NOVEL NEXT Chapter 302: The End?
(A/N 400k words by the way. I didn't expect to last this long.:)
(Ryoto's pov)
Time for words has ended. There was nothing Rin or I could say to change Aizen's mind, and now that Quincy could attack at any moment, we need to unite faster than ever, and while having a common enemy in Aizen would be ideal, we don't have time for that anymore. I'll need to find a way to kill Yhwach without Aizen's help, and it will be problematic with the Almighty active, but there is still a chance to end him before he regains this broken ability. But that is the issue for future Ryoto. Presently Ryoto had enough of these at the moment.
""Bankai."" Both Rin and I released our Bankai.
"Tensa Zangetsu." I decided to use Zangetsu once again. It would be difficult to use Gyaku with only one arm. It's not impossible, but against Aizen, I need to give 120% and more.
"Ensō" was the name of Rin's Bankai. It didn't change her Zanpakuto's look at all, but it was definitely more dangerous.
"Both of you start with your Bankai. I am flattered that you think so highly of me. Unfortunately, I'll choose to refrain from using it and limit myself to my Shikai. Scatter, Kyoka Suigetsu."
Visual illusions won't work on either me or Rin, but every other sense could be used against us. I explained it to Rin earlier, and that's why we decided not to talk at all during this fight. Doing that makes it evident that it isn't real if we hear the other one talking. I even jokingly proposed for Rin to stab both of our brains so we could maybe have a telepathic connection, but both Unohana and Isane slapped the back of my head. That's why we settled on the second-best thing.
We didn't rush at each other immediately, even after using the ultimate form of our Zanpakuto. Aizen did that out of curiosity, wanting to see how we would approach him. Rin and I, on the other hand, out of caution.
Then, I made the first move. I threw Tensa Zangetsu up in the air as I put on my Hollow mask. After I was done, I caught my sword and used Shunpo to get behind Aizen. My first attack wasn't anything special. A simple slash was a great opening move, but as expected, it was easily blocked.
"It looks like losing an arm costs you some power. As much as I knew that would be the case, I can't say that I'm not slightly disappointed."
I, of course, didn't say anything back as I jumped back. The next moment, a shallow wound appeared on Aizen's arm. He raised an eyebrow as he observed his new injury. I didn't let him think for too long as I appeared in front of his face and looked directly into his eyes. I can't strain my eyes too much, but turning them on and off is much more energy-saving, and it could even throw him off with the on-and-off illusions that I create. Nothing too crazy, but it is something that can give us the edge.
Aizen was surprised at the sudden change of colors around him, and Rin used that moment to make a stab motion that caused injury to Aizen's shoulder. He narrowed his eyes at yet another wound we caused him.
Aizen created some distance between us and analyzed his situation.
"I see. Captain Rin's Bankai allows her to connect two spots in space, allowing her to deal damage by just swinging her Zanpakuto in the air. I also doubt that she can create a connection with whatever point in space she wants since she didn't deal any severe wounds to me. I don't doubt that she wouldn't hesitate to kill me the first chance she got. I must also note that being on the receiving side of illusions is an interesting experience, although I'm disappointed in their strength. Just swapping the colors for a moment is doubtfully the extent of your power. If I was forced to guess, you are trying to save your energy until it is needed in a much more important moment. I would be offended if not for the fact that you are so cautious of me. It means that you consider me as someone strong, just as you should."
The arrogant look didn't leave Aizen as he explained his reasoning and deduction. He figured out Rin's Bankai relatively quickly. He was, of course, correct in his assumptions. We spent some time before for Rin to create all these connections here. There are still limits to how many of these she can make at the time, so she couldn't just overlay the whole hill in them, but she can feel every place she 'marked', and with her battle experience, she can time her attack very well.
Our fight plan was fairly straightforward. I am the main attacker, while Rin is supporting me. Of course, this is not all set in stone. We could very well switch our roles if the need arises, but for now, we stick to the plan.
I made a vertical slash with Tensa Zangetsu and left behind a line of energy that I hadn't released just yet. Then, I quickly got behind Aizen using Shunpo.
"Getsuga Tensho!" My Zanpakuto was starting to release Reiatsu, which was primarily black with red highlights. With me using my attack, the previously made line of energy did exactly the same, so Aizen was attacked by two Getsuga Tensho simultaneously from two opposite sides. The power of my Getsugas was even more increased by my Hollow mask and integrated Cero in them, but as usual, it is with Aizen, it didn't work as planned as he used Bakudo #81, Danku, to stop one Getsuga, and he swatted the other one with his own Zanpakuto.
Rin tried to capitalize on the moment and attacked Aizen, but he had already learned that staying in one place is a sure way to get hurt, so he immediately moved. Imitating me or maybe mocking me, he used Shunpo to get behind me and attacked me with a simple flash. I managed to block it as Rin supported me with her attacks, but Aizen moved away quickly enough to come out unscathed.
I also need to mention that Aizen was using his Zanpakuto during the entire exchange. Not to create illusions since they wouldn't work, but a feeling in my arm, a strange smell, a sound, or someone's voice. I was forced to ignore all these stimulants that I would usually follow, and the same went for Rin. It took a lot of focus not to jump when the wind suddenly changed direction or when a loud sound exploded nearby, but the only thing we could trust was our eyes and Haki, in my case.
This fight won't be easy.
---
Hah... hah...hah... My eyes are already creating steam because of the heat they emit. Even with my moderate usage of them, a prolonged battle wasn't easy for them. I'm not even sure how long we have fought, but it must have been at least 10 minutes.
My eyes weren't the only thing that started giving up. My mask was partially cracked, showing one of my eyes and mouth, which, to be fair, allowed me to hold my Zanpakuto in my mouth if the need arose. I'm not even mentioning all the other injuries that Aizen caused during our battle.
Rin was no better. She was as injured as I was since, as mentioned before, we changed our roles in a fight, and she took the fronts. At the moment, she was forced to support herself with her Zanpakuto. Otherwise, she risked falling down.
We were both breathing hard, but our side wasn't the only one having difficulty keeping up this tedious fight.
Aizen was also wounded. Not as much as we are, but that's something. He is strong, but he still hasn't fused with Hogyoku, so he is not immortal just yet. Small mercies and all. Despite that, it was a reasonably equal clash between us with maybe a slight advantage towards Aizen's side, but it was mostly because of the loss of my arm. There were many moments when I needed to physically stop myself from moving my left arm, which I don't have anymore, or I tried to block or use Kido with it, and it cost me a few times. I just didn't have time to adjust myself to being one-armed.
I can barely maintain my Observation Haki. It's not that it uses stamina or Reiatsu, but I can't use it for a long time with such high intensity. It's similar to a muscle, I guess. The more I use it, the stronger it gets, but overuse it, and you risk straining them too much.
"Ryoto and Rin Yuuki, I'm truly impressed by your defiance." Aizen started talking as he was hiding his fatigue. "To think that both of you would push me this far. I can't say that many would be able to do the same. But as enjoyable a challenge as this was, I'm afraid that we will need to end this soon."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Are you ready to give up then? You don't look so hot after all."
He chuckled at my comment.
"Unfortunately, no, but I can't say the same about you. Captain Rin barely stands and is slowly succumbing to her injuries, and you are running on fumes, as they say in the living world. You barely use your illusions anymore, and you move more sluggishly.
There is also one more thing that makes you lose."
"And what is that?" I asked, even though I should have stayed quiet. I needed to have a breather, so against my better judgment, I talked.
Then Aizen showed his creepy smile.
"There are still people that care about you."
Then the pain came. I looked down to see a blade sticking out of my chest.
I have been stabbed... That's not good...
It hurts, but more than pain, I felt shock...
I unconsciously touched the blade in my chest, which was difficult with my lone arm that was already holding Tensa Zangetsu...
Yep... that was my blood. I also could taste something metallic, and I felt something dripping out of the corners of my mouth. It never is a good sign.
With all my might, I turned my head to see who attacked me, and I saw my faithful lieutenant with a relieved expression until she looked up to see my face, and then she screamed.
(3rd's pov)
Soi Fon screamed, seeing the face of a man she just stabbed. This wasn't what she planned to do. This wasn't what she wanted to do, but she did. She didn't know how she could possibly mistake him for someone else, but there was something more important to do than try to figure out this mystery.
The lieutenant of Squad 2 quickly but carefully removed her Zanpakuto from Ryoto's chest, trying not to cause any additional damage. Ryoto, not having any strength left to stand, was starting to fall, but his Vice-Captain caught him and delicately put him down on the ground.
She needed to forcefully stop shaking her hands otherwise she risked dropping the injured man.
Finally, he was on the ground. Although it wasn't the most comfortable place to lay down, it would suffice.
"I...I...I..." Soi Fon panicked, but all that stopped when she felt a hand on top of her head. It was a very familiar feeling, one she liked even though she would never admit it out loud. Of course, Ryoto weakly patted her. Looking at him, she could see that he tried to smile to reassure her, but with all that blood on him, it didn't help much.
"D-don't worry, Captain! I'll get someone from Squad 4 or that Ryouka girl! Y-you'll be fine." She tried to get up and run for help, but the same hand that patted her head suddenly grabbed her wrist, stopping her in the process.
Soi Fon gave her Captain a questioning look.
"Don't bother. I don't think I'll manage to survive that long, and Inoue-chan is not powerful enough at the moment to heal me," Ryoto said as he started having difficulty breathing.
"B-b-b-but-!!!" Soi Fon tried to argue but she was silenced.
"Shshsh... Soi Fon, I want you to listen to me... You... managed to land a hit on me... and make me bleed... That's why... as promised, I'm going to grant you your wish... I know what you wanted to ask of me... from the beginning... You want to find your mother's killer... Congratulations... you have your revenge..."
Ryoto confessed, believing that he didn't have much time left. He knew his body, and both experience and instinct told him that, so who was he to doubt that. Also, his Zanpakuto reverted to its sealed state, and that only happens when the user is close to death.
What Ryoto told Soi Fon just now was one of the many things that his heart felt heavy with guilt about, and he was forced to keep quiet about it. Yan Fon was Ryoto's second kill and could even be counted as the first since he planned to resurrect Koro-sensei. Yan Fon was also much more emotional since she felt more... final.
"No... No! The man who killed my mother had glowing blue eyes, and yours are... are..." Soi Fon started rejecting the idea, but as she was speaking, her voice lost strength as she looked closer at Ryoto's face and focused on his eyes, which weren't glowing anymore. Their color turned bleak, and their usual light blue shade turned dark.
"...They are dark... aren't they... No wonder... I can't see anything."
Ryoto, succumbing to his injuries, started losing his sight. Yet another sign of his upcoming death.
"You know... saying something like 'I'm sorry' would be... stupid to do... I regret doing that... and I never wanted to do it... but I felt like I had no other choice at the time... Later on... I learned that she was the one who... ordered her own assassination... She was sick... and wouldn't live for long... After your siblings started dying on missions... she hoped that at least... one of her children would... live a happy life... Using her own life as a price... she hoped that it would open... her husband's eyes... but it didn't work as she intended... as you wanted revenge... When I became your Captain... I decided to keep you as safe as possible... After all, I promised your mother... to not harm you ever... but I felt it was too little... so I decided to try keeping you out of the... more dirty missions... but I still trained you to the best... of my abilities..."
Ryoto's voice was filled with acceptance as he revealed what he had learned about Yan Fon and her assassination, hoping to lessen Soi Fon's burden even at his death's door.
"I know, I know! I knew for a long time! I stumbled across this information some time ago. I don't hate you. You've been an important person in my life for a long time, so stop talking, and please don't leave me." Soi Fon begged as she started crying and holding tightly to Ryoto's torn clothes.
"I see..." Ryoto tiredly acknowledged. "Can you listen to me for a minute?" He suddenly asked. Soi Fon wanted to refuse immediately, but his face looked like he was begging. She nodded, but she quickly realized that he couldn't see, so she replied affirmatively.
"I'll listen to everything you have to say, and I'll remember everything." The young woman answered, stopping her tears and stopping herself from sobbing.
"You know... coming to Soul Society, I've had a goal... of helping my teacher... I was determined, and by accident, I brought Rin with me... I regretted it... but at the same time, I'm glad that she was with me... Really happy... but I still couldn't keep my promise... I've failed Koro-sensei... and now I'm going to leave everyone else behind... Isane, Yoruichi, Rin, Masaru, Akio, Yukima, Alme, Kaede, Rio, Lala, Rito, Mikan... all the others... My unborn child... So many regrets... I don't want to die... I have so many things I need to do... but I'm so tired... and cold... I can't even apologize to them..."
At the end Soi Fon could see trails of tears coming out of the corners of her Captain's eyes.
The more Ryoto talked, the less focused he seemed and the weaker he became. In the end, his voice was so quiet that it was barely audible. Ryoto Yuuki's life was coming to an end as his breathing became more and more shallow.
"Move."
That was the last thing Ryoto heard before losing consciousness.
---
END
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