"Hey, Soi Fon, have you heard?" Hitsugaya asked, flash-stepping into the main office of the second division. "Kenpachi, Ukitake, Kyoraku and Yamamoto are fighting in the first division's office."

"Yes, the hell butterfly from Sasakibe fuku-taichou of the first division has just reached me," Soi Fon answered. "What on earth is that oaf thinking?"

"Precisely, the thirteen court guard squads are already in disarray after this recent Aizen's incident," Hitsugaya mused. "If word spread…"

"We must hurry. At all costs, Zaraki Kenpachi must be stopped." Soi Fon's eyes narrowed.


"Mayuri-sama, have you heard about Kenpachi-taichou? What are you going to do now? " Nemu Kurotsuchi inquired, glancing at her captain (and father).

"Hrmph. I have no interest." Kurotsuchi Mayuri snapped. "Let that ragged beast do what he wants, for all I care."


"Please, Komamura-taichou," Isane Kotesu pleaded. "Your wounds sustained from Aizen's demon magic spell have yet to completely heal. Please, do not strain yourself."

"I cannot lie back and do nothing while Kenpachi is pointing his sword at Genryusai-dono's throat," Komamura waved away at Isane's futile and desperate attempt to restrain him. "This lowly traitor, just what does he think he is doing?"

"But –

"It's alright, Isane," Unohona's voice crept from behind. "Komamura-taichou, I can understand your urge to go to Yamamoto-soutaichou's aid immediately. Please, however, refrain from doing any vigorous attacking. The other captains are on their way too. Leave the situation to them."

"Alright, I understand," Komamura nodded. "I'll be on my way then."

"In the meantime, I will try and stop this piece of information from spreading further. We cannot afford to plunge the Gotei 13 into further chaos." Unohona frowned.


Komamura impatiently flash stepped through each division's barracks. Truth was, although he had promised Unohona not to over-exert himself, he wasn't exactly sure if he could restrain himself from attacking Kenpachi at first sight.

"Ouch," he winced at a sharp pain to the left of his chest. Kotesu-fukutaichou was right; his wounds have yet to heal completely.

Panting slightly, he adjusted himself and looked around him. This was the third division's barracks. He was nearly reaching the first…

"Hm?!"

The world around him seemed to warp and waver. Komamura fell to his knees, eyes wide, slowly sinking into darkness…


"Destructive art no.63, Raikouhou," Byakuya whispered as his fellow captain fell and went limp before him. "That's one down," he murmured.


Ukitake grimaced in pain. Blood flowed down smoothly from the left side of his head. "Kenpachi's strength and fighting capabilities is indeed unrivalled amongst the captains," he thought, looking at the grinning captain.

"Hey! What on earth are both of you standing there for?" Kenpachi growled at Yamamoto and Kyoraku. "Are you deaf? I said to attack all together –

"Hrmph! An infant like you hoping to best me?" Yamamoto barked. "You're still a thousand years too early, Zaraki."

"Heh, you think?" Kenpachi grinned. "Try me."

"Jushiro, get back," Yamamoto ordered.


"I don't believe it," Kyoraku whispered.

"Believe what?" Ukitake asked, puzzled.

"Destructive art no.86, Hakumei Koukyoukyoku!"

"Take that you old geezer!"

"I believe Yama-jii wanted his office intact, eh?" Kyoraku whispered.

"Yes, if I hadn't heard wrongly." Ukitake breathed.

"At this rate, he's completely destroying it," Kyoraku smirked as he adjusted his hat.

"Not to mention those antiques," Ukitake grinned.


Zaraki Kenpachi was panting heavily. That old geezer was certainly something. He cursed silently. He didn't know why, but he just felt like killing the old man. To the extent that he'll even be willing to risk his life. "Well, who cares? It'll be interesting!" he widened his smile and lunged ahead. Yamamoto easily parried his attack.

"What –"

"Too slow, boy," Yamamoto grunted between flash steps.

Kenpachi glanced down at his body. Blood had slowly oozed out of his chest. To his left, a massive gash had formed from his shoulder to elbow.

"Heh, not bad, Yama," he grinned and looked up. "Huh? Where –

The older captain was nowhere in sight.

"Reduce all creation to ashes," Yamamoto's voice rang from high above.

"What?!" Kenpachi's eyes widened as immense power repelled him.

Such power, such speed, such ferocity…

Yamamoto flash-stepped before him. Ryujin-jakka's flames danced wildly as they slowly burned away the blood now lying on the blade's edge.

"Ken-chan! Yachiru screamed, running towards her fallen captain.

"Go away, Yachiru," Kenpachi grinned. "I'm not…done…yet, …not now…"

"Oh yes you are, Zaraki Kenpachi," a cold voice taunted.

Kenpachi glanced up.

It was Soi Fon…

…with Hitsugaya…