In the Soul Society.

Ukitake: I'll replace the Soul King.

Everybody stood dumbfounded by Ukitake's statement.

Urahara: You could do such a thing?

Ukitake: I'll explain it later.

Ukitake took off his Captain cloak and the top of his Shihakusho, revealing a marking on his back.



Ukitake then began a chant.

Ukitake: Mimihagi... Mimihagi... Please release your power. With the power you've granted me. I shall release it.

Ukitake repeatedly rehearsed the chant before a shadow figure spouted from Ukitake. Ukitake then began to spit out blood.

Rukia: Captain Ukitake!

Ukitake: Don't panic! Mimihagi's power has been eating at these lungs of mine. And it will continue throughout my body, it's a process called "Kamikake." Everything in me belongs to Mimihagi now. By sacrificing everything in me, I got Mimihagi to possess me. I'm now the Soul King's right hand.

Rukia: Don't tell me that you've seen this coming and prepare Kamikake ahead of time?

Ukitake: That's right. I knew deep down, from the time I was given a second chance, that this day would eventually come. It's my wish that this life I was given is given back for the sake of the Court Guard.

Rukia: What would happen to Squad 13 if you die?

Ukitake: I'm sorry, Kuchiki. It seems I'm always making things hard for you.

...

...

Ukitake: There are two types of battles. You should understand, Kuchiki.

Ukitake's body then became overwhelmed by Mimihagi's presence.

(Meanwhile)

Somewhere in Muken

Kyoraku walked the empty grounds of Muken.

Kyoraku: *thinking* Jushiro... There are two types of battles, the battle to protect lives, and the battle to defend honor. Then my battle is to...

Kyoraku didn't finish his thought before he took a step forward.

Kyoraku: Now then... First thing's first. I hope you won't mind having small talk with me... Gin Ichimaru?

Gin kept his signature smirk on his face.

Gin: I wasn't expecting to have a visitor during these trying times. And to think it would be you Captain Kyoraku.

Kyoraku: As the new Head Captain I came to put my pride aside and ask you for a favor.

Gin: New Head Captain, eh? So those tremors outside, do they have to do with what seemingly took out Head Captain Yamamoto?

Kyoraku: That would be our new enemy. The Quincies.

Gin: Never thought I'd about them after all these years. Are they truly that terrifying that you'd ask help from a prisoner?

Kyoraku: I have a duty to protect everyone. I can't let my pride get in the way of that. Now usually only people who are unable to be killed are put in Muken, but you're a special case. Your cooperation with Aizen is the only reason why you're here right now. So I come to you with an offer. Assist us and we can lighten your sentence. How's that sound?

Gin: Wow, you really are desperate!

Gin suddenly dropped his smile before getting serious.

Gin: But I guess this is a serious matter. Those tremors aren't normal. And if those Quinces took out Yamamoto then we're dealing with titans.

Kyoraku: So can I take that as a yes?

Gin: I'll accept your proposal.

Kyoraku: Glad we can come to an agreement.

Kyoraku then began to walk off.

Kyoraku: I'll have someone remove your restraints soon. There's more that I have to prepare.

Gin watched as Kyoraku continued his way down Muken.

Gin: Hopefully I'm not too rusty.

.

.

.

Kyoraku stood in front of a cell where he spotted a familiar man, donning his captain's cloak. Kyoraku was face to face with former Kenpachi, Soya Azashiro. Before Kyoraku could speak, Azashiro spoke.

Azashiro: You must hate the fact that you have to ask for my assistance.

Kyoraku: How could I forget, the entirety of Soul Society are your eyes.

Azashiro: It's still taking me a while to refuse with most of it but I have already fuse with the most important locations.

Kyoraku: That saves me time from explaining the situation then.

Azashiro: You require my help to fight the Quincies, am I correct.

Kyoraku: That's about right.

Azashiro: Then I'll accept.

Kyoraku: That quickly?

Azashiro: My duty was always to protect the Soul Society. The Quincies are a hindrance to that. Besides, I hate talking longer than necessary.

Kyoraku: Right, right. Well then, I'll be back to remove your restraints.

Azashiro: I know. I won't be going anywhere. Though I advise you to be wary around Sosuke Aizen.

Kyoraku: So you heard my conversation about releasing him as well?

Azashiro: I won't judge you for your decision, I just want you to be aware that releasing Aizen isn't a matter of a battle of honor or protection. Aizen is a wildcard. Be careful of him.

Kyoraku: I've already taken precautions.

With that said, Kyoraku left Azashiro to himself...

"Keehahaha"

Oh right... Urozakuro. Azashiro was never truly alone.

Urozakuro: Well look at you! You're doing a lot better socializing despite not having someone to talk to since you got imprisoned again. What's it been? A year? A century?

Azashiro: Two months.

Urozakuro: Right! Aren't you excited to finally leave again! This time you won't have to worry about getting hunted down again! Although, we are only getting released to fight! Is that okay with you? Being used to do Soul Society's dirty work?

Azashiro: If the Court Guard Squad fails then all three worlds as we know it will fall. I'll do my part to keep it safe.

Urozakuro: That's a nice answer, Ken! There was some humanity in that answer! You wouldn't have spoken with that kind of emotion before you met (Y/N)! He really did have an effect on you, didn't he!

Azashiro: Quiet.

.

.

.

Kyoraku walked further into the Muken. The more he walked the more he felt the tremors.

Kyoraku: It's shaking... You can feel it even down here. The end is nearing for Soul Society. You hear me, don't you? I know you can hear my voice. Answer me, will ya? Sosuke Aizen.

...

Kyoraku didn't receive an answer.

Kyoraku: So, no response, huh? Are you against conversations using your Spiritual Pressure? Or could it be that even you can't overcome this?

Kyoraku took out a case filled with keys.

Kyoraku: These are the keys to lift your seal. I've been allowed to use up to three of these. So let's start with unsealing the mouth...

Kyoraku inserted the keys into the locks that keep Aizen imprisoned.

Kyoraku: Alright. Now you won't need your Spiritual Pressure to answer me. Usually, it'd take a long time for someone. who's had their mouth sealed for two years to talk, but that isn't the case for you, right?

"You're right."

Kyoraku was taken aback.

Kyoraku: *thinking* No way. I only released the seal on the mouth.

Kyoraku stated in surprise as he witnessed Aizen walk out of the shadows.

Aizen: What's wrong? You've still got two keys that you can use, don't you?



Kyoraku continued to use the remaining keys and released Aizen's seal.

Kyoraku: This makes three. So how do your left eye and those ankles feel after such a long time?

Aizen: I see. You haven't changed at all.

Kyoraku: I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks.

...

Kyoraku: Do you want to leave this place?

Aizen: I don't remember asking you to let me out.

Kyoraku: If you really didn't want to leave, you wouldn't have told me to use the remaining two keys.

Aizen: Why did you go to all that trouble to bury the keys in your body when you didn't want to free me?

Kyoraku: Good grief. You've seen right through me.

Kyoraku pulled his kimono aside slightly to show a scar on his chest.

Kyoraku: Yeah, I've embedded the key to Muken into my heart. The conditions given were to unseal three parts.

Aizen: I see. If you were killed, the doors to Muken would forever remain shut, right? So they've predicted that I'd probably kill you to take the keys to Muken? I can't put up with those in Central 46...

Kyoraku: Well... Don't get mad. Think of this as doing it for the sake of the Soul Society. Okay, let's get back to the point.

A few attendants appeared with a chair.

Kyoraku: Could you please sit on this and let them take you all the way up? It's been a long time since you've been in the Soul Society for some fresh air, hasn't it?



One of the attendants approached Aizen.

Attendant: Pardon me. Allow me to bind you before you sit down.

Kyoraku: Wait, don't act on your own!

It was too late as the attendant's figures got blown off.



Aizen: What gross carelessness. Those binds won't erase my Spiritual Pressure, as they'll only keep it around me. Take a good look at what will happen to you if you come near me.

Aizen then stared at Kyoraku.

Aizen: Shunsui Kyoraku. Do you think I will help the Soul Society if you carry me out in that chair?

Kyoraku: I didn't say anything about needing you to fight for the Soul Society. But... I am sure you can see that the pros and cons for us are pretty much the same.

Aizen: You really are a very interesting one. You asked me if I would like to breathe fresh air. What fresh air could I possibly get from the Soul Society now that Yhwach's ruined it?

(Meanwhile) In the Royal Palace.

After being thrown to the side by Yhwach, (Y/N) was caught by Calavera Jr. (Y/N) watched as Ichigo desperately tried to attack Yhwach.

(Y/N): Damnit... Yhwach's near his goal. We can't let the Soul King's light fade...

Yoruichi: We're all goners if we let him die. I'll get his attention. Orihime, Revive the Soul King with your power.

Orihime: Okay!

Yoruichi: Let's go, you four!

(Y/N), Chad, Ganju, and Calavera Yoruichi. Ganju was the first one to start the plan by using his Seppa ability to create a dust cloud in an attempt to blind Yhwach. Chad then used Brazo Izquierdo Del Diablo to attack from the side while Calavera used Calavera. Jr to mirror Chad's attack from the other side. Yhwach had no trouble blocking both attacks. (Y/N) then casted Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō to keep Yhwach in place. Yoruichi then used Raioken to infuse her hand with electricity and hit Yhwach from behind but Yhwach broke out of Rikujōkōrō and threw Chad into Yoruichi.

Despite their failed attempt to stop Yhwach, the group bought Orihime enough time to use Sōten Kisshun on the Soul King. Fortune wasn't on Orihime's side, however, as her Sōten Kisshun failed.

Yhwach then pushed everyone away with his reishi.

Yhwach: How foolish! Do you think you can bring the Soul King back to life with just human power? It's impossible! No matter what you do, there is no way to bring the Soul King back to life!

The crystal that held the Soul King started to lose its color.

Chad: The Soul King's power is fading away.

Calavera: Did we... lose?

(Y/N): I don't want to say yes, but I don't see us making a comeback unless we get some sort of miracle...

Ganju: Is there really no way?

Just as the group began questioning themselves, the tremors suddenly stopped. The group then looked at the Soul King as a shadowy hand was holding on to the Soul King.



For the first time since using the Almighty, even Yhwach wasn't sure what happened.

(Y/N) noticed the look of surprise on his face.

(Y/N): *thinking* Not even Yhwach knows what's going on. Can't he see the future? Then what's the deal? What is that thing?

Yoruichi: *whisper* You noticed it too, right? Yhwach's surprise.

(Y/N): *whisper* Yeah... Whatever it is, we need to use this to our advantage. If we can find out what that is, then we can turn the tables on Yhwach.

"It's Mimihagi."

(Y/N): Huh?

(Y/N) heard Unohana speak to him within his inner world.

"It seems Ukitake was successful in his preparation for Kamikake."

(Y/N): *thinking* Can you elaborate on that? I'm not sure I'm following.

"Ukitake was supposed to die at a young age. You're familiar with his illness, are you not?"

(Y/N): *thinking* Yeah. Is this Kamikake thing what stopped the illness from killing him?

"No. That would be Mimihagi, the right arm of the Soul King."

(Y/N): *thinking* Captain Ukitake is the right arm of the Soul King?

"No, at least not until now. There's rumors that the right hand of the Soul King possesses the power of "stillness". Ukitake proved it to be true. That power was what put a halt to the progression of his illness. And now, Ukitake is using Kamikake to sacrifice his very being to become the right arm of the Soul King. With the power of stillness, Ukitake is putting a halt to the Soul King's death. We must make use of this opportunity to take down Yhwach."

(Y/N): *thinking* To do that, we must find a way to bypass Yhwach's almighty. Considering Yhwach was unable to predict Mimihagi's interference, then it's safe to say that Yhwach can't predict actions made by the Soul King.

(Meanwhile) In the Seireitei.

Ukitake's body fell limb as Mimihagi took control. Everyone was clearly emotional.

"How long will this last?"

Soi-Fon was the only one to ask the sensitive question.

Soi-Fon: I didn't think Ukitake would completely become Soul King's substitute. But this stability will only last as long as Ukitake's still alive. So how long will this last?

Sentaro and Kiyone didn't take Soi-Fon's bluntness too kindly but refused to speak up. Omaeda attempted to calm the tension but was shut down immediately.

Omaeda: C-Captain!

Soi-Fon: I'm merely stating the truth! Am I wrong, Urahara?

Urahara: I don't know. This is the first time I've heard of Kamikake. So I can't really tell how long it'll last. But one thing's for sure. We need to find a solution to stabilize the world quickly while Ukitake stands in for the Soul King.

Yushiro then intervened.

Yushiro:The Tenshiheiso is ready. We can begin now!

Urahara: Too little Spiritual Pressure keeps me from doing that.

Tension once again raised as the Court Guards ran into another roadblock.

(Meanwhile) Back at the Royal Palace.

Yhwach: Soul King's left hand governs advancement and his right hand governs stillness. It looks like you have just about managed to hold on to your life, right? I didn't think you would become an obstacle.

Yhwach tried to destroy Mimihagi but Mimihagi seemed to put a field around the Soul King's body to protect him from Yhwach's attack.

Yhwach: I don't get it. For someone who can see into the future, why would a right hand get in the way? Does that imply that the will of the Soul King does not reside there? Then I'll destroy that arm of yours along with you!

Yhwach tried to launch another attack but Ichigo got in the way, breaking through Yhwach's control and grabbing his attacking arm.

Yhwach: Still want to get in my way?

Yoruichi ran past Ichigo and Yhwach and placed down multiple talismans around the Soul King.

Yoruichi: Good job, Ichigo! It managed to stabilize the Soul Society by holding on to the Soul King's body. And if that's the case, we'll just make that the new Soul King. Make sure that he doesn't get near, Ichigo!

Ichigo: Right! Getsuga... Ten-

Ichigo got caught off guard as Yhwach created a Heilig Pfeil point blank to counter Getsuga Tenshou. The two energy attacks created a large explosion. As the smoke cleared it was revealed that both combatants were still fine.

Ichigo was able to buy the few seconds needed for the talismans to create a barrier around the Soul King.

Yoruichi: Too bad. Your vision of the future will not come true.

Yhwach wasn't phased in the slightest by Yoruichi's actions. Instead he kept his focus on Ichigo.

Yhwach: Move, Ichigo.

Ichigo: I've told you. We came here to stop you and protect everything.

Yhwach: Stop me? What am I to you? I am your enemy, right? That you can't tell the man who killed your mother that you are going to kill him is what makes you weak. Did you let (Y/N)'s ideology rub off on you or did you always hold the same ideals?

"Don't get it twisted. We'll do what it takes to win, even if it means killing you"

(Y/N) appeared behind Yhwach with Baraggan's Gran Caída in hand. (Y/N) swung the axe with the attempt of cutting down Yhwach. With Blut Vene activated, Yhwach grabbed the axe, and blocked the attack. The impact and the ability of Baraggan's axe turned one half the Soul King's Shrine into ash.

Yhwach then smirked.

Yhwach: Is that so? Even if it meant killing a friend? Or even family?

(Y/N): Huh? What the hell are you talking about?

Right on cue Yoruichi was shot in the back by a Heilig Pfeil. Everyone was shocked as they turned to see the person who shot the arrow was none other than Uryu.

Ichigo: Ishida...

(Y/N): Why the hell did you have to show your face now of all times?

That brief moment of distraction caused the barrier around the Soul King to crumble.

Yoruichi: Damnit, the Soul King!

Ichigo: Ishida! What have you done?

Yhwach simply walked past Ichigo as he spoke.

Ichigo: Wait!

Yhwach simply blasted Ichigo away. Yhwach then turned to Mimihagi, who was still attached to the Soul King. However before Yhwach could touch the two beings, Yoruichi threw a pair of orbs at the King that turned into a cloud of dust.

Yoruichi: Once the first ball has hit you, the second one will turn you to dust!

Before Yoruichi could throw the second ball, Yhwach called someone's name.

Yhwach: Parnkgjas.

Another Quincy appeared behind Yoruichi and with his sudden appearance, Yoruichi's arm began to twist.

Yhwach then blasted Yoruichi away, sending flying off the shrine.

(Y/N): Luppi, rescue duty!

"On it!"

(Y/N) summoned Luppi and the arrancar was able to grab Yoruichi at the last moment. Luppi then threw Yoruichi near Orihime before dematerializing.

(Y/N): Orihime, healing duty!

Orihime: R-right!

(Y/N) then rushed towards Yhwach with his zanpakuto in hand. At the same time (Y/N) summoned Merlin to fire a Cero at "Parnkgjas" to distract him from (Y/N)'s attack on Yhwach.

As usual, Yhwach dodged (Y/N)'s sword strike, but (Y/N) knew that he'd never hit Yhwach with simple attacks. Midway through his strike, his sword switched to its scythe form in an attempt to catch Yhwach off guard. Unfortunately, Yhwach didn't fall for that trick either.

Yhwach: These eyes of mind don't fall victim to petty tricks. No matter how elaborate the plan, I'll see through it.

(Y/N): So you're saying I can't trick the Almighty into seeing a false future, huh? Well I'll just have to get stronger...

Yhwach: Hm? You talk as if you're capable of more strength.

(Y/N): I know for a fact that I can surpass my limits. I'll just keep growing stronger until I can negate the Almighty's precognition.

Yhwach: You'd have to be a match for me first. Why don't you take on someone that matches your strength.

At the very last moment, (Y/N) reacted and caught a Heilig Pfeil that was aimed at him. The moment (Y/N) caught the arrow, however, the speed and force at which the arrow was shot at took (Y/N) off his feet and sent him flying out of the shrine.

(Y/N) then used his spiritual energy to stop the arrow before throwing the arrow back in the direction it was shot at.

(Y/N) stayed on his guard as he tried to find the spiritual pressure of the person who shot him.

(Y/N): *thinking* It wasn't Uryu... It seems he and Ichigo are about to duke it out... That other guy... Parnkgjas was it? I don't see him, so maybe he shot that while I was distracted with Yhwach...

Once again, it was a last minute reaction, but (Y/N) dodged another arrow.

"Another great dodge. I must say, your skills do feel like they match those of the Royal Guards."

(Y/N) turned around and his eyes widened.

(Y/N): *thinking* This has to be some sick, twisted joke by Yhwach...

"You know this old fart?"

(Y/N) heard Luppi say from his inner world.

(Y/N): *thinking* I'll be honest, I only vaguely remember him. I haven't seen him since I was a toddler. But dad has pictures of him in the house so I still remember his face. That's him without a doubt...

"Then he's a family member of yours?"

Unohana chimed in.

(Y/N): *thinking* Yeah. That's my grandfather. Daichi (L/N).

To be continued.