Hello, everyone. ThunderReborn from 2025. This chapter was originally edited by Darklord331. Finally, in April 2025, this chapter was edited again by my current beta reader, Waroyer123. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the story.
The following is a fan-based parody.
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo, TV Tokyo, Viz Media, and Studio Pierrot. All other ideas belong to their original sources. Please support the official release.
"Hello." – Normal talking.
"Hello." – Ichigo's thoughts.
"Hello." – Zanpakutō speaking.
"Hello." – Zanpakutō thoughts.
Chapter 75:
Opening Scene: Rafah, Israel
Yasaka, Gilgamesh, Akasha, Medea, and Zealot sat in an abandoned house in the desolate town of Rafah. Gilgamesh had chosen this place to keep an eye on the Savior Guild.
"Everyone is aware of the plan?" Gilgamesh asked, dressed in her signature golden armor.
"I am," Medea replied. Zealot nodded as well. Both wore black robes.
"So am I," Akasha added, wearing a red summer dress. Yasaka nodded in agreement, wearing a yukata adorned with the rising sun.
Gilgamesh summoned five golden bracelets and a golden box. Everyone took a bracelet and put it on.
"Enter," Medea and Zealot said, activating the bracelets. They were teleported into the golden box. The box shattered into three pieces. Gilgamesh attached the broken parts of the box to the remaining bracelets, making them appear as ordinary golden accessories.
They left the house and began walking toward the border of Egypt.
Yasaka's body began to glow golden as she transformed. She remained bipedal, but her face now resembled that of a golden fox. Her robes were now decorated with white fabric, featuring oversized sleeves, and she wore purple pants beneath. Her hands now had three fingers and claws, and her legs were long, white, and three-toed.
Akasha's red summer dress morphed into a white suit, paired with leather riding boots and an intricately knotted black cravat. Over her suit, she wore a black frock coat with a cape. Two handguns appeared in her hands.
Gilgamesh summoned Enki from her Gate of Babylon and held the weapons in her hands as they crossed the barrier into Egypt.
Suddenly, a group of figures materialized. They were just as Gilgamesh had described, dressed in loose brown and tan clothing, their faces hidden beneath masks, making it impossible to tell if they were male or female. A spokesperson stepped forward.
"Hello, Guild Leaders Gilgamesh, Akasha, and Yasaka. Given that you're here with weapons drawn, I assume you're here to invade our territory?" the spokesperson asked in a neutral, genderless tone.
"We are," Gilgamesh replied coolly.
The Savior Guild members unsheathed their weapons, ranging from swords and spears to magic staffs. Warriors took their positions in front of the spellcasters, ready to protect them.
"Attack!" the spokesperson commanded.
The Savior Guild charged. Yasaka threw her ofuros at the incoming attackers. Upon impact, the ofuros exploded violently, engulfing the attackers in a cloud of destruction. When the smoke cleared, only ashes remained. Yasaka quickly threw more ofuros.
"Spellcasters, assist the warriors with magic! Warriors, avoid the charms!" the spokesperson shouted.
The remaining warriors slashed at the ofuros, while the spellcasters began casting. Akasha aimed her guns and fired red blood bullets, knocking the spellcasters unconscious by disrupting their spells. As the chaos unfolded, Yasaka continued throwing more ofuros, forcing the warriors to focus their attention on her.
"Dragon Descend!" the spokesperson yelled. Their entire body became engulfed in crimson flames. As the flames died down, a tall, muscular crimson dragon with a golden underbelly, jet-black hair with green tips, crimson wings, and green spikes emerged. Its claws were bluish-grey, five on each hand and four on each foot. The dragon roared, attempting to intimidate them.
"So, this is where you've been hiding," Gilgamesh said, summoning a golden, two-handed greatsword with a blue jewel embedded in the hilt. "Jake Long."
"Damn," the dragon growled. "I didn't expect someone to know what my dragon form looks like," Jake admitted.
"I am an acquaintance of someone who learned your secret," Gilgamesh replied.
"Who?" Jake asked, wary.
"It doesn't matter right now," Gilgamesh said, pointing Balmung at Jake. He flinched as the magical aura of the sword washed over him, warning him of its power.
Gilgamesh charged, and Jake unleashed a blast of flames. She swiftly dodged, narrowly avoiding the attack. As Gilgamesh closed the distance, she swung Balmung at Jake. He blocked her strikes with his claws but was shocked to feel the sword cut through his skin.
"RAHAH!" Jake roared in pain, stunned by the intensity of the attack. He was used to the physical force of blows, but this was different.
"Looks like I was over-prepared," Gilgamesh muttered, using Jake's distracted state to her advantage. She sent Balmung back to the Gate of Babylon and summoned a potion. Charging at Jake, she climbed onto him and forced the potion into his mouth, closing his lips and forcing him to swallow.
Jake's body began to sway as the potion took effect, and soon he collapsed, unconscious. His form reverted to human shape as he was teleported away. Gilgamesh released his mouth, and Jake vanished.
Turning to Akasha and Yasaka, Gilgamesh saw they had finished dealing with the rest of the Savior Guild members.
"Medea, how's the interrogation going?" Gilgamesh asked, using the peerage connection.
"We've interrogated ten out of the thirty prisoners so far," Medea replied.
"Were you able to learn anything?" Gilgamesh asked.
"Yes," Medea said. "All the Savior Guild members had their memories wiped, even the subconscious ones."
"Even subconscious memories?" Yasaka asked.
"Yes, even those," Medea confirmed. "I found traces of divine energy around their minds, preventing them from regaining their memories and ensuring absolute loyalty to the Savior Guild."
"Do we know who leads the Savior Guild?" Gilgamesh asked.
"There are ten leaders, known as Apostles, each with a number on their forehead. They wear golden robes that cover their entire body, leaving only their eyes and mouth exposed. Their voices are modified to be monotone and androgynous," Medea explained.
"Were you able to locate anyone from our missing people list?" Akasha asked.
"Jake Long and Juniper Lee. They both lead the Dragon Tribe and oversee North Africa."
"Anyone else?" Akasha asked.
"West Africa is under the control of the Hornet Tribe, led by Suì-Fēng and Shunsui Kyōraku. East Africa is controlled by the Blood Tribe, led by Mandy DeLisle and Tsukune Aono. Southern Africa is governed by the Phantom Tribe, led by the Tsunayashiro Clan and Kagerōza Inaba. Central Africa houses the Savior Guild's headquarters," Medea explained.
"Anything else we should know?" Yasaka asked.
"Be cautious of their weapons and armor. They're made from a metal the Savior Guild calls Vibranium. It's stronger than steel, but a third of its weight, and it absorbs all vibrations," Medea said.
"Interesting," Gilgamesh remarked.
"Any information on the source of the divine energy?" Yasaka asked.
"The best place to look would be the ten Apostles," Medea reasoned. "I'll try to gather more information from them."
"All right," Akasha said.
"Where should we go?" Yasaka asked.
"Let's visit each tribe's base," Gilgamesh suggested. "With my Vimana, we can reach every one of them before the day ends."
"Okay then," Akasha agreed.
"Very well," Yasaka said. Gilgamesh summoned the Vimana, and all three boarded, flying toward the Dragon Tribe's headquarters.
Scene Change: Central Africa: Savior Guild Headquarters: Apostle Chamber
All ten Apostles were seated around a large table. Three of them had their eyes closed.
"It seems he has returned," Apostle #10 said.
"Indeed," Apostle #4 replied.
"Do we have any idea who entered our domain?" Apostle #5 asked.
"We haven't received any word from the Dragon Tribe," Apostle #2 said.
"He just returned, and he's already disrupting our plans," Apostle #7 observed.
"We're receiving a call from our ally in Russia," Apostle #8 said.
"Very well," Apostle #10 replied. Apostle #8 produced a mirror.
"From 10 to 1," they all spoke in unison. The mirror displayed an angry Caucasian man.
"Prophet!" the man shouted.
"Speak," Apostle #10 responded. The mirror altered their voices and appearances, making it seem as if ten eyes were speaking together.
"You prophesied that we would be safe from all external conflicts for at least another year," the man said.
"We did prophesied that," Apostle #10 thought, glancing at Apostle #3, Apostle #6, and Apostle #9, who appeared to be in a comatose state. "But with his return, nothing is certain. For he is the Defier of Fate."
"Something has caused ripples in your future. Remove the disturbance before it irreparably alters the timeline," Apostle #10 warned before cutting the connection.
"So, he's also targeting Russia," Apostle #1 said.
"Then we must assume the worst," Apostle #2 said.
"I will raise the alarm," Apostle #5 said.
"Agreed," Apostle #6 and Apostle #8 added. Apostle #10 handed Apostle #5 the mirror.
"This is Apostle #5 speaking. Code Black. I repeat, Code Black. This is not a drill. Prepare for enemy invasion. Once again, this is not a drill. Prepare for enemy invasion," Apostle #5 broadcasted. Alarms began to blare across Africa.
"Then we too must prepare for battle," Apostle #10 said. The other Apostles nodded and left the chamber, leaving behind Apostle #3, Apostle #6, and Apostle #9, still unconscious.
Scene Change: Northern Africa
On the Vimana, Gilgamesh, Akasha, and Yasaka heard the alarms as they approached the Dragon Tribe's headquarters.
"The alarms are getting annoying," Akasha admitted.
"Maybe it's one of their defenses," Gilgamesh joked.
"Here," Yasaka said, handing them each two ofuros. She had wrapped them around her own ears. Akasha and Gilgamesh followed suit, and the alarms fell silent.
"I guess they know we're here," Yasaka said, speaking without the peerage connection.
"Indeed," Gilgamesh replied.
"Incoming projectiles," Akasha pointed out as large silver javelins shot out of cannons mounted on the headquarters.
"Capture field. Shield field," Gilgamesh commanded. Two transparent barriers formed around the Vimana. The projectiles pierced the first barrier but stopped before reaching the second. Gilgamesh snapped her fingers, sending the projectiles into the golden cube for Medea to examine. "Destruction beams. Sleep and teleport beams," she commanded. The Vimana unleashed energy beams, with the destruction beams targeting the building, while sleep and teleport beams hit the personnel. Gilgamesh ensured that the teleport beams appeared similar to the destruction beams, making it seem like the people vaporized, just like the buildings.
"I'm going down to the headquarters to gather more information," Akasha said.
"Sure. I've got this," Gilgamesh replied, summoning a golden goblet and taking a sip.
"I'll go too," Yasaka added.
"I'll teleport you down," Gilgamesh said. Akasha and Yasaka glowed golden as they were teleported to the ground. They arrived in an empty hallway. Suddenly, a map appeared in their hands.
"You might need this," Medea's voice echoed.
"Thank you," Yasaka replied. They used the map to locate rooms that might contain valuable information. As they moved through the headquarters, they encountered several Dragon Tribe members, all of whom were knocked unconscious and teleported away.
"So, you're responsible for killing most of my members," a voice said. They turned to see an adult Asian woman dressed in light armor designed for mobility. She was in a fighting stance.
"You must be Juniper Lee," Akasha said.
"I am," Juniper replied, charging toward them. Yasaka threw a few of her ofuros at Juniper. Juniper dodged them and charged toward Akasha. Akasha fired a few blood blasts at Juniper, but she dodged them and attempted a punch to Akasha's face. Akasha skillfully dodged and countered with a punch of her own, knocking Juniper back. Yasaka threw more of her ofuros at Juniper, and upon contact, they knocked her unconscious and teleported her away.
They quickly searched the rest of the building for anything valuable before leaving. The Dragon Tribe Headquarters was reduced to rubble. Gilgamesh spotted them and teleported them aboard the Vimana.
"So, where to next?" Gilgamesh asked.
"Let's go to West Africa," Akasha suggested.
"Sure," Yasaka agreed. Gilgamesh flew the Vimana toward the Hornet Tribe's Headquarters.
Scene Change: West Africa
The Vimana soared toward the Hornet Tribe's Headquarters, and in the distance, they spotted a few dungeons. Thankfully, there were no signs of a dungeon break. Suddenly, large silver javelins shot toward them.
"How original," Gilgamesh remarked sarcastically, activating the Capture and Shield fields.
"Do you want me to control the Vimana while you take a walk down there?" Yasaka asked.
"Sure," Gilgamesh replied, standing up. Yasaka sat down and began firing Destruction and Teleport beams at the Hornet Tribe's Headquarters. Gilgamesh and Akasha teleported down and were greeted by a squad of armed Hornet Tribe members, charging toward them with daggers. Gilgamesh drew Enki and engaged in combat, while Akasha provided ranged support with her guns. Together, they knocked out all the attackers and sent them to the pocket dimension.
Suddenly, something shot out of the headquarters and slammed into Gilgamesh, sending her flying. The dust cleared to reveal Suì-Fēng, dressed in her backless combat outfit. As a spear shot toward her, she leaped to the side, but to her surprise, the spear turned and followed her. She attacked the spear with her fists, pushing it aside, but it immediately repositioned itself, attempting to strike again.
"Shunkō!" Suì-Fēng shouted, engulfing herself in golden reiatsu that circulated behind her body. The spear was forced to fly straight at Suì-Fēng, and she blocked it with a palm strike.
"Let's see how you handle this," Gilgamesh thought, firing several weapons at Suì-Fēng. She blocked them effortlessly, and Gilgamesh teleported them back into her Gate of Babylon, firing them again. Unlike Gungnir, which would relentlessly pursue its target, Gilgamesh's weapons kept reappearing.
Suì-Fēng quickly grew annoyed.
"Kyōraku, you perverted drunk, get your ass out here!" she yelled as she blocked another incoming attack.
They heard a loud thud as if something had dropped.
"Suì-Suì! I was enjoying my morning nap," Kyōraku's voice called from the third floor window. He was dressed in a loose black kimono.
"We're being attacked!" Suì-Fēng shouted.
Gilgamesh fired a few swords toward Kyōraku. He jumped out of the window, dodging the swords, and landed on the ground.
"Shakkahō. Raikōhō," Kyōraku cast. A fireball and lightning bolt shot from his hands, flying toward Gilgamesh. Akasha quickly intercepted the kidō with her blood bullets. Kyōraku turned to Akasha.
"Your opponent is me," she said.
"Fine," Kyōraku replied, raising his palm. "Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!" He cast. A large dragon made of lightning shot from his palm toward Akasha. Akasha swiftly jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, and fired larger rounds at Kyōraku. He used Shunpō to dodge the bullets. Akasha continued firing, but Kyōraku continued evading.
"How's it going with Suì-Fēng?" Akasha asked.
"Annoying. She's too fast," Gilgamesh admitted, continuing to fire her swords.
"I expected you to fully utilize your Gate of Babylon or Enkidu on her," Akasha said as she continued her barrage on Kyōraku.
"I originally planned to, but I decided to save those for later since we've got some rogue deity to deal with," Gilgamesh replied.
"You're right," Akasha agreed. "I have enough blood around the field. Be ready to knock them out once I trap them."
"Got it," Gilgamesh replied. Akasha fired two more blood bullets, aimed at both of them. Suì-Fēng and Kyōraku prepared to Shunpō out of the way.
"Blood Prison," Akasha cast. Suddenly, blood tentacles emerged from the blood scattered across the battlefield, wrapping around them. The unexpected attack stunned them long enough for Gilgamesh to knock them out. They were quickly teleported into the pocket dimension, where Medea and Zealot would interrogate them. After clearing the rest of the Hornet Tribe Headquarters, they returned outside.
Gilgamesh and Akasha were teleported back to the Vimana.
"I assume you finished everything in there?" she asked.
"We did," Gilgamesh replied.
"You two were much faster than earlier," Gilgamesh remarked.
"Medea, can you give us a count of how many members were from each tribe?" Akasha asked.
"We had a total of 300 members from the Dragon Tribe, while the Hornet Tribe only had 100," Medea reported.
"Does the Hornet Tribe really only have 100 members, or did most of them go somewhere else?" Gilgamesh inquired.
"I believe the Hornet Tribe only has 100 members," Medea replied.
"So, where should we go next?" Yasaka asked.
"I think we should continue south," Gilgamesh replied.
"Okay," Yasaka said. The Vimana flew toward Southern Africa.
Scene Change: Southern Africa Headquarters
As the Vimana approached, they spotted a man standing in front of the headquarters. He appeared slender, with green eyes and medium-length, dark-green hair that was generally unkempt, except for a tightly tied braid along the left side of his head. He wore a loose-fitting, black Shihakushō with a white haori draped over it.
"That's Tokinada Tsunayashiro, the current Head of the Tokinada Clan," Yasaka identified.
"He's all yours," Akasha said.
"Same," Gilgamesh added. Yasaka sighed and returned to her normal form. She was teleported down to face Tokinada.
"Greetings, Yasaka-hime-sama," Tokinada said in Japanese, bowing to her.
"Hello, Lord Tsunayashiro," Yasaka replied in Japanese. "So, why did you and your clan betray Soul Society?"
"Us, betray Soul Society?" Tokinada looked genuinely confused by her question. "My entire clan and I believe the current Soul Society is corrupted by the powerful Shinigami. The Central 46 was created to balance the power of the Gotei 14."
"Interesting statement," Yasaka said. "But for centuries, the Gotei 14 has been under the control of Central 46. They've been unable to balance Central 46's power."
"That was only recently," Tokinada countered. "In the beginning, Central 46 and the powerless souls were under the control of the Gotei 14."
"Unfortunately, I have a peace agreement with the Gotei 14," Yasaka said, surrounded by golden energy as she began to transform. She now wore a black bodysuit with golden armor, her head partially covered by a golden fox-shaped mask. Her golden hair reached her ankles, tied to appear like two foxtails. She wore golden breast and shoulder armor, purple and golden gloves, and high heels, holding a golden shakujō in one hand.
"Unfortunately, indeed," Tokinada said. "NOW!"
At his command, twenty-one people appeared out of thin air. Yasaka recognized them immediately.
"The missing Kagerōza Inaba and twenty more Shinigami that aren't supposed to be here," Yasaka identified.
"Not quite, Yasaka-hime-sama," Kagerōza said with a bow. "These Shinigami are clones of the originals. I took a sample of their reishi, souls, blood, and reiatsu to create these clones."
"Enough talking," Tokinada interrupted. "Kill them!" He ordered.
The Shinigami Clones charged toward Yasaka. The Vimana began to attack, but the clones quickly changed direction, dodging the beams. They drew their Zanpakutōs and prepared to release their Shikai.
"Bind them with Enkidu!" Yasaka ordered.
"Fine," Gilgamesh said. Golden portals appeared behind her as the Chains of Heaven shot out, wrapping around the Shinigami Clones' bodies and mouths, preventing them from drawing their Zanpakutōs or speaking.
"Break free!" Kagerōza ordered. The clones released more of their reiatsu, attempting to break free from Enkidu. To Kagerōza's and Tokinada's dismay, the clones failed.
Gilgamesh snapped her fingers, and the Vimana fired a series of Sleep beams and Teleport beams at the trapped Shinigami. The clones were hit by the beams and teleported away.
"Do something!" Tokinada shouted, glaring at Kagerōza.
Kagerōza sighed, drawing his Zanpakutō. Before he could react, the Vimana fired another set of Sleep beams and Teleport beams at him. He too was teleported away.
"Dammit!" Tokinada yelled and was promptly hit by the Vimana's beams.
"Do either of you want to join me?" Yasaka asked.
"I'm good," Gilgamesh said with a yawn.
"I'll join you," Akasha said. She was teleported from the Vimana to Yasaka.
They walked into the headquarters. As they moved through the halls, they encountered the rest of the Tsunayashiro Clan. Some tried to resist, but they were quickly subdued and knocked out, teleported away. The remaining members of the clan surrendered, and they too were knocked unconscious and teleported.
They continued to explore the rest of the headquarters, stealing everything of value.
"Strange… where's the stolen equipment?" Akasha wondered.
"There must be a hidden basement level," Yasaka reasoned.
"Scout," Akasha said as her hand glowed red. Blood poured from her hand, flowing down to the ground and moving through the building, seeping into every crack. Akasha closed her eyes, focusing on the movement of the blood. "Found it," she said, starting to walk. Yasaka followed her.
They eventually reached a two-way hallway. Akasha pressed a hidden wall panel, revealing a secret staircase. They descended and arrived at a hidden basement. In the center of the basement was a large glass chamber. Inside, a short and petite young woman with chin-length dark green hair floated in pink fluid.
Yasaka and Akasha approached a computer terminal that monitored the woman's condition. Beside the terminal was a red button labeled "Emergency Shutdown." Akasha pressed it, and the pink fluid began to drain from the chamber. The girl slowly floated down. A few minutes later, she was at the bottom of the chamber, and the glass walls descended. Akasha and Yasaka approached her. The girl opened her eyes, revealing purplish-red irises.
"Hello? Are you okay?" Yasaka asked.
The girl stared at them. "Who are you?" she asked, ignoring Yasaka's question.
"I am Yasaka, and this is Akasha," Yasaka answered.
"I assume you are a clone of Kagerōza Inaba?" Akasha asked. The girl was startled.
"How do you know him?" she asked.
"We just took care of him and his Shinigami clones," Yasaka replied.
"You killed them?" she asked.
"No, we knocked them out and captured him," Akasha replied a hint of joy on her face.
"I'm Nozomi Kujō," she introduced herself. "I'm actually a modified soul created from a portion of Kagerōza Inaba's soul."
"Are you one of his allies?" Yasaka asked. Nozomi shook her head.
"He created me for several purposes," she explained. "The first was to control and command the other clones. The second was to become the new home for Kagerōza Inaba's consciousness. The third... was to seduce Tokinada Tsunayashiro and become the new head of the Tsunayashiro Clan."
"I see…" Yasaka responded.
"What do you want to do now?" Akasha asked.
"I don't know," Nozomi admitted.
"For now, you'll stay with us," Yasaka said.
"What about Kagerōza Inaba?" Nozomi asked.
"He's currently imprisoned," Yasaka answered.
"Just make sure he can't enter Shikai," Nozomi warned. "He can open portals to travel across space."
"That would be annoying to deal with," Yasaka said. They gathered the rest of the scientific equipment and made their way to the hidden lab. Nozomi found some clothes and put them on, it was a short Shihakushō that barely went below her waist, with a white band around her waist and knee-high white socks. She was then teleported into the pocket dimension.
They finally walked out of the headquarters, and Gilgamesh teleported them up to the Vimana. The ship flew toward Eastern Africa.
Scene Change: Eastern Africa Headquarters
The Vimana arrived to find an army of Blood Tribe members waiting for them. Unlike the Dragon Tribe, the Blood Tribe members were dressed in light armor and armed with pairs of short swords, hammers, or battleaxes. Their eyes glowed red with rage. Standing among them were two notable figures.
The first was a young woman with wildly styled, waist-length blonde hair and red eyes. She wore a black top with a red design that wrapped around her chest and stopped just before her intermammary cleft. A red orb rested there. She wore fitted black bottoms, two giant red feathers attached to her top, black armbands, and a long cape with matching red feathers. Black pumps adorned her feet, and she wielded a bone-white skull staff with a scythe blade.
The second figure resembled a black monster in an upright, bipedal stance. Its human face was attached to an elongated, cylindrical skull fused with its upper back. It had large, clawed talons and a segmented, blade-tipped tail that dragged on the ground. Akasha's eyes widened.
"Why did you return to this monstrous form, Tsukune?" Akasha thought, immediately recognizing the creature.
"I assume you want to go down?" Gilgamesh asked.
"I do," Akasha admitted.
"I'll join you," Yasaka said.
"I'll provide range support," Gilgamesh said, staying seated. Akasha and Yasaka were teleported down.
"Who are you?" the woman asked in English.
"I am Yasaka," Yasaka replied in English.
"I am Akasha," Akasha added. "I assume you are Mandy DeLisle?"
"I am," Mandy confirmed. "Leave now, or prepare to die."
"I'm going to deal with Tsukune," Akasha said.
"Okay," Yasaka agreed. They both charged toward Mandy and Tsukune.
"Kill!" Mandy ordered.
The berserkers and Tsukune roared and charged toward them. Yasaka leaped into the air, jumping over the wave of berserkers. Akasha grabbed Tsukune and threw him away from the charging force. Meanwhile, Gilgamesh began attacking the berserkers with energy beams. To her dismay, the sleeping energy beams were ineffective.
"RAHAHA!" the berserkers shouted. Some of them threw their battleaxes at the Vimana. Fortunately, the ship was too high in the air.
"Either someone enchanted these berserkers to be magically resistant, or they're drugged to the point they won't fall asleep," Gilgamesh thought.
"Capture net," she ordered. The Vimana fired a magical net at the berserkers, wrapping them up and causing them to lose their balance and fall.
"RAHAHAHA!" the berserkers roared, struggling to break free. "Looks like they're hopped up on drugs," Gilgamesh concluded. She fired more capture nets at them. Some of the berserkers broke free, while others weren't so lucky.
"Medea, I've got a group of berserkers drugged to prevent them from falling asleep," Gilgamesh said.
"I see. I'll prepare a potion to purge the remaining drugs from their system," Medea replied.
"Thank you," Gilgamesh responded, continuing to trap the berserkers and send them to Medea.
Scene Change: Akasha vs. Monster Tsukune
"Tsukune, it's me," Akasha said, trying to reason with the monstrous form of Tsukune.
Monster Tsukune ignored her and leaped toward her. Akasha swerved to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Akasha sighed as the creature landed and leaped again. She jumped aside and fired a blood bullet at him. Instead of blocking, Tsukune opened his mouth and devoured the blood, as if enjoying it.
"RAHAH MMMOOOOKKKKKAAAA!" Tsukune roared, leaping toward Akasha.
"Know your place!" Akasha shouted as she delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to Monster Tsukune's face. He was sent flying toward Gilgamesh. With a snap of her fingers, the Vimana fired a golden net at him. Tsukune let out a loud roar and dodged the net.
Akasha sighed, aiming her handguns at Tsukune. She switched the bullets from blood to holy and fired. Tsukune stood still, expecting the blood bullets.
"RAHAHAHAHAHA!" Monster Tsukune roared in pain as the holy bullets tore through him. Acidic yellow blood dripped from the bullet wounds, sizzling as it hit the ground. Vimana fired another golden net, and this time, it successfully ensnared him.
"RAHAHAHA!" Tsukune thrashed violently, rolling across the ground in an attempt to break free. Gilgamesh attempted to knock him unconscious, but it had no effect.
"We've got another unique berserker here. I'm not even sure if it's human," Gilgamesh remarked.
"Be careful. His blood is highly acidic, and he has a secondary mouth," Akasha warned.
"Understood," Medea replied.
Gilgamesh teleported Tsukune away. Akasha turned her attention to Yasaka and Mandy, who were still locked in combat. However, it was clear that Yasaka was overwhelming her opponent. Mandy struggled to keep up, her movements growing sluggish under Yasaka's relentless, powerful strikes. It wasn't long before Yasaka landed a decisive blow with her shakujō, knocking Mandy unconscious.
"Took you long enough," Gilgamesh quipped.
Yasaka simply shrugged.
"Ladies," Akasha interrupted. "Let's loot the headquarters and move on to Central Africa to put an end to this mess."
With no opposition left in the Blood Tribe's headquarters, Yasaka and Akasha moved through the compound, seizing everything of value.
"There might be a secret chamber," Yasaka speculated.
"Possible," Akasha agreed. "Scout," she commanded, and her hand glowed red. Blood gushed out, flowing down to the ground, then slithered around the being, creeping into every crack within the building. Akasha closed her eyes, focusing on the blood's movement.
"Found it," Akasha said, opening her eyes. They arrived in an office room. Akasha walked to a nearby bookshelf and pulled out a book. The shelf slid open, revealing a hidden staircase. They began their descent.
As they crossed a barrier, a thick, pungent stench of blood filled the air. Yasaka summoned an ofuro and created an air bubble around her head, purifying the air so she could breathe. Akasha, however, was unaffected by the stench.
They soon reached the bottom of the stairs, entering a vast cavern. The walls resembled raw, red meat. They continued walking until they arrived at another chamber. In the center stood five large red eggs, each over two meters tall (around 6.5 feet). Akasha's eyes widened as she realized what they were.
Her shadow began to expand. Yasaka, sensing something off, took a few steps back from Akasha.
"Akasha?" Yasaka murmured.
"Sorry, Yasaka. You should head upstairs. I have personal business to take care of."
Red eyes emerged from Akasha's shadow, sending a chill through the air. Without hesitation, Yasaka turned and hurried up the stairs.
"To think they tried to use the remnants of Alucard's cells in Tsukune to create these abominations," Akasha muttered, eyes narrowing. Her emerald irises turned crimson, her pupils becoming slitted.
"Releasing Control Art Restriction Systems 3...2...1. Approval of situation B recognized… commencing the Cromwell Invocation. Ability restrictions lifted for limited use until the enemy has been devoured."
The shadows around her surged outward, consuming the entire chamber. The grotesque walls, the blood, and the monstrous eggs—everything was devoured, leaving behind nothing but bare rock. A minute later, the shadows retracted, slithering back into Akasha. Her eyes returned to their normal green.
She ascended the stairs and found Yasaka waiting for her.
"You okay?" Yasaka asked.
"I'm fine," Akasha replied.
"Please teleport us up," Yasaka requested.
"Got it," Gilgamesh confirmed. Moments later, Yasaka and Akasha reappeared aboard the Vimana.
"Final stop, Savior Guild's Main Headquarters," Gilgamesh announced as the Vimana soared through the sky.
Scene Change: Central Africa: Savior Guild Headquarters: Apostle Chamber
"Damn it!" Apostle #7 roared in frustration. The other Apostles, except for #8 and #9, wore grim expressions.
"Battling the Defier of Fate is no easy task," Apostle #10 admitted.
"But to think… a decade of work destroyed in a single day is infuriating!" Apostle #7 growled.
"We understand your pain," Apostle #1 said solemnly.
"Imagine the centuries-old prophecies we've carefully crafted," Apostle #4 began.
"Only for him to appear and shatter them in mere hours," Apostle #2 finished.
"What do we do now?" Apostle #8 asked.
"Not much," Apostle #10 conceded. "We fight as best we can."
Suddenly, an alarm blared through the chamber. Apostle #6 rushed to a mirror.
"The Agents of the Defier of Fate are approaching," he reported.
The ground trembled violently.
"They're attacking the headquarters!" Apostle #7 shouted.
Apostle #10 sighed. "Then it's time to fight."
Scene Change: Central Africa: Savior Guild Headquarters
As the Vimana approached the stronghold, massive silver javelins were launched at them.
"Capture field. Shield field," Gilgamesh commanded.
Two transparent barriers formed around the Vimana, intercepting the projectiles and teleporting them away. The Vimana pressed forward. More javelins rained down.
"So, who wants to go down this time?" Gilgamesh asked.
"I'll stay onboard," Akasha volunteered.
Gilgamesh and Yasaka were teleported down into the battlefield. As they landed, Savior Guild members swarmed out, charging at them.
"Destruction beams. Sleep and teleport beams," Akasha ordered.
The Vimana unleashed a volley of energy beams, forcing the attackers to evade. Gilgamesh and Yasaka seized the opportunity, striking down the disoriented guild members. Those who tried to resist were swiftly overwhelmed.
"Halt, invaders!"
They turned to see Apostle #1, Apostle #2, Apostle #4, Apostle #5, Apostle #7, Apostle #8, and Apostle #10 standing before them, ready for battle.
"The Apostles!" someone shouted.
"We're saved!" another member cried.
"Our God has decreed that if you submit to us, you will live," Apostle #10 declared.
"This is our answer," Gilgamesh said as he fired a sword at them.
Apostle #10 swiftly summoned a katana, blocking the incoming attack. "Then death is your answer."
The other Apostles prepared for battle. Apostle #1 conjured six thin needles along her knuckles. Apostle #2 wielded a pair of daggers connected by a silver chain. Apostle #4 brandished twin swords that resembled a pair of scissors. Apostle #5 gripped a wooden staff. Apostle #7 donned gloves with metallic threads dangling from the fingertips, while Apostle #8 carried a sword shaped like a hybrid of a shovel and a pickaxe.
"They're the source of divine energy," Yasaka noted.
"Charge!" Apostle #1 commanded.
The Apostles and Savior Guild members surged forward. The Vimana unleashed a barrage of attacks, but the Apostles managed to evade. The same couldn't be said for many of the Savior Guild members, who fell quickly under Yasaka's and Gilgamesh's onslaught.
Yasaka faced off against Apostles #1, #2, and #10, while Gilgamesh engaged Apostles #4, #5, #7, and #8.
"Do you want me to come down and assist?" Akasha asked.
"No. Continue capturing the members. I can use Enkidu if we can't handle it," Gilgamesh replied.
"Very well," Akasha said. The Vimana erected a dome barrier around them, preventing the Savior Guild members from interfering.
Apostle #10 charged at Yasaka. "Tenzan! [Heavenly Slash]!" he shouted. His katana gleamed with divine energy as he swung downward.
Yasaka moved to block with her shakujō when Apostle #2's chain suddenly wrapped around it. Forced to react quickly, she leaped to the side, rolling out of the attack's path. As she regained her footing, the chain remained coiled around her weapon. Blue flames gathered at the head of her shakujō.
"Shuryō Kitsune! [Hunting Fox]!" Yasaka yelled, stabbing the shakujō forward. The blue flames shot out, transforming into a massive fiery fox that raced along the chain toward Apostle #2.
Apostle #2 released the weapon to dodge, but before he could recover, Apostle #1 hurled her needles at Yasaka.
"Life Hunter!" Apostle #1 shouted.
The needles changed trajectory midair, homing in on Yasaka.
"Heiwana Basho. [Peaceful Place," Yasaka murmured as she tapped her shakujō against the ground. A golden seal appeared beneath her feet, forming a shimmering barrier. Apostle #1's needles struck but failed to penetrate.
"Kobuyō. [Fox Dance]."
The golden barrier vanished as Yasaka disappeared from sight. A heartbeat later, she reappeared behind Apostle #1.
"Raikoken! [Thunder Fox Fist]!"
Golden electricity crackled around Yasaka's fist as she struck Apostle #1 in the back.
"Rah!" Apostle #1 screamed, convulsing before collapsing unconscious. Yasaka quickly teleported her away.
"Apostle #1!" Apostle #2 cried in alarm.
"Wait!" Apostle #10 warned, but Apostle #2 had already charged recklessly at Yasaka, throwing a dagger at her.
Yasaka caught the chain, wrapping it around her fist. Apostle #2 tugged hard, but Yasaka didn't let go.
"Kobuyō. [Fox Dance]."
She vanished again. The sudden loss of resistance caused Apostle #2 to stumble. Yasaka reappeared behind him.
"Enkoken! [Flaming Fox Fist]!"
Her blazing punch sent Apostle #2 crashing into the ground, unconscious. She teleported him away as well, then turned to Apostle #10.
"Why didn't you help them?" she asked.
"Simple. I needed to assess your abilities before engaging," he replied.
Suddenly, Yasaka spun around and raised her shakujō.
"Clank."
The air shimmered as Apostle #10 appeared before her, his katana colliding with her weapon.
"I didn't expect you to see through my illusion," Apostle #10 admitted, jumping back.
"I am a Kitsune. Illusions are our specialty," Yasaka said.
"Kobuyō. [Fox Dance]."
Yasaka vanished again.
"Kogen Bunshin. [Fox Phantom Clone]."
Ten identical Yasakas surrounded Apostle #10.
"Clones?" Apostle #10 thought as all copies of Yasaka charged toward him. "This is simple. The illusion will shatter as soon as I touch them." He attacked the nearest Yasaka. She blocked his strike with her shakujō. "Found the real one," he thought, focusing on her while ignoring the others. The remaining clones attacked him.
"AH!" he screamed in pain. "These aren't illusions?" All the clones jumped back, and blue flames began to gather around the heads of their shakujōs.
"Shuryō Kitsune [Hunting Fox]!" all ten Yasakas yelled in unison. They stepped forward, stabbing their shakujōs ahead. The blue flames shot out from the shakujōs and transformed into a massive, fiery fox. The ten fiery foxes pounced at Apostle #10.
"Tenzan! [Heavenly Slash]!" Apostle #10 shouted. His katana glowed with divine energy as he slashed at the pack of fiery foxes. However, it wasn't long before Apostle #10 was knocked unconscious. The clones vanished, and the air rippled, revealing that the real Yasaka had been hidden behind an illusion.
"I wonder how Gilgamesh is doing," she mused, teleporting Apostle #10 away.
She turned to find Gilgamesh lounging on a golden throne, casually watching as Apostles #4, #5, #7, and #8 lay unconscious, bound in chains of Enkidu.
"Took you long enough," Gilgamesh remarked, dismissing her throne back into the Gate of Babylon.
"Sorry, unlike you, I don't have an entire armory of legendary and anti-divine weapons at my disposal," Yasaka replied.
"But you can create solid clones to fight for you," Gilgamesh remarked.
"I can, but it's energy-consuming," Yasaka replied. "Anyway, we should help Akasha with the rest of the members."
"Sure," Gilgamesh said, sending the unconscious Apostles to the pocket dimension. Vimana lowered its dome barrier, allowing Yasaka and Gilgamesh to join the battle. It didn't take long before they cleared the entire battlefield.
"Gilgamesh, do you have any way of finding secret chambers?" Yasaka asked, recalling that two of the Headquarters had hidden rooms.
"I don't," Gilgamesh admitted.
"Let's trade places," Akasha suggested.
"We'll likely need to take a closer look at both the Dragon Tribe Headquarters and the Hornet Tribe Headquarters," Yasaka added.
"Okay," Gilgamesh agreed. Akasha and Gilgamesh swapped positions and began exploring the Savior Guild Headquarters. They quickly scoured the entire building, taking everything of value.
"Scout," Akasha instructed as her hand glowed red. Blood gushed from her palm, flowing down to the ground and winding its way through every crack in the building. Akasha closed her eyes, focusing on the blood's movement.
"Found it." She led Yasaka to the first level and stopped in front of a painting depicting a person with ten eyes. Akasha tore the painting off the wall, revealing a hidden door. They entered and soon arrived at the Apostle Chamber. Apostle #3, Apostle #6, and Apostle #9 were seated with their eyes closed. Yasaka and Akasha quickly sent them into the pocket dimension.
Akasha pressed a hidden button on a circular table. The table split into ten pieces and moved aside, revealing a set of stairs. They descended the stairs and arrived at a cage containing a man, chained to its bottom. He appeared to be of African descent, dressed in torn, dirty rags. The outline of his bones was visible beneath the ragged fabric.
"I'll never submit," he mumbled.
"We are not the Apostles," Yasaka said, stepping closer. The man looked up at them.
"Who… who are you?" he asked.
"I am Yasaka, and this is Akasha," Yasaka introduced herself.
Blood gathered around Akasha's hands, forming a blade that cut through the bars of the cage and then severed the chains binding the man. Akasha pulled out a bottle of water and handed it to him.
"Slowly drink this," Akasha instructed.
The man accepted the bottle, sipping slowly.
"Who are you?" Yasaka asked.
"My name is King T'Challa, King of Wakanda," he introduced himself, taking another sip of water. "Where are the Apostles?"
"We defeated them," Akasha said.
"I see…" T'Challa muttered. "Are there any survivors?"
"There are, but…" Yasaka hesitated.
"What did those Apostles do to them?" T'Challa asked urgently, desperate to know about his people.
"Your people had their memories and minds irreversibly altered to be completely obedient to the Apostles," Yasaka explained.
"No…" he whispered, and with that, he fainted.
"Medea, we have a survivor. Please take care of him," Akasha said.
"Understood," Medea replied as T'Challa was sent into the pocket dimension. They exited the secret prison.
"There must be something controlling the barrier here," Akasha reasoned.
Yasaka closed her eyes, focusing on the energy surrounding them.
"I think I found it," she said, walking toward the wall. She stopped in front of a mirror and tapped it. Her reflection shifted, revealing an image of Africa. "This mirror allows us to monitor the barrier and an area two kilometers away from it," Yasaka explained.
"That's how they were able to react so quickly," Akasha said.
"I'm going to adjust the barrier, preventing anyone but us from entering or leaving," Yasaka said.
"All right," Akasha agreed.
Yasaka made the necessary adjustments to the barrier. Once finished, she and Akasha left the Headquarters. Gilgamesh teleported them back up to the Vimana, and they quickly flew to the Dragon Tribe Headquarters and the Hornet Tribe Headquarters. Akasha searched both buildings using her blood but didn't find any hidden rooms. With that, they flew out of Africa and back to Ichigo's estate.
Scene Change: Ichigo's Office
They were escorted to Ichigo's office, where Shirayuki was waiting.
"I assume you need Ichigo?" she asked.
"We do," Akasha replied.
"He'll be out in a moment," Shirayuki said, and shortly after, Ichigo appeared in front of Yasaka, Akasha, and Gilgamesh.
"Thank you, Shirayuki," Ichigo said, pulling her into a brief hug. She then returned to his mindscape.
They began recounting everything that had transpired in Africa. During the conversation, Medea joined them in Ichigo's office. Once they finished, Ichigo turned to Medea.
"How many people did we capture, not including the Shinigami or the Clones?" Ichigo asked.
"Currently, we have over 300 million people," Medea said.
"That many?" Ichigo asked in shock. Yasaka, Akasha, and Gilgamesh stared at Medea in disbelief.
"I didn't realize we captured that many people," Yasaka admitted.
"I have both King T'Challa and Nozomi Kujō who wish to speak with you," Medea said.
"I'll talk with King T'Challa first," Ichigo said.
Medea released T'Challa from the pocket dimension. Having received care during his time there, he now appeared cleaner and was starting to regain muscle mass.
"Hello, King T'Challa," Ichigo greeted him.
"Please, call me T'Challa. It's the least I can do for the people who saved my life and freed us from the Apostles," T'Challa responded.
"Okay, T'Challa," Ichigo said. "I have a few questions for you."
"I'll answer them as best as I can," T'Challa replied.
"How were you able to resist the Apostles' powers?" Ichigo asked.
"When I took my father's place as king, I had to perform a ritual to our Panther Goddess, Bast. The Panther Goddess would then judge us to see if we were worthy of the throne, and if we were, we'd receive her blessing."
"I see… Were you able to recognize anyone among the people we captured?" Ichigo inquired.
"I did," T'Challa answered.
"What do you want to do now?" Ichigo asked.
"I wish to return to Africa and rule," T'Challa admitted.
"I'm fine with that," Ichigo said. "Your nation will publicly form an alliance with Bloody Rose, Golden Sun, and Babylonia."
"That's fine," T'Challa replied. "What about the people?"
"I'm currently developing a ritual to purge the Apostles' influence on them," Medea said.
"But that won't restore their original memories," T'Challa noted.
"That's where you come in," Medea said. "I wish to use your memories to supplement as much as I can."
"How long will it take?" he asked.
"It will take me a month," Medea said.
"That's too long," T'Challa said. Ichigo took out his Trainer and handed it to Medea.
"This device acts similarly to the pocket dimension, but with much greater time dilation. You'll have enough time to alter their memories and carefully observe them," Ichigo explained.
"I see…" T'Challa said. "Then please help us." He bowed to Ichigo.
"No need to bow, T'Challa," Ichigo reassured him. "We are allies."
"Have you considered a new Guild name?" Ichigo asked.
"I have," T'Challa replied. "It will be called Wakanda, in honor of my people and our old nation."
"Was Wakanda a magical settlement?" Ichigo asked.
"It was," T'Challa admitted. "Wakanda was surrounded by large mountain ranges and a thick jungle, isolating us from everyone else. We stole everything we could from local colonies to advance our nation."
"I see…" Ichigo said.
"Do you have any more questions for me?" T'Challa asked.
"I don't," Ichigo replied. He sent T'Challa and Medea inside the Trainer and handed it to Akasha.
"I'll take care of them," she said. Nozomi Kujō was then teleported out.
"Thank you for willing to see me, King of Souls," Nozomi greeted, bowing to Ichigo.
"Please, rise," Ichigo said. Nozomi stood. "So, what would you like to ask me about?"
"What will happen to everyone?" she asked.
"You mean you, Kagerōza Inaba, Tsunayashiro Clan, and the Shinigami clones?" Ichigo asked. Nozomi nodded. "First, I will execute Tokinada Tsunayashiro for his crimes and have the Gotei 14 deal with the rest of the Tsunayashiro Clan."
"I see… What about Kagerōza Inaba?" Nozomi asked.
"Well, we have two options regarding him," Ichigo began. "The first is to hand him over to the Gotei 14." Nozomi nodded. "The other option is for you to fuse with Kagerōza Inaba, becoming the dominant personality, and take charge of the Clones," Ichigo offered.
"You're not going to try and destroy us?" she asked, wary.
"No," Ichigo said, shaking his head. "I used to be allied with a few mod souls." He recalled Kon, Kurōdo, Noba, and Rinrin.
"What happened to them?" Nozomi asked.
"They're likely with their creator," Ichigo said.
"These mod souls weren't created by Kagerōza Inaba?" Nozomi asked.
"Maybe one of them?" Ichigo guessed, unsure of who had created Kon.
"I want to merge with him," Nozomi said.
"Very well," Ichigo said. "We'll do this afterward."
"Okay," Nozomi agreed. "Can I go back and inform the Clones?"
"Go ahead," Ichigo said. Nozomi was teleported back to the pocket dimension.
"Anything else?" Ichigo asked.
"What about the Apostles?" Gilgamesh asked.
"According to Medea's reports, the original deities placed a fragment of their divine soul into a spare gigai that Kagerōza Inaba stole. This allowed the deities to act without attracting the attention of the other gods and goddesses. Based on what you've told me, I have a general idea of who did this. I'll reach out to their respective pantheons after I deal with the Overlords," Ichigo explained.
"I see…" Gilgamesh said. "Can you hand me the bracelets?" Akasha and Yasaka removed their bracelets. Gilgamesh took hers off as well. All three bracelets glowed golden and merged into one. She handed it to Ichigo.
"Thank you," Ichigo said as he placed the bracelet on. "Anything else?" he asked. Akasha, Yasaka, and Gilgamesh shook their heads. Ichigo gave them a quick kiss before he shunpō'ed away.
No author notes this chapter. See you guys on the first of next month.