Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Maki Ichinose & Jin Kariya

 is a fight taking place during the Bount Invasion, consisting of Ichigo Kurosaki facing off against Maki Ichinose prior to Jin Kariya stepping in to fight Ichigo personally.

Prelude
Upon reaching the Bount Mansion, Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends are confronted by Jin Kariya, leading Ichigo to have his friends run off and search for Uryū while he battles alone. As he runs through a hallway with his fellow Mod-Souls and Rukia Kuchiki, Kurōdo questions if Ichigo will really be alright, only for Rukia to remind him that Ichigo is not an idiot and that he knows this battle is merely buying time for them to find Uryū. Acknowledging this, Kurōdo points out how they do not know much about the abilities of the Bount and should gather more information to analyze in order to form a plan, prompting Ririn to demand that he shut up.

Ririn asserts that Ichigo will be able to analyze this while he is fighting the Bount and that this is how they have come so far, and when Kurōdo takes offense to how she said this due to him merely being worried about Ichigo, Ririn brings up how they can simply use Noba to teleport themselves directly to Ichigo if needed, to Kurōdo's surprise, as Rukia concludes that they will use Noba to escape the mansion once they find Uryū, which Noba affirms is feasible. While Kurōdo observes that this conversation makes it seem as though he is the only foolish one and accuses the others of being rude, Rukia notes that most of the Bount are in the main hall at the moment.

With Ririn confirming this and mentioning that there is one more in a different part of the mansion who is likely guarding Uryū, Rukia and the Mod-Souls pass a dining area, where Rukia suddenly stops and stands still in shock as she stares into the dining area. Upon being ordered to come out by Rukia, Maki Ichinose emerges, further stunning Rukia as she recognizes him to be a Shinigami, and clarifies that the Bount whom Ririn is sensing is a traitor who is being detained with Uryū. Ririn wonders if this is the same Bount who saved Uryū, which Ichinose affirms, and Rukia inquires if Ichinose is allied with the Bount, leading Ichinose to reveal he is a former Eleventh Division member.

As Ichinose states that he served under the previous captain of the division, an astonished Rukia questions what a deserter Shinigami is doing here, but instead of answering this, Ichinose draws his Zanpakutō and stabs it into the air directly behind him and to his left, where Kurōdo becomes visible and gasps as the blade pierces his stomach, shocking Rukia, Ririn, and Noba as they stand next to an illusory Kurōdo. When Ichinose pulls out his Zanpakutō and rushes toward them, Ririn leaps forward and creates an illusion of a jungle around Ichinose, who proceeds to slash Noba across the chest and kick Ririn away when they attack him.

Summarizing the Mod-Souls' strategy as making him see hallucinations while moving through space to attack him from behind, Ichinose admits that it is a good idea, only to deride it as being a childish trick regardless, leaving Rukia awed by his strength. Upon being identified as being a fellow Shinigami by Ichinose, Rukia introduces herself and informs Ichinose that she is from the Thirteenth Division, and when Ichinose asks her why she remains in a Gigai instead of drawing her Zanpakutō, Rukia explains that she cannot do so at the moment due to certain circumstances before pointing her left palm at Ichinose and firing '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui'''.

However, as the blast hits Ichinose and creates a large cloud of smoke, Rukia is shocked to see an unharmed Ichinose having blocked the blast by simply holding his Zanpakutō in front of his chest. Ichinose claims to be surprised at Rukia being able to perform Eishōhaki, though Rukia chastises him for lying, and details how it weakens the power of Kidō before observing that Rukia's attack still had a lot of power even while she was not at full strength herself, which means this is not her true level of power. While Rukia dismisses this as him overestimating her and asserts that this was her full level of power, she internally admits that her power has not yet fully returned.

With Ichinose accepting this, Rukia demands to know why he is helping the Bount, but is confused when Ichinose counters by asking her if she knows how to become a captain in the Gotei 13. Bringing up the method that made 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki famous throughout the Seireitei, Ichinose muses on how Kenpachi became a captain with only his own power and angrily proclaims that doing so instantly destroyed the ideal that he and Kenpachi Kiganjō had built like a fleeting dream before concluding that he did not want to follow Kenpachi like his fellow division members did, which Rukia assumes is the reason he deserted from the Gotei 13.

While looking at his reflection in the blade of his Zanpakutō, Ichinose notes that Kariya gave him a reason to live again and allowed him to once again pick up his Zanpakutō after losing everything for Kariya's sake. After detailing how Kariya is searching for what lies beyond his immortality by breaking through all laws of nature, Ichinose concludes that he plans to lay everything he has on the line once more for Kariya, and when Rukia demands to know if this is why he is helping Kariya, Ichinose notes he may have said too much and apologetically refuses to let Rukia pass. Meanwhile, in his room, Uryū senses Ichigo's Reiatsu and realizes his friends are here as he bangs on the door.

Uryū insists that the Bount let him out, but does not receive a response and gives up as he mentally urges Ichigo to not do anything rash. Down in her cell, an incapacitated Yoshino Sōma mentally asserts that she has to get out. Soon afterward, Ichigo fires a Getsuga Tenshō that blows a large hole in the mansion and shakes the entire property, followed by an astonished Ichinose wondering whose Reiatsu this is while leveling his Zanpakutō at Rukia, who recognizes Ichigo's power, before running off out of concern for Kariya, leading Rukia to attempt to attack him with '''Hadō #33. Sōkatsui once more, only for Ichinose to disappear with Shunpo'''.

Back in the main hall, Ryō Utagawa fails in his attempt to dethrone Kariya as the leader of the Bount and has Fried attack him in rage, only for Kariya to casually hold out his hand and deflect Fried with an energy barrier, stunning Utagawa, who observes with disbelief that the only thing which can block the attack of a Doll is another Doll and realizes Kariya's deception as the latter points out how he never said that he removed his crest at Utagawa's behest earlier. A cursing Utagawa is confronted by Ichinose, whose appearance surprises Ichigo as he prepares to release his Shikai, Nijigasumi, by swinging his Zanpakutō around in a half-circle.

With the arc of Ichinose's swing glowing several different colors, Utagawa leaps back and transforms three chunks of wood at his feet into snakes that lunge toward Ichinose, who disappears in a shimmer as they pass through him before Utagawa is enveloped in a bright light and slashed dozens of times, causing him to scream in pain. Stepping back as he bleeds, Utagawa is suddenly stabbed through the chest by Ichinose, and as the latter asserts that it is over, a shocked Utagawa states that this is impossible and falls into the chasm left by the Getsuga Tenshō while the rainbow blade of Nijigasumi becomes visible, surprising Ichigo with its appearance.

After identifying this as his Zanpakutō to Ichigo, Ichinose turns to Kariya and expresses relief that the latter is unharmed, though Kariya assures him that there was never any danger. When Ichigo demands to know why a Shinigami is here, Ichinose looks at him and observes that he defeated Kenpachi, to Ichigo's surprise, before assuming a battle stance and identifying himself. As Ichigo questions why he is working with the Bount, Ichinose exerts his rainbow Reiatsu and proclaims that Ichigo does not need to know since he is going to die, leading a grinning Ichigo to exert his Reiatsu in turn and note that he has to beat it out of Ichinose.

Battle
After Ichinose closes the distance between them and stops several feet away, Ichigo moves to him with Shunpo and attacks. Blocking two slashes of Ichigo's Shikai, Zangetsu, Ichinose pushes it aside and thrusts his Zanpakutō at Ichigo, who narrowly blocks it with the broad side of Zangetsu before clashing with Ichinose and slashing at him horizontally. Ichinose leaps over Zangetsu and comes down on Ichigo, and once the latter moves back with Shunpo to evade this, Ichinose releases Nijigasumi to create an array of sword beams that dazzle and confuse Ichigo, forcing him to move back once more in order to evade them.

While following up with a downward slash into the ground that Ichigo dodges as well, Ichinose runs alongside him and declares that Ichigo cannot escape. When Ichinose creates more sword beams in the arc of his subsequent swing, Ichigo leaps back against a wall and drops to the floor as the beams pierce the area where he was located, with Ichinose following and leaping off the wall to continue clashing with Ichigo while Kariya watches intently. After moving around several times to cross blades with Ichigo, Ichinose appears behind him with Nijigasumi held to the back of a stunned Ichigo's head and asserts that Ichigo will not be able to follow his sword no matter how hard he struggles.

Hearing this, Ichigo turns around and slashes upward at Ichinose while demanding that the latter not underestimate him. Upon moving back with Shunpo and reappearing several feet away from Ichigo, Ichinose wonders if Ichigo is reacting based on instinct and reflexes since he should not be able to see the attacks of Nijigasumi, but Ichigo simply chuckles at this being the full power of Ichinose's Zanpakutō and exerts his Reiatsu in a surge around his body while yelling before lunging toward Ichinose and thrusting Zangetsu toward his head. With Ichinose evading this, Ichigo proclaims that he will just keep attacking and continues to slash at Ichinose.

However, Ichinose blocks Ichigo's third strike with Nijigasumi and warn Ichigo that things will not go so smoothly this time. Suddenly, Ichinose shimmers and disappears, leaving Zangetsu to pass through the space he was formerly occupying, and a confused Ichigo sees the environment distorting around him as Ichinose reappears, generates two illusory versions of himself on either side of his body, and rotates Nijigasumi in a sword beam-generating circle around himself before releasing it, blinding Ichigo with a bright light as dozens of slashes tear through his body. Behind Ichigo, Ichinose explains that the light of Nijigasumi prevents his foes from hiding in the shadows before Ichigo dispels the attack by jabbing Zangetsu into the ground and firing a Getsuga Tenshō.

The Getsuga Tenshō rips through the ground in two directions perpendicular to the rift left by Ichigo's prior Getsuga Tenshō, forcing Ichinose to move away with Shunpo. As the dust settles, Ichinose analyzes Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshō as being highly dense Reiatsu shaped into a blade and details how he used this to escape by creating an explosion underneath his feet, only to observe that this seems to have greatly strained a panting Ichigo. However, when Ichinose exerts his Reiatsu and prepares to continue battling a defiant Ichigo, Kariya tells him to wait and joins Ichinose on the floor as he reveals that he wishes to fight Ichigo instead.

Though Ichinose assures Kariya that he does not have to do this, Kariya merely places a hand on Ichinose's shoulder and expresses interest in Ichigo's Soul, which leads Ichinose to kneel and acknowledge this. Upon being called out by an impatient Ichigo, Kariya apologizes for keeping him waiting and invites Ichigo to live with them forever, but Ichigo declines to have his Soul devoured. Watching as Kariya approaches Ichigo, Ichinose internally recalls how he failed to avenge Kenpachi Kiganjō after Kenpachi Zaraki killed him for the captaincy of the Eleventh Division and that this left him desiring death before observing that this changed when he met Kariya.

Kariya details how Ichigo's Soul will meld with his own, allowing glory to forever shine on the latter's head, and encourages Ichigo to entrust himself to Kariya. Despite Kariya offering him wealth he has never known, Ichigo simply reiterates his refusal, which Kariya is disappointed by, before generating a Getsuga Tenshō with Zangetsu that swirls around him in a thin, cone-shaped spiral prior to being fired through the ground at Kariya, who is engulfed in a cloud of dust. Suddenly, a panting Ichigo discovers Kariya standing next to him and is backhanded strongly across the face by the latter when he attempts to attack, resulting in Ichigo flying across the hall and crashing through a support beam holding up the upper hallway. Cursing, Ichigo is shocked when Kariya appears before him and places his index finger on Ichigo's forehead.

While Kariya admits that Ichigo is not what he expected the latter to be, Ichigo realizes that he cannot move and has no strength left in his body before Kariya pulls back his finger and flicks it into Ichigo's face, sending the latter crashing through the wall behind him. With Kariya turning around and walking away, a still-kneeling Ichinose inquires if he is not going to finish off Ichigo, prompting Kariya to explain that Ichigo will not color his world as richly as Uryū Ishida will and give Ichinose permission to do as he likes with Ichigo. As Ichinose stands up, Ichigo pushes off the rubble covering him and uses Zangetsu to get to his feet before demanding that Kariya wait.

Aftermath
Though Ichigo does not understand what is going on, Ichinose decides that he should finish Ichigo off and begins to draw his Zanpakutō, only to be interrupted when a blast from Ururu Tsumugiya's Senren Bakusatsu Taihō slams into the ground outside, shaking the entire mansion and leaving Ichigo struggling to stay standing as Ichinose expresses confusion. Outside, as they stand several dozen meters away from the mansion, Jinta Hanakari praises Ururu's shot and directs her to fire another one ten degrees higher at the same angle, which Ururu complies with, resulting in the projectile hitting the roof of the mansion as a third hits the ground once more.

Inside the mansion, Yoshi leaps back to avoid a chunk of the rafters falling on the area where she was standing, and when Ugaki directs several eyeballs of his Doll, Gesell, to turn toward Ichigo, Yoruichi Shihōin appears between them, shocking Ichigo, as Ugaki has the eyeballs attack them. Yoruichi activates her Shunkō and generates a whirlwind of Kidō that destroys the eyeballs and rips through the mansion, covering a startled Ugaki in rubble and forcing Ichinose to shield Kariya with his own body while a portion of the mansion explodes outward. Elsewhere, Kurōdo feels all of this and wonders what is going on as he lists several possibilities.

With Kurōdo concluding that they should calm down and escape without making a fuss, Rukia joins them and questions what is going on before being directed by Ririn to a nearby door which she can sense Uryū's Reiatsu behind, to Rukia's surprise. Opening the door, Rukia is approached by Uryū and asks him if he is alright, which he confirms while Kurōdo expresses relief at this since he was trying to compose a eulogy for Uryū if something had happened to him. Pulled away by Ririn and walking through the hallway outside, Uryū hears Noba comment that he can detect a Bount on the other side of a nearby door and moves forward with determination, to the puzzlement of Rukia and Kurōdo.

Inside the cell behind the door, a weakened Yoshino Sōma lies on the floor as Uryū enters the room and runs to her side, where she looks at him with surprise before being helped to her feet with Uryū supporting her shoulder and arm while demanding that his friends help as well. Though Ririn reminds him that Yoshino is a Bount and Kurōdo points out how she was the first one to attack them, Uryū insists that she is different, and when Rukia asks him why he is doing this, Uryū promises to explain later, which Rukia acknowledges as she helps support Yoshino and orders Noba to teleport them away, leading him to pull the shield off his back and create a large wormhole that envelops them.

Outside, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, and Kon see the mansion burning down from afar. While Kon wonders what is going on, Orihime expresses concern for Ichigo and attempts to run off, but Sado stops her. Though Orihime asserts that they need to move quickly, Sado directs her attention to the area behind them, where Yoruichi appears with Shunpo while carrying an incapacitated Ichigo and lays him down on the ground before assuring a concerned Orihime that he is not seriously injured, to her relief. Suddenly, Rukia's group appears nearby while supporting Yoshino, leading Kon to tearfully leap toward Rukia in an attempt to reach her breasts.

With Rukia angrily stomping on Kon and grinding his face into the ground, Kurōdo expresses relief at everyone being safe and the coincidence of them all arriving here, which leads Noba to reveal that it was not a coincidence because he searched for Reiatsu when creating an exit for them. Seeing Sado helping Ichigo to his feet, Yoruichi informs the others that they cannot stay here and must leave as soon as possible, which they acknowledge. As night falls, Kariya stands with the other Bount and Ichinose outside the burning mansion while Ugaki observes that Ichigo's group took Yoshino and Uryū with them, causing Koga to apologize for letting his guard down.

Despite Ichinose's concern over how this will impact their plan, Kariya instructs him to let Ichigo's group get away and assures a surprised Ichinose that both Yoshino and Uryū will come back to him, leaving Ichinose shocked.