2-1 -

Hoo-whee. That almost blew my Santen Kesshun into next week! That was quite a ride, wasn't it? Oh, wait a minute, I'm sorry. Nobody got hurt, did they?

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

Ichigo... We're all just as shocked by it as you are.

But we've got to try and remember that this is Uryu we're talking about here. He must have had a pretty good reason to join the other side.

Yeah. I...I know.

I've known it all along.

It's been on my mind ever since the war began. Because if this war is a fight between Soul Reapers and Quincies, then he and I...

But even so, we've always fought side by side.

We can't forget what Uryu is, our friend. I don't know if he feels the same way about us.

Maybe not. But there's only one way to find out, right?

Yeah.

At the very least, we owe the guy a chance to explain himself. So let's get after him and hear what he has to say about it.

And if his explanation's no good, I'll smack him down and drag him back!

And what if his explanation makes sense?

In that case, I'll still smack him and drag him back!

Sounds like a plan.

Count me in!

Whoops, uh-oh. Looks like I mighta gotten here just a little too late.

Kisuke!

So, what's your next step? A trip to the Royal Palace? I could book you a flight...

Do it then.