"Disappeared? As I thought… that wasn't human. It was a soul."
At that moment, his mother's gentle voice called out, "Ichigo, it's time to go home for dinner."
Ichigo blinked, came back to his senses, and looked up at her warm, familiar face.
He smiled. "Oh, okay!"
The black screen froze, fading into silence.
Kyoraku Shunsui chuckled softly. "Heh. Interesting. In that world, Kurosaki Ichigo avoided his mother's death."
Ishida Uryu frowned. "The answer was really B? That doesn't sound like him at all."
Yoruichi Shihouin crossed her arms. "So, the Ichigos of both worlds have different personalities. But everything else seems unchanged."
Kurotsuchi Mayuri smiled thinly. "Kurosaki Ichigo in the black world is clearly more intelligent — and calmer — than the one in the white world."
Byakuya Kuchiki said coolly, "One lacks intelligence; the other possesses it. Two extremes."
Inoue Orihime protested, "How can you say that? The Ichigo here has a kind heart. He was only a child — he didn't even know what a Hollow was. I still like our Ichigo better!"
Ichimaru Gin's grin widened. "If that world is real, then the kid's in for a rough future."
Ichigo clenched his fists. "Tch… Don't underestimate me! I'll show you that this world's Ichigo is still your biggest problem!"
Shiba Ganju laughed. "Talk less, Ichigo. With your current strength, you'd struggle against a vice-captain. Stay humble, or you'll get knocked flat."
A cold, mechanical voice interrupted the banter.
"Ding! Congratulations to Kurotsuchi Mayuri and Kurosaki Ichigo — the correct answer is B."
"Congratulations, Kurosaki Ichigo. Reward: Spiritual Power Enhancement."
"Congratulations, Kurotsuchi Mayuri. Reward: Advancement in Scientific Research Technology."
Everyone looked up in surprise. Spiritual power enhancement? Scientific advancement?
A streak of black light appeared above them and shot straight into Ichigo's body.
Ichigo's eyes widened. "My spiritual pressure… it really increased! And not just a little — it's like my whole body's overflowing with energy!"
On the other hand, Kurotsuchi Mayuri stood perfectly still, but a dark satisfaction flickered in his eyes. Inside his mind, ideas bloomed — new theories, new inventions, endless innovation.
He exhaled with delight. "Ah… what a marvelous sensation. Inspiration flowing endlessly. Hehehe. I can't wait to return to my lab and test every new thought!"
The others watched with envy.
Shiba Ganju groaned. "Ah, damn it! I knew I should've picked B with Ichigo! What a waste of a perfect chance."
Aizen Sōsuke smiled faintly. "It's not surprising. If their power increases, so will the level of opposition we'll face."
Zaraki Kenpachi laughed loudly. "Heh! Even better. The stronger they get, the more fun the fight'll be. It'd be boring if they dropped too easily."
Aizen's gaze sharpened slightly. "Interesting. The rewards this power grants seem tailored to the individual — unique to their nature."
The white screen flared to life again.
After Kurosaki Ichigo lost his mother, he became a different person. The light in his smile faded, replaced by silence and guilt.
His father remained cheerful, and no one in the family blamed him — which only made the pain worse. He would've preferred anger, anything to ease the weight he carried.
His younger sisters, Yuzu and Karin, mourned quietly. But their father acted like nothing had changed, his laughter filling the house day after day.
Deep down, Ichigo knew it was all for show — his father's way of keeping the family from collapsing under grief.
After losing his wife, Isshin carried his sorrow alone, masking it behind exaggerated energy and humor.
"Hey, Ichigo!" his father shouted one day. "Have you been training? Let's see what you've got today!"
Without warning, Isshin lunged forward. "Hah! Flying kick attack!"
Ichigo barely looked up, hands in his pockets, expression flat. "...Seriously?"
Isshin's eyes bulged. "Bastard! You don't even try to dodge?"
A loud crash followed as Isshin flew backward, shattering a window and tumbling from the second floor.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō's eyes widened. "Captain…? That's Captain Isshin?"
Matsumoto Rangiku blinked rapidly. "Wait—what? How is the captain on screen?"
Everyone who recognized the man froze in shock.
Jūshirō Ukitake laughed softly. "Well, that's one way to make an entrance."
Ichigo frowned. "Captain? You… know my dad? What's going on here?"
Back in the human world, Isshin Kurosaki — who had been watching along — felt his stomach drop.
"No way! I'm actually on screen! Damn it, my cover's blown… Ichigo's definitely going to start asking questions now!"
Rukia Kuchiki's voice trembled slightly. "So… Ichigo's father was actually a captain-level Shinigami?"
Ichigo stared blankly. "You've got to be kidding. My dad? A captain? He's just a goofy, normal guy! There's no way he's a Shinigami!"
Matsumoto shook her head. "Impossible to mistake. He was our Tenth Division Captain. Back then, Captain Hitsugaya was his lieutenant, and I was third seat. I'd know him anywhere."
Hitsugaya nodded. "To think I'd see him again like this… after all these years."
Kyoraku Shunsui chuckled. "Heh. An old friend indeed. Never thought his son would end up as the substitute Shinigami we've been watching. Life's full of surprises."
Shiba Kūkaku exhaled quietly. "Uncle…"
Ichigo blinked. "Uncle? Why are you calling him that? Don't tell me my dad's from the Shiba family!"
Ganju grinned. "The name Kurosaki? That's your mom's surname, right? His real name was Shiba Isshin — our uncle."
Ichigo froze, his mind spinning.
A former captain.
A member of the Shiba clan.
A powerful Shinigami.
And his father.
The weight of the revelation hit like a shockwave.