Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works!

Following the trail of spiritual pressure, Renji Abarai used Shunpo to speed towards his target.

"Huh? That spiritual pressure… It's Renji?"

Shino Madarame, preparing for bed at the Kurosaki residence, suddenly sensed a familiar spiritual pressure.

"Strange, why is Renji in the World of the Living?"

She could sense his spiritual pressure rapidly approaching. While she was puzzled, she wouldn't hide from a friend.

Shino quickly got dressed and leaped out the window, waiting for Renji in a nearby alley. She couldn't use Shunpo to stay airborne and wait for him. With her current level of spiritual pressure, even using Hadō #9 required an incantation. If she tried to stay in the air, she would run out of spiritual energy before Renji arrived.

"Hey, Renji, I'm over here! Over here!"

She waved her arms, calling out to him when she saw his figure.

Swoosh!

Hearing her voice, Renji used Shunpo to instantly appear before her.

"Shino, what are you doing here?"

He was surprised to see her, a sense of unease crept into his heart. Before joining the Sixth Division, he had been a member of the Eleventh Division. Ailin, believing that Ikkaku Madarame's fighting style was similar to Renji's, had entrusted him to Ikkaku's guidance. While Ikkaku refused to be addressed as "teacher," they did have a student-teacher relationship.

It was under Ikkaku's tutelage that Renji had risen to the rank of Seventh Seat within a few decades. Then, he had been invited by Byakuya Kuchiki to join the Sixth Division, replacing Ginjirō Shirogane as the new lieutenant.

During his time training with Ikkaku, Renji had interacted with Shino on several occasions. They were quite close.

But now, seeing her here, he couldn't muster any joy. After all, he and Captain Kuchiki had come to the World of the Living to apprehend a "criminal" who had illegally transferred Shinigami powers to a human.

"Huh? Why can't I be here? I'm a seated officer of the Thirteenth Division!"

Shino puffed out her chest, a proud grin on her face. "I'm the stationed Shinigami for this city now, Renji!"

Renji's heart sank. Right before her eyes, he pulled down his goggles. They locked onto Shino, data streaming across his vision. The four targeting reticles focused on her turned red.

"Just as I thought…"

Seeing the results, all traces of hope vanished. His goggles weren't ordinary eyewear; they were a spiritual pressure detection device created by the Twelfth Division.

The device indicated that Shino's spiritual pressure was practically nonexistent, even weaker than an average Shin'ō Academy student.

He crushed the goggles in his hand.

"Renji, what are you doing?"

Shino frowned, seeing this.

"Shino," he asked, ignoring her question, "where is that human?"

Shino's pupils constricted. She looked up at his grave expression; unlike anything she had ever seen before.

Had he discovered the truth?

"Hahaha, Renji, what are you talking about? What human? There's no human here."

"Shino, I'm not joking! Earlier today, the Twelfth Division detected a Gillian class Hollow invading Karakura Town. They were about to send a rescue squad from the Fifth Division, but the stationed Shinigami managed to repel it. Then, they discovered that you had lost your spiritual pressure, and the one who defeated the Gillian was a human who had received Shinigami powers!

The Seireitei suspects that you illegally transferred your powers to that human. Captain Kuchiki and I have been sent by Head-Captain Yamamoto to investigate.

Shino, you were a top student at the Shin'ō Academy. You know what punishment awaits those who transfer Shinigami powers to humans.

Before the Seireitei confirms your crime, bring that human here. I'll kill him and retrieve your powers. While you're recovering, I'll tell them you're injured. Once your spiritual pressure is fully restored, you can return to the Seireitei. Nothing will happen to you."

Shino's face paled. While she had expected this day to come, she hadn't anticipated that Renji would be the one to apprehend her. She shook her head in sadness.

"Renji, that's impossible. He's the one who saved my life! Have you ever known me to betray a friend or someone who saved me? Arrest me and take me back to the Seireitei. I'll accept whatever punishment they deem fit."

Seeing her outstretched hands, Renji hesitated. Should he arrest her and let her face the Seireitei's judgment? If it were anyone else, he wouldn't hesitate. But Shino was Ikkaku's only sister! If he arrested her, how could he face Ikkaku?

"Bakudō #4: Hainawa!"

Seeing his hesitation, Shino sighed and chanted a Kidō incantation. A yellow rope materialized, binding her outstretched hands. The other end of the rope floated towards Renji. He grabbed it.

"Let's go, Renji. You said you came with Captain Kuchiki. It wouldn't be good to keep him waiting."

Renji looked at her then pulled the rope as he walked towards Byakuya Kuchiki. But before he could take a few steps, a gust of wind swept past him.

"Hey, let go of Shino, you jerk!"

A young man with orange hair swung a massive Zanpakutō at Renji.

Clang!

Renji drew his own Zanpakutō to block the attack.

"What incredible strength!"

They were both surprised by the force of the impact.

"This kid isn't simple."

Ichigo leaped back, severing the Hainawa with a casual swing of his blade, then shielded Shino.

"Ichigo, what are you doing here?"

"Huh? Are you blind, Shino? I'm here to save you, of course!"

Renji watched them bicker. Did they think he was invisible?

"Human, I commend your courage. But now that you've interfered, I can't ignore you. Remember this, kid. The one who killed you was Renji Abarai, lieutenant of the Sixth Division!"

Renji drew his Zanpakutō, but before he could attack, Shino stepped in front of Ichigo, shielding him.

"Renji, this has nothing to do with Ichigo. I was ambushed by that Hollow and severely injured. If it weren't for him, I would be dead. Arrest me and let Ichigo go."

Renji shook his head.

"Shino, I forgot to tell you. Captain Kuchiki and I have two objectives.

First, we need to confirm whether you violated the Seireitei decree and illegally transferred Shinigami powers to a human.

Second, if you did, we need to apprehend you and bring you back to the Seireitei for judgment.

Furthermore, to eliminate the threat, we need to kill the human who received your powers and retrieve them."

"What?!"

For the first time, fear flickered in Shino's eyes. Transferring Shinigami powers to a human was a grave sin. But she hadn't anticipated that this "sin" would put Ichigo in danger.

"Wait, Renji…"

She tried to speak, but Renji was already charging towards Ichigo.

Clang!

Ichigo met his attack head-on. After his battle with the Gillian, his spiritual pressure had skyrocketed, surpassing even some high-ranking seated officers.

Renji, as a lieutenant, was undoubtedly strong.

However, for Shinigami ranked lieutenant and above, their spiritual pressure was recorded by the Twelfth Division. Once they used a Senkaimon to travel to the World of the Living, they would be subjected to the "Limiting Seal."