The training room was unnaturally bright, its artificial light bouncing off pristine walls and casting long, sterile shadows. It wasn't a comforting space—more like an arena dressed as a laboratory, buzzing with tension that felt heavier with every passing moment. Ichigo stood at the center, his posture casual but his sharp crimson eyes taking in every detail.The room wasn't empty anymore. Figures had gathered along the edges, a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Some leaned against the walls, watching him with calculating gazes, while others stood rigid, their postures stiff with anticipation. It felt like being under a spotlight in front of a silent, judgmental audience.Among the unfamiliar, one figure immediately drew Ichigo's attention: a short teenager with a bold, sharp look. His shaved head framed a narrow buzzed mohawk running down the center, and his piercing grey eyes darted around restlessly. The bandages wrapped around his right hand, the open high school jacket, and the bright red shirt with a bold face print all screamed "troublemaker." He had the air of someone constantly ready to throw punches, whether or not they were necessary.The teenager stood near Tsukishima, almost tethered to him in a way that piqued Ichigo's curiosity. Tsukishima, with his ever-calm demeanor and unreadable smirk, didn't even acknowledge the dynamic, but it was there—an odd, unspoken connection that left Ichigo wondering what the deal was between them.Further back, Ichigo's gaze landed on another unfamiliar figure—a sharply dressed man standing alone, exuding a quiet, refined authority. His dark suit was pristine, his features sharp and unreadable, and there was an eerie calm to the way he observed the room. Ichigo couldn't shake the faint unease that rolled off him, subtle but distinct.Before Ichigo could piece together the puzzle of these new faces, Kyra stepped forward, commanding the room with her usual sharp authority. "Alright, everyone, settle down," she called, silencing even the faintest whispers. Her gaze swept over the crowd, then landed squarely on Ichigo. "Today's session is all about Kurosaki here."Ichigo raised an eyebrow, already feeling the weight of every pair of eyes in the room. He crossed his arms, his tone dry but curious. "Yeah, I kind of figured that. What exactly am I supposed to do here?"Kyra smirked, crossing her arms as well. "Patience, Kurosaki. First, let me introduce you to some people you haven't met yet." She gestured toward the mohawked teen. "This here is Moe Shishigawara. Don't let his size fool you—he's scrappy, and he's got a bad habit of punching above his weight."Moe snorted, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. "Yeah, well, don't let the hair fool you either, Kurosaki," he said with a grin. "I can handle myself just fine."Ichigo glanced at him, unimpressed. "Sure. Noted," he said flatly, earning a quiet chuckle from Kyra.She moved on, nodding toward the man in the suit. "And this is Arlen. He's not one of us, but he's here to observe. Let's just say he has ties to some... outside interests."Arlen inclined his head slightly, his gaze unreadable but steady. "A pleasure, Kurosaki. I've heard a great deal about you."Ichigo frowned. "Can't say the same," he muttered, but before the tension could grow, Kyra's voice cut in again."And finally," she continued, her tone lightening slightly, "Riruka, you wanna introduce yourself?"All heads turned toward a figure who had been hovering near the back of the room—a petite girl with long, curly hair cascading over her pink hoodie. She froze at Kyra's words, her big, expressive eyes widening like a deer caught in headlights. Her hands flew to her face, hiding the faint blush creeping up her cheeks."I—I'll pass!" Riruka blurted, spinning on her heel and darting out of the room before anyone could stop her.There was a beat of stunned silence before Moe snickered. "What's her deal?"Kyra sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "She's... a work in progress. Don't worry, you'll see plenty of her soon enough."Ichigo raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the door Riruka had fled through. "That was... something."Kyra shrugged, clearly unfazed. "She's not great with first impressions. Moving on."She gestured toward Giriko, who had been quietly standing to the side, his fingers brushing over the ornate pocket watch in his hand. "Giriko, care to set the stage?"Giriko inclined his head and stepped forward, holding up his ornate pocket watch. Its intricate design gleamed under the light as he spoke, his voice calm yet commanding. "This room is now under my Fullbring's influence. The rules are simple: no one leaves until Kurosaki awakens his Fullbring. That includes you, Kurosaki. And," his eyes swept across the room, "any demons or spiritual entities—like the creature we're about to summon—will also be unable to leave this space until the conditions are met."Ichigo frowned, crossing his arms. "What happens if I fail?"' Also, demon ? ' Huh...This might be interestingGiriko gave a faint smile, cold and unreadable. "Failure is not an option. You will awaken your Fullbring, whether it takes an hour, a day, or longer. Time will move forward here, but rest assured, I'll make sure you don't waste a single second."Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch? There's always a catch."Giriko tapped the face of his pocket watch. The ticking grew louder, reverberating through the room. "The catch is this: the room has a one-hour timer. If you fail to awaken your Fullbring within that time, the room will reset, The demon, the environment, and all progress you've made will start over as if nothing happened."Ichigo sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Great. Just what I needed—I'm stuck in an endless loop."Giriko smirked faintly, his expression as unreadable as ever. "That would imply you reset as well... but you don't. Your body and mind will carry the toll of every failure. Exhaustion, pain, injuries—those will stay with you. The demon may start fresh each time, but you'll keep every scar as a reminder of your inability to rise to the challenge."Ichigo's eyes narrowed. "So I get beat up over and over until I figure it out? Sounds like you guys really know how to motivate someone."Kyra stepped in with a sharp chuckle. "Trust me, Kurosaki, this is us going easy on you. Hell comes later. Right now, it's just a warm-up."Ichigo snorted, shaking his head. "If this is your idea of easy, I'd hate to see what hard looks like."Kyra grinned, her sharp eyes glinting. "You will. Eventually."Giriko raised his pocket watch, the ticking growing louder. "Enough banter. The rules are set. One hour. You either awaken your Fullbring and defeat the demon... or you start again. ""Comforting," Ichigo muttered, earning a quiet laugh from Kyra." And what If I try to leave the room ? "Giriko's smirk widened, a faintly sinister edge creeping into his expression. "You won't," he said simply, his voice calm but laced with finality. "The rules of my Fullbring won't allow it. As long as the trial is active, the room is sealed. And even if you tried, the consequences of breaking the rules would be... severe."Ichigo raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Severe how?"Giriko's gaze didn't waver. "Let's just say the room doesn't take kindly to cheaters. But if you're eager to test it, by all means." He gestured toward the far wall with a lazy flick of his wrist. "The door's right there."Ichigo glanced at the door skeptically, then back at Giriko. "Yeah, I think I'll pass. Sounds like the kind of experiment I don't want to be a part of."Kyra chuckled, leaning against the edge of a nearby table. "Smart move, Kurosaki. Trust me, no one wants to see what happens when Giriko's rules are broken. It's... messy."Ichigo sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, fine. So I've got to spend an hour with a 'demon' who is trying to kill me, and no way out until I figure out how to awaken this power. Sounds great. Really, just perfect."Kyra smirked, her tone sharp but not unkind. "Glad you're catching on. Now stop complaining and focus. You've got work to do... Also—" Kyra said, turning toward Yukio, "—it's your turn brat!"Yukio, who had been leaning against the wall with his handheld console, finally straightened up, his expression bored but focused. "About time," he muttered, tapping a few buttons on his device. The room around them began to shimmer and shift, the sterile walls dissolving into an expansive cityscape. Skyscrapers rose into an artificial sky, their glass windows reflecting faint sunlight. The distant sound of traffic filled the air, so realistic it almost felt like stepping into another world."This is my Fullbring," Yukio said flatly. "I can create environments inside my console. This one's a simple city. Nothing fancy."Ichigo's gaze swept over the simulated world, impressed despite himself. "So what's the point of all this?" he asked.Kyra smirked, gesturing toward the far end of the room, where Riruka had reappeared, holding something in her hands. She stepped forward hesitantly, avoiding Ichigo's gaze, and placed a plush toy on the ground. It was a bright pink rabbit, its oversized ears flopping to one side, and its button eyes staring vacantly."That," Kyra said, "is your opponent."Ichigo blinked. "You've got to be kidding me."Riruka, now looking more confident, smirked. "Oh, you'll see. You should never underestimate my toys."Before Ichigo could respond, the plush toy began to twitch. Its soft body contorted unnaturally, growing larger and more grotesque by the second. The button eyes glowed red, and sharp claws sprouted from its fabric paws. The once-cute rabbit now loomed over Ichigo, snarling with an almost feral intensity."Of course," Ichigo muttered, stepping back as the beast lunged. "Why wouldn't it do that?""Remember, Kurosaki," Kyra called, her voice sharp and clear. "You're not just fighting to survive. You're fighting to awaken. Use the cross—connect with it!"Ichigo's hand flew to the silver cross around his neck, his fingers gripping it tightly as he squared off against the monstrous plush. His heart pounded, adrenaline surging as he will finally battle something which is not human once again."So, I just have to beat this plush toy, huh? Piece of cake," Ichigo said, his voice laced with forced confidence as he squared up to the grotesque, snarling rabbit. Its glowing red eyes bore into him, its claws scraping against the asphalt with a sound that sent shivers down his spine.He glanced over his shoulder, expecting some snarky comment or a bit of encouragement from Kyra, maybe even a bored remark from Yukio. Instead, his eyes landed on... nothing. The street was empty. The crowd of Fullbringers that had been observing just moments ago had vanished, leaving him alone in the eerily quiet, artificial cityscape."Great," Ichigo muttered, rolling his shoulders and trying to shake off the unease. "Guess it's just me and you, bunny."He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. The cross was supposed to be his key to unlocking this "Fullbring" power, the same way Zangetsu had been the key to his Shinigami abilities. But this time, there was no gruff, familiar voice guiding him. No stormy inner world. No presence he could latch onto for direction. It was just him and the cold, unresponsive metal."Alright," he muttered under his breath, his tone both determined and frustrated. "Let's do this. Come on. Show me something."A snarl ripped through the air, and Ichigo's instincts kicked in. His eyes snapped open just in time to see the rabbit barreling toward him, its claws outstretched and glinting in the artificial light. He ducked low, narrowly avoiding the razor-sharp swipe aimed at his head. The gust of air from the creature's missed strike whipped past his ear, making him wince.He spun to the side, heart pounding, his grip tightening on the cross. The rabbit skidded to a stop, its glowing eyes locking onto him once more, its body tensing for another attack.Ichigo barely had a moment to breathe before it lunged again. This time, he threw himself backward, the claws slashing through the space where he'd just been standing. The impact of his fall sent a jolt through his knees, but he quickly scrambled back to his feet, his mind racing."I can't keep dodging this thing forever," he muttered, his crimson eyes darting between the advancing creature and the cross in his hand. "Come on! Work already!"Ichigo focused harder, trying to feel anything within the cross. He remembered how it had been with Zangetsu—how the spirit of his Zanpakuto had felt like a part of him, a connection he could sense even in his darkest moments. He'd called out to Zangetsu countless times before, and she always answered, in her own cryptic way. But now, he didn't feel anything—neither the cross nor his power."Are you in there?" he asked softly, his voice almost a whisper. "If this is supposed to work, you've gotta give me something. Anything."The rabbit charged again, and Ichigo cursed under his breath. He darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's snapping jaws. Its claws scraped against the ground, kicking up sparks as it skidded to a halt and spun around to face him again.Ichigo's chest heaved as he backed away, his mind a storm of frustration and desperation. He tried again, this time digging deeper, searching for even the faintest flicker of life within the pendant. He thought back to the moments when he'd first connected with Zangetsu—those moments of desperation when he'd been pushed to the edge and had no choice but to fight.His mind raced through memories: standing on Sokyoku Hill, facing down Byakuya; the raw intensity of his battles with Grimmjow and Ulquiorra; the moment he'd unleashed Mugetsu, sacrificing everything to protect the people he cared about. Every time, his power had responded because he'd fought for something more than himself."Is that what you're waiting for?" he muttered, his brow furrowing as he opened his eyes. "You need me to be desperate? To want it bad enough?"The rabbit snarled again, leaping toward him with frightening speed. Ichigo twisted out of the way, his back slamming into the wall of a nearby building. The creature's claws raked across the surface, leaving deep gouges in the simulated brick."Damn it!" Ichigo growled, shoving himself off the wall and breaking into a sprint. He put distance between himself and the rabbit, his fingers tightening around the cross. "Well, I'm pretty damn desperate right now!" he snapped, his voice echoing in the empty cityscape. "I don't have time for this! I need you to work! If you're supposed to be my power, then act like it!"He skidded to a halt in the middle of the street, turning to face the rabbit as it barreled toward him again. He closed his eyes, gripping the cross so tightly that the edges dug into his skin. He focused on the memories of his family, his friends, the people who depended on him. Karin, Yuzu, Orihime, Chad... Rukia. Every face flashed in his mind, fueling his resolve."If you're there," he said, his voice quieter now, almost pleading, "then help me. I don't care what you are or where you came from. Just show me how to use you. I've got people waiting for me. People I need to protect."The cross grew warm for a moment—a flicker of heat that sent a jolt through Ichigo's chest. His eyes snapped open, his heart racing. "There it is," he muttered, staring down at the pendant. He could feel it now, faint but unmistakable. A pulse of energy, like a heartbeat.But just as quickly as it had appeared, the warmth faded, leaving the cross cold and lifeless once more.The rabbit roared, leaping at him with claws outstretched. Ichigo barely managed to dive out of the way, rolling to his feet as the creature landed where he'd just been. It snarled, its glowing eyes locking onto him again as it prepared for another strike.Ichigo stumbled back, his breathing ragged as his frustration boiled over. "What the hell do you want from me?" he shouted, clutching the cross tightly. "I felt you! I know you're there! Why won't you—"The rabbit lunged, cutting him off mid-sentence. Ichigo ducked low, his feet skidding against the asphalt as he narrowly avoided another swipe. He clenched his jaw, his fists trembling as the cross swung uselessly on its chain.His frustration gave way to anger, a fiery determination sparking in his chest. "Fine!" he shouted, shoving the cross back against his chest. "If you're not gonna help, then I'll do this the hard way!"He planted his feet firmly, his crimson eyes blazing as he squared off against the rabbit. The creature snarled, charging at him with unrelenting ferocity. This time, Ichigo didn't back down. His fist clenched as he lunged forward, his fist swinging toward the monstrous rabbit's grotesque head. The impact landed, but the beast barely flinched, its fabric skin twisting unnaturally as it retaliated with a sharp swipe of its claw. Ichigo barely had time to leap back, the claws missing him by a hair's breadth and leaving deep gashes in the asphalt where he had just been.The rabbit didn't let up, snarling and lunging again. Ichigo ducked, gritting his teeth as the wind from its claws brushed past his face. Each attack forced him further on the defensive, his movements increasingly desperate as he struggled to find an opening. The creature was relentless, its glowing red eyes unblinking as it pressed the attack."Great plan, Ichigo," he muttered to himself, dodging yet another swipe. "Just punch it out with a demon bunny. Brilliant."The rabbit's claws struck again, this time grazing his arm and tearing through his sleeve. A sharp sting spread through his skin, but Ichigo barely registered it, too focused on avoiding the next attack. He stumbled back, his breathing ragged, his thoughts racing."This isn't working," he admitted through clenched teeth. His punches might have been doing some damage, but the rabbit's monstrous form was far tougher than it had any right to be. If this kept up, he'd collapse long before he managed to take it down.As the rabbit prepared to lunge again, Ichigo's eyes darted around the simulated city. Skyscrapers towered above him, their reflective surfaces gleaming in the artificial sunlight. A plan began to form in his mind, desperation sharpening his instincts. He couldn't overpower the creature head-on, but maybe he didn't need to.The rabbit lunged, its claws aimed directly at his chest. Ichigo sidestepped at the last moment, letting the creature's momentum carry it past him. Without hesitating, he turned and sprinted toward one of the nearby buildings, his boots pounding against the asphalt as he pushed himself to move faster.Behind him, the rabbit snarled in frustration, its claws tearing into the ground as it gave chase. Ichigo didn't look back, his focus locked on the building ahead. He reached the wall and pivoted sharply, pressing his back against the rough surface as the rabbit bore down on him."Come on," he muttered, his crimson red eyes narrowing. "Just a little closer."The rabbit roared, leaping at him with claws outstretched. At the last possible moment, Ichigo threw himself to the side, rolling across the ground as the creature's massive claws slammed into the wall. The sound of tearing metal and crumbling brick echoed through the air as its claws became embedded in the structure, the sheer force of its attack rendering it momentarily immobile.Ichigo didn't waste the opportunity. He scrambled to his feet, his fists clenching as he rushed toward the trapped beast. Its glowing eyes glared at him, its body twisting as it tried to free itself, but the rabbit's claws remained firmly lodged in the wall."This is payback," Ichigo growled, his voice low and steady. He swung his fist, landing a solid punch against the creature's side. The impact sent a ripple through its grotesque form, and this time, the rabbit flinched, letting out a guttural growl.Ichigo didn't stop. He struck again and again, his fists driving into the creature's fabric body with increasing force. Each punch was fueled by his frustration, his desperation, his anger at the situation he'd been thrown into. The rabbit thrashed, its claws scraping against the wall as it struggled to break free, but Ichigo refused to back down."Stay down!" he shouted, delivering a final, crushing blow to the side of the rabbit's head. The creature let out a distorted screech, its glowing eyes flickering as its movements began to slow. Ichigo stepped back, his chest heaving as he watched the monstrous plush slump against the wall, its claws still trapped in the building.For a moment, silence filled the air, broken only by Ichigo's labored breathing. His fists ached, his knuckles red and raw, but he couldn't afford to stop now. He knew this wasn't over yet.Ichigo gritted his teeth as he kept his eyes locked on the monstrous plush rabbit. The creature snarled, its glowing red eyes narrowing as it struggled against the wall, its massive claws still wedged deep in the simulated brick. He took a cautious step back, his breathing heavy, as his sharp crimson eyes scanned the rabbit's contorted form. This wasn't the first time he'd been outmatched, but he knew better than to rush in blindly. Ichigo wasn't just a brawler—he was a fighter who had learned to adapt in the heat of battle.He studied the rabbit's movements carefully. Its grotesque body twitched, and its glowing eyes flicked toward him, full of rage. Its attacks were wild but not without rhythm. Every time it lunged, its claws led the charge, swiping wide arcs designed to cut off his escape. Its legs pushed off with incredible force, giving it frightening speed, but its overcommitment left it vulnerable if it missed."Alright," Ichigo muttered under his breath, rubbing his thumb over the silver cross around his neck. "You like to leap first and think later, huh? Let's see if I can use that against you."The rabbit snarled louder, its claws scraping futilely at the wall. Then, with a burst of inhuman strength, it yanked one claw free, tearing chunks of simulated brick away in the process. Ichigo's eyes widened, but he didn't panic. Instead, he planted his feet firmly, his fists clenched as he prepared for what he knew was coming next.The rabbit lunged, faster than before, its remaining claw still trapped in the wall. Its body twisted unnaturally mid-air, trying to compensate for the imbalance, but that only confirmed what Ichigo had suspected—it was a berserker, prioritizing raw strength over precision.Ichigo sidestepped at the last second, feeling the rush of air as the rabbit's claws sliced past him. The creature landed heavily, its massive body skidding across the asphalt as it scrambled to turn back toward him. Its glowing eyes locked onto Ichigo with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine."Gotcha," Ichigo muttered. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He couldn't afford to get caught up in the chaos of the fight. Every move had to count.The rabbit roared and lunged again, its remaining free claw swiping in a wide arc. Ichigo ducked under the swing, his movements fluid as he rolled to the side. The creature's attack left its body open for a fraction of a second—a gap Ichigo didn't waste. He surged forward, planting his foot firmly before driving a punch into the side of its torso.The impact sent a tremor through the plush's distorted form, and the creature staggered, letting out a guttural screech. But it didn't slow down. It twisted its body unnaturally, its remaining claw lashing out in a backhanded swipe that forced Ichigo to leap away."Okay," Ichigo muttered, his eyes narrowing. "You don't like getting hit, do you? Let's see how you handle more."The rabbit lunged again, and Ichigo was ready. He dodged left, narrowly avoiding its claws, and countered with a sharp kick to its hind leg. The creature stumbled, its balance momentarily disrupted, but its rage only seemed to grow. It lunged once more, its attacks growing faster and more reckless.And Ichigo imediatly noticed that Ichigo steadied his breathing, his bloody red eyes locked onto the snarling plush rabbit still thrashing with its claw stuck deep in the wall. His plan had worked—mostly. But as he backed up to assess his next move, his surroundings crept into focus. The tight confines of the alley he'd maneuvered into pressed in around him, narrowing his options."Damn it," he muttered under his breath, realizing too late that he'd miscalculated. The space was too tight—he had nowhere to dodge left or right. For someone used to wide-open spaces in battles, where he could exploit his speed and agility, this was an amateur mistake. Memories flashed briefly in his mind of the last time something similar happened—his Zanpakuto stuck in a building, the bitter reminder that tight quarters and hesitation almost cost him his life. Since then, he'd sworn never to let it happen again.And yet, here he was.The rabbit's glowing red eyes turned toward him, its body jerking and twisting as it fought to free itself. A low growl rumbled from its chest, its frustration growing with each passing second. Ichigo's pulse quickened as he realized he didn't have time to overthink his next move. With no room to sidestep and the rabbit's movements becoming more frantic, his only option was backward."Crap," he muttered, his back already brushing against the wall behind him. He didn't even have time to check what was there before the rabbit yanked itself partially free, ripping chunks of simulated brick loose with a roar. It lunged toward him again, its massive claw swiping in a tight arc. Instinct kicked in, and Ichigo jumped without hesitation, the motion carrying him upward and backward.Glass shattered around him as he crashed through a window he hadn't even realized was behind him. The sharp edges bit into his skin as he tumbled awkwardly into the building, hitting the floor with a heavy thud. He groaned, momentarily stunned, the wind knocked out of him as shards of glass rained down around him."Way to go, genius," Ichigo grumbled, brushing debris off his arms and legs. Thankfully, the cuts were shallow—nothing serious. He pushed himself to his feet, wincing as he flexed his fingers. "You'd think after all this time, I'd pay more attention to my surroundings."Outside, the rabbit roared, its enraged snarl shaking the very walls of the building. Ichigo grimaced, glancing back toward the shattered window. The creature's shadow loomed just beyond, its glowing red eyes peering in, its grotesque body squeezing through the opening with alarming force."Yeah, no thanks," Ichigo muttered, bolting deeper into the building. He weaved through the cramped, dusty hallways, his boots skidding against the tiled floor as he searched for an exit. Every step sent echoes reverberating through the space, and the rabbit's snarls grew louder behind him.It was relentless. The walls groaned as it forced its way through the narrow corridors, its claws tearing apart anything in its path. Ichigo could hear the sharp screech of metal and the crunch of plaster as it pursued him, each sound a reminder that he couldn't afford to slow down."Damn it, this thing just doesn't quit," Ichigo growled, his teeth clenched as he pushed himself harder. His mind raced, trying to come up with a plan. He didn't want to admit it, but running was his best option for now. The building's tight confines worked against him just as much as they did against the rabbit. If he didn't get outside soon, he'd lose any chance of turning the fight around.Finally, Ichigo spotted a faint glimmer of light up ahead—an open door leading back into the simulated city streets. He sprinted toward it, ignoring the burning in his legs and the pounding in his chest. Behind him, the rabbit roared again, its claws tearing through the wall as it clawed its way closer.Ichigo burst through the door, stumbling onto the street. He twisted sharply on his heel, his blood red eyes scanning the area for anything he could use to slow the creature down. Trash cans, wooden pallets, a rusted dumpster—nothing was off the table. He grabbed a nearby trash can and hurled it toward the doorway just as the rabbit emerged, its massive form smashing through the frame.The trash can hit its mark, slamming into the rabbit's head and momentarily dazing it. Ichigo didn't waste the opening. He turned and bolted down the street, his legs pumping as he pushed himself to his limits. He didn't know how long he could keep this up, but he wasn't about to let himself get cornered again.As he sprinted through the city, the simulated streets blurred around him. Ichigo felt his body moving faster than he thought possible, his muscles working with an efficiency and power that seemed foreign. It sparked a memory—something similar had happened once before, back when he was clawing his way back to power the first time. The memory hit him hard: fighting that little girl with the strange powers, all under the manipulations of that shady hat-wearing schemer..."Urahara..." Ichigo muttered under his breath, his mind dredging up the man's cryptic explanations. ' What was it he said? Something about a soul... gaining more spiritual energy... 'Then it hit him, clear as day, his recent fight with the hollow that nearly killed him also contributing with the memory."A soul gains more spiritual energy when it's in danger of being destroyed." That was what Urahara had said."That's it!" Ichigo gasped. His crimson eyes widened and gained a new glow to them as realization washed over him. If that's true, maybe this wasn't just about running or surviving. Maybe he could force it—drag some of his lost Reiatsu back to the surface by staying in the fight, by pushing himself to the edge, maybe that's what he's missing from activating the fullbring ?' If I just— 'A thunderous sound cut through his thoughts, like an explosion ripping through the air. Instinctively, Ichigo turned his head back, and his blood ran cold. The rabbit was hurtling toward him at a speed that defied reason, its grotesque body blurring like a bullet. The shockwave of its movement shook the fake cityscape, the glass of the nearby buildings vibrating violently as the monstrous plush closed the distance.Ichigo's breath caught in his throat, and his legs moved on their own, his instincts screaming louder than his thoughts. He bolted in the opposite direction, his heart pounding like a war drum.' Nope. No way. Hell. The. FUCK. No! ' Ichigo mentally screamed, his voice echoing in his head as he pushed himself harder, the adrenaline fueling every step.And then, cutting through his frantic thoughts like a blade, came a voice—not his own, deep and resonant, with a cold, almost regal weight behind it.What a disgraceful display for the so-called 'King,' running with his tail tucked between his legs.Ichigo's jaw tightened, his mind screaming at him to focus. ' No time for plans. Just run. 'And run he did. His boots pounded against the asphalt, his muscles burning as he zigzagged through the narrow streets. His vision darted left and right, searching for anything—anything—that might give him an edge. He ducked into a nearby alley, hoping the tight space would slow the creature down, but it didn't. Instead, the rabbit ripped through the walls, tearing brick and steel apart as it forced its massive frame into the cramped corridor."Damn it!" Ichigo growled, skidding to a halt as the alley dead-ended in a brick wall. His mind raced, calculating. With the rabbit hot on his heels, he spun around and spotted a fire escape ladder above him. Without hesitating, he leaped up, grabbing the metal bars and hauling himself onto the escape just as the rabbit lunged at him. Its claws scraped against the brick wall beneath him, sending shards of concrete scattering across the ground.Ichigo climbed higher, his body moving on instinct. The rabbit snarled below, its glowing eyes locked onto him as it crouched low, preparing to leap again. But before it could launch itself upward, Ichigo reached the rooftop and grabbed the nearest thing within arm's reach—a rusted metal pipe."Alright, you oversized toy," Ichigo muttered, his breathing heavy as he held the pipe tightly. "Let's see how you like this."The rabbit leaped, and Ichigo swung the pipe with all his strength, aiming for its grotesque head. The impact landed with a resounding clang, knocking the creature off course and sending it crashing back to the ground below. Ichigo didn't waste a second. He bolted across the rooftop, leaping over vents and ducking under wires as he made his way to the other side.Behind him, the rabbit recovered quickly, its enraged growl shaking the air as it bounded after him. It jumped to the rooftop, its claws digging into the concrete as it gained traction. Ichigo cursed under his breath, tossing the pipe at its head to buy himself a few precious seconds.The streets below blurred into motion once more as Ichigo leaped off the rooftop, landing in a crouch on the ground below. His knees buckled from the impact, but he forced himself to keep moving, sprinting down the street and weaving through obstacles. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughtsThe rabbit roared behind him, and Ichigo glanced back in time to see it crouch low, its legs glowing faintly as it channeled its energy. Oh no...The rabbit's massive leap sent shockwaves rippling through the air, and the glass that rained down in its wake sparkled ominously in the artificial light. Ichigo's crimson eyes darted to the shards littering the street as an idea began to take shape in his mind. If his fists couldn't break through the plush demon's grotesque form, then he'd chip away at it piece by piece.Alright, glass it is, Ichigo thought grimly, skidding to a halt as he spun on his heel to face the oncoming monster. The rabbit's glowing red eyes locked onto him, and its claws gleamed with malice as it slammed into the ground with an earth-shattering crash, mere feet away from him.Ichigo acted quickly, kicking a cluster of glass shards into the air with enough force to send them scattering toward the creature. The sharp fragments struck its face and torso, some bouncing harmlessly off the fabric, but a few sliced through, leaving faint tears along its surface.The rabbit roared in frustration, its grotesque body convulsing as it swiped wildly at the air, its claws slashing through nothing but shadows. Ichigo didn't give it the luxury of recovery. His crimson eyes locked onto a shattered window nearby, and a plan formed in an instant.Without breaking stride, Ichigo tore a strip of fabric from his jacket, the sound of ripping cloth sharp against the chaos around him. Wrapping the makeshift padding around his hand in one swift motion, he lunged toward the window, his movements precise and purposeful.His eyes scanned the broken glass littering the frame, and his hand darted forward, gripping a jagged shard. The fabric acted as a barrier, keeping the razor edges from slicing into his palm. The shard shimmered faintly under the artificial light, its edges sharp and deadly.Ichigo gripped the jagged shard of glass tightly, his muscles coiled like springs, his breath steady despite the pounding of his heart. His crimson eyes locked on the thrashing rabbit as it roared again, its monstrous claws slicing through the air in frustration. "Let's see how you like this," Ichigo muttered under his breath, his voice low and razor-sharp, brimming with determination as he prepared to strike......' Huh ? 'The monstrous plush rabbit, snarling one moment, was gone the next. Disappeared, as if it had been plucked from existence mid-roar. Ichigo blinked, his instincts screaming at him to stay alert, even as confusion crept into his expression. His grip on the shard tightened, the jagged edge trembling slightly in his hand as his eyes darted around the simulated cityscape."The hell?" he muttered, his breath fogging the air as he spun in a slow circle, scanning for any sign of the beast. Every sense was on high alert, the faint hum of tension in the room returning like a distant drumbeat. He was no stranger to enemies vanishing in battle, but this felt... different. Wrong.That's when he noticed it.The shard of glass in his hand—gone.He froze mid-step, his pulse spiking as his eyes flicked to his hand, now gripping nothing but the rough fabric of his jacket's torn sleeve. "What the—" Ichigo muttered, his voice trailing off as he turned his gaze to the ground where he'd grabbed the glass.And there it was.The shard, pristine and unbroken, lying exactly where it had been moments ago, untouched by the chaos that had unfolded. The faint shimmer of light against its edges made it look almost deliberate, like it had been placed there.His mind raced, piecing together the implications. "The glass... it's back where it was." He took a slow step toward it, then glanced around the eerily silent street. "Did the... room reset?"The realization hit like a punch to the gut. He remembered Giriko's warning about the rules of the trial—failure to awaken his Fullbring would result in the room resetting, and everything, including the demon, would revert as if nothing had happened."This can't be..." Ichigo muttered, his jaw clenching as his gaze darted back to the shard of glass. The simulated city was too quiet, the distant hum of its artificial construction now unnerving in its stillness. His eyes flicked to the spot where the rabbit had last been, the ground unmarked, free of any sign of the fight. The chaos it had unleashed—the shattered walls, the torn-up streets—all gone. Everything looked untouched, like the battle had been erased.And then he heard it.A low, guttural growl echoed down the street, distant but unmistakable. Ichigo's blood ran cold as he turned toward the sound, his crimson eyes narrowing. In the far distance, he saw a shadow moving through the simulated fog, its glowing red eyes piercing the haze as it grew closer. The rabbit was back, its grotesque form reassembling like a nightmare reborn."So that's how it works," Ichigo muttered, his voice hard, edged with bitter realization. His gaze flicked down to his hand—the makeshift bandage still wrapped tightly around his arm, but the glass shard it once held was gone, reset like everything else. His jaw tightened further, a spark of determination flashing in his eyes."Well," Ichigo murmured, the word dragging as he turned toward the nearest window. The simulated glass reflected his sharp expression, tinged with exhaustion but burning with defiance. Without hesitation, he raised his wrapped arm and smashed the pane, the glass shattering into jagged fragments that rained to the ground with a satisfying crash.He reached down, his fingers brushing through the debris until they closed around a shard, its edges glinting dangerously in the artificial light. He held it up, examining its sharp, irregular edge, then tightened his grip, the bandage preventing it from cutting into his hand."...Let's try this again," he said, his voice low and deliberate, like a vow.The rabbit's roar shattered the stillness, a deafening sound that seemed to shake the entire street. Its grotesque form broke through the fog, its massive body illuminated in harsh detail by the flickering simulated lights. It crouched low, its glowing eyes fixed on Ichigo with a predatory focus, its claws scraping against the ground as it prepared to lunge.But Ichigo didn't flinch. This time, his mind was clear. The room may have reset, but he hadn't. He could feel every ache, every bruise, every sting from their last encounter. They weren't just reminders of his failure—they were proof that he could survive. Proof that he could adapt.As the rabbit roared and charged, Ichigo's eyes narrowed, his grip on the shard tightening. His muscles coiled, every nerve in his body primed to move. He stepped to the side at the last second, his instincts sharp as the rabbit's claws tore through the space where he'd just been. The beast's momentum carried it forward, and Ichigo twisted, slashing the shard across its hind leg.The rabbit screeched, the sound raw and guttural, but it didn't falter. It spun around with unnatural speed, its massive claw arcing toward him in a wide swipe. Ichigo ducked low, the air above him splitting as the claws missed by inches.This time, he didn't retreat. Instead, he pressed forward, darting in close and driving the shard into the rabbit's side. The jagged edge tore into its fabric-like flesh, and the creature roared in fury, thrashing violently. Ichigo jumped back just as the rabbit lashed out, its claws scraping against the ground with enough force to leave deep grooves."You don't like that, do you?" Ichigo muttered, his breath steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. His crimson eyes burned with renewed focus as he adjusted his stance, the glass shard still clutched tightly in his hand. "Good. Because I'm not done yet."The rabbit snarled, its glowing eyes narrowing as it crouched low, preparing to lunge again. Ichigo's mind raced, piecing together what he'd learned from their last encounter. The rabbit was fast, powerful, and relentless, but it was also reckless. Its raw aggression left it open—if he could exploit those moments, he might stand a chance.As the rabbit charged again, Ichigo moved, his body reacting faster than his thoughts. He sidestepped, slashing at its outstretched arm as it passed, the shard tearing through its fabric with a satisfying rip. The rabbit screeched again, but Ichigo didn't stop. He pressed the attack, circling around it and landing another precise strike to its side.The beast twisted, its claws swiping wildly, but Ichigo stayed one step ahead, his movements fluid and controlled. The battle became a dance, each of the rabbit's attacks met with a counter, each of Ichigo's strikes chipping away at its grotesque form.But then, something changed.The rabbit's movements grew more erratic, its roars louder and more feral. Its glowing eyes burned brighter, and its claws began to glow faintly, like embers stoked by fury. Ichigo's instincts screamed at him to back off, but he held his ground, his grip on the shard tightening as he prepared for its next move.The rabbit crouched, its grotesque body compressing like a spring coiled to its absolute limit. Ichigo could feel the air shift around it, the sheer force of its tension pressing against his skin. And then it roared, the sound splitting the air like a thunderclap, and launched itself into the air with terrifying speed, its glowing claws outstretched like the talons of a predator locked onto its prey.Ichigo's eyes widened, his mind racing as he processed the incoming attack. The beast's trajectory was perfect—straight, fast, and unyielding. There was no room to dodge left or right. He couldn't run, couldn't evade. The only path left was forward, straight through the heart of the danger. "Here goes nothing," Ichigo muttered under his breath, his voice calm but laced with steely determination. He drew his arm back, the shard of glass catching the artificial light as it gleamed like a deadly fragment of ice.In one fluid motion, Ichigo swung his arm forward, releasing the shard with all his strength. The force of his throw cut through the air like a whip, the pressure blasting outward in a visible ripple. The shard rocketed forward, faster than any baseball hurled by the world's greatest pitcher. The air screamed as the shard tore through it, straight and true, aiming for the descending monster.The rabbit's glowing red eyes narrowed, its body twisting slightly mid-air, but the speed of its descent worked against it. The beast couldn't adjust in time. The shard of glass, propelled with near-superhuman force, struck its grotesque head dead center.There was no time for the rabbit to roar, no time for it to react. The shard pierced through its skull with a sickening, wet crunch, the force of the impact sending a violent tremor through its distorted body. The glow in its claws flickered and dimmed as its momentum carried it forward, but its trajectory faltered. Instead of crashing down onto Ichigo, the beast veered off to the side, its body slamming into the wall of the alley with a thunderous impact.Ichigo staggered back, his chest rising and falling with each sharp, ragged breath as he watched the creature's grotesque body slump against the wall and slide to the ground with a dull thud. The shard of glass jutted out from its head, jagged and stained, embedded deep into the distorted fabric that made up its flesh. Even in its defeated state, the rabbit's body twitched and spasmed, its movements unnatural and unnerving, like a broken machine refusing to power down.For a moment, everything was still.Ichigo's heartbeat roared in his ears, a deafening rhythm that matched the thrum of adrenaline still coursing through his veins. His senses were razor-sharp, every muscle in his body coiled, ready to react if the creature so much as flinched. The image of the rabbit lunging at him, claws glowing with fury, was fresh in his mind, and his grip instinctively tightened into a fist.But the rabbit didn't move. Its glowing eyes flickered, the once-blazing light dimming with each passing second, until it finally faded into hollow darkness.Ichigo exhaled, the sound shaky but filled with relief. His shoulders sagged, and he wiped a trickle of sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, smearing dirt and blood across his face. "It's... dead," he murmured, though the words felt strange on his tongue. Could you even call this thing alive in the first place?His mind replayed the scene over and over—the throw, the impact, the way the shard had sailed through the air with deadly precision. He hadn't been sure it would work. Hell, he wasn't sure it should have worked. And yet, here he was, standing over the fallen beast. Somehow, he'd done it.But then his body tensed again. A nagging thought clawed at the back of his mind. The room resets. The rule Kyra and Giriko had both made painfully clear hung in the air like a storm cloud. He scanned the area, his crimson eyes darting toward the alley's edges, expecting the rabbit to spring back to life, to reappear like some unkillable nightmare.He waited.One second. Then five. Then ten.Nothing.His jaw tightened as he stood perfectly still, the quiet now louder than any roar. A full minute passed, and yet the rabbit remained lifeless, its grotesque body crumpled against the wall. The simulated city around him remained unchanged—no signs of Giriko's reset, no warping of time, no ominous hum signaling the beast's return. Just silence."So... I really have an hour," Ichigo muttered, almost disbelieving. The realization was a double-edged sword. On one hand, the demon wouldn't immediately respawn, giving him a precious reprieve. On the other... an hour, he thought bitterly, his gaze drifting toward the lifeless plush. Was this fight doomed to repeat itself endlessly, over and over until he unlocked some mystical power he barely understood?The weight of exhaustion bore down on him like a collapsing building, threatening to crush whatever resolve he had left. Ichigo's legs wobbled beneath him, barely able to hold up his battered body. Every muscle screamed in protest, a sharp reminder of how close he'd been to hitting his limit. Staggering forward, he found himself teetering on the edge of collapse. With a resigned exhale, he let his body drop onto the plush rabbit's twitching form, its convulsions weak and erratic, like a malfunctioning machine struggling against inevitability."Still hanging in there, huh?" Ichigo muttered, glancing down at the grotesque creature beneath him. Its once-feral roars had dwindled into pathetic, intermittent gasps, and the faint spasms of its body were more pitiful than threatening. Despite the absurdity of it, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of grim satisfaction.With a tired grunt, Ichigo turned around and leaned back, letting his weight sink fully into the creature's misshapen body. The texture of its fabric skin was unnatural, a reminder of its monstrosity, but he didn't care. His body needed rest, and for now, even a demon rabbit was good enough to be his makeshift chairPoor poor bunny, having to be a chair for a failure like him.As he sat there, the adrenaline that had kept him moving finally ebbed away, leaving behind a heavy stillness. His mind, now free of the immediate threat, drifted to the weight hanging around his neck. Slowly, Ichigo reached for it, his fingers brushing against the cool, smooth surface of the cross. His mother's cross. A token of faith, of memory, of something more than himself... or maybe is himself...He held it between his fingers, turning it slightly as the light glinted off its edges. The object felt foreign in his grasp, like it didn't belong to him. And maybe it didn't. It was hers—his mother's. Something sacred, something she'd carried with her, imbued with meaning he still didn't fully understand. Yet here he was, clutching it like a lifeline in a storm.His thumb traced its grooves as he closed his eyes, the exhaustion in his body mirrored by the storm of questions in his mind. ' Is this really the key? Is this what's supposed to unlock whatever power they keep talking about? ' He thought of Kyra's words, her cryptic explanations about Fullbring being tied to emotions—hope, despair, something intangible yet deeply rooted."Hope or despair, huh?" Ichigo muttered under his breath, his tone heavy with skepticism. "What am I even supposed to feel? What am I supposed to do?"He squeezed the cross tightly, the edges biting into his palm as if demanding an answer he couldn't give. Images flashed in his mind—Karin, Yuzu, his friends, his mother. Memories of failure and triumph, of desperation and determination. The weight of all he'd lost and all he still had to protect pressed down on him, mingling with the sting of his bruised pride and aching body.The plush rabbit twitched beneath him again, pulling him from his thoughts. He opened his eyes, staring down at the grotesque creature. Its faint, dying movements mirrored the conflict within him—a stubborn refusal to give up, even when the fight seemed lost.Ichigo exhaled deeply, his grip on the cross loosening slightly. "Alright," he muttered, his voice low but resolute. "Let's figure this out. One way or another."The silence of the simulated city stretched around him as he sat there, focusing on the cross in his hand, searching for something—anything—that might guide him forward. For now, the fight was over. ......The silence of the simulated city shattered like glass as the training room began to hum with activity once more. Beyond the shimmering mirage of the environment, the Fullbringers stood watching Ichigo intently, their reactions a tapestry of emotions.Kyra was the first to break the silence. She stood with her arms crossed, her sharp gaze fixed on Ichigo as he leaned back against the grotesque, twitching body of the defeated plush rabbit. The faintest of smirks tugged at the corner of her lips, though her eyes betrayed a mix of surprise and intrigue. "Well, I'll be damned," she muttered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else. "The kid's tougher than I thought."But the loudest reaction came from Riruka, who stormed forward with an expression caught somewhere between anger and disbelief. Her cheeks flushed red, and her fists clenched at her sides as she glared at Ichigo. "You... you... IDIOT!" she shouted, her voice breaking the tense atmosphere like a hammer. "Do you have any idea how much I loved that bunny?! And you—ugh, you just wrecked it! Do you even know how long it took me to make that?!"She snapped, her voice dripping with indignation. "He practically butchered it! Do you know how hard I worked on that bunny?! It's art, Kyra! And now it's lying there like some—some stupid rag doll!""Riruka," Giriko ever the picture of calm interrupted smoothly, adjusting his ornate pocket watch with a flick of his wrist "as much as I sympathize with your attachment to that... plush, you should give credit where it's due." He gestured toward the sceene, where Ichigo sat slumped against the rabbit, still clutching the cross in his hand. "Not only was the creature restrained by the combined influence of my Fullbring and your own, but it was also unaccustomed to that fabricated body. Yet Kurosaki managed to defeat it—barely, but he did."Riruka huffed, crossing her arms as she turned her glare toward Giriko. "Yeah, because it was restrained! That thing wasn't even at full strength, and it still almost flattened him.""True" Giriko replied, unbothered by her tone. "But it doesn't lower his accomplishment. He adapted. Improvised. He took a situation where brute force alone wouldn't suffice and found a way to overcome it. That, Miss Dokugamine, is worth noting."Tsukishima remained silent, his expression unreadable as he leaned casually against the wall. His calculating eyes studied Ichigo, as if dissecting every move he had made during the fight. Whatever thoughts swirled in his mind, he kept them to himself, though the faintest glimmer of interest flickered behind his otherwise calm demeanor.Moe Shishigawara, on the other hand, was far less reserved. "Whoa!" he exclaimed, stepping forward with wide eyes. "Did you guys see that? He straight-up nailed it with a piece of glass! That was awesome!" He jabbed a thumb toward Ichigo, grinning like an overexcited kid. "Man, I gotta spar with this guy sometime."Arlen, the sharply dressed observer, let out a quiet chuckle, his voice smooth and composed. "It seems I picked the right day to visit," he said, his piercing gaze fixed on Ichigo. "He's rough around the edges, but there's potential there... raw, unrefined potential.""Enough," Kyra's voice cut through the air like a blade, her sharp tone silencing the room instantly. Her piercing gaze never left the screen as she spoke, every word precise and unyielding. "Riruka, Giriko's right. That thing was restrained—not just by your Fullbring, but by Giriko's rules as well. It wasn't even remotely close to full capacity. Yet Kurosaki still won. And before you start throwing a tantrum about your plush—again—remember this: results matter. Kurosaki's relentless. That's what makes him dangerous. That's what makes him useful."She let the word hang in the air for a moment, her expression hard as stone. Then, quieter, almost to herself, she added, "...He truly is a monster."Only Baby, leaning casually against the wall with his arms crossed, caught her lips as they formed the final word. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly, his ever-calm demeanor flickering with curiosity.Monster, huh? he thought, his mind wandering. What kind of music would a monster like that listen to? Heavy metal? Nah, too obvious. Maybe something chaotic, like punk—or something completely unexpected, like swing. Baby smirked faintly at the thought, filing it away for later. The guy probably liked something totally contradictory to his vibe. It'd be fun to find out.Riruka, meanwhile, looked like she was ready to explode but held herself back. She crossed her arms tightly, glaring at the screen as though it had personally offended her. "Stupid boys and their stupid fights," she muttered under her breath, her voice just loud enough to carry. "Ruined my bunny for what? A pathetic, half-baked performance? He hasn't even unlocked his Fullbring yet!"Giriko adjusted his pocket watch with a measured flick of his wrist, his expression calm as ever. "Miss Dokugamine, your outrage is misplaced. The principle remains: Kurosaki adapted to the situation. Whether the creature was at full strength or not, he found a way to overcome it." His gaze shifted briefly to the screen, his tone remaining cold and matter-of-fact. "That, in itself, is progress.""Progress?" Riruka shot back, spinning to face him. "The thing was practically gift-wrapped! It's not progress if you hand him the win. He just got lucky.""Luck had nothing to do with it," Tsukishima interjected smoothly, his calm voice cutting through the rising tension. He didn't even bother looking at Riruka, his eyes fixed on the screen as if dissecting every move Ichigo had made. "He's resourceful. And resourcefulness is often mistaken for luck by those who lack it."Riruka's face flushed with indignation, but before she could retort, Yukio clicked his tongue as he paused the footage on Ichigo mid-sprint, glaring at the screen. "Alright, let's not start painting him as some kind of genius just yet," he said, his voice flat and tinged with annoyance. "Yeah, he's fast. Yeah, his reflexes are impressive. But let's not ignore the fact that he's making rookie mistakes left and right."He tapped a button, rewinding to the moment Ichigo backed himself into the alley. "Look at this. Cornering himself like an idiot. He didn't think it through, didn't scope out his surroundings, and almost got himself killed because of it." He gestured toward the screen, the footage highlighting Ichigo scrambling to escape through the window. "If that building hadn't been there—or worse, if the plush had been faster—he'd be toast."Giriko nodded slightly, his fingers brushing the face of his pocket watch. "True. His speed and instincts carried him in this instance, but it's clear he lacks foresight. He reacts, rather than plans. A more formidable opponent would have exploited those gaps in his strategy.""Exactly," Yukio said, zooming in on Ichigo grabbing the shard of glass. "And look here. He's fast, sure, but he's reckless... Or suicidal, you pick—The second he received a wepon he emediatly stopped defending and went full offensive, hell you can see here he got nicked. " Riruka folded her arms and gave a smug grin, clearly relishing the criticism. "Finally, someone's talking sense. He's not that good—he's just lucky.""Luck had nothing to do with it," Tsukishima cut in, his voice calm but with an edge of irritation. "Yukio's right about his mistakes, but don't dismiss his ability to adapt. He learns quickly, even if he stumbles along the way. That's more than can be said for most.""Adaption is good an all...," Kyra interjected, her voice sharp. Her gaze remained fixed on the screen, her expression unreadable. "He's good at figuring out how to survive, but that's not what we're here for. Survival isn't enough to activate his Fullbring. He needs to be pushed past his limits."The room fell silent for a moment, the tension thick as everyone mulled over Kyra's words. Then Giriko adjusted his pocket watch with a quiet click, his calm voice breaking the stillness. "Perhaps it's time to make some... adjustments."Riruka's eyes widened, and she immediately stepped forward, her attitude completely changing from her previuos one. "Whoa, hold on! What kind of adjustments? That thing's already dangerous enough. You want to make it worse?"Giriko gave her a measured look, his expression unchanging. "The plush was restrained by both my Fullbring and yours, Miss Dokugamine. It wasn't operating at its full capacity. If Kurosaki is to activate his Fullbring, he must face a true challenge—one that forces him to tap into his latent potential. We'll begin by releasing some of the restrictions on the creature.""Are you insane?" Riruka snapped, her voice rising. "He barely survived the way it is now! You're just gonna turn him into rabbit food!"Kyra stepped forward, silencing Riruka with a single glance. "Enough. Giriko's right, he'll never break through if he's not desperate enough. He needs to be pushed—hard. And if he can't handle it..." She let the sentence hang in the air, her expression cold. "Then he doesn't belong here."Yukio smirked faintly, his fingers dancing over the buttons on his console. "Finally, something interesting. I'll tweak the map to make things a little more... dynamic. Let's see how he handles it when the environment starts fighting back."Riruka's hands clenched into fists, her voice rising again. "This is ridiculous! You're just playing with him now! Do you even care if he—"Kyra cut her off sharply, her voice cold as steel. "Riruka. Enough. If you can't stomach the process, then leave. This isn't about what's fair or nice. It's about results. And if Kurosaki's going to survive in our world, he's going to need to prove he can handle worse than this." Her gaze was unwavering, boring into Riruka like a challenge.Riruka's mouth opened, but no words came out. She glared at Kyra, her cheeks flushing with a mix of anger and embarrassment. With a huff, she turned on her heel, muttering under her breath as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "Fine. Do whatever you want. But don't come crying to me when your stupid plan backfires."Giriko, unbothered by the tension, adjusted his pocket watch with his usual deliberate precision. "The adjustments will take effect immediately," he announced. His calm, measured tone made it sound like he was announcing the weather, not the escalation of a life-or-death trial.Yukio leaned casually against the wall, his fingers dancing effortlessly over the buttons on his handheld console, his expression one of detached amusement. On the screen before them, the map began to shift in real time, the once-static cityscape twisting and contorting as if alive. Buildings stretched skyward like grotesque hands reaching for the heavens, their frames groaning under the strain, while others collapsed in slow motion, crumbling into debris that reshaped the terrain entirely."This should make things a bit more... fair," Yukio said, a smirk tugging at his lips as he glanced at the screen. "No more cheap tricks, Kurosaki."The shifting landscape was meticulous, designed with precision. Alleyways that had once provided refuge for Ichigo narrowed to suffocatingly tight corridors, while wide-open streets became jagged pathways littered with rubble. Any remnants of broken glass that had once served as Ichigo's improvised weaponry vanished, replaced with smooth, featureless surfaces that offered no such opportunities.He tapped a few more buttons, and the camera zoomed in on the plush rabbit. Its grotesque form twitched with renewed vigor, the restraints lifting in subtle increments. Its claws sharpened, its movements becoming unnervingly fluid as it adapted to its newfound freedom. Yukio's smirk deepened as he watched the creature test its growing power, its glowing red eyes scanning the distorted environment as if calculating its next move."No more buildings for him to trap that thing in, no more shards of glass for him to throw," Yukio added, his tone laced with mockery. "Let's see how resourceful he really is when I strip away all his shortcuts."The others watched in silence as the city morphed into a hostile labyrinth, designed not only to challenge Ichigo but to ensure he couldn't rely on the same tactics that had saved him before.Kyra gave a curt nod, her sharp eyes fixed on the screen. "Good. No more crutches. If he's going to survive, he'll need to rely on his instincts and raw ability. No handouts."Yukio chuckled softly, his gaze still on the console. "Oh, don't worry. I'm not handing him anything. If anything, I'm making sure he earns it." He paused, glancing briefly at Riruka, whose scowl deepened with every passing second. "Besides, it's not like we're throwing him in completely blind. The rabbit is still mostly restrained....Ichigo rose unsteadily, the groaning cityscape around him threatening to buckle his resolve. Buildings twisted unnaturally before collapsing into slow, deliberate ruin. The ground trembled beneath his feet, sending vibrations through his bones as the debris of his surroundings disappeared into nothingness. The once-sharp city turned hostile and barren, smooth paths replacing shattered streets, and the shards of glass he'd relied on for survival evaporated into the ether.His crimson eyes darted across the collapsing maze, but he could feel it—a heavy, suffocating weight crawling into his chest as he grabbed his chest with his hand to help himself breathing, incidentally grabbing the cross also. Each building that fell, each street that vanished, clawed at the edges of his mind, pulling him somewhere darker. His breath hitched as the cracks in this fabricated city mirrored something he'd seen before. Something he tried not to think about. Something that never stopped haunting him.The vision seized him. For a moment, the crumbling streets dissolved, replaced by towering skyscrapers—his inner world. But it wasn't the calm, stormy expanse he remembered. No, it was the moment everything had fallen apart. He saw them again: the endless towers, once steady and unyielding, splintering under the weight of black flames. He remembered the overwhelming heat, the suffocating roar of destruction, and the way the structures collapsed in on themselves, disintegrating into ash.And then, the silence.His fists clenched involuntarily, his nails digging into his palms as his breath grew uneven. He remembered that silence all too well—how it echoed in the void left behind by Zangetsu's voice, once so steady, and the chaotic, taunting laughter of his Hollow. They had been there, always—guiding him, challenging him, pushing him forward in their own ways. Until that day.The heat of the flames didn't just scorch; it erased. They burned beyond flesh and bone, reducing even the core of his soul to ash.The memory burned as vividly as the flames themselves. The black inferno of Mugetsu, wild and unrelenting, consuming everything in its path. The moment those flames surrounded them, they were gone—both of them. The weight of their presence, the defiant strength they embodied, disappeared in an instant... Not even giving him a chance to say goodbye to them. Burned everything the second it touched it.The second the flames surrounded them, they were gone.His world was gone.Silence was there...But now, as he stood amidst this collapsing, fabricated world, another sensation began to stir. Unease crept into the edges of his mind, soft and insidious, like whispers carried by a distant breeze. It didn't shout or demand his attention—it lingered, waiting, whispering words he couldn't quite make out. His breath hitched again, his heart quickening against his will as his memories shifted uneasily, betraying cracks he had worked so hard to bury."No," Ichigo muttered, shaking his head violently, as if the motion could banish the memory. The simulated city snapped back into focus, but the ghost of his inner world lingered in his peripheral vision, just out of reach. He gripped the cross around his neck tighter, his fingers trembling. "Not now," he hissed under his breath. "Not here."Ichigo grit his teeth, his jaw tightening as anger roiled inside him, bubbling up from the memories he couldn't suppress. His fingers clutched the cross hanging from his neck, trembling as if trying to crush the weight it carried. The suffocating stillness of the broken city only fueled his frustration, every collapsed building a mocking echo of the destruction that had once defined his soul.The rabbit emerged again from the rubble, its grotesque form unchanged, glowing red eyes fixed on him with a chilling intensity. Its presence felt less like a creature and more like the embodiment of the challenge before him—relentless, unyielding, and twisted."Fine," Ichigo muttered under his breath, his voice low and shaking with suppressed rage. "If this is how it's gonna be, then come on."The anger wasn't just at the rabbit. It wasn't just at the trial, or Kyra, or the others watching him struggle. It was at himself. At his failure. At the silence that had replaced the voices he had relied on for so long. They had left him. They weren't here anymore. And he couldn't figure out why that thought gnawed at him so much now, in this moment, as if the echoes of Zangetsu and the Hollow were buried just beneath the surface, out of reach but taunting him nonetheless.The rabbit snarled and lunged, claws gleaming as they slashed through the air. Ichigo didn't move to dodge. Not this time. He stepped forward instead, meeting the attack head-on. The beast's claws scraped against his arm as he raised it, tearing through the fabric of his sleeve and biting into his skin. But he didn't flinch.Instead, he struck.His fist collided with the rabbit's side, the force of the blow sending the beast skidding back. The impact felt different this time, heavier. More deliberate. Ichigo blinked, momentarily surprised by his own strength, but his rage refused to let him linger on it.The rabbit crashed into a pile of rubble, its body twisting unnaturally as it scrambled to regain its footing. Ichigo stood still for a moment, his chest heaving, blood dripping from his forearm where the creature's claws had left their mark. His mind felt clouded by rage, but his body moved like a well-oiled machine, each strike heavier, each dodge faster.He exhaled sharply and clenched his fists, his knuckles scraped and bruised. Something about this fight was shifting. He could feel it—not in the air or the energy around him, but within himself. His strikes had weight they didn't have before, and the creature staggered harder with every blow. And yet, Ichigo couldn't let himself think about that now. He was too busy fighting, too angry to analyze why things felt... different.The rabbit shook off the rubble and snarled, its glowing red eyes blazing with renewed fury. It lunged again, faster this time, its claws ripping into the cracked asphalt as it charged. Ichigo planted his feet, bracing himself for the impact, but the sheer force of the creature's attack was overwhelming. Its claws caught him square in the chest, hurling him backward like a ragdoll. He slammed into a crumbling wall, dust and debris raining down around him as he hit the ground with a grunt."Shit..." he hissed, dragging himself to his feet, his vision swimming for a moment. The pain shot through his ribs, but he pushed it aside. Pain was just part of the fight—it always had been.The rabbit didn't give him time to recover. It pounced, its massive claws tearing through the space where he had just been standing. Ichigo rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding being pinned, and darted into the ruins of a nearby building. The collapsed structure offered little in the way of cover, but it was better than staying out in the open.The creature let out a guttural roar, the sound reverberating through the cityscape as it scanned for him. Ichigo crouched low behind a pile of debris, his heart pounding as he controlled his breathing. His crimson eyes flicked toward the beast, watching its erratic movements as it searched for him, sniffing the air as though it could sense him.But it couldn't.Ichigo frowned, the realization settling in as he pressed himself against the rubble. The creature's glowing red eyes swept past his hiding spot without hesitation, as if he wasn't even there. His breathing slowed even further, and his Reiatsu—or whatever was left of it—felt faint, almost nonexistent. Was that why the thing couldn't find him? He didn't have time to question it. He just needed to use it.The rabbit growled low, its claws scraping against the ground as it stalked through the ruins, its movements more cautious now. Ichigo's grip tightened on a jagged shard of debris he had grabbed during his fall. He waited, his muscles coiled like springs, his breath nearly silent as he watched the creature inch closer to his position.It passed directly in front of him, its glowing eyes fixated on the empty space ahead. Ichigo didn't hesitate. He surged forward in complete silence, his movements fluid and precise, the shard in his hand aimed directly for the creature's head."Got you," he muttered under his breath as he drove the shard forward.The sharp edge pierced the rabbit's glowing red eye with sickening precision, a wet crunch echoing through the empty cityscape. The creature let out a distorted, ear-piercing screech, its body convulsing violently as it stumbled back, clawing at its face in a desperate attempt to dislodge the shard.Ichigo didn't stop. He grabbed a chunk of rubble and hurled it at the creature's injured face, the impact forcing it to stagger further. Blood—if you could even call it that—oozed from the rabbit's damaged eye, its movements erratic and disjointed as it thrashed blindly.Ichigo took the chance to retreat deeper into the ruins, his chest rising and falling with sharp breaths. He crouched low again, watching the creature flail as it struggled to regain its senses. His mind raced, trying to piece together his next move, but the edges of his thoughts were blurred by frustration and exhaustion.He reached up to wipe the sweat from his forehead, but his hand froze halfway. His fingers brushed against a lock of hair that felt different, heavier. He frowned, pulling his hand away to see faint streaks of black staining his fingertips. His crimson eyes narrowed as he stared at the new strands, but there was no time to think about it.The rabbit let out another guttural roar, its remaining eye blazing with rage as it fixed its gaze on Ichigo's direction. Its body convulsed, its grotesque form shifting and twisting unnaturally as it prepared to charge once more.The rabbit lunged with terrifying speed, its grotesque claws tearing through the rubble in its path. Ichigo held his ground, his crimson eyes locked onto its remaining glowing eye. He ducked under the first swipe, feeling the wind whip past his face as the claws sliced through the air, and pivoted around its body. His feet slid across the uneven ground, his movements fluid and unrelenting.He gripped a jagged piece of debris tighter, his knuckles white, and as the beast twisted to face him again, he lunged forward with a shout, driving the shard straight toward its other eye. The impact sent a shudder through his arm as the jagged edge struck true, plunging into the glowing red orb. Ichigo felt a surge of adrenaline as the rabbit screeched in pain, thrashing wildly as it tried to dislodge the shard.But before Ichigo could step back, the beast's head whipped forward, its jaw wide as it roared directly into his face. The sound hit him like a physical blow, a deafening wall of noise that rattled his skull and sent a sharp pain shooting through his ears. His eyes slammed shut instinctively, his body frozen for a split second as the sheer force of the roar left him disoriented."Shit," Ichigo muttered through gritted teeth, his muscles locking up as he stumbled backward, his balance faltering. The rabbit's thrashing claw struck out blindly, its sharp edge raking across Ichigo's face. A searing pain erupted across his cheek and lip as the claw grazed him, the force of the strike sending him sprawling backward into the rubble.His vision blurred, his head pounding as blood dripped from a gash that ran across his cheek to his lower lip. The taste of iron filled his mouth, but Ichigo didn't waste time lying there. He forced his body to move, dragging himself behind a collapsed wall as the beast continued to thrash and screech in pain, its glowing eyes flickering like faulty bulbs.Panting heavily, Ichigo pressed his hand to the gash on his face, feeling the warm, sticky blood seep through his fingers. He clenched his jaw, the pain only fueling his anger. "Damn thing," he muttered, his voice low and rough. He glanced out from behind the rubble, watching as the rabbit staggered in circles, one eye destroyed and the other barely functional.Its erratic movements were wild, but they lacked focus. The creature swiped blindly at the air, unable to see, and as Ichigo remained perfectly still, it became clear the beast couldn't sense him either. His low —And lower— Reiatsu, once a source of frustration, now worked in his favor. It couldn't track him.Ichigo's breathing steadied as he adjusted his grip on another shard of rubble. He wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, his expression grim but determined. "If it can't find me, then I'll make sure it doesn't have a chance to recover," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.He waited, watching the rabbit's movements, studying its patterns. It lashed out at random, its claws scraping against the ground, its roars echoing through the empty streets. Each swipe was slower than the last, its energy clearly draining as it struggled to find its unseen opponent.Slowly, carefully, Ichigo began to move. He circled around the creature, staying low to the ground and keeping his steps silent. He crept closer, using the rubble to mask his movements, his crimson eyes locked on the beast's weakened form. The rabbit roared again, the sound less deafening this time, and Ichigo took the opportunity to dart forward, slashing a quick strike across its exposed flank before retreating into the shadows.The rabbit screeched, twisting toward the source of the attack, but Ichigo was already gone, disappearing behind another pile of debris. He crouched low, his breath steady, waiting for the creature to lash out in confusion before moving again.This pattern repeated. Strike, retreat, hide. Each blow was precise, wearing the beast down little by little, leaving it bleeding and staggering. Ichigo didn't let up, even as his own body screamed in protest, his muscles aching and his vision swimming from blood loss. He couldn't stop. He wouldn't.The rabbit's movements became slower, its roars quieter, its glowing eye dimming as it faltered under the relentless assault. Ichigo, hidden once more, crouched in the shadows, his hands trembling from exhaustion but his grip steady on the shard in his hand."Almost there," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible. "Just a little more."The beast let out a final, weak roar, its body sagging as it stumbled forward, its claws dragging against the ground. Ichigo narrowed his eyes, his breathing steady as he prepared for the final strike. This time, he wouldn't miss.Ichigo crept forward, his steps deliberate and silent, each one feeling like it took an eternity. The beast's massive frame heaved with labored breaths, its once-feral roars now reduced to a pitiful whimper. It swayed on its feet, its remaining eye flickering like a dying ember. The grotesque rabbit was on the verge of collapse, but Ichigo knew better than to let his guard down. Even in its weakened state, it was still dangerous.He tightened his grip on the shard, its jagged edges pressing into his palm as if grounding him in the moment. His crimson eyes glinted with determination as he approached, his movements slow and calculated. The weight of exhaustion dragged at him, but he pushed it aside. This was it. One clean strike, and it would be over.The rabbit's head twitched, its glowing eye swiveling as if trying to pinpoint him, but its efforts were futile. Ichigo's Reiatsu was practically nonexistent, an invisible presence in the chaos of the simulated city. The advantage was his, and he intended to make it count.In a single, fluid motion, Ichigo darted forward, his body moving faster than his thoughts. The rabbit let out a feeble growl, its claws twitching as it sensed the sudden movement. But it was too slow. Ichigo leaped onto its back, his knees digging into its twisted fabric flesh as he raised the shard high above his head."This is it," he growled through gritted teeth, his voice rough with exhaustion and resolve. He brought the shard down with all the strength he had left, aiming directly for the creature's remaining eye. The jagged glass pierced through the glowing orb with a sickening crunch, the light in the rabbit's eye flaring brilliantly before fading into nothingness.The beast let out a final, guttural scream, its body convulsing violently beneath him. Ichigo clung to its back, his fingers gripping the shard tightly as the creature thrashed, its grotesque form collapsing under its own weight. The ground trembled as it fell, its claws scraping uselessly against the rubble before finally going still.Ichigo staggered off its back, stumbling as his knees buckled beneath him. He fell to the ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps as the silence of the city settled around him. The rabbit's massive body lay motionless, its twisted form reduced to nothing more than a heap of fabric and darkness.For a moment, Ichigo just sat there, staring at the fallen creature, his mind numb with exhaustion. His vision swam, and he felt the warmth of blood trickling down his face, the sting of the gash on his lip a sharp reminder of how close he'd come to losing.......His jaw clenched. No time to waste.Without hesitating, Ichigo reached for another shard of rubble nearby. His fingers closed around it, but the instant he tightened his grip, the shard vanished. Dissolved, like it had never been there at all. His hand clutched at nothing but air.He froze, his exhaustion momentarily giving way to sharp irritation. Slowly, Ichigo tilted his head back, crimson eyes narrowing as they locked onto the simulated sky above. His glare was piercing, heavy with accusation."Yukio..." Ichigo muttered under his breath, his voice low and venomous. He didn't need to see the smirking brat's face to know this was his doing. The kid was toying with himThe hum of the simulated environment seemed louder now, as if mocking him. Ichigo gritted his teeth, his fists clenching at his sides as he forced himself to stand, swaying slightly before steadying his footing. His legs felt like lead, and his vision still swam, but his stubbornness refused to let him collapse. He didn't need a weapon. If Yukio wanted to play games, fine. He'd find another way.......
Had to cut this in half cuz webnovel has 20 k word cap, didnt know that.