[Soul Society Arc] Part 86: Unexpected Ally

After a challenging battle with his white counterpart, Ichigo successfully passed Zangetsu's test and returned to face Zaraki. In the initial phase of their confrontation, Ichigo held a distinct advantage, inflicting a series of deep injuries on the 11th Division captain. However, the tables turned dramatically when Zaraki removed his eyepatch, releasing all the power he had been suppressing all along.

With both of them unleashing their full might, their final clash left them both defeated, lying on the ground, battered and bloodied.

Zaraki's lieutenant quickly arrived on the scene, taking her captain away and shortly thereafter, Tatsuki and Yoruichi reached the location. Tatsuki's face displayed a mix of shock, concern, and horror as she gazed upon Ichigo's wounded and battered body.

As Tatsuki's eyes met the distressing scene, her hands trembled, a mix of frustration, anger, and despair washing over her.

Witnessing Tatsuki's shock, Yoruichi swiftly transformed back into her original form and carried Ichigo to a safe location, with Tatsuki following closely.

Tatsuki positioned herself in a corner, her body taut with tension, her fists clenched in frustration. She muttered a few expletives under her breath, chastising herself for what had transpired. The disappointment in herself for not being there for her friends when they needed her most weighed heavily on her heart.

Tatsuki: "Dammit..." - Her voice wavered with a mixture of anger and helplessness and she could feel the sting of tears welling up in her eyes, but she blinked them back, fighting to maintain her composure. - "I should have been there... I should have protected them."

Yoruichi chose to remain silent, knowing that Tatsuki's agitated state wouldn't easily yield to words of comfort or reassurance.

Moments later, Ichigo stirred, his eyes fluttering open. His presence provided a flicker of hope that momentarily eased the weight of worry etched onto Tatsuki's face. However, the respite was fleeting, disrupted by the unmistakable reiatsu of a captain approaching the Senzaikyū. Ichigo's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing in recognition of the power signature—it was Byakuya Kuchiki. This revelation signified impending danger, as Ganju and Hanatarō were undoubtedly in dire straits.

Disregarding Yoruichi's unspoken warnings, Ichigo swiftly grabbed an artifact she had shown him earlier to fly to the Senzaikyū, leaving Tatsuki and Yoruichi behind.

Tatsuki's fierce determination blazed in her eyes as she bolted towards Ichigo, her voice charged with urgency.

Tatsuki: "That idiot!!! I have to–"

But her path was abruptly blocked by Yoruichi, who moved swiftly, placing a hand squarely in front of Tatsuki's face, halting her in her tracks. Yoruichi's expression bore a mixture of sympathy and firmness.

Yoruichi: "You stay here. I'll go get him," - She declared, her tone resolute and unwavering.

Tatsuki: "I can't just stand here, Sensei! I need to help him–"

In an instant, a heavy drowsiness overcame Tatsuki. It washed over her like an irresistible wave of deep sleep, and she swayed as her strength rapidly waned. Before she could collapse, Yoruichi, with the swiftness of a seasoned protector, caught her and gently laid her on the ground.

Yoruichi: "I'm sorry, Tatsuki."

Yoruichi uttered an apology, her voice tinged with regret as she observed Tatsuki, now deeply ensconced in slumber, an effect of the Kidō Yoruichi had skillfully used to ensure the tomboy's safety.

***

The young Yasakani was curled up in a corner, sound asleep. His brow was furrowed in a deep slumber, and his breathing was slow and steady. After his conversation with Rukia, the exhaustion of recent events had caught up with him, pulling him into a dreamless rest.

As the hours passed, Yasakani stirred, his eyelids fluttering before slowly opening. He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the stiffness in his muscles gradually fade away. The dim light of the underground filtered through, revealing the worn-out yet determined expression on his face.

Yato: "...Where am I?" - His voice was a hoarse whisper, muffled by the eerie silence of the underground chamber. He blinked a few times, trying to make sense of his surroundings. - "Ah, right... the underground of Seireitei..." - His gaze fell on the red cat perched on his shoulder, its eyes narrowed in a disgruntled manner.

The red cat stared at Yato with a mix of annoyance and concern, its tail flicking back and forth impatiently as if scolding him for neglecting his well-being.

Yato: "Guess I dozed off for a while, huh?" - He rubbed his eyes and yawned, feeling a pang of hunger gnawing at his stomach.

The cat, Cheshire, continued its relentless glare at Yato, its eyes expressing a combination of amusement and playful irritation.

Yato: "What's got you all riled up now?" - He inquired, lifting an inquisitive eyebrow, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.

Cheshire: "Once again, you were alone with Rukia, and once again, you didn't seize the opportunity!" - Cheshire's voice held a teasing tone, emphasizing its playful frustration.

Yato: "Not this again," - Yato chuckled, leaning down to eye level with the cat. - "I helped her, you know? I healed her injuries, and I even held her hands. Isn't that a step in the right direction?" - His words carried a hint of amusement.

The cat's grin widened, its feline teeth glinting mischievously.

Cheshire: "Well, don't be surprised if I decide to spice up your little adventure in Soul Society a bit," - It purred with a suggestive tone, hinting at its intention to make things more interesting for Yato.

Yato: "...I don't even want to know what you're planning..." - He sighed, his expression a mixture of resignation and curiosity. - "How long did I sleep?"

Cheshire: "A few hours. It's already nighttime."

Yato: "Nighttime, huh? Ichigo must have finished his fight with Zaraki by now and could be training Bankai with Yoruichi..." - He scratched his chin thoughtfully, his eyes reflecting a hint of concern and uncertainty. - "Ganju and Hanatarō probably got themselves in trouble, too... And I'm not so sure what's happened to Chad and Tatsuki..."

Suddenly, Yato's eyes widened with a jolt of realization, as a memory from earlier resurfaced in his mind.

Yato: "Hold on, if it's already nighttime, Uryū must be fighting Mayuri," he muttered to himself.

In a rush of determination, he swiftly ascended the subterranean stairs and emerged onto the surface of Seireitei. There, he nimbly leaped atop a nearby structure to gain a better vantage point.

Yato: "Now, all I need is to spot a beam of light, and–" - He began, a touch of excitement in his voice.

His intent was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a blinding pillar of light that pierced through the inky darkness. Yato recognized the unmistakable spiritual energy of a Quincy.

Yato: "Well, well, it looks like there's one angry Quincy over there..." - he observed wryly, as a hint of irony colored his word. - "I caught Gin off guard... I made Tousen look like an idiot and still managed to fool him..." he smirked confidently, his eyes glinting with mischief. He flexed his fingers, the anticipation of the upcoming encounter evident in his every movement. - "Let's see how I'm going to mess with Mayuri."

**

The quincy Uryū Ishida was facing off against the 12th Division captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, his expression filled with anger. The captain resorted to a plethora of underhanded tricks in his relentless pursuit to neutralize the Quincy and capture Inoue. His cunning tactics knew no bounds, as he seemed determined to achieve his objectives at any cost.

Minutes earlier, Uryū and Inoue had successfully disguised themselves as Shinigami. Following a tip they had received from Yato earlier, they managed to deceive a member of the 11th Division who had passed by them.

The situation took a drastic turn when the duo encountered members of the 12th Division who initially acted friendly. They exchanged seemingly polite greetings, but as the conversation progressed, an eerie tension began to build in the air. It was then that Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the captain of the 12th Division, revealed his true intentions.

Mayuri's first shocking ploy involved turning members of his own division into living bombs, using them as human projectiles in an attempt to eliminate Uryū and Inoue. The explosions were devastating, and it was only Inoue's power, Santen Kesshun, that shielded then from the worst.

But Mayuri wasn't content with such ruthless tactics. He took his cruelty to another level by launching a fatal attack on his own lieutenant, Nemu Kurotsuchi. In a gruesome act of violence, he struck her down while she held Uryū, aiming to strike the quincy with his zanpakutō Ashisogi Jizō.

The breaking point for Uryū came when Mayuri revealed that his interest in the Quincy had waned, as he had already conducted every conceivable experiment on their bodies. Mayuri's cruel and calculated demeanor took a sinister turn as he displayed a photograph of the last Quincy corpse he had used for his inhumane experiments.

The shock that washed over Uryū as he recognized the elderly figure in the photograph, his own grandfather, was palpable.

Mayuri: "My latest specimen was quite irksome. He wouldn't stop screaming the name of his grandson or disciple...I can't quite remember the name. After all, I tend to lose interest in my subjects after I—"

Suddenly, Uryū's reiatsu surged dramatically, and his furious gaze bore into the captain. His clenched fists trembled with anger, and the fiery intensity in his eyes revealed the depths of his hatred for the captain who stood before him.

Orihime: "Ishida-kun..." - Despite her shaken state, Inoue stood by Uryū, refusing to abandon him despite the Quincy's protests. She felt deeply concerned, searching for a way to help him, her eyes filled with compassion and worry. Her gaze alternated between Uryū and Mayuri, sensing the brewing confrontation.

Uryū: "The name of the grandson... is Uryū... Uryū Ishida..." - His voice dripped with anger and resentment as he emphasized his own name. - "The man in this photo is Sōken Ishida... my mentor... my grandfather...Honestly, I wouldn't want Inoue-san to see me like this, but..." - He turned his unwavering gaze back to the captain. - "On my honor as a Quincy... I swear I'm going to kill you!"

Inoue, respecting Uryū's request to maintain some distance, stepped back slightly as he prepared to take drastic measures. He employed the Ransōtengai ability to regain control of his previously paralyzed arm, which had succumbed to the effects of Ashisogi Jizō.

With steely determination, he carefully removed the Sanrei glove from his right arm. As he did so, a sense of gravity hung in the air, signaling the irreversible decision he was making. Uryū knew that by shedding the Sanrei glove, he was willingly relinquishing his Quincy powers, a heavy sacrifice, for the promise of a temporary but immense surge in strength.

The moment the glove came off, a subtle transformation occurred in Uryū's attire and he initiated the process of gathering reishi on an unprecedented scale, creating an almost magnetic field around him as he absorbed the ambient spiritual particles. The environment itself seemed to respond to his power, with elements of the Seireitei's very structures becoming a part of him.

As Mayuri observed the sudden surge in Uryū's power, he reacted with an instinctive leap backward, narrowly evading the arrow that materialized with astonishing speed. The Quincy's precision was nothing short of terrifying, and the Captain barely escaped the deadly projectile.

However, Uryū's assault was far from over. In an almost supernatural maneuver, he materialized above Mayuri in the blink of an eye, launching a second arrow that struck the Captain with unerring accuracy. The Quincy had, with both remarkable skill and the aid of his newfound power, delivered a punishing blow.

Uryū: "Now, beg for mercy and never cross my path again. If you comply, I will spare your life. If you refuse... the next arrow will be three times stronger." - His stern words rang in the air, a declaration of his resolve and a chilling ultimatum to the Captain.

Mayuri: "Don't push your luck, brat!!" - The Captain staggered, clearly weakened by the powerful arrow that had taken his left arm. He growled with irritation, not willing to accept this defeat. "Very well... I shall return the favor..." He started to laugh with a twisted and eerie tone before pointing his strange zanpakutō in Uryū's direction. - "Bankai!!" - Mayuri's expression was filled with a sinister mix of anticipation and malevolence as he unleashed the ultimate power of his zanpakutō.

The baby's head on the guard of his zanpakutō opens its mouth as it produces a giant creature with the body of a caterpillar in a red cape, with a grotesque golden baby's head and arms, and a silver halo hovering around its head. Near the back of the halo are four bells while his zanpakutō returns to its sealed state.

Mayuri: "Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō!!" - He said with a sadistic smile. - "Now your fate is sealed! The Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō sprays a deadly poison from my blood for a 100-mile radius!" - He cackled with a twisted delight, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. The madness in his gaze was unmistakable. - "You shall die here!!"

Uryū, undeterred by the captain's menacing proclamation, narrowed his eyes with determination. He swiftly notched another arrow, his fingers moving skillfully over the bowstring. His expression remained stoic, a testament to his unwavering resolve to protect himself and Inoue.

Inoue, though visibly worried, observed the unfolding confrontation with a mix of fear and hope. Her eyes darted between Uryū and Mayuri, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched her hairpins.

As Uryū released the arrow, there was a moment of tense anticipation before it collided with the grotesque creature, causing a blinding explosion that echoed through the Seireitei. The force of the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the surroundings.

The result of the confrontation played out in favor of the Quincy, who, with his arrow, not only shattered the colossal bankai of the captain but also inflicted a direct hit on Mayuri in the process. This attack created a massive cavity in Mayuri's chest, revealing a gruesome glimpse of the captain's spinal column. To the astonishment of all present, Mayuri managed to stay on his feet, though his breathing was severely labored and erratic after the Quincy's devastating assault.

Mayuri: "You... you..." - He struggled for words as he heaved for breath. - "You damned Quincy!!!" In an act that defied all reason, Mayuri forcefully plunged his zanpakutō into his own throat, eliciting gasps of shock from those who bore witness to the disturbing spectacle. Almost immediately, his body began to undergo a grotesque transformation, turning into a strange greenish liquid.

Uryū watched the grotesque scene unfold, standing by Inoue's side, who had created the Sōten Kisshun barrier around both of them to shield and heal them from the effects of Mayuri's bankai poison.

Mayuri: "You came so close... Quincy," - his voice echoed mockingly, even as he turned into the strange green liquid. - "You've caused me more trouble than I could ever have imagined."

Suddenly, the liquid into which Mayuri had transformed began to glow. Instead of spreading out as one might expect, it was drawn towards a specific point.

Mayuri: "What's happening?!" - his voice echoed in confusion.

Inoue's eyes narrowed with suspicion, her brow furrowing in concentration as she tried to comprehend the strange phenomenon. Uryū's grip tightened on his bow, ready to respond to any sudden threat.

Nemu, who had been lying there, gravely wounded by Mayuri's attack, gazed in the direction where the liquid form had been drawn. To their astonishment, the silhouette of a person approached them, slowly walking towards the trio.

Uryū: "But... that's..."

The liquid form of Mayuri had coalesced at the tip of Yato's index finger, and he strolled towards the group casually while singing.

Yato: "I'm a slime on the move~ Might fuck around and become stupidly OP~ I'm a slime, dummy blue~ Yeah~"

The young man was using the basic principles of Fullbring, deftly manipulating Mayuri's liquid form, preventing any escape attempt.

Mayuri: "What is the meaning of this?!" - His voice filled with disbelief and frustration, echoing through the area.

Orihime: "Yasakani-kun!" - She shouted, her voice filled with relief and gratitude. Her eyes shone with a happiness at seeing her friend alive and well.

Uryū: "Yasakani..." - The Quincy let out a sigh of relief, his tense shoulders relaxing.

Both of them had sensed Yato's Reiatsu disappear earlier, which had left them concerned about what might have happened to him.

Yato: "Sorry I didn't intervene earlier." - He spoke casually, rubbing the back of his head. - "I was listening the whole time, but the fight seemed a bit personal for Ishida-san." - He lied shamelessly, his tone filled with a hint of mischief. - "Is everyone okay?"

Mayuri: "How dare you, you little brat–" - His voice echoed, but Yato interrupted him.

Yato: "I asked them," - He glanced back at Uryū and Inoue, ensuring they were alright. - "Just stay quiet for a few seconds, alright?" His playful smile revealed a mischievous undertone.

Orihime: "We're fine now. Ishida-kun managed to defeat this captain, but..." - She glanced with concern at the fallen Nemu.

Uryū: "And thanks to Inoue-san, his poison didn't affect us."

Yato: "Good to hear that..." - He spoke as he walked toward Nemu, his eyes narrowing with a mix of curiosity and sympathy. - "Can you heal her, Inoue-san?" - He asked, already aware that this was Inoue's intention from the beginning.

Without hesitation, Orihime used her Sōten Kisshun to begin the healing process on Nemu.

Yato: "From what I've heard, this lieutenant here is the daughter... of this gooey mess, isn't she?" - He taunted Mayuri, who was still unable to escape, his tone laced with disdain. - "Well... this guy's a terrible father..."

Uryū: "Agreed..."

Cheshire: 'Do you... think you'd be a better father?' - Cheshire's mocking voice echoed in Yato's mind, causing him to pause for a moment, his expression briefly showing a flicker of self-reflection before he shook it off.

Yato: 'I'm not interested in being a father–'

Cheshire: 'I didn't ask if you were interested... I asked if you think you're better at it than him~' - Cheshire's voice taunted Yato inside his head.

Yato: 'Anyone is better than that piece of snot...'

Cheshire: '...Good to know~'

Suddenly, Yato felt the world around him enveloped in a whirlwind of red threads. He knew that Cheshire had just made a significant change in destiny, something he didn't take lightly.

Yato: 'What have you done...?' - He asked, his tone a mix of apprehension and curiosity, while his eyes scanned the surroundings for any unusual signs or consequences of Cheshire's actions. Yato observed the healing procedure closely, noticing that the lieutenant, Nemu, watched him with a curious and inquisitive expression as she was being healed.

Nemu: "You..." - She spoke weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. - "What's your name...?"

Mayuri: "What do you think you're doing, you useless–"

Yato: "Yato Yasakani." - He responded quickly, cutting off Mayuri.

Nemu: "I see..." - She weakly smiled as Inoue finished healing her injuries. - "I heard you're trying to save Rukia Kuchiki...please, let me help you... Yasakani-sama."

Yato, Uryū, and Orihime exchanged puzzled glances, clearly not expecting this sudden offer of assistance from the stoic Shinigami. Nemu's smile remained weak, and she seemed sincere in her desire to help, but the situation was undeniably unusual.

Yato: "...Eh?"