10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven
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When Yoruichi told him that Kisuke wanted to meet him before he left for Soul Society, Ichigo knew something was amiss. He already had a hunch when Yoruichi deliberately came to the Visored's headquarters to pick him up. Granted, he looked like he was going to leave for Hueco Mundo when she arrived, but she knew him better. He wouldn't leave without telling anyone.
Ichigo was tempted to ask what was going on but held himself back. It was better to hear it from Kisuke himself. Upon arriving there, they were greeted by the ever-stoic Tessai and Renji who was helping him man the shop. Kisuke was nowhere to be seen, but Ichigo knew where he was. He could feel Kisuke in the Study Chamber.
Yoruichi wordlessly led him there. Upon arriving at the Study Chamber, he found Kisuke standing silently before one of the gigantic rocks. He had a thousand-yard stare in his eyes. Yoruichi stood to the side and motioned for Ichigo to walk up to Kisuke. Only when he stood beside Kisuke did the scientist turn to him.
"Well, hello, Ichigo-san. Fancy meeting you here," Kisuke greeted jovially.
"Cut to the chase, Kisuke," Ichigo returned curtly.
"My, my, an impatient one, aren't you?" Kisuke hummed. "Are you up for a spar?"
Ichigo observed Kisuke with squinted eyes. He knew the scientist wanted something from him, but he couldn't figure out what. Kisuke lowered his hat upon meeting Ichigo's scrutinizing look. He was confident of his poker face but felt like Ichigo would figure him out if he let Ichigo stare at his eyes.
"Fine."
"Then—"
Swoosh!
Kisuke was forced to dodge when a kick came at his head at a speed that was comparable to Yoruichi's on a good day. He immediately created some distance, utilizing his Shunpō to the fullest. The air buzzed as soon as he stopped moving. He stepped aside, narrowly missing Zangetsu. He was immediately forced to distance himself again as another Zangetsu came swinging at him.
"Oya, oya, isn't he a Speed Demon?" Kisuke remarked wryly. "Nake, Benihime!"
A wave of red Reishi came at Ichigo at a high speed. Ichigo responded with Getsuga Tensho, overpowering it after clashing for a few seconds. Kisuke noted the scene with a slight surprise. He wasn't being serious, so the development encouraged him to do that.
Ichigo appeared in front of him faster than his eyes could blink, but he was ready. He met Zangetsu with Benihime and noted the strength behind Ichigo's Zanpakutō with great fascination. Unable to withstand the strength for much longer, Kisuke used Nake, Benihime as he swung his Zanpakutō. The power produced by the technique was enough to push Ichigo back.
As soon as Ichigo stopped skidding, he immediately flashed in front of Kisuke with Sonido. They exchanged some blows, showcasing their skills in Zanjutsu. Ichigo's was chaotic but fluid whereas Kisuke's was gracious but rigid. Kisuke planned each of his swings whereas Ichigo reacted accordingly. They were the perfect counter for each other.
Kisuke still won in terms of Zanjutsu, but he lacked the raw power that Ichigo had, so he was forced to retreat. Ichigo was quick to chase after him, forcing him to cast Hadō #4: Byakurai to hinder Ichigo. He noted the light frown on Ichigo's face from afar. He could tell Ichigo was not amused by their seemingly pointless scuffle.
"This is getting old, Kisuke."
Right after he said it, Ichigo made a tearing motion in front of his face. Kisuke lowered his head, letting it shadow his faint smile that formed as soon as Ichigo's face was covered with his Hollow Mask. Kisuke noted the tremendous increase in Reiryoku. It was mostly chaotic and unrefined, but the amount was comparable to Yamamoto's, which was saying something.
"My, my… you are truly the child of the prophecy, aren't you?"
Kisuke was both amazed and saddened as he watched Ichigo come at him with a Cero wrapping around Zangetsu. He used Chikasumi no Tate to block the swing, noting the cracks that immediately appeared in the crimson shield. Powerful, but it was not enough. Ichigo was cursed to face an opponent that had the power to erase the world. He was powerful, but that was not enough.
Clank!
It was crazy to think that Ichigo could push him back after only being a Shinigami for less than half a year. He had lived over two centuries and yet Ichigo could match his power. Given enough time, Ichigo would make the strongest Shinigami the universe ever had. Unfortunately, he didn't have enough time. It was a soberingly terrifying reality they had to face.
"Gran Rey Cero!"
Kisuke decided not to try his luck as he saw the adult head-sized black Cero covered with a translucent white layer of Reishi coming at him. The cero hit one of the gigantic rocks in the Study Chamber, effortlessly disintegrating it and the ground where it stood. Kisuke could even feel the impact despite being tens of meters away from it.
Buzz!
When Kisuke heard that sound, he immediately raised Benihime to his neck. He was in time to block Zangetsu from decapitating him. He sweated a little when the skin on his jaw bled lightly from the cut Zangetsu made. He was relieved that he was fast enough to block the attack but slightly disgruntled that he was defeated faster than he had expected.
Zangetsu was a twin sword and he only managed to block the longer one. The shorter one had successfully cut his hat in two.
"It's my defeat, Ichigo-san," he forfeited petulantly.
"Spit it out, Kisuke. Don't waste more time," Ichigo growled threateningly.
"Right, right…" Kisuke raised his arms placatingly, prompting Ichigo to dematerialize his Hollow Mask. "I am here to give you something to solve your problem. Well, I am sure you can solve it on your own, but I am giving you a quick way to do it."
"What is the occasion?" Ichigo quirked an eyebrow.
"We don't have much time."
Kisuke's serious look was as bizarre as a bald cat. It was not that he couldn't be serious, but when he was being serious, something grave must have happened. Ichigo retracted his Zanpakutō and crossed his arms. Kisuke sheathed Benihime and then rummaged through his pocket. A moment later, he took out a well-crafted marble with a shining core in its center.
Ichigo looked at Kisuke with a quirked eyebrow as Kisuke offered him the marble. His eyes were asking if Kisuke realized what he was doing.
"Hōgyoku breaks the boundary between Shinigami and Hollows. You have naturally broken it but struggle to balance the power. Hōgyoku will help you greatly," Kisuke explained.
"My Hollow power gives me a tremendous power boost meanwhile my Quincy heritage helps me control it. It is still chaotic at the moment because my Hollow power hasn't matured yet. I can balance my power without the help of Hōgyoku, Kisuke," Ichigo stated with a frown. "I thought you were against the idea of my using it."
Kisuke stared at Ichigo silently before eventually rubbing his head awkwardly. "Call it a scientist's intuition. I have a hunch this thing will be safer in your hands."
"What are you hiding from me, Kisuke?" Ichigo narrowed his eyes.
Kisuke looked at Ichigo owlishly, feigning ignorance. Ichigo maintained his harsh glare, eventually folding Kisuke. The scientist sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. For the first time, he looked quite unsure of what he was about to do.
"I have been doing some research on it for the last month," he began with a defeated tone. "I figured out that Hōgyoku is more than I initially thought."
"You have only figured that out despite it being your invention?" Ichigo remarked, mildly amused.
"I am sorry for being so great that I don't even know the extent of my invention's abilities," Kisuke huffed. "Back to the topic; I found out that Hōgyoku might not only be capable of breaking the boundary between Shinigami and Hollows. Judging from the happenstances that have happened around us, I think it can manifest the deepest desire of the people around it."
Kisuke looked at Ichigo with a goofy smile, expecting him to laugh at him. Ichigo didn't laugh and nodded in agreement instead, stunning him slightly.
"It makes sense. Chad and Orihime desired the power to protect everyone when Uryū did that stupid stunt. Rukia, who was hosting Hōgyoku, happened to be around at that time. I had a hunch that my poor Reiatsu control was not the reason they got their power. It all makes sense now. So, what is your reason for giving me Hōgyoku?"
Stunned yet again by Ichigo's analysis, Kisuke looked at him dumbly when he narrowed his eyes. Kisuke spent a few seconds staring at Ichigo silently before eventually clearing his throat and giving his reason.
"Kuhum! I consider you to have the strongest desire to protect what is right. If Hōgyoku manifests the desires of the people in its surroundings, I believe your desire will be the best to manifest. Aizen has a strong desire to take down Reiō; even going as far as planning to create an Ōken to visit Reiō. I think your desire will be a perfect counter for his."
Ichigo immediately understood Kisuke's true intention. Since Kisuke didn't mention that Hōgyoku was currently dormant, Kisuke wanted him to be the safe of the accursed artifact. Ichigo didn't mind that, so he accepted Hōgyoku. He was quite flustered when his vision darkened and his body went afloat.