Chapter 22: The Neglected

Underground Training Area, Karakura Hospital

Upon hearing Ryuken's explanation of this so-called Quincy illness, Uryu snaps, "Of course! You always try to demonize us Quincies! You only know about this steel heart because you dissected the body of your own wife! Tell me Ryuken, was your research worth it?! Would you have done the same to Masaki's body, knowing how little love you have for your own family?!"

Ryuken crushes the cigarette in his hand as he balls it into a fist. Yuzu wears a mortified expression in light of the revelation.

The white-haired man explains, "The heart only turns to steel for a brief moment after the death of a Quincy, so I only had time with—"

"WOULD YOU HAVE DONE SO WITH MASAKI?!" Uryu roars, causing Yuzu to flinch.

Ryuken shakes his head, causing Uryu to wear an expression of despair, stumbling back a step, "So, it's true… you loved Masaki more than my mother…"

Ryuken snarls at Uryu's words, "That may have been true initially, but your mother grew on me over time. Her devotion to me was admirable and her love for her family was unquestionable. She was my wife, and I understood and loved her more than any other!"

Uryu gasps, "Then why—"

Ryuken elaborates, "She agreed to it… she always agreed to it… at any and all points since the day she met me, Katagiri, no, Kanae was willing to lay down her life. She wanted her death to mean something—to help me and not just send me into despair. So, we agreed that I would dissect her corpse to find what it was that robbed both her and Masaki of their lives."

Uryu and Yuzu are shaken at the man's words, so much so they cannot speak.

Ryuken pulls something out of his pocket before opening his hand to reveal small clumps of silver, "This is the steel I found lodged in my wife's heart."

Uryu starts shaking his head in denial, "No… that can't be…"

Ryuken shouts, balling his hand in a fist around the silver as he raises it in the air to add emphasis, "But it is, boy! This is the fate that befell the Gemischt Quincies! One day, I have a feeling the Echt Quincies will face a similar fate! This is our destiny!"

Uryu slumps to his knees, "Then you're saying, all this time, your wanting me not to be a Quincy was…"

Ryuken nods, "Indeed, boy, it was to protect you."

Uryu hisses at his father, "Then why didn't you tell me?!"

Ryuken snaps back at his son, "What was I to do?! Tell my hardly 10-year-old son who looked up to his grandfather—a practicing Quincy himself—that his mother died from a Quincy illness that pierced her heart with steel?!"

Uryu looks at Yuzu, "You're telling her this now and she's just 11!"

"That's because I realized the mistake I made with you, boy." Ryuken states.

Uryu calls out his fallacy, "A little late for that, isn't it?! She's already a full-fledged Quincy!"

Ryuken sighs dejectedly, "Indeed. I have once more repeated the mistake of being too complacent in raising a child, failing in preventing their fate… I'm a fool who fell victim to his own emotions… I…"

Ryuken pauses before looking at the two children before him, "I apologize deeply for that."

Uryu can see the regret and sorrow in Ryuken's eyes, punching the wall in frustration, "Damn it!"

Yuzu's face is stuck in an expression of horror at the revelation of what awaits her, but a thought crosses her mind, "You said that happened with Gemischt Quincy? What's that mean?"

Ryuken's face turns into its usual passive expression, "Gemischt Quincy are non-pureblooded Quincy. I am an Echt, a pureblood, as was your mother until the hollow attacked her. My wife was Gemischt."

Yuzu and Uryu both seem to become confused at something after this explanation.

"Why are we still alive then?" Uryu demands.

Ryuken sighs once again, "Yuzu hadn't awakened her powers at the time and you, Uryu… frankly I'm not at liberty to say. All I can say is that there must be something special about you, which worries me even more than if you had just died."

Yuzu shivers at the man's cold statement about his son.

"Why is that?" Uryu asks, slowly.

Ryuken elaborates, "Because this disease is called Auswählen, a process in which the Quincy emperor carries out his holy selection for the Quincy that will aide him in bringing about a new world order."

Uryu gasps at this, "I thought Yhwach was just a myth? You're telling me he's real?!"

Ryuken nods, "He is and trust me when I say he has no interest in the well-being of his subjects. Surely you can tell that based on his subjects you've met already, my niece?"

Yuzu scrunches her brow confused, before her eyes widen realizing who he is referring to, "You mean Ms. Bambietta and Candice?"

Ryuken confirms this, "Indeed, the Sternritter are his subjects, and unfortunately it seems they want you among them. I doubt based on how you reacted to this information, that either of them had let you in on their true reasons for training you."

Yuzu does nothing in response, still maintaining an expression of dread.

Ryuken glances at his son, "And as for you, Uryu, I'm worried that Yhwach has taken a personal interest in you, due to your surviving Auswählen. I must urge you to continue avoiding the Sterntitter—"

Uryu spits at his father, "I refuse to hear you out anymore! That man killed my mother! Of course, I'd want to get close to him—if only so I can stab him in the back! I'm confused why you don't want that!"

Ryuken growls at his son, "Don't you dare underestimate the father of all Quincies—he will kill you without hesitation! Don't give him a reason, boy!"

Uryu looks to the floor, before screaming in frustration.

Once Uryu is done, Yuzu decides to ask Ryuken another question, shaken from her trance, "If that's the truth—why would Quincies like Ms. Bambietta and Candice follow him? They are quite powerful. I don't understand why they'd need to bow to anyone…"

Ryuken gives a look of pity at his niece, "It's as I told you, my niece, most people are cowards and fear death. The Sternritter entirely run off of that fear."

Uryu eyes Ryuken curiously at this, "How do you know that?"

Ryuken gives his son a pitiable stare, "Because my father was one of them."

Uryu gasps, his previous world view shattering completely.

Ryuken explains, "Soken started to think of leaving the Wandenreich after witnessing how his many comrades were mistreated, or straight up murdered, by the emperor. Furthermore, he was very outspoken about his desire to make peace rather than war with the Shinigami, which the Reich took issue with. Eventually, he was forced to flee to this town in Japan and settled down with a family that he hoped would be free from the Wandenreich."

Uryu is completely silent at these revelations, unable to come to terms with what he has learned.

Ryuken then regards Yuzu, who looks shaken up in her own right, "Knowing what I have shared today, are you still intent on treading down the path those Sternritter have set you on?"

Yuzu has a great amount of fear in her eyes, contemplating what she should do. She then looks down at her mother's Quincy Cross wrapped around her wrist.

Yuzu's eyes then fill with resolve that quite honestly has no place to be in the eyes of a girl so young, before she states, "I will."

Uryu's eyes widen in shock, looking back at the girl with an urgent expression. Ryuken sighs, adjusting his glasses.

"Why? Why on this forsaken rock that we call out planet—would you ever knowingly want to associate with such an organization when you don't have to?!" Ryuken shouts, having become upset with the girl.

Yuzu's resolve doesn't waver, however, "That's simple. If I do not, then Candice, and potentially Ms. Bambietta, will die."

Ryuken snorts, "Why should you be doing them any favors? They are using you!"

Yuzu's expression softens at this, "I know… despite this, Candice has been nice to me ever since I met her… except that one time… either way, I'm proud to count her among my friends. And while Ms. Bambietta may be terrifying at times, I still don't think she should die because of me. It would feel wrong of me to leave them like that…"

Ryuken's eyes widen, as he feels like he is looking at Masaki's legacy.

Uryu decides to voice his disapproval, "Are you insane?! They'll kill you without remorse to save their own skin! And you're telling us you'd give up your life to save them?!"

Yuzu flinches, "Well… yeah."

Uryu deadpans, stunned into silence.

Ryuken sighs, before steeling his expression, "Well, I won't let you give your life for them, my niece."

Yuzu furrows her brow at Ryuken, her expression becoming somewhat pleading, "But uncle—"

"I'm going to tell Isshin.", Ryuken states simply as he pulls out his cell phone, beginning to dial a number.

Yuzu looks down, the shad of her bangs hiding her expression as she rises to her feet.

Ryuken eyes the girl for a moment, before asserting, "After he knows everything, I refuse to allow you to learn any more of the Quincy Craft, or to even practice it, for that matter. The Shinigami will deal with the Sternritter. This is how things must be."

Yuzu nods, "I understand, Uncle… if that's how things are going to be…"

Before either Uryu or Ryuken can react, Yuzu disappears with Hirenkyaku, fleeing the scene faster than they can follow.

Uryu is baffled, "How is she so fast? She just started learning the Quincy Craft…"

Ryuken calls out, "Stop Yuzu! Come back!"

The man then uses Hirenkyaku as well.

After a good minute of pursuit, Ryuken realizes that he has lost track of the girl, "Damnit! My Hirenkyaku is too rusty!"

The man then lands under a nearby tree, taking shelter from the rain. He glances at his phone which as the number he wants to call typed in, before punching the call button.

After a few rings, the other person picks up, prompting Ryuken to explain, "Isshin… it's about your daughter, Yuzu… please listen to everything I have to say before responding."

Elsewhere in Japan

Isshin is standing under a tree by the side of a road, surrounded by a group of ten or so Shinigami, including Ukitake. The veteran captain regards the others, "Alright, spread out! Give the man the privacy we owe him while making a call!"

"Yes, sir!", the group calls before disappearing with flash step.

Ukitake himself remains, however, taking a few steps back underneath another nearby tree, this one closer to the street.

Isshin listens intently to what the other man has to say—his face turning from shock and horror to sorrow before finally settling on rage.

The man roars, "WHAT?!"

Ukitake looks over, concerned, "Is there a problem?"

Isshin exhales, holding reigning his rage in, before shaking his head, attempting to save face with a goofy smile, "N-no, it's just that my daughter's been rebellious and all…"

Ukitkake nods, furrowing his brows—a sign that he isn't fully convinced, "I see..."

Isshin turns away from Ukitake, growling into the phone, "Why would you teach her that stuff? You're sure she wants to join... them?"

"I didn't want to teach her the Quincy Craft, but I was unwilling to turn her away in her time of need… after these two weeks, Yuzu wants to join them—she's adamant, in fact. Much like her mother, she doesn't wish for anyone to get hurt because of her…" Ryuken admits on the other side of the phone.

Isshin's knuckles cracks as he balls his hand into a fist, "Saving someone is one thing, but this is taking things too far! I need to see her—"

Ryuken cuts him off, "Need I remind you that the Soul Society currently has your other daughter in their clutches? Do anything too questionable and they very well may… well, I don't think I need to explain…"

Isshin grits his teeth, punching the tree next to him in anger.

Ryuken continues, "Also, you will need to be ready in case your theory about White's true identity is true… given what they did to my father, I pale to think what they would do to Ichigo—"

"Enough." Isshin states in contempt, "You should have told me about this before… why didn't you?!"

Ryuken is silent at this for a moment before answering, "…she needed someone to give her the freedom of choice… you unknowingly shut her out, so she wanted to do the same. I mistakenly chose to respect her wishes, and for that I am deeply sorry… it's my fault things got this bad…"

Isshin sighs, "No. You're not her father—I'm the one to blame. I should've known based on your relationship with Uryu that something like this could happen… even before that, I shouldn't have neglected her…"

Ryuken doesn't respond as Isshin looks at the ground, angry with himself, "You're probably disappointed in me, aren't you Masaki…?"

Isshin snaps himself out of his thoughts before asking the other man a question, "So, she's probably somewhere in Naruki, you said?"

Ryuken responds immediately, "Indeed. I swear on my wife's grave that I will find her or die trying."

Isshin smiles weakly, "Thanks Ryuken…"

The man hangs up, rubbing his face in frustration and exhaustion, "Everything's slipping out of control! …I just hope that White isn't who I think he is, otherwise…"

Isshin stares at the ground with a look of despair, as Ukitake approaches.

The white-haired captain wears a concerned expression, "Is everything alright? I can let you go see your daughter if you want…"

Isshin gives the man an appreciative look, "Nah, it's fine. I'd rather not run the risk of getting her involved in any of this hollow stuff—they could appear at any time…"

Ukitake nods, not really convinced, "Alright… if you say so…"

Not long after, the other Shinigami reappear before the group continues their patrol.

Karakura Hospital

Ryuken glares at the silver clumps in his hand, while fiddling with it mindlessly.

The man thinks to himself, "It's still too soon… to use this…"

Xcution Hideout

Ginjo sits uncaringly at the bar, sampling various shots of liquor.

Candice, seated next to him, has her face down on the table, slamming her fist on it, "This shit has me fucked up!"

Ginjo raises his brow, "Maybe next time don't drink so much of it… You're completely drunk. You're not supposed to chug tequila!"

Candice raises her head, beginning to wear a scowl as she meets the man's gaze, "You didn't tell me that was whiskey! I assumed it was beer until my mouth felt like it caught on fire!"

Ginjo shakes his head, "You said you wanted a quick way to get drunk—so I shared some whiskey with you. You've only yourself to blame…"

Candice hiccups, "Yui has been gone for too long… we should go out there and do something… about those Shinigami…"

The man next to her raises a brow, "Did you forget what Yukio told us? She's with her uncle. Besides, are you honestly suggesting we go after the Shinigami?"

"I'll kill them!" Candice affirms, starting to slovenly get off her set.

Chad blocks the door, however, which only causes the green-haired woman to growl, "Out of my way!"

Chad shakes his head, wearing a pleading expression, "Please calm down, Candice. Think about what you're doing!"

Candice glances back at Ginjo, who sighs, "He's right. I'm all for the idea of slaughtering Shinigami, but we can't expose ourselves as things stand right now."

Candice glances at Bambietta as well, who has been pacing back and forth in the room the entire time.

Bambietta regards her fellow Quincy, "You know, I must agree with the boy. It's best if you take a seat, Candy."

Candice huffs, marching past the bar towards the couch in the back of the room, near where Bambietta is.

Candice groans in pain at her drunken state, as she slumps onto the couch.

The green-haired Quincy looks at Bambietta's pacing, deciding to comment. "What's with you, Bambi?"

Bambietta pauses her pacing, as Ginjo chimes in, "Yeah… I'd like to know that as well… are you worried that her uncle will ban her from seeing us?"

Bambietta huffs, "As if he has the balls to make an enemy of us… it's just that no normal talk should take this long…"

Bambietta's act fools no one, however, as she bites the nail on her thumb, making the worry even more evident.

Just then, there is a slam on the door to the hideout, followed by a desperate pattern of knocks.

"I'll get it." Chad says before opening the door.

Immediately, Yuzu comes bounding inside, with tear-filled eyes. Chad's expression becomes concerned as he notices the wound on the girl's back has partially reopened, as if she pushed herself to get here.

Yuzu can't help but stop the tears from flowing prompting Kon to walk up to the girl in an attempt to sooth her sorrow.

Yuzu sputters, "I-I… Unc-uncle said I can't be a Quincy anymore!"

The two Sternritter respond negatively to this, both frowning.

Bambietta snarls, "Verdamnt! That good for nothing excuse for a Quincy! He'll pay dearly for this!"

"I won't listen to him…" Yuzu states, wiping the tears from her eyes as her cries settle into a sniffle, "I refuse to give up this path so I…"

Yukio, who is now in front of Yuzu, widens his eyes, "You ran away…"

Yuzu nods slowly, clarifying, "I made sure I wasn't followed… as far as I know, Uncle should be slower than me due to not practicing."

Chad balls his hand into a fist, "Are you saying you'll throw away your normal life for one as a Quincy, then?"

The girl looks back at him, with a resolute expression despite her sniffles, "Yes…"

Chad sighs, relaxing his hand. Meanwhile, Ginjo closes the door behind him.

"In that case, I'll throw away my normal life too… I'll stand by you no matter what, Yuzu.", the boy states with a resolute expression of his own.

Yuzu smiles at the boy, tears beginning to fall from her eyes again, "Thanks, Chad!"

Chad nods before frowning slightly, "I will ask that you try to make things right with your uncle down the line. You shouldn't leave your family like that…"

Yuzu looks down somewhat guiltily, sadness in her voice, "I know… I just… I don't want to talk to my family right now…"

The hurt and feelings of betrayal are clear on her features.

After a moment, Ginjo suddenly clasps his hands together, "Well in that case, it looks like we'll have to get a room ready for you, Kurosaki!"

The girl looks up to him with a somewhat surprised look, "Are you sure…?"

Ginjo smirks, "Of course! You're welcome anytime, although now I guess it's all the time! Either way, it's clear that only Riruka is allowed to leave the hideout from now on…"

The girl in question pouts, "And just why is that, Kugo?"

The man raises his brows, giving her a knowing look, "Because, the rest of us have gone out in public alongside Kurosaki, here. No doubt her uncle will be looking for her and we can't risk tipping him off, now can we?"

Riruka grumbles, "Well, I guess that makes sense…"

Ginjo claps his hands, "Alright, good deal. I'm going back to drinking alcohol now—I'll leave getting Kurosaki settled in to you two ladies in white (although I guess you're technically not wearing white right now…)!"

Bambietta sighs, mildly annoyed, "Fine, I guess we can make room for a third person in our room… c'mon Yui, I'll show you."

Yuzu follows the woman towards the back of the hideout, sending a pitiful look at Candice, who is now passed out on the couch, as she passes.

15 Minutes Later

Yuzu and Bambietta come walking out from the back, the former in a new white outfit consisting of a button up shirt and a short skirt, which looks a couple sizes too big for her.

Bambietta smiles proudly, "It's a good thing you can fit into one of my old outfits… you really do look like you could be our sister at this point, Yui!"

Yuzu shifts awkwardly as the woman gives her a pat on the back, "Thank you, Ma'am. I hope to learn a lot from you moving forward!"

Bambietta pauses briefly, her eyes widening slightly, before she smirks, "Of course! That's what we're here for, after all! Just try not to pick up Candy's bad habits of alcohol and men!"

Yuzu sweat drops at this, "I don't think that'll be a problem…"

Across the room, Yukio sits on the barstool next to Ginjo, wearing an anxious expression.

Ginjo hasn't failed to notice Yukio's odd behavior, the boy stiffening whenever he looks at him, seeming like he considers saying something, but chooses not to for whatever reason.

Ginjo pries, "Got something you want to say, Yukio?"

Yukio's face pales briefly at this.

The boy recomposes himself and shakes his head, uttering a half truth, "No, I'm just worried about Yuzu. That's all…"

Ginjo nods before turning back to his drink.

The girl in question approaches Yukio after hearing her name, "You don't have to worry about me, Yukio. I'm fine, I promise!"

Yukio glances at the girl and sees she still has a wavering, sorrowful look in her eyes, as if to suggest that, she is, in fact, not fine.

The girl then awkwardly addresses Yukio, as well as Chad and Kon, who stand a short distance away, "I'd like to continue our conversation from earlier."

The trio nod, before sitting at a table on the opposite side of the room as the bar.

Yuzu explains, "From what I recall of mom, she was the kindest and most gentle person I can think of. She always had everyone else's interests in mind and would always protect those around her. She'd always listen to what you had to say, which I remember benefiting Karin and Ichigo quite well, as they actually used to be shy. Ichigo turned out a lot like that too."

Chad nods, understanding Ichigo beyond the punk persona he carried.

Yukio decides to comment at this, shifting uncomfortably, "Your mom sounds awesome, a far cry from my own parents. The reason I said I was happy about them dying is because they'd never listen to me… they always acted as though I couldn't speak…"

The boy wears a dejected expression.

Yuzu's gaze softens at this, "I'm sorry Yukio…"

Yukio shakes his head, "Sorry for what? It's not your fault. They may have supported me with everything I ever would need as far a material, but it they never gave me their attention…"

Yuzu shakes her head, "I can't accept that. Parents have to love their kids!"

Yukio shrugs at this, "Maybe you're right about that, but that doesn't change the fact that they locked me in a room and neglected me for as long as they did. I ran away it was so bad…"

Yuzu calls out, "Why?!"

Yukio's eyes widen, seeing Yuzu's eyes full of tears for his sake.

Yuzu continues, "You could have told them you wanted their attention! I'm sure they would have—"

"What would you understand?! Your parents always gave you attention!" Yukio snaps at the girl.

Yuzu's eyes widen at this, completely thrown off.

Yukio's eyes widen as well, regretting his actions, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean that."

Yuzu continues crying, "No, you did. And you're right—my parents had always been supportive of me. Only recently I have found out how lonely it can be when your parent neglect you… and you were living like that your entire childhood… I'm sorry Yukio!"

The girl is crying loudly, recalling the way her father has been absent and treating her like she is a baby who can't do anything, as well as how her uncle completely disregarded her wishes just earlier today. She's not even able to imagine what an entire childhood like that would feel like.

The two preteens sit awkwardly as the rest of Xcution half pretend not to be listening in on their conversation. Bambietta's gaze almost seems to soften as she watches the girl before she decides to go sit next to Candice on the couch, making it look like she's not interested in hearing more.

Yuzu's weeping settles down before Yukio decides to change the subject, "Could you tell me more about your brother? It sounds like you really looked up to him too."

Yuzu perks up at this, always down to sing Ichigo's praises, "Of course! Ichigo, like my mom, was always super gentle, kind, and supportive. He had a passion for English because he was looking to bridge the gap between our cultures, which I always admired about him. He carried this punk persona which often got him into fights, but he'd always come out on top and save the day! Ichigo is quite heroic like that—he beat up a group of my bullies one time and they were only ever kind to me after that point—so heroic! He might have seemed rough around the edges for most, but I always found Ichigo's punk persona to be adorable! There was also this cute thing he did with…" and Yuzu continues to go on and on about her brother, all the while Yukio sweat drops with a friendly smile on his face, realizing he may have opened the wrong can of worms.

Candice, now awake and mostly stable, but still drunk by all accounts, of course, chooses to needlessly blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, "Sounds like Yui has a massive brother complex. How adorable!"

Bambietta kicks Candice in the shin at this, with an angered expression.

Candice snaps at the woman, clutching her leg in pain, "WHY IS IT ALWAYS THE SHIN WITH YOU?!"

Bambietta growls at her companion, "You aren't a part of their conversation. Know when to shut up, Verdamnt!"

Candice widens her eyes, seemingly thinking about something, "Oh… right…"

Bambietta sighs, wearing an annoyed expression, "Just go in the other room until you're sobered…"

Yuzu tilts her head questioningly, "Brother complex? What's that mean?"

Chad pales at this, urgently addressing Yuzu's question before anyone else can, "She was just using colorful language! It'd be best if you forgot what she said entirely!"

Yuzu scrunches her brow at this, not liking being treated as a kid by those she considers friends.

Yukio decides to support Chad, "I'd trust Chad on this one, Yuzu. Sometimes, you're better off not knowing."

Yuzu nods slowly as Kon crawls on her shoulder, perching there not unlike how a certain electric rodent would with a boy wearing a ball cap.

Karakura Town

A long-haired blonde man, wearing a black vest, steps out in the rain outside of Karakura's music store, sighing as he brushes his hair to the side.

"They really ought to offer more options for Guitar picks, none of them were in my favorite color…", the man states as he eyes the green pick he purchased in his hand.

The man starts walking along the street, ignoring the various Shinigami walking past him in the area.

"They really have this town under lockdown… I wonder what happened?", the man thinks to himself.

He continues his walk a bit longer before he hears a familiar voice addressing the Shinigami, which causes a chill to go down his spine. The man looks to the side, seeing none other than Sosuke Aizen speaking with a short woman with a bun in her hair, who he doesn't recognize. The man turns his face away quickly from the Squad 5 Captain, hoping he didn't see him yet. The man walks quickly away from the area until he is reaching the outskirts of town, where he starts sprinting.

He reaches an industrial complex on the furthest edge of town, rushing inside before hurriedly locking the door. His actions do not go unnoticed by the individuals inside.

"What crawled up your ass, Rose? One of the Shinigami recognize you?", a buff, white-haired man asks curiously.

A woman with short green hair in a tracksuit snaps at the buff man, "Kensei, you idiot. If a Shinigami noticed him, they would have caught up! You should know that a Gigai can't outrun flash step, idiot! Idiot! Idiot!"

The woman continues to mock the man by calling him an idiot, causing a vein to bulge out of his forehead, "Why you little…"

"Enough.", a calm voice calls out.

The two turn to find five other individuals approach; a large pink-haired man with a green suit, a bespectacled woman with long black hair worn in a braided ponytail, a tall man with a afro wearing sunglasses, a short twin-tailed blonde girl in a red tracksuit, and finally, the source of the voice, a blonde man with a bowl cut wearing a hat and tie.

The bowl cut man continues to speak, "He just walked in the door and has to deal with your hijinks, which doesn't exactly offer him room to speak. Let him talk."

Rose huffs, still breathing heavily from sprinting a long distance.

The music enthusiast gives the hatted man a look of appreciation, before composing himself, "I saw Sosuke Aizen."

Rose can practically see the dread on the faces of his companions at this.

The pink-haired man murmurs to himself, "Mr. Tessai hasn't called me about it… they must not know either…"

The short blonde girl snarls, "Well what do you expect, Hachi? He's working for Kisuke now! The incompetence must've rubbed off!"

The man frowns at this, "I won't let you insult Mr. Tessai or Urahara after all they sacrificed to help us, Hiyori!"

Hiyori huffs, "Regardless, I say we get ourselves some sweet revenge on that bastard Aizen! You with me? Lisa? Love?"

The black-haired woman, known as Lisa, adjusts her glasses at this, "As good as that sounds, we don't hold a candle to the might the Gotei 13 has brought to Japan. Even if we were to catch Aizen off guard, there is still an army of Shinigami backing him. No matter what we may claim, they will treat us as criminals and believe everything he says."

The man with the afro, known as Love, nods in agreement, "Yeah, I'm not exactly looking to die—I have to read next week's edition of Jump magazine!"

Hiyori's eyebrow twitches at this, "Huh?! I never took you guys as cowards! You tellin' me you're just gonna let this opportunity pass us by?!"

The man with the hat and tie lets out a sigh, "Calm down, Hiyori. It's gonna take all of us together to defeat Sosuke, and even then, I don't feel so great about our odds, given his abilities…"

Hiyori glares at the man, "Even you, Shinji?! He used to be your Vice Captain—you should be the one who wants revenge the most!"

The man known as Shinji Hirako sighs dejectedly, "That was a long time ago…"

Hiyori huffs, turning on her heel and walking down a flight of stairs.

"Hey, where are you going Hiyori?", the green haired woman asks, with a curious look.

The short girl glances back at her companion, "Now look who's asking the dumbass questions! It should be obvious—I'm going to train! You're welcome to join, Mashiro."

The green-haired girl looks at the white-haired man, who avoids her gaze.

Mashiro then crosses her arms, "I'm not training unless Kensei is!"

Hiyori shrugs, "Suit yourself. But when I'm the one who takes Aizen down, I don't want to hear any complaints!"

The girl descends into the training area.

Shinji rubs his forehead in mild irritation, prompting Rose to ask a question, "So, what's the real plan?"

Shinji gives his companion a toothy grin at the question, "We bide our time and wait until Sosuke is forced into a direct conflict with either that hollow or those other individuals… that is the only time an assault from us can possibly work on him… not even his trickery can save him amongst chaos out of his control."

The rest of the group nods at his words, before he turns and follows after Hiyori, "In the meantime, we'd ought to sharpen our dull blades."

Author's Note:

Enter: The Visored!

The next chapter will be the final one for this arc. I for one am excited to finally move into the more interesting and hype stuff about the story as most of the necessary set up will be in place.