Bleach: True Power. Chapter 43: Royal Intervention

Even though the battle had ended, the chaos was still present. Countless soul reapers dead, hundreds were injured, squad 4 was completely full and there were more injured people than there were healers. The captains gathered together, discussing their next plan of action, while they were still injured. And something the head captain saw as the worst; his lieutenant, Tenshi Kyodai, the guardian of hell, was still in a coma, meaning he couldn’t take away the hell ponds or hell’s gate.

Revan and Alexandra were in the squad 4 barracks. Their injuries were minor, though leaning to medium. The room in which they were sitting Ryutora was recovering. His injuries were much more severe. He had opened his Blut Arterie completely for a devastating attack, dropping his entire defense, when he had been hit by an attack of the same magnitude. His body had been burned, his arms were broken, his ribs were cracked and he had deep cuts in between all of them. another thing was; his Bankai had been shattered by that attack, Zanpaktou and Fullbring. His vollstandig had been heavily damaged and his resurreccion had been shattered. Those four powers were what had saved his life, or he wouldn’t have survived the attack.

in the bed next to Ryutora was Asuna. She was covered in bandages as her skin had been burned away almost all over her body. Both of them had been healed and were now in a healing cage. Atlas and Orihime had used their special healing skills as well. but even with their help, the two were still heavily damaged. Even though they were conscious and over most of the pain.

Saya walked into the room, having a few bandages around her left arm and her right leg. She placed a hand on her son’s shoulder, ‘Revan, the captain’s meeting is over and we’ve just received a message; the royal guards are on their way.’ Revan and Alexandra looked up and Revan replied, ‘Dad’s coming? Why didn’t he come sooner?’ Saya sighed, ‘we’re the fourteen court guard squads. All squads have a mission, to protect the soul society and the Seireitei. And we’ve suffered heavy losses and the Seireitei’s pretty much in rubble. So now they’ll step in, to help us out.’

Ryuuka walked in, sitting down on the end of Asuna’s bed, ‘so, soon our little family will be complete for a while. That’s nice. And knowing dad, I’m pretty sure he can put an end to this mess.’ Saya nodded, ‘yeah, let’s hope so. Although, with what the head captain told us at the meeting, it might get difficult to fix things.’ Ryutora opened his eyes, ‘so, what are they planning? This hell overlord, how did he involve Jaques and Maria in this mess?’

Saya sat down on a chair, ‘those two humans you mean? According to the head captain, Ōritsu, hell’s overlord, has got quite some persuasive power, especially of those who are already sinners or close to sin. In his presence such people are easily persuaded. I don’t know how those two got mixed up in hell’s business, but they’ve now been marked as enemies of the soul society. As for what they’re planning to do, is initiate something called hell’s ritual.’

Asuna and Ryutora both listened closely, still barely able to accept that two people they knew had become enemies. Saya explained, ‘hell’s ritual uses six items that are meant to empower the being using it. the things that are needed are three power sources, two different sources of blood and an eye. What has been stolen are an assauchi, the hollow core captain Kurotsuchi was researching and, as Tenshi’s in a coma, hell’s core. The two sources of blood; Juha Bach and Sepulcro’s blood. as for the eye; someone has visited Sosuke Aizen and stolen one of his eyes. With power sources, blood sources and an eye of Aizen who has much insight in many things, the head captain fears for the power one can obtain when those are used in the ritual.’

Revan sighed, ‘I can understand why things might get difficult like you said mom. An assauchi can become anything to fit the wielder, two different cores with great power, the blood of the Quincy king, the blood of the demon and the eye of a traitor. Alexandra leaned back, ‘perhaps I should go to Hueco Mundo, tell my parents and ask them if they and the Quincy council can come and help us.’

Saya nodded, ‘that is an option, but I don’t think the head captain would like it. this is the soul society, governed by the soul reapers. To go and ask for help from the quincies, not that I have anything against it, would go against the old man’s pride.’ Alexandra nodded and both Asuna and Ryutora sat up as they heard someone walking to their room.

Blaze Kagayaku walked in, ‘sorry if I interrupted something.’ Everyone shook their heads and Blaze continued, ‘all the captains have gathered, along with the lieutenants that are not to injured to fight. They’re arriving.’ He quickly left and Saya followed him. Revan, Ryuuka and Alexandra stood up as well and followed Saya. As they had left, Ryutora and Asuna got out of bed, walked out of their rooms and followed the others as quick as their injured bodies would allow them.

outside the boundaries of the Seireitei every captain, some lieutenants and the guests from Karakura town had gathered. Ryutora and Asuna stayed at a distance, watching what was going to happen. Then, at top speed, a pillar fell from the sky, landing about fifty meter in front of the captains. The shockwave of the landing could be felt by Ryutora and Asuna who stood about a hundred meter behind everyone. A door in the pillar opened and the five royal guards stepped outside. Ryutora had heard about all five of them, but this was the first time he had actually seen all of them in person.

Mathew walked in front of the others, Kabe Kurōrā and Lyneria Shori walked behind him on both sides and Suramo Hogaya walked next to Lyneria, while Valen Shori walked behind everyone. Being as tall as he was, he could see everything clearly.

the head captain stepped forward, ‘it’s nice to see all of you again. I’m sorry it must be under these circumstances.’ Mathew nodded, ‘I know. I’d rather come down here to have a drink and some laughs with friends, than to come down her for an emergency. But that’s how things are, so let’s get started.’ The head captain nodded and stepped aside. Mathew kept standing there, looking at everyone who was gathered, ‘Nanao Ise, Tessai Tsukabishi and captain of the kido corps.’ The three mentioned people stepped forward and Mathew asked, ‘Nanao, have you analyzed the hell pond’s spiritual pressure thoroughly?’ the lieutenant nodded, slightly nervous. Mathew nodded back, ‘good, share the info you obtained with Tessai and the captain of the kido corps. Between the three of you, you should be able to come up with some way to counter hell’s spirit energy, or at least put up a barrier around those ponds which the sinners can’t pass.’

the three nodded and took their leave as they discussed the assignment they had been given. Ryutora was impressed. He knew his grandfather as a joker, yet he was completely serious here. Someone spoke up from behind him, ‘enjoying the show are we?’ Ryutora and Asuna turned around, only to see one of the members of the five royal guards. Kabe Kurōrā nodded friendly, placed a hand on their shoulders and walked them to the group, ‘your presence is also required.’

Mathew continued, ‘Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Kisuke Urahara.’ The two scientists stepped forward, though Mayuri seemed to have some trouble stepping forward together with Kisuke. Mathew looked at the two, Mayuri was annoyed and Kisuke seemed amused at the former’s annoyance. Then he spoke again, ‘okay, while I’m sure you were already planning on doing this Mayuri, studying the sinners you’ve captured, I want Kisuke to do the same, by working together with you. and when you’ve found useful info and ways to counter the sinners, you’ll inform the other captains right away.’ Kisuke agreed and Mayuri, though he would rather work alone and keep such info to himself, also agreed.

Mathew had a look around, ‘also, another reason why we’ve come, is to help in the reconstruction and help in the protection of the Seireitei while it is rebuild. Which is why Kabe will stay here. We’ll switch with each other on a daily basis, but Kabe’s knowledge of minerals and rocks and constructions will be helpful. And I’m sure he’ll be happy to team up with his former trainee again.’ Kabe chuckled and looked at Yoruichi with a grin, who smiled back.

Mathew nodded, ‘now, only one more thing to do before business is concluded. Ryutora, Asuna, by his majesty’s order, the two of you are to come with us to the royal palace for treatment and training.’ Everyone followed Mathew’s look, looked back and saw Ryutora and Asuna standing with Kabe. Soifon stepped forward, ‘for what reason you taking them with you for? Sure, Ryutora I can understand, him being part soul reaper. But with him being a human Fullbringer, a Quincy and a hollow as well would make the situation dangerous. And Asuna is a human. By all rights she doesn’t even belong in the Seireitei. And with those hollow powers of hers,…’ Mathew held up his hand, silencing her.

Lyneria stepped forward, ‘we were wondering the same thing. And his majesty has his reasons. Ryutora is Mathew’s grandson and was able to fend off the enemy as an equal. With the ritual that’s to come; he will need treatment and training. As for Asuna, his majesty was impressed by her. she is a human, born and bred. Yet, to help the person she loves and the once he protects, she went to Hueco Mundo and then to the soul society, bringing an army of backup with her. for the loyalty and the power she displayed, his majesty wants to reward her by letting her join Ryutora in his treatment and training.’ Soifon scowled before looking away.

Mathew nodded at Suramo and the old man walked forward to Ryutora and Asuna and walked them to the pillar that had landed. Mathew nodded again, ‘okay, with business concluded, let’s wrap things up.’ A smile came to his face as he walked to the group before hugging Revan and Alexandra at the same time, pulling Ryuuka in a hug before kissing her forehead. As he put her down she mumbled something about how embarrassing her dad could be. Mathew walked to Saya before sweeping her of her feet and kissing her before putting her back on her feet. She smiled, ‘thanks for doing that “in public” Mathew.’ the latter grinned, ‘you’re welcome my dear.’

Mathew turned around and Kabe nodded, ‘okay people, let’s get busy. These building won’t rebuild themselves.’ Everyone nodded, except the head captain who stayed, and walked along with him. the head captain walked up to Mathew, who had stopped at the entrance of the tower, ‘Mathew, a word, in private.’

Mathew turned around and nodded, walking with the old man. Suramo, Valen, Lyneria, Ryutora and Asuna watched as they walked away. when they were at some distance, the head captain stopped walking, ‘Mathew, everyone that’s ever been up to the soul palace and trained by you guys has become considerably stronger. but your grandson, as young as he is, he is about as strong as I am. If he is trained by you guys,…’ Mathew nodded, ‘that is why he is being trained head captain. When that ritual is done, whoever receives it, will have even greater power than Ōritsu, even stronger than his Bankai. I know it means Ryutora might never be able to return to the human world, but to protect everyone in the soul society; soul reapers and souls alike, that risk must be taken.’

the head captain nodded and Mathew said his goodbyes and walked back to the pillar. He entered it and the doors closed. Mathew placed his right hand on the hilt of his Zanpaktou and his left hand on the inside of the pillar. Ryutora felt, for just a brief moment, like he was dragged up with a flash step. Mathew dropped both his arms and the pillar’s doors opened. The group stepped out and they had arrived at the soul palace.

{hell}

Jaques stood in the middle of a circle that had six circles of its own around it. lines had been drawn and everything eventually lead to him. in front of him Aizen’s eye was placed, behind him the assauchi. To his left hell’s core and Juha Bach’s blood were placed. And to his right the hollow core and Sepulcro’s blood were placed. Jaques placed his hand on the ground as he knelt down and began speaking the incantation Ōritsu had told him. as he spoke, all six items started glowing and the glow of light and power streamed to him. as he finished chanting, all items were dissolving and streaming onto his morphing body.