6 Chapter 6: A Snake, A Boar and Kūkaku Shiba.

Hado #4: Byakurai.

"Zanpakuto speaking"

'Zanpakuto thinking'

"Character talking"

'Character thinking'

Chapter 6: A Snake, A Boar and Kūkaku Shiba.

Both Ichigo and Jidanbo stared at the now identified Gin Ichimaru as he continues to walk towards them. Jidanbo was sweating and shaking while he was looking at the captain in fear. Ichigo kept his hand on the hilt of his zanpakuto while looking at the captain with narrowed eyes. He was the strangest looking man Ichigo had ever seen. Gin appears to be in his mid-twenties and unusually thin and tall with very sharp features, giving him a skeletal appearance, and bears unusual silver hair. His eyes constantly narrowed to slits and he also keeps his face set in a wide mocking smile. Gin could be seen wearing a back shihakusho under a white sleeveless haori with the symbol of the third division on the back. No one could see Gin's eyes, it looked as though they were constantly closed. Ichigo was unnerved by the fact that Gin did not look bothered by the fact that someone was trying to break into the Seireitei.

'Is he not taking me as a serious threat!' Ichigo thought angrily before he realized that this might work in his favor. He mentally smirked.

"Ohhh, not good," Gin said in a silky-smooth voice. As he said that faster than anyone could have noticed Gin had somehow managed to cut one of Jidanbo's arms that were holding up the gate. The Gate started to fall but Jidanbo's other handheld it up while the weight from the gate forced him to his knee. Ichigo was now pissed off.

"Unacceptable..." Gin said "being a guardian of the gate doesn't mean you're supposed to open the gate." while Jidanbo was struggling to hold the gate Yoruichi was deep in thought.

'How careless of me. I never thought that someone of his caliber would show up. Even if these kids have gotten stronger, they are no match for him.' Yoruichi thought. He was interrupted from thinking anymore when Jidanbo spoke.

"I defended the gate and lost. Once I lost, I had to open the gate. There was nothing else I could do." he finished as he struggles to hold the gate up with one hand. Gin chucked before he began to speak.

"What you are saying makes no sense." he then began walking towards them, "A gatekeeper who loses does not open the gate for the intruders. When a gatekeeper loses it means... death" Gin finished in a voice that sent chills down Orihime's spine. Jidanbo's eyes widened even further. Gin then took a glance at Ichigo to see Ichigo looking at him smirking, it was then Gin heard a voice behind him that caused his eyes to widen.

"The only one who will die today is you captain" came Ichigo's voice from being Gin. Gin was surprised and confused all at the same time. He was looking at Ichigo who was standing next to Jidanbo so how could his voice come from behind him. Gin quickly spun around and on instinct, he put his zanpakuto up to block a downward slash from Ichigo. Now Gin was even more confused.

'How can he be in two places at the same time!' Gin thought as he held off Ichigo's zanpakuto. He took a quick glance to the spot next to Jidanbo where the other Ichigo was only to catch a glimpse of his fading away. Then is when Gin figured it out. He pushed off from Ichigo and gave himself some separation before he spoke.

"So, you are using Illusions." Gin said as he chuckled thinking something like that will not work on him again. However, what Ichigo said next made his eyes widen.

"That was no Illusion fox face." said Ichigo while smirking. Ichigo looked behind him to see a group of soul reapers coming his way. They stopped when they saw a captain engaging Ichigo.

"If that wasn't an illusion that could only mean it was-" Gin was interrupted by Ichigo.

"An Afterimage" came Ichigo's voice from behind Gin. Gin's eyes widen as he felt something touch his shoulder blade, the next thing gin heard caused his heart to beat rapidly.

"Hado #4: Byakurai!" Ichigo called out and a stream of white lightning came out of his index and middle finger and tore through Gin's shoulder exiting the other side. Gin quickly flash stepped away from Ichigo and to the group of soul reapers that were watching with wide eyes. The right side of his captain's haori was covered in his blood and the ground which he stood on had drops of his blood. Ichigo quickly flashed stepped back to his friends and spoke.

"We need to go. Jidanbo is injured and we cannot take on this man of them at the same time. Plus, there are probably more coming this way." said Ichigo as he looks at his friends who stared at him with their eyes wide. Yoruichi quickly snapped out of his surprise as he realized that Ichigo was right they need to leave.

"Ichigo is right! We must leave now before reinforcements arrive!" he said as he started to run back out of the gate and towards the Rukon district. The others quickly followed.

"Let go of the gate Jidanbo we have to heal your wounds. Don't worry we will find another way in!" yelled Ichigo as he too began to run. Jidanbo let the gate dropped as he made his way to follow Ichigo. The soul reapers who were knocked out their surprise when Ichigo and his friends started running tried to give chase before Gin's voice stopped them.

"Stop!" Gin yelled, and all the soul reapers stopped, "you are no match for him. You will only get yourself killed." he said as he began walking away. 'I am so not going to enjoy this captain's meeting' Gin thought sorrowfully 'however you are an interesting person...Ichigo Kurosaki' he finishes thinking before flash stepping to the meeting.

Ichigo and his friends are now standing with Jidanbo in the Rukon district looking at a large group of people are standing there looking at them. It would appear as though they were hiding from them. Yoruichi explained to Ichigo and His friends that souls that came to the Soul Society illegally are known as rioka. It was then an old man introduced himself to be the elder in this part of the Rukon District. He invited the group to his house to rest for a while, everyone went except Orihime. She was Healing Jidanbo's wounds. The others who went on ahead were discussing a new plan for entering the Seireitei.

"Are you serious? You really want us to give up getting past the gate?" Ichigo asked Yoruichi.

"No, not giving up entirely. Once the gate has been Open it is only logical that the security on the other side of the gate becomes that much tighter. It is not the best strategy to continue with the same approach." said Yoruichi.

"I have to agree with you on that one." said Uryu.

"So, what about the other gates?" asked Chad

"There won't be much of a difference from what we faced with this one." Yoruichi replied.

"Well how the hell are we getting in then?" said Ichigo

"Well, isn't it obvious, if we cannot use the gate then naturally, we must enter another way." said Yoruichi before he turned towards the elder and began speaking again "Elder do you know the whereabouts of Kukaku Shiba?" asked Yoruichi. Ichigo simply raised his eyebrow at that question. The elder looked in disbelief before he spoke.

"What!? you can't be serious!?" the elder yelled/asked. Now Ichigo's curiosity peaked.

"As you may know she is someone who likes to change her place of residence. I haven't been able to find out where she currently is" Yoruichi said. The elder balled his fist and spoke angrily.

"Kukaku Shiba!" he growled "Are you sure? don't tell me you are planning on going through the wall like that?" he asked in disbelief. Orihime who had returned while everyone was discussing spoke.

"Uh Like what?" she asked suddenly there was a noise outside, sounded like a stampede.

"What's that noise?" asked Ichigo. suddenly a man came crashing through the door and tumbled on the floor. "anyone knows who this guy is?" asked Ichigo as he looked at the man. Behind the man came walking in through the door a giant boar with a red bow on its head. Now Ichigo was creeped out

"Well, well what do you know. Thrown again by old Bonnie. There has to be a better way to travel." said the man as he dusted himself off "Hey! it's been a long-time old man." said the man to the elder.

"Ganju no, what are you doing here? I think you should go home!" said the old man with all urgency in his voice.

"What gives? look I know it's been a while but is that any way to greet an old friend. I mean what are you guests here are going to think." said the man as he looked around the room. As he saw Ichigo he stopped and looked at him longer than he did the rest before he spoke "What do we have here?" he then took his glasses off while looking at Ichigo before speaking again this time more angrily "Would someone explain to me why there is a stinking soul reaper here?" Ichigo simply raised his eyebrow at the now name Ganju before he pushed off the wall, he was bracing at stood in front of Ganju and spoke.

"What did you just say?" asked Ichigo in a low voice.

"What's the matter your ears not working?" he asked "I said would someone explain to me why there is a stinking soul reaper here?" he said while patting the side of Ichigo's face. Now that pissed Ichigo off. Before Ganju could react and faster than anyone else could see, Ichigo's fist came out of nowhere and slugged Ganju across the face sending him flying through the door.

"Don't ever touch me again idiot" said Ichigo in a calm but deadly cool voice. Yoruichi just stared at Ichigo and wondered,

'Just what did Kisuke teach you? Firstly kido, then shunpo, now it seems like he taught you hakuda. What else do you have up your sleeve Ichigo?" Yoruichi wondered as she watches Ichigo walk out the door to meet Ganju with his friends running behind him.

"Hey! are you trying to pick a fight with me?" yelled Ganju

"Are you an idiot?" asked Ichigo "you are the one come came up to me and decided to touch me. If it's anything you should be lucky you are alive." said Ichigo in a bored tone while folding his arms. "who are you anyway?" he asked. Ganju looked insulted that Ichigo did not know who he was.

"You really don't know who I am?" He asked to which everyone shook their heads saying no. He then chuckled before speaking. "Then allow me to introduce myself, my given name is Ganju the self-proclaimed Deep Red Bull of the West Rukon District and self-proclaimed and universally acknowledged Bossman of West Rukon, and finally the self-proclaimed number one hater of soul reaper in West Rukon!" he said while flexing his muscles.

"Self-proclaim?" everyone said while Ichigo simply narrowed his eyes at the last one.

"ha! you forgot to add self-proclaimed fool of West Rukon." said Ichigo while looking at Ganju through his glasses.

"What did you say?" Ganju asked and Ichigo decided it was time for some payback. So, Ichigo walked up to him and started patting his face with his hands while he spoke.

"What's the matter your ears not working? I said you forgot to add self-proclaimed fool of West Rukon." Ichigo said. As he said it Ganju tried to punch Ichigo but Ichigo saw it coming a mile away and ducked. Ichigo placed his right foot forward and spun around on the very same foot while extending his left leg in the air. The next thing Ganju felt was Ichigo's left heel smacking him in his back. he was sent tumbling forward towards his boar. All of Ichigo's friends were impressed with that move, they never knew he was that skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Ichigo simply placed his leg down and put his hand in his pockets before speaking.

"Why don't you grab your pig and leave before-" Ichigo was interrupted by the sound of an alarm clock ringing. Ichigo looked around to corner to see three weird looking guys all riding boars.

"What time is!?" Ganju asked one of the guys.

"It's already nine, boss," replied the one with the clock on his back

"Shit! Bonnie!" he yelled, and his boar came speeding being Ichigo who simply jumped over it gracefully landing on his feet. "This is not over soul reaper!" Yelled Ganju as he was riding his boar away.

"Well, that was weird." said Ichigo as he walked back to his friends "Are you guys okay?" he asked to which they all nodded. They all walked inside and decided to get some rest for the night.

*Next Morning*

At sunrise, everyone was up and ready to search for this Kukaku Shiba. While walking Orihime, Chad and Uryu were discussing who this person could be. Of course, Orihime came up with the most ridiculous answer ever heard that made Ichigo chuckled. They were walking through the countryside it appears, there was nothing but an open field and clear blue sky. They have been walking for a while with Yoruichi leading them. Suddenly he stopped and spoke.

"It looks like we arrived." he said. The others simply looked on in disbelief at the house. The house was a normal Japanese traditional style house the only odd thing about is the two giant human arms holding up a sign that read "Kukaku Shiba" and a giant chimney at the back of the house.

"Who the hell lives in a house like that!?" Ichigo and Uryu screamed

"hmm, so this time the banner is held up by giant human arms." Yoruichi chuckled "it's quite clever don't you think?"

"That is one word for it I guess." said Ichigo "but not the word I was thinking."

"Come on let's go," said Yoruichi as he started to walk towards the house followed by Orihime and Chad. Ichigo and Uryu begrudgingly followed. suddenly they heard two voices speaking simultaneously.

"Halt strangers!" came two voices. Ichigo immediately placed his hand on his zanpakuto. "Who dares trespass here!?" came a voice from the top of one of the giant arms. Ichigo looked up and saw two very muscular men standing on both arms, one on each.

"Foreigners from the looks of them! And one of them is a soul reaper!" said the one standing on the right arm. They both jumped down from the arms and stood in front of everyone with their arms crossed.

"Very suspicious, I Koganehiko-" said the one on the left.

"and I Shiroganehiko," said the one on the right.

"Cannot allow you passage inside this building" they both said. Ichigo was just about to slice these two up but then Yoruichi coughed getting the two men's attention. When they saw the cat they immediately spoke "Master Yoruichi!" they said. Without any further question, Koganehiko led everyone inside the house while Shiroganehiko stood to watch outside. from the time they walked through the front door, there was a descending staircase. They all began walking down the stairs following Koganehiko, they finally reached the bottom and stood in front of a Japanese style sliding door.

"Please wait here while I announce your arrival." said Koganehiko as he turned towards the door to speak, "uh master we have visitors." he said from the outside of the door. There was then a knock heard and Koganehiko told them to enter. When the door opened everyone was in for a surprise. Yoruichi was the first to enter as he walked into the room and greet its only occupant.

"Well, it's been a long time hasn't it Yoruichi?" said the woman sitting in the room.

"Kukaku is a woman!" they all screamed

"I never said she was a man," said Yoruichi looking back at the kids. Kūkaku is a youthful-looking woman of average height. She has green eyes and wears bandages over her long messy black hair that parts down in half at the small of her back. She wears a white skirt and provocative red robe exposing her ample bosom. She is missing her right arm and has a tattoo on her left arm. She wears bandages around her right shoulder and both ankles. She also has wooden sandals and a cloak.

"What's this? You seem to have brought a bunch of brats along with you." Kukaku said

"I shall explain that but first I have a favor to ask of you Kukaku." said Yoruichi

"That is usually the case when you look me up Yoruichi." replied Kukaku. The two of them just stared at each other "is it dangerous?" she asked

"Probably," Yoruichi said

"heh, it's been a while since we talked like this. Lucky for you my friend I enjoy danger" Kukaku said with a smile on her face. Yoruichi began explaining why they needed her help to get into the Seireitei. While she was explaining Kukaku placed some tobacco in a pipe and began smoking.

"Alright I think I get the picture," she said as she took a puff of her pipe. "Ah what the hell I'll take the job," she said.

"Excellent!" Yoruichi said

"I have some reservations, but with Urahara involved how can I say no," she then stood up "however, even though I trust you completely Yoruichi I do not trust these kids you have with you. So, I will be sending an overseer with just to keep an eye on them." Ichigo narrowed his eyes at that and spoke.

"An overseer?"

"Yea. well, I call him that, but he is actually my kid brother." she then walked over to the door at the side of the room and spoke, "Hey in there are you ready?"

"Yea sis I'm ready" came a voice that Ichigo recognized.

'It can't be him.' Ichigo thought hoping that his suspicions were wrong. Kukaku then slid the door open and there was Ganju bowing his head before he spoke

"Hi there, my name is Ganju Shiba and I am pleased to meet you and happy to be of service." when Ganju looked up he was stunned speechless. Ichigo however chuckled bringing him out of his surprise.

"Well, if it isn't the self-proclaimed fool of West Rukon," said Ichigo with a small chuckle. Ganju looked pissed but before he could say anything, he heard his sister laugh

"I take it you ran into my brother before?" she asked Ichigo while laughing.

"Yes, we all had the unfortunate opportunity of meeting him and his pigs." said chuckled before leading the group out of the room through a door and into different hallways that were extremely bright. They finally came to a stop in front of two metal doors which Kukaku then told Ganju to open. He hurried to open to door not wanting to anger his sister. After the doors were opened everyone walked inside. Inside of the poorly lit room was a giant pipe-like thing that extended upwards through the ceiling.

"You can stop worrying about getting through the wall. with this launcher I will get in in the Seireitei through the air." said Kukaku, as she said that everyone's eyes widen.

"Through the air?" Ichigo and Uryu screamed.

"Or my name is not Kukaku Shiba, fireworks expert of the Rukon District"

"Fireworks?" asked Ichigo not really liking where this is going.

"That's right," said Kukaku before she looked up the giant pipe and yelled " Koganehiko! Shiroganehiko! Raise it up now!" Suddenly, the ground started to shake as though there was an earthquake

"What's going on?" asked Ichigo trying to keep his balance.

"It's the floor!" said Uryu " It's going up!" and that it was. the floor that they were standing on started to rise. Suddenly light started to come from the ceiling, when they looked up, they saw that the ceiling was moving apart as the floor continue to rise. About ten seconds later Ichigo and his friends realized that they were outside the house.

"So, did that scare you kids?" asked Kukaku after the shaking stopped "This is my only and only enhanced fireworks launch pad," she said

"And that's the flower crane cannon!" yelled Ganju interrupting his sister to which he got a kick straight to the head.

"That was my line!" said a very ticked off Kukaku.

"Sorry" spoke Ganju lying face down nursing his head. Kukaku then tossed a ball-like object towards Ichigo which he caught as asked,

"What's this?"

"That is a Reishūkaku or spirit core. Put your palms on it and concentrate your spirit energy." she replied. Ichigo placed both of his palms on the ball, closed his eyes, and began focusing his spirit energy on it. The others who were watching Ichigo saw he started to glow red then suddenly a perfect circular red bubble formed from the core and appeared around Ichigo as though trapping him inside. When Ichigo reopened his eyes, he saw he was in a weird red bubble.

"What is this?" asked Ichigo. Kukaku walked over to him and tapped the bubble with her hand and began speaking.

"This here is the cannonball." she said while tapping the bubble

"Cannonball?" asked Orihime.

"Pay close attention everyone. You may think that the only thing guarding the Seireitei is that wall, but you are dead wrong. It is not nearly that simple. That wall is made from a special stone known as Sekkiseki. It is a special stone that completely repels spirit energy. Therefore, it is impossible to smash through the wall with spirit energy alone. This means the Seireitei has a protected barrier above it not only from the ground but also from the sky above. That is why we use this." indicating to the bubble around Ichigo, "This cannonball is is a special device that can break through the barrier if all four of you put your spirit energy into it. Then I will use the flower crane cannon to shoot that cannonball into the sky and it will punch a hole straight through the barrier. Any questions?" she finished Uryu was about to say something when Kukaku spoke before him "Alright then take them to the underground training room so they can practice gathering their spirit energy. although you don't seem to need any practicing" she said looking at Ichigo

"Yes, I too am wondering since when you knew how to control your spirit energy." said Yoruichi walking towards Ichigo. Ichigo for his part simply stopped channeling spirit energy into the core and the bubble disappear.

"Tessai taught me how to when he first started teaching me Kido." he said while tossing the core to Ganju.

"So Tessai taught you Kido and not Kisuke?" asked Yoruichi to which Ichigo nodded.

"Well seeing as your friend here already knows how to focus his spirit energy that just leaves you three." said Kukaku while looking at Ichigo's friends. "Koganehiko! Shiroganehiko! Take them and train them how to focus their spirit energy." she yelled. Ichigo's friends left with the two men to the training area while Ichigo walked away from Kukaku and Yoruichi to sit under a tree and stared at the clouds.

'Don't worry Rukia we're coming' he thought.

**CHAPTER END**

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