Chapter 22 – Playing Dirty
Byakuya's POV
"The spike in his reiatsu . . . He's preparing something."
"He's preparing to release his true power." I say as the Espada's power continues to build. He holds out his blade, his grip almost slack as his cold glare remains on me.
"At this point in time, it is futile to continue this battle in its current form. It's time to get serious . . . Suppress, Brujeria!"
Letting go of his weapon, the blade somehow hovers in the air for a few seconds before, well. . .
. . . Contorting.
How else am I supposed to describe watching a sword bend into itself like a note being folded for travel?
As for the Espada himself, he takes up a squat-like stance before his own head begins to contort sideways, moving till it is completely vertical.
Yes, vertical. . .
"That is not normal master. . ." I can picture the grimace Senbonzakura likely had hidden under his mask, and I could not blame him.
This was by far one of the strangest release processes I have ever witnessed, and I have seen quite a few strange ones already.
Suddenly, a cloud of smoke envelops his entire form, hiding him entirely for a few moments until it eventually dissolves.
What I am left to witness leaves me completely underwhelmed.
"This has to be the most comical release state that has ever appeared in front of our eyes."
"It is definitely not the most intimidating Senbonzakura." I say in agreement, and how could I not?
The best way that I can describe my opponent's appearance is that of a cross between a giant pumpkin and those pin cushions that the clan seamstresses use.
If this is a reflection of the quality of subordinates that Aizen has managed to bring into his cause, then it is a poor reflection, even for him.
"Now, shall we continue?" The Hollow asks as he outstretches his arm toward me. He opens his hand to reveal a small slit in the middle of the skin of his palm, revealing an eye similar to his main two.
The spike in his reiatsu alerted me to the danger before the purplish aura could. It emanates from the eye, and I immediately move from any coming attack that could land, but when I turn around, the spot I previously stood in was not disturbed.
"Ah, foolish shinigami, do you really believe my attack would be that . . . direct?"
"A slight of hand then?" I ask as I turn to find his palm still outstretched.
"If only I was that skilled with the magical arts . . ." He says, almost sounding amused. "I did attack, but I didn't do it in the way that you must have expected."
"And how exactly did you attack?"
"Look down at your left leg. See for yourself."
"I do not feel any pain emanating from your leg master," Senbonzakura helpfully supplies as I look down to see the large sun-shaped eye along said leg, similar to the one on the Espada's palm. ". . . But that definitely looks problematic."
"It doesn't feel permanent . . . It's almost kido-like in its quality." I think, my mind racing to figure out what exactly the mark could entail.
"The attack I used is called Amor," He explains, having paused for a moment. "It's a special technique that I can utilize only while my Resurreccion is active. Anything my eyes look at falls under my control. . . For example, come here left leg."
"What the-?" I could not help but think as my left side moved of its own accord, following the Espada's command. Every other part of my body remained still except for said leg, moving like a puppet eager to serve its new master.
"It doesn't matter what part of the body my eye lands on. Once that body part is marked, it is mine to control."
"Sovereignty?!" Senbonzakura's voice booms in my skull as I try to will my leg to stay back, to no avail. "He can take away the sovereignty of anything that those eye marks of his lands on."
"And so, he took away the authority I had over my own leg . . . This fight is going to be annoying."
"And ideas on how to counteract the effects of his power?"
"Only one, but it may prove . . . damaging."
"Damaging how?"
"Like this. . ." I say before striking my leg, cutting it deep enough that it would affect my tendons, and unfortunately, my nerves. "Does that answer your question Senbonzakura?"
"It does master . . . It's a necessary sacrifice, but doesn't it hurt like an absolute bitch?!"
"In not so crass terms, yes." I admit as I looked down, my possessed leg no longer moving on its own accord. Looking up, the Espada's face was a mask of silent shock, as if he never thought that his power would ever be countered in such a way.
His arrogance really will be his downfall at this rate.
"You've cut your leg to damage the tendons and nerves, thus preventing me from controlling it any further. . . I'm impressed with such fortitude," He finally says once he gets over his shock, his tone holding a grim edge. "But foolish shinigami, I can control other things as well."
"What does he mean-Oh shi-"
Senbonzakura could barely finish his sentence before grabbing Rukia, just as the Espada turned his arm to her.
I managed to move her out of the way before he could try to mark her, just as Seventh Seat Yamada finally made his presence known, running out from a nearby hallway, gasping for air.
"Captain Kuchiki, I'm sorry that I took so long, but I am not as fast as you or Third Seat Fukudome . . . Wait a second, where is Third Seat Fukudome?"
"Somewhere deeper in the building. I assume that Mizukiri went to join her mistress once she brought you here." I say, noting the spirit's absence.
"That would explain why she immediately disappeared once we arrived," He mumbles, just as he finally catches sight of the Espada. ". . . Uh oh."
"Hmm, what an amusing little insect . . ." The creature mutters, taking a quick look at Yamada before looking away. "Though I doubt he will bring you much help."
"To be honest, the Espada is not wrong. . . Yamada is definitely not the fighting type."
"I do not need him to assist me in this battle, but his medical skills will definitely be needed," I admit as I steal one last glance at my leg. "Fall back Seventh Seat Yamada. . . You may get caught in the crossfire."
"But Captain Kuchiki, you're injured!" He exclaims, stating the obvious as I raised my spiritual pressure to be ready for my opponent's next move.
"Hm, you seem to get distracted quite easily, Nameless Shinigami."
"Nameless Shinigami?"
"You never did tell him your name . . . To be honest, he could have said worse."
"Choke him, Left Hand!"
At the Espada's instruction, my left hand reaches for my neck, the Espada's mark clinging to the skin and glove like a parasite. Without thinking, I cut my arm to sever the tendons, taking away my opponent's control over it.
It was also successful in sending Yamada into a virtual panic attack.
I quickly use Sho to free Rukia from the ice that covers her before turning to the Seventh Seat, who's more focused on my arm than the full situation we are currently in.
"Take Rukia and leave, quickly. Find Fukudome if you can."
"Uh, yes, Captain Kuchiki, right away!" To his credit, Yamada does not hesitate to take my sister under his care. Though he does show some difficulty in carrying her unconscious form, he tries to make quick work of it, which is only better for me.
There will be nothing holding me back from using my full power on this accursed creature once I know that they are safely out of harm's way. . .
Mina will make sure of it.
"Hmm, you're looking out for your subordinates," the Espada mumbles, his tone low, but holding a hint of amusement. "How noble of you. . ."
"You think this is funny?"
"No, I think it is utterly pointless. It's only delaying the inevitable."
"Do you really think that you can defeat me?"
"Should you really ask that with such arrogance?" He asks in return. "If you want to defeat me, you'll need to keep a better eye on your surroundings."
"Oh, he's advising us now?!"
"And he dares to call me arrogant. . ." I say, mildly agreeing with my zanpakuto's feelings. "You call me arrogant, but it is your own overconfidence that has led you to give out advice?"
"I am simply making you aware that your position in this fight is not as sound as you may think," He counters, unfazed by my words. "After all, do you really think that the eye on my hand is the only one that I can use to control other beings?"
"Oh . . ." Senbonzakura whispers. "I do not like where this is going."
"Oh, Nameless Shinigami, any eye on my body is able to use the technique, and since I also have these two eyes I see with. . . Well, let's just say you're not the only shinigami I have attempted to put under my control."
"Yep, I knew I wouldn't like it." Senbonzakura's commentary comes just after the realization hits.
The sound of blade slicing flesh grabs my attention before I can even move. Turning my head, my gaze instantly finds Rukia, now with a large eye mark unmistakable on the right side of her head. Yamada is already halfway to the ground, a large wound to his torso courtesy of Sode no Shirayuki's wielder.
I move to stop her, but she soon brings her sword to her neck, Sode barely kissing her skin.
This Espada really does have a penchant for playing dirty.
"Drop your sword Shinigami Captain, or else I will have the girl cut her own throat."
"As if I would let that happen," I think to myself as I summon the necessary reiatsu for Rikujokoro. The Espada is too late from keeping the spell from happening, forcing her to move as best she could, but to no avail.
Rukia was frozen where she stood and would stay like that till I chose otherwise.
"Hmm, now that that is settled," I say stoically as I turn to face my opponent, his indifference now replaced by irritation. "Let us finish what we started . . . Bankai!"
A/N: Leave a comment if you like!