272. Bakudo

Ichigo was currently confronting another Shinigami who came with the purpose of capturing Rukia.

Leo watched their fight curiously. He couldn't find a single ounce of swordsmanship from Ichigo. He was just swinging his sword left and right.

As for the other guy, well, he isn't all that better either. He wondered whether these shinigamis even knew any swordsmanship.

There was another shinigami standing not far from them. However this guy gave off a stronger vibe than these two fledglings.

When Leo's eyes fell on him the other shinigami also noticed him. A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

As time passed Ichigo managed to gain the upper hand.

"Rukia isn't going anywhere."

He pointed his sword at the two shinigamis and declared. After he spoke he saw Leo and Shinobu.

"What are you guys doing here?"

Leo smiled, "Just passing by. What's going on?"

Ichigo pointed at the two shinigamis and said, "These guys are here to take away Rukia!"

Leo looked at Rukia standing not far from them and asked Ichigo, "Did she do something wrong?"

Ichigo wanted to explain but Rukia cut him off, "I broke the rules of the soul society and passed my powers onto a human."

"But that was to save my family!"

Ichigo rudely corrected her.

Rukia shook her head, "The circumstances doesn't matter, I did break the rule."

Leo understood what was happening and said, "It's fine, isn't it? Since she broke the rule isn't it right that she is punished?"

Ichigo wanted to argue, "But...

Leo shook his head and said, "Rules are rules, Ichigo."

The shinigami Ichigo defeated stood up and spoke loudly, "Rukia needs to return with us. Human, it's better you don't get involved in our affair."

Leo faintly looked at the shinigami and asked, "Was what she did serious?"

The shinigami paused for a second, he hesitated for a moment and said, "No."

Leo asked again, "Will she be sentenced to death?"

The shinigami thought for a second and said, "No."

Leo asked once more, "Will her sentence be lightened knowing the fact that she did it to save humans?"

"I think so...

Hearing his answer Leo looked at Ichigo and said, "See. She won't be in any danger. Let her go back."

Ichigo immediately said, "Then I'll go with her! I don't trust these guys!"

Leo heard him and looked at the other shinigami. A faint smile appeared on his face, "Don't worry. These two won't hurt her."

Ichigo didn't trust Leo's words and said firmly, "I must go with her!"

Leo rubbed his forehead. This kid was stubborn.

It was at this moment the other shinigami spoke, "You mortals have no say in this matter."

Ichigo heard him and glared at the guy.

Rukia stepped out, "Brother...

"You will speak no more."

Rukia opened her mouth but didn't say a word.

"Bastard! Who do you think you are?!"

Ichigo saw how the guy treated Rukia and yelled loudly.

The guy faintly looked at Ichigo. The next moment the disappeared from everyone's sight and appeared next to him.

Ichigo saw him pop next to him and raised his sword to attack. However the sword in his hand was slashed in two by the other shinigami.

"No way...

Ichigo stared incredulously at his broken zanpakuto.

The other shinigami raised his sword again. Ichigo dodged. But the man appeared next to him like a phantom.

"Hey, that's not nice."

Ichigo only felt a blur. Leo who was standing several meters away from suddenly appeared next to him. His right arm held the other shinigami's blade which was an inch away from his chest.

Cold sweat dripped down Ichigo's face. He couldn't see how they moved.

The other shinigami raised an eyebrow. Though he looked calm on the surface, he was shocked inside.

A mortal was able to follow his movements!

He stared at Leo and asked seriously, "Who are you?"

Leo shook his head, "That's not important right now. You can take her away, but why are you attacking this idiot?"

The other shinigami stared at Leo and said coldly, "His strength doesn't belong to him."

Leo replied, "I don't care. Rukia broke the rules, so you can take her away but don't touch an innocent bystander."

The other shinigami asked back, "What if I do?"

Leo curled his lips into a smile, "Why don't you find out."

The other shinigami looked at Leo for a while and said solemnly, "My name is Kuchiki Byakuya, captain of the 6th division."

Leo replied, "Leo Heart. A human."

They stared at each other for a while before disappearing.

Byakuya flashed infront of Leo and slashed with his sword. Leo already saw what he was going to do and stepped aside.

Not bothered by his miss Byakuya changed his sword and slashed again. Leo stepped aside one more time and dodged again.

They exchanged a few more rounds without an obvious victor. However there was a rare trace of solemness on Byakuya's face.

Leo was still smiling at him. He was without any panic facing him.

Byakuya suddenly raised his right arm and said, "Bakudo no.9, Geki."

Suddenly his spiritual energy spiked. Leo felt as if something was tying him down. Spiritual energy enveloped his body, stopping his movements.

A brilliant light flashed in Leo's eyes. Excellent technique!

He didn't immediately break the technique and felt it's power. It's slightly lacking in binding ability but with stronger spiritual energy it can exhibit stronger strength!

Byakuya wasn't aware of his opponent's thoughts. He immediately attacked seeing him bound by his technique.

"Dammit!"

Ichigo saw the situation and wanted to help. However he couldn't even see them move much less catch upto Byakuya.

When Byakuya was about to place his sword on his opponents neck and make him surrender Leo moved.

He stretched his arms and easily broke through the binding placed on him.

Before Byakuya could react he grabbed the latter's sword and yanked it out of his hand.

"Hey, that technique you just used, what is it?"

Byakuya stared incredulously at his empty hand. He took my sword?

The sense of pride he had as the current head of Kuchiki clan and as a squad captain of the gotei 13 was being crushed mercilessly by Leo.

Rage welled up inside him. However he remembered his position and identify, taking a deep breath he stared at Leo and said, "Bakudo."

Leo mumbled, "Bakudo, bakudo...

After a moment he asked, "How can I learn Bakudo?"

Eh? What?

Ichigo, Rukia and Renji looked at this scene and was lost in thought.

Byakuya stared at Leo trying to read his thought. However he found nothing, the man's eyes showed a brilliant expression, as if he was eager to learn it.

"You can't."

He said plainly.

Leo asked, "Why not?"

"You are not a shinigami."

"Then I can become one."

"You can't."

"What now?"

"You are a mortal."

"Mortals can't be shinigamis? Why? Is it because I can't have a zanpakuto?"

"Yes."

"Well... let's talk terms. There must be something you can arrange."

"I can't."

"Why not? Aren't you a squad captain?"

"..."

Byakuya didn't know how to react to Leo. He firmly rejected him and said, "Give me my sword."

Leo sighed. He threw the sword back and said, "You can't arrange anything?"

Byakuya didn't bother to reply. He walked to Rukia and said, "Let's go."

Rukia nodded slowly. She looked a bit down to just suddenly leave.

"Hey, I'm coming with you!"

Ichigo yelled from behind. He was about to run to them when Leo grabbed his shoulder.

"Stay. That's their internal problem. Why are you butting in?"

Ichigo was struggling to break free from Leo's grasp but his shoulder seems to be locked down by an iron clamp.

What kind of terrible grip does this guy have?!

Leo watched as a sliding door appear. Byakuya, Rukia and Renji stepped through the door and disappeared.