Ichigo Kurosaki & Rukia Kuchiki vs. Reigai-Ikkaku Madarame & Reigai-Renji Abarai

Ichigo Kurosaki & Rukia Kuchiki vs. Reigai-Ikkaku Madarame & Reigai-Renji Abarai is a fight taking place in the Reigai Uprising. It focuses upon the conflict between the two factions, shortly after Seireitei is put on alert following Ichigo's escape from prison.

Prologue
In Soul Society, Ichigo Kurosaki sits despondently inside his prison cell. He wonders what is provoking everyone to act that way, speculating whether they were brainwashed. However, Ichigo refutes that they could ever get brainwashed, as Rukia Kuchiki calls out silently to him. He is alerted to the sound of her voice, noticing Rukia crawling upon the floor, carrying Zangetsu on her back. She places her hands upon the bars, as Ichigo is surprised at her presence.

Meanwhile, Captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake confer about Ichigo's involvement in this incident, expressing their doubts. Kyōraku brings up the topic of the Substitute Shinigami Badge taken as evidence within the Dangai. Ukitake states that he has no doubt that it was the one he gave to Ichigo, as he explains that no-one else would have such a badge. As Kyōraku attempts to speak again, alarm bells ring out through the Seireitei, as Ukitake wonders what is going on. A Shinigami approaches him, explaining that Ichigo has escaped from his confinement cell.

As Ichigo and Rukia run across a rooftop under the cover of night, he asks her why he has to flee. Rukia explains that they will escape from Seireitei by exiting through the Hakuto Gate, as they crouch behind a semi-destroyed wall. Ichigo whispers to her, stating that the Shinigami will understand once he explains what occurred. He asks her whether their actions are just, to which Rukia states that the situation calls for it. She asks him whether he has sensed anything abnormal, as Ichigo wonders exactly why he was placed under arrest. Rukia states that she doesn't know, explaining the current situation to him.

Several Shinigami run past their location, as they hide from them. Ichigo notices the presence of Lieutenant Renji Abarai and 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame, who prevent them from leaving. Reigai-Renji Abarai tells him to return back to his cell, as Ichigo realizes that they too have turned against him. Reigai-Ikkaku interjects, stating they have no need to kill him, so long as he complies with their orders. However, Reigai-Renji states that it is not likely that they will leave without fighting. Rukia questions why Ichigo is a subject, as Renji reveals that Captain Byakuya Kuchiki's task force discovered his Substitute Shinigami Badge in the Dangai.

Ichigo remembers that he lost his Substitute Badge whilst in transit to Soul Society, explaining the circumstances of its loss. Reigai-Ikkaku explains that his Substitute Badge was found several days ago, coinciding with the moment that Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi and his survey team disappeared. Ichigo is confused at their accusations, stating that they only entered Soul Society one day ago. He asks the Reigai whether they are holding him responsible for Kurotsuchi's disappearance, stating that although he is many things, he is not a magician. However, Rukia interrupts him, stating that she is beginning to understand the incident.

Rukia explains that the reason in which his Substitute Badge was presented as evidence even before they left for Soul Society is still in the dark. However, she states that whoever had the goal of framing him for the captains' disappearances is certainly responsible for the current incident. Reigai-Renji interrupts, explaining that they are not doing this by choice. However, Reigai-Ikkaku states that he doesn't mind, so long as their resistance means that they can fight each other again.

Battle
A wicked smile appears upon his face, as the two Reigai grasp their weapons. Reigai-Ikkaku tells him that, before he completely loses his Reiryoku, they should have one last fight. He brings his katana and its sheath together, releasing his Zanpakutō, Hōzukimaru. Reigai-Renji follows suit, as Ichigo and Rukia are forced to draw their swords against their friends. Ikkaku lunges into the air, bringing his spear crashing down upon Ichigo. He deflects Ikkaku's strike, sparks flying from the contact. Rukia and Renji lock blades, as she asks him why they are fighting.

She asks him whether he truly believes Ichigo is responsible for the incident, but Renji states that he doesn't, and that he is doing this not because he wants to. Reigai-Renji applies more force to his blows, forcing Rukia's blade to inch closer towards the ground. Rukia wonders when he became this powerful, as Renji taunts her, stating that the only way for her to stop him is to fight him. He forces his Zabimaru out from under Rukia's sword, knocking her away with his next attack. Ichigo calls out to her, telling Renji to stop, as Ikkaku uses this momentary diversion to attack him.

However, Ichigo intercepts his movements, locking tightly his arm around Ikkaku. Ichigo tries to persuade Reigai-Ikkaku that he has no reason to fight him, who he simply states that he doesn't need a good reason to fight someone as strong as him. He hurls Ichigo across the ground, as Rukia calls out in concern for him. Reigai-Renji raises his Zanpakutō to her, stating that he cannot guarantee her life's safety if she does not fight back. Rukia realizes that those are not empty threats, and that he is dead serious. Ichigo implores Renji, asking what on earth has happened to him.

He ponders the possibility that they truly are under someone else's control, as unnatural smiles stretch across their faces. The Reigai refuse to back down, as Ichigo states that he has no choice, and releases his Bankai. This causes a tumultuous cloud of wind to kick up, and as it dissipates, Reigai-Ikkaku realizes that Ichigo has finally started to take the fight seriously. Ichigo clutches his forehead in pain, realizing that he has exerted too much reiatsu on one day. Ikkaku smirks, but before he can attack Ichigo, both he and Renji are sealed away with a Bakudō #73 Tozanshō, utilized by Yoruichi Shihōin.

Aftermath
Ichigo and Rukia are surprised by this, as Yoruichi tells the two of them to follow her. They regroup at a small cave, whereupon Ichigo thanks Yoruichi for her assistance. She explains that they cannot remain here for long, as Ichigo agrees. He comments that something was definitely wrong with the two of them, as Rukia agrees, stating that Renji's glare looked as if he was serious about killing them. Yoruichi explains that that cannot be helped, revealing that the Renji and Ikkaku they faced were not the original Shinigami.

Both Ichigo and Rukia are surprised at this, prompting Yoruichi to wonder how they could not notice whilst fighting them. He states that their reiatsu was exactly the same as always, with Rukia agreeing to this observation. Rukia states that their power levels seem to be much higher than she previously thought, as Yoruichi states that they were very well made. She explains that there is a similar invention to allow Mod Souls to maintain a physical form within Soul Society, known as a Reigai, outlining the physiology of the faux bodies.

Yoruichi states that they can contain the exact memories and personality as the originals and that she is not aware of the number of Reigai that have infiltrated the Gotei 13. Rukia wonders why the Reigai are necessary, considering that the Konpaku serves as the vessel in Soul Society. However, Yoruichi explains that the Reigai are invaluable for the development of Soul Candy, and that it is highly likely that a member of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute is behind the current incident.

Rukia notices that Ichigo has left the underground cave, as Yoruichi speculates that he is heading over to the 12th Division's barracks. She tells Rukia to go after Ichigo, stating that she will deal with the Reigai searching for them. Rukia appears in Ichigo's path, demanding where he is going. Ichigo states that he is heading over to the 12th Division, prompting Rukia to berate him for thinking ahead without a plan. She formulates a plan, stating that they will infiltrate the S.R.D.I., and gather as much information they can.

Ichigo agrees, as they overhear several Shinigami scouring Seireitei for them. At the entrance to the Institute, Rukia and Ichigo sneak past the main entrance, appearing before Hiyosu's office. Rukia repeatedly pounds upon his door, alerting the attention of Hiyosu. As he walks towards the door, Hiyosu asks them what they want, peeking through a slit in the door. Hiyosu is surprised, and walks out into the corridor, whereupon he is struck by Rukia's Kidō spell. She apologizes to him, as Ichigo wonders if that was necessary, prompting Rukia to state that none of that matters now.

The two of them run over to Hiyosu's computer, as Ichigo asks what their next move is. Rukia sits on the computer, stating that they need to search the Dangai traffic records, and that doing so may shed some light on what is going on. On the central screen, a multitude of images of them flicker across the screen, as well as the Shinigami task force which entered the Dangai. As Rukia scrolls through the images, Ichigo tells her to move back a couple of images, which she complies. As she does so, Ichigo notices a picture of Nozomi Kujō, whom they recognize from Ichigo's room.

A small alarm blares out, as Rukia reads the note accompanying the picture, which outlines that Nozomi is a fugitive from Soul Society, who took refuge in the Human World's Karakura Town. As the message proceeds, Rukia is surprised that the message states that Shinigami are authorized to eliminate her if she does not comply with their demands.