In the rain-soaked night, the orange-haired boy did not sleep a wink.
By the time school ended the next day, as Shinji Hirako was about to leave, he was stopped by Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Wait…"
Turning around, the former Fifth Division Captain saw the determination shining in Ichigo's eyes.
"I want to go with you!"
Standing still wouldn't change anything. Realizing that, Ichigo had made his decision.
Shinji raised an eyebrow, and a moment later, his smile appeared.
"I see… Got it. Then come with me!"
The two returned to the place they had gathered the day before.
The other Visoreds remained as indifferent as ever, while Hiyori seemed surprisingly more welcoming.
"Hey, brat!"
She yelled at Ichigo with a hostile tone.
"If you can't handle it, just quit. Otherwise, you'll really be devoured."
It wasn't a metaphor—it was a blunt warning. Ichigo blinked, then smiled faintly.
"…Thanks."
For a brooding type like Ichigo, even a faint smile had surprising charm.
Hiyori clicked her tongue, leaped up, and kicked him.
"What the hell are you smiling at, idiot?!"
"Ow…"
Ignoring that moment of violence—
Once everything was prepared, the Visoreds surrounded Ichigo, ready to deal with any unforeseen accidents.
"Ichigo, next you need to draw out your inner power."
"I know you're nervous, but don't worry. No one here is a rookie. If you lose control, we'll take care of it."
"During that time, you need to confront it directly and bring out as much power as you can."
It was a deviation from the norm, but influenced by multiple external factors, Ichigo had finally reached the stage of facing his inner self.
The man embodying the power of both Hollow and Soul Reaper, buried deep within his spiritual world—
If Ichigo didn't face him, even Old Man Zangetsu wouldn't offer help.
He couldn't rely on others anymore. The only one who could save him now was Ichigo Kurosaki himself.
The Visoreds, as support, prepared for all contingencies while Ichigo dove inward.
Of course, they couldn't give him unlimited time.
"For safety's sake, we'll decide whether to stop you based on signs of your transformation."
Shinji pulled out a pocket watch, adjusted it, and showed it to Ichigo.
"Five—no, ten minutes."
"Any longer and it might not be safe."
"Time flows differently inside the spiritual world, so don't worry too much about that."
In short—
"Good luck, Ichigo."
Too nervous to respond, Ichigo forced a stiff smile.
His Substitute Badge pulled his soul from his body, and he appeared in his Shinigami form.
With a complicated expression, he looked at everyone and muttered:
"…Thanks, everyone."
That humble tone made Shinji scowl again.
As he'd said before—Ichigo was just a clueless kid forced to shoulder way too much.
Which was really the fault of the so-called "adults."
Ichigo placed his hand over his face and slowly closed his eyes.
A deep breath.
Just like before. Nothing different.
Zzzz…
Black-red lightning crackled through the air as Ichigo's consciousness sank. Waves of energy rippled around him.
Glug glug glug…
Milky-white fluid appeared on his face.
A black-and-red Hollow mask tightly formed over his features—a terrifying visage.
Air reversed course, rushing toward him. Horn-like protrusions grew from both sides of his head.
"For real…?"
Love Aikawa lowered his manga, his hidden eyes under his shades now serious.
"That mask…"
It was the same face they'd seen many years ago.
The name, the image.
Seiya's power was undeniable—but even more unforgettable was the past they'd shared.
That familiarity had now turned into deep-seated resentment and hate.
"Nothing to be surprised about, Love."
Shinji remained calm. Of all those present, he had the deepest ties to Seiya.
But in this moment, he alone acted like nothing had happened.
"We already knew this would happen. No point being shocked now."
Rather than fixate on the past—
They needed to focus on the present.
ROOOOAAARRR!
With the mask formed, Ichigo howled to the sky.
Hollow spiritual pressure overflowed in the basement. Everyone looked over, their expressions mixed.
"Unexpected…"
"His Hollowfication's not even at 10%, but his pressure is overwhelming."
"Ten minutes might be too long, Shinji."
Shinji simply smiled.
"If we can't restrain one greenhorn, what's the point of us old timers?"
No rebuttal!
"Well, then…"
The Visoreds turned their attention to him.
Shinji looked around.
"Who's going in first?"
While Ichigo was locked in spiritual dialogue, his body was acting on instinct—unrestrained and wild.
Someone had to suppress him while he fought inside.
Before anyone could volunteer, Hiyori was already charging forward.
"What's with the planning?! I got this!"
Love tried to stop her, but it was too late.
Same old hot-headed Hiyori—impulsive and reckless.
"Shinji!"
Shinji didn't object.
"Let her test the waters. The rest of you, be ready—don't let anything go wrong."
This wasn't a formal team.
The Visoreds were outlaws. Their interactions were always this rough and spontaneous.
"Get ready, punk!"
Hiyori smeared her face like wiping off sweat.
A white, fearsome mask formed.
Her Hollowfied power oozed with primal wildness.
"Rip him apart, Kakuōzō!"
Her Zanpakutō transformed—becoming massive and thick.
Its edge lined with jagged serrations, it looked built to inflict torture.
She leapt down, slashing at Ichigo.
Ichigo barely raised his blade to block it.
CRASH!
The shockwave proved they were evenly matched.
"Heh! Not bad, brat!"
Then—
With a vicious grin, Hiyori twisted in midair and slammed her shin into Ichigo's face.
THUMP!
"You like that?!"
The strike echoed as Ichigo stumbled.
He seemed unable to react.
Love relaxed slightly—maybe this wasn't such a big threat?
That illusion lasted only seconds.
Beneath the mask—
Ichigo's eyes snapped open—cold and emotionless.
He grabbed Hiyori's ankle.
Everyone's expressions shifted instantly.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Hiyori felt it first. She looked down, trying to say something.
"You—"
Before she could finish—
Ichigo's hand clenched tight.
Crunch crunch CRACK!
A series of cracking sounds exploded as Hiyori screamed.
"Hiyori!"
Love rushed forward.
Ichigo didn't even look.
With one hand, he casually swung his sword.
No energy. No technique.
Just raw power.
BOOM!
A howling gust ripped a deep trench between them, halting everyone in their tracks.
"What the hell?!"
Some were still confused.
But the ex-captains among them broke into cold sweat.
Spiritual pressure was like a fingerprint—unique.
And what radiated from Ichigo now…
He lowered his head and let go of Hiyori.
Watching her writhe in pain, he spoke coldly:
"So many years… and you're still the same hothead, Hiyori."
That voice.
That demeanor.
In an instant, everyone activated their masks.
Shinji stepped forward, his fury barely concealed.
"Seiya Arima!!!"
No mistake!
The soul that should've been locked in spiritual dialogue had surfaced—
And taken full control of Ichigo's body?!
Shock and fury consumed the room.
But Seiya, in Ichigo's form, remained calm.
"No need to shout. I can hear you just fine… Captain Hirako."
He didn't attack further. Instead, he backed away.
"Just an old friend saying hello. No need to be so tense, right?"
"…"
No one relaxed.
Before them stood the man who destroyed the Seireitei.
Shinji crossed the trench and cradled the wounded Hiyori.
"What did you do to Ichigo?!"
"What could I do?"
Seiya chuckled.
"I'm merely talking to him. But he still can't control his power."
"I, on the other hand—having been a captain—can easily manage this."
"Multitasking like this isn't hard."
The Visoreds had no words.
They'd never faced something like this—Ichigo's soul contained another's.
So maybe it wasn't a surprise after all.
But that wasn't the main issue.
"What are you planning?"
Shinji demanded.
Seiya paused, then smiled.
"Simple. I want your help."
"Dream on!"
Predictable. No surprise.
"Well… maybe not now. But I can wait."
For now—
"Think of this as me saying hi, Visoreds."
Kensei clenched his fists.
Rose's voice turned cold.
"You've fallen to evil completely."
Love seethed.
"I should've killed you back then!"
Lisa snarled.
"This is disgusting!"
Everyone was ready to fight.
Only Shinji barked:
"Stop! That body is Ichigo's! Are you all crazy?!"
Lisa grit her teeth.
"He's so shameless…"
Seiya didn't flinch.
"I won't deny that. But it's fine."
Because—
"We'll be meeting again very soon."
And until then—
"Please, consider my proposal carefully."
As he said that—
The light in Ichigo's eyes slowly faded.
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Powerstones?
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