Episode 10: Substitute II
Fishbone snarls like a rabid animal. His veins bulge and his body ripples with a hunger. He holds a young girl in his enlarged hand. Things look bleak for the Shinigami and the orange haired boy.
But what's this? The boy has struck the hollow with a baseball bat! I didn't even know normal weapons could be used against us. It has minimal effect on Fishbone but it is enough to distract him and drop the girl. The Shinigami also uses this brief window of opportunity to go on the offence.
Part of me wishes to intervene, I should save my only hollow friend...Yet I am compelled to be a spectator, and allow the natural order of fate take place. Besides, I fear that I may have already lost Fishbone to his own hollow instincts. He is no better than the ones who tried to kill me before.
The Shinigami woman leaps elegantly in the air. Her body contorts and twists with every swing and movement of her sword. It's almost hypnotic, but she still struggles to find a weak spot. Now the boy joins in and swings his bat erratically, however his movements are heavy and sloppy at best. He does not demonstrate the skills of a Shinigami and in fact appears to be hindering the Shinigami's battle.
The two are now quarrelling about what I assume is the futile battle they have begun. However it has had grave consequences. Whilst she's locked blades standing on top of his hand Fishbone D has decided to devour the boy. His face lowers as he reaches his position. However it is the girl who ends up as hollow mince, nobly taking the full force of his immense jaws. She collapses to her knees with her head slumped. Normally you would think that to be the end of that however Mitzuki demonstrated that the Shinigami are far more durable than ordinary humans and so I'm not surprised to see her mouth quiver and continue to show signs of life as the boy carries her to a nearby wall.
I'm now confident Fishbone has won. The Shinigami is too injured to fight the beast and the boy is – well - let's just say...unqualified for slaying hollows.
I decide to take this from an opportunist's perspective. Fishbone will devour these two and (I assume) gain both the powers of the Shinigami and the supernatural orange haired boy. Whilst in his wild state, I'll pounce on him and eat his whole body – gaining the powers of all three.
Yes...it's almost too perfect a plan.
I rub my hands and lick my lips in anticipation. Come on Fishbone...you're almost there...now finish them in one gulp.
What's taking him so long? I wonder as I focus on the two poor souls (well one soul) who are facing imminent death. They appear to be organising some sort of strange ritual. The Shinigami has raised her sword whilst remaining seated against the mortar surface. Now the boy edges closer...closer towards the sword.
What on earth are they doing? Joint suicide? Some form of hara-kiri?
It bothers me and worse still I can't fully interpret the situation. The boy's back is obscuring the Shinigami form my view. I figured this would be the best observatory angle: side on from the two combatants. Now though it seems I should have opted for a view directly behind the humans.
Ah here we are...it's a matter of seconds now...Fishbone's mouth brings down torrents of saliva. He was after the boy all along. It was his potent reatsu, the aroma of his soul, which tempted him to the treat.
Almost there...he has them now...WHAT'S THIS!
I almost curse at the top of my lungs but I censor myself as to not bring any unwanted attention. Fishbone D had this battle won, his dinner was cooling on the table for him, but he took too long washing his hands and has allowed the food to make a meal of him – literally!
His detached limb convulses on the concrete. I had not even half a second to comprehend the speed of what just happened. One moment it appears the hollow had them camping in his mouth; the next minute, his arms gone flying off.
And I can't place the blame on the Shinigami girl – Rukia. She was severely injured. I thought the boy had killed himself doing that ridiculous ritual. Alas it appears something has transformed the boy. His school clothes have been exchanged for something more elegant and authentic. Black robes curtain his body and a large sword is within his grasp. Hollow blood drips from it's very tip.
I'm completely out of my wits as to how this phenomenon occurred. On the other hand...there was something notably outstanding about his reatsu.
And now it's hit me...I feel it in the form of a chilled breeze. I had never sensed hot or cold as a hollow before, yet this boy has now managed to send shivers down my spine.
Fishbone D roars wildly and swipes his other arm to attack. The boy manages to block the entire weight of his arm with his sword. His power does not end there. Now he flips back and catches the beastly hollow of guard, slicing his other arm and effectively defeating him.
Unfortunately it seems Fishbone has come back to his senses. However it is far too late.
His mouth quivers as he struggles to form the words. "Who...are...you?"
The orange haired Shinigami responds with a clean slice. Fishbone remains idle for a few more seconds before his body divides in two from the mask down to the other end.
Casually, the fiery haired boy cleans his sword and effortlessly heaves the unwieldy weapon onto his back. He calls out to the fallen hollow the name he'll never be granted the privilege to hear. However I was unfortunate enough to hear it.
"My name's Ichigo...Kurosaki Ichigo..."
Stunned, I try and turn my gaze to the Shinigami girl who now appears to have a pure white kimono, symbolising her drained powers. I believe she is feeling the same way I am right at this moment.
This girl may have just unlocked the Pandora's Box! This boy's reatsu may be faint for a Shinigami's however it burns like a small flame in a cave full of decaying wood. He only needs to find a way to ignite this fuel and he will one day become immensely powerful...If I had intervened we could have easily defeated the boy and Shinigami...What on Earth's creation...have I allowed to be created!
It seems I have finaly encountred Kurosaki Ichigo...Who would've thought eh? How much will my fate deviate due to this event? Well you'll just have to wait until the next chapter! Maybe you should leave a review while you wait...