The Grand War

[Baraku]

The 1st division captain and the Commander of the Gotei 13, Ashiki Kuriki, had a very hard decision to make that day, whether they should go to war with the hollow. Over that past decade the hollow had become more powerful, more organised as if they had some sort of leader who had been giving the orders from the deep recesses of Heuco Mundo. Not only that but there had been a number of high ranking officers within Gotei 13 going into exile, and rumours were spreading that they had acquired some sort of hollow transformation. The decision had been deliberated and other solutions had been suggested, and some even tried, but this seemed the only course of action that would deliver results.

Kuriki had called an emergency captains meeting, he stood in front of his men among of which were, Baraku the 10th division captain and one of the longest serving captains still in the Gotei 13, Jurichi the 11th division captain who was newly appointed after showing excellent survival skills while being stationed on Earth, and twin brothers Matiku and Shisuke the 2nd and 5th division captain respectfully, at the moment 2 of the other captain slots were empty due to horrific hollows attacks a few months back and they had been unable to find anyone as there was too much work to be done.

“Men, the decision has finally been made, we will go on a all out war with the hollows. We have been given 1 month to prepare for it, so all other work unless absolutely necessary will be on hold. Please relay this information to your lieutenants’ and the rest of your squads.”

A few days from when the notice of war had been given, while out on a recon mission, Baraku was intercepted by a group of Quincy. They had surrounded him but hadn’t drawn their weapons, so Baraku kept his sheathed as well; they wanted news on what was going on at Sereitei and the hollow problem. He decided to tell them everything as the Quincy were powerful people, and while their methods were different they were on the same side. The Quincy were now aware of the Shinigami’s plans and had told Baraku that they would begin preparation right away.

16 days before the attack and everything was going wrong, more Shinigami left bringing the total to 8 high ranking officers. Several members of each squad had been killed during recon missions gone bad or ambushes, the junior level students had been accelerated through the academy and put into squads very quickly to maximise their numbers. But everyone had put there all into it, jobs were being shared between people of different squads, higher ranking officers were training in the morning with new recruits and in the evening with their captains. It’s said that only in true strife do people truly bond.

6 days before the attack the captain commander was awoken to the sound of the alarm being raised shortly followed by his lieutenant entering his room.

“Pardon me Sir, but the alarm has been raised. We believe that the hollows are attacking the earth realm as we speak.”

Ashiki was quickly knocked out of his sleepy state and quickly through his robes on and walked down the road towards the captains meeting area. He entered and waiting no more than 30 seconds before his captains began piling into the room, with even the most collected of them looking flustered.

“You all know what’s going on i take it, it seems the hollows attacked before us. Whether that’s because of a spy or just coincidence it neither here nor there at the moment, what we need to do is save the humans from the hollow invasion. I believe the best way to do this is to create a spirit gate leading to Sereitei, but then changing the co-ordinates to the wasteland towards the west as there we can kill the hollows without putting anyone in danger.”

The other captains looked on, but none said a word as they knew this was the best course of action. The 12th division captain Rushi spoke up in a raspy voice.
“I can open the gate and move it exit point but I’ll need about an hour to move it.”

“Okay Rushi. Matiku, Shisuke go and create a diversion but try not to use all of your power as we will need it for the fight to come. We also need the 4th division in the battle area ready, are soldiers will stationed between the hollows and rugonkai so set up a camp further back and get everything fully supplied. Jurichi please help 4th division set up and stock up, as you will be going there as well as the front line of our assault. Is there anything else anyone needs to say?”

Baraku spoke up about his encounter with the Quincy, and how they would help us.
“Well, the Quincy are powerful, Rushi can you set up a spirit particle converter for the Quincy to aid us if you need please use 13th or 1st division squad members. Listen everyone today the Quincy are our allies and we need to support them as much as we can. Everyone please fight hard.”

All the captains left the room and started to prepare for the near suicidal mission, bring hollows into Rugonkai. Rushi and Matiku went through the spirit gate with their squad members while Jurichi and the 4th division captain went off to sort out the battle field.

The gate preparations were nearly complete, all the shinigami were in place and the diversion was working perfectly, Kuriki stood in front of all his soldiers, some had been for many years, some for weeks. But he stood in front of them and decided to give them some inspiring words before the battle commenced.

“ Shinigami, we face the biggest threat to our existence ever. This is going to be a gruelling battle, the hollows are organised and powerful, but we have the upper hand. They fight for their own selfish reasons ready to kill another comrade if need be. We fight to protect our loved ones and our friends, laying down our lives to serve that purpose. And that will give us strength unrivalled, unmatched.”

He received the signal from 12th division, telling him that the gate is ready and the hollows will arrive soon.

“The hollows will come now, remember your training, and keep your resolve strong. AND THE WILL NEVER WIN!!!”

Just as his thunderous voice finished the sentence, a huge door appeared in front of them and shinigami running through.

“GET READY MEN HERE THEY COME!!!”

Then the hollow emerged, hundreds and hundreds of them, pouring from the gateway. The 11th division charged into battle, cutting and swinging their Zanpaktou, hollows disintegrating everywhere. The lower and unseated officers went for the low class hollows, mid seats went for Adjuchas, and the captains went for the Arrancar. Screams and howls of pain and anger filled the sky and bodies of shinigami began to fall as they were being over run by the hollow. Almost simultaneously two gates were opened into the area, one directly behind them which Kuriki assumed was the quincy, and one a hundred or so meters away which was more similar to the hollows. Kuriki shunpo’d back to the quincy gate and explained what the situation was, once they were fully informed they charged in fighting alongside the people who once try to obliterate them. Then he and Baraku shunpo’d to the hollow-like rip, they stood there swords drawn, as only a very powerful hollow could get his way into Rugonkai forcefully. They began to feel the reiatsu of something which was definatly hollow but more shinigami. As the reiatsu got closer Kuriki realised who it was, and soon after all the old shinigami who had left in exile returned through the rip. They look the same except the hollow like masks covering there faces.

[Kensei]

(good job, man. I'll fill in the nasty bits about the Hollows.)

The Espada were having another discussion in Las Noches. They sat around the long oval table, with the leader of the espada sitting at the head of the table and the 10th Espada sitting at the end.

The leader spoke up. "Welcome," he smiled pleasantly and rose. He was not an Arrancar, as one might suspect, but a rogue Vaizard. "We have information on the Shinigami's pact with the Quincy to wage a war on the Hollows."

He snapped his fingers and a small projector on the middle of the table whirred, displaying a view into a small room, where the Quincy were having a fast and furious debate.

"This was taken by Arrancar number 83 on a skirmish to Karakura town," He explained. Snatches of the conversation was heard.

" - have plans to wage war on - "

" - cannot make preparations in - "

" - Shinigami may be plotting - "

Kensei snapped his fingers, and the projector's volume died down. "As you can see, the Quincy have doubts about the Shinigami's plan," He smiled. "We just need to strike at the right place at the right time - "

The 5th Espada, Damian Churruca, raised his voice. "How can we trust you? You aren't one of us, you're one of them!"

Kensei sighed. "Of course. But if you can't trust me, why have you been following my commands for the last fifty years?" He spat the last couple of words like they were something disgusting in his mouth. "Out of respect?" He suddenly released a quarter of his reiatsu. Las Noches' foundations shook, and some of the servant Arrancar in the place collapsed.

All the Espada, save for the top 2, were struck down. The air was heavy to breathe, even for the remaining Espada in the room. " - or is it because I'm just stronger than
you'll ever be?"

He suddenly withdrew his presence and said in his usual cheerful manner, "Now, to business! I want you, Baroja, to take about 10 Numeros and 5 Gillian with you on a skirmish to the real world. You may take your Fraccion."

The 8th Espada rose, and bowed. "Hai." He left without another word.

Kensei sat down and looked at the remaining Espada. "I want all of you to gather your forces," he smiled. "Now, for refreshments..."

- - - - - - - -

The Gillian strode around Karakura town, firing Ceros everywhere. The Numeros hunted down the few Shinigami who were guarding the place, while the Fraccion, as well as Pio Baroja, were busy.

The Quincy had emerged.

Baroja had tracked down a squad of Quincy novices and ate their souls. Almost immediately, about 100 Quincy, and among them 2 of the 3 remaining Bishops, surrounded the forest in which he was standing.

"Disperse," he said to his silent Fraccion. They sped and attacked left right and center, occasionally stopping to eat one of the Quincy. Baroja himself attacked the Bishops 2 on 1...

- - - - - - - -

About 2 weeks later, the Arrancar had enough forces to continue their conquest. They had gathered tens of thousands of Hollows, as well as hundreds of fresh Arrancar, eager for their own taste of Shinigami blood. "All we need is a catalyst..." Kensei murmured, looking out at his forces.

Such a catalyst emerged the next morning.

A report came in that the Quincy now whole-heartedly believed in the Shinigami and were preparing to move into Seireitei to continue their operations there.

Kensei summoned everyone and left about one-quarter of the more veteran fighters. He would be relying more on numbers than in skill. He opened ten strategic gates to the ten districts of Rukongai closest to Seireitei. The armed masses poured out, filled with bloodlust.

The sounds of battle emanated from the portals, getting the Hollows more excited. It took approximately two full days to transport all of them to Seireitei, and another day to move the Arrancar, all of them in organised squadrons, through the portals. The Menos Grande opened up their own Garguantua and fired Cero blasts at the incoming Shinigami.

The two-numbered Sekikan and unseated Shinigami bent under the large weight of millions of Hollows. As one Hollow was vaporized, two would take its place, lunging
at the Shinigami who killed it.

Kensei himself decided to make an entrance, flooding the vicinity with approximately half his reiatsu. Shinigami and Hollow alike slumped down, unconscious in the chaos and din of battle. He relied on the remaining 5 of his Espada (2 were lost in the real
world, while 3 were keeping Las Noches occupied) to exterminate the Captains.

Claws rang upon swords, blasts echoed in the air. There was a deadlock, with neither the Shinigami nor the Hollows gaining the upper hand. Only 2 strongest Espada were alive now, and even now they were fighting the remaining captains. Kensei decided on a quick way to wipe out the weaklings. He flushed the entire field with all his reiatsu, causing the weaker Shinigami and Hollow to fall, side by side, on the bloody ground. They were merely put into a death-like trance, unable to move or talk, but were still alive.

Kensei was about to withdraw, leaving the battlefield, when a portal opened beside him, with about 20 or so Vaizards. All the Shinigami who had previously been exiled for their "hollow-fication" were back for revenge.

- - - - - - - - -

Kensei smiled. "I wondered when you would be here," He slapped one of the first Vaizard's hand. "My forces will tag out then," He beckoned his Espada to go back to Las Noches.

He himself joined the Vaizards in their final movement to conquer the Shinigami captains once and for all.

20 dots streaked towards the remaining Lieutenants and Captains, who were completely surrounded by every side. The familiar faces in front of them, each with a Hollow mask on, were nightmares that would burn in the memories of the survivors.

As battles broke out amonst the Captains and Vaizards, all having introduced their Bankai, Kensei confronted the 1st Division Captain and the 10th Division Captain, Baraku Kojisa.

"Baraku-kun," he smiled, gathering black energy to his hands. "Long time no see. You've improved since we last sparred." He dragged his Hollow mask on his face and drew his Zanpakuto. "But I'd think you'd remember my Zanpakuto."

Facing the two Shinigami, Kensei launched himself, landing behind them. Both had drawn their own Zanpakutos. The 1st Division Captain, started to chant, but Kensei cut him off.

"It's done like this," he said with a smile. "Hado 90, Black Coffin." The 1st Division Captain was surrounded by an impenetrable black box while Baraku stood helpless.

Two seconds later, the bloody remains of the 1st Division Captain's haori fluttered down, landing on the ground some 300 feet below.

(I'll tag out, then.)

[Kensei]

The last part, written by gohan, edited by me

Kensei was having the time of his life, even though he was double teamed by Baraku of the 10th squad and 7th squad Captain, he didn't look worried in the least bit. He was actually overpowering the two captains together!

Baraku spoke: "You won't get away with this! Your going to pay for what you did to the Captain Commander!"

Kensei retorted, "Oh? You and what army, Baraku-kun? Even with you two together in your Bankai forms ain't enough to defeat me. You have seen the end of the Sotaicho, supposedly the strongest of the Gotei 13! The Era of the Gotei 13 ... is ... over!"

In an incredible burst of speed, a combination of Shunpo and Sonido, Kensei phased in front of the 7th Captain and struck him down with a single thrust of his Zankupato.

Kensei laughed. "5 Captains down, 8 to go! Calling yourselves Captains - it's disgraceful!"

Captain Baraku was in tremendous shock and grief, but had no time to mourn his companions. He continued to fight Kensei with everything that he had.

Meanwhile, the remaining Captains and the Quincy Patriarchs were also fighting with everything that they had! Both sides suffered casualties. There were now only the 3 strongest Vizards left, and on the other side were 6 Captains (the 8th was killed) and 1 Quincy Patriarch!

Back at the Kensei and Baraku's fight, Kensei had a serious advantage in both power and speed. Baraku tried his best and gave it everything he had to avenge his superior, but just couldn't match the power of Kensei, who was significantly stronger than even the 1st Espada or a Vasto Lord, who are far superior to the average Captain.

Just as Kensei was about to deliver the finishing blow to Captain Baraku, millions of tiny blades formed a barrier around the Captain and blocked the extremely powerful attack, Kensei turned around and gave a small smile. "So it's you."

The famous Captain of the Sixth Division, Byakuya Kuchiki, stepped out from the shadows.

Byakuya replied in his usual cold unconcerned tone, "You are nothing, I will erase you, and then this whole mess will be over. Pivotal Scene, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi Gōkei."

Byakuya used his Bankai's 2rd Form and in no time at all, Kensei was surrounded by countless glowing pink swords all around him. This restricted Kensei's movement trapped him there for the moment. Byakuya quickly spoke to the 10th Division Captain, "Captain Baraku, please quickly chant the incantation of your strongest Kido. Let's finish him once and for all."

Captain Baraku chanted the incantion for Hado 90 Black Coffin and launched it at Kensei, reinforcing the spell and trapping him within the coffin. Byakuya followed up by collapsing all his blades into the Black Coffin to maximize the damage that Kensei would recieve from the combined attack.

Baraku breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that it was all over. A few seconds later, however, the black coffin broke open and Kensei was back. "So you really have improved," Kensei said. Before anyone could react, Kensei pointed his index finger at the area where the rest were fighting and unleased his Gran Rey Cero. The Ultimate Cero was so fast that the only ones who were able to escape it were 3 of the remaining Captains. The Quincy Patriarch, 3 remaining Vizard, and the 4th Squad Captain were instantly vaporized!

Needless to say, the remaining Captains were horrified. Byakuya, as always, only raised an eyebrow at the questionable move. They were all amazed that he was able to survive but right now one thing stood out in their minds. Baraku spoke.

"I can't believe you would kill your own comrades, for a chance to finish us off! What kind of monster are you!?!"

"Comrades?" Kensei smiled slightly. "I have no comrades. I am disappointed. There are no comrades in a war - they were simply pawns."

The Captains got over their initial shock and surrounded Kensei, with their Zankupato out in their full Bankai form ready to fight.

"It's 6 on 1, you can't win. Give it up, Kensei!"

"I can't, now, can I?" Kensei said. "Of course, it would be quite a challenge to kill you all at the same time, but - " He suddenly looked up at the sky, frowning. " - it's tea time."

Suddenly the earth shook, the sky split, and out rose the Menos! They shot a yellow beam of light down, and 3 of the captains, who were caught in the blast, were shredded into bits in front of the onlookers.

Kensei retreated back into Hueco Mundo, apparently for tea. Many things happened afterwards. Baraku was promoted to 1st Division Captain. Kamuyamoto fought Byakuya in front of 300 onlookers, and then obtained the 6th Division Captain position. Takeshi Minamoto filled in for the 9th Division Captain, who was deceased, and Blazer came in for the 10th.

The Quincy, however, were disillusioned with the Gotei 13. They blamed the Shinigami for their losses and sorrows, and this anger and hatred led to another Great War. The Quincy decided to move against the Shinigami, in order to avenge their fallen brethren, who had died from an "unjust cause." The rest is history.

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