1-1...

Uh... Urgh...

Hey, Ichigo. How are you feeling?

Uh... Where am I?

Why did you do that?

Why was I the only one you brought back?

I was the only one with half a chance of surviving back there...

...and now thanks to you, Ganju and Hanataro and Rukia will be killed! Damn you!

Don't be so vain.

You had no chance of surviving. None of you could have defeated Byakuya.

One person was all I could carry and still get away from Byakuya.

Then why... Why didn't you take Rukia instead of me?

I could have, but Rukia wouldn't have a chance of defeating Byakuya any more than the rest of them back there would have.

You alone have the ability to do that, given the right training.

So I brought you back here with me in order to give you that training,

You're no match for Byakuya right now, but I am going to train you so you will be.

And then you're going to go back and rescue everyone... With your own hands.

How is the pain?

It's still there, but a lot better than before.

Oh well... Time is short, right? So let's get this show on the road.

Fine. Alright then...

Let me start by asking you a question. I assume that by now you must've noticed that your Zanpakuto is always in its released form, correct?

It's released form? That's what Kenpachi Zaraki told me about his Zanpakuto.

I guess that's why its shape is so different from other people's swords and why it never transformed, even when I tried calling out its name.

Hmph. So you really didn't know after all, did you?

Then I assume you also didn't know that Zangetsu can be released to another level.

Huh?

Not just Zangetsu, of course. All Zanpakuto swords have a second level of soul release beyond the initial one.

That first level is called "Shikai." The second level is called "Bankai."

Before any Soul Reaper can become a captain, he or she must have mastered both of these Zanpakuto releases.

Both?

That's right. Except for one, every squad captain of the Court Guard has always had to first master Bankai.

Which one?

Kenpachi Zaraki.

As far as I know, in all the vast history of the Soul Society, Kenpachi is the only one ever to become captain without first achieving Bankai.

It shows how greatly the 13 Court Guard Squads value and respect his fighting abilities.

I'm sure you can appreciate that more than anyone, having fought him yourself and survived to tell about it.

The power difference between levels varies depending on the fighter's ability and discipline.

But, in general, it's accepted that with the Bankai release, a fighter's power increases by five to ten times.

That much?

Now do you see what I'm talking about?

To gain this advantage, it's not uncommon for even a strong fighter to have to train for over ten years to achieve it.

Wh-What are you saying?! I don't have that kind of time!

I know, I know. Don't panic.

There is another way. It's going to be rather dangerous, Ichigo, but I plan to use a completely different method here.