Chapter 9: Black Hole

As I walked away, I glanced back at Kisuke and said, "Come find me when they're about to leave for the Soul Society. I'll be training until then," dismissing his puzzled expression.

*Bang*

The sound of an object hitting the ground came from behind Kisuke.

Looking back Kisuke found Ichigo who was fine a second ago now on the ground unmoving.

Kisuke rushed over to Ichigo and began checking his pulse. "He's fine, just unconscious."

Then, Kisuke's expression shifted, a mischievous grin appearing on his face. He couldn't help but find the situation intriguing. Turning to glance in the direction Gremmy had walked, Kisuke muttered to himself, "Oh, how interesting you are, Gremmy."

Meanwhile, Gremmy, seemingly unfazed by the commotion, continued on his way back to his training spot.

*Achoo!!*

He suddenly sneezed loudly, prompting a bemused smile. "I wonder who's thinking about me; I hope it's a girl," he mused while wiping his nose.

[Around a month later]

I was standing within a nightmarish wasteland, bathed in a sea of crimson, but strangely devoid of lifeless bodies. My body was drenched in blood, and my labored breaths echoed through the desolation. It was an intoxicating feeling, the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I reveled in the thrill of battle.

Before me stood five white humanoid figures, eerie in their appearance with blank, featureless faces. Each of them possessed a sliver of my power, though it flickered dimly compared to my own. However, when these white figures synchronized their efforts, they became a formidable challenge, almost matching my abilities.

For an entire month, I had engaged in an unending duel with these enigmatic figures, a relentless dance of creation and destruction. There was no respite, no rest, just brief moments to recuperate my spent energy.

For a whole month, I created the white figures in front of me and then killed them in battle. Create, kill, create, kill, create, kill an endless battle.

In the midst of this ceaseless conflict, I sensed a familiar presence behind me. Without diverting my attention from the white figures, I knew it was Kisuke.

"So, it's about that time, Kisuke," I remarked removing my attention from the white figures.

"They leave tomorrow," Kisuke replied, his gaze fixed on the mysterious adversaries. He adopted a playful tone and continued, "Oh, didn't know we had guests. Mind telling me who they are?"

"They're my creations," I replied between heavy breaths, "and they're meant to aid in my training."

"How interesting. Can I watch from a distance?" Kisuke inquired.

"Be my guest," I replied before turning my attention back towards the white figures.

After turning around to face the white figures

They immediately started to attack.

The five figures working in sync, all created different elemental attacks and sent them in my direction.

In response I made the attacks disappear like they never existed just for them a moment later to appear in front of me aimed at the white figures.

The elemental attacks now aimed at the white figures flew at them with even for ferocity than they did at me.

Reacting swiftly, three of the white figures formed a dark, obsidian shield to protect themselves from the returning onslaught while concealing their next move from me. Simultaneously, two of them materialized on either side of me, brandishing menacing swords, poised to strike.

While looking at the black shield two figures appeared on either side of me with swords in their hands. They both swung at the same time intending to kill me.

Instinctively, I leaped back to avoid their lethal blades, aware that a direct hit would be difficult to recover from given my depleted energy. But at that moment, I threw caution to the wind.

I didn't know if it was my lack of energy or the fact, that I hadn't stopped fighting for a month straight, I gritted my teeth as I decided to throw all rationality out the window.

'I couldn't lose to my creations' I thought.

'I'll take it up a notch then.'

The inky shield they had erected vanished, revealing the other three white figures. They seemed on the verge of conjuring something new when they abruptly froze in place.

I stopped all the time around them. Giving me time to make my move.

My palms came together with a thunderous clap that resonated throughout the gruesome wasteland, signaling the release of an overwhelming surge of energy. The power I was amassing grew exponentially.

Kisuke on the sidelines after feeling the energy immediately decided to take a step back.

Kisuke's mind raced with a sense of déjà vu. "This feels like the first time I halted his training," he reflected, his concern deepening. "If he unleashes this, not only will this underground area vanish, but the city above and possibly much more could be obliterated. I need to stop him."

I slowly stretched his hands apart, and as I did, a nightmarish transformation unfolded. Blood poured from every opening on my head, mouth, eyes, ears, and nose, creating a horrifying visage. A wide, manic grin carved onto my face amid the bleeding orifices, painting a chilling picture reminiscent of a horror movie.

As I began to separate my hands, five ominous black spheres manifested, exerting a gravitational pull that devoured everything in their vicinity, even light itself. I spoke to the white figures as if they were sentient, though they remained unresponsive.

"Do you know what these are?" I asked, my voice carrying an otherworldly tone. "They consume entire worlds, universes even. Nothing escapes their grasp. Even time bends before this anomaly,"

"The strongest known anomaly,"

"A Black Hole."

As I prepared to unleash the devastating power of the black holes, intending to obliterate my creations, a sudden, unexpected chop to the back of my neck rendered me powerless. I had expended all my remaining energy, and consciousness slipped away as an arm caught me.

He couldn't do anything about it as he used all his remaining energy. His consciousness slowly faded as an arm caught him.

"Never be near him when he's pushed to his limits, noted," Kisuke admonished, hoisting my unconscious form. He turned toward the white figures, his expression resolute. "Alright, you can go ahead and make yourselves disappear; you're no longer needed."

With a nod of acknowledgment, the white figures disintegrated into ashes, their purpose fulfilled. Kisuke sighed as he surveyed the chaotic aftermath, the damage, and the sea of blood.

"What a mess," he muttered.

...Next Day...

I woke up with a satisfying stretch and a yawn. "That was a good night's sleep," I remarked to myself.

As I shook off my morning stupor, I realized I was no longer underground, briefly confused before recalling recent events.

'Should I consider adding that I lose my rationality when I reach my limit as another weakness?' I pondered privately.

The door adjacent to me suddenly swung open. "Oh, you're awake. I came to wake you because everyone is ready to leave, but it seems I didn't need to," Kisuke stated.

Taking in the familiar figure, I apologized, "Sorry about yesterday. I didn't realize that when I run out of energy, I lose all rationality."

Kisuke waved off my concerns. "Don't worry about it. It's not that big of a deal. But now that you're awake, they can finally leave. Meet you downstairs," he said before closing the door.

Glancing at my attire, I noticed my Quincy clothes were torn. With a casual thought, they were mended once more.

I rose to my feet and teleported to the underground training area. Upon arrival, I spotted a massive rectangular structure in the distance. In front of it stood Ichigo, Uryu, Chad, and Orihime, engaged in conversation with a black cat resting on Ichigo's shoulder.

Approaching them, Ichigo finally noticed my presence and inquired, "Hey, Gremmy, where have you been for a whole month?" with genuine concern.

"Yeah, we were worried about you," Orihime added, while Chad simply nodded, and Uryu remained silent.

"I was training, just like you guys," I replied.

"Training? Aren't you already very strong?" Ichigo questioned.

"Yeah, but I'm still not satisfied," I responded as the black cat hopped from Ichigo's shoulder to mine.

Yoruichi interjected, "Alright, you two, you can continue your small talk when we get to the Soul Society."

"Wait, Gremmy, you don't look surprised by Yoruichi," Orihime observed.

"We've met before," I casually explained.

Kisuke joined our group, noting, "Oh, you got here before me."

"Just set up the gate or whatever it is already," I urged, petting the soft black cat on my shoulder.

Kisuke gave me a knowing look before explaining, "This gate is a particle conversion machine," then struck Ichigo with his cane, sending Ichigo's soul reaper form out of his body.

Ichigo, now irritated, exclaimed, "Hey, what was that for, old man?"

With a small chuckle, Kisuke continued, "This machine converts you guys into spiritual bodies, like Ichigo here," gesturing to Ichigo. He then adopted a more serious tone. "I can only give you four minutes. You must make it to the Soul Society within that time, or you'll be stuck in the Dangai forever."

Ichigo, visibly frustrated, asked, "What do you mean we only have four minutes, and what is the Dangai?"

Yoruichi chimed in, "The Dangai is the precipice between the Soul Society and other realms. If you get stuck in there, there's no getting you out. So, I recommend that once you go in, always go forward and don't hesitate for even a second."

"Alright, since your questions are answered, let's get this show on the road," Kisuke declared, moving to one side of the enormous gate, with Tessai on the other side.

"See you when you come back," Kisuke bid farewell, placing both his hands on the ground.

A blinding flash enveloped us, and we were sucked into the gate.