Screen 1 – The Ceremony Begins
The sky above Sōkyoku Hill burned with golden light.
The massive execution halberd, Sōkyoku, shimmered with spiritual fire — a flame said to possess the power of a million Zanpakutō.
Rukia stood motionless at the center of the platform, bound and pale.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto raised his hand. "Begin the execution."
The blade's fiery spirit — the colossal phoenix known as Kōtotsu — began to materialize, spreading its flaming wings across the sky.
The flames descended. The air trembled.
And then —
A black figure streaked through the blaze like a meteor.
Ichigo Kurosaki slammed down between the flames and Rukia, Zangetsu raised high.
The impact shattered the execution platform, blowing the phoenix flame backward.
Dust exploded across the hill.
---
Screen 2 – Ichigo vs the Sōkyoku
Rukia's eyes widened. "Ichigo…!"
Ichigo turned, his black cloak flowing in the wind. "Sorry, I kept you waiting."
He looked up at the fiery phoenix hovering above. "This thing's supposed to kill you? Not today."
He raised his sword, Bankai energy surging through him.
The phoenix screeched and dove — but Ichigo caught it mid-charge, stopping it with one hand.
The entire hill shook from the impact, his feet digging into the stone.
He pushed, roaring, and the flames dispersed into the sky.
The Sōkyoku shattered — its weapon's spirit scattered in embers.
---
Screen 3 – Yoruichi vs Soi Fon
As the flames faded, two blurs clashed high above the hill — Yoruichi Shihōin and Soi Fon.
Lightning-fast shunpo strikes filled the air like thunderclaps.
Soi Fon's eyes were furious. "You abandoned me! You left without a word, Yoruichi-sama!"
Yoruichi deflected another strike with calm precision. "And you've grown strong, Soi Fon… but your anger blinds you."
They exchanged a final blow. Yoruichi disarmed her with a single move, pinning her down effortlessly.
"I never stopped believing in you," Yoruichi said softly. "But I had to leave so you could become who you are."
Soi Fon trembled, tears mixing with sweat. "Damn you… I wanted to surpass you…"
Yoruichi smiled. "And one day, you will."
---
Screen 4 – Ben Joins the Battle
Meanwhile, chaos erupted around the hill — lieutenants, captains, and guards clashing everywhere.
Ben stood at the edge of the platform, glaring at the blazing aftermath of the Sōkyoku.
"Spiritual fire, huh? Alright, my turn."
He slammed the Ultimatrix. "Swampfire!"
Green flames burst from his hands as his body turned into molten plant matter.
He leapt onto the burning platform, extending his arms and absorbing the stray Sōkyoku fire still lingering in the air.
Orihime gasped from the distance. "He's absorbing it!?"
Ben gritted his teeth, flames wrapping around his body. "Yeah, but this stuff's no joke!"
The fire stabilized, merging with his green flames until they burned gold.
He raised both hands and unleashed a massive wave of purified fire, clearing the sky of remaining embers.
Yoruichi landed beside him, glancing up. "Clever. You neutralized the residual spirit energy."
Ben grinned. "Guess I'm good with fire and plants. Multitasking."
---
Screen 5 – The Heroic Stand
Ichigo stood beside Rukia, Zangetsu resting on his shoulder.
Captains and lieutenants surrounded the hill, ready to attack.
Ben stepped in front of Ichigo, still as Swampfire, flames flaring like armor. "You'll have to go through me first."
Yoruichi shifted back to her human form, standing behind them. "We don't have time to fight everyone. We move now."
Ichigo nodded. "Ben, cover me!"
Ben raised his arms, releasing a blazing shield of green fire that blocked several Kido blasts from the approaching Soul Reapers.
Yoruichi grabbed Rukia's arm. "Hold on tight!"
In a flash of golden light, she vanished with Rukia, Ichigo, and Ben leaping after her through the chaos.
---
Screen 6 – Escape and Reflection
The group landed deep within the forest outside Seireitei, safe for now.
Ichigo collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily. "We did it… we actually did it."
Rukia looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "Ichigo… thank you."
Ben powered down, sitting beside them. "That was insane. Giant flaming bird? Not my favorite kind of heat."
Yoruichi smiled. "You handled yourself well. That fire could have vaporized an army."
Ben smirked. "Yeah, well… I'm not exactly normal."
Ichigo laughed quietly. "You're telling me."
Yoruichi looked toward the night sky. "The real battle begins now. Aizen's making his move."
Ichigo and Ben exchanged a glance — both ready for whatever came next.
Screen 7 – The Calm After the Rescue
The air around Sōkyoku Hill was eerily quiet.
Captains and lieutenants had regrouped, uncertain and tense after the failed execution.
Ben stood with Ichigo and Rukia near the base of the hill, watching the Soul Reapers argue among themselves.
Ichigo looked around. "It's over… right?"
Rukia shook her head slowly. "No. Something still feels wrong."
Ben frowned. "Yeah. Like the air's… off. Energy's twisting again."
Before anyone could speak, the sky darkened.
A ripple of spiritual energy spread across the hill — cold, precise, and suffocating.
Out of the shadows walked a familiar figure.
The crowd gasped. "Aizen…?!"
---
Screen 8 – Aizen's Return
Captain Sōsuke Aizen appeared perfectly composed, not a scratch on him.
His glasses glinted in the light as he adjusted them with calm precision.
"Thank you all for your concern," he said softly. "But I'm afraid reports of my death were… exaggerated."
Murmurs spread through the captains.
Rukia froze. "No… you're supposed to be dead."
Aizen smiled faintly. "I was never dead. Merely preparing for the next phase."
Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen stepped beside him, both silent, both radiating a chilling calm.
---
Screen 9 – The Truth Unveiled
Aizen raised his hand, and a small orb shimmered into view — glowing faintly within his palm.
"The Hōgyoku," he said, admiring it. "The key to transcending the boundaries of Shinigami and Hollow."
Rukia gasped. "That… it was inside me…?"
Aizen nodded. "Thanks to Kisuke Urahara's brilliance. And your existence, dear Rukia, allowed me to retrieve it."
Ichigo stepped forward, furious. "You planned everything! Every fight, every death—"
Aizen's calm tone cut through the noise. "Of course. Every piece moved as it should. You, Ichigo, were particularly entertaining. You grew exactly as I intended."
Ben clenched his fists. "You manipulated everyone! You think this makes you powerful?"
Aizen turned to him, eyes sharp. "Ah yes. The outsider. The anomaly not of this world. You intrigue me most of all."
---
Screen 10 – Ben's Mistake
Ben slammed the Ultimatrix. "Not this time. You're going down."
The dial spun and locked in… but flickered.
A glitch.
"Nanomech!"
Ben blinked, suddenly realizing he was barely the size of a coin.
He hovered in the air, tiny wings buzzing. "Aw, come on! Not now!"
Aizen raised an eyebrow, genuinely amused. "Fascinating. You diminish yourself to challenge me?"
Ben zipped toward Aizen's face, firing a microscopic energy beam. It fizzled harmlessly against his skin.
Aizen didn't move. "You must understand, alien… power is not in the body. It's in control."
He raised a finger — his Reiatsu alone sent shockwaves across the field. Nanomech Ben was caught midair and slammed to the ground by sheer pressure, pinned like an insect under glass.
Ichigo shouted, "Ben!"
He rushed forward with Tensa Zangetsu, slashing at Aizen — but Aizen caught the blade between two fingers.
"Your growth is impressive, Kurosaki," he said softly. "But you are still a child standing before a god."
He flicked his wrist, sending Ichigo flying backward into the stone wall.
---
Screen 11 – Ascension
Aizen stepped past them, unbothered.
He looked toward the sky as three black portals opened — the Garganta, leading to Hueco Mundo.
Gin smiled slyly. "Shall we, Captain?"
Aizen nodded. "It's time."
He glanced one last time at Ichigo and the fallen Ben.
"Do not despair. One day, you may comprehend what true power is. Until then… live, so you can watch me reshape existence."
Tōsen followed silently as the three ascended into the light.
The portals closed. Silence fell over Soul Society.
---
Screen 6 – Aftermath
Minutes later, Urahara arrived with Yoruichi and the remaining captains.
Ichigo struggled to his feet, clutching his side. "He's gone… Aizen took the Hōgyoku."
Ben reverted back to human size, coughing. "Man… remind me never to use Nanomech against god-tier dudes."
Urahara frowned deeply. "Aizen's not just a traitor. He's transcended what a Soul Reaper is. Hueco Mundo will be his empire now."
Ben looked up at the darkened sky. "Then we're going after him."
Ichigo nodded. "Yeah. Whatever it takes."
Yoruichi placed a hand on both their shoulders. "Prepare yourselves. The next war won't just decide Soul Society's fate… it'll decide all worlds."
To be continued...