A few moments ago on Zaraki's side:
The tension between Zaraki and Tosen was on a different level.
From the very beginning, because of their conflicting views of the world, the two had always been at odds.
Tosen believed that Shinigami should wield their sword for an ideal of justice. No matter how many atrocities were committed, as long as it was for the greater picture, sacrificing the few for the many was something he approved.
This was why, what he hated the most in the world were meaningless fights and slaughter.
Zaraki, on the other hand, thrived in such meaninglessness. For him, justice, morals, or whatever could go to hell.
He did not fight to save. He only fought to have fun.
For him, battles were like a drug and he was an addict willing to put himself in dangerous situations in order to get his doses.
This was the reason he sealed his strength both consciously and unconsciously.
Only fighting brought him joy and happiness.
Tosen understood that, and loathed Zaraki all the more.
After all, that man from the Tsunayashiro Clan was basically the same kind of man as Zaraki.
If Zaraki found joy and pleasure in fighting a bloody battle, then Tokinada Tsunayashiro found joy and pleasure in teasing and destroying the life of innocent people.
"Zaraki Kenpachi, even now I believe that letting you become captain was one of the greatest mistakes committed. Ever since you killed the previous captain of the 11th division, I have had an uneasy feeling about your presence. 'This man is a demon' 'He fights to feed on the blood of the fallen' 'He is a being completely different from us'. This is why I thought, we should not let him dwell in our world for too long because one day, this man will surely destroy the peace that the Gotei 13 fightz to protect."
Zaraki stared silently as Kaname continued speaking.
"The fact that you joined hands with Satoru Gojo and helped him bring chaos to our city is proof that I was right and yet, all of this is probably only the result of your bloodlust. Am I right, Zaraki?"
"Blah Blah Blah. You are noisy. You just want to say that you are the good guy, right? Tch, you are really wordy, aren't you?"
Zaraki laughed hard as he took out his sword.
"Kinganjo became Kenpachi after he killed the 9th Kenpachi and I became the 11th Kenpachi after killing Kiganjo. This is the rule of the 11th division. Nothing more nothing less. If you aren't happy and hate me so much...Then just hurry up and kill me with your Bankai!"
A mad light danced in his eyes as he provoked Kaname.
His blood boiled and his pulse quickened.
*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*
Feeling his crazy heartbeat, he laughed madly before dashing while swinging his sword at Kaname
There was no style, no technique and no special skill - Only pure unadulterated power.
This was exactly what made Zaraki so dangerous.
For Kaname, Zaraki was not a swordsman. He was a beast in every sense of the word. A mad beast that would seek its prey with no pity and would devour it down to the bone.
Like a beast, he also fought by relying purely on his insanely large Reiatsu, quick reflexes, and high strength.
"I do not hate you. However, to protect our peaceful existence, there's no other way."
Tosen did not try to avoid the devastating attack of Zaraki. He raised his sword straight and placed the palm of his left hand on a ring that was tied to the guard of his sword.
Instantly, a sphere detached from the sword and grew until it was the same size as Tosen himself.
Just as Zaraki's sword was finally about to cleave him, Tosen muttered.
"Bankai."
Zaraki was forced to stop and take a step back as he observed what was happening.
The lone ring multiplied. From one, it became nine and those nine large rings dispersed and placed themselves in a different side of the room.
This was the last thing he saw.
—
<<Bankai: Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Korogi[1]>>
The moment the ring covered the room, a dome of darkness spread in all directions.
"This is my Bankai. What do you think, Zaraki? No doubt you could have never dreamed of what you are seeing now. No…You can't see anything right now after all."
'What is this!? I can't see anything… hear anything'
"!!!"
Suddenly, he felt a searing pain over his shoulder. While he could neither see nor hear, his years of experience told him that he had just been slashed.
Unconcerned about the flowing blood, Kaname continued to speak to Zaraki even though he knew that Zaraki couldn't hear him.
"You are in a lightless and soundless Mumyou World [2]. Terrifying, isn't it? My Bankai takes away your spiritual sense, your sight, your hearing, and your sense of smell, creating a miniature Mumyou Hell. The only person who can escape this situation is the one holding the body of my sword, Suzumushi."
"It's useless. Even if you try to guess my position from where you were attacked, you will not be able to catch me. Because no matter how experienced a fighter is, after he is stripped of Light, he can't help but fear the Darkness. No matter how slight that fear is. The fighter's movement will be slowed down. Against me who has lost the light since I was born, the only possible result is- !!!"
His sense warned him of immediate danger and avoided a slash from a hair breath.
'This man!'
Kaname was appalled. Even though he could not see, he could feel that Zaraki's emotion had not the slightest tint of fear in them - only endless excitement and battle thirst.
"...I see. It's understandable. You are a beast, a devil. You belong in the darkness. Of course, you do not fear it."
"Very well then, in this case, I won't give you the time to feel terrified!"
—--
Like this, the fight between Kaname and Zaraki continued but what should have been a one-sided fight changed into a pitiful farce.
*Huff* *Huff* *Huff*
Kaname could not understand what was happening.
How long had it been since he had felt tired during a fight? But he knew very well that the reason for his disorganized breathing wasn't the fight itself but the situation he was in.
'How…? His sight, hearing, and sense of smell are supposed to be useless now. He shouldn't be able to sense spiritual pressure either. But how…'
Kaname rushed at full speed and swung his sword with all his might but...
'How can he still dodge!?'
He couldn't understand at all. Even though he managed to wound Zaraki lightly, this hadn't been what he intended to do.
At the last moment, in an unbelievable display of skills, Zaraki had moved in a way that prevented Kaname's sword from striking a vital spot.
As if it wasn't enough.
"!!"
Kaname leaned down in a hurry and avoided a hit that would have pierced his throat had he stayed put.
This was the most inconceivable. Not only was Zaraki able to dodge, but he could also counterattack with scary accuracy.
Doing a backward somersault, he put enough distance between to avoid any possible further attacks.
'The counterattacks he launches are getting more and more accurate. He is really a monster.'
Cold sweat flowed as he once again realized just how dangerous the man named Zaraki was
He felt blood flow from his cheek and a slight sting. Clearly, he hadn't managed to completely avoid the hit.
—
While fear was progressively growing in Kaname's heart, Zaraki on the other hand was filled with anger.
'I got him this time, but only with the tip of the sword.'
Even though he couldn't hear Kaname's explanation, he had already deduced the effects of the Bankai.
'At least, I can still feel my touch so I can still use my sword.'
This was how he had been managing to avoid most hits.
As soon as he felt his sword touching his clothes, he would dodge in order to avoid serious injury. Then, using his senses and reflexes, he would counterattack.
This was an unbelievable display for anyone else, but Zaraki took this for a given and this was why.
'How boring.'
At first, it was fun. The sudden darkness, the loss of all senses. Such a novel situation was a first for him and he had been excited about the fight to come.
But after a while, he became bored. It was boring because he couldn't land a good hit. He could not feel his sword tear into the flesh of his enemy.
He could only get his location by getting hit. But he couldn't hear or see. He couldn't even use his spiritual sense. Though in this case, it wasn't really a loss since he was never good at sensing things with his spiritual sense in the first place.
'Damnit! Why do I have to think about this crap when fighting? This is a fight for spineless cowards. I want a fight head on!'
He gritted his teeth as frustration began to build up. He wasn't dumb but he believed that a fight should be a clash of power with nothing holding them up. Blood for blood, blow for blows.
He thought quite a bit and even imagined what other people he knew would have done in his place.
'Haha. That's it! I can easily know where he is like that.'
A large smile formed on his face as he finally came to a conclusion.
'He is smiling again. I can feel it. Even in a situation like this, he is still enjoying the battle!?'
Anger filled his mind as he attacked once again, this time with the determination to pierce his heart.
"You are too dangerous, Zaraki Kenpachi! Letting you live is way too dangerous!!"
'Wha-!? He didn't dodge? Was he so engrossed in this meaningless bloodshed that he got careless?'
This time his sword went through the body of Zaraki from one side to another.
He hadn't managed to pierce his heart, but the wound would definitely be fatal if left untreated.
He was about to pull back and prepare for a new attack when he suddenly felt his arms being grabbed.
At the same moment, the Zaraki's pupils that had been unfocused because of the blindness moved and settled on Kaname in front of him.
"Hello! Long time no see."
If Kaname could see Zaraki's expression, he would once again acknowledge that Zaraki was nothing more than a demon.
This was not the expression that should be shown by a human being.
'Impossible!'
*Slash*
Blood splashed as Zaraki swung his sword mercilessly.
[1]: Cricket Final Form: Devil Cricket.
[2]: Mumyou is a Buddhist term: Ignorance is truth. Mu means none and Myou mean enlightenment.
The Bankai of Kaname shows his twisted side of justice by bringing people in the same darkness he always lives in but worse. At the same time, the technique is based on Buddhist teaching which means ignorance. The Bankai takes the form of a cocoon and the people in it are like insects waiting to become butterflies. Remember that it takes all sense aside from touch. You can only feel pain without knowing where it comes from (very twisted bastard). Basically, by going through the pain in his Bankai, you go through enlightenment and become a better person XD. Of course, this is my personal understanding of the meaning behind that Bankai.
What is interesting though is that Kaname and Aizen's power are quite similar. The two of them have control over the senses of their enemies and for the two of them, in order to dispel the effect, you need to touch their swords. This is why I personally believe that Aizen is always in Bankai. or that his Bankai is like Byakuya and has no difference with Shikai aside from increasing the power
The moment Zaraki slashed with his sword, all of Kaname's defenses were shredded to bits. Even his Captain level Reiatsu wasn't able to protect him from what was obviously a fatal wound.
'Just one hit?'
His pupils were shaking. He couldn't understand how Zaraki's power could be at this level? He had always known that Zaraki was powerful but this went against everything he knew.
His surprise was understandable. Ever since he fought against Yachiru Unohana so long ago, Zaraki had placed many unconscious and conscious means of restraining his own power so that he could enjoy better fights.
If Tosen had fought Zaraki ten years ago, even if Zaraki managed to get a clean hit he wouldn't die.
But, sadly for him, after his fight against Gojo, many of his unconscious restraints had vanished making him far stronger than he had appeared after killing Kiganjo.
Furthermore, since Tosen was truly a traitor, Kenpachi had absolutely no reason to limit restraint himself.
This difference in base power brought the current result.
Tosen was dying. He knew he was dying.
He could already feel his Bankai breaking.
'Is this the end?'
He couldn't accept this. He refused to accept this.
How could his justice simply end like this?
Why had he fought so much and betrayed so many?
"I can't lose… I won't lose you to you….No matter what!"
Even as blood dribbled from his body and his senses began to shut down, Tosen still held a vehemence and a rage burning.
He could still remember his friend. A gentle and warm woman.
Her husband killed her. He killed a comrade over a petty dispute and then later killed her for scolding him about it.
Her desire for a peaceful world that was stronger than anyone…
Her sense of justice that was stronger than anyone…
She chose to fight for her beliefs but in the end, she died before she could even start.
Was she lacking something? Was it not enough to have a strong will to fight for peace and justice?
This was why he wanted strength. Strenght to help him create peace.
If it wasn't enough to believe in justice…Then he would become justice itself.
"Aizen-sama…As you have guessed I have reached my limit. Then…I have no other choice."
Thinking so, he slowly began to stand up. Even though more blood was flowing, he showed no care about it.
"Oh? I have been letting you think all this while because I thought you would show me something incredible. It seems like I wasn't wrong."
"Zaraki…Your greatest mistake…was letting me gather the resolve to take the last step."
"Hahaha. Go on! Are you going to use your Bankai again?"
Zaraki laughed while taunting Kaname. But this time, Kaname showed no anger but rather, a sneer.
"Bankai? Don't make me laugh. Aizen-sama has graciously gifted me with a power far more incredible than Bankai."
Suddenly, in a movement that Zaraki couldn't understand, Kaname placed his palm with his finger spread, in front of his face.
The result was instantaneous. The flickering and dying bluish Reiatsu changed into a deep dark, as if he was being swallowed by shadows.
The winds stirred and transformed into a veritable tornado as his energy level continued to increase unbelievably.
When the transformation finally ended, what stood in front of Zaraki was a completely changed Tosen.
His wounds had all vanished and his upper body was covered by a white armor. As for his face?
It was covered by a smooth featureless mask.
"You…"
Even Zaraki became momentarily speechless at the sight in front of him. After all, he could not feel the power of a Shinigami coming from Kaname anymore. But rather…
…That of a hollow.
—---
Outside, a few moments after Kaname's Bankai broke and people were able to see the result of the fight, everyone had been on tenterhooks as they watched Kaname slowly dying.
After all, even though Gin's words showed that they were traitors. He didn't explain in what way exactly.
Now though, a grave silence fell as all the Vice Captains gasped while showing unbelievable expressions.
At the sight of Kaname's transformation, one word sounded in the mind of all the old vice-captains.
"Hollowfication…"
Nanao muttered while Rangiku's legs gave in as she fell down.
"Wha…What is happening? Why is Captain Tosen like this?"
Shuhei was becoming hysterical. He had only recently become vice-captain so he couldn't understand what was happening.
Nanao showed a difficult expression as she explained to calm the poor soul, "Do you know about what happened about seventy years ago?"
"You mean…When Captain Kensei and the others were branded as traitors?"
How could he forget? Even now, he didn't know why the one who saved him all those years ago had become a wanted fugitive.
"Back then… Captain Kensei and the others had been transformed into hollows and the culprit was…At least the one that had been accused was Kisuke Urahara."
Nanao gulped. While Rangiku continued with an almost broken voice.
"Captain Kisuke had claimed that he was innocent and that Aizen was the culprit. But the Central 46 refused to listen since Captain Aizen had so many witnesses to prove that he hadn't left the fifth division on that day. But now…"
Shuhei paled as his face was drained of all blood. One didn't need to be a genius to make the connections.
"So…Captain Tosen became a Hollow…?"
—---
The vice-captains outside weren't the only ones reacting. Even the captains were showing expressions of surprise as understanding finally dawned on them.
Even the fight between Yamamoto and Unohana that was growing so strong that Gojo's Bankai was showing cracks on their side stopped.
Unohana had not been privy to all the details of what would happen. But since she believed in Gojo, she had decided to give it a try and fought against Yamamoto in order to hold him down.
Because of how dangerous their two Bankai were, a true fight between them would most likely result in one of them dying.
Thankfully, the confession of Gin followed by the transformation of Kaname had been enough for even the stubborn Yamamoto to stop and observe.
Slowly healing herself, as more than half of her body had been burned down, Unohana sneered as she looked at Yamamoto.
"What did I say, old friend? You are becoming old."
Yamamoto stayed silent. Before muttering.
"How shameful…"
When he remembered how many Shinigamis had vanished silently in the last few decades and the execution order on those exiled captains, he couldn't help but feel a deep feeling of shame filling his heart.
To think that he would be so helplessly manipulated by some young guys.
Had he really become too old?
Thinking so, his eyes trailed down to a different screen.
Until now, Sosuke Aizen had been shown standing alone there.
But now, something was happening. A frivolous man appeared.
—
"*Whistle* You really did a good job. So this is hollowfication?"
{Kogo, analy–}
[I know. I have already begun doing it. Not only him, but I am also recording and analyzing the Bankai of all those who are currently fighting. Once this day end, our Castle will evolve again.]
{Good job.}
"Satoru Gojo. I believe this is the first time the two of us talked like this."
Aizen smiled as he looked at Gojo. Even though he was all but confirmed of being a traitor, he showed absolutely no expression of being flustered.
"You are quite calm. You know that I could simply end my Bankai now and leave you to the old man?"
"I know you could, but you won't. You wouldn't stand for someone else to take away your prey, right?"
"Heh…You are quite right."
The two of them were talking as if they were friends, but the growing spiritual pressure the two of them emanated showed that they were ready to tear each other's throats apart.
Pushing down the bandages covering his eyes, Gojo showed a full toothed smile.
"Well, well, well. Are you ready to die?"
"Oh? You took down your protection? Are you not worried about my Zanpakuto?"
"Pfft! Hahaha. You think your illusions can trick my eyes? Hey…"
Gojo's eyes became devoid of light as he tilted his head. His usual happy-go-lucky atmosphere was nowhere to be seen and was replaced by an extremely unsettling one.
"...Do you take me for a joke?"
Taking off his glasses, Aizen broke them before swiping his hair behind him.
His atmosphere also changed as he showed a grin full of confidence at Gojo.
"Shall we test it out?"
(AN: Honestly sorry, the chapter should have been more focused on Zaraki but struggling with writing Zaraki's fight. The bastard uses no technique currently. Only swinging his sword. It's incredible in visual but it's such a pain in writing. I think I might reread Spirit are Forever with You, just to see again how to write Zaraki. Sigh.
In fact, this entire arc is stressing me to hell. It's like the final arc of the first part of my story and it's very important. I feel like I am fucking up everything. I have to bring all the different plot points developed to a conclusion and everything is becoming a clusterfuck. Too many characters to show at the same time. Too many fights. Too many things happening. Damn, this reminds me of the final arc in vol 5 of SHK. I was just as stressed back then.)
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