Ch. 11

Training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber

Kisuke walked over to where Renji and Piccolo were standing. He looked into the air and saw Ichigo and Goku training. Both of them had learned each others powers at a quick pace, but Kisuke was worried it wouldn't be quick enough.

Kisuke, "How are they coming along?"

Renji, "Great. Ichigo has healed from his ape incident and is learning the Kamehameha. Goku is doing fine as well."

Piccolo, "Even though they are doing good, I don't think it will be good enough. If they expect to have a chance, they need to be stronger."

Kisuke, "That's just what I came out here to talk about. You have a place called the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, correct?"

Piccolo, "Ah, I get it. They will be able to train much faster that way."

Renji, "What are you talking about?"

Kisuke, "On the Lookout they have a place where you can get a year of training in a day."

Renji, "That would have made Bankai a lot easier."

Piccolo, "I'm not sure if they could handle that place in their weakened state."

Kisuke, "I'm sure they'll do just fine. We don't have too many options."

Piccolo, "While they are training, we'll go into the Soul Society. I'm sure they could use all the help they could get."

Renji, "Sounds good to me."

After saying their good bye's, Ichigo and Goku were now training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. As soon as Ichigo stepped off of the platform, he could feel a huge weight upon him. He remembered his earlier battles with Kenpachi Zaraki. This room was a lot like the first time the Captain had taken off his eye patch.

Goku, "You ready to train?"

Ichigo, "Can't wait. Do you want to learn your Bankai, or should I become a Super Saiyan?"

Goku, "It's not that easy to become a Super Saiyan. I think I should learn Bankai first. You will never become a Super Saiyan if I'm in this state."

Ichigo, "And why not?"

Goku, "When I became a Super Saiyan, I was pushed to my limits. I needed to kill Frieza and that's when I gained this power. It's a need, not a desire. Why do you want to fight Ichigo?"

Ichigo, "To protect my friends."

Goku, "Think of that during our training. So, how do I reach Bankai?"

Ichigo, "I'm not exactly sure. I trained with a device that was invented by Kisuke. Since your situation is different, I'm not really sure how you can achieve one."

Goku, "What?!"

Ichigo, "Let's just train for now. Maybe something will come up."

Goku, "Sure thing."

During their next year in the chamber, Ichigo and Goku continued to get stronger. Ichigo had now learned how to do the Kamehameha. The two fighters were in their most intense battle yet.

Ichigo began to throw several energy blasts at Goku. Goku used his flash step to get out of the way. He then flew up into the air and fired a Getsuga Tensho, which Ichigo barely dodged it in time.

Ichigo, "Solar Flare!"

He put his hands up to his eyes and a bright beam of light blinded Goku. While Goku was blinded, Ichigo punched his opponent in the gut. Goku was thrown into the ground. He had now begun to see, and could sense where Ichigo was. He swung Zangetsu at Ichigo and cut his arm.

Ichigo, "Nice move."

Goku, "You're not too bad yourself."

Ichigo, "Kamehameha!"

Ichigo charged the powerful blast and fired it at Goku. He couldn't get out of the way and blocked it with his sword. To Goku's surprise, he could actually defend against the attack quite well. This meant he was getting much stronger with his new abilities. He put his body weight into the sword and deflected the attack away from him.

Just then the temperature fluctuated drastically. A cold breeze swept throughout the chamber. Ice began forming in sheets around the two warriors.

Ichigo started to shiver, but learned to control himself. He knew that if he was going to beat Goku that he had to remain focused. He fired two more energy blasts at Goku. He watched his opponent dodge each one. Ichigo looked around him and couldn't find Goku. He began sensing out his energy. He slowly glanced around the ice formations and figured that he was hiding behind one of these. Ichigo began to fire several energy blasts at the ice formations.

Ichigo then sensed Goku appear right behind him. Before Goku plunged Zangetsu into him, he threw an energy blast at Goku. The blast hit him and Goku flew back into an ice sheet. He quickly got up, and blue energy engulfed Zangetsu.

Goku, "Getsuga Tensho!"

Ichigo fired a Kamehameha back at Goku's attack. Ichigo's attack overpowered Goku's and he was thrown back into the ground.

The blast had taken a toll on Goku's body. He began to think about what his next attack should be. Goku slowly got up and winched in pain. He began to use his flash step and appear around the ice sheets again. Ichigo began using his energy blasts and destroying them. Goku saw one particularly big ice sheet, which gave him an idea.

He appeared behind the large ice sheet and fired a Getsuga Tensho. The blast of blue energy broke the ice sheet into blades of ice that flew at Ichigo. As Ichigo began dodging the ice, Goku appeared behind Ichigo and held his sword up to his neck.

Goku then threw a roundhouse kick at Ichigo which sent him into the floor. During this time, the temperature returned back to normal.

Ichigo got up and knew that if Goku was going to learn Bankai, that he needed to be pushed to his limit. He didn't want to use this new technique that he learned, but Ichigo figured he had no choice.

Ichigo held up his right hand, "Destructo Disk!"

Ichigo held up his right arm. A golden disk of energy now appeared. He threw the disk at Goku, who braced himself for the attack. Goku felt the disk pushing against his sword. He kept trying to deflect it, but couldn't. The disk kept pushing him further and further back.

Just then, time seemed to stop, and Goku saw a man with a beard and glasses appear before him. He figured this was Zangetsu.

Zangetsu, "You now have the strength to learn Bankai. Use it now."

The image of Zangetsu faded and he now knew how to use Bankai. Goku put his left hand on his right arm and shouted, "Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu!"

A powerful wave of energy surrounded Goku. He could feel his strength increase tremendously. Right now, he was just as strong as a Super Saiyan. Goku now focused on the Destructo Disk, and was able to deflect it with ease.

Goku, "Now, it's time for you to become a Super Saiyan."

Ichigo, "Right now?"

Goku, "No time like the present."

Ichigo watched as Goku used his flash step. As Goku disappeared, he couldn't see him at all. It was like he completely vanished. He couldn't believe he couldn't see his own Bankai. He felt humiliated and ashamed. Goku appeared behind him and Ichigo could feel Zangetsu slice across his back. Ichigo yelled and turned around. Ichigo saw Goku disappear again.

Goku appeared to the side of him, and Ichigo dodged another swing. Goku threw a roundhouse kick at Ichigo, which he block.

Goku, "Getsuga Tensho!"

A blue beam of energy fired at Ichigo. He charged a Kamehameha and the two blasts collided, but Goku's attack overpowered his. Ichigo was thrown to the floor from the attack and only managed to get up on one knee. As Ichigo tried to stand, Goku kicked him in the face.

The former Soul Reaper lay on the ground and felt as though every bone in his body was broken. He didn't know how he would become a Super Saiyan. He knew he had to become one, but he had now idea how. Ichigo watched as Goku stood over him. Goku held Zangetsu above him and was about to plunge Zangetsu into his body.

Goku then plunged his sword at Ichigo. Ichigo held up both of his hands and grabbed onto his opponent's weapon. He felt the strength slipping away from him. He remembered what Goku had said about how he became a Super Saiyan. Goku was pushed to his limits and needed to kill Frieza. Goku had told him to remember his friends. If he didn't become a Super Saiyan, then all of his friends would be in horrible danger. He needed to kill all of the monsters who had invaded the Soul Society. He pictured all of the people he cared about.

A few moments later, a huge surge of power stormed through his veins. This power was incredible. Ichigo pushed the sword away from him and threw an energy ball at Goku. Goku was thrown across the room, but soon got up. Ichigo looked around him and noticed a yellow aura around him. He even noticed that his hair had turned blond.

Ichigo, "So, I finally have become a Super Saiyan."

Goku, "Yes."

Ichigo, "This power is incredible."

Goku, "It is, isn't it?"

Ichigo, "Let's take a quick break and go train some more."

Goku, "Sounds good to me."

Ichigo and Goku returned to their normal form and rested.

For the remainder of the year, Ichigo and Goku had continued to train. By the time their training was done, Ichigo had become a full-powered Super Saiyan, and Goku had also learned how to use a Black Getsuga Tensho. They walked out of the Time Chamber and went over to Kisuke's Shop. He had opened up a Zenkaimon.

Kisuke, "Good luck over there."

Goku, "Thanks for everything."

Kisuke, "Don't sweat it Goku. I would hurry if I were you. A Hell Butterfly was sent here and things are looking pretty shaky over there."

Ichigo, "See you Kisuke."

Ichigo and Goku both walked through the Zenkaimon and into the Soul Society.