The Universal Villain

Large chunks of ice began falling to the ground like meteors crushing the town beneath them. As waves of debris rose and fell covering the city in layers of dirt Shen felt it was time to stop messing around. Standing there, Shen knew he had a bad habit of getting lost in fights just for the fun of it.

But in the end, he couldn't help it. With each new power, he obtained it was accompanied by the urge to use this unique ability to its full potential. He personally thought, what's the point of having power if you never get to play around with it? Though in honesty, he couldn't tell whether it was his Saiyan side giving him that mentality or if it was just the mentality he picked up in this new world.

Opening and closing his fist, the fire around both of Shen's hands disappeared, turning into nothing but embers floating in the air. 'Well, at least I was able to level up my magic.' Even though Shen knew how to use any power he obtained, he still had to test them out in a real fight to learn the capabilities of the ability. Turning his attention back to Isshin, Shen's thoughts began to stir.

'They have been waiting for Ichigo to arrive, meaning this whole trap thing won't work without him. But the fact Isshin is here fighting me along with the fact he could get seriously injured.' All of this led Shen to flash a grin while looking at Isshin. Shen needed Urahara for the Hogyoku saving Ichigo for last as the big pay off at the end.

But Isshin wasn't like the two of them. Other than being a Soul Reaper who is above the average captain level, Shen didn't need him for anything. He had plenty of Zanpakuto's to farm and had plenty of Image Training to catch up on. With all that in his mind, Shen's eyes turned from seeing Isshin as a tool to seeing him as something that could be discarded.

Meanwhile, starting from an outward perspective seeing a sharp gleam appear in Shen's eyes, Isshin's hair began to stand on end as he prepared to take a step back. As he began to back away, he felt as though something had changed as Shen said something strange. "Isshin, you know what I just realized."

Shen's voice sounded faded. Isshin froze as a sharp force, flew through his c.h.e.s.t in less than a second. The Shen that was standing a few meters away swayed as it disappeared into thin air, and appearing in his place was the reality of the situation. Isshin couldn't have comprehended what had just happened other than the fact Shen was now standing in front of his with his elbow being firmly placed in his c.h.e.s.t.

Using a mixture of Genjutsu and his pure agility Shen broke Isshin's defenses and senses. In the moment Isshin was trapped, Shen had used his elbow to fracture his rib cage and crushed his heart. At this moment, Isshin couldn't breathe, he couldn't feel, and he didn't even notice his body giving out. Looking at Isshin in this state, Shen finished what he was saying. "You were a good tool to level up, but I don't need you in this story anymore."

Of course, Isshin couldn't hear what Shen was saying as he collapsed face up on the ground with Zanpakuto in hand. "Isshin?" Watching this all happen, Urahara wasn't affected by the Genjutsu like Isshin, but he was still just as confused. They expected Shen to be strong, but this was beyond that. His abilities were otherworldly, and as many theories, as he created, he couldn't wrap his head around it.

And in the end who could blame him. The power Shen had access to was given by something that seemed omnipotent no matter how smart Urahara was, it was out of his jurisdiction as a character. And it was this frame of mind that Shen waited for. The negative feelings Urahara was experiencing were more than enough for Shen to exploit. It was just Urahara's mental fortitude that prevented that.

But during this entire confrontation, Shen had shattered that. First, by almost killing Yoruichi, second by announcing the destruction of the Gotei 13 and the death of Yamamoto and finally third killing Isshin Kurosaki. Those three things, plus all the other unforeseen occurrences, would cause anyone to doubt themselves.

"So tell me, Urahara, how do you feel at this very moment." Staring at Urahara, who was still looking down at Isshin's body. "If you had just kept your mouth shut and your plans to yourself, none of this would have happened." Playing mind games with Urahara wanted to enhance the guilt he was feeling to its max. "Hell, maybe if you stepped in instead of trying to form that little trap of yours, you could have saved him."

Tapping Isshin's lifeless body with his foot, Shen watched as Urahara fell out of the sky, landing on the barren ground as his mind began to flood itself with negativity. Lying on the ground, the genius Urahara slowly began to be eaten away. And as this occurs, Shen turned his attention to his right as his grin turned to an expression of interest as he recognized the person approaching.

"She actually lost? Or did he do something to her?" Shen found it hard to believe that Ichigo was able to beat Rukia. With near limitless power at her disposal, until the magic reached its cap, she should have been unbeatable to some degree.

"I guess that's the power of a main character? Even against the impossible, they somehow survive." Shen wasn't worried about Rukia escaping or being injured. Since it was Ichigo, she was fighting, and he could teleport to her whenever he wanted.

With that thought, Shen could tell Ichigo was getting closer to their location as he quickly opened a portal under Isshin's body, pulling it into his pocket dimension. As damaging as it would be for Ichigo to see his dad dead, Shen wanted to avoid the possibility of Ichigo going full Vasto Lorde on him. Following that, Shen quickly placed a barrier of Ki and Urahara, which stifled his groans.

With everything prepped, Shen stood there as Ichigo came into view in his Shikai form. With his speed, it didn't take long as he landed not on the ground. Taking a quick glance around, even Ichigo could feel something was wrong with the situation. Looking over at Urahara, Ichigo could tell something was definitely wrong here.

Disappearing and reappearing, Ichigo appeared next to Urahara, who was still fighting his inner demons. As he tried to resist Shen's control, the more pain he was exposed too. At this point, he couldn't even notice Ichigo banging on the barrier surrounding him, let alone reply to his calls.

"I'm afraid you're not going to be able to get through to him." Looking at Ichigo from afar, Shen walked towards him as he continued. "He's still holding on quite well though a lot better than… Well, you know." Gesturing with his gaze, Ichigo could already tell who he was talking about as he questioned Shen.

"What did you do to Urahara! And where is my dad!" Other than Urahara, Ichigo didn't fail to notice his dad was nowhere to be found. According to what they planned, Isshin would be the one acting as the decoy as Urahara set things up. The fact he wasn't here and Urahara was in this condition caused Ichigo to worry.

Looking at Ichigo's face, Shen shrugged his shoulders. "You mean Isshin? Who knows he was here a few moments ago, but suddenly he disappeared." Walking up to the Ki Barrier containing Urahara, Shen let his hand glide along its surface as he continued. "You may not be able to comprehend this Ichigo, but you were the last line of defense, and you failed."

Listening to Shen, Ichigo's eyes widened as he asked. "What are you talking about?" Keeping his eyes trained of Shen, Ichigo didn't let his guard down as Shen continued to speak. "You may not understand the gravity of the situation, but I do. There are no more Soul Reapers to save the day and help out Ichigo. Urahara is useless as he is, and your dad is nowhere to be found and top it all off the center of Katakura Town is pretty much destroyed."

Pointing all these things out, Ichigo began to take in the situation. When he arrived even in the current situation, he thought he could still figure things out. But now, looking at the destroyed town and the position everyone was in, it became more apparent to him. "You don't get it? There are no more second chances, Ichigo. You four had your chance to stop me, and I gave you every opportunity to do so. But in the end, you lost, and now it's time for the people who are really in control to act."

Saying all this, Shen could tell his words were starting to sink in as Ichigo's face began to twist. "So now here are your options. One try and fight me now and die, trying leaving all your friends to die as well. Or two stand there and do nothing." Looking at Ichigo with a lax expression, Shen saw the conflict going on in Ichigo's head.

"In all honesty, I'm more disappointed in you than anyone else. I was expecting so much from you." Shaking his head, Shen thought to himself. 'Whatever. I have Urahara. I'm done here. Though I do have to find Rukia after this.' Looking at Ichigo standing there, Shen, along with the barrier containing Urahara, vanished. Standing in an empty area within Katakura Town, Ichigo blinked as he came back to reality.

"Did we… Really Lose?"