Chapter 25: The Hunters Turned Prey

Karakura Town

Momo Hinamori and Renji Abarai walk casually down a random street in Karakura Town, passing humans who are ignorant to them being there.

Momo states, worriedly, "It's troubling, wouldn't you say, Renji?"

Renji tilts his head to the side, "What is?"

Momo elaborates, "White hasn't showed up in over a year… and not just in Karakura Town. We've failed to detect anything resembling him anywhere in Japan!"

Renji muses, "Yeah. Even the higher ups are getting worried from what I gather…"

Momo looks up at her friend with a worried expression, "You don't think he's dead—"

Momo halts her sentence, as a sudden, crushing sensation of reiatsu rains down on her.

Renji's eyes widen, "What the hell is that?!"

Momo's gaze is one of dread, "T-that's a hollow's reiatsu…!"

Renji clicks his tongue, "Damn! And it's close!"

Momo, now wearing a serious expression, regards Renji, "Renji, go get backup. Captains Kuchiki and Aizen shouldn't be that far from here."

Renji raises a brow, "What will you do, then?"

Momo grimaces, "I'll get closer and see if I can observe the hollow without being detected…"

Renji nods, with a slight look of concern on his face, "Alright… just be careful…"

Momo gives her friend a reassuring look as the two part ways.

Elsewhere in Karakura Town

The group of Fullbringers and Quincies make their way hurriedly through the streets of Karakura Town.

Yukio remarks, with a fearful expression, "I didn't know there were hollows this strong!"

Ginjo scowls, "Vasto Lordes never come to the living world… I don't know why—"

Ginjo halts his stride, causing Bambietta to run into his back, "Verdamnt! What'd you brake check me for?"

Bambietta follows the confusion-filled gazes of Candice and Chad, matching their confusion.

Yukio merely sighs, "About time you showed up…"

Ginjo smirks, regarding the new arrival who is wearing a white shirt and black suspenders, "Right on time, Shukuro. Has anyone seen Kurosaki?"

Tsukishima nods, "From what I could gather from the citizens, Yuzu Kurosaki seems to have been heading towards the Clinic across the river."

Chad's eyes widen, "She went to her house!"

Ginjo nods, "Thanks, Shukuro. That helps us a lot of time searching."

Tsukishima waves him off, "It was no problem, really."

Bambietta gives Ginjo a confused look, "Kugo, who is this man?"

Ginjo regards the woman, "He's Shukuro Tsukishima—Xcution's secret weapon."

Bambietta pouts, "And here I thought I knew all your secrets!"

Ginjo scoffs, "Trust me, there's a lot about me you don't know…"

Candice snarls impatiently, "What are we waiting for? Let's go get Yuzu—"

A smooth voice calls out to the group, "I'm afraid I can't allow any of you to reunite with Yuzu Kurosaki—not when I have her right where I want her."

The group all gasp, wearing shock-filled expressions as they look to see none other than Sosuke Aizen.

Bambietta hisses, "Scheiße! A Shinigami Captain!"

Aizen casually continues, "I must thank you all for raising Yuzu Kurosaki to become so powerful—truly she has exceeded all expectations I ever had for her."

The group all assume combat stances, save for Yukio, who quivers in fear.

Aizen smirks at the boy, "It seems you made good on your promise, boy. As a reward, I promise not to kill you if you back down willingly."

The group stare back at Yukio in confusion, Ginjo asking a question, "What is he talking about, Yukio?"

Yukio gulps, "Remember that day Yuzu ran away from her uncle, and you asked me if I had something to say?"

Ginjo clicks his tongue, regarding the Shinigami with hatred, "I should've expected as much from a Shinigami…"

Aizen smirks as he flares up his reiatsu forcing everyone but Ginjo and the Quincies to their knees. Ginjo huffs, as the strain of Aizen's reiatsu is far more intense than anything he's used to feeling.

Ginjo glances back at Bambietta, who gives an understanding nod, touching her belt buckle before producing a blue reishi bow. Candice copies her friend's actions, producing a similar bow, although with sparks radiating off of it.

Aizen's smirk widens, as Ginjo charges at the captain, producing a large cross-shaped great sword. Aizen attempts to strike Ginjo first but is forced to evade the barrage of reishi arrows being fired at him by the Quincies.

Aizen's sight is blocked as the reishi arrows create a small explosion, which Ginjo capitalizes on by striking at Aizen at that moment. However, Aizen halts the sword's momentum with one finger, shocking everyone present.

Aizen tilts his head, wearing a troubled expression, "I'm sorry, was that supposed to be an attack? I expected more from someone of your infamy, Kugo Ginjo. I'm disappointed."

Aizen immediately strikes Ginjo across the chest, forcing him to his knees.

With Momo, Karakura Town

Momo cautiously approaches the two hollows who casually walk through the streets of Karakura Town. The woman hides behind some bushes, suppressing her reiatsu as much as possible.

The woman can't help but scream internally in fear, "There are two Vasto Lordes here?! How could I have failed to recognize that there was a second one? The one with the orange hair is so powerful—it might be even stronger than captain Aizen!"

Momo shakes her head, "No… that's impossible, not some hollow… captain Aizen, where are you? Renji should have reached you by now…"

The girl is so engaged in her thoughts she almost fails to notice that the hollows have disappeared.

Momo wears a face of confusion, backing out of the bushes, "Where-?"

Momo cuts herself off as she bumps into something behind her, immediately turning around to be greeted by a pair of deep, green eyes. The girl would scream but forces it down in an attempt to remain composed, only letting out a small yelp as she takes in the bat hollow's appearance.

Momo's breath hitches as she can feel the air behind her stand still, glancing back to find a hollow with forward facing horns and tribal markings on its mask and torso.

The Vice Captain's eyes widen in horror, now recognizing this hollow, "White…"

Before Momo can react, White grabs her by the throat, hoisting her in the air, forcing the girl to grab at her neck, gasping for breath.

The bat hollow, meanwhile, glances around casually, "This place isn't quite as interesting as I imagined… This is where he came from? How could a being as powerful as him be from a place like this?"

White, meanwhile, stares with a hateful expression into Momo's eyes.

Momo has tears falling from her eyes, "Why is it looking at me like that? Captain Aizen, help me!"

A calm voice calls out to the hollows, "Unhand the woman… now."

Both hollows jerk their gazes to the source, finding Byakuya Kuchiki glaring at them with an expression devoid of emotion.

The bat hollow widens his eyes, "How did he get there? I didn't even sense him!"

White drops Momo to the ground as he cocks his head at the newcomer, taking in his appearance.

White's eyes narrow, "A captain…!"

The captain speaks with complete seriousness in his voice, "Vice-Captain Hinamori, go get backup."

Momo flash steps next to Byakuya, giving the captain a worried expression, "B-but, Captain Kuchiki, there are two of them!"

Byakuya closes his eyes as he draws his sword, facing the two hollows, "I will hold them off."

Momo gives the captain a concerned look before using flash step to leave.

Byakuya then opens his eyes, "Why are you in the world of the living? Hollows of your caliber have no reason to be here."

The bat stares at Byakuya in mild interest, "So this is a Shinigami Captain? Why is he trying to stop us? We haven't done anything…"

White hisses at the captain, "I don't have to answer to you, Shinigami! Go away or die—that's your only warning."

Byakuya narrows his eyes, "Your mask, horns, and hair match the description of those of the hollow, White. It seems you have evolved. Captain Zaraki was very foolish in allowing you the chance to escape."

The bat glances at White, "So White really is his name? I thought the girl was just saying things…"

White glances down at the captain's sword cautiously, "I recall that other captain using some special ability with his sword that deflected my cero… I should hold back my trump cards until I know what this one's sword can do…"

Byakuya glances more intently at the bat, "I've never seen a hollow without a mouth before. What is that thing?"

The bat's stoic eyes meet the Shinigami's passive glare.

Byakuya feels slightly nervous as he shifts his gaze back at White, "What are they waiting for? They're not attacking me despite that one threatening me with death."

White snorts before turning around and walking away, prompting the bat to follow.

Byakuya immediately flash steps in front of them and holds his sword to White's throat, "Where do you think you're going?"

The black sclera, gold-iris eyes send the captain a death glare.

White immediately grabs the sword faster than Byakuya can react before using his other hand to puncture the Shinigami's chest.

Byakuya, wide-eyed, coughs up blood, "So fast… I couldn't even react!"

White removes the grip on Byakuya's blade and takes his hand out of his chest, "I warned you Shinigami. I think I'll leave you to bleed out…"

White continues to walk away but pauses, eyes widening as he doesn't hear the captain fall to the ground, instead hearing, "Gentei Kaijo!"

The bat flies off and lands atop a nearby building as reiatsu pours out of the Shinigami in unprecedented amounts.

The captain gasps out, "Scatter, Senbonzakura."

White watches curiously as the man, bleeding from his mid chest area, releases his sword, causing his blade to dissipate into pink pedals leaving nothing but the hilt. White cackles, charging in to land a fatal attack. The hollow is somewhat shocked to find the pedals coming up to block his charge, managing to slice his skin in the process. Unfortunately for Byakuya, the pedals are ineffective at piercing the hollow's skin as White tanks the attack. Byakuya stumbles back, narrowly evading White piercing his chest yet again. The bat hollow appears behind Byakuya, mimicking his companion's actions, trying to pierce Byakuya's chest with his arm. The captain manages to use flash step at the last second, evading both attacks, before appearing a distance away.

Byakuya breathes heavily, using a light Kaido spell to stop his wound from bleeding—although still very much having a hole in his chest.

Byakuya frowns, "It seems I… underestimated you…"

White and the bat hollow wait silently in anticipation.

Byakuya recalls his Shikai, his blade reforming, before he turns it over, "I will show you the difference between us, hollows."

White feels uneasy as the man drops his sword into the ground, "Bankai. Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."

Giant katana blades appear out of the ground on both sides of the captain before erupting into thousands of pink pedals.

The captain sends these pedals at White, but the hollow quickly counters with a cero blast, blasting a hole through the captain's wall of pedals. White immediately uses Sonido to appear before the captain who is now wide-eyed. White snickers before slamming his fist into the captain's face, sending him through a building.

White appears on the other side of the building, kicking the captain into the air. Byakuya is completely disoriented, unable to stop the momentum as White appears above him and punches the captain once more, sending him slamming on the road, creating a crater.

White lands next to the crater, cracking his neck, "Is that all you got? I was just getting warmed up—"

Before White can react, a familiar blade smashes against him, sending him flying back a distance.

The maddened sounds of Kenpachi's cackling can be heard, "Those eyes, that mask… your power! You must be White, right?!"

White growls in response.

Kenpachi snickers, "Aw c'mon, I've already released my limiters, so feel free to go all out! Maybe you'll get me to take you seriously again!"

White glances at the bat hollow and then back at the Shinigami, noticing Byakuya picking himself up out of the crater.

White states in an evil tone, "Let's kill them. You take the weaker one… Kenpachi's MINE!"

The bat nods slightly before White immediately launches at Kenpachi, grabbing the captain's sword, causing a shockwave at their collision, forcing them both a far distance back, through a nearby building, due to the collision.

Byakuya glances around him, notices the frightened residents running for their lives as he grits his teeth, "You will die here, hollow, I'll make sure of that!"

The bat hollow doesn't have time to react as he is submerged by blades from all sides. Byakuya stares coldly at the sight, beginning to lose his ability to keep himself upright. The captain fails to notice a green light piercing through the wall of pink pedals, creating a hole that the bat hollow escapes from, a bleeding mess. Byakuya shakes his head, recalling his blades in a defensive position as the hollow launches another cero at him.

The captain scowls, "I just need to hold out for a little bit longer…"

The hollow's wounds begin to regenerate quickly, causing the captain to gasp, as hollow regeneration speeds are never that quick. The captain changes tactics again forcing all of his pedals on the bat, shredding its skin to pieces.

The bat is irritated, "I've never been in an actual battle before today… my instincts are failing me… all I know is cero… can I come up with something to deal with this?"

Byakuya's pedals continue to rain down, keeping the hollow at bay.

White vs Kenpachi

White, now with his blade arms, parries a strike from Kenpachi, sending the captain skidding backwards.

Kenpachi laughs, "Heh, nice trick you got there! Those blades of yours are definitely sharper than your claws were!"

White growls, irritated, "And you definitely shouldn't be this strong! You were much weaker the last time we fought!"

Kenpachi smiles maniacally, "Who cares?! Let's have a real battle—a fight to the death!"

White hisses with bloodlust, "You're right… I won't give you the chance to take that thing off this time!"

As Kenpachi grabs for his eyepatch, White is immediately in front of him, relentlessly striking with both of his blade arms, forcing Kenpachi to backpedal.

White's blows lacerate Kenpachi's body, blood spewing everywhere. As the captain is just barely able to get a hand on the patch, White stabs his blade arm directly through Kenpachi's forearm.

Kenpachi howls in pain as White twists his blade. The captain raises his sword in his other hand to strike White, but there is a distinct 'pop' sound coming from Kenpachi's forearm, causing his whole body to spasm in pain.

White quickly removes his blade before stabbing both blades through Kenpachi's shoulders, holding him in place, as the hollow blasts the captain with a point-blank cero, sending the captain, now a smoldering mess of charred flesh, flying back towards where Byakuya and the bat hollow are fighting.

White eyes the bat's battle with Byakuya furiously, seeing his ally in danger. White lets out a bloodcurdling roar before immediately pouncing at Byakuya.

Byakuya flinches, flash stepping above a building to dodge, however, widens his eyes as White is no longer on the ground, but above him, preparing a cero blast.

Byakuya recalls all his pedals from the bat, causing the hollow to fall to its knees, as he uses them in an attempt to block the cero. White's red cero turns purple right as it is blasted, sending Byakuya, and the building under him, crashing to the ground.

White roars in fury before stopping himself, as he notices a disembodied figure—not Byakuya, crawling to get away.

White's breath hitches, "A human—!"

White dejectedly drops down to the ground near the bat hollow and the burnt-up figure, hearing the human breathe their final breath. Immediately after, White sees a frightened child appear above the body, crying in fear as it sees him and running away.

The bat walks up next to White, who merely states, "I got that kid killed… I…"

White's words take a turn for the worse, "…I'm no better than Barragan!"

The bat hollow looks away, "He's obviously upset… but it wasn't entirely his fault, the Shinigami wouldn't back off."

Something then occurs to the bat, prompting him to clasp his partner's hand, "I hope this is a comforting gesture… even though I don't really understand the sentiment…"

White looks back at his companion, his gaze softening, "Don't worry about me… I'm… fine."

White gently pushes the bat's arm away, prompting the bat to let go of their grip. The dragon Vasto Lorde then opens a Garganta, causing the bat to give him a confused look.

White states with a sad look in his eyes, "We'll meet up later. I don't want you to fight anymore captains in your condition."

The bat relays a look in his eyes, "What about you?"

White shakes his head, "I have to stay… I still need to find out who I really am…"

The bat nods before leaving through the Garganta. White glances at the limp forms of the captains before leaving without a word.

Soon after White leaves, Isshin and Ukitake, along with a large group of fifty or so Shinigami, arrive at the battlefield, gasping at the sight.

Ukitake's breath hitches, as he inspects the child's corpse, "What could've done this?"

Isshin snarls in rage, "Isn't that obvious? White was here."

Ukitake looks at the captain in mild concern, as he declares with bloodcurdling rage, "Burn, Engetsu!"

Isshin's blade becomes coated in flames as his reiatsu bursts forth in massive amounts.

The gives Ukitake a quick glance before growling, "I'm going after that thing myself! Don't get in my way!"

Isshin then jumps into the sky, moving at insane speeds as his entire body is coated in furious flame.

As Isshin leaves, Medical Shinigami from the 4th division arrive on the scene.

Ukitake regards them, "Treat anyone still alive in the area, be they Shinigami or human!"

"Yes, sir!", the medics reply before hurriedly treating Kenpachi and Byakuya, the latter they have to pull out of the rubble.

Ukitake nods before leaving, "I can't let Isshin face that thing by himself! I won't make that same mistake with a Shiba again!"

Fullbringers and Quincies vs Aizen

Aizen looks over at the smoke coming up from the other side of town, "Ah yes, it seems he is progressing quite smoothly as well…"

Ginjo spits up blood as he attempts to keep himself upright as Aizen lets go of his sword.

"Kugo!", Tsukishima shouts, concern evident on his features.

Candice clicks her tongue, still having her bow aimed at Aizen, "Shit! This guy's stronger than the average captain! Ginjo's attack should've at least forced him to block with his sword!"

Bambietta slowly recalls her bow, wearing an unreadable expression.

Candice eyes her partner curiously as the black-haired woman draws the sword strapped to her hip, "Bambi… don't tell me you're using that?"

The black-haired Quincy gives her partner a serious glance, "We can't beat this guy without using our true powers… back me up, Candy."

Candice nods as Bambietta leaps into the air with Hirenkyaku. Aizen quickly turns to face Bambietta, blocking her downward strike from mid-air with his Zanpakuto.

The captain lets out a surprised gasp, however, as a blue flash passes by him, prompting him to glance behind to see Candice, who throws a light blue lightning bolt shaped reishi attack at him, which is far too quick for Aizen to dodge.

The captain's body violently jerks around as he is electrocuted, smoke exiting his mouth as he exhales. Bambietta smirks, as she has her opening, using her free hand to form a round blue ball of reishi that she tosses at the captain's left arm. An explosion occurs in the area of Aizen's left arm immediately afterwards, prompting Bambietta to use the downward momentum of her body to plant her feet on the captain's torso and jump off of it to a safe distance away, grabbing Ginjo's collar as she flies backwards.

Aizen struggles to maintain his balance, wheezing slightly as his left arm falls limp—a scorched mass of flesh.

Ginjo, now on his knees on the ground next to Bambietta, widens his eyes at the sight before he glances up at the woman, "Were they always this powerful?"

Bambietta raises a brow, noticing Ginjo's stare, "What's with that look?"

Ginjo smirks, "I just wasn't aware the two of you had this much firepower."

Bambietta returns the smirk with one of her own, "There's a lot about me you don't know either."

The two then give a serious look at the captain who is now frowning.

Aizen scowls at Bambietta, "A pincer attack like that… a bit unbecoming of the Quincy… your kind always bragged about having a strict sense of honor, did they not?"

Bambietta rolls her eyes, "I don't know what kind of Quincy you're talking about, but where I come from, it's all about results."

Aizen gives the woman a curious look, "And where exactly do you—"

The man is cut off as he is suddenly struck by a bolt of lightning again. Aizen's body is smoking from the sheer amount of energy, forcing him to take a knee.

"You talk too much, Shinigami. Let's wrap this up, Bambi.", Candice states, with a bored look.

Bambietta nods, as she begins to approach the downed captain.

The captain grits his teeth before giving a smirk, "Could I interest the two of you with the honor of killing me when I have at least released my sword?"

Bambietta halts her stride, raising a brow, "You mean like that Shikai release you Shinigami are so proud of?"

Aizen nods, explaining, "I know you Quincy aren't interested in honor, but wouldn't it sound much better if you slew a captain of the Gotei 13 when they gave their all to kill you? Would it not feel like a stain on your pride as a Quincy, to kill me when I was holding back? Or are you afraid that my measly sword release is enough to kill you all here and now? If so, I must say the Quincy are quite pathetic…"

Bambietta's expression is unreadable, as Candice groans, "Ugh! He kinda has a point! It would make us look kinda pathetic killing him like this…"

Ginjo's eyes widen as he has a bad feeling, "No! Kill him now! Don't let him—!"

Bambietta snaps, "Stay out of this, Kugo!"

Ginjo's eyes widen in shock as Bambietta glares back at him, "This guy dares to question my pride as a Quincy! He thinks we can't beat him with just his Shikai! I won't let that slide…"

Ginjo frowns, looking away, silently.

Bambietta then regards Aizen, "Do it, Shinigami. Just know, your mistake in questioning our pride as Quincies will cost you dearly—with a slow death."

Aizen smiles, as he rises to his feet, "Very well then…"

Ginjo's eyes widen as the bad feeling is back, closing his eyes on instinct, "Look away!"

Tsukishima, Chad, and Yukio heed Ginjo's warning, but the Quincy women do not.

Aizen smirks as he declares, holding his sword in a reverse grip in front of his chest so that both Quincies can see it, "Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu!"

Bambietta and Candice both stare at the captain in mild confusion.

After another moment, Candice scoffs, "Talk about a pathetic release! I don't know what we were worried about, this guy is weak!"

The woman then makes a gesture with her hand, prompting lightning to strike the captain, once more causing his body to jerk about violently. Aizen is forced to take a knee, wearing an unreadable expression.

Bambietta glances at Candice, who shrugs upon seeing the lack of resistance from the captain, "Go ahead and off him, Bambi. We have other places to be."

Bambietta wears a sadistic smirk as she approaches the captain and suddenly kicks him in the face, sending his glasses flying off. The Sternritter follows up with another kick, this time to the torso, forcing Aizen to the ground. Bambietta finishes by jumping on Aizen's chest and stabbing him in his sword arm with her own blade, causing the captain to scream in pain.

Bambietta then stomps of the captain's face, glaring down at him with disdain, "Look into my eyes, Shinigami—the eyes of a Quincy! I am your kind's sworn enemy! You will have to beg for mercy, and then maybe I'll grace you with a quick death using my explosions."

Bambietta raises a brow as she hears the captain shout, "Why are you attacking me?!"

Candice, standing a distance away, scrunches her brow before widening her eyes, as her stomach is suddenly cut open, seeing Aizen in front of her and Ginjo underneath Bambietta where Aizen should be.

Candice tries to shout to Bambietta, but is unable to, as Aizen's strike was too deep, prompting her to spit up blood as she opens her mouth.

Aizen smirks menacingly at the woman, "It is no use. She can neither hear nor see you."

Candice falls limp to the ground, losing her consciousness. Aizen then uses flash step to appear behind Bambietta, the next moment the woman's back begins to bleed profusely. Bambietta's eyes widen as her sword arm begins to bleed as well, blue lines instinctually forming on her skin after the first strike, a sure sign of Blut Vene.

"What—Kugo?" Bambietta stares down at Ginjo in horror and confusion.

The man is beaten and bloodied far worse than he was just a moment ago.

Bambietta turns around quickly, throwing a reishi bomb at Aizen, who quickly dodges, allowing the bomb to detonate a tree behind where he was standing.

Bambietta feels another strike on her left thigh, which is now bleeding as well, forcing her to fall to her knees, on top of Ginjo, who breathes heavy, haggard breathes.

Aizen stands before the pair, while casually picking them apart, "It would seem that you two Quincies have special abilities I was not aware existed… lightning and explosive powers… fascinating."

Aizen then smirks at Bambietta, who glares at him with clear hatred in her eyes, "What was all that about you killing me? You thought I was pathetic? Well, I'm sorry to say, Quincy, but you are the pathetic one. You let your foolish Quincy pride blind you, and that's why you'll die."

Aizen raises his sword to deliver a fatal blow, but at that moment, a blast of reishi comes flying at him, covering his entire body.

Chad breathes an exhausted breath, "That was… everything I had…"

Chad's eyes widen as Aizen stands where he was before, unaffected by the attack.

Aizen glances at Chad, as the boy falls to the ground in exhaustion, "A human like you should know better than to attack someone on my level. You will—"

Aizen is cut off again, as a sword shaped object cuts through his torso without drawing blood.

Tsukishima holds the sword with a smirk on his face, which immediately turns into an urgent expression, "Kugo, his Shikai is perfect hypnosis! To counter it, you need to hold his—"

Before Tsukishima can finish his sentence, Aizen has slashed him across the chest, prompting blood to pour out all over the ground as the man falls, unmoving.

Ginjo wears a dread-filled expression, "Chad! Shukuro!"

Yukio stands a distance behind Ginjo, still shaking from fear that has not left since he stepped on the battlefield.

Aizen smirks down at Bambietta and Ginjo, "Your friends tried to help you, but ultimately, it proved to be worthless… you know what? I think I'll let you all in on some secrets. Yuzu Kurosaki is not the person you think she is."

Bambietta and Ginjo perk up, the latter voicing his thoughts, "What do you mean?"

Aizen smiles darkly, "Yuzu Kurosaki's mother was a Quincy—that much is true; however, her father… he wasn't just some normal human, nor was he a Quincy. He is a Shinigami—and not just that, but a captain of the Gotei 13!"

Both Bambietta, Ginjo, and Yukio all let out shocked gasps at this.

The Quincy woman looks down somewhat dejectedly, "Yui never told us that…"

Aizen smirks, "Of course she didn't—considering how vicious you act towards Shinigami, why would she ever disclose such information with the likes of you? For instance, I doubt even Ginjo there has told either of you Quincies that he was a Substitute Shinigami."

Ginjo, who looks away, "That was a long time ago…"

Bambietta shakes her head, "I didn't need him to tell me that… I knew from the start…"

Ginjo raises a questioning brow before the two have their attention grabbed once more, as Aizen states, "Now, I think it's time I killed you. I wouldn't want any of my comrades to start getting worried about me."

Aizen begins to approach the pair, brandishing his sword.

Ginjo wears an unreadable expression for a moment before being pulled from his thoughts by the shaking individual above him.

Ginjo stares at Bambietta, now seeing fear evident in her eyes, as the woman whimpers to herself, "I don't want to die—!"

Ginjo's eyes widen slightly before wearing a subdued smile, "I can't say I expected now of all times would be the day you mounted me."

Bambietta snaps hysterically at the man, "Shut up! Sex should be the last thing on your mind right now!"

Ginjo chuckles through labored breaths, "You're right… I'm sorry, but I'll need to borrow something from you."

Bambietta raises a brow as Ginjo shifts out from under her, grabbing his sword, "What do are you—"

Ginjo suddenly plunges his sword through Bambietta's chest, causing her to gasp in confusion.

Aizen pauses, wearing an intrigued expression, "Why am I feeling hybrid reiatsu from Kugo Ginjo? What did he do to her?"

Ginjo removes his sword from Bambietta's chest and struggles to stand as reiatsu pours from his body, the shear intensity of which forces his wounds to close.

Aizen smirks, "I commend you for being so durable, considering you are just a human. I'm intrigued by this new power of yours…"

Ginjo spits blood to the side as he glares at Aizen, "I won't back down when it comes to my allies. I refuse to allow you Shinigami to butcher any of my friends ever again!"

Ginjo quickly swings his broadsword at Aizen in a horizontal motion, which the captain chooses to step back and dodge. However, a moment after the swing, explosions occur all along the swing's arc, catching Aizen in the crossfire. The captain is forced back a good distance, regaining his bearings.

Aizen stares wide-eyed at Ginjo, "That's her power!"

Bambietta, confused as she finds herself uninjured from Ginjo's blow, stares at the scene in horror, as she tries to summon her powers, "M-my bombs…! They don't work!"

The woman shouts at Ginjo hysterically, "WHAT DID YOU DO—"

Bambietta cuts herself off, however, at the sight of Ginjo suddenly vomiting blood, propping himself up on his sword while holding his glare on Aizen.

Ginjo doesn't look back, "If you can, run and get out of here… Yukio, gather everyone into your game and leave. I'll hold him off…"

Yukio is shook from his fear, "I-I… alright, Kugo…"

The boy stares at the man's back dejectedly as he pulls out his Gameboy.

Ginjo continues, regarding the Quincy woman, "You'll get most of your power back by the end of the day… it won't even feel like it's gone."

Bambietta wears a shocked expression, before becoming upset, gritting her teeth in anger, "Kugo, you'll die!"

Ginjo, still facing away from the woman, takes a fighting stance, "Please, Bambi…"

Bambietta's eyes widen briefly, "That's the first time he's called me that…"

The Quincy woman then clicks her tongue before shouting at the still fear-stricken Yukio, "BOY! START GATHERING THE REST INTO YOUR GAME NOW!"

Aizen smirks, "None of you will leave here alive…"

The captain then flash steps, attempting to cut the boy in half, but suddenly is parried by Ginjo, whose sword creates an explosion between the two of them, sending both the Xcution leader and Shinigami captain flying back from the shockwave. Yukio is also sent backwards; his Gameboy being sent in the opposite direction.

The boy regains his bearings, noticing what happened, "Oh no! I can't use my Fullbring without my game!"

Ginjo curses, as blood seeps from his eye sockets now, the man well and truly pushing his limits. Aizen gets up, making a beeline for the game, before being cut off by the swing of a blade, forcing him to parry.

Aizen narrows his eyes in annoyance, "You can still fight, Quincy?"

Bambietta snarls at the captain, "I'm not going to roll over and die, Scheißkopf! Not now!"

Bambietta then attempts to land a kick on Aizen's head, however, the captain dodges it easily, grabbing the woman's leg and slamming her to the ground. Bambietta activates her Blut prior to the impact, so the damage is minimized. The woman begins to swing her sword at the captain from her position on the ground, however the captain shuts it down.

Aizen chants, while holding out a hand, "Bakudo number 61, Rikujokoro!"

Six rods of light slam into Bambietta at that moment, binding her and preventing any further movements.

The captain explains, "I don't even need to use my power on you anymore. This is the end for you, bomb girl."

Aizen prepares to strike the Quincy down, but notices Yukio running towards where his Gameboy is. The captain rushes towards the boy, but is again cut off by Ginjo, who is bleeding all over his body, a sign of overexertion.

Ginjo parries Aizen's strike, causing explosions to erupt along and around the area of the strikes between their dancing blades.

Yukio trips multiple times due to the shockwaves produced from the explosions.

The clash intensifies, producing fissures along the pavement.

Aizen clicks his tongue, "How is he so fast? I can't find an opening to use my Shikai on him!"

Yukio grabs for his Gameboy, which is now right in front of him, before another fissure is suddenly formed, the vibrations of the ground buckling due to the explosions causes the game to fall down into the fissure, out of the boy's reach.

Yukio gasps, "My game! It fell into the fissure!"

Ginjo pauses his duel with Aizen, "Damnit—!"

Ginjo suddenly spews blood from his mouth before falling to his knees, unable to keep up with using a power beyond his natural abilities.

Aizen lets out a breath of mild exhaustion, "I am surprised… you have exceeded any and all expectations I had for you, Kugo Ginjo."

Aizen's captain's coat flakes off of his body, now finally turning to soot from clashing with explosions and lightning.

Aizen once more raises his hand, bringing his sword up in preparation of dealing a final blow, "You have done well, but I'm afraid this is the end for you and your little group, Ginjo."

As Aizen brings his sword down to strike, his hand is grabbed by a golden thorn whip. The man's eyes momentarily widen in shock before he is sent flying backwards by a large rectangular saw blade and an arrowhead-tipped polearm striking him in the torso.

Aizen is slammed against a tree, but immediately recovers, picking himself up off the ground. Aizen glances around to find Rose holding the whip, Hiyori holding the sawblade, and Lisa holding the lance.

The captain looks to the side to find Hachi using Kaido to heal Chad, Tsukishima, and Candice. Next to Hachi stands Love, Kensei, and Mashiro, all wearing weary expressions.

Aizen perks up when he hears a familiar voice call from behind him, "Been a long time, Sosuke."

Aizen peers behind him at the form of Shinji walking out from beside the tree, "I was wondering when you failures would crawl out from beneath whatever rock you were hiding under."

Shinji snickers, resting his Zanpakuto over his shoulder, "We've been waiting one hundred years for this… it's payback time."

Author's Note:

This is what I like to call as a "Battle Chapter". Bleach fights are lightning fast typically, so I don't foresee battles usually spanning multiple chapters, or even just one chapter collectively, but who knows… really depends on the fight, I guess.

Also, in case anyone was wondering, remember that the Sternritter are on the same level as end of the series captains—who all trained over the time skip to be able to compete with pre-Hogyoku Aizen. So, I definitely feel like Bambietta and Candice backing Aizen into a corner here was warranted, especially because he underestimated them.

Another thing I felt the need to mention because there were some reviews about it—the Shinigami who have seen Aizen's Shikai (basically ALL who would know any better) are not, I repeat, NOT, privy to Aizen's battle during this chapter (or at the very least cannot feel the Reiatsu from it). This is because Aizen is passively using Kyoka Suigetsu on all of them to keep them from interrupting or suspecting him in any way. As a result, both the Fullbringers and Stern Ritters are kept from the senses of the Shinigami besides Aizen himself. I hint at this being the case in the next chapter, but I do not outright state it.

The Visored are excluded from this as Aizen did not make the conscious decision of blocking this fight from their senses, as he does with the Gotei 13. This is because he couldn't care less if the Visored knew as they'd never approach the Soul Society to talk about anything, much less supposed Quincies.

Now this may feel a bit contrived to some and perhaps it is to some extent, but the vision I have for this story requires this to happen and at the end of the day I remind you all that I do this for fun. It's as simple as that I think the direction, I'm taking the story is interesting/fun to think about, so I make it happen. That's it.

Anyhow, the next chapter will be less battle heavy and will include Yuzu.