Chapter 43 - Battle on the Hill (1/2)

As the ethereal skeleton formed, an orange haired individual appeared next to her.

”Lieutenant Uchiha and Ichigo?!” Rukia said, shocked at their sudden appearance.

”Itachi?!” Ichigo looked surprised when he saw Itachi at the top of the stand with him. Itachi gazed at him with his sharingan briefly before turning back around and facing the large flaming bird heading towards them. 'He's gotten stronger.' Itachi thought to himself.

”Lieutenant Uchiha!!” Omaeda exclaimed. The rest of the captains and vice captains were also surprised to see Itachi.

”Susanoo!” Itachi's eyes change as a large ethereal rib cage appears around his body.

A large skeletal arm suddenly grows from the left side of his body and grabs the bird's beak, stopping it from moving any further.

”He stopped it..” Soi Fon said. ”The Sokyoku is supposed to have the destructive force of over a million zanpakuto. That shouldn't be possible?!”

”Looks like he made it on time.” Kyoraku commented as he smiled. 'Ukitake should be arriving soon.'

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”Lieutenant Uchiha, you shouldn't have come...” Rukia said, tearing up. ”And Ichigo, you idiot, I told you not to come!!”

”What!? Don't give me that crap!” Ichigo replied.

”You know you can't win, you should've stayed behind.” Rukia continued.

”This isn't the time for that.We have more pressing matters to deal with.” Itachi said as he sighed as this was an inconvenient time to start arguing.

”I..I am sorry,” Rukia said, keeping her head down.

The Sokyoku was still being held by Itachi. It struggled around to try and free itself. However, The susanoo's grip made it completely immobile.

Just as it continued to struggle, two cables flew up from the ground and attached itself to the Sokyoku.

”Captain Ukitake?! Kiyone also!” Isane exclaimed as she saw where the cables came from.

Shunsui and Nanao appear beside Ukitake and Shunsui pulls out his zanpakuto. He inserts his into one part of the cable and Ukitake inserts into another part of the cable.

”Captain Kyoraku too?!” Isane called out, confused. Yamamoto opened his eyes in surprise as Ukitake planted the shield firmly on the ground.

”Stop them! They want to destroy the Sokyoku!” Soi Fon yelled at Omaeda. But it was too late and the two Captains poured their reiatsu into the shield. Their reiatsu traveled up the cable and into the Sokyoku.

Itachi watched the scene and nodded as he was expecting Ukitake's arrival any moment. He turned to Ichigo.

”Kurosaki. I can tell you've gotten a lot stronger. Break the stand, I'll deal with this.” Itachi ordered Ichigo as he held back the Sokyoku. Ichigo nodded and shoved his zanpakuto into the stand and poured his spiritual pressure into it. The shinigami watched in shock as the Sokyoku dispersed and the stand was destroyed. Itachi used the moment of the explosion to quickly grab Rukia. He slung her over his shoulder then flash stepped from his spot and landed down and prepared to flee.

”Why are you just looking at them, you fools?! Catch them!” Soi Fon yelled at the lieutenants who were just standing there watching. The three lieutenants who were there, Sasakibe, Isane, and Omaeda, made haste and appeared in front of Itachi with their zanpakuto drawn and released. They were slightly nervous as they faced Itachi. Omaeda knew that Itachi was already strong from his first few years at the second division and Isane was not as proficient as the other lieutenants in combat. As a member of the fourth division, she spent much of her time practicing healing Kido. Sasakibe was the only one who remained calm. Itachi had no change in expression as the three of them approached him. He gave them all a quick glance. In the next moment, they all keeled over, falling on the ground unconscious and he continued on his way. However, before he went any further, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path.

”Captain Soi Fon.” Itachi said, staring at the figure.

”Uchiha. It's disappointing to think you would side with the invaders.” Soi Fon said with a stern expression.

”These invaders and I share a common goal to save a comrade. I wouldn't expect you to understand, Captain Soi Fon. Comrades are simply tools for you to accomplish your mission objective by any means. It appears that this battle was unavoidable.” Itachi replied.

”Don't be naive Uchiha! You were ready for this the moment you acted.” Soi Fon commented as she removed her Captain's haori.