__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In the Bleach World.
Kenpachi Zaraki broke into a grin that nearly split his face."So the brat actually made it onto the list, huh? Heh, now I really wanna cut him up again!"
From his throne, Aizen looked amused, though his voice carried only scorn."That reckless blond boy dared to clash with Ulquiorra, one of my Espada? Foolish beyond measure."
He tilted his head slightly."Ulquiorra, what's your take on this?"
The pale man with the green tear-mark didn't even blink."One strike is all it will take to end him."
In the Naruto World
Sasuke frowned."Why isn't it me? If Naruto made the list, there's no way I should be beneath him."
Naruto was still trying to recover from the shock."I'm the Fourth Hokage's son! Someday I'll become one of the strongest ever!"
He looked up at the screen again, eyes sparkling with curiosity."This time it's a kid from the world of Shinigami… can't wait to see what he's got!"
Across the Multiverse
From the world of One Piece, to Digimon, Saint Seiya, Fairy Tail… powerful warriors everywhere stared at the broadcast without blinking.They all wanted to know: what made this young man stand out enough to earn a place on the Heavenly Rankings?
The Screen
The video began to play.
[Orihime Inoue is lured into Hueco Mundo by Aizen.]
[Soul Society believes Aizen intends to use her rejection ability to awaken the Hōgyoku.]
[The Thirteen Court Guard Squad captains are dispatched.]
[But Orihime's abduction is only a diversion—Aizen's real goal is to erase Karakura Town, the "Empty Throne," and create the Ōken.]
[He seals the Garganta, trapping Ichigo and his allies in Hueco Mundo.]
[With Gin and Tōsen at his side, Aizen launches his attack on Karakura Town.]
[But Yamamoto Genryūsai has already foreseen this and ordered Urahara to prepare a countermeasure.]
[Thus, a replica of Karakura Town was created, swapped with the real one, allowing the captains to fight without restraint.]
The captains of the Gotei 13 appeared in the false Karakura Town, led by Yamamoto himself.
The old man narrowed his eyes at Aizen."Looks like we made it in time."
"In time?" Aizen echoed, brows raised. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"
He stood calmly in the air, his voice dripping with confidence."I already know this isn't the real Karakura. But that changes nothing. We'll crush you all here, then head to Soul Society and create the Ōken there. It's as simple as that."
He turned slightly."Until then, I'll leave Las Noches to you, Ulquiorra."
Space cracked open, and out stepped a man with a lifeless stare and a green streak running down his face. Hands stuffed in his pockets, he nodded."Yes, sir."
Orihime's eyes widened—Ulquiorra had appeared before her in Las Noches.
At that same moment, Ichigo felt a spike in reiatsu. His foot tapped the ground, and he launched himself upward toward the Garganta."My duty is to protect my friends!"
Back in Karakura, Yamamoto stepped forward."Stand down, all of you."
His cane dissolved into a blade, and the other captains turned in shock.
"All things in creation, turn to ash… Ryūjin Jakka!"
Flames erupted, his spiritual pressure exploding outward. The battlefield transformed into a world of fire.
Shunsui shouted, "Down, Jūshirō!"
Yamamoto stood like a god of fire, raising his burning blade. A wave of inferno roared from his sword, encircling Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen, isolating them in a prison of flames.
"Ennetsu Jigoku!"
He lowered his sword."With this, they won't be escaping anytime soon. Now, we strike them down methodically."
Jūshirō murmured in awe, "The Head Captain is… brutal."
Shunsui gave a wry grin. "That's what happens when old man Yama loses his patience."
Inside the flames, Aizen looked unbothered.
Gin chuckled. "Man, it's hot. Reckless of ya, Head Captain. What do we do, Aizen-taichō?"
Aizen's calm voice cut through the crackling fire."We wait."
Las Noches – Fifth Tower.
Orihime stood quietly as Ulquiorra approached.
"Afraid?" His voice was flat."Aizen no longer has need of you. There's no reason left to protect you. It's over. You'll die alone here, cut off from the world."
He tilted his head slightly."I asked you—are you afraid?"
Orihime's lips trembled, but her words were steady."I'm not afraid. Because everyone came for me. My heart is with them now."
Ichigo, clad in black robes and gripping Zangetsu, was already racing toward her.
Two Hollows burst from the ground in his path, roaring as they lunged. Ichigo's body flared with black reiatsu, oppressive and suffocating.
Ulquiorra's voice was ice."How absurd. You think having comrades makes you fearless? Do you even believe what you're saying?"
"I do!" Ichigo roared. His power surged, and he swung."Getsuga Tenshō!"
A crescent of black energy tore through the Hollows, splitting them clean in half. Ichigo didn't break stride, charging toward the towers.
Back inside, Orihime's voice grew soft."At first, when I heard they came for me, I was happy. But also… it hurt. I came here to protect everyone. So why would they risk themselves for me?"
"I thought maybe my feelings hadn't reached them at all. But when I saw Rukia fall, when I saw Ichigo fight, I realized my thoughts didn't matter. I just wanted him not to get hurt. I wanted everyone to make it home safe. That's when I understood—they came with the same feelings in their hearts."
Ichigo raced up the pillar, only to find an entire squad of Hollow warriors waiting.
The leader sneered."So you're the intruder—Ichigo Kurosaki."
He vanished and reappeared in an instant, blade flashing at Ichigo.
Steel met steel with a crash, and the force pushed Ichigo back.
"I am Rudobone, captain of the Exequias. Your life ends with me."
Ichigo's Zangetsu pulsed with black energy, exploding with raw power. Rudobone was blasted back, sent flying.
"..."
___________________________________________________________________________________________________