Bleach: New Generation

Chapter 30: Back in White part 2

Kazui's POV:

"Why do I fight, you ask? If you really were my sword, you would've known by now", I gasp through breaths of black flames, "But if you don't know, I'll clarify for you"

I coughed up more before I finally steadied myself on my sword, trying to keep myself up. These black flames felt both unpleasant and strangely soothing. Although it was painful, there was some type of effect that grew in my body. I don't know what, but it's something I'll worry about after.

"The reason I fight is to protect people. Why do you think I started training in the first place? Why do you think I'm dedicated to saving souls and becoming a Soul Reaper? It's because I want to protect. Whether it be my duty or not, I will do it"

Finally, I felt some strength coming back to my body. The flames slowly died out and I felt slightly sick, but otherwise okay. I stumbled a bit before clashing swords with Mugetsu.

"And whether you like it or not, I'll do it anyway. Without your power I'll still make it through. You hear me?"

Mugetsu's dark red eyes stared down at me before looking to the distance. I took this opportunity to sweep his legs and disarm him, but the plan didn't work anyway. He jumped over my head and performed a devastating spinning kick to my skull.

I could feel myself about to black out from the hit. I might as well preferred being stabbed by his flame erupting sword than be knocked out by a kick. Before I was even able to become unconscious, White slapped my face.

"Look, this is my sword, so if you lose with it...well...it'd make me look bad. So you better hop on your feet and at least land. A. DAMN. SCRATCH. YOU BASTARD"

Blue Eyes punched me in the gut with each syllable. I could feel my energy restoring and my strength increasing somehow as I got punched. What was this feeling? It was familiar, almost as if I had felt it before in the past. Whatever it was, it felt so good.

I stood back up with my replenished energy and faced Mugetsu one last time. I would, no, I will land a scratch on my Zanpakuto spirit to protect my loved ones...and whoever the white figure is. In any other case, I will fulfil this mission and get back out there.

I hybrid dashed toward Mugetsu and raised my sword. Supposing that he was expecting a large-scale attack, I instead descended towards his legs and performed my weakest attack.

"Gatsurin"

The small circular blast exploded in between his legs, causing Mugetsu to lose balance of his stance. I took this as a chance to once again strike him down. Mugetsu flew upward to avoid it, but instead was met by a sharp blade. The edge sliced through his mask and cut down towards his bandages. Before I could even react, he stabbed his blade towards my chest, ripping open my chest.

Whatever was added to those punches, it definitely gave me an advantage in this fight. The adrenaline rush negated any form of pain as I continued to slash. My attacks had no rhythm whatsoever. My attacks were constant and random. I was a total powerhouse next to Mugetsu himself as we met each other's blades, sparks flying everywhere.

"I'm impressed, Kazui. You've managed to regain your sense of duty. And not just in words, but in heart"

"Be impressed by Blue Eyes over there. He's the one who punched me"

Instead of using just my speed and strategy, I kept pushing forward with brute force. Nothing but strength was in my hands as I kept landing blow after blow, trying to find weak spots in his defence. The dark flames coming from his sword swirled around my arms as I slashed the large blade. This gave me even more energy to fight as I absorbed his power, or should I say my power. Because the power he wields reflects my soul and who I am, so any power he has is originally mine. And I won't let him take that gift from me.

I kept absorbing the energy coming from Mugetsu's blade and reflected it back onto him, increasing my power and strength after each blow. A familiar sensation shivered across my spine and spread across my body like electricity in a circuit. Along with that, the black flames circulated more until it completely covered both arms. It squeezed firmly into my muscles and amplified my strength even more. Then finally something popped into my mind. An attack that was buried deep inside myself that I didn't even know myself.

"GETSUGA ENKOJO" (Enkojo means Inferno Fury Pierce)

The final remnants of Mugetsu's energy washed over me, creating a new blade on my left arm. It was as black as midnight and shone like real metal. The release was something else. An X-shaped moon slash launched from my blade and dark energy erupted from it. The Spiritual Energy destroyed the surroundings of white which cracked shards in the dimension. I felt the intense fierceness power from the attack, almost as if it was fuelled by hatred or something other. It burned through the white realm and finally reached Mugetsu.

My eyes were blinded in white again for a couple of seconds before my sight returned.

The normal Shikai form Zanpakuto had been returned to my hands, feeling as heavy as ever. I looked up and saw a fully recovered Mugetsu standing menacingly at me.

"It seems that our time of battle has ended. I am proud of you, Kazui. Your continuing progress amazes me in more ways than one"

I nodded and placed my shrunken Zanpakuto back into my sheathe, "Thank you, for everything. Thank you Mugetsu".

I also turned towards Blue Eyes and nodded at him.

"Though you are still weak physically and also when it comes to power, you will still succeed in your mission. But I have to say one thing to you:"

"If you want to continue to grow powerful, return back to where it all started. Where your power fully originated and grew from. Only then can you truly understand your Zanpakuto and unlock your full potential"

I was confused. What did he mean by that? I understood my Zanpakuto full enough to the point where I could unlock Shikai. I was able to learn the moves I know now due to my own skill. But deep inside I always felt that I was missing something. Behind the smiles and laughs, I couldn't place my finger on where I felt the emptiest.

"Mugetsu, what do you me-?"

Before I could finish, he raised a hand to silence me.

"This is something that you will soon come to understand in the future. It may be sooner than you think, but you have a job to do. Win against Kenpachi and prove your strength. We will always be behind you"

White stood next to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. An uplifting feeling rushed through my body and my being slowly faded away. Mugetsu was right. Before anything I needed to win against Kenpachi and finally try to become even stronger so that I could protect my friends and family. I will achieve that, no matter what. I looked at White and he gave me a thumbs up and whispered the final words.

"Return, Kazui Kurosaki"