Chapter 113: War of Karakura begins
The fake Karakura Town stood as a silent stage for the impending war, its replica streets devoid of life but brimming with tension. Above it, the air shimmered with the spiritual pressures of two opposing forces: the Gotei 13 and their allies, facing off against Aizen, his Espada, and their Fracción.
Underneath a darkened sky, Shinji Hirako stood with his arms crossed, his face hidden beneath a cloak. Around him, the other Vizards remained cloaked as well, their spiritual pressure concealed.
Ichigo, sitting on a rock nearby, narrowed his eyes at Shinji. "You still haven't told me who you really are."
Harry, leaning casually against a nearby tree, smirked. "Don't mind him, Shinji. He's just mad you're better at hiding your Hollow powers than he is."
Shinji tilted his head, his signature smirk hidden under the hood. "Hollow powers, huh? Took me years to get a handle on this mess. You? You were born into chaos."
Ichigo stood up abruptly, pointing at Shinji. "You know nothing about my chaos!"
Harry clapped Ichigo on the shoulder. "Relax, Kurosaki. Shinji's not the enemy. Yet."
Shinji's smirk widened. "Listen, kid. Aizen did this to us, and he'll pay. But you're gonna have to keep your cool if you're gonna survive what's coming."
The flashback shifted again to Harry and Urahara addressing the Vizards directly.
"Aizen's making his move," Harry said firmly, his emerald eyes gleaming with determination. "We've tricked him into attacking the fake Karakura Town, but he's no fool. He'll figure it out fast. If you want payback, now's the time."
Kensei Muguruma cracked his knuckles. "Payback sounds good to me."
Hiyori Sarugaki huffed. "We'll be there. Don't screw this up, Potter."
Harry chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Present time:
Harry and Ichigo waited impatiently near the shimmering Garganta portal. Around them, the gathered forces prepared themselves for the battle ahead. Renji and Rukia stood nearby, double-checking their equipment. Unohana quietly conversed with Isane, her serene demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the air.
"Why do we have to wait for Kenpachi?" Ichigo grumbled, leaning on Zangetsu. "He's probably wandering around somewhere picking fights."
Harry smirked. "Probably, but you know as well as I do that Kenpachi is the guy we want when things get messy."
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but why does waiting for him have to be so annoying?"
Harry shrugged. "Patience, Ichigo. Maybe you'll learn it someday."
The Garganta pulsed, and the remaining forces emerged. Kenpachi Zaraki, grinning like a maniac, was flanked by Yachiru. Mayuri Kurotsuchi followed, his strange gadgets humming ominously.
"Finally," Ichigo muttered.
"Alright, let's go," Harry said, stepping toward the portal.
The air over the fake Karakura Town crackled as Aizen and his forces arrived. The Espada stood proudly, their Fracción scattered among them.
"It's fake," Aizen said, his voice calm. "Impressive, but ultimately futile."
Beside him, Gin Ichimaru chuckled. "Guess we'll just have to make do, huh, Captain Aizen?"
Aizen smiled faintly. "Indeed. Let's proceed."
Baraggan, seated imperiously on a throne of bone, regarded his opponents with disdain. His Fracción, Ggio Vega and Nirgge Parduoc, charged forward, meeting Soi Fon and Marechiyo Omaeda in a flurry of blows.
"Pitiful," Baraggan said, raising his axe. "You cannot escape death."
Hachigen Ushoda joined the fray, his Kido barriers pushing back the overwhelming decay of Baraggan's Respira.
Harribel stood stoically, her ice-blue eyes fixed on her opponents. Hitsugaya Toshiro, Lisa Yadomaru, and Hiyori Sarugaki surrounded her, their combined attacks testing her water-based Zanpakutō.
"You underestimate me," Harribel said, her voice calm. She released her Resurrección, and the battlefield was consumed in a tidal wave.
Coyote Starrk, the Primera Espada, faced off against Shunsui Kyoraku, their battle a deadly game of strategy and power. When Starrk's Resurrección unleashed a barrage of spirit wolves, Shunsui countered with his Katen Kyokotsu's shadow-based techniques.
"Such a drag," Starrk muttered. "Why can't you just lie down and die?"
"Sorry, Starrk," Shunsui replied, dodging another attack. "Not my style."
Despite his earlier defeat, Nnoitra Gilga returned, clashing with Kenpachi Zaraki in a brutal display of raw power.
"You're still alive?" Kenpachi laughed, swinging his sword with reckless abandon. "Good. I wasn't done with you yet."
Zommari Rureaux confronted Byakuya Kuchiki, his Amor technique attempting to dominate the noble captain. Byakuya's stoic resolve and mastery of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi turned the battle into a clash of elegance and precision.
"You are arrogant, Shinigami," Zommari sneered.
Byakuya's reply was cold. "Arrogance is thinking you can defeat me."
Wonderweiss Margela unleashed chaos, his primal screams shaking the battlefield. Mashiro Kuna met him head-on, her Hollow mask glowing with power. When Kensei Muguruma joined, Wonderweiss was forced to retreat momentarily.
As the battles raged, Aizen observed with an amused smile. His calm demeanor contrasted with the ferocity around him.
"Everything is proceeding as planned," he murmured, his hand on the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
Back in Hueco Mundo, Harry and Ichigo paced.
"Think they need us yet?" Ichigo asked, gripping Zangetsu.
Harry smirked. "They will soon enough. And when they do, we'll show Aizen just how wrong he was to underestimate us."
Ichigo nodded, determination blazing in his eyes. Together, they stepped into the Garganta, ready to bring the fight to Karakura Town.