The moment Ichigo, Yoruichi and Uryu stepped foot in the World of the Living, they felt a strong spiritual pressure right away.

Ichigo: That's (Y/N)'s spiritual pressure!

Yoruichi: He saved us the trouble of having to find him the hard way!

Uryu: Then let's go.

The trio flew to the scene, but by the time they got there, (Y/N) was by himself albeit injured. The group rushed towards him in haste.

Ichigo: Where's Azashiro?

(Y/N): Gone.

Uryu: huh? What do you mean "gone"?

(Y/N): I won.

Yoruichi: Does that mean you...

(Y/N): Nah, I didn't kill him. I got him to surrender.

Uryu: Really?

(Y/N): Yeah! Oh by the way!

(Y/N) took out Uryu's Quincy cross and gave it to Uryu.

(Y/N): Azashiro decided to return it.

Uryu: I see...

Yoruichi: Back on topic... (Y/N), where is Azashiro?

(Y/N): He's in the Garganta fighting Zaraki again.

Ichigo: This implies that you voluntarily opened a way for him to go back to the Garganta.

(Y/N): I did. A lot has happened in the short amount of time we've fought. But before you guys get mad, he did agree to go back to the Muken after his fight.

Uryu: And you want us to believe him?

(Y/N): Whenever he said he wouldn't do something, he held his word. And I've talked him down out of his plan. I have complete faith that he'll stay true to his word.

Ichigo: Well if you trust him, then I'll do the same.

Uryu: Are you two crazy? He-

Ichigo: (Y/N) putting his faith in someone means that he's willing to put his life in that person's hands. If thinks Azashiro is trustworthy then I'll do the same.

Uryu could only facepalm at the two substitute shinigamis.

Yoruichi: In such a short amount of time you've not only defeated one of the strongest shinigamis but you also convinced him to return to the Muken. The most secured prison in Soul Society... I know you were skilled but your to be this lucky too...

(Y/N): I try my best! Oh, by the way, Yoruichi! You wouldn't believe what I did to defeat Azashiro...

(Meanwhile)

Azashiro walked through the Garganta, meeting face to face with Zaraki Zaraki, followed by Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Yachiru. Azashiro promptly took Yumichika's zanpakuto and threw it towards him.

Azashiro: I'm returning this to you.

Yumichika caught the sword before looking suspectedly at Azashiro.

Yumichika: What's your goal here? And what happened to (Y/N)?

Azashiro: I promised (Y/N) I'd return your zanpakuto to you after I lost.

Ikkaku and Yumichika looked shocked. Even Zaraki had a look of surprise on his face.

Zaraki: Eh? You ran off to fight (L/N) and still lost? That must mean the kid must've been gettin' more powerful with those arrancars.

Azashiro: That aside... I'm surprised you stay here and wait. You don't look like the type to be patient.

Zaraki: Eh? I was looking all over for you but my subordinates here kept telling me to stay in place. I was close to cuttin em down for making me wait for so long but now I see why they told me to stay put.

Zaraki then took a kendo stance as he got ready to fight again.

Zaraki: Now let's pick up where we left off.

Azashiro: I must ask... Are you fighting to follow protocol and recapture me, or are you fighting to kill me for the title of Zaraki?

Zaraki: You moron. I don't give a crap what protocol is. I just thought you didn't have your fill yet, that's all!

Azashiro: Me? Don't be absurd. I've exhausted every strategy available to me. But you repelled every one of them with your immense Spiritual Pressure alone. I made a miscalculation. It's as simple as that.

Zaraki: Ever since we first met, there's been something that's been buggin' me about you. Why do you think you're weak?

Azashiro was confused at the question.

Zaraki: Everything you did, from start to finish, is exactly what somebody who's convinced themselves that they're weak would do in a fight.

Azashiro: I am weaker than you. That's the long and short of it.

Zaraki: Nah. Your tactics are designed to make you look less vulnerable. Like a weak dog barking as it can. So, I don't get why you even bother with that crap. I bet you're plenty strong as it is. It's a waste of your strength to use it for all that barking.

Azashiro: You think I'm strong?

Zaraki: Yeah, I'll vouch for that. You're plenty strong, so how about gettin' serious for a change, eh?

Azashiro: *thinking* How can he ask me to fight again right after I admitted defeat to a human? Is this a curse of the Kenpachi name?

Azashiro took a deep sigh before speaking again.

Azashiro: Fine. I accept your challenge. I also want to see your end. Urozakuro!

For the first time ever, Azashiro called upon Urozakuro of his own volition. Urozakuro materialized herself straight away.

Urozakuro: Keehahaha! Did you call? Whatever's the matter? Did you start feeling lonely without me?

Azashiro: So, I guess you're going to laugh at me for losing to (Y/N) (L/N)?

Urozakuro: Absolutely not! I certainly didn't expect you to lose to someone who counteracted our abilities! Anyway, what is it? You didn't go through all that trouble of calling me back here to show me that you've grown as a Shinigami, did you?

Azashiro: Return to your Shikai state.

Urozakuro: Keeha! You do know what that means for you, right? It means your soul will be cut off from everything you've ever fused with. It'd take years to re fuse with it all again.

Azashiro: Enough, Hurry it up.

Urozakuro: Alright! Don't go dying on me, Ken!

Urozakuro then faded away as a sword started to materialize in Azashiro's hand. It took the shape of a standard zanpakuto.

Azashiro: The name's Kenpachi Soya Azashiro, Captain of Squad 11.

Zaraki: I am Kenpachi Zaraki, Captain of Squad 11.

Azashiro thought to himself as he prepared to fight Zaraki.

Azashiro: *thinking* I'll admit, I have no knowledge on what my release command is for my shikai. But I do know that it is my best chance of defeating Zaraki. It's strange to say that what I hold now is a Shikai. Urozakuro is unique... My shikai is only effective after I use my Bankai. All of the reishi that I had fused together with in Bankai is drawn to me and condensed into the form of a single sword. And with this much power, my shikai, a singular zanpakuto, surpasses the power of that of the Sokyoku that was used for Rukia Kuchiki's execution. However, there's a chance that even that isn't even to defeat Zaraki.

Azashiro didn't falter though, he charged towards Zaraki with determination and courage in his eyes.

(Timeskip) A few Hours later

Though he put a valiant effort, the wounds Azashiro gained from his previous fight with Zaraki and his fight with (Y/N) alongside Zaraki's immense spiritual pressure was more than enough to defeat Azashiro. Not too long after, both Soi-Fon and Unohana arrived at the scene, taking Azashiro back to the Soul Society.

As Soi-Fon and many members of the Detention unit escorted Azashiro back into the Muken, Azashiro stopped suddenly as he stopped in front of one of the cells.

Soi-Fon: Keep walking.

Azashiro: I apologize, but may I have a moment to speak to him?

"It'll be quick, Captain. I promise. Besides I'm sure you'd be intrigued to hear what it's about."

...

...

...

Soi-Fon: Thirty seconds.

Azashiro: Thank you.

"I noticed the look in your eyes changed. Was it because of (Y/N)?"

Azashiro: He gave me a lot to think about. It's almost as if you knew this would happen. You must be close to (Y/N) to make this sort of prediction.

"Far from it. Me and (Y/N) are in no way friends. At best, we're acquaintances, and that's if I'm being generous. And who knows what he'd think of me if ever found out I was one of the people who assisted in his mother's death. We have the thin fragile thread of a connection that could snap at any time. At the very least though, I do respect him."

Azashiro: Then your respect must run deep if you had that much faith in him, Gin Ichimaru. And now I understand why.

Gin: Well if that's all you have to say, I guess we can end our conversation.

Azashiro: Yes, anymore talk and it would be a waste of time.

Soi-Fon then continued to escort Azashiro, but not before Gin made a remark of his own.

Gin: Oh, and Captain Soi-Fon... Send (Y/N) my regards.

Soi-Fon just sent Gin a glare and turned around.

Soi-Fon: Right...

As they got further into the Muken, Azashiro took a look at another cell. Soi-Fon caught on and immediately felt the spiritual pressure that was coming from the cell. She knew exactly who it was. If this was anything like the conversation with Gin, then she wouldn't have to worry, but on the safe side...

Soi-Fon: I'll take things from here, everyone. Just wait at the entrance of the Muken and stand watch. We wouldn't want another "incident" now do we.

The rest of the Detention followed their orders without question as they took off.

Soi-Fon then turned to Azashiro.

Soi-Fon: Just one minute.

Azashiro: You'd risk me conversing with him? That's irresponsible of you, as Captain of Squad 2.

Soi-Fon: (Y/N) kept you alive because he thought you were to be trusted. He hasn't been wrong yet so I'll take my chances.

Azashiro: I see...

Azashiro approached the cell as he came face to face with Aizen.

Aizen: Hello. I figured you would be back soon, if you were coming back at all.

Azashiro: "If I were coming back at all", huh? Were you hoping I'd die, perhaps?

Aizen: Of course not. I thought there was about a ten percent chance you'd beat Kenpachi Zaraki, actually. If you had used your Shikai from the very start, that is.

Azashiro: Did you also predict that I'd lose to (Y/N) (L/N)?

Aizen: Of course. There was nearly a zero percent chance of you fusing with (Y/N) (L/N). Do you know why?

Azashiro: Is it because of his nature?

Aizen: Precisely. I don't see a chance where you came out victorious. Either (Y/N) would have won the battle or persuade you to return here either way. Don't you think it's interesting? That some people have the power to sway people at their side by simply speaking? Don't you think people like (Y/N) make the world interesting? It's precisely why the world should be led by someone who is worthy, wouldn't you say? Not by that "thing".

Azashiro: Do you intend to lure me into becoming a tool to kill the Soul King, like you did with Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen?

Aizen: You are free to interpret things however you like. Including whether you are a mere tool or not.

Azashiro: Let's leave my conclusion for the next time we meet. The next time I appear before you, I may be a completely different person, after all.

Aizen: Then I hope you'll be a good neighbor or at least a good enemy when you do, Soya Azashiro.

With that said, Azashiro moved away from Aizen's cell. Soi-Fon listened to everything from afar. Soi-Fon wondered why Aizen took the time to speak to Azashiro but then again, Aizen was an enigma of a character.

As the two Shinigamis got closer to Azashiro's cell, the now former Kenpachi spoke up.

Azashiro: The Shunko technique... It's an interesting one. I must say you and Yoruichi Shihoin outdid yourselves with the discovery of such power.

Soi-Fon: Where's this coming from?

Azashiro: You both have been training (Y/N) in preparation for our battle, have you not? I'd say you two did a good job.

Soi-Fon: What are you getting at?

Azashiro: (Y/N) said he was training to use it but was never able to activate it, however he used the technique at his time of need and defeated me with it.

Soi-Fon was taken aback by what Azashiro was saying.

Soi-Fon: (Y/N) used Shunko... I see.

Soi-Fon would be lying if she said she wasn't happy, but she couldn't dwell on that right now. She had a job to finish.

After finally putting Azashiro in his cell, Soi-Fon left. Azashiro sat in silence for a few minutes before he called out to his Zanpakuto.

Azashiro: Urozakuro.

Urozakuro: Keeheeheehee! Yes? Are you going to be okay, by the way? You know we'll be here, just the two of us, for many hundreds of years to come!

Azashiro: I thought I'd ask you to give back a few of the things that I left in your care.

Urozakuro: Keehahaha! You really think I'd give them back so readily?

Azashiro: No, I'm sure it'll be difficult. That's why I'll take them back little by little, no matter how many years it'll take. Thinking back on it now, you did actually try to stop me for my own good, huh.

Urozakuro: Hmm? Whatever do you mean? I'm pretty dumb, so I have no idea what you mean! Keehahaha!

Azashiro: I'm sure there was a reason for everything you told me. Now that I think about it, you were probably trying to keep me on the right path. And yet, I don't even know the incantation for releasing you.

Urozakuro: Keeha! You're overestimating me! There is no right path! Life is all about the side trips and detours! Besides, you might've called them pointless conversations, but don't forget I'm made up of all that stuff you threw away, right? My pointless ramblings have been increasing lately, but maybe it's because that's what you wanted.

Azashiro: What do you mean?

Urozakuro: You must've seen the changes in the Soul Society that Ichigo Kurosaki and (Y/N) (L/N) brought about and started to admire all of the Shinigamis who are now able to talk freely with each other, eh? The fact that you can waste time talking now is proof that you're happy! You unconsciously longed for happiness, and that forced me to try my best to make it happen. How awful of you! You are me, and I am you. You know, if you had tried fusing with a living being, you would've failed? It's because you wanted to be alone, y'know!

Azashiro: It's already too late, but how about refraining from saying things that'll make me feel bad? *sigh* No matter, I will take it back. Every single thing I've thrown away since I met you. And then, I will obtain your power once again. Next time it will not be at your whim, though. I will do it deliberately. Starting with the incantation to release your power... No, actually, starting with the meaning behind your name. One thing at a time.

At that moment, The bindings that surrounded Urozakuro's face started to fall off.



Urozakuro: Fine, I'll give you a kiss when you manage to figure it out, Soya.

Azashiro: No thank you... *sigh* Why is it that your face has to look just like my sister's? So pointless.

To be continued.