Chapter 24: Chapter 24
What madness was this?
It was the same for every Shinigami staring forth at the monster before them. Covered in blood, wounds, and cuts that were already visibly healing, this monster of a hollow didn't show any signs of fatigue after such a grand spectacle. Instead, those bronze orbs of his stared daggers into those present as if mocking them for their cowardice.
Those hollows behind the Vasto of White were all still emitting a terrifying air of bloodlust despite the injuries that covered them from head to toe. But the Shinigami present weren't mistaken.
Just because those hollows looked injured didn't mean that they were no longer dangerous, rather, it was the opposite. Those hollows still alive were the survivors of the charge. The strongest of the bunch, the elite in fighting capabilities.
To top it off, there were two other Vasto Lordes in the group. One like a humanoid shark, her gaze sharp, and her shark-fin blade coated in a layer of yellow spiritual energy that pulsed with power.
The other, bat-like and bathed in a dim green glow that was pressuring the weaker Shinigami to their knees.
The newest addition of the other three Vasto Lordes wouldn't make much of a difference as it was clear that their spiritual energy had all but been depleted. Yet it didn't matter, for they were now standing defended behind the back of their King, their Vasto of White.
From the shaking of the Shinigami's swords, it was evident that the sight that they had just seen previously from Shirou held a great significance to their Zanpakuto.
Those eyes.
It was just the sheer number of them that Yamamoto and the rest had seen within that world of flame and steel that heavily disturbed them and froze their thought processes. They had never seen anything like it before, but there was something more about it. Something far more important.
After all, Yamamoto had a distinct feeling of familiarity at that moment. It was something each respective Shinigami present could understand.
One of those pairs of eyes that had stared back at Yamamoto from the depths of that world, were identical to the ones that resided within the spirit of Yamamoto's own inner world.
Ryujin Jakka
Yamamoto's hands clasped firmly onto the cane he had in front of him, his expression grave.
"Unohana," Yamamoto spoke in warning.
"I know, Head-Captain," Unohana replied grimly. "Most probably those eyes were-"
"H-Hyorinmaru!" Toshiro yelled in shock, the young Captain quickly analyzing the situation despite his injured state.
It was lucky for Toshiro in the previous battle that only an Ice Clone had been the one to suffer a debilitating attack, otherwise, he may not have been around an longer.
"Well isn't this interesting," Gin Ichimaru spoke, his eyes wide open, and an air of seriousness around him that was generally absent at other times.
No other captains that had rallied upon Yamamoto's orders and that were present made any comments. It wasn't necessary as they all now understood what it was that they had seen.
In that world of Steel and Flame, there were a boundless number of Zanpakuto spirits.
Putting this matter aside, based on the report Yamamoto had already read, it was clear that it was this Vasto of White leading the charge that was the addressed hollow: The one able to create Zanpakuto.
The need to kill this hollow now, only grew stronger from within Yamamoto. However, he knew that he would have to act before the other two groups of hollows converging on the location arrived.
As if sensing Yamamoto's intentions, Shirou already seemed prepared.
"Harribel," he called out steadily.
Harribel nodded before motioning for the other hollows to reveal what it was that was behind them.
"J-Jushiro!" Shunsui's expression hardened, his body moving forward involuntarily for the sake of his friend.
Yet, Shunsui was stopped by Unohana.
If Shunsui were to attack, then any chances of rescuing Jushiro Ukitake would be reduced significantly.
The situation was now a stalemate.
This was exactly what Shirou had wanted, and it was precisely because of this that he didn't bring out Jushiro earlier in the charge. If he had, then both sides would end up in a hostage situation in which the only way to resolve it would be an exchange. Now that Apacci, Sung-Sun, and Mila Rose were secured, it was Shirou's side that was at the advantage.
Knowing just how many hollows had sacrificed themselves for him, Shirou was now more than inclined to avenge them. However, at this moment, he was more concerned with getting them out alive. And that would mean placing some faith in Aizen, and whatever plan he had to get them out safely.
For such a means, he would buy Aizen some time, confident that Aizen wouldn't wish to make an enemy out of him.
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By the time, Ichigo woke from his unconsciousness, the steady pressure of the air on his face was deafening.
It felt as if he was falling, but more than that, he quickly realized that he actually was falling; the ground appearing rapidly in front of him and looking as if it would reduce him to paste in his weakened state.
He struggled uselessly, trying to move his body, but all his effort only earned him a knock on his already injured head.
"What the fuck, stay still Ichigo," a voice entered his ears, yet grew annoyed when he just realized who hit him.
"What the hell's your problem?" Ichigo complained as he took a moment to realize that he was being carried within one of Starrk's arms. "Can't you show a little care for an injured man?"
The wounds on Ichigo's body ached, the dried blood caking off from the smallest of movements.
"You're alive, aren't you? Don't you just heal naturally then?" Lilynette looked at Ichigo in bewilderment.
It was Starrk who sighed as result.
Starrk knew of Lilynette's ignorance in regard to this kind of matter as she hardly met with any mortals or Shinigami within Hueco Mundo. As such, the norm when it came to healing injuries would be viewed like a hollow. So long as the hollow was alive and had enough spiritual energy, they could heal most wounds and even limbs with time. This was why Starrk didn't stop Lilynette from forcing in her hollow-type spiritual energy into Ichigo.
At that point, Starrk was just waiting for Lilynette's attempt to fail as he would rather not have to explain just why humans and Shinigami don't heal in the same way as hollows. Even more so about why it wasn't the best idea to give a hollow's spiritual energy to a Shinigami. Compared to regular spiritual energy, a hollow's spiritual energy was more violent and volatile, reflecting its destructive nature. Mixing that sort of energy in with the calm tranquil-type of spiritual energy Shinigami possess would cause a major rejection if not treated carefully. After all, there was a sort of boundary that had to be broken in order to allow for the mixing of the two polar opposite energies. Therefore, even if Lilynette wanted to give her spiritual energy to Ichigo, it would do no good.
It was just that, unexpectedly, the spiritual energy Lilynette was injecting into Ichigo was readily being absorbed. This was what caused Starrk's eyes to widen, and separate his attention in half from meeting up with Shirou and glancing at Ichigo.
It was too much of a mystery.
After all, just like a hollow, the amount of energy Lilynette had given him seemed to have the effect of a hollow's self healing on Ichigo. Under Lilynette's prompting, Starrk had even contributed a couple ceros worth of spiritual energy under his own curiosity. The result was an almost instant recovery on Ichigo's end; small wisps of black and red tinted energies swirling around him and leaving only a couple minor wounds on his person. And at some point, Starrk even had the impression of a hollow mask forming over Ichigo's. Porcelain like, with red tribal marks fashioned like a scar over the left eye, it was genuine. Yet, when Starrk wished to verify his findings, there was no longer any mask there.
It was in that moment that Ichigo woke up while Starrk was travelling swiftly. Having blown straight through a defensive perimeter the Shinigami had set up before.
"Since when would I heal like that?" Ichigo answered Lilynette's question in outrage, feeling indignant.
However, Lilynette curled her lips in disdain. From what she and Starrk had just seen earlier, it seemed to her as if Ichigo was messing with her after already taking a considerable amount of her spiritual energy to heal.
She turned her head, and began ignoring Ichigo, feeling peeved.
Starrk though was quickly drawing near to where Shirou and the others were, only, he paused in his strides when he sensed something in the direction of a large plateau. There, there was a wooden frame erected at the tip, and the land was relatively barren around it.
Sokyoku Hill, was what the Shinigami named the place.
However, what drew Starrk's attention was a glimmer of a lingering spiritual energy.
Shifting his gaze towards Shirou, Starrk was able to ascertain that the situation there was at a stand still. Therefore, he had some leeway as to what exactly he should do. Of course, this matter was settled in his mind when he took into account the other group of hollows both Nel and Brans were leading already towards Shirou.
His presence shouldn't affect the outcome much, and Starrk reasoned that with his power, he could arrive there if anything too out of control were to occur.
In which case, he prioritized the completion of their objective in the Seireitei in order to get out of here as fast as possible.
Unlike Shirou who had an understanding with Aizen, Starrk was still in the mindset of finding Silent. After all, it should have had been Shirou's first priority.
Therefore, he altered the path of his movements.
"Starrk? You're going the wrong way," Lilynette said while frowning.
"I sensed something," Starrk said, not explaining much.
After all, what he had sensed was the residue of a familiar spiritual energy. It was Silent's, and it was coming from a cave in the precipice of the hill.
"Hey, where are you taking me?" Ichigo asked. His injuries had stopped aching long ago, and he was growing impatient as he thought about what may have had happened to his friends and sister. "Hey wait up a second, what happened to everyone else?"
"After we separated from them, they left towards the tower over there," Lilynette grunted as if the answer was obvious. "Looking there now, it looks pretty lively."
It was the exact location where Ayon had appeared, and the area was now swarming with Shinigami and hollows with Shirou's arrival.
"Weren't we supposed to be going there, Starrk?" Lilynette asked, furrowing her brows.
"Lilynette, do you not feel it?" Starrk asked.
"What?"
"Never mind then," Starrk didn't bother explaining. Although Lilynette didn't make much of a fuss about it as she trusted Starrk, Ichigo did. Not only was he concerned about his friend's safety, but Karin was in the group too.
"Put me down," Ichigo demanded, thrashing within Starrk's grip.
Starrk took a moment to stare blankly at Ichigo before just shaking his head.
"Suit yourself,"
"Wait, what-?!"
Starrk released his grip and Ichigo plummeted to the ground.
"Ichigo you idiot!" Lilynette's voice trailed along soon after as she and Starrk disappeared.
Flailing in the air, it was only after a couple of seconds did Ichigo stabilize himself enough to remember trying to form something solid out of spiritual energy beneath his feet. Yet by then, it was already useless as he ended up by the foot of Sokyoku Hill, landing on the ground.
Cursing, Ichigo pushed himself up, and took a breath. Around him was a thick forest with hardly anyone in sight. However, from his position, he could feel the growing fluctuations of spiritual energy behind him. It was in the direction of the Isolation Tower Kukaku had been guiding everyone to.
As such, Ichigo could only envision what exactly happened to Kukaku and the rest. And based on the sight before his eyes, it wouldn't be anything good.
Clenching his fists, he flared his spiritual energy before running in that direction, only to stumble when a hand grabbed him from the underbrush.
"Shut up and just follow me," a voice whispered into Ichigo's ears.
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As all attention was focusing on the confrontation between Shinigami and Hollows down near the Isolation Tower, Kukaku and the others had already made their way to Sokyoku Hill under Kaien's instructions.
After all, Sokyoku Hill was made from a type of durable rock that even Captain's would find difficult to destroy. Therefore, Kukaku believed Kaien when he said it would one of the safer places to hide out from the storm that was brewing in the Horizon. It was just that they had to find a shelter first.
"Over here," Karin said while pointing towards a naturally formed crevice at the foot of the hill.
Saying that, Karin disappeared inside, only to come out moments later saying that it was safe.
The interior of the crevice wasn't very spacious, and it was more a hallow cavity if anything, but at least it could fit them all.
Walking inside, Kukaku gently placed Kaien and Rukia down as the two still had their spiritual energy restrained by a collar tied around their necks. This made it hard for the two to run let alone walk as without their spiritual energy, they were left disorientated.
"Is this really alright?" Rukia asked, pulling her knees to her chest before leaning her weight over them.
"Then is that you'd rather die, Kuchiki?" Ishida looked incredulously at Rukia. "If we left you as it was, either you'd get killed by the Shinigami, or by the hollows. Here is obviously the best place as those people out there are monsters."
Ishida laughed dryly. "To think that I was so confident in facing them till now. It's an eye opener."
"Hey, we're not just gonna stay here, are we?" Karin pressed. "I can understand waiting until it calms down out there, but there's still something I need to do."
"By the end of this, either the Shinigami have won, or the hollows have wiped out a good portion of the Seireitei," Ganju said seriously. "By then, we'd be lucky just to make it out of here alive after what we're doing."
Kukaku clicked her tongue before taking out her smoke pipe and taking a long drag of it. "They can try, but they should know not to mess with a Shiba." Kukaku's eyes were fierce. "If they so much as try to force this matter, they'll understand just how much impact our Shiba clan's canon has."
"Karin," Orihime said, trying to console the girl who sat frozen in place.
Evidently, this wasn't the answer that Karin wanted to hear.
"What about Ichigo?" Chad asked. He had been silent for most of the trek, but now that the group was resting, he brought up the matter that most concerned him. Ichigo was his friend. Chad would have his back, and Ichigo would have his, therefore, they looked out for each other.
"He should be fine," Ishida answered. "Ichigo's tough, and that Vasto Lorde went with him so it's unlikely that they'd just let him die."
"But how would you know that they would actually help him?" Ganju asked.
"Maybe because of the child like hollow? She did seem to be on good terms with Ichigo?" Orihime supplied, her arms crossed in thought.
"A child hollow, Lilynette?" Rukia questioned in surprise.
"Yeah, that was her name exactly," Orihime said with a smile. "Although she's a bit brash."
"Why would she come here?" Rukia pondered to herself in the silence that soon followed.
Sounds of explosions ripped across the sky, shouts and screams occasionally drifting through the opening of the crevice. It was enough to cause shivers to run down the spines of everyone present.
As time went on, Ganju and Kukaku fell at peace by Kaien's side, the siblings huddled close together in a fashion they had not done since their childhood. Kukaku had her body leaned up against Kaien, and her chin nestled against his shoulder. Meanwhile, Ganju sat to the side, leaning his back on Kaien's other side.
Rukia and the rest were seated opposite to Kaien. Karin brooding in the corner while Ishida, Chad, and Orihime discussed what they would have to do when the fighting outside was over. After all, they were like rats scurrying in a battle between behemoths. If they didn't think things out carefully, then they may very well get flattened.
It was only when time seemed to pass on endlessly that Kukaku stirred, her ears perking up as her spiritual awareness detected something.
She pushed herself off from her place by Kaien, her movements alerting everyone else that something was wrong.
"Sis?" Ganju inquired.
Kukaku only rose a hand in response, motioning for everyone to remain quiet.
There!
Her eyes widened as she felt that sensation again. This all but confirmed it.
"Someone's coming," Kukaku said seriously. "And this isn't someone we can beat. The spiritual energy I can sense is like an ocean that could crush as all with but a thought."
"Y-You can't be serious?" Ganju asked incredulously. "Why would someone like that care enough to seek us out."
Kukaku hushed Ganju down again, but it was clear that Ganju wasn't the only one nervous. Everyone else was too, their expressions tense. Even Orihime had her hands to the hairclips on her head in preparation for conflict.
"We don't know if it's us that they are after," Kukaku quickly tried to reason. "Maybe they are just passing through?"
After spending time in the crevice, Kukaku and the rest had already been masking their spiritual energy to the best of their ability. Therefore, if the approaching stranger still moved in their location despite their precautions, it couldn't be any clearer about the stranger's intentions.
Indeed, Kukaku's expression hardened when not once did this stranger seemed to veer away from their location, but how? She was sure that there was no one watching them when they were retreating from the area. It didn't make sense unless there it was a highly skilled operative of the Stealth Force or some new Kido?
She shook her head. It didn't matter how anymore, just that someone extremely powerful was approaching.
"It's coming," Kukuka warned. "Everyone out, we'll be sitting duck if we stay in here."
As she was talking, Kukaku was already moving to support Kaien on her shoulders while Chad supported Rukia out of the crevice.
Once outside, Kukaku immediately issued everyone to begin fleeing, yet even before then, the smiling visage of a man appeared before Kukaku's eyes.
"A-Aizen Sousuke, y-you!" Kukaku's voice cracked as it shifted into a snarl.
When Kaien had first been reported dead, there was no way she would not do any digging regarding the matter. And low and behold, she found nothing substantial. However, any leads she ever found always led to one individual.
Aizen Sousuke.
Thus, how could she not have had been suspicious? Even now she could vaguely recall the nights Kaien had spent in his study going over random reports. Most of which detailed the rise of Aizen.
Yet, there was no proof that it was Aizen, so she was forced to drop the matter in the past. Now though that she had found Kaien again, and Aizen was then the one to appear before her? She didn't need any proof any longer to know that Aizen was involved in Kaien's supposed death.
"You bastard," Kukaku seethed. However, she didn't make any sudden movements as like it or not, Aizen was far stronger than her.
"Well hello to you too Ms. Shiba," Aizen spoke politely. "However, I do believe that your actions can count as treason to the Seireitei. If you would please return the prisoners to me for them to undergo their judgement, it would save the trouble."
Hearing Aizen's words, everyone tensed, making it clear that they would not be handing over anybody without a fight.
"I'm a Shiba, one of the four Noble families of the Seireitei, and I file for a court meeting," Kukaku said sternly. "There's no way I'll allow this ruling by the central forty-six to pass."
Aizen smiled.
"The thing you have to understand Ms. Shiba, is that I'm not giving you a request, but a statement," Aizen said while suddenly disappearing.
Everyone was left dumbfounded, the speed in which Aizen exhibited was not something that anyone at their level could keep up with. It wouldn't even be a fight, and this knowledge was clear to everyone.
However, that didn't mean that they gave up.
A bow of light appeared in Ishida's hands, while Chad's right arm shifted into the right arm of the giant. Skin colour fading black, a long strip of red ran down the center of Chad's arm followed by two white stripes.
As for Orihime, an orange shield appeared just in front of her, Karin, and Rukia who Chad had placed down near her.
Kukaku and Ganju each had their own set of bombs that the two could use. Ganju's were round, and already lit, while Kukaku seemed to be holding onto a special kind.
Everyone was vigilant, but it would do them no good. They weren't at the level to even meddle with Aizen. Instead, it was like an adult dealing with a child.
"-Aahh!"
Rukia screamed, the scenery around her rapidly changing until she realized that Aizen was currently holding her by the scruff of her neck. Behind him and sprawled on the ground was Kaien.
"That wasn't so hard now was it?" Aizen said calmly.
Kukaku's face paled, the grip she had on her bombs causing her knuckles to whiten. Her eldest borther had been taken away before, she wouldn't allow it to happen again.
Yet just before, she was going to act, Aizen moved, pulling Rukia along as a sharp sword intent caused the Captain to dodge.
They came in a gust of wind,
Pink flower petals drifting into the area like a storm. Floating gently, it was a dazzling sight. The kind only ever seen on the blossoming of Sakura trees.
Footsteps echoed into the ears of those present. They were not loud, nor too soft, but were instead refined and graceful. Like a water lily drifting along a still pond.
A sword is only strong when it possesses conviction.
Eyes as sharp as daggers narrowed in an unwavering show of determination. A faith and love that would never fade despite a cold exterior.
A will made from a promise.
Bound by duty, but held up by honour and emotion.
A conviction that would last for an eternity.
And a hard voice that spoke of it all.
"Release my Sister."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone