>>2984625
“You really think we're gonna beat this guy?” Starrk sighs grimly. “Halibel. Apacci, and all those Captains couldn't do it, so what makes you think we've got a solution?”

“So you're just gonna let him keep punching you through walls all day long?”

“Don't be an idiot,” he sighs. “For once in your life could you just try being patient?”

“You're so lame!” you protest as Starrk crashes through yet another wall.

>Fine, if you're not gonna do it I'll do it myself!
>If we don't do this, everyone's gonna die. Do you really want that?
>So... we just wait for someone else to come help? I hate it, but it makes sense.
>Other?

>>2984629
>If we don't do this, everyone's gonna die. Do you really want that?

>>2984629
>what would Mirai say if she sees you like this?

>>2984629
>>If we don't do this, everyone's gonna die. Do you really want that?
i really can't see Lil sayin' the third option. And I don't think the first option's gonna end well.
So let's egg Starrk on!

>>2984629
>If we don't do this, everyone's gonna die. Do you really want that?
Think of your waifu, Starrk

>>2984629
>>If we don't do this, everyone's gonna die. Do you really want that?

>>2984629
>You are the arrancar Lilynette Gingerback

did not see that coming

>If we don't do this, everyone's gonna die. Do you really want that?

>3d10, best of three
>dc 17, critical 23

Rolled 6, 8, 8 = 22 (3d10)

>>2984683

Rolled 9, 8, 7 = 24 (3d10)

>>2984683

>>2984629
>If we don't do this, everyone's gonna die. Do you really want that?

>>2984688
hey i did something, not sure what but i hope it helps

Rolled 4, 7, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>2984683

>>2984691
you did good is what you did

>>2984688
God's Work. Stark is about to stop being lazy and actually put his back into fighting.

>>2984683
You are Coyote Starrk, and this time you've just been knocked through a ceiling instead of a wall. Which at least has some novelty value to it. Though Lilynette continues to raise a fuss over the strategy you've chosen, which was simply to wait until you had some help to beat this particular monster.

“If we don't do this, then everyone's gonna die, Starrk!”

That's the entire reason you're here in the first place. But so long as you win in the end it doesn't really matter how you get there so long as everyone's alive when the sun comes up tomorrow morning.

“Why bother?” you sigh. “So long as we don't lose, does it really matter how we win?”

“What the fuck is wrong with you!?” Lilynette demands angrily. “You know what this guy did?”

“What are you even talking about?”

“This is the guy who nearly killed Mirai, isn't it? You really think he's just gonna let her live if we win?”

This one did?

“... say that again?”

“You were taking a nap, dumbass!” Lilynette insists.

While you were napping?

That's right, you took a nap to rest up for the fighting. But to hear that this guy did such a thing... you were under the impression she was supposed to be fighting from a distance. You hadn't really considered the possibility that with so many Captains around someone fighting basically from the sidelines would be at risk.

He nearly killed Mirai, did he?

“Something's different about you!” the quincy declares, cocking his fist back to punch you in the mouth.

Instead he takes a cero to the face from point blank.

The blast pushes him back, sending him crashing through a white-plastered tower. But he's back on his feet almost immediately, wiping his eyes. “That was a dirty...”

The second shot hits him right in his open mouth.

“I guess I am feeling a bit more serious now,” you admit.

>Keep going for weak spots, see this guy's powers for yourself before settling on a strategy.
>Start messing with him by varying the speed and power of your shots. Keep him off balance.
>Fake having to 'charge' a Gran Rey Cero, so that the Metralleta version will be a surprise.
>Other?

>>2984749
>>Start messing with him by varying the speed and power of your shots. Keep him off balance.

i really enjoy a serious Starrk

>>2984749
>>Start messing with him by varying the speed and power of your shots. Keep him off balance.

>>2984749
>Keep going for weak spots, see this guy's powers for yourself before settling on a strategy.

>>2984749
>Keep going for weak spots, see this guy's powers for yourself before settling on a strategy.

>>2984749
>>Start messing with him by varying the speed and power of your shots. Keep him off balance.

>3d10, best of three
>DC 17, crit 26

Rolled 10, 1, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>2984788

Rolled 8, 7, 4 = 19 (3d10)

>>2984788

Rolled 5, 8, 3 = 16 (3d10)

>>2984788

Rolled 1, 7, 4 = 12 (3d10)

>>2984788

>>2984788
You quickly settle on a new strategy: messing with his head.

It's not always a trick that works, you have to admit. But even if the quincy figures out that you've simply tricking him into believing that one of your guns can fire multiple times before being returned to its holster and the other can fire one larger shot, you can at very least show him the range of speeds and power that you want him to see.

Like this, a Cero Metralleta will come as a total surprise. And if you can use that with a Gran Rey Metralleta it should be a hell of a surprise indeed.

You holster your right pistol and draw your left, firing a slightly more powerful blast before returning it to its own respective holster and drawing the right one again for a quick trio of shots.

The quincy evades all of them of course, and after putting his palms together and pulling back with one hand he produces a spiritual bow to start shooting back at you. Each shot is carefully timed to evade your own firing pattern.

“Do you really think that such attacks will be effective against me?” the quincy asks you with an air of almost tangible smugness. “Me? Gerard Valkyrie, the divine warrior of Hope itself?”

An instant after you fire your left pistol he closes the gap he's left between you, taking your back with almost imperceptible speed. He draws forth is short sword, at least 'short' for him, and raises it to attack you.

“Sta...”

Lilynette's shout is interrupted as you fire your left pistol with a heavy blast right over your shoulder.

“Ah, alright then. You got him.”

“Was there ever any doubt?” you grumble.

“That was pretty sneaky of you, hollow,” the quincy calling himself 'Gerard' admits with a paronizing slow clap. “Like watching an animal trying to paint.”

“Remind me,” you grumble, “which one of us just got shot in the face?”

“It's cute that you think a villain like yourself could beat me,” he counters. “I've been trying to figure out, do those guns of yours shoot something other than weak cero?”

>Nope. But they CAN shoot a LOT of ceros.
>Nope. But there ARE several different TYPES of cero. Wanna see one?
>Other?

>>2984867
>Nope. But there ARE several different TYPES of cero. Wanna see one?

>>2984867
>>Nope. But there ARE several different TYPES of cero. Wanna see one?
i wanna

>>2984867
>Nope. But there ARE several different TYPES of cero. Wanna see one?

>>2984867
>>Nope. But there ARE several different TYPES of cero. Wanna see one?

>>2984867
>other: Have one gun shoot regular cero to make Gerard think only one gun shoots special cero. But then switch it up.

>>2984867
>>Nope. But there ARE several different TYPES of cero. Wanna see one?

>>2984908

not a bad idea, but we just tricked him, he should be looking out for another trick of the same type

>3d10, DC 18, crit 24
>best of three

Rolled 1, 8, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>2984928

Rolled 9, 8, 9 = 26 (3d10)

>>2984928

Rolled 9, 10, 2 = 21 (3d10)

>>2984928

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1.29 MB GIF

>>2984934

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>>2984934

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>>2984941
>>2984950

>>2984928
“No, my guns only really do ceros,” you admit flatly. “But you do know there are multiple kinds of cero, right? I mean, being an expert on us hollows and all?”

“Some of the arrancars who worked for Lord Aizen had their own specialty ceros,” Gerard replies, narrowing his eyes. “So what kinda cero are we talking about here?”

“The fancy kind,” you reply, raising your left pistol. “Hold still and you'll get to see for yourself.”

You make it a point to charge your blast slowly, taking up what you'd normally consider a stupid amount of time for just a single attack. But that's part of the point.

“Gran Rey Cero.”

The gun in your left hand releases a powerful blast, which seems to rip apart the air as it tracks towards Gerard... not really 'straight' for him so much as it always seems to flicker back to the same vector. At the last possible second it seems like Gerard figures out what the attack is actually doing to the space around it, and dodges just fast enough to avoid taking the shot straight to the face.

It does however crush his right eye in its socket, essentially pulling it against his skull so hard that he blood vessels burst and mixes with a clear fluid to stream down his cheek.

“So,” you challenge him. “I take it none of your arrancar friends could use that?”

“Damn you...” Gerard hisses as his eye begins to regenerate. “Powerful, maybe, but don't start talking like that's an attack that can finish me! It's still far too slow...”

You interrupt him by leveling your right pistol. “Cero Metralleta.”

Dozens of blue-colored ceros, an almost constant stream of them, pour down upon Gerard. He tries at first to dodge them, but their speed and the tight clustering of them makes it difficult. Then, for good measure, you increase the difficulty.

“Gran Rey Cero.”

A second large blast tears through the stream of smaller regular ceros, sending them in a wild pattern all around Gerard. Several spots in the Seireitei take some damage, a few buildings crumble. You'll have to be more careful... many of the shinigami have been evacuated from this sector already, but much more powerful “near-misses” may still cause serious collateral damage.

But on the bright side, the larger cero forces Gerard to dodge straight into several smaller blasts whose courses have been warped into what's effectively a large net of sorts.

“How long can you keep dodging?” you ask over the sound of the continuing blasts. “Or are you gonna show me that special technique of yours already?”

“Vollständig!” you hear a loud shout.

Ah, so he's finally decided to start taking you seriously.

“Hey, hey!” a second voice interrupts.
>1/2

>>2985012
It's the lanky bastard from before?

“You're shooting those things off way too recklessly,” he chastises you. “You're gonna kill off your own too if you keep going like this.”

“Nobody asked for your opinions!” Lilynette shouts.

“Quiet, gun,” the second quincy insists.

>Wait... what's happened with the others? Surely you didn't waste THAT much time before.
>As much as you hate to admit it... he has a point. Using cero any more recklessly than this would cause unacceptable damage.
>You're halfway there already. If you can keep hitting Gerard with Metralleta the Gran Rey Ceros will have a target too large to miss.
>Other?

>>2985012
>>You're halfway there already. If you can keep hitting Gerard with Metralleta the Gran Rey Ceros will have a target too large to miss.

>>2985052
>>Wait... what's happened with the others? Surely you didn't waste THAT much time before.
info? info

>>2985052
>>You're halfway there already. If you can keep hitting Gerard with Metralleta the Gran Rey Ceros will have a target too large to miss.

>>2985052
>Wait... what's happened with the others? Surely you didn't waste THAT much time before.

>>2985052
>You're halfway there already. If you can keep hitting Gerard with Metralleta the Gran Rey Ceros will have a target too large to miss.

>>2985052
>Wait... what's happened with the others? Surely you didn't waste THAT much time before.

>3d10, DC 16, crit 20
>best of three

Rolled 3, 3, 7 = 13 (3d10)

>>2985109

Rolled 10, 9, 9 = 28 (3d10)

>>2985109
come on RNG!!

Rolled 9, 4, 10 = 23 (3d10)

>>2985109

>>2985113
RNG blesses you this day.
Stark is doing work.

>>2985113
BOOOYAAA!!!

>>2985113

I swear to god I hope that the crit spares Byakuya from the barrage.

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>>2985113

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>>2985113
>>2985113

>>2985113
You sidestep an attack by Gerard, despite his increased speed and having taken your mind off him. That could have been VERY bad. For a few seconds you continue to evade, getting a better sense for what's happening around you.

That other Captain, Kuchiki Byakuya, has been defeated but is still alive. So that's something... no matter how badly his pride's been wounded, so long as he's alive at least he's not dead. As for Miss Yoruichi, it seems that fight has reached a climax as well. From what you can feel, you very much doubt there's any way she can lose.

But that does put you in a strange position of having a choice. You can either keep fighting against Gerard with the intention of carrying out your initial plan, or you could hold out for long enough that Yoruichi can join you. At that point you can either have her switch with you and hope this lanky bastard is a better match for you, or you can have Yoruichi ensure that you aren't required to fight two of Aizen's quincy at once.

>Keep up the pressure on Gerard.
>Wait for Yoruichi, have her fight Askin.
>Wait for Yoruichi, have her fight Gerard.
>Other?

>>2985176
>>Wait for Yoruichi, have her fight Askin.
Starrk vs. Askin is an awful matchup

>>2985176
>Wait for Yoruichi, have her fight Askin.

>>2985176
>>Wait for Yoruichi, have her fight Askin.

>>2985176
>>Wait for Yoruichi, have her fight Askin.

>>2985176
>>Keep up the pressure on Gerard.

>>2985176
>Wait for Yoruichi, have her fight Askin.

Gerard's strong, but ultimately still fairly straightforward, whereas Askin's ability to develop a tolerance to Reiatsu would be a problem. Yoruichi's probably got something in her bag of tricks that can deal with Askin's ability much more effectively then Starrk can.

>3d10, best of three

Rolled 5, 1, 6 = 12 (3d10)

>>2985269

Rolled 1, 9, 10 = 20 (3d10)

>>2985269

Rolled 10, 6, 2 = 18 (3d10)

>>2985269

>>2985242
Just hit him really fucking hard with a rock to the head.

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>>2985269
You decide that if you can hold off for a while, and simply keep dodging Gerard's attacks, your chances will improve as soon as Yoruichi finishes her fight. Which she does in dramatic fashion, just a few short minutes later.

“That idiot,” Gerard, now standing about twenty feet tall, spits. “Went and got himself killed like the trash he was... didn't even have the decency to take his opponent with him.”

“You can't tell me you're surprised,” the second quincy shrugs. “He always relied on the tools others gave him. That weirdass sword he had when he betrayed the shinigami, the hollowfication Aizen gave him.”

“Quite a bit of investment for little payoff,” Gerard summarizes.

“What the hell is wrong with you people!?” Lilynette demands angrily. “He was you're comrade, wasn't he? Show some damn respect!”

Gerard and the other quincy share a brief glance, then burst into laughter.

“Laugh all you want,” you interject, “but for once I've gotta agree with the brat. What the hell kind of people are you?”

“Us? Comrades with that trash?” Gerard scoffs.

The other quincy shakes his head dismissively. “Don't misunderstand, arrancar. We may all be working together, but it's not out of some shared sense of loyalty.”

“That's not how these people work,” Yoruichi agrees, appearing at your side with a swift flash step. “It's pretty dismal, but that's just how they are.”

“To us, working with hollows by choice is what's dismal,” Gerard counters.

“You weren't working with those others by choice?” you press.

“No more than we'd work with a toaster by choice,” the other quincy shrugs. “You wouldn't get attached to a toaster, or wanna be 'comrades' with it. That's more or less how I look at hollows.”

“Gods, and here I thought the Central 46 were the biggest assholes around,” Yoruichi sighs. “Almost feels like I owe them an apology.”

“Captain Shihōin, can you deal with the lanky one?” you ask.

She briefly sizes him up.

“We'll see,” she eventually shrugs.
>1/2

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>>2985374
And then she's gone, having grabbed him by the face and dashed off with him at such speed that even you lost sight of her for a moment. In fact the only way you can tell which way she went is by the trail of destruction left in her wake, with torn-up rooftops and crumbling segments of walls.

“She's fast,” Gerard admits. “So, now that your little shinigami allies are making progress on their preparations, shall we start fighting for real?”

>Unleash a barrage like before, make him think that's all you've got.
>Mix in something else you know of... the 'black cero'.
>You have another idea... there are still sekki-stone pits around here, right?
>Other?

>>2985388
>>You have another idea... there are still sekki-stone pits around here, right?

>>2985388
what's a black cero .-.?

>>2985388
>You have another idea... there are still sekki-stone pits around here, right?

>>2985396
Cero Oscuras probably.

>>2985388
>>You have another idea... there are still sekki-stone pits around here, right?
channel Mirai

>>2985388
>You have another idea... there are still sekki-stone pits around here, right?

>>2985388
>>You have another idea... there are still sekki-stone pits around here, right?

>>2985388

>You have another idea... there are still sekki-stone pits around here, right?
>Other: Save the sekki stone "bullets" as a finisher/special ammo. You'll need to make them count.
For now,
>Mix in something else you know of... the 'black cero'.

>>2985388
>You have another idea... there are still sekki-stone pits around here, right?
I'm gonna save Cero Oscuras for afterwards.

>3d10, best of three

Rolled 7, 4, 2 = 13 (3d10)

>>2985451

Rolled 9, 9, 3 = 21 (3d10)

>>2985451

Rolled 10, 9, 3 = 22 (3d10)

>>2985451

Rolled 4, 4, 10 = 18 (3d10)

>>2985451

>>2985460
magic number!

>>2985460
that worked out pretty well

>>2985451
If you remember correctly, there was a time that Lady Riku was showing you around the Seireitei and she mentioned that there are deep, sekki stone-lined pits here and there throughout the city. She was very up-front about the shinigami and their checkered past, and told you stories she'd gotten second or third-hand from Yoruichi about how the old Gotei 13 used to throw condemned criminals down into those pits to fight, sometimes with hollows that were trapped down there as well.

That's actually a decent solution, if you can find one and get Gerard to move towards it.

“You know,” you begin, “now that I think about it...”

“... bye.”

And you run.

“Hah!” Gerard shouts. “What a horrible piece of trash you are!”

And arrogantly, Gerard pursues you.

He knocks entire buildings aside as he barrels through the Seireitei, bringing even multi-story towers crashing down in your wake. You fire a few Gran Rey ceros behind you to keep him interested, but not enough to contribute to his already-increased size.

“You can't escape, trash!”

Escape isn't your concern of course, but you do need to quickly gain some altitude so that you can see out over the city, scanning for kilometers around for a likely spot... until you spot one at the end of a long, straight alleyway that terminates in a wide plaza.

Perfect.

“Perfect,” Gerard agrees, apparently seizing upon another detail. “A fitting place to end a piece of trash such as yourself.”

Ah. Lady Riku also mentioned this little problem: the Gotei 13 also uses these pits as garbage pits. If you can get him into it though, he's still just small enough to fall in... and any further hits you could land will cause him to increase in size until he gets stuck.

This can still work.

>Burn out the garbage, use the smoke to screen your movements while you maneuver Gerard towards the pit.
>Use Colmilo: you can summont a pair of spiritual swords, and using those you can make sure Gerard falls into the pit.
>Go all out with the cero spam, light up the entire area with an absolutely unreasonable amount of cero.
>Other?

>>2985533
>Use Colmilo: you can summont a pair of spiritual swords, and using those you can make sure Gerard falls into the pit.

>>2985533
>>Burn out the garbage, use the smoke to screen your movements while you maneuver Gerard towards the pit.

>>2985533
>>Burn out the garbage, use the smoke to screen your movements while you maneuver Gerard towards the pit.
sneaky

>>2985533
>>Burn out the garbage, use the smoke to screen your movements while you maneuver Gerard towards the pit.

>>2985533
>>Burn out the garbage, use the smoke to screen your movements while you maneuver Gerard towards the pit.

starrk can be quite competent if he is awake and engaged, don't let us down coyote!

>>2985533
>Use Colmilo: you can summont a pair of spiritual swords, and using those you can make sure Gerard falls into the pit.

>>2985533
>>Use Colmilo: you can summont a pair of spiritual swords, and using those you can make sure Gerard falls into the pit.

>>2985533
>>Burn out the garbage, use the smoke to screen your movements while you maneuver Gerard towards the pit.

>>2985533
>Burn out the garbage, use the smoke to screen your movements while you maneuver Gerard towards the pit.

>>2985533
3d10, best of three
>dc 19, crit 23

Rolled 4, 9, 10 = 23 (3d10)

>>2985625

Rolled 10, 10, 4 = 24 (3d10)

>>2985625

Rolled 3, 6, 7 = 16 (3d10)

>>2985625

Rolled 3, 4, 9 = 16 (3d10)

>>2985625

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>>2985635
>>2985627

God damn, Stark is on fire today.

>>2985649
not as much as all that garbage

>>2985649
Not as much as mr. Miracle is about to be

>>2985653
nah Mr. Miracle is about to be trapped, stuck, and inept

>>2985625
Your opening shot is a Gran Rey cero that burns deep into the trash pit before the influence of the sekki-stone causes it to essentially fizzle out. But the act produces a massive volume of foul, dark smoke.

“What...”

“Quiet,” you shush Lilynette before she can accidentally give away your plan.

“You didn't really think that would work?” Gerard scoffs, his voice clear even through the smoke. “I can still sense you.”

Several ceros pierce through the smoke, causing it to swirl wildly as Gerard dodges. The same is true when you're forced to dodge the projectiles he fires back in your direction. For several tense moments you wage a war for position, without ever even sighting one another. But then you shift into the second phase of your plan.

“Hey Lilynette... we're gonna do 'that' next.”

“Wait, you mean Colmilo?” she asks in confusion.

“Just do it!”

Two bright-blue swords of reishi spring into existence in your hands as you rush Gerard, whose own sword meets them as they cross in front of you.

“Crossing your swords like that doesn't really work,” Gerard taunts you as your blades dig slightly into the edge of his blade. Bleeding wounds open on your biceps, but you hold your stance in spite of the sudden pain. “And did you already forget that I can still sense you?”

“No,” you grin as a cero charges almost instantly at the center of your chest and fires downward at his feet.

The edge of the pit instantly shatters under Gerard's feet, and with a push against his sword with yours you topple him. You follow through, vaulting into the air above the hole and drawing out your pistols as Colmilo's blades dissipate into thin air to either side of you.

“Cero Metralleta.”

A stream of completely inescapable ceros rains down on the quincy, filling the entire shaft of the pit and pushing him down further and faster with each of the countless impacts.

“For you,” you mutter, turning away from the pit after a job well done, “trash is too good of company. But it will have to do.”

>>2985698
And that's as natural a stopping point as I could have asked for. It went a little short tonight, but you guys were on fucking fire with the dice so it wrapped up faster than I anticipated.

So Claymore tomorrow, omakes during the week, and if you're not around for any of that thanks for stopping by and see you next time!

>>2985708
Way back during the Invasion arc you mentioned that we could have gotten Uryuu's dad and Masaki to join the gang, but didn't mention how for plot reasons. I don't think you ever did, so could you go over how we could have done it?
Thanks for running!

>>2985708
Riku watching over hueco mundo as the moon would make a good omake.
Especially watching herself coming to hueco mundo for the first time, and watching halibel and co.

>>2985726
My reason for not doing this is that Riku is explicitly unaware of her surroundings, as she has no perception of time passing.

>>2985726
Riku can't do that unfortunately, because the nature of her containment is spatial/temporal stasis. She can't witness anything otherwise she'd be aging.
>>2985708
How about an omake where the Hollows old enough to remember the fact that the Moon in Ghost Mexico used to be whole, tell a story to the younger hollows about their (self-made) myth of how the moon of Hueco Mundo got a hole?

>>2985726
pre' sure she's in stasis ie: not conscious.

I'd like the
>Rosa gets told a bedtime story' omake
or
>Hitsugaya meets a shinigami (is it still Rangiku in SSQ canon?)

>>2985738

would another alternate reality omake possible?

where the binding fails before its time

>>2985741
>>2985738
for elaboration: it's how the hollows think how the moon got it's hole. So canon interpretation can be varied from completely wild to somehow startlingly accurate as the hollows debate amongst themselves.

>>2985743
>>2985741
>Quincy legend
>Hollow legend
So, we just want lore? xP

>>2985738
It's just a side story though, so you can just say "what if"

>>2985775
Queen hasn't really been doin' alternate universes besides crossovers recently

>>2985743
>>2985747
These are doable.

>>2985708
>Starrk
“Hey, Starrk?”

Coyote Starrk glances down at his companion, who sits next to him on the pale sands of Hueco Mundo. “What is it now?”

“Why does the moon have a hole in it?” Lilynette asks, staring up at the sky.

Starrk glances up at the sky himself, scratching at his chin stubble as he tries to come up with a meaningful response. “Well... it's got a hole in it 'cause we've all got holes. It just makes sense, see?”

“Like I could understand that!” Lilynette protests loudly. “Geez, what a lame-ass answer... do you mean like there's a God up there someplace who's just taunting us? Be thorough for once!”

“Well, I dunno about any of that 'god' stuff,” Starrk sighs. “But if there is a god anywhere around here I guess it'd be like us too.”

“Whaddy mean, 'like us'?” Lilynette demands.

Starrk keels over onto his back. “I don't feel like talking about it anymore.”

“Wha...” Lilynette sputters. “Don't go to sleep on me! Hey, listen to me! Don't just roll over!”

“Starrk!?”

Receiving no reply, Lilynette is left no alternative but to spend the next six hours pouting.

>Barragan
“Something has been bothering me, Lord Barragan.”

“Hm?” Barragan Lousinbairn frowns... or at least his tone implies a frown. “Why should I care?”

“Why does the moon have a hole in it?” the adjuchas asks.

“I put it there,” Barragan lies almost instinctively. “As a reminder to all who dwell under it of my power.”

Amid a chorus of supportive cheers, Barragan silently wonders if there really is a God, and whether that God is taunting him even now. But either there is or there isn't, he figures. If there is a God out there who is punishing him for perceived 'hubris', then all he needs to do is become greater than a God.
>1/?

>>2996518
>Halibel
“Mistress Halibel,” Mila Rose asks.

“Hm?” Halibel muses, having been roused from a nap. “What is it, Mila Rose?”

“We were having an argument,” Sung-Sun explains, “and we would like for you to help us settle it.”

“Why does the moon have a hole in it?” Apacci asks.

Halibel sits up straight. “Why ask now?”

“I never really gave it much thought,” Apacci admits. “Before it felt like there wasn't any time for dumb questions like that.”

“But since we've met, dying isn't an immediate concern,” Mila Rose adds.

“There are a few common ideas,” Halibel explains. “One is the claim that Barragan did it.”

“That's what I heard once,” Sung-Sun chimes in. “So what do you think about such wild claims?”

“Anyone can claim anything,” Halibel shakes her head. “Some claim more than they do.”

“So you think Barragan is lying?” Mila Rose asks.

Halibel nods quietly. “I do.”

“Then do you think there's some religious significance?” Apacci presses. “I've heard there's a whole cult dedicated to the Moon God.”

“If there is I have seen no evidence of it,” Halibel shrugs.

“Then you think the hole is natural?” Mila Rose asks.

Halibel shakes her head. “It seems deliberate. The question is one of motive.”

“Then what motive would you assign it?” Apacci asks. “I mean, if you had to say?”

“At first I felt mocked by it,” Halibel admits quietly. “They say the hole in a hollow represents the absence of a heart, and the hole in the moon serves as a reminder that we are less than human.”

“That's... grim,” Sung-Sun observes.

“But I no longer feel that way. Instead I find it... comforting.”

“Huh?” the tres mutter, almost in unison, exchanging confused glances.

“It reminds me that we are not alone,” Halibel explains thoughtfully, “that even the moon shares our state. And that is a comforting thought.”
>2/3

>>2996555
>Ulquiorra
“It is a reminder of what we are,” Ulquiorra replies to Yammy's idle question. “To embrace that truth is the only option for beings such as ourselves.”

>Spoonhead
“What a pointless question,” Nnoitorra scoffs. “It's a pointless question and you're stupid for asking it.”

“We really need to work on your 'small talk' skills,” Neliel sighs.

“Eat me.”

>Grimmjow
“... mocking me...” Grimmjow mutters, stalking off in the opposite direction.

“Master Grimmjow once tried to 'finish the moon off' with a cero,” Shawlong mutters quietly. “Of course he couldn't hit it, so it remains a sensitive subject. Please refrain from asking again.”

>Salao
“I heard one time that was Barragan's doing, but then again he is so arrogant that he might actually believe it himself. If so, he'd be the only one that does.”

>Szayelapporo
“I do not know, but I plan to find out... with science!”

>Yammy
“I asked Ulquiorra once... fell asleep during the answer though. What a boring guy.”

>Aizen
“How long have you been under the impression that Hueco Mundo has a moon?”
>3/3

>>2996555
>Apacci presses. “I've heard there's a whole cult dedicated to the Moon God.”
The fact that such a cult exists among hollows is amazing to me.

>Aizen:
what a meme response. But from the anon's perspective, it is also true.

>>2996575
all fitting respnses, Aizens is as true as it can get, he might have an idea but doesn't care or he is just putting on a show but actually knows how to do it, where Barrigan relies only on his percieved superiority

Omega: Halibel's time as a Gillian

>continuation tomorrow

>>3001780
“I'm afraid I cannot allow you to do that, Captain Unohana.”

Aizen Sōsuke has interposed himself between Unohana and Captain Kuchiki, who remains still several meters behind him. Unohana's response to the situation is a slight frown. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” Aizen replies sternly, crossing his arms. “I will not permit you to simply heal a current enemy, though I am not opposed to Captain Kuchiki's survival.”

“So you will not stand aside because you consider him an enemy?” Unohana presses. “Why would Captain Kuchiki's survival be favorable to you if that is true?”

“Because of what I plan for after our battle,” Aizen explains calmly. “Only a fool would waste a combat strength that will soon be his.”

“I see, then in that case you leave me with little choice,” Unohana sighs, reaching for the hilt of her zanpakuto.

“Are you forgetting your own teachings, Captain Unohana?” Aizen muses. “A healer should not be on the front lines, because it is not only their own life which is being put at risk but the lives of all those whose duty it is for them to protect.”

“I am aware of my duties,” Unohana retorts, calmly drawing her sword. “My duty is to heal Captain Kuchiki so that he may return to battle in a timely fashion. You insist upon being an impediment, and so duty obliges me to remove you.”

“I'll admit that I've always been curious as to your reputation among the older Captains,” Aizen tells her as he draws his own sword. “About what skill and savagery you must be hiding to have intimidated even the likes of Captain Kyōraku and Captain Hirako.”

“Then you should consider this your lucky day,” Unohana replies, her frown easing into a placid smile. “Today your long-held question will at last be answered, little boy.”
>1/2

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>>3003571
You are Shihōin Yoruichi, Captain of the Second Division and ranking officer of the Onmitsukidō. Though he's far too proud to ever admit it, Kuchiki Byakuya shares a relationship with you not unlike that of a master and pupil. Your silly little 'games' when he was a child played off his overblown sense of pride, providing humbling experiences that kept him from ever getting too complacent.

But there are also times where you've shared his anguish as well. This is one of those times.

He's just been beaten by a Sternritter, a tall, lanky man with messy dark hair and sharp features. And if you do indeed consider Byakuya to be a student of sorts then this, much like the treason of Amagai Shusuke, cannot go unanswered.

“So, you're the one who's gonna avenge that other Captain,” the quincy muses aloud, “have I got the gist of it?”

“Yeah,” you nod curtly. “You mind moving this?”

“I have no reason not to humor you,” the man shrugs. “Where to?”

“Away from here,” you reply cryptically, leading the Sternritter away from Byakuya to try and give Retsu a chance to see to him. You also want to lead this one away from the larger Sternritter, so that the option to assist one another is off the table entirely.

You end up leading him to a portion of Second Division's 'home turf', in the shadow of the inner ring-wall that contains the First Division barracks, the Central 46, and the execution grounds. It sits on the far side of the Sōkyoku hill from the training area where you, Riku, Kisuke, and Sui Fēng used to train together some hundred years ago.

“Here,” you announce, coming to a stop atop a roof. “This area should have been evacuated.”

“Then I guess that means we're gonna actually fight now?” the Sternritter sighs.

“That's the idea,” you nod.

>Use your Shikai ability against him, gather as much information as you can before throwing the first punch.
>Open with a quick assault using Shunkō, test his responses against your skill.
>Focus on using electricity, he may not be capable of countering that the way he does kidō.
>Other?

>>3003572
>>Use your Shikai ability against him, gather as much information as you can before throwing the first punch.
Sup Queen

>>3003572
>>Use your Shikai ability against him, gather as much information as you can before throwing the first punch.

>>3003572
>>Use your Shikai ability against him, gather as much information as you can before throwing the first punch.

hey Queen

>>3003572
>Use your Shikai ability against him, gather as much information as you can before throwing the first punch.

>>3003572
>>>Use your Shikai ability against him, gather as much information as you can before throwing the first punch.
>> Ask for his name

>3d10, best of three
>higher means more precise and accurate information

Rolled 6, 10, 6 = 22 (3d10)

>>3003598

Rolled 2, 4, 9 = 15 (3d10)

>>3003598

Rolled 3, 8, 6 = 17 (3d10)

>>3003598

Rolled 10, 6, 8 = 24 (3d10)

>>3003598
I've lost track, does anyone know yet that Riku got trapped in the collapsing Dangai and is very likely dead?

Rolled 4, 2, 9 = 15 (3d10)

>>3003598

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>3003607
Not yet.

>>3003615
Its the magic number

>>3003615
>Sad cat in 3... 2... 1...

>>3003617
at this point, i doubt anyone is really surprised

>>3003598
You decide that you need to know at least a little more about this quincy before you engage with him. After all figuring out your opponent's capabilities isn't just a powerful advantage in battle, if applied carefully and thoughtfully, it's also something you're supposed to be good at.

So you use Shōsōtō's Shikai, but realize that in order to tell anything about his attacks you're going to have to actually watch him use one.

“So, what should I call you?” you challenge him, lowering yourself into a suitable fighting stance. Not dissimilar from the Heihuquan form that you're somewhat infamous for in the Seireitei, but with some modern adaptations from the eclectic systems of the twentieth century. It's not as deep, and instead of keeping your left arm high over your head you've shifted it forward.

If you're going to bait out a response, you may as well offer him good bait.

The Sternritter also takes a posture of his own, a western-style low hand guard. He reads as incredibly relaxed, almost lax in his approach. “Askin Nakk le Vaar, the 'Deathdealing'. You must be that Onmitsukidō commander Aizen was warning us all about?”

“Shihōin Yoruichi,” you add. “And yes. That would be me.”

“Jeez, just my luck,” he sighs dramatically. “And here I was hoping I'd run into another one that shared my sensibilities.”

“But no, I get another punchy-punchy, stabby-stabby type with no sense of style.”

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD8xrOCKbOI

“I think you've missed something obvious,” you sigh, kicking off your back foot with an instantaneous shunpō. Not your best... not even close. But enough to force Askin to respond and block your strike with his forearm.

“And that would be?” he asks, raising his leg for an upward, sweeping kick.

You effortlessly weave your way under his leg and take his back. “That this is my 'style'!”

His speed almost catches you by surprise, as he follows through with his kick by blocking your second claw-strike using his left elbow. Then he launches a straight kick with his left leg that you block by raising your right knee.

You stomp forwards at the side of his right knee, which is supporting him at the moment, only for him to twist into the air and snap kick towards your head.

This sort of back and forth exchange with minimal contact, almost more like a chess match played out with limbs as the pieces, continues for several seconds. But eventually you deliberately lunge just a little too far into his fighting space, and are treated to a show of his unique power.

“A gift, madame,” he muses as he palm-slams the ball into your back.

Then he finds that he's struck nothing more than a convincing afterimage, before taking a strong axe kick to the back of his head.
>1/2

>>3003655
In that moment, you got to see something important. That technique of his was packed with oxygen and a substantial amount of reiatsu... so if his epithet is 'the Deathdealing' then it's not a huge leap to believe that this attack was intended to lower your body's 'lethal dose' of a specific chemical substance: namely, oxygen. As your years of Onmitsu training have taught you, albeit more as trivia than actual practical information, almost every single compound that's ever been isolated can be fatal in sufficient doses... even the ones you need to survive.

But on the opposite side of the coin, almost any compound can also exist in such a low dose that despite being normally considered lethal it can be rendered safe. Background radiation exists at such low doses that it's a non-issue, and sufficiently low concentrations of arsenic exist in some fruits.

It's a little more of a leap, but it's not unreasonable to assume that Askin Nak le Vaar is also capable of raising his body's own tolerances for compounds he ends up exposed to... reiatsu included. The corollary assumption is that even natural phenomena like electricity are something to which he can eventually become immune, or at very least resistant to.

Perhaps you should test that theory?

>Attack using Shōsōtō. It has its own unique reiatsu that is only used by its blade in Shikai and your knives. Replicas used by its Bankai shouldn't be affected, and sacrificing your Shikai will give you an idea of how quickly his ability can work defensively.
>Attack using electricity. His potential ability to become immune to all manner of chemical and spiritual phenomena might have a weakness in terms of dealing with natural phenomena like changes in energy state or heat transfer.
>Try to attack using an especially deadly replica using your Bankai. Whether or not he can become immune to such copies is irrelevant if he dies in one hit, which is worth the risk of losing the advantage of your Bankai's effectiveness if he somehow survives.
>Other?

>>3003678
>>Attack using Shōsōtō. It has its own unique reiatsu that is only used by its blade in Shikai and your knives. Replicas used by its Bankai shouldn't be affected, and sacrificing your Shikai will give you an idea of how quickly his ability can work defensively.

better save than sorry

>>3003678
>Attack using Shōsōtō. It has its own unique reiatsu that is only used by its blade in Shikai and your knives. Replicas used by its Bankai shouldn't be affected, and sacrificing your Shikai will give you an idea of how quickly his ability can work defensively.

>>3003678
>Attack using Shōsōtō. It has its own unique reiatsu that is only used by its blade in Shikai and your knives. Replicas used by its Bankai shouldn't be affected, and sacrificing your Shikai will give you an idea of how quickly his ability can work defensively.
this before electricity

>>3003678
>>Attack using Shōsōtō. It has its own unique reiatsu that is only used by its blade in Shikai and your knives. Replicas used by its Bankai shouldn't be affected, and sacrificing your Shikai will give you an idea of how quickly his ability can work defensively.

I still can't wait for Riku to show up and say something along the lines of, "Sorry I'm late, it's a bitch to keep track of time on the moon." And everyone just kind of stares at her for a moment, cause even for Riku that's a bit weird.

>>3003709
nah, she'll blame mom. Like, "Sorry my goddess of a mother didn't wake me up on time. Traffic's a bitch getting here from HC's moon"

>>3003726

or "I am sorry, i took a wrong turn in the dangai and ended up on an island, thankfully a man that talked to a Volleyball showed me the way back."

>>3003678
>Attack using electricity. His potential ability to become immune to all manner of chemical and spiritual phenomena might have a weakness in terms of dealing with natural phenomena like changes in energy state or heat transfer.

>>3003678
>>Attack using Shōsōtō. It has its own unique reiatsu that is only used by its blade in Shikai and your knives. Replicas used by its Bankai shouldn't be affected, and sacrificing your Shikai will give you an idea of how quickly his ability can work defensively.

>3d10, dc 17, crit 22

Rolled 5, 6, 9 = 20 (3d10)

>>3003766

Rolled 10, 9, 10 = 29 (3d10)

>>3003766

Rolled 6, 8, 2 = 16 (3d10)

>>3003766
>>3003766

>>3003768
jesus anon, what did you sacrifice for that?!

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>>3003768
Nice

>>3003768
This contract is sealed.
>writing

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>>3003771

>>3003783

that was actually to soon, damn man

>>3003783
I heard it in Josh Brolin's voice.

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>>3003783

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>>3003783
>>3003808

>>3003766
You decide to sacrifice Shōsōtō.

Drawing it from its sheath you go back on the offensive, quick slashes forcing Askin onto his back foot. Each attack narrowly misses its target, blocked efficiently by blows to your wrist or against the side of your blade, however your own skills prove more than a match. He can't retake momentum, as each time he tries to use his ability you slice through the ball before he even manages to initiate an attack with it.

On one such attempt you stab him through the palm, slipping Shōsōtō's point between his metacarpals.

He hisses in pain, taking a single long hirenkyaku back to gain some distance. “Damn, that actually hurt.”

You refuse the invitation for banter, instead silently counting the seconds. At roughly five second intervals you thrown an anken at him as a 'surprise' attack to mark the passage of time, watching him either dodge or block each. If you're right about his comments regarding his 'style', you'll know when those attacks are no longer effective.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Four.

Five.

The eighth dagger simply bounces off his skin without breaking it.

“Not bad,” Askin smiles. “The real question is, how accurate is that figure in your head?”

“So you knew,” you sigh. That complicates things, but only a little. Even if he did realize that you were testing his rate of immunization, this still tells you that it's faster than forty seconds. That's enough to shelve several of the slower possible ways you have of killing him, such as conventional poisons and kidō techniques that deal damage over time. Bakudō are also looking suspect, as continuous exposure may well increase the rate at which he can immunize himself.

The surest course of action remains killing him with a single shot, but given his foot speed and the nature of his powers it's hard to say even just yet what specific trick or technique would have the best chance of success. If you were to fail to finish him in one blow using your Bankai, then you may well end up losing a fight you could otherwise have won.

“So was it worth sacrificing your zanpakutō to test me?” he asks ominously.

“So far I feel like it might've been,” you shrug. “Why? Know something I don't?”

“While I've gotta admit I'm starting to suspect you've got a better sense of style as a woman than you let on,” he begins, only to be interrupted by a loud crash.
>1/2

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Rolled 1 (1d4)

>>3003836
You sense two people's reiatsu, over near the permanent 'official' Senkaimon: it's Shunsui, and his Lieutenant is with him as well. It seems Shunsui is in rough shape, but Riku seems to have managed to save him at very least. Which is good.

“Well, that's good news,” you sigh. “Go on, you were saying?”

“Hang on,” Askin mutters. “That Captain was fighting Lille, right... so... where is he?”

You shrug. “Not lie I care that much, but he's probably still in the Dangai. Assuming Captain Kusajishi hasn't killed him already.”

“If she'd killed him, wouldn't she already be here?” Askin asks, apparently confused.

“Not if she stopped to destroy the body,” you offer. “Which knowing her is definitely possible.”

“Yikes,” Askin winces. “Glad I didn't end up fighting that one.”

“That's my wife you're talking about,” you grumble. “Show some respect.”

“How progressive,” Askin shrugs.

>So, you going to finish your thought, or...
>Try and catch him off-guard by attacking now.
>Continue testing his limits. Try using electricity now.
>Other?

>>3003862
>>So, you going to finish your thought, or...

>>3003862
>Try and catch him off-guard by attacking now.
Fight dirty

>>3003862
>So, you going to finish your thought, or...

>>3003862
>>Try and catch him off-guard by attacking now.

>>3003862
>>Try and catch him off-guard by attacking now.

>3d10, dc 16, crit 22
>your previous crit is still somewhat in effect as well

Rolled 9, 2, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>3003915
>
doice me

Rolled 8, 5, 9 = 22 (3d10)

>>3003915

Rolled 6, 2, 10 = 18 (3d10)

>>3003915

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>>3003925
>22

>>3003937
accurate image

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>>3003925
>out-fucking-skilled

>>3003959
with how long Best Cat is doing this, that tumor better have to bring his A-game to the fight

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>>3003959

>>3003959
With a near-instant strike, you crack Askin across the jaw.

“What's the big idea,” he begins, before his complaint is cut short by a series of quick exchanges ending in a punch to his nose.

“I'm really starting to...” he tries again, only for you to land another punch on his nose.

“Think that...” he continues, despite a low kick that takes him off his feet.

“You're not so...”

You backhand him across the jaw.

“Stylish...”

A knee collides with his gut.

“... after all!” he gasps, reeling away from you.

You continue to pummel him with every weapon you were born with for what feels like a long time... and it starts to become clear to you that there's another flaw in Askin's seemingly-impenetrable defenses: kinetics. He may be able to isolate your reiatsu and immunize himself to it, but the simple transfer of kinetic energy from fist to jaw or knee to crotch doesn't just magically vanish.

Otherwise he wouldn't still be wheezing like that from having been punched in the gut. It's been way longer than forty seconds, he's had plenty of time to raise his defenses if he could.

Then you find yourself rudely interrupted from afar.

“Kisuke, this better be good,” you growl.

He's somewhere over near where Unohana and Aizen are currently engaging in what can't be more than an initial skirmish at this point, testing each other with nothing aside from kenjutsu.

“It's not,” he admits in the back of your head, and from the tone in his voice you can tell that something bad has happened.

“What's wrong?” you demand, taking a brief break from batting Askin around like a cat playing with a rather resigned mouse. “I'm in the middle of something here so make it quick.”

“My Division's telling me there's a problem in the Dangai,” he announces. “Massive irregularities with the Sweeper, it's clearly reacting to something.”

“Kisuke, what does that even mean!?”

There's a pause. “Our sensors can't locate Riku.”

>Confused Captain (most controlled)
>Angry Captain (very angry)
>There Will be Blood (maximum angry)
>Other?

>>3004005
>There Will be Blood (maximum angry)

>>3004005
>>Confused Captain (most controlled)
Riku's the one who has the most angree

>>3004005
>>Confused Captain (most controlled)
leading into
>There Will be Blood (maximum angry)

>>3004005
>>3004005
>Well that's not the first time Riku went AWOL like that. Remember the time she went to Hell and became Queen of it?"
>Deadpan Snark (controlled captain)

>>3004005
>Angry Captain (very angry)
I don't think she'd be maximum angry until Riku was confirmed dead.

>>3004005
>>Angry Captain (very angry)
We don't have time to deal with Askin, just kill him with extreme prejudice and figure out what's going on with Riku. Maximum angry is only if/when she's confirmed dead.

>>3004017
supporting

>>3004005
>>Confused Captain (most controlled)
>>3004018
also this ^

>>3004018
This

>>3004005
>>Angry Captain (very angry)

>3d10, best of four
And here I have to leave you now. I'm going to a party, but I don't intend to stay all that long. Will post on twitter when I'm on my way home.

Rolled 9, 3, 9 = 21 (3d10)

>>3004072

Rolled 1, 2, 6 = 9 (3d10)

>>3004072
have fun~

Rolled 3, 2, 8 = 13 (3d10)

>>3004072

>>3004072

Rolled 3, 9, 7 = 19 (3d10)

>>3004072

>>3004072
And because we're on a bit of a roll here, give me one more round for effect.

3d10 best of three, DC 15, critical 22

Rolled 8, 4, 1 = 13 (3d10)

>>3004730

Rolled 8, 6, 9 = 23 (3d10)

>>3004730

Rolled 6, 10, 6 = 22 (3d10)

>>3004730

>>3004730
And to end the crit-chain nonsense,

>Lethal takedown
>Non-lethal takedown

>>3004750
>>Non-lethal takedown
who knows what will happen if we kill him.

>>3004750
>>Non-lethal takedown

>>3004750
>>Non-lethal takedown
as much as i want him dead, we can still get intel

>>3004750
>>Lethal takedown

>>3004751
>who knows what will happen if we kill him.

He'll die?

>>3004771
i think the thought process is that there might be more going on with his powers or any kind of connection

>>3004778
People die.

When they are killed.

>>3004750 #
>>Lethal takedown

>>3004789

i don't dispute that, he might be useful, he wasn't overly aggressive and even kept Byakuya alive when he was at his mercy, there might actually be hope for him

>>3004750

>Non-lethal takedown

>>3004802
You're just as dense as the one I'm quoting. RIP

>>3004808
suite yourself, i just don't narrow my options to 'kill everyone'

>>3004789
I agree with the sentiment generally, but this is Bleach. There've been at least a few people that have not, in fact, died when they were killed.

Alright, since I literally fell asleep just now for a few minutes I'm gonna have to wrap this up later this morning. So maybe like six or seven hours.

Look forward to that if you're still awake at that point, otherwise see you back tomorrow for the next update and Claymore.

>>3004837
Question does best cat have access to Longinus or the nails of the cross or anything else that might null regen? Might be good for miracle shitter.

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>>3004005
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi1aJyUahMI

There's another pause.

“What do you mean you 'can't locate' my wife, Kisuke?”

After a moment, Kisuke responds. “She's not in the living world, not here, not in the Dangai. She's just... gone.”

You can feel it, first as a tremble, then as an undeniable wave. You can hear it, an anguished cry that doesn't sound like it should be your own voice. But you know that it is.

It even registers in Askin's expression, albeit subtly, as you sink to your knees. Tears sting at the corners of your eyes.

“I can guess,” he admits solemnly, producing a sphere of dark reishi in his left palm, “what must have just happened. For what little it's worth, I can sympathize. It's the worst part about being immortal, watching everyone you care about die before you.”

“Aizen...” you reply in a low voice.

“It's easier when you can lie to yourself, pretend like you don't care about anything.”

“Aizen!” you roar, blinking back tears. Turning and rising to your feet from your knees in a single, smooth motion that could only come from hundreds of years' training in iaido and kenjutsu, you charge towards where you know the traitor to be trailing two lines of crackling lightning in your wake.

“I can't let you do that!” Askin declares loudly and charging after you. At the peak of his own hirenkyaku, expertly timed, he looses a spirit arrow aimed at your left leg. He means to hobble you, to keep you from interfering with Aizen's fight.

It turns out to be his undoing.

His eyes widen in shock as that same arrow pierces his torso, and he coughs harshly. Given the violence and inherent imprecision of what you just did, it's not surprising that you must have nicked a lung.

“That was...” he gasps.

“Hirenkyaku is much smoother than our own technique,” you complete the thought for him, since it sounds painful for him to talk. “I used it to instantly reverse direction, and our combined velocities left you no time to react.”

He winces, forcing himself to strike you weakly with his palm. But the only thing that happens is that the arrow disappears, and he slumps forward over your shoulder.

“... what is this?”
>1/2

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>>3006023
“I pierced hakusui, one of your spiritual pressure points,” you explain. “I had a hunch that your power could not immunize you against your own spiritual pressure, same as how most humans' immune systems won't normally attack their own body.”

“Thank you for trying so hard to stop me.”

“Not that,” Askin protests. “You looked totally deranged a moment ago... so how...”

You drop him rather unceremoniously to the ground. “Let me tell you a story about my wife, while you're lying there at my mercy. There was a time not too long ago when she was dragged into Hell. As in literal, not metaphorical, Hell.”

“Next you'll tell me she won a golden fiddle in a duel while she was down there,” Askin coughs.

“No,” you shake your head. “Naturally I worried about her a little at first, but she eventually found her way back. And when she did, we learned she'd crowned herself Queen in the mean time. Literally, the Queen of Hell.”

At first Askin struggles to laugh... but eventually he falters. “Wait... oh god you're not joking, are you?”

“Not in the slightest,” you confirm. “No matter what happens from here on one thing remains true: Kusajishi Riku always manages to come back to me, stronger than she was before. I don't know where she is now, or when she'll be back, but I can guarantee you she's out there somewhere fighting like hell.”

“So don't get me wrong, I'm not happy about this. But one way or another I plan to greet her when she finally does turn up, even if it takes a hundred years. And I can't do that if I got killed by the likes of you.”

“Well,” Askin coughs more blood all over himself, rolling onto his back. “For a woman, you still have no style.”

“Still more woman than you could handle, apparently,” you assert. “And for the record? 'Substance' is part of my 'style'."

>>3006048
>Mad cat is best cat
Thanks for finishing the run off, Queen

>>3006048
It won't be hundreds of years, yoruichi.
Riku took all of that onto herself.

You'd best greet her warmly when she returns.

>>3006408
to be fair, she didn't have a choice, causality really screwed her over on that, she will bitchslap that traitor and then get some sweet alone time with her soul mate

>>3006048
“Oh, what is it this time?” you groan, rolling onto your elbows. “We were having a Halloween party...”

Ah. So you must still be drunk from the party. But where exactly are you now?

From a cursory glance it seems you've found yourself in the middle of a bamboo grove, though still being dark it's difficult to tell how far the trees go in any direction. There's also no path to speak of... so have you just wandered out into someone's garden while drunk? And are you all that drunk?

You stretch your arms, then stand carefully on one foot while stretching your other leg before switching legs. Your balance seems okay, and your head is clear. You didn't think you were drinking all that heavily, so then how did you get to wherever this is?

“Ah, that's hopeful,” you muse, sniffing at the air. “Cooking meat... can't be too far out of the way then.”

After tracing down the scent to its source, you find a small clearing in the bamboo where a small yakitori stand has been erected. Lighting is provided by paper lanterns festooning the front of the stall, and from apparently a series of overhead lights for the owner: a small girl both in terms of her almost comical stature and her lack of any... “assets” to speak of.

“Ah, a customer!?” she greets you cheerfully, but with obvious surprise. “I rarely get an actual customer... or are you just lost?”

You can't help but glance around at the scene... where are those lights even plugged in?

“I'm lost,” you admit after a few moments' contemplation. “In more ways than one, but I'm also hungry and willing to pay. So I guess I'm both?”

“Then take a seat,” the girl gestures to one of the stools which are set up straight on the hard-packed dirt. “I was just about to make my own dinner, so grab a menu and tell me what you want!”

After a few more seconds, you offer an observation. “There are no menus.”

“Well, then just... here,” she grumbles, serving up a skewer of breast meat, one with a mix of chicken and spring onion, a skewer of meatballs, and one with grilled shishitō peppers.

“The sauce is excellent,” you inform her, having practically inhaled the food. “What will that cost me?”

She gives you a strange figure, and you offer her what seems like a reasonable amount in ryō.

She stares at the coins in her hands. “You're... not from around here, are you?”

You shake your head. “I don't even know where 'here' is.”
>1/?

>>3014148
“Well, they call this the Forest of the Lost for a reason,” the girl sighs dramatically, hopping off the footstool she'd been using to see over the counter more easily. “You'd best follow me then, I'll take you to the human village. They'll figure out how to get you home.”

“Humans?” you frown. “Why would a bunch of humans know how to get me from wherever it is I am to the Seireitei?”

“The Seireitei?” the girl asks, staring at you in confusion. “What's that?”

“It's where the Shinigami live?” you offer.

“Ah, so you're a yōkai!” the girl muses cheerfully. “That changes things!”

“Yōkai?” you ask. “I don't get it.”

“It would seem we are no longer on familiar grounds,” Tenkotsuki explains inside your head. “Mind if I come out too for a while? This may be a situation for 'Inari Riku' to resolve.”

“Good idea,” you nod.

“What...” the girl begins, before recoiling at the sight of you drawing your swords. “Now, hold on a minute. If it's a fight you're after, shouldn't we do this the civil way?”

You can see that she's produced a paper strip from one of the pockets in her baggy red pants, sort of like an ofuda.

“Bankai: Higeki no Ōjo.”
“Raze, Kobara no Tachi.”

At the sight of your transformation, the girl simply stares and lowers her hand a little. But you can tell she's still alert to possible danger.

“What exactly are you?” she demands.

“Complicated,” you answer. “I suspect that I arrived here quite by accident. Where I come from we have been having some issues with the boundaries between worlds beginning to weaken. This could be a parallel universe, an alternate reality... it could even be a fictional setting, for all I know I may have crossed the boundary between what is real and what is not.”

“Boundaries, then?” the girl muses. “I suppose I should take you to see her then.”

“I'm Fujiware no Mokō, by the way.”

She extends a hand for a handshake, which you accept.

“Inari Riku.”
>2/?

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>>3014160
Your newfound guide leads you through the bamboo for what feels like a long time, until you've left the forest. Eventually you find yourself near the bottom of a wide valley, where you're lead into what looks like a small village. It looks like it could be medieval, but at the same time there are little details visible like the quality of the construction and particularly of the glass windowpanes that tell you this isn't the medieval era.

“Ah, that's good!” Fujiwara no Mokō chirps. “Seems someone useful is in town to buy tofu.”

“This early in the morning?” you ask.

“This time of night is when most yōkai do their shopping, actually,” your guide explains. “It's her, right here.”

A nine-tailed fox?

The woman stares at you. “And what might this be?”

“Apparently an outsider of some kind,” Fujiwara no Mokō shrugs. “Bunch of fox tails, claims she's some kind of death god. I was hoping you'd be able to make sense of all this.”

“Your name?” the fox woman asks.

“Inari Riku.”

“Inari, as in the one from the shrine in town?” she asks.

“The very same,” you admit. “It is very complicated, but the easiest way to explain it is that part of my soul became shintai to one of her aspects.”

“That isn't easy at all!” Fujiwara no Mokō protests.

The other woman, tall and blonde with nine golden tails swishing behind her, seems far less flustered. “No, that basically makes sense. And so right now you would be a composite entity made up of at least two separate minds and souls, working cooperatively to draw out more of your inner potential and share cognitive faculties.”

“Well now, you seem to understand the situation quite well!” you clap appreciatively.

“I need you to take her to Yakumo Yukari, your master,” Fujiwara no Mokō explains. “Can you do that?”

The yōkai looks at you with a calm smile. “No.”
>3/?

>>3014171
“Because she is asleep,” you repeat.

“That's right,” the kitsune insists. “If I bothered her I'd be punished for sure, whether the excuse was reasonable or not.”

“And if you refuse to help me, then you will be punished for it either way,” you observe with a scowl. “So factor that into your reasoning.”

“She has no idea what spell cards are!” Fujiwara no Mokō whispers loudly behind her hand. “I'd consider just doing what she asks, Ran!”

“Even if you're part god, I won't do it,” the kitsune named 'Ran' insists. “Those are my orders, not to allow anything to wake my master.”

You frown slightly, weighing your options. “What if I could speak with her without actually waking her?”

Ran stares at you for a few seconds, before sighing. “I think I know who we need to ask.”

Several minutes later you find yourself standing in front of the most ominous western-style mansion you've yet had the chance to encounter. Or at least you think it's a mansion, there's also a clock tower which isn't typically a feature of “mansions”. More like a town hall, or a school building.

“This is Scarlet Devil Manor,” your second guide, Yakumo Ran, explains.

“Cheerful,” you grumble. “And the one we are looking for is the owner of this mansion?”

“Head maid, actually,” Ran admits. “You do have maids where you're from?”

“Not ones who would be helpful in this situation,” you clarify. “What makes you think this maid will be any different?”

“I have no idea if she'll be helpful,” Ran admits. “But her abilities are the ones we need right now.”

Knocking at the front door, or at least the only door on the front facade you can spot, gets you an immediate reply: albeit not a helpful one. Instead you're forced to take a quick step backwards to evade a hail of daggers.

“Oh, so this new animal has good reflexes,” a voice greets you as a young woman with silver hair and a stereotypical maid's uniform lands where the daggers were, the blades themselves disappearing in an instant. “And what are two foxes doing at the doorstep? We don't want any visitors here who'd cause trouble.”

“Who's causing trouble for whom?” Ran demands, plucking one last dagger from the corner of her hat where it's stuck like a feather.

Then she turns to you. "This is Izayoi Sakuya."
>4/?

>>3014201
Sakuya responds with another volley of daggers, many of which you evade and some which you simply block with your swords.

“You're quick,” the murderous maid commends you. “For a simple animal that is.”

“And you're awful slow for someone so skilled,” you counter. “Inari Riku. Not actually a fox.”

“Inari, huh?” she muses as you continue dodging her attacks. “Are we supposed to feel honored then?”

“Hospitality certainly is a matter of your own honor,” you shoot back.

“And how's our hospitality so far?”

You snag a dagger from the air, parry a second with it, and throw them both back one after the other. “I will tell you when I see it.”

“She can manipulate time,” Ran warns you, sidestepping a trio of daggers herself. “That's why I thought she'd be able to help.”

“Able, certainly,” you observe, “She is quite skilled with it. But willing, I have yet to see any indications of.”

“And what would a shintai and a fox need my abilities for?” Sakuya demands, her assault not letting up even for an instant.

“A bunch of technicalities,” you admit. “Admittedly, this place is interesting... are all yōkai female?”

“Most,” Ran explains. “Why? Isn't it the same in your world?”

“We have something called 'Hollows' that are loosely similar,” you shrug, taking a swing at Sakuya's neck that narrowly misses due to her abuse of time manipulation. “But in that case they are overwhelmingly males.”

“Funny how that works,” Sakuya muses, raining down dozens of daggers from above at almost the same time that she targets you from the sides, forcing you and Ran to backpedal towards each other.

“Most likely a spurious correlation,” you admit, watching as thousands of daggers appear in a hemisphere all around you.

“Tozanshō.”

The daggers strike your pyramidal barrier with almost sufficient force to destroy it, and they likely would have penetrated had any struck the same place twice. However, your bakudō is sufficient to help you weather the storm.

“You really aren't from around here, are you?” Sakuya asks.

“That is what we said,” you grumble. “Were you even listening?”
>5/?

>>3014207
After striking an accord with Izayoi Sakuya, who has agreed to your request with the understanding that it's the only way to get rid of you, Yakumo Ran leads you to what looks like something halfway between a shrine and a private home which stands far from the town or the manor. In fact, it even took you nearly to dawn to get there.

Inside you find a blonde woman snuggled deeply into a futon, with what looks like a small girl with brown hair and cat ears poking halfway out from underneath a nearby kotatsu.

“Cozy,” you mutter, before turning to Sakuya. “If you would be so kind.”

The air seems to distort for a moment, before you see a second copy of the woman in the futon appear in the room. It seems she's about ready to go to bed, when she stops and stares at Ran.

“Ran, I thought I told you not to let anyone wake me!” she protests.

“Lady Yukari, you're not awake,” the kitsune observes, pointing at the sleeping woman.

Yukari stares at herself, then at her shikigami, then back at herself, then at you. “Whaaa...”

Then she seems to notice Sakuya for the first time. “Ah, so it's like that then?”

“Who's the new lady?” she muses, walking a slow circle around you. “Shintai, hm? Not from around here, so the Barrier's not the problem.”

“The problem is probably on my end,” you admit. “Sorry for dropping into your reality unannounced.”

“It's no problem,” Yukari shrugs. “Happens all the time, actually.”

You somehow doubt it's that simple.

“Well, good news is I can send you back,” Yukari declares, stepping out of the room and into a hallway.

“Well, what would the bad news be?” you ask as she disappears from view.

“Oh, there's no bad news,” she declares from down the hall. “I just love that turn of phrase. But you probably won't remember any of this, so you can consider that bad news if you'd like.”

She reappears, thrusting a fancy umbrella into your hands. “There you go. Open that up and hang on for dear life. It'll slow your fall... not so much for you, mind you. It's for whatever would have the misfortune of having you slam into it otherwise.”

Yakumo Yukari effortlessly opens a small portal, not unlike your own, and points into it. “Well then, in you go. No need for teary goodbyes when you won't remember it anyway.”

You pause anyway, turning to Sakuya and Ran. “Well, this has been... an odd interlude. Thank you both, and please be sure to thank that Fujiwara girl for me.”
>6/7

>>3014215
You are Kusajishi Riku, and today is the first day of November.

“Ah, you're finally awake!” Yoruichi greets you cheerfully, her tone almost hurting your head as badly as the volume. “It's a miserable day out, in case you were wondering.”

“Rain?” you moan, feeling like you're dying after last night's drinking with your fellow Captains and officers.

“First heavy downpour of the season,” Yoruichi sighs. “Come on, let's get something solid in your stomach.”

You slowly crawl into your uniform, feeling just a little better now. Mostly what you feel like you're going to need is water, you've left yourself pretty badly hung over.

Pulling on your white haori, you meet with Yoruichi at the front door to your quarters. “No Rangiku?”

“Still sleeping it off,” Yoruichi tells you, reaching for an umbrella.

She pauses, before pulling out an ornate violet umbrella with frills around the edges and a fine wooden handle. “When did you get this?”

You stare at it, your head starting to hurt worse now. “I... have no idea. Let's not think about it too much.”
>7/7

>>3014220
>>3014215
>>3014207
>>3014201
>>3014171
>>3014160
>>3014148
Mother of all fandoms. Ya did a 2hu crossover.
>applauds
Happy skelly night Queen.

>>3014220
Great job

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>>3014220
Thinking about it, I’m surprised it took till thread 138 to get a Touhou crossover.