Beat Some Sense

Yoruichi stood atop the white tower, watching the chaos unfold below.

Urahara was determined to save and protect Rukia at all costs. But Yoruichi had another reason for getting involved—she refused to let Byakuya lose his humanity. She knew that if Rukia died, he would never be the same man who once upheld justice.

After all, Rukia's execution was not merely a matter of law—it was an act of excessive injustice.

Yoruichi shook her head in frustration.

She had only been gone for a hundred years, yet in that time, her nephew had lost his mind—and was about to lose his soul.

That was why she had aided Ichigo and the others in infiltrating Soul Society to rescue Rukia. She had even allowed them to use the forbidden weapons of the Shihōin Clan, a decision she did not make lightly.

She was determined to make Byakuya see that there was another way—one that would save Rukia without plunging Soul Society into deeper chaos.

And she would not allow Aizen, the traitor lurking in the shadows, to continue manipulating Byakuya and the entire Soul Society for his own schemes.

If it meant having Ichigo beat some sense into Byakuya, so be it.

Byakuya watched as Ichigo hurled Rukia into Renji's arms, entrusting her escape to him before turning to face three vice-captains at once.

Meanwhile, Renji sprinted away from the execution grounds, cradling Rukia in his arms. His heart pounded with urgency—every second mattered.

On the other side of the battlefield, Captain-Commander Yamamoto clashed against Ukitake and Shunsui—his former students turned rebels—their blades ringing against his in defiance of the Gotei 13's highest authority.

After effortlessly defeating the three lieutenants, Byakuya stepped forward, his cold gaze locking onto Ichigo. The boy, though brash and reckless, had grown stronger. It was time to confront him directly.

Ichigo met Byakuya's stare, his eyes blazing with fury. "How could you stand by and let Rukia die? She's your own sister!"

Byakuya's expression remained impassive. "It is my duty to uphold the law," he stated stoicly.

Ichigo's anger flared. "What kind of duty lets you sacrifice your own family for some stupid law?"

Byakuya tightened his grip on Senbonzakura's hilt. "To enforce law and order, a leader must embody the law. Personal feelings have no place in duty."

Ichigo clenched his jaw, shaking his head in frustration. "That's bullshit! What's the point of being a leader if you let your own people die? If you can't even protect your own sister, then what's the worth of your so-called law?"

Byakuya remained silent, but his grip on his sword betrayed a flicker of tension.

Ichigo exhaled sharply, steadying himself. He raised his zanpakutō, determination burning in his eyes. "If that's how you see it, then I'll just have to crush that law to protect my family."

Byakuya's gaze hardened. "You wouldn't understand."

Without another word, he vanished in a flash step, reappearing mid-air as thousands of cherry blossom-like blades from Senbonzakura swirled around him. With a single gesture, he sent them hurtling toward Ichigo in a relentless storm of deadly petals.

Ichigo gritted his teeth, struggling against the overwhelming assault. He was fast, but not fast enough. He needed more power—he needed Bankai.

Summoning every ounce of his resolve, he tightened his hold on Zangetsu.

"Then I'll just have to surpass you, Byakuya!" he declared. Taking a deep breath, he roared, "Bankai!"

A shockwave rippled through the battlefield as Ichigo's spiritual pressure skyrocketed. His oversized zanpakutō condensed into a sleek black blade, and his shihakushō transformed into a fitted black coat. The air grew heavy under the weight of his newfound power.

Byakuya's eyes widened in disbelief.

Impossible.

Bankai—the pinnacle of a Shinigami's power—took at least ten years of rigorous training to achieve. Even among the most skilled, only captains and a select few lieutenants possessed it. And yet, before his very eyes, a mere boy had awakened it in only eight days.

Byakuya's mind raced. How? How had the boy accomplished in days what most could not achieve in a lifetime?

For the first time, doubt crept into Byakuya Kuchiki's heart.

Unohana, on the other hand, watched the chaos unfold around her. It had been a long time since she had seen such worthy warriors and so much bloodshed, but she restrained herself from acting. After all, she was no longer Yachiru Kenpachi.

Now, she was merely the unassuming Captain of Squad 4—a healer. Thus, she released her Shikai, using it to gather the defeated lieutenants and transport them to safety.

Meanwhile, Isane had just regained consciousness and spotted her captain. Without hesitation, Unohana entrusted the injured to the Squad 4 healers and set off with Isane toward Central 46.

She needed to confirm her suspicions.

After all, she knew that Ukitake had pleaded Rukia's case before Central 46, yet they had refused to even grant him an audience. Even Byakuya Kuchiki—head of one of the most powerful noble houses and a captain—had been completely ignored, his influence dismissed without consideration.

Such blatant disrespect from the nobles of Central 46 was unusual. Normally, they would not dare to outright disregard someone of Byakuya's status.

Something was wrong.

Whatever was happening inside Central 46 had emboldened them—enough that they no longer feared the Kuchiki Clan or the captains of the Gotei 13.

At various locations across Seireitei, forces mobilized to rescue Rukia—including Urahara, who had begun making his move.

At the same time, Captain Hitsugaya and his lieutenant, Rangiku, also rushed toward Central 46, determined to investigate the growing anomalies.

It was one thing for Central 46 to dismiss ordinary individuals, but refusing to even hear captains of the Gotei 13 was unheard of. The way they had relentlessly pushed forward Kuchiki Rukia's execution without justification was deeply suspicious.

To be continued...