Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works!

Satisfied with Uryu's restraint, Ailin shifted his attention away from the battle. He had obtained what he sought.

Within his Innate Domain, Unlimited Blade Works, Ailin's clone channeled his spiritual pressure, transforming it into blue lines that formed the outline of an Asauchi, a blank Zanpakutō. Countless "Sword Elements" surged towards the Asauchi, converging upon it. Guided by Ailin's will, they coalesced, successfully forging a new Zanpakutō.

"Rejection of Phenomena, Shunjun Rikka…" Ailin murmured, admiring the newly created Zanpakutō.

At his level of power, most abilities wouldn't enhance his strength significantly. However, Shunjun Rikka was an exception.

As Sōsuke Aizen had noted, the essence of Orihime Inoue's Shun Shun Rikka was the "Rejection of Phenomena."

It was an ability that touched upon the realm of gods, a power beyond comprehension.

Koten Zanshun was the rejection of "completion." It could separate a whole into its individual parts.

Soten Kisshun was the rejection of "incompletion." It could restore a fragmented whole to its original, perfect state.

Santen Kesshun was the rejection of "destruction." It could nullify any attack.

Throughout the Bleach world's history, Orihime's spiritual pressure had never been particularly strong.

However, her Santen Kesshun had ensured she remained unharmed.

While Santen Kesshun had been broken on several occasions, no attack, regardless of its power, could harm her after shattering the barrier. Those attacks, even those exceeding Santen Kesshun's limits, had been "rejected."

It could be said that, within Santen Kesshun's domain, Orihime was invincible.

To kill her, one would require two attacks.

The first to shatter her Santen Kesshun, and the second to truly injure or kill her.

And this was because Orihime's spiritual pressure wasn't strong enough.

If Ailin were to use it…

He released his grip, and the newly created Zanpakutō transformed into a streak of light, soaring towards the sword hill and embedding itself within its peak.

…

"Well, well, Ichigo Kurosaki. Long time no see."

Two moons seemed to hang in the sky above Ichigo Kurosaki within the narrow alleyway. Only when the closer "moon" spoke did Ichigo realize it was simply a bald head reflecting the moonlight.

"You're… Shino's brother?" Ichigo said, instantly recognizing the bald man.

He remembered encountering this man and his effeminate companion in the World of the Living, several days after becoming a Shinigami. Back then, he had even fought the man, only to learn later that he was Shino Madarame's brother.

Their matching eyebrows left no doubt about their relation.

Ichigo suddenly remembered the final movement Ikkaku had made during their fight, a movement he hadn't understood at the time.

But now, having battled Renji Abarai and trained with Kisuke Urahara, Ichigo knew what it meant.

Ikkaku had been preparing to release his Zanpakutō.

"Oh?"

Hearing Ichigo's address, Ikkaku's eyebrows twitched.

"You forgot my name, didn't you?"

"Um, well…"

Ichigo scratched his head awkwardly. He vaguely remembered Ikkaku introducing himself. It was rude to forget someone's name.

"Damn it!"

Seeing Ichigo's reaction, Ikkaku knew he had indeed forgotten.

"Haaaa!"

Taking a deep breath, he pointed at Ichigo. "Listen up, punk! Let me refresh your memory!"

Ikkaku proceeded to perform a ridiculous tiptoe dance before Ichigo.

"I am Ikkaku Madarame, the Fourth Seat of the Eleventh Division. Ichigo Kurosaki, while I admire your courage, encountering me here is your greatest misfortune!"

"Hey," Ichigo said, slapping his forehead, "Ikkaku, Shino is your sister, right? I came here to rescue her from the Palace of Penitence. Shouldn't you be helping me instead of standing in my way?"

He couldn't understand Ikkaku's actions.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, as Shino's brother, I'm glad you came to rescue her. It means she made a good friend. However, right now, I'm not her brother, but the Fourth Seat of the Eleventh Division. Protecting the Seireitei is my duty. Shino broke the Seireitei decree. She must face punishment for her actions."

"But," he added, "if the Central 46's punishment exceeds my limits, then as her brother, I'll rescue her. How could I possibly let an outsider do it instead of me?"

"I see…"

Ichigo nodded. He understood Ikkaku's stance. It was a matter of perspective.

As a member of the Gotei 13, Ikkaku had a duty to protect the Seireitei from invaders like them.

However, when it came to his sister's punishment, his stance shifted. He became Shino's brother.

The problem was, Shino had undeniably committed a crime and had to face the consequences. Both Ikkaku and Shino acknowledged this.

Even Ichigo knew that wrongdoing required punishment.

However, to Ichigo, what Shino had done wasn't wrong. If it weren't for her transferring her spiritual power to him, he, his father, Karin, Yuzu, and even his house would have become Hollow food.

Shino was his family's savior.

Even though he knew her actions were considered a grave sin by the Seireitei, he couldn't allow her to bear the burden alone.

His loyalty was to his own!

Taking a deep breath, Ichigo said, "Ikkaku, you heard the announcement, right? I already defeated Renji Abarai, the Sixth Division's lieutenant. I'll try to hold back during our fight."

"Hold back?" A sinister grin spread across Ikkaku's face.

"Hahaha, Ichigo Kurosaki, save those words for after our battle!"

Ikkaku drew his Zanpakutō, placing its sheath against the hilt. He had already fought Ichigo once in the World of the Living. They had been evenly matched back then. Now, knowing that even Renji Abarai had been defeated, he wasn't going to waste time with pointless probing attacks.

Seeing Ikkaku's movement, Ichigo drew Zangetsu from behind his back. It was a familiar stance.

Urahara had interrupted Ikkaku before he could complete that same movement during their battle in the World of the Living.

"Extend, Hōzukimaru!"

Boom!

Ikkaku's spiritual pressure exploded, radiating outwards in a powerful shockwave. Ichigo instinctively shielded his eyes with his left hand.

"Incredible spiritual pressure!"

He felt a surge of anxiety, realizing Ikkaku's spiritual pressure was even greater than Renji Abarai's.

But how was that possible?

Ikkaku was merely a Fourth Seat, while Renji was a lieutenant, second only to the Gotei 13 captains.

As the spiritual pressure subsided, Ichigo saw that Ikkaku's Zanpakutō had transformed into a spear.

"Ichigo Kurosaki…" Ikkaku said smugly.

"Let me tell you a little secret. Our Eleventh Division is known as the 'Combat Division.' We're the strongest division in the Gotei 13. That Sixth Division lieutenant you defeated, Renji Abarai, he was merely the Eighth Seat of the Eleventh before being promoted. And it's not just him. The Seventh and Ninth Division lieutenants were also seated officers in the Eleventh. Do you understand what this means?"

Ichigo's face hardened.

What did it mean?

Did it mean that a lieutenant from another division was merely a seated officer in the Eleventh?

"Haaaa!"

With a shout, Ikkaku swung his spear towards Ichigo.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Ichigo was forced to retreat under Ikkaku's relentless assault.

"He's strong! Shino's brother is much stronger than Renji Abarai!"

Despite being pushed back, Ichigo had to admit that even though Renji was a lieutenant, Ikkaku was far stronger.

He hadn't needed to use his full strength against Renji. But now, facing Ikkaku, he had to fight with everything he had.

Thankfully, his battle with Renji and Urahara's training had allowed him to control his spiritual pressure more effectively.

Even though Ikkaku was pushing him to his limits, he maintained his composure, focusing on defense.

"Split, Hōzukimaru!"

Just as Ichigo began to adapt to the rhythm of Ikkaku's attacks, Ikkaku called upon his Zanpakutō once more.