Bab 45: Leaving Hueco Mundo
(Ichigo POV)
"Stop ignoring me, Ichigo Kurosaki. Take this fight seriously.", Ulquiorra says and fires another Lanza del Relámpago at me.
I dodge and grab the lance with my bare hands. Ulquiorra's eyes widen in surprise. I turn mid-air and then fire it back at him.
*BOOM*
Ulquiorra manages to escape the majority of the blast but he is still injured. I can see his wounds healing but it seems to take energy to do that. And we have been fighting ... well he has been chasing me for a while now. I guess it's time to retaliate now.
<Thankfully. I was thinking of taking over for a moment there.>
Yeah yeah
Ulquiorra flaps his wings and approaches me at great speed. I block his strike with my Zanpakuto and push him back. He turns around and swings his lance again. This goes on for a while. I block and counterattack.
As I block his strike, for a split second I relax my muscles. Without the resistance, Uluqiorra loses his balance for a fraction of a second. This is enough for me though. I deflect his lance and swipe my Zanpakuto in a powerful arc. A big wound spanning from his hip up to his left shoulder opens up and blood flows out.
"Urgh!!"
I don't let off and focus. I want to finish this fight now. I go on the offensive and attack him from all angles. My speed is one of my strengths in my Bankai. I manage to injure Ulquiorra more and more. He has no chance against my speed and suffers more and more wounds.
"Haaa Haaa that is haaa impressive speed, Kurosaki Ichigo.", he compliments me. But coming from him I know that he is just stating facts.
"Thank you."
"How about we finish this in one move? Then we can finally finish this farce of a fight."
"What do you mean?", I ask him.
"We both know that you haven't been giving it your all. You are studying me and trying to understand me for some reason. But that is not something I want. I have been given the task to stop you and that is what I will do."
"I see. Well then let us end it in one attack."
.
"Lanza del Relámpago"
"Getsuga ... Tensho!!"
We both fired our attacks at each other. My red and black Getsuga Tensho met Ulquiorras Lanza del Relámpago. His attack was completely overwhelmed and the Getsuga Tensho hit his body.
*BOOOM*
.
.
<Seems like it's over>
"Yeah ... it is."
I look over and see Orihime standing there. She seems to be alright and unhurt. That's good. All this just for Aizen to stall us and keep us here in Hueco Mundo ... too bad they don't know my sensei very well.
Then I sense a powerful Reiatsu from below. I turn to Orihime and tell her.
"Orihime, I have to go down and help the others quickly."
"Sure, please help Rukia-san and the others. I'll follow right behind you after I heal Ishida.", she says smiling.
I quickly make my way below and see that the Hollow Yammi is throwing Rukia to the ground. I use my speed and manage to catch her before she falls to the ground.
.
.
(3rd Person POV)
"Yare yare ... how long will it take for us to reach the place where those idiots are fighting? Creating a giant desert below the ceilings of Las Noches ... Honestly Aizen sure does crazy things.
But if this silly battle ends on my way there, I won't have to waste my time, and I can collect specimens. Taking a leisurely walk may not be such a bad idea.", Mayuri Kurotsuchi says to himself as he and Nemu are making their way to where Yammi and Ichigo are.
As this happens, Byakuya Kuchiki arrives at the fight and sees the giant Yammi grabbing Ichigo, who was an idiot and let his guard down. He is now captured and would be in trouble if he was any weaker. But before he can do anything Byakuya acts first.
"Hado #33: Sokatsui!"
The Kido hits and cuts off one of Yammi's legs in one strike. Ichigo falls to the ground but manages to land on his feet.
"Why are you attacking him before me? Stay out of this.", Kenpachi Zaraki says.
"What are you talking about? I arrived here first. Know your place.", Byakuya answers.
"Ha. It's not my fault if I slice you up by mistake.", Kenpachi says.
Ichigo's eyes widen as he sees those two.
"Byakuya! Kenpachi!"
.
Meanwhile, Yammi is about to stand back up. In the sky, we can see someone sitting there on a comfortable chair, eating ... popcorn. Who else but Toji? He has arrived long ago and is only watching the show. Although he is very disappointed and was about to call the producers.
"Step aside, Ichigo Kurosaki."
"Why? I had this handled.", Ichigo says.
"Yeah right. You get beaten up wherever you go. That's pathetic.", Kenpachi states. He is just about to cut down on Ichigo when Toji enters the scene.
"Now now. We don't want you to do that, do we ... Zaraki brat?", Toji says with a smirk and narrowed eyes.
"Again with that name ... did I not tell you not to call me that!!", Kenpachi says and gets angry. But Toji doesn't even pay him any mind. He just waves his hand and then turns around. Kenpachi is angry at that and runs towards him.
As he is about to reach Toji, a giant fist crashes into Kenpachi and shoots him away. Yammi is once again standing on the rest of his feet.
"I won't forgive you. I won't forgive you. How dare you cut my leg! I'll kill you, you damn bug!", Yammi screams and his red aura manifests.
Yammi swipes a big rock that was just about to hit his head.
"Oh good. So you can punch. That last one only gave me an itch. I thought you were a giant fly. If you're going to hit me, do it with all your might, maggot.", Kenpachi says.
"You're an impudent little fly!", Yammi states and punches Kenpachi again. He punches one after the other.
"How's that?! Can't do anything, can you?! You're just a damn bug!"
.
Before Ichigo can intervene Byakuya stops him.
"I told you to step aside Kurosaki Ichigo. there is nothing you can do here anymore. Hurry to the World of the Living."
"I'll go to the World of the Living! But I've got to defeat him first! Besides I can't leave so easily! Although ... now that I think about it, can't you do anything sensei?", Ichigo asks Toji who is once again sitting in a comfy chair.
"Well I could, but I don't think that will be necessary right now.", he says and points to the back where Mayuri and Nemu are approaching the group.
"Kurotsuchi Mayuri", Ichigo states as he sees the two.
"A Substitute Shinigami dares to address them without respect? Humph ... Well, I supposed it's better than being addressed on a first-name basis like you do to those two, or how Captain Fushiguro calls the other one, Zaraki brat.", Mayuri says.
"How generous. Is it because of that cart?", Byakuya asks.
"That's right. I've just obtained some rare treasures. I'm in a very good mood. Furthermore, I was able to analyze the structure of the Garganta at the place where I obtained these treasures."
"Analyzed the ... Garganta.", Ichigo asks.
"That's right! Furthermore, it has no flaws! it lasts nearly indefinitely! I can just imagine his look of frustration! There is no way I can't be in a good mood! I can easily overlook the chattering of a rude monkey!"
"Haha he called you guys monkeys.", Toji laughed.
"He called you that as well.", Ichigo said.
"Nah, Mayuri wouldn't call me a monkey. He likes me, even if he would never admit it.", Toji smiles and continues to eat his popcorn.
"Make preparations, Nemu! We're going to send this Substitute Shinigami to the World of the Living!", Mayuri says.
"Yes sir."
"Wait! I still-"
"Shut up. You're a test subject, so don't talk. This is an experiment! You have no right to refuse or decide anything. Listen well. You are test subject number one!", Mayuri says.
"Test subject?", Ichigo asks.
"There is no need to worry. I'll go with you.", another voice says.
Retsu Unohana stands on a cliff with her Lieutenant Isane. She jumps down and stands there next to Ichigo.
"Unohana"
"I never expected a volunteer. You're out of your mind, Squad 4 Captain.", Mayuri says.
"I trust you, aptain Kurotsuchi. Besides ... we aren't going in alone.", Unohana says.
"You aren't? Is your Lieutenant going along?", Mayuri asks.
"No. But he is ... isn't that right? ... Toji?", Unohana asks Toji.
"... Nah. I'd much rather stay here. I mean I just sat down and started eating this popcorn. I don't want to stand up just y-"
"He's coming along. Your experiment will be successful, Captain Kurotsuchi. After all, you've come all this way to Hueco Mundo and analyzed a Garganta using data from an Arrancar scientist. If you fail, Kisuke Urhara will surely laugh at you.", Unohana says.
"Think before you talk. Since I've analyzed the Garganta, I can close it while you're passing through it!", Mayrui says.
"That's impressive. Isane!"
"Yes?"
"You stay here and assist Captain Kuchiki."
"Understood.", Isane says.
.
"Now then, Kurosaki and Toji ... Let's go."
"Wait Unohana-san. That Yammi is really strong! I should stay here so the three of us can fight him!", Ichigo says.
"Don't get cocky, Ichigo Kurosaki. A captain of the 13 Court Guard Squads doesn't need help from the likes of you.", Byakuya says.
"Hmm ... you should really think before you talk, boy. What you say is pure bullshit. It is Ichigo who is carrying this war against Aizen and ... he is stronger than you right now. So you better keep your mouth shut, before the boy does it for you.", Toji says in a low voice
"Now then ... let us get started."
.
"I'll skip the explanation of what goes into a Garganta. If you go the other way, you'll get to the World of the Living. Make sure to watch your footing. One misstep inside, and you'll wind up in some unknown space between the World of the Living and Hueco Mundo. You won't be able to come back. Well, that would provide some interesting data as well.", Mayuri explained.
"Come to think of it, when Mr Urahara saw us off, he talked to us from a high place too.", Ichigo said.
"What?"
"Since you're the second Chief of Research and Development, you must have been Mr Urahara's apprentice or something, right? You two are kind of similar.", Ichigo said.
"How dare you!", Mayuri begins to say but Ichigo doesn't care.
"Bye!", Ichigo says and then jumps into the Garganta.
.
"I see ... Fascinating. Ichigo Kurosaki is a fascinating man! I thought it might be interesting to trap him in the Garganta, but I changed my mind. I will take my time putting some fear into him once this battle is over. Fear that'll make him think of this battle as a pleasant memory!", Mayuri said.
"Haha ... he figured you out, Mayuri. So don't get angry and just face the facts. That's the truth and you won't change. Just because someone has other talents than you, doesn't mean that he is better than you. You're not an exact replica of Urahara, so don't sweat it.", Toji said.
"Captain Fushiguro ... you should also watch yourself when you go in there. I might close it."
"Haha, as soon as I get in there, it will collapse anyway. Aizen is just that smart. you were too predictable. He knew we'd use this device that you confiscated.", Toji said.
"What?"
"Why did you think that it was a coincidence that it was there for you to find? I'm sure that I might be surprised when I enter. I can hardly wait.", Toji said and then entered.
"Toji Fushiguro ... what a curious man. I never got to understand you for some reason. One time, you are laid back and don't care about anything and on another occasion you can be totally invested. I wonder why?"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone