Battle of the Reigai

Prologue
Following the Hollow attack on Nozomi Kujō, during which she first manifested her powers in the form of a sealed Zanpakutō, those Shinigami still left in the Human World decide to hold a meeting in Ichigo Kurosaki's bedroom. They discuss the dire report made by Retsu Unohana, who is still in Soul Society and currently healing Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto after his battle with the Reigai. The update is read out by Nanao Ise regarding their enemies becoming even stronger. Marechiyo Ōmaeda gets upset at the prospect of the captains being defeated but Ikkaku Madarame gets annoyed and threatens him to shut him up if he doesn't quieten down.

During their argument, Nozomi, who is dressed in the standard Shihakushō of a Shinigami, stands up and declares that she wants to fight. Stunned, only Ichigo and Kon manage to reply, arguing that just because she now has a Zanpakutō doesn't mean she will be able to fight against the very powerful Regai. Nozomi insists that her Zanpakutō should be able to counteract Kageroza Inaba's abilities once unleashed. Yumichika Ayasegawa points out that she doesn't sound too confident and asks what power she has. Nozomi does not remember everything yet, but she insists she knows she can defeat him. Ikkaku is not impressed and decides it is not something they should take a risk over. He stands up and asserts that sitting around a talking is not going to defeat the enemy and that they have to move now. Nanao tell Nozomi that they can't risk allowing her to fight at this point abd Ichigo agrees. However, he also vows to help her awaken her true power so that she can fight.

Meanwhile, Inaba sends several of his Captain-class Reigai to the Human World in order to retrieve Nozomi. These include the clones of Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Byakuya Kuchiki, Sajin Komamura and Kenpachi Zaraki. As they rune through the Dangai, they run into a trap set by Kisuke Urahara and Tessai Tsukabishi that alerts them when the enemies are caught. Tessai asks should he proceed with the next step and Urahara agrees as they are not going to get support from the Soul Society at the moment. He explains that they will freeze them where they currently were. Inaba realizes what has happened and who is responsible, laughing about how the Reigai are now separated but claims it will not buy them that much time.

Elsewhere, Ichigo and his friends have taken Nozomi to a spacious field to help train with her. They all proceed to attack her one by one, forcing her to block their attacks before she demands that they come at her harder. Rukia Kuchiki attacks next and knocks her to the ground before Kon runs towards her in a worried fashion, begging her to quit this training as it was clearly too much for her to handle. Nozomi denies his request, getting to her feet and insists that this is the only way to awaken her Zanpakutō. Kon makes to argue once more but she kicks him away in aggravation before continuing her training. Ichigo then begins to trade blows with her repeatedly, not letting up. He thinks back to his initial days of training with Urahara and quietly reaffirms that they are doing the right thing. Next, Uryū Ishida starts to attack Nozomi, who appears to struggle although she does manage to block everyone of his attacks. Yasutora Sado attacks again, using his powers to try and punch Nozomi. She succeeds in blocking his attack, crouching to evade it as well. Just then, her Zanpakutō begins to glow and they all watch, shocked, as it absorbs Sado's Reiatsu.

The group are stunned ror a moment before Nozomi takes this event as a sign that their training is starting to work and that they were close to releasing her her power. She insists that they continue at the same rate. Close by, Ikkaku is seen watching from the side, recalling how fighting with Kenpachi helped him become a better fighter. Yumichika appears beside him then and asks him what's wrong, wondering if he is interested by what Nozomi's abilities are. Ikkaku denies this and insists he's only concerned about when the Reigai will arrive in Karakura Town. Despite Nozomi's rejection, both Kon and Orihime Inoue demand that she rest some or else she will do herself damage. Kon offers her a drink which she turns down and walks towards a fountain to wash her face. Ikkaku approaches her then and advises her that training so hard will only end up hurting her and not help her fight. Nozomi denies this and claims that this is her chance to fight and die so that she can help others live, reminding Ikkaku of his own pledge to die under Kenpachi. He calls her a fool before she returns to her training.

As the other begin to resume Nozomi's training, a sudden burst of Reiatsu surrounds them and the sky over Karakura Town appears to crack. Renji Abarai arrives and confirms that the enemy is attacking and that now was the time to take Nozomi somewhere to hide. Nozomi rejects this solution and demands that they continue with her training. Renji objects but he is faced with stiff competition from Ichigo and all his friends. Finally he relents and agrees to help as well. The crack in the sky explodes and Kenpachi's cloned Reigai arrives in a secluded spot on his own, commenting that he is the first reigai to arrive. Ikkaku then appears and attacks him, insisting that he is the Reigai's opponent irregardless of Ichigo's plans. Ichigo sense Ikkaku's Reiatsu but is stopped by Yumichika before he can go help, who informs him that Ikkaku is trying to buy them more time and not to waste his efforts. The rest of the Shinigami arrive to help Ikkaku but he insists on battling Kenpachi alone. When they object, he reminds them that they have other opponents, as the other Reigai captains begin to arrive separately. reluctantly, the other Shinigami agree and leave Ikkaku to his fight and move off to face the new arrivals.

Battle
Ikkaku apologizes to Kenpachi's clone for keeping him waiting, who in turn responds that he would never be able to defeat him, sending a large wave of yellow spiritual pressure towards the Shinigami. Ikkaku struggles but stays on his feet and is commended by the Reigai for doing so. Ikkaku insults him for this and releases Hōzukimaru before immediately moving on the offensive to attack his Captain's clone. They trade blows for several seconds before the Reigai epresses his boredom and send Ikkaku backwards. Determined, Ikkaku attacks again and this time, Kenpachi's clone manages to hit the joint of his staff, leaping into the air and sending another blast of Reiatsu at the Shinigami.

In the meantime, Nozomi is still struggling to achieve her Shikai release. She is flung to the ground once more and Kon runs over to her, concerned for her well being. Nozomi shrugs off his concern and demands that Ichigo continue to train with her, which he agrees. Visible reiatsu begins to envelop Ichigo as he battles, taking on a light blue color as he continues to clash with Nozomi over and over again. Yumichika watches on as Nozomi once again is flung away and hits the ground. He informs Ichigo that if he continues to attack this way, they are wasting their time, stating that he needs to use some serious amounts of reiatsu if he is going to succeed in their goals.

By this stage, Ikkaku is lying upon the ground, seemingly defeated as his Captain's clone stands over him. The Reigai comments that Ikkaku is just all talk and moves to leave the field in order to complete his mission. Instead, Ikkaku grabs his foot, revealing that he is still conscious however, the Reigai simply kicks him away, sending him sprawling once more. Kenpachi'c clone insists that Ikkaku is no match for him but Ikkaku replies that he should decide that after his next move. Pink reiatsu begins to envelop Ikkaku as he starts to get to his feet, clearly shocking the Reigai as he does so. At the training field, Yumichika explains his words to Ichigo and the others, drawing his weapon to point it at Nozomi as he does so. He maintains that they need to threaten her with real reiatsu, meant to kill her, forcing her to block or die and that's the only way to awaken her Zanpakutō. Initially shocked, Nozomi then agrees that they should do it, stunning Kon into action. He asks Ichigo to stop her but he merely asks if she is sure to which Nozomi insists she is.

Back at the battle, Ikkaku succeeds in releasing his Bankai, Ryūmon Hōzukimaru, much to the utter shock of Kenpachi's clone. The Reigai appears impressed and decides to see if Ikkaku can stop him with his Bankai. They engage in another battle as Ikkaku uses his Banaki against the Reigai. Kenpachi begins to laugh when Ikkaku's barrage is halted for a moment, stating that now the battle had become fun. Ikkaku begins to inform him that his Bankai awakens through battle just ast he dragon image begins to fill. He begins to spin it above his head, powering his weapon up as the Reigai watches on. Ikkaku then leaps into the air to strike at his opponent, going all out to win the battle.

Elsewhere, Nozomi is still training, this time Ichigo and his friends begin to attack in earnest. Nozomi's sealed Zanpakutō begins to glow brightly with a violet hue to it. The last to attack, Ichigo activates his Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu, swearing as he realizes his powers are weakening further. He attack Nozomi using his black Getsuga Tenshō, which she manages to block. She thinks back and remembers what Ikkaku said to her about being willing to attack first. This helps her to try and strike which causes the release of her Zanpakutō's shikai abilities, completely absorbing Ichigo's reiatsu as her sword transforms into it's true appearance, Arazome Shigure, which is shining violet with all the reiatsu she has recently absorbed.

The group hear a large crash a cloud of smoke begins to billow in the air nearby. Before they can do anything, Nozomi runs towards the comotion, that is revealed to be the result of Ikkaku's battle. He is crouched on the ground with his Bankai broken and defeated behind him. Kenpachi's clone stands over him, commenting that while the battle was a little fun, it was now over. Nozomi arrives on the scene, shocking the Reigai, who asks if she has come to surrender. In response, Nozomi swings her Zanpakutō towards the clone, unleashing a devastating attack force of reiatsu that hits the Reigai and sends him flying.

From a distance, Izuru Kira and Shūhei Hisagi watch the smoke billow from Nozomi's attack. They are then confronted by Hitsugaya's clone so they immediately release their Zanpakutō, Wabisuke and Kazeshini respectively, and Hisagi engages him in battle. The Reigai expresses his surprise that he would go "all-out" right from the beginning of a battle, but Hisagi replies that he'd be stupid not to given he's fighting a captain. The Reigai pushes him back and them attacks both him and Izuru simultaneously, noting that it would make the battle more fun anyway. Izuru wonders what is with the Reigai reiatsu and Hisagi expresses surprise at how strong they can get with their limiters removed. Elsewhere, Rangiku Matsumoto and Tetsuzaemon Iba are seen confronting Komamura's Reigai, who calls them "small fry".

Meanwhile, Ichigo and Yumichika reach Nozomi and the unconscious Ikkaku. Nozomi explains that her Zanpakutō absorbs reiatsu and converts it into her own power so that she can return the attack as she likes. Yumichika and Ichigo appear impressed by this but Kenpachi's Regai suddenly reappears, excited at the prospect of continuing his battle with her. However, Yumichika gets in between them and tells Ichigo and Nozomi to look after Ikkaku while he avenges him. Instead, Nozomi decides to rush off and help the others in their battles. Ōmaeda is seen fighting against Byakuya's Reigai using his Shikai, Gegetsuburi. However, he is easily overpowered by the digusted Reigai, and begins to beg for his life. Byakuya's clone defeats him with Senbonzakura and sends him plummeting to the ground below. Renji and Rukia appear to challenge him then with Renji mentioning how this clone was very talkative. Nozomi then rushes over to help them before they can engage their opponent. She announced her intention to help them but they reject her offer and tell her to look after the wounded instead.

Iba has managed to stab Komamura's clone but the enraged Reigai merely pulls out his Zanpakutō and throws Iba over his shoulder. Nozomi appears at his side declaring her intention to help but again, Iba is not too impressed with her arrival. Reigai-Komamura moves to attack them but is blocked by Rangiku. Struggling, Rangiku release her own Shikai, Haineko in order to attack but the Reigai retaliates by using Tenken to nullify her attack and send them all flying. Sado suddenly appears and uses El Directo to knock the Reigai into the river. Holding up an injured Rangiku, Iba tells Nozomi to get to safety and to allow them to handle the battle. Just then, Komamura's Bankai, the gigantic Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, begins to rise from the water. Iba insists the Nozomi leaves as they won't be able to protect her and reluctantly, she does so.

Hisagi and Izuru are still struggling against Reigai-Hitsugaya until he uses his, Guncho Tsurara technique to shoot ice daggers at his opponents. Hisagi spins his Zanpakutō and deflects the ice attack but it starts to head towards Nozomi, who arrives to try and help. Izuru saves her at the last minute using '''Hadō #31. Shakkahō''' to destroy the attack. Izuru appears next to her and warns her to leave as she is in the way. Nozomi is stunned before Ichigo shows up and advises her to fall back with him. Whilst Orihime heals Ikkaku, Ichigo tells a despondent Nozomi not to try so hard considering she's the one the Reigai are hear to capture. But Nozomi says that she has to do something as her comreades would not be able to defeat the captains. Meanwhile, the Shinigami are struggling against the captains as they all release their Bankai. Yumichika is knocked to the ground by Kenpachi's clone, who tells them all to attack at once. Yumichika refuses to give up and charges again, this time only to be finally cut down by the Reigai. Byakuya's clone manages to push Renji and Rukia back as well, with Rukia cursing that they are cornered. Reigai-Hitsugaya knocks Izuru and Hisagi to the ground beside the all and begins to taunt everyone while Kenpachi claims Ichigo as his opponent.

Nozomi watches the situation, worrying about everyone getting defeated, deciding now that she's had enough and that she's going to do something. As Izuru gets to his feet, she comes between him and Hitsugaya's clone. The Reigai appears uncaring about her appearance, and attacks her with an ice dragon anyway. Nozomi, however, manages to absorb his attack, much to the shock of those around her, and deflect it right back at him, against, stunning everyone. Cursing, Reigai-Hitsugaya falls to the ground, his wings breaking off as he goes crashes into it. Izuru and Hisagi can't believe their eyes and Yumichika reaffirms that her powers would be a hindrance for their enemies. Kenpachi decides he want to battle Nozomi but Byakuya's clone orders him to take care of the Shinigami first of all and then bring Nozomi back to Inaba as promised. Kenpachi reluctantly agrees.

Kenpachi's clone then attacks Ichigo while Renji and Rukia use their Zanpakutō abilities to attack Byakuya's clone. However, Byakuya's Reigai blocks their "filthy tactics", much to Rukia's disgust as she insists her brother does not speak like that. He responds by sending his blades after them, forcing them to jump out of the way. Nozomi tries to get in on the fight but Komamura's giant blocks her. Reigai-Byakuya then proceeds to bind her using '''Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō' so that Komamura can use his Bankai'' to capture her. However, Uryū manages to push her out of the way and save her. Reigai-Byakuya states that they have to adapt their tactics so Nozomi couldn't use their power. Ichigo and Kenpachi continue to battle and he hits him with a Getsuga Tenshō. Just then, Ichigo's powers fluctuate and an uninjured Reigai-Kenpachi moves in to strike him down. Sado interferes, however, and moves to hit him with an El Directo, knowing Ichigo's powers are weakening. Reigai-Kenpachi then starts attack him instead.

Nozomi runs over to Ichigo, concerned about him as Kon states that he looks pale. Ichigo insists that he is alright but then Byakiya attacks them with '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui. When Ichigo evades, he follows up and attempts to slash him. Nozomi gets involved and Uryū attacks as well. Reigai-Byakuya evades Uryū's attack and allows it to head for Ichigo and Nozomi. However, at the last minute, Nozomi absorbs the attack using her abilities. Uryū appears before her and apologizes but she insists it was nothing as she can absorb much more. This begins to give Uryū an idea as Byakuya's clone mocks them from above, stating they should all be dead by now as Rukia and Renji appear in front of him. they try to attack once more and fail while Uryū forms a plan below.

Uryū surmises that Nozomi can absorb all reiatsu and bases his tactics on this but Ichigo rejects it, stating that it is too dangerous. Nozomi agrees to do it in order to save everyone but Ichigo continues to object until Uryū states they have no other option. Finally he agrees and Uryū tells everyone to direct their reiatsu at Nozomi. They start to object but Izuru and Hisagi back the plan, stating they've seen how she fights and she has what it takes to be a Shinigami. Rangiku agrees then on their word and requests that Iba do the same, which he reluctantly does. With the Reigai advancing on them, they turn and all direct their strongest attacks towards Nozomi, whose Zanpakutō begins to absorb them all and glow very brightly. The attack appears to defeat the remaining Reigai present.

Excited, Kon runs towards a breathless Nozomi, who then senses an overwhelming reiatsu and knocks him away. Byakuya's clone has survived the attack using a barrier, but is still injured. Raising his hands, he unleashes '''Hadō #72. Sōren Sōkatsui''' on the Shinigami below him and sends them all flying. He stands over the all then, prepared to release his Bankai to end the battle but is ambushed from behind by Yamamoto, who defeats him using the flames of his own Zanpakutō. Reigai-Byakuya cries out and he falls to the city below.