Gotta say, I was expecting this to end up longer than it did. But in my defense, I was very excited to start typing it with all the inspo in my head, but then I got sick and the will and ideas just fizzled out. Maybe a part 2 in the future?
Ichigo thought it was a little odd that no one really seems to… notice.
To him, the change is so obvious that it feels like he is holding a bright red neon sign wherever he goes and yet no one, absolutely no one has said anything about it even though he can't fathom why people don't just know.
It's curious though, because his Dad had been the one to bring up the option of the final Getsuga Tenshou, and once he had mentioned what he had done by name to multiple people, you would think someone would have connected the dots and yet nothing.
He thinks maybe it has something to do with the fact that he hadn't maintained his form for long enough for it to be apparent to people -him included to be frank. But after getting stabbed by Urahara's reiatsu blade and being inundated with power, he thought it would be a given that people would at least start looking strangely at him.
And yet zilch, absolutely nothing.
He's grateful for the reiatsu transfer everyone in soul society had pitched in with, otherwise it would have taken him probably another five years before he could slowly but surely regenerate the pathways that connected his soul to his actual well of power.
He's thankful, honest.
But also-
How can they not notice he would have been able to manage on his own?
How can they not notice there were never hollows around him?
How can they not notice that he wasn't the same he was before the final Getsuga Tenshou?
How can they not notice what happened during that fight against Aizen?
How can they not notice what he became?
It's unfathomable.
Using his fake Zangetsu for the fight against Ginjo was… an accident really. He's used to wielding the cleaver like blade, so when the bridge to his power is reconstructed, he defaults to what he knows and doesn't think much on it until the next time he exits his body to go visit Soul Society.
He doesn't think he needs to roam around in his True Form willy nilly, but maybe he should at least make it a habit to use his actual Zangetsus' appearance and not the bastardized version of them he's been wielding in the past. In the end he decides against it because he doesn't want to cause a hubbub when he's going on a simple trip retrieve Ginjo's corpse and leaves it at that.
Next time he might. He'll slowly acclimatize people to him, that might be for the best.
He likes that he can be free in the Soul Palace though.
The Zero division at first seemed frazzled at his random appearance in a place no one is supposed to be able to get to. Ichigo is actually expecting to be attacked upon first contact because it's the normal thing right? He supposes he kind of is, but before he can intercept the first assault, Ichibē surprises Ichigo by quickly flash stepping between himself and the rest of the squad with a hand raised towards his comrades in a gesture that clearly means halt.
The onslaught is stopped even if they are obviously confused by the order. For a second no one moves, and then the Commanding Officer of the Royal Guard bends a knee in obvious reverence that startles the rest into silence.
"Divine justice has befallen those who have dared to stand against you. Mercy is granted to those who repent their deeds and vow to no longer stand in your way, and intolerance strikes down the fools that fail to see your benevolence for what it is." Ichibē elucidated. "Please grant us the first and if we ever are to go astray, may you smite us feebleminded individuals for the transgressions we have committed."
Ichigo thinks it's peculiar that after all this time someone has finally noticed. It's a bit freaky to be honest. He's so used to his autonomy at this point that while he knows that Ichibē's reaction is the right one, it's still the first time it's happened, and so he takes maybe a little bit longer to react than he would have otherwise.
"No apologies are needed." He's quick to reassure. The rest of the zero squad have also kneeled to mirror Ichibē's position, but they are obviously still uncertain about what's going on. "I am a Deity, but there is still a God above me, dead although he may be."
Ichibē twitches lightly at Ichigo's blunt assessment, and while he inclines his head slightly, he makes no other outward reaction to his words. "Dead?" He questions, the word almost startled out of him. "I think perchance you are… missing some information. If the Soul King were dead, we would not be alive either."
Ichigo tilts his head lightly in thought before he hums in understanding at the misconception. "Ah, I am sorry if I misspoke. I suppose death to you means something differently to mortal men then it does to us divine entities."
The Commander looked like he wanted to push for further information about Ichigo's cryptic words but seemed to decide against it in the end. Instead, he bowed his head one last time in reverence before turning to the rest of the Royal Guard.
"Make sure to tread respectfully everyone. We are in the presence of a god after all." Ichibē warned.
Senjumaru nodded in agreement along with the rest of those present, but also deigned to inquire on that very brief explanation. "I hope you do not mind me asking, but how did you realize who he was, Ichibē?"
Ichigo had been curious about that too, so making sure to not show any sign of displeasure, he switched his attention back to the older Shinigami and raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
"Forgive me if I was overstepping." Ichibē bowed again. "But since I am so acclimated to divinity, it was impossible to ignore once you stepped foot in the palace, even if you aren't in your true form."
"Ah." Ichigo expressed lightly. "I suppose that also explains why no one has seen the difference then. You must have spent a great deal of time near the receptable of our olden God."
Ichibē frowned again at the descriptor but said nothing in turn. "I am certain that if you were to show your true visage, there would be no way for anyone to remain ignorant."
Ichigo smiled at the analysis, and so between one breath and the next, he let his person shift into what he is meant to be and watched as dawning clarity washed over the other four members of the Royal Guard like daybreak behind a tall mountain range.
It felt freeing in a way, to not be caged into the small mold he had inadvertently forced his body into becoming. As he is now, with dark hair as black as the night sky blanketing the heavens billowing in the winds like a tattered flag of war, he thinks he can actually feel the world around him in a way he can't in his normal form. His wine-red eyes almost sparkle with excitement at everything he can see that almost looked cloudy before and how fantastical it all was presently. He knew he stood taller as well, and while his Zangetsus weren't in permanent shikai anymore, they still stayed in a sealed katana at his waist as if they were always able to do that.
Honestly, he pretty much looked like he did against Aizen, but his clothing remained as it was, and only the ink tattoos swirled and snaked around his body to make a diference.
"How could we not see it before?" Kirio whispered in an almost prayer. "How can you hide when-" she cut herself off, almost seeming unable to utter a single word more in the face of Ichigo's revealed divinity.
"I just am." Ichigo placated. "I could, and so I became what I am."
"I feel I could never not see you for what you are now." Nimaiya confessed. "Like no distance could ever make me unaware of who you are. You feel so much more than the Soul King has ever felt."
"Ah." Ichigo smiled sadly at the admission. "Well regardless, that is A God, and I am a mere god. My presence feels more tangible because I am alive, and so my powers are expanded by the faith that exists and fuels me in the present."
"I think I am confused." Tenjirō grouched. "What's the difference?"
The orange head hummed in understanding, and tucked a strand of black hair behind his ear before gazing up in the general direction where he knew the Soul King existed. "That being -the Soul King- was likely a god like me in the past. Someone who ascended into deity-ship and evolved into The God and lynchpin of worlds."
"Is he truly then?" Ichibē questioned mournfully. He looked resigned, as if he knew the answer long before Ichigo had even alluded to it, but like he had been living in denial for eons and wished he could continue to do so. "Dead?"
"He has been fading for quite a while now." Ichigo explained calmly. "The presence is intangible because the God is dead, and so his powers that were once also fueled by faith, are simply managing to keep the worlds with the energy he gathered in the past."
"How is it even possible for a divine being to just die?" Hikifune queried.
Ichigo sighed before looking back at his audience. His ruby red eyes crinkled at the edges in sorrow not his own as he mourned for someone he had never gotten to meet. "Gods die the same way they are born. Power and faith. And when they truly die, they are unmourned and unremembered. Ideas are more difficult to kill than people, but they can be killed, in the end."
Ichigo thinks it is apt that the next person to notice is the one most likely to have also been in contact with the Soul King once upon a time when the being was still alive.
After all, when you're as old as the Captain Commander is, you've probably had to have seen many things in life.
He's visiting friends in Soul Society when it happens.
They had been hanging out at a dango shop for the evening, and while Ichigo has options aplenty if he were to stay overnight, he had promised himself he would not do so without warning the twins first so they knew not to expect him home.
He was making his way to the first division where the senkaimon to the human world was set up for his return. Technically, Ichigo could make his way back to Karakura between one step and the next as easily as breathing if he really wanted to, but simply disappearing without passing through the gate when he had used it to come here in the first place would look odd.
As he walks across the threshold into the first division, he notices how quiet and empty it is -what with the late evening hour- and is not surprised that there are no Shinigami wandering around. He's almost to the designated senkaimon area when his paths cross with the lonesome Captain Commander, likely heading home for the day or out on a stroll, but clearly calm and relaxed unlike how Ichigo usually gets to see the old man.
Ichigo glances at the man and waves a hand in acknowledgement, but beyond that doesn't think to stop and speak with him considering they aren't necessarily close. But as their paths cross, Ichigo comes to an abrupt realization that has him whirling around to face the Captain Commander with sudden urgency as he realizes he has something to say.
"He'll be back." He blurts out eerily. "I thought you should know."
The old man pauses in his step and turns back to give Ichigo a side glance that would have in the past made him feel like a misbehaved infant. "Speak clearly, child."
Ichigo blinks, taken aback at the title and finding it demeaning in the face of what he is. He's not really sure why he does it -whether it was because he didn't feel he would be believed otherwise, or because he wanted to make the old man realize he was treading a potentially dangerous game by speaking so bluntly, he doesn't know.
In the end he seamlessly transitions into his True form, as natural and freeing as ever and is awarded a front row seat as realization dawns on the old man. He knows that this time he still has his orange hair, and that as the evening continues to switch into night, his hair will start to be pigmented black from the roots down until it's completely dark, but besides that, he is the same he usually is in this visage.
"By the Soul King." Yamamoto swore. "What did we force you to become, young godling?"
Ichigo tilts his head in puzzlement but decides in the end it doesn't really matter. "Nothing I wasn't already capable of." He reassures. "One can say it was always going to be my path one day."
The old man frowns at this, and were Ichigo anyone else, he would have missed the way the man seemed saddened by the news. "Forgive me then, for not allowing you more time."
Ichigo flicks a wrist to the side flippantly as if to bat the thought away and watches offhandedly as the sun begins to set and his orange tresses start to darken. "Balance is to be restored." He whispered in a despondent tone. "It was meant to happen now."
Yamamoto hummed in acknowledgement, but remained sorrowful in his thoughts. "You said -earlier- that He would be back? Who were you speaking about?"
"Yhwach." Ichigo disclosed. "The sealed King of the Quincy. Over 900 years, he shall recover his heartbeat. Over 90 years, he shall recover his intellect. Over nine years, he shall recover his power. And over nine days, he shall recover the world."
"Is that-" Yamamoto wavered, looking oddly bereft at the news Ichigo brought. "Is that a prophecy?"
Ichigo considered this, and wondered if it could be a Divinity backed prophecy, but as he pondered over the wording and tasted the power behind them he decided that-. "No, it is simply the words passed down through generations of Quincy."
Yamamoto sagged in relief before groaning. "It seems we have our work cut out for us then."
"You have a bit of time to prepare." Ichigo disclosed. "Six months I calculate, probably closer to seven."
The old man didn't seem overly relieved by this time frame, and Ichigo turned away from the setting sun and focused his full attention on the aging Captain.
"You are displeased."
Yamamoto grimaced. "And we have grown weak." He retorted.
"Yes." Ichigo agreed, and didn't feel at all apologetic at the way the old man winced. "You have grown kind."
The Captain Commander was taken aback by the comment, not exactly sure what he was meant to do with it considering he has never been called kind in his entire existence -to his face at least.
"Some would argue I am not lenient enough." Yamamoto countered.
Ichigo hummed in agreement and quirked a smile. "I would be one of them, but do not confuse my words, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. It is my belief that you should be harsh and unrepentant in your stance to uphold the law, but kind and innovative when creating it."
"I do not make the laws-"
"Then perhaps someone who can't do those things, shouldn't be allowed to be in a position to make them." Ichigo shot back swiftly and unapologetically. "It is not a suggestion by the way, it's a message."
Yamamoto found himself taken aback by the brazen declaration and could do nothing but incline his head in understanding. "As you wish then."
Ichigo smiled, and while some would call it kind, Yamamoto knows better now, and can see that while it is nice, kindness would only be extended so far.
"I think I can visualize you better now." The Captain Commander disclosed. "The Soul King is called as such because of the kind of deity he was. Calling you by that same name would do you both a disservice."
Ichigo scowled at that, and felt like a lead ball had settled in his stomach at the mere idea of using the same moniker in the present or future. "No, that would be wrong."
Yamamoto watched as the last vestiges of sunlight set under the buildings of Sereitei and Ichigo's hair fully blackened. Balance, probably. Justice? He's not quite sure, but he's certain that his name will be much grander than Soul King.
"Do not fret too much though." Ichigo advised the older man. "Regardless of your weakness, I will be there to make the difference between defeat and triumph."
The Captain Commander felt his eyes widening at this proclamation, and found his hand trembling slightly at the power behind those words. "You would do such a thing? Intervene in mundane affairs?"
Ichigo felt an almost devious smirk curling the edges of his mouth. He looked upwards to the raising moon and felt his waist length hair fall over his shoulders to lay on his back. "What kind of deity would I be if I were to stand back and watch?"
"The normal kind." Yamamoto deadpanned.
The orange head barked out a laughter full of sardonic humor before tilting his head back to look at the older man with eerie red eyes. "A god begins and grows by way of faith, and faith is generated by the god in question creating miracles." Ichigo explains almost madly. "Care to take another guess at what kind of god wouldn't intervene?"
The old shinigami felt his shoulders slumping in resignation as he turned to try and look anywhere but at the divine fueled being standing beside him. It felt awe inspiring of course, but Yamamoto couldn't help but feel almost undeserving under such weighty eyes. "A dead one."
Ichigo had been sitting on the edge of the central island of the Soul Palace and gazing down at Sereitei when Ichibē finds him.
"Your Highness." The man greets, his head bowed and reverent in a way Ichigo has had no choice but to get used to. "Is there something on your mind?"
The orange head hums at the question but doesn't really change his focus of attention. "Kind of."
Ichibē settles himself on the floor near Ichigo so that he is not towering over the young god. Once he is properly in seiza, he inclines his head one last time before focusing his full attention on the other. "Something I may help with? The staff were concerned when you declined lunch earlier."
Ichigo rolls his eyes good naturedly as he leans back on his hands, head turned in the direction of the main palace. "Worrywarts." He complains. "I have Yuzu nagging me to eat in Karakura, and a whole slew more people doing the same thing here."
The man laughs at the grouchy tone and doesn't look sympathetic at all about Ichigo's plight. "Nothing to be done. How can you ask those that clearly adore you to not worry about your wellbeing?"
Ichigo sighs but doesn't refute the point. Instead, he furrows his brows in thought and proceeds to turn to stare at Ichibē consideringly. "Actually, think you can assist me with a plight I have?"
Ichibē straightens at that tone, and immediately finds his shoulders squaring as he thumps a closed fist to his heart and bows low. "Your wish is my command. Please tell me how I can be of assistance."
The orange head groans at that but decides to ignore the bigger man prostrated to the floor as if awaiting for orders that could rewrite the entire universe as they knew it. Ichigo paused as he tried to find the right words to say and found himself oddly detached as he spoke without thinking. "Summon them."
The monk startles at the words and almost without conscious thought, he finds himself sitting back up. "Pardon me?"
Ichigo turns to look at the man and knows at the slight flinch that his eyes are likely too other for normal people. "Summon the fools who dared run the worlds to the ground like they had a right to it. Summon the ignorant men who thought they could create laws that would only benefit themselves. Summon the sacrilegious people who craved power that was not their own to gain. Summon those who had been tasked with a sacred duty and failed in their mission. Summon them, all of them, to the Central Assembly Hall."
Not to be continued…?
Just as a reference, in case anyone was wondering. I am kind of imagining Ichigo as a combination of Amaterasu-no-mikoto and Tsukuyomi-no-mikoto both sun and moon gods respectively but I couldn't really chose which one to focus on so I just didn't.
I kind of think Ichigo's official title would be Yoshi-gami (義神), God of Righteousness.