Zanpakuto: The Alternate Tale, Part 1, 6-4

You better watch your mouth, Ichigo! Talk like that will get you in trouble around here!

Try taking a deep breath, Lieutenant Abarai.

I beg your pardon, sir...

...but I find it completely inconceivable that Captain Kuchiki would ever betray us! There must be a plausible reason for his actions!

I don't know what his reasoning is, but I do know that Byakuya is working with his Zanpakuto.

This is great. We still haven't been able to locate Old Man Yama, and now Captain Kuchiki has turned against us?

So what other surprises are out there waiting for us?

The only good news is that after quite an ordeal, Captain Hitsugaya was able to recover his Zanpakuto.

But the battle he fought cost him. He will not be able to fight for some time.

Now we know how to reclaim our Zanpakuto. We cannot afford to risk such injury in every fight.

Sir, I suggest we keep Captain Kuchiki's defection a secret from all personnel except our captains.

Nope. If we start keeping secrets now, the rumors will start and create problems that might affect troop morale.

It's not easy to keep people from talking.

And so how do you propose that we explain this to Rukia?

I'll take care of that.

Captain Ukitake?

She'll be fine. Rukia will have to accept the truth as we have.

Byakuya Kuchiki.

What's this guy doing here?

Why did you help me?

Explain why a man of your rank turned against the Soul Reapers!

The reason I have come to this decision is strictly based on my own pride.

Hah! Your own pride, my ass! I don't believe this guy for a second!

But his actions prove it. He helped us to escape.

Wait, why are you doing this?

All of us are here because we've grown weary of our Soul Reapers.

Expecting us to accept you into our group would go against everything we have fought for.

That's for sure. Besides, he could just be a spy.

Byakuya Kuchiki, if you are indeed serious about defecting from the Soul Reapers, then you need to do something to prove it to us.

So what is it you want me to do?

Slay your sister's Zanpakuto, Sode No Shirayuki. Right here and now.

Hey, hold on! What are you talking about?!

You want him to slay one of us?!

A Zanpakuto killed by someone other than its wielder never returns to its original form.

This test will certainly show us where his true loyalties lie.

He really does love this Rukia Kuchiki more than anyone.

So then, you're saying there's no way he would slay her Zanpakuto.

Hey, wait!

So from the start, you never intended to let him join us.

This farce will end here. Time to settle this, Byakuya.

You want her slain now, you say?

Rikujokoro.

If it is for the sake of my pride, there is nothing I won't destroy.

I don't believe it!

Have you lost your mind?!

No, not at all. You could never even begin to comprehend my mind.

What was that?! Are you mocking me?!

That's enough.

We all know a Soul Reaper who's lost her Zanpakuto is as good as dead.

And even knowing that, he callously snapped his sister's sword without hesitation. You are free to join us. I accept your resolve.

Keep this in mind, Byakuya!

If you waiver for even a second, I will slay you without hesitating!

Know that I will always be right here watching your every move!

Now then, Byakuya Kuchiki, if you are truly going to be joining us, there is a certain matter I want you to take care of for me.