Sweat trickled down Silas's skin. His clothes were battered from an intense training session with Uryū. "Alright, let's rest," he said, placing Zangetsu back into its hilt. Uryū breathed a deep sigh of relief. For the entire day, the two had been going non-stop ever since his return.

"You said Yoruichi would be coming back soon, right?"

"Something like that."

Upon removing their garments, the two bathed in the hot spring. Uryū looked at his cuts and bruises, mesmerized that they were closing. This particular hot spring held healing properties, which Silas had already informed him of.

The two rested there, feeling the burning yet soothing waters flow across their wounds. Silas truly didn't have a scratch on him. It was only his clothes that needed mending. Uryū couldn't help but respect his ways. "Ichigo, you sure have grown."

Silas's eyes were closed. He was too deep in thought about how much events had changed. More importantly, he was considering the only battle he needed to prepare for: the battle with Aizen. What did that dastardly Soul Reaper know about him? Would that cunning character go as far as using his Zanpakutō? All these thoughts rummaged through Silas's mind.

In the midst of his planning, he felt a wade of hot water pour down his head, a warm feeling that not even this world's sun could cause. He slowly opened his eyes, his face still as solemn as ever. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I was talking to you!" Uryū splashed around comically.

Their interactions were usually like this—even while they were training. As cold-hearted as Silas was in this world, only two characters were allowed to get this close to him: Uryū and Zangetsu. But even they would never be able to change who he is.

"Let's go over the plan once more," Silas said.

"Uh… Oh! Right…"

Silas's strategy was to have Uryū turn himself in. Much like in the story, Ichigo's friends were captured and imprisoned by various Soul Reapers. While in prison, they were rescued by Zaraki and his squadron due to the internal struggles taking place. Though Uryū wouldn't be rescued this time around, it would allow for the Seireitei to focus solely on him.

Uryū nodded his head, adding, "And then you're going to gather enough evidence to turn this Aizen fellow in. An ingenious plan. But when are you going to rescue me again?"

His question was ignored since Uryū would be freed anyway. He seemed to have forgotten the cause and effect.

However, it was a necessity that he understood the situation. Silas by no means had any ideas of relying on him if anything were to go wrong. The directions given were absolute. They needed to be followed; otherwise, Silas might find himself stuck in the Soul Society by the time things reached their conclusion.

"If this Aizen fellow uses his Zanpakutō, how are you going to fight the illusion?" Uryū asked.

There was only one person to ever see through Aizen's hypnosis. That Soul Reaper's name was Sōya Azashiro, the unofficial eighth Kenpachi. To even earn the name "Kenpachi" proved how deadly he truly was. But his character was only ever mentioned in a light novel and featured in a video game. The way he saw through Aizen's hypnosis was with his Bankai, Urozakuro, which allowed him to merge with anything in his surroundings.

As long as Silas doesn't see Kyōka Suigetsu's release, there is no need for him to worry. That sight requirement was too easy to bypass. Regarding his Bankai, it was never shown that he had one, but it was noted in Ryōgo Narita's novel that it only works on those who are already hypnotized by his Shikai.

The things terrifying about Aizen were his genius-level intellect, his proficiency in kidō, his insane speed, and his immeasurable spiritual power. Even without his inelegant solution to place people under illusions, his words alone were enough to deter the mind. This was the reason he was listed as one of anime's top ten villains of all time.

Silas rested his arm on the edge of the hot spring and closed his eyes. 'Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi, a flash step fast enough to outmaneuver Ichigo's Bankai, and enough sword skills to cut even the sturdiest of objects.' These were all of Aizen's notable feats. That was aside from when he battled all of the top captains, including Genryūsai, by himself. Granted, that version of Aizen was enhanced with the Hōgyoku.

If Silas were going up against that, he would never bother challenging Aizen at this stage. It would undoubtedly be a losing battle.

"What are you thinking about now, Ichigo?"

"How I'm going to defeat Aizen without him fleeing the scene..."

It was right of Silas to consider those things. Assuming that he was even strong enough to overwhelm the Soul Reaper, who's to say the enemy wouldn't try to escape? Like in the story, Aizen, Kaname, and Gin were all going to be captured until they fled to Hueco Mundo. Known as "negación", it was a light produced by Menos Grande that prevented anyone outside of the light from touching whoever was inside it.

"Why don't we link our powers together like you suggested before?"

That idea was only a proposed theory. Silas truly wasn't aware of how or what he should do in order to make it happen. And even if he did, he first needed the manifestation to side with him. Besides, there wouldn't be enough time to properly balance those powers. Rukia's execution date was tomorrow!

The steam swirled around the two, obscuring the contours of muscle and steel. Silas emerged first. He shook water from his locks, the droplets glinting like scattered jewels. Uryū followed, his face full of relief. A quick moment was used to stitch Silas's clothes, much to his chagrin.

"Ready to depart?" he asked, his voice holding a soft rumble.

Uryū met his gaze, a sense of loyalty that was willing to follow him anywhere. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's finish this tonight and finally save Rukia."

Together, they stepped out of the training room and onto Sōkyoku Hill. A long shadow was cast before them as they turned in opposite directions, walking away from one another. Uryū adjusted his glasses, his eyes flashing with resolve. Silas rested his arm on both swords, their scabbards colliding with one another as he walked away.

Without a single word, they both disappeared.