Chapter 46: Mitch vs Yakra
Bursting out of the flames Ashura clashed into Ryoga as Mitch forced Yakra back towards a tree before swinging his blade down at the commander's head. Yakra ducked underneath the strike as Ashura lopped the tree cleanly in half only for Mitch to angle his blade and bring Ashura swinging back around only to be met by Ryoga as the strike was blocked.
As the two blades were locked together both combatants practically face to face Mitch stuck his left hand through the gap with his index and middle finger together and began to chant as Yakra seemed stunned "I've severely underestimated this kid, he combines swordsmanship and kido so seamlessly". The shock and thought process that Yakra went through cost him as Mitch finished his incantation "Destructive Art 54: Abolishing flames" an oblong blast of purple energy flew out from his fingers and upon striking Yakra exploded into a huge pillar of flames.
Yakra leapt back roaring in agony as smoke wafted off his burnt skin "Argh curse you boy I'll make you pay for that one" he snarled at Mitch who simply smirked at the commander "Talking isn't going to achieve that so how about simply showing me?" Ryoga was slammed into the earth as what appeared to be a line of earth was sent racing towards Mitch before rising directly up attempting to smother him.
Leaping off the ground into the air he watched the earth come crashing down before going to make a snide remark to Yakra about his ability but found the commander was nowhere to be seen. A high pitched whistling came from behind as Mitch ducked underneath Yakra's swing and spun around ready to counterattack with a slash across his torso but instead felt a huge spike embed itself into the upper part of his shoulder as blood splattered out falling to the ground below.
Looking up he saw Ryoga hovering just above his shoulder while there was a hole at the bottom from where the spike had been fired. "HAHA I predicated that you'd dodge an attack based purely on instinct and so instead I stopped my below just above and caught you off guard with one of my spikes. Yakra now swung his blade down as it cleaved violently across Mitch's shoulder the spikes tearing through his flesh sending a torrent of blood raining down below drenching Ryoga.
Pulling his blade free Yakra slammed his knee into Mitch's gut knocking the wind from him as he coughed out blood before a fist caught his jaw and sent him plummeting down to the ground. Crashing into the dirt a giant crater was left as Mitch lay there drenched in blood and dirt the world around him becoming hazy and black as he felt himself slowly losing consciousness. "God damn it not now I need to protect Ania" he growled slowly standing up and slapping his face bringing him back to his senses before looking at the spike embedded in his shoulder "Oh this one is going to hurt…."
Gripping the spike with one hand and gritting his teeth tightly together Mitch yanked it cleanly out from his shoulder as blood spurted out like a fountain a searing pain spreading throughout his entire body as he dropped to his knee's roaring in pain and clutching the open wound. "I'll commend you for lasting as long you did" Yakra landed inside the crater Ryoga dragging along the ground as he slowly walked towards Mitch "It's a shame to kill you given how much talent you have but unfortunately you and that useless girl can't even begin to compete with the power the White Lotus has".
"I swear to god I'll make you pay for what you did to Ania" Mitch said glaring up at Yakra his face full of rage while the burly commander just laughed kicking him across the jaw sending Mitch's body slamming against the edge of the crater. "In your condition you won't be able to do anything, now I think after I kill you I'll take my time slowly killing that beautiful lady friend of yours" he grinned licking his lips as Mitch slowly stood up flames dancing all around his body "I'LL TEAR YOU TO SHREDS FOR WHAT YOU JUST SAID!" black reiatsu exploded all around him before his hand went raking down his face forming his vizard mask an ear piercing howl erupting from where his mouth was.
"Wait the power of a vizard that's impossible no one has had that power for years" Yakra said stunned as his hesitation cost him as Mitch vanished followed by blood spurting out from his shoulder as a slash mark appeared and Mitch reappeared behind him. "How the hell did he get so fast" Yakra stammered slowly turning around as Mitch glared at him a pair of red eyes staring out while he spoke in a cold icy tone "Now you're no match for me".
Pushing off the ground Mitch lunged forward as Yakra took a step back firing three spikes forward as they were simply caught in midair and crushed between Mitch's hands. Ashura arced down through the air as Ryoga was swung upwards the two blades clashing together as a loud clang of metal echoed throughout the forest and the ground shuddered beneath the force.
Slowly Mitch began to force Ashura down pushing Ryoga back as Yakra broke free of the contest leaping back just as Ashura was arced down unleashing a huge fireball which was only avoided by shunpoing at the last second. Reappearing he saw Mitch directly appear next to him as a fist connected with his face sending the huge man crashing down to the ground.
"He can still move at incredible speeds despite his injuries" Yakra thought to himself standing back up and looking at his battered opponent the huge hole in his shoulder blood still pouring down his forearm like a waterfall along with the giant gashes he had received earlier and yet he was still standing and moving unhindered. "There's just no way you can tolerate that much punishment and continue moving you monster" Yakra said as Mitch howled with laughter placing a hand on his face "Aha no matter how many times I hear people say that it always makes me laugh".
Brown reiatsu exploded around Yakra the ground shattering "DON'T MOCK ME BOY!" he roared leaping forward and swinging Ryoga down at a rapid speed as Mitch simply sighed "Pathetic". The huge zanpakuto was caught with his bare hands as Yakra was frozen on the spot "You let your reiatsu fluctuate from your emotions" Mitch said grinning as he pulled Ryoga forward along with Yakra and brought Ashura swinging around the blade slashing across his face sending a deep and nasty cut from his nose down to his jawline as Yakra reeled back roaring in pain and clutching his face.
Not giving his opponent one shred of mercy Mitch extended out his right hand as black electricity crackled in the centre of his palm a small circle beginning to form. Yakra opened one eye gazing out from between his hand to see the orb growing larger as a look of horror struck his face "He's charging a cero! That can't be…." He roared turning around and attempting to flee with shunpo as Mitch just laughed following his reiatsu and taking aim at where he would reappear.
The blast erupted from his hand as Yakra reappeared just to see it heading towards him as he tried twisting to dodge but only managed to get half of his body out of the way as he was thrown to the ground roaring in pain as it was left charred black while smoke wafted off his body.
"Argghh curse you filthy Shinigami" he growled dropping to his knees and coughing out blood as Ryoga fell by his side. Shunpoing in front of the fallen commander Mitch stared coldheartedly at him "Call me what you want it still won't change the fact you're going to die" Ashura was raised high in the air ready to deliver the killing blow and decapitate Yakra.
Before the blade could land a man appeared from nowhere directly in front of Yakra and blocked the strike. Mitch had no idea who this person was but judging by Yakra's shocked expression he figured it was someone of great importance "Master Han what are you doing here?" he said attempting a bow despite being on one knee as Mitch leapt back staring at the leader of the White Lotus Society.
He was around the same height as Mitch with a fairly similar build more athletic than bulky with fair skin and green eyes while his hair was light brown, short and styled back as they stared intrigued by the Shinigami standing before him in a vizard mask. Mitch's eyes wandered down to his zanpakuto the hilt was bright gold and adorned with various jewels while the blade itself was like a normal katana but with gold flakes along the edge. On his back was the standard hiyori that the White Lotus commanders seemed to wear except there was gold flaking around the edges and the White Lotus insignia emblazed on the middle.
"So you're Mitch, Hakarashi has told me quite a bit about you" he glanced down at Yakra "Seems you gave Yakra some trouble as well" there was a sophistication and formal manner to how he spoke as Mitch raised Ashura waiting for him to attack. "I don't wish to fight you now seeing as it's a bit unfair currently" Han chuckled sheathing his katana before slinging the burly commander over his shoulder with ease "No we will later I just came here to stop my general from dying". Before Mitch could object he vanished in a gust of wind as Mitch attempted to sense where he was but could feel no presence at all.
Walking over towards Ania the vizard mask slowly dissolved away from Mitch's face as she was sitting up against a tree holding the bloodied rag with her other arm wincing in pain. "You know I don't need saving all the time" Ania said coldly as Mitch just smiled and laughed "Yeah I know but gives me something to do" as all the adrenaline wore off the numerous wounds on Mitch's body caught up to him as pain shot all throughout his body as it finally gave up on him and he collapsed face first onto the dirt.
"Well I don't think either of us will be returning to Seireitei anytime soon" he jokingly said attempting a laugh but only succeeded in coughing up blood as Ania shook her head "You're ridiculous pushing yourself to fight with all those wounds and now look at you barely able to stand let alone move" Ania groaned slowly getting to her feet and walking over to Mitch as she stood over him hands on hips "Just so you know I'm not helping you up" "Aren't you so kind and just after I saved your life" he chuckled grunting as he got onto his knees and shakily stood up "Let's get this hobble back to Seireitei underway then shall we?"
"After we get back and healed up I'll take you to where Tom did his bankai training so you can finally attempt to learn yours" Mitch said as the two of them hobbled through the forest leaning on their sheathed zanpakuto's like walking canes. "Any ideas on what I'll have to do in my training?" Ania asked as Mitch shrugged his shoulders "Can't say it varies for every single person".
After what felt like hours of hobbling they arrived back at the village where all the bodies were being cleaned up as Tom was assisting while waiting for the two of them to return. "Are you guys alright?" he immediately said upon spotting the two of them covered in blood and limping about as he came racing over as Ania glared "Do we look alright!" she coldly retorted. "Ummm I guess not" Tom stepped back slightly as Mitch laughed "I've been better but I think we should head back to the 4th squad barracks and get healed up I do enjoy being able to walk about freely".
Walking back towards Seireitei Tom barraged Ania with questions about what fighting a high-level opponent was like and how she felt at the time. After about the 10th question Ania simply glared at him indicating she really didn't want to talk on the subject anymore as Tom quickly swapped over to Mitch "So that makes two victories for you over their commanders not too shabby". "I wouldn't call them victories since neither of them are dead and they retreated away like a pair of cowards" Mitch growled in response clenching his fists together "Alright I'm going to stop asking questions to either of you…"
Arriving at the 4th squad barracks they noticed the beds were already filled with the injured members of the 10th squad as Isane greeted both of them "Sorry all the beds are currently taken but we can still treat your wounds it's just well… you'll be stuck on the floor". "If you're filled to the brim with injured then don't worry about me I can just sleep my injuries off" Mitch said turning to leave as Ania, Isane and Tom were all left stunned and speechless that he could simply pass getting those wounds healed up and merely take a nap.