Steel screamed as blades collided.
Shinichi's zanpakutō clashed with Wabisuke, sparks erupting violently as the hooked blade slid down his katana's length. The moment they made contact, Shinichi felt it,
His sword became heavier.
Not metaphorically.
Not gradually.
Instantly.
The weight doubled, dragging his arms down like gravity itself had latched onto the blade.
"Tch—!"
Shinichi twisted his wrists and disengaged just in time, boots skidding across stone as he slid backward. His shoulders burned, muscles screaming in protest.
Kira didn't pursue immediately.
He simply stood there, sword lowered slightly, expression dull and heavy, like a man permanently burdened by something invisible.
"You felt it," Kira said quietly.
"Wabisuke doubles the weight of anything it strikes."
Shinichi flexed his fingers around the hilt, testing the balance.
"…Yeah," he muttered. "I noticed."
Kira stepped forward.
Not fast.
Not slow.
Measured.
His blade rose, then fell in a controlled diagonal arc.
Shinichi met it head-on.
Bad idea.
The impact hammered through his arms, forcing him to one knee as stone cracked beneath him. His teeth clenched hard enough to hurt.
Kira followed immediately, another swing, this time horizontal.
Shinichi barely rolled aside, the blade slicing the air where his head had been a heartbeat earlier.
"You fight aggressively," Kira said, voice steady.
"But every clash makes it worse for you."
Shinichi pushed himself up, breathing heavier now.
"Then I just won't let you hit my sword," he shot back.
He vanished.
Shinichi reappeared to Kira's right, katana already mid-thrust.
Kira reacted instantly.
Wabisuke snapped up, hooking the blade and deflecting it aside with a sharp twist. Shinichi's sword struck again, another clang, another surge of unbearable weight.
His arms shook.
Kira countered, blade coming down like a guillotine.
Shinichi ducked, felt the wind of the swing graze his hair, and retaliated with a low upward slash aimed at Kira's ribs.
Blood splattered.
A shallow cut, but a hit.
Kira stepped back, eyes narrowing slightly.
"…Fast," he acknowledged.
Shinichi didn't smile.
He pressed.
The stone street blurred into chaos.
Shinichi moved in sharp bursts, appearing, striking, retreating, his katana flashing in precise arcs. Thrusts aimed for the throat. Slashes targeting joints. Feints designed to force blocks.
Kira absorbed it all.
Each successful parry made Shinichi's sword heavier.
Each clash punished his arms more.
Eventually,
Kira caught him.
Wabisuke hooked Shinichi's blade mid-swing and yanked.
The sudden weight shift dragged Shinichi forward, off balance.
Kira stepped in and slashed across Shinichi's abdomen.
Blood poured.
Shinichi staggered back, coughing as pain bloomed through his core.
"…You're bleeding too much," Kira said.
"This fight is already decided."
Shinichi wiped blood from his mouth, eyes dark.
"Yeah?"
"Funny. I don't remember agreeing."
Black-and-red reiatsu exploded outward.
The air warped. Stones cracked. A low, oppressive pressure settled over the street like a suffocating fog.
Kira felt it immediately.
"…That reiatsu," he murmured. "It's wrong."
Shinichi's katana drank it in, veins of crimson energy crawling along the blade.
He inhaled.
Then he moved.
Shinichi vanished.
Not shunpo.
Something rawer. Faster.
Kira swung on instinct,
Miss.
Pain erupted across his shoulder as Shinichi reappeared behind him, blade carving a deep gash. Before Kira could react, Shinichi was gone again, reappearing above him in a downward slash.
Wabisuke blocked.
The impact sent Kira skidding back, boots tearing grooves into stone.
Shinichi landed hard, knees buckling slightly.
His breathing was ragged.
"…Damn it," he hissed. "Still not clean."
Kira steadied himself, blood dripping freely now.
"You're burning yourself out," he said.
"That speed isn't sustainable."
Shinichi smirked weakly.
"Didn't say I planned to sustain it."
Kira raised his sword.
"Your power is impressive," he said.
"But you're reckless."
He advanced.
This time, he attacked relentlessly.
Every swing of Wabisuke was deliberate, aimed not to kill immediately, but to force Shinichi into blocking. Each forced clash doubled the weight again and again.
Shinichi's arms trembled violently.
A slash across his thigh.
A cut along his shoulder.
Another blow sent him crashing into a wall.
He dropped to one knee.
His katana felt like it weighed tons.
"…Shit…"
Kira stood over him.
"Your strength is real," he said softly.
"But so is despair."
He raised Wabisuke for the finishing blow.
Shinichi's eyes sharpened.
"If I can't tackle your ability…"
"…I'll just make myself capable of dodging it every single time."
[Combat Insight — Activated]
The world fractured.
Time slowed.
Shinichi could see everything.
The exact angle of Kira's shoulders.
The delay between intention and motion.
The predictable arc Wabisuke always followed.
Kira swung.
Shinichi stepped aside before the blade even descended.
Kira's eyes widened.
"What?"
Shinichi was already moving.
Shinichi no longer clashed blades.
He slipped past them.
Each dodge was minimal, efficient—no wasted motion. His katana lashed out only when it would land clean.
A slash to the calf.
A cut across the forearm.
A thrust that stopped a hair's breadth from Kira's eye.
Kira's breathing grew frantic.
"How are you—?!"
Shinichi blurred again, appearing above him, blade descending in a precise arc that knocked Wabisuke free.
Metal clattered to the ground.
Shinichi landed, katana pressed to Kira's throat.
Silence.
Kira froze.
"…So this is what it means," he whispered.
"To be outpaced completely."
His knees gave out.
Shinichi stepped back as Kira collapsed, defeated.
[Combat Insight — Deactivated]
Shinichi staggered slightly, but remained standing.
"Next time," he muttered, "pick a weapon that doesn't rely on me standing still."
Shinichi moved first.
His heel drove forward like a cannon shot.
Kira barely had time to widen his eyes before Shinichi's kick slammed into his stomach with crushing force. The impact folded him in half, the air ripped from his lungs in a silent gasp. His body lifted off the ground for a brief, weightless moment before crashing down hard, skidding across the stone.
The lieutenant didn't even get the chance to groan.
Unconscious.
Shinichi landed lightly and straightened, chest rising and falling once as the adrenaline faded. He glanced down at his own body, faint cuts and bruises already forming where Kira's blade pressure had grazed him.
"…Damn it," he muttered. "I should've just used Combat Insight from the start."
He turned back toward Kira's unmoving form.
For a moment, there was hesitation.
Then Shinichi extended his arm, palm open toward the fallen lieutenant. His voice was calm. Almost indifferent.
"Predation."
The air warped.
From Kira's chest, something unnatural emerged.
Thin, black tendrils seeped out of his body like shadows being pulled from beneath the skin. They writhed slowly at first, as if resisting, then surged outward with sudden force. The tendrils glistened like oil under moonlight, veins of faint crimson pulsing through them as they stretched toward Shinichi.
The tendrils coiled around Shinichi's forearm, wrapping it tightly in layered spirals. The sensation sent a chill through his spine as the shadows crept higher, crawling along his skin with eerie purpose. They converged at his chest, sinking into him as if his body had been waiting for them.
Shinichi felt it instantly.
Heat surged through his veins.
His muscles tightened, bones humming as if reforged. His senses sharpened, the world snapping into clearer focus as raw power flooded his core.
A blue screen flickered into existence before his eyes.
[Atk +50]
[Def +80]
[Agl +30]
Shinichi slowly closed his hand into a fist, feeling the strength coiling within it.
"So…" he thought, a low breath escaping his lips, "this is the power of a lieutenant…"
The tendrils dissolved, retreating back into his arm as Kira's body fell limp once more, completely drained.
Shinichi didn't look back.
He turned and broke into a run, feet hammering against stone as he pushed himself toward the distant tower once again.
After some time, he skidded to a halt.
Ahead of him lay bodies.
Nearly twenty Shinigami were sprawled across the ground, piled together in various states of unconsciousness. Some were slumped against walls, others collapsed face-first, their swords scattered around them.
Shinichi knelt and closed his eyes briefly.
Residual reiatsu lingered in the air. Clean. Precise.
"…Ishida," he murmured. "Figures."
As he stepped closer, a familiar chime echoed softly in his mind.
[Predation can be used]
A bead of cold sweat slid down Shinichi's chin.
He froze.
"You mean…" he whispered, eyes widening slightly, "…I can absorb all twenty of them?"
The system's reply appeared instantly.
[Yes. After your physical quest, your body has become very strong. It can handle absorbing a large amount of reiatsu at once.]
Shinichi swallowed.
Then he smiled.
A slow, dangerous smile.
"Well then…" he said quietly, extending his arm once more. "Thanks for the feast."
His palm opened.
"Predation."
---
Shortly after Ichigo defeated Ikkaku, he and Ganju were already sprinting through the Seireitei, feet pounding against stone as the sound of pursuit echoed behind them. Shinigami voices rang out from every direction, their numbers growing with every turn they took.
They ran harder.
Then Ichigo slammed headfirst into someone.
"OWW—!" He stumbled back and dropped to the ground, clutching his forehead. "Who the—"
"YOU IDIOT! Are you blind?!"
Ichigo looked up just in time to see Tatsuki rubbing her head, her face twisted in pain.
"Tatsuki?" he blinked. "Where's Chad?"
Tatsuki pushed herself upright, wincing. "No time. We need to run first. They're surrounding us. I'll explain while we move."
She didn't wait for an answer.
The three of them took off immediately, Ganju barely managing to keep up as they darted through alleyways and narrow paths.
While running, Tatsuki spoke through heavy breaths. "Chad and I got separated."
Ichigo glanced at her sharply. "Huh? What happened?"
"We ran into a lieutenant," she replied. "I took care of him… but I got messed up pretty bad."
Ichigo's eyes dropped instinctively. Only now did he notice the deep gash along her side, the dark bruising spreading beneath torn fabric, her hand pressed tight to stop the bleeding.
"You beat a lieutenant?" Ichigo hissed. "Damn it! We need to stop and get you patched up!"
Tatsuki let out a strained laugh, pain clear in her voice. "You fool… I'd love that… but we're being chased by almost a hundred Shinigami right now. Just keep running!"
Ganju wheezed beside them, sweat pouring down his face. "Oh damn it… I think we're gonna die!"
"SHUT UP!" Ichigo snapped. "JUST KEEP RUNNING!"
But their escape didn't last.
Shinigami poured in from the front, blades drawn, closing the gap fast. Ichigo skidded to a halt.
"Damn it…" His eyes darted around. "We're surrounded."
Tatsuki clenched her teeth, forcing herself to stay upright. Ganju tensed, fists shaking.
Then something unexpected happened.
A small figure was shoved forward from the mass of Shinigami ahead. The boy tripped and fell flat on his face, scrambling to look up at them, eyes wide with fear.
"U-Uh… H-Hello…" he stammered. "A-Are you the Ryoka…?"
Ichigo and Ganju exchanged a glance.
Then they both grinned.
Ganju lunged, yanking the boy up by the collar, while Ichigo stepped in and pressed Zangetsu lightly against the boy's neck.
"HEY!" Ichigo shouted at the surrounding Shinigami. "BACK OFF AND LET US THROUGH, OR YOU'LL SEE SOME BLOOD SPILL!"
Tatsuki pressed her fingers to her temples. "You guys are unbelievable…"
For a moment, there was silence.
Then laughter.
Several Shinigami burst out laughing openly.
"Does it look like we care about that kid?" one of them scoffed.
"He's not even from our division," another added. "All he does is treat minor injuries."
Ichigo's grin vanished.
Damn it…
Before the Shinigami could move in, a violent explosion ripped through their ranks from the side. A massive shockwave blasted bodies backward, smoke and debris swallowing the street.
Tatsuki's eyes widened. "HEY! LET'S GO! THAT'S OUR OPENING!"
They didn't hesitate.
Ichigo, Tatsuki, Ganju, and their very confused hostage bolted at full speed, vanishing into the chaos as the Shinigami regrouped behind them.
The smoke slowly cleared.
A tall figure stepped out of it, arm still faintly steaming from the impact of his attack.
Chad looked around calmly. "…Hmm. I sensed Ichigo's reiatsu, so I came here."
He glanced down the empty street.
"…Looks like I just missed them."
---
They kept running, breath ragged, footsteps echoing through the narrow streets.
The small Shinigami boy glanced up nervously as he was half-dragged along, then finally spoke, his voice trembling but sincere.
"A-Are you here to rescue Miss Kuchiki?"
Ichigo looked at him for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Yeah."
The boy's eyes widened, hope flashing across his face. A shy smile spread as he bowed his head slightly while still running.
"T-Then… please allow me to help you!"
Tatsuki shot him a suspicious look, her hand still hovering near her claws. "Why would you do that?"
The boy's expression softened, sadness slipping into his eyes.
"Miss Kuchiki is a very good person. I've never met anyone like her. I… I don't want her to die."
Ichigo's grip on Zangetsu loosened just a little. He smiled down at the boy.
"Don't worry. We'll make sure to save her."
The boy's smile grew brighter, relief washing over his features.
"My name is Hanataro Yamada! I know a shortcut to where Miss Kuchiki is. She's in the big tower on Sōkyoku Hill! Follow me!"
Without hesitation, the three of them followed Hanataro, darting through narrow alleys and back routes. After several minutes of relentless running, they came to a sudden stop in front of a dark sewer opening hidden behind broken stone.
Before anyone could speak, footsteps echoed sharply behind them.
Fast. Heavy.
Reiatsu surged through the air, dense and oppressive. Something dangerous was approaching.
Ichigo immediately stepped forward, Zangetsu snapping into position. Tatsuki's pupils narrowed into golden slits as her fangs and claws emerged, her body tensing for impact.
Then the figure emerged from the shadows.
Black hair. Calm eyes. Familiar presence.
"…Huh?" Tatsuki blinked.
Shinichi Kisaragi stepped into the light, lifting a hand in a lazy wave.
"Oh! There you are. I'm glad I ran into you guys."
The tension evaporated instantly.
Ichigo let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, though his brows furrowed as he stared at Shinichi.
"…What the hell happened to your reiatsu? It feels completely different. I couldn't even recognize it."
Tatsuki snorted. "Yeah. I was about to cut you up with my claws."
Shinichi tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.
"Huh? Weird. Maybe I just… got a bit stronger?"
Ichigo wiped sweat from his forehead and gave a shaky laugh.
"Well, I'm glad we got reunited with you."
Shinichi smiled faintly.
Yeah, no shit, he thought to himself. I came here because I knew you'd be using this path.
---
After that strange incident, the five of them slipped down into the sewers together. The narrow tunnel swallowed their footsteps, damp stone walls glistening faintly as murky water trickled past their boots.
Tatsuki immediately pinched her nose, her face twisting in disgust.
"Damn… it stinks."
Shinichi didn't even look back. "Oh, that's not the sewers. That's probably just Ganju."
Ganju spun around, eyes bulging. "HOW DARE YOU!"
Before the argument could escalate, Hanataro raised his hands nervously, nearly dropping his medical bag.
"U Um! We can set up camp here! I can see all of you are wounded… please let me heal you!"
Reluctantly, they sat down along the tunnel wall. Hanataro moved between them carefully, tending cuts, wrapping bruises, and muttering encouragement under his breath. His hands shook, but his work was precise. One by one, everyone was patched up.
Finally, he knelt in front of Shinichi.
As he worked, Hanataro leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"So… you're Mr. Shinichi?"
Shinichi's eyes shifted toward him. He inhaled slowly.
"What did she say?"
Hanataro smiled softly as he cleaned a cut on Shinichi's arm.
"Miss Kuchiki talked about you a lot. She said you taught her many things about the world of the living. You even taught her how to drink juice from something called a juice box."
A faint smile tugged at Shinichi's lips despite himself.
"Those things are pretty basic… that idiotic woman."
Hanataro carefully wrapped the final bandage, his tone gentler now.
"But what I noticed was… the only times she smiled. The only times she had the will to live… in all of those moments… she was talking about you."
The words lingered in the damp air.
Shinichi stood up slowly once the bandage was secured. His expression returned to its usual calm mask.
"Well, whatever. Let's go, guys. I want to get this over with quick."
---
They finally emerged from the sewers, the open air hitting them all at once. Looming nearby was Sōkyoku Hill, its massive structure rising ominously into the sky.
Ichigo clenched his fist and looked ahead.
"Alright… just wait, Rukia. We'll be there."
A voice cut through the air from a distance, sharp and furious.
"No you won't."
A tall figure stepped forward into view. Wild crimson hair framed his face, tribal tattoos stretching across his forehead and cheeks. His Shinigami uniform hung loosely on his broad frame, sleeves torn, reiatsu rolling off him in aggressive waves. His eyes burned with raw emotion and barely restrained rage.
It was Renji Abarai, Lieutenant of Squad Six.
He glared straight at Ichigo, teeth clenched as he shouted,
"BECAUSE OF YOU, RUKIA IS GETTING EXECUTED! IF YOU HAD NEVER ENTERED HER LIFE!"
Ichigo immediately stepped forward, Zangetsu sliding into his hands as his stance lowered.
Before Renji could move again, Shinichi spoke calmly, already turning away.
"Okay, Ichigo. I trust you can handle this. I'm heading back into the sewers to find another way."
Ichigo gave a short nod.
"Hm."
Tatsuki started after Shinichi at once.
"Wait. I'm coming with you."
Shinichi exhaled softly.
"Suit yourself."
Renji's eyes snapped toward them, fury twisting his face.
"OI!" he roared. "I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN HOW YOU EMBARRASSED ME IN FRONT OF CAPTAIN KUCHIKI AND RUKIA BACK IN THE HUMAN WORLD! DON'T THINK I'LL LET YOU ESCAPE!"
He tore his Zanpakutō free.
"Roar… Zabimaru!"
The blade segmented instantly, stretching and snapping forward like a living beast, tearing through the air straight toward Shinichi's neck.
A red and black spark flashed.
Shinichi vanished.
In the next instant, he was standing directly in front of Renji.
Fingers closed around Renji's throat.
Renji's eyes widened as his feet lifted off the ground. Shinichi held him there with one hand, effortlessly. Veins bulged along Shinichi's forearm as his grip tightened, cutting off Renji's breath. Renji clawed weakly at Shinichi's wrist, choking, his reiatsu flaring wildly but uselessly.
Shinichi's eyes glinted with a dark red spark as he leaned closer, his voice low and merciless.
"I'm not as gentle as Ichigo. If you want to live… fight him. Not me."
He released him.
Renji was hurled sideways, crashing violently into the wall. Stone cracked on impact as Renji slumped down, coughing harshly as air rushed back into his lungs.
Shinichi had already turned away.
He walked off without slowing, voice cold and absolute.
"Know your place… fool."
Behind him, Renji stayed where he was, shaken to his core, staring at the space Shinichi had occupied only moments ago.