Humans are inherently weak and powerless creatures.
They lack sharp fangs or claws to fight with.
They also lack sturdy, powerful bodies.
And so...
Harnessing external power, making it part of oneself, and mastering it—
This too is a sign of evolution.
Thus the question is posed:
"Ichigo Kurosaki, do you want to win?"
"Or do you just want to survive?"
The answers may seem similar, but they diverge into entirely different paths at a critical juncture.
Ichigo's thoughts, the moment they solidified, crashed down hard.
No hesitation.
"I want to win!"
—Just surviving holds no meaning.
—Everyone is risking their lives, moving forward to save Rukia!
—If I hesitate or give up here, then what was the point of coming at all?!
So...
"Lend me your strength!!!"
A cry from the soul.
There was no reason to ignore it.
From the remnants of pure-blood Quincy power inherited from Masaki Kurosaki—
a form resembling Yhwach from a thousand years ago slightly lifted its head.
"Then—"
"Wait."
Inside the realm of consciousness.
A place that is, in the literal sense, Ichigo Kurosaki's personal domain.
Here, no third party should ever appear without his invitation.
And yet…
Interrupting Yhwach at that moment was the silent Seiya standing nearby.
Bathed in both their gazes, Seiya appeared utterly unfazed, simply smiling faintly.
"How about you listen to the boy's thoughts every now and then?
Being the head of the family all the time stunts the child's growth."
"..."
No reply.
Yhwach's proud, cold expression held no emotion.
Only his gaze questioned Seiya's actions.
Such is the inherent pride of a Quincy.
"Taking your silence as consent then."
The shadowy figure cloaked in black mist raised his right hand slightly, pointing at Ichigo in front of him with casual ease.
"Though there's been a slight twist, the result shouldn't change."
"So... Ichigo, don't take too long to decide."
"Make your choice."
...What does he mean?
Before Ichigo could ask, Seiya was already smiling as he spoke.
"Don't overthink it. It's simple... Just choose a helper."
He didn't want to discourage him, but...
"Ichigo, in your current state, you can only properly integrate with one side."
Taking on both at once isn't impossible, but with a mind still untempered by hardship...
Neither Seiya nor Yhwach would accept his values as they are.
Unlike the original storyline—
Where the powers of Soul Reaper and Hollow were suppressed by Quincy energy, fragments from the struggle became Ichigo's early tools.
But this timeline is different.
Seiya's soul is far stronger than White Ichigo.
His early restraint was only to avoid too much disruption, but with things having progressed this far—
Seiya no longer needed to feign compliance.
The balance of power isn't one-sided, but even.
Which is why Seiya could confidently say:
Choose, Ichigo Kurosaki.
"..."
Flat on the ground, Ichigo's lips parted slightly, clearly not yet grasping the situation.
But...
That feeling of trust sparked something in him.
If both are allies he can believe in, then all he needs is to choose with a calm heart...
His eyes flicked back and forth between the two, hesitation plain on his face.
Logically—
Choosing Uncle Zangetsu made the most sense.
He had appeared several times, offering guidance and answers.
Clearly no threat to Ichigo, and with their history of cooperation, there was a bond of trust.
If he picked Yhwach, the overall plot might not deviate much.
The challenge ahead was clear.
Overcome his fatal wounds, then defeat Kenpachi and escape.
Quincy powers could achieve both.
By flooding his veins with Reishi, he could manually restore even life-threatening damage.
Then unleash a surge of power far beyond his current level—
enough to throw Kenpachi off and deny him time to adapt...
It sounds simple on paper.
But carrying it out... anyone who's tried knows the hell of it.
"Kenpachi's full strength is way above the line.
If he goes all out, things are bound to spiral out of control."
So—
From a rational standpoint, picking Yhwach was still a valid path.
After all, Quincy powers excel at control and burst force.
Compared to that, other powers might not be as fitting?
That was Seiya's speculation.
But Ichigo couldn't understand all the logic.
The blond-haired boy only felt confused and uncertain.
This was his first time facing something like this head-on.
Even so, before making a final choice, Ichigo hesitated a moment longer...
Then finally turned—
To Seiya's side.
"Can... I count on you?"
Lend me your strength.
Hard to describe—but ever since arriving in Soul Society, this strange yet familiar figure kept stirring memories in Ichigo.
Have we met before?
Who are you really?
Why do you appear in my mind?
The questions remained unanswered, but even in doubt—
They didn't affect his judgment.
Ichigo Kurosaki—
Chose to believe in him.
Yhwach closed his eyes silently, giving his consent.
Seiya chuckled softly and shook his head.
Good kid.
No point in saying more now.
Yhwach faded into mist beside him, gradually dispersing.
And Seiya, now alone, tensed his entire form...
Though incorporeal—
His body began to rhythmically expand and contract, like breathing.
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!!!
The sound of a heartbeat, deep and resonant like a tolling bell—
Just hearing it stirred one's blood.
Ichigo, who had collapsed, was now standing.
He stared at the distant figure, around whom mist was swirling and rising.
Finally, like a spring compressed to its limit—
It burst forth in an instant!
And in that fleeting moment—
Ichigo saw it… that pale hue like falling snow.
A figure so striking it made him forget to breathe appeared.
"Ichigo, just so you know—"
"My power is nowhere near as gentle as Uncle Zangetsu's."
"It's wilder, harder to control.
Your first time with it might feel overwhelming."
But that's fine.
Because—
"This too is you.
A side of your soul you've never faced—maybe even refused to acknowledge."
"Humans aren't all light and beauty.
Even the ugly and savage parts—"
"They're still you. Still part of who you are."
This is pure, raw—
Instinct.
…
"Ken-chan, do you know the way back?"
"...No."
"Ahahaha! Then why are you walking ahead like you do? Yachiru thought you got smarter!"
"Shut up and lead the way.
You felt that spiritual pressure too, right?
Why the hell is everyone suddenly fighting without me?"
Seriously.
"They didn't even wait for me to show up. Lame!"
When a captain releases their Zanpakutō, the sheer force is overwhelming—
And Kenpachi Zaraki, having just joined the fray, wasn't close to satisfied.
Naturally, he was in high spirits!
"Apparently someone got killed out of nowhere, so yeah…
Either way, we should probably check in first."
Yachiru whispered and scanned the area for a bit.
She sat atop Kenpachi's shoulder and pointed ahead.
"This way!"
But Kenpachi, who usually listened to her, didn't move.
"Yachiru..."
"What?"
"Get down."
The command left no room for argument.
He didn't even glance her way as he spoke.
Kenpachi only turned his head slightly—
His eyes locked on the battered figure in the distance.
An intruder…
No, Ichigo Kurosaki.
With wounds that should've left him immobile, waiting for death or rescue.
And yet—
His hands slowly lifted, elbows bent for support.
At the same time…
A black, overflowing spiritual pressure surged into view.
As if from a deep abyss suddenly opened.
This heavy torrent of Reiryoku flooded the ruins beneath him like a gushing spring.
If Yhwach represented the Quincy—pure and noble—
Then Seiya stood for the Soul Reaper and Hollow side.
Turbid and chilling.
Yachiru's gaze sharpened, mouth slightly open.
Kenpachi observed expressionlessly for a moment, then...
"Heh!"
Flashed a savage grin.
"So that's how it is, huh?
Still had a hidden ace up your sleeve?!"
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Powerstones?
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