But then Urahara Kisuke also thought that it was impolite to ask others about Bankai, so he laughed and said:
"Oh, with Mr. Yuta's strength, it must be easy to learn Bankai even without practice. Yes, with Mr. Yuta's talent, it would only take a moment to master it."
Then he shifted the subject:
"Speaking of that, Kurosaki-Kun since you have already achieved Bankai, there isn't much point in staying here with me anymore. Go on, return to school."
Kurosaki Ichigo froze at those words. Was he trying to send him away? He hurriedly stood up and pressed forward:
"But my strength is still too weak-and I still carry Hollow power…"
Before he could finish, the sharp whistle of air broke his words as Urahara's cane swept in front of him like a warning. The shopkeeper's voice held none of its usual warmth:
"What I just said… did you not understand, Kurosaki-kun?"
Ichigo's eyes lowered gradually but his fists clenched until his knuckles were white.
"...I understand."
Urahara withdrew the cane and his tone lightened again:
" Kurosaki-kun, you must be clear. You have achieved Bankai. As for how to control the Hollow inside you-for that, you'll need to seek out the Visoreds."
Ichigo's gaze hardened instantly, and urgency slipped into his voice:
"Then how do I find the Visoreds?"
"You should return to school first," Urahara replied calmly.
Ichigo's frustration boiled over and he shouted:
"Geta-bōshi, don't you understand the situation?"
Urahara's expression sharpened into something colder:
"It is because I understand that I am telling you to return. This battle is not yours alone-it belongs to all of Soul Society."
"Who do you think you are? A savior?"
"Do you think that if you train hard enough, you alone can save everything?"
"The truth is, with your current level of Bankai mastery, you would be nothing more than the first one to fall in battle."
Ichigo's eyes widened at the words, shock freezing him in place. He didn't reply. Silence stretched until, little by little, the fire in his chest dimmed. He reached for his Substitute Shinigami Badge, returned to his body, and stood there heavy with thought.
The design of the badge was rough, the skull insignia far from auspicious, but Ichigo's hand tightened firmly over it. It mattered because it allowed him to fight-because it was proof that he had the power to protect.
He hooked the badge securely at his side and walked the road with his head lowered, speaking softly:
"Mr. Yuta…"
"What is it?"
"If… I mean if…" His words trailed off into something quieter. "If I die in battle-if Urahara is right and no matter what I do I'm just cannon fodder… If one month really isn't enough time to reach the strength needed… If I die before I can even master controlling my Hollow… then…"
He tightened his fists as he continued:
"Then I want to ask you, Mr. Yuta. Please protect the world-and my sisters."
"As for my father… he'll likely fall with me on the battlefield. But at least until the very end-we won't let Aizen Sōsuke succeed."
Finally he dropped to his knees before Yuta, palms pressed to the ground in a determined bow.
Yuta kept walking without stopping:
"You don't need to kneal over this. Kurosaki Karin and Kurosaki Yuzu are strong and kind girls. I'll protect them."
The words caused Ichigo's shoulders to ease as if a burden had been lifted away. He rose again, watching Yuta's back as it moved forward in steady steps.
For Ichigo, there wasn't enough time. Fourteen days left, and that span couldn't possibly carry him to the strength needed to change the world. Bankai training and Hollow control alone consumed everything he had; real battle experience remained scarce.
Yuta considered the situation silently. His presence had shifted the timeline somehow, accelerating Aizen's invasion. That meant less time for Kurosaki Ichigo and the others to prepare-and it also meant Ichigo might not be strong enough to win alone. If that came to pass-Yuta would intervene himself.
That had always been the plan.
…
"One!"
"Protect!"
Someone rushed Ichigo, only to be knocked back by a forearm strike. The boy was Asano Keigo, short brown hair framing his face, his body average in all regards. He hissed in pain as he held his side.
"When did you get so strong, Ichigo?"
Kojima Mizuiro raised a hand cheerfully:
"Good morning, Ichigo."
Compared to Keigo, Mizuiro was thinner, with short black hair and a composed charm that often attracted attention from girls.
"Morning, Keigo."
Keigo groaned and barked at Mizuiro:
"Shut up!"
The group soon came together-Inoue Orihime, Sado Yasutora, and Ishida Uryū approaching. Orihime's expression was brighter than before, especially after Rangiku's encouragement.
"Good morning, Ichigo!"
Sado only offered a brief nod:
"...Morning."
Ishida adjusted his glasses as he arrived. Training under his father had restored his Quincy abilities.
Orihime glanced between them all with a smile:
"It's good to see everyone together again."
She caught herself before saying more-and fell silent remembering Yuta's presence was invisible to the others.
Inside the classroom Keigo squinted at Orihime, Sado, and Ishida talking together and shouted:
"What's with that group? Isn't it weird? Beauty, beast, and four-eyed bookworm! Don't tell me they're hiding something? Am I being left out?"
"You're overthinking it." Ichigo walked past him toward Ishida as if nothing was unusual.
Keigo slumped in place, convinced he truly had been excluded.
Moments later, Chizuru made a reckless lunge at Orihime, only to be kicked backward by Arisawa Tatsuki.
"Tch… are you seriously attacking a girl in broad daylight?" Tatsuki scolded sharply.
Still grinning, Chizuru muttered:
"You're right-but a pretty girl's warmth is worth the risk."
The classroom door slid open and Ms. Ochi entered, her neat black hair framing her glasses. She raised her voice:
"Good morning, everyone. Please take your seats."
"It's great to see no one absent today. Well… except Oshima and Sorimachi-but they're delinquents so it doesn't matter."
The students whispered at that casual remark, but Ochi carried on without pause:
"Now then, I'll introduce a new transfer student. Come in."
Hirako Shinji stepped inside with his usual drawl.
"Hello everyone. My name is Hirako Shinji. Please take care of me."
He scrawled his name across the blackboard-in reverse-and turned with a casual grin.
"Shinji-san, you wrote it backward," Ochi pointed out flatly.
"Eh, that's fine. I'm good at writing upside down too," he replied dismissively before letting his eyes sweep over the classroom.
They landed on Kurosaki Ichigo, and Shinji strolled toward the empty seat beside him. As he sat down, he leaned in with a small smile:
"So you're the one next to me? Looks like we'll be seeing a lot of each other."
But as his head turned, Shinji froze. A chill slid down his spine when he caught sight of someone unnoticed by the rest-hidden at the back of the room.
His eyes narrowed instantly, his levity gone.
The figure leaned against the wall with a Zanpakutō at his waist, posture relaxed but unmistakably Shinigami.
Yet Shinji's senses detected nothing-no spiritual pressure at all.
That could only mean one thing.
Cold sweat traced down his temple as the realization struck.
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