Chapter 7: TOO LATE FOR DAWN, TOO EARLY FOR DESPAIR

Take the next right, then the second left at the intersection.

Right then left. Got it.

How much further to the Squad 1 Barracks?

We should be nearly there.

Who knew there was an underground waterway like this. Right, Hando?

I did.

Wait, really?

For a couple hours now, yeah.

A couple hours...?

!!!

Let's move! <param=player_family_name> and the others need us!

Wait, Hando!

...!

Lemme tell you a little secret. My power, The Explode, doesn't simply launch bombs... Anything my reishi pierces turns INTO a bomb.

...

Want me to kill you in front of your friends? Or would you prefer to rest in pieces together?

No rush. You'll want to make the right choice.

(...So that's Lieutenant Kuchiki's Bankai!)

(The all-encompassing white haze, the oppressive feeling of frozen death...)

So you're not just gonna stop me. You're gonna kill me, is that it?

There is no reason for me to engage in dialogue with an imposter.

Well, if you're looking for a fight...you're gonna get one!

That Bankai's a real pain. Let's see what Yhwach's power can do about it!

!

Hah!

...

Wow! Looks like things are heating up over there. Shame you're just about burned out.

Wait just a second... Where'd my punching bag go?!

Phew... Just in the nick of time...

Good thing there was a tunnel opening nearby.

*pant*...*pant*...Hando, don't run off by yourself like that...

My bad! But please, help her out first!

!

That Quincy roughed her up pretty bad...

Lay her down first. Carefully.

Bet you dug a little hole to hide in, huh? Go as deep as you like. I'll rip you outta the ground!

Come out, come out, wherever you are!

!

Urgh...

She's conscious. Thank goodness...

Is that Quincy planning to blow up this whole damn hill...?

, Waah!, Auggh!, Woah!

We can't continue treating her here... Let's move her somewhere else.

Agreed.

Hurting my buddies... Smashing up the Seireitei... I won't let her get away with this!

Hando?

Sorry, but you go on ahead.

Huh?

She's gonna turn this whole place into a crater. I'll buy us some time!

But, !

...That asshole! Look after Tokishima for me!

Hando!!!

Hide-and-seek's over! I'll wipe you AND this hill clean off the map!

You're the only one gettin' wiped off the map!

Huh? And who are you supposed to be?

Giro Hando. Squad 7 of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Come on now, you didn't actually think that attack was going to hurt me, did you?

Keep underestimating me...and I'll make you eat those words...

You've got a big mouth. Try and back it up!

Tch!

For a small fry who can't even activate his Bankai, you've got some nerve pointing a sword at me!

Guagh!

(Dammit, that psycho is really pissing me off! But it's not like she's wrong.)

(Forget Bankai, I can't even release my Shikai. There's no way I can win this!)

Look sharp! Stay light on your feet or it's lights OUT!

Damn iiiiiit!

Third Seat Yamada went on ahead, so don't worry.

Yuki, why'd you...?

"An officer shall die in the Court Guard", So said former Head Captain Yamamoto.

But you know what? I'm sick and tired of seeing my comrades lose their lives in front of me. I've had enough of that in the war...

So I came to bring you back.

...Yuki...

What, there's more of you? It doesn't matter how many weaklings band together, you don't stand a chance against me.

...I...don't want to die yet.

You say something?

Ryunosuke Yuki. Squad 13 of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

I will save Hando...and return alive!

Hah!

You're clearly no match for me!

Ngh...!

Raagh!

Pathetic!

Aaugghh!

<param=player_family_name>!

You should worry about yourself!

Sankt Bogen!

Agh...!

Hya!

Guh!

<param=player_family_name>! Are you alright?!

...Y-Yeah...

He can't handle the power...

Huh?

It appears the magnitude of Yhwach's power is taking a toll on the imposter.

That gives us a chance. We must press the assault.

Yes, ma'am!

Gahhhh...

You're a far cry from the real Ichigo.

*pant*...*pant*...

Time to finish this! Let's go, <param=player_family_name>!

Yes, ma'am!

Haaah!

What?!

, Ghk!, Augh!

I told you, didn't I? That I'd surpass the Ichigo you know?

What's with his eye?!

You bastard... You can even use that eye?!

!

Over here!

Guaaah!

Lieutenant Kuchiki!!!

Nice try!

Aaaaaaughhhh!

With this power, we can surely save our world...

Time to end this.

...

Getsuga...

Jujisho.

...!

Why, ?!

Now's our chance!

Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!

Raaaaaagh!

Aaaaaaughhhh!

...We did it!

*pant*...*pant*...

Aaaaaaah!

Shiiit!

You talked such a big game and now you're running away?! You're even weaker than I thought!

Wh-What do we do, Hando?!

You were supposed to be rescuing ME! Didn't you have a plan?!

Quit whining and just use your Bankai already. If you can.

Dammit! At this rate, we're both done for!

...If I can at least get Yuki out of this...

(A stalemate!)

Hando?

Yuki, gimme a hand. I need you to hold that Quincy in place. Even one second will do.

Huh?! ...Hold her in place?

Here's what I'm thinkin'... ... ...and that's how we get her.

I-I see... Do you think we can really pull that off?

I can't use Bankai. If I want to feed a solid hit to that Quincy, I've got no other options...

I believe in you. Just don't die. That's an order.

Yes, sir!

Heh, come at me as much as you like! I'll crush you every single time!

Yuki, now!

On it!

Bakudo Number 1: Sai!

Hah! Cheap tricks!

Wha, ?!

......

...!

Time to blast off, bomber girl.

Are you stupid, ?!

Gaaaaah!

...Shit...

What kinda moron...gets caught in his own attack...?

...Even that...wasn't enough...?

Hando!

You... You're paying...for that little stunt...

That's enough.

What? Get out of the,

There is no reason to wipe out the Soul Reapers.

I know that, Anon!

But remember this, porcupine head! Next time I see you, you're dead, got it?!

...Right back...at...

...

W-We're alive...

Hando, that was way too reckless!

...Sorry...'bout tha...

Lieutenant Kuchiki, we did it...

Yes... But we were lucky. If his power hadn't backfired, we would have been in serious trouble.

What the...?

No, !

Ngh?!

Ahh!

...Become a vessel...

.........

...of the King's power... Rukia...Kuchiki...

Aaaaugh!

!!!

.........

Just like that... Let your instincts take over... Protect "The Almighty"...

Third Seat Yamada...!

Tokishima is being taken to the Emergency Relief Station by the other Squad 4 members.

Now let me take a look at Hando.

R-Right.

, Huuh?!, Ahhh!

Gaaaaaugh!

Ugh.........

<param=player_family_name>?!

Lieutenant...? She's using her Bankai?!

...

!

L-Look out!

Run!

Whoaaa!

...

Ngh...!

Lieutenant Kuchiki! Come to your senses!

...