In the human world, at the Visored's hideout in Karakura Town's outskirts:
"Man… it's been nearly a century, but Old Man Yamamoto's suppression is as overwhelming as ever!"
Hirako Shinji's shocked face carried lingering awe, still reeling from Ryūjin Jakka's release.
It was insane!
Those apocalyptic fire pillars could each gravely wound a captain-level Shinigami, and that was just Ryūjin Jakka's basic ability!
Every swing unleashed incinerating slashes. The strongest fire-type, the most destructive Zanpakutō in the Soul Society, lived up to its name!
"Kyoraku and Ukitake deserve it! Unless their brains are fried, who'd provoke that grumpy old man?" Muguruma Kensei wiped sweat from his brow, having sweated more watching the video than in three days of training.
"Speaking of which…" Love Aikawa shifted his gaze from the screen to Karakura Town's city center, his expression grave. "We've seen the highlight. Time to save some people, right?"
"Save people?" Hachigen Ushōda frowned. "Save the Gotei 13? Back in the day, I'd have refused a million times!"
"But now… I might consider it."
Stroking his golden wavy hair, Hachigen's eyes flickered with complex emotions.
Learning they'd rejoin the Gotei 13 in the future had softened his prejudice. The scenes of them fighting alongside others against the Miracle Man had subtly moved the Visored.
Their defection was ultimately Aizen's doing, not a blood feud. They could try setting aside grudges and save lives first.
That was the Visored's mindset now.
Stretching and cleaning his ear, Hirako adjusted his disheveled hair and cap, grinning excitedly. "Alright, enough talk! Who's coming with me to save people? Sign up now!"
"I'm in!"
"Me too!"
"Count me in!"
"And me!"
Except for Sarugaki Hiyori's stubborn refusal, the others eagerly volunteered, ready to battle the Arrancars.
"Yosh!"
"We'll split up! Me, Hachi, and Kensei will head to the city center. The rest, go to the high school campus!"
Grabbing his Zanpakutō, Hirako led the charge, the others vanishing from the abandoned warehouse in a flash.
---
At Karakura First High's campus:
"Dad!"
Ichigo's desperate scream echoed, his dark eyes reflecting Isshin, pierced through the abdomen by Grimmjow's arm blade.
"Ichigo… run! Get out of here!" Clenching his teeth against the agony, Isshin shouted with his last strength.
"Tch… run? You three are next!" Grimmjow sneered, flicking Isshin off his arm like trash and turning to the despairing Ichigo.
His jagged fangs, like an abyss ready to devour, pronounced their death sentence.
"It's over…"
"Why is he attacking us? Just because of the ranking video? We're innocent!" Inoue Orihime sobbed, her gentle nature crumbling under the bloody scene.
"Orihime, run! I'll hold him off!" Chad Yasutora braced for death, his words lacking confidence.
"Playing hero? How childish! I don't buy that crap!" Grimmjow roared, charging with his arm blade aimed at Chad's abdomen.
But at the critical moment, an unexpected turn occurred!
"Thunder's carriage, spinning wheel's gap, this thing has light, dividing into six!"
"Bakudō 61: Six Rods Prison of Light!"
A chant rang out from nowhere. Six glowing rods materialized around Grimmjow, locking him in an inescapable cage, halting his charge.
"Hm?"
"A Shinigami's Kido?!"
Grimmjow looked down, stunned, twisting but unable to break free. He roared, "Who's there? Sneaking around—show yourself!"
"Ohohoho…"
"Grimmjow, we'll fight side by side in the future, so is this attitude really appropriate for a future 'comrade'?"
A green shadow appeared beside Ichigo. Clad in clogs and waving a fan, Urahara Kisuke emerged with a playful smile, unfazed by the Leopard King's threat.
"You're… Urahara Kisuke!"
Ichigo, Chad, and Orihime's eyes widened, recognizing the man ranked in the first round. They looked at him like a savior.
"Urahara Kisuke, please save us! My dad's dying!" Ichigo pleaded urgently.
"Heh, Ichigo, no rush…"
Glancing at Isshin bleeding out, Urahara smirked mischievously. "Isshin-san's tough. Let him lie in the blood a bit longer—it's a rare opportunity."
"…"
Ichigo's brow twitched.
What the hell?! Isshin-san? He knows my dad?
And my dad's just a normal guy—how can he survive this blood loss?! Save him already, you jerk!
Ignoring Ichigo's panic, Urahara turned to Grimmjow, grumbling, "Grimmjow, you Arrancars are causing trouble! Otherwise, I could've stayed in my shop and watched the Head Captain's ranking round in peace…"
"Such a pity…"
Despite his words, Urahara drew his Zanpakutō, his spiritual pressure erupting.
"Sing, Benihime!"
With a crisp birdlike cry, a blood-red slash loomed large in Grimmjow's eyes!
---
Simultaneously, as the human world erupted in battle, the paused screen flickered back to life, shifting to a new scene.
Under a blue sky, skyscrapers lay in ruins, scarred by battle. The Head Captain's furious voice roared again:
"With me here…"
"You three will not interfere in this war!"
The camera shifted, revealing him swinging Ryūjin Jakka wreathed in flames.
Hearing his words, in the Fifth Division's underground chamber, Gin Ichimaru froze.
"What the…"
"Captain Aizen, the three he's talking about… it's not us, is it?!"
--------------------------------------------
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