Yamamoto stepped forward, throwing off his haori as did; revealing a muscular body riddled with scars.

Dengen chuckled, "Is that supposed to be impressive or something?"

Ignoring Dengen's remark, Yamamoto raised his cane. As he did so it began morphing into his Zanpaku-to, "All things in the universe, turn to ashes! Ryujinjakka!" he shouted. The head captain's shikai was truly impressive, the blade of his sword was entirely encased in flames and the sheer amount of power radiating from it was enough to crush a weak willed person's soul.

At the same instant, a glowing red circle appeared on the ground between Dengen and Yamamoto. A second later the ring exploded into a column of fire, casting an orange glow over everything nearby.

Ichigo looked around and noticed dozens of identical rings forming on the ground all around them. He realized that soon the entire hilltop would be covered in flames unless this was resolved fast. He looked over at Rukia. She seemed lost in thought. Ichigo then looked back toward the developing fight. He hadn't noticed the ring forming under Rukia's feet.

For quite a while now Rukia had been trying to figure out exactly who Dengen reminded her of. It was driving her mad, she knew there was something familiar about him. But she couldn't quite place it. She had started running through the things she had noticed about him. The way he fought and acted like nothing could possibly harm him. His impossible power that was even greater than Aizen's. Upon thinking of Aizen she realized that was who Dengen reminded her of. They both had this sense of power and confidence emanating from them. There was one major difference though- the way they handled emotions. Aizen had pretended for years to feel emotions he never had, whilst Dengen seemed to try very hard to hide the emotions he actually felt. When Yamamoto had accused Dengen of killing thousands, Rukia noticed that for a split-second Dengen's face had seemed pained. Yet when Dengen spoke, he sounded detached, like he didn't care at all. Rukia wondered why he was trying to put on an act like that. She couldn't figure it out. About that time she saw Dengen look over at her, his face looked worried. He leapt toward her and shouted something, but Rukia didn't hear because in that very moment the ring beneath her feet erupted into flames.

Ichigo had been mesmerized by the exchange between Yamamoto and Dengen. Multiple captains had rushed Dengen and he had fought them off effortlessly. Now, Dengen and Yamamoto seemed to be on a collision course and Ichigo was sure that this wouldn't end well for anyone. DFengen was strong, but Yama was head captain for a reason.

Ichigo couldn't understand Dengen. He had appeared out of nowhere. Along with someone who wanted nothing more than perpetual ruin. Dengen had destroyed most of the Seireitei. Now he was fighting the head captain. All of these things told Ichigo that Dengen is the enemy, and he shouldn't be trusted. Despite all that, Ichigo just couldn't see Dengen as an evil person. He seemed to regret the lives he had took since coming here, even if his words suggested otherwise. He had sent everyone away from the blast that he could, if Dengen were truly evil he would have just let everyone die.

Ichigo's thoughts were interrupted by Dengen shouting, "Rukia!" Ichigo turned just in time to see a column of fire burst from the ground directly beneath Rukia's feet.

Dengen was utterly disgusted with Yamamoto. The senile old fool blamed him for everything. The fact was that Sephiroth's arrival always ends in catastrophe at best. They were lucky Dengen had stopped him. He may have killed thousands, but Sephiroth would have killed every living thing here. And this old bastard had the nerve to blame Dengen!

After Yamamoto had released his shikai, Dengen frowned, the fool was actually fighting to kill without any concern for collateral damage. It was ironic, Dengen thought, that he seemed to care more about the people in the crossfire than the "good guys".

As if in response to Dengen's thoughts columns of fire began exploding from the ground in random locations around them. That idiot, he thought, he's more likely to hit one of his own people than he is to hit me.

Dengen glanced over at Ichigo and Rukia. He couldn't understand them. Their fellow Soul Reapers had appeared, so why didn't they go join them? Perhaps they were too afraid to move, or in shock maybe. Either theory seemed plausible, after all he had just destroyed their homes.

As Dengen looked at them he noticed a strange light emanating from beneath Rukia. He looked down and saw one of the flaming rings starting to form beneath her feet.

Dengen didn't have time to think, he just moved on impulse. He shouted as he leapt towards her. She turned to face him just as the flames erupted around her.

He barely made it in time. He picked Rukia up with one arm and turned so that she was out of the flames reach. Dengen's other side wasn't quite as fortunate. The explosion had caught him on the left side, singeing his pants and the ends of his hair, but the most obvious injury was the burns covering his left arm and stretching up to the base of his neck.

Dengen leapt clear of the fire, still carrying Rukia. He set her down beside Ichigo. Then he turned to face Yamamoto with anger reflecting in his eyes. With undisguised venom he said, "Your little fireworks," he raised his unburnt hand, "Are really starting to piss me off." Then he snapped his fingers. As soon as he did the sky turned black with storm clouds. Rain began pouring down heavily almost immediately. It was as though Heaven itself wept at his command.

The downpour of rain was so strong, that it each drop of rain hit the ground with the sound of rocks cascading down a hillside. Before long, the rain had reduced Yamamoto's flames- all except the ones encasing his Zanpaku-to- to nothing more than steam and mist.

After the flames extinguished, Dengen told Rukia, "You should leave. While you can."

"With respect," She started to reply but Dengen cut her off, "Don't be so formal."

"Okay, then. I'm not going to leave." She responded, "I have to see how this plays out. I'm not asking for your help, I don't need anyone else to suffer on my account." Her last sentence was so quiet that Dengen barely heard her.

Dengen studied her for a second before relenting, "Fine." Then he said to Ichigo, "Look out for her. I'm gonna go teach someone a lesson."

Dengen took a few steps toward Yamamoto and asked, "So…you just gonna stand there like an idiot, or are we gonna finish this?"

"How dare you speak to me like that!" Yamamoto bellowed, "You shall pay for your arrogance!"

"Whatever." Dengen said, as The Head Captain rushed toward him. Dengen didn't even have time to ready his sword before Yama swung his blade down towards Dengen's neck.

As the blade impacted, flames encompassed both Dengen and Yamamoto, making it impossible to see exactly what had happened. The flames burned brightly for a few moments before the rain reduced them to mist.

As the mist cleared the first thing anyone saw were their feet. Then as the fog lifted slightly more, Dengen's burned hand-clenched into a fist- came into view. Finally when the smoke was completely gone, no one could believe what they were seeing.

Yamamoto had a look of utter disbelief on his face, to match that of nearly everyone there. Everyone except Dengen, who was smirking.

In the epicenter of all the swirling mist was Dengen holding the blade of Ryujinjakka- still encased in flames- with his bare hand. Dengen had been able to catch the Head Captain's attack with one hand and sustain nearly no damage.

Dengen smirked and said, "Time to finish this." He then grabbed the flaming blade tighter and all the flames were put out instantaneously. Even before the flames were completely out Dengen was swinging his other hand in a straight shot to Yamamoto's chin.

Yamamoto took the punch and flew back into Komamura, who was still being tended to by Unohana. Rather fitting place for him to end up, really.

As he struggled to his feet, Yamamoto shouted, "I am issuing an immediate order! All members of the Court Guard Squads are to execute this Ryoka on sight!"

"No!" Rukia and Ichigo both shouted at once. Rukia continued, "Don't! He saved all of us!"

Dengen said, "I don't need you to try to protect me."

Rukia replied under her breath, "It's not you I'm protecting here."

"Fair enough."

Yama growled, "If you defend him, then you shall share his fate."

Ichigo sighed, "Not this again…Did you forget what happened the last time you tried executing Rukia?"

Toshiro spoke out then, "I'm afraid I must oppose this as well." Then he walked over to where Rukia and Ichigo were.

Then Byakuya added, "I as well."

Then something no one expected occurred, Kenpachi walked over to where Ichigo \, Rukia and Toshiro were and said, "I'm not gonna kill these guys. If I do, then who am I gonna fight later?"

Before long, many of the captains had joined in saying that they refused to kill Dengen. Mostly because they refused to also kill Ichigo and Rukia. By the end, only Soi Fon, Kurosutchi and Komamura were willing to follow through with the order. Soi Fon and Komamura out of blind loyalty, whereas Kurosutchi just wanted to experiment on Dengen. So perhaps more bloodshed could be avoided.

Rukia looked around and spoke up, "Please, Head Captain, don't fight us. No one else needs to be hurt."

The head captain looked at all the people now refusing to follow this order, "You all would vouch for him?"

"I believe in Ichigo and Rukia's judgment. If they say Dengen can be trusted, then I believe them." Ukitake answered reassuringly.

""I trust Rukia." Byakuya stated simply. Ichigo looked slightly angry that Byakuya deliberately didn't mention him.

Yamamoto sighed, "Very well." He relented, "I am hereby sentencing Dengen to probation, a remarkably small sentence considering the severity of the crime. If Dengen commits any other crime in his time here, no matter how insignificant, he shall be sentenced to death, along with the Kuchiki family for defending him."

Everyone just stood there, too stunned to reply. Dengen was about to argue about the terms, but he was cut off by Byakuya saying, "Veruy well, I will ensure that he does not cause any more problems."

"But-" Dengen started.

"Be quiet!" Rukia hissed at him, "You'll just make things worse."

"…Fine." Dengen reluctantly agreed.

"I believe we are finished here then." Yamamoto stated. After he spoke he turned away and vanished from the hilltop along with most of the people there. After that the remaining captains began leaving one or two at a time. As they left, the tension in the air seemed to dissipate. Nearly everyone seemed to visibly relax.

Dengen looked at Rukia, "I didn't mean to get your family involved in this. But don't worry, I'm gonna leave soon so I shouldn't be breaking any laws in the near future."

"What are you talking about?!" Ichigo interjected, "You're injured, you can't leave just yet."

"Thanks for your concern, but-" Dengen started to decline but Byakuya interrupted, "No objections. The only way to ensure you do no more harm is to keep you under constant surveillance."

"Fine then, but…" Dengen replied, "Where would I stay if I did stay here? I don't exactly live here."

Ichigo answered, "That shouldn't be a problem, after all Byakuya's place is huge. I'm sure you can stay there. Right?" When neither Rukia nor Byakuya replied he asked, "He can stay with you, right?"

Byakuya looked at Ichigo with such a cold stare Dengen was impressed Ichigo didn't turn to ice and shatter. Ever oblivious, Ichigo asked, "Right? I mean I'd let him stay at my place, but I don't live here either. Think about it, Byakuya, if he stays with you then it'd be very easy to keep an eye on him."

Byakuya glanced over at Dengen, who was just standing there smirking as though he was trying to keep from laughing. Byakuya turned his gaze back to Ichigo and said, "Fine. He can stay. On one condition."

"What condition?" Ichigo asked.

"That you stop talking." Byakuya replied.

Ichigo was dumbfounded. "Was that….a joke?"

"You're still talking."

Ichigo looked as though he was about to say something, but he seemed to think better of it and decided to stay silent.

Then Byakuya said, "Fine then, Dengen stays with us."