Chad, Karin, and Orihime has now gained the powers of soul reapers like Ichigo. They attended to Head Captain Yamamoto with the other captains.
"As you can see, it was a success. The three are now substitute soul reapers like Ichigo." Rukia said.
"Yes, I can see that. Kisuke Urahara has already informed us on what to do next." Yamamoto said. "We now have to get you three to know the name of your zanpaktō."
"These swords have names?" Karin asked.
"Every zanpaktō has one young lady." Yamamoto said. "If there are any three captains that wish to help, all you have to do is set up a challenge that will help them. They shall have an unlimited amount of time."
"This sounds like it could be fun." Kyoraku said as he stepped forward. "If you don't mind, I'll take the big one." Chad knew that meant hi and he agreed as the two left.
"I shall help as well." Toshiro said. "I happen to be an acquaintance of Karin Kurosaki. I shall train her to awaken her zanpaktō."
"Wow, thanks." Karin said as the two of them left.
"Orihime, I think it might be best for you to go with Miss Unohana." Ichigo suggested.
"You're probably right." Orihime said.
"Why would that be?" Yamamoto said.
"It's just that Orihime is more of a healer, not a fighter. She can't bring herself to fight an enemy or anyone." Ichigo said.
"Wait just a minute." Kenpachi said. "She wanted to be a soul reaper, but she can't even fight. That's disappointing." He walked over and lifted her by the back of her collar. "I'll take this one and get her to fight."
"Are you crazy, Kenpachi?" Ichigo said. "I'm afraid if you train her, you'll actually kill her. I just said that Orihime isn't a fighter."
"I heard you, I just don't care." Kenpachi said. "We've got some work to do woman."
"Yes sir." Orihime said and he carried her away.
"I better keep an eye on him." Ichigo said as he went with them.
"I'm going to check out how the others are going to do." Uryu said.
"Good idea. We better watch and see how each of them do." Rukia said.
…..
Chad
Kyoraku took Chad to the Squad Eight barracks. Kyoraku took a seat in the middle of the floor as he poured himself a drink and had Nanao standing next to him.
"Sir, shouldn't you be setting up a challenge?" Nanao said.
"I am." Kyoraku said.
"What do I have to do?" Chad said.
"Do you remember the first time we fought each other? I thought it might be fun to hold a do over." Kyoraku said. "All you have to do is move me from this spot with your sword."
"That's it?" Chad said.
"From what I heard, Kisuke just had Ichigo knock off his hat." Kyoraku said.
"How will this help me learn my sword's name?" Chad said.
"Just give it a try." Kyoraku said. Chad pulled out his sword and went straight for an attack. When he was about to swing it down, Kyoraku just grabbed it with his bare hand and tossed Chad back. "How sad. You haven't gotten much stronger since that time."
"In his defense captain, he did lose his powers and doesn't know how to use these new found ones." Nanao said.
"Good point, my apologies, but you'll have to do better than that." Kyoraku said.
…..
Karin
Karin was taken to the Squad Ten barracks for Toshiro to start her training and Rangiku was watching.
"So what are you going to do captain?" Rangiku asked.
"Whatever it is, I'll do it." Karin said.
"Have you even been in a sword fight?" Toshiro said.
"No." Karin said.
"I see. I think I know what challenge to give you." Toshiro said. "Reign over the frosted heavens, Hyōrinmaru!" He released his shikai and created a pillar of ice with him at the top.
"Oh, thank you captain. I needed a cooling off." Rangiku said.
"That is not what this is for." Toshiro said. "Karin, all you have to do is climb up here and try and knock me off."
"That doesn't sound so hard." Karin said. She took a step forward, but an icicle crashed in front of her foot.
"I didn't say that it would be easy." Toshiro said.
…..
Orihime
Kenpachi just dropped Orihime in a general area of the Seireitei.
"Uh, aren't you going to take me Squad Eleven?" Orihime said.
"Nope. I got something in mind on what to do to you and if it's going to happen the way I think it is, we need a lot of room to run around." Kenpachi said.
"Kenpachi, try and go easy on her." Ichigo said.
"That's not my style." Kenpachi said. "Look girl, all you have to do is put one scratch on me with your sword." That reminded Ichigo from when he first fought Kenpachi.
'That isn't good. Orihime's spiritual pressure is so much lower than Kenpachi's. She won't be able to cut him.' Ichigo thought.
"I don't know about this." Orihime said.
"Quit you're stalling and come at me!" Kenpachi said. Orihime pulled out her sword, but she held it with a nervous hand. She just couldn't bring herself to attack him. Even if he is a psychopath, Kenpachi is a comrade. "If you won't attack, I will!" He brought out his sword and swung down, but Orihime moved out of the way and started running. "Come back!" he chased after her.
"Orihime! Kenpachi, you lunatic." Ichigo said as he went after them and reached for his sword, but Yachiru came out of nowhere and landed on his shoulders.
"No you don't Ichi! Kenny is fighting and you're not getting in the way." Yachiru said.
"Are you serious? Kenpachi looks like he wants to kill her." Ichigo said.
"You still can't stop him. This is what Gramps wanted." Yachiru said. Orihime was running for life as Kenpachi kept trying to swing at her.
"Don't run away. You're a soul reaper now! You've got to have the guts to fight." Kenpachi said. "Even if Squad Four is best for you, they hold some combat skills. You need to have some as well."
"I know that, but I can't bring myself to fight a friend." Orihime said.
"You better or else I'm actually going to kill you and this will be a waste of time." Kenpachi said.
….
Chad
Chd kept trying and trying to swing his sword, but he hadn't gotten any closer to moving Kyoraku. He kept ending up getting thrown back. Uryu was watching and found it unbelievable that Chad was being tossed around like a rouge doll.
'No matter how many ties Chad attacks, he can't move him." Uryu thought. 'How will this unlock his zanpaktō?'
"Do you want to take a break? We could have a drink, or I could have a drink and you can have some soda or something." Kyoraku said.
"Not yet." Chad said with hi breathing deeply for breath. "I'm not giving up. Not until I can awaken my sword and know its name."
"Well, so far you haven't done a good job." Kyoraku said and Chad knew he was right.
'How am I suppose to know my sword's name? There must be something I'm missing when I attack him.' Chad thought. 'Maybe I should try attacking from a different way or throw him off guard.'
"Why are you thinking about it?" Clouds blocked Chad's vision and he was faced with the tiger again. "You shouldn't be thinking, just do. Act on instinct and be wild. The time has come to prove if you are worthy."
…..
Karin
Karin ws trying to climb up the pillar, but Toshiro wasn't making it easy on her. He kept launching more of his ice. Karin was able to make it to the top, but she was out of strength.
"Can you still go on?" Toshiro said.
"You better believe it." Karin said as she tried to stand, but slipped. Toshiro swung down his sword, but Karin was able to block him. 'I can't let him win. I have to pass this test.' She thought. 'Ichigo and his friends are counting on me. Please, give me the strength I need.'
"Do you want our power?"
"You better convince us." She saw the twin headed dragon.
"I wish we could just give you our power." White said.
"You have to show us. You need to unlock that power." Black said. Both events were happening simultaneously
"Don't think about what you should do. Just use your instincts and feel what you should do." The tiger said. "Be the mighty tiger and strike at your prey. It's in your name, Yasutora. Now roar, roar my name!"
"You hold the power, you must unlock it." White said.
"Face your enemy with full force. Don't let your emotions waver and call our name!" Black shouted.
"Fight fiercely, Yasei Senshi! (Wild Warrior)" Chad's sword turned into a mace.
"Keep balance of good and bad, Ikari to Yasashi! (Wrath and Kindness)" Karin swords chanced into ones that curve on the edge with a small point on the side. The one in her left turned white and the one in her right turned black. Chad charged right in and swung his mace and was able to push Kyoraku back. Karin pushed Toshiro off. She jumped at him and was able to push him off the ice as he landed on the ground. They knew their swords' name and passed.
…
Orihime
Orihime continued to run for her life. Kenpachi kept swinging his sword and it kept striking the ground as she did her best to avoid them.
"Quit running, face me." Kenpachi said.
'This is insane! Is he crazy or does he really want to kill me?' Orihime thought. 'I just need to put one scratch on him, but I can't do that. I want to help my friends, but how? Is this all I'm really good for now?' She tripped and Kenpachi was about to strike, but she rolled out of the way.
"I'm done with trying to catch you." Kenpachi said.
"Kenpachi, please, just go easy on her." Ichigo said.
"Not happening. If she doesn't have the guts to raise her weapon, she shouldn't even be here." Kenpachi said.
'Is he right?' Orihime thought.
"No it's not." Now she was seeing the human size Shun Shun Rikka in front of her. "Orihime, I know you don't want to hurt others, but you must let that go."
"I don't know how?" Orihime said.
"You wish to help you friends, focus on that desire." Orihime stood up and faced Kenpachi as spirit energy started to flow through her. "One scratch is all you need, even you can do that. You must let go of your fears. Your power is to protect and you can do it. Reach deep inside yourself and awaken that power. Now Orihime, call my name!"
"Assist, Hogohana! (Protection Flower)" Orihime's katana turned into a flower that looked just like her hairpin, it even spun like a pinwheel.
"That's it, a pinwheel?" Kenpachi said. Orihime jumped right in with it spinning like a wheel and slashed across Kenpachi and left a cut on him.
"She did it!" Ichigo said. Orihime actually was able to bring herself to scratch someone and it was unreal.
"Congrats, you passed. I'm done here." Kenpachi said and walked away and Orihime was admiring her new power.
"This is…amazing!" Orihime said.
…
Masara
"It's ready." Susuke said as spirit energy was placed into an arch. Masara and her small group stood facing it as it was releasing that energy.
"At last, our senkaimon is ready." Masara said.
To Be Continued…