Chapter 17: This is it

Ichigo was victorious in his battle with Byakuya.

Although it was an incomplete Bankai, he had mastered it, and as his vessel was rebuilt, he was also able to learn Hollowfication.

In a way, this is natural.

It’s more accurate to say that the amount of power he can draw out has increased, rather than that he has grown.

As White stepped forward, he went through Hollowfication, and he was able to draw out some of that power unconsciously.

I muttered, resting my chin on my hand.

“He’s mastered an incomplete Bankai, so is it Hollowfication’s turn next?”

“Alright!”

White cheered.

White possesses both Shinigami and Hollow powers, but it seems he’s closer to the latter.

It’s probably natural since White himself was originally one of Aizen’s experimental Hollows.

Normally, it’s impossible for a Shinigami to use Hollow powers.

The only exceptions are those who have acquired it congenitally through the power of the Hogyoku, or those who have obtained Hollow powers through a separate method, like the Visoreds.

In fact, even if they acquire Hollow powers that way, it’s not easy to use the incompatible powers of Shinigami and Hollow.

Even the Visoreds have different time limits on how long they can maintain Hollowfication, depending on the individual.

Well, Ichigo is different from both of those cases.

It’s no wonder Aizen said that he was a being created by a mixture of miracles.

“So, how long do you think it will take?”

“If that guy can get the hang of it, it should take about a month at most.”

“A month, huh.”

It may sound crazy, but it’s natural since White, the Hollow himself, is not just submitting to Ichigo, but is loyal to him.

This is the difference between Ichigo and the other Visoreds.

If the others can coexist, let alone fuse, the powers of Shinigami and Hollow, they will be able to use them without any risk.

“Ichigo sure is busy.”

“That guy is running around all day long.”

“He should rest a little.”

After hearing the reason why Byakuya wouldn’t save Rukia, Ichigo soon headed back to Rukia.

In fact, Ichigo doesn’t know, but the current situation in Seireitei is a mess.

In various parts of Seireitei, captain-level Shinigami are fighting, the Central 46 has been annihilated, and Aizen Sosuke has rebelled.

Listing them one by one, it’s really a mess.

Using Tensa Zangetsu and all kinds of footwork except for Sonido, Ichigo found Rukia and Renji.

Perhaps in terms of pure speed, he might be faster than Soi Fon, the current captain of the 2nd Division, and even Yoruichi, who is called the Flash Goddess.

Ichigo raised Tensa Zangetsu as if to protect the two and listened to the situation.

And when he saw Aizen, White’s expression crumpled.

“That guy…”

“What’s wrong?”

“I feel sick just looking at that Shinigami.”

White showed a strong reaction when he saw Aizen.

In fact, White’s birth began with Aizen.

It’s impossible to say that the White of that time and the current White are the same person, but perhaps a small fragment of his original instinct remains.

“More importantly, it seems difficult for the current Ichigo to deal with him.”

It seems that White instinctively understand  Aizen’s level.

The fake Zangetsu nodded in agreement.

As they said, although his official position is that of a captain, Aizen Sosuke is a Shinigami who is an insult to compare to ordinary captains.

Unless it’s the Captain-Commander, the Quincy butcher who is currently acting, or Zaraki with his seal released, no one can stand against him.

Although Kyoka Suigetsu is a scam, the fact that he can instantly cut the current Gotei in half with the power of that Shikai says it all.

“Are you going out?”

“Hmm, I wonder if it will work at the current level.”

“Is it impossible?”

“That damnably weak Ichigo.”

White is Ichigo’s power, but the foundation that supports it is Ichigo’s body.

If Ichigo’s body can’t handle it, he can’t exert 100% of his power.

A good example is that he couldn’t instantly kill Byakuya in their earlier fight.

If White could have used 100% of his power, he could have finished off Byakuya in one blow, no matter how much of a captain he is.

If it comes down to it, maybe he could do something with complete Hollowfication, but right now, when they haven’t established a proper friendly relationship with the Gotei, that’s not a good idea.

If things go wrong, they could become enemies.

“Hairball, block it!”

I shouted urgently.

And as if responding to my shout, the hairball immediately manifested Blut Vene on Ichigo’s body.

It was excellent reaction speed.

If the fake Zangetsu had reacted even a little later.

“Kuh?!”

“Hmm?”

Ichigo’s waist would have been cut in half.

Thanks to Blut Vene’s defensive power, Ichigo was thrown to the ground, rolling as if he had been hit by a blunt weapon, instead of being cut in half.

Seeing that he wasn’t cut, Aizen showed a somewhat intrigued look.

‘That was a close call.’

It was an attack that could have been fatal.

A fatal blow, an attack that could have normally resulted in instant death.

And yet, it was a delicate and calculated slash, just barely enough to not kill him.

Aizen has no intention of killing Ichigo ‘yet’.

Because he considers Ichigo his greatest research subject, and he intends to watch his growth.

But that doesn’t mean he should be careless.

Aizen is not such a kind man as to gently help Ichigo grow, and if he can’t overcome this ordeal, Aizen will consider him a subject of that caliber.

He would probably think that he was a man of that caliber even if he died from this blow.

From the moment Ikkaku openly used his Bankai in Seireitei, I can no longer fully trust my knowledge of the original work.

“Hey, I’m going out!”

“Can you do it?!”

“If I can’t, then I….”

“Can you even go out?!

Besides, if you go out, it’ll be even worse!

Do you want to see the Captain-Commander use his Bankai?!”

Either way, if things go wrong, it means they’re doomed.

I shouted at that.

“I’ll try to go out!”

“Can you do it?!”

“I don’t know!

I have to try, at least?!”

Just as White understands Hollow powers, and just as the fake Zangetsu understands Quincy powers, I also understand my Fullbring powers.

I don’t understand it in detail.

But I know how to handle it in the realm of instinct.

Slash!

After a few more clashes, Blut Vene was shattered, and Ichigo’s waist was nearly cut in half.

I shouted urgently in my mind.

‘Ichigo’s Fullbring is released!

Overwrite it with my power, or at least awaken his power somehow?!’

It is often said that humans awaken new powers in times of crisis in order to survive.

As if to prove it, Ichigo, in order to protect Rukia, and we, in order to protect Ichigo, awaken a new power that we had never had before.

The wound that Aizen inflicted was dyed black, and then, as if to protect Ichigo, it enveloped him.

Then, a lump of black matter emerged from Ichigo, wriggling and taking on a form.

Everyone was surprised by the sudden change, and only Aizen watched with interest.

The lump of black matter takes shape.

It had a human form, and it stood in front of Ichigo as if to protect him.

At the sight of the lump blocking his way, Ichigo muttered.

“You are………….”

The black figure that emerged from Ichigo opened its mouth.

“It worked.”

The lump of black matter was me.