. Even Barragan and Lilynette seemed stunned at the rate at which I'd grown. I couldn't exactly blame them – I'd gotten five times stronger than before. And If I could keep up with them then…
"It's a quirk unique to me." I shrugged carelessly. "Not really important right now."
"Ah, but it's certainly fascinating, Shiro-san!"
A familiar voice interrupted us. I turned carelessly to regard the man who spoke. A familiar striped bucket hat, sandals, cane and cloak. At his side was…
"Yoruichi. Please don't insult me by staying a cat." I deadpanned. "I might just end up cutting your tail off in irritation, and who knows how that would translate into your human form? My only quarrel is with the Gotei 13 and Kurosaki Ichigo." I grinned. "Why not let us pass?"
"Pardon me, Shiro-san, but I can't let you enter Karakura Town." Urahara interrupted whatever that cat was going to say. "Please return to wherever you came from and we'll be alright."
"I can't do that." I sighed, drawing my Zanpakuto. Was it just me, or did my sword get so dark that it appeared as if a void shaped like a blade? "The only way I can return home is by doing what is asked of me. So please, step aside…"
I flared my chakra, causing everyone around me to drop to their knees. Hm… amusing. "Or die."
Urahara and I stared at each other. He had dropped his carefree exterior and straightened when I let my chakra idle. It seemed I was leagues beyond even him. I scanned him for good measure.
[Urahara Kisuke – Level 82
HP - 9400/9400
RR - 17400/17400
Constitution - 94
Strength - 82
Agility - 108
Intelligence - 174
Luck - 50
Wisdom - 135
Formerly the Head of the Scientific Research Division after founding it, Urahara Kisuke is a man driven by knowledge and research. Single-handedly responsible for most of the inventions used around Soul-Society today, the man is intelligent beyond most of his peers and applies himself in the most unorthodox of ways. After being framed and chased out of his home along with his best friend Yoruichi, he has taken to establishing a base in the human world and watching over Kurosaki Ichigo for the boy's father.]
I can read the stats and bio of a level eighty-eight character. Oh. My. God. Can I just scream? I'm so overpowered for my home dimension that it's not even funny. I will seriously cry.
Ugh. Oh well. You can't win 'em all.
"Step aside, Getaboshi." I repeated, swinging my sword to limber up my wrist. "Or you'll be cut down."
"I think you will find that-"
I just stepped forward and slashed.
When I came to a stop, there was silence, until a pained grunt from Urahara and his hand slipping off his shoulder alerted the others to what I'd just done.
"I grow tired of this drama." I groaned. "I hate doing this just as much as the next guy. Well… maybe not to you. You're responsible for half the shit that's going on in this universe. Still, though, I don't want to kill you. Just take Yoruichi and get out of here. I'll just deal with the Gotei 13 and Ichigo and begone… dammit, I hate killing innocents. Maybe I'll just seal…" Nah, the objectives specifically said 'kill' and not 'neutralize' or 'incapacitate'. "Okay, nope. Killing him."
"Why are you after Kurosaki Ichigo?" Urahara asked, holding his bleeding shoulder with his other okay hand. Yoruichi had vanished from his side, possibly to track his arm down and go get help. God, characters in manga are so badass! Arm cut off; don't worry, I'm okay! Eyes ripped out of my socket; no problem, I'll rip someone else's out and transplant them on the battlefield in a few seconds!
Wait, no, that second one was Naruto manga.
I shrugged. "He's my objective. If I kill him and the others, I find out how do I return home. If I don't, I'm stuck here forever."
"Return 'home'?" the man asked, eyes narrowed.
"Ugh, bantering right now is fruitless. I can literally go much faster than that little display over there, so stalling me is stupid. I can, therefore, also deal with any reinforcements that show up. So let's dispense with this charade." I shrugged. "Look, I promise that Karin and Yuzu will be unharmed. If Ishin stays out of the way, he'll be okay too – Masaki gave her life to save her son, but eh. Her soul will just have to deal with it."
"You know too much." Urahara growled.
"I know a lot more than you, for certain." I smirked. "Like, for instance, did you know how Masaki died?"
"Getsuga Tensho!"
I spun on the spot and raced to the front of my group, slipping into a Fire-bending stance and splitting the incoming arc of flame around us, harmlessly dissipating it.
"My, my, look who decided to show up! I guess Yoruichi isn't completely useless after all." I rolled my eyes. "Ishin, should you really be using Engetsu so casually like that, after you only recently regained your powers? They're so pitiful right now, after all."
The man roared in fury and charged…
Then gurgled as a thrown axe from Barragan landed in his gut. In the next instant, his sword was broken into pieces, courtesy of Lilynette.
"Hey! You, pasty white bastard! We're still here, you know!" Lilynette pointed at me and screamed, ignoring the falling form of Kurosaki Ishin.
"Children are so undisciplined sometimes." I sighed.
"You look younger than me!" She incredulously retorted.
I laughed. "Well, when you can match me in Reiatsu, then let's talk." From the corner of my eye, I saw Urahara grip his cane tighter and in a fighting stance. "Don't bother using Benihime, dude. You'll get wrecked even with your Ban Kai."
The man seemed to have no response to that.
Just then, a whistling sound was heard all around. "Hey, do you guys hear-"
Something collided with me and was thrown back. It turned out to be human Yoruichi. "What the hell are you made of?" she grumbled, rubbing her arm where she was probably going to tackle me away from the group.
"Unimportant." I grinned, knocking her out and tossing her away. I absently noted that Urahara had dived to catch her and was flying away.
Just then, then moment we were waiting for came. Not very far from us, a Senkaimon opened up and several figures began to walk through.
"While watching you deal with trash is… entertaining, I believe it is time for us to intervene." Ulquiorra muttered, leveling me a blank look. "Or… have the orders changed?"
I blinked at him for a moment, then grinned. Of course, he'd be the one tot catch on best. "Good guess. Things have changed, guys. I'm going to take on whoever comes through by myself."
Shaak TI widened her eyes. "Your growth is obvious but… are you certain?"
"Watch me, Master Ti." I grinned, clenching my Zanpakuto tight and channeling chakra through it in case Zaraki was present amongst their number.
PING!
[Due to a special action, a new skill has been created!
Chakra Nagashi (Active) Lv 1 (9.21%)
By nudging your chakra through a held object, you grant a bonus to its properties.
Neutral Chakra: +(0.01)(INT+STR) Damage, +(0.01)(WIS+CON) Durability.]
Nice. You know, even though I equipped my Zanpakuto using my inventory, I don't really know what its description reads. As the figures approached rapidly, I looked down towards my blade and scanned it.
[Zanpakuto – Akuma-sha (Legendary)
The physical manifestation of the power of your Reiryoku, Akuma-sha is the only Zanpakuto in existence that has sentience but not a soul or avatar. Instead, the blade consumes the spirits of any Zanpakuto it destroys and gives you unrestricted access to their powers, even those that are hidden from the original wielder.
Soul Storage: (Empty), (Empty), (Empty), (Empty), (Empty), (Empty).
DMG: STR + (0.5)AGL]
I stared at the description with a twitching eyebrow. I could feel something building up within me. [Gamer's Mind] was already beginning to work, but it almost wasn't enough to take care of my emotions.
"HOLY MOTHER FUCKING JACKED UP SYSTEM! PERSONIFICATION OF MY POTENTIAL, MY ASS! WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF DOWNGRADE IS THIS ANYWAY? OH, WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON THAT SCRAWNY SONOFABITCH, HE'S GOING TO RUE THE DAY HE WAS BROUGHT INTO EXISTENCE! FIRST I'LL SHOVE A NAILED-UP BAT RIGHT UP HIS ASS-"
"Ahem."
I let myself be brought under control as a polite voice interrupted my musings. I turned to observe my audience. It seems Aizen came through, since a large contingent of our targets were here, and the rest was whom he could probably deem best to handle.
I sighed and made a shadow clone to go do all my personal 'shopping' for me. It will be good to have some familiar snacks and items to take back home, to say nothing of the music I miss so much! Oh, I wonder what year it is, right now… "Looks like I'm going to end this in a few seconds again. I don't know why there are so many [Location Collectible] s everywhere, and I think I'll be getting more soon… Ah, well, of course, I'm going to wipe the areas dry if they are in Soul Society or the Quincy prison, since I won't be returning here… ever. I'd rather not see what Aizen does to this place."
The Shinigami looked alarmed.
"Normally I'd try to draw this out and try to find a way that makes me stronger, but I'm so sick and tired of this universe that I'd rather just finish this off and return home as soon as possible. So," I raised my sword, already having finalized whose Zanpakuto I'd be claiming as my own. Six slots? That's too many, but as long as they're there… "are you ready to dance?" I narrowed my eyes at the assorted souls present. What did Aizen do to get them here, anyway? You know what, I don't even care.
The Captain-commander was standing way back but was visible easily with his vice-captain Sasakibe by his side. He's the guy with the lightning-element Zanpakuto, right? Boring! Ryuujinjakka is mine, though. Soi-Fong was a little in front of him, with Omaeda already having released Gegetsuburi – I'll be taking her Suzumebachi. No one from the third division… or the fourth. Odd. Did Aizen manage to convert Unohana? Aizen's fifth division was absent too. Hinamori wouldn't leave his side if he managed to pull wool over her eyes. Byakuya was here, though, although Abarai wasn't. Cool. Senbonzakura takes spot number three. Komamura was here, the wolf man. Unimportant, though – the sword was boring as hell; "oh, look at me, I'm a discount Susanoo!" ugh. Shunsui and Ukitake were side-by-side, but I wanted neither. One of their Zanpakuto was too whimsical and the other too useless. Toshiro was absent, but Matsumoto was here, well behind the two pupils of the Captain Commander. I don't blame her – one of them is a pervert and the other is too honorable. Eh, I don't need Haineko when I have perfect sword skills. Kenpachi wasn't here either, which meant his little child vice-captain was with him. Great – her Zanpakuto was at least a little interesting… if stupid. Kurotsuchi Mayuri and his creation Nemu were both present, but neither of them had interesting swords, that I can think of.
So, Ryuujinjakka, Suzumebachi, Senbonzakura… Zangetsu, of course. And then… rain check on the other two slots? Cool.
"Where, oh where, is Toshiro, by the way?" I wondered, preparing myself and mentally cataloguing the most expedient route. "Hyorinmaru must be so disappointed in his wielder for not having unlocked his full power yet."
"Who are you, Shinigami?" The Captain-commander finally asked, clenching his staff. "Why do you side with these hollows?"
"I'm not here to chat, old man." I snorted, then drew back my sword. "I'm here to end you all." That said, I slipped into the Speed-force.
Black lightning cackled around my form as I observed all. Everyone seemed to be standing still as I regarded their forms. There was not the slightest movement of their 'breathing', nor did their eyes moved. I guess being sped up ten thousand times does that to you… when you're already fast.
I sighed and began my work. I slashed the necks of everyone I wasn't interested in and destroyed the Zanpakuto that I wanted by jabbing it. Given that I was so much faster compared to everyone else and my high [STR], what was a simple fast jab for me was a devastating poke for the rest of existence.
I carefully did not let myself feel any guilt as I completely destroyed whoever had showed up…
It was in that moment that I think I really let go of any inhibitions I may have had regarding taking a life.