Renji Abarai vs. Zabimaru

 is a fight which takes place during the Zanpakutō Rebellion. It details the conflict between 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai and his Zanpakutō spirit, Zabimaru.

Prelude
As 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai walks past the debris of the destroyed building, he says he came here to find something. Cursing, he states there has to be a clue somewhere. Recalling Byakuya being engulfed in blade petals and slammed into a building, Renji wonders where he could have possibly gone. When a small boy's voice tells him to give up, Renji expresses surprise and demands to know who is there. As the boy's voice says he is over here, a woman's voice states an idiot like Renji will never be able to find a clue regardless of how hard he tries. Turning, Renji sees a shadowy figure on the stairs.

Renji looks towards a fur-covered woman, who is sitting on the steps, and asks who she is. Saying he is unbelievable, the irritated woman asks Renji if he really does not know who she is. Standing up, she proclaims Renji is hopeless and states she thought he would remember her after all of the years they spent together. Expressing confusion, Renji smirks and says he does not recall knowing any woman as hairy as she is as a small boy walks out from behind the woman.

As Renji expresses surprise, the woman asks if Renji remembers the boy, who lifts himself into the air with his tail, and asks if Renji is going to say he does not remember either of them. Stating Renji could never forget, the woman walks down the steps with the boy following her as Renji realizes the woman is saying they are his Zanpakutō. Asking what is wrong, the woman asks Renji why he is so surprised and says this is not like him.

When an incredulous Renji states they used to be a monkey and a snake, the woman says he is stuck on petty details, prompting an angry Renji to state they have completely changed. When the woman says she is not sure Renji appreciates how much he used to rely on them, Renji expresses surprise. Stopping in front of Renji, the woman refers to the boy as Hebi and asks him for confirmation. When Hebi picks his nose, the irritated woman tells him to cut it out and hits the back of his head.

As Hebi states he got it and notes it is a big one, the woman tells him to pay attention. When Hebi asks her why she hit him and says it hurt, the woman states she would not always have to be the one doing all of the talking if Hebi paid more attention to what was going on. As Hebi says he did not want to interrupt her because the woman likes the sound of her own voice, the two continue to argue as a perplexed Renji asks them to come back later if they do not have any important business to discuss with him.

When Renji states he does not have time for this right now, the woman and Hebi turn to him and ask him what he said. Telling him to listen, the woman says they will not be leaving as Hebi states Renji will not be going anywhere either. As Renji expresses confusion, the woman says he seems to have the wrong idea about them as Hebi reveals they came here to find Renji so they could eliminate him. The two join hands, causing a large amount of red Reiatsu to flare up between them.

Telling them to wait, Renji states he wishes to know and asks them why they are doing this. When Hebi says they heard the voice, the woman confirms this and states it told them to follow their instinct. As a shocked Renji expresses confusion, Hebi says they will fight as the woman states this is their natural instinct. The Reiatsu dissipates, revealing they are holding Zabimaru with their previously joined hands.

Battle
Hebi attacks Renji with Zabimaru. As Renji sidesteps the attacks, Zabimaru crashes into the ground as Hebi laughs. When the chain connected to the collar around his neck is pulled taut, Hebi is yanked backwards and hits the ground, prompting him to express pain. When the woman tells Hebi to stop playing around, Hebi tells her to shut up, for she is simply standing there.

Asking why this matters, the woman tells Renji he does not seem to be taking them seriously, for he has not even drawn his sword. Panting, Renji asks the woman if she is crazy and states he cannot get serious against a small boy like Hebi. When he says he has no reason to fight them, the woman laughs and states he is saying this because he knows he cannot beat them. As Hebi stands up, the woman says Renji is very pathetic. As Renji's eye twitches, he asks if this is so.

Stating there is no reason for him to get so excited, the woman proclaims they do not have time to play around with a weakling like Renji and spins the chain above her head. As Renji expresses surprise, Hebi screams as he crashes into Renji. Later, the woman spins her chain over her head before throwing Hebi at Renji. Blocking Hebi's attack, Renji is pushed back by the force of the blow.

Regaining his footing, Renji pushes Hebi away. As Zabimaru disappears from his hand, Hebi lands and asks Renji if he is ready. As he spins the chain over his head, the woman hurtles towards Renji as Zabimaru manifests in her hand. As she attacks him, Renji attempts to block, only to be sent flying back into a building. As the woman reattaches the segments of Zabimaru, Hebi walks up. Saying this is not good, Hebi refers to the woman as Saru and states he thought Renji would be better than this.

As Hebi says Renji is very weak, Saru tells him there is no need for this attitude and states they cannot have Renji give up yet. As the dust clears, a panting Renji stands in the hole in the wall. When Hebi happily exclaims Renji stood up, Saru tells him to cut it out and to not overreact before slapping the back of his head. Expressing pain, an angry Hebi says Saru does not have to hit him and slaps her in return. Clutching her backside, an angry Saru restrains Hebi.

Stretching Hebi's mouth, Saru tells him to shut up as Hebi tells her to let him go. As they continue to bicker, a dazed Renji watches before telling them this is enough. As they look at him in surprise, Renji tells them to not argue like this and states they are fighting him. Pushing Hebi's hand away, Saru stands up and says Renji does not understand anything. When Renji asks her what this means, Saru yawns and states they feel like they are wasting their time by fighting a weakling like Renji.

When Hebi enthusiastically agrees with her, Saru prepares to attack him again, prompting Renji to tell them to stop once more. As they look at him in surprise, Renji says they are insulting him and asks what is behind them acting like this. Standing up, Saru states there is a lot behind it and proclaims it is their true instinct. Asking what this means, Renji says Saru is not making any sense, prompting Hebi to state they do not wish to be weak.

Confirming this, Saru states they wish to be stronger. Revealing they have grown tired of Renji's weakness, Saru says they wish to leave Renji because of this. Raising his sword, Renji tells her to keep talking and yells as he glows with red Reiatsu. When he tries and fails to release Zabimaru, Saru asks him how he intends to fight them.

Later, Saru leaps back and swings her chain around before sending Hebi towards Renji, who leaps into the air. As Hebi crashes into the ground, Saru leaps towards Renji and manifests Zabimaru in her hand. As Saru slashes at him, the segments of Zabimaru grind across Renji's blade before the pick-like protrusion on the end catches onto Renji's blade and knocks him downward. As Renji lands, Zabimaru disappears from Saru's hand and reappears in Hebi's hands.

When Hebi swings Zabimaru at him, Renji blocks, only to be sent flying back as Zabimaru cuts off part of his left sleeve and injures his left arm. As Renji pants, Saru walks up and calls him a coward. Looking up, Renji lists the names they have called him and demands to know what he has done to deserve these names. Stating she is calling Renji a coward because he is one, Saru says this is the only way to describe him as Hebi yawns and states he has had enough.

As Hebi says he quits, Saru hits him on the head and states he needs to remain focused. Asking why he needs to do so, Hebi says Renji still refuses to fight seriously even after all they have done to get him to do so. As Hebi states nothing about this is fun, Saru turns to Renji and asks if he has forgotten they know everything about them. Saying he once gave up something very dear to him, Saru states they saw how desperately he tried to get it back.

Saying Renji fought for it, Saru states he does not have confidence in himself despite what he did. When she asks if killing Rukia Kuchiki and holding her severed head in front of Renji's face will get him to take this seriously, Renji curses and points his blade at Saru and Hebi. As his blade shakes, Saru says they can see Renji is angry and states they know why he cannot muster up the courage to kill them. Moving in front of him, Saru says this is why Renji is weak.

When Saru slashes at him, Renji blocks, only to be sent flying back as Zabimaru cuts him, causing him to scream in pain. As Renji crashes into a building, Hebi walks up and states Saru has finally killed Renji. Saying it does not matter because Renji was not half the man they had wanted him to be, Saru turns and tells Hebi they will go because Renji is hopeless. Telling them to wait, Renji asks Saru and Hebi where they think they are going.

As Saru looks over her shoulder, a panting Renji stands in the destroyed building while leaning on his sword for support. As Hebi notes Renji still wishes to fight, Renji states they are not leaving until they have beaten him. Saying they are through with him, Saru states Renji does not have the will to fight them and says they know him better than anyone. Turning to him, Saru asks Renji what he would do if beating them meant losing his own power.

Stating she knows this is why Renji did not attack them, Saru says they do not know what will happen either, for they are now separate from Renji and are likely capable of dying like Shinigami. Stating Renji refuses to destroy his Zanpakutō, Saru says this means he refuses to destroy them. Asking Renji if she is wrong, Saru asks him if he can really blame her for calling him a weakling and proclaims true strength is not simply about having the ability to fight.

Later, Hebi holds Renji by the throat and slams him against a wall. As Hebi slaps him with his tail, Renji wonders what he will do. As Hebi slaps him again, Renji tells himself he is too weak. As Hebi slaps him once more, Renji wonders if this is the end for him. As Renji wonders what he has been doing all this time, Hebi slaps him again before wrapping his tail around Renji's head.

Telling him to do something, Hebi slams Renji into the ground. Looking up, Renji sees Saru standing in front of him. Thinking to himself his Zanpakutō has deserted him after all this time, Renji wonders what he should do. As Hebi whips him with his tail, Renji realizes the pain he is feeling is coming from his damaged soul and not his injuries. Knocking Renji away, Hebi walks over to Saru and says Renji has been beaten.

When Hebi asks her what to do now, Saru looks away and tells Hebi to kill Renji. Manifesting Zabimaru in his hand, a smirking Hebi raises it above his head as Renji opens his eyes. Recalling his fight with 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, Renji realizes he did not change at all, and even though he boasted about becoming stronger, he simply moved forward without actually thinking.

Recalling his fight with Szayelaporro Granz, Renji wonders if this is it. Recalling his fight with Ichigo, Renji thinks to himself Ichigo has told him he only fights to protect others, and this is what makes him strong. Wondering what he fights for, Renji thinks of Byakuya. Elsewhere, as Zabimaru comes down, Renji blocks it with his sword. As Hebi expresses surprise, Renji begins to force Zabimaru back.

As Saru expresses surprise, Hebi is thrown back. Standing up, Renji admits they were right about him being weak and states he had forgotten. Saying his mindset is different now, Renji proclaims he does not have time to argue about stupid things like this. When Saru expresses surprise, Renji states he only wishes to become stronger.

Stating there is still someone whom he has to surpass in battle, Renji proclaims this is why it is his goal to become even stronger, and facing Saru and Hebi reminded him of this. Stating he cannot afford to lose, Renji proclaims must win in order to achieve this goal. Putting his hand up to his blade, Renji successfully releases Zabimaru. As Saru and Hebi express shock, Renji grins.

Later, Zabimaru hurtles toward Hebi, who leaps away as it crashes into the ground where he was standing and lands on a roof next to Saru, who tells him to be careful. As Hebi states he knows, Renji retracts Zabimaru. When Hebi wonders out loud if something about Renji changed, Saru smiles and confirms this. Stating he has had enough of this, Renji proclaims Zanpakutō are supposed to be used by their master because this is the way it is. Demanding to know what he just said, Hebi expresses outrage at Renji's arrogant statement and leaps towards him. Pulling Hebi back by his chain, Saru tells him to wait and says this is a very bold thing to say, which means Renji has found the will to fight them.

Stating he has more than will, Renji proclaims he will destroy them with everything he has got. As Saru tells him to not get ahead of himself, Hebi tells him he should watch his mouth. As Renji expresses surprise, Saru says Renji has got another thing coming if he believes he can defeat them with only his will to fight. Breaking free from Saru's grasp, Hebi agrees and states they are always stronger regardless of what Renji does. Smiling, Saru asks Renji if he wishes to see it for himself. When Renji asks Saru what she is referring to, Saru grins and says she is talking about Renji's blade before leaping down, surprising Renji.

Running toward Renji, Saru swings Zabimaru at him. When Renji extends the segments of Zabimaru towards her, Saru's Zabimaru glows red and disappears. As Renji expresses surprise, Saru leaps away as Hebi lands in front of Renji, who sends a wave through the segments of Zabimaru. Manifesting Zabimaru in his hand, Hebi slashes at the segments of Renji's Zabimaru and knocks them back before leaping backwards.

Landing on a wall, Hebi jumps up to Saru and holds himself up with his tail. As Hebi says this was not bad, Saru states Renji has more fight in him than she though. Asking Saru if she is dense, Renji proclaims he has been training for his entire life. Looking at him, Saru says they have no choice, prompting Hebi to say they will do it. As Zabimaru glows red and disappears from Hebi's hand, Saru holds her chain in front of her and activates their Bankai. As steam emanates from her hand, Hebi smirks as the steam envelops him. As Hebi's eyes glow red, he transforms behind the steam, shocking Renji. As the steam dissipates, Saru stands with Hihiō Zabimaru around her.

Stating Renji looks surprised, Saru says he should have known they were capable of this because they are Zanpakutō spirits. Gesturing with the hilt of Hihiō Zabimaru, Saru uses Hikotsu Taihō. Opening its mouth, Hihiō Zabimaru fires several small blasts of red energy at the area around Renji before charging at him. Blocking its mouth with Zabimaru, Renji is pushed away. As Renji yells, Hihiō Zabimaru slams him into a building.

Meanwhile, Renji dodges Hikotsu Taihō and runs as Hihiō Zabimaru roars and follows him. Leaping from building to building as Hihiō Zabimaru follows him, Renji turns and sends Zabimaru towards Hihiō Zabimaru. When the attack misses, Renji lands and retracts Zabimaru before leaping away as Hihiō Zabimaru crashes into the ground where he was standing. When Hihiō Zabimaru follows him into the air, Renji sends Zabimaru at it once more.

Moving around Zabimaru, Hihiō Zabimaru catches Renji in its mouth and flies off. As a yelling Renji struggles to free himself, Zabimaru is knocked from his grasp and falls to the ground below as Renji lands on a building. As Renji lies on the ground, Saru looks over her shoulder and says their Bankai is nothing like the one Renji knows, for it has no blind spots. Turning to him, Saru proclaims the game is over and states Renji's Shikai cannot match her Bankai no matter what he does.

As Renji gets up, Saru asks him if he understands and says Renji will never defeat them. Telling her to shut up, Renji stands up and notes Saru is right, for his Shikai cannot hold up against their Bankai. Noting they are reading all of his moves before he makes them, Renji tells himself it makes sense, for they know his usual pattern of attack more than anyone. As Renji wonders what he is going to do, Saru gestures with the hilt of Hihiō Zabimaru, which glows pink and reverts to Hebi.

Telling Renji to not bother trying to think his way out of this, Saru states Renji's lack of intelligence is the most pitiful of all of his weaknesses. Realizing something, Renji looks at his hand and notes it is worth a shot. When Hebi asks Saru what they will do now, Saru says Renji has probably realized it is pointless to continue fighting like this. As Saru turns and begins to walk away, Renji raises his clenched fists in front of him and uses '''Bakudō #4. Hainawa'''.

When yellow Reishi ropes wrap around Saru's right arm and Hebi's tail, they turn around in surprise as Renji, who is holding the ends of the ropes in his hand, states it is not over yet. As Hebi says he never learns, Saru states this is pathetic. Noting they never expect him to use Kidō because he is awful at it, Renji uses '''Hadō #31. Shakkahō'''. Saying Renji is getting creative, Saru notes this is what he was planning and raises her arm.

Stating it is too bad Renji's level of Kidō is so weak, Saru glows with red Reiatsu. As Renji fires the energy blast, the Reiatsu around Saru solidifies, causing the blast to explode upon hitting it without injuring Saru. Leaping into the air, Renji says there is more and fires more energy blasts at them. As the Reiatsu around Saru disperses, she and Hebi jump away as the blasts hit the area where they were standing. Landing in the same area, Renji fires another energy blast.

When Renji attempts to fire another one, it explodes in his hands, prompting him to fire another one through the smoke. Dodging the blasts, Hebi demands to know what Renji is doing and states his Kidō is dangerous to everyone, including himself. As Renji continues to fire energy blasts while running, another one explodes in his hands. Running through the smoke, Renji fires more energy blasts at Saru, who climbs up the side of a nearby building and says Renji is trying out a new technique.

Stating there is no way Renji can beat them with his pathetic Kidō, Saru jumps and lands on the top of the building. As she pulls on her chain, Hebi dodges the energy blasts and flies past Renji before grabbing Renji's Zabimaru. As a laughing Hebi proclaims he has got it, the segments of Zabimaru fall apart, surprising Hebi. Laughing, Saru says Renji's Zabimaru is worthless now and manifests her own Zabimaru as Renji grins.

Pulling Hebi towards Renji, Saru leaps towards him and bids him farewell. Stating this will not happen yet, Renji fires another '''Hadō #31. Shakkahō''' at Hebi. Expressing disdain, Hebi destroys the blast with Renji's Zabimaru. When the cord connecting the segments of Renji's Zabimaru breaks and sends the segments flying away, Hebi expresses shock as Saru wonders what happened. Shielding himself, Renji uses Higa Zekkō. Glowing red, the segments of Renji's Zabimaru fly towards Saru and Hebi, who scream in pain. Falling to the ground, they glow red before reverting to Zabimaru, which embeds itself into the ground.

Aftermath
Walking up to Zabimaru, Renji admits he possesses weakness and Renji says he thinks he will grow stronger as long as he continues to strive for greatness. Correcting himself, Renji states he knows he will become stronger and walks past Zabimaru. Within the blade, Hebi says Renji is full of himself. As Renji stops walking and expresses surprise, Saru states Renji's last attack hurt a little bit. When Hebi says Renji is actually pretty good, Renji turns around and smiles. As Saru states they came to their senses, Hebi proclaims it is time they put an end to this ridiculous rebellion, prompting Renji to ask them what they mean.