After getting himself dressed in his Shinigami uniform Ichigo traveled to the Research and Development headquarters to see if BG9 was ready to send him back home. Then when he arrived inside the facility he saw countless robots clearing up rubble from blast sites and salvaging any usable equipment that remained intact.

Thus when he asked the scientist if he could help him, he was hardly surprised by the answer.

'So you're saying that you lack the power to use the gateway to send me home?' Ichigo asked while the scientist continued to look over various holographic monitors projected from his right arm.

'The main power reactors suffered severe damage during the battle against the Arrancar, but luckily for you, the dimensional gateway is still in working order, so once the former has been repaired in, say, three weeks, I should have it ready for you'

Ichigo then let out a deep breath. 'Three weeks, huh?' he then looked over to a section of the lab with a large white pad surrounded by various monitors and computers. 'Is that it?'

BG9 turned his head to face the Ichigo and then walked over to the site. 'If you are curious about how it all works, I am afraid you lack several major degrees even to come close to understanding it' he said arrogantly which made Ichigo roll his eyes in annoyance. 'However to put it in layman's terms…' the robotic man then typed something on one of the computers and immediately one of the monitors showed an extensive multi-dimensional map connected by seemingly an infinite amount of dots. 'These monitors depict a stylized map of the known multiverse, that expands infinity across space and time, due to innumerable choices made by those on those words, countless chance interactions and influences across across other universes. Whenever they are from alternate timelines or realities'

'Ichigo then let out a chuckle' The known multiverse huh?' he then looked at the map. 'You know if I didn't know better I thought all this stuff only existed in comic books or something'

BG9 huffed. 'And not too long ago I thought it was at best an unproven theoretical concept…and now it is proven as fact'

The Shinigami then looked closely at one of the monitors. 'So you like to look into other Universes through those screens?'

The Sternritter then flowed Ichigo's gaze. 'Yes and let me say finding a version of you that was qualified enough to save us, was quite the challenge'

Ichigo then focuses his gaze on the scientist. 'It was?'

'Oh yes' BG9 then typed in a few things on the keyboard and the monitor the screen flashed to a scene of Ichigo hanging out with his friends at school.

'World-150 is one where Aizen decided to not make you part of his experiments and thus you lived a relatively normal life' BG9 explained while Ichigo looked and then his voice lowered.

Ichigo held a nostalgic expression on seeing the reality of what would happen if never met Rukia and became a Shinigami... and then the implications of what would happen if he didn't. But before he could ponder further the screen switch.

'This one World 232' BG9 explains as the screen showed Ichigo as an Arrancar with a broken mask fragment on the left side of his eye while sitting on a thrown with all the Espada including Barragan bowing down to him. 'Is a future in which Grandfisher managed to kill both you and your mother which led to the path of you becoming a Hollow and eventually an Arrancar that conquered all of Hueco Mundo'

The shingmai stood silent at the thought that his mother failed to save him when that bastard Grandfisher attacked and was more over disturbed that he became a Hollow and the means he used to become the ruler of Hueco Mundo.

'And on this universe world 346...' BG9 slowly said while Ichigo embraced for possibly an even more disturbing scene.

'Is, you being a fire-wielding sorcerer wandering the desert with your Genie Kon'

Ichigo's jaw then dropped and his body suddenly froze as he was completely taken aback by what he heard until he saw himself dressed in a dark brown headband a yellow stylized pattern over his head with two white feathers held together with a red bead. His upper body was covered with a hooded red cloak with gold trimmings, swirl blue pants, white socks, and sandals, and wielding a hooked wooden staff that hung a glass globe with a white feather attached at the bottom and containing a red jewel talisman with gold trappings shaped like the rays of the sun.

'A fire-wielding...but how could a universe like that happen?' Kurosaki said in perplexity while BG9 gave him an amused smile.

'As I said beforehand the multiverse is created by choice, chance, and influence. It's likely said universe, came about differently in its creation than ours or yours and frankly it isn't even the only one to do so'

Ichigo then raised a nervous eyebrow. 'They aren't?'

'Oh no' BG9 insisted. 'There are universes in which you and the Shingmai are Yokai, another in which both shinigami and Arrancar are magical-wielding knights and sorcerers, and others in which soul society was ruled over Halloween monsters.

Kurosaki then scratched his cheek in thought. 'I think I had a dream about that last one'

'Which is similar to how that wolf Shinigami, hmm, Kommarua was it? Had a dream of the Lamp soul society of you believing it to be your dream' BG9 mused

'...What?' Ichigo said completely lost at what the Scientist said.

'It's nothing' BG9 waved off as he disabled the video screen which went back to the multiversal diagram. 'But think it is best I went back to work' BG9 then did just that as he looked back at his holographic monitors; But then Ichigo noticed some red dots on the diagram.

'What are those red things on the screen?' Ichigo asked while pointing his finger at them and BG9 stared at that dots sternly.

'Those dots represent universes so dangerous that even observing is deemed forbidden' the Sternritter warned in a dead serious tone. 'As doing would attract... unwanted attention'

Kurosaki then glanced at BG9 hesitantly. 'You mean there are people in those universes that can tell they are being watched?'

BG9 then folded his hands. 'Not just people...but rather some of these universes are sentient in a way and don't take kindly in being watched...or in some cases revel in the opportunity to mess with others'

Ichigo then eyed nervously at the monitor and slowly backed away. Right...so is there anything else you need? I mean I could help clean up the rubble around here

'Not needed,' BG9 quickly answered. 'After I salvaged what I can from this lab, I will properly tear it down and rebuild it from scratch' He then lowered his head. 'Starting with better defense in case an inconvenience like this happens again'

The aged teen nodded. 'Well, I will leave it to you then,' Ichigo said as he began to walk away.

'That would be much appreciated,' BG9 said dismissively while returning to work.

Kurosaki then walked back outside to the city walked down the streets and began to think about everything BG9 told him about the multiverse and the several different universes that were shown then looked over to the remains of the city that surrounded him and then sat down on a loose stone block.

Not too long ago this place was a futuristic afterlife metropolis, With technology, architecture, and wonderment beyond that of even the Seireitei in his world...and now it is little more than the burn-out ruin of its former self that would likely take decades for it all to be built back to its former glory, while the all the lives that fought and got caught in the battle were lost forever. Maybe if he acted faster to defeat Barragan and just stormed Las Noches by himself he could have prevented this from happening...or at least there would be more imperial guards to help out against the Arrancar and Esapda and at least lessen the damage somewhat and maybe in one alternate timeline something like that did happen.

However, before he could ponder further he sensed someone approach him.

'So Ichigo...' a voice the teen recognized as Keigo spoke up. 'It seems you have suffered a ruff deal with Barragan, mind giving me the details?'

Kurosaki then looked at his friend and then snorted when saw that his head, arms, and chest under his black shirt were covered in bandages. 'You don't look all that good yourself'

Keigo then smirked cheekily. 'Trust me I look a lot worse than how I feel' his expression then turned to one of concern. 'But I don't I can say the same thing for you'

Ichigo looked at Keigo briefly and then at the rest of the Silver City. 'You know...it has been long since I have seen destruction like this Asano...' He began to say, and the younger teen listened. 'And for the longest time, I blamed myself for letting such devastation happen and the people who depended on me and hope that I would save them...'He then shook his fist. 'Only for me to be too late to do anything about it, and I thought that if I got stronger and ran faster, I would be able to prevent something like that from happening again' He then closed his eyes and lowered his head. 'But in the end, nothing changed'

Keigo then looked at Ichigo in concern. 'You don't blame yourself do Ichigo?'

The shinigami then raised his head. 'I tried not to Keigo...But...I could not help but feel if I had done something differently things might have turned out differently, that if I had taken more risks for myself and done more...maybe so many people wouldn't have suffered' he then let out a deep breath. 'And since this Universe already has a successor for Yhwach I am not really needed anymore'

Keigo then looked at Ichigo with a blank expression...and then proceeded to punch him so hard on top of his head that he slammed into the ground.

'WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!' Ichigo shouted back while Keigo cleaned his ear.

'Nothing, I just rather deal with you being a crude yet light-hearted guy than you being a whiny bitch who moans all the time,' Keigo responded dismissively. A tic appeared on Ichigo's forehead.

'You could have just told me that instead of trying to cave in my skull!'

Keigo rolled his eyes and leaned his head to the left. 'I could...' he grinned deviously. 'But then it wouldn't be nearly as much fun!'

Ichigo then gave him a deadpan expression and then rubbed his head. 'Well I'm happy got your kicks'

Keigo then looked at Ichigo seriously. 'And you should also know that no one here is making you leave Ichigo or blaming you for anything.' The shinigami then looked at the brunette in surprise. 'And every Quincy and every Fullbringer who serves the soul society knew what they were getting into when wagging that war with the hollows, and they had known that for over fifty years at this point.' He then looked over to the horizon. 'Everyone knew that an outcome like this could happen despite all the preparations that were made, and no one was guaranteed to come out of this conflict unscathed.' He then turned to face Ichigo. 'It may be impossible not to feel that you are responsible for everything and have thoughts that you could do better. But don't ever believe that you are no longer needed here' He then placed his hands on Ichigo's left shoulder. 'Because regardless if you go back home or not, you are always welcome here too'

Ichigo's face smiled warmly, and he rubbed the back of his head.

'Thanks for that...Keigo'

His friend then smiled. 'Well, come on,' he said, getting up. 'The rest of the guys are having a victory party and wouldn't be complete without you there!'

Meanwhile, within one of the bedrooms of the Black's residents, Bazzard was busy overlooking a heavy stylized white uniform encrusted in golden trimmings, silver buttons, and a long black cape draped around its shoulders.

It was worn only by Quincy, who was coronated to become the King of Souls and the Monarch of the Holy Kingdom. It symbolized their vast wealth, power, and responsibility over their kind and the entirety of the three worlds.

Yet when Bazzard looked at it, he felt no pride, joy, or anticipation of putting on the garb.

But shallowness and guilt.

'I told you that I would make you king, my son,' Joseph spoke as he entered the room while Bazzard growled in irritation.

'You don't need to rub it in,' The younger man bitterly countered as he remembered his father saying that to him when he visited his family's mansion a few days ago. 'I am still wrapping my head around how you managed to pull it off...along with all the people who died because of it'

Joseph then stared at his son momentarily and huffed in amusement. 'Such sacrifices had to be made to gain power and security, child. If anything, you should be grateful that you didn't have to play any part in it while my associates and I did all the dirty work'

Bazzard bared his teeth. 'Your work practically crippled the holy kingdom for generations to come, Father, and nearly destroyed us all in the process!' He then glared at Joseph. 'Tell me, had it ever occurred to you what would have happened if Barragan had won and never bothered to hold up his side of the bargain to spare you, your associates, or me!?'

Joseph then raised his left eyebrow for a moment and then sighed. 'You focus too much on what could have been Bazzard instead of what will be,' he replied evenly. 'For despite all your criticism of my methods, Barragan is dead, the war against Heuco Mundo is over, and soon a thousand years of impurity, dishonor, and disgrace will soon be purged'

Bazzard then narrowed his eyes and gave a doubtful expression to Joseph. 'Assuming that there would be even a kingdom left after cleaning up all this mess'

The Head of the Black Family stared at his son momentarily and smiled. 'Oh, I assure you, Bazzard, that as long as you follow my lead...' he then frowned and glared at the Sternritter, who took a step back. 'And don't end up as a disappointment like last time. This Kingdom will arise from this catastrophe and stronger than it ever was before' He walked up to his son and got right in his face, flashing an assured, smug yet maniacal grin. 'I guarantee it'