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.
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 22:
Ichigo recalled what Shirayuki had mentioned during his training regarding Mizore. Determined to follow up, he entered his mindscape in search of her. With a quick shunpō, he arrived at the icy mountain Shirayuki had made her domain. Near her palace, he saw her gracefully dancing in the snow.
"Hello, Shirayuki," Ichigo called out.
Shirayuki stopped dancing and smiled. "Hello, Ichigo."
"Nope, don't stop," Ichigo said, walking toward her. "Dance with me," he added, his clothes transforming into a black kimono adorned with icy blue snowflakes.
Shirayuki raised an eyebrow but nodded, taking his hand. For the next hour, they danced in the cold, their movements synchronized like a practiced duet. Ichigo noted how some of the steps mirrored techniques she had taught him. When they finally stopped, Shirayuki leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
"So, what brings you to my side of the mindscape?" Shirayuki asked.
"Other than dancing with you?" Ichigo teased.
"Other than that," she replied, rolling her eyes playfully.
"It's about what you mentioned after training with Mizore," Ichigo said.
Shirayuki's expression softened. "I see. You remembered that." She paused before continuing. "If you want to hear this, then we'll need to get comfortable."
The two entered her ice palace, where Shirayuki crafted chairs of crystal-clear ice for them. They sat across from each other, the air around them shimmering with cold.
"You can start whenever you're ready," Ichigo said.
Shirayuki nodded, her gaze distant as she began.
"Long ago, I was alone—no parents, no family. I wandered the icy mountains, finding solace in the cold. One day, during a massive snowstorm, I saw a light coming from a nearby cave. Curious, I ventured inside."
"The warmth was unfamiliar and slightly uncomfortable, but I pressed on. There, I found a young man wrapped in a fur blanket by a small campfire. He smiled and welcomed me, opening the blanket and inviting me to join him. I hesitated but eventually sat beside him."
"We talked through the night, sharing our pasts. He told me he was a traveler exploring Japan and had been caught in a snowstorm. I shared that I lived alone on the mountain. When the storm passed, he asked me to join him on his journey."
"Our friendship grew as we traveled. I taught him to read the signs of snowstorms and hunt in the harsh cold. He, in turn, taught me to read and write. Over time, we fell in love."
"But there was a sadness—I was infertile. Yet, he loved me as I was. One night, during another snowstorm, we took shelter in an abandoned shrine. While he slept, I prayed to the goddess Amaterasu, asking for the ability to bear a child. She answered, offering me this gift in exchange for my service to her after my death."
"The next day, I told him about the deal. He was skeptical of the supernatural, so I revealed my powers. I feared rejection, but he embraced me, accepting all of me. Soon after, I became pregnant."
"When our daughter was born, her skin was snow-white, and her hair a striking purple. We decided that I should be the one to give her a surname and he would give her a forename. I named her Shirayuki, and he gave her the name Kireina [Beautiful]."
"As our journey neared its end, he asked me to join him on his expeditions to warmer regions, but I realized I couldn't. The warmer the climate, the weaker I became. He understood and vowed to return to me throughout his life. He kept that promise, visiting every few years until he passed away at the age of 81."
"I raised our daughter alone, guiding her to find a husband and build a family. But I discovered a limitation: she and her descendants could only bear children between the ages of 17 and their mid-20s. When I eventually passed, I met Amaterasu again and asked her about this. She explained that our lineage, beings of cold, could only sustain the fire of life briefly. I accepted this truth and went with her."
"Eventually, I ended up here, with Rukia... and now you."
Shirayuki finished her story, her voice tinged with nostalgia and sadness.
"An incredible story," Ichigo said as he stood and hugged her. "Do you remember his name?"
"His name was Sōgi," Shirayuki said softly.
Ichigo's eyes widened. "Sōgi… The poet? I've read about him. He traveled across Japan and passed away in Hakone on September 1, 1502."
Shirayuki nodded. "So, his name is remembered."
"He's also credited with inspiring the legend of Yuki-Onna," Ichigo added.
Shirayuki smiled faintly. "I see… Thank you for spending this time with me."
"No problem," Ichigo said, kissing her forehead before leaving the mindscape.
Scene Change: Yōkai Academy
Ichigo woke at 5 a.m., his usual routine. After taking care of his morning tasks, he shunpō'ed to the underground training area Mikogami had provided.
Currently, he is working on combining his elemental reiatsu with Shunkō.
"Ichigo," Yhwach's voice echoed as the Quincy king materialized from his mindscape.
"Yes, Yhwach?" Ichigo responded.
"I have an idea to help with this issue," Yhwach said.
"Go ahead," Ichigo replied.
"Think of your reiatsu as a bucket of water," Yhwach began, conjuring a bucket and a small hose. "When you use elemental manipulation, you're subconsciously altering your reiatsu to suit the element." He attached a food-coloring dispenser to the hose and let the water flow, the dye mixing in.
"But for Shunkō, you're using unaltered reiatsu because it's more abundant and faster to access," Yhwach explained, pointing to the clear water flowing directly from the bucket.
"So, what's your solution?" Ichigo asked, crossing his arms.
"The answer is to create something to store premade elemental reiatsu," Yhwach replied confidently.
"And how do we do that?" Ichigo pressed.
Yhwach smiled faintly, pulling out four glowing orbs. Ichigo's eyes narrowed as he recognized them.
"You're planning to make Schrifts for each element?" Ichigo guessed.
"Exactly," Yhwach confirmed.
"Why?" Ichigo asked, tilting his head.
"With these Schrifts, you'll have a place to store elemental reiatsu, ready for use when you need it," Yhwach explained, gesturing to the orbs.
"Like a second bucket for holding the colored water," Ichigo mused, creating another bucket in his mindscape and connecting it to the imaginary hose from earlier.
"Precisely," Yhwach said with a nod.
"Isn't this similar to a magical core?" Ichigo asked, recalling Ruby's explanation.
"Now that you mention it, yes, it's akin to a magical core," Yhwach admitted. "I'll create one Schrift to act as your magic core and four for the individual elements."
"Understood," Ichigo replied.
Yhwach returned to Ichigo's mindscape to work, while Ichigo shifted focus to reviewing his martial arts and Hakuda techniques. A few minutes later, Yhwach reappeared, holding five completed Schrifts.
"Ready, Ichigo?" Yhwach asked.
"I am," Ichigo replied.
Yhwach handed him the orbs. "From left to right, these represent water, earth, fire/plasma, air, and magic," he explained. "But don't integrate them all at once. Do it one by one."
"Got it," Ichigo said.
"I, Kurosaki Ichigo, bestow upon myself this Schrift," Ichigo declared, pressing the first orb to his chest. A surge of power flowed through him, and he felt a subtle shift within.
One by one, Ichigo repeated the process for the remaining Schrifts.
"How do you feel?" Yhwach asked, studying Ichigo carefully.
"Strange," Ichigo admitted.
"In what way?"
"Weaker," Ichigo said, flexing his fingers.
"That might be due to your body adjusting, filling the Schrifts with reiatsu," Yhwach theorized. "You should test your elemental manipulation to see what has changed."
"All right," Ichigo said.
First, Ichigo called upon water. He gathered moisture from the air, forming a stream, then turned it into ice. With a focused effort, he reverted the ice to water vapor, the process smoother and faster than before.
Next, he summoned large boulders for earth manipulation. Slamming them together, he found he could control the broken fragments with precision, reshaping them into an even larger boulder before letting it drop to the ground.
For fire, Ichigo summoned flames at his fingertips, extending them into white-hot rods approximately 10 inches long. He flung the rods into the boulder, watching them pierce and slowly melt the stone. Taking a deep breath, Ichigo summoned lightning, directing it to strike the flaming boulder. The resulting explosion revealed magma seeping out. Ichigo shaped the magma into a star before reforming it back into the boulder.
Finally, Ichigo tested air manipulation, launching sharp air cutters at the boulder and creating a cyclone with his hands. Adding more wind energy, he destroyed the cyclone with a massive air cutter, scattering the remaining debris.
When it came to testing magic, Ichigo retrieved a staff gifted by Miyuki and prepared to explore this new domain.
"How do you feel now?" Yhwach asked.
"I feel... in control," Ichigo said, his voice steady.
"Good. Have you thought of names for these Schrifts?" Yhwach asked, summoning a sheet of parchment.
"Yes," Ichigo replied. "Schrift A: Aqua Dominum—Master of Water. Schrift G: Gaia Crusher. Schrift I: Ignatius. Schrift V: Ventus. Schrift M: Magus."
Yhwach jotted down the names. "Well done. Anything else for now?"
"No, that's all," Ichigo said.
With a nod, Yhwach returned to the mindscape, leaving Ichigo to stretch and check the time. It was already 7 am After a quick shower, he headed to the cafeteria.
Scene Change: Cafeteria
Entering the cafeteria, Ichigo immediately noticed the whispers. Students of Yōkai Academy turned to look at him, their gazes filled with curiosity and speculation. Dressed in a white t-shirt, black jeans, black shoes, and an unzipped black jacket, he didn't bother acknowledging their stares.
"Is he a transfer student?" one whispered.
"Maybe he's new staff," another guessed.
Ignoring the gossip, Ichigo purchased a traditional Japanese meal set and found an open table. He had just begun eating when the murmurs stopped.
A group of students entered the cafeteria, their presence commanding silence. The atmosphere shifted as all eyes turned to them. Slowly, the group made their way toward Ichigo's table.
"Hey, buddy," a guy said, trying to get Ichigo's attention. Ichigo ignored him and continued eating his rice.
"HEY!" the guy repeated, slamming his hand on the table.
Ichigo sighed, placing his chopsticks down. He wiped his mouth with a napkin before finally looking at the group in front of him.
"What do you want?" Ichigo asked, his tone flat.
Standing before him was a group wearing sleek, all-black uniforms, distinctly different from the standard green-and-tan student attire.
"I am Keito, captain of the Public Safety Commission," the guy said, stepping forward. "You're wearing an unauthorized uniform. Either change into the approved student uniform, or you will be punished."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you change, too? You and your group aren't exactly wearing standard uniforms either."
Keito smirked. "Unlike you, we are members of the Public Safety Commission, authorized to wear these uniforms."
"Interesting," Ichigo remarked, glancing at a nearby student who was watching the scene unfold. When she noticed him looking her way, she blushed and quickly looked down.
"Excuse me," Ichigo said, addressing the girl.
"Y-yes?" she stammered.
"Do you have a student handbook?"
"Yes," she replied hesitantly.
"May I borrow it?"
"S-sure," she said, handing it to him.
Ichigo flipped through the handbook, quickly finding the chapter on the Yōkai Academy dress code. "According to this," he began, "all students must wear the standard uniform during school hours. Minor alterations are allowed for cultural differences or self-expression. Exceptions for sports club uniforms are only permitted during practices or events. Nowhere does it mention an exception for your group."
He handed the handbook back to the girl with a polite nod. "Thanks."
"Y-you're welcome," she said, clutching the book tightly to her chest as if it were a lifeline.
Ichigo turned back to Keito. "Care to explain where your so-called exception is mentioned?"
Keito's smug expression faltered. "Saizou! Junya!" he barked.
"Yes, captain?" two of his subordinates responded, stepping forward.
"Arrest this man for disturbing the peace and refusing to follow orders."
"Yes, captain," they said in unison, advancing toward Ichigo.
Ichigo calmly stood up, slipping off his jacket. He turned to the girl. "Could you hold this for me?"
"S-sure," she said, taking it with trembling hands.
Cracking his neck and knuckles, Ichigo faced the two advancing enforcers. "All right then. Let's get this over with."
Saizou lunged first, throwing a wild punch. Ichigo dodged and countered with a solid right hook, sending Saizou staggering. Junya came at him with a flurry of strikes, but Ichigo grabbed his arm, spun, and slammed him onto an empty table with a loud crack.
Saizou roared in frustration as he transformed into his orc form and charged. Ichigo stepped forward and delivered a sharp punch to his gut. "Gah!" Saizou wheezed, collapsing as Ichigo gave him a slight shove, sending him sprawling unconscious to the ground.
"Everyone, take him down!" Keito yelled.
The remaining members of the Public Safety Commission rushed forward. Ichigo smirked. "It's fighting time again!" he declared, charging into the fray.
Time Skip: Ten Minutes Later
The cafeteria was a scene of utter chaos. Tables were overturned, and unconscious members of the Public Safety Commission lay scattered across the room. Some were draped over furniture, while others hung from the ceiling, wedged into the walls with only their lower halves visible.
Ichigo stood in the center, rolling his shoulders as he surveyed the carnage. "Anyone else?" he asked, his gaze locking on Keito.
"Tch. Looks like I'll have to handle this myself," Keito muttered, transforming into her spider form. She began firing webs at Ichigo, who countered with a fireball. The flames burned through the silk, forcing Keito to retreat.
"What?!" she exclaimed in shock.
Ichigo encased his right hand in fire reiatsu and lunged forward, landing a flaming punch directly to her face. "Gah!" she cried out, staggering.
"Do you give up?" Ichigo asked calmly.
Keito responded by spitting venom at him, but Ichigo sighed, sending another fireball to incinerate the venom before it could reach him. The flames hit Keito squarely, forcing her back and crying out with another "Gah!".
Before she could recover, Ichigo closed the distance and delivered a fiery uppercut. Keito flew headfirst into the ceiling, where she remained stuck, dangling helplessly.
Ichigo walked back to the girl holding his jacket. "Thanks for holding this," he said, taking it from her.
"S-sure…" she replied, staring at him in awe. "Um… could you… Sign this?" She hesitantly held out her student handbook.
Ichigo raised an eyebrow but took it. "What's your name?"
"Otonashi Ran," she said quietly.
"To Otonashi Ran, for being a student ready for school and willing to help a stranger despite being scared," Ichigo wrote, handing the handbook back to her.
Ran read the message and blushed a deep red before clutching the book to her chest and running off.
Ichigo returned to his seat, ready to finish his meal. However, before he could take another bite, a familiar voice called out.
"Ichigo!"
Looking up, he saw the Newspaper Club members entering the cafeteria. Moka stood at the front, her gaze darting between Ichigo and the destruction around him.
"Yo," Ichigo said casually.
Moka's eyes narrowed. "Ichigo, is that the Public Safety Commission?"
"You mean the idiots in black uniforms?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"What did you do to them?" Yukari asked, staring at the unconscious bodies strewn about and those still dangling from the ceiling.
"They questioned me about the uniform policy when, in fact, they were the ones in the wrong," Ichigo explained, his tone casual. "They then tried to act tough, so I reminded them of their place," he added, deliberately echoing Moka's usual catchphrase.
"I see," Tsukune said, scribbling notes while the rest of the Newspaper Club snapped photos of the aftermath.
"I recommend interviewing Otonashi Ran. I used her student handbook to outsmart them," Ichigo suggested.
"I'll make a note of that," Tsukune replied before leading the group away from the table.
Ichigo resumed eating but paused when he noticed that only Moka had stayed behind. "Did something happen between you and the Public Safety Commission?" he asked, glancing at her.
"Why do you ask?" Moka replied, her expression guarded.
"I can tell you and the others have some unresolved issues with them," Ichigo said matter-of-factly.
Moka sighed. "The Newspaper Club uncovered the Public Safety Commission's shady practices and published our findings. In retaliation, they discovered Tsukune was a human and tried to execute him. We fought Kuyō, their former leader, and Tsukune got injured so badly that Ura-chan had to give him her blood to save him."
Ichigo set down his chopsticks and flicked her forehead lightly.
"Ow! What was that for?" Moka asked, rubbing the spot.
"Moka, how many times do I have to tell you? I've never seen you as two people. You're the same, no matter what anyone else thinks," Ichigo said before calmly resuming his meal.
Moka's cheeks flushed slightly at his words. Among everyone in the Newspaper Club, only Ichigo—and her parents—acknowledged her as a single person, regardless of the change brought by the Rosario.
"Thank you, Ichigo," she said softly.
"No problem," he replied with a small smile before leaning over and giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
A few minutes later, the rest of the Newspaper Club returned, and the group unanimously agreed to include Ichigo's story in the next issue. After ordering their breakfast, they gathered back at Ichigo's table and ate in relative silence until Tsukune spoke up.
"Um… Ichigo-sensei—"
"It's just Ichigo. No honorifics," Ichigo interrupted.
"Right… Ichigo, when are we meeting for training today?"
"There won't be any training until all of you deal with your little problems," Ichigo said, emphasizing the word.
"What little problems?" Tsukune asked, frowning.
"You're all struggling with something. Let me remind you," Ichigo said, pointing his chopsticks at each of them.
He turned to Mizore first. "According to Shirayuki, you need to learn to draw water from other sources instead of relying solely on your Yōki."
Next, he pointed at Kurumu. "Kyōka says you need to focus more on refining your techniques."
Then, to Moka. "Suzumebachi thinks you need to work on breaking out of your shy nature."
Finally, he addressed Tsukune. "Mikogami mentioned that you're still not fully accepting your transformation."
Ichigo leaned back in his chair. "Until all these issues are resolved, training would just be a waste of time."
"I see," Tsukune murmured, returning to his food with a thoughtful expression.
"Moka," Ichigo said suddenly.
"Yes?" Moka asked, looking up at him.
"Do you have a photo of Elizabeth?"
"Elizabeth?" the rest of the club echoed in unison, confusion evident on their faces.
Moka nodded. "I do. It's in my purse." She reached for her black-and-pink bag adorned with a silver skull, pulling out a photo and handing it to Ichigo.
The image showed a younger Moka holding a small girl with vibrant orange shoulder-length hair.
"Moka," Tsukune said hesitantly, drawing everyone's attention. "Who is Elizabeth?"
Moka glanced at Ichigo, who gave a slight nod before discreetly casting a privacy kidō around the table.
"She's our daughter," Ichigo said plainly.
"DAUGHTER?!" the entire Newspaper Club shouted in unison.
"Yes," Moka confirmed calmly.
"How?" Kurumu asked, eyes wide.
"It's called pregnancy," Moka replied flatly, already annoyed by the attention.
"MOKA, YOU WERE PREGNANT?!" the club cried again.
Moka sighed. "Yes."
Ichigo chuckled before explaining. "When I was fourteen and Moka had just turned thirteen, we celebrated her birthday at her apartment. I ordered a strawberry cheesecake from a bakery. Unfortunately, the baker gave me a special version of the cake that had alcohol mixed into it. He assumed I was a delinquent because of how I looked."
"You do look the part," The Newspaper Club minus Moka thought together.
"Anyway," Ichigo continued, "we ate the cake, and, well… one thing led to another."
"At first, I wasn't worried about being pregnant," Moka added. "But then the symptoms appeared. We both knew what they meant because our parents had already given us 'the birds and the bees talk.'"
"We talked it through," Ichigo said. "And I promised to stand by her and help take care of the baby."
Tsukune hesitated before asking, "Why didn't you… um… terminate the pregnancy? Besides the moral reasons, I mean."
The club exchanged confused looks, not fully understanding the question.
"Before I answer your question, Tsukune, let me first address the others' concerns," Ichigo said, turning toward the girls. "An abortion is a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy. In simple terms, it's the act of terminating the fetus before it has fully developed," he explained.
The girls stared at Tsukune, shocked by the bluntness of Ichigo's explanation, and their gazes turned into glares at Tsukune. Ichigo glanced back at Tsukune.
"Now, let me explain why they're glaring at you," Ichigo said, his voice calm but firm.
"Um… yes, please," Tsukune said, nervously.
Ichigo addressed the girls. "Ladies, Tsukune doesn't understand your situation. Please, ease up." The girls reluctantly calmed down, though their eyes still lingered with judgment.
Ichigo turned back to Tsukune. "You see, many Yōkai have exceptionally long lifespans," he began. Tsukune nodded in understanding. "But, in exchange for that, their birth rates are incredibly low."
He shifted his gaze to Moka, his tone softening. "For Moka, getting pregnant was a rare and fortunate event, especially since it happened on her first try. She just couldn't bring herself to terminate the pregnancy." Ichigo paused. "I even had to explain to her what an abortion was when we had that discussion," he added, with a faint sigh.
"I see," Tsukune replied, his expression now one of understanding.
Moka then took a deep breath. "At some point, my father found out," she began, causing a shift in the room as everyone in the Newspaper Club recognized who she was referring to.
"He tracked us down to Karakura Town," Moka continued, her voice quieter now. "He beat Ichigo so badly that I thought he was going to die." She reached for Ichigo's hand, and he instinctively took hold, squeezing it gently.
"I survived, and I spent the next four years looking for you," Ichigo said, giving Moka's hand a reassuring squeeze.
Moka sighed. "After that, my father kept me at home until I gave birth. And that's when Elizabeth was born." She paused. "I named her Elizabeth Masaki Akashiya."
Ichigo nodded. "That reminds me," he said, pulling away slightly. "I need to talk to Mikogami about arranging a ride to your father's place."
"WHAT?!" Moka shouted, nearly spilling her can of tomato juice. "Why?" she asked, her voice a mixture of surprise and concern.
Ichigo's expression was serious. "Two reasons," he said. "First, we need to pick up Elizabeth."
Moka's expression softened a little, but she raised an eyebrow. "And the second reason?"
Ichigo looked at her with a determined gaze. "So I can return the favor from four years ago."
Moka sighed, knowing there was no changing his mind. "Fine. Just promise me you won't kill him."
"I promise… unless he tries to harm you or Elizabeth," Ichigo replied, his voice unwavering.
"Very well," Moka said with resignation, knowing Ichigo would fight him, no matter what she said about it.
Tsukune glanced at his watch, realizing that class was about to start. Everyone quickly gathered their things and rushed to class. Ichigo chuckled to himself as he placed his tray in the cleaning area. He was about to head toward Mikogami's office when his phone rang.
Looking at the caller ID, he saw it was Marvelous.
"Hello?" Ichigo answered.
"Yo, Captain, it's Marvelous. Can you come to Uzushio? We need to show you something," Marvelous said on the other end.
"Okay," Ichigo replied. He ended the call and found an empty classroom. He quickly signaled the Uzushio using the code 5501, and within seconds, he vanished.
Scene Change: Uzushio's Command Center
Ichigo arrived aboard the Uzushio, where Marvelous and Ahim were waiting for him.
"Hello, you two," Ichigo greeted them as he entered.
"Hello, Captain," they both replied in unison.
"What's this important information you wanted to show me?" Ichigo asked, getting straight to the point.
"We detected a distress signal from a wormhole. We're wondering if we have your permission to investigate," Marvelous explained.
Ichigo didn't hesitate. "I approve. Let's investigate," he said, making his way to the Captain's chair. "Uzushio, launch!"
The ship fired two missiles that created a wormhole, and without hesitation, the Uzushio entered the anomaly.
Scene Change: In Wormhole (ten minutes prior)
"Mamoru, so you've finally come around?" Swan asked, watching Mamoru carefully.
"I…" Mamoru started, but his words faltered.
"Amami…"Arma shouted as he turned to Mamoru.
"Kaidou," Mamoru whispered, turning to his friend.
"We're in trouble," Stallion began, his voice serious. "Both this dimension and the ES space are about to collapse."
"I guess the Galeoria Comet no longer exists," Ryousuke speculated, his tone grim.
"So, we're stuck here?" Geki asked, his voice filled with frustration.
"It's collapsing…" Arma said softly, the hopelessness in his words palpable.
"We can't go back…" Mamoru concluded.
"However, there's still hope!" Liger exclaimed.
"We'll use The Power," Kousuke said. "According to my calculations, we can use the J-Ark's ES missiles to create a dimensional gate about a meter wide near Jupiter's orbit… for two seconds."
"One meter wide…" Mamoru said, his voice uncertain.
"For only two seconds?" Arma finished, his voice heavy with doubt.
"But we only have two ES missiles left…" Liger added.
"...So we're entrusting the future to you two," Kotaro said solemnly.
"Us two?" Mamoru asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"This is our gift to you," Kotaro said, his gaze unwavering. "Only you two can do it. This is a very important task."
With that, the crew completed the modifications on the remaining missiles and launched them. As they passed various robots onboard the J-Ark, each one offered a final message to the boys.
"Keep your chin up!" GekiRyuJin called out.
"Good luck!" Mic Sounders cheered.
"See you 'round!" EnRyu waved.
"Someday, in the sea of stars…" HyoRyu said, his voice full of emotion.
"Don't go astray…" KoRyu warned.
"Take care of yourself…" AnRyu said gently.
"Stay well, you hear?" Goldymarg added, his voice soft but firm.
"Always…" Volfogg said, his tone reassuring.
"ROAR!" GaoLion's roar echoed through the air.
Mamoru's eyes filled with tears as he heard the final words of his fallen friends. He couldn't hold back his emotions. He remembered their last words to him.
"Let all of Earth know all that has transpired here. That's your mission," Kotaro had said.
"Don't forget to say 'I'm home!' when you get back!" Geki had laughed.
"Arma…" J had said, his voice soft.
Mamoru turned and saw the ghostly figure of Soldier J, his presence offering a brief moment of comfort.
"The fighting is over... There's no longer a need for you to live as a warrior of Abel," J said. The image shifted to Renais Kerdif-Shishioh.
"Treasure your mother!" Renais said as the image faded away.
"You are both the heirs of the Trinity Solar System... and children of Earth!" Mikoto added.
"Run together with the oath sworn... through courage," Gai's voice echoed.
"Together with... the oath sworn through courage," Mamoru/Arma repeated, his voice trembling. The missiles continued on their path as the J-Arc veered off in the opposite direction.
"Looks like the kids are gone," Liger said, a somber tone in his voice.
"Yes. Those two will carry on our legacy," Kotaro replied. Everyone aboard Tsukuyomi, Hirume, and Takehaya silently accepted the possibility they may never return.
"Detecting ES portal opening," Tomoro 0117, the J-Ark's computer, announced.
"What?!" Everyone shouted in unison. From the portal, they saw a white ship. However, this ship was unlike the J-Ark or any other ship they had seen.
"Hello? Anyone there? This is Captain Kurosaki aboard Uzushio. We received your distress signal and came to help. Do you copy?" Ichigo's voice came through the speakers.
"This is Tomoro 0117, J-Ark's AI. We read you loud and clear, Captain Kurosaki," Tomoro 0117 replied.
"Good. Do you have enough energy to enter this wormhole?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes," the AI confirmed.
With that, the J-Ark followed Uzushio out of the ES Dimension Gap, arriving near Jupiter.
"We're out. We're alive," the crew cheered.
"You're alive, but not in your universe," Ichigo's voice interrupted, appearing next to the scientists.
"Who are you?" Kotaro asked, bewildered.
"I'm Captain Kurosaki of the Uzushio. My crew and I found your distress signal and came to assist," Ichigo explained. "My crew members will help repair your robots."
"Thank you for your help," Kotaro said, nodding gratefully.
"What's your name and story?" Ichigo asked.
"My name is Kotaro Taiga, chief of the Gutsy Geoid Guard," Kotaro replied. The two began sharing their stories of their respective adventures. Soon, Guy and Marvelous joined them, and Ichigo brought out some sake. The four men drank and talked for hours.
Later, Ichigo noticed Don, Vaira, and Kousuke walking toward them.
"Captain, we finished the repairs on all the machines," Don reported.
"Really?" Guy and Kotaro both said.
"Yes," Don confirmed.
"Kousuke, do you still have any blueprints for our Orbital Base?" Kotaro asked.
"Why, sir?" Kousuke responded.
"Ichigo mentioned that his crew wants to build a base in space. Since they helped us, it's only fair that we assist them," Kotaro said.
"You don't need to—" Don began to protest.
"I have to. All of our crew members are in your debt. Let us help you," Kotaro insisted, pulling Don over to a terminal to begin the data transfer.
Ichigo glanced at his watch, noticing it was getting late.
"Sorry, guys. I need to get back to Earth," Ichigo said. "Marvelous, you're in charge again. Call me when everything is finished up."
"Sure, Captain," Marvelous said.
Ichigo walked to Uzushio's teleportation deck and teleported back to Yōkai Academy.
Scene Change: Yōkai Academy
Ichigo materialized in his room. Just then, there was a knock on his door. He opened it to find Ruby and Yukari standing there.
"Yes?" Ichigo asked.
"Hello, Ichigo. We're heading to Ozu to pick up Yukari's wand. Can you drive us to Banzai Bazaar?" Ruby asked.
"Sure," Ichigo replied. The three of them walked out of the school. Ichigo summoned his car keys, and a Garganta opened, revealing his Black Challenger SRT Hellcat. "Get in," Ichigo said.
The group climbed into the car as Ichigo drove into the Garganta.
Scene Change: Shisō, Hyōgo
Ichigo drove out of the Garganta and down the streets of Shisō. They arrived outside Dino House, and Ruby opened the passageway to Banzai Bazaar. The group quickly made their way to Ozu's Wands.
"Hello, welcome to Ozu's Wands," Miyuki greeted them.
"Hello," Ruby and Yukari said.
"Yo," Ichigo added.
"Have you finished crafting my wand?" Yukari asked eagerly.
"I have," Miyuki said, bringing out a small box. She lifted the lid to reveal a light brown wand. Yukari picked it up and immediately felt as though she had found something that had been missing.
"It's perfect," Yukari smiled.
"Now, about the staff," Ichigo asked, turning to Miyuki.
"Ichi-sama, normally your staff would cost at least 51,000,000 yen (1)," Miyuki said.
Ruby and Yukari's jaws dropped in shock. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at the price.
"Why is it so expensive?" Ichigo asked.
"First off, we charged 2,000,000 yen each for the wand wood and magical core, and 1,000,000 yen for labor to prep them," Miyuki explained. "However, your staff is a different matter entirely." She handed him a sheet of paper. "For the 7 wand woods, we charged 1,500,000 yen each, and for the ten magical cores, another 1,500,000 yen each," she continued. "The seven gems cost 2,000,000 yen each."
"So the materials alone cost me 26,000,000 yen," Ichigo said, calculating quickly.
"Correct," Miyuki confirmed. "As for the crafting, we charged 1,000,000 yen for each wood. The magical cores were more complicated. Some were easy to integrate, like the phoenix feather, Thestral hair, Yasaka-hime, and Kunou-hime. But others, like the dragon blood and fang, were more difficult."
"So, how much did that add to the bill?" Ichigo asked.
"Well," Miyuki began, "the phoenix feather and Thestral hair each cost 1,500,000 yen. The hairs of Yasaka-hime and Kunou-hime are 2,000,000 yen apiece. As for the dragon fangs and blood, they're 4,000,000 yen each. Finally, the gems are 1,500,000 yen each."
"So the total comes to 51,000,000 yen," Ichigo said, understanding the hefty estimate. "How long will it take to craft?"
"The staff will take about a week," Miyuki replied.
"I see," Ichigo said, nodding thoughtfully.
With the matter settled, Ichigo, Ruby, and Yukari left Ozu's Wands. As they walked back to Ichigo's car, Yukari hesitated before speaking up.
"Ichigo?" Yukari asked tentatively.
"Yes?" he replied.
"I was wondering… does Moka know about your relationship with Yasaka-hime?" Yukari asked.
"She does," Ichigo said. "When Moka drank my blood and had her Rosario removed, she could see my memories. That included everything, even my connection to Yasaka-hime."
"I see," Yukari said softly. Ruby chimed in next.
"Ichigo, why don't you address sealed Moka as 'Outer Moka' and unsealed Moka as 'Inner Moka' like everyone else?" Ruby asked curiously.
"Because I don't see them as two different people," Ichigo explained. "They are the same person, with different sides of her personality surfacing depending on the situation."
Ichigo drove the trio back to the Yōkai Academy. After reaching he sent his car back to his mindscape, while Yukari and Ruby met up with the rest of the Newspaper Club. As he was heading to his room he overheard a conversation that made him stop.
"Moka-chan," Tsukune began hesitantly.
"Yes, Tsukune?" Moka replied.
"I was wondering if... we could go on a date tomorrow?" Tsukune asked nervously.
"Um..." Moka hesitated. "Sorry, Tsukune, but I can't."
"It's because of Ichigo, isn't it?" Tsukune said, frustration evident in his voice. "What does he have that I don't!?" as he took a step towards her.
"There are a few things that I have that you don't," Ichigo said calmly, stepping into view. Everyone turned to look at him. Ichigo approached Tsukune and began counting on his fingers.
"First," he said, raising his index finger, "I have a daughter with Moka. It's my responsibility to take care of both her and our child, Elizabeth." He raised his middle finger. "Second, I can financially support Moka and Elizabeth through and beyond college." He raised his ring finger. "Third, I have the resolve to stand beside Moka, not behind her." He raised his pinky finger. "Fourth, I have the strength to protect her." Finally, he raised his thumb. "And fifth, I treat Moka as a whole person, not two halves."
"Huh?" everyone except Moka said, puzzled by the last point.
"I mean this," Ichigo explained. "Many of you, including Kokoa, treat Moka as if she's two separate people stuck in one body. Most of you know 'Outer Moka' with the Rosario on better than 'Inner Moka' without the Rosario. I don't, I see and treat them as the same person—different facets of one whole."
"I see," Tsukune replied; contemplating his relationship with Moka or rather his relationship with Outer Moka. Ichigo looked to see Moka starting to get teary-eyed as he opened his arms and wrapped her in a hug.
"Moka," Ichigo said gently. He handed her a small slip of paper with a number on it.
"What's this?" Moka asked.
"My room number," Ichigo replied. "Mikogami assigned me a room in the Staff Dormitories. If you want to talk or need anything, you can find me there."
"I see," Moka said, holding the note close.
"I'm going to head back to my room now," Ichigo said. "Come see me if you'd like." With that, he turned to leave but was stopped by another voice.
"Ichigo," someone called out, looking back to see it was Mizore who was making her way to him.
"Yes?" he asked.
"In a few days, my tribe is holding a special event. I was wondering if you could come with us," Mizore said.
"Why?" Ichigo asked.
"I called and told my mother about Shirayuki, and she said it's essential for her to visit our village," Mizore explained.
"I see," Ichigo said, before closing his eyes for a moment, to consult with Shirayuki within his mind. "What do you think?"
"I'm interested," Shirayuki said. "I'd like to see what my descendants have accomplished."
"Very well," Ichigo said aloud. "I accept your invitation, Mizore."
"Thank you," Mizore said with a bow before returning to the Newspaper Club.
Ichigo sighed, turning to leave the Newspaper Club. Deciding to go ask Mikogami if he can talk with Nurari to give him and likely Moka a ride to Moka's Father's Place, he used shunpō to head to Mikogami's office.
Noticing Ruby wasn't there before knocking lightly, receiving a response, and entering to see Mikogami at his desk, surrounded by paperwork and filing various sheets.
"Hello, Ichigo-sama," Mikogami greeted.
"Hello, Mikogami," Ichigo said.
"What can I do for you today?" Mikogami asked.
"I was hoping you could arrange for Nurari to give Moka and me a ride to her father's estate," Ichigo requested.
"Let me call him," Mikogami said as he picked up his office phone and pressed a number. After a brief exchange, he hung up. "He'll be here in a few minutes."
"Thank you," Ichigo replied.
Mikogami set the phone aside and leaned back slightly. "By the way, I recently received reports from various staff members and classroom representatives about an altercation between you and the Public Safety Commission this morning."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"The reports only detail the Public Safety Commission's version of events. I wanted to hear your side of the story," Mikogami said.
Ichigo sighed. "Fine. Here's what happened. I was eating breakfast when a large group of Public Safety Commission members approached me. They demanded I change into a Yōkai Academy uniform, citing it as part of the rules. I pointed out the hypocrisy, how they themselves wore different uniforms despite being students. Things escalated when they tried to detain me by force. I knocked out two of them. Their leader ordered the rest to charge, so I knocked them all out as well. Finally, the leader transformed into her Yōkai form some sort of spider and I defeated her too."
"I see," Mikogami said thoughtfully.
"So, what are you going to do about them?" Ichigo asked.
"Nothing," Mikogami replied plainly.
Ichigo frowned. "Why?"
"Because there's currently no other group capable of fulfilling the Public Safety Commission's purpose," Mikogami said.
"And what exactly is their purpose?" Ichigo asked, his tone sharp.
"Their role is to protect the school," Mikogami stated.
Ichigo leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Protect the school? According to the Newspaper Club, they imprison and torture students who oppose their rules. Clubs are forced to pay bribes to avoid being shut down. How is that protecting the school?"
Mikogami sighed. "Even so, there's little I can do."
Ichigo's eyes narrowed. "Is that so, Mikogami? Pull back your hood and look me in the eyes. Tell me, as the headmaster of Yōkai Academy and one of the Three Dark Lords, that you truly can't solve this."
After a moment of silence, Mikogami relented. "What do you want me to do?"
"Call a school-wide assembly tomorrow," Ichigo said firmly. "Have all Public Safety Commission members on stage. Announce their dissolution for abuse of the authority you entrusted to them. Then, appoint a new organization with a competent leader to take their place."
Mikogami considered this. "And who do you suggest to lead this new organization?"
Ichigo smirked. "Why not your little human experiment, Tsukune?"
Mikogami chuckled softly. "So, you know about that."
"I do," Ichigo said bluntly. "You're already using him to solve some of the school's problems. This seems like the logical next step."
Mikogami nodded slowly. "Very well."
A loud knock interrupted their discussion. "Come in!" Mikogami called.
The door opened, and Nurari stepped inside. "You called for me, Mikogami?"
"Ichigo needs a ride to Moka's father's house. Can you take him and Moka tomorrow?" Mikogami asked.
"Sure. Meet me at the bus stop at noon," Nurari said, before receiving a confirmation from Ichigo. "Anything else?" Nurari asked, receiving a negative from Mikogami. He gave a casual wave before leaving the office.
"Any other question?" Ichigo asked.
"No," Mikogami replied. "Any questions for me?"
"A lot," Ichigo admitted. "But this isn't the right time."
"Very well," Mikogami said. Before Ichigo shunpō'ed out of his office.
Ichigo headed to the cafeteria for dinner. Noticing the damage from the morning's incident had already been repaired. Checking his watch, Ichigo noted he was early for dinner. He ordered the daily special and sat at a corner table, eating in peace as students trickled in. He ignored their curious glances and hushed whispers.
Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Ichigo froze. An earthquake in this pocket dimension was highly unusual. Focusing on his senses, he used his Earth Blending technique to locate the epicenter. It was just outside the school grounds.
Using shunpō, Ichigo arrived to find chaos. Several students, transformed into their Yōkai forms, were causing mayhem. Among the commotion, he spotted Moka running while carrying another girl in a red blazer. The girl clutched a strange fairy and a mirror. Before Ichigo could intervene, the girl in red raised the mirror and pointed it at Moka.
A bright green glow emanated from the mirror. "Using that mirror to release me was a good idea," Silver Moka said. During the confusion, the fairy snatched the mirror back, laughing mischievously.
"Your powers have backfired," Silver Moka said, stepping protectively in front of the fairy. "Don't go revealing people's true identities without permission."
The fairy activated the mirror again. Another bright green light filled the air. When the glow faded, both versions of Moka stood side by side.
"You're…" Pink Moka began, her voice trembling.
"This is our first time meeting face-to-face, isn't it?" Silver Moka said, smirking slightly.
The fairy laughed triumphantly. "My mirror has projected both of your personalities into physical forms!"
Pink Moka suddenly staggered, dropping to one knee. "The energy in my body… it's… fading."
"Stay still. I'll handle this," Silver Moka said, stepping forward.
"Wait!" Pink Moka called after her.
"No way, I won't let that happen again!" the fairy snapped, flipping herself over so she was facing the mirror. A bright green glow emanated from it once more. When the light faded, both Mokas could feel that the fairy had grown significantly stronger.
"Using the mirror to release your latent powers?" Silver Moka deduced, narrowing her eyes.
"Tsukumogami are spirits that reside in all kinds of objects," the fairy explained smugly. "Don't compare me to a lowly monster like you!"
Silver Moka darted toward the mirror, but before she could grab it, the fairy activated the mirror again, draining more of Moka's strength. Needle-like beams shot out from the mirror, and both Silver Moka and Pink Moka braced themselves for impact. But before they could be hit, a large slab of earth rose, blocking the beams.
"You know, for such a little thing, you sure know how to cause trouble," Ichigo remarked, strolling toward the Mokas.
"Ichigo," both Mokas exclaimed in unison.
"Oh? Another Yōkai for me to play with?" The fairy sneered.
Ichigo ignored her taunt, raising his index and middle fingers in a calm, controlled motion.
"Sai," Ichigo murmured.
Immediately, the fairy dropped the mirror as her arms were locked behind her back, unable to move.
"HEY! What's going on?!" the fairy cried out, struggling to break free from Ichigo's Bakudō.
Ichigo stepped toward the two Mokas. "Are you both all right?"
"We're fine," Silver Moka replied.
"Just tired and weak," Pink Moka added.
Ichigo smirked. "I know the best way for a vampire to feel better."
"Really?" Pink Moka asked, her eyes wide with realization.
"Sure," Ichigo said casually.
With a nod of understanding, both Mokas crawled toward him. Pink Moka sank her fangs into Ichigo's left side, while Silver Moka took the right. The two girls had to adjust slightly to find the right angle, then licked Ichigo's neck for a moment before biting down simultaneously. Ichigo could feel his reiatsu-rich blood flowing into their mouths, and he heard them moan softly as they drank.
They stayed like that for several minutes before Ichigo felt them pull away. Both girls licked the wound clean, then leaned against his shoulders.
Ichigo, always prepared, summoned Kyōka and snapped a few photos of the scene.
Their peaceful moment was interrupted when Ruby and the Newspaper Club arrived.
"Hello. Are you looking for the fairy and the mirror?" Ichigo asked casually.
"We are," Ruby replied.
"The girl in the red blazer has them," Ichigo said, gesturing to where Moka had been.
"Kyōko!" Tsukune cried, rushing to hug his cousin. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Kyōko said, breaking the hug and handing Ruby both the mirror and the subdued fairy. Ruby covered the mirror with a cloth.
"See you later," Ichigo said with a smile, glancing at Silver Moka.
"See you, Ichigo," Silver Moka replied, blowing him a kiss. She and Pink Moka merged back into one person.
Moka tried to stand but collapsed from exhaustion. Ichigo gently picked her up in a bridal carry.
"Do any of you know where Moka's room is?" Ichigo asked.
"I do," Mizore replied.
"Great. Lead the way," Ichigo said, following Mizore as they left Tsukune to deal with his cousin.
Scene Change: Moka's Room
With Mizore's help, Ichigo carried the unconscious Moka to her room. Mizore decided to give the couple some privacy and left them alone. Ichigo went to Moka's kitchen to brew some tea, then sat down with a Magic Theory text he'd picked up at Banzai Bazaar. He was just about to fall asleep when he heard a soft moan.
Ichigo looked over to see Moka beginning to stir. He set his book down and moved to sit on the side of her bed.
"Hello, sleepyhead," Ichigo said with a warm smile.
"How did I get here?" she asked, her voice still groggy.
"After you merged back together, you passed out. Mizore volunteered to show me where your room was, so I carried you here," Ichigo explained.
"I see," Moka murmured.
Ichigo stood up and went back to the kitchen, returning with a cup of tea for Moka.
"Here's some tea," Ichigo said, handing it to her.
"Thank you," Moka replied, taking the cup and sipping it slowly. They enjoyed the peaceful silence for a moment.
"Moka," Ichigo said, breaking the silence.
"Yes, Ichigo?" she asked, looking at him curiously.
"I just wanted to let you know that tomorrow, we're going to see your father," Ichigo said.
"Very well," Moka responded quietly, accepting her father's fate.
Ichigo glanced at his watch. "It's getting late," he said, standing up from Moka's bed.
Without another word, Moka grabbed his hand, her face turning bright red. "Please... stay with me tonight," she asked, her voice trembling with embarrassment.
Ichigo smiled softly. "All right."
Moka quickly stood and grabbed a change of clothes, heading to the bathroom. Ichigo sent his clothes to his mindscape, leaving him in his boxers. He sat back on the bed, resuming his reading. A few minutes later, he heard the bathroom door open and looked up to see Moka in pink pajamas with black bats all over them.
"Wow," Moka said, her voice filled with awe as she gazed at the scars adorning Ichigo's body, particularly the large scar over his chest. She felt a pang of sadness, knowing the pain he had endured in his battles.
Ichigo, sensing her sorrow, quickly hugged her. He carried her gently to the bed, kissing her softly on the lips.
"Good night," Ichigo whispered.
"Good night," Moka replied, her face still flushed with emotion. She reached for the nightlight by the bed and turned it off, settling in for the night.
Scene Change: Moka's room - Morning
Ichigo woke up to find Moka hugging his waist, using his chest as a pillow. He smiled softly at the sight but quickly decided that missing one day of training wouldn't be the end of the world. He moved his arms slightly to get more comfortable, but even the smallest motion was enough to stir Moka.
"Good morning, Moka," Ichigo said, his voice low and warm.
"Good morning, Ichigo," Moka replied, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "What time is it?"
"It's 5:15," Ichigo answered.
"So early..." Moka mumbled, clearly not thrilled.
"Well, I'm still going to train," Ichigo said, sitting up a bit.
"Really?" Moka asked, blinking at him.
"Yep," Ichigo confirmed with a nod.
"Give me five minutes," Moka said as she stretched and got up.
"Sure," Ichigo agreed, smiling as he watched her move.
Scene Change: Mikogami's Training Ground
Ichigo and Moka materialized in Mikogami's expansive training grounds.
"Moka," Ichigo said, turning to face her. "Are you okay with me removing the Rosario?"
"Sure," Moka replied, her voice steady.
Ichigo reached up and gently pulled the Rosario off. As soon as he did, her usual burst of Yōki erupted from her, and Moka began to transform. Her pink hair shifted to silver, her green eyes turning demonic with red irises and slit pupils.
"Hello, Moka," Ichigo greeted, observing the change.
"Morning, Ichigo," Moka replied, her voice tinged with amusement. "So, I heard we're training now?"
"Correction," Ichigo said with a serious look, "you're going to train with my Zanpakutō spirits."
"Why?" Moka asked, raising an eyebrow at the unusual request.
Ichigo studied her for a moment before answering. "Your fighting style is... pretty straightforward. You mostly rely on kicking your opponents into submission."
"Fine," Moka said, accepting the challenge with a sigh. "I'll do it."
Ichigo nodded and mentally called out, "Suzumebachi, Kyōka can the two of you come out here?"
"Hi, Ichigo!" Suzumebachi greeted cheerfully as she appeared.
"Good morning, Ichigo," Kyōka said calmly, stepping forward.
"Hello, Suzumebachi, and good morning, Kyōka," Ichigo replied before turning back to Moka. "The first thing we're going to work on is gaining better control over your Yōki."
"Control my Yōki?" Moka asked, a little confused. "But my Rosario already does that for me."
"You're right, the Rosario does suppress it, but you don't want to spend your whole life relying on it," Ichigo explained.
Moka thought about it for a moment. "I see. All right, I'll give it a try."
Kyōka grabbed Moka's hand and used Shunpō to transport them to a different part of the training ground, giving Ichigo space to continue his training.
"Now that you've mastered complete Shunkō," Suzumebachi said, turning to Ichigo, "I think it's time to begin your training with me."
"All right," Ichigo said, focusing as he summoned Suzumebachi's sealed blade. During his time in Soul Society, Ichigo revealed Suzumebachi and Katen Kyōkotsu to Ōetsu Nimaiya. He had worked with the master swordsmith to create two new Asauchi for them, and Suzumebachi's new blade now rested at Ichigo's side.
Ichigo unsheathed it and did a few practice swipes. As he moved, he felt the blade shift in his hands. With a quick flick of his wrist, the blade transformed into a pair of butterfly knives. Ichigo spun them skillfully, holding them both offensively and defensively.
"Sting all enemies to death... Suzumebachi," Ichigo said, activating the Shikai. The knives glowed a bright golden, their light enveloping his hands. The glow faded, and the butterfly knives transformed into two black and gold gauntlets that covered his hands, connected to long, stinger-like blades on each finger.
"This is different," Ichigo said, observing the new form. The gauntlets extended Ichigo's reach, with the stingers adding an extra layer of precision to his strikes.
"It is," Suzumebachi said, her voice full of pride. "I look different, and my abilities have changed too."
"Really?" Ichigo asked, intrigued.
"One major change is my Nigeki Kessatsu," Suzumebachi explained. "Before, my first strike would mark the target, and a second strike would kill them. Now, the first strike injects a venom that paralyzes the target, leaving you free to strike anywhere for the killing blow. This is called Yūchō Nigeki Kessatsu [Slow Death in Two Steps]."
"Wow," Ichigo murmured, impressed by the change.
"Another ability I gained is Hissatsu [Certain Kill," Suzumebachi continued. "If you strike the target directly, they will die instantly."
"I see," Ichigo said, nodding in understanding.
"The last ability is called Kakusu and Arawasu [Conceal and Reveal]. It hides and reveals the stingers on your fingers," Suzumebachi explained.
"Kakusu," Ichigo said, and the stingers on his fingers disappeared, leaving just the gauntlets. "Arawasu," he followed, and the stingers reappeared.
"This is the perfect weapon for an assassin," Ichigo commented.
"It is," Suzumebachi agreed, smiling at the effectiveness of her new form.
Ichigo sealed Suzumebachi back into her blade form and thanked her for the training.
"Thanks for all the help, Suzumebachi," Ichigo said, giving her a hug and a gentle kiss on the forehead. Suzumebachi's face turned bright red.
"Y-You're welcome," she stammered, flustered, before returning to Ichigo's mindscape.
"Katen and Kyōkotsu can you two come out?" Ichigo mentally asked.
A few moments later, both appeared.
"Hello, Ichigo," Katen greeted with a smile.
"Hi," Kyōkotsu added casually.
"Hello, Katen, Kyōkotsu," Ichigo replied warmly.
"So, are we starting practice with our Shikai?" Katen asked, her tone curious.
"Correct," Ichigo confirmed, summoning Katen Kyōkotsu's sealed form. Katen Kyōkotsu's new Asauchi remained a daishō, a pair of blades. The crossguards were rectangular with the corners cut off, decorated with cherry petal patterns and lines, and each handle was dark violet.
Ichigo's reiatsu flared as he declared, "When the Flower Wind Rages, the Flower God Roars. When the Wind of Heaven Rages, the Heavenly Demon Sneers!" A gust of wind infused with his reiatsu swirled around him, and with a slash, he dispersed it, revealing a pair of huge, black, heavily curved Chinese war daos with silver edges. The hilts and tsuba remained the same, but now long red tassels hung from the ends.
"Now then, Ichigo," Katen said, "Do you still want to use the games our former master used?"
"I might use games, but I'm also thinking of creating new methods," Ichigo replied a hint of thoughtfulness in his voice.
"What do you mean?" Katen asked, intrigued.
"I see the logic behind using games—they're a simple way to remember the rules Katen Kyōkotsu imposes on everyone. But I want to add more. I'm planning to create new sets of rules and give them their own names," Ichigo explained.
"I see," Katen said, her eyes thoughtful. "That sounds like it will take time."
"It will," Ichigo agreed, then added, "But I have a few old ones to start us off." He summoned two sheets of paper. "The first ones," he said, handing one to Katen.
"I agree that Bushōgoma, Kageoni, and Irooni are the best of the old games," Katen said as she scanned the sheet. Kyōkotsu nodded in agreement.
"The first one is called Yōgan-oni [Lava Demon]. For this game, I declare that the floor is lava. Once the floor becomes lava, everything that touches it begins to burn. The lava's duration is random," Ichigo explained.
"Interesting," Katen said, intrigued by the concept.
"I can also manipulate the lava to my advantage," Ichigo added.
"What else do you have?" Katen asked, eager to hear more.
"Another one is called Yakiimo [Hot Potato]. For this game, I throw a Cero at my opponent, and they have to catch it and throw it back at me or someone else. If they drop it or fail to throw it back before the timer runs out, the Cero will explode," Ichigo explained.
"Very dangerous, and amusing," Katen commented, her eyes glinting with interest. "Any more?"
"One more," Ichigo said, his voice slightly playful. "I think Kyōkotsu might enjoy this one." Kyōkotsu raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "It's called Nijūshin [Doppelganger]. In this game, my opponent will see two mirror images of me—one real, one fake. They'll need to figure out which one is real. If they guess correctly, the attack does no damage. If they fail, they take double damage."
"Interesting," Katen said, her smile widening.
"I might like that," Kyōkotsu mused, her interest clearly sparked.
"I'll try it out once I can use the Trainer," Ichigo said, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Okay," Katen said, nodding in agreement.
"Thank you both for the help today," Ichigo said with a smile.
"It's no problem, Ichigo," Katen replied, her expression softening. Ichigo walked over to her and gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the forehead. Her face flushed slightly.
Before Kyōkotsu could protest, Ichigo lifted her into a bear hug, kissing her forehead as well. Kyōkotsu's face turned bright red. Ichigo and Katen chuckled at Kyōkotsu's reaction before they both returned to Ichigo's mindscape.
Ichigo laughed softly, sealing Katen Kyōkotsu and sending it back to the mindscape.
"Kyōka, how is Moka's training going?" Ichigo asked.
"It's going surprisingly well. I helped her learn to suppress her Yōki," Kyōka replied. "Afterward, we sparred and discovered some new abilities."
"Really?" Ichigo raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Yes," Kyōka said.
"Stand by, I'm coming over there," Ichigo said, his tone already determined.
"Very well," Kyōka responded. Ichigo Shunpō'ed over to her location, finding Kyōka once again dressed in her secretary outfit, taking notes on a clipboard, with Moka on the ground, catching her breath.
"Hello, girls," Ichigo greeted them.
"Hey, Ichigo," Kyōka said, not looking up from her notes.
"H-hello, Ichigo," Moka said, her voice a bit breathless.
"So, what made Moka so out of breath?" Ichigo asked, concern mixed with amusement.
"We were sparring to test her strengths and weaknesses," Kyōka explained. "During the match, we discovered a new ability. Moka managed to grow black wings on her back and black claws on her hands."
"Interesting," Ichigo said as he walked over to Moka. "You all right?"
"I'm fine," Moka said, though she was still breathing heavily.
Ichigo chuckled softly, teasing, "You and your vampiric pride." Then, his expression softened. "It's about 6:30 PM. Do you want help getting to your bedroom?"
"I don't," Moka protested weakly as she struggled to get up. Ichigo rolled his eyes, then gently scooped her into a bridal carry.
"M-Make sure you put me down!" Moka stammered, her protests weak.
"Ignoring that," Ichigo said his voice light. "Kyōka, thanks for your help today."
"No problem, Ichigo," Kyōka said, before disappearing back into Ichigo's mindscape. Ichigo immediately shunpō'ed Moka out of Mikogami's underground training room.
Scene Change: Moka's Room
Ichigo shunpō'ed into Moka's room, gently placing her on the bed. He retrieved her from her neck and placed it on her nightstand before going to run her bath. He noticed the bag of tea leaves, recalling that Moka needed them to dilute the water due to her sensitivity to pure water. Once the water was warm and infused with the leaves, Ichigo walked back to Moka, who was still lying tiredly on the bed.
"Moka, give me an honest answer—do you need help?" Ichigo asked, looking directly into her eyes. He paused, waiting for her response.
"Yes," Moka murmured quietly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," Ichigo teased, leaning in closer.
"I said yes!" Moka repeated, her voice slightly louder.
Ichigo smiled, enjoying her flustered reaction. "Still can't hear you," he teased further, loving the playful dynamic they shared.
"I SAID YES!" Moka yelled, then quickly blushed at her outburst. Ichigo laughed softly, unable to resist her embarrassment.
"Thank you," Moka mumbled, her face turning redder.
Without another word, Ichigo gently lifted Moka in a bridal carry and walked her toward the bathroom. Once there, he carefully removed her clothes, easing her into the bathwater. Ichigo helped wash her, using his kidō to further relax her body and accelerate her recovery. The bath was brief, lasting only ten minutes, but Ichigo took extra care to ensure she felt comfortable and cared for. Once finished, he dried her off.
"Thank you, Ichigo," Moka said, her voice quiet but filled with gratitude.
"You're welcome," Ichigo replied with a soft smile. "Do you want some blood to help restore your energy?"
"You're spoiling me," Moka teased, though her eyes gleamed with appreciation. Ichigo simply tilted his head, exposing his neck to her. Moka leaned in, licked the exposed skin, and then bit down.
As she drank, Ichigo remained still, letting her feed as long as she needed. He felt her reiatsu mix with his, comforting her as she regained strength. Once she finished, Ichigo gently pulled away.
"I noticed none of you have cell phones here. Why is that?" Ichigo asked.
"Because of how isolated Yōkai Academy is, there's no reception," Moka explained.
"I see," Ichigo mused. "I'll see what I can do to get you a phone that works anywhere."
"What?!" Moka said, surprised by the offer. Before she could say more, Ichigo shunpō'ed away.
"Damn him and his kindness," Moka muttered to herself.
"Omote, do you want to come out?" Moka asked.
"Ura-chan, with your greater control over your Yōki, I think you should experience life like how you used to," Moka replied.
"Thank you Omote," Moka replied. Moka went over to her dresser and put on her Yōkai Academy uniform. Once she finished dressing, Moka picked up the Rosario Ichigo left on her nightstand and placed it in her bra. With that done, she picked up her school bag and left her room. Tsukune, Kurumu, Mizore, and Yukari met at the crosswalk as usual.
"Where's Moka?" Tsukune asked.
"I'm not sure," Kurumu replied.
"Should we look for her?" Yukari asked.
"She's coming," Mizore said, noticing Moka walking toward them.
However, something was different. The usual, sweet, pink-haired, green-eyed Moka was replaced with a confident, silver-haired Moka with red eyes. The change was unmistakable.
"Moka, you're not wearing your Rosario," Tsukune pointed out.
"Did you lose it?" Kurumu asked.
"Did the Rosario malfunction because of the incident yesterday?" Yukari wondered aloud.
"No," Moka answered, her tone indifferent. "Ichigo took it off."
"Why didn't you put it back on?" Tsukune asked.
"Because I don't want to," Moka replied simply.
Tsukune looked concerned. "Didn't one of you tell me that releasing your Yōki is a declaration of challenge?"
Moka smirked, her gaze sharp. "True. But did any of you sense my Yōki while I walked here?"
Kurumu frowned, tilting her head. "Now that you mention it, I didn't feel your Yōki at all, not even now."
The others nodded in agreement.
"How?" Tsukune asked.
"After Ichigo brought me back to my room, we slept. This morning, he woke up early to train. He invited me, just the two of us. During our training, I learned how to suppress my Yōki," Moka explained, recalling the moment she'd learned the technique.
"Among other things…" she thought to herself, remembering the new power she'd accidentally discovered.
"So, with the ability to suppress my Yōki, I decided to experience life on the other side of the Rosario," Moka continued.
Tsukune's expression softened. "Is… Outer Moka okay with this?"
Moka nodded. "Yes. She knows, and I asked for her approval. She's fine with it."
"I see," Tsukune said. He hesitated before offering, "Do you want some of my blood?"
"No thank you, Tsukune," Moka replied, brushing past him. "Ichigo already gave me some."
Moka's answer hung in the air, and Tsukune's chest tightened. "Moka?" he called out as she walked away.
Moka stopped and turned. "Yes, Tsukune?"
"I… I want to know, is our relationship over?" Tsukune asked, his voice heavy.
Moka hesitated "Let me ask outer," then called out to her other self. "Moka?"
"Yes, Moka?" came the distant voice.
"Moka, Tsukune wants to know about our relationship."
Outer Moka's response was quick. "Tell him our relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend is over, but we can still be friends."
Moka nodded, replying with "Very well," before turning to Tsukune. "She said that she's sorry, but our relationship is over. However, we can remain friends."
Tsukune's expression crumpled. His body began to tremble as the tension in the air shifted. A wave of Yōki shot up from him, powerful and uncontrollable.
"TSUKUNE!" the others shouted, trying to approach, but the sheer force of his Yōki kept them back.
"MOKA, I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART, AND I WON'T LET ANYONE TAKE YOU FROM ME!" Tsukune screamed. He tore through the holy lock, sending more Yōki skyward.
The group watched, stunned, as Tsukune's appearance began to change. His hair darkened, a dark red tint overtaking it. His eyebrows sharpened, fangs sprouted from his mouth, and two pairs of tentacle-like appendages sprouted from his back. One pair ended in stingers, the other rounded.
"ROAR!" Tsukune bellowed, charging at Moka.
Author's note:
51,000,000 yen is equal to 425,000 dollars.