Reigai Uprising

The Reigai Uprising is an event in which Kagerōza Inaba creates modified soul copies of many members of the Gotei 13, placing them in Reigai bodies. Inaba sought to capture Nozomi Kujō in order to fuse with her and once again become their original being Ōko Yushima. Upon fusion, Yushima sought to destroy the Soul Society.

The event began when several Shinigami began disappearing in the Dangai. Launching an investigation into the disappearances, the Gotei 13 recovered Ichigo Kurosaki's substitute Shinigami badge, leading to him being arrested.

The event ended when Yushima's own reigai creations united against him to take down his ultimate attack. During the attack, Nozomi regained control for a moment and stabbed Yushima. Her fusion with Inaba is undone and the two fade away.

Prelude
After several Shinigami start disappearing in the Dangai, an investigation is mounted. Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi finds that the time axis has slipped and that there is now a difference in time between the Dangai and Soul Society. After returning from a trip into the Dangai to find the cause of the problem, Captain Byakuya Kuchiki returns with Ichigo Kurosaki's substitute Shinigami badge. Meanwhile, Kon finds a mysterious girl lying in a parking lot. Taking her home, Rukia notices that there is nothing emanating from her. After talking with Kisuke Urahara, Ichigo and Rukia are convinced to go to the Soul Society to find out more about the situation there. They charge through the Dangai but are promptly arrested after arriving in Soul Society for having a part in the disappearances in the Dangai.

In jail, Ichigo sits, wondering what is going on. Rukia sneaks up to his cell, carrying Zangetsu. The two break out but are confronted by Lieutenant Renji Abarai and 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame. The two try to get Ichigo and Rukia to return to their cells but they refuse. The two officers then reveal to Ichigo why he was being jailed. Byakuya's investigation team found his badge in the Dangai. Ichigo notes that he lost it on his way there but Ikkaku says that the badge was found several days ago. After Ichigo continues to refuse to return to his cell, the four enter combat. Renji forces Rukia back, prompting her to wonder when he became so strong. Ikkaku unleashes his Bankai, forcing Ichigo to get serious. However, before they can finish, the two officers are sealed away in a Tozanshō by Yoruichi Shihōin. Yoruichi takes the two to a small cave where she states that the Shinigami are being replaced with Reigai and only the 12th Division could have made them. The three break into the Shinigami Research and Development Institute where they find a message giving orders to capture the girl from Ichigo's room.

The three formulate a plan to escape from the reigai controlled Seireitei and get through the Senkaimon. They charge the gate, fighting off the reigai as they come. As the reigai attack, the three suddenly pop, revealing themselves to be inflatable Gigai. The real ones continue to charge through towards the Senkaimon. They reach the Senkaimon but are trapped. Yoruichi takes front and tells Ichigo and Rukia to go. After the two say they will stay with her, Yoruichi once again tells them to go as she will fend off the reigai. The two leave and Yoruichi faces off against the many reigai, defeating all but the Reigai Byakuya. The two attack each other and Byakuya releases his Shikai. Yoruichi tries to escape but the blades catch up to her.

In the Human World, Kagerōza Inaba, 7th seat of the 12th Division and creator of the reigai, appears at Ichigo's house and attempts to take Nozomi. Nozomi runs and Inaba and his reigai pursue her. Finally pinning her to a wall, Inaba goes to retrieve her but is stopped by Uryū Ishida who fires and arrow at him. The two face off and Uryū notes that he is quite similar to Mayuri. Inaba says he respects Mayuri but he is the better scientist. As the two continue to fight, Uryū finally manages to put an arrow through Inaba's back, seemingly killing him. However, Inaba reappears atop a building. He uses his Shikai and appears behind Uryū, dealing a heavy blow to him. Suddenly, Orihime Inoue appears and begins to heal Uryū as Yasutora Sado launces and 'El Directo at Inaba. Inaba dodges and strikes Sado, severely wounding him. As he is about to finish them off though, Ichigo appears.

Inaba attacks, knocking Ichigo away. Ichigo recovers and goes on the offensive. Inaba states that out of respect for Ichigo's battle with Sōsuke Aizen, he will not use his Shikai ability. However, Ichigo is caught off guard by Inaba's Zanpakuto swings and is cut. Ichigo puts his mask on and fires a point blank Getsuga Tenshō at Inaba. Inaba struggles at first but manages to deflect it. With Ichigo now worn out, Inaba goes to finish him off but is knocked away by Renji, who has made it out of the Dangai along with the rest of the Gotei 13. Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya attacks Inaba, pummeling him to the ground and taking Nozomi away from him. As Inaba pursues him, he is faced with Byakuya's Shikai. The rest of the Shinigami appear and Mayuri tells Inaba he will punish him a million times over. Inaba retreats for the time being, saying once he has Nozomi, he will rule over Soul Society and the Human World.

Early Stages
Now headquartered in Ichigo's room, the Gotei 13 discuss the recent events. Mayuri tells them who Inaba is and the group tries to think why Inaba wants Nozomi. Believing that perhaps Inaba has hidden something in her, Ichigo vows to stop him. They dismiss and begin setting up a barbeque in order to make Nozomi feel welcomed. Heading off on her own, Nozomi wanders to the shore and Kon chases after her. After the two fight. Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto arrives and offers help. Kon thanks her and walks away as Rangiku and Nozomi leave. However, while walking, Kon comes upon Rangiku in different clothes and realizes that the other Rangiku was a reigai. Kon informs everyone and they rush to save Nozomi. Ichigo arrives and defeats the Reigai and the group heads back to the barbeque. Meanwhile, Inaba states to his reigais that his plan is in motion. He states that he has plans for Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and leaves.

In Seireitei, Captain Shunsui Kyōraku begins to get suspicious about recent events. Talking it over with Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, the two try to explain their views to the other captains but are shot down. Speaking with Akon they obtain the Dangai records to try and see who is manipulating things. On his own, Akon is approached by Inaba as Captain Suì-Fēng approaches Shunsui to arrest him for manipulating the Dangai records. Meanwhile in the Human World, Nozomi runs away. Kon chases after her but she subdues him. However, she suddenly senses a huge Reiatsu as the reigai arrive. Elsewhere, Lieutenants Shūhei Hisagi and Marechiyo Ōmaeda, 3rd seat Ikkaku Madarame and 5th seat Yumichika Ayasegawa come upon their reigai copies. Yumichika bursts out into laughter when he sees Marechiyo's reigai, who has been modified to be in shape and good looking. They each take on their reigais but prove to be no match and are defeated. Uryū Ishida arrives to stop the reigai but they flee.

Elsewhere, Rangiku encounters the reigai of Izuru Kira. The two recount their last match in Soul Society and Rangiku learns that the reigai has been enhanced so his Zanpakutō now increases the weight of objects ten fold. As they clash, Rangiku finds herself unable to hold on to her Zanpakutō due to the weight. She runs and finds a metal pole which she hides underneath her scarf. Asking the reigai if he could cut through her scarf, he finds himself unable to, repeatedly cutting but not penetrating. Rangiku then reveals her trap, releasing the metal pole which falls on to Wabisuke and traps it. Rangiku then finishes him off with her own Zanpakutō. On the other side of Karakura Town, Rukia Kuchiki comes upon the reigais of herself and Lieutenant Nemu Kurotsuchi. Rukia engages them both but finds herself overwhelmed by the reigai Nemu's speed. Combined with her own duplicate, Rukia can barely keep up. She runs, trying to formulate a plan. As the reigai catch up, she releases her Zanpakutō at the same time as her reigai, both trapping each other in a pillar of ice. The real Nemu shows up and takes on her reigai using Hakuda. Defeating her, she crushes the red pill left behind. The ice pillars then begin to break apart as the reigai Rukia falls into the river below. Rangiku arrives and helps Rukia up. The three women then begin to walk off, wondering where Nozomi is but are stopped as Rukia reveals herself to be the reigai, She attacks the two Lieutenants and knocks them into the river, cackling as she does so.

In Soul Society, the reigais of Captains Jūshirō Ukitake] and Shunsui Kyōraku come across Captain Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. The two reigai engage the old Captain but even with only one arm, Yamamoto proves he is an extraordinarily formidable opponent. In Karakura Town, Ichigo, Sado and Orihime search for Nozomi. They decide to split up and Ichigo goes one way while Sado and Orihime go another. Sado and Orihime come across the river bank where Rukia, Nemu and Rangiku have washed up, injured. The reigai of Lieutenant Renji Abarai appears. Sado tells Orihime to take care of the injured while he fights Renji. Reigai Renji hurdles his Shikai at Sado who deflects the attack. The two trade blows before Renji releases his Bankai. Sado is overwhelmed and barely manages to hold on before the real Renji arrives, releasing his own Bankai to counter the reigai. As the battle continues, the reigai overpowers both Renji and Sado. Sado finally uses his left arm, which surprises the reigai and creates an opening for Renji to use Hikotsu Taihō to end the battle. Meanwhile, Nozomi runs to a shrine where a natural Senkaimon is. She tells Kon who is following her that she plans to seal herself inside so Inaba cannot get her. Kon tries to stop her but she ties him to a tree. As she prepares to enter the Senkaimon, a force of reigai appear to abduct her. As they prepare to take her, Ichigo arrives and engages them all. Taking them all on, Ichigo pleads with Nozomi to trust them and states that he will protect her no matter what. Ichigo manages to defeat all six reigai and convinces Nozomi to stay with them and trust them.