Chapter 16 :The King and the Steed

‘I can do it!’

Ichigo was convinced as he fought Byakuya.

He had become stronger.

When he fought in the human world, he didn’t even know what hit him, and during their confrontation at the Shrine of Penitence, he bluffed but felt the difference in their abilities.

But now it’s different.

Now, he is definitely fighting on par with, or even better than, Kuchiki Byakuya.

That thought didn’t change even after Byakuya used his Bankai.

“I see.”

Byakuya, who had been slashed deeply by Ichigo’s attack, narrowed his eyes as he brushed his wound.

“Compressing the immense power of Bankai into that single blade to fight at ultra-high speed.

Is that the ability of your Bankai…!

It’s a power too great for a mere human to possess.”

“I told you.

This is the Bankai I obtained to defeat you.”

“Good.

Then I will defeat you along with that Bankai, Kurosaki Ichigo.”

Byakuya then changes the form of his Bankai.

From the release of his Shikai, it looked no different from a thousand cherry blossom petals fluttering in the air.

With his Bankai, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it fills the entire area with petals.

Depending on how it’s handled, its form can change in countless ways, and Byakuya, as if to prove it, showed another form of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.

Senkei-Senbonzakura Kageyoshi.

Countless petals, unlike before, formed the shape of swords and trapped the two as if creating a barrier.

And one of the many swords created in this way is held in Byakuya’s hand.

“There are so many swords, but it’s a waste to use only one.

You can use them all?”

“These countless blades will not attack you.

This form is a pledge, and at the same time, a tribute that I show only to those I deem worthy of being defeated.

A tribute?”

“You, a mere human, have come this far.

You have defeated numerous enemies, mastered Bankai, and are now facing me.

Regardless of whether your actions violate the law, I acknowledge you as an enemy, Kurosaki Ichigo.”

“……Why are you so insistent on killing Rukia?

No, why are you so obsessed with the law?”

Ichigo frowned.

Transferring Shinigami powers is a serious crime.

Honestly, as a human, Ichigo couldn’t understand or sympathize with such a thing.

It’s not a child’s tantrum.

Execution for transferring powers?

Does that make sense?

In the human world’s laws, execution is usually a punishment for extremely heinous crimes.

Then did Rukia commit such a crime?

Is transferring powers such a serious offense?

Even if it’s a serious crime, Rukia did what she had to do to save Ichigo and his family at that time.

To save lives.

Others may not understand, but Ichigo, who was saved by Rukia, can never accept this.

Byakuya quietly closed his eyes at that.

“You talk too much.”

“Tch!

I’ll definitely make you tell me the reason!”

The spiritual pressures of Ichigo and Byakuya collide.

A clash between Bankai.

The aftermath alone is enough to damage the surroundings and change the terrain.

Ichigo was pushed back and regripped Tensa Zangetsu.

‘He’s gotten faster!

And his attacks are heavier too!

Is he finally getting serious……!’

He realizes that his opponent’s power is gradually increasing, as if he’s starting to show his true strength.

But it’s okay.

He can still get stronger.

He can get faster.

With that thought, Ichigo swung Tensa Zangetsu wide.

“Getsugatensho!”

A Getsugatensho imbued with blue spiritual pressure flies towards Byakuya.

But that attack misses its mark, and Ichigo, having lost sight of Byakuya for a moment, turned his gaze.

Byakuya had somehow moved behind Ichigo.

Did he do it in an instant while I used my technique?

Slash.

“No matter how powerful the attack, it’s meaningless if it doesn’t hit.”

“Kuh!”

He twisted his body at the last moment to avoid a fatal blow.

But before he could regain his posture, Byakuya’s continuous attacks forced Ichigo to raise Tensa Zangetsu to barely block them.

Whoosh!

“!”

And at the same time, blood spurted from Ichigo’s back.

‘The wound…!’

Ichigo was not in perfect condition when he arrived here.

Although he managed to look presentable on the outside, the bandages wrapped around his body are proof of that.

And as he clashed with the powerful Byakuya, the wounds that were healing reopened.

No, in this case, it should be praised that they didn’t open until now.

Rikujokoro.

A Kido spell is fired.

A binding spell binds Ichigo’s body.

“This is the end.”

“What, hey?!”

“This is your limit, Kurosaki Ichigo.”

“!!!”

And as if Byakuya’s words were true, Ichigo could no longer move his body.

Is it because of the binding spell?

Both Ichigo and Byakuya knew that wasn’t the case.

“It was an incredible talent, fighting spirit, and power, unbelievable for a human.

I couldn’t believe you were the same person I met in the human world.

In that short time, you mastered Bankai and reached me.

It’s an achievement worthy of being called a feat.”

“My body….”

“But the immense power of Bankai has become your poison, Kurosaki Ichigo.

Your body is not yet ready to withstand that immense power.

Your own power has destroyed your body.”

“It’s not that you got stronger, it’s that I was getting weaker……!”

The feeling that Byakuya’s attacks were getting stronger, the feeling that he was getting faster, it was all an illusion.

The power of Bankai, which had passed its peak, was eating away at Ichigo’s body.

No, it’s not just that.

The continuous battles with strong enemies after coming to Soul Society, the training, the aftereffects of Bankai, all of these factors combined, and now Ichigo couldn’t even muster the strength to move a finger.

Looking down at Ichigo’s trembling body, Byakuya slowly raised his right hand.

“Well done.

If you could have properly used the power of that Bankai, I might have been the one to lose.

Rest now.”

Even if his body can’t move, his eyes can.

Ichigo saw Byakuya’s actions slowly, as if in slow motion.

Is this the end, after coming all this way?

Everyone helped me get here, what did I come all this way for, and yet, am I going to be defeated so pathetically here?

I can’t let that happen.

I, I……!

<<<I want to win!!!>>>

It was that moment.

“!”

Breaking the bonds of Rikujokoro, Ichigo’s left hand moves.

It’s not even using Tensa Zangetsu, he catches Byakuya’s attack with his bare hand.

<<<Is this all it takes to make you struggle, Ichigo!>>>

A voice that sounds like it’s mixed with noise.

Anyone could tell at once that a completely different person was now moving Kurosaki Ichigo’s body.

<<<You’re unconsciously holding back because you don’t want to kill him!

Watch closely, how Bankai is supposed to be used!>>>

“?!”

A black Getsuga?!

Unlike the blue Getsuga from before, a jet-black Getsuga is fired at Byakuya.

He avoids it with Shunpo.

<<<Haha!>>

“What?!”

But the opponent catches up to that speed.

Originally, Ichigo’s speed with Bankai was fast.

But Ichigo’s current speed is much faster than before.

He moves at ultra-high speed and fires Getsuga to control the space, limiting the places where he can escape.

And in that limited space………….

<<<Die!>>>

“33rd of the Destructive Arts, Sokatsui!”

<<<Get out of the way!>>>

“With his bare hand?!”

He thrusts his sword directly.

Slash!!!

Byakuya’s body is deeply cut, and he steps back.

He suffered a near-fatal wound, and as he breathed heavily, Byakuya gritted his teeth.

“That spiritual pressure, and that mask, are you a Hollow?!”

<<<Who knows, maybe I am.

Maybe I’m not.

You’re surprisingly resilient, but will you last after this?>>>

While swaggering, he twirls Tensa Zangetsu and approaches.

<<<…What are you doing?>>>

Ichigo’s left hand moves and grabs the mask that was forming on his own face.

The one who is currently moving Ichigo’s body asks coldly.

<<<You were the one who wanted to win?

Or are you going to give up and say you fought well?

You should know better than anyone that it’s meaningless if you don’t win.>>>

‘I know!

I know that?!’

<<<Then what is it.>>>

The one moving his left hand, Ichigo, speaks.

‘I know I’m weak!

I know that leaving it to you is the rational thing to do!

But that guy, Kuchiki Byakuya, I have to.’

I have to settle this myself!!!

As if he had read Ichigo’s mind, at first, he resisted trying to break the mask, but soon he stopped resisting and released his grip on the hand trying to break the mask.

<<<Well, fine.

It’s also the role of a retainer to indulge the king’s whims, I suppose.

But if you’re going to say that, take responsibility for your own words.>>>

“Yeah, I’ll definitely win!”

The mask breaks, and the usual Ichigo is revealed underneath.

Byakuya’s eyes widen at that.

If he had remained in his previous form, he could have surely defeated him.

He must know that best himself.

And yet, the fact that the weakened individual is stepping forward means.

It means that it’s meaningless unless he settles it himself.

Ichigo, having caught his breath, met Byakuya’s gaze clearly and said powerfully.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.

He’s a guy with a lot of worries, it seems.”

“…..

.Very well.

I won’t ask about the mask from before.

Since we’re both out of time, the next move will be the last for both of us.”

“The last, huh.

Then, since it might be the last, let me ask you one thing.

Why don’t you save Rukia?”

“If you win, I’ll tell you the answer to that question.”

Ichigo’s eyes widen slightly at that.

But soon, he smiled and said.

“I have one more reason to win now.”