Trials of the Shattered Shaft

Trials of the Shattered Shaft is an event marking the end of The Death Trilogy Overture: Death & The Strawberry and leading up to the Ryoka Invasion. During this event Ichigo first converses with his Zanpakutō, Zangetsu but is also burdened with an inner Hollow who threatens to take control of his soul.

Prelude
When Rukia Kuchiki failed to return to Soul Society in due time two high ranking Shinigami were sent to retrieve her. Ichigo went for her defense but was eventually defeated by Rukia's adoptive older brother, Byakuya Kuchiki. Rukia was subsequently taken back to Soul Society by Byakuya and his lieutenant, Renji Abarai. During the fight Byakuya sliced Ichigo's Zanpakutō into a mere stump and cut his Chain of Fate so that whatever Shinigami powers he had would be removed. Ichigo was found on the brink of death by Kisuke Urahara and taken to the Urahara Shop where his wounds were dressed. Urahara tells Ichigo that there is a way for him to reach the Soul Society and save Rukia but says he'll only reaveal what it is under one condition: Ichigo is to train for ten days under Urahara's tutelage. Ichigo is reluctant at first, saying he has no time for training. Urahara knocks Ichigo down with his cane and holds it against his face, giving Ichigo the uneasy feeling that he is facing the point of a sword. Urahara tells him that if he goes into Soul Society in his present condition, he will die. He says the Soul Society usually allows a one month grace period. Ten days of training plus seven more days to open a passageway to Soul Society would leave Ichigo 13 days to try and rescue Rukia. Ichigo agrees to try, seen as if he won't do it, no one else would.

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The next day Ichigo returns to school for the last day of the school year and finds that Rukia's seat occupied by another student, Tetsuo Momohara. Urahara provided him with a bottle of pills, instructing him to take one every hour. The pills should heal his wounds by supper time; which will be the time Ichigo's training will commence. Ichigo is somewhat skeptic about the pills - as there is a skull on the label - but they indeed heal him at an incredible rate. However, Ichigo finds it even more incredible that nobody in class remembers anything about Rukia. When the school day concludes Keigo pulls Ichigo into a game of "Find the Watermelon", but instead Ichigo finds Keigo's head. Later on Keigo tries to lure the others to a 10 day trip to the ocean, however one by one his friends turn him down, much to his chagrin.

As the introverted Ichigo makes his way to the Urahara Shop he encounters Orihime who has been waiting for him. She surprises him by asking where Rukia is and why all the others seemed oblivious to her absence. After Ichigo tells Rukia's story to Orihime she asks him if he will be going off to save Rukia now. When Ichigo confirms it Orihime asks if Ichigo believes going to Soul Society, Rukia's home world where her friends and family live, and dragging her back to the Human World is the best course of action. Before he can reply Orihime changes her tune and reveals that she knew, even before she asked, that Ichigo's mind was made up. Impersonating Ichigo she says, "as long as you're alive you can always meet your family. Once you're dead it's all over". She encourages Ichigo to go and save Rukia. Ichigo thanks her and rushes off to the Urahara Shop. Orihime asks him to be careful but after he's gone she phones Chad and starts making plans to join Ichigo in his mission so she can make sure he is safe.