Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Shūsuke Amagai

is a battle that takes place in Seireitei and is the final event of the Kasumiōji Conspiracy.

Prelude
After killing Gyōkaku Kumoi and taking Rurichiyo Kasumiōji captive, Shūsuke Amagai disappears with the captive princess. Rukia Kuchiki informs Ichigo Kurosaki that she has never seen a spell like what Amagai just used and Ichigo becomes angry, fearing for Rurichiyo. At the First Division Barracks, Amagai confronts Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Yamamoto asks what Amagai wants and why he has Rurichiyo. When Yamamoto expresses that he does not know the answer to his question, Amagai questions if Yamamoto never thought there might be people who would murder him if they had the chance. Yamamoto questions why he would want to murder him and Amagai responds by simply saying Shin'etsu Kisaragi, and that he has come in his name to kill Yamamoto. Amagai grabs his Zanpakutō, but is interrupted by Ryūsei Kenzaki who uses his Benishidare to create a blinding mist in the air before attacking Amagai and escaping with Rurichiyo. As Amagai tries to counter, Rusaburō Enkōgawa releases his Zanpakutō and covers Amagai in the tatami. Kenryū and Enryū rush to Rurichiyo to help her, but Amagai soon breaks out.

Amagai goes to Yamamoto's desk and grabs the nucleus from Makoto Kibune's Bakkōtō. Feeding it to his own, his Bakkōtō's true form is revealed to be that of a black dragon-shaped arm covered with many nuclei and a green glowing beam coming out of it. Yamamoto removes his haori and releases his Zanpakutō in retaliation. The flames spread wildly, destroying a portion of the room. Yamamoto sends flames towards Amagai, but the traitorous captain stabs into them with his Bakkōtō, nullifying them to Yamamoto's surprise. Yamamoto questions how he did that and Amagai says that his Bakkōtō's power is to negate the powers of a Shinigami's Zanpakutō. Amagai then releases his Bankai and attacks Yamamoto, destroying much of the barracks and bringing the fight outside. When Amagai begins to threaten Rurichiyo, Yamamoto intervenes, saying he is the target. Amagai, however, says that he plans on taking the successor of the Kasumiōji Clan down with Yamamoto. He prepares to attack again, but it interrupted by the arrival of Ichigo who slashes at Amagai.

Battle
Amagai blocks and Ichigo moves back as Rukia arrives as well. Amagai asks how they found him and Rukia says that Kenryū told them via a Jigokuchō. Ichigo then asks Yamamoto why he is not fighting back and Amagai reveals his Bakkōtō's ability to Ichigo. Ichigo then resolves that Amagai truly is an enemy and asks who he is. Yamamoto question how he knew Shin'etsu Kisaragi's name. Amagai then reveals that Shin'etsu was his father and that Yamamoto had killed him. Ichigo questions Yamamoto if this is true and the Captain-Commander replies that it is. Yamamoto asks how Amagai knew that he was the one to kill his father and Amagai says that he had gone looking for his father the day he died and found him on the brink of death. His father had told him that Yamamoto killed him. Ichigo and Rukia cannot believe this, but Yamamoto remains still. Amagai then reveals that he changed his name and entered the Gotei 13 in order to find out why his father was killed. He remembered the last word his father said to him, "Bakkōtō". He explains that his father had broken into the Kasumiōji grounds to expose the Bakkōtō, but was silenced by Yamamoto. Amagai says that he trained endlessly to beat Yamamoto, gained a Bakkōtō of his own and finally became a captain to avenge his father. He then raises his blade and sends out a wave of fire towards Yamamoto, but Ichigo blocks it. Amagai tells Ichigo to move out of the way, but Ichigo refuses, calling Amagai selfish and says that his selfishness has caused harm to others, especially Rurichiyo. Amagai continues to tell Ichigo to get out of the way, but Ichigo says that if Amagai wants him to move, he'll have to do it himself.

Ichigo tells Rukia to look after Rurichiyo and then activates his Bankai. Amagai begins to spin his sword, sending several blasts of fire at Ichigo who manages to block and dodge them all. Ichigo swings at Amagai, but the traitorous captain flashes away before pouncing down on Ichigo with his Bakkōtō, overpowering him. Ichigo wonders how this happened and Amagai explains again that he can nullify a Zanpakutō's power. Amagai tells Ichigo to give up but he refuses. Amagai says that no matter what Ichigo does, Rurichiyo's fate is sealed and then tells her to curse the fates that she was born into the Kasumiōji clan. Ichigo angrily charges at Amagai and the two exchange blows. Amagai taunts Ichigo, saying he will never cut him with such weak swings. Amagai then grabs Ichigo's sword and throws him. Ichigo recovers and tries to fire a Getsuga Tenshō, but the resulting attack is very weak and Amagai merely sidesteps it. Amagai beings to question how Ichigo used a Getsuga, noting that his Bakkōtō should have sealed away Ichigo's Reiatsu.

Amagai calls out to his Zanpakutō and it lights up in an overwhelming flame. He then fires a large blast of fire at Ichigo who barely manages to get away in time. Amagai tells Ichigo that he cannot spend all day fighting him and stabs his sword into the ground. A pillar of flame erupts from beneath the ground Ichigo is standing on and Ichigo manages to roll away. However, Amagai says he is not finished and does it twice more before appearing behind Ichigo in the air and hitting him with a large fireball, sending Ichigo crashing to the ground. Amagai lands and confronts Yamamoto again, apologizing for keeping him waiting and saying that it is his turn now. However, Ichigo gets up, wounded, but taunting Amagai, saying that the real fight starts now. Amagai curses Ichigo, who says that despite Amagai sealing away the power of his Zanpakutō, he still has plenty of power left in him. Amagai then calls Ichigo a fool, saying he would have let him live had he just been good and stayed on the ground. Amagai then begins to twirl his Zanpakutō in the air, sending fireball after fireball at Ichigo, who continues to dodge before using Shūnpo to get away. Amagai panics for a moment, questioning why Ichigo is still so quick despite being under the influence of his Bakkōtō. Ichigo then comes crashing down, but Amagai catches his sword once more and throws him. However, as he is doing so, Ichigo releases a point blank Getsuga, knocking Amagai back. Rukia notes that despite Amagai's Bakkōtō, Ichigo's Reiatsu is increasing and Amagai notes that Ichigo shielded himself with his Reiatsu.

Amagai calls out to Ichigo, asking what he gains from fighting him. Amagai says there is no reason for a Human to lose their life over a conflict in Soul Society. Ichigo angrily replies that that is not important. He says he is there to protect Rurichiyo and that is all there is to it. Amagai calls Ichigo a fool and begins increasing his Reiatsu quickly. He says that if Ichigo's life is so worthless, then he can die and slams his Zanpakutō into the ground, sending a gigantic wave of fire at Ichigo. As the smoke begins to clear, Amagai asks if it is over, but Ichigo's echoing voice asks if what is over. A masked Ichigo then steps out from the smoke and declares that nothing is over. Ichigo then quickly disappears, causing Amagai to note how fast he is. Ichigo reappears in front of Amagai and swings his sword at him, knocking Amagai back a few feet. Ichigo then pursues Amagai, knocking him back again and forcing him into the air. Amagai notes that Ichigo's strength and power are far greater than before, but as he then re-examines the ground below, he cannot find Ichigo. Ichigo then appears behind Amagai and swings down on him, giving Amagai, but a second to respond by quickly turning and blocking with his sword. Ichigo follows Amagai downwards, but Amagai breaks off at the last second.

Amagai, having recovered from Ichigo's attacks, simply laughs. After staring each other down for a time, Ichigo finally breaks off and throws himself into a flurry of attacks against Amagai, who continues to block. The two opponents then rush at each other, colliding in mid air. As they reach the ground, Amagai notices that he has been cut on his shoulder and is bleeding. He turns around and says to Ichigo that that must be the Hollowfication he has heard rumors of. He says that his Bakkōtō can make any Zanpakutō worthless, but a Hollow is a different story. He says that this must have been how he defeated the other Bakkōtō he has faced and Rukia realizes that this is how he is fighting now despite Amagai's Bakkōtō. Amagai says that he needs to go all out now too. Ichigo asks Amagai why he wants revenge so badly, but Amagai says that he doubts Ichigo would understand. He says that he is controlled by his dark emotions. He says that in searching for an answer as to why he is still alive, he decided he would eradicate his destiny and those who killed his father with it. Ichigo then questions why he can't just move on, but Amagai says that he does not fear death so long as he gets his revenge and ignites his sword once more. Amagai sends another blast of fire at Ichigo before meeting up with him in midair. As he swings, he notices Ichigo defending his mask and realizes Ichigo does not want him to hit it. He turns his sword around and fires a point blank fire blast at Ichigo, sending him falling to the ground. Amagai then appears in front of Ichigo and sends another large blast at him. Ichigo recovers and charges back at Amagai, sending him crashing towards the ground. Amagai manages to land on his feet, but is hurt. He stabs the ground, sending a large wall of flame towards Ichigo, but he charges through it and cuts Amagai. Ichigo assaults Amagai with a barrage of sword hits before sending him tumbling.

Amagai gets up and says that Ichigo will pay. He raises his sword above his head and begins to twirl it. As he does so, the flames grow hotter and electricity begins to spark around it. Amagai then unleashes his Gōen Ryūga technique and once more stabs the ground. The intense heat around Amagai begins to dissipate as the area begins to shake. Jets of fire then begin to shoot out at Ichigo from the ground. Each time he dodges one, more shoot out. Soon, he is not able to keep up with them and is engulfed in the fire, sending him to the ground, his mask half broken. Rurichiyo pleads Ichigo to be okay and Ichigo manages to stand up using his sword as a crutch, telling Rurichiyo to hang on as he would make it so she never has to have a sad face again. He draws his sword to Amagai and he asks if he is still going to fight. Ichigo responds yes and Amagai pulls his sword from the ground. Ichigo throws himself into another barrage of attacks, but Amagai continues to block each strike. Amagai pushes Ichigo back a few feet and prepares to attack him, but Ichigo appears behind Amagai and swings at him, forcing Amagai to jump. Ichigo then dives right back into another attack and Amagai blocks with his Bakkōtō. The two break and stare each other down before Ichigo attacks again and Amagai counters with a blast of fire, sending Ichigo to the air. Amagai then fires a few fireballs into the air and Ichigo dodges, hitting Amagai, but he retaliates, hitting Ichigo's mask, breaking off half of what is left. Amagai yells that he knows Ichigo is trying to get at his weak spot on his right, enabling him to attack the Bakkōtō. Ichigo recovers and fires off a very large Getsuga which hits Amagai and continually pushes him back into a pile of stone. After everyone gets up from the huge amount of rubble flying around, Ichigo says that it is not over as Amagai's Reiatsu begins to surge. Amagai gets up from underneath a pile of rubble and Ichigo says that he did not think Amagai was done yet. Amagai says that it will not be over until his vendetta is settled. He tells Ichigo, Rurichiyo and Yamamoto that he will send them all to hell, but Ichigo tells him to stop as he cannot fight anymore. Amagai says once more that he will kill them and is then engulfed in a green light as his power surges.

Amagai begins to exert green Reiatsu and his eyes and mouth begin to glow yellow. Ichigo recognizes this as a Bakkōtō beginning to consume its wielder from his fight with Hanza Nukui. Ichigo warns Amagai to stop, but the latter does not listen and attacks. Ichigo jumps into the air, but Amagai appears behind him and knocks him into a building. Ichigo gets up and sees Amagai standing a short distance away. Amagai then uses his Homura technique and sends a wave of flames at Ichigo. Amagai turns around, returning to his normal state and says that Ichigo was too soft. Rukia asks why his Bakkōtō did not consume him and Amagai replies that he is controlling it with his Reiatsu. He then says that Yamamoto is next. Yamamoto says that Amagai has not given up his pride as a Shinigami, but Amagai angrily yells back that he does not want to hear anything from him. He says that he will take out Yamamoto and Rurichiyo in one fell swoop and prepares to do so, but a Getsuga Tenshō flies toward him, causing him to dodge. Amagai notes that Ichigo is very tough and he says that he is Amagai's opponent. Amagai asks Ichigo why he is trying so hard to stop him, but Ichigo simply tells him to shut up and look at how miserable he has made everyone with his selfishness. He insults Amagai for what he has done, and notes that Rurichiyo has followed a tougher path and she has not run like he did. Ichigo says he will stop Amagai's self-centered quest for vengeance, but Amagai asks if he can do so all by himself. Ichigo says that he can, but Amagai replies that even if he can access his Hollow powers, Ichigo is still cut off from his Shinigami powers. Ichigo says that it does not matter and says not to underestimate him.

Amagai then takes up the offense again and hurls a large stream of fire towards Ichigo, who dodges upwards. Amagai continues to fire as Ichigo dodges and he notes that Ichigo's speed is increasing. Amagai uses his Gōen Ryūga attack again, but Ichigo manages to escape it this time with a Getsuga. Amagai tries another technique, but Ichigo breaks through again and the two clash swords on the ground. Ichigo exclaims that he got Amagai, who now understands how Ichigo has been breaking through his attacks. Ichigo says that it is not perfect, but with a few more tries he will be able to break through anything Amagai sends at him. Amagai then says that he will end the fight before Ichigo has a chance to do this and brings out his Bakkōtō, combining its attacks with his Zanpakutō in order to overpower Ichigo. Ichigo thinks to himself that he needs to take care of the Bakkōtō and notes that Amagai is protecting it, meaning it must be weaker than his Zanpakutō. He uses his tremendous speed to try and confuse Amagai, moving all over the area in seconds. Amagai figures out what Ichigo is doing and uses his Raiendan technique, which Ichigo dodges. Ichigo fires a Getsuga at the ground to mask his location and Amagai figures out what he is doing. Ichigo fires a Getsuga to Amagai's right and Amagai blocks, however, Ichigo follows through on his attack and fires another Getsuga. The blast hits Amagai who continues to defend as Ichigo continues to push into the Bakkōtō. Amagai then creates a giant pillar of flame that sweeps through the area.

Both opponents back off from their attacks and gasp for breath, heavily exhausted. The remainder of Ichigo's mask breaks off and he comments that he broke Amagai's Bakkōtō katana. Ichigo says that with injuries like Amagai's he will not get off scot-free even if he defeats both himself and Yamamoto so fighting is pointless now. Amagai merely laughs and reminds Ichigo that he is willing to throw his life away for his revenge. He increases his Reiatsu then and says he will take everyone down with him. Ichigo pleads with Amagai one last time, warning him to not let his Bakkōtō consume him, but Amagai says once more that he does not care. Ichigo says that he has no choice, but to beat Amagai now and says he cannot believe a man who was capable of being a captain could do such horrible things. Amagai responds that he has lived only for revenge and the two opponents charge at each other one last time. After they cross each other, Ichigo begins to fall, but catches himself by stabbing his sword into the ground. Amagai then begins to bleed out and falls to the ground, defeated.

Aftermath
Amagai gets up, heavily wounded and tries once more to attack Yamamoto, but Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, Yoruichi Shihōin, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Renji Abarai, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Izuru Kira arrive. Amagai continues running at Yamamoto, who catches his blade. Amagai is told that Yamamoto did not kill his father, but was rather a victim of the Bakkōtō. Yamamoto knew Kumoi was making Bakkōtō, but had not been allowed to investigate due to Central 46's restrictions. Shin'etsu volunteered to investigate on his own and went off to infiltrate the clan's compound. He did so, but was caught and a Bakkōtō was forced into his hand, overwhelming his mind and causing him to try and kill Yamamoto. Yamamoto then killed him in mercy to free him from the control of the Bakkōtō. The whole thing was covered up since Yamamoto was forbidden from having contact with the clan. Amagai is horrified that he could have missed the truth like this. Yamamoto apologizes for killing Shin'etsu. Amagai falls to the ground and says that he is weak. He gets up and stabs his sword into the ground, encircling himself in fire. He apologizes to Kira and says he had fun with the Third Division as he is swallowed by the flames.