Ichigo's vision became clear as the world digitizing in front of him took the shape of Karakura Town.

Ichigo: Is this Karakura Town?

Ginjo: Cool, huh? I chose an environment you're used to fighting in. Aren't you happy? Things are now even.

"It's not even when it's a 3 on 1."

Behind Ichigo was (Y/N) and Uryu. (Y/N) was healing the wound Uryu received from Tsukishima.

Uryu: Kurosaki... (Y/N)... I have to apologize to you two. Right after we returned from saving Kuchiki in the Soul Society, You both told us about the Combat Pass. That's when I got the idea that a Substitute Shinigami must have existed before you. And that he probably went missing. If he was alive, they should have let you know. If he was dead, they should have told you why. But the fact that they did neither means that even the Soul Society probably didn't know. I should have told you this when I thought of it.

Ichigo: Ishida...

Ichigo then kicked Uryu in the back.

Uryu: What the hell, Kurosaki?!

Ichigo: Who cares? Even if you told me about it back then, I couldn't have prepared for this! I probably would've forgotten about it, anyway!

(Y/N): And if I'm being honest, I figured it out a few months ago.

Ichigo: I'm not surprised. Anyways, stop dwelling on things that are over! Idiot!

Uryu: *whisper* Like he doesn't dwell on things...

(Y/N): *whispers back* I know right...

Ichigo: What are you talking about?

Uryu and (Y/N): Nothing.

Ichigo: Whatever, let's do this.

(Meanwhile)

Calavera and Rukia were surrounded by giant stuffed animals and pastries.

Calavera: Where in the world are we?

Rukia: I'm not sure.

Rukia then shouted.

Rukia: Where are you?! Show yourself!

As she said that, many of the stuffed animals started to come to life and dogpile Rukia and Calavera.

Rukia: Damn you! ... Don't... Don't think you can tempt me with these things!



Rukia shouted as she caught a few of the stuffed animals, gushing over them in the process.

Calavera simply evaded any that came her way.

Calavera: As cute as they may be, they're not cuter than me or Calavera Jr.

(Meanwhile) (F/N) POV

(F/N) looked around him and saw himself standing on top of a very familiar building.

"Brings back memories, doesn't"

Tsukishima approached (F/N) from behind.

(F/N): Yeah. Not many good ones though.

Tsukishima: Yeah, I guess that's true.

...

...

...

(F/N): How did we get to this point...

Tsukishima: Hm?

(F/N): If someone asked me all those years ago that we'd be here, fighting to the death, I wouldn't believe them. But here we are.

Tsukishima: I wouldn't either.

...

...

...

(F/N): Why did you decide to join this Ginjo guy?

Tsukishima: He picked up where you left off.

(F/N): What?

Tsukishima: A guiding light. Someone who showed me there was something out there worth living for.

(F/N) didn't know how important he truly was to Tsukishima.

Tsukishima: You showed me there was something to look forward to in life. However, once I heard you were leaving, I didn't know what to do with myself. I was back to being all alone again. I felt like I didn't have a purpose. But then Ginjo came.

(F/N): So did you do all of this because of him?

Tsukishima: No. I did follow Ginjo's orders to lure Ichigo to be trained so that he may regain his shinigami powers, but going after you was a selfish act on my part.

(F/N): You could've left my family and friends out of it. But you didn't.

Tsukishima: Ginjo would've wanted me to use them anyway so I just went ahead and did it anyway.

(F/N): Maybe the reason we're fighting right now is that you failed to learn how to think for yourself. "Follow (F/N)" this and "Follow Ginjo" that. Why don't you take charge for your own life for once. Do what "you" want to do.

Tsukishima: And failed miserably like you did? You failed to protect your wife. You failed to get your revenge on Aizen. If I wanted to, I could've killed your daughters and that friend of yours immediately. Something you would've also failed to stop. Why would I subjugate myself to that same pain?

(F/N): Speak like that again and no Shinigami or Hollow will be able to find your soul in the afterlife.

(F/N)'s tone darkened as Tsukishima spoke.

Tsukishima: I didn't mean to strike a nerve. I simply spoke the truth.

(F/N): And the one time you speak the truth will be the reason you lose your life.

Tsukishima: When you get angry you show a lot of your past tendencies. Life after adoption has made you soft, but your anger brings back a lot of habitats that made you as strong as you are today.

(F/N): I'm nothing like the immature kid I used to be.

Tsukishima: If what you said is true then you'll lose this battle. After all, the old you wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty.

(F/N): Don't talk as if I was some kind of murderer.

Tsukishima: Like I said, you've gone soft. You can expect to leave here without being willing to kill me. You allowed me to flee during our first encounter, and I doubt you'd have killed me during our second contrary to your words. The old you might've never killed anyone but I'm sure you were willing to if it meant protecting your life.

(F/N): If I've gotten soft, then what does that make you?

Tsukishima: Hm?

(F/N): "I would be willing to kill." That's what you said about me. So explain to me. Why didn't you kill (S/N) and Calavera the very first chance you got. If you know me as well as you think you do, you know I'd stop at nothing but to murder you in cold blood. So why?

Tsukishima: I'll tell you... if you can defeat me.

(F/N): Defeat you? Defeating you means you'll be dead. I'll never get my answer. But fine. I've grown tired of talking anyway.

(F/N) pulled out his two pistols and got ready to fight. Tsukishima activated his fullbring in response as the two stand on top of a building, reminiscent of the orphanage they once lived in.

(Meanwhile) Jinta / Soi-Fon POV

Jinta and Shishigawara were having a full on brawl.



Soi-Fon sat on the sidelines, watching in boredom. In all honesty, she could've ended this fight in mere seconds but she chose to grant (Y/N)'s request instead.

Shishigawara landed a punch that sent Jinta flying into a tree.

Shishigawara: You see that! A kid like you can't dish out damage like I can!

Jinta got up and brushed himself off, clearly aggravated at the comment.

Jinta: Whatchu call me!? I'll show you just how tough I am!

Jinta charged back in dodging one of Shishigawara's punches, and landed a punch in his stomach. Jinta then proceeded to continue his assault with more punches.



Jinta then threw a left hook to Shishigawara's face which he barely blocked. Jinta and started to trade hits once again.



Shishigawara: Not bad for a kid... But this next one will end it.

Jinta: Yeah! And I'll be the winner!

Jinta and Shishigawara charged at each other for one final time. However instead of trading blows like last time, Jinta landed every single one of his punches, absolutely demolishing Shishigawara.



Jinta landed one final punch to the face, sending the Fullbringer flying.

Jinta: That's... what you get for getting the jump on me... And I wasn't even fighting with my club...

From the sidelines, Soi-Fon simply mumbled to herself.

Soi-Fon: I guess he wasn't that bad...

Soi-Fon then realized that they were still in the environment created by Yukio's fullbring.

Soi-Fon: Why hasn't the effects undone itself yet? Do we have to simply wait until the person who activated it is defeated?

Just then Shishigawara tried to get back up.

Shishigawara: I'm... not done... yet...

Soi-Fon: If you wanna live I suggest you either stay down or stay out of the way.

Shishigawara: No way... Mr. Tsukishima needs me...

Soi-Fon: You're lucky that I even gave you the option. Had I not made a promise to sit back you'd have already been killed.

Jinta: If you wanna fight again, you're better off waiting another day.

Shishigawara: I said no way!

Shishigawara got back on his feet, although he was struggling to stay standing. Jinta started to walk towards Shishigawara, but was stopped by Soi-Fon.

Soi-Fon: if you wanna die so badly then be my guest.

Jinta: H-hey, wait a minute lady-

Soi-Fon turned to give Jinta a nasty glare in which Jinta immediately stopped talking.

Soi-Fon: Tell me, do you intend to die for this "Tsukishima"?

Shishigawara: Of course! I'll die protecting Mr. Tsukishima's honor!

Soi-Fon: Is that so? Well then...

Soi-Fon activated Shunko, sending a kick in Shishigawara's direction. The surrounding environment being completely destroyed in the process..



However, Soi-Fon intentionally missed the attack. Shishigawara looked back and saw the massive destruction Soi-Fon's attack did. Shishigawara immediately saw how outclassed he was and his spirit was shattered.

Shishigawara dropped to his knees, giving up the fight.

Soi-Fon: Now you see the difference between the both of us.

Soi-Fon turned around and walked back to the spot she was originally. Jinta looked terrified at the destruction that Soi-Fon caused.

Jinta: *thinking* Please let me out of this place. That lady might give Ururu a run for her money...

To be continued