The unseen enemy had used the Kōtotsu to erase two weeks from the Dangai's timeline, but returning from Hueco Mundo didn't require traversing the Dangai. They could simply use a Garganta.
Byakuya Kuchiki recalled two captains had been sent to Hueco Mundo, both among the strongest in the Gotei 13. Without hesitation, and without informing Renji, he used Shunpo to reach the Eleventh Division barracks.
…
"Oh? They're already back?"
After emerging from the Garganta, Zaraki sensed the familiar spiritual pressures within the Seireitei. He didn't dwell on it, however. He turned to Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, and Uryū Ishida. "Woman, shorty, four-eyes, stay at my barracks tonight. I'll talk to the old man tomorrow and send you back to the World of the Living."
"Thank you, Captain Zaraki." Orihime expressed her gratitude, but as she moved to follow him, Uryū stopped her.
"Wait, Orihime. Something's not right."
"Hmm?" Orihime was puzzled.
The next moment, a powerful spiritual pressure erupted, startling them. It was Zaraki's, but Zaraki stood beside them, his spiritual pressure contained.
"Hahaha! Hahaha…"
Laughter echoed through the Seireitei as another Zaraki, identical to the first, smashed through walls, approaching them.
"Found you!" Reigai-Zaraki's eyes gleamed.
"Oh? Interesting." The real Zaraki, instead of fear, displayed a bloodthirsty grin. Nothing excited him more than a worthy opponent, and what could be more worthy than another version of himself? He didn't question the doppelganger's existence. Such things didn't concern him.
However, unlike his Reigai counterpart, Zaraki had responsibilities.
"Yachiru, take these humans somewhere safe. Don't let them interrupt my fun."
"Got it, Kenny!" Yachiru Kusajishi turned to the others. "Little Hime, Little Chad, Little Uryū, let's go!"
Chad and Uryū cringed at the childish nicknames, but the two Zaraki's escalating spiritual pressures made it difficult to breathe. If they didn't leave now, they risked being caught in the crossfire.
As Yachiru led them away, Zaraki drew his Zanpakutō and charged towards Reigai-Zaraki. The two figures, mirror images of each other, clashed.
BOOM!
Golden spiritual pressures collided, the resulting shockwave pulverized the surrounding walls, ground, and buildings. Even the Shinigami who had been drawn by the commotion were sent crashing to the ground, injured.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Since the fight didn't determine the winner, the two Zaraki captains became even more excited.
Every time their Zanpakutō clashed, they would pour their spiritual pressure toward each other without reservation. The violent collision of spiritual pressure shattered everything around them.
"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
Compared to the devastated environment around them, the smiles on the faces of the two Captains Zaraki became brighter and brighter. Their laughter was terrifying.
Unlike other Shinigami, who used Shunpo to evade and attack, the two Zaraki stood their ground, their bodies braced against the force of their blows, each strike aimed at bringing the other down. The area of destruction, while intense, remained localized. But within that area, every swing, every parry, unleashed shockwaves that pulverized everything.
The ground beneath them gave way, forming a massive crater.
…
"What's happening? Why are there two Captain Zaraki?" Orihime asked as Yachiru led them away from the battle.
"I don't know, but something's definitely not right in the Seireitei," Uryū replied, adjusting his glasses. "I'm worried this isn't just limited to Captain Zaraki. How many of the captains are… genuine?"
"You mean… the spiritual pressures we're sensing… they could be fake?"
"Yes. Remember what Mr. Urahara said? The battle between the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo was imminent. When we went to rescue you, Orihime, the stronger Espada were already gone, on their way to Karakura Town. The Gotei 13 would have sent most of their captains and lieutenants to the World of the Living. And since Captain Unohana took Ichigo to join the fight, we know the battle isn't over. That means most, if not all, of the captains and lieutenants here… are imposters."
"What? Then what do we do?" Orihime's face paled.
While her spiritual pressure had increased during her time in Hueco Mundo, assisting with the Hōgyoku's fusion, she wasn't a fighter. Her abilities focused on defense and healing, with only a limited capacity for attack. This was reflected in the distribution of her Shun Shun Rikka: four shields for defense, three for barriers, two for rejection, and one for offense.
Her shields provided absolute defense. Even at her weakest, she could withstand a fatal blow. Her healing was her most potent ability, capable of even resurrecting the recently deceased, as long as their future hadn't been severed. She couldn't, however, restore Ichigo's Zangetsu after Yhwach had severed its future, her spiritual pressure was insufficient to overcome such a powerful attack. Compared to her shields, her rejection ability was less reliable.
Her offensive ability, Tsubaki, could reject the integrity of an object, separating its parts. However, it wasn't particularly strong. Even Yammy Llargo had swatted it away with ease.
"Don't worry, Orihime. We'll protect you," Uryū reassured her.
Chad nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry, Chad, Uryū." Orihime lowered her head. She felt like a burden.
But then, remembering her progress in Hueco Mundo, she straightened. "Don't worry. I may not be strong, but I can heal you. Even if you die… I can bring you back."
This was her newfound confidence. While she couldn't fight alongside Ichigo, she could be his shield, his healer. No matter how badly he was injured, she would heal him. Even if he died, she would bring him back. The Hōgyoku, sensing her desire, had manifested it, amplifying her powers. She had already resurrected the deceased Arrancar in Hueco Mundo.
"We'll be counting on you, Orihime."
Both Chad and Uryū were surprised. They knew Orihime wouldn't make such a claim lightly. She must have already done it.
"Bloom – Tobiume!" A voice called out behind them, and two massive fireballs hurtled towards them. It was the Reigai of Momo Hinamori.
"Brazo Derecha de Gigante!"
Red and black markings spread across Chad's right arm, forming a shield that intercepted the fireballs.
BOOM!
"Chad!" Orihime cried out, moving to heal him, but Uryū stopped her.
"Don't worry, Orihime. That won't hurt him."
As the smoke cleared, Chad stood unharmed. Hinamori's attack hadn't even scratched him.
But their relief was short-lived. Several familiar figures surrounded them: Izuru Kira, Renji Abarai, Tetsuzaemon Iba, and Hisagi Shūhei.
Of course, what made Orihime and others look solemn were the two captains wearing standing in the air; Soi Fon and Sajin Komamura.
"Little Hime, Little Chad, Little Uryū, I can only hold off one of the captains. Be careful." Yachiru Kusajishi drew her Zanpakutō and charged towards Soi Fon.
"Come forth - Sanpo Kenjū!"
She released her Shikai. Against captain-level opponents, holding back was suicide. Two invisible creatures, visible only as distortions in the air, materialized beside her.
She swung her Zanpakutō, and the two creatures mimicked her movements, three distinct shockwaves rippled through the air.
Reigai-Soi Fon dodged with Shunpo and appeared behind Yachiru with her Zanpakutō raised.
Before she could strike, however, two bursts of wind struck her, forcing her back. She looked down at the two cuts on her haori.
"Slay them all – Suzumebachi!" White spiritual pressure flared as she released her Shikai, her Zanpakutō transformed into a golden stinger on her right middle finger.
As Yachiru engaged Reigai-Soi Fon, Uryū turned to Chad. "Chad, hold off that captain. I'll deal with these lieutenants."
"Got it." Chad charged towards Reigai-Komamura with his right arm glowing white. He punched, and Reigai-Komamura swung his Zanpakutō.
BOOM!
To the Reigai lieutenants' surprise, Chad wasn't overwhelmed.