ch.18

The Curse Ends

Yumichika and Rangiku were flying through the air looking for Babadi. They were about to give up when they saw him hiding in the woods. Yumichika was about to rush in, when Rangiku held him back.

"We need to think of a plan. If we just go in there, he could run away and all of this would be for nothing."

"If you say so." Yumichika replied.

"I'll catch him by surprise with my Haineko, and then you can attack."

"Sounds good to me."

Yumichika stood in position as Rangiku held up her sword.

"Growl, Haineko!"

Babadi turned around and spotted the Soul Reapers. A huge swarm of ash escaped from Rangiku's Zanpakuto and flew towards Babadi. He jumped out of the way and started dodging the weapon. Yumichika swept in and cut Babadi's arm. Babadi screamed and started flying away from the Soul Reapers.

Yumichika appeared in front of Babadi. "You're not going to get away this time. I'm going to free my captain by killing you."

"Good luck with that. You won't be able to lay a hand on me." Babadi smiled. "Barrier!"

A golden shield surrounded Babadi. Yumichika tried attacking it with his sword, but no matter how many times he tried, nothing worked.

"Get out of the way. I've got this." Rangiku commanded.

Yumichika listened to her as the ash reached Babadi. The ash kept slamming into Babadi's barrier, but it still had no effect.

"What did I tell you?" Babadi asked. "You have no chance of breaking this shield."

"You're such an annoying ugly wizard." Yumichika replied. "Let's see what happens when I use this! Bloom For Me, Fuji Kujaku."

His Zanpakuto then split apart into four blades. He turned to Rangiku. "One more time. I think we should be able to take this wizard out."

"Sure thing."

All of a sudden Babadi released his shield. He then held his hands out. "Paparapapa!"

A silver slime tore its way through the sky and landed on Rangiku. Electricity shocked her body and she started falling to the ground. Yumichika raced to her side, but it was too late. Her eyes closed and she passed out.

"One obnoxious Soul Reaper gone and one to go."

Yumichika turned towards Babadi. "You might want to put that shield up again."

"How dare you mock me!" Babadi yelled.

"Tear In Frenzy, Ruri iro Kujaku."

Yumichika's blades began to change into vines of energy which flew towards Babadi. The wizard put up his shield again and the vines ensnared it. Babadi started yelling as his shield began to disappear.

"What's happening?"

"My Zanpakuto has the ability to steal an opponent's energy. Since your shield is made of it, it is useless here. This world will have one less ugly wizard to worry about."

Babadi's shield had completely vanished and the vines surrounded Babadi. He tried escaping, but the vines held him in place. Within a few minutes the wizard was killed.

Meanwhile, Ichigo was fighting with Kenpachi. Ever since he had ascended, Ichigo was able to keep up with the Captain of Squad 11. Every punch that Kenpachi threw, he was ble to block and return one of his own. Kenpachi was rushing at him when he fired a Kamehameha. His opponent tried to block it, but he was thrown into the ground from the fierce attack. All of a sudden, Ichigo sensed that someone's energy had faded. He breathed a sigh of relief and knew that Babadi was gone.

The smoke had cleared from the explosion and Kenpachi was getting up. As the captain charged him, he noticed that the M had disappeared.

"Kenpachi, we don't have to do this anymore. You're not under his control."

"I know that Ichigo. I just want to fight you." Kenpachi said smiling.

"Well, at least he's back to normal."

Ichigo dodged the Captain's attack and started flying back to the Soul Society.