10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven
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"Geez, you didn't hold back, did you?"
Shinji's remark caused the other members of the Visored to nod. They had yet to look friendly but no longer hostile. All they needed to do was introduce themselves to Ichigo and they might laugh together soon. They were quite eager to introduce themselves as they were genuinely curious about the enigma called Kurosaki Ichigo.
"I wanted to end the test soon. I figured destroying your warehouse would do that," Ichigo remorselessly explained.
"Glad that you didn't," Shinji responded, barely keeping his grin. "Anyway, it is time to know my comrades. The exiled Shinigami of Soul Society."
The dark-skinned man with star-shaped curly hair introduced himself as Aikawa Love. Ichigo already knew who the man was but still shook his hand as if he didn't. The most muscular guy in the group, Muguruma Kensei, stepped forward, but his energetic green-haired friend beat him, Kuna Mashiro. Kensei was irritated but didn't say anything.
The most flamboyant of the group, the blond-haired man called Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, introduced himself like a poet. He didn't forget to remind Ichigo that he preferred to be called Rose. The tallest female in the group quietly introduced herself as Yadomaru Lisa. She was too engrossed in her erotic literature to care.
The last one to introduce himself was the biggest man in the group, Ushōda Hachigen. Hachigen was a gentle giant. Ichigo couldn't wait to train with him as he needed to upgrade his Kidō arsenal. Hachigen was second only to Tessai in Kidō mastery. Tessai had been a great help, but he was quite stingy for Ichigo's taste. Ichigo was optimistic that Hachigen would be different.
"So… given that you can converse with us while maintaining the mask, what do you want to learn from us?" Kensei asked.
"It must be to further control his power, baldie," an irritated voice interjected.
Everyone turned around to look at the source of the voice. Hiyori stood up with a huff and glared at Ichigo heatedly when she met his eyes.
"Ah, this little one is—"
"Sarugaki Hiyori," Ichigo cut Shinji.
"Y'know, I suspect that you already knew all of us even before we introduced ourselves," Shinji muttered under his breath.
As Ichigo shrugged, Hiyori stomped in his way. "Listen, baldie, I lost because I let you defeat. Next time, you will be on the ground crying."
"Sure."
"What!?"
Irked by Ichigo's response, Hiyori lunged at him. Unfortunately for her, Shinji caught her before her fingertips could touch Ichigo's Shihakushō. Shinji sighed as he held her back. Hiyori had always been explosive, but he didn't know that Ichigo could easily push her buttons. He wasn't thrilled by the future headache he would receive.
"To answer your question, I want to go to Hueco Mundo and evolve."
"What?"
Ichigo's statement caused everyone to go still and look at him as if he had eaten a kitten. Lisa was the first one to recover, but she still seemed unable to believe what she had heard.
"I want to be able to open a Garganta on my own like any Hollow does. Training with you guys would help me achieve it."
"What are you going to do in Hueco Mundo?" Lisa asked, intrigued.
"Hunt some Adjuchas and evolve into a Vasto Lorde."
"What are those?" Mashiro wondered.
"Adjuchas, Vasto Lorde… wait, how did you figure out about Hueco Mundo?" Love asked in puzzlement.
"Urahara-san must have told him about it," Kensei answered.
"Not only do you want to better control your Hollow power but also evolve it. I can't tell if it's brilliant or daring of you, Kurosaki-kun," Rose commented with a contemplative look.
"You will die. Stop your delusion, baldie," Hiyori spat.
Ichigo turned to Shinji, waiting for him to say something. Shinji only looked at him silently. Shinji was the only Visored who believed in him. A smirk crept up his face, causing the others to raise their eyebrow.
"Only time can tell."
No one but Hiyori and Mashiro reacted to his statement. Hiyori scoffed and Mashiro cheered enthusiastically. He could tell that none of them but Shinji believed that he could achieve what he wanted. Of course, he didn't think that they sucked for it. He knew how ridiculous it sounded from a Shinigami perspective.
A few minutes later, Ichigo found himself standing in the center of the Study Chamber under the warehouse. He was standing face to face with Shinji, surrounded by the Barrier that Hachigen had erected.
"It's crazy that you can maintain the mask for this long. I wonder if a slight nudge would break it," Shinji commented.
"Face me like you are facing a Hollow," Ichigo stated, ignoring the comment.
In response to that, Shinji released his Zanpakutō, "Make them collapse, Sakanade!"
Shinji's Zanpakutō developed a ring-like pommel. His hand was in the center of the ring, allowing the whole Zanpakutō to spin around it. Ichigo put his hands on the hilt of his twin Zanpakutō and pulled them out. He didn't need to hold himself back given how tricky it was dealing with Sakanade.
"Sakasama no Sekai."
As soon as those words were uttered, the world swirled and everything became upside down. Ichigo clicked his tongue in displeasure. He was still affected even though he was sure he didn't inhale the mist that Sakanade released. Shinji had released an unnoticeable amount of the mist which could be easily ignored.
"Now, let's see how you react to this," Shinji said with mischief, suddenly appearing behind Ichigo.
Swish!
Ichigo's swing hit nothing but air. Instead of swinging it backward, he did it forward. An amused chuckle escaped his mouth. Shinji was quite surprised by the reaction. He was almost caught off guard when Ichigo correctly swung Zangetsu at him. Reappearing a distance away from Ichigo, he watched as the young Shinigami got used to his movement.
"This feeling is new," Ichigo remarked. "It will greatly help my combat ability."
"Glad to help," Shinji replied, appearing before Ichigo and swinging Sakanade downward.
"Hainawa."
Shinji's eyes widened as a sloppy Bakudō wrapped around him. He could easily break it, but it was enough time for Ichigo to strike. He received a crushing hit to his stomach, sending him flying to the back. When he regained his footing, he silently thanked Ichigo for not cutting him instead. Though, he still hated Ichigo for hitting him that hard.
"Hm. As expected, Kidō is hard to use in this state," Ichigo said to himself. "What about… Cero!"
Shinji was forced to move away when a beam of red energy came shooting at him. It was small compared to the one a Menos Grande released but packed as much if not more power. None of the Visored had ever attempted to use Cero. They were afraid to truly become a Hollow should they try. Seeing Ichigo use Cero and still maintain his rationality stunned them.
"I didn't know it was possible," Kensei commented among the audience. "I thought enhanced strength and Reiatsu were the limit."
"That is what we believe, Kensei-kun. We don't know much about the extent of the Hollow ability," Mashiro corrected, surprising Kensei with her insight. "Anyway, Strawberry-kun is struggling."
Returning their focus to the arena, they found Ichigo developing tears in his Shihakushō. He was not hurt, but it was clear that he couldn't properly block Shinji's attack. On the other hand, Shinji was frowning. He held back, but he was sure that Ichigo should have been bleeding. It amazed as much as it weirded him out how thick Ichigo's skin was.
Using Shunpō, he entered Ichigo's guard. He was about to strike when Ichigo spun and released Cero from his Zangetsu. He was caught off guard but quick enough to block with Sakanade. The impact sent him skidding away.
When he stopped skidding, his temple was cut open. Blood immediately ran down his face, drenching his eyes. He couldn't quite understand what was happening. After all, he managed to block Ichigo's attack. Looking at the said young Shinigami, he watched as Ichigo's Hollow mask dispersed. Ichigo's intense Reiatsu was immediately toned down.
"Heh, glad that you are not that different from us," Shinji remarked.
"It is hard suppressing my instinct from taking over," Ichigo said while shaking his head.
"You mean, your sanity?"
"No. I can let my instinct run free but I will still be sane. However, I will be very prone to Sakanade who messes with someone's instinct. I can't let my body get ahead of my head."
"That is an impressive analysis. It makes me wonder how well you fight using your instinct without Sakanade's influence," Shinji declared with a grin.
Swish!
Shinji appeared before Ichigo as soon as he finished his sentence. Shinji was wearing his Hollow mask which grinned mockingly at Ichigo. When his Zanpakutō was a hair's breadth away from Ichigo's shoulder, Shinji felt a chill down his spine. He felt a finger on his stomach at the same time his Zanpakutō landed on Ichigo's shoulder.
"Byakurai."
Screech!
The Hadō effortlessly pierced through Shinji's stomach. His Hollow mask disappeared as he keeled over. He felt disoriented, but his innards were thankfully undamaged. He was saved by the perks that his Hollow mask possessed. Of course, the fact that Ichigo had held back also played a great role.
"Enough to subdue you," Ichigo said with a shrug.
"That reflex was insane," Shinji praised with a weary chuckle as he stood up.
"Hollows fight using their instinct. Mine is a monster at it."
Shinji grinned, amiably hitting Ichigo's shoulder. Inwardly, he noted that the only one who had a chance to beat Ichigo in a fight one by one even with their mask on was him.
'What a terrifying kid.'
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Honorary Mention:
Venerable Immortal Adan Smith
Venerable Immortal Haider Alkefaji
Venerable Immortal B0mbaCl0ckBob
Venerable Immortal Jack Wright
Venerable Immortal Rollo
Venerable Immortal Star Dragon Bahamut
Venerable Immortal Wilfrid Calixte Killian