Bleach: Starting as a Vasto Lorde

Chapter 332: The Crumble

Half an hour earlier, Sokyoku Hill

As the giant manta ray swooped down, a ripple of unease washed over Rangiku. Anyone vaguely familiar with the 4th Squad would instantly recognize the strange creature as Captain Unohana’s companion and mode of transportation, Minazuki.

Yet Unohana stood quietly at her side.

The figures on Minazuki’s back were unfamiliar to her except for one curvaceous woman with two maroon cat-like ears on top of her head. When looking closely, she could see that they were just her hair artfully styled to resemble cat ears.

‘She looks like Haineko. Why is she here?’

She wasn’t the only one struggling to make sense of the scene. The few Captains and Vice-Captains, who had achieved Bankai State, also spotted their Zanpakutō Spirits. None of them were fools to disregard the way Zanpakutō Spirits showed up; they weren’t here to celebrate the occasion. No, they all oozed a coldness that made them feel like they didn’t know their masters anymore.

As though they were meeting a stranger.

Zanpakutō Spirits came here to cause a scene. A scene that may shake the foundations of Soul Society and be imprinted on its history forever.

Haineko leaped from Minazuki’s back and landed before Rangiku. She bent forward, smirking at Rangiku. “Well, if it isn’t my dumbass master.”

“What is with you?” Rangiku glared at her lazy Zanpakutō Spirit, evidently not noticing the lack of warmth in Haineko’s eyes. “Come here. Now.”

Haineko’s tail flicked as she turned away with a scoff. “Shut the hell up, old hag. Or I’ll claw you to death.”

Rangiku was about to pull out her sword when Unohana placed a gentle but firm hand on her shoulder. Haineko gracefully jumped back on Minazuki, watching with amusement.

“They aren’t the Zanpakutō Spirits you remember,” Unohana said calmly, eyes locked on the pale-skinned man, who seemed to be acting as the leader of this Zanpakutō Spirits group. “Captain Kyoraku, we’ll follow your command.”

Shunsui smiled, despite seeing his Zanpakutō Spirit, Katen Kyōkotsu, standing on the opposite side. “Jeez. I can’t get a moment’s rest. Nanao-chan, for once I’m jealous you don’t have a Zanpakutō of your own.”

Of course, he never acknowledged the sacred treasure of Ise Clan as Nanao’s Zanpakutō.

Nanao rolled her eyes out of habit, then composed herself as she sensed the tense atmosphere. She adjusted her glasses, assuming her professional demeanor. “One of them must have an ability to forcefully manifest Zanpakutō Spirits.”

Her take on Zanpakutō Spirits was met with silent acceptance by everyone.

“So that’s why my Zanpakutō suddenly stopped working?” Ikkaku muttered irritably, striding toward Muramasa.

He barely made it two steps before a figure lunged out beside Muramasa. Ikkaku raised his sheathed Zanpakutō, blocking the heavy swing of a spear shaft crashing down on his head.

The attacker, a towering, muscular man with brown skin, grinned like a maniac. “I missed you, Partner!”

“Oi, who the hell are you—that weapon.” Ikkaku’s eyes narrowed on the spearhead. “You are—”

“That’s right, Partner. It’s me, Hōzukimaru!”

Hōzukimaru stepped back and swung down the spear again, splitting the air with sheer physical strength. Ikkaku evaded rather than facing the powerful attack head-on.

“Oi! What the hell’s your deal? Why fight me?!”

Hōzukimaru brandished the spear and stabbed toward his Shinigami companion. Another swift evasion from Ikkaku as he glared at Hōzukimaru.

“You are in my way of freedom. Let’s fight one last time before I cut your head off.”

“You bastard,” Ikkaku snarled and drew his katana out of its sheath, an unsettling grin on his face. “There is no other way then. I’ll put you back in place with my own hands.”

Hōzukimaru laughed wildly. “The hill is too crowded.”

“Then let’s go somewhere else.”

Unohana watched as the pair vanished. Massive surges of powerful Reiatsu rumbled in the distant barren land. An intense battle had already erupted between a Shinigami and his Zanpakutō Spirit.

‘I should withdraw with the kids, but…’

She could feel every Zanpakutō Spirit’s spiritual senses locked on her. If she moved, they’d strike. She’d happily welcome their invitation to battle on a usual day, but today she had to look after Rukia and Momo. The two wouldn’t survive a battle between two Captain-level Shinigami. The rational choice was to guard them from the front while Isane covered their rear.

Clothes rustled as Byakuya walked out of the crowd, his face stern, his eyes locked on Muramasa. “Are you the one who caused the explosion to attract our attention? State your purpose.”

“It certainly was me.” Muramasa clicked his nails against each other, his lips lifting in a somewhat contemptuous smirk. “Today, I declare to the Soul Society that we, Zanpakutō, will no longer be bound to serve you as weapons. From this day forward, we will break free from Shinigami control… and rule this world ourselves.”

His voice boomed across Sōkyoku Hill like thunder.

“I’ve heard enough. Captain Kyoraku,” Byakuya said, glancing at the older, mature Captain. “We must apprehend them.”

Shunsui nodded, impressed by Byakuya’s composure. “Certainly.”

But not everybody believed Byakuya. The Zanpakutō Spirits laughed boisterously, as though mocking Byakuya.

“Shinigami, you are nothing without us,” Haineko said, pointing at Byakuya. “I can rip you to pieces right here.”

Byakuya unsheathed his sword, arrogantly pointing the tip at Haineko. “Then prove it to me.”

Haineko faltered and broke eye contact. She knew all too well that this man was not one to take lightly. He was a Bankai user who could have claimed a captain’s seat long ago if not bound to the 6th Division.

Haineko flinched and looked away, crossing her arms. Byakuya’s cold eyes made her heart cold. She knew this man wasn’t someone to be taken lightly, as he was a Bankai user. He’d have already become a Captain if his clan wasn’t limited to 6th Division.

“Tch. I don’t fight weaklings,” she muttered, looking away. Then, with a flick of her tail toward the hulking red-skinned giant beside her, she growled, “Ogre, smash him for me.”

Tenken’s flaming eyes glowed with fighting spirit. Flames heaved from his nose with every breath as he loomed over Byakuya like a mountain.

Such a despairing stature couldn’t move any Byakuya’s heart or anyone’s heart for that matter. They had slain even larger Hollows; they were elite, the best of the best the Soul Society had to offer. 

With a roar, Tenken smashed his massive fist down. Wind howled, dust erupted, and the ground sank beneath his feet. Byakuya’s hair and scarf fluttered, but his gaze remained as steady as the feeble sword blocking the giant fist.

Byakuya tilted his head, gazing at Muramasa as if the giant Zanpakutō Spirit was beneath his notice.

Tenken stepped back, and his massive hand clenched. A sword appeared in a burst of fire, its size fitting a giant. He swept it down in a blazing arc meant to incinerate everything in its path, including Byakuya.

The ground beneath completely ruptured, yet Byakuya’s sword remained steady. The story would’ve been different if Tenken used his Reiatsu, but the giant intended to crush Byakuya with his physical strength alone.

Byakuya vanished, leaving an afterimage where he stood. He reappeared at the giant’s flank, and his foot struck Tenken’s ribs cleanly. Tenken flew off Sōkyoku Hill with a deafening boom.

Byakuya adjusted his scarf. “This is your rebellion? Are you looking down on your masters?”

Muramasa covered his face with a hand and laughed sinisterly. Even his allies glanced at him in surprise. Reaching out, Muramasa manifested a purple-hilted katana and stabbed it in the ground. Blue energy lines surged across and split the earth. Pillars of sections erupted to prop up the Zanpakutō Spirits.

From above, the Zanpakutō Spirits glared down in disdain as their former wielders scrambled the ruined hill.

“Zanpakutō Spirits, destroy these fools.”

The war between Shinigami and Zanpakutō ignited in full force.