Despite Hanataro’s utter terror of Zaraki, Ganju has to restrain him in a headlock to keep the guy from running back to aid Ichigo. Hana insists that if they don’t go help him, Ichigo will die. Ganju calls him a moron – what could either of them do if they go back?
Cue Ganju's insperational speech:
“Both of us were suppressed by that Zaraki guy’s spiritual pressure and could hardly move! We can’t help Ichigo like that! Out of all of us, only Ichigo has a chance at defeating that Zaraki guy...!I hate to say it but, even if we go back, we’ll only get in the way of the fight...
“So we have to keep advancing! That damn Ichigo came to Soul Society for the sake of saving the Rukia girl! If that’s true, he'd want to rescue her from that tower himself! But he handed over that job to us and stayed back there. Ichigo decided that he wanted to put priority in saving that Rukia girl before everything else.
“You get it, Hanataro!? We’re entrusted with his most important decision! So, we must do our best to rescue that Rukia girl! Taking our time at a place like this will make his decision a waste!”
Hanataro is moved by Ganju’s words and agrees with him.* As they go running off to save Rukia, Ganju thinks, “Ichigo...when we save the Rukia girl, we’ll definitely take her and come back to help you... It doesn’t look like I can help you in fighting, but I can help you in escaping...so...don’t die beforehand!”**
Back to Ichigo, he’s in a bit of a jam – the guy he's trying to kill won’t bleed!*** He can’t believe it. He swung down his sword with all his strength, so why isn’t there even a single scratch on Zaraki!? Ichigo also wonders why he, who attacked, ended up with the bleeding cuts on his hands.
Zaraki asks if it’s really all that surprising that Ichigo can’t cut his body with that sword. Then, Zaraki easily moves the blade away with his forearm as he draws his own sword.
Ichigo gets pushed back clear across the ground, amazed and scared that Zaraki forced Zangetsu back with his bare hands.
“It’s no use, Icchii,” Yachiru appears in front of him (she’s so tiny!). “Icchi can’t cut Ken-chan.”
Yachiru points at his sword and says if he uses that against Ken-chan, it’s the same as using one without an edge. Ichigo is shocked.
Zaraki offers to tell him why Ichigo’s sword can’t cut him. He goes on to explain that when two spiritual auras collide head-on, the one that is forced down takes the damage.**** He explains that Ichigo concentrates his spiritual aura into the sword for the sake of killing enemies, but Zaraki’s spiritual aura is stronger because it flows out unconsciously. That’s all.
Zaraki complains that he’ll be laughed at for waiting all night for such a weak guy. He then draws his sword out completely. It’s got an incredibly jagged edge to it. He asks that the least Ichigo could do is try and rust his blade.
Ichigo braces himself.
(Intro pic of cutie-pie Yachiru crouching and gazing happily at a butterfly. How did someone so adorable end up working for one of the deadliest Shinigami Captains around?)
Ah, now you thought this was a Zaraki vs. Ichigo chapter, didn’t you? Ha! Kubo-sensei fools us once again! This chapter is all about Chad! So there! Nya! :P
Chad’s punch blasts a huge hole through a wall, effectively knocking back at least 3 Shinigami guards in the process. He glances at his gloved hand and thinks, “At first, my limit was 2 punches a day, but now I can do more than 5 punches without getting tired. I must thank Yoruichi-san for training me...”
With the path cleared of any threat (all ‘threats’ are on the ground – unconscious), Chad continues running. While he's wondering if everyone else is doing alright, a Shinigami suddenly appears ahead of him and orders him to stop.
The dude is bulkier than Chad, wearing only half of his jacket so he can show off his rippling pecs. His two braided ponytails fail to impress, unfortunately. He calls himself Enjyoji Tatsufusa, 3rd level lieutenant deputy of the 8th Division. He gloats a bit, saying that Chad’s misguided path stops here.
Enjyoji draws his sword and goes into a ridiculously rapid set of swings while yelling, “Ho~ShaShaShaShaShaShaShaShaShaShaShaSha!
Enjyoji keeps swinging like a blender gone berserk, gloating that Chad can’t get a hand or foot by him and that it’s nothing to be embarrassed about – simply logic. Chad observes quietly from where he stands away from the swinging blade.
Next page, we’re treated to a close up of Enjyoji’s smirking face – as Chad’s fist rams into his cheek like a raging locomotive! XD Big ol’ Enjyoji is sent flying until he hits a low wall. Ouchie.
“...Sorry,” Chad raises his fist. “...you were full of openings.” ^_^
When Enjyoji collapses, the observing Shinigami have a freak out. At that moment, someone unseen gives an impressed whistle, commending Chad.
Chad looks up, surprised to see flower petals fluttering down.
A pile of flower-printed cloth and a straw hat swirls on the ground. Right in front of Chad’s eyes, a long-haired man wearing the straw hat appears with a smile and says, “I’m Kyoraku Shunsui, Captain of the 8th. Nice to meet you.” *****
*Um, okay, wait... could someone please explain to me why Hanataro is helping them out wholeheartedly? Last I heard, he was just supposed to be their hostage or something...I’m confused...
**Ganju X Ichigo!? ...>shudder<... >_<
***Poor Icchii. Don’t you just hate it when that happens? :P
****Example: Arm-wrestling (with spiritual auras)
*****Kyoraku added a heart shape to the end of that sentence. What a charmer.
Note:
-I would also just like to say that CHAD ROCKS! XD Thank you. Goodnight.