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.
Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo, TV Tokyo, Viz Media, Studio Pierrot... and other people.
Rosario Vampire is owned by Akihisa Ikeda, Shueisha, Gonzo, and Funimation.
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 21:
The next morning, Ichigo woke up and had breakfast with Yasaka and Kunou. After their meal, he stood outside Yasaka's temple dressed in semi-formal attire: a crisp white dress shirt, black dress pants, polished black shoes, and an unzipped black jacket. The outfit gave him an air of quiet confidence and danger.
Moments later, a generic yellow school bus pulled up in front of him. The doors opened to a driver, clad in a standard uniform, stepped out. His hat obscured his eyes, but an unsettling golden glow emanated from beneath the brim.
"Good morning, Yasaka-sama, and your guest," the bus driver greeted.
"Good morning, Nurari," Yasaka replied warmly before turning to Ichigo. "This is Nurari, the Supreme Commander of the Yōkai Forces."
"It's a pleasure. Thanks for helping out Mikogami and I with this," Nurari said as he gestured for them to board.
"No problem," Ichigo replied as he climbed aboard.
As the bus rumbled forward, Nurari spoke again. "At the school, no one knows my real identity. I'd appreciate it if you could keep that under wraps."
"Understood," Ichigo said, his gaze shifting to the weird tunnel they entered.
"These are dimensional tunnels," Nurari explained, "they were created by Amaterasu to allow us Yōkai to travel safely across the world. They're faster than traditional routes, but only exist in select areas to prevent human interference."
"I see," Ichigo said, after listening to Nurari's explanation of the dimension tunnels.
The bus eventually emerged from the tunnel, and the scenery changed to a barren landscape of dead trees. As they approached a stop, Nurari handed Ichigo a letter.
"Follow the road ahead. You'll meet a girl with long black hair wearing a pink corset, a long black skirt with frills at the end, and high-heeled shoes. Give her this letter—it will ensure you're allowed to meet Mikogami without trouble," Nurari instructed as he handed Ichigo the letter.
Ichigo nodded, took the letter, and stepped off the bus. As the vehicle drove away, Nurari thought "I hope you're prepared Tenmei. This is likely your most dangerous decision yet".
Ichigo glanced at the letter as he walked down the road, which pretty much stated that he had an appointment with Mikogami and no one should try to stop him. As he followed down the path, many students noticed Ichigo. Many of them guessed he was a new staff member due to how he was dressed differently compared to the student. Ichigo ignored all of these comments. As Ichigo approached the gate, Ichigo noticed someone was sweeping the area.
She has orange-scarlet red eyes, and long black hair that is kept in two ponytails on each side of her head and lets the rest fall naturally. She has pin-straight bangs covering some of her forehead, and two pieces of hair fringe or bangs framing her face near the cheeks. She also has fair skin. Unlike the students, she is wearing a pink corset, a long black skirt with frills at the end, and high-heeled black shoes.
"Hello. How can I help you?" she asked, her tone polite but guarded.
"My name is Kurosaki Ichigo. I have an appointment with the Headmaster," Ichigo replied, presenting the letter. She took the letter and opened it and a few seconds later, she folded up the letter and returned it to Ichigo.
"Follow me," she said curtly. As they walked, Ichigo learned her name was Tōjō Ruby. They passed groups of gossiping students, but Ruby paid them no mind, and Ichigo followed suit. They soon reached the Headmaster's office. Ruby knocked, then opened the door.
"Come in," a voice called.
Ruby gestured for Ichigo to enter before closing the door behind him. Inside, Ichigo found himself face-to-face with the Headmaster, Mikogami, who looked exactly as Yasaka had described.
"Take a seat," Mikogami offered.
Ichigo sat down.
"So, Kurosaki-sama—"
"Call me Ichigo. If you prefer formality, Ichigo-sama works," he interjected.
"Very well, Ichigo-sama," Mikogami said with a slight smile. "As Yasaka might have told you my name is Mikogami and I need your services."
"With what, exactly?" Ichigo asked.
"I need you to train some students for me," Mikogami replied, sliding a stack of files across the desk. Ichigo flipped through them, his expression neutral—even after coming across Moka's file. After scanning the files, he placed them back on Mikogami's desk.
"You realize that these files only give me a general background and a vague description of their abilities right?" Ichigo said.
"I am aware of that," Mikogami replied calmly.
"So you realize what I need to do then," Ichigo said.
"I do," Mikogami affirmed.
"All right. I'll see you in twenty minutes," Ichigo said as he rose and left the office.
Scene Change
"...Fufu you stand out, Moka-san. Your smooth skin, soft hair, and small face..." a small girl teased. She had short black hair, and purple eyes beneath her black witch hat. She wore a pink top, matching corset, and the academy's signature checkered skirt. Bright pale yellow knee-high socks and brown shoes complete her look. This was Sendo Yukari.
Yukari hugged Moka tightly. "You smell so good... your beauty's too good to show off to these people," she added with a pout.
Before Moka could respond, two random students approached, attempting to flirt with her and Yukari. Yukari brushed them off with a sharp glare. "Moka already has a worthy lover—his name is Tsukune," she declared smugly.
Moka flushed, trying to correct her. "Yukari, that's not—" But her words were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"...Huh? Moka-san?" Tsukune called hesitantly. He had black hair, and brown eyes, and wore the standard Yōkai Academy uniform.
"Tsu... Tsukune!" Moka stammered, blushing. "Did you hear that conversation?"
"Conversation?" Tsukune repeated, confused.
"Err, well it's nothing, just forget about it, Tsukune," Moka said quickly, waving her hands in embarrassment.
Tsukune smiled to himself. "Cute...C... I knew it; Moka-san is so cute! It's like she's glowing! It's like things go back to being good, just by seeing her smiling face. I'm so glad I came back to this school!"
Suddenly, a bubbly voice called out. "Ah, I found you~~~!" A blur of blue hair tackled him to the ground while saying "It's been so long, Tsukune~~~~."
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaa Ku...Kurumu-chan." Tsukune yelped as Kurono Kurumu clung to him. Her light ocean-blue hair is tied back with a purple maid headband that has one star on the side. She has deep purple eyes thick eyelashes and big breasts. She wears a plain long-sleeved white shirt with a red bow tie, plus a pale yellow colored vest and a light brown checked skirt, and wears white leg warmers and plain black dress shoes.
"Aaaaand, to be with you again, I love you," Kurumu declared, as she rubbed Tsukune with her breasts.
Moka's face darkened with anger at Kurumu's actions. Before she could act, out of nowhere a white kunai struck Kurumu's forehead, sending her sprawling.
"GYAAAA!" Kurumu wailed as blood gushed comically from her head like a fountain.
Another girl approached, twirling a lollipop. She has short light purple hair. She has blue eyes, with a bit of purple at the top. Her pupils are not black, but they are blue. She wears a light brown pleated checkered skirt, a white sweatshirt with long dark blue sleeves a black singlet underneath, and a yellow pendant. She wears long dark & light purple striped stockings with white shoes and has a belt tied to her left leg. "Hands off, Kurumu. I won't let you get that close to Tsukune."
"Mizore-chan," Tsukune said, recognizing her.
"It's been so long, Tsukune," Mizore replied, her figure partially concealed behind a tree about ten feet away.
"Wait... how long have you been there, Mizore-chan?" Tsukune asked, confused.
Mizore's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Long enough."
"You... How dare you interrupt my reunion with Tsukune! I'll kill you!" Kurumu snarled, her fingers transforming into sharp claws.
"Bring it on, boob-woman. I'll show you and everyone else the bond between Tsukune and me," Mizore retorted as her hands transformed into icy talons.
"Ah..." Moka began, her confusion clear. "St—"
Before she could finish, something flew past her, detonating into a small explosion nearby. The shockwave scattered the crowd of Yōkai, leaving only the Newspaper Club members standing in the aftermath. Kurumu instinctively extended her wings to shield against the blast, while the dust settled to reveal a figure.
Standing tall amidst the chaos was a man in a white mask adorned with two long, forward-pointing black-striped horns. In his hands were two guns, each glowing faintly with energy. It was Ichigo, wearing his Resurrección mask.
Ichigo pointed one gun at the Newspaper Club and fired a volley of energy blasts. Mizore reacted instantly, hurling ice kunai to intercept the incoming attacks. Though Ichigo's blasts obliterated the kunai, their impact diverted the projectiles enough to avoid direct hits on the group.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Moka?" Ichigo said, his voice cutting through the tension.
"Who are you?" Moka asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
"I see you've forgotten me," Ichigo replied coolly.
"You won't hurt MOKA!" Tsukune shouted, surging forward with the brief power of a ghoul. His punch landed squarely on Ichigo's abdomen, drawing cheers from his companions.
But their celebration was short-lived.
"Weak," Ichigo said with disdain. "Let me show you a real punch."
He dropped one gun, letting it dissolve into particles, and delivered a powerful blow to Tsukune's gut, sending him flying through the forest.
"Tsukune!" Kurumu screamed, her wings and claws fully manifesting as she charged at Ichigo. He stood his ground, waiting until she was within reach before delivering a calculated uppercut that sent her sprawling.
Hidden among the trees, Mizore launched another barrage of ice kunai at Ichigo's back. Without missing a beat, Ichigo caught them mid-air, fused them into a single lance, and hurled them back. The icy weapon impaled Mizore's chest, shattering her body into crystalline fragments.
"An ice clone," Ichigo muttered, unfazed. Mizore reappeared behind him, attempting to freeze him in place. Ichigo grabbed her arms, swung her into a nearby tree, and left her crumpled on the ground near the others.
Meanwhile, Kurumu had recovered and retrieved Tsukune's unconscious body, regrouping with Moka and Yukari. As they reconvened, Mizore's collapsed form landed nearby. Ichigo strode toward them, his reiatsu flaring ominously.
"Stay back, you monster!" Kurumu yelled, trembling as she struggled to stand. Mizore mirrored her determination, though her movements were shaky. Yukari tried summoning washtubs to fall on Ichigo, but his spiritual energy dispersed them effortlessly.
"What do you want with us, you fiend?" Yukari cried out.
The commotion stirred Tsukune awake. Moka leaned over him. "Tsukune, pull my Rosario," she instructed.
With a trembling hand, Tsukune obeyed, removing the sacred charm. A transformation overtook Moka—her pink hair turned silver, her green eyes shifted to crimson with slit pupils, and an air of authority surrounded her.
"Looks like I have to save the day again," Inner Moka declared. She launched herself at Ichigo, her powerful sidekick aimed squarely at his torso.
"Know your place!" she yelled, her kick creating a whirlwind of dust upon impact.
As the debris cleared, the group stared in disbelief. Ichigo had caught Moka's leg with one hand, completely unfazed.
"Same old kick, same old catchphrase," Ichigo taunted.
Before she could react, he grabbed her ankle and slammed her into the ground.
"Moka!" the others screamed, horrified.
Ichigo approached her slowly. "It feels like yesterday when I offered you my hand to get up," he said, extending his hand toward her.
Moka glared at him, ignoring the gesture. "Who are you?" she demanded.
"Pull off the mask and see for yourself," Ichigo replied.
Moka flipped to her feet and swung a roundhouse kick. The force sent Ichigo's mask flying, revealing his face. Moka froze.
"I-I-Ichigo," she stammered.
"In the flesh," Ichigo said with a smirk, pulling her into a hug.
The Newspaper Club watched, dumbfounded. No one had ever dared embrace Inner Moka—least of all, successfully.
"How are you alive? My father destroyed you!" she whispered.
Ichigo tilted his head, exposing his neck. "Why don't you drink my blood and find out?"
Hesitant, Moka bit into his neck, her fangs piercing his skin. As she drank his reiatsu rich blood, memories began flooding her mind.
"She can see his memories through his blood," Ichigo explained to the stunned group.
Moka released him, tears streaming down her face. Ichigo gently rubbed her back until she calmed.
"Moka-chan, how can you trust him? He attacked us!" Tsukune protested weakly.
Moka laughed, startling everyone.
"As you've realized by now," Ichigo began, "my name is Ichigo, and the headmaster hired me to train all of you. I decided to test your strength."
"So this was all a test?" Yukari asked incredulously.
"Exactly. And you all failed," Ichigo said bluntly.
"WHAT?!" the group shouted in unison.
"Let's go to the headmaster's office to discuss this," Ichigo said.
Reluctantly, the group followed. Ruby greeted them at the door and ushered them inside, where Mikogami awaited with enough chairs for everyone. Ichigo sat confidently in the headmaster's chair, the others watching him with a mix of wariness and awe.
Scene: Mikogami's Office
"So, how did your 'test' go?" Mikogami asked, his tone neutral yet curious.
"Everyone failed," Ichigo replied flatly, folding his arms.
"As expected," Mikogami said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Ichigo nodded and pulled out a stack of files, tossing the first one onto the desk. "Let's start with the weakest member of the Newspaper Club," he said. "Tsukune."
Tsukune stiffened as Ichigo opened the file. "Tsukune, you were once human, transformed into a ghoul when Moka gave you her blood. Yet, you've made no effort to master the power that the transformation has granted to you. Why?"
Tsukune hesitated, fidgeting. "I... I want to stay as human as possible."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow, his tone turning blunt. "Sorry to break it to you, but you're not human anymore. The sooner you accept that, the better."
Ichigo moved on, grabbing the next file and dropping it on the desk. "Yukari. According to this, you're a witch. During the test, the only attack you attempted was summoning a few washtubs over my head. Care to explain?"
Yukari looked down, ashamed. "I'm not strong enough to summon or cast anything more advanced," she admitted.
"Noted," Ichigo said, jotting something on her file before grabbing the next one. "Kurumu, the succubus. Succubi are known for their ability to create illusions, right?"
"Yes," Kurumu answered, her voice cautious.
"Then why did you charge at me head-on instead of trapping me in an illusion?"
Kurumu's face flushed. "I can only create… lustful illusions," she muttered.
Ichigo sighed, jotting down another note. "We'll work on that."
Next was Mizore. Ichigo tossed her file onto the desk and studied it. "Mizore, your abilities are solid, but your ice relies entirely on your Yōki. Why not use environmental sources like water vapor?"
Mizore blinked. "Is that even possible?"
Ichigo smirked, raising a hand. Using his reiatsu, he gathered moisture from the air, condensing it into a snowball. Mizore's eyes widened in astonishment.
"You thought I was a Yuki-onna, didn't you?" Ichigo asked.
"I did," Mizore admitted, still staring at the snowball.
"Not even close," Ichigo replied,
"Technically, there's a connection," Shirayuki mentally chimed in
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked.
"Let's say myself and Mizore are related," Shirayuki replied.
Ichigo mentally sighed at the response, choosing to ignore the remark, and moved on to the final file. "Last but not least is Moka. You're overly dependent on someone else removing your Rosario to unlock your power. Both your restrained and unrestrained selves need to be able to defend themselves."
Moka crossed her arms. "Fair enough. Anything else?"
"Your fighting style relies too heavily on kicks," Ichigo said.
Moka rolled her eyes. "Anything else worth mentioning?"
"That's it," Ichigo said with a shrug.
Kurumu chimed in with a sarcastic tone. "So, how exactly do you plan to train us, oh wise master?"
Mikogami stepped in, his voice firm. "Starting tomorrow, your schedules will change. You'll attend your regular classes, afterward spend an hour with the Newspaper Club, and then report here for training with Ichigo."
Ichigo elaborated, "Kurumu, you'll focus on refining and diversifying your illusions. Mizore, you'll learn to draw ice from ambient water sources. Ruby will tutor Yukari in advanced magic. Moka, your situation requires me to speak with you privately."
Moka nodded. "Understood."
Mikogami handed the group a note. "Return to your classes, their notes will excuse your late arrivals."
Tsukune handed Moka her Rosario. She glanced at Ichigo before placing it back on. The restraint immediately suppressed her Yōki, returning her to her pink-haired, green-eyed form. With brief farewells, the group departed with Moka saying a short goodbye to Ichigo before leaving as well.
Ichigo sighed as the door closed. "Anything else you need from me?"
"Do you need my assistance for any of your training?" Mikogami asked.
"Other than Ruby, I don't think so," Ichigo said.
"Very well," Mikogami said as he slid a piece of paper to Ichigo. "Here are the directions to your room."
"Thank you," Ichigo said as he left Mikogami's office.
Following the directions he found the room Mikogami reserved for him. While noticing that he didn't get a key to the door, before Ichigo could turn back, the piece of paper transformed into a key.
"I might want to learn some magic while I'm here." Ichigo thought as he unlocked the door and went inside.
The room appeared to be similar to a one-room, one-bath apartment. Ichigo walked in and locked the room. Ichigo quickly scanned the room and placed various kidō around the room. Satisfied with what he had done, Ichigo was about to leave his room when Zangetsu interrupted him.
"King we got a guest in here," Zangetsu said.
"One second," Ichigo said as he sat down and entered his mindscape.
Scene: Ichigo's Mindscape
Ichigo opened his eyes within his inner world, greeted by a Kushanāda bowing before him.
"Hello, Jigoku no Kōtei," the Kushanāda said respectfully.
Ichigo's gaze sharpened. "Kushanāda, why are you here?"
"We've encountered a 'guest' in Hell—too powerful for us to handle," the Kushanāda explained.
"Where is this 'guest'?" Ichigo asked.
"The second level," came the reply.
Ichigo nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll meet you there."
As Ichigo exited his mindscape, shifting to his soul form, ripping open a red Garganta, and proceeded to jump in.
Scene Change: Hell - Level 2
Ichigo emerged from the red Garganta, landing in the desolate expanse of Hell's second level. Waiting for him in a bow was the same Kushanāda who had summoned him.
"Stand and show me the way," Ichigo ordered.
The Kushanāda rose slowly, bowing before leading him forward. As they walked, the sound of battle grew louder. Ahead, a feminine figure with long black hair tied in a loose ponytail fought fiercely against several Kushanāda. Her tattered shihakushō fluttered with each movement. Ichigo's sharp gaze narrowed as he approached.
"STOP!" he commanded.
The Kushanāda immediately ceased their assault, kneeling before him. As Ichigo moved closer, his eyes widened in recognition.
"Unohana-san?" he said, his voice a mix of surprise and disbelief.
The woman turned to him, her expression softening. "Ichigo-kun," she greeted, her calm demeanor returning. "What brings you to Hell?"
"Funny story," Ichigo replied with a faint smirk. "But let's talk somewhere more comfortable." Without waiting for a response, he grabbed her hand and used shunpō to transport them to his office in Hell.
Scene Change: Hell - Ichigo's Office
Unohana glanced around, taking in the spartan but efficient design of the room. "Interesting place," she remarked.
"Thanks," Ichigo replied, taking a seat.
"So, what are you doing in Hell?" she asked.
Ichigo leaned back, arms crossed. "I rule Hell," he said bluntly.
Unohana raised an eyebrow, studying him. "How?"
"Reasons…" Ichigo deflected.
"Very well," she replied, though her curiosity lingered. "And what brought you to me specifically?"
"The Kushanāda reported a powerful intruder causing trouble. I came to handle the situation."
"I see," Unohana said, her tone measured. "And what do you intend to do now?"
Ichigo met her gaze evenly. "I see two options. One is to kill you here and now."
Unohana's lips curled into a faint smile. "I didn't expect you to suggest that."
Ignoring her comment, Ichigo continued. "The other option is to set you free from Hell."
Her smile widened. "Surprising, coming from the self-proclaimed ruler of Hell."
Ichigo sighed, shaking his head at her teasing. "What do you want, Unohana-san?"
Her smile faded. "I want to die," she said softly.
Ichigo's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Unohana's gaze turned distant. "Long ago, I wandered Soul Society, searching for worthy opponents. I didn't care who they were—men, women, children, hollows. Anyone who crossed my path was a potential fight. Then one day, I encountered a scrawny boy who dared to stand against me. That boy managed to scar me," she said, pointing to a mark on her body. "He gave me the thrill of combat I'd been seeking. I named him Kenpachi and watched him grow into a man. Over time, I abandoned my identity as Yachiru and became Unohana Retsu.
"During the Quincy War, I fought Zaraki once more, reawakening his instincts as a true Kenpachi. After that, I had nothing left to live for. My purpose was fulfilled," she finished, her voice steady.
Ichigo sighed, pouring whiskey into two glasses from a bottle he conjured. He slid one glass toward her and downed his own. "I understand losing your purpose," he said, recalling his own struggles. "But I thought someone like you—someone who once bore the title of Kenpachi—would be stronger than this."
Unohana's hand tightened around the glass. "Explain," she said, her voice tinged with restrained anger.
Ichigo poured himself another drink. "Even when my friends and family doubted my ability to protect them, I didn't give up. I fought for them, even when I had nothing left. You've lost your will to live, and that's fine. But for someone like you, giving up is pathetic." He stood, fixing her with a hard stare. "Decide if you're truly this weak. I have other matters to attend to."
As he walked toward the door, a loud bang echoed behind him. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he opened a red Garganta and stepped through.
Scene: Fourth Division - Taichō's Office
Ichigo appeared in Isane's office, where she was busy with paperwork. She looked up, startled. "Ichigo-sama! What brings you here?"
"Hello, Isane. Can you call in your Fukutaichō here? I wish to speak to the two of you" Ichigo requested.
"As you wish Ichigo-sama, just hold on a moment" Isane responded.
Moments later, Kiyone hurried in. "Yes, Taichō?"
"Ichigo-sama requested both of our presence," Isane explained.
Ichigo gestured for them to sit. "I have a simple question for you both. If Unohana-taichō were to return, would you be willing to resume your previous positions?"
The room fell silent, then erupted with simultaneous exclamations. "WHAT?!"
Ichigo suppressed a chuckle at their shock. "Good thing I set up privacy kidō," he thought.
"H-How?" Isane stammered.
"Unohana is in Hell," Ichigo explained, his tone serious. "Her past sins landed her there. Recently, she caused trouble for the Kushanāda, who asked for my help."
"Where is she now?" Isane blurted out, then quickly covered her mouth, realizing whom she had interrupted and accidentally demanded from, followed by an embarrassed "Sorry".
Ichigo chuckled at her reactions. "Relax. She's facing her own struggles before she's ready to return."
Isane took a deep breath. "If Unohana-taichō wishes to reclaim the Fourth Division, then I'm willing to step aside."
"And if Isane-taichō is willing to step down, then I am also willing to step down," Kiyone added firmly.
"Good," Ichigo said. "Prepare for a Taichō meeting. I'll handle the rest." With that, he opened another Garganta and disappeared.
Scene Change: Hell - Ichigo's Office
Ichigo returned to find Unohana slumped over, an empty whiskey bottle beside her. She was fast asleep.
With a sigh, Ichigo conjured a bucket of ice water and dumped it on her.
"GAH!" Unohana sputtered, jolting awake. She glared at Ichigo, who stood holding the bucket.
"So, have you made a decision?" Ichigo asked, his tone steady.
"I have," Unohana replied with a calm but resolute voice. "I will return to the Fourth Division."
"Very well," Ichigo said, raising his hand to open a Garganta.
"But..." Unohana's voice stopped him mid-action. Ichigo lowered his hand and turned to face her.
"Unohana Yachiru desires one last fight before Unohana Retsu returns," she said, a faint smirk on her lips.
Ichigo nodded, unfazed. "I know just the place," he said. With a wave of his hand, Kyōka appeared, taking the Trainer from Ichigo and activating it, sending both Ichigo and Unohana into the trainer.
Scene Change: The Trainer
The environment shifted, and Ichigo and Unohana now stood in a vast, barren field designed for battle. Ichigo unsheathed Yorugetsu, its blade gleaming, while Unohana drew Minazuki.
"I'll start the countdown," Ichigo said, setting the timer. "Five... four... three... two... one... Start!"
In a flash, Ichigo closed the gap between them, his blade descending in a fierce arc. Unohana blocked the attack with Minazuki, the force of the clash sending shockwaves through the air.
"You've grown stronger," Unohana remarked, parrying another strike.
Ichigo remained silent, pressing the attack. His strikes forced Unohana to stay on the defensive, though her calm demeanor never wavered. As she shunpō'ed backward to create distance, her eyes lit up with anticipation.
"This will be fun after all," she said, slashing her arm with Minazuki. Blood dripped from her wound, coating the blade.
"Bankai... Minazuki," Unohana declared.
The blood on Minazuki crystallized, and she lunged forward, her strikes now more ferocious and unrelenting. Ichigo barely dodged her attacks, realizing he needed to up his game.
"Stride forth to the gates of Heaven, tear asunder its might! Charge into Hell and shatter the chains of the damned! Rise to your humanity and defy fate… ZANGETSU!" Ichigo roared, his reiatsu flaring as he unleashed his Shikai.
The clash intensified. Ichigo countered Unohana's relentless assault with a precision-born nameless Getsuga Tenshō, forcing her to block with Minazuki.
"Is that all you've got?" Unohana taunted.
"Not even close," Ichigo shot back. His reiatsu surged again as he unleashed his attack. "Getsuga... Jūjishō!"
A massive cross-shaped wave of energy tore through the battlefield, slamming into Unohana. She attempted to block, but the overwhelming force consumed her. When the dust settled, her uniform was in tatters, and her body was marked with burns and cuts. Still, she smiled, licking the blood from a wound.
"No one has wounded me like this—not even the Sōtaichō," she admitted.
"Do you yield?" Ichigo asked, standing over her.
"I do," Unohana said, sealing Minazuki.
Ichigo activated the Trainer's healing functions, restoring their injuries and reiatsu.
"Are you ready to return?" Ichigo asked.
"I am," Unohana replied, her demeanor now calm and resolute.
Scene: Hell - Ichigo's Office
The two reappeared in Ichigo's office. Kyōka handed the Trainer back to Ichigo before disappearing into his mindscape.
"Are you certain about this?" Ichigo asked.
"I am," Unohana said with conviction.
Without further delay, Ichigo unsheathed Zangetsu and severed the Chains of Hell binding Unohana. She gasped as the weight lifted from her soul.
"How do you feel?" Ichigo asked.
"Like a new person," she replied, smiling faintly. "Before we leave, I have something for you."
"What is it?" Ichigo asked, raising an eyebrow.
Unohana stepped forward, placing a finger on Ichigo's forehead.
"Life is an empty canvas; memories are the colors of life. Paint this canvas with these colors… Special Kidō Number 3: Memory Gift!"
A flood of knowledge rushed into Ichigo's mindscape, leaving him clutching his head.
"OW! What was that?" Ichigo groaned.
"A special present from me to you," Unohana teased.
"Ichigo she gave us a lot of secret kidō knowledge and a lot of unwritten history," Kyōka said.
"This might take us a while to look over this info," Hōgyoku added.
"Thank you," Ichigo said, recovering quickly. He opened a red Garganta, gesturing for her to follow.
Scene: Soul Society - Taichōs' Assembly Hall - Moments Earlier
Right after Ichigo left, Isane sent a hell butterfly to all the Taichōs to meet up at the Taichōs' Assembly Hall. Isane shunpō'ed to the Taichōs' Assembly Hall. She found her seat and sat down. A few minutes later, all the other Taichōs arrived at the Hall, took their seats, and waited. Soon Yamamoto-Sōtaichō arrived and sat down.
"Isane-taichō, you had requested our presence for an emergency meeting. Please stand up and explain your reason for calling for this meeting." Yamamoto-Sōtaichō said.
Isane stood up. Before she could speak, a red Garganta opened up. Everyone stared at the red Garganta.
When Ichigo and Unohana stepped through the Garganta, all eyes in the assembly hall moved on toward them. The Taichōs, along with Yamamoto-Sōtaichō, looked on in shock.
"Unohana-taichō... you're alive?" Yamamoto asked, his tone calm but curious.
"She caused too much trouble in Hell," Ichigo said casually. "The Jigoku no Kōtei (Hell's Emperor) requested I take her back."
The hall erupted in murmurs.
"I see," Genryūsai responded, accepting Ichigo's answer.
"Um…Sōtaichō, who is this Jigoku no Kōtei?" Hitsugaya asked.
"The Jigoku no Kōtei was the rumored mythical ruler of Hell, a myth no longer," Yamamoto replied.
Ichigo raised his voice, silencing the room. "Anyways, the reason for this meeting is to welcome Unohana-taichō back to the Fourth Division. Also, Isane-taichō accepted the demotion of rank to Fukutaichō. While Kiyone-Fukutaichō accepted the demotion of rank to the Third Seat and is willing to return to the Thirteenth Division."
"Very well," Yamamoto scanned the room. "Does anyone object?"
No one moved dared for a few reasons. First off, Ichigo was staring at them. They all could tell that Ichigo wanted to see who would question Ichigo's actions. The other reason was that Unohana was also staring at them. She channeled the aura that spread absolute despair and limitless suffering to her victim. Genryūsai waited for a few seconds.
"Very well," Yamamoto said. "Retsu Unohana is reinstated as Taichō of the Fourth Division. Isane Kotetsu is honorably demoted to Fukutaichō. Kiyone Kotetsu is honorably demoted to Third Seat and will return to the Thirteenth Division."
Unohana accepted the haori Isane carefully draped over her shoulders, her expression serene yet commanding.
"Is there any other business?" Yamamoto asked, glancing at Ichigo.
"Nope," Ichigo replied curtly.
"With that, I declare this emergency meeting adjourned," Genryūsai said.
Ichigo wasted no time and disappeared into a Garganta before anyone could bombard him with questions.
Scene Change: Yōkai Academy
Back in his room, Ichigo glanced at his watch. An hour left before classes end. He approached his door, hand outstretched to open it, when a knock came from the other side. Opening it, he found Ruby standing there.
"Yes?" Ichigo asked.
"Um… can I come in?" Ruby asked hesitantly.
"Sure," Ichigo said, stepping aside to let her in.
Ruby entered and sat down, her posture a little uneasy. "Want anything to drink?" Ichigo offered.
"No, thank you," Ruby replied as she settled herself on the bed while Ichigo took a chair nearby.
"So, what brings you here?" Ichigo asked.
"I had a question about the training schedule for the Newspaper Club," Ruby said.
"Go ahead," Ichigo prompted.
"How exactly do you plan to train each member?"
"I can manifest avatars of my powers to individually train each member," Ichigo explained.
"I see," Ruby said thoughtfully before shifting the topic. "But how are you planning to train Yukari?"
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Good question. What's your plan?"
"First, I'm thinking of taking her to the Banzai Bazaar (1)," Ruby said.
"Banzai Bazaar? What's that?" Ichigo asked, intrigued.
"It's a magical district where Japanese witches and wizards gather to practice wizardcraft," Ruby explained.
"Wizardcraft? There are different types of magic?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, there are several other types of magic users," Ruby began. "The first type, and the one I practice, is called Wizardcraft. It's a form of magic where we draw energy from the Earth and store it in a magical organ called the Magic Core. From there, we use this stored magic to cast spells. However, because the Magic Core is inherently unstable, we need tools, commonly referred to as foci, to stabilize it." She held up her wand. "Many of us use wands for this purpose. This reliance on wands is why we're often called witches or wizards," she added, tucking the wand back into her pocket.
"The second type of magic user relies on other magical beings for their power," Ruby continued. "These can be ordinary people or weaker witches and wizards who form bonds with magical creatures to enhance their abilities. They're often referred to as magicians in many circles."
Finally, Ruby hesitated before speaking again. "The last type is the one I know the least about. They're known as Magicraft users. Long ago, they were part of our group—wizards and witches like us. But something went terribly wrong. For reasons we still don't fully understand, this group severely damaged their Magic Cores. In an attempt to repair the damage, they ended up destroying their Magic Cores entirely." She paused, her expression serious. "Despite lacking their Magic Cores, they were able to perform magic. Lines that resemble circuits on a circuit board, appear on their body. It allows them to convert their own life force into magic. They named this Magic Circuits."
"Fascinating," Ichigo murmured. "Could anyone start learning wizardcraft, though?"
"Usually, children begin formal training around age seven at schools like Mahoutokoro School of Magic," Ruby said.
"And for those who don't attend?"
"Some are homeschooled by their families, but that's less common," Ruby replied.
"What would I need to start learning magic?" Ichigo asked, curiosity evident in his tone.
Before Ruby could answer, her watch beeped. She glanced at it, her expression shifting to urgency.
"Ah, it's time to meet the Newspaper Club at the Headmaster's office," she said, quickly getting to her feet.
Ichigo chuckled softly at her hurried exit. After locking his room, he shunpō'ed to Mikogami's office. Arriving before anyone else, he took a seat outside and waited.
A few minutes later, the Newspaper Club arrived.
"Hello, Ichigo," Moka greeted warmly.
"Hey, Moka," Ichigo replied with a small smile.
Suddenly, a window nearby creaked open. Ruby slipped in, folding her black wings as she landed gracefully. Her surprise at seeing Ichigo already there was evident.
"Well, now that everyone's here, let's get started," Ichigo said, standing up. He addressed each member in turn.
"Mizore, you'll be training with Shirayuki," Ichigo said as Shirayuki materialized beside him. Mizore's eyes widened in shock but she managed to compose herself.
"Kurumu, you're with Kyōka," he continued, summoning Kyōka.
"Moka, you'll train with Suzumebachi," Ichigo said. Suzumebachi appeared next, her diminutive form now replaced by a taller form at 167cm (5ft 4in), a striking woman with pink-eyed and long brown hair tied into two long pigtails at the back. She has a collar of white fur around her neck, wears puffy shorts and leggings with alternating yellow-black stripes on them, and wears black shoes. She has a small yellow-black plate covering each breast and has short, puffy, yellow-black striped sleeves covering each shoulder.
"Lastly, Tsukune will be training with Mikogami," Ichigo finished. Tsukune swallowed nervously as he glanced at the enigmatic headmaster.
Ichigo pulled out the trainer device, ready to activate it—but a blinking error message caught his attention.
"Error: 422 Unprocessable Entities," the screen displayed.
Ichigo frowned, scrolling through the details. So the trainer doesn't function in small pocket dimensions, he noted mentally.
"Mikogami, do you know a suitable training location?" Ichigo asked.
The headmaster smirked knowingly. "Didn't you say you had one in mind?"
"I did, but the size of this dimension is causing interference," Ichigo admitted.
"Very well. Follow me," Mikogami said, motioning for everyone to enter his office.
The group descended a staircase into an underground training ground. The space was massive, with a bright blue sky overhead and scattered stone structures dotting the landscape.
Ichigo took a moment to survey the area. "Why does this feel so familiar?" thinking to himself.
"Will this suffice?" Mikogami asked.
"It'll do," Ichigo replied.
With that, the mentors paired off with their respective students and disappeared into the training grounds. Ichigo turned to Ruby and Yukari.
"Shall we get going?" he asked.
"Sure," Ruby said.
"Um… where exactly are we going?" Yukari asked nervously.
"Banzai Bazaar," Ruby replied.
"WHAT?!" Yukari exclaimed.
"Based on what you said, we need to see what is causing you to be magically weak," Ruby said. "So we are going to check your wand first. From there we'll see what is going on."
"Um... that's fine, you guys. We don't need to go to Banzai Bazaar. I can just practice my spells," Yukari said quickly.
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Based on that reaction, there's definitely a problem," he said. Without giving her a chance to protest further, he effortlessly lifted Yukari and started walking out of Mikogami's office. Ruby followed behind them as Yukari squirmed in Ichigo's arms, frantically trying to think of an excuse to avoid going to Banzai Bazaar.
When they reached the academy's outer gates, Yukari finally blurted out, "Wait! Don't we need the bus driver to take us out of Yōkai Academy?"
Ruby paused mid-step. "You're right. We'll need Mikogami to contact the bus driver."
Ichigo smirked. "No need." With a wave of his hand, a sleek black car materialized from thin air. "Get in," he said, opening the door.
Ruby climbed into the passenger seat while Yukari, reluctantly, got into the back. As they entered the dimensional tunnel, Yukari slumped in her seat, her excuse rendered useless.
Scene Change: Shisō, Hyōgo
With Ruby's guidance, Ichigo navigated the twisting dimensional pathways until they emerged on the streets of Shisō.
"The entrance to Banzai Bazaar is next to a restaurant called Dino House," Ruby explained.
Ichigo pulled up his phone, found the restaurant's location, and parked the car nearby. Ruby led the way as she and Ichigo escorted the increasingly nervous Yukari into a narrow, empty alley. Stopping in front of a plain brick wall, Ruby drew her wand and tapped the bricks in a precise sequence: tapped twice, once down, then across a single brick, tapped once, tapped twice, down once, finally, she tapped across two bricks. The wall shimmered, bricks sliding apart to reveal a glowing gateway.
"Let's go," Ruby said, stepping through the portal. Ichigo followed, nudging a hesitant Yukari along.
Inside Banzai Bazaar, the air buzzed with energy. The cobblestone streets were lined with shops resembling traditional Japanese buildings, but their magical nature was unmistakable. Merchants peddled shimmering potions, floating artifacts, and exotic wands.
"So where is our first stop?" Ichigo asked.
"We're going to go to Ozu's Wands," Ruby said. Before Yukari could escape, Ruby grabbed her hand and she pulled Yukari to where Ichigo assumed to be Ozu's Wands. Ichigo saw that many stores have a traditional Japanese feel to them. A few minutes later, Ichigo could see the store called Ozu's Wands. The three entered it to see a mature lady wearing white robes reading a book.
"Welcome to Ozu's Wands," the woman greeted, setting her book aside. "My name is Ozu Miyuki. How can I help you?"
Ruby stepped forward, gently guiding Yukari to the counter. "We're hoping you can check if her wand has any issues."
Yukari hesitated but handed over her wand: a pink, heart-shaped design with a blue star in the center. Miyuki examined it with curiosity.
"I don't recognize this make," Miyuki said, frowning slightly.
"My grandmother made it for me," Yukari mumbled.
"I see…" Miyuki murmured. She scrutinized the wand further before looking up. "It seems you've outgrown it."
"Outgrown it?!" Yukari's eyes widened.
"Yes. Wands, like many tools, must resonate with their user's growing magical abilities. Yours no longer channels your magic efficiently," Miyuki explained. She waved her wand, summoning a series of measuring tapes that whirred around Yukari, taking precise measurements.
"Stand still," Miyuki instructed before guiding Yukari to a wall lined with compartments. "Wave your hand slowly over the drawers and stop when you feel a connection," she said.
Yukari did as instructed, stopping midway through. "Here!" she exclaimed.
Miyuki opened the selected drawer. "Vinewood," she noted before leading Yukari to another wall. "Now repeat the process while holding this block of vinewood."
Yukari followed suit, eventually pausing near the end of the row. Miyuki opened the corresponding drawer. "Interesting," she said. "The core you've chosen is a pygmy owl heartstring."
"What's so unusual about that?" Yukari asked.
Miyuki smiled faintly. "I've never crafted a wand with pygmy owl heartstrings before. This will be… unique." She turned back to Ruby. "The wand will be ready tomorrow."
Ruby nodded. "Thank you. Actually, there's one more thing," she added, glancing at Ichigo. "He also needs help finding a wand."
Miyuki looked Ichigo up and down. "Strange. I don't sense any magical energy from you."
Ichigo gave a small shrug. "I've mastered control over my energy to prevent it from leaking."
Intrigued, Miyuki retrieved a large orb. "Pour your energy into this," she instructed.
"Are you sure it can handle it?" Ichigo asked skepticism in his tone.
"Absolutely," Miyuki said confidently.
Ichigo placed his hand on the orb, releasing a steady flow of reiatsu. Within moments, cracks spiderwebbed across its surface.
"Stop!" Miyuki shouted, cradling the now-shattered orb. She sighed. "No wand can handle that amount of magical energy. A staff, however, might suffice."
"How do we go about creating one?" Ichigo asked.
Miyuki hesitated. "Crafting a staff is illegal without approval from the Japanese Ministry of Magic. Even with their authorization, it must also be approved by Yasaka-hime."
Ichigo smirked and pulled out his phone. "Then it's a good thing I know Yasaka personally."
He dialed her number. "Hey, Yasaka," he greeted casually, ignoring the stunned looks from Ruby and Miyuki.
"Hello, Ichigo," came Yasaka's warm reply. "What do you need?"
"I'm at Ozu's Wands and—"
"You need my approval for a staff," Yasaka interrupted with a chuckle. "I'll handle it. Give me twenty minutes."
"Okay, thank you," Ichigo said as he ended the call. When he looked up, he noticed everyone around him staring in disbelief at how casually he had spoken to the ruler of Yōkai.
"She'll be here in twenty minutes," Ichigo said as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
"WHAT?!" everyone shouted in unison.
Miyuki clapped her hands to regain focus. "Ladies, if you help me start cleaning, her wand—and maybe his staff—will be free," she offered.
"DEAL!" Ruby and Yukari shouted enthusiastically. They immediately began casting cleaning spells while Miyuki disappeared into the backroom.
"Ichigo," Yasaka's voice came through the peerage link, "ask her how many cores will be needed for the staff."
"Sure," Ichigo replied. "Miyuki!" he called.
"Yes?" came her shout from the backroom.
"How many cores will I need for the staff?" he asked.
"Likely seven cores!" she replied.
"What can serve as a core?" Ichigo followed up.
"Almost anything!" Miyuki shouted back.
Ichigo relayed this to Yasaka. "She says seven cores. Does that make sense?"
"Exactly as I suspected," Yasaka said. "Try to find five other materials meaningful to you. The closer they are to you, the better."
"Understood," Ichigo said, retreating into his mindscape. "Kisara, Valiona," he called to the twin dragons.
"Yes, Master?" their synchronized voices replied.
"Can I have a fang and some blood from each of you?" Ichigo asked.
"Why?" they both asked, curious.
"I'm building a staff and thought your materials would make for powerful cores," Ichigo explained.
"Of course, Master," the dragons agreed.
"Yhwach," Ichigo called next.
"Yes?" Yhwach answered smoothly.
"Could you help extract a fang and blood from Kisara and Valiona?" Ichigo requested.
"Certainly." Kisara and Valiona transformed into their dragon forms, opening their jaws wide. With some effort, Yhwach managed to extract one massive fang from each dragon. He carefully collected their blood in crystal vials, then conjured two elegant boxes to store the materials.
Yhwach handed the boxes to Ichigo. "Here you go."
"Thank you," Ichigo said sincerely.
"It's nothing," Yhwach, Kisara, and Valiona replied in unison.
Turning to the peerage link, Ichigo reached out again. "Eu, Ophis?"
"Yes, Ichigo?" came their dual response.
"Eu, may I have a feather from Yūyami?" Ichigo asked.
"Why?" Eu replied.
"I'm assembling a staff and thought Yūyami's feather would be a fitting core."
"That's fine," Eu agreed.
"What about me?" Ophis interjected eagerly.
"Could I have a fang and some blood from you Ophis?" Ichigo asked.
"Of course," Ophis replied without hesitation.
Moments later, Yūyami appeared in a burst of flames, carrying a slim, foot-long box in its talons.
"Hello, Yūyami," Ichigo greeted warmly as he accepted the box. Yūyami cawed softly in response.
"I'm going to take one of your feathers, okay?" Ichigo asked. Yūyami nodded, remaining still as Ichigo gently plucked a glossy black feather.
"Thank you," Ichigo said. Yūyami nodded again before disappearing in another fiery burst.
"Ichigo," Yasaka's voice returned. "I'm almost there. I'm being carried over."
"Carried?" Ichigo echoed, puzzled.
Moments later, four large imposing men are wearing white face coverings that cover their entire head except the eyes. Other than that the uniform consists of a black garment and sandals with white tabi. All four of them are carrying a large black norimono [Japanese palanquin] with golden drapes. The drapes in red ink display Yasaka's family symbol. The men lowered the norimono. The four men left their post as they stood facing outwards Yasaka lifted the drapes and left the norimono followed by a Kunou.
Ichigo walked over to hold the door open for the two of them.
"Hello, Ichigo," she greeted warmly as she kissed his cheek.
"Hello, Yasaka," he replied, returning the gesture.
"Hi, Papa!" Kunou chirped, leaping into his arms.
"Hello, Kunou," Ichigo said, holding her close.
Miyuki, watching nervously, bowed deeply. "H-h-hello, Yasaka-hime."
"Greetings, Ozu Miyuki," Yasaka said kindly, handing her a sealed scroll. Miyuki accepted it with trembling hands, carefully unrolling it. The scroll granted permission for Miyuki to craft a staff for Ichigo, detailing strict protocols to ensure the materials, techniques, and other elements of the staff remained a national secret.
"Yasaka-hime, has a copy been sent to the Japanese Ministry of Magic?" Miyuki asked.
"Yes," Yasaka confirmed. "A copy has already been forwarded to them."
"Understood." Miyuki bowed again. "It is an honor to be in your presence, Yasaka-hime."
Yasaka smiled and turned to Ichigo, handing him two additional boxes. "These should help."
"Thank you, dear," Ichigo said, kissing her on the cheek.
"You're welcome," Yasaka replied. Ichigo kissed Kunou's forehead before setting her down.
"Bye, Papa!" Kunou said, running back to her mother. The four men remained standing facing outwards as Yasaka lifted the drapes and entered the norimono followed by Kunou. The four men left their post as all of them grabbed a side of the norimono lifted it to the ground and began walking away.
Ichigo turned back to Miyuki. "Do you have a cart for all of this?"
Miyuki brought out a small cart, and Ichigo carefully placed the materials—Yasaka's boxes, Ophis's box, Yūyami's feather, and Kisara and Valiona's boxes—onto it.
"You'll need one more core for the staff, if you can't think of any you could try the core wall," Miyuki said. Ichigo approached the wall of magical cores, letting his hand hover over the compartments. Eventually, his hand stopped over the final one.
Miyuki opened it, revealing long, dark silver hairs.
"It's been ages since I used Thestral hair," she mused.
"Thestral?" Ichigo asked, intrigued.
"Thestrals are a breed of winged horses with skeletal bodies, faces featuring reptilian traits, and wide, leathery wings that resemble those of a bat," Ruby explained.
"Thestrals are often unfairly seen as omens of misfortune and aggression by many wizards. They're visible only to those who've witnessed death at least once, and their grim, gaunt, and ghostly appearance doesn't help," Miyuki added. Ichigo chuckled at the irony of choosing Thestral hairs.
"What's so funny?" Ruby asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh… it's nothing," Ichigo replied, trying to downplay it.
"It's nothing?" Ruby repeated, her voice rising. "The fact that your final staff core is something related to death is not funny!"
"If you want to know why I find it funny, you'll need to swear an oath of silence," Ichigo said calmly.
"Oath of silence?" Ruby and Yukari asked in unison.
"You mean a witch's oath?" Miyuki clarified.
"Why?" Ruby asked, puzzled.
"National security," Ichigo replied seriously.
"Really?" Ruby gave Ichigo a skeptical look.
"It is," Ichigo confirmed.
"Very well," Miyuki said, stepping forward. "What is your name?"
"Kurosaki-Yamamoto Ichigo," Ichigo replied.
"I, Ozu Miyuki of the Ancient Clan of Ozu, swear on my life and magic to speak to no one about the information Yamamoto-Kurosaki Ichigo is about to reveal," Miyuki declared as her magic began to glow white and swirl around her.
"Oath not accepted," Ichigo said firmly. Miyuki's glowing aura faded, her magic safely dispersing.
"What?" Ruby and Yukari asked in unison.
"You only said you wouldn't speak to anyone. You didn't mention anything about writing it down or using other magical means to inform others," Ichigo explained.
"You're sharper than you look," Miyuki remarked with a wry smile. "I, Ozu Miyuki of the Ancient Clan of Ozu, swear on my life and magic not to attempt to inform anyone in any way about the information Yamamoto-Kurosaki Ichigo is about to reveal to me," she restated, her magic beginning to glow white again.
"I, Yamamoto-Kurosaki Ichigo, Second Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient Clan of Yamamoto, accept Ozu Miyuki's Oath," Ichigo replied, his reiatsu flaring as it mingled with Miyuki's white magic. Their combined auras glowed golden for a moment before dissipating. Ruby sighed and stepped forward.
"I, Tōjō Ruby, swear on my life and magic not to attempt to inform anyone in any way about the information that Yamamoto-Kurosaki Ichigo is about to reveal to me," Ruby said, her magic glowing dark violet.
"I, Yamamoto-Kurosaki Ichigo, Second Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient Clan of Yamamoto, accept Tōjō Ruby's Oath," Ichigo responded, his reiatsu once again mixing with Ruby's magic, creating a golden glow before it vanished. Yukari nervously stepped forward.
"I, Sendo Yukari, swear on my life and magic not to attempt to inform anyone in any way about the information that Yamamoto-Kurosaki Ichigo is about to reveal to me," Yukari said, her magic glowing light pink.
"I, Yamamoto-Kurosaki Ichigo, Second Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient Clan of Yamamoto, accept Sendo Yukari's Oath," Ichigo said, his reiatsu intertwining with Yukari's magic, glowing golden before fading.
"Now that we've secured your secrecy, why was it so funny?" Ruby asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Have you heard of beings called Shinigami?" Ichigo asked.
Ruby and Yukari exchanged confused glances, while Miyuki nodded thoughtfully. "I've heard stories. Shinigami are said to be beings in black robes who oversee the balance between life and death."
"That's correct, Miyuki," Ichigo said. "And what about Hollows?" he asked.
"If I'm right, Hollows are beings consumed by negative emotions, and only a Shinigami can save them," Miyuki guessed.
"Two for two," Ichigo said with a slight smile. "Lastly, what about Quincies?"
"QUINCIES!" Ruby shouted, her eyes wide. Ichigo glanced at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Quincies are humans who wield their Yōki to create bows and arrows to kill other Yōkai," Ruby explained, her voice still slightly shaky.
"Kind of right…" Ichigo said, then turned to Miyuki. "Anything else to add?"
"Quincies also hunt Hollows," Miyuki said.
"Why are you asking us all this?" Yukari asked, still unsure of the direction the conversation was going.
"Because Shinigami, Hollows, and Quincies are real," Ichigo said calmly.
"WHAT?!" Ruby, Miyuki, and Yukari exclaimed in unison.
"I'm a hybrid of Shinigami, Hollow, and Quincy," Ichigo said nonchalantly. Ruby immediately dropped into a defensive stance, her wand raised.
"I'm not going to attack you, Ruby," Ichigo reassured her. "If I intended to harm any of you, Yasaka wouldn't have proposed me to Mikogami."
Ruby reluctantly lowered her wand but kept glaring at Ichigo.
"Anyways, since Thestrals can only be seen by those who have witnessed death, and I'm connected to death through my Shinigami heritage, it makes perfect sense," Ichigo continued.
"Now, we still need to find the wood for your staff," Miyuki said, shifting the focus back to the task at hand. Ichigo wheeled his cart over to the wall filled with wooden compartments. He waved his right hand over the shelves, while his left hand remained on the cart. After a moment, he stopped on seven different compartments, marking each one on a piece of paper.
Miyuki walked over and opened the first compartment. "Ash," she said, placing it on the cart. She moved to the second. "Aspen," she said, followed by the third. "Ebony," she noted as she added it to the cart. The fourth compartment opened. "Elder," she said, moving to the fifth. "Fir," she added. Then the sixth, "Pine," followed by the seventh and last. "Yew," she finished.
Both Yukari and Ruby stared at the impressive array of materials piled onto the cart. Ichigo, sensing something, pushed his cart toward a smaller chest on the wall.
"Ichigo, what are you doing?" Ruby asked.
"I felt... my 'magic' pulling me toward this chest," Ichigo said, slightly puzzled.
"So your staff will have gems, too?" Miyuki speculated.
"Gems," the three said in unison.
"Some wands or staffs also incorporate gems when they focus on elemental magic," Miyuki explained, taking out her wand. At the tip was a bluish-white gem. "I have an affinity for ice magic," she added, opening the chest and pulling out what appeared to be a large jewelry case filled with many small drawers.
Ichigo once again waved his right hand over the compartments while his left hand stayed on the cart. He stopped over seven different marked compartments, marking them on a piece of paper as he went.
Miyuki moved over to the first compartment. "Ruby," she said, placing it on the cart. She moved to the second. "Sapphire," she said, adding it to the cart. She continued down the line to the third. "Emerald," she said, continuing to the fourth. "Imperial Topaz," she followed moving to the fifth. "Black Star Gemstone," she added, moving to the sixth. "White Star Gemstone," she added, before moving to the seventh and finale. "Rainbow Moonstone," she finished, placing the final gem on the cart.
Ichigo pushed the cart over to Miyuki's counter.
"How much will my wand cost?" Yukari asked.
"It's free, remember?" Miyuki replied.
"Now, how much will this cost?" Ichigo asked, gesturing to the cart full of materials.
"I can't give you an answer just yet," Miyuki said.
"Why not?" Ichigo pressed.
"There are a few reasons," Miyuki explained. "First, some of the materials are new to me, so I'll need help from my children."
"All right," Ichigo said. "Can you give me an estimated time frame?"
"A week should do," Miyuki requested.
"Very well," Ichigo agreed.
After exchanging goodbyes, Ichigo, Ruby, and Yukari left the store. As soon as they stepped out, Miyuki rushed to close the door, flipped the sign to "Closed," and hurried to the backroom to gather her children for the task ahead—the creation of an extraordinary magical item.
Scene Change
Later, Ichigo, Ruby, and Yukari stopped by a few bookshops to purchase basic magical books, along with a few more specialized ones, before heading back to Yōkai Academy. They entered the underground training area and found Mikogami with the Newspaper Club.
"Kyōka, Shirayuki, and Suzumebachi, please bring your students back here," Ichigo mentally called out. "Also, can someone tell Mikogami to meet us?"
"Got it," Kyōka and Shirayuki said.
"I'll tell him," Suzumebachi added.
A few minutes later, Kyōka, Shirayuki, Suzumebachi, and Mikogami joined Ichigo. The Newspaper Club was clearly tired.
"How was training?" Ichigo asked.
"Mizore wasn't creative," Shirayuki commented.
"Kurumu needs to focus more," Kyōka added.
"Pink-haired Moka needs to get over her shyness," Suzumebachi noted.
"Tsukune is still struggling with his transformation," Mikogami said.
"I see," Ichigo replied. "Did you give them homework?"
"I did," Shirayuki answered.
"So did I," Kyōka said.
"I asked her to think about why she wants to train," Suzumebachi explained.
"I gave him a similar assignment," Mikogami said.
"Very well," Ichigo nodded. "Thank you, Shirayuki," he said, kissing her on the cheek. "Thank you, Kyōka," he said, kissing her as well. "And thank you, Suzumebachi," he added, kissing her too. All the girls blushed before retreating to Ichigo's mindscape.
"Moka," Ichigo called out.
"Yes?" Moka responded.
"I was wondering if we could have our private conversation now?" Ichigo asked.
"Um... sure," Moka agreed.
Before anyone could react, Ichigo walked over to Moka, lifted her in a bridal carry, and shunpō'd them to the roof of Yōkai Academy. He gently set her down.
"Ichigo," Moka said, looking up at him.
"Yes?" Ichigo replied.
"I've been wondering... why did you keep your promise to me?" Moka asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I've seen so many other women who want to be with you, many of them more beautiful than me. Yet, you turned them all down for me. Why?"
Ichigo smiled softly. "Why?" he repeated. "I love you. You were there for me when I needed you. You were the first person I fully opened my heart to. And you gave me a daughter."
"I know," Moka whispered before pulling him in for a kiss.
"I want to talk to Ichigo," Inner Moka's voice interrupted.
"Inner Moka wants to talk to you," Moka said.
"Moka, how many times do I have to tell you?" Ichigo said with a smile. "She's not your inner self. I know she's part of your mind, but I treat both of you as Moka."
"I know..." Moka whispered.
"Stop it. I want to talk to Ichigo!" Inner Moka demanded.
Moka turned to Ichigo. "She wants to talk to you," she said. Ichigo nodded.
"All right," he agreed. "But first, you can have a little snack," Ichigo said, tilting his head to expose his neck.
"REALLY?" Moka's eyes widened. Ichigo nodded.
Without hesitation, Moka stepped up, licked his neck, and then bit down. Ichigo's reiatsu-rich blood began to flow into her mouth. After a few seconds, Ichigo pulled the Rosario from her neck. Her form began to shift—her pink hair turning silver, her green eyes becoming more demonic with red irises and slit pupils.
Moka continued to drink his blood for a few more moments before pulling away and kissing the wound. To Ichigo's amazement, the wound healed almost instantly.
"So, Moka," Ichigo said, getting her attention again. "What do you want to talk about?"
"I... want to explain something to you," Moka said, her voice more serious now.
Ichigo nodded. "Go ahead."
"After what happened, my father sent me back home to ensure my pregnancy was safe," Moka began, pulling out a photo and handing it to Ichigo. The picture showed her in hospital robes, her silver hair disheveled. In her arms, she cradled a small baby with orange hair.
"I was planning to name her after your mother, but my father objected," Moka continued.
Ichigo looked at the photo with a soft smile. "What's her name?"
"Elizabeth Masaki Akashiya," Moka replied.
"I thought your father forbade you from adding my mother's name to hers," Ichigo said.
"I managed to add it as her middle name," Moka replied.
"What happened next?" Ichigo asked.
"Once I recovered from the pregnancy, he told me I'd be sent to Yōkai Academy," Moka explained. "I ended up running into Tsukune. During an altercation, he accidentally pulled my Rosario off and awakened me. At the time, we thought it was a sign to move on," Moka admitted.
"I see," Ichigo said, pulling her into a hug. "Moka, I understand your reasoning, and I will never stop loving you."
"Thank you for forgiving me... for my weakness," Moka whispered, returning the hug.
Suddenly, they heard a loud slam from the door. They turned to see a young girl with green eyes, and flaming orange hair tied in two bushy ponytails with large red bows. A black bat flew around her head.
"Kokoa!" Moka exclaimed, recognizing her younger sister.
"Onee-sama!" Kokoa cried out. "Why are you with that bastard again?! How is he still alive? I thought Oto-sama took care of him!" she demanded.
Before Ichigo or Moka could respond, Kokoa grabbed the flying bat, which transformed into a giant mace.
"Don't worry, Onee-sama. I'll save you from him and finish what Oto-sama started!" Kokoa said as she charged at Ichigo.
"Kokoa!" Moka yelled, just as Kokoa swung the mace at Ichigo. Ichigo raised his left hand and effortlessly caught the weapon.
"WHAT?!" Kokoa gasped, trying to pull her weapon free, but Ichigo's grip was too strong.
"Hello, Kokoa," Ichigo said calmly. "I'm impressed you remembered me."
Ichigo slowly began to squeeze the mace. The bat-shaped weapon struggled, but Ichigo's strength kept it locked in place.
"Stop!" Kokoa begged, attempting to free the bat familiar. Ichigo allowed the struggle to continue for a few more seconds before releasing his grip, causing Kokoa to fall onto her bottom.
"Kō-chan, are you all right?" Kokoa asked as the bat returned to its original form.
"I'm a little sore but fine," Kō-chan replied.
"So, aside from trying to attack Ichigo, what do you want?" Moka asked, exasperated.
"I just wanted to spend time with you, Onee-sama," Kokoa admitted.
Moka sighed. "Kokoa, I'm seventeen, and you're only fifteen. You need to grow into yourself."
"But I am!" Kokoa protested.
"Then tell me, what have you achieved on your own?" Moka asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Um…" Kokoa trailed off.
Ichigo, seeing the tension, decided to step in.
"Kokoa, come here," Ichigo called. Both sisters looked at him. "Come on," he said, gesturing for her to approach.
Slowly, Kokoa walked toward the two. Ichigo created a loveseat for the sisters and a separate chair for himself. They all sat down, with Moka and Kokoa staring at Ichigo.
"Kokoa, please explain to Moka why you hate me," Ichigo said.
It took Kokoa a few seconds to respond.
"I… I don't hate you," Kokoa admitted.
"Then why did you want to attack him?" Moka asked, her voice softer now.
"Is it wrong to be jealous of him and you?" Kokoa said, frustration rising in her voice. "When I found you in Karakura Town and tried to hang out with you, you kept pushing me aside to spend more time with him," Kokoa explained.
Moka hesitated, unsure of how to respond.
"I'm sorry, Kokoa," Ichigo said, his voice sincere. Both Kokoa and Moka looked at him. "I'm sorry for unintentionally taking your Onee-san away from you," Ichigo added. "I understand how you feel. When I was younger, my two little sisters would compete for my attention. But now, they've learned to share. Kokoa, we both need to learn how to share your Onee-san."
"But I don't want to share her," Kokoa said, pouting.
"I know," Ichigo replied, "but if you don't learn to share, it'll make her sad."
"Do you want Moka to be sad?" Ichigo asked, his voice gentle.
"No," Kokoa admitted softly.
"Then you need to learn how to share her," Ichigo said, standing up. "Moka. Kokoa. Use this time to rebuild that family bond," he said before shunpō'ed away.
Ichigo returned to his room, which Mikogami had provided for him. He took a quick shower, then fell asleep, hoping the sisters would find a way to reconnect.
Author's notes:
Banzai Bazaar is from Cragglerock82's Fanfiction, Harry Potter and the Jade Dragon. It is Japan's equivalent of Diagon Alley.