73 Ichinose Maki (1/2)

Once the clouds of dust dissipated amongst the various coughing fits of the people within the room were having. Three figures made their presence known surrounding the bount in a triangle.

”Itsu- Captain Minamoto! Captain Kuchiki! Captain Hitsugaya!”

Rangiku was surprised at the sudden three intruders as she nearly called Itsuki by his name. Kariya just looked at Itsuki who was standing where the gate was. The rest of his accomplices were surprised as well as they vigilantly looked at the three.

”You must be captain of the 2nd Division, Minamoto Itsuki. Ichinose here couldn't find anything about you apart from your zanpakuto being a lightning and wind one.”

Itsuki didn't talk back as he looked at the surrounding bount rake out their dolls.

'The girl with the green hair should be Yoshi, the weird looking one should be Mabashi, the old one should be Sawatari and the one with the mohawk should be Koga Goa.'

Looking at them, Sawatari seemed to have the more annoying ability with the ability to manipulate space. Itsuki then slowly went into an Iaido stance as the rest also got battle ready. Sawatari had just called his doll, when Itsuki disappeared and appeared behind him. Everyone, apart from the two captains and Rangiku, were shocked by his speed as the old man disintegrated into dust. Seeing this, Byakuya and Toshiro also moved. Mabashi was targeted by Byakuya and Koga Go went against Toshiro.

Yoshi appeared behind Itsuki as her right hand was covered in armour and was holding an energy sword.

”Take this!”

Itsuki dodged and swung his sword at her, cutting her in half. She also dissipated. Byakuya made quick work of Mabashi as he released his shikai. It was the same with Koga Go as he was quickly frozen by Toshiro's shikai.

The bount were weaker than the anime as they never had the abundance of reishi found in Soul Society, although they did drink numerous souls. They had, however, encountered a monster like Itsuki and the two that fought the other captains seemed to have encountered their natural enemy.

Kariya looked unbelievingly at what was happening as his focus was taken by Ichigo clashing into him. A helpless look plastered his face as a determined one replaced it before he started laughing.

”Do you think that this is the end, Shinigami?”

It was stated in the anime that although Kariya looked for revenge upon Soul Society, he truly wanted to end his current immortal life. Ichigo seemed to have already recognised this as he stayed silent when fighting against him.

Itsuki never made his move as he focussed on someone else entirely. Ichinose Maki, a former Shinigami who served under the previous kenpachi. He went rogue when Zaraki Kenpachi took over the role by killing the previous one. He had a strong sense of justice and was unable to follow Zaraki's lead of fighting only for entertainment. He believed those in power should use it for noble causes rather than for self-satisfaction.

Seeing him sneak up on him, Itsuki swung his sword sending him flying through one of the tunnels. Itsuki then disappeared, following him.

Smashing into a wall, Ichinose coughed out blood as he tried to get up. Pushing himself up, he found a sword next to his throat, threatening to slit it.

”Why don't you kill me?”

Itsuki didn't answer, but he just responded with another one,

”Why do you fight?”