Dust settled in the outer district.
Uryu Ishida and Orihime Inoue had landed together after being scattered during the cannon crash. They sprinted across empty alleys, buildings flashing past them, trying to stay out of sight.
Suddenly, a loud stomp echoed behind them.
"Hmph… You the intruders?" said a deep, gruff voice.
A large, armored man stepped into the street, brandishing a jagged zanpakutō. His squad 9 badge clanked against his shoulder. His eyes locked on Orihime with disdain.
"What's a weak little girl like you doing here? This isn't a place for flower-picking."
Orihime gasped and stepped back—but just as Toshi lunged forward with his blade drawn—
CLANG!
Uryu's glove shimmered in the sunlight, and a bright blue spirit arrow blocked the attack mid-strike.
"Don't you dare touch her," Uryu said coldly, adjusting his glasses.
Toshi sneered, stepping back.
"You've got some nerve, Quincy."
He stabbed his sword into the ground—
"Scatter, Ironstorm!"
(Shikai release)
His sword twisted and disassembled into multiple hovering metal projectiles, like serrated spinning darts. They hovered above him like a deadly swarm.
"Let's see how long you can dodge these."
The projectiles shot forward in a spiral, whistling through the air.
But Uryu's eyes narrowed.
In a blur, he raised his spirit bow.
Twang. Twang. Twang.
Each projectile was intercepted in mid-air, precisely and effortlessly.
"What the hell?!" Toshi roared.
"Predictable," Uryu said flatly. "A weapon like that relies on overwhelming your enemy. But my arrows… are faster."
With a final volley, Uryu sent a flurry of spirit arrows that pierced through the last wave of projectiles—then landed a clean shot straight to Toshi's shoulder.
"GAAAH!!"
Toshi collapsed, sword clattering to the ground.
Orihime looked amazed.
"Uryu-kun… you're incredible!"
"Tch. He underestimated us," Uryu replied, lowering his bow. "Let's keep moving."
🔥 Part II: Ichigo & Ganju's Encounter with the Guard Squad
Meanwhile…
Ichigo Kurosaki, still wounded from his battle with Ikkaku, was sprinting through the labyrinth of the Seireitei walls. Behind him, a full squad of Soul Reapers gave chase—swords drawn, shouting commands to kill on sight.
Suddenly, Ganju Shiba burst out of a side alley—also being chased.
"Ichigo?!"
"Ganju?!"
"Don't slow down! They're right behind us!"
They turned a sharp corner and stood back to back, facing a horde of incoming guards.
"You ready?" Ichigo asked, raising his sword.
"You bet I am!"
The battle erupted.
Clang! Slash! Boom!
Sparks flew, bodies flew, the ground cracked beneath their combined attacks.
Just then, a small boy was dragged in front of the guards—a timid, trembling Soul Reaper, barely more than a teenager.
Ichigo held a blade to his throat.
"Stand down," ichigo barked, "or we'll kill
But the guards just laughed coldly.
"He's not part of our squad. Why the hell should we care?"
The boy was shaking, barely able to speak.
Ganju stepped forward, furious.
"Hey kid… which squad are you from?!"
"S-squad four…" he said weakly.
"Tch. Healing unit," one of the guards sneered. "Just a spare. Useless in battle. Go ahead—kill him."
Ichigo and Ganju froze. The cruelty in their voices burned through them.
Ichigo's grip tightened around his sword.
"You bastards…"
Without another word, Ichigo and Ganju attacked with renewed fury, striking down two guards and knocking away the others.
In the chaos, they grabbed the boy and escaped through a sewer tunnel below the street, leaving the jeering squad behind.
🌑 Part III: Underground Shelter
The echoing water dripped through the quiet underground tunnel.
Ichigo, Ganju, and the boy rested in the shadows. Soon, Chad joined them from another tunnel, slightly bruised but alive.
They found a safe corner, lit only by soft, glowing stones embedded in the walls.
Ichigo was pale, blood dripping slowly from his shoulder wound.
The boy—still nervous—finally spoke.
"My… my name is Hanataro. Hanataro Yamada. I'm with Squad 4."
He looked at Ichigo and gasped.
"You're bleeding! That's bad… that's very bad!"
Ichigo chuckled, slightly dizzy.
"Yeah, it's been a rough day."
Hanataro knelt beside him, pulling out his squad 4 medical pouch.
"Don't move. I can help."
He focused his energy. A soft green glow formed in his hand.
Ichigo felt a warm sensation spread through his shoulder. The pain dulled.
"That's… amazing," Ichigo murmured.
"You saved me back there. Healing you is the least I can do," Hanataro said with a small, sincere smile.
They all sat in silence, catching their breath.
Outside, the Soul Society raged.
But underground, an unlikely alliance was forming.
Ichigo, Chad, Ganju, and Hanataro sat beneath the Soul Society in a quiet chamber. Ichigo, recently healed, adjusted his bandages as they huddled around a crude map drawn into the dirt.
Ganju: "So… how exactly do we sneak into the most guarded place in the whole Seireitei again?"
Hanataro (timid but determined): "There's a hidden maintenance route under the Sokyoku Hill that leads directly beneath the White Tower… Rukia-san once showed it to me."
Ichigo (sits up, alert): "You knew her?"
Hanataro (nodding): "Yes… she was always kind. Even when she was imprisoned, she kept talking about you… Ichigo-san. She believes you'll come. She said… if anyone can save her, it's you."
A brief silence followed. Ichigo clenched his fist and stood up.
Ichigo (firmly): "Then let's move."
🏥 Scene 2: Hospital Wing – Ikkaku's Recovery
12th Division Medical Wing – Gloomy, Sterile Room
Ikkaku lay on a hospital bed, his upper body heavily bandaged. At his side stood Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi with Nemu silently behind him, her eyes watching.
Mayuri: "Now then… tell me, Ikkaku. What do you know about the intruders?"
Ikkaku (calm but stern): "With all due respect, Captain… I don't know anything."
Mayuri's grin faded. His fingers twitched.
Mayuri (sinisterly): "Oh? So you refuse to report to a superior officer? Perhaps… you require a lesson in obedience."
As his hand rose—crackling with some toxic concoction—a heavy spiritual pressure crushed the room.
Kenpachi Zaraki entered with Yachiru resting casually on his shoulder.
Kenpachi (grinning): "Last I checked… you don't get to discipline men from other squads, Mayuri."
Mayuri's eye twitched.
Mayuri: "Tch… very well. This is a waste of my genius anyway."
He turned and stormed out, Nemu quietly following.
Ikkaku exhaled and looked down.
Ikkaku: "Captain… I'm sorry. I brought shame."
Kenpachi: "Forget that. Just tell me one thing. The guy who beat you… what's his name?"
Ikkaku (grinning despite the pain): "Ichigo. Orange hair, big sword. Doesn't have a sheath. Strong… gets stronger every time he fights."
Kenpachi's smile widened.
Kenpachi: "He sounds fun. Where's he headed?"
Ikkaku: "I pointed him toward the White Tower."
Kenpachi: "Perfect. I'll go find him."
Zaraki turned, his reiatsu surging as he exited with Yachiru giggling.
🧩 Scene 3: Lieutenant Meeting
Gotei 13 Lt. Hall – A War Table Lit by Candlelight
Momo Hinamori, Rangiku Matsumoto, Izuru Kira, and several other lieutenants stood around a report table. The atmosphere was tense.
Momo: "Reports confirm it. Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Toshi from Squad 9… all defeated."
Rangiku (stretching, teasing): "Don't worry, Momo. If they show up again, I'll protect you."
(She smirks, casually scratching her chest, unfazed.)
Renji: "Who are these guys…?"
Izuru: "Descriptions match: One is a tall, dark-skinned man. One fights using spiritual arrows. And the one who beat Ikkaku… orange hair, big sword. No sheath."
Renji's eyes widened. His heart sank.
He slowly took off his lieutenant badge… and placed it on the table.
Without a word, he turned and walked away.
Momo: "Renji?! Where are you going—?!"
Izuru: "I'll find him."
🗡️ Scene 4: Clash on the Steps – Ichigo vs. Renji
White Tower – The Staircase of Judgement, Nighttime
The group emerged from the hidden passage. Ichigo, Chad, Ganju, and Hanataro stepped into the moonlight, staring at the towering prison structure ahead.
But someone stood at the foot of the stairs.
Renji Abarai.
His hair was loose. His zanpakutō already drawn.
Renji: "I figured you'd come this way. Ichigo Kurosaki."
Ichigo (drawing his sword): "Get out of the way. I'm here for Rukia."
Renji: "She's a criminal now. As a lieutenant. I won't let you through."
The silence shattered as they both lunged forward—a shockwave erupting as their blades collided.
Renji swung Zabimaru, releasing its extended Shikai segments, snapping like a whip across the stone.
Ichigo dodged, slicing through the air, but Renji's movements were precise, relentless. The stone steps cracked beneath them as each attack grew heavier.
Renji: "Why are you so determined? Why risk your life for her?!"
Ichigo (gritting his teeth): "Because she saved mine! I owe her everything!"
Blood sprayed. Both were panting, bruised, wounded—but neither backed down.
Renji charged again—Zabimaru extending in a sweeping arc.
Ichigo caught it—twisting, countering—and with a roaring Getsuga Tensho, slammed Renji to the ground.
Renji's body hit the stairs, bleeding and broken.
Ichigo stood over him, barely on his feet.
Renji: "…Ichigo. You… bastard…"
Ichigo: "Rukia's not dying. Not while I'm here."
He turned away, coughing blood. Chad and Hanataro rushed to his side.
Hanataro: "Ichigo-san! You're bleeding again—we need to get back to the tunnels!"
They retreated, disappearing into the shadows.
Renji lay on the stairs, half-conscious. His fingers curled.
Renji (whispering): "Rukia… what do I even mean to you anymore…?"