The chat group erupted with overwhelming praise for Ichigo's dramatic transformation, leaving the young substitute Shinigami feeling deeply embarrassed by all the attention.
[Kenpachi Zaraki]: Hah! That's one hell of a costume upgrade, Ichigo! Now let's see if your fighting power matches that flashy new look!
[Kisuke Urahara]: My, my! Kurosaki-san certainly knows how to make an impression. He's practically become the poster boy for Soul Society's fashion sense!
[Shunsui Kyōraku]: Indeed! The moment someone mentions protecting others, you transform into this beacon of determination. It's quite inspiring, actually. Our entire Soul Society has grown rather fond of you, you know.
[Rukia Kuchiki]: Thank you, Ichigo. All of us Shinigami are truly grateful for everything you've done to protect not just your friends, but all of us.
[Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto]: The Gotei 13 owes you a debt that can never be fully repaid, Kurosaki Ichigo. Your dedication to protection exemplifies the highest ideals of our organization.
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: ...You guys are really embarrassing me here. I'm just doing what anyone would do for their friends.
[Renji Abarai]: Anyone? Ichigo, most people don't get dramatic costume changes and power upgrades every time they get serious!
[Ikkaku Madarame]: I've got to admit, that black and white armor combo is pretty damn cool. Very intimidating!
[Yumichika Ayasegawa]: The aesthetic balance is quite pleasing. Black and white represents the duality of protection and power beautifully.
[Rangiku Matsumoto]: Our little substitute is growing up so fast! From orange hair and oversized swords to this sleek new look!
These words came from the depths of their hearts. Every Shinigami present had witnessed what Ichigo would accomplish in the future through these projections. They had seen him evolve from someone who protected his immediate circle of friends to someone who would ultimately stand as a guardian of entire worlds.
His pattern was consistent and admirable: whenever his friends faced danger or suffered harm, Ichigo would transcend his current limitations through sheer force of will and determination. This unwavering dedication to protection had earned him the genuine respect and gratitude of all Soul Society.
They really mean it, Ichigo realized as he read through the messages. These aren't just empty compliments. They're thanking me for things I haven't even done yet...
Meanwhile, in the depths of Hueco Mundo, Sōsuke Aizen observed the proceedings with keen interest and unexpected satisfaction.
"Excellent, excellent," Aizen murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Kurosaki Ichigo's current development is progressing exactly as it should—perhaps even beyond my most optimistic projections."
"Even I must admit to being somewhat surprised by the rate of his adaptation. Let me see just how far this power can take him."
"The complete integration of Fullbring techniques into his existing spiritual framework... this is precisely what he needs to become someone capable of standing against the likes of Yhwach in the future."
Aizen's smile widened as he contemplated the implications. Watching his 'son' grow stronger filled him with a peculiar sense of pride that he rarely experienced.
In many ways, Aizen reflected, Kurosaki Ichigo functions like a miniature Hōgyoku. His power doesn't just enhance himself—it elevates everyone around him to higher levels of capability. His friends, his allies, even his enemies seem to evolve in response to his presence.
This was the true strength of what Ichigo called "the desire to protect one's friends"—a concept that Aizen found both fascinating and slightly incomprehensible.
For someone like myself, Aizen mused, such motivation is difficult to truly understand. I have no friends in the conventional sense, no companions whose safety drives me to transcend my limitations. Even finding individuals capable of meaningful dialogue on my level proves challenging.
The thought brought with it an unexpected pang of something that might have been loneliness. For the first time in centuries, Aizen found himself envying another being—not for their power or position, but for the simple connections that gave their existence meaning.
How remarkable, he thought. Kurosaki Ichigo's belief in protecting his friends operates with the same intensity as my own vision of reshaping Soul Society. The difference is that his ideals are immediate, tangible, personal—while mine are abstract, philosophical, cosmic in scope.
Yet despite lacking grand ambitions or world-changing goals, he continues to grow stronger through pure emotional commitment. Truly fascinating.
With renewed interest, Aizen settled in to observe what would happen next in Ichigo's development.
[At that moment, Ichigo—still riding the high of his successful transformation—rushed forward with righteous fury blazing in his eyes. His new armor gleamed as spiritual pressure radiated from his form in visible waves.]
["Now you'll see what happens when you threaten my friends!" Ichigo declared, preparing to demonstrate the full extent of his evolved power.]
[But just as he was about to engage in what promised to be a spectacular display of his new capabilities, Ginjō Kūgo did something completely unexpected.]
[Rather than preparing for combat, Ginjō suddenly turned around and placed his hand directly on Ichigo's chest, his palm glowing with strange energy.]
[BUZZ!!!!!!]
["What the—?!" Ichigo gasped as he felt something being drawn out of his body. "What are you doing to me?!"]
[The violent spiritual pressure that had been building within Ichigo began to flow into Ginjō's hand like water being siphoned through a drain. The sensation was both alarming and oddly relieving, as if pressure that had been threatening to tear him apart was finally being released.]
[Ichigo staggered slightly, confusion replacing his battle-ready fury. "Ginjō... what's happening? Why are you...?"
[Ginjō smiled warmly, his earlier harsh demeanor completely replaced by genuine concern and mentorship. "Relax, Ichigo. This is a necessary part of the Fullbring training process. If I hadn't intervened just now, that surge of spiritual pressure would have torn you apart from the inside."]
["What do you mean?" Ichigo asked, still feeling disoriented by the sudden reversal.]
["When a Fullbringer experiences a breakthrough of this magnitude, their spiritual pressure often increases faster than their body can safely contain it," Ginjō explained patiently. "Without someone experienced to help regulate and absorb the excess energy, the practitioner can literally be destroyed by their own power."]
["Think of it like a dam bursting," Ginjō continued, his hand still glowing as he carefully managed Ichigo's energy flow. "All that power needs somewhere to go, or it will flood everything in its path—including the person generating it."]
["This is why every serious Fullbring training program requires a master who can serve as a safety valve," Ginjō added. "Someone capable of absorbing and redirecting dangerous energy surges until the student learns to manage their new power level properly."]
[Ichigo's eyes widened with understanding and profound gratitude. "So when you attacked me earlier... that was all part of the training? You were trying to push me to this breakthrough point?"
["Exactly," Ginjō confirmed with a satisfied nod. "You needed to experience genuine emotional extremes to unlock your true potential. Fear, anger, desperation, determination—all of these states were necessary to catalyze your power evolution."]
["I'm sorry for doubting you," Ichigo said, his earlier suspicions now seeming foolish and ungrateful. "I should have trusted that you knew what you were doing."]
The chat responded to this revelation with a mixture of understanding and concern:
[Retsu Unohana]: Ah, so it was intensive therapeutic training. The methodology is harsh but apparently effective.
[Mayuri Kurotsuchi]: Fascinating! This suggests that Fullbring evolution requires not just spiritual pressure increases, but specific emotional catalysts to trigger advancement.
[Jūshirō Ukitake]: While the methods seem extreme, the results speak for themselves. Ichigo's power has increased dramatically.
[Byakuya Kuchiki]: Training that pushes students to their absolute limits... it reminds me of certain Gotei 13 advancement programs.
[Tōshirō Hitsugaya]: Still, deliberately injuring your student seems unnecessarily risky. What if something had gone wrong?
[Yoruichi Shihōin]: Sometimes the greatest growth comes from the greatest challenges. Though I admit, this was cutting it pretty close.
[Following this revelation, Ichigo threw himself into additional training with renewed vigor and trust. His goals were now crystal clear: strengthen his physical conditioning to match his enhanced spiritual capabilities, and continue developing his Fullbring techniques to their maximum potential.]
["The key," Ginjō explained as they resumed their practice, "is to use your Fullbring abilities as a bridge to awaken your dormant Shinigami powers. Think of Fullbring as the key that unlocks the door to your true potential."]
["Your Substitute Shinigami Badge isn't just a training tool—it's a physical connection to your Shinigami heritage," Ginjō continued. "By channeling Fullbring energy through it, you're essentially reminding your soul of what it once was and what it could become again."]
[Ichigo nodded eagerly, finally understanding the bigger picture. "So this whole training process is designed to restore my Shinigami powers through a different pathway?"
["Precisely," Ginjō confirmed. "Fullbring serves as both an end in itself and a means to a greater end. You'll emerge from this training with multiple forms of power at your disposal."]
[As Ichigo continued his exercises, his movements became more fluid and natural. The black and white armor that had appeared during his breakthrough began to feel like a second skin rather than an external addition. His spiritual pressure stabilized at its new, higher level, and his control over Fullbring techniques improved by leaps and bounds.]
["This is incredible," Ichigo marveled as he performed a complex series of attacks that would have been impossible just hours earlier. "I can feel my power growing with every repetition."]
["That's the beauty of proper Fullbring training," Ginjō replied with genuine pride. "Once you establish the correct foundation, advancement becomes almost automatic. Your body and soul work together to constantly refine and enhance your capabilities."]
The audience watched with growing excitement as Ichigo's training entered this new, accelerated phase:
[Kenpachi Zaraki]: Now this is what I like to see! Real progress, real power development! Keep pushing harder, Ichigo!
[Ikkaku Madarame]: His form is getting cleaner with every session. This is how you build real fighting strength!
[Renji Abarai]: I can't believe how much he's improved in such a short time. This Fullbring training is incredibly efficient.
[Rukia Kuchiki]: Ichigo always amazes me with his determination to get stronger. No matter what obstacles he faces, he finds a way forward.
[Ichigo Kurosaki]: Thanks, everyone. I won't let your faith in me go to waste. I'll get strong enough to protect everyone!
[Orihime Inoue]: Kurosaki-kun is so amazing... he never gives up, no matter how difficult things get.
[Chad Yasutora]: That's our Ichigo. Always pushing himself to become stronger for the sake of others.
[As the training session continued, it became clear that Ichigo was indeed on the path to regaining—and potentially surpassing—his former abilities. The combination of his natural talent, unshakeable determination, and proper guidance was creating a perfect storm of rapid development.]
["This is just the beginning," Ginjō said with satisfaction as he watched Ichigo master yet another advanced technique. "With this foundation in place, there's no limit to how far your power can grow."]
[Ichigo grinned, his confidence fully restored and his future looking brighter than it had in months. "Then let's keep going. My friends are counting on me, and I won't let them down."]
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Support me at [email protected]/goldengaruda and check out more early access chapter of this fanfic or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
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