In the Garganta

Team A simply sat around, waiting patiently for the signal that Team B was successful. However, things were taking longer than expected. Ichigo was the first one to voice his complaint.

Ichigo: What's taking so long? That Cien guy should've been defeated already, shouldn't he?

Uryu: Surely. If they haven't contacted us yet, then that must mean something may have gone wrong.

Ikkaku: You guys go on ahead. Me and Yumichika will stay here and make sure the Captain doesn't do anything rash.

Ichigo: Right-

Just then, Yoruichi's spirit phone got a message.

Yoruichi: Who could possibly sending me a message right now, this is a pretty serious situation we're-

Yoruichi stopped in her tracks as she read the name of the messenger.

(Y/N) (L/N).

Yoruichi immediately opened the message and read the text.

"Yo, Yoruichi. So, bad news: Cien was way more powerful than we thought. Many people are either out of spiritual energy, massively energy, or both. Good news is we still won and Captain Unohana and her squad are in Hueco Mundo as we speak, healing everyone. By the time you get this message, I may or may not have gone ahead to fight Azashiro. Yeah, you guys probably figured it out by now but he's not in the Garganta so that plan we had is kinda out of the window right now. I got a head start to see what my chances are that I can convince Azashiro to drop his plans. If you get this message hurry to the World of the Living ASAP. If things didn't go as planned then we're probably fighting at this point. K thanks bye!"

Yoruichi: Oi, don't end the message all happy like that, you idiot!

Everyone was taken by surprise by Yoruichi's sudden outburst.

Uryu: W-what's the matter?

Yoruichi: I'll explain on the way, but for now we need to go to the World of the Living, now. (Y/N) is fighting Azashiro as we speak!

Everyone was shocked at the new information presented to them. Ichigo didn't even bother wasting a second. Ichigo took off at blinding speeds to the exit of the Garganta. Yoruichi followed right after. Ikkaku and Yumichika nodded and looked at Uryu.

Yumichika: We'll stay behind. I'll just be a liability trying to fight Azashiro.

Ikkaku: And like I said before, we don't want Captain Zaraki doing anything reckless, so make sure (L/N)'s safe, alright?

Uryu: Of course.

With that, Uryu took off after Ichigo and Yoruichi.

Back in the World of the Living.

https://youtu.be/7DFrJcx_sgg

(Y/N) arrived in the fight in Bankai, so the moment he and Azashiro decided to fight, (Y/N) wasted no time to cast a spell.

(Y/N): *thinking* I just need to land one hit. That's all it takes. Unfortunately, fighting in the world of the living means I can't activate my resurreccion at the same time. I'd risk leveling the whole town.

(Y/N) raised his finger as he casted...

(Y/N): Hadō #1. Shō

Azashiro disappeared from sight the moment he casted the spell, dodging the attack. (Y/N) then felt a presence behind him. (Y/N) in reaction, used a flash step to create distance.

(Y/N): *thinking* He didn't make himself invisible just now... nor did he flash stepped. He teleported. If I didn't react in time, we would've been fused right then and there. What can't this guy do?

(Y/N) then started to move fast enough to create afterimages in an attempt to confuse Azashiro. Azashiro wasn't phased at all though.

Azashiro: A simple illusion cannot stop me.

All of a sudden, all of the afterimages were suddenly stopped as invisible slashes cut through them all, including the real (Y/N).

The slash ran through (Y/N)'s chest, as blood started to drip.

(Y/N): *thinking* How did he even do that... Maybe he's fusing with the air and compressing it to make pressurized air. That's probably how he's able to make invisible slashes.

Azashiro: Your efforts are meaningless. Give up.

(Y/N): Why would I? I promised my friends that I'd survive this fight.

Azashiro: All you did was give them false hope.

Azashiro then attacked (Y/N) with more invisible slashes, cutting deep into (Y/N)'s skin. (Y/N) fell to the ground in pain. Azashiro walked towards (Y/N) as he got ready to fuse with him.

Azashiro: Goodbye, (Y/N) (L/N). You've done more than enough for the Soul Society.

(Y/N): Nah, I don't really feel like quitting my job as a Substitute Shinigami yet...

Just then, A Getsuga Tensho came flying towards Azashiro as Ginjo tried to land a sneak attack. Azashiro, however, dodge at the last second by teleporting out of the way, and appearing behind Ginjo.

Azashiro was obviously taken by surprise by the appearance of Ginjo.

Azashiro: *thinking* What is Ginjo Kugo doing- No, that appearance... He was no doubt summoned by (Y/N). But I thought he could only summon Hollows.

This moment of confusion gave (Y/N) a chance to activate Hollowfication before casting Hadō #1. Shō at Azashiro. However at the very last moment another invisible slash hit (Y/N), cutting off his arm in the process, rendering the spell useless. Another invisible slash was also aimed at Ginjo which landed successfully, pushing the undead shinigami back.

Azashiro: I had no idea that your ability extended to shinigamis as well. That brief moment almost cost me this fight, unfortunately your surprise attack didn't work.

A pair of hands then grabbed onto (Y/N)'s ankles. (Y/N) eyes widened as he realized the pair of arms belonged to a Gigai.

(Y/N): You spent time setting this whole thing up while I was fighting Cien, didn't you?

Azashiro: I would be foolish to fight you without preparations in advance..

Hadō #96. Ittō Kasō

The gigai attached to (Y/N) started to glow. (Y/N) immediately heard the name of the spell, and in desperation, activated his resurreccion simultaneously, to be able to hold back the explosion.

The pillar of reishi could be seen from a distance as (Y/N) prevent the spell from spreading to a wider range.

(Y/N): *thinking* Is this guy insane? He's going to kill everyone here casting a spell like this!

Once the spell ended, (Y/N) stood in place, panting as reverted back to his original Bankai form. Azashiro reappeared in front of the Shinigami in confusion.

Azashiro: Why did you not continue to use both forms? Doing so will allow you to fight me on even grounds.

(Y/N): Because... I run the risk... Of killing a lot of people...

Azashiro: Just like the Kenpachi before me, you'd rather protect the people around you rather than use your full strength to defeat me. That will be your downfall. But then again, that attitude is the only reason why I was able to use Ittō Kasō with full insurance that the humans here wouldn't be hurt.

(Y/N): So you used my own good will against me, eh?

Azashiro: Do not worry. The next attack may kill you, but you'll simply come back to life.

(Y/N): Bakudō #26. Kyokkō

As (Y/N) quickly hid his spiritual pressure and turned invincible, Azashiro simply nodded in disapproval.

Azashiro: These games of hide and seek will not work on me (Y/N) (L/N).

Azashiro covered the surrounding area with invisible slashes, catching, (Y/N) in the process. (Y/N)'s spell was forcefully broken as he fell to the ground.

Azashiro: Give up. This is a futile effort.

(Y/N): No way...

Azashiro: This stubbornness of yours is getting frustrating. Do you truly wish to allow the people you care about to suffer because of your own selfishness?

(Y/N): Ironic... My friends always say I should be more selfish. Let me tell you something Azashiro, no matter what you try, this plan of yours will never be accepted.

Azashiro: What are you trying to get at?

(Y/N): You haven't moved on from your sister's death. Although you're strong physically, you aren't very strong emotionally. You're still the same kid from the Spirit Sealing pit. Your plan is made out of fear. You act out of fear. You're too scared to look back at your moment of weakness. Do you think if your sister was here right now, she'd approve of your methods?

Azashiro's usual calm demeanor turned into anger.

Azashiro: Silence! That's enough out of you! Speaking as if you knew what my sister was like! If you want to die so badly, don't waste my time with such drivel! I'll remove your head!

(Y/N): Go ahead and try it...

Azashiro teleported in front of (Y/N), reaching for his neck. However, at that moment...

(Y/N): Bakudō #8. Seki

Azashiro was repelled multiple feet away from (Y/N).

(Y/N) stumbled to his feet, blood draining down his body. (Y/N) for the first time in a while, used Kaido to heal himself to assist with his high speed regeneration.

(Y/N): *thinking* I haven't used Kaido on myself in a while... Just goes to show how strong Azashiro is.

Azashiro slowly got up as there was a noticeable scratch on him from the Bakudo spell. Usually, something like Bakudō #8. Seki was just a way to escape overwhelming pressure from the opponent, but to take damage meant Azashiro's weakened body was much more fragile than (Y/N) expected.

(Y/N): *thinking* If Azashiro was ready, he could've fused with the area to avoid that. No doubt he's already fused with Karakura Town considering how long it took us to take on Cien. Hm... Now that I think about it... He's playing this extremely safe. Everything that Azashiro has done was safe... almost too safe. He's expecting me to do the same.

(Y/N) started to pick up on Azashiro's way of thinking. The whole reason the two have been going back and forth is because they both were playing things safe. Azashiro has just been chipping away at (Y/N) little by little, forcing him to heal himself and waste spirit energy. (Y/N) didn't go all out because he was scared of destroying the town. If Azashiro took the risk and succeeded, he'd no doubt win with a single touch, just like everyone has already predicted... but he's too scared to do so.

If (Y/N) wanted to end this fight, he had to get unpredictable. He had to be the one to take a risk.

(End Song)

(Y/N): *sigh* You know what...

...

...

...



(Y/N): Screw it! It's now or never!

Azashiro: Hm? What are you planning now?

(Y/N): I never pulled off this technique! But I've been training for it, so why not?

Azashiro: Why are you talking to yourself?

(Y/N): I'm not. I was referring to you. I hope you're ready, Kenpachi Azashiro... Because even I don't know if it'll work or not. I don't even know what the outcome will be if I do use it!

Azashiro was confused.

Azashiro: *thinking* He's planning to use a technique that's never used before? Is he bluffing or is he simply being foolish enough to risk it all?

At that moment, (Y/N)'s spiritual pressure rose dramatically. In that moment, (Y/N)'s dark spiritual pressure started to engulf his body.

https://youtu.be/OY-e0NNsQ6Y

~~~~

Soi-Fon: You're pushing too much spiritual energy through your body. The moment your spiritual energy reached its highest, you had almost no control.

~~~~

(F/N): You're losing control again. Slow down how much spiritual energy you're pushing throughout your body. Only increase the amount you are using once you've controlled the current amount you have now.

~~~~

Ankou: Visualize the ability in question, add the necessary amount of spiritual energy needed for the technique, and shape the attack as you see fit. With no clear indication on what you want to do, you tend to use less or more energy than you intend to. In your case, you use too much.

~~~~

In that moment, (Y/N)'s spiritual energy shrunk, but the pressure could still be felt. The aura around (Y/N) was different. (Y/N) looked at himself. The energy surrounding him was familiar.



(Y/N): I think I pulled it off, although this wasn't exactly what I was going for... But then again, it's imperfected, just like Soi-fon's and Yoruichi's... I'm risking it all for one opening, so I'll make it count!

(Y/N) immediately took flight to the air, positioning himself in front of the sun. His shadow beamed onto Azashiro. Azashiro was about to use another invisible slash but realized he couldn't cast his ability.

Azashiro: What did he do?

(Y/N): *thinking* You don't know this Azashiro, but the Kido skills I'm most proficient with are energy based spells. My mom's ability to bend energy to manipulate light was my inspiration for the Shunko I wanted to use, but that didn't work out... But that doesn't mean my Shunko failed. If what I think is true, then what I'm using right now is the complete opposite of a Shunko using light but rather a Shunko using darkness. Light might be made up of energy but shadows are created from the absence of light, meaning they don't carry energy. If my hypothesis is true, then as long as you're in my shadows, you can use any techniques that use spirit energy. You, who never used your zanpakuto, are forced to release your Bankai and fight me with your zanpakuto or lose this fight!

(Y/N) then put his hand together in a unique pose.

(Y/N): Hey Azashiro! Have you ever seen a shadow puppet before!

Azashiro then turned around, as he saw a massive shadow, in the form of a massive hound behind him.

Azashiro: *thinking* His shadow! It somehow has a physical form!

(Y/N): Shunko: Shadow Puppet Theater!

Azashiro tried to move out of the way, but he was far too late as the shadow engulfed Azashiro and his shadow whole.

(Y/N): Don't worry, I made sure not to kill you... Just bare the fangs of Cereberus for a little while.

(Y/N) slowly flew to the ground in pain. After a few deep breaths, (Y/N) released Shunko, not being able to keep it up for long. The shadows on the ground returned to normal as Azashiro was released. The Kenpachi laid on the ground in pain after finally taking a brutal hit.

(Y/N) walked over to Azashiro, who was unable to move.

(End Song)

(Y/N): Do you... finally give up? *panting* Seriously, this is getting ridiculous...

Azashiro simply turned his head towards (Y/N).

Azashiro: Can I ask you a question?

(Y/N): Huh? S-sure... What is it?

Azashiro: What keeps you motivated to keep fighting...

(Y/N): I lost my mother... I was too young to do anything about it, but I was frustrated at myself that I couldn't do anything to save her life. I felt useless. I didn't want to feel that way again. So the moment I got my powers, I was confused and even a tad bit scared at first but... eventually I came around to enjoy having them. It made me realize something... even if I can't bring back the people I lost, I can still protect and save the people I have now. I don't know if this makes any sense or not but... What I'm trying to say is, making sure nobody has to go through what I felt back then is why I still continue to fight! And protecting myself is just as important because there's someone out there who would probably feel the same way I did if I died, you know?

Azashiro listened to (Y/N)'s lengthy answer before pondering to himself.

Azashiro: *thinking* I see... I get it now. I didn't have the courage to stand up and fight like my sister did... Like this boy did... I was frustrated with myself for being too scared to grab the sword back then.

Azashiro then struggled to his feet, before removing Yumichika's zanpakuto and Uryu's Quincy cross from his waist.

Azashiro: I'll be returning these for the time being.

(Y/N): So... does that mean you're giving up?

Azashiro: Yes. (Y/N) (L/N), I must thank you. You've given me the inspiration to reflect on my past.

(Y/N): Huh... I see...

Azashiro: This may seem like an odd request, especially when you're trying to arrest me, but I feel like I should ask anyway... Will you open a Garganta so that I may fight Kenpachi Zaraki one last time?

(Y/N): I beg your pardon?

To be continued.

Believe me when I say I wasn't not intending (Y/N)'s Shunko to be a reference to Megumi's Domain Expansion but mid way through writing that scene I thought to myself "Screw it, let's just make it a huge reference".

I swear I didn't have this much JJK brain rot before writing this story.

To describe how (Y/N)'s Shunko works, (Y/N) has control over shadows. Any enemy who steps into (Y/N) are unable to use any technique that requires spiritual energy. That doesn't mean he can just turn off any ability like (F/N) though. Some characters can still use their Bankai if their ability give them passive boost (Think Ichigo's strength and Speed boosts that gets in Bankai). Secondly, (Y/N) can turn his own shadow into a physical object. This way, (Y/N) can combine both Kido (Manipulating his shadow) with Hakudo (His shadow being allowed to make physical contact with something else) to be able to use Shunko.

This why (Y/N) decided to create a shadow puppet. In this case he created a shadow puppet of a dog which he called Cereberus. Cereberus was a three headed hound that served as the watchdog for the underworld in Greek Mythology (another Greek mythology reference, similar to Thanatos).

Next Chapter is technically the end of this Arc, but as always, I have to write some more slice of life chapters before TYBW.