A/N: Hey folks, starting a new story again. Don't worry, I'm still writing my other ones but I got talking to my beta, theriku260 about the basic premise 'I want to give Izuku a zanpakuto.' A bunch of brains storming happened and then this idea got into my head. I had to write it down otherwise I would stop.

Also, I will as a rule, generally use english terms over Japanese ones such as Soul Reaper not Shinigami. I will make some exceptions like Zanpakuto since Soul Cutter sounds kinda lame or Japanese terms that didnt get a translation like Konso.

Izuku: To Balance or Save?

Izuku Midoriya ran for his life. Forcing his legs to keep pumping, he desperately gasped for air trying to out run the monster that was chasing him. Izuku had no idea what it was but didn't look like a mutation Quirk, it was had a big dark body with an animalistic white mask. All Izuku knew was that some instinct drove him to run.

He had followed Katsuki into a forest behind a fence even though Izuku had tried to explain that it was dangerous for six year olds like themselves. Izuku had gotten lost when Kacchan and his two friends ran off but he hadn't been too worried until the large monster had appeared through a purple portal.

The monster gave a throaty chuckle, "Come back boy. It's been far too long since I've had a pure human to feast on. I can smell your spiritual energy from here; it smells delicious!"

Izuku shuddered and somehow managed to squeeze out a bit more speed. He didn't want to get eaten, he wanted to be a hero like All Might! Why weren't any heroes coming to help him?

With a soft boom the monster appeared in front of Izuku and swung a fist right into Izuku's chest. Izuku went flying back into a tree and bounced off the trunk to the ground. Pain flooded his body and Izuku was having trouble breathing. Face down in the dirt, Izuku couldn't even find the strength to roll on his back.

The monster took a step forwards, "A human with actual spiritual energy, what a find! I'm going to eat you slowly and savour this!"

If he had any kind of clarity, the words would have terrified Izuku but as it was, his biggest problem was his inability to breath. Izuku had closed his eyes from the pain but all of a sudden it stopped being a problem. He opened his eyes to a strange sight; his body lay on the floor motionless but that couldn't be right since Izuku was standing right here.

An alien weight in his chest made Izuku look down and he saw a chain connecting him to his body. What was happening?

The monster laughed, "That just made this even easier, thanks kid! Now that your soul has left your body I can sample the goods. I think I'll eat your arms first, let pure spiritual energy fill my belly as I listen to your screams!"

Izuku turned to run away again but just as he took a few steps the chain stopped his progress and he slipped to the ground. Izuku slowly looked up at the monster in fear but he didn't scream; he was too scared for that.

The monster reached out with a hand and ripped the chain from the body on the floor. It than reached out again intending to grab Izuku around the waist, Izuku knew he should move, fight back to just do something but he couldn't.

Just as the hand was about to close there was a slashing sound and the monster's hand fell to the ground cut off at the wrist. The monster howled in pain before looking behind and above Izuku in rage.

Izuku turned his head and saw a strange sight, it was a man dressed in a traditional black kimono with a white haori over the top, odd straps across his chest while holding two swords but the thing that caught Izuku's eyes most was his hair, it was bright orange!

The monster gripped his severed limb, "A Soul Reaper? Just my luck, I find a tasty meal and run into a Captain of the Thirteen Squads."

The monster opened another purple portal but before it could get in the man seemed to teleport to the monster and sliced its mask apart it's body dissolving into particles.

With the monster's death, the portal closed and the man turned to look at Izuku. He looked a little uncomfortable but he sheathed his swords.

"Uh, hey there kid. Name's Ichigo Kurosaki and that was a Hollow."

Izuku had absolutely no idea what was going on but he was happy that he was saved.

"Thanks so much mister! What's you're hero name? I'm surprised I've never heard of you which is funny since your hair sticks out a lot."

Ichigo was obviously annoyed at the direction Izuku's words had taken, "Oi, my hair isn't that weird. Anyway, I'm not a hero but a Soul Reaper. Your Chain of Fate may be cut but there's a good chunk of it remaining so you have plenty of time."

Ichigo sat on the ground in front of Izuku, "Alright I'll explain some stuff. There's more to the world than the one you can see. Souls exist as spirits and when a person dies their soul remains. A Soul Reaper escorts those souls to a place called Soul Society. It's an okay place especially once Orihime got there."

Ichigo's face took on a distant look, "She saw the condition of the districts and really whipped the Thirteen Squads into shape by making them help the citizens."

Ichigo shook his head to clear it of his stray thoughts, "Sorry got distracted thinking of my wife. Anyway, that Hollow was also once a human soul. Hollows form when a soul has a purpose it needs to fulfil such as looking after family. That may sound nice but since souls can't really interact with people, many souls can't cope and lose themselves and usually their goal becomes an obsession."

Izuku raised his hand, "What's obsesen mean?"

One of Ichigo's eyebrow's twitched but he answered calmly, "It's obsession and it's something a person wants really, really badly; more than anything else in the world.

"Anyway, when a soul gets like that, they transform into Hollow's and become hungry. They feed on spiritual energy and since they are obsess… uh since they think about their family all the time, that's who they eat first."

Izuku looked a little green at the thought. He could never do that to his mum!

Ichigo got to his feet and his face was grim, "Okay, now that you know the basics I'll send you on to Soul Society. For what it's worth, I'm sorry kid."

Izuku scrambled to his feet, "Wait what?! I have to go home and see my mum! It's nearly night time and she hate's me being late!"

Ichigo briefly closed his eyes, "Look kid, don't you remember what I said about Hollows? If I don't do this than you might turn into one. Do you want that?"

Izuku looked scared at the thought but his lip stuck out stubbornly. "No I don't want to be a monster but I can't leave mum! She's thinks I don't know my dad's dead; she says he works over seas but she's sad when I ask about him. She needs me, I gotta protect her and be a hero!"

Izuku's words struck a chord inside of Ichigo. Ichigo knew what it was like to lose someone and protecting loved ones? He knew all about that to. It was going against his mission's orders but that wasn't something new.

The stubborn look in Izuku's eyes also brought forth long buried memories of another teenage boy, one who was taken from life long before his time.

'Kazui…'

Ichigo shook his head and stamped down on the impulse to recall the times spent with his dead son. If he didn't stop this soon than he would be a moody mess for the rest of the day.

Ichigo could also picture Orihime's face when he explained all this to her and he hated disappointing her, even if she hadn't been cleared with all of Izuku's details.

Ichigo sheathed his swords again, "Okay kid I have an idea. If I leave you like this you'll eventually become a Hollow and that can't happen. The only other choice is for you to become a Soul Reaper like me. Do you want that?"

Izuku looked halfway convinced already but he said, "If I become a Soul Reaper can I stay with mum?"

Ichigo scratched his head, "Well there is something called a Substitute Soul Reaper and it's someone who lives in the human world but deals with Hollows. As the Captain of Squad Seven, I have the authority to make you my squad's Substitute. So yes, you can stay in the human world but first we'll have to talk to my friend Kisuke, he'll be able to explain things better."

Izuku had stopped listening when he heard he could stay with his mum. He was now bouncing on the spot in excitement, he was going to get powers! It wasn't a Quirk but it was something at least, maybe Kacchan would be his friend again?

Ichigo had a faint smile on his face as he watched the excited kid, "Hey, wanna tell me your name now?"

Izuku tried to pause and look at Ichigo but that was hard to do mid jump. He landed a little awkwardly and looked embarrassed, "Oh sorry Mr Kurosaki, I'm Izuku, Izuku Midoriya."

Ichigo held out a hand, "It's nice to meet you Izuku, just call me Ichigo. Now we better hurry before your mum freaks out!"

xXx

Kisuke Urahara had no idea what to expect when he saw Ichigo turn up at his shop carrying a young boy's soul in a piggy back and what looked like the soul's body under one arm but being asked to turn the boy into a Soul Reaper wasn't it.

Flicking out his fan in front of his face Kisuke said, "Well young Midoriya I admire your bravery but this is very dangerous. To become a Soul Reaper so fast I'll have to use my Shattered Shaft. There is a big risk that you turn into a Hollow if you can't find your powers in time. Are you sure you want to try?"

Izuku had generally been described as a cry-baby but at his core there was a layer of strength that even he didn't know was there. That meant that when faced with the choice of seeing his mum again or not he found the strength to take the hard path. Izuku gave Kisuke a single, resolute nod and Kisuke sighed before leading Izuku to his underground basement.

Since Izuku had said that he was six, Kisuke didn't simply drop him into the Shaft like he had with Ichigo all those years ago, instead lowering him with a rope. That was something that Ichigo noted but didn't comment on, it wasn't the time. Next time though, Kisuke was getting a kick to the head.

Kisuke looked down the shaft at Izuku, "Remember, enter your Soul-scape and find your Soul powers. You have to hurry!"

xXx

Izuku had no real idea what he was doing all he had been told was to enter his Soul-scape but he didn't know how to do that. He looked around the shaft he was in and was thinking about how to go about things when a sharp pain hit him.

Izuku snapped to look at his chain which had developed tiny mouths and was eating the chain faster than before! Panic filled his mind as pain filled his body and Izuku fell on his back, unable to do a thing. How was he going to do this? How could I think he was strong enough to be a hero? Was Kacchan right?

The pain was reaching a fever pitch when Izuku felt a strange presence in his mind.

"Is this the limit of my new host? Are you really so weak?"

What was that? Was he going crazy?

"No I am your Soul Reaper powers. Let my voice fill your mind and follow it. Do you trust me?"

For a reason he didn't know Izuku did trust the voice. He let it fill his head and closed his eyes. When Izuku opened his eyes he wasn't in the shaft anymore. He was standing in a forest and in the distance a large mountain could be seen, it looked tall enough to reach the clouds.

A cough behind Izuku made him turn and Izuku couldn't believe his eyes. Before him stood a man but he was the strangest person he had even seen which was saying something.

The man was very tall and looked like he was made out of flames but not on fire. It was almost as if he was a ghost but instead of being white and 'ghosty' he was red and orange. The colours flickered hypnotically in an ever changing pattern, the only thing that wasn't red or orange was his eyes. Steel grey eyes pieced Izuku and he couldn't help but feel like he had disappointed the man.

The man's stern face didn't waver as he said, "Greetings Izuku my name is….."

Izuku blinked; had he just stopped before saying his name? That was a funny thing to do. The man's face, if possible, became sterner.

"So you don't think yourself worthy of hearing my name? Stop cowering behind your fear, I am the strongest Zanpakuto spirit to exist! You have nothing to fear but yourself!"

Izuku was confused, did the man say he couldn't hear his name because Izuku was scared? That didn't make sense, he was here wasn't he?

The man took a step forward and Izuku took an automatic step back. Disappointment flashed in the man's eyes.

"You took the first step yes but anyone can do that. You must continue on, forwards like a raging fire. You feared losing your mother, understandable but what do you want? If you could have anything in the world what would it be?"

Izuku brought a hand to his chin in thought. He remembered coming back from the doctors two years ago; that had been the worst day of his life. Being told he didn't have a Quirk had hurt but when he asked his mum if he could be a hero she hadn't given him what he wanted.

He wanted to be told that he could be a hero, even without a Quirk but instead his mum had cried and apologised. That had hurt far more but Izuku hadn't told anyone that.

The man stood there watching his host think things through. He had patience, learned from thousands of years' worth of experience. He knew Izuku needed a moment to figure it out for himself, the boy would never grow if he handed all the answers to him.

xXx

Ichigo was concerned, Izuku had stopped moving and screaming in pain a few minutes ago. He turned to Kisuke,

"Oi Kisuke, did Izuku already unlock his Soul-scape? It took me three days before Zangetsu dragged me there. Is this normal?"

Kisuke's hat had angled down and kept his eyes away from Ichigo's gaze as he answered, "Souls react to life threatening situations. Typically souls will enter their Soul-scapes early in the corrosion process like Izuku. I'd guess that it took you so long since you had a Quincy side fighting the process and your Hollow that fused with your Zanpakuto was fighting the Quincy instead of getting to know you. There is also the fact that Izuku has no training in this and you did, Izuku's soul would've reacted to the danger far faster than normal."

Ichigo nodded, "Ah okay. I hope old man Shunsui won't be too mad at me. I know he wanted Izuku enrolled at the Spiritual Arts Academy but Izuku has a way with words. Hopefully things all work out!"

Kisuke remained silent for a time. It was long enough to make Ichigo uncomfortable but eventually the shop keeper said, "I can't speak for the Captain Commander but I imagine he'll be happy that Izuku is taking the steps to be a Soul Reaper, especially if my readings are correct and the boy is his reincarnation.

"Enough about that though, tell me more about the escape. I was under the impression that Aizen was kept under constant guard."

Ichigo's face clouded with anger, "Kurotsuchi still has no idea how Aizen escaped Muken but everyone's on alert. We must be ready for anything he throws at us."

Ichigo had always stepped up to the plate when he needed to. It was in his nature to protect the people he cared about but ever since he lost his Bankai fighting Ywach, he had lost a step. True most of the current Captains couldn't handle his Shikai but Aizen was far from normal and Ichigo no longer knew if he could deal with the traitor.

Ichigo wasn't stupid, he had a fairly good idea why Shunsui was so interested in Izuku. If Kisuke's suspicions were correct than Izuku could be the strongest Soul Reaper since Ichigo had been born but Izuku was just a boy.

Orihime would've protested against the fierce training Izuku would've been put through at the Academy, she was still the kindest soul he had ever known and that along with his conscience had stayed Ichigo's hand from performing Konso on Izuku's soul. Let the kid grow up, let him become the hero he wanted to be before he joined the afterlife and saddled with the baggage they had.

xXx

What did he want most? Izuku wanted to help people, he wanted to be a hero. It had been his dream ever since he could think, All Might was just that cool!

Izuku looked up at the man, "I want to help people with a smile on my face! That's what I want."

A small smile graced the man's face, "And how will you do that if you can't say my name? You already know it Izuku, I don't need to tell you."

Izuku gained a determined look on his face, "You and me, we can be heroes! It's like you said before, don't stop moving. Will you help me become a hero, Ryujin Jakka?!"

The man's smile became a wide grin, this kid was finally getting it!

"I will stand with you Izuku. Together, nothing can stop us from reaching our goals! Now that you know my name the corrosion of your chain has stopped. You're a Soul Reaper now Izuku. Make sure you ask Kisuke for an Asauchi so that you may access my full power. Now go forth and take this world by storm!"

Izuku opened his eyes and realised that he was back inside the shaft. Looking at his chest he saw that the chain was gone but he wasn't in pain anymore. He let out a whoop of joy and he saw both Ichigo and Kisuke looking down at him.

"Hey guys I did it! I got my Soul Reaper powers! Can you bring me up now please?"

xXx

All For One was a busy man. He had so many plans and counter measures in motion while trying to run his criminal empire that he rarely had time for himself. Most of that free time was spent training young Tomura, cultivating him into someone worthy of replacing him.

That wasn't the most pressing thing on his mind though, it wasn't even All Might on his vengeful quest no it was finding a way to explain the weird things he had been seeing lately.

The best way to describe them would be ghosts but All For One had no time for such things, there was always a sensible explanation for things.

He was sitting in one of his many offices hidden around the world. Most of them had the same interior, it made planning much easier if the settings were familiar. It could be described as a typical office belonging to any CEO on the planet but with one difference. The floor had electrical wiring through it, allowing him to shock anybody he wanted with impunity.

His large oak desk was generally kept clean but today it had a folder containing details about the latest bunch of UA students and their Quirks. He always kept an eye on the aspiring youngsters looking to make their mark on the world plus if any had any Quirk's he just had to have, chances are they would be at UA.

His train of thought was derailed when a purple portal opened in his office and he was on guard at once. That was nothing like Kurogiri's Quirk, whoever this was it was definitely an intruder.

All For One saw a man walk out and his first thought was that he didn't look all that threatening but then something slammed down on his shoulders and All For One was forced to the ground. Looked like his first impression was wrong.

The intruder sat down in his guest chair and looked faintly amused. "Don't get up on my account. My name is Sosuke Aizen and I believe I have the answers you seek. All I ask in return his that you take an interest in a young boy called Izuku Midoriya."

The pressure relented and All For One managed to get back to his feet. Maintaining what was left of his dignity, he sat in his chair and looked at Aizen.

"What makes you think I'll listen to anything you have to say?"

Aizen smirked at All For One, "Because I can explain exactly why you've started seeing ghosts. And also why your power has started growing at an accelerated pace."

All For One was curious he could admit that but he had been operating in the shadows for too long to be naïve enough to presume this was a friendly meeting. Still, he coveted knowledge and right now it looked like he was going to get some in exchange for keeping an eye on some kid. It was too good a deal to pass up.

xXx

"Now that you are a proper Soul Reaper Izuku, your soul form will be able to enter and leave your body. That means that when your body grows, your soul will to."

Kisuke left out the detail that Izuku's original body had died for a short while and that he had used that as an opportunity to make some changes to it. It was unethical but Kisuke had never been one to falter while working for the greater good.

Kisuke had used a defibrillator that he had lying around in his shop to restart Izuku's heart once the changes had been made; they allowed Izuku to use his soul powers while in his body which would be needed if Izuku was going to become a hero which was all the rage these days. Kisuke had also placed a Soul Energy Limiter on the back of Izuku's hand in invisible ink. Imbuing the ink with a touch of Spiritual Energy made it permanent and meant that Izuku's energy was reduced by roughly eighty percent.

Izuku's energy levels weren't that high currently but Kisuke was sure that Izuku's progress was going to be scarily fast just like Ichigo. Kisuke theorised that since Ichigo's soul was still tied to a living body, it had to the same ability as a human body to adapt to situations quickly. Souls could change but the process was slower and with Izuku being a kid, the increases in power would be even more apparent. The Limiter wouldn't be needed now but would be in a short while.

Kisuke could be wrong though, Ichigo was still a unique existence being a perfect hybrid and that was the reason for the rapid growth but even so, with the lack of Spiritual Energy in the world it would be too easy for Izuku to influence the world around him with his power.

Blissfully unaware of the invasion of privacy, Izuku thanked Kisuke for all the help. Izuku got really excited when Kisuke handed him an Asauchi. Listening to the instructions given to him by Ryujin, Izuku focused on the feeling on power inside of him.

It took a while but eventually he could feel what Ryujin called his Spiritual Energy. Taking it, Izuku channelled it into the sword and keeping the pace up he could feel Ryujin being in tune with him. Though it was just Izuku's voice in the air, it was both of them that said,

"Reduce all Creation to Ash: Ryujin Jakka!"

It was a good thing that they were still in Kisuke's under ground area since a massive burst of fire erupted from the blade that Izuku was holding. The flames soared through the air and hit a boulder heating it red in a matter of seconds.

With a yelp, Izuku lowered the amount of energy he was feeding Ryujin and the flames died down. Taking the chance to inspect the new blade, Izuku saw that it was shorter than what Kisuke had given him but the handle purple with an ornate oval hand guard.

"That form is basically what I looked like two centuries ago when I died with my former host. The blade itself is shorter, more a tanto than a full blade but that shouldn't be a problem."

Izuku was far too busy looking at his new sword to notice Kisuke and Ichigo standing a short distance away.

Ichigo was troubled, "You were right than, Izuku is the reincarnation of old man Yama. Oh man, Shunsui is going to be pissed that I stopped him from getting to teach his old sensei."

Kisuke shook his head, "That shouldn't be your biggest concern. Instead it should be how Aizen will manipulate things to get his hands on Izuku. The wielder of Ryujin Jakka is a force to be reckoned with and since Izuku hasn't seen Kyoka Suigetsu and has the potential to use Bankai, you should worry about Izuku getting to keep his childhood happy. Remember what Aizen did to you when he thought you were getting soft?"

Ichigo's face darkened. "I won't let that happen, not to another kid. The pain of losing your mum is something that never leaves you."

Kisuke's eyes fell on Izuku's excited six year old face. "Let's hope you do. When Yamamoto was born and Ryujin Jakka came about, it took a thousand years for a Soul Reaper to be born that was stronger than him. Izuku may be our best chance against Aizen especially if you can't use Bankai and Aizen can."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N: So now that's done what did you think? Izuku finally has the power to be a hero but will the 13 Squads let him? Aizen meets AFO and things are about to get intense.

Let me know with a review, always happy to read constructive criticism.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter.