Struggle Before the End

Orihime stayed in the spot that Sora left for a long time. She would alternate from crying to being happy. Once she settled all of her thoughts, she continued onward. It wasn't long until she saw the signs from Hell leading her upward. She traveled from layer to layer and eventually made it to the topmost section. A large, sealed door was hovering in the sky. The door itself was very daunting. Orihime chose a peak that was close to the door and waited.

Fortunately, there were a lot of scum in the world, and the gates opened rather quickly. Chains shot out from deep within Hell and the gates opened letting them act. The chains wrapped some person on the other side and began dragging him down. As the gates began closing, Orihime used her fastest speed to burst through the doors.

She arrived somewhere in the World of the Living that she didn't recognize. However, this was only the first stop for her. She needed to return to Soul Society immediately. Just as she was about to open the portal, a black butterfly floated over to her and landed on her finger. Orihime's pupils constricted as she listened to the message.

"Emergency Message to all Active Soul Reapers… Do not return… I repeat… Do not return. This is a direct order from acting Captain-Commander Shunsui Kyoraku."

After delivering the message, the butterfly floated off into the distance seeking other Soul Reapers. Orihime realized the severity of the situation. The fact that Shunsui had to take up acting Captain-Commander position means that Yamamoto was severely wounded. This was likely due to Yhwach doing the first phase of his attack. He must have already slaughtered hundreds of Soul Reapers for an order like this to come out.

"But… I'm not strong enough yet."

Orihime bit her lips and felt scared. She contemplated going to Urahara and Yoruichi but they were likely already in Soul Society. The Shihoin vaults contained countless treasures, so it was likely Urahara would try to utilize this emergency to look at these antiques. Ichigo probably went straight to Soul Society and likely is training at the Soul Palace right now—

"Fuck! Oetsu can't help him forge his true Zanpakuto because I killed him. Why didn't I consider this at that time? Was I really so far gone…?"

When she was about to create a portal to the Soul Palace, an idea suddenly occurred to her. Orihime changed the coordinates of her portal and appeared in a familiar place. It was a dark corridor with flowing purple walls. The Dangai was as lively as ever. Coincidently, the new cleaner began to push back the deadly flow and approach Orihime. Still donning her Hell armor, she simply waved her hand in a chopping motion and obliterated the cleaner. The cleaner was a natural enemy to spirit particles, but it could still be killed with brute strength.

Now that the cleaner was slain again, Orihime released all of her clones. They already knew what to do and began suppressing the flow. Orihime nodded and sat cross-legged in order to meditate. She planned to use the Dangai's time dilation in order to completely transform into a Celestial human and master the Akashic Records. Additionally, she would heal her arm which was know recovered down to her elbow. Orihime released a deep breath and began her training.

…

Dong, dong, dong…

The alarms in Soul Society rang ceaselessly. Several hours ago, hundreds of high-level threats invaded and began to slaughter the regular Soul Reapers. The captains and lieutenants were unable to interfere because the strongest of the invaders were able to block them. Until now, only a few Sternritter had revealed themselves, but seemingly Yhwach was yet to show up. However, the Soul Reapers were not aware that the opponents here were not the strongest they would face.

Meanwhile in the healing division, Yamamoto dragged himself out of bed only to thud back down to the ground. Several healers came to his side and tried to get him back in bed, but he pushed them away. It was then that Mayuri arrived. Seeing Yamamoto on the ground he felt some pity. His body looked fine from the outside, but he knew that his insiders were currently being ravaged. His serums kept him stable, but now he was trying to move worsening his condition.

"Kurotsuchi, tell me, you have a way for me to fight, don't you? I don't care about the consequences, give it to me. I will defend my Seireitei from these heathens!"

"Hehehe, old man Yammy, you know me well. I do indeed have something to bring you to full power and suppress your injuries, and it may even cure you. Or perhaps you will explode. I haven't tested it yet ah-ha-ha-ha!"

"Do it!"

Mayuri, who was laughing maniacally, suddenly switched his facial expression to a serious one. He clicked his tongue and stuck his arm out from within his sleeve. His arm opened up like a machine and his finger turned into a needle. He placed three different colored serums into his arm-mechanism and stabbed Yamamoto. The three vials emptied one by one and Mayuri returned his hand into his sleeve.

At first Yamamoto fell to the ground, unable to hold himself up. His body turned red and he started convulsing. The division members started panicking and some even thought to report Mayuri for killing the captain-commander. However, after a few minutes, Yamamoto opened his eyes and stood up. His hair grew out and his beard darkened. Although his face was still aged, he looked a lot like when he was the leader of the Soul Reapers before the academy was founded.

Yamamoto saw his long hair and simply tied it up into a samurai knot. He grabbed his sword and was on his way to join the battle outside. Before completely stepping out, he whispered in a voice laced with killing intent.

"How long?"

"A few days at the least, a month at most."

Mayuri said offhandedly while shrugging. However, even though his attitude was nonchalant, he was actually exerting his full effort to not fall to his knees from the pressure. The dense killing intent was similar to the stories he heard of Yamamoto before he settled down. Once upon a time, he simply murdered without question. There were the Kenpachi, and then there was Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto. If he had not become so gentle, the Kenpachi wouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath.

Yamamoto unsheathed his blade and went toward the main battlefield. He no longer cared about holding back, as the heat from his body was already emanating around him. The first person he arrived in front of was Driscoll Berci. He was the Sternritter designated "The Overkill" which made him stronger the more he killed. Therefore, he had been targeting the weak first. However, he didn't even know what happened to him as his body split vertically and turned to dust. The last thing he heard were the cheers from the Soul Reapers.

…

"Your Majesty, it's bad, the old man seems to be stronger than our reports. Have we been baited into a trap?"

"This is just a trick. Whatever he has done won't last for long. Send in the rest of the weaklings to distract him and cause damage. Oh, and call Loyd Lloyd over. I wish to speak with him."

Once the soldier was sent away, Yhwach switched his posture in his chair and leaned on his elbow. This burst of power was unexpected, but not important. Yhwach only needed to wait a few more days and allow his weak underlings to sacrifice themselves so that he can reclaim their power. Once he has caused enough damage in the Soul Society, he would directly infiltrate the Soul Palace. His plans were finally coming together.

"No one can stop me now, haha. I wonder how my heir is doing. Perhaps I will go take a look. Once I take the throne, someone will need to lead the Quincy while I control the world."

Yhwach sat there silently chuckling to himself occasionally. Loyd arrived as quickly as possible and stood kneeling in front of Yhwach while he was in his own world. Loyd knew not to interrupt so he simply stayed quiet. Once Yhwach noticed him, he ordered Loyd to copy his likeness and powers and force Yamamoto to reveal his full strength so that the medallions can steal his bankai. They had yet to reveal the ability to steal bankais and Yhwach decided to hold back the knowledge until the strongest were stolen first.

"As you wish, Your Majesty. I am happy to finally be of use to you…"

With that, he slowly changed into Yhwach. His bones cracked and his face split. His bald head began to grow hair and his clothes changed. Once he was completely transformed, he immediately left to join the group of Sternritter leaving to attack.