Chapter 106: Playing the Fool

"Lieutenant Sasakibe?"

Rukia, having regained her senses, stared in astonishment at the white figure that had suddenly appeared in the sky. She had sensed a formidable spiritual pressure clashing with his on that side just moments ago; had he really finished the battle already?

"That guy..."

Ichigo gnashed his teeth in frustration. That near-total defeat at the Penitence Palace had remained a thorn in his side ever since. Now that he possessed Bankai, he was determined to make that man taste his power if given the chance.

However, our protagonist had no interest in such trivial matters.

"It has been a long time, Captain Tosen."

Casually resting his hand on the hilt of his sword, Chojiro offered a slight smile toward the visibly stunned Tosen.

"...I did not expect you to come to the World of the Living as well."

"Oh?"

Hearing Tosen’s reply, Chojiro raised an eyebrow in amusement before flashing a sardonic grin.

"Don't tell me Aizen didn't inform you that I was here. Even that perverted scientist of yours knew, yet Aizen didn't tell you, his most trusted confidant?"

"Are you mocking me? Your tongue is as sharp as ever."

Tosen also placed a hand on his sword hilt, bowing his head slightly. He had no certainty of victory against this monster who held the title of lieutenant. He had merely come on a whim to bring Grimmjow back; why had he invited such trouble?

"What? Are you going to draw your blade? Or have you forgotten, Captain Tosen?"

Chojiro tilted his chin slightly, looking teasingly at Tosen, who remained on high alert.

"Who was it that couldn't even survive a single move against my Bankai back then?"

"!!"

Pressure—a massive, crushing weight exploded from Chojiro and slammed heavily onto Tosen.

"Hey, you over there."

"!"

Seeing the man who had rendered his annoying adversary speechless shift his attention toward him, Grimmjow narrowed his eyes. Naturally, they were enemies; why would he be calling out to him now?

"How about it? Interested in teaming up with me to take that guy down?"

"...Huh?"

Because Chojiro’s words failed to register in his brain immediately, Grimmjow fell silent for a moment, then looked at the man who had issued the invitation with a strange expression.

"What's with that look?"

Pursing his lips in dissatisfaction, Chojiro spoke again: "I said, team up with me to take that guy down. Although I can handle him alone, I can see you aren't exactly fond of him either. Want to join us?"

"As a lieutenant of the First Division, you are actually extending an invitation to an Arrancar? The Gotei 13 has truly fallen."

Tosen stepped forward. He was well aware of Grimmjow's dissatisfaction with him. Because their beliefs differed, they were effectively hostile even while on the same side; Tosen was truly uncertain if Grimmjow would agree to the alliance, so he spoke up to disrupt the atmosphere between the two.

"Honestly, that fellow Aizen’s training is subpar. Well, I suppose it can't be helped. Tell me, Captain Tosen..."

Sighing lightly, Chojiro suddenly glared at Tosen with murderous intent, applying even greater pressure onto the former captain of the Ninth Division.

"When did I ever give you permission to interrupt me while I am speaking to someone else?"

"Grr..."

That kind of pressure was absolute; even he had nearly felt his combat consciousness collapse just now.

To rely solely on spiritual pressure...

Sweat poured down Tosen’s face like a waterfall.

"Well? Arrancar, have you considered my proposal?"

"You want me to team up with a Soul Reaper? And eventually defect to them? I refuse."

Chojiro, no longer looking at Tosen, turned his head to ask, but the arrogant white figure quickly rejected his offer.

"You're not much different from a defector to the Soul Reapers right now, Arrancar."

This answer did not surprise Chojiro. If a character like Grimmjow were so easily swayed, his own overwhelming aura would have been far too potent.

"You serve under Aizen and grow stronger through his power; no matter how you look at it, your current situation is no different from being a subordinate of the Soul Reapers, is it?"

"..."

This sharp retort left Grimmjow speechless. It was true that he had only attained his current strength through Aizen; strictly speaking, he had long since been under the thumb of a Soul Reaper.

But so what?

As long as he could continue to survive in Hueco Mundo, he was not a subordinate of the Soul Reapers.

"Click..."

Without hesitation, Grimmjow drew his Zanpakuto, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I don't know to what extent that kid Szayelaporro fought you, but I find you quite annoying, Soul Reaper."

"Heh, I like that attitude."

Chojiro grinned, though he relaxed his hand from his blade.

"State your name, Arrancar."

"Sixth Espada—Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez."

"I am the lieutenant of the First Division, Sasakibe Chojiro."

Closing his eyes, Chojiro shrugged.

"I will let you leave today for your sake. Next time, however, I would like to witness the gap between the Sixth and the Eighth."

"..."

Grimmjow grimaced in annoyance. Although that pressure had pinned Tosen down, it hadn't reached the point of immobilizing him; on the contrary, it only stoked his wild instincts, making him desperate to engage in battle.

"Retreat, Grimmjow."

Just as the leopard-like man struggled to hold back his urge to attack, Tosen placed a hand on his shoulder, causing the intensity of Grimmjow's aura to diminish significantly.

"What did you say?"

"..."

Tosen offered no further explanation. He did not believe that even if Grimmjow released his power, he would be stronger than the man who had once effortlessly defeated both him and Komamura.

Ignoring Grimmjow’s lingering, threatening aura, Tosen waved his hand to open a Garganta.

"Next time we meet..."

"You still won't be able to beat me."

Chojiro interrupted Tosen without reservation, cast a provocative glance at him, and then descended toward Ichigo and Rukia on the ground without looking back.

"..."

The Garganta closed under Tosen’s furious gaze, but faced with such overwhelming strength, Tosen could only harbor his resentment—he dared not act on it, lest he suffer a gruesome end.

"Well then, since you two are unharmed, I won't say much more. We shall meet again, Ichigo Kurosaki."

Chojiro suddenly smiled at Ichigo in a cryptic manner.

"Before we return to the Soul Society."

"?"

"That is all. Rukia, take care of yourself. As for you, Ichigo Kurosaki..."

Standing up, Chojiro made no move to escort them back; with a single Shunpo, he vanished from their sight.

"I will be waiting for you there."