"Getsuga Tenshou!" Ichigo shouted, sending a white slash of energy my way. I responded with my own. "Cursed Slash!" Our attacks collided, but his started to overpower mine and destroying it. Clicking my tongue, I used Shundō to close the distance between us, though I heard a slight crack in my wooden leg.
'Might only manage three, maybe five more Shundos.'
Ichigo reacted just in time as we locked swords again, his strength surpassing mine. But this time, I charged cursed magic and bloodlust into Muramasa, he noticed too late.
"Nemesis Cursed Slash!" I released a surge of energy right in front of us, and with no way for it to move, it detonated, sending us both flying. I dug Muramasa into the ground to halt my momentum, then looked over at Ichigo. He'd braced himself with his feet, skidding to a stop before looking over to yell at me. "That was reckless! You could've hurt yourself!"
I snorted, shaking off the curse's effects. 'He's not even worried about himself.'
"Ryou-san, I'm going to take it up a notch, okay?"
I gave him a nod, shifting into an Iaido stance. I could feel my hair standing on end as Ichigo's aura surged, his voice echoing as he said. "Ban...kai!" His reiatsu exploded in waves of golden yellow.
'He's on a completely different level than before.' A wide grin spread across my face, and I released all the cursed magic I could muster, letting it flare around me.
Our energies clashed, his golden reiatsu against my black and slighty red aura. I watched him as he raised his transformed blade, now a sleeker elongated katana. "Getsuga… Tenshou!" His katana radiated white and black energy as he swung it down, sending a massive slash that reached the underground ceiling. I couldn't help but watch in slight awe before channeling every ounce of cursed magic into Muramasa.
"Malevolent Cursed Slash!" I unleashed a slightly smaller slash to counter his attack. The two collided, and there was a moment of silence before an explosion shook the room, the shockwave shattering my wooden leg. I dug Muramasa into the ground and held firm against the blast. When the dust settled, Ichigo stared at me with wide eyes.
"I only used half my power in that attack. You're strong, Ryou-san!"
I twitched, then sighed, looking down at where my wooden leg used to be. 'Really hope I've impressed them enough to get my limbs back.' Using Muramasa as a cane, I hobbled over to Ichigo and a beaming Kisuke. 'Wonder what's got him so happy.'
Ichigo glanced at my missing leg and then back to where the wooden one had been. "Staring at it won't make it grow back." I muttered, snapping him out of his thoughts. A laugh sounded, and I turned to see Yoruichi and the others approaching. Orihime handed me the box containing Eri. I checked it over, relieved it was unharmed, and nodded a silent thanks.
Kisuke clapped, breaking the silence. "That was a wonderful show, you two. Now, as promised, we'll get you all healed up, Ryou-kun."
"Who exactly is going to be doing that?" I asked, gesturing to everyone around. Just as Orihime started to respond, Kisuke cut in with a grin. "They aren't here. You'll be going to the Soul Society! You know what that is, right?" he murmured the last part.
I gave a nod. 'What is he planning?'
"Great! All you have to do is convince them to heal you. Easy, right?" Ichigo and I both twitched at his casual tone. Before either of us could protest, he began walking toward a gate-like structure. "This is a Senkaimon." he explained as I hobbled over. "It's a gateway to the Soul Society."
I nodded as he continued. "You'll go alone. Don't worry, I already gave them a heads up about your arrival."
I considered launching an attack, then sighed and asked. "And where will you be?"
Kisuke shared a look with Ichigo, who nodded grimly. "We'll be heading to Hueco Mundo."
I just stared at him blankly, then at the Senkaimon, before shaking my head. "I'm way too sober for this, but whatever, have fun."
As I started toward the gate, Kisuke tossed a bottle my way with a wink. "Good luck!"
Snorting, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and entered the gate.
Do I have a sign that says "Fuck me up please?" on my back? 'Why is she here, and where the hell am I?!' The cause of my existential crisis was Kusajishi Yachiru, all 3'7 of her pink-haired mischief. She stared at me, a handful of sweets in her tiny hands, before suddenly stopping and pointing at me with a wide grin.
"Grumpy Grape!" she exclaimed.
'What?' I tilted my head, struggling to maintain a neutral expression. "I'm sorry, but do you know where we are?"
She giggled, her excitement bubbling over. "We're near the Senki! You're the Bucket Hat mentioned, right?"
As she leaned closer, I instinctively hobbled back slightly. "Yes?"
Without waiting for a response, she spun around and waved for me to follow her. "Okay! Come on! They're waiting for you!"
I was somewhat taken aback by her behavior but shrugged it off and hobbled after her. "Hopefully, we won't get lost!" she chirped, her laughter echoing in the air.
I sighed inwardly. 'What have I gotten myself into?'
After five minutes of Yachiru humming, we arrived at a building marked "Squad 1" Upon entering, we walked through a few gardens and wooden hallways before arriving at a set of doors, which Yachiru pushed open.
Once we stepped inside, the atmosphere felt heavy, almost like what a gravity room would feel like, weighed down by the powerful aura radiating from the figures within. 'Hope this is a good thing.' I thought, suppressing a sigh of nervousness.
I looked around and recognized five figures. Kurotsuchi Mayuri, Kuchiki Byakuya, Unohana Retsu. The other last two exuded so much power it was almost ridiculous, and the source of this overwhelming energy? Yamamoto Genryūsai and Zaraki Kenpachi, who was grinning at me like a child anticipating a fight. 'Please, for the love of God, tell me he can't sense anything interesting about me.' Even if I could beat him at my full power, I knew it wouldn't stop him from wanting to fight until one of us died.
Yamamoto began to speak, drawing my attention. I turned to face him, still using Muramasa as a makeshift cane. "I've been made aware that Kisuke made a promise between you two."
I nodded. "Yes, Kisuke-san promised that he would get me healed in exchange for my help with a problem he's having, though I'm unaware of what that problem is."
He gave a deep hum and glanced past me toward the box on my back. "Tell me what's in there."
I frowned briefly but quickly returned to my neutral expression. "Nothing that will affect you or anyone else."
We stared at each other, and I sensed a shift in the air as he spoke more deeply. "Is that so? I shall be the one to decide that. Now, open the box, boy."
I tightened my grip on Muramasa, the blade cutting into my skin since it had no handle. "My daughter is in there."
His frown deepened. "You keep your daughter in a box?"
I relaxed my grip on Muramasa and sighed. "She died, and I'm trying to bring her home."
His frown softened slightly as he nodded. "Very well. We shall not pry further. Understood, Kurotsuchi?"
Kurotsuchi gave a light nod, some looking unfazed, while Zaraki continued to grin, completely uninterested in the exchange.
Yamamoto spoke again, his tone lightening as he gestured to Unohana, who stepped forward slightly. "Captain Unohana will be the one to restore your limbs. You two may leave now."
I nodded and turned to her, offering a slight bow. "Thank you, Captain Unohana-san, for your help."
She smiled kindly and gestured for me to follow her, which I did. "It would be a pleasure, Sasaki-san."
As we made our way to her barracks, I thought. 'She seems so nice. I don't get why others are scared of her.'