Moon Princess

by romeoraiden

Ichigo Kurosaki was born destined for greatness but has had to suffer as he grows to embrace his destiny. Naturally, he will not endure this burden alone as he will have many allies to help him along the way. But only one of them can help him go beyond as his ever-faithful sword of the moon. (M for Violence and bad language)

7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7: The Strawberry Rescues Death

"Do you feel that Isshin?" Yoruichi asked as he feels many surges of Reiryoku in the area to their west, exactly where the Senzaikyū is located.

"Yep and that's exactly where Ichigo is right now," Isshin frowned at the danger his son is walking into. "Of course, he'd be front and center of a death trap like that."

"Hold on, I'm sensing something else, right at the 8th Division Barracks, this is Yasutora Sado's Reiatsu, and he's engaging a Captain!" Yoruichi said alarmed.

He'd be mad at Chad for fighting a Captain when he warned these rebellious teens not to, however, he's known the Mexican giant long enough to know that he is cautious and listens to his elders wisely, meaning that this confrontation was unavoidable.

"Lucky kid,"

"Yeah, Kyōraku won't kill them no matter what and he and Ukitake surely must've noticed that we haven't killed anyone since coming here," Isshin said. "Even still, we can't risk any of them being taken captive."

"You're going for him and Ganju first?" Yoruichi questioned.

"Yeah, Ichigo will throw a tantrum if I let his best friend be captured just because I chose to do my duty as a father first. Besides, with his Zanpakutō, he'll hold out long enough for me to make it in time," Isshin said confidently.

"Very well, then I will go and find Uryū and Orihime. Those two are doing better at avoiding more fights until I reach them," Yoruichi declared. "Once we secured the children we will rendezvous at the old Study Chamber in Sōkyoku Hill. I trust you remember how to find it."

"I haven't forgotten," Isshin replied.

"Good, move quickly," He said and the two vanished with impressive Shunpo.

(Moments before resuming the march of the Senzaikyū)

After spending the night resting and hiding in the sewers, Ichigo stood up and looks over at Hanatarō who was sleeping on the floor a few feet away from him.

'It's going to get dangerous from here on,' Ichigo thought as he looked at the sleeping form of Hanatarō, 'I won't be able to protect him and fight at the same time.'

"He can be of use elsewhere searching for the others," Getsuhime suggested.

'That's a good idea. Hopefully, if it's Uryū he stumbles upon he won't shoot him first,' Ichigo nodded.

"Get up, man," Ichigo said trying to wake him up. Hanatarō only mumbled a bit before rolling over in his sleep. Ichigo chuckles while shaking his head.

He then walked over to the sleeping form of Hanatarō and nudged him with his foot while saying his name a little louder this time. Hanatarō simply rolls over once again and hugged his backpack tighter.

"Five more minutes, please," He mumbled loud enough for Ichigo to hear, making him sigh.

"Great, I spent some quality time with one of my uncles for the first time, and not only are we on the run while also fighting off against the ''Host of Heaven'' but now I have to be the adult in the trip," Ichigo said tempted to punch him, or maybe kick him. And that's when a disturbing thought clicks into his head. "Oh my God, mom was right. I am turning into dad."

---

"And I couldn't be happier!" Masaki shouted out of the blue while she was driving her car, getting stunt looks from her children.

"What the hell was that?" Kon questioned.

"Oh, nothing to be concerned about, my boy, just a hunch I've had for a while that I just know is coming to fruition," Masaki smirked while rubbing Kon's hair.

"Good for you, mom, although you currently have more important priorities, like KEEPING YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD!" Karin yelled at her as they are about to crash into a truck.

Masaki snaps out of it in time to make a hard right to avoid it but she went a little too much to the right and is now going to crash into another car, forcing Kon to take the wheel to avoid the next crash, getting them back on track and immediately waltz out of there before any more bad things happen.

"Well, let's never tell your father or uncle Ryūken about this, okay kids," Masaki breathes in a sigh of relief while Yuzu tearfully holds on to a pissed-off Karin and Kon lies his head on the windshield.

"Maybe you should let me drive," Kon suggested. He knows how to drive and Ichigo has a driver's license.

"No, it's fine, I got this," Masaki said adamantly about finishing the ride herself.

---

"Hope she isn't driving right now, and if she is she better be alone," Ichigo sighed to himself.

"Let me wake him up," Getsuhime offered. "Just place me next to him."

Ichigo does as instructed, stabbing his sword right next to Hanatarō and even that didn't wake the little man. A small amount of Reiatsu is poured from the sword that spreads into Hanatarō, and after a few seconds of silence, the 4th Seat awakens from his slumber, giving a heavy sigh and seeming like he had a good dream too.

"Good morning," He said softly with a gentle smile.

"Someone had a good night's sleep," Ichigo commented as he picks up his blade.

"Oh yea, this was probably the best sleep I've ever had even though we're in the sewers," Hanatarō cheered, really enthusiastic.

'What did you do to him?' Ichigo asked.

"I merely pour a piece of your Reiryoku into his subconscious to persuade him and since our power is that of Light, the side effects are rather positive and he'll likely be largely enthusiastic and diligent for the rest of the day," Getsuhime explained.

'Good, the less low self-esteem the better,' Ichigo smiled.

"We should get moving, the commotion should have calmed down up there," Ichigo said while looking up the ladder. Hanatarō stood up and dusted himself off before walking to stand next to Ichigo.

Hanatarō was about to start climbing the ladder but stopped when Ichigo began to speak.

"It is going to get dangerous from this point on Hanatarō," Ichigo said while looking at Hanatarō with a serious look on his face. "The next person we come across would likely be a Captain and I won't be able to protect you and fight at the same time."

When Hanatarō heard that he could immediately think of where Ichigo was going with this.

"That's why instead of going with me to the tower I want you to go find my friends and tell them where Rukia is. Okay?" Hearing the opposite of what he was expecting made Hanatarō immediately brighten up a bit at the thought of getting to help Rukia in some way.

"Okay! Ichigo I will find them and tell them!" said a happy Hanatarō.

"Well, let's go," Ichigo said as he started climbing the ladder.

When he reached the top, he slowly lifted the stone covering the entrance to the sewers and looks around to make sure no one was around, once he is sure that the coast is clear, he removes the stone and climbs out allowing Hanatarō to come up as well before he places the stone back into place.

"I had expected this place to be more secure after what happened earlier," Ichigo said looking around.

"They probably think we feel lucky to have gotten away alive and figured this is the last place we would come back to," Hanatarō said.

"Yeah, maybe you're right," Ichigo said. "This is where we part ways for now Hanatarō."

"Yeah, I guess so, see you later then," said Hanatarō as he began walking away from Ichigo towards the entrance of the courtyard.

"Stay safe," Ichigo said back as he reaches the stairs and stopped, looking up at it, and began mumbling to himself.

"Oh sure, they have giant walls that fall from the sky, but never heard of a damn elevator," He mumbled as he began walking up the stairs.

"It's never too late for Shunpo," Getsuhime suggested.

"Dad and Kisuke never taught me how to use it," Ichigo reminded her.

"No, but they gave you enough pointers for you to do it yourself along with helping enhance your Reiatsu control. All you have to do is exert your power into your legs for the purpose of moving in a certain direction and there you go," Getsuhime explained, making it sound easier than it actually is.

Ichigo decides to go through with it anyway, exerting his Reiatsu into his legs for better movement, and to his own surprise, he disappeared and then reappeared at the top of the stairs.

"There. That wasn't so hard, was it?"

"I sure look the fool now. Dad and hat and clogs made it look easy because it is," Ichigo whined and now stands there looking at the really large rectangular pillars that were there.

Other than those pillars there was no one up there. Even though he could not see anyone Ichigo couldn't seem to shake the uneasy feeling he was having. He began walking towards the tower for about a minute, then all of a sudden, a large amount of spiritual pressure came crashing down on him, enough to make Ichigo sweat but it's nothing compared to how horribly it would've affected Hanatarō if he had come along.

"Show time," Ichigo narrowed his eyes, looking around to find the source of the spiritual pressure, but much to his dismay, he could not find the person. So, he decided to continue walking toward the tower.

As he took ten steps forward the spiritual pressure suddenly increased even more causing Ichigo to stop once again. He narrows his eyes and expanded his senses trying to find the person. Suddenly Ichigo looks to his left and then up.

In the distance up on one of the buildings was a silhouette of someone. Ichigo never took his eyes off the person but in the blink of an eye, he disappears, alarming Ichigo with the danger already before him and a bit frantic to search where his newest opponent might be.

"It's about time we finally met, kid," The voice of Kenpachi said who was now standing behind him, provoking Ichigo to quickly turn around and swing his sword at the dangerous presence who already had his sword out to parry, and the first clash created a shockwave that pushes both men away from each other as well as leave a few cracks on the floor.

"Good reflexes. And that swing felt pretty nice," Kenpachi grinned, getting a good feeling from that first swing.

"A white haori? You're a Captain," Ichigo immediately realized.

"That's right. I'm the 11th Division Captain, Kenpachi Zaraki," He introduced himself. "And you're Ichigo Kurosaki. Congratulations on making a mess of my men. You're all they talk about when I went to check on them in the 4th Division. Ikkaku and Yumichika have mixed reactions about you which made me more eager to find you. Luckily the Lieutenants you beat up were very talkative so I knew I just had to wait for you here."

"Oh? So all the Captains know of my mission? I'm surprised it's just you," Ichigo said, not realizing the presence of everyone else because Kenpachi's Reiatsu is completely blocking his senses that even Getsuhime is blind to their surroundings.

Kenpachi scoffs at his words. "Believe me, kid, I wish I was here alone but sadly you caused way too much commotion."

At his words, Ichigo searches his surroundings and finally notices that above him there are two more Captains, each one standing between two buildings.

"Byakuya," He growls staring face to face with Rukia's filth of a brother. The Noble Captain glares right back at the boy, though he is more restrained.

Ichigo only caught a glance of Tōshirō and didn't give himself the time to process that there even is a third Captain, dead set on his other main target.

"Don't get so worked up. I managed to convince them to stay out of this and leave you all to myself," Kenpachi assured him. "You should know by now that we of the 11th Division prefer one on one fights and that is exactly how this is going to work."

"Really?" Ichigo questioned with skepticism

"Damn right! Though if you managed to beat me, don't be surprised if they tag team all over you. Those two in particular are very pansy-like," Kenpachi snickered.

"That's great to hear," Ichigo smiled, getting a kick out of Byakuya being insulted by one of his comrades. Then suddenly Ichigo heard a little girl's voice coming from behind Kenpachi.

"Wow, are you going to play with Kenny?" Yachiru asked who suddenly popped up on Kenpachi's shoulder.

'How is she not affected by his Reiatsu?' Ichigo asked himself. He was knocked out of his thought when he felt something touch his shoulder. His eyes widen as he saw the little girl who was on Kenpachi's shoulder is now on his. He immediately jerked his shoulder upwards which successfully knocked her back to Kenpachi. 'How could she slip by like that?'

"I think I made him mad," She said.

"What did you expect? That was just stupid," Kenpachi snorted.

"And stupid is as stupid does, right?" Yachiru pouted.

"You said it, not me," Kenpachi replied.

"Hey, little girl," Ichigo said getting Yachiru's attention. "Who are you? Or should I say what are you?"

"I am Yachiru Kusajishi," She said in a happy childlike tone, "I am also the 11th Division Lieutenant."

Ichigo's eyes widen at that statement.

"You're a Lieutenant?" Ichigo questioned. He then looks up to get a better look at Tōshirō. "Soul Society has no concern for the wellbeing of children."

"Why bother focusing on lame details," Kenpachi brushed off his concern. "Yachiru, get up there and try not to get in the way."

"Okay! Have fun, Kenny! You too, Icchi!" She cheered, and with Shunpo, is already standing beside Byakuya.

"That girl is not what she seems to be," Getsuhime said suspiciously.

'Not our problem,' Ichigo said as he gets into his fighting position.

"All right, Captain Zaraki, let's see what you got," Ichigo boasted.

"Hell yeah!" Kenpachi yelled, raising his Zanpakutō to fight.

The blade is much longer than a standard Zanpakutō, roughly the size of a nodachi, though the blade looks chipped and seemingly worn-down upon its edge, clearly not given proper care. The guard is long and extends inward from its center, similar to a shinai. The hilt is white, though most of it is wrapped in bandages, as is his sword's sheath.

Frankly, it bothers Ichigo to see a Zanpakutō look mistreated but he can't bring himself to care now.

The fight begins as the two clash with the swords, releasing another shockwave, this time Ichigo is the only one who gets pushed with Kenpachi chasing after him. Ichigo regains his footing enough to parry the Captain's next sword swing and then proceeds to slash at his chest but to his shock, Getsuhime didn't cut him, it was like hitting a wall of steel.

Kenpachi didn't seem to notice the hit and just goes for another swing that puts both men in a lock, each trying to push the other down, and after probably ten seconds, neither can count at the moment, Ichigo succeeds in pushing harder and knocking the Captain to the wall behind him, the impact hurt a bit as he lets escape a hard breath.

Ichigo then charges forward to stab him again but Kenpachi decides not to give him another shot and instead moves out of the way as Getsuhime instead hits the wall, her force was enough to shatter it, leaving a large hole twice the size of the tall Captain in Ichigo's wake.

Kenpachi laughs, launching at Ichigo who leaps out of the way in time as he slams his Zanpakutō down with enough force to create a huge fissure on the floor.

"Dammit!" Ichigo hissed as he crashes into the next building because of his leap but nothing too serious and safely lands down.

"For someone so small, you got some real muscles, kid," Kenpachi praised, happy with how the fight started.

"And you're as destructive as you look. Too bad brute force won't be enough to stop me," Ichigo taunted.

"If you call this destructive then you really are a greenhorn like Ikkaku said!" Kenpachi laughed, resuming his assault on Ichigo, laughing all the way.

When he got within striking distance, he raised his Zanpakutō in the air and brought it down with a great amount of force. Ichigo quickly raised his Zanpakutō with his left hand and blocked the strike.

The two blades connected, creating a greater shockwave that destroyed the ground that they were standing on, making a large crater. Kenpachi raised his sword for another strike which Ichigo blocks again.

"Stop blocking and fight back!" Kenpachi yelled as he brought his Zanpakutō down for another strike.

"Careful with what you wish for!" Ichigo shouted as he swung his Zanpakutō to meet Kenpachi's, knocking the Captain back with great force and sending him tumbling before slamming right through one of the nearby buildings.

Kenpachi stood up with a grin on his face and began to speak in a joyful voice.

"C'mon, kid, you got to hit harder than that!" Kenpachi demanded.

"How do you function!" Ichigo snapped, slowly getting creeped out by the man.

"I can't believe it. He's keeping up with Captain Zaraki," Rangiku said in disbelief as those above watched the fight intently.

"How can this be?" Tōshirō questioned just as shocked.

'Asinine. Nothing but complete madness. How can this boy have come so far as to reach this level?' Byakuya thought, still doing an admirable job of hiding his shock.

There's no denying it now, the boy he left to die in the Human World on that rainy night has completely changed and in his place now stands a warrior that can perhaps surpass the champions of Soul Society. Kenpachi Zaraki may be a brutish thug from the lowest of slums in Rukongai but there is no denying his strength and the honor he brings to all Shinigami. For any outsider to keep up with him is unreal.

"GO KENNY GO!" Yachiru cheered, happy for her Captain to be having a good fight that he can enjoy.

Ichigo's blade slams into Kenpachi's once again, driving the giant Shinigami back. Kenpachi was quick to start pushing back and the two Zanpakutō sparked as their wielders struggle for dominance.

Ichigo gave a strong push, feeding Getsuhime reaitsu for another shockwave. Said shock knocks Kenpachi off his feet, and Ichigo presses his advantage, quickly jabbing at the man's chest.

To his intense frustration, he had serious issues cutting him, his blade unable to pierce any skin.

He tries to push the blade in deeper only for Kenpachi to grab Getsuhime and lifts her, and by proxy Ichigo, into the air.

"Shit!" Ichigo cried as a surge of pain rushed through his body as he was thrown to the floor.

"Don't tell me that's all you got!" Kenpachi laughed.

"Like hell it is!" Ichigo roared getting up with his body surging with Reiatsu and as he swings at Kenpachi, the Reiatsu is fired from Getsuhime into an energy blast.

Kenpachi gave a feral grin, slashing the blast in two, in that instant, Ichigo closes the gap and swung at Kenpachi's side. The blow sent Kenpachi sprawling, yet when he hit the ground Ichigo saw that the wound was negligible.

"Why is it so hard to cut you?!" Ichigo snapped.

"My reaitsu is why," Kenpachi stated. "I emit so much naturally that it blocks weak attacks and stalls strong ones. It's like having armor you can't take off."

"So? I can do that too but my flesh is still flesh," Ichigo countered.

"Clearly you're doing something wrong, like your sword swing, you're trying to hit a person when you should be trying to cleave a mountain in two," Kenpachi lectured.

"Fine!" Ichigo growled as his body again surges with his Reiatsu. "You want me to hit harder, give me a minute to charge up."

"Take all the time you need," Kenpachi consented.

"That idiot!" Tōshirō snapped, losing his patience, and reaches for his Zanpakutō to get down there but is stopped when his shoulders gains some weight.

"Oh no, you can't go down there yet," Yachiru interrupted as she was now sitting on top of Tōshirō.

"What are you doing?" He demanded, getting her off him who graciously lands on her feet.

"I'm only telling you this for your own good, Captain. Kenny is likely to attack you if you interfere," Yachiru warned.

"We are here to stop that Ryoka from causing more harm to the Seireitei! Not bring amusement to that barbarian!" Tōshirō shouted.

"Hey, don't take it out on me. Gramps is the one who assigned you three here," Yachiru pouted, not concerned about being scolded by a superior officer. "If you ask me, you and Byakki are only here to make sure Icchi doesn't get away from Kenny."

That… makes a lot of sense once they think about it.

"All right. Here I come Kenpachi!" Ichigo declared, more confident that he can cut him this time.

"I'm ready, kid!" The 11th Captain demanded and in the blink of an eye, Ichigo was right beside Kenpachi, slashing at his left shoulder and successfully cutting open his flesh with a chunk of blood coming out and tainting his haori and shihakushō, to Zaraki's shock.

Ichigo then proceeds to aim for his chest again and Kenpachi is able to block but Ichigo's strength has increased so that became difficult as he backs away with Ichigo following, swinging twice, Kenpachi parries the first all right but the second that aimed for his face barely.

'I can't rely on one hand to hold him off anymore,' Kenpachi realized too late and Ichigo leaves him with another gash on his right shoulder, pushing him back so hard that he can't control his legs to stop, instead, he stabs his Zanpakutō on the building on his right to help stop himself, which works.

Kenpachi then lowers his head and starts to breathe heavily, leaving a silent tension in the area.

"There, I cut you off nicely," Ichigo noted triumphantly. "Had enough?"

That was not the right thing to ask as Kenpachi begins to chuckle like a madman, which he clearly is, making Ichigo shake nervously.

"This… is good," He smiled psychotically. "I want more of this."

"You're enjoying this more than I'm comfortable with," Ichigo said feeling scared.

"YOU GOT TO SHUT UP AND GET LOST IN THE GROOVE OF THE FIGHT, KID!" Kenpachi screamed with pure euphoria, charging forward at Ichigo, much faster than before while not using Shunpo.

Ichigo thrust Getsuhime to strike him down but Kenpachi moves to his right enough to avoid a fatal blow but Ichigo still manages to slash his skin, from his nose to his left cheek but not deep enough that it would leave a scar if treated properly.

Kenpachi moves his Zanpakutō to strike at Ichigo's neck but the teen moves fast enough, getting away with just a light cut on his right cheek. Ichigo jumps away but Kenpachi will not let him go.

"I'm not the kinda guy that hits ya with superpowers!" Kenpachi said as their swords clash two more times, giving Ichigo an opening to slash open the Captain's left abdomen that he should've made some reaction but no, Kenpachi is so consumed with bloodlust that he is ignoring his injuries now, attacking Ichigo again and again but keeps failing to land a successful hit whiles Ichigo manages to slash at his chest twice to leave an ''X'' wound on him. "I'm the kind of guy that hits like those metallic vehicles you humans call an 18-Wheeler, and then BACKS UP over you when you get up!"

"If that's the case then I'm just gonna have to cut you over, and over, and over again until you drop dead!" Ichigo yelled in outrage, cutting Kenpachi more and more, at his chest and arms, so much so that no normal man should be able to use them to fight again but Kenpachi takes everything like a champ with a smile on his face, and once Ichigo momentarily ceases his attacks he begins to laugh louder and more maniacally to the sky.

"PLEASE stop laughing! I'm on the verge of being terrified!" Ichigo pleaded while his hands are over his head, feeling like he might feint from the stress he is getting.

"I think you need to use bleach on me when this is over," Getsuhime requested, just as uncomfortable about fighting Kenpachi. The swings from his horrid Zanpakutō make her feel dirty.

"I think I need to bleach my soul when this is over," Ichigo muttered.

"Over? Kid, this ain't over until I say it is," Kenpachi growled while never losing his euphoric grin. "Do you have any idea how long I've waited for this moment? I live for the battlefield and I'm not ashamed to admit to being addicted to it, in fact, I'm damn proud of it! I became a Captain of the Gotei because I hoped to find strong opponents, and I've had but I can't fight any of them because Captains aren't supposed to fight amongst each other!" He shouted now furious.

"And not being able to fight strong opponents is worse than not finding any at all?" Ichigo concluded. "That's rough, buddy. I almost feel for you. I mean, I'm not crazy for a good fight but I be lying if I said I prefer to fight all those weaklings from yesterday."

"I know right? I knew you'd get it!" Kenpachi cried. "But something is missing, you aren't enjoying any of this at all. I don't understand. How could someone with as much power as you and still so young, meaning you have so much to improve upon, not enjoy the thrill of cutting down your enemies and standing on top of them all while also being excited to meet someone capable of dragging you down from your mountain of corpses."

"Oh my fucking god…" Ichigo mumbled, becoming even more disturbed.

"Stop talking," Getsuhime warned as all he was doing is adding more fuel to the fire.

"I'm going to fix that right now," Kenpachi declared as he pulls out his eyepatch, which surprises the two other Captains and Zaraki's Reiatsu raises even higher than it already was, forming a violent tower of yellow energy that startles Ichigo and make him feel like he might fall to his knees but is still able to stand his ground, even as the Reiatsu becomes more condense, forming a menacing skull around Kenpachi, staring down at him with tremendous killing intent.

"Crap, now I've gone and done it," Ichigo muttered. "What little trick have you pulled now?"

"Trick? Please, kid, I already told you I don't do superpowers. You see, this eyepatch isn't meant to cover an eye socket missing an eye," Kenpachi explained, revealing that he still has a right eye that's in good condition. "This little monster was designed to keep a huge chunk of my Reiryoku suppressed so that I can enjoy my battles against weak opponents. A handicap if you will, that is very comfortable to keep on but alas, it is much more satisfying to fight without it and you are the first one in decades to make me take it off. Now you will face 100% of my power!"

Out of pure reflex, Kenpachi swings his sword toward the building on his right and instantly, the whole structure crumbles apart.

"Shit… all that and we still haven't used the true abilities of our Zanpakutō," Ichigo bemused, ready to use Getsuhime's power but stops as he hears a violent cry coming from Kenpachi's sword that causes his head to hurt.

"What the…" He gasped while placing his right hand on his head.

"KENPACHI!" He heard the voice, a cry full of despair and pain.

"My Zanpakutō has no power to speak up," Kenpachi confessed, confusing Ichigo. "What you see before you is the true form of my sword. It can't transform, nor does it have any cheap tricks like those lame Kidō-Types. Hell, this guy doesn't even have a name and I'm certain it's not even alive."

"Are you kidding me!" Ichigo snapped in outrage as he continues to hear the cries of anguish.

Kenpachi's Zanpakutō is very much alive and in pain, so much so that just by hearing it, he is receiving a massive headache.

"How can you stand there and tell me your sword is lifeless? Can't you hear her cries?"

"It's no use, Ichigo. Those two live in complete disharmony, so much so that they're inflicting harm upon one another," Getsuhime said with sadness for the anguished Zanpakutō. "This man is so intoxicated by his love for combat that he cannot hear the voice of his own soul. Don't let this new surge of power deceive you, removing that eyepatch only awoke a mere 10% while the rest remains with his Zanpakutō that she is keeping locked up through his fear of fighting weak opponents. Her way of spiting him but also fulfilling his wish at her own expense, for the only way for him to snap out of his arrogance is with the embrace of death that she longs for so much."

Ichigo growls with immense fury, he can feel his blood boiling and his hold on Getsuhime's hilt is so tight now that blood is spilling as he forces open the flesh of his palms.

He hasn't been a Shinigami for that long and he is fully aware that he hasn't even scratched the surface of this rich new world and its lore but what he does know is that the mere prospect of sharing a soul with someone, with a weapon that's also alive and depends on him to live on for her own sake is something that has left him feeling so much vigor.

Maybe it's due to his inexperience that he feels so attached to his blade but he is sure without a shadow of a doubt that whatever he may get wrong about the Shinigami, he knows that the way he handles Getsuhime is just the way Shinigami should be like with their partners.

Kenpachi, despite being a veteran when compared to him is most definitely not!

"You bastard! Purge, Getsuhime!" He roared with his Zanpakutō taking on her silver form and his Reiatsu burst through the area, blinding light that every one of his enemies avert their eyes except for Kenpachi who seems unaffected.

"Pretty sword, kid, I hope this means you aren't going to try a bunch of silly tricks," Kenpachi said.

"Getsuhime has plenty of ''superpowers'', yes, however, I won't be needing any of them. Because I'm going to show you how to properly hit someone with an 18-wheeler and finally give your sword the proper respect she deserves," Ichigo declared.

"Then let's get the real party started! ICHIGO KUROSAKI!" Kenpachi roared, charging after his opponent.

"KENPACHI!" Ichigo roared back marching even faster and as the two clash once again an even bigger shockwave occurs from the impact that demolishes all the nearby buildings, forcing the two Captains and Lieutenants to escape from the blast radius.

---

Rukia gasps in shock as the tower she's stuck in begins to tremble violently that she loses her footing and lands on her butt on the floor, and she can both hear and see the explosion that caused the trembling from one of the windows, a battle between two Captain-level warriors has been going on for a while, but she can only tell who one of them is.

Captain Kenpachi Zaraki. A true barbarian that is worshipped by the 11th Division as a God of War. She's always seen them as nothing but thugs with no real skill or grace when it comes to being a Shinigami and the fact that they have the nerve to insult anyone who can use Kidō, let alone judge someone as a coward for possessing a Zanpakutō with special abilities instead of being more focus on close combat just added more fuel to the fire as to why she and so many others couldn't stand them.

Even still, she has to admit that Kenpachi might truly be the strongest Captain, she's seen him in action once on a joint mission between the 11th and 13th Divisions to exterminate a pack of over seven hundred giant common Hollows that were assaulting South Rukongai and the majority of them were taken out by the 11th Captain, making it pointless as to why so many were sent there in the first place.

Everyone fears Captain Zaraki but they also admire him in some aspects. Even her brother once admitted there is value in having him as an asset to the Soul Society.

She can't feel whom he's fighting now as Kenpachi's more overbearing Reiatsu is covering the opponent's from her senses but to force him to fight this far, it can only be…

"ICHIGO!" She cried.

---

"I can't believe it. I knew the kid was tough but this is just crazy," Ikkaku protested as he along with Yumichika are sensing the battle of their Captain against Ichigo. Likely all of Seireitei is sensing that battle.

They just finished their treatment and were allowed to leave the 4th Division but instead went straight to see their friend whom Ichigo also put in the hospital, that being Renji in his room.

"I know but our Reikaku does not lie. Our Captain has taken off his eyepatch and is attacking the Ryoka with everything he's got and it doesn't seem like the intruder is faltering too much," Yumichika said while biting one of his nails.

"How can such a man exist? If the reports are true, then he's only been a faux Shinigami for a few months, and already he stacks up to the Captains," Izuru said in horror.

Renji remains silent with a scowl on his face. He was initially talkative and hiding his frustration and guilt with a tough front when Ikkaku and Yumichika visited them but he could no longer hide it once they started feeling Ichigo again.

"I hate to say it but there might be a good chance that our Captain may lose this fight," Yumichika said nervously.

"That's a HUGE if! But knowing the Captain, he would very much like that to happen," Ikkaku replied, initially apprehensive but quickly remembered how the Captain would feel about actually losing and the insane smile on his face.

This is a crossroad, on the one hand, he'd despised the notion of Kenpachi Zaraki losing to someone that wasn't him. Ikkaku craves to be the one to finally give the Captain the defeat he wants but on the other hand, he too shares Kenpachi's frustrations of fighting weak opponents and never liked watching him look bored or disappointed so Ichigo being here might be a blessing in disguise.

Whatever the outcome, today's going to hunt him.

"Even if Captain Zaraki loses, there's still Captains Kuchiki and Hitsugaya, surely they'll be able to apprehend Ichigo Kurosaki," Izuru said wanting to be optimistic.

"That's true, those two never came off to me as sportsmen," Ikkaku said unhappily.

"Even if Ichigo is stopped in his tracks there is still the matter of the other Ryoka, like the one with the firepower that also destroyed the Sekkiseki. I thought the kid was the ringleader of this attack but given how thickheaded he seems, that may not be the case," Yumichika noted.

"Regardless, he's the problem of the Captains now," Renji said weakly with bitter reluctance to say so.

"Yeah, we just have to have faith that- Where's Momo?!" Izuru immediately asked after only now realizing that the bed next to him is empty.

"What, you never noticed? That bed was empty even before these two got here and we were already awake by then," Renji said.

"No, I was so caught off with everything else. What is she thinking moving about already?!" Izuru protested, instantaneously worried for her.

"Calm down, Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Kotetsu treated all three of us personally and from what I was told, she received the least injuries so it should be perfectly fine for her to start moving about," Renji said, no longer worried for Momo, the 4th Division Captain's capacity for healing is unrivaled and cannot be questioned.

"I know but still, I wish she'd stopped pushing herself so much," Izuru whined.

"What are you, her househusband? Quit being such a little bitch already," Ikkaku lectured.

"Though now that you mention it, it is strange how you two aren't already engaged at least," Yumichika grinned.

"Excuse me?" The Lieutenant protested again now flustering.

"Dumbass. Your affections for the pipsqueak are so obvious, even a baby cringes whenever you blew your chance to ask her out," Renji scoffed.

"C'mon! Why am I being picked on all of a sudden? Did you all forget the crisis we're in?" Izuru cried indignantly while the three men chuckle at his expense.

Just then, the light atmosphere falls into darkness as the entire 4th Division Barrack is beset by the cries of agony that ceases all movement for mere moments.

"What the fuck?" Ikkaku asked, now cursing how he wasn't allowed by the nurses to carry his Zanpakutō in the barrack ten times over.

"That sounded like…" Renji began.

"MOMO!" Izuru cried, recognizing her voice a mile away, almost instantaneously leaving his bed and runs to find her, the other men following.

Other members of the 4th Division, including the members of the 7th and 9th Divisions tasked with guarding the wounded also run as fast as they can to where the cries came from, right in the backyard of the barracks that is largely empty, strange giving how overcrowded the place is and not far from their sight is an up and about Lieutenant Hinamori with a paralyzed and horrified face that it looks like she might go catatonic.

"Momo!" Izuru shouted, rushing to her and getting a better look. "Are you alright! Did someone hurt you? Please answer me!"

Momo ignores her friend and just takes a few steps further to the direction she is staring at, compelling Izuru to do the same to see someone splayed across the wall, putting him in almost the same state.

"Oh, Reiō…"

"It can't be…" Renji mumbled in similar horror as his friends.

"What is going on here?!" Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi demanded as he and Matsuri Kudō arrive at the scene as well and notice their comrades out of bed and mortified by a corpse on a wall nearly burned up in its entirety with the exception of the face that remains in perfect condition.

"Holy shit…" Matsuri mumbled, her further thoughts clouded by Momo's frantic cries.

"CAPTAIN AIZEN!"

---

Ichigo has been through so many fights since his youth, initially only attending a dojo more so for the fun of it and self-defense lessons but that never worked out, especially because he met a certain someone that will never be mentioned as long as he can avoid it, then his dad started attacking him to force him to be more efficient as a fighter and his mother never lifting a finger to stop him, to his annoyance and secret appreciation.

Things only got worse when his orange hair, which is natural, made him look like a delinquent, earning the attention of so many thugs so try as he might, he'd eventually accepted that conflict was a part of him.

As a Shinigami Agent, this acceptance of violence in life made him get better used to the dangers of Hollows a lot faster to the point that it felt natural to him as breathing and now he knows why, and he definitely prefers fighting with a sword rather than his fists. Way more satisfying.

But the fight he's having right now? This has dragged on long enough.

This Kenpachi has been a nightmare for forty minutes. Even if he wasn't a total dick to his Zanpakutō, Ichigo would still be driven nuts by his bloodlust, no matter how much he cut him, he just laughs it off, literally, and keeps coming and now that he took off his eyepatch, he's even harder to cut.

This is ridiculous, and what's more, Kenpachi managed to land so many hits and now tuns of Ichigo's own blood have been splatted against the floor, the upper part of his shihakushō is shredded and his ring and middle finger of his right hand were cut off in the struggle but he's too frustrated and pump with adrenaline to even react and is surprised that he even noticed at all.

The feral Captain leaps above Ichigo and manages to leave a gash on his chest, forcing Ichigo to take a few steps back.

"C'mon! C'mon! C'MON! You can go another round, can't you!" Kenpachi screamed, his bloodlust is all that remains of him, rushing forward at Ichigo again but the moment he thrust his nameless Zanpakutō at the Ryoka, Ichigo vanished from his sight and reappeared behind him, quickly grabbing his face with his right hand.

"I should be asking you that!" He roared and with tremendous strength, he lifts Kenpachi and throws him into one of the remaining buildings nearest to the Senzaikyū, and upon impact, that building entirely falls apart, unable to withstand the immense strength of Ichigo.

Ichigo screams, slamming Getsuhime on the ground, not only creating another fissure but also releasing a blast of light that goes straight towards Kenpachi with the intent to finish him but the Captain is not done yet, letting his barbaric yellow Reiatsu run rampant, forming another menacing giant skull that defends against the light and once the two attacks cancel each other out, the two are back at it with their blades.

"If I had known that dragging that midget back here was going to bring about someone like you to cause chaos in the Soul Society, I would've happily volunteered to come to visit you both in the Human World myself," Kenpachi joked.

"You would've been disappointed if we had met back then. I was kind of a wimp compared to what I am now," Ichigo retorted as a joke as well.

"Now, now, don't sell yourself short. Men like us only need a push in the right direction to get where we are, and you definitely hit the jackpot in finding the Gate to True Power!" Kenpachi praised.

"Not quite, I just have a damn good partner, and YOU'RE DONE!" Ichigo shouted, pushing Kenpachi off him, though he tries to go after him again where they swing their blades two more times and by the second one, the Captain gets knocked even further.

By the time he gets his footing, he must immediately move out of the way as Ichigo comes in for a fast swing that is best avoided and he does, except that he fails to notice Ichigo deliver another swing at his back, leaving yet another gash but like the other three strikes, the spine was never hit.

"THIS ENDS NOW!" Ichigo howled, charging the moment Kenpachi turns around, and this time, the moment the two swords clashed, Kenpachi's Zanpakutō was unable to tank it, being shattered in the process.

Ichigo does not relent and proceeds to stab him through the chest and this time he hit something he can't laugh off, blood spewing from his mouth and as soon as Ichigo pulls Getsuhime off his body, a shockwave is released from her tip that blasts the Captain away, sending him crashing to the floor violently, pretty far away from a groaning and frustrated Ichigo.

"KENNY!" Yachiru cried as she and the others watch the fight finally end.

"Damn… you really got me, kid," Kenpachi said weakly as he's finally been put down. "Guess it was worth the wait after all… though I have no intention of dying today. Still, if this is how it ends I've got no regrets. This is exactly how I want to die. By the blade of a worthy opponent who pushes me to fight with all of my being. Good luck with the midget, you're gonna need it, and thanks a bunch."

With those last words, Kenpachi Zaraki passes out with a more honest smile, though his words went on deaf ears.

"Thank you," Kenpachi's sword speaks to Ichigo, now feeling at peace and welcoming possible Death.

Ichigo takes a much-needed breath as that was all too intense. Unfortunately, try as he might, he can't calm down, this fight has left his emotions wrapped and sealed tightly. Alas, he took his frustrations out on the wrong person.

"WHO ELSE WANTS SOME!" Ichigo screamed to the sky, his voice echoing through the ruins he and Kenpachi created, where there were once tall buildings with centuries worth of history now lie demolished and reduced to ashes by the ferocity of two demon swordsmen.

After his scream, he turns his direction where the two other Captains stand from the ruins.

"Forget I asked, I already know the answer," He sneered while pointing a bloody finger at Byakuya. "Your turn, pansy!"

His taunt only earns him a glare from the Noble Captain.

"He really intends to fight with those awful wounds?" Rangiku questioned while still mortified by such a terrifying battle that led to THE Kenpachi's defeat.

"Not like we can give him the privilege of a proper rest," Tōshirō sneered as he pulls out his Zanpakutō. "You know that the Head Captain would want to question him personally, right?" He said to Byakuya.

"As wise and powerful as our Head Captain is, even he can't get a corpse to give him answers," He replied, having no intention of capturing Ichigo alive as he goes for his own Zanpakutō, a regular katana with a simple bronze cross guard that has the frame open much like a four-pane window. The hit-wrapping is lavender, and a white sheath.

"As you are now, you're in no position to make any more excuses about not using me properly," Getsuhime warned.

"Yeah, Byakuya is most certainly not a good sportsman and I wasn't going to hold back on him anyway. Don't know about the kid dressing up like a man but I ain't in the mood for kid's games," Ichigo growled with his Reiatsu erupting from him to form a light-blue pillar. Byakuya and Tōshirō doing the same but theirs are both white.

Yet another battle commences.

---

"By the holy grace of Reiō. Kenpachi was taken down as well," Shunsui Kyōraku breathed in a sigh of disbelief as he feels the battle Kenpachi was in end with his defeat. "This Ichigo Kurosaki really is a hassle, and it seems like he intends to keep on fighting. Can't say the same for you, though. Which is good for me."

He turns back to Yasutora Sado who takes a deep breath as he manages to pull himself up from the attack that he had suffered from, he looks up towards his opponent, Captain Kyōraku, and sighs.

He and Ganju have been doing well for themselves, escaping the 9th Division with only a few dozen skirmishes and have managed to sneak their way into the 8th Division but it was only a matter of time before they were caught again but Chad's strength proved too much for these Shinigami, and they got the point once he literally one shot their 3rd Seat, Tatsufusa Enjōji.

Unfortunately, things would take a bad turn when the Division's Captain and Lieutenant arrived.

Kyōraku was initially laid back and hospitable with the two, hoping that they can surrender without a fight but that wasn't going to happen and now it came down to this.

Ganju was instantly defeated by Nanao Ise who traps him in a Kidō called Bakudō #73. Tozanshō (Inverse Mountain Crystal), that ignites at a single point, blue energy extended upward to four points and forms an inverted pyramid, which solidifies into a barrier around Ganju, sealing him within.

She intended to be more hostile but once they learned that Ganju is from the Shiba Clan, Kyōraku instructed Nanao to go easy on him. Even if one of the clans has committed treason, the Gotei 13 should be cautious about using force.

But Chad won't give up, he can't let Ichigo down like this, leaning heavily upon his knee; he managed to heave himself upwards onto his feet. He just couldn't lie down and die now that Ichigo needed him the most.

"My, my, you're quite the tough cookie now aren't ya?" The Flower Patterned Captain spoke lazily after pulling out his Zanpakutō, of which he uniquely has two when a Shinigami is supposed to have only one.

A daisho sword pair, consisting of a tachi and a wakizashi. Their cross guards are rectangles, with the corners cut off, decorated by a pattern of cherry petals and lines, and each sports a dark-blue handle. He usually keeps them sheathed through his waist tie at his left side; however, during battle, the swords have been placed on both sides of his sash.

The Captain began to walk towards Sado's shaking body, a sad look on his face as he came closer. He tried to get the Ryoka to come quietly, not wanting to use force despite the damage they caused, after all, no one in his Division or the others have received fatal wounds so these kids don't live up to the title they've been given, alas once he and Chad had a short heart to heart about their reasons for saving Rukia despite her fate, the Captain decided that he had to respect his resolve and fight him as a warrior.

Still, lucky for Chad that he and Ganju found their way to him and not the less kind Captains like Soifon, and especially Mayuri.

Sado takes the time to look at the woman with the unique Captain who seems rather indifferent to what is happening at the moment, she barely spared a glance at Ganju after making quick work of him. He hated how weak he was, he hated it! He needed to be strong, he needed to be brave. He needed to protect his friends!

If what Kyōraku said earlier is true then Ichigo has already defeated a Captain and proceeds to fight some more. He can't waste his time here!

"Sado! What do you think you're doing, you idiot? Hurry up and run!" Ganju yelled at Chad to run away. He can't see anything going on from the barrier he is trapped in but he can tell that Chad is worse off than he is, and he'd rather both of them not get caught by the accursed Shinigami. "You can't beat a Captain. Just get out of here already!"

Sado ignores Ganju's pleas. Leaving a comrade behind is unthinkable. Ichigo wouldn't do that and neither would he.

He pulls together whatever Reiatsu he has left into his right armored arm which is the true form of his power that he calls Brazo Derecho de Gigante (Right Arm of the Giant) and charges forward for one final attack, if he was going to end it here, he was going to make sure that he had at least caused a dent within the forces of the Seireitei so Ichigo and his friends have a higher chance at surviving.

However, before either combatant could reach each other, a blast of Reiatsu crashed into the ground between the two, the crash causes a huge amount of dust to blow upwards, shielding whatever crashed from view.

"Sorry, kiddo, I meant to arrive sooner but sadly I'm not as fast as I used to be," The smoke cleared to reveal Isshin Kurosaki standing in a small crater where he landed. "I thought beating up my son for days with my powers restored would fix it but sadly that dumbass didn't cut it at all."

"Doctor Kurosaki, what are you doing here?" Chad asked bewildered and silently relief for backup.

"Decided that Ichigo would look after himself long enough for me to pick you kids up before I get him. Sure, my wife will kill me if I don't prioritize his safety above all others but physical wounds never really concern me when it comes to that brat. It's his heart that's always had me worried and anything bad happening to any of you would surely destroy him," Isshin stated.

"Yeah, that makes sense," Chad smiled.

"Hey! What's going on? Who else is out there!" Ganju demanded, sensing another Reiatsu with a burning sensation, familiar, yet still an oddity to him.

"What the hell is this?" Kyōraku muttered, not believing his eyes. This man, he's aged quite a lot but there's no mistaking who's standing before him, his voice and the tachi-like Zanpakutō are proof enough.

"Hello, Shunsui. It's been too long. Well, twenty-two years isn't really all that long but to me, it certainly has felt like a lifetime since we last shared a drink together," Isshin said with a warm smile, really happy to see his old friend again.

He next spares a glance at Nanao who is also paralyzed with recognition, a stark contrast to the indifference she displayed moments ago.

"Ah, the lovely Nanao, you haven't grown much since last time but that doesn't mean the years haven't been kind to you,"

"Captain Shiba?! It can't be… You're alive!" Nanao nearly yelled from the shock. And her words leave an impact on Ganju who hears everything.

Chad for his part is also surprised by this fact, he has noticed the ''cape'' Isshin has with him on his left shoulder but he never realized it was an almost identical haori to the one the Captains wear. No wonder Ichigo is so strong.

"Explain yourself. Where have you been all this time since the war against Arturo Plateado?" Kyōraku demanded with a more serious tone than even his Lieutenant is used to hearing. Seeing a long-thought-to-be-dead friend forced an understandable reaction from him.

"That, I'm afraid is kind of a long story. I never meant to hurt anyone with my near death, much less let you all believe I was actually dead but everything that happened after Arturo's defeat was something mostly beyond my control," Isshin said vaguely.

"I should've known it was you from the start. Those flames that destroyed the Shakonmaku felt exactly like your Engetsu. I never thought that it was possible to destroy Sekkiseki but you were the only one who has ever come close to matching the raw power and flames of the Head Captain, and yours have always felt out of this world compared to his," Kyōraku stated.

"Yeah, sorry about that, it was supposed to be smooth sailing, no fuss, no cigar but sadly Aizen wanted something more flashy," Isshin snorted with contempt at that last part that left Kyōraku, Nanao, and also Chad confused. Does he know who sabotaged the Reishūkaku at the last moment?

"Aizen? He had something to do with that light show?" The Captain said skeptically

"You don't have to believe me just yet, you simply have to stay out of our way and let us fetch Rukia, then everything will be made clear," Isshin insisted.

"You know I can't do that," Kyōraku declined.

"Sure you can, it'll save you a lot of work. I jest, of course, but the fact remains the same, I'll be taking these kids with me," Isshin said as he unsheathes his sword and swings his faster than anyone besides Kyōraku can see, instantly destroying Tozanshō and freeing Ganju.

"You were always one to make things complicated when it suited you, Isshin," Kyōraku said as he uses Shunpo to get in front of Isshin, bringing his blades downwards towards him and Chad.

The Captain, the Lieutenant, and Chad thought that that was it by how fast the swings are but it seems that the two Shinigami have forgotten about the former Captain's power, who manages to bring his blade up and block Kyōraku's attack while carrying Chad, strenuous as this is, he pulls through.

It was safe to say that everyone was gobsmacked, the Captain honestly forgot how deadly Isshin can be when he's serious so he didn't react in time when Isshin kicks him outwards with his foot, causing the man to gasp and jump back.

Isshin then stabs Engetsu on the floor, running down the length of the cutting edge of the blade into the ground, a spark of liquid fire branches off to create several immense pillars of flame that surround the area.

"Aw, nuts!" Kyōraku muttered as he quickly unsheathes his Zanpakutōs and grabs Nanao, leaping out of the way before the pillars of flames spread and converged together into Isshin, leaving a trail of blaze in the field where the fighting took place and luckily no Shinigami was caught.

The flames quickly disperse, leaving the area burned to near ashes with Isshin, Chad, and Ganju long gone.

"Boy… that guy was never one to leave without style," Kyōraku half-jokes while his Lieutenant is left stunt.

"Captain? It couldn't really have been him. Could it?" Nanao questioned with confusion. "Rangiku saw Captain Shiba sacrifice himself to stop the Hollow Invasion by sealing the doorway to Hueco Mundo from within."

"That's what we were all led to believe and I'm sure the lovely Matsumoto couldn't have lied about it. Her cries of anguish were more real than anything I've ever seen in my life," Kyōraku said with clear sadness in him. "I will say this, Gin Ichimaru has some explaining to do."

"You think he's withholding information about the Ryoka?" Nanao asked incredulously.

"He was the first to confront the intruders and though he described the four teens and talking cat, of all things, very accurately, I find it difficult to believe that Isshin wasn't among them at the time," Kyōraku sighed. "It pains me to admit this about a comrade but I never trusted Captain Ichimaru. He's a good drinking buddy with a lot of funny jokes and he treats his Division very well and they respect him back, but that's all the positives I have to say about him. He's a serpent at the end of the day and the fact that Aizen and Tōsen are the more tolerant of his antics and even get along with him paints them in a bad light to me. Not to mention that Hanatarō Yamada is still missing and he's Isshin's little brother."

"The Head Captain must hear about all of this immediately then," Nanao insisted.

"Definitely. The question is, how to tell him," Kyōraku whined.

"Don't you mean how should you tell Captain Hitsugaya and Rangiku, sir?" Nanao corrected nervously, now immensely concerned for the members of the 10th Division, especially their Captain and Lieutenant.

Kyōraku simply frowns and looks in the direction of the Senzaikyū. "I'm afraid they're about to find out,"

---

Captain Retsu Unohana rushes to the scene of the crime, her Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu right behind her.

The titanic battles happening between the Captains and Ryoka were already enough to jerk most of the Seireitei out of bed, and the piercing scream that echoed a few seconds ago only added salt to the wound.

Most of the Shinigami running around were acting as if the world was ending, then again if what they were saying was true, then they might have a point.

Retsu and Isane reach their grim destination, Momo sobbing over the corpse of Captain Aizen.

"Oh no," Isane gasped in horror, more so for who was killed rather than the state of the body.

As a member of the 4th Division of the Gotei 13, she has too much experience healing horrid injuries and has learned to compose herself to the point that no amount of body horror bothers her. Instead, she looks at the body of Sōsuke Aizen with curiosity.

It has been burned beyond recognition, the only thing remaining of his clothing covers his lower torso well enough while his chest is so scorched that they can see his ribs with hardly any flesh left. What makes this curious is his head, his face, hair, and even his glasses are completely intact with only a few minor cuts clearly done by a blade but otherwise, he looks as handsome as ever, even as a corpse.

Frankly, this is downright creepy and disturbing for a completely different reason, her mind just feels so boggled by it that she is not sure what the proper response might be. Something is really wrong with this.

Whatever it was, the nigh-hysterical Lieutenant crying over it took precedence.

"Momo, I am so sorry," Izuru said softly as he comforts his friend and crush to the best of his ability, he and Renji never leaving her side.

"How the hell could something like this happen, Hisagi? These barracks are currently the most heavily guarded location in the Seireitei?" Ikkaku demanded with him and Yumichika questioning the two Lieutenants.

"I don't know! This doesn't make any sense. We were just here an hour ago passing by and there was nothing like this here," Hisagi said alarmed, desperately trying to make sense on how such a thing could occur under his watch.

"We've all seen hundreds of burned corpses over the years, enough to have a pretty good idea on how long someone's been dead and the evidence makes it pretty clear that he's had to have been dead since last night and it happened here," Yumichika stated what has to be the most logical conclusion.

"He wasn't there before," Matsuri pressed. "Everything about this scenario doesn't make a lick of sense! The murder had to have happened elsewhere regardless of the scorched marks saying otherwise. Even the flames that killed him have to have been the cause of Kidō."

"Or more accurately the flames of a Zanpakutō," Retsu suggested after she and Isane instruct everyone to give them space with the only one not yet budging is Momo.

"Captain Unohana?" Matsuri asked.

"We can't rule out all possibilities, and it's pretty obvious that one of the Ryoka holds great command over very powerful flames," Retsu stated.

"But ma'am, to be strong enough to take down a Captain as powerful as Captain Aizen who's the only one we know to be strong enough to force Captain Zaraki to take off his Eyepatch. How could any of them be so formidable?" Isane questioned.

"The destruction of the Shakonmaku is all the evidence we need, and besides, we've all been feeling it for a while, Kenpachi Zaraki fighting with ''all'' his might against the boy, Ichigo Kurosaki. Their fierce battle caused the air to thicken by bloodlust until a few moments ago. That density has passed and the results are not what we expect them to be like," Retsu said almost emotionlessly as she closes her eyes, knowing full well that Kenpachi has lost and Ichigo is now fighting Byakuya and Tōshirō, and it was not long before everyone else feels it as well.

"So even Captain Zaraki failed," Matsuri was the first to mention the big news.

"Of course, he was," Renji said weakly but without the usual hint of aggravation as he honestly doesn't have the capacity to be surprised by Ichigo considering all that he has done already.

"But now he's going up against Captains Kuchiki and Hitsugaya? That kid must've been made for the 11th Division if he's this crazy for a fight," Ikkaku muttered with mixed emotions of anger and excitement.

"Still… the fight will surely end in our favor, right? Right?!" Izuru asked practically everyone and was desperate for assurance that things will turn out all right.

"That's not our concern right now, what matters is keeping order in these barracks," Hisagi declared fiercely.

"He's right. I'll handle the body. Isane, I'll leave the Division in your care for now," Retsu instructed.

"Yes, Ma'am," Isane replied.

"We should leave also. The time for rest has officially ended here," Renji declared, eager to get back in action but for a completely different motive that he rather his friends did not know about. "You can't stay here any longer, Momo."

Momo starts to pull back once Izuru tries to move her, not wanting to leave her Captain's body. "W-Wait!"

"No," Izuru said a bit harsher than he intended to. "You need to get as far away from here as possible."

"He's right, Momo," Retsu stated. "Plus, I need to get Aizen to check if only one Ryoka killed him alone, or if it was done by more than one."

Hinamori paused at first but soon relented. "Okay,"

"Good," Izuru nodded, escorting her elsewhere. This is going to be an even longer day.

"Something on your mind, Matsuri?" Hisagi asked his current partner in the defense of the 4th Division.

"Way too much as usual," She replied somberly before coming up with something. "I have to go and send a message to my brother, via a Jigokuchō."

"Are you going to tell him about what just happened?" He asked. "This is going to go viral regardless."

"It's not about this, Fujimaru and I simply have something we've been planning for a while and as bad as this sounds, I can't let this tragedy distract us," Matsuri said.

"Must be serious then," He concluded now curious.

"Nothing worth your time. Again, I promise I won't be long," She insisted.

"All right, just don't take too long. We have to strengthen the security around here to ensure such a thing never happens again," Hisagi nodded.

"Don't I know it," Matsuri said taking off.

---

Ichigo charges at Byakuya with his sword, though his swing doesn't pack as much force as before due to his heavily injured state, so Byakuya parries the attack rather well, knocking Ichigo to the ground violently.

The Noble Captain moves in next for a more lethal assault while the Ryoka is down which Ichigo is able to avoid by backflipping in time, allowing him to thrust Getsuhime towards his face but Byakuya is able to evade it with Shunpo.

'Not this time!' Ichigo growled internally, predicting that Byakuya may go to use the same move he use to strike him down during their first encounter. Senka (Flash Blossom), he believes is what Kisuke calls it, a Hohō technique that allows one to move behind the opponent, attacking to seal their Saketsu and Hakusui, two important parts of a Shinigami's body that supports their powers in two rapid attacks.

Ichigo couldn't tell whether he was attacked from the front or the back because of the technique's speed. Things will be different this time.

With intense fury, Ichigo turns around in time to successfully block Byakuya's Senka, to the Captain's great shock over the Ryoka's enhanced reflexes.

With a sincere sadistic grin, Ichigo has Getsuhime illuminate a blinding light that does exactly as it should to burn Byakuya's eyes if he had looked for a bit longer, he might've been blinded for good, luckily he reacted in time and shielded his eyes, giving Ichigo the chance to deliver an attack that Byakuya shouldn't be able to avoid but the Head of the Kuchiki Clan still has an advantage in speed and escapes with Shunpo before Ichigo even had the chance to ready Getsuhime's next blow, angering him into pursuing Byakuya, who anticipated this reckless charge while his vision got better quickly.

"Hadō #4. Byakurai!" Byakuya fires the lightning spell Ichigo first saw displayed by Izuru Kira, and like before he manages to evade easily enough and vanish from the Captain's sight just as he regained his vision, with Ichigo appearing next above him to cut him vertically, however, Byakuya is able to notice due to his Reiatsu giving away his killing intent and parries swiftly and with enough force to push him a fair distance away.

The increasingly frustrated Ichigo was going to charge again but his assault is stopped by Tōshirō who leaps at him.

"Get out of my way, kid! You're not my enemy!" Ichigo demanded to the young Captain.

"You made all of us your enemy the moment you invaded the Soul Society as a Ryoka!" Tōshirō scoffed pushing Ichigo a few feet back, followed by three rapid swings that Ichigo parries fairly well, Tōshirō then jumps to deliver a kick to Ichigo's face that he also blocks with his right forearm, forcing Ichigo to try and stab him next from his back since attacking with his right leg gave him an opening. But Tōshirō also has very impressive reflexes as he can still make a quick jump to move away despite the current position.

"Hadō #33. Sōkatsui (Blue Fire, Crash Down)!" Byakuya then fires from his left hand a giant burst of blue flames the moment Tōshirō was out of range that quickly engulfs Ichigo.

Again, Byakuya is left surprised by Ichigo's resilience that he actually ran through the great flames and is already moments away from piercing him right between his eyes but again the Captain's speed triumphs by evading the near death.

"DAMMIT!" Ichigo cursed his lack of a good hit but has to stay focus due to Tōshirō attacking again, forcing him on the defensive.

Meanwhile, Byakuya is left contemplating his own lack of a killing blow, especially his recent attempt.

'I know I hit him. I aimed right for his neck and he had no chance to evade such a blow except watch it happen. And yet it went right through him with no damage,' Byakuya bemused as the moment he evaded Ichigo's thrust through his head, he went and attacked him from behind to decapitate his head with Ichigo having no way to avoid it but instead it seemed like Byakuya was attacking a mirage. 'This must be his Zanpakutō at work. The Power of Light.'

Ichigo backs away as best he can with Captain Hitsugaya coming at him with one fierce swing after another that pack more power than Ichigo would expect of someone so small, wind blows from him like a twister that the two Lieutenants that are a fair distance away from the fight with an incapacitated Kenpachi can feel it and even have to cover their faces.

The kid's good, Ichigo can easily conclude that Tōshirō is a true prodigy. After evading three swings aimed at his face, Ichigo leaps upwards to avoid Tōshirō but he merely leaps after him and makes a vertical downward swing that forces Ichigo back down the moment he blocked.

As he goes for another, Ichigo fights back and pushes Tōshirō off him but it's no effort for him to land on his feet while Ichigo not so much who instead crashes down on his back.

Tōshirō takes this chance to attack undisturbed but again Ichigo shines a light from Getsuhime that forces the Captain to take a step back while shielding his eyes, and again Ichigo thrust his Zanpakutō forward that Hitsugaya jumps in time to dodge, then lands on top of Getsuhime, the sudden weight surprises Ichigo when his sword should have none when transformed, forcing him to drop her to the floor.

"You're thro-" Tōshirō yelled, attempting to decapitate Ichigo but the Ryoka reacted much quicker by punching him in his chest with his left fist, hard enough to make Tōshirō gasps in pain and momentarily unable to breathe and get blown several feet away and briefly down but Ichigo knows he'll get up pretty quickly.

"I warned you!" Ichigo yelled at Tōshirō for his interference before turning back to face Byakuya. "The only Shinigami I ever wanted to fight is you, everyone else was just in the way and wouldn't let me pass."

"If that's your attempt to justify your crimes, then you're doing a poor job," Byakuya said.

"I justify nothing! I know what I am becoming, but if I can put an end to this stupidity you're allowing and save Rukia, it will all be worth it," Ichigo declared.

"Such foolishness. I concede, regardless of how you did it, you are at the level of power befitting a Shinigami, and though your Zanjutsu is very clunky, the resilience you have shown deserves some praise. However, Might never makes right, one such as you could never understand the burden that makes one a true Shinigami," Byakuya lectured. "You are nothing but an arrogant child enslaved by his own emotions who can't tell right from wrong and thus are no better than a Hollow."

"Better to be like them than what you are, Byakuya!" Ichigo shouted. "At least a Hollow is still capable of redemption. Capable of remorse, but you… if it hadn't been for you…"

"Again you spew nonsense. No matter the consequences, the Law must be obeyed, be it in the Human World or Soul Society. A world where the Law is defied is a world that must be destroyed for life there is finite and pointless. I am only fulfilling my calling, as did Rukia before she was cursed with your existence," Byakuya boasted.

"Your calling has done nothing but make you a monster! You act as if I could never understand. Well, guess what, I don't! I really could never understand anyone who would blindly allow their own sister to die over a reason so ridiculous!" Ichigo snapped.

"Talking to you is pointless. Your mere presence would test the patience of stone," Byakuya said somberly as he raises his Zanpakutō, holding it straight up while it points at the sky. "If the Law says that someone must die, then that is what'll happen. You would've never lifted a finger to save her if you had turned out as enemies at the end of your time together, therefore your reasoning for causing all this chaos is as baseless as the mindset of a beast who only knows how to act under his instincts."

"Maybe you're right about that," Ichigo said calming down a bit. "There are a thousand what-if scenarios that could've happened when I met her. I've never been a truly intelligent person, when it comes to life I mean, but what I do know for certain is this. All that matters is the here and now, especially what has led me to the Beyond. This false Heaven you're so proud of because you were lucky enough to be born into luxury and not in the poverty of Rukongai. I will bring you down where you belong, Byakuya, down on your knees, and force you to realize that a man never puts his Family dead last."

His words seem to have affected Byakuya in some way with his composure slowly loosening as evidenced by his sword hand shaking a bit, the anger he's been suppressing this whole time may soon run loose.

"Come then and show me your resolve," Byakuya dared as he unleashes the power of his Zanpakutō. "Scatter, Senbonzakura (Thousand Cherry Blossoms)."

His blade glows in a pink light that separates into tiny slender fragments that fly away from the hilt, leaving only the sword's handle in Byakuya's hand, said fragments now look like cherry blossom petals.

"What are those things?" Ichigo whispered caught off by the strange power.

"They only look like petals so be extremely wary. I can't make heads or tails of this Senbonzakura like the others," Getsuhime warned, viewing this Captain's Zanpakutō as the real deal.

The Flower Pedals gather to form a tornado that charge at Ichigo who chooses to get out of the way with Shunpo but Byakuya accurately predicts where he will go next and commands the blade fragments by swinging Senbonzakura's hilt to move and attack from his right as Ichigo is forced to block with Getsuhime and upon contact, they prove to be dangerous like Getsuhime feared since these are most certainly not cherry blossom petals.

He manages to distance himself from Senbonzakura but few of the petals succeed in catching him and proceed to attack and prove to be just as deadly as any blade by slashing at his body, his arms, legs, abdomen, and left cheek all receive cuts but it's his right hand that had it worse with Byakuya cutting the wrist deep enough that the tendon has been severed.

"Damn!" Ichigo growls as his right hand is now useless as if losing two fingers wasn't bad enough but now he can't even feel his thumb and lost control of it. 'Why is that blasted techniqueso hard to use? I'm getting creamed here.'

"That variant of Gengetsu puts your body through the most strain since it makes you intangible so the struggle is more than earned," Getsuhime said. "And you can't turn invisible unless you are in a calm state of mind, never allowing your emotions to dominate your Reiatsu but even before Kenpachi you kept looking for excuses to self-destruct, knowing you would face Byakuya today."

'If I wanted professional advice about my mental stability I would've talked to my mother about my issues years ago! Don't go trying to replace her, she already feels inadequate enough as is,' Ichigo whined and is already backing away enough to avoid Byakuya and be momentarily safe from Senbonzakura to gather power for his own offense.

"Let's see how your pretty trick works defensively. Jingetsu (Blade Moon)!"

The blade of Getsuhime vanishes and is replaced with one made of hard light with Ichigo swinging it in an upward semi-circle, creating many more blades of hard light that lack hilts and fires them as projectiles at Byakuya, which he is prepared to block by moving the fragments closer together to make a shield to block most of the attacks but few of them manage to force their way through to hit Byakuya who is forced to flee, though one of them does manage to leave a gash on his right abdomen but that's not enough to make him flinch.

Ichigo fires more of them that Byakuya avoids except for one aiming for his face, and instead of relying on Senbonzakura, he evades by lowering his head down behind him as quickly as he can, the blade narrowly missing his chin and nose.

Even he has to admit that this one was too close for comfort.

'Curious. While his attacks are quick, they lack the godly speed his element is so known for. Instead, it feels like I'm dodging bolts of lightning, which are hazardous enough on their own but light should be faster than this,' Byakuya quickly analyzed the pattern and speed of Ichigo's attacks. 'Evidently, he has yet to master his Zanpakutō and as a result, he isn't capable of moving as fast as he should, otherwise, he might've posed a challenge. As such I have the advantage in true skill.'

Byakuya commands all the fragments of Senbonzakura to return to the hilt, forming one blade made of pink energy.

'Did he gather all the fragments together to make one powerful hit?' Ichigo wondered and decides to test it by launching four hard light blades, however, they were all swiftly shattered with a swing of a powered-up Senbonzakura. 'Shit!'

"Ōkosentō (Annihilating Sword of Prideful Cherry Blossoms)," Byakuya said the name of this technique and with one swing, he releases his blade into fragments again but this time they form into one large energy slash of greater power that Ichigo narrowly dodges and hits one of the three towers, though because of the Sekkiseki that they're made from, the attack was instantly repelled but that doesn't dismiss the fact that the attacked packed some real power.

"Finally decided to take me seriously and stop pulling your punches, eh!" Ichigo breathed.

"So will I!" Tōshirō growled from behind Ichigo, though he doesn't bother to look at him and risk-taking his eyes off Byakuya, who grows more flower petals to spread across the area.

The young Captain makes a high leap into the air while his body erupts with his Reiatsu once again. "I am ending this now!"

"The Captain is also going to use his Zanpakutō!" Rangiku stated.

"Yep, things are definitely going to get frosty now," Yachiru said as she displays impressive strength despite her size by lifting Kenpachi and carrying him on her shoulders. "It's too bad, I love to see him when he gets like this but I don't think Kenny should be here in this state when he does, so I'll go on ahead."

"Okay, and maybe you should call for backup in case the worse happens," Rangiku suggested.

"Aww, don't be a killjoy, Boobies. And I hope Icchi doesn't die because Kenny would get sad," Yachiru noted but decided not to argue and vanishes with Shunpo to escort her Captain to safety and will most certainly not call for backup.

"Sit Upon the Frozen Heavens, Hyōrinmaru (Ice Ring)!" Tōshirō howled and the blade of his Zanpakutō extends slightly in length and gains a crescent-shaped blade attached to its hilt by a long metal chain.

"What now?" Against his better judgment and survival instinct, Ichigo had to turn around and see what is happening because of the cold chill he started to feel, looking up above as the once cloudless sky becomes covered up by clouds that make the area much colder, and spiritual power in the form of ice spreads from the tip of Hyōrinmaru, creating a flow of ice shaped like a Chinese dragon.

"Fuck this shit!"

Tōshirō commands the ice dragon down below and its mere presence freezes everything instantly as it charges toward Ichigo and subsequently Byakuya with both forced to flee, though Ichigo was mostly caught by the cold air and is soaking wet.

"MAN, that thing is super chill," Ichigo yelled at how cold he felt, and it only gets worse as parts of his body start to get covered in ice. "What…"

"Disperse the ice with my light!" Getsuhime quickly instructed with Ichigo immediately covering himself with his Zanpakutō's power, making the ice covering him vanish, but still feels under the effects.

Tōshirō charges forward with the two clashing with their blades, though with only one good arm, Ichigo's swings don't have much of an impact and Tōshirō seems to have gotten faster, so Ichigo can barely keep up with him, resulting in him getting slammed hard into the ground where flower petals are waiting to shred him.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Ichigo cried as he channels power from Getsuhime to vanish as soon as Senbonzakura began to shred his body.

"There's no use running!" Tōshirō shouted as he turns around to see Ichigo behind him as he escaped from the sticky situation.

"You saw me flee the scene!" Ichigo protested. "Damn, you're quick."

"No, you're just getting slower!" Tōshirō replied as he creates many more ice dragons to attack him.

'Have I?' Ichigo questioned as he fires several more of Jingetsu that destroy the dragons, at the same time Senbonzakura continues its assault.

"Indeed, and it is due to the influence of that Zanpakutō of Ice. Speed and cold are opposites. Temperature is measured by how quickly the atoms of something are oscillating. Spiritual beings are no different. The faster they are, the hotter it is, and when things are cold, they're slower on the atomic level. When there's no movement at all we have Absolute Zero," Getsuhime explained.

'Is that why Byakuya is keeping his distance now?' Ichigo asked as he notices that Byakuya is resorting to fighting at long-range again with Senbonzakura and doesn't seem like he wants to get close.

"Naturally, the four most common Elements do not always distinguish between friend and foe and ice-based powers are the bane of Shunpo. Our light can counter this but I can't be as effective at the moment so we are in a tighter spot," Getsuhime stated.

'Maybe but then again speed isn't all we have to offer,' Ichigo declared as he gathers more Reiatsu into Getsuhime to overpower Tōshirō's cold.

"Guncho Tsurara (Icicle Flock)!" Hitsugaya then swings his Zanpakutō in an arc, firing a massive array of ice daggers at Ichigo that mixes with Senbonzakura for a decisive blow.

"GETSUGA…" In that instant, Tōshirō and Byakuya lost their focus, not believing the words that came out of Ichigo's mouth. Rangiku who remained widens her eyes with a flash of memories resurfacing that are connected to that one word.

"TENSHŌ!" Ichigo howled, releasing the same attack of highly condensed Reiatsu he used to finish off the three Lieutenants but this time it looked more like a beam than a crescent that powers through the combined attacks of the Captains, passing by them and hitting the Senzaikyū.

"Damn it, I missed them! My aim with it is still awful," Ichigo cursed his misfortune as he felt like he had a clean shot with at least Tōshirō.

"It served its purpose all the same, and tread likely on how you use it. Despite its simplicity as an offensive technique, it is our most valuable attack and shall soon prove to be more useful than any other we'll come across against other Shinigami," Getsuhime explained.

"You don't have to tell me. From the moment dad taught me how to use it, I knew that I'd go far with this baby," Ichigo smirked with immense infatuation at using that technique.

"Getsuga Tenshō? Can it be…" Rangiku muttered, almost lost for words upon witnessing the familiar attack.

'I've noticed it for a while, but that Zanpakutō does give off a familiar feeling. A special kind of Reiatsu that's different from Shinigami and Hollow. Getsuga,' Byakuya thought. From the moment he met Ichigo he suspected that the young boy possessed something dormant inside him, like a caged animal desperately trying to get out, a beast with the most ferocious fangs imaginable.

"How… how is it that you can use that technique?" Tōshirō demanded, hiding the same sensation that has Rangiku and Byakuya baffled.

"What, you want to use it? I don't consider imitation to be a form of flattery, kid," Ichigo shrugged, not intending to mock like he did with Renji but at this rate, he doesn't care how he behaves.

"Don't screw with me, you damn bastard!" Tōshirō snapped at him, and Ichigo had to admit that the sudden ire startled him a bit.

The tension in this fight changed from pure anger to confusion and disarray, even Byakuya is taking a moment to consider what he's witnessed and he won't even try to seize the opportunity to attack Ichigo while distracted.

"What's the matter…" Ichigo cannot say anymore as all attention turns to the Senzaikyū, specifically the tower that Ichigo hit where Rukia is, it's begun to tremble violently and crumble away.

"The Senzaikyū has been damaged, even though it's also made of Sekkiseki," Rangiku gasped.

Byakuya becomes more visibly angry at this while Tōshirō and even Ichigo are more caught off.

"Damn, I used more force than I intended to," Ichigo muttered.

"No, that was the exact amount of power needed to stop these two," Getsuhime corrected as they watch the tower fall with Rukia holding on to dear life.

"RUKIA!" Ichigo cried as they watch her fall and hear her screams from the shock of falling and the confusion about what is happening right now.

Ichigo readies to save her, even with his severely weaker state and still affected by Hyōrinmaru's power he must at least try. Luckily, he doesn't have to since someone arrives at the scene and catches her faster than any of them could blink, and said individual arrives next to Ichigo, the intensity of his Reiatsu is so hot that the effects of Tōshirō's power begin to fade.

"What is up with today?!" Rukia mumbled, very frightened before her gaze turns to shock once she and Ichigo see each other again. "Ichigo…"

"Rukia," Ichigo said softly, almost not believing that he is seeing her again even though that was his whole reason for coming here.

"You fool… why did you come…" Rukia began, wanting to say so many things to him, mainly lashing out in both anger and anguish for throwing away his life for her but is silenced upon getting a better look at her savior which only makes her more stunt. "Mr. Kurosaki!"

"Hello, Closet Girl. I apologize for the long wait and how your stay in the Kurosaki Household was so unbecoming of a lady of your status, with my son never keeping his closet clean and my wife trying to kill you more than once," Isshin half-joked while glad to have made it in time.

"That is so not how you greet someone you've come to save, you old goat," Ichigo scoffed at his father.

"Ah, shut up you punk, only Karin is allowed to call me lame in any way, you can go back to your room and wallow in your sexless life or some other stupid thing you do when you think your mom and I aren't looking," Isshin mocked.

"You're lucky I've relieved so much of my stress just now otherwise I'd blow you to the sun," Ichigo hissed. "Also, you could at least show some concern for me since I'm missing two fingers and lost a ton of blood."

"55% blood loss isn't a serious issue for Captain-Level Shinigami," Getsuhime replied.

'Do not… do not support him in any way or form in front of me,' Ichigo warned as he glared at his Zanpakutō.

"I'm more worried about myself. If I don't patch you up soon your mother will most definitely kill me, and Yoruichi is already concocting too many torture methods on me," Isshin said in his usual selfish and childish tone.

"You dickhead!" Ichigo protested, reigniting his adrenaline rush.

"Both of you shut the fuck up!" Rukia yelled at both men to cease their childish behavior, all the while secretly happy because the whole thing makes her feel like she can be herself again. "What the hell is going on? What happened to the hellhole tower I was trapped in and why does this place look like giant ugly babies just threw a tantrum."

"That last part pretty much explains your questions," Isshin replied, referring to his son as the tantrum baby.

"Okay, I'm willing to admit that I can be a total brat more times than mature, I am your son after all, but I draw the line on being called ugly," Ichigo hissed. "Even a blind man can tell you that I am the complete opposite, and the giant part have better not be what I think it is."

Ichigo returns his attention to the Captains who still haven't moved an inch, and Isshin's arrival certainly isn't doing them any favors as they look at his dad with recognition in their eyes. Ichigo didn't think he'd ever see any real reaction from Byakuya.

"It can't…" Tōshirō found it difficult to say any more than that.

"What is the meaning of this?" Byakuya demanded, arriving beside Tōshirō and glaring at Isshin.

"Get ready to move, Ichigo," Isshin whispered to Ichigo. The stubborn son might've protested but instantly chose to agree because now that they have Rukia, getting out of here fast is the best option.

"Captain Shiba…" Rangiku barely whispered her disbelief at the sight of him while Isshin can only stare at her and Tōshirō with mixed emotions, sadness is the most prominent.

"Shiba…" Rukia repeated, the name all too familiar to her, and now that she has a better look at Isshin, something she's never been able to do due to always hiding from Ichigo's family while she was staying there in secrecy, realization dawned on her when she finally does and notices his familiar eyes.

"No… no… it can't be…" She then returns to Ichigo as everything starts to click.

"Captain, look, it's the Captain," Rangiku said shakily while also shaking the shoulders of Tōshirō.

"Isshin Shiba!" Byakuya said with newfound distaste, or possibly rediscovered distaste since he and the former 10th Division Captain never got along, he was practically everything noblemen dislike despite being a noble himself but he did respect his strength and skill, plus when it came down to it he was a good representation on how a Shinigami should be and his efforts in stopping the Ōin War made Byakuya feel honored to have ever fought on his side. To see him again should've made even him smile.

Isshin can only sigh at how awkward and anxious this is all making him. He knew that this would be difficult and he can't see this turning all right for him. Still, he won't back down now.

"It is you, Isshin?" Tōshirō finally spoke up, regaining his voice and much of his composure.

"There are a million different ways this whole scenario could've worked out and I truly wish it was under better circumstances but alas, our hands have been forced and so it has come to this," Isshin said.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Byakuya demanded.

"You I have little to say about, except that you can consider this as me doing you a favor," Isshin said more sternly and disappointed. "Let's go, Ichigo."

"Yeah," Ichigo complied.

"No!" Byakuya declared as he rushes at the two men holding his disowned sister to stop them, though Ichigo steps in to block his assault with both swords clashing since Byakuya resealed Senbonzakura due to the shock of seeing Isshin again.

"Brother…" Rukia uttered with mixed emotions regarding her brother and all that has led to this.

"You are not going near her ever again!" Ichigo threatened, refusing to fail now that he found her again.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura," Byakuya resummons his Zanpakutō, prompting Ichigo to retaliate by unleashing a massive burst of light and a large portion of the battlefield is consumed by the two powerful Zanpakutō, however, Byakuya seems to be having the upper hand with Ichigo's wounds finally catching up to him and can no longer resist, forcing Isshin to help his son, quickly placing Rukia on the ground as gently as he can to use Engetsu that he left plunging on the floor as soon as he reached Ichigo and unleashes his flames to fight against Senbonzakura.

'Fire and Light. How fitting. Equally so regarding two men that have irritated me for the last time,' Byakuya thought, able to push through the two elements fairly well but not enough for him to go any further himself.

"Ryōjin Hyōheki (Woven-Ice Wall)," Hitsugaya generates a protective wall of ice by finely weaving threads of ice together that serve to protect him and his Lieutenant from the onslaught consuming everything.

Senbonzakura has always been more likely to cause friendly fire whenever Byakuya has been forced to expand his power against a horde of Hollows and Getsuhime aside, Engetsu he knows is a force of nature that can't be trifled with.

"It's been a blast Byakuya but next time I won't be so merciful," Ichigo declared.

"You're not going anywhere!" Tōshirō roared, and the moment Ichigo took his next step with the three about to leave, five snowflake-shaped ice crystals in a pentagonal formation manifested on the ground he is stepping on, and from it each snowflake sends a line of ice toward Ichigo with the space within the pentagon encasing in a large pillar of ice, trapping Ichigo inside.

"Rokui Hyōketsujin (Six-Clothed Ice Binding-Array)," Isshin said, recognizing the technique of Tōshirō's Hyōrinmaru. "It looks even better than I remember. Too bad for you, it won't do any good against this little brat who never learned when to stay still."

As he said so, Ichigo's body shines with the same light as his Reiatsu and begins to move again despite the ice trapping him and phases out of it.

"I have got to get a better hang of this intangibility shit," Ichigo hissed.

"Ōran (Cherry Blossom Storm)!" Byakuya declared and the number of flower petals doubled, expanding their ferocity like a torrent that finally overpower the light and flames keeping them from the Ryoka.

"Fuck!" Ichigo shouted.

"I was so hoping it wouldn't have come to this," Isshin cursed as he picks up a black tube, approximately six centimeters in size that he's kept hidden beneath his shihakushō and stored within it is blood that he pours into Engetsu's blade from top to bottom. This intensifies the heat of his flames which also grows in size to dangerous levels, and Tōshirō and Rangiku become horrified knowing what this means.

"Chigetsu (Blood Moon)," He said with a calm yet fierce tone as he swings his sword.

"RUN, BYAKUYA!" The young Captain warned Kuchiki, who quickly complied and Shunpos away, Tōshirō and Rangiku following suit.

It was a wise decision for them to flee because, in that instant, Senbonzakura was overpowered by the flames of Engetsu as Isshin released a flaming attack with a shape that almost resembled an Eldritch abomination, bringing a bigger trail of destruction worse than Ichigo caused in his fight with Kenpachi until there is truly nothing left of where the Senzaikyū once stood but thankfully the three Shinigami managed to get away unscathed.

"They're gone," Byakuya cursed as they failed to apprehend the target, and worst of all, Rukia has escaped.

---

Having been able to flee the scene of carnage they've caused, Ichigo and Isshin make their way undisturbed across a very special valley within the Seireitei that Isshin assures him is the safest place for them to be in.

They soon arrive at a cave-like entrance up above the ground on a wall with a small platform at the entrance.

"Is that the safe zone Yoruichi mentioned?" Ichigo asked as they reach the opening, before they went in both of them look around to make sure no one was around to witness them enter the cave. When satisfied, both of them enter.

"Yeah, it's the safest place for us to be in at the moment and the only people that know about it are Kisuke, Yoruichi, myself, and two others," Isshin explained. "Yasutora and Ganju are farther ahead."

"And those two others are?" Ichigo asked.

"Two aspiring young minds who may help us by not ratting us out once word gets out that I'm back," Isshin said.

"May?" Ichigo questioned wanting more confirmation.

"Just take my word for it when it comes to those two," Isshin insisted as he focuses his attention on Ichigo's wounds. "Now let's deal with that useless arm of yours."

He began using Kaidō to restore Ichigo's right arm which is in a horrid and unrecognizable condition. "Does it bother you much?"

"I've received worse wounds from Kisuke," Ichigo shrugged, the pain from fighting three Captains diminished due to strong endurance.

"Don't use that tough guy attitude with me. You know doctors need their patients to be completely honest about their pain to better handle the situation," Isshin gives his son the lecture that he normally only gives to his patients when he is attending them.

"I feel like shit and I can't fathom how I'm still able to stand or move," Ichigo relented.

"There, being mature for a change wasn't so hard, was it?" Isshin teased, earning a childish scowl from his son. "But I was referring to your right arm."

"We've been over this, dad. I lost touch with this arm a long time ago," Ichigo said, now feeling apathetic for his right arm and not bothered by its crippled state like he is for the rest of his body.

Not many people know this but Ichigo is ambidextrous, so he has no problem using either hand for anything, such as writing, however, when he was much younger, Ichigo favored using his right arm to write up until the age of nine to ten.

In a sense, he abandoned it and started relying on his left arm for everything, especially now that he has an affinity for swordplay, and only his parents, Kisuke, Tessai and Yoruichi know the psychological scars for why this is the case.

"Right, right, but like it or not, you still need it, and believe me, those who are fully committed to this life must make sure their bodies are always in tip-top condition. With the exception of Kaname Tōsen, anyone with any kind of disability can't use their Reiryoku to their fullest potential, Shinigami and Hollows alike must always prioritize their wellbeing before a fight," Isshin instructed.

"I'll keep that in mind," Ichigo said but he sounded almost forced then turns to Rukia who's been quiet ever since they escaped from her brother and has been keeping her distance from the two. "Rukia…"

"You fool…" Rukia finally spoke, both her voice and body shaking from the strain of it all and she is surprised that she can look him in the eye despite her ire. "I told you not to come. I forbade you to come after me!"

She wants to scream but her strength has become so feeble after all she has endured. "Why? Why didn't you listen? You're practically a corpse at this point and you even dragged your father into this suicide mission. Who else have you brought to their demise because of me!"

"How about you save your breath when you have the energy to properly scream at me," Ichigo suggested, effectively shutting up a dumbfounded Rukia. "You're tired and you look even skinnier than usual, so once we gather everyone else, then we talk like before."

"Terrible with women, as usual, I see," Isshin scolded his son while rolling his eyes, Ichigo simply gives him the middle finger.

Speaking of fingers, the two that Kenpachi cut off on his right hand are starting to grow back. The sensation he is feeling is so odd but not uncomfortable and watching it happen is even weirder, starting as just two munches of flesh before properly forming to their original states.

"In any case, this brat of mind does have a point. You should get some rest. Speaking from experience after being locked up in the Senzaikyū myself for days after my subordinates decided to pull a prank on me, time spent in that tower is never good for someone's health, and as I said, we'll be safe here long enough to get some of your strength back,"

"Isshin Kurosaki? Is that truly your name?" Rukia said next looking straight at Isshin, dread once again all over her.

"I am a Kurosaki. Have been since I married my beloved wife, though you should know that Kurosaki is her surname. You knew me once before as Isshin Shiba," He reintroduced himself to her, confirming what she already knew from Byakuya's own words.

"Somehow I always knew, from the moment I laid eyes on you after the fight against Fishbone D that there was something familiar about you. You've aged like a human but I couldn't shake off my thoughts," Rukia muttered, her tears can no longer be suppressed and she starts to cry. "I don't understand… you died in Hueco Mundo stopping the Lord of Calamity. We all thought we lost you just like we lost Kaien. How could I have been so blind… your son looks so much like him."

"Yeah, both Ichigo and Kaien take after my father. They're the spitting image of their biological grandfather," Isshin affirmed, surprising Ichigo who did not know that part. "My story is one hell of a trip across all three worlds, believe me and I would love to tell you about it but for now I want to focus on our current mission, which is paying what I and my son owe you for that night."

"For what I did? How can you be as naive as him? If only that night had never happened, if I had been a true Shinigami none of this would have happened," Rukia argued.

"If you had never arrived then that Hollow would've killed my entire family and even if you had defeated it yourself, more Hollows would've come for us," Isshin countered. "The truth is the fault is both mine and Masaki's. We never wanted our children to have any role in the Silent War between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, I had no choice but to live the life of a human, which is what she wanted and thus we wanted the same for them but your arrival in our home helped us realize that we were being selfish. We weren't protecting them at all. That's why I did not attempt to stop you from training Ichigo as a Shinigami."

Ichigo and Rukia say no more, not willing to interrupt him.

"My life in Soul Society did not end the way I would've preferred. I'm sorry for the pain I caused. I wasn't able to be there for my family, or my Division. I can't change the past, but we can change the future. I'm here now and I will set things right," Isshin swore more determined before becoming softer.

"And before you say anymore, I hold nothing against you. Kaien's death wasn't your fault. Ukitake told me everything and we both know he's not the kind of person who would lie about something like this. If you had let me talk to you all those times I tried to ease your guilt you would've spent the next years healing properly. And if anything, I'm more resentful towards Ukitake for allowing Kaien to fight for his honor instead of helping his Lieutenant in his darkest moment."

"Captain Ukitake never meant for that to happen!" Rukia argued against his words, regaining some of her energy back.

"I'm just making an example is all. No matter what anyone says or thinks, it's all the stupid Hollow's fault for following its nature as a soul eater," Isshin sighed and that kept Rukia calm while he places a hand on her shoulder. "Nothing but a pain in the ass, this world we live in, divided as it is."

"What exactly is your plan, then? Even if you somehow defeat all of the Captains, what makes you think Soul Society won't come after you in the Human World? They're relentless, you being a former Captain should know that once someone makes an affront against them they'll never stop hunting them down. You'll have nowhere to run," Rukia questioned.

"Once the others make it back here, you will know exactly how we're going to make it out of this alive," Isshin assured her with the confidence and warmth she only knows a Shiba to be capable of displaying, which is the main reason she tolerated Ichigo all that time.

He got his good nature from his dad and not his mom, and after meeting that psychopath, she's not surprised.

---

"Master Mayuri," Nemu called emotionlessly as usual as she finds her Captain while he was by himself in an empty street of the Seireitei.

"Nemu? I'm honestly surprised to see you alive and somehow in one piece considering the ungodly mess those barbaric imbeciles were causing in the Senzaikyū," Mayuri said as he thought his Lieutenant was caught and killed in the crossfire between Ichigo and the Gotei Captains.

"I had too many close calls but I deduced the true rate of the danger and moved a further distance away from the fight as the conflict escalated," Nemu explained.

"Good for you," Mayuri said with disinterest in how she survived. "Still, I trust you didn't return to me empty-handed, otherwise today will not end well for you."

In response to his threat, Nemu reveals to him two test tubes she brought with her containing blood, a small transparent bag that has a piece of a torn shihakushō, and two fingers that Mayuri can identify at a mere glance as an index and middle finger.

"Samples of the Ryoka's blood, a piece of his shihakushō, and two of his right fingers that were torn from him during his battle," Nemu complied.

"Well, would you look at that? You are useful for things outside of battle after all," Mayuri smirked with satisfaction at Nemu's accomplishment in extracting samples of Ichigo without getting herself killed. "Anything else worth my notice?"

"After defeating Captain Zaraki, the lone Ryoka went on to fight Captains Kuchiki and Hitsugaya," Nemu began.

"I know that part already, you idiot. No one in the Soul Society could've possibly not noticed the atmosphere becoming toxic by the bloodlust of those degenerates," Mayuri scolded but this did not bother Nemu who just continued.

"During the struggle, he managed to hold his own despite his severe injuries and his right arm becoming unusable and I saw firsthand his true potency when he destroyed the Senzaikyū," That reignited Mayuri's intrigue.

"The towers were destroyed?" He questioned, not skeptical but still wanting more than that. "So the Ryoka are capable of destroying Sekkiseki."

"Yes, but I think it's more appropriate to say that his Zanpakutō can bypass the mineral's effects to nullify Reiryoku and vaporize Reishi, rendering it useless, otherwise he would've caused more damage than he actually did," Nemu corrected.

"Fascinating. Truly fascinating. And what happened to Rukia Kuchiki? Did she perish in the struggle?" He asked.

"No, sir, Ichigo Kurosaki managed to get away with her with the aid of another Ryoka who arrived at the scene to help them escape. And he is another Shinigami, and the former Captain of the 10th Division, Isshin Shiba," She continued.

"What?!" Mayuri exclaimed, not believing his ears. "What nonsense are you spouting now?"

"It's not nonsense. Though his appearance has changed significantly, likely aging over two human decades, there's no mistaking that it is him. What's more, upon closer inspection, Ichigo Kurosaki bears a striking resemblance to the late Lieutenant of the 13th Division, Kaien Shiba, Isshin's nephew. An appearance that they surely inherited from the same grandfather, Rentaro Shiba."

If it was possible for Mayuri to look more creepy than he already does because of his makeup, his eyes widening more than humanly possible would do that with his mind already going nuts with the possibilities of the mere implications of her words.

Deciding to keep a cool head for now as there is just so much to do, which he usually enjoys but for now, he has to keep a clear mind.

"My, oh my. It seems I owe Kuchiki an apology. Interesting days are coming and I can't afford to miss a single thing," Mayuri said with a sinister smirk. "If this Ichigo and Isshin are on the loose for now then we need only get ourselves some bait by finding the other Ryoka, and it just so happens that two of them have waltzed right into our barracks. Lucky me indeed."

The two proceed to walk and hunt down Ichigo's remaining friends who have yet to reunite with him and Rukia.

"Should we utilize Nikubakudan (Flesh Bomb) as a means to better harvest their bodies without resistance?" Nemu suggested.

"Did you misplace your brain or something, you buffoon? The Head Captain is at his last wits with me and keeps looking for an excuse to either execute me or put me back in the Nest of Maggots. No, if we're going to do this we will need a more… ''humane'' approach," Mayuri corrected.

"So we'll instead use Reigai (Spirit Body) housing Gikon and use them to bait the Ryoka with the Nikubakudan," Nemu replied.

"Precisely!"

---

I would like to defend my choice to make Masaki a lunatic because if she was bold enough to marry someone like Isshin then she surely isn't all there in the head, as demonstrated in Everything but the Rain, and are made for each other. This Chapter was a lot of fun to make and Byakuya having techniques for his Shikai was something I wish was canon, though I confess that Ōkosentō and Ōran originate from Brave Souls, the names anyway, but the way they function in this story are my own ideas.

Lastly, I don't think I'll be able to release the next chapters monthly now because my family and I with some issues. Nothing serious but it will be time-consuming. I have the chapters to cover the Soul Society arc already planned out but they won't be coming as soon as I wish. I apologize but the only thing I can promise is that as long as my hype for Bleach lingers, so will Getsuhime.

With that said, I wish you all an early Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.