Chapter 1

A crossroad!

How do we decide which door to go through?

Nel... Sorry, but it looks like we'll have to part ways here after all.

Huh?

The Spiritual Pressure is too strong. There's no way you guys will be able to withstand it from this point on.

I can't even imagine what might be facing us ahead.

Ichigo...

There are five paths.

We have to check each one, starting with the ones on the ends.

No. Let's each go down a separate path at the same time.

I'm not so sure about that.

That's just crazy, I mean we're talking about Espada here! If we all stand together as one unit, we'll have a better chance against them! Think about it!

We might even have to face more than one of them. If we get separated...

Enough.

It's insulting to a warrior to be concerned about his life while he's out in the battlefield.

............

Ichigo, you say that because you're worried about me.

But that's just not like you.

I told you, don't worry about me.

I didn't come here so you could worry about me.

All right then, we'll go down separate paths.

Good. But before we do that, I think we should probably do a charm together!

A charm?

That's right. It's a ritual that the 13 Court Guard Squads have used over the years and it's chanted before a big battle.

It's fallen out of use, and to be honest, there aren't many squads that still do it anymore.

But I figure it's a good thing to do at a time like this.

Come on, join hands!

As we approach the crucial battlegrounds, believe that our blades will not shatter! Believe that our resolve will not weaken!

Though our paths may diverge, our iron hearts will remain together!

Swear that though the land itself may break asunder...

...we will come back here alive!

I-Ichi...

Huh?!

Ichigo, waaait!!!

What the?! Nel?!