13 Soul Society Arc (6)
"You're leaving?" The orange-haired boy asked. His whole body was riddled with many holes and large scares, blood had long clogged itself on it.
Renji looked towards Ichigo and nodded, "Aah, I've already learned my Banaki so I'll be leaving."
He had come here, following Ichigo's spiritual pressure, for the sole reason to learn his Bankai.
After the fight with Ichigo last time, he had already reached the stage of materialization. All he needed was the submission of his sword and that he did. After all, his sword never really denied him.
Ichigo nodded, "Then let's meet again… but this time," he looked towards Renji and smirked, "We will be saving Rukia!"
Renji answered with his own smirk.
His eyes, as he turned around to leave, landed on the most relaxed people in this whole training ground - Masato, Mamako, and Est.
They sat at one peaceful side of the training ground while enjoying their time together. It didn't feel like they were in a training ground at all, but more like they were here for a picnic and this was the public support.
It really made Renji wonder how this white-haired kid was able to even or even surpass his captain in speed. Since he knew that his captain was one of the best masters of shunpo in Soul Society.
"Don't worry about him," Looking at the trio of Masato, Mamako, and Est, Yoruichi said, "If someone has the most chance of saving Rukia then it is him and his mother."
Even though she was reluctant, she had to believe that the amount of power Mamako displayed during her fight with Toshiro, she would have a hard time or might even get defeated by her.
So, she knew that Mamako was strong, definitely stronger than her in her prime.
Renji was doubtful but he still nodded.
He again looked back at Ichigo, who was fighting with Zangetsu and asked, "He will be alright, right, Yoruichi-san?"
There was not much time left before the execution, maybe not even two hours. Renji thought that it was impossible to learn Bankai in that short span of time.
It might be even harder to do than normal practice for a decade!
"He is one of the strangest people I've seen so far, so you don't need to worry about him," Yoruichi nodded, "But even though I say that… in the end, it all depends on him."
Renji remained silent before he turned around and left the training ground.
Seeing him leaving, Yoruichi sighed and looked back at Ichigo. There was not much time left before the execution. If Ichigo is not able to learn Bankai in the given time, then he might have to stay back and leave everything else to Masato, Mamako, and Yoruichi.
After all, the fight from here on out would include captain-level powerhouses only. One mistake and it might lead to your death.
'And the matter with Aizen is still unclear. It is sure that he started all of this for 'that' but why does he need to orchestrate his death? If he wanted, he could have taken 'that' directly.'
Her mind was filled with many thoughts making her judgment muddy. She shook her to clear her mind. She didn't need to think about it right now. For now, she should focus on materializing Zangetsu.
'Even if he is on something else, it's not like I can do anything currently.'
That was also true.
Aizen's sword was tricky. It might be the trickiest sword Yoruichi has ever encountered - Complete Hypothesis! An ability to completely dominate the five senses of a living being and throw them in an overpowered illusion.
Even if it's her peak with Urahara to help, it was still impossible to defeat Aizen.
'But if something unexpected happens…'
She looked towards the white-haired kid. He was the biggest ambiguity in this 'war' or if it can be called one. Even she, his companion and his… woman, had a hard time seeing through him.
For Yoruichi, Masato was even more mysterious than Aizen and she was sure that it was the same for Urahara who has been investigating him since they met.
She looked back towards Ichigo, 'And he is also a factor that might be helpful in taking down Aizen. But for now, he needs to pass this hurdle first.'
---
Sigh*
Rukia didn't know how many times it had been, she sighed.
It already has been four days since Masato said that he has come here to save her with others. She still had doubts about all of this but she can't really do anything about it except sit and wait for him to come.
Playing with the dagger in her hands, an unconscious smile formed on her face.
'Idiot…'
It might be the only word she could think of currently. After all, who would jump into a lion den to save a girl just because he wanted her hand in marriage even when the girl adamantly denied it?
Creak*
Hearing a little screech from the door of her prison, Rukia hurriedly hid the dagger in her clothes.
Different people wearing execution clothing that hid their faces started to enter the prison, surrounding Rukia, who looked at them with an expressionless face.
"Kuchiki Rukia, your date of execution has been changed. Get ready. We are moving to Sōkyoku Hill, your place of execution."
With close to no emotional fluctuations, the executioner announced her death with a passive face.
Rukia's body tensed. She didn't know her date of execution had been changed. Worse, it is happening already!
Fear started to bubble in her heart, thinking about her death. No matter who it is, they will be afraid of death, right? Maybe some don't, but they all are special cases.
Not everyone can be one, unafraid of their death.
'Will Masato come?'
Her doubt started to increase. If it was before, then she might have thought he had a chance. He might be gathering everyone. But now? Since time has changed, they would not even know it.
'No… I've to just believe in him.'
She clenched her fists tightly.
The executioners seem to have nothing to do with her inner feelings as they emotionlessly placed constraints on her neck, hands, and legs.
"We will be moving Kuchiki Rukia to Sōkyoku Hill for the execution now." Again with their monotonous voice, they said.
As Rukia was crossing the bridge between the Seireitei tower, her body stagnated as she looked at her left. From there, she could feel the spiritual pressure that was familiar to her.
It was feeble, probably due to Rukia's messed spiritual perception due to being in Seireitei for so long, but she could feel it. What's more…
"It is getting weaker and weaker!"
Rukia's eyes widened with horror. After all, she could feel her brother's spiritual pressure mixed with Renji.
"Why is Renji fighting Nii-sama!?" She shouted with worry barely hidden from her voice, "And his spiritual pressure… it is fading…"
At this rate, Renji will die. It was already a miracle that he was alive.
"Hello there, Kuchiku-san~," a playful voice distracted her attention from feeling the spiritual pressure on the speaker.
At the other side of the bridge stood the person with whom Rukia was fairly familiar. He stood there with his same shit-eating grin as his silver hair swayed in the air - Ichimaru Gin!
"Captain Gin…" Rukia's face paled further, seeing him. She gritted her teeth and stopped her body from barely hidden trembling and asked, "Why are you here?"
"How many times do I've to say this, Kuchiki-san," Gin said while appearing in front of Rukia, "You shouldn't be disrespectful to a captain. How can you call me by my name?"
Rukia's body tensed, seeing him this close to her.
She never liked him, neither when she met him for the first time nor now. She always had this feeling of danger whenever she was with him that made her stay away from him as much as possible.
But it doesn't seem to be the option here.
"What is with that face? You are making me sad," He said with mirth in his voice, obviously enjoying the situation.
Smirking, he looked towards the west side and said, "Oya, if this isn't Renji-san. He seems to be dying." He looked towards the pale Rukia and continued, "I've heard that he ran away from the prison and concluded with Ryokas. Captain Kuchiki seems to have punished him though."
The black-haired girl's body trembled, hearing what Gin said.
"Do you want to run away?" Suddenly, he looked towards Rukia and asked, "If I want, I can probably free you and run away, right?"
"Captain Ichimaru!"
"You can't!"
The executioners were startled and hurriedly said.
Rukia was the same as she looked towards the gently smiling Gin with surprise. A little hope rising. After all, even with what Masato said there was barely a 10% chance of surviving if they were to appear in front of the captains; especially Yamamoto.
If a captain were to help her, her chance of surviving and their chance of surviving may be better. But before she could say anything, Gin replied to his own sentence.
"Just kidding!" His smirk widening, he looked back at Rukia while saying with ridiculousness in his voice, "You didn't think that I would do that, right? You shouldn't let baseless hope rise, Kuchiki-san."
Drip*
A drop of blood drips on the ground, flowing out of Rukia's mouth as she bites her lower lip hard. Her face was down, looking at the ground, not daring to look towards Gin.
He seemed to enjoy the suffering he was seeing as he said, "Then I'll take my leave, Kuchiki-san. I hope we meet again."
With words that shouldn't make sense with how she was about to be executed, Gin said and left.
Rukia stood rooted at her place with fear in her heart. Her hands were clenched tightly, her eyes a little hazy, 'Masato…'
"Let's go." Pulling the constraints attached to her neck, they pulled her and started to walk in the direction of the Sōkyoku Hill. Throughout the way, Rukia didn't raise her head and followed after them silently.
---
Sōkyoku Hill was an iconic, large, rocky mesa located at the center of Seireitei in Soul Society, where it is overlooked by the Senzaikyū.
A long halberd was sealed at the top of it, in front of a big stand. This halberd, Sōkyoku, was used to execute Shinigami who have severely broken a law.
It is said that Sōkyoku had power and defense equal to that of a million Zanpakuto's and when it successfully pierce its target, this power increased by tenfold making it not only kill its victim but even vaporize their soul!
This weapon, no matter who would definitely love to have it, no? After all…
"An Anti-Country Level Noble Phantasm…"
A silent whisper left the mouth of the white-haired boy as he looked at the big standing halberd with greed visible in his eyes.
If someone asked if he wanted this weapon or not, then Masato would simply say "Is that a question?" After all, a weapon that can unleash a power to even destroy a country, who would say no to it?
"Since I am here, I'll happily accept it." With a grin that would lose no less to Gin, Masato said.
'You can't… master. I am stronger than that crappy halberd…'
Masato smiled helplessly but he didn't deny it. After all, Est was an ever-growing weapon. As long as he is strong, she will be strong. If he poured enough mana into her, it would not be hard to destroy a world let alone a country.
So he didn't deny her claim of being stronger than Sōkyoku.
But that still didn't change the fact that he was not letting such a pie slip out of his hand.
'All the preparations are already complete. Now all I need is time to execute them.' He thought, 'A million Zanpakuto… hehehe… just how much spiritual energy does it have stored in it? How much stronger will it make me?'
Unknown to him, Masato was starting to sound more like a power-hungry person. But everyone would have been the same in his position so he didn't mind it.
'Status!'
{
Name: Masato Oosuki
Class: The Gamer
Level: 100 (51.2%)
HP: 2640 (660 [((VIT) * 1.25)] * 2 per min.,)
MP: 18245 [((INTx10) x2) +105%] (6195 [(WIS*5) + 110%] per min.,)
CON: 2640 (1320 per min.,)
STR: 287 [+710% (2037.7)]
VIT: 264
DEX: 405 [+560% (2268)]
INT: 445
WIS: 590
LUK: 200
Stats Point (SP): 139
}
Looking at it, Masato clicked on VIT and put all his points into it. In a blink, raising it above 400.
'With this, I'll be able to use [Thunder-God War Cry] for a longer period of time. Holding it for 15 minutes wouldn't be a problem. And it's not like I am going to use it continuously. Just until the seal, it should be enough.'
He couldn't use [Thunder-God War Cry] before for a longer period than five minutes, but now he was sure that holding for 15 wouldn't be a problem and it would be enough time for him to do what he wanted to.
"Then let's wait. Ichigo should be almost done." Masato said while staring at the execution platform.
---
Standing near the window of the office, Rangiku looked at the sky with a passive look.
She and her captain had a fight with Gin last night which made her mind a mess. She couldn't understand why her childhood friend had become like that.
It made her mind swirl with many thoughts as she kept staring outside silently.
"What are you doing, Rangiku?" Asked the white-haired teenager.
Rangiku was brought out of her thoughts as she looked towards him, "Captain… nothing. I was just wondering about the execution."
Toshiro raised his head and looked towards the Sōkyoku Hill silently before he opened his mouth, "If that woman came, then saving Kuchiki wouldn't be hard."
Obviously, he was talking about Mamako. He has a great evaluation of her. After all, even if with his all, not Bankai, he was no match for her.
'And her Zanpakuto… that kind of intangible attack… you can't dodge them nor can you destroy them; the only way is fighting directly with her and that in itself is hard.'
He thought about his fight with Mamako and sighed. He wonders if her son is also as strong as her, if so, then there might be a chance to save Rukia.
"Let's go." He said and walked out of his office, "We are going to unveil the mystery that has been shrouding this whole story."
Rangiku silently looked at her captain before taking out a crystal from her Kimono. Staring at the crystal, she wondered if she used it will Masato really come.
But she shook her head. She didn't have time to think about such things currently. Placing the stone back, she followed after her captain not knowing that she would know an unbearable truth today.
---
"Em…"
The orange-haired girl nervously stared at the giant in front of her as he looked down at her. The pressure that she felt from him was unbearable for her but she didn't know what to say in this situation.
"Is she also a Ryoka? She looks quite weak for someone who invaded Soul Society." A bald person sitting some distance away from them said. His whole body was bandaged as he sat with a sword on her shoulder.
"At least she is beautiful unlike the ugly people here," a sarcastic voice came from the person sitting beside him as he brushed his long black hair away from his face, getting a # sign on the bald person's head.
"Oi! Are you Kurosaki's friend?" Getting impatient, the bald man shouted towards the orange-haired girl, making her startled.
"Y-yes! I am Inoue Orihime! Friend of Kurosaki Ichigo!" She saluted taking everyone by surprise as they stared at her with weird looks, making her a little embarrassed as she silently sat back on her chair.
"You heard her captain," the bald man said, "So, what are we doing then?"
The giant that was sitting in front of Orihime smirked viciously like that of a beast and said, "Of course, we are going to find him so I can fight him!"
Orihime looked at the person in front of her with confusion, not understanding his infatuation of fighting with Kurosaki Ichigo.
It has been a day since she was hereafter they had fought with that clown captain, another captain came out. Ishida and Tatsuki were tired already and had used most of their spiritual energy so they could only helplessly defend against him while letting Orihime run away.
Orihime didn't want to run but after hearing that if they all were captured then no one would be out to free them, she finally decided and ran away.
After she ran away, the captain didn't follow after her and let her flee. It confused her but before she could go far, she was captured by a little girl with pink hair and now she was here.
"ne, big boobs, do you also know the lily?" The pink-haired lieutenant asked.
"Lily?" Orihime tilted her head in confusion before asking, "Are you talking about Masato-kun?"
Only he had white hair in their group so she thought that she might be referring to her. Orihime might unexpectedly be a smart girl.
The pink-haired girl nodded, "I could feel it… Lily is even stronger than Ichi. He would give a better fight to ken-chan!" She cheerfully said.
"Oh, is Lily really that strong?" Zaraki seemed to be interested as he looked towards Orihime, waiting for her answer.
Orihime remained quiet. She didn't want to give Masato's information to just anyone.
'But they saved me… and they don't seem like bad people…'
Even though klutz, Orihime's instincts were quite accurate and she could pretty much guess a lot from just her gut feelings.
She excelled pretty much in everything except common sense.
"Masato-kun is stronger, stronger than Kurosaki-kun," Orihime nodded and said not realizing that she just unleashed a fighting hunger beast on Masato.
"Is that so? Stronger than Ichigo?" Zaraki's smirked enlarges, "Good. Let's go! I want to fight him!"
---
Currently at the Sōkyoku.
Rukia was being brought by the executioner towards the execution stand. Her face still pales from her meeting with Gin but a lot better than before.
She raised her head and looked at the two towering stands and a huge halberd tied by the ropes in front of it.
At both sides of the halberd stood the captains silently. Byakuya, Soifon, and Komamura stood at their left while Yamamoto, Unohana, and Shunsui Kyoraku stood at the other side.
None had any form of emotions shown on their faces as they silently stood with a passive face.
Unohana looked at the current captain and sighed. She didn't say anything but she was aware that most of the captains disagree with Rukia's execution and they should have found out by now that something fishy is going on but none said anything.
Especially Yamamoto; he had created the whole Gotei 13 himself. From this, one can tell that he is no slouch or anything and he also must have found something, but since he also remained silent, Unohana also didn't voice her thoughts.
After the execution is done, which she was sure would not, she will personally go to central to find everything out herself.
The executioner placed Rukia in the center of the execution stand as three cubes rose by her side - two at her hands and one at her feet.
Yamamoto looked at her as his imposing voice was heard by everyone, "For breaking the law of Soul Society, Kuchiki Rukia has been sentenced to death!" He stuck his cane on the earth and asked, "Do you have any last wishes?"
Rukia remained silent. She raised her head and looked towards her brother who didn't even look in her direction while silently stood at his place.
Looking at such Byakuya, Rukia's heart was filled with grief. After all, no matter what Byakuya does, he is still her brother. There was still little hope in her heart that he might show some emotions towards her in the end.
'I guess I was never loved. After all, I am just an adoptive child in the Kuchiki Household.'
She looked back at Yamamoto, not knowing what to say. Should she beg for her life? Should she ask him to forgive Masato and others and let them return alive?
She was aware that all of this was just wishful thinking. Even if this old man agreed now, he would definitely kill them after the execution.
There was nothing.
A sad smile forms on Rukia's face, 'Till the end, to think I had nothing.'
The image of Masato forms in her mind as her smile becomes more natural and gentle, 'Guess I'll still have to lean on him… wife huh… it's not a bad idea, I guess.'
"I have none since I'll still live in the end," with a fearless smile, Rukia looked above and said with a matter-of-fact tone.
That's right. She doesn't need to be afraid of anything. As long as Masato is there, she will be fine. If he said he will save her, then he must have some form of plan to do so.
Other captains looked towards her with surprise, especially Byakuya. He frowned when an image of white-haired and orange-haired came into his mind.
Yamamoto's one eye opened as he looked towards Rukia, whose face showed no fear of prior; he stuck his cane and said, "Start the execution!"
"""Yes!"""
The executioners shouted loudly. They took their positions at every rope impaled into the earth, completely sealing Sōkyoku from releasing.
But now, this halberd is finally being released.
The ropes, one by one, started to detach themselves from Sōkyoku. The executioners started to chant Kido as flames started to rise from Sōkyoku, soon gathering at one point and forming a giant phoenix.
Soifon and other captains looked at it with awe as it was the first time for them to see it except Unohana, who had seen it being used in the past.
"Is this… Sōkyoku? The power of a million Zanpakuto?" Soifon said with horror as she felt the oppression being released from the flying phoenix. It gave her the feeling of standing in front of a behemoth.
Not her fault, after all, Sōkyoku really didn't have the power of a million Zanpakuto. If released in a country, it would not be hard for it to completely erase it to dust.
Kyoraku sighed and leaned his straw hat downward.
The phoenix screeched loudly, letting the world know of its presence. There was mirth in its screech as it felt the freedom after such a long time.
After screeching to its heart content, it looked down. Its ruby-like eyes stare at Rukia, who was looking towards it without any fear or tradition. There was only confidence in her expression.
Seeing its 'enemy', the phoenix screeched and flapped its wing before launching itself towards Rukia at an unprecedentedly fast pace.
The captains looked at this scene with bated breaths, waiting for it to pierce Rukia.
'No one is coming?' Kyoraku questioned in his mind with doubt, looking at the phoenix.
Rukia's heart was beating really fast right now. Even though she had confidence in Masato, that didn't mean she was not feeling fear. Anyone would feel fear if they were being attacked by an Anti-Country level Noble Phantasm.
Sōkyoku filled the distance between itself and Rukia in a second but just as it was about to pierce her, a voice resonated all over the Sōkyoku Hill.
"I command the mana of this world, bear my will and execute it - Chains of Heaven!"
As the voice filled the surroundings completely, a huge amount of pressure dropped from the sky and covered Sōkyoku completely. The space around it started to melt at the rate visible to the eye before everyone heard a clang following with a chain.
A purple-colored chain came out of the melted space and entangled itself around Sōkyoku but it was the start as more and more chains came out of it and surrounded Sōkyoku one by one.
"WRRRRRRYYYYYYYY!"
Sōkyoku screeched loudly as it struggled to free itself from the chains. If it used its full power, then breaking the poor imitation of Chains of Heaven wouldn't be hard for it.
But sadly the creator had already taken this into account before or he would never think of using it.
"Not so fast, little birdy," everyone finally could see the speaker. On Rukia's execution stand, stood a white-haired kid wearing a long-sleeved shirt with shorts. One shirt was written "I Love my Mother" (he was forced to wear it)
He was wearing a pair of glasses. His rainbow-colored eyes looked at the phoenix as he smirked.
"Masato Oosuki!" Soifon, Komamura shouted with anger and astonishment in their voices.
Yamamoto also looked up and gazed at Masato.
Masato ignored all of this and kept staring at Sōkyoku with a solemn expression and a smirk. A drop of sweat fell from his face as he screamed internally.
'How the fuck did Ichigo stopped this monster in anime!? This shit is enough to burn Seireitei over and over and that dude stopped it with his sword! I call it bullshit!'
'But none of this matters now, this weapon and its power will be mine from now on!'
He raised his mana and poured it into the surrounding space, increasing the speed at which it was melting as more chains came out and surrounded Sōkyoku.
After sealing its movement, Masato clapped his hand hard, "Now!" He shouted and the Chains started to give a deep purple sheen, filling the surroundings with light.
Different runes lit upon it as it started to suck the fire and spiritual pressure out of Sōkyoku at a fast pace.
Space behind Masato melted and the chains, as the same amount as that of holding Sōkyoku, came out and pierced his back.
Masato gritted his teeth but a smirk was still present on his face. The spiritual energy that was being absorbed by the chains made its way towards Masato.
Without wasting any time, he sat on the execution stand and entered Meditation. All the spiritual energy that was entering his body started to form another core inside his body, right beside the mana core but this one was made with pure spiritual energy.
This was Masato's plan, to form another core of spiritual energy besides the mana core with the help of Sōkyoku spiritual energy.
If he wanted, he could build one for himself too but that would not increase his mana capacity by much.
But now he was absorbing the spiritual pressure of a million Zanpakuto! It had already surpassed the spiritual pressure of a normal captain by who knows how many levels!
No way he was going to let such a treat slip his hands.
But then again, he didn't have any weapon to seal its movements and steal its power.
As said before, Masato's [Weapon Creation] was a strong skill but if he wanted to create something that didn't exist in this world then the amount of energy he needed for it was definitely not something he could back up.
But he could still create an imitation, it was not impossible.
After his [Weapon Creation] had reached a higher level, he could not give his created weapon a concept of a sort.
And currently, the chains in front of him had concepts of Individuality, Constraint, Absorption, Transfer, Seal, Harmony, etc.
His plan was simple, if he can't have the real thing then he would just do what every gamer does - stack the effects of a weapon!
And that is where the concept of Individuality came from. With the help of this concept, every chain will have its own individuality and if used with other chains, it would stack its effect with them.
The concept is the same as the more people pushing a truck, the more the chances of moving.
Before coming here, he had increased his vitality a lot just so he can bear such force absorption. Otherwise, it would have been quite hard for him to be able to absorb all of this spiritual energy.
While Masato was absorbing the spiritual energy of Sōkyoku, other captains looked at this with astonished expression.
"He is absorbing the spiritual pressure of Sōkyoku?!" Soifon said with a startled expression, "Don't think I'll let you!"
She was about to launch towards him but an attack came from her side that she hurriedly blocked. The power behind it sent her off the Sōkyoku Hill as the attacker followed after her.
Soifon's eyes widened, "Yoruichi!?"
Yoruichi smirked, "Yo! It's been a while but I can't let you disturb him."
"Yoruichi!" Soifon grits her teeth and follows after her, already ignoring everyone on Sōkyoku Hill.
Back at the hill, this time, it was Komamura who attacked Masato but he made a mistake; his attack was filled with intense bloodlust that was definitely not something someone would ignore.
So before his attack could even reach Masato, he was slapped hard on the face and flew some miles away before stopping. He looked up and saw a purple-haired woman standing in front of Masato, looking down at him as if seeing the most disgusting bug, "Insolent bug, you dare to attack Ma-kun? It seems that I have to clear some insects from approaching my Ma-kun."
Her voice was low and calm, but everyone shuddered hearing it. Why? The answer was simple: the spiritual pressure that was being released from her was already rivaling Yamamoto!
"Oi, oi, oi… this has to be a joke right? Captain Toshiro never said that they had this kind of monster among them…" Kyoraku said with sweat forming on his skin as he felt the pressure from Mamako.
Yamamoto also looked towards Mamako as his grip tightened around his cane. Even he was surprised to feel the spiritual pressure of Mamako, let alone others.
"Masato…" Rukia looked towards Masato before she heard a voice from her side, "I am here too…"
"Ichigo!?"
Ichigo's brow twitched from being ignored.
"I've been standing here since the start when Masato made his entrance…" Ichigo said with barely hidden annoyance.
"What!? Why are you here, fool?! You are too weak to join this fight!" She was not aware of Ichigo's powers and that he has already learned Bankai. To her, he was still a weak Shinigami so she was worried that he would get his ass beaten this way.
Ichigo's brow twitched. Annoyed and irritated, he gripped Rukia's face, smiling what doesn't seem to be one, and said, "Oi… is that how you greet your savior?"
"It hurts…!" Grumbled the black-haired girl with an annoyed face. If her hands were free, she would have definitely punched him in the face.
Sadly such things were impossible for her to do currently.
"Stay put," Ichigo said as he looked back at the remaining Captains. His eyes landed on the elder Kuchiki, "I'll free you. Masato is currently busy and would take his sweet time in… refining, as he said, that thing."
"..." Rukia remained silent and looked towards Masato, who was sitting in a cross-legged position as there was a constant pulse of spiritual pressure rising from him.
Ichigo stood at the top of the platform and raised his sword high in the sky before starting to spin it by holding the bandage at its end.
His spiritual energy rose with each swing before it reached a manageable level where he could break the execution stand.
"Let's do it then," He said and thrust his sword straight down at the execution stand as a large blast occurred with almost blinding light covering everything.
Byakuya's face didn't look good as he saw everything transpiring in front of his eyes.
Yamamoto didn't interfere, same with Kyurako; their most attention was on Mamako, who was toying with Komamura and trashing him in every way possible.
As for Unohana, she had already left the battlefield with Isane. It seems that she finally found an opportunity to check central.
As the light receded, the execution stand was already past its formal shape with a large piece of it missing at the center. Ichigo stood at its place with Rukia in his hands like some sack of potatoes, staring down at Byakuya. At this rate, one might think that they have some form of ambiguous relationship.
"Ichigo…" Rukia looked shocked towards Ichigo, who looked at her as both stared into each other's eyes before Rukia punched his balls, "Put me down!"
"Ugh…" Ichigo groaned as his hold on Rukia slipped and she fell beside him, "What was that for?!"
"Hmph! It is your fault for holding me like some sort of sack!"
With a visibly annoyed voice, Rukia answered. She ignored Ichigo and looked towards Masato who was still in meditating pose, feeling the constant rise and fall in spiritual pressure.
Turning around, her eyes landed on Sōkyoku Phoenix form that was visibly less intimidating now - with its spiritual pressure/energy being absorbed by those chains, it had even stopped struggling to free itself.
"You go, for now, Rukia." Seeing the situation, Ichigo said (his eyes still not Byakuya), "The fight from here on out… even Masato and I would not be able to save you."
"..."
What he said was right. First, Rukia can't move on her own due to her spiritual energy completely absorbed by the seals. Even now, she was barely able to stand on her own.
With captains present, if Masato and Ichigo were busy fighting them, then it was highly possible for another captain to catch Rukia.
None, both Masato and co, wanted such a thing to happen. It could be considered the worst possible scenario for them.
Rukia was aware of it, thus her silence and unwillingness.
"He is here." Said the young orange-haired male as he looked at the forest towards the stairs that lead to the peak of Sōkyoku Hill. From there, a red-haired male was running in their direction - who else but Renji?
After being saved by a person from squad four, he ran directly in the direction of Sōkyoku Hill in hope of adding Ichigo and others.
He was surprised seeing what was transpiring - Komamura was being trashed by the woman he thought was the most civil while Masato, who he thought was just way too carefree, was currently sealing Sōkyoku while other remaining captains, Yamamoto, and Kyurako, stood silently and watched things happening.
Ignoring everything, he looked towards Rukia and sighed in relief, seeing her alright.
"Let's go!" Ichigo said before he picked Rukia up - who was protesting about what he was going to do - and threw her towards Renji, who was also shocked seeing it.
"Kyaaa~!" A girlish voice filled the Sōkyoku Hill as Rukia, like a fast-flying project, made her way towards Renji with tears in her eyes.
"You idiot!" Renji shouted before he caught Rukia, sliding some meters back before stopping.
"Have you lost your mind, Ichigo?!" Rukia shouted back after being captured by Ichigo but he looked towards Renji and simply said, "I'll leave her to you."
A brief silence before the redhead nodded and, turning around, ran away despite the meager struggle of the midget in his hands.
Yamamoto looked at this with the same stoic face before he said, "Stop them."
A simple order that made everyone tense.
A white-haired man came from behind and shouted, "Yes!"
Seeing him making the move, the remaining vice-captain also moved towards Renji to stop him but they couldn't even reach close to him before they were stopped by Ichigo who appeared in front of them with quick use of [Flash Step].
"Not so fast." A smirk formed on his face as he said, "No one will be going beyond here without defeating me."
"""So arrogant!"""
The collective voice of vice-captains came as they all released their Shikai, readying themselves for the fight.
Ichigo thrust his sword into the ground before he vanished in a burst of flash and appeared in the center of them, his hands blurring as they hit them in the stomach, destroying their Zanpakuto in the process of it.
Yamamoto opened his closed eyes in surprise, same with Kyoraku.
After kicking the vice-captains, Ichigo's hand reached for his sword handle. Gripping it, he raised it and a loud clang resound. In front of him stood the elder Kuchiki, his sword drawn and slashed vertically.
His face was scrunched as he looked at Ichigo and said, "I should have killed you back then if I knew you would cause this much problem."
Ichigo smiled, "Sucked to be you then, after all, even if you tried to, Masato would have stopped you."
Byakuya became quiet as he was also aware of this. The reason he didn't kill Ichigo back then was that he didn't want to fight with Masato at that time.
He was that much of a random element for him. And to add, Byakuya had a seal on himself since he was in the world of the living and wouldn't have been able to exert his full power.
So, seeing that Ichigo will die even if left alone, Byakuya retreated. He would've never thought that Ichigo would not only die but even gain the power of Shinigami somehow and invade Soul Society.
"I'll defeat you now, Kuchiki Byakuya, and will save Rukia!" Ichigo shouted as he deflected Byakuya's sword away from him.
"... where does this baseless arrogance come from?" Byakuya said as he balanced himself, "Is it from Masato Oosuki or maybe his mother? But you people have simply underestimated Soul Society if you think that a bunch of unlawful people can come and do whatever they want here."
"None of you will be able to leave nor be able to save Rukia." Byakuya said and pointed his sword towards Ichigo, "Let me skin that baseless arrogance out of you, Kurosaki Ichigo."
With that said, Byakuya vanished and started a sword fight with Ichigo.
---
Looking at the fight happening between Ichigo and Byakuya and then Mamako and Komamura, Yamamoto was silent.
Even if the situation didn't look good for them, he doesn't seem to be panicking nor worried. To him, it was just a fight between a bunch of rebellious people, not enough to garner his attention.
Of course, he was surprised by seeing their performance but that's all.
He is someone who can stand at the peak of Gotei 13, how can he be weak? If he wanted, he could finish this fight with a single command of his Bankai but he didn't.
He didn't want to endanger the whole Soul Society for a bunch of rebellious people.
He raised his head and looked towards Masato before he took a step in his direction. Kyoraku stood silently, not moving. Beside him stood Ukitake, who reached here who knows when.
Slowly walking in the direction of Masato, Yamamoto reached the vicinity of 10 meters around Masato. But just as he took another step, space started to melt at a tremendously fast pace making him halt his advance.
He looked up towards Masato and saw him standing back, looking towards him with solemn eyes. But there was no fear but just appreciation of power.
Both remained silent as Masato opened his mouth first, "It is nice meeting you, Captain Commander, Yamamoto-san."
Yamamoto remained silent before he said, "I'd never thought that bunch of hairless kids would cause this much trouble to my Soul Society. Really, I must be getting old."
Masato smirked, "Is that so? So, what are you going to do? Kill us?"
Currently, if Yamamoto didn't release his sword, Masato was fully confident in taking care of him.
Why? Because he was finally able to create the second core successfully and now he had two cores - mana and spiritual energy!
Sōkyoku, whose energy was completely absorbed, was now lying silently on the ground in its normal halberd form.
Looking at his status, Masato smiled happily.
{
Name: Masato Oosuki
Class: The Gamer
Level: 100 (51.2%)
HP: 4030 (2619.5 [((VIT) * 3.25)] * 2 per min.,)
MP: 37310 [((INTx10) x2) +105%] (6300 [(WIS*5) + 110%] per min.,)
CON: 4030 (2915 per min.,)
STR: 287 [+710% (2037.7)]
VIT: 403
DEX: 405 [+560% (2268)]
INT: 455
WIS: 600
LUK: 200
Stats Point (SP): 0
}
First, his VIT had increased twofold due to an increase in Spiritual Energy. Second, his INT and WIS have increased by 10, and third, his Mana has increased by 2!
His energy reserve was already twofold that of Yamamoto! And now if he added the skills like [Thunder-God War Cry] and his Bankai, in the future, his stat would multiply by 100 fold!
He was already leaving this world's boundary with his energy alone.
Of course, if it is only a sword fight then he would never win against Yamamoto or any other captain. But…
'Everything is allowed in love and war.'
With his skills, it wouldn't be long before he would surpass every being on this verse.
The only sad part was that he can't add so many buffs at the same time currently as it would destroy his body completely. He needed to increase his CON stat to match his other stats before he can use the boost of so many buffs.
"Kill you? Indeed, that is a feasible solution to all of this." Yamamoto said as the cane in his hand shattered in pieces, revealing a long sword, "But… first, I would like to see… the reason for you killing Captain Tosen."
Masato's eyes narrowed as he said, "So you've caught that something is amiss? I had expected nothing less from Captain Commander of Gotei 13."
Yamamoto didn't say anything as he raised his sword high before creating a circular arc, "Burn all Creation to ashes, Ryūjin Jakka!"
An intense flame came out of Yamamoto's sword but it didn't reach Masato as it extinguished before it did so.
If one walked close to Masato then they would find out that within the region between Masato and Yamamoto, there was a region where oxygen didn't exist.
As soon as the fire reached that region, it would get extinguished right away.
Yamamoto looked at this with an unimpressed expression before raising his sword again and bringing it down, releasing a huge column of fire but it again extinguished. But this time, the distance it covered increased.
Yamamoto's eyes flicker as he seems to see through it with two attacks. But then it confused him how Masato was able to remove oxygen out of the air as no such Kido exists.
But he didn't devel on it as he again attacked with much-increased intensity. This time, Masato vanished and appeared some distance away, looking at his previous site that was completely engulfed in fire.
"Really… a monster."
Again, if Masato wanted, he could defeat Yamamoto but that included that he didn't use his Bankai. Once he did, Masato currently had zero chances of winning against Bankai'ed Yamamoto.
Of course, if he doesn't use the Portion of Fire Resistance that he has. It made him invulnerable to anything related to fire.
"Show me your skills, Masato Oosuki," Yamamoto commanded.
Taking a deep breath, Masato's eyes shone with excitement as he said, 'Let's go, Est!'
'Yes, Master!'
In a burst of silver light, a sword appeared in his hands - a straight sword with a silvery blade that had turquoise and gold trimmings along with a golden hilt and crossguard. The hilt had a turquoise gem.
Yamamoto looked at it before asking, "Is that your Zanpakuto?"
"Indeed, this is my Zanpakuto, Terminus Est!" Masato said as he raised Est while gently caressing her, making it release a gentle silver light.
"The End?" Yamamoto looked at the sword, impressed by the amount of spiritual energy it was releasing.
"What does it do?" He questioned interestingly but Masato smirked, "You'll know!"
With that, he vanished from his place and appeared in front of Yamamoto and vertically slashed at him but Yamamoto was not even phased by it as he easily blocked the attack.
But then his eyes widened, for the first time, he was astonished, as he saw his Zanpakuto start to bend! Like literally, his Zanpakuto made some noises before it started to bend.
Seeing this, Yamamoto hurriedly distanced himself from Masato and examined his sword which was bent slightly.
His eyes showed disbelief for the first time. He had lived for 2000 years and it was definitely not easy to surprise him, but this time he really was.
Bending the Zanpakuto? Of course, it was not impossible but what to do with his Zanpakuto?
Yamamoto is completely aware of how powerful his Zanpakuto is. To be able to bend it, of course, he would be astonished.
"Is that the ability of your Zanpakuto? To bend other Zanpakutos?"
"Close, but it is indeed one of her abilities." Masato nodded but didn't clarify it either.
Howling Property Resonance - one of Est's abilities as the strongest <<Steel>> spirit that allowed her to interfere with any blade in existence, literally allowing her to destroy and bend them to her will.
It was a really strong ability, allowing her master to rule the sword fight as long as the enemy didn't have the same level of concept as her. Else, even if the sword she is fighting is strong, she could bend it albeit with slight difficulty.
Yamamoto became silent. It was indeed a horrific ability for a Shinigami to fight against. But for him? It was not enough to make him feel scared.
He raised his sword and pumped a huge amount of spiritual energy into it. With a slight zing sound, its shape changed back to normal.
Seeing this, Masato was not surprised. After all, he was fighting with the creator of the current Soul Society, if he were to be defeated so easily, he wouldn't be called the strongest in Soul Society.
'I guess it is time to level up <<Knight's Strategy>>.'
It was a passive skill, so as long as he fought, it would be automatically activated. Now all he needed to do was fight, fight, and fight so he could level it up.
Looking at each other, both vanished from each other's position entering a close-combat. Their figures blurred and so did their swords, loud clangs were heard everywhere.
As they fought, the ground around them started to get devastated slowly. But both Yamamoto and Masato seemed to have a tactical understanding as they started to move away from their position towards a deserted part of the Soul Society as their fight continued.
Ukitake and Kyoraku looked at this fight with astonished faces before Ukitake said, "That kid… how is he this strong?"
If someone said that Masato had lived for a millennium or two, Ukitake would believe him right away. After all, it might explain the reason for Masato having such powers.
"He has become strong… stronger than before when I met him. It seems that absorbing the spiritual energy of Sōkyoku has done more than increasing his spiritual energy supply."
Kyoraku said with a sigh.
"C-captain! Are we helping the Commander?"
Nanao, Kyoraku's vice-captain, asked. She has been sitting beside Kyoraku all the time, astonished by the fact that Ryukas had such monsters among them.
"Fight them?" Kyoraku wryly smiled, "First, it would be hard to enter their battle. And second…" he looked at his side where a purple-haired woman was floating and observing the fight between Masato and Yamamoto.
Behind her was the body of Komamura riddled with different scars. He seriously looks in a sorry state.
"If we move, she will definitely interfere. I don't want to attract the attention of that beautiful scary lady. She didn't even use her sword during the fight with Captain Komamura and just beat the shit out of him with her bare hands." Kyoraku shivered, "She might be the strongest combatant here and I don't want to fight her… and she is a woman too."
Nanao's brow twitched after hearing her captain. He didn't want to fight since she was a woman? That was the biggest stupid reason she has heard in her whole life.
But she also didn't refute or pursue him to do so as she was aware that her captain was not going to interfere in this battle.
Both Ukitake and Kyoraku had decided to help in saving Rukia but Ukitake was late in unsealing the artifact of his clan that let him seal anything in it.
Their plan was to seal Sōkyoku and then hold Yamamoto but since Masato did both, they can only sit and watch.
"Let's go. They are going further and further, if we stay here, we will miss everything." Saying, Kyoraku vanished using <<Flash Step>> with Ukitake and Nanao following after him.
---
The white-haired captain ran with his vice-captain towards the direction of Central.
During the execution, his plan was to invade Central or at least be allowed to enter it so he can directly check the condition of it.
As they were running in the direction of it, behind them, towards the Sōkyoku Hill, they could feel the clash of many spiritual energies.
It didn't take a wise person to guess that Rukia's execution was interrupted.
But as the fight went on, they felt the spiritual pressure of Captain-Commander Yamamoto. Now, this was surprising, to say the least.
For their commander to fight, Toshiro's only thought was that it was Mamako who was fighting with him. But then the spiritual pressure he felt clashing with Yamamoto was completely different from Mamako's. It got him confused.
'Is there another powerhouse at the level of commander?'
This thought made him shudder. Yamamoto is known as the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society, if such two existence popped out then one could guess how terrified people would be.
"It is him…" Feeling the familiar spiritual pressure, Rangiku said.
Even though when she met Masato, his spiritual pressure was negligible but she definitely registered it. And now feeling the spiritual pressure clashing with Yamamoto, she could tell that it had the same signature as that of Masato.
"Masato Oosuki?" Toshiro asked.
"Yes. I am sure that it is his spiritual pressure." His blond vice-captain answered.
Toshiro nodded and didn't ask any question but in his mind, he was thinking how both mother and son were monsters.
But it didn't take long for another surprise to come as another spiritual pressure rose, making them surprised again.
"Captain Byakuya used Bankai, but who is he fighting with?!" Toshiro thought that even though he was not in the fight, he was having a headache just by thinking about it.
'When did captain-level Shinigami become cabbage in the market?'
"If it is not the woman captain who fought, then this should be the third registered Ryuka, Kurosaki Ichigo." Rangiku filled Toshiro with the information she had read before.
"Kurosaki Ichigo? The one who stole the power of Junior Kuchiki?"
But he didn't have time to delve into what and who they were as he had already reached the entrance of Central.
Both Toshiro and Rangiku were surprised by seeing the damaged entrance of Central. It felt as if it was breached by someone.
Toshiro's face condenses into a deep frown and suspiciousness.
"Let's go."
With the same cautiousness as of her captain, Rangiku followed after him as they both entered Central. The entrance was eerily quiet making both invaders tense.
It was dark inside with the only illumination being the candles burning on both sides of the corridor.
Walking at a steady pace, both of them reached the center of the Central in no time. It was a large hall with seats placed around it in a circular ascending order.
But just as they both entered, Toshiro's and Rangiku's bodies tensed at extreme levels as they saw the carnage inside.
Blood and bodies… the whole place was filled with the blood of the bodies brutally slashed to death, sitting on their seats - dead.
"What happened here…?!"
None of the both could understand what happened before Toshiro said, "So is this the reason why Central never heard our appeal for anything?"
"... Did Ichigmaru kill them?" Toshiro thought. This premise didn't sound wrong to him who was suspicious of Gin from the start.
Rangiku's face also tensed, hearing her captain talking about her childhood friend.
"So you guys are here…"
Hearing the sudden voice, Toshiro's and Rangiku's hands reached for their swords as they took their stance and looked in the direction from where the sound came from.
"Kira?!"
At the entrance that leads deeper into the Central stood a young male with blond hair that hid one of his eyes - he was the wannabe of Diodora, Izuru Kiba!
"I was waiting for you, Captain Toshiro, Rangiku-san." Not fazed in the least, Kiba said before he turned around and ran.
"Wait!" Both Toshiro and Rangiku followed after him right away as Kiba led them deeper into the Central.
After running after him for some time, they reached the deeper part of the central where Kiba stood but this time there was another person besides him - Ichimaru Gin!
Gin looked towards them with the same smirk and said, "Welcome, Captain Toshiro and Vice-Captain Rangiku. We knew you would definitely come here."
"Ichimaru?" Stopping in their tracks, Toshiro said with disgust on his face, "So it was you after all! It is also you who killed the Judges of Central, right?"
"That is a baseless accusation, Captain Toshiro." Gin's smile widens, "I didn't do that."
"Baseless accusation? So you are saying that you being here with all of the Central Judges dead is not enough proof?" Toshiro sarcastically asked.
"Heh!" Gin smirked, "Then doesn't take make Captain Toshiro also a potential murder? After all, I can say the same for you."
"What are you talking about…!" Toshiro seemed to understand what Gin was trying to say as his face became uglier than before, realizing that in this situation they are also the potential murderer now.
"Hehehe! Why such a face, Captain Toshiro, of course, I am kidding." Gin said, "I know who killed them though. Don't you want to know?"
"... What are you after, Ichimaru?" Toshiro knew that Ichimaru was just playing with them so he asked.
"I am not after anything, Captain Toshiro. I said it, right? I am just a follower, an insignificant existence." Gin still retained his same attitude, "But are you sure that you should be spending your time here?"
"What do you mean?" With a frown, the white-haired captain asked.
"So what Captain said was true… you really are behind all of this, Toshiro!"
A sudden cry of a familiar voice startled Toshiro as he hurriedly looked back at Ichimaru and saw the familiar face, "Hinamori…?! Why are you here!?"
"I had Gin bring her here, Captain Toshiro. I hope it didn't cause you any inconvenience." A calm voice that could make anyone relax unconsciously and let their guard down came just behind the Hinamori.
Everyone looked at the speaker with petrified faces. After all, the speaker should be dead.
A mild-featured man with brown scholarly hair enhanced by square glasses, along with soft brown eyes. He wore the standard Shinigami uniform with a captain's haori - appeared behind Hinamori.
Hinamori, who looked at this man, had her eyes widened. Her eyes were filled with disbelief, shock, astonishment, and… hope as he said the name of the person with a shaky voice, "Captain… Aizen?"
"It's been a while, Hinamori-san." The amiable dead captain said gently.
Both Toshiro and Rangiku were frozen with shock as they saw the alive Captain walking who was supposed to be dead. They didn't even interfere with the fanatical girl.
"Is… is it really you, Captain Aizen?" With her shaking hands, she gripped his Kimono, "I-I knew it… I knew that Captain can never die… it must be a mistake… right! It was a mistake. I knew it."
Looking at this fanatical girl, Aizen still had his calm smile that could make one relax as he said, "You really are a stupid girl, Hinamori-san."
"Eh?" Hinamori looked towards him with confusion but Aizen's expression never seems to change as he continued, "Really stupid that it bores me watching you alive, so can you die?"
Hinamori didn't have time to process what was going on or what her beloved Captain was saying before a sword pierced her body and made out from her back.
Her face was colored with disbelief as her body slowly fell onto the ground, painting it with her blood.
"HINAMORI!" Seeing her dying, Toshiro shouted and vanished from his place, appearing beside Hinamori.
He hurriedly checked her pulse and froze the wound to stop the bleeding.
Aizen ignored him and walked in the direction of Gin, "You seemed to enjoy yourself teasing him, Gin."
"Not as much as you, Captain Aizen." Gin humbly replied, making Aizen staring at him for a second before he looked back at Toshiro, who stood back and gripped his sword tightly, "I'll kill you Aizen!" His every word filled with deep hatred.
<<Bankai: Daiguren Hyōrinmaru>>
Ice started to form on his sword before traveling to his right arm, up to his shoulders. It circled around his back, forming two huge ice wings and enhancing both his hands into ice, forming a claw in the end. Same ice also covered his legs with the same claw shape.
A small tail of ice also formed behind him.
Toshiro pointed his sword at Aizen before he vanished.
As he did so, everything stopped before Toshiro stood at his place with disbelief on his face as a large cut appeared on his body and he fell.
He couldn't believe or tell what just happened. It was way too fast for his mind to process it completely.
"Don't be so surprised, Captain Hitsugaya. The result of this battle was inevitable from the start, just the choice of doing or not was available." Aizen said calmly before sheathing his sword.
He looked at the entrance of the place before smiling, "You can come out too, Captain Unohana. Or would you rather watch your colleague die?"
As his voice fell, the entrance swayed like a mirage before Unohana and her vice-captain, Isane, appeared there.
"You really are not dead, Captain Aizen," Unohana said with no surprise in her voice as if she had long expected for such a thing to happen.
"You really surprised me, Captain Unohana-san. You are the only person who was able to see through my body, though I guess Ryoka also did his part of the job." Aizen said while smiling, "That Ryoka should have informed you of my ability, right?"
Unohana remained quiet as Aizen continued, "It is really a mystery how Masato Oosuki was able to find out about my ability without even meeting me. It is as if he can see the future and already knows when, where, or what will happen. If I had enough time, I would have loved for such a person to work under me."
"What are your goals, Aizen? Why did you do this?" After some time, Unohana asked.
"Goals? It shouldn't be that vague, right?"
"Kuchiki Rukia…" Unohana said while connecting the dots before she asked, "But why do you want her?"
Aizen grins but he doesn't answer her question, "All of you are blind by the old traditions and have become slaves to the one who created you. All of you have stagnated, not moving past your limits. But I am different, I don't need to follow these old traditions and beliefs and think that a Shinigami can surpass its limit."
"I've worked hard for such a thing, but I could never achieve it with my own powers." Aizen said as if remembering something, "But someone was able to create something that was able to make such a thing a reality."
"But he was afraid of his own creation so he sealed it, making sure no one is able to reach it. Though I was able to replicate that object, it didn't reach the same level as the one created by that person. Really, he is a great genius."
Listening to him, Unohana understood everything as her eyes widened, "That object… is sealed within Kuchiki?!"
"I am glad that you are a smart person, Unohana-san. Talking with an idiot makes one bore, like Hinamori-san made me." He replied with calmness, not in the least minding Unohana finding out about his reasons, "Then if you excuse me, I'll be taking my leave."
As he said that, Gin appeared beside him as a cloth wrapped both of them in and they vanished.
Unohana didn't stop him, not after knowing the ability of his Zanpakuto as she was aware that it was pretty much impossible for her to defeat him.
She looked towards Hinamori and Toshiro and said, "Isane, contact every captain and Ryokas, relay everything that has happened here."
"But captain, Ryokas-"
"Do it Isane," Unohana said, "In Soul Society, only Ryokas have a chance of fighting him due to Aizen's ability. Without them, there is a great chance that we will be killed without knowing how."
Isnae shivered before she nodded and started to contact everyone while Unohana went to heal Toshiro and Hinamori.
Things were getting more and more troublesome.
+++
I am back.
Also, the second world is pretty much already decided, same with MC's BG which is also from that world.
Any question, here or discord. Though I prefer discord.
