(AN: I wish to enter the top 20 this week. Don't forget to send stone or better join Patreon. Cash is better than stone XD)
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<<Mukyo Shunko>>
For Soi Fon, this technique was one that allowed her to bring her highest speed and her most powerful hit.
At this level, even without using her Shikai or Bankai, she was already superior to an average captain-level shinigami and when combined with the boost provided by her Shikai, she was without a doubt the fastest captain alive at this very moment.
Unfortunately for her, the one she was facing, even though not officially a captain, was a monstrous genius that had already far surpassed the level of an average one.
While his own speed was subpar, the speed of his Zanpakuto was at a completely different magnitude.
<<Bankai: Kamishini no Yari>>
Gin's Bankai did not change the appearance of his Zanpakuto, unlike many others. However, once it transformed, both the range and the highest speed possible for the Zanpakuto increased tremendously.
It rose to an almost transcendental level. Of course, Only Gin himself knew how high the speed his Zanpakuto could reach was.
The clash between the fastest captain and the fastest sword was over in a flash of light. Everything happened so fast, that even the few captains who were watching the fight had a hard time capturing the scene.
As blood splashed on the ground and an arm fell, the scene became clear for everyone to see.
"My, oh my, I nearly lost my little life here."
With blood dribbling from his lips and a huge hole on the right side of his stomach, Gin still managed to keep his smile. His entire body was covered in more than ten new butterfly marks but none of them were hit a second time.
"Kuh! To think that I was still a little too slow…"
Grasping her bleeding arm, or what was left of it, Soi Fon frowned deeply before closing the wound with her Reiatsu.
While the earlier clash looked like one exchange, the two of them had exchanged several hits. While coming in close, Soi Fon had managed to greatly increase the number of marks and was about to end him but, at the last moment, the speed of Gin's sword seemed to increase even more.
In one swift movement, he managed to cut away the part of his body that was marked, thereby making her miss and using the opening she created because of how surprised she was by his self-mutilating move, he was about to divide her in two.
Thankfully, while she had been briefly stunned, Soi Fon had managed to use the wind of her Shunko to move her out of harm's way. Though she didn't manage to save her arm.
All of this had happened in less than one second. Everything played on one mistake.
In this clash, the winner wasn't the fastest one, but the most ruthless one. After all, it was one thing to be ruthless on your opponent, it was another to be even more ruthless on one self.
"Now then…I guess this is it."
Aside from a pale tone, Gin's face showed absolutely no change as he tightened the grip on his sword. If he had used the full power of his sword, he wouldn't have ended in such an embarrassing situation.
However, he did not know if Gojo was broadcasting everything or not. At least, if it was him, this would be what he would do.
He couldn't afford to gamble and let Aizen see his final move. That would defeat the purpose of following the man during all those years.
Soi Fon gritted her teeth in humiliation. She was about to answer.
"This is enough, Soi Fon. You did a good job."
Out of nowhere, a voice sounded and soothed Soi Fon.
'A black cat…?
...Gojo's cat?'
Gin was briefly surprised at the fact that a talking cat came out of nowhere. He recognized it as the pet cat that followed Gojo's adoptive daughter from time to time.
He had observed that cat a few times from afar but and thought it was just an ordinary cat but…
'How could a normal cat release such a powerful killing intent?'
"Yoruichi-sama, I…"
'Yoruichi!!?'
Gin became a little flustered at the name he never thought he would hear in the Seireitei.
Slowly, under his eyes, the cat transformed into a tall tan-skinned woman wearing a black bodysuit. Her naked feet threaded gracefully on the floor as she walked up to Soi Fon.
—
The moment Yoruichi appeared, it was like an earthquake rumbled in the hearts of all those witnessing the fight.
Soi Fon held the title of the fastest Captain now, but the one who held that title before her was none other than Yoruichi.
In fact, far from simply being the fastest Captain, she was considered as the fastest Shinigami alive currently.
That was the Flash Goddess — Yoruichi Shihoin.
The first woman to become the leader of the Shihoin Clan.
The princess of the Soul Society.
There were too many things associated with her name.
At the same, for those who were aware of what happened all those years ago, they knew that she held no hesitation in sacrificing her position and title in order to save the friends she held dear.
Some thought of her as stupid for doing that.
However, now that they knew that she had in fact saved innocent and loyal Shinigamis, many of them could only feel ashamed of their thoughts.
—
Neither of those present on the battlefield cared about the storm the sudden appearance of Yoruichi caused.
Soi Fon could do nothing but fall in self loathing.
She had never felt so humiliated in her life.
Compared to simply losing her arm, the fact that she had shown such an unsightly display to her most admired princess gave her the urge to kill herself.
She felt like she was on the verge of crying as she looked at the one and only lord she would ever serve.
"I am ashamed…"
Yoruichi smiled helplessly as she crouched next to Soi Fon
"Don't be. You did your best. As for your arm, I am sure Satoru will fix it for you later."
She understood just how much duty bound Soi Fon was to her. She could imagine how mortified Soi Fon was currently.
"Don't wallow in sadness. Use this experience as a learning lesson so that you can come back even stronger."
'Ah…Yoruichi-sama is as sublime as always.'
"Understood!"
Those words from Yoruichi were like heavenly decrees to Soi Fon. She felt so pumped up that the pain from losing an arm didn't even register anymore.
Gin, who felt quite weird at being so blatantly ignored scoffed.
"Heh, to think that Gojo colluded with the fleeing princess. I guess you are the one who informed him about the truth?"
'Aizen is as scary as always.'
He remembered that Aizen had mentioned how his suspicions about the black cat of Gojo and how it should be related to Yoruichi.[1]
Of course, not even Aizen could have guessed that the cat wasn't just related to Yoruichi but was Yoruichi herself.
'I guess Gojo is also quite scary since he managed to bring her incognito here.'
Yoruichi completely ignored Gin and patted Soi Fon on the back.
From the start, Satoru had placed her to act as a backup should anything happen. Ideally, she wouldn't even have to appear but, it seemed that they had underestimated the power of Gin.
<<Shunko: Raijin Senkei>> [2]
*Bzzzz* *Bzzz*
The roar of the thunder and the crackling of the lightning instantly filled the battlefield.
The lightning emitted from Yoruichi's back changed into circles of electrical energy in the shape of Raijin's drums behind her.
"Tell me, how do you want to die?"
This form of Shunko was different from all her other ones. In this form, she did not seek to move at higher speed, but would literally throw powerful lightning bolts at her enemies.
Gin gave a wry smile, he could feel goosebumps on his skin at the powerful killing intent of Yoruichi locked on him.
He had no doubt that even if he used his strongest move, while he would certainly kill Yoruichi, he would also be killed.
'It isn't yet the time for me to die.'
He did not fear death. He knew that a sinner like him would surely die in a miserable and pitiful way sooner or later, mourned by no one and shunned by the world.
'Nah, I guess only one person would mourn my death.'
The smile on his face stretched further. With a sigh, his spiritual pressure fell down until it was barely emanating.
Releasing the grip on his sword, Gin raised his hands in the air.
"No need to continue fighting. I surrender."
[1]: Happened in CH 124
[2]: Thunder God War Form;
"I will never surrender!"
"Hahahaha! Yes! This is it! Let's fight to the end!!"
The fight between Kaname and Zaraki reached a new crescendo after Kaname transformed into a hollow.
At first, he did indeed get an overwhelming advantage and thought that he would finally be able to crush Zaraki but…
'Why!? Why!?'
"WHY ARE YOU SO STRONG!!?"
Tosen roared like a wounded beast as he was being mercilessly beaten down by Zaraki.
He couldn't understand it. It made absolutely no sense.
All it had taken for Zaraki to surpass him was to take off his eyepatch.
Just that alone had been sufficient for that monster's power to skyrocket to new heights he couldn't even hope to grasp.
Kaname felt so much hatred and jealousy he felt like he was about to go mad.
Why was the world so unfair?
Why did a selfish monster like Zaraki have so much power while selfless people like his deceased friend could do nothing more than become playthings for the wicked?
Where was the justice? Why did such a world exist in the first place?
'I hate it! I hate it so much!'
Kaname snarled as his arm was sent flying by a swing of Zaraki before he was kicked away like a cannonball.
'Hah, I am going to lose.'
Deep down he knew it, he could see it and even though his heart refused to admit it, the facts were laid bare for him to see—He was no match for Zaraki Kenpachi.
The moment this realization hit him, his raging feelings surprisingly calmed down.
"I see…"
Standing up he 'looked' in the direction of the Zaraki.
"I will use one last technique."
Zaraki, who was about to rush madly again in the fray, stopped. He could feel it. The aura that was covering Kaname was changing.
This wasn't the aura of some mad bastard speaking about worthless justice, but that of a warrior ready to put his life on the line.
Without a doubt, what was about to happen was the last act of this long fight.
Was Zaraki scared?
"Hah! Bring it on!"
Kaname smiled sadly. His spiritual pressure went up to another level as his body began to transform completely.
*Whoosh*
Even as the transformation continued, Kaname could feel his life force slowly drain out of him.
What he was doing was a transformation that was still in the experimental stage. When hollowfying him, Aizen had warned him that because of the incomplete state of the Hogyoku, that power was still unstable and once he used it, whatever the final result was…He would die.
However, Kaname neither hesitated nor did he regret. At this moment, right here and right now, he wanted to make a stand. Even if he was naught but a shooting star that would vanish from everyone's memory.
'At the very least, my transformation should give some important data to Aizen-sama.'
He gave one last smile as his human form completely vanished after being swallowed in darkness.
When he emerged once again, Kaname Tosen as known by the Seireitei was no more.
His entire body was covered with black fur and he possessed four insect-like arms with clawed hands.
On the hunch on his back were two long, spiraling horns, each adorned near the points with two rings with chains hanging from them. His head resembled that of a cricket, with a bilateral line running down the center, large bulbous eyes.
At the bottom of the head was a small opening with jagged teeth that served as his mouth. His long bushy tail swayed while he floated thanks to the insect wings on his back.
<<Resurreccion: Suzumushi Hyakushiki: Grillar Grillo[1]>>
If before, there was some ambiguity, the large hole in his torso left no argument.
Kaname Tosen became a hollow.
—
"That is quite the disgusting form you have here."
Kaname ignored Zaraki's mocking words as he looked around him.
"It's unfortunate that the first thing I can finally see is your face."
Thanks to this transformation, his blindness was cured and he was now able to see.
"Do you know, Zaraki Kenpachi, I…I hate this world from the bottom of my heart."
As he felt the end was upon him, Kaname felt like the bitterness in his heart could finally find a release.
Even though he was speaking to Zaraki, he was more so speaking to himself.
"We live in a society where those who should uphold justice are corrupted beyond redemption and live in depravity. We live in a world where the weak strive to survive while the strong tear at each other's throats. Karma and the promise of a better world are nothing more than lies the weak use to comfort themselves because of how helpless they are in the face of reality."
He looked around as he continued,
"No matter how I think about it, this world is a dark, disgusting place full of pain and misery. A place that has no worth in being saved and should simply be destroyed. But, even so, in her eyes, the world was without a doubt a beautiful place."
Kaname clenched his fists and released a sigh,
"Be ready, this will be my last attack."
He crouched down, light began to gather in front of his eyes while his own blood mixed in that light.
Seeing this, Zaraki spoke no words and held his sword with two hands for the first time in this fight.
Back then, Yamamato had tried to teach Zanjutsu to Zaraki so that he could bring even more power. But Central 46 had forbidden such an act since they feared the potential of Zaraki.
Even so, what Yamamoto had already taught him was enough to make his power reach a completely different level. However, Zaraki never used Zanjutsu.
After all…It was too boring. What kind of enjoyment could there be in a fight that ended in a flash?
But now?
A mad grin formed on his face.
Silence fell on the battlefield for an instant as the tension continued to rise.
<<Grand Ray Cero: La Mirada [2]>>
Cero, a technique unique to Menos level hollows.
By mixing his own blood, Tosen had managed to create a variation of that technique and brought it to an even higher level.
As the light traveled mercilessly toward Zaraki, the very fabric of time and space seemed to twist around it as Gojo's Bankai, already weakened because of the many fights, showed signs of crumbling.
Facing the light of destruction, Zaraki did not try to avoid it nor did he prepare any defense.
Yellow Reiatsu covered his body and the pressure caused the ground and the walls to tremble under his might.
Raising his sword above his head, when the light finally reached him, all he did was-
–swing his sword down.
BOOM!!!
The explosion was so huge that it covered everything in the large room. For a few seconds, all those who were witnessing this epic showdown could only cover their eyes because of the blinding light.
When the light finally dissipated, the only one left standing was a bloody Zaraki.
As for Kaname Tosen, he laid down on the ground, in his original form, but his body mangled beyond recognition.
Even as death slowly took over his consciousness, he felt no sadness but only had one regret.
'I really wish I could see the sky.'
As if answering his wish, the cracked ceiling slowly began to turn transparent, allowing him to see the beautiful blue sky devoid of clouds.
For Kaname who had always been blind, this sight was like the call of heaven. He could feel his very soul being cleansed and he could now see what his friend always talked about.
Unknowingly, tears began to fall from the corner of his eyes.
Indeed.
The world was a rotten place filled with sadness and misery. But…
"How truly beautiful."
He was glad that this was the last thing he got to see in this world.
[1]: Bell Cricket Hundredth Style: Insane-Fettered Cricket
[2]: Hollow Kings Lightning: The Gaze
(AN: I won't lie. I hate Kaname as a character. But his fight against Komamura and Shuhei was beautiful and full of meaning. It wasn't just about explosion and power up but different ideologies and feelings clashing. About love and about justice. Honestly, Espada arc was the peak for Kubo. The fights in Blood war were super badass and epic not gonna lie. But, they lacked something. They were never so beautiful and meaningful as in the one in the Espada arc. Like the fight between the two scientist and the meaning of perfection. Or Ulquiorra trying to understand what was a heart. Like damn.
Anyway, coming back, I tried to give a certain beauty to the fight between Zaraki and Tosen even though I know it can never be as beautiful as the one between Tosen and Komamura. I honestly hesitated about killing Tosen and perhaps have him fight Komamura and Shuhei later like in Canon. But I decided to stick with my decision.)