Captain Hitsugaya sped through the air with his squad toward Urahara's Shop. Renji had gone back to Soul Society in protest. "That's it," Hitsugaya pointed out the shop.
"Be prepared for anything," Hitsugaya advised the squad.
Urahara noticed a familiar spiritual presence nearby as he watched Ichigo and Grimmjow duel. Both had suffered wounds, but Ichigo was losing the fight against the more powerful Arrancar.
"Come out!" Hitsugaya shouted at the shop and aimed his sword down upon it. The shouting could be heard by those sensitive to spiritual presences but not to the general population below.
Jinta walked out of the shop and looked up. "What do you want?" he asked rudely.
"We're here for the arrest of Rukia Kuchiki," Hitsugaya explained.
Jinta sighed. "Not my problem," he said and then went back inside.
Jinta walked back into the shop and found Urahara in the basement. "There are some Shinigami who want Rukia," he reported.
"Oh? How many?" he asked.
"Four," Jinta replied.
"Interesting. Grimmjow, would you mind staying here? Your presence could…create a distraction," Urahara said delicately.
"Yeah, whatever," Grimmjow replied unconcernedly.
"Ichigo, Rukia, let's see what they want," Urahara gestured for them to come with him.
Tessai had an expressionless face as he looked up at the sky with his sunglasses on. "So, Renji is not among them," Urahara considered.
Rukia looked up and gave a wide-eyed look as she saw the squad above her. Hitsugaya, Rangiku, Ikaku, and Yumichika dropped down into the lot of the shop and approached Rukia.
"I am here to arrest Rukia Kuchiki," Hitsugaya said seriously.
"On what charge?" Urahara asked curiously.
"Insubordination," Hitsugaya said flatly.
"I won't go," Rukia said with a determined expression. "Forgive me, but I have my reasons."
Hitsugaya gave her a sad look indicating his reluctance to move forward. "I will use force if necessary," he warned.
"Let's take this away from my shop," Urahara suggested.
Hitsugaya gave Urahara a wide-eyed look. "You intend to fight, too?" he wondered.
"Of course," Urahara said as if it were nothing.
Hitsugaya gave Urahara a glare. "So be it," he relented.
The combatants shot up into the air away from Urahara's Shop and then took their places. "I won't let you take her," Ichigo promised to Hitsugaya.
"You will be fighting me Ichigo!" Ikaku told him.
Urahara saw Ichigo's already beaten condition and nodded to him. "I will fight the captain," he said.
Yoruichi suddenly phased onto the scene and stood calmly in the air. "Four of them now?" Hitsugaya wondered.
"Did I come too late?" she asked.
"Right on time," Urahara bowed appreciatively.
Hitsugaya wasn't certain of his odds with a four-on-four battle though it seemed Yoruichi and Ichigo were both injured from previous fights. "Take them!" he said finally.
"Bankai!" Hitsugaya called out; an ice dragon appeared around his body.
Urahara watched patiently as ice formed on his shoulders, arms, legs, and chest. Hitsugaya rushed Urahara with ice wings flapping. The ice dragon roared and then shot towards Urahara.
Just as the ice dragon's jaws were about to hit Urahara, he pointed his cane toward its mouth and blasted it back. Suddenly, Hitsugaya and Urahara clashed with their swords.
"Captain?" Rangiku wondered with concern as the fight waged.
"You should step aside if you know what's good for you," Yoruichi told her.
Rangiku frowned at the remark. How could she beat a former captain, the leader of the mobile division? She would have to at least try or else her captain would surely be overwhelmed.
"Growl," Rangiku ordered her sword.
"Hmm?" Yoruichi wondered as Rangiku's sword dissolved and turned into a cloud of small metallic particles.
The cloud of metal shot toward Yoruichi. She dodged the particles just in time but was stunned by the speed. Rangiku expertly changed the direction of her hilt to follow her. Yoruichi increased her speed and shot off away from the cloud.
Ikaku whirled his spear and grinned insanely at Ichigo. "I have been waiting a long time for this Ichigo," he smiled.
Ichigo gave Ikaku an intense look. He was still bleeding from his fight with Grimmjow. He took out his Shikai and readied for battle by unwrapping it. Yumichika watched Ikaku in amusement and turned to Rukia.
"I suppose you are my opponent," he said casually.
Rukia readied her sword to defend against him. She hoped her training with Urahara paid off, though she felt awkward fighting a former ally.
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you, Rukia," Yumichika promised.
"I apologize in advance if I kill you," Rukia said truthfully.
"Hmmm?" Yumichika wondered.
As soon as her Shikai was activated there was an intense light as bright as the sun that blinded Yumichika. The other combatants were stunned by the intense glow coming from Rukia.
"How can she have this much reiatsu?" Hitsugaya wondered.
Yumichika soon realized the air was becoming dramatically colder. His long hair began to form icicles as well as his eyebrows. "This is ruining my style," he shuttered.
Rukia's robes were a bright white, her eyes were purple with slits for pupils, her hair had turned velvet, and her sword glowed fiercely. Yumichika looked around and saw that no one could see him inside the great light emitted from Rukia.
Confident no one could see him, he split his sword into four scythe blades and then released his spiritual pressure. His four blades glowed a strange green light
"This is my zanpakuto's ability. Keep it a secret, please," Yumichika said as he activated his Shikai's power.
Vines suddenly exploded from Yumichika's sword and then raced toward Rukia. Before she could make a move, the vines wrapped around her entire body and began draining her of her reiatsu.
"Your awesome reiatsu will soon amount to nothing," Yumichika predicted.
"Rukia!" Ichigo shouted as the bright light made it impossible for him to see her.
"Stay focused, Ichigo!" Ikaku lectured and attempted to spear him.
Ichigo dodged the attack and blocked another. With a much smaller weapon, Ikaku was able to outspeed Ichigo putting him on the defensive.
"I don't have time to deal with you now," Ichigo told him.
Ikaku whirled his spear and sliced into Ichigo's already wounded shoulder. Ichigo backed off and looked over at Rukia. "Stay on me!" Ikaku shouted at him.
Ichigo dodged another attack but was sliced to the chest by a second blow. "You think fighting is all there is?" Ichigo asked Ikaku.
Ikaku gave Ichigo an impatient look. "It's what I live for," Ikaku told him.
Ichigo gave Ikaku a frustrated look. "Bankai!" Ichigo shouted.
A stream of reddish-black energy pulsed around Ichigo's body like a flame and then his sword morphed into its Bankai form. "Now, we're talking," Ikaku said excitedly.
Ikaku looked around to see if anyone was watching. "Let's see whose Bankai is stronger, Ichigo!"
Ichigo shook his head and formed his Hollow mask. Ikaku's spear glowed red as it prepared to achieve Bankai. Ichigo shot toward Ikaku at an amazing speed and sliced his chest deeply.
Ikaku grunted in pain as he was hit. "But," he gasped; his Bankai had not been finished.
"I don't have time to play games," Ichigo told him.
Ikaku watched with a horrified look as Ichigo powered up a cero beam. The blood-red beam of energy hit Ikaku full blast and shot him across the sky. Ichigo then removed his mask and panted from exhaustion.
Yumichika's sword glowed red as it continued to receive more spiritual energy. The blade was beginning to feel hot as it absorbed more than it could handle. "I can't keep this up," Yumichika realized.
He pulled the vines back unraveling Rukia and then closed his sword. "That should have drained her completely," he said to himself.
Suddenly, a cold wave of frost hit Yumichika. Within seconds, he was frozen solid in a large glacier of ice. A stunned Yumichika fell to the ground and landed roughly on the ground. The ice continued to grow and freeze everything, pinning him in place.
Hitsugaya struggled as he tried to offset a powerful stream of spiritual energy from Urahara's sword. As he blocked the stream, discharges of energy tore apart his ice armor. Urahara gave one last charge that blasted away all of Hitsugaya's armor and ended his Bankai.
Hitsugaya backed away as he tried to regain his composure. He was bleeding and his Bankai had been shattered. Urahara gave the captain a calm but stern expression. Hitsugaya looked around and saw that Ikaku and Yumichika had already been defeated.
Rangiku was still working on getting Yoruichi with her metallic cloud. Yoruichi gave Rangiku an annoyed sigh and then flashed stepped next to her. Rangiku was punched hard to the gut knocking the wind out of her. Yoruichi shook her head as if disappointed and backhanded her to the ground.
Hitsugaya watched in horror as his vice-captain hit the ground hard causing an explosion of dirt to flow upward. Hitsugaya looked a distance over and saw a normal Rukia looking down in amazement at a frozen Yumichika.
Hitsugaya gave Urahara a look and then shot toward the ground. Using his sword, he blasted the ice around Yumichika to pieces freeing him. Yumichika fell out of the ice but then collapsed.
Hitsugaya landed on the ground gracefully and then shot up towards Rukia. "Please, come with me. It's for your own good," Hitsugaya pleaded with her.
"I cannot," Rukia said sadly.
"They'll send much worse than me. This will not end, peacefully," Hitsugaya told her.
Rukia simply shook her head. Suddenly, black holes appeared in the sky. Hollows swarmed through the openings. Hundreds of them descended down upon Rukia and Hitsugaya.
Hitsugaya gave Rukia a concerned look. She readied her sword but showed signs of fear and uncertainty. "She's still a Shinigami," he told himself.
Hitsugaya activated his Shikai and sent an ice dragon to freeze as many Hollows as he could. The ice dragon shot up high into the air and destroyed several Hollows but the two of them would shortly be overwhelmed.
A dozen Hollows came together and shot a red cero beam at Rukia. Hitsugaya saw Rukia put up a defensive front but it was not enough to clear the attack. Grimacing, Hitsugaya sped toward Rukia and blocked the cero beam. The beam blasted the ice off Hitsugaya and cut into his skin.
"Captain Hitsugaya?" Rukia wondered.
Hitsugaya groaned in pain and tried to steady himself for another attack. Just as the Hollows were about to swarm him, blue beams of light sliced into the Hollow destroying them. The arrows were in the thousands as they sliced through the air. The entire lot of Hollows were vaporized in an instant.
Ishida smirked as he lowered his bow. The highly dressed Quincy looked up at the sky and adjusted his glasses. Chad also walked behind Ishida and gave the sky a look.
"Ishida!" Ichigo shouted surprised.
"I assure you, I am not here for you," Ishida clarified.
Hitsugaya realized he was outnumbered and outgunned. Urahara phased a short distance away from the captain. "I apologize for this. We will allow you to collect yourselves and leave," Urahara allowed.
"Thank you," Hitsugaya said lamely.
Aizen approached Gin as they walked down the halls of Las Noches. "That herd of Hollows that appeared in the living world was your doing?" Aizen asked.
Gin continued to grin. "What makes you say that?" he asked.
Aizen nodded thoughtfully. "I don't mind. It was enlightening," Aizen allowed. "But you should know that such things upset Tousen," Aizen reminded him.
"I will keep that in mind," Gin said although he had no intention.
The two walked into a larger hall. "What should be done about Grimmjow?" Gin asked.
"There is no need to replace him. He is doing very well, even if he doesn't realize it," Aizen replied.
Renji was placed in a prison cell. He didn't resist or protest against his punishment. For days, he had reflected on his actions and found himself content. Captain Byakuya entered the jail and walked past the guards.
Upon seeing his captain, Renji stood up at attention. Byakuya gave Renji a typical expressionless look. "Is the crime against you true?" he asked.
"Yes," Renji looked away.
"I see. And what is Rukia's condition?" Byakuya asked.
"Good, although her reiatsu has increased dramatically in the last month," Renji reported.
"Am I to understand that the pregnancy is still intact?" Byakuya continued to interrogate.
"It is," Renji confirmed.
Byakuya gave no expression of either displeasure or joy. He simply nodded. "Since your absence, I have taken up your duties here. I find them to be beneath my status and rank," Byakuya informed him.
"I will petition for your release," Byakuya finished and walked off.
"I am very disappointed, Captain Hitsugaya," Commander Yamamoto said sternly.
Hitsugaya looked away in shame. His injuries had been healed since receiving treatment from the 4th Division. "I apologize, commander," Hitsugaya said with his head low.
"Someone with greater competence will take up this mission," Yamamoto announced and turned to Captain Soi Fong.
"Bring Rukia here so that the pregnancy can be extracted. Use deadly force if necessary," Yamamoto ordered.
"As you wish," Soi Fong answered.
Hitsugaya watched Soi Fong leave with two dozen black-suited troops that made up the mobile division. A feeling of dread passed over him. He had wished that Rukia would have taken up his offer.
Soi Fong, her vice-captain, and four dozen troops gathered in a large courtyard. "I want her taken alive," Soi Fong ordered referring to Rukia.
"Kill any who get in your way," Soi Fong added coldly.
"Yes!" they all shouted in unison.
"Do you expect me to go up against the Ryoku?" Marechiyo asked pathetically. He remembered the last time he fought Ichigo and was not looking forward to another attempt.
Soi Fong eyed her vice-captain with disgust and contempt. "If you can't handle them, you can just die," she told him.
Soi Fong turned to the rest of the group. "Move out!" she ordered.
Izaru Kira, the vice-captain of the Third Division entered the captain's office and stood at attention while the newly appointed captain read over some papers.
"We have an unusual assignment. I will need your help with this one," Captain Amagai said behind his desk.
"How may I assist, captain?" Kira asked.
"What do you know of this Ichigo?" Amagai asked.
"He is one of the Ryoku. He's quite strong. He was able to achieve Bankai within a very short amount of time," Kira began.
"I have heard that he fought Captain Kenpachi and Captain Byakuya to a draw," Amagai noted.
"I did not see either battle, but I have also heard of it," Kira confirmed.
Amagai read over the profile of Ichigo. "He's just a boy," he realized.
"Sir, I would not underestimate him," Kira warned.
Amagai nodded thoughtfully. "Of course not. Our mission is to retrieve Rukia Kuchiki and bring her back here," Amagai revealed.
"We will be joining with the 2nd Division. I have experience with the mobile division and police force. That is why we will be accompanying them," Amagai added.
"Rukia will not come willingly," Kira informed.
"That is unfortunate, but we have our duty," Amagai reminded him.
Captain Soi Fong, Vice-Captain Marechiyo, Captain Amagai, Vice-Captain Kira, and several dozen troops dressed in Shinigami uniforms appeared in the living world.
"Spread out and find them," Soi Fong ordered.
The Shinigami immediately scattered in all directions leaving the two captains and vice-captains behind. "Do you think we will have any trouble?" Amagai asked Soi Fong.
"The Ryoku known as Ichigo is inexperienced and sloppy, but his reiatsu is dangerous. I only need to hit him twice," Soi Fong replied.
"I would be more concerned with Yoruichi," Soi Fong said with a bitter tone.
The Kurosakis were having a typical meal when Ichigo and Rukia entered the house. "You're late, brother," Yuzu remarked.
"Yeah, sorry about that," a fatigued Ichigo replied.
"Ichigo is at that dating age," Isshin commented to Yuzu.
"What?" Yuzu asked confused. Karin simply rolled her eyes.
"Hey! What are you implying?" Ichigo got into his father's face.
Rukia sipped on her tea oblivious to the conversation. "So, what do you guys do after school?" Karin asked.
"Study…books," Rukia smiled innocently.
After dinner, Yuzu and Karin went upstairs for bed. Isshin turned to Ichigo and Rukia who remained. "Have I ever told you how I met Ichigo's mother?" Isshin asked Rukia.
"Say yes," Ichigo protested.
"No," Rukia answered.
"I used to be in the army and one day I was on a shift smoking a cigarette when Ichigo's mother walked by and told me how cool I looked with the cigarette," Isshin began.
"You were in the army?" Ichigo questioned.
"Long time ago," Isshin said vaguely.
"So, I was amazed she was able to see me…because I was all in camouflage," Isshin continued despite Ichigo's scoff.
"She said I looked like a movie star the way I held my cigarette," Isshin reflected.
"How could you look like a movie star if you were in army camouflage?" Ichigo doubted.
"You wouldn't understand, Ichigo," Isshin dodged.
"Go on," Rukia insisted.
"So, I would see her every time I had a break. And every time, I would smoke a cigarette, because it would make her smile. Eventually, I left the army and became a doctor at my house. I turned it into a clinic," Isshin said.
"Five years after Masaki and I got married, Ichigo was born. Actually, he was born right in this clinic," Isshin revealed.
"Dad, do we really need to hear this?" Ichigo continued to protest.
"In fact, I still have the ultrasounds. Want to see them?" Isshin asked.
"Absolutely," Rukia said enthusiastically.
Ichigo stared with an annoyed expression as his dad posted the ultrasounds. Rukia inspected them with curiosity. "And this is his thumb...see?" Isshin showed.
"How cute," Rukia commented.
Isshin gave an expression of pride as he looked them over. "Let's get the photo album out," Isshin suggested.
Ichigo sighed as Isshin and Rukia went over baby pictures of Ichigo and then pictures of his toddler years. "I never knew Ichigo could smile," Rukia teased.
"Yeah, funny. Can we put those away?" Ichigo pleaded.
"When you have a family of your own, you will appreciate this more," Isshin told him.
"I doubt it," Ichigo replied stubbornly.
Rukia's cell phone suddenly started beeping indicating Hollows or Shinigami nearby. Rukia gave Ichigo a look of dread. "Hey, dad, Rukia and I have to go. We'll be back soon," Ichigo promised.
"You kids have fun," Isshin waved off.
"Do you think he suspects," Rukia asked as they walked away from the house.
"I don't know, but it's going to be difficult to hide it, later," Ichigo acknowledged.
"Why's that?" Rukia wondered.
"Because you'll get bigger," Ichigo said. He demonstrated his point by throwing his hands out like a bowl around his gut.
"I don't know if it will be like that," Rukia half doubted, half hoped.
Suddenly, several figures zipped around them. Shinigami in ninja uniforms dashed across several houses as they circled the two. "This can't be good," Ichigo muttered.
"Are they coming for me?" Rukia wondered.
The leader of the squad suddenly phased in front of Ichigo and Rukia. "We have orders to bring you in, Rukia Kuchiki," he said sternly.
"Then you'll have to get through me," Ichigo declared and suddenly exited his body.
Rukia did the same causing a bright but brief display of light. The squad leader immediately made some hand gestures to the others and dashed away. Before Ichigo could move, chains suddenly wrapped around him pinning his arms and legs.
"Ichigo!" Rukia shouted alarmed.
Ichigo struggled against the chains but the Shinigami ninjas worked to quickly wrap him up so that he wouldn't be able to move. Ichigo lost his balance and fell onto the ground. Several ninjas phased next to Rukia and grabbed a hold of her so that she couldn't move or defend Ichigo.
"Rukia," Ichigo gasped as the chains made it difficult to breathe.
"These chains not only bind your reiatsu but will also drain you of all of your strength," the squad leader revealed.
The chains around Ichigo suddenly glowed green as they zapped Ichigo of his power. "Soon, you will not be able to move a muscle," the squad leader predicted.
Ichigo grunted in effort as he tried to weaken the chains but they wouldn't budge. "It is useless," the squad leader told him as he pulled on the chain.
A blue light suddenly sliced into the chain the squad leader was holding loosening it. "What the?" the squad leader wondered.
Ichigo cried out in effort and broke the chains around his body. A blue beam of energy shot towards the squad leader blasting him off his feet. The squad leader cried out as he was dragged down the street and was then hit with an explosion of energy.
"You should be more careful walking down the street, Kurosaki Ichigo," Ishida said arrogantly.
"Save Rukia," Ichigo panted as he attempted to get back to his feet.
Ishida turned towards Rukia's plight. "Release her," Ishida ordered.
"We have our orders," they replied.
Ishida frowned. "So be it," he allowed.
A dozen arrows blasted the ninjas off Rukia; each one hit in the chest with several arrows. Two figures slowly approached Rukia, Ishida, and Ichigo. It was Captain Amagai and Vice-Captain Kira.
"Impressive. What do you call yourself, human?" Amagai asked calmly.
"I am a Quincy and don't forget it," Ishida replied.
"A Quincy. It has been a long time since I have heard that said before," Amagai said thoughtfully.
"I assure you it will be your last," Ishida promised and held up his bow.
"Oh?" Amagai wondered. A dozen troops suddenly appeared to shield the captain.
"Ichigo, I will deal with them. You can have the captain," Ishida advised.
"Sure, take the easy ones," Ichigo muttered.
"This is no time to argue," Ishida pressed.
"Alright," Ichigo agreed.
Amagai looked back at Kira. "I will fight the Ryoku. Take Rukia into custody," he ordered.
Kira nodded and took out his sword.
Ishida aimed and fired multiple bursts at the Shinigami squad members. They immediately scattered as they tried to avoid the blasts. "Spread out!" Amagai ordered.
Ishida watched as the Shinigami shot off in different directions. Ishida gave Ichigo one last look before disappearing.
Amagai walked confidently toward Ichigo. "I am Shūsuke Amagai, newly appointed Captain of the 3rd Division," Amagai introduced.
"You're not much different than the last Captain of the 3rd Division," Ichigo spat.
"Don't say that," Amagai said hurt.
"If you are a captain, there is no reason to hold back," Ichigo shouted and then put his sword out in front of him.
"Hmm?" Amagai wondered as spiritual reiatsu from Ichigo suddenly spiked.
"Bankai!" Ichigo shouted as black energy swirled around him.
"So this is his Bankai?" Amagai considered as it formed.
Ichigo instantly shot off toward the Captain. "Sever," Amagai called out his sword.
Ichigo clashed with Amagai's Shikai creating sparks. "Kuroi Getsuga!" Ichigo shouted blasting Amagai into the ground.
The street exploded as Amagai impacted. Amagai broke through the asphalt and got back to his feet. "Not bad, substitute Shinigami," Amagai allowed.
"Bankai," he said simply.
Ichigo felt a sudden burst of heat as Amagai's Bankai took form. His sword morphed into a completely different weapon. The skull of a hollow appeared at the top and then a long jagged red crimson-colored blade followed. The weapon was as tall as Amagai and yet the captain was able to wield it effortlessly.
"Raika Gōen Kaku," Amagai introduced.
Amagai triggered his weapon as his reiatsu dramatically increased. The blade of his weapon instantly became red hot and flames roared from the back of the Hollow's skull's head. Fire flowed around Amagai but it didn't seem to burn him. Ichigo soon found himself in a field of fire.
"Ichigo!" Rukia cried out as she could no longer see him.
Kira suddenly appeared before her. "Don't make this difficult," he told her.
Rukia gave Kira a stubborn look and brought up her sword. Kira clashed with Rukia. The two didn't budge against the other. Kira swung low but Rukia jumped above his strike and sliced at his shoulder. Kira dodged the attack just in time and created distance between him and her.
"Wabisuke," Kira said as his blade morphed and became a hooked shape.
"Sode no Shirayuki" Rukia replied; her sword becoming a brilliant white.
Kira could sense an immediate temperature drop and wondered how he should proceed. Rukia raised her sword and struck at Kira. Raising his sword, Kira blocked the attack and then quickly blocked several more.
Kira backed away and began to pant as the cold began to affect him. Rukia suddenly felt an increase in weight from her sword. It swung down to the ground and wouldn't move.
"My zanpakuto's special ability: I call it Raise Your Head," Kira revealed.
"I named it that because there is nothing honorable or joyful in taking life. Not the life inside you or anyone else's life," Kira told her.
"Then, why are you doing this?" Rukia asked as she tugged on her sword.
"I do it to preserve peace and life. You are selfish to risk the lives of thousands around you. For the better good, it must be done," Kira bowed his head sadly.
Rukia's eyes became a bright white and then she glared at Kira with contempt. A white aura flowed around her. The ground underneath began to crack and freeze. Kira watched emotionless as her reiatsu continued to rise. Despite her new strength, she could not release her sword.
"It is useless," Kira told her as he calmly walked towards her.
He lightly tapped her on the shoulder forcing her to her knees. "It will be over soon," he promised her.
Rukia gritted her teeth in frustration as she tried to get back to her feet. "Now you know why my zanpakuto is so-called," Kira said raising his weapon.
Rukia looked up at Kira and smiled as he prepared to sling it down on her. Kira hesitated and gave a confused expression as she smirked at him. She suddenly began laughing at him; her reiatsu was proceeding to freeze the entire neighborhood.
"I must make this stop. I'm sorry Rukia," Kira apologized.
Just as he was about to swing down on her, his sword suddenly became brittle and shattered into thousands of pieces. Kira stepped back in shock as only the hilt of his sword remained.
Rukia got back to her feet and then pulled her sword up. "Impossible," Kira gasped.
Ice formed around Kira's feet pinning him in place. Hoping to balance himself, Kira planted his right hand on the ground to keep himself upright. He soon found his hand was now stuck to the ice.
Rukia walked calmly over to a bent down Kira. "Who has their head bowed now?" she asked rhetorically.
Kira gave Rukia a pleading look and then closed his eyes in resignation. Rukia pointed her blade at Kira's throat as if to behead him. Ichigo suddenly escaped from the flames of Amagai's Bankai and saw Rukia with her sword at Kira's throat.
"Rukia…No!" Ichigo shouted.
Rukia hesitated long enough for Ichigo to block her blade with his own. "Back away," Rukia glared at him.
"I can't let you do this," Ichigo told her.
"He tried to kill us," Rukia snapped.
"Us?" Ichigo wondered.
"You know what we can do," Rukia warned him.
"I don't care. This isn't right. Let him go," Ichigo pressed.
Rukia backed away as if confused and uncertain. Ichigo immediately sliced off the ice around Kira's legs allowing him to escape. "Get out of here," Ichigo yelled at him.
Rukia watched angrily as Kira ran off. "I will take care of this myself if you can't," Rukia said and then walked towards Captain Amagai.
Ichigo felt stung by Rukia's words and wondered what had caused her to change so suddenly. Rukia whirled her sword and caused a front of cold air to extinguish Amagai's firestorm.
"What is this?" Amagai wondered as a front of ice crystals hit him.
"Tsugi no mai, Hakuren" Rukia called out as she sent a wave of ice toward Amagai. The Captain quickly moved out of the way but his left arm and Bankai were frozen in place.
Rukia raised her left hand and pointed at Amagai. Several blue flames hit him blasting off his shirt and jacket. A bare-chested Amagai kept his composure even as more blue flames hit him.
"You should know that fire is superior to ice!" Amagai shouted enraged. His Bankai erupted in flames blasting the ice off of it
Amagai then turned his Bankai on Rukia and fired a powerful stream of super-hot air. Ice suddenly shot up from the ground and formed a wall blocking the fire. "You can't keep this up," Amagai predicted as he shot another.
Rukia struggled to maintain a balance as fire roared around her. The ice around her was beginning to melt away. Black beams suddenly hit Amagai knocking him to the ground. Ichigo powered up another blast causing an explosion near Amagai.
Rukia gave Ichigo an appreciative look. "Thank you," she said.
"Yeah, no problem," Ichigo said panting from the effort.
Ishida rapidly fired hundreds of arrows at the Shinigami ninjas. Jumping from house to house, the air streaked with his blue arrows. The ninjas attempted to fire back with shurikens and kunai blades but none of them could hit Ishida.
Ishida powered up his bow and shot off several hundred arrows. The ninjas jumped up to escape the arrows causing the houses they were on to explode instead. Ishida winced as he saw the damage he had caused.
He adjusted his glasses and continued his pursuit.
Vice-Captain Marechiyo strolled down the streets of Karakura Town hoping he wouldn't find trouble. His mission was to find Rukia, but it seemed that Captain Amagai had that under control.
A tall figure calmly walked towards Marechiyo; it was Chad. "Ignore him. He can't even see us," Marechiyo told his squad.
Chad's right arm morphed and formed a powerful muscular shield. Due to his training with Urahara, Chad had increased his armor's abilities. His armor had expanded to form a shield of sort. It was black with red streaks. There was what appeared to be a mouth in the middle of his shield.
"It's one of the Ryoku," Marechiyo realized.
"Are you looking for Rukia. If so, I can't let you pass," Chad said simply.
"Move along before I stick my men on you," Marechiyo threatened.
"Come," Chad challenged.
Marechiyo smirked at Chad's confidence. "Get him," he ordered his troops.
Chad swung his hand into the ground causing the asphalt of the street to erupt. Shinigami went flying in all directions by the force of the impact. Marechiyo gave Chad a surprised expression as his troops were defeated.
"Bastard. Do you know who I am?" Marechiyo shouted arrogantly.
"No, and I don't care to know. All I know is that you are here to take Rukia away," Chad said.
"Like there is anything you can do about it," Marechiyo smirked confidently.
"Maybe not, but I will do my part," Chad replied.
"Gegetsuburi!" Marechiyo called out his Shikai. His sword morphed into a black metallic sphere with several spikes sticking out.
Chad charged Marechiyo and powered up his right arm. As Chad ran towards him, Marechiyo took a step back and wondered if he should retreat. Chad gave out a cry of effort and punched Marechiyo as hard as he could.
The impact caused the Gegetsuburi to explode into pieces and knocked Marechiyo to the ground dumbfounded. Chad stood over a defeated Marechiyo and released spiritual energy from his shoulder.
"Not bad for a human," Soi Fong smirked as she appeared nearby.
Marechiyo grinned excitedly as his captain came to his aid. "Not a moment too soon," he said pleased.
"Shut up, you're pathetic," Soi Fong insulted.
Chad realized that the captain was a superior fighter, but he was willing to do his part for his friends. Chad powered up his right arm for another attack. Soi Fong took out her sword and then morphed it into a stinger.
"Suzumebachi" Soi Fong revealed.
Chad was uncertain of this new weapon. It looked small and weak but the Captain's walk was confident and full of strength. Clenching his fist he sent a blast in her direction. Soi Fong dodged the blast but her vice-captain was hit hard.
Chad looked up and saw Soi Fong sailing above him. He proceeded to raise his hand and shot bursts into the air. Soi Fong dodged the attacks and kicked Chad hard to the gut using flash-step. Chad grunted but then threw Soi Fong off him.
"His strength is unusual," Soi Fong noted.
Soi Fong flash-stepped faster than Chad could see or anticipate. Suddenly, a butterfly appeared on Chad's shirt. Soi Fong smirked victoriously as she hit her mark. The hit was devastating to Chad sending him to his knees.
"One more hit and you're finished," Soi Fong told him.
"I must make this count," Chad told himself and rushed the captain for his last attack.
Soi Fong smirked and flashed-stepped towards Chad for a final hit. Just as she was about to puncture the same wound, Soi Fong's wrist was held back. Chad abruptly stopped his charge as he realized how close Soi Fong's blade was to his chest.
"You have done well, Chad. Get out of here," Yoruichi yelled.
"Yoruichi," Chad gasped.
"Don't interfere," Soi Fong spat.
Yoruichi took Soi Fong's arm and threw her into the air. Chad watched in amazement as the two fighters took to the air and proceeded to cause shockwaves in the sky. Powerful clashes of energy lit up the sky as the two fought.
"This is beyond me," Chad realized.
"No choice," a panting Amagai told himself as he took out a yellow eye and loaded it into his other sword.
Ichigo and Rukia watched in amazement as a black organic armor covered Amagai's right arm. Amagai's right hand morphed into a small dragon's head. A green sphere of energy formed in the dragon's mouth and then became a tall sword of pure light.
Amagai smirked at the two. 'This is the end for you two," he said confidently and then sank his sword into the ground.
The ice immediately melted and in an instant Rukia's aura disappeared. Her sword went back to its normal form. Ichigo watched in amazement as Rukia's reiatsu was suddenly sealed away.
"It's my Bakkōtō, a special technique I discovered in the Soul Society archives. It can neutralize any Shinigami reiatsu," Amagai smiled.
"Now give up," Amagai said sternly.
Ichigo lifted his Bankai against Amagai. The effects of his Bakkōtō were affecting him but not nearly as much as Rukia. Amagai lifted his Bankai with his left hand and fired a stream of fire toward Rukia.
Ichigo phased in front of Rukia and shielded himself with his Bankai. Ichigo grunted in effort as he pushed the fire away from him. Rukia gave Ichigo a stunned look. She was unharmed but Ichigo was slightly burned from the attack.
"His Bankai should have dissolved," Amagai said confused.
Ichigo whirled his sword and let loose several blackish beams. Amagai avoided the attacks with difficulty. The last one hit him hard.
"His Bakkōtō is keeping me from summoning my powers," Rukia said to Ichigo.
"It's all right. I will finish this," Ichigo said as he created his Hollow mask.