[Spiritual Cases Arc] Part 128: Development of project sleep number 7

# World of the Living - Urahara Shop #

Outside the Urahara Shop, Kisuke Urahara stood with his head slightly tilted upwards, as if contemplating the vast expanse of the sky. His signature hat obscured his eyes, but the tension in his posture hinted at his deep concentration. The peaks of reiatsu in the distance, caused by the ongoing battles between the Shinigami and the Dolls, kept his attention fixed.

The silence was broken by the subtle appearance of a silhouette beside him. Without turning to see who it was, Urahara spoke, his voice calm yet inquisitive. "Any progress?"

The figure beside him was Yoruichi Shihōin. She crossed her arms, her expression contemplative as she responded. "I visited a few of the orphanages Yato stayed at during his childhood," she began vaguely.

"And I imagine you didn't discover much, did you?" Urahara's tone carried a hint of knowing.

"Only that Yato was present during his parents' car accident," she said, her voice tinged with strangeness. "The car apparently flipped over out of nowhere. I suppose it could have been a Hollow attack…"

"A Hollow attacking someone with a certain amount of spiritual energy isn't uncommon… but maybe that wasn't the case here," Urahara mused. "Yasakani-san never demonstrated any spiritual energy… at least not until April 1st of this year. Even then, the moments his spiritual pressure could be felt were brief."

Yoruichi raised an eyebrow at this. "What are you getting at, Kisuke?"

"Yoruichi-san… have you ever heard of the Shinenju?"

"Shinenju…" Yoruichi repeated, her mind recalling the details. "All souls migrate between the human world and the Soul Society. From time to time, however, there are souls who, for some reason, become detached in the cycle of transmigration while in the Dangai. These souls wander aimlessly from the Dangai, and are slowly drawn together over a period of time. As the souls come together, it causes a new dimension to open, creating the Valley of Screams. In the Valley of Screams, the souls separate into memory and energy before they return to the cycle of transmigration. The memories left from Blanks fuse together and return to the living world in the form of the Shinenju." She summarized, cutting off any lengthy explanation Urahara might give. "You think Yato is the Shinenju?"

Urahara smiled slightly. "It was a hypothesis… but I've discarded it for some time now. If Yasakani-san were the Shinenju, we would likely have seen appearances of the Blanks, but nothing like that has happened." He grew slightly more serious. "Another factor that made me discard that hypothesis is Yasakani-san's own spiritual energy readings."

"You mean his Shinigami powers?" Yoruichi asked.

"When Yasakani-san manifested his powers for the first time, his spiritual energy was similar to Inoue-san's and Sado-kun's," he commented vaguely. "And you know, as I do, that the type of power they possess requires… certain conditions… Conditions that Yasakani-san seems to have 'created' in Arisawa-san."

Yoruichi remained silent, trying to piece together the information.

"Unlike Kurosaki-san, who already possessed his own Shinigami powers, Yasakani-san's Shinigami powers seemed to emerge from nowhere." Urahara pulled some papers from within the long sleeve of his kimono and handed them to Yoruichi.

"What's this?"

"Yasakani-san's spiritual energy readings."

Yoruichi examined the information Urahara had given her, her eyes narrowing briefly at the results. "Kisuke… is this his most recent reading?"

Urahara gave a brief smile. "Anyone would think so, but I've only taken one spiritual energy reading of Yasakani-san."

"But you said his reiatsu was similar to Orihime's and Sado's. That doesn't make sense."

"How can I explain… I took a single analysis of his spiritual energy. When he emerged with Shinigami powers, I thought of doing another analysis, but the one I had already done indicated he also had Shinigami traits… as if they had been there from the start. But as you can see…" He pointed out.

"It also indicates Quincy… and Hollow spiritual energy… but…" Yoruichi was perplexed.

"Like his Shinigami powers, the Quincy powers also appeared in these readings as if they had always existed… but what puzzled me was the Hollow power. We all saw the Hollow infect his soul… and somehow, Yato overcame it. But like the other energies, the Hollow spiritual energy also appeared out of nowhere in these analyses."

"A human with a Shinigami, Quincy, and Hollow soul..." Yoruichi whispered.

"Does that remind you of anyone?" Urahara commented with a mysterious smile.

Suddenly, a sudden spike of reiatsu caught their attention, making them both turn their gaze towards a distant direction.

# Meanwhile #

Hitsugaya, Matsumoto, and Renji were dealing with the Bitto with apparent ease. The Dolls were numerous, but their power was lacking.

'The more we destroy these Dolls, the more they appear. As I suspected… this will only end when the Bounts are defeated definitively,' Hitsugaya thought, his expression grim.

The lieutenants and the captain continued obliterating the seemingly endless horde of Dolls, their movements precise and efficient. Each swing of their blades and burst of energy decimated scores of the artificial creatures. Despite their relentless assault, there was an unsettling sense of futility as more Dolls seemed to materialize from thin air.

As they fought, a sudden and drastic elevation in reiatsu caught their attention, the pressure of it palpable even from a distance.

'What was that…?' Hitsugaya thought, surprised, his eyes narrowing as he tried to pinpoint the source.

'That reiatsu just now…' Matsumoto pondered, her usually carefree demeanor replaced with one of concern.

'This reiatsu… it feels like Rukia's!' Renji thought, astonished, his heart racing as he recognized the familiar spiritual energy.

# Elsewhere, in front of the Bount Mansion #

The scene was a battlefield marked by the remnants of a fierce struggle. The mansion of the Bounts stood ominously in the distance, partially obscured by the forest that surrounded it. Ichinose had just unleashed his most powerful technique, Saigyoku Nijigasumi, creating a radiant dome of light that encased Rukia, intended to be her final resting place. He turned his back on the luminous sphere, confident in his victory, and sheathed his zanpakutō.

"I can't waste any more time here. Kariya-sama and the others might need my help," Ichinose muttered to himself, wincing as his injuries began to catch up with him.

Suddenly, the brilliant light emanating from his technique began to fade. Noticing the diminishing glow, Ichinose turned around, his eyes widening in shock. His most powerful attack had transformed into a massive sphere of ice.

"What…?!"

A pulse of energy emanated from within the ice, sending a chill through the air. The sphere began to crack, emitting a bone-chilling cold that spread rapidly. Without warning, the ice exploded outward in a violent avalanche, engulfing the entire area in a devastating wave of snow and frost.

Ichinose was caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, the intense reiatsu embedded in the icy assault hampering his movements. The force of the explosion knocked him to the ground, and he found himself partially buried in snow, his limbs numb from the cold.

The once verdant forest was now a frozen wasteland, the mansion itself encased in a layer of ice that glistened ominously under the faint moonlight. The transformation of the environment was both breathtaking and terrifying, a testament to the raw power that had been unleashed.

As Ichinose struggled to lift his head, he saw a figure standing amidst the frozen chaos. Rukia remained upright, her kimono tattered and torn, revealing her arms and her right leg. Her zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki, was plunged into the ground, both hands gripping the hilt tightly. She was panting heavily, each breath visible as a cloud of frosty vapor in the frigid air.

The ground around her was fractured and encased in ice, the epicenter of the catastrophic blast. Ichinose's mind raced as he struggled to comprehend what had happened. 'That… wasn't a technique… she… somehow… forced her way out with her own… reiatsu…' The thought echoed in his mind as he began to lose consciousness.

Rukia breathed heavily, her eyes unfocused, and there was a crack in the blade of her zanpakutō, the result of tapping into a force even she didn't fully understand. She grunted in pain from the wounds inflicted by Ichinose and those caused by her own explosive power. She gritted her teeth, her eyes slowly regaining clarity as she blinked away the haze.

She looked around at the frozen landscape, then down at the unconscious Ichinose, her mind grappling with the reality of what had transpired.

"What… what happened…?" she whispered, her voice barely audible in the still, icy air. Her body trembled from the exertion, but she remained standing, a testament to her indomitable spirit. 

# Soul Society - Rukongai #

In the far reaches of an ancient and isolated house within one of Rukongai's districts, the figures of Captain Shunsui Kyōraku and Captain Jūshirō Ukitake walked purposefully toward the residence. The district was quiet, almost desolate, with only the occasional breeze rustling through the trees, creating an eerie, serene atmosphere. The sky was a deep azure, with the sun casting long shadows that danced on the uneven cobblestone path.

"Is this the place?" Shunsui asked, adjusting his wide-brimmed hat to shield his eyes from the glare as they drew nearer to the residence.

"Yes, it is. Genryūsai-sensei assigned me to oversee the Daireishokairō, investigating the library's circuits for any clues Aizen might have left behind," Ukitake explained, his tone serious. "During my research, I took the opportunity to delve into information related to the Bounts. Most records were erased from the Research and Development Institute."

Shunsui's eyebrows raised slightly. "And what did you uncover?"

"The names of several scientists involved in the creation of the Bounts," Ukitake continued, his voice steady. "However, most of them are deceased, except for one scientist."

"Who happens to be the person living in this isolated region," Shunsui concluded, glancing at the old, weathered house. The structure stood as a testament to time, its wooden beams showing signs of age but still standing strong. "Let's hope we can have a pleasant conversation."

As they approached the front door, Shunsui was about to knock when a voice echoed from somewhere within the house. It was a woman's voice, clear and slightly amused. [What brings two Shinigami captains to my humble abode?]

Ukitake and Shunsui exchanged surprised glances, having not noticed any visible machinery or communication devices that could project the voice. They scanned the area briefly but found nothing.

"We mean no harm," Ukitake said calmly, stepping forward. "We apologize for the sudden visit, but we seek only to talk."

[That much is obvious,] the voice echoed again, seemingly from all around them, creating an unsettling omnipresence. [After all these centuries, two captains showing up at my door with ill intentions would be low, even for the standards of the Gotei 13.]

The voice, though firm, lacked hostility. It was clear she was aware of their presence and perhaps had been for some time. However, it was equally clear she wasn't pleased about it.

"Please, Ran'Tao," Ukitake tried again, his voice sincere. "This is an urgent matter. The Seireitei is currently facing numerous crises simultaneously."

A moment of silence followed Ukitake's plea. The captains could hear the faint rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds, the tranquil environment a stark contrast to the tension in the air. Finally, a panel in the wall slid open, revealing a hidden speaker.

[Very well,] the voice replied, softer now but still cautious.

The heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing the interior of the house. The interior of the house was surprisingly well-maintained, a stark contrast to its exterior. It was dimly lit, with narrow hallways leading deeper into the structure. The walls were lined with shelves filled with old books, scrolls, and various alchemical instruments, hinting at the scholarly pursuits of its occupant.

Shunsui and Ukitake stepped inside, their eyes adjusting to the dim light. They were guided by the sound of footsteps approaching from a side corridor. From the shadows emerged a slender and youthful-looking woman with thin gold-rimmed glasses, long brown hair usually done up with a hairpin with a large bang falling to the left over her forehead, and brown eyes. She wears red lipstick and the standard black shihakushō underneath a lab coat. 

"Ran'Tao," Ukitake greeted with a respectful bow. "Thank you for seeing us."

"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" she replied, her tone curt but not unkind. "What is it you need to discuss so urgently?"

Shunsui adopted his usual relaxed and charming demeanor, attempting to diffuse any tension that might arise in the conversation. He adjusted his straw hat, revealing a shrewd glint in his eyes as he spoke with the woman in front of him.

"It's about the Bounts," Shunsui began, his tone calm and casual, as if he were discussing something trivial. But those who know him well understand that when Shunsui uses that tone, there's usually more at stake than it seems. "Have you ever heard of them?" he continued, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Ran'Tao's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied the two captains. "The Bounts... I never imagined they would be a problem again." She sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Very well. Follow me."

She led them deeper into the house, to a room that seemed part laboratory, part library. The walls were adorned with diagrams and notes, some in languages long forgotten. In the center was a large table covered with various documents and artifacts.

Ran'Tao gestured for them to sit. "I will tell you what I know, but understand this: the creation of the Bounts was a grave mistake, one that haunts me to this day. What you seek may not be easy to hear."

Ukitake and Shunsui settled into the wooden chairs, their faces serious and attentive. The atmosphere in the room was thick with anticipation.

"Before we begin… what do you already know about the Bounts?" she asked.

"We know they are humans who maintain their youth by absorbing souls and can summon beings known as Dolls," Ukitake replied.

"But it seems they are now seeking more than just eternal youth…" Shunsui commented, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Ran'Tao remained silent for a few moments, her gaze distant as if recalling a painful memory. She then let out a soft sigh. "They are absorbing the souls of the living…"

"So you do know something about this?" Ukitake inquired gently.

"Over a hundred years ago, shortly after Captain Kirio Hikifune was promoted, I led a group of scientists in a new project," Ran'Tao began, her voice tinged with regret. The room was dimly lit, casting shadows on the walls lined with ancient scrolls and alchemical instruments. A faint, almost musty smell lingered in the air, mingling with the sharper scent of various reagents. "This experiment was meant to investigate the concept and possibility of eternal life. Using human souls for such an experiment would have been ethically questionable, even with the project's high probability of success. So, we used Captain Hikifune's research on artificial souls, using our own souls as a template, and established Jōkaishō all around the Seireitei to provide power for our experiments."

"Jōkaishō?" Shunsui asked, tilting his head slightly.

"It's a massively powerful device that functions as a potent Reishi generator." Ukitake explained, his voice steady.

Ran'Tao nodded, continuing her explanation. "The Jōkaishō were designed to draw in and concentrate spiritual particles, providing an almost limitless source of energy for our experiments. The idea was to create a new form of life, beings that could sustain themselves indefinitely by absorbing spiritual energy. However, something went terribly wrong... One of the Jōkaishō suddenly had a meltdown and eventually detonated in a massive explosion that destroyed a full tenth of the Seireitei, releasing a large amount of energy that made its way into the cycle of rebirth of souls, many of which were altered by the process and were eventually reincarnated in the world of the living with supernatural powers, becoming known as the Bount."

Ukitake and Shunsui remained silent, their expressions carefully controlled as they absorbed this revelation.

"I imagine it was during this explosion that the other scientists involved in the project lost their lives," Shunsui commented, his voice softer, almost contemplative.

"Indeed," Ran'Tao confirmed, her eyes reflecting a deep sorrow. "Following the incident, the project was shut down by Central 46, and all the Jōkaishō were deactivated."

"What happened to the Bounts after that?" Ukitake asked, his tone gentle yet probing.

"The Bounts found no place in the world of the living, so they sought refuge in Soul Society... but even here, they were denied." Her voice grew heavy with remorse. "By 'denied,' I mean their existence was not acknowledged. Recognizing them would have meant admitting to creating a sub-species, a byproduct of a failed experiment." She sighed deeply, the weight of her words pressing down on the room. "Having been rejected, the Bounts tried to force their way into the Soul Society, committing atrocities in the living world... until the Quincys got involved."

"The Quincys?" Ukitake echoed, surprised.

"Soul Society used the opportunity to not only nearly wipe out the Bounts but also deal with the Quincys involved," Ran'Tao continued, her voice bitter. "The surviving Bounts and those living in other places at the time are likely the ones forming this group now."

Shunsui leaned back in his chair, letting his straw hat tilt forward to obscure his face. "I imagine you must feel a connection to them... So, something must have happened for you not to get more involved with the Bounts. Am I wrong?"

Ran'Tao remained silent for a moment before turning her back to the captains. With a deliberate movement, she let her shihakusho and lab coat slide down to her waist, revealing her bare back. Ukitake and Shunsui's eyes widened as they saw a large kanji of sealing etched into her skin, alongside a significant scar.

"I helped the Bounts hide," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I created an underground city for them in a place that is now Karakura Town. However, my attachment to them led Central 46 to seal my Shinigami powers and exile me from the Seireitei. This means I cannot travel to the world of the living."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of her words sinking in. Ukitake and Shunsui exchanged a glance.

"We need your help, Ran'Tao," Ukitake said softly, his voice carrying a tone of respect and urgency. "Any information you can provide, any insights into their weaknesses, could be crucial in stopping them."

Pulling her clothes back up, Ran'Tao let out an ironic smile. "Weaknesses?" she said in a tone that left the captains unsure if she was being sarcastic or disappointed. "The Bounts have so many weaknesses that I would say none of them are a real threat to the Soul Society..."

"What do you mean by that?" Ukitake asked.

"Over the years, I continued my research to discover the potential of the Bounts or even a way to reverse what I had done..." she commented as she walked around the room, picking up some papers. "The Bounts need to absorb souls to stay alive. If they stop, they die. If they absorb souls from living people, their powers increase, but they risk accelerated aging and can become sterile. The creation of the Dolls, despite being a type of summoning, works like giving birth to a child, which means that if they are sterile, they become incapable of creating new Dolls." She continued listing their vulnerabilities. "The Dolls, although summoned by the Bounts, are not entirely loyal. They are anomalous beings with their own wills and can very well turn against the Bounts, which would result in the death of both since they are linked."

"You… certainly are not holding back in revealing these details about something you care for," Shunsui commented, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to understand her motives.

Ran'Tao smiled gently, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I am revealing this because… ironically, the only way to save the Bounts is by killing them."

# World of the Living, Karakura Town – Underground city #

Despite being outnumbered, all the Bounts wore confident smiles. They were certain that their recent power boost would be enough to eliminate the two Substitute Shinigami and their friends. However, in a sudden and unexpected move, Tatsuki burst into the midst of the Bounts with incredible speed. Facing Ugaki, she delivered a powerful two-fisted punch to his chest, sending him flying into one of the pillars with a thunderous crash.

The Bounts, taken aback by the sudden assault, barely had time to react before Ichigo charged directly at Kariya, attacking with his zanpakutō. Kariya, displaying remarkable physical strength, blocked the blade with his forearm, an impressive feat that left even Ichigo momentarily stunned.

As the Bounts tried to regain their composure, numerous red threads began attacking them from all directions, restricting their movements with relentless strikes.

"What the hell!" Yoshi yelled, her voice filled with frustration as she darted from one spot to another, trying to avoid the threads.

Mabashi's irritation grew with each passing moment as he constantly had to evade the threads. He grabbed a small crystal pendant from his choker and dropped it to the ground, shouting, "Ritz!"

The pendant sank into the ground like a planted seed. From the spot sprouted a yellow-purple flower on a long stem that grew into Mabashi's hand. It morphed into a small, rodent-like creature about the size of a human hand. The creature had the head of a mouse with red fur, pale blue eyes, a backward-curving tuft of fur on either cheek, and a light brown snout and nose. Its body resembled a flower, with three purple-black petals encircling its head and an inverted, four-petaled yellow-red flower forming its body. Two additional smaller, crooked petals made up its arms.

"Do you wish for me to do something?" Ritz asked Mabashi in a high-pitched voice.

"Take them down, Ritz!" Mabashi shouted. Ritz began to multiply, but suddenly the red threads vanished. Mabashi could still hear them moving, however, which unnerved him, as he could no longer see the attacks.

From a distance, Yato controlled the threads through Cheshire, who lay lazily on his shoulder, grinning widely. Cheshire's smile was as unsettling as it was enigmatic. Yato knew he had to take down the Bount who had just summoned his Doll and the elder Bount who, despite being surrounded by attacking threads, seemed unfazed.

'The guy with the fringe,' Yato mused seriously, 'I remember he has a Doll that can not only multiply but also possess bodies… And the old man has that Doll, Baura, a giant fish with dimensional control…' His thoughts were sharp, focused on the strategy. But then he made a confused face. 'Man… I remember the name of the old guy's Doll, but not the name of the old guy himself…'

Yato focused intently on Mabashi, directing the invisible threads to move even faster around the Bount. Each time Mabashi attempted to move, the threads would slice into him, their sharpness cutting through his flesh. The air crackled with tension as Mabashi's frustration and pain mounted with every futile attempt to evade the unseen threads.

The Doll Ritz and its clones darted around the battlefield with remarkable speed, their movements erratic and unpredictable. Despite their agility, the invisible threads proved to be an insurmountable obstacle. No matter how swiftly they moved, they inevitably collided with the threads, which cut through them relentlessly.

Ōkagetsu, the spirit of Yato's zanpakutō, stood behind him, her arms draped around his shoulders in a possessive embrace. Her long, dark hair cascaded over Yato's back, and a wicked smile played on her lips. She extended her right arm, and from her fingertips, red flames began to materialize, dancing and flickering ominously.

The flames traveled along the threads, making them visible to the Bounts for the first time. The Bounts' eyes widened in shock and horror as they realized they were ensnared in an intricate cat's cradle of threads, each strand now ablaze with crimson fire. The entire scene was bathed in a sinister red glow, the fiery threads casting eerie shadows on the ground.

"Boom~" Ōkagetsu said in a playful, singsong voice, her tone dripping with malice. In the next instant, a massive explosion erupted from the center of the threads. The sound was deafening, like a series of fireworks going off all at once, and the force of the blast sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

Yato narrowed his eyes, scanning the aftermath of the explosion. Amidst the dissipating smoke and lingering flames, he heard the agonized screams of Mabashi and the high-pitched wails of Ritz. But there was an unsettling silence from the other Bounts.

Suddenly, a silhouette emerged from the smoke at high speed, and Yato heard the voice of a Bount.

"Zeig Dich! Nieder!!" Yoshi shouted gleefully, leaping out of the explosion apparently unscathed. She wielded a combination of a jian and a fan connected by an extending chain, which glinted ominously in the light.

She darted towards Tatsuki, who was focused on relentlessly pummeling Ugaki, her powerful fists connecting with his body repeatedly, preventing him from retaliating.

As Yoshi closed in on Tatsuki from behind, a triangular shield materialized, intercepting the blow.

"Santen Kesshun! I reject!" Inoue cried out, creating the shield just in time to protect her friend.

The smoke from the explosion cleared completely, revealing the scene more clearly. Yato noticed that the elderly Bount had disappeared, while another Bount seemed to have shielded himself from most of the damage with several iron spheres forming a protective barrier around him.

"That was an impressive attack, boy… but it won't be enough to harm my Dalk," Gō Koga remarked.

At his words, the iron spheres began to separate and coalesce, forming a humanoid figure resembling a grotesque iron spider.

"So much power~" Dalk purred in a strange, almost flirtatious tone. "I rarely receive so much attention from a man~"

To Gō Koga's surprise, a blade suddenly struck at him from behind. He turned quickly to block and saw that it was Yato. The Bount blocked the young man's blade with his forearm, puzzled by the apparent duplication, since the Yato who had caused the explosion still stood in the same place.

'A clone...?' he thought, but the idea was quickly dismissed when the supposed Yato who had attacked him stepped back, revealing himself to be Kurōdo, who had transformed into Yato to create a brief distraction.

"You let your guard down!" Kurōdo taunted, and at that moment, Chad seized the opportunity. He had managed to approach the Bount unnoticed and delivered a powerful punch to Koga's stomach, sending him flying back.

The force of Chad's punch reverberated through the air, causing Gō Koga to crash into the ground with a thunderous impact. Dust and debris flew up, momentarily obscuring the scene.

As Gō Koga flew through the air, he collided with a pillar, the force of the impact sending cracks spiderwebbing through the stone.

Seeing Chad, Dalk turned to him, letting out a light-hearted laugh and feigning a hurt expression. "Hey~ Don't ignore a girl when she has so much love to give~! You're hurting my feelings!" She laughed again, her voice dripping with mockery as she swung her iron blades toward Chad. However, as the blades struck, they passed through him as if he were a mirage.

High above, Ririn hovered, chuckling at the Doll's confusion. "Falling for illusions so easily, are we?" she taunted. Meanwhile, the real Chad had been teleported near Gō Koga, thanks to Noba's portals. Without giving the Bount a chance to recover, Chad delivered another powerful punch, his fist glowing with energy as it connected with Koga's abdomen, sending him crashing deeper into the rubble.

The scene shifted to another part of the battlefield where Ichigo was locked in combat with Kariya. The air crackled with tension as the two clashed, Kariya effortlessly blocking Ichigo's strikes with just his arm, a calm and calculating look on his face.

"Damn it!" Ichigo grunted, frustration seeping into his voice as he struggled to land a decisive blow.

"Don't tell me this is your limit, Ichigo Kurosaki," Kariya said in a composed tone, his eyes never leaving Ichigo's. "I know you Shinigami have a power called Bankai... Why don't you use it?"

Ichigo's grip tightened on his zanpakutō, his eyes blazing with determination. "Don't underestimate me," he growled, his spiritual pressure spiking as he focused his energy.

As Ichigo's spiritual energy surged, Kariya sighed, extending his hand towards the teenager. A powerful current of wind began to emanate from his palm, the air around him swirling with an almost palpable intensity.

"You came here intending to stop us, yet you refuse to fight seriously?" Kariya asked, his confusion genuine. "Unlike you, I don't have the luxury of holding back while my tribe is on the brink of annihilation."

The wind current grew stronger, whipping around them with increasing ferocity. Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise, sensing the immense power Kariya was wielding. With a determined expression, Kariya uttered, "Windes Tanz!" • Wind Dance •

In an instant, Kariya summoned four medium-sized tornadoes that converged onto Ichigo, merging into a single large tornado. The force of the tornado lifted Ichigo high into the air, its velocity and rotation leaving him momentarily helpless. The world spun around him in a dizzying blur of motion, the deafening roar of the wind drowning out all other sounds.

For a brief moment, Ichigo found himself unable to move, trapped within the swirling vortex. The immense pressure threatened to tear him apart, the sheer power of the wind overwhelming his senses. But Ichigo's resolve was unyielding. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on his zanpakutō, determination burning in his eyes.

With a fierce shout, Ichigo held his blade with both hands and channeled his reiatsu into it. "Getsuga Tenshō!!!" he cried, swinging his sword with all his might.

A massive, crescent-shaped wave of cutting reiatsu erupted from his blade, slicing through the tornado with incredible force. The powerful attack disrupted Kariya's technique, the swirling winds dissipating as the Getsuga Tenshō cleaved through the air.

As the tornado dissolved, Ichigo landed on the ground with a heavy thud, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He straightened up, his eyes locked onto Kariya with unwavering determination.

As Kariya faced Ichigo, he suddenly leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding a green blast of reiatsu that tore through the air where he had just been standing. The Bount turned to see who had attacked him and spotted the other substitute Shinigami, Yato Yasakani.

After weakening Mabashi, Yato had instructed the spirit of his zanpakutō, Ōkagetsu, to stay close to Orihime as a precaution in case the elder Bount targeted her. With Mabashi down, Yato turned his attention to Kariya, preparing to launch another attack. However, he was momentarily distracted by a surge of familiar reiatsu from afar.

'Rukia?'

During this brief distraction, Yato noticed too late a colossal shadow looming above him. He glanced up to see a gigantic, whale-like creature dwarfing him. Its maw opened wide, revealing a gaping void inside.

"Devour him, Baura!!" shouted the elder Bount, perched atop the creature on a throne formed by its strange scales.

"OOOKAY!" boomed the Doll, its voice resonating through the battlefield.

Yato stood paralyzed, unable to believe that something so massive had taken him by surprise. Just as the creature was about to engulf him, a silhouette darted forward with incredible speed, whisking Yato out of harm's way in the blink of an eye. The giant Doll missed its target and crashed into the ground, disappearing into the earth as if diving into water.

Yato found himself being held by Nemu, who had caught him with one arm while her other hand gripped her rarely used zanpakuto.

'Cheshire… why didn't you warn me earlier?!?' Yato mentally shouted to his Fullbring.

'If I had warned you, I wouldn't get to see that look on your face,' the red cat's voice echoed mockingly in Yato's mind. 'Besides, we could get out of this situation quite easily… maybe a scare will help you realize just how distracted you've become. You're not even fighting properly and forgetting the things you can do.'

'What do you mean?' Yato asked, his curiosity piqued, not noticing that Nemu had been trying to get his attention the entire time.

"Yasakani-sama?" she tried once more.

Cheshire, still lounging casually on Yato's shoulder, replied mentally, 'Did you happen to notice that during the fight against Baishin… you didn't use your Fullbring even once?'

Yato's eyes widened in realization, a mixture of frustration and embarrassment washing over him.

"Yasakani-sama?"

"Huh...?"

"You might be going through something difficult right now, and it's affecting your judgment in battle," she said in her neutral tone.

"Sorry...."

"Are you alright, Yasakani-sama?" Nemu asked, her tone calm and measured.

"Yes… thanks… I guess I've been too distracted lately…" he replied, genuinely rattled and sweating from the close call.

Nemu's expression remained stoic as she positioned herself in front of Yato, her gaze fixed in the direction where the elder Bount and his Doll had vanished.

"You are kind and provide unique opportunities for those around you… so until you are better, I will fight for you..."

"Wait, I'm just..."

"Yasakani-sama... You've given me something precious," she began, her voice unwavering. "You've shown me a path beyond what I was created for. I will not let your trust be in vain."

Yato raised an eyebrow, taken aback by Nemu's words.

"I will confront this Bount… using the strength I have gained through your belief in me, Yasakani-sama." Nemu declared, holding her zanpakuto horizontally. With her other hand, she grasped the blade of the zanpakuto, and her reiatsu began to rise steadily.

"Change, Mizuko Jizō."