Bleach is a story that stars Ichigo Kurosaki as the hero, but he's not the only character with a noble heart. What Ichigo didn't know is that about 110 years ago, a certain Yoruichi Shihoin was the Captain of squad 2, and she was living it up as a commander of Soul Reapers and as an influential noblewoman. But that didn't last.
At first, it's easy to think that Yoruichi is self-centered and hedonistic and that she would just want to save her own skin when disaster strikes. But the Turn Back the Pendulum mini-arc made it clear that Yoruichi cared nothing for wealth and status. She cared about doing the right thing, at any cost.
Yoruichi Helps Urahara Flee Soul Society
Around 110 years ago, all was well in the Soul Society. A young Byakuya Kuchiki was in training to become a Soul Reaper and eventually take command of his noble family, and he had a rival: Yoruichi Shihoin of squad 2. In those days, Yoruichi had the spare time to visit the Kuchiki estate and tease a young Byakuya, stealing his hair ribbons and daring him to catch her. Back then, Byakuya was a hot-headed boy who would always give chase, and Yoruichi would stay one step ahead. In this era, Yoruichi was also training a gifted girl named Soi Fon, who came from the esteemed Fon family. Yoruichi was like a mother to her, training Soi Fon in the art of assassination and martial arts while acting as a perfect role model. Soi Fon was a little bothered by Yoruichi's laid-back attitude, especially when it came to the unpredictable Kisuke Urahara, but Yoruichi assured her that everything was fine. Until it wasn't.
Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi's friend, was dabbling in dark arts, trying to find a way to break down the barrier between Hollows and Soul Reapers. Then-Lieutenant Sosuke Aizen hatched a scheme, and neither Yoruichi nor Kisuke saw it coming. Within eight years, Aizen had prepared his plan along with a young Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen, and Kisuke's Hogyoku sphere was stolen and used to turn several powerful Soul Reapers into the first Visoreds. Yoruichi caught wind of this, and when Kisuke was blamed for the incident, Yoruichi took decisive action.
She hated the thought of her friend paying such a steep price for Aizen's treachery, and at once, Yoruichi cast away her rank and nobility to evacuate Kisuke to safety. Urahara was aghast, knowing the price Yoruichi would pay, but she'd already made up her mind. What kind of Captain would she be, if her friend suffered for the crimes of others? Both of them fled to Karakura Town in the world of the living to lay low and bide their time. Yoruichi was a master of stealth and knew Soul Society inside and out; she could handle herself. And almost a century later, she got her chance to make things right again.
Yoruichi Aids Ichigo's Quest To Save Rukia
Rukia had lent her Soul Reaper powers to Ichigo, and her brother Byakuya arrived to drag her back to Soul Society for punishment. Ichigo couldn't let that happen, and neither could Yoruichi or Kisuke, who both opted to help out Ichigo's team. While in her black cat form, Yoruichi came along as a tour guide, helping Ichigo's team avoid traps and find the best route to Rukia's prison tower. But getting there wouldn't, so Yoruichi consulted an old friend: Kukaku Shiba, a fellow noblewoman. The pair fired Ichigo's team into the Gotei 13 region with the help of a kido cannon, and Yoruichi guided Ichigo further on his quest. Eventually, she trained Ichigo to use Bankai and she also came face face with Soi Fon. After the two assassins clashed, they made up, and Yoruichi was there to help try and capture Aizen and his cronies.
More was at stake than Rukia's own life. The Hogyoku, which had started this whole mess, was hidden inside Rukia's body, and Aizen extracted it. Yoruichi could only watch as Aizen, Gin and Kaname were teleported away to the distant Hueco Mundo, but still, Yoruichi had done her best to save Rukia's life, and she and her new allies had come close to swiping the Hogyoku from Aizen's hands. Aizen got away with his crimes once again, but Yoruichi wasn't discouraged for long. She would fight alongside her friends when Aizen's Arrancar army arrived, such as the time she protected Ichigo and delivered a beatdown on Yammy Llargo in Karakura Town. Yoruichi isn't in it for fame or glory; she's here to make sure that justice is served, no matter what.
