Ichigo is suddenly spurred awake by his soul reaper badge howling and shrieking at the presence of a hollow. As soon as his goes off, Rukia's soul pager does as well, in an instant the noirette woman is out of her gigai and out of the closet with Ichigo forcing his soul from his body to join her. With Kon in charge of Ichigo's body, the two soul reapers exit the house and dart across the rooftops towards the center of Karakura town. Getting to the center of town, Renji meets up with the pair above the city hall. "Why are there so many of us in Karakura town? I thought I was the only one assigned here." A new voice came from a parked car. The three turn over to see who had said this being greeted with the sight of an afro haired soul reaper.

"Kurumadani?" Rukia questions seeing the unmistakable afro. "Why are you here?"

"I should be asking you the same thing. Captain Ukitake said that I was the one that was assigned to the city." Zennosuke Kurumadani responds as he approaches the three soul reapers. "Whose carrot top here?"

"He's the substitute shinigami Kurosaki Ichigo." Renji responds, though Ichigo himself isn't paying attention to the two of them. "It's a long story but he's a human/soul reaper that lives in Karakura."

"Looks like a wimp."

"You wanna say that again Afro?!" Ichigo hears the remark before yelling at Kurumadani.

"Don't antagonize him. He defeated both Captain Kenpachi and Captain Kuchiki when he went to rescue Rukia." Renji scolds, though the sentence strikes fear into Kurumadani, causing him to stair at Ichigo in terror.

"H-he d-d-d-defeated K-kenp-pachi?!" He stammers now sweating profusely.

"Is that some sort of big deal or something?"

"Kenpachi is the title of the strongest soul reaper. It's only given to someone if they kill another Kenpachi. Captain Zaraki isn't dead so you're not a Kenpachi but you still defeated him, even if it was a fight to a stalemate he passed out first according to Captain Unohana." Renji explains causing Ichigo to smirk evilly at Kurumadani.

"Did you already take care of the hollow?" Rukia questions.

"No, we got here roughly the same time but I did detect one and it was big."

The loan wail of a hollow in the city draws their attention from one another and to the surrounding streets. The darkness of night obscures anything visible that isn't under the street lamps that flicker with the waves of corrupted spiritual pressure. On top of one of the homes in the center of the city a large amphibian-like hollow screeches in the night air, but it was much smaller than what they felt. Nevertheless, Renji flash steps behind the hollow and splits it's mask and body in half vertically, purifying the corrupted soul. "That was bothersome. We got paged for that weak ass hollow. That wasn't even first year academy level." Renji complains. The other three soul reapers flash step towards Renji to discuss what was going on.

"You sure that's the only one? I felt something that was close to Captain Hitsugaiya in power." Rukia asks seeing Renji clean his blade from the hollow's blood before sheathing the katana.

"I know what you mean, I know I sensed something far more powerful than that chump change." Ichigo responds, "What the hell were we sensing?"

"I believe that would be me, Kurosaki Ichigo." The voice of a man calls out from above. Instantly the four soul reapers turn towards the voice seeing a man floating upside down in front of the full moon. A long curved katana over his shoulders silhouetted by the bright moonlight. "I heard that you and Miss Kuchiki might have a little problem I can help with." He continues as he begins walking on the air towards them. His body is rotating mid air so that he is now oriented normally and a few paces away from Ichigo. "You left class today before we could meet, my name is Hirako Shinji."

"You're the guy that Yamamoto told us about!" Ichigo yells although that was rather obvious.

"Indeed, a little birdie told me that the two of you are having problems with a home invader of sorts. Your inner hollows." Shinji smiles before suddenly blitzing Ichigo and bringing his sword down on him. The clash of their blades sends the other three soul reapers flying. "Let's see how strong you are shall we? This will be fun, just a simple sparring match is all."

"I thought you were gonna help us!" Ichigo deflects another strike from Shinji before forcing him backwards.

"I will, but I wanted to see if you can get that reiatsu of yours under control first. All that power leaking out is going to lure some unwanted visitors." Shinji's tone is like that of an old friend, like he was mocking Ichigo.

"The head captain said you were part hollow, but I don't see a mask on you. What gives?" Ichigo calls back as the two break away from the blade lock allowing for the blonde haired man to rest his zanpakuto lazily across his shoulders.

"Oh? You mean this?" Shinji asks, his tone now really starting to annoy Ichigo, though the orange haired substitute himself watches as Shinji's hand moves to above his head as if he's grabbing the brim of a hat. From above his fingers bright gold and black reiatsu materializes before massing into a form pinched between Shinji's index finger and thumb. As the reishi solidifies the light dims revealing a bone white mask like that of the pharaohs in ancient egypt. The mask lacks the ornamentation of an actual pharaoh's crown but is still affixed with the braided dreadlocks behind the crown. Its eyes were black despite it not framing a face and the mask was framed with the same teeth that were present on both Rukia's and his own. "I have a question of my own. How do I know if Old Yama sent you to find me and my allies just to have soul society come in and kill us?"

"One word." Ichigo responds, sheathing the sword behind his back. "Aizen." Shinji's eyes narrow at the mention of the name, the ever present smile on his face vanishes leaving him giving Ichigo a serious expression.

"Has Kisuke told you what he did?" Shinji asks, meeting Ichigo's resting scowl with one of his own.

"That's something he said that you would have to tell us." Rukia said flash stepping bacl to the former soul reaper. The blonde man turns to look atthe petite woman who has now drawn her own zanpakuto.

"If that's the case, then I'd like to formally invite you to join us against my former lieutenant. After we deal with him, maybe we can beat some sense into old man Yama and get our old jobs back and clear Kisuke's name. It was Aizen's fault that we were hollowfied that night not his but he took the blame for it." Shinji responds taking his sword and alligning it with the entrace to the scabbard before sheathing the weapon. "Become a Vaizard, it's the only way to keep that inner demon of yours from killing you."

"Soul Society are not your enemy, we were decived by Aizen, all of us were and the captain commander realizes that. The entirity of central 46 was murdered by Aizen himself, so if you're still being held accountable for hollowfication I may be able to relay a message to him." Renji adds prompting the smirk to return back to Shinji's face.

"I like you pineapple." Shinji says with his trademark smile. "Tell the old geizer that we'll help but only if we are formally pardoned for becoming victims of hollowfication and Kisuke gets his old post back." Shinji requests, laying out his side of the deal.

"And in exchange?" Ichigo asks walking up to Shinji.

"I teach you and Miss Kuchki here how to dominate your inner hollow and take use it's power as your own. On top of that, teach you some proper fighting methods you're a substitute shinigami right? Means if you want to be a full one you need to learn 3 things, and I wouldn't mind havin' you around as my lietenant." Shinji explains extending a hand for Ichigo to shake. The orange haired soul reaper pauses for a moment before asking one last question.

"Why do you want me? As your lietenant?" he asks closing his hand aroung Shinji's and shaking it.

"Simple, you wont betray me like Aizen did. As for what you need to learn, you need Zanjutsu, Hakudo and Kido training. Plus to figure out who your pops really is, he aint just a doofus clinic doc you know. Me and Isshin go way back." Shinji says once again smiling with his eyes closed. Once the two releaase their grip from the other's hand Shinji reaches into his pocket and pulls out a note. "Theres a barrier at this location made of some pretty high level Kido, but we have a doorbell so once all things are said and done with old Yama then come drop by for a house visit and we'll discuss things from there." With that, Shinji turns and takes a half step forwards before vanishing into the night.

"That was easier than I thought it would be." Ichigo says turning to face Renji, Rukia and Kuramadani. "By the way Afro why are you in Karakura?"

"I was just given orders that I'll be in the city for a couple weeks though with Lietenant Abarai here they might swap me and move me down south to Kochi or even all the way to Osaka." He says trying to hide the excitement in his voice.

"You're in the world of the living to kill hollows and pass on souls not fraternize with the locals." Rukia scolds taking the pommel of her sword and bonking the afro sporting shinigami on the head with it. "Renji, have you found the hollow we sensed earlier?"

"No, it was probably Shinji himself but he was definitely suppressing his power. When he struck Ichigo's sword his reiatsu eclipsed Captain Kuchki's power." Renji explained as the four soul reapers drop to ground level. "I'm going to head back to soul society to speak with the head captain, as well as ask if Shinji was a captain because he felt more than strong enough to be one. When he summoned that mask his power dwarfed all four of us combined and that's including Ichigo and I both using Bankai."

"Well that tells us one thing, we definitely need to learn that power." Rukia says as her and Ichigo turn to leave. "Though with what Kisuke said about my inner hollow," She says in a whisper to Ichigo. "If Shinji's power is anything to go by then if I was able to summon a mask like that it could even dwarf Captain Ukitake's power." Rukia exclaims, her barely above a whisper. Just as they flash step away, the voice of her hollow catches her attention.

"That and much much more Rukia. I'll be seeing you soon, Queen." the echoing voice of Hoakita murmurs in the back of her head. "Prove that you're stronger and I'll hold up my end of the bargain."

In Soul Society.

"That's my report sir." Renji finishes, explaining the events of the prior evening. "Rukia did ask to know what rank Hirako Shinji was, his power was on par with Captain Hitsugaya when he was in Bankai and Shinji's sword was still sealed." The old dragon peered through his ancient squinted eyes before clearing his throat.

"Hirako Shinji was the former captain of squad five before he became hollowfied. Now with the knowledge from Urahara Kisuke and the reality of Aizen's betrayal we are now aware of the full story. With this coming to light, I'll make the arrangements. Give me an hour or so and I will write up the formal pardon for he and the rest of the hollowfied shinigami. Lastly, what was the other request that former captain Hirako had made?" Yamamoto asks, turning to his lieutenant and motioning for Chojiro to grab a parchment and inkwell.

"He requested that Substitute Shinigami Kurosaki Ichigo be appointed his lieutenant so that he and the other Vaizards, as they call themselves, can oversee his and Kuchki Rukia's hollowfication training." Renji answers prompting the head captain to pause for a moment in thought.

"The boy will be skipping the required decade admittance in the academy, though with his power being greater than Captain Kuchki's own an exception can be made." He begins. "However he will train with me personally when it comes to Zanjutsu, Hakudo and reishi control. The boy's power is formidable but I can't have him smothering all the Incen rank Shinigami and anyone below 5th seat due to his reishi." The old captain declares before dismissing Renji. "Things are going to be interesting around here." 

Author's note: So ill admit I kinda had to rewatch literally all of bleach (Sans filler) plus what's available of the thousand year blood warfare arc before continuing this because I didn't quite remember the timeline of events. That being said this story isn't dead and I have many plans for it. 

On a more positive note, I graduate with my AA degree in four weeks as of writing this.