Ichigo Awakens

(Where we left off last time)

"Two~." The Quincy said in a teasing voice as Diodora slowly dropped to his knees as Bazz-B's grip continued to glow with heat and the stench of burning flesh filled the air. The Devils of the Sitri and Gremory peerages could only watch in shock and horror as the horror unfolded before them, Diodora screaming in agony as he was being disfigured.. "Three~." Bazz's thumb sank into the side of Devil's jaw, burning through the left side of the bone connecting the lower jaw to the upper jaw.

"Fo... did he pass out?" The Quincy asked when Diodora stopped screaming. Humming in thought, he placed his index finger on top of the noble's eye and concentrated the heat there until it popped like an egg in a microwave. There was no reaction and Bazz-B checked his pulse, finding a heart beat still going. "Huh. Guess he can't leave on his own like this." The Quincy's hand began to glow again. "But, I'm definitely a man of my word. Fiv-" Another hand suddenly caught his wrist.

"That's enough. I can't let you kill him." Everyone turned to find Ajuka Beelzebub as the one stopping the Quincy. "Let go, I'll take him away." The two continued to stare at each other before Bazz-B released his grip, Diodora falling to the floor in a heap. Finally seeing the full view of the damage the Quincy wrought, the Gremory group gasped in shock with Asia looking just seconds from throwing up. The hand print was burnt black with bits of white, showing any bone from were the flesh peeled away with his jaw hanging lopsidedly, and his eye was just a gaping black hole lined with an angry red. "Those are some nasty burns... but will serve as a perfect reminder to obey the laws. Especially the laws of a sovereign lord when visiting a different territory."

"W-wait." Asia tried to say but it came out as a mere whisper, though it was quiet enough for everyone to hear. "I.. I should h-heal-"

"No, Ms. Asia, that is unnecessary." He said, grabbing Diodora's collar and throwing him like a ragdoll over his shoulder. "As I've said, this will be a reminder to obey the laws. He will be keeping the scars." He turned to leave, stopping by the Quincy for a moment. "I still must ask, was this necessary?" Bazz-B shrugged in apathy.

"Boss said he smelled bad. For me, that's enough." He sent a knowing glance back to the Devil. "Or did that not sink in yet?" Ajuka said nothing as he teleported back to the Devil's territory in the Netherworld. Bazzard scoffed and began to leave, when Issei spoke up.

"What the hell!?" The Red Dragon roared in disbelief. "Is that really all it took?! He smelled bad!?" All eyes turned back to him as he glared at the Quincy. Issei's opinion of the Soul Society was dropping due to how their last Rating Game was conducted, but this was downright tyrannical in his opinion.

"Yeah brat, that's all. What do you think it means for a soul to smell bad?" Some caught on right away by the way their eyes widened, some took a little bit more time, and Bazz-B just smirked as the implications sank in. "Watch yourselves kids." He warned before disappearing.

(Soul Society; Squad 1 Barracks)

"Your willingness to resort to such barbaric brutality is becoming more and more concerning Ichigo." Sirzechs said, looking haggard from dealing with things he'd rather not have to put up with. It was still a half hour before the usual conference call between the Biblical leaders and Soul Society, but the Lucifer felt like discussing matters that only applied to the two of them or could potentially endanger the building alliance. "It's only because I once possessed the powers of Hell that I understand why, but please understand that your actions affect me as well."

"And the damage is?" Ichigo asked, actually concerned since the Devils, mainly the New Satans, are allies and can ill afford a civil war bigger than with the Old Satan faction. Besides, the he could empower his forces the better. The necessary strength to protect is without end and the more Ichigo's circle of friends grow, so too does his desire for the power to protect them. It's that thought that helps keep him grounded despite his brutality.

"Both the Old Satan and Great King factions have jumped at the chance to paint the Soul Society in the ugliest light possible as brutal barbarians." Sirzechs answered before showing the picture of Diodora's disfigurement. "This image has been circulating throughout the Netherworld with claims of 'no warning' or that you're being wholly unreasonable. We've been doing our part in trying to mitigate that because, he was told he was banned, but without good cause and evidence on your part, this is hurting both of our stances. That you are petty barbarians and that we're appearing weak and trying to appease you."

"That's unfortunate, but we can figure something out that could potentially help. What of the investigation into Diodora? Surely that can give us something to work with."

"Whatever he's been doing, he's also been covering his tracks rather well." The Lucifer admitted with irritation. "The only concrete thing we have is that all of his peerage members are excommunicated nuns that he saved." Sirzechs looked over a few papers on his desk. "Every time one of them was questioned, it would always go back to some variation of him saving them after they were banished from the Church. Though... something in their eyes seemed... dead."

"Wolf in sheep's clothing then," Ichigo pondered, "it reminds me of Aizen." He said, gaining a raised eyebrow from the Devil. "He was a top tier criminal that waged a war with Soul Society using Arrancar. He gave the appearance of a kind, gentle, and nurturing figure, but he was utterly ruthless and cared little for those he couldn't use. The most notable victim of his was his former lieutenant, who basically worshiped him and became comatose when he showed his true colors."

"We'll do a more thorough search then. Meanwhile, you should figure out some way to better the image of the Gotei. Even the council members we picked to replace the old council are voting to ban the members of the Gotei from the Netherworld or demand full access to the 'healing magic' Orihime used." Sirzechs informed the Shogun. "The Sitri are keeping the healing springs a secret and only a select few know about the finer details of Orihime's powers."

"I'm sure I can come up with something." Ichigo said before cutting off the feed, they'd be talking again within the hour anyway and he needed to get through his reports.

(Kuoh Old School Underground Training Hall)

"Remember!" Tatsuki shouted out to the groups of sparring Devils while she sat on Ruruko's back as the Sitri pawn did push ups. "No bloodline magic or Sacred Gears outside of Kiba!" The many Devils paired off for the mandatory sparring session that was expected from the Gotei trainers, with each pairing up with their kind. Kiba was dueling Tomoe with different swords he creates under Okita's guidance, Koneko was sparring with Tsubasa while a Nekomata Youkai kept advising her in Senjutsu, Asia and Gasper were being tutored in magic by Momo and Reya, and that was it for the more civilized members. While Kiba and Koneko still held some resentment, they set matters aside for the sake of bettering themselves.

The same couldn't really be said for Rias, Akeno, and Issei who took this chance to let loose with their aggression with their respective partners. Despite the calm and friendly exterior she maintained during regular hours; Rias was still seething at both Sona and Ichigo for how their Rating Game was conducted, Akeno felt humiliated at losing with her own element, and Issei wanted to surpass Saji. Thus, due to how intense they were getting, they were separated from the rest of the class. Each one was in a relatively isolated are with a Quincy referee to keep things from getting too out of hand, and a type of restraining bracelet to paralyze the Devils if they went beyond the parameters of their training. Rias learned that the hard way each time she accidentally activated her bloodline magic.

"Here you go!" The crimson haired heiress called out, firing a blast of magical energy at Sona. Their match consisted of staying aloft using the magic platforms that Sona devised for the Devils' high speed movement technique, forcing them to constantly be on the move. What further encouraged that they stay up was the fact that gravity weighed on them more the closer they got to the ground, which would pretty much spell the end of the fight. Sona may have more refined skills but Rias had more in reserve, and she was using that to keep her opponent running underneath her. She was enjoying the sight of forcing Sona to run from her and the catharsis of getting back at her in any way. Petty? Yes, but she hated losing.

"Alright, switch!" A Quincy Soldat called out before manifesting a practice sword from Reishi and throwing it at Akeno's feet. The Gremory Queen was sweating and panting as she dropped out of a combat stance while Tsubaki jumped back and got ready to charge her magic. Their training focused on practicing their skills in their less trained fields: Rook and Knight for Akeno and Rook and Bishop for Tsubaki. To do that, their Quincy ref made them switch between fighting hand-to-hand and having Tsubaki use magic to force her to block and attack with the practice sword.

"Take this!" Issei shouted as he slugged Saji in the face, tanking a point blank magic shot to the gut. Their training was much like the Queens, only their pieces were determined by dice rolls and they had to use whatever style their die landed on. Currently Issei was in Rook mode while Saji was a Bishop. Their ref was sitting to the side, watching the fight before his stopwatch started beeping. Wordlessly he clicked the button on it to reset the timer and rolled a red and blue die, with the red landing on a sword while the blue was a fist.

"Switch!" The Soldat called out, creating a practice sword. "Issei; Knight! Saji; Rook!" He yelled as he threw Issei the sword. The two Pawns flashed as they changed classes, Issei giving his partner an intense look while Saji smiled and flashed toward Issei with his fist cocked back. Issei barely dodged while the Quincy reset his timer for another five minutes.

Then there were the two additions to the 'Kuoh Squad' as it was recently referred to, Irina and Xenovia. The Exorcist turned Soul Reaper sat in an isolated corner in a focused Jinzen, her Zanpakuto across her lap while the Durandal was stabbed into the ground behind her. To everyone else it seemed like she was just napping, in reality she was fighting the knight inhabiting her inner world. Finishing out with Irina, she was still working on getting used to being an Angel. As such, her training was focused on her flying, and it consisted of a few Soldats shooting at her with arrows. This is what they've all been doing for the past three hours since classes ended, all brought to an end once Ichigo and Azazel showed up.

"Alright kids!" The Fallen Angel called out. "Gather around, we've got an announcement!" The various matches and lessons ended as each young Devil, Irina, and Xenovia made their way toward the two faction leaders. Shortly behind them was Tatsuki and Okita "First off, the next matches of the Rating Games have been selected; Gremory vs Astaroth and Bael vs Sitri." The entire Sitri peerage groaned at hearing that news, knowing about Sairaorg's strength. "And after fighting both of these opponents, the Agares and Glasya-Labolas peerages respectfully have both dropped out of the Rating games. Seekvaira due to injuries caused by Diodora and Zephyrdor thanks to trauma caused by Sairaorg's strength."

"I'll be frank... I don't think any of you has what it takes to beat Bael's team." Ichigo said to the Sitri peerage. "He's done something no other heir really has, worked himself to near death to earn his strength." Saji was about to speak up before Ichigo shot him down. "I forced all of you to that point and he did so deliberately for years. The best chance I see at you beating him is a battle of attrition with Saji draining him of his energy with Tsubaki being able to reflect his strength back onto himself. And even that's iffy."

"However, seeing Saji's resolve and commitment, I've decided to test something and reward him." Azazel focused his gaze on the Sitri Pawn. "Tomorrow, I'll be bringing over the Vlitra pieces that the Grigori have acquired. Then we'll see if they fuse back together but attaching them all to you." Saji's eyes almost bugged out of his skull at that. "It'll be your reward from me for doing so well, despite someone's inhumane treatment of you." He said, glancing back at Ichigo with the Gremory peerage. Ichigo only shook his head at that.

"Moving on to the more important matter, the next game of Gremory vs Astaroth." The hybrid said, getting things back on track. "There's currently no evidence on it, but Diodora is a sinner." The Church trio of Asia, Irina, and Xenovia were about to speak up before Ichigo raised his hand. "And I don't mean like in a Christian sense, I mean that he is a completely unrepentant scumbag that enjoys and seeks to cause others pain for his own amusement. Like Valper, or Freed, or Kokabiel. I can sense that, so that's why I refuse to let him into my nation." He calmly stated, but his Reiatsu leaked out a little to convey his disgust with the Devil in question. "However, there's no telling when he might try something. We did try to bug him, but something prevented that. We suspect that he's up to something, so be on your guard." He then unsheathed one of his Zanpakuto, the blade pulsating as he walked away from them before stabbing it into the ground.

"That said, let's work on making you better fighters." The hybrid said as he kept walking. "Starting with developing your instincts." He then turned to face the group before sitting on the ground cross legged. "This is your first assignment in my accelerated course in making you stronger; being able to touch my sword." A hissing groan from the Sitri peerage put the Gremory group on edge, Saji even braving the potential pain to offer a prayer of some kind to the Gremory. "Sona, you and your group are exempt from this since you've already gone through it." The Sitri group bowed and quickly went to the side. "Everyone else, this is over when one of you can touch my Zanpakuto."

"Hold on lord Shogun." Okita said, stepping before the younger Devils. "The agreement is that I get to decide if it happens or not. After all, what you've put the Sitri peerage through sounded like pure torture. So what are the rules of this precisely?"

"Quite simple." Ichigo said as he remained seated. "All you have to do is touch my Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu. All the while, I'll remain in this spot and not physically attack. The key is to listen and trust your instincts if you wish to succeed." Okita raised an eyebrow and moved to take a step forward. Faster than any of the teens could see, Okita had jumped back with his katana drawn and defending his neck. He was breathing deeply and appeared visibly shaken, as if he was almost beheaded. "That's how it goes." Ichigo simply said as Okita straightened himself out and returned his blade to his hip, the Knight turning to Sona who had a knowing look in her eyes.

"How many times?" He asked, disgusted and horrified at the thought of what they went through.

"About a hundred before we figured it out." The Sitri heiress answered, causing the former Shinsengumi member to glare at the Soul Reaper but one could see the gears turning in his head. Trying to find a middle ground of some kind.

"Gasper does not participate in this and nothing as severe." Okita declared. "I understand the idea, but don't make it so they break. And Gasper ESPECIALLY can't handle doing this." Ichigo gave an understanding nod.

"That's fair." He said as the Lucifer Knight moved back to the sideline, leaving the Gremory group sans their Dhampir Bishop, Irina, and Xenovia to brave Ichigo's challenge. "Now, like I said. All you have to do is touch my sword." Most everyone was now on edge, recognizing that it must've been an extreme form of training to put one of the Lucifer's peerage on edge like that despite the seeming simplicity of it. Issei, on the other hand, was still stubborn.

"Come on," He started, taking a step forward, "how hard can it-" he froze immediately, paralyzed with fear. To everyone, it seemed like nothing happened, just like with the senior reincarnated Devil. To Issei, he saw his arm get ripped off. Not cut off with a blade, not blasted with an energy attack of some kind, he saw a figure with sharp angular horns with a skull mask and black wings of burning energy immediately in front of him with his left arm in the figure's clawed hand. It was a mere instant, but it passed like minutes for the Red Dragon before everything went back to normal. Ichigo was seated far behind his sword, Issei in front of his friends with Rias and Asia shaking him back to reality while everyone else looked at him with concern.

"I see. Such a harsh but effective method of training." The voice of Ddraig resonated from within Issei, his left hand glowing in response to the Heavenly Dragon's action. "Ichigo's aim is to develop your instinct for danger, which can make you more effective at avoiding dangerous situations, by hitting you with enough malicious intent that you can feel it happen without it actually happening. Possibly even making you feel like you were about to die."

"Seriously!?" Rias demanded, horrified and looking at Issei and Sona with concern before holding the former to her in a comforting manner. "Isn't there a better way?!"

"No. Instinct isn't taught by a master, it is learned by experience." The Dragon explained. "Most beings learn this by experiencing danger throughout the entirety of their lives, but those that lived a decadent life of peace and complacency would not have these instincts. Facing something like this is the safest and most effective way. The other is forcing you into more life or death battles, but without any form of safety net."

"Figures the ancient Dragon would get it." Ichigo said with a smile. "Now, for an added incentive. If any one of you succeeds before the day is over, I'll take you all to Soul Society's Gatonden." The only one to perk up was Xenovia.

"Seriously Commander?!" She asked excitedly. "Kirio Hikifune's Gatonden!?" That name sparked recognition from Sona and Rias. "I finally get to see if the rumors are true with my own taste buds!?"

"That's IF any of you can touch Kyoka Suigetsu before the day ends." Ichigo reminded. "She is, without question, the BEST chef in Soul Society. Even if the food wasn't made directly by her hands, her methods bring out the best flavors." The entire Kuoh group began to salivate and drool a little. "And Issei? She has the biggest rack I've ever seen." With that, Issei was wrapped in an aura of power.

"Bring it! I don't fear death!" He shouted before raising his foot... and dropping to his knees while cradling his crotch.

"Lack of fear is stupidity, not bravery." Ichigo scolded, again, not moving from his spot. "Everyone else? Let's go."

(Meanwhile, in the Devil's Netherworld)

"You're all making a big deal over nothing." Serafall groaned from her seat at the conference table, with other heads of Devil nobility along with her fellow Satans. "It wasn't even the optimal odds for it to happen." They were all in New Lilith, roughly a week since Ichigo and her finally consumated their marriage, and the ruling class wanted to see results. The most irritating thing was, despite their decree to switch out the old heads for a new age, the best options among the younger generation of leaders were still set in their bull shit traditions and purist attitudes. The only exceptions being the "rare" cases of some new blood being beneficial to the Devils. Such as, the strongest female Devil bearing a child with Quincy abilities and maybe their own Zanpakuto for them to study.

"Be that as it may, it doesn't hurt to be sure." One of the new elders said, all focus being set on the single pregnancy test in the center of the table. The assembled Devils waited with bated breath, hoping for the vain possibility that fate would favor them, but after a few more minutes they could only release disappointed sighs. "There is next time. Surely you can work your feminine charm on him once more."

"My sex life is my damn business!" Serafall snapped, using her ice magic to bring her pregnancy test to her hand. 

"Now, we'll be discussing some actually important business, mostly about trade with the other factions. If we need any of you, we'll call." Sirzechs said, dismissing the elders as he brought up the idea of airing the Satan Rangers in Japan to Serafall. Some wanted to protest, but remembering how their predecessors were stripped of their positions stayed their voices. Each one left the room until only the four Satans remained.

"We're clear now." Ajuka said after a few seconds after the last elder left, using magic to ensure they were isolated from any surveillance bugs. They all breathed out a tired sigh with Serafall slumping over, the dealings of bureaucracy proving to be draining on the Devils. "The real results should be appearing now Serafall." As per Serafall's contract with her husband and in laws, she would ensure the protection of any child she would end up bearing from the machinations of those that would endanger them. As such, Ajuka supplied her with a special series of pregnancy tests to fool the others with the simple trick of a longer time frame for the test results. The Leviathan pulled up her stick and placed a hand on her stomach.

"I'm pregnant."

Trivia insert

The dissolution of the old Royal Guard caused the original members to relocate to different places throughout the Soul Society to further contribute their craft instead of remaining isolated in the realms above. Their choice of settlements would also influence the types of Dragons that would be spread throughout the Soul Society in those respective regions with the former Zero Squad members doing their own research into how each type aided their craft. Senjumaru Shutara settled in the North with her textile workshops and the majority of furred Dragons, Tenjiro Kirinji to the East with the majority of the Dragons being specific to medical research, Kirio Hikifune to the South with hers being ranches and farms for food production, and Oetsu Nimaiya in the West where he recreated his spirit forge and sea to study and craft new weapons. Each 'palace' was easily accessible, but thanks to their respective pasts as members of the old Royal Guard, only the highest ranking members of Soul Society as a whole felt the right to visit. The only one that stayed outgoing enough to interact with Soul Society on the grand scale again was Kirio Hikifune, who started a food company using her cooking method to supply the hungry of the Rukongai with nourishment for those that felt hunger and fed the recruits of the Gotei providing a minor boost in power.

(Omake)

The Grain Ruler Pt 1

The Kuoh group followed Ichigo, Tatsuki, and Okita through the Garganta portal to the sight of a series of connecting rotundas that overlooked a massive stretch of cultivated farmlands. Koneko managed to get the win for the group by getting a passing touch along Kyoka Suigetsu's edge thanks to her Senjutsu training. As such, Ichigo brought the teens to the Soul Society for their well deserved dinner. Though the evening sun was dipping beneath the sky, the land and facilities were still brightly lit enough for the Devils, Angel, and fresh Shinigami to see the various types of Dragons that filled the land. From the tiniest ones resembling pigs to the grand dinosaur like ones with a vineyard of grapes growing on its back.

"Whoa." Issei managed to voice, taken aback by the sight of all the creatures born from Draconic energy. A by-product that mostly stemmed from Ddraig's fights with Albion, though the Dragon would not claim credit.

"Come along." Ichigo ordered as they ascended the small flight of stairs, finding a person in a white yukata but a blank face aside from the eyes. "Hello Miso, is she ready?" The android like being bowed in response.

"Lady Kirio is waiting for you inside Lord Kurosaki." Miso answered, gesturing for them to enter. Miso was one of many specialized Reigai assisting Kirio in her company; helping to prep, cook, and in many cases serve the meals. They required no food nor desired it, sustained by Kirio's ambient Reiryoku by necessity. If they actually had mouths they'd never stop eating and nothing would get done.

"Finally! Show me those biggest fun bags!" Issei said excitedly, everything else forgotten in the promise of tits, causing Rias to growl in jealous frustration while everyone else sighed or lightly laughed. The group entered and were treated to the sight of a very plump woman wearing the same dress as a Gotei Captain with squinting eyes, red swirls on her cheeks, black lipstick, and her purple hair tied in a fluffy bun with a wooden spoon. She was standing in front of a dining room table with a massive wooden spoon tied to her back.

"Hello~!" She happily greeted. "Welcome to my Gatonden!" She said, walking up to the Devils, making a beeline for Gasper. "Aren't you just adorable~!" She cooed. "Oh, some of you are almost skin and bones, poor dearies."

"Hey Kirio. Sorry for the last minute dinner reservation." Ichigo said as the large woman came up to the Commander and gave him a big hug.

"Oh don't you worry." She told him, brushing off his concerns. "A banquet for twenty people is no trouble for me at all. Just sit tight and I'll whip up your meals in a jiffy!" She said before walking to the back of the room. The whole while, Issei was just gawking in shock. Ichigo looked to the Red Dragon, who turned to him and shakily rose a finger pointing at where the chef just went.

"Yes, that was her and the same boobs I told you about." Issei dropped to his knees and started crying in frustration.

"What's the point of big breasts on such an unsexy figure!" He cried out, getting looks of pity and disgust from the others.

'Kid, get ready to eat those words.' Ichigo thought as he took his seat.

The Grain Ruler Pt2

The group was ravenous, scarfing down every last bite as if they hadn't eaten in days. Large plates and bowls near overflowing with food were cleaned to the last grain within seconds and making piles that the Reigai maids took away to replace with another serving of food. Though some of them tried to maintain a sense of etiquette and noble dignity that was hammered into them for 'polite society', that died the very instant their first bite made contact with their tongues.

"Oh man! If I wasn't a Devil, I'd swear I was in Heaven right now!" Issei said, the disappointment from earlier now a distant memory as he scarfed down his meal. If he had the usual headache, it didn't register in the face of overwhelming flavor.

"I feel like I may fall, but it'd be worth it~!" Irina said, her wings flashing between black and white as she continuously thanked her God for the chance to eat this meal.

"Sister Grayfia would murder us if she saw this!" Rias mumbled out between bites. "But she'd definitely understand after tasting it!" The next maid came with one foot tall parfait glasses filled with creams, custards, fruits, and cookies.

"Finally, desert." She said as each person took a glass and scarfed it down in less than a minute.

"That was worth it." Rias said with a satisfied groan. Every hallucinated cut and break they suffered trying to pass Ichigo's training was worth it to enjoy this meal. "Though, it's gonna be hell on my waistline."

"Oh don't worry about that." They heard someone say as a figure came out of the kitchen. "The only thing my food adds anything to is the amount of spiritual power in your body." The teens and Okita gawked at the woman that resembled Kirio, but the only excessive fat on her now slender body was on her chest as two large pillowy globes barely hidden by a loose Shihakusho with her purple hair flowing freely and her green eyes now being visible. "Happy to have served such hungry little darlings." She said with a smile and a wink while the entire shocked group spat out whatever was in their mouths in surprise.

"Thank you Kirio. It was delicious as always." Ichigo said as he got up with the cook giving a delighted hum as she returned to the kitchen. "Alright. Let's get to a Dangai gate and send you all home. Hmm?" The Hybrid noted the whole group that wasn't in the know pointing to where Kirio was with an obvious question on their expressions. "Yep. Same person. She puts a lot of her energy into her cooking."