Chapter 10: Like Teacher, Like Student

The three days have finally passed. Rukia Kuchiki was now scheduled for execution. She was brought to the site of her execution - the Sokyoku Hill which had on its site the Sokyoku, a large halberd positioned in front of a large scaffold, where she stood on top of a platform, allowing everyone in attendance to see her.

"Now, let us begin the rite." Said Genryusai.

One of the people in attendance, Sui-Feng, Captain of Squad 2, commented to her lieutenant about the status of the gathering. "So few people have gathered... The only squads with both captain and lieutenants are the Captain-Commander's 1st Squad, our 2nd Squad, and Kyouraku's 8th squad. Setting 5th, 11th, and 12th aside as unavoidable, what are the others thinking... even Unohana of 4th Squad is not here..." Sui- Feng was a relatively petite woman with gray eyes and black hair. Her hair was worn short with two long braids bound in white cloth, each ending in a large golden ring. She wore a traditional Shinigami captain's uniform with a sleeveless haori and a yellow obi tied around her waist. Underneath her standard Shinigami captain's uniform, Sui-Feng wore a uniform which had no sleeves and didn't cover the back, though she did wear long black arm bands. Instead of wearing the standard Shinigami sandals with tabi, she wore traditional Chinese shoes with ordinary white socks. She stopped talking as Byakuya was seen walking towards the site in his calm, but dignified manner. Rukia's eyes widened upon seeing him, but he had no reaction whatsoever.

"Rukia Kuchiki, do you have any last words to say?" Genryusai continued.

Rukia took a moment before answering. "Yes... just one thing... I simply make the request... that after this execution has been completed... that you send the ryoka home unharmed..."

Genryusai took in a deep breath. "As you wish."

Upon hearing this Rukia's eyes lighted up. "Thank you very much."

After the Kido Corps arrived, along with Retsu Unohana, captain of Squad 4, a kind looking individual who had the appearance of a slender and very youthful woman with blue eyes and black hair, who wore the standard Shinigami captain uniform apart from using an obi instead of the normal sash, and also had long hair and was worn as a large braid down the front of her body, arrived, Genryusai then issued the command. "Release the Sokyoku!"

The Kido Corps then, through their own procedure, released the ropes holding up the Sokyoku, before three blocks raised out of the platform, one in front of her, the other two on either side. The front block rose up until it was at the level of her feet, and the two blocks on the side rose up to her shoulder height, forcing her arms to raise up until they were stretched to the side, completely parallel to the platform. The blocks then began to rise, taking her with them. The halberd rose in the air, before emitting an immense amount of flames, it rose into the air, pointing itself towards the victim, who was currently held before it by the support beams. The flames, enveloping the halberd, revealing its true form; a massive, phoenix-like entity.

"Ki-Ko-O!" Genryusai announced. "The true form of Sokyoku's blade and the final enforcer of the death penalty. When he pierces the criminal, the death penalty will be over."

As Rukia resigned herself to her fate, the fiery phoenix launched forward, prepared to vaporize her soul. Rukia opened her eyes to see Ichigo in the air, holding the phoenix back with Zangetsu, while everyone save a few were looking on with shock.

Ichigo, with a cloak around his shoulders and bandages on his arms and lower right corner of his face, casually addressed Rukia. "Yo."

"Ichigo?!" Rukia said in surprise. Ichigo simply smiled at her. Rukia then closed her eyes, taking in a breath and shouting at him, "You idiot! Why'd you come back?!" Ichigo was taken aback by this. "How could you not understand by now? You can't defeat Nii-sama! You'll be killed! I've already accepted my fate! I don't need to be rescued! GO AWAY!"

As if to emphasize her command, the flames of the fiery spirit burned brighter, while the Shinigami below continued to marvel at what had just transpired.

"I-impossible..." Sui-Feng stated in her moment of shock. "He stopped it?! It had the destructive power equal to one million Zanpakuto! The soul of the Sokyoku... stopped with just one Zanpakuto? What the hell is he?"

"Nanao-chan," Shunsui Kyoraku, captain of squad 8, addressed his lieutenant, Nanao Ise. "Could that boy be the one that ryoka was talking about?"

"Yes. His appearance also matches the reports from squad members."

"I see." Shunsui Kyoraku is a tall, light-skinned Shinigami with high cheekbones, grey eyes and long wavy brown hair. His hair is tied in a long ponytail and has long bangs that frame the left side of his face. He also has a noticeable amount of body hair on his chest, feet, and arms. He wears a straw hat and a pink, flowered lady's kimono, which he drapes across his shoulders and over his captain's uniform. He does not wear tabi with his sandals. He has thin facial hair around his upper mouth. He then pulled his straw hat over his face. "So it turns out they were the ones who made it in time."

The Sokyoku reared back, before preparing another strike. Ichigo turned around to face it. "So it's comin' around for a second strike? Alright, bring it on!" As the Sokyoku began to charge forward, Ichigo charged forward as well. However, at the last moment, a cord went over the Sokyoku's head, trapping it. Captain Ukitake, a tall man with a somewhat emaciated appearance arrives much to everyone's shock and then Captain Kyoraku moves to Ukitake's side. Jushiro Ukitake had long white hair that almost reached his waist. He wore it parted on the left side with one long piece that tended to fall over his right eye. He had green eyes and he wore the common Shinigami uniform with a long sleeved captain's haori, and a crimson lining. He also wore a narrow white obi, in which he secured his Zanpakuto. Sui-Feng caught on and tried to send her lieutenant, Marechiyo Omaeda, to stop them, but she was too late and the two captains destroy the Sokyoku.

"Not quite sure what's going on here." A confused Ichigo stated. "But if that's over.." He then jumped onto the Sokyoku's cross. His eyes then turned blue.

"What're you planning to do, Ichigo?" Rukia asked.

"Ain't it obvious?" He asked as he grabbed his Zanpakuto by its cloth and began spinning it around rapidly. "I'm bout to destroy this scaffold."

Rukia eyes widened immensely. "D-don't! That's too dangerous! Listen to me, Ichigo! The cross of the Sokyoku is.."

"Quit worryin'." Ichigo assured. He then brought his sword to a halt, catching it in the process. "Just shut up and watch." Ichigo then brought his sword down on to the cross, causing the entire object to emit blue. A shockwave of pressure was felt, before an explosion was heard and a cloud of dust resulted from it.

"You talk too damn much, with your "don't save me" and "go away". I told you before that all your opinions are rejected. This is the second time. And this time, you're coming with me, Rukia." Ichigo was announced, while currently holding Rukia under his arm.

Rukia smiled, her eyes glimmered before she shut them. "I'm not thanking you, you fool..."

A small smile crept on Ichigo's face. "That's fine."

"Hey, hey, lookie there. Ya got her!" Rukia's attention was changed to the person standing on the beam above them. Blond hair, blue eyes, whiskers, a red coat flowing in the wind and a huge smile on his face. Check. We have Naruto Uzumaki.

Ichigo, without even turning around, replied, "Yeah, I did. I appreciate your help."

"Don't thank me yet, kid. We still have a few battles ahead of us."

On the ground, the Shinigami in attendance were once again amazed at the events that had just transpired.

"The Sokyoku's... cross..." Squad 4's lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, let out in shock. Isane was a tall, young looking woman with gray eyes and short messy silver hair with strands on the right side of her face that were shoulder-length and styled as two thin braids. She wore a thin dangling red earring on each ear and a standard Shinigami uniform with her lieutenant badge on her left arm. Their attention quickly shifted to the sound of the Kido Corps getting beaten up. The beater was revealed to be Renji Abarai.

"Finally got here, Renji?" Ichigo called out.

Upon seeing him, Rukia joyfully addressed him. "Renji!"

Renji looked up towards her with an equal amount amount of joy. "Rukia!"

"I'm so glad you're alive! Renji!"

"I knew you'd come." Ichigo said.

"If I wasn't here, then who the hell would save Rukia?" Renji retorted.

Ichigo smiled at this. Ichigo then held Rukia over his head, in a similar manner one would hold a football.

"Ichigo?" Rukia asked. "What the hell are you doing?" Ichigo then rocked her forwards then backwards.

Down on the ground, Renji's face paled. "Hell no... you're not actually..."

But yes, indeed, he was. Ichigo threw Rukia towards Renji, the catch sending Renji back a few feet. As they recovered, Ichigo ordered Renji to take Rukia and run. Renji complied, holding Rukia tightly, he began to race off as fast as he could.

"A-abarai..." Omaeda, a large man with black hair, and wore the standard Shinigami robes with a large purple collar as well as expensive, personalized jewelry sputtered out.

"Don't just stand there, you morons!" Sui-Feng snapped. "All you lieutenants! After him!" After receiving approval from their respective captains, Chojiro Sasakibe and Isane went with Omaeda after Renji. However, they were quickly halted by the sudden appearance of Ichigo.

Upon seeing Ichigo move the way he just did, Byakuya's eyes widened ever so slightly. 'That technique...'

"Outta the way!" Yelled the Squad 2 lieutenant. "Smash 'em, Gegetsuburi!" In its Shikai, Gegetsuburi transformed into an over-sized spiked ball attached to a long chain.

"Pierce, Gonryomaru!" Sasakibe unleashed his Shikai and in its Shikai, Gonryomaru transformed into a rapier.

"Sprint, Itegumo!" Following the two lieutenants, Isane also released her Shikai. When it was activated, two smaller blades protruded from Itegumo's hilt at 45° angles.

However, Ichigo was fast and quite strong, as he immediately punched through Omaeda's Shikai, straight into his large stomach, knocking him out. After finishing with him, Ichigo spun around Sasakibe's attempted stab before delivering an upward palm-strike under his chin, promptly taking him out as well. Ichigo then striked Isane in her stomach, finishing her off too.

"Hmph.. Not bad." Naruto smirked upon hearing his tenant's comment. Ichigo turned around to block the strike hastily given by Byakuya with his Zanpakuto. "I told you I can see you, Byakuya Kuchiki!"

They both jumped back, creating some distance. "How bout I show you.. how different I was from last time, Byakuya Kuchiki?!" Ichigo then stuck his blade into the ground, threw off his cape, raised his hand and made a 'bring-it-on' motion.

Byakuya closed his eyes before sheathing his sword. "Very well. I will demonstrate to you, that no matter how much you struggle, no matter how much you train, someone like you will never be able to beat me."

The two Shinigami rushed towards each other, with Byakuya initiating the first strike with a side kick to Ichigo's gut. Ichigo blocked it with his forearm, before grabbing it and launching himself into the air. He then did a vertical spin before delivering a heel kick towards Byakuya's head. Byakuya shifted his body, taking the opening that Ichigo's landing just created, Byakuya threw a punch towards Ichigo's face but Ichigo caught with his hand. He then smirked at Byakuya before delivering his next strike.

"Ikkotsu!" Ichigo threw the punch, but Byakuya managed to get off a Shunpo in time. The strength from the punch causing a long imprint within the ground. Ichigo looked behind him to see Byakuya about to throw a roundhouse kick to his face. Ichigo ducked it before launching a punch in Byakuya's stomach, knocking him back several feet. Byakuya glared at him before raising his hand.

"Hado #34 - Sokatsui." A huge beam of energy blasted out of his palm but Ichigo remained poised. As it approached, Ichigo took in a deep breath before raising his fist and just as it approached, Ichigo punched it, creating a gaping hole withing it. Byakuya's eyes widened but the minute he blinked, Ichigo disappeared. Byakuya quickly turned around behind him, his fist ready. His fist collided with Ichigo's as the two fighters unleashed their technique.

"Ikkotsu!" The power from the punch knocked them both back while creating ripples within the air and cracks within the ground below them. After Byakuya was knocked back, he pulled out his sword.

"Enough of these games. Scatter, Senbonzakura."

Naruto watched as his two students fought, his mind rapidly switching from the fight to the conversation currently going on with him and Kurama.

"The kid's holding his own."

'Yeah.'

"Do you really think this'll work?"

'It has to. If it doesn't.. then I don't know what to do.'

"Are you still going to go through with it?"

'Yeah. Jushiro and Shunsui will want in but this is personal. I have to know. I'm counting on you, partner.'

"I know."

'Ya know, out of all the battles, I've had these past few days, my favorite one had to be the one I had with Toshiro.'

"Why's that?"

'Cuz we have similar goals. We both wanna surpass somebody.' Naruto looked down, and glared at his teacher. He then moved at unbelievable speeds towards him, allowing his coat to fly off in the process. As Naruto appeared in front of Genryusai, he threw a punch that Genryusai blocked with his cane. Naruto began to push him back, knocking him into an open space. The force of the punch knocked Genryusai's coat into the air, while his cane disintegrated and a large sheathed sword appeared in its place. Naruto jumped back, creating distance between them.

Genryusai gave Naruto an intense, fierce look. "Insolent child."

Naruto simply offered a cheshire-like grin. A moment later, Jushiro and Shunsui appeared beside him, ready to battle.

"Seems like I will have to take it upon myself to teach you children respect." Genryusai commented.

Naruto took in a breath. "Senpais... sorry, but I'm gonna need you to sit out of this one."

Jushiro gave him a confused look. "Naruto-kun, wha-" He didn't get to finish as Naruto grabbed the two of them by the collar and threw a few yards away. Naruto then wove some quick hand signs before slamming his hands on the ground. A few moments later, a huge, wide white barrier was erected around Naruto and his teacher.

"Sorry Jushiro.. but I have to know.. how far I've come." Naruto then turned to Genryusai. "It's you and me, old man. This barrier will allow us to go all-out. We can raise our spiritual pressure without destroying Soul Society."

"Hrmph! Do you know why I've been Captain-Commander for so long? It is because during that whole time, there has not been one who has managed to best me."

"There's a first time for everything." Naruto challenged. Naruto then removed his vest and sweater while Genryusai allowed the upward portion of his uniform to hang around his waist, revealing his many scars. Naruto got in a ready position.

"Come at me.. boy!"

A.N. - Naruto vs Genryusai! Oh, yeah. Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I know a lot of it was kind of was just following the original story but I needed some of it to fill in the space. The next chapter will be all me so look forward to that. Anyway, please review, fav, follow and share. See you next time.

Green out.