Chapter 31 - Incomplete Information
Elemental Nations - Land of Water
The defiant roars of the Three-Tails echoed away, fading into nothingness as the Gedo Mazo consumed its Chakra. Madara observed his handiwork, bathed in a faint, purple glow as his Demonic Statue closed its mouth.
The eerie glow dimmed as the Three Tails was fully absorbed, and the surface of its lake calmed. Madara extended his senses toward the Gedo Mazo, feeling for the swirling Chakra within it. That's two. Two tails and three tails. Five more to go before I deal with the Jinchuriki.
With their Sonido, Madara, Nel and Harribel could move fast enough that any travel time became essentially negligible. As long as they had a destination and coordinates in mind, they could be there within minutes.
He scowled, then. That was the problem; this entire hunt could be over by nightfall if he had the location of all the tailed beasts, but finding them in the first place was not easy. Despite how large their chakra signatures are, the quality and texture of the signatures was too natural - too hard to distinguish from their surroundings. He could still tell the difference if he was close enough, but the nature of their Chakra severely limited the range at which he could reliably detect the beasts.
Madara sighed, finally taking note of the apprehensive looks Harribel and Nel directed at him. Since the capture of the two-tails, he could already tell that the hunting process was not what they had expected. He may as well clear the air with them now, before they thought any worse of him.
He had described the tailed beasts as vessels of pure, destructive chakra, but in reality, the two they had captured so far could not mount any meaningful resistance against the trio.
Dismissing the Gedo Mazo, Madara allowed it to sink back into the earth before raising his voice and calling out to his companions: "The tailed beasts are not living creatures. They are chakra entities that cannot be killed. Absorbing them into the Gedo Statue may remove them from the Elemental Nations for a time, but they will reincarnate and reform." He set himself down as he spoke, finding a dry rock to rest on.
Nel glared, annoyed at Madara's nonchalance. Having traveled with Hashirama and seen him lay the groundwork for the Shinobi Alliance, she found herself thinking less and less of Madara the more time she spent with the Uchiha. Compared to the Hokage, Madara was far less considerate, and less thoughtful. "Not living creatures? Those screams of pain sounded like it was pretty alive to me."
Madara narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Do not presume upon that which you do not understand, Nelliel. I would not have myself questi-"
"Madara." Harribel interrupted, tone hard.
He turned toward her, a reprimand already at the tip of his tongue. He held it, however, seeing the resigned yet subtly forceful look in Harribel's eyes. "It's only the three of us, now. Please, Madara, just acknowledge that this process of 'collecting tailed beasts' is a brutal one, and we can accept that."
Madara raised his eyebrows, before he turned away with a low 'hmph'.
Harribel turned to Nel, then, putting her hands on her hips. "And Nel, you should have a good idea of what Madara's personality is like, by now. He'll never admit he's wrong, or give ground in anything he believes to be true."
Madara leaped to his feet, drawing another breath as he prepared to argue, before he caught himself. He let out his pent up breath, and, with as much dignity as he could muster, crossed his arms before turning his back toward the two.
The indignation in Nel's eyes faded, somewhat, replaced by the shadow of a barely suppressed smile. She considered making a snarky comment about what Hashirama would do in Madara's situation, but decided in the interest of self-preservation she didn't want to cross that line.
"See, just like that." Harribel said, smirking as Madara's reaction so perfectly proved her point. "But you also know that his heart is in the right place, Nel. He didn't start this hunt until he really had no other choice, right?"
"Quiet, Harribel. I need to focus on locating the next tailed beast. We'll be leaving shortly." Madara said abruptly, drawing a triumphant look from Harribel as he walked away.
"You just don't want to admit-"
"If you have the time and energy for meaningless banter like this, Harribel, then you're not working hard enough." Madara added, before the group fell into silence.
Nel sighed, but flashed a small smile at Harribel before they followed. Madara may have eclipsed them in raw power, but they could still score these small victories over him in other ways.
"Madara." Nel said, softly as the Uchiha began to make his way to shore.
He paused in his step, looking over his shoulder and raising an eyebrow in prompt.
"Just…please be gentle with the rest of the tailed beasts, okay?"
Madara turned more, then, until he looked Nel directly in the eyes, before raising his hands up in mock surrender. "Very well, I'll put them into a genjutsu first, then."
Nel did not know what he meant, but before she could ask for clarification, a gust of wind brought with it a pair of familiar energy signatures.
"Hashirama!" Nel exclaimed, rushing in to embrace the Hokage with a hug. Tobirama, who had just teleported them with his flying Raijin, brought a fist to his mouth, clearing his throat deliberately as he took a step to the side.
Harribel raised an eyebrow, but stayed silent otherwise. She greeted the Hokage with a nod as he sheepishly made eye contact with her, struggling to free his neck from Nel's crushing embrace. She exchanged a similar nod of greeting with Tobirama.
"Hashirama." Madara cautiously expanded his senses toward his old friend. There was not nearly enough chakra in the man before him to be the original. "You should know that I do not deign to speak with clones. If you wish to-"
"Aizen showed up." Hashirama said, stopping Madara mid-sentence. All three Arrancar tensed at the mention of that name.
"Aizen is here in the Elemental Nations?" Madara asked, getting serious.
Hashirama nodded. "He and one other. A dark skinned man with purple dreadlocks. He has given us ten days to decide whether or not to align with him in his quest against the Soul Society."
Tobirama shook his head. "He essentially threatened us. I don't know what he's planning, but he knows that you three are here, and demanded that we locate and 'return' his Espada."
Harribel and Nel exchanged a glance. Madara remained silent.
"What we want to know, then," Hashirama began, "is whether or not you intend on rejoining Aizen."
Madara stepped forward; "It doesn't matter who gets in the way, be it Yamamoto, Aizen or the Soul King himself. I will gather the tailed beasts and bring peace to our land."
"Aizen claims to want 'peace', too." Tobirama said, narrowing his eyes. "Does that mean you will align with him, then? Trusting his petty word like some ownerless mutt?"
Madara's anger rose, but he knew he had been manipulated and used by Aizen in the attack on the Seireitei, already. Whatever Aizen wanted - even if it truly was peace - it wasn't that simple.
Seeing Madara not rise to his provocations, Tobirama crossed his arms, raising both eyebrows in surprise. "Oh? Perhaps the old dog can still learn, after all."
Hashirama felt Madara's reiatsu rising, and noticed both Nel and Harribel backing away in defensive stances. He squeezed his eyes shut in frustration.
"Tobirama, please…" He sighed, before turning his attention to Madara and the Arrancar. "You three know Aizen better than either of us…so tell me. There must be some significance to his ten day deadline. Do you know what it is?"
Madara frowned, before shaking his head. "The Aizen I know would not give such a long timeframe arbitrarily. I agree that there must be some significance to it, but I can't think of what it could be."
Hashirama pressed his lips into a hard line, clenching his fists together. "How can I protect my Shinobi Alliance, Madara? What should I do to protect the Elemental Nations?"
Madara's breath quickened. "'Your' Shinobi Alliance…?" He whispered forcefully, "What should 'you' do to protect the Elemental Nations…?"
Hashirama made an exasperated expression. "Fine, Madara. What should 'we' do to protect the Elemental Nations and the Shinobi Alliance?"
The amendment made Madara feel even worse, as if he was just an afterthought. The slight pressure of the amber amulet against his sternum was suddenly distinct and uncomfortable. To Hashirama, he had just become another source of information, no longer depended on to protect their Elemental Nations.
Before the tension could escalate further, Harribel's voice cut through it. "Ten days from now…"
Everyone's attention focussed on her, as she pinched her chin in contemplation. "Before we left Hueco Mundo, Aizen summoned me for a personal audience. He said something about wanting me to make sure I survive the Seireitei mission so I could accompany him to Karakura Town."
Hashirama raised an eyebrow. "Karakura Town? Ichigo and Orihime's home town?"
Harribel nodded. "Yes. They have enough spiritually dense souls for Aizen to absorb to create the Oken. My guess is that ten days is the timeframe he has in mind before that plan goes ahead."
The Hokage nodded slowly, before looking up and Harribel with a wry smile. "Ah, that. Isshin did tell us about all that back at Konoha." His face betrayed a moment of pain at the memory of the Leaf Village, but he quickly schooled his features. "I noticed you didn't address him as 'Lord Aizen' today. What changed?"
Harribel's eyes widened, before frowning and blinking rapidly. "I didn't even realize…" She muttered.
Hashirama waved it off. "No matter; that is very useful information. What of Aizen's companion? Do you know who he may be?"
"Kaname Tosen. One of Aizen's generals. Even giving him the benefit of the doubt, he's comparable in strength to my resurreccion at best. Not a huge threat."
Hashirama nodded. "Thank you, Harribel. Know that the Shinobi Alliance is open to anybody, even if they aren't necessarily Shinobi."
"Or alive." Tobirama added.
Hashirama laughed heartily at that. "Yes, dead or alive, Shinobi or Arrancar, you're welcome to join, as long as you're not eating people."
Nel nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah. I'm part of it."
Harribel smiled warmly. "Thanks." She said with a nod. She didn't mention Tosen's Bankai - it felt wrong to betray her former companions outright, but she was no longer certain which side she should be fighitng for, anymore.
Hashirama looked toward Madara again, who wore an unreadable expression. "So you're going after the tailed beasts, now?"
Madara scoffed, and didn't bother answering.
The Hokage sighed, before turning toward Tobirama. "Let's go back." The younger Senju nodded, before disappearing with his flying Raijin. Hashirama shot one last disappointed look toward Madara, before dispelling the clone.
"I am protecting the Shinobi World in my own way, Hashirama... I wish…you could see what I see, one day.." Madara whispered.
Back at the Shinobi Alliance headquarters, Hashirama was not sure if he was hallucinating, or if he had truly just heard Madara's voice.
Soul Society; Seireitei - 1st Division Barracks
Ichigo walked with his eyes downcast, hobbling due to the limited mobility of his bound ankles. Flanked by his father and the acting Head Captain Kyoraku, his mind told him that he was protected, but in his gut, he felt naked; exposed.
No matter who was protecting him, it didn't feel right that he could not feel his own reiatsu. He was cuffed in Sekkiseki and completely helpless to defend himself - unless White somehow manifested in full hollow form again.
Hashirama's words to him, before they'd gone to help Soi-Fon echoed tauntingly in his head. "The shinigami have abandoned you. That fact should have been painfully clear the moment Urahara used your trust to strike against Madara."
Captain Kyoraku said they were taking him to train, and his initial thought was excitement. Now, though, despite all attempts to rationalize the situation, the hard truth was that he was being led into the most secure prison in the Seireitei. They were locking him and his father in the Muken with the most powerful hollow, and hoping that he comes out stronger.
Was he truly supposed to just accept that? Ichigo pursed his lips. What other options did he have? He couldn't fight his way out of here. He had no direction. He had no agency over himself.
All he could do was follow blindly like an obedient dog, hoping his masters had his best interests in mind. There was no guarantee that he could even get strong enough, fast enough, or even come out from this whole ordeal alive. He hated it.
He didn't know what to do, and there was no one he could ask.
He was afraid to enter his inner world, now that old man Zangetsu was no longer there. That well of insight and support that Ichigo had come to rely on so readily had become corrupted by his inner hollow.
Ichigo clenched his teeth, stealing a glance toward his father. He supposed it was odd, but he never completely respected the man. Isshin owned Kurosaki clinic. In fact, doctors were probably the most respected members of society, bar none. Why was it, then, that Ichigo never felt that same level of respect toward his father? Was it because of how much his father had tried to compensate for his mother's death? The way he did everything over the top, and would pounce on Ichigo playfully even into his mid teens?
Ichigo sighed. Would it have been any different if Isshin had been open about being a Shinigami? He wasn't sure.
He understood why his father needed to hide his ties with the Shinigami. He was the eldest child in their family, and even he was still in high school - and that's without considering Yuzu and Karin. How was an overworked, single dad meant to introduce children that young to the idea of Shinigami and hollows?
Is that why my soul manifested old man Zangetsu in the form that it did? Was his soul yearning for a reliable father figure so much it had manifested its own? Ichigo frowned. So where was Zangetsu, now? Could it really be that hollow? Ichigo knew he was angry; he knew he was sad, but aside from that, he could not understand what his Soul was trying to tell him.
"Hey, Ichigo." He flinched at Captain Kyoraku's voice. "You know Orihime's not completely gone, right?"
Ichigo's head jerked up at that. "What?" He had been so caught up in his own thoughts that he hadn't even noticed they had come to a stop right outside the entrance to the Central Prison.
"She's somewhere out there," the acting Head Captain made a wide gesture. "In the districts. She was a living human before. That means she would have been reborn somewhere in the Rukongai."
Ichigo's eyes lit up at that, and he felt the gentle pressure of his father's palm upon his shoulder. "Chin up, boy. Captain Kyoraku's right. Once this war with Aizen and the Arrancar is finished, we'll commit all our resources into finding Orihime."
Ichigo stared deeply into the acting Head Captain's honest eyes, and the light within his own began to shine brighter. Maybe that was the purpose he needed. To find Orihime. "You promise?"
"Of course." Kyoraku said with a laugh. "She's done so much for the Soul Society, as well, you know?"
Ichigo stood up straighter, motioning to the entrance of the underground prison with his head. "Well, then. What are we waiting for?" In the back of his mind, he felt a jolting sense of disappointment. Zangetsu…?
Kyoraku smiled as he unlocked the gates. "That's more like it, Ichigo. When you come out here, you'll be a different man. I really hate to lay so much pressure on you, but the Soul Society's counting on you, Ichigo." With that, he unlocked the Sekkiseki binding Ichigo's limbs.
Isshin frowned, moreso as he saw the determination in his son's eyes. He only caught a brief glimpse - losing sight of them as the young Shinigami strode into the embrace of the dark prison.
Isshin blinked. Ichigo's shoulders were broader than he'd previously remembered. His neck was thicker and more sinewed, and he stood taller, too. There was a rigidity to his posture, as if he could slump forward at any moment, but was simply fighting to stay strong. There was so much weighing on his son, but despite that, Ichigo did his best to keep his head held high. When did my son grow up to become such a man?
"You okay?" Kyoraku asked, placing a hand on Isshin's shoulder.
"Y-Yeah…" Isshin replied with a small shake of his head. "My boy's all grown up."
Shunsui smiled, and gave him a gentle push forward. Isshin continued walking without further prompting, his thoughts turned toward the acting Head Captain.
Shunsui Kyoraku had many lifetimes more experience than himself. It was certainly possible that he meant every word he said, but if he didn't, there was no way for either himself or Ichigo to tell.
Gin had promised he would protect the girls right before he left to help his son, and the results of trusting Gin were...
His blood boiled at the very thought. Madara claimed Gin killed Orihime, but Gin was dead. There was only one other person still alive who had witnessed the events in that room. I'll need to ask Rangiku what the hell happened there, as soon as Ichigo's training is finished.
Focusing his attention back toward the acting Head Captain, he couldn't help but feel reassured by the casual aura of confidence surrounding the Shinigami.
Could he really lie so casually and convincingly? Do I dare believe he isn't just using Ichigo as a tool against Aizen? Isshin frowned as he considered the man beside him. He might not have as much combat power, but as Head Captain, Shunsui's certainly much scarier than old man Yama.
He banished the thought with a slow shake of his head, before following his son through the threshold, and into the Central Prison.
Behind him, Shunsui Kyoraku paused to gaze at the former Squad 10 Captain's back. His lips curled up in a wry smile, before he, too, followed through, locking the gates behind him.
Karakura Town - Below Urahara's shop
Despite its enormous size, the atmosphere in Kisuke Urahara's training center had never felt more stifling. The former Squad 12 Captain found himself an unwilling peacekeeper between the Shinigami and Vizards; two sides that he feared could come to blows at a single misstep.
The Hollow reiatsu emanating from Shinji and the Vizards constantly reminded the Shinigami of the recent Arrancar assault of the Seireitei, straining the already tentative alliance between the two factions. Tessai and Yoruichi were with him, but Urahara held no delusions that the three of them could do much if animosity truly flared.
As the Captain Commander exited the Senkaimon, Urahara bowed in greeting. "Captain Commander Yamamoto. Welcome to Karakura Town…or should I say, Fake Karakura Town."
The grizzled Shinigami grunted approvingly. "Things are moving ahead of schedule, then?"
Urahara nodded.
Yamamoto tapped the ground with the end of his cane, expanding his reiatsu outward to gauge the authenticity of their Fake Karakura Town. He opened his eyes slightly, casting an approving look toward Mayuri. "Mayuri, Kurotsuchi. You have truly outdone yourself."
The face-painted Captain beamed with glee. "So, about Ichigo and the hollow…?"
"I will send a personal recommendation to Acting Head Captain Kyoraku to discharge Ichigo into your care, should the boy survive the coming battle."
Mayuri's expression soured instantly. "What a waste of time. Captain Kyoraku will not let go of the brat."
Yamamoto's expression hardened, causing Mayuri to freeze attentively. "Shunsui is my student. He is a pragmatic Shinigami and not unknown to sacrifice - one of many appreciable traits that qualifies him to succeed me as Head Captain. It would do you well to remember that."
Urahara had stayed quiet until now, but Yamamoto's words forced him to ask a question that had been pressing more and more at the back of his mind. "Captain Commander Yamamoto. Are you…" He trailed off, then, unable to find the right words to finish his question.
Yamamoto understood, however, raising his voice so that all could hear. "I promised you all that I will take care of Sosuke Aizen, and I stake my life on that promise. Former Captain Kurosaki and Vice Captain Matsumoto both corroborated Gin's claim of Kyoka-Suigetsu's weakness, and I have confirmed it with Ichibe and Oetsu of the Zero Division."
Urahara frowned; could it really be possible that a zanpakuto as powerful as Kyoka Suigetsu could be nullified by touching its blade? How would Yamamoto get into a position to touch the blade, anyway?
Seeing Urahara's apprehension, Yamamoto stepped closer. "Do not worry. I have formulated plans to deal with that upstart. I have prepared a technique that shall incinerate us both."
Urahara inclined his head, unsure of what to say. "Yes, Sir." Even Shinji and the Vizards were speechless at the Head Captain's resolve.
"Hey…Old Man…" Shinji began, before pausing to consider his words. Despite the injustice he and the other Vizard had suffered at Yamamoto's hand, the old man only ever had one objective in mind - to protect the Seireitei. He had named Shunsui his successor, and led in the battle against Madara and the Espada from the front lines. That meant he was completely serious. He supposed that, even with the exile, he could still respect Yamamoto as a warrior. The exile was mainly Aizen's doing, anyway.
"We all know you're the strongest, but you've never been the brightest Shinigami." The blond Vizard chuckled at himself. "So I'm going to forgive you and place the blame for our exile squarely on Aizen's shoulders. Give us a chance at him first, alright? I've personally got a bit of a grudge stewing over the last century with my old lieutenant, and I'm sure the rest of us have unfinished business with him too."
Rose, Love and Kensei behind him nodded. "Yeah. Let us at him first. We're stronger than you remember, old man." Kensei agreed
Yamamoto fixed them with an odd look, and the corner of his mouth twitched before he nodded. "Very well. But if you become incapacitated, I cannot guarantee your safety. My Ennetsu Jigoku will destroy everything within the bounds of Fake Karakura Town if you cannot escape before it activates."
Yoruichi clapped her right fist into her left palm, and Tessai crossed his muscular arms in disapproval. "With all due respect, sir…" Tessai began.
"You insult us." Yoruichi finished.
Yamamoto looked around him, noting the looks of determination on everyone present, and this time he allowed himself to smile fully.
"Apologies, my brave soldiers. Let us put aside our differences and gather our forces to prepare for Aizen's arrival. The final battle is nigh."
Hueco Mundo - Las Noches Rooftop
"Barragan. I can't say I like what you've done to the place."
The God King leapt up from his throne instantly at the sound of Aizen's voice. It sounded close - too close, in fact. Almost as if it was originating from inside his own head. He looked around him. Seeing nothing, he opened his pesquisa, but could not sense the man, either.
"I also cannot help but notice that you're in your released state. Don't you like the gentle form the Hogyoku saw fit to bestow you with?"
"Aizen." Barragan snarled. "This is my original Vasto Lorde form, with a crown befitting that of a King. I see no reason to hide my strength." He scanned his surroundings one last time, before giving up.
"Show yourself, Aizen. I can't see you and I can't sense you. Have you become the Soul King already? Or is this another one of your cheap illusions."
Barragan reeled, falling back onto his throne as Aizen manifested from nothing, hovering directly before him. The Shinigami levitated just above his eye level, just high enough so that Aizen was subtly looking down on him.
It was an obvious challenge, but Barragan did not rise to the bait. He knew he could not beat Aizen as they were, now, and he did not want to be drawn into any petty egotistical squabble. If Aizen wanted to kill him, then he would be dead. That fact that he was still alive meant that Aizen needed - or wanted - something from him again.
He absentmindedly noted Kaname Tosen appearing behind Aizen, the blind shinigami keeping a healthy distance from the God King.
"You used to be so much more fun, Barragan." Aizen chided, before spreading his arms outward and looking up. The faint glow of the Hogyoku within his chest could be seen through his garb. "Unfortunately I have not taken over the mantle of the Soul Palace, yet."
"What, Aizen." Barragan sighed. "Change your mind and want to take over Hueco Mundo again?"
Aizen shook his head. "No. Hueco Mundo is yours. I've gained all I can from this desolate place. I am here to make another offer, Barragan. One I believe you will find quite lucrative."
"I have no interest in your games, Aizen." The God-King growled, sitting up straighter in his throne. He raised his reiatsu as he spoke, warping the very air around them with its pressure.
Aizen only smiled at the display, clearing his throat. "Does the name Ikomikidomoe sound familiar to you?"
Barragan narrowed his eyes. "That fool who went to challenge the Shinigami alone? He perished long before you were even born."
Aizen smirked. "I have it on reliable intelligence that the hollow once known as Ikomikidome still lives. Sealed within a zanpakuto by Oetsu Nimaiya."
Seeing the confusion in Barragan's expression, Aizen elaborated. "Countless centuries ago, there are records of a hollow that defeated Yamamoto, before forcibly ascending the Soul Palace. Accounts differ on how his battle with the Royal Guard played out, but he was ultimately sealed into a Zanpakuto. Nimaiya is the Shinigami who invented the very concept of 'Zanpakuto'."
"That adjuchas defeated Yamamoto?" Barragan asked, incredulous.
"It is not a well-documented event, but I believe that battle took place at some point before Yamamoto awakened the full power of his Ryujin Jakka."
"I see. Yes, there was a time when even Yamamoto was a mewling babe." Barragan mused.
"Yes. Funny, isn't it…" Aizen continued, "The idea that even the most ancient, most powerful of us were at one point, defenseless fodder? Even you, Barragan. You must have a memory of being a simple Gillian, or even lower hollow, struggling and fighting every day just so you could live to see the next." He chuckled to himself.
Barragan's expression soured. "Get to the point, Aizen." He spat.
"How would you rate your chances against Yamamoto? You've had a chance to feel his chakra. I know he came here recently."
Barragan scoffed. "If Yamamoto is blind, and I get the drop on him with my Respira, maybe he'll rot away fast enough before he can retaliate."
Aizen made to speak, but Barragan cut him off before he could. "Don't waste your breath. I'm not in any rush to challenge him. In fact, if it comes down to it, I'd rather take my chances against you than against him. I'm not fighting Yamamoto for you, Aizen, and nothing you can say or do will ever change that."
"Is that so?" Aizen drawled, nodding slowly. "Kaname." He called, and the blind Captain silently stepped up to his side.
"Teach our old friend here the meaning of progress."
Tosen nodded, immediately dashing toward. He brought the blade of Suzumushi in a carving slash directly at Barragan's head.
Predictably, Barragan's innate temporal manipulation slowed the blade, and he casually stepped aside, avoiding the blow with a snigger. "Pathetic. You are no match for me."
"Draw your weapon, Barragan." Tosen said softly.
"I know the extent of your strength, Kaname." He sneered. "You are not worth sullying Gran Caida for."
He had barely finished speaking before Tosen dashed toward him again, twice as fast. Barragan frowned as he was forced to use a sonido to dodge out of the way.
He activated his respira, coating his skeletal claws in the deathly aura as he swiped toward his blind opponent. Tosen evaded the strike, and Barragan felt the physical force of compressed air pushing him back, along with the distinctive sonic boom of…
"A sonido? Impossible. You are a shinigami. What is the meaning of this!?" He rounded on Aizen, demanding an explanation.
Aizen only smiled wider, and Barragan's attention was drawn back to Tosen, when he swiped his hand past his face, donning a white hollow mask with a thin crack down its center.
Alarmed at the sudden increase at Tosen's reiatsu, Barragan focussed his pesquisa on the man.
Kaname Tosen's combat power was not something he had ever given actual thought to. It was amusing when he cut off Grimmjow's arm, but it was a blindsiding surprise attack, and Grimmjow was in his base form. He drew upon his millennia of combat experience, analyzing both the potency and the quality of Tosen's reiatsu…and laughed.
Barragan cackled in laughter as he allowed himself to ascend; high enough that the respira around him would not decay Las Noches.
And then he released his full power. His thick robes billowed from an explosion of reiatsu so dense it appeared as if purple tendrils of corruption were pouring from his skeletal form.
"I will not let trash like you get the drop on me again, Tosen!" Barragan roared, directing his respira toward the hollow-masked Shinigami.
"Resurreccion: Suzumushi Hyakushiki: Grillar Grillo."
Barragan's eyes widened in shock. Sensing the danger, he thrust his right arm toward his throne, shattering it with his respira and calling Gran Caida to his palm.
Tosen moved faster, though. His release took on the form of a black, four-winged, fur-clad insectoid hollow. He kicked Gran Caida off course before it made its way to Barragan's palm, before positioning himself just outside Barragan's respira cloak with a precise sonido.
In those split seconds of action, he had already charged a destructive Hado, having shoved its yellow glow directly before Barrgan's face with one of his many arms. The God-King froze, slack-jawed and staring uselessly at the kido.
Slowly, deliberately, Kaname allowed his Hado to dissipate, before retreating beside Aizen, and reverting out of his resurreccion.
Aizen clapped, pleased at the display, while Barragan remained motionless.
"Yet again, your arrogance is your undoing, Barragan." Aizen chided. "Had you drawn your zanpakuto earlier, you may have won before Kaname even had a chance to enter his Resurreccion. Then, had you not underestimated his abilities, you still could have won."
Barragan was fuming, his skeletal jaw twitched, but he could do nothing but stand there dumbly and listen. He had just lost an honest duel to Kaname Tosen, of all people.
"If you had not discounted the possibility that people could train, develop and grow stronger, you would have expected Tosen to have a reason to so confidently challenge you, and again, may have won." Aizen continued. "Am I wrong?"
"...No." Barragan's reply was subdued.
"Why do you think I'm pointing all this out to you, Barragan? Why do you think I brought up Ikomikidomoe and Yamamoto? Do you see what I want, now?"
Barragan hung his head. He deactivated his respira, allowing himself to walk to Gran Caida and retrieve his Zanpakuto. "I grow weary of these riddles, Aizen," he sighed. "It sounds to me like you want me to grow stronger, but why?"
"The God-King of Hueco Mundo, Barragan Louisenbarn, respected and feared for millenia…" Aizen bowed his head slightly as he spoke, "Someone who ruled over a hollow that could defeat Yamamoto and break into the Royal Palace…someone who has grown so stagnant that the very idea of fighting that same Yamamoto now makes him quake in fear."
Barragan's fingers twitched around the hilt of his axe.
"When I first came here, you were the greatest threat to me in all of Hueco Mundo." Aizen continued, "It took Kyoka Suigetsu, as well as both Kaname and Gin's help, for me to confront you with absolute confidence."
The God-King growled at the memory. He had replayed that moment in his head countless times.
"Yet now, a few short decades later, Barragan. I need not even lift a finger. Kaname Tosen alone has become more than you can handle."
"You just admitted that I could have killed him if-"
"But you didn't." Aizen interrupted, still in a calm, even voice. "Even you should see by now. Your strength has not seen progress in far too long, Barragan. You may have some power over aging, but the inexorable march of time is absolute. It waits for no one."
Aizen placed a hand over his chest, pulling aside his coat to reveal the Hogyoku.
"I know you could not sense my reiatsu when I first arrived, but you feel it now, yes? It is because I have ascended to a plane of existence such that I must lower my reiatsu so lesser beings like yourself can even comprehend my presence."
"Lesser…being?" Barragan was seething. "Nothing can withstand my respira. If you think you are so high and mighty-"
"There is no need. Your respira is powerful. I acknowledge that it could kill me." Aizen interrupted him again, "but therein lies your fundamental flaw. You have relied on the potential threat and reputation of your respira to maintain power in Hueco Mundo. As a result, your physical strength and speed are nowhere near that of the other top Espada."
Barragan recoiled as Aizen continued. "I may have rescinded the throne of Hueco Mundo back to you, but as things are, you are going to inevitably lose it soon. Grimmjow's been screaming about being king for some time, hasn't he? What will you do when he challenges you?"
"I'll kill him before he becomes powerful enough to pose a threat."
"Ahhh…" Aizen smirked knowingly. "That's the easy solution, isn't it? Dispose of any budding threats before they become too strong. But then you place an artificial ceiling of power over Hueco Mundo. You yourself do not grow stronger, and you kill all hollows that approach your strength. That is how the Gotei 13 and the Shinigami have surpassed Hueco Mundo and the hollows by so much. That, Barragan, is why I was able to walk in and slaughter your entire army. Because you'd surrounded yourself with weaklings."
Aizen paused, observing Barragan's reaction and gauging the fluctuations in his reiatsu. "You are angry, I know, and I understand. I can give you more power, Barragan. Now that I have completely subjugated the Hogyoku, all of its secrets have been revealed to me. All I ask in return is that you join me in fighting Gotei 13 and Yamamoto."
Barragan roared a battle cry, slashing Gran Caida up at the sky with enough force to send a shockwave that parted the clouds. "Damn you, Aizen. Give me the power, but know that one day, I will kill you for the unforgivable humiliation you have levied against me."
Aizen smiled. "I can work with that. At least you're honest about it."
Seireitei - Muken
"Jeez, is there no light in this place?" Ichigo muttered. Their path had been clear enough; he hadn't tripped on anything, but it was dark enough that he could barely see 6 feet ahead of him. He needed to squint to just barely see his feet.
"It's a prison, Ichigo." Isshin replied, sniffing, "Though I agree; a little bit more light can't possibly hurt. Some ventilation would be good, too. This stale air can't be healthy for the lungs."
After leading them to the final chamber of the Muken, acting Head Captain Kyoraku had left to attend to matters above ground. Their only instruction was to continue forward until they reached a dead end.
"Wait." Isshin suddenly hushed, coming to a stop. Ichigo followed suit, and was about to complain when he heard the faint echo of a male voice.
"...who's there?" He did not recognize the voice, and in the huge, resonant chamber that was the Muken, it was impossible to tell where it came from.
When neither Ichigo or Isshin responded, the man spoke again. "Oi, Lilynette. Wake up. We've got company."
Isshin summoned an orb of light with his Kido. "Why didn't you do that earlier?" Ichigo asked, annoyed.
"Didn't think of it." Isshin replied, letting the orb illuminate their path ahead. In the distance, they saw what looked like a man, clad in gray and white.
"Well there's nobody else here but us and him, so he's the one, huh…?" Isshin muttered.
"Must be. Let's go and meet our new friend." Ichigo said, exchanging a glance with his father, before making their way toward Starrk.
AN - 1 more chapter of plot development before the action starts up again! Stay tuned!