Chapter 22: Soul Society, Part 4
It felt as if the world was spinning around her, shifting and swimming and unable to form a concrete image. The act of opening her eyes alone made a sudden burst of nausea impact against her temples that nearly caused her to black-out once again.
Silent would not however, as this time she had been quick to gather her depleted spiritual energy and force herself awake.
It was dark, and based on the texture of the ground beneath her, she was in some sort of dim-lit cave. Stalagmites hung from the ceiling; dripping down tiny drops of liquid that made steady plopping noises in the stillness.
Plop.
Plop.
They went.
She didn't know how long she had been here, and even her memories were a tad jumbled from the moment she had acted on an impulse. It was like, something had taken over her at that instant; an instinct that refused any kind of logical reasoning from taking any kind of role in decision making.
All that she knew was that she wouldn't let go of her enemy because of fear? Thinking about it know, it wasn't because she was afraid of the enemy, but she was fearful of what that enemy would do if her hand had let go. It was strange. The notion of concerning herself for someone else's well being as a hollow, or whatever she was. Then again, she definitely wasn't the first as she already knew of one.
She pressed down on her eyes in an attempt to ward of her throbbing migraine to no use. However, that didn't mean that she would just continue to remain where she was.
Ichigo.
Karin.
Those names seemed to play like a record in her mind. Although she could match those names to the faces she had seen, somehow or another, she couldn't match them with any of her memories. This frustrated her to know end, but this wasn't the time to think about it.
Her fingers twitched, slowly feeling out against the cold floor until they stopped just beneath her, grasping for a stable hold.
"…"
Her mouth opened in reflex as the pain assailed her while she pushed up with her trembling arms.
The noise of shuffling movements were the only sounds that echoed within the darkness, and even then, it went on for much too long as she eventually staggered onto her feet.
Blinking her eyes, she looked towards the rays of light that pierced their way into the cave. Considering the deep black behind, the rays of light appeared to be her only exit.
Supporting herself while leaning against a wall, she began to make her way there; all the while, she could feel it.
Her spiritual energy was dwindling.
She didn't know what had been done to her, or maybe it was just because of her surroundings, but she was finding it increasingly hard to replenish her spiritual energy. Normally, this process should have had been completed after a couple hours or days of rest, but judging from her tattered clothing and appearance, more than enough time should have had already passed. Still, she had recovered barely anything. What she had in reserve is what she would have to make do with, and this amount was only barely enough to force her awake and moving.
Haaa.
Haaa.
One breath at a time, one step after another. It was increasingly difficult.
When her legs were near collapsing, it was then that she reached the opening at the end of the path. Having followed the trail of that light, all she could make out at its opening was an aerial view of the Seireitei. She wasn't surprised, as she had already considered that she would have had been taken to the Soul Society after she wasn't instantly killed.
Then again, what was truly concerning her at the moment as her spiritual energy gradually depleted, was the ominous presence she now detected above her.
Regal.
And unbending.
The feeling described by hollows under a Shinigami's blade.
Yet this feeling, it appeared as if there were thousands of them in a single sword.
Nonetheless, she couldn't give up. Not when she saw something that caused an immediate guilt to well up from within her. She staggered on wobbly feet as she moved forward once more. Even if it were just a tiny step, she wouldn't allow herself to do nothing anymore.
After all, she could see hollows fighting outside in her elevated view, and there could only be a single reason for such a thing.
The oddest of all hollows, and the one she had first met upon awakening in Hueco Mundo.
The Vasto of White.
Her breath seemed to hitch as she realized the extent one hollow was willing to go for another. In that case,
'AAAHHH'
A silent shout. Willful and fleeting, but filled with the determination of a soul unwilling to be extinguished so easily.
Her remaining spiritual force was like a beacon that shone in the misty harbour. Clear, and devoid of the general ferocity normally associated with other hollows for she was different in a way. This was why she had quickly considered the risk, but still followed through with it anyway. Compared to the hollows attacking the Seireitei, the sudden emergence of spiritual energy would probably not be prioritized too quickly.
Her outburst of energy had to be distinct enough to be noticed. Hence, she was gathering it all up to release it in one burst. Though that burst may be small, it should be enough; for there were those who would recognize it for what it was. After all, it was her spiritual pressure, a marker and symbol that shouted out that she was alive.
With this in mind, she continued to draw out the entirety of her reserves.
I'm here!
It was as if she was shouting this at the present moment, even if she was generally unable to.
However,
"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you stop there," a deep and baritone voice filtered into her ears after a sharp pain struck her at the back of the neck.
Thereafter, a heavy spiritual pressure suffocated and snuffed out her own before she even had a chance to let it all out.
W-Who?!
This thought was the only word in her mind as she blacked out into unconsciousness.
Starrk and Lilynette hadn't shown up yet. Then again, neither did Mila Rose, Sung-Sun, or Apacci. In which case, just how far have they gotten to not receive word of grouping up?
Shirou's brows furrowed in thought, and it wasn't because of the two children tugging at his face, rather, it was because of the fortifications he could see being made within his vision.
Located several hundred meters out in the buildings of the Seireitei, a plethora of Shinigami were bunched together in a tight defensive; a single old man stood standing at the forefront with his hands clasped over a wooden cane.
These several hundred meters or so of gap was like a buffer zone between both parties where the threat of retaliation was left unspoken for whom ever would step forward first. At this point, neither side was willing to do so as many of the hollows and Shinigami were still scattered.
"What will you do now?" Ulquiorra asked curiously from the side. "Has following this emotion to save others been of any use at all?"
His gaze momentarily left the battlefield and moved towards Ulquiorra.
After deciding to gather up his forces, Ulquiorra was one of the first to arrive. This was due to his close proximity and the fact that the density of Ulquiorra's spiritual energy was quite high, making it difficult for other hollows to miss.
"About that Ulquiorra," Shirou began as he stood up on his feet after brushing off Sogyo no Kotowari. "Our purpose here isn't meant to have been of any use. Hell, it was more of a detriment really."
Ulquiorra rose a brow. "Then why?"
Rather than him explaining, another voice cut in that left Ulquiorra at a loss for words.
"Then why is it that you have followed?" Harribel asked evenly. Walking up near him, she crossed her arms as she supported the weight of her back against a wall. "Thinking back to it now, no one here had prompted you to come along. Rather, you felt it too, didn't you? Something inexplicable. That is what emotion is, otherwise we'd all just be empty."
Ulquiorra turned his head to the side before raising his hand and charging a green cero. "Emotion is nothing compared to results," he said flatly before flicking the glowing orb of destruction in the direction of a building seventy meters to the right.
"You missed a few of them over there," Ulqiorra curtly explained. He then shifted his gaze towards Harribel. "Feeling a need to do something, and doing it is completely different," he said as he lowered his arm.
Harribel didn't even react. No matter what she would say, there were only three words that would matter. "You still came," she said evenly.
"…" Ulquiorra said nothing thereafter, turning his attention back towards where it mattered in the direction of the battlefield.
Shirou sighed at that moment. He could understand that Ulqiorra was just trying to explain things logically, and it was because of this that he renewed his resolve to end things as fast as possible.
"Harribel," he called.
Harribel seemed oddly attentive when her name was called, then again, he could tell that the woman hardly noticed it herself.
"Could you tell me what you saw in the Twelfth Division's building again?" He asked.
"No problems," Harribel said before she began to narrate.
Upon entering the research facility, she had noticed a variety of experimental subjects within various storage cells aligned against the walls. Similarly, there were cylindrical glass structures filled with supernatant and a type of organism growing from within it.
She had hardly paid attention to such things though since they weren't exactly what she was looking for. Instead, what she paid careful attention to was the deep jagged scars etched into the ground. These were sword marks indicating that some kind of battle had occurred within the space, but it was clear from the finesse of the attacks that this was not a battle between a hollow or Shinigami. Bladed weapons had been the main damage dealer, indicating that this was a battle between Shinigami. Further evidence was the unique residual aura of spiritual energy of some type of Kido the Shinigami used. However, why would a Shinigami fight another Shinigami?
Harribel paused in her speaking for a moment as she saw that he had fallen into contemplation.
The first time he had heard Harribel explain this point in her narration, he already had a suspicion in his mind. After all, he already knew of a Shinigami that wasn't anywhere near as loyal as the man portrayed himself to be in the Soul Society. Furthermore, it was this man himself who had directed him towards the building.
Aizen Sousuke.
Yet what did Aizen intend for him to understand upon him discovering what was in that room? It didn't take long for him to come up with something plausible.
The experimental subjects.
Although when Harribel had spoken of it, she had glazed over the particular topic as it probably didn't even count for anything in her eyes. In Hueco Mundo, the sight of dead bodies was fairly common place. It wasn't something a Vasto Lorde like her would ever pay attention to, but when he considered the personality of the Captain he had seen take Silent away, and the described experimental subjects in the building, then…
Then there was a distinct message implied after Aizen had sent him there.
'I saved her.'
It was that simple.
If so, then that would mean that Silent may already be safe, or was at least being kept somewhere safe. Concluding up to this point, he let out a sigh of relief.
"Please continue Harribel," he said.
Harribel nodded.
After discovering those sword marks and the general mayhem of the interior, she soon reached a single room that was free from any damage. This was blaring to her, and a signal that stood out in stark contrast with her surroundings. That, and she had managed to catch a lone researcher in the building who she had strong armed to follow her demands. Therefore, she didn't even take a moment of consideration as she ripped open the door leading into the room and stepped in. Besides, there were only a few things that could harm a Vasto Lorde, and she could not sense any in the immediate vicinity.
Once inside the room, this was where she had concluded the basis that Silent had probably escaped in the mayhem. After all, Harribel had faintly been able to sense the spiritual energy she had become familiar with in her time spent alongside Silent.
Silent had been in this room, and somehow, she had gotten free from her restraints, evident by the broken straps on the examination table. Furthermore, Harribel even observed signs that Silent was in mint condition evident by the lack of blood in the room as compared to the others.
Concluding up to this point, Harribel ended her narration.
However, this only left him with more questions than answers. With the injuries he had seen Silent sustain, it was impossible for her to have had been in any good condition without ample time, and he had been quick to give chase. Thus, the time frame should only have had been a matter of hours at the time, or perhaps a day or two of trying to locate her holding area.
It was then that a minor detail in Harribel's recollection entered his notice.
A lone researcher in an empty lab?
No matter how he thought about it, if Aizen had already taken over the place before hand, why would there be a researcher there to guide the way?
"It's hard to be perfect. Sometimes you miss things," Kyoka spoke up from within his mind.
So that's how it was. The answer clicked as soon as Kyoka spoke, and it wasn't her explanation. Rather, it was the reminder of Kyoka's ability as a Zanpakuto.
Then that lone researcher may have had been the Captain himself.
It was a startling conclusion as he recalled leaving Aizen behind before departing himself. However, it wasn't impossible for Aizen to reach the building first as he probably had a deeper understanding of the terrain.
"Oi oi, bad man?!" Sogyo no Kotowari called.
Unlike Kyoka who resided and spoke from within him, Sogyo no Kotowari adamantly stayed in a physical realm. At this moment, they were tugging at him.
"When will master wake up?" The two asked.
Speaking on that subject, he turned towards Jushiro's form. The man was still unconscious, and the volume of his breath signalled that the man was steadily recovering.
However, this was only possible because he had prevented any of the other hollows from approaching. This action had garnered some affection from the two boys, but they still insisted on calling him a bad man.
At first, he had considered dealing the finishing blow to Jushiro like he had done with many of the other Shinigami, yet something inside him strongly told him not to do so. It was incomprehensible, but now that he thought about it. It was indeed the correct call.
As a hostage, Jushiro played a larger role in mediating away any aggressive actions on the Shinigami's side. This was entirely because of Jushiro's history and favourability to others. Not only was he held in high regard towards many in the Seireitei, but he was also a student taught personally by the Head-Commander.
Jushiro was a VIP that should have had become a pillar of the Seireitei, but was struck down by the emergence of an incurable sickness. Still, not one person looked down on the man for it.
Even from where he, Harribel, and the others had made camp, he could tell that the Head-Commander was glaring at him with fierce eyes. Near the Head-Commander, there appeared two others who were staring at him just as intensely, however it was with a sense of helplessness.
These two were probably Jushiro's close aids or seated officers if he could recall how Shinigami formatted their ranks.
The Head-Captain would not move yet, but he was sure that if he made any actions towards Jushiro, then there would be nothing to stop the fires of the Head-Commander's rage.
"We're all gathered except for Starrk, Lilynette, and the other three. I'm not sure on Neliel's position though," Harribel said.
"We'll have to send someone to check up on her, but I'm more concerned about Starrk and the rest. They unlike Nel may be deep in enemy territory. Besides, Nel is strong. You yourself gave the evaluation, and I trust in you" he said after glancing away from the Head-Captain.
Similarly, the Head-Captain turned to deal with other matters on the side of the Shinigami.
Harribel was left stunned for a moment, just standing there feeling a sense of contentment which she couldn't understand.
It was at this moment though that he heard the steady sound of foot steps with his reinforced ears.
By the sound of it, it wasn't any hollow.
Shifting his attention to the left, he noticed a familiar figure that motioned for him to follow outside the gaze of the Head-Captain.
"If you'll excuse me for a moment," he spoke to Harribel and Ulquiorra.
Neither of the two seemed to hear him, but he figured that they must have understood his meaning.
Walking off, he schooled his expression before stopping in front of the person who called him forward.
"Aizen," he spoke a tad dryly.
"Well, its good to see you to," Aizen smiled cryptically.
He shook his head. He didn't want to bother with pleasantries anymore. For some reason, the more he looked at Aizen the more he recalled having dealt with someone similar, a priest of sorts.
"You saved Silent," he said bluntly. "And fooled Harribel into thinking Silent got away to avoid any suspicions on your end. Coincidently, if things did go your way, everyone here may have had to stay for far longer than what's necessary. What's strange is that you could have pulled this off far more smoothly by not posing off as a lone researcher to give yourself away. It doesn't matter though, you must have your own reasons."
Aizen didn't deny it.
"In any case, you still did save her," he spoke ruefully. "And basing everything on your actions, you only have a single purpose in mind."
He didn't speak further.
He didn't have to. Aizen would in his place.
"I can promise you that she's safe," Aizen spoke. "The only thing I ask, is that you give me some time and I can assure you that every single hollow alive within the Seireitei will be able to return to Hueco Mundo. A win win scenario."
"…"
Back in the tower, the sounds of sobbing echoed out into the dim-lit space.
"Kukaku, Ganju, the two of you shouldn't have come," Kaien spoke as he embraced his siblings.
Around him, Rukia, Orihime, Chad, Karin, and Ishida stood awkwardly at the side; none making a noise.
"You two shouldn't have come," Kaien said again, yet the grip he had on the two siblings only increased as he pulled them in further.
It was touching sight. More so for Orihime, Karin, Chad, and Ishida who knew that the only reason Kukaku had left her home was to verify the truth of Ichigo's words. And now, here lay the proof.
The air was heavy and fraught with emotion, yet it was because of this, that Kaien acted first. Shuddering, his embrace around Kukaku and Ganju gradually began to slacken much to the two's dismay as they persistently clung onto Kaien's arms.
"Kukaku, Ganju," Kaien tried to reason, yet the two would hear none of it.
He gave a bitter smile to Rukia who was staring at him before his expression grew resolved and solemn.
"Go, you all. Get out of here. I can sense that a Captain is fighting outside. You may not have long to leave," Kaien said.
"What about you?" Ganju asked, his expression distorting into a mess of reluctance made all the more striking with the tears in the man's eyes. It was natural though. A man would only cry after the most emotional of things. A reunion with a dead brother could be categorized into this. No one present could ever look down on this expression, for they knew they would be much the same if they were in Ganju's shoes.
Kaien's response was only an expression of distress that infuriated the woman that was the closest to him.
"I say Fuck them all!" Kukaku roared out emotionally, swallowing back a sob that was threatening to burst out from within her. "The fact that they have you in this tower means that…"
This damn tower. As part of a Noble family of the Soul Society Kukaku knew that being locked within this tower meant a coming execution. It was just that, she could never have had imagined that the person to be locked inside would be her own brother. Kukaku cursed again as she looked away. She couldn't understand it. No, more accurately, she couldn't accept it.
The grip she had on Kaien increased to the point where her knuckles became white, yet Kaien showed no signs of discomfort. Rather, he quietly placed a hand on Kukaku's head and began patting it softly.
Stubborn Kukaku. You have to remember to respect your elders or you'll eventually get into a lot of trouble.
Her lip quivered as a particular memory flashed across her eyes. In fact, many had already come and gone from the moment she saw Kaien's face. It was the same for Ganju. And all of these memories were pointed towards a single thought.
He wasn't dead.
He was alive.
He was close enough that she could touch him.
And he was to be put to death?
She couldn't approve of it even if the Head-Captain were standing before her. Hell, she'd probably even toss an explosive fire cracker if anyone insisted on it.
However, Kaien didn't appear to pay any head to the emotions in Kukaku and Ganju's eyes.
"I can't go," he spoke softly, the sound able to pierce into Kukaku's and Ganju's hearts like a vile thorn. "I've become part of a hollow."
The admission was met with shocked expressions. Yet perhaps the most shocked was Kaien himself, as he had thought it was enough to get the two holding his arms to let go. How would he have had known that they would only hold him tighter?
His expression stiffened, but to the rest, it looked as if he had been greatly moved.
"We're going to take you out of here, part hollow or not," Kukaku spoke lowly, determination swelling in her voice. "We are of the Shiba family, and family matters are to be left amongst family."
Kukaku immediately began strong arming Kaien towards the exit of the tower.
T-This, what the hell?
Kaien was perplexed. How did things come to this? All he wanted was to somehow drive everyone out of the room bar Rukia, but it seemed as if his strategy had backfired. He knew his tasks from the very moment Aizen had spoken with him. If everything was to go well, then he would accompany Rukia to Soukyoku hill and make sure she ended up there. Anywhere else may mean death as Aizen had not specified.
As a protest was about to well out from his mouth, he suddenly felt that he couldn't say anything. It was odd. Staring at his two sibling's expressions, he felt inclined to protect them and not hurt them in any way like he was planning. What the fuck was going on with him?
He shook his head. Unbeknownst to him, a reaction was occurring within his body.
The Surge of the Waters and the Heavens.
Nejibana was stirring.
"Kukaku, Ganju, we can't go out like this," Kaien persisted. "If the two of you are caught taking me out of this tower, then the repercussions for you two will be unimaginable."
Kukaku grunted. "Better us three dying together than dying alone," she spoke fearlessly. "Oi, ya brats! Hurry up and take the Kuchiki out of there. The restraints on them seal their spiritual energy making it difficult for them to move."
"Ah, yes!" Orihime said, moving to Rukia's side to give her a hand.
Karin took Rukia's other side. "I may not be Ichigo, but I can help too. Besides, there's still another person I want to save, and you may know where she is."
"You two, wait," Rukia bowed her head low. "Lt. Shiba is right. It's best for you guys not to get involved. you'll only bring danger to yourselves."
"Tch," Ishida clicked his tongue. "At this point Kuchiki, we're already in trouble caught with you or not."
Chad nodded his head on the side.
"That being the case, I'd rather you answer a question of mine," Ishida said as he pushed up his glasses.
During that night when Rukia was taken away, Ishida had fallen into a state of unconsciousness. During that time, he could vaguely recall the presence of another joining the battlefield in his bleary state of mind. However, he still managed to catch a glimpse, and upon further thought, he finally deduced why the image had stuck with him despite the relative blurs of the rest.
It was because he knew the person. He had even trained with her.
"Ms. Kuchiki, you wouldn't happen to know where they may had taken another human would you?" Ishida asked. After all, this other human was a fellow Quincy, and not someone, he as a Quincy himself, could abandon.
Unexpectedly, there was someone else paying rapt attention to Rukia's answer, and that was Karin whose hands had balled into tight fists. Ishida paid it no notice though.
"About that," Rukia seemed troubled.
"The Twelfth Division's research barracks," Kaien said. "Captain Mayuri was the one who had taken her so its most likely that she's kept in that Captain's lab."
"Lab?" Karin's expression seemed to stiffen, but neither Rukia nor Kaien elaborated further.
"Enough talk for now," Kukaku interrupted. "We'll have time to discuss amongst ourselves after we've gotten out of here and towards a safe location."
"Fine," Karin replied, her tone clipped as she brooded silently to herself, a mirror of her older brother Ichigo's general expression.
The group quickly walked out of the room and back onto the wooden bridge spanning the distance to the tower and the exit. However, the group was not moving as fast as they should have because of both Rukia and Kaien's indecision on the matter. As Shinigami, they knew their duties, and the exact rules that they had broken. As such, death was already the known punishment. What they would be doing now by running away form it was harming their own self image.
Kukaku would have none of it, and Ganju would never try to protest it. Under Kukaku's persistence, Kaien and Rukia were taken half-way past the bridge in just a couple of moments; Rukia unable to put up much of a fuss under Kukaku's assertiveness and her friends insistence, and Kaien remaining silent, allowing the group to move at a faster pace.
Yet nothing could prepare them to face the crippling Spiritual pressure that descended from above.
"Geh," Karin clicked her tongue as she was forcible brought down to her knees along with everyone else.
The sky was died red, a torrent of power beating forth strong winds that whipped harshly against everyone's faces. The pressure was malefic and vile, something that had the power to drive others away with its presence alone.
"Damn it," Kukaku shielded her eyes and attempted to look for the source of such an energy, but balked upon finally locating it.
Evidently, she wasn't the only one. The faces of those present were as if they had seen a monster, and in fact, it probably was.
"Move to Soukyoku Hill. It's a natural formation in tandem with the Soukyoku that should ward off the pressure," Kaien spoke in the tenseness.
Yet, no one replied to him, and no one moved.
Petrified under the absent gaze of the towering giant before them.
Moments earlier.
"Any chance we could avoid this?" Shunsui called out lazily, yawning into one hand.
"Yeah right," Apacci sneered. "Like we'd run away from a Shinigami."
"Exactly," Mila Rose followed swift. "Your kind always attack ours, so it's only natural."
"Is that so?" Shunsui leisurely tilted his straw hat. "To me, it seems more like the both of you want to indulge in a battle frenzy." Shunsui sighed before he plopped down on the wooden ground and sat comfortably. "And of course, it just had to be me to deal with this while the Head-Captain finally takes to the field. How unlucky."
"Unlucky?" Mila Rose scoffed. "Your lucky you're not facing Lady Harribel or Shirou, perhaps even Starrk."
"Harribel, Starrk, and Shirou? I'll have to remember that if I can. Stronger than you yes? Would you like a drink?" Shunsui inquired as he pulled out a small sake container.
Mila Rose was infuriated with the response, her mouth opening to reveal the sharp canines within as her hairs stood up on end. Vain vulgarities were threatening to spew out from within her, yet at the point that she was about to burst, she was interrupted.
"Stop talking Mila Rose, something seems wrong here," Apacci frowned. "Oi, you ugly old man. Why does it seem like you're preparing yourself for a vacation rather than a fight?"
Shunsui gave a very honest look to Apacci but didn't say anything, his actions were enough of an indication. "Fighting's tiring," he simply complained.
"Stop acting so smug," Sung-Sun called, hiding her mouth behind a pale hand. "You're as guilty as the other two," she then goaded.
"Oh?" Shunsui expression shifted into one of surprise, but did not react much at all.
Irritation welled up on Sung-Sun's face. It was a first for her to handle such an opponent who didn't seem to consider her on an even level now that she'd become a Vasto Lorde. In any case, at least she was better off than the other two who'd already started to become muddle headed. "It's not as if you'd let us go now that we're in front of you. Rather you have no intention to despite siting there," she said with a huff.
"Found out so easily, huh?" Shunsui smiled wryly. "To be frank I don't really enjoy this fighting stuff. I'd much rather prefer a good drink, but I can't let you harm my colleagues either. What would you say if I offered to just lead you to my barracks until this whole thing blows over?"
"Who would agree to that?" Apacci said.
Mila Rose and Sung-Sun were of similar mind.
"How unfortunate," Shunsui said as he stood up and placed away his drink. "Then what say we all play a little children's game?"
"Enough with this bullshit!" Mila Rose growled before she pounced forward. "If you're not attacking then I will."
"Hmm," Shunsui hummed at Mila Rose's approach, slowly drawing forth his blade. "Flower Wind Rage and Flower God Roar, Heavenly Wind Rage and Heavenly Demon Sneer: Katen Kyōkotsu."
The Zanpakuto in Shunsui's hands morphed into two large black and heavily curved Chinese scimitars with silver edges.
Promptly, he pointed at Mila Rose, and called out a single word. "White."
"?" Mila Rose was completely befuddled, but didn't stop her attack.
Shunsui was wide open. The man didn't even seem to be going to put up a defence.
Damn bastard. Mila Rose, clenched her fist tighter, her power coalescing into a single punch in correlation to her building fury. Shunsui didn't even seem to put her into his eyes.
Well then, lets see how you are after taking this!
The wood splintered beneath her, the sound of flesh meeting fabric echoing out in the battlefield.
And at that moment, not only was Mila Rose dazed, but so were Apacci and Sung-Sun.
"B-But that's impossible," Apacci muttered in shock.
Shunsui gave out a small laugh as he stood in his original spot, Mila Rose's fist still planted on his chest where it struck his pink kimono that was over his white Captain's Haori.
"Really now," Shunsui spoke. "It's all just a game. A child's game. Irooni, a game of colours."
Saying that, Shunsui raised his sword and tapped gently against the white hollow bone armour on Mila Rose's body.
"Blugh-!"
"Mila Rose!" Sung-Sun called.
Neither Sung-Sun, Apacci, or Mila Rose could believe it.
That gentle tap from Shunsui left a cut that deeply gauged into Mila Rose's body.
"What trickery is this?" Mila Rose grit out through the pain.
As impossible as it may be, it had already occurred, and Mila Rose was experienced enough to know when to retreat. Smashing the ground as a cover, she appeared haggardly next to Sung-Sun, a hand attempting to close the wound.
Shunsui remained standing where he was. "Katen Kyōkotsu is a fickle thing," he spoke slowly. "It enacts the rules of children's games and forcibly implements them in battle after one is submerged in its sphere of influence. Irooni is much the same. In this color-based game, you say the name of the color you want to attack, and you cannot attack anything else. If the color that you call does not exist on your body, then the damage is minimal even if the attack would normally inflict a much more severe wound. In this case, I called the colour white which is on the majority of both of our bodies. In your case, you struck at pink, leaving barely any damage at all. Meanwhile I tapped on the colour white, and its strength is in proportion to the ratio of the colour white on me."
Shunsui flourished his white Haori. "As you can see, it covers a large portion of my body, thus the damage."
"How troublesome," Sung-Sun spoke. "But why tell us this if you have the advantage?"
"Because it's you turn," Shunsui shrugged. "And I'm barely ever one to willingly take the initiative."
"Ho, is that so?" Sung-Sun said wearily. In any case, she still lifted her finger and charged a cero. "Then I call white." Even if the pink kimono was in the way, the blast should encompass everything.
"I call white as well," Apacci yelled charging in at the same time.
Shunsui raised a brow before letting out a small smile before he jumped up high into the air dodging both.
"Brown," was all Shunsui said again, disappearing and then reappearing behind Apacci aiming for her brown fur.
"Shit," Apacci cursed, turning her body to the side, however, a flash of inspiration hit her as she then decided to raise up her arms which had white hollow bone armour.
"Nice move," Shunsui complimented. "However, Katen Kyōkotsu is a very fickle lady. Who says we're still playing the same game anymore? Takaoni!"
The expression on Apacci's face paled as she noticed Shunsui's blade cutting into her arm.
NO!
She twisted her body to escape, but it was already too late. With a thud, Apacci was sent crumbling to the hard wood, rolling heavily to a stop where she lay breathing heavily; her injuries far worse than Mila Rose's. Yet, Apacci was strong willed.
Coughing out blood, she still had the strength to stand and make her way over towards Sung-Sun and Mila Rose.
"Curses," Sung-Sun's eyes narrowed on Shunsui as soon as she had made sure Apacci was still alive. The current battle felt impossible. They couldn't even use their numbers to suppress this man with all the tricks Shunsui had up his sleeves.
What was Takaoni? Probably a new game, Sung-Sun quickly concluded. Still, she waited to see if she would get an explanation. Unfortunately, none seemed to be coming as Shunsui just stood there waiting, a small grin on his face.
Injured as Apacci was, her pride hurt more.
"Stupid old man, you won't be laughing for much longer," Apacci grumbled before turning her attention away. "Sung-Sun, Mila Rose!"
"No need to yell," Sung-Sun said. "But indeed, that may be our only way. You know what happens if this doesn't work?"
Apacci gavea nod while Mila Rose gave no reply, her actions were enough.
The three moved towards the air and tore off their right arms, tossing them together in a trail of red spiritual energy that assimilated and merged together.
"Well that's new?" Shunsui's eyes widened as he used an arm to shield his eyes from the strong winds generated by the towering spiritual pressure that erupted violently around.
Everything in the world seemed to freeze in that moment, the spiritual energy of three Vasto Lordes fusing into one.
And in the stillness, only two words resounded from the shout of three voices calling out together.
"Quimera Parca!"
Chapter 23: Soul Society, Part 5
A gentle gust followed by billowing gales.
The sky erupted in a shower of red; thin fog-like wisps of spiritual pressure cracking the ground as it expanded out. From those cracks, fissures began to appear one by one, making their way to topple buildings and rip apart barricades set up at the foot of the surrounding vicinity.
At the center, hovering in the sky next to the isolation tower, was a tinted mass of coalesced energy that ebbed and flowed, pulsating with swirling energies. Just the feel of it alone could bring a sense of dread, let alone the effects it was already having on its surroundings.
Everyone in the Seireitei gave pause, freezing as they looked up towards it. Some wore heavy expressions, while others seemed to marvel at the sheer display of power.
Numerous Shinigami began to flock towards the area, and even Head-Captain Yamamoto was present in the following group.
Yamamoto was not amused in the slightest, in fact, his expression was grim despite his lack of facial movements. With his wooden cane clasped within both of his hands, Yamamoto gave the signal to gather. Not only was it in precaution of whatever it was up there by the Isolation Tower, but because he had discovered something. A fleeting suspicion, but it wasn't one he could simply ignore.
There was something wrong with the Central Forty-Six.
Not only did the Central Forty-Six not issue a reply to his request to reconsider about the execution date, but they didn't answer any of Unohana's inquiries. This was odd as communication was the most vital at the moment as the Seireitei was being besieged by hollows.
Therefore, not only was he following the other Shinigami because of the anomaly in the sky, but because by doing so, he himself can enter the Central Forty-Six's building to investigate.
As Yamamoto once again stared at the mass of energies, he sensed out with his spiritual awareness.
Shunsui Kyouraku.
Yamamoto instantly knew who it was that was currently facing that monstrosity.
Yamamoto couldn't see it from his distance away, but he could sense fragments of Shunsui's spiritual energy. Therefore, it wasn't long before Yamamoto's mood dipped further when he realized the strength of whatever it was that was moving within the mass of energy. That black hole like thing.
Suddenly, a furred leg stepped forth from the void, muscles bulging and strands of tinted brown fur moving like fire. Its hooved feet sent tremors through the ground with but a single step.
A wall of dust and debris swept out, pelting all those nearby.
Even Kukaku and the rest frantically making their way towards Soukyoku Hill were affected. Their expressions were stifled, in fact, they were barely even able to move at a walking pace as they like Shunsui were under the most pressure.
"W-What the hell is this," Karen muttered as sweat formed over her brow. One of her arms was being used to shield her face as the dust and grime continued to descend on her. It made her black hair grey with dirt.
Orihime pursed her lips, and didn't reply. It was too hard to when it felt like she would crumple to the ground at any moment. Instead, someone else answered.
"I don't know," Ishida spoke, clearing the smudge from his glasses as he adjusted on his face. "But looking at that thing, its way bigger than that Menos from before, and its power is simply just-"
Ishida couldn't even finish as Ganju ran into him.
"Move!" Was all Ganju said in a panic. "I don't want to be here when whatever kind of hollow that thing is appears!"
Chad nodded his head as he stared at Karin. Ichigo had made him promise to help take care of her. His body alone was enough to shield the girl from the incoming debris, and she could only thank him with a tense nod.
"S-Stop," Kaien suddenly spoke.
"Damn it Kaien, why? Can't you see that we can't stay here?" Kukaku said nervously.
She shifted her weight as she forcibly tightened her grip around Kaien's arm which she then slung over her shoulder. From the looks of it, she wouldn't let go nor stop no matter what.
"Stop!" Kaien screamed before putting force into his arms, pulling himself, Kukaku, and a nearby Rukia to the ground just as something zipped by their heads.
A long snake tail, covered in glistening white scales writhed against the ground before lifting itself up back into the air. The snake head at its end dripping down gobs of toxic saliva that riveted the ground in small corrosive holes.
Kukaku stared up in shock, realizing that if Kaien hadn't pulled her and Rukia down, then that would have had been them crushed against the ground. She shivered involuntarily.
Kukaku wasn't the only one though, everyone did as they followed that tail up to the base.
From those furred legs that appeared before, the body emerged next. It was bare-chested, abdominal muscles constricting as the snake tail whipped violently back and forth.
It was at this point that the coalesced mass of energy began condensing further.
"W-We have to get out of her, NOW!" Kukaku yelled.
Saying that, Kukaku pushed herself off of the ground, and after securing Kaien and Rukia, sprinted forward with everyone else following behind her.
Not too far off, and standing just in front of the forming monstrosity, Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apacci panted in exhaustion, their right arms eaten away until the base of their shoulders.
"I feel like shit," Apacci spoke as her mouth twitched. "It's always like this when Ayon comes out."
"Well, it's super strong. It has to be for the amount of spiritual energy we had to feed it," Mila Rose grunted before she moved a loose strand of her hair back behind her ears. "Sung-Sun?"
Sung-Sun had her eyes narrowed as she stared forward. "He's always been hard to control," she whispered softly, yet it was loud enough for the other to hear, making them fall silent. "What's even worse is our carelessness."
"Carelessness? Are you saying you would've rather fled than fight?" Apacci said in disbelief.
If they had done so, it would definitely reflect badly on Lady Harribel should other hollows catch wind of it. Three Vasto Lordes fleeing from one Captain-Class Shinigami.
Mila Rose was of the same opinion as Apacci, but she didn't voice it, instead just creasing her brows such that it appeared as if she was glaring.
"Of course not," Sung-Sun sneered in anger. "Look around you, and tell me what this is?"
Apacci and Mila Rose gave pause, before doing as Sung-Sun said.
"Oh fuck," Apacci cussed.
Mila Rose just swallowed, the sound audible.
All around them, they could see waves of black specs converging on their location up in the air by a forming Ayon. These black specs were numerous Shinigami, and amongst them were the white Haori's of Captain-Class Shinigami.
"We're surrounded, with more and more Shinigami on their way," Sung-Sun said grimly. "If Ayon can't break its way out and is defeated, us three, we're dead."
"…"
No one said anything as the gravity of the situation sunk in. However, Mila Rose grew increasingly agitated as she stared at Shunsui.
After all, Shunsui, despite the surprise and tenseness on his face, didn't appear truly panicked. There was only one thing that it could mean then.
Shunsui had some confidence in defeating Ayon.
"This has to be some kind of joke," Mila Rose staggered. "Ayon's the combined power of three Vasto Lordes. He's way tougher than any single one of us, or even the three of us working together."
"We'll just have to see," Sung-Sun said before staring off into the distance.
This may very well be the last time she would ever meet Lady Harribel again. Apacci and Mila Rose soon did the same as Sung-Sun, a sense of helplessness taking root within them that hadn't appeared since the time they evolved.
At this moment, all their hopes were on their creation born through Chimera Parca.
Ayon.
After the body, the head appeared with a deafening roar that reverberated throughout the area. An untold number of Shinigami who weren't expecting it, collapsed on the ground, groaning in pain as blood dripped from their ears. Even worse, when the roar reached the ears of the other hollows in the distance, they began howling in tandem.
An eerie atmosphere descended over the vicinity, so much so that Orihime began trembling while clutching onto her hair pins for comfort.
It would do her no good even when Kukaku urged her to move faster.
From the head, two long antlers stemmed from the deer skull at its center. Sleek and pale, those antlers jutted out from the left and the right and branched out into sharp ends. Pale yellow eyes could be seen just beneath the antlers, the entire head covered in a mane of thick and coarse fur.
There was a silence as Ayon fully appeared, heralded by an explosion of spiritual pressure that flattened the area into level ground.
The Shinigami beneath were panicking, but the man facing Ayon himself was calm.
"Oh, quite a looker, aren't you?" Shunsui said casually, one of Katen Kyōkotsu blade's propped against his shoulder.
Ayon didn't respond, and instead just tilted it head as if confused about what it was supposed to do.
"Ayon attack you idiot!" Apacci yelled.
All Ayon did in response was to yet again tilt its head to the side.
"What kind of hollow is this?" Shunsui muttered in befuddlement. He shook his head moments later before he decided to strike out; his mood souring as he thought about how Juichirou was nowhere to meet him at the decided location.
With the hollows running around the Seireitei and with the knowledge that Ukitake was ill, Shunsui's worries were beginning to make him serious.
"I have no more time to play," Shunsui spoke before disappearing.
Moments later, a cut pierced through the side of Ayon's waist, spewing forth a torrent of blood.
"Ayon!" Apacci yelled in a frenzy.
Sung-Sun and Mila Rose were more reserved, but the worry in their eyes was apparent.
"F-Fool," Mila Rose muttered. "That attack will only make Ayon mad."
"And so what if he's mad?" Shunsui turned to look in Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose's direction.
"You won't like him when he's mad," Sung-Sun responded.
Shunsui rose a brow before his expression stiffened from the overbearing surge of spiritual pressure behind him.
"Well fuck," Shunsui cursed as a bloodied hand appeared at the edge of his vision.
Shunsui hastily put up a guard, but the impact of the attack sent him careening away through two entire buildings.
Seeing this, the expressions of the Shinigami watching grew pale as they saw one of their Captains being smacked away.
Blood threatened to spill from Shunsui's mouth, but he forced it back down.
"Okay, that was my fault," Shunsui spoke as he pulled himself out of the rubble. "But you didn't have to destroy my favorite shirt."
"Katen Kyōkotsu," Shunsui spoke lowly before charging at Ayon.
Of in the distance, Yamamoto watched silently. Like it or not, the behemoth that appeared deep within his defensive ranks would be a problem that would not fix itself without intervention, but Shunsui should be able to handle it.
Fluctuations of spiritual energy exuded from the area in waves.
Seeing that the surroundings Shinigami may get caught up in Shunsui's battle, Yamamoto called back the other Shinigami nearby.
Some were still trembling in fear, while others were now looking at Shunsui in anticipation.
The difference in size between Shunsui and Ayon was vast. In fact, Shunsui was currently cutting away Ayon's arm while running up its length.
Yamamoto closed his eyes and turned away. This battle wouldn't take long.
Although Yamamoto could feel that Ayon's spiritual energy would not in any way lose out to Shunsui's, it was too immature. Like a new-born child even. The way it had tilted its head absently at the start was enough of an indication. Now this battle was akin to a child throwing a tantrum vs an adult.
Indeed, as Shunsui was working his way up Ayon's arm, Ayon fired off a cero, destroying its own limb in the process.
"Ayon, what the hell!" Mila Rose finally couldn't take it anymore. "We have to help."
"How?" Sung-Sun said while panting, her face pale. "We don't have enough spiritual energy to interfere."
"Damn it," Apacci clenched her fist. "We still have to try!"
Yet at that moment, the light in Apacci's eyes seemed to wither.
Ayon attacked with another cero that fired off into the distance, but it was split in half by a sword of flame.
Head-Cpatain Yamamoto had arrived.
"That's enough, Shunsui," Yamamoto spoke. "End this now before we sustain anymore casualties."
Shunsui tilted the straw hat over his head, and then gave a prompt nod.
"Ayon, watch out!"
Sung-Sun's warning came too late, and the last thing Ayon saw before its head was separated from its body was the concern in its creators eyes.
Like a child seeing its mother for the first time, it howled in sorrow, a hand attempting to reach out.
It couldn't die.
Couldn't die.
"RRaaaaa!" Ayon screamed. Its eyes widened, and a mouth full of teeth appeared in view. Using its falling momentum, Ayon attempted to swallow Shunsui whole. And if that failed, its beheaded body made another attempt at crushing Shunsui within its fingers.
"So even a monster can show feelings," Shunsui muttered while placing strength into his grip. "Even still, this is the end."
"Ayon!"
With a flash, Shunsui appeared on the opposite side of Ayon while sheathing his sword.
Collapsing to the ground, the hollow that caused all to look in its direction began to fade away into particles of spiritual energy.
At this moment, all the Shinigami present turned to stare coldly at Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose.
Lady Harribel.
The three resigned themselves, but they wouldn't give up without a fight.
Yet even before that, a piercing blood lust froze everyone present, all looking towards the defensive line the Shinigami had set up, and the spectacle that would engrave itself into their minds.
From the very moment Ayon appeared Shirou knew that something was wrong when Harribel stiffened.
This point became even clearer when Harribel explained what Ayon was in a low whisper, her hands balled into fists. It was a creation born through the sacrifice of Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose offering up their right arms.
"This isn't good," Shirou observed. "With the way things are going right now, Ayon is going to attract an absurd number of Shinigami to Apacci and the rest."
"Its even worse than that," Harribel admitted. "To create Ayon in the first place, they would have to use up a substantial amount of their spiritual energy, leaving them with barely any."
Harribel fell silent. She didn't need to explain what would happen if they didn't intervene before it was too late. Surrounded as Sung-Sun and the rest were, there was no way that the Shinigami would let three Vasto Lordes go. They would kill them.
Because of this, Harribel had made up her mind about her course of action. She would move to save them, or sacrifice herself trying. The spiritual energy around her began to lift piles of debris into the air, and yet even before she could move, a hand grasped gently around her arm, jolting her.
She looked towards Shirou who was staring straight back at her, their eyes locking.
It was like she was staring into a sea, calm and tranquil. It seemed to have an effect on her mind, making her stop in her tracks, her spiritual power receding.
Meanwhile, Shirou didn't utter a word. His intentions were conveyed by his actions.
The hollows that had come with him were still scattered, and not many knew that he wanted everyone to regroup.
Now that he knew from Harribel about Ayon, he clearly understood that Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose were in danger.
If Aizen could be trusted, then it could be reasoned that Silent was safe. Therefore, all he would have to care about was the safety of Sung-Sun and the rest. And for that, there was strength in numbers, and it would give them the power to save the three.
After seeing the effect Ayon had on the Shinigami, he knew then what he had to do to gather the remnant hollows.
He would let all witness a grand spectacle.
Looking at Harribel, he nodded his head.
He would save them by reaching the heart of the battlefield.
Opening his hands, he clenched them around the hilts of two swords. Kanshou and Bakuya.
"…"
Without another word, he began running forward straight into the Shinigami's defensive lines. His movements were too quick to be noticed by the Shinigami, and as such, blood began to flow like a river. Yet he did not stop his drive forward.
Stunned, those hollows behind him were momentarily at a loss before Harribel followed suit.
The two pushed forward, like twin daggers piercing into the lion's gut and twisting. These Shinigami were no pushovers, but even then, Shirou cut them down regardless, Harribel right behind him.
It was a veritable storm, and at that moment, a single voice resonated from amongst the hollows.
"The time has come to end this dispute between the Shinigami. No longer will we suffer from their oppression! Charge!"
It was like a broken dam with the water seeping forth from a single source before completely bursting out.
What started out as just Shirou and Harribel pushing their way into enemy lines turned into a loose arrow flying throughout the battlefield.
For each Shinigami put down by Shirou, more and more hollows and Shinigami alike began to take note of the situation. Two became ten, then ten became a hundred.
More and more hollows were flocking, their combined appearance like a plague of locust descending and beginning to run out of control.
"Defend!" The Shinigami cried before they were drowned out by an even bigger roar.
A bear like hollow at a distant corner of the Seireitei smashed aside a Shinigami before pausing and looking to the East, its ears perking up.
"Fellow hollows look! Gather, gather TOGETHER! The King charges! Follow the King, our Lord Vasto of White!"
Howls began to sound from throughout the entirety of the Seireitei.
"Shirou," Harribel warned.
The group they were attacking with had inflated to past three-hundred, but the enemies before them were only becoming more and more numerous. In fact, they were only fifty meters away from exiting the minimally defended neutral zone.
To reach Sung-Sun and the rest, they would have to enter the area controlled and fortified by the Shinigami near the center of the Seireitei.
Forty meters.
Thirty.
Ten.
Tensions were running high, walls of defensive Kidou erecting themselves in the air.
Five.
Four.
"Prepare yourselves!" Harribel warned.
Three.
One.
"Trace, on!"
Spears, swords, and daggers, pierced through the defensive Kido barriers as if they were butter; screams falling short as pieces of shrapnel exploded out and pelted outward and bore holes into the ground.
Stray shots of offensive Kido even found their way to batter against Shirou's chest, charring the outer flesh black, but Shirou didn't so much as flinch.
Instead, he pressed on forward, shrugging of injuries and countering with his own attacks while at the same time using himself as a shield to redirect the attacks of the Shinigami away from the other hollows.
The hollows behind him grew more and more reverent.
They had seen the sheer amount of blood bathing their King, and the innumerable number of corpses that lay at his wake. Even if he was injured, he pressed on. A flame of dark blue flickering magnificently in the battlefield.
So long as that flame continued to charge forward, they would follow indefinitely. For he was the King that earned their respect and veneration.
Even if it was for someone other than himself, he would still suffer for another.
No matter the cost, no matter the casualty.
For him, they would risk it all for one, and die as one.
This sense of comradery was never before seen in hollows, and it was devastating. And all of this was a result of one individual steadfastly remaining at the front bearing the brunt of all dangers.
He who stood unwaveringly at the forefront, leading the charge.
"The King, the Vasto of White!"
"The King, the Vasto of White!"
Not one hollow could say who exactly began the call first, but it was quickly assimilated into the very beings of these blood-stained hollows. They no longer feared death, for it was an honour. Their strength and their dignity were given to them through his efforts alone, and they would feel no regrets perishing for his cause.
Hollows stabbed straight through and dying by numerous Zanpakuto, willingly hurled themselves into groups of Shinigami where they set themselves off with ceros using all the energy they had left.
Blasts of emerald gold, teal blue, and vermillion red detonated everywhere, showering the battlefield in gore, broken swords, and tattered clothing.
And yet, the charge didn't relent in the slightest. Instead, it became even more heated.
For no matter how injured the other hollows were, there was always that broad back to look towards.
"I am the Bone of my Sword."
The voice which carried out for miles made the hollows eyes turn blood-shot, the aura of blood lust they were exuding increasing exponentially.
Elsewhere, numerous other groups of hollows were gathering by the dozens, all staring at the spectacle before them in silence. Even other Vasto Lordes were affected by the atmosphere.
The valiant figure of a centaur stood above a hill in the distance from the Seiretei. Still bruised and battered, it didn't stop this woman from fighting. And that spirit alone was enough to gather the various other hollows standing behind her.
"Those who follow with me, I can't promise that we'll all make it out of here alive, but if you don't die even after all of this, then you've become a powerful hollow!"
Nel's shout echoed within the ears of every hollow, behind her.
"Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck takes to the battle field! Charge with me, for the Vasto of White!"
Elsewhere.
"Lilynette,"
Lilynette pursed her lips staring down at the conclusion of Ichigo's fight with Renji. Ichigo was bleeding profusely from numerous cuts on his person, yet in the end, he had come out victorious after showing his resolve.
Starrk sighed seeing Lilynette's expression.
And in the end, Starrk ended up carrying Lilynette and an unconscious Ichigo away with him.
"Thanks, Starrk," Lilynette spoke softly.
Starrk just grunted, a look of seriousness in his gaze as he zipped towards the spectacle of the charging King.
Now was no longer the time to be lazy.
Elsewhere, and much further away from the battlefield, a Garganta split the skies open.
"My King, I have returned," Brans stretched his wings, but stared back behind him. He didn't like how he had to rely on his King's enemy, but now wasn't the time to think about that. Regardless of the gaze staring at him from behind, he zipped towards the site of battle.
The echoing of steps reverberated within the dark of the hole in space; a skeleton wreathed in a regal purple mantle appeared with an explosion of foul purple energy. In its wake, everything withered away and was reduced to dust.
"As expected of that fool," Baraggan spoke looking at the state of the Seireitei and the spear-like charge penetrating its way through. However, it was clear that there was a hint of amusement in Baraggan's tone that quickly hardened moments later. Even he was affected by the sheer display of courage before him.
He would not be left out from the glory.
He raised a hand forward.
"Go,"
From behind Baraggan, a countless number of hollows stepped forth from the shadows and charged forth.
Barragan smiled crookedly before descending leisurely towards the Seireitei. "You may win the battle, but I will win the war."
Back at the center of the charge.
Tensions were running high.
Even though the Shinigami had set up an entire defensive perimeter far outnumbering the number of hollows attacking, they were still getting pushed back. It wasn't because they were any weaker, the Shinigami's numbers alone were enough to accommodate for weakness, but the answer could not be any clearer to Unohana and Yamamoto's eyes.
Fear.
It was the lack of courage in the latest generation of Shinigami that was giving way to the attacking hollows. It was the same when that beast of a hollow appeared. Many of the newer generation of Shinigami could do nothing but freeze under such pressure. In this regard, the leadership and valor shown on the hollows side was of the utmost concern.
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed on the one leading the charge.
The King, the Vasto of White.
Even now that chant still echoed in the air.
Above all, that hollow must die.
Yamamoto couldn't let this kind of leader of hollows to live. Hollows by themselves could already pose a handful to an entire group of Shinigami, but if those hollows themselves acted as a group? Or even worse, developed a chain of command? It would be an outcome that could give rise to a power that could threaten the Soul Society's very existence.
It was not something, Yamamoto wished to see happen.
"All forces, hold your positions!" Yamamoto ordered. "Captains, stand at the ready!"
With a few words, Yamamoto did his utmost to maintain the defensive.
It wouldn't be enough though.
"Cero."
A massive blue beam obliterated an entire defensive line, a Vasto Lorde carrying a child and an unconscious teenager, stood with a hand outstretched, smoke still rising from it.
Farther off in the distance, two more large groups of hollows could be seen converging on the location.
Each seemingly led by other Vasto Lordes.
"Steel is my body, and fire is my blood."
The voice of the King of Hollows drew nearer and nearer.
Clink!
It was the sound of swords being drawn.
One by one, the swords carried around the waists of each Shinigami seemed to be trying to convey something to their wielders, yet none could understand the meaning of the words spoken.
The Lonely Hill.
Bang!
With a thundering blast, numerous Shinigami were swept aside as a figure appeared in the distance.
"The King, the Vasto of White!"
A booming noise akin to a war god's cry drowned out all the noise.
It was at this time, that Yamamoto and all the Captains had a clear sight of the leader of hollows they were facing who was now right before them. And with it,
They seemed to see an endless world of flame and steel flash across their eyes as the King, the Vasto of White pierced a line straight through their ranks.
And within that world, numerous pairs of eyes stared back.
Stare too long at an abyss, and the abyss will stare straight back at you.
At that moment, every Shinigami seemed to freeze, their expressions one of shock as they turned to look at only a single thing.
Meanwhile, a voice spoke in the silence.
"Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, Apacci,"
When the sound of that voice entered the trio's ears, it was hard not to see the visible relief that fell upon Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apacci's faces despite their position being surrounded. Yet, for some reason, although Harribel was happy for Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apacci's safety, a hint of irritation flashed across her eyes when she realized the flush on Apacci and Mila Rose's faces. This irritation became even more prominent when Sung-Sun shied away from the King's gaze, appearing demure.
Harribel, for her part though, was able to put aside such emotions and instead focused on what was happening.
From the silence, it was clear that there was something wrong with the Shinigami.
After all,
Not one Shinigami made a move to stop Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose from making their way over.
Instead, they just stood their rooted, eyes glued to their hands.
Because there, firmly held within them,
Their Zanpakuto were trembling.