Ichigo POV

Ichigo wasn't really paying attention in class. If he was being honest, he was concerned (Y/N). Ichigo only agreed to go to school because (Y/N) convinced him to go and not to worry. At the very least school was almost over and he and the rest of his friends could meet up.

At least that was the plan until Ichigo's combat pass started to ring.

Ichigo: *thinking* Right now? This better not be anything more than a normal hollow.

Out of all of Ichigo's friends, the only person in his class currently who was supernatural was Uryu. Orihime, Chad and Uryu were in different classes currently. Ichigo looked in Uryu's direction and Uryu simply nodded. Ichigo immediately snuck a text to his friends alerting them of the hollow before both him and Uryu hastily excused themselves from the class.

As the two boys exited the classroom, Uryu spoke up.

Uryu: Kurosaki, we have to get to (Y/N), immediately. There's a possibility that both Azashiro and Szayelaporro are here right now.

Ichigo: Right!

Uryu: Unfortunately Orihime and Chad will have to stay behind. There's no way we can take everyone to the battlefield.

Ichigo: Yeah. If the chaos spreads to the school, at least Orihime and Chad could take care of it.

(Meanwhile)

One of the spiritual energies made a beeline towards the location of (Y/N) and Roka. (Y/N) didn't waste time entering his shinigami form.

(Y/N): Things aren't looking good.

Soi-Fon: Yeah. Two strong spiritual pressures showed up. No doubt, both the Azashiro and this Szayelaporro.

(Y/N): How do we-

Soi-Fon: You and Roka here need to leave. Me and Nelliel here will hold back whoever is making their way here...

(Y/N): And what if it's Azashiro? How do you plan to delay him?

Soi-Fon: I don't know... but we don't have much of a choice here.

(Y/N): I'd be glad to run if Szayelaporro is on his way but both of the spiritual energies are coming this way. Even if we both leave, at least one of them is going to pursue us.

Soi-Fon: Then what do you propose we do?

(Y/N): Move to another location. One that's less crowded. No doubt someone like Szayelaporro will use them as leverage. Second, we stand our ground. No doubt, Ichigo and the rest are on their way. The more backup we have the more likely we can make a getaway.

(Y/N) wasn't expecting both opponents to show up, and at the same time at that. Just as (Y/N) said that, the first enemy made themselves known.

"There's quite an audience here."

The first person to make their appearance was Cien.

Cien: Roka. You're looking well. What's with that outfit?

Roka shook in nervousness.

Roka: M-Master Szayelaporro.

Cien: Oh right, I should let you know. I'm not Szayelaporro. To keep things simple, I've taken to calling myself Cien.

Roka: Huh? What do you mean?

Cien: A tool like you doesn't need to know any more than that. Especially when you're about to be disposed of.

Roka: What?

(Y/N): Just like Wiz said... He really is a clone... By that look on your face, you were planning this even before she was caught.

Cien: Stay quiet, will you? I'll get you later.

Cien then turned to Roka.

Cien: This is my final order. Stay right where you are. If I break you in the wrong way, it could be tricky to get the thread spinner out of you.

Nelliel: As long as I'm here, you won't be lying a finger on Roka or (Y/N).

Soi-Fon: That goes double for me.

Cien prepared to draw his sword.

Cien: Fine then...

But before Cien could draw his sword, an arrow flew past, nearly striking Szayelaporro, the arrow clearly belonging to Uryu. Ichigo was standing beside him.

Cien: Ah, yes. You're also a human from this town, quincy.

Uryu: Szayelaporro. Do you mind explaining how you survived Mayuri Kurotsuchi's superhuman potion?

Cien: Can you be more precise? The direct cause wasn't the potion, but the blade that pierced his heart. And it was Szayelaporro that died, not me.

Uryu: What?

(Y/N): To make things simple, the "Szayelaporro" we see in front of us is just a clone.

Ichigo: A clone? Give me a break...

Cien: I'm more than just a clone. Szayelaporro Granz is a being who only reaches perfection once he has been resurrected from death. He was insistent that merely not dying was not enough. Personally, I find that kind of pride hard to swallow.

Roka whispered to (Y/N) during Cien's speech.

Roka: His spiritual pressure is similar to that of Szayelaporro's before he separated from Yylfordt.

(Y/N): So his power is similar to that of the upper echelon of espada members, am I right?

Roka: Yes. He may be comparable to even Coyote Starrk.

(Y/N): The problem is... I don't think he's done growing in strength.

Roka: What do you think that?

(Y/N): He's "too" calm being surrounded by us like this. Let's take precaution for a getaway like Soi-Fon and Nelliel suggested.

Roka: Okay...

Cien then spoke up louder.

Cien: Interesting. Even to someone with my extensive knowledge, your Spiritual Pressure seems particularly ancient.

Soi-Fon: What are you talking about?

Uryu: What are you talking about?

"Uryu Ishida. The Final Quincy, was it?"

Soi-Fon immediately noticed the voice and spiritual pressure.

Uryu turned around and saw a shinigami with a captain's cloak. It didn't take Uryu much time to put the pieces together.

Before Uryu could react, Soi-Fon moved fast enough to grab Uryu by the shirt and move Uryu away from Azashiro.

Azashiro: If you, a Quincy, were to destroy the Arrancars here, it would upset the balance of tens of thousands of normal souls. It is my duty as a Shinigami to stop you.

(Y/N) was confused. Wasn't he here for both him and Roka? Did he think Uryu came to kill Roka and Nelliel?

Uryu: I can't believe you'd say something so draconian in a situation like this.

Cien: You think that Quincy could destroy me? Even baseless fears have their limits.

Azashiro: Ah, the Hollow who attacked the Department of Research and Development. Do you know who I am?

Cien: I know who you are, but I suppose this is our first meeting. Your name was Azashiro, correct. I ought to thank you. If Szayelaporro Granz hadn't observed your duel with Kenpachi Kuruyashiki, that woman's "threads" would never have been created.

(Y/N) was confused at the statement.

Azashiro: I see. So her powers were no mere coincidence, then. I never would've expected Urozakuro's abilities to be used in Hollow technology. That is very disturbing.

Azashiro then took a stance.

Azashiro: I suggested everyone besides the Arrancars and (Y/N) (L/N) leave. I will eliminate all of you, but I won't let (Y/N) (L/N) and the Arrancar girl's powers go to waste. I'll use them to my advantage to remove the Hollows.

Ichigo: Yeah, right! Like we're just going to let you get away with this bizarre plan of yours.

Uryu: He's right. What you're doing could easily take a turn for the worst if you mess up.

Azashiro turned to Ichigo and Uryu.

Azashiro: You both may not like this plan because of your bias towards (Y/N) (L/N), but the truth is that his cooperation would make the world a better place. With that being said, this battle has nothing to do with you Quincy. As long as you abandon that equipment and live a normal life, you will no longer be an enemy of the Shinigamis.

Equipment? Does he mean Uryu's bow?

!!!

Of course he meant his bow!

Uryu is a Quincy. Quincy's spirit weapons absorb energy from the atmosphere! That's why Azashiro approached Uryu first. (Y/N) wasn't the only counter to Azashiro, but Uryu as well.

Uryu then was attacked by seemingly nothing. This gave Azashiro the chance to snatch Uryu's Quincy cross.

Azashiro: I'll be taking your Quincy cross. Don't worry, I'll return it later. It would be best for you to retire altogether, but I may need the help of a Quincy in order to balance out the number of souls if things don't go as planned.

(Y/N) was taken by surprise by Azashiro seemingly attacking Uryu without a single step. While that was happening Soi-Fon realized something weird.

Soi-Fon: Why does Azashiro have a zanpakuto on his waist?

(Y/N): Huh?

Soi-Fon: No one has ever seen his zanpakuto since he's always in Bankai. So why now?

(Y/N): That's strange...

Meanwhile, Cien watched as Azashiro attacked Uryu and thought to himself.

Cien: *thinking* While it's quite a sight to see a Shinigami and a Quincy quarrel, I guess I should make the first move.

Cien turned towards Roka and walked towards her slowly.

Roka: Why me? What will you do with my thread spinner?

Cien: I don't remember allowing you to ask questions.

However as Cien was about to initiate a fight, He sensed a brand new spiritual pressure.

Cien: *thinking* Huh, something is coming this way! This spiritual pressure belongs to the one who helped kill Nnoitra. If he had to work with another Shinigami and that witch to defeat Yammy when he became the Zero Espada, I shouldn't have to worry, but something's wrong. What's going on? This guy's Spiritual Pressure is much stronger than it was just half a day ago.

Feeling the spiritual pressure in question, (Y/N) looked towards Roka and Soi-Fon and whispered.

(Y/N): I have an idea.

...

...

...

The person in question was obviously Zaraki. Even Azashiro felt his spiritual pressure.

Azashiro: *thinking* His Spiritual Pressure is higher than it was before. It must be because he took off his eyepatch.

Urozakuro then spoke up.

Urozakuro: Keeheehee! You better take him seriously. You know you're in a dangerous predicament right now, don't you? Just remember that even I'm not all-powerful. I say we give up for now and kill him in the Seireitei when you're at your best.

Azashiro: Quiet. I told you already. I'd rather not use my power when I'm in the Seireitei. If we miss this opportunity, there's a chance the people in the Department of Research and Development will think up some way to counteract your abilities. Besides, it sounds like the Arrancar is planning to get rid of that woman. There's no way I'm letting this opportunity pass me by.

Urozakuro: In that case, you should just kill Mayuri Kurotsuchi and everyone else in the Department of Research and Development at the same time. It's easy right? All we have to do is fill their lungs with air from the poison in that research department!

Azashiro: I've told you many times before that my goal is neither to kill nor dominate. I don't intend to kill any more Shinigamis than necessary. And even if I do, it will only be Mayuri Kurotsuchi for squandering the lives of his subordinates.

Urozakuro: Keehahahaha! What are you talking about ?! You sound ridiculous! You massacred so many people when you first used me!

Azashiro: Shut your mouth.

Azashiro: *thinking* It is true that some enemies are better off dead. There is logic to that. Zaraki is the only one I have to take seriously. I should end him.

On cue, Zaraki arrived at the scene with Yachiru Ikkaku and Yumichika right behind. They were all wounded but still standing strong somehow.

Zaraki: Hey, Azashiro. I underestimated what Kido can do. That was a fun trick you pulled off earlier. Really wasn't expectin' that one. I gotta thank the old man for letting me take on this mission. I'll treat him to drinks afterward.

Zaraki then turned to Ikkaku and Yumichika. They both knew what that meant.

Ikkaku and Yumichika picked up Roka and (Y/N) respectively and immediately made a run for it.

Azashiro then noticed something about Zaraki.

Azashiro: Wait. His eyepatch is still on? What could've possibly happened that raised his Spiritual pressure so much? Unfortunately, there isn't any time to think about that. First things first, I need to take out that arrancar man.

Azashiro tried to materialize a sword but couldn't. This took Azashiro by surprise.

Azashiro: Huh? What's going on?

Cien: Looks like you're having trouble materializing your sword. I told you Roka was created after your abilities were analyzed, didn't I? Did you really think a way to counteract you in battle wouldn't be devised alongside that?

Azashiro: *thinking* I see, that makes sense. In that case I'll have to figure out a different tactic.

Azashiro: I'll withdraw for now. But just know, I haven't given up yet.

Ichigo: I won't let you!

Ichigo then started to charge a Getsuga Tensho and launched it into the direction of Azashiro. However it simply phased through Azashiro.

Azashiro: Ichigo Kurosaki, before I take my leave, I once again ask that you persuade (Y/N) (L/N) to think about what is needed to help change this world.

With that Azashiro took his leave.

Ichigo: Hey wait-

But before Ichigo could say anything, Nelliel grabbed Ichigo while Soi-Fon grabbed Uryu and made a run for it.

Ichigo: H-hey wait, why are we running?

Soi-Fon: Have you forgotten that (Y/N) and Roka's protection is top priority.

Ichigo: But we can help Kenpachi-

Soi-Fon: Zaraki would rather take us all on and die before he asks for help in a fight. Now come on. Zaraki could hold his own against Cien.

Nelliel: She's right! That Kenpachi guy seemed to understand that if he allowed his squad members to take (Y/N) and Roka off the battlefield ahead of time.

Uryu: Let's head to Urahara Shop like we originally planned. At the very least we know Azashiro has no intention of harming anyone he deems as a threat to his plan. Chad and Orihime should be safe from him at least. And with Kenpachi Zaraki handling "Cien", Orihime and Chad don't have to worry about possibly running into them.

Ichigo: I-I guess you're right...

To be continued.