Chapter 49: The Sōkyoku
Over 100 Years Ago, Soul Society
The Fon was a family of the lesser nobility who for generations were executioners and assassins.
Life service in the Punishment Force was the destiny of a Fon.
Strength was everything to us.
Those who were unfit to join were cast out and disinherited.
Mine was the ninth generation. I was the youngest of six siblings to enter the force.
I gave up the name of Shaolin Fon and took the name Soi Fon, the name my great-grandmother had used.
My five brothers were all killed—two on their first mission, two on their second, and the last on his sixth mission. All dead.
There was sadness, but more than that I was ashamed at their lack of strength.
She, however…
…the 22nd and first female head of the Shihoin family to rule the Tenshi Heisoban.
Her skill in hand-to-hand combat was transcendent.
She was noble, elegant, and frighteningly strong.
She was everything I wanted to be.
I was in awe of her.
In time, my feelings went beyond adoration to worship.
A young female Shinigami wearing a black, ninja-like outfit bows at the entrance of a room with the door open, "Soi Fon reporting, Commander."
Before the young Shinigami is a dark-skinned woman with short purple hair wearing a modified, sleeveless Shihakusho, seated comfortably on a rather regal-looking chair, "Oh! Hello! Then you heard?"
Soi Fon's gaze becomes serious as she looks to the ground before her, her head still bowed down in reverence, "Yes! I will devote myself, body and soul, to protect the commander…"
Seven years after enlisting, I joined the Guard Corps which reported directly to the commander.
The woman sits casually in her chair, huffing, "' Commander'… that's way too formal. Call me Yoruichi."
Soi Fon flinches, raising from her posture in surprise, "I… I wouldn't dare! I could never call the commander…"
Yoruichi furrows her brows, her expression relaying that she doesn't really like where Soi Fon is going.
The girl notices this and blushes lightly as she looks down nervously, "Um… t-then may I call you Lady Yoruichi?"
The Squad 2 captain sighs dramatically, "You're too stiff! Oh well… Whatever you want."
The woman then sits forward in her chair, now wearing a smirk on her face, "I called you here because of your skills. I don't care what you call me. I'm expecting great things from you, Soi Fon!"
Soi Fon perks up at this, an enthusiastic smile on her face, "T-thank you!"
I had no doubts…
I was elated.
Even in battle, I was happy.
I would've died for her…
Over and over, I swore it in my heart.
To the woman who took me under her wing and showed me how to enjoy life…
That my life could be more than simple, endless battle.
The young girl opens the door to the captain's quarters, staring within with widened eyes to find it completely vacant.
It came without warning.
Without even saying goodbye, she disappeared from my life…
Seireitei, Soul Society
Soi Fon blinks as she stares at the back of the head of the person holding her over their shoulder. Held within her shocked eyes is familiar dark purple hair, although it is now much longer than she remembers.
The captain stutters somewhat, too taken aback to speak correctly, "L-lady… Y-Yoruichi…?
The newcomer turns their head to regard the woman, a playful glint held in the golden, cat-like eyes, "It's been a while, hasn't it, Soi Fon?"
A frown forms on the face of the woman in question as tears begin to fall from her eyes, "Y-you came back…!"
Yoruichi sighs and looks away from the captain as she breaks into an emotional fit, "Give me a break… crying on the battlefield is not something a fighter with your experience should ever do, least of all in front of the enemy…"
As the former captain thinks this, her eyes focus on the so-called enemy: a taller woman with long green hair wearing white clothing. The woman, one of the most powerful Hollows in existence given her status as an Arrancar and an Espada, narrows her previously widened, shocked eyes, a serious gaze matching her would-be opponent.
Yoruichi questions calmly, not letting her gaze leave the Arrancar, "Can you stand, Soi Fon?"
The captain blinks, before hardening her gaze somewhat, bringing herself back to reality, "…I can."
As if prompted, the former captain drops her former pupil from her grasp, allowing her to stand on her own feet. Soi Fon begins to wear a smirk as she sends a side eye at the Arrancar, "She's done for—".
Her former captain interrupts her train of thought, "Take that vice-captain of yours and leave, Soi Fon. Go to Squad 4 for healing."
Soi Fon widens her eyes before staring at the woman in shock. Her mouth is agape for a moment before she scowls deeply, almost snapping at her idol, "Y-you can't be serious! She destroyed me with only a fraction of her power! We should fight her together!"
Yoruichi frowns, "This isn't up for debate, Soi Fon…"
The younger woman's face becomes beat red out of both frustration and worry, hot tears forming at the edges of her eyes as she snaps, "What do you mean this isn't up for debate?! You left a century ago without giving me so much as a sign that you were leaving—YOU HAD TO HAVE KNOWN I WOULD'VE GONE WITH YOU! I trained so hard, hoping that one day you would return, to the point that I've even surpassed you, and NOW YOU TELL ME I CAN'T EVEN FIGHT BY YOUR SIDE?! YOU'LL DIE IF YOU FIGHT HER ALONE!"
The cat woman narrows her eyes as her former student breathes heavy, haggard breath. She has clearly thrown her voice off by all the yelling.
Before Yoruichi can say anything; however, the Espada decides to comment, causing the captain to regard her, "I don't know your history, nor do I care to, but if you think she's weaker than you, then you truly are a fool…"
The captain scrunches her brows in confusion, the red beginning to leave her face somewhat, before Yoruichi smirks slightly as her brows furrow, "I'm not the same fighter you trained under, Soi Fon. You should be able to tell that just by looking at me."
Soi Fon narrows her eyes, observing her former captain more carefully before letting out a slight gasp as she steps back, becoming somewhat nervous, "W-what… how…?!"
Yoruichi suddenly pats Soi Fon lightly on the head, causing the younger Shinigami to blush slightly as her mentor mutters under her breath so only the captain can hear, "I'll explain everything to you once all of this is over, but right now I need you to get out of here to safety…"
Soi Fon widens her eyes as Yoruichi retracts her hand, still not taking her eyes off Nelliel as she fakes an annoyed expression, "Well, what are you waiting for, Captain? Don't you think you ought to make a tactical retreat now that the Ryoka and Hollows are fighting each other?"
The captain nods slowly without speaking a word. Soi Fon turns around and looks to the right, finding the downed form of her vice-captain sprawled on the ground a distance away. Nelliel eyes the captain intently as she grabs the man by his collar with her left hand and slings him over her back. Soi Fon glances briefly once more at her mentor, an anxious expression on her face, before disappearing with a flash.
After the captain leaves, Yoruichi sighs, feeling relieved that her former pupil is off the battlefield, however, can't shake what she feels approaching in the far distance, "The Head Captain will be here soon… just my luck…"
Nelliel furrows her brows, regarding the multitude of other Shinigami littering the ground, "What about them…? It's dangerous to assume that they won't get caught in the crossfire…"
Yoruichi maintains a slight frown, merely stating, "I've been around long enough to know that I can't save everyone."
The Arrancar's brow twitches at this, her frown deepening somewhat, however, chooses not to comment on her further thoughts on the matter.
Yoruichi smirks, beginning to test the waters, "I know you can sense that massive Reiatsu in the distance—that'd be the Head Captain. You're probably thinking of retreating with that Reiatsu-suppressing cloak you Hollows seem to like, am I wrong?"
Nelliel widens her eyes in shock, her mouth hanging open somewhat as Yoruichi's smirk widens, "Seems I'm not. You should know that I have no intention of letting you escape, though. I can't afford to run the risk that you'll continue to hunt down my allies, especially Soi Fon after all the effort I put in to save her."
The Arrancar scowls upon hearing the other woman's declaration, "You act as though this Head Captain won't view you as an enemy in this situation. From what I've gathered, the Ryoka are to be put to death."
Yoruichi's expression becomes neutral and unreadable, "Since you seem so interested in talking, I'll indulge you some more. I can predict how that man will act—I served under him for most of my life. I won't bore you with the details, but it is unlikely that he'll outright kill me. It goes without saying that he won't hesitate to do that to you, though. Either way, I don't plan on sticking around until he arrives."
The Espada raises a brow, which the purple-haired woman ignores as she somewhat changes the subject, "You seem to have some honor, Hollow, so I've gotta ask; why fight alongside others of your kind who have such shamelessly murderous intent?"
Nelliel forces herself to hold back a scoff, a deep frown on her face and her eyes containing a deep, yet calm, rage, "Why do you fight alongside such shamelessly murderous Shinigami?"
The golden eyes of the former captain widen briefly before a smirk settles on her face, "I didn't expect such a silver tongue from a Hollow…"
Yoruichi's form vanishes suddenly, prompting the Arrancar to widen her eyes and instinctively swing her Zanpakuto towards the air behind her—at the form of the former captain. However, the vision of the ninja woman fades, revealing that Nelliel struck naught but air. Suddenly, Yoruichi appears in front of the Arrancar, whose blade is far too outstretched behind her to hope to parry the skyward axe kick from the cat-like woman, which crashes against Nelliel's jaw and sends her staggering backward as blood spews from her mouth. Nelliel covers her mouth with her left gloved hand, finding it now covered with blood as she manages to regain her bearings somewhat.
Yoruichi smirks at the Hollow, a fierce look held in her eyes as she finishes her statement, "…it'd be a shame if you couldn't use it anymore."
The Arrancar's eyes twitch in cold fury as she takes the blood in her left hand and begins to mix it with a distorted magenta-colored Cero. Before she can release her Gran Rey Cero, Yoruichi once more disappears, making the Arrancar tense up instinctively. Yoruichi suddenly reappears behind the Arrancar and jabs several punches into the woman's back, causing her to stumble and release the Cero in the air, which produces a large shockwave, sending many of the bodies of the downed Shinigami flying off, away from the battlefield.
Nelliel once more strikes the air behind her before a mid-air Yoruichi appears to her left and lands a vicious roundhouse kick to the back of the Arrancar's neck, sending her tumbling to the ground. The Espada's body continues to roll until it crashes into some rubble, leaving the woman to stare at her assailant in an upside-down position, her legs and stomach also fully within her view.
In the next moment, Yoruichi disappears once more, prompting Nelliel to force her body to roll to the right, narrowly avoiding an axe kick from the ninja woman that sends debris flying due to the impact. The Espada manages to gain somewhat proper footing before vanishing with a buzz, once more narrowly avoiding a punch from the seasoned fighter.
Having retreated a distance away, Nelliel catches her breath, her brows scrunched in mild frustration as she locks eyes with the cat-like woman, "Her strikes go through my Hierro as it is right now, and she is too fast for me to make a proper retreat with the Reiatsu-suppressing cloak… that leaves only one option…"
Yoruichi tenses up as she watches Nelliel hold her blade horizontally in front of her, placing her left hand on the blunt end of it. The Zanpakuto begins to emit hazy smoke, which further adds to the former captain's nervousness. Not wanting to extend this fight any further, the ninja woman races towards the Espada, however, she is not quite quick enough.
As Yoruichi is within arm's reach of Nelliel, the Espada chants, "Declare, Gamuza!"
An explosion of power erupts around Nelliel, cloaking her body in a haze while Yoruichi's widened eyes remain fixed on her target. The ninja woman, as if ignoring what happened, continues to send a punch inside the haze, however, pauses as a large, white lance pierces through the smoke directly at her. Yoruichi quickly shifts her body to the side, narrowly evading the lance piercing through where her neck was, and, continuing to swing her body around, attempts to deliver a back-handed left punch to the form within the smoke. Her blow hits something, although, halts against whatever it hit, causing Yoruichi to wear a cringed expression in recoil.
The haze clears somewhat to reveal that her blow struck Nelliel on the side of the face, however, did no damage. The Espada outstretches her left hand, now covered in a white gauntlet, through the haze and grabs the shocked Yoruichi by the black fabric around her neck before bringing her in close and delivering a brutal headbutt to the ninja woman.
Yoruichi grunts in pain, blood now trickling down her forehead, before shooting her eyes open as Nelliel attempts another headbutt. As if on instinct, the ninja woman's body becomes coated with fierce, white Reishi, before she knees the Espada in the stomach, causing her to wheeze and stagger backward, releasing the former captain from her grasp.
Yoruichi takes this opportunity to regain her bearings as well as observe the form of Nelliel's Resurreccion. Nelliel takes on the form of a centaur with brown fur on her lower horse-like body and a black tail. The upper half of her body remains somewhat similar, including the white upper half of her Gi, however, there are several differences and additions. The woman's shoulders are covered by white spaulders that go from her shoulder blades to the bottom of her neck. A black fabric hugs up against her arms, which is covered by white armor on her elbows, as well as the white gauntlets on her hands. Her face and hair are more-or-less the same, but the horns of her Hollow mask have extended in length behind her, appearing not unlike the horns of a Capricorn. In her right hand is the white double-sided lance that replaces her Zanpakuto, which is reminiscent of a jousting weapon. Indeed, her entire appearance is overall akin to that of a medieval knight.
Neither of the women wastes any further time, however, as Yoruichi bursts forth with increased speed and attack potency, prompting Nelliel to hold her lance defensively. As the ninja closes in, Nelliel prepares a Cero in her left hand, pointed directly at the other woman. Yoruichi disappears with a flash as the Arrancar launches the Cero, which causes a small explosion. The ninja appears to the Espada's upper left before sending a vicious barrage of punches and kicks into her side, causing her to stagger somewhat. Nelliel attempts a reprisal with her white lance, quickly shifting her grip on it to her left hand and striking at the ex-captain. Unfortunately for her, however, her strike hits naught but air as Yoruichi zips around the battlefield, appearing as a flash of white lightning.
Nelliel's eyes struggle to keep up with Yoruichi's movements, causing her to shift her stance a few times as she catches glimpses of the former captain. Suddenly, she is struck in the back of the head, causing her to swing at the air behind her before taking another blow to the side of her horse-like lower body, sending her staggering to the side. This type of exchange continues for a while, Nelliel unable to accurately parry or honestly do much of anything other than tanking the blows.
The Espada closes her eyes, sending her other senses into overdrive as she attempts to instinctually track the other woman's movements. Her ears take in the shifting wind around the ninja woman, which, due to the speed of her movements, ultimately sounds like a tempest of gales that otherwise would overload her senses. However, in combination with the blows Yoruichi lands, Nelliel, at least instinctually, understands the movements of her opponent to a better degree than before.
Therefore, when the ninja woman attempts to strike the Arrancar in the back, she is caught completely off guard as Nelliel's left rear hoof is slammed into her stomach, causing her to gasp as she chokes on air. In the very next moment, Yoruichi is sent across the battlefield, crashing into debris. Taking advantage of Yoruichi's momentary loss of bearings, Nelliel turns her body around and raises her lance above her head while outstretching her left arm toward the downed ninja.
Yoruichi shakes her head as she sits in the rubble and opens her eyes in alarm as the other woman declares as she throws her lance, "Lanzedor Verde!"
The ninja woman places her hands on the ground urgently and quickly disappears, narrowly evading the attack that goes on to slam against the ground she was just sitting on and causing a small crater. Nelliel's eyes dart around anxiously, having lost track of her opponent. Suddenly, Yoruichi appears on top of Nelliel's horseback and slams both of her hands, locked together and infused with white, crackling lightning for more power, into the back of the Espada's neck. Nelliel's head rattles due to the blow as her body staggers. Yoruichi retreats a distance, saying something, but the Espada cannot make out the words as her senses are currently fuzzy due to the blow.
Yoruichi, profusely bruised on her hands due to the increased strength of Nelliel's Hierro, glances at the staggering Hollow as the white aura around her body fades, somewhat impressed, "I've gotta hand it to you, Hollow. If nothing else, your kind is strong. Even after all that training I still had to go all out to beat you…"
The cat-like woman smirks as she pulls her black ninja mask over her mouth, "I'm afraid I'm out of time, but if you survive what's next, I'd like to settle the score with you someday…"
Without further delay, Yoruichi disappears with a flash. Just as the woman leaves, Nelliel manages to regain her bearings. She looks around briefly and fails to notice the ninja woman she was fighting. As if recalling something, the Espada widens her eyes as something is slammed on the ground behind her. The hairs on the back of her neck stand as she feels the overwhelming torrent of fiery Reiatsu rain down on her, freezing her where she stands.
A rough, ancient voice growls, "I sincerely hope you do not expect pardon for this, Yoruichi Shihoin. There are none currently who can grant you proper pardon… however…"
Nelliel slowly shifts her head, fearfully regarding the ancient being standing behind her, currently holding a lance at his side and wrath in his eyes, "…you have my thanks for granting me the opportunity of slaughtering one of these arrogant Hollows!"
As soon as the Head Captain tightens his grip on the lance, Yamamoto appears right in front of the Espada and swings the Sōkyoku at her. Nelliel's body went into fight or flight, obviously choosing the latter, the moment before, which caused her to instinctively use Sonido in the same moment that Yamamoto attacked, merely resulting in him grazing her face with the tip of the lance.
Yamamoto hums as blood drips from the end of the legendary naginata in his grasp. He looks to his left to regard the form of the Espada, bleeding profusely from the area in between her eyes, forcing her left one shut. Further, Nelliel's mask has formed a crack that travels through its left eye, a testament to how much that strike was intended to kill and that she only dodged due to a fluke, some twisted turn of good fortune. Although such good fortune never happens twice in a row. Therefore, what happens next is not due to good luck, but the will of the individuals involved.
Yamamoto locks his eyes on Nelliel, who can feel death approaching her, at this point nearly accepting she will die. The Head Captain changes his stance such that his left foot is behind him as he tilts his body forward slightly, clearly making for a lunge that the Espada will have no way of dodging. As the living legend is going to make his move, he suddenly raises his head towards the sky with widened eyes. Immediately afterwards, lavender flames rain down on him, engulfing the entire area around him in raw energy briefly before such energy erupts to form a mushroom cloud leading to a shockwave that causes even the likes of Nelliel to stagger.
The Espada looks upward, her eyes widening as she finds the source of the blast. There, in the skies above the battlefield, is a figure dressed completely in white with long, orange-flowing hair and a forward-facing horn protruding from the right side of his head.
Nelliel calms her breathing as a smile of relief comes to her face, "I… Ichigo…!"
Meanwhile, in the sky above the battlefield, the Arrancar responsible for the former blast looks down at the mushroom cloud with rage-filled eyes. His pupils rapidly shake and shrink down in size, further adding emphasis to the being's wrath.
Nelliel doesn't need to look at her King, or rather, friend, to know that it is not a good idea for her to stick around any longer. Her lance flies out of the rubble a distance away, returning to her right hand before her form shrinks down to its usual, humanoid state. She quickly sheathes her blade and gives Ichigo one last brief look before disappearing with the buzz of Sonido.
Ichigo's eyes narrow at the mushroom cloud as he immediately unsheathes the black blade from his hip, holding it defensively. In the very next moment, Yamamoto is before him with the Sōkyoku poised to kill. The two blades clash, creating an even greater shockwave that completely blows the mushroom cloud away and shakes the very Earth underneath them.
As the blades lock, Yamamoto grunts, "To think that fate would bring us to clash so soon, upstart!"
Ichigo narrows his eyes briefly, his scowl deepening, "This is not fate's doing, but MINE SHINIGAMI!"
Coating his blade with blackened red energy, Ichigo forces Yamamoto back. Although unexpected to the young Hollow, Yamamoto does not stagger, leaving no room for any of the usual openings he would expect from a parry.
Ichigo's eyes widen, a frown returning to his face, "What's with that lance? It feels oddly familiar… not to mention that this guy in general is on a whole different level than Barragan…"
As if to prove Ichigo right, Yamamoto adjusts his grip on the Sōkyoku, jabbing it forward with immense speed—ironically capitalizing on the opening Ichigo was trying to make for himself, but in his momentary shock, ended up making for his opponent. Ichigo's expression turns urgent as he barely manages to misdirect the blow from being fatal with his blade, sending the tip of the naginata cutting across the left side of his lower chest.
Ichigo winces in pain, as not only has blood been drawn, but the cut seems to burn. After a moment, there is dread in his eyes upon reaching a realization, "I CAN'T REGENERATE!"
Ichigo forces himself to cut off his thoughts to avoid repeating his previous mistake, parrying Yamamoto's next flurry of thrusts. The Hollow grits his teeth in frustration as it takes all his attention and effort to block Yamamoto's thrusts, finding no opportunities to attack.
Unknown to the duo battling in the sky, black runes float across the ground below, turning into fire and water and mixing with the ground, beginning to transform it into two different structures.
Ichigo, still bleeding from the left side of his chest, growls as his black blade crashes against the side of the naginata, finally knocking it away in such a way that it causes an opening in Yamamoto's form. The Arrancar wastes no time in thrusting his blade at the legendary captain, poised for a fatal blow. Yamamoto is not so easy, however, as he masterfully flips the lance, which was formerly loose in his right hand, shifting his stance back and in a circle, and evading Ichigo's thrust, before shifting the lance once more in both of his hands and swinging it down on the Hollow King. Ichigo does all he can to evade the attack, using Sonido as Nelliel had done earlier, however, still taking a strike across the top of his chest.
Yamamoto roars as he rushes at Ichigo with Flash Step, swinging the Sōkyoku down at the boy once more. Ichigo is more than prepared for the blow this time, returning with a roar of his own as his blade becomes coated with blackened red energy, parrying the captain blow for blow, finally adapting to the captain's onslaught. The two titans shake the Soul Society to its core as they desperately attempt to kill each other, their blackened red and flaming orange auras fighting for supremacy.
Ichigo's Gi is stained red in his own blood at this point, although, this does nothing but increase his desire to slaughter the man in front of him as he parries another one of his strikes. Changing the pace, Yamamoto suddenly shifts the lance such that the non-bladed end strikes Ichigo in his brown, left eye, temporarily blinding him. Ichigo staggers, prompting the captain to once more poise the naginata to thrust through Ichigo's chest, the weapon coating itself in flames as the captain does so.
The Hollow King is not such easy prey, either.
Ichigo narrowly evades the thrust despite his new blind spot, proving his senses and instincts are just as sharp as any Hollow. The Hollow King grabs the blood spewing from his chest in his left hand and swings his hand horizontally in the air, lavender energy charged at the tips of his fingers as he does so. The captain widens his eyes as Ichigo's energy and blood in the air between them explodes into brilliant Gran Rey Ceros, once more creating a massive shockwave that shakes the Seireitei.
Yamamoto retreats a distance, eyeing the smoke, but immediately widens his eyes again as he shifts his body to the right to avoid the incoming black blade, which otherwise may have split him in two right down the middle. The Head Captain shifts his blade to attack Ichigo once more but is forced to block as the Hollow King's onslaught comes upon him much fiercer than before. Ichigo roars as his blade slams against the shaft of the Sōkyoku, actually managing to push Yamamoto back.
The Head Captain briefly stares in shock, if not, awe at the boy's raw power and tenacity, before grunting and shifting his hold on the Sōkyoku to just his left hand. Zangetsu itself begins to roar along with Ichigo as the blackened energy along its blade intensifies, only to be halted as the boy winces in pain due to Yamamoto slamming a punch into the wound on the left side of his chest.
Ichigo staggers somewhat as Yamamoto breaks off the collision between their blades and swings the Sōkyoku behind him to the right, preparing to slash the boy in two. The Hollow King grits his teeth through the pain and throws Zangetsu into his left hand, swinging it upward to block the incoming naginata. Ichigo then immediately slams his right fist against Yamamoto's face, causing the man's head to jerk to the left and draw blood from his lips.
Ichigo smirks in momentary victory before doubling over as the legend knees him in the stomach. This is returned by a punch to the gut from the Hollow, causing the captain to spit up some more blood as well. The two continue to clash blades and land intermittent punches, kicks, and knees on each other, drawing blood and creating harsh bruises.
The two titans clash blades once more, the force of which is so powerful that it physically forces the blades to be sent flying out of their grasps, through the air. Yamamoto makes to punch Ichigo, but the Hollow is now acting faster than the captain, his latent potential having been gradually drawn out through the duration of this skirmish, leading the Hollow King slamming his left, bloodstained fist against the side of the Head Captain's face. Ichigo follows up with a right hook, but the Head Captain manages to catch it in his left hand before twisting Ichigo's arm and landing a kick against his chest, sending him flying backwards. The two warriors glare at each other briefly, catching each of their respective weapons in the air, the tension between them being unlike anything ever seen before.
Yamamoto shifts the Sōkyoku to his left hand and holds the handle of the Zanpakuto strapped to his waist, "To think that I would need to resort to using my true power to destroy this Hollow…"
Ichigo widens his eyes in shock—not at the captain about to draw his Zanpakuto, but rather at the two giant beings casting shadows over the captain which he just now noticed. The Head Captain twitches his brow as two skyscraping golems, one comprising of lava and the other of water akin to an ocean. The golems each have the shape of a human, however neither has a face.
Yamamoto turns around slowly to regard the golems and is immediately slammed into the ground by a massive fist from each, which each comes down at the speed of a captain's Flash Step despite their sizes. Ichigo flinches as he watches the golems then proceed to viciously stomp the ground where the captain fell, destroying anything and everything in the crossfire.
The Hollow King watches this for another moment before shaking his head and narrowing his eyes in resolve, "Now that Nel is safe, fighting captains is not my priority…!"
Without further delay, Ichigo sheathes Zangetsu and wraps himself in his Reiatsu-suppressing cloak before leaving the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the golems are about to stomp the ground again before their legs are suddenly chopped to pieces, causing them to fall to the ground, unable to move. A now fuming Yamamoto jumps into the sky holding a flaming Sōkyoku.
The water golem quickly extinguishes the flame after grabbing Yamamoto, causing the captain to become submerged in the ocean which is the gargantuan creature's left hand. However, within the golem, the captain furrows his brows as his body glows a furious orange color before he swings the naginata in a circle, soon after causing the creature's appendage to be chopped into pieces just as its legs were.
The other golem meanwhile fires meteors from its fingers, which rain down on the captain. Yamamoto is more than prepared as the Sōkyoku in his grasp transforms into a blazing phoenix, allowing him to fly through the sky as if being carried around by the bird-like creature while simultaneously using his proper Zanpakuto to send powerful flames at each of the meteors, turning them to ash.
The captain then proceeds to swing his Zanpakuto with such power at the lava golem that the mere shockwave from the slash splits the thing down the middle. However, its body seems to put itself back together, as lava leaks from its wounds down upon the Seireitei below, drowning the streets in hellfire.
Yamamoto's brow twitches as he notices the water golem behind him similarly regenerate, rising back to its full height before once more engulfing the captain in an attempt to extinguish his flames.
Within the creature, Yamamoto grits his teeth, finding this show ridiculous, "I know not what these creatures are, but they will burn to nothing for this!"
The water golem suddenly shifts uncomfortably as Yamamoto's raw Reiatsu begins to overpower it. Its body starts evaporating as it falls to its knees before suddenly being completely atomized before Yamamoto appears with a furious, flaming aura, standing on the scorched Earth it was on previously. The old captain looks upward to regard the sight of the lava golem, now holding a scorching rock easily the size of the Seireitei itself above its head.
This causes the legend to smirk, "Oho? So, you wish to face Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto in a battle of raw power, do you? Well, I'm afraid you won't receive that!"
The lava golem begins to bring rock, which blots out the sun itself, down unto the Seireitei, which causes many fearful Shinigami, Ryoka, and Hollows alike to close their eyes, expecting death. Yamamoto sheathes his Zanpakuto and holds the Sōkyoku above his head, preparing to throw it. The lance once more transforms into a massive flaming phoenix as the Head Captain releases his attack.
The phoenix is seen by all across the Seireitei as it easily pierces through the flaming rock, reducing it to ash and similarly carrying through to crash into the lava golem, causing it to explode into millions of pieces that shower unto the Seireitei below in the form of small flaming rocks, no bigger than a human hand.
The captain closes his eyes as he raises his right hand towards the sky. The phoenix does a circle through the air before shrinking down as it quickly descends, flying back into Yamamoto's grasp in the form of a naginata once more. The captain opens his eyes as he slams the end of the shaft against the ground, sending a shockwave throughout the Seireitei so strong that it extinguishes the remaining nearby lava fires.
Yamamoto's eyes are fierce as he declares, "Now then… back to hunting…"
Nearby, Seireitei
Within a shed a distance away from the battle, there are a multitude of supplies held in crates that the Shinigami had hastily foregone in light of their orders to retreat and let the Head Captain deal with the fighting. Seated on one of these crates is Nelliel, who is currently having her head wrapped in bandages by her brown-haired companion—Sora.
The serpent Arrancar sighs as he finishes his job, "It's not perfect, but it will do for now until we can get you to see Roka. In any case, you should take it easy for the rest of our stay. I speak from experience in saying a cracked mask is not something you want to take lightly."
Nelliel smiles lightly at her companion, "I appreciate it, Sora. I'll only fight if one of you is in a tight situation like I was."
Sora nods before glancing behind him at the orange-haired figure standing in the doorway with his back turned to them. Both the serpent and Capricorn Arrancars stare at their comrade in mild concern due to his particularly noteworthy standoffishness.
The serpent decides to call out to him, "Hey, Brother."
Ichigo, however, pays neither of them any mind as his eyes are widened in shock, coupled with his mouth held agape.
The Hollow King has come to a realization about the lance he fought against, "That… that blade… its energy felt just like that wraith at the tower! Why the hell do the Shinigami have something like that?!"
Ichigo can't help but tremble slightly in apparent fear, realizing how out of his depth he might have been fighting Yamamoto, "That man… the 'Head Captain', I think that was Nel called him… I can't afford to brazenly fight him as I am now. He wasn't even using his true Zanpakuto! If he uses both weapons against me—"
"ICHIGO!"
The call from his serpent friend pulls the dragon from his thoughts, causing him to stagger somewhat as he grips his left ear which was the victim of Sora's call, "Damnit, what?!"
The brown-haired Arrancar huffs as he speaks, "So your ears do work, huh? It wouldn't do for my brother to go deaf…"
Ichigo scowls, his brows furrowing, "It's called thinking… Also, I thought I told you not to call me that!"
Sora smirks, a playful, yet adamant gleam in his eyes, "Well, Orihime did have a huge crush on you when you were alive, and she still might. So, you could say—"
The dragon groans in frustration, blushing slightly as his expression becomes cringed, "That's enough! I don't want to hear any more of your twisted fantasies!"
The serpent frowns, his brows furrowing as well, "Twisted…?"
Sora's expression then becomes somewhat angry, "Oh, you are not telling me that Orihime's not good enough for you! She's the sweetest girl ever, and even though it might not be appropriate for me to say, you can't deny that she's developed well in all the right places!"
Ichigo's face is beat-red at this point, "W… what the fuck, man?! You don't see me talking about my sisters that way and trying to make other people my 'brother'! Besides which, I haven't spoken with her once since I died!"
The serpent sulks, his expression souring greatly, "You're right… and I shouldn't even have the right to speak her name… but…"
Ichigo and Nelliel each raise a brow before their friend finishes, with resolve in her eyes, "…after we save your sister, I plan on going back to the world of the living and making things right with her."
The serpent's words cause the dragon to smile genuinely, offering a hand of support on the man's shoulder, "Right! I'm sure she'll accept you with open arms when she sees how far you've come, just as Yuzu did with me."
Sora returns his friend's smile, allowing for a relatively peaceful silence to fall between them.
Nelliel meanwhile observes the rather casual and peaceful exchange with a soft smile on her face, however, hinting at her more mischievous nature, she decides to point out, "Back to his sister, I didn't hear you say she wasn't attractive, Ichigo…"
Ichigo widens his eyes briefly as his mouth hangs open, letting out a short gasp as Sora begins to chuckle heartily at his 'brother's' expense.
The dragon snarls and turns away, his face once more beat red, "I hate you guys…"
The other two Arrancars chuckle with each other briefly, sincerely happy that Ichigo is still susceptible to teasing—a sure sign that he is very much still himself.
Sora calms his laughter before letting out a sigh, "Anyway, Brother, Nel and I were wondering if you still want us to split up or if you'd rather keep looking by yourself?"
The dragon grunts, choosing to ignore what Sora has decided to call him as the red on his face fades, "I'll keep looking myself. You two can do whatever you want."
Sora opens his mouth to speak again, but Ichigo disappears with Sonido before he can get out a word, leaving the serpent with a frown on his face. Nelliel and Sora share a look before each pulling over their hoods and continuing to search for Yuzu.
Secret Tsunayashiro Chambers, Underneath Noble District, Seireitei
Tokinada observes the carnage in the dimly lit chamber before him, a sinister smirk on his face as a large, Hollow-like creature falls to the ground, bisected by the blade held in his hand. On the floor are a multitude of corpses which look to have been the bodies of Nobles based on the traditional clothing they wear.
The man carefully observes the Zanpakuto before him, fully satisfied with it, "I must say, our Enrakyoten suites me just fine, wouldn't you say, Father?"
The limp, dying form of an elder is sprawled on the floor in the corner of the room, glaring daggers at the man, "You… you did this Tokinada!"
The man in question recoils slightly, pretending to be offended, "How could you say such a thing to the man who saved you from this dastardly Hollow? I've avenged the Clan!"
The elder coughs out blood as he scowls, "You think me a fool? It may look like a Hollow to those less observant, but I can clearly see that was one of the creatures that that witch working for you created!"
There is a sinister glimmer in Tokinada's eyes as his father says this, although once more recoils in mock offense, "So it's not enough for you to throw such harsh accusations at me, your son, but you also insult my Head Maid? Do you hear this blasphemy, Aura?!"
The elder's heart drops as he can feel the air behind his shift, accompanied by a multitude of black runes materializing into a woman with short gray hair wearing a black suit.
Her voice is devoid of emotion as she speaks, "I beg your pardon, My Lord, but I am afraid that I have used most of my energy on those golems. They unfortunately proved less effective at keeping the Head Captain at bay than I expected…"
Tokinada raises a brow, "Did White escape?"
The woman, Aura, nods, which causes Tokinada to wear a smirk and shrug, "Then it doesn't matter… so long as he understands that fighting Yamamoto is tantamount to suicide, or at the very least not worth his time. That'll be all for now, Aura."
The emotionless woman returns to the form of runes, seemingly becoming quite literally one with the environment around her.
Tokinada then rummages through the breast pocket of his Gi retrieving a bag containing a multitude of fragments of some kind, "I do say rummaging through late Uncle's quarters proved fruitful in more ways than one…"
The elder, still trembling due to his unease about the so-called 'witch', snaps his head up to look at Tokinada in anger, "You're a disgrace to this Clan and the Soul Society as a whole! As the head of this clan, you'll bring an end to all of us, not just the Tsunayashiros!"
The sinister look remains ever present in the disowned Noble's eyes as he approaches his father slowly before kneeling in front of him, so their faces are close to each other. Tokinada suddenly drops the sword and brutally punches the man in the face.
The man's eyes are wide in shock and fear as Tokinada reveals eagerly, "You don't have anything to worry about, Father. The Clan will not be in my hands…"
Tokinada's face becomes twisted as his evil, toothy grin intensifies, "…it'll be in the delicate, yet brave hands of dear Katsumi."
The elder's eyes are full of dread upon hearing this, so is caught completely off guard as Tokinada suddenly clasps both of his hands around the man's neck. The younger Tsunyashiro cackles gleefully as he slowly chokes the life out of his father, watching intently as the life leaves the man's eyes.
Infirmary, Squad 4 Barracks
The day had been quite eventful for the blonde, bespectacled 3rd Seat of Squad 4: Yasochika Iemura. From the outright death of Captain Aizen to Vice-Captain Kotetsu coming back with the relief Squad with a multitude of captains and other vice-captains, including Captain Unohana herself. Not to mention the literal meteors that would very well have killed them all if it weren't for the raw power of Head Captain Yamamoto and the Sōkyoku.
The 3rd seat huffs as he sits at the entrance of the infirmary, sampling his tea to calm himself down, "Well, at least Vice-Captain Kotetsu was able to save their lives… excluding Captain Aizen, unfortunately… what did we do to deserve this onslaught, anyway? Surely the Hollows aren't interested in the condemned like those Ryoka are… are they…?"
The 3rd seat ponders this a moment longer before being interrupted from his thoughts by yet another set of a captain and vice-captain appearing before him and falling to the ground. The man yelps as he jumps up, spilling his tea on the ground.
Soi Fon snarls from underneath her vice-captain's larger body, "What are you squealing about? Help us, you fool!"
Yasochika nods quickly, stuttering as he answers, "Y-yes! Right away, Captain Soi Fon!"
The man then turns and yells into the Infirmary, "We've got another captain and vice-captain! If you're not currently treating anyone, come to the front!"
Inside Squad 4 Infirmary
"…and so, she just let me go…", Soi Fon concludes as she lies seated on a bed, Yasochika just then finishing wrapping her right arm.
Seated on separate beds across from the young captain are two of her seniors; Shunsui Kyoraku and Retsu Unohana. The former now wears an eyepatch over his right eye as well as several other areas of his body being wrapped in bandages. Next to him, Unohana appears worse off, as nearly her entire face and body are wrapped in bandages, the only recognizable part of her body currently being her straight, long hair. Lumps have formed on her face—bruises due to Ichigo's ravenous assault from earlier.
Kyoraku sighs, the look in his left eye nothing but skeptical, "Really… she just… let you go? You're sure no one else came in and enabled your escape?"
Soi Fon furrows her brows, scowling, "You calling me a liar, Kyoraku?"
The one-eyed captain looks away carelessly, "I suppose it doesn't matter if you're telling the truth or not, it's just good that you were able to retreat at all… and in one piece."
Soi Fon narrows her eyes before turning on her side and huffing, her back now facing the other captains as her thoughts drift towards a certain, dark-skinned woman.
Unohana, meanwhile, catches a glimpse of a white-haired figure in a black Gi storming along the hall, prompting her to call out, "Where are you going, Captain Hitsugaya?"
The figure, dawned in a green scarf, pauses, now standing within the doorway so that Kyoraku can see him as well, prompting the man to raise a curious brow. Shortly after the figure pauses, another, much more voluptuous blonde figure appears alongside him—his vice-captain.
Toshiro frowns deeply, his expression relaying annoyance and frustration, as well as anxiety, "There's a debt I need to pay…"
Kyoraku narrows his eye as Unohana attempts to scold, or perhaps more accurately, warn the young captain, "Freeing Isshin Shiba will take more power than you possess, young man. Vice-Captain Sasakibe is not someone to be taken lightly… and even if you are successful, you must know what the Head Captain will do…"
Toshiro's scowl deepens as he trembles in a cold rage, "I don't care. I refuse to sit by and do nothing as the man to whom I owe my life is forced to remain in a cage, knowing full well that his family is in peril."
Rangiku, behind the captain, wears a serious expression as well, suggesting she is in full agreement. Of note, she is not wearing the vice-captain badge on her arm, matching the absence of Toshiro's captain's haori, as well.
Toshiro doesn't so much as look at the other captains as he states in finality, "Take this as my resignation if you want, I don't care anymore."
The young Shinigami and his companion continue their stride, leaving the infirmary after saying all they feel is necessary. The Shinigami of Squad 4 tending to the captains all freeze upon hearing this declaration, the shock, and loss of morale of hearing a captain resigning now of all times hitting them like a freight train.
Kyoraku looks out the window at the smoking ruin, objectively stating, "Well, I for one would feel a lot more comfortable with Isshin out there fighting those Hollows. If even old man Yama couldn't kill that Hollow right away, then what it will take for him to kill it is not something I particularly want to see today."
Unohana sighs, "Speaking truthfully, I wouldn't either. But infighting is the last thing we need right now… that's why Isshin Shiba was restrained in the first place…"
Kyoraku shrugs as he continues to eye the destroyed Seireitei through the window. Unohana closes her eyes as her thoughts drift to another eye-patch-wearing captain, "I can only hope that Captain Hitsugaya is the only one who decides to switch sides today…"
Squad 11 Barracks
Ikakku laughs quite loudly as he watches his vice-captain, Yachiru Kusajishi, drag a furious peacock plushie along the floor of the barracks, "Y-Yumichika, you really are going for a new look, aren't you?!"
The peacock plushie hisses at the bald man, "I told you; it was that vixen who put me in this situation! Oh, there'll be hell to pay when I get my hands on h—!"
A foot slams on the plushie, cutting him off and prompting Yachiru to pause her stride. Yumichika looks up in dread at his captain glaring down at him from his seated position, casually letting his blade rest on his left shoulder.
The man's body is wrapped entirely in bloodied bandages, except his face, while he sends a death glare at his 5th seat, "Quiet."
The plushie Yumichika gulps and nods, prompting Kenpachi to remove his foot and regard the individuals in front of him with a smirk, "So, it was you two who put that bastard Kurotsuchi on life support, was it?"
In front of the captain are a rather chipper Orihime and a sulking Uryu, the latter of which currently sweat drops at the absurdity of his current situation.
Despite Uryu's sulking, Orihime nods, "Yeah, Uryu got super strong and almost killed him with the most powerful attack I've ever seen! It was like boom!"
Kenpachi's smirk widens, his gaze shifting to the Quincy, "You don't say…"
Uryu frowns as he looks away and adjusts his glasses, stating in a sullen tone, "Well, just don't expect anything like that from me again. That attack took everything I had and more…"
Kenpachi raises a slight brow at the boy's comment, not fully understanding what he is getting at. Seeing that the boy will not elaborate further, the captain turns his gaze back on Orihime, once more smirking.
The girl furrows her brows in slight confusion as the captain declares, "Tell you what, since I've had what you would call a rough day and you two lightened my mood, I'll help you out."
Orihime and Uryu both widen their eyes, the latter questioning, "So… you're not going to arrest us…?"
Kenpachi grunts, the smile not leaving his face, "Who the hell do you take me for, some kind of law-abiding captain? I'm Kenpachi, leader of Squad 11. That means we do whatever the hell we feel like doing, especially if it involves battle! Not to mention these current orders to not fight are bullshit if I've ever smelt it."
Orihime and Uryu look at each other before the girl smiles enthusiastically, "Thank you so much, sir! We're in your debt!"
Kenpachi waves the girl off, "Think nothing of it. I told you I'm doing this because you put me in a good mood and quite frankly, I'm curious to see how I compare to the old man…"
Yumichika, however, squawks at the pair of Ryoka, "Well our captain might not want anything, but I do! Tell that vixen friend of yours to turn me back to normal!"
Uryu looks away, adjusting his glasses as if to pretend no one is there. Orihime likewise shifts a bit, looking to the side with a somewhat uncertain gleam in her eyes.
The peacock tilts his head, questioning, "Don't tell me… she can't…?!"
Orihime shakes her head, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck, "Um… well, we can ask her to change you back, but the decision to do it is up to her… you haven't done anything to offend her other than attacking her, right?"
Yumichika deadpans, "I'll be a peacock forever, won't I…?"
This causes Ikakku to double over laughing, continuing to find his friend's situation beyond comical, "Looks like we've found the Squad a new mascot!"
The peacock glares daggers at the 3rd seat but widens his eyes as Yachiru begins to drag him across the floor again, chanting, "Yay! Yumi's going to stay cute forever!"
Despite being a peacock plushie, one look at his face will tell you that his will to live has just plummeted, which causes Uryu to adjust his glasses, still looking to the side, "I know he's a Shinigami so as a Quincy I shouldn't feel bad for him, but still… poor guy…"
Repentance Cell, Senzaikyu, Soul Society
Tatsuki and Riruka finally arrive at the Repentance Cell; however, like Ichigo and Sora before them, they find it vacant.
The pig-tailed girl groans angrily, "Ugh! It's empty! We came all the way here for nothing!"
Tatsuki walks towards the middle of the room before huffing, likewise disappointed. The girl closes her eyes, letting her senses take in the traces of Reiatsu in the room, which immediately causes her eyes to shoot open wide in a combination of shock, fear, and confusion.
Her mouth opens and her body trembles somewhat as she utters her next words, "Hey, uh, Riruka…"
The pink-haired girl raises a brow, pausing her stride along the room's perimeter, hesitantly asking, "What…?"
Tatsuki's face is full of dread as she regards the other girl in the room, "That Hollow that attacked Karakura Town… the one they call White… he was here…"
Riruka's eyes widen as well, her knees starting to buckle, "Then… you mean… he was just fighting…!"
Tatsuki grits her teeth before bolting out of the room, a desperate yet determined look in her eyes, "Please don't let us be too late!"
Underground Hall, Shino Academy
Within the secure, safe great hall below the Shino Academy are a multitude of Shinigami and aristocrats alike—survivors from Ulquiorra's earlier onslaught on the Noble District. The individuals lie on the floor of the hiding place, appearing not unlike refugees under the light of the various Kido lamturns that line the hall. Along the side of the wall, there are three particular Shinigami, each wearing a black Gi: Shino, Ryunosuke, and, of course, Karin. The Shiba girl, however, has her head buried in her lap, which she pulls close to her with her arms, her appearance perhaps the definition of wanting to be left alone.
Shino, seated to the girl's left, and Ryunosuke, seated to the girl's right, exchange a worried look before the latter attempts to console the girl, "Karin… what happened back there wasn't your fault…"
This causes Karin to twitch slightly, however, she does not dare change her posture, which prompts the boy to continue, "There's nothing you could—"
He pauses as Shino scowls at him, shaking her head. The boy looks away somewhat guiltily as he, perhaps, recognizes how toxic that statement may have come off in context.
Shino then attempts to console her differently, "Let's focus on what's important; Captain Kuchiki, Vice-Captain Abarai, and even that Katsumi should survive. They survived because you were there!"
Karin flinches at this, emotionless words coming to the forefront of her mind, 'Your allies should count themselves lucky that you came here.'
The Shiba girl dejectedly raises her head from her lap, the bloodshot look in her eyes, accompanied by the dark rings under them a plain indication that her mental health is currently lacking. The girl looks as though she is ready to hurl as the words of the bat Hollow continue to occupy her mind. The girl's friends become startled at this, not expecting those words to have had such a negative effect on her.
Karin notices this, so somehow manages to reign herself in slightly, stating, "You're both right… he let us go because of me yet I wasn't strong enough to do anything if he didn't… we were at his mercy…"
The girl's bandaged hands clutch into fists as frustrated tears gather in the corners of her eyes, causing her friends to continue looking at her in concern, "I'm sick of seeing people around me get hurt and killed! I'm sick of not being able to do anything about it! If I can't help the people I care about, what's even the point of these powers?!"
Shino and Ryunosuke soften their gazes, their attention locked on their friend, so both fail to notice the way the girl's Zanpakuto, still strapped to her back, briefly glows with a blue aura upon its master's frustrated words.
Karin grits her teeth, hissing in angered resolve, "I'll continue to get strong… no matter what it takes, I'll be strong enough to defeat any Hollow, even White!"
The girl's friends each lay a hand of support on her shoulders, which causes Karin to widen her eyes at the gesture in mild confusion.
Shino smirks, "You're a long way off from that level… but I'd be lying if I said I'm not willing to support you until you reach it. I know you can!"
Karin's mouth hangs open somewhat, "Shino…?"
Ryunosuke cuts in pouting, "H-hey, I'll support you too!"
The Shiba girl shifts her surprised gaze to her male friend, her mouth neither a smile nor a frown. Her widened eyes relay that she is still processing what the two have said.
After another moment, the Shiba girl smiles appreciatively, "…thanks, guys…"
A distance away, a raven-haired Shinigami wears a slight, soft smile as she watches the exchange in the corner of her eye, "It's a good thing she found good friends…"
A voice pulls the woman out of her thoughts, "…Kuchiki, are you listening…?"
Rukia turns her full attention to the scarred Shinigami in front of her—Squad 9's Vice-Captain Shuhei Hisagi, "Oh… sorry. I zoned out for a minute."
Shuhei looks around the woman briefly, towards the younger Shinigami sitting against the wall a distance away, before he closes them and sighs, "It's fine… The gist is that the remnants of Squads 6 and 13 from the attack on the Noble District should remain down here. Squad 9 will secure a perimeter around the Academy on the surface."
The woman nods in understanding, although her eyes are still somewhat distant, "I understand. Thank you, Vice-Captain Hisagi."
The vice-captain opens his eyes and adds, "One more thing… and this is a personal remark so you shall treat it as being said off the books…"
Rukia scrunches her brows, her attention suddenly piqued, "Sir…?"
Shuhei cocks his head towards where Karin is seated, "I can't pretend to understand or relate to what you or she are going through right now, but it's clear to me that if nothing else, that girl looks up to you as a role model. Speaking from experience, how we see our role models is an important part of our development. It's probably not my place to say it, but you've got to remember that if you lose your composure in front of her, what you two went through is only going to hit her that much harder. That's all I wanted to say."
Rukia's mouth twitches and her brows furrow slightly as she takes in the man's words. Shuhei, seeing the woman taking her time to process his words, bows lightly before turning to leave, "If you'll excuse me…"
The raven-haired woman lightly tugs at the bottom of her Gi, her eyes narrowing and holding a resolute gleam, "He's right… but it still doesn't feel right to keep that from her…"
Nearby Corridor
Ganju huffs as he navigates the darkened passageway, stumbling upon a secret area that seemingly connects the relief tunnels to a separate system. The man can see faint lights in the distance as well as soft noises which may be interpreted as voices but due to how far off they are, one can't be certain.
The Shiba man frowns, "That's gotta be an encampment of Shinigami, or rather, survivors… I think…"
Dropping to the floor, the man touches the ground, using his mastery of some type of Earth magic, which he calls Seppa, to further evaluate the flow of Reishi and the sound waves. After a few moments of deep focus, the man picks up traces of Reishi that could only belong to someone he knows—his kin.
Ganju's eyes shoot open as his gaze becomes focused, "Karin…! I'll get you out of here too, don't worry… your big cousin won't leave you with these bastards any longer!"
The man walks down the hall, disappearing from sight, which prompts another, black-haired man wearing a modified white Shihakusho to walk out from the shadows, a satisfied grin on his face, "Looks like this family reunion will get even better…"
He glances up to the right, "Oh, so Tosen is the one they have guarding the survivors…?"
The man's face shifts into a sinister smirk, "Perfect."
Author's Note:
Before I talk about the battles in this chapter, I'll get it out of the way for those who are crazy about shipping and say that I am indeed beginning to think about building toward Ichigo x Orihime in this story.
Onto the battles, I know I said I'd comment on Yoruichi vs Nel power scaling, but I don't really think I need to all that much. I think how their fight went shows that Nel is bulkier and stronger, but Yoruichi is simply so much faster that she can blitz Nel while using Shunko.
There is deeper lore to the Sōkyoku that I have planned (some of which I'm sure some readers have confident theories on by now). I shall reveal that later on, but I think this chapter was successful in showing that this naginata is anything but fraudulent as it was in canon, easily matching even Nozarashi's feat of destroying a meteor.
Speaking of which, Ichigo and Yamamoto's skirmish is basically them just testing the waters against each other before going all out, which Yamamoto was prepared to do, but ultimately couldn't due to Aura's, or rather, Tokinada's intervention. After all, Tokinada doesn't want all the 'fun' to end this early, and keeping Ichigo alive and healthy will only lead to an extended conflict, giving him ample opportunity to run amok while everyone else has their attention on the invaders.
Either way, now that Yamamoto has taken to the battlefield, the Arrancars and Ryoka alike are going to be much more careful when engaging others in battles, including Ichigo to an extent. I will say that he and Yamamoto will finish their fight during the final sequence of the arc, of course. What happened in this chapter is simply a prelude of sorts.
That said, the next chapter will actually focus on Karin.