Chapter 20: Phase 1

Ichigo was walking along the streets of the Seireitei, ready to get this captains meeting over with. Things were looking quite well for everything here so far. With Shinji and his crew no longer within the ranks, and Kisuke and Yoruichi being in Las Noches, this meeting was mainly just to fill in the last three roles as captains. With squad's 12, 7 and 9 captain-less, it was a somewhat relief that now they had candidates for the positions.

As Ichigo made his way inside the room and took his usual place, he looked to the three candidates for. Two being familiar, the last a new face he hadn't seen in his time. The first was the one in line to becoming squad 7 captain. Even in this time he was still a large individual. He wore his mask and had his body covered as always. The next familiar face for squad 9 captain was none other than the blind man from before. He had his eyes closed as usual, his hair was tied up and he was, at least to Ichigo's keen eye, shaking a bit. The last was a man Ichigo had never seen before. He was a regular looking man with short, black hair and nothing else really distinguishing about him.

The head captain banged his cane down on the ground. "This meeting is called to order." He looked around to the other captains present for a brief moment before taking a few extra seconds to look at Ichigo. Said man noticed this and had a feeling the old man wanted to speak with him afterwards. "As you all know, not too long ago we lost six captains and Ginrei Kuchiki stepped down as captain, bringing us down by seven. Thanks to captain Kaiyo recommending his once four students, that number was cut down to three." He turned his attention to the three kneeling in the center of the room. "Sajin Komamura, Kaname Tousen and Akon, you three have shown the true qualities of becoming a captain in the eyes of your peers. You three, who were recommended by a handful of captains, have proven your worth. Now, it is time for you three to join in our ranks."

Just like last time, they were presented with captain's haori's, each with their squad number on the back. Komamura with squad 7, Kaname with squad 9, and Akon with squad 12. Each of them took their respective haori's and stood up.

"Now, you are captains of your respective squads." The head captain spoke before banging his cane on the floor once more. The three bowed in respect and placed their haori's on before taking their places in line.

For Ichigo, both Kaname and Komamura were standing next to him. He was able to get a good look at the two and noticed that they were still close friends. If that was the case, and since Kaname was so easy to convince in the original time line by that Aizen, convincing him would be a little simple. Komamura would be a tad difficult, but maybe this could work in some way towards Ichigo's favor. It's not like he should punish them for following orders of the old. Kaname was betrayed and Komamura didn't really do anything to provoke Ichigo beforehand, so maybe this could work.

After the meeting was over, Ichigo stayed behind to speak with the old man. He watched as his students left along with the new captains and the old ones as well before looking to Yamamoto. The old man stood up and ushered the current Kenpachi to follow him to his barracks. As they were walking, Ichigo took the time to think of why the head captain would want to speak with him in private. No way that the old man knew of who Ichigo really was, so there was no reason for that. Could it be that he suspected Ichigo to know something on Shinji and the others disappearance? No, that can't be it. Ichigo had ordered Sosuke and his own daughter along with Aka to handle that. So what was the real reason?

The two had made it to the barracks and Ichigo stood with his arms crossed as he watched the old man sit in his chair. "Captain Kaiyo." He started after leaning back in his chair. "I'm sure you are wondering why I requested your presence here?"

"The thought had crossed my mind a bit." Ichigo answered in his usual tone.

"What do you think of our newest captains?" He asked, causing Ichigo to raise a brow.

"You brought me here to ask me something you could have asked during the meeting?" Ichigo started. "If this is the case, then why are you concerned on my answer?"

The head captain opened his usually closed eyes to really look at Ichigo. "Because it was your students, Aizen and Ichimaru, that recommended them." He spoke in a serious like tone. "You wouldn't happen to know why now, do you?"

Ichigo got the hidden meaning to this. The old man was wondering if he knew if his students were up to something they shouldn't be. If that were the case, then it was best to pander to the old man for now. "All I know is that I taught them how to judge a persons potential. I had kept my eye on both Komamura and Tousen, but not Akon. Those two have potential to do great things, but if Sosuke and Gin see more in them than I do and recommended them in the first place, then I say we have nothing to worry about."

Yamamoto seemed to be okay with that answer, or at the very least tolerate it. He nodded to Ichigo and ushered him to leave. As Ichigo did, something just felt off to the old man. He felt as though something monumental was bound to happen in the not too distant future, and he would be powerless to stop it.

Shiba compound, an hour later

Right now, Ichigo was walking past the all too familiar Shiba manor, smiling as he walked on. He enjoyed being able to spend time with his father like this and his extended family to boot. Not to mention that seeing Kukaku acting all flustered around him was an added bonus. The Shiba's were an amazing group of people that valued family above all else and Ichigo liked that about them. It was nice to be able to relax from time to time whenever he was invited to these little outings of theirs. Today was another cookout, but this time with a few more clan members as well.

"Heh." Ichigo muttered under his breath as he saw the opened gate and the dozens, almost a solid hundred, people all within the yard and around the manor enjoying each others company. "I really hope that none of this changes too much."

"Ichigo!" Said orange haired captain turn to see both Kukaku, Ganju and Kaien making their way toward him. Well, more like Kukaku while the others were carrying large crates on their backs.

"Kukaku." Ichigo started to her with a smile that caused her to blush a bit. "It's good to see you guys again. What's with the crates?"

Both Ganju and Kaien set them down and took a breath. "Their decorations." Kukaku answered him.

"Really?" Ichigo raised a brow. "For what exactly?"

"Once a year, we have celebration of friends and family who are no longer with us." She explained with a kind smile to her face as she continued on. "Those that the Shiba clan were friends with and could call brother or sister are celebrated and remembered on this day."

"Hey, you should attend Ichigo." Kaien suggested to him with a big grin on his face. "You may not be a Shiba, but you're like family here."

"Yeah, you shou-" Ganju started only to be cut off by Isshin coming towards them.

"Ichigo!" He started as he came over with that big grin and hugged the man. Ichigo returned it in kind and the two let go for now. "And here I was about to go out and get you myself."

"I'd love to." Ichigo answered him with a smile of his own. "Though, I won't be able to stay too long. I've got a few things to take care of back at my squad."

Isshin nodded and they all went inside, eager to enjoy the celebration.

Hours later, Hueco Mundo

Ichigo had finally been able to leave the celebration and make his way back to his squad barracks on wobbly legs. The reason for those wobbly legs you ask? Well, after Ichigo out drank five men in a row without even looking the slightest bit tipsy, both Isshin, Kaien and Kukaku decided to challenge him to a drinking contest. Almost three hours later, they finally ran out of sake and the three were passed out drunk on the floor. Ichigo was tipsy as hell and wobbly as hell, but knew that the Hogyoku would take care of it in a little while.

He had tasked Zaraki and Ikkaku to handle the small amount of paperwork while he passes out in his room for the night just to avoid suspicion. When he was in his room and sobered up from the Hogyoku, he place a barrier around his room like usual and left through a garganta. He was now walking within the main hall of Las Noches with both Sosuke, Gin, Kisuke and Yoruichi walking alongside him. Kisuke was rather anxious to learn more about this 'Phase 1' that Ichigo had planned out. The very thought of something that was the starting point for the destruction of the soul society was enough to cause the usually calm and collected man to shiver a bit.

Once they reached a wall near the back of the large room, Ichigo drew his zanpakuto and stabbed the wall all the way to the hilt of his blade. He turned his blade ninety degrees to the right and a large door opened up for them, not surprising the four since they saw this once before. Ichigo sheathed his blade and they all went inside and the door closed behind them.

"I can't believe that this is under Hueco Mundo." Yoruichi started as the floor under them lowered down to the deepest parts of the palace.

"Yes." Ichigo started as he turned to them. "Phase 1 is a bit tricky, but in another decade or so, should be fully developed."

The platform they were on reached a massive cavern that was even lower than the Menos forest and ten times larger too. The cavern was covered in these strange, glowing white crystals that were everywhere, providing what little light there was for them. The first time that the four were shown this, they couldn't believe what they were seeing, and that was still the case. They all looked around as they continued to descend until the platform stopped. When it did, Ichigo took a deep breath and flared his spirit energy. This caused all of the crystals to change from white to red, giving the cavern a deathly look to it. Suddenly, a bright flash appeared in front of them all and what seemed to be a large, red tear appeared in front of them all. It stretched all the way to the top of the cavern all the way to the bottom and seemed to be a crack in reality to some. This was new to the four. Last time they were here simply to see the area, but now, they were seeing this.

"What is this?" Gin asked with his eyes open wide for the first time in a long while.

"This Gin." Ichigo started as he finished flaring his energy and took a knee to catch his breath, surprising everyone even more that he was tired. "Is Phase 1."

They all looked towards the tear and could vaguely see something on the other side. It took them a bit to get a clear look, but once they did, they all went wide eyed. On the other side of the tear, was none other than Seireitei in all its glory.

That's basically Phase 1. If ya'll are still a little confused by this, it's basically a backdoor to Seireitei.

Lol.

Sorry I couldn't update Monday. Way too much stuff going on that day and today. Also, I may not be able to update Saturday, because Spider-Man on PS4 Comes out Friday and I'm getting it tomorrow. So I'll be doing that all day Saturday. I'll still update Friday. Which would ya'll like me to update next?

Ichigo's new Zanpakuto

or

Born of Two

Leave your answer in the reviews.

Till the next chapter, stay awesome, and as always,

PEACE!