And as promised, here’s the next chapter.

The following one has been fighting me for a bit, but I’m working around the issue lol. What I’ve already written has been pretty fun. :evil:

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

-]|[-

The world bled red as the sun started to rise over the great walls surrounding the Seireitei. It painted the world in an ominous glow befitting the day of an execution. Atop the Sōkyoku Hill near its edge stood the gigantic instrument of the execution, its great blade beginning to gleam in the morning light.

At the Senzaikyū, the door slowly rose into the air, allowing Rangiku to step into the light and fresh air once more. Completely cloaked figures were waiting for her and several red leashes connected to her collar. “This really isn’t necessary, you know.” Rangiku chuckled. “I don’t plan on running.”

“Protocol must be followed, Former Lieutenant Matsumoto.” One of the figures said in a gruff tone.

She sighed, “Yeah, yeah, let’s get this over with.” She began to walk forward with her guard surrounding her. “Honestly, it’s like none of you have ever been in that thing before. I’m as weak as a kitten right now.” She complained.

At least one of the guards rolled his eyes. Why did they have to get a talkative one? Suddenly, the entire procession stopped short. “You’re-!”

Rangiku allowed a wan smile to form. “Finally came to see me, Gin?”

“Good morning, Rangiku.” Gin smiled like he always did as he strode forward.

“Ichimaru-Taichō!” One of the guards protested, “You shouldn’t be here.”

“He does a lot of things he shouldn’t.” Rangiku chuckled dryly. “Is this where you come to sweep me off my feet and confess your love?”

“Maybe I have.” Gin teased back. “I could free you right now, of course. It would be easy with everyone so occupied.” The guards all protested, feeling actual terror as he stroked Shinsō with a light finger.

She smiled thinly, “Liar.” Gin’s expression didn’t change, though his smile did twitch just a bit. “Sorry to say, it’s a bit too late for that.”

Gin chuckled slightly, “Seems like you found yourself a good one, didn’t you?” He said with some slight melancholy. He turned around, having seen everything he wanted to see, “I suppose I’ll have to see you on the other side, huh?”

“Enjoy the show!” She called to his back. “You’ll have to watch me walk away for once, Gin.” He vanished in a burst of speed.

“What was that about?” One of the guards blurted.

Rangiku closed her eyes, ‘You dumbass…’ She thought with a fond smile. ‘Guess you weren’t comfortable with whatever Aizen commanded after all.’

-]|[-

All around the Seireitei, the waking Shinigami prepared for the coming day’s events. At his manor, a healed Kuchiki Byakuya (sans a small, lingering shake in his fingers from having his nerves fried) meditated. He didn’t know where his sister or her husband were, which was irritating because decorum dictated that both be present for this execution. He legitimately did not know what to expect from this event. The ryoka had been lying low for over a day now. Not a single Shinigami had seen hide nor hair of any of them. Clearly they were going to try to save condemned Lieutenant Matsumoto, but he could sense her fine with no unauthorized individuals coming near her on her procession.

Surely they wouldn’t be stupid enough to crash the actual execution. Not even the Goddess of Flash herself could escape from that many Captains. Especially not the Head Captain…

But what other option was there? They clearly were uninterested in moving towards her now.

“Kuchiki-Taichō?” Byakuya opened his eyes to see his Lieutenant kneeling before him, “We should depart.” There were five hours remaining, and it wasn’t like they couldn’t be there in moments, but being early was better than being late. Especially to give the grounds a final once-over to ensure the ryoka hadn’t laid any traps. It wasn’t like the location of the execution was unknown.

“…Very well.” Byakuya stood smoothly and walked by his Lieutenant without another word or glance.

…

“Craaaap!” Iba Tetsuzaemon yelled as he ran through his division. He took a running leap at full speed, tucked his legs under him, turned in the air, and then hit the smooth wooden floors at full speed. There was an audible squeak of friction as he slid to a stop almost in full dogeza before his Captain’s room. “Forgive me, Taichō! Iba Tetsuzaemon reporting, sir! For my lateness, I shall perform hara kiri!”

Komamura had not replaced his helmet. To his shock, other than a small fumble from surprise, none of his men had a bad word to say about his appearance. Not even one. Not even ‘out of earshot.’

It had given him much to think about. Kurosaki’s words would not leave his ears. And worse, Tenken had been silent on the matter. He stared at Iba evenly, “You need not.” He sighed, “You tried to delay my departure because of my melancholy over the past few days.”

“I…” Iba said before bowing, “Yes sir.”

“It is true. I have been conflicted since my fight with that brat.” Komamura admitted before standing tall. “But not of the execution. Whether I think her death is just matters not, only my debt to Genryūsai-sama. I will do my all to repay his kindness.” He looked down at his Lieutenant. “But I am not the only one conflicted, am I?”

Iba looked down. “This whole thing started because of a mess I was involved in, Captain. It isn’t right that she should die alone because of our mistake.” He sighed and stood, “But I’m well aware my protest will fall on deaf ears.”

“She made her choice.” Komamura said, “She chose to take her month of penance as a joke and gave a human her powers. She chose to break the law, and because of it, four Captains are dead. That’s all that matters.” Not that he didn’t want to give Kurosaki a gift basket for ending Kurotsuchi and Kenpachi. They paled in comparison to Tōsen’s death.

“I suppose that is all that matters.” Iba said, before snorting dryly. “I guess I’ll have to settle for at least bringing one last bottle for her to enjoy before she goes.” He looked to the side, “That sound good to you, Hisagi?”

Hisagi had a defeated look on his face. “I suppose it’ll have to do.”

The three stepped from the compound and began to walk towards the execution grounds. Only for Komamura to stop short and turn his head off to the south. Slowly, he let out a growl as he sensed a Reiatsu he hadn’t expected to feel again. And it was accompanied by numerous other signatures, familiar and otherwise. He abruptly turned towards it and started making his way there instead.

…

Tōshirō opened his eyes and looked off in the direction of the Sōkyoku. He had wracked his brains over the previous day and had barely slept at all. No matter how hard he tried, he hadn’t been able to come up with anything short of what he was about to do now. Rangiku’s execution wasn’t for another two hours and most of the captains who would be attending were already there.

Perfect time to commit a crime of his own. He stood and headed off to the headquarters of the Central 46. He was putting a stop to this madness now.

-]|[-

Tatsuki was hanging upside down in her cell. She wore a simple gi that was already covered in sweat. With her Reiryoku sealed due to the cuffs she was wearing, the only training she could get was completely physical. And so she hung from the rafters, doing upside-down sit-ups. “Nine-hundred-and-five. Nine-hundred-and-six. Nine-hundred-and-s-” The wall shattered and she had to shield her face from the pebbles. When the dust settled, she eyed the huge Captain, several unfamiliar Shinigami, and her lovers with a smirk. “You’re late!”

“A witch is never late, Miss Arisawa!” Orihime said primly as she hopped off of Kenpachi’s back and walked forward, “Nor is she early! She arrives precisely when she means to!” The two giggled before Orihime kissed her upside-down girlfriend gleefully.

“Ehh???” Yachiru had question marks over his head. “I thought big boobie was dating you, Muscles?”

Chad smiled, “I’m dating both.”

Ikkaku whistled, “The living world sure is progressive, huh?”

“We’re wasting time.” Kenpachi snorted, “You lot can swap spit later. I can’t fight Ichigo again until this shit is over with.”

Tatsuki snorted as she flipped to her feet, “Is he a masochist?” She asked dryly.

“He’s their Ichigo.” Orihime said as her hairpins flashed and she shattered Tatsuki’s bonds.

Tatsuki balked, “There are two of them?” She asked in horror.

Orihime had a dead look on her normally happy face. “You don’t even know the start of it.”

“Come on. Let’s go.” Chad said, “We have work to do.”

“Not without my effects!” Tatsuki said before slamming her foot into the bars of her jail cell. They totally shattered and clattered to the floor. She slipped through before returning a few moments later in her usual clothes and wearing her Zanpakutō. “Surprised they kept her here.” She said, patting her weapon happily as they leapt away from her cell. “So, what are we doing?”

“Rescuing Kurosaki-san’s mom.” Orihime said happily.

Tatsuki missed a step and almost splattered on the floor.

-]|[-

“Ugh, I feel like crap. Drank too much last night.” A random member of the eleven division with some nose and lip piercings groaned.

Another member who had a face not even a gorilla would love scoffed. “Shut up. The booze was fine. It’s because of all the tobacco you smoked. Of course you feel sick, moron.” He continued to sweep.

“Huuuuuh?” The man with the piercings had a dull look on his face, “Don’t mess with me just because I beat you yesterday. I’ll kill you, old man.”

“Oh yeah?” Gorilla growled as he dropped his broom and grabbed the handle of his Zanpakutō. “Then draw your sword. I’ll clean your clock before I clean the streets.”

“Cleaning duty is all you’re… what’s that sound?” The two turned west just in time to see Kenpachi turn the corner. “Z-ZARAKI-TAICHŌ?!” The two yelled in terror. “It-It’s an honor to be-”

And Kenpachi passed by without a glance. “Next time, at least try to look like you’re working, fools.” Ikkaku deadpanned as he ran by.

“If I find one speck of dust, you’re dead.” Yumichika had a severe look on his face.

Tatsuki had a grin on her face, “Slackers are going to get whacked.”

And then Sado ran by, “Get back to work.”

The two Shinigami stood there stunned, “…Why are they with the ryoka?!” They yelped in shock.

…

Several minutes later, they ran into another dead end. Kenpachi was starting to get irritated. “I guess finding the right street takes luck around here.” Tatsuki had an amused smirk on her face.

“Yeah, ten or twenty dead ends isn’t that uncommon.” Orihime was trying to hold back her giggles as she noticed Yachiru’s ears get redder and redder.

“See, what did I tell you.” Ikkaku scoffed, “This is why pint-sized shouldn’t lead.” Yachiru lunged for him and bit his head. “YOW! GET OFF!” He tried to pry her jaws off him. “THIS IS NASTY! STOP!” She was drooling all over him.

Kenpachi suddenly spoke, “Captains and Lieutenants shouldn’t be sneaking around. Get out here and stop hiding your Reiatsu.” Everyone twitched and then Yumichika’s eyes widened.

“You’ve got a big mouth.” Komamura growled as he shattered the tiles of the roof he was standing on. “What do you think you’re doing, Zaraki?”

“Captain, he looks different.” Iba said cautiously.

Indeed, Kenpachi hadn’t bothered to put his hair in bells anymore and it was flowing like a mane behind him. He also hadn’t put his eyepatch back on, though his Reiatsu was far more controlled now than it had ever been with the eyepatch.

Komamura’s eyes narrowed, “You do appear different.”

“Feh.” Kenpachi grinned, “I just had my boredom put to rest, is all. So, that’s what you look like when you don’t have that stupid bucket over your head anymore.”

“You don’t seem very surprised.” Komamura said, his eyes narrowed.

“Who cares if you look like a beast? What matters is whether or not you can fight like one. So how about it, big guy?” Kenpachi chuckled.

Komamura growled, “You’ve joined with these ryoka. You’re putting the peace and serenity of the Seireitei at risk, and for what? Your own amusement?!” he growled and started releasing his Reiatsu. “Perhaps this is fate. I thought that arrogant brat had killed you, but now it appears I will have the chance to fix that mistake before I go after him too.”

“AHAHAHAHA!” Kenpachi started to roar with laughter. “So, I have to go through you to have a good fight with Ichigo again, huh? Fine with me.”

“You’re overestimating yourself, Zaraki!” Komamura drew his Zanpakutō and just that action was enough to shatter the building he had stood on, with the two Lieutenants leaping away. The soul grew quickest when it was in danger after all, and Komamura had taken quite the beating in his last fight. He swung his sword and the giant arm of Tenken swung on Zaraki.

“Taichō!” Yumichika called out in shock as a wave of dust obscured their vision.

“What are you yelling about, Yumichika?” Kenpachi asked as he casually held the giant blade with one hand above him. Eyes widened all over. “You think I can’t handle something as weak as this?”

“What?! That’s impossible.” Komamura’s eyes bulged. He backed away, “Fine then. I won’t waste any time. Bankai. Kokujō Tengen Myō’ō!” The giant rose behind him. “Well, Zaraki?! It’s time for the killing you love so much!”

Kenpachi sighed, “Guess you were right, Ichigo. Not worth wasting the time when there are better opponents.”

“What did you say?!” Komamura was enraged.

“Drink.” Kenpachi declared. The eyes of all the Shinigami widened in shock. “Nozarashi!” His blade changed into a gigantic war axe whose blade was almost bigger than he was tall.

Ikkaku’s entire soul trembled as he felt his Captain’s Reiatsu. Both in terror and complete and utter glee over their eventual rematch. ‘He’s truly incredible. What kind of monster is this Kurosaki Ichigo?!’ He wanted to fight him too. He wanted to fight both of them.

“What in Reiō’s name?!” Komamura was shocked, “Your Zanpakutō was supposed to be a constant release type!”

“I don’t have time for yapping.” Kenpachi casually tapped the insanely heavy axe against his shoulder. “So if you don’t want to die, you might want to get the hell out of the way.”

“THERE’S A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH YOU CAN UNDERESTIMATE ME, ZARAKI!” Komamura swung and his Bankai followed suit. He was almost twice as strong as he had been due to his fight with Ichigo, and he was going to put Kenpachi in the ground.

“Get stronger before boasting.” Kenpachi said uncaringly as he swung Nozarashi. There was an audible shing before Tengen Myō’ō’s blade shattered along with all the armor on its right arm. Komamura howled as his arm split open like a banana, splashing blood all around him. His Bankai popped like a balloon as well. Zaraki snorted before sheathing Nozarashi. “A lot stronger.” He then looked at the ghost-white Iba and Hisagi, “Get this fool to the fourth if you want him to keep that arm.” He started to walk forward, “Now where’s the twelfth?” He asked Orihime, who had hopped back onto his shoulder with Yachiru.

“Zaraki!” Komamura’s voice was full of wrath as he grabbed onto Kenpachi’s haori. “I’m not-”

Zaraki backfisted the beastman with a thunderous crack. Blood started to leak from Komamura’s temple as his eyes went completely white. Orihime pouted. “That wasn’t very nice, Zaraki-san.”

“I’m not nice, girlie.” Zaraki deadpanned. “Now which way? I want to fight Ichigo again.”

Tatsuki snickered as she ran past the kneeling Captain, “Sucks to suck.” She gave the Captain a two-fingered salute.

The rest of them followed, “So, when can I fight this Ichigo?” Ikkaku had a massive grin on his face.

“When you stop hiding your Bankai.” Kenpachi deadpanned.

Ikkaku fell over and faceplanted the pavement.

-]|[-

“I need to hurry!” Tōshirō ran to the doors of the Central 46 headquarters. He hit the intercom, “Tenth Division Captain Hitsugaya Tōshirō, requesting an urgent meeting with the Central 46.” He said clearly and loudly before stepping back. A moment passed. Then two. Then three. He turned back and looked over at the Sōkyoku Hill. “I can’t let this happen!” He growled, leaping over the wall surrounding the moat that surrounded the Central 46 headquarters.

He ran down the bridge, only to see that the way was sealed. It wasn’t anything he hadn’t expected, but it was irritating. Because now he was really going to have to break the law. He drew Hyōrinmaru and slashed the door. It quickly crumbled under his assault. “…” He clenched his jaw. ‘No alarm.’ He thought as he decided against sheathing his blade. ‘Someone must have gotten in.’ He realized, ‘Someone who then disabled the alarms in case someone else snuck in after them.’

He rushed in, running first through the multiple sets of sliding doors and then the extremely long set of stairs leading underground. He finally entered the central chamber and almost lost his grip on his Zanpakutō. “What the hell is this?” He asked through gritted teeth.

All forty sages and the six judges had been expertly and mercilessly butchered. 

-]|[-

The captains of the Seireitei – what few of them had actually shown up, anyway – and their Lieutenants stood next to the Sōkyoku. Soifon muttered to her useless Lieutenant. “I expected more of a turnout for such a once-in-a-generation event. Not even half of the Divisions came out.”

Yamamoto and his Lieutenant were there representing the First; she was there with Ōmaeda Nikkōtarōemon Yoshiayamenosuke Marechiyo representing the Second. (She absolutely despised his name and his propensity for using the whole thing. Sometimes she had to fight the urge to ‘accidentally him’ just off of that alone.) She had expected Ichimaru to be missing. He was friends with Matsumoto after all. But no, there he was, with his Lieutenant Kira Izuru beside him, looking gloomier than ever. Unohana was there with Kotetsu Isane representing the Fourth, and, of course, Aizen was dead, so he couldn’t be there. She sneered at the thought of his weakling Lieutenant failing to represent her fallen Captain. Kuchiki was there of course. He would never miss an event like this. Komamura being missing was understandable with the faint traces of Reiatsu she could feel, so that excused his Lieutenant as well. Kyōraku and Ise represented the Eighth, while the Ninth was missing entirely due to Tōsen being dead and his Lieutenant in the distance with Komamura.

But what shocked her was Hitsugaya not being there. Soifon hadn’t believed he was so cold as to not even be there for his Lieutenant’s final moments. He hadn’t struck her as that kind of Captain. Kenpachi… now that was pissing her off, because she could feel his immense Reiatsu in the same area as Komamura. That boded ill for what came after the execution. Mayuri was, of course, dead, and his Lieutenant was AWOL. But where was Ukitake? He was one of Yamamoto-Sōtaichō’s personal students! This was unacceptable!

Yamamoto gave no sign that the absences irritated him, but Soifon knew he wasn’t too happy. “Do you have any last words?” He asked Matsumoto.

And the titty monster (no, she wasn’t envious!) had the audacity to chuckle. As if this were a picnic and not an execution! Her execution! “Nah.”

Soifon’s teeth ground inside her mouth in irritation. ‘This stupid bint.’

“Rangiku…” Kotetsu Isane let out an explosive sigh. “How can she be so…” She clenched her fists. ‘How can you not even have any last words, Rangiku?!’

Unohana sighed, “She believes she will be saved. It’s foolish of her.” She said despite being in the know. She still wasn’t entirely sure what the Sōtaichō was planning, but it was rather late in the game for a rescue now.

“Very well.” Yamamoto said loudly. “Then let the Sōkyoku fall.” Rangiku was walked onto the plinth of the execution stand.

The mystics who controlled the great weapon surrounded it and placed their hands on the ground. Immediately, the ropes securing the giant polearm detached from the ground, spiraling around the halberd and leaving smoky trails around it. The ropes fully unraveled and then shot like arrows in all directions off of the mountain, piercing the ground as if they were made of steel.

Three squares began to glow to either side and in front of her. Cubes then rose in their places as her bonds disintegrated behind her. Her arms rose to her sides involuntarily in line with two of the cubes, while the last floated in front of her shins. Rangiku slowly rose into the air until she was in line with the blade of the Sōkyoku.

“Don’t look so sad, Nanao.” Kyōraku said to his Lieutenant. “You’re making me feel bad…”

‘How can I not?’ Nanao thought as she stared at the disgraced Lieutenant. ‘We know the truth! How is Yamamoto-Sōtaichō allowing this to continue?’

And then the halberd burst into a towering pillar of flames. Ōmaeda Marechiyo, the Lieutenant of the second division, panicked. “What’s happening?!”

Soifon had never seen this before, so her expression was also a shocked one. “The halberd is burning! It’s changing shape!”

Kyōraku sighed, “I forgot how hot this was.” He raised a hand to cover his eyes.

The only one who was even slightly comfortable so close to the gigantic firebird was Yamamoto. “Kikō’ō.” He declared. “The true form of the Sōkyoku. It will impale the condemned to end the execution.”

Rangiku closed her eyes as the fiery phoenix flapped its wings and rushed at her.

CLANG

Rangiku opened her eyes and smiled up at Ichigo, who stood in the air wearing a badass-looking cloak with the Shihōin family seal around it. His Zanpakutō was in his right hand and casually holding back the power of ‘one million’ Zanpakutō. The thought almost made her smirk. As if this thing compared at all to Ryūjin Jakka. “You’re late.” She said simply.

“What have you got those eyes closed for?” Ichigo shot back.

“It’s too bright, jerk.” Rangiku laughed.

Down below, Soifon was standing still in numb shock. “That’s impossible! How could he stop the destructive power of a million Zanpakutō with only a single blade?! Has he even released?! I heard rumors that blade was his sealed form!”

“He has not.” Sasakibe Chōjirō said simply. “Its released form is a hammer.” He was Yamamoto’s right hand, a slightly tanned man with piercing, golden eyes and regal features. He’d been a Shinigami under Yamamoto since before Kyōraku and Ukitake had even been born. It was little wonder that he knew details like that.

“Who is he?!” Soifon ground her teeth.

Kyōraku chuckled, “Looks like the ryoka saves the day in the end.” He murmured to Nanao.

She let out a sigh, “Thank goodness…”

“SCREEEEE!” The gigantic firebird backed away, causing Ichigo to stumble from the lack of pressure on his blade.

He turned, “Round two, huh?” He grinned, ‘Wish I had been able to figure out that technique Nemu told me about.’

With the knowledge that his Quincy side was one of the things preventing him from gaining his Bankai, he asked Nemu about any Quincy abilities she knew about, since they and the Shinigami were historical enemies. She had told him about Ransōtengai obviously, and of Blut, but beyond that and the basic powers Ichigo already knew about, she didn’t know much. One of the few techniques she had stored in her memory banks was one that only the ancient Quincy King himself had possessed: Sankt Altar. He had used it against one of the ancient Shinigami to straight up steal his powers.

Ichigo, of course, hadn’t even known where to start with the technique, and Nemu had been of no help there. She only knew it by the descriptions she had read when her curiosity had gotten the better of her during the clown’s phase of intense interest in them. ‘Shame. It would have been fun to steal this thing.’ He thought as he charged forward. And then a long rope surrounded Kikō’ō’s neck and stopped it in its tracks. “What?!”

“What the?!” Several of the Captains and Lieutenants turned in shock.

“Sorry it took so long!” Rukia called out as she slammed a shield into the rock beneath their feet.

Ukitake stood next to her, as did Kaien. “Releasing the seal was a pain.” He declared as Nanao and Kyōraku leapt beside them. Kyōraku grabbed the band underneath Kaien’s hand while Ukitake grabbed just above Rukia’s.

“What do you think you’re doing, Kuchiki Rukia?!” Byakuya had an utterly furious look on his face.

“STOP THEM!” Soifon screamed, “They’re going to destroy the Sōkyoku!”

“Sorry, Nii-sama!” Rukia called out before stabbing a slot in the shield with her Zanpakutō.

“This execution is over.” Kaien did the same with Nejibana. An intense flame burned up the ropes and then the phoenix shattered. The Sōkyoku itself split into two pieces and clattered to the ground.

“Heh.” Ichigo let out a chuckle as the intense winds battered his cloak around. “Thanks for the assist.” He landed on the scaffold and unleashed his Reiatsu. Soifon almost choked at how heavy it felt, and she wasn’t the only one. He jammed his Zanpakutō into the scaffold and instantly shattered the wooden bracing with a tremendous bolt of lightning. Down below, a crater blew into the stand, and a giant cloud of dust and grit engulfed the execution site.

Most of them coughed and waved the smoke away. Rukia was incensed. “D-Did he just cough blow the stand away?! Did he even cough need our help?!” She whined, “Ugh, now Nii-sama is going to be so mad.”

When the smoke cleared, Ichigo was standing with Rangiku in his arms. The two were just making out on top of the execution stand.

‘Oh…’  Kotetsu Isane thought numbly, ‘That’s why she had no last words.’

Gin simply chuckled. ‘Well, looks like that’s another plan foiled, Aizen-Taichō. I know you’ve got that backup of yours now, but really, you’re striking out quite a bit here.’ The thought amused him greatly. Momo hadn’t gone all vengeful over Hitsugaya, Tōsen was dead… Why, his Captain was almost looking fallible.

“He destroyed it! By himself!” Ōmaeda was shocked out of his gourd. The other four had needed a specialized device to do the same! It was clear that even Ukitake and Kyōraku were shocked. “WHO IS HE?!”

And then a new commotion got everyone’s attention. The sages who had been controlling the execution implement were getting tossed every which way. “NEMU?!” Several Lieutenants yelled in shock as she casually treated them like garbage and tossed them around.

“Hey, Nemu-chan is here!” Rangiku cheered, “Why is she helping?”

“Oh, I killed the cunt.” Ichigo said and Rangiku did a spittake, “Did they not tell you?”

“Ichigo…” She groaned before yelping as the world blurred. “Ugh, that still freaking sucks when I’m not in control.”

“Suck it up.” Ichigo deadpanned, “You know what to do, Nemu.”

“Yes, Ichigo-sama.” Nemu grabbed Rangiku in a bridal carry and started blazing in the other direction.

“Nemu too?!” Isane yelled in shock.

“WHAT ARE YOU FOOLS WAITING FOR?!” Soifon yelled, “AFTER THEM!”

Chōjirō turned to his Captain, not willing to take another’s orders when his own was there, only to be surprised when the old man shook his head. The other Lieutenants all rushed forward upon acknowledgement from their own Captains.

Abarai Renji, Isane, Izuru, and Ōmaeda all drew their Zanpakutō and rushed forward.

Ichigo planted Gōzen Raiu into the dirt beside him as they approached. Renji grit his teeth, “You think you can take us without your Zanpakutō?! Howl, Zabimaru!” His katana became a weird weapon that looked like it had multiple sections.

“Run, Itegumo!” Isane called out as her sword became a much shorter one with two prongs protruding from the hilt.

“Raise Your Head, Wabisuke!” Izuru’s katana simply bent at a ninety-degree angle twice to form a hook.

And finally Ōmaeda turned his blade into a gigantic, spiked ball attached to a long chain. “Crush, Gegetsuburi!”

And then Ichigo’s fist ran into it like a freight train, crushing the ball into a hundred pieces in an instant. Ōmaeda’s eyes rolled into the back of his head as he was fired into the other direction, forcing Soifon to side-step to avoid getting hit by his bulk. He hit the ground and rolled a few times, just barely avoiding a fall off the mountain.

Izuru and Renji tried to react quickly, but they might as well have been moving in slow motion to Ichigo’s eyes. Renji’s cool whip-sword sectioned itself into pieces and tried to piece Ichigo from above, while Izuru’s hook came for his head. Ichigo moved like lightning, grabbing Izuru’s wrist and jerking the strange blade into Zabimaru’s path. With Ichigo’s much greater strength, the blade cut the strands holding the sections of the whip-sword together like they were strands of putty. “Shgrkkkk-” Izuru tried to say before Ichigo rammed his elbow into his side. He almost saw stars from the blow to his liver, and he wasn’t in any position to defend himself as Ichigo grabbed his ankle and literally used him as a weapon. Two skulls cracked together as Izuru and Renji went flying, completely out of it.

‘B-Bare-handed?!’ Were Isane’s final thoughts before Ichigo’s palm struck her diaphragm and knocked her unconscious in moments.

“Anyone else?” Ichigo leaned casually against his Zanpakutō.

“Four Lieutenants?” Soifon gaped, “He beat four Lieutenants in seconds? Barehanded?”

‘Guess I’ll have to play with him for a while. They haven’t been weakened enough yet.’ Gin sighed as he drew his Zanpakutō, “Guess it’s you and me-” His eyes widened and he raised his blade just in time to deflect a somewhat familiar spear. “You’re-”

Lisa shrugged off her hood. “Hello, Ichimaru.” She hissed before the head of her spear started to glow purple.

‘Oh dear.’ Was Gin’s only thought before the Cero blew him backwards and off Sōkyoku Hill. She followed after him in a burst of speed, rocketing off the mountain.

Byakuya had a moment of respite from his sheer fury. “That was Yadōmaru Lisa!” He remembered her well despite the century that had passed since he’d last seen her. She had been one of the more famous and long-tenured Lieutenants at the time.

“Chōjirō.” Yamamoto spoke, getting their attention.

“Yes, Eijisai-dono.” The man bowed and began to walk towards Ichigo without his master saying another word.

“Isane!” The silver-haired amazon’s younger sister Kiyone cried out as she ran forward to move her sister away from the area where the strongest Lieutenant in the Seireitei was about to face off against a monster.

“No, wait Kiyone!” Kotsubaki Sentarō, her fellow third seat, called out as he tried to grab her. Only for him to go flipping through the air as Soifon appeared.

“Wait, Soifon!” Ukitake called out and tried to run to help his two fourth seats before a staff stopped him cold just by slamming in front of him.

“The Lieutenant who took the prisoner is expendable, as are your Lieutenant and Third Seat.” Rukia flinched. “They will meet the same fate as the condemned soon.” The old dragon growled out. “You two are a different matter. You are Captains and you’ve dishonored your rank. I’m sure you know what that means.”

“Yup!” Kyōraku laughed as he grabbed his friend’s shoulder, “It means we’ve overstayed our welcome! Run for it, Jūshirō!” He threw himself off the mountain with his protesting friend in tow.

“Well, this is a pickle.” Kaien swallowed as Yamamoto turned a cranky-looking gaze to him and Rukia. “Uh, I think Kuchiki-Taichō called dibs, Sōtaichō, so…” He trailed off as Byakuya started walking murderously towards them. “Ta!” He and Rukia vanished, allowing the Shihōin shield to clatter to the ground.

Not even a blink later, Byakuya vanished, following his sister and her husband.

Kiyone gasped as all the air was forced from her lungs. “You dog.” Soifon had a dispassionate look on her face. “You’ve dishonored the Goteijūsantai.” She said as she pressed harder with her foot. Kiyone’s desperate gags filled the air. “But don’t worry. I’ll ensure you can’t dishonor yourself further. I’ll put you out-” One moment she was speaking, and the next her eyes widened and she completely vanished. “What the?! Who are you?!”

“Is that any way to greet your old teacher, Little Bee?” Yoruichi grinned as she took off her head wraps. Soifon’s jaw dropped, “I see your temperament hasn’t gotten any better. This is why you can’t find a man.” Her fist glowed before they plowed into the forest below, an eruption of dirt and debris heralding their landing.

-]|[-

“Wouldn’t this Nemu chick have been helpful if we were going to assault the Twelfth Division?” Tatsuki asked when they reached the building in question.

“She had a different job, girlie.” Kenpachi stated as Chad opened the doors. “Getting Ichigo’s woman away from the execution.”

“Right.” Tatsuki stated flatly. “But couldn’t she just order them to stand down?”

“She was last seen being ‘kidnapped.’ Tatsuki-chan.” Orihime giggled, “These guys would obviously think that her showing up would mean she was a trai- Rokuten Yoshun.” Her hairpins flashed and a gigantic sphere formed around them. A millisecond later, both walls, the ceiling, and even the floor attacked them, trying to crush them in one attack. The walls crushed in, the floor started spewing electricity, and the ceiling fired a flamethrower at them. Her shield stopped them all cold and then Tsubaki’s presence made all the energy she had absorbed rebound, annihilating the entire corridor. “That wasn’t very nice.” She said mildly as the smoke cleared.

Tatsuki whistled, “Nice move, babe.” She spanked Orihime’s ass, earning a squeak from her.

“Oooh, traps!” Yachiru sounded excited, “I want to play too!” She took off running.

“Ugh, that brat.” Ikkaku groaned as she disappeared into the darkness and they started hearing a lot of different sounds. Some that definitely did not belong. Was that a trombone? What the hell?

The Twelfth Division did their best to keep them away. It was a veritable funhouse of horrors. Gas nozzles. Acid sprayers. Chemicals that were meant to leave them high or in a fugue. There was even a slide into an incinerator, which Orihime again saved them from since they couldn’t seem to float in the air at all.

By the time the walls opened and Hollows spilled out, Kenpachi was starting to get irritated. “Really?” He asked the walls dully as he casually split five Hollows in half at once.

“Even I’m starting to get a little insulted.” Orihime’s smile was a little strained.

“This is boring.” Yachiru stated as she looked down to avoid a dart shooting from a wall. It hit the opposite wall, which immediately started to decay. “You guys aren’t going to get any of us.”

“They could just offer you candy, and you’d immediately fall for it.” Ikkaku said dully. The pint-sized Lieutenant growled and lunged for his head. “Hey, watch it!”

“Honestly, these traps aren’t even elegant.” Yumichika shook his head in disappointment.

“Traps are supposed to be elegant?” Tatsuki looked confused as she caught a dart and chucked it over her shoulder. She rolled her eyes, “Seriously, stop. We just want Kurosaki Masaki and then we’ll leave.”

Kenpachi growled, “I can always just cut the entire building in half.” He kicked open a new door, and a smile crossed his face. “Well now.”

The members of the Twelfth Division looked utterly terrified. “So, this is where you bring us to Kurosaki Masaki.” Orihime said with a friendly smile.

“And make it quick, otherwise I’ll start using you to sharpen Nozarashi.” Bone was a good whetstone, right?

Akon hadn’t expected any different, but he was a little despondent that not even the wall crush had worked. He sighed, “Right this way.” He swallowed heavily, “Uhh, just so you are aware… Kurotsuchi-Taichō didn’t exactly leave her in a… pleasant state.”

“That’s why I’m here and not Ichigo.” Orihime said, her expression going flat.

“You better hope she’s not too badly off.” Tatsuki growled, “Otherwise we won’t be able to stop Ichigo from turning this place into a crater.”

Several members of the twelfth pissed themselves before the door shut behind the leaving group.

-]|[-

“So, what makes you different from the rest of these guys?” Ichigo had a smirk on his face as the Lieutenant walked towards him. Chōjirō drew his Zanpakutō from his belt and in an instant, an entirely different blade was passing by Ichigo’s head. Ichigo whistled, “You’re faster than most of the Captains I’ve faced.”

“The youngun’s have been slacking on their training.” Chōjirō agreed, “The original Gotei Thirteen would be quite embarrassed watching our soldiers’ performances.”

“The original?” Ichigo’s eyebrows raised, “Damn, that makes you about two-thousand years old, huh?” He smiled and raised his own Zanpakutō, “And you even released your Zanpakutō without calling its name. You have Bankai for sure. Why aren’t you a Captain?”

“I have a much more valuable and important title.” Chōjirō stated, “The right hand of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni. So long as he is my Captain, a Lieutenant is all I’ll be.” He held his Gonryōmaru in front of his face. It was an extra-long rapier in shape.

“Loyal.” Ichigo smirked, “I like that.” He vanished and his Zanpakutō’s blade crashed down on Chōjirō’s. The Lieutenant’s arm was shaking a little as he struggled against Ichigo’s brute strength. The two blades sparked as they ground against one another. “But it appears you’re the finesse to old man Yama’s brute force.”

Chōjirō snarled slightly as he swiped at Ichigo. Ichigo backed off, the point of Gonryōmaru just barely missing his nose. “You will not disparage Eijisai’s name!” He declared imperiously.

“Eeesh, touchy, touchy.” Ichigo taunted as anger started appearing in Chōjirō’s face. He put his sword against his shoulder, “I can’t help but notice you haven’t even introduced yourself.”

“Hmph.” Chōjirō scoffed, “Sasakibe Chōjirō Tadaoki.” He said, holding his blade in a ready grip off to the side.

“Kurosaki Ichigo.” Ichigo grinned, “Let’s have some fun.” He vanished in a burst of speed, appearing behind the silver-haired gentleman.

“Hadō #63. Raikōhō.” Chōjirō whirled around with his palm glowing yellow. The orb in front of his hand launched directly at Ichigo’s face.

Ichigo raised Gōzen Raiu as blue energy started to crackle around it and slashed at the Hadō, cutting the electrical technique in half. Two forks of lightning seared beside him and shot into the distance, erupting into huge, twin explosions behind Ichigo. “I can do that too.” He grinned as the crackling along his blade intensified and a blue orb formed at the tip.

Chōjirō’s eyes widened as he dodged, watching as the blue beam of energy struck one of the still-standing halves of the Sōkyoku and annihilated it. The explosion was cataclysmic. He ground his teeth, “That wasn’t a Kidō.” He said, “How is it possible for a Shinigami to perform a Cero?” He demanded.

“Ahahaha! I wonder?”

“Clearly I cannot take you lightly. Prepare yourself, boy.” Chōjirō blurred and, to Ichigo’s surprise, three copies of the man formed around him.

“Hmm? Is this your Shikai’s special ability?” Ichigo asked warily.

“Enough talk!” The older gentleman dashed forward, his Zanpakutō thrusting for Ichigo and looking to cut off any avenue of escape.

But Ichigo didn’t try to escape. His veins lit up blue and the three Zanpakutō seemingly hit him, only for two to be revealed as mirages. They had been nothing more than afterimages, and only the Zanpakutō pressing into his back and drawing the tiniest amount of blood was real. “Just kidding!” Ichigo cackled as he mule kicked behind him, catching Chōjirō in the chest and sending him flying. “Come on, man, I know you guys have better data on me than that.” He chided the man.

Chōjirō scowled, “Blut Vene. To think a being like you could truly exist.” He sighed as ancient memories played themselves in his mind. “Very well. I acknowledge your strength, Kurosaki Ichigo.” He raised his Shikai in front of him again, “Do not worry. I will ensure you live to regret stomping on the Seireitei’s pride. Bankai.” Golden electricity started to crackle along Gonryōmaru’s blade as he raised it sky high. Clouds started to form overhead before a tiny beam of electricity erupted from his sword and into the clouds above. The dark clouds outright changed color, becoming tinged with gold themselves as billions of volts began to crackle within. A dozen lightning pillars then surrounded the Lieutenant as he stared unblinkingly at Ichigo with his golden eyes.

Ichigo began to laugh, “Ahahahaha! Alright, Chōjirō! You’ve got me at a disadvantage here with that Bankai!” He raised his sword, “So let’s see who the real god of lightning is! Engulf the World and Blacken the Skies, Gōzen Raiu!” A lightning bolt erupted upwards as his hammer formed itself. The skies became as black as night and cast all of the Seireitei into shadow as two weapons meant to rule the skies combined their power.

-]|[-

“Oh, you’re awake, Isane.” A motherly voice called out.

Isane shook her head, “Oooh, my chest.” She sat up and pressed her palm beneath her breasts. “D-Did that really happen?” She asked in disbelief.

“It did. Kurosaki-san is quite strong, isn’t he? He’s fighting Lieutenant Sasakibe right now.” She said, a somewhat strained smile on her face as she turned her head towards the center of the storm swirling around the Sōkyoku Hill. ‘Yes, quite strong indeed. A storm of such power that even Ryujin Jakka isn’t immediately burning it out.’ She turned her gaze towards the area she sensed her Sōtaichō fighting against Ukitake and Kyōraku. After a moment, she turned her gaze to where she had last sensed Kenpachi’s utterly monstrous Reiatsu several minutes ago. A Reiatsu far more monstrous than she had felt in centuries. One she had legitimately never believed she would feel again… and even more beside it. ‘It appears you’ve even stolen my penance from me, Kurosaki Ichigo. I shall have to… repay you for that.’

“T-Taichō? Y-You’ve got a scary look on your face.” Isane shivered beside the woman who was suddenly putting out an aura that usually only Eleventh Division idiots got to feel.

“For good reason.” Unohana said but allowed herself to relax. “Descend, Minazuki.” The gigantic, flying manta ray descended upon the Squad Four barracks and they were immediately met with her medics. “Go ahead and let them out, Minazuki.” She said before turning to the medics as Minazuki vomited out several Shinigami. “They’re not badly injured and should have recovered somewhat in Minazuki’s stomach. Get them the rest of the way.” She said before Minazuki flew into the air once more.

“Taichō? Where are we going?” Isane looked confused at the irregularly rough treatment from the Seireitei’s best healer.

“To uncover the conspiracy this song and dance was meant to expose.” Unohana said serenely.

“E-Ehhh??????” Isane yelled in shock. “What conspiracy?!” She almost couldn’t believe the words that then came out of her Captain’s mouth as they flew towards the Central 46.

-]|[-

“Now, now, this seems a little strange, Yadōmaru-chan.” Gin still had his signature grin on his face despite the shock he’d just experienced. He had zero idea that Lisa was even in the Soul Society. Not even Aizen knew! (Or, if he did, he hadn’t shared the detail with Gin.) “I don’t recall ever doing anything to you to warrant such a nasty hello.”

“Ah, I suppose I just imagined you and your friends subjecting me and my friends to an agonizing experiment?” Lisa drawled as she lazily spun her Zanpakutō around. “Why, you even stabbed some of us in the back!”

“That was all Tōsen!” Gin laughed, “And last I checked, your boy cut his head off.”

“Hmm, Kensei was quite pissed about that. He wanted to do it himself.” She shrugged. “And in any case, you didn’t look like you were protesting too hard according to Shinji.”

“Nah.” Gin agreed, “It was funny watching you all writhe around aimlessly.”

“Trying to piss me off?” Lisa let go of her spear. It floated beside her as a nasty smirk crossed her face. “Might want to rethink that.” She said before the spear shot forward faster than even Shinsō could travel.

Gin’s eyes widened, revealing his silver irises for the first time, as the spear passed through his haori and put a large hole in it. He whistled, “That’s faster than I remember.” He said, “But now you’re exposed.” He said darkly as what appeared to be a laser shot at Lisa. Shinsō looked more like light than a blade as it crossed the distance in moments.

Lisa inclined her head to the side as it passed. “You should worry more about yourself.” She deadpanned as Gin threw himself up and somersaulted over her Zanpakutō. Before Gin could even land, she had pointed her fingers toward him, “Hadō #4: Byakurai.” She said as the blindingly fast beam of lightning screamed towards Gin.

Shinsō retracted itself even faster, slamming into Gin and throwing him into an extra spin, allowing him to dodge the bolt. He put a hand on the ground and vanished with a pretty weak Shunpo a moment before Lisa’s spear crashed where he had been. He landed on his feet and returned fire, “Bakudō #57. Tetsuobi Yokusei.” He chanted. Thick iron bands formed around Lisa and bound her tightly. “You shouldn’t get ahead of yourself, Yadōmaru-chan.” He taunted her as Shinsō shot for her face.

And then a shadow darkened his vision and he ducked, Shinsō’s stab going wide of his opponent. Lisa’s Zanpakutō swiped through the air where his head had been moments ago, giving him a bit of a choppy haircut. Lisa grunted and then tore herself out of the Bakudō. “Give me some credit here, Ichimaru.” She said blandly. “You’re not the only one who can grow stronger.”

“It appears so.” Gin chuckled, “My bad, my bad. I’ll get serious now.” And with that, he vanished in the fastest Shunpo Lisa had seen short of Yoruichi and Ichigo.

“GAH!” She cried out as blood began to pour from her back. The cloak and her sailor fuku alike had been cut clean through.

“Grk!” And then Gin’s teeth clacked as pain erupted along his thigh.

The two separated and when he next saw her face, he saw that Lisa had a shit-eating grin on her face. “Form 2: Nettles.” She held her spear, which looked much smaller and shorter than it had a moment ago. Its blade was an angry red.

“Such excitement over such a small wound?” Gin chuckled as he patted his right thigh. “I suppose credit where credit’s due. You did get me.” His hand began to glow green with Kaidō, “Pity my wound pales in comparison to yours.”

“Oh, is that right?” She asked as he pressed his hand to the weeping wound. Her smile widened as his fell, “Oh, what’s wrong? You don’t seem so happy, Ichimaru.”

Gin’s smile was gone as he continued to press his healing Kidō to the wound, but he may as well have been doing nothing at all for all the good it was doing. The wound completely ignored his Kaidō and continued to weep his blood. “What have you done?”

“You never got to know any of us.” Lisa said, “Made it easy to betray us… but it also means you have no idea what any of us can do… or how our powers evolved after you had your way with us. Well… it wouldn’t be a very good revenge if I allowed you to heal yourself.” She smirked as his eyes fully widened in shock. She raised her hand, “Oh, by the way… this Seikaiju no Kukai isn’t my Shikai.” The spear transformed, becoming a gigantic sunflower that started spewing pollen on her. Her wounds healed instantly. “Form Four: Pollen Garden.” She raised her hand, “And now…”

“Bankai!” Gin called out as she swiped her hand down her face, revealing her diamond-shaped Hollow Mask. Their combined Reiatsu crushed the area around them.

-]|[-

“You’ve gotten quicker, Little Bee.” Yoruichi smirked at her former student as the two clashed, a falling leaf turned to dust between their two legs.

“But it seems like you’ve gotten slower.” Soifon was doing her absolute best to look dispassionate. “The young ryoka was wearing a cloak with your family crest. Why do all this? You betrayed the Seireitei a hundred years ago, and now you’re determined to do so again. Do you wish to see your family fall from grace?”

Yoruichi giggled, “Well, aren’t you talkative today? Excited to see your old mentor after all these years, or is this just pent-up resentment? Were my shoes too big to fill?” Soifon’s expression dipped just slightly, “All I did was make things a little easier for Berry-kun. He could have done it on his own.” She cracked her neck as Soifon’s eyes narrowed at the affectionate nickname, “As for my… betrayal, was it?” She smirked, “You’ll just have to wait and find out, Little Bee.”

Soifon glared, “Don’t fool yourself.” She said as she started to draw her Zanpakutō. “Did you really think I could never catch up to you? I control both the Onmitsukidō and the Militia Corp now. Your time has passed, Shihōin Yoruichi!” She jammed the blade into the trunk of the tree she was standing on.

In a blink, the two of them were completely surrounded by Shinigami who were dressed more like ninja than anything. Yoruichi raised an eyebrow.

“As you know, when the commander of the Onmitsukidō bares her sword, it signifies an execution. Anyone who opposes me will be destroyed, including former commanders who abandoned their posts. That’s the difference between us now, Yoruichi!”

“And?” Yoruichi asked in legitimate amusement and a bit of confusion. Soifon blinked, “No, really, what’s the punchline here, Little Bee?” Soifon grit her teeth at the irreverent attitude. Yoruichi started to laugh, “What, do you expect these guys to take care of me while you sip some tea?”

“Yoruichi…” Soifon growled out.

“Oh, you did.” Yoruichi started to cackle before her form glitched. In a single blink of an eye, every single one of the hundreds of Onmitsukidō surrounding them went flying, completely unconscious. “Let me laugh even harder! AHAHAHAHAHA!” Yoruichi hadn’t appeared to have even moved from her spot as she continued to laugh. “Oh man, Berry-kun and Rangiku-chan are going to laugh their asses off once I tell them.” The vein on Soifon’s head started to pulse. “I may have abandoned my post, but I don’t recall ever abandoning my title, Little Bee.”

“The Goddess of Flash.” Soifon tore her sleeves off, “There’s no other way then, I suppose.” She pulled on her yellow obi and let it fall, before yanking off her haori. “I guess I’ll just have to rip apart that title of yours with my own hands.”

“Do your best!” Yoruichi continued to laugh, wiping a tear away as she bent backwards and allowed Soifon to sail over her.

-]|[-

Rukia sighed as she came to a stop in a relatively empty area within the Seireitei. “This should be far enough.” She said softly.

“You have not run nearly far enough, Kuchiki Rukia.” Byakuya glared at her from across the courtyard.

“Heh, we weren’t running from ya, Kuchiki-Taichō.” Kaien shot back at him. “Just trying to get some space to fight.”

“Nii-sama-” Rukia started to speak.

“Silence.” Byakuya drew his blade, “Never have I been so ashamed in the Great Houses of the Seireitei. Shihōin Yoruichi may be a long-time traitor, but her House remained in good standing. You, Shiba Kaien, cannot claim the same. After the loss of Shiba Isshin, your House’s standing was in jeopardy.”

“Yeahhhh, you know we Shiba don’t really care about that.” Kaien scratched the back of his head. “You’re way too serious, Byakuya.”

Byakuya’s face was like ice itself as he continued as if Kaien hadn’t spoken, “And despite that, I did not protest when you asked for my sister’s hand. This is how you both repay me? Being defeated by two whelps? Siding with our enemies? Disobeying the Central 46? Rescuing a criminal from her lawful execution?”

Rukia once would have flinched away from her furious brother. Those days were decades past. “There is much you don’t know, Nii-sama.” She said evenly, “If you would just let us explain-”

“There is nothing to explain.” Byakuya turned his icy gaze to her, “No excuses to be made. If we Nobles do not obey the laws of the Seireitei, then who will? That was the first lesson I taught you, and you’ve decided to spit upon it. Draw your blades. I will erase this shame myself.”

Kaien sighed, “You’ve really got to lighten up, Byakuya.” He drew Nejibana and released her without a word.

Rukia closed her eyes. “So be it.” She also released without a word, making Byakuya’s eyes widen.

“…You’ve acquired your Bankai.” He locked eyes with his sister. Rukia nodded evenly. “How is it that the both of you failed to defeat those two insects?”

Kaien rolled his eyes, “Are you still on about that?” He scoffed, “They may not have been at our level, but they weren’t complete weaklings, Byakuya. They had enough surprises that, by the time either of us were actually willing to use our Bankai on a couple kids, we were too injured to actually do so.”

“It was honestly surprising how quickly the fight escalated.” An annoyed smirk crossed Rukia’s face, “And in any case, I wouldn’t use my Bankai in an even mildly populated area. I’m no butcher.”

“Sloppy. Ill-prepared. Lazy.” Byakuya closed his eyes. “And kind-hearted fools on top of it. Sentiment has no place in battle. Scatter, Senbonzakura.” His sword split apart into a thousand flower petals.

“No place in battle, huh?” Rukia deadpanned as she waved her blade. “Tsugi no Mai, Hakuren.” She pointed and the blades of Senbonzakura flash-froze before clattering to the floor. “Now who is taking who too lightly?” She asked as the ice turned into Reishi and slowly floated back to form Byakuya’s Zanpakutō.

“As you wish.” Byakuya said, “Bankai: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.” He declared as he dropped his sword.

“Well shit.” Kaien sighed as he side-eyed his wife.

“I’m not using mine. It’s too dangerous. You know that.” She said evenly.

Kaien groaned, “I suppose I should be glad Yamamoto-Sōtaichō is fighting far away, but damn if it wouldn’t have been nice to have Ryūjin Jakka around to make your stupid Bankai less dangerous.”

“Hey, my Bankai is beautiful!” Rukia barked at the taller man.

And then they both leapt away from one another as a tidal wave of pink petal blades crashed upon the ground they had been standing in. “You hardly have time to bicker.” Byakuya said as he directed his petals with his hands.

Rukia ground her teeth as the fight began. “Hadō #79. Hyōga Seiran!” She yelled as her Sode no Shirayuki summoned an avalanche to clash against her brother’s billion blades. ‘This is exactly the kind of fight I hate!’ She growled to herself, ‘No matter what I do, if any of us die or get really hurt, we lose.’

-]|[-

So… yeah! I’m having Ichigo fight Chōjirō. And, like, actually fight him instead of him just no-diffing the guy like canon. What Thousand Year Blood War revealed about him and his past just made him look SO fucking bad in retrospect.

Now, why him specifically? Honestly… kind of process of elimination. Tōsen is dead. Mayuri is dead. Kenpachi got beaten. Tōshirō is off to see the wizard. Unohana is off to see the wizard. Komamura is a bitch. Etc, etc.

My only real option was Byakuya, and that just put a bad taste in my mouth. Make all these fucking changes just to canon ensues? Nah fam. I’d rather try to make Chōjirō the badass he was supposedly meant to be.

Cuz the final option was that OMG gets to work out some stress, and Ichigo ain’t ready for all that. (And if I didn’t want to rip Yachiru’s return from Vow of the King either.)

Anyway, that’s enough yapping from me. Hope you all enjoyed! :D