Sorry for taking so long with this chapter. College work really delayed me! I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 51: Gotei 13 Invading Army Arc: Facing Kageroza

Byakuya's POV

Master, I-

"I know what you plan to say Senbonzakura, and I understand the concern," I say as I sheathe my blade. A stinging pain goes up and down my arm, but I ignore it. It was just one of the many I had across my body, but I couldn't reflect on them now, not when there were more pressing matters to get to. "But we can rest later. We still have to make our way to the 12th division."

There was going to be no convincing you otherwise on this, huh?

"Not in the slightest." I say as I start moving to our intended destination. "Inaba is too dangerous a person to ignore, not with his reigai roaming through the Soul Society impersonating our real comrades. We need to stop this threat at the source, and we need to do it quickly."

Still, you are not in the best of health right now to face Inaba. Not after just defeating the reigais modeled after you and Captain Hitsugaya.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, but even I had to admit that there was some truth to Senbonzakura's words. After finishing my battle with Reigai Hitsugaya, I immediately had to face the reigai version of myself, and it was not the easy. From the onset, I was at a disadvantage due to the injuries I procured during the earlier battle, but I wouldn't let it be my downfall. Despite my injuries, it was an evenly matched duel, however, I had to admit, my reigai double had managed to land a few more blows on me than I would have liked. I was even forced to use my bankai again, though it ended up being a successful result for me.

If you had better luck, you would cross paths with a medic from the Fourth Division along the way to the 12th, but I guess that's just wishful thinking on my part. We can't get everything we want.

"I do not know whether to take that statement as you voicing your concern, or voicing your sarcasm . . . No matter Senbonzakura, I will seek medical attention when the opportunity presents itself, but for now, we will continue to the 12th Division as planned. The others may already be there for all we know."

With the conversation ended, we doubled our efforts. I could sense various amounts of reiatsu coming from one of the buildings as we neared the barracks, so we followed the trail to a large cylindrical shaped building on the eastern side of the premises. The door was unguarded, and there was no one roaming the halls.

The sounds of blades clashing were what led me into a large room, void of everything sans my fellow captains and Kageroza, most of whom were standing with their weapons at the ready. Apparently, I had arrived just as Ukitake and Kyoraku did, both standing just in the other entrance. Hitsugaya and Zaraki both looked quite worse for wear, but Soi Fon and the infernal werecat Yoruichi looked like they had only recently arrived as well, along with Lieutenant Kotetsu and Third Seat Akon.

"Huh, I thought my reigai would have delayed a few of you a bit longer than they did. No matter; it at least gives me some comfort to know that the journey for some of you wasn't as smooth sailing as you probably hoped for."

Inaba smirked as he said this, his face taunting as he held his zanpakuto in his hands, now in its shikai form. It was a balanced weapon, a voulge adorned with a blade on each of its two ends. However, knowing that he was a member of the 12th Division, he would be able to wield his weapon in a very strategic way, making him that much more dangerous.

"Give up Kageroza!"

"I think not Captain Hitsugaya . . . Hmm, I applaud you all for making it this far. Alas, your gains will all be in vain," he tells us, looking unfazed even though he was outnumbered. "You will not be able to defeat me with such few numbers."

"A word to the wise Inaba: Don't underestimate your opponents!"

Soi-Fon's statement was like a signal to act. We launched ourselves forward to attack, but when we all were just mere feet away from the dual-haired mad scientist, more of his reigai appeared, jumping down from the ceiling to stop us from moving any further. We all moved back as soon as our weapons were deflected. There were six of them, with five of them modeled after captains. Reigai Kotetsu was the lone lieutenant on their side. They stood with their weapons in hand, ready to strike as soon as Inaba gave them the signal.

"So that's what he meant earlier when he talked about 'few numbers' . . ." says Soi Fon, her face the textbook definition of agitation.

"With the addition of these reigai, both sides are now equal in number."

"But none of them are injured and some of us are," adds Yoruichi. "That gives them the advantage."

"Who cares? Things just got interesting around here!"

Leave it to Kenpachi to be the only one to look forward to a battle of this magnitude with the odds not being in our favor.

"This is where it ends."

I didn't hesitate to say the command to activate Senbonzakura as his reigai moved to strike. Waving the hilt, I command my blade to attack as the others move to head the reigai off. Most of them manage to either dodge or defend themselves against the blades, so I move to activate Senbonzakura's bankai instead to give the others an opening. The werecat and Captain Soi Fon move to attack Inaba with their Shunko, followed by Hitsugaya with a Sennen Hyoro, but Inaba is quick to counter it. Zaraki joins their efforts, and they pull off a maneuver that manages to give Inaba a fatal-looking blow. Even as four of the reigai managed to break through my Senbonzakura's blades to prevent the four from moving any further, the wound that was dealt to Inaba should have guaranteed us the victory.

Judging how Inaba's whole body suddenly darkened, this battle is not going to be won so easily.

"What the-" that's what Soi-Fon starts to say before she's cut off by Inaba, who fell from the ceiling to deal blows to Hitsugaya, Kenpachi, Yoruichi and herself, perfectly fine compared to his darkened double leaning on the floor. I move to cut him down, but Reigai Komamura and Unohana stop me in my tracks.

"You had no chance of winning this fight. I hope you understand this now." says the mad scientist after landing on the overhead walkway. He raises his zanpakuto, ready to command his creations to fight, but then, he suddenly hesitates.

It didn't take long to realize why . . .

. . . The mad scientist, got stabbed by the mad scientist.

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