After eating breakfast with his other mother, Ichigo went out to the city and he immediately noticed the difference between his world and the one he was in now.
Many of the Quincyes were dressed in uniforms similar to those the Soldats wore in the Wandenreich as they patrolled the city streets. With some of them having conversations with the locales. While others were busy jumping off the rooftops or traveling across the air using the Hirenkyaku (the flying step) high-speed technique completely in public.
Much to the soul reaper's bemusement.
'So, I can also guess there is no law against using spiritual powers in the world of the living...' Ichigo mused while looking at the soldiers. 'Still, I should keep my head down and try not to draw as much attention to myself as possible,' The young shinigami thought as he walked to his destination.
During his journey across town, the orange-haired youth began to take in more of his surroundings. Seeing that the buildings and their décor looked more or less the same, yet at the same time, they felt a bit more modern. As if they have been updated by several years in advance. The soul reaper also notices that in place of flip phones. Many citizens used tablet-like devices to call people and even send out texts by using their fingers on a screen.
But the biggest thing that Ichigo noticed about the town was the considerable energy barrier that covered it.
Sure, it was barely noticeable, and if one didn't have a sharp eye, they could have easily missed it. But the young soul reaper can quickly tell. Due to frequently visiting the soul society and his train senses. But whenever it was made out of Sekkiseki or something else, the teen could not say. But it is evident that it was something important and that he will have to take note of that later.
When Ichigo arrived at school, he was surprised to find that it looked less like an educational institution and more like a military base. With dozen Quincy squadrons moving in and out of the courtyard. But when he approached the front gate of the facility. Every one of the Quincy bowed their heads and stepped out of his way in unison while saluting at him.
Kurosaki was imminently taken aback by this.
'Ooooooh...okay. This is just an all-new level of awkwardness. Apparently, not only do I have a relationship with Yhwach. But also a high standing as well. Given that they are treating me like a high-level officer. Wonder what else this would lead to?'
As Ichigo continued to ponder, he felt a familiar spiritual pressure coming near him.
'ICHIGOOOOOOOOO!' someone cried out in a voice that the young man is all too aware of.
Keigo Asano.
Every day, the goofy high-school student would always gang up on the orange hair teen, and Kurosaki would slam him with his arms without missing a beat, which Ichigo expected and planned to do the same here. With his right limb already readying itself to pound the unsuspecting teen.
Keywords are unsuspecting.
Then before Ichigo even realized it, Keigo, instead of slamming himself into his arm. Grabbed it and then flipped the orange-haired teen right into a nearby wall.
Much to Kursosaki's absolute shock.
'...Huh?' he muttered with a blank expression as he fell upside down and stared up at Keigo. Who smiled back at him with a smug, cheeky grin.
'Oh come, Ichigo, you didn't think you could hit me with that old trick again!? You need to be a bit more creative than that!' Keigo criticized with a cheerful expression on his face. At the same time, Kurosaki continued to stare at him in utter bafflement.
Keigo, upon seeing his friend's confusion and not answering him. He then looked for concern.
'Ichigo?' Keigo asked, and Kurosaki's sweat dropped at realizing his mistake.
'Stupid'...' He cursed as he quickly got back up and recomposed himself before moving his face away from Keigo. 'I should have never assumed that this place would have the same people as my hometown. I got to be more careful otherwise...'
"Hey, Ichigo, are you in there?' The brown-haired teen questioned, and Ichigo quickly got back into character.
'Ye-Yeah, um...you got me, Asano. I must have gotten rusty.' The nervous teen tried to play it off while Keigo narrowed his eyes suspiciously...before giving a snorted laugh. 'Oh, it's fine, Ichigo. After all, I know why you are so out of it.'
Kurosaki's heart then skipped several beats.
'...you do?' he barely spoke out. Was his cover already blown!?
'Sure, it's because this is the last day for you to go out with your girl, right?'
Ichigo then let out a breath of relief. Thankful he hadn't been found out yet, he realized what the brunette had just said to him.
'Wait...a girl...as in girlfriend!? Ichigo thought to himself before groaning in annoyance. 'Great, not only do I have to deal with a Keigo that just kicked my ass. But I am also in a relationship with someone I don't even know!' He then rubbed his temples 'Just fucking perfect!'
As Kurosaki frowned. Keigo continued to tease him.
'Oh, don't be such a drama queen, Ichigo!' Keigo reasoned as he patted his right hand on his friend's back, tiring to make the orange-head cheer up. Though it just seems to make the latter growl in annoyance.
'Drama Queen!?' he bitterly pouted to himself, only worsening as Keigo continued to pate him on the back. 'Great, now I am the overly emotional idiot that needs a cooldown!'
'If you don't spend any time with her now. Then soon you won't get any more chances of going out with her at all. I mean it's not the same as when we were kids and have all the time in the world together... barely any of us do now
Kurosaki then paused at the sudden swift in Keigo's voice and then by instinct, he began analyzing Keigo's spiritual power, and upon doing so, his eyes flew up open in surprise. For his friend's spiritual power was on the same level as a lieutenant or even a low-level captain, and upon studying the teen further. He also realized other things about himself.
As Keigo in contrast to the white military uniform, the Quinces. Wore a black-tie shirt, with jeans, and figureless gloves of the same color. While a white stylized X emblem logo was embedded on the back of the shirt, and when Ichigo saw part of his bare arms he also realized that Asano had lean but incredibly ripped muscles. Comparable in build to even some high-level shinigami.
Kurosaki then eyed his so-called friend with a wary glance. But Keigo didn't notice Ichigo's expression and just continued to smile.
'Oh, but that is okay, buddy. I mean, it's not like the black prince will die anytime soon or heck ever!' Keigo said cheekily while giving Ichigo a thumbs up, and the orange-head just sighed in annoyance and relief.
'Well, at least I now know I have an official title...which means I am also royalty too,' He mused in agitation. But decides not to overthink about it for now.
Ichigo then stared back at Keigo. 'Okay, aside from my personal life. What do we have planned for today?
Keigo then gave his friend a curious look before answering. 'Well, you know. Go to school for training, patrol the city, so no one is causing trouble, and scout out the wastelands for incoming raids. You know the usual. Um-aside from going to the soul society for your occasional visits with Yhwach'
Kurosaki then holds his chin in understanding. But struggled to prevent himself from shaking his head when hearing the Quincy leader's name.
'So, the school is a training ground, and my visits to the soul society are recurring. On top patrolling the city and scouting out the wastelands...' Ichigo then looked above the sky. 'They must be beyond that barrier.'
'Well, come on, it's time to get to class. You don't want to be late and get on the teacher's wrath again, right ?' Keigo said while patting Ichigo's back and then leading him to the main building.
As Kurosaki entered the classroom, it didn't look all that different from his old school, But it did feel more rundown, organized, and brooding. Many of his fellow students were now wearing the military garbs of the Soldats or the same black-tie shirts as Keigo. All the while making small talk with each other, though with a lot less enthusiasm than he was used to.
But as Ichigo studied the people in his class, he also sense they all have spiritual power that ranged to the level of a 6th to 3rd level seated officer. With a few of them even on the level of a lieutenant like Asano. Then upon further judging their body language, and demeanor along with noticing all the various scares some of them have on their faces necks, and arms. The soul reaper also realized another, if rather harrowing truth.
All of them had experience on the field of battle.
As Ichigo dreaded to think what his classmates went through to make them like this. Their teacher suddenly came through the door, and his eyes widened in shock.
For tt was the sternrittter Bambietta Basterbine the Explosion. Who was dressed in a uniform, not unlike the one she wore in his reality. But her cape was much shorter, she wore a pink heart buckle around her waist, and her hair was cut medium length while sporting a cap over her head.
While Ichigo himself never personally meet the woman. He heard that she was among the most potent quinces of the Wandenreich and even managed to defeat Shinji in straight-up combat, before being bested by Komamura, and from what he last heard about her whereabouts. She was living with the rest of her...supposed friends in hiding.
As Kurosaki stared at the raven-haired woman. He couldn't help but feel that she had the same feeling and presence as Tatsuki and if that were true. The teacher will adequately be just as much of a hardass as her.
'All right, you maggots, listen up. I have gotten news from our scouts that a raid is marching to this city in less than an hour. With it numbering well over a thousand' she announced while folding her arms while the rest of the students turned to face her with the discipline, even Keigo. 'However, it isn't something we haven't dealt with before. Just be sure to armed yourselves, get ready into your positions, and if we keep our act together, we might wipe out those scumbags by lunch. So move out!'
And upon giving her squadron orders, the rest of the students followed suit. Many use their high-speed techniques to get to the battlefield as soon as possible.
However, when Ichigo went to join the group outside. Bambietta then greeted him at the front door.
Much to the soul reaper's confusion.
'So Kurosaki. I heard that you have been acting weird lately. So is your head in the game or not?' She questions harshly. At the same time, Ichigo tried to keep his composer in check even as sweat dripped down his brow.
'It's um...Yes, mam! Just a little sleepy is all!'
Bambietta then eyed him coldly before sighing. 'Whatever...anyway, I want to let you know something personally since I didn't want to discourage the troops. This hollow raid, while it may be average in size, they are led by two Arrancar
Ichigo looked at her in concern. While she then narrowed her eyes grimly, 'One of them being the 6th Espada Grimmjow and the other his Fraccion Grandfisher.'