Kurosaki Ichigo was becoming increasingly suspicious of his entire existence!
It turned out he had been within Aizen's calculations when Ulquiorra and other Arrancar came to the human world! When he thought about how Aizen could see everything clearly from beginning to end... Ichigo got goosebumps all over his body!
In the projection, Aizen remained noncommittal about Ulquiorra's assessment:
"Ulquiorra, do you believe Kurosaki Ichigo poses no threat to me, so there's no need for action?"
At this point, Grimmjow expressed strong dissatisfaction, thinking they were pathetically weak for allowing Kurosaki Ichigo and his allies to escape.
Ulquiorra explained seriously: Although Kurosaki Ichigo possessed tremendous growth potential, he also harbored very unstable factors. If given the opportunity, Ichigo might become a pawn they could use—perhaps even recruit him to join Aizen's forces.
While they argued, Aizen spoke: "Very well, Ulquiorra. If that's your assessment, then proceed as you see fit! Handle it however you believe best."
Aizen seemed to trust Ulquiorra completely, expressing no objection to his approach regarding Kurosaki Ichigo. Perhaps what Ulquiorra did was already part of Aizen's plan—the only way to help Kurosaki Ichigo grow properly.
Grimmjow was deeply unhappy about this but could do nothing. He decided he'd have to act personally and eliminate the rapidly growing threat of Kurosaki Ichigo as soon as possible.
Viewer comments flooded in:
"This is Ulquiorra's emotional intelligence—he saw through Ichigo's importance to Aizen, so he's allowing him to grow!"
"That's why Ulquiorra qualifies as Hueco Mundo's second-in-command."
"Basically everything is led by Ulquiorra, and other Arrancar have to listen to him."
"Haha, what emotional intelligence! I learned something. I understand now."
"Is this why Grimmjow was stripped of his Sexta Espada rank?"
"Not understanding the leader's mind and still wanting to cause trouble for Ichigo—you deserve it!"
The screen then switched to the next scene. It seemed the video about Kurosaki Ichigo was far from over.
The projection moved to the Visored hideout. Kurosaki Ichigo had come to their base to learn how to master Hollowfication with Hirako Shinji's help.
[Hirako Shinji]: Ah! This is the scene where I appear!
[Sarugaki Hiyori]: Hmph, seems like Kurosaki Ichigo finally knows to ask us Visored for help. Asking the Shinigami won't work at all. We're the ones who understand Hollowfication best.
[Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni]: Very well! Fortunately, we later saw Kurosaki Ichigo and Hirako Shinji fighting Aizen together. So if we leave it to them, we can be relatively at ease.
In the projection, Kurosaki Ichigo and Hirako Shinji initially engaged in back-and-forth combat. However, everyone present could see that neither was using their full strength.
Seeing they'd been fighting for so long without getting serious, Hiyori grew irritated. She kicked Hirako aside and addressed Ichigo directly:
Kurosaki Ichigo couldn't join the Visored just because he wanted to. Whether he could become their companion and learn Hollowfication depended entirely on his strength.
If Ichigo was too weak, they wouldn't bother with him. So if he wanted power, he had to enter his Hollow state immediately.
But after hearing Hiyori's words, Kurosaki Ichigo still refused. He seemed to have tremendous resistance to becoming a Hollow.
Hearing this, Sarugaki Hiyori's expression darkened instantly. She donned her mask and entered Hollow state:
"If you're afraid and don't want to Hollowfy, then let me drag the Hollow out of your body! If you don't transform, you'll die!"
Soon, Kurosaki Ichigo was forced into battle with her.
Though Hiyori appeared unremarkable, she fought Kurosaki Ichigo with genuine intensity. The audience was somewhat puzzled—Kurosaki Ichigo, who had defeated Zaraki Kenpachi and Kuchiki Byakuya, was now struggling against a former lieutenant?
Was Ichigo weaker than before because he couldn't overcome his Hollow? If so, it really wasn't worth other forces competing for him! Could he truly be considered Aizen's most perfect creation?
As the fight continued, Sarugaki Hiyori said coldly: "Kurosaki Ichigo, you know that when you use Bankai against strong opponents like us, you can't suppress the Hollow within your body."
"You've been afraid and avoiding it, right?"
"I get angry seeing your cowardly behavior, always looking ahead and behind. I'm too lazy to waste more time with you."
Sarugaki Hiyori erupted with even greater power, at one point suppressing Ichigo so thoroughly he could barely breathe.
It was a rare highlight moment for the former lieutenant! It seemed Kurosaki Ichigo couldn't hold on much longer.
Though he tried desperately to observe these Visored—to see how they used Hollowfication and maintained composure while wearing masks—under Hiyori's overwhelming pressure, he ultimately failed.
About to lose consciousness, he naturally had no way to suppress the White Ichigo within his body.
Kurosaki Ichigo Hollowfied again, donning his mask and erupting with power far greater than before, finally gaining the chance to overpower Sarugaki Hiyori.
"AHHH!"
"HAHA!"
BANG!
With an unrestrained smile, Ichigo began being controlled by White Ichigo! In just one exchange, he swiftly knocked down Hiyori and crushed the mask on her head.
Ichigo grabbed Hiyori by the throat, about to kill her!
Fortunately, all the Visored deployed at once to suppress the rampaging Hollowfied Ichigo, breaking the mask from his face.
Hirako Shinji and the others were sweating profusely. Hiyori had nearly been killed!
In the real world, everyone was shocked by this scene:
[Sarugaki Hiyori]: Oh my god, this Kurosaki Ichigo is too strong... I nearly died...
[Hirako Shinji]: It seems training with him is absolutely necessary. This guy's full power is definitely beyond our imagination!
[Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni]: So this is Kurosaki Ichigo's—or rather, White Ichigo's—peak power?
[Zaraki Kenpachi]: Hehe, seems like Ichigo's quite strong when he goes all-out!
[Kuchiki Rukia]: Yes, he was weak before because he was hesitant and lacked resolve.
[Kuchiki Byakuya]: I suddenly feel fortunate to have defeated him... If he hadn't regained control and removed his mask in time...
Byakuya couldn't help but swallow hard. Back then, he'd truly returned from the gates of hell!
Seeing this, the other Shinigami became even more certain! The Hollow within Kurosaki Ichigo's body was indeed powerful! They had to protect Ichigo and prevent him from going astray, losing his mind, or turning to Aizen's forces!
In the projection, Ichigo continued his Hollowfication training over the following period. But the initial training was quite tedious.
Ichigo grew impatient, feeling he'd undergone enough basic training and needed to quickly master Hollowfication.
Hirako agreed and took him directly to an underground realm, setting up multiple Kidō barriers to ensure safety. Tessai and Urahara called him an expert!
Afterward, Hirako had all the Visored prepare to give Ichigo "the real deal." After former Lieutenant Kidō Corps Chief Hachigen sealed Ichigo with Kidō, they all stood around the barrier with serious expressions, ready to attack the Hollowfied Ichigo at any moment.
The real-world Visored were equally surprised seeing this:
[Muguruma Kensei]: Is Kurosaki Ichigo training directly in his inner world? That's truly dangerous!
[Hirako Shinji]: His eagerness to master Hollowfication shows he understands that without controlling it now, he definitely won't be able to protect his companions.
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: This is indeed my personality. No matter how dangerous, I must master Hollowfication. In the next training, I'll definitely encounter my white self again. I must defeat him and truly master the Hollow.
[Hirako Shinji]: But you need to be prepared. It took us hundreds of years to master Hollowfication! If you're so impatient, you might be in danger or even devoured by the Hollow.
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: Don't worry! Based on my later battle with Aizen, I should be able to master this so-called White power!
[Ukitake Jushiro]: It seems Kurosaki Ichigo is aware of this. He must have taken such risks to defeat Aizen. He's truly a qualified Shinigami representative.
[Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni]: Whenever you need it, Kurosaki Ichigo, we in Soul Society will do everything possible to help you.
[Kuchiki Rukia]: Ichigo, you can't be too hasty. Protect your own life first!
In the projection, Kurosaki Ichigo instantly arrived in the familiar spiritual world. There were still towering buildings here—dark and oppressive, without a trace of sunlight.
Looking around, Ichigo saw only White Ichigo, but not the Old Man Zangetsu he sought.
White Ichigo greeted Kurosaki Ichigo with great enthusiasm: "Hey, long time no see, King!"
The seductive, evil electronic voice made the audience's skin crawl... This White Ichigo called Kurosaki Ichigo "King"? Something about this didn't feel right!
Kurosaki Ichigo remained alert, asking where Old Man Zangetsu was.
White Ichigo asked with a hint of mockery: Was the "Zangetsu" he mentioned the sword in his hand, or the one in White Ichigo's own hand?
Kurosaki Ichigo was shocked. This white version of himself had secretly created a white Zangetsu?
The substitute wanted to steal all the master's equipment? Outrageous!
Witnessing this scene, all the Shinigami were stunned:
[Kuchiki Byakuya]: This White Kurosaki Ichigo should be the Hollow White, if I'm not mistaken!? He's the one constantly giving Kurosaki Ichigo Hollowfication power and even wants to seize Ichigo's consciousness.
[Hitsugaya Toshiro]: How does he have a Zanpakutō? Can a Hollow directly possess Shinigami power?
[Ukitake Jushiro]: Yeah, I remember last time seeing this White Ichigo, he was given a Zangetsu by that... ahem, middle-aged man, then fought with Kurosaki Ichigo.
[Kyoraku Shunsui]: Could this so-called White eventually master Shinigami power?
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: Kurosaki Ichigo seeks Hollow power, while this Hollow gains Shinigami power. What an interesting combination.
[Tier Harribel]: What's strange about that? We Arrancar are essentially Hollows that gained Shinigami power. Isn't this basic procedure for Aizen-sama?
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: This is truly fascinating. Two different species, two completely opposite evolutions—who will succeed in their duel?
[Ukitake Jushiro]: Whoever takes the lead will be the one who survives to the end, right?
The Shinigami were all shocked and suspicious at this point!
[Aizen Sosuke]: Don't disappoint me, Kurosaki Ichigo! You're my most perfect experiment. I believe you should be able to control this power. I just don't know your limits.
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: Aizen! I don't want to be your perfect experiment. I am who I am! My life has nothing to do with you!
[Aizen Sosuke]: How contradictory. If you can't control this power, how can you become my most perfect creation? If you want to grow stronger, you must rely on the power I once gave you.
No one could win against Aizen in verbal sparring! Kurosaki Ichigo was in tremendous pain at this moment.
He felt that even if he overcame Hollowfication, he'd still become Aizen's chess piece. What was even more heartbreaking—if he didn't work hard, he wouldn't even qualify as a chess piece.
This feeling of having his life controlled by others was truly unpleasant. Therefore, though he hated Aizen deeply, he still had to use the Hollow power Aizen had given him...
If he wanted to truly control his own life, he first had to become Aizen's perfect creation, then surpass the creator of that work...
However, controlling Hollowfication was already extremely difficult, and he wanted to escape the identity of being Aizen's experiment? Wasn't that as difficult as ascending to heaven!?
No matter how energetic and motivated Kurosaki Ichigo was, he couldn't imagine having a chance to defeat Aizen in the future. The more he thought about his life, the more confused he became.
As for the more distant Quincy threat, he probably had no time to worry about it. Just dealing with Aizen and Hollowfication was enough to keep him busy.
In the Wandenreich, after witnessing Kurosaki Ichigo's complex inner world and the conversation between Aizen and others, Yhwach had mixed feelings.
He could guess Ichigo's pain, so he remained silent for the moment. If he revealed any more about Ichigo's nature, the boy would probably truly be on the verge of collapse!
What was more terrifying than conflicts between two species was that there weren't just two, but three or even four. This diversity of identities... the splits between different identities... could truly drive someone insane!
He hoped Kurosaki Ichigo could overcome all this soon and gradually accept his Quincy identity!
At this moment, an even more bizarre scene appeared.
When Kurosaki Ichigo couldn't find Old Man Zangetsu, White Ichigo simply smiled evilly. He leaped up arrogantly, laughing loudly with carefree arrogance.
"HAHAHA!"
While swinging his sword at Kurosaki Ichigo, he spoke in a voice with electronic sound effects:
"Want to know where Zangetsu is?"
"Then let me tell you!"
"Zangetsu—that's me!"
White Ichigo's words caused a massive uproar!
In Soul Society, the Shinigami discussed in surprise:
"Why is Yhwach gone?"
"This White also claims to be Zangetsu?"
"Yhwach should be the Zangetsu mentioned by Kurosaki Ichigo, or a being disguised as a Zanpakutō spirit!? Was Yhwach devoured by the Hollow?"
"In that case, will Yhwach never appear again?"
"Then he wouldn't continue inciting Ichigo to slowly turn him into a Quincy, right?"
Thinking of this, Captain Yamamoto and other Shinigami were all slightly delighted! If the great Hollow killed the Quincy, and White replaced Yhwach, it would be a case of thieves eating thieves for the Shinigami!
Maybe in the real world, the actual Yhwach was also killed because of this?
Thanks to the White Ichigo brother in Kurosaki Ichigo's body! He truly was the strongest substitute!
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