280 280. His Path

Leo strode out and stood against Yamamoto, his right arm resting on the hilt of his sword.

Yamamoto showed no signs of change as he asked, "Is this how you repay my respect?"

Leo bowed slightly and replied, "Forgive me, captain Yamamoto. Whatever she did, it was to save lives. That doesn't require such a heavy penalty."

Yamamoto said faintly, "So, you have decided."

Leo didn't reply and drew out his sword.

Yamamoto sighed and loosened his robes. The old man's body wasn't emaciated as one would imagine, on the contrary it was filled with power, that's the feeling Leo got from the scarred body of his.

The captain commander held out his wooden cane in front of his chest. The cane exploded, revealing a zanpakuto.

Shunsui and Jushiro watching from a distance narrowed their eyes when they saw the old man's zanpakuto.

"The oldest zanpakuto."

"Old man Yama is serious."

Both of them commented.

Leo stared at the old man, as did the other.

Their spiritual energies clashed creating howling winds and cracked earth.

Ssh!

Both of them moved.

Sparks flew across the air as they clashed multiple times.

Leo who had trained his swords arts to it's pinnacle found it challenging to keep up with the old man's battle instincts. Every move of his was blocked.

The old man wasn't as fast as him nor was he as skilled as he was, but he was a living legend.

This man founded the Gotei 13. He was the captain commander for a thousand years. For a thousand years no one could sit in his position.

A fierce glow lit up in his eyes.

Merciful Rain!!

He shouted in his heart. Spiritual energy churned as sword rays condensed itself into countless swords. In an instant the Sokyoku hill and everything within a couple of miles were surrounded by swords. Countless swords with their blades gleaming with murderous intent pointed their blades at the Sokyoku hill.

"That's...

One of the captains, Sui Feng looked on in shock. The sky filled with swords gave her a sense of dread.

If all of them were to fall...

Her hands dripped with sweat when she thought of it.

Shunsui and Jushiro had a serious expression as well. They had imagined the human to be strong, but to such an extent...

"Jushiro, we still underestimated him."

Shunsui commented.

Jushiro agreed with him.

Leo shot into the clouds and stood among the countless swords as their king. His eyes focused on Yamamoto.

He raised his sword and slashed it down.

The swords hanging above the sky moved with his sword and shot down at Yamamoto.

The old man watched the rain of swords that was about to fall on him calmly. A light flashed in his eyes.

"Everything in the world... turn to ashes."

"Ryujjin Jakka."

His old voice rang out. In an instant his spiritual energy spiked. A fierce glow erupted from his sword.

Boom! Boom!

Pillars of flames rose to the sky. It surrounded Yamamoto.

The rain of swords clashed against the flames that sought to burn everything in it's path.

Flames and swords clashed. The earth and sky changed. The shockwave spread out, pushing away everyone surrounding the Sokyoku hill.

"That guy actually held out against the old man's zanpakuto?"

Shunsui chewed on the straw in his mouth and muttered in shock.

...

At some distance away from Leo and Yamamoto's battle.

Uryuu was confronting the captain of division 12, Kurotsuchi Mayuri.

Chad and Orihime were fighting against lieutenants from other divisions. Unlike Leo, their battle was hard fought.

Uryuu was completely suppressed by Mayuri's methods.

"A Quincy. Prime material for research. The last one I got was an old man and didn't contribute much to my research."

When Uryuu heard him he clenched the spiritual bow in his hand. He pulled on the string and shot out multiple arrows.

However his opponent was a captain. His released zanpakuto easily destroyed the arrows. He flashed beside Uryuu and stabbed the large golden sword in his hand at him.

Uryuu dodged the attack and shot another arrow at him. However Mayuri simply swiped his sword and broke the arrows.

"Just give up. You are way above your league."

Uryuu clenched his teeth. He was getting tired. Looking back he saw Chad and Orihime being besieged by several shinigamis.

Mayuri noticed his gaze and said, "How about we make a deal. I'll let off those two humans, in exchange for your life."

Uryuu paused for a second.

Mayuri grinned. He flashed in front of him and stabbed his sword into his gut.

Damn!

Uryuu was taken back by the sudden attack. He couldn't dodge in time. A wound appeared on his waist.

Just as he was retreating a feeling of tiredness came over him. His vision started to get blurry.

What's happening?!

Mayuri grinned at Uryuu, "It takes about several seconds for the poison to kick in. Unlike other zanpakutos, mine has been modified according to my need. It's full of poison."

Uryuu kneeled and coughed. Drops of blood spilled out of his mouth.

"Uryuu!"

Chad and Orihime saw his plight and wanted to help. However they were surrounded by several lieutenants.

Mayuri walked towards Uryuu and came to a halt before him.

"Blindly charging in, you are courageous. But without corresponding strength that kind of behaviour will result in such a situation. Anyway, let's go."

Mayuri stretched out his hand to grab Uryuu.

However at the last moment he stopped. A barrier was obstructing his hand.

Mayuri raised his head and saw Orihime pointing her arms at him.

"Peculiar ability."

Mayuri commented. He raised his sword and slashed down. The barrier was shattered.

However, using the time Orihime bought for him Uryuu gathered his strength and shot an arrow at Mayuri.

At that distance Mayuri couldn't block. With no choice he retreated.

Uryuu got up while coughing continuously. He regulated his breath and stared at Mayuri.

His vision was getting blurry. He was struggling to keep awake. At that moment he remembered Leo's words.

Find your reason. Find your conviction.

Only then can you get stronger.

What's my reason? For the pride of Quincies?

What's my conviction? To save Rukia?

No. I am not that kind of a person. I want to choose where I walk to. I want to pick what I want. I want to decide my life.

It doesn't matter whether it is for the Quincies. It doesn't matter whether it is to save someone.

From the beginning I was selfish. What I do is for myself.

My choices are my reason!

They are my conviction!