After the revelation of the infiltration plan, the group got to training. In order to make the cannonball plan work, the group had to use an invention made by Kukaku, that was made specifically for breaking through the Seireitei's impenetrable defence. However the device in questions needs to be powered by spiritual energy.

Kukaku described using her invention, the spirit core, similar to casting Kido spells. That was something (Y/N) was proficient at using. The same couldn't be said for Ichigo however. Ichigo didn't have formal training outside of the ten days he had with Urahara.

During training using the spirit orb, (Y/N) found it quite easy. He was able to create a perfect cannonball around himself. He noticed that Orihime was keeping up, having the same perfect sphere around her. Uryu's was a bit narrow in shape and Chad's was unstable but strong. Ichigo was unfortunately having a hard time getting a cannonball to form.

Just then, Ganju informed everyone that dinner time was ready.

Ganju: Hey guys! Dinner is ready! You must be hungry. Now that you mention it You didn't get to eat in the Rukon District, did you? Those guys can't use spiritual energy. So they don't get hungry.

Everyone was hesitant at first, not wanting to leave Ichigo behind. But Ichigo reassured everyone

Ichigo: Never mind me. Go on and eat. I'll come, after I figure this out.

Uryu: Inoue, you're coming too, right?

Orihime: Oh, I'm not hungry at all yet, so it's okay

Ichigo: Inoue. Go. I'll be fine.

Orihime: N-No I want to practice some more. I'm really not hungry.

Ichigo: Inoue. Please All right.

Orihime: Okay Since you're asking me to.

Orihime left the room with the others. Just then (Y/N) walked up to Ichigo, giving him a playful slap to the back of the head.



(Y/N): She definitely likes you.

Ichigo brushed (Y/N) off.

Ichigo: Why did you stay behind? I wanted to practice alone.

(Y/N): 'Cause I wanted to help out. I have experience in this department.

Ichigo: Thanks but no thanks. I need to catch up.

(Y/N): Huh? With who?

Ichigo: You.

?

(Y/N): What do you mean?

Ichigo: You're way further in this Shinigami thing than I am. You can do many things that I can't.

(Y/N): I worked as hard as I did because I was trying to keep up with you. Even without the fancy training, you were way stronger than I was. Heck, after the Chad situation I asked Urahara to up my training regimen just so I can be more helpful.

Ichigo was surprised to hear (Y/N)'s statement.

(Y/N): But I get it. I'll let you practice in peace. You better have that cannonball down pact by tomorrow.

Ichigo: *smirks* Who do you think I am? Of course I will.

The two boys gave each other a fist bump.

(Timeskip) Next day

The group was getting ready to depart. This was it. If the cannonball strategy doesn't work, nothing well. However, (Y/N) had a strange feeling that the plan would work. He wasn't sure why. Maybe it was a hunch?

Everyone was currently waiting outside for Ganju.

(Y/N): What happened to Ganju?

Ichigo: I dunno. He was muttering about something downstairs.

Just then Ganju came running with a new outfit on.

Ganju: Hold it! The hero always arrives last.

(Y/N): What's with that getup?

Ganju: It's my very own battle costume. Don't I look cool? Cry and beg all you want, but I won't lend it to you.

Ichigo: Battle costume? What's it for, if you're just seeing us off?

Ganju's expression changed to a serious one.

Ganju: A Shinigami killed my Big Brother.

Kukaku: Ganju!

Ganju: Damn it! Just shut up and listen, Sis!

Ganju uncharacteristically screamed at his sister.

Ganju: My brother was a genius.

Ganju began telling the story of his brother.

Ganju: He managed to pass the Shinigami Academy entrance exam in one try. At that time, his spiritual power was at Level 6. That's the same level as a lieutenant of the 13 Court Guard Squad. Then, he finished six years' curriculum in one, and he became a member of a Squad. In just five years, he became a lieutenant. But my brother was killed and betrayed by his Shinigami comrades! I was still a kid back then, so I don't remember the details, but there are two things I'll never forget.

Ganju: Their faces! Two faces! The demon-like face of that Shinigami who dragged my badly injured and dying brother home. And the face of my brother as he happily thanked that Shinigami. Why did my brother do that? Why did he seem so happy? To this day, I don't know. But there's one thing I can say: My brother didn't blame Shinigamis. He didn't hate them.

Ganju approached Ichigo and (Y/N).

Ganju: Why didn't my brother despise Shinigamis? Why did he continue to trust in the Shinigamis?

Ganju: You two aren't like the other Shinigamis. I have a feeling. That if I go with you, I might discover something. That's what I think. That's why I'm gonna help you. I'll go as far as I can, to see what a Shinigami is really like!

Ichigo and (Y/N) listened intently to Ganju's story. They immediately understood Ganju's initial hostility during their first meeting.

Ganju: Looks like you've made up your mind.

Ichigo: Looking forward to working with you.

(Y/N): Glad to have you onboard.

Everyone gathered around a spirit core, casting the spell needed to create the cannon ball. Everyone put in the best effort they possibly could. Kukaku launched the group out of the cannon that was attached to the house, sending them flying.

The group tried to keep the cannonball stabilized however, Ichigo was having issues keeping his spiritual energy in check. As the cannonball hit the barrier into the Seireitei, the Cannonball started to melt, causing shockwaves.

Everyone tried to stick together, in order to not be separated from each other. However the plan didn't seem to work properly. Ganju and Ichigo were split into one direction, so was Uryu and Orihime. Chad, Yoruichi and (Y/N) ended up crash landing by themselves.

(Y/N) cushioned his fall with Bakudō #39. Enkōsen. Any other lasting damage was healed with Kaidou.

The moment (Y/N) touched the ground, he was moving. He didn't want to be surrounded by Shinigami and risk getting into too many fights. (Y/N) kept everything stealthy. He wasn't able to catch everyone's location before getting sent blasting from the cannonball but he at least was able to catch a glimpse of Yoruichi before she was sent flying. His best choice was to try to group up with her before going off to find Rukia.

If (Y/N) was being honest, the rest of the crew weren't really subtle. He felt like Yoruichi and himself would be able to get the information regarding Rukia's whereabouts much easier. (Y/N) by no means thought they were useless. He needed all the help he could get. However the rest of the group are great at drawing attention to themselves.

Ichigo was loud and was easily provoked.

Ganju and Uryu were in the territory of their most hated enemies.

Chad is quiet but his actions aren't.

And Orihime... Well, Orihime was fine.

If they do bring attention to themselves, he at least hopes it got some shinigami off of him and Yoruichi's tail.

While (Y/N) did his best on being stealthy, his luck eventually ran out as he found himself surrounded by a multitude of Shinigamis. It looked as though they were expecting him to show up. (Y/N) thought he was hiding himself pretty good in the shadows until he remembered one thing.

Shinigami's could sense spiritual energy.

Just then (Y/N) heard a voice.

???: We know you're there. You can stop hiding. I'd rather make things easier.

(Y/N) *signs* Things could never be easy, can it?

(Y/N) left the shadows to reveal himself.

(Y/N): I kinda wish you just ignored me to be honest.

???: Sorry but I can't let that happen. Orders from Captain Ichimaru.

(Y/N) was shocked to hear the name Ichimaru come out of the man's mouth. That was Gin's last name if (Y/N) remembered correctly.

(Y/N): So you work under Gin?

???: Yes. I'm the lieutenant of Division 3. Izuru Kira. We are under orders to capture the Ryokas currently invading the Seireitei.



(Y/N) cursed under his breath. He had to fight a lieutenant right off the back.

(Y/N): I see. Unfortunately I can't abide.

(Y/N) took a battle stance.

Kira: I see... in that case-

Before Kira could finish his sentence, his entire squad was quickly taken care of.



(Y/N): Sorry, but if I'm fighting a lieutenant this early then I can't have any distractions.

Kira immediately realized that he couldn't take (Y/N) lightly.

Kira: You're going to make me work too hard.

(Y/N): How do you think I feel?

Kira: Show yourself, Wabisuke!

Kira's zanpakuto turned into a hook-like blade.

(Y/N): *thinking* That's a weird shikai, but I shouldn't underestimate it.

(Y/N) immediately activated his Shikai.

https://youtu.be/pulPN_-3y1s

(Y/N): Oversee, Ankou!

Watching (Y/N)'s zanpakuto shapeshift into a scythe was a surprise for Kira.

Kira: So you truly plan to fight?

(Y/N): Yeah.

Kira: Very well then.

Kira went in for multiple strikes with his zanpakuto which (Y/N) deflected easily with his scythe. However, the moment blocked Kira's strikes, he felt his body become heavier.

(Y/N): W-what the?

Kira: This is the ability of my Shikai. I can double the weight of anything I strike. Considering you've made contact with my blade multiple times already, You shouldn't be able to move right now.

(Y/N) was astonished. His first fight and he already ran into someone with an insane ability. His plan to weaken the opponent by absorbing reishi wasn't gonna work here. He had to fight using Kido and via summoning Hollows. (Y/N) wanted to keep his main ability a secret for much harder fights but right now, he didn't have that luxury.

(Y/N) while struggling to hold up his finger, casted a kido spell. Something he learned from Tessai before coming to the Soul Society.

(Y/N): Hadō #1. Shō-

Kira: Too slow.

Kira dodged the technique. The weight increase slowed down (Y/N) considerably and now he needed to find a way to regain his speed. Kira delivered another blow to (Y/N), increasing the weight even more.

Kira: I'll be ending this fight now.

(Y/N): Are you sure?

Kira: Huh?

Just then, a black mist appeared under the feet of both Kira and (Y/N).



In an instant a multitude of Hollows came out attacking and holding onto Kira.

(Y/N): *thinking* As long as I don't make contact with his Zanpakuto, I can still steal spiritual energy.

With the surprise attack from the Hollows, (Y/N) quickly turned the tides in his favor. (Y/N) landed multiple kicks towards Kira, dealing multiple lightning fast kicks to the neck and head. Kira was sent flying, but (Y/N) didn't let up the assault.

(Y/N): Hadō #1. Shō

From the tip of his finger, (Y/N) shot a considerable amount of kinetic force aimed at Kira's Zanpakuto, causing it to fly out of his hands.

(Y/N): Now the fight's in my favor.

(Y/N) closed the gap with Shunpo, scythe in hand, delivering one last devastating attack.



(Y/N) left a huge gash across chest with his last attack. Kira was knocked out, with his zanpakuto returning back to normal, which in turn reverted (Y/N)'s weight back to normal.

(Y/N): No hard feelings.

(Y/N) had no chance to catch his breath as he heard more shinigami approaching. (Y/N) decided to make a beeline to the direction he remembered Yoruichi landing in, before any other shinigami could catch up to him.

While on the run, (Y/N) was trying to recall everything that just happened. He ran into a lieutenant as his first shinigami encounter and actually won. Sure he got lucky with how unorthodox his abilities are but there was a real chance (Y/N) could've lost just as easily as he won. (Y/N) knew that Kira's shikai ability was enough to take him out. If he had a crazy ability like that, imagine the rest of the lieutenants and even captains.

While (Y/N) was in a deep thought he bumped into someone. When did he get so careless? He was supposed to be running away from Shinigamis yet here he was running into one. (Y/N) looked up to meet face to face with the person he ran into.

She had dark blond hair and gray eyes. A white collar shirt protruding over her Kimono and white gloves.



???: Ow!

(Y/N): Oh, I'm sorry.

Just then another voice was heard in the distance.

???2: Kiyone, what in the world are you doing? The Ryoka could be here any minute.

The girl, now identified as Kiyone, groaned in response.

Kiyone: Hey it's not my fault, this guy bumped into me.

(Y/N): Sorry, I should've been watching where I was going. Here let me help you up.

(Y/N) helped Kiyone off the ground. She then brushed the dirt off of her Kimono. (Y/N) looked at the second individual. He had dark hair and a short goatee and wore a thin white headband and white straps around his shoulders.



(Y/N) thought that since they didn't freak out meant they didn't know his identity yet, he could still salvage the situation and regroup without getting into another fight.

???2: Alright now let's go, we have no idea who the Ryoka could be after. Captain Ukitake could be in trouble. Hey you, you should leave too. There's no telling who could attack.

(Y/N): Right...

Kiyone took a good look at (Y/N), almost as if she was trying to figure out his identity.

Kiyone: Can't say I've ever seen you before. Who are you anyway?

(Y/N) immediately thought of an excuse.

(Y/N): I just started working here, you see. I'm with the 3rd Division and I was with Lieutenant Izuru Kira to pursue one of the Ryoka but the battle got rough so he instructed me to inform Captain Ichimaru.

(Y/N) was pleading that they believe his lie.

Kiyone: You had a run in with one of the Ryokas?

(Y/N): Y-Yeah, I didn't do much fighting though, it was all Lieutenant Kira.

Kiyone: But that's pretty cool, don't you think so, Sentaro?

The man, now known as Sentaro, looks at Kiyone with a confused look on his face.

Sentaro: Cool? Nothing is cool about that, now let's go. You coming with? We can split ways once we reach closer to our destination.

(Y/N) thought about it. He could honestly blend in with other Shinigami's here all while getting info from the Shinigami's he's traveling with. It was really risky but if it worked, it would be worth it. Besides, they don't look too strong. If anything goes wrong he could probably flee before they could even catch him.

(Y/N): Who am I to refuse? The names (Y/N). Nice to meet you both.

Let's hope (Y/N) doesn't regret his decision.

To be continued

The first real fight of the Soul Society arc, the fights only ramp up from here.