After Aizen,Gin and Tosen retreated from the battle at Sokyoku Hill, the Shinigami plus the ryoka started treating the wounded and bringing them over to the Fourth Division barracks.
One week later the ryoka decided to return to the World of The Living, however one of them didn't seem eager to return.
"What's wrong Ichigo?" asked the petite soul reaper Kuchiki Rukia.
"Nothing, I'm fine" replied the orange haired reaper.
"Don't you 'I am fine' me! I know you better than that Ichigo. What's on your mind?"
"I'm weak" murmured Ichigo.
"What did you say?" replied Rukia.
"I said I'm too weak! That bastard Aizen managed to block my Bankai with his god damn finger! How am I supposed to protect everyone from him?" snapped Ichigo.
"Then just get stronger you idiot!" yelled Rukia as her reply.
"You just gained your Bankai, you SUCK at controlling your reiatsu and you don't know any Kido. How are you supposed to defeat Aizen if you don't know that much?" she said.
"Just train and become stronger baka Strawberry" she said almost too quiet for Ichigo to hear.
"Thanks Midget that helped." said Ichigo as he turned around.
"Where are you going Kurosaki?" yelled Ishida.
"I'm going to talk to the old man. You can leave without me, I'm staying." was his only reply before using shunpo to disappear.
"Kurosaki-kun" called Inoue however she was too late.
"Well, he's too stubborn for his own good. Just let him be Inoue. He will train and become stronger so don't worry about that idiot." said Rukia as an attempt to cheer up Inoue.
"You're right Kuchiki-san. Kurosaki-kun is going to be okay."
"Well if you're done saying your goodbyes I suggest we leave now." said Yoruichi in her cat form while sitting on Chad's shoulder.
"Alright let's go!" all of them said as they walked through the Senkaimon.
Ichigo was searching for the Soutaicho however he had no idea where the First Squad barracks are.
However he was lucky when he bumped into Kyoraku Shunsui, Captain of the Eighth Division.
"Ooooh, you seem in a rush Ichigo-kun"
"Ah, Kyoraku-san I'm looking for the old man, do you know where I can find him?"
"Yama-jii? He's over there" said Kyoraku as he pointed towards the First Division barracks.
"Thanks Kyoraku-san" and he immediately flashed away.
"I wonder why he wants to see Yama-jii. Well it doesn't matter, now i need to go have a drink before Nanao-chan finds me"
At the First Division barracks Ichigo arrived infront of the large door leading to the Soutaicho's office.
*Knock* *Knock*
"Enter" came the gruff voice of the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.
Ichigo opened the door to find him sitting behind his desk.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your precense, Kurosaki Ichigo? I believe your human friends returned to the World of The Living" said Yamamoto.
"They did" said Ichigo simply.
"Why didn't you return with them?" asked Yamamoto.
"I want to get stronger" was his simple reply.
"Why do you seek strength, boy?" asked the Commander wanting to test Ichigo.
"To protect. Aizen blocked my Bankai with his finger and he almost managed to kill Rukia. I came to the conclusion I'm weak and I have to train to become stronger." replied Ichigo.
"I see" obviously Yamamoto was pleased with Ichigo's answer but he wanted to test him further.
"How do you want to become stronger?" was his next question.
"Rukia told me you guys have something like a school where you train Shinigami."
"We certainly do. It's called Shino Academy and I was it's founder over 2000 years ago."
"Is there a way for me to join it?" asked Ichigo almost hopefully.
"I can arrange that, however registrations start after two weeks. You also have to change your name, dye your hair and put a special armband created by the Shinigami Research and Development Institute to supress your reiatsu."
"Why do I have to change my name or dye my hair?"
"After breaking through Seireitei's impenetrable defences and succesfully stopping an execution you gained some fame. Some students are from noble families and some also are son's and daughter's of Shinigami. They are bound to know about you. Especially with your orange hair"
"I see" was Ichigo's almost sad reply.
"Well aside from that do you have a place to stay at?" asked the Soutaicho.
"I can always ask Kūkaku-san" answered Ichigo.
"Contact me if you don't have a place to stay at" said the Soutaicho wich almost sounded like an order.
"I will, thanks"
"Is that all, Kurosaki Ichigo?"
"Yes"
"If that is the case then you are dismissed." said Yamamoto and Ichigo disappeard using shunpo.
"*sigh* At least if he manages to become stronger he will be a great asset against Aizen." said Yamamoto as he continued to do his paperwork.
Later Ichigo arrived at the Shiba Manor, if you could call it that with those giant arms.
He walked over to the door only to be met by Shiroganehiko and Koganehiko.
"Who are you and what do you wan-?" asked Shiroganehiko.
"Ah it's Kurosaki-dono, how can we help you?" interrupted Koganehiko.
"Is Kūkaku-san inside?"
"Yes please follow us"
As they stopped infront her door Koganehiko turned to Ichigo and said "One moment Kurosaki-dono"
"Yeah take your time"
*Knock* *Knock*
"What do you want?" came the sound of Shiba Kūkaku.
"There is someone who would like to see you Kūkaku-sama"
"Let 'em in"
To say she was surprised to see her Carrot-top cousin -even if he doesn't know yet- was an understatement.
"What do you want, brat?"
"Er... you see Kūkaku-san I wanted to ask you a favour. Two actually"
"Shoot"
"I decided to stay in Soul Society and train so the old man will enroll me in that academy. The problem is I don-"
"If ya wanna stay here I don't mind" interrupted Kūkaku.
"How did you know?" asked Ichigo kind of surprised she knew.
"Well it's obvious you don't have a place to stay at"
"I see"
"So what was the other favour you wanted?"
"You see the old man said I need to change my name and dye my hair so I kinda figured I could borrow the Shiba name if you don't mind that is" said Ichigo while nervously shifting his feet.
"Yeah I don't mind, I'll adopt you as my little brother. How's that sound?"
"Really?" was the only thing he could no one can blame him, who would've thought Shiba Kūkaku of all people would simply agree to such a request.
"Well as long as you behave and don't bother me it's fine"
Suddenly the door opened and one Shiba Ganju entered the room. "Nee-chan I'm ba- What the hell is that asshole doing here?" He yelled while pointing at Ichigo.
"Hey that's my line you ugly piece of shit!"
replied an angry Ichigo.
They started fighting and to say Kūkaku wasn't pissed is like saying Yamamoto is weak.
"Would you two shut the fuck up?" yelled Kūkaku as she hit the both of them on their heads.
"We're sorry" they both replied as they looked up to her from the ground.
"Listen up you useless brother. Ichigo over here is going to live with us and then he will join the Academy. He also is now your adopted brother so deal with it. However if you both piss me off like this I will kick your asses you hear me?"
"Yes Ma'am" they both replied again.
"Now that we're clear, Ichigo tell Koganehiko to show you your room. Also return here after two hours for dinner."
"Okay"
"As for your hair I have some black dye you could use"
"Eh? Why black?"
"Well if you want we could always dye it pink"
"Nonono who said anything about not liking black? Black is best!"
"Well then you should get going"
"Yes I will do that"
"Thank you again for having me" said Ichigo as he turned to leave the room.
After he left Ganju turned to his sister.
"Are you sure this is a good idea Nee-chan? If he dyes his hair black he would look exactly like Kaien-nii"
"I know" is all she said.
"How the hell does he look like him anyways?" asked Ganju.
"Remember Uncle Isshin?" asked Kūkaku.
"Yeah what about him? He died 20 years ago."
"Actually he is alive" she said.
"Eh? How? I'm pretty sure the reports said he died fighting a hollow"
"Well i thought so too but Yoruichi told me the truth. It seems Aizen was experimenting on a hollow in The World of The Living and Uncle Isshin fought it. He was injured while fighting it and a human girl saved him. He snuck out of Soul Society in order to meet her however when he did he found out that she was hollowfying. Urahara managed to save her but in order to stabilize her Uncle Isshin needed to give up his Shinigami powers and live in a gigai. It seems after a few years they fell in love and they got married. Ichigo here is their first son. So in other words he is your cousin."
"Eh? Eeeeh? Eeeeeeeeeeh? You're saying that carrot-top is my cousin?"
"Yes he is and if you tell anyone and I mean anyone about this I will skin you alive then feed you to hollows."
"Hai Nee-chan" Ganju weakly said.
While Kūkaku and Ganju were talking, Koganehiko was showing Ichigo his room.
It was a normal sized room with a larger than normal bed. It also had a normal closet. That's when Ichigo remembered something important.
"Clothes!"
"What do you mean Kurosaki-dono?"
"I forgot I don't have spare clothes! Since I didn't return to the World of The Living I don't have any spare clothes."
"Don't worry Kurosaki-dono. We can arrange some clothes easily"
"How?"
"We could always buy new ones for you"
"I see, thanks"
"Well thank Kūkaku-sama not me, Kurosaki-dono"
"Ichigo"
"What?"
"Call me Ichigo"
"Very well Ichigo-dono. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"No thanks"
"I shall come again when it's time for dinner"
"Yeah thanks" and with that Ichigo was left alone to inspect his new room.
"Well it's not so bad" said Ichigo to himself.
"True it's simple yet it has all you need."
said Zangetsu from his inner world.
"What the hell don't scare me like that old man Zangetsu!"
"Don't be such a pansy King" said his hollow.
"Who the hell are you and why did you call me King?" yelled Ichigo, freaked out he had another voice in his head.
"Come inside your inner world and find out yourself King." he replied.
"I don't know how" said Ichigo slightly embarassed.
"What the hell that is pathetic King!"
"Don't be that harsh on him. He was never taught how. By the way Ichigo you can talk to us in your mind. No need to talk aloud." said Zangetsu calmly.
'Oh ok' said Ichigo in his mind.
'So how do I enter my inner world?'
"It's simple Ichigo. Sit down and cross your legs. Put your Zanpakuto on your lap and close your eyes. Focus on your powers and push yourself towards them. This is what Shinigami call Jinzen."
As Ichigo attempted Jinzen for the first time he found it difficult at first but then he felt himself being pulled. As he opened his eyes he found the familiar skyscrapers of his inner world.
"So you came" said Zangetsu while standing on a pole behind Ichigo.
"Old man Zangetsu" Ichigo said as he turned around to face his Zanpakuto spirit.
"So you finally came King." and once more Ichigo turned around, only to find himself this time.
Well a bleached version of himself.
"What the hell? You look exactly like me but you're completely white. Who are you?"
"I am Zangetsu" said the white Ichigo.
"What? How? I thought the old man was Zangetsu." said Ichigo slightly irritated.
"You see Ichigo this will take some time to explain so have a seat." said the old man.
"How do I sit down? I'd fall you know?"
"You idiot this is your inner world. Do you think it's possible for you to fall down like that? It's your fault anyways since you have a screwed mind the buildings are sideways." said the white Ichigo -who has been identified as Zangetsu- while sitting down himself.
"So what about the explanation?" asked Ichigo eager to know the truth.
"I will be blunt about this and I'll tell you everything you want to know. However we don't have much time." said the old man.
"Long story short, I am the manifestation of your Quincy powers Ichigo. Before you ask I will tell you everything first. Then you can ask me anything."
"Ok go on"
"Well it seems one of your ancestors was a Quincy. I don't know who, but it seems you inherited his powers. However since you had Shinigami powers too, I was struggling to make you a Quincy instead of a Shinigami. I failed since you are a Shinigami now so I made a deal with your Zanpakuto to allow me to use some of his powers and his name. Doing that led to me holding back most of your Shinigami powers. Before you say you want to release them I will tell you now you are not ready for them."
"You see King since you suck at controlling your reiatsu and your body can't handle all that power you can't use me yet. Well not completely. Your Bankai is incomplete too."
"How can I gain my real Bankai then?"
"Like he said idiot you are not ready! You first have to master your Shikai first then you need to learn to control your reiatsu and your body needs to become stronger."
"What do you mean I haven't mastered Shikai?"
"Did you really think Getsuga Tenshou is my only attack? You really are a dumbass King!"
"Back to the explanation there is also the fact that your Zanpakuto is a hollow. He seems to have hollow powers for reasons unknown. Maybe your parents were attacked by a hollow before you were born and the reiatsu affected you. I'm not sure if this is the real reason though. But the fact is after you train more you can gain hollow powers too. They will increase your reiatsu and allow you usage of hollow powers like Cero and Sonido."
"What about you old man? Can't I use your powers?"
"Shinigami powers and Quincy powers cannot co-exist. However I can teach you how to control your reiatsu since it's a Quincy's speciality."
"Ok teach me please"
"First you have to seal me. I don't always wanna be released. Also you will seal me as a normal katana. I don't wanna be a big ass sword you know."
"Ok how do I seal you?"
"I will help you with that Ichigo. First leave your inner world."
'Ok' said Ichigo as he left his inner world.
'Now what?'
"Sit as if you were attempting Jinzen, however don't look for your powers and enter your inner world. Instead focus only on Zangetsu's power and imagine it as a sea of reiatsu."
'Ok what do I do now?'
"Imagine a normal katana and try to slowly compress the powers into it. Do it slowly and don't push them too quickly. Or else it will fail. Take your time. Keep focus and stay patient. This will take some time."
Ichigo started trying to direct the energy from the sea into the katana. Slowly it started entering it but the katana grew in size.
'Whats happening? It became bigger!'
"That's because you only directed the powers without compressing them."
This time Ichigo tried to compress them and the katana started to slowly shrink.
One hour later Ichigo found a slightly longer than normal katana with a black sheath engraved with a white moon. The katana also had a black and white handle.
It had the same length and width of his Bankai blade. The blade itself was a shiny silver. After inspecting it Ichigo was satisfied.
"Well that took some time."
"Indeed but it payed off."
"Finally you managed to gain some control King."
"What do you mean some control? I only sealed your Shikai."
"Your powers are one Ichigo. Therefore when you sealed his Shikai you compressed some of your own reiatsu. Currently you are at Fuku-Taicho level whereas earlier you were at Taicho level reiatsu. I will also teach you how to hide your own reiatsu even if they will give you a suppressing armband."
"Why is it so important if I'll have this armband?"
"Idiot controlling your reiatsu is not only to hide your precence. You need it to be able to use Kido and focus your attacks and also shield yourself from attacks too by focusing your reiatsu in certain parts of your body. You also need the control to be able to use my abilities. Heck you can even strengthen the Getsuga Tenshou this way."
"I see. I didn't know it was that important. If that's the case please teach me how to control my reiatsu old man."
"I will teach you later. Now it is almost time for dinner. Also don't mention what we told you to anyone. Shinigami aren't too kind when it is about hollows and Quincy."
"Ok I won't tell anyone. For now that is. Sooner or later I will have to."
"Indeed. Now enjoy your dinner with your new 'Sister'" said the old man with what seems to be a smirk.
"Well I guess I should go." said Ichigo as he got up to eat dinner with Kūkaku and unfortunately Ganju.
When he arrived he found only Ganju.
"Where is Kūkaku-san?" he asked his new 'Brother'.
"She's over there smokin'" said Ganju as he pointed towards the garden.
"I see" Ichigo said as he headed towards her.
"Yo brat. I see you managed to seal your Zanpakuto." she greeted him without even turning around to look at him.
"How did you know?" asked Ichigo surprised since she didn't even look at him.
"Not everyone sucks at sensing reiatsu like you do. And since you suck at it I will teach you how to. Add some Kido to that too. Don't want ya to fail at the Academy entrance test now do I?" said Kūkaku as she turned to face him, finally revealing the huge grin she had on her face.
"Also don't call me Kūkaku-san. I'm your sister now and it would be weird if you call me that." she stated.
"Well should I call you Nee-chan then?"
"Nah I already have one annoying brat calling me that."
"Onee-san?"
"Nope. Too formal."
"Kūkaku-nee?"
"Oh I kinda like that one. How'd ya come up with it?"
"Well one of my younger sisters back in The World of The Living calls me Ichi-nii. So I figured I'd call you Kūkaku-nee." he explained.
"I see. Well let's go eat dinner. Your training will start tomorrow. Meet me here tomorrow at 10am. If you're late I will kick your ass and add 2 hours of training. Ya hear me?"
"Yes Ma'am." Ichigo saluted.
"Let's go back inside."
Later after dinner Ichigo returned to his room. He dropped down on his bed hoping to sleep. He closed his eyes only to sense the presence of the spirits inside his mind. He opened his eyes only to stare at the faces of his Zanpakuto and his mentor.
"What the fuck guys! I'm trying to sleep you know! Why'd you pull me here?" he snapped at them, obviously pissed he couldn't sleep.
"Training" was all his mentor said.
"Why the hell do I need to train now? I wanna sleep you know." he said.
"Oh stop whining like a bitch King. We will train you when it's night time since you get to train with this hot chick in the mornings." his Zanpakuto said sporting a huge grin on his face.
"She's my sister god dammit!" Ichigo yelled obviously pissed at his Zanpakuto spirit.
"Doesn't change the fact she is hot. Besides she's only your sister in law you know."
"Ah shut up! Let's get this over with. What do you wanna teach me?" he turned to his mentor, ignoring his Zanpakuto.
"Today I will help you control more of your own powers. I want you to do this everyday until you have complete control over them. First we will start with supressing your reiatsu. When you manage to do this effectivly we will move on to focusing reiatsu on certain parts of your body."
"Ok so how do I do that?"
"It's simple just like you sealed your Zanpakuto, this time imagine your own powers like a river. Now imagine a dam that will seal the flow. Behind the dam is a bottomless pit where you will store your reiatsu. Imagine a door on the dam and open it. Now start to slowly direct your powers through the door, inside the dam."
Ichigo started imagining the scene, and when he had it ready he started slowly directing his powers through the door. However he found it too slow and difficult. Yet he continued, and one hour later his mentor told him to stop.
"This is enough Ichigo. Now close the door and barricade the dam so your powers remain inside." he instructed.
After Ichigo was done he was surprised that his powers are now at 5th seat level.
"Good. You managed better than I believed you would."
"Thanks for the encouraging words old man" Ichigo said, sarcasm filled in his voice.
"No one is to blame since you suck at this too much King. Just go to sleep. I'm pretty sure you won't be enjoying your time with sis tomorrow."
And with that Ichigo left his inner world and surrendered to his fatigue and finally fell asleep.