"You getting tired Ichigo?" Nero taunted as he and his wielder were engaged in a blade lock. Both Red Queens were glowing hot and their wielders weren't backing down. "There's no shame in giving up."

"Funny," Ichigo answered as he twisted his sword and stabbed it into the ground, before twisting his body and kicking Nero back. "Look's like your getting a little ragged!"

Nero gave a smirk as he pulled himself up. "Let's see if you can back up your words!" He held his Red Queen like a bat being prepared to swing before he was launch towards Ichigo, his blade wreathed in flames.

He slammed Red Queen into Ichigo but was repelled when Ichigo held up his Devil Bringer and gripped the blade. He tossed Nero into the air for a moment before his spectral arm formed and gripped him.

"Good job Ichigo." Nero complimented as he was launched into a craggy rock, leaving Red Queen on the ground near Ichigo.

"You give up?" Ichigo asked before sidestepping two shots of Reiatsu. "I'll take that as a no then."

"You really are strong ain't ya Ichigo?" Nero asked as pulled himself out of the crater he was shoved into, holding Blue Rose in his left hand. "Unfortunately," Nero held out his Devil Bringer and his Red Queen flew into his grasp. "You've got to try harder to beat me."

"Hah!" Let's see then!" Ichigo rushed towards Nero and slammed his spectral arm into him. He was unable to complete the attack as Nero's own spectral arm was activated and countered Ichigo's. The spectral arms met, again and again, neither getting an edge.

Ichigo eventually leaped and nearly slammed Red Queen into Nero, but missed as the spirit slide back and slashed Ichigo's back. "Ah!" Ichigo sounded before he felt his wounds heal.

Nero didn't let up as he started to slam his sword into Ichigo's, pushing him into the ground. Ichigo's Red Queen eventually began to sprout cracks along the blade.

Nero's last hit was an animalistic slam belonging to a deadly beast and cracked in half. "Guess you really are weak Ichigo," Nero commented in a whisper as Ichigo looked up at him. "If you can't beat me then you can't save Rukia."

He began to walk away as Ichigo slowly got up. "Like hell, I'm going to admit defeat!" He declared as his eyes seem to lighten and glow red. "You will lose!" His left arm and halves of Red Queen began to glow blue. "And you will submit!" He and everything around then glowed blue for a moment before it dissipated.

Ichigo stood there with a blue hazy aura and menacing glowing red eyes. His left hand was now just the same as his right, covered in scales and pulsating blue. The thing that stood out the most was the spectral arm-like wings on his back, with the arms resting on his shoulders and the two spectral, two-bladed, curved shurikens with spikes protruding in the middle orbiting him.

"This….will be..your end," Ichigo muttered nonsensically as he slowly walked towards Nero, his voicing now having an echo. He was close to Nero before he collapsed and the effect disappeared, and Blue Rose appeared on his thigh.

"Guess you achieve Bankai, Ichigo," Nero told an unconscious Ichigo as he put him on his shoulder. "Sorry for being an asshole earlier."

"That was his Bankai?" Yoruichi asked. "I've never seen one like that."

"We aren't regular spirits," Vergil spoke up, having watched the long fight between Nero and Ichigo. "His Bankai is the culmination of is powers. The spectral aspect is Quincy, the transformation of his arm is Hollow, and the blades are the Shinigami. We refer to it as Dāku Supekutoru Senshi (Dark Spectral Warrior)."

"What are you going to do until Ichigo wakes up?" Lady asked as she and Trish sat by one another.

"Ooooh! The kid get Bankai already?" Dante asked as he walked up. "And here I got him a present."

"Are you referring to the Revenant prototype?" A voice called behind him.

"Who just said that?" Yoruichi asked as the person stepped out to show Nemu.

"This is Nemu." Dante introduced her. "I help her with an asshole."

"I am Nemu Kurotuschi." She said with a slight bow. "Mister Dante's 'asshole' is referring to Captain Mayuri."

"Mayuri." Yoruichi sounded with wide eyes. "As in the psycho, mime-clown hybrid Captain Mayuri?"

"He didn't have any makeup but did have blue hair. So maybe he was an out of work clown."

"What do you mean 'was'?" She had a peaked eyebrow.

"I killed him." Dante's voice had little remorse present in it. "I don't have remorse for monsters."

"I wasn't going to berate you." Yoruichi had her hands up in mock surrender. "I was looking for context. And I'm kinda surprised that you were able to take him down."

"Captain Mayuri was recovering from a fight with the Quincy Uryu Ishida." Nemu toned out. "He was still recovering and didn't have a chance to react to Mister Dante."

"Oh, my ego!" Dante clenched his chest. "You cruel lady!" He stopped as he looked at Ichigo being held up by Nero's shoulder. "What are we going to do while we wait for sleeping beauty?"

"I've got markers." Yoruichi held up a capped marker. "Let's give him a makeover."

"I may actually like you Yoruichi," Trish said with a wide grin, mirrored by Dante and Yoruichi. Nero and Lady had smaller smiles. Vergil was the only one with a small smirk. "Let's make him look fabulous."

Nero set Ichigo down as a trio consisting of Trish, Yoruichi, and Dante descended on him like struggling artist vultures, making his face look like roadkill. Their creation was paired with hushed giggles as they graffitied his face.

When they were finished, Dante admired there attempted at artistry. Ichigo's face now had a monocle on his left eye and a mock black eye on the other. He also had whisker marks on his cheeks, with a message of, "Property of Trish and Lady" written on his head.

"Think he's going to be pissed?" Trish asked as she nodded in approval of her art.

"We have to wait until he wakes up," Dante said. "But gods know when he's going to wake up."

"I've got a way to wake sleeping beauty," Yoruichi said. "There's a hot spring. That'll give him a good wake up call."

Dante wide smile widened even more as he held Ichigo above his head. "Let's see." She quickly led him to a steaming hot spring that looked relaxing.

"Be sure to be careful," Lady asked. "It might freak him out if he wakes up drowning."

"I'll be sure to be careful," Dante said. He then tossed Ichigo into the hot springs with a hard, 'slap!' accompanying it. Ichigo's limb soon bursted to life as the flailed around erratically before his arms pushed him up.

"What the hell!" Ichigo screamed. "Where am I?"

"Nice to see you too kid," Dante said. "You passed out when you got your Bankai."

"I only remember getting pissed at Nero and….that's all." Ichigo rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Sorry about earlier," Nero said again. "Needed to give you a little push...or something like that."

"I'm going to say it again, your an asshole." Ichigo got out of the hot springs, his clothes sopping wet. "Great, and now my only pair of clothes are wet! Screw it." He then moved behind a rock and everyone saw his clothes being tossed on the floor before he dashed back into the hot springs, not allowing anyone to see his privates.

"That's better." He said as he slouched back.

"That was quick," Yoruichi said as Ichigo relaxed. "You mind if we join in?" She had to keep her face as Ichigo didn't notice the drawing on his face.

"All right." He gave a weak shrug as he spaced out.

"You heard him, we've got the go-ahead," Yoruichi told everyone as they moved behind rocks soon stripped and entered the hot springs. All but Nemu, who stood silently and watched on. Everyone soon jumped into the hot springs, with Trish and Lady on Ichigo's sides, the triplets sitting next to each other, and Yoruichi sitting by herself.

"So what else are we doing?" Ichigo asked. "I managed to get Bankai. But I doubt that's all we have."

"Starting tomorrow, we shall start your training with using Hirenkyaku, Blut Vene, and Summoned Swords," Vergil said as his hair was forced down due to the water, looking exactly like his brothers. "But we lack several tools such as Seele Schneiders, Ginto, and a Quincy Cross for you to use as a focus. So we must postpone."

"What's up with you Nemu?" Dante asked. "You don't need to be shy. Come in and relax." She shifted slightly before undressing in front of everyone. Ichigo blocked his vision with his hand, the girls, Vergil, and Nero turned away to give her privacy. "Not bad," Dante said as he looked over Nemu's nude form.

"Silence," Vergil commanded as he slammed Yamato's sheath into his head, causing him to hold it in pain.

"The heck?!" Dante yelped as Yamato's sheath was placed next to Vergil's head.

"I'm sorry, there must have been a spider on your head," Vergil said with a smirk. "It jumped before I could kill it."

"Your just jealous that I got a babe and you didn't." Said babe was now sitting in the hot springs next to Yoruichi. Dante's cocky tone quickly changed as Vergil's hand reached for Yamato. "All right! I'll knock it off."

"Keep it together you two," Nero told his brothers. "I don't want a repeat of the last time you two fought. Took forever to fix that place."

They eventually fully relaxed and started to have small talk with one another. They eventually got out and dressed in their clothes.

"So where are we going to sleep?" Ichigo asked Yoruichi, who had a sheepish look and turned away. "Thanks, you crazy cat lady. I'm sure my back won't be full of creaks."

He eventually found a stone that looked like it wouldn't be painful to sleep on and laid against it and closed his eyes. After a few minutes, he felt two weights on his chest. "Let me guess, Trish and Lady?"

"Aren't you a psychic." Trish's voice said, confirming his guess.

Ichigo opened his eyes to see that they both were laying on his chest. "You know, I might have to start charging you two if you keep using me as a pillow."

"Nah," Lady said as she slapped his chest. "You know that you won't do that. So shush and be a pillow."

"Fine. What's up with everyone else?" Ichigo's question was answered when Dante's pained filled yells were heard.

"Will you stop doing that?!" Dante pleaded as Yamato's sheath repeatedly smashed into his head.

"Then don't be perverted," Vergil responded as he continued to thwack Dante's head, imitating a watermelon being smashed. "Don't worry. This should help you."

"Sucks to be him," Lady said.

"Yup." Ichigo agreed. "Now about sleeping?"

"Fine," Trish said as she and Lady laid their heads on his chest and started to drift asleep. Ichigo followed suit and closed his eyes, feeling their weight on his chest, and soon fell into the abyss of sleep.

"So what's the plan today?" Ichigo asked Vergil, who was standing in front of them with Dante had his side, whose head was wrapped with bandages.

"As I stated last night, we will begin with Quincy techniques. First, we shall go over Summoned Swords." A Summoned Sword appeared in Vergil's grasp and he put his weight on it. "You must use your Devil Bringer as a focus to gather Reishi. Imagine your spectral arm and manipulate into swords."

"If I can create swords, then why don't I use them for close combat? Instead for ranged combat."

"There to fragile to be used for too many strikes." He slammed the ethereal blade against a rock and it shattered. "The durability is too limited for close combat but can be used as effective long ranged attacks. No, try to summon your own."

Ichigo nodded and summoned his spectral arm and started to change it. The spectral arm warped and changed, the digits straightened and broke away from the hand, which was disintegrating. They eventually formed into five swords that quickly moved behind his back and formed in a circle formation, floating behind him.

"That's interesting," Ichigo commented as he looked behind him and saw the swords spinning. "But why can't I just use my Devil Bringer to summon a bow?"

"Your Devil Bringer is one of your most useful tools, so if you use it to summon a bow, it'll rob you of its capabilities," Vergil explained with a tone of slight exasperation. "We'll begin in using Hirenkyaku. You gather Reishi on your feet and slide on it. You must make streams of Reishi to continue to use it."

Ichigo nodded as he attempted to gather Reishi underneath his feet. They glowed an intensive blue as he shimmered out of existence. He reappeared around two feet away from his original spot. "That seems sucky," Ichigo mentioned.

"You'll improve. Especially with the trial by fire, you'll be participating in." Vergil said as his own swords appeared by his side, 6 on each.

"Is that why Dante's here?" Ichigo thumbed him, who was currently pulling Kafka's bowstring. "You're going to shot at me like a duck?"

"Got it in one kid," Dante said as took aim at Ichigo. "Time to look like a pincushion." He let go of the bowstring and sent out several arrows at Ichigo.

They arrows were accompanied by Vergil's blade into battle as they tried to hit their mark. Ichigo responded by using Hirenkyaku and dodging all the arrows and most of the swords. He reappeared and found a Summoned Sword heading straight into his shoulder. He hissed as the sword shattered and he felt his wound knit itself together.

"You must focus Ichigo! Otherwise, you will not succeed in using these techniques. You must be able to strike me with your Summoned Swords." Vergil's words hit like Summoned Swords, which were currently hurling towards Ichigo.

'How do I use Blut Vene?' Ichigo asked himself as he dodged a handful of arrows courtesy of Kafka. 'I have to push my Reiatsu into my blood vessels!' As he realized that a blue pattern appeared on his skin as he decided to mount an offensive.

The swords behind him started to spin faster and faster. They eventually blurred into a buzzsaw-like figure as it went of Ichigo's head and launched itself towards Vergil.

"Clever." He muttered as the swords came closer towards him. He waited until the Summoned Swords were in arm's length before deflecting them with Yamato. His eyes widened slightly when Ichigo appeared in front of him with a Summoned Sword in a reverse grip and swung it upwards.

Vergil used Hirenkyaku and slide behind Ichigo and pushed him back, with Dante unleashing a wall of arrows from Kafka. They hit Ichigo, but the heads of them broke due to Blut Vene.

"Foolish Ichigo," Vergil said. "I specifically said not to use them for melee weapons. But you did not listen."

Ichigo smirked as he snapped his fingers. "The wonders of misdirection." He mentioned as Vergil felt something poking into his back. He turned his head to see a Summon Sword was poking his back.

"I suppose you have succeeded," Vergil said as Ichigo called off his sword. "I'm impressed."

"Good job kid. You managed to get a compliment out of Vergil!" Dante congratulated. "And I think I've got the hang of this bow." He started to pull back the string and aimed it above his head and let go.

The arrows came down and formed a rough circle shape around him. "Nice." He told himself as he stepped out of the circle and dismissed Kafka.

"If we're doing my Quincy training. Then what is everyone else doing?" Ichigo questioned. His question was answered by the sound of a rock being smashed and Lady and Trish running into Ichigo view. Nemu also came out with a blank face and her right arm spinning rapidly.

"Where are you going?" She asked as chased after Lady and Trish. "You did ask for my assistance in increasing your endurance."

"I didn't expect you to start trying to drill us!" Lady yelled. "How is that even possible?"

"I think this is actually pretty fun," Trish admitted as she dodged a strike from Nemu. "Got to keep up Lady!"

"That counts for two," Ichigo said. "I'm guessing Yoruichi and Nero are also training?"

"You are correct," Nemu spoke, continuing to chase after Lady and Trish. "Nero asked Yoruichi to help him with hand to hand combat."

"Why? I can handle myself in a fistfight good eno-Ah!" Ichigo was interrupted when Vergil slammed his open palm into his chest before tripping him to the ground.

"That reminds me. When this is over, you're going to start going to karate class again." Vergil told Ichigo.

"Do you see?" He asked as he pointed Yamato's blade to his throat. "You may be able to handle the trash you fight as a human, but those skills will be outclassed when faced with other, more tougher opponents."

"All right! I get it!" Ichigo relented as Vergil sheathed his sword and he helped him up. "What's the plan for the rest of the day?"

"Since we have gone over Quincy techniques we are able to achieve so far, I recommend you get use to your Bankai." Vergil submitted.

"Let do it." Ichigo upholstered Blue Rose and transformed it into Red Queen and soon tossed it into the air. "Ban-Kai!" His yell caused his sword to glow blue and turn into blue energy and gather around Ichigo like a typhoon.

A pair of red eyes eventually were shown within the storm as it dissipated, revealing Ichigo with his Bankai. "Dāku Supekutoru Senshi." He said as his spectral wings adjusted themselves. "What can I really do?"

"One way to find out," Dante spoke as he pulled out Rebellion and used Stinger and headed straight towards Ichigo. Ichigo was caught off guard and braced for being stabbed. He was surprised when one of his wings grabbed Rebellion and chucked Dante back.

"That's something you can do." Dante jabbed his sword into the ground and slowed himself. "What about the buzzsaws?" He pointed to the orbiting shurikens. "You move them with your mind or something?"

Ichigo's response was by extending his hand and sent one of his rapidly spinning shurikens towards Dante, who jumped over it. "Close shave." He commented as it came back to orbit around Ichigo.

"I can obviously fly. But I don't think I can do anything else." He called off his Bankai and Red Queen reappeared in his grasp.

"Will you stop trying to drill me?!" Lady yelled as she was drenched in sweat and barely outpacing Nemu.

"But this is what you requested, is it not?" She asked as she jabbed forward, only nearly missing Lady's head.

"I'm going to collapse soon!" She turned her head up to see Trish sitting on a rock, dangling her legs over it. "Mind helping me Trish?"

Trish hummed for a moment before answering. "Nah. You did want to have Nemu chase you around to make sure you can keep up."

"I hate it when your right!" She turned to Nemu. "Give me a break."

Nemu immediately stopped. "Very well. Inform me when you wish to continue." She then walked away to do something. Lady collapsed then and there, panting heavily. She looked up to see Ichigo looking at her with a smirk.

"You have fun playing tag?" He asked.

"Fuck you...asshole." She panted out as Ichigo offered a hand up, which Lady took and was up on her feet.

"Now don't be like that Lady. I could easily push you down again."

"Ah fine." Lady was set down on a rock by Ichigo. "So what's the plan for the rest of the day?"

"Probably plan and wait." Ichigo sat down next to her. "And after that...I don't know?" He admitted. "Probably return to normal life with you two."

"That's going to be weird for me and Trish. We've been on the move for years and to settle down finally...I'll have to adjust for a while." Lady laid against Ichigo for support.

"And I'm going to be covered with sweat." His comment caused her to elbow him slightly. "But I'll put up with it for you."

Trish looked down at them and had a smile. "They are oh so cute together." She commented. "But hope she remembers she has to share."

The day ended and the day of the execution soon arrived. Rukia was held in mid-air in front of the Sōkyoku, looking calm.

'I leave with no regrets. I thank you, Ichigo. I thank you for trying to rescue me.' She monologued to herself. 'Thank you and goodbye.'

The Sōkyoku was soon released and transformed into the Kikōō (Blaze Fledgling King), a giant phoenix. It soon came crashing forward and Rukia closed her eyes in acceptance. She felt the intense heat from the Kikōō but then felt the head retreat after hearing a metallic clash.

She opened her eyes and saw Ichigo above her and holding Rebellion in front of himself. "Hey, ya midget. I'm startin' to burn." He commented as he slammed Rebellion into the post and fanned himself. "I don't tan you know?"

"What are you doing here?!" She demanded. "You need to get out of here! You won't be able to handle all the Captains by yourself!"

"Who said I was alone? I've got a few friends." The Kikōō let out a screech and was coming in for another strike. "Look's like he wants seconds." He pulled back his right arm, the spectral arm forming above it and mimicking it.

The Captains below looked on, shock being clear on their faces. "The Ryoka can't possibly think he can take the Sōkyoku?!" Captain of the 2nd Division, Soifon asked out loud. "He must be insane!"

"Everyone here is such a downer," Dante spoke behind them. "It's like it's a funeral."

"It is an execution." Vergil pointed out, walking alongside Dante. "But you are correct. Perhaps we should lighten the ball a little."

"More Ryoka!?" The Head Captain, Yamato asked. "How dare you have the audacity to walk up to use?!" He slammed his cane onto the ground to accent his words.

"Sorry gramps, but this is just how we are." Dante shrugged. An emaciated Captain appeared with a large shield. "Nope!" Dante pulled out Ivory and shot the shield, destroying it.

"That was to help the kid!" The Captain explained. "Now he's going to be roasted alive!"

"Dante," Vergil muttered in annoyance as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You may have doomed us all."

"Whoops?" He sounded. "I'm sure the kid will be fine." He looked above and saw Ichigo within the Kikōō's inferno.

The Devil Bringer was extended and gripped Kikōō's head. Ichigo was shocked when his arm began to glow with the Kikōō doing the same. "Now that's surprising." He said as the Kikōō's flames retracted into the shrinking bird. It soon collapsed into Ichigo's open hand.

Ichigo had a raised eyebrow at what he now had in his hand. It was ash somehow clumped together in the shape of a decently large egg. "What the hell is this?" He asked no one in particular. The ash egg soon started to shift and soon fell apart to show a hawk sized bird with its wings furled. It soon unfurled them and showed it's crimson plume. It also had two trailing, golden tails behind it. Its talons and beak were tipped in white. Its eyes were a regular black.

"Uh, hey?" Ichigo greeted awkwardly. "You okay buddy?" The bird squawked and snapped at Ichigo. "Yesh! You a girl then?" The bird chirped and rubbed its face against Ichigo's own, sharing it's inviting warmth with him.

"You want to stick with me?" Ichigo asked, the bird bobbing its head in response. "Let's get going then Kikōō!" Kikōō screeched in response and leaped off his arm and soon disintegrated in white ash and soon attached itself to Ichigo's neck.

It singed his skin and he hissed with it searing his skin. Kikōō's ash eventually cooled to a black soot color that was in the shape of a symmetrical bird with its wing's fully open and two tails crossing over each other.

Ichigo felt Cerberus on his lower back quickly heat up. He pulled it out and saw the ice melting and the three segments started to connect with one another, creating a quarterstaff with flames spewing out of the top. "This is neat, don't you think Rukia?" He asked.

"How can you be so calm?!" She asked flabbergasted. "You need to flee now!"

"Oh yeah, I'm saving you." He slapped his head slightly before pulling out Revenant. "I've got to thank Dante for this." He then took aim at Rukia's restraints and shot them off and scooped her up before she fell.

"Now where is he?" He asked as he looked for someone down below.

"Who are we waiting for?" Rukia asked him before she felt herself being raised with his arm.

"There his is! About time you got here Nero!" Ichigo called down to a trotting Nero with Shinigami behind him

Nero shrugged at Ichigo. "Hold your horses Ichigo. I had to go through a few pieces of trash. Now toss the midget down."

"Hope your ready Rukia." Ichigo began to wind up to throw Rukia.

"What are you dooooing!" She was soon sent flying into Nero, who quickly grabbed her.

"You know where to go, so get going!" Nero's response was to turn on his heel and started to run away. "Now where to start?" Ichigo noticed a trio of Lieutenants chasing after Nero and Rukia. He jumped off the post and landing in front of them. "Sorry, VIPs only."

They Lieutenants unleashed their Shikai, transforming their weapons into a wrecking ball, a sword with two shorter blades at 45 degrees angles sticking out, and a rapier. Ichigo quickly dashed towards them and smashed through the fat one's wrecking ball and knocked him back. He soon slammed Cerberus, still, a fire-spewing staff, into the only female of the trio before firing Revenant underneath his right arm and knocking back the last one, partially destroying his Zanpakuto.

"What's next?" Ichigo gaze went over to see Vergil and Dante fighting side by side. "Might as well join them." He began walking towards them and heard a buzzing and saw that Cerberus was changing once more, sparking with purple lightning. "Is this your entire shtick? You transform? It's badass if it is." The weapon sadly didn't respond, but it did break into 3 parts again, but connected to each other with purple lightning.

Ichigo's ears perked when he heard rapid footsteps and slammed Cerberus' new form down, clashing with Byakuya's Senbonzakura, deflecting the blade. "Hey, asshat." Ichigo insulted. "You seem a bit slow. Or am I getting quicker?"

"Tell me, why do keep trying? Why do you try and save Rukia over and over?" Byakuya questioned.

"I've got a question for you. What kind of asshole brother tries to kill their own sister? I've got two of my own. And if anyone tried to harm them, I would kill them." Ichigo question was accompanied by Cerberus slamming into Byakuya, shocking him.

"I do this...for justice." Byakuya held his blade and stood tall. "I will defeat you and retrieve Rukia...and kill her."

"Gonna have to get past me." Ichigo put Cerberus and Revenant away: The former on his lower back and then later on his right thigh. He tugged off Yamato from his waist, prepared to cut dimensions themselves to defeat Byakuya.

They both prepared themselves to fight against one another. Both determined to prove themselves right.