The following is a fan-based parody.
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo, TV Tokyo, Viz Media, Studio Pierrot... and other people
All other references of characters or abilities are not mine.
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"Hello." -Normal talking
'Hello.' –Ichigo's thoughts.
"Hello." – Zanpakutō speaking
"Hello." – Zanpakutō thoughts.
Kon'nichiwa [Translation of Hello]
Chapter 4 – The New Emperor of Hell
Scene Start: Ichigo's Mindscape
Kyōka estimated that it should take Ichigo a few days of coma and rest to fake recovery and stabilize his body. While Ichigo was stuck in his mindscape, he used his new powers to face off against Zangetsu and Yhwach so he could master them. Surprisingly, Zangetsu and Yhwach couldn't break or absorb his Hell Chains. They also found out that Hellfire cannot be put out unless the target is destroyed or Ichigo summons it back.
Ichigo also used Yomu Kioku to make sure he did not fall back behind the class. He was currently watching the recording of today's class when, suddenly, a small Gate of Hell opened up and a smaller Kushanāda than he was used to walked out and bowed to Ichigo.
"Jigoku no Kōtei, we ask if you can start accomplishing the goals that your predecessor asked to be done." The Kushanāda inquired.
"Sure. Lead the way." Ichigo replied. With that Ichigo, all his spirits and the Kushanāda walked through the gate.
Hell, Fourth Level
Everyone walked out of the Gate of Hell to see they were at the fourth level. Looking down, Ichigo saw that they were standing on a Kushanāda.
"Let's start with a bang," Ichigo said and summoned the Jigoku no Yoroi. He then decided to use his authority to revive all the Sinners who died.
"I, the new Jigoku no Kōtei, call upon my divine authority to summon all Sinners in this realm, whether the Sinner is alive or dead!" Ichigo yelled. Suddenly, a pillar of yellow reiatsu shot straight up and slowly yellow reiatsu descended towards the lower levels of Hell. Soon, various limbs start rising from the black sand, the other, living, Sinners who were hiding from the Kushanāda felt compelled to go to the fourth level. Ten minutes later, the Kushanāda below him told Ichigo that all Sinners in Hell had arrived. Everyone was talking and asking around, trying to figure out what was going on. Ichigo then used his reiatsu to amplify his voice so all Sinners could hear him.
"Sinners of Hell, SHUT UP!" Ichigo yelled and all the sinners immediately stopped talking and stared at the figure in golden armor. "I am the new Jigoku no Kōtei. To those who don't know what that is, I am the Ruler of Hell. I am here to accomplish the true goal of Hell." Everyone was whispering to each other, wondering what Ichigo was talking about. "That goal!" Ichigo continued. Everyone quickly shut up. "Is for those who have paid for their sins to be able to leave Hell," Ichigo said, astonishing many at the news of the possibility of being freed from their chains. "Now then, many of you are wondering how I am going to determine if you have paid for your sins or not." Ichigo addressed the problem. "Watch."
Having said that, Ichigo generated a small purple ball in his hand and threw it towards a cliff. Everyone watched as the purple ball hit the cliff and a purple explosion rocked the cliff, launching dust everywhere. Once the dust cleared, they could see a large white archway with some kind of silver liquid floating inside of it.
"This will be known as the Archway of Forgiveness. When you feel that you have paid for your sins, you can attempt to walk through the Archway. If the Archway deems that you have paid for your sins, you have two options. The first option is that you enter the Cycle of Reincarnation. The second option is that you have many of your memories erased except for your name and the Archway places you somewhere between the First to Fifth Districts of Soul Society. If you have enough reiatsu to become a Shinigami, you will feel a strange compulsion to go to the first district and will likely get sponsored by a Shinigami to become one." Ichigo explained. "A warning to those who want to attempt the Archway, if you enter the Archway and it determines that you have not paid for your sins, you will be in absolute isolation for ten years. You will temporarily lose all five senses and powers while in absolute isolation. In those ten years, you will experience all the sins that you committed as well as what the victims felt. Once those ten years are over, you may attempt again. If the Archway still deems that you have not repented of your sins, then you shall be marked to become the toy of the Kushanāda for twenty years." Ichigo threatened. "All of you will enter the Archway in ten years. If not, then all remaining will be marked to become a toy of the Kushanāda for twenty years. After I leave, those new sinners who enter Hell will receive an orientation that will explain to them what is going to happen to them. For ten years, they will become another toy for the Kushanāda. After that, they will have an attempt to enter the Archway."
"What about those who feel that they do not deserve Hell?" Someone asked.
"For those who do not feel that they deserve Hell, I will arrange a private meeting place," Ichigo said and created another purple ball, throwing it at another cliff. This time, it became a little office with Hōgyoku as a secretary. "Once inside, I will pass judgment in the meeting place. If your claim is valid, then I'll cut your chain off personally and perform Konsō to allow you to go to Soul Society." Ichigo promised. "However, if your claim is false, then you will immediately go to absolute isolation for twenty years, and then become a toy for the Kushanāda for another forty. After that, you'll have an opportunity to enter the Archway." Ichigo warned them. With that said, Ichigo turned and used Shunpō to go to the little office. He then sat down and waited.
"Ichigo, The first thousand or so are Quincies,"Hōgyoku said.
"What?" Ichigo said. "Why are they here?"
"Ichigo, have you forgotten that, other than yourself, all the attacks the Quincy use destroy the soul? That itself is an act that will cause a person to enter Hell." Yhwach said.
"I see... I will go outside to address this then." Ichigo said, standing up and walking outside.
"To all of you that are Quincies in this line. I want to warn you. Your powers as a Quincy destroy a soul. In the eyes of Hell, that act by itself guarantees a ticket here. I will still honestly judge you to the best of my abilities but be warned: I look at all sins." Ichigo told the crowd before walking back inside his office. Once Ichigo was seated, he told Hōgyoku to let the first ones in. Majority of the Quincies that entered reminded Ichigo of Uryū when they first met. Stuck up, believing that Quincies were the best and feeling no remorse or guilt for the Hollows they destroyed.
"You can do it, Ichigo. Only three more Quincies left. Oh, and due to the old age of one of them, I am going to allow the three to walk in together. Is that fine?"Hōgyoku asked.
"Sure," Ichigo assured her. One of Quincies them opened the door for the other two to walk inside. Ichigo immediately noticed the old man and summoned two more chairs for them. The elderly man has gray hair, a gray mustache, and glasses. His eyes were deep gray and he had a bit of a beard on his chin. His skin was wrinkled with age and he had pronounced cheekbones. He wore a brown tunic covering what appears to be a white Quincy outfit that reminded Ichigo of Uryū. The next woman has black-haired with blue eyes and her large hair is kept in a bun. She wears a white shirt and black long skirt. Soon the last woman sat down and once she did, Ichigo immediately stood up, recognizing her wavy brown hair.
"Mom?" Ichigo asked in shock. The woman with brown hair looked up and her eyes filled with tears once she recognized who stood in front of her.
"Ichigo!" She screamed and the two hugged each other. The elder man and woman were both astonished at the news of their kin's relationship with the new Jigoku no Kōtei. The man who brought back hope and fear to many of the Sinners was, in fact, Masaki's eldest son. After hugging her son for a couple of moments, Masaki broke the hug and opened her mouth to ask so many questions.
"Mom, before we continue, please introduce me to your friends." Ichigo interrupted her.
"Sure. The old man is my stepfather, your grandfather, Ishida Sōken. The women are Ishida Kanae." She said.
"Are you perhaps related to Ishida Ryūken, Sōken-san?" Ichigo asked to clarify his assumptions.
"Yes. He is my son." Sōken answered.
"And are you a sister of Ishida Ryūken, Kanae-san?" Ichigo asked.
"No. I'm Ryūken's wife," Kanae answered.
"Shit." Ichigo cursed.
"Language." Both Masaki and Kanae admonished him.
"Out of all people I'm taking back to the Human World, it's my Okāsan [mother], Obasan [aunt] and Ojīsan [grandfather]," Ichigo stated, still a bit shocked at his luck.
"Wait, you'll take us out of Hell?!" Masaki said.
"Of course I am," Ichigo assured them.
"But I thought you died and got chosen," Masaki said.
"Okāsan. I'm only 18. A few days ago, I invaded Hell to rescue Yuzu and Karin." He explained.
"WHAT!?" The three yelled in shock. At that, Ichigo decided to explain the true story to the three. Everything from him getting his powers from Rukia to Ichigo pretending to lose his powers and to how he became the Jigoku no Kōtei. After Ichigo finished telling his story, Masaki immediately hugged her son.
"Ichigo, I am so proud of you. I know that you blamed yourself for my death but I want you to know I am proud of who you have become." Masaki told her eldest.
"Sorry for being the stick in the mud, but how are we going to go back to the Human World without any Shinigami or Hollow trying to attack us?" Kanae asked and the other two's joy deflated.
"Well, I have an idea. I have an ability that allows me to store anything in my mindscape. I'll just place you three in there and when I leave Hell, I'll get Ojīsan, Uryū, Yuzu, and Karin to meet up somewhere safe and release you." Ichigo proposed. The three decided that was the best chance they got. With that, Ichigo sent all three to his mindscape and walked out of Hell.
Human World, Ichigo's Room
The next morning, Ichigo stood and stretched his body, hearing various body parts crack. "Everyone made it?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, Ichigo," Masaki replied. With that done, Ichigo slowly changed into something casual and walked downstairs.
"Good morning," Ichigo said once he was downstairs and he was quickly tackled by two girls. Luckily, he was able to keep his balance.
"Ichi-nii!" Yuzu and Karin shouted in surprise and joy.
"You woke up!" Yuzu added.
"Everyone said that you'd still be in a coma for another week," Karin said.
"How long was I out?" Ichigo asked.
"Only for a few days," Yuzu told her brother.
"Wow…" Ichigo said in fake surprise. "So, what happened after I blacked out?"
"When you crashed, all the Taichō and Fukutaichō were standing around ready to attack whatever came out of the Gates of Hell." Yuzu started.
"Imagine their surprise when they saw all three of us coming from the Gates of Hell. Somehow you crashed right in front of the Sōtaichō." Karin continued.
"Unohana-taichō immediately took us to the temporary medical area Urahara provided for her to use."
"She reported that Yuzu and I were fine."
"But she also told us that she expected you to be in a coma for another few days, maybe even a week." Yuzu concluded.
"What about the others? Rukia? Renji? Uryū?" Ichigo asked.
"Those three are fine. When they came out of Hell, all they had were some wounds and low reiatsu." Karin said.
"I see…" Ichigo said. "Hey, girls, how about we go visit Okāsan's shrine today?" He then asked out of the blue.
"Why?" Yuzu asked.
"Well, during the fight against Kokutō, I heard the voices of three people. One of the voices sounded like Okāsan's. She guided me to use that armor to defeat Kokutō, free you two from your chains, and guided us out of Hell." Ichigo lied to the girls.
"Ok. Then sure, Ichi-nii. We can go visit her." Karin said and left the room.
"Let me pack lunch." Yuzu said and ran towards the kitchen. Ichigo went to his bed and dialed the Ryūken number.
"Hello?" Ryūken asked on the other side of the line.
"Ojisan, this is Ichigo." Ichigo said.
"Hello, Ichigo. What do you want?" Ryūken asked.
"I want to ask if you want to come to my Okāsan's shrine today."
"Why?" He asked.
"If you didn't know, Yuzu and Karin got kidnapped by Hell." Ichigo started.
"WHAT!?" Ryūken shouted in shock and worry.
"Long story short, I used a technique Urahara created to get back my powers temporary and went to Hell to rescue the girls. While I was down there fighting the kidnappers, I heard three voices. One of those voices sounded like my Okāsan. She guided me to use this set of armor to defeat Kokutō, free the girls from their chains, and then guided us out of Hell." Ichigo reiterated his lie to his uncle.
"Is Isshin coming too?" Ryūken asked.
"No."
"Ok, then. Do you want me to bring Uryū?"
"Sure. If you wish to bring him, that's fine." Ichigo assured him. With that done, Ichigo hung his phone up. Yuzu and Karin then called from downstairs, stating that they were ready. The three siblings then left the house and walked quietly to the shrine.
"Ichigo, are you sure this is going to work?" Masaki asked from her son's mindscape.
"I believe that it'll work. Just make sure you three mention that you attached yourselves to my soul or something." Ichigo thought back to her.
"Ok." Masaki agreed.
Eventually, the three reached the shrine. Once there, they saw Ryūken waiting for them.
"Yuzu, Karin. This is Ishida Ryūken. Ojisan, meet your Mei [nieces].
"Hello, Yuzu. Hello, Karin." The doctor greeted.
"Hello, Ojisan." Yuzu and Karin greeted with smiles, happy to finally meet their uncle. The four then started praying for Masaki.
"Okāsan, this is Yuzu. Thank you for helping Onii-chan rescue us from Hell. I hope wherever you are, you are watching us." Yuzu prayed.
"Hello, Okāsan. This is Karin. Thank you for helping Ichi-nii with his rescue mission. I know that Yuzu and I don't remember you much, but thank you anyway." Karin prayed.
"Masaki, this is Ryūken. I want to apologize for not getting involved with your son before. It is my fault. If I was not so selfish with hating my Quincy heritage, I might have been there to help you. If not, I could have been there to help teach Ichigo, Yuzu, and Karin about their Quincy heritage. Wherever you are… I hope you found Kanae and Otōsan." Ryūken prayed.
"Okāsan, Obasan, Ojīsan. Are you three ready?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes," Masaki stated.
"I am. I hope Ryūken doesn't attack us." Kanae said.
"Calm, down Kanae. It will be fine." Sōken assured his daughter-in-law.
"Alright then, I'm going to give the three of them a few minutes to get to know each other. You three will appear and explain how you got into Hell and how I indirectly freed you and then you three used me to get out of Hell." Ichigo instructed them.
"Yuzu, Karin, Ojisan," Ichigo called out getting the three's attention. "I'm going to find a spot to set up lunch. Why don't you use this time to get to know each other?" Ichigo suggested.
"Sure, Onii-chan." Yuzu agreed, Karin nodding in agreement.
"That's fine by me." Ryūken also agreed. Ichigo then left the three to find a spot to lay out the blanket.
"So, Ojisan what do you do for a job?" Yuzu asked.
"I am the Director of Karakura General Hospital," Ryūken replied.
"Really?" Yuzu said as Karin closed her eyes and leaned on a tree.
"It's nice isn't it Karin." Someone said.
"Yeah…" Karin replied. At that moment, Karin realized that voice wasn't Yuzu's or Ryūken's. She quickly opened her eyes to see a transparent woman standing in front of her. She had fair skin and long, light, wavy brown hair tied in a knot in the back and bangs down to her chin in the front. She was wearing a plain white shirt and a black skirt. What caught Karin's attention the most however were her eyes. They're brown, the same shade as her Onii-chan.
"Who are-?" Karin started to ask.
"Masaki…?" Ryūken interrupted Karin as he looked at Masaki in shock.
"Hello, Ryūken. How are you?" Masaki asked, turning her gaze to her ex-fiancé.
"Fine. But, how are you here?" Ryūken asked, still shocked.
"Before I answer that… we still have two more guests to show up." Masaki said and two more figures showed up.
"Kanae, Otōsan…" Ryūken murmured in shock before running toward the two spirits and hugging them. After a few moments to take everything in, he immediately started to interrogate them.
"Are you our Okasan?" Yuzu asked, tears starting to form on her eyes as well as her twin's.
"Yes, Yuzu. I am your Okasan." Masaki confirmed with a motherly smile directed at the twins. Both Yuzu and Karin ran up and hugged her, their tears running down their cheeks. After a few moments of them crying, the two let go of Masaki as Ryūken finished his interrogation of Kanae and Sōken.
"How are you all here?" He asked.
"Well, Ryūken, when all three of us died, we all ended up going to Hell." Sōken started.
"WHAT!?" The three humans yelled in shock and outrage, in the case of Ryūken.
"Calm down and let Sōken-otōsan answer, dear." Kanae admonished her husband and Ryūken quickly shut up.
"All Quincies, once they die, will end up going to Hell. The reason for that is because of our power. We destroy souls with our attacks. That single act guarantees a ticket to Hell." Sōken explained to them.
"How are you three out of Hell then?" Yuzu asked.
"Well, that's all thanks to Ichigo," Masaki stated.
"How?" Karin asked.
"Well, during Ichigo's fight with Kokutō, I attempted to stop him from Hollowfying again. The Kushanāda then bestowed Ichigo with special powers, which allowed him to cut the Chains of Hell and permanently seal away Kokutō. The attack Ichigo used somehow managed to reach all of us and freed us from the chains. When Ichigo was leaving Hell with you, all three of us used Hirenkyaku to escape as well." Masaki said.
"So, are you going to Soul Society now?" Karin asked after taking a moment to take everything in.
"Do you want me to?" Masaki asked.
"NO! But…" Karin trailed off.
"Karin, look at our chains," Masaki told her daughter. All three of the humans looked and saw that the chains of their loved ones were long and each link was whole. "We will only start Hollowfying if you feel guilty or remorseful or full of negative emotion. All of us don't have that anymore. We were full of it when we were alone in Hell, but, once we found each other, we helped each other recover." Masaki explained.
"Where are you going to live then?" Yuzu asked.
"We haven't thought about that yet," Sōken stated.
"Well… how about my place?" Ryūken suggested. "I have done several modifications to my house that will allow no one to sense you three while you're there. It's also a place all three of you know. Also, due to some of the modifications, you could interact with the house even as spirits. You will be able to cook, read, and more."
"That seems fair." Karin agreed. Everyone else agreed with the idea too.
"Wait. What about Onii-chan? Does he know about this?" Yuzu asked.
"He… doesn't, probably. Remember, Urahara and Goat-Chin explained to us that Ichigo rescuing us with that experimental technique ended up permanently destroying his reiatsu reserves. He will not be able to become a Shinigami again. There's a high chance he will not be able to become a Shinigami even when he dies." Karin answered.
"I know but, should we tell him about this?" Yuzu asked.
"I don't think so Yuzu. If Ichi-nii found out about Okasan, what do you think he would do to see her again?" Karin said. She could already imagine her brother trying to kill himself just to see their mother again.
"You're right" Yuzu sadly agreed. She too knew the amount of guilt that her brother had for Masaki's death could lead him into doing something stupid just so he could see their mother again.
"Yuzu, Karin, Ojisan! I found a perfect spot to eat!" Ichigo yelled as he walked back to join them. He then guided the three towards the spot and the four had lunch there. Eventually, they were finished and everyone left, Ryūken taking the three spirits with him back to his house.
A Few Months Later
In the few months since the fiasco involving Hell, Ichigo returned to the life he had been living for the last few years. Orihime, Uryū, and Chad returned to ignore Ichigo and he continued to sell himself to the various club at school. Time passed and it was now the last month of school. Ichigo and everyone else in his class studied as much as they could before the impending last week. Three weeks later, finals week arrived.
Everyone attempted to do their best on these tests, whether praying to whatever god they believed in or try and get that much more cramming in. Whatever the students did, they all passed. Everyone was relieved until the scores came up. For the past two years, Ichigo and Uryū competed against each other for the top spot, Ichigo winning in the first year and Uryū in the second. Now their final year arrived and everyone was waiting to see who got the highest score.
The headmaster held the last 10 highest scores to be announced on the intercom. In his classroom, Ichigo sat and read a book while Uryū and Orihime talked with each other. Somehow those two had started dating out of nowhere. Suddenly everyone heard a click and a calm but stern voice spoke from the intercom.
"Good morning, students. This is your headmaster speaking. I am here to announce to you the top 10 students from the class of 2007." He said. Everyone ignored the bottom eight spots, more interested in the top spot, though Ichigo was surprised that Orihime took third place.
"Now then, the final moment that you have all been waiting for." The headmaster started. "The student with the highest score of the class of 2007 is…" He stopped and everyone heard him open an envelope. "KUROSAKI ICHIGO!" The headmaster yelled. Ichigo smiled at the announcement and stood up. He walked over to Uryū and shook his hand.
"Thanks for being my rival." Ichigo thanked him before sitting back down. To Ichigo, nothing else mattered at this point. He was about to finish high school and get out of this town to go see the world.
A Week Later
The graduation ceremony went well. Ichigo noticed that a lot of people from his past who had been ignoring him for the past years showed up, but he ignored them the entire ceremony.
After graduation, many people came to congratulate him. Some of these people included Urahara, Ryūken, and Yoruichi. Urahara even invited Ichigo back to the store, but he declined and said that he would visit at a later time.
Ichigo had decided to wait for a week after graduation to leave. Karin was supposed to be at a soccer camp for the entire week and Yuzu would be at a friend's house for a classic anime marathon on Thursday.
Ichigo packed all of his personal belongings in secret from his family. These included the few photos he kept, his various collections of books, his clothing and any other personal item he owned. He sent all of that to his mindscape and asked Hōgyoku to organize it for him.
On his last day in Karakura, Ichigo received a phone call. Apparently, due to an accident at camp, Karin was coming home early. Ichigo grabbed the keys and drove to pick up her from camp. Arriving at the soccer camp, he picked up Karin and helped get all her stuff in the car before they began to drive back to Karakura Town.
"So, Karin how was camp? Besides the accident of course." Ichigo asked.
"It was fine," Karin replied. The two continued to do some small talk until there wasn't anything else to say. After a while, Karin spoke up.
"Ichi-nii..." She started, nervous and not meeting him in the eye.
"Yes, Karin?" Ichigo replied, curious about why she was nervous.
"Ichi-nii, can you take me to Urahara's instead of home?"
"Why?" Ichigo asked as he left the freeway.
"Um… please don't get mad at me." Karin pleaded.
"Karin… Fine, I will not get mad at you unless it is justified." Ichigo relented.
"Um… my boyfriend is coming to visit at Urahara," Karin mumbled. Ichigo was surprised at what she said and decided that he needed his undivided attention for this. He may be leaving, but he is still her older brother. He found a spot and parked the car before focusing his whole attention on Karin.
"What do you mean boyfriend? Is he a Shinigami?" Ichigo questioned.
"Yes." She mumbled, looking down at her lap.
"Who is it?" Ichigo asked as he tried to think of anyone that could be his sister's first boyfriend.
"It's Toshiro," Karin told him, finally looking at him with nervous eyes.
"When?" Ichigo asked with a monotone tone. He wasn't showing it, but he was hurt that Karin was only telling him about this now.
"When…?" Karin asked, confused.
"When did you and Toshiro become a couple?" Ichigo asked with a frown and Karin winced.
"Um… after the Hell incident," Karin mumbled, fearing what would happen.
"Why am I only now hearing this?" Ichigo asked. "Why did you not ask me?"
"Um…" Karin could not figure out what to say. "I asked Dad and he said it was fine."
"I see…" Ichigo said. Turning to the front, he started the car and drove off towards Karakura Town. The whole trip to Urahara's was done in silence. When Karin got off, Ichigo saw Toshiro and Urahara outside, both in Gigais. Karin gave Toshiro a quick hug and dragged him inside, while Urahara looked at Ichigo before he drove off.
Ichigo ended up eating dinner alone. Karin called in and said she was sleeping at Urahara's. Yuzu was also sleeping at her friend's house while Isshin was somewhere he didn't know.
It was while eating ramen for dinner that Ichigo realized that he had some important things to tell his 'friends' and 'family'. He spent the next few hours writing a few letters. One letter for everyone to read and another for only Yuzu and Karin. The last letter was for Yama-Jiji, warning him of the future.
The next day, Ichigo woke up, put a comfortable set of clothing and ate breakfast before placing the letter to everyone on the fridge and the other two letters in Yuzu's and Karin's room. After that Ichigo walked out of his house and looked at it for a while, reflecting on everything that had happened for these last eighteen years.
"So, you are actually planning, Ichigo?" Ichigo turned around to see Masaki.
"I am, Okasan," Ichigo confirmed.
"I understand. But… But." Masaki tried to say before she started to cry. Ichigo walked up to her and hugged his mother.
"Okasan, it's not your fault. This is something I have to do. I became what everyone in this town needed. I became a father figure for Yuzu and Karin. I became a protector for those who needed it. I became a Substitute Shinigami to protect my friends. It's time for me to leave. I am not needed anymore. Everyone here sees what I became, not who I truly am." Ichigo said and wiped the tears out of her eyes.
"Be safe, my little protector." She told her oldest before leaving to go back to Ryūken's house. Ichigo then looked back at the house he had lived in for his whole life so far.
"Sayonara."