(With Ichigo)
"What's next on the agenda?" Ichigo asked himself as he finished dressing and exited Halibel's palace, the shark following behind him. "Should I check up on Starrk? Spar with Grimmjow?" He came to a stop as Halibel's three Fraccion appeared before him. "Is something the matter girls?"
"Gin says he needs you in the throne room." Mila Rose answered, stepping forward. "All knights are appearing in attendance as well." Ichigo looked back to Halibel, thinking to what Ichibe told him about his future training.
"Fine. Is everyone there?" He asked, getting a nod from the Amazoness. "Excellent. Let's go." He said before flashing to the meeting room, Halibel and the Tres Bestias following behind. True to Mila's report, the room housed the many Arrancar of Las Noches. The moment he spotted Gin, he made his way toward the captain. "What's the news?"
"The Head Captain said to tell you that 'everything is ready', and to 'have a maximum of two days for yourself before you go.'" The silver haired fox said. "I have a feeling this should be an interesting journey for you."
"They wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't going to be productive." Ichigo returned, opening a Garganta to the Soul Society. "Halibel? Neliel? Want to come along?" He asked the current two strongest female Arrancar.
"YAY! Field trip!" Neliel cheered excitedly as she leaped into the portal, Halibel being silent as she followed. Ichigo turned back to the Arrancar, looking to their king expectantly.
"When I return, I plan to be a stronger and better person." Ichigo answered them. "And I want you all to be the same. Stronger and better! All of Las Noches! I expect great things when I return." And with that, he joined Nel and Tia and shot toward Soul Society. The journey went by in a flash and soon they exited the emptiness of the void and into the realm of Soul Reapers. They landed in the courtyard of the squad 1 meeting hall, where Ichigo was promptly punched in the face.
"What the hell is this, 'leaving to train' nonsense!?" Tatsuki demanded, rubbing her sore knuckles while Uryu, Chad, and Orihime watched from a distance and tried to calm down the Arrancar. "I thought the point of you being transferred to Yamamoto's squad was so he could oversee your training. Now you have to disappear for who knows how long for a different training?!"
"It's not like we're innocent Tatsuki." Uryu chimed in, being a voice of reason among the group. "We're being assigned to travel the world and experience it for ourselves. Same thing."
"Yeah, but at least WE can keep in touch. He's going completely off the grid!" Tatsuki returned and likely would've continued before Chojiro interrupted.
"If you're done, the Head Captain is waiting." He said with a firm tone as the kids got up and proceeded up the stairs. With Ichigo's permission, Nel and Halibel were allowed to explore the Seireitei while he went to the meeting. Inside the meeting hall was Yamamoto and Ichibe Hyosube.
"There is no denying that you've accomplished many feats that most would deem suicidal or impossible." Genryusai started. "Invading Soul Society, defying ancient laws and traditions that have held for two thousand years, storming the realm of Hollows, stopping the destruction of the world and Balance of Souls time and time again, all you've done with your friends and allies at your back. That must change." This surprised the human teens.
"While admirable to have such faith and trust in your allies, you have the idea of dropping whatever you're doing to help them should they be in trouble." Ichibe continued. "But what if you are in a situation where you can't afford distractions? Where you can't look back and help? Where you absolutely can not interfere?" The group looked to each other, knowing that they'd likely defy all that and charge in to save the lives of their allies.
"Shinigami are not meant to be heroes or judges," Yamamoto resumed, "we are balancers. Meant to keep the flow of souls and reincarnation intact, lest reality collapses into ruin. While preferable to avoid it, if it means destroying a great evil or threat to that balance then you must be ready to sacrifice lives. Your allies or your own." Yamamoto looked to Ichigo. "My boy, you are ready to throw yourself into the eye of the storm because you know you are powerful. So strong that you believe that only you should be the sacrifice because you can prevent it. You must be put into a spot where you can not involve yourself in the affairs of the Living, only the matters of the dead." Ichigo wanted to protest that there was nothing wrong with what he's done, but recognized that he always threw himself into the fire. The only reason he wasn't involved with the Reigai was because he was out of commission.
"The rest of you need to learn to struggle without the idea of your friends coming to your rescue and vice versa." Ichibe added, looking to the rest. "All of you are to travel the world, see new things, feel new experiences, and grow as people." The rest of the teens nodded, Ichigo noticing that they didn't get nearly as much detail as to what their training is to be. "You can begin in another two days. Till then, enjoy yourselves!" The monk said with a smile.
"I recommend that you visit your friends and teachers Ichigo." Yamamoto advised before dismissing the group.
(Squad 12: Mod Soul Research Department)
"Download nearing completion." Nemu said as she and Urahara kept an eye on the computer monitors while Nozomi slept inside a Reishi tube with a helmet attached to her head, giving her all the knowledge and research data she would need in her new station. Down the hall were the muffled screams of agony as Mayuri drained Kageroza's brain and Zanpakuto spirit into the system that downloaded everything. Soon his cries ended and seconds after that Nemu announced the completion of the project.
"Let her out." Urahara ordered, leading Nemu to drain the tube and open it for Nozomi to fall out of. Kisuke caught her and carried her to Nemu. "Get her dressed and moved to a bed. Run diagnostics and tell us when she wakes up." Nemu nodded and took the sleeping Nozomi away. Once she was out, Mayuri came in with Ichigo following behind. "Ichigo, I'm so glad you're here!"
"Indeed, he's so lucky to have such a rare opportunity." Mayuri hissed out, jealous of what Ichigo is getting to do. "A whole new world of research opportunities and they're sending a super-powered child with no-" He continued to rant, which Urahara and Ichigo ignored.
"Right, while he's doing that, I wanted to give you a care package for your trip." Kisuke said, pulling Ichigo along to his office with Mayuri following. "Now, let's see.... AH!" He exclaimed as he pulled out a really thick carrying case. "Now, like Mayuri is complaining about, research and information is key to learning about your enemy. So here is my assignment to you." He said before opening the case, folding out more and more. "Chemistry, dissection, engineering sets, computer for data storage and analysis, and a recorder for your thoughts." He held out a voice recorder the size of a pen, pushing the button and playing the message inside. "I guess now is as good a time as any."
"Congratulations on graduating!" It cheered in Kisuke's voice.
"My high school, college, or from Yama's training?" Ichigo asked as Kisuke compacted everything again.
"Any of them, it's just more practical now with what's to come. I want you to learn everything you can about where you will be!" The scientist answered as he gave Ichigo his gift. Mayuri came next to Ichigo, still scowling, holding up his own case.
"I expect you to use these and record the results." He said, revealing the contents to be various chemicals and minerals along with a recipe book for the various drugs and poisons he's devised.
"Thanks." Ichigo said. 'I think.' He thought as he held the two cases. "These should give me something to do in my down time." He said before leaving the labs, heading for the Kido Corps barracks next.
(Shin'o Academy)
"Still can't believe that he's leaving." Karin growled, waiting for her next class to start. Yuzu and her were in the new 'Hollow Combat' classroom, and both still reeling from the news Ichigo gave them before he ran off to Hueco Mundo. Isshin tried to control the damage, but none of the women in the Kurosaki family were happy about Ichigo leaving for wherever it was he was going. Yuzu's eyes were still a little puffy from crying. The only benefit the girls had from this was that, for once, everyone in class left them alone. "Just you wait Ichi-nii! When you get back, we'll be the strongest in the school!"
"Yeah. Yeah!" Yuzu said, cheering up ever so slightly. "Let's do it Karin!" Just then the door slammed open, revealing a man with messed up, spiky, reddish brown hair.
"Okay, my name's Kano Ashido and I'll be your new teacher." He introduced himself, followed by Yin and Yang. "These two are my assistants and welcomes to Hollow Combat. I was once part of a unit that chased a group of Hollows through a Garganta and into Hueco Mundo, where I stayed for centuries fighting and killing Hollows nonstop. Those are my credentials, you will listen and follow my instruction, and you will become stronger Soul Reapers. Understood?" He said, hard and firm as he scanned the crowd, immediately identifying Ichigo's sisters. They held the most determined gaze in their eyes, daring him to break them in this course. He could only smile. "Good, then let's begin. Yin, Yang, bring in the first test." With that, the two Arrancar pulled in a cage full of Hollows.
(Kido Corps Base)
Ichigo went into the halls of the spell masters of Soul Society, hearing a faint hum in the back of his mind. He was looking for Tessai and Hachi, but the calls of the Hogyoku was beginning to distract him and before he realized it he found himself in the storage room where that sphere was locked away. It slept but still called to him, wishing to reunite with the one it was linked to. He was brought out of his trance by a tap on his shoulder from Tessai.
"It's enough that you have all the power that you do Ichigo." The kido master said. "You don't need it for where you're going. Tell it to sleep." Ichigo nodded, refusing to rely on the sphere unless as a last resort. Seconds later, with his intent feeding it, the hums silenced and the Hogyoku was back in its deep rest. "Very good. Now let's go." He said as they left the storage to head back to his office. "Unfortunately Ichigo, the only Kido arts left for you to learn are forbidden spells and the hidden arts. Neither of which can be passed down without the permission of the Central 46 and the Royal Guard respectively." He then pulled out a pair of thick scrolls. "Fortunately, that useless body of bureaucrats is now gone and the old monk insists that you learn all you can."
"That's... oddly convenient." Ichigo replied as he took the scrolls. Then there was a thunderous explosion that rocked the very foundations of the Seireitei. "What was that?!" Ichigo shouted in alarm, seeing a giant tower of flame in the distance.
"I'm sure it's just the Head Captain taking care of a few pests." Tessai quickly said. "Anyways, you should visit Yoruichi next. She had something she wanted to teach you."
(Squad 2 Training grounds)
Ichigo made his way to the sparring fields of the second division, finding Yoruichi watching Soi-Fon and Tatsuki sparring with each other. Yoruichi noticed him, smiling sweetly to her student, before flashing in front of him with her fist raised. The hybrid was unable to block the sudden attack that sent him flying back and away from the martial artist. He tumbled for a bit before recovering, just in time to receive another flurry of punches from the dark skinned noble.
'Been a while since we did this.' He thought as he blocked and dodged half of the attacks, while absorbing the other half. 'She's not holding back is she?' He grunted in pain as she laid another blow into his gut, dampened by his Blut. The second she backed away, he threw his own punches. Yoruichi caught them and used the fists as a springboard to jump off and away from the hybrid, Ichigo dashing after her. He managed to reach her before she touched the ground and unleashed his own attacks, slightly slower than her's but with more power behind them. She did a better job at avoiding the attacks, but he managed to get a few in. The last kick he threw she blocked with her crossed arms but was sent flying back, tearing a deep gouge in the ground as she stayed on her feet.
"That's enough." She said, shaking her arms to relieve the throbbing. "Old man's been doing good in teaching you. But, there is one thing he can't teach you. Ready girls?" She asked her two students as they stood to Yoruichi's sides. "The Keisen uniform of the Onmitsukido commander is without a back or sleeves because of highest level of Hakuda." She explained as they began concentrating their Reishi. "It's called Shunko." She said as they exploded with power, Ichigo recognizing the high density Kido flowing into their arms and legs.
"Channeling Kido into the limbs?" Ichigo guessed, analyzing the display as they powered down. "I can see how it'd destroy anything on your back and arms. How am I supposed to use that? I wear this Reiatsu suppressant suit for a good reason Yoruichi."
"There's been a lot of work in that." Soi-Fon said, presenting him with a new suit and Shihakusho. "Kirio Hikifune of the Zero Squad worked with Shutenmaru and Kisuke to weave a new fabric. Mixing the idea of Zaraki's seal, this will devour your Reishi and clothe you. If it gets damaged, it will use your Reishi to restore itself."
"Shunko is very powerful and very dangerous Ichigo." Yoruichi continued as Ichigo took his new Shihakusho. "I want you to practice it, but try to never need it."
"Understood." Ichigo returned. "Thanks girls. Now I have to get to Rangiku. She said she wanted me for something." He said, not noticing Tatsuki's blush.
(With Uryu and Chad)
"Think he still doesn't know?" Uryu asked as he and Chad prepared their bags, filled with clothes and other gadgets for their mission. Orihime and Tatsuki returned to the world of the Living to recover a certain someone for the last day while Rukia was with the two Arrancar. "He'd never agree if he did."
"That's for certain." Chad agreed as he took some medicine that Urahara made to help recover from his use of the now forbidden power in his Fullbring, thinking back to getting these mission orders. "You said it yourself, that Yhwach was sending out Quincy to gather new recruits. So the Captain Commander is sending you, Orihime, Tatsuki, me and the other living Fullbringers out to try and stop them."
"What I don't quite understand is why he said, 'Shinigami are locked to this land', like they were restrained to Japan alone." Uryu continued, trying to figure out what it could mean. "Maybe that's why Yhwach accomplished as much as he did. The Gotei couldn't get to him. The question is why."
"Isn't it because the Soul King is here?" Chad guessed.
"Maybe.... maybe there's something else."
(Two days later)
Ichigo stood before a modified Senkaimon, one that was designed to take him to where he was going. He was wearing his new sealing clothes, a ring that was supposed to stabilize his powers to an appropriate level, and a Kido seal that was holding all the stuff that his teachers gave him to use. Uryu, Chad, Orihime, and Tatsuki had to leave, travel the world, before him. He said his goodbyes as they left Soul Society, now all of his remaining friends in the Gotei stood there with him as he prepared for his journey.
"Remember Ichigo, you are there to learn. Not to intervene." Yamamoto reminded him.
"I understand Sensei." He said as the Senkaimon opened. "Tia, Nel, tell those knights of mine to behave themselves." The Arrancar nodded. "Ruki-" He started before said Soul Reaper pulled him down for a kiss. When they separated, Rangiku did the same, with Senna jumping on him for her's after that.
"I'm so proud of that boy." Isshin said, earning a slap from Masaki. "Take care of yourself son!"
"I will!" Ichigo said, dashing headfirst into the Senkaimon. He felt ready for anything it could throw at him.
(Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers)
Pest Control
"This is the end!" A former C46 judge declared, several of his colleagues and an army of outlaws standing ready. "With that damned abomination Ichigo disappearing, we shall restore the order of the Seireitei and Gotei 13! You will all be-"
"Ennetsu Jigoku." Yamamoto said, having listened to enough before deciding to act. A column of flame erupted from beneath the assemble group and burned them to ash. "That was quite gratifying. How long have I waited to do that?"