115 [Spiritual Cases Arc] Part 115: The Scarlet Moon
Rukia, Ichigo, and Soi Fon charged forward in unison, their determination evident in every stride. However, despite their collective effort, their attacks lacked synchronization, each one of them seemingly engaged in a solo confrontation with Baishin rather than acting as a coordinated team.
Yato observed this dynamic for a moment, his brow furrowed in contemplation. He considered the possibility of launching a surprise attack from behind, as he had done before. Yet, a sense of caution held him back; with the increased number of adversaries, Baishin would undoubtedly be more vigilant and harder to catch off guard.
Yato: "I'd have to be faster than before..." - He muttered to himself, his eyes fixed on the unfolding battle, searching for an opening to exploit.
Meanwhile, Yoruichi swiftly approached Yato. She landed beside him, her eyes narrowing in concern as she observed his distracted state.
Yoruichi: "Yato, what's going on? You're not yourself today."
Yato, momentarily pulled from his contemplation, met Yoruichi's gaze. His eyes, usually filled with calm and cleverness, now reflected a turbulent mix of emotions.
Yato: "It's... complicated. I'll explain later. Right now, let's focus on Baishin."
Yoruichi, though unsatisfied with the vague answer, nodded, trusting Yato's judgment. She understood the urgency of the situation and turned her attention back to the battle at hand.
As the confrontation with Baishin continued, Yato seized a moment when Baishin was momentarily occupied with Ichigo and the others.
Yato: 'I've never tried this in the middle of a fight...' - He thought. - "Gotta time this just right..." - He mumbled to himself, eyes locked on the unfolding battle.
With a sudden burst of speed, he disappeared from his spot, utilizing a combination of Shunpō and the high-speed movements of the Fullbringers.
Surprising everyone, including Yoruichi, Yato reappeared behind Baishin in a flash, his zanpakutō poised for a strike.
Yoruichi couldn't help but be amazed as she observed Yato's movement.
Yoruichi: 'That speed... Was that Shunpō? No... it was something else...' - Her thoughts raced as she analyzed his movements. - 'He combined Shunpō with his high-speed ability...' - A smirk tugged at the corners of her lips, a glimmer of admiration in her gaze as she observed Yato's skillful maneuver.
Yato: "San no Uta, Naibu no Uchū." •Third Song, Inner Universe•
With Ōkagetsu blazing with yellow flames, Yato unleashed a powerful slash aimed at Baishin's exposed back, his blade humming with energy as it sliced through the air with precision. Baishin, taken off guard by the unexpected move, instinctively raised his arm to defend against Yato's attack, using only his forearm to block the swift strike of Yato's zanpakutō. As Yato'e blade clashed with the shinigami's arm, Baishin felt a strange sensation emanating from the yellow flames engulfing Yato's blade, causing him to recoil slightly. Before he could fully comprehend the sensation, Ichigo charged forward, his determination evident as he swung his zanpakutō, Zangetsu, aiming for Baishin's exposed side. Baishin, caught off guard once more, swiftly shifted his stance, using his free arm to intercept Ichigo's strike.
With Baishin's attention split between Yato's flame and Ichigo's blade, Soi Fon seized the opportunity to strike. With unparalleled speed, she closed the distance between herself and Baishin in the blink of an eye, her zanpakutō Suzumebachi poised to deliver a deadly blow to his face.
Baishin, sensing Soi Fon's approach, attempted to manifest blades from his face to intercept her attack. However, to his bewilderment, nothing happened. Panic flickered in his eyes as he realized too late that the flames enveloping Yato's blade were interfering with his ability to summon his blades.
As Baishin's panic intensified, he desperately tried to dodge Soi Fon's incoming strike. With a swift movement, he jerked his head to the side, narrowly avoiding the full force of Suzumebachi's blow. However, Soi Fon's strike grazed the side of his face, leaving behind a faint, yet distinct, butterfly mark.
Baishin, however, wasn't one to succumb easily. Despite the mark of Homōnka on his face, he gathered his resolve. With a defiant glare, he addressed Yato directly.
Baishin: "You think this changes anything, boy? I am a blade, and I will not be defeated so easily!"
In a burst of reiatsu, Baishin unleashed a shockwave, pushing back both Yato, Ichigo and Soi Fon. The shockwave reverberated through the battlefield, creating distance between Baishin and the trio of attackers. Yato, Ichigo, and Soi Fon quickly regained their footing, ready to face the relentless opponent once more.
Baishin, fueled by determination, ascended into the air. His eyes glowed with an ominous intensity as he gazed down upon his adversaries. His eyes glowed with an ominous intensity as he gazed down upon his adversaries.
Baishin: "You're persistent, I'll give you that. But persistence alone won't save you from the inevitable."
Suddenly, everyone began to feel the air around them growing colder, and Yato noticed that Rukia was gradually increasing her reiatsu.
Sensing Rukia's impending Shikai release, Yato swiftly turned his focus back to Baishin, his gaze sharp and determined. With a subtle gesture, he extended his left hand towards the shinigami, his concentration intensifying.
Yato: "Hadō #26: Hōensai." • 砲炎塞, Cannon Flame Blockage •
As he uttered the Kidō, a fierce whirl of flames erupted from Yato's palm, spiraling around Baishin in a fiery vortex. The inferno blazed brightly, momentarily obscuring Baishin from view as the flames danced and crackled with intensity.
Upon witnessing Yato's Kidō, Rukia holds her zanpakutō aloft, its blade gleaming in the moonlight. With a graceful motion, she rotates it counterclockwise, her movements fluid and precise.
Rukia: "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki." - As she twirls her zanpakutō, its blade, hilt, and guard transform into a completely white zanpakutō. The guard takes on the form of a delicate snowflake, while a white ribbon unfurls from the pommel. - "Some no Mai, Tsukishiro." • First Dance, White Moon •
Rukia swiftly closed the distance to the area engulfed in the fiery vortex, her Zanpakutō shimmering with a frosty glow as she executed a slashing motion. With precise movements, Rukia traced a circle on the ground using the tip of Sode no Shirayuki. As she did, a frigid aura emanated from the blade, enveloping the surroundings in a chilling embrace. The circle she drew not only froze the ground beneath but also encased everything within its influence. A brilliant pillar of light extended from the circle, piercing the sky as it froze the intense column of fire with Baishin trapped within.
Ichigo was impressed, as he hadn't imagined Rukia to be so strong, while Yato gave a slight smile at seeing what Rukia had accomplished.
Feeling that Baishin was still trapped in the ice, Yato quickly approached Ichigo, devising a plan to finally inflict considerable damage on Baishin.
Yato: "Hey, Ichigo. I've got an idea." - His tone was laced with excitement.
Ichigo's curiosity was piqued as he turned to face Yato, his expression serious yet intrigued.
Ichigo: "And what's that?" - His voice echoed with a hint of eagerness, ready to hear Yato's plan.
Yato's eyes sparkled with mischief as he began to explain his strategy, his words filled with anticipation. The young man then began to channel verdant Reiryoku into the blade of his Zanpakutō as he looked at Ichigo.
Yato: "I want you to use that technique of yours with everything you've got." - His smirk widened into a grin, reflecting his confidence. - "I want to try something."
Ichigo wasted no time, raising his Zanpakutō, Zangetsu, as he began to emanate a powerful Reiatsu.
Meanwhile, Yato positioned himself beside Ichigo, raising his Ōkagetsu close to Zangetsu as the young man murmured.
Yato: "Yon no Uta, Zankyosanka." • Fourth Song, Reverberant Song •
The red flames completely engulfed the green Reiryoku Yato had accumulated, and seconds later, Yato saw that Ichigo was about to unleash his technique, so Yato also prepared to set his plan in motion.
Ichigo: "Getsuga Tenshō!!!!" • Moon-Fang Piercer of the Heavens •
Ichigo swung his Zanpakutō, pouring his reiatsu into it, and as he did, a surge of energy condensed at the tip of the blade, ready to be unleashed.
Yato, positioned beside Ichigo, mirrored his movement, his own Zanpakutō ablaze with swirling flames, his focus intense as he prepared to synchronize his attack with Ichigo's.
With a determined expression, Ichigo unleashed his signature technique, the Getsuga Tenshō, channeling his power into a powerful crescent-shaped slash.
Simultaneously, Yato unleashed his own technique, the Fourth Song, Zankyosanka, channeling his reiatsu into a fiery wave of energy.
The energies of Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō and Yato's Zankyosanka blended seamlessly, intertwining into a colossal, crescent-shaped wave covered in intense red flames. The massive energy projection soared toward the frozen pillar where Baishin was trapped, leaving a trail of fiery brilliance in its wake.
The giant crescent, now resembling a moon ablaze with red flames, collided with the frozen pillar. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the surrounding space, shaking the very foundation of the battlefield.
With a deafening explosion that echoed like fireworks in the night sky, the frozen pillar shattered into countless icy fragments. The red flames and frosty shards danced together, creating a dazzling display of light and color.
Rukia gracefully returned to Yato and Ichigo's side, her eyes reflecting a mix of admiration and determination. The trio observed the spectacle in awed silence, the remnants of their powerful collaboration creating a breathtaking scene.
Soi Fon and Yoruichi observed the unfolding spectacle in silence, their expressions a canvas of contrasting emotions. Soi Fon, known for her stoicism, revealed a subtle yet impressed nod as the fiery display illuminated the battlefield.
Yoruichi, standing beside Soi Fon, couldn't help but crack a grin at the synchronized attack unleashed by Yato, Ichigo, and Rukia. Her golden eyes sparkled with amusement as the frozen pillar shattered, sending crystalline shards scattering like a celestial fireworks display.
Yato, with a casual demeanor despite the intensity of the moment, turned to Ichigo with a sly grin.
Yato: "So, Ichigo, any ideas on what we should call that move?" - He gestured toward the lingering echoes of their combined attack, the fiery remnants slowly dissipating in the night air.
Ichigo, still caught up in the aftermath of the explosive display, raised an eyebrow at Yato's question.
Ichigo: "Call it? I don't know..."
Before Ichigo could finish his sentence, a sudden and drastic increase in reiatsu interrupted their conversation. The air around them crackled with ominous energy, causing everyone to tense.
In the midst of the dissipating smoke and remnants of their powerful attack, Baishin's voice echoed, sending shivers down their spines.
Baishin: "Bankai!!!!"
