Of course, when the Quincy faction witnessed the touching scene between Kurosaki Masaki and Shiba Isshin, their reactions were far less enthusiastic than the Shinigami.
[Askin Nakk Le Vaar]: I'm not moved at all by this display. Look how emotional you all are getting.
[Lille Barro]: Seeing one of our own people bonding with a Shinigami only fills me with shame and disappointment.
[Jugram Haschwalth]: Since she gave birth to Kurosaki Ichigo, I suppose I can forgive her past actions! As long as Kurosaki Ichigo is willing to surrender to our cause, we'll still welcome him with open arms.
[Bazz-B]: After all, His Majesty shows great kindness toward him and doesn't care about his mixed heritage.
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Hey, have you even asked what I think about all this? Even if you try to drag me in, that doesn't mean I'm willing to join you, right?
At this moment, although Kurosaki Ichigo remained confused about his true identity, he certainly wouldn't casually join this so-called Quincy faction. After all, their previous actions made them appear to be nothing more than evil invaders threatening all the realms.
[Gerard Valkyrie]: Haha, Kurosaki Ichigo, I advise you not to refuse our generous offer and force us to use harsher methods of persuasion.
[The scene shifted to show Shiba Isshin back in Soul Society. After completing his mission to resolve the White incident, he returned to headquarters to file his official report.
However, in his written report, he deliberately concealed all information about Kurosaki Masaki's involvement. He only mentioned encountering and defeating the strange artificial Hollow.
Despite his professional duties, Shiba Isshin couldn't stop worrying about Kurosaki Masaki. He was deeply concerned that she might face punishment from her own people because of her association with him.
Similarly, Kurosaki Masaki had concealed the details of her encounter with Shiba Isshin from her fellow Quincy! Ishida Ryuken, who knew the full truth of what had transpired, also chose to remain silent about these events.
For the next several days, Kurosaki Masaki found her thoughts constantly drifting to Shiba Isshin, unable to forget their brief but meaningful encounter.
Then one afternoon, while spending time in the courtyard of the Ishida family estate, Kurosaki Masaki's condition suddenly took a dramatic turn for the worse. The Hollowfication process that had been dormant within her body began to accelerate rapidly, and she collapsed without warning.
Ishida Ryuken rushed to her side with genuine concern, only to discover with horror that a Hollow hole had begun manifesting in her chest.
Desperate to save her, Ishida Ryuken quickly lifted Kurosaki Masaki and rushed toward his father's location, hoping the elder Quincy might have some solution.
However, during their frantic journey, Ryuken was so consumed with self-blame and worry that he failed to notice a Hollow stalking them through the streets. When the creature finally revealed itself and prepared to attack with its gaping maw, Shiba Isshin appeared just in time.
SLASH!
With a single precise strike, he cleaved the Hollow cleanly in half, saving both Kurosaki Masaki and Ishida Ryuken.
When Shiba Isshin saw the unconscious Kurosaki Masaki in Ryuken's arms, his concern was immediately evident. He moved to take her from Ryuken, but the young Quincy refused to let her go.
Ryuken even lost his composure entirely, shouting in anguish, "It's because of you that she was injured fighting that powerful Hollow! That's why she's becoming a Hollow herself!"
While they argued over responsibility and next steps, an unexpected voice interrupted their heated exchange.
"That's enough, both of you. I can tell you how to help this young woman."
The speaker was none other than Urahara Kisuke, who had been exiled to the World of the Living some time ago!]
The audience was genuinely surprised to see Urahara's sudden appearance.
[Soi-Fon]: Ah, Urahara Kisuke is actually here! I never would have expected that!
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: It seems that thanks to him, my parents were able to be saved!
[Aizen Sosuke]: Urahara Kisuke, you truly are everywhere at once. I hadn't expected you to involve yourself in this particular matter.
[Yhwach]: Hmph, that scheming Urahara Kisuke is here to interfere again with his countless tricks!
[In the projection, Urahara Kisuke began explaining his research into Hollowfication with characteristic scientific precision.
"Kurosaki Masaki is currently undergoing the process of becoming a Hollow," he stated matter-of-factly. "This involves injecting a powerful Hollow's soul directly into another soul, thereby destroying the boundaries between different spiritual essences and elevating the target to a higher dimensional state."
He paused, adjusting his hat as he continued, "Originally, this technique was developed to strengthen Shinigami through controlled Hollowfication. However, this is the first time I've encountered it being applied to a Quincy's spiritual composition."
Urahara's expression grew more serious. "I cannot restore her to her original state completely. The best I can do is keep her alive and stable."
His proposed solution involved a complex balancing act - injecting souls with properties opposite to Hollow energy in order to create spiritual equilibrium. It was essentially a case of fighting poison with poison.
"The opposite of Quincy power is Shinigami energy," Urahara explained. "The opposite of Hollow essence is human spiritual composition. Therefore, there is only one viable solution."
He gestured toward Shiba Isshin. "Shiba Isshin, as a Shinigami, must enter an artificial body I've created using human souls. This will transform him into an existence balanced between Shinigami and human nature - completely opposite to the Hollowfied Quincy that Kurosaki Masaki is becoming."
However, this solution came with a severe cost that Urahara felt obligated to explain.
"There is one significant problem with this method," he warned gravely. "Shiba Isshin will lose all of his Shinigami powers for an indefinite period. He may never be able to function as a Shinigami again, which could result in his expulsion from the nobility and complete exile from Soul Society."
Upon hearing these dire consequences, Ishida Ryuken was appalled and immediately protested that such a sacrifice was impossible to accept! The potential harm to Shiba Isshin far outweighed any benefits.]
The audience was amazed by this display of advanced spiritual science.
[Soi-Fon]: I never imagined that Urahara Kisuke could analyze such mysterious soul mechanics with such clarity and precision.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: I must reluctantly admit that his expertise in this area exceeds my own, though I refuse to acknowledge defeat.
[Urahara Kisuke]: This is all Aizen's fault! If it weren't for his reckless experiments, none of this would be necessary!
[Aizen Sosuke]: Quite impressive, Urahara Kisuke. It appears you truly are my intellectual equal and worthy rival!
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: So now I finally understand the true source of all my powers. If you count everything up, I'm part human, part Shinigami, part Quincy, and part Hollow... am I literally a little bit of everything?
[Rukia Kuchiki]: I thought Ichigo having two or three different power types was outrageous enough, but it seems I severely underestimated just how complex his nature really is.
[Gerard Valkyrie]: Good grief, I think I can already imagine how this plot will develop. It's just about getting Shiba Isshin and Kurosaki Masaki to merge together spiritually, right? Even... that kind of intimate fusion?
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Then Urahara Kisuke is quite similar to Aizen - he's also playing matchmaker!
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: It seems that Kurosaki Ichigo's eventual birth was the result of numerous interconnected factors and influences!
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: It turns out the store manager, just like Aizen, has done so much more for me than I ever realized...
Kurosaki Ichigo could only marvel at the mysterious depths of Urahara Kisuke's capabilities. In many ways, the power and knowledge that Urahara displayed seemed even more enigmatic than Aizen himself.
[In the projection, after hearing Urahara Kisuke's proposal and understanding the full scope of what would be required, Shiba Isshin agreed immediately without hesitation, expressing his willingness to complete the spiritual connection process.
Both Ryuken and Urahara were shocked by this instant decision. They hadn't expected a noble Shinigami to agree so readily to such a drastic sacrifice.
Seeing Shiba Isshin's unwavering resolve, Urahara asked uncertainly, "Um... you have no regrets about this decision whatsoever?"
Shiba Isshin responded with a voice full of conviction and determination.
"Of course I have regrets - many of them," he admitted honestly. "But so what? Should I just stand by and watch my benefactor die without lifting a finger to help her? If I did that, my future self would never stop laughing at my cowardice!"
These words echoed exactly what Kurosaki Masaki had said during their first encounter! After hearing such similar sentiments from both of them, Ishida Ryuken lowered his head in defeat.
He was beginning to realize that Kurosaki Masaki and Shiba Isshin were fundamentally the same type of person - both willing to sacrifice everything for others without counting the cost. He simply couldn't compare to either of their noble spirits.]
The chat group erupted with emotional responses.
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: That's so touching! Dad, you were incredibly decisive back then.
[Shiba Isshin]: What's so surprising about that? Didn't you inherit my temperament? If you were in the same situation, would you hesitate even for a moment?
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Oh, that's definitely true!
[Jugram Haschwalth]: I never imagined that one of our Quincy would require a Shinigami's sacrifice to survive.
After witnessing this scene, Ishida Uryu also displayed a very complex expression. Although his father had seemed to show no romantic interest in Kurosaki Masaki on the surface, there were clearly deeper feelings involved.
I always felt that Father carried some heavy burden on his shoulders, Uryu thought. Now I understand why.
I wish there were no more complications like White in this world!
But in a strange way, it was precisely because of this incident that his father and Katagiri came together, which eventually led to Uryu's own birth.
[The scene continued playing, showing the next crucial developments. With Urahara Kisuke's assistance, Shiba Isshin entered Kurosaki Masaki's spiritual inner world.
There, he found her desperately fighting against the Hollow influence that was trying to consume her soul. The spiritual landscape was chaotic and dangerous, with dark energy swirling everywhere.
Shiba Isshin spoke with commanding authority: "Hey, you bastard Hollow! Now that I'm here, don't even think about laying another finger on her!"
With tremendous style and power, Shiba Isshin launched his signature technique.
"Getsuga Tensho!"
The brilliant crimson energy slash cut through the darkness like the rising sun, illuminating Kurosaki Masaki's entire spiritual world with its radiance! The attack was like a blazing star burning away the shadows!
BOOM! BOOM!
The hideous Hollow presence was severely damaged and forced to retreat from its assault on Masaki's soul!
Kurosaki Masaki looked up at her rescuer with surprise and relief.
"Ah, you're that Shinigami from before!" she exclaimed with genuine joy. "I'm so glad to see you again! Were you scolded after you returned to Soul Society? Does your wound still hurt?"
Despite having nearly been consumed by Hollow energy, she appeared lively and cheerful, showing no signs of the trauma she had just endured.
Shiba Isshin found himself complaining in embarrassment, "When a woman is in such a vulnerable state, please don't make such a scene - it's really awkward!"]
The audience was captivated by this romantic spiritual encounter.
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Ah, this is such a romantic scene! I had no idea you and Mom would be so romantic even during a life-or-death spiritual battle.
[Shiba Isshin]: Hey kid, don't look at this kind of intimate scene! Oh... this is really embarrassing. Fortunately, this Three Realms Projection system knows to censor the inappropriate details, so the key things can't be seen... Otherwise, I'd be absolutely furious.
[Matsumoto Rangiku]: Ahem, if that had happened, Captain, both you and the entire viewing audience would be in serious trouble.
[Shihouin Yoruichi]: But speaking of which, Urahara, you wouldn't want to spy on embarrassing moments between a couple, would you?
[Urahara Kisuke]: How could that be possible? I'm a complete gentleman!
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: I'm more worried about Aizen, that perverted surveillance maniac...
[Tosen Kaname]: Captain Hitsugaya, you'd better watch your mouth.
[Aizen Sosuke]: Ahem... I never expected that my White Hollow would be passed on to Kurosaki Ichigo in such a manner, completing what may be my most perfect creation! This outcome truly exceeded my imagination at the time! It seems I owe thanks to Urahara Kisuke and the others as well!
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Aizen, that was very well said - now don't ever say it again!
[Afterward, Shiba Isshin and Kurosaki Masaki successfully completed their spiritual union and connection. Everyone could imagine what developments followed from this intimate bonding.
It was precisely because of their two unique spiritual identities combining that Kurosaki Ichigo was born as an unprecedented hybrid being that would never be replicated.
The White Hollow was temporarily suppressed and underwent extensive genetic modification during this process. Eventually, it entered Kurosaki Ichigo's developing soul with an entirely new appearance and consciousness - becoming the entity known as White Ichigo!
After witnessing these revelations, Ichimaru Gin looked at Aizen with a mixture of amazement and irony.
"Captain Aizen, you probably never could have imagined that an experimental tool designed for turning Shinigami into Hollows would ultimately lead to such an extraordinary chain of events, could you?"
Aizen also appeared thoughtful as he reflected on these unexpected developments.
"Indeed, it truly seems to be divine providence at work," he mused.
Ulquiorra, who seemed to sense White's true motivations through some deeper understanding, pondered the situation before offering his analysis.
"Watching these scenes, I consistently get the feeling that White deliberately rushed toward Kurosaki Masaki during that final confrontation," he observed. "There were many different ways he could have continued fighting, so why specifically choose to bite Kurosaki Masaki? It seems as though he wanted to enter her body on purpose..."
A strange light flashed in Aizen's eyes as he considered this possibility.
"Yes, I have a theory about that," he said with growing excitement. "White was created from the souls of countless Shinigami, which means he should possess rational thought and decision-making abilities - he simply cannot speak to express himself."
Aizen's smile grew more pronounced as he continued his analysis. "He may have been desperately hoping to escape from my ongoing experiments. Since he understood that entering another Shinigami's body, such as Shiba Isshin's, would likely result in his complete destruction, he chose what seemed like a better alternative."
"So he decided to enter Kurosaki Masaki's body instead, even though he knew perfectly well that Quincy were supposed to be his mortal enemies. He didn't hesitate because it represented his only chance for freedom."
Ichimaru Gin thought of something amusing and narrowed his eyes even further with characteristic mischief.
"Then this White is remarkably similar to Captain Aizen in one respect - he was also trying to play matchmaker between Kurosaki Masaki and Shiba Isshin, even at the cost of his own existence!"
Aizen actually laughed aloud when he heard this comparison.
"How fascinating! I wonder if White could have possibly imagined what would happen in the future when he rushed toward Kurosaki Masaki in that final moment..."
His eyes gleamed with scientific satisfaction. "He eventually became an integral part of Kurosaki Ichigo's power and evolved into my most perfect experimental subject! For White, who had always been under my direct control, this transformation also represented a certain degree of freedom from my influence."
"This proud creature became a crucial factor in Kurosaki Ichigo's growth and development!"
Regarding these unexpected developments, Aizen and his subordinates could only marvel at the mysterious workings of fate. It was truly wonderful how events had unfolded!
[Soon, the nested memories within memories came to their conclusion. In the scene, Shiba Isshin began telling Kurosaki Ichigo, who had just been driven away by Nimaiya Oetsu, the final and most painful truth about his past.
The real story behind Masaki's death.
Shiba Isshin wanted to awaken Kurosaki Ichigo's desire for revenge against Yhwach by revealing this devastating information.
"Your mother originally possessed significant power," Isshin explained with growing intensity. "She had no problem dealing with ordinary Hollows and could protect herself in most situations."
His expression darkened as he continued. "But nine years ago, in order to restore his own strength after his long dormancy, Yhwach activated a technique called Auswählen - which translates to 'The Selection.'"
Isshin's voice grew heavy with barely contained rage. "Simply put, Yhwach carefully chose certain individuals he considered to be impure mixed-blood Quincy and forcibly reclaimed the power he had originally granted them."
The devastating truth hit like a physical blow. "Your mother, who had been infected with Hollow energy, was no longer considered a pure-blooded Quincy in Yhwach's eyes. Therefore, Kurosaki Masaki was stripped of all her Quincy abilities and was subsequently killed by an ordinary Hollow that she could have easily defeated under normal circumstances."
Isshin's final words carried the weight of absolute condemnation. "So to a very real extent, Yhwach is your mother's true killer and your greatest enemy."
Kurosaki Ichigo in the projection was visibly shocked by this revelation, his entire worldview shifting as he processed the implications.
Finally, Shiba Isshin sighed deeply and added the final piece of the puzzle.
"He is the progenitor of all Quincy. Every bit of Quincy power in existence originally flows from him, which is why he can reclaim it at will whenever he chooses."
Ichigo suddenly recalled Yhwach's earlier words about his blood flowing through Ichigo's veins. His identity as a Quincy had finally been awakened through this terrible truth.
So all these revelations... none of them are Yhwach's deceptions or tricks! This is all real!
However, after contemplating his mother's senseless death, Kurosaki Ichigo felt his resolve crystallizing into diamond-hard determination.
Whether for the sake of his fellow Shinigami or to avenge his beloved mother, he absolutely had to fight against Yhwach! He would never forget this hatred or forgive this injustice!]
After witnessing this final revelation, both Kurosaki Ichigo and the audience finally understood the complete story behind his complex origins.
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: I see now - that's why my mother was taken from me! Damn it! I really won't let this Yhwach get away with what he's done. You've been pretending to be like a father to me, but you're actually my mother's murderer!
[Yhwach]: My dear son of darkness, Kurosaki Ichigo, your mother's departure was simply the result of inevitable fate. The one you should blame most is probably Aizen, who created the circumstances that led to all of this. How can you possibly blame me for following the natural order?
Yhwach was still attempting to manipulate Ichigo into turning against his other father figures through psychological warfare.
Seeing this transparent manipulation attempt, the audience settled in with amusement, preparing to enjoy the dramatic confrontation that was sure to follow.