From atop a roof in the Squad 8 barracks two lone figures sat together, enjoying the sunshine and relative peaceful day of work. Or rather lack there of given all that was going on recently, though thankfully not here, Not yet at least. One of them sat up straight while the other laid on his back with his hat covering his face.
"Say Jushiro." Shunsui called from beneath his hat breaking the silence between them.
"Yes" his friend looked over to him as he lay sprawled out beside him.
"What do you make of all this?" he asked upwards.
"Well.." Juhsiro paused turning his head back to the horizon to enjoy the view and gather his thoughts "It sure is a lot to take in." he admitted unsure of what to make of it completely.
"I'll say." Shunsui agreed "You heard that maniac over at Squad Twelve? Came back worse for wear, but couldn't stop laughing about it. Then he runs off back to that other world good as new without even saying goodbye and he never even said hello..." he joked, but then paused and tiredly smacked his lips "What do you think he'll find?"
"Whatever he's looking for I'm sure. That and anything else." Jushiro admitted uncomfortably.
"Your lieutenant seemed to be pretty enthralled by everything when she came back too" Shunsui pointed out.
"I can see why." Jushiro said with a smile "Shame they had to be on their way so quickly. I would have loved to have heard more. And they were such nice pictures of Chappy."
"I'll say." Shunsui said again beneath his hat "Shame they didn't end up in the right spot, though. Guess we're no good at working the gate hm?" he admitted unable to hide the mischievous intent in his voice as Jushiro held back a chuckle himself. Renji and Rukia may have been sent after Ichigo and Gohan, but they wouldn't find them now. Not easily at least. "And that boy Ichigo too." he said lazily from beneath his hat "bringing back more trouble than what he left with" he chuckled "and the other lieutenants hot on his heels right after" he paused.
"I suppose if anyone was going to make friends instead of enemies it was bound to be Ichigo." Jushiro said.
"And bringing him here on a whim no less."
"Well, Gohan seems like a very nice boy." Jushiro said thoughtfully.
"He may be. But Old man Yamma won't like him coming through. Even if he expected it one way or another." Shunsui explained. Jushiro nodded in agreement.
"You know how he did." Jushiro responded. Thinking of their old mentor his eyes trailed up to the highest point in Squad 1 where no doubt Yammoto was looking down on them now.
"What do you think he's planning with all this?" Shunsui asked.
"Even I can't dare a guess" Jushiro chuckled "when so much has happened already" he paused settling back into his naturally peaceful self "A bold move to say such orders came from the Soul King, though."
"Bold indeed." Shunsui agreed. The two knew of their masters orders, but not his intent, not why. It seems they knew more than they let on to Gohan and Ichigo before.
A gust of wind blew by them bringing silence as they sat there for a few moments of it before Shunsui broke it again. "Things sure are interesting." Shunsui said aloud as Jushiro looked over to him and nodded in agreement before he looked back to looking ahead. There was a brief pause before Shunsui spoke again, saying his thoughts aloud "Say..." he began again "if you could have a wish, any wish, what would it be?" he asked curiously. After hearing about those seven magic balls, he couldn't help, but wonder.
Jushiro scratched his chin "Well, that's a tough question. I don't think I could answer." he admitted shamelessly.
"I could." Shunsui said "I'd wish for more days just like this one. Calm. Peaceful. And not a thing to do."
"Well, when you say it like that, it sounds like something I'd wish for too."
"And a beautiful woman to spend it with." Shunsui added. That's where the similarities ended. A dark shadow them casts itself over Shunsui which was strange because being on a rooftop like this nothing should overshadow him. He lifted his hat up just a bit to see his lieutenant standing over him with a large folder. "Well look at that. My wish came true."
Nanao immediately dropped the folder into his face.
"Daily report sir." Trapped under the pile of paperwork Shunsui made no attempt to move, instead pleading Nanao to do it for him. In that mess resting on top of his head was something that caught Jushiro's interest.
"Squad Ten's report from the field." he said before taking it off of Shunsui's face. Shunsui and Nanao stopped arguing to listen on an update from Captain Hitsugaya "Little Shiro does keep himself busy."
"Too busy." Shunsui groaned as he propped his head up on his hand "Leave it to him to do paperwork at a time like this. Especially with guys like Kenpachi and Mayuri on the loose. He should be out there exploring that new world. Leave the deskwork for later. What else is youth good for?"
Hokage's Office
Once again Toshiro sat at a desk with mountains of paperwork stacked before him. The Head Captain said he wanted as frequent reports as he could give out and since Captain Zaraki wouldn't be given any in, and since Toshiro had no idea where he went, all that fell onto him. Of course those reports would have to wait for now. For he had others to attend to. Ones that weren't even his.
He sat dutifully at the desk that wasn't his, dwarfed by everything around him. His eyes scanned the piles. All this would have to get done by some one and if no one else was going to do it, it would have to be him. He scribbled the name at the bottom of the paper endorsing it.
A forgery, but a fairly legible one as far as he could tell. Given his references he thought it could pass.
He slid it across the table and put it with the other completed ones. Though he was diligent in the work that wasn't his he still thought the same thoughts as when he sat at that restaurant table. What the hell was he doing here?
Only now they were emboldened by another question.
How did he get roped into this?
"Your tea." a woman's calm voice spoke up beside him.
Toshiro titled his head to the side and looked over to see standing on the side of the table was Shizune holding a small tray with a cup on it.
"Thank you." he said reaching for it.
"Your welcome." she said happily as he took a sip before setting it down. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"You've done more than your fair share." he said turning back to the papers "Which is a lot more than I can say for some people." he said as both their eyes were drawn across the room to the two drunken women that put the two of them in this strange position.
Sprawled out over the couch Rangiku let out a squeal as Tsunade sitting across from her refilled her drink, her green jacket now helping to decorate the floor.
They were still trying to see who could outdo the other, but had given way to just blindly drinking. And nothing Shizune could do could calm Tsunade, and nothing Toshiro did could contain Rangiku. So when the drunken bumbling mess came back to the Hokage's office to finish the challenge Toshiro and Shizune chaperoned them. They squared off on the couch and continued to drink so Toshiro sat himself down at Tsunade's desk to write his report back to the Soul Society, though there wasn't much to report at this point. But as soon as he sat himself down he found himself doing not only his own work, but Tsunade's. He was 'convinced' to take a part of this in some way. And as they drank, they talked and gave out more and more information that otherwise should not have slipped on both ends. Rangiku told them of their secret investigations and Tsunade made explained some vague prophecy. Toshiro perhaps thought them linked, but didn't voice it.
Tsunade and Rangiku refilled and banged their glasses together enthusiastically.
"To Life!" They yelled and laughed hysterically and quickly emptied them again.
"More!" Tsunade howled.
"More! More!" Rangiku squealed in agreement as she now refilled them. They then chugged those down even faster. Rangiku lowered her arm and pointed to Tsunade.
"Your the best drinkin' buddy I ever have." Rangiku slurred "Better than Kira or Hisagi."
"Nobody wants to drink wit' me anymore" Tsunade admitted red faced and sluggish "They're all focused on work!"
"You need ta take a day off." Rangiku encouraged her drunkenly "Even when we had a war I made time for myself." Tsunade's eyes bugged open at that.
"You should be a Captain!" Tsunade pointed, her cup almost slipping from her hands spilling some of the content of it "You get things. If I can be a Kage," she pointed a thumb to her chest "you can be a captain."
"I've been saying that for years!" Rangiku hiccupped.
"Cheers to that!" Tsunade raised a glass, and they banged them together again; both of their breasts jiggling as they did. Something that was hard to miss, even to them.
"You got big boobs!" Rangiku waved with one hand and pointed with the other before she then grabbed a hold of her own chest "But mine are bigger!"
"No they aint'" Tsunade retorted and the argument went on like that for some time.
"Uh huh!"
"Naaa!" Tsunade waved.
Curvy, a taste for alcohol and older than they looked it wasn't a surprise they seemed to get a long so well.
Rolling his eyes at this disreputable site Toshiro turned back to Tsunade's- now his work.
"I'm surprised you've gotten through so many of those." Shizune spoke up as she watched him work.
"It's rather simple." he said putting a few of them together and tapping them against the table "The key words are the same; funds, squads, missions. I just use replacements a few words and then it seems like nothing's changed." he admitted tiredly.
"I bet yours will pop out before mine!" Rangiku belched over them.
"Deal!" Tsunade agreed incoherently.
Toshiro and Shizune exchanged more tired looks before turning their attention back to all the work. Toshiro picked up a piece of paper, the lettering at the top instantly catching his interest; Team 10.
His interest was peaked now more than ever since the number was so important to him as well. They were here to explore after all, so he saw no harm in what this had to say.
It was about a recent mission they recently conducted, without a team leader, no less. Reading further he became impressed with their resolve and teamwork. Despite all the problems Rangiku could give him they had an effective relationship. He hoped, if he could get anything out of this that he could meet this team before he left.
But he was staring at this paper for far too long and his look made him seem distraught; something not lost on the other person in the room.
"Hm. Is something wrong?" Shizune asked concerned.
He waited before answering "No. It's nothing." he responded blandly. He then placed the paper down. He picked up the next one and read it.
'Warning from the Mizukage regarding the tailed be-'
"Gotcha!" Rangiku yelled startling every one else in the room and cutting Toshiro off from the rest of the message. She had jumped across the table and tackled Tsunade causing the couch to flip over. And with landing on top of Tsunade she began tickling her sides in a cheap attempt to win.
Valley of Clouds and Lightning
Goku jumped in the air as the ground beneath him was slashed apart by the swing of a sword. He fired a blast down towards the ground at his assailant.
Kenpachi looked up and seeing it coming slashed the blast splitting it on his sword, exploding before him and forming a cloud of smoke. Another swipe came by the swing of a sword and Kenpachi slashed the smoke away, spreading outward and beneath him while his head trailed up, eyeing Goku up in the air. His sword held out before him, he jumped up at Goku and slashed at him in the air.
The clothes on his right shoulder ripped open as Goku dodged the attack. He then grabbed Kenpachi by his outstretched arm and swung him back down to the ground.
Kenpachi landed on his feet hard as the ground around him cracked. Picking himself up he turned his head to view Goku looking down at him from the sky. A dismal almost bored look was on his face.
"I thought we were gonna fight, not play tag!" Kenpachi called out.
"Oh we are fighting." Goku assured as he lowered himself back down to the ground to be level with Kenpachi "and you've got some skill I'll admit that." he paused looking the lumbering Captain over as he turned to face him, his sword leaning against his shoulder. "I'm just curious what is we're fighting for is all. What are you doing out here Kenpachi?"
"There's no reason I can think of not find a strong guy to fight." he answered.
"I couldn't agree more." Goku admitted even though his question wasn't answered "So I'll have to admit I haven't been the most honest with you." Kenpachi's rapid animalistic face turned to puzzlement.
"Hm? How's that?" he let out both agitated and confused.
"Well see, I haven't been fighting at my full power." Goku admitted confidently and waited to hear what Kenpachi would have to say about that.
"Good." he answered shocking Goku outright "Cause neither have I."
"Oh really?" Goku said intrigued, his interest peaked.
Kenpachi raised his sword to point to the eyepatch on his face "This eyepatch eats away at my energy. Limiting myself and the capacity I can fight with."
"Wow really?!" Goku said excitedly "Can you take it off? I wanna see what your really made of!"
Kenpachi lowered his sword and pointed it at Goku "If you show me your real power and it truly impresses me..." his eye squinted focusing on Goku "then I'll show you what I'm truly capable of." he said darkly.
Goku starred Kenpachi down with newfound determination.
"You got it." he answered. He had already given him a free shot and now Goku was ready to impress him once again.
His feet were planted firmly in the ground and his entire body tensed up. He opened his mouth wipe and started screaming at the top of his lungs. Kenpachi looked on eagerly the whole time, his eyes widening as an apparent change came over Goku. The ground around them began to shake and even crack open. A golden aura appeared around Goku and in a flash of light his eyes turned blue and his hair started to stand up and turn gold. Goku's reared his head up and let out a powerful scream that felt like it could be heard even a thousand miles away.
Then suddenly all went quite and only the echoing of his voice in the distance could be heard. Relaxed Goku closed his eyes and opened them looking ahead towards Kenpachi whose grin had somehow grown wider through the whole display.
Neither said anything, only regarded the other.
"Is that it?" Kenpachi eventually asked, his voice eager for more.
"You bet." Goku answered "This is what's called a Super Saiyan."
"A Super Saiyan?" he repeated "I've never heard of it." he said as if disappointed by this grin only widened further "Which means it truly has the chance to impress me. Show me what it's capable of" he dared him.
"I'd say your ready for it." Goku smiled.
He dashed forward at speeds greater than before and with a strength even greater punched Kenpachi right in the face, sending him flying back off his feet and into the base of a nearby mountain. It shattered at the base and crumbled down below onto the soul reaper. Looking at it from a distance Goku was anything, but shocked. He had expected such an outcome. He stood back up to his full height and noticed Yachiru casually sitting down watching him.
"Sorry about your friend" he admitted light heartedly "I'll go help him up." he said making a move to go over and find Kenpachi among the rubble, but he was suddenly stopped.
"Don't bother." she stopped him from taking a step "He'll be back soon enough" she said with her head rested in her hands "Now the fight can begin for real." she said happily.
Goku was puzzled looking up to her "What do-" the sound of hysterical laughter stopped him as it began echoing throughout the mountainside. It radiated through the air as Goku looked around to see where it was coming from. When a figure appeared in the distance, he focused on on that; it was Kenpachi.
His head reared back into the air as a evil laugh poured out of his mouth. An aura of dark yellow manifest all around him as he dragged his sword through the ground. Perhaps the greatest detail was actually the smallest one to notice.
His eyepatch was off.
He stomped forward and stopped before Goku, glaring down at him with a deadly intent.
"Yes" he looked him over with both eyes "I see it now. This is what I wanted, what I came here for!" he rambled. Then he raised his sword "My turn." Then just as fast as Goku was before he slashed his sword across Goku's torso. Goku felt a sheering pain as his shirt and chest were cut open and blood began to pour out of his wound. He put a hand up to cover it as his eyes focused on Kenpachi.
"Now!" Kenpachi roared "Fight me for real!"
"Alright!" Goku nodded looking up from his wound "You asked for it!" the two charged each other. Goku reared his hand for a punch. Kenpachi raised his sword to slash him again.
Both made contact as Kenpachi's sword lodged itself into Goku's shoulder and Goku rocked Kenpachi in the jaw; a few drops of blood shot through the air from his mouth. Kenpachi was the first to react, turning his wrist even as his head was thrown away, wrenching his sword from Goku's shoulder blood squirting from the wound and dripping off his sword as he did. Goku let out a painful cry before he raised his leg and kicked him in the face sending him tumbling back across the valley.
Goku stopped his fall back mid-air and planted his feet firmly on the ground. Looking ahead he saw Kenpachi was back on his feet and charging towards him. From across the valley he shot a volley of blasts at Kenpachi who charged him like a wild animal from the other side. Some hit the ground, but many made their mark, hitting the deranged captain all over the body, but not a single one stopped him. With his tongue hanging out of his mouth and his eyes locked on Goku he continued his rampage to hit him.
Goku stopped as Kenpachi was now upon him and Goku swung his leg up. His kick connected with his head and sent him face first into the ground. Kenpachi quickly rebounded, slashing at his feet. Goku jumped in the air and as he did, he kicked him in the face sending him spiraling across the ground. Kenpachi snapped an arm out to grab the ground ripping it out, but stopping his tumble. But he stop for long, he instantly pressed his attack on Goku. He swarmed towards him, wildly swinging his sword at him. Goku ducked, dodged, or swiped the sword away. Kenpachi dived at him, but Goku floating in the air so they were even in height maneuvered around him and threw a punch. Kenpachi eased back dodging it and swung his sword to face Goku again. Goku ducked under to come up with a punch Kenpachi evaded and then swung his sword again. Goku swatted it away with his right arm and then opened his hand ready to blast Kenpachi right in the face. The outline of his face was eroded in white as the light overtook him. But Kenpachi flung his singed face forward bringing his sword with him and stabbed his sword into Goku's arm, through the forearm and bicep and coming out of the other side.
"AAHHH" Goku cried out in agony as blood tricked from the wound and down the sword and the blast disintegrated in his hand. Kenpachi tore the sword out of his arm and slashed him across the torso again. Goku let out another cry as blood splattered over the ground and even Kenpachi who made a move to swing again. But Goku wasn't going to get hit again. He snapped around and grabbed ahold of the sword, his hands wrapping around the blade.
The two pushed against each other, both matching each other with tenacity, but Kenpachi had ferociousness and Goku determination. The two pushed against each other with almost equal strength embedding themselves into the ground as even more blood travelled down the sword, Goku's palms and onto the ground. Who knows how long this struggle would last or would break against the other.
Ultimately Goku broke it.
He reared his head back and swung it forward knocking into Kenpachi's. The force pushing against him lessened and he took advantage of it. Letting go of the blade, he planted his fist deep into Kenpachi's gut. The captain coughed out blood as he stood hurled over Goku. Then Goku swung his arm up hitting Kenpachi and launching him high into the air. Goku took off flying right up to him in the air after him. Reaching Kenpachi he punched him up again shooting him up even higher. He kept punching him propelling him upwards into the air, and the captain took every blow with no way to defend against it. Then Goku flew above him and swung his arm down connecting with Kenpachi's chest and sent him down to the ground below colliding with the earth.
The ground shook and cracked from the contact and smoke erupted from the ground like a volcano. Goku stood in the air hovering above it all as blood dropped his wounds. Once the smoke cleared, he got a clearer idea of what was down there waiting for him.
There Kenpachi laid, but not for long. He tore himself from the ground Goku put him in and turned up to look at him. Blood trickling out of his mouth and some cuts along his body, but none of that seemed to matter right now. Then he crouched down at jumped up, soaring through the air right towards Goku! In the air he slashed his sword at him, but Goku flew away dodging it.
Kenpachi then fell back down to the ground and landed hard onto it, his feet planting into the ground. Goku mimicked his decent and landed on the ground softer and more controlled. Their eyes flashed to each other before rushing the other. Once up close Kenpachi swung his sword at Goku who dodged it only to throw a punch which Kenpachi outmaneuvered. The two continued in close range combat with slashes from the sword and blows from fists.
Goku punched Kenpachi in the chest only to have him slash his arm opening another wound. Goku kicked his leg up hitting him in the head, but he retorted by stabbing his sword into his leg.
Goku cried out as he dropped to one knee with Kenpachi's sword still planted in his leg. Wincing on the ground he raised his hands up and released a blast into Kenpachi's face. He unleashed them on him point blank and smoke encompassed both of them. In the smoke Goku grabbed the sword and pried from his body with his hands cutting his palms in the process. But the pain would not stop him. Then he shot up and swung his fist forward connecting with something in the smoke which was forced back from his blow, but Goku didn't stop. He may not be able to truly sense or understand this energy, but he knew what it felt like when he made contact, so he did it again. He swung his other fist forward and then the other each one connecting with Kenpachi in the smoke and each one was coming faster and stronger than the last. Another punch connected and some blood was spat up on him through the gray smoke. His fist began to become smeared red with blood as he flailed them wildly onto Kenpachi. He heard heavy grunts and messy 'splats' when his fists connected now. Goku unleashed more punches, pushing Kenpachi away and out of the smoke. He swung again and Kenpachi reappeared as the smoke disappeared. He had blood running down from everywhere on his face; his eyes, ears nose and mouth.
Goku swung at him again, but Kenpachi finally evaded it before swiping at Goku who jumped away dodging as well.
Controlling his own evasion Goku skidded back across the ground. Following him Kenpachi lunged at Goku his arms raised high above him and his sword even higher. The sword ran red with his blood matching their bodies, but even the parts that didn't shined against the sun. Beneath him Goku flung his hand up to unleash a blast upon him. Kenpachi swung his arm down cutting through it. The blast erupted beneath them as Goku jumped over it and the continued sword swing that pierced the ground. Jumping higher than Kenpachi was over him their positions had been switched. He let out a kick that hit Kenpachi in the jaw staggering him. Goku then put his hands together above his head and swung them down hitting him in the head.
Kenpachi was knocked down into the ground shattering it. Goku landed before him ready for him to come up.
A flash of light reflecting off the blade was seen as the sword sprung upwards to cut Goku's cheek. Goku arched back right as another came and stabbed upwards though his stomach. A bare hand then came up to grab ahold of Goku's other shoulder keeping him there. Kenpachi then used them both to pull himself upwards and over Goku again. He twisted the blade in Goku who winced from it and screamed in agony. Hunched over at first Kenpachi raised himself up to his full height and brought his arms up even higher with Goku impaled on his sword, doing the same thing he had done to Chojuro to finish their fight. Yet from atop the sword Goku still stirred and he sent a punch down to hit him square in the face. He brought his hand up as a bloody smear. Kenpachi's nose was crushed beneath it and one eye closed from a bruise, but the blow only deepening the enjoyment on Kenpachi's bloody and bruised face.
Then he swung his arm out and swung his sword discarding Goku as he did Chojuro. Blood spouted from Goku as he flew and twirled in the air. Goku held his gut and tensed up before hurling a blast towards Kenpachi as he landed on the ground skidding on his feet.
Kenpachi disappeared in the smoke, but then burst right through it right at Goku with less clothes than before. Goku flew towards him rearing his arm backwards. Flying now Goku was eye level with the larger Kenpachi. He was about to swing his sword, but Goku was faster. He released his reared back arm and swung it down hitting Kenpachi directly in the head and sending him down. But before he could hit the ground Goku spun forward delivering a kick to the bottom of his face in the jaw. Kenpachi was forced up now as Goku threw both his hands forward and unleashed a blast onto his chest.
Kenpachi's entire body now disappeared in a blaze of light. But Goku didn't let his guard down. The light faded and he saw Kenpachi only he was further away from him now. Smoke rising from his body as he smoldered there. He shook himself and rolled his shoulders. By now one eye had closed from bruising so he had only one, just as he had entered the fight with. His eye rolled up to see Goku standing his ground.
"Phew" he spat blood clearing his mouth before speaking to him "Why not press your attack?" he asked as sleeve turned to ash and another fell off his shoulder "You think I'm done here?" asked as if offended.
"Far from it." Goku complimented.
"Ha" he let out a heavy breath "You look like there's more fight in you too."
"Saiyans live for fighting." Goku told "No different than your eleventh division"
"Then let's finish what we both came here for!" Kenpachi roared brining his arms to the air.
Goku said nothing, but charged at him through the air. He reached Kenpachi whose arms were still raised high.
Kenpachi swung down with the bottom of the hilt knocking into Goku's head. Goku grabbed it as Kenpachi swung again, but Goku jumped up headbutting him. Kenpachi stumbled back, but swung his sword again. Goku grabbed ahold of it mid air. Kenpachi pushed over him bearing him into the ground. When Goku didn't budge beneath him so Kenpachi raised a leg and kicked him sending him tumbling back into the valley between the mountains.
Goku tumbled across the ground finally landing on his back. Blood quickly formed a puddle where he lay from the many open wounds he'd taken as the sun beat down on him over the mountaintops. Then it was suddenly blocked out, not by a cloud, but Kenpachi come again!
With Goku on the ground, he bore over him and stabbed down. Goku rolled past it as it stabbed in the ground where his head once was. Goku got to his knee's and jutted up kneeing him in the face and sending him back. But before he could get away Goku reached out to grab Kenpachi, lifting him above his head to throw him into the mountainside.
Kenpachi landed at the base of one being indented into it. He opened his eye to see Goku flying towards him his arms outstretched. Before he could react Goku came barreling into him pushing him deeper into the rocks and breaking it further.
Kenpachi wretched an arm free of the rock and grabbed Goku by the shoulder holding him in place as his other hand came up to stab him in his gut. Goku coughed out blood onto him as Kenpachi inched himself free, pushing upwards off the rocks and Goku deeper into his sword. Then he spun around switching places with Goku shoving him into the mountain and him being the one driving him into it. Swinging up Goku kicked Kenpachi easing the sword out of him only a little before grabbing ahold of him, flipping him over and slamming him into the rocks breaking it further with the sword still embedded into him.
Kenpachi chuckled evilly before flipping Goku again, as his sword and Goku went deeper into the mountainside. Struggling beneath him again Goku then reached forward himself and flung his body sideways, bringing himself on top of and bearing down on Kenpachi again. Still skewered by the sword Kenpachi twisted it causing Goku to ease his assaults. In that moment Kenpachi flung Goku over and beneath him again.
Squirming underneath him Goku bucked his feet up and plunged them into Kenpachi's chest, hearing something crack against them when he kicked. With that dual kick Kenpachi was thrown off of him, loosing his grip on the sword and disappearing into the sky and mountaintops above them and taking the sword out of Goku. Blood trailed in a line as he was flown off. Without hesitation Goku kicked his feet up to and took off into the air after him.
He saw Kenpachi fall within the sky and charged him. His body collided with him in the air, hitting him in the gut. Goku's momentum took over as he flew across the sky as he hit a mountaintop with Kenpachi taking the brunt of it. Goku swerved down flying lower now and hitting Kenpachi into another mountain taking off a piece of it as he flew by. Goku grabbed him tighter as he hit another one with Kenpachi taking the full force of it.
He heard Kenpachi grunt above him and felt blood spit out onto his back. Goku flew forward diving into the mountain even more. But Kenpachi was done being thrown around.
He stabbed the sword down into Goku's back. Goku let out a shriek and weakened as Kenpachi tore the sword out to stab him through the back again. Goku let go completely now and backed away. Floating before Kenpachi as he braced himself on the mountainside. Then he plunged the sword into Goku's chest. But he did not stop there. Kicking off the mountainside Kenpachi plummeted to the ground with Goku skewered before him.
Using Goku as a battering ram they landed on a flat clearing between the two mountains they had thrown each other into; they now stood shattered and misshapen.
Kenpachi landed on the ground with Goku landing first as the sword stuck the landing with Goku still on it. Kenpachi's larger body overtook Goku's as he stood on his knees over him plunging the sword in deeper into him and the ground.
Goku brought both his arms up to slam them together with Kenpachi's face getting crushed in between them. Then he flung his arms up and blasted him away.
When he looked up again, he saw Kenpachi was gone hovering over him, but his sword was not. Reaching his arms up further now he took the sword by its hilt and moved it away from himself, taking it out of his chest. But the sword was deep and imbedded into the ground beneath him as well.
With a final grunt Goku finally removed the tip from his chest and his arms fell to the ground with a 'plop'. He looked up past his gaping bloody chest to see sitting up bracing himself on a rock was the just as bloody, broken and tattered Kenpachi.
Goku bucked his legs and kicked himself to his feet again. He starred at Kenpachi who not having his sword used a smaller rock to brace and pick himself up from his knees. He stumbled in doing so and only managed to keep one up. His face was looking down, but when he looked up again he saw the hilt of the sword before him and there was Goku standing above him, offering it.
He eyed the gesture strangely and could say nothing, as if he didn't understand it. Eventually Goku spoke his intentions for him.
"Here." Goku said surprisingly cheerily "Your sword." he said making sure Kenpachi understood. He still eyed it skeptically.
"I don't understand." he stated looking up.
"It's yours." Goku said shaking it before him, encouraging him to take it. Kenpachi eyed it before him and now brought up his free hand to take it. His other hand gripped nearby rock and using that he pushed himself up to his full height, well over Goku. He looked at the blade before him, but then his eye looked down to Goku.
"Why?" he asked.
"It's your weapon, not mine." Goku told, a strange innocence in his voice despite that it was used against him "As I recall you let my have the first trike, so it's only fair you get your weapon back".
Kenpachi closed his one remaining good eye and nodded. "I suppose you have my thanks." he admitted. Goku grinned at Kenpachi who now returned with his naturally violent one. His teeth were as jaded as the blade itself. "But you may regret that." Kenpachi warned.
"Well" he said bringing his fists up "I haven't yet."
Kenpachi chuckled at his retort "Then don't make me be the one to stop this!" he shouted before he swung the sword at him again.
Goku dodged a swipe and pushed into him from the side throwing his shoulder into him catching Kenpachi off balance. Kenpachi turned to him with another swipe that he ducked under and when he shot up he pushed against Kenpachi's forearm and sword. The two were locked pushing against each other before Goku lashed out breaking it. Then he shot under and punched Kenpachi hard in the gut lifting him off the ground. Then he reached out to grab him by the leg and swung him into the ground shattering it. Kenpachi was on his feet rising through the broken stones and stabbed his sword at Goku. The sword cut him along his bare forearm. He stabbed forward to cut along the shoulder which would have been entire arm had Goku not dodged it. He then jumped up to swing down punching Kenpachi in the shoulder, shifting his body and causing him to miss another strike. Goku then kicked him away. Kenpachi made another attempt to swipe at him, but Goku flew above it before coming back to the ground.
He eyed Kenpachi waiting for him to strike next. Only he didn't. For the first time in the battle, he had gone completely still. He did not charge him. His head bowed and eyes closed as if completely in thought.
Goku eyed Kenpachi as he moved to face him. Kenpachi stood in place as if contemplating his next move, the next part of their great battle. And he knew just the one.
"Don't tell me your done already" Goku called to him with hard heavy breathes.
Kenpachi's eyes went up to him, moving away from his sword "Not at all." he smiled red.
"Good" Goku nodded in agreement and enjoyable grin on his face to match Kenpachi "I have to give you credit you know." he said "The last swordsman I fought I was able to block his blows with my finger" he teased as he reached up and wiggled for extra emphasis "If I tried that here I think I'd loose the finger."
"Hm" Kenpachi grunted and spat some more blood.
"Alright!" Goku called "Here I come!" he kicked his legs up and flew towards Kenpachi. He did not lash out and hardly stirred. Instead, he spoke.
"You know" he said as he raised his free hand "you'd really be surprised by all the difference it would make" it touched the hilt of the sword along with the other "by using two hands when you swing" his fingers wrapped around it.
He placed his other hand onto the blade; now for the first time in their fight both of his hands were touching his sword. He raised his arms high above himself as Goku charged at him. Then in a flash he swung it down bearing all his strength onto Goku.
His arms swung down and the strength of his sword went with it bearing all of it down onto Goku in one furious slash. The Saiyan felt the blow slash from his left shoulder and all the way down across his body feeling stronger than any that had come before. His tore through what little clothes remained and brought blood sprouting from the opening. Goku gritted his teeth from letting out a painful cry. And though he may have stumbled he was still standing and ready for more. Tensing up he continued on and charged Zaraki. His eye widened at the action.
"I thought I'd never meet someone who can get through one of those!" he admitted a bloody animalistic smile broke across his face, filled with pure adrenaline and astonishment "Let's go for two!" he raised his arms again. Goku charged him head on again and Kenpachi struck down all the same. Goku didn't move at all; he took the full front of the attack again this time coming down on the opposite side of his body as the last one. He faltered to a stop as even more blood poured from his body. He wiped some from his eye and locked them on Kenpachi. He continued his charge head on again as Kenpachi raised his hand for another swing. His face ecstatic with the very idea of doing it. He swung down as Goku was right in front of him rearing his fist back.
Goku swung, his fist landing first right onto the left side of Kenpachi's face. Then he swung his leg up and kicked him on the right side sending him flying back across the ground. Then he unleashed a ki blast at him, hitting him in the air. An ensuing explosion of fire and smoke appeared, but the smoldering stopped soon enough. Kneeling on the ground Kenpachi picked himself up. He loosened his shoulders and slipped off his captain's coat letting it fall to the ground.
Blood was falling from his nose and mouth, but it didn't bother him at all; he relished it.
"Perfect." he said "I'm glad you didn't try to block at all."
"So am I." Goku answered "I wanted to see if I could make it through all that." pleased with himself that he did even if his body was pained for doing it.
Kenpachi liked the sounds of that "Show me more." he demanded
"You want something more?" Goku asked "I have the perfect thing." he said crouching down and putting his hands together on his side. "Ka!" he began to bellow.
"Don't think it'll be that easy!" Kenpachi shouted as he sprinted towards him.
"Meh!" a small blue orb began to form in Goku's hands "Ame!" it began to get larger and brighter as Kenpachi came closer. Now he was right before him his sword right in front of Goku's face "HA!" Goku screamed out as he swung his hands forward letting loose the powerful blast.
At point blank range Kenpachi had no way of dodging it and he was engulfed by it; lost in the blue blast, unlike any that had hit him before.
Goku unleashed all his power into the signature blast, holding the name of the attack in the air as pushed forward.
When it was finally over and he had nothing left to spare, the blast diminished in his hands and illuminating blue light went with it as all turned back to normal. The smaller the blast was the clearer the image before him was. Kenpachi was still there, his blade still in his hands, but he looked worse for wear. Smoke was rising off his bloody charred body and looked like he had just walked through fire. Standing stiffly where he was, the only movement was his blood flowing down his entire body to form a puddle beneath him. The puddle turned into a lake and flowed through Goku's boots. Trailing down like his blood Kenpachi's eyes moved down to look at Goku.
"Goku.." Kenpachi said, his voice lower and weaker than before "you're.." his voice faded, the grip on his sword loosened until it eased allowing the sword to slip from his hand and dropped to the ground kicking up dirt as it did "...strong." he finished complimenting Goku as his voice was snuffed out. Then his eyes closed and he fell forward limply. But before he could hit the ground like his sword did, Goku jumped up and grabbed ahold of him, bracing him against his body. Slowly he raised him back up and then lowered him to the ground and gently placed him down on his back. Looking down at him now, Goku thought that even when he was completely at peace he still looked ready for a fight. As for himself he looked no better or worse, so he let out a relieved sigh.
'That was some fight' he thought to himself and looked around at the blood soaked battle scarred arena they shared.
"Wow that was fun!" a high-pitched voice chirped. Goku looked over to see that Yachiru skip over to them and then sit down next to Goku, both of them looking down at Kenpachi. "Kenny looked like he was having a really good time wasn't he?" he looked up to him.
"I'll say." Goku agreed "I know I did." he said rolling his now completely red shoulders before winching as he did. But that gave him the perfect idea. He reached into his pocket and pulled something out of it; a small but full bag.
"What's that?!" Yachiru perked up peering into his hand "Is it candy?!" she asked excitedly as he opened it and then shook it over his open palm.
"No, I can't say it is." he said showing two little beans in his palm "But it's the perfect amount." he said holding the two up to view them.
"I don't want Veggie's" she said as she turned to Kenpachi and much to Goku's surprise picked him up off the ground and over her head "Bye bye Gogo" she waved with a free hand "Let's meet up again so you two can fight!"
"No hold on." Goku reached a hand out and stopped her "Just wait a second. There's something I wanna know." he said.
"OK!" she placed Kenpachi back on the ground. Goku popped the little bean into his own mouth and whatever wounds, cuts, bruises or blood he had, had cleared up. He was as good as new. "Whoa!" Yachiru let out at the sudden change "Dot it again do it again!" she clapped.
"Maybe you can do it." he said tossing the bean to her so she could give it to Kenpachi. Instead however, she opened her mouth wide and swallowed it. "No not like that?!" he let out frantically.
"I don't like it." she said with a carefree smile.
"I meant for him!" he fretted pointing to Kenpachi while simultaneously going through his pocket. Luckily he had another one handy. He then took the precaution of slipping one into Kenpachi's mouth himself.
"What happens now?" Yachuri asked looking over his shoulder.
"Just watch." he answered. No sooner had Kenpachi swallowed the bean had they heard small groans and grunts come out of him. His cuts sealed and his face twitched and both of his eyes slowly opened to see Goku and Yachiru looking down at him.
"Kenny!" Yachuri let out and then jumped onto his chest "Your good again!" she jumped "Good! good!" Goood!" she jumped up and down on his chest, driving her feet into him every time. Until Goku reached out and caught her mid air.
"Whoa easy" he said taking her small body in his hands "He's still gotta breathe you know."
"Kenny doesn't mind right, Kenny?" she asked turning from Goku to him. Disillusioned with what just happened, Yachiru's antics certainly didn't help.
"Here." Goku said shuffling one arm around Yachiru into get his other free "Let's get you back on your feet." he said reaching down and offering his hand to him. From the ground below Kenpachi reached out and took his arm and picked himself up off the ground.
"Hmm.. what happened?" he said rubbing his head. Yachiru squirmed in Goku's arm and he let go, releasing her back onto Kenpachi's comfortable shoulder.
"I healed you. Your as good as new." Goku beamed, but Kenpachi looked glum. "Oh! Here you dropped this" he said offering him his sword again. Kenpachi looked at him skeptically before taking his sword back.
"I'm disappointed." he admitted with a look to match his face as his sword was returned to him "Your too strong to have such weak skillset in your arsenal."
"Well it wasn't me" Goku said, almost happy to admit to him "It was a Senzu bean. It works wonders after a fight." he said tossing the bag up in his arm and catching it for him to see.
"Hm.. Senzu bean" Kenpachi repeated as he rolled his shoulders "Whatever it did it served it's purpose. I feel rejuvenated!" his voice rising with each word. His eyes rotated to Goku "Now!" he raised his sword "Let's continue!" he said getting to his feet.
"Whoa whoa whoa easy there!" Goku said holding his hands up defensively, stopping Kenpachi before mid swing. The two hung there in that motion for a second before Zaraki lowered his blade. "You see there's something I want to ask you."
"Hm? What is that?". It seems he was grateful not for healing him, but for the fight. So now he would hear him out.
Goku took in a deep breath as Kenpachi waited on him.
"What are you doing out here Zaraki?" Goku asked seriously.
Kenpachi now seemed to ponder the words Goku said and his answer. He stood slouching over yet was still just as high as Goku. He then turned his head upwards to look at the surrounding mountains.
"We were sent out here by the old man to search out the area. It's a new world we're not entirely used to you see."
"I know what you mean." Goku admitted being in the same position.
"He said there may be some people who don't belong here. 'Find them and do as you see fit' he said. I saw that as a challenge and took the right steps to find the strongest ones out here."
"So your a long way from home too huh? Well, I came here to find a powerful swordsman, and I found you" he explained clenching his fist "but I'm also here to find a huge tailed beast" he opened his arms wide for extra emphasis "they're supposed to be really powerful."
"Strong you say?" Kenpachi's face twisted into a grin "Stronger than you?"
"Who knows" he answered putting his arms back now "but I can't wait to find out." he raised a fist and clenched it.
"Well then neither can I." Kenpachi said already taken up with the idea of another powerful foe.
"So whadda say?" Goku asked as Kenpachi stabbed his sword into the ground and used it to raised himself up "Wanna help me find the tailed beasts" Goku finished asking as Kenpachi returned to his full height.
"You bet." he agreed, but he had one condition "But when we find em, I get the first stab at it."
"You better get in line because a lot of people are." Goku grinned. Who knows what Vegeta, Piccolo, Goten or Trunks had run into by this point.
"Then they'll fall to my blade!" he declared raising his sword high as Yachiru cheered him on " and once I'm done with all them and these tailed beasts" he turned his sights back down onto Goku "you and I are gonna go at it again." Goku grinned at the prospect.
"I wouldn't miss it." he agreed.
"There's something else too" Kenpachi said, somewhat calmer than before. Whatever it was it sounded important to him.
"Hm?" Goku let as out Kenpachi's eye rolled down to him
"If it's a fight you want. When we're done with those tailed beasts. There's someone else you should meet."
"Huh?" Goku perked up "whose that? Is he strong?"
"Yes." Kenpachi hissed "He's beaten me as well. I think he'd be a perfect match for you." he said looking Goku over.
"For me? And he's beaten you?!" Goku exclaimed. His excitement growing "Who is he? What's his name?"
Smiling Kenpachi gave him his answer
"Ichigo Kurosaki"
Next Time: A side story. More battles to be had elsewhere as Heroes and Villains collide!