[Remember to leave a review and use your Power Stones!]
"What? Just a brat?!"
The Hollow that had been kicked flying by Ichigo shook its head, seemingly unharmed, and looked up at him.
Ichigo, ignoring the Hollow's provocation, pulled out the Zanpakutō at his waist.
He had no patience to play games today.
But before Ichigo could charge in, a girl in white appeared in front of the Hollow.
The moment Ichigo saw her face, he froze in place.
"You're... the one from back then?!"
In an instant, his thoughts were dragged back to that rainy day several years ago.
It was because he had been distracted by a girl just like this that his mother had died!
However, before Ichigo could say another word, the girl's head suddenly split open, revealing a grotesque tentacle that connected back to the Hollow's head.
Seeing this, Ichigo's pupils shook violently.
He understood now — he finally understood what had happened that day!
Just then, Rukia arrived. Upon seeing the Hollow facing Ichigo, she cried out, "Grand Fisher!"
Ichigo immediately turned to her.
Rukia quickly explained, "That Hollow is a Menos that has been wanted by the Soul Society for fifty years! Its specialty is using the tentacle on its head to mimic the appearance of humans and lure spiritually powerful people to devour! And it especially loves preying on women!"
Hearing that, Ichigo lowered his head. A terrifying spiritual pressure started to erupt from his body.
"Rukia, stay out of this fight. This is my battle!" Ichigo lifted his head, his eyes filled with pure killing intent.
"I understand, Ichigo. I won't interfere," Rukia nodded.
But she still warned, "You must be careful. Grand Fisher isn't like the other Hollows. It has the record of killing Shinigami!"
Ichigo nodded silently and raised his Zanpakutō toward the sky.
"Yeah... I'll go all out!"
Seeing Ichigo's actions, Rukia's expression changed. "Could it be... Ichigo, you're—!"
Just as Rukia suspected, Ichigo raised his sword and began chanting:
"Cast away your fear. Look forward. Go forward. Never stop. Retreat, and you will age. Hesitate, and you will die. Cry out! Zangetsu!"
In an instant, Ichigo's Zanpakutō underwent a dramatic change — turning into a massive, cleaver-like blade nearly as tall as he was!
The guard vanished, leaving only a wrapping of cloth around the hilt, which fluttered in the spiritual pressure Ichigo was releasing.
The immense surge of power — five times stronger than before — pinned Grand Fisher to the ground, making it unable to move!
"What?! Damn brat! How can you have such spiritual pressure?!" Grand Fisher cried out in disbelief as Ichigo slowly approached.
Rukia's eyes widened in shock.
She had known Ichigo was strong... but not this strong!
"This spiritual pressure... it's no weaker than a lieutenant's... No, it's even stronger than that! Ichigo... this is your true strength?" Rukia thought to herself, watching Ichigo, who had become calm from pure rage.
"Don't underestimate me, brat!" Grand Fisher roared, forcibly suppressing its own fear.
Its fur bristled like steel spears, shooting toward Ichigo.
But Ichigo didn't even bother to dodge. He simply swung his massive blade once—
Slash!
The fur, hardened to the point of being tougher than steel, was severed cleanly in a single swing!
To Ichigo, it wasn't worth mentioning.
Terrified, Grand Fisher swung its elongated claws wildly, trying to stop Ichigo's advance.
Once again—just a single slash!
The claw shattered completely, ground into dust by the sheer force of Ichigo's spiritual pressure!
"Grand Fisher! I'll make you pay with your life!" Ichigo roared, raising Zangetsu high above his head.
But just then, Grand Fisher seemed to find a glimmer of hope.
"Ah! I remember you now! So it was you!"
Grand Fisher transformed its tentacle again — this time into the appearance of Masaki, Ichigo's mother!
Seeing the familiar face, Ichigo froze, his raised sword trembling in his hands.
Grand Fisher wanted to take advantage of his hesitation and strike... but strangely, Masaki's image seemed to paralyze even Grand Fisher itself.
And then, before their eyes, Masaki opened her mouth and spoke!
"Ah... Ichigo? You've grown so big!"
The gentle, familiar voice sounded — and Ichigo was stunned.
His whole body trembled uncontrollably. His throat burned as if it were on fire. His eyes overflowed with tears.
He was sure — absolutely sure — that this wasn't Grand Fisher's trickery.
This was truly his mother!
"I see... I must have been gone a long time now. My little Ichigo has grown up into such a fine young man," Masaki said, floating gently toward him, reaching out to caress her son's face.
"You must have suffered so much all these years. I'm sorry, my son, for not being there with you..."
At her words, Ichigo completely broke down.
"Mom... Mom!"
Just like a lost child, he threw himself into her arms.
Masaki held him gently and asked with love, "How's Dad? How are Yuzu and Karin doing?"
Through his sobs, Ichigo cried out, "Not good... it's not good... Without you, everything's been so hard..."
"Ah, so Dad's been trying his best to take care of you all then," Masaki smiled warmly.
"Ichigo... I don't have much time. But I want to tell you — thank you for coming into my life. You will always be my pride!"
As she finished, Masaki's figure began to dissolve into the wind.
At the same time, the tentacle attached to Grand Fisher snapped and disappeared, along with the fragment of Masaki's soul.
Ichigo wiped away his tears, lifting Zangetsu once again and pointing it at the frozen Grand Fisher.
"Alright... It's time for you to atone for what you did to my mother!"
"Getsuga Tenshō!!"
A massive surge of blue spiritual energy roared toward Grand Fisher!
But just at that moment, a black portal — a Garganta — opened nearby.
A huge hand reached out from within and snatched Grand Fisher away before Ichigo's attack could land!
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]