Yoruichi and Ichigo's group hadn't gone far before they were discovered by several waves of patrolling Shinigami.
"Everyone split up. Hide yourselves as much as possible." Yoruichi said.
In comparison, Soul Society would clearly be more focused on Shin's side.
Splitting up into smaller groups would be more conducive to action, and prevent them from being wiped out all at once.
Thus, Ichigo went alone, Uryū and Chad went together, and Yoruichi and Orihime (one cat, one person) headed in three separate directions.
"They split up and ran! Chase them separately!"
—
"Looks like we have good luck."
Ichigo looked up and saw two Shinigami standing on the wall, looking down on him.
One was bald, and the other had a feather ornament near the corner of his eye.
"Yumichika, this guy is mine. You go find the other ryoka." The bald man looked extremely arrogant.
"Alright." The Shinigami named Yumichika then left using Shunpo.
Ichigo took off the bandages wrapped around his Zanpakuto.
"Good resolve."
After speaking, the bald man drew his sword and slashed toward Ichigo but he slashed at empty air.
Ichigo immediately flipped onto the wall, holding Zangetsu with both hands and chopping down.
"Decent strength."
The bald man met the attack with his Zanpakuto, and with a strong push, neutralized the offensive.
He held his sword in one hand and his sheath in the other, attacking together, resembling a Dual-Wielding Style.
Ichigo continuously blocked with Zangetsu, pushed off with his feet, jumped behind the bald man, and unleashed a backward slash.
The bald man reacted quickly, also delivering a reverse slash.
Both of them now had fresh cuts on their shoulders, slowly oozing blood.
"What is your name?" The bald man asked.
"Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Ichigo? That's a good name. Anyone with 'Ichi' in their name is talented."
(T/N: Ichi means one.)
"I am the Third Seat of the Eleventh Division, Madarame Ikkaku."
Hearing this, Ichigo said speechlessly, "So you were just praising yourself."
Ikkaku laughed loudly. "I'll let you see for yourself."
After speaking, he connected his sheath and his Zanpakuto.
"Extend, Hōzukimaru!"
His Zanpakuto was seen transforming into a spear.
"Ichigo, prepare to take the hit!"
Ikkaku continuously thrust the spear, fully displaying the advantage of a long-range weapon.
Ichigo gradually retreated, then thought, 'Good opportunity.'
He seized the opening, dodged a strike, closed the distance, and Zangetsu was about to hit Ikkaku.
But he saw Ikkaku smile.
"Split, Hōzukimaru!"
His Zanpakuto instantly separated into three segments.
Ikkaku pulled back, and the blade turned back to slash Ichigo.
There was nowhere to hide!
Blood immediately flowed from Ichigo's arm. This time, he had witnessed the myriad forms of Shinigami Zanpakuto.
"Hōzukimaru isn't a spear, it's a three-section staff."
Ikkaku continued, "I see that arm of yours probably can't move anymore, right?"
Ichigo calmly took the bandages off Zangetsu's hilt and wrapped them around his injured arm.
"In that case, I should show some real ability too."
Ichigo gathered his Reiatsu at the tip of his blade and released a pale blue crescent-shaped slash.
Getsuga Tenshō!
This was the result of his training over the past dozen or so days. Although he didn't know what the move was called.
Seeing this, Ikkaku frantically swung Hōzukimaru, trying to block the blow, but both he and his sword were sent flying.
"Ichigo... you're strong. Who is your te... teacher?"
Ikkaku lay on the ground, coughing up blood.
"Teacher? He taught me for about ten days, does that count?"
Ichigo recalled the figure who had brutalized him. "His name is Nohara Shin."
Ikkaku's gaze sharpened. "So it was him?"
...
A corner of the Seireitei.
Captain of the Eleventh Division, Kenpachi Zaraki and his Lieutenant, Kusajishi Yachiru, who was perched on his shoulder, were lost.
"Ken-chan, go this way. My feeling can't be wrong."
Zaraki: ...
They've been walking in circles for ages!
—
Meanwhile, Uryū and Chad, after shaking off their pursuers, ran headlong into an unexpected person.
The person wore a black and white mask, their shinigami uniform had an outward-turned purple collar attached, and they wore a captain's haori over it.
He looked quite unsettling.
"Captain of the Twelfth Division, Kurotsuchi Mayuri?" Uryū adjusted his glasses.
Chad, standing beside him, had his eyes covered by his hair, making his expression unreadable.
"Oh? You recognized me. It seems you did some intel work beforehand." Mayuri chuckled sinisterly.
"Sado, you go first, I'll stall him."
"No, we'll fight together, as a team." Chad refused.
"Both of you are excellent research subjects."
Mayuri looked at Uryū. "Judging by your attire, you must be a Quincy, right?"
He seemed extremely excited. "It's been years since I last saw a live Quincy."
—
Shin looked at the approaching person, his gaze solemn.
Brown short hair, wearing black-rimmed glasses, and displaying a gentle smile.
Aizen Sōsuke!
'Aizen, what is he doing here?'
Aizen said, "As expected of you,Shin. Not even Gin was a match for you."
Shin waved his hand and said, "Captain Aizen, you flatter me. I just got lucky."
Aizen wasn't surprised that Shin knew him. He assumed Shin was likely already allied with Kisuke. However, he was still extremely interested in Shin's special ability.
Being able to defeat a Captain-class Shinigami with a newly awakened ability.
Given time, to what extent would he grow?
Shin's heart was equally unsettled. He wondered how much chance he had of killing Aizen right here.
The current Aizen had not yet acquired the complete Hōgyoku and had not begun his evolution, his strength was far inferior to his later self. This was undoubtedly a good opportunity.
However, Shin immediately dismissed this idea. He had only just acquired Shana's ability. Even if he could defeat Aizen by going all out, it was highly likely he couldn't kill him.
Furthermore, his feelings toward Aizen were quite complex. Aizen was not a villain in the traditional sense. He opposed the Soul Society system governed by the Soul King and the corrupt system where nobles held unlimited power.
He sought power transcending that of a Shinigami, aiming to use it to end the nobility, expose the Soul King's existence, and even replace him.
Shin agreed with this.
The current Soul Society was indeed becoming increasingly corrupt under the rule of the nobles.
He didn't mind Aizen targeting the nobles, and if necessary, he could also strike at the nobles.
Since he came to this world, he might as well do something interesting.
He had no intention of becoming king, much less replacing the Soul King and becoming a living mannequin, but establishing a New Order in Soul Society would be quite interesting.
However, in his view, Aizen's methods were a bit extreme. Perhaps their stances were different.
Having merged with his predecessor's soul, he, as a human, could not stand by and watch Karakura Town be destroyed.
"I sense killing intent."
Aizen keenly captured the momentary killing intent that flashed from Shin but his expression remained gentle.