Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Fairy Tail.

Speech: "Hi"

Thoughts: 'Hi'

Abilities: "Getsuga Tenshou!"

Zanpakuto or Inner Voice: 'HI'

As the sun rose, casting its bright light over the beautiful city of Crocus, Wendy Marvell opened her eyes to find her feline friend was not in front of her. Sitting up and looking around, the young girl noticed Carla sitting on the edge of the bed, looking back at her. The white cat had heard Wendy stir behind her.

"Hey, Carla," Wendy chirped, surprised that her friend had beaten her to waking up.

Carla smiled sweetly in response. "Hi, child. Did you sleep well?" she asked in a motherly tone.

"Yup," Wendy answered, stretching. "Last night's spy mission on Ichigo-nii's date made me more tired than I thought!" She giggled, recalling the previous night's activities. "I can't believe we almost got caught."

"Shh." Carla shushed Wendy, pointing to the floor. Turning her gaze to where Carla was pointing, Wendy saw Ichigo asleep next to the bed. Quickly, she covered her mouth but relaxed as she realized he was still sleeping.

"Oops."

"No worries, he is asleep, but be careful to mention that."

"I will," Wendy assured her. She got off the bed to use the bathroom. "I'm going to use the bathroom before Ichigo-nii wakes up," she said, grabbing her clothes and hygiene essentials before entering the bathroom. Watching Wendy close the door, Carla turned her attention to Ichigo.

Thinking about what she saw of him and Ultear the other night, she wished her visions were more detailed. Where was that forest? Why were Ichigo and Ultear there? And from what she had seen, it looked like they were fighting. This is so confusing. She wished she could know a little more…

Thud!

A loud sound from the bathroom snapped Carla out of her thoughts. "Eeek!" Wendy's shriek startled Carla.

"Are you okay, Wendy?" Carla hollered across the room. "Do you need me to come in there?"

"N-no! I'm okay."

"Okay, don't hurt yourself in there!"

"I won't."

Carla let out a small chuckle. There was never a dull moment when she was around Wendy and her brothers. Nonetheless, she loved being with them. This is why she had to understand this vision or, at the very least, prevent it. From what she could speculate so far, that Ultear woman must be bad news. Ichigo had to be in some kind of danger. Yes, she knew Ichigo was very capable of protecting himself, but it didn't matter to her. He's family. She'd do the same for Wendy and Grimmjow.

Ichigo Kurosaki sat up, rubbing the back of his neck with a quiet yawn. Looking over to the bed next to him, he saw Carla sitting alone, seemingly deep in thought. 'Wendy must be in the bathroom' the substitute shinigami guessed, noting the girl's absence from the bed. Slowly, he began picking himself up off the floor, the sounds making Carla's ear twitch, causing her to look at him.

"Oh, you're awake." she observed. "Wendy and I woke up a little while ago." she informed him.

Ichigo only nodded in response, walking over to his things to get ready to use the bathroom after Wendy. He had fallen asleep in the clothes from his date, so he needed to change and shower.

Walking out of the bathroom with a satisfied smile, Wendy looked over to see her brother awake, and a big grin appeared on her face. "Good morning, Ichigo-nii!" she burst out, glomping on him, which made him fall to the ground. "How are you? How did your date go?" Wendy asked, looking at him with wide, eager eyes. She had to play as if she had no idea how some of it went, though she didn't know what happened in the restaurant and what happened after she and Carla escaped.

"I'll tell you in a bit, but first, can you let me get up?" Ichigo requested.

"Oh, right. Sorry." Wendy apologized, getting off him.

"It's fine, Wendy." he smiled, patting her on the head. He completely understood she did these things to show her affection towards him and Grimmjow. To be honest, it reminded him of Nelliel when she was in her child form. Every once in a while, this world never let him forget his old reality, not that he would ever want to anyway.

"So, can you tell me about your date?" Wendy pressed, her curiosity piqued.

"After I take a shower." Ichigo announced, walking to the bathroom.

"Aww, really?" Wendy pouted, watching her brother close the door behind him.

Carla chuckled at the exchange, shaking her head. "You'll get your story, Wendy. Be patient."

"I know," Wendy sighed, flopping onto the bed. "I just hope everything went okay for him. Ultear seems nice."

Carla's expression darkened slightly, but she masked it with a smile. "We'll see, Wendy. Just remember, not everyone is as they appear."

Wendy nodded, a bit puzzled by Carla's tone but deciding not to press the issue. Instead, she focused on the fact that they were finally heading home after their meeting in Crocus. The journey had been eventful, and she was ready for some normalcy back at the guild.

As Ichigo showered, Carla's thoughts returned to her vision. She had seen Ichigo and Ultear in a dense forest, locked in what looked like a fierce battle. The image had been so vivid, so intense. She couldn't shake the feeling that Ultear was dangerous, and she needed to protect her family from whatever threat lay ahead.

As Ichigo stood under the warm spray of the shower, he couldn't help but replay the events of the previous night. The date with Ultear had begun with high hopes, but it ended with her abruptly leaving just as they were about to kiss. Frustration gnawed at him, mixing with the steam and making his thoughts clouded.

"Why did she have to run off like that?" Ichigo grumbled, scrubbing his face with a hand. "It doesn't make any sense."

From the depths of his mind, a familiar, grating voice cut through his frustration. "You're letting a single night mess with your head? Pathetic."

Ichigo frowned, his irritation rising. "Seriously? I'm trying to figure out what happened. I thought I was getting somewhere with her."

"You're not getting anywhere," the hollow retorted, annoyance dripping from its tone. "You've faced down the toughest opponents and survived. Why are you letting some date throw you off balance?"

"It's not just about that night," Ichigo shot back, frustration evident in his voice. "It's about understanding why she left so suddenly. I can't just ignore it."

"Why not?" the hollow challenged. "Focus on what's important."

Ichigo leaned against the shower wall, letting the water run over him as he tried to sort through his emotions. "I can't just turn off my feelings. It's not that simple."

"Then you're going to end up distracted," the hollow warned. "You've got bigger issues to deal with. Don't let some unresolved feelings mess up everything else."

Ichigo sighed, trying to calm himself. "I know I need to stay focused. But it's hard to just push aside something that feels important."

The hollow's voice softened, though the irritation was still there. "I get it, you care. But don't let it control you. You're supposed to be the one in control, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah." Ichigo said, trying to muster a sense of resolve. "You're right. I can't let this get in the way of what I need to do."

"Good," the hollow replied, a hint of approval in its tone. "Keep your head in the game, Ichigo."

With a deep exhale, Ichigo finished his shower, feeling a bit more centered. He knew he had to address his feelings for Ultear, but he also understood the need to stay focused on his responsibilities. As he stepped out of the bathroom, he prepared himself to face the day with renewed clarity and resolve, ready to tackle whatever came next. Wait….did Zangetsu just..comfort him? Ichigo lets out a small chuckle from the realization as he heads out the bathroom

-Ichigo's Inner World-

Zangetsu stood in the void, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. His mind was consumed with frustration. 'He's letting his emotions cloud his judgment.'

A familiar voice resonated from the shadows, calm and contemplative. 'That's just how Ichigo is. No matter how much you try to direct him, he'll follow his own path, driven by his desires. It's in his nature to pursue what he feels is important, even if it's not always the most rational choice.'

Zangetsu turned his attention sharply towards the source of the voice. 'I'm well aware of that, old man.' he snapped. 'And don't think I've forgotten how you kept him suppressed for most of his previous life. It's just frustrating to see him so easily distracted by something as trivial as a fleeting romantic interest.'

'He is the one who holds dominion over this world.' the Quincy manifestation replied, his tone steady. 'No matter how we feel about his choices, we must accept that he is the one in charge. We can guide him, but ultimately, his path is his own.'

Zangetsu grunted, still unconvinced. 'It's hard to accept seeing him so unsettled over someone who seems to be just a passing distraction. But I suppose you're right. He is the king of his own destiny. Have you managed to uncover why he can't hear you anymore?'

The quincy manifestation's voice took on a hint of sadness. 'No, the reason remains elusive. Perhaps the timing isn't right for him to reconnect with me.'

Zangetsu's eyes narrowed. 'I'm curious. During the battle against that poison wizard, Ichigo could still access the power of Blut Vene, which was granted by you. If he can use those abilities, why can't he hear you?'

The Quincy manifestation sighed. 'The powers of the Soul King are enigmatic and ever-shifting. Ichigo's soul and spiritual energy have been altered by the forces that brought him here. His power is evolving, and he's gradually becoming more attuned to his new reality. Perhaps one day he will find my voice again, or perhaps he won't. Only time will reveal the answer.'

Zangetsu's frustration simmered, but he nodded slowly. 'Whatever the case, it's clear that Ichigo needs to regain his full power. This period of relative peace will not last forever. I have a strong sense that his calm existence is about to be disrupted, and he will need every bit of his true strength to face what's coming.'

The quincy manifestation's voice grew firmer. 'Indeed. We must be ready for the challenges ahead, and so must Ichigo. His journey is far from over, and the road ahead will test him in ways we can't yet foresee.'

-Grimoire Heart Airship-

High above the clouds, the massive aircraft base of the dark guild Grimoire Heart glided steadily through the sky. Inside the vehicle, footsteps echoed through the corridors as Bluenote, a tall, muscular man with his hair tied in a tight ponytail, walked purposefully. He carried two folders, his mission cleared: retrieve critical information on two wizards from the Cait Shelter guild.

As he reached the observation deck, Bluenote pushed open the doors to find the dark guild master, Hades, seated on his throne. Hades gazed intently at the sky with a stoic expression. The sound of the doors creaking open drew Hades's attention, and he turned to face Bluenote.

"So you've returned, Bluenote?" Hades observed, his tone reflecting a mix of anticipation and satisfaction.

"Indeed, master Hades." Bluenote replied, stopping before Hades and offering the folders. "I've brought the files on Ichigo Kurosaki and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez."

"Splendid." Hades's lips curved into a smirk as he accepted the folders. "Did you review them yourself?"

"Yes." Bluenote answered.

"Very well." Hades said, opening Ichigo's file first. "I want the others to read these thoroughly once I'm done."

"Yes, sir." Bluenote acknowledged, finding a seat across from Hades. The old man quickly reads through both files.

A low humming noise began to resonate through the room. Hades reached for a lacrima ball, channeling magic into it. Ultear's image flickered into view on the orb.

"Ah, Ultear, my dear." Hades greeted, his voice warm with a hint of mockery. "How are things progressing with the Tower of Heaven project?"

"Things are proceeding smoothly, master." Ultear reported, her tone professional. "We've captured Erza Scarlet to serve as the 'sacrifice'. Jellal remains blissfully ignorant, believing this is merely to revive Zeref, The Magic Council will be distracted by the affair for a while."

"Excellent." Hades said, nodding approvingly. "This will allow us to focus on acquiring the keys for Zeref. Is there anything else?"

"Yes, master Hades." Ultear continued, hesitantly. "I wish to cancel the plans concerning Ichigo Kurosaki. I no longer view him as a person of interest."

Hades's expression shifted to one of intrigue. "Oh? And what has prompted this change of heart? It has only been two days."

"It's nothing specific." Ultear explained. "After spending time with him, I've concluded that Ichigo Kurosaki isn't as significant as I initially thought."

Hades stroked his beard thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing. "If that is your decision, so be it."

"Thank you, master." Ultear said, her image starting to fade.

As Ultear's face disappeared from the orb, Bluenote looked at Hades with a questioning gaze. "Are you going to cease your investigation into Ichigo?"

"No." Hades replied, his curiosity piqued. "If anything, this has only deepened my interest. Now that I have detailed files on him and his companion, I intend to delve further into their mysteries."

"Mysteries?" Bluenote inquired, puzzled. "What could be so intriguing about him?"

"Firstly, Ultear's sudden decision to abandon her plans for him is curious. She is not one to easily relinquish her pursuits." Hades said, his tone reflecting a mix of admiration and suspicion. "Moreover, the report from Dante Gatson caught my attention. He described a dramatic shift during his fight with Ichigo—how Ichigo managed to turn the battle around quickly and displayed an unusual power."

"A power that shattered Dante's ax and emitted a bright blue glow?" Bluenote noted, intrigued.

"Yes, and there's more." Hades continued. "Dante also mentioned an overwhelming aura emanating from Ichigo, causing an intense pressure. Unlike anything I've heard of."

Bluenote frowned. "Is it related to gravity magic?"

"Unlikely. According to Ultear, Ichigo only uses Shadow Magic. No other abilities have been reported, aside from Dante's account," Hades explained. "I sense that there's more to this boy than meets the eye and even that other boy Grimmjow who killed a demon of zeref at a young age."

"What are your plans once you've uncovered more about them?" Bluenote asked.

"If I find them valuable, I may consider recruiting them for our cause to awaken Zeref." Hades said, his voice laced with dark intent. "If they resist or prove worthless, I won't hesitate to eliminate them."

"And Ultear?" Bluenote queried. "She doesn't seem like she'd support such actions."

Hades chuckled darkly. "Ultear's loyalty is to our goal—bringing forth Zeref. She will accept whatever is necessary to achieve that end. If she objects, she will learn that our objectives take precedence over personal interests."

Looking out towards the sky, Hades's eyes glinted with cold resolve. "We are drawing closer to our ultimate goal. Nothing and no one will stand in our way."

After refreshing himself, Ichigo emerged from the bathroom to find Wendy sitting by an open window, enjoying the morning breeze. The soft sound of footsteps behind her made Wendy turn to see her brother stepping into the room.

"Done already?" Wendy asked, her gaze shifting from the window to Ichigo.

"Yeah." Ichigo replied. He noticed Carla was missing and inquired, "Where's Carla?"

"She went out for a bit." Wendy said, still looking out the window. "She mentioned needing some time to clear her mind. She'll be back soon."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow, concerned. "Is something bothering her?"

"I asked her that exact thing." Wendy admitted, her voice tinged with worry. "She said it's nothing serious, but I can tell something's really troubling her. She started acting strange last night, and I'm really worried."

Ichigo walked over and placed a comforting hand on Wendy's shoulder. She looked up at him, her concern evident. "Whatever it is, I'm sure Carla will be okay. She's tough for a cat, and if she needs us, we'll be here for her. Let her have her space for now."

Wendy nodded, appreciating her brother's reassurance. "Okay. Do you think you could tell me about your date now?"

Ichigo sighed, rubbing the back of his head. He wasn't eager to revisit the details, but he had promised Wendy he would share. He looked at her earnest face and knew he couldn't refuse. "Alright." he said, reluctantly.

He began recounting the events of the date, carefully omitting certain details that he felt were inappropriate for Wendy. She listened intently, her eyes wide with curiosity. When Ichigo mentioned the alley and the dog, Wendy's face tensed with concern. "And then… she left." Ichigo concluded.

"Wait, what?" Wendy exclaimed, shocked. "She left? But it was going so well. Why did Ultear leave?"

Ichigo shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure. She didn't give a reason."

Wendy pouted, clearly upset. "That's so mean. Ultear should have at least told you why she left. It's not right to just walk away like that."

Ichigo couldn't help but smile at his sister's indignation. He understood her frustration, but he was more accepting of the situation. "It's okay, Wendy. I'm sure she had her reasons."

Wendy's frown deepened, her sense of justice flaring. "If I see Ultear again, I'm going to give her a piece of my mind. She had no right to ditch you after all the effort you put into the date."

Ichigo chuckled softly. "No need to worry about it too much. Let's just wait for Carla to come back, and then we'll head home."

He began gathering their things and packing up the sleeping bags. "For now, let's get ready. We've got a long day ahead of us."

Wendy helped him with the packing, her earlier frustration fading as she focused on the task.

- The Cait Shelter Guild-

After a full day of rest, Grimmjow resumed his training in the expansive field provided by Roubaul. His focus was solely on refining his hand-to-hand combat skills, a discipline he found invigorating but increasingly unsatisfying. The thrill of battle had begun to wane as the enemies he faced seemed weaker and less challenging. His recent quests were a decent diversion, but Grimmjow craved a more formidable opponent. Despite having Ichigo as a sparring partner, Grimmjow was keenly aware that neither of them was at their peak, and his abilities were still hampered by the restrictions of his current circumstances.

Lost in his training, Grimmjow barely noticed Roubaul approaching. The old man had always harbored a fondness for the three young mages who had arrived in his village, including Grimmjow. His voice, gentle yet firm, cut through the rhythm of Grimmjow's punches and kicks.

"Are you troubled, young man?" Roubaul asked, his concern evident.

Grimmjow paused, exhaling sharply. "It's nothing for you to worry about, Roubaul. Just leave me be."

Roubaul's eyes softened. "So, you are troubled, then?"

"I never said that," Grimmjow retorted. "Besides, it doesn't matter."

"That is where you are wrong." the old man said, settling down on the grass beside Grimmjow. "You are a child of this village, and I care for all my children." He patted the ground beside him. "Sit down, young man."

Grimmjow, resigned to the fact that Roubaul would not leave him alone, took a seat across from the old man, crossing his arms. "Alright, so what's on your mind?" Roubaul prompted.

Sighing, Grimmjow rolled his eyes. "I guess I'm just bored. Not troubled, but bored."

Roubaul nodded sagely. "I figured as much. You are a man who thrives on combat. Being stagnant must be dull for you."

"It is." Grimmjow admitted. "I'm tired of being stuck in one place. I know we're training for Nirvana, but I want to fight strong opponents. There must be powerful beings in this world."

Roubaul chuckled. "I can assure you, there are. In my 400 years, I've seen quite a bit of magic and power. I may not be able to promise you the most formidable fighters, but I have a proposition for you."

Grimmjow's interest piqued. "And what's that?"

Roubaul leaned in slightly. "This is confidential, but I know you and Ichigo are trustworthy. The Magic Council and several guilds in Fiore are currently tracking a dark guild. We should have a location for them soon."

"A dark guild?" Grimmjow asked, raising an eyebrow. "You mean one of those guilds not sanctioned by the Magic Council? I've taken down a few like that, and they weren't particularly impressive."

"This isn't just any dark guild." Roubaul said with a hint of seriousness. "It's part of the Balam Alliance."

"The Balam Alliance? What's that?"

"It's a coalition of three dark guilds. They're not directly allied, but they have a tacit agreement to avoid conflict with one another. They control all the dark guilds in Fiore."

"All of them?" Grimmjow repeated, skeptical. "Three guilds control all the dark guilds?"

"Yes." Roubaul confirmed. "And the one we're tracking is the Oracion Seis. Despite having only six members, they are incredibly powerful and dangerous, at this very moment several guilds are choosing mages from their respective guild to join up together to take them down"

Grimmjow's eyes lit up with interest. "Knowing that Ichigo, Wendy, and I are the only mages you have, will we be part of this allied force?"

"Yes, I've already chosen you three." Roubaul said with a smile.

"When will we deal with them?" Grimmjow asked eagerly.

"In a couple of weeks." Roubaul replied.

Grimmjow grinned, excitement building at the prospect of a real challenge. "I'm looking forward to it. The sooner the Magic Council locates this guild, the better."

"That's just the thing, we have a good idea of where they will be." Roubaul's eyes narrowed looking at the boy

"Really?" Grimmjow raised a brow.

"It seems that they will be coming to this exact forest. In the near future or at least that is what the intel stated." Roubaul explained

"That doesn't make any sense, why would they come here? Of all places? What could be so special that…" Grimmjow stopped and his face darkened as a smirk appeared on his face. He had a sudden realization, if there was a reason someone with ill intent would come here it's for one reason and one reason only.

"Yes, it seems you came to the same conclusion as well. The Oracion Seis are coming here for Nirvana." The old man states. This made Grimmjow excited, he doesn't have to find this group they'll come to him.

"How did your quest go, by the way? You haven't reported yet."

"I planned to do that after my training." Grimmjow said, brushing off the question. "The quest went well, mostly."

"Mostly?" Roubaul inquired, raising an eyebrow. "Did something go wrong?"

"It wasn't anything major." Grimmjow explained. "There was a woman who wanted the quest too. We let the employer choose, and he picked both of us. On our way back, we got caught in an avalanche caused by Blizzardverns and had to take shelter in a cave. After that, Cana and I went our separate ways."

"Sounds pretty dangerous to me." Roubaul laughed heartily. "But you made it back safely, and that's what counts. This woman, Cana—was she attractive?"

Grimmjow's expression hardened. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just curious." Roubaul said with a twinkle in his eye. "No need to be so defensive. You sound almost like a jealous husband."

"I'm not being defensive." Grimmjow shot back, though the comment struck a nerve.

Roubaul scrutinized Grimmjow's face closely. "You know, I'm quite perceptive for my age. It seems you've had a bit of a personal encounter with her."

Grimmjow's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

"You slept with her, didn't you?" Roubaul said, a knowing smile on his face.

Grimmjow rolled his eyes at the man. "How did you figure that out?"

"I've lived 400 years, Grimmjow. It's not hard to read people." Roubaul said with a chuckle. "It happened in the cave, I assume?"

Grimmjow's silence was confirmation enough. Roubaul let out a hearty laugh. "Ah, my young Grimmjow has grown up. Such milestones bring tears to my eyes," he said, mockingly wiping away tears. "Though I'm surprised anyone would find you attractive."

"What did you just say, you old bastard?" Grimmjow snapped.

Roubaul laughed even harder, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I meant no offense. I just wanted to tease you a bit. I'll leave you to your training now. Goodbye."

As Roubaul walked away, Grimmjow shook his head, a mixture of amusement and frustration on his face. He returned to his training, driven by the anticipation of the coming battles and the promise of formidable adversaries.

After a long and exhausting journey, Ichigo, Wendy, and Carla finally arrived back at their village just as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the familiar landscape. Their steps were slow but purposeful, the weight of their mission still fresh on their minds.

Wendy, her eyes began scanning the village for familiar faces, smiled faintly, though fatigue was evident in her movements. Beside her, Carla remained unusually silent, her earlier decision to leave still weighing heavily on her. Ichigo noticed the shift in Carla's demeanor, but sensing her need for space, he decided not to press her. Right now, they had more immediate matters to address.

As they reached the village center, they headed straight to the chief's house, where Roubaul was waiting for them. His calm presence was reassuring, and he greeted them with a warm but focused smile. "Welcome back. I trust your journey went well?" His eyes moved from Ichigo to Wendy and Carla, assessing their condition.

Ichigo stepped forward, his expression steady and serious. "Yeah, everything went smoothly. No major issues with our guild." he replied, keeping his tone direct. He knew Roubaul preferred straightforwardness.

Roubaul's brow raised slightly, curiosity piqued. "Very well. Let's hear your full report."

Ichigo nodded and began detailing their meeting with the magic council. Wendy and Carla stood by, listening attentively, ready to add details if needed. However, Ichigo's account was thorough, leaving little to clarify.

"And that's about it." Ichigo concluded, his arms crossing as he finished.

Roubaul nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Ichigo. I value your efforts and dedication. Wendy, Carla, you too, thank you for your part in this." His voice carried a sincere weight to it.

Wendy smiled, and Carla bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment.

"Ladies, could I ask you to give us a moment? I need to speak with Ichigo privately." Roubaul requested gently, his gaze shifting toward the two of them with a kind smile.

Carla gave a small nod. "Of course. Come along, child." she said, motioning for Wendy to follow. "It's about time we head home."

"Okay." Wendy replied, a hint of reluctance in her voice, but she followed Carla out the door without complaint.

Once the two had left and the room fell silent, Roubaul's expression shifted from calm to serious. He turned his full attention to Ichigo, the air thick with a sense of importance. "Ichigo, there's something I need to discuss with you, something of great significance. Grimmjow has already been briefed on this matter."

Ichigo's eyes narrowed slightly. "What is it?"

Roubaul leaned forward, his tone grave as he explained the situation. He spoke of the Balam Alliance, a powerful we dark guild group, and the rising threat of the Oración Seis. He detailed their dangerous ambitions, particularly their goal to awaken and control the ancient weapon known as Nirvana. As Ichigo listened, the weight of the responsibility began to settle in, but his expression remained stoic, his mind already calculating the next steps.

"Your participation, along with your siblings, will be crucial in the effort to stop these enemies." Roubaul continued. "That's why you will join the group tasked with combating the Oración Seis. It's imperative that Nirvana be destroyed."

The room fell silent as Roubaul finished, leaving Ichigo to process the gravity of the situation. He exhaled deeply, his mind now fully focused on the challenge ahead.

"If that's all, I'll be heading home." Ichigo finally said, his voice calm but filled with resolve. He turned toward the door, but just before stepping out, he paused and looked back over his shoulder. His eyes locked with Roubaul's, determination clear in his gaze. "I swear, I'll defeat them and destroy Nirvana."

Roubaul nodded, his expression one of quiet approval as he watched the young God-slayer leave the hut, knowing the boy's words were not a mere promise—they were a vow.

-Tower of Heaven-

The gentle sound of ocean waves drifted through the open window of the bedroom, a constant yet distant melody. Leaning against the windowsill, Ultear Milkovich stared blankly at the slightly withering tulip in her hand. Her face was set in a deep, solemn expression. It had been a day or two since her supposed 'date' with Ichigo Kurosaki—an encounter she could barely remember, but one that still lingered in her mind.

"Tch." She clicked her tongue in frustration, her gaze shifting from the flower to the endless stretch of sea before her. How could a man she had just met throw her off her game so easily? The thought gnawed at her, festering in the back of her mind.

A strange, unsettling mix of emotions swirled inside her—anger, confusion, and something else she refused to name. Hatred began to swell in her chest, not just toward Ichigo but toward the weakness she felt within herself. She didn't understand why he affected her so much. He was just a random wizard, someone insignificant in the grand scheme of things. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she tossed the tulip out of the window, watching as it fell through the air and disappeared.

"I need to focus." she muttered, forcing her attention back to the task at hand. There were far more important matters to deal with. "The resurrection of Zeref is all that matters."

As if on cue, a knock echoed from the door, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"I'm coming in." a masculine voice announced before the door swung open. Jellal, with his distinctive blue hair and tattoo, stepped inside, a smirk playing at his lips. "Good evening, Ultear." he greeted casually. "We're ready to use Erza as the sacrifice. But I'll need you to keep her friends from interfering. She's on her way to the top of the tower as we speak. Ikagura's holding her off for now, but Titania won't stay down for long."

Ultear raised an eyebrow, her tone cutting. "And how are you so sure of that, Jellal?"

Jellal's smirk only widened. "Call it a hunch." he replied, turning on his heel and heading back toward the door. "Just keep the others occupied. Zeref will soon be reborn." His confidence oozed with arrogance as he left the room, leaving Ultear alone once again.

Once the door clicked shut behind him, Ultear let out a low, mocking chuckle. 'Arrogant fool.' Jellal had no idea. He thought the Tower of Heaven project would bring back Zeref, but he was nothing more than a pawn in her greater plan. He believed himself to be the mastermind, but in reality, he was just a distraction for the Magic Council. Ultear had her own designs for Zeref's return—plans that Jellal would never understand.

"Well, I'll have to keep up appearances until it's all over." she muttered to herself, rising from her seat. The game wasn't over yet, and there were still moves to be made. She straightened her posture, smoothing the fabric of her cloak as she prepared to deal with the intruders.

Before leaving, she cast one last glance out the window, watching the waves crash against the shore. For just a moment, a sigh escaped her lips, a fleeting trace of her buried doubts. Then, she turned on her heel and strode out of the room, closing the door behind her with a finality that echoed through the empty space.

-Slayer Siblings House-

As Ichigo stepped into his home, he immediately spotted Grimmjow lounging in a chair, arms crossed, watching him intently. The faint glow of the evening light filtered through the window, casting long shadows across the room.

"What are you staring at?" Ichigo asked, raising an eyebrow. "You look creepy."

Grimmjow didn't flinch at the remark, his usual smirk absent. "Roubaul filled you in?" he asked bluntly, his tone more serious than usual.

"Yeah, he told me everything." Ichigo replied with a nod. "Said he already spoke to you too. Wendy's asleep?"

Grimmjow gave a quick nod. "Out like a light."

"Good." Ichigo muttered, relieved. He could feel the weight of the upcoming battles pressing on him, and the thought of Wendy facing the same dangers made his stomach twist. "We need to start preparing. There's no time to waste."

Grimmjow smirked, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Already ahead of you." he said. "Training equipment set up. We start tomorrow."

Ichigo nodded in approval. "Good. We've gotta stay sharp, and Wendy will be joining us."

"Obviously." Grimmjow shot back, rolling his eyes. "She's stronger than you give her credit for."

"I know." Ichigo admitted, but his voice carried a note of concern. Wendy was capable, but the stakes were high, and they were about to face the darkest guilds in existence. They couldn't afford any mistakes.

"Well, I'm off to bed." Ichigo said, waving a hand dismissively as he headed towards his room. "We've got a long day tomorrow. Night."

"Yeah." Grimmjow muttered in response, leaning back in his chair, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

As Ichigo disappeared down the hall, the house grew quiet, save for the distant sound of the wind outside. The calm before the storm. The Oracion Seis was on the horizon, and both brothers knew they had to be at their best.

Tomorrow, the real preparation will begin.

Welp that's the end of this chapter lol also to anyone that enjoys the story pls leave a review i love interacting with you guys

Bye-bye