Ichigo arrived at the rooftop. He checked the perimeter but he could not see anything strange.“Oh?! There is someone who can actually withstand my reiatsu. Kurosaki Isshin, is that you? Long time no see." A voice came from behind the walls of the roof.
“Huh?! Something you need with my dad?" Ichigo replied.
“Your dad? You are? I haven't seen you around before and to think that you can see me. What's your name, boy?"
“Kurosaki Ichigo, a substitute shinigami."
“Oh? Substitute shinigami? Haven't seen one in ages. Where's your dad? I have something I need to settle with him."
“With my dad? Not happening anytime soon. Cuz I'll bring you down before you can get to him." Ichigo reached for his emblem. He transformed into his shinigami form. “Oh? How interesting. Impress me more."
“Sure. Here I come. WROAH!!!!!" Ichigo charged and swung his sword.
He was blocked by the man's sword. They clashed swords for the next 5 minutes. They were evenly matched. “Hey, you're good. Come to think of it, I haven't heard your name yet." Ichigo said.
“Very well. I'm Zed, the Extinguished espada. The one your dad spared 5 years ago." Zed said.
“Five years ago? Heh, I don't give a damn about the past. Right now, you're trying to harm Dad. I'm not gonna sit back and watch that happen. Let's do this Zed."
“Worthless punk. You'll be sorry you didn't run." Small particles of light started gathering at his palm.
“Cero!" A beam fired straight at Ichigo at fast speed. “Getsuga Tenshou!!!" Ichigo countered the cero beam.
They began clashing swords again. *Ting!* *Ting!* *Ting!* *Ting!*
They were both trying to land a fatal wound on their opponent. Zed suddenly laughed.“Hahahahaha! I see now. This is your fighting power. How weak! Playtime's over now Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Zed suddenly released a huge reiatsu which made Ichigo fall to his knees. Ichigo thought: “What kind of reiatsu is this? It's unbelievably overwhelming. Is this what an espada's strength is like?!"
The next moment Zed disappeared. Ichigo was stunned for a second and he suddenly flew sideways and crashed against the wall of a building. “Ugrh.... That hurt. What just happened? It felt as if someone was trying to hit me."
“Ahahahaha. Look at you. So pathetic. Are you sure you call yourself a shinigami?" Zed mocked.
“Shut up! I'm not warmed up yet. Now that I have seen how strong you are, I'll definitely beat you!!" Ichigo said with a smirk.
“Very well, you leave me no choice but to kill you. I was deciding to let you off the hook but since you're that desperate, I might as well kill you. HERE I COME!!!" Zed shouted.
They began clashing swords.