Chapter 403: I Only Need One Move
Looking at the orange-haired boy before him, Haschwalth furrowed his brow slightly.
He had originally been on his way to the First Division to assist Yhwach.
However, midway, he suddenly sensed a threatening presence and changed course to investigate the situation.
Unlike the original worldline, the Wandenreich he belonged to, due to Satoru's ever-present surveillance, dared not have any contact with the Soul Society.
If they were caught observing the Soul Society by Satoru, it would spell disaster.
Thus, the Wandenreich's intelligence on the Soul Society remained at the level from over a hundred years ago.
He had no knowledge of Kurosaki Ichigo whatsoever.
The only thing he knew was that this boy was dangerous.
He slowly spoke:
"Jugram Haschwalth."
"That is my name."
"My position is His Majesty's guard."
His Majesty's guard?
Ichigo was slightly taken aback:
"Yhwach's?"
"Yes."
Haschwalth nodded, not correcting the boy for directly addressing His Majesty's name.
Under his gaze, Ichigo drew his Zanpakutō from his back:
"So that means if I defeat you, I can help Mr. Mikami, right?"
"...I cannot guarantee that."
If he were defeated, His Majesty would use Auswählen to take his power, and His Majesty's strength would increase as a result.
For Satoru, that might actually be a hindrance.
Even though they were enemies, he tried to avoid lying as much as possible.
Ichigo looked puzzled.
He didn't understand why Haschwalth would answer that way, but Satoru had said that if he didn't understand something, he should just act first.
"My name is Ichigo Kurosaki."
Out of courtesy, he introduced himself to Haschwalth.
The next moment, he flashed forward, charging directly at Haschwalth—
"Bankai!!"
"Getsuga Tenshō!!"
Under Haschwalth's astonished gaze, a black crescent moon erupted in mid-air, unleashing a massive storm of Reiatsu!
Whoosh!!
Haschwalth was sent flying backward.
His white robe became somewhat tattered.
Although he had mentally prepared himself for a difficult battle, truly experiencing Ichigo Kurosaki's power still left him stunned.
This boy was too strong.
Such terrifying offensive power was not inferior to even that Yamamoto!
He drew his silver sword from beneath his robe, blocking Ichigo's second wave of attacks that followed closely.
Ichigo's Zanpakutō was no longer the black fire poker-like form it had been at the beginning.
Through communication with the nameless man inside him and his white self, his power had changed every few years.
Now, his Bankai form resembled his initial Shikai—a massive cleaver-like blade.
Despite its enormous size, its speed was not the slightest bit slow.
After Haschwalth blocked the first strike, Ichigo gripped the blade with one hand and unleashed a frenzy of slashes in a manner theoretically impossible for a heavy sword.
Countless blade shadows seemed to transform into a curtain of sky, enveloping Haschwalth within.
Each slash carried the power of a captain-level Shinigami unleashing their ultimate move!
Haschwalth reversed his grip on his sword, using equally swift speed to parry Ichigo's attacks from all directions.
He couldn't remember how long it had been since he had been suppressed like this by a single person.
The last time seemed to be when he was very young, sparring with a childhood friend.
For a moment, his mood was somewhat complicated.
Suddenly, a sense of danger flashed through his mind.
To his astonishment, Ichigo, who had been fiercely attacking, suddenly wiped his face with his left hand.
A pale white Hollow mask suddenly appeared on his face!
"Hollow White, help!"
"Don't tell me what to do!!"
Ichigo, now wearing the mask, emitted two distinct voices.
Before Haschwalth could react, Ichigo's aura abruptly changed.
His originally calm and steady presence suddenly became intense and exhilarated.
"Ehehehehehe!!"
Ichigo let out a bizarre laugh, gripping the cleaver with both hands and delivering a powerful New Year's greeting slash!
Haschwalth raised his sword to block.
With a thunderous crash, he felt his entire arm go numb.
What happened to this guy... all of a sudden?
No, he couldn't let the opponent control the pace any longer.
Thinking of this, he increased his output as well.
However, Ichigo hadn't been using his full strength either.
As soon as he sped up, Ichigo matched his pace.
"Hehehe! Fool! You think you can outrun me?!"
While speaking, Ichigo grabbed the cloth strap behind his Zanpakutō, swinging the entire massive slaughter knife as he began to spin violently.
After accelerating for less than a second, he hurled the fast and heavy spinning blade fiercely toward Haschwalth—
BOOM!!
An explosion stronger than the earlier Getsuga Tenshō erupted in mid-air, generating a massive circular shockwave that spread for thousands of meters!
"Idiot! If you're going to fight, fight properly—stop making such weird laughter!"
"What?! I'll laugh however I want!"
"Then get lost, I'll take over!"
"...Fine, it's just laughter. I'll stop, okay?"
Hollow White reluctantly backed down, somewhat frustrated.
When they were younger, he could still gain some advantage over Ichigo.
But as Ichigo grew increasingly proficient with his own power, combined with that damn old man's help, it had become quite difficult for him to act out in front of Ichigo.
Whatever, might as well not stoop to the kid's level!
With that thought, he grinned, letting out a silent, sinister laugh as he pressed his advantage and charged toward Haschwalth.
In just a few seconds, Haschwalth—whose stance had already been disrupted—sustained several deep wounds across his body.
After inflicting numerous nearly fatal injuries, Ichigo raised a hand and wiped it across his face, dispersing the Hollow Mask.
Holding his sword, he turned to face Haschwalth:
"You've already lost. If you don't want to die, leave now."
"If we keep fighting, I really will kill you."
If possible, Ichigo never wanted to kill anyone.
But if it was to help Satoru, he could break that rule.
The Seireitei was already filled with the scent of blood everywhere.
Even though he was only seventeen, he understood the current situation.
Without a doubt, this was war.
If he showed mercy, not only the Gotei 13 but even those without combat abilities would be dragged into it.
Including Kaien, who always fought alongside him, and Shiba Miyako.
Under Ichigo's gaze, Haschwalth leaned on his longsword, breathing heavily.
He lifted his head to look at Ichigo.
"Ichigo Kurosaki..."
"You are indeed strong. Even as His Majesty's guard, I am no match for you in a direct confrontation."
"But... you are not a qualified warrior."
Hearing this, Ichigo frowned slightly:
"What are you talking about?"
Haschwalth slowly straightened up.
"With your power, if you had gone all out from the start and killed me here, I likely wouldn't have been able to put up any meaningful resistance."
"But... you are a gentle person. Even when facing an enemy, you try your best to spare their life."
"When fighting someone like me, that gentleness will become the reason for your defeat."
As he spoke, he raised his sword and pointed it at Ichigo:
"Schrift, The Balance!"
A massive scale materialized behind him, resembling some kind of Stand ability.
Under Ichigo's somewhat astonished gaze, the scale—which had been completely tilted to one side—suddenly began to reverse.
Though with great difficulty, the side that had been pressed down was slowly rising.
THUD!!
The sunken side rose to the top.
The elevated side slammed down heavily!
The moment the scale reversed, all the deep, grievous wounds on Haschwalth's body vanished without a trace.
And Ichigo, with several slashes bursting open on his body, knelt down in a mist of blood!
Staring at the sword wounds on his body, Ichigo widened his eyes.
These were... wounds cut by Zangetsu?
Judging from their positions, they were all the attacks he had just landed on Haschwalth!
This guy, he reflected all the injuries he received back onto me?
Is something like that even possible?
Ichigo couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief.
Blood gushed from the wounds, causing his strength to rapidly drain away.
Haschwalth lifted his sword and approached him.
"It's over, Ichigo Kurosaki."
"Next, I will seal your spiritual power and put you to sleep for a while."
"When you wake up again, everything will have changed, and the world will become as His Majesty desires."
"In the new world, you will live a better life than you do now."
As he spoke, he raised his sword and thrust it toward Ichigo's shoulder.
Thud!!
Haschwalth's eyes widened.
Under Komamura's gaze, the tip of his sword stopped at Ichigo's shoulder, unable to advance an inch!
On Ichigo's skin, circuit-like blue patterns emerged.
"Blut Vene?!"
Haschwalth gasped in disbelief.
A Shinigami... a Shinigami stronger than himself, how could he use Blut Vene?!
Across Ichigo's body, the patterns of Blut Vene rapidly spread.
Under the effect of Blut, his wounds quickly healed.
Gripping Zangetsu, he stood up.
"Jugram, you said I'm a gentle person, that I didn't kill you at the crucial moment."
"But, aren't you the same?"
"When I was young, Satoru taught me never to underestimate an enemy. To protect those important behind me, even if my hands must be stained with blood, I must never retreat."
"I've always remembered that."
"The reason I wanted you to leave was because I sensed no killing intent in your sword."
"Not even a desire for victory."
"Your sword held only emptiness."
"Someone like that, I cannot kill."
Under Haschwalth's somewhat stunned gaze, Ichigo's eyes grew resolute.
"However, your warning, I have taken to heart."
"Next, without killing you, I will defeat you completely in one move."
"Hollow White!"
"Coming!!"
A Hollow's mask materialized on Ichigo's face.
The blue Blut Vene transformed into red Blut Arterie.
Reiatsu erupted from the Zanpakutō.
Three completely different, even mutually conflicting powers, achieved a bizarre harmony and unity within this young man.
Just what... was this situation?
Haschwalth instinctively raised his sword, preparing to counter.
The next moment, Ichigo vanished from his sight.
Between heaven and earth, only a voice echoed in his ears—
Getsuga Tenshō!!
...
...
Looking at Haschwalth lying unconscious on the ground, Ichigo raised his hand, dispersing the mask from his face.
It was time to go help Satoru.
He shifted his footing, ready to leave.
But, as if sensing something, he turned to look at Haschwalth lying on the rooftop.
Haschwalth's body was suddenly enveloped in a blue light.
Within the light, Haschwalth's spiritual power, his life force, were rapidly stripped away.
Deprived of all the power sustaining his life, Haschwalth's stern features quickly withered.
Ichigo's expression twisted.
This power was practically engraved in his soul.
He would never forget this sight for the rest of his life.
Auswählen!!
The power that had nearly taken his mother's life when he was nine!
Yhwach, just what kind of damnable monster was he?!
His own guard, just for losing a battle, was to be subjected to Auswählen?!
With a roar, Ichigo charged toward Haschwalth, wanting to stop that power that stripped everything away.
He didn't know if he wanted to save Haschwalth, or to save his mother who had once lain on the ground just like Haschwalth, powerless to resist.
He only knew he had never felt such intense killing intent, such a desire to kill someone!!
Suddenly, a voice sounded beside him:
"Calm down, Ichigo Kurosaki."
This voice was...
Ichigo instinctively turned his head and saw Aizen, one eye covered by a black bandage, his expression calm.
"Mr. Aizen!"
Seeing this figure, a smile appeared on his face.
Back then, when his mother was subjected to Auswählen, it was Aizen and Satoru who saved her together!
Seemingly guessing Ichigo's thoughts, Aizen shook his head:
"At this moment, I do not yet possess power like someone else."
"Stopping the Auswählen is something I cannot do."
"However..."
He raised his right arm, aiming it toward Haschwalth.
With his movement, the power that was about to be stripped from Haschwalth's body suddenly halted.
Although his power was not taken away, he did not regain consciousness either, lying there quietly without a sound.
Under Ichigo's somewhat astonished gaze, Aizen explained:
"I used the power of the Right Arm of the Soul King to completely freeze his state."
"Now, all the Sternritter who have already been defeated in the Seireitei have been frozen by me."
"Although theoretically, I haven't saved anyone, at least... their power cannot be fed back to Yhwach anymore."
He looked toward the First Division, where terrifying Reiatsu collisions continued to emanate.
"The current Yhwach is not an infinitely strengthening monster."
"He is just an ordinary Quincy."
"And defeating Quincies has always been something that guy excels at."
Hearing this, Ichigo also instinctively looked toward Satoru's direction.
After a brief moment of daze, he raised the corner of his mouth.
"As expected of Mr. Mikami."
"The more desperate the situation, the more you realize... what a reliable person he is."
Aizen did not deny it.
That's right, when there is danger, Satoru is the one who brings the greatest sense of security.
But... when there is no danger, that guy is indeed the one who brings the most danger.
Recalling some unpleasant memories, Aizen narrowed his eyes.
Although Satoru hadn't done anything, he might as well add a couple of entries to his personal grudge book first.
Taking Kurosaki Ichigo with him, he flashed away, speeding toward the very center of the battlefield!