Everything was in flames. There was smoke everywhere and the intense heat was suffocating. Osaka Castle which was constructed of wood and stone was now nothing more than a fiery funeral pyre.

Ichigo was trapped on the highest level, standing before a sword display. He could barely see the figures of his two fallen younger brothers through the thick smoke. They lay engulfed in flames on the ground just out of his reach, along with two swords lying beside them. Ichigo tried to move towards them but his legs were rooted to the ground. He tried to scream their names but no sound came forth from his lips.

The flames closed in tighter around him. They licked at the wooden sword stand. The decorative rope around the red and gold sword sheath caught fire. Ichigo’s cape and clothes burst into fire simultaneously. He reached a hand out in vain for help as tears rolled down his face...