(With Ichigo)
After hearing that bit of news, the captain commander became virtually deaf to all other noises. Only the blood pounding in his ears as worry for his family, his friends, his precious comrades flooded his entire being. He immediately tried to regenerate his arms, only for them to instantly burn to ash and collapse from the stumps, the intense burning forcing him back to reality and calm himself down to reevaluate his thoughts. Rukia immediately started tracing her hands over his burnt stumps with her powers, her cold hands numbing the smoldering burns still resting in his limbs, while Toshiro approached the Aesir.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, but we need to return to our home immediately." Hitsugaya told Thor, urgency and desperation evident in his voice. The guardian of Asgard giving a quick nod of understanding, the battle was over and the Shinigami had done the extent of their agreement. While he would've preferred to keep them around to celebrate the battle won, it was clear to him that their own conflicts had only just begun. Thor let out a sharp, piercing whistle before calling out.
"Sleipnir! Come!" The air shook with the god's voice, soon being rewarded with a large brown stallion with eight legs running up to them. "Take them and return to Asgard. Bring them to their Senkaimon Gate." Thor quickly ordered, the urgency in his voice being conveyed to the mystical steed as he bobbed his head in understanding. Zaraki, rather unceremoniously, grabbed Ichigo's leg and tossed him unto Sleipnir's back before joining him with Rukia and Toshiro holding onto the giant man. The horse released a loud snort before charging forward, glowing with magic as they all faded from the view of those still in Vigrid.
To the Shinigami, they passed through the veil that separated that realm from the rest of the Nordic cosmos. Being outside of this veil allowed them to see a truly massive tree with nine great branches with thick clusters of entwining branches, one on fire, another carrying the stench of death, and the largest one in the center of the tree's canopy. Sleipnir raced through the void between the realms before charging for one that seemed to shine the second brightest and felt heavy with divine spiritual power. They passed through the bramble like they were sinking into water and entered back into the realm of golden buildings, rainbow bridges, and a truly massive wall that was now utterly meaningless. Sleipnir then turned to the massive grand hall of Valhalla and charged for it, landing in front of the doors to the great building.
"Move!" Zaraki growled out as he slide off of the horse and threw Ichigo over his shoulders before flashing to the door that acted as their Senkaimon Gate. Rukia and Toshiro were immediately behind them with the squad 10 captain immediately opening the gate. The group immediately charged through the Dangai as fast as they could and ended up on the other side, back to the Soul Society and to a view that made their hearts sink.
Many buildings that were still standing served as testimony to the devastation that was wrought. Many bore cracks and fractures from debris that slammed into them while a number had sections that were either erased or the entire building was gone along trails of destruction that came from a cero. Fires were still burning along the deep gouges that were left from the attack, a tainted mix of Hollow and Devil Reishi tempered by a great burning rage that was polluting the air of the Soul Society. Ichigo sent out a Pesquisa and got a count of survivors while desperately looking for his children and could sense that a fifth of his people were now dead while a good third were still injured and being recovered. The relatively good news was that the walls of the Seireitei wer down and seemed to keep everything contained to within the Seireitei, keeping the Rukongai safe.
Another pulse allowed him to sense the many recovery efforts already taking place, hundreds of thousands of his Gotei forces coming in from all around to help dig out the wounded and start patching the worst of them up with what they had. He already found Yuzu and Roka working with Unohana while Tenjiro flooded the streets with his spring waters to wash away injuries and restore lost blood. One more pulse found his children in the care of Tiamat, who was flying them to the meeting ground in the squad 1 barracks. Ichigo could sense a number of the captains in attendance, but only those that could be spared to stand around and discuss the events and how to proceed. Time for him to get the full story.
"Squad 1 barracks. Let's go." Ichigo informed quickly before flashing to his division barracks, tripping over himself as he landed before using Hirenkyaku to prevent his fall. 'Damn. It's worse than I thought.' He grimaced as he realized just how damaged he currently was. The lectures from his early years training under Urahara echoing in his mind, about the Reiatsu vents located in the person's wrists and their role in helping to regulate the flow of the person's Reiryoku. Closing off the vents would cause a Shinigami to burn away from their own power, but cutting off the arm above that point increases the flow of Reiryoku. An apt comparison would be using a hose with a nozzle and breaking it off at the water source with full pressure. His Reiryoku was gushing from him and his sense of control was shot.
"A lifetime of disregarding injuries like that because I could heal." Ichigo grumbled out as Rukia and Toshiro got to his sides and helped to steady him. "This must be karma for that." He said in a vain attempt to distract himself from the near blinding fury that's building in him. Zaraki took point and opened the doors, revealing the captains with Yushiro, Unohana, and Kisuke on monitors and clearly still working while in attendance. Standing off to the side, dressed in her elegant robes in her human form, was Tiamat with the children, all huddling around a crying Kunou.
"Kunou!" Ichigo called out, his instincts as a father overriding everything else in his mind. One of his daughters were in tears and he demanded an answer. All heads snapped toward the captain commander before Kunou ran to him, reaching out to her father. Without thinking, Ichigo again regenerated his arms, only for them to burn to ash again instantly, but this time he held it together with Rasontegai. His child needed comfort and he'd ignore the pain if it meant giving her that. Kunou latched on to him and started wailing in fear and worry, the rest of his kids bearing similar expressions as they crowded around him. "Everyone? What happened?" Ichigo asked in a furious growl, wanting a target to punish for his daughter's tears.
"Right now, all we know concretely is that someone managed to get into Mayuri's Playground and revive Yammy Llargo by turning him into a devil. That, mixed with his power being tied to his anger, evolved him to a stronger state that I'd consider as a force of nature given physical form." Urahara said from his monitor while typing away at a few keys. "Mayuri is digging... and he's found the culprits." The squad 12 captain said as he sent out a few still images. In it were two men facing the gargantuan body of tanned skin and muscle that was once Yammy.
The man on the left wore a gray suit and had familiar looking long silver hair tied in a braid and appeared rather young with a calm expression. The one on the right was more slender and had chin length pink hair, wearing glasses and a similar dark suit. In another still, the pink haired man appeared to be attempting to hack into Mayuri's computers while the silver haired man created a devil's circle just small enough to let a hand through. A new hand came through that portal, holding a golden chalice that radiated a divine light. The next image showed Yammy healing and mutating into his newest form while hundreds of summoning circles appeared to release the black creatures that also attacked the Seireitei while thousands more black souls flew into Yammy's mouth.
"According to what scans and data we could recover, while we could see them they didn't appear to actually be there." Urahara continued with a fascinated tone. "Like Schrodinger's Cat in a sense. That's how they managed to bypass everything. They slipped in through a gap of dimensional reality, healed Yammy with that cup I'm assuming is the Sacred Gear, Sephiroth Graal, and fed him enough devil souls to actually turn him into one during another rage transformation. Mayuri's pissed about this and is checking everything to make sure nothing was compromised. However, I'm more curious about how the Arrancar, Szayelaporro Granz, is still alive." He said, turning all attention to Tier Harribel.
"That's what I want to know as well." The dark skinned Arrancar answered before raising a hand to her chin. "Uryu and Bazz-B were the ones to witness his demise and when we ransacked his labs we found nothing to indicate something like this to be possible. The only person that might know anything is Roka Paramia, she was often his much abused assistant." The Hollow queen told them as Unohana turned to order someone to get the Arrancar medic. Ichigo was still gently stroking Kunou's head in a soothing manner with his ash arms, starting to sweat from the exertion of tolerating the intense burning.
"Don't worry my little kit." The father said softly to his daughter. "I won't let them scare you anymore." Kunou pulled away to look up to him with tears still in her eyes.
"Papa. Someone kidnapped mama." She said in a frail voice and Ichigo lost all control as he froze at that news, his arms collapsing into ash around the kids as they finally saw the damage that was done to him as well. He was exhausted, his arms and soul burned, his home was attacked while he was gone, and one of his wives was now missing. Instantly his mind flashed back to ten years ago with the Blood War and hearing something far too similar. When he heard about and found the dead body of a woman with peach blonde hair with a terrible gash through her body. His blood froze at seeing an image of Yasaka in a similar state, voices mocking him at the prospect of failing to protect his family once again. Something he refused to relive as his Reiatsu washed over everything.
'Your majesty, restore my arms!' Ichigo demanded in a silent prayer to the Soul King, but nothing happened to him.. 'Please! I can't live through something like that again! Give me back my arms!' Again he was met with silence. 'ADYNEUS!' Ichigo roared at the ancient god, daring to use his true name, but was ultimately denied his plea.
"Everything is moving according to my design." He answered, giving his decree. "Now you must ready the Red Dragon." Ichigo could only grit his teeth as the Almighty one made his will clear to his servant. He received a vision of Kyoto and Issei claiming a group of chess pieces at the end of a long path. A rook, a knight, a bishop, and a queen all the color of deep crimson and radiating with a great power that matched the Boosted Gear as a light rain came down around the young devil. Then he saw himself facing a massive golden colored fox with nine tails that seemed to be blind with feral madness while two forces of humans clashed in a furious battle. Ichigo released a growl of frustration, but could only accept the Soul King's decree as he reigned in his power.
"That's a clone." Ichigo was brought back to reality as the voice registered, looking up to find Roka Paramia now on Unohana's monitor. "Szayelaporro had me clone him at the height of his power, when he was a Vasto Lorde before splitting himself to better allow himself the ability to properly focus on his own scientific endeavors." She explained the hidden history that she remembered, now that it was relevant for others to know. "Szayelaporro did intend to one day reclaim all of his missing fragments, but was ultimately killed during the Winter War. This was his last order of me before you freed me and I wanted to forget about it. I honestly thought that clone would've died out in the deserts of Hueco Mundo."
"And how would you rate his power?" Urahara asked, already devising hundreds of countermeasures that would need to be put in place.
"If he was successful? He would've been the Cero Espada over Yammy." Roka calmly answered, shocking most of the people that were familiar with the Arrancar's strength. "But Aizen ranked the Espada by the amount of Reiryoku they had, not their combat ability. Now he's had time to refine and build his strength as well as his mind. Imagine, someone that fights like lieutenant Mayuri but with captain Zaraki's strength with his eye-patch." The entire group thought about for a moment before collectively shuddering at the prospect. Zaraki himself would've grinned in excitement at the prospect of two potentially strong opponents for him to fight, but even he was finding it difficult to get excited after coming home to the devastation that they have.
"What else do we know about what happened here?" Ichigo asked tiredly as he rose to his feet to walk over to a chair before collapsing into it with a grunt. His children crowded around him in worry before Tenjiro flashed in front of him.
"Wow kid, you look like shit." He said, being covered in dirt, grime, and sweat himself from his parts in the recovery efforts, before he roughly grabbed one of Ichigo's stumps and yanking him up to eye level. "Damn. Never thought I'd ever see you in this kind of condition. Guess that healing does have lim-" He was interrupted by a Reishi construct foot slamming down on his head, silencing him.
"And your bedside manner still sucks." Ichigo growled out, the pain keeping him awake and focused. Tenjiro didn't say anything, but gave Ichigo a look that spoke volumes as he gently set the commander down and flashed away.
"That's an unsettling diagnosis. He's actually taking it seriously." Unohana said from her monitor as Ichigo slumped back into his chair, feeling ready to black out from the pain and exhaustion but refusing to give in until he did his job to a satisfactory level. His vision was starting to blur but he could still think clearly enough to get the reports.
"I'll live. Just give the report before I black out." Ichigo insisted, getting concerned looks from the assembled captains before they acquiesced to his order. He wasn't far off with his damage assessments when he used his pesquisa, leaving the Shinigami numbers of the Gotei heavily damaged and short handed with squads 3, 5, and 8 down to less than half of their numbers in functional conditions. Squad 4 is working triple time to keep up with the number of injured and Orihime was there trying to resurrect everyone she could while squad 12 was running out of both their Reishi restoration potions and their supply of artificial Phoenix Tears. Tenjiro's spring water that was flowing down the streets was heavily diluted to the point that it was only buying them all precious minutes at best. Optimistically, half of those injured would be back in service within the week.
On the technical side, Urahara and Mayuri made numerous back ups to their systems in case something ever tried to hack or break them so they got that back up immediately. Meaning they also started scanning the Reishi residue from Yammy's prison while Urahara was working on trying to figure out who that silver haired devil was as well as attempting to track the grail's unique energy signature. Some of the scientists that could be spared from that and manufacturing their medicines made their way to the Kido corps to try and work with them to develop a countermeasure to ensure this weakness couldn't be exploited again.
"Now... what of... Kyoto?" Ichigo panted out, getting closer and closer to losing consciousness. "I... hope... things are... under... control." Byakuya stepped forward and placed a firm hand on his brother's shoulder, making sure Ichigo was focusing on him.
"Komamura is keeping things under control, but it won't last forever." He quickly and calmly told his brother. "The people will need their sovereigns to maintain the idea that everything is fine for them."
"I... sincerely hope... you don't think I'll leave... my daughter alone in a place where... her mother was just kidnapped." Ichigo managed to get out before finally succumbing to his exhaustion, just as Tenjiro arrived.
"I'd never dream of it my brother." The Kuchiki head whispered as he moved to let the master healer take Ichigo away, the Hot Springs Demon tossing Ichigo over his shoulder before wordlessly flashing away. Byakuya let out a sigh before facing the group again. "Ichigo's definitely going to Kyoto after he wakes up and there's nothing we can reasonably do to stop him, not that we even should. Let's make sure he can leave with a clear conscious at the very least." The rest of the Gotei leadership nodded in agreement and started discussing how they'll move forward.
(The next day: With Issei and the 2nd years at the bullet train station)
Yesterday was a mostly peaceful affair for the members of the Kuoh squad, a blissfully quiet day with the exception of things suddenly getting brighter for the briefest of moments and the feeling of Ichigo's Reiatsu washing over them. It was the only thing that gave the training teens pause before they resumed their respective efforts in strengthening themselves before they spent the rest of the day studying. A requirement from Rias and Sona to make sure no one disgraced their family names by getting failing grades. That night was a passionate one for Issei as Rias and Akeno again slipped into his bed to let him live out another fantasy he had with the Two Princesses of Kuoh Academy. All of which let him sleep peacefully as the day came for the class field trip to Kyoto.
"You have everything packed right? And you double checked?" Rias asked the second years in her and Sona's charge as the members of the supernatural world gathered in a spot separated from the rest of the Kuoh students. "You know how strict Arisawa Sensei can be." She warned as the group's eyes drifted over to the two chaperoning teachers, Azazel and Tatsuki, passing out brochures and itineraries for the rest of the second years.
"Wasn't it supposed to be Kurosaki Sensei instead of Azazel?" Kiba asked, reflecting everyone's surprise since it was long established that it was going to be the two sister wives. Kyoto was a major site for the Shinto and needed quite a bit of political navigating for the other factions to be permitted entry. According to Sona; her sister was also going to be visiting Kyoto under the pretense of further trade negotiations with the head priestess of Takamagahara but the truth of it was that she was going there to make sure that the devils behaved themselves. An insisted condition by Orihime meant mainly to have Serafall in attendance to spend more time with her married family, though being a deterrent for any conflict was an added bonus.
"Apparently something came up that she said couldn't be done without her. We don't know what, but I have a bad feeling about it." Sona added as she held up a set of cards with the Kanji 太(Sun) on it. "But enough about that, we don't want you to walk on eggshells for this visit. These are the passes that Arisawa Sensei gave us to distribute to you all. Keep them on you at all times and you'll be able to visit every shrine and temple in Kyoto." She ordered before planting a quick kiss on Saji's cheek, turning him into a shining tomato for a moment while she smiled in delight.
"Enjoy yourself and come back to me soon Issei." Rias pleaded before giving her beloved a tender kiss on his lips. "I know I'll have the rest of my adorable peerage with me, and Akeno to keep my bed warm," she then leaned in to her pawn's ear, "but that toy is a poor replacement for your throbbing rod in my sacred place." Issei went just as red as the Gremory's crimson hair and his brain short circuited while Rias turned to her departing bishop. "Asia, be sure to take care of him for me. Both throughout the day and his urges during the night. I'm aware you've been without our attention for quite some time." Asia was now blushing with visible steam coming off of her head while some would notice Irina pouting before quickly getting into a prayer position and asking for forgiveness.
"Alright kids! Everyone get on the train!" Tatsuki yelled out, herding all of the students onto the train. "Next stop, Kyoto!" The teens steadily loaded themselves onto the bullet train, Tatsuki holding up Issei's human friends, Matsuda and Motohama, with a (not really)surprise inspection that led to her finding their porn stash. Now they're being subjected to a scathing lecture while Issei sat with the rest of the 2nd years of the Kuoh Team. It was a perfect chance for them to talk, mostly about their plans for exploring the city but more about how they seem to be purposefully stuck together.
"Normally groups are separated by what classes they are in and go from there. But the student council members are with those of us from the Occult Research Club." Kiba said as the group of ten compared their thoughts. Issei, Kiba, Asia, and Irina for the ORC and Saji, Xenovia, Tsubasa, Reya, Momo, and Tomoe for the Student Council. "Xenovia? Do you know why this is? Does the Soul Society not trust us yet?"
"Sorry, I can't say for certain." The blue hair Shinigami answered. "Technically I'm part of squad 1, but the duties I perform are more in line with squad 15's Living World patrolling. I'm not always privy to what happens since my position is more of a formality to keep me safe and my main orders at the moment are to finish my formal education and to work with you all since you'll likely end up being used as soldiers in the war against the Khaos Brigade. Captain Commander Kurosaki is certain that is what's going to happen, despite what lord Sirzechs wants."
"I... guess that makes sense." Issei conceded as he leaned back. "So, what are the chances that this trip will simply be a relaxing over us getting caught up in something outrageous again?" The group took a moment to think about everything that happened to them so far that wasn't part of their plans. Issei's battle with Raynare, the Excalibur Incident with Kokabiel, when Gasper was kidnapped during the peace summit, the Rating Game with Diodora and the OSF's attack, Loki's attack when Odin had visited Japan for trade negotiations. It was fair to assume that they would likely get caught up in a new conflict.
"I'm going to try to commune with the past wielders of the Boosted Gear again." Issei announced as he closed his eyes and let his mind sink into the collective consciousness of the past users of the Boosted Gear. Recently Sirzechs had Issei spar with him and undergo 'trials' with the other Satans to test his power. Ajuka gave the most insight, sensing that Issei was making great progress under Soul Society's training in the different roles that the pawn piece could become and was on the verge of awakening something new, but he had to unlock from within him. He opened his eyes to find himself in a vast white room with a bunch of different people sitting on benches, dressed in seemingly religious robes but with vacant and dead expressions on their faces.
"Hey, my many Senpai! I'm back!" He greeted enthusiastically, only to be met with silence. Issei could only release a sigh as he inspected the many wielders of Ddraig's power, walking up to a particularly young looking man.
'This one is the closest to your age.' Issei heard Ddraig's voice echo from all around him. 'He was a real genius who even managed to awaken the Juggernaut Drive earlier than any other. But he quickly became drunk on that power and was by another Longinus user.'
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised that some of them died to something other than the Hakuryuukou. What else can you tell me about this lesson?" Issei acknowledged, stepping back to ask his question.
'Becoming drunk on power tends to blind you and anyone can become an enemy. It's not always your rival that will end you if you become a tyrant.' Ddraig warned, letting his own experience and observations carry the weight of his advice. 'No matter the era, the rule of a tyrant is often short due to some enemy of theirs ending them.'
"Is that why I'm having such a hard time gaining that greater strength?" Issei asked, feeling somewhat angry. "Because I lack that same tyrannical ambition? At first, I thought all I wanted was to surround myself with beautiful women with luscious tits for me to suck and fondle. Now, I realize how childish I was being and just want the power to protect those precious to me. My treasures." He said, looking at his hand that held the Boosted Gear and feeling his frustration building. "Surely some of them, even just one, had some of that same conviction. To seek a greater power to protect what was precious to them. But the only power up you have to offer is the Juggernaut Drive? Who even came up with that terrifying chant!?" He roared out in frustration.
"No idea. We don't even know why they wanted to bear such anger and hate toward Ophis and Great Red." Issei turned to face the new voice, finding a young woman with long wavy blonde hair with green eyes and wearing a purple dress that did little to hid her figure. Issei remembered a time when he would've been gawking at her, but now he managed to focus on the whole of the person before him, not just her barely concealed bust.
'Elsha? I'm surprised to see you come forth.' Ddraig said, the shock evident in his voice. 'Issei, of all of my partners, there were two that were the most impressive. Elsha, the strongest of my female hosts standing before you now, and Belzard, the strongest male. I thought the two of you would never come out again.' The Heavenly Dragon explained while Issei gave a respectful bow.
"Thank you for taking this time to come forth and meet with me." The current Red Dragon said before facing his predecessor. "But I must know, after all the time I spent trying to speak to any one of the previous wielders, why do you approach me now?" Elsha blinked in surprise before giving a gentle laugh.
"So formal. Not something I would expect from the Breast Dragon Emperor." She said with a smiled, blinking at the sudden thud before finding Issei face down on the floor.
"I'm never shaking that reputation am I?" The teen said in a resigned tone. "Stuck forever as the Grabbin Dragon." Elsha could only laugh more at the sight.
"It's alright!" She cried out between giggling fits. "It's because of that Breast Dragon Emperor stuff that caught our attention that we're also able to believe that you may awaken something beyond the power of the Juggernaut Drive. After all, that silly theme song overcame the Juggernaut Drive chant and broke you out of that trance before you took too much damage." She tried to reassure, but also couldn't stop herself from laughing. "You and the current White Dragon are truly unique existences. That's why we can trust you with this." She said before presenting him with a maroon chest with gold lining and a single keyhole.
"What is that?" Issei asked, feeling an instinctual connection to a key that suddenly appeared in his hand. A key that he got from Ajuka Beelzebub. A key that he knew would unlock that box.
"Something Belzard and I have protected from other, more foolish, possessors of Ddraig's power." She answered, holding out the box. "The potential of the Boosted Gear, something other than the draining and madness inducing Juggernaut Drive. Something you should have an easier time accessing, having a pawn evil piece and a drive and desire that makes the rest of us seem rather foolish by comparison. Now, open the box. Accept it joyfully and do not give up half-way. Take responsibility and claim the power we are entrusting to you, our most fascinating successor." Issei held up the key and slipped it into the keyhole of the chest, holding it there as if he was scared to turn the key.
"It's going to be something boob related isn't it?" Issei asked drying to the still smiling Elsha.
"Honestly? No idea. But I promise to laugh if it is." She said with an honest smile.
"RAGH! DAMN IT!" Issei roared as he turned the key and was hit with a blinding flash of light. Suddenly he was awake, back on the bullet train with seemingly nothing different about him or anything new on him. 'Did it fail? What happened to that poten-' a loud thwack rang out from the front of the train.
"Clearly I underestimated the sex drive of you two degenerates!" He heard Tatsuki yell as every student leaned over to get a view of the tomboy disciplinarian yelling at Issei's perv bros who were now sporting smoking lumps on their heads. "I'd never thought any boy would get so desperate for boobs that he'd fondle a guy's chest!" Issei proceeded to bury his head between his knees, bite down hard on his sleeve, and scream out in frustration. He would be unaware of a shining red crystal flying through the air before shooting on ahead to the city of Kyoto.
(Time Skip: Kyoto)
They finally arrived at the supernatural capital of Japan, gathering up their luggage as they disembarked from the train, and took in the sights of the city with awe. The Kuoh squad briefly forgot about their concerns for the moment to simply allow their excitement wash over them and get new ideas and inspirations from the brief introductory sight just outside of the train station. Eventually one of the human students called them all to order and began leading them to the hotel that was booked for the students of Kuoh, the Butterfly's Rest inn.
"So those are definitely hell butterflies as part of the decoration, right?" Saji asked, recognizing the butterflies from their time in Soul Society as they moved to their room and set things up. Despite the majority of the inn being set up in the traditional Japanese style, their rooms were more like a Western style suite with both rooms having a large commons room and a door that connected the two suites. "I'd say, 'not exactly subtle' but then again I think only those aware of them would know this inn is run by the spiritually aware." He offered as Kiba, Issei, and himself setting up their places in the room. The students were supposed to be on separate floors by gender, but the Kuoh Squad had their own floor with the boys and girls being next to each other. Kiba walked up to the door while reading a small slip of paper and a seal appeared on the face of the door. He knocked on the door three times and waited. Soon they heard another three knocks before the seal faded and Xenovia opened the door.
"So... who do you think that's for?" The Shinigami asked as everyone looked to Issei.
"Oh screw you guys!" He yelled indignantly as he stormed over to them. "I haven't even tried looking up porn after the Diodora incident!"
"Yeah, but one of your girlfriends and a fiancee is rooming with me." Xenovia pointed out, causing them to look back to Asia's room... who was humming happily while comparing skimpy lingerie with Irina, whose wings were on display and shifting from white to black. "Frankly. I don't know who it's really for." Issei had to agree with her on that. "Anyway, have you looked at our itinerary?" She asked, prompting Kiba to pull out his copy of the itinerary that Tatsuki made sure they got.
"Uh, yeah. First activity, tour major sites with guide Senna Shiba. In... ten minutes." Kiba read off before looking to the Soul Reaper in their group. "Do you recognize something Xenovia?" The blue haired girl let out a sigh and nodded.
"Shiba is one of the major noble families of the Soul Society. More evidence that something has come up." The members of the Kuoh Squad looked to each other before giving a quick sigh of disappointment that their expected vacation just ended before it really began. Now they could only hope that it was for a good reason and not something on the whims of the Soul Society. The students gathered at the front of the front of the hotel, where Azazel and Tatsuki were giving one last lecture to the students about being careful and to conduct themselves appropriately in the city.
"TATSUKI!" The students suddenly heard, looking over to find a woman waving at their gym teacher with a dog at her side. She wore a tan blazer with a white button up shirt with a pair of jeans and brown sneakers. Her eyes were the color of amber with long purple hair tied in a spiky ponytail with a red ribbon and she had a million watt smile as she rushed up to Tatsuki's side and gave her a tight hug that, to the shock of many students, Arisawa was happy to return. Her canine companion stood at thigh height with two toned fur, the top half being a russet brown while the underside was white.
"Senna! It's so good to see you again!" Tatsuki said as they released the hug before she led her to the Kuoh Squad. "Kids, I know what you were planning, but you weren't going to get everything in without a proper guide. Senna's one of the best I know." The girl flashed another smile while giving a wink and a peace sign.
"Don't worry kiddos! Me and my handsome partner Sajin here will make sure you get the best experience in Kyoto that you can!" She promised, which momentarily gave the group confidence that they'll enjoy their time before sensing something off about the dog. The students then split up into their separate groups while the Kuoh Squad followed Senna and Sajin. They soon began to suspect something was off as they headed away from the station and deeper into the city before going to a candy store with a chibi looking blonde girl with seven fox tails dressed like a shrine maiden as the store mascot.
"So Soul Society needs us for something?" Issei asked, getting a sense of familiarity between this and the candy shop in Kuoh that was actually the Gotei squad 15 base. "There goes our vacation."
"Yeah, sorry about that." Senna said as Sajin went through the door and immediately vanished. "You all still have your passes right?" She asked as each one of them pulled out their passes, the kanji now faintly glowing blue. "Go on. Follow Sajin." Senna continued with her smile fading. The group nodded and walked through one by one, suddenly finding themselves walking back onto the streets that were now filled with Yokai and Tengu and the heavy presence of spiritual energy in the air.
"Excellent. Follow me to the castle now." They heard a deep voice say, looking to find a giant of a man standing before them. He was dressed a Shinigami uniform with a gray haori yellow pauldrons on his shoulders with a large katana at his side. He had a hard expression on is face with long, two toned blonde hair and thick white sideburns going down the sides of his face. His eyes were golden, his ears were dog like, and he had fur on the top of his fists and forearms. "My name is Sajin Komamura, and I'm the head of the personal guard of Princess Yasaka."
"One of Head Captain Kurosaki's wives." Xenovia supplied for the rest of the Kuoh Squad. "Sir, is there a reason for this?" She asked, hoping for an answer before a look from the man prompted her and the whole group into silence.
"Yes, it is only proper for guests from the Netherworld and from Heaven to present themselves to the leader of the city as her honored guests." He spoke calmly and firmly, but also loud enough for passersby to hear and continue with their respective business. That set off alarm bells in the minds of the Kuoh Squad as Senna caught up to them and they proceeded on. The Shiba guide excitedly pointing out various landmarks that existed on both sides, prompting the teens to take pictures as if this was still a vacation for them. They soon reached a grand feudal Japanese castle complex with various Yokai bowing to Sajin as he passed. The entered and were met with the strong scent of burning incense with the melody of strings and whistles playing ever louder as they got deeper into the castle. A red skinned Tengu guard bowing to the group as they got to a room where the muffled music rang clear as soon as it was opened. Inside they found Ichigo sitting on a throne surrounded by a barrier while nine children played on Kotos, Shamisens, flutes, and a drum set, around him. As they got further in they recognized Orihime maintaining her Souten Kesshun healing barrier while on his left while Kuroka and Serafall stood on his right.
"Thank you for bringing them Sajin." Ichigo said, still sounding tired as the teens gawked at finally noticing Ichigo's missing arms. "Stand by and let no one else enter this room." The giant gave a slight bow before before leaving the room to stand guard while Senna went to the back rooms. "Come in and sit. I've much to explain to you." The devils and angel moved with care and caution while the lone Shinigami of their group made her way to the foot of the throne and knelt, concern evident on her features.
"Head Captain sir," Xenovia started with a shaking voice, "are you all right sir? What happened? I thought something like this was easy to fix for us." That was a question on everyone's mind, especially since each one of them bore witness to the power that the Shinigami leader and the healing abilities of their faction. Seeing him like this was almost like seeing their own leaders get a crippling injury. A grim reminder that their side was not entirely unbeatable and that there's always a good chance that there might be consequences in this war.
"Physical damage can be easily brushed aside, that much is true and what we're most familiar with." Ichigo explained as Orihime dispelled her barrier, clearly exhausted from the strain of trying to undo the damage to her husband. "Damage to the soul is different and more difficult to repair. A devil getting cut with Durandal or Excalibur is an apt comparison, even with the full power of Phoenix Tears." Senna returned with a platter of food, various plates of sushi and sashimi that were formed to look like flowers or jewels. "Go ahead and dig in. It's the least I can do before giving you your mission."
"Of course." Issei said in frustration, reflecting the attitude of many of the devils in attendance. "We can't just have one day to be students and enjoy ourselves can we? And all because of that damned Khaos Brigade?" Asia gently rubbed his back, hoping to calm him down, as he took a breath and just accepted that their fun field trip was now non-existent. "So, what did they do and how do we fix it?" The plucking of the koto stopped, prompting Issei to look over to a familiar looking fox girl who seemed ready to cry. "No... did they?"
"My wife and ruler of Kyoto, Yasaka, is missing." Ichigo answered before looking to Kuroka and giving a nod, prompting her to leave. "I had an arrangement with Odin and the Aesir to help them fight in Ragnarok, which suddenly changed on us with the Khaos Brigade managing to find long forgotten deities to bring into the fold. My current state is the result of containing the damage of that battle, but that wasn't the end of it. Somehow, they found a way into the Soul Society to launch a devastating attack on my home base and while we were preoccupied with that, managed to steal the most powerful Yokai in Japan right out from under our noses." Kuroka returned with a scroll, a box, and a glass jar that she set on the table.
"Of course, it can't be something as simple as 'find the missing person'. If it was, I could've found her instantly and this whole mess would've been a non-issue." Ichigo growled out as his frustration returned. "But, whoever took my beloved Yasaka managed to find a way to hide her from my senses." The glass jar was wrapped in a green aura and levitated for just a moment before gently returning to the table. "They managed to find a way to separate her 'body' from her 'presence'. No matter how much I try to sense her, it traces back to this jar." He explained, seeing the group appear confused but accepting the explanation as they slowly worked it out. He felt proud of Issei taking the time to try and understand it.
"Which brings us to he lot of you." Ichigo continued, getting their focus again as he made the scroll unfurl with Fullbring. "This is a painting of Yasaka." It showed two images of the fox priestess. One in all of her regalia and again in a more casual kimono. Ichigo noticed that Issei wasn't focusing on his wife's chest and came to a decision. "All I can ask of you is to search for her while helping to bolster the defenses of this city. Can I do that of you?" He asked as Issei stood up.
"Rias told me how much she loved Kyoto. Protecting this city would make her happy, so I'm in sir! Free of charge!" He declared, quickly followed by the rest of the Kuoh squad of devils and Irina as the lone angel agreeing to help him.
"I'm still your subordinate Captain Commander." Xenovia stated as she knelt before him again. "Command me as you see fit sir. I will give my all to protect the innocent. But, are you sure you should've revealed all of this? I know we're all allies here, but from what I've heard you've been rather secretive." She spared a glance to Serafall, who noticed and pouted indignantly.
"Rude!" She shouted before gathering all of the children. "I'm his wife too, so his kids are my kids and mommy Serafall likes her babies happy!" She declared with a pout while hugging all nine of Ichigo's children.
"Plus I already made a few deals with her about appearing on a show or two and letting her construct a magical girl theme park to keep this all a secret until we have recovered." Ichigo added.
"Those too! But mainly happy babies!" Serafall defended, her expression never changing.
"So anyway," Ichigo continued, "your mission going forward is essentially to be bait while escorting my daughter, Kunou." Serafall reluctantly let the fox girl go as she walked forward. "She'll take over the role of being your guide in Kyoto to allow Senna to get back to doing what she does best." The girl in question threw up another peace sign and smile.
"Senna Shiba, squad 15 elite scouting unit! I'm really good at finding things, even between dimensions! Plus all this time with Artemis is really fun!" The teens started to wonder where she was getting her energy from.
"That's all. I'm grateful for your help. However, Issei. Step forward." Ichigo instructed, prompting the Gremory pawn to approach him. "Tell me, are these familiar?" He asked as the box opened, revealing chess pieces of a deep crimson hue. A knight, a rook, a bishop, and a queen. Issei's eyes bulged out of his skull as he immediately recognized the power of Ddraig coming from those pieces. "I figured. I found this gem infecting people and turning them into boob obsessed freaks and figured you had to be connected." Issei dropped into a dogeza so fast and hard that the floor split from his head slamming into it.
"I'M SORRY! I KEEP TRYING TO MOVE PAST THIS!" He shouted out his apology, prompting Ichigo to knock him lightly on the head with his foot.
"Get up. I know you're trying to be better so there's no need to keep apologizing." Ichigo returned, seeing a teary eyed Issei looking at him with gratitude. "Don't give me that look. You're definitely going to hate me for what I've got in store for you to gain this greater power you're looking to claim." Issei's expression immediately turned to that of horror for a brief moment before he audibly swallowed his fear and gave a determined glare.
"Bring it."
(Omake) By the way, let me know if you prefer Ichigo or Issei for Xenovia.
Catching Risky Potential
Ichigo was focusing on his Fullbring manipulation, moving water in a special attachment to his throne to let his burnt stumps soak in water from Tenjiro White Bone Hell spring, restoring his arms by a centimeter every minute. His focus was broken when he sensed something that felt like Issei flying into Kyoto and vanishing just as quickly. He went to the site and saw a man being apprehended by the police before a red crystal flew out of his body. Ichigo immediately regrew an arm and snatched up the gem, which broke out of his ashen limb before a Reishi construct of his hollow mask shot out of his chest and swallowed it. The Hogyoku flashed with a purple light as Ichigo was suddenly overcome with a desire to grope tits.
'Yep. Definitely Issei.' He thought, hoping this was someone's idea of a really bad joke on the teen, before taking a breath and drawing a rune spell meant to separate himself from his sexual lust. A spell he hasn't needed since his time on Olympus with Aphrodite trying to mess with him. "There. Now to turn this into a training opportunity worth having. Everything should be fine." He said to himself, unaware that his seal was already eroding away.
Kuroka Doesn't Learn
"Ichigo! Take me with you!" The Nekoshou demanded after Ichigo woke up and was about to depart with all of his children and Orihime to Kyoto. "I can be of great help!"
"Your training isn't complete yet. Why do you wish to come?" He asked, prompting Kuroka to place a hand on her chest.
"I'm still a master of Senjutsu. Surely I can use that to help accelerate your healing." She defended, getting a raised eyebrow from Orihime who calmly walked over to pull the cat to a more private conversation.
"You're planning to use the 'bedroom method' aren't you?" She whispered knowingly while Kuroka's danger sense went off as she looked away from the senior bride. "Let's take her with us! Just one thing first." She said before flashing away with the Yokai. Five minutes passed before Orihime reappeared with a bright smile while Kuroka was frowning in disappointment. "Okay let's go." She said in her chipper tone while Kuroka followed them with only one question on her mind.
'WHY DO THEY STILL MAKE CHASTITY BELTS!?' She mentally roared in discomfort as the cold metal mesh pressed into her.
DxDiaries! Sajin Komamura
I can't deny that I wanted some measure of vengeance when I used the Humanization Technique of my clan, even though the main focus of me using it was to help stop the Quincy and their twisted master in the Blood War. That moment of selfishness is ultimately what reduced me into a beast. Any price was worth it though, to see master Genryusai's vision through and I can accept his legacy in young Ichigo Kurosaki. My only regret now was my inability to help my clan.
They hide themselves away in the shadows of Rukongai, believing they have no need to be any part of the way the world works due to a forgotten sin that our ancestors committed so very long ago. I abandoned that passive complacency and chose to make something of myself and of my clan, though my fear and shame drove me to disguise myself. I eventually lost that disguise and found myself still accepted as a member of the Gotei and I used that as my chance to build a possible future for my people. One beyond living in those damned caves, digging up gemstones to trade for the most basic necessities of food and clothing, completely oblivious to the state of the world.
But my role in that came to an end after the final battle of the Thousand Year Blood War and I lost my anthropomorphic form. I was successful in my goal though, paving the way for my two nephews, Urui and Shouma, who managed to leave the clan and join Shin'o Academy with my former lieutenant and successor to the captain seat Iba serving as their guardian and main patron. I was able to accept my fate now as a beast, living in seclusion in the mountains behind the squad 7 barracks. However, Ichigo approached me with a proposal.
If I could learn the ways of the Yokai, regain my old strength as a Soul Reaper and go beyond that, I could again attempt to liberate my people from their isolation. I would likely have to properly overthrow my grandfather, the standing leader of the clan, but if it meant freeing them then I would meet that fate. He brought me to Kyoto and I met his latest bride Yasaka who immediately took me under her wing to at least regain humanoid appearance and I eventually became her main bodyguard while still undergoing my training. I swore to myself and to Ichigo that I would protect her, but on our way to Mt. Meru she was taken from right under my nose. One moment she was there and gone in the literal next instant. My shame for this is immeasurable and I swore to do whatever it took to save her.