Chapter 9
Sokyoku Hill
With Rukia freed, almost every shinigami that was present had started their chase. However there were some that appeared to have gone turncoat with others seemingly missing.
Kyoraku and Ukitake left to engage Yamamoto, their leader and former teacher, in an area farther from here. With the fear that Yamamoto would release his full power and it would result in everyone here and possibly everyone in the Seireitei to be killed.
Meanwhile the shinigami lieutenants had already been brutally beaten by Quetzalcoatl who treated them like punching bags. Leaving only Byakuya and Soi-Fon as the only ones standing, with the former engaging Ichigo in battle. Only to witness how much stronger Ichigo has become since their last encounter in the world of the living.
"Why are you risking your own life to rescue Rukia?" Byakuya asked as he slashed at Ichigo.
"You're her older brother, why aren't you trying to protect her?" Ichigo asked as he parried the strike.
Byakuya stepped back, preparing his next strike while simultaneously taking in Ichigo's words. He didn't dwell on Ichigo's words long and gave the boy the impression that Byakuya is someone who does not care or feel anything.
"You would not understand." Byakuya said as he increased his Reiatsu.
With a heavy strike, Byakuya hit Ichigo's zanpakuto and made the ground crack. Only to feel like he had the worst hindsight today because he was once again surprised. Ichigo didn't look so slightly anxious when Byakuya dealt the blow.
"I wouldn't understand? Is that your way of telling me you have no excuse?" Ichigo asked before pushing Byakuya back.
Byakuya slipped back a bit before quickly throwing another blow with Ichigo countering. The resulting blow caused the entire ground to shake. With Ichigo still standing tall and unfazed by Byakuya's overwhelming amount of strength.
"I will kill you, Kurosaki. Then I will personally execute Rukia when she is captured." Byakuya said.
Ichigo scoffed, "You can promise whatever the hell you want. I'm not going to lose to someone with no free will." he said.
Byakuya ignored the remark and traded several more blows with Ichigo. Resulting in the boy skidding backwards by about a couple of meters. When he thought Ichigo was vulnerable, Byakuya's blow was countered with enough force causing Ichigo to drop the Tentoken that Yoruichi gave him but remain unharmed.
"What's wrong Byakuya, are you no longer feeling full of yourself? Maybe you should use your bankai." Ichigo mocked.
Byakuya closed his eyes and held his zanpakuto close to his chest. Where it broke down into hundreds of cherry petal shaped fragments.
"Scatter: Senbonzakura." Byakuya said, sending the hundreds of fragments towards Ichigo.
Ichigo for his part, raised his zanpakuto and brought it down in a swift motion. Resulting in a powerful blast of light that barely scratched Byakuya. It was a good thing that Byakuya was not a geriatric, because he was getting surprised way too much lately.
Once the blast calmed down, he didn't need to look to see that his arm was now bleeding from the blast. As well as the fact that Ichigo was once again unharmed and had managed to counter his shikai.
"You still have a chance to use your shikai." Ichigo said, further challenging Byakuya.
'It seems that this boy is more than a brash human. Rukia chose to run into an odd one.' Byakuya thought, but would not submit to defeat.
Elsewhere
Alongside Sentaro Kotsubaki, Kiyone Kotetsu sided with her captain, Jushiro Ukitake, to help save Rukia. Like her captain, Kiyone believed that Rukia's punishment was too cruel and unfair. However, that didn't stop her from concerning herself with the life of her older sister, Isane of the second division.
"Stop Kiyone! It's too dangerous! You might get caught in the attacks!" Sentaro yelled.
Sentaro referred to the fight between Ichigo and Byakuya as the two were causing the ground to shake with their repeated attacks. At the same time, there were a couple more captains who would likely attack her for siding with Ukitake and Kyoraku who are likely traitors in their eyes. But that didn't stop Kiyone from trying to reach Isane.
Except for Soi-Fon who appeared in front of her and was about to kick her in the face. Kiyone raised her arms and shielded her eyes only to hear a loud sound.
When Kiyone opened them, she saw Achilles had blocked Soi-Fon's kick with his shield. He then shoved Soi-Fon back a few meters.
"I'm still confused about who's side we're on, but I can see an aggressive lady when I see one." Achilles said as Soi-Fon glared. He then looked over to Kiyone, "You might want to do whatever it is you planned to do. I'll hold off this little acrobat." he said.
Kiyone was confused for a second but nodded to go grab her sister. Leaving Achilles to fight Soi-Fon who dropped her captain's coat.
A moment later, Soi-Fon disappeared within the blink of an eye. Achilles raised his shield in another direction and blocked Soi-Fon's sudden attack. Just as Achilles prepared to counter, Soi-Fon disappeared in another shunpo. The second division captain used her shunpo to disappear and reappear rapidly, making Achilles almost lose his footing a couple of times.
"Fight back!" Soi-Fon demanded as each attack was blocked.
"How about you stay still? You keep hitting and running." Achilles argued before catching Soi-Fon in a bad position.
Soi-Fon quickly drew her zanpakuto to block Achilles' spear. Before she could release her shikai, she was suddenly kicked in the gut and sent crashing across the dirt by a masked Yoruichi.
"Go help elsewhere, this is a fight that's been waiting for years." Yoruichi said to Achilles.
Achilles sighed, "I swear, I can't stand in one place before someone tags me out." he said before leaving.
Soi-Fon recovered and glared at the masked woman.
"Who are you? Another disgraceful woman who hides behind a mask?" Soi-Fon asked, sounding angry.
"Tag me and maybe I'll reveal myself to you." Yoruichi taunted.
"Sting All Enemies To Death: Suzemabachi!" Soi-Fon cried out as her zanpakuto turned into a gauntlet with a blade on the middle finger.
'Come at me Soi-Fon, show me how much you've grown since the last time we met.' Yoruichi thought as she disappeared in a shunpo.
The legendary Flash Master would be testing her successor in this battle.
With Kyoraku and Ukitake, the old city
After finally finding a safe enough spot, Kyoraku and Ukitake awaited for Yamamoto to arrive. Soon enough, a very exhausted looking Nanao arrived.
"You fell behind, Nanao-Chan." Kyoraku teased.
Nanao glared at her captain and was about to say something when she felt a heavy presence. One on the level that she had never experienced before. Yet it was too familiar and could not deny who it belonged to. Nanao looked up and saw Yamamoto himself arrive in a shunpo.
Despite the seemingly unreadable face of his, Yamamoto was pissed. The two other Shinigami captains could tell as the old man's eyes were wide open as he gazed at them. They knew their head captain since they were young men who were taught under him.
"Nanao-Chan, I would not be ashamed if you ran right now." Kyoraku said.
"The same goes for my opinion." Ukitake said.
They didn't think Nanao was weak and delicate, she is a Shinigami lieutenant after all. One that's disciplined and trained for years to obtain her rank. However, she wasn't on the level as either captain and they were the only ones close enough to withstand a fight against the first division's captain.
Still, Nanao could tell that she wouldn't last. She stood her ground and supported the two men.
"You two have disgraced the Gotei 13 and bring shame to your titles of captains." Yamamoto said sternly.
Kyoraku sighed, "We were left with little choice in the matter, old man." He said with Ukitake nodding in agreement.
"How shamefully, I saw the two of you as my own sons and I cannot describe my disappointment." Yamamoto said as he increased the output of his Reiatsu.
As it increased, Nanao had a difficult time trying to breathe as she could not comprehend this level of power. Even Yamamoto looked down at her as he saw how quick she was to fall before it.
"Leave little girl, this is no fight for mere infants." Yamamoto said threateningly.
As Nanao was about to pass out. Ukitake prepared to step in while Kyoraku was about to save his lieutenant. When a new energy signature came and it prompted Yamamoto to raise his arm in a mere instant. Where a loud thump was heard and nearly deafened the captains.
The moment Kyoraku grabbed Nanao and carried her a few meters away. The Shinigami captain raised an arm to shield himself as he felt the ground shake. With the impact causing a large wave of dust to hit his face. Luckily he was able to shield Nanao with his customized shihakusho to prevent the spread of dust.
But once the dust settled, Kyoraku had witnessed the Quetzalcoatl had arrived. With the Aztec goddess landing on the ground with a small skid that sent her backwards, he looked between her and Yamamoto with the elder pausing for a moment. That's when Kyoraku realized that Yamamoto's arm was starting to swell around the middle.
Even Ukitake looked shocked to see that bit of damage. Which was enough to make Yamamoto stop flaring his reiatsu for a moment to inspect the damage.
"I have let myself weaken. Had this been a thousand years ago, this bruise would not have formed." Yamamoto said.
Quetzalcoatl gave Yamamoto a sharp tooth grin as if she were taunting him.
"So sorry, abuelo. Would you like to stretch first?" Quetzalcoatl asked.
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes as he took off his shihakusho and tossed it on the ground. Such disregard for the coat showed how serious the old man was. As he once again started to flare his reiatsu while flexing the muscles he still had in his old age.
"If you feel this confident. Then so be it." Yamamoto said before raising his wooden crutch. "Reduce All Creations to Ash! Ryujin Jakka!" He cried out.
Moments later, the crutch turned into a blade made of pure fire. With the reiatsu releasing to the point that the old city looked like it was about to burn. For Quetzalcoatl, she felt like she was hit by a band windstorm in the desert and all it did was blind her a bit.
"Oh, I see why he's in charge now." Quetzalcoatl said, not being discouraged one bit,
It isn't the first time she's faced a powerful foe who could burn entire cities with their mere presence alone. Though she wonders if Ichigo could provide her enough energy to have a full fight with Yamamoto.
Yamamoto only further proved his strength, showing that he's old but he's an old man in a job where men die young. As he further flared his power, Quetzalcoatl dug her feet and stood her ground despite her head dress and a part of her clothes burning off. Ukitake and Kyoraku lost any concern towards the Rider as they could see that she was standing her ground.
"I didn't expect us to work with a Ryoka." Kyoraku said.
"I'm not sure if we should welcome the help or discourage it." Ukitake replied.
"I'm sure she can handle it." Kyoraku said.
The two watched as Quetzalcoatl jumped high into the air and tried to deliver a heel kick on Yamamoto. Yamamoto better prepared this time and slashed his zanpakuto towards her, sending her skidding back. Only for Quetzalcoatl to dash towards him again with her club which collided with Ryuujin Jakka.
Luckily for Quetzalcoatl, the club didn't get destroyed and it allowed her to trade blows with Yamamoto and keep him locked in place for a little while.
"Now's a good chance to jump in." Kyoraku said with Ukitake nodding.
The two released their respective shikai, both creating a pair of dual swords in each hand. Once Yamamoto shoved Quetzalcoatl to the side, he saw his former students approach him with their shikai drawn.
"And to think, the two of you are the only ones in the entire Seireitei who have such unique shikai. Even so, it's not enough." Yamamoto said, continuing to voice his disappointment.
"Sorry old man, but even if this isn't enough. We still have to fight." Kyoraku said.
Ukitake nodded, "That is right, Captain Yamamoto. Even if this is an order from those above us, we cannot allow for injustice as a way to scare degenerates." He said.
Yamamoto can understand that last part, but didn't agree with it. He had his orders and without order, there was chaos. That much is obvious, but that was the most simplified way to explain it.
"Then understand that I put justice over all rather than personal justice as I cut you two down as well as the ryoka." Yamamoto said as his fires took on the shape of a phoenix.
Ending the prologue of the battle that could have destroyed the Seireitei.
With Rukia's Group
Rukia was struggling to escape Chad's grip, but the young man was a unit. Making it impossible for the powerless petite girl to break free.
"Sado, unhand me!" She yelled.
"I will not." Chad said simply.
"That's right Rukia, we're not letting you get hurt." Orihime said.
Rukia refused to let them escape with her. As she continued to fight, they came across Renji who was covered in bandages.
"Renji!" Orihime exclaimed.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I was lucky there was another medic who was kind enough to help me." Renji said before noticing Rukia. "You have Rukia, then that means…"
"Kurosaki-kun, Yoruichi-san and two others stayed behind to hold everyone else off." Orihime explained.
"Ichigo stayed behind? Damn, he must be crazy. Hopefully he did get his bankai and that it's actually useful." Renji said before grunting as he held his wounds.
He then noticed Rukia who was still struggling in Chad's arms.
"Rukia? Here, hand her to me." Renji said.
"But your injuries." Chad pointed out.
"I'm fine, just give her." Renji said.
Chad placed Rukia in Renji's arms with the short girl still fighting.
"Renji, let me go! You're all going to be executed because of me!" Rukia cried out.
"Rukia, shut up and listen!" Renji yelled, silencing Rukia.
Renji sighed before raising Rukia so she could look at him.
"Rukia, I've known you since we were kids. You've always been the type of person to take the blame if you feel like you caused pain for someone else." Renji explained.
While Renji wasn't there for it, long after Rukia had been selected to be a part of the 13th division. She was working under an officer by the name of Kaien Shiba. As Rukia was still fairly new and needed some experience, she had some issues. Then one day, a hollow attacked and because Rukia was used as a shield to lower Kaien's guard. Kaien was possessed by the hollow's unique ability which was also used on Kaien's wife, Miyako.
Rukia later learned that Ganju was actually Kaien's brother. During the brief exchange they had before Ganju was captured. Ganju pointed Rukia out as Kaien's killer as he was there for Rukia to give the news to Kukaku many years ago.
Rukia could barely do anything that day except put Kaien out of his misery. Revealing moments earlier that there was no way to save Kaien while also killing the hollow. Kaien apologized to Rukia for dragging her into the fight, but even to this day, Rukia still feels regret. Just as she feels regret for dragging Ichigo and his friends into this situation after giving him her shinigami powers.
"Look, you can't blame yourself for your mistakes. You're right about Ichigo wanting to be here because of you, but not in the way you think. He's doing it to repay you." Renji said, confusing Rukia.
"That's right, we're here because of the same thing." Orihime said with Chad nodding in agreement.
"Senpai spoke highly of you. He's a good man that believes in honor and wouldn't abandon a friend despite your differences." Mash said.
"But I…" Rukia tried to say.
"But nothing! You have been carrying around that stress for too long and now it's time for you to share it! You are not invincible, Rukia. So try to rely on other people." Renji said.
Rukia was stunned by Renji's words. She wanted to argue more but she saw there was no point. She was surrounded by friends who were willing to risk it all just to save her. She looked at Orihime and the rest who were from the land of the living. Sure it was Ichigo that helped Orihime when Sora's spirit attacked and when that one hollow was using Yuichi as bait.
Yet Rukia was there to guide and fight alongside Ichigo. Her part may not have been big, but she was an important catalyst.
"Right, thank you all. I still fear for all of you, but I'll put my trust in all of you." Rukia said.
Everyone nodded and continued to make their way out. When Ana stopped and looked out into the distance.
"Ana-chan?" Orihime asked.
"There's a large and powerful presence." Ana said as she narrowed her eyes.
"Is it Kurosaki-kun or maybe a super strong shinigami?" Orihime asked.
"It could be that madman, Zaraki. He's a captain that's fighting two other captains." Uryu pointed out.
Ganju scoffed, "With any luck, they will all take each other out." he said bitterly.
"That's just mean, Ganju!" Orihime said.
"Hey, I'm just being honest. That guy admitted that he only wanted to help us so Ichigo could fight him later." Ganju argued.
"Ganju does have a point. Even if Zaraki does win and doesn't betray us. What's to stop him from preventing our escape just to make Kurosaki fight him?" Uryu asked.
Ana narrowed her eyes as she could feel the presence growing stronger despite how further away it was. She could tell that the origin of this source of power was much greater than a shinigami captain, even more than three of them and their lieutenants. What made this scary was that it wasn't Yamamoto flaring his power to cause this sense of caution within Ana.
"We better move faster." Ana said as she led the way.
Which unfortunately led to a few shinigami trying to block their path. Luckily they had yet to run into anyone dangerous again.
Back with Ichigo
Byakuya finally decided to humor Ichigo and raised his zanpakuto in a reverse grip. He dropped it with the blade hitting the ground. A moment later, Ichigo found himself in a dark landscape with Byakuya standing in the middle of two rows of giant swords flanking him. Ichigo felt unnerved as this was the first time he witnessed a captain's bankai.
"Bankai: Kageyoshi Senbonzakura." Byakuya said as all the swords broke down into cherry petal like fragments.
A moment later, the fragments flew at Ichigo and prepared to hit him. While similar to his shikai, Byakuya's bankai used a lot more fragments and were mentally controlled to have more variety when in use. Ichigo tried dodging them at first, but then found it hard to move around fast enough to reach Byakuya who didn't have a visible defense.
"You should have learned your place the first time, child." Byakuya said.
Byakuya then called down for a wave of cherry petals to crush Ichigo. When the boy gripped his zanpakuto and raised it in Byakuya's direction before they all came crashing down.
"Bankai!" Ichigo cried out, surrounding himself in a massive wave of reiatsu.
The blast was enough to counter the large wave of cherry petals. Allowing Ichigo to take a new form, one with blue dragon-like scales all over his body. He also had a tail and talons that added to the asthetic. Of course, the zanpakuto itself looked a bit longer and sharper as the hilt had a slitted eye on the hilt.
"Tensa Zangetsu: Saber." Ichigo said.
Byakuya snapped out of his surprise and called on his cherry petals to attack. This time, Ichigo moved a lot more rapidly and slashed away any cherry petal that came close to hitting him. Soon enough, he was sent flying into the air as the cherry petals hit him from below.
"My patience is at a limit." Byakuya said.
Ichigo scoffed, "I don't care about our patience. I worked hard to gain this power to beat you and everyone else!" he said.
As Ichigo started to fall back down, Byakuya surrounded Ichigo in a dome of cherry petals. Intending to cut up his entire body and let him drop dead. Only to be surprised yet again as Ichigo destroyed the dome and grew a pair of wings that allowed him to fly directly at Byakuya at a blazing speed.
Byakuya summoned his petals to attack again but Ichigo outmaneuvered them with his great speed. Where the dragon-like boy started to fly circles around Byakuya who started to look annoyed.
"What's wrong? Are you too slow?" Ichigo asked, mocking Byakuya.
"There is no one who can outrun me." Byakuya said before finally hitting Ichigo with a wave of cherry petals.
However, Ichigo took very little damage as most of the petals were deflected due to his scales. His new appearance also worked with secondary purposes including increased defense for cases such as this. Now Ichigo was faster, capable of flight and more durable, forcing Byakuya to fight more seriously.
The two exchanged blow after blow, with neither gaining the upper hand. Ichigo did make it hard for Byakuya to land a hit but the shinigami captain used his experience and skill to avoid letting Ichigo deal any real damage. But that was when Byakuya showed the importance of mastering one's bankai as Ichigo found himself surrounded in a dome made of the cherry petals.
"Senkei." Byakuya called out.
Suddenly, the cherry petals all took the form of individual swords again. This time, hovering menacingly over Ichigo's head. With Byakuya ready to pierce him with the swords. However, that hindsight of his was not going to do him any favors.
"This is the end, Kurosaki." Byakuya said.
A moment later, a sword pierced Ichigo in the shoulder but it didn't penetrate all the way. Ichigo gripped it and started pulling it out. Prompting Byakuya to quickly call for more swords to pierce him and hold him still. After a few moments, Ichigo found about a dozen swords holding him in place as he struggled to pull them all out.
"Hado #4: Byakurai." Byakuya said as he channeled lightning into his fingertips.
Ichigo then found himself hit by a heavy voltage of lightning from Byakuya's fingertips. The lightning streak hit him straight in the shoulder. Leaving Ichigo feeling stunned for a moment before continuing to rip out the swords embedded into his scales.
"What's wrong Byakuya? I thought you said this was the end!" Ichigo yelled before throwing down several more swords.
Byakuya jumped back at the last second as Ichigo nearly cleaved him with Zangetsu. Byakuya looked down and saw the front portion of his uniform had a long horizontal cut. A split second later and Byakuya might have taken a serious injury from the strike. What confused him is how Ichigo was able to hold out much longer than Renji despite him having more experience.
Byakuya easily guessed that Ichigo only recently gained his bankai and still treated it as a powerup. Having not fully understood the extent of his power and what to do with it. As Byakuya called upon his swords to continue piercing Ichigo, Ichigo released a powerful blast of dark energy.
One that made Ichigo grunt as his left eye began to flicker into the color yellow. Soon enough, a part of his face became drastically pale as the white of his left eye began to turn black.
'This is a really bad time for a side effect of my powers! How many more "unique" skills do I need to suddenly unlock!?' Ichigo thought, feeling both pain and frustration.
Byakuya watched as Ichigo was in pain and struggled to control himself. While dishonorable, this didn't stop Byakuya from attacking while he was vulnerable. Instead, he called on the rest of his swords to attack Ichigo in quick succession then use another spell to kill him. Instead, Ichigo released another blast of dark energy that made Byakuya skid back.
'Is he switching weapons again? His power to switch the form of his zanpakuto could not have affected his bankai, could it?' Byakuya thought as he stood his ground.
Ichigo stood his ground and fought to stay in control of himself. When he felt this freezing cold air on his neck and the side of his face.
"So this is my light half. The optimist who risks everything to save any life he can." said a dark yet familiar voice.
'What was that?' Ichigo wondered with wide eyes.
"The other "you" within you. What could be or what could have been." said the dark voice.
For a moment, Ichigo felt like his body was taking control away from him. Ichigo further struggled to keep control of his body as his aura started to turn dark. Before he realized it, his arm swung on its own and released a powerful black wave at Byakuya who dodged it.
'A black Gatsuga?' Ichigo wondered before suddenly appearing behind Byakuya.
Byakuya avoided Ichigo's dodges which became more quick and heavy. However, even with Ichigo trying to fight back for control. The attacks were wild and that of an animal rather than someone thinking or reacting on instinct. Ichigo started to feel some sense of excitement, like a sadistic predator trying to catch its prey. However, Ichigo steeled himself and stopped chasing after Byakuya with his wild attacks.
"Just give up control. Let me finish him off." said the dark voice.
"NO! I'm the one in charge! I'll beat him my way!" Ichigo yelled as he gripped his face.
The dark voice argued with Ichigo and continued to try and wrestle away control. Resulting in Ichigo wrestling with himself as Byakuya watched in confusion. At the same time, Byakuya noticed that a strange mask formed on the left side of Ichigo's face. One that vaguely reminded him of a hollow's mask given the creepy skull design.
However, it didn't get to stay as Ichigo instinctively grabbed the mask and peeled it right off. He threw it onto the ground and it shattered on impact.
"I'll do this my way." Ichigo said as the dark voice faded away, returning Ichigo's aura to a lighter tone.
Byakuya didn't entirely understand what happened but could see Ichigo was mostly focused on him again. He waved off the drastic change in behavior and prepared to end this fight.
"With this next attack, this fight ends." Byakuya said.
"I can finally agree with you on something." Ichigo said as he raised his zanpakuto.
Byakuya was suddenly enveloped in a massive pillar of white light that turned into a large bird. Byakuya then stood in between the birds and raised his sword at Ichigo as the aura continued to flow around him.
"Shukei: Hakuteiken." Byakuya said.
Ichigo just smirked right at Byakuya as he charged up his own power. Where he was surrounded by a dark dome of light before aiming his zanpakuto at Byakuya. That's when his own reiryoku took on the form of a dragon that stood behind Ichigo.
"Here I come, Byakuya Kuchiki." Ichigo said before dashing towards Byakuya.
The two collided and with that impact, the entire hill began to shake as the two powers fought for supremacy. As if to symbolize the fight between the two shinigami, the bird and dragon maintained their forms and battled. The bird rushed at the dragon and slashed at various points of the dragon's body before ramming itself into its chest.
But the dragon stood strong despite the blows and clawed at the bird. The bird continued to ram itself before being bitten down by the dragon as it stood taller. With a growl, the dragon bit harder and shattered the bird into mere reiatsu. The dragon followed suit shortly after Byakuya and Ichigo finished their sword lock.
Once the dragon was gone, Ichigo struggled to move a part of his body. He told himself to stand still and not fall down now. Byakuya stood tall as well but found himself struggling to stand up straight before blood came out from his shoulder and leg.
"You win today, Kurosaki." Byakuya said.
"What? What are you talking about?" Ichigo asked as he turned.
Only to wince as part of his body was hurt and another part of it felt numb. Ichigo struggled to look at Byakiya who slowly walked away despite being an injured mess.
"Hey! Where are you going!?" Ichigo asked.
Byakuya disappeared in a shunpo a moment later. Leaving an annoyed Ichigo behind who could barely move his body.
"Damn it." Ichigo said before being caught in a pair of strong arms.
"Kurosaki, he forfeited and you were declared the winner. There is no more need to fight." Nightingale said.
Ichigo sighed as he couldn't argue with Nightingale. He was already hurt and from how Nightingale looked with her damaged red coat. He could tell that she took some damage during this fight as well.
The nurse then helped Ichigo over her back and carried him over to Achilles who looked like he barely had a scratch.
"You sure took your time. Still, it didn't look easy." Achilles said.
Nightingale gently put Ichigo on the chariot and started to work on his wounds.
"Where's everyone else?" Ichigo asked.
"I'm assuming that big guy, Sado, is still pretty far away with your other friends. The "Luchadora" went off on her own and just left us three here." Achilles said.
Ichigo sighed as he could tell that there were no more shinigami around on the hill. At least that's what he assumed as there was no more sound of fighting.
"Achilles, assuming Nightingale here doesn't force me to be in bed rest for three months or something." Ichigo began to say.
"I wish for you to heal and rest, but I know you will not listen to me." Nightingale interrupted.
"Try getting this chariot ready to fly. We still have a long way to go before we can Rukia out of here." Ichigo said.
Achilles nodded, "Sure, I'll just wait a few minutes. Hopefully your nurse here says you can move after that much." he said.
Ichigo sighed as he lied his head back. Only to gain a headache as he heard a loud and familiar obnoxious voice.
"Icchi!" Yachiru called out as she suddenly appeared.
Yachiru looked at Ichigo but then frowned at the sight of his injuries. She also noticed all the damage and sight of heavy fighting on the hill which made her frown further.
"Did I miss something big?" Yachiru asked.
Ichigo didn't bother to respond to Yachiru and tried to ignore her. However, Nightingale decided to hand the pink haired girl a bag of peeled oranges.
"Here, eat these so you can get some energy." Nightingale told her.
Yachiru groaned as she wanted candy but accepted the bag. She then sat down by Ichigo and waited for something exciting to happen. When she suddenly felt a massive amount of energy in the distance.
"Um Icchi, did you do that?" Yachiru asked.
"Do what?" Ichigo asked.
A moment later, the entire ground started to shake very violently.
"That wasn't an earthquake and I feel like someone caused that." Yachiru said.
Despite being a little girl with a naive personality. Yachiru did have some awareness and some knowledge. She could tell that something bad was happening if she could sense an overwhelming amount of energy nearby.
At the Assembly Hall
Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya and Rangiku were confused and could not comprehend what was going on. After arriving at the Assembly Hall, he found the entirety of the members deceased. All of them having been said and lying dead in their seats or on the desks they sat at.
As Hitsugaya investigated, he saw several of the bodies were killed quickly and cleanly. This wasn't done by a bloodthirsty savage, but someone with great precision and speed. A few slit throats and projectiles were found on the bodies. Then it looked a lot more messy as Hitsugaya saw some ice in various parts of the hall.
Very similar to the one that killed Aizen. Meaning that the same assassin had caused the massacre.
Afterwards, Hitsugaya had then witnessed Kira arriving only to run shortly after. He and his lieutenant chased after Kira for a while but Rangiku promised to catch Kira and make him talk. As Kira had claimed that he only arrived shortly after they did but the captain and lieutenant still found Kira suspicious as he ran from them.
However, Hitsugaya briefly heard Kira mention something about protecting Hinamori which confused him. Which only prompted the young captain to run back to the assembly hall.
To his horror, more blood was spilled and it came with the revelation of another revelation.
"Captain Aizen, you're alive." Hitsugaya said, struggling to maintain composure.
The reason for his shakiness: Hinamori lying on the ground with a wound in her abdomen. Arriving merely seconds ago, Hitsugaya witnessed Aizen and Ichimaru standing in the bloody hall with Aizen's zanpakuto piercing through Hinamori. Even worse, Aizen did not flinch or look any different. He had that same friendly smile on his face.
"Hello Captain Hitsugaya, excuse me for feeling embarrassed. The timing could have gone better. Especially given what I had done with young Momo here." Aizen said, sounding as friendly as ever.
Sort of disturbing the younger shinigami as Aizen acted like he just caught doing something silly and unbecoming.
"It can't be you, how are you all alive? Captain Unohana had confirmed your death and verified that it was you." Hitsugaya said, sounding confused.
"I am, though the explanation for my death is quite simple." Aizen said before somehow conjuring up a "corpse" in his hand.
Hitsugaya looked disturbed to see a lifelike doll of Aizen appear in the man's hands.
"Still, I should have worked faster and dealt with Hinamori sooner. But that's what I get for not working more urgently but then again, my resources were limited. I should manage my time better." Aizen said, sounding like he was embarrassed.
"You two manipulated everyone. How long have you been working together?" Hitsugaya asked.
"He asks quite a lot of questions, doesn't he?" Ichimaru asked, sounding like he was mocking Hitsugaya.
Aizen sighed, "It cannot be helped. We have worked on this from the beginning. It was pathetic on the Gotei 13 for not picking up on the truth sooner and blaming you, Gin. Though it made sense at first. It also can't be helped that Hinamori was easy to manipulate" He explained.
Hitsugaya curled his hands into his fists as his reiryoku began to rise. However, being fellow captains, Ichimaru and Aizen ignored the amount of power Hitsugaya released.
"Bankai! Daiguren Hyourinmaru!" Hitsugaya called out.
Hitsugaya suddenly grew a pair of wings made of ice and began to float. He then began to charge at Aizen with a great speed.
"Sosuke Aizen, I will kill you for your teacher!" Hitsugaya declared.
Aizen looked impassive and welcomed the attack. Which ended with Aizen being shattered into glass which confused Hitsugaya. But then he was further confused as he saw Esdeath appear beside him.
"Threats are so childish, but should we really be surprised?" Esdeath asked.
Hitsugaya slashed at Esdeath, nearly taking her head off but she bent over backwards. A second later, Esdeath disappeared and appeared again behind Hitsugaya who was too slow to react. For Esdeath drew a saber and stabbed the floor underneath Hitsugaya and trapped the young man in a giant block of ice.
"Trapping an ice user in his own element, how interesting." Aizen commented.
As for Ichimaru, giving the impression of being the annoying bastard everyone sees him as, decided to poke the ice. Hitsugaya struggled to break out of the ice but felt like the ice was keeping every muscle locked in place. Somehow his bankai even had trouble trying to break out.
"This is one fish I would not want to win in a carnival." Ichimaru quipped.
Esdeath ignored Ichimaru before she could find a reason to try and hit him. She then turned to Aizen who was looking around the corner as if preparing for the next stages of his plan.
"I've been meaning to ask, that power of yours. You Shinigami all have a unique ability with your swords.
I deduced that it's more than smoke and mirrors and it's beyond mere illusions." Esdeath said.
Aizen adjusted his glasses as he sensed Unohana and Isane arriving on time for him to explain himself. For whatever reason, his plan involved revealing his power to the Shinigami. Either as a flex or a way to further confuse them is unknown.
"You saw my body double. It was very real to the mind but it was a fake." Aizen said.
"It exists because he made it exist." Ichimaru said before earning an annoyed look. "Oh, how scary." he joked.
Aizen continued to explain himself, "My shikai allows me to disrupt the five senses. Regardless of one's level of perception or how prepared they are. They will be caught in my illusions before they can fathom the event." He explained.
Esdeath started putting it together but already threw away the idea that Aizen could manipulate reality. As well as directly attack the mind and implant images and feelings.
"An attack of the mind to make everything feel so real. It reminds me of something similar I heard." Esdeath heard.
Her mind trailed back to rumors she heard involving Ichigo using his "magic" coin. Which supposedly gives his victims an insane out of body experience. Leaving them exposed for him to attack while they were dreaming.
"Then you have guessed it. I can replace a fly look like a dragon and a swamp with a flower garden." Aizen said.
By this point, Esdeath noticed the fourth division's captain and lieutenant. With Isane giving her own theory as to what Aizen's shikai is. However it was wrong despite how strong her theory is. Which Esdeath chose to test by stomping her boot onto the ground.
Creating a massive circle of sharp icicles to surround her and pierce Aizen and Ichimaru. Only to watch them as they shattered into glass.
"Hypnosis, I never realized such a cheap parlor trick could be so powerful." Esdeath said,
Meanwhile the real Aizen was already walking out the door with Ichimaru.
"Then there's no more questions to be asked on you part. Let us meet again later, Partas-San." Aizen said before disappearing in a shunpo.
Ichimaru smirked at Esdeath once more, "I ask you to find your dark haired friend. She seems to be more reckless than you are." He said.
Ichimaru disappeared before Esdeath said anything, much to her annoyance. She then turned to look at Unohana and Isane who came close. Before they could try and apprehend her, Esdeath encased herself in a layer of ice. Only to shatter afterwards, leaving behind a few ice fragments and a frozen Hitsugaya behind.
"Captain Hitsugaya!" Isane cried out as she ran up to the ice block.
Unohana frowned, "We were all fooled and now Aizen used this moment to accomplish his treachery." She said.
She didn't believe Aizen was aware of Rukia being rescued by the ryoka. However, it looked like the teacher Shinigami captain used them and his new assistants to help spread the chaos to distract everyone.
And it was working.
"Captain Unohana, this ice is very solid. I think we might need special measures to free Captain Hitsugaya." Isane said as she failed to pierce the ice.
Isane considered using Hado and other abilities but wasn't sure if it was worth the risk of harming Hitsugaya in the process. Then again, she didn't know how special Esdeath's ice was and that even some upper tier spells would only weaken the ice rather than completely shatter it.
"I will have to hope that we have something to thaw him out. Otherwise Kurotsuchi might volunteer to aid him." Unohana said.
As a woman dedicated to treating everyone's health. Unohana's priorities involved avoiding the need for a psychopath like Kurotsuchi to get his hands of someone in pain or in deep trouble.
Back with Ichigo
After a bit of time to allow Ichigo recover and get patched up. Achilles got his chariot moving and proceeded to fly towards Rukia and everyone else. However, it became troublesome and hectic as Yachiru had stayed on the chariot and decided to further annoy Achilles.
"Give me that, I know where Jiggles and everyone else is." Yachiru said as she reached for the reins.
"No, don't touch that!" Achilles yelled.
"I know where to go!" Yachiru argued.
"No you don't!" Achilles argued back.
Ichigo groaned as the two continued to fight. It didn't help that it made the ride a lot more bumpy. Which only prompted Nightingale to shove him close to her body.
"I can't breathe." Ichigo complained.
"I apologize." Nightingale said before adjusting him.
Nightingale's plan was to make sure Ichigo didn't get thrashed around and open a wound. However, the ways she positioned him did not help too much. The young master didn't know if it would be better or worse if Nightingale didn't look like a pretty busty girl.
However, the "peace" came to an end quickly. How shocking.
Because Yachiru felt the immense power she mentioned earlier. She didn't need to voice her concerns as the whole ground began to shake and everyone saw the ground starting to crack.
"Icchi, that thing from earlier is back." Yachiru said.
"And what is this "thing" supposed to be?" Ichigo asked with a sigh.
"I don't know, but it's a lot bigger than ken-chan times a hundred." Yachiru answered.
Before Ichigo could try to guess what the cause of the energy and destruction was. He heard a loud pop in the distance, like something very far had exploded. He raised his head and tried to look for whatever caused it. Only to see a large figure in the distance releasing a large crimson blast of energy that began to destroy several buildings in the Seireitei.
"What is that? Some kind of demon?" Achilles asked.
"Maybe it's aliens. It looks too wobbly to be hollow." Yachiru said as she squinted.
It was hard to see what the creature that was attacking the Seireitei was due to how far it was. All anyone could see was a big black dot in the sky and it was destroying the central areas that might have been the most populated. The creature also let out a roar that felt very loud even from where Ichigo's group was.
"I might be going out on a limb with this but either it's a dragon or some kind…" Ichigo tried to say before hearing another roar.
"I'll settle with it, probably being a dragon right now." Achilles said, accepting the theory.
"We should find everyone else soon before anyone else is harmed." Nightingale said, imagining how many people were getting hurt.
And while it wouldn't have done any good for Ichigo. He was correct about what the monster was. Although many were not aware about where that dragon came from and why it was suddenly attacking.
With Rukia's Rescue Team
As Renji led the way out, everyone was stopped by the sudden appearance of Kaname Tosen. The blind shinigami captain's sudden appearance shocked the group and made them grow tense.
"Careful, this is another shinigami captain." Uryu warned.
Mash jumped in front of Renji and raised her shield. But Tosen merely took a step back and prepared to attack. Only to turn his head as he felt something coming.
"Careful everyone, Captain Tosen is blind but his other senses still work just fine." Renji warned.
"Then it's unfortunate that your senses are nowhere near as good, Abarai." Tosen said.
Aizen and Ichimaru suddenly appeared and cornered the group. Everyone quickly took up defensive positions and prepared for the worst.
"Oh my, what an interesting little group of misfits, you Ryoka are." Ichimaru said in a mocking tone.
Ichimaru opened one eye slightly and drew his zanpakuto before finding a chain wrapped around his arm. He then saw Ana, who was originally hiding in astral form, jumping high into the air. Before Ichimaru could try to fight back and free himself. Ana used her chain and twisted it behind Ichimaru's back and restrained him in an akward angle.
"Ichimaru, please stop messing around." Aizen said.
Ichimaru was about to apologize for the embarrassing position he was in when Tosen appeared behind Ana. Just as he prepared to strike her, Mash blocked the attack with her shield. Mash deflected the next few attacks while Ana tried to constrict Ichimaru. Leaving Aizen who expected Renji or anyone else to attack.
He just raised a brow at Mash and Ana who looked unique. At the same time, he noticed the uniforms on Uryu and Orihime and started having a small memory that revealed itself in his mind.
"Those clothes, they feel nostalgic." Aizen said, slowly remembering something fairly recent.
The next thing Aizen knew, Chad was about to punch him in the face. Only to move away just slightly, making Chad stumble and miss. Chad quickly recovered and tried hitting him but Aizen moved a bit every time. Chad eventually did seemingly catch Aizen off guard as he held back a punch that would have made him slip again.
Chad pulled back his fist and threw a fist where Aizen stood. Only to end up punching a hole through Aizen's head, making it shatter like glass much to his confusion. Before Chad could comprehend what happened, Aizen slashed his back and made him fall onto the ground.
"Bastard!" Ganju cursed before throwing a wave of fireworks around Aizen.
The spectacled man raised a brow before watching as Ganju threw a couple of smoke bombs into the mix and obscured his vision. Aizen just sighed before dodging a series of small explosives that would have knocked out or disoriented lesser men.
Without even needing a shunpo to move around. Aizen quickly moved beside Ganju who clumsily stepped back and prepared to throw a small bomb at his face. Instead, Ganju took a slash across his body and hit the ground.
Orihime gasped as she stood in front of Renji and raised her hands.
"Santen Kesshun!" she said, generating a barrier of light around Renji, Uryu and herself.
Aizen stared at the barrier blankly, showing little care for Orihime's power. Even if it was remotely unique, it was not going to stop him from fulfilling his mysterious ambitions.
"Abarai, you are relieved. If you wish, you may take the Ryoka with you." Aizen said, surprising Renji and Rukia. "However, you must leave Kuchiki behind." he said.
Renji was too stunned to respond, it was not too long ago that Aizen supposedly died. Everyone blamed Ichigo's group for his death, but now Aizen's sudden appearance shocked him. He couldn't understand how Aizen was here and it didn't look like he was going to stop and explain himself to Renji as well.
"We are not giving you Rukia!" Orihime exclaimed.
At the same time, Ana and Mash were still holding off Tossen and Ichimaru. As for Uryu, he mentally cursed as he could not do anything to help. No one knew this yet, but Uryu lost his powers after using an old technique meant to be used as a last resort. Now he was just an ordinary human compared to everyone else.
'Damn, where is Kurosaki or one of his other mysterious assistants?' Uryu wondered.
Aizen slowly approached the barrier and raised his blade. He prepared to try and break the barrier before giving his final warning.
"Abarai, I will not ask again. I need you to surrender your former colleague." Aizen said.
Renji snapped out of his shock and shoved Rukia into Uryu's arms. He then grabbed Orihime on the shoulder.
"Don't open the barrier! Keep Rukia safe!" Renji commanded.
"What…"
"If possible, run! I'm going to hold him off, even if it kills me!" Renji said before disappearing in a shunpo.
A second later, Aizen raised his zanpakuto to the side and blocked Renji's strike. Aizen casually blocked two more strikes before delivering a vertical slash that sent Renji skidding backwards. But that didn't stop the shinigami lieutenant as he came running up to Aizen again.
"Howl! Zabimaru!" Renji cried out.
Aizen then began to dodge each of Renji's whip styled attacks with no difficulty. Dodging each one as Renji struggled to hit him. Hoping to do enough to keep the shinigami captain from focusing on Orihime and Uryu. However, it looked like Aizen was just treating Renji like a mild pest.
As Renji continued to fight, he was stunned as he heard a message that everyone in the Seireitei could hear.
"This is Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu of the Fourth Division! Captain Sosuke Aizen has faked his death and has committed treachery!" Isane announced.
"What!? Treachery!?" Renji asked.
Renji was then slashed across the chest and sent crashing onto the ground as Isane continued.
"I repeat, Sosuke Aizen has betrayed the Gotei 13 along with Captain Gin Ichimaru! All available shinigami of each division! Please converge to his location near Sokyoku Hill!" Isane announced.
Tossen raised his head as he broke through Mash's defense and sent her crashing into Orihime's barrier.
"They know." Tossen told Aizen.
"Yes, once again I must improve my time management skills." Aizen said as if he was slight inconvenienced.
"Wait, betrayal? All three of you? But you're shinigami captains!" Renji said before Aizen stabbed him in the shoulders.
"The kind and honorable captain that you thought of… does not exist." Aizen said, his smile never once leaving his face during this whole event.
"Bastard!" Renji yelled before being kicked across the ground by Ichimaru.
"Shame on you, what would Captain Kuchiki say about such vulgarity?" Ichimaru asked in a mocking tone.
Renji struggled to stand as he glared at the three treacherous captains. All looking down at Renji as they planned to kill him and take Rukia. What confused Renji and everyone else is why they still wanted Rukia. If they are traitors, why concern themselves with one girl who is already deemed a criminal?
"I think I will end this before this gets too tedious." Ichimaru said.
Tosen took a step back while Aizen merely adjusted his glasses. Just as Ichimaru prepared to kill Renji, Mash quickly came back to defend Renji. She blocked Ichimaru's Zanpakuto again and parry the blow. She then tried to kick him only for the captain to block her attack.
"You are quite annoying." Ichimaru said before shoving Mash back.
A moment later, Ana decapitated Aizen who shattered into glass again. The Lancer looked around as she raised her guard, expecting Aizen to strike her from any point. Only to hear a loud yelp and a loud grunt,
She turned and saw Orihime and Uryu hit the ground after Aizen attacked them in quick succession. Where he then grabbed Rukia by the collar and began to drag her.
"Inoue!" Ana shouted.
She tried to lunge at Aizen only for Tosen to block her. Ana swung her scythe several times before locking herself in a stalemate with Tosen. Ana realized her opponent was blind but knew her power wasn't completely useless. Although she did wish her older self was here instead.
'I do not need to look at his eyes to petrify him. I just need enough mana to…'
"Bankai." is all Ana heard next before losing her vision,
Ana stumbled around and quickly swung her weapon around her. Trying to attack whatever was out there. She had no idea what happened and was confused as to why the world became dark to her. She continued to swing and move, thinking this was a trick.
'Did they use the power that Yoruichi-San mentioned?' Ana asked, remembering what Bankai meant.
The next thing the young Gorgon realized was that she felt great pain. She felt a sword stab her in the gut and she quickly slashed her scythe in the direction of where it came from but hit nothing. Ana was then cut several more times before collapsing, not knowing where Tosen had struck her.
'Kurosaki… hurry…' Ana thought as she coughed boood from her mouth.
Ana didn't die yet, as she was drifting between conscious and unconsciousness. When the light of the world finally returned, Ana found herself, Mash and Renji as the only conscious ones.
With Rukia and the treacherous Shinigami missing. She gasped as she looked at her injured comrades and struggled to stand up. Ana cried out in pain as she tried to move towards her allies. When she heard a voice calling out to them.
"Mash! Ana! Everyone!"
Ana turned her head and saw Ichigo barely arrive on the chariot. Ichigo coughed again before being picked up in Ana's arms.
"Ana, what happened here?" Ichigo asked.
"Ambush, by… treacherous… Shinigami. Rukia… taken…" Ana managed to say.
Ichigo was confused but shook his head before giving Ana to Nightingale. He quickly grabbed Mash and everyone else to load them up to the chariot.
"First I'm a taxi, now I'm a freaking ambulance." Achilles said with a tired sigh.
But he didn't have time to complain as the danger wasn't over yet. However it did feel very annoying that he had to do a massive roundabout.
Back on Sokyoku Hill
Aizen and his lackeys arrived at the hill again and dragged Rukia across the ground. He tried to force her to move on her own but noticed she was too weak right now. He sighed and prepared to get to work when he felt several presences.
Including one Captain Sajin Komamura who was missing his helmet and revealing his canine-like head. With a roar filled with rage, he released his shikai.
"Roar Tenken!" Komamura yelled as he slashed downward onto Aizen.
Despite being smaller than the anthropomorphic shinigami captain. Aizen only needed to hold up his hand to lock the zanpakuto in place. In his rage, Komamura put more pressure into his attack, keeping Aizen in place but only felt slightly more annoyed that Aizen showed little facial expression.
"Aizen!" Komamura roared at him. "How dare you!? You turned your back on all of us! I will kill you and Tosen for your treachery!" He threatened.
Aizen just grinned, "It's been too long since I've seen that face of yours. What occasion made you choose to reveal yourself, Komamura?" He asked.
Komamura growled and tried to punch Aizen, only to miss and leave a giant fist print on the ground. He then looked towards Tosen who face his direction without any emotion on his face.
"And you Tosen, what is your reason for betraying us?" Komamura asked.
Unlike Aizen, Tosen did not respond to Komamura who only felt further infuriated. Prompting the animalistic shinigami to growl and lunge at the blind man. Tosen dodged the strike and avoided each attack before jumping further away from the man he called a friend.
"I do not know why you do this, but because of our friendship. I will apologize, for I am left with no choice but to use my bankai." Komamura said.
Seconds before Komamura could do so, Aizen appeared beside Tosen and raised his palm.
"Hado #90: Kurohitsugi." Aizen casted.
Komamura was suddenly trapped in a black box prison where he was suddenly hit by a wave of spears. When the attack ended, the box dissipated and revealed a heavily injured Komamura who collapsed onto the ground from his wounds. Leaving a shocked Rukia and an impressed Ichimaru.
"What a marvelous display, to use Hado on such a level without an incarnation is very impressive." Ichimaru said.
"Don't think much of it. I could not use Kurohitsugi at full power given its level." Aizen said, confusing Ichimaru at first. "Still, we are not done yet but we have to move faster." He said.
Ichimaru was about to question it before Tosen faced the sky. Despite not being able to see what was going on. His senses told him several people were up there and it took Ichimaru to notice it. When he suddenly saw Ichigo rushing towards Aizen.
Ichimaru prepared to draw his zanpakuto but Aizen stopped him. As Aizen prepared to counter Ichigo's attack. Ichimaru suddenly opened his eyes a bit as his body felt like it was being squished. Then he was given a horrible headache that left him hissing in pain.
"Never turn your back in a wrestling match!" Quetzalcoatl said as she suddenly appeared behind Ichimaru.
Ichimaru was shocked to have been given a surprise pile driver. He had literally seen the Rider do this to the lieutenants. Now he was a victim and his brain was having a hard time trying to wrap itself around the sudden attack. Once Quetzalcoatl let go, Ichimaru landed on his face.
Meanwhile, Ichigo tried to deliver a heavy slash towards Aizen. Only for Aizen to block it easily… with a single finger. Followed by Ichigo remembering the lesson Zaraki gave him about needing enough reiryoku to harm your foe. Where he realized that Aizen had a lot more than him and likely Zaraki.
Aizen adjusted his finger and tapped Ichigo's zanpakuto. Briefly raising an eyebrow at how it felt compared to a regular sword and even his own zanpakuto. He didn't think much of it as Ichigo's wounds practically exploded and he collapsed onto the ground in a pool of his own blood.
"Ichigo!" Rukia cried out.
Aizen looked at Ichigo before looking back at his zanpakuto. Hardly anyone saw it, but Aizen had actually slashed Ichigo the moment after he blocked the boy's attack. Aizen sighed as he realized how thick Ichigo's flesh became in his bankai form.
"Your will to live is stronger than your skill, but then again. It looks like your skill is still dormant." Aizen said.
"Let me show mine then!" Quetzalcoatl yelled.
Aizen quickly evaded Quetzalcoatl's club's strike as it hit the ground with an impact heavier that Komumura's punch. The Aztect goddess turned to face Aizen and quickly swung at him a few times. With her landing a hit that Aizen blocked, but resulted in the ground beneath him beginning to crack.
Aizen was about to say something witty before feeling a small fluxure of of energy in Quetzalcoatl.
"Quetzalcoatl, take whatever power I have left and finish this guy! The same goes for you, Achilles!" Ichigo exclaimed.
Aizen suddenly felt a bit more pressure coming from Quetzalcoatl. He escaped from her sight using a shunpo and quickly looked at Ichigo. Where he saw his command seals glowing only to disappear completely which only hit Aizen with more memories. It was surprising but it made him smirk before raising his zanpakuto to block another strike from the Rider.
"It all makes sense now." Aizen said before slashing at Quetzalcoatl.
Only for the woman to tank the shot and kick him in the gut. Aizen recovered quickly before taking off his glasses and slicking back his hair. Everyone but his associates were surprised by this new aura surrounding Aizen as he presented himself with a new appearance.
"I didn't fully understand those two girls, but I now grasp it all." Aizen said.
Ichigo glared at Aizen as he struggled to stand. Quetzalcoatl readied herself to hit him again and Achilles was dueling Ichimaru and Tosen at the same time. With Nightingale guarding the wounded who could not move. Still, all of them listened closely as Aizen had news of his own to share.
"It was expected that you ryoka appear in the west Rukongai. I had kept an eye on you for so long and knew you would stir up enough noise to distract everyone, but other than my poor time management skills. I did not fully prepare for who you really were." Aizen said.
Ichigo gritted his teeth, "Bastard, how do you know where we came from?" he asked.
"I planned it, but really it's Kisuke Urahara's fault. He only has one base of operations and it was easy knowing where he would send you." Aizen said.
"You know about him?" Ichigo asked.
"I do, I know more about him than he lets on. However, I doubt he fully understands what you are. A master of Chaldea, you were part of the program started by Marisbury Aninumusphere." Aizen said, further shocking Ichigo.
Aizen was initially confused by the appearance of the servants. Despite Marisbury's death, Aizen still had a good knowledge of what went on there. He didn't know every detail but he was aware of the insanity that went on there. Luckily for him, it was successful and the world didn't end.
"Really, I have to thank Kisuke for bringing me what I need. I also thank you for not letting humanity die and let that monster do as he wished." Aizen said.
'He knew about Goetia? What else does he know?' Ichigo wondered as the surprises kept coming.
Even Rukia was sounding confused after hearing it from Aizen. It sounded to Rukia that Ichigo was a part of something complex and important. Something big if it did involve the deaths of humans because Aizen wasn't the type to make funny remarks about human genocide.
"Wait, what did that bucket hat wearing jerk do!?" Ichigo asked.
"It's not too difficult to explain. Ordinarily, that girl should have received her powers the traditional way. Honestly, this was one of the reasons why Kisuke was banished for making a gigai that cannot hold reishi." Aizen explained as he went to grab Rukia.
As he dragged Rukia and began a weird process that summoned a strange set of green spear shaped pillars. Aizen decided to finish his story to further reveal his plan and why Urahara's shady works have benefited him.
"Because of this, Kisuke gave this girl such a gigai. Which prevented her from accessing her powers and thus going "missing". As well as slowly turning human in a way." Aizen said.
Rukia grimaced as her memory of when Urahara found her had flashed into her mind. She couldn't believe that the store owner purposely caused all this and nearly got her killed. Now a respected shinigami captain was trying to torture her or something.
"Now, as for Rukia Kuchiki here, I am not here to execute her per se. Rather, just take what Kisuke was hiding within her." Aizen said.
"You leave the short luchadora alone!" Quetzalcoatl yelled as she jumped into the air.
As she tried to take out Aizen, Ichimaru appeared in front of her. Where he tried to stab Quetzalcoatl only for her to block it. Ichimaru grinned as he used the momentum against the Rider and grabbed her from the waist.
"Let us see how much you enjoy being on the other end of the hold." Ichimaru said.
He then tried to twist Quetzalcoatl's body to slam her into the ground. Only to realize how weak he was in comparison to the Aztec Goddess. Which left him panting as Quetzalcoatl fought back and ended up bashing her elbow into his face a few times.
"How about you pick up a weight, flaco (skinny)!" Quetzalcoatl said before crashing landing on top of Ichimaru.
As for Achilles, he was still fighting Tosen who began to look exhausted. But the blind man was far too determined to let go of his stronger enemy.
"I don't care if you are a good fighter. This is becoming way too tedious." Achilles said as he blocked Tosen's next strike.
Ichigo glared at Aizen as he struggled to stand and could barely get a knee up. Nightingale looked at the unconscious group behind her and looked back at Aizen. She curled her hand into a fist and prepared to jump into the fight when she heard Mash coughing.
"S-Senpai!" Mash called out as she tried to stand up.
"Mash, do not move! You are still injured!" Nightingale warned.
Mash grunted as she struggled to stand and used Achilles' chariot for support. She continued to move before looking at her downed friends.
"Please wake up, I know you're tired and hurt. But we need you." Mash pleaded.
Mash bent down a bit and gently rubbed Orihime's back, hoping she could muster the strength to wake up and stand.
"Inoue, you don't have to use your powers. Just the mystic code on the uniform." Mash said.
The standard uniform came with three abilities. Albeit not as effective as her Shun Shun Rika. The uniform has the power to heal servants just a bit. In its current state, it's not enough but Mash believed it would help to at least close Ichigo's wounds and help him get up.
Or at least give Mash the strength to tag herself in.
"Please…" Mash whispered.
At the same time, Aizen's hand turned green as he reached for Rukia's chest and revealed a large black hole. Where he dug inside and pulled out an exotic looking pebble like object. It looked like Aizen found whatever it was that Urahara had hidden within Rukia.
"The Hogyoku at last. While difficult to obtain, I am glad that Kisuke left notes on how to extract objects within a soul." Aizen said.
Rukia gasped as Aizen let go of her and let her drop to the ground. The girl stared at Aizen with fearful eyes as he obtained the mystery object that Urahara was hiding within her.
"Quite smaller than I expected but look at you, Kuchiki. That hole is closing so your soul is unharmed. Kisuke's research really does wonders." Aizen said, sounding impressed.
Despite showing interest in Rukia's survival during the extraction. It sounds like the traitor couldn't care less for Rukia's health. As he then tossed her to the side and looked towards Ichimaru who avoided another heavy strike from Quetzalcoatl.
"Gin, when you are done playing. Please deal with this." Aizen said.
Ichimaru wiped his forehead before using a shunpo to avoid another strike. He then positioned himself and aimed his Zanpakuto at Rukia.
"Ikorose Shinsou." Ichimaru said as his blade extended towards Rukia.
Rukia raised her arms and flinched when she heard the sound of metal clanging. She looked up and saw Achilles had blocked the attack with his shield. The Hero of the Trojan War just smirked at Ichimaru who frowned at him.
"What's the big blade for? Compensating for something?" Achilles mocked.
"That is a vulgar quip. How disgusting." Ichimaru replied before retracting his blade.
"What's disgusting is attacking an unarmed lady when someone tells you too." Achilles said, adding more insults.
Ichimaru opened one eye slightly and saw very few injury marks on Achilles. He then looked out the corner of his eye and saw Tosen was barely standing. He cursed as Tosen already exerted himself fighting Zaraki and Achilles himself is already a strong servant despite having lower parameters.
Before Ichimaru could plan the next stage of his plan. He found himself having to avoid stray fire bullets. Where he turned to see Nightingale shooting at him with an outdated looking pistol before throwing a grenade at him.
"What is this? The 1920s? Are you from the 1920s?" Ichimaru asked as he avoided the blast.
As Ichimaru was distracted, Aizen tried to attack Achilles who blocked his attack then parried his next strikes, Achilles did well until he stabbed Aizen who shattered into glass. He quickly grabbed Rukia and raised his shield, narrowly avoiding another sword strike.
"That skill is getting on my nerves!" Achilles exclaimed as he ran.
Aizen didn't bother to chase Achilles as he felt more signatures. Soon enough, the entire hill was surrounded by various other captains including Byakuya, Soi Fon, Hitsugaya, and a few lieutenants who surrounded him. Even Komamura found the strength to stand up and snarl at him.
"It's over Aizen! You can't beat us all!" Komamura yelled.
Aizen ignored Komamura's threats as Ichimaru went to grab Tosen before he was also caught. Only to avoid getting shot by Nightingale which resulted in him being caught by Rangiku who aimed her zanpakuto at his throat.
"Oh my, aren't we close?" Ichimaru asked, still not taking anything seriously.
Rangiku held her weapon tightly, "Give me a reason, Gin." she said.
Ichimaru smiled away in silence while Tosen was slowly approached by Soi Fon. Only for the woman to suddenly collapse as she coughed up blood.
"Soi Fon!" Yoruichi yelled as she also appeared to grab her.
Yorucihi looked around and Amou had arrived and was saving Tosen. She gave Yoruichi some smug look that annoyed her. Before anyone else said anything, they heard a loud voice coming from the sky.
Even Aizen looked a bit surprised to see Jidanbo falling from the sky with Kukaku on his shoulder. With the woman raising her palm towards Aizen as they fell.
"Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move and become the wind, stop and become calm. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle! Hado #63: Raikoho!" Kukaku shouted.
Kukaku then blasted Aizen with a powerful beam of light from her palm. Only for it to be blocked by a massive wave of ice that continuously grew until the attack ended. She was shocked by the sudden defense and that was when Esdeath revealed herself.
"I apologize for my tardiness. It seems like I also need to fix my time management skills." Esdeath said, smirking at everyone.
Ichigo gasped as he saw Esdeath while struggling to stand. He also felt a shiver as she gave him some kind of lovesick look that reminded him too much of Medea and several other female servants. At the same time, he noticed Amou smirking at him as well.
Despite only seeing her now for the first time since he arrived in the Soul Society. Ichigo couldn't help but feel like he's seen such a smug looking person before. Like a single frame in his memory was trying to present itself. Whatever questions Ichigo had would never be answered as the sky ripped open and Aizen and the rest of his associates including the girls were surrounded by a dark beam.
Where everyone looked up to see a whole group of Menos Grandes. Yamamoto arrived moments later to see Aizen escape much to his frustration.
"Tosen!" Komamura yelled at the sky. "Did you forget your sense of justice!? That you became a shinigami for your deceased friend!?" he angrily asked.
Tosen moved his head to face Komamura, "I have always walked the path of justice as I am now." he said.
This angered Komamura and everyone else knew there was little to be said as their enemies got away. But Ukitake, who had also just arrived, had tried to question Aizen to try and understand his complex plans.
"Aizen, why did you betray us? How far have you fallen?" Ukitake asked.
Aizen scoffed, "I am reaching greater heights. How can I fall when none of us or even gods have reached the heavens?" he asked.
"If I could interject." Ichigo suddenly said as Nightingale helped him up.
"You may not, Last Master of Chaldea." Aizen interrupted.
"Last Master? What's that?" Yumichika asked.
"Is that like a title?" Rangiku asked.
As everyone wondered what Aizen meant by that title and what his motivations were. The man escaped into Hueco Mundo. Leaving a mess for everyone else to clean up. For soon enough, they would have to combat strangers along with enemies they called friends. By siding with strangers they thought of as enemies, but will have to call friends.
"Damn, this hurts." Ichigo cursed.
"Hold on Kurosaki-kun! Mash-chan said my coat's powers are limited, I can heal you right away if you…"
Orihime was interrupted by Nightingale who suddenly spawned a hospital bed and tossed Ichigo onto it and got to work.
"Inoue, go check everyone else. Kurosaki is my patient and I will cleanse his wounds." Nightingale said.
"Actually, I wouldn't mind just…" Ichigo tried to say before Nightingale went overboard on him again.
Mash winced as she heard Ichigo cry out with discomfort. Meanwhile, the shinigami were trying to help everyone as Unohana and her squad arrived to help the injured Ryoka and shinigami.
"Fou?" Fou asked as he appeared on Mash's shoulder.
"I don't know what will happen next, Fou." Mash replied.
Fou gently nudged his head against Mash's cheek, either to comfort her or himself after today's events.
TO BE CONTINUED…