Jack lay on the hospital bed, his skin pale and his frame almost skeletal. IV drips and monitors kept a steady rhythm in the background. At just sixteen, he was losing his fight with an incurable illness, and he had only a month left to live. His sanctuary during these bleak days had become the world of Bleach. He lay there, transfixed by the intense battles of the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. Every clash, every Bankai release—it all captured his imagination, distracting him, however briefly, from his own reality.
Bleach had been his solace, a universe filled with warriors and epic clashes. Watching Ichigo Kurosaki struggle against impossible odds was a reminder of resilience, something he wished he had more time to cultivate.
As the days bled into each other, Jack's condition deteriorated. The hospital staff tried to make him comfortable, but he could feel himself fading. Eventually, on a quiet night, he took his final breath, his last thoughts clinging to his beloved Bleach characters, wishing he could be part of that world.
Then, everything went blank.
When Jack opened his eyes again, he was surrounded by an endless, sterile whiteness. He sat up, touching his arms, his chest, even his face—he was whole, strong, and alive, far different from the frail boy who had just slipped away. Bewildered, he looked around, wondering if this was some sort of afterlife.
"Jack," a gentle voice called out.
He turned to see a woman who looked strikingly familiar. She wore long, flowing robes, and her calm presence radiated power and wisdom. Her face, elegant and serene, mirrored someone he recognized from Bleach: Retsu Unohana, the feared and revered captain of the Fourth Division.
"No… it can't be," Jack whispered in shock, his mind reeling.
The woman gave a soft, knowing smile. "I am not Retsu Unohana, but I chose this form because it is one you trust."
Jack struggled to find words. "Are… am I dead? Why am I here? What's going on?"
"You are indeed dead, but your journey isn't over. I have brought you here because there is something only you can do," she said, her gaze unyielding. "You see, the world of Bleach, the one you love so dearly, is in grave peril."
"Peril?" Jack asked, his voice wavering. "What do you mean?"
The being's expression darkened. "The King of Hell has laid waste to that world, transforming it into a desolate hellscape. Ichigo and his friends fought bravely, but even their combined strength was not enough. They fell, and the world of Bleach has since been overrun by demons."
Jack's heart skipped a beat. His favorite heroes, Ichigo, Rukia, and the others—gone, defeated by a force they couldn't stop. "But... this villain, this King of Hell… wasn't he supposed to be in the sequel? How did he break into the Bleach world?"
She nodded. "Yes, he was meant to be the next villain, but something went wrong. I cannot interfere directly, as there are forces binding me. However, I have a way to help by sending a champion into the world to restore balance."
Jack felt a surge of hope mixed with disbelief. "And you… you want me to be that champion?"
She nodded once again, her eyes glinting. "You were chosen because of your love and understanding of this world. You have endured great suffering in your life, and yet, even in your final moments, you found comfort in Bleach. I am giving you a chance—a chance to go into that world, to save it from the darkness that has consumed it."
Jack felt a strange mixture of excitement and fear. "Wait… do I get any powers? I mean, if I'm supposed to fight a being that defeated Ichigo and the others, I'll need… I'll need something."
The woman's smile returned, a bit more mischievous. "Yes, I can grant you three wishes. They will help you in this mission, but choose wisely."
Jack's mind raced. His heart pounded as he realized he had an opportunity to make his wildest dreams come true. "Alright. I think I know what I want."
The woman nodded, waiting patiently.
"My first wish: I want twin Zanpakuto spirits," Jack began, feeling a thrill run through him. "The first Zanpakuto should have the powers of the Shadow Monarch, Ashborn, from Solo Leveling. With it, I want the ability to revive any spiritual being, regardless of how long they've been dead."
The woman raised her eyebrows, impressed by the specificity of his request, but nodded.
Jack continued, feeling more confident. "For the second Zanpakuto, I want it to have a combination of destructive powers. I want the powers of the Monarch of Destruction, Antares, and also the Power of Destruction from High School DxD, which would allow me to obliterate things at an atomic level."
The woman's eyes glowed slightly as she absorbed his request. "This is indeed a powerful wish, but it can be granted. And your second wish?"
"I want to be the same race as Ichigo," Jack said. "His unique nature as a hybrid—Shinigami, Hollow, Quincy, and Fullbringer—has always fascinated me. I think I'll need that versatility."
The woman gave an approving nod. "A wise choice."
Jack took a deep breath, knowing his final wish had to be something crucial. "For my third wish, I want the talent of a War God. I want to be a natural when it comes to all combat skills, especially those related to Bleach's powers. It should be like… like second nature to me."
The woman smiled. "Your requests are bold, but they can be granted. You shall have twin Zanpakuto spirits, the racial nature of Ichigo Kurosaki, and the talent of a War God."
She reached out her hand, and Jack felt a surge of energy, like a spark igniting within him. Power, raw and untamed, flowed through his veins, reshaping him from the inside out. He could feel his spiritual energy expanding, intertwining with something ancient and mighty.
"Good luck, Jack," she said, her voice fading. "May you bring hope to a world lost in despair."
The white room dissolved around him, and Jack felt himself being pulled through space, a whirlwind of sensations consuming him.