The blue crescent vanished along with Byakuya Kuchiki's figure. Ichigo Kurosaki swung Zangetsu behind his back, blocking Byakuya Kuchiki's second strike.
The two blades ground against each other, Reiatsu and Reishi erupting outward in violent bursts.
"Looks like I've gotten used to your attacks." Ichigo Kurosaki tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I underestimated you earlier."
"A mere Ryoka..." Byakuya Kuchiki narrowed his cold eyes slightly as he slowly raised his Zanpakutō.
A figure suddenly appeared between them, fiery red hair blazing like a flame.
It was Byakuya Kuchiki's Lieutenant, Renji Abarai.
Byakuya Kuchiki had been about to release his Zanpakutō, but his raised hand paused when he saw him.
With his Lieutenant present, there was no need for him to act personally.
An opponent of this level was more than enough for Renji Abarai to handle.
Two enemies?
Ichigo Kurosaki shot a glance at the fallen Ganju Shiba, anxiety tightening in his chest.
"Muten Natsu, who was fighting Captain Zaraki, has disappeared," Renji Abarai said, his gaze complicated as he looked at Byakuya Kuchiki. "So I came."
Byakuya Kuchiki slid his Zanpakutō back into its sheath. "As for the rest..."
"I meant to question Muten Natsu, but he's not here." Renji Abarai cut him off. "So I'll ask you instead, Byakuya Kuchiki. All this time, the one plotting to kill Rukia Kuchiki, even going so far as to frame Muten for it... was it you?"
Renji Abarai stared at him without blinking, unwilling to miss even the slightest change in expression.
Byakuya Kuchiki's face remained perfectly composed, his voice as calm as ever. "And if it was?"
"Hah... I should've figured..." Renji Abarai let out a bleak laugh, his eyes suddenly turning fierce. "Howl, Zabimaru!"
His Zanpakutō transformed, splitting into seven segmented sections. Each segment extended jagged, blade-like protrusions along its edge.
Ichigo Kurosaki blinked in confusion.
What was going on?
The Captain in the Sixth Division's haori and the Lieutenant bearing the Sixth Division insignia were turning their blades on each other?
Byakuya Kuchiki's expression seemed carved from stone. Even with his own Lieutenant releasing his Zanpakutō against him, not a ripple of emotion surfaced.
"What are you doing?"
Renji Abarai knew that wasn't a question. It was a verdict.
Byakuya Kuchiki wanted him to speak his "crime" aloud before passing judgment.
"So this is the so-called composure of a great noble," Renji Abarai curled his lips. "Must've grown up drinking hot porridge from a golden bowl, huh? Never had your clean water stolen. Never split an apple three ways. Never watched Hollows tear down your home and kill your companions..."
Byakuya Kuchiki simply looked at him, neither pleased nor angered.
"I got into Class One at the Shin'ō Academy. Out of the three of us, my grades were the best. I thought that meant I'd be the strongest someday." Renji Abarai didn't care whether Byakuya Kuchiki reacted. "After becoming a Shinigami, I was going to take care of Muten and Rukia, just like Muten took care of me and Rukia. It should've been my turn. It was supposed to be my turn."
Ichigo Kurosaki finally understood. Renji Abarai was a close friend of Muten Natsu and Rukia Kuchiki.
"But when something really happened, I couldn't do a damn thing." Renji Abarai's eyes were filled with tangled emotion. "You tore the three of us apart with your own hands!"
"Huh... what?" Ichigo Kurosaki frowned. "Are you doing this for Rukia or for Muten?"
"Shut up!" Renji Abarai shot him a glare. "Why? Why did you have to insist on Rukia's death?"
Byakuya Kuchiki said nothing. He only watched him.
Zabimaru lashed forward. Before Ichigo Kurosaki's stunned eyes, the blade split apart segment by segment, silver steel cables linking the sections together.
The segmented blade shot out violently, slashing toward Byakuya Kuchiki.
Byakuya Kuchiki lifted one hand, light swirling at his fingertips.
"Hadō #33, Sōkatsui."
Blue flames exploded outward, surging forward in a roaring torrent that forced Zabimaru back.
Ichigo Kurosaki was caught within the attack's range as well. He stepped forward and brought his blade down in a single swing.
The blue crescent collided with the blazing blue flames, cleaving them cleanly in two.
"Bakudō #61," Byakuya Kuchiki lifted a finger slightly. Six beams of light converged around Renji Abarai's body. "Rikujōkōrō."
Renji Abarai flashed to the side to dodge, but the light clung to him like a shadow, catching up in an instant and locking him in place.
Ichigo Kurosaki rushed forward with a swing of his blade, only to strike through an afterimage.
A blue crescent gathered before him, only to vanish under Byakuya Kuchiki's assault.
Ichigo Kurosaki brought his sword up behind him, barely stopping the tip of Byakuya Kuchiki's blade.
"Hadō #4," Byakuya Kuchiki's fingertip pressed lightly against Ichigo Kurosaki's chest. "Byakurai."
White lightning pierced straight through Ichigo Kurosaki's body. The blinding flash dimmed the sky itself.
When the last sparks faded, Ichigo Kurosaki collapsed to the ground once again.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura," Byakuya Kuchiki murmured.
The blade of his Zanpakutō dissolved into a flurry of drifting cherry blossoms, floating toward Renji Abarai.
Once he had confirmed Renji Abarai's betrayal, Byakuya Kuchiki ended the fight without hesitation.
The falling petals were beautiful, almost dreamlike.
But reflected in Renji Abarai's eyes was only the cold gleam of countless blades.
["Muten, is something bothering you?"]
["No. Don't worry, Renji."]
["If there is, you have to tell me. I'm really strong now!"]
["I know."]
Why... wouldn't you tell me?
I've worked so hard to become stronger. Why would you still throw yourself into danger alone?
["Rukia, about Muten..."]
["It's fine, Renji. He'll be out soon."]
["If you need me, just say the word. I've met a lot of powerful people in the 5th Division and the 11th Division!"]
["I know."]
Why... wouldn't you let me help?
Renji Abarai watched Muten Natsu thrown into prison. He watched Muten Natsu and Rukia Kuchiki turn against each other. He watched Muten Natsu rampage through Seireitei to vent his fury. He watched Rukia Kuchiki live on alone, numb and isolated.
Weren't the three of us supposed to be together?
Then where did I stand?
You both knew everything.
But I knew nothing.
How did it end up like this?
If only... if only I had been stronger...
"Bankai!" Renji Abarai roared hoarsely.
The Zabimaru in his hand swelled within a burst of golden light. Surging Reiatsu crushed the beams restraining his body, shattering them as a violent gust kicked up clouds of dust. Strange shadows writhed within the smoke, rolling and twisting as eerie clattering sounds echoed out.
"Hihiō Zabimaru!"