Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Kenpachi Zaraki

 is a fight taking place during the Ryoka Invasion between Ichigo Kurosaki and 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, acting as Ichigo's first encounter with a captain-class opponent and involving his first battle against his inner Hollow.

Prelude
In the canal network underneath the Seireitei, Ganju Shiba wakes up to find 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada drooling on his pant leg as he sleeps. Irritated by this, Ganju stands up and pushes Hanatarō away while berating him for sleeping on his lap and slobbering all over his best pair of pants. When Ichigo Kurosaki admonishes him for this because Hanatarō is exhausted and it is only a little drool, Ganju is astonished to see him standing fully healed nearby and questions if he is better already, leading Ichigo to confirm that this is true thanks to Hanatarō before observing that Ganju should be feeling better too because Hanatarō healed his wounds while he was still fatigued from healing Ichigo's.

With Ganju looking at the still-sleeping Hanatarō in surprise, Ichigo proclaims that they are going to try to enter Senzaikyū one more time and that he will make it this time. Atop the wall surrounding Senzaikyū and the buildings around it, 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Zaraki waits. Shortly afterward, Ichigo and Ganju are left perplexed by a pill adorned with a skull being held out by Hanatarō, who explains that it is a special nutritional fortification pill supplied to everyone in the Fourth Division so they can continue working even when they are tired. Though Ichigo and Ganju express doubt over this due to the skull on the pill, Hanatarō swallows it nonetheless, only for nothing to happen as he gets to his feet and decides they should get going.

When Ichigo and Ganju point out that it clearly did not do anything, Hanatarō questions if he does not look to be in great health right now, prompting Ichigo to bluntly state that he looks worse than he did before as Ganju asks Hanatarō if this is some kind of joke. Some time later, Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarō emerge from the canal network exit outside the stairs leading up to Senzaikyū and realize that no one is here. As Ichigo notes that it is strange for there to not be any guards here after his battle the previous day, Ganju theorizes that the Shinigami did not think their enemy would return so soon, which Ichigo acknowledges. Ganju wonders if Uryū Ishida and Orihime Inoue are okay, and after deducing who he is referring to from his descriptions of their appearances, Ichigo assures him that they are alright because they are much smarter than he is and would never pick a fight with an enemy they have no hope of beating.

After Ichigo affirms that Yasutora Sado is also alive and unharmed due to having sensed his Reiatsu ever since they arrived and considering him the most unbeatable member of their group, he, Ganju, and Hanatarō run up the steps to Senzaikyū while Ganju expresses frustration at how long the stairs go on for. Promising Ganju that they are almost at the top, Ichigo reaches the top of the steps, and as Ganju and Hanatarō catch their breath behind him, he notes that security seems to be lax here as well because no one is around before proclaiming that they are going all the way to the top. Suddenly, as Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarō resume running, the three of them stop in astonishment and fear upon feeling an incredibly intense Reiatsu pressing down on them, prompting Ichigo to wonder what is causing it while Kenpachi grins nearby.

Ichigo tells Ganju and Hanatarō to run because they do not want to meet the source of this Reiatsu and need to cover some ground before they are found. With the three of them running off, Kenpachi notes that the Ryoka he had been told about is finally here and questions which one of them it is. As he runs along, Ichigo observes that something is wrong because it does not feel like they have put any distance between themselves and the enemy despite how far they have run before concluding that it feels like he constantly has a sword at his throat. When Hanatarō collapses behind them and finds himself unable to keep moving, Ganju doubles back and hoists a surprised Hanatarō over his shoulders while bemoaning that it is like looking after a baby. Kenpachi looks over each of them as Ganju rejoins Ichigo in running, and after dismissing Ganju and Hanatarō as not being the Ryoka he is looking for, Kenpachi finally settles on Ichigo.

Upon experiencing the sensation of Kenpachi leaning over his shoulder and inquiring if he is the one, a severely unnerved Ichigo turns around and looks up to see Kenpachi crouching on a rooftop above them. As Kenpachi questions if he is just going to stare, Ichigo envisions Kenpachi appearing behind him and impaling him through the chest with his Zanpakutō. Realizing that this has not actually happened, a heavily sweating Ichigo clutches his chest and questions if this was killing intent, though he dismisses this being the case because killing intent alone could not produce such an effect. Suddenly, Kenpachi appears behind Ichigo and asks him if he is Ichigo Kurosaki. When Ichigo demands to know who he is and how he knows his name, Kenpachi notes that his 3rd Seat, Ikkaku Madarame, should have told Ichigo, who recalls Ikkaku naming Kenpachi after their battle and describing him as a powerful fighter whom Ichigo may not survive facing.

Kenpachi introduces himself and declares that he is here to kill Ichigo or die, and while an unnerved Ichigo mentally identifies Kenpachi and admits that he can tell Kenpachi is a captain because of his monstrous Reiatsu, Kenpachi inquires if something is wrong and reiterates that he is here to kill Ichigo or die before wondering if he should begin due to Ichigo seemingly having nothing to say, prompting Ichigo to grab the handle of his Shikai, Zangetsu, only to stop upon hearing a loud noise behind him. As Ichigo turns to see Ganju kneeling and Hanatarō lying on the ground completely unable to move, greatly concerning him, a sweating Ganju assures Ichigo that he and Hanatarō are fine and were merely knocked down by Kenpachi's Reiatsu.

With Ganju instructing Ichigo to keep his eyes on Kenpachi because the latter will kill Ichigo should he keep looking around, 11th Division Lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi suddenly pops out from behind Kenpachi's back and points out that Hanatarō is drooling. While a stunned Ichigo turns back to face her, Yachiru leaps onto his shoulder and expresses sympathy for how scared Hanatarō must be. Startled by this, Ichigo throws Yachiru off, leading her to leap back to Kenpachi and note that Ichigo is mad at her, which Kenpachi affirms. As he draws Zangetsu, Ichigo orders Ganju to run away with Hanatarō and save Rukia Kuchiki while he takes care of Kenpachi. Though he is incredulous at Ichigo's uncertainty of how he will defeat Kenpachi, Ganju complies and runs away with Hanatarō over his shoulder. With Kenpachi and Yachiru merely staring at this, Ichigo expresses confusion at neither of them going after his friends even though their mission is to stop the Ryoka.

Battle
When Kenpachi reminds Ichigo that he is here to kill Ichigo or die and has no interest in Ichigo's friends or Rukia, a relieved Ichigo pants as he assumes a battle stance, leading Kenpachi to praise him as not bad for his strong Reiatsu despite how stiff and full of openings his guard is. When Kenpachi observes that Ichigo might be stronger than some lieutenants, which is likely why Ikkaku lost, Ichigo sarcastically thanks him, only for Kenpachi to conclude that Ichigo is still not his equal and decide to give him a handicap as he opens his haori before granting Ichigo the opportunity to perform the first strike by cutting wherever he likes.

Astonished by this, Ichigo claims that he cannot cut someone who does not have their sword drawn and questions if Kenpachi is mocking him, but Kenpachi denies this and clarifies that it is a courtesy as he instructs Ichigo to save the admirable gesture of refraining from striking a defenseless enemy for another time. Asserting that they should take their time and enjoy this because the struggle of kill or be killed is something to be savored, to Ichigo's shock, Kenpachi details how Ichigo could cut him down with one blow by targeting his neck, stomach, or eyes. With Kenpachi encouraging him to attack and not be a coward, Ichigo gives in and warns Kenpachi to not complain afterwards as he rushes forwards and slashes with Zangetsu. However, Ichigo completely fails to even scratch Kenpachi with his attack and is left staring in astonishment as Zangetsu rests against Kenpachi's skin while his right hand bleeds. Noting that Ichigo looks surprised, Kenpachi questions if it is really so strange that Zangetsu cannot cut his body as he begins drawing his own Zanpakutō, pushing Zangetsu away with his arm in the process. Shocked by this, Ichigo leaps several meters back and expresses disbelief at Kenpachi pushing Zangetsu back with his bare arm without suffering any injury.

Suddenly, Yachiru appears in front of Ichigo and asserts that it is impossible for him to cut Kenpachi because it is almost like Zangetsu has no blade to him, to Ichigo's confusion. Kenpachi explains that two spiritual forces colliding results in the weaker of the two absorbing the impact, which means that the sword Ichigo has created by honing his Reiatsu to its limits is weaker than the Reiatsu leaking out of Kenpachi unconsciously. With Ichigo stunned by this, Kenpachi expresses disappointment at having waited all night for someone like him because this will not even make for a good anecdote and unsheathes his Zanpakutō, which he notes Ichigo can at least take the rust off of.

Some time later, Ichigo rounds a corner between two columns and is confronted by Kenpachi, whose subsequent downward strike he barely manages to block. As Kenpachi's blade pushes down Zangetsu and inches closer toward him, a frightened Ichigo pushes it aside and leaps back, leaving Kenpachi to slam his Zanpakutō into the ground, rupturing it, before inquiring if running away is all Ichigo can do as he resumes his pursuit. While running away, Ichigo attempts to calm down and remind himself that there is no reason he cannot cut Kenpachi, only to recall his prior failure to even scratch Kenpachi when offered a chance to perform the first strike, causing his bleeding right hand gripping Zangetsu to shake as he grips it and chastises himself for being a coward. Suddenly, Kenpachi bursts through the wall in front of Ichigo and chastises him for running away because he does not like chasing rabbits as he resumes attacking Ichigo.

Shortly afterward, having managed to lose Kenpachi again, a fatigued Ichigo embeds Zangetsu into the ground and leans on it as he wonders if his inability to cut Kenpachi means the latter really is that much more powerful than he is. However, Ichigo mentally asserts that there is no reason he should not be able to cut Kenpachi and theorizes that the problem lies in him being afraid of Kenpachi's Reiatsu, meaning that he should be able to cut Kenpachi if he calms down and intensifies his own Reiatsu. After repeatedly telling himself to calm down and reiterating Zangetsu's speech about dying if he hesitates or shows fear, Ichigo rushes out into the corridor and proclaims that he is ready, only to stop in astonishment upon sensing Sado's Reiatsu vanish.

A stunned Ichigo wonders if Sado lost or was killed, but as he refuses to believe this, Ichigo senses a small amount of Reiatsu from Sado and realizes that he is still alive, prompting him to admonish himself for being afraid because all his allies will die if he loses, which means he cannot afford to be scared. Upon being confronted by Ichigo a moment later, Kenpachi, who had been sitting against a wall, stands up as he inquires if Ichigo is prepared to die or has given up, prompting Ichigo to deny either being true before dashing forward. As he mentally promises Sado that he will come for him after taking care of Kenpachi, Ichigo slashes past Kenpachi's Zanpakutō, resulting in a surprised Kenpachi being cut across the center of his chest. Apologizing, Ichigo declares that he is not ready to die just yet because doing so will cause him to lose everything which he has been fighting for. Ichigo takes this as proof that he can defeat Kenpachi, who merely grins and asserts that he knew Ichigo could do it as he exerts his Reiatsu.

With Ichigo intimidated by this, Kenpachi instructs him to stay alert and not relax before he and Ichigo clash fiercely. Shortly afterward, Ichigo and Kenpachi drag their Zanpakutō through a nearby building and the ground, respectively, before clashing in an explosion of force. As Ichigo finds himself unable to push past his block despite attacking from a better angle, a grinning Kenpachi grabs Zangetsu by the blade and twists it around, pulling Ichigo off his feet and into the air, as he thrusts his Zanpakutō forward. After removing his right hand from the handle of Zangetsu in order to twist his body in midair, Ichigo narrowly evades Kenpachi's Zanpakutō, resulting in it piercing the collar of his shihakushō, and kicks Kenpachi's hand off Zangetsu, freeing himself. Suddenly, as Ichigo lands on the ground, he sees Kenpachi has vanished from the area in front of him.

When Ichigo barely manages to block Kenpachi's subsequent slash from behind by holding Zangetsu above his head upon hearing the bells in Kenpachi's hair chime, Kenpachi praising Ichigo's reactions while the latter leaps back. Kenpachi notes that he is hearing the bells by concentrating more and explains how he puts on the bells and the eyepatch to make his fights more interesting before concluding that they are wasted if Ichigo does not exploit them. However, when Ichigo assumes that Kenpachi is mocking him because he has not released his Zanpakutō and warns him to watch out because Zangetsu can cut him now, Kenpachi claims that his Zanpakutō is actually already released and was never sealed because it has no name. Surprised by this, Ichigo presumes that this simply means Kenpachi's Zanpakutō will not get any stronger and prepares to resume the fight, but Kenpachi swiftly moves forward and jabs his Zanpakutō at Ichigo.

With a surprised Ichigo instinctively blocking this strike with the broad side of Zangetsu, Kenpachi picks up on Ichigo's confident attitude and berates Ichigo for thinking he could win before clarifying that his Zanpakutō cannot be sealed because his Reiryoku itself cannot be contained due to its vast size, meaning that he has to greatly restrain himself when he fights. As he declares that their fight would be over if he did not do this, Kenpachi stabs his Zanpakutō right through Zangetsu and into Ichigo's chest, cracking the blade in the process. Reminding Ichigo that he was told to keep his Reiatsu sharp and proclaiming that only a fool would relax like this, Kenpachi pulls his Zanpakutō out of Ichigo in a shower of blood and expresses disappointment at this being the conclusion to their fight while Zangetsu breaks in two and Ichigo falls to his knees before collapsing.

Kenpachi looks down at him and notes that it has been a while since he fought someone who could cut him and hear the bells, but merely concludes that this is it and expresses his disappointment as he begins to walk away. As he lies on the ground and pants heavily, Ichigo coughs up blood and mentally refuses to die here while ordering his body to stop bleeding and let him fight again because he has to save Rukia. However, with Kenpachi dragging his Zanpakutō through the ground and swinging it onto his shoulder, time suddenly comes to a halt as Zangetsu appears next to Kenpachi. Approaching a stunned Ichigo, Zangetsu inquires if he wishes to fight, win, or live.

After staring in silence for a few seconds, Ichigo grips the remainder of Zangetsu by the handle and states that he wants to win. When Zangetsu claims that he cannot hear him, Ichigo proclaims that he wants to win because fighting and survival for their own sake are meaningless, prompting Zangetsu to assert that he will take Ichigo there as his cloak flares out around him and engulfs Ichigo. With the darkness enveloping him, Ichigo finds himself standing on the side of a skyscraper in his inner world and recalls falling down the last time he was here, prompting him to frantically lie against one of the windows and clutch the sides. Upon being asked by Zangetsu what he is doing, Ichigo asserts that he does not want to fall again, only for Zangetsu to assure him that there is no chance of this happening because this occurred when his inner world lost its balance due to him becoming a Hollow before pointing out how the world is completely stable now.

Though a confused Ichigo questions if this means that the sideways nature of his inner world is normal, Zangetsu merely comments on him becoming stronger, leading Ichigo to express exasperation at being ignored. Zangetsu tosses Ichigo a sword, and as a shocked Ichigo grabs it and berates him for throwing an unsheathed sword, Zangetsu instructs him to hold onto it because it is his sword. With a perplexed Ichigo noting that this is not his Shikai, Zangetsu details how it is an Asauchi, a nameless Zanpakutō used by Shinigami who are not worthy of the Gotei 13. When Ichigo reminds him that his Zanpakutō's name is Zangetsu, Zangetsu brings out Zangetsu and inquires if Ichigo is referring to the blade which Kenpachi broke earlier before claiming that he cannot give it to Ichigo.

Seeing Zangetsu throws Zangetsu off the side of the skyscraper, Ichigo attempts to leap after it, only for Zangetsu to tell him to move aside and hurtle past Ichigo as he dashes over to Zangetsu. While a stunned Ichigo notes that he is wearing a white shihakushō, Zangetsu grabs Zangetsu in midair and somersaults as he crashes into the ground, and when a stunned Ichigo wonders what he is, Zangetsu turns to face him and questions what he is talking about. Appearing next to Zangetsu, Zangetsu explains that he wants to see if Ichigo is worthy of wielding him by having him fight and take Zangetsu back from himself. As he mockingly encourages Ichigo to take it if he can, Zangetsu leaps toward Ichigo and attacks with Zangetsu, prompting Ichigo to block with the Asauchi.

Ichigo struggles against the blow and realizes that he cannot block it completely as Zangetsu slashes Zangetsu forward, sending Ichigo skidding back, before exerting his Reiatsu, leaving Ichigo stunned and intimidated. Awed by the Reiatsu of Zangetsu burning up the air like this, Ichigo envisions his Asauchi as a stick compared to it and wonders how he is supposed to win with it. Inquiring what is wrong, Zangetsu begins spinning Zangetsu around by the cloth wrapped around its hilt and promises to kill Ichigo if he is not careful. With Ichigo surprised by this maneuver, Zangetsu initiates Deadly Darts and throws Zangetsu at Ichigo, who narrowly dodges as it crashes into the wall behind him. While Zangetsu expresses annoyance at having missed and resumes spinning Zangetsu above his head after pulling it back, Ichigo is shocked by the concept of throwing Zangetsu and retrieving it with the hilt cloth.

As Ichigo mentally admits this is a move that he would have never come up with, Zangetsu declares that Ichigo is pathetic and questions how he got so bloody despite holding such a mighty sword before inquiring if one can become friends with someone just by asking for their name. Ichigo expresses confusion at this, prompting Zangetsu to assert that this is what he has done because he believes that simply calling out Zangetsu's name is all there is to it and focuses on himself instead of bringing out Zangetsu's power or understanding him. Zangetsu proclaims that Zangetsu is capable of so much more and would have become much stronger had Ichigo opened his heart.

While Zangetsu claims that Ichigo could not do it due to not caring about his Zanpakutō at all and thinking he only has to train himself, Zangetsu watches from afar atop a pole as Zangetsu resumes Deadly Darts and throws Zangetsu at Ichigo, who evades it once more. Pulling back Zangetsu, Zangetsu throws it again, ripping through the ground in the process, and as he leaps to the side to avoid it, Ichigo mentally admits that Zangetsu is right about him not trying to get to know Zangetsu and observes that Zanpakutō have names and are alive rather than being soulless tools before recalling his elated response to Kenpachi revealing that his Zanpakutō has no name. Criticizing himself for being glad about this because he is no better than Kenpachi for only knowing his Zanpakutō's name and nothing more, Ichigo asserts that he does want to know more. As he brings Zangetsu back to his hand, Zangetsu decides to finish this and promises that Ichigo will never hold Zangetsu again. With Zangetsu rushing toward him, Ichigo mentally implores Zangetsu to tell Ichigo about himself little by little so Ichigo can fight with him once again, and as Zangetsu attacks, he is stunned to discover that he and Ichigo have swapped weapons as Ichigo blocks the strike of his Asauchi with Zangetsu.

Realizing that Zangetsu is giving him another chance, a surprised Ichigo thanks him and steels his resolve. Back in the real world, Kenpachi is alerted by a surge of Reiatsu behind him and turns around to see Ichigo standing with a reformed Zangetsu held over his shoulder. As a stunned Kenpachi observes that Ichigo's Hakudō is blazing after being practically gone prior and realizes that Ichigo's chest wound has stopped bleeding, Ichigo leaps toward him and slashes Zangetsu through Kenpachi's left shoulder before the latter can react, and when Kenpachi attempts to bring his Zanpakutō up in order to attack, Ichigo intercepts it by swinging Zangetsu upward into the blade.

A shocked Kenpachi wonders if he is being overpowered as he prepares to grip his Zanpakutō's handle with his other hand. Pushing Zangetsu upward, Ichigo slashes across the wound on Kenpachi's chest and through Kenpachi's other shoulder, sending him skidding back along the ground and forcing him to embed his Zanpakutō into the wall to stop himself. However, when Ichigo apologizes and states that he needs to make this quick because he does not have much time, a grinning Kenpachi declares that this will not do because the fight is just getting good before leaping toward Ichigo and proclaiming that they should make it last as long as they can.

With a surprised Ichigo pointing Zangetsu at him, Kenpachi allows the tip of the blade to slash through the bridge of his nose and across his left cheek underneath his eye so he can get close and jab his Zanpakutō at Ichigo, who is shocked by his move. Having had his right cheek cut by Kenpachi's Zanpakutō, Ichigo leaps back, prompting a laughing Kenpachi to rush toward him and express his interest in how Ichigo revived himself and suddenly got stronger. Though he admits that there is a lot which he wants to know, Kenpachi claims that none of it matters now because they should just enjoy the fight. As the two of them continues to clash, Ichigo notes that Kenpachi is not going down despite how much damage he is taking.

When Ichigo demands to know what is wrong with Kenpachi while questioning if he is not afraid of being cut or killed, Kenpachi asserts that something is wrong with Ichigo if he does not love battle despite being so strong before instructing Ichigo to revel in the death and pain as the rewards of battle. Soon afterward, having been wounded even further, a panting Kenpachi stares up at the sky and proclaims that this is superb as he praises Ichigo as being definitely stronger than he is despite how close they are in strength. With Ichigo questioning why he is so confident, Kenpachi wonders how long it has been since he felt such joy and removes his eyepatch, revealing an intact right eye, before proclaiming that he can finally fight all-out against Ichigo as his Reiatsu blasts upward from him in a column wreathed in a helix, leaving a stunned Ichigo to brace himself with Zangetsu.

Observing that Kenpachi's Reiatsu actually increased when he removed his eyepatch, Ichigo nervously accuses him of cheating by hiding something in his eye, only for Kenpachi to reveal that he does not have anything special in his eye and simply had the Shinigami Research and Development Institute make an eyepatch for him that devours Reiryoku before turning the eyepatch around to reveal it has five small mouths and eyes on the inside, unnerving Ichigo. While concluding that he can now use the Reiryoku which the eyepatch was suppressing to kill Ichigo, Kenpachi casually flicks his Zanpakutō diagonally across the base of the building next to him, resulting in it being completely cut through and collapsing in on itself.

Ichigo closes his eyes as Zangetsu manifests behind him and inquires if Ichigo can hear the sound of Kenpachi's Zanpakutō screaming, and as Ichigo affirms this, Zangetsu explains that Kenpachi cannot hear it and how those who fight together while not trusting each other have their strength diminished. As he asserts that those who only trust in their own strength cannot comprehend this, Zangetsu asks Ichigo if the latter can trust him, prompting Ichigo to confirm this before promising that Zangetsu can use all of his strength however he wants while lending Ichigo his own strength in return. With Zangetsu agreeing to this and gripping the handle of Zangetsu as well, Ichigo's Reiatsu surges in volume and intensity, which leads Kenpachi to praise his power increase.

However, when Ichigo details how this resulted from him borrowing Zangetsu's power because they are fighting as a team and declares that he is not losing to someone who fights by themselves, Kenpachi decries the idea of fighting alongside one's Zanpakutō as a team due to his belief that a Zanpakutō is a weapon, meaning that one who teams up with their Zanpakutō is a loser who can no longer fight on their own. Declaring that this is unworthy for them, Kenpachi exerts his Reiatsu in a skull-shaped aura while Zangetsu tells Ichigo that they only have one shot because he cannot stop Ichigo's bleeding for much longer, prompting Ichigo to exert his own Reiatsu in a Hollow mask-like aura.

Ichigo and Kenpachi rush toward each other and clash in an explosion of force that slices apart the surrounding buildings. With the dust clearing to reveal Ichigo with Zangetsu embedded in Kenpachi's right shoulder and Kenpachi with his Zanpakutō impaling Ichigo through his abdomen while surrounded by a ring of blood, Ichigo apologizes to his friends and collapses to the side, causing Kenpachi's Zanpakutō to rip out of the side of his torso as blood spurts onto the ground. Despite this, as blood spurts from his own wound due to Zangetsu being removed from it by Ichigo's collapse, a grinning Kenpachi questions what Ichigo has to be sorry for because he won before collapsing alongside Ichigo as the blade of his own Zanpakutō snaps in two.

Aftermath
With a barely conscious Ichigo and an unconscious Kenpachi lying next to each other while bleeding heavily from their wounds, Yachiru approaches them before bowing as she thanks Ichigo for being the first opponent in a long time to make Kenpachi happy while fighting him. As she hoists Kenpachi over her shoulders, Yachiru requests that Ichigo survive and come back to fight Kenpachi again as she repeatedly springs off the sides of two parallel buildings and heads toward the top of one of them, leaving Ichigo to lose consciousness as well. Shortly afterward, Kenpachi opens his eyes to find Yachiru standing over him on a rooftop as the latter celebrates him being awake and reveals that she called 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana to come tend to his injuries.

When Kenpachi inquires about Ichigo's condition, Yachiru assures him that Ichigo is probably alive, only to be surprised when Kenpachi claims that he needs to pay Ichigo back for beating him. Asserting that Kenpachi did not lose despite his injuries because Ichigo was being aided by Zangetsu and the battle was thus two against one, an irritated Yachiru slaps Kenpachi for chuckling at this. As he muses on the idea of fighting with the help of one's Zanpakutō, Kenpachi asks Yachiru if she remembers the day that he decided her name, which Yachiru affirms while claiming to even remember the number of clouds in the sky that day, and confirms that he remembers the day as well.

Kenpachi picks up his broken Zanpakutō with his right hand, causing his shoulder wound to spurt blood, and with Yachiru expressing confusion, Kenpachi states that he has not thought about the pain of not having a name in a long time and expresses sorrow over how he used to not be referred to with a name unlike those around him. Recalling how he named Yachiru after the only person he ever admired and named himself Kenpachi after the title of the strongest Shinigami, Kenpachi holds up his Zanpakutō and notes that he kept it waiting a long time before asking it to tell him its name, only grin sardonically when he does not receive a response. As he holds his broken Zanpakutō over his face, Kenpachi declares that he wants to be stronger because he has found someone to fight, and as he observes that he has not felt this way in a long time, Kenpachi loudly shouts his desire to become stronger before losing consciousness as Yachiru recalls their bond and assures him that they can become stronger together.

Back at the compound, Yoruichi Shihōin stands over an unconscious Ichigo and apologizes for being late. After observing that Ichigo's injuries were to be expected due to him fighting Kenpachi and that he did well to fight the latter to a draw, Yoruichi promises to not let him die and prepares to transport him elsewhere. Some time later, within a secret room inside Sōkyoku Hill, Ichigo sleeps on a mat surrounded by a healing field near the hidden entrance, and as he opens his eyes, Ichigo wonders where he is while realizing that he is not dead. When Yoruichi approaches him, Ichigo expresses relief that the former is alright, prompting Yoruichi to note that Ichigo is not exactly in good shape.

Upon being thanked by Ichigo for saving him, Yoruichi states that it was due to Ichigo's own will to live as much as anything and admits surprise as his wounds not having killed him instantly. However, as he recalls how badly he was injured during his fight with Kenpachi, Ichigo bolts up, causing his chest wound to begin bleeding, and responds to Yoruichi demanding to know what he is so worked up about by claiming that he has to help Sado due to the latter being in danger. Yoruichi pushes Ichigo back down and reveals Sado, Orihime, and Uryū are alright before noting Sado is hurt but still alive after having fought the right people, with Orihime and Uryū escaping almost entirely unharmed.

Instructing Ichigo to stay in the healing field because his multiple crushed organs make him of little use to his friends right now, Yoruichi observes that Ichigo would have been cut in half had he not had a certain object in his pocket and expresses surprise that he still has it, leading Ichigo to look over and see that Yoruichi is holding up a Hollow mask with its left eye socket destroyed and cracked, which he is astonished to learn was in his pocket. With Yoruichi expressing confusion at his reaction, Ichigo details how he was told the mask saved him when he fought 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai yesterday, but threw it into one of the underground canals after Hanatarō insisted that he get rid of it, to Yoruichi's shock. After clarifying that Hanatarō is a member of the Fourth Division who healed him prior, Ichigo picks up the mask and wonders how it ended up with him once more, and when Yoruichi decides to hold onto it, Ichigo begins to protest due to only just having gotten it back, but Yoruichi threateningly orders him to hand it over, which prompts an intimidated Ichigo to give it back. While Ichigo grumbles about her belligerence, Yoruichi mentally notes that it is better to be safe than sorry despite how unlikely the envisioned scenario is.