Capítulo 36: 2/2
Ichigo clenched his hand into a fist and stepped forward. "Useless?! You talk as if we aren't here. We aren't here to be one of your disposable pawns. I'll show you useless you bastard! I'll take on your little challenge. If what you say is true and I can become as powerful as a Captain in 10 days then I'll train and become stronger than you in 10 days!"
An amused grin found its way to Kishin's lips.
He thinks he can be stronger than me in just 10 days? There's confidence and taunting, but this is blatant cockiness. He really is still a brat. Isshin, you should have taught your kid some more manners. If it wasn't because he was your kid and Rukia caring about him I might have killed him myself already.
"What about the rest of us?" Orihime ventured to ask.
Kishin glanced over at the others and shook his head. "Sorry. No matter how much you guys train in the next 10 days you won't be useful in battle. You'll only end up being a burden."
"WHAT?!" Ishida, Ganju, and Sado exclaimed at the same time.
"You're looking down on us!" Ganju retorted.
"Yeah!" Sado and Ishida agreed.
Kishin gave an annoyed sideways glance at Yoruichi to which she sighed and started walking away. "Sado, Ishida, Ganju, you three come with me. I'll continue your training as we wait for the next 10 days."
Orihime then pointed to herself and asked, "W-What about me?"
Kishin pointed to a nearby rock. "You go wait over there."
"Eh? W-Why?"
A dark glint flashed in his eyes as he replied, "You've got the unique ability to heal injuries right?"
"Uh-huh...but how did you kn-"
"Just wait over there because your power will be needed to heal Ichigo's injuries while he trains."
Ichigo furrowed his brow. "Oh? Just MY injuries huh? You're saying that you won't get hurt at all aren't you?"
Kishin smirked and walked several dozens of meters away. "Once we get started then you'll understand just how different our level of powers are. Maybe then you'll learn to be a bit more humble and start acting less like a cocky brat. Just because you gained power quickly doesn't mean you're THAT special."
Ichigo frowned and took a few steps forward while drawing his Zanpakuto. It had no handle or guard and simply had white bandage cloths wrapped around the hilt. The blade seemed to be as long and tall as Ichigo himself. It somewhat represented that of an oversized khyber knife. The top half of the blade was black in color and the bottom half was white. Ichigo took up his stance and retorted, "Heh. Cocky? I'm not cocky. I just hate being looked down upon. I'll show you that it's you who's being cocky."
"Really? Earlier you got a glimpse of how different the strength of our spiritual pressures were yet you still act like this. I won't go easy on you. I'm not as kind as Urahara or Yoruichi."
Ichigo tightened his grip around his Zanpakuto inwardly knowing just how strong Kishin was from his earlier display of power. He also couldn't help but feel that Kishin's appearance seemed very familiar.
Have we met before? Even before the time when he took Rukia away? I feel like I've seen him somewhere a long time ago…
Ichigo shook himself out of his thoughts as he asked, "So? What kind of training are we going to do?"
Kishin just smirked motioning with his finger for Ichigo to attack him. "The type of training we're going to do is fight to the death. I want you to come kill me."
Ichigo widened his eyes in shock and wariness. "W-What? You want me to kill you?"
Kishin nodded. "That's right. Come at me with not only the intent to kill, but to actually kill. Every swing of your blade should be meant to take my life."
"Are you serious? Even though I don't like the fact that you took Rukia away, it remains a fact that Yoruichi trusts you. You haven't even drawn your Zanpakuto yet. I'm not going to attack an unarmed opponent."
Kishin frowned and shook his head. "Seems you still don't understand just how different our strengths are yet."
"No, it's you who's taking me too lig-UH?!" Ichigo never got to finish his sentence as he had already crashed into a giant boulder smashing it into pieces.
"GAAAHH!" He shouted out in pain from the violent impact. He had no idea what happened. One second he was talking and the next he crashed into a boulder. Blood dripped down from Ichigo's lips as he lay unmoving in the middle of the rubble.
What...happened?
It was then he heard Kishin's condescending voice. "Do you understand the power difference between us now? I told you I wasn't going to go easy on you. I know what I'm doing, but you're being too naive. If I tell you to come kill me, then don't waste words on your nonsensical moral crap. You know who gets those privileges? Those who are on a similar level of power as their opponent. If you aren't even near the same level of strength as someone, then don't start spouting stuff about fairness, justice, moral code, honor, and all that other stuff. Words only matter when you're still standing in the end."
Ichigo gritted his teeth and groaned trying to stand up, but he couldn't. His bones felt broken and his muscles ached all over the place. Kishin shook his head and said, "Oi. Inoue. Heal him."
Orihime hesitated, staring fearfully at Kishin. She couldn't follow anything that happened. She only knew that Ichigo had lost. The person in her heart and mind that she never imagined would ever lose, lost without being able to utter a single sentence. Finally her senses came back to her as she heard Ichigo cough up blood.
"Kurosaki-kun!" She shouted and ran towards him. She immediately placed her hand over her hairpins and shouted, "Soten Kisshun, I reject!" A golden light lit up on her hairpin before an orange barrier covered Ichigo's body, healing him inside.
After several moments passed by Ichigo stood back up and huffed in frustration. "You bastard...what did you do?"
Kishin relaxedly stood in place and answered, "I slapped you in the face. Wasn't that obvious?"
Ichigo's eyes wavered in shock and fear. "You...that's impossible! You were standing so far away, there's no way you were able to hit me without me-" He stopped himself from finishing his sentence as realization struck him.
Kishin smirked at Ichigo's reaction. "Seems you finally understand just how vastly different our strengths are. Are you ready to start taking the training seriously now?"
Ichigo tightened his grip on his Zanpakuto and said, "Inoue. Get back."
She was about to refuse since she didn't want to see Ichigo get hurt again, but Ichigo cut her off. "Inoue! Please. I can't fight at full power if you're too close."
In the end Orihime could only grit her teeth standing off to the side. Kishin nodded approvingly and once again, motioned for Ichigo to attack. "Come kill me. If you can."
Ichigo frowned and dashed out with his sword. His reiatsu began to flare up around him violently kicking up a storm of wind in the area as he swung his blade right at Kishin's chest, however Kishin merely held out his hand and caught the giant blade between two fingers.
TING!
"UH!" Ichigo widened his eyes disbelievingly.
N-NO WAY?! Impossible! With only his fingers? He caught my blade with his fingers?! What is he? A monster?!
Kishin had a complacent look in his eyes as he simply held Ichigo's Zanpakuto off to the side. He then curled his middle finger and thumb together with his free hand bringing it near Ichigo's stunned and scared face.
"Hmpf." He huffed out in contempt and flicked.
BOOM!
The force of his flick sent Ichigo flying through the air and crashing into several giant boulders before falling to the ground. Ichigo's grip strength wasn't strong enough to keep hold of his Zanpakuto and so his sword was ripped free from his hands at Kishin's move. Kishin just tossed Ichigo's Zanpakuto to the side and once again said to Orihime, "Go heal him."
And once more Orihime healed Ichigo's wounds.
"Pick up your sword and come at me again."
Even though Kishin said those words, Ichigo simply stood unmoving from his spot. His legs and hands shook in fear.
Me? Kill him? Have him draw his sword? Won't attack an unarmed opponent? What the hell was I thinking before...there's no way I can fight him! What the hell is he? How can there be such a huge difference in our strengths?
Kishin frowned at Ichigo's trembling form in the distance. "So, this is it huh? This is the resolve you came to Soul Society with to save Hinamori and Rukia?"
BAM!
Without warning he blurred right next to Ichigo and slapped him so hard across the face that Ichigo was sent crashing into another rock.
"You thought you could do something with this measly amount of strength and willpower?!"
BAM!
Once again he slapped Ichigo around without letting up with every criticizing remark he made.
"You got scared just because you can't beat me?"
BAM!
"You thought you were some hot shit because of how fast you gained power didn't you?!"
BAM!
"Where's all your bravado now?!"
BAM!
"Where did your courage go?!"
BAM!
"Did you give up?!"
BAM!
"What a waste of Hinamori and Rukia's efforts!"
BAM!
"I don't see what Rukia sees in you."
BAM!
"You're worthless!"
BAM!
"Useless!"
BAM!
"If you can't respect the power that you gained then why come here at all?!"
BAM!
"If you can't even muster the courage to fight me right here and now then rip out your own power and just live as a Human brat!"
BAM!
"What did you obtain power for huh?!"
BAM!
"If your life didn't matter to Rukia then I'd have killed you by now!"
BAM!
"Tell me Ichigo? What were you thinking when you came here?"
BAM!
"What did you expect when you came here?"
BAM!
"Well let me be the one to break it to you."
BAM!
"You!"
BAM!
"Aren't!"
BAM!
"Anything!"
BAM!
"SPECIAL!"
BAM! BOOM!
Ichigo laid on the ground completely bloodied at this point. He was barely breathing and he was barely conscious. Kishin had effectively beat him til he was literally an inch away from death. Kishin scoffed and stared down at Ichigo's pitiful state and remarked, "This is your best? What a joke. Just lay there and die groveling and begging for whatever is left of your pathetic life to the very end. You can't even save yourself. Don't expect to save anyone else. I can't believe I wasted my time on you." He then turned and started walking away.
Orihime was shocked to the extreme. Everything happened so fast that she didn't have time to say a thing. She ran as fast as she could and shouted, "Soten Kisshun, I reject!"
Fwoosh!
Immediately an orange barrier enveloped Ichigo beginning the process of healing his injuries. Tears fell from her eyes non-stop as she knelt crying beside Ichigo's bloodied body repeating his name over and over and over again. His face was so swollen that he was unrecognizable. It was then that everyone else took notice of what happened.
"ICHIGO!" They all shouted.
Ishida immediately shot forth a blue arrow at Kishin, however Kishin simply caught it in his hand and squeezed. The arrow was instantly crushed turning into pure reishi particles. Ishida frowned and shot several tens of more arrows, however the moment any of the arrows came within ten feet of Kishin they were instantly crushed from the force of Kishin's reiatsu.
Sado attacked next as his right arm transformed into an armored black and magenta colored arm as he shouted, "El Directo!" A giant blue energy beam shot right for Kishin, however he simply stared indifferently at the attack and swatted it away off into the distance.
Before any of them could make another move, Yoruichi dashed between everyone and shouted, "ENOUGH!"
Everyone stopped in their tracks and stared at Yoruichi with unwillingness in their eyes.
"Yoruichi. Please move." Sado said in a commanding tone of voice.
Ishida fixed the glasses on his head and also said, "Yoruichi, I can tell from Ichigo's reiatsu that he seriously almost died. I won't tolerate this kind of behavior. He clearly meant to kill Kurosaki just now."
Yoruichi just shook her head and took a moment to stare Kishin in the eyes. She then let out a sigh and said, "Everyone, go back to training."
"What? But Yoru-"
"I said enough!" Yoruichi interjected, cutting everyone off. She then proceeded to explain. "I understand how you all must feel, but trust me. If Kishin truly intended to kill Ichigo then Ichigo would undoubtedly be dead right now. While Kishin's training method is...extremely harsh. There is a reason why he beat Ichigo to nearly an inch of his life."
WHAM!
It was then a large burst of reiatsu erupted from Ichigo's body. It was no weaker than a Lieutenants level of reiatsu. In mere seconds Ichigo crawled back up and stood on his own feet. His breathing was labored, but he otherwise had a more resolute look in his eyes. His body was no longer trembling in fear and his wounds had healed for the most part.
Kishin smirked and nodded in approval. "Well. It seems you finally understand what kind of resolve you need to have if you want to gain the power to protect the things you want to protect."
Ichigo gripped his chest feeling sore, but he nodded in confidence. "Yeah. I'm not going to give up."
Ishida and the others stared in shock at Ichigo's spike in reiatsu.
"H-How…" They all simply stared unbelievingly at the new development. They then looked to Yoruichi and then at Kishin before they all thought to themselves.
No way...Yoruichi was telling the truth? Kishin's method actually worked to bring out Ichigo's latent potential?
Yoruichi smirked at everyone's reaction. "See? While Kishin's method is harsh and cruel, it is the only method that can help Ichigo grow faster with the limited amount of time we have to work with. If you all understand that then get back to training. I said it before and I'll say it one more time. You can trust Kishin."
Two Days Later
Kishin was just returning to the 13th division barracks when he halted his steps and took note of Jushiro's worried facial expression.
"Captain!" He shouted as he ran over. "What's the matter?"
Jushiro felt his heart pounding within his chest as he struggled to give Kishin an answer. The look in his eyes were painful and anxious, but in the end he let out a sigh knowing that he needed to let Kishin know. "Shin-chan. Listen to me carefully. Rukia has been taken to the Senzaikyu."
WHAM!
A burst of reiatsu immediately rolled off of Kishin's body for several long seconds before he reigned in his emotions. A murderous look glossed over his eyes as he clenched his hands into fists. Jushiro felt his skin crawl from Kishin's little outrage and he immediately tried to calm Kishin down. "Shin-chan, take a deep breath. I won't let anything bad happen to Rukia."
Kishin gnashed his teeth and frowned. His thoughts were running through hundreds of different situations until he came to an understanding. In the end he asked Jushiro to explain the situation, though it came out as more of a low growl.
Jushiro sighed again and began to recount what happened. "The Ryoka that appeared two days ago haven't been found. They were able to defeat Jidanbo, the western gate keeper and survived an encounter with Captain Ichimaru. After that they disappeared. The west precinct of Rukongai has already been swept, but nothing was found. Captain Ichimaru was going to be punished by the Head Captain for letting the Ryoka escape, however Ichimaru informed everyone that the Ryoka were here for Hinamori. It's a known fact that these Ryoka were indeed close with Hinamori and was confirmed by the members of the Onmitsukido who had done reconnaissance in the World of the Living. One of the Ryoka was reported to have bright orange hair which was synonymous with the Human who received Hinamori's powers. In light of this Ichimaru's punishment was going to be even more severe."
Kishin clenched his hands even tighter, nearly drawing blood in his palms as he commented, "Let me guess. Before punishment was given Captain Ichimaru informed everyone that because Rukia also knew the Ryoka, she must be the one helping them escape detection from Soul Society, therefore she is being held prisoner in the Senzaikyu along with Hinamori."
Jushiro nodded in defeat. "That's right."
"But the Senzaikyu is a place only for prisoners on death row. Specifically prisoners meant to be executed by the Sokyoku."
Again Jushiro nodded. "That's right. Once this matter was brought to Central 46's attention they determined that due to Rukia's potential and very likely involvement in the Ryoka's invasion of Soul Society she is being treated as a criminal of the highest order. As you know Central 46 does not tolerate any rebellious behavior against the Soul Society. They have sentenced her to be executed alongside Hinamori 8 days from now."
Kishin's heart tensed up.
I need to see her!
He immediately began walking out of the division.
"Shin-chan wait! Where are you going?"
"There are things I need to do. And...I need to see Rukia. I need her to know that everything is going to be alright. I promised to protect her but...I...I-"
Jushiro quickly interjected seeing the pained look in Kishin's eyes and said encouragingly, "Shin-chan. Don't forget. We still have a plan which will work in favor of protecting Rukia as well as Hinamori."
Kishin nodded before dashing off.
Damn it! I should have left Ichigo and the others alone. If I simply let them run around the Seireitei then Aizen wouldn't focus his attention on Rukia. He probably guessed that the Ryoka's disappearance had something to do with me since I'm the only one who knows the truth about him. This is his way of saying that I shouldn't have overstepped my boundaries…
FWISH!
He appeared once more deep within the secret training ground beneath the Sokyoku Hill and slowly walked over to Yoruichi who was still in her cat form currently watching Ichigo and the others continue their training.
"Eh? Kishin, you're back already? You just left." She then noted the scowl on Kishin's face and frowned. "Did something happen?"
"There's a change in plans."
"Hm? What happened?"
"Rukia's been sentenced to be executed with Hinamori."
"WHA-!" Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at Kishin.
For a long while no one said a word or made a sound. It was Ichigo who finally broke the silence. Anger was shone all over his face as he marched over to Kishin and gripped him by the collar. "You! You said that she was safe! Why is she now being executed?!"
"Ichigo, hold on. Cal-" Yoruichi was interrupted as Kishin brushed Ichigo's hands off of his shirt. "She's being framed because you all disappeared."
"What are you talking about?" Everyone inquired in confusion.
"Soul Society has been searching for all of you for the last 2 days but came up empty. The only one who made contact with all of you was Ichimaru Gin."
"And?" Ichigo asked.
"He was going to be punished for letting you all live, but then he accused Rukia of being the one who helped you all escape detection from Soul Society. Now she's been imprisoned in the Senzaikyu and will be executed with Hinamori in 8 days."
"WHAT!" Everyone exclaimed once more.
Ichigo frowned and clenched his hands into fists. He then started walking towards the exit.
"Wait Ichigo! Where are you going?" Yoruichi shouted.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm going to go save both Momo and Rukia right now!"
"What? D-Don't be a fool! You haven't finished your training!"
"So what?! I can't just sit around and wait while they rot in a prison cell."
Yoruichi was about to retort, but Kishin placed his hand in front of her. "Wait, Yoruichi. This is for the best."
Yoruichi glanced questioningly up at Kishin. "What do you mean?"
Kishin then whispered back, "This actually works in our favor. You know as well as I do that Aizen is behind this."
Yoruichi frowned and nodded. "Yes. But why? What's his goal in doing this?"
"Isn't it obvious? He wants Ichigo and the others to run amok around Seireitei. It's all a game to him."
"A game? Doesn't he want the Hogyoku within Hinamori?"
"He does, but while he waits he wants to observe Ichigo's progress. You know the truth about Ichigo's birth don't you?"
"Tsk. Damn Sosuke. Then what? We simply go along with it? You said it yourself earlier. The others don't stand much of a chance running around in Seireitei."
Kishin shrugged his shoulders. "Not necessarily. The Captain's won't be on the move just yet. There's 8 days before the time of execution. In those 8 days Ichigo can become stronger the more he fights. I can't sit around and train him here anymore."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm still a Lieutenant. I need to give some semblance of my presence above ground pretending to search for the Ryoka."
Yoruichi gritted her teeth. "Then we just run around for 8 days?"
Kishin nodded. "That's right. Head towards the Senzaikyu and attempt to retrieve Rukia and Hinamori. Hide every so often to heal and conserve strength."
"We're essentially using Ichigo and the others as bait then huh?"
Kishin let out a sigh. "Yes and no. Think of it more as a risky way of training them. Split into two groups. Ichigo will be one group and the rest will move together. You keep track of Ichigo's movements and Yushiro will keep tabs on the others. That should ensure that no one will die. The Seireitei is huge and luckily the divisions don't really move as one cohesive military entity. With you and Yushiro guiding them you all should be able to avoid any major mishaps."
"Why don't we just keep them here and continue to train them like you suggested earlier? You already plan to destroy the Sokyoku. There's not really a point to follow through with the silent pressure that Aizen is putting on is there?"
"Tch. Normally no...but I can't rule out the possibility that the next person to be framed and thrown into the Senzaikyu would be Captain Ukitake or Toshiro. Maybe even Yushiro or Kinji. If any of them are forced to be imprisoned in the Senzaikyu then the final plan that involves them will be ruined. Right now Aizen doesn't know how or if we'll destroy the Sokyoku and he doesn't know that we have a plan to take Hinamori to the World of the Living. He also probably wouldn't expect that I would be the one to confront him and prevent him from chasing after. To ensure that none of the important pieces are out of line the role Ichigo and the others will play is to serve as a distraction from our overall plan."
"Oi! The hell are you two talking about over there?" Ichigo yelled by the exit.
Yoruichi let out a sigh ignoring Ichigo and nodded at Kishin. "I guess we're left with no choice. Very well. We'll do as you say."
Just as she got up to walk towards the others to explain the new plan, Kishin added, "Yoruichi-san. When you think Ichigo is ready, you should teach him how to unlock his Bankai."
Without waiting for a response he left the training ground and headed for the Senzaikyu.
"Rukia, I'm on my way. Just bear with the situation for a little longer."
MISC.
Well, things are set in motion. Aizen is being a real thorn in the side. Ichigo and Kishin's first real interaction wasn't all too friendly. Ichigo sure got a beating. What will Kishin and Aizen do now? What will become of Ichigo and the others? Will Kishin's ultimate plan to keep Hinamori away from Aizen work? How will Byakuya and Renji react to the new development? How is Rukia feeling right now? Until next chapter :)
RYOKA (Last, First):
1. Kurosaki Ichigo
2. Sado Yasutora
3. Ishida Uryu
4. Inoue Orihime
5. Shiba Ganju
6. Shihoin Yoruichi
Orihime's Power: Shun Shun Rikka (Six Flowers of the Hibiscus Shield): Sealed form is in the shape of a six flower petal hairpin on the side of her head.
1. Soten Kisshun (Twin Sacred Shield Return): Creates an orange barrier around her target reversing and rejecting an event that an object has experienced.
Uryu's Power: Quincy Techniques
1. Heilig Pfeil (Holy Arrow): Uryu draws in reishi from the surrounding area to create blue arrows that he can shoot at his targets.
Sado's Power: Right arm transforms into a black/magenta colored armored arm.
1. El Directo (The Direct): Fires a blast of concentrated spiritual energy as a mid/long range attack.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder