Devil, Devil, Devil, Devil

A sudden dust storm forces Ichigo Kurosaki to land, where he finally sees that Byakuya Kuchiki and Kenpachi Zaraki have arrived to help just as Yammy Llargo shakes off their opening blow. Byakuya orders Ichigo to withdraw, and when he hesitates Kenpachi tells him to clear out, then swings his sword at him outright. Ichigo dodges and demands to know if Kenpachi meant to kill him, which the captain cheerfully confirms before charging Yammy. The Espada blocks and hurls Kenpachi into a tower, collapsing it. Yammy gripes that the pair hit hard and vows to grind them down, batting aside a slab of concrete flung at his head, but Kenpachi climbs from the rubble unbothered and eggs him on for another round.

As Byakuya again presses Ichigo to fall back, Mayuri Kurotsuchi appears and taunts him for forever leaning on Kisuke Urahara. Pleased with the trophies from his own battle, Mayuri excuses Ichigo's blunt address and reveals he has analyzed the Garganta, ordering Nemu to ready their return while dismissing Ichigo's objections with the remark that test subjects cannot refuse. Retsu Unohana then arrives with Isane Kotetsu and offers to escort Ichigo herself, trusting Mayuri's skill enough to serve as his subject. She leaves Isane behind, and when Ichigo keeps protesting, Byakuya bluntly reminds him that his help here would count for little and that his true duty lies in guarding Karakura Town. Ichigo relents.

Byakuya and Kenpachi take over the fight with Yammy and repeatedly order Ichigo away. Mayuri Kurotsuchi, having decoded the Garganta, prepares a route back to the living world, and Retsu Unohana volunteers to accompany Ichigo. Pressed by Byakuya over his obligation to Karakura Town, Ichigo finally agrees to leave.

Collected as the third chapter of volume 44, VICE IT, this installment was adapted into episode 286, Protect Karakura Town! Ichigo, towards the Real World! It hands the Hueco Mundo battle to the newly arrived captains while setting Ichigo on his path back to the living world.