Phoenix stabbed the blade of Kajiken into the ground, completely exhausted from his Bankai training. "Well, well, this is quite a surprise." Urahara remarked. "You actually managed to achieve Bankai. And somehow you're still conscious. You are a true warrior, Phoenix, with strength comparable to my own." Phoenix gasped for air, trying to catch his breath. "Enough with the praise, Urahara. My hardships have only begun." Urahara smirked. "Well, in any case, you have one more day left before the fight at the arena, right?" This question caught Phoenix off guard. He didn't remember telling Urahara about that. He decided to play dumb. "W-what are you talking about?" he asked. "Come now, boy. You can't hide anything from me. I saw you send out the hell butterflies." This came as even more of a surprise to Phoenix as he didn't recall sensing anyone else's spiritual pressure at the time. "I see. Well then I won't lie about it. The Soul Society is planning to declare war on me. But not until after the fight. When they attack me, I'll defend myself as Captain Yokomori of 6th Company." Urahara sensed a familiar spiritual pressure approaching. "Well, I see he's still awake. He's even more resilient then she is." Yoruichi remarked as she approached, Hinote unconscious in her arms. She laid her down gently on the ground. "Hanataro, please treat her wounds." she requested. Hanataro nodded and got to work immediately. "Well, like I said, you have another day before the fight. Why don't you spend it resting?" suggested Urahara. Phoenix nodded and made his way over to where Hinote was and laid down next to her. "Hey Hanataro, when you're done with her, would you mind?" Hanataro simply nodded and continued his work.
"What a fool that boy is." remarked Genryusai as he listened to the hell butterfly. "If the boy wants a war, we'll give him a war." he said before glancing over at one of his subordinates to get his attention. "Spread the word. When the matches at the arena have ended, we will attack and drive them back into the Seiretei." Captain Kuchiki listened carefully to the hell butterfly as it delivered the message. "Huh. The boy is braver than I thought." he remarked, getting Renji's attention. "What is it, Captain?" he asked. "Lieutenant Yokomori is challenging me for leadership of this company. The match will take place tomorrow at the arena in Rukon District 77. You'll be fighting the 3rd seat of 13th Company, Hinote Urahara." he replied. "Sounds foolish to me. I think they're both going to die." replied Renji. The eccentric captain calmly lifted his hand to signal silence to his lieutenant before announcing the second hell butterfly's message. "Huh. Ludicrous. The entire Seireitei has declared war on him. And all soul reapers are to attack him and anyone who follows him after the matches. Regardless, if that is the final decision, we shall obey."
Phoenix rolled over and opened his eyes to an unexpected surprise. "I thought I'd find you here." said a familiar voice, bringing his vision to focus as he sat up. "Ichigo? What are you doing here?" asked Phoenix. "Don't worry. I'm not here to take you down. But they've declared war against you. They're going to attack you when this business in Rukon 77 is done with." Phoenix laughed. "Is that right? Sounds like fun." he replied. "Phoenix, I won't tell you what to do. But if you plan to fight, you'd better be prepared." Ichigo cautioned. Phoenix understood what he was saying. "There's only one thing that confuses me. How did you know about this place?" he asked. "Years ago, before I was a lieutenant, I trained here with Yoruichi to achieve Bankai." replied Ichigo. "Oh, you too?" Ichigo smirked. "Then you are prepared." he said as he turned around to leave. "Ichigo, if they have declared war on me, I am going to need all the help I can get." Ichigo turned around, the look on his face announcing his answer. "I can't help you. You've committed two crimes which are punishable by death. I only came here to warn you. And in just doing that, I could get into a lot of trouble." explained Ichigo.
"You've gone soft." Phoenix remarked. "Hear me out. I did not kill them. I challenged them to a fight and defeated them. And in Captain Aizen's case, he actually challenged me. I did not kill them. They simply could not defend themselves against me. Now tell me, would you want to follow a Captain who couldn't even defeat a Lieutenant, let alone defend himself?" Ichigo sighed. He completely believed what Phoenix spoke was the truth. "Phoenix, I understand what you're saying but what can I do?" replied Ichigo. It wasn't meant as a serious question but that's how Phoenix took it. "First, you could start by telling Captain Zaraki what I've told you. And then tell Captain Ukitake too. I know about how him and Captain Kyouraku have defied the old man in the past. And I know they are both good friends and will listen to reason. Can you help me with this Ichigo? Because you and I both know I didn't intend to kill those captains and I know they'll listen to reason." Ichigo sighed again before replying "Yeah, I can do that. I'll see you in Rukon 77."
"Hanataro…Hey, hanataro, wake up." Hanataro rolled over and slowly opened his eyes to see Phoenix standing over him. "Huh…Oh is something the matter? Are you injured?" asked Hanataro as he jumped up almost in a panic and began checking Phoenix's body for wounds. "I'm not injured you idiot. I need a favor from you. Go back and tell Captain Unohana that I did not murder Captain Aizen or Captain Ichimaru. Tell her I am innocent and do what you can to get her on my side. There's going to be a war, Captain Unohana will be a great asset. Understand?" Hanataro nodded before Phoenix added "And tell her to be at the Rukon 77 Arena too." Hanataro nodded. "I'll see you later Phoenix." he said before running off. "What's that all about?" Hinote asked in a groggy tone. Phoenix moved towards her slowly and embraced her. "Are you ready?" he asked. "Phoenix, I'll be fine, but you completely dodged my question." she replied. Phoenix sighed. "If I tell you, you'll only worry." She couldn't argue there but insisted she wouldn't worry anyway. "Ichigo was here earlier. He said the Seireitei has declared war on me. So now I'm using what few resources we have to rally people to our defense." he explained. "That doesn't make sense. How can they declare war on an individual." she replied in shock. "It's happened before. Look, Just get ready and don't worry about these things. Let me be your leader." said Phoenix as he ran his fingers through her hair a moment before sharing a kiss with her. Little did he know of the evil within or how it would so thoroughly change him.
End Of Chapter Ten, Prelude To A War