Chapter 157: Catching up to Aizen

After getting healed, we headed back down to Las Noches to meet up with the Captains. I could simply take us back but I wouldn't want to miss a grand entrance. We located Byakuya, who was with a recuperating Rukia and Renji, Zaraki who just finished off Yammy and Unohana healing Byakuya. Mayuri was most likely collecting "samples", Arrancar, around the battle areas. The moment we said our greetings, Mayuri arrived at our location.

Mayuri: Oh my, oh my, what's this? It seems that none of you have died. Oh, it also seems that none of the Ryoka have died as well. They even rescued the woman.

Ichigo was about to use Shunpo to the main Palace until Kenpachi stopped him.

Zaraki: Where the hell are you goin'? What do you hope to gain by acting now?

Ichigo: Okay, what do you suggest we do?! Karakura Town's in danger!! Are you telling me to just wait here like we are now!?

Zaraki: I thought I told you that when it was decided the final battle would be in the winter, Urahara Kisuke received a few marching orders from the old man. The first of those was the sending of Captains to Hueco Mundo. The second was… to make it possible for the Captains of the Gotei 13 to wage war in Karakura Town.

Sado: That's ridiculous! Wage war in Karakura Town!? If the Captains, with all their power, do something like that, what'll become of Karakura Town!? There will be nothing left! It will be turned into ruins!!

Mayuri: Having Captains simply fight there won't make it possible. It's called Tenkai Kecchuu (Revolving World- Linking pillars). That is, the transforming of Karakura Town into a place suitable to wage war in. In order to do that, Urahara Kisuke created the "Tenkai Kecchuu", a device which creates an enormous one Spiritual Ri* (Unit of area approximately 654 Square meters) radius Senkaimon bound by four linked points. He then set it up in the North, South, East and West of Karakura Town.

Because of this technique, Urahara basically transferred all of Karakura Town to the outskirts of Rukongai.

Sado: What did you do with the residents?

Unohana: Put to sleep and sent to Soul Society with the town.

Sage: If what you said is true, then how will we get to the other fight? From what I can tell, none of you know how to open a Garganta, not even the 12th Division Captain over there.

Mayuri: Hmph! Even if I could open a portal from here, do you think I would allow YOU to use it? Luckly for you, I am in a very good mood right now. Not only have I obtained some invaluable spoils of war… I have also, in the same place where I uncovered said spoils, succeeded in analyzing the structure of the Garganta.

Sage: If your fool looking ass knew, then open it clown.

Ichigo: Analyzing…Garganta?!

Mayuri: Again with your meager insults. But I indeed, flawlessly I might add, to analzing the Garganta! I have achieved a semipermanent form!! Oh! I can see the look on that man's face already!!! How can I not be gleeful in such a situation?!! Why, the impudent blatherings of a primate such as you are as nothing before my delight!! Make the preparations, Nemu! We must return this half- Shinigami and friends to the Human world!

Nemu: Yes, Mayuri-sama

I could have had Kurotsuchi Nemu without so much as a refusal from her father Mayuri, but then I would have some type of drug in me because of how he dealt Szayelaporro Grantz. That pussy had a linen factory attached, not just strings. Ichigo was trying to refute the ride back to the Human world but Byakuya set him right and had told him to save his town. Unohana volunteered to come along to see if she can also help whomever was hurt on the other side.

Unohana: Isane, you are to remain here and assist Kuchiki Taicho.

Sage: Sado, stay here with the rest just in case. Protect Orihime-chan and Ishida. Make sure you guys recover.

Sado: No problem.

Sado gave me a thumbs up as Ichigo, Unohana and I jumped into the Garganta. While running through Ichigo made his own little walk way and led Unohana. I on the other hand, made a recliner and followed on the side.

Unohana: Kurosaki, there one thing I want to ask you… you faced Aizen Souske up by the Sokyoku, didn't you?

Ichigo: Yeah, what about it?

Unohana: How was it?

Ichigo: What do you mean? He was ridiculously strong. I couldn't do a thing. He wasn't even using Shikai or anything, and he totally slaughtered me.

Unohana: I'm glad. You're very lucky that he was so much stronger. I will tell you this now Kurosaki. In all the world, including Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, you are the only one who can stand against Aizen Souske right now.

Ichigo: What do you...

Unohana: I will tell you about his Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu's powers, and about the conditions for invoking them. In order to invoke Kyoka Suigetsu's powers, his opponent must see his Shikai. All of Gotei 13, all of Urahara Kisuke's group, all of Aizen Souske's followers, including the Arrancars and Espadas, everyone on Earth who could possibly fight him has seen his Shikai. Everyone except for you, Kurosaki Ichigo, and your friend there on the seat.

Sage: Nice of you to have noticed. This is called a love seat though, Unohana-san. Would you like to accompany me?

Ichigo: Hit on her on your own time Sage- san. Thank you, Unohana-san. That's all I needed to know, I will defeat Aizen.

I don't know why they continued running while Ichigo was leading Unohana on a sloppy path. If they had asked, I would have made my couch again. Good thing that Unohana asked Ichigo to switch with her because she found out that when Ichigo is fully powered up with all his Reiatsu, the Shihakushou (Shinigami Kimono) that transformed with his Bankai that he is wearing is complete. The Shihakushou represents how much Reiatsu he has left. I extended my recliner into a couch.

Sage: Unohana-san, you guys sit here so you can help Ichigo recover his Reiatsu, that way you don't have to run as well.

Both of them jumped on my couch and started with the recovery. I could have given Ichigo a Senzu Bean but he was not injured, so about half the bean's power would be wasted, so there was no point in giving him one. We made good progress on the way to the exit and onto another battle. Good thing I witnessed and copied the power of the Shunshun Rikka when Ichigo was being physically healed and the technique that Unohana used to restore Ichigo's Reiatsu.