In the early years, Zaraki Kenpachi held considerable respect for Gosuke Shigure.
After all, it was Gosuke who had defeated him in direct combat during their first encounter in Rukongai, brought him into the Gotei Thirteen, and allowed him to experience the endless battles he had always sought.
For many years, Zaraki served within the Eleventh Division, constantly searching for stronger opponents and greater challenges.
Yet despite that respect, one event permanently changed his attitude toward Gosuke.
The succession of the title Kenpachi.
The title of Kenpachi belonged exclusively to the Captain of the Eleventh Division.
Throughout Soul Society's history, each transfer of that title had been stained with blood.
The strongest warrior killed the previous holder and claimed the name through absolute victory.
That was the tradition.
That was the meaning of Kenpachi.
However, things had been different during Gosuke Shigure's era.
Instead of a life-or-death struggle ending in bloodshed, Gosuke ultimately relinquished the position and allowed Zaraki to inherit the title.
Even more surprisingly, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto accepted the outcome.
To most people, Zaraki becoming Kenpachi was a natural result.
To Zaraki himself, however, it left an unresolved frustration.
Because he never received the battle he truly wanted.
What mattered to Zaraki was never the title.
Nor the authority.
Nor the prestige.
The thing he desired was the fight itself.
The exhilaration of overcoming a powerful opponent.
The joy of risking everything.
And with Gosuke, he felt he had been denied that opportunity.
Because of this, he had carried a lingering grievance for years.
Now, hearing Gosuke mock him, Zaraki immediately became irritated.
"Hah?"
"If you think I'm weak, then what does that make you?"
"You lost to me, didn't you?"
Gosuke merely shrugged.
"Maybe."
"But at least I don't remember ever ending up in such a miserable state."
Zaraki's expression darkened.
For once, he found himself unable to respond.
When it came to arguing, he had never been Gosuke's match.
Nearby, Yachiru Kusajishi happily watched the exchange.
She rarely saw Zaraki lose an argument.
The scene amused her greatly.
For a moment, it felt as though many years had passed in reverse.
The former Captain and the current Kenpachi were once again bickering like old acquaintances.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Seireitei, Yoruichi Shihōin had successfully rescued the unconscious Ichigo.
As they traveled, she treated his wounds.
Even Yoruichi found his recovery speed astonishing.
The injuries he suffered fighting Zaraki should have required far more time to heal.
Yet after receiving basic treatment, his condition improved at a visibly abnormal rate.
The shattered sections of Zangetsu had also been restored.
Of course, this itself was not particularly strange.
Unlike Bankai, damage sustained by a Zanpakutō in its sealed state or Shikai could normally be repaired through the wielder's spiritual power.
And if there was one thing Ichigo never lacked, it was Reiatsu.
After a brief period of recovery, Yoruichi brought him toward the Tower of Repentance once more.
When they arrived near their destination, they discovered that Hanatarō Yamada, who had reached the area first, had already encountered another obstacle.
A man Ichigo would never forget.
Byakuya Kuchiki.
As Rukia's adoptive brother, Byakuya had personally traveled to the World of the Living to arrest her.
Now he stood before the Tower of Repentance itself.
To Ichigo, his position seemed obvious.
Byakuya intended to enforce Rukia's execution.
Through Hanatarō, Ichigo had already learned the details of Rukia's sentence.
Execution by the Sōkyoku.
Knowing that, it was impossible for him to feel any goodwill toward Byakuya.
The moment he saw Hanatarō in danger, Ichigo intervened without hesitation.
A clash immediately followed.
Compared to Renji and even Zaraki, Byakuya was an entirely different kind of opponent.
His movements were precise.
Calm.
Efficient.
Every strike carried lethal intent.
Despite all the growth Ichigo had experienced since arriving in Soul Society, he remained at a disadvantage.
He had defeated Ikkaku.
He had defeated Renji.
He had survived a battle against Zaraki Kenpachi.
Yet none of those achievements changed the reality before him.
Byakuya Kuchiki was still stronger.
The gap between them remained enormous.
More importantly, Byakuya had no intention of showing mercy.
When Ichigo attempted to force his way forward, Byakuya moved to end the battle decisively.
At the critical moment
Yoruichi intervened.
Appearing suddenly, she rescued Ichigo from immediate danger and withdrew with him.
Before leaving, she faced Byakuya directly.
She made a declaration.
The next time they met, Kurosaki Ichigo would defeat him.
Byakuya's response was one of complete disdain.
Whether Ichigo had regained his powers through luck or outside assistance was irrelevant.
Strength determined everything.
And at present, Ichigo simply lacked the power necessary to challenge him.
What interested Byakuya far more was Yoruichi herself.
The former head of the Shihōin Clan, who had vanished from Soul Society over a century ago, had now returned.
That fact alone carried significant implications.
After being taken away, Ichigo's frustration exploded.
He had come so close.
Only one final obstacle remained between him and Rukia.
Yet he had been utterly defeated.
The feeling was unbearable.
However, anger could not change reality.
Byakuya had proven one thing beyond dispute.
Ichigo was still too weak.
Seeing this, Yoruichi finally revealed the next step of his training.
She explained the existence of a Zanpakutō's second release.
Bankai.
Every Shinigami first learned Shikai.
Only a select few ever achieved Bankai.
It represented the ultimate release of a Zanpakutō.
The true mark of a Captain-class Shinigami.
If Ichigo wanted to defeat Byakuya Kuchiki, he would need to obtain Bankai.
There was only one problem.
Time.
Recent developments had caused Central 46 to move Rukia's execution date forward.
Rather than waiting several weeks, the execution would now occur in only three days.
That meant Ichigo had exactly three days to become strong enough.
Three days to achieve what normally required decades.
When Yoruichi explained this, even Ichigo was stunned.
He did not fully understand what Bankai truly meant.
Nor did he realize that many Shinigami spent centuries trying to attain it.
All he understood was one thing.
If he failed, Rukia would die.
That alone was enough.
Someone had accomplished the impossible before.
Then he would do the same.
No matter the cost.
Night continued to blanket Seireitei.
Yet peace remained nowhere to be found.
The Ryoka invasion had already plunged Soul Society into turmoil.
The news of Renji's defeat had quickly been overshadowed by the apparent death of Captain Aizen.
Every division remained on high alert.
At the same time, Ichigo's companions were experiencing their own battles.
Yasutora Sado had encountered Captain Shunsui Kyōraku of the Eighth Division.
The difference in strength between them was overwhelming.
Although Sado fought bravely, he was eventually defeated.
Fortunately, before Kyōraku could decide how to proceed, news of Aizen's death arrived.
The Captain was forced to leave and deal with more urgent matters.
As a result, Sado was merely detained rather than severely punished.
Meanwhile, Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue had enjoyed unusually good fortune.
Since entering Seireitei, they had avoided detection by disguising themselves in stolen Shinigami uniforms.
For nearly two days, their deception succeeded.
Unfortunately, luck never lasts forever.
On this particular evening, the pair finally crossed paths with members of the division least likely to ignore suspicious strangers.
The Eleventh Division.
And before long, a Shinigami from Zaraki Kenpachi's squad discovered them.