Chapter 52: A Mod of a Soul

Underneath Noble District, Seireitei

Within a dimly lit chamber beneath the Seireitei, the assassin, Kuzuryu, kneels before an elderly Nobleman, panting as he reports, "L-Lord Kumoi… it was White… he killed them so easily… I was lucky to get away… with my life…"

The elder, a graying bearded man with round spectacles named Gyokaku Kumoi, hums carelessly, as if the assassin's deaths meant nothing to him, "I see… that does make sense… you surely would've been slain had you stayed…"

Kumoi narrows his eyes ominously, "…yet you made an equal blunder in returning here with nothing to show… I have no further use for such an ineffective assassin…"

Kuzuryu widens his eyes in shock yet cannot get out so much as a word before a figure appears behind him and promptly cuts him down. The assassin releases a light gasp before falling face-first on the floor, bleeding out from his back.

Kumoi looks upon the one responsible, a man with chin-length brown hair wearing a modified Shinigami Shihakusho with a long-sleeved, lavender vest underneath. Additionally, the man wears a pair of glasses with a lavender frame, the same color as his vest.

Kumoi lets out a low growl as his gaze shifts back to the corpse of the assassin, "I cannot believe this! Jinnai, Genga, and even Hanza had their Bakkotos stolen back by that pesky Kugo Ginjo! The power of Fullbring is lost on a mere human like him!"

The Shinigami adjusts his glasses, addressing the noble, "If I may, My Lord, I think it would be wise to lend me the Bakkoto currently around that corpse's neck…"

Kumoi narrows his eyes, not amused by the man's suggestion, "And why would I do that, Kibune?"

The man, Makoto Kibune, returns the other man's gaze intently, "Because with it, I will bring you the corpse of Yuzu Kurosaki…"

The elder's brow twitches, a look of annoyance on his face, "Insolent welp, you listened in on my conversation with Lord Tokinada, didn't you?"

Kibune doesn't answer, but rather asserts, "Should an assassin like me slay her, we can ensure that we can harvest the powers within her. If we were to wait until after the Head Captain kills her, well… there'd be nothing left to salvage. It'd be such a waste, if you ask me, especially considering her heritage."

Kumoi furrows his brow, considering this for a moment, before nodding, "Very well… but remember that failure means death."

The man nods graciously before removing the bladed scarf around the other corpse's neck and slinging it around his own. He then grabs the corpse and disappears with a flash, relocating the dead body for disposal. The lantern flickers, revealing another figure with black hair and stubble, also wearing a black Shihakusho.

Kumoi regards the figure with a tilt of his head, "Do you intend to go as well, Amagai?"

The man in the corner, Shusuke Amagai, narrows his eyes, "Why are you so intent on this girl, anyway? From what I could tell, she's weaker than a vice-captain right now. Why not go after Kugo Ginjo and White again?"

Kumoi smirks, chuckling, "You are strong, Amagai, incredibly so. I doubt most captains within the Gotei 13 could defeat you in a fair fight. This isn't even mentioning that your skills in covert operations and assassinations rival even those of Yoruichi Shihoin… yet, White nearly, and quite easily, killed Captains Zaraki, Hitsugaya, Kyoraku, and even Unohana—the first Kenpachi."

Amagai flinches slightly as the old man looks at him with a serious frown, "He was strong enough to fight Yamamoto and live. I can count on one hand the number of individuals who have accomplished such a feat. You wouldn't even last a minute against that monster."

The dark-haired man grabs at his belt, where two blades are strapped, snarling, "I'd manage…"

Kumoi looks down, sighing as he closes his eyes, "Just imagine how powerful a Bakkoto we could create from the Fullbring of a Shiba with pure, Echt Quincy Blood running through her veins! Stack that on top of Lord Tokinada's plans, and there is no longer a need for Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto to protect the Soul Society…"

Amagai widens his eyes slightly before narrowing them in the next moment, his hands resting on the blades on his belt, "I'm listening…"

Kumoi begins chuckling darkly, "What? No comment about the Tsunayashiro Clan being hypocritical for wanting to put the girl to death for being a Quincy in one moment and then wanting to profit off that power in the next…?"

Amagai frowns slightly, grunting, "I couldn't care less about what you nobles do with your time, as long as you give me what I want."

The elder smirks, "If either you or Kibune bring me the girl, then the nobility shall reward you with anything you desire, including a shot at revenge…"

Nearby Hallway

Tokinada wears a crooked, amused smirk on his face as he regards a man he never thought he'd see again, "My, Captain Tosen, it has been far too long! How have you been?"

Tosen returns the man's gaze with an expression of disdain, laced with cold wrath, "Save me the false pleasantries, I care not for them. You know exactly why I am before you now, villain!"

The nobleman cocks a brow, his amusement only continuing to grow, "'Villain'…? Now, what could I have done to earn such a crude remark from you, my dear captain?"

Tosen resists the urge to cut the man down, although cannot fully hide the depths of his rage as he trembles slightly, "I am referring to the deaths of the entirety of the Tsunayashiro Clan except yourself and your niece..."

Tokinada blinks, his expression becoming much more neutral, "Oh… that…"

The captain scowls, placing his hand on the hilt of his Zanpakuto, "What are you planning with her? I don't see any reason for you to keep her alive when you've killed everyone else."

The noble doesn't even bother hiding an evil smirk, knowing full well, despite the man's blindness, he still knows the smirk is there, "Such a serious allegation that is, Captain Tosen! Have you any proof?"

Tosen's scowl deepens, "If proof were enough to condemn you, then you would have died after you killed Kakyo…"

Tokinada laughs before hissing jovially, "That's right! You of all people should know that it's better to keep your nose down and remember your place when dealing with those with more status than you! You don't want to end up like Kakyo, do you…?"

Tosen's fury reaches its limit as he pulls his blade halfway from its sheath before suddenly pausing, flinching, and widening his eyes as if noticing something.

The nobleman chuckles tauntingly, "What's with the hesitation, Kaname? Don't you want to take your revenge for your dear friend, Kakyo, here and now?!"

Tosen sheathes his blade, shifting his stance to become far less hostile, but still cautious, "I should've known you would've taken the Royal Blade of the Tsunayashiro Clan for yourself…"

Tokinada continues to chuckle in an amused manner, "I'm impressed! I haven't even drawn my blade, yet a blind gutter rat like you can tell that I carry it with me!"

The captain snarls, before turning to leave, not offering the man any further words.

Tokinada begins to call out to the man, a smile still on his face, "You coward! You may not—"

A stern, lordly voice cuts the man off from behind, "Lord Tsunayashiro…"

The nobleman blinks, his smirk quickly turning to a scowl as he turns around to face the interloper, "What do you want, Lord Kuchiki?"

Byakuya has a cold rage within his gaze as he regards the man, "We had a deal. I upheld my end, so tell me why my sister was found within the Shiba Chambers with every bone in her body broken?"

Normally the man would find amusement in such a question, but at the moment he is only confused, relaying such through his expression, "Wait… seriously?"

Byakuya seems to notice the, for once, genuine confusion in the other man's eyes, causing his rage to subside somewhat, "I was told an enemy Hollow snuck into the chamber posing as Kaien Shiba and sadistically tormented everyone inside… you're telling me you had nothing to do with that…?"

Tokinada blinks again his face becoming more neutral as he shrugs carelessly, "No… I'm afraid I had nothing at all to do with that… as difficult as I'm sure that is for you to believe…"

The nobleman turns and walks off after a curt bow, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have business to attend to…"

The Kuchiki man narrows his eyes in thought as the other man walks off, further contemplating, "Based on his reaction, it seems my hunch that he was the one who allowed White passage into the Soul Society might be wrong… but if it isn't him, then who…?"

Adjacent Hallway

On the other side of the hall where the captains and noblemen were speaking, Karin stands still, not daring to move an inch. A bead of sweat travels down her forehead, resting at the top of her brow.

After another moment, she exhales, relieved, "I don't think they noticed me… even just a faint trace of their Reiatsu is enough to tell me I don't want to deal with them…"

The girl looks down at her limp arms, which are poorly bandaged by bloodied traces of her Shihakusho that she ripped off, "Especially not when I can't even hold my Zanpakutos…"

The girl stands in silence for a moment before she hears a sudden gasp from behind her, "Oh my!"

Karin widens her eyes and spins on her heel, making eye contact with a young girl with green eyes and long, blonde hair. The girl looks roughly her age and wears a headband with an expensive-looking charm on it as well as an even more expensive-looking light pink kimono with a floral pattern.

The girl frowns as she approaches, causing Karin to take a defensive stance, snapping, "STAY BACK!"

The girl stops, her eyes widening in shock as she feels a small portion of the Shiba girl's Reiatsu and takes in her overall intimidating appearance. Karin's clothes are ripped and tattered, the red and purple blood stains not helping. Further, her face and hair have blood dried on them, particularly along the diagonal scars across her face and the wounds on each of her shoulders. She looks ultimately like a desperate, wounded animal that has been cornered. However, after being given a moment to react, the new arrival does not allow herself to be scared off, scrunching her brows and briefly gathering her thoughts before settling on a reaction.

The noble-looking girl wears a frown and places her hands on her hips, looking unamused, "How crass! I was merely intending on offering you my aide, as you look quite hurt and are in even more need of a bath! I can smell you from here and I'll say it's not pleasant! You should be honored I even consider helping you, yet you dare to scream at me so…?"

The girl huffs before turning her face up to the ceiling, away from Karin, "Well I suppose I'll just let you meander through these halls until you faint from blood loss…"

Karin's brow twitches, sniffing herself, which briefly causes her face to cringe, "She's right… I do smell like Hell…"

The Shinigami then calms her breathing slightly, considering the implications of the other girl's words, "…wait, does she not know who I am…? Sensei made it sound like everyone would be out to get me…"

The Shiba girl narrows her eyes slightly, taking a better look at the girl in front of her, "Then again… she does seem like the sheltered type… reminds me of Princess…"

The noble girl turns to leave but pauses as Karin calls to her, "Wait…"

The blonde girl looks over to regard the Shinigami, who sighs deeply, "I'm sorry I snapped at you like that… I've been having a bad day…"

The girl smiles slightly, once more facing Karin, "Yes, I can see that. That is why I wish to help you, Shinigami. Surely you should know what an honor it is…?"

Karin furrows her brows somewhat, a light smile on her face, "Yeah, definitely like Princess…"

The Shiba then immediately proceeds to butter up the girl, "Why yes, of course I do, Milady! However, I'm afraid to say that through the hardships I've faced today, my memory is fuzzy… would you help this poor soul recall the name of the fair maiden before me?"

"Kill me now!", the female, Hollow side of her Zanpakuto groans.

"A little bit of humility goes a long way…", the older, Quincy side reminds.

Meanwhile, the noble girl blinks before smiling in a satisfied manner, giggling somewhat, "My, that was quite the shift in attitude! Although, I don't dislike it… very well, I shall remind you that you stand before the Crown Princess of the Kasumioji Clan: Rurichiyo Kasumioji. May I have your name, Shinigami?"

Karin stares at the girl for a moment, her mind going blank, "Uh… yes… I'm…"

Her eyes shift slightly down, landing on her Zanpakuto as she awkwardly provides, "Aoi…"

Rurichiyo raises a brow, "Just Aoi…? Have you no surname?"

Karin shakes her head, "No… I'm one of those who came from the Rukongai, so I never really had a surname…"

Rurichiyo nods, "I see… well, in any case, you'd best accompany me back to my chambers. My personal Kaido master should be able to heal your wounds in no time."

The Shiba girl returns the nod as she begins to follow the noble. As they continue throughout the halls, Karin can't help but start to realize something, or rather, lack thereof.

Suddenly she pauses her stride, prompting the noble girl to do likewise and question, "What is the matter, Aoi?"

Karin furrows her brows slightly, "Milady… is it typical for you to roam around without an escort?"

Rurichiyo widens her eyes briefly before giving the girl a knowing smile, "Not at all! I do expect to be reprimanded immediately upon my return!"

The Shiba girl's mouth involuntarily hangs open slightly as she mentally facepalms, "She acts like this is funny! IT'S NOT FUNNY!"

Ignoring Karin's surprise, Rurichiyo continues to walk down the hall, leaving the Shiba to sulk slightly as she follows, "Well, it's too late to back out now… might as well use this girl to get my arms healed…"

The girl's eyes contain resolve as the next thoughts cross her mind, "…as soon as I'm healed, I'll come save you, Yuzu…"

Sewers, Seireitei

Within the sewer system underneath the Seireitei there is a group of four individuals led by a young Shinigami with black, chin-length hair, Hanataro Yamada. Hanataro illuminates the walls of the sewers with a Kido spell in his hand, allowing the group to navigate without stepping in excrement or the like. The boy's expression is grim as his pace slows to a stop.

Shortly behind Hanataro is Ginjo, who pauses his stride as he finishes an explanation, "…and that just about sums it up…"

Behind Ginjo, Ichigo and Chad halt their advances as well, both wide-eyed and completely shocked. Ginjo's expression falls to the ground as he exhales slowly.

Ichigo's brows scrunch, a troubled frown on his face as he questions, "You… you're saying that the Soul Society killed your friends…? I… I thought they were supposed to protect humans…"

Ginjo chuckles dejectedly, "Yeah, so did we… but that's what we got for trusting them…"

Ichigo balls his hand into a fist as he trembles slightly in anger. Chad's expression is solemn as he closes his eyes, tilting his head down in slight lamentation. Hanataro, meanwhile, can't help but look guilty, the second-hand shame towards his people evident on his face.

The Xcution leader notes the Shinigami, a look of slight hope in his eyes as he asserts, "Not every Shinigami is evil… but the Soul Society as a whole has flaws that run deeper than any of us realize… the fact that my friends' corpses were looted is more than enough evidence of that…"

Ichigo narrows his eyes, his rage subsiding slightly as he recalls Ashido, who remained in the Menos Forest for well over 100 years, cutting down as many Hollows as he could to prevent them from going to the world of the living to feast. Further, he recalls the loving faces of his father and sister, Karin, further opening his eyes to the fact that the Shinigami themselves are not inherently the problem.

Ichigo sighs dejectedly, feeling like the soul-sucking pit in his chest is growing, "Of course, Hollows are the furthest thing from good… I've killed thousands of my kind to achieve this level of power… and I'll kill even more if needed to ensure Yuzu's safety…"

Sighing, Ginjo then smiles, "Regardless, that sister of yours isn't safe in the Soul Society, nor are any of us. As soon as I find her, I plan on heading right back to the world of the living and taking her far away from Japan, where the Shinigami will never find her…"

Ichigo is silent, his expression unreadable as Chad blinks and stammers, "G-Ginjo, wait… do you mean to say that you won't let her go back to her home in Karakura Town…?"

The Fullbringer nods, "Taking her back there would be asking to get caught again… that would make everything we've done meaningless."

Hanataro meekly interjects, gesturing towards the Hollow King, "Well… what about W-Whi—I mean, Ichigo…? He has all of Hueco Mundo under his command and is more than strong enough—"

"No.", Ichigo immediately asserts.

Chad and Hanataro widen their eyes in surprise as they look upon the orange-haired Hollow. Ginjo narrows his eyes slightly, interested in what the young Arrancar has to say.

The Hollow sighs, a frown on his face, "When I said I became King, that doesn't mean Hueco Mundo is suddenly a safe place… far from it. It is still a place full of ravenous and bloodthirsty animals, some of whom still actively want to kill me… there's still a lot of progress to be made…"

Ichigo's thoughts shift onto Grimmjow and Szayelaporro, causing him to shudder at the very thought of letting Yuzu even remotely near them. As much as he would like to object and say otherwise, Ichigo cannot deny that Hueco Mundo is far from being a civilized and safe place to live.

Chad sighs, admitting, "I am still in contact with my Tio in Mexico… if it comes to it, I'm sure he'd be more than willing to accommodate us…"

Ginjo nods, finding the plan sufficient as Ichigo smiles faintly, "I'm grateful that Yuzu has you all to protect her as well… I can rest easy knowing she'll be in good hands…"

Chad returns the smile, further offering his signature thumbs up.

Ginjo, meanwhile, looks more cynical, "If the entirety of the Gotei 13 comes at us, we Fullbringers stand no chance… especially not against that pyromaniac…"

Chad and Ichigo sulk ever so slightly at this, not appreciating the buzzkill. In the next moment, however, the Arrancar's eyes light up as if making a realization.

Ichigo eyes the Xcution leader intently, asking, "You said that you could give and take abilities from others, right? And you can control how much of it you take, correct?"

The prompts Ginjo to raise a brow, "Yeah… what of it?"

Ichigo quickly rolls up his left sleeve, revealing his bare arm, "A quarter of my Reiryoku should give you enough to defend yourself… take it."

The Fullbringer blinks before frowning, "But if we run into the Head Captain, you won't be able to fight him, then…"

The Hollow King closes his eyes, solemnly revealing, "I wouldn't be able to defeat him anyway… I figure the least I can do is ensure some of my power continues to protect her…"

Chad looks upon his friend in concern, "Ichigo…"

Ginjo narrows his eyes, seeming to consider this for a moment before questioning, "And you're sure you're alright with this…?"

Ichigo nods silently prompting Ginjo to grab the cross from his neck, which grows into a large sword. The Fullbringer gives the Hollow King one more look of confirmation to gauge his reaction but sees nothing but resolve in the Arrancar's eyes.

Ginjo wastes no further time in plunging the blade into Ichigo's arm, beginning to absorb his power. The Fullbringer widens his eyes as he feels power, the likes of which he cannot even comprehend, flow into him.

Suddenly, however, he feels a chill run down his spine as a distorted, wicked voice snaps, "YOU DARE TO STEAL FROM A KING?! KNOW YOUR PLACE, WRETCH!"

Ginjo instinctively backpedals, a vision of two piercing golden eyes staring down at him with bloodlust all that he can see in his mind as he suddenly jerks the blade out of Ichigo's arm. His breath hitches as he calms somewhat, the vision of the eyes leaving him.

Ichigo furrows his brows, confused, "What the hell was that? I said to take a quarter of my power, you hardly took any!"

Ginjo widens his eyes as he looks down to see bone-like armor form over his hands, elbows, shoulders, torso, and legs from his mid-thigh down. The man frowns deeply, feeling raw power far greater than he's ever felt before rush through his body, only rivaled by the time he used the full extent of Bambietta's power against Aizen.

Ginjo, in complete disbelief, shifts his gaze toward Ichigo, "You can't be serious… the amount of power I have now should make me a match for most captains... I also felt… something stop me…"

The man gets the shivers again as Ichigo raises a brow, "Well I didn't do it… I might just be stronger than you expected…"

Ginjo chuckles, "That'd be putting it mildly…"

Hanataro interjects once more, "Um, excuse me, but I really think we ought to continue… we should reach the surface soon…"

Everyone nods as they continue to follow Hanataro.

Ginjo, however, can't help but narrow his eyes slightly as he follows Ichigo from behind, "If what I felt stop me is any indication, Kurosaki's brother is without a doubt being held back by something… although he seems to be unaware of that fact…"

The man purses his lips as his thoughts continue, "One thing's for certain: That wasn't Kurosaki's brother I saw…"

Squad 1 Barracks

Meanwhile, Toshiro and Rangiku rush into the Squad 1 Barracks, knocking out any Shinigami who block their path with the blunt side of their blades. Both of them wear only their basic Shinigami Shihakusho, stripped of the haori and badge which signify their ranks.

The duo continues a distance before coming to a halt, the white-haired Shinigami narrowing his eyes, "It figures you'd be here to greet us…"

Before the duo is Chojiro Sasakibe standing defiantly with a rapier in his grasp, "I cannot allow you to set Isshin Shiba free."

Toshiro frowns as his brow twitch, "Move out of the way… You can't defeat us alone…"

Sasakibe's brows shift slightly, seemingly looking behind the younger Shinigami, "Alone…?"

Rangiku and Toshiro widen their eyes as they turn to look behind them. Toshiro is forced to shift his body to the right slightly, narrowly avoiding being decapitated as a long, narrow blade suddenly shoots at him, grazing his left cheek and drawing blood. The young Shinigami growls in frustration as the blade quickly retracts, returning to its usual, dagger-like state in the grasp of a smirking captain with silver hair.

Gin remarks in a somewhat mocking tone, "Oh my… I had hoped the two of you were merely trying to make a fashion statement by discarding your captain's haori and vice-captain's badge, but it seems you two have become full-blown traitors—in the middle of an invasion to boot!"

Rangiku eyes the captain briefly before shifting her attention back on Sasakibe, "I can handle him myself, captain…"

Toshiro nods as he narrows his eyes, "Don't call me that, Matsumoto… it's just Toshiro now…"

The blonde woman can't help but smile slightly, "As you wish, Toshiro."

The sword in the now ex-captain's grasp suddenly gains a chain on the end as ice begins to form in the air around it, "You'll regret coming here, Ichimaru…"

Gin ignores the boy, eyeing Rangiku briefly, before his smirk widens slightly, an amused gaze fixed on the younger Shinigami, yet remaining silent as the two begin to clash.

Nearby, Seireitei

Komamura and his vice-captain, Iba, who wears a pair of sunglasses, stare off in the distance towards the Squad 1 Barracks from their perch upon a wall lining a street. Both of the men are heavily bandaged, suggesting that their bruises and wounds suffered from Chad remain.

The captain narrows his eyes and comments, "Captains Hitsugaya and Ichimaru are fighting…"

"Does knowing they are fighting make you a bit envious? Because it sure does for me!", a voice barks at the wolfman from behind.

Komamura shifts his stern gaze onto the owner of the voice, Kenpachi. He finds the scarred captain smirking wickedly, standing in front of Ikkaku, Yachiru, the peacock plushie Yumichika, and Orihime and Uryu, still wearing the Shinigami attire.

Kenpachi points his jagged blade at the other captain, attempting to provoke him, "I never expected the face of a beast to lay behind that bucket! Tell me, does that also mean you have the killer instinct of a beast?!"

Komamura lets out a low growl directed at Kenpachi as he draws his blade in turn, "If it's a fight you want, Zaraki, then you have it. I cannot allow you to assist the Ryoka in their goals any further!"

Kenpachi's smirk widens as the captains prepare to battle.

Ikkaku and Iba similarly draw their blades, the former addressing his captain, "Captain Zaraki, I have a score to settle with that vice-captain. Would you permit me the honor of dueling him?"

The captain doesn't take his gaze off the wolfman as he responds, "Do what you want… just stay out of the way of my fight…"

Ikkaku bows briefly before both he and Iba disappear in a flash, taking their battle elsewhere.

Yumichika slowly approaches his captain, choking down a squawk as he asks, "What about me, captain?"

Kenpachi responds coldly, causing the peacock to flinch, "You're seriously still here…?"

The peacock sulks as it doesn't even bother continuing the conversation, knowing it would be for naught. Orihime offers the peacock a slight smile of support as she kneels and pats him on the head.

Uryu, meanwhile, adjusts his glasses as he eyes the captains before him, asserting, "We'd best get out of here as well. A battle between two captains is the last thing we want to get caught up in right now…"

Orihime gives the boy a nod as she picks the plushie up, beginning to carry him, "Let's see if we can find Riruka…"

As the trio starts to leave, the girl pauses, eyeing Yachiru who remains standing behind Kenpachi.

The small girl notices the auburn-haired girl's gaze, returning it with a smile, "I'll stay here with Kenny."

The Ryoka turn to leave but pause as Kenpachi calls to them, "Hey girl."

Orihime turns to face the captain, who still has his back turned on her, not allowing his opponent to exploit a weakness, "…if for some reason you run into White, tell him that he'd better not get himself killed before I have another chance to off him myself…"

The auburn-haired girl blinks, staring blankly at the captain. She neither accepts nor denies the man's request, instead, simply turns around and continues leaving the area alongside Uryu and Yumichika.

Kenpachi tightens the grip on his sword, the wound from Ichigo beginning to bleed through his bandages as he smirks, eyeing the other captain with a maniacal glint in his gaze, "This should be interesting…"

With Yukio, Seireitei

The sun still hangs high in the Seireitei as Yukio continues to carefully make his way through its ruined streets. On the boy's shoulder, Kon is perched, looking back as rumbling can be felt in the distance, a result of the battles taking place.

Yukio suddenly stops, causing the plushie to lurch forward somewhat before snapping at the boy, "HEY! What're you stopping for?!"

The blonde boy narrows his eyes slightly at something in front of him, answering, "Her…"

Kon follows the boy's gaze, landing upon a petite Shinigami girl with chin-length, dark green hair and brown eyes. Kon's gaze remains fixated on the girl, finding something off-putting, yet familiar about her.

The girl matches the lion's gaze, immediately getting to the point, "Hand over the Mod Soul and I won't harm you, Fullbringer."

Yukio and Kon both widen their eyes, their posture stiffening slightly. Both of them are shocked to hear this Shinigami immediately recognizes what they are.

The boy narrows his eyes slightly, "Her Reiatsu feels off somehow…"

Yukio widens his eyes as the Gameboy in the breast pocket of his jacket vibrates somewhat, prompting him to retrieve it, finding Yuzu on the screen with a concerned expression.

The girl asks, "Why have we stopped? Is something wrong?"

The blonde boy briefly looks at the Shinigami before looking back at Yuzu, "There's a Shinigami…"

Yuzu's expression becomes even more concerned and urgent, "Let me out now! I can help—"

Yukio shakes his head, causing the girl to frown in a pouting manner as he explains, "We came here to rescue you, so the least you could do is let us try and handle this ourselves first… we're not so weak as to be done in by a random Shinigami."

Yuzu continues pouting, although begrudgingly backs down as she asserts, "Alright, but as soon as you guys think you can't handle it alone, I'm stepping in!"

Yukio smiles slightly, finding the girl as endearing as ever as he places the Gameboy back in his pocket, "Fair enough…"

"Done talking to yourselves?", the Shinigami questions.

Yukio nods, prompting the girl to repeat, "I'll tell you again: hand over that Mod Soul on your shoulder and I won't harm you."

Kon scoffs, pointing at the Shinigami as if she's told a joke, "Listen, girl, you're insane if you think Yukio's just gonna sell me out! We're as tight as—"

"You can have him.", the Fullbringer states blankly.

Kon's jaw drops, letting out an involuntary gasp. He cannot believe what he's hearing—the mutiny! Yukio promptly grabs the lion by the face before tossing him to the ground, landing on his feet.

The boy casually adds, "Don't blame me for anything he might do…"

The lion snaps at the boy, finally having enough of him, "WHAT THE HELL, YUKIO?! I BUST MY CHOPS AND COME ALL THIS WAY WITH YOU AND THIS IS THE THANKS I GET?!"

Yukio callously shrugs, "If I hand you over, I avoid a needless battle. It's nothing personal…"

Kon's mouth hangs open again, a dramatic and comical lightning bolt flashing behind his face of disbelief.

Yukio starts walking away leaving Kon to grunt, "Well if that's how you feel, maybe I will go with her!"

The Shinigami approaches Kon, causing him to shift his attention to regard her, extending a plush paw, "I'm Kon. What's your name…?"

The girl pauses, a somewhat surprised expression on her face as she answers, "Nozomi…"

Kon smiles widely as he continues to hold his hand up at her, prompting her to raise a brow, "Why are you doing that with your paw?"

The lion continues to smile dumbly, explaining, "It's how people greet each other in the world of the living. Go on, shake my hand!"

The girl nods before awkwardly kneeling so that she shakes the plushie's paw.

Kon chuckles as he concludes, "Nice to meet you!"

As soon as the lion says that a glint appears in his eyes before he springs directly upward into Nozomi's torso, grasping her Gi tightly as he takes in her scent. The girl widens her eyes as Kon continues to shamelessly bury himself within her robes.

The plushie then suddenly takes his face away, "Since you want me so much, who am I to deny a fair maiden such as yourself?!"

Kon shudders, however, as he meets Nozomi's disgusted gaze, "What makes you think I want you, pervert?!"

Kon deadpans as Nozomi tears him away from her Gi before tossing him to the ground, landing on his feet.

The girl asserts, "My Lord Master is the one interested in you. If you weren't the only surviving Mod Soul except me, I doubt I would ever have met you."

Kon widens his eyes as he looks up at the girl, "You're a… Mod Soul…?"

Nozomi nods before turning to walk off, "Now follow me… I'll show you to your new master…"

As the girl continues her stride, Kon's body trembles slightly, the plushie remembering the cheerful face of Yuzu, who still is within reach of him, "Wait… what am I thinking?! I can't go with her, even if she is the only other Mod Soul in existence. I won't…"

Nozomi notices Kon unmoving, as well as eyeing Yukio remaining a distance away, as the lion asserts, "No."

The Shinigami furrows her brows, laying a hand on the blade strapped on her waist, "That wasn't a request, pervo."

Kon growls at the girl defiantly, "Screw that! As long as I live, I won't let myself leave Yuzu's side again!"

The lion promptly rushes back towards Yukio, causing the Shinigami to furrow her brows and shout as she grabs at him, "Come back!"

As the girl's hand is about to grab the plushie, she is forced to backpedal to evade an incoming green stream of energy, which causes a small explosion upon hitting the rubble behind her. She narrows her eyes at Yukio, who points his index finger with smoke coming off its tip at her.

Kon is once more at the boy's side as the Fullbringer states with a smile, "Seems my hastily made plan was a success. We just got free information out of you!"

Kon deadpans, looking at the boy in disbelief, "W-WHAT?! You didn't tell me about this! What if I went with her?!"

Yukio shrugs, asserting, "There's no way that would ever happen… we both came here to rescue Yuzu. I never doubted that you'd refuse to just go with her."

The lion frowns, his brows furrowed in anger, "Well, tell me next time…!"

Meanwhile, Nozomi narrows her eyes on the pair as she draws her blade, a nervous sweat trickling down her face, "It seems I have to fight them now… they don't look that strong, but I can't afford to underestimate them. If I fail, Lord Tokinada will punish me, and I…"

The girl trembles in fear before her gaze steels, a desperate glint in her eyes, "…I can't let that happen, no matter what I must do…"

Nozomi holds her Zanpakuto in front of her with both of her hands, declaring, "Rain Without End, Arazome Shigure!"

The blade suddenly shifts into the shape of a black broadsword with silver edges and a lining in the middle, which resembles a cross. Near the tip of the blade there are jagged stubs that protrude outward, likewise giving the sword an overall cross-shaped appearance.

Yukio widens his eyes slightly at the sight but doesn't hesitate as fiery green Reishi collects at the tip of his finger. The boy once more sends a green blast at the Shinigami, but she doesn't dodge this time. Instead, the girl points her Zanpakuto directly at the attack, causing it to halt in its tracks before being seemingly absorbed. The Fullbringer widens his eyes as the Shinigami's blade blazes with a pink aura briefly before firing back an attack of its own, evidently more powerful than the one it absorbed given its magnitude. Yukio scrambles to grab Kon before using Bringer's Light to evade the incoming blast.

The boy reappears a distance away from Nozomi, to her right, letting out a breath, "Well it looks like Bringer's Spark isn't any good against her… and after all that time I spent learning how to do it in case I needed to fight someone…"

Yukio glances at Kon, noting, "Good thing I wasn't the only one who learned new tricks… looks like our training will pay off after all…"

The Fullbringer addresses the lion, "Hey, Kon, restrain her, would you? I need time to prepare my trump card…"

The lion twitches, snapping, "Wait, you want me to use that? Seriously…?"

Yukio sighs, "It looks like Reishi-based attacks won't work against her, so this is the best we can do…"

Kon nods, begrudgingly agreeing as he approaches the Shinigami, "Fine…"

Yukio takes a unique stance, closing his eyes as he begins to focus on his Reiryoku. Meanwhile, Nozomi widens her eyes as Kon's body suddenly grows in size, becoming hulking and humanoid in form. The Shinigami flinches as Kon suddenly propels himself forward with his legs, sending him rocketing toward her.

Nozomi grits her teeth as she swings her blade at the muscular lion, attempting to cut him open. The girl widens her eyes, finding her blade coming to a halt halfway through the lion's buff right arm, the sheer amount of spiritually imbued stuffing proving too much for even a Shinigami to cut through.

She attempts to pull her Zanpakuto free but finds her efforts are for naught as Kon flexes his right arm, locking it in place. The girl shudders in fear as Kon suddenly wraps his left arm around her, forcing her back against his chest and restraining her movement.

Despite this, Nozomi still desperately flails, screaming at the lion, "R-RELEASE ME NOW, PERVERT! I CAN'T FACE HIM IN DEFEAT! I… I-I REFUSE TO BE THROWN IN A TEST TUBE AGAIN AND DESTROYED LIKE THE OTHERS!"

Kon's eyes widen as the girl says this, causing his grasp to loosen. Nozomi takes her opportunity to use both of her hands to slice through Kon's right arm, which falls to the ground, before slamming to back of her head against the lion's, causing him to let her go and stagger backward. Nozomi lands on her feet, looking ready to strike at Kon again in her frenzy, but halts as she turns to regard the Reiatsu coming from behind her. In the Shinigami's gaze is Yukio, a confident smirk on his face as the space around him becomes distorted, appearing like glitches within a video game.

Sweat falls from the boy's forehead, his veins pulsating as he pushes himself to his limits. The area around him distorts briefly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he recalls what led him to this point.

Past, Underneath Urahara Shoten

Yukio falls to his knees, unable to stand any longer as the space around him appears distorted for a moment before returning to normal. Currently, the only person occupying the rocky terrain with him is Ginjo, standing a short distance before him with his sword resting on his shoulder. He looks upon the boy, who lacks his typical black trench coat, revealing the white, long-sleeved button-up shirt underneath, soaked in sweat.

The older Fullbringer lets out a low whistle, "Looks like you're onto something, Yukio… this extra training you've been doing with me is starting to show!"

The blonde boy scowls, hissing, as he attempts to rise from the ground, "It's too unstable! I can't possibly master this before we leave…!"

Ginjo looks upon the boy, noting the way he uses all of his willpower to bring himself to his feet, "I know that look he has… he's willing to do whatever it takes to get stronger—enough to be useful in Kurosaki's rescue… but still…"

The man frowns, letting out a sigh, "If all goes as planned, you shouldn't even have to use such an ability… and you don't want to anyway, not at your current level…"

Yukio furrows his brows, "From the way you're talking, you've seen this type of thing with a Fullbring before…"

Ginjo nods, his expression becoming noticeably sterner, "I have, and it isn't something to take lightly. You're taking your unique Fullbring to the next level through rigorous training made only possible by your intense mental fortitude. A change in mindset is also typically required to achieve this next level… when a Fullbringer breaks through their limits."

The boy is quiet for a moment before Ginjo lets out another sigh, bringing his blade off his shoulder, warning seriously, "You can catch a Shinigami off guard with this big time… but, if you aren't careful, the strain of that much power on your human body could be fatal…"

Yukio widens his eyes briefly before snorting and standing his ground, adamantly declaring, "Then help me so I won't kill myself trying something stupid!"

Ginjo smirks lightly before engaging the boy once more, the pair resuming their spar.

Present, Seireitei

Yukio suddenly shifts his hands forward, distorting in a glitch-like manner within the air, declaring as his body trembles somewhat, "Fullbring Evolution: Invaders Must Die, Hell's Cradle!"

The black, distorted area around the boy suddenly extends forward, making Nozomi point her blade at it in a vain attempt to repel it. It is for naught as the attack surrounds the girl, sending her consciousness plunging into a distorted, glitch-like void.

Within the Void

Nozomi finds herself in nothing but darkness, hearing all manner of distorted, beastly sounds around her. Her eyes twitch fearfully as she tries to take in her surroundings, but again, such a void has nothing of note to take in.

She swings her blade vainly, "COME OUT AND FACE ME, FULLBRINGER!"

The girl is only answered by the cries of various beasts, which become more prominent within her sight. The monsters range from tentacled monstrosities to the likes of fanged, bloodthirsty dragons. Nozomi screams helplessly as the hundreds of monsters all charge at her at once, completely subduing her. As the girl loses consciousness, her fear sets in, forcing her to recall her past.

Nozomi's Past

After the Mod Souls started being destroyed over 100 years ago, Kageroza was able to smuggle me away from Squad 12…

I was nothing but a tablet stuffed in a small test tube at the time, the form all Mod Souls take when they are created… but I could still feel the years—the decades pass by…

My existence was confined to living as nothing…

I hated it with all of my being…

I wanted to feel… whether it was pain or joy, I didn't care…

Anything would be better than nothing.

Eventually, Lord Tokinada found Kageroza and I in the Rukongai…

…he offered Kageroza asylum and freedom to conduct his experiments where the rest of the Soul Society could not see, including his captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi…

…of course, Kageroza was ecstatic at the prospect, having lost hope that Mod Soul research was no longer something he could safely pursue.

All he could do with me was hide me, so he thought Kirio Hikifune's work would die with him…

…as such, he wasted no time in proceeding with the experiments.

I had gone through many bodies made specifically with the intent of making my artificial soul become a Shinigami who could imprint on an Asauchi...

These bodies were constructed through the combined efforts of Kageroza and Aura Michibane, a mysterious and powerful woman who serves as Tokinada's 'Head Maid'…

To tell the truth, I hardly know anything about her, even now…

Within a dimly lit dark chamber, a Hollow hisses at the form of a small blonde girl, holding a katana in her grasp. She has a fearful yet determined expression on her face.

I would be matched against Hollows captured in the Rukongai in an effort to force me to become stronger...

The Hollow suddenly lunges at the girl, who attempt to evade. She is too slow, however, as the Hollow bites down on her leg before tearing it off, leaving blood to spurt everywhere. The girl cries in pain before he screams are muffled as the Hollow smashes her under foot, leaving her body to become mangled and lifeless.

Time and again I was 'slain' in combat, resulting in Kageroza and Michibane needing to subdue the Hollows before retrieving my soul and trying again with another body...

Often times, the bodies would be mangled…

Every time, I would feel the pain of being savagely murdered...

But it was ok…

A girl in a black Gi with short blue hair stand with a katana now, a determined look in her gaze as she glares at a new Hollow across the enclosed battlefield.

…being killed again and again hurt, but I became used to it…

…I knew that Lord Tokinada would not let my real soul be devoured…

…as long as I kept fighting and getting stronger, I would eventually be able to please him…

The blue-haired girl cuts down the Hollow, prompting another one to materialize through a portal made of black runes. The girl releases a battle cry as she engages the new Hollow, determined to gain freedom.

I knew even back then that Lord Tokinada was a sadistic man…

And he still is…

I knew he took enjoyment from my suffering, especially when he would show kindness to me before throwing me back in with the Hollows…

Tokinada's form smirks viciously as he appears on the battlefield, and cuts down the Hollow before looking down at Nozomi's once more mangled corpse, "So close that time… perhaps I'll give you your rice treat in your next incarnation…"

The blue-haired girl lay on the ground bloodied and dying as she breathes her current body's final breath, somewhat excited at the promise of experiencing something new.

My next body hated the taste of rice treats…

Lord Tokinada made it clear that he instructed Aura Michibane to make that body that way…

I still happily ate them, though…

Lord Tokinada's kindness is the only one I know.

For a damned Mod Soul such as myself, I consider it blessing I am even allowed to exist.

Eventually, I connected with my Zanpakutō…

…and I successfully slew all of the Hollows that Lord Tokinada had collected…

He was pleased, so much so that he decided to make me one of his personal guards.

I was happy at first…

…however, I would soon find that Lord Tokinada had other ways to torment me…

…to make me feel fear and despair…

A green-haired noble-looking man smirks devilishly as he regards the green-haired Shinigami while pointing at an assassin laying limp on the grass in front of them, "Good job subduing him, Nozomi! He nearly killed me! Now kill him."

Nozomi frowns slightly as she looks at her lord in disagreement, "But Lord Tokinada…"

Tokinada cuts her off, wearing an evil smiling expression, "I will not tolerate failure, my dear. Kill him or I will shove your soul back into a test tube and have it destroyed like the rest of your kind!"

Anguish is clear on the girl's face, which only serves to fill the nobleman with joy.

Nozomi nods slowly before walking toward the assassin and raising her blade, poised to land the finishing blow, "I'm sorry…"

From that point forward, I realized that my freedom was conditional…

…if I had failed Lord Tokinada, then I would be killed.

Kageroza didn't question it, of course not…

…by that point he had concluded his research with me and moved on to other things…

…as long as he could continue his research, he didn't care what Lord Tokinada did with me.

I came to realize that I was just Lord Tokinada's tool…

…but that was fine with me…

I could handle being beat to a pulp…

…I could even handle dying…

But what I feared more than anything was a forced, meaningless existence followed by an equally meaningless and systematic death...

Present, Seireitei

Nozomi slowly opens her eyes, her body unable to so much as move as she finds Yukio and Kon standing above her, the latter back in his usual, pocket-sized form with a look of slight concern on his face.

As the lion, still without his right arm, notices the girl wake, he smiles slightly, "You're alright… thank goodness…"

Nozomi furrows her brows, weakly asking, "Why… am I alive…?"

Kon frowns, "We never came here to kill anyone. We just want to take our friend back home safe…"

The Shinigami wears a troubled and confused look, "Friend…?"

The lion nods, "I don't know the life you've lived since evading being destroyed like the rest of our kind, but it surely has been full of more hardships than mine…"

Nozomi doesn't respond, eyeing the paw that Kon weakly offers her, "I was fortunate enough to be granted the choice of how I want to live my life… if you choose to come with us, perhaps you can live freely, without fear as well…"

The Shinigami, rather, Mod Soul, eyes the lion's paw intently, feeling the genuine warmth and kindness radiating off of him.

The girl narrows her eyes slightly, questioning, "I-Is it… truly possible…? Is such freedom allowed for a Mod Soul…?"

Kon smiles softly, "Only you can answer that question… do you want to be merely someone else's puppet or are you the master of your life?"

Nozomi's eyes are wide as she questions everything about her life thus far, truly believing all that Mod Souls could be were tools for the Shinigami. Yet, here is another of her kind, not only standing in direct defiance of those who created him but offering her a chance of salvation that she never considered possible. The girl swallows as she hesitantly and weakly shifts her hand to grab the lion's paw, nearly reaching it.

As this happens, Yukio immediately widens his eyes, pulling his Gameboy from his pocket. A large, black three-bladed weapon with two edges shaped like arrowheads and the third connecting them, parallel to the large handle, slashes across the boy's chest quickly, causing blood to spurt freely. Yukio drops the Gameboy on the ground next to Nozomi as the blade circles through the air and slams into his chest before he can react, sending him flying through the air, along with Kon who was caught up in the shockwave. The duo of Ryoka collide with a pile of rubble, promptly knocking both of them out.

The green-haired Mod Soul widens her eyes in terror as she eyes the blade hovering in the air, a voice addressing her from her side, "How disappointing you are… I had heard that a Mod Soul in the body of a Shinigami would lead to a being of noticeably greater potential than most other Shinigami, yet you are no stronger than a 4th or 5th seat…"

Nozomi shifts her gaze toward the approaching form of Makoto Kibune, wearing a bloody lavender scarf with blades at the end and adjusting his glasses as he stares at her in disdain, "…I'm sure your master wouldn't mind if I killed you for being such a disappointment. If not that, then for your unforgivable attempt to switch sides."

The Mod Soul watches in fear as Kibune moves his hands, prompting the blade to circle through the air before flying down on her, poised to end her in one blow. Nozomi instinctually closes her eyes knowing that death is all that awaits her now. However, the girl fails to notice the Gameboy next to her glow with a fierce blue light before exploding. Something within the blue eruption intercepts the large black blade, halting it in its tracks.

After a moment, Nozomi opens her eyes wide in shock, finding the form of a young blonde girl standing defensively over her, seemingly holding back the blade, which appears to have collided with her back. She wears a strawberry hairpin, a white, long-sleeved shirt with a light blue cross shape on it, a blue, knee-length dress, and a white handkerchief with a lightning bolt pattern on it, held together by a blue ring, also with a lightning bolt on it. New for the girl are the white sneakers and light gray socks, both with a light blue cross pattern on them, similar to her shirt. The girl's long hair is tied in a ponytail, which drifts in the wind as she wears a stern, yet saddened expression, her skin covered in the protective glowing blue lines of Blut Vene.

The blade hovers away from the girl, revealing that she was not harmed at all from the attack, prompting Kibune to comment in interest, "So you've finally revealed yourself, Yuzu Kurosaki… I must say, that sure is a fascinating ability. I was not aware you possessed such a power…"

Yuzu trembles slightly before turning an angry, disapproving gaze on the assassin, "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?! HOW COULD YOU ATTACK SOMEONE WHO CAN'T EVEN MOVE?!"

Nozomi blinks, a look of slight realization in her gaze, "I see… so this is Yuzu Kurosaki…"

Kibune scoffs, finding the girl's words ridiculous, "A Mod Soul like her means nothing to me. I couldn't care less whether she lives or dies… You, on the other hand, are on the top of my list of people to kill."

Yuzu narrows her eyes as something within her sparks to life, a distorted voice in the back of her mind whispering, "Let him come and try…"

The girl holds her fists in front of her, the light of Blut still glowing across her skin as she replies, "Well… here I am…"

Kibune smirks, throwing his hands down at Yuzu, sending the large blade launching at her as well. The girl snarls, her legs bending down slightly before she takes off in a sprint. She jumps above the blade as it nearly collides with her before slamming her feet on top of it, using it to further launch herself at the Shinigami.

Yuzu reels her left fist back, swinging it at the man's head, only for it to be narrowly avoided by the man sidestepping. Kibune promptly uses this opportunity to knee the girl in the gut, however, grits his teeth in pain as his attack proves useless due to Blut Vene. Yuzu, still using her momentum, grabs the ground with her right hand before shifting her body, sending her left foot at the man's head. Kibune raises his left arm to block, however, as Yuzu's foot approaches, the Blut Vene shuts off and flaming blue Reishi gathers in the air in front of her foot. In the next moment, she kicks through the Reishi so that it coats her foot as the attack lands, sending the man skidding across the ground, his defenses temporarily broken.

The man growls as he notices the Blut Vene no longer present on the girl, making him pull back his left hand in a fist. The large black blade comes flying at Yuzu from behind, however, to the assassin's annoyance, she places both of her hands on the ground and jumps from her hands to land on her feet as her Blut sparks back to life once more, the aura near her foot disappearing, causing the blade to essentially bounce off, dealing no damage.

Yuzu grunts as she quickly moves forward, still within arm's reach of the stumbling assassin, her Blut once more shutting off in place of a blazing blue aura in front of her right fist, which flies through the Reishi at the assassin, striking him in the gut. Kibune lets out a slight grunt but overall is unharmed as he chops the girl in the neck with his hand.

Yuzu shifts to the right slightly, recoiling from the attack, before bringing her left fist, streaking across the air, towards the man's face. Kibune backpedals, easily dodging, before kicking the girl in the stomach, knocking her back a distance. The assassin sends his flying blade after her, prompting her Blut Vene to reactivate as she skids across the ground, once more preventing her from taking damage from the weapon, which bounces off the girl's unbreakable defense.

As the blade returns to Kibune's side, he smirks at the girl, "It seems I can't effectively damage you when you use that ability. But too bad for you, you can't hurt me with those pitiful attempts at attacks! A Quincy without their Cross is nothing more than an above-average human!"

Yuzu's eyes are widened and focused as she doesn't respond to the man, her body glowing a faint gold as the distorted voice urges, "Fuel is worthless without a spark to ignite it… so there's only one thing to do…"

Kibune scrunches his brows at the scene, feeling something is off as he eyes the golden aura around the girl, as well as the absolute focus in her gaze. He sends the blade flying down in the next moment, circling at great speeds and carving up the very earth below it. Yuzu rushes at the man and uses her left hand, coated in Blut Vene, to easily bat the massive blade to the side before striking the blue Reishi in front of her, which combines with her golden Reiatsu, causing golden lightning to crackle along the blow as it lands directly into the man's gut.

"…BECOME THAT SPARK!", the voice in Yuzu's head cries in the next moment.

Kibune spits up blood as the sounds of his ribs cracking can be heard, proving the blow to be decisive. The girl isn't done yet though, as she sends a left hook at the man's side, flaming blue and crackling with the same, raw golden energy as before. The assassin continues to stagger, his eyes lighting up in fear as he looks upon the girl.

Yuzu's left hand, currently coated with Blut Vene, is held in front of her as she reels back a flaming blue fist, her body still glowing a faint golden aura. Her eyes are widened and homed in on the assassin, focused on breaking him down so he can no longer move—overall, she wears a fierce, unyielding expression that would unnerve even the most veteran of Shinigami.

The assassin's eyes narrow, "This is bad…"

Thinking is all Kibune has time to do as Yuzu, with a battle-hardened scowl, suddenly once more slams her fist into the man's chest, igniting with flaming blue and gold as the attack sends him skidding back and vomiting blood. The girl goes in for another blow but backpedals as the man roars, the black blade furiously coming between them, spinning like the blades on a helicopter and slicing up the ground. The Quincy girl reactivates her Blut as she prepares to come back for another flurry. Indeed, the pair continue this exchange for a bit longer, the girl seamlessly transitioning between Blut Vene and Arterie, perfectly countering the assassin at every turn and landing ferocious punches and kicks imbued with the blue Reishi and the golden, crackling aura coating her body.

They run along a wall, the assassin dodging Yuzu's blow, which sees her lodging her right fist into the wall. Kibune sends his blade directly at the girl's back. However, Yuzu, with great speed, turns her body in a circle towards the right, her left fist igniting at impressive speed as she slams it into the man's chest again, knocking him against the wall with a small shockwave. The assassin's blade carries through the wall next to Yuzu's right hand, freeing it as the wall crumbles.

Kibune, meanwhile, bounces off the wall slightly, spitting up more blood. Yet, the girl's onslaught is not at an end as she chops at his neck, knocking his head back against the wall, further disorienting him. The girl drops to her hands, imbuing her legs with crackling golden energy, before slamming them into the man's jaw, kicking him through the wall and causing it to crumble completely.

Yuzu then jumps through the rubble, attempting to land yet another blow on Kibune, but he growls and grabs her by the hair, making her widen her eyes slightly as she is flung back, sending her away from the assassin and landing on her feet.

Kibune, crawling out of the rubble, breathes heavily, blood continuing to fall from his mouth, as he looks upon the girl in contempt, "I see now… so you're tapping into your latent Shinigami powers…"

Yuzu frowns, taking a fighting stance once more, still not responding as she remains focused on closing the battle. Kibune widens his eyes, trembling in slight fear as blue Reishi briefly glows around Yuzu's fists once more, her gaze cold as ice.

The girl bends down slightly, preparing to charge again, prompting Kibune to scramble. The assassin tugs on the scarf around his neck, prompting it to start expanding, becoming gray. Yuzu pauses, noticing that the area around the assassin becomes shrouded in a fog, which extends to her as well.

The hybrid widens her eyes, her entire body coating itself in Blut Vene once more, "I can't sense his Reiatsu at all… this isn't good…"

Suddenly, the large floating black blade pierces through the fog, knocking the girl to the side, although still failing to damage her. The blade continues to assault her again and again, sending her staggering within the fog.

A distance away and still shrouded in the fog, Kibune calls, "Bakudo Number 4: Hainawa!"

A golden rope then launches itself through the fog, binding Yuzu's hands together.

The hybrid looks along the rope and into the fog, knowing where it must lead, "He's there!"

She starts to charge, but the floating blade bashes her around again, causing her to stumble somewhat. Likewise, the assassin tugs the rope back and forth, adding to the girl's imbalance. The next blow from the blade finally knocks Yuzu to the ground, prompting the assassin to pull on the rope, bringing her toward him.

Kibune reels the hybrid in with his left hand, grabbing the rope hanging from his belt with his right hand—Reishi cuffs. As Yuzu approaches in the fog, Kibune attempts to place the cuffs on the girl's wrists, but widens his eyes as her Blut Vene suddenly disappears, her right foot coated with blue Reishi and reeled behind her in preparation to attack.

Yuzu screams as she bends her body through the air, forcing her foot to crash into the right side of Kibune's head, crackling with golden lightning, shattering the man's glasses and causing him to spit out blood and multiple teeth as it lands.

Kibune staggers to the left, the light beginning to leave his eyes. Although, as Yuzu's Blut Vene is not present, the assassin, using whatever willpower he has remaining, shoots his right hand to point at the girl's stomach without warning.

"Hado Number 4: Byakurai…", the assassin states, prompting blue light to pierce the girl's stomach faster than she can react to.

Blood spurts from the small hole now occupying the Quincy's stomach, prompting the red fluid to likewise spurt from her mouth, her eyes widened in shock. As Yuzu lands on the ground, the fog around the pair begins to fade, Kibune planting his left foot into the ground, once more grabbing for Reishi cuffs. However, two different, gray, fists slam into the man's back, directly on his spine.

Kibune releases a short gasp, staggering forward due to the blow. The man's gaze is fuzzy, yet he can still make out the figure of a pink-haired, twin tailed girl in a black dress walk in front of him and pick up the small girl.

Riruka's gaze softens as she carries Yuzu away from the man, asserting, "You did good, Yui… we were able sense your Reiatsu… but it's time you take a rest…"

Kibune instinctually grabs toward the retreating forms of Riruka and Yuzu, prompting a gray hand to grab his wrist and twist it. The man gasps once more in pain, looking over to find the furious gaze of Tatsuki, still dawned in her karate uniform.

Before the assassin can process that, yet another interloper arrives behind him, cutting through his back with his blade. Despite this, no blood is drawn, confusing the man as he hears the interlopers speak to each other.

The bruised and bloodied form of Tsukishima stares down at Tatsuki with an ominous expression, "Back off, Arisawa, this bastard is mine…"

Tatsuki narrows her eyes before sighing and releasing her grip on the assassin's wrist. The karate girl walks off to where Riruka, Yuzu, and the now conscious forms of Kon and Yukio are.

Kibune continues to reach out at the group of Fullbringers, but feels a distinct chill run down his spine as Tsukishima darkly whispers in his ear, "Always the same overly ambitious fool, aren't you, Makoto…?"

The assassin widens his eyes in shock and fear as he slowly shifts his face to meet the Fullbringer's dark, sadistic gaze, hearing the man continue, "No matter how hard you try to prove yourself; failure is all you are destined for… first Onobara denied you a recommendation for a position as a seated officer… then the Gotei 13 kicked you out for your inadequacies… and now as an assassin you fail to so much as slay a little girl who doesn't even have her weapon… it's truly…"

Tsukishima's eyes shift upward slightly as he states with evident glee, "…pathetic."

Kibune's body trembles as he screams like a maniac, having all of his inadequacies brutally used against him at such a moment where his mental defenses have fallen. Tsukishima smiles in satisfaction, knowing that he has succeeded in making the man go mad.

The Fullbringer removes the scarf from the assassin's neck, replacing it with the steel of his blade held against the dying man's neck, "I'm sure Fuji will have her own punishment for you when you see her down in Hell for how you've so sullied her scarf… tell her Shu sends his regards…"

Tsukishima wastes no time in promptly slitting the assassin's throat, causing gurgling noise as blood spews from both his mouth and the opening of his throat. Kibune's squirms come to a slow stop as his body weakly falls to the ground, the Fullbringer staring in wide-eyed satisfaction at the entire thing. Meanwhile, Riruka, Tatsuki, and Kon look away with solemn looks, unwilling to witness such a savage sight. Yukio, on the other hand, burns the image into his brain as he looks upon Tsukishima with slight concern in his gaze.

As the assassin breathes his final, blood-choking breath, Tsukishima widens his eyes feeling a presence suddenly appear behind him. Before he can so much as react, a blade pierces him though the back in multiple locations, acting with immense speed. The Fullbring begins to bleed profusely from his new wounds, staggering forward slightly before turning his face around to see his assailant.

The other Fullbringer's stand in apparent disbelief, Yukio's eyes widened as he freaks out, "W-WHERE DID HE COME FROM?! I COULDN'T EVEN FEEL HIM APPROACH!"

Within their gaze is yet another Shinigami, with black, disheveled hair and stubble on his chin. Tsukishima backs away weakly as he holds his bleeding chest, recognizing the Shinigami has paused his assault. The suspender wearing Fullbringer narrows his eyes, noting that the man wields two blades, one of which is a normal Zanpakuto in his left hand, which currently leaks with blood. Only the hilt of the other blade can currently be seen as it is sheathed, but based on the sheath's length, it is a much shorter yet wider blade.

Amagai frowns as he looks upon Kibune's corpse before settling his gaze once more on Tsukishima and the other Fullbringers before him, of course, completely missing the irony of his words, "So you've all killed Kibune… I honestly shouldn't be surprised. He always spoke of performing the most dangerous tasks, but I knew he'd end up chewing off more than he could chew. Serves him right, arrogant fool…"

The Shinigami lets his Reiatsu pour out, forcing everyone but Tsukishima and Tatsuki to their knees.

Riruka gulps in despair, trembling, "Oh no… this guy's Reiatsu feels like he's easily strong enough to be a captain…"

Tsukishima narrows his eyes, adjusting his hold on his sword as his thoughts are nervous, "Shusuke Amagai… Kibune's memories only include you with your Zanpakuto, which alone makes you worthy of being a captain. Yet I don't know anything about that other weapon… either way, given my current condition and that he's no doubt seen my ability, we'll need more backup…"

The Fullbringer's lips purse as his breath hitches, his wounds becoming too grievous to ignore, "Hurry, Kugo… I won't be able to hold him off for long…"

Author's Note:

Much of the next arc will focus on the characters and relationships in the aftermath of this massive battle arc. I feel like time to just sit down and let the characters breathe is overdue.

Chapter Notes:

Retconning that Ginjo doesn't just take power, but a certain amount of potential associated with it… that's why he could use a full powered version of Bambi's Vollständig despite her never using the form yet in the fic, as well as the advanced techniques possible with The Explode (extending its range to include fluids, such as air). Although, it goes without saying that Ginjo is a smarter fighter than Bambietta was/is in canon (that isn't very hard), so he'd naturally use the ability better.

Anyway, the scope of how much power he CAN take depends strictly on both the person he is taking power from as well as how developed his own Fullbring is (the more developed it is, the more power he can take). In the case of this chapter, Ichigo's latent potential is simply so high that Ginjo can only take a small amount of it without risking the power quite literally causing him to self-destruct. In my mind, this is basically the same as what happened in canon, except in canon Ichigo only had Fullbring powers to steal and the rest of his potential was gone because of the Final Getsuga Tenshō. Like, imagine Ginjo trying to steal powers from Ichigo in TYBW after going through 'Soul King training' (basically)… I definitely don't think that would fly. Ichigo obviously isn't as strong here yet as he is post Soul King training in canon, but still, you all get the point.

What Ginjo saw was the same thing Ichigo saw as his shadow back in chapter 26 and the same entity that beat the daylights out of Kyoraku and Unohana in chapter 46—White. I will say at this point that you all can consider 'White' and 'Ichigo' as two sides of the same coin. They are the same person (the Zanpakuto is a reflection of its owner) yet they are vastly different in personality and behavior. Ichigo chooses to hold back and cling onto whatever remnants of humanity he has left while White gives in to his nature as a Hollow. More on this dynamic to come in the following chapters and will be a focus in the next arc.

Speaking of developing Fullbrings… I decided to expand upon Fullbringer powers slightly (totally made stuff up):

Bringer's Spark: Essentially the Fullbring equivalent of a Hollow's Cero or a Hado spell. Pretty straightforward.

Fullbring Evolution: Given how most Fullbringers in the actual story of Bleach were rather underpowered, I think it makes sense to add a way for some of them to strengthen or "evolve" their Fullbrings. This is especially important in the context that many of them will continue to be main/supporting side characters even after this arc is over, so making them stronger allows them to stay significant for longer. I will naturally continue to expand upon this concept as the story continues.

Lastly, Yuzu FINALLY gets a proper 1v 1! I hope you all enjoyed it. Obviously, I couldn't have her fight one of the bigger threats since Ginjo still has her Quincy Cross, but I wanted to show that her training during the 1-year time skip put her at such a level where she is able to hold her own against seated/vice-captain Shinigami even without it. Also, take Kibune's words at surface level—Yuzu's Shinigami powers are starting to awaken. This is as a result of her going without her Quincy Cross for so long in a place with Shinigami everywhere, which is essentially like asking that side of her powers to awaken out of necessity, if you ask me. More on this in the coming chapters.