Ichigo's Soulscape (1)

"Ichigo…"

Said teen slowly stirred from his prone position on the ground and gripped his face with his right hand. He visibly winced as he tried to clear his head of a headache that soon exploded in his head.

"Ichigo… Can you hear me…?"

The voice said once more with a tone of urgency. He clearly recognized the voice and as soon as who the owner of the voice registered in his brain, his eyes widened and he immediately stood up. That seemed to be the wrong thing to do for he wobbled on his feet due to the dizziness that assaulted him. He could feel weakness on his knees and the headache that he felt pounded on his brain with much more intensity than before.

Still, this did not deter the teen. "Zangetsu?! Is that you?!" Ichigo exclaimed as he tried to pin-point the location of the voice. His right hand moved to grip the hair on his head to try an alleviate some of the pain.

Ichigo felt a presence from behind him which he promptly turned towards to. He was surprised however when no one was there. "Zangetsu? Where are you?"

"Ichigo… Currently, I am unable to materialize myself. The Final Getsuga Tensho took too much out of you. It is even a wonder how I am able to still exist but that might be due to…" the 'being' identified as 'Zangetsu' intoned which was cut-off by another voice. Another all-too-familiar voice.

"I hope you are not excluding me yeah?"

"Hollow?" inquired Ichigo who already had an idea who he was speaking with.

A snort of amusement and a sarcastic reply was what he got for his query. "No way? How did you guess?"

Ichigo for his part however did not retaliate. Instead, a relieved but subdued smile graced his lips. This prompted the voice to once again speak. "If I didn't know better, I would think that you are actually relieved that I am talking eh King…?" came the Hollow's barb which seemed to lack any bite. Truthfully, it even sounded hopeful.

But Ichigo did not ponder on it. Instead he nodded his head before he collapsed on his knees. "You could say that Hol-… You know what? From now on I am going to call you Shiro. It kind of gets annoying calling you Hollow all the time."

There was a bit of silence followed by a snicker from the being identified as the Ichigo's hollow. "Real creative King…"

"I'd like to see you come up with something better!"

The banter between the two would have continued if not for the timely interruption of the other 'being' included in the conversation. "Enough both of you. Ichigo, stop being baited…" in which Ichigo shouted something akin to "he started it!" but was promptly ignored. "And as for you 'Shiro', be thankful you now have a name which promptly means you can now be released…"

Ichigo would have continued to rant if not for the last part of the statement of who he assumed was Zangetsu. "Wait what? What do you mean he can now be released?"

There was a brief pause before a reply was delivered to Ichigo's question. "Tell me Ichigo, what is the requirement to attain The Final Getsuga Tensho?"

It confused Ichigo why this question was asked but answered nonetheless. "To accept everything that I am. To accept 'my' sword for what it is. Darkness and Light."

The "being" gave off the impression that it nodded in approval of what Ichigo had said. "By accepting everything, you have gained freedom from the shackles that is your reluctance. You are by nature one who protects and would never draw your sword for the purpose of power itself. This in itself is a very powerful source of your resolve as well as your ultimate barrier. You subconsciously hold yourself back for fear of Shiro gaining control of your body and although you will not say it out loud, you, to a certain extent, fear your shinigami power for it may cause you your humanity."

Ichigo, to say the least, was stunned by this revelation. He was not however given time to ponder this for the "being" continued. "You fear of losing your humanity if you gained more power. You fear that everyone around you will be afraid of you. And this fear makes you reluctant to use your full power. This is however counter-acted by your desire to protect everyone who is precious to you and thus are able to use your power to match every opponent you face."

Ichigo then remembered when he was training to obtain the Final Getsuga Tensho which prompted for the "voice" to once more continue. "By attaining the Final Getsuga Tensho and becoming Getsuga yourself, you have shed every doubt you have and embraced yourself. However, Getsuga is only half of your true power. By giving your Hollow a name, you have destroyed the last vestige of hesitation you have of your hollow self and thus you have, unwittingly if I might add, unlocked the path to your full potential. The path of becoming what Aizen called a Transcendent being…"

All around Ichigo, his Soulscape shifted to reveal the ever familiar landscape of sky-scrapers. What was different this time was that the said sky-scrapers are now upright and seemed to be endless. A representation of his power. Endless power…

Ichigo reeled at the implication of what he believed to be "Zangetsu", had said. It was at this time that the newly dubbed "Shiro" offered his "two-cents". "Look sharp King for this dimension may very well be ours!"

A scowl etched on Ichigo's face at the words before the same face morphed into a contemplative look as a memory surfaced in his mind's eye and completely missed the last part of Shiro's statement.

"Ichigo, what's the difference between a king and his horse? I don't mean kiddy shit like 'One's a person and one's an animal' or 'one has two legs and one has four.' If their form, ability and power were exactly the same, why is it that one becomes the king and controls the battle, while the other becomes the horse and carries the king?!"

"There's only one answer. Instinct! In order for identical beings to get stronger and gain the power they need to become king, they must search for more battles and power! They thirst for battle, and live to mercilessly, crush, shred, and slice their enemies! Deep, deep within our body lies the honed instinct to kill, and slaughter our enemies! But you don't have that! You don't have those pure, base instincts! You fight with your brain. You try to defeat your enemies with logic! And it doesn't work! You're trying to cut them with a sheathed sword! That's why you're weaker than me, Ichigo!"

"What am I? I'm his true form. I guess you could say I'm his instincts."

Ichigo then smirked finally realizing what Shiro truly meant. "Be that as it may, I don't think I am comfortable with conquering the world. I am happy the way that I am…"

He then stood straight and looked up. His face marked by enlightenment while his eyes burned with determination. "I wish to protect all that is precious to me. To gain power in order to protect everything. But it doesn't mean that I do not enjoy the thrill of battle. To measure myself against powerful adversaries…"

From where Ichigo stood, the wind started to pick-up and surround him. The skyscrapers' windows lit up as though each and every room in it turned on their lights. The being and the now named "Shiro" materialized on each side of Ichigo. One looked serene as ever while the other wore that ever maniacal grin. He looked at them to acknowledge their presence and in turn they gave him a nod.

"Cast off your fear…"

"Look forward…"

"Go forward…!"

A hilt of a sword materialized in front of Ichigo. It was braided in a white and black mesh of fine fabric while a black and white piece of long cloth flowed from its base. Ichigo did not hesitate to grab the familiar hilt and assumed a battōjutsu initial stance. The wind around him picked up more with Ichigo at the eye of it.

"Never stand still…"

"Retreat and you will age…"

"Hesitate and you will die…"

A pillar of power exploded from where Ichigo stood in a ten feet diameter. The pillar was a bit of transparent black in color with white lighting that streaked around it.

"Shout!"

"My name is…!"

Ichigo moved as if he drew a sword and pointed it upward. The pillar of power that surrounded Ichigo exploded outward and covered the area in darkness.


Underworld – Gremory Territory

"Will he be okay?" asked a crimson haired girl.

A handsome man continued to examine the prone form of one Ichigo Kurosaki before he turned around and replied. "His vital signs are stable at the moment. However, something is odd about this boy…"

Rias, the crimson haired girl, raised an eyebrow at this. "And what would that be Ajuka-sama?"

The now revealed Ajuka Beelzebub turned back to look at Ichigo as "formulas" appeared around Ichigo's body. "It seems as though he has two souls in him..."

Wide-eyed with shock, Rias continued to pry. "What would that mean for him?"

"You said that you found your flier on him when in fact it was given to someone else by your familiar. Add to that, you found this boy after an explosion of power coming from the sky. The only logical… Or rather, illogical explanation that I can come up with would be that this boy came from an alternate dimension and merged with the other boy that your familiar gave the flier to. Or something more insane… If you remove all the possibilities from an equation since it does not fit, then the impossible becomes the answer as goes the saying."

Before both could ponder more on the situation that was in front of them, Ichigo's body started to emit a glow which before long surrounded his entire being. The "formulas" that were around Ichigo started to rotate around him in an erratic manner which caused Ajuka to raise an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Ichigo's prone form that started to glow soon became surrounded with a dark aura that threatened to consume the light in the room that they were in. Soon, his clothes started to change from a school uniform (2) into a Shihakushō (3) which consisted of a white shitagi, a black kosode, a black hakama, and a white hakama-himo. His footwear also changed into a white tabi, and waraji. A white sleeveless haori also materialized from his shoulder up to the bottom of the black hakama.

Ajuka just stared at the phenomenon that happened in front of him with a critical eye while Rias stood with her mouth opened in what could be considered "cute" with shock. The respite however did not last since a nodachi (4) slowly materialized on top of Ichigo's body which was concealed inside a black leather sheath. The nodachi's length was at least ninety centimeters.

"Now this is interesting… If I remember correctly, this is what you may call a shinigami's attire (5) from a famous literature? And this sword, isn't it a bit longer than a standard nodachi? Fascinating indeed… It seems that you have found a very interesting servant Rias."

Rias would have replied if not for the sudden explosion of light which covered the entire room.


Ichigo's Soulscape

The torrent of wind soon cleared and revealed Ichigo with the same attire as his physical form. He examined himself and noted the white haori that he wore which earned him a grin from his hollow now dubbed "Shiro".

"Like? That was my personal touch to the mix. This represents me as you hollow power. Your instincts as you very well have been aware."

"And it also symbolizes that although you follow your instincts, it is what is inside you that is you. Your instincts is but just like this haori that covers you but not the whole of you."

"Che… You sound like an old man who is about to die…"

Ichigo could only grin at the two. Before he could speak however, the being in black interrupted him once more. "Even though you have power, be cautious for this is only a fraction of it. Your shinigami powers are still locked away because of the drain caused by the Final Getsuga Tensho. It was called that, Final, since it was the be all and end all technique. Do not fret however for it will comeback in due time."

Ichigo pondered at this and asked the question that was in his mind from the start. "That is the thing Zangetsu... Why do you guys still exist? Or better yet, why do I still have these powers?"

The being looked at Ichigo and studied him before he came to a conclusion. "Tell me Ichigo, what was the last thing that you remember before coming here?"

"I remember fighting a woman with black wings… I even grabbed her…" Ichigo was not able to finish the sentence as the memories flooded his brain once more. His face slowly started to resemble a tomato as he blushed.

"Kekekekeke! That was indeed a good memory!"

"That was you and your doing alone!"

"Look me in the eye and say you did not enjoy that even a little bit!"

Ichigo was about to deny the comment but paused and considered. It was all instincts after all and to deny the accusation would prove that he was lying to himself. He already accepted his hollow and it had never lied to him. Now that he thought about it, indeed his hollow side never lied to him. He was scary before, annoying when he beat him for control, and maniacal at times but he never, even once, lied to him.

"That doesn't mean that I have to like it!" came Ichigo's resolute reply

It was Shiro's turn to pause as he studied Ichigo before the all too familiar maniacal grin spread on his lips once more.

"Well I should say tough luck since my power in my released state is something that you 'might' not like…"

Shiro would gone on if not for the timely interruption of the other person with them. "Ichigo, aside from that 'fond' memory, what else do you remember before you awoke here?"

Ichigo blushed once more at that comment and sent a glare at his hollow. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath which earned him another grin from his hollow. "Everything around me was falling apart… The buildings… The representation of my power… And then I wished… I wished that…!" came the startling conclusion.

"Indeed. As you have guessed." the being intoned before he materialized an object from his hands. An object so familiar to Ichigo that he recoiled in shock.

"The hogyoku?! But how? What?" Ichigo spluttered.

"My answer can only be good as yours. Suffice to say, Aizen must have done something to it for you to have come into possession of it. However, in its current state, it is but a fancy looking rock. I cannot sense any power from it unlike when Aizen wielded it. It could be that it had used all of its power in restoring yours."

Ichigo regained his bearings and contemplated on the new development that was presented to him. Many thoughts ran through his mind but the prominent one was 'why?' Why did Aizen do this? What could possibly be the reason for it? Is it another one of his schemes? His grand plan of conquest? And Shiro? What would mean now that he was in possession of his hollow powers? He knew firsthand the capabilities of his hollow and he was sure that he could get to that level and then beyond. It would have continued if not for the timely interruption of his companions.

"King, I know I am awesome but you don't have to dream about it while looking stupid!"

A vein bulged on Ichigo's forehead at the comment while he gave an annoyed stare at "Shiro"; "The world does not revolve around you!" Shiro grinned at Ichigo's reaction but did not further aggravate the said Shinigami Representative.

Ichigo sighed and looked at the sword in his hand. It was a bit long but suited him just fine. He accounted that wielding that giant cleaver that is Zangetsu has made him attuned with large swords. Ichigo then raised the sword straight up and called forth his power. The blade hummed and started to emit a dark aura much to Ichigo's surprise. A glance at Shiro gave Ichigo the needed explanation. This was indeed his hollow powers as he believed.

"Getsuga…"

Ichigo slashed the space to his right to which a black concentrated reiatsu (6) launched towards one of the sky scrapers. "Tenshou!"

On impact, an explosion followed and covered the area where the attack hit with smoke, dust, and debris.

"So you noticed that huh?"

Ichigo nodded his head and focused on where he sent his attack. His eyes narrowed in seriousness which was mirrored by both his two companions.

"And to think that you just gained power…? Or should I say 'regained' some of your power? My wielder this time looks competent…" came a voice that seemed to surround the place.

Ichigo tensed at this. It is not every time a foreign entity enters your soul and talk. It just does not happen because the soul is a well-guarded and sacred place. Sure it may be corrupted and turned into a hollow but that could be accounted to the individual due to despair. Heck, he even had his soul-chain cut and looked what that lead him to.

As the smoke and dust cleared, Ichigo stood shocked at what was revealed. "Oh? Now this is interesting!" commented Shiro as he readied his own zanpakuto.

Big green eyes studied them. Said eyes was owned by something out of a fairytale. "A red dragon?" was Ichigo's shocked remark.

"No duh Caption Obvious…"

"Nobody asked you!"

The dragon would have snorted if not for what it noticed. Although the two seemed to argue, both their eyes betrayed the true emotion that was within. They were battle ready and would likely react to force with an equal amount if not overwhelming. This placed Ichigo a notch higher in the dragon's respect.

With a voice that boomed, the dragon spoke once more. "My name is Ddraig, the Welsh Dragon or Red Dragon Emperor if you would prefer. And I believe I have information for you human. Information that you might find disconcerting. Whatever happens from there will decide if you will survive or perish."

The banter immediately stooped and the wind around them suddenly stirred. The skyscrapers around them suddenly started to illuminate with power. Battled-hardened eyes regarded the dragon intensely which was returned in full.

"Is that a threat Ddraig?" Ichigo uttered. It was simple yet the implications on what was said carried a heavy weight.

"No human. I offer you the truth of the predicament that you will find yourself in once you return to the land of the waking world."

The being in black and Shiro both tensed at this. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at their reaction but otherwise paid them no mind. "And that would be?"

The dragon would have grinned if it could. "That you, partner, are now in a place far away you're your home. From what I can understand from your soul, you, partner, are in another world. Far away from your own"


Soul Society – Parallel World

"And with that, we believe and assume the one Substitute Shinigami by the name of Ichigo Kurosaki has been sent into an alternate universe." Kisuke Urahara completed as he shut his fan. His ever irritating smile plastered on his face.

Every captain of the Thirteen Court Guards looked at Kisuke with mixed expressions. Some were skeptical while others were furious at his attitude towards the situation. One was solemn while others were curious. A tap of a cane on the floor diverted all attention however to the source, "So what do we have working for us Kisuke?" Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Captain of the First Division and Supreme Commander of the Thirteen Court Guards.

"Huh?"

"Kisuke Urahara, former Captain of the Thirteen Court Guards and former head of the Research Institute. I don't believe that you have no way of bringing him back if not already in preparation of bringing him back."

And at that statement, Kisuke Urahara's countenance changed from a joking demure into one of seriousness. His hat dipped down which shadowed his face but left his eyes visible. Said eyes sharpened and his lips morphed into an almost thin line. "Hai, Sotaicho. I have a theory on how I may be able to bring him back but it all hinges in one thing."

"And that would be?" questioned Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain of the Eight Division.

"In theory, it is quite simple. Since Ichigo Kurosaki is in possession of the Hogyoku, I have set up a tracer that would home in to it and thus allowing us to navigate to his current whereabouts."

Zaraki Kenpachi, the ever impatient one, cut through the conversation. "Then why not bring him back now if you can pin point that Hogyo whatever you call it?"

Kisuke turned to Zaraki and sighed. "This is because the power-output needed to accomplish this would be enormous and highly impractical."

"How much power are we talking about Kisuke." came the voice of the Captain Commander that immediately silenced the room.

Said soul-reaper turned around and faced the Captain Commander, his voiced laced with seriousness. "My initial estimates was that the power needed to bring back Ichigo Kurosaki would amount to at least three…" he started but was interrupted by the captain of the twelfth division.

"Only three captain level reiatsu? That would be too little. Are you sure your computations are correct Kisuke?" Kurotsuchi Mayuri broke.

Kisuke eyed the Twelfth Division Captain calmly as if looking at an impatient child before he focused once more to the assembled captain. "You did not let me finish Kurotsuchi… Please let me do so before you jump to silly notions."

"As I was saying Captain Commander, the required power to bring back Ichigo Kurosaki would be equal to three…"

At this, the atmosphere in the room became tense. Something was amiss here and whatever it was, it hinges on what Kisuke Urahara was about to say next.

"Sōkyoku (7) in its released state."

The room soon erupted into chaos at that declaration.


Ichigo's Soulscape

"So let me get this straight. In summary, I have been sent to an alternate dimension because of the Hogyoku due to my desire to retain my power?"

Three nods were his answer in which Ichigo's countenance changed to that of a contemplative look. Not long, Ichigo nodded and smacked his right hand on his left palm. "Then it would be easy, I just use my power to go back."

The dragon now revealed as Ddraig shook its head. "It is not that easy partner…" it started but was halted by Ichigo with a wave of his hand.

"I know what you mean Ddraig. I am not saying I can do it right now. I just have to attain a level of power that would match the Hogyoku. Besides, it is not that I am needed badly there at the moment. We just survived a war there. With your power and my own, it is possible to return. The only thing that complicates this are these…" he said as he materialized the eight pawn pieces on his right hand before he vanished them once more.

"But before those happens, tell me Ddraig, how will I be able to wield your power?"

The dragon regarded Ichigo for a moment before he chuckled. "You have already earned the right to use my power. Be wary though that you may have to get accustomed to it first before you can use its full potential."

Ichigo blinked at this. "Just like that?"

"From what I have gathered, you already went through enough and with the way your life works, you would need all the help you will need. My survival in this current time hinges on your survival so I see no reason to hold you back. Although, to attain the next stages of my power, you may need to experience a life-changing event. That is the requirement to attain Balance Breaker or any of its sub-species."

Ichigo nodded and smiled at this. It did not last long for he soon frowned before an angry tick mark appeared on his forehead as he faced Shiro and the man dressed in black. "Why can't you guys be like Ddraig-san and just outright helped me and not spoke in riddles?!"

Shiro for his part grinned maniacally at this. "And where would be the fun in that?"

The two would have continued their banter if not for the interruption of the man in black. "You are at this point of your life because of it Ichigo."

That one statement halted Ichigo from pummeling Shiro into the ground. He looked at the man and smiled a gentle smile. "Yeah…"

The being seemed satisfied and nodded his head.

Ichigo turned back to Ddraig and gave it a nod. "Thank you Ddraig. I'll be sure to wield your powers wisely."

"Of that I have no doubt partner."

"Well, I suppose it is time to wake up and meet my 'master'." Ichigo stated before he disappeared in a bright flash.

As Ichigo disappeared, the Crimson Emperor Dragon turned towards the two who was left behind. It eyed them critically before it spoke with seriousness that put Ichigo's two soul residents on high alert. "Now that we are alone. Can you tell me…?"

Flame started to gather around Ddraig while the wind picked up around the Shinigami Representative's Soulscape. The dragon's eyes glowed with an ominous red color while its mouth started to emit unrestrained flame. "Why is my partner and wielder being held back by you two…? Your answer will determine your continued existence for the foreseeable future!" roared an enraged Red Dragon Emperor.


Underworld – Gremory Territory

The bright light soon died down from the room and revealed its occupants once more. Rias and Adjuka both looked at the prone form of Ichigo when all of a sudden, crimson tattoo seemed to slowly burn onto the orange-haired teen's right arm. The tattoo resembled that of the crimson dragon whose head rested on the back of Ichigo's hand.

"What is that?" inquired Rias curiously.

Adjuka on the other hand had a different reaction. His normal mask of indifference slightly shifted to that of interest indicated by the slight widening of his eyes. Formulas started to surround Ichigo once more specifically on the newly revealed crimson tattoo. A few seconds ticked by before the said formulas faded out of existence. "Most curious indeed… It seems that this boy is also the current wielder of one of the thirteen Longinus, the Boosted Gear. What's most curious however is the manifestation of this sacred gear since the Boosted Gear is also referred as the Red Dragon Emperor's Gauntlet. This is the first time that this sacred gear has ever taken a form of a tattoo…"

Rias' eyes widened at that while her mouth went agape. She turned back towards Ichigo's prone form but soon went out of focus as she pondered the situation she was currently in. Her current pawn was the Sekiruutei and from the looks of things, have already unlocked the power. What was more astounding was that the Boosted Gear was in permanent state of release indicated by it being a tattoo. She briefly wondered if it could manifest itself as a gauntlet but dismissed the thought as not important for the moment.

"You look cute like that miss. But you do realize that it is rude to stare?"

Rias, current heir of the Gremory Clan, was shocked out of her dazed state and focused on the source of the voice. Ajuka Beelzebub continued to stare at Ichigo's direction in an impassive expression while formulas continued to run from behind him having already knew that his 'patient' was awake.

"Wha? Huh?" was the unintelligent response of Rias.

Ichigo closed his eyes and chuckled at this. He righted himself and sat upright on the table he currently was on and turned once more to the Gremory Heir. "I said, you look cute with that expression on your face. But it is quite rude to stare at someone like he or she is some kind of meat."

Rias blushed as little at Ichigo's statement but soon closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She composed herself and focused on Ichigo with an expression of someone of nobility. Ichigo for his part was quite impressed by this. A noble but without the arrogance. A certain Shinigami Captain came into mind but Ichigo dismissed it as unimportant.

"So I take it you know what your current predicament is Shinigami-kun?" she asked in a business-like tone. Almost teasing in a manner but still held professionalism. Ichigo briefly wondered if this was it was like to have a job interview.

Ichigo grinned at this. "You could say that. But the real question is, do you know what your current predicament is?"

"Oh? And I suppose you would care to explain?" Rias challenged with a grin of her own.

Ichigo Kurosaki, current Shinigami Representative, chuckled at this and turned to Ajuka Beelzebub. He nodded to Ajuka with the intention of letting him know that he is alright for him to hear this much to the amusement of one of the current Four Maou. It was not like he could stop him. Right?

"I would suggest that you sit back and rela. This will take quite a while. A very long while."


Unknown Location – Underworld

"And that is what I have found out mistress." said a figure whose robe graciously showed great amount cleavage and toned midriff which indicated the figure as female. Her head however was covered by a dark hood three 'eye' symbols located at the front that covered her real eyes with.

A female figure was soon revealed which sat on what appeared to be a comfortable velvet red chair. She wore a dress that was extremely low-cut and had a high slit on it which exposed a large portion of her breasts. She looked to be well-endowed if her generous breast that threatened to spill out of its container was any indication. She also had tan skin, brown hair, purple eyes, and wore transparent glasses. On her hand was a wine glass half full in which she took a sip using her inviting luscious red lips. "Oh? It seems that the Gremory brat has found an interesting specimen. Continue monitoring them and report to me of any progress."

A contemplative looked dawned in her face before she continued her instruction. "Also, tell me when our guest becomes alone. I want to personally asses his capabilities. He might be useful to us in the coming days."

"As you wish mistress Katerea." replied the robed figure and soon faded away from the area as if she was not there all along.

The tan-skinned woman revealed at Katerea stood up and walked gracefully towards an open veranda. A seductive but malicious grin etched on her face. "So traveler-kun what can your use be to the grand scheme of things that is about to befall this wretched world." she intoned with a voice both alluring and terrifiying.


(1) Soulscape – A representation of a Shinigami's Soul

(2) It was revealed in Episode One that Ichigo took on the body of Issei Hyoudou.

(3) Shihakushō – standard Shinigami uniform. See anime Bleach as reference.

(4) Nodachi – Large/Great sword. A long traditionally made Japanese sword.

(5) Shinigami's attire – Refers to Shihakushō.

(6) Reiatsu – Spiritual Pressure. The physical force/pressure that a person's Reiryoku creates when released. Most Shinigami and Arrancar, even Quincy and Bounts can manipulate the release of their Reiatsu. See anime Bleach as reference.

(7) Sōkyoku - Twinned Punishment. A large halberd which the Gotei 13 uses at Sōkyoku Hill to execute Shinigami who have severely broken the law. See anime Bleach as reference.


Author's Notes:

Sorry for the very long delay (about a year and four months). The story was stuck in limbo and blocked by the dreaded wall called Writer's Block.

I had so many ideas going on but I can't seem to put it in writing. I hope that this does not happen anymore but as with fanfiction writing, no promises.

Nothing much going on with this episode. It was supposed to be an explanation on what happened the previous episode which I believe was not properly addressed still. There will be more explanations but mostly in a form of flashbacks.

Special thanks to Bunny153539 for keeping correspondence with me and his patience. Most of the ideas that I have, I ran through with him. And without him, I dare say that I might not have been able to continue with the story.

Till the next Episode!

October 31, 2016:

- Too many reviews pointed out the 'master' part in which Ichigo addresses Rias. Took that out since it would save me a few more chapters to detail that anyway.

- Revisited the encounter between Juha/Old man Zangetsu + Shiro and Ddraig. Some pointed out that this should not be and I kinda agree. But I think the only problem with it was how I worded it so this should fix that.

- Minor spelling correction to Ajuka's name