Force of Souls Chapter 37 (Patreon)

Hey friends and fans, Kairomaru is bringing you another chapter of Force of Souls! Yoruichi and Soi Fon continue their battle against each other and the speed only increases more and more. But a single second strike could mean the end. High above, atop the Sōkyoku Hill, Byakuya and Ichigo continue to clash with one another as well! Will the power between the two destroy everything around them in the process?

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So, without further delay, please enjoy.

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Chapter 37 – Flash and Gravity

Everything in this world
Exists to wear you down

“Unh…” Isane slowly opened her eyes, feeling a breeze gently tousling her silvery hair.

“Are you awake, Isane?” Unohana asked with her normal soft voice.

Isane shot upwards as best as she could, flinching slightly from the brief pain that flared up from her stomach. “Captain Unohana! I…!”

“Quiet.” Unohana cut off her Lieutenant’s outburst before it could get started. “You weren’t hit as hard as the others, but take it easy.” Unohana placed her hand on the massive green creature that the two women were riding. It looked similar to a green manta ray with a yellow underbelly and only one large eye in the center of its ‘face’…it was also flying through the air as smoothly as a bird gliding on the air currents. “Let’s descend, Minazuki.”

The large manta ray creature glided down to the ground, lowering two large, three-toed ‘feet’ that cracked the tiles on the street as its weight was placed on them.

“Captain Unohana! Lieutenant Kotetsu!” Multiple members of Squad Four called out to their Captain and Lieutenant as they all came running. “Are you all right?!”

Unohana and Isane slid off the side of Minazuki easily and the Captain turned to address her subordinates. “Yes.” Looking towards Minazuki, Unohana gave it instructions. “Let everyone out and head on back, Minazuki.”

“Mmnnn…” Minazuki made a sound somewhere between a trill and a hum before its lower body swelled up and then it revealed a massive mouth as it spewed out the injured Lieutenants that Ichigo had defeated. With its purpose served, Minazuki touched the opening of the empty scabbard that Unohana held up to the creature. The massive manta ray glowed and then lost its form, becoming almost like smoke, while flowing into the scabbard. In only a couple of seconds Unohana’s long Zanpakutō had sealed itself, becoming the curved nodachi that most of her subordinates were familiar with.

“They’re not hurt too badly. They should’ve recovered somewhat inside Minazuki’s stomach.” Unohana told her subordinates, all of whom were already checking over the injured, just as she’d trained them to. “Let them rest at Relief Station Sixteen until they wake up.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Came the prompt response.

A powerful flicker of Reiatsu from atop the Sōkyoku Hill got both Unohana and Isane’s attention.

“Such intense Reiatsu… Someone’s still up there?” Isane asked quietly, surprised that she could feel Reiatsu so clearly from this distance.

“The ryoka that incapacitated you and the other Lieutenants is fighting Captain Kuchiki.” Unohana said calmly, her eyes looking at the Sōkyoku Hill in the distance. It was almost entirely Byakuya’s Reiatsu that they were sensing…but even without being able to sense the ryoka’s Reiatsu, it was clear that Captain Kuchiki’s Reiatsu was clashing powerfully with something else as it continued to flicker throughout the Seireitei. “The other Captains have spread out and begun to fight as well.” Seeing Isane’s wide eyes and how shocked by what had happened while she was unconscious, Unohana continued to prevent her Lieutenant from panicking. “We’re not strong enough to stop them.”

Isane watched as her Captain looked in various directions, each place that Unohana looked had Reiatsu clashes that signified the powerful Reiatsu of Captains clashing.

“Come with me, Isane.” Unohana, now facing the only direction that didn’t radiate with the clashing of Reiatsu. “There’s a place that I want to go.”

Isane followed after her Captain without hesitation.

-Elsewhere-

“What is that?” Toshiro questioned, feeling all of the clashing Reiatsu across the Seireitei, though the one that was the most prominent was the clash coming from the Sōkyoku Hill.

Rangiku hummed softly as she parsed through the various Reiatsu, identifying each one. “Captain Kuchiki is fighting someone…” She told Toshiro with a little confusion in her voice. “I’m not sure who though, but I assume it’s a ryoka.” Exactly ‘how’ the ryoka was standing up to Captain Kuchiki was a mystery, given that Rangiku could barely feel the other’s Reiatsu at all and even when she could, it was only for brief instances when it clashed with Byakuya’s. “Regardless,” Rangiku shook her head once. “That’s not our mission. Let’s go, Toshiro.”

Toshiro sighed but followed after his Captain. “It’s Lieutenant Hitsugaya.”

-Rukia, Sentarō, Kiyone-

“Just have to get to the safehouse.” Sentarō said as he rushed as fast as he could with Rukia in his arms and the Hōsakujo Tate on his back.

“Are you alright, Rukia?” Kiyone asked, her Shikai still released as she ran alongside Sentarō.

Rukia shook her head once. “I need to find the others and help them.” She tried to move out of Sentarō’s arms, but her time within the Senzaikyū had left her weakened and she couldn’t manage to break the Third Seat’s hold.

“Calm down, you’re in no shape to be helping anyone.” Sentarō said firmly as he stopped Rukia’s weak struggles. “We’ll get you to safety and then worry about the ryoka.”

Multiple Reiatsu coming their way swiftly made Sentarō slow to a stop while Kiyone put herself between Rukia and Sentarō and readied her Shikai to disable the potential enemies.

Rukia’s violet eyes widened as she felt just who was approaching them so quickly. “W-Wait!”

A cloud of dust zipped around the corner and rushed the three of them.

Clang

Sword clashed against sword as someone attacked Kiyone. With a grunt from the force, Kiyone felt herself slide backwards slightly. She activated the ability of her Zanpakutō before angling her sword to the side, tapping the tip on the ground to set the second marker.

“Hey!” The familiar voice of Kusajishi Yachiru rang out as her Zanpakutō was stuck to the ground. “My sword is stuck! No fair!” The small girl pulled on the hilt of her sword, trying to remove the blade from the small mark on the ground.

“Lieutenant Kusajishi?!” Kiyone and Sentarō both cried out in surprise at seeing the young Lieutenant of Squad Eleven.

Yachiru tilted her head cutely as she looked at who she’d attacked. “Oh! It’s scruffy and Kotetchan?” She rubbed the back of her head with her free hand. “I thought you two were enemies coming after the ryoka. So, I attacked first!” The way she said it, as if it was the most obvious thing, made all three of the Squad Thirteen members look at the little girl flatly.

“Kotetchan?” Sentarō looked at Kiyone curiously.

“Shut up.” Kiyone glared at Sentarō. “She gives everyone nicknames. My sister’s is Kotetchin and we can’t get Lieutenant Kusajishi to use our actual names.”

“Yachiru-chan! Please, slow down a little!” Orihime called out as she, Tatsuki, Chad, and Ganju arrived one after another.

Rukia perked up instantly. “Orihime?! Tatsuki?!”

“Rukia?!” Tatsuki and Orihime exclaimed at seeing their girlfriend in Sentarō’s arms.

Rukia managed to shove her way out of Sentarō’s arms with a sudden burst of energy. In the next moment she was being hugged between Tatsuki and Orihime. There was nothing but warmth and love pouring from the three women as they held each other. “I felt your Reiatsu… I was going to tell Kiyone and Sentarō…but then Lieutenant Kusajishi attacked.”

“It’s okay… It’s okay…” Orihime assured Rukia over and over again as she held her girlfriend close.

“We’ve got you, Rukia.” Tatsuki said as she lightly kissed the top of Rukia’s head while hugging the shorter woman close.

Rukia couldn’t help but to melt into the embrace of her girlfriends, having greatly missed them both and the warmth and love they shared. “I missed you both.”

Orihime snuggled Rukia into her bountiful chest, wanting to have Rukia even closer. “We missed you too.”

“So damn much.” Tatsuki agreed as she pressed herself into Rukia’s back and tightened her hug even further.

Both Kiyone and Sentarō could only stare in surprise at what they were seeing. They’d had an idea of how close Rukia was with the three they’d met back in the Living World…but seeing it like this right in front of their faces really drove home how much their Tenth Seat had changed in a relatively short time.

“We should get out of here.” Chad said once Orihime and Tatsuki finally (partially in Orihime’s case) let Rukia go. “We have to protect Rukia.”

“Where do we go, though?” Ganju questioned, glancing around as he felt all of the clashing Reiatsu across the Seireitei. “It feels like there’s fights going on all over the place!”

Kiyone spoke up quickly. “We have a safehouse for Rukia provided by our Captain! Just come with us!”

Yachiru was suddenly in front of Kiyone and Sentarō. “You’ll take care of them? Ken-chan told ME to take them to Rukia though!”

Sentarō, not having much interaction with Yachiru, tried to make the young girl see reason. “We have orders from Captain Ukitake and Kuchiki is part of our Squad. Please, allow us to take care of her, Lieutenant Kusajishi.”

“No!” Yachiru kicked Sentarō in the shin. “I’m going to take care of them because Ken-chan told me to, scruffy!”

“Sc-Scruffy?” Sentarō hissed out as he held himself back from rubbing his stinging shin where Yachiru had kicked him.

Kiyone, having much more experience with Yachiru as a member of the Shinigami Women’s Association (of which Yachiru was the president), knew how to get the young girl to go along with them. “How about you come with us, Lieutenant Kusajishi? You can lead the group once we get to the safehouse.” She smiled brightly at Yachiru and in did the effect of her Shikai, allowing the pink-haired girl to take her Zanpakutō back.

Yachiru made an adorable ‘thinking face’ for a moment as she considered the suggestion. “Okay! I’m the leader!” Yachiru declared brightly while sheathing her sword. “Let’s go, Kotetchan! Scruffy! Muscles! Gorilla! Boobies! Tomboy!” With that She looked at Sentarō and Kiyone expectantly.

“I… I’ll lead the way, ma’am.” Sentarō offered and started to run again. At this point he’d just go along with the addition of the other ryoka and Lieutenant Kusajishi if it meant that he could fulfill his Captain’s orders.

“Tatsuki!” Rukia yelped as Tatsuki scooped Rukia into her arms and ran after Sentarō, Kiyone, and Yachiru.

Tatsuki smiled down at Rukia. “I’ve got you, Rukia.” The confidence she projected did ease Rukia’s heart a bit as the speed continued to increase.

“Thank you.” Rukia said softly, laying her head against Tatsuki’s chest, feeling the softness beneath her girlfriend’s shihakushō.

“No problem.” Orihime chirped with a bright smile, running right alongside Tatsuki.

As the group quickly headed for the safehouse, they all hoped not to be met with a Captain on their way.

-Old District-

Yamamoto stood across from Ukitake and Kyōraku, eyeing his two former students sharply.  The Reiatsu in the air made it feel heavy…and because it was the Head Captain’s Reiatsu…it was also uncomfortably hot, like being too close to a fire.

‘Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Head Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. His Reiatsu is truly incredible!’ Nanao thought to herself, having never truly experienced the Captain-Commander’s power when the man prepared for battle. ‘Even two Captains may not be enough to beat him. The only thing I can do is try to help…’ She reached into her shihakushō and took hold of a hidden weapon.

THOOM

The air made a heavy sound as Yamamoto’s Reiatsu nearly crushed Nanao into the ground. The Lieutenant fell on her ass as her legs gave out suddenly. Just looking into the Head Captain’s eyes made her feel like she was being swallowed up by the dark gaze.

“Listen well…” Yamamoto spoke clearly to Nanao, even as she broke out into a heavy sweat from panic and the increasing heat. “Be gone from here. I have neither the time, nor the patience, to teach a mere infant like you how to breathe.”

Nanao couldn’t draw a proper breath. It felt like her throat was being squeezed closed and dried out simultaneously. She began to pant out sharp, short breaths…but they didn’t fill her lungs at all. Under the immense pressure her eyes began to roll upwards and she was literally foaming at the mouth as darkness took over her vision.

In the next instant Kyōraku was between his Lieutenant and Yamamoto. “It’s all right, Nanao.” He gently rested his hand atop her head as she shivered and drew in harsh, shaky breaths. “Just relax… It’s gonna be okay.” In a blink, the two were gone. A large distance away, near the very edge of the old district, Kyōraku reappeared and gently lay Nanao down on a soft patch of grass. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have brought you here.” He gently brushed her sweaty bangs off her face, then he vanished in another blink of the eye.

“C-Captain…” Nanao reached out a shaking hand to where Kyōraku had just been. ‘H-How? I was crushed just by looking into the Head Captain’s eyes… Even two Captains won’t be enough. No, I was naïve…’ She lay on the ground, still sweating and trembling in panic. ‘We never stood a chance.’

Kyōraku reappeared next to Ukitake in a blur.

“That was a good Shunpo.” Yamamoto praised his former student. “You’ve worked long and hard to be able to cover so much distance in a single step.”

“Thank you.” Kyōraku tipped his straw hat to his old teacher.

Yamamoto had an intense stare down with the two before speaking again. “You two always were in a class of your own. Shunsui, you had a weakness for girls and behaved scandalously… But you were always thoughtful and able to see the truth of things.” His dark eyes looked at Ukitake. “And you, Jūshirō, though you were frail, you were generous and well respected. You were always at the center of things. And when it came to battle, you were both extraordinary. No one could match either of you.” Yamamoto tapped the end of his gnarled wooden cane on the ground with force. “You two were ambitious and you trained endlessly. You honed your skills and became the first Captains from the academy that I founded with Katori. I was proud of you…as if you were my own sons. Though your spirits differed, I hoped that you two would walk the same path.” Yamamoto turned his wooden cane, holding it horizontally in front of him. “Such a pity.” The wood seemed to unravel into pieces that quickly disappeared, revealing a simple kata with a dull bronze-colored tsuba and a plain brown sheath. It’s tsuka-ito wrappings were dark purple for the only real ‘color’ to the plain-looking sword and scabbard.

“Master Genryūsai…” Ukitake tried to speak, but was cut off.

“Not another word.” Yamamoto said with finality. “There is nothing to discuss.” The first inch of the old, plain-looking sword’s blade was revealed. “Draw your swords.” With that, Yamamoto’s sword was drawn fluidly as the Reiatsu in the area spiked.

Ukitake and Kyōraku both drew their swords as well, Ukitake his single blade and Kyōraku both from his Daisho set. Their combined Reiatsu rising to clash with Yamamoto’s.

‘Surely this is convincing enough so far.’ All three men thought as they hoped that the ones in the shadows would move to take the bait and they could spring their trap.

-Forest below Sōkyoku Hill-

Yoruichi and Soi Fon stood across from each other among the large trees. There was a tension in the air that could be almost physically felt. Gold eyes met grey as former master and protégé continued their intense stare down.

“Wearing the shōzoku uniform, eh?” Yoruichi eyed the specialized form of shihakushō with experienced eyes. “I haven’t seen that look for a while.”

“Bring back memories?” Soi Fon asked rhetorically.

Yoruichi grinned. “A few.”

“Don’t be shy.” Soi Fon said, her Reiatsu shifting slightly, almost imperceptibly. “Think back and compare.” She lowered her stance and placed her palm against the wood of the large branch that she was standing on. “Who is it then? You or I? Which of us is the better warrior?!”

Soi Fon moved forward in a blur, a Shunpo launching her from her low stance straight at Yoruichi.

Yoruichi reacted instantly, increasing her speed in less than the blink of an eye.

Thwack

Soi Fon lashed out with a roundhouse aimed at Yoruichi’s head. The blow was blocked by Yoruichi’s forearm, and then countered with a right straight aimed at Soi Fon’s face. With a twist of her body, Soi Fon dodged and lashed out with her opposite leg, this time aiming for Yoruichi’s ribs. The two women became nothing more than blows as they exchanged blow after blow. A kick parried with a palm, a punch knocked aside by a circle block, a knifehand strike knocked off course by a swift crescent kick, the follow up punch blocked with an elbow, a knee strike blocked with another knee, kick met kick, then punch met punch, a claw strike aimed for the throat was kicked upwards. Then a straight kick shot forward like a spear and a punch blitzed towards the other person.

In the time it would take most to blink, all of these exchanges had occurred and both Yoruichi and Soi Fon had returned to their starting positions.

A gentle breeze blew through the small forest as Soi Fon glanced at the bruise on her shoulder. “Heh. You got one in.” She was clearly unbothered by her minor injury. “That’s one for one. Looks like a draw.”

Yoruichi looked at Soi Fon with a trickle of blood from her lip. “So far.” She said with a grin. ‘I suppose even with Soi Fon’s height; her legs are still a bit longer than my arms.’ The smirk on Soi Fon’s lips made Yoruichi wipe the blood from her lip and make a comment. “So, what’s your secret, Soi Fon? Your Hakuda is much better than it was.”

“You think it’s all a trick?” Soi Fon questioned before disappearing without a sound. The fraction of a second that Soi Fon seemed to have disappeared ended with the Captain of Squad Two behind Yoruichi, her Zanpakutō resting near her former mentor’s neck and her left hand wrapped around Yoruichi’s shoulder to rest on the upper half of her sword, preventing the other woman’s escape. “Do you really think I need one?”

‘Much faster than before…’ Yoruichi thought as she narrowed her eyes, looking at the blade near her neck.

Soi Fon leaned in to Yoruichi’s ear an almost whispered. “Sting all enemies to death, Suzumebachi.” The kodachi glowed briefly before shifting onto Soi Fon’s hand and forearm. The blade became a sharp, bronze-colored finger blade twice the length of Soi Fon’s middle finger that it covered. It was attached with a thin chain to the gold and black forearm guard that now covered Soi Fon’s right arm.

Yoruichi knew very well of the ability of Soi Fon’s Shikai, so she vanished from her former protégé’s grasp and make distance.

“There’s no escape!” Soi Fon was behind Yoruichi in an instant.

A swipe of the released Zanpakutō sent blood flying through the air.

Yoruichi landed further away with her right arm held over her stomach and her left hand braced against the bark of the large branch as she assumed a low stance. “Why are you…?” Yoruichi couldn’t figure out why Soi Fon hadn’t at least attempted to utilize her Shikai to its fullest. Not that she’d have let her former subordinate connect a second time, but the fact that Soi Fon hadn’t even tried was odd.

“Now do you see?” Soi Fon questioned while flicking the blood from Suzumebachi’s blade. “I’m better than you!” She stared coldly into Yoruichi’s eyes. “Couldn’t you tell? I was going easy on you. Did you think I wouldn’t dare hold back against you?” Soi Fon’s Reiatsu noticeably increased. “Is that what you thought? I told you not to get carried away. I’m the stronger one now!” Her Reiatsu spiked as she nearly snarled at Yoruichi. “There’s a cost to being away from the frontline for a hundred years! You’ll pay with your life, Yoruichi!”

Yoruichi stood up, only briefly sparing a look at the black mark that spread across her stomach. It was reminiscent of a stylized butterfly, but it was quite literally a target for Soi Fon. Another hit anywhere on that spot would be instant death.

Soi Fon smirked down at Yoruichi from the higher branch that she stood on. “You remember my Hōmonka (Hornet’s Crest)?” She readied her stinger blade. “All you’ll be able to do now is run around, trying desperately to avoid a second hit!” She was behind Yoruichi in less than a blur, her blade aimed in a downward strike.

Yoruichi instantly reacted, using her shoulder to make the strike nothing more than a glancing blow. She was gone in the next blink of the eye, swiftly dashing through the trees as Soi Fon gave chase.

“Ha! Showing your back to the enemy?! Look at yourself, Yoruichi!” Soi Fon mocked as she sped up, looking to add a third Hōmonka to Yoruichi’s back.

“Hup!” Yoruichi slammed her hands onto the tee trunk she had just landed on and kicked her right leg backward. From the leg warmers of her outfit, two sharp blades cut through the air towards Soi Fon’s face.

‘That’s an Anken (Dark Sword)!’ Soi Fon instantly identified the hidden weapon. “Fool!” She easily deflected the two flying blades with the forearm guard of her Zanpakutō.

Only for Yoruichi’s foot to slam down on the raised arm her right leg raised high to bring down a devastating axe kick on Soi Fon’s head.

“Too slow!” Soi Fon grabbed Yoruichi’s left foot with her free hand and threw her legs upward in a display of incredible flexibility and body control. She caught Yoruichi’s right foot with both of her feet and then pushed with her left hand to spread Yoruichi’s legs wide and throw off her balance. A quick thrust of her stinger blade force Yoruichi to guard her stomach with her arms.

The two women landed deftly, like cats with perfect balance, and stared each other down.

A second later and the tiny cut along Yoruichi’s cheek formed another Hōmonka on the left side of Yoruichi’s face.

“Now do you see?” Soi Fon demanded. “I’m better than you.” Her Reiatsu shifted strangely as her Reiryoku began to swirl around her right arm like wind. “You must sense that this is the end.”

Yoruichi’s eyes widened at seeing what Soi Fon was doing.

“Surprised?” Soi Fon smirked. “You’ve never seen it before, have you? This is a fighting style that combines Hakuda and Kidō.” The wind swirled faster around Soi Fon’s arm. “I invented it. Feel honored. I perfected it just a few days ago. You’ll soon be its first victim. It doesn’t even have a name yet.”

“You’re wrong…” Yoruichi interrupted Soi Fon strongly. “It has a name.”

Soi Fon narrowed her eyes at Yoruichi coldly. “What?”

Yoruichi’s head was lowered as her own Reiatsu shifted much like Soi Fon’s had before. “It’s called Shunkō (Flash War Cry).”

“What…are you talking about?” Soi Fon questioned as her wind-like Reiryoku spread to her back, swirling faster than before.

“Do you know why the shōzoku uniform leaves the shoulders and back uncovered?” Yoruichi asked as she held her right arm out to her side, fist clenched as a crackle of lightning-like Reiryoku leapt from it. “Because those parts would be wasted.”

Soi Fon’s eyes widened in shock.

“When this technique is perfected, a dense Kidō envelops the user’s back and shoulders.” Yoruichi explained as bolts of lightning arced off her back and along her shoulders and arms. “The Kidō draws power to the arms and legs which then explodes outwards.” She looked up sharply, her golden eyes sharp as they locked onto Soi Fon’s grey eyes. “In other words the moment the technique is activated any fabric on the back and shoulders would be blown off!”

Krakboom

Lightning exploded from Yoruichi’s form, shredding her orange shirt into tiny scraps that vanished and became nothing a second later, leaving her in a tight black top that barely contained her chest, the sides of her breasts peeking out from the edge of the black cloth. The ground shattered around her in a wide circle, stone and dirt ripped up from the land and tossed away by the powerful lightning.

Soifon’s face was a portrait of shock as she stared in disbelief at Yoruichi.

“You really are my protégé, Soi Fon…” Yoruichi gave Soi Fon a look, one that was clam and focused, but with a hint of warmth in her golden eyes. “To think you’d devise this technique without anyone ever showing it to you.” She extended her left arm, palm out and her fingers curled inward. “It’s too bad. I really didn’t want to use this technique against you.” Lightning crackled and spiraled around Yoruichi’s left arm. “Beware, Soi Fon…this could kill you.”

KRAKBOOM

A titanic blast of lightning tore through the forest, uprooting trees and turning any of them that were directly hit into burned sawdust and charcoal.

Soi Fon was sweating now, having used her vastly increased speed to dodge the blast, though her own wind-like Reiryoku had deflected a portion of the lightning as well, leaving one part of the forest ground still untouched compared to the smoking trench that cut a line through the rest of the forest.

“Well? Have you figured out why I never showed you this technique?” Yoruichi asked Soi Fon as she stood in the same place that she’d launched her attack from.

“That’s…impossible.” Soi Fon breathed out, looking at the greater power that Yoruichi wielded.

Yoruichi raised her left arm and wound her shoulder once, as if releasing tension on her joint. “I didn’t because this technique is too dangerous.”

“That’s a lie!” Soi Fon’s wind-like Reiryoku roared into a tornado around her and she shot forward with Suzumebachi aimed directly at Yoruichi, more specifically the Hōmonka on the other woman’s cheek.

“Stop.” Yoruichi said calmly, directly in front of Soi Fon faster than the anyone could register that she’d moved, her hand held directly under Soi Fon’s outstretched hand, lightning canceling out the wind howling around Suzumebachi. The sound of the two techniques vanished, leaving the area quiet as both Shunkō dispersed. “You’re not ready for this technique yet.” Yoruichi said as she took Soi Fon’s hand into her own, keeping control of the transformed Zanpakutō.

‘Hanki…? (Reverse Demon)’ Soi Fon realized what Yoruichi had done, canceling out her Kidō with a Kidō of the exact same force, but opposite rotation. ‘She neutralized my technique…so easily…’ She ground her teeth before her frustration and anger managed to burst free. “How?!” Soi Fon demanded as she lashed out with a spearhand strike towards Yoruichi with her free hand. The attack was dodged and Soi Fon freed her right hand from Yoruichi’s grip and leapt backwards to make distance. “I’m stronger than you! I should have surpassed you!” The wind-like Reiryoku howled into existence from Soi Fon’s back and shoulders as she activated her Shunkō again.

In response, Yoruichi’s Shunkō crackled back to life as three arcing bolts of lightning leapt from her back and down her arms. The ease with which she canceled and activated the technique was another blow to Soi Fon’s pride.

“A century of isolation should’ve weakened you while I grew stronger!” Soi Fon roared out as her Shunkō screamed around her as the wind swirled powerfully around her arms and especially the blade of Suzumebachi. “How can you still stand before me?! Why do you continue to outclass me?!” She shot at Yoruichi like a rocket. “Answer me, Yoruichi!”

Too many memories were racing through Soi Fon’s mind. The first time that she’d ever seen Yoruichi. The years spent in the Onmitsukidō, managing to become part of Yoruichi’s direct guard after seven years, training under her idol. The good times, the battles, learning directly from Yoruichi, everything had been happy for her back then. Only for it to disappear in a single day. Betrayal, treason, and the abandoning of her position…all of these charges and more had been held against Yoruichi. And Soi Fon’s world had come crashing down as the one that she held most dear had left her behind, a betrayal that she’d held for the last century.

“I lost all respect for you! I hated you! I cursed your very name!” Soi Fon roared out as she attacked Yoruichi as fast as she could, aiming her wind-clad fist at Yoruichi’s body, while rapidly stabbing forward with Suzumebachi towards the three Hōmonka on her former idol’s skin.

Yoruichi dodged or redirected each strike while never breaking eye contact with Soi Fon. Even as the ground was torn asunder by the screaming wind and her own crackling lightning.

“I swore to become stronger than you! And then capture you with my own hands!” Soi Fon focused her Shunkō onto the tip of Suzumebachi’s sharp tip, making the howling wind become a keening wail. “You betrayed my respect and trust! I…!” She stabbed her Zanpakutō forward for a lethal blow.

THOOM

Lightning and wind exploded upwards from the forest, destroying a large section of it entirely.

Yoruichi’s fist had stopped only a centimeter from Soi Fon’s face, a lasting bolt rising high into the air. Soi Fon’s charge had been stopped instantly, the force of both her Shunkō and Yoruichi’s having been perfectly diverted straight upwards and directly behind Yoruichi…as shown by the torn up ground behind the Shihōin woman. It wasn’t lost on Soi Fon what would’ve happened to her had Yoruichi not changed the direction of the two clashing Kidō to avoid hitting her.

“Why?!” Soi Fon uttered out, dropping her arms to her sides.

Yoruichi lowered her own fist as she saw Soi Fon’s entire body lose tension.

“Why?” Soi Fon repeated, her body starting to tremble. “Why didn’t you take me with you?” The true feelings that had been bottled up for a century finally came out as tears escaped Soi Fon’s eyes and she sank to her knees. “Why…?”

Yoruichi could only look at her former protégé with soft eyes. How could she possibly explain what had happened back then? The situation that had forced her to save her friends from the lies and machinations of the one moving things from behind the scenes.

-Rukongai ~ First District-

BAM

The loud thud lightly shook the ground around a large building that was normally used for storing crops.

A group of men sitting around outside all smiled at the sound.

“Hey! It sounds like he can move now!” One of the men said with a chuckle.

“That’s good.” Another man let out a puff of smoke, holding a simple kiseru pipe in his hand.

“Is Jidanbō in there?” A woman’s voice asked, making both men turn to face the person.

“Uh…” The first man looked shocked at who had just arrived.

The second man dropped his pipe entirely. “Y-You’re…!”

Inside the building three more guys looked up at Jidanbō happily.

“Does it hurt, Jidanbō?”

“Are you sure that you’re alright?”

“Yes.” Jidanbō said, giving the three men a smile. He wore a simple robe over his upper body (though the garment would be a large tent for regular-sized people). “I’m all right. Thank you for everything!”

The largest man smiled up at Jidanbō. “Any time!”

“Don’t be a stranger, Jidanbō!” The shortest man told Jidanbō with a laugh.

“You should thank that girl, not us.” The third man with long hair and sitting on a crate said. “If she hadn’t used her power, you would’ve lost your arm.”

The shorter man smiled. “That was Orihime.”

“What a hottie.” The largest man said with bright smile as he recalled Orihime’s beauty.

“It’s been days since she went into the Seireitei.” The shorter man said with concern.

The long-haired man nodded in agreement. “I hope she’s all right.”

The large wooden door groaned as it was lifted upwards, allowing the sunlight pour into the large building.

“Worried about her?” A woman’s voice questioned the men inside. “Then come with me!” She stepped inside and everyone saw who she was.

“Eh?!” The long-haired man squawked in shock.

“Oh! It’s…” Jidanbō looked at the woman.

“Shiba Kūkaku!” All four men said at the same time.

Kūkaku smirked as she stood before them with Shiroganehiko and Koganehiko behind her, the two having been the ones to open the large wooden door. She wore her small red top with the black ‘trembling current’ mark on the stomach, baring a lot of her immense cleavage. Her simple white skirt covered her legs down to her knees and she had bandages wrapped around her shins while wearing wooden geta on her feet. Over her shoulders was a large white cloak with a high collar and held together as the front with golden cord. Her long black hair fell free down her back while she had her white cloth bandages wrapped around her head. Her hands were on her hips and on both forearms were black forearm guards. At her waist was her sword, now moved to its proper place.

“Hey.” Kūkaku smirked at the four men.

“It’s been a long time ma’am!” The largest guy said as he and the shorter man bowed at the waist to Kūkaku.

“True.” Kūkaku nodded once as she walked forward.

The long-haired man, also bowing at the waist, greeted Kūkaku next. “It’s been a long time, ma’am! You’re looking as lovely as ever!”

“Thanks!” Kūkaku said without a care as she stopped in front of Jidanbō and looked up at the giant.

“What brings you here, ma’am?” Jidanbō asked politely as he looked down into Kūkaku’s eyes. “Did you come to see me?” He looked confused as to why Kūkaku would come to see him.

Kūkaku smirked. “Sleeping for days on end must have made you depressed, Jidanbō.” She had a bright look in her eyes as she briefly flexed a small portion of her Reiatsu in anticipation. “Take a walk with me! I’m going to see Yoruichi!”

-Atop Sōkyoku Hill-

Boom

Boom

Boom

What sounded like muffled explosions rang out across the wide plateau.

The cause of the repeated sound was the clash of Ichigo and Byakuya’s Zanpakutō. Every strike reverberated with intense Reiryoku, the Reiatsu fluctuating throughout the area, and the heavy gravity constantly crushing everything intensely.

Ichigo, clad in his pitch-black samurai armor didn’t have a mark upon his skin. The very nature of his Bankai had drawn in all of the Reiatsu that would normally exude from him and compressed it down until it turned his very Reiryoku into the solid armor he wore. His jet-black nagamaki swung through the air at speed, a well of gravitational force following each swing and scattering the millions of blades of Senbonzakura.

“I see that you’ve mastered Shunpo quite well.” Byakuya said calmly as he Senbonzakura Kageyoshi blocked a swing from behind from Ichigo’s nagamaki. “But you can’t keep up with the millions of blades that make up my Bankai.”

“Really?” Ichigo smirked at Byakuya and the air visibly distorted around his blade. A swing hit the rushing wall of sakura-like blades and blasted all of them backwards like bullets, peppering the ground across the plateau.

Byakuya’s eyes widened as he used his expert Hohō skills to avoid the punch that Ichigo threw at his face, the armored fist was surrounded by a distortion that looked like a black sphere. The force of the punch shook the air and Byakuya Shunpo-ed away to escape the devastation of the dodged punch. Rock shattered in a wide arc in the direction of Ichigo’s punch, the stone and rubble rose into the air from the force, only to be crushed back into the ground a fraction of a second later as the intense gravity asserted itself over the force that had sent the stone flying.

‘What was that?’ Byakuya questioned himself as he saw the power he’d avoided. Kursaki Ichigo had said that his Zanpakutō’s power was gravity, but aside from the heavy gravity trying to crush him, his power didn’t seem much like gravity to Byakuya.

The Shinigami Captain simply didn’t understand the concept of simulated mass that Ichigo was using via gravity when he punched.

“Where are you looking?” Ichigo asked as he swung his nagamaki at Byakuya’s back.

The Captain vanished in a Shunpo and sent a massive wave of Senbonzakura at Ichigo, filling his Bankai with huge amounts of Reiryoku to fight back against the ever-crushing gravity. But Ichigo wasn’t there anymore. Byakuya’s sharp sense practically yelled out a warning and the Captain pivoted to one side to avoid the downward slash from Ichigo. “Hadō #4: Byakurai!” Byakuya countered, pointing the tip of his index and middle finger at Ichigo’s face and unleashing the beam of lightning.

The Kidō struck Ichigo, but didn’t seem to do much of anything to his black armor as Ichigo raised his left arm to block.

“Your Shunpo shouldn’t be this fast, boy.” Byakuya said as he surrounded Ichigo with rushing waves of blades.

Ichigo was upon Byakuya and bringing his sword down on the other man before he could be swarmed by the pink blades. “Do you really think you’re fighting at your best?” Byakuya whipped his hand forward and Senbonzakura Kageyoshi seemed to double in speed to block Ichigo’s blade. “Gravity is orders of magnitude higher here! Your body is struggling to take a breath or even pump blood through your veins!” He kicked at the wall of pink blades, sending a force of gravity through them, blasting the blades, and Byakuya behind them, backwards. “I’m not fast…” He was behind Byakuya again, his nagamaki slicing through the air. “You’re slow!”

Shing

Blood flew through the air as Byakuya vanished into a Shunpo. When he reappeared, he looked down at his left arm where a cut had opened up and was bleeding.

“I see.” Byakuya’s Reiatsu flared and pushed back against the increased gravity. “Then it seems I’ll need to treat you less like a simple ryoka and more like a true threat.” The mass of millions of blades that was Byakuya’s Bankai rushed upwards in a large circle surrounding both himself and Ichigo. “Senbonzakura Kageyoshi: Senkei (Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms: Slaughterscape).”

The walls of blades compressed, forming four rows of glowing pink swords, making a ‘sword cage’ around the two men. The Reiatsu clashed fiercely with Ichigo’s gravity as Byakuya further released his power, bringing to bear the power of one of the Great Noble Houses of the Seireitei against Ichigo.

“This is the true form of my Bankai.” Byakuya said as he held out one hand. One of the thousands of glowing blades flew into Byakuya’s hand and became a perfect replica of his sealed Zanpakutō. “With it, I abandon all defense and focus all of my power on offense to kill my enemy.”

“So, you’re finally taking me seriously, huh?” Ichigo readied his nagamaki. “Then let’s…”

A glowing pink sword was stabbed through Ichigo’s shoulder, straight through his black armor. The pink blade shattered like glass a fraction of a second later, unable to deal with the force of impact that had broken through Ichigo’s defense. The glowing pink fragments fell to the ground and stopped glowing, revealing fragments of metal being slowly crushed into the ground.

“What the…?” Ichigo grunted out as blood began to flow from the wound.

“I told you, this is purely offense, Kurosaki Ichigo.” Byakuya said as he blurred in front of Ichigo and brought his sword down in an overhead strike.

Clang

The air vibrated strongly as Ichigo blocked Byakuya’s swing with his nagamaki.

Byakuya had already moved away with Shunpo, even as the blade he’d attacked with fell to the ground as fragments. With a quick motion of both hands, dozens of the glowing pink swords shot at Ichigo from every direction.

“Like hell!” Ichigo roared out and swung his blade, unleashing a massive wave of gravity that shattered every blade it came in contact with. “Gnrk!” Ichigo hacked out, three blades having stabbed through his armor. One was through his side, another through his already injured arm, and the third had left a glancing cut on his leg, but was impaled through his armor and had become stuck. The shattering blades didn’t make Ichigo feel better as he felt the wounds open up and bleed. “Pretty fragile swords you’ve got, Kuchiki Byakuya…” Ichigo spat out some blood.

“It will be enough to finish you off.” Byakuya said coldly, his eyes like frozen steel. “Know that this is the price you pay for stomping upon our honor.”

Ichigo breathed out heavily, before a wide smile spread across his face. “Bring it on then! I’ll crush your pride, your sword, and everything else that makes you say that you have to kill Rukia!” His Reiryoku poured off his body as a dark navy and black, his nagamaki vibrating from the force and power being poured into it. “I’ll break every one of your thousands of swords!” Ichigo forced his injured arm to move. The ground was visibly sinking as gravity increased more and more, even Byakuya winced as the force tried to crush the life from him.

Byakuya moved his hands once more, another hundred swords launching at Ichigo from every direction once more. In the same instant, a new sword shot into Byakuya’s hand and he vanished into a Shunpo while pushing his Reiatsu outward to counter the crushing gravity as much as he could.

Ichigo moved Ban'yūinryoku in a slow arc above his head, a line of thin black Reiryoku left behind as the air and light all warped above the line. A fraction of a second later and the line widened into a gaping hole in space.

“What?!” Byakuya actually raised his voice in confusion and shock at what he was seeing. Within the hole within space was the Dangai! Byakuya didn’t have time to think, his Reiryoku exploded from his body as he shattered the ground with a footstep to stop his forward momentum. All of the glowing pink swords that had been launched at Ichigo veered off their course at sharp angles to avoid the hole in space. If a part of his Bankai disappeared into the Dangai, Byakuya was uncertain of how that would affect his Zanpakutō, so he wouldn’t allow any part of his Bankai to pass through the cut in space. “How are you doing that, Kurosaki Ichigo?” Byakuya questioned as the portal closed after a few seconds.

“Gravity of great enough intensity warps space-time…it bends two points in space until they connect, no matter the distance between them normally.” Ichigo said as he saw the hundred swords all stabbed into the ground around him, well outside of the range of his brief cut in space. “It’s called a wormhole in modern science.” He swung his nagamaki in a wide arc, unleashing a powerful gravitational force that shattered the nearby swords. “I just cut the space that existed between Soul Society and the Dangai.”

‘Impossible… His Bankai has weaponized the ability of a Senkaimon?’ Byakuya had NEVER heard of such a thing, and as the Kuchiki Clan were the keepers of Seireitei’s history, Byakuya had read more of the Seireitei’s history than most. “Do you think that ability will allow you to stop my Bankai?”

Ichigo was suddenly in Byakuya’s face again; their blades locked as the two fought against each other. “Yeah, I think it will!” He rocketed his knee forward, another nearly black distortion appearing around it.

Byakuya knew the power behind that strange ability now and broke the blade lock to dodge, taking Ichigo’s back and slamming his sword into Ichigo’s helmet. The blade shattered and Ichigo’s head rocked to the side slightly. Without wasting time, Ichigo’s blade exploded with navy blue and pitch-black Reiryoku.

“Jūryokuga! (Gravity Fang)” Ichigo roared out as he unleashed the massive arc of gravitational force, the deep navy blue Reiryoku with the pitch-black core tore through the area where Byakuya had been a fraction of a second ago. “Where are you going?!” Ichigo demanded, reaching out with his injured arm. “Jūryoku Mo! (Gravity Well)” He placed a powerful gravity well right in front of his hand and drew Byakuya in before the Captain could grab another sword.

Behind Ichigo, the massive Jūryokuga tore through the sword cage, crushing hundreds of the swords and then shattered and compressed them into the ground while flying off into the distance,

Byakuya sent a dozen blades straight at Ichigo, taking advantage of the intense gravity pulling him in to further increase the speed of his attack. He grabbed another sword for himself and changed his position in midair to a thrusting stance, looking to impale Ichigo as he rapidly closed the distance.

Seeing the attacks coming, Ichigo freely changed the direction of the Jūryoku Mo to straight down. The dozens of blades slammed into the ground at speed, sinking into the dirt while being compressed into tiny balls of metal.

“Ngh.” Byakuya stifled a grunt as he landed heavily on the ground under the intense gravity that was even greater than what was already crushing him from Ichigo’s Bankai. He wasn’t a fool, he felt the hairline fractures in many of his bones from the force, he wouldn’t be able to keep this up with the stress he was under. Ichigo had been correct; every function of his body was made exponentially more difficult the greater the gravity and the longer Byakuya remained under its effects. “You’re not moving as much, Kurosaki Ichigo.”

“Maybe not, but I can just keep you in range instead.” Ichigo said before spitting out some blood. “In fact, I’m gonna end this in one more swing!” His wide grin briefly reminded Byakuya of Kenpachi, but the nobleman ignored that brief thought. “But before I do… Tell me.” Ichigo looked into Byakuya’s eyes powerfully. “Why wouldn’t you save Rukia?”

Byakuya held Ichigo’s gaze for a short moment. “Defeat me, and I’ll answer.” He held out his right hand and the few remaining swords hanging in the air glowed white before rushing towards Byakuya. Every single fragment of broken blade strewn across the plateau also glowed white as it rushed towards the immense power gathering into Byakuya’s hand. The Reiatsu spiked higher than ever before, cracks appearing throughout the entirety of Sōkyoku Hill from the sheer force as more and more of Byakuya’s Reiryoku was poured into his final attack.

“Fine.” Ichigo focused and the very light of the Seireitei darkened noticeably. The shattered landscape around Ichigo was rapidly drawn towards Ichigo as his Reiryoku turned pitch-black and compressed down further and further. The ever-growing Reiatsu and gravity combined and warped space to such a degree that none of the debris could touch him, all of it being drawn solely into his nagamaki and being crushed down, smaller and smaller.

“Shūkei: Hakuteiken (Endscape: White Imperial Sword).” Byakuya announced the name of his most powerful technique. The overflowing Reiryoku took the form of large pristine-white wings as well as a grand vertical halo, both of which emerged from Byakuya’s back; the brilliant white Reiryoku extended from the wings to the single sword in Byakuya’s hand. The final form bore resemblance to an almost celestial bird made of pure, intensely bright Reiryoku surrounding Byakuya. The blade couldn’t even be seen it was so bright, lost in the overflowing power that Byakuya had unleashed.

“Kokūnoken! (Void Universe Sword)” Ichigo roared as his own sword was a black void in the shape of a nagamaki.

Byakuya and Ichigo vanished, intensely bright white meeting empty vast black, and then there was silence.

THOOM

The odd sound was something hard to describe as the explosion shattered the top of the plateau entirely, hundreds of tons of stone fell to the ground surrounding the Sōkyoku Hill with a crash that couldn’t be heard over the blast that spread across Seireitei. The long pointed tip of the plateau had broken off completely, leaving the hill permanently altered in appearance. The light dimmed and then brightened all across the city, the air shifted powerfully, the ground shook knocking things over and even making tiles fall from many roofs. But the strangest thing was the feeling of movement that passed through everything and everyone even if they were completely still. The very buildings all visibly warped in shape for a fraction of a second, much like the illusion caused by a heat haze.

Shinigami all across the Seireitei were panicked or confused, wondering what had just happened.

-Ichigo and Byakuya-

Byakuya looked at his sealed Zanpakutō in his hand. The blade was broken halfway up its length, the top of the blade on the destroyed ground in front of him. His Captain’s haori was gone, as was his shihakushō top and most of his hakama pants up to his knees. His body was a mess of blood and bruises, hundreds of wounds freely bled across his body, his skin and muscle had been torn open by the insane gravity that Ichigo’s final attack had unleashed. His bones were broken as well, he could feel the radiating pain of various fractures across his body at least three in his left arm, possibly four in his right arm, his ribs were cracked at the very least with how painful breathing was, but he didn’t feel blood filling his lungs, so he didn’t have a fractured rib impaling either of them. His legs shook, the torn muscles and cracked bones making standing a challenge. One of his eyes had filled with blood, but he could still see in the haze of red, so the eye wasn’t lost at least.

Ichigo stood across from Byakuya and wasn’t in much of a better state. His pitch-black armor was shattered. The parts that had broken off and fallen to the ground were slowly letting off wisps of black Reishi as they broke down bit by bit, no longer held together by the vast gravity of Ichigo’s Bankai. His helmet slid off his head, half of it missing, and clattered to the ground. Blood flowed freely down Ichigo’s face from a cut across his forehead and scalp. His nagamaki was still intact though and his Bankai hadn’t come undone. A massive laceration was bleeding from his shoulder to his hip in a perfectly vertical line. It would definitely leave a scar, but Ichigo wasn’t in any condition to process that right now.

Byakuya fell backwards and coughed painfully as his back hit the ground.

Ichigo’s slow footsteps approaching him sounded both close and faraway at the same time. When the young man eventually stood over him, Byakuya couldn’t help but once more compare Ichigo’s looks to the late Kaien Shiba’s.

“I win.” Ichigo said as he moved the tip of his nagamaki to rest on Byakuya’s chest, right over the downed man’s heart.

Before anything more could be said, Ichigo fell to the side and crashed to the ground. His vision was wavering and he’d completely lost his balance, but both were slowly clearing up as Ichigo laid on the ground near Byakuya.

The sudden loss of the two massive Reiatsu clashing alerted all of Seireitei that the battle was over.

For most of the Shinigami, they sought out orders from their superiors. But a few others now knew that it was time to enact the next part of the plan.

-End Chapter-

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Damn…

Yoruichi and Soi Fon’s battle played out mostly like Canon, but with slight differences. Perhaps those slight differences mean something if a careful reader can find them? There’s a lot to go over between Soi Fon and Yoruichi, but now isn’t the time.

Rukia is being taken to a safehouse! She got hugs and cuddles from Orihime and Tatsuki! Yay! All three girlfriends think it’s been WAY too long since they’ve been able to love, and hold, and kiss each other. So sweet!

Kūkaku is on the move and is recruiting Jidanbō! What is the newly restored Shiba Clan Head about to do?

Ichigo and Byakuya destroy the entire top of Sōkyoku Hill! The plateau partially collapses from their powerful clash! But what can you expect from members of Seireitei’s Five Great Noble Clans, right? Fighting one of the four fundamental forces is difficult, as Byakuya discovered! Ichigo’s power is so versatile that it handles offense, defense, range, and counters many of Senbonzakura’s best features!

Not that Byakuya didn’t make Ichigo work for his victory! When you’ve got thousands of swords, what’s the harm in using dozens or hundreds as high-speed projectiles that can pierce your enemy’s armor? Ichigo’s ridiculous defense might’ve still destroyed each sword, but not before they did their damage!

Their final clash makes the one in Canon look tame by comparison!

But now that the biggest battle of the invasion is finished, others have begun to move!

What happens next?

Keep reading to find out!

Until I get your reviews, later!