Chapter 47: Shinigami vs Hollow
Underground Chamber, Shino Academy, Soul Society
Within a small, dimly lit room in the Shino Academy, a pair of emerald-green eyes stare lazily at something in front of them, a raised white brow indicating interest. The eyes belong to a young girl, looking to be in her early teens, wearing a white Gi with red fabric running along the edges. The girl kneels on the floor in a very regal manner, a purple Hanafuda-shaped earring hanging from her right ear while the equally purple scarf trails down her back. She holds her head up high, maintaining proper stature despite the group of three bodyguards standing a little too close to her for comfort.
Before her another, black-haired girl who wears a nearly identical Gi and looks to be of similar age paces across the room that the two of them are occupying, the light of the candles failing to fully reveal her features. The black-haired girl balls her hands, wrapped in white bandages, into fists, causing them to make a slight crunch noise. The candles flicker, revealing a young face with black marks under the eyes, suggesting a lack of rest. Further, the deep scowl on the girl's face alone should be telling to anyone just how bad the girl's mood and mental state are.
The first white-haired girl, Katsumi Tsunayashiro, glances at the bodyguards with an annoyed look, "You all have done an exceptional job of guarding me so far, but I think we've passed the point of that being necessary. Therefore, in my benevolence, you shall all be granted rest."
The bodyguard to her direct right flinches, making to argue, "But Milady—"
Katsumi nearly snaps at him, her subtle annoyance beginning to become blatantly obvious, "That wasn't a request. I wish to speak with my friend in private. Do not make me ask again."
The bodyguard hangs his head solemnly as he responds, "Yes, Ma'am…"
All the bodyguards make their way towards the exit of the room, one of them raising a brow and questioning under their breath as they leave, "'Friend'…?"
Katsumi drops the annoyed look, soon after replacing it with an odd, somewhat concerned one, "Still worried about your father?"
The girl being questioned, Karin Shiba, suddenly halts her pace as her breath hitches, the emotional floodgates seemingly opening, "I get dad not wanting to fight anything but Hollows… but that's changed! I don't know how, but incredibly powerful Hollows were able to get into the Seireitei. Among the powers that I felt fighting that strongest one, I didn't sense my dad and I still don't! WHERE IS HE?!"
As if to add emphasis to her frustration, Karin slams her fist against the wall, causing the wooden frame to violently crack. Katsumi blinks, flinching slightly at the show, however remaining quiet as Karin begins to slump to the floor, exhaling deeply. A few awkward moments of silence pass between the pair, during which the black-haired girl settles her breath somewhat and swallows. The Tsunayashiro girl closes her eyes, seemingly contemplating something or another.
After a few more moments, the white-haired girl opens her eyes as she explains directly and carefully, "Karin, your father is quite a formidable man whose strength is respected even among the other captains of the Gotei 13. He was and likely still is the strongest of his generation, which includes even Lord Kuchiki. The Tsunyashiro Clan may hold something of a grudge against the Shiba Clan, but we do not falsify strength and natural-born talent."
Karin's breaths are somewhat labored as she processes the explanation. The girl's brow remains in its scrunched position, relaying that she is still frustrated.
Katsumi, still wearing a serious expression, reveals in finality, "In my opinion, Isshin Shiba is not in the Soul Society right now. He likely is still in the World of the Living, so I'm sure he'll return soon given that Hollows have somehow invaded."
The Shiba girl's brow twitches as her eyes soften somewhat. Her breathing nearly settles completely before she releases a slow exhale through her nose. There still exists a silence between the pair, which makes the Noble somewhat uncomfortable. Just then, Karin begins to pick herself from the ground, earning a somewhat hopeful gaze from Katsumi.
Karin looks to the side, away from the other girl, and huffs, "You're probably right about that… but still…"
The Noble girl raises a slight brow before her counterpart groans in annoyance and complains in a loud manner, "C'MON! Did they really need to put me in here with you?! The absolutely insane levels of security down here make it impossible for me to slip out and actually see the battles I'm feeling!"
Katsumi blinks before letting out a light chuckle, a slight smile on her face, "Oh that? Well, I'd attribute that to how impressive you've become since you got here, Shiba."
Karin raises a brow, the scowl once more resting on her face, "What do you mean? I'm crap at Kido, I'm even worse with Kaido, and despite being good with a sword, I can't even release Shikai like you can. It sounds to me like I'm still at square one…"
The Noble girl's laughs only continue to grow in magnitude, "That's right! I had forgotten just how atrocious you are at Kido due to my being placed in a different class! I do miss the days of seeing your pitiful efforts, they were quite amusing!"
Katsumi continues to laugh as tears begin to form in her eyes, making the Shiba girl growl, her cheeks flushing in rage, "You tryin' to pick a fight with me, bitch?"
Karin's words cause one of the guards outside of the room to move towards the door, however, a hand is placed on his shoulder, stopping him. The group of guards turn around to look at the interloper, but all simultaneously halt their movements as their eyes widen in shock.
Back inside the room, Katsumi's laughs are stifled as she wipes away a tear from her eye with her finger, her gaze thereafter focused on Karin, "I do say that a duel would be entertaining, but given the current events, it would be dreadfully inappropriate."
The Shiba glares at the other girl with narrowed, unconvinced eyes, "Well if you admit I'm such a trainwreck, why did you think I was impressive?"
Katsumi smiles somewhat condescendingly, causing a tick mark to form on Karin's forehead briefly before explaining, "Shiba, your father's talents seem to have been passed down to you. Your Kido is effectively non-existent, and you have yet to know the name of your Soul, but you make up with both of these through the admirable effort you put towards bettering yourself."
Karin furrows her brow, still not fully following, which prompts the Noble girl to knowingly eye the other girl's hands wrapped in white bandages, "Ever since our duel, I couldn't help but notice how you'd spend every single one of the days we didn't have class on furthering your Zanjutsu skills. Not only that, but the intensity with which you practiced always left your palms bleeding, so you'd have to stay after and clean the wooden practice swords before class the following day. At some point, it seems like you decided to wrap your hands in the white bandages, which no doubt hide many calluses."
Karin can't help but blush, "Y-you knew about that…? For that long?"
Katsumi smiles as she nods in approval, "Of course. You had piqued my interest as a worthy rival, and it seems I have been proven correct because not only did your Zanjutsu skills improve significantly, so too did your Reiatsu…"
The Shiba girl frowns as she rubs the back of her neck awkwardly, "Really…? I hadn't noticed…"
The white-haired girl narrows her eyes as she gazes at the other girl intently. The air around Karin radiates slightly, a sign of her immense potential, which Katsumi elaborates on vaguely, "Well, others have noticed…"
Karin nods, trailing off with a blush still on her face, "Well, thanks, I guess…"
There is a silence between the two, each now feeling somewhat uncomfortable, evident as Karin rubs her arm.
After another moment, Katsumi sighs before glancing at the door, "It would seem we are finished talking. You may all return to the room."
Nothing happens after the girl says this, causing her to furrow her brows and repeat, this time with more volume, "I said you may return to the room now."
Once more there is no response, which causes both girls to narrow their eyes at the door. Karin begins to unsheathe the blade from its place on her back while Katsumi shoots to her feet, the red light of Kido charged at the tip of her finger, providing better light than the mere candles could ever hope for. The pair stalk up to the door before giving each other a look, the noble giving a nod. Karin then promptly kicks the door down, readying to deliver a blow. Simultaneously, Katsumi's Kido shines with further intensity, preparing to engulf whoever dares cross their path.
However, much to the surprise and shock of both of the girls, nobody is waiting for them behind the door. Karin's sword falls to her side as she scratches her head in confusion. Meanwhile, Katsumi's expression becomes even more tense as her eyes dart around the dark, empty hallway.
The Shiba purses her lips, "There's no one here… not even a sign of conflict either… it's like they just left… Wow, they really must've taken you giving them time off and flew with it. You should hire better bodyguards next time."
Katsumi's frown deepens, "Shiba, you well and truly are a fool."
Karin narrows her eyes and snaps at her friend, "What'd you say?!"
The Noble girl ignores her companion as she continues to gaze up and down the hallway, a worried look held within her eyes, "Those were among the highest quality guards in the entire Soul Society, who train for their entire lives for the one purpose of getting the opportunity to serve under the Nobility. This job is their life, that is why they often get argumentative when you want space away from them…"
There is a silence as Katsumi pauses, allowing for Karin to process what she heard. The Shiba girl slowly widens her eyes as she realizes what the other girl is getting at.
Katsumi then solemnly finishes this line of thought, "…that means, somebody or something was able to not only defeat them but do so in a way that was completely silent and left no signs of a conflict having existed…"
The girls share an expression of dread for another moment before Karin lets out a grunt, stating in typical Shiba fashion, "Well, when they show up again, we'll just have to kick their ass, won't we?"
These words cause Katsumi to stare at Karin in disbelief, her mouth agape. The girl is simply too stunned to speak further. After a moment, the hallway shakes intensely as tremors from the battles above can be felt. Both girls stumble somewhat before quickly finding their bearings and looking up with shock.
Katsumi's look of horror intensifies, "There's fighting in the Noble District?! What is the Gotei 13 doing letting a Hollow near that area?!"
The Shiba girl narrows her eyes, "Say, the Noble District isn't far from the Academy, right?"
The other girl nods, the dread in her eyes increasing, "Yes… and that means the Shinigami at the Academy are likely taking part in that battle… but, we have bigger priorities right now, Shiba. Let's see if we…"
Karin's mind blocks out the rest of Katsumi's words as the former words linger through the air for a few moments. The faces of three specific Shinigami from the 13th division come to her mind. Her eyes widen slowly before, without any warning, she bolts down the hallway, most certainly towards an exit.
Katsumi calls out, "Wait, Shiba stop!"
Her words do not reach Karin, however, causing the Noble to look around herself anxiously before shifting her gaze towards where the other girl ran off.
Katsumi frowns and pinches the bridge of her nose as she lets out a long sigh, "You'll be the death of me, Shiba…"
The girl slaps both of her checks with her hands before sprinting off after Karin, who is still acting on instinct. Soon after the girls disappear from eyesight, a feminine form wearing a black suit materializes in the area right outside of the door of the room the two girls just were. The dim lights hide most of the figure's features, however, as one of the candles flicker with particular intensity, it reveals the gray, empty eyes of a woman, which appear devoid of any and all meaning.
Noble District, Soul Society
Ulquiorra casually releases green fire from his finger, scorching a multitude of buildings and Shinigami in its wake. The screams and sudden silencing of the Shinigami caught in the blast would be enough to turn the stomach of most people, but this Hollow, who has lived his life prior to meeting a certain orange-haired Hollow without the slightest inclination of what is and is not morally wrong, could care less.
Ulquiorra places his right hand in the pocket next to his blade, mirroring his left hand. The Hollow glares intently before him, holding not so much bloodlust but rather an emotionless, objective promise of death to any who would dare stand against him held within them.
His thoughts become focused, "I will burn the Noble District to the ground until all of those who ordered his sister to death are gone. Perhaps then Ichigo's mind will be more at ease…"
The Arrancar points his right index finger at a building to his right, beginning to charge another Cero at its tip. Before the attack can fire, however, a large whip-like saw blade crashes against his arm, causing it to shift slightly, sending the Cero just enough off-coarse to destroy the upper half of the building rather than the entire thing, giving a chance of survival for those within.
Ulquiorra eyes the blade, which failed to cut through his Hierro, with complete carelessness as the segmented black saw teeth held together by gray, wire-like strands retreat and retract in the hands of its owner holding the blade on a katana hilt. The Arrancar gazes at the tattooed, red-haired Shinigami before him as if he were vermin.
The Shinigami, Renji Abari, begins to speak, "Y-you won't kill a single other Shinigami so long as I'm—"
Renji cuts himself off as his eyes widen in urgency in response to Ulquiorra casually beginning to charge another Cero, this time at him.
The Vice-Captain lets out a swear as he uses all his strength to jump out of the way of the blast, which just barely misses him. This causes Ulquiorra's eye to twitch slightly before he disappears with a buzz.
Renji, still staggering from his near-death experience, notices this, "Where did he…?!"
The Vice-Captain gasps as another green light flickers near the right side of his face, causing him to slowly turn his head to regard it. Sure enough, Ulquiorra is there waiting with a Cero pointed directly at the Vice-Captain. Renji's eyes shake with fear, realizing that he asked for a fight that he simply had no business being a part of, as the two beings are on completely different levels. He shuts his eyes, expecting death to befall him.
A few moments pass, leaving the man to open his eyes and regard the Hollow, still holding the Cero, in confusion, "What… are you waiting for…?"
Ulquiorra's eyes narrow before answering to Renji's surprise, "You dodged my first Cero… No other Shinigami I've killed so far was able to keep up with the level of speed of the Ceros I was using. There's also the matter of the badge on your arm… can I take these things to mean you are one of the Vice-Captains?"
Renji gulps before confirming, "So what if I am?"
The Arrancar responds with a demand, "You can save me some time… Show me where to find the Tsunayashiro Clan, or I'll kill you where you stand."
Renji scrunches his brows, opening his mouth to say something, but holds his tongue as he widens his eyes at the sky above them, gasping. Ulquiorra quickly turns his head to follow the Vice-Captain's gaze to find a torrent of thousands of pink petals raining down on them. The Arrancar has a somewhat urgent look in his eyes, as he recognizes these petals, so he instinctually shifts his Cero from Renji at the petals, allowing for the Vice-Captain to retreat with Flash Step.
The Cero clashes against the petal blades, erupting in an explosion that causes the blades to disperse before recollecting at the sides of a man with long black hair wearing a normal Shinigami Gi wrapped with white, bloodstained bandages underneath. The man's hands are empty, marking that he has already activated his Bankai before coming into this battle. The Arrancar and Shinigami lock gazes, a spark flickering between them as they have unfinished business.
Renji appears at the man's side, kneeling next to him, "Captain Kuchiki, this Hollow…"
Byakuya narrows his eyes, his gaze not leaving the Hollow in front of him, "I heard… you seek to destroy the Tsunayahsiro Clan. For what purpose?"
Ulquiorra's usually emotionless eyes glow with something akin to anger, but only for a moment before returning to their usual neutral state before he answers, "They chose to make an enemy out of White. All his enemies must die."
The captain maintains a stoic expression as he raises his hands, directing the blades to gather, ready to launch at the Hollow, "I suppose it was foolish of me to ask such a question. Shinigami and Hollows have always fought to kill each other, it is the natural order. I shall finish what I started with you in the world of the living, bat."
Ulquiorra responds by charging a Cero at the captain, which, upon launching, once more makes contact with the torrent of blades. Ulquiorra disappears with a Sonido, drawing his blade and attempting to blindside the captain with a strike, however, a wall of petals parries the strike and sends the Arrancar spiraling back a distance.
As Ulquiorra skids against the ground, the captain brings both of his hands down in an 'X' shape, causing the petals to assault the Arranacar accordingly, sending him skidding back even further while shredding through his Hierro and limbs. Blood flies through the air in the wake of the attack, seemingly rendering the Hollow once more powerless under the assault.
Dust rises in the air as a result of Byakuya's ambush, which the captain takes as a chance to issue orders, "Renji, help Squad 13 evacuate the Nobility."
Renji scowls, words from an earlier conversation he had coming to the surface, 'Where were you when he was attacked anyway, Renji? You're supposed to be at his side!'
The Vice-Captain, despite knowing how outmatched he is, refuses, "I cannot do that, sir."
Byakuya, still guiding his blades to hold the Arrancar back, doesn't look back at his Vice-Captain, but does ask a serious question, "Do you understand that continuing to remain here will likely end in death for you?"
Renji closes his eyes, answering indirectly, "Dying in battle at your captain's side is the greatest honor a Vice-Captain can ask for."
The captain continues to direct the petals at the Arrancar, waiting a moment before giving a response, "Very well. If you insist on staying, keep your distance and send for reinforcements. I won't be able to hold him off forever."
Renji rises to his feet and nods with vigor before leaping back a distance. Byakuya glares at the blood flying through the air as his blades cut through the Arrancar in anticipation of what's to come next.
Within the petals, Ulquiorra, riddled with cuts that heal themselves nearly as fast as they appear, narrows his eyes in annoyance. The Hollow regards the blade in his hand briefly before uttering, "Enclose, Murcielago."
As if to validate the captain's anticipation, a green explosion erupts from within the petals, causing them to disperse before returning to Byakuya's side. Renji and Byakuya stare at the black-winged creature standing before them. Ulquiorra now has an appearance that, like Ichigo, is nearly identical to what it was when he was a Vasto Lorde. The only noteworthy change in the bat's case is, of course, the absence of the front of his mask, making it so the current mask acts as a sort of horned helmet worn on top of his head.
The bat's Reiatsu rains down with such intensity that Renji stumbles and nearly loses consciousness just from being in his presence. The Vice-Captain levels his stance as he uses his Zanpakuto to help him stand. He struggles to focus on sending out a Hell Butterfly while under the full intensity of Ulquiorra's Reiastu, which prompts him to curse himself for his lack of strength.
Meanwhile, Byakuya eyes the Hollow anxiously, feeling like something is off compared to the previous time he fought him as a Vasto Lorde. Sure enough, as soon as Ulquiorra materializes a bright green lance in his left hand, the captain widens his eyes and braces himself, summoning all his petals towards himself in defense.
Ulquiorra wastes no time in throwing the lance at the captain with immense speed and strength, formerly not seen by the Hollow. The petals manage to form somewhat of a shield around the captain by the time the attack hits. A massive green explosion occurs, which sends a shockwave throughout the Noble District so intense that Renji has to plant his Zanpakuto into the ground to avoid being sent flying backward.
Byakuya is sent flying into the air, his petals following after him. The captain manages to regain his bearings in the air as he breathes haggard breaths. The left side of the captain's face is burned, with dried blood stuck in the form of a line leading down past his lip.
Ulquiorra looks up casually at the captain in the air as he forms another energy lance in his right hand before throwing it at him once more. Byakuya narrows his eyes, using Flash Step to just barely dodge the attack, which explodes in the air, whereupon Ulquiorra prepares yet another attack. The captain charges a blue light within his right hand while the petals protect him from the bat's lances.
Ulquiorra pauses as the captain releases a blue flash of energy from his hands upon uttering, "Hado Number 33: Sokatsui."
The bat quickly charges light green Cero on the tip of his finger, releasing it to crash against the Kido and quickly overpower it, causing a brilliant explosion of blue and green energy. Ulquiorra pivots himself, preparing to throw the lance in his hand through the smoke at the captain no doubt still within. However, his eyes twitch as pink petals fly through the air around him before looking upward. What the Arrancar finds is a sea of blades raining down towards him.
The Hollow prepares to throw his lance at the blades, but is stopped as the captain chants, "Bakudo 61: Rikujokoro."
Six beams of light slam into the Hollow's torso, restricting his movements and preventing his escape as the blades slam down on his body, attempting to rend him to pieces. The captain, still in the air, narrows his eyes at the scene as he fails to see any blood come from the strikes of his petals. Suddenly, the petals engulfing the bat are once more dispersed by a shockwave of green energy, sending them scattering in the air before recollecting around the captain. Ulquiorra appears completely unharmed and free from the binding Kido, suggesting that the captain's efforts thus far have been fruitless.
Byakuya's frown deepens as the petals around him begin to turn from pink to a heavenly white color, "It's risky, but my attacks cannot harm him without using that technique…"
Ulquiorra pauses as he charges another lance in his right hand, taking in the sight of the captain's Bankai beginning to transform. The petals form a type of white halo above the captain's head, trailing down into fully angelic wings. The remainder of the blades form into a singular, white blade held in Byakuya's right hand before the captain's Reiatsu rains down, further drowning the battlefield with power.
Byakuya, now flying in the air, declares, "Senbonzakura Kageyoshi: Shūkei, Hakuteiken."
The bat tenses, sensing the significant increase in threat level of the captain, before immediately taking to the sky, increasing the momentum of the lance that he then throws at the captain. Despite the increase in speed and force, Byakuya dodges this attack rather than blocking, showing an increase in speed due to his new form. Ulquiorra widens his eyes as the captain brings down his angelic white blade, which holds the power of thousands of blades. The bat manages to alter his trajectory by pivoting one of his wings before swinging his energy lance at the captain's neck, attempting a death blow. Byakuya just barely parries the blow with his new blade, before expertly bringing it back down, slicing off Ulquiorra's right arm.
It is for naught, however, as the Arrancar almost instantly regenerates the arm while simultaneously bringing another lance in his left hand at the captain. The captain retreats with Flash Step, allowing the attack to strike nothing but the air.
UIquiorra clicks his tongue as he flies through the air after Byakuya, launching light green Ceros from his right hand and throwing lances with his left. The captain manages to dodge the lances while cutting the Ceros in half, causing a myriad of violent explosions to destroy the Earth below their battle in the sky. Indeed, as Renji observes their battle from the ground, he sees streams of green energy light the sky ablaze as two winged beings, one with black wings and the other with white, dance through the air in a battle for aerial superiority. It is as if watching an angel and a demon battle, the clothing they wear adding further contrast—black body with white wings or white body with black wings—Shinigami vs Hollow. The shockwaves from the explosions blow Renji away a distance as he no longer can maintain his position. The Vice-Captain screams helplessly as he is thrown back through the air like a rag doll.
The captain and the Arrancar close in on each other once more, Ulquiorra's green lance and Byakuya's white blade locking together as they clash. After a moment, the captain's blade cuts its way through the Arrancar's lance and through his midsection which causes him to stagger and instinctively fire off a point-blank Cero, now mixed with his blood to make a Gran Rey Cero, at the captain. The explosion that ensues is violent and intense, lighting the skies above the Seireitei with a distorted bluish-green color.
Ulquiorra falls a distance, his body smoking as it flies through the air, although sure enough slowly healing itself. Byakuya, meanwhile, is not so lucky as his body is scorched and rather limp. Despite this, the captain is somehow able to regain his bearings before sending himself flying directly toward the Arrancar with desperate, bloodshot eyes.
The bat, seeing that his previous attack was not the finisher that it should've been, instinctually and desperately pulls for something deeper. As Byakuya closes in, he raises his sword in preparation for a finishing blow while a black Cero begins to form in the bat's hand. Ulquiorra's attack comes fast, without warning, launching and engulfing the captain in blackened green fire, which completely strips the white-bladed wings and swords from him as well as sending his body into the distance, a scorching mess. Ulquiorra quickly reorients himself in the air, setting his eyes towards where the captain's body has been sent crashing down.
The bat's body regenerates itself somewhat slower than it did while fighting as he narrows his eyes, deciding, "That captain must die…"
Nearby, Noble District, Soul Society
Rukia runs through an area of the Noble District not currently scorched due to the battle between the captain and Arrancar. Following her is a group of five Shinigami, which includes Shino and Ryuunosuke. A grim and solemn expression is present on the faces of the Shinigami as they make their way to the edge of the district.
Suddenly, however, a smoking mass crashes through the wall to the right of where they are running before bouncing off the ground and skidding along the pavement in front of them, coming to a halt. The Shinigami naturally halt their stride, excluding Rukia, who approaches slowly to investigate more closely.
As soon as she is able to make out the features of the smoking individual, namely the headpiece, scarf, and the few pink petals that remain fluttering in the air around his body, she lets out a gasp. Her expression becomes one of horror, shock, and dread.
The woman can't help herself as she rushes to the man's side, kneeling in front of him as tears begin to gather in her eyes, "BROTHER!"
The Shinigami behind the woman all gasp, now wearing faces of equal horror. Rukia continues to call out to Byakuya, which causes the man's body to spasm, jolting itself awake.
The Nobleman opens his eyes slowly, his scorched face maintaining a strained expression, "R-Rukia…?"
The woman widens her eyes, a glimmer of hope held within them, "Yes brother, I am here. You shouldn't talk. You need to rest until the relief Squad gets here."
Byakuya scowls, his expression becoming even more strained, "There's no time."
Rukia furrows her brows before her eyes widen in horror as an extreme amount of pressure is exerted on her shoulders, weighing her very soul down. In the next moment, there is the sound of a buzz followed by five thuds—each of the Shinigami following her promptly losing consciousness and falling to the ground.
A voice states neutrally, "'Brother'…?"
The woman turns her head, her horror-filled eyes locking gazes with cold, empty green ones. The bat Arrancar casually begins to approach, his intent clear to her.
Ulquiorra continues, "Before you die, Shinigami, I think it is fair for you to witness the death of the one who calls you brother."
Rukia flinches at this, her body beginning to tremble as the bat states in finality, "Some might say it's like an eye for an eye, but in this case, a sister for a sister…"
Byakuya's eyes flash with both confusion and fear, however, the latter is far more dominant in his gaze. The bat begins to raise his hand, a guarantee of death soon to befall both of the Kuchikis. As the Hollow is nearly upon them, a masculine voice lets out a roar, sending a certain saw-like whip sword flying at him from the left. Ulquiorra effortlessly moves his left hand to catch the attack, halting its momentum in its tracks and causing the blade to coil over itself. The bat turns his careless gaze towards the interloper: a panting Renji wearing a desperate look on his face.
Renji widens his eyes and flinches as the Hollow crushes the end of the blade in his hand, causing it to shatter. Further, green fire-like energy is sent through the remainder of the blade before exploding at the Shinigami's hilt, sending the man flying backwards and crashing into the wall.
Rukia calls out to the man desperately, "RENJI!"
She widens her eyes and cuts off her screams as the bat approaches, a light green Cero charging at the tip of his finger, now directed at her. Rukia's mouth hangs open and her eyes are full of dread as she stares death in the face. As Ulquiorra is about to release the Cero, a small number of pink petals slash desperately against his arm, leaving small cuts that gain his attention.
The Arrancar looks to his right, unamused as he regards Byakuya, "Is that supposed to save her? It is hopeless. She will die, and you will too."
Ulquiorra, whose attention was temporarily placed on the siblings, failed to notice Renji get out of the rubble and disappear with Flash Step, a desperate expression on his face. The Hollow shifts his gaze to Rukia upon firing the Cero, only for his eyes to twitch slightly as he regards the back of Renji Abarai with a gaping hole through his chest.
Renji, with his back turned on the Hollow, kneels over Rukia protectively, having shifted her body to avoid being hit by the Cero at the cost of taking it himself, leaving a fatal bleeding hole in his chest. Soon after, the man collapses on top of the woman, his eyes beginning to lose the life in them.
Rukia cannot help the tears that stream from her eyes as her hands desperately cling around the man's shoulders, "R-Renji… why did you…?"
As the pair make eye contact, Rukia can see somewhat of a message held within the man's dying eyes, backed up by the light smile he sends to her. He recalls their shared pasts as he looks into her now anguished gaze.
Renji's Past, South Rukongai, 78th District "Inuzuri" (Hanging Dog)
A group of children wearing modest Gis run through the dirt roads of the Rukongai, carrying food as they attempt to escape their assailant.
A man wearing a vest and a modest Gi of his own chases after them with a sickle in-hand, shouting, "STOP! I stole that water first! Give it back! I'll kill you! Stop!"
In the Rukongai, each of the four quarters are divided into eighty districts…
The man with the sickle continues to scream and chase the four children, "STOP! I'LL GIVE YOU TEN SECONDS!"
The four children are all boys, seemingly led by a red-haired boy, whose haired honestly makes him look like a red pineapple.
The boy right behind the redhead whines, "What'll we do, Ren? He has a sickle! He's gonna kill us for sure!"
'Ren' shouts back at the other boy, not daring to halt his stride, "Shut up and run!"
District 1 is the safest.
District 78, on the other hand, is the worst of the worst.
The man with the sickle lunges, screaming as he prepares to take back what's 'his', "One… TEN! That does it! You brats are dead! Even if you give it back, I'll still kill you!"
In this dump of a town…
A small right foot rises in the air before sweeping under the man and tripping him, causing him to fall face-first in the dirt.
…we met.
The four boys stare wide-eyed at the culprit: a tiny, raven-haired girl wearing short floral robes.
One of the boys gawks as he stares at the girl, "Who is that?! You know her, Renji?"
The red-haired boy, Renji, sweats as he continues to stare at the girl with widened eyes, "N-No…"
The pursuing man raises his head from the dirt before barking, "D-Damn it! Who tripped me?!"
The raven-haired girl proceeds to brutally stomp the man's face into the dirt until he is knocked out.
She immediately bolts past the group of boys, calling to them as she passes, "Follow me!"
Renji flinches and calls to the girl, "H-Huh?! Wait a second!"
She reminds as she continues to run away, "Hurry! You want someone to take that water away from you?!"
The boys become quiet at this before looking between each other for a moment.
And…
The group immediately bolt after the girl, calling, "W-wait up!"
From that day on, Rukia was out center.
She was a strange girl…
She was bossy and talked like a boy…
But no matter what she did…
…her natural elegance showed through.
Within our group, she was the only one with spiritual powers.
At first, I felt a little frustrated…
Renji now stands on a plain in the Rukongai, glaring back at the other three boys who seem to be gushing as Rukia, a distance away, holds a blue ball of Kido in her hands.
The redhead barks at the others, irritated at their behavior, "You guys have gone mushy over her! Over a girl! How pathetic!"
We all hated this town and the people in it…
Before we knew it, we were together…
Always together.
We were a family.
This was a crappy little town with crappy little people living crappy little lives…
The grown-ups were all thieves and murderers…
The kids were like stray dogs…
We were surrounded by human refuse…
…and…
There was only one way to escape…
Much Later, Gravesite, Rukongai
The much older forms of Rukia and Renji stand atop a hill wearing clothing similar to when they were children. Although, their bodies have grown immensely, nearly identical to how they are in the present.
Rukia looks into space distantly as she states, "Renji… let's become Shinigami… then we can live inside the Seireitei. They say life's better there…"
Renji looks down slightly, his gaze rather neutral, "Yeah…"
We all came to the Soul Society alone…
We huddled together, forming a surrogate family…
But the Rukongai was hard on children…
Quite some time had passed since Rukia joined our gang…
Behind the pair, there are three graves, belonging to the boys they grew up with.
Our friends were all gone…
The redhead's gaze is determined as he now likewise stares into space, "Let's become Shinigami…"
Later, Shino Academy
Because we had some talent, we were accepted into the Shino Academy…
Though we were surrounded by aristocratic snobs, we rose quickly through the ranks…
And one day…
Renji, now with facial tattoos above his eyes and wearing the blue and white Gi of the Shino Academy, rushes through the halls of the academy, intent on finding his friend.
He suddenly opens the door to the room he can feel her Reiatsu in before shouting enthusiastically, "Rukia! I passed the secondary! How do you like that?! If I pass the next one…"
The young man becomes quiet as he looks across the room to see Rukia, wearing the red and white Gi of the academy herself, standing in front of four men. The first he notices is an elderly bespectacled man with a mustache. The second is a noble-looking man wearing hair ornaments and a white Haori. They are flanked by what seems to be two bodyguards. Rukia looks back at the young man with widened eyes, the sight overall causing him to flinch.
The elder hums before he starts to exit the room with the noble-looking man, "We've been interrupted. Very well, we hope you will accept our proposal."
Renji stiffens as the nobleman passes him, beginning to sweat profusely, "Who is that man?! Such Reiatsu! I can't even look at him!"
After the four men exit the room, the young Shinigami snaps out of his trace by his friend's voice, "Renji…"
He looks at the girl in front of him, a slight smile on his face, "Oh… geez, Rukia… that looked intense. What was it about?"
Rukia averts her gaze from her much taller friend as she dejectedly explains, "They said… I'm to be adopted into the Kuchiki family…"
This causes Renji to shift to a slight frown as she continues, a sad gaze in her eyes, "And I'll be graduating soon. They've arranged for me to join the Gotei 13… Renji, I…"
The raven-haired girl stiffens as her taller friend enthusiastically grabs the sides of her arms, a big smile on his face, "THAT'S GREAT! The Kuchikis are an important noble family! Congratulations! You'll never go hungry again!"
Rukia frowns deeply, the look in her eyes turning simultaneously angry and sad as Renji removes his hands from her and continues, "I wonder what aristocrats eat?! You're sure lucky! And you get to graduate right away?!"
The young man places a supportive hand on her shoulder, maintaining his big smile as he laughs, "I'm so jealous I can't stand it!"
Rukia's frown deepens as she places her hand on Renji's forearm and slowly removes it, "I see…"
Renji's eyes widen as he notices that the girl refuses to look at him as she fully discards his supportive hand and walks past him, distantly stating, "…thanks…"
The red-haired young man stands in the room for a moment as he listens to his friend leave, her distant words and actions settling into his psyche. He slowly narrows his eyes, which now are obviously full of hurt as he begins to come to a realization with how his relationship with his friend is about to dramatically change forever.
Rukia finally had a real family…
Let her go…
Don't get in the way…
That was what I told myself…
But part of me couldn't help myself…
I knew I had no place being close with a noble, but…
If I joined Squad 6 under Captain Kuchiki and proved myself to him…
Then maybe…
My relationship with Rukia could return to how it was before…
Present, Noble District, Seireitei
Rukia blinks once more as she stares upon Renji, realizing in that moment that it was a mistake to allow there to remain such distance between them for so long as now he lay before her about to die. Indeed, her heart aches as she suddenly wishes for more time to fix the relationship with this man from her past.
The raven-haired Shinigami's brow furrows and her frown deepens as tears stream even more freely from her eyes, her expression overall relaying a deep sense of anguish as she sobs into the black Gi of the man she cares for more than anyone else, "RENJI, PLEASE! I-I CAN'T LOSE YOU TOO!"
The red-haired man's expression becomes strained in response, clearly desperate to hang onto life at the woman's call. His deepest desire to protect and be with her forces him to retain consciousness as he continues to bleed out.
Ulquiorra, meanwhile, watches the scene with a slightly less empty look in his eyes. Despite himself, the Hollow cannot help but feel somewhat conflicted about how the events before him are playing out.
His eyes soften the slightest amount possible, "Why do I hesitate in killing her…? That Shinigami stood in the way, so he was killed. That is the natural order of things…"
There are the sounds of quick footsteps as a figure sprints along the road, out of earshot.
Ulquiorra's eyes become cold once more as he forms another Cero in his hand, "It doesn't matter. Death is all their kind have brought to us. It is only fair that I act in kind."
Rukia shuts her eyes as she continues to cling to Renji, accepting her death. The Hollow raises his hand to once more point at the woman, having decided to ignore the internal conflict budding within.
The sprinting figure closes in, their footsteps no longer something the Arrancar can ignore as his eyes narrow in annoyance, "What now…?"
Ulquiorra's annoyed gaze falls on a young, black-haired Shinigami wearing a red and white Gi with white bandages underneath sprinting towards him. The girl has her sword drawn and has an expression of rage on her face, clear bloodlust held within them. The bat casually flaps his left wing, sending a shockwave at the girl at speeds she cannot hope to comprehend.
However, the pressurized air from the wing flap disperses before reaching her, making the Hollow raise a brow. His brow twitches as he eyes the air around him, noticing that it is acting oddly. Suddenly, Ulquiorra looks upward, finding another similarly dressed white-haired young female Shinigami, holding a double-sided glaive as she plunges at him.
The pincer attack closes in on the bat, who furrows his brows and frowns, "Pathetic."
In the next moment, the Hollow disperses his Cero as he catches the black-haired girl's blade with his left hand and directs his right arm upward, catching the glaive from the other girl in his right hand. Before either girl can respond, Ulquiorra swings the white-haired girl with her glaive in a 360-degree circle in the air before sending her crashing into her partner. The pair skid across the ground before each manages to reorient themselves and stare down the Hollow.
Karin and Katsumi exhale, each struggling to even stand in the Arrancar's presence. The Shiba girl eyes the Shinigami on the ground around them, noting that her friends are among them, before setting her furious gaze back on the bat, who looks at her like she is garbage.
Katsumi, meanwhile, cannot believe what she is seeing, her eyes widening and jaw dropping as the fear starts setting in, "Lord Kuchiki and Vice-Captain Abarai were both defeated… we don't stand a chance…"
Rukia lets out a shocked gasp, causing Ulquiorra to set his gaze on her, seeing the terror on her features intensify she whimpers, "No… you two shouldn't have come… anyone but you…"
The bat notes this, his eyes narrowing as his gaze returns to the pair of Shinigami-In-Training, "They wear different colors than the rest of the Shinigami… and given how weak they are and how that woman reacted to their being here… I see…"
Ulquiorra concludes, "You are academy students. Foolish girls, no matter what you do, it will not save the life of your teacher. Leave now or perish with her."
Karin snaps at the Hollow, "Like hell, we will! I won't let you Hollows continue to get away with killing whoever you damn well please!"
The girl points her blade at the bat as she makes a declaration, "That's the reason, I became a Shinigami!"
Ulquiorra widens his eyes as the form of Ichigo briefly overlays her features, the determined gaze in her eyes sending a chill down his spine. The Hollow furrows his brows as he closes his eyes, "No… it couldn't be… she's far too weak… either way…"
The Hollow opens his eyes, declaring, "White does not believe in killing children. This is your final warning… leave now, or I will have no choice but to treat you as Shinigami—White's enemy."
Karin's anger increases at the mention of the now infamous Hollow, snapping, "WHITE IS MY ENEMY!"
This declaration echoes across the remains of the Noble District, settling on the ears of the bat. The Hollow takes a moment to process this, however, doesn't reach a decision as the other girl pitches in, her fear momentarily gone.
"That aside, your logic is flawed as expected, Hollow. You claim that you have no intention of killing children, yet you have come here raining down destruction indiscriminately! How many children do you think this destruction has killed? Because you would be a fool to think that none were caught up in any of it!"
The Hollow is silent, his brow twitching to mark that he is taking her words into consideration, at least on some level. There is a silence between them as all three stand still, waiting for anyone to make a move.
However, Ulquiorra merely answers the question, as objectively as he can, "I admit there is a lapse in logic there, girl, but when it comes to the Nobility, no one is exempt from White's wrath. I am merely an extension of his wrath. If there is someone who needs to be killed who is below him, I will do it without hesitation. Besides, Shinigami and Hollows will always seek to kill each other… that is what that captain lying over there declared before I fought him."
It is now Katsumi's turn to become rageful, as her expression becomes determined, "You dare to say such a thing despite not knowing the people you have killed?! This is exactly why your kind makes me sick!"
The girl, with a determined and confident expression despite the strength of the being before her, declares, "Know that you face no mere child, Hollow. You face the 9th Princess in line for the succession of the mighty Tsunayashiro Clan!"
Byakuya, still a charred mess, widens his eyes in dread as the girl says this, knowing exactly what is to come but powerless to stop it. Karin, meanwhile, takes this as her cue to begin assaulting the Hollow, shifting her right foot forward and beginning to enter a battle stance. The girl blinks a mere fraction of a second, opening her eyes to find the Hollow not there anymore. She hears a sudden crunching and gushing sound to her left.
Karin's eyes widen in shock as she looks to her right, finding the bat with his right arm fully puncturing through the white-haired girl's torso. Katsumi spits up blood, her Zanpakuto falling to the ground as her knees begin to buckle, losing their stability. Ulquiorra removes his arm from the girl, causing blood to spurt in earnest from the wound before she slumps to the ground, landing first on her knees and then on her face. Blood soaks the ground in a similar manner as with Renji, who is still slumped over a devastated, shrieking Rukia.
Ulquiorra carelessly throws his right arm to the side, sending the blood off as he states without emotion, "You were a fool to reveal so brazenly who you were. If you had just fought me without saying that you might have been spared this fate."
Karin meanwhile stares down at the girl quietly, her sword falling to her side, still trying to process what just happened. The attack was so sudden and without warning, reminding her of an attack that occurred on a particular night. Visions of a boy with orange hair being dragged away by a large monster occupy her mind, now accompanied by the vision of the bat before her emotionlessly punching a hole through a girl she considers a dear friend at this point. Karin's knees buckle as she falls to the ground, no longer having the willpower to resist the bat's overwhelming Reiatsu.
The bat shifts his cold gaze on Karin, however, regards the blue light coming from his right, looking at a still tearful Rukia holding a blue light in front of her right, outstretched hand, "Hado Number 33: Sokatsui!"
The beam of blue light fires desperately at the Hollow, who does nothing, allowing it to hit him head-on. Rukia breathes heavily, knowing that her attack had little effect as the bat remains shrouded by the cloud of dust.
The woman charges another Kido blast in her hand as she desperately shouts at Karin, still slumped on the ground near the Hollow, "KARIN! GET OUT OF HERE! YOU CAN'T FIGHT HIM!"
Karin flinches at Rukia's call as the woman releases a second Kido at the bat, causing another explosion. The girl looks from where the Hollow is to Rukia in fear, knowing exactly what would happen if she left. Through the fear of losing anyone else, Karin adjusts the grip on her blade, swinging it with fury at the Hollow cloaked in the smoke, causing Rukia to flinch in disbelief, dispersing her next Kido spell.
Ulquiorra, however, once more easily catches the girl's blade, the dust around him settling to reveal that he indeed did not take any damage from Rukia's efforts. The raven-haired woman looks on in horror and helplessness, the tears continuing to fall as she begins choking up, "No… please… not again…!"
Karin stares at the Hollow, the empty look which still shines with a glimmer of determination in her dark gray eyes meeting the emotionless gaze held in the Hollow's green ones. Karin refuses to close her eyes or back down from this Hollow. If death should befall her in the next moment, she'd be fine with that, so long as she went down fighting. However, what does occur next confuses everyone present.
Ulquiorra's eyes soften ever so slightly as he asks a question, "You… are you, Karin Kurosaki?"
Karin and Rukia widen their eyes, completely thrown off as to how this Hollow would suspect such a thing, prompting the girl to answer, "I am…"
The Hollow closes his eyes, releasing the sword, "I see… then that changes things…"
Karin stumbles, still experiencing momentary confusion as the Reiatsu around her lets up. The bat's form glows before his wings, hair extensions, half of his mask, as well as several other features return to the form of a blade, which he promptly sheathes around his waist.
The Hollow regards Karin briefly as he pulls something seemingly invisible from around his waist, "I shall withdraw for now. Your life will be spared, Karin Kurosaki. White wishes for you not to be slain on this day. Your allies should count themselves lucky that you came here."
Without further elaboration, Ulquiorra seemingly drapes himself with an invisible cloak, hiding both his body and Reiatsu from everyone, appearing as though he were never even there to begin with.
Karin's breath hitches as she falls to her knees again, left to process the limp body of her friend still lying before her. The girl balls her hands into fists, punching the ground as hot tears of despair and hatred stream down her cheeks, beginning to let out a scream.
The girl punches the ground again and again, causing her fists to bleed profusely, although she doesn't pay it any mind as she cries, "When will he stop… were mom and my brother not good enough… why does this keep happening… WHY?!"
Karin is not the only one experiencing a mental breakdown as Rukia finds herself directly relating to the sentiment of losing those dearest to her from Hollows. However, unlike Karin, Rukia has years of experience dealing with such things under her belt, leading to her comparatively steeling herself.
The raven-haired woman calls out, "Help! Anyone! The Hollow has retreated, we need a medic!"
Unsurprisingly, no one responds to the calls immediately, causing Rukia to inhale, preparing to shout again. However, she cuts herself off upon hearing footsteps approaching. The woman widens her eyes as she finds two men walking towards them, the one in front appearing rather regal and having green, messy hair tied at the back of his head. The man wears a particularly vicious smirk, as if he finds the scene before him rather amusing, although Rukia is too emotionally spent to care about such a trivial detail. Accompanying the man is another man in white robes, appearing to wear a black Gi underneath. His hair is long and black, seemingly slicked back underneath the white hat on his head, which is reminiscent of a traditional Guan.
The men stop in front of where Katsumi's still motionless body lies, the leading man's smile widening, "Why, would you look at the mess you made, dear Katsumi? I daresay it verges on being sloppy!"
Karin's cries pause as she hears these words, her teeth beginning to gnash together as she barks, "SHUT UP!"
The smirking man, Tokinada, looks even more amused at this, "I must say, that was quite entertaining to watch, young Shiba! I am impressed you all were able to survive that! I was thinking that I would need to get involved, seeing as the Gotei 13 has proven nothing but incompetent throughout this entire invasion!"
Tokinada sends a devious side-eye at Byakuya, who merely closes his eyes, not denying the claim as the Nobleman continues to taunt, "To think that one Hollow would take down nearly a fourth of your fighting force by himself! The remaining captains are strained on dealing with the attacking Hollows and Ryoka. Not to mention, I'm sure the Head Captain is so hyper-fixated on finding and killing that condemned girl that he hardly even noticed this little squabble. Either that, or he chose to ignore it and put faith in the prodigious and esteemed Lord Kuchiki, Defender of the Nobility! Your ancestors must surely be rolling in their graves!"
Byakuya doesn't defend himself as Tokinada laughs hysterically, having the time of his life tormenting the man by trampling on his pride. Karin's scowl worsens as her face contorts to one of further anguish, seemingly applying the man's words regarding failure and disappointment unto herself as well.
Having heard enough, Rukia snaps at the crazed man with more anger than she has ever felt, "ARE YOU GOING TO HELP OR NOT?!"
Tokinada widens his eyes as his smirk promptly drops to a slight, bored frown, "Oh, that? Of course…"
The man's smirk returns to his face, "…I'll grant you aid, just this once. And don't forget, Ms. Kuchiki, you'll owe me…"
As he says this, more servants arrive, garbed in white robs similar to the man next to Tokinada, circling the perimeter. The former nobleman sends a look to the man who arrived with him, "I wish for you to keep the captain and Vice-Captain of Squad 6 alive, as well as my niece, of course. Can you do this, Seinosuke?"
The man sighs, "You offend me… of course I can. However, Renji Abarai and Lady Tsunayashiro may very well be on the precipice of death… as with all patients of that kind, it will be up to them to fight with me for their survival. Also…"
Seinosuke pauses, eyeing the ruined area with disdain, "…I will require a clean and secure area to work."
Tokinada immediately snaps his fingers, prompting a wall of stone to materialize around the area out of seemingly nothing, causing both of the Kuchiki siblings to widen their eyes in shock, having no clue how the man is doing this. Further, soft fabric materializes on the ground underneath the forms of Byakuya, Katsumi, and Renji.
The Nobleman sends the other man a snide look, "Will this do?"
Seinosuke nods, not even bothering to regard the man as the ground shifts to line Katsumi, Renji, and Byakuya next to each other. He briefly regards the trembling form of Karin before shifting his gaze back to the work before him, blue and green strands of interweaving Kaido spells occupying the air around him.
Repentance Cell, Senzaikyu, Soul Society
The air in front of the Repentance Cell stands eerily still as Sora arrives, still within his cloak. The man turned Hollow looks around on the wooden pathway leading to the cell itself, finding the unconscious bodies of the guards strewn on the ground.
"It looks like someone else got here first…", the Arrancar muses.
As he continues to observe the scene, his gaze settles on the door to the cell still swinging back and forth, as though someone was here recently. The Hollow gets closer to investigate, becoming less tense as he finds a familiar form inside, prompting him to drop his hood, revealing himself to the individual.
Standing in the middle of the room, similarly with the hood of his cloak down, is Ichigo, whose face is turned away from the approaching Arrancar.
Sora approaches, asking, "Do you think that Shinigami lied about her execution?"
The other Arrancar looks upward, inhaling as he states with a neutral tone, "No. Her scent is all over this room. She was here…"
The brown-haired Arrancar nods before questioning further, "In that case, what do we do now?"
Ichigo tilts his head slightly towards the other Arrancar, revealing a furious ghostly white face, "Isn't that obvious? We continue tearing this place apart until we find her…"
The former serpent widens his eyes before scrunching his brow and frowning, "What? You realize she could get caught up in the fighting, don't you?"
Ichigo is silent as his gaze shifts back to the window of the cell, light filtering in and revealing the features of both males. The former dragon inhales before exhaling slowly, closing his eyes, and forcing himself to calm down. Sora continues to stare into his companion's back in both slight disapproval and concern as the orange-haired Hollow continues to steady his breathing.
Suddenly, the young Hollow exhales once more, remaining firm in his stance, "If any Shinigami stands in your way, I want you to cut them down."
Sora's gaze softens before he nods, finding that order more acceptable, although still finding slight cause for concern from it. The serpent moves the hood back over his head, promptly leaving the area, and a still-fuming Ichigo to continue staring outside of the cell, gazing over the Soul Society. The Arrancar narrows his eyes as his hands ball into fists so hard that they draw blood.
Author's Note:
I'd like to give another reminder that I write this story for fun and would appreciate it if people treated it as such. Don't take some of the finer points too seriously (although people who would likely haven't read this far).
Regarding Ulquiorra and Byakuya's fight from a power scaling standpoint, because people will always complain when they think it isn't done right; Byakuya is simply weaker at this point, as he scaled roughly/slightly above Ichigo with a brand new Bankai in the Soul Society Arc. The reason Ulquiorra doesn't wax this fight as easily as he should is because he is still developing and mastering his powers, such as when he learned Cero Oscuras at the end of the battle here. I like to think that in canon Ulquiorra dedicated a lot of his free time to training (and perhaps meditation), which is actually kind of hinted at anyway in his statement about being the only one to achieve Segunda Etapa (the word achieve highly implies to me that this was done through personal training). Meanwhile, Byakuya is someone who has already hit his current skill ceiling, so having a better grasp of his power than Ulquiorra has of his definitely helps prevent Byakuya from being defeated by Ulquiorra with little to no difficulty.
This is Byakuya's potential without making proper mental adjustments through character development to help redefine his relationship with Senbonzakura, which, as we see in the Thousand Year Blood War, leads to him being able to obtain a significant power boost.
There will be another fight next chapter, but I promise it won't be nearly as dramatic or take up as much of the chapter. That's all I'll say about that.