Chapter 7: Lost Style

After the event of the unexpected attack against two Espadas, the Soul Reapers all gathered within Inoue's room. Ho'o sat on the bed looking at the large screen with his hands on his knees even after being notified about Ichigo's friend Orihime being taken from Soi Fon. When the Espadas arrived, Ho'o wanted to help but was stopped by Urahara saying it would have been a waste of his time, if it were not for Kage he would have gone anyway in a means to fight the Arrancar Zephyroth. After waiting for a little longer, Toshiro finally arrived.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Toshiro said with Ichigo beside him.

Ichigo looked around confused before his gaze landed on Rukia who looked away.

"Rukia?" Ichigo whispered before looking at everyone else. "Why is everyone gathered in Inoue's room? Where's Inoue?"

"Well..." Rukia said looking at the ground.

"What is the status of the Spiritual Wave interference?" Toshiro asked walking up to Rangiku.

"Do not lose your cool Ichigo," Ho'o asked with a raised brow while looking at Ichigo which caught the substitute soul reapers attention.

"What do you mean?" Ichigo said just as the screen turned on revealing Ukitake.

"Ukitake?" Toshiro spoke confused. "This isn't the Head Captain?"

"I had him switch over to me," Ukitake answered.

"What was your reason for this?" Toshiro spoke with a series tone and narrowed eyes.

"It's because I'm the last person who saw Orihime Inoue before she went into the Senkaimon in order to go over to your side," Ukitake answered earning a surprised reaction from the group excluding Ho'o. "Judging from your reaction, it doesn't seem like she's arrived there."

"What's the meaning of this Ukitake," Ichigo questioned now looking at the screen. "Where did Inoue Disappear to? Do you know anything?!"

"I'll tell you my assessment," Ukitake said after a few seconds of silence while closing his eyes. "The two guards I placed with her when she went into the Senkaimon came back alive. According to them...we believe Orihime Inoue has been abducted or killed by the Arrancars.

This caused Ichigo to look on at the screen lost in thought about Ukitake's assessment of Inoue being killed.

"Captain Ukitake! That's jumping to conclusions! " Rukia shouted.

"I know...I don't want to say this either. I was just stating the worst possible scenario," Ukitake replied. "According to our information, Orihime Inoue was attacked by an Arrancar and then disappeared with the Arrancar,"

"You've got to be kidding me! That's all you have! She disappeared. There's no proof, but you say that she's dead?! Don't make such assumptions!" Ichigo shouted.

"...Ichigo..." Ho'o whispered.

"Take a look at this!" Ichigo shouted while bringing his arm up that was badly injured from his encounter with Grimmjaw to see it was perfectly fine now. "I was seriously injured in yesterday's battle! No one here could heal my wounds! But when I woke up this morning, it had been completely healed without a trace! Furthermore...Here! On my wrist! There's still some of Inoue's Spiritual Pressure!"

This fact caused Ukitake's eyes to widen in shock now.

"Are you still going to say Inoue's dead now?!" Ichigo questioned earning a loud yawn from Ho'o.

"Stupid," Ho'o said while standing up and walking over beside Ichigo to look at his hand then up at his face. "You should learn how to take and give information boy..."

"But..." Ichigo said only for Ho'o to raise his hand to stop him from continuing.

"He only put out what he had at the time Ichigo. We don't have a twenty-four-hour watch on you so we can't tell what the hell's going on alright? Although his assumptions are indeed harsh...that's life. You cannot ask him something he had no information on," Ho'o said with half-opened eyes before turning to Ukitake with a smile. "Plus...we Soul Reapers are used to getting such information at times whether we want it or not. If it were not for Ukitake we probably would not know that Orihime was missing right? Right?" He asked looking around the room hearing no answer which made him sigh. "Thing is Ichigo. Information can go both ways...so take it easy alright? With your information, we know that the girl is alive,"

"I see...that is unfortunate," Yamamoto spoke walking up to be viewed on the screen.

"Unfortunate? What do you mean by that?!" Ichigo asked looking at the screen now.

"If it is as you say, and Orihime Inoue is indeed alive. But at the same time, it is also an act of treachery," Yamamoto spoke.

"Treachery?" Ichigo repeated with Ho'o now looking at Yamamoto.

If she had been abducted, she wouldn't have had the time to meet you. In short, the fact that she healed your wounds and disappeared means that Orihime Inoue went to the Arrancar of her own accord," Yamamoto accused in which Ichigo gritted his teeth.

"You Idiot!" Ichigo shouted causing Ho'o to turn and widen his eyes at Ichigo releasing his killing intent and rage easily stopping him in his tracks.

"I hate repeating myself," Ho'o spoke silencing Ichigo while Renji placed his hand on his shoulder and slowly pulled him back.

"I hear you loud and clear Master...so let me head into Hueco Mundo to bring Inoue back to her senses," Ho'o said turning to look back at Yamamoto with his half-opened eyes and a soft smile.

"...You mustn't," Yamamoto spoke after raising his walking stick and hitting it against the floor. "We know the Arrancars are ready for battle. All the members of the Hitsugaya advance troop are to return immediately and defend Soul Society,"

"Are you saying that you want us to abandon Inoue?" Rukia asked.

"Indeed...We cannot risk the whole world over one life," Yamamoto verified.

"Unfortunately, Head Captain, I cannot follow that order!" Rukia said before looking at the ground.

"I thought so...I thought this may happen, so I'm glad I've prepared for it," Yamamoto spoke before the Senkaimon opened up behind them revealing Zaraki Kenpachi and Byakuya Kuchiki appeared from the other side.

"Byakuya?" Ho'o spoke while blinking his eyes.

"That's how things stand. All of you, head back," Kenpachi spoke while looking down at the troop.

"Do not fight back...we were ordered to take you back by force if needed," Byakuya said while looking at Ho'o.

"Why are you looking at me? I'll gladly head back to the Soul Society!" Ho'o said glaring at Byakuya.

"All right...then I won't ask Soul Society for help," Ichigo spoke with his head lowered. "...but at least tell me how to get to Hueco Mundo. Inoue is our friend. I'll go save her myself,"

"You got some balls Ichigo I'll give you that man," Ho'o said with a soft chuckle as Yamamoto opened his eyes.

"You mustn't," Yamamoto shouted.

"What?!" Ichigo replied.

"We need your help in this battle," Yamamoto started. "I will not allow you to plot your own course of action and die for nothing! Stand by until you receive orders! That is all," The Head Captain spoke as the screen went black.

'Stupid,' Kage spoke making Ho'o grit his teeth and held his head as if he got a headache.

"Let's go," Kenpachi spoke before turning around and walking through.

The troop eventually followed after them while Byakuya waited patiently as Ho'o stood by Ichigo with his hands behind his head.

"Ichigo. Have faith in the Soul Society. We will not let you down man. Just be patient. If she did go with the Arrancar then there is a reason why she is still alive...they need her for something and because of that will not kill her...keep that in mind...and grow stronger," Ho'o spoke before sighing heavily and turning to walk through the Senkaimon with Byakuya following after him.

-Soul Society: 2nd Division Barracks-

Ho'o yawned loudly with his arms stretched over his head as the others had returned to their areas. Seeing he was the last one, he made his way back to Second Division to find Soi Fon standing in the center with her squad sent off to do missions even her vice-captain. Seeing this, Ho'o sighed and brought his hands to his sides staring at Soi Fon.

"What's all this about?" Ho'o asked looking at the Second Division captain.

"I heard that you were training with Yoruichi-sama and Urahara," Soi Fon spoke glaring at Ho'o.

"Your information is correct...and what's it to you?" Ho'o asked narrowing his eyes.

"I wish to fight you," Soi Fon spoke with a smirk.

"You? Fight me? Nah. Too lazy for that right now," Ho'o said with a soft sigh while closing his eyes just as Soi Fon flash stepped in front of him and brought her zanpakuto toward his neck which the Vagabond opened his eyes slightly and brought his left hand up to catch her blade inches from it touching his throat.

"What?" Soi Fon asked with her eyes widened.

"I see Kage's training was not wasted either. You have grown faster than before...but not fast enough to catch me off guard," Ho'o spoke as he slowly moved her blade away from his body. "But I do owe you for living expenses so I will take you on but not with our weapons but rather our bodies,"

"Hand-to-hand combat?" Soi Fon asked while sheathing her zanpakuto.

"Yes. I warn you though if you go on with this you might be in more pain than you have ever experienced," Ho'o said with a sigh while looking at her with half-opened eyes. "So before we continue are you certain?"

Soi Fon smirked at this and took her zanpakuto off and tossed it to the side in which Ho'o did the same.

"Guess that answers that. A little side note though, my fighting style is not what you remember. Fighting Yoruichi and Urahara at the same time really opened my eyes so I had to go back to using my old fighting style...the fighting style I used before I knew I could heal," Ho'o continued before stretching his arms over his head while slightly twisting his body earning a soft groan.

"What fighting style?" Soi Fon asked while getting into her fighting style.

"Talking about it would take too long...so let me show you. Come Soi Fon, show me what you have learned from Kage," Ho'o spoke while slowly opening his eyes and grinning madly.

A chill ran down Soi Fon's back before she flash stepped forward to deliver a powerful but what she saw frightened her as Ho'o appeared right in front of her with his hand already grasping her face and slamming her into the ground. Ho'o was able to snag her out of her flash step as well as predict her move ten seconds before she even did it. Soi Fon laid there looking up at Ho'o who calmed down and sighed while removing his hand from her face and stood up before bringing his hand out to help her up. She stared at him for a few seconds before closing her eyes and taking his hand into hers to help her off the ground.

"You alright?" Ho'o asked as he brought his hand to his side.

"I'm fine. Looks like you've grown stronger again...when will I be able to catch up with you," Soi Fon asked opening her eyes slightly while looking at the ground.

"If it helps you maybe you and Yoshi can spar with me...with the help of Kage?" Ho'o asked with a smile.

"Kage?" Soi Fon repeated before looking at Ho'o with a raised brow. "And how exactly can he help?"

"I don't know. Why don't we ask him?" Ho'o answered with a smirk.

"We answer to him. He does not answer to us," Soi Fon commented with an annoyed tone.

"Well if I remember correctly, he needs us to remain strong so what's better then real training?" Ho'o said with a smile.

'I will not train either of you,' Kage answered causing Ho'o to groan.

"Well, why the hell not? You want us to get stronger right? If you aren't going to help us, then who will?" Ho'o asked just as both of them were engulfed in darkness and pulled into his prison.

-Kage's prison-

"I will not train you. Nothing can train you better than your past selves," Kage explained.

"I thought you had only one puppet?" Ho'o asked looking around.

"I do...but I never said that was all I had," Kage countered making Ho'o blink at this before nodding his head.

"He has a point...but then we did not know because you would rarely answer our questions so how are we supposed to know," Ho'o countered with his hands placed on his hips.

"How are we supposed to train ourselves?" Soi Fon asked as Yoshi appeared beside her with her arms crossed under her bust.

"I agree with the soul reaper. Although I have been unable to defeat the puppet, I am curious about this method," Yoshi said with a smirk.

"Like every living being, they have a shadow they cast in the light," Kage started making Ho'o blink his eyes. "And in my presence, I can so easily give these shadows life."

Ho'o's eyes widen as Soi Fon and Yoshi turned around to see that a shadow copy of themselves stood behind them.

"Here you will do battle with them with one exception," Kage paused.

"What exception?" Soi Fon asked narrowing her eyes.

"You Soi Fon. You are a captain and thus still hold responsibilities. Although your strength and training are of utmost importance, that does not mean you will hide from your own duties as a leader..." Kage answered surprising Ho'o.

"And here I thought you were an asshole...now I can tell... you're a caring asshole," Ho'o said before laughing softly only to get hit by one of Kage's chains knocking him out.

"Do you understand Soi Fon?" Kage asked glaring at the Soul Reaper.

"Y-Yes..." Soi Fon answered.

"Good...now do not underestimate your shadows...they are you and will not hesitate to go for the kill," Kage warned before Soi Fon and Yoshi started fighting against their shadow immediately while Ho'o's shadow simply squatted in front of the real vagabond waiting for him to get up. "Your training will be as hellish as ever,"

-Time Skip: War on Fake Karakura Town-

Ho'o stood by Yamamoto with his hands by his side as he glared at the Espadas as well as the Arrancars behind Aizen. The main one that Ho'o was focused on was Zephyroth.

"You aren't going to get your way this time Falcon," Ho'o whispered to himself with a smirk while gripping his hands into fists.

"Stand back everyone," Yamamoto spoke while opening his eyes and causing his walking stick to tear apart to reveal his zanpakuto. "Render all things in the universe to ash. Ryujin Jakka!"

Once Yamamoto released his Shikai, he raised his Zanpakuto and slashed downward toward the traitors before his flames trapped them in a prison of flames.

Ho'o whistled loudly at the display of power from Head Captain Yamamoto before waiting on the Espada's move now. As time passed, one of the Arrancars placed his lips upon his wrist sword before a strange sound emitted from him. Seconds later, four Garganta's opened revealing four large Hollows exiting from the portal.

"This is bad! They know! What're we going to do?!" Maeda shouted in a panic.

"As if Yamamoto would leave such important areas unguarded," Ho'o replied looking over his shoulder at Maeda with narrowed eyes just as the hollows were swiftly disposed of. "I am still confused about how you are Lieutenant of Second Division,"

"Everyone knew?" Maeda questioned while looking around.

"Of course," Ho'o answered with a smirk.

It did not take long before four of the Arrancar split up and made their way toward a pillar with one eventually falling. Ho'o turned to see what was going happening until he saw the captain of the seventh division to deal with the situation personally.

"Things are starting to heat up now isn't it?" Ho'o asked before his eyes caught sight of the three female Arrancars as well as the Espada.

'I wish to speak with that Espada,' Kage spoke making Ho'o grit his teeth.

"Easier said than done. Toshiro seems to be fighting her at the moment," Ho'o replied as he stayed higher in the sky so no one could see him. "Plus, I got things I gotta take care of first..."

Ho'o sighed heavily as he turned around to see Zephyroth standing ten meters away from him with his Muramasa already in his right hand.

"Are you ready for your end?" Zephyroth asked raising his weapon to point at Ho'o.

"I've changed after the last time we fought Zephy...I will not be as reckless," Ho'o warned while taking out his tanto and holding it in his left hand.

Zephyroth smirked before vanishing from sight and appearing behind Ho'o expecting him to be too slow to react. To his surprise, the Vagabond was already facing him, and even more so caught his blade between his left knee and elbow.

"Hoo, so you've grown stronger," Zephyroth complimented.

"You ain't seen nothing yet crow boy," Ho'o replied with a smirk.

Zephyroth smirked back before Ho'o brought his tanto down to bring the blade past the guard of the Muramasa. This allowed Ho'o to not only redirect the blade of his opponent but also pull him closer while bringing his right palm to Zephyroth's chest. The Arrancar watched carefully and moved back to avoid the strike until he saw a Kido being charged up.

"Shakkaho (Red Fire Cannon)," Ho'o spoke before firing a crimson red energy ball toward Zephyroth who watched wide-eyed.

The Arrancar narrowed his eyes and punched the butt end of his weapon to break away from Ho'o's grasp before slashing upward and cutting the Kido in half. With the frontal attack dealt with, Zephyroth found that Ho'o was now missing until he felt a strong pressure against back launching him toward the ground. Zephyroth grunted from the pain while Ho'o watched before aiming his right palm at him once more.

"Raikoho (Thunder Roar Sear)," Ho'o whispered as he fired a massive concentration of energy down at the Arrancar just as Zephyroth crashed into the ground.

As the Kido slammed into the ground, Ho'o watched carefully before bringing his tanto up to his neck blocking a strike from the Arrancar who's left side of his body was badly burnt.

"You are the first...to harm me...Avatar of the Forgotten...which will make this encounter...one to remember," Zephyroth spoke while blood ran down his mouth.

"You speak as if you won already," Ho'o spoke turning his head to glance at Zephyroth with bored eyes.

"Brisa (Breeze)," Zephyroth whispered before Ho'o was cut in half.

"That won't work on me again," Ho'o spoke revealing what was cut was not an after image but a shadow image.

Zephyroth watched this wide-eyed only before laughing softly.

"So you have mastered the shadows after all," Zephyroth commented while looking around seeing no shadows to be used. "You used your own clothing to enter the shadow realm...but how can you fight when there are no more shadows to use?"

"I have my way of fighting now. One that I was able to learn from myself believe it or not...but let's not waste time chatting," Ho'o spoke as three more shadow images of him appeared around him each aiming their right palm at him and charging another Kido.

"Do not..." Zephyroth spoke before being grabbed from below to turn his attention down and seeing another shadow image had gotten a hold of his feet.

"You're the one underestimating me," The Shadow Image of Ho'o spoke before throwing the Arrancar down toward the ground and crashing into a building.

Zephyroth got to his knee while holding his left side of his body groaning in pain before slowly looking around him.

"I suppose...it can't be helped," Zephyroth whispered before slowly standing to his feet with his hands to his sides.

"As if I'd let you!" The shadow images of Ho'o shouted as they all charged toward the Arrancar with their tanto's aimed at his body only to freeze in place as if the air around the Arrancar froze. "What?"

"Desender, Halcon (Descend, Falcon), " Zephyroth whispered before his entire form was engulfed in a violent wind that swiftly cleaved the shadow images in half.

As the wind died down, it revealed Zephyroth's clothing had changed completely from pure white coat into grey along with shoulder guards made of bones. His mask now covering his entire face while a right-wing taking form behind him while his Muramasa oozing crimson red energy like a fountain of blood. Zephyroth sighed heavily before looking at the ground and closing his eyes.

"Huracan (Hurricane)," Zephyroth whispered before raising his Muramasa over his head before it became a blur while slicing wildly around himself cutting the building he was standing on as well as any building in a mile radius of him.

With the distance created by Zephyroth's attack, Ho'o was forced to back off and land on a still-standing building.

'I will speak with the Espada,' Kage spoke annoying Ho'o.

"Kind of busy at the moment. If you have a plan to deal with this guy, then I am all ears. Until then I suggest you shut the hell up," Ho'o replied while looking down at his left arm seeing a long gash from the attack before turning his attention to Zephyroth gritting his teeth. "And here I thought the Arrancar wouldn't be a problem anymore,"

'...I will handle Zephyroth,' Kage said making Ho'o blink his eyes.

"Wait what? Why didn't you put that out earlier?!" Ho'o complained.

'Because you had the means to beat him,' Kage replied.

"Had? You mean I still can," Ho'o said narrowing his eyes.

'Not anymore. None of my heralds could ever be on par with him but now...he far exceeds your capability in a fight. I will deal with him personally,' Kage countered causing Ho'o to sigh and nod his head.

"Fine. So how are you going to deal with him personally? Last I remember, you cannot possess my body like before," Ho'o said closing his eyes.

'Grab him and pull him into my prison,' Kage answered.

"You make it sound so fucking easy...but I'll do it...you better heal me when I do this cause I doubt I can get him without getting messed up myself," Ho'o spoke opening his eyes while walking out in the open and taking a deep breath. "If I get close, I think I can get him."

Ho'o a confident nod, he flash stepped in front of Zephyroth in an attempt to grab him while noting the length of his weapon seeing he had gotten past the blade.

"Torbellion (Whirlwind)," Zephyroth whispered surrounding himself in wind preventing Ho'o from getting any closer.

Not only was Ho'o launched back but his entire right arm had been slashed at by the pressure of the wind surrounding the Arrancar. Gritting his teeth, Ho'o watched as Zephyroth pointed his Muramasa at the Vagabond before slowly bringing it back with his hand placed under it to balance the weight. "So two attacks I gotta watch out for,"

"Vendaral (Gale)," Zephyroth whispered before thrusting his Muramasa forward sending a precise thrust toward Ho'o.

The Vagabond quickly flash stepped to the side and appeared to the far right of Zephyroth with his right ear missing while blood rolled down his cheek.

"Right. So he has a mile radius attack that cuts everything into pieces, a skill that surrounds himself in wind preventing me from grabbing him, and another one that acts like a long-range attack that cannot be blocked. Any ideas oh great and powerful one?" Ho'o asked while gritting his teeth.

'Delay,' Kage spoke making Ho'o blink at this before coming to realization.

"...there's a time gap between his attacks," Ho'o told himself before smirking. "I got it. It's going to be a gamble, but I'll take it if it means I don't have to worry about this guy in the future,"

Ho'o took a deep breath before raising his left arm only to bring it back down to his gut.

"Mugen No Chinmoku (Endless Silence)," Ho'o spoke as his body was covered in a black cloak from head to toe leaving his eyes that shimmered moon white. "Ready or not...here I come."

Ho'o smirked before flash stepping in front of Zephyroth once more followed by five shadow images.

"Torbellion (Whirlwind)," Zephyroth whispered surrounding himself in wind once more.

"Kame!" Ho'o shouted creating a blue sphere in front of him to take the brunt of the whirlwind before watching it push him back softly. "Kame no Nami!" The Vagabond shouted creating his black orb in front of him with a grin seeing as the Arrancar could not retaliate while surrounded by his gust of wind.

Just as the orb popped, the whirlwind ended revealing Zephyroth welding the handle of his Muramasa in both hands.

"Huracan (Hurricane)," Zephyroth spoke slashing wildly at the black wave rushing toward him. The Arrancar continued to cut away at the wave before finally blowing it away leaving him wide open. Just as he caught his breath, he felt an arm wrap around his neck before being engulfed in darkness.

"Timed it perfectly," Ho'o spoke before pulling him into Kage's prison.

-Kage's Prison-

Zephyroth felt the pressure around his neck fade causing him to turn and slash behind him to find no one there. His eyes looked around him before slowly looking up hearing the sound of chains over him.

"After thousands of years, we finally meet face to face...Herald of the remembered," Kage spoke with his eyes wide open and glaring at the lone Arrancar.

Zephyroth remained silent before quickly bringing his Muramasa to his side.

"Now I can kill you once and for all and end this pointless loop," Zephyroth spoke with rage in his eyes before slowly facing the ground. "Huracan (Hurricane)!" He shouted before slicing wildly at Kage.

After seconds of slashing at the forgotten one, Zephyroth panted heavily and looked up at the lost deity.

"I can see why my past Heralds could not challenge you. Your blade...was forged by him," Kage spoke narrowing his eyes.

"Why is it not working?" Zephyroth asked standing up straight while raising the Muramasa to point up at Kage.

"Do not match me with my Heralds who can only hold a limited amount of my power," Kage spoke with a soft chuckle.

"What are you saying?" Zephyroth spoke as his Muramasa lowered.

"You have no power here. If I so wish it, I could tear you part with ease," Kage spoke making Zephyroth chuckle.

"And what can you do?" Zephyroth spoke before his arms and legs were chained and slowly started to pull them apart earning a scream of pain.

"Killing you is this easy," Kage assured before the chains faded away into black mist and causing Zephyroth to collapse to the ground. "Just as I am a prisoner to the remembered...you are now my prisoner...and in this prison...there is no escape unless I will it,"

"They...will find a way..." Zephyroth spoke before he clapped his hands together and gritted his teeth causing his entire form to glow a blinding light before exploding.

"...foolish..." Kage spoke with an amused chuckle before Zephyroth's body reformed creating a confused expression as he stood int he same spot he blew himself up.

"What?" Zephyroth questioned as he raised his hands to look at them.

"As I said...you are my prisoner and in here there is no escape...not even death can save you," Kage said before laughing loudly as chains wrapped around the Arrancars body and started to pull him into the dark abyss below him. His screams echoed throughout the prison before finally, silence came just as Ho'o walked into a light with a sweat drop rolling down his forehead.

"Well damn Kage. If I knew you could have done this, I would be pulling more people into this prison of yours," Ho'o commented with a nervous laugh.

"Do not make this a normal thing. This was a special occasion since he has already ended so many of my Heralds. You can say it is...personally. Now, your business finished...bring me that female Espada," Kage demanded making Ho'o jump a bit.

"On it!" Ho'o shouted before going back to the fake town.

After a few seconds have passed before Ho'o reappeared before Kage with the Espada in his arms.

"She is badly injured, Kage. If you want to save her you best heal her right now!" Ho'o shouted in which Kage narrowed his eyes and brought his right hand from his cocoon to have it stopover the Espada and the Vagabond.

"She will be fine," Kage spoke as he brought his hand back as the Espada slowly started to open her eyes.

"Where..." She spoke before her eyes looked upon Ho'o who smiled.

Ho'o was about to say something before the Espada pushed him away allowing her to land on her feet while glaring at Ho'o.

"Woo calm down now. I ain't your enemy," Ho'o said raising his hand in surrender. "...but he might," He said nudging his head to have her look behind her.

"You think I will fall for such a trick?" She spoke gripping her right hand to feel her weapon was missing.

"Name yourself Espada," Kage demanded causing a chill to run down the Espada's neck and making her turn around to face the forgotten deity.

"What...are you?" She questioned with her eyes widened in surprise.

"I will not ask again Espada," Kage spoke now glaring at her.

"...Tier Harribel..." She answered while standing her guard still.

"I am the forgotten one...a bring lost throughout time, the one behind you is my Herald Ho'oku'u Aupuni...also my servant. One of three," Kage spoke earning a groan from Ho'o.

"What do you want? I assume you have much to ask of me," Harribel spoke narrowing her eyes as she was beginning to regain her composure.

"You are smarter and cautious than I previously thought. Good. I wish to make a deal with you...Harribel...it would be in your best interest...to listen," Kage spoke in which Ho'o sighed and sat down.

/To be continued...

With Zephyroth dealt with by the big man.

There is still much to do.

Also a small notification...I know the Zanpakuto Arc was filler season, but I am planning on doing that arc before the Full bringers to make it more accurate and less confusing. The reason for me doing this arc is because I have some good ideas on Muramasa...hmmm well you'll have to wait and find out.