A full day passed.
Ichigo remained the same—lying on the ground, showing no signs of waking up. Orihime came to check on him every hour. Only after Tsunayoshi repeatedly assured her that Ichigo wasn't in danger did the worry on her face ease.
During that time, Ishida Uryū returned—bringing Yasutora Sado (Chad) with him.
To be fair, Squad 4's skill and professionalism were excellent. All of Chad's external injuries had been fully treated. After he woke up, Tsunayoshi used his Sun Flame to accelerate his recovery, and now Chad was back in peak condition.
Since Chad specialized in close combat, Yoruichi tossed him straight into Tatsuki and Soi Fon's training, turning him into their sparring target.
Yoruichi had little choice.
She had tried having Tatsuki and Soi Fon train against each other, but Soi Fon—being stubborn as ever—would always go too far when facing Tatsuki. To prevent Soi Fon from getting herself killed by Tsunayoshi next door, Yoruichi dragged Chad in as a buffer.
Interestingly, Uryū had expected his trip to Squad 4 to be troublesome. He had even prepared a plan to break Chad out if necessary.
But the moment the squad heard the name Sawada Tsunayoshi, their attitude completely changed.
After a brief report, Uryū was able to take Chad away with ease. The entire squad even escorted them out from a distance—as if sending off two walking disasters.
Even after leaving, Uryū still had no idea what Tsunayoshi had done to leave such a deep impression on Squad 4.
It was clear this fear ran from top to bottom—even the vice-captain who saw them off spoke nervously, as if afraid of offending them.
What Uryū didn't know was that Unohana had issued a direct order:
Anyone related to Sawada Tsunayoshi must be treated with utmost respect.
Combined with Tsunayoshi's overwhelming display earlier, this had resulted in the entire squad acting like they were facing a calamity.
After Uryū returned, Renji's opponent switched to him.
Another victim of Rain of Light was born.
Under the pressure of Uryū's relentless arrow barrage, Renji began adapting—using the fur-like segments of Hihiō Zabimaru to defend, and counterattacking with Orochiō.
Gradually, he began to grasp a hint of his Bankai's true potential—though he still fought mostly on instinct, relying on brute force.
On the other side—the "girls' group."
With Chad acting as a punching bag, both Tatsuki and Soi Fon improved rapidly.
Soi Fon's Shunkō was nearing completion.
But Tatsuki was even more outrageous—Yoruichi claimed she had already found the direction of her Shunkō's attribute.
Unlike Yoruichi's lightning or Yūshirō's explosive flames, Tatsuki's Shunkō manifested as water.
Her strikes flowed like currents—smooth, continuous, and dense. While not as explosively violent, her attacks could suddenly erupt with power comparable to lightning or fire.
Tsunayoshi wasn't surprised.
He had already suspected this—Tatsuki's fighting style had always resembled flowing water.
Now, with Yoruichi's confirmation, it was clear:
Tatsuki had skipped directly to Stage Two Shunkō, wrapping attribute-infused reiatsu around her limbs.
Naturally, Tsunayoshi couldn't resist giving it a name:
Flowing Rock-Crushing Fist.
Continuous like water—yet capable of shattering stone.
Fitting.
In contrast, Soi Fon still needed to stabilize Stage One before progressing further.
Even Yoruichi couldn't say which training method was superior. She herself had developed Shunkō step by step, while Yūshirō—under her guidance—could already unleash flame-like strikes.
In the end, progress was judged by strength.
And that only pushed Soi Fon harder.
Believing her talent inferior to Tatsuki's, she threw herself into inhuman training.
Tsunayoshi eventually realized why she could train nonstop—
Whenever she collapsed, she would glance at Yoruichi… and force herself back up again.
With Yoruichi present, Soi Fon would probably defect from Soul Society without hesitation.
As for Squad 2 duties?
Completely forgotten.
Chad wasn't just taking hits for nothing.
After being cut down by Komamura, he had sensed a strange new power within himself.
It felt similar to when he awakened Devil's Left Arm.
Through continuous combat, he tried to guide that power.
Tsunayoshi had a theory.
Chad's Fullbring was unique—his body itself, especially his skin, was the medium.
Giant's Right Arm → Human Fullbring
Devil's Left Arm → Hollow-derived power
Now, after being struck by Komamura, Shinigami power had likely entered his body—triggering a new transformation.
As for why it hadn't happened during training with Kensei?
Simple.
That had been sparring—no one went all out.
If Tsunayoshi's guess was correct…
He might even have Uryū shoot Chad with a Quincy arrow next.
After all, in this world, the core systems were:
Shinigami
Hollow
Quincy
Fullbring
If Chad gathered them all…
Wouldn't that make him something like a miniature Soul King?
Just as Tsunayoshi's thoughts drifted—
Orihime rushed over.
"Sawada-kun! Ichigo's body is changing!"
"Let's go."
Inner World → Reality
In Ichigo's inner world, his form gradually overlapped with White.
After prolonged interaction, Ichigo had fully gained White's acknowledgment.
"Lend me your power—Zangetsu!"
"I got you, Ichigo!"
Their forms merged.
Hollow power surged endlessly into Ichigo's body.
Reality
A white substance began gathering across Ichigo's face—
A mask formed.
Golden eyes snapped open.
Crimson reiatsu erupted from deep within him.
Without moving, Ichigo rose to his feet.
He stared at his hands.
The white substance flowed at his command—forming armor… or transforming into claws.
This was Zangetsu's true Hollow power.
Far beyond what he had wielded with a mere mask.
At that moment, Tsunayoshi arrived.
"Tsunayoshi—come! Let's test my power!"
Ichigo grinned excitedly.
"Wow. You're getting cocky."
Tsunayoshi sighed.
Ichigo's expression had changed—now a blend of himself and White's madness.
The Hollow power was already influencing him.
But—
He had the right to be confident.
What Ichigo wore now was no longer just a mask.
It was a helmet—
White, with a pair of long horns, and red streaks running vertically across the eye region.
This signified recognition.
He was no longer borrowing Hollow power—
He had truly gained it.
"Enough talk—"
Ichigo used Sonído, appearing instantly before Tsunayoshi.
His hand transformed into a white claw and struck forward.
"Take this!"
"Let's see what kind of confidence White gave you."
Tsunayoshi's voice shifted as well.
A half-mask formed on his face.
He caught Ichigo's wrist effortlessly.
Unlike Ichigo, Tsunayoshi had fully mastered Hollowfication—no need for a full mask.
Orihime gasped at the sudden clash—but seeing both still conscious, she quickly stepped aside.
"Just a half-mask? That won't cut it!"
Ichigo broke free with a second strike.
"Try me."
Tsunayoshi's voice came from behind him.
Ichigo froze.
That speed—far beyond his own.
Crimson reiatsu gathered at Tsunayoshi's fingertips—
He slashed down.
Ichigo instantly hardened his back with Hierro—
Yet he was still sent flying, tumbling across the ground before stopping.
"Ghh—"
A burning pain spread across his back.
His Hierro… had been torn through.
"What was that?" Ichigo asked bluntly.
"This?"
A red flash flickered at Tsunayoshi's fingertips.
"Just a basic Cero."
A beam fired past Ichigo's head.
Ichigo stared.
That was definitely a Cero.
Except—
"What kind of Cero turns into claws?!"
"You're still a beginner with Hollow power," Tsunayoshi said casually.
Before the words finished—
He was already in front of Ichigo again.
Claws infused with crimson Cero tore forward.
Now—
The tide had turned.
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