(Kumoi's hidden base)
Kumoi finished the work that Rurichiyo's takeover of the clan gave him. She wanted a full list of who did what jobs and if they were satisfied with them, ideas on how to improve life and working conditions around the Kasumioji house, dating possibilities for herself and her fiance Shu Kannogi, stopping Ichigo from traumatizing the boy after hearing about the arranged marriage, she was taking her future role responsibly and everything he was building towards was collapsing around him. He didn't need her to take her role seriously, he needed her to let him have control of the clan. Now he finally had the chance to plan his next move and he found his base in ruins. The smiths and researchers were dead, the guards were dead, the Bakkoto were destroyed, and there were no signs of anyone left.
"What... what is this?" He gasped in shock, seeing his base of operations in such a state. "What is going on!?"
"Righteous Vengeance." He heard a familiar voice say. He turned to see Shusuke Amagai with his blade dripping with blood, Ichigo Kurosaki scowling at him, and Rurichiyo glaring at him with disdain. "Gyokaku Kumoi, you've been found guilty of conspiring against Soul Society and for crimes against the Kasumioji clan." Amagai said, ready to continue his last mission of revenge. Kumoi stepped back in fear before Enryu and Kenryu appeared behind him to hold him down.
"You've overstepped your station Kumoi." Rurichiyo said with disdain. "You said you could keep the Kasumioji clan stable and productive. You betrayed that trust and the family is taking quite the amount of damage to our reputation and standing among the nobility." Kumoi glared the the brat the he blamed for ruining everything.
"You selfish little bi-" He was about to continue before Enryu came close to breaking Kumoi's arm.
"I have to go now." Rurichiyo said, turning with Ichigo following in tow. "I have to repair all the damage you've done to the clan. Lieutenant Amagai, finish your mission." Shusuke stood in front of the man responsible for his father's death, for years of anger and hate, and raised his sword.
"Why are you doing this!?" Kumoi demanded, ignoring the pain the two attendants gave as they twisted his arms. "I've done as you asked! You assured me everything would work out!"
"I was always going to kill you Kumoi." Amagai admitted, staring coldly as the old man's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "Everything I've done was so I could avenge my father's death. I only sided with you because I believed Yamamoto was conspiring with you, until he revealed the truth." Kumoi was consumed with despair as tears fell from his eyes. "You were just a means to an end." He said, just before bringing down his sword.
(Las Noches: Aizen's study)
Aizen watched the latest feed from his spy drones in Karakura town. Nothing on Ichigo in particular, but plenty on his allies. The Fullbringers attained a higher level in their abilities, Tatsuki was growing stronger, and Uryu definitely showed potential to his claim. Between them, the Bakkoto wielders dropped like ants to a giant. Something that did little to surprise him.
"Only the weak would consider sacrificing their lives for power like that." He said as he watched the last of the Bakkoto assassins fall before rewatching the entire battle, the slaughter, that reminded him that Karakura Town was now protected. He had a plan to get the main fighters away, but he needed the perfect chance to enact it, when the squad was truly occupied. Soon, Tousen and Szayelapporo came into his study. "How are 'they' coming along?"
"The Espada ranks will have to be changed soon to accommodate the newest additions." Tousen told his master while the Arrancar scientist giggled madly.
"They are coming along splendidly." Szayel said in a flamboyant manner. "She's almost stabilized, and the boys are almost ready for their mission." He grinned proudly, expecting praise from his lord Aizen, but his master remained silent.
'How much stronger will that boy become?' Aizen wondered, watching the recording of Ichigo being informed of Orihime's disappearance and retrieving her within minutes. "Accelerate your progress, do whatever it takes to make 'him' stronger." The two bowed and left, leaving Aizen to wonder how the Espada ranks will change.
(With Uryu)
The aftermath of the battle was essentially clean up. Some assassins fled, almost like they were possessed, into the outskirts of Karakura town so someone needed to hunt them down and destroy them. The injured squad members became stabilized so Uryu volunteered to go out there himself, something about... therapeutic venting. He shot himself into the outlying forest where the assassins were last spotted. He was alone until he reached the woods, when the Sternritters came along.
"So, is this another ploy to try and get into our good graces?" Uryu asked as they traversed the treetops. "If you wanted to do that, you should've helped out when these assassins attacked."
"Maybe if we wanted to be suicidal, then we would've." Candice grumbled under her breath. The others heard it but chose to ignore her, in favor of the hunt. They situated themselves in a high tree branch and got set in each one of the cardinal direction, bows ready to snipe down the remaining assassins.
"We still don't trust Soul Society as a whole Ishida." Bazz-B said as the group found their prey and started shooting periodically. "And what you said during that fight with... Kurotsuchi?" Uryu nodded his head. "You're fight with him didn't exactly make you trustworthy among the Vandenreich."
"And mixed blood Quincy never had much respect or value among us either." Bambietta said, shooting an explosive arrow at the Bakkoto of an assassin. "Most of the Sternritter want to see Ichigo dead for being an 'abomination' among Quincy. His majesty was adamant however. 'We must bring this wayward child back to the light', he says."
"The entirety of the Vandenreich praise him for his love and mercy, becoming more and more devouted to his word." Bazz-B continued. "Probably would still work on us, except you got us thinking."
"Funny how that tends to ruin stuff." Uryu muttered under his breath.
"I've personally have had a bad habit of luring guys into my bedroom with the promise of sex, and then I kill them." Bambietta said, ignoring Uryu's comment but shocking him enough to actually miss his shot. Aimed for the nucleus of the weapon and removed the guy's head.
"I can vouch for that," Candice chimed in, "and always the cute ones."
"Point is, some of us kill each other, have lost families, but Yhwach did nothing for us." Bazz-B growled before calming down as he spoke. "So why are we still so loyal? Were we conditioned, do we have some small measure of gratitude to him we can't remember, are we being controlled by him through his blood in our veins? We don't know."
"Until we do get an answer, we'll be siding with you." Candice said, doing a dramatic hair flip. "No matter what." The Sternritters looked at Uryu and he tried to find any trace of deception. He gave them an approving nod, if only to keep his enemies close so he could watch them. The resumed killing the remaining assassins when Bambietta spoke up.
"By the way, is Ichigo single?"
"Married, actually, and his wife is willing to share if his harem is anything to go by." He said, without missing a beat. "If you're interested, you'll have to gain their approval." He shot down the last assassin and dispelled his bow before looking back at the shocked expressions of the other Quincy. "This was fun, goodbye."
(Captains Meeting: Amagai's trial)
"You stand accused, having admitted to this latest conspiracy in Soul Society, of treason, possession and use of illegal weapons, and threatening the whole of Soul Society by disrupting our war preparations against Aizen and Yhwach." Yamamoto said as he listed off the offenses Amagai committed in the past few days. Amagai was sitting in the seiza position in the center of the assembly. "Your crimes are quite severe, how do you plead?" Amagai himself looked up to the head captain, his own captain standing by the old man's side, and spoke with resolve and regret.
"I am guilty of all these crimes and more sir." He said, condeming himself to the gathering of military leaders in the Gotei. "I allowed myself to be consumed with my anger and thirst for revenge that I came to a false conclusion out of a need to justify my hate toward you sir. Never knowing the truth of the circumstances that led to my foolish actions. I understand the weight of my sins and will repent accordingly." He said, just before pulling out his Zanpakuto and prepared to plunge the blade through his body. His penitent suicide was stopped as Love punched his subordinate in the face once again. Amagai dropped his sword and was getting punched repeatedly and without mercy from the 'Fist of Love'.
"You think I'd be happy with you taking the easy way out?" Love growled as he punched his foolish lieutenant again and again until he could barely move. He dropped Amagai to the ground, letting him cough up blood and spit out some teeth as Aikawa had to lecture his idiot second. "You can kill yourself to avoid being captured by the enemy or when you sacrifice yourself to save your comrades, but not now. You're a member of the Gotei 15, meaning you do not have control of your own life. It belongs to us to use in service of keeping the peace and stability of Soul Society and the protection of the balance of souls. You will die when you fall in battle or when your actions are truly unforgivable." Love said as he returned to his position among the captains.
"As captain Aikawa has stated, taking your own life will hardly be penance enough for your actions." Yamamoto said as Amagai pushed himself up to look the old man in the eye, one of his was already swelling shut. "You've shown how much you regret your actions, and under normal circumstances you'd be allowed to take your life to restore your honor. However, your selfishness cannot be tolerated as we need as many strong soldiers as we can get. You will live, forever bearing the weight of your sins until you fall in battle." Tessai stepped forward and hoisted the man to his feet before tearing open his Shihakusho.
"Grit your teeth, this will hurt." He said, pointing with his middle and index fingers, both glowing with Kido. He lightly touched Amagai's chest and he screamed as if his heart was being torn from his chest. Tessai traced a pattern onto his body, every millimeter burning with an intense light as the kanji for 'traitor' was branded across his chest. The moment he finished, Amagai dropped and took a pained, shuddering breath as even that simple act caused pain. "You will remember your crimes and that brand is laced with a seal that will prevent you from killing yourself. This is your penance as a soldier." Amagai was unresponsive as two guards dragged him away to the division 4 barracks to recover, the need for soldiers supersedes the need of just punishment. As he was taken away, Urahara stepped forward.
"I think this was quite the eye opening experience." The eccentric scientist said, with no jovial tone in his voice. "We're investigating the Rukon districts and our own number, but the nobility might be a problem if left to their own devices."
"There are some that certainly have enough clout to be an issue if they try to rebel." Komamura said, thinking back to some of the stories Tousen told him about his friend.
"Then we crush it before the situation repeats itself." Yamamoto declared. "Captains Kuchiki, Soi Fon, Ukitake, and Kyoraku the four of you are to investigate the nobility for any signs of treason."
"Sir." The four captains responded as they got their orders.
(Kuchiki Elders meeting)
"Kumoi has failed us." One of the elders grumbled, bringing the disappointing news to his co-conspirators. "Even with our aid, he's methods proved to be weak."
"Bah! He was just the old caretaker of a mid ranked noble family, we should've known better." Another one said.
"We've kept the Kuchiki family and our traditions strong on our own strength. Why should we ever rely on others to do what we've done in the past."
"I believe the ones responsible for poisoning that Rukon rat Hisana are still around. We just need to direct them toward Rukia this time." The room was filled with silent agreement before the room itself seemed to shift as Byakuya revealed himself from a veil of light that kept him invisible, shocking the assembly of elders. "Byakuya! How, when?"
"Bakudo 26, Kyokko. He's been watching for a while. Haven't you?"
"Indeed." Byakuya admitted, before slowly pulling out his sword. "Head Captain Yamamoto gave a recent order, to investigate every noble house in Seireitei for any signs of treason. I started with my own and found this. The reveal that my wife died, not because of an illness, but because of poison. That they planned to repeat this with my sister, and that they partook in the Kasumioji conspiracy. I consign you all to death." He said, no emotions in his voice, his actions were smooth and cold, but there was a cold chill of hate and fear filling the room.
"You arrogant brat! We are the true masters of the Kuchiki clan! We've kept the family proud and strong while you broke the laws twice! You dare point your sword at us?!"
"As a member of the Kuchiki clan, no. That would be unthinkable." He said, bringing his sword in front of him and prepared to use his shikai. "But I am a captain of the Court Guard Squads before I am a Kuchiki. Scatter, Senbonzakura." His cherry blossom blades flew and attacked. An hour later, some attendants found their lord exiting the room of the elders and said one order. "Please clean that up." The sight inside was horrific for them.
(Squad 15 Barracks)
"Well, that was a way to spend the week." Isshin said as Ichigo, Orihime and himself returned to the barracks. "Conspiracies, assassinations, trials, I forgot how stiff things could go. I can't wait to get home." Then Lisa came by and whispered something into his ear, making release a sigh but it seemed happy. "But I still have something I need to do. Ichigo, you and your friends are on leave until further notice." He said before going into his office, as his friends and fellow seated officers of the squad came by. Most of them were fine, except Tatsuki had a bit of a limp and was wrapped in bandages.
"I personally do not know how to take that." Ichigo said, having spent most of his life training or studying. "Why are we taking a break anyway?"
"Probably because our recent displays of ability may dissuade Aizen for the foreseeable future." Uryu said before Hiyori stuck her head out.
"Urahara sent a spy drone into Hueco Mundo that even he and Yoruichi can't find unless he activates a fail safe that sends it right back to him. Said that the latest info was that Aizen wasn't ready for another assault yet." She went right back into her room, leaving the teens to their plans.
"Okay then." Ichigo said, facing his friends. "We have free time... what do we do?" Immediately Orihime and Tatsuki latched onto his arms.
"We get some much needed date time." Tatsuki said with a smirk while Orihime giggled.
"Yeah, that sounds good." Uryu conceded before pulling out his planner. "I should be spending more time with my girlfriend too. Nemu's getting irritated." He noticed everyone was looking at him. "What?"
"Didn't she kidnap you?" Chad felt like reminding him. "And try to have her way with you?"
"That was Mayuri's doing. We... kind of... hit it off." Uryu said, slightly embarrassed.
"Ignoring that she's artificial, good for you man." Ichigo said as the rest of them began to leave. "So, any ideas come to mind girls?" He asked before Isshin's office door opened.
"Thank you captain!" A happy go lucky voice called out that was familiar to the hybrid. "Don't worry, I remember what the LT taught me. I won't disappoint!" She said as Ichigo saw her. She had purple hair, tied in a ponytail by a red ribbon, and amber eyes. The moment their eyes met, her face exploded into a massive grin. "Ichigo! I came back!" She cheered as she glomped him.
"Senna!?" He asked in shock as his memories fully returned, as everyone who saw her had their memories restored. "Welcome back rookie." He said, patting her head and making her beam at him.
(Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers!)
Captains' Return: Urahara
"So Mayuri, you've likely been busy so I-" Urahara started as he was making his way back through his old barracks, most of the squad happy to see his return. He was making his first plans, which needed Mayuri, who was currently staring at Ichigo's severed arm and giggling madly. "Put that down before you go blind." He said, smacking the psychopath and gaining his attention. "Now, I need to get up to date. Show me everything the 12th has been up to since my exile." The former captain, now lieutenant, thought nothing of it and handed over the master password to Urahara.
(Five minutes later)
The SRDI was being consumed by raging flames as Shinigami ran about in a panic. The fire patrol and most of the other captains came by to see Mayuri gagged and limbless, a fuel canister next to Urahara, and the man himself with the most disgusted and horrified look on his face.
"Uh, Kisuke?" Kyoraku asked hesitantly. "What happened?" Urahara looked at him with a dead expression, scaring the old captain worse than Nanao without her glasses.
"You don't want to know."
Captains' Return: Isshin
"So yeah, I might have to close down the clinic for a while." Isshin was telling Ryuuken while Ichigo went to inform the Vizards about the return to Soul Society. "Maybe I'll be back in the Living world, but I probably won't have the time to run the clinic anymore. They'll have to go to your hospital for treatments and-"
"Don't worry Isshin." Ryuuken responded, pouring out some whiskey for the two of them in celebration of their wives' reawakening. "Like I told Uryu, my concerns will be with the living. That house by yours is for sale right?" He asked, making Isshin rub his chin in thought.
"No, but that old lady is considering." He answered as he took a look at his amber liquor.
"When she does, I'll open an emergency clinic there. I'll deal with the living, you deal with the spirits." Ryuuken said, raising his glass. Isshin smiled and clinked their drinks.
"Thanks old friend."