Disclaimer: This man does not own Bleach.
Trascender
"..."
Silently, Chad watched as Ichigo and Isshin traveled further into the darkness, before their shapes were completely unrecognizable. A dark silhouette moved into the entrance before it closed. Chad attempted to move himself, but something was holding him back.
"What are you sitting out here for? Shouldn't you... be with him?"
"..."
Chad glanced down at the tan hand that placed itself upon his shoulder. He turned and faced a well-dressed man, with a black tuxedo and gelled hair that appeared as if it was glued to his skull.
"...What did you do to Ginjo...?"
"...Hm?"
"...Why is he after Ichigo now...?"
The man raised an eyebrow, shrugging as he stared across the sand dunes of Hueco Mundo.
"I just told him... that he could be the same as Kurosaki... Substitute Soul Reaper... Fullbringer... The abilities of a Quincy... Not even Aizen could boast having such similarities..."
"..."
"...I see you are still fighting Tsukishima's influence... Only Orihime could break through it, and that was because she loved him too much... It's already too late... You sabotaged him, and now Soul Society will fall... This time, for good."
Chad said nothing as he stared down at his feet.
"Hm?"
"...El Directo!"
Suddenly, the man was blasted away, crashing into boulder nearby. Chad watched as the man's silhouette appeared from the smoke.
"...Is that it, Chad? You still fight back...? You still pick that boy over me!?"
"...I was sent to grandfather... not because you died, but because he didn't want me to end up like you."
As the dust cleared, The man's arms had changed, becoming white and gold. Other than his clothes, he was relatively unscratched.
"...Grandfather would have been disappointed in what you've become, Carlos Joaquin de la Rosa..."
The man smirked as Chad settle into a stance to fight him.
"...My full name? You can't even call me... father? How dreadful... Let's see what we can do about that."
Ginjo stood, unperturbed, as Ichigo rose up and slashed off Brazo Izqueirda del Diablo, preventing it from turning against him.
"...Oh? You must be pretty sure of yourself, if you think you think you'll defeat me with just one arm..."
"..."
Ichigo watched as the arm fell to the floor, blood dripping from the stump to the ground."
"...I know you didn't mean to do it, Chad... I'm not mad..."
Ginjo stared blankly at the arm before turning back to Ichigo.
"...To rid yourself of Tsukishima's influence, you cut your own friend's arm... I didn't think you were capable of it."
"...You don't think a lot of things through, like challenging me... it matters not how much you hinder me, I still haven't fallen to the same level as you."
Ginjo smirked, leaning on his blade as he prepared to fight against Ichigo.
"...Is that so...? Then show me. I want to see firsthand this new...'strength'... you possess... And don't cry when I kill you this tim-"
Ginjo froze as he was slashed down his chest, splattering blood in front of him.
"...You really shouldn't have come here, Ginjo... Now I'm going to annihilate you, and enjoy every second of it..."
"Ahahahahahaha! You fight well, but don't let your guard down! Juhabach's not gonna die... because I'm goin' to be the one to kill him!"
Elhaym Bach reared back, her blade clashing against Zaraki's. As it rebounded, Zaraki flashed away, appearing above her as he slammed his blade down. Elhaym struggled underneath the heavy pressure, threatening to break her blade.
'Shit... this man...'
"You better show me something, and fast, 'cause I'm getting' bored here!"
"...You're in the way..."
Is this what it comes down to...?
"So are you!"
He swiped his blade across, barely touching her forehead. She moved back, wiping her across the nick on her forehead.
I didn't want this... I don't think you would have, either.
"...Quincy, Vollstandig..."
"Here we go! Now it's getting' interesting!"
"Engeliel..."
She stabbed her blade into the ground and her cloak fell, with two wings replacing them.
"What... that's it!? You better have mor-"
"Veiss Feder."
I'm sure you would have protested... No one understood you better than I did...
Similar in nature to Byakuya's Senbonzakura, the wings broke apart into a million little feathers, swirling around her form.
"Licht Regen!"
She swung her blade, sending them all towards Zaraki, who in return, grinned and held his blade with both of his hands.
"Ryodan!"
He slammed down his blade, sending a wave of Reiatsu through the blades and towards the woman.
"...Sorry, fellow... but you ended this battle for yourself."
"...What?"
As the wave passed through the blades, they split apart, closing in on both of his flanks.
You have to get out of my way now, Kenpachi Zaraki... I'm not interested in you. My interest... has just arrived.
Kenpachi sat still, his eyes wide as the blades ran through his entire body. Before he could fall to his knees, Elhaym stabbed the blade through his throat, pinning him against the wall.
"Sleep, young man, for it will all be over soon."
Elhaym turned and walked away, toward the Reiatsu of the 'Son of Darkness'.
I'm sorry... I didn't want it to happen like this. I apologize surely, to both you and your son... Masaki...
"...Has the boy left? I don't sense him anymore."
"...Of course... I'd rather he go to his friend then deal with you..."
Vater narrowed his eyes at Soryu Ishida.
"Wait... Ichigo Kurosaki... he's-"
"Not in the Soul Palace... but even I can sense him in the Seireitei."
"...Then... I should end you as quickly as possible."
"Funny, mate... I was thinking the same thing."
"Bankai!"
Ichigo watched as the tower of purple Reiatsu cleared, revealing Ginjo in his new form. Fur covered his legs and neck, along with a skeletal body and a haunted face.
"Your Fullbring is still mine, Kurosaki..."
"...Finally, you used your Bankai."
"...You sound like... you've been waiting for it."
Ichigo stood as black Reiatsu exploded around him from beneath the ground. He held his blade out as he stared at Ginjo.
"...Of course. I want to see it. I want to break you down as far as you'll go... rid you of your Bankai... your soul... and every hope you have of defeating me."
The Reiatsu faded away, rendering the area quiet.
'Is he... releasing...?'
"Fade to Black... La Luna Negra..."
The black flames covered his entire body, before being sealed up by the bones of his remnant Fullbring. He held his black blade to his side, staring blankly at Ginjo.
"...What a human-like Resurreccion... It's almost like your Fullbring."
"Yes, it is. You know of my Fullbring... and how strong it was when you stole it... Will it be.. the same as last time...?"
He pointed the blade towards him, letting his Reiatsu flare away from it.
"...Let's test it... and find out."
From the distance, Isshin watched as his son battled the villain that set him on this new path.
"...You need closure, Ichigo... I understand... But don't take too long."
Isshin turned around and stared into the sky, where he could see the distant Soul Palace through the clouds. He looked at his arm, watching the bones come forth through his arms.
"Heh, still got it."
Juhabach snatched his torn cloak and tossed it away, smirking as he felt the release even from his distance.
"I sense him... Ichigo Kurosaki. You've finally arrived."
Unohana came down on him with her blade, kicking off the ground as she missed for a return slash.
"...I don't have time for this... Goodb-"
"Gran Rey Cero!"
"Bakudantsuki!"
"Gokei! Yamazakura Shitenkouya!"
From Juhabach's left side, an explosive blast of red wind rushed towards him. From his right, a blue beam sliced through the air, creating an explosion near him. As the blades of Ginrei surrounded him, Kensei and Grimmjow both hit the ground, charging for the kill.
"Alright, let's go!"
As soon as Shinji spoke, the Soul Reapers and Hollows in the area rushed him. Juhabach smirked as the dust and smoke cleared, revealing him with his hands in his pocket.
"...Say goodbye, Soul Reapers..."
Time seemed to slow down as the Soul Reapers rushed him, blades poised to strike. He pulled out his medallion as they move closer.
"...Bankai... Tenzai Shoshin..."
As if a light bulb went out in his head, Kisuke froze.
"...What...?"
Solare and her Spirit Weapon paused and stared into the sky.
"Like a constellation of stars... being snuffed out at once."
"Yay! Way to go, Daddy! He's so cool!"
'Are they all...!?'
Kisuke stared at the explosive site, gripping his fists as he turned back to the girls.
"...Enough of this. Bankai."
Ginjo leaned back as Ichigo slashed at his chest.
'Too fast...! Like that Bankai of his!'
He jumped away as Ichigo swung overhead to slash him from above.
"Luna Camilla."
Ginjo was barely able to escape the blast that left an entire ditch through the ground.
"That was...!?"
"...Like a Getsuga Tensho? You're right."
Ichigo turned to his right and made to slash him again. Ginjo landed a distance away from him.
"You were right. The outcome will not change. You're not going to make it, either way."
Ginjo sneered as he held his blade up, preparing to charge an attack.
"How boring. You still fight the same... just as reckless and predictable."
He dashed forward, attempting to catch Ichigo. However, he disappeared as he move to slash him. Ginjo stopped and looked over his shoulder at Ichigo.
"Man, I remember when Byakuya did that to me... Sucks, doesn't it?"
"What?"
Both he and Ichigo turned around at the same time. However, what made his blood run cold was the broken claymore piece held in Ichigo's hand. He raised his eyebrow to Ginjo as he dropped it on the ground. Ginjo slowly gazed down at his own blade, realizing that the tip of his blade was broken off.
'With his bare hands!?'
"...It's okay if you want to turn back, now. I won't hold it against you."
Ginjo gritted his teeth in anger. Rearing his broken blade back, he swung forward, screaming as he did so.
"GETSUGA TENSHO!"
"My own move? Against me? Not a chance."
The skeletal frame on Ichigo cracked, then suddenly shattered, letting the sealed Reiatsu run rampant. The incoming blast was overwhelmed by his defenses, fading before it could reach him.
"I really hope you have moves of your own, instead of copying me."
"...Shit...! That didn't work..!"
"Alright then... let's go."
Ichigo dashed forward, his blade pointing directly at Ginjo. Ginjo aimed his blade at Ichigo, charging a blast.
"I won't lose to you, Kurosaki!"
"...You should have realized... that it isn't going to work."
Ichigo through his blade at Ginjo, who moved back to dodge. A large, violet beam was released from his blade, heading directly towards the point where the blade landed. Ichigo landed next to it, swiping his hand across his face and forming his demonic mask. He picked up the smaller blade and sliced through the beam with his own attack.
"Luna Cera!"
The black-and-white Cero rushed towards Ginjo, creating an explosion that block Ichigo's view of him.
"You and me... Maybe we are the same. Maybe we're not..."
The area cleared, revealing Ginjo barely holding himself up on all fours. Blood pour out from all over his body. His Bankai suddenly broke down, shattering and reforming his Cross of Scaffold. Through his overshadowed eyes, he glared at Ichigo as he panted.
"...If you... and me were to swap places... I still don't think that I would be much different than you..."
"..."
"But as long as you struggle to prove yourself better in 'that man's' eyes... we will be completely different. Aizen is gone... get over it."
Ichigo turned and walked away. He heard the loud splatter behind him, of Ginjo falling into his own pool of blood.
"Don't... Where are you going... Kurosaki!? We're not... through yet!"
"...I didn't think so... I'm just giving you some breathing room. If you still want to fight, then get up and come at it."
Ginjo struggled to breathe. He slowly stood up, holding his claymore as he glared at Ichigo.
The Ryoka... interests me more, Ginjo.
"This is the end, Ginjo Kugo."
Shoddy Ryoka Wannabe...
"...You have lost... Give it up."
I gave you those powers to see how you would grow... And yet, you're still as weak as ever. Your growth has disappointed me. Ichigo Kurosaki... has more worth than you, Kugo Ginjo.
"Goddamn you... Damn you! Kurosaki!"
Ginjo stumbled quickly as he rushed towards Ichigo, who raised an eyebrow.
"...What's this?"
"Don't speak to me like you know me! This weak shit won't stop me!"
"I can see your tears, Ginjo. The same tears... one cries when they lose everything... Unable to reach for the top."
"..."
"I know! You made me this way, Ginjo. I felt it, and now it's your turn!"
Ichigo raised his blade, swinging it towards the charging Fullbringer.
"Farewell, Ginjo."
Ginjo was forced to stop as the burning blade sliced into his shoulder and down to his lung, nearly blowing it away. His eyes widened as he fell to his knees.
Despair.
Pain.
Distress.
Lost... I lost... Damn you, Aizen... for makin' me feel so... worthless.
Ichigo watched as he fell into the dirt, not moving. He turned around, gazing into the sky at the distant Soul Palace.
"...I wonder... are you just as anxious as I am... to finish this... Juhabach?"
He dashed off, leaving the Seireitei behind as he ascended to the Spirit Palace. The area began raining, washing Ginjo's blood away as he laid there, barely breathing. A large, green portal appeared behind him, and Carlos walked out of it, Chad thrown over his shoulders.
"...I guess I made my point... He sees it as well as I, considering he let you live..."
Carlos gazed up towards the sky as he realized Ichigo stopped his flight. He stared him down in his eyes, narrowing them as the audible click of his katana was heard.
"...Hm?"
Carlos stared back as he leaned over to pick up Ginjo. Dropping off Chad, he smirked at Ichigo as he stepped back into the gate. Ichigo glared at it for a while before turning back towards the Soul Palace.
"Tch... And I was just about to kill all of these rebels..."
Juhabach glanced over his shoulder at the Royal Guard standing behind him. A sudden feminine groan in front him caused him to turn back forward.
"Urgh... Don't... I'm not-"
"No. Please try not to move, Unohana..."
Unohana, who slowly made it to her feet, stopped when Kisuke held her up by the shoulder.
"...You're going to try to move all of these bodies? While I'm right here, Urahara? I'm not goin-"
"Getsuga Tensho!"
Juhabach widened as the blast streaked across the clearing towards him. He tossed his hand up and grabbed it, crushing it in his bare hand.
"...Isshin Kurosaki..."
"...Long time, no see, Juhabach. Kisuke, move all of the bodies away."
"Yo, why the hell it took you so long, Isshin!?"
"Sorry, Ouetsu-bro... Had to make sure Ichigo was straight, dawg."
"..."
A shoe flew across the clearing, striking Isshin in the head.
"Ow! That hurts, damnit!"
"Stop tryin' to be hip, dumbass!"
Shutara facepalmed herself as Kirio shook her head. Osho brows twitch as he screamed at both of them.
"It's a serious situation goin' here! Stop it!"
"...This is the Royal Guard...?"
Juhabach turned and stared at Tenjiro, who appeared next to him. He blew his nails, rubbing them against his chest as he stared at Juhabach under darkened eyes.
"You got a problem with that?"
Trivia
-Chad's mother sent him to his Grandfather to keep him away from his father, who is a Fullbringer. The mother died and Carlos lied, moving undercover as a Fullbringer ever since. He was the one speaking to Ginjo in Chapter 26 - "The Overture"
-Ichigo and Juhabach both have lost their arms, as a reference to Yamamoto.
-Ichigo vs. Ginjo Parallels Yamamoto vs. (Fake)Juhabach.
-The Soul Reapers and Arrancars are injured, but they aren't dead.
-Ichigo was referring to the moment at the beginning of the series when he was about to defeat Renji and Byakuya breaks off his blade before he cuts.