A Named Spirit's Inner World

"Unforgivable!" A thundering voice roared through the meeting rooms halls. All able captains were there, including Byakuya, Shinsui, and Kenpachi. "Not only did you fail to capture the Ryokai, but you also allowed him to take away Rukia Kuchiki! Adding on to that, even with three captains, you still were forced to retreat. This has disgraced the Gotei 13."

No captain in the hall spoke up against Yamamoto's words as he continued. "I shall decide your punishment later, for now, find Rukia Kuchiki and the Ryokai." Saying this, Yamamoto slammed his cane on the wooden floor, indicating the meeting over.

"You three messed up big time, didn't you." Walking out of the meeting room, Mayuri said to Kenpachi, Byakuya and Shunsui. "You idiots couldn't even handle a single Ryokai. It's unbelievable." Listening to Mayuri ramble on Byakuya ignored him and walked off.

"Cut us some slack would ya he was stronger than we thought." Laughing, Shunsui rubbed the back of his head while looking at Kenpachi, who had remained silent. Ever since they had returned, Kenpachi wasn't acting like himself. He was rather calm and even ignored Mayuri's taunt. 'I think this battle took a big toll on Kenpachi more than the rest of us.'

Watching Kenpachi walk-off, Mayuri didn't bother to stay around any longer. "Come along, Nemu." Beckoning his lieutenant planning to leave. "Hold on for a moment Captain Mayuri." Halting his steps, Mayuri turned around to see Retsu captain of the medical squad stop him. "Oh, and what does the medical squad need from me?"

"You've probably heard, but Lieutenant Renji is in bad shape I was hoping to receive your assistance." Mayuri raised his eyebrow, hearing Retsu request his help and replied suspiciously. "You know very well I have no interest in studying Soul Reapers plus arent you suppose to be able to heal any wound?"

Despite Mayuri purposely being difficult, Retsu only smiled. "I think you'll be very interested in this that is why I came to you after all." Mayuri couldn't help but smile, revealing his yellow teeth as he replied. "Really now?"

Meanwhile, in the secret underground training area, black and red Reitsu could be seen gathering around a long black. "Getsuga! Tenshou!" Raising Zangetsu in the air, Ichigo let out a wave of Reiatsu that cut through the ground leaving a path of destruction behind it.

"Wow, Ichigo, you're really have mastered your Banaki, haven't you." Smiling at Ichigo, Orihime congratulated Ichigo, who deactivated his Bankai, returning his Zanpakuto to its Shikai state. "Thanks, Orihime, by the way, do you know were Yoruichi went?" Hearing Ichigo, Orihime tilted her head and thought for a moment before shaking her head.

"No, actually I haven't seen her for a while last time I did see her she was with Uriyu and Chad." Seeing Orihime hadn't seen Yoruichi, either Ichigo was confused as he walked over to see Uriyu and Chad along with Ganju. "Hey!" Orihime waved at Uryu and Chad, who were sparring together.

"Huh?" Stopping their spar, the two of them went over to Ichigo and the others. "Hey, what are you guys doing over here?" As they all began to speak to one another, they suddenly heard Yourichi's voice. "Ichigo, I have bad news!" Appearing behind the group Ichigo turned around. "Oh, Yoruichi, I've been looking for you. I think I have finally mastered my Bankai. I think it would be best if-."

Interrupting Ichigo Yoruichi spoke. "Ichigo, the news is about Rukia." Listening to Yoruichi, Ichigo's eyes widened, and he remembered she said something about bad news. "What are you talking about did something happen to Rukia?" Walking up to Yoruichi looked worried, along with the rest of the group. "What happened to Rukia?" Acting calmer, then Ichigo Uryu asked Yoruichi.

"Well ill be honest with you. Rukia has been taken." These made Ichigo stop for a moment before he yelled. "What! What do you mean she was taken! By who?" Grabbing onto Yoruichi's shoulders, he couldn't understand what was happening. They had come to rescue Rukia from her execution, but now they heard she was taken.

"That's afoul who could have taken her." Covering her mouth with her hand, Orihime asked, sounding disheartened. "The same person who greeted us when we first entered the Soul Society, remember?" Hearing Yourichi's response, Ichigo let go of her and slowly backed away, shocked. 'Him? But he was the one who let her go to the Soul Society. Why would he.'

"This makes no sense we... What did we do all this for then!" Ichigo asked Yoruichi, who lowered her head. "Listen, calm down. This wasn't useless. Your stronger now even if it's not the Gotei 13 your mission hasnt changed, right?"

Listening to Yoruichi, Ichigo calmed down and took a deep breath. "Ya, your right were still going to rescue Rukia no matter who has her." Seeing Ichigo's spirits become higher, everyone else agreed.

"Right!"

Back in the Human World, Shen was standing in front of the orb containing Renji's Zanpakuto. Activating his Sharingan, Shen began pressuring Zabimaru however, unlike before Shen's Sharingan was a lot more powerful. After a few moments, Shen could feel it giving way. 'So a three tomoe Sharingan was really needed to enter this Zanpakuto's Inner World.'

"I think it's about time I see what's inside of a named Zanpakuto's inner world." Saying that a clear voice replied to Shen from behind him. "What should I do?" Turning around, Shen was greeted by Rukia standing only a few feet away. "Hmm?" Rukia had tried to resist Shen's influence however, in her situation, she couldn't last very long.

Physically she didn't look all that different despite her eyes being darker, giving her a grim look along with her face being void of any emotions. Instead of her ordinary prison outfit, she was wearing before Shen gave her an outfit similar to the one she wore in the thousand-year blood war.

Smiling, Shen looked back at Zabimaru before speaking. "I'll be entering Zabimaru's inner world. Make sure we aren't discovered."

After latching on to Rukia's negativity, it did something else Shen was happily surprised about. Despite barely changing Rukia physically her powers were increased dramatically due to Shen bringing out the hidden potential within her. "I shouldn't be too long. We will leave after I'm done here. Oh, just as a reminder." Activating his Sharingan looked back at Rukia.

"If you try anything, I'll sense it, and I will not hesitate to kill you no matter how valuable the object inside of your soul is." Unlike Shen's image training, he could still sense things outside while in a Zanpakuto's inner world, and even though he should have Rukia's complete loyalty, he watched enough anime to know betrayal is common.

however, even with Shen's threat, Rukia remained unfazed and simply lowered her head. "As you wish, I will make sure you are not disturbed." Narrowing his eyes, Shen turned away and focused he Sharingan on Zabimaru, causing Zabimaru to put up a small resistance.

However, it didn't last long before Shen forcefully made his way into the Zanpakuto's inner world. In a flash of light, Shen was blinded for a moment as Shen Opening his eyes the sight before Shen was a lot different than a typical Zanpakuto's Spirit.

Before Shen was a dense jungle with trees much taller then any regular trees he had seen before, looking around, Shen was surprised at the vastness of this Inner world which seemingly stretched on and on for miles. Turning around, Shen was paused as a smirk appeared on his face.

"What a surprise, what are you doing here?"