Chapter 23

A gentle gust followed by billowing gales.

The sky erupted in a shower of red; thin fog-like wisps of spiritual pressure cracking the ground as it expanded out. From those cracks, fissures began to appear one by one, making their way to topple buildings and rip apart barricades set up at the foot of the surrounding vicinity.

At the center, hovering in the sky next to the isolation tower, was a tinted mass of coalesced energy that ebbed and flowed, pulsating with swirling energies. Just the feel of it alone could bring a sense of dread, let alone the effects it was already having on its surroundings.

Everyone in the Seireitei gave pause, freezing as they looked up towards it. Some wore heavy expressions, while others seemed to marvel at the sheer display of power.

Numerous Shinigami began to flock towards the area, and even Head-Captain Yamamoto was present in the following group.

Yamamoto was not amused in the slightest, in fact, his expression was grim despite his lack of facial movements. With his wooden cane clasped within both of his hands, Yamamoto gave the signal to gather. Not only was it in precaution of whatever it was up there by the Isolation Tower, but because he had discovered something. A fleeting suspicion, but it wasn't one he could simply ignore.

There was something wrong with the Central Forty-Six.

Not only did the Central Forty-Six not issue a reply to his request to reconsider about the execution date, but they didn't answer any of Unohana's inquiries. This was odd as communication was the most vital at the moment as the Seireitei was being besieged by hollows.

Therefore, not only was he following the other Shinigami because of the anomaly in the sky, but because by doing so, he himself can enter the Central Forty-Six's building to investigate.

As Yamamoto once again stared at the mass of energies, he sensed out with his spiritual awareness.

Shunsui Kyouraku.

Yamamoto instantly knew who it was that was currently facing that monstrosity.

Yamamoto couldn't see it from his distance away, but he could sense fragments of Shunsui's spiritual energy. Therefore, it wasn't long before Yamamoto's mood dipped further when he realized the strength of whatever it was that was moving within the mass of energy. That black hole like thing.

Suddenly, a furred leg stepped forth from the void, muscles bulging and strands of tinted brown fur moving like fire. Its hooved feet sent tremors through the ground with but a single step.

A wall of dust and debris swept out, pelting all those nearby.

Even Kukaku and the rest frantically making their way towards Soukyoku Hill were affected. Their expressions were stifled, in fact, they were barely even able to move at a walking pace as they like Shunsui were under the most pressure.

"W-What the hell is this," Karen muttered as sweat formed over her brow. One of her arms was being used to shield her face as the dust and grime continued to descend on her. It made her black hair grey with dirt.

Orihime pursed her lips, and didn't reply. It was too hard to when it felt like she would crumple to the ground at any moment. Instead, someone else answered.

"I don't know," Ishida spoke, clearing the smudge from his glasses as he adjusted on his face. "But looking at that thing, its way bigger than that Menos from before, and its power is simply just-"

Ishida couldn't even finish as Ganju ran into him.

"Move!" Was all Ganju said in a panic. "I don't want to be here when whatever kind of hollow that thing is appears!"

Chad nodded his head as he stared at Karin. Ichigo had made him promise to help take care of her. His body alone was enough to shield the girl from the incoming debris, and she could only thank him with a tense nod.

"S-Stop," Kaien suddenly spoke.

"Damn it Kaien, why? Can't you see that we can't stay here?" Kukaku said nervously.

She shifted her weight as she forcibly tightened her grip around Kaien's arm which she then slung over her shoulder. From the looks of it, she wouldn't let go nor stop no matter what.

"Stop!" Kaien screamed before putting force into his arms, pulling himself, Kukaku, and a nearby Rukia to the ground just as something zipped by their heads.

A long snake tail, covered in glistening white scales writhed against the ground before lifting itself up back into the air. The snake head at its end dripping down gobs of toxic saliva that riveted the ground in small corrosive holes.

Kukaku stared up in shock, realizing that if Kaien hadn't pulled her and Rukia down, then that would have had been them crushed against the ground. She shivered involuntarily.

Kukaku wasn't the only one though, everyone did as they followed that tail up to the base.

From those furred legs that appeared before, the body emerged next. It was bare-chested, abdominal muscles constricting as the snake tail whipped violently back and forth.

It was at this point that the coalesced mass of energy began condensing further.

"W-We have to get out of her, NOW!" Kukaku yelled.

Saying that, Kukaku pushed herself off of the ground, and after securing Kaien and Rukia, sprinted forward with everyone else following behind her.

Not too far off, and standing just in front of the forming monstrosity, Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apacci panted in exhaustion, their right arms eaten away until the base of their shoulders.

"I feel like shit," Apacci spoke as her mouth twitched. "It's always like this when Ayon comes out."

"Well, it's super strong. It has to be for the amount of spiritual energy we had to feed it," Mila Rose grunted before she moved a loose strand of her hair back behind her ears. "Sung-Sun?"

Sung-Sun had her eyes narrowed as she stared forward. "He's always been hard to control," she whispered softly, yet it was loud enough for the other to hear, making them fall silent. "What's even worse is our carelessness."

"Carelessness? Are you saying you would've rather fled than fight?" Apacci said in disbelief.

If they had done so, it would definitely reflect badly on Lady Harribel should other hollows catch wind of it. Three Vasto Lordes fleeing from one Captain-Class Shinigami.

Mila Rose was of the same opinion as Apacci, but she didn't voice it, instead just creasing her brows such that it appeared as if she was glaring.

"Of course not," Sung-Sun sneered in anger. "Look around you, and tell me what this is?"

Apacci and Mila Rose gave pause, before doing as Sung-Sun said.

"Oh fuck," Apacci cussed.

Mila Rose just swallowed, the sound audible.

All around them, they could see waves of black specs converging on their location up in the air by a forming Ayon. These black specs were numerous Shinigami, and amongst them were the white Haori's of Captain-Class Shinigami.

"We're surrounded, with more and more Shinigami on their way," Sung-Sun said grimly. "If Ayon can't break its way out and is defeated, us three, we're dead."

"…"

No one said anything as the gravity of the situation sunk in. However, Mila Rose grew increasingly agitated as she stared at Shunsui.

After all, Shunsui, despite the surprise and tenseness on his face, didn't appear truly panicked. There was only one thing that it could mean then.

Shunsui had some confidence in defeating Ayon.

"This has to be some kind of joke," Mila Rose staggered. "Ayon's the combined power of three Vasto Lordes. He's way tougher than any single one of us, or even the three of us working together."

"We'll just have to see," Sung-Sun said before staring off into the distance.

This may very well be the last time she would ever meet Lady Harribel again. Apacci and Mila Rose soon did the same as Sung-Sun, a sense of helplessness taking root within them that hadn't appeared since the time they evolved.

At this moment, all their hopes were on their creation born through Chimera Parca.

Ayon.

After the body, the head appeared with a deafening roar that reverberated throughout the area. An untold number of Shinigami who weren't expecting it, collapsed on the ground, groaning in pain as blood dripped from their ears. Even worse, when the roar reached the ears of the other hollows in the distance, they began howling in tandem.

An eerie atmosphere descended over the vicinity, so much so that Orihime began trembling while clutching onto her hair pins for comfort.

It would do her no good even when Kukaku urged her to move faster.

From the head, two long antlers stemmed from the deer skull at its center. Sleek and pale, those antlers jutted out from the left and the right and branched out into sharp ends. Pale yellow eyes could be seen just beneath the antlers, the entire head covered in a mane of thick and coarse fur.

There was a silence as Ayon fully appeared, heralded by an explosion of spiritual pressure that flattened the area into level ground.

The Shinigami beneath were panicking, but the man facing Ayon himself was calm.

"Oh, quite a looker, aren't you?" Shunsui said casually, one of Katen Kyōkotsu blade's propped against his shoulder.

Ayon didn't respond, and instead just tilted it head as if confused about what it was supposed to do.

"Ayon attack you idiot!" Apacci yelled.

All Ayon did in response was to yet again tilt its head to the side.

"What kind of hollow is this?" Shunsui muttered in befuddlement. He shook his head moments later before he decided to strike out; his mood souring as he thought about how Juichirou was nowhere to meet him at the decided location.

With the hollows running around the Seireitei and with the knowledge that Ukitake was ill, Shunsui's worries were beginning to make him serious.

"I have no more time to play," Shunsui spoke before disappearing.

Moments later, a cut pierced through the side of Ayon's waist, spewing forth a torrent of blood.

"Ayon!" Apacci yelled in a frenzy.

Sung-Sun and Mila Rose were more reserved, but the worry in their eyes was apparent.

"F-Fool," Mila Rose muttered. "That attack will only make Ayon mad."

"And so what if he's mad?" Shunsui turned to look in Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose's direction.

"You won't like him when he's mad," Sung-Sun responded.

Shunsui rose a brow before his expression stiffened from the overbearing surge of spiritual pressure behind him.

"Well fuck," Shunsui cursed as a bloodied hand appeared at the edge of his vision.

Shunsui hastily put up a guard, but the impact of the attack sent him careening away through two entire buildings.

Seeing this, the expressions of the Shinigami watching grew pale as they saw one of their Captains being smacked away.

Blood threatened to spill from Shunsui's mouth, but he forced it back down.

"Okay, that was my fault," Shunsui spoke as he pulled himself out of the rubble. "But you didn't have to destroy my favorite shirt."

"Katen Kyōkotsu," Shunsui spoke lowly before charging at Ayon.

Of in the distance, Yamamoto watched silently. Like it or not, the behemoth that appeared deep within his defensive ranks would be a problem that would not fix itself without intervention, but Shunsui should be able to handle it.

Fluctuations of spiritual energy exuded from the area in waves.

Seeing that the surroundings Shinigami may get caught up in Shunsui's battle, Yamamoto called back the other Shinigami nearby.

Some were still trembling in fear, while others were now looking at Shunsui in anticipation.

The difference in size between Shunsui and Ayon was vast. In fact, Shunsui was currently cutting away Ayon's arm while running up its length.

Yamamoto closed his eyes and turned away. This battle wouldn't take long.

Although Yamamoto could feel that Ayon's spiritual energy would not in any way lose out to Shunsui's, it was too immature. Like a new-born child even. The way it had tilted its head absently at the start was enough of an indication. Now this battle was akin to a child throwing a tantrum vs an adult.

Indeed, as Shunsui was working his way up Ayon's arm, Ayon fired off a cero, destroying its own limb in the process.

"Ayon, what the hell!" Mila Rose finally couldn't take it anymore. "We have to help."

"How?" Sung-Sun said while panting, her face pale. "We don't have enough spiritual energy to interfere."

"Damn it," Apacci clenched her fist. "We still have to try!"

Yet at that moment, the light in Apacci's eyes seemed to wither.

Ayon attacked with another cero that fired off into the distance, but it was split in half by a sword of flame.

Head-Cpatain Yamamoto had arrived.

"That's enough, Shunsui," Yamamoto spoke. "End this now before we sustain anymore casualties."

Shunsui tilted the straw hat over his head, and then gave a prompt nod.

"Ayon, watch out!"

Sung-Sun's warning came too late, and the last thing Ayon saw before its head was separated from its body was the concern in its creators eyes.

Like a child seeing its mother for the first time, it howled in sorrow, a hand attempting to reach out.

It couldn't die.

Couldn't die.

"RRaaaaa!" Ayon screamed. Its eyes widened, and a mouth full of teeth appeared in view. Using its falling momentum, Ayon attempted to swallow Shunsui whole. And if that failed, its beheaded body made another attempt at crushing Shunsui within its fingers.

"So even a monster can show feelings," Shunsui muttered while placing strength into his grip. "Even still, this is the end."

"Ayon!"

With a flash, Shunsui appeared on the opposite side of Ayon while sheathing his sword.

Collapsing to the ground, the hollow that caused all to look in its direction began to fade away into particles of spiritual energy.

At this moment, all the Shinigami present turned to stare coldly at Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose.

Lady Harribel.

The three resigned themselves, but they wouldn't give up without a fight.

Yet even before that, a piercing blood lust froze everyone present, all looking towards the defensive line the Shinigami had set up, and the spectacle that would engrave itself into their minds.

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From the very moment Ayon appeared Shirou knew that something was wrong when Harribel stiffened.

This point became even clearer when Harribel explained what Ayon was in a low whisper, her hands balled into fists. It was a creation born through the sacrifice of Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose offering up their right arms.

"This isn't good," Shirou observed. "With the way things are going right now, Ayon is going to attract an absurd number of Shinigami to Apacci and the rest."

"Its even worse than that," Harribel admitted. "To create Ayon in the first place, they would have to use up a substantial amount of their spiritual energy, leaving them with barely any."

Harribel fell silent. She didn't need to explain what would happen if they didn't intervene before it was too late. Surrounded as Sung-Sun and the rest were, there was no way that the Shinigami would let three Vasto Lordes go. They would kill them.

Because of this, Harribel had made up her mind about her course of action. She would move to save them, or sacrifice herself trying. The spiritual energy around her began to lift piles of debris into the air, and yet even before she could move, a hand grasped gently around her arm, jolting her.

She looked towards Shirou who was staring straight back at her, their eyes locking.

It was like she was staring into a sea, calm and tranquil. It seemed to have an effect on her mind, making her stop in her tracks, her spiritual power receding.

Meanwhile, Shirou didn't utter a word. His intentions were conveyed by his actions.

The hollows that had come with him were still scattered, and not many knew that he wanted everyone to regroup.

Now that he knew from Harribel about Ayon, he clearly understood that Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose were in danger.

If Aizen could be trusted, then it could be reasoned that Silent was safe. Therefore, all he would have to care about was the safety of Sung-Sun and the rest. And for that, there was strength in numbers, and it would give them the power to save the three.

After seeing the effect Ayon had on the Shinigami, he knew then what he had to do to gather the remnant hollows.

He would let all witness a grand spectacle.

Looking at Harribel, he nodded his head.

He would save them by reaching the heart of the battlefield.

Opening his hands, he clenched them around the hilts of two swords. Kanshou and Bakuya.

"…"

Without another word, he began running forward straight into the Shinigami's defensive lines. His movements were too quick to be noticed by the Shinigami, and as such, blood began to flow like a river. Yet he did not stop his drive forward.

Stunned, those hollows behind him were momentarily at a loss before Harribel followed suit.

The two pushed forward, like twin daggers piercing into the lion's gut and twisting. These Shinigami were no pushovers, but even then, Shirou cut them down regardless, Harribel right behind him.

It was a veritable storm, and at that moment, a single voice resonated from amongst the hollows.

"The time has come to end this dispute between the Shinigami. No longer will we suffer from their oppression! Charge!"

It was like a broken dam with the water seeping forth from a single source before completely bursting out.

What started out as just Shirou and Harribel pushing their way into enemy lines turned into a loose arrow flying throughout the battlefield.

For each Shinigami put down by Shirou, more and more hollows and Shinigami alike began to take note of the situation. Two became ten, then ten became a hundred.

More and more hollows were flocking, their combined appearance like a plague of locust descending and beginning to run out of control.

"Defend!" The Shinigami cried before they were drowned out by an even bigger roar.

A bear like hollow at a distant corner of the Seireitei smashed aside a Shinigami before pausing and looking to the East, its ears perking up.

"Fellow hollows look! Gather, gather TOGETHER! The King charges! Follow the King, our Lord Vasto of White!"

Howls began to sound from throughout the entirety of the Seireitei.

"Shirou," Harribel warned.

The group they were attacking with had inflated to past three-hundred, but the enemies before them were only becoming more and more numerous. In fact, they were only fifty meters away from exiting the minimally defended neutral zone.

To reach Sung-Sun and the rest, they would have to enter the area controlled and fortified by the Shinigami near the center of the Seireitei.

Forty meters.

Thirty.

Ten.

Tensions were running high, walls of defensive Kidou erecting themselves in the air.

Five.

Four.

"Prepare yourselves!" Harribel warned.

Three.

One.

"Trace, on!"

Spears, swords, and daggers, pierced through the defensive Kido barriers as if they were butter; screams falling short as pieces of shrapnel exploded out and pelted outward and bore holes into the ground.

Stray shots of offensive Kido even found their way to batter against Shirou's chest, charring the outer flesh black, but Shirou didn't so much as flinch.

Instead, he pressed on forward, shrugging of injuries and countering with his own attacks while at the same time using himself as a shield to redirect the attacks of the Shinigami away from the other hollows.

The hollows behind him grew more and more reverent.

They had seen the sheer amount of blood bathing their King, and the innumerable number of corpses that lay at his wake. Even if he was injured, he pressed on. A flame of dark blue flickering magnificently in the battlefield.

So long as that flame continued to charge forward, they would follow indefinitely. For he was the King that earned their respect and veneration.

Even if it was for someone other than himself, he would still suffer for another.

No matter the cost, no matter the casualty.

For him, they would risk it all for one, and die as one.

This sense of comradery was never before seen in hollows, and it was devastating. And all of this was a result of one individual steadfastly remaining at the front bearing the brunt of all dangers.

He who stood unwaveringly at the forefront, leading the charge.

"The King, the Vasto of White!"

"The King, the Vasto of White!"

Not one hollow could say who exactly began the call first, but it was quickly assimilated into the very beings of these blood-stained hollows. They no longer feared death, for it was an honour. Their strength and their dignity were given to them through his efforts alone, and they would feel no regrets perishing for his cause.

Hollows stabbed straight through and dying by numerous Zanpakuto, willingly hurled themselves into groups of Shinigami where they set themselves off with ceros using all the energy they had left.

Blasts of emerald gold, teal blue, and vermillion red detonated everywhere, showering the battlefield in gore, broken swords, and tattered clothing.

And yet, the charge didn't relent in the slightest. Instead, it became even more heated.

For no matter how injured the other hollows were, there was always that broad back to look towards.

"I am the Bone of my Sword."

The voice which carried out for miles made the hollows eyes turn blood-shot, the aura of blood lust they were exuding increasing exponentially.

Elsewhere, numerous other groups of hollows were gathering by the dozens, all staring at the spectacle before them in silence. Even other Vasto Lordes were affected by the atmosphere.

The valiant figure of a centaur stood above a hill in the distance from the Seiretei. Still bruised and battered, it didn't stop this woman from fighting. And that spirit alone was enough to gather the various other hollows standing behind her.

"Those who follow with me, I can't promise that we'll all make it out of here alive, but if you don't die even after all of this, then you've become a powerful hollow!"

Nel's shout echoed within the ears of every hollow, behind her.

"Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck takes to the battle field! Charge with me, for the Vasto of White!"

Elsewhere.

"Lilynette,"

Lilynette pursed her lips staring down at the conclusion of Ichigo's fight with Renji. Ichigo was bleeding profusely from numerous cuts on his person, yet in the end, he had come out victorious after showing his resolve.

Starrk sighed seeing Lilynette's expression.

And in the end, Starrk ended up carrying Lilynette and an unconscious Ichigo away with him.

"Thanks, Starrk," Lilynette spoke softly.

Starrk just grunted, a look of seriousness in his gaze as he zipped towards the spectacle of the charging King.

Now was no longer the time to be lazy.

Elsewhere, and much further away from the battlefield, a Garganta split the skies open.

"My King, I have returned," Brans stretched his wings, but stared back behind him. He didn't like how he had to rely on his King's enemy, but now wasn't the time to think about that. Regardless of the gaze staring at him from behind, he zipped towards the site of battle.

The echoing of steps reverberated within the dark of the hole in space; a skeleton wreathed in a regal purple mantle appeared with an explosion of foul purple energy. In its wake, everything withered away and was reduced to dust.

"As expected of that fool," Baraggan spoke looking at the state of the Seireitei and the spear-like charge penetrating its way through. However, it was clear that there was a hint of amusement in Baraggan's tone that quickly hardened moments later. Even he was affected by the sheer display of courage before him.

He would not be left out from the glory.

He raised a hand forward.

"Go,"

From behind Baraggan, a countless number of hollows stepped forth from the shadows and charged forth.

Barragan smiled crookedly before descending leisurely towards the Seireitei. "You may win the battle, but I will win the war."

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Back at the center of the charge.

Tensions were running high.

Even though the Shinigami had set up an entire defensive perimeter far outnumbering the number of hollows attacking, they were still getting pushed back. It wasn't because they were any weaker, the Shinigami's numbers alone were enough to accommodate for weakness, but the answer could not be any clearer to Unohana and Yamamoto's eyes.

Fear.

It was the lack of courage in the latest generation of Shinigami that was giving way to the attacking hollows. It was the same when that beast of a hollow appeared. Many of the newer generation of Shinigami could do nothing but freeze under such pressure. In this regard, the leadership and valor shown on the hollows side was of the utmost concern.

Yamamoto's eyes narrowed on the one leading the charge.

The King, the Vasto of White.

Even now that chant still echoed in the air.

Above all, that hollow must die.

Yamamoto couldn't let this kind of leader of hollows to live. Hollows by themselves could already pose a handful to an entire group of Shinigami, but if those hollows themselves acted as a group? Or even worse, developed a chain of command? It would be an outcome that could give rise to a power that could threaten the Soul Society's very existence.

It was not something, Yamamoto wished to see happen.

"All forces, hold your positions!" Yamamoto ordered. "Captains, stand at the ready!"

With a few words, Yamamoto did his utmost to maintain the defensive.

It wouldn't be enough though.

"Cero."

A massive blue beam obliterated an entire defensive line, a Vasto Lorde carrying a child and an unconscious teenager, stood with a hand outstretched, smoke still rising from it.

Farther off in the distance, two more large groups of hollows could be seen converging on the location.

Each seemingly led by other Vasto Lordes.

"Steel is my body, and fire is my blood."

The voice of the King of Hollows drew nearer and nearer.

Clink!

It was the sound of swords being drawn.

One by one, the swords carried around the waists of each Shinigami seemed to be trying to convey something to their wielders, yet none could understand the meaning of the words spoken.

The Lonely Hill.

Bang!

With a thundering blast, numerous Shinigami were swept aside as a figure appeared in the distance.

"The King, the Vasto of White!"

A booming noise akin to a war god's cry drowned out all the noise.

It was at this time, that Yamamoto and all the Captains had a clear sight of the leader of hollows they were facing who was now right before them. And with it,

They seemed to see an endless world of flame and steel flash across their eyes as the King, the Vasto of White pierced a line straight through their ranks.

And within that world, numerous pairs of eyes stared back.

Stare too long at an abyss, and the abyss will stare straight back at you.

At that moment, every Shinigami seemed to freeze, their expressions one of shock as they turned to look at only a single thing.

Meanwhile, a voice spoke in the silence.

"Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, Apacci,"

When the sound of that voice entered the trio's ears, it was hard not to see the visible relief that fell upon Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apacci's faces despite their position being surrounded. Yet, for some reason, although Harribel was happy for Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apacci's safety, a hint of irritation flashed across her eyes when she realized the flush on Apacci and Mila Rose's faces. This irritation became even more prominent when Sung-Sun shied away from the King's gaze, appearing demure.

Harribel, for her part though, was able to put aside such emotions and instead focused on what was happening.

From the silence, it was clear that there was something wrong with the Shinigami.

After all,

Not one Shinigami made a move to stop Sung-Sun, Apacci, and Mila Rose from making their way over.

Instead, they just stood their rooted, eyes glued to their hands.

Because there, firmly held within them,

Their Zanpakuto were trembling.