6 Zangetsu (End)

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The group of Shinigami below stared at the turn of events in shock. Blocking Sōkyoku in the middle of execution was unheard of. They looked at the long-haired Ryoka dressed in white, sleeveless Shihakushō. His hakama was tighter than the standard hakama Shinigami. He had a white open skirt that looked like the lower half of a coat wrapped around his hip.

He appeared differently from the Ryoka who was rumored to have defeated Byakuya, but they were sure it was the infamous Kurosaki Ichigo. As they wondered what happened to him, he pushed Kikōō back, further bewildering them. The indignant Kikōō shrieked and then prepared to strike him for the second time. It was at this moment that Ukitake Jūshirō joined them, accompanied by his Third Seats.

A cable wrapped around Kikōō's neck as Jūshirō slammed the Shihōin Shield he carried to the ground. Kyōraku Shunsui appeared on Jūshirō's side in the blink of an eye. Before any of them could channel their Reiryoku into the shield, they heard a collective gasp that made them look upward. They were in time to see Ichigo pull his second sword from his hip.

"Getsuga Jūjishō!"

Ichigo swung the bigger sword vertically and the smaller one horizontally. A cross-shaped reddish-black energy was sent toward Kikōō, hitting it squarely. As the energy exploded, everyone noted how Kikōō's presence disappeared. Jūshirō's mouth hung agape meanwhile Shunsui tilted his hat downward while smirking wryly.

"My, my, what a frightening friend we have here, Jūshirō," Shunsui remarked.

"Did he… do it?" Jūshirō wondered.

When the explosion receded, Sōkyoku shattered, leaving everyone dumbfounded. The Zanpakutō that was said to possess the power of a million Zanpakutō and had been used to execute Shinigami for hundreds of years was destroyed with a single attack from a Ryoka. They were equally awed and terrified.

Ichigo landed on the ground with Rukia in his arms. His twin Zanpakutō rested on his back and hip. His landing awakened everyone from their daze. The Kidō Corps quickly took action, casting Kidō to take Ichigo down. Before they could release their attacks, though, Renji came to the rescue, swiftly knocking all of them down.

"Am I late?" Renji asked with a smirk as he looked at Ichigo. Noticing Ichigo's new attire and style, he gawked, "Wait, you are Ichigo, aren't you?"

"My, my, everyone seems to have forgotten me already after not seeing me for a few days," Ichigo remarked with a hint of distaste. "Anyway, Renji, stay there and hold this one for a moment."

Before Rukia could voice out her distaste, Ichigo threw her at Renji who caught her swiftly. As soon as Rukia left his arms, he was forced to side-step by Suì-Fēng. He narrowly dodged Suì-Fēng's tantō, but it was not because he reacted late. It was done intentionally to let Suì-Fēng know he was capable of matching her speed. Suì-Fēng understood him.

Before she could swing her tantō for the second time, Ichigo surprised her with a punch to her stomach. It was powered by his immense Reiryoku, so its strength was enough to knock her unconscious.

"Captain Suì-Fēng!" Ōmaeda Marechiyo, Suì-Fēng's lieutenant shouted in disbelief mixed with indignation. "How dare you, Ryoka!" He rushed at Ichigo only to be knocked out by a palm to his chin.

As the fat lieutenant dropped to the ground, Ichigo also dropped Suì-Fēng. Yamamoto and Unohana Retsu ordered their lieutenants to apprehend Renji and Rukia. Ichigo was about to intercept them, but Byakuya rushed at him. Clicking his tongue in irritation, he caught Byakuya's Zanpakutō with his bare hand.

At this moment, Yoruichi arrived at the hill, standing in the way of Sasakibe Chōjirō and Kotetsu Isane who were advancing toward Renji. As everyone was surprised by the appearance of the rogue Captain, Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief.

Ignoring Byakuya's disbelief, Ichigo loudly stated, "You are dancing at someone's palm and you don't realize it. I don't mind fighting, but I prefer a more peaceful approach." Byakuya retracted his Zanpakutō and he let it go without a qualm. As Byakuya retreated, he continued, "Everything happening so far has been orchestrated by someone that you know well."

Bang!

"Nonsense!" Yamamoto shouted, slamming his cane to the ground. "You already interrupted a sacred ritual. Are you going for propagating blasphemy now?"

"Don't get your panties twisted, gramps," Ichigo said nonchalantly, causing everyone's eyes to bulge out of their sockets. "Someone can confirm my words here." His eyes turned to Retsu. "Did you feel something was amiss when you did an autopsy on Aizen's body?"

"What are you insinuating, brat?" Yamamoto narrowed his eyes dangerously, flaring his Reiatsu.

"Aizen Sōsuke wants something from Rukia. Considering his Zanpakutō's ability, he might be the only person willing to orchestrate the entire event to get whatever he wants from Rukia."

"What ability are you talking about?" Retsu inquired with a frown.

"Kyōka Suigetsu. It has a complete hypnosis ability. Anyone who has seen its Shikai will never be able to get free from its hypnosis. You may doubt me, but I am sure Urahara Kisuke, one of the few people who are immune to its hypnosis, was not lying when he told me about it."

"How can we believe the words of a traitor?"

Ignoring Yamamoto's question, Ichigo quirked an eyebrow at Retsu. "What do you think, Retsu-san? Is what I said complete gibberish?"

Retsu remained silent for a few seconds before speaking up. "I have had my doubts, but I need to confirm once again to make sure. I did find some weird things during the autopsy."

Yamamoto grunted as he heard Retsu's words. He looked at her disapprovingly as she left Sōkyoku with her lieutenant but made no move to stop her.

"Renji, stay close to Yoruichi! I can't let you lose Rukia," Ichigo shouted.

"Hey! Where is your confidence in me!?" Renji exclaimed indignantly.

Bang!

Yamamoto slammed his cane, flaring his Reiatsu to the point it cratered the ground below him. "Even if your words are true, boy, you still need to be punished. The Central 46's order is absolute and it won't change Kuchiki Rukia's fate regardless of Aizen's involvement."

"Are all old guys stubborn?" Ichigo wondered aloud with a frown.

"Oh, no. Is he going to do it?" Jūshirō muttered in worry.

"What a frightening fellow we have here, indeed," Shunsui remarked with a strained smile.

With an apprehensive gaze, everyone watched as Ichigo drew his Zanpakutō. They knew that confrontation was inevitable.

"Shouldn't you stop your companion, Shihōin-san?" Chōjirō asked Yoruichi.

"Well, the General doesn't seem to be serious about killing him. He will survive," Yoruichi replied with an appraising gaze.

Instead of guarding Yoruichi, Chōjirō moved the passed-out Shinigami to the side and shielded them from Yamamoto's Reiatsu. They would die given their state. Yamamoto looked at his lieutenant's actions with a hint of disappointment but didn't comment on it. He focused on the Ryoka boy's unfazed gaze, wondering if he was stupid or confident.

Lifting his cane, he revealed the katana it was hiding. Everyone but Byakuya watched in apprehension as Yamamoto gripped the hilt of his katana. His Reiatsu was getting more suffocating with each second. Thankfully, he didn't release his Zanpakutō.

'Oy, oy, are you even going to survive the fight against General Yamamoto, Ichigo?' Renji thought in worry as his legs trembled under the Reiatsu.

'Ichigo… why are you going that far for me?' Rukia lamented mentally.

Clank!

The air exploded when Yamamoto's Zanpakutō clashed against Ichigo's. Dust was kicked up into the air, obscuring everyone's view for a moment. Ichigo blocked Yamamoto's swing with one hand. The said hand was trembling, but it was still a feat worthy of praise. Even Captain-class Shinigami didn't dare block Yamamoto's swing with one hand.

Ichigo slashed at Yamamoto's stomach with his shorter sword. Yamamoto stepped back before suddenly lurching at Ichigo. The young Shinigami was slightly caught off guard but still managed to block the Zanpakutō in time. He did it with two of his swords, but his hands didn't tremble under the force.

"I have two students who have a twin Zanpakutō. I am quite experienced in dealing with dual-wielders," Yamamoto stated neutrally.

"I don't doubt it, gramps," Ichigo agreed with a small smile.

"I will get to you two right after, this; Shunsui, Jūshirō!" Yamamoto exclaimed, causing the addressed Captains to mutter a wry 'yes.'

The air exploded once again as Ichigo and Yamamoto clashed. Ichigo was losing out on technique, but they were equal in power. Yamamoto would dominate Ichigo in some instances, but Ichigo quickly adapted. Neither of them managed to land a hit, but the ground around them was in ruins. When Ichigo used Getsuga Tensho and Yamamoto used Kidō, even the audience was forced to distance themselves to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

"Amazing Zanpakutō you have, boy. What are their names?" Yamamoto said after across from Ichigo, extending his Zanpakutō to the side.

"Zangetsu," Ichigo answered simply.

"I see. Then, I shall introduce you to my Zanpakutō. Reduce all creation to ash, Ryūjin Jakka!"

Yamamoto's Reiatsu intensified as his Zanpakutō was covered in fire. The air around him boiled and his body steamed as if it was fresh out of the oven. Everyone grimaced at Ryūjin Jakka's release. Renji even dropped to his knees as he found it taxing to protect himself and Rukia from the Reiatsu at the same time. On the contrary, Ichigo showed Yamamoto a grin that would make Zangetsu proud.

"Stop holding back or you will—"

"Attention to everyone and General Yamamoto! The Ryoka is right! Captain Aizen Sōsuke has betrayed Soul Society. I repeat; Captain Aizen Sōsuke has betrayed Soul Society. The Central 46 members were killed a long time ago. He has been the one giving out orders until now. Beware of his Zanpakutō's ability: Absolute Hypnosis! No matter what, don't look at his Zanpakutō's release!"

At the announcement delivered through Tenteikūra, Yamamoto sealed his Zanpakutō. A new Reiatsu appeared on the hill, making his frown heavier.

"Oya, it seems everyone is expecting me."

Aizen Sōsuke appeared with a serene smile.

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Honorary Mention:

Venerable Immortal Adan Smith

Venerable Immortal Jack Wright

Venerable Immortal SilverWolf