At this moment, everyone eagerly anticipated the battle between Royal Guard Askin Nakk Le Vaar and Kurosaki Ichigo!
However!
[Under Askin Nakk Le Vaar's cunning manipulation, Kurosaki Ichigo had walked directly into a carefully prepared death trap.
The moment Ichigo stepped into Askin's territory, something felt off—but only subtly so. The air grew dense, almost cloying, yet there was no outward sign of attack. That was Askin's specialty: he never struck in the conventional sense. Instead, he allowed his battlefield to do the work for him. Without realizing it, Ichigo had entered a zone already saturated with Askin's deadly "poison."
And this was no ordinary toxin.
It wasn't a substance that could be filtered or resisted with brute strength. The "poison" Askin unleashed was a manipulation of Reiryoku itself. Spirit particles—the very essence of existence in Soul Society—were transformed into lethal agents. What was once life-sustaining and empowering now turned against Ichigo like a knife in the back.
For someone like Kurosaki Ichigo, who naturally overflowed with spiritual pressure far beyond most beings, the trap was especially lethal.
The very air he breathed, the ground he stood on, and even the energy he instinctively gathered to defend himself had all become instruments of his downfall.
Within moments, his movements dulled. His limbs grew heavy. A strange numbness spread through his chest, then his lungs, then his heart. He fell to one knee, eyes wide with disbelief—how could this be happening?
Then he collapsed entirely.]
Witnessing this scene, the audience was left in stunned, speechless shock! They even questioned whether they were hallucinating or dreaming!
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: What the hell?! Kurosaki Ichigo, you've already been defeated? In such a short time?! Are you kidding me?! As my enemy, you can't possibly be this weak!
[Zaraki Kenpachi]: Impossible! You just saved me, Kurosaki Ichigo! I'm so embarrassed that you turned out to be such a disappointment! Are there really this many powerful Quincy? Well, at least I can keep looking forward to strong opponents!
Many viewers' initial reaction was complete disbelief!
[Gerard Valkyrie]: Hmph! Don't forget the previous footage. I believe that even if you activate your Bankai, you're no match for me! It's perfectly reasonable for a Schutzstaffel to eliminate the strongest Shinigami!
[Shiba Isshin]: Damn it! I can't accept my son losing to someone like that! He hasn't even defeated Yhwach yet!
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: Kurosaki Ichigo, who was capable of fighting Yhwach, fell to such a subordinate?!
[Tier Harribel]: To be defeated by one of Yhwach's subordinates can only mean... this individual's ability is truly bizarre!
[Urahara Kisuke]: Although he won through ambush tactics and trickery, defeating Kurosaki-san is no simple feat! Someone like him should be left to me to handle.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: Give me sufficient time, and I'll definitely analyze his weaknesses.
At this moment, everyone's assessment of Askin reached unprecedented heights! After all, this Askin had defeated the strongest version of Kurosaki Ichigo - wielding dual Zangetsu, the "son" of Aizen, the "son" of Yhwach, designated as one of the Special War Powers...
Kurosaki Ichigo's status and power buffs were completely maximized at this point! How could he possibly be defeated by what appeared to be an ordinary Royal Guard?
In the chat group discussions:
[Shihouin Yoruichi]: Hmph! It seems I understand roughly that he's someone who uses poison - what a despicable method! I prefer direct combat, but facing such a disgusting opponent, I'm not sure if close-quarters battle would be viable...
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Anyway, what was the outcome of my fight with this guy?
[Askin Nakk Le Vaar]: Isn't it obvious? I defeated the powerful Kurosaki Ichigo - how could a weakling like you fare any better?
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: He's actually a master of poison?! These Quincy are truly underhanded. We Shinigami don't employ such shameless methods.
[Lille Barro]: Oh! It appears you do have some skill after all, Askin. Not bad, not bad!
[Askin Nakk Le Vaar]: Well, since Kurosaki Ichigo was resolved so quickly, we probably don't need to worry excessively. The Shinigami's combat strength has been essentially exhausted, hasn't it?
However, after seeing his abilities exposed, Askin felt somewhat concerned! He wasn't someone who enjoyed showing off. After all, individuals like him needed to rely on covert methods to maximize their effectiveness. If Kurosaki Ichigo's allies learned about his techniques, reproducing such results in the future wouldn't be nearly as simple.
Nevertheless, seeing that his abilities could incapacitate someone as powerful as Kurosaki Ichigo - possessing the highest Special War Power designation - Askin was naturally quite satisfied. Facing his unique abilities, probably no one in the Shinigami forces could defeat him!
His strength transcended simple spiritual power - he fought using the rules of causality itself! Specifically designed to counter those who relied solely on brute force!
Simultaneously, Yhwach upon his throne expressed considerable surprise. His facial expression remained uncertain, seemingly unable to accept Kurosaki Ichigo's rapid defeat.
Although his subordinate had defeated Kurosaki Ichigo, he felt no happiness whatsoever. As someone he held in such high regard, it would be shameful if Kurosaki Ichigo failed so quickly!
Was such a Kurosaki Ichigo still worthy of his cultivation? Could he still serve as his finest son?!
Beyond their blood relationship, another crucial reason Yhwach treated Kurosaki Ichigo so favorably was because he coveted Kurosaki Ichigo's power!
Yhwach's special ability resembled a form of compound interest - what he reclaimed would far exceed what he initially invested!
Therefore, after Kurosaki Ichigo matured, Yhwach harbored intentions of absorbing his power!
But now, Yhwach inevitably felt disappointed.
Hmph! Kurosaki Ichigo, I hope you continue striving! Otherwise, you're not even qualified to have your power absorbed by me!
With these thoughts, Yhwach frowned and lowered his gaze, losing interest in the subsequent scenes.
[In the projection, at this critical moment, Inoue Orihime and Sado Yasutora arrived just in time, rushing to assist Kurosaki Ichigo.
Sado used his giant right arm to strike the ground with tremendous force, creating a massive crater.
BANG!!!
Inoue Orihime followed closely, intending to save Kurosaki Ichigo alongside him.
However, the moment they stepped within range of the poison zone, they were immediately caught in Askin's trap.
They rapidly lost their power and collapsed to the ground just like Kurosaki Ichigo.
Facing the arrogant and domineering Askin, they were completely helpless...]
After witnessing this scene, everyone was shocked anew and launched into heated discussions!
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: This... is too unbelievable, isn't it? It's over so quickly? Could this be Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu?
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: Ah... Chad, Inoue, you're all... finished. This enemy is too treacherous! It's all my fault...
In the present world, Kurosaki Ichigo was genuinely shocked at this moment. He had originally believed that with his dual Zangetsu and the perfect fusion of Quincy and Hollow powers, he could protect his friends...
Unexpectedly, not only had he lost so miserably, but he had also dragged his friends into desperate situations while trying to save him.
Kurosaki Ichigo, who was prone to depression and losing his fighting spirit when faced with setbacks, began wavering once again.
Previously, he had been the savior that both the Gotei 13 and Royal Guard placed their hopes in. Unfortunately, his performance seemed unworthy of such a title...
Although he had saved Zaraki Kenpachi and instantly defeated a group of female Quincy... because of the clothing created by Royal Guard, he had inadvertently become an instrument for Yhwach to assault the Soul King Palace!
Later, with countless friends' assistance, he successfully reached the Soul King Palace. But he arrived one step too late and couldn't save Royal Guard from Yhwach's defeat.
After Hyosube Ichibei's solemn entrustment, he was once again one step too late and still couldn't save the Soul King. Even under Yhwach's manipulation, Kurosaki Ichigo delivered the final fatal blow to the Soul King.
It was no exaggeration to say that after successfully forging these dual Zangetsu, he seemed to have faced nothing but frustration!
Although Kurosaki Ichigo knew he couldn't blame himself entirely - the fault lay with the insidious and cunning Yhwach... Although other Shinigami deliberately avoided discussing these failures, only criticizing the enemy's actions while trying not to make Kurosaki Ichigo uncomfortable...
How could Kurosaki Ichigo easily forget?! He would still secretly blame himself, blame his identity as Yhwach's "son," and blame himself for insufficient strength!
Weakness is a sin!
At this moment in Karakura Town's present world, Kurosaki Ichigo held his head as his mind buzzed continuously. He had disappointed countless friends who supported him...
He was merely a high school student who had recently become a Shinigami - bearing such psychological pressure remained somewhat overwhelming. After all, Kurosaki Ichigo's current mental state couldn't compare to his future self. Even after watching countless projections, his mindset couldn't rapidly achieve perfect resilience!
Others seemed to have sensed Kurosaki Ichigo's mental state, so they temporarily suppressed their own disappointment and sadness, beginning attempts to comfort their future savior! If the savior fell into despair, there would be no salvation for Soul Society or even the three realms!
[Shiba Isshin]: Son, you can't fall into depression so quickly. I believe you'll stand up again!
[Ishida Ryuken]: That's right. If you become so depressed, how will you honor your optimistic mother, Kurosaki Masaki, who shone as brightly as the sun? Don't let my son surpass you.
[Ishida Uryu]: Yes, Kurosaki Ichigo! Although I don't know my future thoughts... you must remember one thing - show no mercy to these Quincy who seek to destroy the world! You must protect your friends as you have in the past!
[Inoue Orihime]: Do your best, Kurosaki-san! I believe you can stand up again. You were probably just caught off-guard by his ambush - this doesn't represent your true strength!
[Sado Yasutora]: We, your friends, will fight desperately to protect you! Believe in all of our combined power!
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Hmph! I despise such underhanded opponents. Kurosaki Ichigo, I won't allow you to behave like this! You absolutely cannot be defeated by him! Otherwise, how can I defeat and kill you in the future?
[Kuchiki Rukia]: Ichigo, you'll definitely succeed in saving your friends like you have before - just like when you saved me and Orihime!
All factions united in their efforts to encourage Kurosaki Ichigo! Many viewers still maintained unwavering confidence in him!
After all, everyone had witnessed numerous videos of Kurosaki Ichigo and had grown accustomed to his battle history - always rising again after being struck down repeatedly by enemies, defeating them through his determination to protect his friends!
Perhaps this time would follow a similar pattern! Keep fighting!