The next day, Shane was summoned to see the captain. Shane knocked on the door and Captain Ukitake motioned for him to enter. Shane shut the door behind him and stood before the captain.
"Well? What happened on your mission?" Ukitake asked. Shane hesitated and looked to his feet. "I found what was causing the disturbance," he said. Ukitake waited for him to continue. "It was a fomer shinigami who had been hiding in the Real World for the past 70 years or so."
Ukitake frowned. "If he had been hiding for so long, why reveal himself now?" he asked.
"It was his Soul Slayer that gave him away," Shane explained. "I tracked down his location. We got into a fight and I returned."
Ukitake stared at Shane intently. "I know there's more to this story," he said. Shane sighed. "While we were fighting, the former shinigami told me some very troubling things."
"Such as?" Ukitake asked.
"He said we were alike, that Soul Society was afraid of our power," Shane said.
"That is very odd," Ukitake agreed. He knows I'm not telling him everything, Shane thought to himself. He wanted to confess everything, but Shane wasn't sure how the captain would take it. Frankly, Shane didn't believe it all himself, but parts of it made sense.
"Well, I'm glad you made it back safely," Ukitake said, changing the subject. "There was a meeting while you were away. It was decided that Captains Kuchiki, Zaraki, and Unohana would travel to Hueco Mundo to support Ichigo Kurosaki. At the same time, the rest of the captains, lieutenants and other strong fighters would protect Karakura Town in the Real World."
Shane thought for a moment and said, "But the real Karakua Town will be transported to Soul Society and switched with a fake, using some ultra high level Kido and stuff right?"
Ukitake blinked and stared flabbergasted at Shane. He smiled and shook his head. "You continue to amaze me with your astute observation."
"Don't flatter me. It was just a guess," Shane said. He crossed his arms and added, "So what happens when Aizen comes to Soul Society to get the real Karakura Town?"
"What do you mean?" Ukitake asked.
"Don't give me that," Shane said. "All of this was part of Aizen's plan. He has neutralized Ichigo Kurosaki by trapping him in Hueco Mundo, split up the remaining captains and forced us into a last stand situation. With everyone in the Real World protecting a fake Karakura Town, all Aizen will have to do is simply get here and he's won."
"You think we didn't consider that?" Ukitake said sharply. "What more would you have us do? So far, all you've done is stated all the problems, but offered no solutions."
Shane was a little taken aback by the captain's outburst. "Look I'm sorry," he said. "Like you say, all I can do is point out the problems. I'm no good at coming up with solutions."
"In any case, everything you've said is true," Ukitake said. "I suggested we leave you behind to oversee things while we are gone. The others were...hesitant, but leaving one lieutenant-level shinigami was all I could get."
Shane frowned and said, "We still have all the lower ranked shinigami from each of the divisions, so we're not entirely helpless." As Shane turned to leave, Ukitake called out to him. "Where are you going?"
"To get help. This job is too big for just me," Shane said. With that he left. Ukitake sighed and watched him leave. "I hope this isn't the last time we meet," he said.
Shane went back to his apartment and changed to his traveling clothes. This time, he kept his Soul Slayer with him by wrapping them in cloth and putting them in a bag. He set out again, leaving the Seireitei far behind. He ventured far out into the Rukongai. His destination: District 80, the farthest and most lawless district in all of Soul Society.
When he finally reached his destination, the sun was setting in the sky. The wild forest grew all around him and Shane could feel a murderous intent stalking him. He ignored it and continued on to a small clearing where a rundown hut sat next to a small stream. A solitary figure sat on the steps smoking a pipe. As Shane approached, the man looked up. "Are you here to challenge me too?" he drawled. Shane removed his straw shade. "I'm hurt you don't recognize me," he said.
The man gave him a once over and smiled. "Well I'll be. I haven't seen you for years." Shane stepped back and looked at his old friend. He still wore a Death God uniform, but it was faded, torn and patched all over. The sleeves were cut off at the shoulder and the pants ended mid-calf. His long hair looked as if he'd cut it with a knife, jagged and uneven. Cloth wraps covered his hands, forearms, and feet. His strength hadn't faded over the years and Shane massaged his hand after the greeting.
"So. What brings the 'great' Shane Akiyama to this little hellhole?" Kintaro Yorimitsu asked.
"Actually, I need to talk to you about that," Shane said, and proceeded to tell Kintaro what was happening in the world.
"Really? I must say that's quite the story," Kintaro said when Shane finished. He smiled and gave Shane a light punch on the shoulder. "You? A lieutenant now? Never would have seen that coming."
"Yeah, I know right?" Shane replied dejectedly. "Anyway, I need your help. Interested?"
Kintaro frowned. "Go back and be a Death God again? You know why I left right?" he asked.
"But this is different," Shane argued. "I just want you to stay until this is all over, then you can come back here and do whatever it is you do."
"Some favor," Kintaro grumped. "I just don't see what's in it for me."
"You rember Akuma Izu right?" Shane asked. Kintaro nodded. "She's helping Aizen and I think she's got it out for me," Shane said. "She's got a couple of Arrancar working for her."
"Are they strong?" Kintaro asked.
"You think?" Shane replied. "Might even give you a run for your money." Kintaro grinned. "I doubt that."
Shane waved him off. "Fine. Don't believe me. The only way to find out for yourself is fight one."
Kintaro stroked his chin and said, "That doesn't sound like a bad idea," he said. He stood up and walked inside his hut. When he returned, he was holding a sword. The scabbord was old and looked about to fall apart. The guard was shaped like the footprint of a wolf.
"Care for a little duel before we leave?" Kintaro asked. Shane was hesitant. "I don't know if I want to," he said.
"Oh come on," Kintaro said. "You're a lieutenant now, and one of the best hand-to-hand fighters in all Soul Society. I've been out of the game for years. This should be a breeze for you." Shane sighed and rose to his feet. Grinning excitedly, Kintaro walked to the center of the clearing and drew his Soul Slayer. The blade gleamed in the fading light. "The rest of it may look old, but the blade is sharp as ever," Kintaro said. Shane pulled his swords out of the bag and stood several feet in front of Kintaro. Kintaro rolled his neck and loosened his shoulders. "First one to land a hit wins," he said. Kintaro spread his feet apart and said, "Howl to the moon, Okami!" The blade glowed white and disappeared. On Kintaro's arms appeared cloth sleeves covered with leather and metal strips. A metal plate covered the back of the hands with a single metal strip that covered the striking surface of a closed fist. KIntaro knocked his hands together, producing sparks and a sharp CLUNK. "Bring it on!"
Shane sighed and drew his Soul Slayer and touched the pommels together. "Rise, Tsukuyomi." The swords glowed and merged together in their released form. "Oh man, I haven't seen that in a while," Kintaro said with a grin. Shane hefted Tsukuyomi in his hand and shrugged. He looked to the sky and pointed. "Hey, what's that?"
"Huh?" Kintaro looked in the sky where Shane was pointing. As soon as he looked, Shane quickly threw Tsukuyomi in the ground at Kintaro's feet and fired a kido spell. The kido, attracted to Tsukuyomi, exploded at Kintaro's feet.
"What? That's cheating!" Kintaro said when the smoke cleared. Shane saw he wasn't affected at all. "Doesn't matter. I win," he said.
"Huh?" A look of confusion crossed Kintaro's face. "Yeah, but..."
"You never specified what kind of attack," Shane said with a shrug. "Now get whatever it is you think you need so we can go."
"You know you didn't actually win right?" Kintaro argued. Shane rolled his eyes. "A win is still a win."
"But you cheated!" Kintaro protested.
"You never specified the rules," Shane replied. Kintaro said nothing as he went inside his hut. Tsukuyomi reverted to its sealed state and Shane sheathed his swords.
"You owe me after this," Kintaro grumbled as they walked through the woods.
"If we live that long," Shane muttered. They continued back in silence.