However, Yoruichi revealed, her voice dropping to a serious, conspiratorial whisper, that Ichigo alone had the potential to defeat Byakuya, which is why she brought him back.
As Ichigo expressed shock at this, his orange hair sticking to his sweaty forehead, Yoruichi elaborated that Ukitake would never blindly kill anyone who came to save Rukia, even if they were Ryoka, because he was her superior and had a strong sense of obligation.
Yoruichi assured Ichigo that he could grow stronger here without worrying as he got to his feet, a fresh wave of determination hardening his stance. After promising to train him so he could defeat Byakuya, Yoruichi told Ichigo to go back and save everyone with his own hands, which filled him with an unshakeable resolve.
Shortly afterward, Ichigo and Yoruichi stood in the middle of a rocky cavern. Then Yoruichi started guiding Ichigo in order to gain the Bankai in three days, while it takes ten years for a normal shinigami to awaken it.
After being shocked by the sheer audacity of the facts, Ichigo started training firmly in order to save his friends.
Renji later joined to train with them as well, bringing news that Rukia's execution date had changed again.
…
On the other hand,
Ishida Uryu and Orihime encountered the captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi and started struggling against him with all their might.
Uryu battled him but was quickly disabled by the Shikai of Mayuri's Zanpakutō, the poison burning in his spirit body.
Even after Uryu overcame this with the Quincy technique Ransotengai, Mayuri still overpowered Uryu, who was forced to remove his Sanrei Glove, the heavy, leather accessory snapping on the ground.
Uryu then completely overwhelmed Mayuri, a torrent of blue arrows flying from his bow, even after Mayuri used his Bankai, but was unable to finish him, as Mayuri escaped by turning himself into a liquid, a grotesque, bubbling sight.
Meanwhile, Shinigami officers were fighting throughout Seireitei, the sounds of distant Kido spells and clashing Zanpakutō echoing through the clean air.
Shinigami captain Tōshiro Hitsugaya confronted fellow captain Gin Ichimaru, whom Hitsugaya believed killed Aizen, and battled him.
Ichimaru retreated after Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto arrived, her imposing presence and fiery Reiatsu causing him to pause.
While no one knew a dark figure hiding in the dark shadows was witnessing everything,
'This necrosword is really handy; no one can detect my presence, as if I am standing in a different shadow dimension. Also, it seems I am on the verge of awakening my Quincy power and special abilities. I wonder, will they be stronger or weaker than Yhwach's powers?'
Eero thought to himself, observing everything happening inside the Seireitei, his dark shadow reflected on the roof of the tallest building with a T-shaped longsword in his hand, a weapon that seemed to drink the light.
'Anyway, I should take some rest in the Shadow Realm; there is still time before Rukia's execution.'
Eero ended his thought, and then his dark shadow merged with the darkness below and disappeared, leaving the rooftop empty, the wind the only witness.
…
As dawn breaks on the day of Rukia Kuchiki's execution, the cold, crisp air of the Seireitei is filled with anticipation. 10th Division Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya walks with his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, the silver scarf catching the first light, while 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira follows his captain, Gin Ichimaru.
At the entrance to the Shishinro within Senzaikyu, Rukia is escorted out of her cell by members of the Kido Corps with the same collar used to bring her there, her heart a heavy stone in her chest.
Elsewhere in the Seireitei, Kenpachi rescues Ichigo's comrades but is stopped by Shinigami captains Sajin Komamura and Kaname Tōsen.
Kenpachi manages to defeat Tosen, the clash a brutal exchange of pure force and martial skill, even after Tōsen uses his Bankai.
On the other hand, Renji Abarai cuts through the blade of another Shinigami's Zanpakuto with his own, the sound of splintering metal loud and definitive, sending it flying into the air.
With his comrades lying incapacitated on the ground nearby with their own Zanpakuto broken as well, the frightened Shinigami begs Renji to stop and cowers in fear when Renji levels his blade, only for the latter to leap over him and onto a nearby rooftop before departing, leaving the Shinigami to collapse while a defeated Rikichi Yuki wonders why Renji is doing this to them.
Nearby, Renji runs toward the Senzaikyu, his muscles screaming from the relentless pace, and notes that it is only a little farther as he recalls his past with Rukia Kuchiki.
Concluding that he will be able to save her soon, a desperate resolve in his eyes, Renji mentally refuses to let Rukia be executed and runs through an arch onto a bridge, where he suddenly stops in place upon experiencing an intense Reiatsu bearing down on him, heavy and oppressive like a closing vice.
6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki stands atop one of the towers connected to the gate, his white scarf a stark banner against the sky, and then glances at Renji and asks,
"Where are you going?"
Renji clenched his fist in determination, his knuckles white, and declared, "Captain, I am going to save Rukia."
Byakuya glanced at him and shook his head and replied, "Take back your words, Renji; you know I won't let you pass no matter what."
After seeing the Renji is still moving forward with a determined expression on his face, his feet barely scraping the stone, Byakuya's expression became cold looking at him; suddenly he disappeared from his place while his statement sounded in Renji's ears, "I already told you, I don't like to repeat myself.
Renji was startled upon noticing Byakuya disappearing with Shunpo. His mind raced.
Renji realizes he is coming, his survival instincts screaming, and when Byakuya appears behind him and attempts to stab him in the back, Renji turns around and intercepts Byakuya's Zanpakuto with his own, the clash loud and surprising Byakuya, who is forced back by a yelling Renji.
...