Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez had originally planned to head toward the place where Ilfort Granz had been killed, determined to crush the one responsible. But along the way, he stumbled upon someone who hadn't appeared in his intel reports.
"Huh? A human?" Grimmjow sneered, glancing down at the lone figure standing before him. Yet, almost instantly, he felt something strange—an odd fluctuation of spiritual energy radiating from this one.
The newcomer was none other than Ishida Uryū. He hadn't yet been briefed about the Arrancar, but the hollow hole in Grimmjow's torso immediately drew his suspicion.
"Human-shaped Hollows… like the two from earlier today…" Uryū muttered under his breath, his sharp eyes narrowing.
"Hah. So you don't know about us yet, huh? Whatever. I'll enlighten you." Grimmjow bared his fangs in a vicious grin. "I am Espada Number Six, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. Remember this name well—it's the last one you'll ever hear before I send you to hell."
His words were followed by instant movement. Grimmjow blurred forward with Sonído, his killing intent crashing down like a storm.
But Uryū reacted just in time. "Hirenkyaku!" His form vanished, reappearing several meters away, narrowly escaping the strike.
Even so, his heartbeat pounded in his ears. 'Tch… this reiatsu is nothing like the Hollows before… An Arrancar… what are they exactly?' Cold sweat dripped down Uryū's forehead as he steadied his bow hand.
"He dodged?" Grimmjow clicked his tongue, blue eyes glinting. "That movement technique… it's not in the intel."
Uryū lifted his hand, letting the silver Quincy Cross glow. Spiritual particles gathered, condensing into his newly reforged bow. He loosed a volley of arrows, sharp beams of blue-white light screaming through the air.
But Grimmjow simply swatted them aside with his bare hand. He lifted his palm afterward, staring at the faint sting.
"…Heh. Interesting. They don't pierce my Hierro, but they've got bite."
With that, Grimmjow lunged again, faster, more vicious. Uryū's eyes widened as he parried and dodged, each Sonído strike pressing him harder. He was barely holding on.
Then, with one brutal swipe, Grimmjow knocked away Uryū's bow arm. His other clawed hand thrust straight toward Uryū's chest.
'It's over…!' Uryū froze as he saw the strike aimed directly at his heart. He knew—if it landed, he would die.
But in that instant, several glowing arrows ripped through the air from afar, striking Grimmjow's arm. His hand tore open in deep wounds, blood spilling. Snarling, Grimmjow was forced to retreat several steps, narrowly avoiding the next barrage of arrows that dug into the ground where he had stood.
"What?!" His eyes darted around, fury twisting his face. "Who's there?! Come out!"
Uryū's breath hitched. 'That was… reishi-concentrated arrows. Ryūken? Or… Amamiya?' Either way, he realized he had been saved.
Yet no figure appeared in answer to Grimmjow's demand, fueling his rage even more.
"Coward! Hiding, are you?! Fine then!" Grimmjow snarled, eyes snapping back to Uryū. "I'll kill this kid first, and then see if you still refuse to show yourself!"
Before he could make good on his words, a presence suddenly landed between them. Twin blades gleamed under the moonlight.
"Uryū," a familiar voice said, calm but firm. "It seems your power has recovered… But against him, you're still not ready."
Amamiya Miyako stood there, Zanpakutō crossed before Uryū.
"Shinigami?" Grimmjow's grin stretched wider. "Oi, Shinigami. Those arrows just now—were they yours?!"
Miyako blinked, tilting his head slightly. "Arrows? What are you talking about? I just got here."
'So it was him after all… father…' Uryū thought, lowering his bow as he realized who had truly saved him.
"Tch. Doesn't matter!" Grimmjow cracked his knuckles. "I don't care if you admit it or not. I just need to kill you. You're the one who injured Yammy, aren't you? Lucky bastard… Guess that makes you worth killing!"
Without another word, Grimmjow blurred forward with Sonído, claw aimed to tear Miyako apart.
"Sever the heavens—Kamioroshi!" Miyako's voice rang out as his Zanpakutō released in twin flashes of light. His Shikai materialized instantly, his blades ready to clash against Grimmjow.
....
Amamiya Miyako crossed his twin blades, blocking Grimmjow's thrusting hand with a sharp clash of steel. But Grimmjow twisted, his body moving with predatory speed, and delivered a roundhouse kick that sent a shockwave through the air.
"Che…!" Miyako grit his teeth, but in that instant he slashed upward, leaving two clean wounds carved into Grimmjow's leg before being knocked back by the kick.
Landing in a skid, Miyako steadied himself. Grimmjow looked down at the scars now etched on his thigh and calf. His eyes narrowed, but a wolfish grin spread across his face.
"So that's how Yammy got cut down… your strikes slip right through Hierro like it's nothing. Interesting… very interesting."
Miyako raised his blades, his eyes sharp. "If you think that means you can let your guard down, you're a fool, Grimmjow."
Grimmjow's grin widened, fangs flashing. "Doesn't matter. If I'm faster than you… if I kill you before you can even swing, then I win!"
With that, Grimmjow finally reached for his Zanpakutō, drawing the blade in a flash of steel. His spiritual pressure flared wildly, crushing the air around them.
'So it's coming…' Miyako's brow furrowed. Up until now Grimmjow had only relied on his brute strength and speed, and even then Miyako had been forced to stay sharp. But if Grimmjow truly unleashed his blade, he would have no choice but to reveal more than he wanted.
"Here I come, Shinigami!" Grimmjow snarled, his killing intent rising.
"Put your sword away, Grimmjow."
The calm but commanding voice cut through the tension like a blade. Grimmjow froze, his eyes snapping toward the source.
Standing beside him—without a sound, without a single ripple of reiatsu announcing his approach—was Tōsen Kaname. His hand pressed firmly down on Grimmjow's shoulder.
"…Tōsen." Grimmjow's smile faltered, irritation flashing in his eyes. Deep inside, though, he knew what this meant. The fight was over.
"You attacked without permission," Tōsen said coldly, his blind eyes staring forward as if they could pierce Grimmjow all the same. "And the result was a crushing defeat. You understand the consequences, don't you?"
"Tch. Crushing defeat? Don't make me laugh. I haven't lost! My fight with this Shinigami has only just begun! Don't you dare interrupt me!" Grimmjow snapped back, his voice full of defiance.
But Tōsen's voice sharpened like steel. "Is that so? Haven't you noticed yet? The other Arrancar you brought with you… all of them are dead."
"Huh?" Grimmjow paused, his senses flaring outward. He cursed under his breath when he realized it was true—every trace of his Fracción had vanished.
"Che. All useless trash…" he muttered.
"Not only did you violate Lord Aizen's orders," Tōsen continued, his hand still pressing Grimmjow down, "but you returned with nothing to show for it. Do you understand? Sōsuke Aizen is very angry."
At the mention of Aizen's name, Grimmjow finally fell silent, his glare shifting downward. After a long pause, he slid his Zanpakutō back into its sheath.
"Tōsen-taichō," Miyako spoke calmly, his twin blades still raised at his sides. "Don't be too hard on him. Grimmjow was close to succeeding. It's just… his luck wasn't good. He ran into someone he shouldn't have."
He glanced at Ishida Uryū behind him. His words were carefully chosen—because Miyako wasn't just speaking to Tōsen. If Ishida was here in danger, then Ishida Ryūken would not be far behind.
"Amamiya Miyako," Tōsen said coldly, turning his head slightly toward him, "you're nothing more than a boy playing with tricks." He pulled Grimmjow toward the yawning black of a Garganta, and together the two disappeared into the void.
Silence fell. Miyako finally lowered his blades and turned toward Uryū.
"Uryū, it looks like your abilities have returned… but against someone like Grimmjow, you're still no match yet," he said, his tone softer.
Uryū clenched his fists, his face shadowed. "That Hollow completely overwhelmed me… I'm still too weak…"
"Hey, Uryū, don't leave so fast. I've got something to tell you," Miyako called after him as Uryū turned away. "It's not just for you. It's something you both need to hear."
Uryū froze mid-step, but didn't turn around.
Miyako exhaled. "About the crisis coming to Karakura Town… about Aizen's true goal."
The words echoed in the empty alley. Uryū stood in silence, then finally walked away faster, his pride keeping him from answering.
But Miyako's eyes shifted. He looked toward the shadows where he felt the faintest trace of reishi.
"Mr. Ishida," Miyako said softly. "You heard me, didn't you? You understand how serious this is."
A tall figure stepped from the darkness at last—Ishida Ryūken, Uryū's father, his cold gaze fixed on Miyako.
****
Should I keep the Kamioroshi chant or remain with separate and sever, Shinya Zetsunen