After their fights Ichigo and Ganju were tearing up the roads of the Seireitei as they ran down the streets before landing into a large pile of soul reapers who drew their blades. Ichigo, thinking quick, grabbed the nearest shinigami.
"Anyone comes near and I'll kill him." The surrounding Shinigami didn't look bothered and took another step towards the trio. Ichigo drew Zangetsu, placed it to the neck of the Shinigami hostage and warned the lot again. The hostage, whose nerves were getting the better of him, spike up.
"U-U-Um R-Ryoka-san their not from my squad." Ichigo didn't take his eyes of the crowd stated that it shouldn't matter what division he came from, to which the reply was that they were squad 11 and he was a healer from squad 4. Ichigo glared at the smirking crowd.
"I see, I guess that just makes you a more valuable target as you are the only healer in the group." A brave Shinigami spoke up.
"Just kill the guy already. We don't care about him. Only that we get to fight you next."
"I see," Ichigo stood side on, so that his chest was facing his hostages right shoulder, and drew his bow and fired before any could react. Time went in slow motion for Ichigo. He watched shocked as his arrow ran through the heart of the man who spoke and carried on before piercing the lung of the man behind. Ichigo schooled his features as he locked eyes with the Shinigamis once more, their faces showing their fright, whilst his blade was still at the hostages throat. Ichigo spoke with a cool indifferent tone while Ganju stared at Ichigo on shock. "Oh look, it seems that you need a medic, shame I have him isn't it." Sheathing his blade Ichigo grabbed the hostage before leaving via Shunpo only to return and do the same with Ganju.
"T-T-There i-i-is a sewer entrance just o-over t-there we can hide there." The hostage told Ichigo this so as to one, limit the casualties and two, save himself.
"Thank you." When the trio found suitable shelter Ichigo stood against the wall before sliding down it. When he hit the floor he only stared at the palm of his hands. The hostage, now named Hanataro, asked if he was all right to which Ichigo responded with that he didn't mean to, he just got angry with the man who would, so blatantly disregard, his comrades life. Hanataro said that he shouldn't feel guilty and thanked Ichigo for saving his life. As they fell asleep Ichigo couldn't help but feel that, thanks to Hanataros words, had do the right thing. As Ichigo slept Zangetsu pulled him into his inner world.
"Ichigo," Zangetsu stood on the pole of the sideward building as he always had, "I am proud of you. What you did has to save an innocent. Hanataro would have died were it not for you and the other Shinigami would have followed if they were not so frightened. What you did was the right thing Ichigo."
"I still see his face, is that normal." Zangetsu sighed as the rain started to fall.
"I said the right thing Ichigo, not the easy thing. I suspect that this is normal but, please, do not fall into your despair." The rain slowed in it's down pour but did not stop. "Ichigo, you once said that you would do all to get Rukia back. If so, take Ikkakus advice, become ruthless. Show our enemies no mercy, they stand opposed to us as we travel the path of righteousness. They must fall to your blade, to your bow, to your inner animal or they will continue to oppose all that is right an harm innocence. It is up to you, it is your duty to stop those people and bring them to justice. Only by eradicating them will you protect, protect the innocent, as you have today, and those close to you, as you will tomorrow. Kill one, Ichigo, and save one thousand." An unknown fire burned in Ichigos eyes.
"I promise you Zangetsu, that I will use my Shinigami powers, my Quincy powers and my 'inner animal' to deliver justice to all who oppose it."
"Go now, Ichigo, and bring them to justice." With that Ichigo woke, Hanataros hands on his shoulders shaking him.
"Good, your awake, it's day time, if we want to save Rukia then we need to go now. Oh, and I found this in your hand this morning." Hanataro handed Ichigo a mask which had three red strips down the left side. He didn't know how but, Ichigo felt the mask call to him. He put it on and felt his Reishi grow heavy, even Hanataro felt it, Ichigo just knew that his Reishi just got denser. Ichigo unsheathed Zangetsu and examined the blade, he found that the blade had grown even shaper that before and, with an experimental swing, could cut through the wall of the sewer easily. Placing Zangetsu back in his scabbard Ichigo summoned his spirit bow. The bow had changed from blue with a white outline to pure black with a crimson tinted edge. After dismissing his bow, Ichigo slid the mask so that it covered the right side of his face, leaving the left as normal, but positioned the mask so that he could see out of the left eye hole. Turning to Hanataro, who grew scared at the sight of the mask, and asked if they could get going.
"S-Sure, this way." Ichigo decided that he would keep the mask covering half his face till he need to fight, in which he would place it on his face normally as it would provide added protection. When the trio had reached the end of the sewer they saw Renji waiting for them before the stairs towards the tower. Renji noticed Ichigo, his confident stride and, more importantly, his mask. When his eye landed on the mask fear shot up his spine, he shook it off before speaking.
"You think some mask is going to help?" Ichigo stopped meters from Renji. "And you, are you helping them?"
"He's just a hostage Renji." Anger flooded Renji which soon turned to shock because an arrow hit his stomach, in the exact same place as before. "That's your second warning Renji, I won't give you another." Ichigos words didn't register with Renji as he was still shocked at the speed of the shot. Renji shook his head as he regained his resolve.
"I will do this for Rukia."
"Yet by standing in my way you condemn her to death." Renji shook with anger.
"Your wrong." Renji couldn't stand Ichigos calm attitude, as if he knew the outcome of this whole fiasco before he even saved Rukia.
"Do tell." Renji grew quiet as he thought of how stopping Ichigo was doing something for Rukia. While Renji thought Ichigo moved his mask so that it was fully on his face. "I won't kill you Renji. Your only misguided." When the mask was properly on Ichigos face Renji felt an oppressive pressure that felt like that of a captain in Bankai. However, Renji stood his ground before blood burst from a gash that ran over the previous one made by Ichigo.
"PIERCE THE HEAVENS, ZANGETSU."
"ROAR, ZABIMARU." With both Zanpakto released the pair clashed once more to the amazement of Ganju and Hanataro. The speed made them little more than a blur and sparks from the blades meeting. The fight went similar to the first only that Ichigo had the scratches this time leaving Renji with cuts all over his body.
"How?" Renji was slouched over his sealed Zanpakto.
"Because I fight for true justice, Renji, I fight for what's right." At this Renji collapsed. Hanataro started to treat Renji on Ichigos orders. After the trio started their assent.
After reaching half way up the stairs to the next platform they were hit full force with a lot of Reishi. Ganju and Hanataro fell to their knees while Ichigo stumbled.
"You two get out of here. I'll deal with this." Ganjus eyes grew wide.
"ARE YOU CRAZY. THEY'LL KILL YOU."
"DO YOU WANT TO FIGHT THEM." Ganju lowered his head. "Get Hanataro out of here and save Rukia." Ganju took Hanataro and ran while Ichigo readjusted his mask.
"So, you're the one who defeated my third seat." A behemoth of a man walked from behind a pillar. He had spiked hair with bells on the end, he wore an eye patch and had several scars. Ichigo had his back to the man so look over his shoulder to address the man.
"Captain Zaraki, I presume." The man laughed.
"Yeah, your strong." With that Zaraki attacked, Ichigo barely had time to turn and unsheathe his sword to block the attack. "The names Kenpachi Zaraki and this," A girl popped up over Zarakis shoulder, " is Yachiri."
"Ichigo Kurosaki." With a burst of strength he pushed Kenpachis blade away. Kenpachi stopped to allow Yachiri to jump off his shoulder. During this time Ichigo released Zangetsu.
"Take a shot." That stunned Ichigo. Kenpachi was giving him a free shot, why waste it. As Ichigos attack hit Kenpachi he noticed that it did not even pierce the skin. Kenpachi swung.