Sasuke: thank you so much chino. I am in your debt. Karoshi: alriiiight! Ichigo: he's quite energetic. Good. Karoshi: so when do we start? Ichigo: right now (gets up and signals for Karoshi to follow. They walk back outside to the decimated soul society) Karoshi: why did we go outside? Ichigo: you'll see. *Deep inhale* HEY! HOLLOWS! FRESH MEAT! (All the hollows look up at Karoshi and begin creeping closer) Karoshi: hey hey hey! What the fuck was that!? Ichigo: I would turn if I were you. (Karoshi turns to a man-sized hollow attacking him. Karoshi ducks for it and runs the other way but multiple hollows cut him off. He draws his sword but it is unable to affect the hollows. Karoshi takes several hits from hollows getting injured badly in the possess. Karoshi hits the ground and a hollow impales him in the gut with a claw)
Karoshi: gah…ahhh hollow: time for a snack. (Suddenly a spiritual pressure even heavier than ichigo's stuns the hollow and Ichigo himself) Ichigo: no way…this kid is letting of a spiritual pressure so strong that I can't move…now's my chance. (Ichigo puts his finger to the ground managing to muster the strength to move down and begins an odd chant.) Hado 102! Soul reapers birth! (A large amount of spirit energy engulfs both Ichigo and Karoshi. When it fades Karoshi is not under the hollow) Ichigo: did…did It work? Hollow: huh? Wherd that little shit go? Ah well. Your turn soul reaper! (As the hollow attacks its head is sliced completely off by someone unknown. The head hits the ground just as the sun breaks through the clouds. On top of a close still intact building, a shadowy figure is seen. It looks like a man but the sun is behind it so only the figure is seen. It has a katana drawn. When it comes down it disappears and reappears close to Ichigo) Ichigo: (thinking: that wasn't shunpo…that was sonido!) (The figure where's soul reaper cloths with a blue cape around its right arm, folded back it hangs from his right shoulder, his headband hangs from the belt, and where the black is usually outlined in white, karoshi's is outlined in red, the belt is also red and his ninja tool pouch is mounted in the back of his belt, the katana had a dragon on the guard colored green while the rest of the guard is blue, its blade shines bright silver and the handle is blue wrapped in cloth. The face is definitely karoshi's)
Ichigo: well done. I was able to awaken your dormant soul reaper powers. As I though your spiritual powers emerge when you're in trouble. Luckily they worked in it- (Ichigo is cut off by a swift punch in the face from Karoshi who has an angry look on his face) Karoshi: YOU ALMOST GOT ME KILLED YOU BASTARD! Ichigo: (is on ground holding his face) well I had to…to awaken your-Karoshi: PISS OFF! I'm going to kill you! Ichigo: *flinches* Karoshi behind you! (A second hollow is jumping at him. Karoshi is quick to reflex and cuts the hollows head in two) Ichigo: I'm amazed at you Karoshi. You attained your soul reaper powers well. And you use them very well. Step one is done. Now its time for step two. Karoshi: step two? Ichigo: yes. We will teach you soul reaper basics. And the release of your zanpakto.
Karoshi: I've heard that name before. Ichigo: listen Karoshi. There are a few basics to soul reaper powers. First off spirit energy control. Like chakra for a ninja you can manipulate spirit energy to perform spells. The higher the number the more difficult to perform. There are hado's and bakudo's. You manipulate you're spirit energy, call out the name, or if it is a higher level one you use a chant and it will happen. Each one does something different. Second we will review flying. By hardening spirit energy on your feet you learn to walk on air and if its blasted out you can fly. And third…we will achieve your shikai. Karoshi: shikai? Ichigo: a zanpakto is the name of a soul reapers weapon. The weapon can purify hollows and send them to the soul society and send whole spirits to the soul society. But it has a battle purpose. When in a pinch you can change your zanpakto shape and power by learning its name. Karoshi: and how do I do that? Ichigo: by talking directly to it
Karoshi: talking to it? Ichigo: when you're at a certain power level you can hear its name. You focus hard and you go to your inner world. Your zanpakto is born there. You have an ever-lasting bond with that sword. Learn its name and you are given massive power. First is step one. Come. (Soon hours pass. Days. Weeks. 4 weeks to be exact. Just under a month. Karoshi has trained non-stop for 4 weeks. His right arm is in bandages and he stands sweating, sword fighting with Ichigo) Karoshi: ha! Ichigo: harder! Faster! Not so slouchy! Karoshi: humph! (Karoshi squats down and disappears and reappears behind Ichigo. Karoshi stands on the air swinging downward at Ichigo. Ichigo blocks and moves sideways but Karoshi has a trick up his sleeve. He points his finger at Ichigo) Karoshi: hado one…sho (thrust)! (Ichigo is hit in the chest by pure spirit energy and while Ichigo looses his balance for only a second Karoshi seizes the chance and tackles Ichigo toppling him to the ground with karoshi's blade at ichigo's throat.)
Ichigo: well done Karoshi. You managed to put me down once. A true sign of improvement. Now its time for the final step. Learning your shikai. Come. (Ichigo leads Karoshi into a strange room in squad ones barracks. Karoshi sits on what looks like an alter in the middle of a solid white room) Karoshi: so what is this place and why am I here? Ichigo: here's the deal. You're going to speak directly to your sword in here. Close your eyes…relax…hold entirely still then concentrate on your spirit energy. Karoshi: got it. (As Karoshi follows ichigo's instructions he feels heavy. Suddenly he feels very warm. When his eyes open he's surrounded by flames. There is a sea of fire with various rectangular plat forms sticking up.) Karoshi: what…what is this…(Karoshi suddenly remembers his fight with the mist boy and this flaming area is where he saw the ten tails that scared tazumaru into submission.) Karoshi: this cant be…voice: hello…Karoshi. Karoshi: *flinches* (turns around to see a man in a torn up black cloak and long spiked hair. He has tree scars over his left eye and a full beard and mustache attached to sideburns.) Karoshi: who are you? Man: my name is ********** Karoshi: what? Man: my name won't reach you eh? I see (his cape flips open and he carries the same soul reaper outfit as Karoshi and the exact same sword) Karoshi: that sword…you must be my zanpakto. Man: yes. I am your soul reaper power. And if you intend to remain a soul reaper…you must beat me. (He draws the same blade as Karoshi and points it at Karoshi) come Karoshi. You will either attain my power…or die from it!