Rukia and Calavera watched as the world around them suddenly started to shift back to the real world.

Rukia: Huh? What's happening?

Riruka: The only way this world returns to normal is if Yukio is defeated.

Calavera: So that means whoever fought him, won.

Riruka: That doesn't make any sense. I can still feel his spiritual pressure.

Calavera: Huh?

The virtual world then completely disappeared entirely, as the 3 girls stood in the forest. Behind them was (F/N), who stood next to a bloodied, unconscious Tsukishima.

Calavera: Dad? You got rid of that weird world?

(F/N): Yeah. Nothing my ability can't negate.

Just then Renji ran up to Rukia.

Renji: Rukia!

Rukia: R-Renji?

Renji: You all right?! Does it hurt anywhere?!

Renji yelled as he grabbed onto Rukia's shoulder tightly.

Rukia: Yeah. Right now, my right shoulder hurts...

Rukia then looked up and saw one more virtual world created by Yukio still floating in the sky.

Rukia: Are Ichigo and (Y/N) still inside?

All of the captains simply stood and watched, waiting for anything to happen to the pocket dimension.

Rukia: *thinking* With this many captain-class Soul Reapers present, destroying that dimension should be easy...

Just then, the pocket dimension started to split in half.

Yukio: What?! What's going on?! Impossible! It's collapsing!

The pocket dimension then exploded. Coming out of it was Ichigo, now in Bankai form. (Y/N) and Uryu standing right behind him.



Ginjo: Shut the hell up? Shut up about what? Do I annoy you so much that you'd do Bankai to kill me at once to shut me up? What would that do? Would that hide your eyes from reality once more?

Ichigo: Shut up. That one was towards you. But what I said earlier wasn't. It was towards Ishida. "Don't listen to him, Kurosaki!" my ass. Shut up. Mind your own business!

(Y/N): You could've been a bit more direct.

Ichigo: Shut up. That was directed at you specifically, (Y/N).

(Y/N): Someone's grumpy...

Uryu: Kurosaki...

Ichigo then returned his attention to Ginjo.

Ichigo: I also thought what Ukitake said to me sounded odd...

Ginjo: What?!

Ichigo: But I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to suspect Ukitake. That's why I always shoved those thoughts to the back of my mind. But then I realized something. I asked myself, "Why was I suspicious of Ukitake?" Ukitake is a lot smarter than me. If he really was planning to deceive me, he would have done so in a way that I wouldn't notice. But Ukitake handed me the Combat Pass along with that explanation. And I soon realized that the Combat Pass had no function. I'm guessing that Ukitake purposely allowed me- no... both me and (Y/N) to realize that. He purposely let us come to that realization and make our own choice.

Ginjo: Regarding what? Coming to that realization didn't leave you any choice in the matter.

Ichigo: I did make a choice. I chose the path of protecting others. I wanted power. I wanted the power to protect all sorts of people, all the time. And (Y/N) is the same. When I lost my powers, I remembered that feeling. Rukia gave me the power I sought to protect people. (Y/N) and everyone else helped me regain the powers I had lost. That's why I will protect everyone and fight you.

(Y/N) stepped next to Ichigo.

(Y/N): You mean "we" will protect them.

Ichigo: Yeah.

(Y/N) then turned to Ginjo.

(Y/N): Negotiations seemed to have broken down. But before we continue our fight, can I ask a question?

Ginjo: Why not...

(Y/N): After you found out you were being monitored, why did you retaliate by killing shinigamis? Instead of being honest with them and telling them how you felt, you decided to go off the deep end. What was the reason?

Ginjo: Huh? Simple. They were just using me. They would've discarded me the moment I was deemed useless to them. The fact that the combat pass existed means that they are scared of what I was capable of. They never trusted me.

(Y/N) was quiet but thought about what Ginjo said

Ginjo: You got the answer you wanted. Now then...

Bankai.

Ginjo's energy rose exponentially. A large pillar of purple energy emerged from Ginjo, creating a strong gust of wind. As the pillar of energy disappeared, Ginjo's appearance changed. His black hair was now white, his sclera was red and his pupils were white.



His fur collar was now red. His overall outfit reminded (Y/N) a lot of something familiar.

(Y/N): *whisper* He's almost like a Hollow hybrid...

Ichigo: You were a Substitute Soul Reaper yourself, weren't you?

Ginjo: That's right. But there's something else you forgot. As I told you... People like us were attacked by Hollows before we were born. Inside me is the power of a Hollow.



Ichigo: Is that so? Bring it on, Ginjo. Let's hurry up and settle this.

(Y/N): I hate how similar he is compared to us. It's almost frightening...

Ichigo: Don't hold back, (Y/N). You're still in Shikai.

(Y/N): You're right...

Bankai.

Shi no Tenshi Azuraeru

(Y/N) took on his familiar Reaper attire, hollowfying at the same time.

Ginjo: You brats sure are full of yourselves!

(Y/N) and Ichigo dashed at Ginjo and Ginjo did the same.

The captains (alongside Renji) watched as the three substitute shinigamis duked it out. Most of the captains turned around to leave, while Soi0Fon stood and watched.

Rukia: Brother, where are you going?

Byakuya: We're returning to the Soul Society.

Rukia: Huh?

Byakuya: Have you forgotten, Rukia? We had already received an answer from (Y/N) (L/N) but we came to see the choice Ichigo Kurosaki made. Not to mention we wanted to know if (L/N) would change his answer depending on what Kurosaki does.

Hitsugaya: The Soul Society was aware that once the next Substitute Shinigami appeared, Ginjo would set his sights on him sooner or later. Though we weren't accounting for two to show up. When that happened, we would use that Substitute to find Ginjo and before eliminating them at an appropriate time. The majority of captains shared that view. But our contact with that Substitute changed the Soul Society. We shared our powers with the Substitute we were supposed to kill and dispatched captains to watch his actions rather than kill him.

Hitsugaya then turned to Rukia.

Hitsugaya: Kuchiki. Remember when you objected to the orders of keeping watch on Ichigo Kurosaki? You were right. Ichigo Kurosaki learned the truth and made his choice. That choice was the very same choice that the Ichigo Kurosaki we knew, the Ichigo Kurosaki you believed in, made. I'm glad the Substitute Soul Reaper after Ginjo was a man like him.

Rukia: That's not all to it, isn't there?

Byakuya: Yes. In regards to (Y/N) (L/N). There were obviously some concerns, especially from Central 46 about his... "deep associations" with Hollows. No doubt had Sosuke not killed the previous Central 46, there would've been orders to get rid of him immediately.

Hitsugaya: We had no idea how (Y/N) were summoning them. Though we now have a great understanding of the complexity of his abilities, at the time he was a complete enigma. No doubt, everyone in Soul Society deemed him one of the most potentially dangerous threats if left unchecked.

Rukia: I see...

Byakuya: The one thing that changed everyone's mind on (L/N) was his insistence on befriending everyone. Although we treated him as a guest after Sosuke's betrayal, many stills doubted if he was to be trusted. But that week the Ryoka spent changed everyone's opinion on him pretty quickly.

Byakuya then turned to Soi-Fon. She wasn't participating in the conversation, rather watching the fight.

Byakuya: Do you have anything to input?

Soi-Fon: No.

Byakuya: I see. Considering we were having a conversation about (L/N), I thought you'd like to add your input on the matter. After all, he had the biggest impact on you.

Soi-Fon kept quiet as her eyes didn't leave the fight.

Byakuya: I see.

Hitsugaya: To make things brief, (Y/N) (L/N) has shown that he's mature enough not to wield the ability he has irresponsibly and instead use it to bridge a gap that was thought to be impossible.

Soi-Fon: That's not all. (Y/N) made it a point to make a connection with as many people as he can. In his own words, "There's no such thing as too many friends." He believes it's possible to befriend almost anyone if there is a small part inside of them that would be willing to accept his generosity. He doesn't hold onto hatred very long if at all. If someone's hostile he doesn't hesitate to ask them to reconsider their actions. All (Y/N) wants is for him and everyone he knows to live peacefully. That's what made his impact on Soul Society substantial.

Byakuya: I thought you had nothing to input.

Soi-Fon: I simply gave Hitsugaya's comment more context.

Rukia: That's right. Those two have had a historical impact on the Soul Society's million years of rigidity.

Rukia looked to the sky as (Y/N) and Ichigo overwhelmed Ginjo.

(Y/N) swung his scythe multiple times, forcing Ginjo to block them all.



Ginjo struggled to keep up with the offense of both Ichigo and (Y/N) at the same time. Despite the fight being a bloodfest, he wasn't sure why he couldn't feel hostility from Ichigo or (Y/N).

Ginjo: *thinking* Why? I plan to crush the Shinigamis who betrayed me. And I expected you two to argue that that was wrong. Aren't you even going to do that? Why won't you? The look in their eyes is that of someone trying to understand me. Of someone trying to put himself in my place and see things from my perspective. Are you telling me that you both plan to understand me, and still reject everything that I am?

Ichigo then landed a slash diagonally that ran from Ginjo's shoulder to his stomach. The two landed on the ground and clashed blades.

(Y/N) reappeared behind Ginjo, summoning Baraggan in his base form. Baraggan touched Ginjo's arm that held his sword. Ginjo's arm was aged and was strong enough to hold his sword. Ichigo then used this chance to break Ginjo's sword.

(Y/N) stabbed Ginjo in the back, and Ichigo stabbed Ginjo in the chest. Ginjo fell to the ground as he slowly bled out. (Y/N)'s scythe was still stuck in Ginjo's back as he lay nearly lifeless.

Ginjo: *thinking* Ichigo... Would our roles switch if you were the one who had appeared first? Would you have become like me? Would what happen if I had a friend like (Y/N) to help me think things through... To help me through my darkest times... If our roles were reversed... Would we have...

Just then Tsukishima suddenly appeared behind (Y/N). Tsukishima was about to land a devastating slash on (Y/N) and the substitute shinigami reacted, trying to block it, however...

A beam pierced Tsukishima through the heart. (F/N) appeared in the nick of time to save (Y/N).

Tsukishima, holding on to what little life he had left, spoke.

Tsukishima: Get out of my way, (F/N)! Don't die! Don't die, Ginjo!

Riruka spoke up.

Riruka: Face up to it already. We couldn't save Ginjo! Ginjo is the one who saved us but the one who saved Ginjo was Ichigo and (Y/N).

Tsukishima started to think back to the day he met Ginjo.

The day (F/N) left.

...

...

...

Ginjo: Are you all by yourself? I see. Then we're alike. Come with me. From today on, it'll be the two of us.



...

...

...

Tsukishima: Why, Ginjo? Are you just like (F/N)!? You taught me how to use my powers. You taught me how to fight. So why? Why didn't you teach me what to do when you died! You left without telling how to move on! Just like (F/N)!

Tsukishima then fell to the floor and started to cough up blood.

(F/N) stared at the dying Tsukishima. He couldn't help but feel bad for him. (F/N) couldn't find him until it was too late.

(F/N): Shu... Just... rest. Life has been hard on you. But now, you can rest. With Ginjo.

Tsukishima: (F/N)... If I had... just say goodbye that day... Do you think things... would be different.

(F/N): I don't know. At the very least, I would've still been able to see you every week.

Tsukishima's eyes widened for a second before he spoke again.

Tsukishima: You really would have went out of your way to visit me?

(F/N): Of course you idiot... But stop thinking about what may have been. It's too late now.

Tsukishima: ...I'm about to leave this earth without anyone knowing about me...

(F/N): That's not true.

Tsukishima: Hm?

(F/N): I'll continue to remember you. And that's not all.

(F/N) directed Tsukishima's attention over to Shishigawara, who was limping his way over to Tsukishima.

Tsukishima: I see... I get it now...

(F/N): You've made an impact on that kid...

Tsukishima: I... I hope it was a positive one...

...

...

...

No breathing...

(F/N): I'll see you later Shu...

To be continued