BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Thunderous explosions ripped through the street. Gouges of sword-marks split the asphalt, tearing trenches deep into the earth.
The Hollows that could see it trembled in disbelief.
"You're insane! You're a Shinigami, and yet you reveal yourself before humans—tearing apart the city itself!"
Cole didn't answer. He only swung faster, his blade crashing down again and again.
The Hollow's mask twisted in panic. Seizing a human by the arm, it roared, "Strike me again and this human dies!"
BOOM!
Cole's blade nearly cleaved the Hollow in two, the hostage tumbling free.
"You Shinigami don't even care if humans die!?" the monster howled, mask quivering.
Cole's eyes were ice. "If I don't kill you, more humans will die. A sacrifice or two… is worth it."
The Hollow shuddered, terror etched across its face.
…
"The Hollow's reiatsu…"
"Cole's reiatsu…"
From a nearby street, Rukia felt her stomach twist. Her head whipped toward the source.
"This pressure… how could he be facing such a powerful Hollow?"
Ichigo blinked, confused. "Cole and a Hollow? I don't feel anything—but I do hear explosions coming closer!"
The sound grew deafening. In moments, the garden wall ahead shattered in a storm of light.
A massive, bloodied Hollow stumbled past, its mask fractured.
And behind it—Cole, swinging his eighty-meter blade like a silver dragon, tearing the street apart with every strike.
Rukia froze, aghast.
No way…
Just from these strikes alone, she'd need to erase the memories of hundreds of humans.
"Cole!!!" she shouted, voice raw.
Cole glanced at her, then at Ichigo. His tone was heavy.
"Ichigo—that Hollow. That's the one who killed your mother. I saw it controlling her image just now. Stop it."
Ichigo stiffened, his eyes widening in shock.
"The Hollow… that killed my mother…"
He trembled, then his gaze hardened, blazing with fury. His grip tightened on his zanpakuto as he lunged.
"It was you!!!"
The Hollow recoiled, then snarled. "Wait—don't you want to save your mother?"
It raised its claw, threads of foul reiryoku weaving into the air. Like puppets, it summoned the shadow of Masaki Kurosaki.
Ichigo froze, his blade wavering.
But Cole didn't.
He swung his colossal sword in a brutal arc.
SLASH!
Blood sprayed.
The Hollow screamed as both its legs were severed, its body crashing to the ground.
Ichigo gaped. He knew—Cole had held back. That single strike could have cut the creature in half.
Cole smiled faintly. "This kill belongs to you, Ichigo. Your mother's murderer should fall by your hand."
Ichigo trembled, tears welling in his eyes. He nodded fiercely, glaring at the crippled Hollow.
"Leave it to me."
"Cole, Ichigo…"
Rukia stared, lost, unable to process what was unfolding.
Cole only grabbed her wrist and pulled her away. "I'll explain later. For now, let him finish it."
"But the Hollow—"
Cole didn't wait. He hoisted her up and leapt away.
"Trust me," he said firmly. "That's his burden. His fight. He doesn't want anyone else involved."
Rukia's protest faltered. She lowered her gaze, finally whispering, "...I understand."
"Good. Because we have somewhere else to be."
"We?" She glared at him.
Cole shrugged. "I'm heading to Inoue's place. What you do? That's up to the gods."
A vein throbbed on Rukia's forehead.
…
When they arrived at Orihime's house, Rukia froze. The place was in ruins, half the building collapsed.
"Was… her family always this poor?" she asked carefully.
Cole coughed awkwardly. Truth was, the destruction was his own doing.
Orihime, still in spirit form, burst into tears as she ran to him. "Cole-kun! Thank goodness you're safe. I thought I'd lost you! Thank you for saving me and my brother!"
She buried herself against him, her chest pressing tight against his arm.
Rukia's lips thinned, her eyes flicking to her own chest for a fraction of a second.
Cole gently patted Orihime's head. "It's alright now. You're safe."
Her brother approached too, bowing his head. "Cole… thank you. Without you, I don't know what would have happened."
Cole smiled. "We're classmates. Of course I'd protect her."
The man turned to his sister, voice soft. "Orihime… I can't stay. From now on, you must take care of yourself. Protect yourself."
"Brother, don't go!" Orihime sobbed, clinging to him.
He stroked her hair, smiling. "I only stayed because I feared you'd be alone. But now… you have friends. Someone you care for. I can move on without regret."
His eyes shifted to Cole. "Cole-kun… I leave her in your care. Please, protect her. Don't let her suffer."
Cole gave a solemn nod.
The man chuckled softly, glancing at the wreck of a home. "Besides, she can't stay here anymore. Cole-kun, would you let her stay with you for a while?"
Cole considered it, then nodded.
He was a Shinigami now. He didn't need to lodge at the Kurosaki Clinic anymore. And his house was plenty big.
A little more company wouldn't hurt.
......…
.........
(End of Chapter)
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