The next moment, just as His's Cero was about to fire, Kurosaki Ichigo regained control of his body.
"Give it to me… break it apart!"
Ichigo forced his left hand upward, tearing at the Hollow mask bit by bit until it shattered completely. His eyes, once the black and gold of his inner Hollow, returned to normal.
Yuta descended from the sky and landed nearby. "How do you feel?"
"Fine." Ichigo exhaled and even smiled faintly. "I managed to take back control at the last moment."
"In truth, even if your Cero had been fired, I could have suppressed it with one hand." Yuta spoke flatly, stating it as if it were nothing more than fact.
Ichigo lay in the crater, staring up at the blue sky and the slow drift of clouds overhead. He coughed up blood and said, "I know... Yuta-san is like an unshakable ideal, a strength beyond reach. My own abilities are insignificant compared to yours. But the greater the power a person holds, the more they must restrain themselves. Power that only destroys without reason is nothing I can accept. My sword is to protect my family, to protect people, to protect the world… not to raise against you. If this Hollowfication cannot be controlled, then I would rather not possess it at all."
Yuta regarded Ichigo silently for a long moment. The words did not surprise him; they were exactly what Ichigo would say.
He extended his hand, and light gathered in his palm. Ichigo's injuries closed as the healing spiritual energy spread across his body. When it was finished, Yuta carried him back to their previous location.
Orihime Inoue's shoulders relaxed the moment she saw Ichigo return safely. His aura no longer carried the agitation from before, his presence closer to the Ichigo she knew.
Ichigo pushed himself upright and looked at Yuta. "Yuta-san… those strange beings just now-what were they?"
Yuta was silent for a time before replying. "It's as it should be. If you want to understand fully, then come with me to Soul Society."
Ichigo noticed a figure nearby and turned-Uryū Ishida had arrived without notice, no doubt drawn by the unstable spiritual pressure earlier. Ichigo remembered the first time he had encountered Ishida properly in Karakura Town.
That day, he had been walking when a boy in white stood before him, a silver cross bound to his wrist.
"Are you Kurosaki Ichigo?" Ishida's tone had been cold and sharp.
Later he learned Ishida was the top student at Karakura High, skilled not only academically but also in tailoring; he often repaired dolls brought to him by classmates. Despite his helpfulness, Ishida carried a sharp hostility toward Ichigo that made little sense at first. But the answer became clear when Ishida held up a small object no larger than a coin.
"As a Quincy, I have the ability to destroy hollow as well. Let's compete, and I'll prove Shinigami are unnecessary."
Ichigo had stared at the object in Ishida's hand. "What is that?"
"A Hollow bait. Release it and Hollows will gather."
"What are you saying?" Ichigo's shock slipped into anger.
"Whoever defeats more Hollows in twenty-four hours is the victor. Do you understand?" Ishida's voice was cold and unyielding.
"You're insane! Because of this competition between us, innocent people will be in danger!"
"Enough talking." Ishida crushed the bait in his hand, releasing the energy within. "Don't concern yourself with others. None of the Hollows will escape with me here. If you want to protect people from being harmed, then accept the challenge."
The sky split open with an overwhelming sound as the bait drew a Hollow down from above. Before Ichigo could react, an arrow of concentrated spirit particles pierced through it instantly.
"First," Ishida said quietly as the spirit bow formed from his cross glowed again, drawing in more reishi from the air.
Ichigo rushed forward and shoved him down, glaring at him. "Stop this! Restore everything and send the Hollows back!"
"You saw it yourself. They're already here because of the bait. The city is swarmed with them now. Do you want to waste time shouting at me, Kurosaki Ichigo? Or will you take action and protect people from Hollows like you claim? You should also realize they are drawn to humans with strong spiritual power-so protect yourself as well," Ishida replied evenly, his voice cold but certain.
Ichigo clenched his fists, his thoughts racing to his sisters. Both Karin and Yuzu could see spirits; both carried spiritual pressure. That made them potential targets. He couldn't waste more time arguing with Ishida.
He bit down on an item handed to him earlier by Urahara Kisuke-the Soul Candy pill. "Kon, look after my body for now." His soul stepped free as his Shinigami form emerged. He raised Zangetsu and sprinted toward his home.
Ishida pushed himself back to his feet, watching Ichigo's retreating form. "As I thought… you still don't notice. The ones with spiritual awareness near you aren't limited to your family. Without realizing this, you cannot surpass me."
Elsewhere, Sado Yasutora was being harassed near a shopfront by a man with short yellow hair who barked impatiently, "Hurry it up, Chad. If we miss the discount hour on lunch, we'll have to pay full price."
Sado turned toward him with his usual calm restraint. "I don't think it matters that much."
"It does matter," the man snapped. "So don't make this difficult."
But Sado's mind was not on the words. His expression shifted as the pressure of spiritual disturbances reached him-the unease heavy enough that he barely heard the rest of the insult being shouted his way.
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