Author's Note: Hey guys, I'm back with the third chapter, just one more and the prologue with be complete and we'll move onto to the main story. In this chapter Ichigo will meet a certain squad and receive training from them. Also I'll leave the poll up until we get to the Soul Society Arc, so you have until then to decide if Rangiku should be apart of Ichigo's harem or not. Now then, on with the chapter.

"Juha Bach"

"Shiro"

"Aka"

"Ao"

"P.O.V."

'Thought'

"Attacks"

Shikai/Bankai

Chapter 3: Squad Zero

It had been three months since Ichigo and Chad made their iron clad pact and the Kurosaki Family had been getting back to their livelier selves ever since. Ichigo and Yuzu looked after everyone like the family heads and did most of the chores. After their mother died, Isshin wanted to take hold of the chores but Ichigo soundly told him not to since he was already a busy man as a doctor. Even still, he helped the two whenever he could. Sometimes Tatsuki would visit the Kurosaki house to see how Ichigo and his sisters have been holding up. She was glad to see Karin and Yuzu were adjusting well and when she saw that Ichigo's room had been changed to a two story bedroom, she was shocked. Ichigo's room had a bit of changes done to it. His bed, desk, wardrobe were on the first level but the second level was turned into a training room with a meditation area in the center.

As for his progress. He got to know Shiro's name. 'Zangetsu' was the name. Though if he wanted to learn his Resurrección, he'd have to defeat Zangetsu in his Resurrección form. Should he succeed, he'd be taught how to master the form and be as strong as he already was in using Shikai.

When he saw the Resurrección, he was fascinated at how fierce the form looked. But he later found out the hard way how strong the form was by being its rag doll. Ao on the other hand laughed hard at the scene but was later forced to face the same fate as her master. After every training session was over in his inner world or the material world, he'd often lie down on Aka's lap and nap while she'd comb his hair lulling him to sleep.

Five months later he was finally able to achieve his Resurrección though it wasn't the same as the one Zangetsu had shown him. His one was immature and needed more training to reach the perfect form if not better than what Zangetsu had shown him. He was more than determined and for the moment focused on mastering the form and reaching perfection. After all, practice makes a man perfect. And besides; his training in the underground basement of Kisuke gave the shopkeeper the best chance to study the form. He even sometimes had sparred against Ichigo in that form and even though the form was an Adjuchas level hollow, it was as strong as a Vasto Lorde. But knowing the original hollow 'White', he should've expected it.

During his training in hopes of mastering his hollow form, he'd often materialize his other spirits as well as Zangetsu in the Resurrección form and fight all of them at once further impressing his mentors at how he'd progressed. Just because he was focusing on mastering the form doesn't mean he wasn't keeping in touch with his Shinigami powers. He then made an interesting discovery. He could use Kidō in his hollow form. So he made use of this chance to master the Kidō spells to the level he could perform them with just their name. He had mastered Hadō and Bakudō up to the seventies. Ichigo also learned that Zangetsu had a Shikai release form as well. The Shikai form of Zangetsu resembles an oversized Khyber knife instead of a formal katana. It has no tsuba and no proper hilt; what Ichigo holds is the cloth-wrapped tang. The sword is about as tall as Ichigo is, and has a black blade with a silver edge. The cloth wrapping on the tang seems to react to Ichigo's will, changing length at a thought or twining about the blade in an impromptu sheath. When in combat, the cloth falls away when necessary, shrinking back to a manageable size. The cloth can be used to swing the weapon like a flail and to toss it at opponents for mid-range combat, as well as bandage wounds, but these are done rarely. Ichigo has, on more than one occasion, used Zangetsu's wide blade as a shield from incoming attacks, and for deflecting energy attacks.

Further training with Yoruichi allowed him to polish everything he learnt on speed, assassination and stealth. Kisuke on the other hand had taught him how to modify or create his own Kidō which he failed multiple times and decided to try after he mastered Hadō and Bakudō up to the nineties. Though, the same thing kept on bugging the scientist. Why wasn't there any kind of change in Reiatsu if he was growing so strong? He decided to completely drop the matter seeing as it doesn't produce any kind of satisfactory results and besides, he can always find out more when Ichigo finally learns Bankai. 'Yup. I'll wait 'till he achieves Bankai.' He thought. Though he did often wonder whether he was aware of the events or not. 'Only time will tell.'

School ended just now. Ichigo had a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something big was going to happen. He asked his spirits but they in a suspiciously innocent manner said they didn't know.

"Are you okay Ichigo?" Chad asks.

"Yeah…it's just that I feel like something big is going to happen." Ichigo replied scratching his head.

"Knowing you, whatever it is will cause us trouble. We should get going." Chad says picking up his bag.

"Yeah alright." Ichigo said scowling at her as he slung his bag over his shoulder.

In the past eight months, Ichigo decided to come clear to Chad about his powers, what he was, and who/what his teachers and father are. Chad was surprised by the information he learned but was still determine to help his friend in anyway he could. As the duo got closer to the school gates, the more Ichigo's instincts started screaming at him. He kept glancing everywhere. Heck, he even used Pesquisa to make sure nothing was wrong. Just as he was sure that everything was fine, a pair of familiar slender mocha arms and legs wrapped around his neck and waist along with two soft mounds of flesh pressed against his back.

"Ichi-chan~." A seductive voice whispered into his ears and apparently Chad also noticed the sudden arrival and jumped a bit.

Ichigo sighed and said in a tired voice, "Yoruichi. What are you doing here? And how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?" Ichigo says in a tired voice along with a sigh with the feeling that he was forgetting something increased suddenly.

Yoruichi pouted and rubbed her cheeks with his.

"Aw~ don't be so rude. I've missed you and besides I can call you whatever I want." Yoruichi says pouting as she rubbed her cheek against his.

By this point the three had moved quite a distance from the school with Yoruichi still hanging on Ichigo.

"If that is the case, then that means I can also call you whatever I want. Like 'Kitty-sensei' or 'Kitty-chan' or just 'Yoruichi'." Ichigo says smirked but it soon vanished and paled once he saw her Cheshire grin starting to split her face.

"Oh? Then by all means do call me those. That would mean…" Yoruichi says before pausing and whispered to him in a husky and seductive voice, "…I can jump you right here and now. All this time I didn't because you've been adding 'nee' to it. But now if you remove it, then you won't even know when you're…deep…inside…me." She ended biting on his ear causing him to nearly moaned making her smirk in victory seeing Ichigo's red face.

"N-No! T-Then I-I'd rather still add 'nee' after your name." Yoruichi pouted again and decided to let it go…for now.

After that, the three went to Kisuke's shop where Yoruichi continued training Chad to improve his speed and physical strength while Ichigo trained with Kisuke in Zanjutsu. Within those few months Ichigo had completed his hollowfied form which looks like a giant hybrid of a lizard and human. His hair lengthened down to his waist. His mask was fearsome with a feral grin and red markings on the left side while a single black line was on the right. The hollow hole was on the middle of his chest from which red tinted black tribal markings ran along his upper body connecting with the lone stripe on the right side of the mask and his tail ended in a drill like shape which was red in color with black tip. Strange thing was that, the hollow was properly clothed. A white sleeveless coat with black markings in the end with a white undershirt. The hollowfied Ichigo wore a white baggy hakama which narrowed down below the calf to the ankles with thin and long black vertical kites. It didn't have any footwear and had clawed feet with black tipped red talons. His clawed fingers halfway became blades which were colored red with black tips. In his hand, Zangetsu changes as well the blade a silver hilt with gray wrappings, and a short length of chain at its base. The blade itself becomes slightly reshaped, curving inwards at the backside of the tip, similar to a trench knife. His Cero and Bala were now more powerful and dense doing twice the damage it did before completion. Zangetsu said that he was proud of him but he wasn't prepared yet to unlock the second release or Segunda Etapa as he called it since it had to be achieved the same way as Bankai. Ichigo readily agreed with him. He needed to get more familiar with the completed form after all. After a few more months of training in that form, he had a proper grasp over how to utilize its power to the max. Soon after that he got into the final year of his middle school.

A month after becoming 14, he had a sudden growth spurt which now made him as tall as up to the chin of Yoruichi to which she pouted at the cruelty of the world taking away his cuteness. He now had a more muscular figure that attracted attention of both young and old women alike. He had far more progressed in Kidō performing Hadō and Bakudō up to 80s without incantation. He had learnt the barriers and seals along with Kaidō from Tessai.

As Ichigo finished his training for the day, he returned home looking forward to tomorrow which was a free day for him. A day in which he'd do nothing spiritual world related. Relaxing and studying. That's what he was doing until Karin came to his room holding a letter.

"Ichi-nii, a letter has come in your name." Karin said in her usual bored tone as she handed it over to him and left giving him privacy.

Ichigo was confused. Who'd sent him a letter? And why? When he saw the sender, he nearly screamed. Squad Zero was what written there. He took a few deep breaths and calmed himself down. He knew about Squad Zero or more specifically what Kisuke had told him about them as the previous captain of the division he lead is now a Squad Zero officer. He shakily opened the letter and read the contents in it.

"Kurosaki Ichigo,

It has come to our attention that you are aware of the impending doom that is Yhwach. We, the officers of Squad Zero or rather the Royal Guard have been tasked by the Soul King himself to offer you the chance of special training for one to two years. We won't force you to come. It's a decision you'll make and whatever you choose, we'll respect it. We're giving you a week to respond. Should you accept our invitation, push a bit of your Reiatsu into the insignia at the end of this letter and a special Senkaimon will open up which would lead you to the Royal Realm where we'll be waiting for your arrival.

Best regards,

Squad Zero"

Ichigo was shocked. A bit pissed that he was kept an eye on by people he didn't know. But he thought about the pros and cons of this training. He'd certainly be trained by those who were much skilled and stronger than his current mentors and sparring partners together. He hadn't achieved Bankai and Segunda Etapa. Maybe he could achieve them there? He'll have to talk about it to his family and mentors. He immediately stood up and met his father at the clinic and showed him he letter. His father nearly died when he saw the sender. He read the letter with wide eyes and calmed down after he was finished reading it.

"What do you think I should do?" Ichigo asked feeling a bit lost.

"What do you want to do?" Isshin asked with a serious face and a frown as he looked at his son.

Ichigo contemplated on what to do and took a deep breath. "I want to go, but…" Ichigo began to say before taking a deep breath and trailing off glancing at the kitchen where his twin sisters were.

"But you don't want to leave them?" Isshin asked to which Ichigo nodded making him sigh as he stood up. "Don't worry about them. Besides, they know what you're doing, so don't stress yourself." He tells him.

"But what about my school?" Ichigo asked frowning.

"I'll ask your friend Chad to keep the notes for you and besides, the training is only for two years max." Isshin said dismissively. "But you better inform Kisuke about this. Maybe consult with him about it…?" He suggested.

"I'll be going to see him now then." Ichigo says with a nod before turning towards the exit.

Ichigo then outstretched his hand with his palm facing upward silently asking for the letter. His father handed him the letter and waved at him as he walked away.

A short walk later Ichigo arrived at the shop and knocked. The door slid open to reveal the 'humble shopkeeper' with his signature hat on and the fan covering his lower face.

"My my. What brings you here Kurosaki-san? Weren't you supposed to be resting?" Kisuke asks in the same jovial manner.

His smile dropped and closed his fan at the serious expression on the teenager's face. He turned and asked the teen to follow him deeper into the shop. On the way, Ichigo had asked Tessai to come and bring Yoruichi as well. He nodded and said that he'd send her first and then come with tea. Kisuke had many scenarios running through his head. What was the cause of his student's current predicament? He led the teen into the living room and sat opposite to him. A moment later a black cat appeared and made itself comfortable in Ichigo's lap. Tessai soon arrived with tea and sat down a bit behind Kisuke.

"So…what's the matter?" Kisuke asked.

Instead of answering, Ichigo simply placed the letter on the table and pushed it towards Kisuke. As soon as said person's eyes landed on the letter, he jumped a bit in his seated position and looked at Ichigo with wide eyes. By that time, he had dropped his fan forgetting to hide his surprise to which Ichigo gave him a smirk. Seeing the wordless conversation, the cat reluctantly got off its makeshift bed and looked at the letter having the same reaction. It looked at Ichigo and transformed to reveal a very naked Yoruichi who immediately latched onto him and started wailing with tears pouring out of her eyes like river.

"NOOOOO! THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE MY ICHI-CHAN AWAY FROM ME AND PET HIM THEMSELVES! I WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN! UWA!" Yoruichi cried.

"I'm not a pet, Yoruichi. You're the one who's closer to a pet." Ichigo growls out as the woman continued to wail while he tried to suppress a massive nosebleed. "Besides, I'll be gone for two years at best." He says.

"NOOOOO! WHAT IF THEY WANT TO KEEP YOU?! AT LEAST LET ME TAKE YOUR OH SO SWEET INNOCENCE!" Yoruichi continued to cry.

"So that's why you were crying?!" Ichigo asked incredulously.

"Yep!" Yoruichi replied happily all traces of her 'tears' and sadness gone but their play was put to a halt when a cough was heard as they turned to look at an amused Kisuke.

"Well well well! Someone's eager to get jumped on!" Kisuke jokes before turning serious. "What are you going to do?" He asks his student, who took a sip from his tea.

"That's the reason I came here. I haven't decided and thought it'd be better to discuss about this with you guys since you were and are my mentors. What do you think I should do?" Ichigo asks.

"NOOOOO! DON'T LEA-" Yoruichi begin her sobbing again before Ichigo hit her on the head.

"WILL YOU CUT IT OUT?! I'M TRYING TO BE SERIOUS HERE!" Ichigo shouts.

"Ok, ok, sheesh. You're such a spoilsport. But…this is something you're going to decide." Yoruichi says.

"I agree. We've taught you most of the things except for the highest levels of Kidō. And training under them isn't a bad idea." Kisuke said continuing where Yoruichi left off.

Ichigo frowned. On one hand he wanted to go and on the other he didn't because of his family. If he was gone, then who'd look after the twins? His father could defend them and he didn't know how his departure would affect them.

"What will I tell the others?" Ichigo asked meaning about Tatsuki who'd blow a fuse looking for him for his sudden disappearance.

"Well…tell them the military approached you for your reputation among the thugs. They saw your potential and wanted to recruit you." Kisuke said with a shrug.

"Yeah. The Gotei 13 is similar to this country's military, so it won't be a problem. Besides, they are going to train you for two years at best. After that…" Yoruichi paused and then whispered into his ears, "…you're mine." She grinned widely at Ichigo's red face before transforming back to a cat.

"Quite the excuse you got there…but wouldn't paperwork be needed to be done?" Ichigo asks.

"Leave those to me!" Kisuke said excitedly.

Ichigo sighed at his antics and stood up. He smiled and thanked them before leaving with the letter.

When he broke news to his family, the twins or rather Yuzu started crying about him leaving but after a bit of persuasion and promise of dropping by, she calmed down. Karin being the more spiritually aware one understood his need of getting stronger, so she didn't say anything and just wished him good luck.

Two days later, he was prepared to go, having already told Chad his plan and his friend supported his decision saying he'd keep an eye on his sisters until his return. Before he left, he had told Yuzu and Karin to go to Tessai and learn Kidō so that they can defend themselves while he was gone. It wasn't like he didn't trust their father, it's more because they would sooner or later attract the attention of hollows and their father can't always be there for them. His father with a heavy heart agreed on the matter and wished him luck. Everyone, the ones in the shop, his family and Chad were there to see him off at the Senkaimon leading to the royal realm to begin his training.

"See you in two years!" Ichigo said as he entered the Senkaimon and headed for the Soul King Palace.

"Isshin." Kisuke says getting the former Squad 10 captain's attention.

"Yeah?" Isshin asks.

"With Ichigo gone, he might target the twins. What will you do?" Kisuke asks.

"For now, train them in Kidō. Give them a Zanpakutō only if their spirits try to talk to them or something similar to that of Ichigo happens." Isshin said after a while of thinking surprising the others.

"Send them here after school. I will train them personally." Tessai says.

"Thank you." Isshin says to the former Kidō Corps Commander.

"Hey, maybe I could train them in using Hohō and Hakuda? How about it Isshin?" Yoruichi asks.

"I'd like that." The father of three said as he left.

Ichigo stepped out of the Senkaimon to see five figures awaiting him. The bald man in middle was the first to speak up.

"Welcome to the Soul King Palace Ichigo Kurosaki Shiba. I am Ichibē Hyōsube 'Monk Who Calls the Real Name' and leader of Squad Zero or the Royal Guard." The man ended with a grin. Ichibē is a large and broad individual with a bald head, red eyes, bushy eyebrows and a long black beard. He wears the standard Shinigami uniform beneath a white, long-sleeved haori decorated with the Royal Guard's emblem. The top of his uniform is open enough to expose his hairy chest. He also wears a large set of red prayer beads around his neck and a pair of single-toothed tengu geta.

The one to Ichibē's immediate right spoke up next.

"I'm Tenjirō Kirinji 'Hot Spring Demon'." Tenjirō says. Tenjirō is a lean-built and very tall man with black hair arranged into an outlandishly large pompadour, or "regent" hairstyle, with tapered sideburns. He frequently chews upon a small stick. Instead of the standard Shinigami uniform, he wears a waist-length white jacket that leaves most of his chest exposed but still bears the Royal Guard emblem on its back, as well as the alternating circle and diamond pattern of a captain's haori along the bottom. His attire is completed by a black hakama, a large yellow sash around his waist and a pair of sandals.

The next one to introduce themselves was a woman.

"I'm Kirio Hikifune 'Ruler of Grain'." Hikifune says. Hikifune is a plump, purple haired lady with styled swirl-shaped markings on her cheeks and black lips. She has a large silver adornment in her hair and wears the standard Shinigami uniform beneath a white, long-sleeved haori decorated with the Royal Guard's emblem.

The one on Ichibē's immediate left was another woman, who introduced herself.

"I'm Senjumaru Shutara 'Great Weave Guard'." Shutara says. Shutara has the appearance of a slender and very youthful woman with fair skin and long, black hair that is adorned at the back by a large golden ornament in the shape of a crescent moon with numerous small lines radiating outwards. She wears the standard Shinigami uniform beneath a white long-sleeved haori, over which she dons a further white robe fastened at the front near the center of her chest. She also wears a pair of extremely thick-soled okobo. She has 6 long, golden skeletal artificial arms attached to her back that she uses in place of her real ones.

The last one exclaimed as he introduced himself.

"Yo! I'm Ōetsu Nimaiya. 'God of the Sword'. I look forward to forging your Zanpakutō!" Nimaiya says. Ōetsu is a dark-skinned man with thick, black hair that is shaven and dyed green on the sides of his head. He wears a variation of the Shinigami shihakushō, featuring instead a green undergarment, and a shortened hakama that exposes his lower legs. Worn over this is a white, sleeveless puffer jacket that bears the Royal Guard emblem on its back, as well as the alternating circle and diamond pattern of a captain's haori along the bottom. His attire is completed by gold-framed sunglasses with blue lenses, and a pair of green slippers that are gold trimmed and have a shoe-like appearance.

Ichigo dumbly nodded and bowed in respect. "Hello. Pleased to meet you. When are we beginning?" Ichigo asks in a bow of respect yet still feeling awkward.

These guys are on a completely different level than his former mentors, and if he is to become stronger, then he'd need their guidance. The five exchanged looks among them and then Shutara spoke up.

"No need to be polite. Speak freely and don't hesitate." Shutara says after she received a nod and then turned to Ichibē who took the lead.

"Before we begin you're training, the Soul King wishes to speak with you. Follow me." Ichibē said and walked off towards the Greater Soul Palace where the Soul King resided and as they were about to walk, a group of men arrived and bowed before the two. "Ah, you'll be living with Shutara, so hand over your belongings to her men." He instructed.

With a hesitant nod, Ichigo did as instructed and followed the monk. After a few moments, the two reached the gates which were opened by Ichibē and Ichigo as indicated walked in and looked back at him with a questioning gaze.

"I cannot be present during your meeting with the Soul King. Do not worry and be formal with him." Ichibē says as Ichigo slightly nodded and walked in deeper into the place.

After a minute he arrived at the throne room and he was shocked to see the condition of the Soul King. He was limbless encased in crystal and had galaxy like eyes. The Soul King looked at him and nodded.

"Do not fret Young Ichigo. Make yourself comfortable." The Soul King says and just as soon as he said that, a luxurious single person couch appeared out of nowhere waiting to be sat upon.

Ichigo took a few calming breaths and sat on the couch which then pulled him closer to the king.

"Okay… so aside my training we were supposed to talk about…" Ichigo asks.

"The return of Yhwach. Surely you're aware of the prophecy about him?" The Soul King asked to which Ichigo nodded. "Good. Now you see…" He began his tale.

The meeting had gone for two hours and when Ichigo pushed open the doors looking tired, he came upon Tenjirō.

"You look like shit kid. Follow me." Tenjirō said and walked off with Ichigo closely behind.

"We're starting training now?" Ichigo asked tiredly rolling his shoulders.

"No. First I'll dunk you in my springs and then send you to Hikifune. You'll eat there and then you'll be sent to the crazy Nimaiya. After that you'll turn in for the night at Shutara's and the next morning you'll once again eat at Hikifune's. After that, your Shinigami arts and the other ones will be refined. Your training doesn't begin today." Tenjirō explains the training schedule.

"But every day counts!" Ichigo protested to which he got a bored look from Tenjirō.

"Not my fault. The king himself doesn't want you to start training today. So we're beginning tomorrow." Tenjirō says.

"Fine. So, what does your hot springs do?" Ichigo wonders.

'So he already knows about the one of Kisuke Urahara? Figures.' Tenjirō thought as he glanced at the teenager. "Why don't ya check it out yourself?" He finished with a smirk as the two stood on a platform.

"Sure…" Ichigo said unsure of the situation as he was launched along with Tenjirō to his palace where the springs were stationed.

After dipping in the 'springs', Ichigo was as promised sent to Kirio Hikifune's palace where he ate to his heart's content and was even shocked to know about the woman's before and after cooking condition.

Just as he stood on the platform that'd send him to Ōetsu Nimaiya's palace, he was told about his increase in Reiryoku which he in fact had noticed. When he arrived at the palace of Ōetsu Nimaiya, he was impressed with all the flashiness it had. He even shocked the man by noting that all of the 'women' there had the exact same Reiatsu. Ōetsu was crying rivers of happiness to see that the kid before him was able to determine what was what. The man's ramblings were cut off by a girl very similar to Hiyori in the name of 'Mera-chan' as the man had called her. She then pulled him towards a rather 'impressive' hut where he was told to pass through the gate. Just as he stepped in, he fell crashing down to ground many feet below the door. He was about to demand an explanation for the act but stopped in his tracks when he heard growls behind him. He turned around and saw multiple undefined men surrounding him. He then noted that they felt blank to which he was greeted to the sound of hands clapping.

"Well Ichi-chan, now that you've figured out that they are Asauchis, your task will be to find your ones among the hundreds of them. Good luck!" Ōetsu says.

Ichigo just raised an eyebrow at the man and crossed his hands as he stared down at the Asauchis. He released his Reiatsu on them causing them to fall flat on the ground and heard cracking sounds from three different places. He immediately rushed and pulled those three from the horde and gently laid them before him. He reigned in his Reiatsu allowing the three and the other Asauchis behind them to bow down to him in three lines. First line had 32 Asauchis with the second having 33 and the last had 35. Then all Asauchis in the three lines merged and leaving only three behind still bowing down to Ichigo.

Nimaiya on the other hand…well his brain short circuited at the view. Identifying an individual's Zanpakutō by releasing their full Reiatsu and picking them up judging from the cracks on the skin? Not only that, but they even bowed down to him?! All of them merged into three and bowed down before the child?! He knew that Ichigo had three Zanpakutō spirits, but to think something like this would happen…he was brought out of his reverie when he heard Ichigo's voice.

"Oi! Mohawk-san! What now? I've found them but they don't look like I know they do!" Ichigo shouts from below.

'Mohawk-san?!' Ōetsu thought and then shook his head. "Touch each of them and push a little pit of your Reiryoku into them." He explains.

Ichigo nodded and stood before the one on the left and placed his hand on its head and pushed a bit of his Reiryoku. It was covered in white ice sculpture shocking Ichigo because he was sure he was a fire wielder. The ice sculpture shattered to reveal…

"Ao…" Ichigo breathed out surprised to see her smiling cheekily at him teen before standing a bit behind him on the left.

Ichigo repeated the same thing with the one in the center and this time, it was covered in reddish-orange fire with blue tints. The fire dispersed to reveal…

"Aka." Ichigo greeted at the gently smiling woman who hugged him before standing beside her counterpart.

He then repeated the same with the last and was thrown off balance at the burst of red tinted white Reiatsu which then formed a solid sphere with red wisps of energy swirling around it. It then cracked to reveal…

"Shiro." Ichigo greeted the masked man with a smirk before punching him and dodging the retaliation punch.

"Quite the greeting you got there kingy. The punch didn't hurt. Getting soft are we?" Zangetsu asked jokingly getting a smirk in return which then turned into a frown as he looked at the female duo.

Aka was the same but Ao…she now had long hair colored a mix of black, blue, and white with two wavy black horizontal lines along one side of her head. Her eyes are large and amber, with multiple rings inside them. She wore a scarf with vertical zigzag stripes and a furisode with a snowflake pattern along the hem and the bottom of the sleeves. [1]

"What's the explanation for that ice and the flip in personality Ao?" Ichigo asked in confusion.

Ao frowned and sighed but before she could reply, Ōetsu spoke up.

"I can explain that. Get up here and follow me!" The man exclaimed as he walked away with Mera as Ichigo and his Zanpakutō spirits joined him. "You see, all this time, you've been using a half active Zanpakutō." He told the teen.

"You mean to say…" Ichigo trailed off only to be continued by Ōetsu.

"Correct! You're the first Shinigami to wield a Zanpakutō of two polar opposite elements. Ice and Fire. I can guarantee you that your Ice will be stronger than that of Hyōrinmaru but your fire…while it is greater and more powerful than your pops' it will be weaker than that of Ryūjin Jakka." Ōetsu explains.

"That explains the short temper you used to have!" Ichigo noted looking at Ao who looked away with a blush but nodded nonetheless. "I guess beating me to death was one way to let loose of your frustrations huh? Sorry about that." He smiled apologetically at Ao.

'The kid sure is close to his Zanpakutō spirits. He'll be a fearsome opponent in the future.' Ōetsu thought and then widely smirked, 'A mere kid is going to be one of your strongest allies Yamamoto. Get ready for the storm named Ichigo Kurosaki Shiba.' He thought with a small smirk.

"Well now what?" Ichigo asked.

"Isn't it obvious? We'll get down to forging them." The man said as he set up a slide and kicked Ichigo and three Zanpakutō spirits into the deeper part of the palace and summoned his bodyguards to prepare the forge for him and tied his hair back while removing the sunglasses. "Mera-chan, do you remember how I forged her?" He asked as he lead the three spirits towards a group of girls were present along with Mera.

"You do know that she can't be sheathed in anything but that gel?" Mera asked to which she got a crazy grin.

"We'll be busy for a while my dear Mera-chan. As for you Ichigo-chan…I'll summon you when you'll be needed to put the final touch." Ōetsu says.

"I'll be needed for the final touch?" Ichigo asked confused.

"Your Reiatsu signature is the final component. So…see you to tomorrow!" Ōetsu said before he suddenly launched Ichigo to Shutara's palace.

"So you've finally come?" Came Shutara's voice from behind him as he lied on the ground panting. 'That fool always does something like this.' She sighed before saying, "Come now young one. I need your measurements to make you a new wardrobe." She said as she walked away with Ichigo in tow.

'Why does everyone walk away when they're done talking to/commanding me?' Ichigo wondered.

The next day Ichigo arrived at Ōetsu's forging place and saw the man smirking at him.

"Use two for your Shinigami Zanpakutō while the other one for your hollow Zanpakutō. Pour your Reiatsu into them to the brim and give them to me." Ōetsu says after giving Ichigo three crystal spheres.

Ichigo did as instructed and started pouring Reiatsu into each. The first glowed reddish-orange with blue tints. As Ichigo continued this process, Juha Bach poured his Quincy Reiatsu into it not without the consolation of his fellow spirits. The now reddish-orange sphere had blue circuit patterns surrounding the sphere. He repeated the same with the second one. It glowed blueish-white and at the end, the same but brighter circuit patterns appeared. When he put his hollow Reiatsu into the last one, it glowed white with red tints, however, the circuit patterns were black instead of blue. Ichigo asked why those circuit patterns appeared and Juha Bach confessed that it was his doing as a result of mixing a bit of Ichigo's Quincy power into theirs. With the task done, he handed the three spheres over to Ōetsu who just raised an eyebrow and dropped the three in three different forge. And after that, explosions of reddish-orange, blueish-white and red-tinted white Reiatsu occurred throwing all of them back. When the force let up, Mera brought three identical hilts and handed it to Ōetsu. Ōetsu simply dipped them guard first and let them float. After a while he pulled them out and presented three glowing katanas in a line.

"The left and the middle ones are your Shinigami Zanpakutō and the one on the right is your hollow Zanpakutō. Now then let's see the changes shall we?" Ōetsu got a confused look from Ichigo and sighed. "Grab them and put your own soul into them." He simply ordered.

Ichigo nodded and picked up the two Shinigami Zanpakutō and focused on them. The two katanas were covered in white flash of light before revealing themselves in their new appearance. Both of them had guards that appeared to be five pointed cross inside a circle. The one on his left hand was blueish-white while the one on the right was reddish-orange. The hilt of the one on the left had blue wrappings with white diamonds and a white tassel dangling on the buttend of the hilt. The hilt of the right one had red wrappings with orange diamonds and an orange tassel dangling off of it. As for the blade, it was longer than a katana but shorter than a nodachi around 80 centimeters and had lesser curve as well. A hollowed-out portion was existent from the base of the blade to a few inches away from the tip. The blade like all others was silver but glinted blue and reddish-orange whenever light reflected off of its edges. He observed the two with wonder in his eyes and the release commands in his mind. One for fire and the other for ice. Aka was the one of fire while the newly shy Ao was ice.

"Good. Move onto the next one." Ōetsu said as he handed Ichigo two sheaths blue and red. He stored 'Aka' in the red one and 'Ao' was put in the blue one.

Ichigo then turned to the remaining single Zanpakutō and grabbed it with the same process happening again. The Zanpakutō was now revealed to have an ocean-blue five pointed star in a circle guard. The hilt had white wrappings and the diamonds were blue with a blue chain of a length of a foot dangled. The blade was bone-white and straight with the same length as that of the other two. He was then handed a white sheath which had blue chains wrapped around it. When he sheathed the Zanpakutō, the chains of the sheath and hilt linked together with a snap. Ichigo then noticed that all three had the same guard and they looked exactly like a Quincy cross. Last night, Juha Bach had finally revealed to Ichigo what his third power was, the power of a Quincy, which he inherited from his mother but is unable to use most of the Quincy abilities except for Blut. Shocked by this, Ichigo listen carefully to everything Juha Bach told him and reminded himself that once he returns home to ask his father about his mother being a Quincy.

"The three Zanpakutōs now are a Shinigami-Quincy and hollow-Quincy hybrids. You'll be able to use Blut to enhance your sharpness and offensive prowess or the defensive making it harder for the opponents to win a stalemate." Juha Bach explains to Ichigo who nodded happy of such convenience.

"Well now, those are pretty great Zanpakutōs you got there and therefore go to Ichibē who will the give the name of their Shikai and Bankai." Ōetsu said as he launched Ichigo up again now towards Ichibē's palace to properly start training as well as getting the names.

Ichigo in his flight to Ichibē's had a short conversation with his Zanpakutō spirits. They said that there were slight changes barely noticeable but present nonetheless. He was excited to see their new form and raced to Ichibē as soon as he landed. When he reached the man in question, he had given the Zanpakutōs to the man to name them. The man shook his head in amusement seeing how excited the teen was and got down to thinking of a proper name. When he was relayed information about the Zanpakutōs, he racked his brain and finally got down to name them.

"Done. Try releasing their Shikai." Ichibē said as he handed over the three Zanpakutōs to Ichigo's hands.

He saw Ichigo place the hollow Zanpakutō onto his back by the chain across left shoulder. Ichigo on the other hand stood in the center of the dojo and held out his sealed Zanpakutōs. Right crossed over left in a reverse grip pointed downwards while the left was pointed upwards yet diagonally.

"Ignite and Disintegrate. Turn White and Solidify. Getsu no Ikari!" [2] Ichigo chants.

With an explosion of fire, the blades glowed brightly and slowly started morphing and taking new shape. When the fire and light died, it revealed Ichigo holding two massive Khyber knives nearly as big as him. Half of the blade was obsidian black while the other was white instead of silver. In the division of the two colors ran a thin and long hollowed-out portion near the back edge of the blade starting at the base of the blade to a few inches before the tip of the blade. From the hollowed-out portions, there were flames of reddish-orange licking across the dull surface covering the black part of the blade revealing little of said part. The most eye catching part were the barely visible yet glowing blue circuit patterns that ran throughout the whole blade horizontally and vertically crisscrossing over each other. The blade had a handle that was the length of Ichigo's forearm covered in white cloth that burned with blue flames not affecting Ichigo in the slightest. The grip between the base of the blade and handle had only little space for a single hand to be held in instead of two.

'So these are the changes you guys were talking about…and the circuit patterns are the Blut I suppose?' Ichigo asked to which he got a hum of affirmation from the spirits. 'But…this is the fire half…what about my ice half?' Ichigo asked to which he was shot dry looks from Ao and Aka as they sighed and pinched his soul at a way that gave him the command to switch elements.

"Suitchi." [3]

As he said that, the fire vanished replaced by ice. The heat was gone and now cold took its place. The flames licking the back surface of the blade were gone replaced with white ice stuck across the back edge of the blade starting from the hollowed-out portion. The circuit patterns were the same in color glowing dimly. Ichibē on the other hand was impressed. When Ichigo released his Zanpakutō, he tapped into the fire element first and the explosion followed by the release command completely scorched the wooden platform on the dojo along with several parts cracked and turned to dust. The heat was a lot. It was on par with Ryūjin Jakka (Flowing Blade-like Flame) yet a far cry from Zanka no Tachi (Longsword of the Remnant Flame). And when the kid tapped into the ice element, the whole area's temperature dropped several degrees even more so than Hyōrinmaru. The Zanpakutō was exactly worthy of the release phrase. Ignite and Disintegrate showed the part where fire exploded and Turn White and Solidify showed up at the drop in temperature and white ice that covered the back edge of the blade. It was truly a rare and special Zanpakutō, one that will never show up again in the future nor did it in the past. Ichibē was looking forward to the Bankai even though he had an idea of what it'd end up as.

[1]- Tsurara Oikawa from Nurarihyon no Mago

[2]- Moon's Wrath

[3]- Switch

Author's Note: There you have, Ichigo's Zanpakuto name and Shikai is revealed. Also please remember that just because Ichigo has been trained by Squad Zero doesn't mean he'll be OP. Anyway one more chapter and the prologue will be complete as we move onto the first arc on this story.

Please be sure to leave a review and tell me what you think.