Chapter 13
FOREVER not with YOU, UPROOT your own HESITATION
000
Muken around 8 a.m, July 20th
Darkness envelops everything. It distorts direction, blurring the lines of left, right, up, and down. This is Muken—a prison unlike any other. Few prisoners reside here, yet the Soul Society protects this place fiercely. It's designed to disconnect its inmates from the world, to erase them from memory. Forgotten, as if they didn't exist at all.
The identity of Muken's first prisoner is a mystery, lost to time. However, the latest inmate is known to many. He is a young Quincy, an invader who dared to assault the Soul Society, now confined within these shadowy walls. His body is restrained; every limb, every sense, bound and sealed.
Yet, unexpectedly, a sliver of freedom emerges. A portion of the fabric over his face is removed, granting him access to his mouth. Through his senses, he perceives the darkness—not void but layered with subtle hints of existence. A figure draws nearer, stepping from the obscurity toward Kurosaki Ichigo.
This newcomer presents a gentle demeanor. His long black hair is tied back in a ponytail, secured by a golden band reminiscent of nobility. Two strands frame his forehead, cascading downward. His eyes, perpetually narrowed, convey seriousness and a detached indifference to his surroundings.
"Hello, I'm Azashiro Soya, the eighth Kenpachi," he said, his voice cold and composed. "What's your name, Quincy?"
"Kurosaki Ichigo. What do you want from me?" Ichigo shot back, suspicion lacing his words. His instincts screamed that Soya was not here for idle chit-chat.
"Just curiosity," Soya replied, a smirk curling at the corner of his lips. "Quincies don't often find themselves in these walls. Most of your kind end up with Squad 12 for their little experiments."
Ichigo's frown deepened. "So it's true. They're using Quincies as lab rats."
"Is that why you turned on the Shinigami?" Soya probed, his eyes narrowing.
"No," Ichigo snapped. "I was cutting down Hollows. They just swooped in and captured me for questions, eventually sending me to Muken."
"I see. They want to break you, chip away at your will until you let slip what they seek," Soya observed, a mix of interest and contempt in his tone.
"Why call yourself eighth Kenpachi? What even is a Kenpachi?" Ichigo asked, tension cutting through the air.
"A Kenpachi," Soya replied, his voice low and dangerous, "is a title earned through battle. You defeat the current holder, and it's yours. It's a mark of strength, a badge of dominance. A Kenpachi leads the 11th Squad into relentless fights, always seeking the next opponent to crush."
"Oh... I understand. Why are you here, Mister Azashiro?" Ichigo's voice dripped with suspicion.
"I volunteered to be imprisoned," Soya replied, his calm demeanor a sharp contrast to the tension in the air.
"Really? Doing that willingly?" Ichigo shot back, intrigued yet wary.
"Yes, because a Royal Guard came from the Soul King's Palace to stop me," Soya said, his expression hardening.
"Is that the Monk who call names?" Ichigo queried, every word laced with caution.
"Yes. Do you know him? Most remain blissfully ignorant of his existence," Soya retorted, his eyes narrowing.
"I've heard stories. They say he had a hand in the Quincy King's downfall a thousand years ago," Ichigo remarked, suspicion knitting his brow.
"Interesting," Soya acknowledged, but the tension escalated.
"What crime brought a Royal Guard to your doorstep? Did you think to kill the Soul King?" Ichigo pressed, a challenge underlying his tone.
"Crime? No, the Soul King was never my target. My aim is far broader—I seek to eliminate all Hollows," Soya clarified, his resolve unwavering.
"Hollows? You want to wipe them out? Why?" Ichigo asked, bewilderment lacing his voice.
Azashiro Soya recounted his origins to Kurosaki Ichigo, revealing that he was born into a noble lineage. In their realm, noble families were locked in a constant struggle for dominance. Those who faltered were often falsely accused of crimes, leading to their execution at the hands of captured Hollows. A grim fate awaited those able to confront these creatures; they were cast into the Dangai without the aid of a Hell's Butterfly. This harsh existence marked Soya's childhood, as he witnessed the obliteration of his family, orchestrated by rival nobles. These adversaries employed elaborate methods to call forth Menos Grande, picking off each member of his family one by one.
He conveyed with somber earnestness, "My sister gave her life to protect me." Yet, even this sacrifice failed to appease the nobles, who sought to summon yet another Menos Grande. In a remarkable twist of fate, Soya found a way to activate his Zanpakutou and vanquished the Menos Grande. This triumph not only preserved his life but also fueled his desire for vengeance against the nobles who had conspired against his family. However, the threat posed by Hollows remained a different, daunting challenge.
Azashiro took a moment before saying, "Hollows are souls corrupted by evil. Their presence endangers the realm of souls. Shinigami work hard to purify these beings, but it's tough. Only Shinigami fight them directly, making it a significant challenge to reduce their numbers. The idea of eliminating the countless Hollows feels impossible."
"My goal is to turn the souls of Rukongai into fighters against Hollows. These souls are ordinary and lack Reiatsu, leaving them defenseless in battle. This raises a question: Can I give them Reiatsu? My strategy is to break their Saketsu. Once the Saketsu is broken, a void appears in the soul's chest, resembling the hollow area. If I can apply techniques from my Zanpakutou to stabilize them during their transition into hollows, I might be able to infuse them with Reiatsu without fully transforming them. Although this method cannot be reversed, the potential for them to gain strength makes it worthwhile," Azashiro stated with nostalgic smile.
"You actually think those souls are going to work as weapons against hollows, mister Azashiro?" Ichigo shot back, realizing this guy was more off the rails－unhinged than he first thought.
"Absolutely. But it didn't pan out. So, I decided to target people in the Living World and lobotomized their minds to stop hollows from forming out," Azashiro explained. Ichigo felt the weight of the threat Azashiro posed.
"And what exactly is your aim, Kurosaki Ichigo?" Azashiro sneered.
"I want a world where the Soul King isn't necessary," Ichigo countered, firm.
"Interesting... You're quite the menace, Kurosaki Ichigo. Today, you meet your end. As a Shinigami, it's my responsibility to take out threats like you for the sake of Soul Society," Azashiro proclaimed.
"Right back at you, mister Azashiro Soya. As a Quincy, I'll clash with you for my future," Ichigo retorted, ready for the fight.
The Quincy had a potent skill called "Sklaverai," which allowed them to dismantle, disintegrate, and absorb Reishi around them, effectively controlling it－a Reishi Domination. This power extended to Hollow Reishi, which typically harmful to Quincies. Azashiro Soya saw Kurosaki Ichigo as a considerable threat because of this ability.
His Zanpakuto, "Urozakuro," enabled him to merge his Reiatsu with inorganic materials, turning them into parts of himself—his hands, feet, ears, and eyes. This made him vulnerable against anyone with Sklaverai, as his capabilities were in direct conflict with theirs.
Kurosaki Ichigo, despite his notable talents, still lacked experience. He could hold his own against a typical captain but Azashiro Soya was different. Aizen Sousuke viewed Azashiro Soya as one of the strongest Shinigami in history.
During their exchange, Ichigo thought back to the Bakudo techniques he learned from the Visored. He analyzed the binding seals for vulnerabilities, using Sklaverai to destroy the Seki-seki stone that restrained him. Just as Azashiro released a powerful Hado, Ichigo activated Blut Vené for protection.
"Hado: 96 Itto Kaso!" Azashiro bellows, unleashing a fierce blast targeted at Ichigo. The force hits like thunder, but Ichigo stands strong, his Blut Vené absorbing the impact.
In a flash, he activates 'Heilig Klinge,' aiming dead-on at Azashiro's head. Fueled by the desire to end each other, Azashiro counters with a sword of compacted Reishi. The strike meets Ichigo's blade with a powerful clash, echoing their lethal intent.
Clang!
Azashiro is relentless. His attacks on Ichigo are fierce and unyielding. He knows there's no room for failure. With every swift slash of his sword, he unleashes powerful Kido spells. Ichigo feels a chilling uncertainty—where is Azashiro's Zanpakuto?
Azashiro focuses, transforming the battlefield into extensions of his own being. He performs a technique that only he can wield: multi-casting. In a heartbeat, dozens—no, hundreds—of Kido spells rain down, all aimed at Ichigo. Each spell might lack the potency of a fully chanted Kido, yet the sheer multitude made up for it.
Ichigo stands amidst this storm. Hado spells rain down like relentless thunder, each one intended to dismantle him. Absorbed in the chaos, he realizes the true depth of Azashiro's power. This isn't just a battle; it's a desperate clash of wills. Each fighter craves victory, driven by a primal desire to end the other. Each clash, each spell, was driven by a shared longing to win—to kill. The battle unfolded, a deadly dance where neither fighter could afford mercy.
"Hado: No.54 Haien."
"Hado: No.57 Daichi Ten'you."
"Hado: No.58 Tenran."
"Hado: No.63 Raikoho."
"Hado: No.73 Soren Sokatsui."
Azashiro Soya pressed his attack, strikes coming one after the other. Each hit failed to breach Kurosaki Ichigo's Blut Vené Anhabén. Ichigo struggled, even with Yhwach-ossan at his side. The heat of battle mounted, draining his strength. High intensity was foreign to him, and exhaustion started to weigh him down.
Soya unleashed Hado spells, creating distractions. This misdirection cleverly concealed his vulnerability, stemming from Quincy's Reishi Domination. Unknown to Ichigo, Soya was using his Zanpakuto's power. He dispersed his souls across their surroundings, merging with the environment and waiting for the right moment to attack.
A flicker of suspicion crossed Ichigo's mind. Soya had shaped Reishi into a sword, a weapon distinct from his Zanpakuto. There was something he was missing. He could feel the Zanpakuto's presence, even if he couldn't see it. But where could it be? The question gnawed at him.
Then, it happened. Ichigo's Blut Vené Anhabén shattered. He fell to the ground, weakened and exposed. Fatigue clung to him like a heavy cloak, leaving him at a desperate disadvantage. The desire to survive clashed with Soya's hunger to end him, fueling the intensity of their deadly exchange.
"No! No! Not now! I can't die yet!" Ichigo lay on the ground, breathless and desperate.
In that moment, Shunpo whisked Azashiro Soya right before him, sword poised for a lethal blow. Everything seemed to halt, trapped in a suspended reality. It was an illusion crafted by Yhwach-ossan, distorting Ichigo's perception, stretching time into an endless moment.
As panic coursed through Ichigo's veins, he glimpsed Yhwach-ossan advancing toward him, unyielding and composed.
"Do you seek a battle?" Yhwach-ossan asked, eyes sharp. "Do you wish to live? Or to win? Make your choice."
"I want...to win..." Ichigo murmured. His words barely escaped his lips.
"Louder." Yhwach-ossan demanded.
"I will fight for my freedom!" Ichigo shouted, fire igniting in his gaze.
"I want to live and see tomorrow! I want to win! I will win!!"
"Very well... I'll lead you, Ichigo." With that, Yhwach-ossan ushered him into a world within himself.
Ichigo stood in stark contrast to his familiar grounds. His inner realm, once full of color, now lay barren and lifeless. Suddenly, he felt himself plummeting. Cold water slammed around him, his breath stolen. Panic gripped him as the water weighed him down.
"Just breathe, Ichigo," Yhwach-ossan instructed, steady and calm.
In a moment of desperation, Ichigo surrendered his breath. To his shock, he discovered he could breathe beneath the surface.
"How is this happening?" he gasped, bewildered.
"It looks like you've settled down," Yhwach observed, a steely look in his eyes. "Ichigo, this inner world? It used to be a place bursting with your hopes—skyscrapers of ambition soaring high. Now? It's a sunken town steeped in your despair. The rain is gone, but it left behind a sea of fear and hopelessness. We need to destroy the roots of your uncertainty."
"I don't hesitate!" Ichigo shot back, defiance etched on his face.
"Then prove it! Show us you're ready to learn one of our fiercest attacks," Yhwach challenged, White Zangetsu nodding beside him.
"Your strongest attack?" Ichigo asked, intrigued.
"Yes. A technique born from my strength and White Zangetsu's. It'll obliterate your foes unless they can heal themselves," Yhwach explained.
"I'm ready! Teach me!" Ichigo responded, adrenaline surging within him.
"That's the spirit, King!" White Zangetsu added, a flicker of approval lighting up his gaze.
"Does that mean I'll face both of you like usual?" Ichigo probed, curiosity mixed with anticipation.
"No. You will confront us as one. Sklaverai..." Yhwach commanded, intensity rising.
Ichigo observed as Yhwach's and White Zangetsu's spiritual energies intertwined, forming a new entity. Out of the fusion stepped a figure that bore Yhwach's face but appeared younger—mid-twenties, clean-shaven. His skin shone white, infused with White Zangetsu's essence. One eye blazed with gold; the other flickered red. His rugged, wavy white hair mirrored Yhwach's style, complete with two jagged black horns protruding from his head.
"I am White Yhwach," he declared, eyes locked on Ichigo. "I embody your prowess in Quincy, Hollow, Shinigami, and Human. And now, I am your adversary."
The air crackled with tension. Two powerful forces combined, each burning with the desire to impart lessons towards Ichigo.
Time continues its relentless march, but Ichigo stands transformed. Realization washes over him. 'His Zanpakuto's ability is Fusion! He melds with everything around him, controlling it as if it were part of himself—like a Quincy.'
Ichigo rises, invoking Tanzendemarionette (Ransontengai) to animate his body. His thoughts sharpen. But this comes with a cost—"Sklaverai!" he exclaims, focusing on Azashiro. Gathering the surrounding Reishi, he begins to assert dominance, breaking it down, absorbing its essence into his hand.
Azashiro's panic rises in his mind. 'He knows my weakness! I have to end this!' The fear is palpable.
"Let's finish this, Mr. Azashiro," Ichigo challenges, a dark Reiatsu enveloping his right hand, augmented with Blut Arterié.
"Himmel Cero..." The attack is no ordinary move. It combines Heilig Pfeil and Cero Oscuras into one devastating force. Quincies and Hollows often clash. Their energies are typically at odds, but Sklaverai has shifted the balance. Ichigo can unify any Reiatsu, Reiryoku, or Reishi that he encounters. His training has made him adept in wielding this power without drawbacks.
As Himmel Cero is unleashed, silence envelops the Muken. The world around them morphs into stark monochrome. Everything brightens into white, while the attack takes the form of an abyssal black—voracious, hungry, and consuming all color in its path.