(Mayuri's Playground)
A week had passed since the Reigai Uprising and the damage from the fighting was undone. Peace and order had returned to the Seireitei and Rukon districts as everyone got back to what was really important, preparing for the Blood War. All capable fighters were working themselves to the bone to improve their skills; Renji was sparring with Byakuya to master his true Bankai, Ikkaku and Yumichika sparred against Zaraki, Rukia and Rangiku starting working to attain their Bankai, all around the Gotei had people either honing their skills or working to attain their final release. Despite the grim preparations, everyone was able to wear a smile on their faces for now. No one could hear the screams of agony as Mayuri drove needles into Kageroza's skull.
"HnnnAAAAAAHG!" The man screamed as his torment continued, the needle piercing through his skull like it wasn't there and into his brain, unable to move from Ashisogi Jizo's paralysis after they disabled Inaba's immunity to Mayuri's Zanpakuto and all the restraints to keep him in place. He figured he'd be imprisoned, executed, something other than this horrific torture at Mayuri's hands.
"Stop being such a baby." Mayuri scolded as he finished inserting the tenth needle, all of which were attached to a computer that he went back to. "You'd think with all the tinkering you've done, you would have at least done some of your own neurosurgery on yourself." He clicked away at his computer, analyzing page after page of data as it came pouring in. What little the man could move was tensed up as electricity surged through him. "We would've gotten to this sooner, but the captains took forever to come to a decision."
"What.... are you.... talking about?" Inaba asked, struggling through the pain while Mayuri continued to toy with him. It would just be a simple matter of sentencing him to death for treason, no need to extend it. But then he remembered the core factor, the reason the Gotei has gotten more lenient on whatever may be useful.
"So, it finally clicked did it?" Mayuri asked, knowing the answer. "Yes, be glad. Your original self's aim to complete his research will be completed, project Spearhead will be revived." He stepped away from the monitors to grab another of his needles. "Unfortunately, you will have to be put down."
"Wait! I can help. I WILL help. This is nnnyAAAAGH!" He pleaded as Mayuri drove another one into his brain. "I... can.... be of.... use." He panted out as Mayuri returned to the computer.
"That's not necessary. Especially since your other half is far more trustworthy." The sadist smiled as the data flowed into his machine, finishing the retrieval of the Precipice world data. Now he could start with the Mod Soul and Reigai data. "During the last week, we've investigated Oko Yushima and yourself. He saved his research in the Dangai and separated his mind into two, creating you and Nozomi Kujo. So, it's been decided that I'd isolate all the data you've collected, all the knowledge and salvage anything useful from you, and then we'd transfer all of that into Nozomi Kujo if she chooses to be cooperative. If not... well, we still have the data necessary. It'd just be more of a hassle." He grabbed a few more needles. "But till then, I'm allowed to do whatever I deem necessary to secure the data from you. And I deem you suffer." He smiled sadistically before slowly plugging a few more into his head, never once letting Kageroza's screams distract him as he drained his mind while carrying out the man's punishment.
(Hueco Mundo: Kingdom of Las Noches)
Gin and Urahara silently watched Senna and Nozomi trade blows with each other. After the Tres Bestias spirited the Mod Soul to Las Noches and reported the situation to Gin, the man had an insatiable curiosity about the girl. So he attacked her, provoked her, toyed with her mind until she managed to summon her own Zanpakuto and fight back. Since then, he's had her train with the Arrancar in order to bring out more of her latent abilities.
"You're half of a Shinigami." The fox remember telling her as Senna shot a bolt of electricity at the verdette. "Your other half had a Shikai, you most likely do as well. Show us the power you possess. Prove your worth." Nozomi held out her blade, a broadsword with a stubbed cross tip, and absorbed the Reishi in the attack before reflecting it back. He was a firm believer in emotional stress bringing out the true power in someone, and the results showed. It wasn't until Senna came by that she started talking to others again. Something about 'an existence not meant to be' that brought the two together.
"She's making good progress." Urahara said, checking his phone as it buzzed. "And construction on the new underground transport system and Reishi Beacon seemed to be going well. Those Exequias are really useful for manual labor."
"Rudbornn hasn't had much to do. Same with Rununganga." Gin responded before jumping down. "Okay, that's enough you two." He called out, causing Senna and Nozomi to stop. "That's enough. You're making good progress." He complimented as the two walked by, Nozomi making a point to stomp on his foot as she did. "I deserved that, I guess."
"Well Nozomi, I just got word back from Mayuri." The scientist said as he got in front of the Mod Soul. "Should you accept it, you will take over Kageroza's old position in squad 12 and continue Oko Yushima's work with project Spearhead. I understand that you may have some reservations about this, so the choice is yours." Nozomi's expression did not change, but those eyes told him that her mind was working overtime.
"Complete my research." The words of her original self echoed in her heart and mind. All she wanted was to stop Kageroza, to end his dark ambitions of revenge and conquest, but without him she had no more reason to run. Her only goal that she could claim was actually her's was gone. Now, here it was, the chance to follow Yushima's goal... but it was presented to her as her own choice. Does she take it, would doing so make it her own goal and not Yushima's? She looked over to Senna, who merely smiled at her with that carefree grin.
(Flashback)
"I do know what that's like." She said after Nozomi told her about how she came into being. "I was originally the comprised memories of thousands of souls that got lost on their journey to the Soul Society. Sometimes, I would go from childhood to marriage to dying in my teens. From having a loving family to an abusive household. I couldn't tell who I was, aside from only two things. My choice to die and save the world from a dimensional collapse, and falling in love with my lieutenant at the time."
"So, what would you say? How do I know I'm making my own choices?" She asked, getting a joy filled smile in response.
"I just stopped thinking about that and did whatever. It's my life now so why waste it worrying about such things?"
(Flashback End)
"I guess I only have one option." Nozomi muttered before facing Urahara with a look of confidence. "I may be the lighter half of Oko Yushima, but I am my own person. I won't take on his research and continue his legacy. I will go beyond that!" She declared, placing her hand to her chest. "I am Nozomi Kujo! I am my own person!"
(Ichigo's Inner World)
The hybrid was training, nonstop, for an entire week. An entire week of endless nightmares and horrors in Ichigo's mind as Kyoka Suigetsu attacked him. The mirror pool had no ripples and Ichigo was blocking every actual strike from the illusory blade amid the swirling vortex of blades that came at him. Unwavering focus as he kept the sole image of Kyoka Suigetsu in his sight while the visions beneath were crushed by his own clear visualizations. What started as barely maintainable surprises now turned to full fledged hypnotic illusions, as was the result of this training. A full week of nothing but this training as it got more and more difficult until now.
'That should be enough.' Zangetsu thought, having long since finished healing Ichigo from Hell's toxic power while letting his master train in his new abilities. "Ichigo! Kyoka!" He called out, getting the two to stop their sparring. "Good news, the damage is now undone. You can wake up whenever." The hybrid spirit informed his wielder. Ichigo himself looked to Kyoka, who gave and smile and a nod to let him know that it was okay.
"Thanks for taking care of that Zangetsu. I should return before they face another crisis." Ichigo said jokingly, thinking back to how almost every other week was a new problem that needed fixing. "I better not have missed a damn thing." He suddenly growled, coming up with worst case scenarios in his mind before disappearing.
"Think he'll calm down after seeing that Soul Society isn't in flames without him to protect it?" The female version of Aizen said, looking over to her fellow Zanpakuto spirit.
"Meh, he'll get over it."
(Yamamoto's Office)
In the week since the Reigai incident, neither Arrancar left him alone. One was always near him, standing vigilant for the sole purpose of protecting the one Yamamoto had in his care. Their still slumbering king. The longest either of them had been away was the woman Halibel, speaking with Mayuri about something and was gone for half a day. Now both stood behind him, eyes glued to the doors, windows, and Ichigo's stasis pod. Suddenly, that same pod began beeping wildly away, with Riruka barging in shortly after.
"Give me Ichigo now!" She shouted, sniffing up a small handful of dust. Remembering how her powers work, Yamamoto threw Ichigo's pod to her. She managed to catch it and opened it up, just an instant before sneezing. With that done, Ichigo was freed from the pod and grew to his full size... covering in spit and snot.
"....Thank you Riruka." Ichigo said, staying calm but clearly annoyed as he wiped his face. "I'll be sure to 'repay' the favor." Riruka blushed before running off. 'I wonder what kind of plushie I should get.' He thought, knowing the kind of thoughts he put into the Fullbringer's head. He then noticed the two Arrancar kneeling before him. "Dordoni, Halibel. Did I miss something?"
"Just a minor inconvenience Ichigo, nothing more." The old dragon said, choosing to keep the Reigai matter as just that. A minor inconvenience. "When they heard that you were in a coma, they elected to come here and watch over you. I gave them permission to do so. Why should I deny them their service to their king?" Ichigo turned to the Arrancar, keeping their heads bowed as they waited their lord's word.
"Thank you. Both of you." He said, reaching down to raise their heads and see his smiling face. "I am grateful for your concern and I shall be sure to reward you when next I'm in Hueco Mundo." They all rose to their feet as Ichigo opened a Garganta. "Now, return to Las Noches and think about what you would like as a reward. So long as it's within my power, I shall grant it." The two bowed their heads as they departed. "Okay master, what really-" Ichigo was about to say when instantly, Yamamoto's blade was inches from decapitating the hybrid. A large shockwave of force created a cloud of dust, debris, and paper, all of which was slowly settling. When it finally did, Yamamoto's blade was resting against Ichigo's sealed Zangetsu, and the boy's expression did not change in the slightest. The blades stopped, millimeters from clashing at full force. "What really happened?"
'Never dropped your guard for even a moment.' Yamamoto thought approvingly as he sheathed his blade. 'What else is there to teach you my pupil?' "Like I said, a minor inconvenience. Just some fool that thought that the Gotei had grown weak, lazy, and vulnerable without you around. It was taken care of, don't worry about it." He went back to his desk, Ichigo cleaning his office as he did so. "Why not head back home and spend some time with your family before going to Las Noches for the night?" He said, giving Ichigo his leave to enjoy himself.
"Thank you sensei. I think I will." Ichigo returned with a smile before flashing away. With nothing to do, Yamamoto went back to his paperwork.
"That boy seems to have mastered all you have to teach him hasn't he?" A familiar voice spoke out, making Yamamoto look up to see Ichibe Hyosube grinning down at him. "Though, what he needs to learn next is not something you or I can teach."
"What do you have in mind old friend?" Genryusai asked the still grinning man.
(World of the Living)
For the first time in a long while, Ichigo had the chance to relax. First off; he went home to see his family, have a nice meal, and bid his good-bye to an old friend. He never got around to it, never had the time to do it. He had to save his sisters, defeat Aizen, stabilize his new rule in Hueco Mundo, go to Hell, and recover from that trip. He can't even remember when he heard about Kon's death. After dinner he stayed in front of that small shrine, reflecting on his memories with Kon, thanking him for always looking after his sisters, and wishing that he could have had one more adventure. Maybe sneak him into the girls' locker room just once for his sake. But the perverted Mod Soul is gone now, and Ichigo knew he'd never want another one. He also knew that he'd need a new one anyway. He was emotionally pained, not stupid.
"Goodbye Kon. Wherever you are, I'm sure you're nestled in between a beautiful pair of breasts." Ichigo said, finishing his farewell. "It's what you would've wanted." He got up, finding that Yuzu and Karin had stayed with him, watching over their brother to make sure he took the loss well enough. He sighed, smiling at the now sleeping duo as he picked them both up to carry to their bedroom. Once he laid them to rest, he saw flashes out of the window. Looking closer, he found that they were mainly centered around the Funt Feld that Ichigo and Uryu showed the Spyritters. "What the hell?" He asked seconds before his phone began to buzz, with Uryu calling him. He quickly left the room and answered.
"Ichigo, do you see those flashes at the Funt Feld?" The Quincy asked, getting an affirmative from his cousin. "That's Morse Code," Ichigo checked again and noticed that it was indeed quick flashes and long lights, "the Sternritters are being watched. Yhwach's got them under harsher scrutiny. Did you master that hypnosis skill yet?"
"Yeah. Should we go?" Ichigo asked, going Soul Reaper and grabbing Kyoka Suigetsu.
"Keep your Reiatsu suppressed and move fast. I'll meet you there." Uryu said before hanging up. It took the pair barely a minute before reaching the area and scouted the area. It took some searching but they found someone new among the group of Quincy, a man with chin length black hair that was combed back with a strand hanging in front of his face. He wore baggy pants with a white T-shirt and brown jacket, sitting in the tree branches like he was about to take a nap as the Spyritters sparred against each other. Ichigo kept an eye on him while Uryu searched a little longer to confirm that there was no one else.
'Focus. Time it just right.' Ichigo thought as he unsheathed Kyoka Suigetsu, watching the man and waiting for his chance. The moment the man's eyes shut, time slowed to a crawl for the hybrid. He launched himself to pass in front of the man, keeping the blade as visible as possible as he did so. The moment he was in front of him, the man's eyes opened. "Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu." Ichigo whispered quickly before vanishing from sight. The process measured in a millisecond, now to test the trap. The unknown man looked around, eyes passing by Ichigo and Uryu a couple of times, as he searched.
"Everything okay Askin?" Bazz-B asked the man, stopping the training the Quincy were doing. Soon, the now named Askin swatted the air in front of him.
"Yeah. Just a mosquito. Continue." He said, leaning back and watching the group. Ichigo and Uryu locked eyes and nodded, Askin was under Ichigo's hypnosis. Uryu went to meet with the Quincy while Ichigo kept an eye on Askin, manipulating what he watched using what the man says. Soon, Uryu signaled Ichigo that it was time to leave. Letting the illusion play in a way that wouldn't arouse suspicions, Ichigo left as the Quincy said they were done training. The cousins met up on the roof of Ichigo's home.
"Bastard!" Uryu cursed as they landed, Isshin coming up to find out what happened. "So, Yhwach wasted 200 Quincy lives in an effort to kill you after you defeated Aizen. Recognizing the losses, he's now sending out some of his forces to gather new soldiers. The lost, weary, and broken from all around the world that he'd infuse with his soul and empower. Bambietta predicts that they'd at least double in numbers as a result. Even if some couldn't be credible threats, they'd empower Yhwach when he recalls his soul from them."
"Well it was only a matter of time before something like this happened." Isshin said, already planning his report. "Aizen also planned on strengthening his army. I'm more surprised that it took Yhwach this long to announce it. We can increase our patrols around Japan, but I'm not sure about the rest of the world if he expands his reach."
"We'll have to think of something while we still have the time." Uryu said as he continued with his report. "As for that new guy, his name is Askin Nakk Le Vaar. Sternritter D and one of Yhwach 'Schutzstaffel', meaning one of his best is watching Bazz-B and the others. Before they were walking on eggshells, now they're barefoot on broken glass." He said, emphasizing their precarious situation. "They're stopping contact with us until they can be sure they'd be safe, from Yhwach and his assassins."
"This was only going to last for so long, we can't be upset about this." Ichigo said, trying to keep them from getting frustrated over losing their main intel suppliers. "Instead, we need to focus on how to continue. Strengthening our own defenses for when the time comes." The two nodded in agreement, though decided to hold off on continuing this discussion for later. Give them some time to think things through and plan appropriately. As they left to get to bed, Ichigo stayed on the rooftop and gazed at the sky. 'This isn't going to be easy. But you are not going to win.' He thought in defiance, steeling his resolve for the coming war. He was brought out of his thoughts when his phone buzzed again, this time from Yamamoto. "Yes sensei?" Ichigo asked, only to get someone other than the captain commander.
"Ichigo, I have a proposition for you lad." Ichibe Hyosube said to him.
(Las Noches: Meeting Room)
Ichigo strode out through the halls of his palace, the latest conversation with the old monk and his master still playing in his mind. If he was going to do what they suggested, he needed to make sure things in Hueco Mundo would stay stabilized. He wasn't expecting peace, he was sure any Menos Grande cocky enough would attack with that beacon calling them, but he wanted to make sure his side would stay in control and remain loyal. The doors opened to reveal the new meeting room, a single throne in front of a curved table where his strongest Arrancar assembled. Gin stood at the foot of the throne, waiting for the king of the realm. Ichigo immediately flashed to his seat, facing the Hollows.
"Sit." He ordered, prompting them all to do so in their chairs around the table. "The Round Table. In Arthurian lore it was meant to be a symbol, a way of saying that the king and his knights were equal and none stood higher than the others. A nice gesture, but that didn't change a simple fact. That the king was still the king. You are all equal before me and I will hold no single one as greater than the others, regardless of power." He said, pointing to the table they sat at. "I took this throne by being the strongest, gave you place in this kingdom in exchange for your lives, demanded your loyalty for the promise of a new world for you. Looking back on it, I seem more like a tyrant than a benevolent ruler don't I?"
"Still better than Aizen if you ask me." Grimmjow said aloud. "He did all the same things. Difference is, it was all for him. Not for anyone else."
"Thank you Grimmjow." Ichigo returned, straightening up as he continued. "I'd rather not be a tyrant though, but I know the law of the land here in Hueco Mundo. The strongest is the one that rules." They hybrid removed some of his seals and unleashed a crushing spiritual pressure for just a second before resealing himself. "Was that enough of a reminder?"
"Why... would that... be necessary?" Cirucci asked, gasping for breath from the sudden assault. The rest of the Arrancar looked up to him expectantly, hoping for a reasonable answer from their ruler.
"I did that to avoid needing to kill anyone." He answered. "Soon I will have to disembark on a journey. One that will last a good while. I do not want to return to find a civil war has ravaged my kingdom, and I lose any of you in the chaos. If I need to fight for my throne again, I would have to be far less merciful than I'd like to be."
"Where are you going and will you be fine?" Ulquiorra asked, concerned for the one he swore his loyalty to.
"I will be fine Ulquiorra. But I will be troubled if I need to worry about all of you while I am gone. So, here is my royal decree; while I am gone Gin is in charge and you are to focus on getting stronger by either training yourselves or by gathering more to our ranks. Am I understood?" He asked, watching each Arrancar nod their heads as his gaze washed over them. "Thank you. That eases my mind. Now I believe there is a matter of rewarding those that came to my aid? Dordoni, Halibel, come forth." He ordered, prompting the two to get up and kneel before his throne. "Have you thought about your rewards?"
"Mi rey, I ask that I have greater strength to serve you." Dordoni said, standing before his lord.
"Very well. Gin." Ichigo called out as the silver haired fox pulled out the jar of 'Yammy pills' and giving one to Dordoni. He swallowed the concentrated power of the former Cero Espada and a pulse was sent out to show an increase in his power. "Now, train yourself to attain your own Segunda Etapa." The hybrid ordered, glancing to Ulquiorra and giving the silent order to assist the man.
"Yes, mi rey." Dordoni said with a bow before returning to his seat. Halibel rose and looked to the hybrid.
"If I may be so bold, my request should be kept in private." She said, Ichigo thinking he saw a faint blush on what he could see of her face not hidden by that collar. "Please come to my palace later."
"Very well. You have your orders. Dismissed."