Ichigo flew through Karakura town, heading towards Urahura's shop. Rukia and Renji had left early, failing to dissuade Ichigo from his decision. This was it. He was going to fight Soul Society again.

Ichigo skidded to a halt in midair when he felt two familiar presences heading towards him. Earlier, Ichigo had called Chad and Uryū to meet at the Urahura shop, saying that something urgent had come up. Now, they were all assembled.

"We felt Rukia and Renji leave earlier, what happened?" Uryū asked as the three resumed dashing.

As Ichigo explained, both of his friends grew wide-eyed in horror. Now they understood why Ichigo hadn't called Inoue.

"...And what was your response?" Uryū wanted to know, even though deep inside, he already knew.

"I told them that I would fight them."

"No, Ichigo," Chad interrupted. "that we would fight them." There was a grim silence as reality sunk in. They would be going up against the Gotei 13, but this time, there would be no element of surprise. All 13 captains would crush them mercilessly. But what choice did they have? Without a doubt, none of them would stand for Inoue dying.

The trio landed in front of Urahura's door, where Urahura was already out, fan in hand despite the night chill.

"I am assuming that you're here for me to open the Senkaimon. Come inside," Urahura told them, already walking into the shop. Having known the three for a long time, Urahura already knew what they were here for. He would be unable to stop them.

"Wait," Ichigo demanded. "There's one more thing."

Urahura turned, glancing at them from from under his hat. "That is...?"

"Inoue. Make up a story about why we're gone, and hide her from what's going on in Soul Society. You know her, Urahura-san. If she knew people were dying because of her, she would kill herself. Please, protect Inoue while we're gone."

Urahura sighed. "Guess I'll be shutting down business for a while. All you kids better realize the financial burden I'll be carrying because of this."

"We'll pay you back," Uryū assured, pushing his glasses up his nose.

"And how are three high school allowances going to make up for an adult's salary? Come on in."

They followed Urahura to his oversized basement, a place designed for training. Ichigo and Chad had both trained here before. Ahead, a massive door was floating in midair, in the same location it was in when the trio had used it to enter Hueco Mundo to rescuse Inoue. Now, they were going to enter it again, but this time, it was not to rescue Inoue. It was to protect her.

Urahura leaped up, and the double-doors of the Senkaimon slid open. But before Ichigo could pass through, Urahura stepped in front of him.

"Ichigo, I-," Urahura began, but after taking one look into Ichigo's burning eyes, he cursed himself for even attempting to reason with Ichigo. As if Ichigo would listen to logic when it came to his friends.

"Ichigo, I wish you luck. I hope you know what to do," Urahura offered with a somewhat defeated smile.

But Ichigo had no idea what to do. He was going to fight his friends to save a friend. How was he going to fight Renji? Rukia? Nevertheless, he had to at least fake his confidence. "Thanks, Urahura-san. I'll be back."

As Ichigo entered the Senkaimon, Urahura called out to him a second time. "Ichigo, no matter who you're fighting, never forget what you're fighting against. Otherwise, this journey is pointless."

But before Ichigo had time to react to Urahura's words, he was already in a different dimension.

Even after they had left, Urahura remained standing, staring at the closing Senkaimon.

"Don't forget, Ichigo," Urahura whispered as he lowered his hat over his eyes and turned to leave. "You can't afford to."

-Soul Society-

Ichigo, Chad, and Uryū popped out in a forest near Soul Society. They started running towards the direction of the Seireitei.

"Hey Ichigo, I was wondering earlier, how are we going to get into the Seireitei? Don't we need the Shiba family's cannon to break through the Shakonmaku?" Uryū asked.

"Didn't you hear what I said earlier? There's a hole in the Shakonmaku right now."

"Yea, but you also said-"

Ishida was unable to finish his sentence, as they halted a small distance from the Shakonmaku. What lay before them was Uryū's unfinished worry.

A cloud of hollows flew around the top of the Shakonmaku, screeching and roaring. The towns surrounding the Shakonmaku were deserted: not a single villager remained in the vicinity. They must have all been evacuated. And there, at the top of the Shakonmaku, was a large hole, large enough for all but the largest of the hollows to fly through.

"So, how are we going to reach the h-" Uryū began, but Ichigo was already flying towards the hollows.

Uryū and Chad barely had time to glance at each other before rushing after Ichigo.

"Uryū! Clear a path!" Ichigo shouted, but arrows were already flying past him, cutting a swath through the dense crowd of hollows. Unfortunately, the death of their comrades alerted the hollows to the trio, and soon, a horde of masks was flying towards them.

"Chad!" Once again, Ichigo called too late. Chad was already in front of him, his right arm darkening and expanding into his fullbring, Brazo Derecha de Gigante. This was the defensive half of Chad's power.

Ichigo and Uryū both took their places behind Chad, and the three of them ran directly into the hollows. Chad blocked frontal attacks, while Ichigo and Uryū covered the sides. Eventually, they broke through, and as they tumbled through the hole, Ichigo closed his eyes. The reiatsu creating the hole was undoubtedly Inoue's. There was one hope gone. Now, it was time to rely on another. Ichigo turned to face the Seireitei. A quick scan with his reiatsu confirmed that all 13 captains were present.

They landed near the outside of the Seireitei, and turned around. Their plan was to head towards the center of the Seireitei, where most of the captains were gathered, waiting for them.

"Well, ain't this one hell of a déjà vu, eh, Ichigo?"

Ichigo spun towards the voice, and looked up at Ikkaku, who was sneering down at them from the top of a barrack. Yumichika and Renji stood next to him.

"Is this the only choice, Ichigo? Do we have to fight each other again?" Renji demanded with a pained expression.

"Do not question his motives, Renji. Kurosaki Ichigo has already made his choice," a voice spoke from behind Renji. Ichigo and his friends readied themselves as a stonger reiatsu entered the fray: Kuchiki Byakuya's.

"Please, Ichigo. There is no beauty in foolishness, it's 4 against 3. Won't you turn back?" Yumichika also asked in a troubled voice.

"That is enough. We are already at war. However," Byakua said as he faced Ichigo. "5th seat Yumichika Ayasegawa does have a point. It is 4 against 3. You stand no chance of survival."

There was a pause, as Ichigo assessed the situation. "Do you really think-"

"Captain, you're wrong," Renji interrupted. Byakuya turned to face Renji.

"In what way am I wrong, Renji?"

"It's not 4 against 3."

Ikkaku stepped forward. "What are you-"

"Zabimaru." Releasing his soul cutter, Renji smashed his now-longer blade into Ikkaku, who barely managed to block the strike with his own blade before being sent flying into the neighboring barracks.

Renji leaped over to Ichigo, and pointed his blade as his own captain. "It's 3 against 4, Captain Kuchiki. You seem to have messed up your numbers."