[Soul Society Arc] Part 79: Clash of Principles

The captain of the 9th Division placed his hand on his zanpakutō's hilt and drew the blade, stopping short of fully unsheathing it.

Tōsen: "Cry, Suzumuchi."

Hearing Tōsen's command, Yato reacted swiftly. He started conjuring a multitude of crimson threads, weaving them into a dense barrier around himself. These threads seemed to hum with energy, creating a protective cocoon. Yato didn't bother making them invisible; instead, he focused on reinforcing the density of the barrier, knowing it was his best defense against the blind captain's unique abilities.

The captain's zanpakutō produced a high-pitched tone, its sound echoing throughout the area. This unique ringing was generated by the vibrations of Suzumushi. Yato, behind his dense web of red threads, felt the sound vibrating in his chest, but the barrier effectively muffled most of the noise, keeping him safe from the zanpakutō's effects.

Tōsen: "Excellent reaction... but it will only make things worse for you. I wished I didn't have to hurt you unnecessarily and could take you in for questioning." - His voice remained calm, yet there was a sense of conviction in his tone as he mentioned avoiding unnecessary harm.

Swiftly, he employed Shunpō, the art of flash step, using his remarkable speed to dart in various directions. Yato had ingeniously used the threads from his barrier to create a web of attacks from multiple angles, attempting to catch the captain off guard.

The red threads, carefully woven by Yato's skillful hands, swirled through the air like an intricate dance, as he aimed to ensnare Captain Tōsen. Tōsen, showing an impressive display of agility and reflexes, deftly sidestepped and evaded the dangerous web of threads.

Yato harnessed the power of Bringer Light, which surged through him, increasing his velocity exponentially. With a burst of supernatural speed, he lunged towards Tōsen, wielding his zanpakutō with precision and focus.

But in a swift and decisive motion, Captain Tōsen intercepted the strike, locking his own zanpakutō with Yato's blade. The clash reverberated with an intense, metallic resonance as their blades met.

After their blades clashed, both combatants swiftly leaped backward, creating some distance between them.

Tōsen: "Trying to reason with you would be futile. You leave me with no other choice."

However, Yato seemed to be in deep thought, his focus entirely on planning his next move, as he engaged in a silent mental dialogue with his Fullbring spirit, Cheshire. Captain Tōsen's words seemed to fall on deaf ears as Yato concentrated on his next strategic approach.

Yato: 'What a pain! Running into Tōsen of all people... Anything new I try, and he'll report it straight to Aizen... Cheshire, can you do me a favor?'

Cheshire: 'What's it gonna be?'

Yato: 'I'm gonna need you to make some adjustments to that Gigai you picked up for me.' - He thought with a touch of frustration and concern.

Cheshire: 'Well... the less you use those threads, the faster I can get it done... Can you handle it?'

Yato: 'I think I can...'

Suddenly, Tōsen leaped high into the air, positioning himself above Yato, spinning his zanpakutō, Suzumuchi, around him in a semi-circle.

The teenager quickly recognized the next technique the captain would employ and began channeling the green energy of his Fullbring around his zanpakutō.

Yato: 'One of Tōsen's advantages is his incredibly acute hearing, capable of picking up even subtle movements like the rustle of fabric... but having such heightened senses has its drawbacks...' - He contemplated as he readied himself for the forthcoming exchange.

As Yato saw Tōsen's movement creating hundreds of sharp blades, he reacted with swift action, swinging his zanpakutō while muttering.

Yato: "Zankyosanka..."

As he prepared to release the green Reiryoku through the slash of his zanpakutō, something unexpected happened. The energy around him swiftly transformed into blazing red flames, moving rapidly towards Captain Tōsen. Shock and surprise were visible on the captain's face as the crimson energy relentlessly headed towards him.

Tōsen: "Suzumuchi Nishiki: Benihikō!"

The captain found himself in an unexpected predicament as the energy slash hurtled towards him, but what he couldn't anticipate was the sudden transformation of the oncoming strike. The slashing energy became that was cloaked in a vivid, raging fire, instantly engulfing the very blades he had conjured. The result was a spectacular explosion, which, aside from its fiery brilliance, filled the air with a deafening roar that echoed like a grand fireworks display, leaving Tōsen momentarily obscured within the blazing turmoil.

After the massive explosion, Tōsen landed swiftly at a considerable distance from Yato. The captain, despite being caught in the blast, bore only a few burns on his body, displaying a surprising level of resilience compared to his lieutenant. However, Yato quickly noticed a more significant issue. He saw blood trickling from the captain's ears, a troubling sign of damage to his hearing. This visual cue didn't go unnoticed by Yato, who realized he had managed to inflict a substantial blow to Tōsen's senses.

**

After receiving medical treatment from Hanatarō, Ichigo managed to recover in just one night and woke up feeling much better, ready to continue his mission. It wasn't long before Ganju woke up as well, following Hanatarō's healing.

The trio spent a few minutes chatting, discussing their plans and the challenges ahead. They knew they needed to ascend the stairway and venture further into the heart of Seireitei, specifically toward Senzaikyū, where Rukia was held captive.

Ganju: "It's strange that there are no guards around here after yesterday's battle. They probably think the enemy won't return so soon."

Ichigo: "I guess."

Ganju: "Hey... I wonder if the others are okay... the guy in the white cape and glasses and the cutie-pie with the chestnut hair."

Ichigo: "Cutie-pie? No one talks like that anymore." - he said, raising an eyebrow and letting out a small grin, clearly amused. - "Are you talking about Ishida and Inoue? Those two are way smarter than me. They won't go around picking fights with someone stronger. They should be fine."

Hanatarō: "But what about Yato-san? He separated from us during Ichigo-san's battle..." - His voice was filled with concern.

Instead of giving a direct response, Ichigo gazed at the stairs for a moment. After a few seconds, he began speaking without looking in the direction of Ganju and Hanatarō.

Ichigo: "He's probably fine..." - He scratched the back of his head, his brow furrowed in thought. - "If there's one thing I've learned about him, it's that he's pretty sneaky." - Ichigo's tone revealed both a hint of frustration and a grudging respect for Yato's cunning.

Ganju: "I don't think that's a reason not to worry about that skinny guy." - he said with a serious tone, his brows furrowed in concern.

Ichigo: "When Rukia was taken, I was defeated, unable to do anything. Yato appeared and said he'd protect Rukia." - he began suddenly. - "But he let her go without a fight. I remember being really mad at him that day."

There was a mix of frustration and disappointment in his voice as he recalled that moment. Ichigo's eyebrows furrowed as he spoke.

Ichigo: "When I was recovering, they told me that Yato's reason for not doing anything was that he claimed to be a coward, and that just didn't make any sense to me." - He paused for a moment, his expression a mix of frustration and confusion. - "He had already been gravely injured once to protect Rukia from a Hollow, so I couldn't see him as someone afraid..."

Ichigo leaned back, crossing his arms as he looked into the distance. His frustration was replaced by a contemplative expression, and he began to speak with a mix of annoyance and newfound understanding.

Ichigo: "But... then I realized something when I fought him once," - he began, his voice tinged with both irritation and intrigue. - "He kept saying that I was stronger than him, even though he managed to outsmart me with a bunch of annoying tricks." - He smirked as he recollected the memories. - "That's when I understood what he meant."

Ichigo's gaze seemed distant, as if reliving that moment.

Ichigo: "It's not that Yato is a scaredy-cat, well, maybe he's a scaredy-cat... but... he claims to be a coward because he'll do whatever it takes to win, even if he has to play dirty. So, if he encounters someone strong, be it a lieutenant or a captain, if he's decided to stay and fight, it means that somehow he knows he's going to win. He won't engage in a fight if there's the slightest chance of defeat for him."

Ganju and Hanataro exchanged looks of understanding for a brief moment, partially realizing why Ichigo wasn't concerned about Yato.

Ganju: "All right, but what about the other two? The spiky-haired girl and the buff guy, Chad or whatever?" - He asked, furrowing his brows and giving an inquisitive look.

Ichigo: "There's even less reason to worry about them," - Ichigo replied with an air of confidence, crossing his arms in a relaxed manner.

Ganju: "What?! You don't even know if they're alive!" - Ganju expressed his anxiety, his hands gesturing in the air in a dramatic manner.

Ichigo: "They're alive. I can feel it." - Ichigo said with a serious look on his face, appearing introspective. - "I've been sensing their reiatsu since we landed in Seireitei." - he continued, closing his eyes for a moment to concentrate. - "Tatsuki has been training since she was a child and was already considered the strongest girl in Japan before gaining powers... as for Chad..." - Ichigo paused, his expression softening as he searched for the right words. - "I can't even imagine Chad losing."

**

Chad had his arm extended after delivering a powerful punch that landed squarely on a Shinigami's face. The impact shattered the Shinigami's sunglasses and sent him tumbling across the ground.

Chad's arm had taken on its familiar black and magenta armored form. He looked down at the defeated Shinigami with an air of stoic indifference, his brows furrowed slightly as if deep in thought. He flexed his armored fingers, feeling the residual energy from the punch.

Meanwhile, Tatsuki shot a glance at Chad, a hint of annoyance in her expression. She was surrounded by fallen Shinigami, her stance strong and defiant.

Tatsuki: "Geez... despite that guy being a lieutenant, you took him down with just one punch..." - She commented, her voice tinged with a mix of astonishment and amusement, while letting out an impressed whistle. - "You could've at least let him say his zanpakutō's name." - she mumbled, a hint of playfulness in her words, as she observed the lieutenant from the 7th Division lying defeated.

Chad: "He did..."

Tatsuki: "He did? What was the name, and what's its power?" - Tatsuki asked with genuine curiosity, her eyes shining with intrigue, eager to learn more.

Chad: "...I didn't pay attention..." - He responded in his usual calm and reserved manner, his face a picture of tranquility, despite the chaos around them.

When the duo was about to leave the area, a figure leaped toward them with astonishing speed. The ground cracked beneath the feet of the towering Shinigami who had blocked Tatsuki and Chad's path.

For the first time, Tatsuki and Chad felt a slight unease because the Shinigami was adorned with a captain's haori, while his arms were concealed by armor, and he wore a Komuso hat, hiding his face.

Komamura: "You shall not leave this place." - Komamura's voice boomed with authority and determination as he addressed Tatsuki and Chad, leaving no room for negotiation.