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Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Bull-headed Zangetsu! Quincy and Hollows Unite? The Three Worlds Are Shocked!

In the Wandenreich, Yhwach was also deeply confused.

He couldn't understand what this youthful version of himself intended to accomplish. Why was it displaying his own youthful image? Could the power of the Quincy truly be disguised to such an extent?

However, he must have his own reasons for this deception. After all, Ichigo Kurosaki possesses his bloodline and stands as one of the most exceptional members of his lineage—he is qualified to be called his son.

Would a father truly harm his own son? Perhaps... this is merely training.

In the projection:

[While being relentlessly beaten, Kurosaki Ichigo hurriedly called out between attacks.

"Wait, Old Man Zangetsu! I'm not here to fight you this time... Ah, no, you're not the old man anymore."

Tensa Zangetsu seemed to know exactly what he was thinking.

"You're here to learn the Final Getsuga Tensho, aren't you?"

Kurosaki Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise.

"Huh? You actually know what we were talking about outside?"

Tensa Zangetsu's response was swift and decisive.

"However, I absolutely cannot teach you that technique!"

His appearance and personality were completely different from the previous Old Man Zangetsu. Gone was the gentle, tolerant elder—this younger version was far more assertive and uncompromising when dealing with Kurosaki Ichigo.

"Why won't you teach it to me?!" Ichigo shouted desperately. "No matter what, I have to learn this move!"

Tensa Zangetsu's voice remained cold and detached.

"So what if you must? I don't care what you want to protect. Don't get it wrong, Ichigo—what you want to protect is not what I want to protect!"

Tensa Zangetsu's declaration rang out with absolute certainty, but Kurosaki Ichigo still couldn't comprehend his meaning.

They continued fighting while talking, with Ichigo taking a severe beating throughout the exchange.

"Why?!" Ichigo gasped between blows, growing more confused by the second. "I thought you gave me strength because you wanted to help me! Have I been misunderstanding everything this whole time?"

Tensa Zangetsu's expression turned cold, and he spoke with profound sorrow.

"Ichigo, look at this world around us!"

"This world was once full of hope, with countless skyscrapers reaching toward the sky!"

"But now this world has been reduced to nothing more than the small town you see before you!"

Following his gaze, Kurosaki Ichigo indeed discovered that this spiritual space was drastically different from before. An ocean of despair surrounded a shabby, backward town.

Is this... all because of me?

Tensa Zangetsu's words continued to pierce through Ichigo's consciousness.

"Although it no longer rains in this world, it has been completely submerged by the ocean. This is all because you took that desperate step!"

"I won't let you continue down this path any longer..."

"Therefore, I will completely eradicate the root of your despair here and now."

Tensa Zangetsu's words were so profound that even Kurosaki Ichigo fell into deep contemplation.

Could it be that my mental state is deteriorating? Why... I always wanted to protect my friends, but my heart keeps growing darker and darker?

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Tensa Zangetsu showed no mercy. Before Kurosaki Ichigo's shocked eyes, he thrust his hand directly through Ichigo's chest.

SHING!!!]

After witnessing this scene, countless viewers gasped in shock.

[Suì-Fēng]: Oh no! Kurosaki Ichigo got stabbed in the chest again?

[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: My god, is he going to turn into that bull-headed monster again?

[Byakuya Kuchiki]: Even though this young Zangetsu appears formidable, he may not be able to defeat that Hollow, correct?

[Marechiyo Omaeda]: Ha! It would be interesting if that bull-headed creature killed this Tensa Zangetsu. Though I suppose he's not the old man anymore, is he? Should we call him Brother Zangetsu now?

As the audience watched the screen with intense focus, a new character emerged from the projection!

[The substance that Tensa Zangetsu extracted from Kurosaki Ichigo's chest transformed into a being who had never before appeared in Kurosaki Ichigo's spiritual space in this form.

Although humanoid, he possessed claw-like appendages on his feet, resembling a Hollow. Most familiar were the distinctive horns protruding from his head.

His hair was long and wild, and he wielded a white version of Tensa Zangetsu in his hand.

He spoke with a strangely cheerful tone.

"Oh! Long time no see, Ichigo."

That familiar, electronically-distorted voice surprised everyone present.

Although they already knew that the bull-headed monster's power should originate from a Vasto Lorde-class Hollow—specifically, the White Hollow within Kurosaki Ichigo—it was still startling to see this bizarre form for the first time.

When dealing with Ulquiorra previously, this bull-headed entity had emerged to help Kurosaki Ichigo fight. None had expected it could manifest within the spiritual space itself.

The White Hollow continued with that unsettling smile.

"Haha, what's with that expression? Don't you recognize me?"

White Ichigo's voice carried that electronic distortion, with a faint hint of displeasure.

Hmph! Out with the old, in with the new! This Kurosaki Ichigo is truly heartless!

He removed the bull-skull mask he wore, revealing the appearance of White Ichigo underneath.

Kurosaki Ichigo was even more stunned. He couldn't understand why this monster had appeared again.

Is he going to fight me again and try to steal my power?

"What's going on? Didn't I defeat you in our previous battle?"

White Ichigo's arrogant yet oddly reassuring voice rang out once more.

"Hmph, have you forgotten? I told you before—if you want to control my power, you must not die before that happens. But you're too weak..."

Tsk! This useless Ichigo—if I hadn't saved him before, he would have died long ago! And he's not even grateful!

Seeing Ichigo Kurosaki's confusion, Tensa Zangetsu provided clarification.

"Oh, that's right—I nearly forgot this is the first time you've seen this form... Ichigo! You used this form to defeat Ulquiorra!"

Upon hearing this, Ichigo Kurosaki was genuinely surprised. Since he had lost most of his memories from that battle, he had fought purely on instinct.

Tensa Zangetsu frowned, lowering his gaze as he warned Ichigo earnestly.

"It's precisely because you fear this form and don't want to become like this again that you suppress your Hollowfication powers."

"So what do you want me to do?" Ichigo asked. "Are you going to make me fight this guy again?"

Tensa Zangetsu shook his head.

"No. The opponent you must face is not him alone—we are one!"

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Tensa Zangetsu and White Ichigo began to merge together.

A completely new form appeared before Kurosaki Ichigo's eyes.

The figure displayed characteristics of both the bull-headed Hollow and Tensa Zangetsu in equal measure. The two horns atop his head had become one. His eyes were split—one black, one white—each occupying half of his face. His overall appearance had become even more striking.

Two beings of remarkable appearance had combined into something truly formidable! Their strength had increased exponentially along with their imposing presence.]

After witnessing this transformation, both Kurosaki Ichigo and the audience were utterly shocked.

[Byakuya Kuchiki]: What is happening? How can these two entities merge? I assumed they would be enemies.

[Kyoraku Shunsui]: Indeed! I was thinking that perhaps this young Zangetsu would be killed by the Hollow, leading to White Ichigo and Kurosaki Ichigo fighting each other.

[Ukitake Jushiro]: I never expected the youthful version of Zangetsu to appear and merge with the White Hollow, which represents Vasto Lorde-class power. This is truly extraordinary!

The audience grew even more perplexed. Kurosaki Ichigo's power was already incredibly complex, and now it could be integrated!?

Aizen was equally surprised and muttered to himself with growing intrigue.

"They can merge together?"

"This Tensa Zangetsu—or rather, the Zangetsu who originally appeared identical to Yhwach—they are essentially one and the same... We should consider this the embodiment of Quincy power."

"So there is no inherent hostility between Yhwach's power and the Hollow."

"Therefore, Quincy power has combined with Hollow power, and they have temporarily formed an alliance?"

As he pondered this, Aizen felt increasingly conflicted.

"No! Where did Ichigo Kurosaki's Shinigami powers go?"

"Is this entity with the appearance of a youthful Yhwach the true Zangetsu, or is it Quincy power?"

"It seems Ichigo Kurosaki has never demonstrated Quincy abilities, so from the beginning until now, has he never actually mastered Quincy power?"

"Does this mean that Ichigo Kurosaki's Shinigami power and Hollow power are now completely unified?"

"But why would this Shinigami power masquerade as Yhwach?"

The more Aizen contemplated these questions, the more bewildered he became.

Meanwhile, the Shinigami were equally astonished. They didn't know the source of the Hollow power within Ichigo Kurosaki's body, but they were somewhat familiar with Yhwach.

They remained uncertain whether the Shinigami power within Ichigo Kurosaki still existed, or if the so-called Yhwach—the Quincy power—would continue to awaken.

[Ukitake Jushiro]: One thing is certain. There must be a fusion of two powers within Ichigo Kurosaki's body—either the combination of Quincy and Hollow power, or the combination of Shinigami and Hollow power.

[Mayuri Kurotsuchi]: The idea of Quincy power combining with Hollow power is absolutely incredible! Because Quincy and Hollows are mortal enemies! Their relationship is even worse than that between Shinigami and Hollows! Moreover, Hollow power is literally poison to Quincy, making such a combination theoretically impossible.

[Byakuya Kuchiki]: And if that were truly the case, our two primary enemies—Quincy and Hollows—would be united, creating unprecedented pressure for us Shinigami.

At this moment, none of their theories seemed satisfactory. The Shinigami could only make countless speculations while harboring deep concerns about the implications.

On the other side, in the Wandenreich, Yhwach experienced conflicted emotions, unable to properly describe his feelings about the current scene.

Originally, he should have been pleased to see his image appear once again. Moreover, his power was now apparently merging completely with the White Hollow.

As a Quincy, merging with a Hollow... This is truly uncomfortable!

Well, no matter! As long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood! As long as my image persists and I can continue to influence Ichigo Kurosaki, that will suffice!

As for Ichigo Kurosaki's Shinigami and Hollow powers, they will be expelled eventually!

Yhwach maintained firm confidence in this outcome.

Simultaneously, the other Quincy experienced tremendous upheaval.

[Askin Nakk Le Vaar]: Damn it! If that's the case, can this Kurosaki Ichigo still be considered our kind? Perhaps I should take responsibility for destroying this mixed-blood abomination.

[Candice Catnipp]: Exactly! Can a half-blood Quincy still be called a true Quincy?

[Liltotto Lamperd]: And this isn't ordinary mixed heritage—this is a hybrid with our sworn enemy. Absolutely unforgivable.

Countless Quincy turned their gaze toward Yhwach, eager to understand his perspective.

Yhwach spoke with measured calm.

"It's difficult to predict what Ichigo Kurosaki's future holds."

"Each time he trains within his spiritual space, he grows stronger. Let us observe what he will become next."

"We shall witness the final result of his training."

Upon hearing this, the Quincy could only suppress their anger and dissatisfaction, continuing to watch with reluctant patience.

In the projection:

[The merged entity of Tensa Zangetsu and the bull-headed Hollow immediately launched a fierce assault on Kurosaki Ichigo.

The upcoming battle would prove more challenging than any Ichigo had previously faced, as he now confronted the combined attacks of two masters simultaneously.

During the fierce combat, he discovered that this new fused master genuinely intended to kill him—this was no mere training exercise.

Damn it! I just wanted to learn one technique! Are they really going to fight this seriously against me?

He was beaten severely throughout the encounter.

The fused entity spoke to Kurosaki Ichigo with chilling indifference.

"If you continue to be so careless, you will die."

After enduring the punishment for some time, Kurosaki Ichigo finally rose to his feet with renewed determination.

He knew he had to become serious.

"Even if you don't tell me, I have to ask you this. Don't blame me for using harsh measures. Even if I get knocked down once, I'll stand up again. No matter how many times I fall, I'll keep standing up!"

After more intense fighting, the combination of Tensa Zangetsu and White Ichigo grew increasingly frustrated.

"Ichigo, didn't you hear what I said?"

"Your attacks cannot harm me."

"Leave this world immediately!"

For reasons unknown, he seemed extremely resistant to teaching Ichigo Kurosaki this technique. Therefore, he continued preventing Ichigo from learning it.

He struck down hard with his blade, creating a powerful vortex of water.

WHOOOOSH...

He intended to sweep Ichigo Kurosaki away entirely.]

At this moment, many audience members began to realize something crucial.

This Tensa Zangetsu/White Ichigo fusion didn't seem to simply want to kill Ichigo Kurosaki. Instead, he appeared to want to drive Ichigo away and prevent him from learning this technique.

It seemed that only by doing this could he protect Ichigo Kurosaki.

After all, this bull-headed Zangetsu—the combination of Tensa Zangetsu and White Ichigo—had never been truly cruel to Ichigo Kurosaki. Everything that Ichigo had mastered came from them.

If they became serious, Ichigo Kurosaki couldn't possibly match them as opponents. So why were they holding back now?

The previous Old Man Zangetsu's restraint was understandable, but White Ichigo was definitely supposed to defeat Ichigo and dominate his consciousness, right? He was supposed to be an evil Hollow, wasn't he?

Why were they both showing mercy to Ichigo Kurosaki now?

The more the audience pondered this, the more puzzled they became.

The scene continued playing.

[Even though the bull-headed Zangetsu resisted so strongly, Ichigo Kurosaki remained unwilling to surrender.

He absolutely could not stand by and watch his friends suffer at Aizen's hands. He had to protect them! He had to protect Karakura Town!

With these thoughts driving him forward, his fighting spirit grew stronger and stronger, and he unleashed his signature attack.

"Getsuga Tensho!"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!]

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