[Soul Society Arc] Part 93: Dragon's Resolve

While Yato and Tatsuki distanced themselves from the Sōkyoku Hill, Ichigo and Byakuya continued their battle, exchanging powerful blows that shattered parts of the rocky terrain.

As the tension between Ichigo and Byakuya escalated, the clash of their zanpakutōs echoed through Sōkyoku Hill, creating an intense atmosphere. Byakuya, maintaining his composed demeanor, analyzed Ichigo's movements with a calculating gaze.

Byakuya: "I see. So, you've also mastered the art of Shunpō. Still…"

Ichigo: "You really are a cool one, aren't you? Analyzing me as if I'm not a threat." - He interrupted with a confident tone. - "You said you'd kill me, but you haven't even scratched me. Is this all you've got?" - A smirk played on Ichigo's face. - "Just show me your Bankai already."

Ichigo confronted Byakuya with fiery determination, his eyes reflecting both anger and resolve.

Ichigo: "Before, you said you'd kill me and then personally execute Rukia…"

Byakuya: "So?" - He said unfazed, only narrowed his eyes slightly.

Ichigo: "You make me sick! I'm gonna end you using everything I've got. I'm gonna crush…every last one of your powers." - His voice resonated with a firm determination. - "Executing your own sister? That's twisted. I don't give a damn about your sense of duty or honor. I won't let you spew that nonsense in front of Rukia ever again."

Byakuya remained stoic, his posture unchanged.

Byakuya: "Talk is cheap, boy…No matter what you say, my mind won't change. Neither will…both your fates." - He spoke with a calm confidence. - "Want to see my Bankai? Don't be absurd. I don't need to use my Bankai on someone like you…not in a thousand years…"

The captain maintained his composure, subtly repositioning his zanpakutō.

Byakuya: "Scatter, Senbonzakura."

The blade of Byakuya's zanpakutō emitted a rosy glow, unfolding into a mesmerizing display of a thousand tiny, slender blade fragments. These fragments gracefully departed from the hilt, creating an illusion of cherry blossom petals in motion, carried by an unseen breeze.

As the ethereal petals cascaded toward Ichigo, the young man responded with a resolute swing of his huge zanpakutō. The blade cleaved through the air, generating a radiant beam of light that intercepted and dispersed the delicate petals of Senbonzakura. In the aftermath, the beam came dangerously close to Byakuya, resulting in a swift and precise cut across the captain's left hand.

Byakuya's stoic expression wavered for a moment, replaced by a brief widening of his eyes, betraying a flicker of surprise at the unexpected turn of events.

Byakuya: "But what was that beam of light…?" - He inquired, returning to his stoic demeanor. - "Is this the power of your zanpakutō…Ichigo Kurosaki?"

Ichigo: "Yeah. At the moment of the attack…It consumes my spiritual energy…and fires a super high concentration reiatsu from the tip of my blade. Then the attack…is magnified and discharged." - He smirked - "That's the power of Zangetsu." - He rested the zanpakutō on his shoulder. - "I could never do it on my own…until today. Urahara-san told me that all he could do was find 'the proper state of mind'...but then I realized…that the only one who could teach me about Zangetsu…was Zangetsu himself…that attack is called…Getsuga Tenshō."

**

Tatsuki and Soi Fon continued their lightning-fast exchange of punches and kicks, their movements creating a blur in the air. The intensity of their confrontation filled the surroundings with an electric tension.

Soi Fon: 'Why is this happening?' - Frustration etched across her face as she grappled with the unexpected strength of the teenage fighter. - 'She's not supposed to be on par with me! How does she anticipate every move?'

Gritting her teeth, Soi Fon stole a quick glance at Yoruichi, momentarily diverting her focus. Seizing this opportunity, Tatsuki capitalized with a swift punch to Soi Fon's face, exploiting the split-second distraction. The impact resonated with the conflict's ferocity.

Tatsuki: "I don't know what your issue is with sensei, but let that go and focus on our fight!" - She shouted at the captain, her voice fueled by determination. Soi Fon, seething with anger, retaliated with a powerful punch to Tatsuki's stomach.

Soi Fon: "Shut up!! You have no idea what I've been through!! I dedicated my life to that coward just for her to abandon me!!" - Her voice carried a mix of bitterness and betrayal as she unleashed her frustration through each word.

Soi Fon landed another punch on Tatsuki, this time aiming for the girl's face. Tatsuki grunted in pain but maintained her defiant gaze, a mix of resilience and challenge in her eyes.

Tatsuki: "So what then?! You played the victim all these years without even confronting her?! The only coward here is you!" - She retorted, her words cutting through the tension of their intense confrontation.

The furious exchange of blows continued at a breathtaking speed, the combatants moving like fleeting shadows. Yoruichi, with a visibly uneasy expression, couldn't help but observe the intense confrontation.

Yoruichi: "Soi Fon..."

In the midst of the heated clash, Tatsuki and Soi Fon distanced themselves once more, locking eyes from a considerable distance. Soi Fon's face bore the marks of the fierce battle—bruises adorned her features, and blood trickled from her mouth and nose. Tatsuki, equally battered, displayed cuts on her limbs, and five butterfly-shaped marks scattered across her body served as a testament to the impact of Suzumebachi's strikes.

Soi Fon: "Your stubbornness only gave me more targets to hit." - She sneered at Tatsuki, her eyes narrowing with contempt. - "These marks are the Hōmonka... they appear every time I strike a target. My Suzumebachi's ability is death in two strikes... just hitting any of these marks again will end your futile efforts!"

The captain lunged at Tatsuki, her movements fueled by frustration, aiming to strike the mark on her face. Tatsuki, however, displayed remarkable agility, smoothly tilting her head to the side and avoiding the lethal blow.

Frustration etched across Soi Fon's face, she launched another attack, determined to hit other mark. Yet, Tatsuki's agile movements effortlessly evaded the captain's every attempt.

Soi Fon attacked once more, but this time, to the captain's astonishment, Tatsuki caught her wrist with one hand.

Tatsuki: "You're so obsessed with trying to prove yourself that you haven't even noticed you're repeating your moves over and over. Against someone like me, you're just making it easier to defeat you."

She released the captain, who remained incredulous.

Tatsuki: "My powers are pretty straightforward... they simply enhance my focus... I didn't even bother naming them... but a friend changed my perspective." - She smiled - "He insisted that when something has a name and gains identity... it also gains power."

# FLASHBACK #

Tatsuki: "A name, huh? Something that reflects who I am and what I can become." - She muttered to herself.

Yato: "Something along those lines; after all, in one way or another, our powers come from our souls... so as 'weird' as they may be, they end up being a reflection of us." - He spoke calmly.

Tatsuki: "My powers enhance my focus, and I get scales..." - She shrugged. - "What would it be? Super Dragon Mode?"

Yato: "...For the love of God..." - Yato chuckled at Tatsuki's suggestion. - "Super Dragon Mode? Sounds like a Saturday morning cartoon power-up. But hey, if it works for you..." - He smirked.

Tatsuki rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a small smile. The banter between them lightened the mood, even in the midst of their intense surroundings.

Tatsuki: "Well, it's not like I had a committee to name my powers. And speaking of which, what about you, Yato? Any flashy titles for your abilities?"

Yato: "Well, my zanpakutō comes from shinigami powers, so using a better example... you know the threads I create? Imagine that my powers work in a similar way to Inoue-san's. My power is 'alive,' so to speak."

Tatsuki: "What do you mean?"

Yato: "Imagine Inoue-san, who summons those fairy-like beings, my power manifests in the form of a lively red cat composed entirely of threads. Just like Inoue-san's Shun Shun Rikka, my power has a name, but I call it Cheshire." - He explained, a faint smile playing on his lips as he visualized his unique ability. - "I prefer to keep it simple. Catchy, right?" - He winked.

For a brief moment, Tatsuki widened her eyes, a subtle revelation crossing her features. She didn't immediately respond, and Yato seemed oblivious to her internal realization until she discreetly gave a knowing smile.

Tatsuki: 'I knew it...' - She glanced at Yato. - "Heh...Yeah, catchy like elevator music." - She smile. - "Thank you..." - She suddenly spoke, her expression a mix of gratitude and understanding.

Yato: "For what?"

Tatsuki: "Never mind." - She smirked, her eyes still closed, hiding the depth of her thoughts. - "Why don't you suggest a name for my powers then?"

Yato: "Well... let me think... for someone like you, I think a simple name would work. I mean, you're as protective of others as Ichigo... you're literally... focused, almost like an inner spark... and those dragon-like traits emerging... It's not that you look like a dragon, but you have the essence, you know?" - He tried to explain, choosing his words carefully.

Tatsuki: "Hmm, I think I get it. Like I'm transforming into something more... powerful?"

Yato: "Yeah, like this huge... I don't know... Guardian? A dragon that's always watching over others... how about... "

# FLASHBACK - End #

Tatsuki: "Hibana Seiryū..." [火花青龍, Azure Dragon's Spark]

The two locked eyes in silence, an intense exchange that seemed to speak louder than the words about to unfold. After a moment, Tatsuki broke the silence.

Tatsuki: "I really don't understand what you've been through all these years..." - She said, furrowing her brow slightly, trying to grasp the essence beyond the words. - "But it's so obvious that you've dedicated your entire life thinking only about Yoruichi-sensei..." - Her eyes conveyed a mix of compassion and bewilderment, while her voice took on a firm tone, underscoring the seriousness of the matter. - "I'm also very grateful to my friend, Yato... after all, it's thanks to him that I got these powers." - As she spoke about Yato, Tatsuki subtly raised her eyebrows, as if recalling significant moments. - "And I could become even stronger to help my friends whenever they need me." - Her fists clenched slightly, a visual demonstration of the commitment she felt. - "But that doesn't mean I'll kiss the ground he walks on." - She took a step forward, emphasizing her independence. - "If he needs me, I'll be there... if he messes up, I'll punch some sense into him until he does right." - A determined smile appeared on her face.

Soi Fon's gaze intensified, her eyes narrowing and fists tightening in response to the girl's words.

Tatsuki: "It's alright to wanna fight for others... but you gotta fight for yourself too, Senpai!"