Bleach: New Generation

Act 4, Chapter 56: I've Returned, I Truly Have Returned

"Oh? It seems that they're starting to address the tremors that I've sent, and the ones that are already happening. They keep speaking my name down there. That's good...that's good indeed", the monk's eyes opened at the mention of his name down in the Seireitei below.

He was sitting on the smooth wooden floors of his shrine, his giant paintbrush held in his giant hands. Black ink dripped down every second that passed. Looking to the side of this monk's side, there was a certain Shinigami lying down with his eyes close. His red hair was scattered everywhere, cuts tore apart his black shihakusho, and blood ran down the side of his face. The lieutenant of the 6th Division was barely alive, held captive by one of the most powerful Soul Reapers to ever exist. Ichibe Hyosube, the Monk Who Calls the Real Name.

"This will speed up the process and no more harm will be done"

From the inside of his ear, a small jingling sound rung gently. Even though the sound couldn't be translated to others, only the one directly connected to the Soul King can understand, as the 'thing' communicating was the Soul King himself. The remains of this linchpin were cut down and placed into a crystalised tomb, only used to hold the three worlds.

"Don't worry, Reio. Or should I say, the late Yhwach. Your suffering will end soon, as the new candidate will come straight to me. Everything is and will be under control. It is the right thing to do after all...", Osho's wide eyes stared forward into the bright sky outside, looking both suspicious and eerie.

"And for the greater good"

Kazui's POV:

The sounds of metal clashing against each other echoed through the large space he called his forge. The flames roared violently like a lion, the fire trying to reach into my skin and burn me once again. I watched as the blacksmith kept on raising his hammer, then slamming it onto the steel of my Asauchi, repeating the process continuously.

I had to wait patiently until it was over. Though deep inside I knew that I didn't have much time left. According to Kurokane, A day and a half had passed during my time here. The first day was me being found by him, the journey to his home, then settling down for a bit. Today was me finding my zanpakuto spirits once again and enduring the Flames of Rebirth, which took a few hours. And now I've reached this point, in the forges of Hell. It was cutting close to my promise with Ichika.

I do wonder, how is Ichika doing right now? I hope she's okay and recovering just like I am. Though the last I saw of her was that crying expression as I finished the fight with the Sinner...

I don't want to see that expression ever again. I don't want to see her cry. I don't want to worry her any more than I made her. Through the years that I've known Ichika; it was unlike her to cry this much in her life. And the reason being me. I will never do that again, if it's the last thing I do. That's why, with the remaining time I spend here in Hell, I'll train to become stronger than I have ever been before. I'll put in the powers that have been in slumber and awaken them. Because I don't want to see my...best friend cry anymore.

CLANG!

That was the final clash of the hammer against the Asauchi.

Kurokane wiped the sweat off of his skeletal forehead and stood back. He dropped the gigantic hammer onto the ground and glanced back at me. The flames in his eyes gleamed with pride as he put his hand forward invitingly.

"I suppose you sort of have an idea of what you need to do next, don't you? Kazui?", he exhaled exhaustedly.

"Yeah, I understand"