DREAMS OF RUKIA: Opening Arc & Soul Reaper Civil War Arc

DREAMS OF RUKIA: Chapter Twenty One

DISCLAIMER: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR MAJOR EVENTS AND CHARACTERS OF BLEACH AND ITS SUBSEQUENT LIGHT NOVELS. If you don't wish to be spoiled, then do NOT read until you have seen all of Bleach and know of the light novels Can't Fear Your Own World, WE DO knot ALWAYS LOVE YOU, and Spirits Are Forever With You.

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"I apologize, Harribel. But at the same time, I warned you of Tsuchiya's strength and you didn't heed that." Harribel emerges from a regeneration chamber, her arms regrown and her wounds healed. Slipping her regal clothes back on, she scoffs at Kyoraku, who has come to visit her before she leaves.

"You were right. I hate to say it, but you were right. I had him on the ropes right up until he used Bankai, which I didn't know he had."

"I understand. It's hard to believe he already has achieved the pinnacle of Zankaputo training. This means one thing: Urahara was involved. We'll deal with him later, for now I will grant you and Grimmjow safe passage back to Hueco Mundo."

"No need. There's this new rogue group of naturally-born Arrancar who call themselves the Nueva Espada, led by the ancient Vasto Lorde known as Llydriit Xar Scrollte. They want Las Noches, and my rule, destroyed. Therefore, I don't need such safe passage as I'll be fighting them as soon as I enter my kingdom."

"Xar Scrollte is still alive? Oh my. Well, if you ever need help with this 'Nueva Espada', just ask. I won't hesitate to send help your way."

Harribel just nods as she opens a Garganta, entering through it while cradling Grimmjow's limp body. Kyoraku begins to walk towards Sokyoku Cliff.

This can't be good. Llydriit Xar Scrollte is a very powerful Vasto Lorde who only grows more powerful with age. If he's amassed an army of naturally-born Arrancar, he could easily overthrow Las Noches. "Nanao, keep the Captains on high alert in case we get a distress call from Harribel."

"Yes, Captain."

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Finally finishing my meal, the three of us continue to make our way to Sokyoku Cliff. The distance wasn't much further, but I see the Sokyoku being set up, which means the execution is close.

"Since when is the execution almost here?! I thought we had time-!"

Before I could get an answer I was suddenly bound by a yellow, rope-like appendage. This must be Kinshara, the released form of Captain Rose's Zanpakuto. Using my passive ability I freeze the part of Kinshara binding me and break it, freeing myself.

"You... You broke free of Kinshara? Too bad, I was going to serenade your ears with Sonata Nine..." Rose comes into view, making quite the entrance as usual. He seals Kinshara before releasing it again, the rope-like tendril now regenerated.

"And if you must know, because of your antics Head Captain Kyoraku has moved up Rukia's execution to two hours from now. All I have to do is stall you until then."

"You think you can stall me for two hours? I beat up your fellow Captain Kensei in half that time!" I release Tsumetai Shiroi Mofu, resting it on my shoulder. "What makes you think you'll be any different?"

"Kensei, unfortunately, is a little lacking when it comes to Zanpakuto versatility. My Kinshara, on the other hand, has all sorts of tricks under its metaphorical sleeve. Observe. Sonata Five!"

Suddenly Rose whips the ground with Kinshara, a billow of pink smoke spreading out. Leaping from it, he attempts to strike me before I throw him off balance with my axe, sending him flying back a few dozen feet. 

"Not bad, outsider. Seeing as you've wordlessly released your Zanpakuto, you must have a Bankai, yes? Let's see it." He smiles slyly at me.

"...Make me." I return the smile as I blast frigid water at him, freezing his left forearm before he breaks it by hitting his hand on the ground.

"Cold, eh? So that's your power. If you really want me to make you use your Bankai, then I'll just use mine. Bankai."

A spotlight hits me and Rose as the golden dancers of his Bankai line up on either side of me. Beating his Bankai was simple: his Bankai is illusions through music. I either have to disable my ears, and risk permanently deafening myself, or just remember that the illusions aren't real. Rose picks up his conductor's wand as the ethereal tunes begin to fill my ears.

"Kinshara Butodan. For the first performance: Sea Drift."

Suddenly a whirlpool forms around me. I don't feel it at first, but I start to feel my clothes getting wet. It's not real, Tsuchiya. The water isn't real! I look up defiantly at Rose, who looks a little shocked.

"W-Why aren't you drowning?!"

"Simple. This water isn't real. How can I drown if there isn't really nothing here?"

"Grrrr. Fine, but the next performance is surely going to set your soul on fire! Prometheus!"

I've seen these before. A torrential inferno licks at my skin, but I feel nothing. I struggle to get over my fear of pain as I see fire all around me, but eventually I manage.

"You... You can't burn me with flames that aren't real! That's preposterous!"

"Ugh, you're starting to sound like Soi Fon. Well, whether you believed these last two songs or not, this one will regardless! Time for the finale: Sturz eines Aufständischen!" (Fall of an Insurgent)

Just as Rose says the words, his nose shrivels in disgust, as if he's smelled something truly disgusting. "W-What's that awful smell?!" He begins to look disoriented as the Bankai around me begins to fade.

"Tsuchiya, go!! I'll distract Rose!" Shinji appears to my rescue. He used his Shikai, Sakanade, just in time to save me from my impending demise. Smiling and nodding, I run straight past Rose as he struggles to gain his bearings.

"Phew, and I didn't even need to use Bankai! I'll have to thank Shinji later." I say to myself as me, Yoruichi and Nel are almost to the Sokyoku Cliff.

"Short-lived victory, huh? I knew Shinji would betray the Court Guard for you insurgent." Standing before us now, was Captain of Squad 8, Lisa Yadomaru. Her Shikai, Haguro-Tonbo, stands tall in her hand, almost twice her height. 

"Don't think you'll get by me as easily. Now you don't have anyone to save you."

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Tsuchiya, Yoruichi and Nel run into Rose Otoribashi! Luckily, Shinji Hirako comes to their rescue before Tsuchiya can be killed by Rose's Bankai. Now, the only obstacle left between them and Rukia is Lisa Yadomaru. Will Tsuchiya prevail?

I hope you enjoyed, and thank you so much for reading!