The ten days of training went by in a flash. In that time, Ichigo regained his Shinigami powers and unlocked his Shikai. (Y/N) on the other hand, learned more Kido techniques from Tessai and went on daily patrols, in order to collect more Hollows for his Shikai technique. (Y/N) also refined his fighting techniques with Urahara. Since (Y/N) had to fight against Shinigamis, he had to learn how to fight Shinigamis.

(Y/N) also snuck in some training with Yoruichi after training with Urahara. Apparently Orihime and Chad were training under her to learn their new abilities that they unlock during the competition between Uryu and Ichigo. (Y/N)'s training under Yoruichi was mainly improving his Hakuda and Hoho techniques.

After the ten days of training were completed, Urahara instructed (Y/N) and Ichigo to get rest and wait until the Gate to the Soul Society was complete. In all honesty, (Y/N) wanted to do training on his own in those 7 days he had left, but decided he should let his body rest. (Y/N) was feeling anxious about the entire deal so he felt as though he needed to get as much training in as possible.

In those seven days of waiting, (Y/N) went to a fireworks festival with his friends, spent time with his father and sister, caught up on manga that he hasn't gotten to read since he became busy with shinigami duties and even got to buy a new pair of sneakers to replace the ones that got destroyed during his first Hollow encounter.

On the last day of waiting, (Y/N) was sitting on his bed with Calavera. He was hoping that once Rukia was saved he could get back on track on getting Calavera a Gigai body like he originally wanted too.

(Y/N)'s man eventually wandered on his sister. (Y/N) made sure to let her know that he was going out for the week with friends but neglected to give her the details about why. She was smart enough to put the pieces together but decided not to say anything to her brother.

(Y/N): It's 1:00 a.m. Urahara said wait until then. Is something supposed to happen?

Just then a splatter of a mess came speeding through (Y/N)'s window, splattering on the wall.

(Y/N) just stared in awe.

(Y/N): How am I gonna clean that when I get back?

Calavera: I'll handle it when I take control of your body. Listen, you're going to the Soul Society. The place is pretty dangerous. You sure you'll be alright?

(Y/N): Of course I will. I'll be back with Rukia and the gang before you know it.

Calavera: You better be, I'm still holding you to your promise.

(Y/N): I don't intend on breaking it.

As (Y/N) left the front door to his house he accidentally bumped into someone.

(F/N): And where are you going this late?

The last person (Y/N) wanted to run into.

(Y/N): Out...

(F/N): At 1 in the morning? I know you said you'd be going out with some friends for the week but I don't remember you saying you were going to be leaving this late.

(Y/N): I uh... have to meet with someone.

(F/N): Really now? And who is this "someone" exactly?

(Y/N) didn't like lying to his father but he had to find a way to get him off his back.

(Y/N): A girl...

(F/N) Oh?

That definitely got (F/N)'s attention. His curious expression turned into a goofy grin.

(F/N) I see. Then don't let me keep you waiting, you gotta girl to see.

(Y/N): Y-yeah, you know how it is. W-well see ya.

(F/N): Hey (Y/N). Wait.

(Y/N) stopped. His dad's expression changed to a serious one.

(F/N): Stay safe out there.

(Y/N): Yea I-I know. Protection and all that.

(F/N): No... I mean stay safe from danger.

(Y/N): What do you mean-

Before (Y/N) could finish his sentence, his dad was already inside the house.

(Y/N): Does he know something? *signs* Questions for later.

(Y/N) made his way to Urahara Shop as the signal said. This is it. Do or Die time.

As (Y/N) walked to the store entrances he realised everyone was already there. Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, and even Uryu.

(Y/N): Uryu? You came?

Uryu: Make no mistake (Y/N), I didn't come to save Rukia. I came to settle the score with the Shinigami.

(Y/N): Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night. Thanks for coming along. We could use the extra help.

Urahara greeted the group and went down to the training grounds where the gate was located. It was a huge gate too. When the group got to the bottom, both Ichigo and (Y/N) switched to Shinigami form, switching places with their respective Mod Soul. Urahara then explained how the gate worked.

Urahara: All right, listen up. Unlike normal gates, this one has a spirit particle conversion machine.

Ichigo: What the hell are you talking about?

Urahara: I'll explain. As you already know, the Soul Society is a spirit world. Unless you're in spirit form, it's impossible to enter. Right now, only ones who can cross through as a spirit are Ichigo and (Y/N). The conversion machine will transform the rest of you into spirits as well.

Uryu: So you're saying... the gate will let us pass through without extracting our souls?

Urahara: Yes. Passing through the conversion machine will allow you to stay in your present forms.

Ichigo: All right, we understand. Let's get going!

Urahara: Ah! But there's a catch. The window of time the gate can be kept open for you is only... four minutes long.

(Y/N): But, is that enough time?

Urahara: Ordinarily, no. In fact, the whole scheme is a little shaky. Four minutes with the gate is all I can give you. After that, it will close and anyone who hasn't made it through yet will be trapped forever in the Dangai, the precipice between this world and the Soul Society.

Orihime: How will we ever make it?

Just then a familiar feline voice entered the conversation.

Yoruichi: Go forward. Remember what I told you about the connection between heart and soul. You must have no doubt, have no fear. Do not think of those you are leaving behind. The will to go forward will be your guide. And don't look back. Only those who can do these things can follow me through the gate and survive.

Ichigo: We all know this already or we wouldn't still be here. Quit with all your preaching and let's do this thing now!

Yoruichi: And you understand that if you lose, you can never return to this life again, right?

(Y/N): Then all I need to do is win, huh?

Yoruichi: Exactly.

Urahara: So, everybody ready? As soon as it opens, run in as fast as you can.

Everyone: Right.

Urahara: Good luck.

The gate shoots open and everyone immediately rushes in with haste.

(Timeskip)

The travel experience wasn't a pleasant one. The moment the group entered the gate, their lives were in immediate danger of what Yoruichi called "The Cleaner". The gang made it out of the gate by the skin of their teeth (Uryu almost lost his head. Thankfully the only thing lost was his cape). Although Yoruichi warned the group to be careful about touching The Cleaner, Orihime still decided to use her powers to push the group out of the Dangai. Upon exiting the gate they crash landed in an foreign land.

(Y/N): That was something else.

Uryu: This is more than I expected. I never thought I'd have to break out my backup cape so soon.

Everyone: H-He brought a change of clothes?

Orihime: I'm so glad. No one seems to be hurt.

Yoruichi: What's there to be glad about?!

Yoruichi poked Orihime in her eye.

Orihime: Ouch!

Yoruichi: Were you not listening to me?! We're lucky the Restrictive Current made contact with just the shield area. If it had been the Shunshunrikka themselves, you'd be dead now!

Orihime: I-I'm sorry.

Ichigo: So what? Don't be so hard on her. As it turned out, thanks to Inoue, we got through without a scratch.

Yoruichi: You do not understand how serious this is.

(Y/N): I-Is this the Soul Society?

Yoruichi: Yes. This place is known as the Rukon District, the Drifting Spirit Town. This is where souls first live upon coming to the Soul Society, and is on the perimeter of Seireitei where Shinigami live. It's the poorest area within the Soul Society, but also the area with the most freedom. It also has the largest population of souls in the Soul Society.

Uryu: Hmm? Even with all that there's no one around here.

Ichigo: Huh? What's that? It looks so different on that side.

Ichigo then took a further look and saw another town not far away.

Ichigo: Oh that I got it! That's where the Shinigami live, the whatever-town right? All right!

Yoruichi: Y-You fool! Don't get too close! You'll die!

Ichigo: Huh?

Just as Yoruichi's warning reached Ichigo's ears, a large amount of gates fell from the sky with an extremely large, muscular man following right behind. The man who fell from the sky seemed to be the gatekeeper.

Gatekeeper: It's been a long time. Since someone tried to pass through the Seireimon without a permit. You're my first guest in along time Welcome, kid!

Uryu: So huge! Who is he?! He's too big to be human! Just what is he?

Yourichi: His name is Jidanbo. He was chosen from among the best in the Soul Society to guard the Hakuto Gate, one of the four gates of the Seireimon.

Uryu: Guard? Which means we have to beat him to get inside?

Yoruichi: Yes. But that won't be an easy task. In the 300 years that he's been on duty, no one has been able to break through the Hakuto Gate.He is legendary for his power and strength.

(Y/N): So how do we fight someone like him?

Yoruichi: That's where your intelligence comes in. First, a meeting is in order to come up with a strategy.

Just then Ichigo booked it to fight Jidanbo. Yoruichi called out to Ichigo.

Yoruichi: Hey Ichigo Hey!

Chad and Orihime followed after Ichigo.

Yoruichi: Sado! Orihime! Come back! Come back, both of you! Kurosaki, please hold on.

(Y/N): H-hey what are you guys doing? We need a plan!

Chad and Orihime ignored both pleas to assist Ichigo.

Orihime: We're coming to help!

Just then, Jidanbo swung his axe, creating a huge crater that separated Chad and Orihime from Ichigo.

Uryu: W-What is that?! He's crazy!

Jidanbo: You all have bad manners. You must be country bumpkins. Now listen up. We have rules in the city. First, wash your hands when you come in from outside. Two, don't eat food that's fallen on the floor. Three, when you fight, it's one-on-one. My first opponent will be that kid with the orange hair. Wait here quietly, until I'm done.

Ichigo: Hey! Chad! Inoue!

Orihime: Kurosaki! Are you all right? Are you hurt?

Ichigo: No, I'm all good! Just sit tight over there!

Orihime: Huh? What're you saying, Kurosaki? That's!

Uryu: No, I refuse! Our time is limited! Instead of just you, we have to attack together, and get going.

Ichigo: Oh, so you're there, Ishida?

Uryu: I've been here the whole time! Quit saying irritating things at a time like this!

Ichigo: Will you all shut up?

Uryu: Can you do it?

Ichigo: Umm Probably.

Uryu: Probably?! What the hell are you saying? Do you understand the situation?!

Ichigo: Look, don't worry.

Uryu: How can I not worry?!

Ichigo: Let me tell you something interesting. My Shinigami strength was supposed to be restored in ten full days. But I got it back in five. So what do you think I did the remaining five days?

Uryu: W-What were you doing?

Ichigo: I fought. For five days and nights, I fought Mr.Hat-and-Clogs one-on-one.

Uryu: I get it. You learned the secrets of fighting.

Ichigo: Nope.

Uryu: Huh?

Ichigo: He didn't teach me a thing. But Stamina and guts I got 'em even if I didn't want 'em. And don't get me started on (Y/N). What took me 5 days took (Y/N) 12 hours.

Jidanbo: Are you done talking?

Ichigo: I don't remember asking you to wait.

Jidanbo: You are a country bumpkin, after all. You have no respect whatsoever. When someone waits for you, you say, "thank you"!

Jidanbo swung his axe directly at Ichigo, however Ichigo blocked it with ease.

Jidanbo: What?! Just what are you?

Ichigo: Isn't it bad manners to attack before your opponent is ready?

Jidanbo: You're good! It's been decades since someone stopped my thrust. All right! This is great. Today, I get to give it my all.

Jidanbo delivered multiple strikes with his axe and Ichigo deflected them effortlessly. Jidanbo then took out a second battle axe and went for what he dubbed his "ultimate attack". Ichigo finally went on the offensive and destroyed both axes. Jidanbo was also knocked down in the process of Ichigo's assault. With both axes destroyed, Jidanbo admitted defeat.

Jidanbo: I've never once lost! You are the first man to defeat me. You may pass! I, Jidanbo, grant your permission to pass through the Hakuto Gate!

(Y/N): All right! Can we pass too?

Jidanbo: Yes. I lost to your leader. I have no right to stop you.

Uryu: What?! Kurosaki is our leader?! You must be joking?

Ichigo: Why're you so upset?

Jidanbo: Your name is Kurosaki?

Ichigo: Yeah, Ichigo Kurosaki.

Jidanbo: Ichigo, huh? That's quite a cute name.

Ichigo: Shut up! It's not cute!

Jidanbo: Take care, Ichigo. I don't know why you're passing through this gate But on the other side, they're all strong.

Ichigo: I know that.

Jidanbo: All right. As long as you know. Okay, I'll open the gate so stay back.

Jidanbo then grabbed the door of the gate and lifted it up with his immense strength. However, Jidanbo stopped lifting halfway through with a fearful expression on his face.

Ichigo: Why are you standing there like that?

On the other side of the gate, was a silver-haired man with fox-like facial features, he wore a white robe over his black kimono, which was very reminiscent of another Shinigami that (Y/N) and Ichigo saw.



Ichigo: Did something happen? Who's that?!

Jidanbo: The Captain of Squad 3 Gin Ichimaru.

(Y/N) eyes widen at the title. He shared the same title as Rukia's brother, meaning they had a chance of fighting a difficult battle at the beginning of their rescue mission.

(Y/N): Yoruichi do you think we can slip by him before he can notice?

Yoruichi: We both can, however the same can't be said for the rest of the group.

In a blink of an eye, Gin cut off one of Jidanbo's arms.



Gin: Oh, this will not do. Jidanbo! This is unacceptable. A guardian of the gate isn't supposed to open the gates.

(Y/N): We have terrible luck.

To be continued.