Team Karakura Town sat on some debris and rubble as they pondered on their friend's sudden betrayal. Orihime decided to check up on everyone to take her mind off of things.

Orihime: Oh, wow... That was some ride. It blew us and Santenkesshun away. Hope you guys didn't bump your head or anything...

There wasn't a reply from Ichigo nor (Y/N).

Chad: Ichigo. (Y/N). We're just as shocked as you are. But this is Ishida we're talking about. He must've had a very good reason to join their side.

Ichigo: Yeah, I know... I knew it all along... It's been on my mind ever since this war began. If this is a battle between Shinigamis and Quincies, that would make me and Ishida enemies. But we've always fought side by side. Ishida is... He's our friend.

(Y/N): ...I was hoping Uryu would've stayed neutral in all of this. I tried not to think about it because I wasn't sure why Uryu would've done... I wanted to believe in him as his friend but Uryu has always been prideful about being a Quincy. Sometimes it's hard to tell what he's thinking... If he made this choice, then he has to be planning something. Whether that's a way to help us or somehow bridge the gap between Shinigami and Quincies, I don't know. But I don't think Uryu would betray us without saying anything...

Chad: In that case, we know what we have to do.

Calavera: Yeah. We just have to drag four-eyes back to our side!

Ichigo: Let's go after him and hear what he has to say! If his answers aren't good enough... I'll kick his ass and drag him back!



(Y/N): I'm with you there.

"This is where you were...."

(Y/N): Huh?

(Y/N) turned around and saw Shinji and Soi-Fon walking towards them.

(Y/N): What are you guys doing here?

Shinji: We were heading over to assist Captain Kuchiki and the others but we ran into you guys on the way there.

Soi-Fon: But before that...

Soi-Fon grabbed (Y/N)'s arm.

Soi-Fon: ...Come with me...

Soi-Fon dragged (Y/N) away from the group.

(Y/N): What did you need to talk about? It seems important if you had to drag me away from everyone else.

...

Soi-Fon: Are you alright?

(Y/N): Huh? Of course I-

Soi-Fon: I know you found out about Captain Unohana's passing. Shinji knew you would've found out the moment you went to assist him. And we both felt your spiritual pressure get out of control when you got there. Not only that, your friend joined the enemy... So let me ask you again. Are you alright?

...

(Y/N): ...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't upset but I'll manage. I got the wake up call I needed and snapped out of my anger.

Soi-Fon: Is that so... Good. Then keep up that attitude. You'll have all the time you need to grief after we finish the war. What about your injury?

(Y/N): What? Oh, you mean my neck? It's as good as new... though it did leave a scar.

(Y/N) showed the scar to Soi-Fon.

(Y/N): I could always have Orihime get rid of it after everything is said and done. It's not really important right now. By the way, where's Omaeda and Momo? They were with you when you and Shinji were fighting that Bazz guy.

Soi-Fon: We had to find a place to keep Mareyo safe. The medical refugee was one of the safest so that's where they're heading.

(Y/N): I see... Well if you're going to be taking on the Sternritters, take caution. One of them has the ability to take control of her enemies with the use of her blood. Make sure that she doesn't get any on you.

Soi-Fon: Noted. So, what's your plan now?

(Y/N): I wanted to go after Yhwach and Uryu, but that isn't an option anymore. They already made their way to the Royal Palace...

"Looks like I got here a bit too late."

(Y/N) and everyone else looked in the distance and saw Urahara. Upon seeing the scientist make his appearance, (Y/N) and Soi-Fon rejoined the group.

Ichigo: Urahara...!

Urahara: So, what now? Shall I go book you a ticket to the Royal Palace?

(Y/N): Please!

(Timeskip)

(Y/N) and the gang (excluding Soi-Fon) were in the R&D room with Urahara. The room was pretty empty.

Ichigo: Isn't anyone else here?

Urahara: All of the captains and lieutenants are still battling the Quincies... so that you all can get to the Royal Palace.

After putting in some coordinates, Urahara gave his instructions.

Urahara: Okay! Get in.

Ichigo: When did you manage to build Kukaku's cannon below the Squad barracks?

(Y/N): This had to be Captain Kurotsuchi's doing, right?

Urahara: Indeed it was. Apparently, around the time Squad Zero had descended. Captain Kurotsuchi foresaw this outcome and started building the base structure.

Ichigo: You mean he foresaw that the enemy's boss and his men would ascend to the Royal Palace?

Urahara: Yup. So, by the time I joined up, all that was left was to put on the finishing touches.

(Y/N): Is he secretly some sort of seer? How do you predict something like that?

Ichigo: That guy is pretty amazing. I thought he was just a nut job...

Calavera: He still is...

Unohana: Captain Kurotsuchi is a genius. Second only to me, of course. Anyway, it's not an exact replica, though. The Shiba Family's cannon is a one-of-a-kind— built using their family secret and cannot be easily replicated. Our cannon will break down after firing one shot.

Ichigo: Just one?!

Calavera: So all the realms are doomed if we fail? Yeah, no pressure...

(Y/N): We're cutting it pretty close...

Urahara: Well, we just have to make sure we don't fail on that one try. The real problem is that we don't have sufficient energy to fire it.

Orihime: Then how are we going to fire it?

Urahara: Good question. It shouldn't be long now...

Akon then entered the laboratory.

Akon: Kisuke.

Urahara: Yes?

Akon: The guest you asked for is here. She has returned from her assignment.

Urahara: Inform her to begin the next stage.

Meanwhile, as Urahara spoke with Akon, Chad spoke to Ichigo.

Chad: Ichigo.

Ichigo: Hm?

Chad: Well... I've been wondering when is the best time to bring this up, but what do you think?

Ichigo: Think about what?

Chad: Inoue's clothing.

(Y/N) himself didn't give too much thought about it since he had just had two bombshells dropped on him since he arrived, but now that he calmed down a bit, he realized the revealing clothing that his friend was wearing...

(Y/N) looked over to Ichigo and he was a blushing mess. It seems like he didn't have the time to observe Orihime's outfit nor did he notice it until it was brought to his attention. However, that has changed now that it was brought to his attention.



Ichigo: I mean... Uh... I do think it might be a little too... revealing, but...

Upon hearing that, Orihime immediately started to panic.

Orihime: *thinking* He thinks I'm a pervert who shows too much skin!! He was creeped out by my exhibitionist clothes this whole time!!

Orihime immediately tried to salvage the situation as best as she could.

Orihime: Y-you got it all wrong, Ichigo!! I'm not wearing these clothes because I'm a pervert or anything! This is because Mr. Urahara's a liar!

(Mini Flashback)

Urahara held up an outfit.

Urahara: I bet it will make Kurosaki very happy if you wear this!

Orihime: All right! I'll wear it!

(Mini Flashback End)

(Y/N) could believe it in all honesty. After having a random outfit waiting for Roka during that whole ordeal, he wasn't surprised that Urahara had another in his possession. To be honest it had him a bit concerned.

Orihime took Urahara's advice, believing it would help Ichigo notice her attempts to get his attention, but the miscommunication between each side made the situation worse. Now Orihime was desperately trying to zip up her top to make it less revealing.

Urahara decided to chime in.

Urahara: Oh, I'd be careful with those if I were you! If you try to close them at the front, it all spills out the sides, you know!

Orihime panicked even more.



(Y/N) and Calavera whispered to each other.

(Y/N): *whisper* We need to fix this.

Calavera: *whisper* Expeditiously. Mr. Urahara isn't helping the situation in the slightest.

However before the two siblings could intervene, a newcomer came in, seemingly hearing the entire conversation.

(Y/N): Yoruichi?

Yoruichi ignored (Y/N) and grabbed Ichigo by the collar.

Yoruichi: "A little too revealing"?! You tactless moron! You think a pure maiden would wear clothes like this because she wanted to?! She's obviously wearing them against his will because she was tricked by some lowlife no-good pervert!

Orihime: I-It's fine, Yoruichi! Really!

Yoruichi: If you're gonna comment on them, you could at least say " That looks great on you, let me take you now", you worthless brat!

(Y/N) immediately covered Yoruichi's mouth to stop her from speaking and whispered to her.

(Y/N): *thinking* Yoruichi, let me and Cal handle this, you're making it worse.

Yoruichi reluctantly withdrew as (Y/N) and Calavera.

Calavera: There's nothing wrong with your outfit, Orihime. Ichigo's been eyeing you since you got here, right?

(Y/N): Yeah, Ichigo was actually telling me he thought you look great, right Ichigo?

(Y/N) gave Ichigo a stern stare that screamed "Don't screw it up."

Ichigo: Uh, Y-yeah... I think Orihime looks good in just about anything...

Orihime: R-Really... T-then I guess the outfit isn't too bad...

Ichigo actually did a lot better than (Y/N) thought. Meanwhile, Calavera gave Ichigo her approval.



Right on cue, Urahara decided to re enter the conversation.

Urahara: My, my... When I see everyone getting excited over these clothes, I feel it was worth all the trouble I went into making them.

(Y/N) and Calavera looked at each other in shock as they both had the same thought.

"He made those???"

Urahara: Oh, Yoruichi! Welcome back. How did it go?

Yoruichi simply opened the cloak she was wearing that revealed multiple containers filled with energy inside of them.

Yoruichi: Here.

Urahara: I knew I could count on you!

Ichigo: What are those?

Yoruichi: These are the distortions that the Quincies have been creating.

Everyone tilted their heads in confusion.

Urahara: We began seeing these shortly before the Wandenreich started their invasion. I was under the impression that the Quincy created that distortion for the sake of throwing the Soul Society into confusion, thus dividing our forces... But thanks to Yoruichi's investigation, We discovered that a large amount of energy was released at both the moment of the distortion's appearance and its disappearance. A massive release of motion energy sufficient to connect to worlds together. Anticipating that a situation like this might happen, I had Yoruichi, Hiyori and the others collect the distortion energy.

(Y/N): So we're using that energy to power the cannon...

Urahara: Yep. Now, shall we get started? Let's get ready for a trip to the Royal Palace!

Urahara started to boot up the cannon, prompting it to make a lot of noise.

Urahara: Three! Two! One!

"Stop! Stop right there!"

The group heard a voice calling out to them.

Ganju: How dare you try to head into the Royal Palace without waiting for me! The great Ganju Shiba, the self-proclaimed expert on the Royal Palace!

...

...

...

Calavera: *whisper* Do you guys know this clown?

(Y/N): *whisper* Yeah...

Ichigo: Oh, it's you, Ganju... What are you doing here?

Ganju: That's a silly question! Who do you think launched Squad Zero's Tenchuren?

Ichigo: Your older sister.

Ganju: Exactly!

Ichigo: It wasn't you. Right! It wasn't me!

Ichigo: You don't give up, do you?

(Y/N): With all due respect, why are you here?

Ganju: To go beat those Quincies, of course! I even brought this roadmap to the Royal Palace that I got from Sis! You can't get there without it!

Ichigo: Are you sure about this? Ganju, the place we're headed to, is much more dangerous than any battle we've been in before.

Ganju: I know that, you idiot! That's why I'm going with you!

Ichigo: Is that right?

(Y/N): Well then, hop in.

Ganju made himself comfortable in the cannon as the crew got ready to lift off.

Urahara: Okay, here goes. Three. Two. One!

In that moment, the makeshift Tenchuren took off, albeit unstable.

Ganju: Oh, so this is how it flies?!

Everyone in the Soul Society watched as the Tenchuren took off into the air.

To be continued.