Chapter 14
BURN your own PAST, SHADOW is in MOTION
000
Somewhere.....
A faint light flickered in the desolate hall, creating a chilling ambiance. Shadows danced, revealing splashes of crimson that marred the ground. Blood pooled everywhere, flowing like a river, soaking the floor in a gruesome display.
Scattered bodies lay in grotesque positions, victims of a brutal massacre. Their lifeless forms told a story of horror and despair. Amidst the chaos, a forbidden section stood ajar, an unsettling invitation to explore the unknown.
A search was underway. Information hidden within those walls held a dark promise. It was a catalyst, poised to unleash devastation. This knowledge threatened to alter everything, plunging the world into chaos.
Muken
Silence enveloped the battlefield. Ichigo scanned the area, realizing Azashiro Soya was nowhere to be found. But something felt off.
"Pesquisa!" he called out, extending his senses. To his surprise, he detected Azashiro Soya's Reiatsu still lingering. It hit him: the figure he faced was merely a clone.
"I see... that was Azashiro's clone," Ichigo concluded. 'I need to use Auswählen on him! His abilities are too valuable to let slip away.' With determination, he sprinted toward Azashiro Soya's true location.
Meanwhile, Azashiro Soya retreated to his cell, drained from the battle. In his weakened state, he was vulnerable especially from the fact he received the injuries from his clones.
Urozakuro, his Zanpakuto, had often warned him about the drawbacks of Bankai. For over 250 years, Azashiro's physical body had stagnated, unable to train and grow stronger. Urozakuro lamented that he had become so weak that even a petty thug from Rukongai could easily defeat him.
As Ichigo approached, Azashiro felt the weight of defeat settle over him. He understood: his end was near, and it would come at Kurosaki Ichigo's hand.
When Ichigo finally stood before him, he reached out, placing a fragment of his soul within Azashiro. He amplified the technique with Sklaverai for maximum impact.
Auswählen.
In that moment, a circular ring materialized in the ceiling. A pillar of light enveloped Azashiro, and droplets of Reishi began to fall around them. Ichigo continued to absorb everything that made Azashiro who he was—his talent, experiences, skills, and the knowledge of Kido that he had once held. Soon, there would be nothing left of him.
As Azashiro Soya's life neared its end, his Reiki, or Spiritual Body, began to crumble. He was aware that pulling back his small piece of soul would lead to Azashiro's death. Yet, he felt indifferent. There was still much for him to learn. He yearned for strength—strength that would allow him to stand firm against any foe.
Meanwhile, Kurosaki Ichigo sat on the ground. He focused his mind, seeking to absorb Azashiro's experiences. Slowly, he harnessed Azashiro's fusion skills, weaving them into his own essence to ensure this ability remained with him forever. Through Reishi fusion, Ichigo discovered that Muken was a sealed void, disconnected from the outside world except for the main tower that served as its entrance and exit. The endless darkness created an illusion of infinite space.
Excitement sparked within Ichigo. "Yes! I can use Reishi fusions to escape Muken!" He realized the potential of his newfound power. He learned that Muken lay beneath Squad 1's barracks. Using Reishi fusion, Ichigo meticulously mapped out Seireitei while employing Sklaverai to erase any traces of his Reiatsu in Muken. Five hours slipped by.
"Finally, it's time to leave this prison," Ichigo declared.
000
In the Soul Society, at Squad 1 Hall, Lieutenant Sasakibe Chojirou savored tea, enjoying the tranquility around him. He gazed at the fluffy clouds until a figure caught his attention. A boy with brown eyes and orange hair approached the building housing the Muken gate.
'That looks like the young Quincy we captured! He escaped!'
Realization hit Sasakibe. Muken, the prison for the most dangerous criminals, had been breached.
'No one has ever escaped from Muken. This boy is a threat. I must act swiftly!'
"Bankai! Koko Gonryo Rikyu!" Sasakibe shouted. A bolt of lightning surged from his blade, transforming into a dome high above him, anchored by multiple lightning pillars. One pillar reached skyward, aimed at the boy. But Ichigo stood firm, using Blut Vené to absorb the strike without harm.
In a flash, Ichigo utilized Sonido, appearing behind Sasakibe. With a powerful punch, enhanced by Blut Arterié, he crushed Sasakibe's skull, killing him instantly. Only six seconds had passed since Sasakibe first spotted the young Quincy.
'Lieutenant Sasakibe's Reiatsu! He's using Bankai! A threat has emerged!' Captain Commander Yamamoto sensed the dissolution of Sasakibe's Reiatsu, a clear sign of death. He dashed through Shunpo towards the scene, discovering Ichigo outside, splattered with blood. To the side, his loyal Lieutenant lay lifeless on the ground.
Fury ignited within Yamamoto. "Did you kill him, boy?"
"Yes, he simply got in my way," Ichigo replied.
Yamamoto recognized Ichigo's Reiryoku. It reminded him of an old enemy, one who once attempted to invade the Soul Society.
"Be careful, Ichigo! Remember when I told you the original Yhwach was defeated by the founding member of the original Gotei 13? His name is Yamamoto Shigekuni; he incinerated the original Yhwach and brought him down." Yhwach-ossan warned inside his mind.
"Turn all creation to ashes! Ryuujin Jakka!" Yamamoto launched his assault on the boy with fierce intent.
Ichigo's mind raced. 'Sklaverai.' He felt the Reishi around him being ripped apart, absorbed into his being, fueling his power beyond measure.
'He's drawing strength from the very buildings of Seireitei!' Yamamoto realized. Each structure there was crafted from Reishi, and Ichigo was dismantling the bonds that held them together. Rather than returning to the world, that energy was feeding the young Quincy.
"Answer me, boy! What's your link to Yhwach?" Yamamoto demanded, his sword clashing against Ichigo's in a fierce exchange. As he used shunpo to close the distance, he observed the boy closely.
Ichigo moved with remarkable speed and agility. His swordsmanship blended seamlessly with unarmed combat, revealing a style reminiscent of Yhwach. It was clear he had been trained under immense pressure, forced to adapt rapidly in life-or-death situations.
Every slight shift in Yamamoto's posture drew Ichigo's attention. He reacted to the smallest changes, showcasing an instinctive understanding honed through countless battles against far stronger foes. Yet, it was evident he still relied heavily on those instincts, despite their sharpness.
He resembled an unrefined diamond, one that had been polished with care.
Diamond in the rough.
There was a solid foundation to his fighting style, an understanding of what it should evolve into, but he lacked the battlefield experience to fully realize it. Whoever had taught him was undoubtedly powerful and seasoned.
Clank!
Clang!
"I don't understand what you're saying!" Ichigo shouted, parrying with Heilig Klinge.
Clang!
"Do you think I'm foolish, boy? Why does your Reiatsu signature match Yhwach's exactly? Are you his son?" Yamamoto pondered,
'Did Yhwach truly teach this boy? He moves just like him. But I must stop him first!'
The young Quincy remained silent.
Boom!
A wave of shimmering Reiatsu, radiating intense heat, spread through Seireitei. Debris flew in every direction, obscuring Kurosaki Ichigo's vision with smoke.
'This is exhausting! That old man is relentless! I need a strategy! I have to get out of here! But how?!' Ichigo continued fighting the old gramps, employing Tanzendemarionette (Ransontengai) to keep moving despite his fear of death.
'Unless... that could work, but it will hurt. I have no choice!' Ichigo resolved.
'This boy is more stubborn than Yhwach. I must use my technique,' Yamamoto thought.
Boom!
Debris erupted as Captain Commander Yamamoto unleashed a fiery attack on the young Quincy. Suddenly, he noticed something strange: there was no trace of the boy's Reiatsu. The young Quincy had escaped, using Yamamoto's flames as cover.
'Such resilience for someone so young. He's tougher than Yhwach,' Yamamoto mused as he sealed his Shikai. Sheathing Ryujin Jakka, he ordered,
"Find him! The Quincy boy slipped away, hiding behind my flames. He must be injured from the heat! Deploy a team of Shinigami to monitor Karakura Town; he's likely to go there. Also, send a team to investigate the Quincy boy's trails within Soul Society. Any clues about his intentions could be vital!"
"Understood, sir!" his subordinates replied.
A heavy sigh escaped him. Was the orange-haired boy truly the son of Yhwach? Such a possibility twisted in his mind, drowning him in denial. Despite the evidence—the way the boy moved, the familiar fighting style—it was hard to accept. Yamamoto's mind spiraled. The mere thought of the orange-haired boy being Yhwach's son was a tempest that refused to settle.
000
Wandenreich, Silbern Castle
Silbern was a vast palace, encased in ice, serving as the operational hub for the Quincy. After their defeat to the Shinigami a millennium ago, the Quincy retreated from the Human World into the Seireitei, which they believed was poorly defended. They utilized Reishi to carve out a refuge in the Shadow Realm, a hidden dimension created during their escape to Soul Society's shadows. This realm remains undetectable by the Shinigami.
The remnants of the Lichtreich evolved into the Wandenreich, or "Invisible Empire." Their strategy hinged on harnessing the abundant Reishi found in Soul Society, so they concealed themselves for a thousand years, amassing strength.
Silbern itself features a broad, two-tiered structure. The lower level rests on six sturdy columns, while the upper tier is narrower, supported by pillars and adorned with thin, slatted windows. Steps lead up to the lower tier, and the entire structure is encircled by an angular barrier with octagonal joints. Twin, gutted, tusk-like formations curve toward each other at the front, overshadowed by a tall rectangular tower with a cross on each side.
Inside the frigid palace, an army of Quincy reviewed reports detailing the ongoing events in Seireitei. A communication unit from the Surveillance Army (Überwachungsarmee) ensured a steady connection between headquarters and field units, all reporting to His Majesty.
"Roger!"
.....
"Update from Überwachungsarmee! The Special War Potential Kurosaki Ichigo has entered Soul Society!"
.....
"Our intel indicates he was captured by Ukitake Jushirou and the Special War Potential Aizen Sousuke!"
...
"Now, the Special War Potential Kurosaki Ichigo has been sentenced to Muken by Central 46!"
...
"Kurosaki Ichigo managed to escape from Muken!"
...
"Your Majesty! Kurosaki Ichigo used Quincy power to overpower Sasakibe Chojirou, annihilating him!"
....
"Your Majesty! He is now battling Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni!"
.....
"Your Majesty! Kurosaki Ichigo was seen utilizing Sklaverai to boost his strength!"
.....
"Your Majesty! He has successfully evaded capture from Soul Society!"
.....
"Make preparation Haschwalth." Yhwach tapping his throne armrest.
"What do I have to prepare, Your Majesty?" Haschwalth inquiries, kneeling in front of His Majesty.
"Invite Kurosaki Ichigo and put him under my commands. I'm unsure how he activated his Quincy powers or when he learned Sklaverai, but if he's fighting the Shinigami, we can exploit Soul Society's hatred towards him. This is the perfect moment to recruit him. Notify Sternritter J." Yhwach stated.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Bowing respectfully towards Yhwach, as Haschwalth rise and left the throne room to inform Sternritter J, Quilge Opie.
000
Soul Society West Gate
July 20th , around 1 p.m
Yoruichi pondered, "So, Kurosaki managed to escape from Muken? Quite remarkable."
This was no small achievement; it marked the first time anyone in Soul Society's history had pulled off such a feat. Not only did Kurosaki boy evade capture, but he also engaged the Captain Commander in a one-on-one battle. Despite being injured, he managed to slip away, still alive somewhere out there.
Her thoughts shifted. "I need to find Kurosaki boy..... Where could he be now?"
Determined, Yoruichi decided to return to the Living World. When the Captain Commander struck, she felt a familiar sensation—one that mirrored Kurosaki boy's unique travel technique, the shadow he often employed.
Yoruichi concluded that Kurosaki would likely return to the Living World.
000
Seireitei, 3 p.m
In a quiet corner of Soul Society, three Shinigami bore the insignia of 'Three', 'Five', and 'Nine' on the back of their Haori, indicating their status as Captains. They were deep in conversation.
"Captain Aizen~, it seems your scheme to free Kurosaki Ichigo from prison is collapsing before it even gets off the ground~," Ichimaru Gin remarked, a sly smile curling on his lips.
"Indeed, Gin. I never anticipated that Kurosaki Ichigo would manage to escape from Muken by himself. He's the first to pull off such a remarkable feat. I had intended to utilize Kyouka Suigetsu's abilities for his escape, but it seems that was unnecessary," Aizen replied, his voice smooth and calculated.
"Captain Aizen, Kurosaki Ichigo poses a growing threat to our plans. He must be dealt with promptly to ensure our success," Tousen Kaname stated firmly, his loyalty evident in his tone.
"Kaname, there's no need for haste. We have other avenues to secure our success without directly intervening. Kurosaki Ichigo has inadvertently simplified things for us," Aizen said, his manipulation veiled beneath a calm exterior.
"How cunning of you, Captain Aizen~. Kurosaki Ichigo is quite fearsome. Even I wouldn't have escaped Muken on my own. He not only killed Azashiro Soya while imprisoned but also took down Lieutenant Sasakibe Chojirou during his escape. He even stood his ground against Captain Commander Yamamoto," Gin added, his playful demeanor hiding a deeper intention.
"Indeed. Kurosaki Ichigo's rapid growth is impressive. He surpasses my expectations, Gin," Aizen acknowledged, a hint of admiration in his voice.
"I share your sentiment, Captain Aizen. Kurosaki Ichigo truly is an interesting child," Gin replied, his eyes glimmering with mischief.