At this moment, countless comments flooded the chat as viewers witnessed White Ichigo's classic philosophy about kings and steeds.
Here it comes! The legendary scene!This part should be mandatory memorization for all Bleach fans!
Haha, White Ichigo really is brutally honest. Anyone who doesn't know him would think he's actually trying to replace Ichigo.
Is this what you call intimidation-based education?There are so many tsundere characters in the Bleach universe.
His name is White Ichigo!White protects black.
Ichigo's inner thoughts: What are you... talking about...
Maybe Ichigo's brain and ears just don't work well, which is why White Ichigo has such a terrible temper.
No, it might be that White Ichigo is too irritable, causing childhood trauma for Kurosaki Ichigo. That's why he never understands what anyone tells him!
Meanwhile, in the real world, the Shinigami were stunned after hearing what the Inner Hollow had said. But they had to admit... his words seemed to make perfect sense!
[Kenpachi Zaraki]: You're absolutely right! Fighting is all about instinct! This white Ichigo is completely my type!
[Unohana Retsu]: It's truly beyond my expectations that this Hollow could reveal the essence of combat in a single statement!
Both Kenpachi were deeply moved at this moment. Unohana Retsu recalled her past battles with Kenpachi Zaraki. The heart that yearned to find joy in battle couldn't help but throb with anticipation.
How she longed to experience that instinctive euphoria in combat once again!
Kenpachi Zaraki, who had relied purely on fighting instinct in the past, had been incredibly powerful. But to savor that fighting instinct for longer, he had unconsciously sealed away his own strength.
How can I awaken Kenpachi Zaraki's fighting instincts again? Unohana wondered. What kind of catalyst will it take for him to reclaim those instincts in the future?
In the chat group:
[Aizen Sosuke]: "What's the difference between a king and his steed?" The answer is instinct? An intriguing perspective. It seems this Hollow has some intelligence after all - fitting for my creation.
[Ichimaru Gin]: A dignified Shinigami being lectured by Captain Aizen's Hollow... what an ironic sight!
[Kurosaki Isshin]: Hmph, are you implying something about someone specific?
[Ichimaru Gin]: Oh no, no, Captain Shiba Isshin, I still hold great respect for you.
[Tosen Kaname]: Actually, whether Kurosaki Ichigo can even be called a Shinigami remains questionable. If he loses to his white self, he'll undoubtedly join our Hueco Mundo with honor!
[Ukitake Jushiro]: I'll never allow that to happen! The Substitute Shinigami will never join your ranks!
Though the Shinigami were deeply dissatisfied with Aizen's power, they honestly couldn't refute what the Inner Hollow had said. As a philosophical product of the great mastermind Aizen, this Hollow's level of insight was genuinely impressive!
Many Shinigami began reflecting on themselves. Do we possess fighting instincts? If not, can we ever become truly powerful?
Even Captain-Commander Yamamoto couldn't help but listen intently. His usually squinting eyes were now wide open, piercing and compelling as he watched the broadcast with focused intensity.
Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro both noticed the change in their teacher. They could feel Yamamoto's spiritual pressure suddenly surge - completely different from before. Even when he had declared war on Yhwach and Aizen earlier, he hadn't truly grown angry. Only now, witnessing the conversation between White Ichigo and Kurosaki Ichigo, had he genuinely awakened the fighting instincts hidden in his very genes!
Kyoraku Shunsui and the others were amazed by this transformation.
Of course, how could the founder of the Gotei 13, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, not understand fighting instincts?
The Gotei 13 had originally been composed entirely of villains! Captain-Commander Yamamoto, as their leader, had been a peerless demon that everyone feared! He had slaughtered countless Quincy, making them wail in terror.
However, over the years, having to train students had gradually made him kinder and gentler, his temperament slowly mellowing. But the fighting instincts buried within his body had never truly disappeared!
A slight smile curved his lips as he muttered internally: "You're absolutely right! It's time for me to return to my original instincts! Only this way can I make them feel my instinctive fury again in future battles against Aizen and Yhwach! Otherwise, I might not be able to protect the Seireitei!"
[In the broadcast, White Ichigo continued his lecture with that evil grin, spinning Zangetsu as he displayed his unbridled fighting spirit.]
"If people of equal strength want to exert greater power and become king, they must seek battle and pursue even greater strength!"
"Enemies must be destroyed mercilessly, crushed completely!"
"In every battle, you must possess absolute desire!"
"Deep within our bodies lies an instinct carved into our very genes!"
White Ichigo's tone carried a hint of regret for being unable to make up for his perceived shortcomings, wishing he could control Kurosaki Ichigo's body forever. It could be said he both loved and hated Kurosaki Ichigo - the deeper his love, the harsher his criticism!
"But Ichigo, you lack such explicit instincts!"
"You need reasons to defeat your enemies!"
"You want to wield a sword while it's still sheathed - who can you possibly cut down like that?"
"That's exactly why you're weaker than me, Ichigo!"
SHING!
Without warning, White Ichigo hurled Zangetsu like a throwing knife!
THUD!
The blade pierced straight through Kurosaki Ichigo's abdomen, sending him sprawling! White Ichigo had completely disarmed himself, throwing his weapon to his opponent!
Moreover, White Ichigo screamed at Kurosaki Ichigo with manic intensity:
"Ichigo! I don't care what that Zangetsu guy thinks!"
"I can't stand having a king weaker than me riding on my back, getting us both chopped up together!"
"If you're weaker than me, then I'll destroy you!"
"Let me be the king!"
White Ichigo seemed genuinely intent on replacing Kurosaki Ichigo - it was terrifying! The viewers couldn't help but break into cold sweats for Ichigo's sake.
Facing such an ambitious Inner Hollow, could Kurosaki Ichigo really defeat this formidable enemy?
They had to admit, Kurosaki Ichigo didn't seem like someone who fought on pure instinct! An ordinary high school student who had accidentally gained Shinigami powers... Kurosaki Ichigo, who only fought to protect those around him - could he defeat an Inner Hollow with such rich combat experience and abilities that weren't inferior to his own?
No matter how you look at it, it seems impossible!
Kurosaki Ichigo won't really end up changing his name to White Ichigo and become Aizen's number one lieutenant, will he?
With these thoughts, the Shinigami grew increasingly worried.
The comments section exploded with reactions:
Good grief, you gave Ichigo the sword and you still complain?After all that scolding, this is why you handed him the blade?
He's more supportive than Kenpachi and Byakuya!
The ultimate tsundere who never loses external battles but never wins internal ones.
"What's the difference between a king and his steed?" One is clueless, the other loves obsessively!I really want to see White Ichigo blushing.
White Ichigo, you still claim you don't like Ichigo?The steed on top, the king on bottom... I'm shipping this pairing!
[In the broadcast, as White Ichigo spoke, he approached Ichigo and grasped the Zangetsu embedded in his abdomen, seemingly preparing to deliver the killing blow!]
White Ichigo was done playing games with Kurosaki Ichigo! Rather than remain loyal to a king weaker than himself and die alongside him, it was better to kill him directly and crown himself as the true king.
Seeing that White Ichigo was about to "finish" Ichigo, the audience was even more shocked. They could practically feel the evil, ruthless, and incredibly violent emotions radiating from White Ichigo, making them shudder uncontrollably. They could also sense the agony of Kurosaki Ichigo's body being torn apart by the blade.
It's over! Is Kurosaki Ichigo really going to die?
Not only the Shinigami in Soul Society, but even in the Wandenreich, Yhwach frowned slightly.
Kurosaki Ichigo is going to die so soon? Without that middle-aged man's "self," Kurosaki Ichigo can't even defeat this Inner Hollow? As the inheritor of my Quincy bloodline, Ichigo Kurosaki really isn't qualified enough!
Even Aizen tensed up for several seconds, genuinely worried that Kurosaki Ichigo might be killed by his Inner Hollow so prematurely.
Although Aizen had always maintained an aloof attitude, coldly observing the battle between the Inner Hollow and Ichigo without favoring either side, if Kurosaki Ichigo were to actually die, he would feel an inexplicable emptiness and discomfort.
Kurosaki Ichigo, whom I've been watching for so long, shouldn't and cannot die so soon!
As all parties worried about Kurosaki Ichigo, a familiar notification sound rang out.
[BEEP!]
[In this battle, will Ichigo Kurosaki fail or succeed?]
[Since this is a true/false question, anyone who answers correctly will receive points, and wrong answers carry no penalties.]
After hearing this information, the audience, eager to know what would happen next, became alert once again. Since they weren't worried about punishment, they had to answer carefully!
But what was the correct answer to this question?
After collective analysis by all parties, they almost reached the same conclusion: No matter how you looked at it... Kurosaki Ichigo was bound to lose!
In the chat group, everyone continued discussing:
[Kenpachi Zaraki]: Although I don't know who'll have the last laugh, I still want to keep fighting with Ichigo Kurosaki, so I hope he wins! Kurosaki Ichigo wins - Final Answer!
[Kuchiki Rukia]: Even though it seems unlikely, I'm on Ichigo's side and hope he wins! Kurosaki Ichigo wins! - Final Answer!
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: Thank you... though I feel like your words are somewhat discouraging... I'll also answer that I, Kurosaki Ichigo, can win.
After all, he couldn't curse himself to fail, right?
Even though Kurosaki Ichigo lacked confidence at this moment, he could only answer this way. Looking at such a powerful White Ichigo, Ichigo was infected by his despondent state in the broadcast and felt completely dejected.
Kurosaki Ichigo wasn't someone with weak willpower... but his situation in the broadcast truly seemed hopeless! No matter how optimistic someone might be, they couldn't imagine how to win after losing their weapon and being completely overwhelmed by another version of themselves...
[Aizen Sosuke]: Kurosaki Ichigo, have you lost confidence to such a degree? Though I'm somewhat disappointed, I'll still answer - Kurosaki Ichigo can win! After all, I learned earlier that you're my most perfect creation, so defeating this Hollow shouldn't be impossible.
Though in his heart, Aizen genuinely hoped Kurosaki Ichigo would ultimately prevail, seeing Ichigo so disheartened left him feeling helpless! The confidence Aizen displayed wasn't confidence in Kurosaki Ichigo himself, but confidence in his own most perfect creation.
In fact, at this moment, all factions were basically hoping for Kurosaki Ichigo's victory. The Shinigami naturally wanted Ichigo to defeat this powerful Hollow.
In the Wandenreich, the Quincy were actually in terrible moods after seeing Uncle Zangetsu disappear earlier... They whispered among themselves privately:
"This is bad - why has His Majesty vanished?"
"Has he really been devoured by this Hollow?"
"That's truly terrible!"
"Damn it, if that's the case, I must kill this Hollow in the future. If Kurosaki Ichigo becomes someone controlled by a Hollow, I'll smash him to pieces."
"We Quincy will never lose to these so-called Menos Grande. That would be an insult to us. We'll never allow Hollows to achieve final victory."
"Could it be that this Inner Hollow is so strong now because he obtained His Majesty's power and devoured the so-called Zangetsu, allowing him to use the same abilities as Kurosaki Ichigo, or even Bankai?"
With these thoughts, many Quincy no longer held any hope that Kurosaki Ichigo could defeat his Inner Hollow.
As for Yhwach, he observed the scene with a grim expression, his mind racing with thoughts:
"Has Ichigo Kurosaki truly been devoured? If I no longer exist in his spiritual space, then he's the only one who can deal with this Hollow, right? Could it be that my Quincy power died before I could bestow it upon him? Then this son... truly disappoints me!"
Of course, out of support for his son and his own Quincy faction, Yhwach still had to answer accordingly...
[Yhwach]: Kurosaki Ichigo achieves final victory - Final Answer!
Most of Yhwach's subordinates also answered similarly:
[Gerard Valkyrie]: Kurosaki Ichigo achieves final victory - Final Answer!
[Jugram Haschwalth]: Kurosaki Ichigo achieves final victory - Final Answer!
Thus, all factions gave surprisingly consistent answers - Kurosaki Ichigo would achieve final victory. Only for safety's sake and risk balancing did a few members answer that Kurosaki Ichigo would fail.
As for the Arrancar, although their leader Aizen supported Kurosaki Ichigo, they naturally preferred to answer that Ichigo would be defeated by the Hollow due to their hatred of Quincy:
[Baraggan Louisenbairn]: Kurosaki Ichigo will be defeated! - Final Answer!
[Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez]: Kurosaki Ichigo will be defeated! - Final Answer!
After everyone submitted their answers, they patiently awaited the Three Realms Projection's announcement. Once all responses were collected, the system began announcing in an emotionless voice:
[BEEP!]
[Answer submission complete!]
[The correct answer will be revealed in the following video - please stay tuned!]
Afterward, everyone continued watching the subsequent footage with anxious anticipation, hoping they had answered correctly while simultaneously not holding much hope for being right. This contradictory mentality... made them all sigh in frustration.
The screen continued playing!
White Ichigo seemed to slowly draw his sword, preparing to deliver the final blow to Kurosaki Ichigo!
However, the audience was so anxious and focused on worrying about Kurosaki Ichigo that they overlooked many crucial details... They failed to notice that White Ichigo's sword-drawing motion was extremely slow at this moment! As if in slow motion, he couldn't pull it out for several seconds.
Only viewers who knew the truth would secretly laugh: White Ichigo is putting on an act again!
At that moment, Kurosaki Ichigo finally awakened reluctantly!
"Sword..."
This seemed to remind Kurosaki Ichigo of something significant... Following his enemy's example, Ichigo grabbed the blade with his bare hand!
BUZZ!
Kurosaki Ichigo's resolve returned once more! An invisible, powerful force swept outward, and in that instant, Tensa Zangetsu transformed from white to black, appearing ready to dye White Ichigo black as well - just as White Ichigo had dyed Kurosaki Ichigo's sword white before. Now White Ichigo's Tensa Zangetsu was becoming Kurosaki Ichigo's!
White Ichigo was slightly startled, as if he'd touched something scalding, and quickly stepped back. Even in the subtle details, there was a hint of joy on his face...
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