Chapter Text
Byakuya's POV
Leaving Yamada and Rukia under Kotetsu’s care, Senbonzakura and I follow Minata and Mizukiri to where Captain Unohana was located, which was not as far as we originally thought.
We found her a little further in the desert, tending to Zaraki’s injuries, who must have found her before we could arrive.
Judging from the scowl that adorned his face, this was not a procedure he consented to willingly.
“Well you all took your sweet time showing up here. . .” he grumbled before taking in the sight of my recently healed arm and leg. “Oh, it seems you fought a tough one if they managed to scratch you up.”
“He was not as tough as he thought he was,” was all I was willing to say before I turned to the older captain. “Has Kurotsuchi made contact yet?”
“He has . . . He has dealt with the Eighth Espada, saving the Quincy and your lieutenant in the process. . .”
Hearing that Abarai struggled against a strong opponent, again, was not what I wanted to hear.
Hearing that Kurotsuchi essentially had to bail him and Kurosaki’s Quincy ally out during the fight was even worse.
Kurotsuchi can be quite the petty individual when he wants to be, and Abarai’s almost loss was something that he could easily hold over my division for quite a while.
And he is the kind of person that can think of numerous ways to do so.
“Will they be joining us anytime soon?” Mina asks, breaking me out of the sudden irritated stupor I had fallen into.
“Lieutenant Abarai and Ishida Uryuu are making their way here as we speak, but Kurotsuchi said that he would join us at a later time,” The older woman further explains. “Apparently, the Eighth Espada was the resident scientist among Aizen’s forces . . .”
“. . . And when it comes to scientists, they always have to have a lab hidden somewhere.” Mina concludes as Mizukiri shakes her head behind her. “I guess when it comes to Captain Kurotsuchi, looking for new experiments and test subjects will always take high priority, even when multiple realms are facing extinction at the hands of a psychotic ex-captain with a growing God complex.”
“Hmm, despite the harsh words, you are not wrong, Third Seat Fukudome,” Unohana declares as she steps away from Kenpachi. “Alright Captain Zaraki, I believe that should be enough for now.”
“Finally . . .” The barbarian grumbles, rolling the shoulder she just healed as he stood up. “Now I can get to the next battle . . . The last one wasn’t much of a fight once I got through that tough skin of his.”
“Hmm, good to know that a tougher Hierro isn’t enough to stop Kenpachi’s thirst for a fight.” I hear Mizukiri whisper to Senbonzakura.
“Nothing will stop that thirst until someone actually manages to beat him, but then again, that has the drawback of increasing his eagerness for a fight instead.” Senbozakura says in return, and in truth, I was very much inclined to agree with my zanpakuto.
From the moment Zaraki stepped into the Seireitei, he proved that he was not willing to play by the usual norms of the Gotei 13.
From what I could recall, the man didn’t initially seek the Gotei 13 out first, the Gotei 13 found him.
Specifically, a patrolling contingent of men from the 11th Division stumbled upon him as he stood among a swath of bodies, the remains of men who challenged him to a fight in front of the main bar in the district’s largest town.
Intrigued, they brought Zaraki, along with Kusajishi, Ayesegawa, and Madarame, who had been traveling with him, to Kiganjō, the Kenpachi at the time, thinking that he would spark some interest in the famously lazy captain.
Kenpachi Kiganjō was not known as someone that actively sought action. In fact, he earned himself a reputation of being somewhat a sloth, chronically missing captain’s meetings while being slow to rouse when an enemy made an appearance . . .
. . . Well, that was how Grandfather always described him whenever he somehow came up in conversation, which was exceedingly rare.
When the two finally crossed paths in the 11th Division courtyard, Zaraki, sensing Kiganjō’s reiatsu, challenged the larger man to a fight, and Kiganjō, in all his infinite wisdom, decided to agree, with the condition that their fight would occur in front of his entire division.
He likely offered this condition to serve as a lesson for his entire division, a show of force to prove why he was the Kenpachi and not any of them.
Little did he know he was only adding witnesses to view his impending death.
The battle, if you could even call it that, lasted barely a minute, and due to the rules that the 11th Division abides by, a Kenpachi fell and a new one rose in the span of a few heartbeats.
“Fukudome! You know where the nearest enemy is?!”
“Well, at least he didn’t address me with a patronizing nickname like the ones he loves to give you. . .” Mina’s voice was low, but not low enough that I wasn’t able to hear it.
“Give him time . . .” Was all I was willing to say as she took a step forward.
“I’ve sensed a large source of spiritual pressure that’s just northeast of us. It’s only started to grow in the past few seconds,” She says, just as a large dust cloud erupted far in said direction. “. . . Well, that was to be expected.”
“Can you sense Kurosaki close to that dust cloud?” I ask, feeling certain that I already knew the answer to my own question.
“He’s practically at the epicenter.”
That was enough for Zaraki, whose maniacal grin graced our collective vision once again before he started running off toward whatever creature made that cloud.
“Well, he’s certainly eager. . .” Unohana quietly muses before turning to face the rest of us. “Shall we follow?”
“Hmm, what choice do we have?” I concede, just as the dust cloud started dissipating.
All of us collectively had a better knowledge of shunpo than Zaraki did, so it was not hard to catch up to his speeding form, which only grew faster as the cloud further dissipated to reveal the likely release form of the Hollow.
Judging from the large surge of reiatsu that was radiating off the beast, not only did he have to be one of the Espada, he had to be among the strongest in Aizen’s legion. Taking him down would remove an important chess piece from the ex-captain’s board, and would go a long way in ending the war faster.
Though from the looks of him, he will certainly not be an easy foe to put down.
“Um, do my eyes deceive me, or is that Kurosaki currently flailing about in that beast’s fist?”
Mizukiri’s inquiry immediately breaks me out of my thoughts, and I look up to see that as she has asked, Ichigo Kurosaki was indeed trapped in the Espada’s large fist.
“And here I thought he would be wise enough to not fall into that creature’s grasp.”
“Not all teenagers are wise beyond their years Senbonzakura.”
“Then again, teenagers are too young to be considered a group that have seen a lot of years, especially if they originally hail from the Human World.”
“Adding insult to injury I see. . .”
“I’m only verbalizing what you’re feeling, master. That is all.”
I did not believe him for one second.
"Sokatsui"
Firing the blast of kido from my fingertips, the blast hits the Espada straight in the chest before he could launch Kurosaki to the ground, likely to crush him under his foot. It gives Kenpachi an opening, as he comes in from the ground to swipe his nameless zanpakuto against some of the enemy's legs, cutting the appendages right off his body in one clean swipe.
The distraction was enough for the substitute to get his bearings together, coming to a stop a few feet away from where we stood. Despite the scrapes, bruises, and damaged shihakusho, Kurosaki did not look too worse for wear, save for the haunted look in his ever-present glare.
As if he just went through something that he wished to never experience again, and I doubt it was the Espada that just held him in his monstrous grip that caused it.
“Byakuya? Kenpachi?”
“Still not keen on using proper titles, is he?”
“I doubt he’ll ever be the kind to use such language in his regular vocabulary.”
“Any chance he may grow out of it?”
“I doubt it.”
“Kurosaki . . .” I say, my tone cool as Kenpachi looks toward the reeling Espada instead of him.
"Well now! Long time no see Ichigo!" says the brute, raising his sword to rest it over his shoulder. "You really been having a tough time with the big lug over here?!"
"When you have had run-ins with an ex-Espada, the Sixth Espada, the Fifth Espada, and the Fourth Espada before dealing with that massive thing within the span of a few hours," He grumbles as he gets back to his feet. "You find that your energy reserves get worn thin after a while, Kenpachi.”
“Eh, never had that issue.”
All of us were quick to look at him with stares of disbelief.
Kurosaki’s was the most egregious. Unohana’s, the most surprising.
“To encounter so many high-powered enemies in that short of a timeframe . . . I don’t blame Kurosaki for the irritation he must be feeling.”
“Anyone would feel like they’re at their wits end having to deal with all those enemies so quickly.” I say in agreement, finding that I suddenly had a bit of sympathy for the teenager.
“Anyway, I see you two have had your own brushes with danger."
"Ehh, it was a piece of cake . . ." Kenpachi says with a shrug, and then he turns to me. "Can't say the same for the Princess here.”
“Speak for yourself, and yourself only, you dismal barbarian.”
“As you can see, judging from his disheveled appearance, it looks like Byakuya here came close to losing his fight."
“I beg your finest pardon?!”
"Is that so?" I ask, keeping my tone cool despite the irritation I felt. "Considering that you actually accepted Captain Unohana’s medical expertise, I believe it’s best to say that you were in a predicament that was even worse than mine."
“Well don't you have a way with words . . ." The brute mumbles before suddenly pointing his blade at me. "If you want to fight me, then just say so you noble prick! I got plenty of time."
"Actually, you don't."
Mina’s words were enough to prompt him to turn his head, just in time to see the large Espada glaring our way as he got back into a seated position.
"You fucking-I WILL KILL YOU ALL!" the beast exclaims, yelling so strongly he could undoubtedly be heard from miles away.
"Is that so?" Kenpachi challenges as his sadistic smirk begins to show. "Well then . . . LET'S JUST SEE ABOUT THAT SHALL WE?"
With no hesitation to be found, Kenpachi leaps into fray, striking at the Espada’s arm before being pushed back by the large creature. Before I could even think about the possibility of entering this fight as well, I noticed some movement at the corner of my eye, and knowing what would likely happen next, I figured it would be my due diligence to nip it in the bud.
Especially when the subject is duly needed somewhere else.
“What do you think you are doing?” I ask Kurosaki as he holds his blade forward.
“What does it look like?!” He asks in return, irritation peeking through in his tone. “I’m joining the fight.”
"And yet, you are no longer needed here."
“And what do you mean by that?!”
I have to commend Kurosaki for actually saying something instead of being stunned into silence by my words. Judging from Minata’s and Captain Unohana’s reactions, they were just as surprised.
"You are needed much more in the Human World than you are needed here Kurosaki." I clarify, the change in the teenager’s expression almost instant.
"That may be the case, but I can’t leave at the moment, now can I?" He asks, gesturing around us. "How do you suggest I get back? The lack of portals is not helping matters."
“He is surprisingly cheeky when he wants to be.”
“Annoyingly so Senbonzakura.”
"Oh, you can just leave that to me!"
It was at that moment that Kurotsuchi made his presence known, walking before a very large cart that was being pushed by his lieutenant.
Her reiatsu must be a lot stronger than what the rest of Soul Society gives her credit for.
“Or, Kurotsuchi experimented on her to give her enhanced strength.”
“Knowing Kurotsuchi, what you just said may not be far from the truth either Senbonzakura.”
"Do I even want to know what you are doing with that cart, Captain Kurotsuchi?" I ask as I raise my eyebrow slightly. "If I remember correctly, that cart was not with you when we initially arrived here.”
"Oh, this large thing? They’re just some samples and old experiments that I found lying around," the mad scientist cheekily explains as he starts the work to open a Garganta. "It's no big deal."
“Hmm, your opponent must have had quite the trove of samples and experiments lying about in his lab, if the large cart is anything to indicate.”
“Oh Fukudome, you have no idea,” Kurotsuchi agrees, sounding quite . . . giddy as he and his lieutenant start work on a rather strange contraption. “In mere moments, Urahara will no longer be the only shinigami capable of opening Gargantas. My . . . exploration of my opponent’s lab has allowed me a better analysis of how these portals are made. It shouldn’t be long now before I have you on your way.”
"Aside from not liking the idea of being a guinea pig for something that Kurotsuchi is trying for the first time, you sure you want me to leave you guys with him?!" Kurosaki practically exclaims the last part as he points his sword at the ongoing fight between the Espada and Zaraki.
“Your concern is much appreciated, but your worries are better suited for someplace else, don’t you think?” Mina gently chides the teenager, looking more amused than concerned.
"Kurosaki, your primary duty as a substitute shinigami is to protect Karakura Town, and you cannot do that when you are still here while the most pressing threat to your hometown’s existence is likely already there," I counter, keeping my tone firm as I start to see his stubbornness start to wane. "You would serve your people better fighting in the Human World than continuing the fight here. . . We can handle things here in the meantime.”
Judging from how unguarded Kurosaki’s face went, it seemed my words had certainly struck a nerve.
“You have already done what you can here Ichigo. It’s time you put your focus back on Karakura Town,” Unohana adds, looking serene as she tucked her hands into her sleeves. “And you won’t be going alone. . . I will be coming with you.”
“Hmm, makes sense. . .” Mina muses before Kurosaki could say anything. “Aizen likely took his heaviest hitters with him to the Human World, and I doubt anyone on our side will escape his coming onslaught completely unscathed.”
“And that’s why I must go. Isane will remain here to tend to the remaining wounded,” Unohana calmly declares, just as the Twelfth Division’s leadership finally opened a Garganta the two could pass through. “Hmm, looks like we have our exit route. Shall we Kurosaki?”
The teenager does not say anything, but action has always been louder than words.
Acknowledging her words with a nod, Kurosaki does not hesitate to jump into the Garganta, leaving Unohana to follow closely behind him.
“Do you think he’ll be able to beat Aizen?”
“Senbonzakura, since our fight back on Sokyoku Hill, I have learned to understand that Kurosaki is not someone to be messed with when the people he cares about are being threatened,” I concede as we watch the two go. “If anyone has a fighting chance under such conditions, it’s Kurosaki.”
“Well, in a matter of time, we’ll see if those hopes bear fruit,” Senbonzakura says, more cynical than I expected.
“A bit cynical with your words, don’t you think?”
“One of us has to remain realistic. Since you’re choosing to be the more hopeful one between us, I’ve chosen to be the pragmatic counterpoint,” He admits, just as we hear Kenpachi’s cackling echo from the battlefield. “. . . Hmm, it seems like someone’s enjoying themselves in this sandpit.”
“Kenpachi’s found another beast he could toy with,” I say as we look on at what was supposed to be a battle, but was more of predator toying with his food. “He’ll get tired of him soon enough.”
“As long as he leaves me enough to experiment with, I’ll be satisfied.”
We all turned to find the Captain of the Twelfth, who was now sitting on the pedestal, his eyes keenly engaged with the fight happening in front of us, though his eyes were mostly trained on the Espada Kenpachi was currently tearing down, as if he was already imagining how he would go about experimenting on such a large-scale subject.
In truth, that likely was what he was thinking about right now.
"Hmm, Captain Kurotsuchi, I find it a little strange that you chose to not travel with Kurosaki or Captain Unohana.”
My words seemingly get his attention, as his eerily golden eyes finally turn from the fight to me.
"After all, the Human World may contain many things that could pique your interest, and yet, you chose to remain here."
"Aizen may have brought some interesting subjects with him to the Human World, but those can wait," He says rather swiftly as he turns to his cart. "I’ll wait till the fighting is done before I move to the Human World myself. I can always study those carcasses later, but for now, Hueco Mundo is where I’ll keep my current focus.”
“He may not have said it outright, but I believe his words are a roundabout admission that he believes Kurosaki may actually win the day.”
“Possibly Senbonzakura, but don’t let him hear you say that out loud,” I advise. “Kurosutchi is a man that doesn’t do well when he’s accused of making assumptions, and Kurosaki beating Aizen is still a big assumption at this point.”
“I had no plans to . . . I do not have a death wish.”
“Did not think you did Senbonzakura.”
Minata's POV
“Hmm, if you were hoping to get a blatant admission from Captain Kurotsuchi that he believed that Kurosaki can beat Aizen, I must admit, you would have had better luck getting Captain Zaraki to say the word ‘sorry’.” I couldn’t help but say as we watched the mad scientist start to talk to his lieutenant about his plans for what was in his cart.
“I never expected to get a blatant admission, but I wanted to see some indication of where he felt on the subject,” Byakuya concedes as he turns to me. “. . . And judging from his words, I believe I got the answer I sought.”
“And are you satisfied with what you heard?” I dared to ask, but before I could even receive a response from him, Yachiru’s loud cheering cut into our conversation.
“GO KEN-CHAN! YOU CAN DO IT!”
"Wow, Lieutenant Kusajishi really loves to cheer on her captain, doesn't she?" Mizukiri quietly says as she watches the young girl watch her captain/pseudo-father continue to toy with the Espada.
"Hmm, you can't really blame her. She is his lieutenant after all." I counter as I keep my eyes focused on the battle. "And whatever makes Zaraki happy, makes her happy, especially if it involves fighting."
"Yeah, like Minnie-chan said!" says Yachiru as she turns to us. I couldn’t help but smirk at the nickname she gave me when we first met and she heard my name. It has stuck since then, becoming her go to when she didn’t want to say my actual name.
"I'm his lieutenant, so I have a right to cheer on my captain!"
“I don’t think anyone is denying that Lieutenant Kusajishi.” Senbonzakura pipes up, earning him the attention of the small girl.
“I would hope so. I would not be happy if that was the case,” she says, her tone slowly taking a sinister edge as her pink spiritual pressure started to make itself present.
“Um, you see the same menacing cat I’m seeing in her reiryoku, yes?”
“Indeed, I do Mizukiri. Indeed, I do.”
“Lieutenant Kusajishi, please calm your spiritual pressure,” Byakuya suddenly suggests, looking deceptively annoyed that he even had to voice such words in the first place. “. . . You would not want to distract Zaraki from his battle do you?”
That seemed to do the trick as her reiryoku quieted to such a degree that if it wasn’t for the fact that she was standing right in front of us, you would have thought she had disappeared from the dimension entirely.
“Hmm, you have such a way with children Captain Kuchiki,” I couldn’t help but whisper as Yachiru went back to cheering on her captain.
“I was only encouraging her to conduct herself in a way that is proper for her current rank Third Seat Fukudome,” He answers right back, his face an impassive mask, though I could detect the slight bit of amusement that echoed in his tone.
“Hmm, that Espada’s size is certainly not normal,” Mizukiri declares as we continue to watch the fight. “Do you think it’s part of a power up?”
"Most likely . . . It appears that the angrier he gets, the bigger he gets." I say with an inquisitive look on my face. “He derives his strength from his anger.”
“And Zaraki is only making things worse by essentially toying with him instead of ending the fight as quickly as possible.” Senbonzakura gripes, unable to keep his annoyance from seeping into his tone.
“Captain Zaraki does have a propensity for . . . taking his time when he should be quick with his work.” Byakuya adds. “He may push the creature to a point that even he would start to struggle against it.”
“Well, for everyone’s sake, let’s hope he finishes quickly,” I couldn’t help but say as we watched Zaraki slice off another few legs from the Espada’s left side.
“At the rate he is going, I believe your hopes may not be as fruitful as you thought.”
“I was afraid you were going to say that Byakuya.”