9-5 Ichigo and Rukia Reunited

Oh no!

That's the Captain of Squad 6, Byakuya Kuchiki!

The Kuchikis are one of the four great noble clans that carry the highest rank, Shoichi! This guy's the current clan leader.

For him to show up here at a time like this, it's about the worst thing that could've happened to us.

There isn't a chance we could win in a fight with him. Heh. So, maybe we should just get down on our knees and beg for our lives.

I'll stay. I'll hold him as long as I can. I've come this far, and it's only because I wanted to help save Rukia's life.

So how can I just leave now without having done anything?

Thank you, Ganju, for everything you've done. Now wish me luck!

Such a fool! Without even a Zanpakuto, what does he think he's gonna do? Dammit!

You crazy kid!

Ganju?

It's your lucky day, Captain, because I'm the one you'll have to deal with now.

My sword is not for killing insignificant pests such as you.

Maybe your noble families have cowards who run from a threat like that...

...but no Shiba man ever would!

I see. You are from the Shiba clan, are you? Forgive me for taking it easy on you.

Now, I'll make sure you don't leave here alive.

What's this?

Brother! Please, no!

Oh, Ganju...

Brother, please stop!!!

Phew, close one. Pretty dangerous! Why don't we leave it at that, Captain Kuchiki?

Captain Ukitake.

Hey there, Rukia! It's good to see you. Are you alright?

What are you doing here, Captain?

Well, I could ask you the same thing. Even if it's to repel Ryoka, what were you thinking, Kuchiki?

The wartime exemption was issued.

War exemption? Has the Ryoka infiltration gotten that bad? Was it a Ryoka that killed Aizen?

What Spiritual Pressure is this?! Clearly it's at the level of a captain, but...I don't recognize him at all.

That Spiritual Pressure...

Impossible!

Rukia, I've come to get you out of here.

You fool, Ichigo!

I told you never to try and come after me. I told you I'd never forgive you if you did.

Some other time you can yell at me all you want to about my coming here.

After I defeat him!

Very well. Obviously, you have improved even more than I would have thought possible. So you leave me no choice.

Before you become too full of yourself, I shall show you the difference between us.

The gap in power you could never hope to bridge, not even if you had a thousand years of training.

Been a long time, hasn't it, Byakuya?

Yoruichi Shihoin?

The former commander in charge of the Stealth Force Unit One, the Punishment Force, as well as the Stealth Force itself, Yoruichi Shihoin.

Yoruichi, I need you to step aside so I can beat this guy.

Beat him? You think you can beat this guy? You are a fool.

Wha-

It's a drug, isn't it? A powerful anesthetic forced directly into his body to try to save him.

What do you intend to do with him, Yoruichi?

Three days. In three days, I shall make this boy stronger. Until then, consider this fight postponed.

Feel free to give chase if you wish.

But Yoruichi Shihoin is not about to be caught by the likes of you.