As I shot forward like an arrow from a bow the world screeched to a halt around me. Dear Ol' Moms blessing coupled with my already broken powers plus the boost Amaterasu gave me made my speed faster than I had ever moved before.
Everything was alive, and it was… glorious.
Even slowed down as my perception was I could hear everything. The scratch of Byakuya's sandals as he recoiled. The creak of Ichigo's knuckles as his grip tightened on his Zanpakuto. The trembling breath of Rukia as she tried not to scream. Somewhere in the distance a very feline snicker, probably Yoruichi on a roof somewhere.
'Alright… let's see who steps in before I behead Byakuya.'
My blade cut through the night, Amaterasu's edge glowing faintly from the heat trapped in the blade. Anything I cut would be instantly erased. It drew closer, inches now from Byakuya's neck.
His eyes were wide, Senbonzakura coming up to defend, too slow. Renji and Rukia could only look on in shock as my blade inched even closer to Byakuya's neck.
Then, a flash of light. A Senkaimon burst into existence behind Byakuya. I stopped my slash short, the edge glinting. Just a hair closer and his head would have hit the ground faster than Aizen could say 'keikaku'.
Spiritual pressure filled the empty streets as Yamamoto Genryusai stepped out of the glowing gate.
He was as I remembered from the anime. Long white beard, eyes closed but still observing everything carefully. His very presence warmed the air.
Following behind him came a parade of power: Kyoraku with his lazy grin, Soifon looking ready to jump into a fight. Toshiro glaring at the heat distortions coming from my blade. Unohana, serene but radiating an aura of death. And finally, Aizen. The smarmy smile on his face already annoyed me despite having never met the guy.
I let out a low whistle and dismissed my Shikai. Amaterasu returned to her normal crimson colour.
"Now this is a reception."
Ichigo's grip of Zangetsu faltered, "What the hell—
"Shh," I waved him off, "don't distract me from my show."
Byakuya turned slightly, his posture shifting as Yamamoto approached. The Captain-Commander's disguised Zanpakuto hit the ground with a thump. His aura pressing down on everyone… except me.
And then, to everyone and my own shock… he bowed.
Not a shallow head tilt of the head, a full on bow.
Complete silence, a slight breeze emphasised just how quiet it was.
"You… uh, doing alright there, gramps?"
"Lord Satoru…"
'Uh… what?'
"Zero Division has seen fit to inform the Goteijunsai of your arrival to the Land of the Living. Forgive my subordinates, they did not know who you were or of your lineage."
The captains exchanged looks of pure disbelief. Soifon's mouth actually dropped open. I could have sworn I heard a camera shutter in the distance.
Kyoraku raised an eyebrow while Unohana's eyes flickered between curiosity and recognition. Byakuya's jaw tightened, Renji looked like he was trying to sink into the ground.
"Zero Squad huh? Figures they'd know about Kaasan. Gossip is their specialty even if they deny it." I hummed.
I remembered Zero Squad from the manga. The Soul Kings personal guard. It only made sense that they'd know that the Soul King wasn't really the one in charge of things and that Izanami was the real ruler of the afterlife.
I did wonder about how they knew about me already. I had just found out Izanami was my mother. I didn't think she had the time to actually tell the shinigami about me. Then again, she was an all powerful primordial deity. She probably knew everything I was going to do before I even thought about doing it.
Yamamoto straightened, "They have informed me that your presence is… not to be interfered with. Central 46 is of the same mind. They have formally declared you a divine guest."
"Divine guest is a bit much." I sighed.
"Who are you? Really…" Ichigo blinked.
"Just a wandering tourist…" I hummed, "reception is a bit shabby so far."
Yamamoto's gaze flicked towards Byakuya and Renji. "Your actions nearly endangered the Seireitei. Apologise."
Byakuya hesitated, his pride fought his survival instinct. Survival won, he bowed rather stiffly. "My apologies."
"Accepted," I waved him off, "I wasn't really going to chop off your pretty head anyways. Just testing something."
Ichigo's head snapped towards me, Rukia gaped at me, probably wondering if I was kidding or not about beheading her brother.
Yamamoto nodded once, "I will be calling for a grand meeting between Central 46 and the Gotei 13 in five days time, Kuchiki Rukia's trial will be postponed until then. She is not to leave the land of the living, understood?" He turned towards the captains.
They nodded in understanding, Ichigo and Rukia were both still frozen in place. Partially due to shock, but also because no one was making a move to grab her.
The Captain-Commander turned back to me, "We would be honoured if you could be present to witness the meeting, Lord Satoru."
"Sure," I said easily, "I'll bring some popcorn."
And with that, I vanished.
Not really.
A few blocks away I reappeared on a rooftop overlooking where most of the Gotei 13 still stood. Below, Yamamoto's spiritual pressure eased up as mine withdrew and finally released everyone from its overwhelming weight.
I hadn't even realised that I had still been releasing waves of unfiltered energy. I silently apologised in my head.
Some of the Captains dispersed, mostly Toshiro and Kyoraku. Soifon, Byakua, Aizen, and Unohana lingered. Unohana checked both Ichigo and Byakua for injuries.
Byakuya stiffly adjusted his captain's haori, trying to salvage his dignity as Amaterasu had scorched a fair portion of his clothes. Renji looked like he needed a drink.
Yamamoto's voice boomed one more time, echoing through the empty street. "Do NOT anger that man. Do not engage him without my direct order. You will not survive."
'Jeez… just what did Zero Division tell Old Man Yama. I'm not that scary am I? On second thought… I wouldn't wanna fight me lmao. Not a bad start to a new adventure though. Threatened a pantheon with mass extinction, showed off to the Soul Society, and I have a weapon potentially stronger than Ryujin Jakka'
I watched Soifon scowl, muttering something about orders. Byakuya just nodded, clearly still reeling from whatever thoughts were going through his head.
Then there was Aizen, the man with the plan.
He thought he was being subtle but I could see him eyeing the spot I had vanished from. It was obvious that he was going to try something. He was even cockier than I was and that's saying something.
Unfortunately for him I was chaos incarnate, no matter how much dear old mum said that I was the balance. I was first and foremost, someone who liked to piss on canon and derail plans.
'I look fucking sexy while doing it too.'
The captains slowly left. Yamamoto leading the way through the Senkaimon. One by one they followed him in. Byakuya glanced one last time at Rukia. His reluctance to leave was clear on his face.
Rukia stood beside Ichigo, her face slightly pale. "Did the Captain-Commander really just bow to that guy?" I read her lips.
"Who was that guy?" Ichigo muttered.
The air shimmered behind them as a concealment barrier was dropped. Yoruichi and Urahara stepped out of the shadows. Yoruichi was smirking, Urahara tipped his hat to hide the amusement on his face.
"Well, that was dramatic," he said cheerfully, "and I here thought I liked stealing the spotlight."
I grinned, 'Time for some trolling'
I appeared behind him, perfectly mimicking his voice and mannerisms. "Well that was dramatic… and here u thought I liked stealing the spotlight."
Urahara jumped in shock, spinning around to look at me.
"Don't do that?! And did you just…"
"… copy my voice?" I finished his sentence, still using his voice, "yes I did, neat huh?" I grinned happily at him.
Yoruichi laughed, actually doubling over. "You walked right into that one Kisuke… look he's even got your stupid facial expressions down."
"Please stop." Urahara groaned.
"Nah, I'm enjoying myself." I continued to imitate him.
Urahara just sighed, "Nearly decapitating a Captain of the Gotei 13, having Old Man Yamamoto bow to you, and you act like nothing happened… just who are you?"
"Just a passing traveller, like I said," I pulled out my sunglasses from my pocket and put them on, "and just to put it out there. If I wanted to kill him, I could have just done it with a flick of my fingers."
Urahara hummed, "I see humility isn't one of your strengths."
"Humility is overrated," I said as I threw an arm over Ichigo's shoulder, "besides, people need to be put in their place sometimes. People get so cocky for no reason."
Ichigo and Rukia looked at me as if they were saying the same thing in their heads. "Pot meet kettle." Or something along those lines.
Yoruichi crossed her arms, "So what's your deal? Really. You don't feel like a shinigami, or human. You're clearly not a hollow."
I grinned, "I'm the strongest."
Ichigo shrugged off my arm with a sigh. I gave him a look of mock hurt. Rukia looked like her eyes were starting to turn into swirlies.
They all just looked at me expectantly. I sighed, "Man… tough crowd… fine, let's just say that your Soul King isn't even an intern compared to my mother."
I had thought about lying, but where was the fun in that? I learned from a certain DC character with a taste for police women that telling the truth was infinitely more entertaining.
Urahara quirked an eyebrow, "Clearly you're some sort of Noble. I've never seen the Captain-Commander bow to someone before."
"He's probably old enough to know things." I shrugged.
I let them stew for a moment, Urahara had a pensive look on his face. While Yoruichi just grinned even wider.
"You're trouble…" she said, "I like you already."
"Yeah, but I'm the fun kind. Say… I got a quirky little cat back home, I think you two will get along just fine." I replied.
Urahara groaned again. "Please, don't give her ideas… there's enough chaos in the world of the living already."
I smirked, "Don't be a spoilsport, I'm just here to sightsee, maybe antagonise a few gods along the way."
"Of course," Urahara said dryly, "completely harmless then."
"Completely…" I nodded confidently.
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow, "And when you're done sightseeing?"
I shrugged, "Dunno yet, I'll burn that bridge when I get there."
I felt that I was starting to understand what Izanami, my mother… was saying when she said I was going to balance worlds. Every world I had been to thus far has had something fundamentally fucked about it.
My first world was a crossover to an alternate reality of Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer, there was also that goofy Dim Sum guy. Now I was in another world, where the gods still exist, but also Bleach is a thing.
I had yet to find what was wrong with this world, but I didn't think I'd have any trouble dealing with it. I had even more power now, and I had my family with me.
What more could I ask for?