Uryū to the rescue
Renji dodged and smirked.
"You're getting serious now, are you? Hado 33. Sokatsui!" Renji shouted as, blue flames discharge from this palm.
Rukia did a backwards handspring and dodged the attack.
"You dare use my clan's moves against me!?" Rukia said angrily.
"I'll show you true mastery. Hado 33. Sokatsui!" Rukia shouted as, blue flames discharge from the palm.
These blue flames were larger and faster than the previous one, cast by Renji. Renji's mouth widened in shock.
'Damn! She shouldn't have this much reiatsu. Were the reports wrong?' Renji thought to himself.
Renji slashed upwards with his zanpakutō, dispelling the attack with ease.
"It seems the reports were wrong... But it still doesn't matter. It's clear you have lost your shinigami powers to a human. These attacks are still too weak to harm me." Renji said.
"Shut up!" Rukia shouted angrily.
'I was planning on going back anyway... I should surrender.'
Rukia's thoughts were interrupted when Renji charged at her with his zanpakutō raised high above his head.
"Wait, wait, I surrender." Rukia said as she put her hands in the sir.
Renji stopped and blinked.
"Surrender?" Renji asked.
"Yeah, I've decided to surrender. So please take me to Captain Kuchiki and face judgement." Rukia said.
"Look behind you." Renji said with a laugh.
Rukia's eyes widened, her heart sinking. Her mind raced with excuses and explanations.
"Rukia." A smooth voice came from the alleyway.
The slender form of Byakuya emerged from the shadows, his expression cold and unreadable.
"Brother." Rukia said, her voice trembling.
"Come quietly, Rukia." Byakuya ordered.
Rukia turned to face her brother. Her gaze met his. His grey eyes held a look of sadness, but also of firm resolve.
"I understand, Brother." Rukia sighed heavily, resigning herself to her fate.
As Renji tried to grab Rukia, a sudden blue light reflected off the blade. He barely managed to dodge as a Heilig Pfeil whizzed past his head, streaking down the street.
"An unarmed woman being attacked by two men with weapons... That's not a pretty sight," a calm voice stated. Uryū Ishida stepped into the light, carrying a bag. "It's not something I can support."
Renji's eyes narrowed. "Who the hell are you?"
Uryū adjusted his glasses. "Just a classmate of Rukia's. And someone who hates Shinigami."
Rukia's eyes widened in surprise. "Uryū? Why are you here?"
"Mere coincidence," Uryū replied smoothly. "Don't worry about it. I was just out getting sewing materials from the 24-hour shop. I definitely didn't sense Shinigami reiatsu and come running with this bag as an excuse."
Rukia stared at him, embarrassed. 'Is he really this clueless?' she thought.
Suddenly, Renji slashed through the handles of Uryū's bag, sending its contents spilling to the ground.
"Renji, stop! He's human!" Rukia exclaimed, trying to get between the two men.
"Who are you?" Renji asked, pointing his blade at Uryū's neck.
"I already told you, dumbass." Uryū's voice was calm, his gaze focused.
Renji's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You've got guts. Talking to shinigami like that." Renji's tone was angry, but also filled with amusement.
Uryū glared back, unflinching.
"I've heard that before. But it didn't mean much the first time."
Renji's eyes widened even more. He couldn't believe his ears.
"You... You've met a shinigami before?!" Renji's voice rose in anger.
Uryū's gaze hardened.
"He was a jerk too. And now, so are you."
Back in Hueco Mundo. Luna and Kiyota had been actively hunting adhjchas and gillians. Luna was amazed at Kiyota's strength and Kiyota, at Luna's"Lord, you're really strong!" Luna said excitedly.
"Hmph, you're strong too, Luna. Your Gran Rey Cero is quite formidable." Kiyota said.
"Thank you, my lord." Luna said.
"Hmm... We should find a stronger enemy to test ourselves on. Perhaps a vasto lorde. Were there any that rejected our proposal?" Kiyota asked.
"Ah yes, Lord. There were four vasto lorde who outright declined your generous offer. Shall I kill them?" Luna said, getting very excited.
"Let's go see them." Kiyota's voice boomed out.
"Right away, my lord." Luna said with enthusiasm.
The pair started to travel towards the nearest source of reiatsu. As they approached, the giant amounts of reiatsu were obvious.
'I'm starting to sense a large amount of reiatsu. This must be one of the vasto lordes that Luna was talking about. It's very strong. But not a match for Luna.' Kiyota thought.
"Hey, Luna. How would you describe these vasto lordes?"
Luna thought for a moment.
"One of them acts kind, and is always smiling. But her murderous intent is more than obvious. As if, she would kill you if weren't paying attention. Another is extremely powerful and arrogant. He thinks of himself as better than everyone else. The third is one is just weird, he likes to say strange things and laughs like a maniac. Lastly, the fourth is... Is also weird but far stronger than me right now." Luna said, remembering their conversations.
'Interesting. I would love to talk to them. And if they are powerful, then they would be a good ally to have. I should convince them. Hmmm, but what can I offer them? I need something that's not just a simple offer.' Kiyota thought to himself.
~~~
Back in the world of the living.
'Damn, this guy is persistent and really strong.' Uryū thought.
As Uryū collapsed to the sidewalk, bleeding from his injuries, Rukia's eyes widened in shock.
"Not so confident now, are you?" Renji scoffed.
Rukia realised how much stronger Renji had become since their last encounter.
'I couldn't even move to stop him,' she thought, feeling helpless.
Just as Renji raised his zanpakutō to finish off Uryū, a massive blade slammed into the ground beside him, sending a surge of energy through the pavement. Renji leapt back, startled.
"Who the hell are you?" Renji demanded.
"Ichigo Kurosaki. The one who's gonna beat you. Nice to meet ya." Ichigo stepped forward, his zanpakutō resting on his shoulder.