Naruto: Copy System [737] : A Disastrous Start

~ Support & Read 60 Advanced Chapters on Patreon!

❁❁❁❁

"Gillians usually move in small packs, a few at a ti, ten at the absolute most. How could there be over thirty of them gathered in one place?"

Retsu Unohana wondered aloud, her expression troubled.

"An Adjuchas is probably pulling the strings. They're the only ones who can command the less intelligent Gillians," Shin explained to the puzzled Retsu.

As a mid-level nos, an Adjuchas possessed high intelligence. This was likely a deliberate ambush. It seed the nos knew the Soul Reapers were coming to Hueco Mundo for a purge.

Shin was perplexed. How could an Adjuchas have known? After asking Retsu, the pieces finally fell into place.

He now understood. The Soul Reapers' purges in Hueco Mundo were on a fixed schedule. A major culling operation occurred once every century, and it could last for several years.

"So the Hollows have our number. It's almost comical," Shin mused. They had been completely figured out.

"I never imagined we'd be outsmarted by these nos," Retsu admitted. A knot of unease tightened in her stomach. If their squad was ambushed, the others were likely in the sa predicant.

"We need to hurry. I have a feeling Captain Shihōin is in danger," Shin said to Retsu, his figure vanishing in an instant.

He wasn't using Space-Ti Ninjutsu, but the Soul Reaper technique of Flash Step. As a genius, Shin's skill with Shunpo was likely among the best of all Soul Reapers.

————————

By the ti Shin arrived, his fears were confird. Kiyotaka Shihōin was in deep trouble. As for the 2nd Squad's lieutenant, Uehara, he was nowhere to be seen. He was probably dead.

"Shin! What are you doing back here?" Kiyotaka shouted, forcing back the nos in front of him. His face was a mask of anxiety.

"What else? I ca to save you, Captain. And Lieutenant Uehara?"

Shin's gaze settled on a Hollow that stood apart from the rest. It was far more powerful than the other Gillians, with a unique, fan-like shape.

'So this is the Adjuchas?' It was indeed powerful, its spiritual pressure no weaker than Kiyotaka's. With a horde of Gillians supporting it, it was no surprise Kiyotaka was outmatched.

If Shin hadn't returned, Kiyotaka Shihōin would have been a dead man.

"It's an Adjuchas." Retsu finally arrived, her eyes fixed on the creature.

If this were the Retsu of old, she would have charged in without a second thought. But now, she was the picture of calm. Her personality had completely changed; she was no longer the battle-hungry warrior she once was.

"Captain Unohana, you're here too. Looks like we're safe now," Kiyotaka breathed a sigh of relief.

With Retsu here, dealing with the Adjuchas wouldn't be a problem. The remaining Gillians would be easy to handle. In truth, without the Gillians, Kiyotaka wouldn't have lost to this Adjuchas. He was a captain, after all, a formidable fighter in his own right. He might not have won easily, but he could have at least fought it to a standstill.

"Shin, I think you should leave first," Kiyotaka said.

"Don't count out, Captain. I'm stronger than I look."

Shin decided it was ti to reveal a fraction of his power. He gently drew his Zanpakutō, his figure vanishing in a blur. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before a Gillian and swung his blade. A terrifying wave of fire erupted, instantly incinerating the nos.

"What—Shin, have you achieved Shikai?"

Kiyotaka stared in shock as Shin one-shotted a Gillian. He looked at the Zanpakutō in Shin's hand—it still looked like a standard Asauchi.

No, there were faint crimson patterns on the blade now. Had he really achieved Shikai?

A single slash that produced an explosion of fire—it had to be a fire-type Zanpakutō. Kiyotaka didn't press for details. A Soul Reaper's Zanpakutō abilities were private.

Just as one wouldn't ask about another's Devil Fruit in the world of pirates, or a ninja's secret techniques, a Zanpakutō's power was not sothing to be pried into unless willingly shown.

Retsu watched Shin, a sense of familiarity washing over her. The terrifying burst of fla reminded her of old man Yamamoto's Ryūjin Jakka.

"The Gillians are for and Captain Shihōin to handle. Big Sis Retsu, you can take care of the Adjuchas."

Although Shin planned to show so of his strength, this was enough for now. One-shotting a Gillian already put him above most lieutenants. If he had one-shotted the Adjuchas, it would have drawn far too much attention.

He needed to be more reserved, revealing his power slowly. He had no intention of showing his whole hand at once. If he was ostracized by the Soul Society, would he have to leave? And where would he go? Hueco Mundo was dull, and while the World of the Living was better, it wasn't much more interesting.

With Retsu's strength, fighting this Adjuchas was easy. In just a few moves, she had it severely wounded. Even with its high-speed regeneration, it couldn't recover. The Retsu Unohana of this era, with her Shikai released, could probably even take on a Vasto Lorde without losing.

With the Adjuchas dealt with, Shin and the others returned to the main encampnt, only to be t with the sight of heavy casualties among the other squads' mbers.

"The captain of the 8th Squad is dead? That's rough," Shin said, shaking his head.

He didn't know the current 8th Squad Captain, but he was the first captain-level casualty of this expedition.

"Hueco Mundo is a dangerous place," Retsu said to Shin.

Shin had thought the 2nd Squad had it the worst, but it turned out they were in the best shape, aside from the 4th Squad. The 4th Squad, being a dical and supply unit, hadn't participated in the initial sweep, so they were unscathed.

This was a disastrous start. On only the second day in Hueco Mundo, the Soul Reaper side had already suffered heavy losses.

"Captains, we need to hold a eting," Chōjirō Sasakibe said gravely to the other captains and lieutenants. A third of the original captains were dead, mostly lieutenants. The only captain to fall was the 8th Squad's. The 11th Squad Captain was also severely injured and still unconscious.

It was worth noting that in the short ti since Retsu had left the 11th Squad, the captaincy had already changed hands twice. The current one was now critically injured, and even if he woke up, his career as a Soul Reaper was likely over.

❁❁❁❁

~ 60 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

sp-atreon/dragonnx

(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)