Recalibration

Sand. That was all Ichigo felt as he landed, his eyes wide as he saw his two blades clatter to his sides. The young hybrid slowly stood, his eyes wide as he realized where he was. He was in Hueco Mundo, again. He grunted, picking up his swords, frowning as he saw multiple tree-like structures spiraling upwards, reaching unknown heights. This was not the Hueco Mundo that he remembered. Ichigo frowned, looking around. He most definitely was not at the place he last was when he ventured to this dimension, but that was irrelevant. He had to get out of here.

With a wave of his arm a Garganta formed beside Ichigo, the teen about to step through before his eyes widened. What was he doing? He couldn't go back to the Human World, not while the Shinigami were there. They had tried to kill him and he failed to defeat them, even though he was doing well. But he couldn't just leave. He had friends and family that he had to protect. Who would protect them if he wasn't there?

Ichigo frowned, Rukia's last words echoing throughout his brain. What did she mean she would protect them? How could she protect them when she just attacked him? How could she protect them when she couldn't even protect herself from the Soul Society's actions? She couldn't be trusted, but he also couldn't very well go back to the Human World. He'd be hunted like a dog, that much he realized now, and he couldn't really afford that. Not while he had to stay in one place and protect his family. There was only one choice, get stronger so he could defeat anyone the Soul Society sent his way. And he couldn't do that when he was fighting for his life against the assassins he was training to defeat. Clearly Karakura Town wasn't safe.

Ichigo looked around, frowning as he saw Hollows start emerging from the shadows of the tree-like structures, creeping towards him with curiosity and hunger in their eyes. He sighed. There it was. His opportunity to get stronger. But could he really do it? Eat another soul? Ichigo shook his head. He couldn't. That was beyond him. He couldn't devour another soul. But he also acknowledged that it was the fastest way to get stronger, and the faster he was strong enough to fight Shinigami the faster he could see his family again. Ichigo shook his head as he considered the thought, banishing it from his mind. He had to do this the right way. He couldn't...Ichigo clenched his fists.

He had to. His family came first. Always.

Ichigo sighed, rushing headlong into the horde of Hollows, drawing his blades. Just because he did it, did not mean that he had to enjoy it. And in a storm, flesh and steel met.

Rukia sighed as Renji looked down on her, Omaeda standing next to them, frowning. Rangiku had just woken up, leaning against a nearby wall as the two male Lieutenants grilled the Kuchiki. Shuhei stood behind them, frowning.

"So you're saying that you helped a Hollow because he was interesting?"

Rukia sighed. "No. I'm saying that I helped a hybrid because I've never heard of a case like his before. Besides, he was helping to get rid of Hollows. I determined that at best I just wouldn't raise him to be stronger than myself."

Omaeda rolled his eyes. "As a noblewoman I expected more of you Kuchiki. The law is quite clear, we kill Hollows and Quincy, a hybrid of the two has double the order on their heads!"

Rukia frowned. "But he wasn't doing any harm."

"His existence is a threat to the balance," Renji exclaimed, frowning. Shuhei stood behind him sighing.

"While you and Omaeda are right Renji, Rukia is right in also stating that he didn't look to be causing harm. In fact he seemed rather peaceful until we threatened Rukia. It does back up her claim of him being a good person."

"Good person or not the law is the law," Omaeda stated confidently. Renji winced as he heard Omaeda's words. He couldn't exactly agree. The law was the law, that much was true, but the law was not always just. His experience living in the Rukongai had showed him that much. The apathy that the Shinigami had towards them was appalling, even if he had fallen into the same trap as the rest of the Shinigami. Renji sighed, shaking those thoughts from his head.

"What did you do with the two Quincy that appeared Shuhei?"

Shuhei frowned. "I defeated one of them, but there was one Quincy...he was strong. Far to strong for your average Quincy. If I had to guess he's around Captain-level."

"Captain-level!" Omaeda roared. "That doesn't make any sense! The majority of the Quincy are extinct ever since the war! How did one that powerful slip past our radar? Who trained him? What's going on here?"

Shuhei frowned. "The bigger question are how many more are out there like him. If there are a lot...we'll have another war on our hands."

"This is all irrelevant to the point at hand," Rangiku called, drawing the boys attention. The girl sighed, looking at Rukia, sadness clearly on her face as she looked at her fellow Shinigami. She was not enjoying this anymore than Renji was. "The fact of the matter is what happens to the Quincy is left up to the higher-ups. One of them isn't a threat right now although he likely will be in the future. The more important question is what do we tell Head Captain? We can't exactly say that the Hollow escaped, and if we say Rukia aided and abetted..."

The buxom Shinigami let her sentences air out, realization dawning on everyone present. If the Head Captain found out that Rukia aided and abetted a hybrid, there would be hell to pay, regardless of reasoning or status. Nothing would make the Head Captain back down from his decision bar being killed or defeated in combat, which was impossible. Rukia Kuchiki would die, and that would be that.

Omaeda sighed, rubbing the back of his head. Despite his arrogance even he didn't want to see the girl die, but he couldn't deny the fact that the law was the law. And the law had to be followed. He was about to voice his opinion only for Renji to speak up, power in his eyes. "We say nothing," the redhead claimed, daring anyone to disagree with him. Omaeda's eyes met Renji's, the Lieutenant's staring at each other, power leaking off of Renji as he glared at Omaeda. The large man grimaced, raising his hands. Renji nodded, turning back to Rukia's staring eyes, surprise gracing her face as the Lieutenant helped her up before quickly forming a Senkaimon, the group disappearing into the portal.

Ichigo's eyes widened as he breathed, staring at the strewn around body parts that were slowly disappearing, blood dropping onto the ground like tears from his mouth. He frowned, his body shivering as the energy started to settle, the blood pooling even more as the swords began to leak the blood from their metal onto the ground. The energy of the individual Hollows was nothing significant, however with all of them fused together they did boast quite the bit of added strength. Ichigo could already feel the growth in power. It wasn't anything amazing, but he was stronger.

"I've never seen a Hollow that looked like a Shinigami before. If it wasn't for that previous display I'd call you a Shinigami. And that atrocity on your face."

Ichigo turned, frowning as he saw the figure behind him. It was a...Shinigami? That was unclear. It had a human body structure, only to have a gazelle Hollow mask over its face, a multitude of Hollow masks draping down its back. Ichigo frowned, raising his blades, the figure only raising his own blade. "You are merely a Hollow child," the figure stated, crouching. "A strange one, but a Hollow nonetheless. Prepare to die."

Ichigo frowned, before his eyes widened, the man disappearing in a burst of speed. It was only due to a quick activation of his Jikantai that he managed to react in time, deflecting the figures strike, although the force behind the blow still sent him skidding backwards, the white sand flying into the air. The figure tilted its head before it disappeared again, Ichigo moving with it this time, the duo clashing blades, trying to overpower each other, however it wasn't long before Ichigo was pushed back by the figures superior strength. Ichigo grunted, concentrating as he skidded backwards, an ax of blue energy sailing towards the figure. The figure quickly swung its sword, dispersing Ichigo's attack with ease.

"Who the hell are you," Ichigo cried, irritation on his face. The figure tilted its head once more.

"You live in the Forest of Menos and yet you do not know me? Maybe it is because you seem to be rather young and unique. I am Ashido Kano, the Shinigami that your kind despises so much. Now prepare to die for the blood debt I owe!"

Ashido shot forwards, his movements a blur to Ichigo's eyes, causing his eyes to widen. The teen quickly formed a Cero, firing it quickly at Ashido who dodged it, landing on a nearby spire before rocketing towards Ichigo who grunted, forming another ax of his reiatsu before he sent it flying towards Ashido who batted it aside. Ichigo grunted, leaping towards him, the duo clashing blades in midair. Ichigo grunted, raising his smaller blade before bringing it down, only for Ashido to push off Ichigo's larger blade, spinning and deflecting the blow with the Hollow masks on his cloak. Ichigo grunted, forming a Bala before he sent it flying forwards, the energy smashing into Ashido's back, causing the man to grunt before he flipped, landing on a spire.

Ichigo landed on the ground, growling at his offender. "I didn't come here to fight you! I just need to get stronger so I can go back to the Human World!"

"So you can kill more humans!"

"No! I have to protect my family!"

"Protect! A lie! Most Hollows start out by eating their old family!"

Before Ichigo could offer a rebuttal Ashido shot forwards, his blade crying through the air, only for him to grunt, disappearing in a burst of speed, reappearing on the sand near Ichigo as a tail appeared in the air where he once was.

"You!"

A large creature emerged from the tree-like spires of the Forest, the creature grinning as it stared at Ashido. "Ah? Ashido, my favorite toy. How are those friends of yours? Still rotting in their damned graves?"

Ashido roared, shooting forwards, causing the Hollow to laugh, leaping forwards, his tail whipping around and clashing with Ashido's blade. "I'm going to kill you," Ashido hissed, pressing forwards, his reiatsu powering outwards, the violet energy sending sand flying in every direction only for the creature to laugh, orange reiatsu leaking from his body as it fought back against Ashido's force, the creatures superior strength forcing Ashido away for fear of being crushed. Ichigo frowned, watching the duo with intensity as their battle intensified. These two seemed to be the strongest beings in this Forest of Menos, a Shinigami and Adjuchas. Ichigo nodded to himself.

If he could defeat them, then he could surely go back to the Human World. He would have reached a sufficient level of power. Ichigo gripped his blades, shooting forwards, his Jikantai already active, before he swung his blade, only for Ashido to deflect it, gritting his teeth. The two were forced to separate however as the tail from the Adjuchas came down, the beast grinning hungrily at Ichigo.

"You are quite the powerful little Arrancar aren't you? Adjuchas-level. No wonder Ashido here wants to kill you. I'm afraid I'll have to do the same though. Can't have some newbie trying to take over my territory!"

With that the Adjuchas rushed Ichigo, its tail whipping around in multiple directions, Ichigo forced on the defensive from the never-ending assault, both of his blades whirling to keep up with the fast appendage. However he only had to maintain that pace for a brief period, Ashido rushing the Adjuchas, forcing it defend. Ichigo grinned. That was helpful. Ichigo roared, a Cero forming between his jaws before he fired, the beam carving through the sand, forcing the two other combatants to separate before it carved through several of the rock spires. The Adjuchas grinned as it looked at him, salivating at the thought of eating Ichigo while Ashido merely stared at him, his face impossible to read due to the Hollow mask on his face, even his eyes invisible.

"You will be delicious," The Adjuchas roared, shooting forwards. "Now come! Come to the Guardian of the Forest of Menos!" Ichigo's eyes widened, raising a defense just as the Hollow appeared in his range, the blow clattering against his swords, sending him flying through the air, the Hollow appearing next to him, its tail whipping forwards and smashing into Ichigo's chest, the blow sending him careening towards the ground. The Adjuchas roared, pushing off a rock spire to slam into Ichigo only for Ashido to slam his blade into the Adjuchas, sending it flying with a cry of pain as blood covered Ashido's blade.

"You will not eat him! I will not allow you to grow more powerful!"

Ichigo grunted, standing, his sclera slowly turning black. The teen moved forwards, black reiatsu coating his blades as he swung them, only for Ashido to pull out a massive Hollow mask from his cloak, deflecting the blows. The man grunted, thrusting forwards with his blade only for Ichigo to deflect with his smaller blade, pushing Ashido's Zanpakuto upwards before he spun, both of his blades crying through the air before they clattered against Ashido's makeshift shield, the force sending the man flying. Ashido grunted, smashing against a rock spire with a groan, allowed a brief moment of reprieve as the Guardian of the Forest of Menos attacked Ichigo only to be quickly repelled.

Shinigami and Adjuchas glanced at each other before frowning. They could not defeat this foe, not as they were now. It's power continued to grow, and they were not prepared to fight it. It wouldn't be worth the trouble. Better to take it by surprise. With the message sent between the two they disappeared back into their sections of the forest, Ichigo left standing there, his power briefly receding, the teen shaking his head as he tried to get his memory sorted. The last few moments were a blur.

Ichigo sheathed his two blades, sighing.

Again he had lost control to that dark power within him. He could call upon it at will, but he couldn't control it. He sighed. It probably had to do with his Quincy powers. The more unbalanced he was the harder it would be to control either aspects of himself in all likelihood. He had to develop his strength. He had to get stronger with his Quincy half before he could accurately call on the power he felt just bubbling beneath the surface with his normal Hollow powers. A name that he could taste.

Resureccion.

The name of the move was tantalizing, and he knew the key to unlock it. The power behind it. The name of his Hollow side. But he couldn't...not quite yet. Not while his Quincy half would be overwhelmed for merely the use of the power. But how was he supposed to learn about his Quincy half? He had only learned how to use his Hollow side more intricately due to Zangetsu. Was there another spirit in him for his Quincy powers? It was worth finding out, but he couldn't just find out in the open. With that the teen shot into the forest, in hopes of looking for a more secluded area.

It wasn't long before he found one, the cave boring deep into the ground, the sand parting ways to reveal a dark cave. Ichigo frowned, walking through the wave, his swords clutched tightly as he tried to see what was in front of him, the light from above not reaching this deep into the cave. However, when he came to the back of the cave he paused, placing his swords at his sides before he sat, staring at the entrance before he closed his eyes at the world shifted.

When he opened them again he was floating in the air, his eyes wide as he felt the world shake. He turned his head, his eyes widening. The world was...different. It still shrunk and grew, but only half of it operated on that principal anymore. He felt a strange calling to it, the name of his Resureccion resting on his lips, only for him to pull away at the last second. He couldn't be enticed by the power, the power of time. Slowly he pulled away, his eyes widening as he saw another tower, although this one was not a clock tower. It was just as large however. It had a window as well, the window looking like the Quincy Cross that Uryuu carried with him. Shadows flowed from the tower, covering the field, light only being emitted from the actual structure of the tower itself.

"So you're back King."

Ichigo's eyes widened, turning his head to see Zangetsu standing there, nodding. Ichigo nodded, before his eyes widened as he heard another voice, a voice that was just as familiar to him as Zangetsu despite the fact that he had never heard it before.

"My liege. I am at your service."

Ichigo turned, his eyes widening as he saw Letzt, the recognition of the spirit instantly coming to him. He smiled, feeling whole for a brief moment. "Letzt."

Letzt nodded, before he gestured to the ground, drawing Ichigo's attention. The ground that Zangetsu controlled seemed to be encroaching on Letzt's territory. "My emergence seems to have slowed it my liege, but the lack of training in your Quincy powers has definitively been the cause of you losing control of your Hollow abilities. You're unbalanced."

Zangetsu nodded. "Yeah. And it's not like I can stop it. Hollows naturally are toxic to Quincy's. I can't stop the movement of your powers. If you want to use the Resureccion you're gonna have to be powerful enough in your Quincy have to not be destroyed."

Ichigo nodded, turning to Letzt. "Teach me."

Letzt frowned, although he nodded, forming a bow made of blue energy. "This is your first trial, my liege."

Ichigo groaned. "But can't I already make constructs? Isn't that enough?"

Letzt merely stared at him, getting Ichigo to groan before he got to work.

Isshin frowned. Ichigo was not home yet and it was late. Very late. The man sighed, looking at the shop he was outside, frowning as he walked inside to see Kisuke Urahara already sitting down, drinking a cup of tea. He didn't even acknowledge his presence. Isshin glared, walking forwards, slamming his hands on the table, although Kisuke did not jump.

"Where is my son Kisuke." It was not a question, it was a demand.

Kisuke sighed, raising his head, the age in his eyes showing. Isshin frowned, taking a step back. Kisuke only looked like that in very rare circumstances. He supposed this qualified, as it damn well better. He was serious at least. That was good.

"He went out to confront the Shinigami signatures we got earlier this night. Four of them, from the energy signature around Lieutenant level, likely here to kill him after his outburst earlier this week."

Isshin's eyes widened, connecting the dots. "That was him this week? I knew I sensed something, but this. That's ludicrous. He couldn't have been that strong could he? Sensing has never been my strong suit, but enough to send a hit squad after him?"

Kisuke sighed. "The boy didn't look the same according to what I was informed of. He looked more Hollow-like. He likely activated a Resureccion from the limited research we have on Arrancar. His power was significant enough to be registered as an Adjuchas-level threat in all likelihood. That mandates a 4 Lieutenant Level Hit Squad. You know this, you were a Captain after all."

Isshin frowned, taking several steps back, before he fell on the seat that appeared behind him. He glanced up, nodding his thanks to Tessai who merely walked back over to the corner of the room silently. Isshin stared back at Kisuke. "Is my son dead?"

Kisuke shook his head. "I doubt it. Rukia wouldn't allow that. And your son is strong. Plus I believe Uryuu and a new Quincy went to assist him. They likely helped him."

Isshin breathed a sigh of relief, the fist he didn't even know he was clenching relaxing. The cold sweat on his forehead stopped, the man looking up at Kisuke. "Then Kisuke...answer me one question. Where is my son?"

Kisuke winced. "In all likelihood? Hueco Mundo."

Isshin clenched his fists once more, this time knowingly. He glared at Kisuke who sighed. He already knew what Isshin was going to demand, but he couldn't allow him. Not when he didn't have powers. The man shook his head, taking another sip of his tea, before Isshin slapped it out of his hand, the tea spilling over the floor as the cup shattered. Kisuke glared at Isshin, only to see the man staring heatedly into his eyes.

"My powers Kisuke. We're gonna need a faster timetable to getting them back."

Kisuke's eyes widened. This wasn't what he was expecting. He was expecting a demand to form a portal to Hueco Mundo in a reckless and vain attempt to save his son when his powers had only just started to emerging once more, Isshin's energy level being just barely above a mere humans. This...this was unexpected. But it was also much more doable.

"Are you sure? It's not necessarily dangerous but...you will draw the attention of the Soul Society."

Isshin nodded. "If it's for my son it's worth the risk."

Kisuke sighed, standing and gesturing for Isshin to follow him. The two men descended into Kisuke's basement, their plan set.

Rukia frowned as she walked into the Head Captain's office, frowning as she saw all the other Captains of the Gotei 13 standing there, each and every one of them scrutinizing her. Renji, Rangiku, Shuhei, and Omaeda stood behind her, each of them looking rather bored or disinterested with the meeting. They clearly didn't want to be here. They merely moved in behind their Captains, to join the rest of the Lieutenants in the room. Rukia stood alone in the center of the room. Head Captain Yamamoto stared at her, causing her shuffle her feet. She was never the center of so much attention in her life.

"Rukia Kuchiki! Why did you fail to contact us about the presence of a Adjuchas-level threat in Karakura Town in an adequate time frame!"

Rukia's eyes flashed towards Renji, who merely stared at her, his fists clenched. She looked down at the floor once more before speaking. "Yes Head Captain. I believed that I alone would be capable of defeating this threat."

"Why? You know protocol, Adjuchas-level threats are to be handled by a group of Lieutenants, not by someone as low ranking as yourself. You are not nearly strong enough to handle that situation by yourself."

Rukia frowned, taking the criticism, only for Renji to speak up. "If I may Head Captain, the Hollow didn't seem to be of Adjuchas-level strength when we combated it for the most part of the fight, as I'm sure Omaeda can attest. It only showed flashes of its strength towards the end, and even then it ran away before likely fighting with its full strength."

Yamamoto's eyes settled on Renji, causing the redhaired Lieutenant to squirm as the old man's powerful eyes rested on him. "The Hollow got away?"

Renji stared down at the ground, too ashamed to look at the mans face. "Yes sir."

A grunt could only be heard, before another Lieutenant spoke up, this time it was Shuhei. "In our defense Head Captain, the Hollow seemed to be...almost assisted two Quincy."

"Quincy!"

The word caused uproar in the room, Captains and Lieutenants alike whispering among one another, wondering what it could mean. Quincy helped a Hollow? That was almost impossible to fathom. Quincy and Hollows were natural enemies, like water and oil. They completely rejected the other, they would never work together, would they? What would be the benefit? What could the Quincy's stand to gain? Were they gearing up for another war, or trying to heal their destruction at the mere touch of a Hollow? Were they creating a Hollow to kill Shinigami? The questions were endless, and the room quickly grew loud with the questions.

"Silence!"

The room immediately quieted, the Head Captain's voice overpowering anyone else, despite his age. He glared around the room before his eyes locked with Shuhei's, who gulped. "You mentioned two Quincy. The Quincy, while not extinct, should not be a prevalent threat. We've monitored their population, and their power. No one should be powerful enough to handle a Lieutenant in strength."

Shuhei frowned, glancing at Rangiku who sighed. "You're not exactly wrong Head Captain. One Quincy was weak, easily defeated by myself, but the second, older one was...different. He easily defeated Rangiku and myself. If I had to guess...I'd think he was Captain-level in strength."

The shock of the words almost immediately caused another storm of conversation in the room, but a sharp look from Yamamoto quelled it before it could truly begin. The elderly man sighed. "I see. I will take your words at face value. This mission was a failure. Rukia Kuchiki, you are to be punished. I shall leave it to your Captain to settle on your punishment. Otherwise, Hitsugata, Byakuya, take Rangiku and Shuhei, and find this Quincy. Do not engage unless he poses a threat, but examine him and find out where he gained his strength."

Hitsugaya and Byakuya nodded, Rangiku and Shuhei nodding as well. Yamamto nodded. "Dismissed!"

Uryuu groaned as he awoke, laying on a bed. The teen shook his head, holding it before he felt a pair of hands slowly push him back down onto the bed. "Lay down, you're injured still. We don't want your wounds to open up again."

Uryuu blinked, confused before his eyes settled on the man before him. "Giovanni."

Giovanni nodded, sighing. "Yes. After your battle with the Shinigami I took you here to make sure that you were healed. I couldn't let my fellow Quincy die."

Uryuu grunted his thanks before he frowned. "And what happened to our demi-Quincy friend?"

Giovanni frowned. "Ichigo...the boy was defeated, but not killed. I believe he threw himself into Hueco Mundo, the home of Hollows. I have no idea when he will come back, but that is where he resides."

Uryuu nodded. "I see...so he's there for the time being. And the Shinigami? Without him here I doubt they would have stayed." Giovanni nodded.

"That is a good assumption. They left with Rukia Kuchiki, although I believe that they will be back. They did see two Quincy after all, one of which that defeated their soldiers. And when they come back they'll likely be bringing with them some very powerful friends."

Uryuu grunted. That was not ideal. He had already lost one battle against a Shinigami and he had no desire to lose another one. He needed to get better. More Shinigami meant more people hunting him down trying to kill him based purely off of what he happened to be. He couldn't rest here doing nothing. The boy tried to rise again, only for Giovanni to quickly force him back down. Uryuu glared at him, only to meet a pair of steely eyes.

"I know what you are thinking. You have to get stronger, and that's true. You do have to get stronger. The Shinigami coming very well might try and kill us. But you can't get stronger while you're fighting to stay alive in the first place. You can get stronger, but the first step for you to do is to be able to withstand the strength I can teach you. The Sanrei Glove. I have one I don't use, considering I've already gone past the threshold of power it grants me. But you could use it. When you're healed we'll start your training."

Uryuu stared at Giovanni, who smirked. "Did you think I wasn't going to teach you how to use your powers? Not in this environment."

Ichigo frowned as he failed to form another bow, Letzt shaking his head, forming another blue bow before firing a shot into the ground, slowly stemming the progress of Zangetsu's undesired assault. His Quincy side had to be stronger, strong enough to fight against the encroaching Hollow side that was Ichigo. If Ichigo couldn't master his Quincy powers fast enough Letzt's side of his world would never be able to push back the Zangetsu's have to the black line that separated the towers down the middle. The Shinigami line. The barrier. The only thing that was able to delicately balance the power of Hollow and Quincy. Ichigo needed to solve this puzzle quickly.

Ichigo grunted as he heard the arrow pierce the ground, slowing the advancement of his Hollow side, albeit briefly. He had to do something, something to stop this encroachment. The teen frowned, looking at Letzt. A bow. How could he make a bow? It was was almost like making two pieces of a sword...almost.

His blades drawn, Ichigo smashed the hilts of his two blades together, holding them tightly at their hilts before he focused. Slowly, and surely blue energy began to envelop the twin blades, getting Zangetsu's attention. "He's doing it Letzt!"

Letzt glanced upwards, a smirk on his face as he saw the blue energy enveloping Ichigo's blades. "Good. That's progress. You can make a bow at least. Now we go to something more difficult. Make an arrow."

Ichigo grunted.

Isshin sighed as he lay down in the Shattered Shaft frowning. This process wasn't necessarily designed for him, but he could use it. After all, Ichigo's Hollow half had already broken down the barrier holding it in place for so long. His powers had been returning for quite a while, however that would only accelerate the process. Isshin lay on the ground, his blade on his lap, breathing deeply. He had to call his powers back, and being surrounded by energy that encouraged Hollowfication would only drive him. He wouldn't become a Visored, but the danger of being assaulted by foreign energy was still there.

And there it was, the rage that was a Hollow assaulting him as he breathed in the gas, the sheer shock of the energy causing him to briefly seize, before he took another deep breath. He hadn't felt a Hollows might in a long time, but he could now. It wouldn't be a problem. He was used to this. It just that the brief overload stunned him. He was better now, calmer. More able to reach out with his powers...and...

"So you're back."

Isshin grinned.

"Burn, Engetsu!"

Fire bathed the Shattered Shaft.