Seeing these scenes unfold, Ishida Uryu felt a mixture of confusion and unease wash over him.
So Kurosaki Masaki will end up with Shiba Isshin... he thought, his mind racing. Although there doesn't seem to be any deep romantic connection between Father and Kurosaki Masaki, this still makes him look rather pitiful.
There had to be some complicated emotional entanglements behind all this. A real drama was about to unfold.
The projection flickered, and soon Shiba Isshin appeared on screen once more.
[He was actively searching for the terrifying entity that had been slaughtering Shinigami in the World of the Living. With determination etched on his face, he immediately burst forth with intense spiritual pressure, deliberately trying to draw the monster to his location.
Within moments, a creature materialized behind Shiba Isshin like a nightmare given form. Its body was pitch black, adorned with a distinctive white mask that covered its face. The most striking feature, however, were the two prominent horns protruding from its head.
BOOM!
The monster's violent aura exploded outward, sending ripples through the spiritual atmosphere. Its terrifying presence was unmistakable - this was the very creature everyone had been discussing.]
The chat erupted immediately.
[Ishida Uryu]: Wait, is that White? The one we've been calling the Bullhead has finally appeared!
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: So Aizen created this thing, right? But how exactly did this White end up inside Kurosaki Ichigo's body?
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Even I feel a tremor in my heart seeing this creature.
[On screen, Shiba Isshin quickly began analyzing his opponent with the sharp tactical mind of a seasoned captain.
The entire body is black, and that Hollow hole appears to be sealed with something, he observed, his eyes narrowing. This spiritual pressure... there's no doubt about it. This is definitely a Hollow!
Without hesitation, Shiba Isshin launched himself into battle against White. The two combatants clashed with tremendous force, neither gaining a clear advantage as they exchanged devastating blows. Spiritual energy crackled through the air as their battle intensified, creating shockwaves that rippled across the battlefield.]
[Komamura Sajin]: Incredible! Captain Shiba Isshin's strength is truly remarkable! Even White is struggling against him!
[Soi-Fon]: Indeed, even now his power ranks among the strongest of all captains we've known.
[Kyoraku Shunsui]: I recall he once fought against Aizen himself. Though I don't know the details of how that battle went, the fact that he could engage Aizen in combat speaks volumes about his abilities.
[The scene shifted, revealing a different perspective. From his hidden surveillance position, Aizen watched the battle between White and Shiba Isshin with growing interest.
"We haven't received any reports about his deployment to the World of the Living," Aizen mused, his voice carrying its characteristic calm calculation. "It seems he came here on his own initiative, acting outside official orders."
Rather than continue observing from a distance, Aizen's excitement grew as he watched the battle unfold. He abandoned his remote monitoring post and decided to travel directly to the battlefield where Shiba Isshin and White were engaged in their fierce combat.
Meanwhile, in the grand Ishida family estate, Kurosaki Masaki sensed the overwhelming spiritual pressure emanating from the battle. Her protective instincts immediately kicked in, and she prepared to rush toward the conflict to provide assistance.
However, as she headed for the door, Ishida Ryuken intercepted her path, his expression grave and concerned.
"To deal with Hollows of this caliber," he stated firmly, "other mixed-blood Quincy like Katagiri can handle the situation. This has been our established protocol from ancient times to the present day."
His voice carried the weight of centuries of Quincy tradition as he continued, "We pure-blooded Quincy must not shed our blood carelessly. The risk is too great."
But Kurosaki Masaki turned to face him, her voice rising with passionate conviction.
"Ryuken, you always think deeply about the future of the Quincy race, and that dedication is truly admirable," she said, her eyes blazing with determination. "But for me, the most important principle is to cherish the present moment and act on today's responsibilities."
She stepped closer, her voice becoming even more resolute. "I could never forgive myself tomorrow for failing to help someone today simply because I followed custom and tradition."
Without another word, Kurosaki Masaki rushed out of the estate, leaving Ishida Ryuken standing alone. He released a long, weary sigh before turning to address his attendant.
"Katagiri," he called, "prepare my weapons. I'm going after her."
The chat responses came flooding in as viewers witnessed this pivotal moment.]
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: That's my mother! She's so kind and brave. Is she really going to fight alongside Dad?
[Matsumoto Rangiku]: To protect a Shinigami against such a dangerous unknown enemy... Kurosaki Ichigo's mother is truly admirable!
[Shiba Isshin]: Hahaha, of course she is - she's my wife after all!
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: Damn it, I have a feeling there's going to be a tragedy coming next. It's all that bastard Aizen's fault!
[Aizen Sosuke]: Please don't be so hasty to draw conclusions. This encounter is actually quite beneficial! One might even say it's a pivotal event that will fundamentally change the future of Soul Society.
[The projection returned to the intense battle between Shiba Isshin and White. When White suddenly unleashed a devastating Cero, Shiba Isshin's surprise was evident on his face.
Such an incredibly powerful Hollow, he thought, analyzing the situation rapidly. There's absolutely no way something this dangerous could be wandering around undetected by Soul Society unless...
His eyes hardened with realization. Someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Of course, White remained silent, offering no verbal response to Shiba Isshin's unspoken questions. The creature simply continued its relentless assault.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, Shiba Isshin made the tactical decision to unleash his full power and end the battle decisively. He raised his Zanpakuto, spiritual energy beginning to swirl around the blade in preparation for release.
"Burn, Engetsu!" he shouted, preparing to activate his Shikai.
But before he could launch his attack, an unexpected assault struck him from behind with devastating precision.
BANG!
Shiba Isshin felt searing pain explode across his entire body as his muscles seized up involuntarily. Blood erupted from the wound on his back, painting the ground crimson beneath him.
Sizzle...
The fierce flames of his Zanpakuto Engetsu were immediately extinguished, leaving only cold steel in his grasp.
Shock and rage filled his voice as he spun around to face his attacker. "Damn it! Who dares to attack me from behind? Show yourself!"
He scanned the area desperately, trying to locate the source of the attack. Through the heavy rain and darkness of the night, he could only make out a shadowy figure in the distance.
That wasn't an attack from a Hollow, he realized with growing alarm. That was a Zanpakuto strike! Which means...
A traitor among the Shinigami had revealed themselves.
The scene revealed the truth - it was indeed Aizen, accompanied by his loyal followers Gin and Kaname. Through Aizen's explanation to his subordinates, the audience learned about the specialized cloak he was wearing.
"This particular garment completely masks spiritual pressure," Aizen explained with his characteristic calm demeanor. "Combined with certain Kido techniques, it allows the wearer's form to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment."
He paused, a slight smile playing at his lips. "Ironically, this is one of Urahara Kisuke's own inventions."]
The revelation sparked immediate outrage in the chat.
[Shiba Isshin]: Haha, Aizen! I never expected such underhanded tactics from you! I always thought you would fight with honor and dignity, but instead you resort to cowardly sneak attacks!
[Tosen Kaname]: Lord Aizen simply needed to conceal his identity for the sake of his experiments. If he had truly wanted to eliminate Shiba Isshin, he could have accomplished it with a single strike.
[Urahara Kisuke]: Aizen, you took equipment I left behind in Soul Society without permission! I'm genuinely offended! Those were my personal inventions, you perverted thief!
[Aizen Sosuke]: Urahara Kisuke, I have always held your intellectual capabilities in high regard. It's only natural that I would study the devices you left behind rather than allow their scientific research value to go to waste.
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: That bastard Aizen actually attacked my father! I'll never forgive you for this!
[Aizen Sosuke]: Ichigo, hearing such harsh words from you truly wounds me! All because of your father? Don't you realize that your very existence owes itself to my careful orchestration?
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: I... I don't know what you're talking about! Shut up! I don't want to hear any more of your lies!
[Despite the heated exchange in the chat, the projection continued to play. Although Aizen's surprise attack had wounded Shiba Isshin, the injury wasn't immediately life-threatening. However, the damage was strategically significant - while Shiba Isshin could still continue fighting, he was now unable to access his Bankai, severely limiting his power.
After confirming that his interference had achieved its intended effect, Aizen departed from the battlefield without engaging further. As he walked away, he provided commentary on his actions to his followers.
"Bankai places an enormous strain on the user's body," he explained matter-of-factly. "Once injured to this degree, Shiba Isshin will be unable to maintain that level of power output."
His eyes gleamed with scientific interest as he continued, "This serves as my test for White. If he cannot defeat a Shinigami who is limited to Shikai-level abilities, then he is hardly worthy of my continued attention."
Aizen then revealed crucial information about White's true nature.
"This Hollow is fundamentally different from the Shinigami we used in previous Hollowfication experiments," he stated. "White is the first successful creation using the souls of exactly one hundred Shinigami as his foundation."
He gestured toward the distant figure of White, still engaged in battle. "His exterior armor is black, while his inner essence remains white - hence the name I've given him. This opposing duality of black and white represents the perfect irony of his existence."]
The chat exploded with new understanding as viewers processed this revelation.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: I see now. I believe I finally understand the fundamental truth we've all been missing in our previous discussions.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: The reason why the Hollow power within Kurosaki Ichigo seems so unusual... I had suspected it wasn't simply an ordinary Hollow.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: It's because White was originally created using countless Shinigami souls as his base material!
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: This reveals that White's true nature is actually that of a Shinigami!
Mayuri's analysis had struck upon the crucial point that changed everything.
[Byakuya Kuchiki]: So to some extent, Kurosaki Ichigo's Hollow power is actually another manifestation of his Shinigami abilities?
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Wait, I already had trouble accepting that I had a Hollow inside me, but now you're telling me that it's actually a Shinigami? What exactly is the nature of my power? I'm completely confused now!
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: In essence, there is actually very little fundamental difference between Shinigami power and Hollow power. Under the right circumstances, they can transform into each other!
[Kusajishi Yachiru]: If you put it that way, I think I'm starting to understand some things that puzzled me before! Didn't White Ichigo always insist that he was the real Zangetsu? If that's true, then he really is the sword spirit of Zangetsu within Kurosaki Ichigo's body!
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: What? Are you kidding me? He's the real Zangetsu? So I've been calling him by the wrong name this whole time? Then who is that old man I thought was Zangetsu?
[Urahara Kisuke]: It seems quite obvious now that I think about it. That elderly figure is clearly the embodiment of Quincy power. Although we don't yet understand his connection to Yhwach, there's no doubt that he represents your Quincy abilities.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: So Kurosaki Ichigo, you can legitimately be called both a Shinigami and a Hollow. Your Hollow power is actually your Shinigami power manifesting in a different form! White Ichigo is indeed the real Zangetsu!
Ichigo felt his world turning upside down as he processed this information. He suddenly remembered how White Ichigo had emphasized this truth to him repeatedly during their encounters.
"I am Zangetsu, Ichigo! Why won't you believe me?"
All this time, Ichigo had assumed the white version of himself was simply pretending to be Zangetsu, trying to deceive him. He had never imagined it could actually be the truth!
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: But why did he keep saying he wanted to take over my body? That's exactly why I instinctively thought he was the enemy! I couldn't believe he was really Zangetsu when he acted so threatening!
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: I think that's actually quite easy to explain. Although White possessed overwhelming strength - enough to defeat you easily if he truly wanted to - you still managed to overcome him in your battles, didn't you?
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: This demonstrates that his heart is genuinely good, despite his harsh words and aggressive behavior.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: He must have been trying to protect you all along, even if his methods seemed antagonistic!
Mayuri's words sent shockwaves through the chat group as the true picture began to emerge. The image of the proud and seemingly arrogant White was slowly being reframed in an entirely new light.
Kurosaki Ichigo found himself forced to confront this uncomfortable truth. White Ichigo, who had never actually won any of their internal conflicts, must have been holding back deliberately!
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: My God, could it be that White Ichigo has always been the good guy? An honest protector who kept insisting he was Zangetsu, but none of us viewers ever believed him!
[Soi-Fon]: He's basically a classic tsundere character! He always spoke harshly to Kurosaki Ichigo, which naturally traumatized the poor kid. It's completely understandable that Ichigo wouldn't recognize him as an ally!
[Kyoraku Shunsui]: Yes, and while we still don't fully understand what that Yhwach-like figure represents, we definitely need to be cautious about Quincy power in general. It's probably because he behaves so gently and kindly that Kurosaki Ichigo trusts him instinctively!
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: That old bastard Yhwach must be constantly pretending to be benevolent, which is exactly how he successfully deceived Kurosaki Ichigo!
The Quincy faction couldn't remain silent any longer.
[Gerard Valkyrie]: Hey, you Shinigami better watch your words! His Majesty would never harm his own people. Isn't it completely natural for His Majesty to show kindness to his fellow Quincy?
[Lille Barro]: He's probably just being cautious around you Shinigami because he doesn't want you to manipulate and confuse Kurosaki Ichigo's mind!
[Askin Nakk Le Vaar]: Seeing Kurosaki Ichigo gradually awakening these detestable Shinigami and Hollow powers must be breaking His Majesty's heart, don't you think?
[Robert Accutrone]: In the end, it was only through our battles with Kurosaki Ichigo that he was finally able to properly activate his true Quincy abilities!
[Urahara Kisuke]: It appears that while the Quincy power within Kurosaki Ichigo's body and his Shinigami abilities may sometimes conflict with each other, they are both fundamentally working for his benefit! As for which side Ichigo will ultimately choose to align with, that decision rests entirely with him.
[Gerard Valkyrie]: Haha, Kurosaki Ichigo will definitely join our Quincy forces! The Shinigami represent nothing but evil and corruption!
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Kurosaki Ichigo, you should come to Hueco Mundo instead! We Arrancars have helped you the most! White even sacrificed himself to save you!
[Tier Harribel]: That's right - the one who likes playing the protector role most of all is our White!
[Coyote Starrk]: Yhwach is a villain who wants to invade and destroy both Hueco Mundo and Soul Society. He's not worthy of your allegiance, Ichigo.
Even Yhwach himself joined the discussion, attempting to sway Ichigo's opinion.
[Yhwach]: Ichigo Kurosaki, you now understand the majority of your life's story and the truth behind your origins.
[Yhwach]: I hope you will make choices that follow your heart and recognize what represents your true nature!
[Yhwach]: Don't join the Shinigami simply because they helped you in the beginning! You must also come to understand what the real truth of this world actually is.
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Ugh! You're all so annoying! Can you please stop arguing and just let me think quietly for a while!