One year before Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper…

After 5 years of chasing a missing, rogue Soul Reaper, Yamamoto calls off the search for Ryuu Raiden. Rizzen found this to be the opportune moment to use Ryuu as a catalyst for his reign over the Seireitei.

It was a normal, sunny day out in the training grounds. Students from the Soul Academy were training under their mentors using – and learning – new techniques so that someday they can be Soul Reapers. Around midday, the sun hid behind a few clouds, giving the students a chance to find some shade. As a few minutes went by, the clouds grew in intensity and began to rain heavily. Rumbles of thunder could be heard along with flashes of lightning being seen. The students began to scramble to find a dry area when a Senkaimon opens near them. Out of it emerged a muscular man of tall stature wearing a black hakama, tabi and clogs, a red obi and a grey head band. He also had wrappings around each of his forearms and his abdomen. He had short, slicked-back black hair and a chin strap type beard. His eyes were a piercing yellow. He walked towards the students unarmed. Two official Soul Reapers stepped in front of him with their Zanpakutos at the ready, not knowing who the strange man was.

"Stop right there! I don't know who you are but I am placing you under arrest for trespassing!" said one. Frightful students hid behind the trees.

"I am merely here to claim what is rightfully mine," said the man in a deep voice.

"And what would that be?" asked the other Soul Reaper.

"Kaminari Hagane…my Zanpakuto," he said calmly, "You can get it for me now or-"

"Or what?" The large man looked at the Soul Reapers in the eyes and replied simply with, "Or I kill everyone." The two men laughed hysterically at that.

"Fine, have it your way," he said as he took an attacking stance. The two Soul Reapers unsheathed their Zanpakutos.

"This is great, two on one," sneered the Soul Reapers.

"Then the odds are in my favor," replied the leviathan of a man. The two men looked at each other taking their eyes off of their target. This gave the mystery man the opportunity to attack. He dashed forward, kneeing one Soul Reaper in the face knocking him to the ground. The other Soul Reaper was picked up by the throat. He tried to fight back by making shallow stabs to the man's tough body. He then dropped his Zanpakuto to try and use both hands to free himself. This was to no avail. Soon he ran out of air and fell limp as the strange assailant dropped him to the ground. He picked up the dead man's weapon and finished off the other Soul Reaper. He walked over to the cowering students of the Soul Academy. "Since you haven't become Soul Reapers yet…I will spare you. Now run! Tell the Soul Society I have come. I want them to know their destroyer."

"Who? Who has come!" whimpered a boy from behind a tree.

"Ryuu Raiden," he smiled evilly, "now go…before I change my mind."

"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south! Hado Number 31! Shakkaho!" yelled a girl as Ryuu was walking away. The red ball of energy went flying towards its target and met its mark. "I got him!" she celebrated. As the smoke dissipated there was no body.

"And now I have a reason," the girl turned around terrified as Ryuu placed his index and middle finger to her forehead. "Hado Number 4. Byakurai." As the bolt traveled through the girl's skull, the other students watched in horror. He looked over at them and said, "Didn't I say run?" The young students ran off towards the Seireitei as per instructed. "I will have my vengeance." Soon, the pounding of the alarm sounded. "And so it begins."

As the storm progressed, Ryuu had successfully infiltrated the Seireitei and pummeled low ranking Soul Reapers into submission or unconsciousness. Slowly but surely he made it to the 10th Division barracks and quickly dispatched the guards. He entered the building and searched room to room for his weapon. If he encountered any resistance it was swiftly quelled. He then reached Captain Hitsugaya's office and luckily it was unoccupied. He tore it apart searching for his Zanpakuto. When he thought it wasn't there he threw back his head in frustration. He then saw it sitting atop a book shelf. He knocked over the book case and caught his sword as it came tumbling down. The shelves crashed to the floor and alerted the soul reapers as to where he was. He turned around only to find a group of Soul Reapers before him.

"We know who you are and why you've come," stated a higher ranking member, "Ryuu Raiden! Stand down and your sentenced will be lightened." Ryuu simply drew his Zanpakuto.