Ichigo's Bankai Training

Yoruichi led Ichigo outside, but Ye Yang didn't follow them. Instead, he left to make final preparations, as time was running out.

"There's no time to wait for you to fully recover. Even if it still hurts, let's start training."

"Alright!" Ichigo looked around, puzzled. "This place feels strangely familiar... But oh well, it's about time, let's get started."

Yoruichi looked up at Ichigo: "No problem, but before that, let me ask you, have you noticed that Zangetsu is Zanpakuto that can be released at any time?"

Ichigo was somewhat puzzled. "Really? It can be released at any time? Like Kenpachi Zaraki? I see its shape is quite different from others, and it doesn't transform when you call its name."

"So you haven't discovered it yet? Then you probably don't know that Zangetsu has another stage of liberation, do you?"

"Huh?" Ichigo was immediately bewildered. Another stage of liberation? He had never even heard of it.

Yoruichi continued, "It's not just Zangetsu; all Zanpakuto have two stages of release. The first stage is called 'Shikai,' and the second stage is called 'Bankai.' Being able to perform both stages of release is one of the necessary conditions for becoming a captain."

"Necessary?"

"That's right. All the captains except one have learned Bankai, and that's Kenpachi Zaraki. In the long history of Soul Society, he's the only one who not only didn't learn Bankai, but didn't even know the name of his Zanpakuto, yet he still became a captain. His combat ability and dedication to battle are extremely strong among the Thirteenth Division. You should know this best if you've fought him." Yoruichi breath.

Ichigo was completely stunned. Yoruichi continued, "The difference between the Shikai and Bankai states of the same Zanpakuto varies depending on individual talent and training level. Generally, there can be a difference of five to ten times."

Ichigo was trembling slightly. "Ten times?"

"The improvement rate is astonishing, but precisely because of this, even those who can go from Shikai to Bankai need ten years of training."

"Wait, this is taking too long..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yoruichi interrupted him, "Of course I understand. Although it's very dangerous, I'll use a completely different method to teach you Bankai within three days!"

"From Shikai to Bankai, even the most outstanding person needs more than ten years of training, but I want you to learn Bankai in three days!" Yoruichi said, taking out her Tenshintai.

"What is this strange doll?" Ichigo asked curiously.

Yoruichi explained, "Tenshintai! This is one of the most important special spiritual tools of the Stealth Force. It allows the user to forcibly transfer the Zanpakuto itself, that is, to materialize the Zanpakuto."

"I don't quite understand. Is it used in the Bankai training process?" Ichigo asked.

"The so-called Shikai requires dialogue and synchronization with the Zanpakuto, that is, entering the world of the Zanpakuto. Bankai is the complete opposite. Bankai requires the materialization and submission of the Zanpakuto. Materialization is to summon the Zanpakuto's physical form into our world, which usually requires several years of training."

Yoruichi moment before continuing, "Although it was a draw, the fact that you were able to fight Kenpachi Zaraki means, in my opinion, that you've already reached the level of materialization."

Ichigo moment, as if remembering something. Yoruichi smiled and said, "Looks like you still remember."

"By inserting Zanpakuto into the Tenshintai, you can forcibly materialize the Zanpakuto and summon it to our world. However, you only have three days. You must Zanpakuto within three days. If you cannot complete it within three days, then..." Ichigo interrupted Yoruichi with his actions, a massive Zanpakuto being plunged directly into the Tenshintai. "Then just complete it within three days! I don't want to know the consequences. I only know that time is running out, and I have no choice!"

The Zanpakuto vanished instantly upon piercing the Tenshintai, replaced by a middle-aged man dressed in black. Yoruichi asked, "You heard everything, didn't you?"

Zangetsu slowly, Yoruichi continued, "Then the method is up to you; Ichigo is in your hands now."

Zangetsu placed his hands on the ground, and in an instant, countless Zanpakuto appeared. Zangetsu said to Ichigo, "There are countless Zanpakuto here, but only one is the real me, and only this one can defeat me. So, Ichigo, find it! Defeat me!"

Ichigo remained highly motivated; the word "despair" seemed to be nonexistent in his vocabulary. Ichigo casually drew a sword and charged forward, beginning his journey to train for Bankai...

Meanwhile, Ye Yang went to the Fourth Division again to check on Aizen's body and reminded Unohana of the situation once more.

He then arrived at the Thirteenth Division, where he saw Ukitake and Shunsui chatting and drinking together. Ye Yang walked in and said, "Oh, you two seem quite relaxed. What are you talking about?"

Ukitake quickly waved his hand. "No, it's nothing."

"Captain Ukitake, don't you think that line should have been said by Uncle Shunsui? You're really bad at lying," Ye Yang said softly. "You guys are probably discussing Rukia, right?"

An Ukitake's face, while Shunsui took a sip of wine. "Well, well, as expected, nothing escapes your Ye Yang. So, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Ye Yang sat cross-legged and poured himself a cup of sake. "Tell me your thoughts first."

Shunsui sighed softly, "How should I put it? Something's not right about this. I just feel like something's not quite right."

"Oh? I'd like to hear more details."

"First, there's the way Kuchiki- san was dealt with. Transferring Spiritual Power to humans without authorization is indeed a serious crime, but it shouldn't warrant death, especially since the Kuchiki Clan still holds a position within the Central 46. At most, he would be imprisoned for a few years, but he was sentenced to death, which is quite strange," Shunsui said thoughtfully.

"Um"...

"Furthermore, even if he was sentenced to death, he shouldn't have been subjected to Sōkyoku. You know, Sōkyoku is only released when dealing with heinous criminals. Although Kuchiki- san committed a serious crime, it definitely doesn't warrant the release of Sōkyoku. You know, Sōkyoku has only been released a handful of times in the history of Soul Society, and this is the first time it's been released for a crime like this!"

"So what do you mean?" Ye Yang asked.

"So there must be something wrong with the verdict of the Central 46. But Ukitake and I went to the Central 46, and the councilors there didn't give us an answer. They just told us to obey orders. You know that Ukitake and I can't disobey the orders of the Central 46." A solemn look flashed across Shunsui's face. In his memory, the Central 46 had never been like this before.

Ye Yang lowered his head and said softly, "Your thoughts coincide with mine, so what do you intend to do?"

Ukitake stared intently at Ye Yang: "Of course, it's to save Rukia!"

"Phew," Ye Yang breathed a sigh of relief. "I knew I hadn't come to the wrong place. Releasing the Sōkyoku must be a problem for you, right? I can help you destroy Sōkyoku."

"Hmm? But..."

Ye Yang took out something that looked like a shield, bearing the seal of the Shihoin Clan. Ye Yang explained, "This is a spiritual artifact of the Shihoin Clan. Releasing it on the Sōkyoku's stand will destroy Sōkyoku, but it can only be used when Sōkyoku is in a released state."

Ukitake asked, "It can only be used after liberation? Doesn't that mean..."

"It's alright, someone else will take care of stopping the Sōkyoku Strike, but what will happen if you destroy the Sōkyoku..."

Shunsui chimed in, "Old Man Yama will probably be furious. This is a real chore. We'll just have to hold Old Man Yama off. Oh dear, we've really lost out this time..."

"Then I'll leave it to you two. I'll be going now," Ye Yang nodded.

Shunsui couldn't help but ask, "I always feel like you're using me."

"But our goals don't conflict, do they? In that case, wouldn't it be better for us to cooperate? Of course, I can guarantee that what I do will never go against the interests of Soul Society," Ye Yang said, standing up.

"In that case, it's a pleasure to cooperate."

"It's a pleasure to work with you!"

That night... two completely different Spiritual Pressures emanated from the air, and even the sky was filled with dark clouds. Everyone could feel that the night seemed unusually cool.

That's right, this is the sign of Tōshirō's Zanpakuto Hyōrinmaru being released. At this moment, Tōshirō stands in the sky, and a huge ice dragon emerges from the tip of his sword. His target is Gin Ichimaru with silver hair on the ground!

With a roar of an ice dragon, Tōshirō and Gin clashed. This was the first battle between the two geniuses. The aftershocks of the battle alone sent Kira flying, and the spray of water vapor froze half of Kira's body.

Silver, however, remained calm and unhurried, seemingly not taking the ice dragon seriously.

Then, an entire ice dragon rushed down towards Gin with the force of a waterfall. Gin used his Shinsō to block the ice dragon's attack, but this was not the end. Suddenly, Tōshirō appeared behind Gin Ichimaru, holding the chain of Hyōrinmaru in one hand and Zanpakuto high in the other. The other end of the chain was connected to Gin Ichimaru's frozen arm.

Tōshirō said calmly, "It's over, Ichimaru!"

Yin slowly turned his head and muttered, "Shoot him— Shinsō!" His previously narrowed eyes snapped open, revealing a pair of indigo eyes that gleamed with murderous intent, like a snake eyeing its prey!

The Shinsō pierced through the silver robes, but Tōshirō nimbly dodged it. "But if I dodged it, yes, it will be that child."

Looking in the direction of the Shinsō, there was a person lying on the ground— Momo Hinamori!

"Hinamori!" Tōshirō shouted. At that critical moment, a figure appeared and blocked Gin's attack. That person was Rangiku. "Captain, I'm sorry. Although I prepared to return to the barracks as you ordered, I felt Hyōrinmaru's Spiritual Pressure return."

Rangiku, struggling to withstand the Shinsō, said, "Please sheathe your sword, Captain Ichimaru. If you don't, I will be your enemy from this moment on!"

His silver brows furrowed, then he gave a faint smile, sheathed his Shinsō, and vanished into the night sky...