Chapter XXIV
Well it is that time again folks, another chapter. Hopefully everyone enjoyed the last chapter, and it seems at least a few of you did. Which is always good. At any rate, I do not have much to say this time so with that in mind, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter, be sure to leave a review telling me what you think, and I would like to thank my secondary author Bakuto Masaki and my coauthor TheLastNanaya. With that out of the way, guess it is time to move on to reviewer responses.
7: Yep, they certainly are. Sort of. Perhaps he has. You have got a very amusing way of writing reviews. I intend to do so. Guess there is only one way to find out, hm?
animeworld: Thanks. Yeah, that should definitely be interesting.
Cool, glad you enjoy them. I have not actually decided yet but she will become more prevalent at the very least.
Chayner: Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it, it took me a while to get that fight just right. Yeah, I thought that would be a nice touch. For sure, I am surprised no one else has made any comments about that.
That he has. Well there is only one way to find out. Thanks for the in-depth reviews, as always.
andrew: Thanks. I cannot say but they DO look a lot alike, do they not?
1) Actually, Hinata was originally planned to replace Hanataro but it was decided that Lisanna would take that role at the last minute. Actually we have not decided what to do with Elfman. I honestly kinda forgot about him.
2) Arturia vs. Kenpachi has been planned for the beginning. I specifically set that fight up to show how overwhelmingly powerful Arturia is compared to her enemies. He will fight Byakuya, do not worry about that one.
3) No. It will switch between normal and Shikai as Kazuma desires. Yep. Tousen is dead as dead gets.
4) No, there are no plans for her to become an Arrancar. She will get a humanoid form later on but I assure you it will be one all her own.
5) Not sure what rank Rias would be equivocal to but DEFINITELY not Ikkaku. Rias would lose against any normal Fifth Seat officer. Not only is Ikkaku a Third Seat Officer, he is definitely not normal. So against Ikkaku Rias would probably last only a few seconds, just long enough to see who is attacking her. On a guess though, I would put Rias right about Eighth or Ninth Seat.
6) Dragon Zero? No, to me Dragon of Zerbst is superior and that is the story I will be sticking with.
7) Yes, very important. Fem-Keima Katsuragi. Yeah, it is weird but you do not come to my stories for normalcy.
8) Sorry, I will not be doing that.
9) Sadly I cannot answer any of those queries here. You will find your answer to those soon enough.
10) He will get fleshy wings like in canon. It has nothing to do with looking like the Guren S.E.I.T.E.N. or not.
11) I have not yet decided who his Contracted Mage will be but I can say it is not any of them.
There you go. It is alright, life is a thing that exists.
And that is all for the reviewer responses. Time to move on to the main event.
As an added note, I would greatly appreciate it if people would stop posting reviews in my stories asking about Wagtail Shinobi. That story will be updated when it is updated. Asking about it in a review for a different story will not change that.
ATTENTION: There is a lime in this chapter. Not quite a lemon but it does have minor lemon-like content, so be aware. It will be marked though.
Kazuma's group continued their path to the Repentance Cell when Kazuma suddenly stopped.
The others turned to him in confusion.
Rangiku frowned in concern as she turned to him.
Kazuma's eyes widened he grit his teeth and clenched his fists.
"What is it?" Rangiku asked.
Kazuma sighed heavily and then shook his head. "Nothing we can deal with right now. Getting to Erza has to be our top priority."
The others nodded in agreement and continued their trek, though Kazuma continued clenching his fists.
In the skies above the Seireitei, a figure floated silently. "My, my. So, he really is here then? Fufu, guess it's time to go." After a moment the figure disappeared into a purple ball of energy which then shrunk and vanished.
"Arturia" continued walking through the Seireitei, looking around curiously. "Hmm…so he's not here either? All of the battles going on are making it hard to pinpoint him. How frustrating."
Shunsui sighed as he let his left hand rest while he propped his right-hand sword sit on his shoulder. "Well, think you're ready to give up yet?"
Sado took several heavy breaths before clenching his fists angrily.
Nearby, Toyotama lie on the ground on her back, unconscious and bloody, while Yuuto was slumped against a wall, his outfit destroyed and blood streaking on the wall behind him.
Sado scowled at Shunsui. He clenched a fist as he began collecting and surging more energy into his fist. 'Kazuma…if I survive this battle, I'll swear this time by the same words and promise made that time.'
Sado's thoughts were then once more thrown into the past.
Sado stood under a bridge staunchly, silently, as a group of other teens stood pummeling him with punches.
Sado stood for several minutes until a dirt covered boot suddenly came flying from nowhere and slammed into one of the assaulting teens.
"What the hell?!" another shouted as Ichigo appeared and socked him in the jaw.
Kazuma dropped down from above and landed on one of the teens, knocking him down, before turning and taking out another with a kick to the head.
The surprised and beaten teens then ran away swiftly, dropping something as they ran.
Kazuma sighed as he folded his arms and turned to the battered Sado. "You're an odd one, you know that?"
"Hmm?" Sado responded quietly as he turned to him.
"You're built like a brick shithouse and you have arms like diving bells, and yet you know fight back. Why?"
After a moment Sado replied, "I made up my mind. I will not strike my fist for my own sake. It's a promise to my abuelo."
Ichigo blinked curiously. "A…buelo…?"
Kazuma explained, "It's a Spanish word that means grandfather."
Ichigo twitched an eyebrow. "Then why didn't he just say that?"
Kazuma shrugged and answered, "It's a term of endearment I'd say."
Sado sweat-dropped slightly as the two's conversation about him continued without his input.
Kazuma then turned to Sado and asked, "Speaking of, where the hell could you have been before to use a word like that?"
"Before moving to Japan, I lived with my grandfather, Oscar Joaquin de la Rosa," Sado answered.
"That's one heck of a name," Ichigo commented.
After a moment Kazuma noticed Sado fidgeting with the coin hung on a necklace around his neck. "Hey, Atlas."
Sado thought for a second and then turned to him. "Me?"
Kazuma nodded. "Yeah, you seem strong enough to hold up the entire planet, so Atlas."
"Hmm…"
"Anyway, that coin. I'm guessing it's important to you?"
"Yes. It may even be more important than my life."
Kazuma thought for a moment and then shrugged. "I know what that's like." Kazuma then looked down and noticed a cellphone on the ground that was involved with a call to another phone. He narrowed his eyes and then stomped on it.
The group of students that had been punching Sado sat crouched in circle as one of them held out a cellphone giving off a dial tone before one of them grinned widely.
As the three walked turned to walk away, Sado said, "Soryu. You asked why I never fight back?"
Kazuma turned to him curiously. "Yeah, and?"
"When I was little, I was a spoiled brat who constantly started fights. But every time it happened, my abuelo reprimanded me for it."
Kazuma listened silently as Sado continued.
Sometime later, the group of students that had attacked Sado before struck once again, this time tying him to a chair.
The leader of the group looked at Sado with disdain. "Look at this, you're so pathetic that you couldn't even stop us tying you up. Stupid."
"If I'm stupid, then why did it take all of you to tie me up?" Sado retorted calmly.
The leader twitched an eyebrow angrily. He then smirked before reaching out and grabbing Sado's necklace and ripped it away from him. "This necklace is pretty important to you, eh? So if you were to lose this, then you'd have no other choice but to die?"
Sado's thoughts rushed as he made the threat, back to when Oscar had given him the necklace.
In Mexico, a young Sado stood silently, a calm, defiant expression on his face, with two men standing in front of him.
"You really think you're hot stuff, huh you little punk?" one of the men taunted.
The man raised a pipe to hit Sado but both the man and Sado were surprised when Oscar, a tall, muscular, older man with tanned skin, grey hair, including a simple grey mustache, wearing a purple cap, yellow shirt, black suspenders, and brown shoes, moved in the way, causing the pipe to strike him instead of Sado.
"Move it old man!" the man shouted angrily.
Oscar stood silently.
The two men became irritated and proceeded to mercilessly beat and strike Oscar.
Sado widened his eyes as he noticed Oscar made no move to defend himself or fight back.
The beating continued until Oscar was forced to one knee.
Eventually, the two men lost interest, dropping their weapons and leaving the area.
Sado looked at Oscar in awe and shock.
Oscar turned to him and said, "Yasutora, those big and powerful fists of yours, what do they exist for?" He then pulled out a coin on a necklace and placed it Sado's forehead. "Find that out, this is a charm for that."
As the memories of Oscar faded from Sado's mind, he suddenly became enraged at the thought of the necklace being destroyed and tried with all his might to break the thick wires holding him, but to no avail.
"Give it up pal, those wires are industrial-" the leader started to say before a muddy boot suddenly slammed into the side of his face, knocking him to the ground.
"What the-?!" another man shouted before an angered Kazuma appeared and punched him in the abdomen, sending him flying away.
"Wh-what the fu-?!" another shouted, only to get an elbow to the face.
Kazuma then turned and slammed his foot into the chest of another of the thugs and sent him smashing into the nearby wall before he grabbed the last thug by the head and slammed the man's face into his knee, shattering his nose.
The leader attempted to get away but Kazuma grabbed him by the throat, hoisting him off the ground.
Kazuma stared at the man angrily. "You have something that belongs to my friend," he said a flat, authoritative tone.
The man shakily extended his hand and dropped the necklace into Kazuma's hand.
Kazuma narrowed his eyes and then slammed the man against the wall headfirst, causing him to slump to the ground unconscious.
As the other men gathered up the unconscious form of their leader, Kazuma turned and snapped the wires Sado was tied up with, allowing the teen to stand up. Kazuma then handed Sado's necklace back to him.
Sado looked at him surprised.
"Don't look so shocked. I know what it's like to have just one item that is your last memento of someone. And I also know what it's like to have someone screw with that item in a sick attempt to make their balls feel big," Kazuma said. He then closed his eyes in thought. "Hey, I've got an idea."
Sado tilted his head slightly.
"You just keep doing whatever it is you've been doing so you don't have to beat people up. Those fists of yours, use them for my sake. In return, I'll use mine for you. If you've got something you want to protect with your life I'll defend it with mine. It's a promise."
Sado recalled the events in his mind as he charged at Shunsui, his fist ablaze with raw energy, as Kazuma's promise and Oscar's words entered his mind.
His mind filled with more images of his friends from Shinto Teito as he sent one last, charged blast of energy straight at Shunsui, causing an immense explosion and carving a massive swath of destruction.
As the dust cleared, Shunsui appeared behind Sado, unharmed. "I'm sorry," Shunsui muttered before multiple deep wounds erupted on Sado's body, causing him to collapse to the ground.
Nanao stood nearby, unharmed by the attack of either man. A man in a red kimono, black garb underneath, a purple pack on his back, and a triangular shaped hat on his, then appeared next to her and whispered information to her. Her eyes widened.
Shunsui turned and stood over Sado's body, slowly bleeding out from the wound. "I have to say, I'm quite impressed by your strength. To be still alive even after an attack like that is quite a marvel. Whatever it is that's driving you has got to be quite powerful."
Nanao then approached Shunsui and said uneasily, "Captain Kyoraku, I have a report."
"Oh?"
"Captain Aizen has been murdered."
Shunsui's eyes widened momentarily before his expression calmed. "Really? First Tousen and now Aizen. Not to mention Kenpachi's defeat. All of our heavy hitters are going down. Well, no point in staying here any longer."
The two then turned to leave, however Nanao stopped when she felt a small trace of mana. She turned around towards Sado and raised a hand which then began to emit a faint blue glow. "Captain. It seems this one is still alive. Shall I administer the finishing blow?"
"Now, now Nanao. Girls really shouldn't fight."
"But Captain, this Ryoka could be the one that killed Captain Aizen."
Shunsui looked down at the still form of Sado. "Yes…that's certainly possible. In that case, I want all three of these Ryoka arrested and for the Rescue Squad to be summoned."
Nanao frowned unsurely at Shunsui as the light on her hand died down.
"My, my. This is certainly a destructive sight, isn't it?" an unfamiliar voice said.
Nanao tensed while Shunsui began to sweat heavily.
Shunsui turned slowly to see a tall, slender woman with fair skin, long, wavy blue-green hair that parted at her forehead and draped down slightly past her chin on the front and seemed longer than her legs, pointed ears with blue tips, green-yellow eyes, and slightly above average-sized breasts wearing a revealing blue, green, and white outfit composed of a central, sleeveless blouse with a blue collar that had extensions going down to her feet, along with a cape that reached to her feet, blue and green, shin-high high-heeled boots that were attached to a small piece of white clothing covering her shapely bottom and front, and shoulder-length gloves with blue, green, and red rings on them.
Shunsui began to tremble as he looked at the woman.
"Hello there Alvin. Tell me, have you seen Abraxas anywhere? I'm pretty sure he's here," the woman asked.
"M-M-Muzet!?" Shunsui shouted in shock and terror before sprinting in the opposite direction, leaving a dust trail behind him.
The woman, Muzet, tilted her head curiously.
Nanao gaped and remarked, "I've never seen Captain Kyoraku run that fast away from a woman before."
Muzet turned to Nanao and smiled. "Hello there, Nanao. Do you know where Abraxas is?"
Nanao narrowed her eyes in response. "I have no idea who that is, nor who you are. How do you know me?"
Muzet sighed in irritation. "So you don't know either? What ever will I do?" After a moment's thought she then shot up into the air at immense speeds.
Nanao gaped once more. "This is far more than I get paid for."
Rowen walked out of his room and noticed that Rias and Akeno were still unconscious. "Hmm…did I perhaps put too much into the tea? I didn't kill them, did I? That would be most troublesome."
After a moment Rowen noticed the sound stamping coming closer before the door to his room slammed open as Shunsui burst into the room.
"Rowen! Rowen! We've got a problem!" Shunsui shouted excitedly.
"Alvin, Alvin. Calm down. What is going on?" Rowen asked curiously.
Shunsui was about to respond before he noticed the two unconscious beauties on the ground. He looked at Rowen flatly. "You silver fox…"
"Oh no, no. I assure you, it is nothing like that. Now, pray tell, what is this problem?"
Shunsui's eyes widened as he remembered. "It's the Ryoka, I think I know who's leading them!"
Rowen narrowed his eyes in thought. "Is that so?"
"I think it's Jude. Er, Abraxas."
Rowen's eyes narrowed further. "What makes you say that?"
"Muzet's here."
Rowen's eyes widened as he put his hands on Shunsui's shoulders. "Muzet's here!? Why didn't you say that from the start man?!"
"I-I uh…well she is…and she asked if I knew where Abraxas was."
Rowen narrowed his eyes in thought. "This is bad. I must tell Captain Yamamoto of this at once." He then turned to Rias and Akeno and sighed. "If things have ended up like this then interrogating these two will not be useful nor necessary." He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of white powder. He put the powder under their noses and the two girls quickly woke up.
"Wh-what happened…?" Rias asked groggily.
"My apologies ladies, it seemed I used chamomile in my tea by mistake," Rowen responded with a smile.
"How long were we unconscious?" Rias asked as Akeno stretched next to her.
"Not for very long. But it seems that our time together has come to an end."
Rias and Akeno turned and saw Shunsui behind them. Their eyes widened.
Shunsui put up his hands in response. "Don't worry about me. I've got bigger problems."
The two then turned to Rowen suspiciously. "So what now?"
"This area is in havoc, you should be able to get out fine. My friend and I have other matters to attend to," he answered.
"You're just going to let us go?" Rias asked as she folded her arms.
"Believe me, what my friend says is true. We have a much bigger threat looming overhead."
The two men then left the room.
Rias then turned to Akeno.
Akeno shook her head in response.
Elsewhere, Aizen's lifeless body laid on an examination table.
In front of it, Unohana stood, a tall, hulking man wearing tan armor that covered his body in addition to his Soul Reaper Captain uniform.
Unohana then said calmly, "I can officially confirm that Captain Sousuke Aizen has passed away." She then turned to the man behind her. "Will you relay this information to the others, Captain Komamura?"
The man, Komamura, nodded as he turned to leave the room.
As Komamura left, Tetsuzaemon walked up to the door. "Captain, what of Captain Aizen's condition?"
"He is gone," Komamura answered plainly. Komamura clenched his fists angrily. "First Kaname is killed by one of those Ryoka, and now Aizen has been murdered. If I'm not mistaken, it almost seems like the Ryoka are attempting to destroy the Soul Society."
"It does seem that way Captain."
Rowen made his way down a long hallway towards a room with a large door.
"Captain Yama-…" Rowen began as he opened the door, however he paused and began to sweat heavily.
In front of him, Yamamoto slept quietly, Muzet floating lazily above him, braiding his beard. She turned to Rowen and smiled. "Hello Rowen, have you seen-?"
Her question went unfinished as Rowen slammed the door and walked away.
"How rude," Muzet pouted with puffed cheeks.
After a moment Muzet teleported away right before Yamamoto awoke.
The bald old man sat up puzzled and looked around. He then noticed his newly braided beard. He examined the new style thoughtfully and then smiled happily.
"Great, now what're we supposed to do?" Ganju growled as the group stood at the base of the large white tower.
"We fly," Kazuma said plainly.
"Sorry, but I left my wings at home," Ichigo deadpanned.
"Not like that you dolt." Kazuma then extend a hand out, causing wind around the group to stir before they began to levitate in the air.
"Wh-what the…?!" Ganju remarked in surprise.
Kazuma smirked and turned to the others. "Hang on tight."
Almost immediately the group shot high into the air.
Ganju and the others shouted in surprise as they rose swiftly into the sky.
Elsewhere, Kenpachi slowly awoke before he began looking around. To his side he saw Yachiru sitting beside him with her usual grin. "Yachiru…where am I?"
"In the Squad Four barracks. Those guys came and got you Kenny and took you here. You looked really cool in your battle with the blonde lady," Yachiru replied excitedly.
"What happened to her…?"
"I dunno really. After your fight she turned really weird and then walked away."
"Is she still alive?"
"I think so. I've felt her Spiritual Pressure this whole time."
Kenpachi then smirked viciously. "Good…I hope to have a chance to settle the score with her. Since I'm still alive, our fight isn't over yet."
The two guards in front of the Repentance Cell gasped as Kazuma's group soared up past them before landing in front of them.
"What the-?!" one of the guards began shout, only to get knocked out by Kazuma.
The other turned to strike but was quickly knocked out by getting kicked against the wall by Kazuma.
"Well…we're here. But now what?" Ichigo asked.
Kazuma looked around and then tapped his hand against the door.
"Please tell me you're not thinking of…" Cera remarked.
Kazuma smirked as he stepped back and extended his hands outward. Flames began to collect and surge around his hands before he clenched his hands into fists and slammed them together. A bright red magic circle formed in front of him before he raised his hands in front of his mouth, one in front of the other, and shouted, "Fire Dragon Roar!" before the magic circle pressed against his hands, causing a massive surge of flames to shoot forward, impacting the door and exploding, incinerating the door.
Inside the tower, Erza shrunk back as flames poured into the room but died down swiftly. She opened her eyes as the smoke that filled the room cleared. Her eyes widened as she saw Kazuma standing at the center of the smoke cloud. "I-it can't be…Kazuma…"
"Sorry it took so long to get here, the road was a little bumpy," Kazuma said with a smirk.
Erza frowned and walked over to him before she slapped him across the face.
Kazuma widened his eyes in surprise.
Cera and the others gaped in shock as well.
After a moment, Kazuma collected his thoughts and turned to Erza, frustrated. "What the hell was that for? I come all the way here to rescue you and you slap me…?"
Erza looked at him, saddened and exasperated. "You fool. You should have left me here. Now…you will all die."
"Not a chance in hell. I'm not going to stand by and let you get murdered for bullshit reasons when I have the power to stop it," Kazuma replied angrily.
"Do you really think you can stop the entire Soul Society?!" Erza shouted.
"Maybe I can't, but I'm sure as hell going to try if it means rescuing you."
"Why?!"
Kazuma stepped back in surprise.
"Why are you going to all that, just for me?!"
Kazuma stood silently for a moment and then sighed. He then put a hand on Erza's shoulder. "Because I owe you that much. If you hadn't shown up I never would've started to get my powers back, I'd still be as weak as I was before."
Ichigo twitched an eyebrow. "I don't know about you but being able to handle a two story drop without breaking a sweat doesn't exactly seem weak." Ichigo was suddenly hit in the face by a mud-covered boot and fell to the ground.
Erza asked Kazuma in confusion, "What do you mean? I had nothing to do with your powers."
Kazuma smiled lightly and shook his head. "That's not true. The majority of my powers and abilities were still locked away and I couldn't access them. All I could really get was my Sharingan. But when you gave me your Soul Reaper powers like that, it seemed to awaken the rest of my powers."
Erza's eyes widened before she looked to the side. "What about the others? They are in danger for helping you."
"Hey, don't get mad at him," Ichigo argued. "It was our own decision to help you. You're a friend of ours, and we can help you, so we will."
Erza then looked behind Kazuma and saw Cera, Rangiku, Palutena, and Lisanna. She then turned to Kazuma incredulously. "Kazuma…what exactly have you been doing while you have been here in the Soul Society…?"
Kazuma sweat-dropped slightly. "Ah…well that's a little difficult to explain."
However, the group's conversation was instantly interrupted as everyone felt the air grow thick and heavy.
"This…! This…Spiritual Pressure…" Kazuma turned around and widened his eyes.
Byakuya Kuchiki stood at the other end of the bridge leading to the Repentance Cell.
"Oh crap! I thought we'd get outta here before anyone else showed up!" Ganju shouted.
Kazuma hissed in frustration as he grabbed Zangetsu's handle. "Come now, you didn't truly expect us to be that lucky, did you?"
"Well I kinda hoped we'd be."
Byakuya kept his expression constant as ever as he approached the group. "It seems you are still skulking around, Bael."
Kazuma narrowed his eyes. "Yes…it seems I am. I'm going to take a stab in the dark here and say you aren't going to let us go that easily, are you?"
"Of that, you can be certain," Byakuya answered as he drew his sword. "I will kill you all where you stand."
Kazuma snarled and then slammed his fists together as he shouted, "Boosted Gear!"
The two red gauntlets appeared on his fists and forearms as a voice emanated from them. "Dragon Booster!"
Kazuma then pulled Zangetsu from its sheath. "I don't intend to lose this time, you bastard."
"And I guarantee it shall turn out just the same as before," Byakuya rebutted.
"Let's see who's right!" Kazuma shouted as he rushed at Byakuya.
Byakuya vanished as he rushed at Kazuma in kind.
The two reappeared in the middle, their swords clashed, sending bursts of wind flying out in all directions from the collision.
"Even with the size of your blade, you cannot force me back," Byakuya taunted.
"Heh, we'll see about that!" Kazuma growled as his gauntlets increased his power.
Byakuya flinched momentarily as he felt Kazuma push him back. Byakuya jumped back to prevent from being knocked down.
Kazuma began inhaling a powerful breath and then exhaled forcefully, sending flames soaring towards Byakuya.
Byakuya's eyes widened in surprise at the attack, however he dodged before the stream of fire reached him.
Kazuma turned and swung his fist behind him.
Byakuya reappeared and caught Kazuma's fist with his free hand and then swung his blade at Kazuma.
Kazuma swung his leg up, knocking Byakuya's blade aside by hitting its broad side. He then jumped back to put distance between himself and Byakuya. Four, bat-like wings then emerged from his back before he flapped them down, soaring into the air.
Byakuya narrowed his eyes before he vanished.
Kazuma chuckled but turned to the side as Byakuya appeared beside him. "Oh you've gotta be kidding me!"
As Byakuya thrust his blade at Kazuma, Kazuma's left foot became encased in flame.
Kazuma then reared back his leg before swinging it forward and turning in an arc, striking Byakuya with the trail of the flame, shouting, "Fire Dragon Claw!"
Byakuya grunted as the attack hit him but managed to plant his feet on one of the tall walls surrounding the area and leapt back up at Kazuma.
"Boost!" Kazuma's gauntlets shouted once more before Kazuma swung his blade forward.
"Demon Fang!" he shouted as a blast of blue energy shot from his sword and careened towards Byakuya.
Byakuya frowned and swung his Zanpakuto at the incoming attack, knocking it to the side before swinging his blade up at Kazuma.
Kazuma blocked the strike with Boosted Gear before swinging his own Zanpakuto down at Byakuya.
Byakuya shifted to the side slightly, dodging the attack, before slamming his open palm into Kazuma's chest, sending the brunette crashing into the bridge below.
Kazuma groaned as he stood up. "Damn…that hurt more than I expected." As Boosted Gear increased his power further, the gauntlets altered and became larger, covering his fingers and palms, and extending further up his forearms, now with golden spikes at the tops.
Byakuya landed in front of Kazuma and looked at the latter annoyed. "It is time to end this."
"You're right, it is." Kazuma raised Zangetsu in front of him and took a breath. "Cut through the chains that bind this world, Zangetsu!" At that moment, wind erupted from the base of Zangetsu's blade, whipping around Kazuma and the blade itself before it was engulfed in light. As the light died down, Zangetsu appeared in its Shikai form.
"Hmph, I am surprised you learned Shikai. However, it will not help you in this fight."
Byakuya rushed at Kazuma with intense speed.
Kazuma widened his eyes slightly before dashing to the side, dodging Byakuya's charge. He looked at Byakuya surprised. 'What the…? I could see his charge perfectly.' He then looked at his reflection in Zangetsu's blade and widened his eyes further. He saw that now, his eyes had shifted from their normal state to the active Sharingan. 'I see…so even though I can't use chakra while I'm in this Spirit Form, my Sharingan is tied to Zangetsu. Heh, not bad.'
As the two continued fighting, Ganju gulped in fear. 'Crap…if this continues…their sheer Spiritual Pressure is gonna kill us…' He then reached into the pack on his back and pulled out one of his bombs. "Guess it's time to use this baby…"
Kazuma swung his sword out to the side and rushed at Byakuya, disappearing from view.
Byakuya retaliated in kind.
Ichigo and the others looked around in confusion. "What the…I can hear explosions but I don't see anything…" Ichigo muttered in confusion.
"I am not surprised," Erza remarked.
"Huh?"
"They are moving too swiftly for you to see, but that sound you are hearing is the sound of them fighting."
"Can you see them?" Lisanna asked.
Erza nodded.
The duo reappeared on the bridge once more, their blades locked.
"Just back down and let us go, you bastard!" Kazuma growled.
Byakuya merely huffed in derision before kicking at Kazuma, sending the latter sliding away. "It is time to end this foolish game. Scatter, Senbonzakura." At that moment, Byakuya's blade lit up with bright pink light that immediately scattered as though the blade shattered.
Kazuma widened his eyes before hissing as he swept his hand in front of his body, sending a burst of wind outward.
Around him, luminescent pink lights resembling flower petals flew.
"Senbonzakura's Shikai divides the blade into a thousand blades too small and too fast for the eye to see…give up," Byakuya threatened.
Kazuma smirked. "Maybe for normal eyes, but my enhanced, Sharingan eyes see them perfectly."
Byakuya merely waved the bladeless hilt of his sword at Kazuma, causing the stream of deadly petals to fly at Kazuma.
Kazuma jumped back and raised a hand, causing a ball of red energy to form in front of his hand. He then pulled his hand back and formed it into a fist, shouting, "Dragon Shot!" as he punched the ball of energy, causing a blast of energy to rocket forward.
Byakuya dodged the shot as the petals of his blade scattered. "My blades are too small for such an attack to work." Several of the petals surged forth and slashed through Kazuma's wings.
Kazuma grunted in pain before landing back on the bridge and snarling. 'Damn…I may be able to see the damn things but they're so fast I can't do much.'
Ganju, seeing the fight begin to turn south, struck the fuse of the bomb on the plates of his gauntlet.
"What are you doing?!" Ichigo shouted.
"Saving our asses, that's what!" Ganju shouted as he tossed the bomb, causing it to hit Byakuya in the back of the head. "Huh…I hit him…"
Byakuya turned to Ganju with a powerful glare.
"Oh shit…"
Byakuya then glanced down and twitched an eyebrow.
Suddenly a massive explosion shot forth, splinters of wood, metal, and masonry scattered in all directions, sending out a powerful shock wave in all directions as well, destroying the bridge between the Repentance Cell and the main area.
Unfortunately, the force was such that Kazuma, Lisanna, Rangiku, Palutena, Ichigo, and Rukia were sent flying from the area by the explosion.
As the dust from the explosion cleared, Ganju coughed violently. "Well that was messy. Are you…guys…o…kay…?" Ganju asked as he looked around, seeing that the others were gone. He turned to the side and saw the unconscious Erza lying nearby. "What the hell…?"
"That was very irritating," the even-toned yet furious voice of Byakuya said.
Ganju turned around slowly and fearfully and saw Byakuya standing behind him. "…Fuck…"
In another area of the Seireitei, Renji lied on a bed, bandaged and cuffed. He sighed before his Zanpakuto began to glow.
After a moment, two lights appeared next to Renji that then increased in size, forming two figures next to him.
The first was a tall, curvaceous woman with green fur covering most of her body, with the exception of her abdomen and a portion of her moderate bust, with ankle-length, light mallow hair with markings on her bangs, green eyes, and a beauty mark on the left side of her chest.
The second was a small boy with blue eyes, short red hair, triangular white ears, and a long tail wearing a white robe that exposed his abdomen.
The two were attached by a chain that encircled the boy's neck and was wrapped around the woman's waist.
Renji frowned lightly as he looked at the two. "Zabimaru."
"Hmph, I'd prefer you didn't call us by that singular name when we appear," the woman reprimanded.
The boy responded, with a smirk, "You just don't like the fact that it sounds more like my name than yours, Saru."
Saru narrowed her eyes as she knocked the boy on the head. "Shut it, Hebi."
Hebi twitched an eyebrow in annoyance.
"What do you want?" Renji asked weakly.
Saru folded her arms as she looked at Renji. "We're just getting frustrated with how long you're taking to heal. Honestly it's pathetic."
Hebi nodded with a smirk. "Yeah, that guy really kicked your ass good."
"Tch, can it," Renji snarled.
Saru then smirked in amusement. "Personally, I just want you to get better so I can fight that Zanpakuto of his again. Zangetsu I think it's called."
Renji glanced at Saru and then returned his gaze to the ceiling. "Kazuma is no longer my enemy."
Saru raised an eyebrow. "Then who the hell is?"
Renji remained silent to the two.
"Che, whatever." The two then vanished in a flash of light.
In yet another area of the Seireitei, Uryu, Orihime, and Aika stood in a warehouse, listening to the sounds outside.
"Well, how is it?" Orihime asked.
"There's still a lot of them running around out there," Uryu answered.
Aika looked around and then raised an eyebrow. "I have an idea that might make getting around easier."
The other two turned and saw Aika holding Shihakushos.
"You're not actually suggesting we wear those, are you…?" Uryu asked in disbelief.
"Oh get over it," Aika rebutted as she tossed him one of the uniforms. "And no peeking."
"I hadn't planned on it," Uryu retorted as he walked behind a stack of boxes.
Orihime and Aika began removing their current outfits to change into the Shihakushos.
Aika glanced at Orihime as the orange-haired girl removed her blouse and smirked before walking up behind Orihime.
LIME BEGINS HERE
As Orihime pulled her shirt off her head, Aika immediately reached forward and wrapped her hands around Orihime's breasts. "Ah!" Orihime gasped as she felt Aika's grip. She blushed as Aika began flexing her fingers and kneading the voluptuous mounds. "A-Aika…what are you doing…?"
On the other side of the boxes, Uryu stood stock-still as he heard the sounds from the other side.
Aika continued massaging Orihime's bust, covered only by her bra. "My, my, Orihime, you've filled out a lot more than I thought," Aika said with a perverted tone.
"A-Aika…cut that out…" Orihime said with a moan as Aika pinched her tips with her fingers. "Ahm…"
Uryu immediately jammed his fingers in his ears. 'Crap, crap, crap…'
Orihime bit her lip lightly as Aika gripped her mounds tighter.
"So soft, and firm. I'm almost jealous of these honking hooters," Aika teased as she pulled away the fabric of Orihime's bra. "Oh-hoh, they're so perky."
"W-well…what do you expect with what you're-aahh!" Orihime attempted to say but was interrupted with a moan as Aika pinched Orihime's erect peaks with her fingers and began to twist them slightly.
Aika gripped Orihime's bosom tightly, digging her fingers into the soft lumps on Orihime's chest, twisting and shifting them around in her grip.
Orihime began panting harder and faster as Aika shifted, massaged, and kneaded her bust around in her fingers.
Aika then began flicking Orihime's nipples with her thumbs as she continued kneading the heavenly mounds.
"Ahh…ahh…ahhh…" Orihime panted as she felt her legs begin to grow weak.
Aika smirked to herself before she pinched on Orihime's peaks and tugged at them away from Orihime's body.
"Aahhnn!" Orihime moaned loudly as she reached her limit, her eyes rolling back as her tongue fell from her mouth.
"Wh-whoa!" Aika exclaimed as bright white milk ejected from Orihime's tips. "Well that was unexpected."
Orihime then slumped to the floor, still panting heavily.
LIME ENDS HERE
"Wh-what the hell are you doing?!" Uryu shouted.
Aika looked at him flatly for a moment. "Pervert," she deadpanned.
"Me!? What about you!?"
The three stepped out into the street and looked around, Orihime still wobbly.
Orihime panted lightly as she looked at Aika. "That was mean, Aika."
Aika grinned playfully. "C'mon, you know you liked it."
Uryu pushed up his glasses with embarrassment. "W-we should get going." He then tensed. "I hear footsteps."
"That's why we grabbed these uniforms, so we don't have to worry so much," Aika assured as she tugged at her Shihakusho lightly.
They turned as a group of Soul Reapers rounded the corner and saw the group.
The leader of the group, a large man with black hair in a topknot and thick sideburns, a large, thick moustache above his lip, thick, arching eyebrows that hung close to his small, dark eyes, and a prominent mole above his left nostril wearing a standard Shihakusho. The man saw the three and approached them, attempting to evoke a sense of power. "Hey! What are you three doing here?" he demanded.
"Let me do the talking," Uryu whispered.
"Hey! What are you whispering about?"
"Sorry, sir," Uryu answered politely. "We were simply lost and trying to find our way back."
"Hmph." The man then turned and saw Orihime, primarily, her chest, causing him to sport a perverted grin. "Well I wouldn't mind showing you to my home, you've certainly got the right 'assets'. Ahem, my name is Toshimori Umesada, Twentieth Seat of Squad Nine! Although I assure I am far stronger than all of the other fifteen weaklings I share this position with!"
Uryu then stepped between Orihime and Toshimori.
"Tch, what's your problem?" Toshimori asked, irritated.
"This intruder problem is so great that war time exemptions have been passed. Are you sure that a seated officer has the time to things like this?"
A vein bulged on Toshimori's head as he grabbed Uryu by the lapels. "Listen here, newbie. I don't need some unseated officer lecturing me!"
The rest of Toshimori's team then called out to him. "We haven't found any suspicious people. What are our orders, sir?"
Toshimori snarled as he released Uryu. "I'll remember you, brat. And once this mess is all over, you'll feel my wrath."
As the group walked away, Uryu and Aika sighed in relief.
"We need to hurry," Uryu urged. "We need to catch up with Kazuma and the others."
Aika and Orihime nodded in agreement as they ran off.
As they left the area, one of the walls nearby deformed as Mayuri appeared from it.
Arcueid and Prim walked through the streets of the Seireitei together as Arcueid looked around.
"Is something wrong, Ms. Arcueid?" Prim asked.
Arcueid looked around curiously. "I can't sense him anymore. And I thought I told you to just call me Arcueid."
Prim sighed in response. "I'm sorry." Prim then looked towards the sky curiously. "What's that?"
Arcueid looked at her confused and then up in the sky moments before something crashed into her, sending dust and chunks of stone flying all around.
Prim shrieked as the object crashed. She opened her eyes and turned to where Arcueid had stood and widened her eyes.
"This isn't fun," Arcueid muttered as something pressed against her face. She managed to push the object off of her and raised an eyebrow in confusion.
The figure that had crashed on her was none other than Rangiku.
"Lieutenant Rangiku," Prim said in surprise.
"You know her?" Arcueid asked.
Prim nodded. "Not personally but I've seen her a few times. She's the Lieutenant of Squad Ten." Prim looked up curiously. "I wonder why she was falling from the sky."
Arcueid walked over to the unconscious Rangiku and poked her cheek lightly.
After a moment, Rangiku flinched and then groaned before opening her eyes. "Urgh…where am I?" she asked.
"Are you alright, Lieutenant Rangiku?" Prim asked.
Rangiku sat up and turned to Prim. "You…you're with Squad Four, aren't you?"
Prim nodded.
Rangiku then noticed Arcueid. "And you…you must be with Kazuma's group."
Arcueid's eyes widened, causing the blonde to ask frantically, "You know Kazuma?! Where is he?!"
"Whoa, whoa. Slow down a bit."
Arcueid took a breath to calm herself.
"I don't actually know where he is now. We got separated."
Arcueid groaned in annoyance.
"Who's Kazuma? The leader of the Ryoka?"
Arcueid folded her arms in thought. "I guess you could call him that."
Rangiku stood up and rubbed some dust from her arm. "Right now we need to worry about trying to find him and others and joining up."
Prim and Arcueid nodded in agreement before the three ran off.
Ichigo and Rukia looked around in confusion.
"Where are we now?" Ichigo asked.
"I think we're back in the main area of the Seireitei," Rukia answered.
"Whaaat?!" Ichigo asked in disbelief. "And after it took us so damn long to get up there in the first place!"
"No point in going postal about it now."
Ichigo snarled in frustration. "So what do we do now?"
"We try to find the others and hope that we don't come across any of the other Soul Reapers."
Ichigo sighed. "Great plan…"
Rias and Akeno ran through the Seireitei looking around in all directions. "Now where are we?" Rias asked in frustration.
"I'm not sure, but I don't sense Kazuma or the others getting closer. However I did feel Kazuma move at extreme speeds at one point," Akeno answered.
Rias sighed as she looked around. "If only we knew our way around this place, it'd be easier to get where we're going."
Akeno blinked curiously and then looked up. "Rias…what's that…?"
Rias raised an eyebrow and then looked up as well before something crashed in front of them.
"Was it…a missile?"
Rias looked at Akeno incredulously. "I think if that's what it was it would've gone off already."
Akeno thought for a moment then smiled. "Yes, you're probably right."
Rias sighed and then walked up to the crater, raising an eyebrow curiously.
In the crater sat a dazed and confused Lisanna.
"She appears to be a Soul Reaper," Rias noted.
Akeno raised a hand as electricity started sparking at her fingertips. "Shall I eliminate her?"
Rias shook her head. "No, she might prove useful to us." Rias knelt down and tapped Lisanna on the forehead lightly.
Lisanna grunted before opening her eyes. After her eyes focused she saw Rias and Akeno standing in front of her. Reflexively she turned and started to run, but Rias the back of her Shihakusho.
"Now, now. Running like that when we've only just met is rude. We're not going to hurt you, that is, depending on how you answer our questions."
Lisanna sighed and turned to the two. "Can I ask you something first?"
Rias folded her arms in thought. "One question."
"Are you with Kazuma?"
The two looked at her surprised.
"Arturia" walked through the Seireitei, still looking for her target, when she noticed something approaching from behind her. She turned to strike the object but it impacted the ground where she stood faster than she could react.
"Arturia" groaned in irritation and sat up to look at what had slammed into her.
However, a hand reached out of the dust and accidentally grabbed onto her Ahoge.
"Gah!" "Arturia" shouted as the hand tugged on her Ahoge lightly.
"Oops," Palutena said as she pulled herself from the rubble.
Arturia's body began to return to normal, her blue and silver armor, blonde hair, green eyes, and fair skin, as Palutena stood up.
Palutena blinked curiously when she noticed Arturia sitting in front of her, rubbing the top of her head.
Arturia nodded as she herself stood up. "Yes, I am fine." Arturia looked at her curiously. "Who are you?"
"I am Palutena, and you?"
Arturia narrowed her eyes in thought. "My name is Saber."
"Saber? What an odd name. Is it safe to assume that, based on your outfit, you are one of the Ryoka?"
Arturia registered the term and jumped back, brandishing her sword.
Palutena smiled to herself. "I'll take that as a yes. Just so you know, I'm not your enemy. I was actually just with some of your friends."
Arturia narrowed her eyes. "Is that so?"
"Yes. Although I got separated because of that explosion. Hopefully I can find Kazuma and the others quickly."
Arturia widened her eyes in surprise. "Do you know where Kazuma is?"
Palutena sighed. "Unfortunately I don't. He, I, and the others were at the Repentance Cell but then an explosion sent us all flying. I suppose you're looking for him as well?"
Arturia frowned in thought. "Honestly…I am not sure what I was doing up until now. It is all a blur."
Palutena put a hand to her cheek in thought. "Well that's certainly not good."
Yoruichi dashed across the rooftops of the Seireitei, moving stealthily to avoid detection by Soul Reapers. Eventually the cat reached an open courtyard and stopped, looking around curiously. "This is a large choke point. You would normally expect there to be many lower level Soul Reapers here aiming to catch some of us off guard. I guess matters have really gotten that bad." Yoruichi stopped and looked up curiously, just in time for an object to slam into the cat and send both to the ground.
Yoruichi coughed in annoyance before standing up and looking at what crashed into it. "Watch where you're going!" Yoruichi snarled, but stopped and raised a feline eyebrow upon seeing who had crashed into the black cat.
Cera lied in a crater unconscious.
Yoruichi turned swiftly as the voices of several Soul Reapers entered the area. "This is not good." Yoruichi turned to Cera and thought for a moment before extending a single claw and reaching down to Cera's forehead.
"Gah!" Cera exclaimed as Yoruichi dragged the claw along her forehead slowly. Cera turned to Yoruichi in frustration. "What the hell was that for, you damned cat?"
Yoruichi answered, "To make you wake up."
Cera blinked curiously. "A talking cat?"
"Yes, I am. Can you honestly tell me I'm the weirdest thing you've seen all day?"
Cera sighed heavily. "Fair enough."
"Based on your attire, you are not with the Soul Reapers."
Cera huffed in annoyance before standing up. "Of course I'm not with those barbarians. I was with Kazuma and the others but we got separated."
Yoruichi's eyes narrowed in thought. "So, you were with Kazuma?"
Cera looked at Yoruichi curiously. "What's it to you, cat?"
Yoruichi huffed in annoyance. "I am with Kazuma's group you daft fool."
Cera twitched an eyebrow.
"How far did you get?"
Cera thought for a moment and then sighed. "We actually made it to the Repentance Cell and nearly had this woman Kazuma cares so much about freed. But then this prick in a white coat showed up. A few seconds later a bomb exploded nearby and we were all scattered. Is that enough for you?"
Yoruichi nodded. "Yes. Now we should get moving before those Soul Reapers find us." Yoruichi then jumped back to the rooftops, Cera right behind the cat.
Orihime, Aika, and Uryu, a period of time after their encounter with Toshimori, sat in a warehouse in the Seireitei, Orihime using her powers to try and heal Tsubaki.
Orihime sighed as she watched the other Shun-Shun Rikka attempt to heal their comrade.
"You don't need to worry about me, you stupid girl," Tsubaki growled. "I'll be fine soon enough."
Uryu nodded in agreement. "Yes, your powers should heal him swiftly."
Shun'o then turned to Orihime. "You need to cheer up, Orihime. Your emotions and actions are directly linked to our powers and abilities. So the more you believe that Tsubaki will be healed the faster it'll be."
Orihime nodded as well. "Thanks."
"I don't know how much longer we can stay here until more Soul Reapers show up," Aika asserted.
Uryu nodded. "Yes, I agree." He then turned to Orihime. "Come on, we need to get going."
Orihime nodded as she stood up, dispelling the Shun-Shun Rikka.
As they left their hideout, Uryu glanced at Orihime in thought. 'Orihime is completely unsuited to combat. She can't bring herself to hurt anyone, even an enemy.'
The three were eventually stopped when another Soul Reaper, a tall, slender man with prominent cheek bones, black hair that was combed back, spreading out at the bottom near his neck, thin eyebrows and a similarly thin mustache, and narrow black eyes, wearing a standard Shihakusho.
Uryu and the others tensed as the man stumbled into the street.
However, Uryu and Aika raised an eyebrow when they looked at the man.
"He's…completely hammered…" Aika noted.
The man turned to them and raised an eyebrow. With slurred words he asked, "Hey…who are you guys…?"
Uryu narrowed his eyes. "Isn't it proper to identify yourself first?"
The man raised an eyebrow and the hissed. "I'm Makizo Aramaki, Tenth Seat of Squad Eleven, what about you?"
"I'm Uryu Ishida, and these are Aika Kiryu and Orihime Inoue. We're…also from Squad Eleven." 'Hopefully the Squads are all similar.'
Aramaki raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Whaa…? Then why the hell don't you have your Zanpakutos on you? Don't you know Captain Zaraki would gut you if he saw you like this?" Aramaki stumbled up to Uryu and grabbed his lapels, he then noticed the symbol on Uryu's Shihakusho. "Wait a minute…this is the symbol for Squad Twelve…"
Uryu's eyes widened. 'Damn…each Squad does have unique characteristics…'
"Alright, who the hell are you guys reall-?" Aramaki asked but suddenly stopped when something struck him on the back of the head, causing him to fall to the ground.
Uryu and the others looked ahead and saw several men, one holding a large stick.
"Are you alright?" one of the men asked with a smile.
"That Squad Eleven brute didn't hurt you, did he?" another asked.
Uryu shook his head. "No, we're fine."
"That's good, we need to watch out for our own. If you want, we can lead you back to the barracks."
Uryu nodded. 'Something isn't right. That man had every right to suspect us, even though he was drunk.'
At that moment Aika's eyes widened as she pulled Uryu and Orihime away. "Get away!"
Almost immediately, several members of the group exploded like bombs.
The last surviving member of the group, horrified, turned around and shouted, "Captain! This isn't what you promised! You said all we had to do was bring them to you!"
Mayuri, with Nemu behind him, walked into the street with an annoyed expression on his face. "Fool, when the bombs are released they aren't ever supposed to return." He then pressed a button on the object he held in his hand.
The man's eyes widened before he, as the others, exploded.
As the blast shot outward, Orihime shouted, "Santen Kesshun: I reject!" creating a barrier around herself, Uryu, Aika, and Aramaki.
Aramaki, whom had been awakened by the blasts, looked at her confused. "Wh-what the…? You're protecting me? Why?" He then raised an eyebrow when he noticed tears in her eyes.
Uryu looked at Mayuri angered as the barrier dropped. "What the hell are you doing?! Using your own teammates as bombs!?"
Mayuri ignored him as he looked at Orihime. "That's a very interesting power you have, girl. Tell me, what would you say about becoming one of my test subjects?"
Uryu grit his teeth as he stood up. "I can guarantee that will not happen." Uryu then disappeared in a flash of speed and reappeared at Mayuri's flank, before activating his bow and aiming it directly at Mayuri.
Mayuri looked at Uryu surprised. "That ability…it is Hirenkyaku. Hmm…you're a Quincy, aren't you? Be gone, I have no interest in you. My research on Quincies is finished."
Uryu narrowed his eyes. "What research?"
Mayuri, ignoring Uryu yet again, announced, "My name is Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Captain of Squad Twelve, I hope you remember that as I send you to your graves."
Almost immediately Uryu's eyes widened as Mayuri's Spiritual Pressure filled the air. 'Th-this is bad…' Uryu turned to say something to Orihime and Aika when something slammed into the ground nearby.
Mayuri blinked curiously as he turned to the crater. "Well…what the hell was that?"
After a moment coughing could be heard before Kazuma stepped out of the dust cloud. "Damn, that friggin' hurt."
"K-Kazuma?!" Orihime shouted in surprise.
Kazuma sighed and turned to Uryu and the others. "Oh…hey there."
"What are you doing here?!" Uryu demanded.
"I took an unintentional flight." Kazuma then turned and saw Mayuri. "Who's this freak?"
"Mayuri Kurotsuchi. He's one of the Captains."
"Is that so?" Kazuma raised an eyebrow and then asked, "Doth mother know you weareth her makeup?"
Mayuri huffed in annoyance. "You are quite the smart mouth. And if I hadn't already dissected her, she probably would."
Kazuma folded his arms as he looked at Mayuri. "Great, so he's one of those."
"And what's that supposed to mean you cretin?" Mayuri asked.
"Oh, nothing special." Kazuma then turned to Uryu. "So, you weren't actually planning on fighting this guy by yourselves, were you?"
"That's what we were planning on doing," Uryu answered.
"Well I've no idea where I am in relation to the Repentance Cell and I'm pissed off. So," Kazuma paused as he raised his fists, "I'm going to blow off a little steam on this asshole's face. Boosted Gear!"
"Dragon Booster!"
Mayuri's eyes narrowed with intrigue. "Boosted Gear. I have not seen that for quite some time."
Kazuma raised an eyebrow as he withdrew Zangetsu. "Have I met you before?"
"No. Probably not." Mayuri then withdrew his own Zanpakuto. "I do not enjoy battle, but I get the feeling it will be unavoidable in this instance."
Kazuma huffed and then glanced beside Mayuri and saw Nemu, causing his eyes to widen before narrowing as his gaze returned to Mayuri.
"Boost!"
Mayuri narrowed his eyes. "Hmph, looks like I can't afford to wait around any longer."
Kazuma turned to Orihime and Aika. "You two need to get out of here."
Orihime turned to him defiantly. "No, we're going to stay and fight."
Aika nodded in agreement.
"Oh, you're not going anywhere!" Mayuri shouted as his left arm extended mechanically towards the two girls.
Uryu instantly turned and fired an arrow, which destroyed the arm and the building behind it.
"Nice shot," Kazuma complimented.
Mayuri huffed in annoyance. "Damnable brat." Mayuri then removed the piece of his arm before injecting something into the stump that remained, causing a new arm to grow in its place.
Kazuma narrowed his eyes. "This guy's going to be a pain in the ass."
Kazuma and Uryu turned to each other and nodded before the two disappeared in bursts of speed.
"You're fast, I must say," Mayuri complimented before Uryu appeared behind him and fire. Mayuri spun around and slashed at the arrow, deflecting it.
Kazuma then appeared behind Mayuri and tried to cleave the painted man in two.
Mayuri dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, before reappearing beside Kazuma and thrusting at him.
Kazuma swung his fist out, knocking the blade off course, and then slammed his foot into Mayuri's torso, sending him crashing into the wall on the opposite side of the street.
Uryu dashed up to the rooftop nearby and fired at Mayuri.
Mayuri hissed and swung his Zanpakuto, deflecting the shot and then dashed to the side as Kazuma's foot slammed into the spot where Mayuri had once been.
Mayuri slid to a stop and snarled. "You two are beginning to irritate me! This two on one battle is not very stylish."
Kazuma widened his eyes as he looked at Mayuri.
"I have no more time to waste on the two of you, so I'm going to finish this quickly." Mayuri then raised his Zanpakuto and incanted, "Claw Out, Ashisogi Jizo!" The blade of the Zanpakuto then began to glow before transforming into deformed trident with curved, serpentine blades, the middle blade being longer and straighter than the two outer blades, all three ascending from the guard, which was shaped like a baby's head with hands clasped in prayer, the hilt also had more ornate, spiky protrusions on either side, resembling golden leaves.
Kazuma narrowed his eyes. "Great, Shikai." Boosted Gear increased his power once more expanding to cover his fingers, palms, and more of his forearms. "Guess I should respond in kind." Kazuma then raised Zangetsu and shouted, "Cut through the chains that bind this world, Zangetsu!" Zangetsu transformed into its own Shikai as Kazuma gripped the handle tightly.
"My, my, so you've achieved Shikai, and you aren't even a proper Soul Reaper, how stylish. You are one to dissect for sure."
Once more Kazuma narrowed his eyes.
Uryu prepared to fire but hesitated momentarily. 'I don't know what powers his Zanpakuto has. Firing on him might be just what he wants.'
Suddenly, Nemu tackled Uryu.
"Wh-what the…?!" Uryu shouted as Nemu knocked him to the ground, off the rooftops, holding to him tightly.
Mayuri grinned and rushed forward.
"Oh no you don't!" Kazuma shouted, chasing after Mayuri.
However, Mayuri appeared behind Nemu, whom was grasping Uryu and swung his at the two.
Kazuma's eyes widened as Mayuri cut through Nemu to attack Uryu.
Uryu gasped as he felt the blade cut through his shoulder.
The two landed on the ground, Nemu sliding limply for several feet before hitting the wall on the opposite side.
Mayuri snickered and then turned to Uryu. "Hmph, I'm surprised you aren't crying out in pain."
Uryu glowered at Mayuri. "You bastard, you cut through your own subordinate to hit me."
Nemu then asked, "Captain, may I have some medicine to heal my injuries? I am finding it hard to breathe."
Mayuri huffed as he walked over to Nemu. "Shut up, you stupid girl. Your body has been enhanced by my research, something like this won't kill you that easily." Mayuri then slammed his foot against her side. "Don't insult me by thinking you'd die that easily."
"That's enough!" Kazuma shouted.
Mayuri blinked curiously as he turned to Kazuma. He then noticed Kazuma's Sharingan and began to snicker. After a moment his snickering turned into full-blown laughter.
Kazuma grit his teeth. "Guess you finally remember my face, Dr. Stylish?"
Mayuri wiped a tear from his eye before snickering. "Oh I'd remember that expression and those eyes well. The last thing I saw before you blew my body to pieces, Abraxas! How stylish!"
Kazuma gripped his sword tightly.
Mayuri then raised an eyebrow and glanced at Nemu. "Oh…don't tell me you're actually angered by me hitting this stupid puppet of mine."
Kazuma raised his blade as Boosted Gear bellowed once more.
"Ah! It's actually pissing you off! Then let's try this!" he hollered before stabbing his sword into Nemu's side.
Almost instantly Uryu's legs became weak as he felt Spiritual Pressure build up around him. "Wh…what is this…?" He turned to Kazuma and widened his eyes.
Kazuma's eyes had become illuminated with red energy, as pure mana began surging from his body.
Mayuri blinked curiously. "Well…this is new."
The energy surrounding Kazuma suddenly burst outward, sending Uryu flying against the wall, knocking Orihime and Aika off their feet, and making Mayuri slide back several feet.
As the light from the surge of energy died down, the group's eyes collectively widened as they saw Kazuma.
His Shihakusho, Zanpakuto, and Boosted Gear had vanished. His arms, legs, and the lower portion of his torso were covered in rough, black, spiked, bony armor covering his body, his chest and head were exposed, with four large, slightly curved horns on his head pointing back, layered black plates on the abdomen and sides, pointed shoulder armor with one large horn pointing upward, pointed, layered armor on the upper arms, pointed, layered armor pointing towards the wrist, sharp claws at the tips of the fingers, scaled armor on the hips, narrow flaps hanging over the midsection, sharp knee guards pointed upwards, layering down to the ankles with pointed feet, massive, scaly, black wings extending from his back, and a long, plated tail extending from the back of his neck. His eyes had also changed to green with white pupils and red sclera.
Uryu trembled lightly as he looked at Kazuma. 'Wh-what…is that…?'
Orihime blinked curiously. "Ah-hah!"
"What was that about?" Aika asked.
Orihime answered emphatically, "He's like a super hero!"
Uryu sweat-dropped. "Uh…no. I don't think that's how it works."
"Huh? Why? Don't superheroes transform to beat up the bad guys?"
Uryu sighed in exasperation. "Nevermind."
Almost instantly Kazuma vanished and at nearly the same moment Mayuri had been flung all the way to the end of the street, slamming into the wall hard.
Orihime exclaim, "Ah! He vanished!" She then blinked curiously. "Why is Mr. Face paint over there now?"
Kazuma answered, in a cold tone, "I hit him, that's why." Kazuma then turned to the incapacitated Nemu and picked her up before tearing the Lieutenant badge from her uniform and tossed her over to Orihime and Aika. "Since you two still haven't run yet, take her and get the fuck running."
Orihime and Aika nodded emphatically and ran off with Nemu.
Mayuri then shouted, "Get back here with my doll!"
Kazuma appeared above Mayuri and slammed his foot down, sending dust and chunks of stone flying all over. "She's not your doll you make-up wearing shitstain! She's one of my handmaidens!"
Mayuri stood up with a groan as the three girls vanished. "Just for this, I'll be sure to heighten that girl's senses when I cut her open, you nuisance."
Kazuma's eyes widened as punched Mayuri, sending him flying away and digging a long trench through the ground, walls, and multiple buildings, sending dust and debris flying in all directions. "You're going to disappear for good this time, Stylish!"
Mayuri stood up once more, angered. "Tch, you're just as irritating as that decrepit old Quincy I dealt with."
Uryu widened his eyes slightly. "What…did you just say…?"
Mayuri glanced at him curiously as he approached the two once more. "Oh? Curious?" He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a photo before tossing it to Uryu. "There, that's the old fool. Although, honestly, there wasn't too much left of him after I finished my experiments."
Uryu's eyes widened as he saw the corpse in the photo, crumpling it in his hands as he felt rage build up inside him.
Kazuma glanced at Uryu. "I can already guess what's in that photo. I'd advise against it, but if you wish to stay and take your vengeance, I won't stop you. Just try not to hit me with those arrows."
Uryu stuffed the photo into a pocket and menaced at Mayuri. "No guarantees."
Mayuri then laughed loudly in amusement. "This is rich! A devil and a Quincy working together! How amusing!"
Kazuma huffed in annoyance as he raised his fists. "So what? I fucked an angel once and she had my kid. Something like this isn't that rare."
Uryu sweat-dropped. "Erm…in this context that is…"
Mayuri blinked curiously. "Is that so? Then I need to find this child, I must learn the attributes of a devil-angel hybrid."
Kazuma narrowed his eyes. "Keep talkin' asshole." Kazuma then vanished in an instant.
Mayuri turned to strike but was immediately struck from behind, causing him to smash through several layers of wall and building, leaving a trail of destruction behind him.
Mayuri growled as he stood up. "I'm not going to lose to you this time, Bael!"
Uryu sighed in pain as Mayuri was sent flying. 'I can't keep up Ransotengai much longer. I've got to finish this before I run out of power.'
"Uryu!" Kazuma shouted.
Uryu turned to him in surprise.
"Don't just stand there! I'm going to pin this bastard and you shoot him."
Uryu nodded in understanding.
Once again Kazuma vanished, reappearing behind Mayuri and punching him, sending him flying into the air.
Uryu saw the flying Soul Reaper and fired several shots in a row, all of which Mayuri blocked.
Kazuma reappeared behind Mayuri and grabbed his arms before planting his foot on Mayuri's back.
Mayuri slammed into the ground with great force as Uryu fired several shots at him.
Kazuma through Mayuri's arms aside and landed beside Uryu.
"Did we get him?" Uryu asked.
"No, he's too resilient for that."
Mayuri stood up, several holes having been made in his body. "You're beginning to anger me quite a bit." After a moment, however, all of his injuries healed. He extended a hand and Ashisogi Jizo returned to his grip. "I believe it's time to end this. Your constant insults and attacks are irritating me, and taking both my doll and newest experiment are angering me. I'm going to end this now! Bankai, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo!" Suddenly, the baby's head on Mayuri's blade released a massive creature that flew out and then landed behind Mayuri, a giant creature with the body of a caterpillar, with a grotesque, golden baby's head and arms, a silver halo hovering around its head with four bells near the back, and a red cape over its shoulders.
Mayuri's Zanpakuto had returned to its normal form as the beast stood behind him.
The creature then opened its mouth and began to release a thick purple mist.
Kazuma flinched and flapped his wings, flying up into the air.
"Do you like this mist? It's a poisonous derivative of my own blood, and it's lethal to anyone who breathes it. Aside from myself, naturally."
The creature took a breath and then exhaled, sending a stream of the substance surging forward.
Uryu blinked as the stream came towards him, but realized, after he opened his eyes, that he was in the air. He looked behind him and saw Kazuma holding on to the collar of his outfit.
"You still alive?" Kazuma asked.
Uryu nodded. "What do we do about that monster?"
Kazuma winced angrily. "Unfortunately there's nothing I can do."
"What?" Uryu asked in surprise.
"Zanpakutos are already by nature lethal to me, and adding an extra-lethal mist like that means if I breathe even a little of that shit I'm dead."
Uryu's eyes widened in shock.
"Do you have any big attacks that can blow that thing to pieces in one shot?"
"You don't?!"
Kazuma hissed in frustration. "No. When I'm in this form I can't use most of my powers."
Uryu narrowed his eyes as he put his left hand over the glove on his right hand. "I do…have one thing…"
And end! That brings this chapter to an end. Hopefully everyone enjoyed it, so be sure to let me know what you think of it in a review, good, bad, or otherwise, and be sure to leave a review if you are confused on anything, I will do my best to explain it to you.