Shūhei Hisagi vs. Kazeshini

 is a fight which takes place during the Zanpakutō Rebellion between 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi and his Zanpakutō Spirit, Kazeshini.

Prelude
Meanwhile, two Shinigami report to 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi. As one of them says North Block 12 has been checked and there is nothing to report, the other Shinigami states they did not find anything in South Block 75. Wondering how the Zanpakutō spirits could disappear without a trace of Reiatsu, the Shinigami says it does not make any sense and wonders where they could be hiding, prompting the other Shinigami to turn to him.

As the Shinigami states they have to be hiding somewhere because they are not made of mist or smoke, Hisagi says they may have disappeared. When one of the confused Shinigami asks what he means, Hisagi states they may have changed after originating as Zanpakutō, so they may not be in their manifested state anymore. When the other Shinigami asks how they will be able to find them if this is true, Hisagi tells him to not sound so hopeless and proclaims their existence as Shinigami is on the line.

As a flag flutters in the wind, Hisagi says they must capture them at all costs. As the Shinigami agree, Hisagi notices the flag fluttering more violently and notes the Zanpakutō spirits are coming to them. As a black tornado appears in the corridor, the two Shinigami are cut down in front of Hisagi as the tornado moves away. Telling it to come back here, Hisagi states it has a sharp blade and says this kind of speed and sharpness is not common.

Stating the swordsmanship does not look like any stranger's, Hisagi says it seems far too familiar. As the wind around the tornado intensifies, the tornado begins to transform into the kusarigama-wielding man, who chuckles. When Hisagi recognizes him as Kazeshini, he states Hisagi finally figured it out.

Battle
Later, Kazeshini hurtles towards Hisagi, who dodges. When the other kusarigama of Kazeshini flies towards him, Hisagi moves away with Shunpo to avoid it. Seeing this, Kazeshini moves away and follows him. Running across a rooftop, Hisagi notices a cut on his cheek and notes Kazeshini is very quick with his blade. Moving past him, Kazeshini throws his kusarigama at Hisagi, who leaps out of the way to avoid them. Curving around, the kusarigama appear under Hisagi and fly up at him. Pushing himself out of the way to avoid them, Hisagi lands on the ground and pants as Kazeshini chuckles and appears before Hisagi in his black tornado form.

Noting this is all it took to graze Hisagi, Kazeshini reverts to his humanoid form and states it seems Hisagi is not very strong without him. Saying he could say the same, Hisagi states his strength fuels Kazeshini's power. Proclaiming this is a convenient delusion which Hisagi keeps telling himself, Kazeshini says Hisagi does not know what his true desire is. When Hisagi asks Kazeshini what his reason for wanting to separate is, Kazeshini states he was inspired when he heard the voice.

As Kazeshini says the voice told him to listen to his instinct, Hisagi asks him what voice he is referring to. Stating he would not expect Hisagi to understand it, Kazeshini says Hisagi does not understand him at all. Raising his kusarigama, he states Hisagi does not understand what his blade truly wants either. When Hisagi asks what he means by this, Kazeshini says he knows Hisagi does not like his Shikai and asks if he has noticed its shape.

Holding his kusarigama in front of his face, he states Hisagi should look very carefully and says it looks like it was made for reaping lives, prompting Hisagi to express shock. Later, Hisagi runs through a forest as Kazeshini laughs. As Kazeshini proclaims the only defense left for Hisagi is running away, one of his kusarigama hurtles past a tree towards Hisagi.

Jumping to avoid it, Hisagi moves to a tree limb with Shunpo and notes Kazeshini is anticipating almost every move he makes. As Kazeshini asks him if he believes it is wise to rest in an area which is open for attack, another kusarigama cuts through the tree limb as Hisagi leaps away. When his arm is cut in midair, Hisagi expresses surprise. Landing on the ground, he proclaims Kazeshini is a dirty fighter for hiding and attacking him from the shadows.

Asking what is wrong with fighting dirty, Kazeshini proclaims it does not matter in a life-or-death situation. When Hisagi states he prefers to look his opponents in the eye, Kazeshini proclaims he is a Zanpakutō whose sole aim is to harvest as many lives as possible, so he does not care how Hisagi fights.

Saying he believed he and Kazeshini had a mutual understanding, Hisagi states they formed a relationship through communication and became a synergistic unit. When a kusarigama smashes through a tree behind him, Hisagi turns and blocks the blade as the other kusarigama smashes through a tree next to him and cuts his back. Crying out in pain, Hisagi gets up as Kazeshini proclaims he exists to reap lives, which was the only thing he was responsible for in their relationship.

Asking if this is so, Hisagi says Kazeshini leaves him no choice. Stating he is willing to kill Kazeshini even if he loses his Zanpakutō because of it, Hisagi says he has realized he does not like him. Standing up behind him, Kazeshini states this is fine with him. As Kazeshini says he feels the same way, Hisagi turns in surprise as Kazeshini's kusarigama moves towards his face.

Slashed by Kazeshini, Hisagi moves away with Shunpo as Kazeshini attacks him once more. As Kazeshini licks his lips, Hisagi appears behind him before collapsing. Noting Hisagi used Shunpo to avoid a direct hit, Kazeshini proclaims he is an idiot for doing so. Walking over to him, Kazeshini states Hisagi would not be in pain if he died and says it is all the same to him because it is over.

As Hisagi raises his head, Kazeshini laughs maniacally and raises his kusarigama over his head before attacking, only to be blocked by 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira. Leaping back, Kazeshini demands to know who Izuru is, prompting Izuru to note Kazeshini was trying to kill his own master. As Izuru states he did not think anyone could have such bad taste, Hisagi calls out to him.

Clutching his abdomen, Hisagi asks Izuru what they will do now. Telling Hisagi to stay still and not talk too much, Izuru states his injuries look very bad. Standing up, Hisagi says this will not happen and states he cannot sit here and let Izuru take care of his problem, prompting Izuru to say he would not have planned it this way either.

Stating it is far worse to allow a lieutenant to die before they find a way to resolve this problem, Izuru assumes a battle stance. Saying he is not here only to help Hisagi, Izuru states they must put down the Zanpakutō rebellion at any cost. Leaning against a tree, Hisagi slides down and calls out to Izuru before falling unconscious. Asking Izuru if he is another idiot to kill, Kazeshini raises his kusarigama and says it is fine by him, for he does not care which of them wishes to die first.

Stating his desire is to reap as many lives as possible, Kazeshini licks the blade of his kusarigama. When Izuru sarcastically says Kazeshini is aiming very high, Kazeshini states he might as well take full advantage of his freedom. As Izuru expresses surprise at something, Kazeshini laughs and fires a dark shockwave at Izuru, who destroys it. As Izuru destroys another one, a third, larger shockwave hits his blade. Momentarily struggling with it, Izuru destroys it as well.

As Kazeshini laughs maniacally, one of his kusarigama hurtles toward Izuru. Deflecting it, Izuru deflects the other kusarigama before ducking to avoid a kusarigama flying overhead. Moving back to dodge another one, Izuru deflects another kusarigama. When a kusarigama moves towards him from behind, Izuru leaps onto a nearby tree branch. Laughing, Kazeshini proclaims Izuru is too slow. As Izuru turns around, Kazeshini appears in the air behind him.

Aftermath
Saying he is waiting on Kazeshini, who expresses surprise, Izuru uses '''Bakudō #37. Tsuriboshi'''. As six white Reishi ropes attach themselves to nearby trees, Kazeshini hits the cushion-like center of the Bakudō. Moving to Hisagi with Shunpo, Izuru puts Hisagi's arm over his shoulders and lifts him up. As Kazeshini demands to know what this is, Izuru moves away with Shunpo.