Shunsui Kyōraku vs. Katen Kyōkotsu

Shunsui Kyōraku & Jūshirō Ukitake vs. Katen Kyōkotsu & Sōgyo no Kotowari is a fight taking place in the Zanpakutō Rebellion. It focuses upon the conflict between the Captains of the 8th Division and 13th Division and their Zanpakutō spirits.

Prologue
As the Shinigami enter the Zanpakutō cave, Captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake split up, appearing in a platform area. Kyōraku comments that it is quite a scenic area, to which Ukitake berates him for taking things too casually. They realize that they have to scale the platforms in order to progress further. However, a figure from above approaches them, as another figure asks them what games they would like to play.

Ukitake asks who they are, to which the figure wonders whether he doesn't already know. Suddenly, Ukitake is trampled by two children wearing blue robes, who persist in asking him to play games. He states that he cannot bring himself to fight children, even if they are Zanpakutō spirits. He asks who their wielders are, wondering whether they are Sōgyo no Kotowari. They confirm this, asking him to play a fan-throwing game with them. They proceed to manifest their fans, which hurtle towards Ukitake.

Kyōraku asks the figure whether she would like to play a game, to which she responds that she is tired of playing games with him. He asks her to return to his sheath, as they have known each other for a long time. She dismisses this idea, stating that they despise his smug and complacent attitude. Kyōraku wonders what she means by “they”, as another figure emerges behind him. He realizes that he wasn't imagining things when he sensed another Reiatsu nearby.

Battle
The wakizashi raises her blade at Kyōraku, clashing with him promptly. He is able to block all of her attacks, as the tachi states that his power level is unimpressive, and that he should be stronger than this. However, Kyōraku states that he is finding it difficult to fight against them, as they are ladies. She wonders whether that is so, stating that the same cannot be said for them. As she says this, the wakizashi moves in again, slashing at Kyōraku, who dodges promptly.

They explain that their job is to guard the area, as they both move to attack him. He repeats his previous statement, as the tachi merely smiles at him. Meanwhile, Sōgyo no Kotowari is being pursued by Ukitake, who tells them to sit still, otherwise they will get hurt by their fans. He threatens to stop playing with them, causing them to stop moving. He tells Sōgyo no Kotowari to hand their fans over, and that he will play whatever game they desire if they do so.

They walk up to him, asking whether he will truly play with them. They tell him to pinky swear, which he does enthusiastically. Satisfied, the Zanpakutō spirits hand their fans over to Ukitake. However, a malicious smile forms upon their faces, as their fans glow brightly, sending out a blast of lightning. Ukitake is able to dodge the attack as his Zanpakutō spirit runs off into the distance, chanting "He fell for it!". He sighs deeply, calling them bad boys.

Kyōraku continues fighting with the wakizashi, as the tachi asks what he is trying to achieve, because he has not been able to hit them once. He denies this, stating that they have not been fighting for real the entire time. She asks what he means by this, to which he explains that his twin blades move at separate speeds, a trait that is advantageous during a battle. However, he states that they have not been doing such a thing. He says that the common practice for swords like them is to take them off guard with their speed, and finish them off with their blades.

But rather than do that, they have seemingly prevented him from attacking by forcing him to take a defensive stance. The tachi comments upon his deductive reasoning, as Sōgyo no Kotowari lures Ukitake to a nearby waterfall, clapping their hands loudly. He tells them that he will get angry if they do not come out, but they do not care either way. He sighs deeply, as Sōgyo no Kotowari appears in the air above him, hurling a multitude of spikes from their scroll.

Ukitake uses Hado #31 Shakkahō, sending the Kidō spell directly into the water. This results in a gushing torrent of water streaming upwards, destroying their attack. The twins proceed to attack him with their fans directly, but Ukitake intercepts the attack, their fans clattering to the ground. Ukitake assumes he has won, but they kick him in the face, running off excitedly again. As he clutches his nose, he comments that their tricks are taking up too much time, realizing what their objective is.

Kyōraku and Ukitake state that their objective was never to kill them off, and that they had been stalling for time during their brief conflict. The tachi starts laughing, and states that there is no chance he can leave, now that Kyōraku understands the truth. They use Shunpo, appearing behind Kyōraku, who intercepts their attack, stating that he has to get moving, regardless of whether they are ready to fight. Ukitake runs to Yamamoto's location, with Sōgyo no Kotowari in hot pursuit.

The twins use Shunpo, appearing in front of their former master, their fans poised. They state that they cannot let him past, hurling their glowing fans at him. He dodges this attack, the fans embedded into the ground, as he jumps high into the air. He comments upon their stubborn nature, proceeding to get past his Zanpakutō spirits.

Aftermath
As Ukitake runs to Yamamoto's location, he wonders why Muramasa is so interested in Ichigo. He senses the Zanpakutō spirits' Reiatsu, judging that his intention is not to kill him. Kyōraku comes to the same conclusion, believing that Muramasa is waiting for something. They believe that, since this was Muramasa's intention, that he is waiting for Ichigo's ultimate attack.

After Muramasa destroys the barrier concealing Yamamoto, the two captains appear beside Yoruichi and Ichigo. Their respective Zanpakutō spirits also appear, all eagerly awaiting the outcome. As Muramasa reaches out to Yamamoto, Ukitake realizes what he was after. Kyōraku observes that he fused his own Reiatsu with Ichigo's to create an explosion large enough to destroy the barrier. Yamamoto then moves to the Shinigami's side, as Muramasa unveils his true plan.