After hearing of the battles that were taking place, Jushiro Ukitake ordered a meeting of the remaining captains that he could summon. Among them were Soifon, Isane Kotetsu, Byakuya Kuchiki, Sajin Komamura, Toshiro Histugaya, Kenpachi Zaraki, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi. The others he did not know the whereabouts of, but he hoped they were hunting down Yoshima Okanade.
"All of you here I now order to not join the fray. The last time this kind of thing occurred we lost many due to treachery, but we gained a great hope. Those are not the circumstances now. Not one of you is to attack. Only fight if you or your squad is under attack! Is that clear?" The answer was unanimous.
As the hail of light arrows rushed toward Kazetora, she dodged, and they peppered the ground where she had been.
"What was that?" She yelled. "It might have tickled a little!"
"Oh, shut up!" Hisori yelled back. "Eat this!" She raised her bow, and a golden arrow manifested. It charged up, and she fired it out at supersonic speed. It exploded directly in front of Kazetora and blasted her back a long distance.
"D*** it. She packs more of a punch than I thought," Kazetora muttered to herself. She raised Sosaiko. "Quincy, do you know what happens when friction occurs between wind currents?" Hisori's eyes narrowed.
"Enlighten me."
"It causes lightning. And that is my Sosaiko's true power." A tornado whipped around Sosaiko's blade and sparks began to form. Then Kazetora raised it over her head and in a flash of light, the Quincy extraordinaire lay flat on her back, her clothes smoking.
"In the end, you were not even a challenge for me," Kazetora told her. She turned to leave, and somebody said, "Good job, Third Seat Kasumioji, but unfortunately, you disobeyed orders." A muscular man with mussed up silver hair, brown eyes and piercings on his left eyebrow and ear sat on a rock nearby. He wore a sleeveless shihakusho and a captain's haori with the kanji for 9 on the back.
"Captain Muguruma," Kazetora said.
"You left your post," he told her. "I'll have to detain you, by force if necessary, and there's no escape." All around them there suddenly appeared over three hundred Shinigami. One stepped forth. It was a man with spiky black hair that fell over the right side of his face, dark grey eyes with a triple scar across the right side of his face and a tattoo of the number 69 on the right. He wore a sleeveless kosode, a black choker and black armbands on his neck and arms. It was Shuhei Hisagi, lieutenant of Squad 9. Kazetora readied herself, and the two of them lunged toward her.
Kujo Shihoin was in a cave. It was a large cave, lit up and featuring hot springs and rock formations. He noticed that there were already a large number of craters and blast marks everywhere. I'm not the first one to have trained here, he thought. He drew his Zanpakuto and exerted his will, focusing on drawing out its power. Suddenly the sword burst into orange sand, moving a distance away from Kujo, and reforming into a human figure. The figure solidified into the form of an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh who wore a blue and white striped crown, a golden death mask and a brown robe with cerulean patterns on it. Linen bandages were wrapped around his arms, and he carried the sealed form of Kujo's Zanpakuto.
"Sunaarashi." Kujo addressed the man with the utmost fondness and respect.
"Kujo," the pharaoh replied in a deep, resonant voice. "You are ready to achieve my full power, I take it?" Kujo nodded. "Very well. Prepare yourself!" Kujo assumed a ready position, and even though he was unarmed, he felt confidence. The pharaoh raised his sword, and a massive orange sandstorm completely pervaded the area. "You must gain control over this. It is your only weapon against me, and if you cannot subdue me, then I will kill you."
"Let's do this thing!" Kujo yelled.
When she attacked Shinji Hirako, Simura Kiraiyane had not been expecting to end up flying miles through the sky. She crashed into a courtyard and immediately found herself surrounded by basically all of Squad 2.
"Crap," she muttered, before becoming part of a pileup. The group lay on the ground struggling for several seconds.
"What are you doing?" Hirako asked irritably. "This is hardly a fight."
Kiraiyane's muffled voice wafted from within the pile of bodies. "Shut up already. Break free! Rogetsu (Imprisoned Moon)!" The pile of Onmitsukido members was blasted away by a burst of light blue reiatsu. Simura was revealed holding the hilt of her sword, which now had a silver chain connected to it that extended to a wide triangular blade with a teardrop shaped hole in the center.
"Don't be such a smart ass, Captain." She swung the blade around and hurled it towards Hirako. He blocked it with his sword and it began pushing him back.
"If you're going to be this forceful, I guess I'll return the favor!" he yelled. "Collapse, Sakanade (Counter Stroke)! Suddenly he broke past the blade and charged toward Kiraiyane, swinging a katana with a long curved blade that had several evenly spaced holes in it, as well as a wide hoop attached parallel to the pommel. She blocked with the chain, but received a cut to the opposite leg.
"What the-" she exclaimed.
"My Sakanade forces my opponent to perceive the world in an inverted fashion. All directions, injuries, even your eyesight is reversed!"
"Well, that could be a problem," muttered Simura.
A torrent of orange sand lashed across Kujo's shoulder, slashing open the skin of his shoulder and knocking him flat on his back. Sunaarashi appeared in front of him. "All done, Kujo?" He swung his sword down toward Kujo's neck.
What am I doing this for? Kujo asked himself. I don't remember… Wait, yes, I do! I promised to help Okanade clear his name. I must get stronger because of that! And my friends! I'll never see Kazetora, or Kiraiyane, or Konsho again. Whenever I talked to Kazetora, she always seemed so happy, but it was like she was hiding something. I want to find out what that is. I…. I….
"I won't die so easily!" he shouted aloud, and he grabbed the sword by the blade, stopping it dead. "I didn't used to like it, but I am the head of the Shihoin clan. I don't act like a noble, but I have potential!"Kujo thrust out his hand. "Sunaarashi, you are me! That is all the control I need!"
After the Squad 2 pileup, Simura was really tired of being run into. To add insult to injury, she was, of course, hit again. This time by Kazetora.
"What was that for, you idiot?" she yelled.
"Don't blame me! Blame that idiot with the cute hair!" Kazetora replied, gesturing at Kensei Muguruma, who had just appeared next to Shinji. Hisagi was now behind them. "A three-on-two fight, huh?" said Simura. "Bring it on!" Kazetora stepped forward.
"I think it's time to get serious." she told Simura.
"I agree."
Kazetora looked at Kensei and Shinji. "I don't like to remember the past, but in this case, remembering it will help me defeat you."
"What exactly are you talking about, Kasumioji?" asked Shinji.
"Not a lot of people know, but following the attempt on Rurichiyo Kasumioji's life, the conspirators in the plot were all killed. This is the past I don't like to remember. I convinced myself not to be a savage killer any longer." Kazetora looked hateful. "That's why I haven't used this in years." She raised her Zanpakuto at arm's length, and spat out one word. "Bankai."
Immediately, a huge burst of pressure exploded from her back, blowing apart the top of her shihakusho and revealing an Onmitsukido shozoku backless uniform underneath. Kazetora stepped toward them, wind spilling from around her shoulders, carrying two wooden sword hilts chained together, with two long, thin rectangular blades. Her green eyes looked pale and cold, filled with despair. On her left shoulder was a swirling tattoo shaped like a black cloud. The winds suddenly picked up, and her long black hair was instantly shredded away until it was neck length with long bangs over the right side of her face.
"Tensho Sosaiko (Savage Heaven Rending Twister Maiden)." she said. Shinji, Shuhei, and Kensei suddenly looked very shaken.
"Nice." Simura said admiringly.
"I prefer not to think of it that way." Kazetora replied.
"Ah, whatever," Simura sighed. "I guess there's no other choice. Bankai!"
Simura's Shikai blade dissolved and was replaced by a straight single edged blade. Energy flashed around it in the form of a huge double-edged sword. "Soka Rogetsu (Imprisoned Moon's Spear Flower)."
"My God," muttered Shinji. "All of these Third Seats with Bankai."
"Speaking of that," Kensei interjected, "Bankai!"
Shinji facepalmed.
Yoshima Okanade was still running. Through alleys and courtyards he sprinted, only thinking of who he needed to convince of his innocence: Jushiro Ukitake. He was almost to the Senzaikyu fortress when a voice said in a bored tone,
"Stop right there, Okanade, and don't make me get up." Sittting on the steps of the Senzaikyu was a man in a captain's haori with the kanji for 3 on it, who also wore a frilled shirt under his shihakusho. He had long slicked back blond hair and purple eyes. "Captain Rose Otoribashi, of Squad 3. Nice to meet you." Okanade cautiously raised his sword. "Do me a favor and don't make this fight boring. I'd hate to fall asleep mid-swing." said Rose, and he stood, advancing towards Okanade. Okanade firmed up his stance. And suddenly the captain's sword was descending towards his face. He blocked it with Kamaitachi, and cracks spread across the edge at the point of contact.
"Good. You managed to stop me. Otherwise I would have cut you in twain." complimented Rose.
"Spread your claws, Kam-" Okanade started to say.
"Not happening." said Rose casually, and he followed through with his original attack, sending Okanade sprawling. Okanade struggled to his knees and noticed that his sword was broken, cut in half at the middle.
"Uh-oh." Okanade whispered. Suddenly Rose was right in front of him again, and his sword came up.
"It's over, murderer." Rose said, finally stern. And he thrust the blade towards Okanade's throat.
Okanade watched silently, his heart pounding in his ears as the infinitesimal point approached for the kill…..
WHANG!
Okanade tentatively opened his eyes,and what he saw he almost didn't believe. A sword blade crossed in front of his face, having stopped the point of Rose's Zanpakuto from finishing him off. That sword was held in a hand, and that hand was connected to a person. A young man with long brown hair and a shihakusho with a shredded right shoulder. Bandages were wrapped around the right arm, and hanging from the man's belt was a golden hexagon: the Shihoin family crest.
"Problems, Yoshima?" asked Kujo Shihoin, grinning.
"A few." he replied.
Kujo withdrew his sword and batted Rose's blade away.
"Kujo Shihoin. I thought it was you who was assigned to guard this criminal." Rose said.
"He's innocent! There was no reason to capture him in the first place!" Kujo snapped.
"Well, if that's your standing, I will have to treat you as a traitor just the same."
"I think you'll find yourself very wrong, Otoribashi." Kujo said. "Let's go!"
Rose swung at Kujo's head and he blocked, swiping the sword aside. He flash stepped behind the captain and struck at his neck. Rose blocked, and Kujo rotated his sword so that it pointed away from Rose's face, and thrust the pommel of his sword at him. Rose bent his body to the right and kicked Kujo's legs out from under him. Kujo swung Sunaarashi parallel to the ground and did a handspring onto his feet. They retreated from each other.
"I am surprised. A Third Seat matching a captain's footwork and swordsmanship." Rose remarked.
Kujo wordlessly raised his hand. "Hado no Hachijuhachi: Hiryugekizokushintenraiho (Way of Destruction #88, Flying Dragon Striking Thunder Cannon)!" He blasted a wide beam of blue lightning from his palm.
"Wow. It's still not enough. Bakudo no Hachijuichi: Danku (Way of Binding #81, Splitting Void)!" The transparent barrier appeared and the lightning was stopped dead.
Kujo thrust out his hand again. "Limit of the Thousands Hands, Respectful Hands, unable to touch the darkness. Shooting hands unable to reflect the blue sky. The road that basks in light, the wind that ignited the embers, time that gathers when both are together, there is no need to be hesitant, obey my orders. Light bullets, eight bodies, nine items, book of heaven, diseased treasure, great wheel, grey fortress tower. Aim far away, scatter brightly and cleanly when fired." He pointed his index finger. "Hado no Kyujuichi: Senju Koten Taiho (Way of Destruction #91, Thousand-Hand Heaven Culling Sear)!"
Ten bolts of pink energy fired at Rose, who raised his sword in defense. A huge explosion enveloped the area as Kujo stepped back a few paces.
"Do you really think I'm finished?" came Rose's voice from the wreckage. "Play, Kinshara (Golden Sal Tree)!" Rose appeared overhead, and swung a long golden whip with a gold flower on the end. Kujo dodged as it pulverized the ground where he was.
"I'm not done either, you fool!" Kujo yelled. "Engulf, Sunaarashi!" A new, roiling burst of orange sand exploded upward, spreading out like a throwing net.
"Not good enough." Rose said. Kinshara pierced Kujo's Shikai and smashed down on him, but he wasn't there. Kujo had flash stepped over to the other end of the courtyard. Rose switched direction at unbelievable speed, and Kinshara's flower slammed into Kujo's chest. "Kinshara Sokyoku Dai Juichiban-Izayoi Bara (Golden Sal Tree Sonata the Eleventh-Sixteen Day Old Moon Rose)." said Rose, and he slapped the whip with his free hand. A reverberating sound wave blazed out of the flower and blasted Kujo downward. A large crater was blasted in the stone.
As he lay prostrate on the ground, thoughts swirled through Kujo's head. It's time, he told himself. It's time at last.
Rose Otoribashi was amazed by what he saw. He saw Kujo Shihoin stand up with sword in hand, and brush himself off. "How did you survive my Izayoi Bara? You're a tough one." he marveled.
"Captain Otoribashi. You have been underestimating me." Kujo told him. "You said you were surprised that I could keep up with you, even though I was a Third Seat." Kujo scratched his head. "Honestly, I've never liked to brag or display my nobility. It strikes me as pointless. The truth is, I've always retained Third Seat rank because it was the highest I permitted myself to reach. Now I have realized that I can't ignore this one crucial thing. The blood of my clan has run in the veins of many great Shinigami. I will not forget the power it gives me. Watch closely, and behold that power."
"What?" Rose exclaimed. "What are you saying?!"
"What I am saying…is this." Kujo raised his sword point down, edge facing Rose, and thrust it hard into the stones. "Bankai."
The ground rumbled, the sword sank into the earth, and then it happened. Starting on either side of Kujo, two rows of massive dark bronze three pronged pikes rose out of the courtyard floor extending to his left and right, at least five hundred on both sides. They glowed bright orange.
"Engulf him, Sunaarashi Isoireppu (Violently Seething Roiling Sandstorm)."
The pikes simultaneously exploded into a wall of glowing orange sand and dust, and, as a true sandstorm, crashed relentlessly upon the path to victory or death.