The Return

Back in the meeting hall of squad one the captains stood awaiting the report of the Expedition unit sent to Hueco Mundo to investigate rumors of a new hollow who rivaled the best of Aizens Espada. They had received word from the Senkaimon unit that the group was currently on their way to give their report and that said group returned with six cloaked individuals three of which were Espada class in power while the other three where Adjuchas class in terms of power. Several minutes later the large double door entrance to the meeting hall opened revealing the three captains and their…guests who walked to the center of the room before stopping.

"Captains Shihōin, Abarai and Hisagi; welcome back I trust your mission was a success?" The Head Captain asked.

Yoruichi stepped forward "It was. The hollow in question was indeed above Espada class in power. They could no doubt fight the Primera Espada and win easily. And they have no hostile intentions towards us."

She gestured to the still cloaked Ichigo "He and his companions has come back with me to clear up any concerns you might have."

The head captain then asked the question that was on everyone's mind. "Very well, may I ask that you all reveal yourselves and shed your cloaks and introduce yourselves?"

Five of the figures turned to the sixth who gestured for them to reveal themselves.

First was Nel to say the captains were shocked that she was so young was an understatement. "Hi! My name is Nel!" she then pointed to the figures next to her "these are my brothers Pesche and Dondochakka."

Next, Pesche revealed himself along with Dondochakka there was slight shock as the captains thought all the arrancar were dead. "I am Pesche and this is my brother Dondochakka."

The next figure to reveal himself had blue hair and a mask fragment on the lower left jaw. "Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez previous 6th Espada." several captains were outraged that a previous Espada was allowed to live. They were quickly silence when the only remaining cloaked figure flared his reiatsu to the point all the captains but Yamamoto, Kyōraku, Ukitake and Unohana were brought to their knees.

"These five are under my protection. To threaten them is to threaten me, and I don't take kindly to threats" the cloaked figure spoke with a stern and threatening voice. Yoruichi leaned over and whispered something in his ear, he relaxed and let up on his Reiatsu.

When he spoke next it was still in a stern voice but it wasn't as threatening as before.

"If you have a problem with us being here I would more than happy to spar with one of you. Rest assured I won't strike to kill. My identity would be revealed at the end of the match." He turned to Zaraki Kenpachi "how about it Squad Eleven Captain, Zaraki Kenpachi? Up for a fight?"

Kenpachi grinned maniacally. "You bet!"

With the head captains permission they made their way to Sōkyoku hill for the fight.

Upon reaching their destination both fighters drew their Zanpaktou the cloaked figured then spoke to Kenpachi "you are going to want to removed that eye patch Kenpachi. I want you at full power for this, otherwise you're gonna die!" as the said the last phrase his voice changed to a deep watery sound almost as if two people were speaking at once.

Kenpachi laughed his insane laugh "Interesting! I think I'll take you up on that."

He reached to his face and tore off his eye patch and his Reiatsu sky rocketed to new heights. The cloaked figure grinned under his hood. Upon flaring his own power his cloak was shredded revealing his features a skull shaped mask covered his head with two dark lines running down from his forehead past his eyes and down to his chin. On his right wrist lay a twin linked chain tattoo like marking. What startled the onlookers the most was the distinct lack of a hollow hole. A second later and the fight was on sword met sword as the fighters clashed neither landing any blows on the other. The hollow suddenly broke off and retreated a safe distance before charging a weak cero in his palm the released cero barreled towards Kenpachi who simply sliced through it like butter. The hollows next action surprised all the shinigami in attendance it reached up it roared and was engulfed by a pillar of black and red reiatsu the storm of reiatsu surrounded the hollow obscuring it from view.

From his spot next to Yoruichi, Ryu spoke up. "This is where things get interesting. Looks like the king is done hiding himself."

Before Yoruichi could ask what he meant the reiatsu surrounding Ichigo vanished revealing Ichigo wearing a new mask similar to the one he wore before but this one had two lengthy horn sprouting from the sides facing forward, his skin had become a pale alabaster color and was adorned with tribal tattoo's.

He raised his sword, laid it on his shoulder and calmly said two words that shocked the captains who hadn't gone to Hueco Mundo. "Bankai."

Red and black reiatsu erupted from him like a volcano. The captains were confused as to how a hollow could have bankai. One captain had very different thought, being the only captain who had personally seen Ichigo Kurosaki Release bankai he was puzzled as to how this hollow could release a bankai that felt so similar to Ichigo's.

Byakuya Kuchiki glanced over at Yoruichi and saw her smirking and then it all clicked into place. "Impossible…. Is that really Ichigo Kurosaki?"

The Reiatsu dispersed and revealed a very familiar blade. The black Daito was unmistakable if that didn't answer his question the hollows next words did.

"Tensa Zangetsu."

The hollow lifted his blade over his head as if preparing for an over hand slash. The blade glowed red before he brought it down saying two words that they all knew.

"Getsuga Tenshō"

a massive wave of red-black energy surged straight at the captain of squad 11, easily fifty feet in height. The wave clashed with the Kenpachi's blade who was forced back until the wave exploded throwing him several hundred feet and rendering him unconscious.

The hollow then turned to the head captain who spoke. "Will you reveal you face to us now stranger?"

The hollow nodded and swiped his hand across his face dispelling his mask revealing a grinning orange haired man who they all knew quite well.

"Ichigo Kurosaki. We had received word that you had perished after your fight with Sosuke Aizen. How is it that you are standing before us now?"

Ichigo proceeded to explain how his hollow had saved him with said hollow standing beside him after all the explaining was done

Captain Kyōraku asked "How strong do you think you are now Ichigo?"

Ichigo turned to him and replied with another question "your reports estimated that I was stronger than the Primera Espada correct?"

Kyōraku nodded.

"Double that."

Everyone in attendance were wide eyed at this. Ichigo held up his right arm revealing a twin linked chain tattoo like marking on his wrist.

"See this marking on my wrist? These are seals, each one sealing 25 percent of my power. Right now I am at half strength, Then with Shikai, Bankai and Resurrección and Resurrección Segunda Etapa…..well let's just say Aizen would be nothing more than a nuisance to me now. I could shatter his Zanpaktou with nothing but my fists at full power."

The Head Captain's eyes widened in surprise at this before addressing the Shinigami turned Arrancar "Ichigo Kurosaki, what do you plan to do now that you have revealed yourself to us?"

Ichigo looked at the old captain "The same thing I did before I killed Aizen; save the day, kill the bad guys, protect all three worlds. There is a war on the horizon old man, an old enemy is awakening, the Quincies of old are returning. And an old enemy of yours is leading them. The only Quincy to ever fight you on even ground while in your prime. My allies have done some scouting and infiltrated the Quincy forces. They are gathering Adjucha's to be their foot soldiers and killing any hollow that refuse to join them. They will march on the Soul Society soon, you have less than a month before the enemy is at your doorstep. I suggest you prepare yourselves, I must return to Hueco Mundo and prepare my allies for the coming fight. I would like to ask that Yoruichi be allowed to accompany me as liaison between the Arrancar and Shinigami forces."

The captains simply sat there for a moment allowing the information to sink in before one spoke up. "Head-Captain, I believe we should heed Ichigo Kurosaki's warning." The other captains looked to Byakuya Kuchiki before he continued, "he has shown us that at his core he is the same man as before and he has always tried his best to protect his nakama several of whom reside here in the Seireitei." The Head-Captain closed his eyes in though before speaking in a gruff voice. "Very well, we shall heed your warning Ichigo Kurosaki and prepare ourselves for war. As for your other request Captain Shihōin shall be permitted to accompany you to Heuco Mundo for as long as may be needed." Ichigo turned to the Head-Captain and bowed to him "Thank you Head-Captain." He then opened a Garganta with Hueco Mundo in mind as the destination before turning to Yoruichi and extending his hand with a small smile on his face. "Shall we?" She took his his hand and walked into the Garganta, just before it closed Ichigo looked over his shoulder and addressed the remaining captains. "When the Blood Moon rises and all hope seems lost remember these words 'The Dragon's Fang Pierces the Moon'. Until we meet on the battlefield, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto." The Garganta closed behind him leaving his words to echo throughout the room the sounds of his voice to be unheard until he was needed once more.