Chapter 4: End before it even begins

“Quincy.”

“Hollow.”

“Shut the hell up, you idiots.”

A conclusion isn’t being reached.

The fake Zangetsu is reluctant to give power, but as I said, since Ichigo is heading to Soul Society to save Rukia anyway, suppressing his power is more harmful.

Besides, no matter how much the fake Zangetsu suppresses Ichigo’s power, there are limits.

His ability to see ghosts is also a part of that, and as time goes on, Ichigo’s potential is gradually awakening.

“More importantly, we don’t have time.”

Urahara’s group, who witnessed the Hollowfication(?) outside, is trying to move to save Ichigo.

Actually, Hollow power is also Ichigo’s power, so Ichigo doesn’t pose a danger like other Soul Reapers or Visoreds, so he can be left alone.

At most, White will temporarily take over Ichigo’s body.

Even then, our master’s loyal subject will willingly give up his body.

But from their perspective, not knowing this, Ichigo is in a very dangerous state, so their actions are natural.

Perhaps aware that time is running out, the guys stopped their useless bickering.

If Ichigo returns without any achievement, it would be nothing short of a suicide charge.

“For now, I’m voting for White.”

“That’s how you should be!”

“Why?”

The reason is simple. Whether he learns Hollow power or Soul Reaper power, for Ichigo, the two powers are nothing more than two sides of the same coin.

If he learns one, the other will almost naturally follow.

On the other hand, Quincy is different. In the original story, as far as I know, Ichigo couldn’t use Quincy-like power until the very end.

So, in terms of efficiency, it’s better to learn Hollow or Soul Reaper power first, rather than Quincy power.

White’s expression became smug after gaining confidence from my words, and the fake Zangetsu reluctantly, but inevitably, agrees to my logical argument.

Whatever the case, the fake Zangetsu also doesn’t want Ichigo to die in Soul Society.

“Fine, I understand.”

“1”

“Kuhahaha!”

“You’re just so happy, aren’t you.”

After some struggle, they finally succeed in reaching a consensus.

“So, is it over now?”

Ichigo’s expression was very puzzled after witnessing our ridiculous show.

Frankly, from an objective point of view, he would want to ask what the hell we were doing all of a sudden.

“This is the first time I’m seeing this, King.”

“Oh, hello?”

“I am! Zangetsu!”

“Zangetsu?”

“Yes! I am Zangetsu!”

White proudly announced his name.

He seems very happy to be revealing himself as Zangetsu.

Thinking about it, wasn’t he never acknowledged as a Zanpakuto in the original story?

He only realized it after awakening the true Zangetsu, but by then he had already achieved something similar to enlightenment(?) so I don’t know what happened.

Here, he was originally supposed to be a sidekick because of the fake Zangetsu, but thanks to me, an anomaly, he was acknowledged as Zangetsu by Ichigo from the very beginning. Master! That guy is fake! I’m the real Zangetsu! I’m glad that kind of thing didn’t happen.

“If it’s difficult, just call me White.”

“Oh, that’s easy to remember. You’re so white, it’s a perfect nickname.”

“Hey!”

“You can call that baldy the fake uncle, and call me Black, Ichigo.”

“Black?”

Ichigo then looked me over from head to toe and nodded as if he understood.

My appearance was the complete opposite of White, my entire body was as black as pitch.

I don’t know why this is. Usually if there is white, there is black, so is this a balance?

“Did you come to regain your Soul Reaper power?”

“That’s right! I was training to regain my Soul Reaper power, but suddenly, here…”

“Well, strictly speaking, the words ‘regain’ aren’t correct.”

“What do you mean?”

I pointed at White with my thumb.

“This guy is the Soul Reaper power inside you, Ichigo.”

“The Soul Reaper power inside me?”

Ichigo and White made eye contact.

The sight of them, who looked almost identical, facing each other, was like something out of a B-grade movie. White grinned and said,

“Do you, do you desire power, Ichigo?”

Hey.

Is this really a horror movie?

Ichigo’s expression became serious at White’s words.

“I do!”

“Is it for that girl you haven’t seen in months?”

“Time doesn’t matter. I owe my life to Rukia. If I ignore Rukia, I’ll never forgive myself!”

“Your stubborn but determined answer is pleasing!”

At that moment, a sword appeared in front of Ichigo.

It wasn’t Zangetsu.

It was a Asauchi, something that all Soul Reapers carried.

But it looked like a gigantic Asauchi, proving Ichigo’s potential.

“Draw that sword!”

“This sword is?”

“The power you’ve been using so far was the power you received from that Soul Reaper girl.

But your power is not just that, Ichigo. Your power is more powerful, superior, and you were born with the qualities of a king!”

“I don’t know about the power of a king, or whatever…!”

Ichigo grabbed the hilt of the sword.

“You’re saying I just have to pull it out?!”

“Yes!”

“With that power, can I save Rukia?!”

“It depends on you, Ichigo!”

“That’s a pleasing answer!”

The moment Ichigo drew the sword, the world began to shine.

As if celebrating Ichigo’s awakening of power, White’s mouth was stretched to the point of tearing.

Flash.

And with a huge flash of light, Ichigo disappeared.

He had returned to reality.

We all clearly etched that scene into our minds.

The awakening of Kurosaki Ichigo. But one of us sighed, seemingly dissatisfied.

“He became a Soul Reaper after all.”

“Look at it positively. You know your main body’s personality better than anyone else, and it’s better to fight it out without regrets.”

“I see.”

The fake Zangetsu also knows Yhwach’s personality well, so he understands that Ichigo wouldn’t have a high chance of survival if the three realms were to collapse, or even if he were raised as a Quincy.

That’s why he is yielding to us, as if it cannot be helped.

“More importantly, let’s get to work.”

“What work?”

“Creating an unlimited Final Getsuga Tensho.”

The strongest trump card that Ichigo can use, which is definitely stronger than the Almighty, if not Yhwach.

But the problem is that it’s a one-time use.

This time, I’m here, so if we do it right somehow, except for Letzt Stil…

“What is that?”

…….?

“The Final Getsuga Tensho. Don’t you know it?”

“What the heck is that, you weeb?”

“No, you idiot! Why don’t you know that?!”

It’s your ultimate move!!!

My gaze turned towards the fake Zangetsu. Then the fake Zangetsu also looked puzzled.

“What is that?”

Thud.

At those words, I covered my face with both hands and sank to the floor.

…It’s over.

…Bleach is over before it even started.