Ichigo Kurosaki & The Gotei 13 vs. Kagerōza Inaba

Ichigo Kurosaki & The Gotei 13 vs. Kageroza Inaba is a fight taking place in the Reigai Uprising. It focuses upon the conflict between Substitute Shinigami Ichigo Kurosaki and the remaining members of the Gotei 13 against 7th Seat Kageroza Inaba.

Prologue
As Yasutora Sado collapses to the ground after Kageroza Inaba 's attack, he advances upon Orihime Inoue. He tells her that he has wasted too much time talking, raising his Zanpakutō to her. As he attempts to cut her down, Ichigo Kurosaki intervenes, blocking the strike, and forces him to seek refuge upon a nearby platform. Rukia Kuchiki appears alongside him, inquiring whether Orihime is alright. She states that Sado and Uryū are both critically injured, as Ichigo glares at Inaba. Kageroza calls him out by name, commenting that he hadn't expected them to make it out of Soul Society so quickly.

Ichigo asks who he is, to which Inaba ignores his question, inquiring whether it was Yoruichi Shihōin who assisted in their escape. Kageroza states that he understands how they would have escaped if they had her help, proclaiming that was only possible if she forfeited her life. Ichigo repeats his question to him, shouting angrily, as Inaba tells him to calm down, thudding his weapon down on a metal bar. He explains that he studies the Dangai in the Shinigami Research &amp; Development Institute. Rukia is surprised at this statement, asking whether he is directly responsible for the current incident. She continues, asking whether he is control of the Reigai Izuru and Nanao. Inaba is surprised at her extensive knowledge, stating that they have reached a level of understanding which was far greater than his expectations.

As he grinds his Zanpakutō along the metal bar, Ichigo states that the reason he did this is irrelevant. He states that he will defeat him if he lays a finger on his friends, raising his sword against Inaba. Kageroza states that if he does not need a reason to fight, then it would make things considerably easier, charging up his reiatsu. Rukia comments upon the malignant presence his reiatsu instills, as Ichigo leaps up, preparing to face off against Kageroza Inaba.

Battle
Ichigo is thrown through a nearby building, finding support on a pillar. However, Kageroza Inaba uses Shunpo to appear beside him, hurling him to the ground with a single strike of his sword. The two clash momentarily, before relocating to a small pathway. As they fight, Ichigo is gradually getting overpowered by Inaba, eventually getting smashed into a separate pathway. Inaba twirls his Zanpakutō, preparing to strike him down. This onslaught forces Ichigo to seek refuge above the pathway. However, Inaba thrusts his sword up above him, surprising Ichigo. This leaves a small gash on his cheek, as Inaba grabs onto his Zanpakutō once again, pushing Ichigo back across the narrow passageway.

Ichigo pants heavily after being subjected to Inaba's flurry of attacks. Kageroza proceeds to walk towards him, clanging his Zanpakutō onto the opposing walkway. He explains that, out of respect for Ichigo's victory over Sōsuke Aizen, he will not resort to using his Zanpakutō's abilities. However, he inquires whether this is all the power Ichigo currently possesses, stating that he was under the impression he had a stronger power. Inaba coaxes him into utilising this power, as Ichigo comments that Inaba is making himself sound all-powerful. As Ichigo states that he was going to do so without his asking, Rukia comes onto the scene, warning him not to over-exert himself. He heeds her warning, and dons his Hollow mask, charging at Inaba.



He evades Ichigo's initial attack, clashing violently in mid-air. They land upon a small beam, and proceed to fight evenly upon it. Ichigo comments to himself that his reiatsu is out of control, and that he needs to finish his fight in one attack. He knocks Inaba to the ground with ease, who crashes amongst the rubble. However, as the smoke clears, the two have locked blades once more, as Inaba retreats from Ichigo, looking around for the Substitute Shinigami. Ichigo appears behind him, destroying a water tank, forcing him on the move once more. As Inaba appears in another area, Ichigo has intercepted his movements, much to his surprise, firing off a point-blank Getsuga Tenshō at Kageroza Inaba.

Aftermath
Inaba is knocked off balance by this attack, forced down to the ground once again. The resultant explosion destroys the entire plant, as Kageroza Inaba regains his balance, countering the Getsuga with his Zanpakutō and promptly dispelling it into nothing. This comes as a surprise to Ichigo, as Kageroza Inaba asks him whether this is the best he could do. He then starts to laugh mockingly at them, as Rukia notes that Ichigo is holding back for fears that his reiryoku will dissipate entirely. However, she commends Inaba's ability to deflect a Getsuga Tenshō with relative ease, stating that, in order to be able to command the captains and lieutenants of the Gotei 13 into obeying him, his powers must be far greater.



As Ichigo and Inaba clash once again, he tells the Substitute Shinigami that he has overestimated his abilities, theorizing that his reiryoku has dissipated far greater than he anticipated. Kageroza Inaba continues, stating that he no longer find interest in Ichigo's development, promptly knocking Ichigo back with his Zanpakutō. As Inaba's blade swings towards a stumbling Ichigo, his Hollow mask shatters into pieces, with Inaba slashing at him with his weapon. He hurls Ichigo into the air, who crashes through the building, stumbling upon the ground. Rukia instantly comes to his aid, protecting him from Kageroza Inaba.

Inaba states that the two of them could become an obstruction to his plans, proclaiming that he shall eliminate them, so as not to allow for further interferences. However, his speech is interrupted by Renji Abarai's Zanpakutō, which proceeds to knock Inaba away from them. Renji appears before the struggling pair, commenting that they appear to be experiencing difficulties. Inaba curses at their sudden appearance, as Reigai-Nanao Ise cries out in pain. She slumps to the ground, as Reigai-Izuru Kira is approached by 10th Division captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya, who instantly pummels him to the ground, taking Nozomi Kujō off his hands. Inaba proceeds to attack him, demanding that he release her at once.



However, he is stopped in his tracks by Byakuya Kuchiki's Shikai, which he promptly evades. Inaba comments that they are arriving one after the other, as his Reigai join his side. Rukia and Ichigo call out to Byakuya, asking whether they are the real Shinigami, to which Renji confirms this, stating that they are not the only ones whom arrived to assist them. The other Shinigami captains and lieutenants arrive on the scene, as Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi confronts his rebellious subordinate. Inaba commends his arrival, stating that he didn't expect him to escape from the Dangai so quickly. Mayuri responds, stating that he will punish his underling "a million times over". However, Inaba berates the Shinigami for believing that they have achieved a resounding victory.

He reverts his Zanpakutō back to its sealed state, informing them that he will retreat back to Soul Society. Ichigo stumbles up, telling Inaba to wait, but Renji tells Ichigo not to stress himself. Mayuri informs him that the Dangai is now under Kageroza's control, and that even the Shinigami will not be able to defeat him if they just rush blindly after him. However, Mayuri adds that he will not restrict Ichigo from entering, proclaiming it to be a worthy death for the Substitute Shinigami. As Inaba leaves through the Senkaimon, he informs the Shinigami that, once Nozomi Kujō is within his grasp, he will be able to show the originals his true powers. Inaba proclaims that he will also control the Human World in conjunction with Soul Society.



He then says farewell to the originals, and Ichigo Kurosaki, stating that they will meet again. As the Senkaimon disappears, Ichigo proclaims that they will never allow him to take control. Back in Soul Society, Reigai-Nanao Ise comments that they experienced unforeseen resistance, to which Inaba states that they cannot do anything about that. He continues, explaining that not everything goes to plan in the field of science, and states that he understood the fact that he could not contain Captain Kurotsuchi within the Dangai forever. Reigai-Izuru Kira states that everyone has assembled, as Inaba states that they will retrieve Nozomi via the use of their invading army, revealing exact replicas of all the captains and seated officers within the Gotei 13.