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Fate In Bleach (291)
🕑 Added 2024-09-13 17:00:03 +0000 UTCChapter 291 - Defeat
In that instant, the world seemed to lose all color and turned gray. Time appeared to stand still, the blood dripping from Ichigo Kurosaki's wounds was hanging motionless in the air.
A figure in a long black coat, emerged from the distance. They slowly approached, passing Ikkaku Madarame and stopping before Ichigo.
Ichigo's eyes widened in alarm.
“Old Man… Zangetsu?”
Old Man Zangetsu, the spirit of his Zanpakutō, wasn’t he supposed to reside within Ichigo’s soul?
Why was he here?
Quincy Zangetsu, however, didn't bother to answer Ichigo’s question. He simply looked at him with his weathered eyes and asked, “Ichigo… Do you want to continue fighting? Do you want to win? Or… do you simply want to survive?”
…
“Oh?” Perched atop a tall building, Ailin blinked. As the master of Unlimited Blade Works, he could perceive all Zanpakutō.
The moment Zangetsu appeared, he took notice.
Focusing his mind, Ailin’s vision shifted, mirroring the monochrome world Ichigo now inhabited. He had used his power to synchronize with Ichigo’s Zangetsu, creating a connection to Quincy Zangetsu’s consciousness.
In fact, Ichigo's true Zanpakutō was the one forged from White’s power. However, to protect Ichigo, White Zangetsu had been suppressed by Quincy Zangetsu.
“Zangetsu” was White’s name.
But after Ichigo’s Zanpakutō was broken by Yhwach and reforged by Ōetsu Nimaiya, he bestowed the name “Zangetsu” upon his Quincy power as well.
Thus, his newly forged Zanpakutō manifested as two blades, one long, one short.
It was precisely because he had forged both his Hollow power and his Quincy power into Zanpakutō that, in the end, he was able to use his Shinigami and Quincy powers to balance his Hollow power, achieving a new level of existence through his Fullbring.
That level had surpassed even Ichibei Hyōsube, reaching the realm Yhwach had inhabited before absorbing the Soul King.
It could be said that, at that time, Ichigo Kurosaki was the “strongest” being below the Soul King.
Now, with Ichigo on the verge of death, Quincy Zangetsu had to loosen his control slightly, allowing Ichigo to access a portion of his true strength.
Quincy Zangetsu’s words implied that, by merging their power, they could surpass even Ikkaku Madarame in Bankai.
…
“I will save Shino. I will save Shino.”
Ichigo said these two sentences to Madarame, then his spiritual pressure exploded.
Boom!
A blue pillar of spiritual energy shot skyward, drawing the attention of every Shinigami in the Seireitei.
“That spiritual pressure… It’s incredible! Two captain-level fighters are battling!”
“I recognize one of them. It’s Ikkaku Madarame, the Fourth Seat of the Eleventh Division. While he’s only a Fourth Seat, he’s a captain-level fighter who has mastered Bankai…”
“That Ryoka’s spiritual pressure rivals Ikkaku Madarame’s?!”
While surprised, the Shinigami weren’t entirely shocked. After all, these Ryoka had breached the Shakonmaku, the Seireitei’s first line of defense. They had invaded their most heavily guarded territory.
How could they possibly achieve that without captain-level strength?
“Haaaa!”
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
With Quincy Zangetsu’s hold on Ichigo’s power loosened, Ichigo’s wounds healed instantly, and his spiritual pressure increased.
He swung Zangetsu and clashed against Ikkaku Madarame once more. But this time, he wasn't pushed back. His smaller Zanpakutō met Ikkaku’s massive axes blow for blow.
“Oh?”
While confused by Ichigo’s sudden increase in strength and the instant healing of his wounds, Ikkaku was delighted by the intensity of the battle.
“Hahaha, hahaha… Yes! This is it, Ichigo Kurosaki! This is what a true battle is! A clash where both sides fight with everything they have!”
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Sparks flew as Zangetsu and the axes collided. Craters appeared on the surrounding buildings.
The Seireitei’s structures, built from Sekkiseki, a stone that decomposed spiritual pressure, minimized the damage caused by their battle.
If they were fighting in Rukongai, even mountains would crumble under the force of their attacks.
Boom!
Another clash sent both Ichigo and Ikkaku reeling back. They skidded across the ground for several meters before regaining their footing.
“Huff… Huff… Huff… Huff…”
“Haa… Haa… Haa… Haa…”
The intense battle had drained their stamina and spiritual energy. They were both panting heavily.
“Hahaha, Ichigo Kurosaki! My next attack is my strongest. If you can’t block it, you’ll die!”
He pointed at the massive ax blade hovering behind him.
“My Zanpakutō, Hōzukimaru, is a lazy bastard. Every time I release it, it’s always half asleep. Only a fierce battle like this can truly awaken it, and allow it to unleash its full power.”
Ichigo followed Ikkaku's finger, looking at the hovering blade. The dragon-shaped groove on its surface was now filled with red spiritual pressure, glowed ominously.
“Our battle has finally woken it up. Now, Hōzukimaru’s power will be fully unleashed. If you’re not careful, you’ll die!”
It was Ikkaku's second serious warning.
Humbled by the intensity of their fight, Ichigo didn't underestimate Ikkaku’s words. He gripped Zangetsu tightly, channeling all his spiritual pressure into the blade.
“Thanks for the warning, Ikkaku. But to save Shino, I have to defeat you!”
“Heh!”
Hearing Ichigo’s declaration, Ikkaku grinned. He raised both arms above his head, grabbing the thick chain connecting his two axes, and spun it rapidly.
“Whirrrrrr…”
The massive axes created a powerful whirlwind. The hovering ax blade pulsed with crimson light from the dragon crest. The light intensified outward and traveled along the chain towards the spinning axes.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh…
As Ikkaku spun the axes, a blood-red tornado formed around him. With a flick of his wrists, he sent it hurtling towards Ichigo.
“Come!”
Ichigo raised Zangetsu above his head, blue spiritual pressure enveloping the blade. It shone like a miniature sun.
“Getsuga Tenshō!”
The blue crescent moon collided with the spinning axes, causing a deafening roar .
Boom!
Blue and blood-red spiritual pressure rushed skyward, splitting the sky in two. Then, they intertwined, forming a mushroom cloud dozens of meters high.
Silence descended upon the battlefield. Then, a powerful shockwave radiated outward.
Even the Sekkiseki structures couldn’t withstand the force of the impact. Buildings crumbled, and nearby Shinigami were flung backward, unable to maintain their footing.
“My, my, they’re getting a little carried away. They nearly brought this building down on me.”
Feeling the tremors beneath him, Ailin shook his head and vanished.
The next moment, the building collapsed alongside its neighbors.
When the dust settled, Ailin stood beside Ichigo and Ikkaku. Both of them lay wounded. Blood flowed from their bodies like a strem. They were in critical condition.
Swoosh!
Before Ailin could intervene, a purple blur appeared and grabbed Ichigo and vanished instantly. It was Yoruichi Shihōin!
According to Kisuke Urahara’s plan, the others could die. But Ichigo had to be protected. Therefore, Yoruichi, who had been following him discreetly, acted the moment he was injured.
Ignoring Yoruichi and Urahara, Ailin approached Ikkaku and extended his right hand. Blue spiritual pressure emanated from his hand and enveloped Ikkaku.
Healing Kidō!
A few minutes later, Ikkaku’s wounds were stabilized.
“Cough… Cough… Captain Ailin?”
After coughing a few times, Ikkaku Madarame woke up from his coma. When he saw Ailin for the first time, he was so shocked that he immediately got up from the ground.
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