High above the evening skies of the Rukongai Districts of the Soul Society, a Garganta opened up in the evening sky, allowing five Soul Reapers, one Quincy/Soul Reaper hybrid, an Arrancar, and a black cat to drop down towards the ground.
"OH CRAP!" Tatsuki exclaimed as they plummeted towards the ground, but Grimmjow grinned excitedly.
"Hope you know how to land!" Grimmjow cackled, still falling. Soken quickly drew his Zanpakuto, releasing its Shikai wordlessly and instantly adjusted his trajectory, grabbing Tatsuki around the waist before bringing the two of them into a safe landing trajectory. Kaien quickly drew his twin Zanpakuto.
"Blow away, Tsuki, Nobara Heimaku!" Kaien exclaimed quickly, the blade quickly dissolving into a cloud of red rose petals that quickly separated, gathering beneath the falling Soul Reapers, catching them and gently lowering them to the ground into the middle of a suspiciously empty street.
"Nice move there, Kurosaki." Gin said as they each stood on their own feet. Kaien's Zanpakuto reforming back into its sword form before placing them on his back.
"I thought that move was going to kill us!" Sosuke said, Soken and Tatsuki quickly joining them on the ground.
"It would've if I wanted it too. But at least we didn't splatter ourselves on the ground." Kaien said as Yoruichi leapt onto his shoulder via flash step.
"However the landing would've been preferable to your using your Zanpakuto just now. You released a small but noticeable amount of spiritual pressure when you did that. Hopefully the Soul Reapers didn't notice it." Yoruichi said, glancing towards the Seireitei in time to see the massive walls that surrounded the Seireitei fall into place around it.
"What the-?" Sora said, watching the walls.
"Hmm, they know we're here. Looks like we'll need to hurry." Yoruichi said, leaping off Kaien's shoulder.
"So how do we get in?" Kaien asked.
"Follow me and try and stay together. I'm taking you to a friend of mine, so we can't dawdle." Yoruichi said as she started running down the street, the others following after her quickly. Gin quickly flash stepped up next to Yoruichi.
"Am I correct in assumin' that we're goin' to visit the esteemed Shiba clan?" Gin asked as they ran. Kaien furrowed his brow at the question, mouthing the name "Shiba" in thought.
"Yes we are. There's only one way into the Seireitei and the Shiba clan is our ticket in." Yoruichi replied as they continued running.
"Will this clan be willing to help us?" Sora asked.
"They already know we're coming and they should be waiting for us." Yoruichi replied.
…
Everyone but Yoruichi and Gin's eyes were twitching as they blankly stared at a truly odd sight to behold. It was a simple house, flanked on either side by a pair of large stone hands holding two large bowls with fire coming from within each bowl. Hanging from between the hands was a banner that read "Kukaku Shiba" in kanji. Behind the house was a tall chimney. Ametsuchi had since reverted to their sealed/human forms.
"Subtle." Soken muttered as Sora pushed up his glasses.
"Why not a flashing neon sign? Might actually be more inconspicuous." Sora mumbled sarcastically.
"Hey, maybe your dad could get something like that for your house. Great way to pinpoint the location of a doctor's office, eh Kaien?" Sosuke ribbed with a snicker, Tatsuki, Sora, and Grimmjow snickering along with him.
"How would you like me to give you reason to need a doctor?" Kaien threatened, Ametsuchi cracking their knuckles for emphasis, as they started approaching the house.
"Will this Kukaku Shiba actually be of any help?" Soken asked.
"Kukaku and I go way back. The Shiba, Shihoin, and Kurosaki clans have been longtime friends and allies with the occasional friendly rivalry. Just let me do the talking and we'll be fine." Yoruichi said as they approached the door, only for the door to be opened for them by the twin guards.
"Lady Yoruichi, we have been expecting you and we welcome you to the home of the great Kukaku Shiba!" Shiroganehiko and Koganehiko greeted with humble bows.
"Thank you. I'll be sure to inform Kukaku of your courteousness." Yoruichi said as she walked inside. The twins then looked up and were somewhat baffled by the sight of Gin, Sosuke, Sora, and Tatsuki since Sosuke and Sora both resembled their grandfather. But their jaws dropped open in true shock when they saw Kaien entering, both of them turning white as a sheet upon seeing him but they said nothing, merely watching him pass between them in silence. After walking down a flight of stairs, they came across a sliding door which the twins hastily opened for them.
Inside sat Kukaku, smoking her pipe. She had changed slightly in the twenty plus years since Aizen's death. She no longer had the bandages in her hair, and she was wearing an open red kimono over her usual attire. Her prosthetic arm now had some metal plates attached to it.
"Yoruichi, it's been a while." Kukaku greeted from her place on the floor as the group entered and bowed politely to her, even Grimmjow bowing.
"Not nearly as long as last time though. I am impressed by your current design for the arms outside. Very useful if you ask me." Yoruichi said as Kukaku shrugged.
"I'm getting kinda tired of it though. I've been thinking about setting up shop elsewhere recently and putting the arms back to the way they used to be. But you didn't come all the way from the World of the Living just to chat with me. Your message said that you'd be bringing friends, but I didn't know one of those friends included that bastard Ichimaru." Kukaku said, eyeing Gin wearily.
"We haven't even met and already I've made a friend." Gin said with a smile before having a very weak Shakkaho hit him in the face. It was powerful enough to leave some mild burn marks on his face but nothing else.
"Shut up fox-face. I'm only letting you live because Yoruichi told me in her message to trust her and not kill anyone she showed up with. So what's with the Arrancar?" Kukaku said, glancing at Grimmjow who was standing in his usual slouched posture.
"Grimmjow is part of the team assembled by Kisuke Urahara to prevent a disaster from taking place within the Seireitei. We only need a way in." Yoruichi replied.
"So Kisuke is involved in this. Alright then I guess I can let you use the Flower Crane Cannon like I did for you two decades ago. But tell me why I'm seeing two of that bastard Aizen." Kukaku said, glaring at Sosuke and Sora.
"This is Sosuke and Sora Kurosaki. They, along with their sister Tatsuki here, are the grandchildren of Sosuke Aizen and Kaichou Kurosaki. I believe further explanation is unnecessary." Yoruichi said as Kukaku blinked surprised.
"They're my old Captain's grandkids? Damn it, Yoruichi, why didn't you tell me sooner! I'd've rolled out the good stuff!" Kukaku said with a grin before she snapped her fingers, the twin guards suddenly appearing before her.
"You called for us Lady Shiba?" The twins greeted with a bow.
"Make sure those three there get the special treatment. They just got upgraded from punks to royalty." Kukaku said, the guards bowing again before vanishing then reappearing with beautifully made kimonos and placing them around the three's shoulders.
"What's with the star treatment all of a sudden?" Sosuke asked curiously.
"You three may not know it, but your grandmother used to be my former Captain back in the good ol' days before that bastard Aizen screwed everything up. So consider yourselves the honored guests of the Shiba clan. I don't care if you do look like your grandfather; you're my Captain's grandkids so you'll get the same treatment she would. You can sit with me over here." Kukaku said, motioning to her right. Sosuke wasted no time, sitting down to her right on a cushion that the twins brought out for the three of them and making sure his hair was in order. Sora and Tatsuki sat next to him on cushions of their own.
"So I guess the four of us are on our own." Grimmjow mumbled.
"Shut up, Grimmjow." Kaien mumbled, catching Kukaku's attention. She studied him curiously for a moment.
"You there. The Soul Reaper with the fancy hair accessories. Come here a second." Kukaku said as she stood up. Kaien complied and quietly approached her. As he got closer, Kukaku seemed to freeze, her eyes widened in disbelief.
"It can't be." She whispered in shock.
"This is the person I mentioned that I wanted you to meet, Kukaku. Please introduce yourself." Yoruichi said to Kaien.
"My name is Kaien Kurosaki, the son of Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki-…" Kaien said before softly adding "…-and I know why you're acting so stunned."
"What?" Kukaku whispered, backing up slightly.
"My mother told me recently, of a man she greatly respected, a man who she was forced to kill when a Hollow took over his body, a man named Kaien Shiba. She named me in his honor and memory. The fact that I also happen to resemble him is mere coincidence." Kaien said, Kukaku listening before glancing away.
"You do look just like him." Kukaku said softly, sitting back down.
"So will you help us?" Yoruichi asked as Kukaku nodded slowly.
"Yeah but I have a few conditions that have to be met. First, you all stay for dinner tonight. The Soul Reapers will be swarming the Rukongai Districts searching for you. It'll take them until late tomorrow morning to get all the way out here, but by then you'll be in the Seireitei. Second, those five there don't cause any trouble or I kill them." Kukaku said, pointing to Gin, Grimmjow, Soken, and Ametsuchi. Kaien glanced over his shoulder at the Zanpakuto twins.
"Those two are Ametsuchi, my Zanpakuto. I'll keep them with me." Kaien said, turning to the Zanpakuto twins who nodded understandingly.
"Come together, Ametsuchi." Kaien said, the two Zanpakuto returning to their Shikai state.
"Impressive." Kukaku mumbled.
"Your other provisos, Kukaku?" Yoruichi asked.
"Third, I will train all of them in using the Reishukaku. They'll need to know how in order to get into the Seireitei. And finally, I want a word with…him…in private." Kukaku said, pointing at Kaien.
"Sounds fair. We accept." Yoruichi said as Kukaku cleared her throat.
"Shiroganehiko! Koganehiko! Show our guests to their rooms and make sure to send Ganju here when he gets back!" Kukaku said, the twins bowing and beginning to escort them into a nearby hallway behind one of the doors, leaving Kukaku and Kaien alone. Kaien promptly sat down where he stood. Kukaku remained silent for a while after the others had left, looking at Kaien with a studying gaze while smoking her pipe. Kaien sat quietly, maintaining an air of stoic grace akin to his uncle until finally he had to say something.
"You said you wanted a word with me." Kaien said softly but Kukaku remained silent, exhaling a breath of smoke from her pipe before finally setting it down.
"Yeah. You look like my dead brother, you're named after my dead brother, and you're the son of the woman who killed my dead brother. You bet your ass I want a word with you." Kukaku said soberly, emptying the ash from her pipe into a small jar next to her. Kaien swallowed nervously. He had no idea what to expect from her.
"Have I already done something to upset or offend you somehow?" Kaien asked, bracing himself for some form of retributive action.
"You sure have. You're planning on charging into the Seireitei headfirst with the intent of stopping the execution of a Soul Reaper. You plan on acting like your father did years ago when he charged into the Seireitei to rescue your mother from virtually the exact same fate. If the similarities between you and my brother weren't there, I'd have no reason to talk with you." Kukaku said, Kaien saying nothing.
"I forgave your mother for killing my brother years ago. I knew the details and I know that what she did was the merciful option in the long run. What really pisses me off about you is that you have the audacity to intend on causing all this chaos and still proudly wear my brother's face and bear his name. Well I don't like it." Kukaku said, keeping her cool.
"I don't intend to dishonor Lieutenant Shiba's memory. Honestly, the thought hadn't even occurred to me and I apologize for it." Kaien said, Kukaku listening calmly.
"I didn't expect you to have thought of it. To most people your first name doesn't mean much. It's like breathing. It's your last name that people will think of. And those hair rolls…that'll bring the Kuchiki clan down a couple pegs for sure." Kukaku said, Kaien looking up at her in surprise.
"How did you-." "Each clan has their own unique kenseikan, and the pair you've got on now belong to the Kuchiki clan. You're the child of two clans so while you bring dishonor to both of them with your last name and heritage, your first name will dishonor mine." Kukaku said, Kaien finally understanding her issue.
"Then I'll disguise myself. I won't allow Lieutenant Shiba's name and kin to be dishonored by my actions." Kaien said before suddenly getting kicked in the face by Kukaku.
"You idiot! I'm not telling you to put a bag over your face! I'm just letting you know of what stands to happen should you fail!" Kukaku yelled as Kaien recovered.
"I won't fail." Kaien said with a determined look. Kukaku looked at his face for a moment them smiled.
"You've got that same look he had when he had made up his mind. Look, you need to understand that, you being here, named after Kaien…it's brought up a lot of memories and a lot of emotions. I'll get over them. But you have to live with the burden that a lot stands to be lost if you fail and not just simple clan honor." Kukaku said as Kaien nodded.
"I understand, Lady Shiba." Kaien said before he was suddenly grabbed by the collar and pulled in close.
"Don't call me that. It's Kukaku, to you, Kurosaki." Kukaku said tersely, Kaien sweating buckets.
"Yes ma'am-DAH-I-mean, Kukaku." Kaien said as Kukaku smiled.
"Okay. Just so you understand. Now get in there. I'll be along shortly to show you how you'll be infiltrating the Seireitei." Kukaku said as Kaien stood up, bowed, then quietly left the room. Once she was alone, Kukaku looked up towards the ceiling.
"Oh Kaien…I always knew you'd comeback somehow. But I'll be damned if this wasn't a surprise." Kukaku said with a smile.
Meanwhile in Rukongai…
Captain Soi Fon and several members of the Second Division were searching carefully through the same district that several Ryoka had been reported infiltrating less than an hour ago.
"Captain!" Lieutenant Marechiyo Omaeda called out as he ran up to Soi Fon along with a few other Second Division members and what appeared to be a civilian in his fifties.
"Report, Lieutenant!" Soi Fon demanded, turning to the large Lieutenant as he caught his breath.
"This civilian claims he can identify the Ryoka." Marechiyo wheezed as Soi Fon turned to the civilian.
"Is this true?" She asked, the man nodding frantically.
"I'd recognize the Demon Captain and his minion anywhere." The man said fearfully.
"Demon Captain?" Soi Fon asked, confused as Captain Komamura approached with Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba close behind.
"I've heard the people of Rukongai speak of only one man by that name, Captain Soi Fon, and the man they refer to is Sosuke Aizen." Komamura said, causing Soi Fon to give him a skeptical glare before turning back to the civilian.
"You're either drunk, insane, or you have a death wish, giving us false information like that." Soi Fon said to the man.
"He's not the first one to tell us this, Captain. Several others have come forward claiming that Sosuke Aizen is among the Ryoka." One of the Squad Two officers reported.
"What other reports have there been?" Captain Komamura asked.
"Scattered reports of various sightings. From what many have said, the Ryoka consist of ex-Captain Gin Ichimaru, the Sexta Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, the human girl Orihime Inoue, a fourth unidentified individual in white, ex-Thirteenth Division Lieutenant Kaien Shiba, and confusing details of Sosuke Aizen. Some reports say that there's two of him." Another one of the Squad Two officers reported.
"That list is absolute garbage! I can't take a report like that before the Captains! They'd laugh me out of the Meeting Hall!" Soi Fon hissed as one of Komamura's men came running up.
"Captain! We found something!" the officer reported, bowing to Komamura before standing up.
"What have you found?" Komamura asked.
"Visual identification! One of Squad Twelve's surveillance bugs!" the officer said, holding up what looked like a large severed eyeball with a purple hued paste-like substance on the back of it.
"Why did Kurotsuchi have a surveillance bug set up here?" Soi Fon asked in annoyance.
"It was a behavioral experiment launched by one of the Twelfth Division's seated officers. It was approved by Captain Kurotsuchi and mentioned in a brief handed out to all Captains last month." Komamura said as Soi Fon nodded, remembering the brief herself, and taking the eyeball from the officer.
"Let's see who we're really dealing with." Soi Fon said as she squeezed the eyeball slightly, causing the pupil to dilate and turn a bright white, emitting a cone of light up into the air slightly before allowing an image of what it saw to be projected before them. The two Captains and Lieutenants watched for a moment before they saw it. A group of figures running past through the streets away from the Seireitei. What really surprised them however, was that they were able to make out most of the figures.
"What the-…it cannot be!" Soi Fon stammered as the recording froze at a shot of what appeared to be Gin Ichimaru, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, two dead ringers for Sosuke Aizen, Orihime Inoue, a dead ringer for Kaien Shiba and one figure they could only describe as Uryu Ishida with blue hair and no glasses.
"Aizen can't be alive! He's dead!" Komamura said in shock.
"He fooled us once by faking his death years ago. What's to say he didn't fake it again?" Soi Fon said as she pocketed the eyeball and turned towards the Seireitei.
"Tetsuzaemon, I want you and the men to continue the search. Captain Soi Fon and I must present our findings to the Captains. They're going to want to see this." Komamura said before he and Soi Fon disappeared, leaving the two Lieutenants and their squads behind.
End Chapter 41.
The Bleach Quiz
Today's Host: Captain and Doctor Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Twelfth Division and Head of the Soul Reaper Institute of Research and Development.
Mayuri stood behind the podium with his usual creepy grin on his face. Ichigo's hat had a rectangular dent in the dead center of it where Kaichou's Shinigami Chop had hit him.
"I've not been featured except for once in this story so let's see if your primitive minds can remember who I am." Mayuri said as Uryu rang in.
"You killed my grandfather so you're a heartless bastard." Uryu said, a bell ringing.
"Wait! How is that right?!" Mayuri asked in an outrage as Ichigo rang in.
"You wore a toilet seat on your head once so you're the plumber." Ichigo said, a buzzer sounding behind him.
"Get away from the clothes already, Kurosaki!" Mayuri groaned as Uryu rang in.
"You're wearing makeup so you're Pennywise from Stephen King's IT and a heartless bastard." Uryu said, a bell ringing.
"Oi! What's going on here? How is he right?" Mayuri yelled as Rangiku rang in.
"You're wearing makeup so you're a gangsta rap clown." Rangiku said, a buzzer sounding as Mayuri's eye twitched towards her.
"Shut up!" Mayuri growled as Uryu rang in again.
"You're a chauvinist so you're a heartless bastard." Uryu said, a bell ringing as Mayuri freaked out.
"WHY ARE HIS ANSWERS BEING COUNTED AS RIGHT?!" Mayuri yelled angrily.
Tomorrow's Host of the Bleach Quiz will be Isshin Kurosaki and our contestants will be Karin, Yuzu, and Ichigo Kurosaki.