Back at the Royal Palace

After both Shinigamis got their Zanpakuto reforged, (Y/N) and Renji made their way to the next palace.

Oetsu: Alright, you two will be heading to Senju's place next! She'll have your Shihakusho repaired in no time!

(Y/N): Huh... I haven't taken note of how busted my Shihakusho was, but I guess that makes sense...

Oetsu: Senju will take care of you three from here on out!

Renji: Three?

(Y/N): Yeah, Ichigo's gone.

Oetsu: You didn't hear? Your lady friend is conscious again. You should be running into her at Senju's place.

Renji: Really?!

(Y/N): That's great news! I guess she didn't have to come all the way here if her zanpakuto wasn't destroyed like ours...

Oetsu: Alright! Here it goes!

And with that Oetsu sent Renji and (Y/N) flying to the next palace.

(Timeskip)

Upon landing, (Y/N) and Renji quickly looked around in search of Rukia.

Renji: Hey (Y/N) do you see Rukia?

(Y/N): Give me some time, will you? We just landed...

Renji: Should we take a look around before we continue?

(Y/N): We're guaranteed to find her eventually. I know you're concerned for her. I am too, but Oetsu told us we should be running her. That implies she most likely left Kirio's palace already. It's just a matter of whether she's already met with this "Senju" person or if she's currently-

Right on cue (Y/N) and Renji could hear the sound of something soaring through the air. The two boys looked up in the air and saw Rukia crash landing nearby.

(Y/N): For a group who protect the Soul King, you would think they'd implemented a better and easier way to travel between palaces. A simple flight of stairs or a bridge would've been sufficient.

Renji: Why question their methods at this point?

(Y/N): Good point.

The two boys ran up to Rukia to help her up. Upon seeing Renji and (Y/N), Rukia quickly brushed off the dust and looked up to the two boys.

Rukia: Renji? And (Y/N) too?

(Y/N): Are you alright? You took quite a fall there.

Rukia: I'll be fine...

Renji: How are you feeling? I mean, after the whole hotsprings thing? That guy isn't exactly the most gentle...

Rukia: I had no issues.

Renji: R-Really? You didn't get thrown around or anything?

(Y/N): Or drowned?

Rukia: Thrown around? Drowned? What are you talking about?

(Y/N): I guess the guys were the only ones that got treated like ragdolls.

Rukia: I'm not sure what you're all talking about but speaking of boys, where's Ichigo? I thought he'd be here with you two.

Renji: Ichigo... well he got-

(Y/N): He ran into some complications but he'll catch up to us.

Rukia: I see... Well if that's the case, let's continue on our way. We'll need as much time as we can to prepare for the Quincy's next attack.

(Y/N): Right.

The three walked into the new palace and were greeted by Senjumaru sitting on a chair in a room filled with different fabrics.

Senjumaru: It seems you're all here. Welcome. My name is Senjumaru Shutara.

(Y/N): It's nice to meet you.

Rukia: Thank you for taking the time to help us.

Renji: What they said.

Senjumaru: Think nothing of it. You all will be integral to the protection of the three realms. Now, I'll attend to each of you one at a time. Who'll be first?

(Y/N) looked at his two friends.

(Y/N): What about you Rukia? You know what they say, "Ladies first".

Rukia: Well if you insist.

Renji: It'll only be measurements, right? Shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Little did the three friends know how much this experience would impact them.

(Meanwhile) In the World of the Living.

Currently, (Y/N) and Ichigo's friends had just left school. Their small conversation eventually landed on the two boys.

Tatsuki: Ichigo and (Y/N)?

Keigo: I thought that you might know their whereabouts, Arisawa.

Tatsuki: How would I know such a thing?

Keigo: So you don't know, huh?

Mizuiro: Chad, Inoue, and Ishida aren't around, either, so it must have something to do with the Soul Society.

While in the middle of their conversation, an unfamiliar voice entered the conversation.

"Sorry to butt in."



The three students turned around and came face to face with Kyoraku. Although, they didn't know who he was personally.

Keigo: Who are you?

Tatsuki: His clothes are a dead giveaway. He's obviously someone who knows Ichigo and (Y/N).

Mizuiro: You're the captain of Squad, right? I recall hearing soldiers calling him that during the clean-up after the Aizen situation.

Kyoraku: I don't recall introducing myself but I'm flattered that you remember me.

Mizuiro: How can we help you? For a captain to come out here, it must be something serious, right?

Kyoraku: Yes. I'm here because there is something I need to tell you all. It's about saying goodbye to Ichigo. And there's a possibility that the same may happen to (Y/N).

Keigo: H- Hold on, Hold on, Hold on...



Keigo couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Keigo: You almost got me there! Trying to catch us off guard by acting all scary, are ya? You sure are an awful joker, Mr. Captain Man! You sure are rocking that look, though!

Kyoraku, however, was dead serious.

Kyoraku: I'm sorry, but I didn't come here to joke.

Keigo: If you're not joking around, how can you come out with something like that so lightly? Don't act like it's got nothing to do with you... You guys must've gotten them mixed up in something again, right?

Keigo was surprisingly taking the news seriously. And the news frustrated him greatly.

Tatsuki: Hey, Keigo...

Kyoraku: You're quite correct. It is just as you imagined. Right now, both Ichigo and (Y/N) are with us, working to protect Soul Society.

Mizuiro: That's fine with us. That's just who they are and why we're all good friends with them. But why does that mean we have to talk about parting ways with them?

Kyoraku: Right now, both Ichigo and (Y/N) have gone to a place that is quite exceptional, even within Soul Society. Believe me, I have every faith that those two will return safely. What worries me though is the question of what manner of power they both will have obtained when they do return.

Mizuiro: And why's that a problem?

Kyoraku: Depending on the nature of that power, it's possible that just one of them could have unwanted effects on the human world. If both of them gain that power, it would cause this world to collapse entirely. If that does happen, we can't permit them to return to this world.

Keigo grabbed onto Kyoraku's shihakusho in anger.

Keigo: That's all just for your convenience! Ichigo and (Y/N) went to the Soul Society for you guys, and you're gonna lock them up there under the excuse that it's better for the World of the Living?!

Kyoraku: If that happens, then yes.

Keigo: You son of a—

Mizuiro: This is a hypothetical situation... Right? What's the likelihood of this scenario?

Kyoraku: The possibility is 1 in 10,000, or even less. Especially for (Y/N). He's the least likely out of the two to be held in the Soul Society. We're just considering it as one of the many possible outcomes that could happen.

Tatsuki: You came all the way here just to tell us about something so unlikely...?

Kyoraku: Could you say keeping his friends in the dark about something even on that level is doing right by Ichigo and (Y/N)? And so... Here you go!



Kyoraku took out 3 tickets, which confused the three.

Keigo: What is this?

Kyoraku: Those are called Soul Tickets. It's a pass for you to enter the Soul Society to go see Ichigo in case the worst-case scenario should ever occur.



Kyoraku: Don't look so sad. It's not like it's going to happen today or tomorrow. It's still a way down the road. Once those two come back from their little trip, I'll tell them to come back as soon as they can. Until the big battle begins, they can get some well-earned rest in their own world.

With those words of encouragement, Kyoraku took his leave, leaving the three students concerned for their friends' safety.

(Back at the Royal Palace) Multiple Hours later.

After measurements with Senjumaru, the trio were now starting some real training. Currently, Rukia and Renji were staring each other down.



...

...

...

*Ring*

Whew!



Bells suddenly rang, causing Rukia and Renji to collapse to the ground.

Renji: This is tough, man!

Rukia: Nonsense! What's so tough about standing still and facing each other?!

Renji: Shut up! This kind of thing doesn't suit me!

Rukia: It doesn't suit me either to point a blade toward an ally!

Renji: Yeah and that's why you look as worn out as I do. What about you, (Y/N)?

(Y/N) was currently doing pushups, as he had no partner to train with.

(Y/N): I think I'm getting a bit used to the atmosphere in this place...

Renji: At least you're getting the hang of it...

Rukia: The concentration of spirit particles in the air here is quite irregular. It no longer feels so oppressive that it physically weighs down my body, but every motion I make here still feels like moving through water. I cannot imagine what kind of effects all this spiritual particle concentration must have on our bodies...

(Y/N): It's almost like weighted clothes you'd see in anime.

Rukia's phone then rang in the middle of their conversation.

Rukia: Yes, this is Kuchiki! Uh-huh... Really?! Thank you, sir!

Renji: Who is it?

Rukia: It was from Sir Kirinji!

Renji: The guy from the hot springs? When did you get his number?

(Y/N): Now's not the time for unjustified jealousy, Renji. What was the call about?

Rukia: He says my brother has recovered!

(Y/N): I'll take any good news we can get!

Renji: He's back in action? That's great news! Which means he'll eventually make his way through-

(Y/N) and Rukia: That place...

All three of the Shinigami got chills from simply remembering their meeting with Senjumaru.

(Y/N): I've never felt so threatened in my life...

Renji: Right? That place was harsh all right... The measuring up from hell...

Rukia: Indeed... being stripped down naked... It is painful even to remember...

(Y/N): What happens in Ms. Shutara's palace stays in Ms. Shutara's palace...

Renji and (Y/N) desperately tried their best not to remember the events that took place but to no avail.

Rukia: Oi, Renji! (Y/N)! Why are you trying to remember it?

(Y/N): I'm not!

Rukia: Stop! Don't do this to yourselves! Renji! (Y/N)!

(Flashback)

Senjumaru: Now I'll be taking measurements. I'll need you to remove your clothing.

(Y/N): Um... alright...

As (Y/N) removed his Shihakusho, he was left in nothing but his underwear. However...

Senjumaru: I said "clothing" did I not? That also meant your undergarments.

...

(Y/N): I beg your pardon?

Senjumaru: I won't be repeating myself. I sincerely doubt you failed to hear my instructions the first time. Now hurry.

(Y/N): No seamstress needs their client to strip nude to take measurements. Why can't I keep my underwear on? Speaking of... Can I also receive some new underwear?

Senjumaru: I see... Very well. So be it. It seems you won't be needing "it".

(Y/N): H-hey what exactly is going on in that sick, twisted mind of yours?!

Senjumaru: Sick? Twisted? Hardly.

Senjumaru slowly got up and walked towards (Y/N) menacingly.

(Y/N): Hey, what exactly are you going to do?

Senjumaru: If you aren't going to cooperate... I'll slice off your most precious part before taking measurements.



(Y/N): Alright fine! I'll take off my underwear!

(Flashback)

Rukia: Have you two come back to your senses?

(Y/N): Just barely...

Rukia: Thank goodness. I thought you'd recall the entire event.

Renji was still shaken up.

Rukia: Still... It's one thing to undergo such treatment , but when I think that my brother must experience the same ordeal. It pains my heart deeply... Ah, my poor brother of mine...

Renji: So we just don't matter to you, huh?

(Y/N): It seems so.

Just then, another Squad Zero Member burst through the door.



"You've all become quite chatty!"



Ichibei: When you first got here, you three could barely move. You spent the entire time crouched on the floor. Look at how far you've come! What do you say? Want to start training with me in the back room?

All three: Yes, sir!

To be continued.

...

...

...

As the citizens of Soul Society tended to their business, the atmosphere around them started to change.

The environment around them started to morph as the buildings started to change their architecture and the sky darken.

Standing on one of the buildings were Yhwach, Uryu and Haschwalth.

Yhwach: Uryu. Do you know the Kaiser Gesang?

Uryu: Yes. "The confined Quincy King regains his pulse after 900 years. His mind after 90 years. His strength after 9 years."

Yhwach: There is more to the song. "The confined Quincy King regains his pulse after 900 years. His mind after 90 years. His strength after 9 years. And the world...in 9 days." Let us go, Uryu, Haschwalth.

...

So we don't have much information on what went on in the Royal Palace after Ichigo left. The Manga gives us a bit more information than the anime so I'm trying my best to line up the events alongside the war as best as I could, so it might get a bit muddy. Bear with me alright.



Second is what I think alot of people are going to have questions about and it's about Ichigo and (Y/N) potentially being to strong to come back from the world of the Living. We all know that this was due to Ichigo's spiritual pressure being to strong to stand amongst normal people (similar to Aizen when he completely fused to the Hyogoku) but the manga and anime insinuates two different things as to why. The manga implies training in the Royal Palace would make him far too strong while the anime implies that its the SOul King Trial that ichigo took to see the Soul King's memories.

Either way both would make Ichigo close or on the same level as Squad 0. But how does that apply to (Y/N)? Well (Y/N) is always roughly around the same strength as Ichigo and despite not being a Quincy, he would still be strong candidate as a Soul King candidate. In CFYOW, Ginjo was even considered a possible candidate, yet he wasn't a Quincy. Considering both Ginjo and (Y/N) shared the same hybrid nature (Shinigami/Hollow/Fullbringer) That would mean he fits the same bill.

And considering we know that Aizen only broke the barrier between Shinigami and Hollow and was enough to kill normal humans who was in his presence, it would cause some concerns about someone like (Y/N) who's nearing reaching the peak of both of those species. But as Kyoraku said it's a extremely low chance.