Chapter 141 - 141: 3 Captains and me

The moment I released Sokyoku the three of them were surprised. By knowing its release made Sokyoku mine. Considering the Old man has a Zanpakuto that also controls fire, at least I can learn some types of techniques from him. Ukitake can absorb and fire back energy attacks from an enemy but I don't know to what extent. Since the only one with a possible chance to hurt me is Ukitake, I can ignore Kyoraku and focus on the Old man and Ukitake.

The fight started smoothly as I was the first to strike. Swiftly, I lunged at the Old man, he tried to block but was easily pushed back. Ukitake and Kyoraku both attacked me simultaneously but I was faster and blocked their attack with the Tsuka. A loud clang was heard as they collided with Sokyoku, in retaliation, a burst of flame shot out of the Tsuka that their blades hit burning them in the process.

Ukitake: You were right, Kyoraku. He really is strong. Strong enough for all of us to use Bankai against him.

Kyoraku: If this is enough for you to consider using your Bankai against him then you will be in for a rude awakening if he uses his main Zanpakuto.

Ukitake: What?! So the weapon he used to chip Genryusai-sensei's Zanpakuto was his OWN Zanpakuto?!

Kyoraku: Yup. 100% Real Zanpakuto.

Ukitake: At first I didn't believe it because he's a Ryoka, but now I don't know what to make of it. I thought Kurosaki Ichigo was the only one among them to have a Zanpakuto.

Kyoraku: Apparently he must have taken an Asauchi and already made it his own.

Genryusai: Enough. Attack again, he does not have so much strength to warrant you using Bankai.

Kyoraku: Jiijii, this is how he fought when I first encountered him. All he is doing is learning the way of the sword from us. If he finds that he has nothing left to learn then I'm afraid that we may have to die trying to stop him.

Genryusai: If he really has that much power, what is holding him back?

I attacked again before they got the got the chance to ask me, why am I fighting? I infused Sokyoku with energy and a gold flame covered the blade. I used a similar attack to Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho, instead of it being a flying slash of Reiatsu, it was a flaming flying slash of energy. Since all three were together I slashed at them then, Ukitake jumped in front to absorb the attack with his left Zanpakuto. When he tried, he could only absorb so much until the blade started to crack. Genryusai and Kyoraku blocked what Ukitake couldn't absorb. The three separated and Ukitake was surprised to see his Zanpakuto cracked by an ability that he has used for centuries.

Sage: Ukitake-san, what's wrong?

Ukitake: What did you do?

Sage: Me? (Pointing at myself) Nothing, all I did was attack, you were the one trying to absorb the attack. I'm guessing that the blade on the right fires it back at me with more strength and speed?

Ukitake was startled at my guess but quickly calmed down when Kyoraku gave him sorry filled head nod. Ukitake remembered that I read Kyoraku's mind so he must have realized that I learned more about all he knew, even about other people.

Ukitake: You may be right, how about we find out?

Sage: (Smiling) I don't mind, but you have to ask yourself, if you couldn't fully absorb the entire attack and your Zanpakuto cracked, what would happen if you tried firing it back at me with more speed and power?

Ukitake looked hesitant and was about ready to fire until Kyoraku stopped him.

Kyoraku: Don't try it. I wouldn't doubt him and he is right. Your blade couldn't absorb the entirety of his attack, so if you fire whatever you did absorb with more power your blade will most likely break. For now attack in intervals when you see a chance.

Ukitake nodded, Kyoraku looked at me.

Kyoraku: Here, this is something I haven't tried yet. Bushogoma (Lazy Spinning Top)

I smiled at the attack but since it was mainly a whirlwind type attack it meant nothing to me. I pointed Sokyoku's blade to the attack and raised the heat of the flame on the tip. Since heat rises, the whirlwind attack veered into the sky and disappeared. Seeing his attack brushed off like it was nothing, Kyoraku jumped into the sky and fired another Bushogoma but it was a disguise for his Takaoni (Mountain Demon). Since I knew this attack was coming when he used it against Coyote Starrk, the number one Arrancar, I left a shadow clone in my place and flashed behind him in the air. I let him fire the Takaoni, since he has a target and I have not really seen the attack.

As I said before, Kyoraku's attacks with Katen Kyokotsu are based on old games. Whoever is the highest is winner with Takaoni, Irooni (Color Demon) is only going for one color to attack and the more of the color you have that he calls out the heavier the hit and Bushogoma is what it's name says, a spinning top. I've seen the Bushogoma and Irooni but not the Takaoni. To my surprise though, the Takaoni is a heavy attack from the sky that ends some opponents. My clone brushed off the attack then disappeared.

Sage: So that's Takaoni, looks strong.

I said as I was behind Kyoraku in the sky. Kyoraku turned around with widened eyes while trying to slash at me as I swung at him with the Tsuka of Sokyoku. Kyoraku hit the ground hard, creating a pit.

Genryusai: Shunsui! Little brat!

Fire tendrils were quickly formed around us and started to attack me but since it was flame none of the tendrils did anything. Seeing that his attack was ineffective, Genryusai charged at me, while grinning, I received his attack. A burst of flames came out of both mine and his Zanpakuto. Neither flames could damage the other, but that is only if it were kept at normal flames. I changed the color and properties of the flames to blue, causing the flames of Sokyoku to freeze over the Old man's flame. Shocked at what transpired, he jumped back but the look in his eyes showed that he didn't have the faintest clue how I froze his flame. I flashed behind him in his confusion with Sokyoku covered in the blue flame at the Old man's back.

Ukitake: Sensei!!

Ukitake chose to fire the left over power he had absorbed earlier and like Kyoraku predicted, his sword broke but the attack still came at me. I could've gotten a good hit on the Old man but Ukitake disrupted me. I clicked my tongue and brushed his attack away. The Old man flashed to Ukitake's side.

Ukitake: Genryusai-sensei are you alright?

Genryusai: Thanks to you. How's your Zanpakuto?

Ukitake: Not good. It was like Kyoraku predicted, it broke the moment I fired back that attack. I will revert it back to normal so it can recover.

Kyoraku finally recovered from the hit as he slowly got up from the pit on the ground. Disheveled hair and clothes but still beat and bleeding, Kyoraku brought himself to his feet. After a few seconds he flashed next to Ukitake.

Kyoraku: What did I miss?

Ukitake: Kyoraku! How are you? You took quite a hit.

Kyoraku: Quite is not the word. The old man needs to realize that this is a losing battle. At best we are keeping him occupied.

Ukitake: I see that now, but with sensei being stubborn, there's not much we can do. I can no longer help and you are badly injured. Sensei will be on his own facing him.

I exchanged many moves with the Old man while paying attention to his techniques, arm and wrist movements of how he swings his blade. I is not that I didn't take them seriously it is just that I never put too much strength into my attacks. With every exchange I adjusted my strength to match the Old man's, just so I could have more fun and learn at the same time. The fun was coming to an end because Ichigo's fight should be wrapping up and Aizen was about to make his move.