Chapter 10 Unrefined sun

Within the Garganta

" How can you use a Hollow technique? "

They were walking on a light blue ground as far as the eye could see, Ichigo on the lead as Yamamoto looked around the black void sky. " Now you have questions? Well I would like to answer you but I would prefer to keep everything and let you guess, but don't worry I will answer all of your questions after the fight IF you manage to impress me. However I can tell you at least this, do not let anyone go in a Garganta. " He stopped walking, Yamamoto was still looking around so he didn't notice that he passed him and kept walking.

" Why? " After he said that he almost fell into the void since the blue ground ended there if it wasn't for Ichigo grabbing his haori since the blue ground ended there.

He struggled to find his balance, fortunately, Ichigo threw him back to the ground and told him " There's a turbulence of Reishi around us, try to gather it and condense it in front of you at your feet. "

Yamamoto didn't understand this but obeyed nonetheless, he sensed the Reishi around them and started gathering it, he took a step closer to the edge and condense the energy, making a narrow path. He takes another step but tries to better control the energy, the path this time is less narrow. He finally realizes that the path depends on his control.

" If you fall down then you cannot come back, the Hollows use this technique on instinct and thus knows how to make a path naturally, but if someone who has never traveled within a Garganta goes in… " he left the question hanging.

Then and there, Yamamoto understood that if a naive and stubborn Shinigami were to try to chase a Hollow then they would fall into the abyss, never coming back again.

Ichigo takes back the lead, and the moment his feet passed him, the platform spreads around them far far away. Another realization, what Yamamoto has been walking on wasn't the ground, it was the platform that was made from the Shogun ' THe use of shadow for travel, the terrifying killing intent, the ability to use a Hollow technique, his manipulation over energy. Does the Shogun even have a limit? Will I ever be able to stand by his side even to help just a little bit? ' with those thoughts he began to doubt in what way could the Gotei be useful for the Soul King and the Shogun.


Royal palace, Ichigo's palace

When getting out of the Garganta, they landed on green grass, there was a strong wind. Ichigo begins to walk, Yamamoto lifts his head up and is puzzled, in front of him is not a mansion, not a castle, and not a palace of any kind, but a big yet simple cottage with black wooden walls and a dark purple roof. When he looks back at Ichigo he sees that he isn't going to the entrance but around it, he follows him while admiring the two-store house beside him.

Arriving at the back there was a black metal round platform half of it connected to the land, half of it out in the open, there was a black pedestal in the middle. Ichigo got on it, signaling Yamamoto to stay as he was typing on the black stone where blue light would appear where his fingertips landed. When he finished, the earth began to expand from the platform, forming a large field that was as big as the Seireitei. Ichigo waves to follow him as he begins to walk on the newly formed land.

Yamamoto doesn't question it as it must be the work of the Soul King.

Far enough from the cottage that it was a black spot to the naked eye, Ichigo shunpo far to the front " Alright, this should be far enough. " he looks at Yamamoto right in the eyes with a serious expression " I must warn you, Yamamoto, in this battle holding back will not give you an advantage, this battle is to judge how much power you possess and if you are worthy of my teaching, you can even use any dirty tricks, as may do the same. However, I will be the one to hold back, and not just a little "

(AN: I will use names only for most of the fight, if it's bad then tell me there will be little dialogue on this fight)

After saying that his ruby eyes deactivated and are replaced by his brown ones, he grabbed his sword and slowly unsheath it, Yamamoto could only admire its fearsome beauty for the second time, a dark blade so black it was like seeing an endless pit where the light itself could not hope to shine on it. Completely out, Ichigo brings his two hands on the handle, lowers the blade close to the ground while he slows his breathing, and stares at Yamamoto with unbending will coming from his now brown eyes.

And the wind stops.

FIGHT

With a shiver running down his spine, Yamamoto leaps back and instantly activates his Shikai as the flames come forth and coats the blade while the heat surrounds him and ready himself to defend, but the powerful Shogun doesn't move. Yamamoto nervously smiles. ' How foolish of me. ' He thinks while not taking his eyes off of his opponent ' 100 million years. All this time is enough to walk the path of the sword. How did I not even think that his swordsmanship would be, not just the best, but also absolute. ' He thought of this because the wind stopped from a single stance of the Shogun, he thought of this because his instincts told him to run because of a stare from a pair of eyes. The Captain Commander takes a slow breath to calm himself as Ichigo hasn't attacked him yet but never drops his guard.

Yamamoto charges at Ichigo with a downward strike without holding back, Ichigo blocks it and is unfazed by the flames coming from the blades as they separate themself in two.

The Commander then swings to his right, aiming at the waist. In response the Shogun, with his blade pointing at the ground, blocks it.

Yamamoto shunpo behind Ichigo and swings for his back, Ichigo vanishes in shunpo and the black-haired man feels a sudden pain in his back, he jumps away to assess the situation and looks back. The orange man had copied him as he was standing right behind where he previously was.

Yamamoto goes back and exchanges strike with him, but Ichigo parry every time, each contact sends waves of heat around them.

One parry gets the fire Zanpakuto above his wielder's head, leaving him wide open. Ichigo thrusts aiming for the heart but Yamamoto doubles his speed and parries it to his left and they go back to swing and parry. Yamamoto tries to go faster but Ichigo counters him by doubling his own speed, the clashes appearing more frequently, the waves of heat as well, they become so fast that only one blur of orange and one of black are moving around.

Ichigo still parries every swing away but now starts to stab on every opening he made, grazing the skin and cutting through the white cloth, and Yamamoto dodging some of them but not most. The left cheek, the right shoulder, the right forearm, the left thigh.

The black blade narrowly misses a right eye and lightly cuts the ear behind, Yamamoto, surprised, begins to step back, sweat rolling on his forehead, not from the heat but from anxiety.

The Captain Commander slips and tries to find his balance, Ichigo takes the chance and thrust with one hand on the handle knowing full well what's about to happen. Yamamoto takes the chance, he regains his balance, he swings upwards with his right hand, and with full strength, sends the dark Zanpakuto away, stuck in the ground.

Joy at his achievements he smiles and looks back at his opponent and suddenly forms an expression of hurt, Ichigo's right foot is rammed in his stomach. Without giving a chance, Ichigo puts his foot down, and roundhouse kicks with his left to Yamamoto's head. He puts it down again and instantly uses another three roundhouse kicks with his right again, first at the shoulder then the side, and finally the waist, all in a second.

Yamamoto couldn't register any of this, he had to think fast now. He feels two pairs of hands grab his free left arm and see the back of Ichigo's head only to feel the pain of his back hitting the ground. Ichigo brings his arm back, throwing the thinking out of the window, Yamamoto acts on instincts and swings at Ichigo, a wave of flames erupts, giving Yamamoto space to breathe. Standing up he looks at Ichigo who landed where his sword was and takes it back.

Having an idea, Yamamoto sends another wave of fire. Ichigo leaps back, when his feet touch the ground Yamamoto shunpo behind him and swing with his right hand aiming at Ichigo's feet.

Ichigo was ready so he flips behind, but while in midair and upside down he notices a yellow light, at the palm of Yamamoto's left hand is a prepared Kido. Yamamoto, anticipating Ichigo's trajectory, shots the Hado " Hado 63: Raikouhou! "

But it misses by 10 centimeters. Yamamoto in utter shock froze and could only try to comprehend what he was looking at. Ichigo was still in midair and upside down, head close to the ground, but he stopped his movement by forming a platform beneath his feet.

Taking the opportunity, Ichigo attacks Yamamoto. Yamamoto, still surprises, poorly blocks and steps back and Ichigo follows still upside down. Yamamoto is definitely not used to fighting upside-down enemies, everything is reversed, his feet are at Yamamoto's head level and his sword is at Yamamoto's knees level. Downward strikes? Coming from below. Low kick? Connecting to his head. For the rest of the fight, Ichigo played with Yamamoto, that he was certain, since he didn't have any important injuries aside from cuts and bruises.

Thinking this is enough, Ichigo shunpo away and looks at his opponent, Yamamoto was heavily breathing, half of his haori was painted in red. However his hands were still clutching Ryujin Jakka, his eyes, while blinking from tiredness, still held the will to fight.

Ichigo turns to his right and walks rotating himself until he drops his feet on the ground. He sticks his sword on the floor, puts his palms on the pommel, and closes his eyes.

Yamamoto, not understanding what was happening, tries to think of a plan while the Shogun seems to give him some time.

Sensing his thoughts, Ichigo stops him, eyes still closed. " Isn't it obvious? " Yamamoto takes his stance ready for an attack, but none came. " I am not giving you time to rest, I am giving you time to stop holding back and show me your true power. You won't gain anything if you continue to fight like this. "

Of course, the Shogun was right. He needs to prove himself, he needs to show his hero that he has what it takes. So he takes his sword in one hand and points it to his right.

Yamamoto's Reiatsu skyrockets, the flames respond, bursting like a raging fire. Ichigo opens his eyes, ruby red. He looks at Yamamoto patient but excited. He felt the heat of the Bankai when he was in the Garganta in his time, it was so powerful that it transcended dimensions, the power was weaker than now but it was still the mighty power of the sun and the most powerful Shinigami Zanpakuto in history.

Yamamoto was surrounded by flames and couldn't be seen anymore.

' I've never had the chance to see it with my own eyes, Reio did show me how the fight went, but being the target of this power is intriguing. '

" Bankai! "

The flames start to die down, Ichigo takes his sword in two hands and smiles. The heat was the same as before albeit seems weaker and it didn't extend as far as he thought. No matter. ' Time to use a bit more power. '

" Zanka no Tachi! "

The flames disappear and what is revealed is …!

Yamamoto…!

...with a charred sword surrounded by flames…?!

...the wielder of said sword covered in flames too…?

...not covered in Reiatsu that looks like flames but in actual flames...

…no East or West… nothing… just flames...

Ichigo doesn't move for a while until he brings his right fist holding the sword on his left palm and says with a straight comical face. " Ahhh, I see. "

Ichigo then remembers that when Yamamoto fought against Yhwach he asked the tyrant if his Bankai was the same as he remembered, the Quincy leader was surprised that no flames burst when his cap was cut, a fake-looking like Yhwach but had the memory of the real one nonetheless.

But still to be sure. " When did you achieve Bankai? "

" A few decades back, above 70 years I think. "

' Yeap. Unlocking Bankai takes a decade minimum, mastering it takes a few more. And I don't count, my first Bankai was a fake, to begin with. Of course, I still achieved it in three days but I cheated by using a method with high risk. But taking into account that this is the embodiment of the sun it would take even more time to unlock it and more than a century to master it. We ARE talking about the Strongest Shinigami in history. ' " And do you have to use your Bankai often? "

" There's nobody strong enough to force me to, in fact, only Yachiru Kenpachi was able to but she quickly lost after I released. "

Turns out that it really did change that much in 1000 years, the Shikai too.

" What about Shikai, when did you unlock it? "

" Knowing the name of my Zanpakuto wasn't enough to release it, it kept nagging me about how unworthy I was, I had to train harder than anyone else. "

Still, the fight isn't over. " Just because you have Bankai doesn't allow you to lower your guard, even if your opponent is weaker than you they can still have cards up their sleeves, their ultimate technique that guarantees victory. "

" Even with my Bankai I doubt I could easily beat you, Shogun, but now I at least have an advantage in power. " Yamamoto knew that better than anyone, he knew that his Bankai was unrefined and that it would take centuries to master it and maybe more. But he was still confident about it.

" Then allow me to also boost my power to lower that advantage. "

The Shogun grips his haori with one hand and throws it only to disperse it in white particles, he brings his sword in front of him with two hands. Black thin tendrils burst from the handle and started to cover his fingers, then his hands, then his arms, his torso, his neck, his legs, and finally his feet. The tendrils form a black coat with white Xs on the forearms and backhands, the coat is connected with three black X running from the chest. (AN: Bankai Fullbring, will be referred to as 'armor' for the rest of the story.)

It was the clothes he saw him wear when his hometown was attacked. " Is this your Shikai? " Release without calling the name is possible for those who unlocked Bankai.

Ichigo doesn't answer his question and smiles instead. " Listen well Genryusai, I won't show any mercy as I did before, I will use every Shinigami power that I possess from now on, so listen closely. " He always thought that it was a good quote, especially in combat. " Do not lose your composure, do not break your stance, stretch out your awareness, and do not let your guard down for even a second. " He closes his eyes. ' May we meet again in different circumstances, Ulquiorra. '

He opens them revealing his ruby eyes.

Instincts screaming at him, Yamamoto lifts his Bankai above with one hand on the blade, a wise decision as he meets the obsidian blade at full power getting on one knee breaking the ground around them. He struggles from the overwhelming strength, he briefly makes contact with his opponent's eyes, they hold no hesitation and sharp killing intent, one that only a warrior ready to kill for absolute victory could possess.

Yamamoto gives up the contest and lets the blade fall and jumps back, again a good call, the black Zanpakuto shatters the earth sending little debris everywhere.

Yamamoto sends an upward swing, a wave of fire as large as a little mountain erupts toward Ichigo with astounding speed. Ichigo shunpo to the right and looks at the melted cavity left by the attack, he looks back at his opponent and decides to test the water. He points his finger at Yamamoto and unleashes a Bakudo. " Sajo Sabaku. "

The one chain approaches Yamamoto but in mere seconds melts from the intense heat, barely making contact with the intended target. " As you can see, you cannot touch me without burning yourself. "

Ichigo smirks " What did I just tell you about lowering your guard? Too much confidence will be your defeat. "

He shunpo right in front of Yamamoto, swinging from the left, who lifts his left arm wrapped in fire, confident about his defense. The blade comes to the limb and cuts through fire and skin. Horrified, Yamamoto jumps back before he loses his arm, he looks at the long wound on his forearm, thankfully it isn't deep, he looks back at Ichigo.

Enough of being on the defensive, Yamamoto shunpo with incredible speed at Ichigo, swings a downward strike at Ichigo who parries it, another wave of flames bursts and explodes in contact with the ground. As the smoke disperses, Ichigo has his arms protecting his face, he looks at the burn marks on his sleeves.

Yamamoto continues to swing faster and faster, Ichigo follows him with speed barely lower than Yamamoto. Yet with his agility, experience, and training filling the gap, he parries each swing, deflecting them. Nonetheless, Ichigo doesn't come out unscathed. Even when not touching his skin and armor, the heat and fire from the Bankai are still ridiculous, it feels like being in orbit close to the sun, he personally knows the feeling. Sparks, while little, hurts like hot needles piercing his skin and little holes form on the armor. But his face is still composed, not even an eye twitch.

To get out of this situation Ichigo changes his approach. He jumps at the next swing, dodging it, and above Yamamoto's head, he points his palms at him. " Raikouhou. "

Using the spell, Ichigo propels himself back while the electrical ray explodes at Yamamoto. Ichigo lands far away from the smoke and prepares himself, still unfazed, with red eyes on the hidden target.

The smoke gets pushed back by a sudden Reiatsu blast, resulting in the fire around Yamamoto growing larger, his head having burns from the Hado shoot at him.

Yamamoto lifts his sword above, the flames bursting to the sky like a tower of fire, and with all his strength he slashes to the right. Ichigo is about to shunpo away from the wave until he notices Yamamoto twirl his sword around to swing once more with the fire still coming out of the blade.

Ichigo understands the tactic and attaches his Zanpakutoat his waist, he puts both of his hands in front of him as a green aura surrounds his gloved hands. " Subete no ma. " the purple glass spreads high and miles away, it is as tall and large as the Sokyoku Hill.

The massive barriers block the fire wave and pass by the sides, but as it fades away another wave crashes again, then another, then another, Yamamoto twirls his blade, again and again, throwing wave after wave.

Tired of spending too much Reiatsu at once, Yamamoto stops, breathing heavily, his sweat evaporating. High above the smoke from the black charred ground, he sees the purple barrier retract, he then hears footsteps, he sees Ichigo walking through the smoke uninjured aside from the blazes of their blade contest, the area he came from untouched.

" Not bad. " Ichigo says, he then gets a sudden idea, he stops walking.

The way Ichigo smirks don't feel very good for Yamamoto but he keeps his guard. Ichigo lifts his Zanpakuto and points it at Yamamoto, he then speaks a language that Yamamoto never heard of.

" Via Solis octoginta unus. " Yamamoto doesn't know what language is that but he certainly knows those red spears of light forming around Ichigo. Surprised by the foreign language, Yamamoto doesn't think of dodging and instead sends a huge beam of fire while Ichigo still holds the Kido. Ichigo accepts the challenge and launches the Kido. " Mille et caelestes radii-Handed Cannon. " ( AN: Hado 91 in Latin) Both get caught by the other's attack.

Yamamoto comes out sliding on the ground, more wounds are added on him, he is bleeding from a slight cut above his right eyebrow. Ichigo holds his position and has his left hand in front of him that is smoking and took most of the attack, resulting in his sleeve burned to the elbow and revealing the many old scars on his forearm.

Ichigo shakes his burnt hand and says. " Let's up the pace and take it up a notch. " Yamamoto is now certain, his red eyes DO glow! " Ura Hadō : Sannodō - Teppūsatsu. " Ichigo chops down, delivering a dragon breathing a powerful wind, the wind is pushing Yamamoto who stabs the ground but it's too strong and he slowly starts to levitate holding his grip, it feels as if his skin is tearing off. The wind is certainly extinguishing most of the flames but not completely, leaving Yamamoto to fall on his knees in his previous state after releasing Bankai.

Without caring about his current state, Yamamoto rushes at Ichigo using his superior speed before he can unleash another spell, Ichigo is ready for another exchange with their blades. Yamamoto switches his grip to a reverse one and stabs from above at Ichigo who dodges by stepping back, but Yamamoto predicted this. The blade stabs the ground, cracks spread around them, and starts to glow orange. Ichigo is about to shunpo away but Yamamoto doesn't let him. " Oh no, you don't! " And a storm of fire rises, blocking both warriors from outside view.

Moments later, a sound of thundering slash cuts the storm in two and fades away, it's Ichigo with more of his armor burnt off, now his jacket is open, and his sword emitting wisps of purple Reiatsu. He looks around, giving Yamamoto a chance by not using his full senses.

A large ring of fire surrounds Ichigo in a 10 meters radius, the fire grows taller and taller and forms a dome above Ichigo, still no signs of Yamamoto. Because he is holding back his senses, Ichigo can't dodge an incoming ray of flames burning him from behind, he rolls to turn off the fire on his back, the fire is so hot that the wound is already cauterized. He looks where the attack came from but sees nothing except fire. He puts his finger, emitting green light, behind his neck and whispers a few words. Using his ears, he notices a sound different from the fire to his right, he turns around to see some of the red twirlings then another ray assaults him but he manages to jump away in time.

Expanding his earing, he hears footsteps beyond the dome, he looks in their direction as they stop, the red of the fire twirls again and Ichigo takes one step to his left before the beam of fire even forms, dodging it much sooner, but doesn't stir his eyes away from what he suspects to be his opponent.

On the outside, Yamamoto didn't move after his last attack. He himself suspects Ichigo to have figured out his position. Ichigo can't see him but Yamamoto can, the dome of fire is transparent in his eyes, he can see the ruby eyes as if they were staring back, he saw Ichigo's finger glowing green back then, it doesn't seem to be Kaido. ' Better be careful. '

He comes off with another strategy. He runs around the dome, Ichigo's eyes follow his footsteps, he thrust his sword at him, shooting a fire ray through the dome aiming at Ichigo's head, he shunpo to the other side and horizontally slashes a thinner fire wave. Ichigo ducks the ray, looks at the incoming waves and side flip, the wave grazing his back, he lands on one hand facing the ground, but Yamamoto had fired another wave from above, this one too large for a chance to escape but Ichigo didn't look up, the wave crashes down on Ichigo.

Yamamoto lands far away from the explosion, thinking he got the upper hand and forced Ichigo to take him seriously. But something's wrong, the flames from his wave start to wrap in a ball then burst outwards destroying the dome, Ichigo is still standing on one hand with a green hexagonal barrier above his back repelling the fire.

Finishing its job the barrier shrinks into a small green light and pops, Ichigo stands on his legs, looks at Yamamoto who suddenly feels a familiar pressure coming out of Ichigo, the air changes to purple and Ichigo points to the sky.

" My turn to cover you. "

Yamamoto recognizes the Hado but feels a difference in it and he's about to know why.

" Modified Hado 90: 100 Kurohitsugi. "

It was too fast to understand, Yamamoto couldn't be seen anymore, a large black box the size of the Sokyoku Hill now stands in front of Ichigo. He's quite proud of this Kido albeit modified, instead of forming just one massive box, one box a bit bigger than the target forms then another bigger than the previous one and the process repeats itself 100 times, the 100th box being the same size as the one used by butterfly Aizen, but it happens so quickly that it just looks like one box appeared.

As Ichigo finishes his thoughts, the Hado disappears revealing Yamamoto, face on the ground, some stains of blood around and under him, the flames weaker and flickering on him and his sword.

Anyone else would have thought that this is it, but Ichigo knows the type of man Yamamoto is, others might turn back and declare their victory but not him, he stares at Yamamoto and he was right as he discerns a twitch in Yamamoto's finger holding the sword.

Yamamoto lifts himself on all four, coughing blood he spits it on the ground. Breathing heavily, he puts one foot then tries to put the other one but slips, he stabs his sword on the floor to catch himself and falls on one knee, he looks at Ichigo but only sees a blurring figure.

It was obvious, Yamamoto couldn't fight anymore, the logical answer would be to stop this fight and heal him now. Ichigo is anything but logical, he was in the same position as a teenager, all Yamamoto needed was a little push, just like Unohana.

" Is that all? " Yamamoto can't answer and keeps breathing. " I must say you were quite the opponent, after our first exchange you put your all in each strike, ready for any openings, adapting and learning new tactics and using them against me, you managed to force me to use high-level Kido and even two Kido that aren't on the 99 lists. "

Yamamoto is slowly breathing now and is thankful for the praise.

" However that's it, I was still holding back, and here we are. Me standing high above you while you kneel before me. "

Yamamoto also knew that, he looks down, he himself can't believe that after all he used, Ichigo has many burns but no cuts or holes, nothing that made him bleed.

" I saw a kid who could grow out to be a strong warrior, instead all I have is an infant trying to get attention. "

Shock written on his face, Yamamoto heard every word of disappointment in this sentence. He remembers when Ichigo gave him a sword, how could he have failed the expectations of his Shogun, his idol, his hero.

Ichigo turns around and walks away.

Yamamoto slowly stands up and mumbles something, Ichigo stops and looks back.

Now on his two feet, Yamamoto's grip on his Zanpakuto starts to shake, the flames silently grow bigger. " I'll show you… " He stares at Ichigo with determination.

Ichigo can feel the temperature rising and the Reiatsu breaking through the limits, exactly as he expected, exactly as he wanted this battle to end, Yamamoto going beyond his current limits reaching higher in front of a stronger opponent.

" WHAT'S A WARRIOR! "

The flames erupt and cover most of the floating island and even Yamamoto. Ichigo shunpo very far away, the thrill kicking in, he smirks like his hollow. " Now that's better! Hit me with your best shot! "

Yamamoto points to the sky with his flaming sword, the flames gather around, obscuring Yamamoto, forming the head of a dragon as tall as a mountain.

Ichigo decides to meet the dragon with another dragon, he points his finger from his left hand at the calamity in front of him.

" Hado 99! " The ground shatters around him and rises in pillars, purple energy emerges from the cracks, it converges above Ichigo to shape into a purple dragon.

The fire dragon charges at him.

" Goryutenmetsu! " he launches his own dragon.

Both of the dragons roars, they clash against each other with a bright white light in the center of it all, neither of them gaining on the other.

Ichigo takes up his Zanpakuto, charges it with purple Reiatsu. " Getsuga… " and swings with all his strength " Tensho! " a purple wave as big as the Hado flies to push the other purple dragon.

But the combined attacks just pass through the fire as the flames disperse like the dragon just stopped countering.

Ichigo is shocked. ' It's a trap, Yamamoto wasn't behind after he launched the attack to begin with. ' Ichigo was blinded by the adrenaline, he's too late to turn behind him and see a black charred blade cut off his left arm that fired the spell at the elbow. The wound burns all the muscle in ashes and stops to the wrist of the cut-off limb, the same happens as the upper arm vanishes in ashes and stops at the shoulder still connecting to the body.

The remaining left-hand soars in the air and drops to the floor.

Ichigo looks at his wound, already cauterized from the intense heat of this attack, same for the cut-off hand.

Silence…

In the background, the Hado passes the Soul King's Palace and detonates and illuminates the battlefield in purple light, but neither can hear a single sound.

Ichigo, with wide ruby eyes reflecting the purple explosion, stares at the sword that cut him, analyzing every detail. There's some flickering of flames on it, like the destruction inside could burst at any time, barely holding in. He looks at Yamamoto.

The man was breathing heavily, the muscles holding his Zanpakuto as tense as possible, but he was smirking as he proved himself. And that he did.

As the purple light fades away Ichigo asks. " What was that? " And hope that it is what he thinks it is.

Yamamoto smiles " Huh- I just- Phoo- I just had a feeling that it would work. " Yamamoto tries to calm his breathing. " The dragon was a strong burst of flames that I shot, but I condensed all my Bankai's flames in my blade and shunpo behind you when you started charging that other attack, I thought it would become extremely bright and hot but instead it became this charred sword. "

Yamamoto makes a painful expression, he staggers back, falls on his knees, and yells at the top of his lungs, the flames within the sword bursting in the air like an inferno bigger than the dragon.

The flames quickly vanish in thin air, leaving black smoke, Yamamoto breathes heavily again, only little flames on him, his haori was surprisingly on him not burnt in any way. " I have never condensed so much before let alone condensed my flames since I usually let them burn everything. " The man literally couldn't catch a breathing.

But for Ichigo, this was enough. ' So this is the East of Zanka no Tachi: Kyokujitsujin. Incredible. ' He thought, looking at the now flaming blade.

Now that Yamamoto's focus wasn't on condensing his flames and that the rush was going down, he notices the hand laying on the floor and realizes his action. " By the Soul King, what have I done…? "

Focusing back to reality, Ichigo looks at what Yamamoto sees. " Oh that, yeah don't worry about it. "

How could he not worry about it? He CUT the Shogun's ARM. HE CUT THE ARM OF THE PERSON HE ADMIRE THE MOST! "

Seeing Yamamoto not paying attention at all and probably won't until this cutting-hand-of-my-hero situation is resolved, Ichigo takes care of it-

" Haien. "

-by burning the hand into nothingness. " There, problem solved, now look at me. "

Yamamoto couldn't believe he just destroyed his hand like it was an annoying fly, but it works because he now looks at Ichigo, he's still shocked and terrified of what the Soul King will do to him.

Ichigo could literally read his thoughts and sigh. " Alright, don't worry about it. " On the cauterized wound bulges started to move like insects inside ready to burst. The bulges assemble into one in the middle, it bursts to spill black liquid on the floor, a black skeleton arm emerges, the muscles regenerate from the shoulder and cover the black bones then the skin covers all of it, with all the scars too like they were encoded within his DNA. The other burns on his body regenerate, the armor also fixes itself back, fixing the holes and covering the brand new left arm.

Ichigo looks back at the shock once again Yamamoto. " What? I told you I would hold back. "

" No no no, I knew that you were holding back and I didn't know how but, why are your bones and blood black ? " he said, pointing at the black liquid.

" Because they are and no I won't tell you why. "

" So I failed to impress you huh? "

" Oh no, you passed. "

" ...Scuse me? "

" That last condensed attack, does it have a name? I can feel that it's not perfect, you should ask Ryujin Jakka. "

" But you said that you would answer all my questions? "

" AFTER the fight. "

" What? "

" But for the determination that you showed me, I can give you this for now as a second reward. " He walks backward, a few meters from Yamamoto " This, " He displays his armor. " Is not my Shikai. "

' Hōgyoku-chan? Are you awake? '

" Mhm, are you done stretching? " says the now awake and tired spirit.

' Yes, I want to show off a bit, plus I'm gonna need you to heal Genryusai when I'm done. '

She yawns. " Okay. " She says in a cute tired voice.

The environment starts to change but Yamamoto is to focus on what Ichigo is saying,

He grabs his Zanpakuto with two hands. " My Shikai doesn't have the command phrase. " Ichigo points it in front of him horizontally. " But my Bankai has it. "

" Wait, what does that-? "

" Zangetsu. "

To Be Continued


Behind the scenes

TheAbsoluteZero appeared on his chair behind his desk. " Well hello everyone and sorry for the wait, 2 months, pretty long am I right?" He nervously said. The readers took their Shinigami and Hollow Zanpakuto and Quincy cross. " WAIT WAIT, before you all go Bankai, Resurrection, Vollstandig on me at least let me explain!" Almost everyone put their weapons down. He looked a bit to the right. " Please put your Mugetsu down. " Almost everyone.

" When I started the chapter I knew that it would take more than the usual 2 000 words that I write, but the more I continued the more I knew how I wanted the chapter to end, and when I realized it I checked the numbers and... the chapter was supposed to have approximately... 10 000 words and more, in fact, I'm still writing the rest. Anyway, the next chapter will be the last of what I would like to say the 'First Arc', meaning that after chapter 11 goes out I will be on a long break to find what the next Arc should be about, I already planned for it to be about the nobles but it's not well developed yet. "

Ichigo appeared on the right. " I'm tired. "

" What do you mean you're tired? You held back! How is that even tiring! "

" Well holding back is bothersome. I didn't use any of my other senses besides hearing when I was in the dome. I didn't shoot any Cero or Bala, didn't use my Reishi manipulation, my regeneration, my Hierro or Blut, and let's not forget that I didn't use my special speed technique. I did use all my Reiatsu but that doesn't mean I used my other abilities. "

" Speaking of other abilities, would you mind explaining your armor to the readers? "

" My armor has certain capabilities that will be revealed in future chapters when those capabilities are needed, so no I won't tell you guys, all I can tell you is that it's a part me meaning I can summon it whenever I want to but it will Always appear when in Shikai. The rest? Where's the fun in spoiling you? "

" I wonder what will happen to Yamamoto if you can go toe to toe in your sealed form. By the way, some of you said that not having a lover is not worth living, well my friend there is reason why he doesn't have any, a very dark one, which is why I'm gonna modify the chapter 5 just a little bit. "

" What are you planning this time? "

" I'm gonna be honest with you, you will suffer like a lot both physically and mentally. Aside from that, if any of you handsome and sexy otakus have any questions or would like to point something wrong with my work feel free to review or PM me. I'm TheAbsoluteZero, and I say ... "

" Macaroni with the chicken strips, Huh. "