Just a few things about were we are in the timeline of Katsurou's story.
Since the chapter takes place 12 years after the end of the Quincy war, Katsurou is still a lieutenant.
He hasn't changed that much in appearance except that his hair has gotten longer and he ties it into a ponytail (unlike back before the 17 month time-skip after Aizen's defeat were he just let it be down even though it reached half his back)
Uniform wise, he now wears maroon colored fabric around his forearms and while out on missions, he adds metal bracers as an homage to his old friend, Sajin
Hikaru is 9 years old, Haruka is 4 and Ichika is 8.
Since I had Love take the position as captain of the 7th, Iba is still the lieutenant.
12 years had passed since the defeat of Yhwach and peace had been fully restored in the Seireitei since the rebuilding had finished two years earlier.
In the officer mansion district, Hikaru Ukitake and Ichika Abarai were making their way down the street.
"Nice of your mom and dad to let you come today, said Ichika"
"Dad says kendo is a good start to my training and who's better at it than Uncle Ikkaku"
Ichika laughed and the two soon reached the right place, the home of 11th division lieutenant, Ikkaku Madarame.
"Good morning master!"
"You're late Ichika!"
"Sorry but I brought Hikaru with me today"
Ikkaku looked at the two and smirked.
"So your dad let you train with us today, Hikaru"
"Yeah. He said that it's a good start for me to begin my training since he practiced Kendo with Ichika's uncle when they were kids"
"Well then you've come to the right place.
-Come at me both of you!"
The two kids leaped towards him, their wooden swords clashing with Ikkaku's until Ichika leaped onto a roof and Hikaru landed in front of the house.
"You're strong, Uncle Ikkaku"
"He's right, you've improved, master"
"Shut up Ichika! I've always been better than you! I'm the master here!
-Now get down from there before I knock you down, you little brat!"
"You know, you're the only person who calls me that"
"Guess that makes me special!
-Hurry up and get down!"
Ichika got down from the roof and Ikkaku kept blocking the attacks from the two kids.
"You sure you're not off your game Ichika, Ikkaku asked
-I'd say even Hikaru is better than you at the moment"
He pushed the two back and away from him.
"You haven't been to the world of the living?"
"I'm only allowed to go during long breaks"
"That's a shame.
-Good thing Hikaru is here or you'd probably be longing to see Ichigo's kid"
"No I don't! It's not like that between Kazui and me!
-You're a dummy, master!"
"I don't think he meant it in that way, Ichika, said Hikaru"
Then from around the corner, came Yumcihika.
"You guys are still going at it?"
"Good morning Chika, you look as beautiful as always today"
"Thank you.
-You look cute today yourself, Ichika"
"Morning Uncle Yumi"
"Good morning to you as well, Hikaru"
Yumichika then glared at Ikkaku.
"What are you looking at me like that for?
-I didn't do anything!"
Ikkaku then pointed his wooden sword at the kids.
"And what do you mean with we're still at it?
-The brats just got here!"
Yumichika sighed at old friend.
"I knew you'd forget"
"Forget what?"
"Today is THAT day"
Ikkaku blinked a few times before he seemed to remember what Yumichika was talking about.
"Oh right.
-I'd totally forgotten about that"
He turned to Hikaru and Ichika, sword resting over his shoulder.
"Sorry kids, I've got something to do"
"But master!"
"We can go on a little longer tomorrow to make up for it.
-Now go home"
So the two kids left and made their way home.
Hikaru entered the yard of the 13th division and made his way around the barracks to were he could sense his father and grandfather.
He rounded the corner and saw the two as well as Rukia speak with Mayuri.
"Captain Kurotsuchi?
-I don't know how Ichika can find him cool, he's scary"
Staying hidden, Hikaru listened to what Mayuri was saying.
"Regarding the Konsō Reisai tonight.
-All lieutenants must assemble in the world of the living soon in order to accomplish the pre-ceremony Hollow capture"
"Understood, captain Kurotsuchi, said Katsurou.
-I'll head over to the Senkaimon immediately"
"Dad is heading to the world of the living to capture a Hollow?"
Mayuri didn't say anything and simply dissapeared at the same time as Hikaru began to sneak away from the barracks not hearing the discussion between his father and Rukia.
"You sure, Katsurou?"
"Yeah, you stay here with the captain while I go with everyone else"
"Understood"
"I'll be leaving then"
"Be careful, Suro"
"Don't worry, dad.
-It's just a Hollow capture like the one we did a few days ago for Yamamoto"
Katsurou went to his office and put on the pair of metal bracers he used during missions. They were similar to the ones Sajin had used back during their battle in fake Karakura except much smaller.
Once they were on, he made his way to the Senkaimon were he meet up with Nanao.
"So I'm the first one here"
"Looks like it.
-Which is good because I wanted to talk with you"
"Okay?"
"I was thinking about spliting everyone up into two groups to cover more ground and get the capture done faster"
"That's not a bad idea"
"Which is why I wanted to ask if you wanted to lead the other group"
"Sure, I can do that.
-Who'll go with who?"
"I'll take Omaeda, Kira, Hinamori, Kotetsu, and Madarame
-Abarai, Iba, Yayahara, Hisagi, Matsumoto and Akon can go with you"
"Sounds good to me"
The two talked for a little bit longer before the other lieutenants arrived and lined up before the two.
"Alright everyone, we'll leave in two groups in order to cover more ground and get the capture done faster"
"Renji, Tetsuzaemon, Yuyu, Shūhei, Rangiku and Akon, the six of you are with me, said Katsurou"
"The rest of you will come with me, said Nanao"
"Understood"
"Then get ready, my group will move out first, said Katsurou"
The six names he'd mentioned all lined up behind him and once the gates opened, they all entered the Senkaimon.
"Hey Tetsuzaemon, how's it going with that new 3rd seat of yours, Shūhei asked"
"You mean Atau?
-Actually better than I expected seeing how he can't speak and all"
"How does he even fight if he can't call out his Zanpakutō, Rangiku asked"
"That kid must have a good relation with it cause all he has to do is write the release command on his blade"
"That's actually impressive, said Akon"
"Guys, focus, said Katsurou.
-We're reaching the end of the path"
They exited the Senkaimon and ended up in the sky above Karakura town.
"Alright, let's track down a Hollow and bring it back, said Renji"
"Calm down Renji, said Katsurou
-Remember how much trouble we had a few days ago when we captured the one for Yamamoto's ceremony?"
"Don't remind me, said Shūhei"
"Hey, someone is coming, said Yuyu"
Everyone turned around and there was indeed someone coming towards them but it wasn't a Hollow or anything.
It was none other than Ichigo.
"Oh, hey Ichigo, said Renji"
"Why are all of you guys here?"
"We're here to capture a Hollow, said Rangiku"
"Capture a Hollow?"
"It's for a ritual we hold 12 years after the death of a captain, said Tetsuzaemon"
"What exactly do you do?"
"We capture it and then kill it in front of that captain's grave, said Shūhei"
Ichigo just looked at the lieutenants as if something was wrong.
Yuyu then took her chance to jump at him and began to take a lot of phots on her Soul Pager.
"I've heard all the buzz about you, Ichigo, the hero of the great war!
-And don't worry about the pic. I've gotchu covered with filters"
"Hey cut it out! I'm not a hero!"
He managed to get away from her and looked at Renji and Katsurou.
"Who was that?"
"Yuyu Yayahara, she's captain Yadomaru's lieutenant, said Katsurou"
"That makes sense"
Meanwhile down on the ground.
A Senkaimon opened and Ichika snuck out of it.
"I got here without getting caught"
She pouted slightly as she watched the gate close behind her.
"But I still can't believe Hikaru didn't wanna come with me"
She thought back to her coversation with her friend earlier.
Flashback:
After she had overheard Mayuri talk to her father about the mission in the world of the living, Ichika had left her home.
"I can't let father and master have fun in the world of the living without me"
She had then run into Hikaru.
"Hey Hikaru, I know why master had to leave"
"Yeah I know too.
-Captain Kurotsuchi was talking with dad, aunt Rukia and grandfather when I got to the 13th"
"So...
-What do you say about sneaking after them?"
"Are you crazy Ichika?!
-If our dads find out we went after them without permission, we're gonna be in trouble"
"That's only if they catch us"
"I'm not going"
"But why?
-It will be fun"
"I'm not gonna get in trouble with mom, dad and grandfather just because you wanna go to the world of the living.
-I'm going home. Mom probably wants help with some chores"
Hikaru then turned around and made his way home to the Ukitake estate.
End Flashback.
Ichika shook the slight annoyance she had towards her friend out of her head and looked up at where he father and the others were.
It was then she noticed it...
In the middle of the lieutenants stood a skeletal creature without a head and two large rings at the top of its arms, one of which had a chain pattern on it
"Why hasn't anyone else noticed it?"
She then saw that the creature lifted its arm and was about to attack Renji.
"FATHER!"
Renji was surprised to see his daughter and was hit into some buildings by the creature before Ichigo cut off its arm which caught the attention of the other lieutenants.
"Is that a Hollow, said Shūhei"
"How come we didn't notice it, said Rangiku"
Everyone grabbed onto their Zanpakutō and drew them as more of the strange Hollow creatures appeared around them.
Tetsuzaemon was the first one to move and released his Shikai before attaking one of the creatures.
"They're no ordinary Hollows!
-They have no spiritual pressure!"
"Then we'll all spread out and strike them, said Shūhei"
"But what about the ritual, Yuyu asked
-We're supposed to capture a Hollow ALIVE"
"We'll catch one after we've taken care of these things, said Katsurou
-Howl Towards the Shining Moon, Kuroi Ōkami!"
He swung the sword and summoned a large pack of his wolves.
"Kōgeki!"
One of the wolves howled before they all ran towards one of the creatures, ripping it apart.
Yuyu then ran up the falling bones and attacked another one of the creatures.
Akon poured something out of a vial that hung around his neck and the creature melted as soon as it stepped on it.
Shūhei threw Kazeshini towards a flying one that was about to attack Akon and Rangiku used Haineko's ash to attack multiple.
They were all so busy taking care of the creatures that they didn't notice the gate that opened down on the ground a bit from Renji and his old foe Szayelaporro came out from it, looking different with a smiliar chain mark as the creatures.
Once the lieutenants had slayed the final creature, they all saw Ichigo fight Szayelaporro until the gates of hell suddenly appeared behind him and he was stabbed by a giant nodachi.
"You're early...
-Blade of death: Retsu Unohana"
"What are you saying, Ichigo asked"
"The other lieutenants finished their assignment and brough a Hollow back to the Soul Society. The Konsō Reisai is finished.
-So I guess I'll be heading home but you guys should think properly about one thing"
The former Espada looked at Ichigo and lieutenants who now had gathered around him.
"Hell has always been around you, I certainly doubt you all have failed to noticed that.
-Haven't you all wondered why the butterflies who guide you have Hell in their names?"
Szayelaporro was then dragged through the gates of hell which closed but they didn't fully disappear.
"This can't be good, said Tetsuzaemon"
"We need to head back and report this to the head-captain, said Akon"
Everyone else nodded in agreement and Renji soon appeared next to them, Ichika in his arms.
"You okay, Rangiku asked"
"Yeah. Ichigo made sure of that"
"Good, said Shūhei"
Katsurou then turned to Ichigo.
"You mind coming with us, Ichigo?
-The head-captain would probably like to know what that Arrancar Togabito told you"
"Togabito?"
"Another word we use to describe the inhabitants of hell.
-I guess you'd know them better as Sinners"
"Sinners..."
Ichigo put his hands in his pocket and nodded at the 13th division lieutenant.
"I'll come with you guys.
-Let me just inform Orihime of where I'm going"
"Of course"
Once Ichigo had done that, Katsurou opened the Senkaimon and made sure an extra butterfly appeared so Ichigo could travel with them.
Reaching the Seireitei, they all went to the 1st division barracks.
"Head-captain sir, we have something important to report, said Katsurou"
"Something happened in the world of the living?"
"Yes sir"
Katsurou explained the simple version of what had happened during their mission and Shunsui nodded before standing up from his desk.
"Then I should probably gather the other captains and lieutenants so everyone can hear the full story"
"Understood"
Shunsui summoned everyone to the 1st division and they were soon gathered in the captains' meeting room.
"Lieutenant Ukitake, step forward and inform us about what happened since half you didn't return right away"
"Yes sir"
Katsurou got up from where he was bowing behind his father and stepped out so he stood between the rows of captains.
"The group I led entered the world of the living without any trouble and Ichigo showed up not long after that but before we knew it, this strange creature appeared without anyone of us noticing it"
"How did it look?"
"A bone white skeletal body with two large rings for shoulders, one of them having this chain looking pattern on it.
-It didn't look like anything I've ever seen before"
"I see.
-What did you do about it?"
"The rest of us didn't notice it until after it had knocked lieutenant Abarai to the ground and Ichigo had cut it.
-The more of those creatures appeared and we had no choice but to fight them which wasn't hard since they didn't have any spiritual pressure like Hollows do"
The 13th division lieutenant then turned to were Renji was standing behind Byakuya.
"What happened down on the ground while we fought?"
Renji sighed and stepped forward
"I was about to join everyone else in the battle when a gate opened up behind me and from it... came a former foe of mine.
-An Arrancar named Szayelaporro Granz, the former 8th Espada"
"That's impossible, said Mayuri
-I myself ended that Arrancar's life!"
"He said that he'd been cast into hell after his death.
-He threatened to kill to my daughter and when I tried to get away with her, he sent this chains at me so I wouldn't get away"
Renji pulled up the right leg of his Hakama to show the wound the chains had left on him.
"Then Ichigo showed up and cut the chains so I could get away from there and take my daughter somewhere safe"
The captains turned to the Substitute Soul Reaper who stood by the door.
"Ichigo, what happened after you'd freed lieutenant Abarai, Shunsui asked?"
Ichigo walked closer so he stood next to Katsurou and looked at the captains and lieutenants.
"After I'd saved Renji from those chains, I began to fight Szayelaporro and that's when he told me...
-That the ritual you guys needed to capture a Hollow for... is actually sending deceased captains to hell"
The captains all looked at him in surprise except Shunsui who's eyes were turned towards his old friend.
Jūshirō nodded and walked over to the head-captain.
"Could you all lend your ears to us two old men for a moment, Shunsui asked"
Everyone turned their attention to the two oldest captains and Shunsui began to speak.
"There is a word... Reii. It's a unit of measurment used among nobles in the past and it's said to represent the density of spiritual pressure within Reishi.
-A normal division officer is grade 20, a lieutenant varies between grades 4 and 5. And captains are grade 3 or higher"
"The bodies of us Soul Reapers are made of Reishi and when we die, our bodies turns into Reishi and returns to the earth of Soul Society, said Jūshirō
-But those with a Reii grade of 3 and higher can't do that because the density of their spiritual pressure is too high to be reabsorbed without intervention. Which is why we have the Konsō Reisai"
"The ceremony allows their Reishi to be returned.
-That's what is taught at the academy"
A serious look then appeared in Shunsui's eyes.
"And what I'm about to tell you is superstition.
-Reishi grade 3 or above cannot return to the earth of Soul Society no matter what"
"We can't let Reishi that powerful remain in Soul Society and with that lies the other reason behind the Konsō Reisai.
-With the ceremony, deceased captains... are sent to hell"
Everyones eyes filled with shock.
"Is that true head-captain, Rukia asked.
-Have we really...?"
"It may well be... and even the two of us are only realizing it now"
Silence fell until Ichigo stepped forward once again.
"There's one more thing he told me, head-captain"
"What is it?"
"He said that, due to you guys sending both the old man and captain Unohana to hell so close to each other along with Aizen and Yhwach being gone, the gates of hell are opening from the inside due to the balance being broken.
-That there's not enough spiritual pressure on this side to surpress the massive amount sent to hell"
"I see"
Shunsui was silent for a moment before looking at the substitute Soul Reaper.
"Ichigo, go back to the world of the living and inform us as soon as you notice something different or unusual"
"Understood"
"The rest of us will stay alert and try to figure out a way to solve this problem"
"Sir!"
The meeting was then dismissed and Ichigo returned to the world of the living while everyone else went back to their duties.
Later, Renji and Rukia came with Jūshirō and Katsurou to their home since Renji had left Ichika there before the meeting.
Entering the estate, they walked to the main room where Hikaru and Ichika were along with Haruka.
"Welcome home dad, grandfather"
"Thank you, Hikaru"
Renji and Rukia then both looked at their daughter who turned her face away from them.
"Ichika what were you thinking, Renji asked.
-Why did you sneak after us?"
"Cause I overheard you talking with Captain Kurotsuchi about going to the world of the living.
-I thought it wasn't fair how you and master were gonna go without me"
"Ichika we weren't going just for fun, we had an important mission to do there"
"You're lucky your father and Ichigo protected you from those hell ghouls or you might have been very hurt, said Rukia"
Ichika made her hands into fists before looking at her parents.
"I'm sorry father, mother"
Rukia smiled and knelt next to her daughter.
"It's okay sweetie.
-You're unharmed after all"
"But you're grounded and are not allowed to train with Ikkaku for a week after what you did"
Feeling bad for seeing his friend sad, Hikaru turned to his father.
"Dad"
"Yes?"
"I actually knew Ichika would try to sneak after you"
"What?
-Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Because even though I didn't want to go and thought it was a dumbd idea, I didn't want her to get in trouble"
Katsurou looked at son and knelt to his height.
"Hikaru you should have gone to the 13th and told your grandfather and Rukia.
-What would you have done if Ichika had gotten hurt while she went after us and you knew that she was going?"
"I would probably feel bad"
"Exactly. Now we're lucky that Renji and Ichigo kept her safe.
-But next time, be honest and tell anyone of us adults right away"
"Okay, dad"
"Good.
-But you're also in trouble for not telling anyone"
Hikaru sighed.
"Fine"
"Don't worry, a week passes by quickly since you have your sister to play with"
Renji and Rukia then went home with Ichika, leaving the Ukitake family alone.
Everyone thought peace had fully returned but now it seemed that something even bigger awaited in the jaws of hell.
