The Universal Villain

sAn area in the Seireitei covered in ice was utterly void of any life. Both the creatures and the Soul Reapers have long moved on from this spot. Until suddenly, the space in the centre of the ice-covered area began to warp as a figure emerged from a dark portal along with two glowing orbs.

"The air in there was really thick." With Toshiro who was still unconscious floating in the orb behind him and his Zanpakuto not far behind Shen was back within the Seireitei. "Well looks like things have moved" Doing a brief check of the area Shen was slightly shocked when he found his Ki orbs had been destroyed.

'They actually managed to defeat them in that short period. I should check on Rukia the last thing I need is to lose the Hogyoku.' Finding Rukia's location was rather simple thanks to the mind-controlling sorcery Shen had a basic idea of where she was. Holding out his hand Shen used his Sharingan's ability once more, creating a small portal right above his hands.

"Well, this does solve my weapon shortage problem in a way." Not soon after Shen's remark, a small chunk of the void made its way out of the portal as it began to morph itself. It didn't take long for the shape to solidify forming a long dark spear. As the spear fell into his hand, Shen marked it the moment it made contact before holding it up as if he was going throw it.

As Shen closed one of his eyes, he began to line up the shot with his fingers acting as sights. When he was done lining it all up, he let the spear lose throwing it so fast the only the end of the action could be seen as a shockwave exploded outwards in front of Shen. Flying over the Seireitei a black streak flashed by going through everything in its way without losing momentum.

As Shen's spear flew, Rukia was still fighting her brother Byakuya. Although they had been fighting back and forth, she realized Byakuya was a lot more careful when it came down to using Senbonzakura after he failed an attempt from before. "Some no mai, Tsukishiro." Standing under Byakuya who was in the air Rukia used her Shikai's ability.

A white spot appeared on the floor like a full moon in the night sky. Soon after that, a pillar of ice began to form rising into the air, causing Byakuya to Flash Step out of the way appearing by Rukia's side just after she had used her ability. However, instead of getting the jump on her Rukia was already looking his direction as he attacked. 'She predicted where I would appear?'

Staring right at Byakuya Rukia deflected his strike with her Zanpakuto leaving Byakuya wide open as she got in close quarters. The sound of flesh being cut could be heard as blood splattered on the ground in front of Rukia. Appearing a few meters away Byakuya could be seen in shock as blood began to flow from the wound on his c.h.e.s.t.

'He backed away at the last second to avoid a fatal injury. My brother was always quick on his feet...' Looking at Byakuya's condition and the feeling of her blade cutting him Rukia could tell the wound he received was light despite the blood. Just as Rukia was about to initiate another attack at the corner of her eye, she spotted something flying through the air.

As the object came closer with incredible speed, Rukia moved out of the way it flew past her face piercing into a wall not too far away. As both Rukia and Byakuya looked at the object that had flown past them only to find it was a pure black spear that gave off a feeling Rukia had gotten accustomed too.

And as Rukia expected as the spear began to dissolve back into a portal appearing below it Shen made his appearance using Flying Thunder God to teleport instantly. "Next time, I have to throw with more strength that took forever." Gently landing on the ground, Shen took a look around only to find Rukia and Byakuya staring at him. "Did I come at a bad time?"

Seeing Shen's face, Byakuya's attention was fully drawn away from Rukia. "You..." Byakuya reacted purely of instinct at raised Senbonzakura's blade which began to shatter into thousands of cherry petals. Aiming the hilt of his sword at Shen a mound of petals prepared to crash down at Shen. Looking at Byakuya attacking him Shen was going to fight back but was stopped as Rukia appeared in front of him like a shield.

Holding Sode, no Shirayuki Rukia proceeded to pierce the ground in front of her four times. Each pierce went through the ground smoothly releasing ice particles as she created the next hole. Creating a semi-circle of erupting ice Rukia took a stance pointing her Zanpakuto straight at Byakuya's attack before saying. "Tsugi no mai, Hakuren!"

Witnessing this all from behind Shen felt a cold draft as a wave of ice as white as snow clashed with Senbonzakura. The two Shikai abilities fought against one another one freezing the other while the other cut the ice. A flurry of winds broke out as petals of Senbonzakura cut the surrounding area and Hakuren froze everything it touched.

As this struggle continued, Rukia's attack began to gain the upper hand as the ice being released began to increase. Looking at Byakuya starting to lose the clash Shen smirked slightly. 'Like I thought.' Continuing to be pushed back Byakuya looked surprised Rukia was truly overpowering him.

Feeling Rukia overpowering Senbonzakura Byakuya had no choice as he stopped trying to fight against Rukia's attack with Senbonzakura. Quickly he retreated into the air as a flurry of cold wind swept over the area he was standing and the entire zone behind him. Seeing she had one the clash Rukia cut off the flow of ice leaving only a long stretch of a frozen wasteland as far as the eye could see.

Lowering her Zanpakuto to her side, she looked up at Byakuya and spoke in a cold voice. "Your fight is with me." Although Rukia's words were simple, it was clear to both Shen and Byakuya that her bloodl.u.s.t had risen through the roof and any hint of emotion she had in her voice from talking to Byakuya before was gone entirely.

'And there it is.' Shen knew very well that Rukia should not be able to overpower Byakuya and he finally understood the reason why. 'I knew something was up with that technique.' Ever since putting Rukia under his mind control, he realized that he realized that the technique was passively gaining XP. No matter how much of her hidden potential was unlocked, Rukia shouldn't have been able to recover her powers so quickly outside of the Seireitei.

'But if you think of it as the Mind Control technique is constantly gaining XP, then it makes sense. The more powerful the Mind Control becomes the more hidden potential is unlocked from those affected by it. And of course, that means even now Rukia's power is continuing to grow.'

Looking up at Byakuya in the air as he clutched his c.h.e.s.t looking down at Rukia Shen said to himself.

"Looks like he's starting to realize it as well."