"Ikkaku!"
"It's not just familiar—it's the Sōkyoku Hill!"
Yumichika's eyes narrowed, staring at the screen with certainty.
"Huh? Sōkyoku Hill?" Ikkaku's frown deepened. "Wait, did I lose my memory? I don't recall a battle there!"
"And that orange-haired kid—he's a Shinigami too? Why's he got a Zanpakutō? Did I hear 'Bankai'?"
Ikkaku's thoughts spiraled.
Beyond doubting Byakuya's strength, the setting—Sōkyoku Hill, used for executing major criminals—baffled him.
Fused with millions of Zanpakutō, it was a symbol of Soul Society's order, rarely accessed, let alone a battleground.
Yet, the video showed a ravaged Sōkyoku Hill, with Byakuya, a captain, fighting a stranger.
What was going on?
"Yeah, I don't recall a battle there either," Yachiru said, pouting. "And Byakuya's not just a captain—he's the head of the Kuchiki clan. His pride wouldn't let him brawl publicly like that."
In her mind, Byakuya was a cold, aloof noble, rarely seen outside captain meetings, always composed.
"Hold on," Yumichika's expression darkened. "What if this orange-haired kid's an invader?"
"An invader?!"
The room buzzed with tension.
Ikkaku's eyes widened. "That would explain Byakuya's actions! But who'd dare invade the Soul Society?"
The Soul Society was Shinigami territory, patrolled even in Rukongai, with Seireitei heavily guarded.
Any invader, even a Hueco Mundo Hollow, would face the Gotei 13's wrath.
Who was this bold stranger?
The more Ikkaku thought, the creepier it felt.
Even his battle-hungry self wouldn't challenge the Gotei 13—it was suicide.
"So… are these scenes real? Will the Soul Society be invaded?" Ikkaku gritted his teeth, his mind a mess.
Kenpachi, initially uninterested, perked up at the idea of an invader.
Grinning, he grabbed his notched Zanpakutō. "Who cares? An invader's perfect for killing boredom!"
Unlike the others, he didn't overthink—just wanted to find and slash the intruder.
---
Urahara Shop
"No way!"
"If I'm not mistaken, that orange-haired kid in black is Isshin's son, Ichigo Kurosaki, right?"
Urahara's face mirrored the 11th Division's shock.
He barely knew Ichigo—just a high schooler living a normal life.
Yet, here he was, a Shinigami with Bankai.
Unbelievable.
"Yeah, I misjudged him. Isshin's kid's hiding deep," Tessai exclaimed.
He recalled meeting Ichigo months ago at Isshin's clinic.
Using reiatsu perception, he'd sensed nothing—no spiritual pressure, just an ordinary human.
How had Ichigo hidden it?
And that sleek black Zanpakutō—what was it?
The atmosphere grew eerie.
Urahara squinted, his sharp mind piecing things together.
---
Karakura Town, High School Rooftop
"That's… Ichigo?!"
Gasps rang out.
Seeing Ichigo wielding Tensa Zangetsu on the screen, Yasutora Sado and Orihime Inoue were floored.
Was this a joke?
Ichigo, in the video?
They turned to Ichigo, who stood frozen, eyes wide with shock and confusion.
Like his friends, he was dumbfounded.
"Ichigo, explain!" Sado demanded.
What was this "Bleach world"? This top-15 ranking?
Why was Ichigo involved?
"Don't look at me like that," Ichigo said helplessly. "I'm just a high schooler! I know nothing!"