Byakuya Kuchiki vs. Shūkurō Tsukishima

Byakuya Kuchiki vs. Shūkurō Tsukishima is a fight that takes place during the Tale of the Lost Agent between the 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Fullbringer Shūkurō Tsukishima.

Prologue
Kūgo Ginjō reveals himself to be the actual person who attacked Uryū Ishida after he is slashed by Shūkurō Tsukishima's Book of the End. Kūgo then stabs Ichigo Kurosaki and uses his sword to absorb his Fullbring abilities. Initially Ichigo despairs before demanding that Kūgo return his powers to him, but Kūgo refuses, reasoning that he had the right to take them since he had given them in the first place. Suddenly, Ichigo is stabbed by a mysterious glowing sword from behind and while at first believes the culprit to be either Isshin Kurosaki or Kisuke Urahara, he soon begins to see Rukia Kuchiki appear behind him, holding the sword. An explosion on Reiatsu occurs and when the dust settles, Ichigo once again has Shinigami abilities. Ichigo learns that all major members of the Gotei 13 gave the special sword their Reiatsu to help Ichigo. Members of the Gotei 13 then appear which include Renji Abarai, Byakuya Kuchiki, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, Kenpachi Zaraki and Ikkaku Madarame.

Following a brief fight between Kūgo and Ichigo, when Kūgo just about survives a Getsuga Tenshō attack from Ichigo, Yukio Hans Vorarlberna and the other members of Xcution rush to their location. The Xcution members complain about Kūgo not sharing Ichigo's powers with them, with Yukio stating that they promised to share. However, Kūgo tells them to be quiet and uses his Fullbring to cut all of them. Kūgo states that he did intended to share it as they are empowered by the transfer of Ichigo's Fullbring and have their forms change slightly.

After Kūgo Ginjō gives the members of Xcution some of Ichigo's power, Tsukishima approaches him and asks if he is going to give Shishigawara any of that power, saying leaving friends out is bad. Kūgo says that Shishigawara's ability would be a pain for them if it were strengthened and tells Tsukishima to kill him when the fight is over. Tsukishima sighs and says he found it to be an interesting ability. After a brief attempt by Ichigo to incapacitate the empowered Xcution members, both Gotei 13 and Xcution begin to pair up for battle. Seeing as everyone has arranged who their opponents will be, Yukio decides to separate everyone into "chat room" dimensions with his Fullbring. Both Shūkurō Tsukishima and Byakuya Kuchiki are prepared to face each other in battle as they enter Yukio's "chat room" dimension.

Battle
In the chat room, Tsukishima asks if Byakuya really has time to be staring at the moon. Byakuya turns around and tells him that it is fortunate that he is his opponent. Tsukishima inquiries why, to which Byakuya says that Ichigo is too lenient and would not be able to bear his blade for the sole purpose of striking Tsukishima down. Kenpachi is even less suited as his only wish is the thrill of battle and so he is not suited for Tsukishima's ability. Tsukishima responds that Byakuya is acting as if he will not be cut and goes to strike Byakuya. Byakuya blocks with Senbonzakura without turning around. Tsukishima is mildly surprised as Byakuya tells him that taking away the bonds of camaraderie is the height of cowardice. He says that it is a lack of shame that is deserving of being struck down. Tsukishima attempts to provoke Byakuya by saying that he is there and to strike him down. Byakuya tells Tsukishima he shall kill him and cast him aside before Tsukishima finishes swinging his blade. Both opponents face each other from a distance. Knowing that Byakuya's Shikai makes it difficult to get close to him, Tsukishima begins thinking of how to handle him. Byakuya asks Tsukishima why he is not making a move, citing that Tsukishima will not be to reach him from so far away. Tsukishima answers that Byakuya's waiting indicates that taking one step closer puts him in the Shinigami's attack range, and so he is thinking of a plan. Byakuya takes note that Tsukishima is cautious. Tsukishima then cuts a falling leaf. He asks if that action was meaningful. He next begins striking the ground and asks if that move had any meaning. Byakuya simply responds that he thinks it unwise to deem any action by Tsukishima meaningless. Tsukishima smiles and moves back. Byakuya then releases his Shikai and sends his blades at the Fullbringer. Tsukishima dodges by leaping with Bringer Light. However, Byakuya redirects his blades at his opponent. Tsukishima manages to avoid the worst of it before landing back on the ground. Byakuya asks if the Fullbringer finally understands that he cannot cut him, let alone get close to him. Tsukishima smiles and remarks on something being the spot. Byakuya is quickly alerted as he steps on a trigger in the floor, causing a large wall to emerge before collapsing on him. Byakuya manages to dodge it and wonders what just happened. Tsukishima surprises Byakuya by telling the Shinigami that he had set a trap there. Byakuya launches his Shikai again, prompting Tsukishima to strike the attack away. Byakuya asked when Tsukishima set up that trap, to which Tsukishima responds long ago. Byakuya initially thinks that Tsukishima had came to the location before many times. This is not the case as Tsukishima clues Byakuya in by asking if the captain had heard of his abilities. Byakuya then realizes what actually happened, which causes Tsukishima to smirk at seeing Byakuya noticing the effect of Tsukishima striking the ground. He then reveals that his Fullbring can affect any target, even inanimate ones. Byakuya sends his Shikai forward again, but Tsukishima appears behind Byakuya. Byakuya tries to strike the Fullbringer, only for Tsukishima to easily catchs his sword arm. Revealing that his Fullbring also cut through Byakuya's Shikai, he now has altered its past and asserts that he will never be struck by the Zanpakutō again. He states that all of Byakuya's attacks are fully known and boring to him.

Tsukishima lands a direct blow, slashing Byakuya across the chest. He retaliates with a strike of his own, only for Tsukishima to easily dodge. Tsukishima tells Byakuya that a moment's hesitation has sealed his fate. Tsukishima reveals that he is fully aware of Byakuya's "Hurtless Area", knowing that the best tactic against his Shikai and Bankai is to get in at least 85 cm of Byakuya's person to avoid damage. However, this information is near impossible to discover for an uniformed attacker, hence why Byakuya has only disclosed this information to a select few. Byakuya understands that Tsukishima has "fought" Senbonzakura multiple times and discovered its weakness. He still finds something strange though and asks where did Tsukishima hear the term "Hurtless Area". Tsukishima replies that he heard it from Byakuya himself. He reminds Byakuya that he had just been cut by "Book of the End." He invites Byakuya to come forward and attack, telling the Shinigami that any technique he now uses is useless because Tsukishima "helped Byakuya develop them". Amazed that Tsukishima has learned so much about his abilities, Byakuya surmises that even his Bankai attacks will have no effect on Tsukishima, which the Fullbringer plainly agrees on. The two resume battle.

Byakuya proceeds to reseal Senbonzakura to remove the "Hurtless Area", but Tsukishima then shows the immense cutting power of his Fullbring by slicing Byakuya's blade cleanly in half. Tsukishima mocks Byakuya, saying that it was smart to revert to Shikai after his "Hurtless Area" was exploited and that Byakuya's skill with the weapons has improved as well. He concludes that unfortunately it appears that Byakuya will have to keep using Shikai now that his Zanpakutō is broken. Byakuya comments on his disbelief that the 17 months of training would prove useless. Tsukishima disagrees, saying that the training was not useless but that he simply improved by the same amount. Byakuya then calmly picks up the severed blade. Tsukishima mocks Byakuya again, wondering if he can't use Shikai if the Zanpakutō is broken. Byakuya does not respond back and simply drops the broken blade piece with his Zanpakutō to activate Bankai. Tsukishima is indifferent, still saying it is boring. He appears right behind Byakuya and strikes, saying that Byakuya's weapon is useless as long as he gets inside the "Hurtless Area." He then is surprised upon Byakuya taking the risk of allowing his blades to enter the area. Tsukishima is forced to dodge as Byakuya remarks that the "Hurtless Area" is not a weakness since Tsukishima knowing of the area merely means that he will know where exactly the Fullbringer will attack. He states that if he allows blades to enter the "Hurtless Area", he still can easily kill Tsukishima. Tsukishima is slightly confused, seeing as he does not remember training that move with Byakuya. Byakuya reveals that he "trained" it by thinking of it on the spot.

Tsukishima mockingly smirks and asks if Byakuya really thinks that something like that can hurt him. He moves in to attack and applauds Byakuya's ingenuity and improved speed with his Bankai. He notes that the faster the blades get, the more that bringing them into the "Hurtless Area" becomes suicidal. Tsukishima quickly exploits the Bankai's speed by moving close enough to let the blades strike Byakuya's arm, greatly injuring it. Tsukishima comments on how the "Hurtless Area" is simply the area that Byakuya can safely react and direct any missed attack. Thus, dodging his own attack becomes impossible due to having so little time to adjust if Byakuya brings the blades in to the "Hurtless Area" on top of making them faster. Tsukishima confidently states that Byakuya cannot win, no matter what he does. Byakuya then raises his injured arm. Tsukishima believes it to a desperate attempt to use Kidō, citing that he knows all the specific counters to them. He implores Byakuya to try it right as Byakuya strikes fast. Byakuya impales Tsukishima through his chest with a multitude of tiny blades. Tsukishima looks on in complete horror at the fact that he had been tricked. It is then revealed that Byakuya intentionally let his arm be struck so he could discreetly grab some of his blades to launch at Tsukishima. Tsukishima admits to being surprised by Byakuya's new tactic before collapsing. Byakuya thanks Tsukishima for a joyful battle as he had thought before that battle was something to prepare for, but now understands the thrill of battling without being prepared.

Aftermath
As the gravely wounded Tsukishima lies on the ground with his eyes closed, he continues to feed the effect that his Fullbring has on Byakuya. He "reminds" Byakuya of his debts, questioning if he is pained after leaving the Fullbringer to die. While Byakuya admits to this as well as his gratitude, he also notes that Tsukishima is an enemy of Ichigo Kurosaki and states to have no qualms striking down Tsukishima on that reasoning. In response, Tsukishima opens his eyes and clenches one of his fists.