The underground space.
Ichigo woke up.
"Kurosaki, how are you feeling?" Orihime asked.
"Inoue... Ishida, Chad, Nohara, Yoruichi, everyone is here."
Soi Fon was standing nearby but didn't approach.
As he spoke, Ichigo tried to get up. "Rukia... I have to go save Rukia, the key..."
But the pain from his wounds made it difficult for him to move.
Shin said, "It's too late for you to go now. We just received news that Rukia's execution has been moved up to tomorrow."
"Plus, I scouted the area last night, and she has already been moved elsewhere."
Ichigo was struck dumb by the news. "Tomorrow... How could this be..."
Shin continued, "We only have one chance now, and that's during the execution tomorrow at noon."
"The execution?"
"Exactly. But at that time, we will be facing a host of Captain-level Shinigami."
Hearing this, Ichigo's fighting spirit reignited. "No matter who it is, if they stand in the way of me saving Rukia, I will defeat them."
Shin poured cold water on his enthusiasm. "You can't even use Bankai right now, who do you plan on defeating?"
"Therefore, you must learn Bankai, something that takes other Shinigami ten years to master, within this single day."
"One day? How is that possible?"
The group of four was stunned.
"Learning it in one day is not impossible." Yoruichi said.
"There is an item called the Tenshintai. It can materialize the spirit of a Zanpakuto, thereby helping a Shinigami quickly acquire Bankai."
Shin took out the Tenshintai. "However, I must warn you, this method is extremely dangerous. You might even be killed by the Zanpakuto spirit."
Ichigo's gaze was firm. "I'm prepared for that."
Shin looked at Yoruichi and said, "Alright, then I'll leave Kurosaki to you, Yoruichi. I'm going to gather information."
"Okay."
Although she gave a positive reply, Yoruichi was actually unsure, as even Kisuke had needed three days to acquire Bankai back then.
Ichigo inserted his Zanpakuto into the Tenshintai. Subsequently, the Tenshintai transformed into a black-robed man wearing sunglasses.
—
Meanwhile, in the Captains' Quarters of the Thirteenth Division.
After deliberation, Jushiro and Shunsui decided to disrupt the execution tomorrow. In this way, even if the contents of the letter were true, the conspiracy could still be stopped.
Furthermore, as Rukia's Captain, Jushiro harbored a deep desire to save her.
Shunsui, on the other hand, believed the Central 46's judgment against Rukia was unjust.
"Looks like we're going to get an earful from old man Yama again this time." Shunsui laughed.
The next morning.
Ichigo was covered in wounds, but he was still continuing his Bankai training with Zangetsu.
The time for the execution was drawing closer.
Shin cast a deep glance at Zangetsu, walked forward, and picked up Yoruichi. He could sense the anxiety and restlessness in Yoruichi's heart.
Today, they first had to face the Gotei 13, and then Aizen.
If they failed to stop the execution, Rukia would be annihilated by the Sōkyoku, and the Hogyoku would be easily obtained.
Right now, their combat power was far from sufficient. If Ichigo could acquire Bankai, the possibility of success would increase by a fraction.
In fact, what Yoruichi didn't know was that several captains would soon be standing on their side.
"Don't worry, have faith in this kid. He can definitely complete the training before noon." Shin gently stroked the cat's head.
"Furthermore, according to my scouting yesterday, Captain Hitsugaya of the Tenth Division and Captain Unohana of the Fourth Division are investigating Aizen's activities."
"They should discover the truth soon. When that happens, we won't be opposing Soul Society anymore."
Yoruichi shifted in Shin's arms and immediately felt much safer.
"Thank you, Shin."
Shin was momentarily stunned. This was the first time Yoruichi had called him by his given name, she had always used his surname before.
"What are you thanking me for? I'm your owner."
"Oh, so that's what you think, Shin. Do you like that kind of dynamic? I might be able to indulge you, you know."
(Shin: Uh... My teasing failed, and I got teased instead.)
"I'm going back to supervise that kid." Yoruichi finished her flirtatious remark and dashed off.
"Nohara... Shin."
Soi Fon had been standing behind them and heard their entire conversation.
"You... you dare... dare to call yourself Yoruichi-sama's ow... owner?" Soi Fon gritted her teeth.
The crucial part was that Yoruichi hadn't refuted it. Soi Fon wished she could beat the guy senseless, but unfortunately, she couldn't defeat him at all.
"Time is almost up. I'll take Ishida and the others ahead." Shin said, looking at Ichigo, who was still training.
"Alright."
He led Uryū and the others out of the underground space, and from a distance, he saw Zaraki's group sprinting toward them, including the Captain, Vice-Captain, Third Seat, and Fifth Seat.
Upon seeing Shin, Yachiru happily greeted him, "Shin-chan, we meet again."
"Yachiru, hello to you too."
Zaraki looked at Shin and the others. "Yachiru, you know him?"
"Yep. He's the Shin that Ken-chan is looking for."
"Oh? Then you must know where Ichigo is, right?" Zaraki began to get excited.
All he wanted now was another fight with Ichigo.
"Wait a moment. Let's talk about Kurosaki later."
As he spoke, Shin looked past Zaraki.
Captain Komamura Sajin of the Seventh Division, and Vice-Captain Iba Tetsuzaemon.
Captain Tōsen Kaname of the Ninth Division, and Vice-Captain Hisagi Shuhei.
"The intruders?"
"Are you Shin, the one who killed Captain Aizen?"
Both captains had already drawn their swords.
Seeing this, Zaraki drew his sword and aimed it at the two of them.
Sajin roared, "Zaraki, what are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious? You're in the way, and I'm going to cut you down. All four of you, come at me." Zaraki grinned savagely.
"Such arrogance." Kaname said expressionlessly.
"Captain, let us go first." Both Vice-Captains stepped forward simultaneously.
"Captain, we'll take care of those two."
Ikkaku and Yumichika also requested to fight.
"Fine, but stay far away. Be careful not to get killed by me here."
After he spoke, the four of them used Shunpo to move away from the battlefield.
"Captain Kenpachi, how about we take one each and see who finishes first?" Shin suggested.
"Sounds good. That makes it interesting." Zaraki readily accepted.
"Yachiru, take them away from here first."
"Alright, Ken-chan, Shin-chan, see you later." Yachiru then pulled Orihime and the others away.
"Roar, Tenken!"
Sajin could no longer tolerate the arrogance of the two men facing him, each one more audacious than the last.
"Cry, Suzumushi!"
Kaname released his Zanpakuto as well.
"Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihikō!"
Countless blades rained down on the two men like a shower of swords.
Shin blocked all of them using his Yorugasa, while Zaraki stood motionless and was instantly riddled with blades like a porcupine.
He casually plucked the blades from his body. "The blind guy is yours. This one is mine."
"Mm."