Bleach: Chain of Life
The Story Thus Far...
With the Captains suffering casualties and heavy injuries on their side, all hope seemed to be lost... until Shinji Hirako appeared, along with the rest of the former Shinigami. Though the aid of the Vizards certainly helped to draw the battle in their favor, it seemed Aizen's power alone proved too much for them. With his powerful Shikai having been witnessed by all those in attendance, it seemed no one would be able to fight against the illusion-based Zanpakuto. That is, until after his battle with Ulquiorra, Ichigo Kurosaki, along with Unohana Retsu traveled back to the Human World to end the war once and for all.
Vizards and Shinigami fought side by side to protect Ichigo as Aizen unleashed a fury like no other; countless Menos and Arrancar appearing from a seemingly endless abyss of Garganta. The blood of Shinigami and Hollow filled the streets of the fake Karakura Town. With the sacrifice of Captain Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Ichigo, along with Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori, dealt the final blow to Aizen, and prompted the end of the war. The only survivor of the defected Shinigami, Gin Ichimaru, took the remains of the Hōgyoku, and escaped with the few remaining surviving Espada.
The battle had taken the lives of many on both sides. The Gotei 13 had lost Captains, Lieutenants and Shinigami alike. Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba, and Lieutenant Marechiyo Ōmaeda had all become casualties of the war, leaving the Gotei 13 in a crippled state. With the loss of the Captain Commander, Unohana Retsu stepped in and became the new Captain of the First Division, and the new Captain Commander of the Gotei 13. It took some time, but eventually, more Shinigami stepped in to aid in the recovery of the Squads. Isane Kotetsu stepped forward to become Captain of the Fourth Division and Renji Abarai advanced to Captain of the Third Division.
During the time of recuperation and restoration, the substitute Shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki, was summoned by the Captain Commander, Unohana Retsu. Confronted first by Rukia Kuchiki, she led Ichigo to Soul Society where a private meeting between he and Unohana occurred. The Vizards had aided the Shinigami greatly in the war, and Unohana felt that their help be recognized. While respecting the alignment of the Vizards to that of their own and to Ichigo Kurosaki, Unohana adapted a private Squad, separate from the Gotei 13, but unofficially aligned. This group would be called the 14th Squad, and its leader and representative appointed for the job was none other than Ichigo.
Unohana felt that this would help to mend the relationship between the Shinigami and the Vizards, and though they may not consider one and other friends or even allies, it was true that any enemy of the Vizards would have the support of the Gotei 13, and it was her hope that they would return in kind. After much consideration, and discussions with the other Vizard, Ichigo accepted the position, though the rouge Vizard stated that they would not consider themselves apart of the squad. Unohana respected the decision and informed the group that should they ever find the need, Soul Society would still aid in any battles that came their way in order to return the favor.

Within the endless sands of Hueco Mundo, Gin Ichimaru continued to use the influence Aizen had initiated to create a new team of Espada to replace those who had passed. Some who had survived that witnessed Aizen's own betrayal to the Espada defected from the group, leaving Las Noches nearly empty. Gin came to none other than Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez with a promise of more power. With the exposure to the Hōgyoku, Grimmjow increased his strength, and became the new Primera. Following Aizen's first attempts, Gin continued to create more and more Arrancar for his Ten-Espada Army in hopes to continue where Aizen left off.
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