Chapter 24: Friends in Dark Places
1 Year Later, Hueco Mundo
After dispatching a powerful Adjucha hunting party, White feels a strange sensation. As he consumes the hollows, he begins to glow. A pillar of reiatsu radiates from him as his entire body is engulfed in power. White can feel himself shrinking the more and more the power is condensed. His dragon-like form soon dissipates into a now bipedal, demonic looking creature.
White's appearance now consists of the same mask pattern and horns he had as an Adjucha but now suited for a humanoid form. His torso has white armor in the shape of an X from shoulder to hip—on his shoulders, there are large pauldrons of this armor. Underneath the armor is pale-white skin with black tribal markings, not unlike those on his mask.
Long, orange hair comes from underneath White's helmet, stopping just above his waist, where a thin tail with orange fur sprouts from. From the elbow down, each of White's arms are jet-black swords with a jagged pattern on the blunt side. From the waist to the mid-shin, White's lower body is hidden from a blood-red fur. Identical fur rests around White's neck.
White looks at his blade-like arms curiously, "What the hell are these? Bladefists?"
As the hollow recedes his power, the two blade arms recede, revealing clawed white hands with red fur on the wrists.
White stares at his hands, "That seems useful…"
White takes in his new appearance, in disbelief, "If I've changed this much, then that must mean… I finally did it. I'm a Vasto Lorde! Yes!"
White begins to laugh maniacally, "Finally!"
Though this is a moment of achievement, White can't help but feel an overwhelming emptiness soon after, "Now what am I supposed to do…? Find allies, like Nel suggested?"
White's thoughts naturally shift to something more violent, shifting his gaze in the direction he instinctually knows Las Noches rests, "Barragan needs to die…"
Before White even gets the chance to move, a strange hollow lands in front of him. The hollow has an unusual resemblance to a bat human hybrid, although possesses no mouth, as its mask covered the entirety of its face—save for its eyes. White looks intently at the bat's eyes, seeing a dark, deep green color, which at the moment seemed to relay a sense of curiosity.
White eyes the hollow cautiously, "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
This prompts the hollow's eyes to widen slightly before becoming downcast.
White takes the hint, "You can't speak…"
The bat nods in confirmation.
White clicks his tongue, "Sorry, I should've figured as much, given you have no mouth…"
There is an awkward silence, which prompts White to ask an important question, "Can you tell me if you're one of Barragan's allies?"
The hollow relays a confused look from its eyes before shaking its head. Yet again, there is an awkward silence between the two, lasting long this time.
White, beginning to get used to it, silently observes the hollow more carefully, "What's with this hollow? He's definitely a Vasto Lorde like me… but his mask doesn't have a mouth. That must mean he's powerful… a hollow with no need to feed would be."
White ponders something else, "He's not with Barragan, so I have no reason to kill him… even if he was, I feel no hostile intent from him…"
The other Vasto Lorde stares back at White, "I sensed his transformation from miles away. He must have just evolved… he looks quite strong, but his hole and skin… they're similar to mine."
White assumes a somewhat cautious stance as the bat hollow slowly approaches him. Upon further inspection, the creature's eyes look tragically empty. The bat-like Vasto Lorde reaches out, trying to touch White's hollow hole.
White slowly grabs the other hollow's wrist, directing an uncertain suspicion through his haunting golden gaze, "What are you doing?"
The bat stares at White's hollow hole before looking down at his own. The sight was unexpected.
For some reason, White's instincts tell him that this creature has an instinctual affinity for him since they are similar in many ways. Both are extremely pale white, have hollow holes in the dead center of their chest, and are Vasto Lordes.
The bat seems shocked when White mentions this, "We're the same… aren't we? You're a loner too?"
The bat is taken aback, "He isn't afraid of me… he isn't affected by my power… he says we're the same?"
White releases the hollow's wrist, "Where are you from? I've never encountered a hollow like you before…"
The green-eyed bat stares at White briefly before pointing into the distance. It's in the opposite direction from where Las Noches is.
White tilts his head questioningly, "What's out there?"
The bat immediately points to his hollow hole, which White understands, "I see… so nothing…"
The bat gives a quick nod.
White sighs, "Are you heading back there? I assume you aren't just wondering aimlessly…"
The back shakes his head before giving White an empty look.
White hits himself mentally, "Or maybe you are… in any case, can I come see where you came from?"
The bat's eyes have confusion written all over them, "Why does he want to go with me? Nothing ever even wants to come near me. Does he really want my company? I've never had a companion before…"
White sees the confusion and elaborates, "I've been alone for quite some time, now, myself. Excluding the wankers Barragan sends after me, I haven't had interactions with another of my kind for what feels like forever ago… In any case, I wouldn't mind the company of someone like you. Neither of us have to eat to survive anymore, as we're Vasto Lordes. Someone like you seems worth my time."
The hollow nods briefly, unable to understand the feeling it is getting, "He said someone... not something. This is unusual… why would he desire my company? I can't even speak to him. This creature is very strange."
Reluctantly, the bat motions for White to follow him.
The bat-like Vasto Lorde can't help but ponder how things led to this, "He's not afraid of me, like the others… so few can even stand in my presence, yet he seems unaffected. I can't understand his reasons for wanting to follow me… Does he hope to gain a better understanding of what to do now that he's peaked his power?"
White quickly catches up with the other hollow, sprouting six thin, crimson red reishi wings from his upper back.
White glances at the other hollow as they fly, "Were you just curious about my power? Is that why you found me?"
The bat shakes his head as the two continue flying.
White ponders this, "I see… so then, that means you were looking for something and just happened to find me?"
The bat nods quietly.
White says nothing else as he simply continues following the green-eyed bat hollow into the distance.
1 Hour Later
After about an hour of flying, White drops down next to the bat, "That flight shouldn't have felt comfortable considering we stared at each other quietly for so long… but, for some reason, I can't help but feel at peace in this hollow's presence…"
The bat leads White a bit further on foot, White unable to stop his thoughts, "I'm the only other hollow he knows…? I wonder if he doesn't know any other because he's too powerful and they're afraid of him? His inability to speak wouldn't help with that… this is unusual, though. If he was born this far out, was he ever in the Menos Forest? Are hollows out here different than the ones closer to Las Noches?"
White is shook from his thoughts as her feels the bat gazing at him dubiously, prompting the newly born Vasto Lorde to glance at what is in front of him.
White lets out a quiet gasp, looking down at what seems to be a huge, endless dark pit in the middle of the sands. The pit spans at least a mile wide from where White can see the desert continue on the other side—as if this were a scar on the entirety of Hueco Mundo.
White turns to the bat, "You were born here?"
The bat nods quietly.
White glances back at the pit, before regarding the bat hollow, "Show me…"
White grabs the other hollow's hand intently, which seems to get the message across, as the bat leads White down into the abyss.
The two travel for what feels like days, their white forms, glowing eyes, and White's orange hair, are the only sight the other could see in the darkness. Upon reaching the bottom, White can feel hundreds of gazes, glancing around, able to make out the forms of black bat-like creatures in the darkness, somewhat like his companion. However, unlike his companion, these creatures have mouths.
The green-eyed bat produces a green cero from his left index finger, lighting up the darkness. The bat creatures hiss at the act, before rushing off away from the duo, back into the darkness. White can feel his companion clutch his hand lightly as the other hollows rush off.
White's gaze softens, sensing no malice in his companion's actions, "I see… he must be afraid of being alone…"
White speaks softly, "I understand now… you were born in this place, but you're not like the others… you're different."
The saddened green eyes were unreadable as the bat and White lock gazes.
The orange-haired Vasto Lorde shakes his head, "You don't have to live in this pit… come with me. Being a hollow is difficult enough… you shouldn't have to live alone like this."
The bat stares blankly at White, feeling an emotion completely alien to him, "What is this feeling? It's as if a heavy weight is being lifted from my chest. Does he really want us to remain companions? I had never considered what he would say after showing him this place…"
Without warning, White begins to ascend back up through the darkness, still holding onto his new companion.
Time seems to pass very slowly as they fly together, the bat pondering the situation, "How long have we been traveling together? It feels as if I have known him forever… why did I bring him here anyways? Why do I want him to understand me? He says he does… he says I'm different form the others, but like him? This darkness… this emptiness… he says I don't have to accept it? What else is there? What drives him to live?"
The bat now sees a faint glow of moonlight illuminating the orange hair of his companion. The dragon hollows glances back at his companion as they are both fully bathed in the moonlight, fully exiting the pit. The bat hollow is unable to describe the emotions it is feeling, wearing a look of utter confusion.
The two Vasto Lordes land on the sands next to the pit as White lets go of the bat's hand, approaching the edge of the pit. The green-eyed bat tilts his head, as if wondering what White is doing. The dragon hollow bends over, pointing his horns down into the pit, before charging a massive red cero between them and launching it down into the abyss.
White roars furiously as his attack can be felt even from the top of the pit, where they are standing.
The bat's eyes widen in confusion, "Why did he do that…? There's no point in hating nothingness…"
After the tremors from White's attack cease, the hollow turns to face his companion with a growl, "This place disgusts me. Don't ever return here. This soul-sucking pit should be buried. You don't belong here… nobody does."
The green-eyed bat eyes his companion, confused, "What is he talking about?"
White huffs, "Ever since I've become a hollow… I've tried to understand what I'm looking for. What drives me to live? All hollows seek one thing… you're no different. That thing for me undoubtedly has to do with making this place better for all, no matter the cost. This pit is one of the things that must go for an ideal world for hollows to come into being…"
The bat looks down, somewhat dejectedly, "I don't know what I'm looking for… how can he say he wants to make this place better but so easily endanger the lives of all the hollows down in the pit… I don't understand…"
White glances at the pit once more, "I don't know what it is you're seeking, but trust me… it's not down there…"
The bat feels a strange sensation at his companion's words, "My instincts were right to lead me away from this place the first time. I never would have met him otherwise."
White wonders, mentally, "Why am I so interested in this hollow? We just met… but thinking back, it was the same with—"
White's eyes widen, "—Sora!"
The bat tilts his head to the side, confused.
White elaborates, "Sora was one of my earliest companions—we went to the world of the living together after I first became an Adjucha…"
The bat nods, still somewhat confused.
White sighs, "Perhaps I can help you learn what it is you seek by taking you to the world of the living… have you ever been there?"
The green-eyed Vasto Lord shakes his head, "I've never imagined how the mortal world would be. Is that where he is from?"
White opens a Garaganta, "I'll show you… where I come from."
Elsewhere in Hueco Mundo
A large red and grey serpent Adjucha, with long black hair and a mask with a crack down the right side, finishes devouring a group of Adjuchas, growling, "You fools thought you could go after White and get past me? Not a chance…"
Upon finishing, the serpent looks off in the distance, "I'm sure I felt your reiatsu a while ago, but it vanished… what are you doing, White…?"
The serpent's thoughts are interrupted as he feels a group of hollows approach him. The serpent turns back to find three Adjuchas; a lion, deer, and snake, led by a humanoid shark-like figure with blonde hair—a Vasto Lorde.
The serpent hollow is about to try and escape before noticing a familiar face among the group, "Apacci?"
The deer nods, "I'm surprised you remember my name…"
The serpent chuckles somewhat jovially, "Well, I make it a habit to remember the names of hollows I don't kill."
Apacci is silent in response, glancing nervously at the Vasto Lorde, who begins to slowly approach the male Adjucha.
The serpent's gaze becomes more serious as he regards the Vasto Lorde, "What would a Vasto Lorde want with me?"
The small female hollow pauses in her stride, "I have been observing you for a while now, Adjucha—ever since you saved the life of my friend here."
The shark Vasto Lorde gestures towards Apacci, causing the male serpent to chuckle.
Apacci growls, "W-what's so funny?!"
The female snake muses, "He probably finds you pathetic…~"
Apacci snaps at her snake companion, "Not like you would've done any better, Sun-Sun!"
The Adjucha, known as Cyan Sun-Sun, scoffs, "We're both snakes, so he probably would be more understanding of my needs…~ Wouldn't you agree, Mila Rose?"
The third, lion Adjucha known as Franceska Mila Rose, snarls, "Shut up you two! Lady Halibel is trying to talk with him!"
At this, the two become silent, observing their leader interact with the serpent.
The male serpent chuckles jovially at the interactions between the Adjuchas, "A lively bunch, aren't they?"
Halibel nods, "Indeed. They are my dearest friends."
The serpent sighs, "I would imagine… in any case, I doubt you need me to tell you this, but my name is Sora Inoue, but you can just call me Sora."
Halibel once more offers a curt nod, "Tier Halibel. And yes, Apacci has told me as much."
Sora's aura becomes more serious, "Alright then, Ms. Halibel, I've a question for you. Why pursue me for so long? Do you want to join forces against Barragan or something?"
Halibel shakes her head, "No. I have no intention of challenging the Espada, nor of causing needless bloodshed."
Sora rubs the back of his head, "A shame… I was looking forward to gaining allies for White's cause—ridding Hueco Mundo of the bad hollows…"
Halibel narrows her gaze, "'Bad hollows'? You think yourself above all of this? I watched you tear apart that Adjucha party without mercy just now. There are not 'good' or 'bad' hollows—there is only the sacrifice of the prey to make the hunter live on another day. Don't pretend like what you're doing is good. It's hypocritical…"
Sora drops his hand to his side, silent for a few moments.
Halibel sighs, turning to leave, "Seems I was right about—"
Sora calls to the Vasto Lorde, "I sure am a hypocrite! But then, what does that make you?"
Halibel turns to face Sora with narrowed eyes, "What do you mean? That I'm hypocritical?"
Sora nods, "Both of us are stinkin' hypocrites—as is White! Taking any kind of moral high ground in this place is faulty by default. True, this is the place where the strongest survive—as you mentioned, but I don't think it has to be. Not forever."
Halibel muses, "But how can we break this vicious cycle without bloodshed? Wouldn't that go against your hope to make this place exist without the strong preying on the weak?"
Sora sighs, "Yes. It's sad, but bloodshed is necessary for any hollow to get anywhere… I became strong to help out White—as he showed me kindness and mercy when it should not have been given. Sure, both of us have killed countless hollows, which is problematic, I agree, but it was only with hollows who stood in direct opposition of our goals. In that sense, we are no different from any other hollow who has ever existed."
Halibel gazes at the serpent with a questioning look in her eyes, "Do you think your goals as just?"
The serpent chuckles, "Of course I do! How could I not? If I thought I was doing the wrong thing, then I would stop doing it immediately. That's why…"
Halibel raises a brow as the hollow pauses, waiting for him to continue.
Sora continues, "…that's why I owe White everything I have, because without White I would've done something that is irrefutably wrong."
Halibel questions, her interest piqued, "What did he stop you from doing? Why does he have you trust?"
Sora sighs, "…if not for White, then I would've killed my sister…"
Halibel gasps as Sora elaborates, "My sister, Orihime, is still alive in the world of the living… at the time, I only recently became a hollow. I wanted to be with my sister again, but I had very little control of myself. I started to argue with my sister and got angry… I undoubtably would've killed her in my rage… however, White came with me that night. He stopped me—reminded me, that our intentions were to see my sister out of worry for her—certainly not to kill her…"
Sora looks to the ground dejectedly, ashamed of his actions from that night. The trio of Adjuchas shift uncomfortably, not prepared to hear the serpent pour his heart out to them.
Halibel is silent for a moment before closing her eyes, "I was wrong about you…"
Sora's eyes widen, "Does that mean you'll help White too?"
Halibel shakes her head, "No. While I sympathize with your story, I must hold my judgement of White and his cause until after I meet him face to face."
Sora sighs while turning away, "I can accept that. Farewell then."
Apacci steps forward, "Oi, wait!"
Sora glances back at the deer, "Huh? I thought the conversation was over…"
Halibel nods, confused by her follower's actions, "It is…"
The shark Vasto Lorde gives her deer companion a questioning look.
Apacci elaborates, "You could join our group!"
Sun-Sun scoffs, "There's only room for one snake under Lady Halibel's service!"
Mila Rose snorts in protest, "Besides which, I don't like working alongside a male hollow…"
Halibel sighs, "Please be quiet, both of you."
Mila Rose and Sun-Sun tense up, doing as requested. Halibel glances at Apacci, who has a resolute look in her eyes.
Halibel then looks at the serpent before them, "You will likely live much longer if you join our group. An Espada will have no difficulty killing you if you come across them. If that happens, you cannot repay your debt to White. After hearing your story, I think it would be a shame if you were to die at this point…"
Sora seems to consider this before answering in a friendly tone, "Alright then! I'll be counting on you four from now on!"
Halibel nods as Sora moves closer to join the group.
Xcution Hideout
Yukio struggles to keep his eyes on the blips zipping across the screen on his Gameboy.
The boy thinks, "They're so fast… I can hardly even follow their movements!"
Inside Yukio's Gameboy
Light blue and crimson-red lights streak across the room. Candice reaches out at Yuzu, attempting to grab the girl by the collar of her shirt, but proves unsuccessful as the girl speeds up, making Candice's attempt miss entirely.
In that moment, Candice's eyes widen, "I lost track of her! Where did she—"
Yuzu suddenly appears behind Candice, in the woman's blind spot, and makes a motion as if getting ready to punch the woman. Candice begins to turn, preparing to retaliate, however, what comes is a careful, soft poke to the cheek from Yuzu's index finger.
This leaves Candice confused, "What the hell kind of attack was that, kid?"
Yuzu declares happily, "I hit you! And I didn't ruin your hair either, so you're ready to tell me everything, right~?"
Candice sighs as she takes in the appearance of this girl after a year of meeting her. The girl had surely grown a few centimeters in height, although by no means was close to Candice's own. Furthermore, the girl's face was more mature than a year ago—although not as noticeable a difference as her hair—which is now grown out, worn in a ponytail that she lets hang over her right shoulder.
Candice can't help but give the girl a smile, "I can't deny—you did 'hit' me. And you're right—bonus points for not ruining my hair! I definitely would be mad if you did…"
Yuzu smiles back to her mentor before looking up, "Alright, Yukio! We're done training!"
At that, the two Quincy girls find themselves being transported out of the virtual dimension.
Xcution Hideout
Yuzu is immediately greeted by Ginjo, who playfully ruffles her hair, "Looks like you grew up, Kurosaki! I never thought you'd be able to catch her within only a year!"
Kon, who is on the table next to them, adds his thoughts, "Well I always knew she had what it takes to do it!"
Yuzu chuckles, "Thanks you guys!"
Yukio slips his Gameboy in his pocket, eying Candice intently, "You didn't hold back on her, did you?"
Candice shrugs, "I did… but she actually did catch me off guard. In short bursts, her Hirenkyaku and Bringer's Light combination makes her even faster than me!"
Chad and Riruka approach the girl as well, offering their own words of congratulations.
Yukio sighs, "That's my cue… she'll whine if I don't offer any praise of my own…"
The boy walks off, joining the group.
A voice regards Candice, "So then, how much do you plan on telling her, Candy?"
Candice turns to regard her partner—her friend, "I was hoping you'd tell her, actually…"
Bambietta sighs, although not actually looking disappointed, "This was supposed to be your mission to start with, wasn't it? You really have a bad habit of dumping all the responsibility in my lap…"
Candice smirks playfully, "That's the reason you're here, isn't it?"
Bambietta huffs, "You're lucky I don't trust you with responsibilities…"
The duo of Quincy women approach Yuzu, prompting the Fullbringers and Kon to back away, giving them space.
Bambietta regards the girl, "It's time, Yuzu. Follow us."
Yuzu gives the woman a nod before following her mentors into a bedroom towards the back.
Bambietta sits down on a bed, Candice seated on a bed opposite of her. Yuzu sits on a third bed in the back corner of the room, right next to the door. On top of this bed sits a few plush dolls.
Bambietta states blankly, "I checked if this room lets out any noise—It doesn't. I told Kugo I'd kill him if any of this conversation reaches his or anyone else's ears—we should be fine…"
Yuzu wears an expectant look on her face.
Bambietta sighs, "The Wandenreich is an elite Quincy organization dedicated to serving the Quincy King—Yhwach. Candice and I are two of the highest-ranking members of their group called Sternritter… but you probably already knew that."
Yuzu nods, "Ryuken told me all about that… I want to know why you want me to join so much? It's pretty clear from what Ryuken told me, the Wandenreich isn't for naïve children…"
Bambietta nods, "You aren't ready for the Wandenreich, or rather, weren't. It pleases me to say that is no longer the case."
Bambietta gives the girl a reassuring smile, "You've come a long way in just a year… you do the Quincy proud, Yui!"
Yuzu gives a light smile, "Thanks Bambi…"
Bambietta chuckles, "I remember when you wouldn't even say my full name normally! Now look at you—saying my nickname like it's nothing!"
Candice gives her friend a serious look, causing Bambietta to pout a bit, "Aw c'mon, Candy! Don't look at me like that! I can tell her everything however I want, unless, of course, you want to do the talking?"
Candice crosses her legs as she lets out a snort.
Yuzu then stares intently at Bambietta, "In any case… you didn't answer my question. Why does the Wandenreich want me?"
Bambietta tsks, "Well, aren't you clever… saw right through my attempt to throw you off course…"
Bambietta then lets out a sigh, "Our King wants you for his own ends… he says you'll be important in achieving our goals. Both of us will be executed if we fail to bring you back on the same level as a Sternritter… that sound about right?"
Bambietta glances at Candice for confirmation, prompting the green-haired Quincy to nod.
Yuzu's eyes widen, "Me?! On the same level as you two?!"
Yuzu looks shocked as Candice regards the floor dejectedly.
Yuzu shakes her head and asks, "Is self-preservation the only reason you trained me?"
Bambietta doesn't answer, as she follows Yuzu's gaze to Candice, who the question was directed at.
Candice grits her teeth, "Yeah… I did it to save my own skin. I could care less what happens to you…"
Yuzu furrows her brow, "That's a lie. I know it is, I can tell by now. I'll keep training, until I'm ready to save—"
Candice cuts the girl off, matching her gaze with an hysteric one, "You CAN'T reach our level! You should quit now, girl! Run off and live a normal life! You deserve better…"
Yuzu and Bambietta stare at their friend with shocked expressions.
Yuzu states with wide eyes, "But I was able to hit you…"
Candice growls, "I didn't use anywhere near my full power with you! I've been going soft on you ever since we met—so has she!"
Candice gestures to Bambietta, who is too baffled by her friend's words to respond properly, "I-I…"
Yuzu looks at the two with an upset expression, as Candice continues, "Forget about saving me, I'm not worth it!"
Yuzu suddenly stands up, with tears in her eyes, "Well if that's how you feel… I guess you don't need another Sternritter after all!"
Yuzu turns and quickly opens the door before disappearing with Hirenkyakyu.
Bambietta finally snaps out of her shock, glaring venomously at Candice, "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! WE LITERALLY HAD HER WANTING TO JOIN US AND YOU BLEW IT!"
Bambietta angrily grabs Candice's collar as the other woman matches her gaze with an empty one.
Bambietta tsks as she turns to leave, "Now I'm going to have to fix your mistake!"
Candice slumps down on her bed, once more staring at the floor dejectedly.
Ginjo regards Bambietta with a confused glare, "What did you do to her? She looked really upset… so much so she straight up left the hideout… does she want to go back to her uncle?"
Bambietta scoffs, "NO! I didn't do anything! It's that dummy in there you'll have to ask…"
Bambietta points back at the room with her thumb, not bothering to look back.
Ginjo narrows his eyes as he watches the woman walk to the exit, "I have a bad feeling—"
Just as Ginjo says this, everyone in the room can feel a crushing sensation, including Candice, who becomes wide-eyed, "Oh no…"
Ginjo and Bambietta glance at each other, each wearing hardened looks.
Ginjo declares, "Yukio and Chad, come with me. Kurosaki is in danger."
The two nod, immediately making themselves scarce and battle ready.
Candice appears next to Bambietta, "You can yell at me all you like later, Bambi, but right now we've gotta find Yui…"
Bambietta nods before looking to Ginjo, "Try to keep up."
Ginjo smirks, "Who do you think you're talking to?"
Ginjo then regards Riruka with a serious expression, "Give him a call. We'll need all the help we can get."
Riruka smirks, "Hmph, with him helping out, Yui should be back in no time!"
Riruka starts dialing a number as the group of Fullbringers and Quincies make their exit.
Karakura Town
The sources of the reiatsu that Xcution felt both step through a Garganta, above Karakura Town. The bat hollow standing next to White shields his eyes from the sun—a sight the likes of which he's never seen before.
White regards his bat companion, "…This is where I came from."
Author's Note:
I felt it appropriate to take Ulquiorra and White's first interactions from the original Fanfiction, as I think the author nailed it. "Don't fix what isn't broken", so they say.
As for Sora, he will get a chapter later that explains the events around him becoming an Adjucha and leaving the Menos Forest, as well as other interesting developments. I would've put it before this chapter, but I really did not want to keep putting of Ichigo's return to relevance.
With this chapter, it really feels like everything is starting to come together for this Fanfiction—something that will no doubt be an even more relevant trend moving forward.
That said, I have some extremely exciting things planned for the next few chapters!
