"Boom!"
As Ichigo rose to his feet, the excess spiritual pressure generated from Muramasa's fusion with Hollow power exploded outward.
Just the release of spiritual pressure blasted a massive crater into the ground.
Shinji and the others quickly flash-stepped to the edge of the pit to look down.
"Hey, Ichigo! You okay?" Hirako shouted.
Ichigo appeared in front of the Visoreds in a flash, gripping Muramasa with a smile.
"I'm fine. My training is complete."
The Visoreds all let out a breath of relief.
As the leader of the Visoreds, Hirako stepped forward.
"In that case, Ichigo, now that you're done training—lend us a hand!"
Ichigo was momentarily stunned, looking at the eager faces of the group. Then he smiled.
"Sure. I'd be happy to help!"
At his words, all the Visoreds immediately drew their Zanpakutōs.
"Whoa, hold on! You're not planning to come at me all at once, are you?" Ichigo exclaimed.
They all paused, blinking in confusion. Hirako sighed,
"You're too strong. If we don't all attack at once, we probably wouldn't last more than a few moves."
Ichigo waved his hands.
"One at a time! That way I can figure out your issues and help you improve."
The Visoreds glanced at one another.
"I'll go first! I've already awakened my second Zanpakutō, and I have no idea how to use it!" Mashiro offered.
"I should go first! I'm this close to getting a second one!" Lisa argued.
Hirako quickly stepped in before a fight broke out.
"We'll go in the usual training order—Kensei, you're up!"
Kensei looked surprised but smiled.
"Fine by me."
Mashiro grumbled,
"Kensei was the last one to complete his Hollow training. If he goes first, it'll take forever!"
Kensei twitched at the jab.
It was true he was the slowest at Hollow training because he'd been resisting his inner Hollow.
But now, determined to become stronger, he was past that.
In fact, the Visoreds had strayed from the original path Urahara Kisuke had laid out.
They tried developing their own method of using Hollow powers—and it had gone astray.
Just look at Aizen's Arrancar.
Had you ever heard of any of them having a time limit on their Resurrección?
Hollowfication, as the Visoreds used it, was essentially a flawed version.
Ichigo, who had fully embraced his inner Hollow, especially in that version with a single horn, was the true model of a proper Shinigami-Hollow fusion.
But this carried its own risks.
In the original Soul Society, Central 46 only allowed the Visoreds to return because their Hollowfication wasn't fully stable.
With Ichigo's influence leading them toward perfect mastery, would Central 46 still permit them to come back?
That remained to be seen.
Meanwhile, in Soul Society—
Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, accompanied by young Ise Nanao, were investigating Aizen Sōsuke's plans.
After digging into Aizen's records within the Grand Spirit Book Corridor, Kyōraku and Ukitake made a chilling discovery.
"The Soul King. His goal is to kill and replace the Soul King," Ukitake murmured.
All three were stunned.
Few in Soul Society even knew of the Soul King's existence.
Only the four noble families—and the now-disgraced Shiba family—were aware of it.
Most of Central 46 were still under the delusion that they were the true rulers of Soul Society, unaware of the being suspended high above them.
Kyōraku adjusted his hat.
"Aiyaa, he really did choose quite the outrageous target."
As the top student of the former Captain-Commander and a potential successor, Kyōraku knew the truth.
Ukitake, especially, had more reason than most—his body contained the Soul King's right arm: Mimihagi.
And Ise Nanao's family happened to possess Shinken Hakkyōken, the sword said to slay gods.
Though Kyōraku hadn't told her yet, she had every right to know.
After completing their investigation, Kyōraku and Ukitake rushed to report the findings to Yamamoto.
Upon hearing it all, Yamamoto wasted no time passing the intel to the team in the World of the Living—Tōshirō Hitsugaya and the others.
Though Aizen's Hōgyoku still needed four months to awaken, it was now certain that Karakura Town would be the final battlefield.
When Orihime learned of this, she rushed off to inform Ichigo and the others.
Elsewhere…
Hitsugaya Tōshirō had a fateful encounter—with Kurosaki Karin.
Karin had once seen him passed out, and now they had crossed paths again.
But Ichigo had no idea his little sister had met Hitsugaya…
Back at the Visoreds' hideout
Ichigo looked helplessly at Kensei.
"Kensei, you've got solid strength—but you're too hung up on the Hollow inside you," he explained.
Kensei was kneeling, panting heavily.
"At this rate, you'll never fully convert that Hollow power into your own. Take a break and let someone else go."
Kensei was silent.
After all, he had been the very first Captain to Hollowfy.
But because he saw the Hollow as a burden, he had always rejected it.
As long as he refused to accept it as his own strength, he'd never master it.
Unwilling but defeated, Kensei allowed Love to carry him aside while the others continued training with Ichigo.
Just then, Orihime finally located Ichigo.
Her power bore great resemblance to Hacchi's barrier techniques, so it wasn't hard to find them.
Of course, as soon as she entered the barrier, Hacchi noticed.
"Ichigo, one of your friends is here," he called out.
Ichigo, currently sparring with Love, turned back.
"My friend?"
"She's a girl with long orange hair."
Ichigo blinked.
"Orihime?"
Just then, Orihime stepped in, looking slightly embarrassed.
"There was no one outside, so I just came in…"
Ichigo signaled Love to pause and asked,
"Orihime, what brings you here?"
Orihime relayed the message she'd received from Soul Society.
"So Aizen's target is Karakura Town…" Ichigo nodded thoughtfully.
"I got it, Orihime. Don't worry—leave it to me."
With her message delivered, Orihime turned to leave—only to run into Urahara Kisuke.
"Orihime-san, I hope you won't participate in the upcoming battles," Urahara said.
"Eh? Why?" Orihime asked, puzzled.
"The truth is… your powers are far too unique. If Aizen Sōsuke were to get his hands on them, Soul Society would lose this war," Urahara admitted.
Orihime frowned. She didn't understand, and Urahara didn't elaborate.
He knew telling her wouldn't stop her—he just hoped to plant a seed of caution.
But Orihime ignored his warning and went straight to see Rukia and Senna.
At the Kurosaki household
Rukia and Senna greeted Orihime like proper hostesses, serving her tea.
But Orihime felt uneasy watching how naturally the two women acted like they belonged there.
"What's wrong, Orihime? What brings you here today?" Rukia asked.
Orihime explained the news from Soul Society once more.
Senna nodded.
"We received the same message. Aizen's target is Karakura Town. We didn't expect this."
Rukia added,
"I already messaged Ichigo—he said he understands. Looks like the showdown with Aizen is set."
Looking at their calm confidence, Orihime remembered Urahara's warning and made up her mind.
"Rukia, Senna—I want special training!"
Both women were stunned.
"Special training? For what?" Senna asked.
"To train my combat skills! I want to fight too!" Orihime declared seriously.
Rukia and Senna exchanged glances.
"Orihime… are you okay?" Rukia asked, puzzled.
"I'm serious! You're always the ones on the front lines—now it's my turn to stand beside you!"
But her words didn't exactly move them.
In past battles, Orihime's healing abilities had barely mattered.
Since Ichigo's power-up, he had taken over all healing duties.
Orihime's skills were now nearly obsolete unless someone was on the brink of death.
Still, if Orihime insisted, they would support her.
Even if she was only excited for a moment, her healing abilities remained unique.
You could rely on Unohana for injuries—but when it came to illness, Orihime's power was sometimes more effective.
"Alright, then come back to Soul Society with us for training," Rukia said after some thought.
"Okay!" Orihime replied without hesitation.
Just like that, all members of the Karakura team began intense training—preparing for Aizen's invasion of the living world.
...
Two months later — Hueco Mundo
Aizen, holding the Hōgyoku, performed an Arrancar transformation on a Hollow.
As the power of the orb faded, a childlike Hollow appeared before him.
"From today on, your name is Wonderweiss," Aizen said, not even sparing him a glance before turning to Ulquiorra behind him.
"Ulquiorra. Go and bring that person to Hueco Mundo."
Ulquiorra nodded and vanished.
Then Aizen addressed the new Espada No. 60: Luppi.
"You'll take the other Adjuchas-class Arrancars with you into the real world."
"Yes, Aizen-sama!" Luppi bowed.
Despite appearances, this feminine-looking Hollow was actually male.
...
Karakura Town
Luppi arrived with Yammy, Grimmjow, and Wonderweiss.
There hadn't been any Arrancar activity for two months, giving everyone a false sense of peace.
But as soon as Ichigo sensed their spiritual pressure, he sighed, then knocked Lisa flying with one hand as she attacked.
"Let's pause here, Lisa—we've got visitors in Karakura Town," Ichigo said.
"Huh?" Lisa sheathed her Zanpakutō, confused.
"Some new Arrancar showed up. I'll go take them out."
A cruel smile appeared on Ichigo's face.
"Shiro, I'm leaving the rest of their training to you," he said to Mashiro.
"Don't worry, little Strawberry! I'll train them well!" she replied with a big OK sign.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]