Chapter 47 - Farewell

B-Brother!" Rukia exclaimed as she was surprised to see Byakuya's sudden arrival. Itachi smiled and got back up to his feet. However, his body still trembled from the injuries.

"Oh my… that's the second time I failed to kill you." Gin said with a sly smile on his face.

"Gin, move." Aizen said as he moved his hand towards his sword. However, right as he was ready to unsheath it, two figures suddenly appeared behind and below him.

"Move and you're dead." Soi Fon said, placing her sword at his neck.

"Very well," Aizen said as he remained still and three giants appeared at the scene to stop Yoruichi and Soi Fon.

"What will you do? Even the two of you can't fight them while keeping me under your custody." Aizen commented. In that same instant, another giant came in from the sky with a woman on his back.

"Kukaku!" Yoruichi said, smiling.

"Hey Yoruichi! I was getting bored so I came to see how you were doing!" Kukaku said as she charged a hado. "Hado 63: Raikoho!" A large blast of lightning shoots from her palm and blasts one of the giants away while the giant she rode on dealt with the others.

"This is the end, Aizen. You have been completely surrounded." Yoruichi said. Just as she finished. The Captains and Lieutenants of Gotei 13 completely surrounded Aizen.

"Woo...this is getting chaotic...what to do." Gin commented to himself as he observed the situation only for his arm to be grabbed and a zanpakuto put to his neck as Lieutenant Matsumoto appeared behind him.

"Don't move." Rangiku ordered.

"Whoops, sorry Captain Aizen. I got caught." Gin commented with a smile on his face as Aizen glanced in his direction.

"Don't you see Aizen? There is nowhere you can run." Yoruichi said as she glared at Aizen.

-----

As the other members of the Gotei 13 arrived, Ukitake approached a wounded Itachi and helped him up.

As the rest of the shinigami surrounded Aizen, Itachi stared at the sky. Even without his sharingan active, he felt something was about to happen as a strange mass of reiatsu began to gather above them.

"It's time." Aizen said while smirking.

Itachi narrowed his eyes as he realized what was happening. He quickly turned to Yoruichi. "Get away!"

Yoruichi had also realized what was about to happen before warning Soi-Fon. The two quickly moved away from Aizen as the light surrounded him. A large hole ripped open in the sky as countless amounts of Menos peered through the newly created rift and a few lieutenants rushed towards Aizen.

"Stop!" A voice came from behind the lieutenants, prompting them to stop in their places.

"That light is called Negacion. Once that light comes down, all is lost and their world is separated from ours. Aizen has become untouchable." Yamamoto said to the lieutenants. As the three traitors were lifted off the ground and carried up to the Menos, Aizen and Ukitake shared one last exchange.

"Aizen, how low you've fallen!" Ukitake yelled as he looked up at Aizen.

"Since the beginning, no one has ever stood in the heavens. Neither you nor I...or even God himself. But that emptiness on the throne will be filled from this day forth." Aizen said as he removed his glasses and swept his hair back and looked down on the shinigami below him. "I will be the one to stand in the heavens."

"Goodbye, to all the shinigami and humans. And to you Kurosaki Ichigo, for a human you entertained me very much." Aizen said as he looked at Ichigo. He turns his head and looks at Itachi before leaving through the Garganta. "And you...I look forward to seeing what you are truly capable of, Uchiha Itachi."

----

After Aizen's departure, Itachi could no longer hold on and fell to the floor, unconscious.

"Lieutenant Uchiha!" Rukia exclaimed, rushing to his side.

"Kuchiki, don't worry!" A voice said from behind.

"Captain Unohana!" Rukia said.

"His injuries are numerous, but not life threatening if he is treated immediately. I will have someone ȧssist Lieutenant Uchiha with his injuries. In the meantime, Captain Kuchiki wishes to speak with you." Unohana said.

"Brother…" Rukia mumbled. She looked at Itachi and then Unohana. She knew there was nothing she could do at this point and she walked over to Byakuya.

----

The next day

Itachi woke up in the 4th division infirmary. He was wrapped in bandages. His injuries had mostly healed. He got off the bed and put on his Shihakusho. He left the room noticing the many 4th division members running around. The incident with the invaders had caused quite a few injuries.

"Lieutenant Uchiha!! You are awake" A shinigami ran up to Itachi. Itachi nodded in response.

"Sir, are you sure you are okay to move about?" He questioned.

"I am fine, take care of the others." Itachi replied as he walked out of the infirmary.

"Wait you can't leave the-" The 4th Division shinigami's words are left on deaf ears as Itachi ignored him and walked away.

Itachi arrived at the thirteenth division barracks. He went to his room before laying down. He thought about everything that happened. In only a week, all of Seireitei had experienced a massive upheaval. 'Gin and Aizen were to be expected. But what I didn't expect Tousen to have also betrayed us.'

---

"Ichigo, take this." Ukitake mentioned before the group could leave. He handed Ichigo a strange looking wooden badge with a skull on it. Ichigo looked at the badge curiously.

"This is a badge certifying you as a substitute shinigami. Soul Society does have laws regarding the emergence of a substitute shinigami. You are receiving this badge because you've been deemed positive in value to Soul Society." Ukitake said. Ichigo's confused expression lightened up as he thanked Ukitake before turning to Itachi.

"Itachi, thanks for all your help." Ichigo said. Itachi nodded in response and the group of humans left to return back to the living world.

"You gave him that badge. Are you concerned there may be another incident?" Itachi asked, vaguely remembering the first substitute shinigami, Kugo Ginjo, from many years ago.

"I guess I'm just being on the safe side. He seems like a good kid though. What do you think, Itachi?" Ukitake responded.

"He's someone who values his comrades. As long as he doesn't shoulder everything alone, he won't become drunk on power like Ginjo." Itachi replied. Ukitake nodded in agreement at his answer and the two of them returned back to the barracks. As they returned, Itachi immediately went to the training fields to hone his skills for the potential upcoming battle with Aizen. After about an hour of practicing kido, Ukitake showed up to the training field.

"Your training seems to be going well, Itachi." Ukitake said as he approached Itachi. "There probably isn't a lot I can teach you but, is there anything I can help with?" Ukitake offered, remembering Itachi keeping up with both him and Kyoraku against Yamamoto.

"Actually Captain, there is something I need you to teach me the incantation." Itachi replied.

"Sure Itachi. What is it you want to learn?" Ukitake asked, curious about what was left for Itachi to learn.

"Hado 90: Kurohitsugi."