Urahara was right. Ichigo did seem to know today's guest, even if he didn't know his name. The guest was an older man, with rough skin, dark shades, and a blue cloak. Ichigo had made some progress under Urahara's guidance; however, instead of a zanpakuto he held only a broken hilt. It was fitting then, that after the second commercial break today's corner would be Zanpakuto Naming Game.
"Welcome back to Bleach B Station," Ichigo declared. "This is your host, Kurosaki Ichigo. Today's corner will be Zanpakuto Naming Game. In this corner we read fans' suggestions on what I should say to call out my zanpakuto. Today's guest is..."
"You still don't know my name?" the man said. "This is disappointing."
"Well, you could tell me."
"How long do you think I've waited for you to call my name?"
"I think we should just start with the suggestions. Radio name: Quincy. 'Mew Mew Strawberry Metamorphosis!'"
"Does anything feel different?"
"No, not really."
"Then it's no good. Do you really think reading other peoples' suggestions will work? When will you realize that only you know the name."
"I have no idea what the name might be. I might as well try."
Before Ichigo could read the next one, he heard a familiar scream, the scream of a hollow. A hollow's scream always seemed painful, but he didn't worry about that, because he knew that it was a shinigami's job to purify a hollow and send it to Soul Society.
"Where are you going? The corner isn't finished. You still haven't found your zanpakuto. Do you think you can fight the hollow?"
"I can't do nothing! There are protesters outside. The hollow might attack one of them."
"They hate you. You still want to protect them?"
"They're Rukia's fans, so I will protect them."
That was his plan, but when he tried to fight the hollow, he ended up doing horribly. It was a weak one, but without a proper zanpakuto there was really nothing he could do to hurt it. He tried aiming for the head but he couldn't break the mask and his own fist received most of the damage.
"Do you want to protect them?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I can't exist without you. Let me tell you: zanpakuto's are souls that have lingering regrets and aren't exorcised by shinigami. They are not evil, so they don't become hollow, but because of their regret, they are forced into becoming a weapon, destined for a life of eternal battle. It is our duty to purify hollows, who have similar regrets, and prevent other souls from suffering our fate. Now, try to remember, the story of a princess and a dragon and an angel."
"My mom told me that story, a really long time ago. I don't remember it very well."
"You have to remember!"
There was a knight, who fell in love with an angel. The angel was forced to return to heaven. There was nothing for the knight to do. If the knight hadn't betrayed his true companion, his loyal dragon, he could have rode his wings and rescued his angel, but he couldn't expect the dragon to forgive him. He had left the dragon in the care of a princess, but ended up attacking her kingdom. This knight regretted eternally both his betrayal of his dragon and his inability to rescue his angel. His name was...
"ZANGETSU!"
The hollow was destroyed with one stroke. Ichigo finally found the name, and wanted to thank the man, but he was gone. He wasn't in the studio either, but now that Ichigo had named his zanpakuto, he didn't feel as lonely in the radio room. After closing the show, there was a pounding on the door as protesters forced their way in (they had been held back until now thanks to Tessai).
Only one of them entered the room, since the others were squished in the hallway and couldn't move, and could barely breathe. This one appeared to be the leader.
"What? You want to fight?" Ichigo was more confident now, now that he had a zanpakuto at his side. "Ishida? You were the one leading the protest?"
"We came because we thought you were in danger," he said seriously. "Your fight with the hollow was broadcasted. You did well to beat it on your own. I believe you can save Rukia. Don't worry about things here. I'll protect the city from hollows and make sure no one sabotage the studio."
"But you were protesting before... why suddenly?"
"I'm sorry. Everyone is. We let things get out of hand. All we want is to hear Rukia's voice again. Listen, I hate shinigami. I can't forgive myself for this, but I am one of Rukia's fans. See, I even bought this Rukia doll and I sewed a whole bunch of outfits! There's shinigami Rukia, school Rukia, angel Rukia, swimsuit..."
"So there's otaku even for the radio now..."
"Anyway, we don't hate you anymore. Only you can save Rukia."
"Since when did you remember her name too?"
"She is an important part of all our lives. Everyone remembers. Without her, Bleach B Station will be cancelled. Everyone is behind you. You can save her."
"I promise. I'll bring her back, and in time for next week's broadcast."
The situation changed, as feelings changed. Ichigo was no longer the enemy, as he stepped through Urahara's portal to Soul Society with Tatsuki. The crowd, once protesters, cheered him, calling them their heroes. Even though there really was nothing the crowd could do for him once he entered Soul Society, knowing that he had fans would help was what he believed. It seemed that finally, Ishida and the others realized that what they were fighting for was not simply Rukia's return, but for Ichigo and her to be together again.