Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Byakuya Kuchiki

 is a fight taking place during the Zanpakutō Rebellion. It details the conflict between 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki and 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki.

Prelude
Holding Wabisuke next to 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira's head, Wabisuke tells him he is finished. When a column of yellow Reiatsu erupts through the roof next to him, Wabisuke expresses surprise and moves away as the column expands and explodes.

As Wabisuke wonders what this was, bells ring as the smoke from the explosion surges through the area. Shielding himself, Ichigo Kurosaki wonders if it is who he believes it is. As Byakuya and Rukia Kuchiki look on, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai looks up. As Tenken, Gonryōmaru, and Suzumebachi express surprise, 2nd Division Captain Suì-Fēng looks over her shoulder as 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame grins.

Walking up to Izuru, Zaraki looks over the various combatants in front of him as Ichigo calls out to him. Walking forward, Zaraki jumps down from the ruined building and tells Ichigo they have been going about this wrong. As Suì-Fēng, Tenken, Gonryōmaru, and Suzumebachi appear on a nearby rooftop, Suì-Fēng states this is a grand way for Zaraki to announce his belated arrival and says Zaraki should not make a spectacle of being late. Telling Suì-Fēng to be quiet, Zaraki states she should not give him any grief because Zaraki rushed here as fast as he could to help them out. Admitting he may have made a mess, Zaraki says this is just his style and states he hopes they left him one of the Zanpakutō Spirits to fight against.

Looking over the Zanpakutō Spirits, Zaraki says he will do as he pleases despite there not being any Zanpakutō Spirits without opponents. Appearing behind Zaraki, Wabisuke states he does not like Zaraki being in his way and slashes at Zaraki. When Wabisuke fails to cut Zaraki, Wabisuke expresses surprise as Zaraki says Wabisuke is trying to cut him down. Grabbing Wabisuke, Zaraki tells Wabisuke to not attack him with such a dull blade and states he does not have time to be bothered with someone like Wabisuke.

Saying Wabisuke is not at his level, Zaraki slashes Wabisuke across the chest with Wabisuke. As Wabisuke expresses surprise, his outline glows blue as Wabisuke reverts to his sword form, which snaps in two and falls to the ground. As Renji states this is amazing, Rukia notes Zaraki forced Wabisuke into his sword form with a single attack. Saying this is what happens to a Zanpakutō Spirit who is slain by someone other than its own wielder, Suì-Fēng states the relationship between a Zanpakutō Spirit and its Shinigami is one of communication, synergy, and subjugation. Stating this relationship can no longer exist when a third party becomes involved, Suì-Fēng tells Tenken, Gonryōmaru, and Suzumebachi to take this as a lesson.

As Suzumebachi says Suì-Fēng talks big, Zaraki asks those present who is next. Stating Zaraki is impressive, Gonryōmaru says Wabisuke being put away with a single attack is not surprising with the level of Zaraki's Reiatsu. Flying up to him, Suzumebachi states it may have only taken a single attack because Wabisuke was an idiot to attack in such a careless way. When Gonryōmaru asks Zaraki where he was hiding before he appeared, Zaraki looks over his shoulder and asks Gonryōmaru if he believes Zaraki was hiding. Telling Gonryōmaru to watch his mouth, Zaraki says he does not like being talked to like this.

Climbing up on Zaraki's shoulder, 11th Division Lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi states she will explain where Zaraki has been. Saying Zaraki left to get rid of some Hollows in the outskirts of Rukongai, Yachiru states Zaraki tried to hurry back when he learned he was needed in the Seireitei and became completely lost along the way. Saying he did not know where he was, Yachiru states this is why Zaraki ended up being so late. When Zaraki to tell Yachiru to stop talking about unnecessary things, Yachiru says she is only telling the truth.

When Yachiru states they passed the candy shop they found on the ridge, Zaraki says they will go there next time, prompting Yachiru to ask him if he really means it as Ichigo wonders how Zaraki and Yachiru can be so carefree. Telling Yachiru she will have to get down, Zaraki states he is going to rampage. As Yachiru hops down and runs off, Zaraki asks those present whom the strongest among them is. Seeing Byakuya, Zaraki smiles. Moving in front of Byakuya, Senbonzakura says they have a troublemaker to deal with, prompting Byakuya to agree.

When Senbonzakura states Byakuya should leave this to him, Byakuya agrees. Telling Byakuya he should leave now, Senbonzakura activates his Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, and drops his sword into the ground. As two rows of giant blades rise up on either side of Senbonzakura, they disperse into blade petals, which swirl around Senbonzakura. Saying Senbonzakura is impudent, which surprises Senbonzakura, Zaraki proclaims a lowly Zanpakutō Spirit should not be so arrogant and removes his eyepatch as yellow Reiatsu erupts around him.

As Suzumebachi shields herself and wonders what is happening, Gonryōmaru shields himself and wonders if this is Zaraki's true power. As Ichigo states Zaraki is impressive as always, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi is dispersed by Zaraki's surging Reiatsu, prompting Senbonzakura to say this is impossible. As Zaraki yells, his Reiatsu surges in strength and size. As Gonryōmaru expresses shock at Zaraki's power, Rukia notes she cannot withstand this Reiatsu. As Renji states this is incredible, Zaraki appears in front of Senbonzakura and says Senbonzakura is in his way.

As Senbonzakura expresses surprise, Zaraki brings his blade down, creating an explosion of yellow Reiatsu which expands outward and destroys the buildings it engulfs as those present express surprise. As the dust clears, Zaraki stands in the middle of a crater. As Zaraki looks over his shoulder, the dust clears to reveal Byakuya, prompting Zaraki to grin. As Zaraki removes his bells, Byakuya says Zaraki released a considerable amount of Reiatsu in order to confine them in battle and states this must have been very taxing on Zaraki's body. When Zaraki admits it took its toll and says this does not matter, Byakuya asks him if this is so. Confirming this, Zaraki states he never intended to fight the Zanpakutō Spirits in the first place.

Saying he will give it his all and will never quit, Zaraki states he will do whatever it takes to defeat Byakuya regardless of what happens to his body and says Byakuya is permitted to laugh at him if he dies trying. Zaraki asks Byakuya if he wants Zaraki to attack him right now or would like to attack Zaraki first. When Byakuya states he does not have the time to be facing off against him, Zaraki asks him if this is so and says he will attack first in the interest of time.

Battle
Leaping forward, Zaraki attacks Byakuya, who blocks with his sword as the force of the attack creates a shockwave. Laughing, Zaraki proclaims they will have some fun. Releasing his Zanpakutō, Senbonzakura, Byakuya leaps back as the blade petals engulf Zaraki. Slashing away the blade petals, Zaraki states this does not appear to work and tells Byakuya to stop playing these little tricks. As yellow Reiatsu surges around him, Zaraki raises his blade over his head before slashing at the ground, creating a surging wave of energy which crashes into Byakuya. As the dust clears, Byakuya stands in a battle stance, prompting Zaraki to smile.

Moving next to Zaraki with Shunpo, Byakuya slashes at Zaraki, who blocks with his sword. When Byakuya expresses surprise, Zaraki asks him if he is surprised because Zaraki was able to counter his Shunpo with a move of his own. Pushing Zaraki's blade away, Byakuya asks him if he believes he will be able to capture Byakuya with his speed. Saying they should find out, Zaraki slashes at Byakuya, who moves away with Shunpo. Turning, Zaraki stabs at Byakuya, who moves to the side, before punching at him, prompting Byakuya to dodge.

Slashing at Byakuya, who dodges, Zaraki tells him to run and states Byakuya's speed appears to only be good for running away. Saying this is laughable, Byakuya moves away with Shunpo. As Zaraki expresses surprise and turns around, Byakuya appears behind him and attacks, forcing Zaraki to block with his arm. Leaping back, Zaraki looks at his bloodied arm as Byakuya asks him if he sees how futile it is. When Byakuya states there is no way Zaraki will ever be able to capture him, Zaraki asks him if this is so before rushing at Byakuya, who moves to the side in order to avoid him.

When Zaraki slashes at him, Byakuya moves back before moving away with Shunpo. Noticing something, Zaraki grabs Byakuya's sword, prompting Byakuya to express surprise. Proclaiming Byakuya has just been caught, Zaraki raises his sword over his head and yells before slashing at Byakuya, sending a large amount of dust into the air with the impact of the attack. As a panting Byakuya stands with a wound across his left shoulder, Zaraki admits he is impressed and says Byakuya dodged his attack at the very last moment.

When Byakuya asks Zaraki why he is going so far to fight against him, Zaraki states he wanted to see what Byakuya has got and says this seemed like the easiest way. When Byakuya states he is beginning to understand, Zaraki expresses surprise. Byakuya has Senbonzakura swirl around Zaraki, who says this is very impressive. Raising the hilt of his Zanpakutō over his head, Byakuya makes a slashing motion, prompting the blade petals to engulf Zaraki. Afterwards, as Zaraki pants, Byakuya states he does not want Zaraki to bother him any further.

When Byakuya says he will be forced to take Zaraki's life if he has to fight him again, Zaraki laughs and states Byakuya must be joking. Telling Byakuya to try if he dares, Zaraki says he has always wanted to have a fight to the death with Byakuya. Stating Byakuya is finally on board, Zaraki raises his sword over his head and tells Byakuya to come at him with this spirit. When Zaraki points his blade at him and proclaims he is finally ready to take him on, Byakuya turns and says Zaraki leaves him no other choice.

Aftermath
As Byakuya prepares to fight Zaraki, the ground begins to rumble. As Zaraki expresses confusion, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō crashes through a nearby wall with its hidden blades outstretched before slamming into the ground between Zaraki and Byakuya. As Zaraki expresses shock, the dust kicked up by the impact engulfs him. When Byakuya appears in front of the purple gas, Ichigo expresses surprise and calls out to him. After Ichigo is pushed into the purple gas by a stream of blade petals, Byakuya and Senbonzakura move away.

Later, as Ashisogi Jizō evades Yachiru, Zaraki grabs it by the head and tells it to stay out of his battle next time. As Zaraki says Byakuya had the chance to get away from him because of Ashisogi Jizō's interference, Ashisogi Jizō extends blades from its chest. Shaking it, Zaraki asks it how it is planning to make it up to him. Stepping forward, 12th Division Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi presses a button, causing Ashisogi Jizō to self-destruct and revert to its sword form, which breaks and falls to the ground.

As Zaraki expresses confusion, Mayuri states Ashisogi Jizō is his Zanpakutō Spirit and says he will not allow Zaraki to do whatever he pleases with it. Walking toward Zaraki, Mayuri states it is his duty to punish Ashisogi Jizō for betraying him. As Zaraki curses, Mayuri smiles. Elsewhere, in a cave, Byakuya walks up to Muramasa, who is looking at a pool of water. When Muramasa tells him he has done good work, Byakuya does not respond. As Muramasa turns around in surprise, a Jigokuchō flies through the air toward Muramasa. As Byakuya asks him if he is heading to the Human World, Muramasa waves the Jigokuchō away.

Telling Byakuya to follow him, Muramasa walks away as Byakuya follows him. At the end of a corridor, as two blond-haired boys, a dark-haired woman, and a cloaked figure float around a pyramidal barrier, Muramasa says it is here as Byakuya expresses surprise upon seeing Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sitting within the barrier.