Disclaimer - I do not own Bleach
Chapter Twenty Three - First Impression
All of the arrancars observed as Ichigo left the room. Some of them, specifically Harribel's fracciones, were still afraid of him after learning that a hollow killed his mother while the others were confident that Ichigo truly forgave the hollows
"What's wrong Nelliel?" Ulquiorra asked as she noticed Nel's rather odd expression
"It's just Ichigo. He seems different from how he was before. It kinda makes me worry." Nel answered
"Do not blame him Nelliel." Harribel said. "When you are betrayed by the people you trusted, things will never be the same. I should know this better than anyone else. Given that he is young, much younger than us, I am not surprised in the drastic change from what we knew about him before."
"I hope you're right." Nel said
Outside Las Noches
Ichigo flashed a good distance away from las noches. As he finally settled on a certain spot, he decided to sit on the sand. 'So, you two gonna teach me now or what?'
"Yeah yeah. I will say this Ichigo. I am surprised at how you handled yourself. I would have thought after being hugged like that you would go nuts."
'Hey! I'm not a perv like you ok.'
"Enough both of you. We don't have much time before dawn." Zangetsu interrupted their bickering. "Ichigo, are you ready now?"
'Yeah. Let's get this over with.'
"Alright then. Before we begin, keep this in mind Ichigo. Your powers work differently from other zanpakutos."
'What kind of a difference are we talking about?'
"Unlike other zanpakutos where a certain technique only has one effect, your techniques have multiple effects. Some of which have multiple, different effects in one technique."
'Really? That's awesome.'
"Yeah. Take your black flames for example. On first glance, it is just a fancy color flames, but if you want to, you can anything it touches to stone."
'Cool. So how do I do that?'
"It depends on you Ichigo. The effects of your technique would depend on what you want to do with your target. So if you want to burn it, the flames will burn it. If you want to immobilize your target, your flames will instead turn it to stone."
'So it's that simple.'
"Yes but it still requires you to focus otherwise you will not achieve your intended results and should you lose focus on what you intend to do to your target, it will instead burn them."
"Remember this well Ichigo. The name of this technique is Owari no nai teiden inferuno."
"Also Ichigo, your technique to control corpses is a sub technique of the flames and it does not necessarily require a corpse to use."
'What do you mean by that?'
"That technique is called Fujōna ningyō shōkan. It fuses your flames with the reishi in the air to create soldiers. This means that at any given moment, you can just create an army out of nowhere. Alternatively, you can use those flames on a coprse which you know about already."
"Remember Ichigo, you must have the flames not burn anything otherwise this technique will fail and will instead become the usual flames. Also, the army you summon can take on any form you desire and are controlled the same way as when you use it on a corpse."
'That is one messed up technique. So you're saying I can make a dragon just from using this technique?'
"You can even create a terrifying monster that has its stomach ripped open."
'Ok that is going too far.'
"Give it a try Ichigo."
'Alright.' Ichigo said before releasing his flames into the air. The flames then broke apart and scattered before they took on the form of a guy with an ordinary sword. 'It worked.'
"You know Ichigo, after seeing that quincy girl and being hugged by Nelliel, I was honestly thinking you would create a hot girl instead."
'Hey! Shut up will you.' Ichigo grumbled before having his summoned army change forms, From wolves to tigers to eagles
"Here's an extra tip for you Ichigo. In this technique, your flames become malleable like a clay so it is not entirely limited to being living creature, although summoning inanimate objects will take more focus and effort so don't use it too often and it has its own limitations. I'll leave you to find that out for yourself."
'So I can make stuff like cars or something?'
"Yes but if you do that the cars won't move. Remember, whatever shape it takes, it is still only flames and are thus limited in what it can do. For example, if you have it transform into someone, your flames will not be able to use his or her abilities. Here is my suggestion Ichigo, instead of using it offensively, use it for utility purposes such as creating a prison to trap your enemies or scouting."
Ichigo then decided to try out Zangetsu's suggestion. He had the army he just summoned gather together and they formed a giant box with some holes in it. 'How'd I do?'
"It's decent for now Ichigo. So just focus on what you really want it to form and do not have it change forms. Even if it is by accident, if you have it turn into something else, it will turn into what you want so be very careful about this."
Unknown to Ichigo, the four espadas were watching him from afar. A distance good enough for them to see clearly yet far enough that Ichigo's abilities couldn't reach them
Ichigo's training however, was interrupted when he felt four hollows heading his way and each were at the level of the ones that guarded the menos forest.
"What do we have here brothers? A random soul reaper." one of the adjuchas hollows said. This hollow looked like a centipede but with only about twelve legs. Unlike Yammy however, this one was smaller, much weaker and was still a pure hollow and not an arrancar
"He seems different from a different from other soul reapers." another one said. The second hollow was rather odd. It had four tails as well as blade like protrusions above its hands. It also had two more tails but this one was connected to its upper back instead of the lower one
"Yeah. Are you really a soul reaper? Why you not wearing one of those black things?" the third one said. This one appeared to be just an ordinary hollow except that its hands were shaped like a five pointed talon
"Who cares? Just eat him. We'll become vasto lordes if we eat someone as powerful as he is." the final one said. This hollow appeared to be a snake and a very long one at that. It also had wing like protrusions right below its head which makes its appearance like a dragon of some sort
The espada saw what was going on from a far. Nel immediately moved to intercept but Starrk put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't. Let's see what he can do." he said with Nel looking at Ichigo with worry
'Are these guys for real?'
"This is such a pain in the ass. Just kill them Ichigo."
'I have a better idea.' Ichigo told him which caused White and Zangetsu to raise an eyebrow in confusion. "So are you four just gonna stand there or what?" Ichigo mocked the hollows
The hollows immediately attacked where he was standing but Ichigo just jumped and avoided them. When the four hollows realized what he had done, they launched multiple attacks at him to which Ichigo just nonchalantly dodged
"Stand still soul reaper." the third hollow yelled out as he was trying to attack Ichigo with his talons. He launched a next attack with his other hand but Ichigo just blocked it with his own hand before single handedly ripping off one of the fingers. "That was my finger. Damn you soul reaper, now I'm gonna kill you." it yelled before Ichigo just kicked it away
As the talon clawed hollow was pushed away, the centipede hollow took over the attack and stood upright on the two legs at the back. He then fired spikes from his other legs, creating dust at where Ichigo stood. "HAHAHAHA! Die soul reaper, then we will feast on you." he said but his jaw dropped when the dust finally cleared. Ichigo just stood there not only unharmed, but not a single one of the spikes managed to pierce his body
"Is this the best you can do?" Ichigo said before flashing in front of the centipede hollow and kicking him down to the ground, effectively breaking its back.
The four tailed hollow then immediately attacked him from behind as Ichigo noticed that its tails can actually extend. Ichigo just dodged them using a simple side step but since the four tails were heading in the same direction, the hollow instead wrapped Ichigo in a bind. Almost immediately, the snake hollow raised its tail up and launched it towards Ichigo
Ichigo just sighed at the efforts before grabbing his trench knife and slashing sidewards, slicing both of the hollow's tails in one go. "Now it's my turn." Ichigo said with a grin before releasing flames towards the four hollows. The four of them dodged it, even the centipede one
"I have to admit, that was a pretty good idea Ichigo."
"You should learn how to aim soul reaper." the centipede hollow said before noticing something odd. The flames then changed forms to look exactly like him and his other comrades. "What the hell?"
"What is this?" the taloned hollow said as their clones attacked viscously attacked them. Caught by surprise, the four hollows were caught by surprise and were immediately pushed back
The four hollows then continued to fight their duplicates while Ichigo just watched them with a grin as he returned his trench knife to his right hip. Annoyed by their opponent's power, the four tailed hollow decided to have both of its tails on the back go undergound and soon enough it emerged below Ichigo, catching him off guard and binding him
Caught by surprise, Ichigo lost focus and the hollow duplicates ceased their attack. The hollows noticed this and immediately moved to attack him while he was still in a bind. Realizing his situation, Ichigo then had his flames transform from being hollow duplicates. It turned back into regular flames and flew around the four hollows, trapping them before it them formed into a cage. The hollows tried to break free but the cage holding them was far too sturdy to destroy with force alone. With the hollows trapped, Ichigo broke free from his binding and sliced the tails that were holding him
"Alright, looks like I still need some practice before I can use that." Ichigo said nonchalantly as he walked towards his prisoners. 'When used like this, can I have it turn into the original flames? The one that burns or turn my target to stone?'
"Yes Ichigo. Since this technique is a sub technique of your inferno, you can turn between the two whenever you like. Think of your inferno and summoning techniques like two sides of the same coin Ichigo. Despite being a sub technique of the inferno, your summoning technique is basically the utility or defensive form whereas the inferno itself is the offensive form."
'Gotcha.' Ichigo said before one of the bars of the cage broke itself, turn into flames and engulfed centipede hollow, effectively turning it to stone. 'When I turn something to stone, is that permanent?'
"It depends on you Ichigo. When you turn something to stone, it will remain as a stone until you choose to lift its effects. The only way for anyone to break free from its effects is for when they are on the same or higher level of power than yours."
'Alright then.' Ichigo said before having the bars open on one side, freeing his attackers. He then decided to lift the petrification on the centipede hollow. 'If I use the flames on them, can I control them like I would a corpse?'
"No you cannot. Even though they are much weaker than you, they still have enough power to resist its influence. The only way you can control a living being is when they have little to no spirit energy."
"You should have killed us when you had the chance soul reaper!" the snake hollow yelled as it and its cohorts went out through the cage's opening and moved to attack an Ichigo who was conversating with his inner spirits
"I've had enough of you." Ichigo coldly said before grabbing his khyber knife and unleashing a massive torrent of flames, burning them all to ashes
The arrancars were in awe as they watched Ichigo. Even though they were adjuchas class hollows, Ichigo didn't even suffer a scratch. In fact, even they themselves doubted if they could take on four adjuchas hollows without receiving some kind of injuries. The fact that Ichigo took them all down while still training
Back with Ichigo
"Ichigo. You need to go home now. It's only about a couple hours until dawn."
'Alright. I think that's enough. For now anyway.' Ichigo replied as he was putting his swords away
Before he could do anything else, he suddenly heard someone clapping behind him. He turned around and saw the four espadas walking towards him
"Impressive Ichigo. I knew you were strong but I never even imagined that strong." Starrk said as he stopped clapping
"Yes. Your power really is something else." Harribel added
"Are you alright Ichigo?" Nel worriedly asked him
"Yeah. Those guys weren't even a challenge. I did let my guard down for a bit though." Ichigo said before realizing something. "Wait, how long have you guys been watching?"
"We have been watching you for a good while Ichigo, even before those adjuchas hollows attacked you." Ulquiorra answered him
"Really? How come I didn't sense you? I had my pesquisa active all the time." Ichigo curiously asked
Starrk just gave a smile that looked like he was gonna laugh out loud. "We are hollows Ichigo. While it is true that you can detect someone's spirit energy, fellow hollows who are powerful enough can also hide themselves from another's pesquisa. Assuming of course that is what you meant."
"Oh I didn't know that." Ichigo just muttered. 'Hey. Is what he is saying true?'
"It is Ichigo."
'Why did you not tell me?'
"It wasn't important. Remember, you had no quarrels with the arrancars after you left hueco mundo so there is no reason for them to go to the world of the living."
'A little heads up would have been nice.'
"What are you going to do now Ichigo?" Nel asked him
"I think I'm gonna go home now. It's almost daytime in the world of the living and I don't wanna make myself look suspicious." Ichigo answered him to which Nel pouted
"Do you need help going home?" Harribel asked him
"No. I can do it." Ichigo said before opening up a garganta behind him. "Yeah that reminds me. Is it alright if I visit here again?"
"Yes." Ulquiorra simply said and the others nodded in agreement
"Alright then see you later." Ichigo said as he waved them good bye and the garganta closed
"So what do you think about all this Ulquiorra?" Starrk asked when Ichigo finally left
"Regardless of whether or not Ichigo was telling the truth or not about this Yhwach person, it is worth considering. If there is anything we have learned from Aizen, it is better that we be prepared for anything. We should start training in the event Yhwach actually attacks us." Ulquiorra answered
"Wouldn't Ichigo come and help us?" Nel asked
"There is a chance the he won't Nelliel." Harribel answered. "He only said that his goal was to kill Yhwach. He also mentioned that Yhwach's target was the soul society. There is a strong possibility that Yhwach might send an invasion force to us while also attacking the soul society at the same time. If that does happen, Ichigo would probably be at the soul society, waiting for his opening."
"Yeah. Besides, I'm not gonna be like the soul reapers who rely on Ichigo alone." Starrk said
"Really? Coming from you?" Nel questioned in surprise
"Even I am surprised at this change of heart." Harribel added
"I know I know but Ichigo appeared to be really serious about it. I may be lazy but I certainly don't wanna get beat up." Starrk told them
"Let's go back and inform the others to train as soon as possible." Ulquiorra said before going back with the others following him
In the garganta
Ichigo was still walking back towards the world of the living. 'Hey. There's something I don't understand. How exactly do my flames work?'
"What do you mean by that Ichigo?"
'I mean what I said. How does flames turn into objects and lose its ability to burn anything? That doesn't make any sense to me.'
"They are not actually flames Ichigo. Your power is to subjugate the darkness. Those flames that you use are just a manifestation of the darkness. The flames are just the shape your powers take. That is why it can change and lose its ability to burn anything."
"It also doesn't by definition, burn or petrify Ichigo."
'What do you mean?'
"Tell me, what do you think the darkness does?"
'Uh destroy? Consume?'
"Exactly. When your flames burns or petrifies, it doesn't actually do that in the classic way. Instead, what it does is it consumes your targets temperature. All beings must have a balance of heat and cold or they will melt or freeze. When your flames devours the specific temperature, it also enhances the opposite, achieving the same effects as burning or petrifying. Also when you petrify something it doesn't actually turn to stone but the effects of your powers robs your targets ability to move while at the same time covering their body with the darkness and holds them still."
'I get it. Why you didn't tell me this earlier?'
"Because it is much simpler to tell you that it burns or petrifies rather than telling you all the details. Since it will do what you intend to your target, it will still appear burned or petrified regardless if you know the details of it."
'I still get the feeling you think I wouldn't understand which is why you didn't give me the details.'
"Maybe I do." White said with Ichigo feeling his zanpakuto just grinning at him
'Oh I almost forgot, if I have it take the form of an object, can it still have its ability to alter temperatures?'
"Yes however it would require even more focus to be used like that and you are not ready for it. The best way to use it Ichigo is for scouting since that requires less focus."
'Well at least I know how it works. If I turn it into an object, can I have that object go invisible? More importantly, can I still use it to spy on a different place?'
"Yes all of that is possible Ichigo. This means you can spy on multiple areas at the same time. But I have to tell you this. If you make even the slightest mistake you might make it visible."
'You said it will only change when I want it to change. So I guess I'll just have to use it to spy and nothing more.'
"You could but that isn't as easy as it sounds. Practice it first before doing it or you'll screw up."
'Fine. I will. One more thing. How exactly does the flames make something invisible?'
"I already told you. It will only consume what you want it to consume. By targeting the light that's in contact with you as well as your own shadow, it gives the illusion you are invisible. That being said, you can come up with some pretty neat ways to use your flames, both the inferno and summoning techniques when you have mastered it."
'My abilities may be about the darkness but I'm really starting to like it.'
Ichigo soon arrived back his room. He checked the clock and saw it was nearly five in the morning.' Now what?'
"Get some rest Ichigo. If something comes up, we'll wake you up."
'Ok I guess I'm feeling a bit tired after that.'
Well, looks like this one wasn't delayed. Hope you enjoyed that one
Translations:
Owari no nai teiden inferuno - Unending Blackout Inferno
Fujōna ningyō shōkan - Unholy Puppet Summoning
