Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Renji Abarai: Rematch

 is a fight taking place during the Ryoka Invasion between Ichigo Kurosaki and 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai, revolving around Ichigo's rescue attempt of Rukia Kuchiki and acting as their second and final match, the outcome of which drastically changes the course of the invasion.

Prelude
Having revealed that he knows who and where Rukia Kuchiki is, 4th Division 7th Seat Hanatarō Yamada guides Ichigo Kurosaki and Ganju Shiba through a massive network of canals located underneath the Seireitei as Ichigo admits that he never would have guessed such a thing was down here. As Hanatarō explains how the canals span the entirety of the Seireitei and allow those who enter the network to go anywhere they want to unimpeded, Ganju questions if the other Shinigami do not know where the entrance to the canals is since they simply lifted a flagstone to enter.

After confirming, Hanatarō states that he does not think they will be caught because only the Fourth Division knows the network well due to specializing in supplies and relief, leading Ganju to assume that this is a supply route and only the supply unit knows the layout. However, an embarrassed Hanatarō clarifies that the Fourth Division is simply in charge of cleaning it because they get assigned a lot of menial tasks due to not being very strong, and while Ganju observes that the Fourth Division is somewhat pathetic, Ichigo asks Hanatarō why he is helping them. Though Ichigo inquires if he is leading them without asking any questions because they want to go to Senzaikyū, Hanatarō reveals that he has heard a lot about Ichigo from Rukia and knows him well before expressing his desire for Ichigo to save Rukia.

Shortly afterward, as he sits with Ichigo and Ganju in an alcove along one of the passageways, Hanatarō explains how Rukia was held in the Sixth Division's prison ward before she was transferred to Senzaikyū, where he was assigned cleaning duties, and admits that he was initially afraid of Rukia because she was an aristocrat, only to be relieved when she kindly asked him to call her Rukia after he first referred to her as Miss Kuchiki instead. As he notes that he could not wait to clean her cell each day from that point on, Hanatarō recounts how Rukia told him lots of things, many of which were about Ichigo, and relays her observation of feeling able to trust Ichigo completely.

Hanatarō recalls how Rukia claimed Ichigo's fate had been twisted because of her, which left her thinking she had hurt him terribly and could never make up for what she had done to him, and always looked sad when she spoke of this. Stunned by this, Ganju expresses confusion at Rukia being such a strange Shinigami, and as he affirms this, Ichigo declares that this is why he came here to save her and begins briskly walking away, prompting Hanatarō to wonder if he said something wrong while Ganju states that he does not know. While he continues to walk ahead of them, Ichigo thinks about Rukia's trust in him and guilt over what happened to him before proclaiming that he will not let her die because he is the one who owes her.

Meanwhile, at a lieutenants meeting, 4th Division 7th Seat Yasochika Iemura stands before 10th Division Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, 3rd Division Lieutenant Izuru Kira, 5th Division Lieutenant Momo Hinamori, 6th Division Lieutenant Renji Abarai, 9th Division Lieutenant Shūhei Hisagi, and 7th Division Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba as he reports the defeat of 11th Division 3rd Seat Ikkaku Madarame and 5th Seat Yumichika Ayasegawa in battle. Upon learning that the Eleventh Division has been nearly wiped out, a stunned Hisagi wonders how the Ryoka could inflict so much damage so quickly while Renji internally expresses shock.

With Iemura detailing how they have confirmed three Ryoka so far and revealing that two of them are advancing in this direction with a member of his division taken hostage, Iba notes that he has not heard from 7th Division 4th Seat Jirōbō Ikkanzaka for a considerable period of time and requests that they search in the area of twenty west for him before affirming Rangiku's identification of him, prompting Hisagi to express astonishment at the Ryoka defeating Jidanbō Ikkanzaka's little brother as well. However, when she nervously turns to Renji in search of solidarity over how strange these events are, Hinamori discovers that he has left through a nearby window.

Outside the steps leading up to Senzaikyū, Hanatarō lifts up a flagstone-covered hatch and looks around before telling Ichigo and Ganju that it is safe for them to come up. While Ichigo and Ganju climb onto the stones outside and express relief at being able to breathe fresh air again, Hanatarō explains that the canals do not go all the way to the base of Senzaikyū and that this is the closest exit as he directs Ichigo's attention to Senzaikyū itself, where he observes Rukia is located. Suddenly, as Ganju admits that it looks forbidding and likely means that their journey will only get tougher from here on out, Ichigo grows serious and steps in front of Ganju, who questions what is wrong. Holding a hand out in front of Ganju to keep him back, Ichigo informs him and Hanatarō that someone is on the steps leading up to Senzaikyū as the mist in front of them clears to reveal Renji, who pushes up his visor and inquires if Ichigo remembers him as Ichigo identifies him.

As he descends the steps, Renji praises Ichigo for remembering his name, and when an unnerved Ganju wonders who Renji is due to his strong Reiatsu, a shaking and sweating Hanatarō identifies him. Admitting his surprise at Ichigo surviving what he believed was a fatal attack from his captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, Renji compliments his tenacity and unsheathes his Zanpakutō while asserting that it ends here because he promised to kill the one who took Rukia's powers and she cannot get them back as long as Ichigo lives. However, Ichigo merely points out that Renji was willing to kill Rukia just to bring her back here and draws his Shikai, Zangetsu, before telling Renji that he will either let him pass or be forced to kill Ichigo while running forward.

Battle
With Renji claiming that they will let strength decide, he and Ichigo clash in a shockwave of force. Pushed back by the force of their clash, Ichigo and Renji press forward and cross blades once more, resulting in another shockwave emanating outward from them before Ichigo manages to push Renji back up against the wall next to the steps through brute force. While continuing to hold back Ichigo, Renji inquires how he plans to save Rukia, and when Ichigo expresses confusion at this, Renji details how there are eleven more lieutenants and thirteen captains to deal with even if Ichigo defeats him here, all of whom Ichigo will have to defeat in order to save Rukia. When Renji asks him if he really believes that he can do this, Ichigo proclaims that he has to and pushes Renji's Zanpakutō back further while declaring that he will crush anyone and everyone who gets in his way.

Questioning where this bravado comes from, Renji tells Ichigo to not delude himself just because he escaped death a few times and berates him for thinking that his Zanpakutō changing made him stronger before sending Ichigo flying backward into the air with a slash from his Zanpakutō. With Ichigo shocked by this, Renji releases his Shikai, Zabimaru, and sends it toward Ichigo, who blocks its end segment with the broad side of Zangetsu as he lands on the ground, only to find himself unable to stop it as Zabimaru continues to extend and smashes Ichigo into a building next to Hanatarō. As Ganju and Hanatarō express concern for Ichigo, Renji retracts Zabimaru and theorizes that Ichigo thought he knew Renji's power because they fought before.

Renji approaches the hole he left Ichigo in and reveals that Shinigami of lieutenant rank or higher have their power suppressed when they go to the Human World in order to avoid harming the Humans nearby before declaring that he is five times stronger than he was during their previous battle, which leads him to believe that Ichigo cannot defeat him no matter how much stronger he has gotten. Despite this, Ichigo merely that this is Renji's real strength and asserts that it is not enough before emerging from the hole in the building with a bleeding head wound, and with Ichigo claiming that he might just have a chance if all the lieutenants are at this level of power, Renji calls him a fool.

As he mentally notes that he is dizzy due to a combination of how powerful Renji's last attack was and him losing too much blood against Ikkaku, Ichigo orders his body to stop swaying while Renji observes that he can barely stand despite his confident speech. After leaping into the air, Renji slams Zabimaru down onto Ichigo, slicing through the length of the building behind him while he declares that he is finishing this. Having blocked the brunt of Renji's blow with Zangetsu, Ichigo leaps into the air with a new wound on his left shoulder and jumps onto the roof of the building next to the one Renji just slashed through, prompting Renji to slice diagonally through the roof of that building and the corner of the roof next to it as Ichigo runs along it.

With Renji jumping onto the roof behind him, Ichigo turns around and clashes with him once more, resulting in an explosion of force. After struggling further, Renji slams Zabimaru into Ichigo, who blocks with Zabimaru and is sent crashing backward into a wall. A panting Renji sees Ichigo pushing himself to his feet by using Zangetsu as a crutch and admits that he is tough before questioning if he really wants to save Rukia, only for Ichigo to clarify that he is going to save her. Angered by this, Renji brings Zabimaru down on Ichigo once more, slicing into his right shoulder, and demands that he be silent because his theft of Rukia's powers is why she was condemned to begin with. As he continues to attack Ichigo, Renji berates him for having the audacity to show his face in Soul Society and say that he is going to save Rukia even though she is going to die because of him.

However, Ichigo merely informs Renji that he knows Rukia is going to die because of him before proclaiming that this is why he is going to save her as he pushes the segments of Zabimaru away. After retracting Zabimaru, Renji angrily extends it toward Ichigo once more as the latter mentally notes that Renji can only perform three consecutive attacks with it. Ichigo recalls Kisuke Urahara explaining how the number of consecutive attacks one can perform is always pre-determined, and as he observes how Renji can swing Zabimaru once in its normal state and strike two more times while it is extended for a total of three attacks before being forced to retract it after the third attack, Ichigo remembers Urahara instructing him to determine the maximum number of attacks because a desperate opponent will always strike the maximum number of times, which will allow him to attack while the opponent is vulnerable and defenseless between the end of the first series of attacks and the start of the second. Dodging Renji's first two strikes, Ichigo blocks the third with Zangetsu and rushes toward a surprised Renji while the latter is still retracting Zabimaru. However, as Ichigo declares that it is over, Renji dodges his subsequent slash with Shunpo, leaving Ichigo stunned, and reiterates his assertion that Ichigo has no chance of beating him before slashing Ichigo across the chest with Zabimaru.

As blood spurts from his wound, Ichigo collapses against a broken wall and wonders how Renji dodged his last attack. Assuming that Ichigo is wondering how he evaded this attack, Renji commends Ichigo as having a good plan to strike between consecutive attacks and perfect timing before asserting that Ichigo was unable to kill him because he is too slow. After declaring that he is simply and brutally far out of Ichigo's league, Renji raises Zabimaru above his head and proclaims that Ichigo cannot save Rukia because he is already dead as he brings Zabimaru down onto him in a powerful strike. Suddenly, having recalled his training with Urahara to gain the resolve to kill and use his powerful technique at will, Ichigo catches the end segment of Zabimaru with his bare hand, shocking Renji, and apologizes for keeping Renji waiting before revealing that he has resolved to kill Renji. Leaping backwards, a stunned Renji wonders how Ichigo recovered like this. Upon seeing Ichigo raising Zangetsu above his head with his Reiatsu surging, Renji attempts to slash at him, only to find Zabimaru shattered by Ichigo's subsequent Getsuga Tenshō. With his visor broken and his hairband destroyed, causing his hair to flair out around him, Renji is cut down the length of his chest.

Aftermath
Renji wonders how Ichigo got him and mentally admits that he has been defeated as he stares at Ichigo, who stands several feet away while also bleeding. As he realizes that his arms and legs will not move, Renji questions how he could have lost like this and screams in anguish while recalling his past with Rukia, where he befriended her as a child and attended the Shin'ō Academy, only to let her go when she was adopted by the Kuchiki Clan. Beginning to stagger forward, Renji continues to bleed as he admits that he may have simply been afraid at the time. After asserting that he will always be a stray dog and cursing his own lack of courage, Renji reaches Ichigo and grabs him by the collar while explaining that he has never been strong enough to beat Byakuya even after training every day since Rukia left. Declaring that he is not strong enough to save Rukia, Renji begs Ichigo to save her in his stead, leading Ichigo to somberly promise that he will.

After Renji collapses, Ichigo stares down at Renji solemnly before collapsing as well, prompting Ganju to call out to him in concern while running to Ichigo's side alongside Hanatarō. As Ganju frantically asks Ichigo if he is okay, Hanatarō mentally expresses amazement at Ichigo defeating a lieutenant and wonders who exactly he is. Suddenly, Hanatarō notices multiple Shinigami approaching and relays this to Ganju, who hoists Ichigo over his shoulder and declares that they do not need company right now before instructing Hanatarō to take them somewhere quiet. Shortly afterward, Izuru arrives alongside three subordinates, all of whom are shocked by Renji's condition.

While two of the other Shinigami rush over to Renji's side, Izuru expresses disbelief at Renji having been defeated and watches the two Shinigami pick up Renji so they can move him elsewhere. Upon being asked by the third Shinigami if they should chase after the ones who defeated Renji because they seem to have fled, Izuru denies this because saving Renji is their top priority at the moment. Meanwhile, in the canal network underneath the Seireitei, Ganju waits outside a doorway leading to a room within one of the walls.

With an unconscious Ichigo lying on the ground within the room, Ganju expresses surprise at Hanatarō having healing powers because he was under the impression that the Fourth Division uses medicine, prompting Hanatarō to explain that Shinigami of the Fourth Division can uniquely use their Reiryoku for healing while the other Shinigami can use it solely for combat, which he notes is basically their only power. When Ganju inquires how bad Ichigo's condition is, Hanatarō admits that it is bad, but asserts that he will be able to fully heal Ichigo in one night.

Elsewhere, Hinamori is left horrified by an unconscious Renji's condition as she stands over him with Izuru inside a small waiting room. Though Izuru apologizes for Renji's injuries likely resulting from him not reaching Renji sooner and being unable to help, Hinamori assures him that it is not his fault. However, as Izuru promises to contact the Fourth Division and have them send a high-level healing unit to tend to Renji, Byakuya appears behind Hinamori and states that this will not be necessary before coldly ordering them to throw Renji into a cell. A stunned Hinamori attempts to point out how Renji valiantly fought the Ryoka by himself, only for Byakuya to dismiss this on the grounds of Renji not being allowed to lose after choosing to fight alone like this.

With Byakuya claiming that they do not have any need for beaten fools and reiterating his command for them to take Renji away while preparing to depart, an angered Hinamori protests how he is speaking of his lieutenant, leading Izuru to frantically tell her to shut up. As Byakuya looks back at them from the other doorway, Izuru bows and apologizes, with Hinamori reluctantly following suit while Byakuya walks away. Suddenly, 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru comments on how scary Byakuya is, surprising Hinamori, and as Izuru addresses him, Gin observes that Byakuya is always like this before assuring the two of them to not worry because he will contact the Fourth Division. When Gin tells Izuru to come with him and walks away, Izuru complies, leaving Hinamori with Renji.

Later, in the captains' assembly hall in the First Division barracks, Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stands before the assembled captains, with 10th Division Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya absent, and proclaims that the situation is dire because they have lost a lieutenant of the Gotei 13, making this a matter for their best people. After noting that he will overlook Gin's earlier actions, to the latter's gratitude, Yamamoto details how he is permitting all high-ranking Shinigami, including lieutenants, to be armed with their Zanpakutō and use full wartime powers within the Seireitei before sternly concluding that they will declare all-out war on the Ryoka.

Some time later, upon regaining consciousness, Ichigo is greeted by Hanatarō, who instructs him to not move because his wounds have not closed yet while treating his injuries. Recalling how he fought Renji, Ichigo suddenly sits up, and despite Hanatarō's protests over him moving, Ichigo asserts that he is alright and that he has to go. However, when Ichigo attempts to walk out the nearby doorway, Ganju punches him in the face, knocking him out and sending him crashing to the ground. Ganju observes that Ichigo is not alright if he can be knocked out by Ganju so easily and orders him to sleep until his wounds heal. Dragging Ichigo back, Hanatarō bemoans the addition of another wound and tells Ganju that he is too rough, though Ganju questions what he was supposed to do and declares that he got the job done in stopping him. As he looks at the wound on Ichigo's chest, Hanatarō mentally notes that it is shallow despite extending from his shoulder to his chest and admits that he thought it would be fatal before looking over at a Hollow-like mask he found in Ichigo's pocket.

Concluding that the mask saved Ichigo from being killed by that attack, Hanatarō wonders what the mask could be made of to stop Renji's Zabimaru, why it looks like the mask of a Hollow, and what Ichigo could be doing with it. Meanwhile, in a cell, a 4th Division Shinigami finishes his treatment of an unconscious Renji for the day and leaves him lying chained to his bed and handcuffed.