Trapped by the Flames: Desperate Situation

Prologue
Whilst Ichigo runs through a passageway, he senses Yamamoto's reiatsu from afar, whereupon a cloaked figure appears in his path. Ichigo tries to slash at the figure, which merely uses Shunpo to move away from him, as if beckoning him to follow. He pursues the Zanpakutō spirit, who leads him to a large rock formation, where he senses Yamamoto's reiatsu again. He immediately scales the formation, but as he reaches the top, an injured Kazeshini appears before him.



Kazeshini morphs into a twister, proceeding to entangle Ichigo within his chains. As Ichigo falls helplessly to the ground, Kazeshini tells him to die, prompting him to release his Bankai in freefall. From the resulting explosion, he is able to cut Kazeshini easily, pushing him back. After briefly clashing, Ichigo releases a point-blank Getsuga in Kazeshini's face, the attack sending him hurtling into the ground. Ichigo looks despondently into the crater, noticing Kazeshini's broken Shikai, promptly apologizing to Shūhei.

The Confrontation
He makes it to the top layer, noticing the pyramid-shaped barrier surrounding Yamamoto. As he approaches the barrier, the flames flare up, scalding Ichigo's hand. When he prepares to attack the barrier, Muramasa attacks from behind, his sword hurtling at Ichigo. He deflects this attack, as Muramasa is impressed that he made it this far. Ichigo states that he can no longer go easy on him, as everyone is depending upon him to free Yamamoto.



Ichigo's blade immerses itself in black reiatsu, sending a Getsuga Tenshō racing towards Muramasa. Yoruichi senses his reiatsu flaring, and assumes that he is currently facing off against Muramasa. The attack collides with him, who fends it off with his katana. He tells Ichigo that that attack is insufficient to defeat him, provoking Ichigo into releasing his Hollow powers. While the other Shinigami fight the Zanpakutō, they come to the conclusion that their efforts were solely focused upon stalling for time.

As Ichigo clashes with Muramasa, the Zanpakutō spirit tells him to fight harder, telling him to release his ultimate attack. As the other Shinigami attempt to go to Yamamoto's location, their Zanpakutō stop them in their tracks. As Yoruichi pins her opponents to the wall, she deduces that their role in the proceedings was to separate them from Ichigo, which prompts Ukitake to wonder why Muramasa is so interested in Ichigo, noting that Muramasa does not intend to kill him.



Kyōraku deduces that he is waiting for something, as they simultaneously come to the conclusion that Muramasa is waiting for Ichigo to use his ultimate attack. Ichigo sends the Hollow-powered Getsuga towards Muramasa, who fends off the attack with his sword once more. Yoruichi arrives on the scene moments too late, as the swathing energy circles around the area. Ichigo watches on in awe, as Muramasa sends the attack hurtling towards Yamamoto's barrier.

A huge explosion emerges, causing clouds of smoke to encompass the area. Kyōraku and Ukitake emerge in the aftermath of the attack, as Ichigo pants heavily. The other Zanpakutō watch eagerly, as the barrier cracks into pieces, with Yamamoto emerging from his fugue state. As he emerges, Muramasa seizes the opportunity, raising an outstretched hand towards him.