Chapter XX
Hello everybody, yep, the next chapter of Chaos Pawn of the Gremory is here. Hopefully everyone enjoyed the last chapter, and hopefully you will all enjoy this one. If you do, be sure to leave a review. Anyway, I would, as usual, like to thank my coauthor Bakuto Masaki for all of his help in this as well as my secondary author TheLastNanaya for all of his help as well. With that out of the way, how about we get on with the reviewer responses?
andrew: Thanks. Yeah, whether or not to do the orgy lemon was thrown back and forth but eventually it was decided that we would skip it, at least for now, because there have just been so many lemons over the past few chapters that some readers would be pushed away. Plus we do not want to incur the wrath of FanFiction, they have a history of deleting stories with lemons in them, so including that many was a bit of a gamble. We might include it later though. Not sure about those two but maybe. Thanks, same to you, even though it is after the holidays at this point. So rather, I hope your holidays were good.
Well, that about does it for reviewer responses, on with the main story.
Kazuma, Rias, Koneko, Akeno, Yuuto, Ichigo, Orihime, Sado, Aika, Arcueid, Kazehana, Hibiki, Hikari, Toyotama, Mirajane, Presa, Sheele, Leone, Yuko, Aoko, Medea, Souji, and Arturia sat in the dining room of Kazuma's apartment, which Kazuma realized was smaller than it seemed, eating a large dinner Kazuma had prepared for the group.
As the group ate and conversed, Koneko blinked curiously and looked down.
"Muffins" was sitting next to her purring.
Koneko looked at the cat curiously and scooted her chair back some, allowing the feline to hop into her lap.
Kazuma looked at that moment curiously and then smiled. "She likes you."
Koneko looked at him curiously as she stroked "Muffins'" head. "She?"
Kazuma nodded. "Yeah, she's a stray I managed to pick up. Well, I think it's a she."
"Muffins" looked at Kazuma annoyed.
He grinned slyly. He then redirected his attention to Koneko. "Her name is Muffins."
"Muffins…" Koneko remarked as she stroked the cat's head, occasionally offering her food.
Kazuma smiled before returning to his food.
"What's got you all smiles?" Aoko asked playfully.
Kazuma shrugged in response. "I like to see people enjoy my food."
Aoko blinked curiously. "Oh, is that it…?" Aoko asked disappointed.
Kazuma smirked in response.
"More," Koneko demanded as she extended her hand to Kazuma.
"You can get some," Kazuma remarked.
Koneko pointed to "Muffins" who was happily sleeping on her lap.
Kazuma sighed and took the plate, putting more food on it before handing it back to the white-haired girl.
Koneko nodded in response and continued eating, occasionally handing bites down to "Muffins".
The room was suddenly struck by loud screeching as an object flew around the room.
"Wh-what is that?!" Rias shouted as the object flew in the air above.
Kazuma sighed and grabbed a broom nearby and thrust it into the sky, stubbing Ryuuma on the chin, knocking the Dragon-Hollow to the ground.
Rias blinked curiously and asked more calmly, "Erm, what is that thing?"
"It's a long story," Kazuma answered in annoyance.
Ryuuma stood up and shrieked lightly before turning to Yuko.
Yuko looked at the little creature and waved with a smile.
Almost immediately the creature took flight and flew happily towards Yuko, slamming directly into her breasts.
"Wh-whoa!" Yuko shouted as the sudden impact knocked her chair back and onto the floor.
The excitable Dragon-Hollow chirped happily as it rubbed its head through Yuko's abundant cleavage.
"H-hey now, s-stop…!" Yuko demanded to the happy hybrid before one of Kazuma's tendrils extended and grabbed it by the midsection and lifted Ryuuma away and placed it on the other end of the table near him.
"That's enough out of you," Kazuma remarked sharply.
Ryuuma growled lowly in disappointment.
"So, uhm, what is that?" Orihime asked as she pointed at Ryuuma.
"An annoyance," Kazuma answered bluntly.
Medea frowned and waved towards Ryuuma.
Ryuuma waddled over to her and hopped into her lap.
"How can you be so mean to something so cute?" Medea asked.
Kazuma sighed heavily. "You find the strangest things attractive."
"I like you don't I?"
Kazuma twitched an eyebrow.
Hikari and Hibiki turned to each other and sighed.
Rias blinked curiously as she looked to the side.
"Something wrong?" Kazuma asked.
Rias pointed to the other side of the table, where Arturia sat with a massive stack of plates and bowls.
"Okay, what is it?" Kazuma asked plainly.
Rias looked at him flatly. "Oh, I don't know, maybe the fact that Saber has eaten enough food for an entire family and is still going."
Kazuma raised an eyebrow. "So? She's always been a big eater." He then frowned in slight fear. "I still remember when she was pregnant she ate all the food in Camelot. Those were dark days…"
Arturia twitched an eyebrow and threw one of said bowls and hit him right in the face, causing his chair to topple to the ground. She then continued eating as if nothing had happened.
Rias, Akeno, and the others looked at Kazuma and Arturia worriedly.
As Kazuma sat up and corrected his chair, groaning in annoyance, he turned to Rias. "Hey, Rias, can I ask you something?"
Rias turned to him curiously. "Certainly."
"How many members do you have in your peerage?"
Rias tilted her head curiously. "What do you mean? There's you, Akeno, Koneko, and Yuuto."
Kazuma narrowed his eyes. "Really? That's all?"
Rias frowned in thought.
"I happened to see you going over your Evil Pieces one day, and I saw that there's a Bishop missing."
Rias narrowed her eyes as she looked at him, her eyes momentarily flashing red. "That's not something you need to worry about."
Kazuma narrowed his eyes in response, his Sharingan activating. "Sorry, but mind-manipulating magic isn't going to work on me."
Rias smirked proudly. "Oh? Is that so?"
The rest of the dinner party became silent as the tension in the room became almost palpable as Kazuma and Rias had a stare down.
At that moment, Kazehana sauntered over to Kazuma, seemingly having had a few drinks already, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Kazuma…lemme sit next to you," she begged.
"Hey! Who said you got to do that!?" Hikari shouted angrily.
Hibiki glared at Kazehana in agreement. "Right, we knew him before you did!"
Kazehana stuck out her tongue. "Yes, but he Winged me before the two of you."
"You're all wrong, I knew him before any of you," Akeno interrupted.
"Come on thunder-lady, we all know you're just as wrong as they are," Leone argued as she folded her arms under her bosom, which even then was smaller than Akeno's.
"Incorrect, you are the one who is wrong as well," Arturia interjected. "As such, the seat next to him should be mine, as I am his wife."
"So what?!" Leone, Hibiki, and Hikari shot back.
"Look who thinks she's so important," Medea jabbed at Arturia. "I knew him long before you did."
Kazuma sighed as the arguments continued like that for several minutes. Though he looked to his sides curiously as Arcueid and Sheele sat down quietly next to him on either side.
"HEY!" the other girls all shouted in anger.
Kazuma slowly woke up the next morning after the gathering of people had gone home. Though when he opened his eyes he sighed lightly. Hibiki, Hikari, Toyotama, Kazehana, Arcueid, Medea, and Souji were all piled into his bed. He sighed and turned to the side and paled.
On the wall was a message written in blood. "It's time. Come to my shop, Urahara." Kazuma blinked as he noticed smaller text under that. "Nice orgy by the way."
Kazuma twitched an eyebrow angrily.
Kazuma exited his room and began to prepare to leave. After a short time the rest of his housemates slowly woke up and gathered in the kitchen.
"You're not actually planning on going alone, are you?" Medea asked.
"No, of course not. Ichigo and the others will be coming," Kazuma answered.
"Well there's no way you're going without us," Kazehana said as Hikari and Hibiki stood beside her, wearing skimpy leather outfits, with Toyotama beside Hikari.
Kazuma narrowed his eyes. "I'm sorry, I can't allow that."
Hibiki grabbed his hand as he turned. "That isn't fair. We can feel your emotions through our Bond, and being able to feel your emotions without knowing what's causing them is a horrible feeling."
"Besides," Hikari interjected, "we're not defenseless."
Kazuma looked at them and concentrated on his thoughts, he could feel their determination. He sighed in response. "Fine. But if things get bad I'm sending the three of you into Kamui." He then turned to Medea, Souji, Arcueid, and Presa. "Are you four planning on coming?"
Presa shook her head. "No. The group you have already is large enough. And while it's very tempting to join you, we agree someone needs to stay here and keep things safe, after all, who's to keep your place from getting destroyed while you're gone?"
Kazuma nodded in response with a smile. "Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I can."
"That's not what's important," Mirajane interjected. "What's important is that you come back with Erza."
Kazuma nodded.
"You're not going?" Arcueid asked.
Mirajane shook her head sadly. "No, I'm a Hollow. All Soul Reapers are specifically trained and equipped to hunt and kill Hollows. As much as I want to help rescue Erza, I would only get in the way on this mission."
Kazuma walked over and put a hand on Mirajane's shoulder. "Don't worry, I won't rest until I'm finished."
Mirajane nodded happily.
Kazuma, Hikari, Hibiki, Toyotama, and Kazehana walked out of the apartment and towards Urahara's shop.
As they made their way there, the group ran into someone unexpected, Aoko.
"What are you doing here?" Kazehana asked.
"It's a long story, but she'll be coming with us," Kazuma explained.
"You've trained, haven't you, Kazuma?" Aoko asked.
"Of course. My mana has been rather expended lately since I've had to keep three hundred Thought Projections going while they trained over the past week."
"Guess that fits you, always going to the extreme."
The group of six arrived and saw Rias and her peerage, along with Ichigo, Sado, Aika, Orihime, and Yoruichi standing at the door to Urahara's shop.
"Good to see we've all arrived," Yoruichi commented.
"Not quite all of us," Kazuma responded.
The others looked at him confused as he turned to the side.
To their surprise, Uryu Ishida walked up to the group.
"Uryu, are you coming too?" Orihime asked.
Uryu nodded in agreement. "Yes."
Kazuma nodded in understanding. "Sounds good to me. So, Hat-n-Clogs, how 'bout you show us what took so long?"
Kisuke nodded in understanding as he turned around. "This way."
He led the group down into the lower training area of his shop, where they saw a massive stone doorway in front of them.
"So…what is this thing?" Kazuma asked as he folded his arms.
"A Senkaimon, a gate that connects to the Soul Society."
"Like what Byakuya used?" Kazuma asked.
Kisuke thought for a moment. "Sorta. That was the standard Senkaimon. This is the Spirit Converter variant. It converts physical energy into spiritual energy. It's not easy to set up either. But it will allow all of you to travel through to the Soul Society safely."
Kazuma raised an eyebrow as Kisuke walked up to him and jabbed him with his cane, removing his soul from his body. Kazuma shook his head as his body slumped over. "That part always makes me queasy."
"There is one caveat to this however," Kisuke continued.
The group looked at him concerned.
"You only have four minutes from the time I open the gate to get through." Kisuke then turned to Kazuma. "This is your last chance, are you certain you want to do this, Kazuma Soryu?"
Kazuma tightened a fist and then nodded. "Yes. I'm the reason that Erza got into this situation. I'm going to the Soul Society. If she's alive, then I'll bring her back. If she's dead, then I'll avenge her."
Kisuke stared at Kazuma calmly before smirking.
Arturia glanced at Kazuma worried, while his Sekirei gave similar expressions. Arturia frowned lightly as she looked back at the Senkaimon. 'This isn't good. If he's that enraged, there's a good chance this could get messy. Though knowing him that's probably what he intends to do.'
"Alright, let's get this show on the road," Kazuma commanded.
Kisuke nodded. "Right, but first I need to explain a few things. As I said, this gate converts physical energy into spiritual energy. That's because of the fact that the Soul Society is a spiritual world. Meaning that unless you are a spirit, you can't interact with it. And right now, only one of you is a spirit."
"Ahem," Arturia interrupted as she raised a hand.
"Alright, two of you are spirits. Regardless, the point is, only those two, Kazuma, who is a Soul Reaper, and you, can enter the Soul Society."
"So…the gate will let us pass through without extracting our souls?" Uryu asked.
"Correct. The Spirit Conversion Machine will allow you to stay in your present forms, and have access to almost all of your powers."
"Alright, we understand already," Ichigo interrupted.
Kisuke twitched an eyebrow. "I'm not finished yet. As I said earlier, there's a four minute time limit. I can only keep the gate open for that four minutes. Anyone who hasn't made it through within that time is trapped in the Dangai, the Precipice World between this world and the Soul Society."
"I have one question," Rias interrupted.
Kisuke nodded silently.
"How will we make it through this gate in that time, if you say it's so difficult?"
Aoko smirked in response. "You just leave that to me. Once we get in there, you guys just stick close and we'll get through in no time."
"While your confidence is admirable, I wouldn't get too cocky," Yoruichi chided. "Once we're inside, there are a few things you need to remember. Keep looking ahead, don't look back, and don't let your thoughts wander to anything except our mission."
"We already know all of this," Kazuma retorted plainly. "If we didn't, we wouldn't be here."
"So you understand that if you lose, you can never return to this life?"
Kazuma hissed in response. "This isn't the first time that I've crossed a dimensional gap where screwing up means certain destruction."
Yoruichi looked at him curiously. "So be it."
Kisuke and Tessai stood on either sides of the Senkaimon and knelt down, with energy surging from them to the space within the gate.
"Get ready, here it comes!" Kisuke shouted.
Aoko stood in front of the group and said, "Alright, everyone get close."
The rest of the group gathered around her as the space in the gate brightened more and more.
Aoko extended her hands forward as a shell of blue energy encapsulated everyone. She then turned to Kazuma. "Start building up power. I'm not going to be able to maintain a barrier this big for long without supplemental power."
Kazuma nodded and slammed his fists together. "Boosted Gear!"
"Dragon Booster!" the gauntlets shouted as they appeared on his hands in a flash of light.
"…Go!" Kisuke shouted as the light shot out and engulfed everyone.
As the light died down the group had vanished.
Kisuke stood up and walked over to the gate, flinching as it burned his hand.
In the Soul Society, the main fortress of the Soul Reapers was filled with the sound of alarms.
"Red alert! Red alert! Intruders detected in West Rukon!" a voice sounded through the area. "This is not a drill! Breach detected in West Rukon!"
Renji stood in one of the buildings as he heard the alarm. "What the hell is going on?"
Inside of a large meeting hall, Palutena looked around as the alarms sounded. "My, my. What's this?"
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes and turned to one of the nearby sentries.
The sentry shook his head in response.
Yamamoto sighed and turned to Palutena. "I am sure it is nothing to be concerned with. Now, what is it you were saying?"
"Ah, yes. If possible, I would like to begin trading between Hel, or, what do you call it?"
"The Soul Society."
"Yes, that. I would like to begin trade between your Soul Society and Olympus."
In a space with an endless sky and similar ground, moving, flesh-like walls began collapsing and squeezing inward.
Ahead of the moving wall sections, a blue light shot forth at immense speed.
Inside the blue light, Aoko stood at the head of the group, a barrier of energy flowing from her hands as she breathed heavily from the exhaustion. She turned around and said, "Kazuma!"
Kazuma nodded and placed his hand, which was covered by the full gauntlet of the Boosted Gear, on her shoulder. "Boosted Gear: Gift!"
"Transfer!" the gauntlet shouted as the green jewel lit up.
Aoko's face reddened as the energy flowed into her. "I-is there a reason it feels like this…?"
"Sorry, I didn't set it up," Kazuma rebutted. "Alright, think you can get us out of here?"
Aoko turned back to him with a smirk. "Hold onto your lunch, this kind of time acceleration takes some getting used to."
The blue light suddenly shot forward at incredible speeds, far outpacing the collapsing walls.
In the skies above one of the village areas around the Soul Reapers' main fortress, a bright light pulsed before several streaks of light shot from it and collided with the ground hard.
As the dust cleared, Kazuma, Toyotama, Hikari, Hibiki, Kazehana, Rias, Koneko, Kiba, Akeno, Arturia, Aoko, Ichigo, Orihime, Sado, Uryu, Aika, and Yoruichi stood up and looked around.
"So this is…the Soul Society…?" Orihime asked as she looked around.
"Seems like it," Kiba answered.
"This specific place is called the Rukon District," Yoruichi explained.
"I see," Kazuma remarked as he looked around. He then looked ahead and saw the Soul Reapers' main fortress.
"That place is the Seireitei, the home base of the Soul Reapers."
"That so…?" Kazuma answered calmly.
"If you're getting any funny ideas, don't."
Kazuma cracked his knuckles as he set down a bag he'd brought with him. "Why not? They left the front door wide open for us. Might as well use it." Before anyone could tell him otherwise, Kazuma surged forward.
"…Dammit…" Yoruichi cursed in annoyance.
The group ran to catch up to Kazuma, Koneko grabbing the bag he had dropped, and attempted to follow behind him.
Kazuma ran forward towards the gate but stopped as the gate slammed shut in front of him. Kazuma narrowed his eyes as he looked to the side and saw an extremely tall and muscular man who towered over everyone else with black hair tied into a ponytail, long sideburns that extended down far enough to be tied into miniature ponytail-like tufts, narrow black eyes, wearing a shihakusho with the left side open, exposing armor on his left arm, and a red hat with tassels on his head, wielding two huge axes.
"Who the hell are you?" Kazuma asked in annoyance.
"I am Jidanbo Ikkanzaka, the gatekeeper for the White Gate Road," the giant, Jidanbo, answered.
"Alright Jidanbo, let us through."
Jidanbo laughed loudly and heartily as the group approached.
"This isn't good," Yoruichi remarked in concern.
"Why's that?" Orihime asked.
"That's Jidanbo, one of the gatekeepers for the Seireitei. He's immensely powerful. Our best bet now would be to pull back."
"If we've come this far we might as well take him on," Ichigo remarked slamming his fists together.
Jidanbo narrowed his eyes and slammed an axe into the ground, erecting a makeshift wall between Kazuma and himself against the others. "No," Jidanbo said loudly. "I will fight you one on one only. You must wait your turn."
Kazuma narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "Fine. If you wish to do it that way then I'll end this quick."
"Is it just me," Rias interjected, "or does Kazuma sound really angry?"
"It's because he is," Toyotama answered, sweating lightly. "It's simmered down some since we got here but he's just mad the whole time. Now he's angry and annoyed. I just hope he can back it up."
"You do not need to worry about him," Arturia remarked. "If his strength is even one tenth what it used to be this giant will be nothing more than a road bump."
The others looked at her curiously and then refocused on the duel.
"I'm ready whenever you are," Kazuma snarled.
"Take…thiis!" Jidanbo shouted as he swung one of his gargantuan axes down on Kazuma.
Kazuma raised a hand up as the axe impacted the spot where he was standing, sending dust, debris, and tremors out.
The group stood in shock.
"D-did he just take that hit?" Uryu asked.
Jidanbo smirked victoriously and then paled.
Beneath his axe stood Kazuma, having caught the huge blade with one hand.
"My turn," Kazuma answered bluntly as he clenched his fingers and then hoisted the axe up before throwing it back behind him with one hand, sending Jidanbo with it.
The group watched as Jidanbo soared over them before slamming into the ground with a powerful thud.
Uryu and the others gaped in response.
Arturia huffed in response as Kazuma turned towards them. "That took three seconds longer than it should have."
Kazuma sighed as he walked over towards the group. "Gimme a break. I'm still getting used to this again."
"You could have simply thrown him instantly rather than waiting for the dust to clear."
"Oh come on, that looked cool."
Arturia smirked in amusement. "I will grant you that."
Jidanbo moaned as Kazuma walked up to him. "So, how's that?"
Jidanbo stood up and looked at Kazuma. "I am quite shocked. I have seen only a select few block my first strike. I didn't even get to show you my favorite moves, I've never been defeated so effortlessly. As a mark of respect for you defeating me, I shall open the gate for you."
With that, Jidanbo carried himself over to the large gate and placed his hands underneath it, hoisting the large, white block up from the ground enough for Kazuma and the others to pass.
With grunts of exhaustion, Jidanbo remarked, "…There…that should…be enough…"
Kazuma nodded in agreement before he stopped. "Wait!" he ordered, extending his hands out.
Gin Ichimaru slowly walked towards the gate and looked up at Jidanbo, the same, ever-present smirk on his face. Waving a finger at the giant, Gin said in an amused tone, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Jidanbo, what are you doing?"
"C-Captain Ichimaru…" Jidanbo muttered worriedly. "I…this man defeated in me one-on-one combat. I felt it was only just to reward his victory."
Gin then pulled his Zanpakuto from its sheath and, in a swift motion Kazuma could barely see, slashed off Jidanbo's left arm, causing the giant to fall to the his knees. "You seem to misunderstand that. As a gatekeeper, your duty is to guard the gate, not to open it. Rather, when a guardian loses, it means death."
Yoruichi's eyes narrowed as the cat looked over the group. 'They may all be in some ways stronger than before, but they're still no match for a Captain.'
"So, shall I?" Arturia asked, stepping forward slightly.
Kazuma raised a hand. "No, don't. You'll get your chance."
Arturia then lowered her hands with a nod.
"I'm glad you realize that, Kazuma," Yoruichi remarked.
Gin cracked an eye open as he overhead what Yoruichi. "Kazuma, is it? My, my, that's even more reason I cannot let you pass."
Kazuma narrowed his eyes as he raised one of his armored hands. "You know me or somethin'?" Kazuma rebutted as he took a step forward.
"You could say that," Gin rebutted as he swiftly withdrew his Zanpakuto and thrust it towards Kazuma, the blade extending impossibly as he did.
"Damn!" Kazuma cursed as he withdrew Zangetsu instantly, barely managing to block the strike from Gin's Zanpakuto, though the attack also slammed him into Jidanbo, causing the giant to fall from where he was kneeling, also causing the gate to fall and close completely.
"Kazuma!" Orihime and Aika shouted as he tumbled into the dust cloud created by Jidanbo.
Kazuma stood up slowly and hissed in annoyance. "Dammit. The gate closed."
"It was inevitable," Yoruichi remarked. "With a Captain like Ichimaru waiting on the other side we had little chance of getting through."
"Tch," Kazuma snarled as he turned to Jidanbo. He then walked over to the giant's destroyed left arm.
Jidanbo groaned when he felt pain on his left arm. He looked and noticed Kazuma placing his severed arm against the stump. "What are you doing?" Jidanbo asked.
"I'm going to heal you. So just sit quietly," Kazuma rebutted as a faint green light emanated from his hands.
Jidanbo blinked curiously as he felt the pain in his arm momentarily increase before subsiding again.
After a moment Kazuma sighed and stepped back. "So how does it feel big guy?"
Jidanbo sat up and flexed his arm before moving his fingers. "It is healed. Thank you for helping me."
"You helped us and then got your ass beat because of it. I could at least return the favor."
As this happened, Sado noticed something tugging on his shirt. He turned around and saw a small boy with short, unruly brown hair and brown eyes wearing a simple kimono.
Sado looked at the boy curiously. "Sorry, do I know you?"
The boy smiled and answered, "It's me. Yuichi Shibata."
Sado looked at the boy curiously before widening his eyes slightly.
"Wanna see my new family?"
Sado nodded as he followed Yuichi.
Yoruichi silently watched the two before turning back to the others. "Alright, it's time we come up with a new strategy."
Kazuma and the others nodded in agreement as Jidanbo stood up.
The group, minus Sado, followed Yoruichi to another area of the Rukon District.
Several hours passed as Yoruichi led the group to the right spot, with Sado eventually rejoining the group.
When Yoruichi seemingly found the right spot, the cat walked up to a small bar and asked one of the people there, "Tell me, do you know where Kukaku Shiba is?"
The man gasped in shock but before he could respond the air was filled with the sound of loud rumbling.
Everyone turned to the side before Rias and her group had to jump as several men riding atop giant boars stopped next to the large group.
One of the men, a tall, muscular man with chin-length black hair, black eyes, and a partially missing left eyebrow wearing a vest, scarf, bandana, and a pair of goggles, stepped off of his boar and looked at the group crossly.
"Ganju, what are you doing?!" one of the men in the bar shouted.
The boar-riding man, Ganju, ignored the other man as he looked at Kazuma. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Kazuma looked at the stocky man in annoyance. "I don't know who you are and I don't know why my presence matters to you."
"Why you…!" Ganju shouted as he lunged at Kazuma with a punch.
Kazuma lazily kicked Ganju straight through the wall, causing him to slide along the ground for several feet before stopping.
"Aaahhh! Ganju!" the other men shouted before picking the unconscious brute up and riding off.
"Who the hell was that?" Ichigo asked in confusion.
"It's probably best not to ask," Kiba warned.
"What we need now is a place to stay," Yoruichi suggested.
The others nodded in agreement.
In her prison cell, Erza laid in the bed silently when she noticed a shift in the air. She slowly opened her eyes and suddenly sat up with shock.
In front of her, in the prison cell and sitting the sole chair in the room, was a young man with pale skin, crimson eyes, and shoulder-length silver hair wearing a light blue shirt, black pants, geta sandals, and an ankle-length black haori with a raining, green matrix code design on it draped over his shoulders.
"N-Naoya!" she shouted in shock.
The man, Naoya, raised a hand with a single finger extended. "Shhh."
Erza nodded in response and remained silent.
"It seems you're in quite a bind, Miss Scarlet," he said with amusement.
"Yes, I am. And it is all of my own doing," she replied despondently.
"Now, now, no need to be so harsh on yourself. After all, my newest project has just arrived."
Erza looked at him curiously and then widened her eyes. "No! You don't mean-!?"
Naoya extended a finger and put it over her lips. "I have but a short time here, and I've come with a message."
Erza nodded silently as he folded his hands back inside his sleeves.
"There are more Mirrors than just Edolas, Miss Scarlet. And some have Reflections that terrify even me. So beware. For the Shadows of an Empire are all consuming."
Erza nodded in response. "I will. Thank you for the warning."
Naoya smiled before turning into a black mass that sunk into the floor and vanished.
The morning after the curious encounter with Ganju, the group of Kazuma, Ichigo, Uryu, Sado, Orihime, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Kiba, Kazehana, Hibiki, Hikari, Toyotama, Aoko, Arturia, Aika, and Yoruichi walked through more of the Rukon District as Orihime hummed in thought.
"Something wrong, Orihime?" Kiba asked.
"This person we're going to see, Kukaku Shiba, they're a friend of Yoruichi's, right?" Orihime responded.
"Uhm…yes…"
"So then…he must be some kind of pedigree cat!"
Rias sighed in response. "And I'm told I'm the odd one."
"And you are," Kazuma interjected.
Rias looked at him annoyed.
"She's just weirder."
Rias sighed and then walked over to Kazuma. "You know, I get the feeling you don't like me."
Kazuma blinked curiously and then tilted his head in thought. "Why do you say that?"
Rias looked off to the side in frustration. "All you do is insult me."
"That's because I find your reactions amusing. If I didn't like you I wouldn't even bother acknowledging you."
Rias frowned and asked, "Well, think you could dial back? Just a little?"
Kazuma sighed and shrugged in response. "Alright, fine."
Akeno smiled happily as the group continued.
At that same time, in her cell, Erza sat in the chair in the middle of the room when she saw Renji walk up to her. "Your execution is fourteen days away. It'll be carried out on Sokyoku Hill. And they're going to move you to the Repentance Cell."
Erza nodded in understanding as Renji walked away. She turned her gaze back to the sole window in her cell. 'Kazuma…have you truly come all this way…?'
In another area of the Seireitei, Palutena was wandering the area mildly bored. "Hmm…there's so little to do around here. Perhaps I should do something to help out as a sign of good will." Her attention was then drawn to a kitchen as her eyes lit up. "That's it!"
Kazuma and the others continued walking through a forested area, looking for the person Yoruichi had told them about, Kukaku Shiba.
"Are you sure we're headed the right way?" Ichigo asked.
"Y-yes, I'm sure, this map seems fairly accurate…" Kazuma remarked.
Arturia blinked curiously. "You're the one leading us?"
"Yes I am!" he shouted back annoyed.
"No wonder we're lost."
Orihime tilted her head curiously and walked up to Arturia. "Uhm, is it particularly bad that Kazuma is the one leading us?"
Arturia sighed as she put a hand to her head in exasperation. "His sense of direction is as awful as Gawain's sense of dress."
"Huh…?" some of the others muttered in confusion.
Arturia realized her slip and glanced to the side embarrassed. "N-nothing. Please just ignore me."
Eventually Aoko snarled and walked up to Kazuma taking the map from him.
"Hey!" Kazuma shouted in argument.
Aoko pushed him down with a hand and examined the map. "Hmm…we're supposed to go west here, you're having us go northeast…"
Kazuma twitched an eyebrow in annoyance.
Aoko grinned and asked, "How about you let me do the leading from now on?"
Kazuma grumbled in frustration as Aoko steered the group in the proper direction.
As the group continued their trek, now heading in the proper direction, Orihime hummed in thought.
"What's on your mind?" Hikari asked.
Yuuto tried and failed to stop Hikari from asking that question.
"I wonder…if this Kukaku person moves so often and lives so far from civilization…he must really want to keep his identity a secret."
"That's incorrect," Yoruichi corrected.
"Oh?" Orihime responded curiously.
"Yes. Although Kukaku moves constantly, you will still recognize her home almost instantly."
Kazuma interrupted and pointed ahead with a look of disbelief. "Let me guess…that's it…isn't it…?"
Yoruichi nodded in response, "It is."
The house in question was a relatively simple house with a giant smokestack in the back and two massive stone arms on either side holding up a bright red sign that read, "Kukaku Shiba."
Sado and Yuuto merely stared at the house plainly. "Cool," Sado remarked.
"Isn't it?" Yuuto responded in agreement.
Uryu adjusted his glasses ashamed. "That's the saddest excuse for a house I've ever seen."
"I don't think I want to go into such a freaky lookin' place," Ichigo added.
As the group approached the house, two figures jumped before them.
The first was a tall, muscular man with a broad face and split chin, bald head, small, black eyes, and a thin mustache wearing a white robe with baggy, beige pants, black boots, a light blue scarf tied at the front with a red fastener with gold trim, and a red hat with gold trim and a white tassel on top.
The second was a man with virtually the same features, save for a long face and comparatively normal chin, and wearing virtually the same outfit, save for a yellow robe.
The first man stepped forward and shouted, "I am Koganehiko!"
The second man also stepped forward and shouted, "I am Shiroganehiko!"
The two men then shouted in unison, "Turn back and leave now! For attempting to enter this place is to invite death!"
Kazuma smirked in amusement. "I could invite her here if you like."
The two looked at him confused.
"That won't be necessary," Yoruichi asserted as the cat stepped forward.
"Yoruichi!" the two shouted as they bowed before cat. "We did not expect your arrival!"
"That's fine. Take us to see Kukaku."
"At once!"
The two burly men led the group inside the house, which turned out to have much more space than it appeared to, and were led to a room near the back where the group was introduced to Kukaku Shiba, a youthful looking woman of average height with green eyes and bandages over her long, messy black hair that parted down in half at the small of her back and wore a white skirt with a provocative red robe that exposed much of her ample bosom, though she had a prosthetic right arm and a small tattoo on her left arm with bandages over her right shoulder and on both ankles along with a black cloak and wooden sandals.
"Kukaku's a woman!?" many of the group shouted in shock.
Kukaku tilted her head in annoyance. "Is there a problem with that?" she asked gruffly.
"No ma'am!"
Yoruichi then stepped forward. "Kukaku, I've come to ask you a favor. Though it'll probably be trouble."
"Yoruichi, it's been ages since we last spoke like this, so let's hear this proposal of yours. In case you've forgotten, I happen to like trouble."
Hinata escorted four guards in all-white uniforms, including hoods that covered their faces, who led Erza, with a red choker around her neck with four ropes going off from it to rods being held by the four guards and a mask over her face to obscure her vision.
They approached a massive white tower with tall, thin, sparse holes acting as windows.
Hinata led the guards inside where they swiftly released Erza from the ropes, pulled the mask off of her face and stepped back.
Hinata frowned sadly and then said, "Erza, allow me to leave you with this: unconfirmed reports from some of the other guards say that of the Ryoka attacking us, is a Soul Reaper with a sword as long as his body."
Erza remained silent for a moment before turning to Hinata and nodding. "I already know. An old friend told me."
Hinata widened her eyes slightly before calming. "Very well. I'm afraid I'll have to leave you here."
Erza nodded as Hinata and the four guards left the tower, closing the large doors behind them.
Back at Kukaku's house, Kukaku took a drag from her pipe before nodding. "Alright, Yoruichi, you've got yourself a deal. Besides, this comes from Kisuke Urahara. I couldn't refuse it if I wanted to."
"Thank you," Yoruichi answered.
"However," Kukaku quickly added, "I don't trust these friends of yours. So, I'll be sending a minion to go along with you."
Kazuma raised an eyebrow curiously. 'Minion? Like a familiar?'
'Seeing the way she is, I somehow doubt it's that simple,' Ddraig added.
'I do not believe there is anything to worry about,' Zangetsu asserted.
'No one cares what you think.'
Zangetsu grumbled angrily.
"Ganju! Get in here!" Kukaku then shouted loudly.
The door slid open and to the surprise of the group, the one who had tried to attack Kazuma the night before lay with his head down. "What is it sister?" Ganju asked. He lifted his head up and then saw Kazuma. "Hey! What the hell are you doing here?!" Ganju shouted, immediately charging at Kazuma.
Kazuma raised a hand and a blast of wind slammed into Ganju, sending him flying across the room. "Sorry hog rider, I don't have time to play with you."
Kukaku blinked curiously. "Do they know each other?"
"Not really," Aoko answered.
Hinata made her way through the Seireitei with her thoughts clouded. 'Should I have told her about him getting intercepted by Gin Ichimaru?' After a moment of thought she shook her head. 'No, if Naoya informed Erza of his presence here, then obviously he planned for that Substitute Soul Reaper to come here, so it wouldn't have done any good.'
"Ah, I didn't expect to see you here, Captain Hyuga," a voice said next to Hinata.
She turned and saw Aizen standing nearby. "Captain Aizen, do you want something?" she asked with mild annoyance.
"Just to speak for a moment."
Hinata narrowed her eyes but nodded in understanding and followed him to another room.
After looking around for a moment, Aizen turned to Hinata. "You know, it seems like it hasn't actually been that long since we were working together."
Hinata folded her arms under her bust with an annoyed frown. "Please get to the point. I'm actually quite busy."
"Right. I have only a single question for you: do you think that Erza should be executed?"
Hinata narrowed her eyes. "Why are you asking me that? You should already be able to guess what my answer will be."
"Perhaps, but I'm just curious."
"Alright, if you want to know that badly: no, I don't think she should. For one, there are a multitude of discrepancies in how her case was handled. Far too many to list. For two," she glanced behind her and then turned back to Aizen, "I feel like somebody else is pulling the strings on this."
Outside the room, Gin stood near the door with his trademark smirk. 'Oh dear, it seems she's spotted me already.'
Back inside the room, Aizen was about to respond to Hinata when an alarm sounded. "I see. I suppose our conversation will have to be cut off here. It's time for the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to meet."
Hinata nodded as Aizen walked past her.
Back at Kukaku's house, Ganju lied still passed out on the floor when a booming voice shouted, "Kukaku! What was that sound just now?!"
Kukaku sighed and shouted, "In here Jiao!"
The other blinked curiously. "Jiao?" they asked in unison.
Kazuma twitched an eyebrow. 'There's no way…'
After a moment one of the other doors opened and a tall, bulky man with dark skin, a bald head, and a long brown beard that parted distinctly over his torso, and squinted brown eyes, wearing a large yellow coat with white fur, a black and yellow, patterned shirt with fur at the bottom, with more fur over his legs, underneath leg armor with the same pattern as his shirt, brown boots that extended up into black material with a laced-up front and furred edges, and a black hat with the same pattern in yellow with a feather on one side walked into the room and looked to the side and saw Ganju. "What happened?"
Kukaku pointed to Kazuma. "He happened."
The man's squinted eyes widened in surprise.
"H-hey, Jiao…" Kazuma greeted weakly.
"Hahahh! Jude!" the man, Jiao, bellowed excitedly as he wrapped Kazuma into a bone-crushing hug. "I cannot count the years since we spoke last!"
Kazuma turned pale as the large man constricted his body. "Y-yeah…that's nice…can't…breathe…"
Jiao blinked and then dropped Kazuma roughly.
"Oof!" Kazuma grunted as he fell to the floor.
Kukaku blinked curiously and then pointed to Kazuma. "You know him, Jiao?"
Jiao nodded with a pleasant smile on his face. "Yes. Though sadly, we were mostly enemies when we met each other last."
Kazuma sat up with a groan. "Perhaps, but that's in the past now. Way in the past."
"Yes, it is," Jiao responded with a nod.
Rias lightly poked Kazuma's shoulder and then pointed at Jiao. "Kazuma, who is this guy?"
Kazuma nodded as he stood up. "Just someone I encountered once, a long time ago."
Jiao smiled and then asked, "So is that the name you are using now? Kazuma?"
"It is. And if you don't mind, I'd prefer not to reminisce too much at this time."
"Right. Then let us talk about the present." Jiao then walked over to Kukaku and sat down with a thud.
The vibrations from the thud caused Kukaku's pipe to fall from her mouth, startling and angering her.
Jiao motioned to Kukaku and began, "This is Kuka-" Jiao started before Kukaku used a powerful attack to blast Jiao, and subsequently trash the entire room, sending everyone tumbling.
After the smoke cleared Kukaku stood, glaring at Jiao. "How many times have I told you to be careful and not knock my smoke pipe around you oaf?!"
Jiao bowed in front of her. "I'm sorry Honey."
Kazuma blinked curiously as he slowly stood up. "Honey?"
Jiao nodded with an apologetic smile. "Y-yes. As I was saying, this is Kukaku, my wife."
Kukaku smacked Jiao on the back and added, "And obviously this oaf is my husband."
Kazuma blinked curiously again and then folded his arms. "Never pictured you as a family man. Though, I suppose it was there all along. Anyway-"
Kukaku interrupted Kazuma saying, "Alright everyone, follow me."
Kazuma twitched an eyebrow as the group stood and followed Kukaku.
Kukaku led the group through her basement down to a door labeled "Authorized Personnel Only".
After leading them through the door she showed them to the base of the giant smokestack behind her house.
"So what's this?" Kazuma asked.
"A smokestack, obviously," Uryu interjected.
"Not exactly," Kukaku corrected. "It's really a cannon. After all, the Rukon District's Number One Fireworks Expert should have one."
"A-a cannon…?"
"Naturally. It's how I'm going to get all of you idiots into the Seireitei." Kukaku then turned to Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko. "Alright you two, raise it up."
"Yes, Kukaku!" the two shouted before turning a large crank.
As the two turned the crank, the ceiling opened up.
After that, Kukaku grabbed a clear orb with a marking resembling a bird and tossed it to Kazuma. "Alright big shot, pour some spiritual power into that thing."
Kazuma raised an eyebrow but then shrugged. The small orb then began to glow before a glowing orb of energy formed around him. "What the…?"
Kukaku put a hand on her hip, impressed. "Huh, so you aren't completely useless."
Kazuma frowned in annoyance and tossed the orb back to her. "Okay, so what's that little bowling ball got to do with anything?"
"The wall surrounding the Seireitei is made out of a material called Sekkiseki Rock. It rejects all forms of spiritual energy. That orb will allow you to pass through the defensive barrier created by that rock."
Kazuma narrowed his eyes in thought. 'So that rock has a barrier buster ability, does it?'
"Uhm, excuse me," Orihime interjected.
"What?" Kukaku asked annoyed.
"What did Kazuma just do?"
Kukaku twitched an eyebrow.
Kazuma furrowed his brow in thought. "I could've sworn I was supposed to teach you guys how to control your mana."
"Well if you were then you screwed up," Ichigo chided.
Kukaku sighed in annoyance. "Dammit…fine, everyone follow me. Guess I'll need to teach you idiots how to do this then."
In an area of the Seireitei, Renji walked down a catwalk with a man that had black hair in a distinctive style, black sunglasses, and a small mustache wearing a shihakusho along with a badge on his left upper arm different from Renji's.
Renji turned to the man and asked, "So, Tetsuzaemon, any idea what that alarm was about earlier?"
"Not a clue," the man answered in an informal tone.
As they approached a room Renji noticed a girl with big brown eyes and black hair pulled into a bun held by cloth wearing a shihakusho and a badge with a different symbol to Renji's sitting down on one of the chairs in the room.
The black-haired girl turned to Renji and asked, "Renji, have you seen Captain Aizen lately? He's been acting strangely."
Renji furrowed his brow in thought and then shook his head. "No, I haven't seen him, Momo."
The girl, Momo, sighed in disappointment.
"I wouldn't worry about it too much," a woman with long, wavy, blonde hair that reached her waist, grey-blue eyes, and a beauty mark under the right side of her full lips wearing a similar uniform to Renji and the others, with a pink sash around her shoulders and her uniform hanging loosely on her shoulders, exposing quite a bit of her ample bosom, attempted to ease Momo's concerns.
"Rangiku," Momo responded in surprise.
Back at Kukaku's house, Ichigo and the others from Kazuma's group were training in how to use the mana orbs.
Fortunately for Kazuma himself, as well as Arturia, Aoko, Akeno, Rias, Koneko, Kazehana, and Yuuto, they were already skilled enough in the use of mana to pass Kukaku's training easily.
Ichigo, Orihime, Sado, Uryu, Aika, Hibiki, Hikari, and Toyotama however, were not.
Ichigo held one of the orbs in his hands and concentrated on it. After several seconds it flashed momentarily and then remained silent.
Orihime held an orb in her hands as well and a steady field of energy formed around her.
After a few seconds of trying Hikari and Hibiki achieved the same result.
Sado managed it as well after a few attempts.
Aika and Toyotama still struggled with the act however, garnering much the same result as Ichigo.
As the two tried, Kukaku watched them and then glanced at Kazuma. She then turned and poured a drink into two cups. Picking one up she muttered to herself, "Sorry bro, for helping that Soul Reaper. But…if you were alive and saw me not helping one, you'd yell at me…you who loved Soul Reapers…and died as one…"
Kazuma narrowed his eyes, having heard what Kukaku said.
After a moment, Orihime, Sado, Hibiki, and Hikari walked up to Kukaku and demonstrated their ability to form the barrier.
Kukaku nodded in response. "Good, that'll do." She then turned to Toyotama, Aika, and Ichigo. "As for you three, keep going."
The three looked at her annoyed.
Eventually Kazuma sighed and walked over to the trio. "Aika, it's just like your Blood Control, focus on it like that."
Aika raised an eyebrow and nodded in understanding and focused on the orb.
He glanced at Ichigo next. "Considering how good you were getting with that Fullbring, it's surprising you're sucking at this so bad. Just try to focus the energy you use in it on the orb."
Ichigo huffed in annoyance and then turned to the orb.
Kazuma then turned to Toyotama. "I'm guessing you're not used to using energy in any form, are you?"
Toyotama sighed in response. "Not particularly. Using my spear doesn't require any of that stuff."
Kazuma nodded in understanding and put a finger against her forehead. "Try to envision this. Energy forming and flowing out from the center of your mind. Expanding outwards."
Toyotama looked at him confused but closed her eyes and did as she was told.
Kazuma watched for several seconds as she concentrated on the orb in her hands.
Eventually, the orb began to flicker slightly, a wavering field of energy barely appearing around Toyotama.
After a moment the field vanished and Toyotama took several heavy breaths. "This…is rather difficult."
Kazuma folded his arms in thought. "As a Sekirei it shouldn't be this hard for you to do something like that. Wanna give it another shot?"
Toyotama nodded in agreement as she focused on the orb once more.
As she did this, Kazuma pressed a finger against her forehead, causing an energy field to form around her and then burst outward.
Toyotama tumbled to the ground from the sudden rush of energy.
"Aha, there's the issue," Kazuma remarked.
Toyotama moaned and then looked up at him. "What was that?"
"There was something limiting your abilities. All I did just now was remove it."
Toyotama raised an eyebrow at him curiously. "I see. So what next?"
Kazuma held the orb in his hand and handed it to her. "You try again, but this time try to control how much power you flow into it."
As Kazuma continued instructing Toyotama, the others watched from the sides.
Akeno smiled in amusement. "I almost wish I'd screwed up a little."
Arturia raised an eyebrow. "If it is Kazuma's affection you are looking for, merely let him know you desire it and he will shower you with it…figuratively of course."
Rias narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "You know, you certainly seem to know a lot about Kazuma."
Arturia furrowed her brow in thought and quickly glanced at Akeno.
Akeno gave a subtle shake of her head.
"Call it intuition. As someone my Master is close to, I find it necessary to understand him."
Rias continued staring at Arturia suspiciously and then sighed. "So be it."
Toyotama continued her training like that for quite a while before finally getting a handle on it. After that, only Ichigo was left to master it on his own.
In the Seireitei, Yamamoto was preparing to meet with the Thirteen Court Guard Squad Captains.
At the last moment, Gin walked through the two large doors into a massive room.
At the back of the room sat Yamamoto on an extravagant chair. "So, you're finally here. Captain of Squad Three, Gin Ichimaru."
Gin walked into the room, smirking as wide as ever. "An emergency summons, should I be impressed or appalled? And look at this distinguished gathering. The Captains who control the Soul Society. All here…just for me? Or…am I mistaken?" Gin remarked nonchalantly as he walked towards the front of the group, the Captains standing in two rows on either side of Yamamoto.
As Gin looked around the room, he mentioned, "I noticed the Captain of Squad Thirteen is conspicuously absent. Did something happen to him?"
A man with dark skin and dark purple hair tied back in braids, his eyes hidden behind opaque goggles, who wore the standard Soul Reaper Captain's uniform with rolled up sleeves on the robe and tied with a purple sash, an orange scarf around his neck, white boots rather than sandals, and black, fingerless gloves answered, "He's not feeling well today."
"Oh no, not again. I hope he gets well soon, don't you, Tousen?" Gin answered with a total lack of urgency.
"Quit joking around," Kenpachi snarled, "You know that's not the reason you were summoned here." Kenpachi narrowed his exposed eye at Gin. "It's my understanding that you went and played with that Ryoka by yourself, didn't you? And I also heard that you failed. Explain yourself! You should have no problem dealing with four or five Ryokas without backup."
Gin turned to Kenpachi awkwardly. "I see. So then you're saying that they survived?"
"They what?"
"Well, I was under the impression that they were dead. But I guess my instincts are starting to fail me."
"Stop all this monkey business right now," a man with an overall skeletal appearance, with a skull-like visage, a face painted black with white edges and nose, golden eyes, his teeth seemingly constantly bared in a perpetual grin, golden cones over where his ears should be, blue fingernails that were all, with the exception of his right middle finger that is as long as the finger itself, short, wearing the standard Soul Reaper Captain's uniform with a large purple scarf around his neck and a hat with two ends that pointed to his right snarled in annoyance. "There's no way that Captains such as us could fail to instantly tell whether or not an opponent's spirit has ceased to exist. Such a failure is not stylish."
"Oh no, not again. Old fools caught up in stupid bickering," a short, young-looking man with turquoise eyes and short, white, spiked hair wearing the standard Soul Reaper Captain's uniform with a green sash holding his Zanpakuto on his back moaned in annoyance.
"Can't you see?" Gin interjected. "Your petty accusations seem to imply that I let him go on purpose, Captain Mayuri."
"That's exactly what I'm saying!" the painted man with the purple scarf, Mayuri, shouted.
"Shut up Kurotsuchi!" Kenpachi growled. "Can't you see I was the one who was talking to him first?"
The two bickering Captains stepped towards each other before Kenpachi continued.
"Or perhaps you'd rather be done in by me?"
A young woman sighed in annoyance, "So stupid."
"Well whaddya know, tempers are running high today," a man with a straw hat and flowered kimono noticed as he pulled his hat down somewhat.
"Stop!" Yamamoto bellowed, "Enough of this foolishness!" After the bickering halted and the Captains focused on him, Yamamoto continued more calmly. "I think the true reason for which you have been summoned here to stand among your peers has been made abundantly clear. It is the fact that you acted alone. That, coupled with the fact that you also permitted the target to escape. So then, how do you defend your actions, Ichimaru…?"
"I cannot," Gin answered plainly.
Yamamoto looked at him calmly.
Scratching his hair, Gin continued, "Well you see, there's nothing to say. I made a simple mistake. I'm not going to stand here and make excuses. I'll accept whatever punishment-"
"Just a minute Ichimaru," Aizen interrupted. Aizen stepped forward and declared, "I have something I want to ask you first."
However, before Aizen could ask his question, alarms sounded throughout the Seireitei.
As the alarms sounded, the Captains looked on in confusion.
Gin, however, smiled in amusement.
Back at Kukaku's house, Yoruichi had the group gathered in the large room where they had been practicing using the orb.
Yoruichi sat in front of the group, the cat's tail lazily waving back and forth. Yoruichi looked around and then said, "Good, since you're all here I might as well start explaining what you all will face once we make it into the Seireitei. You all need to listen closely, because this information is vital to our-GGGYYYAAAHHH!"
In another area of the house, Ganju sat with a long train of folded paper, reading words printed on it. "The fate of three sparrows, the fate of four dragons. The fate of the four dragons enclosed on five sides unable to return six leagues. A thousand sprinkles of ashes. A thousand pieces of wisdom. The knowledge of the ages."
Eventually the door opened and Kazuma walked in. He looked down and saw Ichigo on the floor. Kazuma twitched an eyebrow and asked, "Why is he still here?"
"How the hell would I know?" Ganju snapped back.
Kazuma twitched an eyebrow as he noticed Ichigo twitching heavily. "…What the hell is spikey dreamin' about…?"
"Like I said stupid, how the hell would I know?"
Kazuma gained a tic mark as he turned to Ganju. "What the hell's your problem? And what's up with that chanting?"
"None of your damn business."
Kazuma gained a second tic mark along with a twitching eyebrow. "Look hog-rider, I could kick your ass in two seconds, I'd suggest you stop with the attitude."
"Tch."
Kazuma sighed and then held out a hand, a ball of water forming in it, which he then dumped on Ichigo.
"Gah! That's friggin' cold!" Ichigo shouted as he suddenly shot to his feet.
"Hey, you're up," Kazuma deadpanned.
"Only 'cuz you dumped water on my face you jackass!"
"Well, you're up, so that's all that matters. We're gettin' ready to head out. Kukaku sent me to get the two of you."
Ichigo nodded in understanding as he shook some of the water out of his hair.
Kazuma, Ichigo, Uryu, Sado, Orihime, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Kiba, Kazehana, Hibiki, Hikari, Toyotama, Aoko, Arturia, and Aika gathered in the large room where Kukaku's cannon was situated.
Yoruichi sat near Kukaku, Koganehiko, and Shiroganehiko, the cat's tail bent in a seemingly impossible way.
"Very well," Yoruichi began, "Are we all here now?"
"Yes, sir," the group all responded.
Ichigo blinked curiously and noticed Yoruichi's tail. "Hey, what's up with your tail? It looks like a messed up toothbrush."
Everyone paled in concern.
Yoruichi glared at Ichigo angrily. "What do you mean? Is there something wrong with it?"
"N-no…not at all…" Ichigo responded weakly.
Kazuma sighed and explained, "You're the one who made it that way you dingus."
"I did?"
"When you fell asleep you grabbed cat-lady's tail. I had to use some well-placed mana to knock out the nerves in your arm temporarily so you'd let her go."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "That explains why my arm feels so weird…wait, you did what?!"
Yoruichi began to tear up before turning to the side, depressed. "My tail…my pride and joy…ruined." The cat then wandered away.
Kazuma then put a hand on Ichigo's shoulder and recommended, "For your own sake, I'd avoid that subject at all costs."
"…Y-yeah…" Ichigo responded flatly.
Kukaku looked around and then turned to Kazuma. "Hey, I thought I told you to get both Ichigo and Ganju."
Kazuma shrugged in response. "Hog-rider was downstairs chanting something."
Kukaku glanced over to Jiao.
Jiao nodded. "He should be here momentarily."
Kazuma raised an eyebrow and noticed that Jiao had a massive hammer, with a point on one side instead of two flat sides. "You still have that thing?"
Jiao shook his head in response. "No, but I had one fashioned to look just like it. It's actually improved, I can flow mana into it to increase its power."
Kazuma sweat-dropped. "Oh goody…I still remember that time you nearly flattened me with that thing."
"Never fear! For Ganju is here!" Ganju suddenly shouted, halting the conversation, as he walked up to the area, wearing a green vest and bandana instead.
"You're late, Ganju," Kukaku snarled.
"The hero is always the last to arrive."
Kazuma looked at Ganju flatly.
Kazuma and Ichigo then both pointed at Ganju and said, "He's not coming."
"Hey, you need my help to make the damn thing work!" Ganju argued.
"Using this method perhaps," Kazuma answered.
Kukaku raised an eyebrow. "This method? You mean you think you know something else that would work?" she asked sarcastically.
"Yeah, tear a dimensional rift between the inside and outside of the Seireitei and walk right through," Kazuma responded plainly.
Kukaku looked at him in disbelief.
Jiao raised an eyebrow in thought.
"You don't actually believe this fool's ramblings do you?" Kukaku asked.
"What ramblings? Such actions by him are not impossible," Jiao answered.
Kukaku sighed heavily. "Whatever…we're using this method, so shut up and do it my way."
"Sounds good to me," Kazuma answered simply.
Ganju walked over to the group and looked at Kazuma. "Besides, the only reason I'm even agreeing to help you guys is because you seem different from the Soul Reaper who killed my brother, Kaien Shiba. Who knows, maybe I'll learn something new about Soul Reapers on this trip. At the very least I'll be able to punch a few of them."
Kazuma smirked in amusement. "Oh? Is that your reason? Fine, besides, I suppose having an extra head around, dense as it may be, will be helpful."
"Sure, you never know when you might need-…HEY!"
Yoruichi then asks, "Is everyone ready to go?"
The group nodded.
"Good. Maintaining a cannonball with a group this size will be difficult, but not impossible."
Ichigo then asked, "Hey, Yoruichi, are you able to use that orb?"
Yoruichi turned to Kazuma and said, "Set me on that cannonball, would you?"
Kazuma walked over and picked up Yoruichi by the scruff of the cat's neck, getting an irritated glare from the feline, before he set Yoruichi down on the orb.
Almost instantly the orb began to float as a perfect shell of mana appeared around Yoruichi.
"Any questions?" Yoruichi asked.
"N-no…" Ichigo answered. "…How the hell can a cat do a better cannonball than me…and faster…?"
Yoruichi smirked as much as the cat's feline features would allow and responded, "There are many things I can do that are far beyond your ability." Yoruichi turned to the side and noticed "Muffins" atop Koneko's head. "Is that one coming as well?" Yoruichi asked before turning to Kazuma.
Kazuma nodded in response. "Consider Muffins an ornament. Besides, you wanna try and get Koneko to let go?"
Yoruichi turned to Koneko.
Koneko immediately, with a flat, emotionless expression, put her hands on "Muffins" securely.
Yoruichi twitched an ear in irritation. "Very well."
Kukaku turned to Ganju and asked, "Have you been able to master it?"
Ganju nodded in response. "Yeah, pretty much."
"Good, then we'll use Flower Crane Cannon Launch Method Number Two, Alright?"
"Very well."
Kukaku smirked and then chided, "You better not chicken out and run away in the middle of the launch, you little brat."
"I would never do that," Ganju answered sternly.
"Not afraid to lay your life on the line?" Kukaku asked with a toothy smirk.
"No! No way!"
Kukaku's expression then returned to serious and she shouted, "If you're all ready to go, then the final countdown begins now!" She then stomped on the ground, causing a hole to appear in the cannon barrel for the group walk into. "Get inside everyone, we're getting ready to go!"
The group nodded and walked towards the cannon.
OMAKE: Ryuuma's Crazy Adventures I
Inside Kazuma's apartment, while Medea, Souji, Presa, Mirajane, and Arcueid were doing their own individual activities, cooking, cleaning, or simply lounging around, Ryuuma laid silently on Kazuma's bed, fast asleep before a strange sound woke her up.
She squealed lightly as she looked on the ground and saw a series of small candies lying in front of her. Blinking curiously the small dragon hopped down and walked over to a piece of candy, picked it up, sniffed it, and then stuffed it into its mouth. She growled happily before stepping forward and picking up another piece, and then another, and another, slowly following the trail out the door to Kazuma's apartment.
Once the baby Dragon-Hollow Hybrid made its way out of the apartment it looked around and followed the trail further, down the stairwell and out of the actual building.
Fortunately for the young dragon, normal humans couldn't see her, nor seemingly the trail of candy she was following.
Eventually, she found her way to a small park nestled between several buildings and saw the trail led to a brightly glowing hole on the walls of one of the buildings.
Ryuuma looked around and sniffed the air, then stood for several seconds, tilting her head in thought before diving headlong into the glowing hole.
Ryuuma shrieked in shock as she fell swiftly through a glowing, multicolored tunnel before coming out what seemed to be the other side.
Soon Ryuuma looked around and found herself in a rather strange place, floating in the skies above the Soul Society, specifically, above the Seireitei.
She chirped curiously before floating down to the fortress below her, unaware of the hole in the Seireitei's barrier that formed, allowing her to easily pass through; which swiftly closed after she was in.
She flew lazily overhead, examining the area below her.
She noticed a figure moving below and flew down to investigate.
Down below the floating dragon, Aizen Sousuke was walking through the streets of the Seireitei, holding documents in his hands. "How strange, this problem should have been eliminated by now. I suppose I'll have to see what he says about this." He stopped after a moment and looked ahead of him only to see Ryuuma floating several feet off the ground, glaring at him. "How fortuitous, you have come ba-"
His words were halted as Ryuuma sent a powerful blast of bright green fire at the Soul Reaper Captain, which continued for several seconds before the dragon giggled to itself and flew off.
Aizen stood silently, twitching his extended hand angrily. "How did that get here?" Aizen then turned as he heard strange noises nearby and saw several lower-ranked Soul Reapers snickering at him. "Is something the matter gentlemen?"
"Y-you-you…!" one of the Soul Reapers failed to say through powerful laughs.
Aizen frowned in annoyance. "With the current Ryouka problem I don't appreciate your jokes. Spit it out."
"You look like Ikkaku!" the man finally belted before they ran off.
Aizen blinked curiously and then glanced at a nearby window and gaped as his face turned as white as his coat. "MY HAIR!"
Ryuuma giggled and snickered to herself in amusement, hearing Aizen's loud ranting and cursing.
Ryuuma continued floating above the Seireitei until she noticed something strange below her.
Once she got down to ground level she looked around and saw steam pouring out of a slightly cracked doorway. Ryuuma chirped to herself and then slid open the door with a hand and looked inside, her beady eyes widening.
Inside the steamy room, Rangiku was taking a bath in the hot water.
Ryuuma walked into the room some more before noticing Rangiku's shihakusho nearby. Ryuuma blinked curiously and leaned over to sniff the black robes.
The small dragon then tripped and fell forward into the black cloth and when she tried to get up she found herself unwittingly tangled inside of it.
"What the…? Hey!" Rangiku shouted as she watched her clothing run out the door. "Okay…well that was strange. Hang on, my clothes! Get back here!"
Ryuuma, trapped in Rangiku's shihakusho at the moment, ran forward mindlessly, attempting to free herself when she felt something grab and lift her off the ground.
When the robes were removed, Ryuuma saw the mostly emotionless, yet curious, face of Nemu looking at her.
Ryuuma chirped thankfully to the black-haired girl who summarily walked off with the little dragon in her arms.
Ryuuma looked around curiously as Nemu set her down on a long table inside a large room.
Nemu merely took a step back and stared at the little dragon curiously.
Ryuuma tilted her head in thought.
Nemu imitated the act.
Ryuuma tilted her head in the opposite direction.
Nemu did the same.
Ryuuma then shrieked loudly and dove to the side, knocking a large number of papers and vials to the floor.
"Please don't," Nemu begged ineffectually.
Ryuuma then began jumping from one table to the next, knocking objects to the floor with loud crashes and bangs.
"Nemu! What's going on in there?!" a voice shouted crossly outside.
Nemu turned to the door in concern.
Ryuuma continued jumping around the room and Nemu attempted to catch her, though her slow pace made such an act impossible.
Eventually Nemu dove one more time at Ryuuma, tripped, and fell forward into a pile of papers as Ryuuma jumped backwards to escape her, only to fall out of a window.
Ryuuma shrieked loudly as she tumbled down the side of the building, only to fall into a glowing hole in the sky similar to the one she had fallen into before.
Back in the room, Nemu stood up and examined her clothing, which was covered in the liquids from the vials.
"Nemu! What is the meaning of this?!" Mayuri shouted. "Look what you've done you stupid girl!"
Ryuuma continued shrieking in fear until she fell through another hole and landed right back where she'd started, on Kazuma's bed.
The door to Kazuma's room opened as Medea walked in. "So this is where you've been sleeping all…why are you covered in paint?"
And there you have it, that is the chapter. Hope everyone enjoyed it, if you did, be sure to leave a review. I hope you all enjoyed the Omake as well. I will do my best to get the next chapter out in a timely fashion, but no guarantees. Until then, buh-bye.