It was late in the evening, the sun just starting to reach the horizon. At the Urahara Shop, Kisuke was sitting in the front of the shop, waiting patiently until finally, the front doors opened revealing five figures.
"Ah, there you are. It's about time you got here." Kisuke said with a smile as Sosuke, Sora, Tatsuki, and Soken all in their bodies and led by Yoruichi in her human form, entered the shop, Yoruichi closing the door behind them.
"What's this about, Kisuke? Yoruichi tells us this morning to take it easy and get plenty of rest then she rounds us up and brings us here. I think I speak for all of us when I say, what gives?" Sora asked, the other three nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, it really ate into our training and now we've got all this energy we've spent the day building up and I've had zero outlets for it. Dad even stopped me from taking it out on these two idiots." Tatsuki grumbled.
"On the positive side it's the first day I've had in a long time where I haven't been physically assaulted by my own flesh and blood." Sosuke added.
"If only I was contacted via Yoruichi than the method you used. You shot something into my room that left what looked like someone's dying message in blood on my wall!" Soken complained.
"Then apparently you have no sense of humor, Mr. Ishida, but comedy aside, I think you four will be very interested in what I have to tell you." Kisuke said as he led them into the back room where they each sat down around the table. Yoruichi however, headed into the storage room.
"So? Out with it." Tatsuki said, already bored.
"I assume you've been informed about Lieutenant Kusajishi's arrest, and I bet you're also probably wondering why you haven't seen or heard from Kaien in a while." Kisuke said but the three Kurosaki's shrugged.
"Not really. We heard he went on a trip to America for about a month." Sosuke said casually.
"Well that's not exactly the truth. You see, Lieutenant Kusajishi wasn't alone when Captain Byakuya Kuchiki of Squad Six and Captain Takiya Yamashi came to arrest her, she also happened to be accompanied by a certain cousin yours." Kisuke said, the three Kurosakis eyes widening in shock.
"T-They found Kaien? What did they do to him?" Tatsuki asked, worriedly.
"He was fortunate that Byakuya, his uncle, was one of the arresting Soul Reapers, otherwise he might not have been as fortunate as he was. Byakuya placed a seal on his powers that stripped him of his Soul Reaper abilities as well as even the most basic Spiritual Awareness. The day after that however, he came to me and I was able to remove the seal, a seal I invented by the way, and fully restore his powers. Since then he's been training night and day with ex-Captain Gin Ichimaru and former Sexta Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez inside a specially designed time manipulation chamber underneath the shop. To him, two months have gone by inside that chamber while only a month has passed for us." Kisuke explained as Yoruichi emerged from the back in cat form, hopping up on the table between Kisuke and the other four.
"So he's been training non-stop for a technical two months?" Sora asked as Kisuke nodded.
"That's right. I imagine you know, or can guess, why he's been training endlessly." Kisuke said but only Soken had an idea.
"He plans to stop the execution of Lieutenant Kusajishi." Soken said as Kisuke smiled.
"Yes but there's more to it than that. When Kaien came to me after his powers were sealed, I told him that there were events set in motion in the Soul Society that could spell trouble for all of us, Soul Reaper, Quincy, Human, everyone. The day before we deployed you five to destroy the Hollow Fortress here in Karakura, Kaien's aunt, Captain Karin Kurosaki of the Fifth Division, was temporarily dismissed by Central 46 when she lost control of her Inner Hollow. That incident, coupled with the stolen information used by the Hollows against the Soul Reapers here in the World of the Living, the fact that Lieutenant Kusajishi's memories in committing those crimes were falsified by an unknown third party, the Lieutenant's very arrest, and even the suspicious lack of communication between the Soul Society and Ichigo are all connected. The connections, though buried in the data, are there and it all points to something big about to happen in the Soul Society and not for the better and Kaien, plus the four of you, are our best hope in averting this crisis." Kisuke explained, the four listening intently.
"So, you want us to go to the Soul Society, where there are countless Soul Reapers, all better trained and better equipped than four Soul Reaper and Human hybrids, plus one Soul Reaper and Quincy hybrid, and stop the execution of another Soul Reaper that we hardly even know?" Sora asked, a little overwhelmed by Kisuke's suggestion.
"You doubt your chances of success but I think you're selling yourselves short. I saw how long you held out at the Hollow Fortress. Ordinary Soul Reapers wouldn't have lasted that long unless they were Lieutenant level or higher. All of you are stronger than you think. You also have abilities that no one else in the Soul Society has." Kisuke said as the four looked at each other in thought for a moment. Tatsuki then slammed her hand down on the table.
"I'm in." She said, baffling Sora but not Soken or Sosuke.
"Are you nuts, Tatsuki! You're just begging to be killed!" Sora exclaimed.
"Not when you consider that there are members of our own family in the Soul Society. The chances of them killing us willingly are very slim so that gives us an advantage." Tatsuki said, Soken nodding in agreement.
"Plus we have surprise on our side again. They don't know we're coming so they're not prepared for us." Soken added.
"And how will we know where to go? We'd be on their turf so they'd have the home field advantage and from what our father has said about the Seireitei and even the Rukongai districts, navigating that place is like running a maze!" Sora argued but before anyone could say anything further, Tessai appeared in the trap door that led to the underground training area.
"Manager! The timer on the Seishin to Toki no Heya has reached the one minute mark!" Tessai said as Kisuke climbed to his feet.
"Well then, I suppose we better go have a look see." Kisuke said as he began leading them into the underground area. A minute later, they had all assembled, the four marveling up at the chamber just as the door to the Seishin to Toki no Heya opened up. From it emerged Gin, his usual fox like smile on his face.
"Kisuke, I think there's a minor glitch with the Seishin." Gin said as he walked past the others and walked behind a rock formation.
"I already knew about that glitch but if that was the worst that happened, then I don't think it's worth worrying about." Kisuke said as Grimmjow emerged, clad in a white hakama, black sash, and a ragged white jacket with an upturned collar. The inner lining of the jacket was black, the sleeves were rolled up, and the front of the jacket left open, leaving his muscular and still scarred chest exposed. It was the uniform he wore when he was still serving Aizen.
"I see someone's feeling nostalgic." Kisuke said as Grimmjow smirked.
"I thought that since we're gonna be bringing a little chaos to the Soul Society, I thought I might as well dress for the occasion." Grimmjow said, confusing the four.
"We? You're going too?" Sora asked.
"I figured you could use the muscle so I volunteered. Sure beats sitting around the Hogyoku Club doing nothing for months on end." Grimmjow replied.
"Just who else is going anyway?" Sosuke asked curiously. His answer came in the form of Yoruichi leaping up onto his shoulder.
"I am for one. You could use a guide to the Soul Society and I can probably even help steer one or two Captains away from you." Yoruichi said.
"But ya can't forget me." They heard Gin say. They turned to see Gin emerge from behind the rock formation clad in the usual Soul Reaper uniform but with something extra. He was wearing the Squad Three haori.
"You? But I thought there was a permanent seal on your powers." Sora said but Gin's smile widened, his eyes open slightly.
"Ah but it always pays to have a trick or two up your sleeves." Gin said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Two former Captains and an Espada backing us up. That does improve the odds quite a bit." Sora said.
"Does that mean you're coming around to the idea of committing high treason against the Soul Society?" Tatsuki asked with a smug smirk.
"It might. Of course it's only treason if we fail." Sora said as Sosuke chuckled.
"In other words, you're in." Sosuke said.
"Well what about you?" Sora asked his twin.
"I've been in since Kisuke explained it to us." Sosuke replied.
"Then I guess that leaves me." They heard a voice say. They all turned towards the door to see Kaien emerging from the chamber, Ametsuchi in their Shikai on his back, and his hair noticeably longer, reaching the point in his back where his neck met his shoulders. (A/N: Think Ichigo after he emerges from the Dangai with Isshin after learning the Final Getsuga Tensho)
"Oi, Kisuke. Your chamber didn't stop my hair from growing out." Kaien said, pointing to his head.
"That was the small glitch I mentioned earlier." Gin commented.
"You're really going to complain about your hair right before a mission like this?" Tatsuki asked, glaring at Kaien.
"No. I actually can use this. I now have enough hair, I can wear these." Kaien said as he reached up to the left side of his head and placed the kenseikan into his hair. (A/N: Imagine Koga Kuchiki's hairstyle before he was imprisoned, except all black and with no ponytail)
"Where did you get those?" Sora asked, surprised.
"From my Uncle." Kaien said with a smile.
"So Kaien?" Kisuke asked.
"I'm ready. The sooner we get to the Soul Society, the sooner we can save Yachiru and stop whatever is happening in the Soul Society." Kaien said as Kisuke nodded.
"Alright then." Kisuke said as he started to lead them around the chamber.
"So how do we get to the Soul Society?" Sora asked.
"That's where things get a little prickly. In the years since the death of Sosuke Aizen, the Soul Society really stepped up its security. I was going to use a Garganta, the passageways used by Hollows and Arrancar to traverse the void between worlds, but I hit a small snag. I thought of opening a Garganta directly into the Seireitei but according to some information that Yoruichi got me during a recent trip to the Soul Society, the head of the Soul Reaper Institute of Research and Development managed to create a device that prevents Garganta from being opened into the Seireitei. However it only affects the Seireitei, so getting you into the Soul Society proper won't be difficult. Yoruichi will help you get in from there." Kisuke said as they came to a stop behind the chamber.
"Well if there's anyone who can help it's the Goddess of Flash herself." Kaien said, earning an appreciative look from Yoruichi.
"I'm also the former Captain of the Second Division, which commands the stealth force among other things." Yoruichi said proudly.
"There's one more thing. Be extra careful once you enter the Seireitei. Avoid the Captains if at all possible and try and avoid the Lieutenants too for that matter. Seated officers may prove a challenge but try and keep the fights short. There's a lot at stake here besides just the execution of an innocent person so be wary about who you come into contact with. And above all else, avoid anyone from the Kurosaki Clan. They might be kin to you four but that doesn't mean they won't fight you and you Kurosakis tend to be extremely powerful." Kisuke said, pulling his hat down over his eyes slightly.
"You don't have to tell us that. Captain Kurosaki already gave us a demonstration of his power a month ago." Sosuke said.
"And our own father is pretty powerful, just not as powerful." Sora added, pushing up his glasses.
"Well if we're going to go, we may as well get going." Kaien said as Grimmjow stepped forward.
"Alright then." Grimmjow said, stretching out his arm. In the air before them, a Garganta began to open, the mouth like passageway opening wide for them.
"Better let Gin and Grimmjow take point on this part. They have more experience with Garganta than the rest of you." Kisuke said as Kaien smirked at Grimmjow.
"I trust them. After trusting them not to kill me for two solid months, I trust them to get us to the Soul Society safely." Kaien said as Gin and Grimmjow approached the portal.
"Have fun kids." Kisuke said as they started to approach the Garganta, Kaien pausing before entering to look over his shoulder.
"Hey Kisuke. Thanks." Kaien said before quickly entering the Garganta which closed behind him, leaving Kisuke alone in the chamber. He then turned towards the now empty Seishin to Toki no Heya.
"You can come out now." Kisuke said with a smile. Immediately the figure in black that had saved Kon and the Karakuraizer team from the Gillian appeared in a flash step on one knee.
"You can tell him that the Rescue Mission has commenced." Kisuke said before the figure suddenly vanished in a flash step.
Meanwhile…
The Rescue Squad was running through the reishi constructed pathway of the Garganta.
"Geez how much further do we have to go?" Tatsuki asked as they ran.
"It seems a lot farther than it really is. Besides using the Garganta is the best way to get to the Soul Society without tripping their early warning system." Gin explained.
"Early warning system? Kisuke never mentioned that." Kaien said.
"Normally, Kisuke would've had you travel through the Dangai Precipice world, but the Soul Society keeps a vigilant watch on the Dangai so we can't go through there, and the Soul Society also monitors all Senkaimon use so we couldn't have used that either." Gin explained.
"What exactly are you two getting out of this?" Soken asked, suspiciously.
"It's personal." Grimmjow replied after a moment's silence.
"And Kisuke is my probation officer. He asked me to go along and make sure one specific task was completed. You five have your mission, I have mine. I assure you though; we're all working towards the same goal." Gin replied as Yoruichi cleared her throat. She was riding on Sosuke's shoulder.
"We've almost reached the other side. Once there, we'll need to stick together. I know how we can enter the Seireitei and during my brief trip there last month I made a quick check to make sure I knew where we could find our entrance, so you'll need to follow me once we get through." Yoruichi said as a bright light appeared ahead of them.
"Yachiru…" Kaien thought as the light began to get gradually brighter until finally it enveloped all of them.
"…I'm coming for you."
End Chapter 40.
This chapter ends the Kusajishi Conspiracy Arc and begins the Seireitei Assault Arc. The Theme Song for this Arc is BLUE by ViViD.
The Bleach Quiz!
Today's host: Captain Kaichou "Black Wrangler" Kurosaki, 5th, Tenth, and Fourteenth Division retired.
Kaichou stood behind a podium in her Soul Reaper form, cowboy hat on her head, standing beneath a banner which read "Quiz: Guess my Identity!"
"While I've only had a minor role in this story as opposed to the two previous ones, let's assume you've never met me before. Try and guess my identity." Kaichou said before turning to a Jeopardy styled game show set up with three podiums with dividers between them. At the podiums from right to left were Ichigo, Isshin, and Orihime each wearing white top hats with red vertical stripes. Ichigo was the first to buzz in, a cutout of a hand rising up from the podium signaling his turn.
"You're wearing robes so you're a temple maiden." Ichigo said a buzzer sounding.
"What world have you been living in?" Kaichou asked blankly as Orihime buzzed in.
"You're into guns so you're a gangster." Orihime said, an oblivious smile on her face as the buzzer sounded.
"Huh? Who?" Kaichou said, not sure how to respond while giving Orihime a concerned look as Ichigo buzzed in again.
"You're wearing robes so you're a Jedi." Ichigo said, the buzzer sounding again.
"Get off the clothes will you!" Kaichou yelled as Isshin buzzed in.
"You're into older men with tuberculosis so you're a fetishist." Isshin said with a grin before his hat was shot off, a buzzer sounding.
"Don't make me kill you." Kaichou hissed angrily, holding her Zanpakuto's pistol form as Ichigo buzzed in.
"You're wearing robes so you're a Geisha." Ichigo said before…
"Shinigami Chop!" Kaichou roared, smashing Ichigo on the top of the head with her Zanpakuto.
Tomorrows host of the Bleach Quiz will be Mayuri Kurotsuchi and our contestants will be: Uryu Ishida, Rangiku Matsumoto, and Ichigo Kurosaki.
(A/N: I'm basing this omake segment after the Omake segments from Bleach anime episodes 361-363.)