Chapter 2: Hopeless Trio

No matter how much I struggled, the fake Zangetsu’s will remained firm.

Considering he only released the power at the very last moment, it was unrealistic to expect him to change his mind with just a few words from me.

But that didn’t mean it wasn’t frustrating.

I understood he had his own thoughts and intentions, but a slow burn is still a slow burn.

“Ah, Ichigo’s down.”

“The king’s been taken down.”

Soon, Ichigo, while acting as a substitute Shinigami, was defeated by Byakuya and Renji, who came to capture Rukia.

Shinigami above the lieutenant level have limiters placed on them when entering the human world, restricting them to 20% of their spiritual pressure.

While this might be a factor for a lieutenant like Renji, it’s more than enough for a captain like Byakuya to toy with the current Ichigo.

White, the fake Zangetsu, and I watched this unfold from within Ichigo’s inner world.

Then, I pointed with my finger and shouted.

“Go, Whitemon!

Our master’s been hurt, time for a full Hollowfication!”

“Don’t order me around.

Besides, I can’t go out because of that old geezer.”

“Tsk.”

In truth, Ichigo faced many crises during this period, but White never directly revealed himself, unlike during the fight with Ulquiorra.

The reason is simple.

Currently, White cannot reveal his name or power to the outside world due to the fake Zangetsu.

He was only able to directly reveal his power after Ichigo awakened his incomplete Bankai and the signs of Hollowfication began to appear.

Only then was White able to overcome the fake Zangetsu and show himself.

Right now, White obviously can’t go out as he pleases due to the fake Zangetsu’s suppression.

Of course, if Ichigo is in danger, that guy will release the restriction on his own.

I glanced at the fake Zangetsu, as if questioning why he wasn’t sending White out in the current situation.

“Ichigo’s been hurt, are you just going to leave him like that?”

“His life isn’t in danger, so there’s no problem.”

“For f*ck’s sake.”

In other words, Ichigo will lose the Shinigami powers he received from Rukia, but he can return to his normal life, so it’s fine.

In a way, this is a good outcome for the fake Zangetsu, who was displeased with Ichigo’s substitute Shinigami activities.

All that needs to happen is for Rukia to be taken away, and Ichigo can return to his normal high school life.

…It suddenly dawned on me that this guy is just as much of an Ichigo fanatic as White.

Essentially, he’s saying that as long as Ichigo is safe, it doesn’t matter what happens to Rukia.

Honestly, that might be for the best.

Instead of getting involved in a messy situation, living a normal life might be better.

But that didn’t mean I had no complaints, so I grumbled to White.

“White.

Wouldn’t it have been better to just fully awaken your power when he first received Shinigami powers from Rukia?

Then he could have taken down those Shinigami we just met.”

“Of course.

I’m going to beat that hairy fake someday.

And I saw him try to use Blut Vene earlier and stop.”

“What the f*ck?

He did all that to us, and he was going to do something like that behind our backs?”

White and I turned our gazes towards the fake Zangetsu.

The fake Zangetsu subtly averted his gaze.

“…It was because it could have been dangerous.”

“Hey!

If that’s the case, you should let me and White out too!

Tell me honestly.

You just want to raise Ichigo as a Quincy, don’t you?”

“……”

“I was just saying, but you’re making a face like, ‘Oh, that wouldn’t be so bad!'”

Then, the fake Zangetsu said with a strict, solemn, and serious expression.

“No, think about it.

The reason I’m suppressing you guys is because of the main body.

If Ichigo continues to grow as a Shinigami, he will inevitably face the main body.

And he will be killed by my hands.”

“So?”

“But if Ichigo becomes a Quincy, there’s no reason or need to fight me.

There’s no need to worry anymore.”

“As if, you crazy hairball!”

To put it bluntly, half of the Sternritter were killed by Yhwach’s hands, so becoming a Quincy is far from safe!

How can you say that when you know your main body’s personality?

Then, White spoke.

“What, this hairball was planning that kind of sh*t behind our backs?

Fine, if that’s how you’re going to play, I have an idea too.

I’m going to make Ichigo the King of the Hollows.”

“Why are you suddenly spouting nonsense, you lunatic?

More importantly, King of the Hollows, not even King of the Shinigami?”

“I never liked those Shinigami b*stards in the first place.”

“Could you not use such strong language?

It feels like my brain is going to get weird.”

Even though White is Ichigo’s Zanpakuto, he has a strong Hollow aspect, so his thinking is quite extreme.

As we were squabbling in the inner world, Urahara, wearing his geta hat, appeared and took Ichigo away.

After treating his wounds at the candy shop, Ichigo began to struggle to regain his Shinigami powers.

“It seems Ichigo hasn’t given up.”

At my murmur, the fake Zangetsu quietly closed his eyes.

“He must be raised as a Quincy after all.”

“Who said you could raise him as a Quincy!

My king will be the King of the Hollows!”

“Hey, you lunatics!

Is that what’s important right now?!”

“”…..?””

“You’re making a face like, ‘What could be more important?’

Just go and drown yourselves!”

I also lost my mind and said.

“Fine.

If you’re going to be like that, I’m going to make Ichigo the King of Humans and Shinigami.”

“Who says?”

“I say!”

White and I locked gazes, and the fake Zangetsu spoke.

“If our opinions differ this much, there’s only one solution.”

A blue-glowing bow and arrow appeared in the fake Zangetsu’s right hand.

There was no need to say what it was.

That is the weapon of the Quincies.

Although its name has degraded due to all the abilities that came up during the Thousand-Year Blood War, Quincies are originally those who use arrows.

“I will make you obey through force.”

“Ha!

That’s a method I like.

Did you think I would always be suppressed by you, hairball?

I’ll take this chance to return to being the true Zangetsu!”

At the fake Zangetsu’s words, White, with a look full of fighting spirit, drew Zangetsu and started swinging it in the air using the bandages.

I also made an exasperated expression at the sight and drew a sword in my right hand.

“Please just all die, you lunatics!”