Both powers within Ichigo Kurosaki, his Hollow power and his Quincy power, originated from extraordinary sources.
His Hollow power stemmed from the Vasto Lorde, White. His Quincy power was derived from his mother, Masaki Kurosaki, a pure-blood Quincy directly descended from Yhwach.
Both powers were imbued with Masaki's love for Ichigo. It could be said that, during her pregnancy, she had nurtured both "spirits" within him, preparing them for the day they would awaken.
Because of her love, both White Zangetsu, born from the Hollow, White, and Quincy Zangetsu, born from Yhwach's Quincy power, existed solely to protect Ichigo. However, their methods differed.
Quincy Zangetsu knew that if Ichigo grew too strong, he would be targeted by Yhwach and potentially killed. Therefore, he suppressed Ichigo's strength to prevent him from attracting Yhwach's attention.
White Zangetsu, on the other hand, focused on amplifying Ichigo's instincts, allowing him to unleash his power to its fullest potential.
This was the lesson White had repeatedly tried to teach Ichigo:
When two beings with identical forms, abilities, and power clashed, one would become the king, dominating the battlefield, while the other would become a mount, enhancing the king's strength.
To unleash greater power, to surpass one's limits, the key was instinct!
Relentless pursuit of battle, unwavering desire for strength, merciless destruction of enemies, and the primal thirst for combat.
Under Kisuke Urahara's guidance, Ichigo unlocked the power slumbering within him and called upon his Zanpakutō's name—Zangetsu!
In a sense, Zangetsu didn't possess a sealed state. It had been awakened through Ichigo's willpower, born directly in its Shikai form.
Before losing Shino Madarame's spiritual power, Ichigo's own spiritual pressure had been comparable to Renji Abarai's in Shikai. Now, having awakened his true strength and called upon Zangetsu's name, his power had increased far beyond a mere fivefold.
That was why, hearing Renji claim to be five times stronger in the Soul Society, Ichigo had been delighted.
"I was worried about making this too easy for you," Ichigo said with a smirk. "But knowing that you're at least five times stronger than you were in the World of the Living puts my mind at ease. Since recovering my strength, I've only sparred with Urahara. I haven't had a chance to truly test my limits. However, even in the World of the Living, you weren't my match. Now? It's not even a contest."
"Hmph, arrogant!" Renji scoffed, refusing to acknowledge Ichigo's claim.
Despite sensing Ichigo's potent spiritual pressure, he couldn't believe for a moment that he was weaker.
Clang!
In a flash of Shunpo, Renji charged towards Ichigo.
Ichigo ripped off the bandages binding his Zanpakutō and drew his massive blade, blocking Renji's attack.
"So weak…"
Boom!
With a slight exertion of force, Ichigo sent Renji crashing through a nearby wall.
"Damn it, he wasn't bluffing!"
Renji struggled to his feet. That single exchange had made the gap between their strength painfully clear.
Without releasing his Zanpakutō, he stood no chance against Ichigo. However, this only reinforced the severity of Shino Madarame's crime. The stronger Ichigo was, the harsher her punishment would be.
Therefore—
"Roar, Zabimaru!"
With no intention of holding back, Renji released his Zanpakutō.
Boom!
…
"The battle… has begun."
Ailin stood on the roof of his home with his arms crossed and his spiritual sense encompassing the entire Seireitei. He was observing the second act of the Bleach world's play—the Soul Society arc.
The first clash had occurred between Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai.
Renji, having released his Zanpakutō, battled Ichigo fiercely. Their fight created the most widespread destruction, forcing the Shinigami who had arrived to simply observe from a safe distance.
The second battle was between Uryu Ishida and Orihime Inoue.
Compared to Renji, the Shinigami they encountered were far weaker. After all, Renji was a seated officer from the Eleventh Division, his strength among the upper echelon of lieutenants. While Uryu and Orihime had also encountered a seated officer, Uryu's strength, having transformed Ichigo's immense spiritual pressure into arrows, had increased dramatically.
Ichigo's spiritual pressure stemmed from Quincy Zangetsu, derived from the Quincy King, Yhwach's, pure blood. Therefore, Ichigo's own spiritual energy resembled the Quincy's "Reiryoku."
Uryu hadn't been born a pure-blood Quincy. However, seven years ago, during Yhwach's Auswählen, his grandfather, Sōken Ishida, had saved his life by replacing Uryu's mixed blood with his own pure blood, shielding him from Yhwach's power.
After absorbing Ichigo's spiritual pressure, the pure blood within Uryu was activated, granting him a significant power boost.
Furthermore, Uryu had also replaced his weapon with the Quincy's more potent Ginrei Kojaku.
It could be said that his current strength rivaled Ichigo's.
Before encountering any captain-level Shinigami, Uryu effortlessly defeated those who tried to apprehend him and, with Orihime in tow, headed towards the Palace of Penitence.
Yasutora Sado had also encountered several Shinigami, but with his "Devil's Right Arm," he defeated them and headed towards the Palace of Penitence as well.
Before entering the Seireitei, Yoruichi Shihōin had devised a plan.
If they remained together, they would simply storm the Palace of Penitence and rescue Shino Madarame. But if they were separated, they would individually make their way to the Palace of Penitence and regroup there.
However, due to their youth and inexperience, none of them had considered the flaws in Yoruichi's plan.
To even enter the Seireitei, they had needed the Shiba Clan's "Fireworks Cannon" to break through the Shakonmaku. But once they rescued Shino Madarame, how would they escape?