I do not own either One Piece or Bleach.
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Beta read by the wonderful lincoln time, and MasterQwertster, whose own stories and art you should definitely check out!
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For those of you who prefer to read in Spanish, there is a translation of this by FakerDarkSouls on Wattapad.
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Guest Review answers :-D
TheB
Yes, Orihime is a bit of a wrench in Aizen's plans for once. If she figures out how to use her powers right of course. But yeah, dude's a monster and just showed it.
LOL yes, even the kitchen sink. Because I could not resist.
Well if Aizen does manage to follow Luffy's line of thought (or what can be found), he will either a) become a cheery, (relatively) harmless guy with a thing for meat, or b) really go off the deep end! X-P
Here is the newest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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HUNTER2002
Yes, I agree that it is sad about the families left behind. Unfortunately I feel that if any more One Piece characters come through they will dominate the story.
LOL no tea left at all!
Luck is a superpower in its own right ;-)
Always happy to reply to those who take the time to leave me a comment :-)
Here is the newest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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Matt
I chose the character list for the story summary carefully; the Straw Hats are main characters indeed, but not the only ones. In fact, there are quite a few characters that I feel did not get the love (or comeuppance) they deserved in canon. So this will not be the last no-Straw Hat chapter.
Here is the newest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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Roberto Pelotudo
Gracias, me alegra oír que hice bien a los personajes. Y sí, me resulta molesto cuando los escritores dicen que alguien es un genio sin hacer nada para MOSTRAR cómo logran esquemas "imposibles".
Aquí está el capítulo más reciente, ¡y espero que valga la pena! ¡Estoy deseando escuchar tus nuevos pensamientos! :-D
Gracias por su Revisión y Apoyo! :-D
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musizlover2008
LOL yes definite similarities. Seems to be a real thing in manga for a bloodthirsty, one-eyed swordsman who is also good with kids.
Yeah, Kurotsuchi Mayuri is a creepy, evil guy. It really bugs me that Kubo let him get away with it all. Yeah, Sanji and Chopper would be the worst for Mayuri to meet in a dark alley (after Uryuu), but none of the rest of the Straw Hats would be amused either.
Here is the newest chapter, and I hope it was worth it! Looking forward to hearing your newest thoughts! :-D
Thank you for your Review and Support! :-D
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Seas of Souls
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Chapter 5: Home, Sweet Home
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Previously:
The Straw Hats finished their successful raid of Las Noches, and made their escape. However, just before entering the portal to the Living World, which they learnt about from records in the palace, Luffy swallowed the Aizen's personal Hogyoku. During the transit into the Garganta, the Hogyoku activated . . .
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With a whoop of joy, Kurosaki Karin exchanged another double high-five with Ururu, while Jinta pumped his fist in the background. "Another Hollow destroyed!" they cheered.
The Karakura Superheroes had triumphed once more!
"BOHAHAHAHA!" went their boisterous and tackily dressed leader, Don Kanonji. His current flashy outfit was a long red coat, with golden tassels, and a crown-like hat. Honestly, Karin did not fully get, or rather believe, everything he said, but she still appreciated him bringing her into this life. What had first sounded like inane ramblings now helped answer several questions of hers. Particularly putting a name to what Ichigo had become as he ran around the city in black: a Shinigami. That he had been the main person in town fighting 'Evil Spirits' who were 'corrupted souls,' until he had to leave to handle something he did not tell them about.
Although I'm kind of insulted he expected us to be fooled by whoever he left in his body. Sure, Goat-Chin doesn't suspect a thing, but this guy in nii-san's body doesn't even act like him! It's just as ridiculous as the idea that nii-san is Kanonji's apprentice!
"Yes indeed!" Kanonji went on with his usual flamboyance. "Once more this brave city is safe from these monsters!"
"This is awesome!" declared Jinta, hefting his bat, while Ururu retrieved her shoulder-gun-bazooka-thingy. Truthfully, Karin still did not know much about them, not that she had pried into their personal lives, yet they were the ones to really bring the muscle to taking down 'Hollows.' So far the most she could do in a fight was kick a soccer ball hard enough to stun them. While Kanonji did have some sort of energy attack that was pretty powerful, it was also pretty slow. Hmm, but I think it's getting a little faster the more he uses it.
Ah well.
Something tickled her spine, and as she turned her head—
—The air shuddered and the ground shook until Karin realized it was her knees. Sweat broke out upon her forehead, and dizzily she saw most of the others were the same.
—Seas of Souls—
A few minute earlier
For all their initial enthusiasm, the Straw Hat Pirates and their friends were definitely uncomfortable with how they were travelling.
A Garganta was a special, spiritual pathway between worlds. The more refined version they had managed to create was technically defined as a 'Descorrer.'
All these Arrancar cared about was that they were running on a glowing pathway of Starrk's spiritual energy, through a mass of swirling darkness. Endless darkness everywhere they looked. They had never imagined that the sense of emptiness between worlds could be worse than the desert they had left behind.
Despite this crushing sensation, they continued forward on instinct as something deep within all of them was familiar with what they were attempting. Moreover, they had hazy memories from the Hollows they had consumed in the past, many of whom had been here before. It was just that most of their species did not have the power or control to create their own pathways like a Descorrer, and relied upon naturally occurring portals.
Instinct, and the courage and charisma of Monkey Luffy as he led them forward. Eyes narrowed in concentration as he followed his intuition. Finding the way.
They all felt the moment at the same time, knowing they had arrived. His arm blurred as he gathered Reiryoku to his fingertips, and brought them down on a piece of space before them that seemed no different than before, and tore open a new gateway through reality.
Emerging into a brand new world.
Their dramatic exit of Las Noches was somewhat tainted by their chaotic arrival in the World of the Living, as they suddenly found themselves trying to juggle a massive pile of bags and crates with limited arms. Especially since they had come out dozens of meters above the ground . . .
"Aaaaaah!"
"Whoah!"
"Use Reishi to stabilize yourself! Under your feet! You know how to do this!"
"Catch the bags!"
"That one's getting awa—oh, never, mind. Thanks Luffy."
"Shishishishi! No problem!"
"Get the others you idiots!"
Desperately Zoro started throwing stuff higher up in the air so he could grab other things from falling and handle the rising ones later when they came back down. Meanwhile, the larger individuals like Franky, Jinbe, and Brook tried to make a sort of pyramid with them holding together a bottom foundation of stuff packed together that could catch other stuff on top.
After much jostling, they finally managed to right themselves, with Usopp cleverly digging out some spare wires from a bag he was holding, to help tie them all together into one mass. Zoro, Sanji, and Franky were holding onto the main weight without much difficulty.
Stopping to take a quick breath of relief as they stood mid-air, they all suddenly realized how much . . . easier that had been. That they had reacted faster and with greater strength than expected.
"Hmm, strange."
Everyone glanced at Halibel, who was intently studying her hand as if she had never seen it before. "With the low Reishi in the air," she elaborated, "you'd think we'd be weaker here. Instead, I've never felt stronger."
Now the Arrancar paused to fully re-assess themselves, and realized to their surprise she was right.
"It's our transformation from removing our masks," and now it was lazy Starrk of all people who spoke up. His eyes shining with interest. "It's complete somehow."
Surprisingly –even though it should not be at this point— it was Luffy who first caught on to what he meant. "Oh, hey, yeah! You're right!" Beaming, he excitedly waved his arms. "When we first took our masks off, it always felt to me like our new bodies weren't as done as they could've been. 'Cept now they are!"
"And you never thought to mention this?" deadpanned Nami with a twitching eyebrow.
"Well, I didn't see what we could've done about it. But somehow it finished when we came here!"
—Seas of Souls—
Its job complete, the Hogyoku within Luffy returned to its slumber. Now all of the Hollows were perfect Arrancar, just like the rest of Aizen's forces.
—Seas of Souls—
With a sigh, Nami shook her head. Then she took another look at the rest of the Straw Hats with a slight narrowing of her brow, before turning to one in particular. "Hey, Starrk. Could you make another, different katana?"
He raised an eyebrow in curiosity, before sighing as he knew complying was less stressful than questioning her. With a flick of his wrist, he was holding a new, sheathed blade in his hand, with the guard being a rounder design than his own preference. This casual display was one of the many reasons Nami was glad he was on their side. She suspected that not even Starrk himself truly knew the depths of his power. Possibly the same for Luffy as well.
"Perfect," she grinned, before taking the blade and passed it to Luffy. "You don't have a normal Zanpakuto, so it's for the best if you pretend to have one. Just in case."
(Frankly she was embarrassed that she had not thought of this sooner. Not that she would ever admit to such.)
(When in new circumstances with potential enemies, it was best to not draw attention to any irregularities. Besides, it only felt natural to her to hide how dangerous they were; she even kept her own Zanpakuto hidden. In that same light, she now regretted they had not managed to train up Mila Rose, Sung-Sun, and Apacci more in how to hide their Reiatsu better.)
Her Senchou still looked a little confused, until he simply grinned and thrust it into his belt. Nami had an amused feeling he would be trying to fight with it, much to the aggravation of both Zoro and Mila Rose.
With that out of the way, they all resumed staring at the World of the Living.
It was kind of a downer.
Alright, sure, no endless desert of white sand as far as the eye could see. But it was kind of lumpy, and dark, and, well, just sort of weird.
"Huh, that's pretty cool!"
Perplexed, they all turned to see that Luffy was looking behind them, and when they turned around all their jaws dropped.
A city unfolded before their eyes.
(It helped to not be looking the wrong way at its outskirts, which were basically rocky land.)
Tall buildings that while pigmies before Las Noches, still towered above what they were used too, and thrumming with lights and life. So many lights. Some of them were even zipping by at fast speeds in straight lines!
(Later they would learn those were cars.)
(If Humanity should survive the following year, they should be eternally grateful that Luffy overlooked them as too slow to be fun, without ever trying driving one.)
The glow of it all lit up the night sky in a way that they could hardly imagine. Craning their heads up, they also saw a full moon, along with pinpricks of light too!
"Stars," whispered Nami in a hushed voice.
"This, this, what is all this!?" gushed Apacci, her heterochromatic eyes almost boggling out.
The width of Luffy's smile was in danger of breaking his already impressive record. "Our new home."
He took a deep breath, and Nami and the rest followed suit. There was a bit of a tang to it, yet along with so many other flavours, making it an incredible sensation after the sterile world they had just left.
One they would never return to. Ever.
"So which way should we go first?" asked Luffy.
Everyone paused, as there seemed to be no criteria to judge by in this strange, strange world.
"Obviously thataway!" declared Apacci, pointing right in front of them.
"Hmph, that way looks more interesting," argued Mila Rose, jutting her thumb towards a part of city that was brighter with lights.
"A quieter setting would be more appropriate for setting down our supplies," broke in Sung-Sun, gesturing with her sleeve towards a darker area.
For all that she was an adoptive big sister to them, Nami sighed as she knew they were in for a long argument before Halibel –her girls, her responsibility—chose to intervene.
Besides, she had other concerns.
Closing her eyes, she drank in the sensation of the wind on her face, feeling how moist the air was to Hueco Mundo, the subtleties of the temperature, and so much more of something that was all-encompassing of this world:
The weather.
Opening her lids, Nami felt even more complete than just related to her becoming a full Arrancar. Ever since she had first started regaining her memories, she knew she was missing something while wandering the endless desert that she now wondered was meant to crush whatever hope you had left. All there had been there was sharp wind and sand.
Here . . . there was symphony of sounds, scents, touches and tastes, all of singing of the majesty that nature would play across the globe!
A strength that had never known release under the endless half-moon now crackled to life, as fire and joy lit up her eyes.
Whatever the others might say, here she knew they would find wonders beyond wonders, and treasure beyond price.
Almost as great as Nakama even! 'Almost,' being the key word.
—Seas of Souls—
Urahara Shōten
Urahara Kisuke's alarms went off with a code of precise beeps and whistles so that he already knew the gist even before the scientist-assassin brought up his monitors.
Hollows in Karakura Town.
Worse, Arrancar.
Video images popped up on screen, along with readings on them, and his bones chilled with horror he had not felt in a century. None of these contingency plans had truly accounted for this possibility.
For centuries the upper echelons of Soul Society had known of Arrancar, Hollows who had removed their masks to also gain the powers of a Shinigami. Not that these unnatural and obscene hubrids had ever been a serious threat, given how few of them there were, and that they rarely ever fully developed their powers before some other Hollow ate them, or a well-coordinated squad purified them.
As the former Taichou of the 12th Division, and ex-Director of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, Kisuke had studied up on them as best as he could before his involuntary exile. Once Aizen Sosuke had framed him, and shown an interest in destroying the boundaries between both Shinigami and Hollows in the name of greater power, Kisuke's investigations had intensified. Therefore he was well aware that all previous attempts by Hollows to become members of that hybrid race had been both relatively crude, and failing to live up to their theoretical potential.
The last few decades there had been a gradual upswing in the quality of the Arrancar encountered by the Gotei 13 (including by one Shiba Isshin-taichou), but their own investigations had found nothing suspicious. Especially since the hybrids' powers had consistently remained stuck at about the same level. Privately, Kisuke was strongly confident those Arrancar had been the results of Aizen's own experiments, and he had been releasing those Hollows as disposable test subjects for real-life combat against the Shinigami. Except of course the madman would hardly have held back his more impressive creations, so as to hide what they were truly capable of.
Regardless, the fact remained that the average Hollow losing their mask should be no real threat to Soul Society.
These Arrancar were all Menos Grande.
Worse, from their spiritual pressure, density, and stability, they were a mixture of both Shinigami and Hollow. Fully developed like no Arrancar on record had ever possessed up to this point.
While wearing white outfits, the antitheses to the Shinigami's black. That was a message in itself.
Even more ominously was the almost comically large collection of bags and boxes the group was organizing into a manageable mass. Clearly they were here in preparation for something big.
"Aizen's making his move," he whispered to his approaching long-time friend, and the former ex-Taichou of the Kido Corps, Tsukabishi Tessai.
"I thought it was too soon," rumbled the large, muscular man. They had all agreed that even if Yoruichi and the kids failed, they would have weeks, or even months, before Aizen was ready. And for such a force to hit Karakura now while it was so vulnerable . . .
"Indeed, but only the Hogyoku could be responsible for this transformation. He must have moved up the date of Rukia's execution and retrieved it, and somehow unlocked its power already. Yoruichi must have—wait." Kisuke cut himself off as he adjusted his instruments, and based upon the readings, concluded that the three of them were upper-level Adjuchas. Each easily on par with a Fukutaichou. Indeed, with his own senses he could tell that it was their personal Reiatsu that was blanketing the city.
In addition, a child-like Hollow was leaking Reishi on par with a Taichou, except the loss was so unstable the Hollow had barely any for itself, leaving it as weak as a regular Hollow. The whole town is getting bathed in that Reishi though. Maybe a way of nourishing the rest of the pack while away from Hueco Mundo?
A little more fine-tuning, and he confirmed that the rest of them were either weaker Adjuchas, Gillians, or made from lessor Hollows. Some of them also seemed to be more advanced versions of Hollows Kisuke had identified as some of Aizen's experimental models. Two of the females and one of the men were only barely detectable to his most sensitive and advanced instruments, which was an ability displayed by serval variants he knew the madman had engineered before. Although what little of the signature he could detect from the man with brown hair, was surprisingly identical to another child-like Hollow.
It was also interesting to note how with only two exceptions, the invaders all looked clearly human. Of course, those two irregularities were also registering as Arrancar, despite looking like a stag beetle and a walking tiki mask. Although now his computers were bringing up additional data sensor on the duo, displaying some unusual readings he could not make heads or tails of. Given how they seemed to be utterly befuddled and panicking, it was doubtful they had been a successful test trial for Aizen. Probably sent here as cannon fodder.
Is it possible that the ones in charge of this advance squad are hiding their power? He gave it a second's thought before dismissing it. The nature of Hollows is to flaunt their strength, especially during those rare times they manage to form any semblance of a pack. Even the ones suppressing their Reiatsu so well are being too passive, showing no signs of authority. Only that Fukutaichou-class trio are acting aggressive, and they're the ones broadcasting how strong they are.
As it was, that strength they were displaying was so beyond what this town, never mind the Living World, was used to, that he knew everyone spiritually sensitive in town would be filled with dread. The sensation of a predator leering over their shoulder from behind, no matter where they turned.
"Those must be the leaders," he said as he pointed them out to Tessai.
His eyes narrowed further at the raven-haired one hiding her mouth with one long sleeve, the busty one with messy brown hair, and the blue haired girl with a horn on her head. All three were clearly arguing over which way to go, while the rest were quietly waiting for a final decision.
"And with a force this size, they must be pretty important to Aizen." Especially since I doubt he'd tolerate their obvious squabbling otherwise.
—Seas of Souls—
Grimacing, Starrk wiggled a finger in his ear at the ongoing catfight over which direction the whole pack would head in to set up camp. As much as he loved his new life, sometimes it could get a bit much.
Never enough to regret it of course.
Never.
In many ways it had been worth the wait just to have been found by someone like Luffy.
Truthfully, while being with people was what he and Lilynette wanted more than anything, neither of them had had the slightest idea of how to be with others. How to interact. What to say. What to do.
Luffy did not care.
He just cheerfully dragged them along. Except he always seemed to know when to push and when to step back. Letting Starrk get a nap whenever he started to feel overwhelmed, or allowing Lilynette to get her own (loud) opinion in on some matter or other. She of course had been the quickest to adapt, refusing to let herself be cowed by this strange new (perfect) life.
The other Straw Hats had been just as fantastic. Even just resting beside Zoro, knowing someone was there beside him, was sometimes all Starrk needed to get through the day at times. Or Robin would join him when he was sitting a little ways apart from the group, with Starrk coming to realize that sometimes she was a bit of a loner as well. The two of them had pleasant talks too, as both of them were highly intelligent individuals with little in the empty desert to actually stimulate their brains. That was actually part of why he had gotten into the habit of napping, since if there was nothing available really for his mind to focus on, why bother being awake?
Overall, for a man who loved to sleep so much, and thus not thinking on things –but yeah he usually really was just that sleepy— it was surprising how relaxed he could feel even while awake and active among the Straw Hats. As if some weight had been removed from his shoulders, as he drank in all the little gestures, comments, and looks that let him know he belonged.
A smile quirked at Starrk's lips, only to realize he had gotten distracted.
"Shut up! I'll lead!" loudly declared Lilynette, puffing out her (non-existent) chest.
He sighed, knowing this would just enflame matters further.
"What!? Why'd we listen to some kid!?"
"Beat it shrimp!"
Sung-Sun said nothing, while, forehead vein throbbing, Lilynette started screeching more to assert her 'authority.' Everyone else was either enjoying the show, or just watched with resignation. They knew Halibel preferred for her 'daughters' to work these things out themselves. In truth, it was this sort of situation that only proved to Starrk how fortunate he was to have fallen in with such 'aberrant' Hollows. With 'regular' Hollows, either whatever respect Lilynette held would be from being associated with him and his own strength, or the more dangerous ladies would have lashed out at her to re-assert their own status. Or because someone as weak as her should be killed for simply being mouthy. Instead, one's power mattered little in this group.
Truthfully, a part of Starrk suspected that his full potential might even surpass that of Zoro or Luffy. And no one cared. Because each and every one of them would do all they could to protect the others.
For Hollows, it was as surreal as it was a relief.
Luffy was the Senchou because he was the one to bind them all together. Along with his own strange branch of wisdom.
Right now though, he was merely giggling at the sight of the ladies shrilly going at one another—if never physically, not even Zoro or Sanji were allowed that. With their predatory instincts, things could escalate too quickly and lethally if single drop of blood was spilled.
Still, after another minute Luffy seemed to be actually considering the issue. "We'll go towards the quieter place to find somewhere to safely leave all our stuff, and to come back to," he finally said, cutting through the ongoing argument. "We'll just get there by cutting through a bunch of the town on the way! Lilynette, you're up front!"
The four girls hesitated, trying to figure out who had 'won,' only for a relieved Usopp to declare, "Well done ladies! That's helping our Senchou out!" While obvious to Starrk his long-nosed friend was trying diffuse any lingering tension, the trio seemed to buy it.
"You did it!" cheered Chopper, which flustered Apacci, only for Halibel to approach her daughters and give a little nod, before withdrawing to be by the hanging pile of supplies to act as a guard. The three girls quickly followed their 'mom.' Luffy joined Lilynette so they could see everything first.
"Hey!"
"Wah!"
"Huh!?"
"What're—!"
Turning, Starrk caught the leaping, squirming bundle that was Nel. Glancing back, he could see that she had evidently leapt from Zoro's shoulders to jump onto Nami, then Chopper, Usopp, and finally Sanji before being caught as she made her way over. "Take me tah Luffy," she imperiously commanded. Raising an eyebrow, the Vasto Lorde decided it was much less effort to do as she asked, and obediently tossed her overhand to their leader.
"Whaaaaaaaa!"
Beaming, Luffy caught Nel, and put her on his back. "Hold tight!" he cheered.
—Seas of Souls—
Squealing with delight, Nel held on as Luffy carried her down to look at the city.
Soon she was gaping in wonderment, as she tried to process how strange it all was. All she had ever known was endless desert of Hueco Mundo, alone with her two brothers and their pet. Here there were so many people! Just moving about without a care and doing so many strange things!
A sound caught her attention, and she looked to see Lilynette glaring at her. It took Nel a moment to realize the truth: she was jealous! Leering, Nel freed one hand to stroke her chin knowingly.
The taller girl gasped before turning up the heat of her expression—
—and ran into a building because she was not looking where she was going.
A moment later she passed straight through it, looking all confused. "Whuh!? What was that!?"
"Luffy, thhe wen' through the wall!"
"I know! That's cool!"
On that note, Luffy started flying straight through buildings as well, as did everyone else, being amazed at all the sights to see inside as Humans went about doing whatever.
Watching bright, moving screens, including fiddling with devices connected to said screens, featured prominently.
"It must be because we're still made of spiritual particles," mused Franky. "We're out of sync with whatever the Living World's made up of, so we can go straight through it." Experimentally he tried pushing some bags through the wall, and discovered that the Garganta converter had worked perfectly. While the Hollows remained made of Reishi, what they had brought with them had become composed of local materials. "Interesting," he grinned, stroking his chin.
It came to an abrupt stop when they came upon a couple . . . wrestling. Naked. Against the walls, and atop a table.
Surprisingly it was Sanji who was the first to run out of the place, wanting to respect the woman's privacy.
"Right," he panted as everyone else caught up with him. "Let's not do that again."
"What da yah mean?" asked a confused Nel.
"Never you mind," Sanji said, fingers twitching. Then something caught his eye.
—Seas of Souls—
It had been a long, loooong day at the office, and Kamiya Susumu just wanted to relax for a moment before heading out to catch the late night bus home. He had worked triple-overtime to get all that paperwork done for the big deal.
Sighing in relief, he lit up his cigarette—
—only for it to be snatched out his hand.
Looking around in shock, he saw no one nearby. Some sixth sense made him glance up . . . to see it hanging mid-air, while puffs of smoke seemed to come from nowhere. With another wisp trailing, the bright, red dot zipped out of sight. Outright gaping, Susumu caught something else from the corner of his eye, and saw what looked like bags and boxes flying downtown, twenty meters in the air.
"What?" he whimpered.
—Seas of Souls—
Nel was star struck.
This place was so cooooooool compared to that dingy old desert!
Not only were there so many new people to play with, the bright lights were a form of games, and she could fly through walls! Except she was no longer allowed to go through walls! Pooie! Oh well, Nel knew she would have lots of fun still!
"Seeing all these enchanting wonders makes my heart stop!" cried out Brook. "Oh wait, I don't have a heart! Yo ho ho ho~!"
Giggling, she went, "Yo yo ho ho ho!" too.
She readjusted her grip on Luffy. He was lots of fun to be with, although Zoro was plenty fun too. Except Zoro was carrying all that stuff, so she went with her other favourite new playmate. It was just that Luffy was the first one to play games with her, and invite her to come along with him and his friends. Chopper and Lilynette were fun too of course. Zoro still might be cooler though. Hmm, had she made him an official brother yet?
In fact . . .
Locking her legs around Luffy's neck, she waved her arms and yelped, "Nel'th makin' you all her brotherth and thisterth! Yay! Whoop!"
The world spinning around, she found herself a grinning Luffy. "Awesome! That means we're nakama and family! Neat, huh?"
"Yeah!" she giggled. A thought occurred to her, and she got serious. "Brother Luffy, you thaid thith plathe ith our new 'ome?"
"Uh huh."
"Forever an' ever? We're jutht gonna thtay righth here?"
Now he laughed. "Of course not! I don't mean this city, I mean the whole Living World is our home now! We can spend ages exploring it!" Becoming more serious, he jabbed his chin down at the people below. "Look at them all, running about all over the place. I bet they keep doing so many fun things and making new ones too. Everything will keep changing around us, so there will be so much new stuff to discover! Won't that be great!?"
"Yeah!" she cheered even louder than before, clapping her hands.
"Huh." They glanced back at Jinbe who was looking at a particular sign. "Apparently this place we're in is called 'Karakura Town.'"
—Seas of Souls—
Urahara Shōten
Carefully Kisuke considered his options. While as was his norm he had laid down thousands of plans and contingencies before Yoruichi had departed to the Seireitei, and had already devised thousands of new ones based upon this change in events, he suspected that the best ones were those that first involved waiting a little longer.
Even for him, to attack such a large force —which had doubtlessly been forewarned about him— was rash.
So I will need Hirako Shinji and the rest to take action. Yet they do not really care for Humans.
No, best to leave it for the Seireitei. Such a large and powerful force of Arrancar will have the Soutaichou send in the Taichou to handle it. Hmm, that must be one of Aizen's objectives, drawing away the Gotei 13 so he can make his move unopposed. Of course, that will also make it easier for Yoruichi to act.
. . . I should probably still see what I can do to accelerate Isshin regaining his powers.
"We'll just observe for now," he finally decided. Tessai nodded and headed out. Now that he knew that they were not about to launch an all-out attack, he had to see to his next priority.
—Seas of Souls—
After flitting about some more, the Straw Hats finally went to find a place to settle into. With a little searching (and arguing) they found a suitable, large, empty building.
As they filed in, carefully passing through the door all the boxes and bags, Luffy stopped and looked around in confusion for a moment, before continuing on.
"Something wrong, Luffy?" asked Chopper.
"Nah, nothing to worry about."
For himself, Franky was distracted trying to keep track of everything. Some of the guys and gals were just piling everything together, while others were taking things out just to start setting them up now. It was chaos!
It was also instantly obvious they would need to later expand and renovate. Half the place was taken up by the mound of stuff they had stolen, with no place to really unpack everything.
Sanji was muttering to himself as he started setting up their new kitchen, yet Franky's sharp ears could hear he was already planning on designing and installing a newer one to his personal specifications. Mixed with heavy regret for how he would end up putting aside this kitchen he was even now assembling. Fair enough. It was like your first set of tools; for all that you know they are junk, they are still your first, and nothing could change that undefinable, manly bond between you and them!
Quickly Franky did not wipe away tears that were certainly not threatening to fall from his eyes. A man did not cry!
Sniffing deeply, he got back to work, trying to figure out what was in which bags. He also made a mental note to talk to Brook later about the two of them going around to find 'guitars,' or something like that. Their memories were still hazy on the fine points. Not that it had prevented both of them from itching to play music in Hueco Mundo, only to never find any instruments. Not like there were the means to make them there either!
(Yes, he had tried, but the 'trees' were too thin and brittle.)
This place was far more SUPER!
Granted, he could see that Starrk and some of the others were a little overwhelmed. Made sense, given how they had all spent ages and ages living in an unchanging desert, with the tedium largely only ever punctuated by the occasional blood and death. The Living World was just so far over the horizon of what they were used to, aside from some vague recollections of their pasts.
Personally, Franky's only complaint about the city was the lack of ocean. Ah well, they were not staying here forever. Just until it got boring.
He glanced at Halibel, who seemed to be both serene yet confused. Frowning a little, he went over to her. "What's up?"
With a shake of her head, she looked away, uncharacteristically unsure. It could be hard to read her expression with most of her face covered by her mask, and her usually cold, unreadable eyes. So of course the realization that he could actually see her uncertainty, only made the whole situation more surreal.
Patiently he waited for her to find the words, and with a huff of breath she found them. "I'm worried that there are greater challenges to come than we anticipate. We have found so much bounty here, with a place without any threats we can detect, and so many new comforts. To say nothing of what we stole from Las Noches. Unfortunately, I suspect that the sacrifice we paid for it was not enough. So I believe there is more to come."
Ah, yes. A Hollow's Aspect of Death was a deeply private matter, yet Franky suspected 'sacrifice' played a large role in Halibel's.
With anyone else Franky would have put a comforting arm around her shoulder. Halibel however was . . . prickly about people, especially men, touching her without permission. Even Luffy had waited a good while until he was sure she would not just let him do it because she feared his power. He was the only guy with that privilege. So instead he gave her a big grin. "Hey, hey, don't look at it like that. Yeah we trashed through that palace and found we needed to come to this Super place, but you're not looking at the big picture!"
"Oh?" she inquired with a cool, cocked eyebrow, regaining her composure and confidence.
"Yeah! Just think of our whole journey through Hueco Mundo being a prelude to this place! All those battles, all those struggles, all of that was to help get us ready to come here! Even our training, do you honestly think we'd have been able to pull all that off if we weren't as good as we are? Or if we hadn't arrived at precisely that time at Las Noches? Believe you me, I feel we paid plenty to get this far!"
For a long moment Halibel stared at him, until the skin around her eyes crinkled into what he knew was a smile. "I think you're right. Thank you, Franky." She held out her fist, and he reciprocated by bumping it. "To our new home," she softly said.
—Seas of Souls—
"Hey! What do you think you're doing!?"
Until a few minutes ago, Arisawa Tatsuki had been enjoying a pleasant, nighttime stroll by herself—muggers beware someone who was viewed with good reason as the second strongest teenage girl in the entirety of Japan. Seriously, she had come in second place at a nationwide martial arts championship, after having her arm broken by a car before the finals.
So when she had spotted a weirdly dressed man running down the barely-lit street with three kids tucked under his arms, well, she was in a position to do something about it. If it was as sketchy as it looked.
"Tatsuki!?" cried one of the kids.
"KARIN!? LET THEM GO YOU CREEP OR ELSE I'LL—"
"Are you a friend of Kurosaki Ichigo?" the probably-pedophile interrupted.
"Yeah, since they've been kids—"
"Even worse," he broke in over Karin, and now Tatsuki recognized him as Don Kanonji, the TV star with that supernatural show. The one where she had really started seeing all that . . . stuff. More importantly, she realized Karin did not seem to be struggling against Kanonji, and Tatsuki knew for a fact that the little girl was as vicious as her big brother when push came to shove.
"Can you feel what's happening? The Evil Spirits!?" the okay-probably-not-a-pedophile went on, and now Tatsuki hesitated. She could indeed feel something in the air. Something . . . off, that had left her neck hairs on end the last half hour or so. Like all those other times she could remember with all that strange stuff. The monsters.
Unfortunately, now that it had been fully pointed out to her, now that she was focusing on it, the sensation, the pressure, was coming right to the forefront. Just like those times before.
Except much, much, much stronger. A newborn kitten compared to a sabre-toothed tiger.
It must have showed on her face, because he simply said, "We've got to keep running as far as we can. Follow me."
"That will not be necessary." They all jumped at the sudden appearance of a tall, muscular man with sunglasses and an apron. Wha—! There wasn't anyone there a moment ago!
"Tessai!"
"Tessai!" cheered the two kids who Tatsuki did not know.
"Come with me to somewhere safe," claimed the newest stranger, who the two unknown kids seemed to know.
Concerned, Tatsuki followed with the others.
—Seas of Souls—
Urahara Shōten
Kisuke only reflexively acknowledged that Tessai had brought the kids back, along with some of Kurosaki Ichigo's acquaintances. Probably for the best, yes.
Regrettably, they were totally unsuited for dealing with this invasion force.
Although, the Hollows' behavior was so erratic, he could not figure out what their exact intentions were. Maybe a scouting force? The problem with that theory though was that Aizen should have already known the important details of Karakura.
Still, the fact remained that there were not enough fighters able to stop them in the city. If something happened, Kisuke and Tessai would have to step up to slow them down long enough for the Seireitei to respond.
And that's assuming they do respond, he thought with growing concern, as his internal clock continued to count up.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi was many things, but foolhardy was not one of them. He was accepted by the Gotei 13 as a Taichou and the head of their scientific research, because his value outweighed any ethical concerns about his methods. For instance, he consistently turned out increasingly sensitive sensors to pick up Hollows emerging into the World of the Living. While that one Gillian that Kurosaki Ichigo had driven away had only been present for a short while, these newcomers were Adjuchas-class Menos Grande, and had been here more than long enough. Ergo, a rapid-response squad should have been here by now, preferably led by at least two Taichou. Minimum.
Aizen must be interfering somehow. Indeed, he had possibly even done so with the Gillian.
Or maybe whatever he did in getting my Hogyoku caused too big of a distraction for the Gotei . . . Are Yoruichi and the kids okay?
He mentally rejected those thoughts. Aizen had been playing in the shadows too long to do anything overt. Moreover, a megalomaniac like him would leave everyone alive, just so that he could gloat and emphasize their impotency. That they were not even important enough to kill.
Including Kurosaki Ichigo. The boy's growth potential and heritage, and their importance to Kisuke's plans, were too significant for Kisuke to accept anything less.
Yes, Yoruichi and the others should be fine. In fact, she would smack him if she found out he dared worry that she was incapable of keeping herself and those kids safe.
Later, when it was safe to do so, Kisuke would take the time to mourn the inevitable passing of Kuchiki Rukia. She had not deserved to be caught up in this mess. He could only hope that whatever death Aizen had wrought for her, it was relatively painless.
She would, like so many others, be avenged.
He calmed his thoughts, and began planning out his next move. Further refining his plans with this new data, and coming up with ever more contingencies.
Whatever had happened with the Seireitei, he had to assume that they were unavailable for the time being, and the Human Souls of Karakura Town were endangered. This was the vanguard of Aizen's forces while the Gotei 13 were occupied.
Thankfully the Arrancar aren't doing anything serious yet. So I have some time, and can use it to gather more information on them. Only question is, how much time.
Either way, I'm going to need help to pull this off. First thing's first is to accelerate the return of Isshin's powers.
I'll have to get the Visoreds involved too. For all that they hate both Humans and Shinigami, they still hate Aizen more.
Of course Isshin'll be annoyed that I never told him how close I was to those 'criminals' who 'voluntarily' tried to seek out the power of Hollows. He'll get over it.
Hmmm, Ishida Ryuken is unlikely, but maybe if I stage something to happen near his hospital?
As much as such tactics sickened him, Kisuke feared it might become all-too necessary. He needed to regain control of the situation.
Still, these Hollows were being uncharacteristically passive. Which while welcome, given it meant more time for him to act, was still a surprising twist. Another mystery to add to the growing pile.
He gave a mental snort. Who knows, maybe they're benign Hollows! Heh.
—Seas of Souls—
In the back room of a certain candy shop, Karin had managed to regain her composure enough to place a call.
"Listen to me Yuzu," Karin breathlessly said into the landline phone. "Whatever happens, don't leave home. I'm, I'm coming as soon as I can. Just don't leave, alright!?"
"Okay," her twin hesitantly promised. "Just, Karin, what's happening!?"
"It's Spirits. Some really strong bad ones just came to town!"
"Well what about you then!?" cried Yuzu.
Tatsuki plucked the phone out of Karin's hand. "Yuzu? It's Tatsuki, Ichigo's friend. I'll get your sister home safe, I promise."
"A-alright! Thank you!"
"See you soon." The martial artist hung up, and wiped the sweat from her brow. Turning to Karin, she simply said, "How sensitive is Yuzu to this?"
"She can sense ghosts, but can't see anything but a blur, even if she knows they're there."
"It'll be safer staying here," warned Don Kanonji, who seemed to be peering at the walls with a speculative look.
Shaking her head, Karin argued, "I'm not risking bringing Yuzu back through the streets here. Also, we've never been attacked before at home, so we should be safe."
"If you're sure," Tatsuki allowed, before frowning. "Just keep a phone on you, and keep in regular contact, got it!?"
Scowling like her brother would, Karin reluctantly nodded.
—Seas of Souls—
Straw Hat Warehouse
"Thank you," Robin said, accepting the steaming tea from Brook.
"My pleasure," he courteously bowed, before moving off to serve other drinks.
She sipped it down, enjoying the taste. Despite this, she could not help but wonder if there were some other drinks she should try. Some of the Humans they had passed by had been drinking something on a balcony which smelled rather good. Distant memories told her it was called 'coffee.' Maybe it was something she would prefer over this brand of tea?
—Seas of Souls—
Hueco Mundo, Las Noches
Inexplicably, Aizen's heart clenched as some part of his mind screamed HERESY!
He blinked, and then applied a healing Kido for a concussion, ignoring how he had not taken a blow to the head while fighting against the Gotei 13.
—Seas of Souls—
Straw Hat Warehouse
Every member of Robin's friends and family were either busy unpacking more, or taking a breather. This whole new life of theirs was so different from what they were used to, so some of them needed a little time to process it. Or nap in Zoro and Starrk's cases.
Personally, Robin wanted to go off with Luffy some more. Glimpses some paintings in homes had filled her with the desire to draw some pictures of all the wondrous sights. A hobby of hers that had gone forgotten for too long amongst the desolate wastelands.
Alas, she had a responsibility to fulfill first though. They would all be better served if they were armed with something they were in dire need of; the key to unlocking the universe:
Knowledge.
With a little searching, she retrieved the main computers that they had stolen from that lab, and with Franky's help she got them working. Afterwards he had gone to start examining the building more, and taking measurements for his plans of making this place into a proper home. She suspected that by the time he was done, this place would be more of a fortress than Las Noches.
Amazing, she thought after she logged onto the computer. The previous owner really was so arrogant he failed to put in any security features. I will have to work with Franky when he gets back to install one later. Although it can wait a few days until we've settled in more. There are some higher priorities.
After all, she smiled in good humour, if we're not all prepared, we may be all butchered just a day after finding paradise.
For instance, one of those 'higher priorities' was confirming something Usopp had uncovered when stripping down everything from the lab they robbed: devices capable of recording whatever was in front of them. Or surveillance cameras he had called them.
A hurried investigation had revealed that not only was the whole building covered in different machines capable of observing more than just visuals, there was also a tap into another, main network that extended across the entirety of Las Noches. Working furiously, Franky had used the previous owner's –We should really get his name. Although Jinbe may have already killed him, or his fellow Shinigami slaves may have. Or this 'Aizen' killed him after we left— own saved codes to cripple the main security network. Ergo, they had left no live or mechanical witnesses of themselves behind.
Now however, Robin wanted to check for any other dangerous tidbits had been saved away. She doubted anyone so inquisitive and (unsuccessfully) paranoid as the scientist they had robbed, had failed to gather information on their fellow lapdogs. Files which were now hers to peruse. After all, she doubted that Las Noches would just forgive and forget about them, meaning it was imperative she learnt what she could in case those enslaved Hollows or their masters did track down the Straw Hats. So it fell to Robin to arm her nakama with knowledge—for it was power.
With a few more keystrokes, Robin found what she was looking for, and quickly scanned through it. Unfortunately a lot of it was in technical terms she did not fully understand, or details she did not see the necessity of (like that the exact measurements of 'Cuatro Espada's' limbs and torso). Moreover, the Primera and Segunda Espada's stats were largely blank. Thankfully there was still enough for her to begin to understand what and who they were dealing with, and conclude that there were likely no immediate threats (i.e. a confirmed ability that would let the Espada easily track them down).
Given how there was no information on the Septima Espada, it appeared he was the individual they had robbed blind.
(She would have to make a point to later change all the terminology to say 'Ethpada' instead. Because it amused her, and more importantly, that was the term Luffy was using.)
She put those files aside, and then turned to digging up whatever she could find on the World of the Living. Looking at what sort of headings her search brought up, it quickly became clear that the focus had been haphazard at best. There was little interest in the place itself, and only a collection of notes and theories of certain empowered groups; like Quincies for example. Curiously, very curiously, Karakura Town had its own file, and was the largest one at that. Clearly this Aizen character had his attention on this town. Unfortunately there was nothing concrete on his ambitions.
Humming a little to herself, Robin tapped her chin in thought.
Evidently, she, Luffy, and the others remained here for too long, they were likely to end up fighting other Arrancar. Although she could make some assumptions about the other group –they were not really 'the enemy' yet, as that would require the Senchou taking them seriously. For instance, given how Aizen evidentially already had plans for this city, the Humans here were already endangered regardless if she and others stayed. Therefore, the question was whether or not it would be better to move on now, or stay and protect the city as necessary while they remained.
Seeing as how she could already hear the sounds of a cheerful Luffy helping Franky organize some supplies, followed by a loud CRASH!, and Franky 'suggesting' to Luffy he help elsewhere. She giggled at that, even glancing over to see her Senchou leap away while the blue-haired man buried his face in one massive palm before fixing what was broken. A second later Usopp gave a loud "Squawk!" as his friend barreled into him. Well, it seems we're staying for now.
With that in mind, Robin confirmed that not only had they stolen most recordings of Karakura, Franky's liberal application of that computer virus had even disabled the surveillance devices already planted here. I'll have to brief the others later. Although maybe after they've had a chance to see what they think of this place.
That taken care of, she returned to her studies of the Living World. From what I remember of Luffy when we were alive, he has a voracious appetite. We can't depend upon the food we stole, and the Reishi is too thin here. Is there any form of substance here besides eating Souls?
One entry title caught her attention. Gigai?
—Seas of Souls—
After a few hours, the Arrancar started feeling restless again.
Unlike Shinigami, Hollows did not sleep. They could rest, sure, and nap, but not even Starrk or Zoro truly shut down to slumber. For a regular Hollow, to do so was to leave your mind vulnerable to all the Souls you had consumed. Especially since so many of those subjugated beings had been strong-willed, ever struggling to become the new dominant personality. To say nothing of how it left you vulnerable to other Hollows, hungrily prowling around. So naturally, no Hollow dared or could fully sleep.
After becoming Arrancar, they could now sleep if they wanted to, except that even while surrounded by so many true allies, the fact remained that it was dangerous within Hueco Mundo. You never knew when rival Hollows might attack the group. So even Zoro and Starrk had to remain always attentive to their surroundings.
In other words, turning in to bed was not an option, so they worked or played throughout the night.
"Whoosh!" declared Luffy. "How's about we take a break outside? We've been cooped up in here."
Jostled out from his nap at his Senchou's words, Zoro stood up with a feline grace. "Should take a look around the perimeter while we're at it. We didn't look around before."
"Some fresh air would be nice," admitted Jinbe, putting down a bag he had been about to start examining the contents of.
Sanji glanced at his stove, having been about to start up the heat to cook some more. With a shrug he decided it could wait a bit, and he did want to join the others.
So all nineteen of them walked out the door, and took to the air—
—and froze.
This,
This,
This was beyond anything—
—beyond words!
Even the earlier sight of the city paled before this!
Creeping across the land was light that pushed away the shadows.
Rising over the horizon was something too bright to look at, bringing a warm end to the empty darkness.
"The sun," whispered Luffy, as they squinted and shaded their eyes, still enthralled by its beauty.
"Wh-what is it?" whispered Lilynette.
Luffy, Usopp, Nami, Franky, Sanji, Chopper, Brook, Apacci, Mila Rose, Lilynette, Nel, Pesche and Dondochakka, all had tears in their eyes. The rest were not far off.
"It's the sun. It means the end of the night, and the beginning of a new day," Robin softly answered.
"A sunrise, and the dawn," added Luffy. "A new day. And a new age for us all."
—Seas of Souls—
Across the street from the Straw Hat's new warehouse home, out of earshot and safely behind their barrier that both cloaked them and misdirected any and all attention, the Visoreds could only stare in shock at their new neighbours.
—Seas of Souls—
Author Notes:
Comments for chapter 4 have led me to clarify something:
If Luffy fought either Yamamoto or Aizen, with both Soul Reapers going all out, Luffy would have a 20% chance of winning. This is not a story where Luffy's going to be trouncing everybody with ease. Even the fire resistance mentioned in chapter 2 is only resistance. Yamamoto's Bankai trumps it by a far margin. That said, their odds of winning would be only 30% unless they pulled out their respective Bankai, since Luffy is indeed abnormally powerful in his own right. Moreover, the sheer act of pushing them to that extent is a feat no Hollow or Shinigami ever managed in canon.
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While Don Kanonji is portrayed as more of a joke character, I respect his dedication, and frankly the scene where he stood up to Aizen is something I found both awesome and hilarious. I mean, the look on Gin's face! X-D
Besides that though, he was literally having trouble standing under the physical force of Aizen's presence, and yet he still chose to oppose Evil to buy time for others to escape.
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For those of you desolated by the lack of Straw Hats driving, you should thank Crossovernaru for giving me some omake ideas.
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Getting into Starrk's head was greatly helped by the collective works of darkling59. In retrospect their work also helped a lot with Halibel. Go read their fics!
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During the massive battle in the Fake Karakura Town, also known as the White Invasion, those buildings were made of Reiatsu. Hence why people were thrown into them, and not through them.
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Remember that Karin's memories of the Hollow attack at the very beginning of the series were erased.
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Kisuke Urahara is a guy who fundamentally works for the 'greater good.' Unfortunately, much like a certain elderly, also eccentric behaving, wizard, his 'greater good' involve schemes that can be highly morally dubious, overly rely upon the sacrifices of teenagers, and long-term schemes that depend upon a large helping of luck. In the end, Kisuke is still overall a force for good though.
Unfortunately for him here, he is working under some faulty information. Or rather, information that is accurate for 99.999999% of Hollows, and not these ones. Given enough time, his genius intellect may or may not realize something is definitely wrong with his assumptions.
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Yes, the canon Espada and Fraccion were not all that shaken up about daytime when they reached the fake Karakura Town, but by that point they had been living with Aizen's fake daytime, and possibly artificial sunrises, for a while.
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Remember that as brilliant as Aizen is, Hachi is the best there is at barriers.
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Next Chapter: "The Seireitei Regroups"
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Please Review, and I will get back to you!