Ch17

Toshiro knelt in front of Captain Yamamoto as he finished explaining what had happened. The head captain remained silent but the pressure was tense he could cut it with a knife.

"An arrancar?" Captain Yamamoto tapped his staff on the ground. "After all this time they still manage to come up and cause trouble."

"I was able to hold it off but it appeared to have retreated to Hueco Mundo," he said. "For that reason I request permission to go and track it down with Hikari Netto."

"Hmm." Captain Yamamoto looked at him with his dark eyes. "That young substitute soul reaper? I doubt that pup can do much against an arrancar."

He resisted the urge to show irritation. "I know Hikari Netto lacks experience and training but he has a personal connection to this arrancar. If left alone I fear it may go after him or his loved ones."

Captain Yamamoto looked at him with a contemplative gaze. He knew that the head captain was known to not care about personal feelings in any matter, instead his decisions were swift and were done for the good of the soul society.

"If you can guarantee that this boy will make it out alive then fine," Yamamoto said meeting his gaze. "But I want this arrancar defeated as soon as possible, whether in or out of Hueco Mundo I do not care." The head captain's gaze turned fiery. "The problems it is causing must not go out of hand. Slay this thing at once."

He bowed deeply. "I will do as you command head captain." Relief spread through his body, Hueco Mundo would not be easy to transverse but he would make it happen.

Captain Yamamoto nodded. "Go and prepare. Take care of this threat as soon as possible less it becomes a greater threat."

After another bow he left the room. Now that is needed is to prepare. Netto needed more training but there was no way he could train him to the level to defeat an arrancar alone by himself.

Damn it. He is too young for this. As much as he enjoyed working with Netto he would've preferred it that he stayed in the human world doing his own thing and far from the world of Shinigami. I guess fate has different things in store for all of us.

As he headed back to his division he looked up at the sky. We met a long time ago. Despite our differences I'm to have made a friend like you.

Thinking of his cheery demeanor and his carefree smile made him warm inside. I guess even I have to loosen up around some people Rangiku always tried but most of the time he ended up getting annoyed at her. But with Netto it was different, with him it was like working with a normal person.

Taking a deep breath he entered the tenth division. For our friendship I'll help you defeat this. I promise to train you hard. He wouldn't let him die, in fact he would make sure he lives through this.

That night his mind wandered to the frozen haven of Hyornimaru. The ice dragon looked down at him, it's power radiating throughout the area.

"Hyornimaru," he said greeting the dragon with a polite bow.

The dragon acknowledged him with a nod. "You had the encounter the other day."

He avoided his gaze. "It was some oversight but I won't let that arrancar get off free."

Hyornimaru chuckled. "You know as much as I enjoy watching you push your limits I also enjoy when you relax a bit. Your friends mean a lot to you even if you don't say it."

"What are you getting at," he muttered.

The dragon looked down at him with its dark eyes. "All I'm saying is that while you are strong you shouldn't neglect your relationships and bonds with others. Netto cares about you a lot, why don't you tell him about your true feelings."

He avoided the dragon's gaze, he wasn't showing his emotions even with those closest to him. "Th-That's nice." It was all he could manage to say, he did care about Netto deeply even if he wasn't the best at expressing it.

"Come on you know you can't hide anything from me," Hyornimaru said. "You should have good friends who take care of you. Prepare your friend well, he'll need it."

He woke up in a cold sweat. You always know how to push my buttons even if it is for the best. His relationship with his zanpakuto spirit was an interesting one. Hyornimaru was cold and decisive but also spoke the facts in addition to having an odd sense of humor.

With a sigh he got up and ready for the day. After washing his face he looked at his reflection in the mirror. His face was still tense but his resolve was sill there. It won't be easy for him to get bankai, but I'll do what I can to push him.

As soon as he finished getting ready he was greeted by Rangiku. "Captain how was your meeting yesterday?"

Rangiku raised an eyebrow. "I see. Was it about the arrancar?"

He sighed. "Obviously. Any new reports on its whereabouts?"

His lieutenant shook her head. "None. Are you going to see Netto soon?"

He paused and looked up at her. "I'll be training him with Yoruichi."

Rangiku grinned, "I see. Well when he is free we can do something together."

"He won't have much free time," he said, resting back in his chair. "Trust me he won't, this arrancar is not an easy opponent." He knew Rangiku cared for Netto, probably because like her Netto was a bit of a scatter brain.

"Well if you need help I'll gladly help too," Rangiku said.

"Good to know. Thank you," he said. His lieutenant smiled at him before leaving.

He sighed and rubbed his head. Well I might as well go see him. After finishing his morning duties he quickly left to the human world.

Akihara was bustling with humans going about their daily tasks unaware of his existence or that of the world of Shinigami. He landed on Netto's balcony and saw that he wasn't there. Must be at Urahara's then.

He leaped into the air and headed towards Urahara's place. He quickly found the shop and found Netto talking with Yoruichi and Urahara.

Upon seeing the brunette smile he couldn't help but feel calm. "Hey Toshiro!" His friend was already in his Shinigami form

"Nice to see you all again," he said.

"Captain Hitsugaya we were discussing Netto's training," Urahara said.

"I see," he said as he sat down across from Netto. "Head Captain Yamamoto has authorized me to go into Hueco Mundo with you to find Saito."

"Hueco Mundo?" Netto scratched his head. "Is that where hollow like Saito live?"

"It is," He said. "It is a very dangerous place. Are you up for it?"

Netto looked down his gaze contemplative before turning to determination. "I am. I know it won't be easy but I'll do what it takes to defeat my brother and save his soul. Please help me take him down."

Figured you would say that. He admired Netto's determination, despite not having the training of others his stubbornness could have its advantages.

"Fine. I'll assist you in your goals," he said. "However, you must understand that you cannot hesitate with this creature. You will have to kill him and purify him or he will not hesitate to kill you and those you love."

Netto looked him in the eyes, his gaze full of determination. "I understand. It won't be easy but I'll do my best to save him, even if it means taking him out." The brunette gripped his blade hard. "He's family, even if my father refuses to believe in this world I won't let his spirit suffer. I'll save him one way or another."

He stood up. "Good. Now lets practice with our shikai. Urahara-san do you mind if we practice here?"

Urahara shook his head. "No be my guest, this dojo can take more than a few hits."

Netto got up and drew his sword while Yoruichi and Urahara stepped to the side. Taking a deep breath he drew his zanpakuto. "Bankai!"

A cold gust of wind filled the room as Hyornimaru's power enveloped him. Netto took a step back but gripped his sword tightly. "Shine brightly Taiyo!"

Netto's zanpakuto transformed into a bright ray of light. The brunette assumed a fighting stance before swinging his sword.

He blocked the ray of light with his sword. Not bad but lets see what you can do. He flew at Netto, the brunette barely had time to raise his sword.

I won't go easy on you. He came at him hard, the brunette barely had time to keep up but he managed to keep up with the help of his zanpakuto.

Netto swung his sword sending a wave of light at him. He blocked the attack with a wave of ice before sending an ice dragon at him.

The brunette's brow furrowed as he sent a wave of light at the dragon. Their attacks met sending frost in the air. However, his dragon eventually pushed through the light and knocked Netto back.

He charged at Netto. The brunette stagged up and raised his sword. "Don't ever hesitate in battle," he said as they exchanged blows.

Netto didn't say anything, he only nodded as they continued to spar. Yet he saw a fiery determination in the brunette's eyes. At least I know he is taking this seriously.


Netto rested in the warm waters of the hot spring across from Toshiro. His body ached like crazy but he wasn't going to give up so easily. "Netto-kun are you alright?" Rockman asked from his PET. His grandfather helped him make one that would be able to work here in the soul society along with connecting with his PET in the mortal realm.

He picked Rockman and nodded. "Yeah Toshiro was just training me."

Rockman nodded. "Don't hurt yourself ok?"

He smiled at his navi. "I won't. I have a lot to train for, this will be my biggest challenge yet."

Toshiro nodded and folded his arms. "Hueco Mundo is a dangerous place. I've been there a few times, trust me you don't want to hesitate there."

"Don't worry I don't intend to," he said.

Rockman nodded. "Don't goof off alright."

"I won't. How are things with my gigai?" He asked.

"Alright. As usual no one has suspected anything and I advised the mod soul to keep to ourselves under the guise of maintaining our grades," Rockman said. "Though uh Meiru and your other friends may get suspicious."

"True," he muttered.

"Meiru?" Toshiro asked.

"Oh she's an old friend," He said. "She lives in the house next door."

"I see. If need be you can visit her when you get the chance," Toshiro said. "Obtaining bankai won't be easy and will take a lot of effort."

He sighed and relaxed in the water. "I know but I won't let that stop me."

Looking up at the cave ceiling he thought of Saito's spirit. I'll save you and help you move on.

After a nice soak, Toshiro told him to practice meditating. It wasn't easy, he didn't like to sit still for long periods of time but he focused in his connection with his blade, with Taiyo. Feeling the dragon's presence its resolve to do good it was having a conversation with his blade.

"How's my favorite grandson doing!" A familiar voice called out.

He ended his connection with his sword and looked up to see his grandfather. "Grandpa what are you doing here?"

Tadashi Hikari smiled. "Just checking up on you. How's the training."

He rubbed his arms. "Tiring but I'm getting used to it."

His grandfather knelt in front of him. "Well I'm glad you are putting in the work. Your brother's soul needs saving, your father while a genius did not take into account the supernatural results of creating Rockman."

He sighed and looked at his reflection in his sword. His features were a bit firmer and he had also put on some muscle as well. "Yeah I know." Sheathing his sword he met his grandfather's gaze. "Saito's spirit needs to be cleansed I'll all I can do to make it happen."

His grandfather chuckled and rustled his hair. "That's spirit. Perhaps if he feels your resolve things can work out and you can prevail. How's Rockman doing?"

"He's fine." He showed his grandfather his PET.

"Uh hello," Rockman said with a polite bow.

His grandfather looked at Rockman with a calculating gaze. "Everything ok? The program I made for you should prevent any unwanted interference."

"Yeah everything seems fine," Rockman said.

"What do you mean by interference?" He asked.

"Well it is a theory," His grandfather said folding his arms. "But you never know, the enemy could connect with Rockman somehow."

His eyes widened. "What?"

"Don't worry I put enough safeguards to make sure it sure it won't happen," His grandfather said. "But I would keep him by your side, Rockman may prove useful in taking down Saito."

He nodded. "Got it."

His grandfather smiled at him. "You're doing so well, keep up the good work."