Chiaroscuro: Conclusion

Part 1
, at the foot of the. Evening.

The capital of the, whilst drowned in the blackness of night and the thick shroud of stormy clouds, was illuminated with blazes and explosions scattered across the city. Columns of smoke were shooting toward the darkened heavens, buildings were being reduced to rubble, and the clamour of battle remained loud.

Then, two figures materialised a distance from the foot of the towering Sōkyoku Hill, arguably the most tranquil place in the entire Seireitei at the time.

"I wonder why there's nobody else here", said Ikiryō Kuragari upon arrival.

"I think it's because of them", replied Kurokawa Tadayoshi as he pointed forward.

Partially obscured by the semi-darkness and the hill's shadow, there were literally hundreds of murky figures lurking over there. Now that they no longer needed to wear the protective cloaks, their foul was not concealed and easy to identify.

"Crap", commented Kuragari, putting his palm on the Zanpakutō's hilt.

"After this entire ordeal, I don't think I'll be able to even spit at Usuguraiboshi when we get to him", stated Kurokawa whilst following suit.

"If we reach him", uttered Ikiryō in a stern manner.

The numerous began approaching them cautiously, though their sheer numbers boosted their confidence despite the obvious difference in power. However, before something else could happen, the two Captains sensed familiar spiritual signatures. Shortly afterward, newcomers arrived on the would-be battlefield.

"Bankai, Kesshō Hahen Kagami", declared one of them, standing in front of the two.

"Bankai, Funshutsu no Doragon", added another one, standing beside her.

"Haruka-chan! Sakamoto-san!", exclaimed Kuragari, pleasantly surprised.

The female Captains did not react to his words. Instead, once their Reiatsu swelled and the forms of their Bankai appeared, they swiftly engaged the horde of Togabito facing them. A large water dragon and a shower of innumerable glass shard crashed down upon them, mowing down dozens within several seconds.

"Captain Mewokuramasu and Captain Risa shall take over here", suddenly stated a voice coming from behind Kuragari and Tadayoshi.

The two turned around quickly and noticed an individual approaching them at a casual pace. Nevertheless, there was something big hovering behind the figure that momentarily made them anxious.

"-dono!"

"Minazuki", the Fourth Division Captain addressed the flying monstrosity beside her.

The giant, one-eyed manta ray landed softly next to her. Subsequently, it opened its maw and disgorged something big from the depths of its bowels. Despite being covered with profuse amount of mucus, the pellet was easy to identify as a man.

"Uhm... Satō Shingen-dono?", asked Ikiryō with a wry smile.