(Y/N)'s eyes slowly opened as he tried to look around his surroundings. The first thing he saw was a light beaming down on him.

(Y/N): Can someone turn the lights off... It's hard to see...

(Y/N) spoke in a daze. He was still trying to gather his thoughts, not realizing he was still being operated on. This obviously took everyone in the room by surprise as (Y/N) casually woke up during surgery. One of the surgeons spoke in panic.

"Captain, the patient is waking up! What do we do?!"

Unohana was actually just as surprised as the others but kept her composure.

Unohana: Prepare more anesthesia, at least to numb the pain. Keep him awake though. We don't know what will happen if he falls asleep again. All we need is a few more minutes.

Unohana then looked towards (Y/N).

Unohana: Stay with us, (Y/N). Why don't we play a game of questions?

Unohana said to attempt to keep (Y/N) so that he wouldn't fall asleep. If (Y/N) fell asleep, who knows if he'd fall asleep permanently. (Y/N) who was still dazed, simply just nodded.

(Timeskip) Ichigo POV

Ichigo: "Can't fix it"? Why not?!

Ichigo was currently having a conversation about his zanpakuto with Mayuri.

Ichigo: You fix your Zanpakuto whenever it gets broken, don't you?!

Mayuri: Are you stupid? I don't "fix" mine. I "modify" it. The only thing that can fix a Zanpakuto is its owner's mind, Spiritual Pressure, and time to infuse them into your Zanpakuto. That's all.

Ichigo: Fine... So you're saying I should take it back and fix it myself.

Let me finish explaining. I was only talking about Shikai. The destruction of a Zanpakuto's Shikai and Bankai have completely different meanings. A destroyed Bankai can never be restored.

Ichigo: What?!

Mayuri: Naturally, there are some exceptions. Komamura Sajin's Bankai, Kokujou Tengen Myou, has an extremely powerful bond with its wielder. As a result, any damage to the Bankai is reflected as wounds on the user's body. A great disadvantage. However in return, once the user's wounds are healed, the Bankai itself is also restored. But this is also the only exception I've found thus far. As for the Bankai of Ikkaku Madarame, which was destroyed Edras Liones, it seems that Akon was able to forcibly restore his bankai to its original shape, but it possesses but a fraction of its original power.

Ichigo: Ikkaku has a Bankai?

Mayuri: Ah yes, I recall I was asked to keep it a secret. Well it hardly matters.

Ichigo: Then what about Renji's Bankai? I heard his Bankai was destroyed during his battle with Byakuya.

Mayuri: Have you ever counted the individual sections of his bankai form? Those sections of Hihio Zabimaru that were destroyed by Byakuya Kuchiki remained destroyed to this very day.

Ichigo: Then what should I do?

Before Mayuri could give an answer, he got a call. Mayuri took the call without giving Ichigo an answer. While Ichigo stood around waiting, he heard the door of the lab open up as he saw Kon running through the lab as a member of the R&D Department tried to catch him.

Ichigo: Kon? I hadn't seen him in a while, but he was in the Soul Society?

Meanwhile Mayuri was finishing up his call.

Mayuri: I see... I thought so. All right. I'm on my way.

Mayuri ended his call and turned towards Ichigo.

Mayuri: Come with me, Ichigo Kurosaki. You should meet them. Although I don't want to in the slightest. The great Squad Zero is coming.

(Timeskip)

Ichigo met up with a few captains at the edge of the Seireitei. Even Unohana was present, succeeding in stabilizing (Y/N). Shinji was the first to greet Ichigo.

Shinji: Came to check it out too, Ichigo? I don't really recommend it.

Ichigo: I've only heard a bit for Mr. Urahara, but Squad Zero lives in the Royal Palace above the Seireitei right? How do they travel to the Seireitei?

Kyoraku then spoke up.

Kyoraku: Look, they're coming.

Immediately as Kyoraku spoke up, A pillar fell from the sky, landing into the Seireitei.

Ichigo: What is that?!

Kyoraku: Tenchuren... It's Squad Zero's transport vehicle. Squad Zero consists of five total members.

Ichigo: Just five?!

Kyoraku: They have no squad officers. All five are captains. Also the combined strength of those five is greater than that of the entire Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

At that moment, all of the Squad Zero members stepped out of the Tenchuren.



And they immediately started to celebrate their landing. The first to speak was the Squad Zero member with a pompadour.

Pompadour: Hell yeah! We're here, we're here! We're finally here! Squad Zero's in the house! Long time no see, you fledglings of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads! Have you been eating right, getting enough sleep, and staying healthy?

Shinji: These guys are pretty different from what I had in mind...

Shinji was swiftly met with a slap to the back of his head.



A/N: I like ya cut G

Shinji: The hell was that for?!

Purple Hair: It's been a while, Shinji! Hiyori isn't with you? How rare!

Shinji: "It's been a while"? I don't know you– Wait... "Hiyori"?

Purple Hair: Have you forgotten who I am?! It's me, Kirio!



Shinji: Y-You're Ms. Kirio?! Seriously?! You're like a completely different person!

Purple Hair: Oh, Shinji! I haven't changed that much!

As that conversation was happening, Unohana was approached by the Shinigami with the pompadour.

Pompadour: Hey! It's been a while, hasn't it, Unohana? So, the healing techniques I taught you... Are you putting them to good use?

Unohana: Of course.

Pompadour: Really?! Because I heard you guys just lost a bunch of men! So what's the story there?

The Bald Shinigami threw his arm over the Pompadour Shinigami's shoulder.

Bald Shinigami: Now, now! It's been so long since you've seen one another! I'm sure you have a ton of catching up to do, but save it for later!

Kyoraku: Well now... I see everyone in Squad Zero is the same as always, Osho! So what business do you have for coming here this time?

The Bald Shinigami looked directly past Kyoraku and stared at Ichigo.

Bald Shinigami: Hmm... So you're Ichigo Kurosaki, huh?

Ichigo: Huh?

Bald Shinigami: We came here to rebuild the Thirteen Court Guard Squads at the behest of the Soul King. For starters, Ichigo Kurosaki, we're taking you back up with us. As well as (Y/N) (L/N). Where is he?

Soi-Fon: Are you kidding me?! I don't care how important Squad Zero is, but you were relaxing above while the Seireitei was getting destroyed. But now, you come down, wanting to rebuild the Thirteen Court Guard Squads?! Quit joking around!

"That's not their fault. They're just doing their job."

Everyone turned around and saw (Y/N) walking to the meeting spot. (Y/N) was in a terrible state. He wore tons of bandages and even wore a neck brace. It was only by some miracle that he was even able to stand. (Y/N) legs were shaking by simply standing. Soi-Fon immediately forgot her anger as she came face to face with (Y/N), considering this was Soi-Fon's time seeing (Y/N) since he and Ichigo touched down in Soul Society.

Soi-Fon: (Y/N), why are you here? You should be resting!

Ichigo: She's right, you shouldn't be up. Besides how did you sneak past all of the medics?

(Y/N): I used Sonido. Its much harder for someone to sense you using Sonido than using Shunpo. Besides, I felt restless the moment I felt those guys' spiritual pressure.

Soi-Fon: That-

(Y/N): "Doesn't give me the right to get out of bed." I know... If you weren't going to say it, I know for a fact Captain Unohana would. I'll deal with the consequences later. *whisper* I can feel her deathly stares on me right now.

The bald shinigami then spoke up.

Bald Shinigami: (Y/N) (L/N)! You seem to be in better shape than I thought.

(Y/N): Um... You know who I am?

Bald Shinigami: Of course. Now all we need is our other three-

"No need."

Bald Shinigami: Huh?

The shinigami with long black hair and multiple mechanical arms attached to her back somehow was able to retrieve the bodies of Rukia, Renji, and Byakuya.

Long Hair Shinigami: Everything on the list of things we need to take with us... They're all here.

"Unacceptable."

Unohana spoke up.

Unohana: Including (Y/N), the four people you're planning to take with you are in no condition to leave the Seireitei right now. I cannot allow you to take them with you.

Pompadour: That's exactly why we're taking them with us! I'm sure you're well aware that you're not strong enough to fully restore these three. Byakuya Kuchiki and (Y/N) (L/N) especially. Both of their spiritual pressures cannot be fixed by you. You already know, don't you, Retsu? Medical care isn't what you should be doing right now.

Mayuri noticed that the long hair shinigami had (Y/N), Ichigo and Renji's zanpakuto with her.

Mayuri: You broke into my lab as well, huh? As always, you're so disrespectful.

Long Hair: Oh, why if it isn't Mayuri. As always, you exaggerate by calling it a break-in. When I placed my hand on the door, it just slid right open. However... it was far less secure than when I was around.



A/N: WOULD

Ichigo: H-Hold on a second! Why are you taking me as well?! I can recover from these injuries just fine in the Seireitei!

Bald Shinigami: We know that. You're the only one being taken for a different reason.

Ichigo: "A different reason"?

Ichigo didn't get an answer as he was interrupted by a sudden familiar voice.

"Hello there! Well, it's been a while since I've seen you all! I'm sure you must have been worried. I'm so sorry about that."

Urahara appeared on a hologram that projected from Kon's head. (Y/N) didn't know Kon was in Soul Society.

(Y/N): Mr. Urahara? I can't tell if your timing was coincidental or intended...

Urahara didn't have a chance to speak as Orihime and Chad entered the conversation.

Orihime: Oh! It's Ichigo! Thank goodness! You're hurt, but you look all right!

Ichigo: Orihime! You seem to be doing well!

Orihime: Yeah, I'm all right!

Orihime then noticed (Y/N) horrendous condition.

Orihime: EH? (Y/N), what happened?

(Y/N): Hey Orihime, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. But it's good to see you again.

Chad: Despite those wounds, I'm glad you two are still with us.

Ichigo: That's our line. We were worried too, you know.

Urahara: Well, the truth is, I wanted to contact you sooner, but a lot happened...

Just then another voice spoke off screen.

"Huh? What are you guys doing in there?"

Ichigo: That voice... Could it be?

(Y/N): No doubt about it...

"Kurosaki, you bastard! You're there, aren't you?! You too, (L/N)!"

Orihime and Chad did their best to keep the "stranger" however 3 other people entered the tent.

Wiz: Kisuke, you didn't tell me you started communications already. Hello- W-What in the world happened to you, (Y/N)?

(Y/N): Hey Wiz... umm... I don't think I have the time to- Wait a minute-

"Surprise!"

The last two people entering the conversation were Nel and Roka.

(Y/N): You guys are safe! Man, I'm glad to see you guys...

Nel: We weren't going to stay down for long! Right Roka?

Roka: Of course not... We heard how you guys came to our aid and for that, we're grateful.

Urahara rejoined the conversation.

Urahara: Kurosaki... (Y/N)... As you can see, we're all right. So please do what you have to do for yourselves... You can decide on your own what you truly want to do... Oh, and don't worry about him. We reached a nice agreement. Well, see you later!

Urahara abruptly cut out communications after giving his word of advice. Ichigo and (Y/N) thought about what Urahara said before giving each other a firm nod.

Ichigo: Hey, Baldy...

Bald Shinigami: Oh! You're talking to me?!

Ichigo: If we go to this Royal Palace, can we fix our Bankai?

That's impossible. It can't be fixed. However, if you go to the Royal Palace, we can reforge it into something resembling the original.

(Y/N): That sounds fine to me.

Ichigo: Yeah. Take us with you to the Royal Palace!

Bald Shinigami: All right! Then come with us. Say your farewells and come aboard.

(Y/N) wasted no time looking for Unohana. Once he found her he turned towards Soi-Fon.

(Y/N): I'll be right back.

Soi-Fon: Fine. Just don't take too long. I have a lot to scold you about.

(Y/N): I'm sure you do. You can chew me out when I get back.

(Y/N) ran towards Unohana and immediately bowed.

(Y/N): Thank you for everything, Captain Unohana. And I'm sorry I came all the way here despite the hard work you did to keep me alive. It would've been better if I had just stayed in bed and rested but-

Unohana: It's alright.

(Y/N): Huh?

Unohana: Squad Zero would've come to collect you even if you stayed in bed. And I hate to admit it but they're right. I can't completely heal you.

(Y/N): I disagree.

Unohana: Hm?

(Y/N): I believe in your skills wholeheartedly, Captain Unohana. I wouldn't be standing in front of you right now if your skills were inadequate. And even if you couldn't completely heal me now, I know you wouldn't stop until I was. So, thank you. I won't allow your hard work to be in vain.

Unohana: You give me too much credit. It was because of your willingness to live that we were able to heal you. You had already started to heal yourself by the time the relief team found you. Had you not, we wouldn't be able to pick up where you left off.

(Y/N): And it's only because of your training I managed to keep myself alive long enough for them to find me. So I guess we can call this a team effort.

Unohana: Sure, let's call it that.

(Y/N): When I return from the Royal Palace, I'll make sure to repay you by protecting the Soul Society to the best of my ability.

Unohana: Then I'll hold you to your promise.

(Y/N): I'll see you when I get back!

(Y/N) waved goodbye to Unohana before making his way back to Soi-Fon.

(Y/N): Sorry about that, you now have my undivided attention.

Soi-Fon: Good. Now then... What was going through that brain of yours when you came here immediately after surgery.

(Y/N): Soi-Fon, I literally lost my head and I'm under a lot of sedatives and anesthesia... It wasn't until I was halfway here that I realized how much of a bad idea this was. But I was too far to turn back. I'm not sure how I haven't passed out already. I can't feel my body right now. I'm sorry for worrying you. I know that seeing me act like nothing has happened feels as if I'm not taking this seriously but I am. I'm just... dealing with things I know how.. And that's thinking about the bright side. So I'm sorry if I worried you. I can't stress enough how much I struggle to keep myself tethered to this world so I can see you and everyone else again. I don't want to die without fulfilling my promise.

Soi-Fon: *sigh* It's only natural that you'd show up here. Even if you didn't know what you were doing at the moment, I'm sure you subconsciously just wanted everyone to know you were safe. But that doesn't mean I'm going to let you off the hook. Next time, please take the time to really think about what you're doing. What you did was irresponsible.

(Y/N): I got it... But what about you?

Soi-Fon: What do you mean?

(Y/N): How are you holding up? I heard what happened on my way here. Not only did you get injured, but you lost your Bankai as well.

Soi-Fon: This is nothing compared to what you've been through. You still have to worry about reforging your zanpakuto as well as healing. I'll be just fine.

(Y/N): We're both a mess, huh?

Soi-Fon: I guess we're a perfect match for each other in that aspect.

Soi-Fon began to lean closer to (Y/N).

Soi-Fon: I already don't like those guys, but if they're willing to help you, I'll refrain from bad mouthing them... for now.

(Y/N): I know it's hard when someone discredits all your hard work but sometimes you just have to let it go...

Soi-Fon: It'll be a long time before I do.

Just then (Y/N) saw a wave from the Bald Shinigami, signaling that it was time to leave.

(Y/N): I guess that's my cue. I'm not sure how long I'll be in the Royal Palace, but I'll try to find some form of communication to call you... Although I'm not sure that's possible. Maybe I should ask-

Soi-Fon interrupted (Y/N) with a quick hug before walking off.

(Y/N): As much as I would love to appreciate this hug, I'm now in more pain...

Soi-Fon: S-sorry... Just get going. We'll be fine down here in Soul Society.

(Y/N): Right. I'll hold you to that.

(Timeskip)

(Y/N) and Ichigo had to squeeze into the Tenchuren with the other Squad Zero members while Kukaku sent them back to the Royal Palace.

Ichigo: Huh?

Kukaku: It's time to launch!

Kukaku used a Kido spell to launch the Tenchuren into the sky.

Ichigo: Aren't there any seatbelts in this thing?!

(Y/N): I feel like I'm going to throw up!

And with that, (Y/N) and Ichigo were off to the Royal Palace.

Kukaku: There he goes.

Ganju: You sure it was the right thing to do, Sis?!

Kukaku: Yeah. If he doesn't go now, the Soul Society is finished when the next invasion comes. We have no choice but to let him go. Even if that means making Uncle sad.

Kukaku turned to three other people who had just arrived.

Kukaku: All right, you guys! Get back to Kukaku's Great Training Hall already! Help out with the training! Don't forget who took you off the streets of the Rukon District.

???1: I'm getting tired of her patronizing attitude...

???2: Agreed.

???3: Didn't you say you wanted to talk to (Y/N) before you left.

???1: Yeah. I wanted to tell him to get rid of that stupid doppelganger of mine.

??2: Well it seems that it's too late.

Kukaku: Show some guts, Ganju. You can cry or scream, but I'm throwing you into the next battle!

Ganju: Got it!



To be continued.

A