The Bankai is a second-released stage of the Zanpakuto. Only Soul Reapers of the highest level are able to attain that form. And those who have attained it have all had their names forever etched in the history of the Soul Society. For Silas to reach his Bankai, it would be as natural as breathing!

So what if he was being spied on by Aizen? So what if there were captains like Zaraki who could rival him in power? The moment Silas awakened his Bankai, he would be taking another step into becoming an apex predator.

"First things first," Yoruichi said. "We have to find Uryū."

Silas pointed forward. But when Yoruichi looked, she hadn't seen anything. The tunnels were normally empty. And she had already stated that she searched all around it in case Uryū came in to hide.

"There's a ladder over there that will lead us to him," Silas exclaimed.

"How do you know?"

It was only now that Silas had managed to sense Uryū's Quincy powers that he knew exactly where he was. Silas remained underground as Yoruichi climbed up to find the Quincy. He sat there, patiently waiting for their return.

If things were following the story's timeline, Rukia's execution would be three days from now. Just as he considered that, the ceiling entrance opened. Yoruichi hopped down, landing softly on all fours. With one nod at Silas, she confirmed that Uryū was coming down to greet them.

"Ichigo! I've got one heck of a bone to pick with you!" Uryū yelled after seeing him. The Quincy didn't look the same as when Silas last saw him. His glasses were missing, his hair was parted back, and he was wearing a Soul Reaper's uniform. "What was with your idiotic idea of separating us?!"

"Calm down," Silas said. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

Silas's concerns for Uryū's well-being caused him to relax. Of course Silas cared for Uryū. Without this Quincy, he would have a hard time awakening Zangetsu's other powers.

From what Silas remembered, Uryū entered the Seireitei with Orihime. Their first battle was with a Soul Reaper named Jirōbō Ikkanzaka from Sajin's squadron. Afterwards, he encountered Makizō Aramaki from Zaraki's squadron just before meeting Mayuri.

His ventures this time couldn't have been more different. A brief moment was spent hearing what happened to him.

Uryū explained that although he made it to the barracks of squad eleven as instructed, hardly anyone was there. He interrogated one of the lower-ranked Soul Reapers to shed some light on the situation. Upon hearing about their captain's background, he became worried for Silas's safety, so he decided to go back to the tunnels and look for him. But when he arrived on the surface of where he thought Silas would be, he couldn't find him.

Uryū cared deeply enough to stick with the plan, so he located the nearest squadron. Little had he known, the location he was at was in squad six's district. There was a lot of brouhaha caused until their lieutenant, Renji, arrived on scene!

An epic encounter unfolded. Arrows zipped like angry hornets, deflected by Renji's spinning blades. Uryū, being more agile and precise, fired off volleys while Renji countered with relentless swings of his Zanpakutō. But just as Uryū was ready to end things, a breeze split the air. Byakuya Kuchiki materialized, freezing the battle with a glare so sharp that it cut deeper than either of their weapons. Uryū, remembering Silas's instructions to not engage with any captain, seized the opportunity to escape.

With a final, parting arrow, he launched himself into the rooftops, disappearing. "I owe it to all that training we did back in Karakura Town."

This was Yoruichi's first time hearing about their secret training, making her a tad skeptical. Silas wondered how a grand battle between Ichigo's former adversaries and Uryū would have been interesting to witness. It was an unspoken challenge hanging in his thoughts.

"How did you escape?" Silas asked.

"Simple!" Uryū comically answered. "I used your strategy to disguise myself. But since the uniform I picked up had tears, I skillfully repaired it!"

"That explains that," Yoruichi commented. "But what happened to your glasses?"

"Simple!" As he was about to explain, he paused, saying, "On second thought, I'd rather not say."

Silas happened to notice Uryū's face randomly start blushing. The last thing he wanted was information being kept from him, so he asked the Quincy what had happened.

Uryū's face turned redder. He explained that while he was on his way back to the tunnels, a female Soul Reaper spotted him. With his hair parted back, it made him look fairly handsome compared to other Soul Reapers. Silas immediately knew where this scene was headed.

The woman questioned him about why he didn't have his sword. One thing led to another, and he found himself locked in a bar with her.

"Why didn't you just run?" Yoruichi asked.

"I don't think I would have made it far since she was a lieutenant. I think she said her name was Rangiku."

Silas furrowed his brows, not wishing to think about what a relationship with Uryū and Rangiku would be like. Content that Uryū escaped without losing his Quincy powers, Silas spent little effort explaining what he had been through—all without revealing his second Zanpakutō.

"Our new plan is for you to go to—"

"Wait!" the Quincy interrupted. "If you're going to undergo your Bankai training like you said, I'd like to train alongside you."

It was admirable of him to wish to train with Silas again. Much like in the story, Uryū had received a new bow and a glove from his father. It was given much earlier than before, but it proved effective against Soul Reapers like Renji. And although he was stronger, that didn't mean now was the time for him to be used.

"There's something more important I need you to do," Silas heeded. "Rukia's execution is three days from now. If you don't do this, we might not be able to save her in time."

Silas truly didn't cared about saving Rukia. But as long as he kept this act, it would continue to sway people's beliefs. In a disappointed tone, Uryū said, "I... I understand. What do you need me to do this time?"

When Yoruichi heard Silas reveal that his plan was to have him hack into squad twelve's control room, she couldn't agree to it. "Why would you have someone like Uryū do that?!" she objected. Uryū found the question a tad offensive, believing Yoruichi didn't think he was smart enough to do something like that. The only excuse Silas could make was that they needed a backup Senkaimon to open in case something went astray.

Plausible, but Yoruichi still objected. Silas instead instructed Uryū to scout the area without raising any alarms or engaging in conflict. Yoruichi agreed to him spying, and spying only, on one condition: Uryū would have to return immediately to where they would be training.