Zanpakuto: The Alternate Tale Part 3, 8-4

Lady Rukia!

Don't get distracted. You're right in the middle of a battle. Keep your guard up.

Come on, Haineko. Let's get you on your feet. You know you're not allowed to sleep on the job.

Rangiku? Why are you here?

Give us some credit. Did you really think we didn't know what was going on?

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

You idiots! What were you all thinking, coming out here?!

Who's the idiot? What did you think you could do in your condition?

It's obvious you're all reaching your limits.

Er!

All of you knew?

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

Right now, all you need is to concentrate on your enemy.

That's what we were trying to do. This Sword Beast's abilities are too dangerous for Soul Reapers.

Way dangerous! You wouldn't be able to defeat him. That's why we came without telling you!

That's enough! After all this time, you don't get it, do you?! Swords alone and Soul Reapers alone will never be enough!

The only way this works is when we're paired together and operate as a team! That's when our true strength reveals itself. Didn't you learn that lesson from what happened to Muramasa?

We're only vulnerable when we split our energies in half.

Renji, I hear you. We were wrong to come here by ourselves.

Grr... Rahhhh!!!

Huh?! He broke free!

Kazeshini.

I'm with you. Let's wrap this up once and for all. Are you ready?

Yeah.

Grahhhh!

Reign over the frosted heavens!

My energy...

Sir Hyorinmaru!

I can't do any more with the spirit energy I have remaining.

You can't give up! Remember what we told you. You're not in this fight alone.

Lady Rukia.

It'll be all right. They can't separate us. We're always together.

Yes!

Come, Sode No Shirayuki!

Tsuginomai, Hakuren!

Wabisuke!

Tobiume!

Kazeshini!

Haineko!

Renji!

You ready to do this?

Yeah!

We'll give you our remaining spirit energy as well!

Renji, this has been an experience we will never forget.

And you've been there for us every step of the journey.

We couldn't have dreamt of anything more.

Not to mention, it was a lot of fun!

You said it.

Bankai! Hihio Zabimaru!

Hikotsu Taiho!

They've all disappeared, just as we expected.

By the time the Sword Beast reached the limits of its spirit energy, all of our Zanpakuto were so weak that it was completely impossible for them to maintain their manifested forms.

You mustn't feel too bad for them. Their appearance was temporary and only happened because of Muramasa's powers. They knew they'd return to sword form eventually.

That's right.

There's no need to feel too upset. They've just gone back to where they originally came from. They'll always be there for us.

Right? Don't you feel their presence?

Yes. It's a very comforting feeling. Even though they no longer appear in those other bodies...

...it's okay because they'll be with us wherever we are.

Heh. Kind of a relief it's finally over.