Karakura is by no means a desolate countryside town.
Located on the outskirts of Tokyo’s urban area, it is a relatively populous town with a network of railroads passing through the heart of the city.
Supporting a population exceeding one hundred thousand, a general hospital classed as one of the largest even among neighbouring towns, is situated beside Karakura Honchō Station.
❝Emotions are way too unimportant. Just like death. Whether someone tortures you by crushing your lungs, or whether you yourself is gladly tearing out your own chest, in the end it’s still death. It’s trivial, really.❞
“THEY’RE ALL COWARDS, EVERY DAMN ONE OF THEM. WHATEVER. I’LL JUST CONSUME THEM. AS THEY BECOME MY FLESH AND BLOOD, THEY WILL SEE BEYOND. I… I AM THE KING!”
“I HAVE NOT THROWN MY LIFE AWAY. I HAVE MERELY GAMBLED IT. GENRYŪSAI-DONO GAMBLED HIS OWN LIFE ON THIS BATTLE. I SEE NO REASON WHY I SHOULD NOT DO THE SAME. FROM THE MOMENT I SET FOOT ON THIS BATTLEFIELD, I HAD ALREADY LEFT MY LIFE BEHIND!”
This is 4/4 of part 13 on the app (chapter 14 continued)
Rukongai
“What’s the big idea with this thing!? We’re not about to get dragged into this ridiculous dispute are we!?”
At the words of Candice who has gotten caught up in the aftershocks of Ikomikidomoe’s struggle - the Zanpakutō which had taken the appearance of a gargantuan Hollow - Meninas replies in her usual manner.
“We were more or less dragged into it from the very beginning, I think….”
“But still, weren’t we told in the beginning to simply knock the lights out of that so-called Fullbringer lot and then snatch them away!? So why in the hell are we now getting dragged into this conflict between a freak who looks like its had all kinds of overgrown Hollow condensed into it, and a bunch of Arrancar!? Come to think of it, didn’t the number of Arrancar just double without us noticing!?”
Whilst using her lightning to crush the rocks that were being flung into the air, Candice pointed at the two female Arrancar who had newly emerged.
“Speaking of which, what’s the deal with their style!? There’s way too much emphasis on their figures don’t ya think!?”
“Candice, you can’t really speak for others though can you?”
Meninas spoke whilst observing the Holy Knights uniform belonging to the Quincy who had her chest on open display, but pretending that she didn’t hear that, Candice initiates a counter-attack.
“Anyway, if this monstrosity isn’t stopped first and foremost, then we won’t be able to continue with our task.”
Although they also had the option of making a brief retreat, it did not appear likely that Kurotsuchi Mayuri would tolerate such a thing.
That being the case, they should probably battle the gargantuan threat by taking advantage of this confusion, and at the same time, watch for an opportunity when the Fullbringers are off their guard. Even if it was impossible to capture the Fullbringers this time around, it was still a chance to analyse how their opponents fight among other things.
Thinking as much, Candice proceeds with the battle whilst paying mind to whether or not Ginjō’s group would make an escape.
“Meni! Create an opening!”
“Alright.”
Upon nodding in understanding, Meninas made an approach towards the feet of the great Hollow with slow movements, she slipped herself into a position that was located in her opponent’s blind spot.
Then, the muscles in her arms that were still in their normal state are instantly made to swell, using her might she lifts upwards.
Just with that alone, the huge physique of ‘Ikomikidomoe’ is violently thrown off balance, and in a chain reaction, Ikomikidomoe is scooped up from the ground and sent tumbling down with great force.
“Ha! Nice work! Leave the rest to me!”
In a manner that appeared to aim for the spot where the opponent’s balance had been weakened, Candice fired a volley of arrows entwined in lightning.
Moreover, as if to indicate that it was the finishing blow, she cast down the same “Electrocution” that was unleashed upon Ginjō and the others a short while ago.
The barrage of assaults, that were hammered out with lightning speed momentum in a very literal sense, blanket the surroundings with a dazzling light.
“That was close…! What the heck are those two doing! Do they not care that I’m also standing here!?”
Having evaded the lightning strike by a hairbreadth, Hirako exclaimed aloud as a cold sweat trickled down his cheek.
“Aren’t those the Quincies that became Mayuri’s subordinates!? …Yes, that’s right. I should’ve known that Mayuri wouldn’t worry about the welfare of myself or other fellow Shinigami.”
Coming to accept this realisation by himself, Hirako maintains even more of a distance, he then shifted his gaze in the direction of 'Ikomikidomoe’ who had been engulfed in the flash of the lightning strike, however——
“No good. There wasn’t much of an effect.”
'Ikomikidomoe’ who had taken the form of a monster only moments ago, now adopted a spherical shape after folding its limbs, sitting neatly within the Rukongai as an ominous item of art.
In the next instant, a white haze gushed forth from the space around this colossal ball, and no sooner than that did an infinite number of small creatures sporting wings materialise out of said haze.
Though described as 'small’, this is only in comparison with the mammoth build of Ikomikidomoe; the creatures who would appear to be Adjuchas level Hollows from outward appearance, begin to take flight into the air as a swarm.
Then, as if it were a protective response, they lunged directly at the aggressors —— at the pair known as Meninas and Candice.
Looking down at the Zanpakutō which continues to generate these small-scale 'terminals’ spawned in the dozens, and hundreds, Hirako pulled a frown as he corrected his own perception of the matter.
“…I guess I was mistaken in calling it a huge robot huh.”
Whilst maintaining the utmost vigilance towards Hikone who commands that Zanpakutō, and towards the man known as Tsunayashiro Tokinada who bestowed such a Zanpakutō upon the child, he continues speaking.
“This is like an entire 'country’ sprouting legs and moving. It’s not something we can deal with using orthodox methods.”
As Hirako calmly dissects the state of affairs, Candice’s group is forced into a disadvantageous position before they could even get a grasp on the situation.
“How can there be a Zanpakutō like this!? Or maybe I should be asking if this thing is really even a Zanpakutō at all!?
"That might be a little problematic huh….”
Using Heilig Pfeil the two continue to shoot through the swarm of beasts that were advancing towards them, however, much to the pair’s regret, the enemy’s numbers were far too many.
Meninas hit back with superhuman strength, and Candice with the power of her lightning strikes, yet in this current situation the creatures continue to be spawned with momentum that transcends their own, and moreover, there had hardly been any damage incurred on the main unit itself.
With a Galvano Javelin in each hand —— spears created by Reishi imbued lightning bolts —— Candice strikes the creatures down, however their numerical advantage far exceeds the quantity which could be dealt with effectively using only two blades.
“Crap…! If only I could use the power of my Vollständig….”
Originally Candice was able to manage six blades by utilising the wings produced by her Quincy Vollständig, but because of Yhwach’s 'Auswählen’ she ended up no longer being able to invoke Vollständig, as a result she has now become limited to handling two blades.
What’s more troubling is that it was by no means the case that these creatures were charging at them in a wild and tactless fashion, rather they come in for the attack whilst calculatedly catching the girls off guard through controlled movements, almost as though they were a single organism despite being a swarm.
Although they are annihilated in one fell swoop by the lightning strikes firing in rapid succession from the sky, it was but a drop in the ocean.
“tch… did that just stir up a hornet’s nest…?”
Though her exhaustion is quite significant after the barrage of assaults from a short moment ago, on the basis of acknowledging that, Candice attempts to unleash her 'Electrocution’ once more, and in that very moment ——
“Just drop it. Your Blut Arterie will end up being burnt out before anything.”
A voice which struck a familiar chord, rattles her eardrums.
“Whaa…?”
What exactly does it mean that this voice could be heard in such a place?
Before Candice’s mind could process that thought, the 'answer’ took form and came sweeping in to wolf down the swarm of beasts.
A long and narrow jaw that had made a sudden appearance, swallowed up several hundreds of these grotesque figures in a single breath.
As the abnormal jaw that had preyed upon the white beasts retracted back into a mouth, the owner of the voice gave utterance to her impressions of what she had consumed just now, coupled with a languid sigh.
“It’s the same with those skeletal bastards from the other day… just as I thought, mass-produced goods are flavourless.”
Floating in midair, is a young girl whose distinctive cold eyes peeked through from under her white Sternritter military cap.
After observing her form, Candice opens her eyes wide and gives a yell.
“Li…Lil!?”
Common sense would dictate that It was an impossible sight.
Having been separated over half a year ago, her companions looked for ways to somehow make contact with her from their position, however she had appeared before them ahead of anything that could actually occur.
In response to a stunned Candice, the girl with the cold eyes —— Liltotto Lamperd —— uttered a complaint in an exasperated tone.
“Jeez, the plan was to try and collect you by taking advantage of all the commotion, but it turns out your sorry asses are right in the middle of that commotion so just what the hell am I supposed to do now? What a drag.”
“I-It’s you! How are you here? Perhaps, you’ve come to help us!?”
“Didn’t I just say that I’ve come to collect you? Listen when people talk bitch."
"I mean, you’re really alive…. After I heard that you had turned against His Majesty, I… I thought for sure you’d-…”
Having even held onto the suspicion that, in the worst case scenario, Kurotsuchi Mayuri had lied about Liltoto and the others being alive, Candice raises her eyes to Liltoto with an expression that was a mix of relief and astonishment.
“Don’t call that bastard 'Majesty’. Either way, it seems he’s long gone.”
As Lil said so, another voice could be heard coming from behind Candice.
“Wow, you’re looking more rough than I expected. Too lame huh, Candice chan?”
With a twitch, a vein throbbed at her temple, before she could even rejoice at their reunion, Candice threw a backhand blow.
“Gigiii!”
Whilst effortlessly evading her fist, the black haired Quincy —— Giselle Gewelle —— raised her voice in protest as she smiled with only the corner of her mouth.
“Eh, don’t drag out the end of your words, you make people’s names sound like 'old man’ you know.” (TN:–When Candice drags out Gigi’s name above it sounds exactly like “じじい” which means “old man”)
“It’s wrong that you made Gigi mad just now.”
Without exuding even a trace of an air that could be described as anything akin to a touching reunion, Meninas spoke in her usual manner.
“Wait a minute! Don’t you think you’re also accepting this way too casually Meni!? It’s not like I’m the only one who can’t read the situation is it?”
“If you want to complain, why don’t we catch a damn bite to eat later while it goes through one ear and out the other. Anyway, right now it looks like we have to find a way to deal with that trouble over there first.”
The swarm of beasts continue to gush forth from the white haze as unchanged as before, but perhaps analysing the abilities of Lil’s group who were the newcomers on the scene, the swarm’s current stance was watching the group carefully whilst encircling them at a distance.
Then, Gigi tilted her head in response to Liltoto’s words.
“Huh? Deal with them you say… shouldn’t we just make a run for it?”
“…That was the plan. Even if we did run away as is, I suppose it would be pointless if there are also bombs implanted in Candi and Meni’s bodies.”
“…gah!”
Although Candice had taken this possibility into account, she was once again struck with terror by having it pointed out through Lil who is the brains among this group of friends.
Rather than address Candice herself —— Liltoto proposes a deal towards the person at the other end of the communicator that was fitted to her clothes.
“You can hear me can’t you, Kurotsuchi Mayuri. I’ll cooperate with your so-called experiment. So in return, I demand the release of Candice and Meninas.”
It was at that point, that a very distinctive voice echoed across from Candice’s regulation cap.
“Dear me, that you actually made the error of believing that you are in any position to negotiate with me, how very conceited of you.”
“Whoa!?”
Disregarding Candice who was taken aback by the voice that had suddenly slipped out from atop her head, travelling across the communicator, the voice speaks with a dispassionate tone.
“I didn’t implant the likes of bombs in the first place. Thanks to the Central 46 and the captain commander who can’t adapt to the times, I was very recently prohibited from implanting bombs into the bodies of subordinates. So long as you bear the name 'unit’, the lot of you too, can only be treated as soldiers rather than tools. Good grief, what an oh-so benevolent gesture.”
“Since we’re on the topic of bombs, could that not mean that you’ve tossed in plenty of other crazy stuff?”
“Do you really think so?… Never mind, Quincies are now curio. I have no intention of breaking them so easily.”
“Hold on!? What’s the deal with that vague wording!?”
Paying no heed to the cries of Candice, Lil calmly continues negotiations with Mayuri.
Without dropping her guard against the surroundings even while they negotiate, the small units of beasts that were charging towards them at random intervals as a diversionary tactic, is 'swallowed whole’ each time as she expertly moved the conversation forward.
“What I want is merely the freedom of Candice and Meninas, and the guarantee of their safety. They can be exchanged with a handful of fighting potentials among us Quincy, that doesn’t sound half bad right?”
“Once you’ve attained that level of pretentiousness, it goes beyond comical and one can only feel pity. You may be curios, but as far as I’m concerned, the likes of Quincies are an area of research that has been fully exhausted. Did you actually think that the lot of you had that much worth?”
“If Quincies don’t have that much worth, then what does it matter to at the very least part with only two, Candi and Meni? I suppose that would just about cover the cost of doing your chores. Also, this concerns you. You’ve already implanted something within me and Gigi too either way, haven’t you?”
“Huh?”
Gigi raises her voice at this unexpected information, but Mayuri’s voice makes a blunt assertion with a nonchalant air.
“Oh, even if they’re fools, I can’t say I completely detest those who are quick on the uptake. That Quincy named Ishida didn’t even have the slightest clue until I told him.”
“Why thank you. I pray that you’re also the type who’s quick on the uptake.”
In response to Lil who was holding her ground against Mayuri, the voice streaming through Candice’s cap resumes speaking with stifled laughter.
“If I refuse you here, do you perhaps intend to take your negotiations directly to the captain commander? My, my, if Hirako Shinji wasn’t present, I could’ve had you silenced in secret.”
“Maybe I decided to go to the trouble of showing my face precisely because another captain rank is present?”
“Quite the clever-clogs aren’t you? Good grief.”
“The danger that you are has touched our very core after all. That he didn’t include you among the Special War Potentials, I can only imagine that Yhwach was off his rocker.”
Following Lil’s words, the sound of a heavy sigh could be heard coming from the communicator fitted to Candice’s cap.
“I make no concessions based on blatant flattery. Well, it’s true that your ringleader’s eyes were as good as blind however. It appears that even if he could forecast the future, he wasn’t able to see the reality.”
Then, in a somewhat upbeat tone, Mayuri offered a concrete proposal.
“I want to dig up as much data as possible on that colossal mutant of a Zanpakutō, as well as the mock-up Shinigami trial subject standing on top of it. If the lot of you can do that, then I will upgrade your treatment from test subjects to at least the level of mercenary. And if you also happen to capture the Fullbringers while you’re at it, perhaps I can even help you grow taller as a special reward.”
“Unnecessary. Even If my physique and whatnot got bigger, it would probably only make me get hungry faster. So to sum it up, it’s going to be us knocking the wind out of that huge freak right?”
“I don’t expect you to go that far. After all, if a subject could be brought down that easily by you lot, then I wouldn’t be interested in it to begin with.”
“Tch… you underestimate us.”
Perhaps regarding it as a completion of the deal, Lil voiced her complaint, following this she poses a question towards the colossal sphere that towers heavenward.
“I wonder if you think the same? Freak.”
In response to a confrontational Lil, Gigi who was listening from ground level speaks up.
“Hey Lil, I can’t stand it. Helping that black and white clown and all.”
It was at this point that Mayuri’s voice shot out from Candice’s cap in seeming astonishment.
“Even your brain tissue has finally rotted away has it? Zombie girl. The one I was negotiating with is that girl with the big appetite. I never put the likes of you down as a fighting power from the very onset, so you can just go ahead and rot wherever you like.”
“…Does someone who stole another person’s zombies have any room to talk though?”
“Save it for later. I don’t think this is the kind of opponent you can defeat by mouthing off.”
Calming Gigi who mumbled in a voice filled with deeply held resentment, Lil raises her eyes to 'Ikomikidomoe’.
“Whatever you do, first things first, we have to silence that behemoth.”
“…If you say so.”
Despite the smile playing on her lips, Gigi’s eyes revealed that she had actually agreed reluctantly, after heaving a sigh she issues instructions to a shadowy figure standing at her back.
“Go for it, Bambi-chan.”
“Uunhh… I, do my best. Because Candi, and Meni, everybody… here….”
Then —— the battlefield which had been engulfed in white lightning only a short while ago, is this time made to be blanketed in the tint of red explosive flames.
“It’s that girl with the bombs!? They just had to bring along that bothersome individual huh!”
Watching the zombie girl who came flying out from Gigi’s shadow, Hirako involuntarily raises his voice.
As recollections of the moment he was almost blasted to death in the past are vividly resuscitated in his mind, a cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
Reishi bullets, which are fired one after another by the girl with dark red skin, make contact with the creatures spawned from 'Ikomikidomoe’ and cause her opponent’s body tissue to convert into bombs.
The hot wind from the chain of explosions which subsequently gush forth, vaporised the sweat on Hirako who was standing at a distance.
“…Gah! As reckless as ever I see. What can I say, I guess this means, sooner or later, I’ll also have to consider my next course of action…”
Hirako releases a sigh and places a hand on his Zanpakutō, he whispered to himself whilst contemplating whether he should join a side in battle here, or whether he should allow the dust to settle by contacting Mayuri who was stationed further away.
“That Momo should’ve reported to Kyōraku san, so there may be some action over there too.”
“Oh man, this is turning out to be quite a disaster huh.”
Not withdrawing, but not actively participating in the battle either, Ginjō’s group avoid the ripple effect of the assault whilst observing the situation.
“If we’re going to retreat, I think now is our chance right?”
With a shrug of his shoulders, Ginjō addressed Tsukishima’s remark.
“That was the plan… but didn’t that brat say 'I’ll get you to acknowledge me as king’ or something?”
“…I see, are you worried about that?”
When Giriko mentions this, Tsukishima also opens his mouth to speak as if to say he understood.
“Ah, it’s about 'XCUTION’ isn’t it?”
The 'XCUTION’ he spoke of is not the group of Fullbringers who were once assembled by Ginjō in the Human World, he is referring to the 'XCUTION’ they had heard about a few days ago, a new religious organisation which is making its presence felt in the Human World.
Whilst recalling the information he had gathered in the last few days from the 'newcomers in Rukongai’, Ginjō begins to reveal his own speculations.
“…Going by those guys fresh from death, apparently this religious cult organisation known as 'XCUTION’ already has devotees in the hundreds of thousands… somehow or the other, I can only imagine that some Fullbringer or Shinigami has something to do with this.”
According to the account he heard directly from someone who was a believer in their lifetime as luck would have it, details around such things as the Rukongai and the Shinigami Konsō being noted among them in the creed of 'XCUTION’, was almost entirely consistent with the state of the afterworld.
It can be said with certainty that this creed which mentions everything from the existence of Shinigami, Rukongai and Seireitei to the existence of Hollows, Hell and Hueco Mundo, is something that could only be written by an individual who knows about the 'afterworld’.
Nevertheless, in its midst, there was one sole part which deviates significantly from reality.
To be precise, it is a part that depicts the future and it is not yet known whether or not it will come to be.
—— {A new king will be born from the shadows of a turmoil spanning a millennium, and reign over the three worlds respectively.}
At first, Ginjō was of the opinion that the religious cult were associates of the Quincies, and that the 'new king’ was perhaps referring to Yhwach.
However, he has heard that Yhwach’s purpose was not to rule over the three worlds, but to eliminate the boundaries of the three worlds itself and return everything to the original plane of existence.
He believes that this very passage of the mysterious prophecy is the key to grasping the identity of the other party, it was his intention to even bring up the matter with Hisagi, the self-styled 'journalist’ who made his acquaintance just the other day, and draw out the opinion on the Shinigami side.
Yet before he could put this plan into action, a direct hint appeared before his eyes.
“Well… in that case, whose influence should we be focusing on?”
Ginjō was not looking at the monster of a Zanpakutō called 'Ikomikidomoe’, rather he cast his line of sight towards the child manipulating it who gave its name as 'Hikone’.
At that point, he noticed something.
Noticed that one of the Quincies who appeared later, slipped through the storm of the bombing raid and drew closer to the child Shinigami.
“Hey, kid. You said your name is Ubuginu Hikone right?”
What entered Liltoto’s eyes, is the form of Ubuginu Hikone standing atop an 'Ikomikidomoe’ who remained unscathed.
Only a few moments ago, they should have been subjected to the lighting strike unleashed by Candice several times over, but putting the creature that is 'Ikomikidomoe’ to one side, she is taken aback by the fact that even this Shinigami who is its master was unharmed, at the same time she intentionally opens up a dialogue in order to probe for information on the opponent.
“Oh! You’re the Quincy lady who showed up at Hueco Mundo that last time! Long time no see! It’s amazing that you’d actually eat up the kin of 'Ikomikidomoe’! It was a pleasure meeting you!”
“I didn’t want to encounter you at all if possible. Didn’t you say you were going to become king?”
“That’s right! Ah, well, to be precise, rather than saying that I am the one who will attain this feat, it is Tokinada sama who is being kind enough to make me king!”
“On top of being some hand-me-down for orders, you’ll be just a figurehead king? Isn’t there something you want to do through your own damn will?”
Although her manner of speaking was akin to provocation, Hikone doesn’t even seem to realise that it is what’s known as sarcasm and thus replied with an innocent tone.
“There is! What I want to do are things that are useful to Tokinada sama!”
"…So if this Tokinada guy you speak of told you to 'die a painful death’, would you go ahead and die?“
"Yes! I would do my very best to suffer as much as possible!”
“…Oh, I see.”
—— Damn. Talking with this brat is going to drive me crazy.
—— The way it fanaticises about things reminds me of that asshole Lille.
—— Nah, I wonder if this is slightly different from that guy, rather than fanaticism… how shall I put it?
—— I get the impression that the damn kid was set up to be that way from the very beginning.
Lil believed that this did not seem like someone she could get through to, but even so, she continues to question the child all the more.
Aside from the goal of extracting information, she genuinely harboured a suspicion.
“There’s something I want to ask you.”
It was regarding a certain Reiatsu intermingling within Hikone, which Candice and the others also perceived.
“…Have you ever heard the name… Gremmy Thoumeaux?”
Gremmy Thoumeaux.
The name of a boy who is reputed to be the strongest Sternritter, in fact, it was said that in all likelihood, no one could hope to defeat him outside of Yhwach.
That he is described as a boy, is purely because the body he had imagined for himself was that of a young boy, in actuality, both sex and age were unknown.
His true form is only a brain floating within a small container; a Quincy who 'imagined’ (created) his very own body by using the power of the Schrift V —— “The Visionary” given to him by Yhwach.
Making one’s imagination transform into reality as it stands, is evidently a phenomenon close to the power of a god, in the life or death struggle against Zaraki Kenpachi, he conjured everything from a huge meteorite within Seireitei to the vacuum of outer space.
In the end, he imagined power that could overcome Zaraki Kenpachi and made it his own, but because he couldn’t completely imagine a body that was able to withstand that power, it resulted in his self-destruction, he awakened from his dreams, and his brain ceased all function.
Lil caught sight of the moment Gremmy disintegrated with her own eyes, she was also able to confirm that his Reiatsu had come to a complete stop.
She had no idea what happened to the brain container thereafter, nor did she have any particular intention to go searching for its whereabouts.
However, it was a separate matter entirely if one could sense Gremmy’s Reiatsu coming from the Shinigami before her.
Perhaps by some chance this Shinigami figure is a mere mimicry, and in truth, something formed after the living Gremmy had 'imagined’ it, Lil had surmised as much before posing her question.
“Gremmy… Gremmy san you say…? Aha!”
Suddenly, after a brief moment of consideration, Hikone’s face lit up.
“Yes, I know that name! Tokinada sama kindly informed me!”
“……!”
Not expecting the child to return a straight answer, Lil widened her eyes a fraction and waits for Hikone to continue.
However, what is then narrated from Hikone’s mouth, was an answer that Lil doesn’t really want to hear.
“Gremmy san was apparently… a member among the materials, used at the time of my creation! That’s right!”
In a battle between Shinigami and Hollow, being larger in size carried in itself, some kind of advantage.
With regard to conflict among human beings and contest between wild animals in the World of the Living, that would of course be common knowledge, but when it comes to a fight involving Shinigami and Hollow, it takes on a completely different meaning.
Unlike mankind, Hollows can grow colossal enough to pierce the heavens; even if the upper hand is gained through equipment or technique, after crossing a threshold that cannot be so easily overcome they obstruct the path of progress that lies before the Shinigami.
However, the reason it’s described as ‘some kind of advantage’, is down to the fact that it’s not a ubiquitous one.
It is possible for a Shinigami who has mastered the Zankensoki above a certain level, to slay even a Hollow who is more than ten times their own size.
In many cases, Zanpakutō also have the ability to rival a Hollow of such enormity.
Having said that, even if the Zanpakutō had entered its Bankai state —— a limit exists as a matter of course.
When Gerard Valkyrie — the Schrift holder of “The Miracle” who was a member of the Schutzstaffel under the Quincy monarch Yhwach — grew so gargantuan that he could effortlessly brush aside the likes of Bankai, he happened to possess the brute force and stamina to counterbalance it.
Hollows also grow by consuming each other, eventually becoming gigantic beings referred to as “Menos Grande” and able to hinder the Shinigami at every turn, however from this point onwards, it is the normal course that said growth will come to be diverged.
In the process of evolving from Gillian, to Adjuchas, and even further to Vasto Lorde, the Hollow’s stature shrinks as though the Reishi which had been used in the enlargement of its body is gradually being made to condense.
Then, in the end, this results in a 'high-density monster’ which compresses Reiatsu proportionate to as many as tens of thousands of huge Menos Grande, within a human-sized body.
In other words, the more colossal its size partway through the evolution process, the more it is acknowledged as a powerful Hollow, and from the moment it surpasses Menos Grande, it comes to be recognised as a formidable individual possessing a more highly concentrated Reiatsu the smaller the body becomes.
However, the 'thing’ which made an appearance in the Rukongai was enough to make one momentarily forget such logic existed.
Its enormous physique likely several times as large as a Menos Grande, is crammed with Reiatsu at a density reminiscent of a Vasto Lorde class Menos.
Every time 'it’ advanced a step forward, the ground let out a screech and a tremor is roused.
Every time 'it’ gave a cry, the atmosphere rumbles and all surrounding life are lured into a vortex of primordial fear.
Looking at such a 'thing’ —— that is, the form of Ikomikidomoe, Zanpakutō of Ubuginu Hikone, Hirako Shinji who was taking refuge high up in the air, raised his voice as though he was astounded.
“Doesn’t this make you a cheat!? You force us to acknowledge you as king, and yet that trick you just pulled doesn’t even seem to be the doing of your own power, what gives!?”
Hikone, the 'master’ of that gargantuan creature, thereupon replied with an air of innocence.
“Not at all, Ikomikidomoe is basically being operated by my own Reiatsu! So you see, it’s totally fine, and when the need arises we will fight fused together as one!”
“What the heck is 'fused together’ supposed to mean!? Robotics perhaps!? Is this thing like a giant robot or something!?”
At present, Hirako is surveying the situation from the sidelines without any direct participation in the battle.
By all rights, it is logical to assume that the Arrancar who appeared in Soul Society will be driven away or exterminated, however the notice which had been issued from above stated as follows: 'unless they grow hostile or lay waste to the Human World, refrain from slaying the Espada-class Arrancar.’
This was a policy put into place after the balance of the total amount of souls belonging to Soul Society, the Human world and Hueco Mundo was largely thrown into disarray by the actions of the Quincies, with the implication that it was for the sake of avoiding all-out war.
Taking such an implication into consideration himself, Hirako deliberately examined the state of affairs without siding with Hikone.
However, after watching Hikone who was kicking up too much of a storm with little restraint, he begins to intrude all the same.
“I mean, what are you gonna do if this monstrosity goes berserk! Are you even able to control it properly!?”
“Oh, there’s no need to worry about that!”
When Hikone responded with this statement as smilingly as ever ——
With one hand the child easily dissipates the single Cero which came flying in whilst proceeding to regurgitate more words.
“Because I am just as strong as Ikomikidomoe!”
“What's… the meaning of all this?”
Having set up a Garganta gateway leading to Soul Society, what Tier Harribel saw, was a totally unexpected sight.
After following Grimmjow’s Reiatsu and aiming for the location he had seemingly arrived at, the Garganta opened, Grimmjow was indeed present there.
But that’s not all.
Shinigami, Quincy and even individuals who are neither one of those things were all assembled together in a confusing medley as they continue to do battle around 'something’ as huge as a steep hill.
“Is that… Luppi?”
The prominent light blue hair belonging to Grimmjow caught Harribel’s eye first and foremost, but she was confused by the figure of the Arrancar with eight tentacles on his back who was positioned to his side.
The former Espada who should have been killed after having the upper half of his body blown away by Grimmjow in the past, is now dealing an attack towards this huge monster almost as if he was presenting a united front with Grimmjow.
However, it did not appear to be the case that they had reconciled, rather it could be seen again and again that they were each on the verge of being caught up in the offensive of the other, given how they were firing high-powered attacks without being mindful of the other.
“That one over there… is that the Shinigami from the other day?”
Spotting the youth perched on the back of the mountain-like Hollow, with a hint of of surprise, Harribel observes the situation from a position even further on the sidelines.
Then, as if to confirm whether her insight is correct, she addressed Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck who was standing next to her.
“So Grimmjow’s target was that Shinigami after all? But, what’s the deal with those Quincies? They seem different compared to the ones who fought in Hueco Mundo.”
“Hmm, I’m not so sure about that? I believe they’re the same as the lot who were Yhwach’s underlings…. But more importantly, that monster over there. Although it’s Hollow-like, don’t you think it’s strange somehow?”
“…I remember this Reiatsu. It was being carried by that Shinigami child, and it has an identical presence to the Zanpakutō which opened up a Garganta.”
“So what you mean is, that thing over there is the very Zanpakutō from last time? Its form is extremely different but… I wonder if it entered Bankai state kinda like Ichigo……? Or, perhaps it’s better to call it a Resurrección like we do?”
To the side of Nelliel who is troubled by matters not directly relevant to the situation, Harribel continues to further observe the signs in her surroundings.
However, her position as an observer quickly fell apart.
The reason why is because this monster, closely resembling a Hollow, who appears to have noticed their presence, now sought a dialogue with them after opening its large mouth to speak.
“New brethren? Indeed, these are faces I have never seen. Surely it’s not like you’re royal maidservants of Baraggan’s court?”
That voice was by no means a thunderous noise that would burst one’s eardrums.
Yet it courses through one’s body as if to permeate internal organs and bone, and as though resonating directly from the cranium, the eerie low-pitched sound shook the very skulls of Harribel and Nelliel.
“It knows Baraggan…? Does this mean that thing is a Hollow after all…?
"In any case, 'Baraggan’s royal maidservants’ of all things…? Besides, speaking of Baraggan, he’s already dead is he not?”
Upon hearing the words Nelliel had returned in dissatisfaction, the movements of the gargantuan monster came to an instant stop.
“Ikomikidomoe? What’s the matter?”
Disregarding the voice of Hikone who had halted all action, 'Ikomikidomoe’ made his dispassionate words reverberate through the atmosphere.
“I see… that cunning old king has been erased from the face of Hueco Mundo has he?”
The king of Hueco Mundo continued to live for a near eternity, only to perish as a subordinate of Aizen in the end.
After a moment of silence, Ikomikidomoe who muttered as though reminiscing about the name of Baraggan, then released a roar within the Rukongai as if to destroy everything.
“—— —————— ———— —— ———— — —
—————— —————— —— ——— ————
————”
His voice shook the atmosphere, the turbulence of the atmosphere turned into wind, and the high density Reiatsu wind gathered together to generate a many number of aggressive tornadoes in the encompassing space.
Those who sought to attack him, those spectating from the sidelines, those who were indecisive about their stance; the fierce bellow intermingled with grief and hatred made an attempt to destroy them all without discrimination.
With that as an impetus, the chaos will come to usher in a new phase.
Somewhere in Seireitei - A hidden domain - Passageway.
Within Seireitei, there is also an area where only a handful of nobles are permitted to enter.
This space which would rarely have any sign of life under normal circumstances, is now transformed into a battlefield filled with flashes of light emanating from swords and the smell of blood.
As sword crossed with sword, a new blade would take aim from behind, and whenever yet another blow would intercept it, those who emerged from the shadows would snatch away everything from the progress of battle.
A collective battle between defenders and attackers, both of whom make assassinations their occupation.
The veiled conflict among a select few who would otherwise be consigned to oblivion from shadow to shadow, had now developed into an open brawl between factions, a situation which could also be described as a disgrace for an assassin.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada is one among the four great noble clans.
The plan was to curb his actions and at the same time monitor them under the pretext of guarding him, however, these assailants had made an appearance as though they had lain in wait to take aim.
Engaged in combat with the Punishment Force commanded by Soifon, is a gang of what appears to be assassins, all clad in jet black garments.
In response to the assassins who laid bare their intent to kill, the Shinigami among the Punishment Force continued to intercept the attack without so much as batting an eye, as though they had suppressed all emotion.
In the midst of such a chaotic scuffle, Soifon deftly handles the onslaught of the enemy, though she constantly spared part of her consciousness to exercising caution against Tsunayashiro Tokinada.
Although Tokinada had asserted that he was being 'targeted by assassins’, Soifon was by no means convinced by those words.
She had come to the conclusion that, in all probability, Tokinada had set this up in order to trigger some kind of event by taking advantage of the confusion, even if Tokinada had truly been targeted by assassins, she had determined that he must be scheming something by using this as an opportunity.
Soifon had also been hearing of the infamy of the Tsunayashiro clan since before the position of clan head had been assumed.
It’s likely she would not have harboured as much animosity if that had been the end of it.
When Kyōraku had issued instructions in order to deploy the Punishment Force with the extremely ambiguous reasoning that “the head of the Tsunayashiro clan may be plotting something”, as one might expect, Soifon raised an objection stating they’d be unable to mobilise under such vague motives, however——
—— “No, it’s not a 'maybe’, he is most certainly up to something it seems. Anyway, having gone to the trouble of summoning me, our mutual friend tried to use politics to his advantage. He made an obvious attempt at flattery, going on about how beautiful I was and whatnot after seeing me in person, whilst even having the nerve to ogle me up.”
And thus, the second Yoruichi added this new information after she had casually dropped in, Soifon immediately proposed something extremely reckless - “let’s execute him, now, this very instant” - taking it upon herself to handle the dirty work.
Given that she had planned to undertake the dirty work herself, Kyōraku had her agree to keeping things civil after managing to persuade her, however in this situation there is no longer any sense in that consideration either, Soifon instead continued to be on guard against Tokinada with the mental attitude that she should just hurry up and cut him down from behind so it would save them the trouble of gathering evidence against him.
Nevertheless, perhaps coming to that realisation himself, Tokinada did not launch an attack on her from behind, nor did he attempt to flee as he happily swung his own Zanpakutō towards the assassins.
—— I guess, he’s strong.
Despite the hostility stemming from her personal feelings, Soifon calmly analysed the ability of the other party.
She had heard that he was a powerful individual formerly belonging to the seated members class of the Gotei 13, but the assassins were being cut down through actions that did not appear to be the result of a period of idleness amounting to several hundred years.
—— …What? That Zanpakutō.
When Soifon cast a glance between the clashing swords, the blade which was clasped in Tokinada’s hands, seemed at first glance to be nothing more than a basic Asauchi.
Even in spite of the fact that only a short while earlier, Tokinada had definitely uttered its release call in order to perform Shikai, the form did not appear to change in the slightest.
—— I’ve heard about the abilities of “Kuten kyōkoku” from captain commander Kyōraku, the Zanpakutō handed down from generation to generation in the Tsunayashiro clan, but I didn’t expect that not even its form would change.
However, regarding its 'abilities’, it was indeed something consistent with the information she had heard.
One of the assassins waved his Zanpakutō, a number of fireballs appear around the blade and charge towards Tokinada.
The heat capacity of its flames could never hold a candle to Yamamoto Genryūsai’s “Ryūjin Jakka”, and it would also be equivalent to mere child’s play when compared to Kurosaki Isshin’s “Engetsu”. Even so, the fireballs were enough to burn and kill one of the Shinigami, but then ——
Tokinada let his blade flash, at the same time, those flames recoiled back towards the enemy as though a ball was hitting a wall.
Like rays of light striking a mirror, the trajectory of the fireballs are made to reverse and collide violently with its original caster.
Screaming, the assassin’s body flared up into an inferno.
Observing that scene, Soifon realises once more that this is indeed an ability that warrants vigilance and it is precisely for this reason that it is she who was chosen to deal with this given that she is able to do battle even without the use of her Zanpakutō.
—— Ability reflection huh?
—— This is more of a bother than I thought.
A technique which reflects the abilities unique to a Zanpakutō in its original state.
Although this power is quite similar to “Sōgyo no Kotowari” once wielded by Ukitake Jūshirō, it’s not the case that it momentarily absorbed the Reishi of an attack and then redirected it back towards the opponent, rather the technique at hand took a form where the attack is repelled away as if an invisible reflective barrier had also been put up.
It can also be concluded that in a case like this, it may be more favourable to do battle whilst maintaining the Asauchi state, however as far as Soifon could see, Tsunayashiro Tokinada is more of a proficient user of Zanjutsu than what she had previously imagined.
Indeed, if paired with this skill, he is likely able to turn the tables on most hostiles.
—— But….
At the same time, doubts emerge in Soifon’s mind.
—— To simply bounce back an opponent’s moves… is that the extent of this power?
—— Or, could it be that the Bankai has a more unique power?
Although it is a startling power, it’s not like there exists no means of dealing with it.
There are individuals capable of fighting even without the abilities of a Zanpakutō much like herself and others in her unit.
Alternatively, there are those capable of devising any number of countermoves, such as Zaraki Kenpachi who is able to overwhelm an opponent purely through physical strength alone without involving abilities, or the roundabout approach of Kurotsuchi Mayuri who determines the outcome of the match before swinging his blade.
In fact, prior to issuing his instructions a short while earlier, apparently Kyōraku had also harboured the same doubts.
—— “It’s just… as far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t seem likely that Tokinada’s Zanpakutō merely has the ability to repel an opponent’s attack.”
Information surrounding the Zanpakutō had been obtained using various intelligence networks, including his position as captain commander and his connections in the Central 46.
However, from the onset, Kyōraku had entertained suspicions over the very fact that such information was made available to him.
—— “His own Zanpakutō has been confiscated. What he now wields, is a Zanpakutō that can be held only by the clan head… that is to say, it is both the trump card of the Tsunayashiro family as well as the very "power” that is symbolic of them.“
—— "A Zanpakutō that is passed down generation after generation by a house among the four great noble clans. Maybe like 'Muramasa’, it’s capable of exercising control over other people’s Zanpakutō… I’ve come to the assumption that it may possess a power just about as reckless as that.” ¹
Recalling an image of Kyōraku who had spoken of such a matter whilst citing as an example, the Zanpakutō which possessed a sort of power that was practically foul play, Soifon maintained the highest degree of vigilance towards Tokinada who was standing at her back, at the same time she continues to repulse the assassins.
Meanwhile, Yoruichi had a half-hearted reaction to the assassins as she breathed a sigh in seeming concern.
“It’s a serious problem that so many Zanpakutō are in the possession of this lot who aren’t even Shinigami.”
Then, in a manner that aimed to give a response to the issue raised, Tokinada who had eliminated the assassins surrounding him, stifles his laughter.
“Well not too long ago a great number of Shinigami died in the war against the Quincies after all. I guess a lot of thieves who recovered Zanpakutō that had lost their owners have come crawling out of the woodwork.”
“Oh yeah, and here I am thinking that some noble who didn’t participate in the war had gone as far as to unscrupulously carry out black market deals by taking the initiative.”
“Hahahaha! If such a noble exists, then he would be a disgrace to the Seireitei!”
While laughing aloud, in the same fashion as before Tokinada had, with a swing of his sword, repelled a lightning strike unleashed by the enemy.
In other words, he either manoeuvred himself by reacting to the speed of the lightning, or anticipated the next move from the enemy’s actions, this becomes a testament to the fact that Tokinada possessed battle prowess that cannot be underestimated indeed.
Whilst effortlessly handling the assassins, Tokinada brazenly made another assertion at a Yoruichi who had spun words of sarcasm.
“Things like Zanpakutō can end up drifting into just about anywhere. It’s not the origins, but rather what it accomplished that’s the important thing, wouldn’t you agree? I’ve heard that’s also true for the current 'Kenpachi’ right?”
.
.
.
“A rogue who didn’t even enter the Shinō Academy, rose up in the world after stealing a sword belonging to a fallen Shinigami in the Rukongai.”
Seireitei - Kutsuwamachi
Yarrow bent to the wind.
Several blocks exist within Seireitei, as well as a number of wards that possess distinctive features such as the commercial district or the noble quarter.
However, one among them, reputed to be particularly conspicuous, is “Kutsuwamachi” where the squad 11 barracks exist, far removed from elements of history, culture, entertainment and the like.
Day in and day out, as the 11th division’s squad insignia sways, Shihakushō clad hoodlums swagger about the main streets of the block looking as though they owned the place.
With a cool visage, Ayasegawa Yumichika —— a man with a physical appearance ill-suited to such a rough townscape, strolled along a path leading to the squad barracks filled with the stench of blood, dirt and liquor; he addressed Madarame Ikkaku —— walking at a slight angle before him, a man who appeared as if he fit perfectly with the atmosphere of this neighborhood.
“Seems like there’s some kind of turbulence in the direction of the first ward, did something happen?”
“Seeing as how those guys from the Onmitsukidō were in a damn frenzy, maybe there’s even something of a manhunt going on. Tsk… if I had the slightest idea where they’re headed, I’d be on the move myself. It may be a different story with the Security Force’s Ōmaeda, but that bunch from the Punishment Force are sure as hell tight-lipped….”
Whilst speaking with an air of boredom, Madarame passes under the gates of the squad barracks with Yumichika in tow.
Suddenly, the rough atmosphere that had filled the block until now, transformed entirely; a Reiatsu that was both wild and austere caused a stinging sensation on the skin of the two men.
Yet, they advance forward without concern.
After all, this air is a familiar one, and also the very reason they continue to remain in squad 11.
Confronted by the Reiatsu possessed of both a harshness and a weight that was capable of putting one under an illusion, almost as though you were being tipped over a mountain of needles just by standing there, it can be confirmed that the other squad 11 troops were all alike in breaking out into a cold sweat.
The fact that this block where ruffians gather, is not fatally lacking in keeping public order as it is the case with places like the “Kusajishi” district of Rukongai, is quite possibly because the squad members were being brought under control by the mere presence of the owner to whom this Reiatsu belongs.
Though, the owner of the Reiatsu himself, does not have the least bit of interest in things like the public order of these streets.
Finally, upon entering the training halls, the 'source of that power’ appears before Madarame and Co.
“We’re back from patrol, captain.”
“…Right.”
Zaraki Kenpachi.
That title is the symbol of a most raw form of the art of war within the Gotei 13, and it is also an ill-omened power of words that embodies a blood-smeared history.
However, his personal method when it comes to the 'art of war’ is much too rough-hewn; his vast torrent of power reminiscent of some kind of natural disaster, could crush a history of endeavour accumulated by others just by itself, and inadvertently revert everything to a barren plot of land.
As the name “Zaraki” suggests, it is as though he was a towering tree that will continue to stand even if the place was reduced to barren land, it’s possible to describe him as an entity worthy of the title of Kenpachi which carries the meaning of a refusal to die regardless of how many times one has been cut.
Seeing that very captain remain in his haori even in the training halls which is an unusual sight, Madarame probed for an answer feeling somewhat mystified.
“What’s going on captain? You’re actually wearing your haori mid afternoon, and there’s not even a captain’s meeting, that’s rare.”
By nature he was not a man who paid any mind to the haori, but perhaps in an act of doing the bare minimum of his duty to Yamamoto Genryūsai who had taken him up, quite often Zaraki would conscientiously wear his haori to captains’ meetings and such.
For the purpose of making it easier to move, this haori would be removed immediately at the training halls, the Kenpachi would then amuse himself to the likes of freestyle sparring against all members of his squad in a state where he is either clad in a Shihakushō or baring the upper half of his body.
Only today, he did not even appear to be carrying out any such sparring session.
“Yeah, I got contacted by that captain commander of ours just now. Said he wants me ready to move into action with a captain’s haori at any time today.”
Although it has half been reduced to rags in a short period of time as a result of intense battle, his captain’s haori still bears special significance.
Perhaps having a premonition of something to come, Zaraki flashed a daring smile as the yarrow that was branded on his squad insignia fluttered.
“I don’t need the damn hassle, but if there’s a fight involved I ain’t complainin’.”
Translator’s Notes:
¹Narita made a tweet regarding the mention of “Muramasa” from anime filler when the 13th installment of CFYOW was released on Shonen Jump Plus:
“Although I’ve thrown in certain terms here and there that call the anime original series back to mind, I won’t specify whether the exact same set of events from the anime occurred down to the particulars, or whether it’s something similar that occurred, so at present I would appreciate it if all my readers could freely interpret it however they want…!”
Hisagi Shūhei spat blood and a cry of agony from his mouth, in this state he falls on his knees to the ground below.
“What’s the matter, Shūhei. Weren’t you going to teach me about so-called ‘rights’?”
Whilst looking down at him, Muguruma Kensei —— the captain of squad 9 whom Hisagi works directly under —— uttered harsh words.
“…I’m just getting started…”
As he spewed a remark that could only be seen as a clear act of bravado, Hisagi began to rise to his feet.
“Huh? He wants keep going? At this rate I’ll just end up getting hungry, and Shū~hei~ will just end up dead won’t he?”
To his side, the self-proclaimed 'Super Vice captain’ Kuna Mashiro leisurely raised her voice in complaint from under her mask.
At this particular juncture, they are still in the middle of a conflict with the “Wandenreich”.
It was a time in which the captain commander Yamamoto Genryūsai was killed at the hands of Yhwach; marked indications of defeat and a sense of anxiety brought with it was in the process of spreading like a plague among the Shinigami.
Amid a situation where as many as four captains have been robbed of their Bankai and unable to grasp even a single clue as to how to proceed with battle —— Muguruma daringly instructs Hisagi to “perform Bankai.”
—— “I wasn’t robbed of my Bankai this time, but that may not be the case next time.”
—— “The more guys we have capable of performing Bankai, the better.”
They had heard that the Department of Research and Development were currently conducting research into a method that would prevent the stealing of Bankai. However, the prospect of whether the research would be completed in time for the next invasion, as well as the prospect of whether or not the stolen Bankai could be recovered, are both in an untenable state.
Either way, if it was possible to even formulate those countermeasures, then there was no doubt that Bankai would become a pivotal turning point of large scale combat.
Hisagi was not against this principle in itself, however ——
Muguruma’s plan was a 'forced awakening of his Bankai via the fierce attacks of a Hollowfied Mashiro.’
Although Mashiro once held the same vice captain rank as Hisagi, she was the militant type who continued to operate with Hirako and the others in the Human world as one among the Visored, and her true strength when Hollowfied also compares favourably with a captain rank.
Despite possessing that degree of raw power, she was not very good at exercising restraint. That Hisagi would proceed to do battle having such a difference in ability compared to her, it could be said that this very fact was a deed which entailed a risk of death.
To put it simply, the plan was ‘if you don’t want to die, acquire Bankai.’
Having said that, it was not the case that Muguruma had also opted for that training method through the mere belief that 'where there’s a will, there’s a way.’
In the past when Kurosaki Ichigo trained in order to draw out his mask —— that is to say his Hollow powers, it came to be that he had trained using a risky method in which his body would be taken over by his inner Hollow if he made the slightest miscalculation. Kensei had also participated in this undertaking and as a result it provided a significant boost in the power of the boy known as Kurosaki Ichigo.
Under normal circumstances, it would be necessary to train for a lengthy period of time to attain Bankai, however, Kensei understood that if one tries to shorten that period, one would need to pay in order to compensate for that.
If it appeared to be the case that he could not withstand this course of training, it’s likely Hisagi would die in the battles to come.
Finding a way to conduct himself in battle was impossible unless he was capable of Bankai, but Hisagi Shūhei is not a man who could imitate such dexterity.
Be that as it may, Kensei is also aware that he had enough true strength to be worthy of vice captain.
In all honesty, Kensei had mixed feelings towards Tōsen Kaname who had thoroughly trained that sobbing young boy from Rukongai to the point where he is now, including the fact that the man was once his own subordinate.
For this very reason, Kensei deliberately mentioned Tōsen Kaname’s name through a cold remark.
—— “Do you doubt that I’d really let her kill you?”
—— “I ain't… a soft touch like Tōsen.”
Upon posing such a question to a bewildered Hisagi, the effect of those words became apparent immediately.
—— “Now hold on… captain Muguruma.”
—— “I looked up to you, and I respected you too.”
—— “But…”
—— “You’ve got no right to badmouth captain Tōsen…!’
And thus, over the span of more than half a day, a training session was carried out which took the form of actual combat with Mashiro.——
"In any case… I have no right to badmouth Tōsen you say? Don’t be such a spoiled brat. Just who the hell do you think is to blame that he’s being badmouthed? Though I guess it’s because you’re asking us to cut him some slack.”
Every time Kensei uttered words of provocation, Hisagi recovered a little more.
“I’m well aware of that…”
Although this sounds like a so-what attitude, the expression of Hisagi’s eyes did not admit defeat.
Rather, they transformed into an expression brimming with a determination to challenge a deeper pit of hell.
“But even so, there’s no way I can so readily allow anyone to drag that person through the mud.”
“That doesn’t stand to reason.”
“You’re right… it doesn’t.”
On his feet in spite of his unsteady balance, Hisagi once again bows his head to Kensei and Mashiro.
“Captain… please accept my thanks. You too Kuna.”
“What’s this all of a sudden?”
“What I mean is, I’m not the only one who’s putting their life on the line.”
“…Humph.”
Hearing that, Kensei averted his eyes seeming somewhat uncomfortable.
Bankai is the innermost power that a Zanpakutō can possess, one can obtain it after materialising and subjugating a Zanpakutō.
Therefore, at the height of the challenge towards this dialogue and submission of the Zanpakutō which occurs during that process, more often than not one can roughly predict what kind of Bankai would come into being and be capable of handling that power naturally upon acquiring it.
However, when it comes to rapidly drawing out the power of Bankai as in this current case, then the potential of the Bankai running wildly out of control could also emerge.
In a situation where for instance, a Bankai capable of 'scattering a lethal poison among a vast radius’ like that of Kurotsuchi Mayuri’s Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō, is abruptly activated, it could lead to both Mashiro and Kensei dying if that power cannot be fully controlled.
Even if things did not develop to that stage, in many cases Bankai would carry unique powers, as a consequence, there is a risk that the person in question could adversely involve all that was in their vicinity despite maintaining complete control.
Realising that this is precisely why they were conducting a training session in a location that was this remote from Seireitei, Hisagi expressed words of gratitude to Kensei and Mashiro who had willingly set foot into that sort of danger.
“Quit acting so high and mighty. It’s a piece of cake to us even if your damn Bankai goes berserk or whatever.”
“Please don’t say anything that may discourage me.”
“Though, I sure as hell hope it’s nothing like Sakanade.”
“Sakanade…? Captain Hirako’s Bankai, is it really that dangerous?”
At Hisagi’s question, Kensei, looking somewhat awkward, gave a click of his tongue and then shook his head.
“…If you don’t already know then forget about it. The details of another individual’s Bankai is not a matter we need to discuss.”
“…You’re right.”
Despite his curiosity, if details on a Bankai’s abilities are leaked to the enemy, then there is also a likelihood that the enemy could formulate countermeasures, consequently many choose to hide their Bankai’s properties.
Although there are also those who pride themselves on not concealing their Bankai since they will continue to stand firm regardless of any kind of countermeasure, it’s possible to say that such individuals are often the type of Shinigami who make a point of meticulous self-discipline.
In order to change the subject, Kensei begins to speak of Hisagi’s Bankai.
“Anyway, real talk, the power of Shūhei’s 'Kazeshini’ is already quite high when in Shikai. As for Bankai, I suppose the possibility that you’d fail to adjust to the power is also present. That’s why, I’m counting on Mashiro who seems capable of handling the situation regardless.”
Then, Mashiro, who had been listening to the conversation appearing bored up until now, raised a complaint against Kensei with a pout on her face.
“Eh, what is that supposed to mean? If that’s the way it goes, then it looks like Kensei will just be standing around doing nothing huh! Come to think of it, I’m the only one who’s been fighting all this time, isn’t that right!? That’s not fair! You call yourself a captain! Not fair, not fair! You sly gorilla!”
Mashiro continues to chant “gorilla” even after this outburst, however, using all his willpower Kensei manages to ignore her even as veins were visibly throbbing at his temple; after taking a deep breath, he turns to face Hisagi with a serious look on his countenance.
“On the other hand, I find it more surprising than anything that to this day, Shūhei has been unable to acquire Bankai. When it comes to performing Shikai, I’m guessing you’re able to go as far as opening up a dialogue right?”
“…Yeah.”
In the case of Zanpakutō, a user responds to its inner call and by calling out an assumed name the sword transforms from Asauchi to Shikai. Consequently, at that juncture, it becomes possible to have a dialogue with the soul that dwells within the Zanpakutō in its inner world, or rather with what could be called the Zanpakutō’s bodily form.
Given that in Hisagi’s case, he too had achieved good mastery of his Shikai without much of a problem, the next step is to cause the bodily form which exists within his Zanpakutō to materialize in this physical world, and then force it into submission using his true strength, however ——
“To tell you the truth, even though there is a dialogue between me and 'Kazeshini’, I don’t think we are able to see eye to eye with each other…. I mean, even in his inner world, he practically never lets me see his true form or whatever, sometimes he appears before me kinda like a black shadow or a black puddle or a black tornado among other things, and that’s just about it.”
“…When you put it like that, I guess he’s another oddball huh.”
“Though in the past, he briefly materialized after I got caught up in a major incident. For a moment I couldn’t tell that it was 'Kazeshini’ because he was sort of different.”
“I see, even though I don’t know the details, it seems as if he was forcibly made to materialize.”
With no particular intention of speaking any further of said incident, Hisagi simply recounts the essence of Kazeshini alone.
“Maybe it’s because he’s aware that I find it hard to stomach this thing’s shape, that he’s hardly willing to speak to me at all. Even on the rare occasions he does address me, he makes nothing but disturbing remarks like 'give me blood’ or 'sacrifice this life.’ I know he’s not a bad guy at heart, but honestly, sometimes I wonder. If I came to understand this guy completely… could it not be the case, that I’d end up being tainted by his character?”
“Are you afraid?”
“…I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.”
At the words of Hisagi which were being assembled as he gazed at a Kazeshini that was made to enter its Shikai state in the midst of training, Kensei mumbled as if speaking to himself after a brief moment of contemplation.
“A Zanpakutō’s words are not always its true sentiments.”
“Eh?”
“Well, anyway, it’s become glaringly clear that the usual way of doing things will not suffice.”
As he approaches Hisagi, Kensei brings his right hand close to his own forehead.——
Coupled with an action that almost resembled tearing off his own face, Kensei dons his Hollow mask which had been drawn out from thin air.
“Whaa…!?”
The atmosphere grows tense, and a pronounced Hollow Reiatsu came coursing through Hisagi’s Reiatsu Chikaku.
In addition to Mashiro who was still clad in her mask, a more heavy Hollow Reiatsu interjected and roused an echo in Hisagi.
“Huh? Is Kensei taking it from here? In that case, can I go grab a snack?”
“You can’t, idiot.”
Whilst negating the words of Mashiro, Kensei cast a Reiatsu imbued with a fierce intent to kill towards Hisagi.
“From this point onwards, it’s going to take the two of us to get this done.”
“……!”
In Hisagi’s mind, he was struck by the mental image of his death that was far more vivid than in the moment he had battled Mashiro.
Unlike the deaths of human beings in the World of the Living, it would be a death of his very soul.
Both his memories and experiences will completely fade away, a journey towards the void where one would turn to Reishi dust.
For an instant, the flashback of a certain scene is played in Hisagi’s mind.
Seared into his soul from its very core, a most distinct personification of death was revived in him.
Without fail it would float into Hisagi’s head when confronted by formidable enemies like the ferocious Arrancar or Aizen, and this time, formidable enemies like the Quincy, for him it was the scene of 'death’ itself.
It was not the scene of the time he was attacked by a Hollow in his childhood, neither was it the moment he was almost butchered by the monster called Ayon, nor the moment he was almost killed by the Quincy who robbed Sasakibe Chōjirō of his Bankai.——
It was a scene from the time he was attacked by a countless number of Huge Hollows, when he lost his comrade Kanisawa.
That he was made to overcome this fear, it was down to the teachings of none other than Tōsen Kaname himself, however——
The fact remains that even now, he could still see that scene.
To sum it up, the Reiatsu of the Kensei before his eyes was so dangerous, that Hisagi’s instincts were warning him to the fact that he was standing on the abyss of his own death this very moment.
In response to Hisagi who was starting to grow motionless, Kensei in his masked state speaks.
“The fear of one’s Zanpakutō, is it? Even that guy Tōsen spoke of such things. That’s why he gave all this damn talk about being able to fight.”
“……”
“I, can’t eliminate your fear. But, if you are able to fight precisely because you have fear, just as that guy Tōsen said….”
Readying his Zanpakutō which took a form that resembles a combat knife, Kensei cast a more boosted Reiatsu towards Hisagi.
“Then prove it.”
Recalling the man who once betrayed him and murdered his comrades——
And at the same time, in order to ascertain whether Tōsen was still a detestable enemy, or the mentor who cultivated the man known as Shūhei, Kensei himself pondered this point.
“I wonder whether or not your sorry ass has the right to talk about Tōsen too.”
And so, time flows by once more ——
Human World - Karakura Town - Mitsumiya
The Mitsumiya neighbourhood is situated in the western part of Karakura Town.
Within it is a small-time candy store venting a strange presence, Urahara Shōten.
Ordinarily the place would be bustling with the frequent comings and goings of children and the like, nevertheless, whether it was a containment barrier that cleared the area of people or something else that had been put into operation, currently not even a single cat could be seen walking around the streets.
What is present there instead, are the several black suited individuals collapsed around the shop, and the form of a red jersey clad young girl carrying two Shinigami on her shoulders.
“…What the hell? Those guys are doing battle with something.”
“Hn?”
After hearing the words of Sarugaki Hiyori —— the girl in the red jersey, Yuki Ryūnosuke who was on the verge of passing out on her shoulder, raises his eyes to the sky whilst suppressing his nausea.
“…Yikes!? What is that!?”
In order to grasp the situation in Karakura Town which had suddenly been blockaded in a spiritual nature, they had come up to the storefront where Urahara Kisuke could be found.
However, what they saw when they arrived there was some kind of unusual battle.
Urahara Kisuke and Hisagi Shūhei.
Urahara a former captain and the first president of the Department of Research and Development, Hisagi Shūhei an actively serving vice captain and the editor-in-chief of Seireitei Communication.
As they animatedly leapt around the air, a fierce battle was unfolding against 'something’ unknown.
“Urahara san… I know I’m asking again but… are you sure this really isn’t some Bankai-like innate ability?”
“Yes, it’s like our Kidō. A basic ability that any Fullbringer is able to use. I fear it’s likely that the true nature of that thing over there is iron rust or something that is infused with one’s blood to greatly enhance the properties of the soul. It’s being driven through 'soul manipulation’ which is a power belonging to Fullbringers.”
“Soul manipulation… you have a point, the concept is foreign to us.”
“It also differs slightly compared to Quincy enslavement. The mass itself is no big deal… but if you were swallowed up by something of that magnitude, then it would be quite possible that both Hisagi san’s body and Zanpakutō would be 'manipulated’ too wouldn’t it?”
What confronted them, was a multitude of gargantuan dragons, formed through dark red spurts of blood.
They were not Western-style dragons, rather the dragons were shaped like limbs sprouting on a serpent as five heads akin to those in Eastern folklore, silhouetted a deep red and rushing around the light ashen skies.
“But this is unbelievable…”
As he muttered that, Hisagi observes the huge dragons floating before his eyes.
On closer inspection it was an aggregation of symbols and patterns, though they converged together like a shoal of fish in the sea, flailing around in unison; transforming into one giant organism the dragons’ body is made to twist and turn.
The jaws belonging to the dragons who measured about the size of a heavy-duty truck’s cargo bed in girth, drew closer in an attempt to engulf Hisagi and Urahara.
Urahara evades it by a hairbreadth, his Zanpakutō which had entered its Shikai state is made to glisten in the light.
“——Kamisori Benihime.”
The red slashing attack produced from the point of his sword easily lops off a dragon’s head.
However the cleaved surface flickered like smoke and regenerated completely as if the fact that it had just been cut had never occurred.
“——Shibari Benihime.”
This time a black sash extends out from the tip of his Zanpakutō, weaved into a lattice-like state it entangles two dragons.
“——Hiasobi Benihime, Juzutsunagi.”
In an instant —— the knots of that black latticework explode in a chain reaction, the skies over Karakura Town are dyed red by explosive flames.
It lit up the slight cloud cover which mantled the town together with the isolation barrier, the flames illuminating Karakura Town like a second sun.
“Insane…! But, is this really okay!?”
Hisagi is worried about what could happen when the humans at ground level come to observe the spectacle, yet Urahara grinned broadly as he spoke.
“Let’s hope that president Vorarlberna will manage to figure something out for us. Come now, when push comes to shove, I can deal with it using a wide area type Kikanshinki (*Account Replacement Spirit Device)”
Although, even in the past, several large-scale battles have taken place in the Human World, with the exception of the decisive battle against Aizen, cases that are this level of dramatic are still likely to be a rare occurrence.
If it were combat between Shinigami and Hollow, the living would never be able to perceive the presence of either party, however in this case, the enemy Aura, though a Fullbringer, is still a living human being.
If there were anyone surveying her from the ground, how on earth would it appear to them?
Bearing such a thought in mind Hisagi probed around for her form, but that form was not to be found.
“That woman… where did she go!?”
“Perhaps, she is hidden somewhere among the dragons. No, if she is able to transform her body into a smoke-like state, then there wouldn’t even be a need to hide in the first place would there?”
“So that’s how it is, is there not a way to defeat her using Zanpakutō?”
“It depends on the Zanpakutō. I suppose the person with the most ideal compatibility, is Hitsugaya san.”
“…I see what you mean.”
If it were an ice-type Zanpakutō like the ones owned by Hitsugaya Tōshirō and Kuchiki Rukia, or alternatively the type of Zanpakutō which can burn down a vast area akin to that which had been in the possession of Yamamoto Genryūsai, then it would be made possible to thoroughly overwhelm this opponent whether or not she turns to fluid or gas.
In that sort of sense, it follows that the compatibility is worst for Hisagi’s Kazeshini which mainly comprises of physical attacks.
“Is this going to have to play out as a Kidō-focused battle?”
“Yes, that’s the plan for the time being.”
Hisagi was not aware. -
- Aware of the fact that up till this point, the very moves Urahara had played, are the various tactics he had once employed against a Hōgyoku fused Aizen.
“There’s no holding back. Let’s give it everything we’ve got.”
However, that the Fullbringer known as Michibane Aura is a presence that demanded said degree of precaution, Hisagi had also understood this by now.
Hearing the Kidō incantation Urahara began to chant immediately after that, Hisagi’s eyes widened as he also prepared himself for the impact.
“The tips of a thousand hands,
Honourable hands unable to reach the darkness,
Shooting hands unable to reflect the heavens,
Path that sheds light,
Wind that fans the embers,
Gather and have no doubt,
Observe my indication,
Bullet of light, eight bodies, nine clauses, heavenly scripture,
Treasure of ailments, great wheel, grey turret,
Take aim towards the distance, and fade brightly.”
When it comes to an individual who is as adept as Urahara, it is possible for them fire Kidō even if the incantation is discarded.
However, by boosting its strength through deliberately chanting the incantation, Hisagi had sensed that he was attempting a test on something.
“Hadō 91 一一一一 Senjū Kōten Taihō”
A cluster of light rays that are spread out in the sky converged before Urahara, forming a high density barrage it bores into the swarm of dark red dragons along with the surrounding atmosphere, burning them away.
Oddly enough, it closely resembled the 'Gran Rey Cero’ which Grimmjow and his company were unleashing at the same time in the Rukongai.
Even on the aspect of power, it is by no means outdone by Gran Rey Cero, perhaps the blow of a formidable Kidō even has the potential to surpass it.
Watching the Kidō which demonstrated an enigma of a man named Urahara Kisuke, Hisagi reflexively caught his breath.
Despite having just fired a Kidō of that level, and without upsetting neither his breathing nor his Reiatsu, Urahara observes the state of affairs around him while remaining composed.
“I see, is it that you’re also able to manipulate the Reishi of my Kidō after all?”
Finally, when the smoke before his eyes cleared away, a lone figure came into sight.
As the remnants of what used to be the dark red dragons float around aimlessly in the surroundings, Michibane Aura was standing there flashing a smile that was as bold as ever.
“No, if anything, it’s like she controlled the soul within nitrogen and constructed it into a barrier… I guess that’s how I’d describe it. Oh my, that you’re able to do that in the Human World which has a weaker Reishi presence, it is truly an amazing thing.”
With an expression that said it was within expectation that she would not be shot down, Urahara observes Aura.
“However, it would appear you couldn’t very well get away with no damage.”
Although she had sustained no obvious external injuries to her body or garments, even Hisagi had sensed the change.
Could it be that she had run out of reserve power to dilute her presence by means of Fullbring? Just a moment ago, her Reiatsu should have thinned out completely, but now it can be felt clearly even through Hisagi’s Reiatsu Chikaku.
Moreover, a fluctuation could be sensed in the Reiatsu itself similar in feeling to exhaustion, Hisagi had concluded that the woman before his eyes was beginning to lose room to manoeuvre.
“Phew, that’s a relief. If you were to tell me she was unscathed just now, then we would surely need to take measures on the level it took to deal with Aizen Sōsuke after all.”
“…This is Kidō? It’s the first time I’ve been directly on the receiving end, but it certainly seems like a formidable technique. Looks like I have somewhat underestimated you Shinigami beings.”
—— I’d be worried if she’s taking Urahara san’s level as the standard to measure us by….
Though Hisagi had such a thought, he figured there’d be no harm with that in itself if his opponent got the wrong idea and is wary of Hisagi’s Kidō too, he decides against specifically pointing out this miscalculation.
“…At any rate, won’t you be so kind as to lend us that power?”
In spite of the damage she was suffering, Aura once again cast words of gentle persuasion towards Urahara.
“I appreciate your kind invitation, but a Hōgyoku… is not something that can be so easily manufactured, and no matter how many reasons you may have, it’s something I cannot so readily forge. If I was capable of achieving mass production and control, I would have already invested it into the last war and also have handed one over to Kurosaki san.”
Urahara speaks jokingly, but then ——
“That’s a lie… isn’t it?”
“……”
Aura poses this question with a smile still on her face.
Urahara responded with silence.
“If Kurosaki Ichigo is given a Hōgyoku, it’s true, perhaps the world would become more stable. However, that deviates from the outcome you seek does it not?”
“ ? ”
Unable to comprehend the meaning behind these words, Hisagi tilted his head; after a self-deprecating smile revealed itself on his face, Urahara replied as a slight tinge of loneliness hung over his smiling face.
“You got me there, my apologies, I lied. If it passed into Kurosaki san’s hands, I suppose it would be turned into something entirely different from a Hōgyoku.”
“Urahara san?”
To the side of a puzzled a Hisagi, Urahara fires a question back at Aura.
“So then… how much do you actually know?”
“Oh, is this fine with you?”
With a chuckle, Aura fixed her eyes on Hisagi and continues to speak.
“The gentleman over there is a 'journalist’ correct? I don’t think it’s the appropriate content to inadvertently discuss in front of such a person.”
“What’s the meaning of all this? What are you guys talking about?”
Without being able to make any sense of it, Hisagi searches for answers, but Aura simply wears a thin smile whilst gazing intently at Urahara.
Then, Urahara glanced at Hisagi fleetingly, and in a display that was somewhat rare for him, Urahara opens his mouth to speak with a serious expression plastered on his face.
“The moment it involved the Tsunayashiro clan, I believe Hisagi san would have come to learn of it anyway… so it doesn’t matter if I discuss the topic right?”
“What topic? The fact that the Tsunayashiro clan are brewing trouble for both the Soul Society and the Human World, as you might expect, even I know that.”
“That’s not it. Hisagi san, I’m sorry this may end up turning into a test of your resolution as a journalist… no, your resolution as a Shinigami.”
“My resolution as a Shinigami…?”
Though bewildered by the unexpected subject matter, Hisagi notices sweat running down the hand currently gripping Kazeshini.
His many years of experience as a Shinigami may have alerted him to a certain fact by instinct -
- The fact that he is now on the verge of setting foot into a matter which belongs in some kind of forbidden grounds.
“I will tell you what I’m able to speak of from my own mouth later… but when that time comes, will Hisagi san swear that regardless of what he hears, he will continue to uphold the justice of the Gotei 13?… That’s the kind of matter this concerns.”
Though his tone was light, it was his words that held an odd pressure.
“I could leave things as they stand and feign ignorance. Before that person says anything, maybe there’s no question about it that I would also be capable of making them hold their tongue. Rather, perhaps I ought to do so for the sake of Soul Society…. But Hisagi san, given that you are also part of Soul Society, I have no right to stop you from learning of the matter.”
“……”
As he felt beads of sweat run down his spine, Hisagi listens intently to Urahara’s talk in silence.
“If there had been no conflict with Yhwach, then under normal circumstances the issue could have been dodged. I’m at a loss myself. Aizen was going to change the way of the world as an individual. I still believe that was wrong. Having said that, if the world itself, that is if the Soul Society desires change, I am not entitled to judge whether that is right or wrong.”
Urahara then pauses from his speech for a brief moment, he intentionally let a gentle smile reveal itself on his face as he addressed Hisagi.
“That, is something a 'reporter’ like Hisagi san should ask the world. From this point onwards, that is the kind of matter you’ll be dealing with.”
“I’ll be-……”
“Well now, let’s continue this later. First things first after all, we have to do something about the situation in front of us.”
Interrupting Hisagi as he was about to say something, Urahara turns to face Aura.
Hisagi felt a strange sense of discomfort towards this Urahara.
—— What the heck?
—— It’s true that Urahara san is talkative, but a person who would chat this much in the midst of battle?
Although he could come up with any number of pointless jokes, he would not make idle chit-chat with a serious demeanor. That is Hisagi’s impression regarding Urahara.
It is for this reason, the very act made Hisagi feel perplexed at this matter which happens to be the sort of thing that 'should be discussed later’, and bewildered as to why Urahara had recounted this tale to him just now, however, without giving answers to Hisagi’s misgivings, Urahara points the tip of Benihime towards Aura who is standing in a spot separated by a small distance.
“Oh my… how unexpectedly considerate of you to not mount a surprise attack on us during our long conversation, Aura san.“
"You must be joking.”
Aura calmly shakes her head.
“While you were talking with the vice captain over there, were you not just preparing a several number of Kidō by processing your Reiatsu?”
“Isn’t it the same for yourself? The dragons that were dissipating just now, you’ve been spreading them around this whole area.”
“Huh.”
Hisagi didn’t even have the slightest idea of any such thing in the background of the exchange until he had heard the pair bring it up.
—— It’s just what you’d expect from Urahara san… that doesn’t matter right now.
Noting his own inexperience, He feels a sense of helplessness, even so Hisagi still faces forward.
—— While that may be true, there’s no way I can afford to become a hindrance.
On the basis of acknowledging his lack of true strength, Hisagi resolved himself all the more to take on the battle, before him, the two 'magicians’ began to move into action.
“…Invert.”
No sooner than Aura had muttered that in a manner of speaking akin to some kind of command, the surrounding air transformed completely.
Just a moment earlier, Aura had reconstructed matter concealed in the atmosphere back into the air by means of soul manipulation, and simultaneously used the dragon fragments as a medium.
In an instant —— A grey tinted stream of water dominates the ashen sky.
In the skies above Karakura Town, a 'sea’ appeared which is small compared to the real thing, yet extraordinarily vast considering its location.
Two Shinigami who were watching the spectacle from the ground, let slip an astonished shriek as they were struck dumbfounded.
“There’s a sea… in the sky?”
“Yikes! If that sort of thing came crashing down on us, we’d be sure to drown Shino san! L-Let’s escape!”
Just how much water did it comprise of?
The 'sea’ which was no more than a mass which veiled the sky, eventually generated a directional swell of waves, before long it transforms into a 'large river’ and coursed around the sky meandering left and right.
Faced with an overwhelming spectacle which possessed both beauty and terror, Hiyori gave yells of abuse and scolds the Shinigami.
“Quit freaking out! A Zanpakutō is capable of something of that level too! Heck even that Espada shark lady pulled a similar stunt….”
Just as she was saying that, Hiyori stopped mid-sentence. -
- Because the next violent threat made its appearance in the atmosphere, as though forming a twin to the great volume of seawater.
“…*Gasp*”
Tessai and the others who were watching the spectacle from a distance, are forced to stay their hands from the counter-attack on the black suits who had materialised around them.
It was that much of a peculiar sight.
As if becoming paired with the stream of water, a river of lava stained in vermilion, rushed about like an enraged fire dragon between a dragon made from seawater.
“It seems we had better speed this up….”
Jinta and Ururu each knock down the enemy they were confronting as though reacting to Tessai’s words.
“Jeez, just what the heck is the deal with these guys!? They come spawning out without a damn warning! Are they insects!?”
Whilst receiving an annoyed Jinta’s yell at her back, Ururu gazed fixedly at the sky and muttered to herself.
“There’s something else… it’s coming.”
“Huuhh!? What in the hell!? What can possibly follow the water and magma!?”
In response to the question he had raised himself, Jinta exclaimed in a sudden flash after a moment of contemplation.
“…So then, it turns out to be drill bit and missile dragons!? They’re probably the strongest right!?”
Completely disregarding those yells, Ururu spoke of the true identity belonging to this stream of Reiatsu perceived through her own eyes.
“Kisuke san’s dragons.”
“Hadō 99 ———— Goryūtenmetsu”
At Kisuke’s words, the sky splits open.
What made an appearance, is five pillars of light taking the shape of dragons and composed of Reishi.
By nature, it was one among the Hadō which possessed tremendous power comparable to that of forbidden spells, creating Reishi dragons from the Spiritual Pulse of the earth, and shattering the ground around it whilst engulfing the target.
Urahara made his own adjustments to it, circulating his Hadō into the atmosphere, he hacked into the very Reiatsu of the souls Aura was setting to work and turned it into a substitute for the Spiritual Pulse.
“…I’d never have guessed that you’d actually go this far.”
The composure disappears from Aura’s face, instead, a slight look of mechanical surprise rises to the surface.
“At long last, you’ve let us see a genuine expression.”
When Urahara whispered that, Aura let her lava and water dragons leap towards Urahara and Hisagi as if to negate it.
Meanwhile, among the dragons that were generated by the Hadō, three hovered over Kisuke and Hisagi in order to protect them, and the remaining two charged headlong towards Aura in a manner that sought to enclose her from above and below.
Then, as soon as the three varieties of dragon intersect in midair ——
Explosive pillars of water vapour shot upwards, every corner of the area was completely buried under a newly born brilliant white.
—— What sort of level is this battle on?
Despite the minimal defence by way of Kidō which had been put up, he had still sustained damage in the aftermath of the explosion, Hisagi curses his own inability to do anything in the face of a battle of titans who were several steps above him.
However, he did not intend to run away from it.
Hisagi understood that he would only get in the way. Urahara’s power was so tremendous that Hisagi had even lost sight of why he had said “let’s, the two of us, tackle this one together.”
Such was the manner of battle demonstrated before Hisagi that it gave the impression that Shihōin Yoruichi is quite possibly the only person capable of keeping pace with him even in a raw ability kind of sense, nevertheless, his pride as a Shinigami kept him rooted to the spot.
If Hisagi was a Shinigami who acts through reason —— then it’s likely he would have already set down his Zanpakutō from the moment he entertained a fear of death.
Whether it be for better or worse, Hisagi Shūhei was an inept man.
He was hailed as a talented student at the Shinō Academy, in fact he was a heroic figure able to manage almost anything beyond the conventional standard of a Shinigami, but an underlying sense of irrational pride always compelled him to select the less favourable option.
However, as a consequence of that, Hisagi became stronger.
It is because of his pride as a Shinigami, or perhaps his pride towards the philosophy he inherited from his superiors as a Shinigami, that he had kept walking the path lacking rationality many times over, and each time he continued to linger on the borderline between life and death.
Even if he made a fool of himself at times, he was able to survive in the end; he did not allow himself to flee thanks to that ineptitude, he steps towards the battlefield and holds his ground by his own volition this time as well.
“Urahara san! I’m not sure whether or not this will work but, using Bakudō I can cut-off her power————”
Thinking about what he could do in his own way, Hisagi sought to raise a suggestion to Urahara, however, it was only then that he had realised that Urahara’s Reiatsu had disappeared from the vicinity.
“Urahara…san?”
As the water vapour gradually cleared away from Hisagi’s field of vision, it appears that the damage which had been incurred is substantial, the pale looking form of Aura came into view.
However, the form of Urahara is nowhere to be found.
Before a bewildered Hisagi, Aura contorted her lips once more; as if it was a cue, a voice interlaced in static noise echoed across the space like it was travelling through a loudspeaker.
“Completion status. Mission clear, Aura san.”
“Thank you, president Yukio.”
“With that score, we won’t be given an SS rank. At best that was a B I guess.” ¹
At the words of Yukio who spoke in a dispassionate manner, Hisagi instinctively raised his voice.
“Hey… what’s the big idea!? What the hell have you done with Urahara san!?”
“I’m sure I already told you from the very onset? Our objective is Urahara Kisuke.”
When he carefully examined his surroundings, there in the spot Urahara had just been standing in before the explosion, a disturbance of Reiatsu could be felt as if curling up the space itself.
—— Urahara san… was abducted?
—— That’s absurd. It’s Urahara san for crying out loud!? What the heck happened!?
As if to mock the panicked Hisagi, through the breaks in the electronic blocking noise which would occasionally leak out from the distortion, Yukio’s voice alone continues to echo across.
“Since we’re all set, I had Urahara Kisuke come up to my stage. That is all.”
“Stop bullshitting me! Hey, release Urahara san right now!”
“Sorry but, why not set a flag for our future progress?” ²
After Yukio speaks teasingly whilst remaining expressionless, Aura spoke up.
“…I suppose it won’t be long before we meet again——”
Giving a respectful bow, she herself disappears into the black, static blocking noise that Yukio had generated.
“I wish you good fortune.”
“Wait damn it…”
He darted through the air using Shunpo, yet in the next instant, he had failed to make it in time.
Only the residue of a distorted Reiatsu remained there, for a short while Hisagi searched for an opening in the surroundings, however——
“Fuck…!”
Ultimately he discovered nothing at all, left floating in midair Hisagi raises a voice steeped in deeply held resentment.
Not towards Yukio nor towards Aura, rather a voice of resentment aimed at his own inability to do anything about it.
Urahara Kisuke had been abducted whilst Hisagi was at his wit’s end.
Much like how he is unable to obtain a single clue as to what it all means.
Translator’s notes:
¹ This is a ranking system in video games originating from Japan, SS rank would be equivalent to flawless and anything below a C would generally be considered ‘mission failed’.
²The 'flag’ terminology used mostly in visual novel games which can alter in-game character’s future status or trigger certain events. Here, when Yukio is talking teasingly about setting off a flag for their future progress, he is really just joking about tempting fate in that something inevitable will follow now that they’re “all set.”
Those who were born amid a connection between man and Hollow that has lasted since ancient times, those who were born out of the cracks.
As for why they came into being, excluding some among the Shinigami, there are few who know the truth.
To the Fullbringers themselves, just as the very concept defied logic, its significance was also incomprehensible; ‘power’ was bestowed to them from a reality which they had no say in, one in which their 'parents were attacked by Hollows’.
There are also those who consider these powers convenient, and thus they choose to indulge in it.
However, in the end it is mere borrowed plumes.
Those who simply continue to use their powers as they desire without even understanding the significance behind the extraordinary abilities that were bestowed upon them, eventually bring about their own demise.
Those who choose not to wallow in greed also possess power that no others had, naturally this caused them to drift away from the world, and as a result, the individuals who ended up remaining hidden from society were in the majority.
to go into specifics, the unique inherent ability that is born by distorting the nature of an object they hold a particular attachment to through the power of Fullbring, that is surely something given by gods —— or perhaps it can even be described as the stuff of the gods in itself; rather than being an exaggerated notion, one might be able to say it partially rearranges the foundation on which the 'world’s mode of existence’ is built.
As if saying it was one of their privileges to be able to raise an objection against a system of a world decided by others.
An attachment to something in one’s vicinity.
In other words, the innate abilities belonging to Fullbringers, is the very source which causes them to grow alienated from the world, and at the same time, it is also the chain that keeps these isolated individuals tethered to it.
Then what of those who hold no attachment?
Those who were unable to harbour the slightest fragment of sentiment towards the world, towards the various items among their personal effects, and ultimately, even towards their own life; Fullbringers who have refused to establish a connection, have feelings of love or even hatred, what kind of situation do they eventually arrive at as a result?
Michibane Aura was one answer to that question.
She is an extremely rare case, a Fullbringer of two consecutive generations.
It appears that her father was a Fullbringer by nature, and her mother an ordinary human being.
A chance meeting between her Fullbringer father and her ordinary human mother, a realisation of their hopes.
Joined in marriage by a love that endured hardships different to that of ordinary people, the two were bound by fate. ——
However, her mother, a mere human, came to be attacked by a Hollow.
Her Fullbringer father beat the Hollow back by making full use of his powers, but by that point Aura’s mother had obtained a serious injury.
They were able to safely deliver their unborn child —— but in return, her wounds were so severe that she ended up losing her life.
Could it not be down to the fact that he was a Fullbringer, the fact that the foetus was tainted with his blood, which ultimately attracted the Hollow?
The father who considered as much, continued endlessly to seek out a way to eradicate this power from within himself, even after Aura was born.
He isn’t the only one who would have to carry on like this.
After all, he feared that Aura too would be rejected by the world.
Then, ten-odd years later.
Towards an Aura who had quickly grown, her father raises his voice after giving a look of great joy.
—— “Rejoice, for both I and Aura may be freed from this curse.”
—— “There’s a Substitute Shinigami who goes by the name of Ginjō Kūgo, he’s gathering comrades.”
—— “I’m not sure what sort of thing a Substitute Shinigami is supposed to be, but that man, he’s a credible fellow.”
—— “Because he says, he will absorb the Hollow powers out of our bodies for us.”
—— “First, I shall test to see whether or not it’s safe. And supposing there were no problems with my findings…”
—— “Aura, then you can live a normal life.”
As she listened to those words which comprised of hope, jubilation, and the slightest fragment of anxiety, Aura tried to wrap her head around it.
—— 'Normal’, I wonder what that is.
—— Why?
—— Aren’t Hollow powers, the source of the Fullbring that father taught me?
—— Why must we hand it over to somebody else?
—— Do we have to eliminate it?
—— Then, once we’ve done such a thing, I’ll have nothing whatsoever.
—— To live a normal life, what does it mean?
—— Does this mean, the current me is not considered 'normal’? Father.
Aura who had been confined to a basement by the hands of her father, suddenly contemplated such things.
Aura’s father may have been broken by his wife’s death.
Even though he had confined his own daughter to the basement of their home, he by no means restored to violence, nor did it mean that he neglected her upbringing.
As far as her father was concerned, she was something that must be protected, she was all that was left of his beloved wife, that is to say, she was also his very reason of being.
He had to protect her.
From the Hollows, from the prying eyes of the human race, from the world itself which considered them heretics.
For Aura who was brought up within a fish tank-like room at the basement level of their mansion, her world was limited to this confined space and her father alone.
If it would only bring her sorrow to learn of the world, her father would make sure not to grant her even a single book.
Not to speak of a television, he didn’t even inform her of the vast expanse of space which lies beyond her room, she was merely taught such things as basic reading, writing and physical laws, and given training on Fullbring techniques in order to protect herself from Hollows.
Her world was complete with that alone.
A world that would never be encumbered, and relative to that, neither is it one that would ever expand.
A tasteless and odourless world.
A world without colour.
A world void of freedom.
A world where one is unable to even discern what difference there was between hope and despair.
Her father’s cooking was just about the only thing that roused her emotions.
Though she had memories of his delicious home cooking, her father had headed towards the location of the man known as Ginjō before it could form a foundation of her Fullbring as the 'attachment’.——
And he never returned again.
Even Aura with her limited knowledge is quick to understand that some kind of abnormality had occurred.
Nevertheless, she was not able to judge for herself what to do in such an event.
Hunger, it is said to be one of the most painful sufferings among the agonies a human being can experience.
For Aura who was at least made to eat her meals at her own convenience despite being confined, this first taste of pain was enough to splinter her immature psyche.
Even so, that she was not completely broken, was it the result of the Fullbring training which she had been initiated into by her father? Or perhaps, a benefit from the 'factor’ that has been present within her as a Fullbringer from the very beginning?
Either way, she succeeded in overcoming the situation before the point of no return.
When her sense of hunger reached its limit, she raised her hands to the walls of her water tank-like room, drew out its soul using her Fullbringer powers, set it to work, and then ——
In the next instant, those walls that confined her —— the tempered glass of her tank is reduced to sand entirely, disappearing from her presence.
With staggered movements, the young girl she was stepped out from the basement and towards the 'outside world’.
Remaining oblivious to even the fact that this was still part of the mansion known as her 'inner world’, she completely destroys the locks on the doors which were applied sevenfold, and continues walking.
The 'world’ she had grasped with her own hands for the first time, took the form of a portion of ingredients located inside the kitchen.
Having realised that it was something her father puts into the food he would prepare for her, she gave into instinct and devoured it greedily —— the taste of decay immediately resulted in her spitting it out.
Ironically, the only part of the 'world’ that offered her attachment, ended up being rejected by own body.
If it were not for that process, she may have been awakened to her own innate abilities which took 'food’ as her attachment and then lived out the rest of her life as an 'ordinary’ Fullbringer.
Perhaps she would have encountered the man named Ginjō Kugō, perhaps she would have battled Kurosaki Ichigo, or maybe it would have brought about a distinct salvation.
However, things didn’t work out that way.
In her world, something that entertained enough attachment to maintain a connection, never made an appearance.
Alternatively, though it was a skewed relationship, it may have been the case that her very father was the link that served as an attachment for her —— and yet, even he disappeared from Aura’s world.
Collapsing upon reaching the 'outside’ in the true sense of the word, she was lucky to be discovered by a passer-by and was thus given protection by the police as a result.
When they found signs of her confinement in her crumbling home, for a short while, the public were in an uproar over the perverseness of the father who imprisoned his own daughter, but soon after, even that uproar died down, and the girl known as Aura was completely forgotten from this world.
Perhaps feeling that the girl would be unable to go by a surname belonging to the sort of father who would confine his own daughter; at the hands of the relatives on her mother’s side that took her into the care of the Michibane family, she was to live her life after that as “Michibane Aura.”
A time span of several more years had passed since then —— she was being integrated into general social life.
To say she ‘was integrated’ is probably not entirely accurate.
Completely effacing her very being, she continued to pass the time like weeds growing by the roadside.
Her physical appearance was very beautiful, naturally it was no surprise that she attracted the eyes of both men and women without discrimination, yet even considering the idea that she hadn’t drawn the attention, perhaps it might also be her Fullbring that exerted some kind of influence on her surroundings.
It’s not like it was her intention to hide from the world.
However, given that she was unable to harbour any interest whatsoever towards the world, it’s only natural that she would remain placid in that kind of way.
Regarding her father whom she had nothing but trust for, the people around her would relentlessly slander him saying “he’s a wicked person” and “forget about such a man.”
If she considers it from the angle of her knowledge of life as a member of society which she later acquired, then admittedly her father could probably be regarded as depraved.
Aura had come to notice that as she matured, but now that things have come to pass, it made no difference to her.
As far as she was concerned, the real world was inside the confined space of that glass tank, but without any attachment being born there —— even in this 'new world’ which should have been stimulating, its entirety can only be seen as an extension of that glass tank.
Upon stretching her interpretation of the world, to her, there was no such thing as 'an existence with an attachment’ that was enough to force her 'Fullbring’ to develop —— Nevertheless, when Aura herself is asked about this matter, what she had was one sole answer.
“What is important to me… is the very Fullbring that I learned from my father. This saved my life. I was able to survive because of it. Nothing else is needed. I may be indifferent about my father. However, the Fullbring I learned from him, it’s my everything.”
And the 'architect of the question’ who had heard that answer, spoke whilst nodding approvingly.
“I see, yes I see, so this is how you’ve grown up huh? How very amusing.”
She immediately understood that the man who had flashed a sinister smile, is 'something’ different to the people around her.
'It’ suddenly appeared before her one day.
It could not be seen by anyone other than herself.
It was a being akin to the white monsters that would attack her from time to time.
The man, clad in strangely outdated garments, opens his mouth to speak whilst watching her closely as if in assessment.
“You’re able to hunt down even Huge Hollows at your age? Moreover, it’s highly intriguing that you’re using nothing but the basic techniques of a Fullbringer.”
So saying, the man kicked at the remnants of the white monsters that had been dealt with by Aura just a moment ago and now lay strewn around their feet.
“…Who are you? You’re not a human are you?”
“Oh, me? Where are my manners. I am what you people would call a 'god’. I am what’s known as a 'Shinigami’. Have you never heard of our existence from your father?”
—— Shinigami.
What is recollected in her mind, is not not the absolute being who governs death which occasionally appears in the likes of books that she had read on the 'outside'… but rather, the words her father had left with her in the end.
—— “A Substitute Shinigami who goes by the name of Ginjō, he’s gathering comrades.”
“…Ginjō?”
In response to Aura’s murmur, the man who claimed to be a Shinigami laughed in delight.
“Hahahaha! I didn’t see that coming! What a pity, what a great pity indeed! I guess it would be ideal if that were the case though. Both for you, and for Ginjō Kugō himself.”
“Who… are you?”
Confronted by Aura who, without even a tinge of emotion, raised this question carried in words that only entertained uncertainty, the man blithely contorted his lips even further whilst stating his own name.
“My name is Tokinada. Tsunayashiro Tokinada.”
“Tokinada…?”
“Are lowly humans always this rude? You should address me with 'sama’. That’s 'Tokinada sama’ to you. At present I’m still under house arrest, but the Human World is so very fascinating these days, I have a tendency to sneak out against my better judgement.… Well, that’s fine proof that the lot from the head house take no notice of the likes of me.”
Faced with the man before her eyes who gave an answer to a question she hadn’t asked, and on top of that, continues to speak of matters she couldn’t quite comprehend the meaning of, Aura tilted her head in confusion, but then ——
The matter he spoke of in the next instant, resulted in forcibly drawing her interest.
“Ah, that’s right, you want to know who I am, rather than my name and circumstances.”
Just as the friendly smile had emerged on his face, he easily let slip the truth.
“It’s an uncomplicated matter really. I am a descendant of the family who ordered the killing of your father.”
“…Huh?”
Aura’s countenance which was like a deadpan mask, is now thrown into immense disarray for the first time.
As if to say that he also found her reaction amusing, the 'Shinigami’ who introduced himself as Tokinada, assembles more words.
“Your father, his whereabouts is supposedly unknown… but in fact, he’s already dead. It won’t hurt to thank me for saving you the time and effort to go searching for him you know? If you wish to bawl your eyes out, that would be amusing in its own way. If you wish to revile me as the enemy of your father and kill me in an act of revenge, I’d still consider that fun. Kidō against Fullbring, shall we see which one will come out on top in a contest of skill?”
“…I don’t understand what you’re getting at. My father, your saying he was killed by your family? Why?”
“Hn? Oh, the reason? The reason huh. If I could answer you with 'there is no such reason’ then it might be possible to belittle your father’s memory even more, however I suppose I may as well answer you honestly.”
Tokinada slowly walked around Aura, at the same time he observes a fluctuation of her Reiatsu.
Although he could see her confusion, he could not sense any feelings of unrest caused by emotions like anger or sorrow.
As he examined her carefully with eyes that appeared as if they were gazing at a rare species, Tokinada uttered the answer to her question.
“It’s retrieval. What should be 'property’ that originally belongs to us, was fused with the souls of people like your father, and yourself.”
“……?”
“Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter does it? What’s the most important thing now? What of the detestable family of adversaries, who robbed you of the world inside that confined glass tank that was oh-so precious to you, who now stands before your very eyes?”
Hearing those words, Aura’s eyes begin to narrow.
“You even know about… my past?”
“Yes, but of course. Because I have been watching. I suppose the factor lay hidden on your mother’s side too. That it would be passed down for two consecutive generations, and what’s more, to be a Fullbringer at the same time, this is an extremely rare case. Naturally, you were observed. So, what will you do? Do you accept my challenge of a duel? Obviously I will put up a resistance.”
“…. There’s no need. To be honest, I’m not interested.”
Watching Aura as she readily shook her head, Tokinada laughs.
“Hahaha, that’s right, yes I thought as much, you probably don’t have that kind of disposition. In the past, when I tested a man who abandoned himself to sentiment, quite the opposite of you, I employed a more elaborate act. Yes, the way that man glared at me with his unseeing eyes, even thinking back on it now, it’s intoxicating.… Though, the concept of intoxication itself seems to be nonexistent to you in the first place.”
After talking about someone who was not present at the scene right now, Tokinada remarked as if treating Aura with contempt.
Remaining void of both indignation and fear towards this, Aura poses a question regarding her own fate in an unfazed manner.
“Do you intend to kill me too?”
“Yes, eventually. Depending on the situation, I may even spare you.”
“Eventually…?”
Towards the man who had declared that her own execution looms ahead, she harboured no emotion whatsoever as before, at the same time, Aura could hardly fathom the other party’s intentions and is thus bewildered. Or perhaps, that very bewilderment is the closest element to what constitutes an emotion permitted to Aura.
Tokinada reveals his own objectives to her in all sincerity. –
– As if to announce that he looked forward to how she would receive it, and whatever ending it would lead to.
“The 'factor’ that dwells within you; rather than retrieving it as components, it’s more interesting to put it into operation through a single unit, besides it looks like you would come in handy as a game piece under my control.”
“I would be… your game piece? What for?”
“You have no attachment to this world, correct? That being the case, we should repaint the world anew. If we forge a new world, then maybe you will come to find something you can harbour an attachment to along with it?”
Whether or not he was simply talking at random with those words, Aura who at the time was unfamiliar with the world, was unable to understand.
Like the snake who enticed the first of mankind, Tokinada gradually ensnares his victim with the thread that are his words.
“The heart and left arm ended up returning to that Quincy lot… but what exists within you is also rather unique. I want to turn you into my game piece at all costs. I shall give you something you desire. As long as it’s within my power to do so of course.”
“…Right now, there is no such thing that I desire.”
“Then, someday its time will come but until then you should give it some consideration. Also, if you are to become my game piece, when it comes to the way you treat others at least, you should do a little better. It doesn’t matter if you have to force a smile. Your faint smile, I dare say it’s likely to beguile both men and women alike.”
Disregarding the words of Tokinada who spoke of an unsettling matter, she continued with her questions as if keeping after him.
“What is it that dwells within me?”
In response to that query, the man grins widely as he reveals a certain truth to Aura. .
.
.
“An organ referred to as the 'Saketsu’ (*Binding Chain)… which belongs to a being called the Soul King.”
This is part 12 on the app 2/2 (chapter 11 continued)
Somewhere in Seireitei.
A facility catering exclusively to nobles, located in the basement level of a certain hidden domain of Seireitei.
In this facility which has become a data collection center under the direct control of the Visuals Department, image observation data on various locations is accumulated and stored, not only from the Seireitei, but also throughout the entirety of the Human World and in recent years, even as far as some parts of Hueco Mundo.
Within the passageway travelling between ground level and basement level which led to said facility, the very man Kurotsuchi Mayuri had named, deliberately gave a slight shake of his head at the individuals who were blocking the path before him.
“The fun was just about to begin. I didn’t quite expect you’d come hindering me at this opportune moment.”
Although Tokinada spoke in a manner that seemed to indicate a sincere disappointment, an ecstatic smile which couldn’t be contained revealed itself in his eyes.
“So then? What in the world is this all about? I guess I’m a little slow on the uptake… I want an explanation.”
Standing before his eyes was petite Shinigami clad in a captains’ Haori, and stationed behind her, a platoon dressed completely in black —— all were members of the first branch of the Onmitsukidō known as “Keigun” (Punishment Force).
“…Tsunayashiro Tokinada sama. We have obtained intelligence regarding individuals who conspire to assassinate you. Until we eliminate this threat, we urge you to enter our protection.”
“Oh my, so that’s how it is, I didn’t see that coming.”
Shrugging his shoulders, Tokinada continues to speak as an indignant smile emerged on his face.
“That sort of back-door approach is Kyōraku’s way of doing things huh. It appears that he still cannot lay the groundwork to drag me down from my position as clan head. Did he dispatch you in order to momentarily stall for time, knowing that I have beaten him to the punch?”
“With respect, I don’t understand the implications behind what you are saying.”
“On the contrary, I expect you understand already don’t you? You can stop with the ill-conceived smoke and mirrors, 9th generation Fēng family. Furthermore, it’s obvious that you’re practically forcing yourself to use honorifics you know? Don’t you think this superficial respect suits poorly with the Onmitsukidō.”
“You must be pulling my leg.”
Though Tokinada had spewed words of provocation, Soifon’s countenance didn’t flinch in the slightest.
Perhaps that roused his interest further; the man who was a leader among the four great noble clans, continued to toy with the lesser noble who existed as part of a family of assassins.
"Among your elder brothers, two died running errands for this very Tsunayashiro clan of mine, didn’t they? Well, at this stage it’s possible to say that they died in vain, but it’s good to know that at least they did their duty as sacrificial pawns.”
“…Such gracious words, I humbly receive them.”
Completely suppressing her innermost thoughts, Soifon gives a mechanical response.
Seeing her like that, Tokinada contorts his lips even further and sets fire to the chemical agent which serves as an explosive to her.
“Didn’t I just tell you that the superficial respect is unnecessary? What you truly pay respect to, is the Shihōin clan alone. In particular, towards that absconder Yoruichi who isn’t even clan head anymore, isn’t that right?”
“……”
Soifon’s facial expression is deadpan.
However, Tokinada who had perceived a slight tremor in her Reiatsu, tosses words in a form that poured salt into the wound.
“Ah, I see, that’s right! If rather I take Yoruichi as my wife, then I wonder if by extension you could give me genuine respect as a member of her family? We are fellow aristocrats of the four great noble clans, don’t you think we’d make an appropriate match? I who had inadvertently ended up slaying my own wife, and she who was coaxed by Urahara Kisuke into inadvertently betraying Soul Society. Indeed, how can one not help but think that this is a match made in heaven?”
With a sudden snap, the sound of something breaking resounded within her.
Soifon’s Reiatsu began to fluctuate, the members of the Punishment Force who were standing at her back prepared to restrain Soifon who remained as expressionless as before, and in that very moment —— a voice belonging to the subject of conversation herself, abruptly echoes across from within the passageway.
“Well I never, that you’d actually marry me only to spite Soifon, you really seem to think so little of me.”
“ ! ”
When Soifon turned to look over her shoulder with great vigour, standing there was the form of Shihōin Yoruichi clad in black garments.
“Yoruichi sama!”
“Oh my, you ended up hearing my shameful words.”
In response to Tokinada whose demeanour didn’t indicate the slightest bit of shame, Yoruichi makes an assertion.
“Even in the unlikely event that I am genuinely being proposed to, I can’t stand such formalities so let me tell you in advance. I might as well leave Soul Society once more and even escape to Hueco Mundo than remain married to you till death do us part.”
“Yoruichi sama…! This honeymoon you speak of… please allow me to accompany you in your escape…!”
At Soifon who spoke with a serious look on her face, Yoruichi narrows her eyes smilingly and breathes a sigh.
“Soifon, you… really have a few screws loose in your head when it involves me.”
“*gasp!* Thank you!”
“You’re taking that as a compliment? I mean, it’s quite amazing that contrary to expectations, these guys from the Punishment Force are standing by on alert with a straight face even after watching you just now… or maybe it’s better to say they’ve trained themselves well.” (TN –‘well trained’ as in they’ve grown accustomed to Soifon being smitten with Yoruichi.)
“*gasp!* Thank you!”
Despite her astonishment at Soifon who now resembled a plaything that would repeat the same words, a complete reversal from her mechanical deadpan mask, Yoruichi addressed Tokinada a second time.
“Anyway, it appears that I’m also being targeted by assassins. That’s a frightening prospect so I thought I’d have Soifon protect me alongside you. Is that fine with you?”
At those words, Tokinada was silent for a brief moment, but before long he smiled bitterly as he exhaled a heavy sigh.
“Shihōin Yoruichi who doesn’t carry a Zanpakutō, being protected by 9th generation Fēng family who specialises in Taijutsu? I see, I see, it seems you’ve heard of my Zanpakutō’s abilities from Kyōraku. That blabbermouth.”
“How rude. I have a regular Zanpakutō. It’s just that in my case, I’m stronger when I battle using Taijutsu alone. It’s something of a daily routine pacifying my sword which is always sulky thanks to that.”
—— Soothed on a daily basis… by Yoruichi sama…?
Imagining that scenario, Soifon harboured an intense feeling of envy towards Yoruichi’s Zanpakutō, in spite of this, she decided against voicing said feelings aloud whilst maintaining vigilance towards Tokinada.
Aside from Soifon who operates with great dexterity as though she was perhaps dividing her frame of mind into two separate parts, all members of the Punishment Force stabilise their Reiatsu like the surface of a calm body of water in order to safeguard the Tsunayashiro nobleman.
After giving it some further consideration, Tokinada accepted the other party’s request whilst flashing a smile that was particularly sordid.
“Very well. If that’s the case then I shall leave it you lot to be my guard. I myself have been feeling quite uneasy too after all.”
“Uneasy you say?”
“That’s right, recently there has been a spate of attacks made on my person by these assassins. My bodyguard Hikone is also not by my side at present. On the days I step outside in the absence of a defense mechanism like this I——”
In the next instant, the sound of an explosion traversed through the space, a huge cavity opens up on the ceiling.
“ !? ”
What emerged from there was a group of men and women whose faces were wrapped in cloth, skin completely concealed.
Without looking left nor right, they rushed towards the spot Tokinada was standing in, each grasped a Zanpakutō in hand, readied in its Shikai state.
—— Assassins!? It can’t be, they’re real!?
—— No, are they Tsunayashiro subordinates!?
Despite being unable to discern which interpretation was correct, either way, they had no choice right now but to keep a watchful eye on Tokinada whilst guarding him.
Soifon who had come to that impromptu decision immediately regains her usual visage, she issued a bare minimum of instructions to the lineup among the Punishment Force who were under her command.
“Battle formation, engage the enemy!”
“Good heavens, how frightening. Assassins can be awfully scary. In that case, I suppose I too have little choice but to cross the barrier of social status and do battle by joining hands with you a lesser noble.”
As if mocking Soifon, Tokinada grins and at the same time he extends a hand towards the Zanpakutō at his waist.
“Revere —— 'Kuten-kyōkoku’.”
And thus, close to the very heart of Seireitei, the curtain rises on a tragedy brought about by the hands of the nobles. . . . As if to indicate that it was a prelude to further conflict which is yet to occur.
'They’ were slaves driven by an incessant destructive impulse, existing whilst embracing this paradox in which they would repeat the cycle of destruction because they sought liberation.
'They’ are the ones who once contended for the rank of '6’.
Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.
Luppi Antenor.
The personalities of the two were completely different on the surface, but at its roots flowed the magma-like emotions which they both had in common.
In the past, Luppi had attained the 'Sexta’ numeral replacing Grimmjow who had made an error of judgement, and in response, the Espada who held the 'Octava’ numeral uttered this:
—— “I reckon the aspect of death you symbolise is the same as Grimmjow’s. That is why, you were chosen as successor out of the other candidates who were present like Dordoni or Cirucci.”
—— “I won’t let you tell me that I haven’t a clue what I’m talking about you know? You are only able to make a connection to something in the form of destruction. If one were to say that the hole bored into us Hollows is what we lack, then you, no, the two of you, can only fill that hole by means of destruction.”
—— “That you loathe Grimmjow from the very depths of your heart, it is mere repulsion for your own kind.”
—— “It doesn’t matter, you are the one who is legitimate Sexta now. You should treat him with compassion.”
—— “Well, if you end up killing him inadvertently, then I will have his corpse put to good use. Therefore, you can sate your own appetite with some peace of mind.”
—— “As long as you bear that № 6, you will always take the side that offers you 'destruction’ after all.”
Rukongai
Now that Aizen has left Hueco Mundo, and the significance has long since faded from the Espada numerals —— for 'them’, it is only the aspect of death known as “destruction” that remains.
“Hahaha! You realise I won’t let anyone get in my way? Because I’m going to demolish you, eight versus one!”
Swinging his eight tentacles which had been reduced to shreds, Luppi scattered spurts of his blood whilst delivering a flurry of blows at Grimmjow.
Having taken a form that was reminiscent of a beast by performing Resurrección, Grimmjow continues to beat back the turbulent barrage of assaults which were accompanied by physical blows, slashing attacks and even the occasional Cero, using only the claws on both hands as well as his own Cero.
“tsk… The likes of small fry won’t even be able to leave a scratch on me, guess I won’t find any sort of amusement in killing you.”
“If that’s the case, why not do me the favour of dropping dead while you’re busy getting bored?”
As Luppi enclosed Grimmjow with four of his tentacles from top and bottom, left and right, from the remaining four he unleashed a Cero fused with his own blood.
Counter to that, Grimmjow daringly juts forward and slips through a gap between the tentacles.
“But, I have reason to kill you asshole.”
Then, slashing away the Cero that was fired from those remaining four tentacles using his own claws, Grimmjow came prowling towards Luppi.
“…*gasp!*”
“Any fool who looks at me with mocking eyes, I don’t give a damn who they are, I’ll beat the crap out them!”
And thus, he attempted to drive the well-honed claws of his Zanpakutō into Luppi’s chest just as he had done in the past. ——
“…Got ya.”
Smiling fearlessly, it is Luppi who advanced forward without pause, and deliberately let the claws sink into his own abdomen.
“ ! ”
“You’ll beat the crap out the guy who mocks you Huh? Oh my, what a coincidence.”
He didn’t just offset the attack from his vitals which were being targeted, rather, as though an insectivorous plant was devouring its prey, Luppi wrapped his eight tentacles around both himself and Grimmjow. ——
“I intend to do the same, Grimmjow.”
In a gesture that compromised his own body, Luppi fires a volley of Cero at Grimmjow.
“…As if I’d let you!”
At the same time, Grimmjow instantaneously draws in a sharp breath, he spews an explosive roar woven with Reiatsu, and to top it off, from the armour on his arm which was free, Grimmjow launched hooked claws containing a mass of Reiatsu —— Garra de la Pantera.
Both of their attacks intersect, explosive flames and sprays of blood blanket the vicinity around the pair.
“They sure are making a damn mess of things. Geez, battles between fellow Hollows can get awfully wild huh.”
As the blast from the explosion raised a cloud of dust and deprived them of their field of vision, Ginjō who was covertly observing the progress of battle muttered this to himself.
Tsukishima who was standing beside him began to pose a question.
“I believe Ginjō tends to be quite reckless too though?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. I always put safety first don’t I?”
“If you say so.… That aside, it’s only a matter of time before they reach us.”
“…Yeah. Well, when it comes to that, there’s no knowing what may happen.”
Even as Ginjō kept his eyes trained on the battle between the fellow Arrancar, part of his cognition maintained vigilance against the Shinigami who was heading towards this place, as well as the other presence who appears to have joined up with him.
“It’s time, we should get down to business about whether or not we want to consider briefly retreating.… Even if we take advantage of the confusion, should we be careless enough to get caught in the crossfire it’s likely we’d wind up getting eradicated in the blink of an eye.”
“…tch. That move just now… you really thought that would work on me.”
What came into sight after the dust clouds had settled, is Luppi, tentacles torn to shreds even more so than before and blood streaming from his mouth as he smiled wryly.
Although he indicated no signs of disarray with his tone, Grimmjow had also sustained injuries all over his body.
“That’s my line, your sturdiness is fodder to me. Regardless, this ends here.”
Grimmjow then clicked his tongue as he flashed a grin, with that he began to charge Reiatsu into the claws of both hands in order to deliver a finishing blow.
However ——
“…tch. That move just now… you really thought that would work on me.”
“……?”
“…tch. That move just now… you really thought that would work on me.”
“Hey asshole, you touched in the head or something? What are you saying…?”
In puzzlement Grimmjow questions Luppi who repeated the same words, but then ——
“……!?”
Taking notice of the fact that his Reiatsu, which should have been gathered in his claws, was actually being reset, he came under the illusion that some strange event had occurred.
“That move just now, you really thought that would work on me.” . . . “you really thought that would work on me.” . . . “thought that would work on me.” . . . “on me” . . . “me” . . . “me” . . . “——” . . . “——”
While he listened to the words of Luppi which were being made to repeat, he was seized by the sensation that all the nerves in his body was in a state of paralysis ——
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mention it? The spray of my blood which you are completely soaked in, has been infused with a special poison.”
In response to Grimmjow who suddenly fell to his knees, Luppi spoke with a smile that was a mixture of innocence and indifference.
“I don’t understand the mechanism very well myself, but perhaps by seeing the past, it is simply your consciousness that repeats the same moment in time over and over again? Apparently it’s quite a frightening poison that ends up paralysing one’s whole body during the process.”
As Luppi himself also staggered with his injuries, step by step he drew closer to Grimmjow.
He knew that by the hands of Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the poison had been embedded in both his body as well as the others. To go even further, it’s effectiveness has actually been proven through a zombie Matsumoto Rangiku who did battle against him.
Although he made a gamble as to whether or not this would also hold true for Hollows, with convincing speculation that the poison had probably been adapted to this situation too knowing Kurotsuchi Mayuri, he adopted a battle technique which involved deliberately dousing the enemy with his own spurts of blood.
“A-HA-HA… though it’s not like me at all, using a method like this that is…”
Aiming a mocking laugh at himself who taken a course of action which entailed the acceptance of Grimmjow’s honourable defeat, Luppi stared down towards Grimmjow.
“Well, I guess it’s because you’ve made it possible for me to truly feel alive for the first time in a long while…. I’m very grateful to you for that, Grimmjow.… I’m still going to kill you though.”
Then, with Reiatsu charged in each of his eight tentacles, Luppi prepares to fire a “Gran Rey Cero” from every single tip.
However, it was at this point when something unexpected occurred.
Grimmjow who should have fallen victim to a complete paralysis of his body, slowly began to rise from his spot.
“What the…?”
“tsk… You really got me good huh…Luppi!”
“Damn… why!? How are you able to stand up!? This is the very poison that even those captain class Shinigami were helpless against!?”
“Hn. That Arrancar, he has a resistance?”
Kurotsuchi Mayuri who was surveying the situation from a distance, whispered to himself with great interest.
“A resistance? To the captain’s poison?”
When Akon who remained at the Technological Development Department inquired over the communications, Mayuri explains the situation in a mixture of idle complaint against Luppi.
“Good grief, what an imprudent fool. Without me to set a point in the past to return to, the chemical agent cannot demonstrate its full potency I tell you. Well, even barring that, I have implanted an abundance of other varieties of paralysis poisons too.”
As if to indicate a great fascination, Mayuri scrutinized Grimmjow’s Reiatsu data whilst muttering to himself.
“Apparently, he was at the receiving end of some particular kind of poison, and he managed to survive in that condition. I wonder what kind of toxic substance it was? Very intriguing indeed.”
Having almost been poisoned to death once in the past via an ability belonging to the Quincy known as Nakk Le Vaar, Grimmjow has developed a strong tolerance towards poisons by undergoing said experience, although, even he himself was not aware of that fact.
In truth, if Mayuri had been by his side, then it’s likely he would have immediately 'tuned’ the drug thereby nullifying Grimmjow’s tolerance, however with the poison merely being sprinkled by Luppi it could never deprive bodily functions, so much so that it was possible for Grimmjow to still be standing on his own two feet.
“That was some sly move you pulled on me don’t you think? Whatever. If an asshole like you wants to kill me, then you’d better use all the tricks you’ve got.”
It’s not the case that the effects of the poison were nonexistent, and his physical condition should be approaching its worst, nevertheless, Grimmjow flashed a ferocious smile and grew all the more battle hungry.
“Because I’m going to take them all in one go and smash them up along with that smug face of yours.”
Observing that savage appearance, Luppi who was irritated by the fact that his opponent had stood up, quite conversely regains his composure.
“Ah, sure enough, things like poisons don’t suit my character. I’m no Szayelaporro.”
Rotating his eight tentacles which had been reduced to shreds, he began to accumulate his Reiatsu once more in order to unleash “Gran Rey Cero.”
“It’s fine by me, Grimmjow. Bring it on.”
With a fiendish smile similar to that of his opponent’s surfacing on his face, Luppi recites to Grimmjow his own intent to kill in a coarse manner of speech that was quite out of the ordinary for him.
“You still… won’t be able to shatter me from the front like before!”
A “Gran Rey Cero” octet.
Sensing that an unprecedented attack was imminent, Grimmjow also attempts to engage his opponent with a technique that could counteract that attack.
Desgarrón.
Grimmjow processes the Reiatsu density which even exceeds that of “Gran Rey Cero” on the tips of both sets of claws, taking the form of huge sharpened claws they begin to stand towering over the surroundings forking to the left and right of his body.
It is not clear which side would emerge more formidable, but there appeared to be no doubt that the environs would be blown to smithereens with the impact of the Reiatsu either way.
“Oh crap this isn’t good. Retreat.”
“What the hell is up with that!? Do they intend to swallow us up with them too!?”
Ginjō and Candice raise their voices at the same time, together with their respective companions they began to make a retreat from the two Arrancar, but then ——
'The one’ who came flying in by moving into their position, darted between Grimmjow and Luppi, the Reiatsu at the scene instantly descends into chaos.
“ !? ” " ! “
With their concentration disturbed by the change of Reiatsu, Luppi and Grimmjow temporarily halt the exercise of their techniques.
"……Who the heck are you?”
Confronted by Luppi who posed this question without relinquishing the hold he had on the Reiatsu which was charged to fire a Gran Rey Cero, the strange mass of Reiatsu which came barging in, opened its mouth to speak.
“Ouch-ouch-ouch-ouch… just as I thought, I’m no good at landing huh…”
After muttering to itself in a demeanour that disregarded the atmosphere of the scene completely, 'it’ introduced itself whilst flashing a smile that held not even a shred of malice towards Luppi.
“Oh right! I’m Ubuginu Hikone! Tokinada sama has instructed me that… err… I came here to see Grimmjow san.”
In response to Hikone who made this assertion with a nonchalant air, Luppi looks at Grimmjow through eyes mixed with bewilderment.
“Uhh… is this kid, like your backup or something?”
“That’s not how it is.”
Flatly denying the statement, Grimmjow fixes a glare at Hikone.
“…I mean, I don’t remember introducing myself to you that last time. How the hell do you know my name?”
“That’s right! Tokinada sama kindly informed me! You are the 6th Espada right!?”
Hearing those words, Luppi narrows his eyes ever so slightly.
Meanwhile, as if to indicate that he no longer cared for neither the Espada nor the number 6, Grimmjow reacted to the other name that hung among those words.
“Tokinada huh? You mentioned the same damn thing the other day. Is that the name of the Shinigamis’ boss?”
Suddenly, a different voice could be heard coming from behind Grimmjow.
“You’ve got it wrong fool. He’s a big shot alright. But our leader is unmistakably Kyōraku san.”
“You’re that damned…”
What appeared there, was a blond haired Shinigami wearing a captains’ Haori above a standard Shihakushō.
Though both his hair and garments were completely different, Grimmjow immediately recognises who this individual was.
“This Reiatsu… I remember. You’re the bastard that poked his nose into the death-match between me and Kurosaki in the Human World.”
“You must be mistaking me for someone else.”
“Was that supposed to be some kind of joke? And what the hell are you anyway? Are you that brat’s guardian or something?”
“I thought I already told you.… 'What’s it to you?’ right?”
“So you are the bastard from that time after all huh?”
Grimmjow who had heard the same remark a few years ago, spoke words of delight after giving a click of his tongue whilst his lips contorted fiendishly.
“Ha! To think that the punks I wanted to beat to death would willingly come to me one after the other! Now if that kurosaki asshole were to show up next, things would be perfect!”
However, Grimmjow’s hopes were swiftly dashed by Hikone.
“Kurosaki Ichigo san won’t be coming.”
“What’s that?”
Brushing aside the hostility of Grimmjow who was glaring daggers, Hikone continues to speak in an unperturbed manner.
“Because kurosaki Ichigo san should be busy in the Human World right about now! Apparently he is putting up a fight by risking his own life all for the sake of his sisters! Isn’t that amazing!? I respect him a lot for that!”
At those words, the blond haired Shinigami also raised his voice in puzzlement.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up rug-rat. How can you be so sure of such a thing? What’s going on with Ichigo?”
But before Hikone could respond to that, Grimmjow had moved into action.
He shoots a Cero in each direction; towards the blond Shinigami on his left hand side, and Hikone and Luppi to his right.
“That was close! What’s the deal!? Your opponent right now is that Ferris Wheel over there!”
In response to the Shinigami who uttered this complaint as he evaded the attack by a hair’s breadth, Grimmjow sneered with his canines bared.
“Don’t play dumb with me. I was planning to slaughter the whole lot of you anyway. Does someone have a problem with that?”
“Just now, did you just call me a Ferris wheel…?”
Luppi who had promptly defended against the Cero using his tentacles, fixed a piercing glare at the Shinigami and Grimmjow, but then he notices the presence of Hikone who was stood in the middle.
—— Hn?
—— This kid didn’t even try to dodge the the attack, and yet, how is it that the kid is unharmed?
At that point, an unsettling chill shot down Luppi’s spine.
And Luppi wasn’t alone.
Grimmjow, the blond haired Shinigami, and even as far as the Quincies and Fullbringers who were quietly observing the situation from a remote position; beads of sweat began to seep through the palms of their hands after they had all sensed some sort of mighty pressure.
“…Hey, this brat… seriously, what in the hell is it?”
At Grimmjow’s query, the blond Shinigami shakes his head as he replies.
“Even if I knew, I wouldn’t be telling you… though frankly, I’d like to know for myself.”
What entered their vision, was a Zanpakutō.
The sword which had been unsheathed by Hikone before they knew it, had a curious expression of colour as though it was being filled in with a white light rather than radiating an intense white on its blade.
It is different from Sode no Shirayuki which was entirely pure white from blade to hilt; looking at the 'white’ that was wrapped in some sort of ominous air, the Shinigami and Quincies felt a sense of primordial fear, likewise the Arrancar and Fullbringers felt a sense of primordial affinity.
“This presence… it’s Hollow, isn’t it?”
With some annoyance Grimmjow answers Luppi who had inquired of his enemies in spite of himself.
“There’s no mistaking it. That brat’s Zanpakutō is one of us. It even opened up a damn Garganta last time.”
“Hikone right… That Zanpakutō of yours, what is it?”
—— If my eyes are deceiving me, I’d be fine with that.
—— But a moment ago, didn’t that Zanpakutō just swallow up the Cero?
There are several known Zanpakutō capable of absorbing Reishi based attacks, such as “Arazome Shigure”.
However, the one revealed just now appeared to be in a class quite different from those.
Through Hirako’s Reikaku, it felt as though the Reiatsu of the blade itself had ingested the Cero’s Reishi, like a creature in the flesh sipping from a body of water.
Upon hearing Hirako’s question, Hikone innocently begins talking with a glad-looking smile.
“Oh, why don’t I also introduce it to Hirako san! It was given to me by Tokinada sama, it’s my Zanpakutō!”
“Given, you say.”
When Hirako puzzled over which point he should retort, a voice that caused him further bafflement echoed across from Hikone’s hands.
“…How deplorable.”
“Hn?”
“I would never have guessed that the Reiatsu of my brethren who have broken their masks, would only amount to this level.”
That —— was a remark intended for Luppi and Grimmjow, cast from the Zanpakutō itself.
“I wonder what Baraggan is doing now? Has he been sealed away like me?”
For a moment he considered whether Hikone’s voice had changed, but Hirako instantly rejects the notion.
Because a Reiatsu intermingled in the very voice which caused a tremor in the atmosphere, and it carried within it a pronounced Hollow nature.
“What the heck is that Zanpakutō!? Did it materialize or something!?”
“Silence, Shinigami. I am not a Zanpakutō. I am… I am…”
The voice of the Zanpakutō which tried to reveal its name broke off, it switched to a voice brimming with a deeply held resentment.
“Blast… those wretched Shinigami, they… to my name…”
“…What in the world? The sword just pulled a one-man comedy routine, and it’s not making me laugh just by how creepy it is.”
Away from a dumbfounded Hirako, Grimmjow and Luppi each raise their voice in protest.
“What is that windbag suggesting?”
“Either way, can I take it that it picked a fight with us just now?”
The pair’s bloodlust turned towards the Zanpakutō which appeared to have scoffed at them a moment ago —— or rather, towards this Hollow-like thing.
“Uh-oh! My apologies! This one only recently became capable of talking, but I’m afraid it has a sharp tongue…!”
Hikone meekly bows in apology, but before long the child uttered a strange narrative which lit up its whole face.
“However, if you take offence, then I will gladly fight you with all my strength!”
“Say what?”
“Because this time for sure, I’ll show you that your hearts can yield, I’ll make you recognise me as king! Please look forward to that! I’ll do my very best!”
After naively speaking words of provocation, Ubuginu Hikone recited aloud words that sought to release the Zanpakutō, or rather, something that resembles a Zanpakutō.
“Okuri Shiruse* —— Ikomikidomoe” (*TN –Send them to their burials and engrave them in memory —— Ikomikidomoe)
At the same time, Reiatsu gushed forth like a tornado, it became an eerie partition which confused light and shadow in a disorderly mess and eclipsed the area surrounding Hikone.
“……!?”
Having once confronted Hikone, it was Grimmjow alone who had noticed the 'abnormality’.
—— What the hell is going on? The release call is different from last time….
The release call he had heard in Hueco Mundo were the words “orbit the stars”. What the Zanpakutō had demonstrated on that occasion, was an ability in which the blade would transform into a Hollow-like arm, and mow down all enemies within its vicinity through independent actions.
It was a simple power yet one of unmatched brutality, in the end, it came to be that several Vasto Lorde class Arrancar had forced the sword into a retreat after overcoming its power with some effort.
However, it wasn’t just the words of the release call that is different.
—— Is it just me or is the Reiatsu concentration also on a completely different level compared to back then…!?
With his suspicions remaining unsullied, the Reishi tornado dissipated after a few seconds had elapsed. ——
As they raised their eyes to the thing that had emerged from within it, all those who happened to be present at the scene were left equally as speechless as the other.
“…What the heck, is that?”
Even from the position of Ginjō’s group who had decided to maintain a distance for the time being, it could clearly be seen.
Rather, it’s better to say that it would probably be quite difficult for them to miss it.
It may have been a familiar spectacle as far as the Shinigami and Arrancar are concerned.
Because in terms of size, that is when speaking with regard to this kind of scale, it has been proven in the past to manifest beyond the scope of normal standards and such examples can be found in the being known as Hooleer - an aggregation of Menos Grande characterised by its single eye, or the rage empowered Espada - Yammy Llargo.
However, even after taking that into account, if one considers the fact that 'it’ can maintain a Reiatsu density comparable to that of a humanoid Vasto Lorde, then it’s possible to say that 'it’ is evidently an abnormal being.
Visual perception and Reiatsu Chikaku - the being that constricted everything in this double sense, tread firmly on Soul Society’s soil whilst inhaling the last vestiges of the tornado.
The creature was larger than the ordinary Menos Grande, and it took a form that was both grotesque like an Adjuchas and beautiful.
Moreover, it was possible to identify that the Shihakushō clad child who had made an appearance only a short while ago, was the one riding on top.
“…That’s no ninja’s ōgama*…… it’s probably too dangerous to be kept as a pet.” (*TN –an ōgama is a giant toad, this line is a reference to a toad riding ninja in Japanese folklore based on the tale “Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari”)
Meanwhile, the Quincies were also left bewildered after seeing the enormity of strange-looking creature.
“…That thing over there, it’s bigger than that werewolf’s Bankai, the one who defeated Bambi, don’t you think?”
“There’s something more worrying than that…”
In response to Candice who spoke as if in disbelief, Meninas gave utterance to one particular inkling of suspicion.
“Yeah, I’m aware of that.”
As she broke out into a cold sweat, Candice assembled words that followed up from Meninas’ own.
“The little Shinigami-like brat riding on top… why the hell is it all mixed up with that guy’sReiatsu?”
“…It seems they have taken the bait.”
With a broad grin playing on his face, Kurotsuchi Mayuri mutters to himself.
Then, whilst operating the communications device fitted to his ear, he issued a set of instructions to NaNaNa Najahkoop who was stationed in separate location.
“It’s time you played your part. Using one of your few redeeming qualities, you should be able to lay their souls bare.”
“Few you say, isn’t that a little uncalled-for… well, I’ve accomplished what’s been asked of me I’ll have you know…. Have you had your sights set on that weird brat and the monster rather than the Fullbringers, from the very beginning?”
“It’s only natural that an analysis of Fullbringers would also be among my objectives. Strictly speaking, carrying out a study of that 'patchwork’ over there was planned a little later. However, I didn’t expect that the bait would be taken so easily…. I wonder if a situation that required an urgent response arose, or if I should consider that they had been deliberately sent out whilst knowing it was a trap.”
Mayuri then narrows his eyes, a sneer worked its way to his face as he utters the name of a certain man.
“If it’s the latter, then you have gravely underestimated me…. Tsunayashiro Tokinada.”
“Waaah, what are we going to do Shino san? Sure enough, it seems we can’t make contact with Seireitei!”
Whilst clutching his Denreishinki, a young Shinigami makes an impassioned plea towards his partner in a tearful voice.
“Don’t be a wimp!… Anyway, maybe we have to exit the town first, I guess we may have no choice but to go all the way up to Urahara san’s place and consult with him.”
The Shinigami in charge of Karakura had noticed the ‘curtain of static noise’ covering the town, the pair known as Yuki Ryūnosuke and Madarame Shino were making every effort in order to grasp the current situation. In addition to no longer being able to make any communication whatsoever by means of a Denreishinki, they had also learned that at present, the substitute Shinigami Kurosaki Ichigo and his friends were not in town.
For that reason, it has come to pass that tasks like the purification of Hollows were essentially being handled by these two alone.
“There’s even a possibility that this is the doing of a Quincy…. I wonder if we also have the option to consult Ishida san’s old man at the general hospital….”
“Speaking of that guy, I happen to catch sight of him in front of the hospital from time to time, but he has a piercing look in his eyes so to be frank I think he’d be a difficult person to deal with….”
Hearing that remark, Shino pouts in a somewhat dissatisfied manner.
“What’s the matter with you? I’ve always been told that at a glance I have a piercing look in my eye, which I acquired from Ikkaku-nii, do you mean to say that all this time you’ve been thinking me a difficult person to deal with?”
“Ah, Shino san is an exception! Do you take that for granted!?”
“R-really?”
Shino was perplexed by the words of Ryūnosuke who had made such a powerful assertion, however ——
“Because, when it comes to Shino san, the way the light bounces off your forehead is the thing that more closely resembles Ikkaku san than the expression of your eyes, my attention gets drawn to there instead so you don’t have to worry about bwahaha–.”
“…Get moving.”
Whilst he was in the midst of speaking, Shino had driven a straight punch into the face of her partner, she narrows her piercing eyes even further and begins walking.
“…It’s no good. As I suspected we can’t pass through.”
Travelling along the railway track using Shunpo, the pair finally arrive at the border with the neighboring town which sat beside a dry riverbed.
However, the results were fruitless.
Despite the fact that ordinary people and vehicles were able to nonchalantly pass through the 'curtain’ situated on the boundary of the town, they themselves could not cross through it at all.
Their blades completely failed to cut through the spot they had slashed at with their Zanpakutō, confirming that it was a solid barrier which cannot be damaged in the slightest even with Shikai state.
“The trains seem able to pass through along the railway tracks normally, so how about we also board a train?”
At the proposal of Ryūnosuke whose face was now swollen, Shino responded as if she was astounded.
“Tell you what, if it turns out that it’s only us that can’t pass through with that method, then we’ll be slammed into the barrier at the speed of a train, do you really see no problem with that?”
“…I guess we’d die, from a stunt like that.”
“It looks like we have no choice but to go to Urahara san’s place after all… it’s at the opposite end of town, but if we use Shunpo then we’ll soon be-…”
It was at that point when Shino ceased talking.
Because something akin to the static noise shot through the air around them, several black suited men and women materialised as if gushing forth from a crevice between two worlds.
They donned black gas masks over their faces, and although it was a matter that didn’t involve Ryūnosuke and Shino, they had the same appearance as the group that showed up around Urahara Shōten.
Mistaking them for Vasto Lorde class Hollows, Yuki instinctively grabs Shino’s hand in an attempt to flee, however, with a jerk Shino pulled that hand back towards herself forcing them to stand their ground.
“Just stay calm! These guys may have appeared before us in a strange way, but it’s not Hollow Reiatsu that I sense. Besides, their masks aren’t white either.”
“Th-then, Quincies?”
“…I can’t say for certain that you’re wrong.”
For Shino, the Quincy were carved into her soul as a great source of trauma.
Her superior Kajōmaru Hidetomo whom she had admired and respected was slaughtered before her eyes, and the Seireitei which they ought to protect was reduced to scorched earth covered in spurts of blood and debris.
Trampled underfoot by the fear in her soul, Shino had begun to lose her fighting spirit, however she gained a firm foothold as a Shinigami at the critical moment, together with Ryūnosuke she re-trained herself from scratch down to the present day.
—— That’s right, even Ryūnosuke perseveres as a Shinigami, how can I afford to lose heart?
Even though Ryūnosuke was trembling right now, he had emerged alive from the midst of that battlefield together with Shino.
If it was the case the he was not by her side regardless of him being on the verge of tears, perhaps Shino herself would have lost her life at the hands of a Quincy.
In the final analysis, as far as one could see, Ryūnosuke was quaking with fear even now, and sometimes she wonders whether or not it was the result of some kind of blunder and nothing short of a miracle that they had survived through the war.
Looking at the state of her colleague who couldn’t figure out whether he could muster the courage or not, Shino found new resolve thinking “I need to pull myself together all the same”, coincident with that, she poses a question to the black suited group clad in gas masks that appeared before her.
“So then? You lot, what’s the meaning of all this? That you’re able to see us when we’re not inside a Gigai, I take it you’re not ordinary humans huh?”
At Shino who had adopted a posture that was ready to withdraw her Zanpakutō from its sheath at any given moment, the black suits were silent —— however, remaining mute they readied their extendable batons which were decorated with patterns, with mechanical movements they charged at the pair.
“…! Does this mean there’s no use in arguing about it!?”
Despite being taken aback by their movements which were faster than expected, Shino stopped the blow from the extendable batons with her Zanpakutō which she had unsheathed right away.
Ryūnosuke on the other hand let out a shriek with a “yeow”, he ran about in an attempt to escape whilst slipping through the group’s attack.
“Hold up Ryūnosuke! Fight like you mean it!”
“B-but, these people, they’re not Hollows but rather humans aren’t they!? Is it really okay to cut them down with a Zanpakutō!?”
“It’s not like these guys who are able to attack our spirit bodies are ordinary humans don’t you…think…?”
It was then that Shino notices a strange occurrence.
Identical to the abnormality Hisagi had experienced at Urahara Shōten, Shino sensed that the Reiatsu released by her Zanpakutō had began to wane.
“…!?……My Zanpakutō, it's…”
Taking advantage of that momentary disturbance, one of the black suited individuals struck Shino’s back.
“Gahh…!”
“Shino san!”
“It’s alright, at… this level…"
Just then, Shino sank deeper into this sensation as if her whole body was caught in a giant spider’s web.
The movements of her body had grown sluggish and increased in friction like a machine that had ran out of oil.
Although there was no problem with both her senses and her physical condition, Shino sensed a strange pressure weighing down on the flow of Reiatsu bridging those things together.
“What the heck… is this…?
Perhaps having confirmed Shino’s poor form, all at once the black suits maintain a distance, and raise the batons clutched in their hands out towards their front.
All of a sudden, the patterns that were engraved on those specialised weapons float upwards, they transform into tentacles suspended in midair and in unison they rush in for an attack towards Shino.
Confronted with this puzzling offensive which was unleashed simultaneously, Shino was assailed by an uneasiness as to whether she would be able to deal with the threat in her current state, but she still decided to engage the enemy without releasing her sword.
"Shino san!”
Ryūnosuke also scrambles into a run in an effort to defend Shino, however —— just before he could finally reach her, the situation changes dramatically coincident with the sound of a thunderous roar.
Before the 'limbs of the patterns’ could make contact with Shino and Ryūnosuke, the red figure of a person had come hurling down from the heavens —— and no sooner than that did they stomp their feet firmly on the ground with force similar to that of a cannon; a hail of sediment and a cloud of dust, and as though it was a chain reaction, the black suits were sent flying high into the sky.
“Huh!?”
“Wahhhhh!?”
Shino’s face was covered by the advancing cloud of dust, and Ryūnosuke tumbles down due to the impact.
When the clouds of dust clear, a young girl is standing there.
“Oh for crying out loud, pissing out this nauseating Reiatsu on my turf… where do you think you punks are?”
Shino and Co. understand immediately that the girl who muttered to herself in what sounded like a Kansai dialect, was no ordinary person.
“Shinigami…?”
It was indeed a Reiatsu similar to that of a Shinigami.
However, there is some curious sense of incongruity.
The girl who sported a red jogging suit raised her voice in a mixture of anger and irritation towards one of the black suited members who attempts to stand up though remaining silent.
“Who said you could get up!? What makes you think you can humiliate me by doing as you please baldy!”
Coupled with her irrational remarks, the girl energetically kicked a roadside stone towards the black suited individual.
Watching dumbfounded as the black suited member fell flat on their face once more after being hit directly by a stone as big as a clenched fist, Shino called out in a manner that indicated a sense of nervousness.
“P-pardon me! Thank you for saving us from that close shave just now! Are you a member of the Gotei 13?”
“Huuuh? That’s not how it is stupid. For your information, I didn’t just save you free of charge.”
Turning to look at Shino whilst scowling, the girl adjusted her hat which had the words “UNAGI” written on it and at the same time she thrust a thumb at her own chest.
“I’m no Shinigami or whatever. I’m just a passing general merchant’s apprentice, Sarugaki Hiyori sama!”
“General merchant…?”
“Apprentice…?”
Facing Ryūnosuke and Shino who tilted their heads in puzzlement, the girl with the kansai dialect continued to speak whilst the sour look remained plastered on her face.
“To tell you the truth I hate Shinigami, so I don’t accept jobs that involve helping the likes of you. But since these are an exceptional set of circumstances, I’ll see if I can give you a discount.”
“Eh, does this mean you require some sort of monetary payment from us…?”
“Quit your yapping stupid! I was told by Miss. Ikumi to 'do whatever it takes to get the job done.’ What do you think will happen if it turns out you can’t pay!?”
“Even if you were told such a thing…”
Confronted by the girl who yelled something they couldn’t quite comprehend the meaning of, Ryūnosuke and Shino exchange glances at each other not knowing how they should respond.
However, the situation did not permit them to continue the conversation in the same carefree manner.
Newly materialised static noise coursed through the air, even more black suits than before emerge from the threshold separating the space.
“Gah! They’ve multiplied, they’ve multiplied in numbers Shino san!?”
“What the heck is going on… what’s the deal with these guys!?”
At this rate, even if they were cut down with the use of Shikai, would there be any end to their numbers?
Having concluded that there is a possibility of the situation turning into a deadlock seeing as they were unsure of their remaining fighting power, Ryūnosuke bows his head to the girl who introduced herself as “Hiyori”.
“Uhh, in that case we’ll pay up, so please take us both up to Urahara Shōten in Mitsumiya!”
“What the hell kind of talk is that!? I’m not a taxi service you know! Are you making light of me baldy!?”
“eep!? My apologies!”
“…Whatever. But, it just had to be Kisuke’s of all places huh…”
Brandishing her Zanpakutō which she had taken in hand unnoticed, Hiyori slashed at the ground and raised a cloud of dust in order to contain the black suits.
Hiyori lifted Shino and Ryūnosuke onto her shoulders with strength that was quite unimaginable given her small stature, and before the pair could even let out a yelp, she leapt away using Shunpo.
At this point, she was able to sense Reiatsu resembling that of the black suits, surging up in various spots across the town —— at the same time, Hiyori screwed her face up in seeming annoyance, the visage of a man who was once her superior (president of the Research and Development institute) was called to mind.
“Although I take no pleasure in turning to that dumbass for help… it’s the right call in a situation like this.”
Urahara Shōten
“What’s the matter? I’d be delighted if I could get you to at least verify my answer, so is it an 'Exacta’ or a 'No Es Exacta’?”
From under the brim of his hat, Urahara’s discerning eyes fix a glare at Aura.
Despite his bold smile, there was an atmosphere about his countenance that said it would be no surprise if he stabbed his enemy to death in the next instant.
Observing Urahara’s face, Aura felt a chill run down her back, in spite of this, she forced a slight look of joy to filter through and opened her mouth to speak.
“How mystifying. I had no intention of giving you that much information, and yet…?”
“How did I know just by you being here today, you mean? That a religious organisation operating under the name of 'XCUTION’ would be making their presence felt in the aftermath of the Quincy assault on Soul Society… do you really think I would ignore this?”
Casually resting his sword cane against his shoulder, Urahara strings his words together in a relaxed manner as though he was poking fun.
“Though, I think you’ve played your cards well don’t you agree? After all, I could only gather information that was available on the surface regarding Michibane san - founder of a religious sect. However… just now, linking that information with 'the other side’ which you only slightly revealed to me —— there are things I was able to discern to a certain extent.”
“…Quite impressive, don’t you think?”
Having heard that, Aura momentarily disregards Hisagi who was standing before her and shifts most of her attention to the conversation with Urahara.
“Perhaps it’s better to say… that is truly befitting of the gentleman who created a Hōgyoku? As expected, we must have you come over to our side at all costs.”
“……”
“…Hōgyoku, you say?”
Hōgyoku.
The moment that word left Aura’s mouth, the smile disappeared from Urahara’s face and a silence fell over him, Instead Hisagi knit his eyebrows together and raised his voice.
“Does that have some sort of relevance here?”
“It does, but beyond this point, it is a domain which I cannot afford to allow a 'journalist’ to learn of… so please, I must ask you to leave.”
Aura respectfully bows in midair.
Without understanding an opponent’s true intentions, Hisagi was unable to determine their next move.
“What the heck is that supposed to mean? Do you really think I would just casually leave at your request?”
“Oh? I’m not asking you… I’m threatening you by saying that 'if you tread any further than this, then I will remove you through brute force’, you do understand this right? Mr. Vice captain?”
Coupled with her seductive smile, Aura tilted her head to the side ever so slightly, but then ——
In the next instant, the edge of a Zanpakutō drew close to her throat.
“——*gasp!*”
“You underestimate me. Even without a Gentei Kaijo, the speed of my Shunpo isn’t decreased by much.”
Finding an opportune moment when Aura blinked and then closing the distance between them with Shunpo, Hisagi had thrust his blade before her in a split second.
Upon seeing the Zanpakutō at her own throat, Aura turns her eyes towards Hisagi in an open display of admiration.
“…I’m astonished. You seem to be another person entirely compared to the one that was making childlike banter only a short while ago.”
However, the smile had yet to fade from her face.
“It’s easy. Do you take me for the type that would hesitate to cut down a woman?”
“Not at all? As far as I know, you are typical of a Shinigami. You follow the justice of your own heart, and if there is sufficient reason to cut something down, you would be equally merciless regardless of age or gender, isn’t that right?”
At that point the 'temperature’ of Aura’s smile drops sharply, in a tone of voice that seemed as if it could cause her opponent’s heart to freeze over, she utters one fact.
“In any case, speaking of you… for the sake of the justice you believe in, you even cut down your former mentor after all.”
For a moment, Hisagi’s eyes narrow ever so slightly.
The Reiatsu surrounding him is heavily distorted, those with heightened Reiatsu perception abilities may well have been under an optical illusion, as if the air around Hisagi was fluctuating somewhat.
Nevertheless —— Hisagi’s blade never faltered in spite of this.
Without creating the slightest opportunity for her, Hisagi’s Zanpakutō does not move from his opponent’s throat.
“Come now, there’s no need to be be offended.”
“…Because it’s true….”
What flashed through Hisagi’s mind, are the words of the heinous criminal who delivered the finishing blow to said “mentor”.
—— “Eternity you say, that is not something you can speak so lightly of, don’t you agree? Even Tōsen Kaname’s convictions were not eternal after all.”
—— “It is not that the case that I set my hands to killing Tōsen Kaname as a remnant of defeated army that must be punished.”
—— “That, is my idea of mercy.”
“…Compared with the speech of that of that guy Aizen, I haven’t even been provoked by you in the slightest.”
“…You are truly a fascinating person. How about it? Wouldn’t you like to become a comrade of mine?”
In response to Aura who spoke in a nonchalant manner, Hisagi knit his eyebrows together as he spoke.
“You do comprehend the situation right? That I haven’t slit your throat yet, it’s only because I’m going to make your sorry self lift the blockade of this town.”
—— Be that as it may, this complacency of hers is strange.
—— Is she trying to rattle me a little?
“According to what Urahara san said, so far you don’t seem to be using any mystery ability, but the tentacles of those strange symbols and these individuals who made an appearance out of nowhere, could that be the down to the abilities of your other comrades? Either way, those are some odd moves you’ve pulled on me wouldn’t you say?”
After listening to Urahara’s words earlier, Hisagi determined that the woman before his eyes was unable to use her own unique abilities in the capacity of a Fullbringer. Although he didn’t quite understand how Urahara had arrived at such a conclusion, from past experience, he regarded the idea of Urahara’s speculations veering off course, a rare possibility.
—— But, it’s strange.
—— Even though it’s noticeable in this way, indeed I can’t sense a substantial Reiatsu from this woman.
—— It’s not like it’s 'nil’, rather it’s as if the Reiatsu is persistently being diluted….
—— These so-called Fullbringers, are they all like this? Though I got the feeling that Ginjō’s group had Reiatsu that packed a bit more punch than this…. Even so, if her ability is to simply erase signs of her presence, it’s strange that she would so boldly come out into the open by making herself visible to the naked eye.
Even if she merely had yet to use her abilities, or even if her ability is indeed those odd ’pattern branches’, Hisagi prepared himself to lop off the head of his opponent if she showed any signs of movement.
Though Yukio’s abilities were an unsettling factor, If he’s considered a friend then he probably would not act recklessly in this situation. Hisagi had guessed as much, however ——
“…Precisely as Urahara san mentioned earlier, I have been assembling a religious group known as 'XCUTION’. Those on the ground… are not believers, but rather heathens who were hostile to us. Now they’ve become awfully compliant however.”
“ ? ”
Confronted with Aura who abruptly began talking herself, Hisagi had grown confused by his inability to read his opponent’s intentions.
He wondered whether or not she would even be willing to surrender, but thinking he could not afford to be careless, Hisagi’s vigilance became all the more stronger.
“The number of followers, currently stands at seven hundred and seventy thousand people.”
“Seven hundred and seventy…”
Having learnt that she was the founder of a religious cult, Hisagi who assumed it was a small scale organisation consisting of around one hundred people, was lost for words after hearing that figure.
A figure that far exceeds his expectations is thrust before him and Hisagi was now in a position where he was unable to surmise whether his opponent’s words were the truth or a false show of power.
“It is a very modest congregation which cannot even be counted among the top five within the emerging religions of Japan… but even so, considering the fact that it has only been a few years since the religion was established, I suppose it’s possible to say that our numbers are abnormal. Do you know why we have amassed such a following?”
“…Who knows. Things like religious sects of the Human World are not much of a concern to us after all. I haven’t a clue by what means you manage to assemble people. Perhaps there is even one among your associates who has the ability to brainwash?”
“If that were the case, things would certainly have been much easier. Be that as it may, Even if Tsukishima san was still alive, it would be a difficult task to bookmark people by the hundreds of thousands all the same.”
“Tell me the answer quickly. It’s futile if your plan is to buy time.”
Confronted by Hisagi who actually began to contemplate the possibility of her stalling for time, a wide smile broke out on Aura’s lips.
“It’s quite simple.”
She then pressed her own throat to the blade which remained fixed in position before her.
“Huh… what the hell are you doing!?”
—— Does she intend to fatally wound herself?
—— No, then her soul would be seized and that would be the end. There would be no point in that!
—— What could she be thinking?
If he withdrew his blade, it could develop into an opening for his enemy, but if that is her goal, then it was a much too reckless action.
After a moment of puzzlement, Hisagi tries to halt her progress her by drawing his sword back before she could obtain a fatal injury, but then——
In the next instant, her neck which pushed far quicker than what Hisagi had anticipated, slides across the blade of his Zanpakutō —— separating from her body which remained as it stood, her head sailed through the air.
The head which was amputated from its body never allowed the smiling expression to fade even in this condition.
Hisagi was so captivated by the sudden spectacle, that he failed to notice the lack of response being transmitted from his Zanpakutō.
Then, from the mouth on the freshly severed head which should by all means have its connection to her lungs cut off, an alluring voice echoes across the space as unchanged as the moments before.
“I merely performed miracles. In front of the people.”
“……!?”
Slipping past Hisagi whose eyes had flown wide open, Aura’s body clutches her own head, and then places it over the section of her neck which remained cut.
She turned in Hisagi’s direction with gentle movements, placing the palms of her hands at her temple she tilts her head from side to side with a forceful shove.
There was not even a single scratch left at the cross section much less a stream of blood, only her delicate silk-like skin spread across the area.
“Whaa… what’s going on!? Just now, If I’m not mistaken…”
“My head should be severed, right?”
As she said this, Aura once again extends both hands left and right, she begins to manipulate the 'branches of the patterns’ which were spreading out around them.
Before he knew it, the number of those branches belonging to the patterns had more than doubled, to say nothing of the increased ferocity with which they moved compared to a short while ago.
“It was severed wasn’t it? However, I reconnected it, that’s all.”
“High-speed regeneration…? You couldn’t possibly be some kind of Hollow now could you?”
“Certainly not. But, you’re getting warm.”
She then revealed a somewhat lonely smile, allowing the 'pattern branches’ to leap towards Hisagi.
“I am a Fullbringer. I was born into the world corrupted by a Hollow factor.”
Dark red branches filled the area surrounding Hisagi until his form was no longer visible.
Yukio who was observing from ground level, began to calculate whether things would conclude here, and in that moment ——
“Reap ———— Kazeshini.”
A gust of wind from a slashing attack blew fiercely, and the 'branches of the patterns’ that had crammed into the space around Hisagi were sliced away.
Hisagi who had come into sight from among them, resentfully muttered to himself whilst tightly grasping his Zanpakutō which had entered its Shikai state.
“…Sure enough, every damn time I make a cut there’s more friction in the Reiatsu of my blade”
As if it were two huge sickles combined together, Hisagi was armed with rotating blades giving one the impression of a pinwheel, a Zanpakutō reminiscent of kusarigama (Japanese sickle and chain weapon). The opposite end of the chain is also equipped with identical blades, whilst clutching each handle in both hands, Hisagi confronted Aura once more.
“……!”
The smile vanished from Aura’s face and a tinge of vigilance rose to the surface.
“Indeed, actually seeing it with one’s own eyes, one is able to say it is truly a remarkable Zanpakutō…. Dual swords are also rare.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere.… Besides, Kazeshini is not a pair of dual-wielded swords.”
Shinigami who employ Nito-ryu* are extremely rare, it is said that only a few have even existed in the history of Soul Society.(*TN – Nito-ryu is the swordsmanship technique of using two swords.) Captain commander Kyōraku’s “Katen Kyōkotsu”, and former captain of squad 13, Ukitake Jūshirō’s “Sōgyo no Kotowari” are classic examples; it is so rare in fact that it is possible to say that there is no other dual-wielded Zanpakutō in existence beyond these two pairs.
To be more precise, Kurosaki Ichigo also wielded dual swords which carried his Hollow and Quincy powers respectively, however, this is information which has only been circulated to a handful of individuals among the Shinigami.
Without narrating the reason 'why Kazeshini is not a pair of dual-wielded swords’, Hisagi squared off against Aura for a second time.
“Let’s test whether or not your so-called miracles are the read deal.”
Hisagi had hardly finished speaking before he threw one rod of his Zanpakutō.
The blades on the pointed tip rotate at high speed and is transformed into a disc-shaped silvery flash propelled towards Aura.
However, the blades pass by to one side of her body, it formed a rapid curve in the air before turning back around behind her.
“ ! ”
Hisagi snuck around to Aura’s side in a manner that was counter to the trajectory of said disc, whilst crossing paths with the blades he had set free, he caused the chains of his Zanpakutō to intersect.
In combination with his movements which utilised Shunpo, Hisagi was instantly able to create loops in his chains and Aura’s body was now wrapped in them.
After the chains were made to coil around Aura’s body several times, the pointed end of Kazeshini which remained as is, returned to Hisagi’s hands once again.
“Bakudō 62, 'Hyapporankan’ !”
At Aura whose body was entwined in jet black chains, Hisagi attempts to restrain her completely by further applying Bakudō.
Countless wedges of light dart towards Aura, they pierce her as if to secure the links of the chain which had encapsulated her body.
“Give up already. Your magic tricks are useless against my Bakudō.”
Whilst tugging on Kazeshini’s chains, Hisagi sought to draw out information on what Tokinada was scheming.
However, the resistance of those chains abruptly disappeared.
“ !? ”
As soon as her body started swaying as though it were smoke, the chains which remained untouched slipped through her body and then dangled limply below Hisagi.
Furthermore, the wedges of light which had been shot out by means of Hyapporankan, had also dispersed before he knew it.
“What the hell is happening…?”
If it were the case that it was simply his blade which had passed through her, then one could infer that this was still a phenomenon caused by some trick or optical illusion.
On the contrary, if it gets to the point where even the bound chains and Kidō slips through her, then this can now only be considered a phenomenon brought about by some kind of ability.
“Urahara san! Just as you suspected, this individual, she’s using some kind of ability that can——”
Turning his eyes downwards whilst yelling out, Hisagi’s words suddenly came to a stop there.
“Huh?”
The figure of Urahara who was supposedly observing the state of affairs at the front of the store, had disappeared without him noticing.
And by the time Hisagi turned his eyes to his surroundings, Urahara Kisuke had already made his move.
“Eh…?”
Taking a detour behind Hisagi, Urahara stabbed a small needle-like object deep into Hisagi’s arm.
Whilst his brain registers the situation, the pain from his arm shoots throughout the full length of his body.
“Gahh… Urahara san, what did you…”
“I’m sorry, Hisagi san.”
Yet, without even the slight degree of regret, Urahara flashed his usual smile as he responded to Hisagi’s misgivings.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures, Hisagi san’s Gentei Reiin, I had it forcibly removed just now.”
“What? Argh…”
“The pain will soon subside, so please endure it just a little longer.”
Upon hearing the words of Urahara, Hisagi realises that the spot where he had been pricked by the needle, is the exact location where the Gentei Reiin was implanted in his arm for the purpose of restricting his Reiatsu.
In an instant, a force gushed forth from Hisagi’s body and his Reiatsu was made to infiltrate the surrounding atmosphere.
Gentei Reiin limits a Shinigami’s power by adjusting it to the Human World.
That very Gentei Reiin which suppresses Reiatsu down to the allowable 20%, is not something that can be removed at one’s own bidding alone under normal circumstances.
His Reiin which took the form of a white poppy, the squad insignia of the 9th division, operates in conjunction with the jurisdiction of the Seireitei via a special method, it has developed into a system where the seal cannot be removed unless permission for a Gentei Kaijo has been transmitted through a Denreishinki.
Nevertheless, with the question of 'what kind of method had been used just now?’ left hanging in the air, Urahara demonstrated that he could remove that seal with only a single needle.
“…Well, though I was wondering whether or not you were capable of such a thing, it’s still reckless…”
“The facility that manufactured this Gentei Kaijo system, is the Department of Research and Development don’t you know? It’s not like it would be impossible for me to release the seal right? …Ah, in order to avoid the possibility of Hisagi san getting punished because the seal was unfastened without permission, Kyōraku san will receive an explanation from me afterwards.”
Standing before Hisagi, Urahara pinned his hat down with the flat of his hand as he began to inquire.
“Let’s the two of us tackle this one together. After all, it seems she hasn’t even gotten serious yet.”
“…Understood!”
Having sensed an air of compulsion despite the relaxed mood, Hisagi nodded his head in assent at Urahara’s words.
That Urahara would make a proposal in such a way, it represents one fact.
—— Me with my limiter released and Urahara san, does this mean this woman is so strong, that it requires the both of us to pool our efforts to deal with her…?
“Oh… come to think of it, about that woman’s power…”
Pondering whether or not Urahara had made a rare miscalculation, Hisagi awkwardly questioned him, however, far from paying any mind to it at all, Urahara instead spoke with a tone of voice brimming with confidence.
“That’s right, Hisagi san. Thanks to you, I have confidence that it’s just as I expected.”
“Huh?”
“She is unable to use an innate ability from Fullbring. She is only able to 'manipulate souls’ which is the common foundation shared by all Fullbringers.”
“…What does that mean?”
In response to Hisagi who knit his eyebrows together at being unable to follow the conversation, Urahara began to narrate his speculations regarding the powers of Michibane Aura in a placid manner.
“By controlling Reishi which dwells in matter, a Fullbringer is able to distort and manipulate the matter itself, and at times, even the laws of physics. Moreover, they can invoke their very own abilities through the transfiguration of an object in their possession which they hold a particular attachment to. However, that isn’t the case for this individual.”
“Eh? Uh, but, she’s been pulling off these crazy stunts for a while now…”
“Those were all the basic abilities of a Fullbringer.… But, it’s just that the level is abnormally high. As if shifting water or earth, I think she is capable of influencing and manipulating things like the cells of her own body or the atmosphere itself. By holding sway over her own body through its blood and skeletal structure…no, rather in units of brain or blood cells, whilst still living and breathing she is able to cause a metamorphosis of her own body into a smoke-like state for instance, that goes beyond the conventional norms of a Fullbringer however.”
When Urahara pauses here for a moment, he observed Hisagi’s facial expression which appeared to say “I don’t quite get it”, he then decided to rephrase his words in a manner that would be easy to understand.
“…Using Shinigami as an example, if I told you, 'to make up for her inability to use a Zanpakutō, her aptitude for Kidō and Hakuda are Aizen Sōsuke level'… would you understand?”
“……!”
It was at this point that Hisagi comprehends just how much of a dangerous presence the Fullbringer standing before them truly was.
However, Urahara appears to set his sights on something one step ahead, whilst pointing “Benihime” towards her - his Zanpakutō which took the form of a sword cane - he spoke of certain misgivings.
“But, the problem does not sit there. Rather, if she has more than seven hundred thousand followers and she is present here… that huge quantity of followers, where are they now and what are they doing?”
Rather than addressing Hisagi, Urahara spoke as if posing the question directly to Aura herself who was stood in a spot separated by a fair distance.
Instead of answering the question, Aura flashed a smile loaded with the maximum degree of vigilance towards her opponent who had seen through her own true essence.
“Urahara Kisuke…. Truly… truly a frightening man you are”
The smile was as dark, heavy and cold as the depths of winter’s lake, a chill ran down the length of Hisagi’s body who until a short while ago, believed they were battling on equal footing.
“That is precisely why, I want your strength.” . . .
“We will forge a new 'Hōgyoku'… in order to sublimate our offering that is Ubuginu Hikone, to the status of a true god.”
Observing the situation from within a room he had created himself, Yukio heaved a small sigh and muttered to himself.
“My hands are tied, so I hope you do your best. Both of you.”
With that, he also moves into action.
- In order to fulfil the 'role’ that was entrusted to him.
Even if that also meant betraying what he ought to protect as a result.
Karakura is by no means a desolate countryside town.
Located on the outskirts of Tokyo’s urban area, it is a relatively populous town with a network of railroads passing through the heart of the city.
Supporting a population exceeding one hundred thousand, a general hospital classed as one of the largest even among neighbouring towns, is situated beside Karakura Honchō Station.
Therefore, the station is both used by people living within and without the town with many people travelling in and out of it.
In order to protect the town from Aizen’s clutches, the Shinigami once used a trick to transfer it along with all 100,000 people to Soul Society, regarding that effort, it was unfathomable even to many Shinigami let alone an ordinary person.
Entering and exiting by means of train or traffic was completely blocked for a temporary amount of time, things like electric power, water and sewer services of the surrounding area were also handled so that no abnormalities would occur, furthermore memory manipulation was carried out on a large number of residents living adjacent to Karakura Town, it was one large-scale operation conducted by an entire force of technicians among the Shinigami.
As a result, the Shinigami made a success of their astounding foul play technique to deceive the world whilst isolating Karakura Town in a twofold sense.
Although this gave rise to victims in the end, the Seireitei managed to keep that number at a bare minimum considering the goals of Aizen and the Arrancar.
And now, Karakura Town was isolated from the world once more.
The objectives of the people responsible for the isolation, is unclear.
If the thing which one might call ‘the walls of the dimension separating reality from virtual reality’ existed in physical form, then perhaps 'it’ causes one to feel as if that was indeed the case —— in accordance with this obscure curtain that intermingled with static noise, it could not even be identified through the eyes of an ordinary human.
However, maybe it could have been described as a moderate isolation.
The trains never came to a stop.
Neither did the vehicles that would normally come and go through the borders of town, and the same could be said of the pedestrians too.
The birds in the sky fluttered past one another, the flow of the river also advanced smoothly.
Another ordinary day. But the town was unmistakably isolated.
“The heck? My TV stopped receiving broadcasts?”
“Hello, hello? Guess I got cut-off…”
“I’m not getting any reception.” – “Neither am I!”
“These e-mails for work, they’ve got me beat…”
“Are you kidding me, I actually lost connection just when I was about to win!”
Voices such as these could be heard scattered all throughout Karakura Town.
Various telecommunications equipment and transceivers of radio waves connecting to the outside of town stopped working, it was no longer possible to make any electronic contact whatsoever with the outside world.
Nonetheless, it was a matter that lasted only a brief few minutes.
The telecast signals were restored first of all, other functions subsequently returned in an ordered fashion from radio stations, to landlines, wireless connections, the internet and then cell phones.
Whilst tilting their heads in puzzlement, everybody came to accept it in their own way believing that it was “probably caused by a power outage at the relevant facilities” and then returned to their daily lives.
What they remained oblivious to, is the fact that during those brief few minutes, all communication devices present within the town which easily exceeds one hundred thousand, had also been 'tagged’.
And some communication devices that were sorted through those 'tags’, failed to recover their communication functions even after the few minutes had passed.
“Huh… that’s strange…”
At Ururu’s words, Jinta replies wearing a look of agony.
“What are you talking about? The only thing that seems strange right now is my condition!”
Whilst disregarding the noise coming out of Jinta who was forced to carry half of the 500kg worth of an infinite number of super-balls on his back alone, Ururu posed a question to Tessai who was walking beside her.
“Tessai san, my cell phone, it’s become unusable…”
“Heh, if you’re just going to be looking at porn sites anyway then it might as well be broken, whoa- hyahaha!? Stop, wait, damn you! Don’t tickle me when I’m in this state!”
Away from Jinta whose quivering knees were about to give way, Tessai responds to the words of Ururu.
“Hrmm? Could it be some kind of electromagnetic interference?”
In contrast to Jinta who was propping up a bag weighing around 250kg on his back, Tessai effortlessly lifted the remaining baggage with one arm. With the hand that was not currently occupied he took out his own cell phone and confirmed the status of its reception.
“…It’s true, my phone doesn’t seem to be working either.”
However, after executing several operations from there, Tessai knit his eyebrows together in unease.
“This… doesn’t seem like any ordinary electromagnetic interference. And I sense a fluctuation of strange Reiatsu too… let’s return to the shop quickly.”
“From here onwards it’s all Karakura Town… but I wonder what this is all about?”
At the border of a town which sits on the west side of Karakura.
A young Shinigami who is in charge of said neighbouring town had finally arrived at that spot.
“Considering the fact that an urgent transmission had come from Seireitei… could this be the doing of a Hollow? Or even a Quincy…?”
Confronted with a curious barrier, he spontaneously whispered to himself.
A hologram-like curtain being projected in mid-air, is completely covering the entirety of town whilst emitting static noise.
Despite this, cars, pedestrians and even the trains on top of that, stormed into the curtain and passed through it as if nothing had happened, was it not visible to them?
“Okay then, to hell with it!”
Although there was a moment of hesitation, the Shinigami who was a man of action made his steps towards the curtain as it currently stood.
And then ——
“…Oof? What, was I just able to pass through normal-…”
In the midst of speaking, he noticed that there was another shinigami before his eyes.
“Who are you? Aren’t the guys in charge of Karakura supposed to be a young male and female duo?”
At the query, a Shinigami with the appearance of a man in the prime of his life sporting grey streaked hair, in turn, posed a question of his own to the young Shinigami.
“I’m in charge of Kagamino City further east from here. And I’d like to ask you the same thing. Just now, you came out from Karakura Town, regarding the current situation on the inside, what’s happening?”
“What are you talking about…?”
It was at this point the young Shinigami noticed an abnormality.
The scenery around him, was completely different to the one he saw before passing through the curtain.
“Where is this place…? Where is the railway station?”
“This place is at the east side of Karakura Town. The railway station you speak of, you mean Karakura Honchō Station right?… By some chance, could it be that you… were at the west side of the town just now?”
Then, he realised.
The curtain performed different actions towards Shinigami and ordinary humans.
At the same time, he was concerned about the safety of the Shinigami on the inside.
“Are they going to be okay…? I don’t expect the Shinigami in charge of Karakura Town are that strong…”
“In any case, I’ll be reporting upwards.… Don’t worry about it, Kurosaki Ichigo, former captain Isshin and former captain Urahara in addition to that are all present in Karakura Town. That guy will likely demonstrate some kind of breakthrough solution.”
They were oblivious.
Oblivious to the fact that both Kurosaki Ichigo and Kurosaki Isshin were currently not in town.
As well as the fact that instead, it was one among the vice captains who doesn’t quite match Kurosaki Ichigo and Isshin as a fighting power, that happens to be visiting.
Urahara Shōten
“Yukio Hans Vorarlberna…”
Hisagi was perplexed by that lengthy name for an instant, but it was a proper noun he had certainly heard of before when he went around collecting information on Kurosaki Ichigo.
At the same time he recalls that this is a name that had entered his ears only recently.
—— “That’s because we travelled there directly through Yukio and Riruka’s abilities. I guess our side was running a fair amount of risk in our own way too huh?”
“…! Ginjō’s comrade!?”
“…You could say that. So then, who might you be? Though frankly, I have no business with anyone other than Urahara san.”
In response to the question posed by the young boy who spoke in a dispassionate tone through the airborne monitor, Hisagi replies whilst clenching his fists tightly.
“I’m the Gotei 13’s Squad 9 vice captain Hisa—— ”
"Oh, never mind. I doubt there’s any point in even remembering it.”
“Arrgh!? What’s your deal jerk!? Have a little more patience to at least hear the rest! This is the goddamn opposite of what happened with that guy Ganju!”
(TN – as a reminder, back in volume 1 during their first encounter, Ganju could only remember half of Hisagi’s name “[…] you’re the vice captain of some squad… vice captain…Hi…Hisa…” except here the roles are sort of reversed with Hisagi only able to say half his own name.)
Paying no heed to Hisagi who had worked himself into a frenzy, Yukio turned to Urahara and began to address him.
“It’s been half a year since I last saw you it seems, I want you to come along with me for a little while.”
“Oh my, I would have come out to meet you if you had given me a phone call in advance you know? But I get the picture more or less.”
“Oh…?”
In contrast to Yukio who narrowed his eyes, Hisagi’s eyes widened in surprise as he raised a question.
“Is it true Urahara san? You have some idea of whatever the heck this guy’s objectives may be…?”
Thereupon Urahara closed his fan with a snap whilst smiling fearlessly.
“With gaming ventures as its cornerstone, the president of 'Y. Hans Enterprise’ which has achieved rapid growth at the heart of the entertainment industry, will only have one firm request of me.”
All of a sudden the fan which had just been closed, flew open with a loud thwack as Urahara made his assertion.
“Just say it! You want to poach me away to your own company don’t you?”
“…Whaa?”
“……”
Hisagi wore a bewildered look as if to indicate that he wasn’t sure how he should respond, Yukio’s face was completely devoid of expression.
Unfazed by the stance of the other two, Urahara brazenly continued.
“Oh no, perhaps I should say you have a discerning eye, as someone who continues to develop new products for a small-time candy store, I personally think it’s about time to get noticed by big companies. Having said that, if you think I’m a man that can be swayed by money then that’s disconcerting you know? If you want to buy my Shitamachi* craftsmanship, then I would hope you’d answer with sincerity rather than money. More specifically, how about a 7% stake in your company?”
(*TN –a concept that refers to “old town Tokyo” where minor vendors and artisans can be found, Shitamachi culture is in keeping with traditional methods and is deemed more authentic/reliable. It is therefore in opposition to mass-production and modernised techniques.)
“Isn’t that still asking for money in the end!? What is up with that dramatic 7% figure!? Or rather, how is Karakura Town Shitamachi!? Also a small-time candy store doesn’t have any particular need to develop its own merchandise in the first place does it!?”
“…Hisagi san, you genuinely retort with such civility. Perhaps Vorarlberna san should also follow your example?”
In response to Urahara who said as much without the slightest hint of shame, Yukio was neither surprised nor offended, but merely spoke his own opinions with an unconcerned air.
“As frightening as ever, with regard to you that is. You’re the type I’d least like to encounter in a player versus player game.”
“What’s the matter? To hear this all of a sudden.”
“While you were spouting irrelevant jokes, just now, you were observing every reaction on my side weren’t you? Your manipulative tactics had already begun with your jokes that looked down on the person in question didn’t it?”
“You overestimate me. Do I look like that kind of scoundrel?”
Urahara gave a strained laugh as he veiled himself deeply with his hat, and from under the brim of that hat, with a daring gaze he stared up towards Yukio who was on the other end of the monitor.
“Owing to the nature of my business, I tend to evaluate the other party, however it’s not like I can see through everything.”
Watching Urahara who tactfully evaded his questions, Yukio heaved a sigh as he spoke.
“Whatever, forget about it. But, you understand enough to know that my objectives are not to poach you away right? It’s the first reasoning phase. Even though I still haven’t given you any key items*, are you able to guess the objectives on my side?” (*TN –he’s using gaming terminology, “key items” here refers to collectables players would be able to pick up in their virtual world to aid themselves in-game.)
“I want to say I know what your game is, but I can’t be sure at this stage. Just how many times would the answer be right? At least I know there is no intent to kill or hostility coming from Vorarlberna san, so I hope that I also have time on my side.”
“Huh?”
—— No hostility?
—— Come to think of it, it certainly doesn’t feel like we’re under attack.
What Hisagi is able to determine from the monitor that appeared in midair and the static noise like substance which began to flicker around the shop, is the presence of an ability which has forced a digital virtual world to fuse with the real one.
Therefore, whilst cautiously considering whether or not the data of his own physical system could be rewritten at will, using his Reiatsu perception Hisagi attempted to feel around for the whereabouts of Yukio himself.
Though there was indeed no indication that they were undergoing an attack, Hisagi had recollections of being manipulated in the past whilst remaining completely unaware of the fact that he had succumb to an attack by the Quincy known as Pepe and is thus unable to allow himself the carelessness.
—— Crap, I remembered it. How the hell could I… with that weird old fart…
Although the brainwashing which was applied through the power of Pepe’s Schrift had since been lifted, he recalled that he once 'loved’ the Quincy in question even if it was only for a moment, whilst twitching in discomfort he shook his head.
“Urahara san, you say this guy has no hostility… well then, why did he go to the trouble of isolating Karakura Town?”
A short while ago, Hisagi had sent a transmission to Soul Society in order to request a Gentei Kaijo, however a reply has still not returned.
He feared it likely that communications had been obstructed by some means, but he couldn’t afford to ascertain whether or not that was also part of the isolation.
In order to effectively do battle in a state where his power has been suppressed by a substantial margin like this, Hisagi has grown through continuous training, having said that, he would probably be forced into a fierce struggle if his opponents also happen to be the likes of Adjuchas or Vasto Lorde class Hollows.
“Ah yes, it’s true that I carried out the isolation of this town.”
It was Yukio himself who responded to Hisagi’s question.
Despite watching Yukio doubtfully, even from Hisagi’s intuition, there was nothing that seems to indicate that this other party held any animosity.
Faced with Hisagi who was just considering what his goals might be if that was truly the case, Yukio continued his sentence.
“But there is no hostility… when it comes to me that is.”
Then, almost simultaneously, a change materialised in the scene.
Hisagi perceives the fluctuation of a faint Reiatsu at his back, as he leapt forward without a word, he turned to look over his shoulder at the spot he was standing in until that point.
What was standing there as a result, is the figure of person who had emerged from the static noise in the air, an extendable baton decorated with some sort of curious ornaments had just been swung down towards the spot Hisagi was in only a moment ago.
Even though it wasn’t a blade, as a blunt instrument its force will not allow one to get away without consequences so long as it was able to strike one’s head
Considering the endurance of a Shinigami, its strength seems to be no big deal, however it also did not appear likely that this was an ordinary extendable baton.
And above all —— the moment he caught sight of the individuals holding identical batons gushing forth one after another from the surrounding static noise, Hisagi determined that the situation had already transitioned to battle status.
That he was able to dodge it right away, even while listening to Urahara’s comical conversation, is likely due to his long-standing experience of continuous battle as a Shinigami.
As he extended his hand towards the hilt of his Zanpakutō, Hisagi observes the crowd of people that had appeared in front of Urahara Shōten.
—— This isn’t Hollow or Quincy Reiatsu.
—— These guys… are they, human?
It’s not the case that they were souls of the deceased, rather a group of men and women who clearly had a Reiraku colour no different to that of an ordinary human being living here in the Human World.
In uniformity, they all wore suits adorned with white patterns on a black cloth, on their faces they donned gas masks with the same colour scheme and as a result it was impossible to examine their facial expressions.
—— Assuming they’re human, I can’t afford to end up killing them so rashly.
—— But, if these guys are ordinary humans, then this disparity in numbers is not a problem either…
Hisagi made an attempt to knock the whole crew senseless through Shunpo and Hakuda, however ——
“!?”
The moment he moved around and cut in behind his opponent using Shunpo, he perceives a sense of discomfort and in that way was forced to dive backwards by one step.
In an instant, a baton brushes past the tip of his nose.
Despite having completely moved around to his opponents’ blind spot, to his surprise they dealt an attack his way with the utmost precision using moves that almost made it appear as if they had eyes in the back of their heads.
To go further, their movements were much faster than that of ordinary humans, even to the point where it seemed far beyond the level of Shinigami foot soldiers.
—— What the heck is up with these guys!?
—— Could they be detecting my position with Reikaku (spiritual sense)?
The likes of Shinigami, Hollows and some unique humans are all able to detect the Reiatsu belonging to other beings through a sense known as Reiatsu Chikaku (spiritual pressure perception) — commonly referred to as “Reikaku”. However it did not appear likely that ordinary humans living in the Human World would be able to perform such an action, Hisagi considered the possibility that they were some kind of gifted individuals.
But naturally, the enemy did not give him the leisure of thinking things through.
As he evaded the swarm of batons which came swooping down on him in quick succession from the surroundings, Hisagi senses that a slight anomaly has emerged within himself.
—— What the hell?
—— My moves, they’re getting sluggish…?
Even counting the fact that his limiter had not been released, he still got the feeling that his reaction speeds had slowed by around 10% compared to usual.
After visualising the movements in his mind, it took his body a brief moment of delay before putting it into operation.
Having observed the situation, Urahara narrows his eyes whilst muttering to himself.
“Poison… no, this is manipulation of souls and Reishi… isn’t it?”
“What are you implying Urahara san!?”
“Let’s see, just now, you were lightly grazed by the baton belonging to Mr. Black suit guy over there correct? Since then, Hisagi san’s Reiatsu feels as though it’s been thrown a little out of order. I’m afraid it’s likely that this is the application of a Fullbring where contact amounts to a trigger for activating the ability.”
Urahara attentively puts the conjecture derived from his own observations into words.
“So that’s how it is…! As expected of you Urahara san. It’s just like you to remain so calm in the midst of a free-for-all like th-… wait a minute?”
Hisagi evaded the enemy’s attacks using taijutsu and at the same time was impressed by Urahara, but then he noticed a great difference in the situation surrounding himself and Urahara.
"…Why do I get the impression, that it’s only me who’s being attacked!?”
The black suited group clad in gas masks who made an appearance in the vicinity of the shop, all uniformly rushed in to attack Hisagi alone and did not even attempt to make an approach in Urahara’s direction who at a glance, appears to be unguarded.
“Well, I wonder how this came about? Is it down to a so-called difference in personal virtue?”
“Isn’t that a little unfair!?… Hey, Yukio right!? What’s the big idea jerk!?”
At Hisagi who yelled towards the projected image in the air, Yukio replied in a bored-looking manner.
“Didn’t you listen to anything I was just saying? I told you, I have business with Urahara san.”
“…Having important business with him, doesn’t mean having him wiped out or something does it?”
“If that were the case I would have mounted a surprise attack a long time ago. Do I look like the type to launch an offensive after announcing myself in an act of fair play?”
While the static noise surrounding the mid-air screen flickered, Hisagi who eyed Yukio as he spoke, clicked his tongue thinking “…he doesn’t seem like that type” and drives the heel of his palm into one of the black suited assailants.
“If that’s true, then what is the motive for attacking me?… Well, considering the story I heard from Ginjō, that the comrade of that guy would hate us Shinigami, is understandable I guess.”
Due to the Shinigamis’ betrayal, his fellow Fullbringers who were once his comrades were all slaughtered.
If they were made to hear of such a past from Ginjō, then it’s not surprising for the Fullbringers to even consider any Shinigami they come across as a clear enemy who should be cut down immediately.
Was Urahara not a target simply because they knew he is an individual who had been exiled from the Shinigami’s world?
As he sidestepped the black suited gang’s assault, it was Hisagi who guessed as much, however, what emerged on the face of Yukio who had heard his words, was an expression that intermingled with slight astonishment.
“…Really? That guy Kūgo, went as far as to talk to you about something like that?”
Finally, at Hisagi towards whom he was thus far as indifferent to as a stone by the roadside, Yukio opens his mouth to speak with a look that harboured interest for the first time.
“I don’t think Kūgo would have succumbed to torture or interrogation. How are the two of you acquainted?”
“…We simply got to know each other through a round of drinks on one occasion. At present we are neither friend nor foe.”
“……?”
“Well, it suffices to call it a cooperation between a journalist and an interviewee… look, if you’re interested in listening to what I have to say then make these guys stop!”
Dodging the black suited group who continued to advance on him as before, Hisagi finally took a wide leap towards the sky and escaped. In that way, he fortified the Reishi under his feet in a position that was out of the reach of the black suits, and remained motionless in the air.
As he fixed a glare at the Yukio within the projected image which he had come to meet at the same eye level, Hisagi sets the situation straight.
—— Phew, thank goodness I went without entering a Gigai. If a member of the public were to see me flying around the place…
—— Wait? Does the fact that they can see my spirit body, mean that every single of those guys down there are indeed Fullbringers?
Supposing that the black suited gang were Fullbringers, it was entirely possible that they could also leap as far as this point.
Realising be was in no position to take a breather, Hisagi once again looked down on the black suited group below.
In a split second —— he became aware of the fact that what was before his lowered gaze, was somebody’s arm entangling itself around the upper half of his body.
“…?……!?”
It did not feel like something was touching him.
Even Hisagi’s sharpened sense of Reiatsu Chikaku couldn’t detect a single abnormality whatsoever there.
However, the image of somebody’s slender arm did indeed enter his eyes, gently embracing Hisagi’s body from behind.
Then, as if to prove it wasn’t a hallucination —— an enchanting female voice resounded close to his ear.
“How fascinating…”
“……Gah!”
Suddenly, a chill ran down Hisagi’s spine.
“…That occupations such as journalism exist even in Soul Society.”
At the whisper which sounded as though it could melt one’s mind just by listening to it, Hisagi forgets he was standing on a field of battle for a moment.
Nevertheless, the voice was so out of place that it quite conversely evoked a sense of wariness in the battle-hardened Hisagi, as if to dispel the voice he fanned out both arms as he turned to look back.
There was no sensation indicating that his arms had made contact with anything.
But “she” was certainly there.
“…Who the hell are you? It seems you’re neither Shinigami nor Hollow…”
What met Hisagi’s eyes, was a beautiful young woman.
The woman was clad in a style of suit which was a combination of dignified and flirtatious, she exudes a mysterious allure which cannot be described in words.
“Quincy?… That’s not it. Assuming you’re Yukio’s associate, are you perhaps a Fullbringer?”
“That would be correct… no hang on.”
The woman made a momentary pause in her speech, with a meaningful smile spread across her face, she corrected her answer.
“ ——In this instance, perhaps it’s better to say 'exacta’? Mr. Vice captain of squad 9.”
“……!?”
In Hisagi’s mind, vigilance levels towards this opponent spiked by several notches.
The unique catchphrase "exacta” which had just been uttered, is the habitual saying of Findorr Calius, an Arrancar whom Hisagi once battled in this place —— or strictly speaking, a replica town which imitated Karakura.
Although he announced his rank to Yukio a little earlier, it turns out she knows information personal to Hisagi. Moreover, if she has knowledge of even the details contained within that inner sanctum of battle, then it is no longer possible to underestimate her as a mere human.
“…You know me that well huh? What’s up with that, could it be that you’re something of a fan of mine?”
Even if she was a bewitching woman, the sort of which would cause Hisagi’s heart to sway ——
“Sure. If I told you, that’s right… after learning all about you, I’ve been wanting to get closer to you for a long time, would you believe me?”
“……”
Even if she uttered charming words in a voice which would cause Hisagi’s heart to sway ——
“…Th-there’s no way I would believe something like that!”
Maintaining his reasoning power which was being pushed to its very limits, Hisagi places a hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
—— Be careful, be careful damn it. This would have been a close call if it weren’t for the warning I got from captain commander Kyōraku and captain Muguruma.
While he recollected the time he was judged as “seemingly second to none when it comes to falling into the snares of dubious women”, in his mind Hisagi began to meditate under a serene waterfall.
As if seeing through his inner thoughts, an unwelcome warning came resounding through the air all the way back from Earth.
“Are you alright~! Hisagi san~! Please be wary of honeytraps!”
In response to Urahara who called out to him in such a way from below, Hisagi protested as his cheeks began to redden.
“What are you insinuating!? Why would you have that sort of impression of me!? It’s not like I’d be taken in by her schemes is it!? At any rate, I’m still a vice captain you know!?”
Hisagi yelled with vigour that would likely put him on the verge of tears were it not for these exceptional state of affairs, the woman on the other hand cast words at Hisagi which were difficult to discern as either satire or seriousness.
“Oh, what a pity. If only I were able to avoid a fight using my feminine charm, things would have been easier that way.”
With a seductive smile playing on her face, the female Fullbringer inclined her head as she gazed fixedly at Hisagi.
—— Calm down, I need to calm down! Don’t let her deceive you, that’s right, think about Rangiku san!
Without revealing the fretfulness of his inner thoughts on his countenance, Hisagi feigned a cool visage and gave his response.
“…That is a pity. You certainly are attractive, but if you want to seduce me then you’ve got to adopt a risqué style on par with Rangiku san.”
“Hisagi san. It seems you intend to clinch victory with a suave act, but if Rangiku san were to hear you, don’t you feel it’s likely she would make you eat an axe kick, and on top of that, blurt out the cold, hard truth which would no doubt kill the mood?”
“Huuuh…? What did I do…?”
Regaining his senses at Urahara’s words, Hisagi avoided meeting the gazes of those around him whilst the blush on his face crept up to his ears.
The woman who was floating in midair giggled after seeing the state Hisagi was in, at the same time she slowly extended both arms.
“You’re quite the amusing one. It would be pleasant if others among the Shinigami also had a similar sense of humour.”
Then, as if conducting an orchestra, she begins to wave her hands around.
“Allow me to reintroduce myself … I’m Michibane Aura.”
Her dancing fingertips resembled that of a performer’s pulling the strings of a marionette, that alone made one sense a kind of beauty.
“Although my station is life is nothing more than a maid for the gods who govern death, I am most pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“……?”
—— Gods who govern death?
—— Is that referring to us Shinigami? What does she mean by “maid”?
Though puzzled by the words and actions of the woman who gave her name as Aura, Hisagi immediately notices an unusual change in their surroundings.
As soon as the reiatsu belonging to the humans at ground level mutated, the whole crew raised their batons towards the air.
In response to that spectacle which even appeared to resemble vegetation extending its vines towards the sun, Hisagi got a bad feeling.
Then, his forebodings were proved justified.
The patterns which decorated the surface of the extendable batons materialises and floats up to the skies above, remaining like that, they bloat to take the form of enormous tentacles which then charge towards Hisagi who was standing in midair.
“Whaa…!?”
The symbols and characters reminiscent of a summoning circle began to flock together, the tentacles flailed about like it was perhaps a single organism.
For Hisagi who contemplated the possibility of something more akin to a Cero on the verge of being fired, this was an unexpected attack.
Hisagi unsheathes his Zanpakutō on the spot and swiftly cuts away a number of the tentacles approaching him, but then ——
The 'branches of the patterns’ which were severed off, instantaneously attaches itself back together and resumes its attack on Hisagi once more.
“…They’re just like a huge swarm of insects! What gives damn it!?”
Hisagi continues to dodge whilst dealing slashing attacks, but owing to the fact that this was ineffective regardless of how many cuts he made, Hisagi concluded that his physical endurance would be the first thing to drain at this rate.
In addition, as he crossed his sword with 'branches of the patterns’, Hisagi perceives another danger.
Every time he would slash a cluster of characters, a strange distortion is produced in the Reiatsu of his Zanpakutō.
A sensation that made it seem as though the sharpness of the blade itself had grown blunt, it felt like something close to the decline of his physical ability which he sensed a little earlier.
“Damn… this feeling, it’s awfully similar to the time that guy Ayasegawa got me…”
Hisagi once crossed blades with Ayasegawa Yumichika in the mayhem that was created when Kurosaki Ichigo appeared in Soul Society for the first time.
The result was a humiliating defeat for Hisagi.
The ability of Ayasegawa’s “Ruri'iro Kujaku”, which was a hidden ace up his sleeve, is 'Reiatsu absorption’, Reiatsu is sucked up by the light rays of the blade which spread like the feathers of a peacock, the sensation of his body being rendered motionless is something Hisagi still distinctly recalls even now.
—— But, it’s different from that time. Rather than being absorbed… it’s more like the feeling of being pinned down.
—— Is this the “manipulation of Reishi” Urahara san mentioned earlier? What a drag.
Although the Reiatsu itself remains unchanged, he could not help thinking that the way in which his sword had become eerily blunt, is perhaps comparable to his blade being immersed within a muddy swamp.
He feared it likely that this was the enemy’s ability, however he could not quite comprehend that theory at the same time.
—— Perhaps it’s closer to Kira’s “Wabisuke"…? If that’s the case, then a game of endurance isn’t the best idea.
A Zanpakutō which doubles the weight of whatever it strikes flashed through his mind and Hisagi prepares himself to deal with the threat.
"It can’t be helped…”
Then, towards Aura and the black suited group on the ground, Hisagi uttered words which took the form of a warning.
“Even though it’s not very clear what your goals are yet… from this point onwards, I will judge you as an enemy.”
“…Oh my, who would’ve guessed that you’d also be capable of wearing an expression like that.”
Realising that the atmosphere surrounding Hisagi has changed, Aura responds while narrowing her eyes.
“But if you give me your word that you would no longer be an obstacle for us, then we would even be willing to lay down our arms this very minute you know?”
It was different from the mood in the moment he was teased by Urahara only a short while ago.
An intent to kill begets one to return the favour, he wore the face of a “Shinigami” who is capable of cutting down an enemy without any hesitation whether they were human or not.
If one were to ask the captains who were either the belligerent or dutiful type, he believes they would probably say he was “too slow when finding his resolve”, despite this Hisagi once again solidifies his resolve to kill the 'enemy’ before his eyes.
Nevertheless, perhaps it comes down to the influence of the 'path’ Tōsen had preached to him? It is precisely because he understands that his own blade is an article capable of killing others, that Hisagi deliberately gave one final warning to those who stood in his way.
“To those of you who are readying a sudden attack, you won’t be an obstacle for me either. First and foremost, what do you hope to achieve by covering the town with something like this?”
“…This is the preparation.”
At Hisagi’s remark, Aura lowered both hands and gave her response.
Accordingly, the cluster of patterns that writhed around Hisagi also began to exhibit calmness, its material body swayed left and right where it had maintained a distance.
“Preparation…?”
"This very Karakura Town, is the greatest Jūreichi in the world. You know that right?”
“Of course.… Wait, surely not.”
Hitting upon a certain hypothesis, Hisagi involuntarily raises his voice.
“You guys wouldn’t be trying to forge an 'Ōken’ now would you!?”
Ōken.
The key to the “Soul King Palace” which can be manufactured through a Jūreichi with a radius of half a spirit mile, and an offering of one hundred thousand souls.
Considering the fact that Aizen Sōsuke once launched an invasion towards Karakura Town in order to destroy the “Soul King”, it’s more than conceivable that this theory would be the objective for isolating this town.
However, Aura slowly shakes her head in response to Hisagi’s outcry.
“Perhaps I should say that making such a speculation… is regrettable.”
“What did you just say…?”
“We do not intend to sacrifice the souls of innocent citizens, and there is no need to forge an Ōken either.”
As a bold smile revealed itself on her face, Aura threw Hisagi’s mind into disarray through her roundabout manner of speaking.
“Because our purpose… is to turn Karakura Town itself, into a true capital that will seat the 'king’.”
“…Huh?”
For a moment, Hisagi couldn’t comprehend what his opponent was saying.
Could it be an ill-natured joke, or an unreliable statement made in order to confuse his side?
Rather, if he was instead told that they were manufacturing an Ōken by carrying out a massacre of all the humans belonging to this town, he probably would have been able to accept it more easily. However, his mind could not at all register the meaning behind the words stating to 'turn this town into the king’s capital’.
At the bewildered Hisagi, Aura continues to speak.
“The Soul King Palace, and Las Noches. With the thrones established in Soul Society and Hueco Mundo as two wings, the throne would be whole supposing the town itself also became a wing above the two. That is the destiny bestowed upon us after all.”
“…What are you talking about? I mean… who is this 'king’ you’re referring to?”
As a natural consequence, questions began to emerge in Hisagi’s thoughts.
—— There’s no way, it can’t possibly be Aizen could it?
—— Or maybe Yhwach? No, that guy was definitely killed by Ichigo….
Despite several names floating to his head, one young face comes to mind in a corner of a dizzying myriad of ever-changing memory fragments.
—— K…King…?
—— “– said he would – allow me – king –”
—— No doubt, they were at the nobles’ medical institution, the one who said that….
Even regardless of the fact that he had explained the encounter to Urahara a short while ago, he was unable to make an immediate link between the current situation and the person in question.
Though there were various inexplicable aspects to the encounter, to Hisagi it appeared unlikely that there was also a connection to this absurd notion in which Karakura Town would be made the king’s capital of the Human World. However ——
Recalling the exchange of words from that time in detail, it occurred to Hisagi that his core temperature had rapidly chilled to the bone.
—— “Besides… Tokinada sama said he would allow the likes of me to become king!”
“…*gasp!*”
The scattered puzzle pieces began to link together and produce a disturbing sound in Hisagi’s head.
What he still couldn’t understand is whether this was a coincidence or an inevitably, or perhaps he was even being played into the palm of somebody’s hand, as if with a groan, Hisagi muttered a name that was in the depths of his memory.
“Ubuginu… Hikone?”
“ ! ”
It was at that point that the smile began to fade from Aura’s face for the first time.
“I’m surprised…. How is it that you know this name?”
“Are you… by some chance, Tsunayashiro Tokinada’s subordinate…?”
“As I mentioned earlier, I am a maid, but to call me a subordinate… that would not be accurate. However, are you really fine with that? That someone such as yourself, would actually address a member of the Tsunayashiro clan, one of the four great noble houses, without the proper honorifics.”
Aura spoke as if to stir a reaction, but Hisagi was unfazed by it.
“…Just now, it became no longer a necessity to attach 'sama’ to his name.”
“…I think how Hisagi san should rather put it, is that 'sama’ doesn’t particularly suit Yoruichi san nor Byakuya san either….”
When Urahara who was following the conversation from ground level whispered as much, the transmitted image of Yukio opens his mouth to speak as if matching that.
“Aren’t you going to go assist him? I feel Aura is a tough opponent to challenge for a solo player, don’t you agree?”
Looking at the projected image which blended with the sporadic static noise, Urahara spoke as he rhythmically poked at the ground with Benihime which takes the form of a sword cane.
“Not at all, if anything I’m the support type specialising in buffs and recovery after all. Though somewhat capricious, Hisagi san is more outstanding as an attacker wouldn’t you agree?”
“Hmm? From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem like he’s doing that much DPS.”
“If pushed to say then I suppose he’s more of a tank. He stands out by being tough to kill.”
(TN –If you’re unfamiliar with gaming lingo: Buff = enhances the power/effectiveness of a game element/player. DPS = damage per second, refers to a player’s, or more specifically their weapon’s damage output. Tank = a class of playable character that typically occupies an enemy thereby redirecting the aggressor’s attack while another player deals damage or completes some other objective, tanks generally have a lot of HP or “health” and can thus survive longer or are more difficult to kill as Urahara put it.)
In this space which was made to be dominated by the static noise and the sound of his cane prodding the earth’s surface, Urahara closely observes the black suited group on ground level.
After the tentacled patterns were shot from the batons, without even moving a muscle they merely continued to gradually release the Reiatsu in their possession towards the sky.
“…However, you guys are really playing dirty huh? About that, will both the 'person on the inside’ as well as the 'person on the outside’ be alright?”
(TN –When Urahara says “person on the inside’ the furigana says "貴女” referring to a lady, that is, Aura. When he says “person on the outside” the furigana says “依り代” which means “spirit-dewelling object”, you should be able to put the pieces together about Aura and her black suits now.)
Aura took a scowling Hisagi’s gaze in stride with a smile, but she somehow managed to catch the sound of Urahara’s voice, raising her own voice ever so slightly she addresses him from midair.
“As expected… you are a frightening man, Urahara Kisuke.”
“Oh my, you heard me?”
“Were you able to discern my innate abilities, already?”
“ ! ”
Hisagi also reacts to those words, whilst being wary of his surroundings, he turns his line of sight in Urahara’s direction.
Each Fullbringer has their own special set of abilities.
As far as Hisagi had investigated, the man known as Tsukishima who was with Ginjō for instance, possessed a terrifying ability in which he could insert his presence into the past of another person, and though by individual units, it could also alter history itself.
Assuming the woman before his eyes is a Fullbringer, then the cluster of symbols and characters writhing around him, and the reason why he felt the strength within himself and his Zanpakutō diminishing, may surely be put down to a result of her abilities.
In order to carry the progress of battle in their favour, Hisagi awaited Urahara’s response, but then ——
“Well I never, how can that be? Don’t go pulling my leg now.”
With a soft chuckle, Urahara answers Aura’s question.
“You don’t use any so-called innate abilities do you?”
“……”
“…No, perhaps it’s more accurate to say, you 'can’t use’ them, right?”
