Hello, everyone. ThunderReborn from 2025. This chapter has originally been edited by TM11 when this chapter was originally released. On April 1st, 2020, this chapter was edited again by Darklord331. Finally, in April 2025, this chapter was edited again by my current beta reader, Waroyer123. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the story.
The following is a fan-based parody.
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo, TV Tokyo, Viz Media, Studio Pierrot... and other people.
Yugioh is owned by Kazuki Takahashi, Konami… 4Kids?... and other people.
All other references of characters or abilities are not mine.
Please support the official release.
"Hello." -Normal talking
"Hello." –Ichigo's thoughts.
"Hello." – Zanpakutō speaking
"Hello." – Zanpakutō thoughts.
Kon'nichiwa [Translation of Hello]
Chapter 17:
It has been a few days since the Battle City tournament, and many finalists have found themselves running and hiding from their enthusiastic fangirls and fanboys. Ichigo even had to enlist the help of Rias and Sona to keep an eye on Yuzu and Karin, worried that some of the fans might become overly aggressive back in Kuoh Town. Meanwhile, in Domino City, Ichigo continued to protect both himself and Seto from the relentless attention of their admirers. Aside from that, life returned to a relatively normal routine. Ichigo spent time outdoors honing his elemental manipulation abilities, having mastered the basic four elements: fire, water, wind, and earth, as well as their alternate forms—lightning, ice, lava, and metal.
While practicing his techniques one day, Ichigo noticed someone lurking nearby. Without hesitation, he hurled a spear of ice toward the intruder. The figure leaped away just in time, landing gracefully on the ground. Ichigo quickly identified the stranger as an Arrancar—a tall, slender individual with short, swept-back red hair that formed peaks at either side of his head. A mask fragment covered his left eye, adorned with three holes, and he wore a long, white, double-breasted trench coat with shoulder straps, cinched at the waist by a black belt featuring a decorative buckle, over white trousers and trench boots.
"What do you want, Arrancar?" Ichigo demanded, turning to face him.
"I am not an Arrancar!" the figure shot back, summoning a cannon and firing reishi bullets at Ichigo. Ichigo deftly dodged the attacks.
"Stop dodging me!" the figure yelled, creating more cannons to unleash a barrage of fire. Ichigo retaliated with ice spears and bolts of lightning. "Come on! Release your powers!" the not-Arrancar shouted.
Ichigo ignored the provocation and began to summon lava beneath the not-Arrancar's feet. As he did this, he continued launching ice spears and lightning bolts, forcing his opponent to remain in place while Ichigo set the trap. With a loud yell, Ichigo summoned the lava, ensnaring the not-Arrancar.
"What the FUCK!" the not-Arrancar screamed, writhing in pain.
"Now then, tell me who you are, or things will get worse," Ichigo said, narrowing his eyes at the figure, who glared back defiantly while struggling against the heat. "One more time… Who are you?" Ichigo pressed, conjuring more lava around him. In response, the not-Arrancar gathered the reishi in the area and unleashed an explosion. Ichigo leaped back just in time to avoid the blast, and as the smoke cleared, he saw a heavily burned being.
"We will meet again, Kurosaki Ichigo!" the not-Arrancar declared as his shadow expanded and engulfed him, leaving Ichigo alone amidst the scorched clearing. Ichigo let out a sigh as he began to clean up the aftermath. He reflected on the encounter, noting that although the intruder resembled an Arrancar, his ability to manipulate reishi was akin to that of a Quincy. Ichigo decided this was a matter he needed to discuss with Urahara.
After taking a shower, Ichigo headed downstairs to find Seto and Mokuba watching him curiously.
"What's up?" Ichigo asked.
"What was all that noise from your training area?" Seto inquired.
"A strange person attacked me," Ichigo replied.
"Really?" Seto raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Ichigo confirmed. "Speaking of which, I'm going to consult an old acquaintance to see if he knows anything about this stranger."
"Okay," Seto replied.
With that, Ichigo retreated to his room and dialed Urahara Shōten's phone number. After a few seconds, the line connected.
"Hello, this is Urahara Shōten. We are—" Tessai began, only to be interrupted by Ichigo.
"Tessai, it's Ichigo," he said.
"Kurosaki-dono!" Tessai exclaimed in surprise.
"Is Urahara available?" Ichigo asked.
"He is—" Tessai started before a Garganta opened beside him, revealing Ichigo stepping through. A small smile crossed Ichigo's face as he noted Tessai's shock at his sudden appearance. After Tessai recovered, he led Ichigo to the waiting room at the back. Ichigo sat down, eager for Urahara's arrival. Moments later, the sliding door opened to reveal Urahara.
"Hello, Ichigo," Urahara greeted.
"Hello, Urahara," Ichigo replied.
"So, what can I do for you?" Urahara asked.
"Tell me what's happening in Soul Society," Ichigo said.
"How do you know something is going on in Soul Society?" Urahara replied, his curiosity piqued.
"This morning, an Arrancar attacked me. During the fight, he used Quincy techniques and urged me to unleash my powers," Ichigo explained.
"Really?" Urahara said, intrigued.
"Yes," Ichigo affirmed.
"Well, a few days ago, Fukutaichō Chōjirō Sasakibe was attacked in Yamamoto-Sōtaichō's office by an unknown group. One member of that group declared that the Wandenreich intended to destroy Soul Society in five days. After rescuing Fukutaichō Sasakibe, Yamamoto confronted the masked men as they vanished into shadows. Before Fukutaichō Sasakibe succumbed to his wounds, he warned Yamamoto that this group could affect a Shinigami's Bankai," Urahara recounted.
"So... the Quincy have begun their attacks," Ichigo concluded.
"What?" Urahara exclaimed, surprised by Ichigo's insight. Just then, Tessai burst into the room.
"Boss!" Tessai called urgently.
"Yes, Tessai?" Urahara responded.
"You and Kurosaki-dono need to see this," Tessai insisted. Ichigo and Urahara followed Tessai to the front of the store, where two beings lay on the ground. One was larger and appeared humanoid, with a head almost entirely covered by a white insect-like mask.
"Pesche!" Ichigo exclaimed, rushing to his fallen ally.
"Ic… Ichigo?" Pesche managed to say weakly.
"Yes, Pesche," Ichigo replied, kneeling beside him.
"Ichigo… please…" Pesche began, trailing off as he struggled to continue.
"Please… what?" Ichigo asked.
"Please… take care of Mistress Ne—" Pesche managed to say before collapsing from his wounds. Ichigo noticed that Pesche's arms were protectively wrapped around Nel. Gently, he pried Nel from Pesche's grasp, and as he did, Pesche's body began to dissolve into reishi. Ichigo laid Nel on the ground and cast a kidō spell to assess her injuries. Both Urahara and Tessai looked on in surprise, taken aback by Ichigo's proficiency in kidō.
Through the spell, Ichigo discovered that Nel's condition was critical; her body was leaking reiatsu at an alarming rate and lacked the energy to regenerate itself.
"There has to be a way to save her," Ichigo thought desperately.
"Well… we might have one idea, but it's uncertain," Kyōka spoke up.
"What is it?" Ichigo asked, eager for any solution.
"We could try using one of your Chaos Pieces on her," Kyōka suggested.
"My Chaos Piece?" Ichigo replied, surprised.
"It might work," Hōgyoku added.
"How exactly?" Ichigo inquired.
"Since your Chaos Pieces are formed from the combination of your reiatsu, they may be able to sustain and heal her," Kyōka explained.
"All right, let's try it," Ichigo said. He summoned one of his Rook pieces and carefully placed it into Nel's body. Nel's form began to glow a vivid green, which shifted into the familiar hues of Ichigo's reiatsu—black, red, white, and blue. A bright flash followed, and when it faded, Ichigo saw Nel's true form. She was now a fully grown, curvaceous woman with flowing greenish-blue hair, a faint scar, and a crimson line across her face. Her gown was torn into a skirt and top, joined by a single strip across her abdomen, and her mask fragment appeared sharper and more horn-like, though still missing some teeth.
Ichigo cast the kidō spell again to check how the Chaos Piece was integrating.
"It seems the reiatsu from the Chaos Piece has successfully integrated into Nel and stabilized her," Kyōka observed.
"Then why is she still unconscious?" Ichigo asked.
"It's likely due to her mental state," Hōgyoku explained.
"Mental state?" Ichigo questioned.
"Yes. Remember, Nel doesn't remember everything that Nelliel does. Now, their minds need to resolve who will be dominant—or perhaps they'll merge into a unified consciousness," Hōgyoku elaborated.
"I see," Ichigo said, deep in thought. He then carefully lifted Nel and carried her into Urahara Shōten, where Tessai led him to a room to lay her down.
"Tessai," Ichigo began.
"Yes, Kurosaki-sama?" Tessai responded.
"Please keep watch over her. Allow no one, not even Urahara, to disturb her," Ichigo instructed.
"Understood, Kurosaki-sama," Tessai said. With that, Ichigo opened a Garganta.
"Kurosaki-sama, where are you going?" Tessai asked.
"Where else?" Ichigo replied, shifting into his soul form. "Hueco Mundo," he stated before stepping into the Garganta.
"Kurosaki-sama has become incredibly strong," Tessai commented.
"He certainly has," Urahara agreed.
Scene Change: Hueco Mundo
Ichigo emerged from the Garganta into Hueco Mundo. He summoned Yorugetsu as he landed on a sandhill and surveyed his surroundings. The area was littered with the bodies of fallen Arrancars, and blue flames crackled across the ground.
"This fire is created from condensed reishi," Yhwach's voice explained in Ichigo's mind. In the distance, Ichigo spotted a group of Quincies moving away from the destruction. He chose to follow on foot rather than using Shunpō or Sonído to avoid detection. As he drew closer, he saw the Quincies approaching a broken wall. Stealthily positioning himself nearby, he overheard their conversation.
"In a line! Stand with your backs to the wall!" one Quincy commanded. The cloaked group complied, albeit slowly. "Move faster! It takes nothing to put a few extra holes in you!" he threatened. Sitting on a throne nearby was a figure Ichigo recognized—Quilge Opie, one of the Quincies involved in his mother and Uryū's abduction.
"Order! Order!" Quilge barked, slamming his spear to silence the group. "We will now hold a selection tournament for both Arrancars and Hollows! Who will live? Who will die?" he sneered. "You were all chosen for your luck, intelligence, and strength in surviving our first strike. Don't waste this opportunity!" Quilge continued, advancing toward the captives. "Do you want to live? Do you want to become one of us? Then kneel before me and beg, licking my shoes if you must!" he demanded.
When no one moved, he scowled. "Fine. Starting from the right, I'll stab each of you to death, one by one!" He raised his spear, but one of the robed figures stepped forward.
"Will… Will I be spared if I pledge myself to you now?" the Hollow stammered.
Quilge stabbed the Hollow in the chest. "That's not how it works!" he snarled, stabbing him again. "You must pass a test to be accepted. This 'selection' is merely your chance to apply. Anyone who fails to understand that will end up like this!" Quilge shouted, continuing to stab the Hollow. He moved to the next in line, but the figure dodged his spear, and another appeared beside him, slicing through Quilge's weapon and pointing a sword at his face.
The two cloaked figures lowered their hoods, revealing themselves as those who had tortured Orihime. Quilge quickly drew his saber, shattering their swords with a swift strike. Turning to his men, Quilge barked, "They've passed. Beat them, but don't kill them," and with that, he walked away, allowing his saber to vanish.
"Gyah!" one of the captives cried out as the Quincies advanced on them.
"I said not to overdo it—" Quilge Opie began, but he turned just in time to see a bloodied ring-like object hurtling toward him. He caught it deftly. "What… are you?" he asked, confusion etched on his face as he spotted Mila Rose, Apacci, and Sung-Sun launching an assault against him and his men. He allowed his subordinates to engage the three Arrancars, but one by one, his men fell, until only Quilge remained, facing the victorious trio.
"Congratulations on defeating my men. I have a proposal for you," he declared, a hint of arrogance in his voice.
"Ah?" Apacci replied, intrigued but wary.
"You're strong—remarkably so! You would make perfect pawns for His Majesty," Quilge boasted, a twisted smile on his face. "That's why I don't want to kill you; I'm suggesting that you surrender. Imagine working for His Majesty alongside your dear Tier Harribel! There would be no greater happiness for you than what I just offered!"
Suddenly, the wall behind the three girls cracked and began to crumble.
"Don't underestimate us, you four-eyed monkey!" Apacci and Mila Rose shouted in unison.
"Please, do not misjudge us," Sung-Sun added calmly.
"Oh?" Quilge said, surprised by their defiance. "So, you don't wish to negotiate? How unfortunate." With that, he charged at the Arrancars.
Meanwhile, Ichigo opened a small Gate of Hell to prevent the souls of the fallen Quincies from returning to Yhwach. He noticed that many of the hollows captured by the Quincies had fled during the chaos. As he observed the battle, he realized that the Arrancars were struggling against Quilge's power.
Quilge drew back his bow and released a massive arrow aimed at the injured Arrancars. "This is the fate of those who defy His Majesty's will!" he bellowed as he loosed the arrow.
In an instant, Ichigo leaped in front of the three Arrancars, using Yorugetsu to split the arrow in half. The two halves whizzed past him and exploded in the distance.
"Oh? A Shinigami now? How curious to see one defending a group of Arrancars. But I know who you are, Kurosaki Ichigo," Quilge said, eyeing him intently. Ichigo remained impassive, recalling the earlier encounter with this man. "The information provided by His Majesty may have been flawed, but we determined that you are a Special War Potential and must be dealt with immediately!"
Three Quincies suddenly appeared above Ichigo, using Hirenkyaku. Each summoned their bows, aiming their Heilig Pfeils at him. Ichigo swiftly used Shunpō to evade their attacks. The leader smirked as he drew his saber and prepared for the fight.
Scene Change: Silbern
In a distant chamber, a Quincy soldier received a telegram from the 1st Iacto Arme. He hurried to Yhwach, who had the soldier report the contents of the report with growing interest.
"The special war potential, Kurosaki Ichigo, has infiltrated Hueco Mundo. He is currently engaged in combat with Captain Supervisor Quilge Opie," the soldier reported. A grin spread across Yhwach's face as he stood from his throne.
"Well then, let's go," Yhwach said, stretching.
"Uh… Your Majesty, where?" the soldier asked, confused.
"Where?" Yhwach echoed, his gaze piercing. When the soldier remained silent, Yhwach sighed. "To Soul Society," he clarified. "I don't know why he has ventured into Hueco Mundo, but fighting Quilge will keep him occupied for a while. It's the perfect opportunity… to strike at Soul Society. Notify all the Sternritters," he commanded.
"YES, SIR!" the soldier replied before swiftly leaving the throne room.
Scene Change: Hueco Mundo
Ichigo used Shunpō to dodge the attacks of the Quincy soldiers.
"Where did he go?" one soldier asked, puzzled.
"Ha! He probably ran off because he's too weak to fight us!" another scoffed.
"I disagree. Keep your eyes peeled," the third soldier warned.
"Please, as if he could outsmart us," the second soldier retorted. Just then, a katana pierced through the second soldier's chest from behind. "Gah!" he gasped.
Ichigo cut downward, freeing Yorugetsu from the Quincy's body, and leaving him lifeless on the ground.
"Eat this!" the first soldier yelled, firing a volley of Heilig Pfeils at Ichigo. Unfazed, Ichigo deflected the arrows with Yorugetsu, advancing steadily.
The third soldier began firing his own Heilig Pfeils, but Ichigo effortlessly swatted them away. The two remaining soldiers paused, their fingers bleeding from drawing their bows too frequently. Seizing the moment of distraction, Ichigo used Shunpō to close the gap and swiftly decapitated both soldiers with a single swing.
Cleaning the blood from Yorugetsu, Ichigo noticed the leader charging up a cluster of Heilig Pfeils, sending them hurtling toward him. The impact raised a cloud of dust and sand.
"What happened to you!? You're not that weak!" the leader exclaimed, frustration mounting. As the dust settled, he spotted a Khyber knife that had absorbed much of the attack. "A zanpakutō?" he questioned.
"Weird. Ishida said Quincies only used bows," Ichigo replied, flinging the Heilig Pfeils back at the leader. The blast kicked up more sand and debris. Ichigo landed gracefully, retrieving Zangetsu from the ground. From the dust, six outlines of Heilig Pfeils charged toward him.
Ichigo launched a nameless Getsuga Tenshō at the incoming arrows, causing them to detonate prematurely.
"I see… When someone can dodge, repel, and return your Heilig Pfeils with their bare hands, it highlights the flaws in your techniques," Quilge Opie remarked, adjusting his glasses.
"Don't worry, yours are still more powerful than Ishida's, though it's been a while since I faced them," Ichigo replied, a hint of challenge in his voice.
"Ishida?" the leader inquired. "Are you referring to Uryū Ishida?"
"So you know him, too. Who the hell are you?" Ichigo asked, curiosity piqued.
"So Uryū Ishida's Heilig Pfeil is weaker than mine… that's strange." Ichigo felt a twinge of confusion but masked it. "It's impossible," Quilge Opie muttered, adjusting his glasses once more.
"What do you mean?" Ichigo pressed.
"Oops. They say speech is silver, silence is golden." Quilge lifted a finger to his lips. "Pardon me, I revealed too much. It seems I'll have even more to report to His Majesty after this fight." He pressed a finger to his ear. "I've just received orders from His Majesty to defeat you immediately," Quilge stated, lowering his finger. "In other words, you're going to die here." Ichigo gripped both Zangetsu firmly, ready to counterattack.
"You don't need to worry about us or about our matters," Quilge added as he donned a glove, preparing for battle.
"Ichigo, be careful of that glove," Yhwach warned, his tone grave.
"I'm sure you've at least heard of this power… The Quincy: Letzt Stil!" Quilge Opie declared, pulling off the glove. A brilliant white pillar of light shot upward, and at its pinnacle, a symbol resembling the Quincy Cross materialized. As the bright light began to fade, a figure emerged, reminiscent of an angel. Quilge was transformed, adorned with angelic wings, boots, and gauntlets. A sword extended from his right hand, a large holster across his chest, and a halo shaped like the Quincy Zeichen floated above him. "Let me teach you the name of this form… Quincy: Vollständig," Quilge announced with a flourish. "Can you feel it? My pulsating power!"
In an instant, he appeared behind Ichigo. "The power of the one who will punish you!" Quilge proclaimed, swinging his sword at Ichigo, who swiftly turned to block the attack. Ichigo shunpō'ed away, creating distance.
"Getsuga Jūjishō!" Ichigo shouted, swinging both swords toward Quilge. The impact sent a cloud of dust into the air, and when it settled, it revealed that Quilge had taken damage from Ichigo's strike.
"Interesting. It seems our powers are nearly even right now," Quilge remarked, noting the injury he had sustained. He raised his sword, which began to glow with a fierce white light. "Come! Prepare to receive it! My Vollständig Biskiel's power!" He swung his sword with intent.
Suddenly, a massive fist struck Quilge, knocking him off balance. "What?" he exclaimed, turning to see a colossal being with a white deer skull at its center. The creature had a long, dark brown mane flowing down its back, its arms and legs covered in light brown fur, and a greenish-white snake tail extending from its lower body. Instead of feet, it had two black hooves. "What is that monster?" Quilge asked in disbelief.
"Did you think we couldn't fight anymore?" Mila Rose challenged.
"I thought I told you not to underestimate us," Sung-Sun added firmly.
"Show that four-eyed fool what you can do!" Apacci yelled.
"Ayon!" the three shouted in unison, and the beast let out a deafening roar.
"Ayon is a monster created by merging our left arms! It's powerful, but it can't discriminate!" Apacci explained. "This time, you're not our enemy. If you don't want to die, you'd better run, Shinigami!" Ayon roared and lunged at Quilge, delivering a flurry of punches.
"Oops, maybe we went a bit too far?" Apacci said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "I must say, you're pretty sturdy. You're still standing even after Ayon pounded you!"
But just then, Quilge managed to stab Apacci in the chest. "GAH!?" she gasped, shock and pain crossing her features.
"I see… They didn't warn me about such power," Quilge said slowly, pushing himself upright. "I must advise His Majesty to adjust the strength of our Blut," he added, spitting blood onto the ground. Both Sung-Sun and Mila Rose were astonished that Quilge could rise after Ayon's assault. "But before that, I need to eliminate you all quickly." He turned his attention back to Ayon. "Well, since you're such an ugly monster, you'll be the first to die."
Mila Rose quickly realized the gravity of the situation as Ayon charged at Quilge. "Wait, Ayon! Don't!" she yelled, but it was too late. Ayon's flesh began to transform into reishi and was drawn toward Quilge.
"Sklaverei," Quilge stated, naming his technique. "This utilizes a Quincy's basic ability to gather reishi most effectively—by enslaving it. I didn't want to resort to this," he admitted. The transformation was evident as he morphed from an angelic figure into a demonic being, advancing toward the three Arrancars.
Seizing the opportunity, Ichigo prepared to attack. He raised his hands together, a black sphere forming between them. "Cero Nueva Luna! [New Moon]!" Ichigo shouted, unleashing a concentrated blast of hollow reiatsu that pierced Quilge's chest. The leader collapsed to the ground, gasping in shock.
Ichigo approached the fallen figure, summoning Hell Fire and preparing to drop it when Yhwach intervened.
"Wait, Ichigo," Yhwach cautioned.
"Yes, Yhwach?" Ichigo asked, pausing.
"Before you send him to hell, remove the schrift from his soul," Yhwach instructed.
"Schrift?" Ichigo echoed, puzzled.
"The schrift is a fragment of Yhwach's soul that grants them their powers," Yhwach explained.
"Okay. How do I do that?" Ichigo inquired.
"Say, 'I, your name, in the name of Yhwach, reclaim the schrift bestowed upon,'" Yhwach guided.
"And where does the schrift go?" Ichigo pressed.
"The schrift's power will be absorbed by you, while the fragment of Yhwach's soul will be pushed into Hell," Yhwach clarified.
"Got it," Ichigo replied, dismissing the Hell Fire from his hand. "I, Kurosaki Ichigo, in the name of Yhwach, reclaim the schrift bestowed upon," he recited. Quilge's body spasmed as a small soul fragment floated from his mouth and flew into Ichigo's ring.
"Schrift J acquired," Yhwach reported. With that, Ichigo allowed Hell Fire to consume Quilge. He summoned a portal to Hell and hurled the body through. Dusting his hands off, he turned to the injured Arrancars, who needed medical attention.
"I'm here to help," Ichigo said, addressing the two remaining members.
"Where will you take us?" Sung-Sun asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"I'll take you three to someone who's taking care of another Arrancar right now," Ichigo assured them.
Sung-Sun and Mila Rose exchanged glances before Sung-Sun turned to Ichigo. "Okay," she agreed.
Ichigo summoned a cloud of air and placed all three Arrancars on it. Then, he opened a Garganta and stepped through, the cloud carrying the Arrancars to Urahara Shōten.
Scene Change: Urahara Shōten
Ichigo, Apacci, Sung-Sun, and Mila Rose emerged from the Garganta, finding Nel still unconscious. "Please stay here while I find someone to heal all of you," Ichigo said, stepping out of the room.
"We should leave," Mila Rose suggested, her tone wary.
"Why?" Sung-Sun asked, puzzled.
"He is a Shinigami, and they are our enemy," Mila Rose replied.
"True, but he defended us from that monster," Sung-Sun countered. Before Mila Rose could respond, the door opened, and Ichigo entered with Tessai and Urahara.
"Kurosaki-dono, more Arrancars?" Tessai asked, a note of surprise in his voice.
"Yes. Could you please take care of them for now?" Ichigo requested.
"Of course, Kurosaki-dono," Tessai replied, immediately beginning to cast healing kidō on Apacci. Just then, Urahara's phone rang.
"Hello! Akon-san, it's been a while. How are you?" Urahara answered cheerfully.
"I have urgent business with Kurosaki Ichigo! He's there, isn't he? Put him on, now!" Akon demanded.
"Why? He doesn't have any powers," Urahara teased.
"Urahara now is not the time for jokes! I've accessed cameras we left in Hueco Mundo, and they captured Ichigo's battle with the Quincies. We need his help urgently!" Akon replied, his tone serious.
"All right, give me a moment," Urahara said, handing the phone to Ichigo.
"Is this Kurosaki Ichigo?" Akon asked.
"Yes, speaking," Ichigo replied.
"Please, listen carefully and try not to lose hope," Akon began. "Currently, our casualties are at 2,245 soldiers, 16 seated officers, and one lieutenant whose reiatsu has vanished. The count is climbing by the second, but consider this a rough estimate."
"Wait—'vanished'? Does that mean they're dead?" Ichigo asked, tearing open a Garganta as he spoke.
"It's uncertain," Akon answered. "I'm reporting what we know so far," he clarified. Taking a deep breath, he continued, "In the enemy ranks, there are at least 16 individuals with power equal to or greater than our captains. They call themselves the Sternritters and wear traditional Quincy white. So far, we've suffered devastating losses without a single victory."
"What abilities does the enemy possess?" Ichigo pressed.
"We know almost nothing, except for one critical thing—they can steal Bankai," Akon reported grimly.
"So, my earlier warning was ignored," Ichigo muttered.
"What warning?" Akon asked, confused.
"Never mind. I'm about to arrive in Soul Society," Ichigo said, ending the call as he exited the Garganta and stepped into Soul Society.
Scene Change: Soul Society
Ichigo landed amid the ruins of Soul Society, surveying the destruction. He walked forward and saw Rukia, Renji, and Byakuya, each severely beaten and injured.
"Are… Rukia and Renji… alive?" Byakuya managed to ask, his voice weak.
"They're alive," Ichigo confirmed.
"Good," Byakuya said, allowing a faint smile to cross his face. "I won't… last much longer. Despite being a captain of the Gotei 13… I couldn't defeat the vile enemy who invaded the Seireitei. I let countless soldiers die, and in the end, I was disgracefully defeated. It shames me deeply," Byakuya admitted, his voice filled with regret. "But you… you're a human, someone who shouldn't even be involved in this war. And yet… I have a favor to ask, a final request," he continued, tears slipping from his eyes. "Please, protect Soul Society, Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Ichigo nodded, giving a reassuring smile. "Even if you didn't ask, I would have done it," he replied. He summoned a gust of air, shaping it into a cloud (1), then gently placed Byakuya's body on it, followed by Rukia's and Renji's. Once they were all secure, he used Shunpō to transport the cloud to the Fourth Squad Barracks. "Hey! We have two lieutenants and a captain in need of urgent medical attention!" Ichigo shouted as he arrived. Medics rushed forward with stretchers, and Ichigo carefully transferred them over.
Suddenly, he sensed something… familiar. "So, you're here, Jack…" Ichigo thought, using Shunpō to locate his brother.
Scene Change:
Yamamoto-Sōtaichō stood face-to-face with Yhwach, the leader of the Quincy army. He had just finished a grueling battle with a decoy created by Loyd Royd. Yhwach smirked, thanking him for his service before striking the decoy down.
"Hello, Shigekuni Yamamoto. Used up all your strength on my fake, have you?" Yhwach taunted.
"Silence!" Yamamoto roared. "BANKAI!" he shouted, attempting to summon Zanka no Tachi once more. But before the flames could ignite, a medallion in Yhwach's hand absorbed his Bankai.
"It's not that we couldn't steal your Bankai, but your power is simply too great for anyone else to control. That's why I ordered Royd not to act before I returned," Yhwach explained, smirking as he examined the medallion in his hand. "What should I do with this? Perhaps I'll use your Bankai's power to reanimate the corpses of your fallen soldiers, Yamamoto Genryūsai," he sneered.
"Bastard!" Yamamoto spat, his fury boiling over. Suddenly, a massive sword shot down from the sky, landing beside Yhwach. The weapon was a large broadsword with protrusions that formed the shape of the Wandenreich insignia.
"Farewell, Shigekuni Yamamoto," Yhwach said, raising his sword to strike, only to be intercepted by Ichigo.
"Kurosaki…" Yamamoto murmured, his gaze drawn to the haori draped over Ichigo's shoulders. "Yamamoto…" he repeated, as memories flooded back from a distant past.
"It seems you remember this haori… Jack," Ichigo said, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Kurosaki Ichigo," Yhwach muttered, recognizing his opponent. Ichigo closed the gap with Shunpō, launching a fierce attack. Yhwach raised his broadsword to block, but Ichigo was relentless. He kicked Yhwach in the chest with a powerful combination of air bending and Blut Arterie, sending him hurtling toward a nearby building.
"So, you're aware of your lineage," Yhwach observed, noticing the telltale signs of Ichigo's active Blut Arterie.
"I do. I know about my mother and my father," Ichigo replied.
"I see… Then why do you side with the Shinigami?" Yhwach asked, his voice laced with curiosity. Ichigo didn't answer, but his gaze was steady.
"You should be more concerned about yourself instead of worrying about my allegiance," Ichigo said calmly.
"What?" Yhwach asked, confused. Ichigo held up the medallion Yhwach had used to seal Zanka no Tachi. Yhwach's eyes widened as he checked his pocket, finding it empty.
"What can you do with that?" Yhwach asked, attempting to intimidate him.
"Nothing," Ichigo replied, dropping the medallion. "Except to bring a combatant back into this fight!" He raised his sword and shattered the medallion, releasing a surge of flames from its cracks.
"Bankai!" Yamamoto-Sōtaichō roared. "Zanka no Tachi!" Fire erupted around him as he reclaimed his Bankai. Both Ichigo and Yamamoto-Sōtaichō aimed their swords at Yhwach, ready to strike. Yhwach readied his broadsword, but before they could clash, shadows began to wrap around him.
"This is…" Yhwach muttered, recognizing the force pulling him back.
"It's time, Your Majesty," said a calm voice. Ichigo looked to see a tall, slender young man with long blonde hair and a traditional Quincy uniform, complete with a hooded cloak trimmed with dark green fur and a green belt.
"You can't remain outside the Schatten Bereich any longer. Please return to the Vandenreich," the young man insisted.
"I understand. Let's go," Yhwach said, and the shadows enveloped them both as they disappeared.
Ichigo turned to see Yamamoto-Sōtaichō, who had already sealed his Bankai and sheathed his Zanpakutō, leaning heavily on his cane, clearly feeling his age.
"Let me help you to the Fourth Division," Ichigo said, steadying the now-unconscious Yamamoto-Sōtaichō.
"Hōgyoku," Ichigo called out.
"Yes, Ichigo?" replied Hōgyoku.
"Locate all the Quincies who were killed today and send their souls to Hell," Ichigo commanded.
"What about the Sternritters?" Hōgyoku asked.
"If you find a dead Sternritter, signal Yhwach to your location to extract their Schrifts, before proceeding with sending their souls to Hell," Ichigo instructed.
"Understood," Hōgyoku replied, beginning the mission. Ichigo then Shunpō'ed to the Fourth Division, where he noticed no one had yet seen him arrive.
"Unohana-san!" Ichigo called out.
"Yes, Kuro—" Captain Unohana began, then gasped as she saw Yamamoto-Sōtaichō leaning against Ichigo, covered in injuries.
"Sōtaichō!" she cried, silencing the entire Fourth Division. "Get a stretcher, now!" she ordered, and the division sprang into action, bringing a stretcher for Yamamoto-Sōtaichō. As Ichigo carefully placed him down, he heard someone call out to him.
"Ichigo." Turning, he saw Hirako approaching.
"Hello," Ichigo greeted him.
"I… I wanted to apologize for—" Hirako started, but Ichigo interrupted him.
"Not now. Take care of the injured Shinigami. Once we win this war, we can talk," Ichigo replied firmly.
"All right. I just finished operating on Rukia-chan and Abarai," Hirako explained. "This time, it was too severe for just reiatsu healing, so I performed surgery with all I had."
A Fourth Division member approached, handing Hirako a clipboard. "According to this report, their conditions are now stable," Hirako said.
"Ichigo…" Rukia's weak voice came from nearby. Ichigo looked over to see her, her head and right eye bandaged. Tears began to form in her eyes. "Ichigo… I'm sorry."
"Like I told Hirako, once we win this war, we'll discuss it," Ichigo reassured her.
"All right," Rukia said, accepting his words. "Even after what happened, despite everything… you still came to protect Soul Society. Thank you, Ichigo," she said gratefully. He gave her a small, reassuring smile.
"Ichigo-san!" a Fourth Division member called out. Ichigo turned to see a nervous Hanatarō Yamada approaching.
"Hello, Hanatarō. What's up?" Ichigo asked.
"Yamamoto-Sōtaichō just regained consciousness and asked to see you," Hanatarō informed him.
"Understood," Ichigo said, nodding. "Lead the way, Hanatarō."
Hanatarō led Ichigo to a quiet room away from the main ward. When they entered, Ichigo saw Yamamoto-Sōtaichō, bandaged nearly everywhere except his mouth and right eye.
"Kurosaki Ichigo," Yamamoto-Sōtaichō greeted him, his voice faint but steady.
"Relax, Genryūsai," Ichigo replied, sitting down in a nearby chair.
"So… we have met in the past?" Genryūsai asked, curiosity flickering in his gaze.
"We did," Ichigo confirmed, recounting their encounter in the 'Aku-infested future' and how they had sealed Aku together in the past.
"I see… and judging by your haori, that wasn't long ago for you," Genryūsai observed.
"True, It was about two weeks ago for me," Ichigo guessed.
"For me, it has been over two thousand years," Genryūsai reflected.
"Yeah," Ichigo said, rising from his seat. "Now, get some rest," he advised, heading toward the door. Just as he was about to leave, Captain Unohana approached him.
"Kurosaki-san. Come with me," Unohana instructed.
"Why?" Ichigo asked, raising an eyebrow.
"We just received a transmission from Kurotsuchi-taichō: the Zero Division is coming," Unohana replied.
"I see. When will they arrive?" Ichigo inquired.
"In approximately one hour," she answered.
"Where?" Ichigo pressed.
"On the outskirts of the Seireitei, near the north entrance," Unohana said.
"Okay, thanks," Ichigo replied, turning to leave the Fourth Division. As he walked, he sensed Hōgyoku and Yhwach returning to his mindscape.
"So, how did it go?" Ichigo asked.
"We managed to collect the Schrifts Q, R, Y, and O," Yhwach reported.
"Good," Ichigo said, glancing at the time and noting that the Zero Division's arrival was imminent. He Shunpō'ed to the outskirts of the Seireitei, where he found Yoruichi, Rose, Hirako, Komamura, Kyōraku, Kensei, Tōshirō, Kurotsuchi, and Ukitake gathered.
After a brief wait, a massive white pillar descended, crashing near their location. The pillar opened, and five figures emerged, each engaging in conversation with their former allies. The atmosphere transformed into one of joyful reunion as old friends greeted one another.
"Oh… the members of the Zero Division haven't changed," Kyōraku remarked. "So, what brings you here this time?" He abruptly shattered the celebratory mood. One of the newcomers turned to Kyōraku before shifting his gaze to Ichigo.
"Are you Kurosaki Ichigo?" he asked. Ichigo studied the man: he was large and broad, with a bald head, red eyes, bushy eyebrows, and a long black beard. He wore the standard Shinigami uniform beneath a white, long-sleeved haori emblazoned with the Royal Guard's emblem, the top of which was open enough to reveal his hairy chest. Around his neck hung a large set of red prayer beads, and he wore a single-toothed tengu geta. "This time, following the will of the Soul King, we have come to rebuild the 13 Divisions. But before anything else, Kurosaki Ichigo, we are taking you to the palace," the man declared.
Before anyone could object, another voice interjected, "I've finished collecting everyone on the list except you." Ichigo turned to see a slender, youthful woman with long black hair adorned with a large golden crescent moon ornament. She wore the standard Shinigami uniform beneath a white long-sleeved haori and a further white robe fastened at her chest. Long, slender mechanical arms sprouted from her back, each holding large translucent orbs containing Rukia, Renji, Byakuya, and Genryūsai.
Ichigo opened his mouth to protest, but Yasaka's voice echoed in his mind.
"Don't argue, Ichigo. Amaterasu-sama wants you to go with them," Yasaka insisted.
"Are you sure, Yasaka?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, I am sure," Yasaka confirmed.
"Okay," Ichigo said, relenting as he followed the Royal Guard to Kukaku's house. What ensued made Ichigo question the sanity of the Zero Division.
Scene Change: Reioukyuu
Eventually, they arrived at the Reioukyuu. "Before you disappear off to who knows where, how did we even enter the Reioukyuu without an Ōken?" Ichigo asked.
The large man lifted his sleeve to reveal a strange marking on his right arm. "It's this," he said.
Ichigo looked confused. "The Ōken is our bones," the man explained. "The Ōken is created with the power of the Soul King, who bestows this power on those chosen to be part of the Royal Guard." While he spoke, the others moved out of the landing area.
"Ooooooookay, stand there!" someone yelled. "Are you standing?" the same person continued. Ichigo, now accustomed to the Zero Division's eccentricities, went along with the flow. Suddenly, a man slammed a hammer down on a mechanism, flinging Ichigo across the space. He landed in a spa, where the man who had introduced himself as Sentouki explained how this place would help heal the four injured Shinigami. It featured two hot springs that constantly switched between each other. Sentouki mentioned that Urahara's hot spring was an imitation of both combined. After a few minutes in the pools, Sentouki deemed Ichigo ready to be sent onward and tossed him onto a platform, launching him to the next palace.
The next member of the Zero Division Ichigo encountered was a plump, purple-haired woman with swirl-shaped markings on her cheeks and black lips. She wore the standard Shinigami uniform beneath a white long-sleeved haori adorned with the Royal Guard's emblem.
"Welcome! Hello, Ichigo-chan! Welcome to my Gaton Palace!" she exclaimed. She gestured for Ichigo to sit at a table while she prepared something in the kitchen. Returning with large bowls of food, she introduced herself as Kirio Hikifune.
Kyōka and Hōgyoku scanned the food to ensure it was not poisoned, discovering it was rich with reiatsu. Ichigo ate heartily, and once he finished, Kirio prepared to send him to the next level. "Ichigo-chan, be careful in the next palace of Questsu Nimaiya of the Houou Palace. He's the man who created the Zanpakutō," she cautioned before launching Ichigo from her palace.
The next area dazzled Ichigo with bright lights, revealing a large house filled with big-breasted women and a dark-skinned man with thick, shaven hair dyed green on the sides. He wore a variation of the Shinigami shihakushō featuring a green undergarment and a shortened hakama, exposing his lower legs. Over this, he donned a white, sleeveless puffer jacket bearing the Royal Guard emblem on the back, complemented by gold-framed sunglasses with blue lenses and gold-trimmed green slippers.
"Ichigo-Chan! Did you enjoy the welcome show I prepared for you?" he bellowed. "Let me introduce myself! I'm Questsu Nimaiya, owner of this Houoden!" He raised both hands for a high ten, but Ichigo ignored him. Undeterred, Nimaiya lifted Ichigo's hands, forcing him to complete the gesture. "Something's not right… You're not really getting into this, are ya? You wanna go home?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Sure," Ichigo replied, catching Nimaiya off guard. "Looks like you and your Zanpakutōs could use more bonding time," he added with a smirk.
Nimaiya blinked, momentarily losing his train of thought. "You could tell… that all of them were Zanpakutō?" he asked, surprised.
"I can," Ichigo confirmed.
Before Nimaiya could respond, a slender young girl with spiky hair tied into a ponytail kicked him down. She wore a vest with a fur-lined collar and a short skirt.
"What're ya doing, Mera-chan?" he protested.
"Come with me!" Mera commanded Ichigo. "With Master acting like this, you'd never get started."
Ichigo followed Mera out of the funhouse to a small shack labeled Houoden. As soon as he stepped inside, he fell into a dark pit.
"This pit is filled with the rage of the strongest Zanpakutō—the Asauchi!" Nimaiya shouted as four of them approached Ichigo.
Ichigo smiled, summoning Yorugetsu, and released Zangetsu, giving each blade of Zangetsu to the two closest Asauchi. He then summoned Kagamigetsu, released Kyōka Suigetsu, and handed it to the third. Finally, he summoned Kōsetsu, released Sode no Shirayuki, and gave it to the fourth Asauchi. Each Asauchi carefully examined the Shikai they'd been handed, and after a moment, each returned the blade with a respectful bow before vanishing back into the darkness.
"Wow, Ichigo!" Nimaiya yelled. "I'm impressed! You even earned their respect. I almost forgot you make your own Asauchi." He clapped Ichigo on the shoulder, beaming with pride. "It's rare for Asauchi to accept another's Zanpakutō like that."
Guiding Ichigo to a launch platform, Nimaiya sent him soaring to the next palace. The next member of the Zero Division Ichigo met was Senjumaru Shutara, who helped remake his robes and haori from Ōken cloth—a special material that granted the same abilities as an Ōken. After taking his measurements, Shutara informed Ichigo that he was ready to meet the Soul King. She directed him to another platform, and he was flung to the Greater Reioukyuu.
Scene Change: Greater Reioukyuu
Arriving outside the Great Reioukyuu, Ichigo found the large man from earlier waiting for him as the doors opened.
"Hello, Kurosaki Ichigo," the man greeted him.
"Hello…" Ichigo replied, trying to recall his name. "You never introduced yourself."
"My apologies," the man said with a nod. "My name is Ichibē Hyōsube."
"So, Ichibē, why are you here?" Ichigo asked.
"I'm here to open the door to the Greater Reioukyuu," Ichibē explained, beginning a series of complex seals to unlock the enormous doors.
Ichigo watched as the seal finished, then stepped inside, noticing Ichibē wasn't following. "You're not coming?" he asked, glancing back.
"We are only allowed into the Greater Reioukyuu when the King of Souls requests our presence," Ichibē clarified.
"I see," Ichigo said, turning to continue further inside. As he moved deeper, he heard the door sealing shut behind him. He noted a knocker of sorts attached to the door, allowing him to call for Ichibē when his meeting was done.
Eventually, Ichigo reached a grand throne room. At its center sat the Soul King—a humanoid figure with slicked-back dark hair, oval eyes with black sclera, unusual pupils, and thin eyebrows. He lacked both arms and legs and existed within a strange barrier framed by bright white curtains in the elegant hall.
"Ichigo, this is Yasaka," his companion's voice echoed through the mental connection.
"Yes, Yasaka?" Ichigo replied.
"Amaterasu-sama asks you to tell the homunculus, 'I know your secret. Summon the true king, or else.'"
"You're sure?" Ichigo asked, seeking confirmation.
"Yes, that is what Amaterasu-sama wants," Yasaka affirmed.
"All right then," Ichigo said, stepping up to the Soul King's throne. He fixed the homunculus with a steady gaze. "I know your secret. Summon the true king, or else."
The homunculus held Ichigo's gaze for several tense moments before nodding. A violet portal opened to the right, revealing a large, obese man seated on a throne. He had long, oily dark hair, spiral-patterned eyes with black sclera, and thick eyebrows. Unlike the homunculus, he had small arms and legs.
"Who dares demand my presence?" the true Soul King thundered.
Ichigo met the Soul King's gaze fearlessly. "I dare," he replied, voice unwavering.
The Soul King's glare shifted to the homunculus. "You dare call me for this pathetic being!" he spat angrily. "I'm leaving."
Before he could move, Ichigo summoned his Hell Chains, which wrapped tightly around the Soul King.
"WHAT IS THIS?!" the Soul King shouted, struggling in vain against the chains. "Release me!"
"There's no point in resisting, Soul King," Ichigo said, stepping closer. "These are the Chains of Hell, unbreakable unless one is stronger than the Jigoku no Kōtei."
"NO!" the Soul King roared, thrashing violently. "NO!"
"Oh, it gets worse," Ichigo continued, a cold smile forming. "Your mother is coming."
The Soul King's defiance faltered, his expression changing to one of horror. "NO! NO!" he cried, renewing his struggle with frantic desperation, causing the chains to creak under the strain.
"It's useless, son. You can no longer escape me," came a new voice as Amaterasu appeared in the Greater Reioukyuu.
"M-m-mother!" the Soul King stammered in fear.
"Hello, Son," Amaterasu said, her voice dripping with disdain. "You're probably wondering why I had my new favorite son bring you here."
"Favorite son?" the Soul King echoed, confusion etched on his face.
Ichigo's thoughts raced. Wait… I'm her favorite son?
"Yes, my new favorite son is none other than you, Kurosaki-Yamamoto Ichigo," Amaterasu declared, her eyes fixed on Ichigo. "Now then, what job did I give you that caused your younger brother to grow jealous and want to fight you?"
"Um… the King of Souls?" the Soul King ventured.
"Correct. Now tell me, what is the job of the King of Souls?" Amaterasu pressed.
"Um… to regulate the flow of souls into and out of Soul Society and keep that flow stable?" the Soul King stammered.
"Somewhat correct," Amaterasu replied, her tone sharp. "But do you know what else the King of Souls is supposed to do?"
"N-n-no," the Soul King replied nervously.
"The King of Souls is meant to rule over the Soul Society. It's another reason why the position is called 'King of Souls,'" Amaterasu explained. "Once you received that title, you were expected to establish a governing body to manage the affairs of your position. You created the Shinigami to handle the flow of souls, yet that homunculus you fashioned has only managed to keep it somewhat stable, despite being utterly ineffective."
As she outlined the Soul King's failures, Amaterasu's voice thundered with authority. "Now, as punishment for your crimes, you will be cursed to reincarnate endlessly with no memories of your past. You will be considered a harbinger of misfortune, and every time you regain your memories, you will die within three days, no matter what anyone does." She began charging a powerful energy ball, ready to unleash it upon the Soul King.
"Amaterasu-sama, wait!" Ichigo interjected urgently.
"Yes, Ichigo?" she asked, turning her attention to him.
"If you punish him now, who will take his place as the Soul King?" Ichigo questioned. The Soul King nodded in agreement.
"There's only one person I trust to handle that job," Amaterasu stated.
"No… No… PLEASE, NO!" Ichigo pleaded.
"Ichigo, you are going to be the next King of Souls," Amaterasu announced.
Ichigo sighed heavily. "But I don't want the responsibility that comes with being the King of Souls. I want to be free to travel and move."
Amaterasu let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, you've inherited the Shiba family's wanderlust," she said.
"That comes from the Shiba family?" Ichigo asked, surprised.
"You should ask your aunt or your father for more information about the family's wanderlust," Amaterasu advised. "As for your responsibilities, the fool of a son created a governmental infrastructure, but it's your task to remove the rot at its base or build a new one."
"I see… What about Yūhabach?" Ichigo inquired. "He wants to kill the Soul King, and I doubt telling him I'm the new King of Souls will deter his invasion."
"For that, the solution is simple," Amaterasu replied, gesturing to the homunculus. "We already have our 'Soul King' in place for Yūhabach to kill."
"Any other questions?" she asked.
"No," Ichigo replied, resigning himself to his new responsibilities. With that, Amaterasu performed divine judgment on the Soul King, sealing his fate for his misdeeds.
"Ichigo," Amaterasu called, drawing his gaze. "I'm sorry for placing this burden on you, but you are the only one capable of bearing it."
"I understand, but I still don't want this," Ichigo admitted.
"To fully complete your ascension, you must now bear the eyes," Amaterasu instructed. The homunculus stepped off the throne, allowing Ichigo to take a seat. Amaterasu approached, covering his eyes with her hands and beginning to chant in a language he had never heard before. Suddenly, Ichigo felt an intense burning sensation course through his body, unlike any pain he had ever experienced. He wanted to scream, but no sound emerged. Moments later, the agony subsided, and Amaterasu removed her hands from his eyes, summoning a hand mirror for him to see the transformation.
His plain chocolate-brown eyes had changed completely. They now had black sclera, and his pupils spun with white dots in a swirling galaxy.
"Wow…" Ichigo breathed, captivated by his new eyes.
"Now then, here's the plan regarding my other son," Amaterasu said, addressing Ichigo and the homunculus.
Scene Change: Great Reioukyuu
Outside the Great Reioukyuu, Ichibē paced nervously. It had been nine days since Ichigo entered, and the Great Reioukyuu existed in a realm of its own. Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from within. Ichibē rushed over and unsealed the door, only to find a weary Ichigo emerging.
"Are you all right, Ichigo?" Ichibē asked concern etched on his face.
"I'm fine," Ichigo replied, brushing off the worry.
"What happened in there?" Ichibē pressed.
"You know I can't talk about it," Ichigo replied with a hint of exasperation.
"Sorry," Ichibē said, backing off.
"So, how are the others?" Ichigo asked, changing the subject.
"Well, Kuchiki Rukia, Renji Abarai, and Kuchiki Byakuya managed to wrap things up and are currently engaged in battle with the Quincies in Soul Society," Ichibē informed him. "As for Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, he's still pushing his body to its limits in preparation for Yūhabach."
"I see," Ichigo said, pulling out a scroll sealed with the mark of the Soul King. Ichibē took the scroll from him.
"I'll read it later," he promised.
"Okay," Ichigo said as Ichibē guided him to Senjumaru Shutara, who was ready to present Ichigo with his new robes and haori. While they walked, Ichibē read the sealed scroll that Ichigo had given him. Soon after, Ichibē led Ichigo to the appropriate spot, and Ichigo took a leap of faith.
Scene Change: Soul Society
In the wake of the Royal Guard's departure, Soul Society experienced a whirlwind of changes. Shunsui Kyōraku was appointed acting Sōtaichō, while many captains sought alternative ways to fight without their Bankai. Then, just as tensions escalated, the Quincy renewed their invasion. Amid the chaos, Urahara discovered a way to help the Shinigami regain their lost Bankai. Suddenly, his phone rang.
"Hey, Urahara," Ichigo said, urgency in his voice.
"Ichigo?" Urahara replied, surprise evident.
"It might sound cheeky, but keep fighting, even if it gets tough. Please hold on until I arrive," Ichigo urged.
"That's fine. We're waiting for you, Kurosaki-san," Urahara assured him before ending the call.
Scene Change: Soul Society
Meanwhile, Renji found himself face-to-face with a Sternritter. The enemy boasted a muscular build, dressed in the standard Sternritter uniform but with a distinctive yellow and red-orange luchador mask that obscured most of his head, leaving only his chin and nose exposed. The mask featured a star pattern on the forehead and thick markings around his eyes, nose, and cheeks. His red boots and gloves complemented the outfit, and he sported brown eyes and a blonde mustache, with a wrestler's championship belt that bore the Wandenreich insignia.
With determination, Renji unleashed his new Bankai, Sōō Zabimaru, and succeeded in defeating the imposing Sternritter.
Meanwhile, Rukia confronted another Sternritter.
"I feel… lonely…" the figure murmured. Rukia turned to see a man with long black hair and dark eyes that had unusually light pupils. His outfit was a variant of the Sternritter's white uniform, featuring the order's signature hooded cloak, an ankle-length trench coat adorned with buttons, and black boots. A dark mask obscured the lower half of his face, with five spikes running down its center.
"Who are you?" Rukia asked suspicion in her voice.
"Lonely… lonely… lonely… I'm lonely. Where is my Senbonzakura?" the Sternritter lamented.
"I see… you're the one who stole my brother's Bankai—Äs Nödt," Rukia replied, recognition dawning.
"I know who you are, Kuchiki Rukia, the younger sister of Kuchiki Byakuya. Where is he?" Äs Nödt demanded.
"I have no reason to answer you," Rukia stated defiantly.
"Will he come if I kill you?" Äs Nödt taunted.
"He might!" Rukia shot back just as Äs Nödt launched spikes of light toward her. Rukia skillfully dodged the attacks.
"Something is spreading from the spots touched by those spikes," she thought. "Is that his power—fear?"
"Reap the memories and let them fade to black, Kioku Keshigomu," Rukia declared, releasing her new Zanpakutō. She used the scythe to block a fear spike aimed at her.
"How? Fear can't be blocked by metal!" Äs Nödt questioned incredulously.
"True. But what if you forget what fear is?" Rukia countered as she swung her scythe, attempting to cut Äs Nödt. He narrowly dodged, but Rukia teleported behind him and slashed his arm off.
"GAH!" Äs Nödt screamed, staggering back. Rukia advanced for another attack, but Äs Nödt retaliated with a fear spike that pierced her chest.
"Aha! You can't move now, can you? That's the power of fear—it works like that," he gloated.
"So, this is fear…" Rukia murmured, feeling the effects of his power.
"Yes," Äs Nödt confirmed.
"Then… what is your fear?" Rukia asked, her voice steady.
"What?" Äs Nödt replied, thrown off guard.
"Are you afraid that your fear won't work on someone?" Rukia pressed, remaining unfazed by the spike.
"Fear doesn't fail!" Äs Nödt insisted. "That's impossible!"
"If you truly believe that, then try to pierce me again with those spikes," Rukia challenged. Äs Nödt unleashed a larger fear spike, but Rukia expertly cut it in half with her scythe, dodging the attack.
"How?" Äs Nödt asked, astonished.
"Kioku Keshigomu causes its foe to forget certain things upon contact," Rukia explained. "Your fear relies on the victim remembering fear. But what if they don't remember how to be scared?"
"Impossible!" Äs Nödt shouted, frustration evident. "All human beings experience discomfort and fear. They can easily identify the sources of their fears—darkness, cold, heights, confinement, pain, contamination. People can list countless reasons for their fears. At a fundamental level, 'comfort' is tied to 'life,' while 'fear' leads to 'death.' Although they cannot articulate why they wish to live, they can specify why they fear death. This principle applies to all living beings; it's natural to avoid fear. Therefore, it's impossible to remain unaffected by fear as long as you're alive!"
"Your lecture is quite informative," Rukia said, unimpressed. "But if a person doesn't recognize or remember fear, how can your power affect them?"
Äs Nödt, growing increasingly agitated, fired more fear spikes. Rukia charged forward, slicing open his chest.
"Fear? This isn't fear. It pales in comparison to my true fear—being rebuked by His Majesty! That terror eclipses any battle or pain!" Äs Nödt screamed, activating his Vollständig. In this form, he donned a star-like Heiligenschein surrounded by barbed wire, blood streaming from each eye, and a tightly fitting cloak adorned with stitches down the center. His wings, barely visible, resembled circles of barbed wire attached to his back. The cloak is very tight-fitting, revealing Äs' gaunt torso. His eyes were completely rolled up, and his forearms were covered in a black substance. As Rukia charged in to swing her scythe, she suddenly felt her feet freeze in place.
"It won't reach me," Äs Nödt declared confidently. "It's useless. Your feet are paralyzed." Rukia looked down in shock and saw that her legs had indeed frozen in place.
"What? How? I made my mind forget fear!" Rukia exclaimed, bewildered.
"Your mind may forget fear, but your instincts and muscle memory remain intact!" Äs Nödt replied with a sinister smile.
"But I haven't even been hit by the fear spikes!" Rukia insisted, trying to regain her composure.
"In this form, I don't need to strike you with my fear spears; I just need eye contact!" Äs Nödt exclaimed as a large dome enveloped him and Rukia. "No matter where you look, you'll see my eyes! Your nerves cannot escape!"
Upon hearing this, Rukia quickly closed her eyes.
"Closing your eyes is pointless! Your mind might be free of fear, but your body is saturated with it!" Äs Nödt shouted.
Suddenly, the dome shattered, and Äs Nödt turned to see Kuchiki Byakuya appearing before him.
"Nii-sama!" Rukia gasped, her surprise evident.
"Finally, you arrived. I was waiting for you. How are the organs I ripped out of you?" Äs Nödt taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "I pulled out your stomach completely. I imagine it must be hard to cope without food. Did you lose some weight?"
"Stop! Nii-sama! Don't look him in the eyes!" Rukia cried out, desperate.
"It's too late!" Äs Nödt sneered as his eyes began to open wider. But just then, those eyes were stabbed and destroyed by Senbonzakura.
"Who is late now?" Byakuya asked coolly.
"I see… you've covered the surroundings with your Senbonzakura Kageyoshi," Äs Nödt inferred, his expression shifting.
"Look closely. If you've ever used my Bankai, you should know that Senbonzakura Kageyoshi utilizes the whole sword as a blade," Byakuya explained. "This is the Shikai. Just Senbonzakura."
"What… did you?" Äs Nödt stammered.
"Thanks to you stealing my Bankai, I was able to study Senbonzakura from its very core," Byakuya replied a hint of pride in his voice. "Bonds are like pointillist paintings; you only see their essence when viewed from a distance. I had… forgotten that. I must thank you, Äs Nödt."
Suddenly, the stitching down the front of Äs Nödt's body burst open.
"I will not kill you! I will not kill you! I will not kill you! I will not kill you! I will not kill you! I will not kill you! I will not kill you! I absolutely will not kill you! I'll throw you into a sea of pain and fear, unable to lose consciousness or even your sanity! You'll spend the rest of your days wishing for death!" Äs Nödt howled, his rage boiling over.
"Rukia," Byakuya said, drawing her attention. "As I made my way here, I felt your reiatsu," he continued. "Rukia, you've grown strong." Tears welled in Rukia's eyes at her brother's acknowledgment.
"Nii-sama… Nii-sama said… that I've become strong!" she thought, her heart swelling with pride.
"Fear is never born from nothing," Byakuya said, capturing Rukia's focus once more. "It is born from the tiny insecurities that linger within our hearts. Rukia, are you still scared?"
"NO!" Rukia replied defiantly.
"Kuchiki Byakuya," Äs Nödt sneered. Rukia and Byakuya turned to face him. Äs Nödt now had an exposed ribcage, his lower torso a mass of writhing tentacles. His face was grotesquely deformed, skin sagging, and his eyeballs melting from their sockets. The tattered remnants of his upper body hung down like rags from his chin.
"Sorry, but I won't be the one to defeat you," Byakuya said, turning his back on Äs Nödt.
"What?" Äs Nödt exclaimed, disbelief evident as Rukia summoned her scythe and began to spin it around her wrists. "Don't joke with me."
"Look closely, Rukia. What you see in him is not fear. If you have no fear in your heart, what you see reflected in him is his own frightened face," Byakuya explained, as Rukia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Bankai," Rukia declared, her black and violet reiatsu swirling around her. "Saisei Kioku Keshigomu! [Rebirth Memory Eraser]" With a sweeping motion of her scythe, she cleared the air of Äs Nödt's influence. Her deep black hair transformed into a vibrant lavender, and her shihakushō shifted to a stunning blend of black and lavender. In her hands, a new scythe appeared, framed in lavender with black trims, the blade forged into a crescent shape.
With renewed determination, Rukia swung her scythe downward, unleashing a massive lavender energy slash that obliterated Äs Nödt.
Meanwhile, from Mugen, Kenpachi returned to find Yachiru facing off against a formidable opponent named Gremmy Thoumeaux, ultimately securing victory. Suddenly, he was ambushed by four female Sternritters. Candice Catnipp electrocuted him twice, and Meninas McAllon delivered a powerful punch that drove Kenpachi into the ground, leaving him momentarily incapacitated.
"Nice. I guess this is what they call Dying Whisper," Giselle remarked, smirking.
"Who's delivering the final blow?" Liltotto asked, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"Let's play Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide," Meninas suggested. Just then, a loud boom echoed from above, breaking the Shakonmaku and crashing into a nearby building.
"What was that?" Candice asked, her surprise evident.
"It looks like something fell," Meninas noted.
"It did," Liltotto confirmed.
"Aw," Giselle sighed, sounding disappointed.
"That hurt. I must have sped up a bit too much," a voice called from behind the four Sternritters.
"When did he—?" Candice began.
"Kenpachi, you look pretty bad," Ichigo said, stepping into view.
"What did you come here for?" Kenpachi asked, assessing the situation.
"I never thought I'd say this, but I came to help you," Ichigo admitted.
"Hah. I never thought I'd see the day you'd come to help me," Kenpachi replied with a grin, his spirits lifting despite the circumstances.
"Can you stand?" Ichigo asked, ready to fight alongside him.
"Can I stand, you ask?" Kenpachi replied, smirking. "Idiot. Worry about yourself, not me." Behind him, Candice charged up a lightning strike in her hand. In an instant, Ichigo shunpō'd beside her, grabbed her arm, and hurled her into a nearby building. The other Sternritters quickly surrounded Ichigo, but he responded with swift punches that sent them crashing into the structures around them.
"Who is he?" Giselle asked, her voice laced with concern.
"I let my guard down," Meninas admitted, shaking her head.
"It's not that. This is appropriate," Liltotto interjected, her tone confident. The two looked at her in confusion. "This guy is Kurosaki Ichigo. I'd be disappointed if he couldn't handle at least this much," Liltotto said with a hint of pride.
"Kurosaki Ichigo!?" Meninas gasped, her shock palpable.
"The first on the Special War Potential List!" Giselle exclaimed, recognition dawning on her.
"SHUT UUUUUUUUP!" Candice screamed, unleashing a massive lightning bolt that struck the pillar Ichigo had thrown her at. "War potential!? Kurosaki Ichigo!? Who cares about that?" she raged. "I'll never forgive you for covering me in dust!" Candice's fury was almost comical, but her voice was filled with venom. "Every morning, I wake up hours before everyone else just to make my hair look decent, you jerk!"
"Wah… scary," Giselle muttered, her eyes wide.
"Is that why she's so angry?" Liltotto remarked, puzzled.
With a fierce glare, Candice summoned her Heilig Bogen and fired a massive electric arrow at Ichigo. He barely flinched, redirecting the attack toward a group of Quincy soldiers instead. Candice's eyes widened in disbelief—her attack had been turned against her allies.
"I thought fighting women would be tough, but I guess I don't need to worry about that," Ichigo said casually.
"Let's go!" Liltotto urged, and she, Giselle, and Meninas readied their Heilig Bogens. Ichigo summoned Yorugetsu, his eyes scanning the trio of Sternritters before him. They unleashed their Heilig Pfeil in unison, but Ichigo swiftly drew Yorugetsu, shattering each projectile. He followed up with a nameless Getsuga Tenshō that struck all three, sending them crashing into a building.
"I know you're doing this on purpose!" Candice shouted, electricity crackling around her. "I'll kill you all!"
"Oh, he's strong," Giselle commented, a mix of fear and admiration in her voice.
"He keeps deflecting all my Heilig Pfeil. I'm getting really hungry," Liltotto grumbled.
"He's getting on my nerves," Meninas added, irritation creeping into her tone.
"He should die," Giselle said flatly.
"I agree," Liltotto chimed in. "For once, we're on the same page."
"If we all think the same thing, it's easy!" Candice declared, her voice full of resolve. "Execution decided!"
"Seriously?" Liltotto asked, incredulous.
"I don't like the Vollständig; it's too tiring," Giselle complained.
"He's annoying, but I don't think we should slaughter him," Meninas argued.
"Just shut up!" Candice snapped. "How can we stand before His Majesty after being humiliated by this guy?"
"Um… are you ladies done arguing?" Ichigo interjected, looking bored as he sat down with a book. The four Sternritters turned to him, shocked at his nonchalance. "Are you ladies done talking yet?" he repeated, unimpressed.
Candice charged at him, summoning two lightning bolts as makeshift swords. Ichigo effortlessly blocked her downward strike with Yorugetsu and delivered a swift kick to her stomach, knocking the wind out of her. Before she could recover, he plunged his sword into her heart.
Ichigo placed a hand on Candice's head. "I, Kurosaki Ichigo, in the name of Yhwach, reclaim the schrift bestowed upon you," he intoned. Candice's body convulsed as a small soul fragment escaped her mouth and flew into Ichigo's ring.
"Schrift T acquired," Yhwach reported. Ichigo dropped Candice's lifeless body and incinerated it with a ball of Hellfire, reducing it to ashes.
"Shit," Liltotto muttered, panic rising. Suddenly, she, Meninas, and Giselle were shot in the stomach by a small red beam. They turned to see a man with green eyes and a long red Mohawk, his upper-left ear adorned with two metal nuts and a bolt piercing through his lower-right ear. He wore a modified version of the Sternritter's white uniform—a hooded cloak over a thigh-length trench coat, black gloves, and cropped pants above military boots, complete with a chain displaying the Wandenreich emblem.
"Sorry," the man said nonchalantly. "Just die for a while."
"Bazz-B, you traitor!" Liltotto hissed.
"You have no right to complain. It's normal to snatch someone's prey, and the ones who arrive late get to claim them," Bazz-B retorted.
"Indeed, what you said is right," another voice chimed in. "I should've shown up a bit later."
"I'm here already; it can't be helped since the four of us came at the same time. We should split the prize equally," a third person added. Ichigo's gaze sharpened as he noticed four more Sternritters entering the fray.
"We're not four… we're seven," Liltotto corrected. "Did you think you could stop us with just one Burning Finger?"
"Tsk," Bazz-B scoffed.
"Stop talking about splitting evenly. The prey is only one. The one who kills him takes all the glory!" Liltotto declared. The others nodded in agreement, preparing for battle.
"Oh, seven against one? How unfair this is," Ichigo said sarcastically. "Looks like I need to kick this up a notch." He began to flare his reiatsu, his voice rising. "Stride forth to the gates of Heaven and tear the Heavens asunder! Charge forth to the gates of Hell and shatter the chains of the damned! Enter the doors of your humanity and shatter fate… ZANGETSU!"
As a storm of white, black, red, and blue reiatsu swirled around him, Ichigo wielded Zangetsu with both hands. "Mugen Getsuga Tenshō!" he shouted, launching what appeared to be a simple Getsuga Tenshō into the sky. The Sternritters exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of his intent.
Suddenly, small Getsuga Tenshōs rained down upon them. Meninas quickly lifted a fallen wall for protection, while Giselle stood her ground, allowing the attacks to hit her and spill more of her blood. Liltotto tried to consume the falling Getsuga Tenshō but immediately felt sick, vomiting blood. Before anyone could help her, a direct hit from a Getsuga Tenshō ended her life instantly.
Bazz-B stood his ground, using his Burning Finger to obliterate any nearby Getsuga Tenshō. The large, stout Sternritter forced another Sternritter with odd hair and an older man to shoot Heilig Pfeil at Ichigo, using mind control. Unbeknownst to them, a redirected Getsuga Tenshō struck the three from behind, killing them all instantly.
Ichigo walked past the fallen Getsuga Tenshōs and approached the bodies of the dead Sternritters. He found Liltotto's corpse and placed his hand on her head. "I, Kurosaki Ichigo, in the name of Yhwach, reclaim the schrift bestowed upon you," he said once more. Liltotto's body convulsed violently as a small soul fragment escaped her mouth, flying into Ichigo's ring.
"Schrift G acquired," Yhwach reported. Ichigo walked over to the charred bodies of the three fallen Sternritters. He placed his hand on the fat Sternritter's body. "I, Kurosaki Ichigo, in the name of Yhwach, reclaim the schrift bestowed upon you," he declared. As he spoke, the fat Sternritter's body convulsed violently, and a small soul fragment emerged from his mouth, flying into Ichigo's ring.
"Schrift L acquired," Yhwach announced. Ichigo then moved to the charred remains of the skinny Sternritter. "I, Kurosaki Ichigo, in the name of Yhwach, reclaim the schrift bestowed upon you," he intoned. The skinny Sternritter's body shook violently as another soul fragment escaped and joined the others in Ichigo's ring.
"Schrift N acquired," Yhwach reported next. Ichigo placed his hand on the body of the Sternritter with the unusual hair. "I, Kurosaki Ichigo, in the name of Yhwach, reclaim the schrift bestowed upon you," he said. The Sternritter's body began to spasm as yet another soul fragment floated out and disappeared into Ichigo's ring.
"Schrift U acquired," Yhwach confirmed.
"Hōgyoku, Yhwach, go and see if there are any other fallen Sternritters to claim their schrift," Ichigo commanded.
"Understood," Hōgyoku and Yhwach replied, resuming their grim task. Ichigo then turned his attention to the remaining three Sternritters. "So, you three are the last ones," he remarked coolly.
"Say hello to my friends!" Giselle announced, pointing as the corpse of a nearby Shinigami began to stir.
"Zombies?" Ichigo raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Yep!" Giselle replied, taking a bite from a nearby corpse. Ichigo watched as her wounds healed before his eyes.
"It looks like I need something a bit special to deal with you," Ichigo said, narrowing his eyes.
"What do you have in mind?" Giselle asked, intrigued.
"Just some Hell Fire," Ichigo answered with a determined smirk.
"Fire?" Bazz-B echoed, skepticism in his voice. In response, Ichigo summoned a wave of Hellfire. The golden and black flames swept through the area, incinerating the reanimated corpses. Bazz-B attempted to shield himself but yelped in pain as the flames burned his hands—an unfamiliar sensation for him. Giselle managed to evade the flames, but the flames quickly turned, pursuing her with relentless speed.
"Bambi-Chan!" Giselle called out, and from the dust, another Sternritter emerged. Her skin bore an unusual hue, and her eyes looked vacant. "Sorry for making you wait, Bambi-Chan!" Giselle said joyfully as she leaped to embrace the new arrival. "Come on! Let's kill Kurosaki Ichigo!"
Bambi-Chan retaliated by launching her reishi orbs at Ichigo, who nimbly dodged them. He noticed the orbs didn't explode unless they struck something. Seizing the opportunity, Ichigo coated Zangetsu with Hellfire and shunpō'ed toward Bambi-Chan, stabbing her with the blazing blade. As she burned, Ichigo placed his hand on her head. "I, Kurosaki Ichigo, in the name of Yhwach, reclaim the schrift bestowed upon you," he intoned. Her body spasmed violently as a soul fragment escaped her mouth and flew into Ichigo's ring.
"Schrift E acquired," Yhwach announced. Ichigo glanced at Giselle, who was scanning her surroundings. He dropped to the ground, raising his Hell Fire-coated Zangetsu, ready to stab her when she unexpectedly spat blood into his mouth.
"Damn it!" Giselle cursed, realizing her last-ditch effort had failed. Ichigo swiftly plunged the blade into her, and as she began to burn, he placed his hand on her face. "I, Kurosaki Ichigo, in the name of Yhwach, reclaim the schrift bestowed upon you," he declared. Giselle's body convulsed, and another soul fragment emerged, joining Ichigo's collection.
"Schrift Z acquired," Yhwach confirmed. With that, Ichigo withdrew Zangetsu from her corpse and extinguished the Hell Flames. Meanwhile, Bazz-B swallowed his pride and fled, unable to withstand the fire that had burned him. Ichigo then noticed a tall, slender girl nervously shaking. She was well-endowed, with light skin, long wavy pink hair, and green eyes. Her outfit mirrored the typical Sternritter white uniform, featuring a frilled skirt, gloves, and boots, along with a large purple bow and a white cap adorned with the Wandenreich insignia.
"Why do you fight for Yūhabahha?" Ichigo asked her.
"Who?" Meninas replied, confused.
"Yūhabahha is your leader's name," Ichigo clarified.
"Um… why do I fight for his Majesty?" Meninas pondered.
"Yes," Ichigo pressed.
"Because he gave me power," she answered, suddenly hurling a large rock at Ichigo. He raised Zangetsu, slicing the rock in half effortlessly. Meninas seized the moment to flee.
Ichigo spotted a towering pillar of white light. "What's that light?" he thought, shunpō'ing toward it.
"So, you came after us, Kurosaki Ichigo," Yūhabahha greeted as Ichigo approached their location.
"I will…" Haschwalth began, but he was cut off as Ichigo shunpō'ed forward. A Heilig Pfeil shot toward him, which he blocked. Standing atop the structure was Uryū, the attacker.
"So, you've joined him," Ichigo remarked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"Kurosaki… go home," Uryū urged, his expression earnest.
Ichigo stared at Uryū as if he had lost his mind. "You can't stop His Majesty," Uryū insisted, trying to convince Ichigo to retreat. Meanwhile, Yūhabahha seized the moment to gather energy, preparing to transport them to Reioukyuu. Ichigo paused his attack as the three of them slipped away. He cracked a small smile.
"According to plan," Ichigo thought.
Author's notes:
Think of Flying Nimbus from Dragon Ball