Ichigo's first Hollowfication

As Byakuya Kuchiki Bankai power continued to increase, Ichigo Kurosaki gradually found himself in a difficult battle. The countless cherry-colored blades swept in from all directions like an endless storm, leaving him struggling to cope.

Finally, after yet another narrow escape, Ichigo Kurosaki gritted his teeth and made his decision. "Bankai... Tensa Zangetsu!"

An astonishing Reiatsu erupted from his body, and black sword light shot into the sky. When the light dissipated, the Zangetsu in his hand had transformed into a slender black blade, its slender and sharp edge radiating a dangerous aura.

Byakuya Kuchiki watched this scene, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth—that slender blade looked like a toy: [Is this a joke?]

However, as the battle continued, Byakuya Kuchiki's expression gradually became serious. He realized that Ichigo Kurosaki's Bankai was not as simple as it seemed on the surface—the slender blade actually concentrated power into tiny blades, thus achieving astonishingly high-speed combat.

Ichigo Kurosaki's speed is astonishing; each attack is as swift as lightning.

Byakuya Kuchiki had no choice but to fight back with all his might. He formed hand seals, and his deep voice echoed in the air, "Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."

Countless blades rose from the ground, forming a closed space that enveloped the two of them. Within this space, the power of Senbonzakura reached its peak.

Just then, several figures appeared at the edge of Sōkyoku Hill.

Uryū Ishida, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, and a Soul Reaper from the 11th Division finally arrived.

Yasutora Sado's gaze swept across the battlefield, but he couldn't sense Rukia Kuchiki's Reiatsu. His brow furrowed, and his voice was filled with worry. "Kuchiki- san's Reiatsu has disappeared... Could she have been executed?"

Sitting on Liu Ziyun's shoulders, Yachiru Kusajishi swung her legs and rang out in a clear voice, "She ran away a long time ago."

Yasutora Sado was about to ask another question when Uryū Ishida spotted that familiar figure. He quickly stepped forward. "Teacher, you're here too."

Liu Ziyun turned around, a gentle smile on her face, "Yes, Uryū, you've finally arrived."

Yasutora Sado couldn't help but ask, "Ishida's teacher, now that Kuchiki has left, why is Ichigo still fighting?!"

Liu Ziyun did not answer, but simply looked quietly at the battlefield in the distance.

Uryū Ishida, however, had already realized something. "Our opponents are no ordinary people. If we don't stop them here, even if we escape, we'll be caught up very quickly."

He looked at Liu Ziyun, his eyes filled with doubt. "But why are you here watching, teacher?"

Liu Ziyun's lips curled into a meaningful smile, "Anyway, they'll be caught and brought back. So, we might as well just wait here."

Uryū Ishida paused for a moment, then said, "Why don't you just take her with you?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "Have you forgotten what I told you before? Just watch quietly. This is a battle where Ichigo Kurosaki is fighting with his life on the line."

The Soul Reaper from the 11th Division who had come with them couldn't help but speak up, his voice filled with incomprehension and anger. "Are you all out of your minds?! What's your relationship with Rukia Kuchiki? Aren't you just friends?! Is it really worth going to such lengths for her?!"

Uryū Ishida turned around, looking at the Soul Reaper with unwavering determination in his eyes. "Of course. Just because we're friends, naturally..."

Before he could finish speaking, Orihime Inoue suddenly interrupted him. Her voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear. "She's more than just a friend."

All eyes turned to her.

Orihime Inoue gazed at Ichigo Kurosaki, who was fighting in the distance, her eyes gleaming with tenderness. "To Kurosaki-kun, Kuchiki -san is a very important person. Because of Kuchiki -san, she completely changed Kurosaki-kun's world."

Uryū Ishida was silent for a moment, then turned to Liu Ziyun, his eyes filled with earnestness. "Sensei, can Ichigo win?"

Liu Ziyun's gaze fell on the two figures locked in fierce combat in the distance. "I guess you could call it a win. After all, the other side isn't a bad person. As long as they White Ichigo's determination, they'll give up the pursuit."

He paused, then looked at Orihime Inoue: "Orihime, the Reiatsu clash is a bit too strong. You could move a little further away."

Orihime Inoue shook her head, her eyes filled with determination. "Thank you, Mr. Liu. But I'm sorry, I want to stay here indefinitely."

Uryū Ishida looked at her, then at Ichigo Kurosaki in the distance, and murmured softly, "You have to win, Ichigo."

On the battlefield, the fighting has entered a fierce stage.

Ichigo Kurosaki's speed began to slow down, and his movements gradually became sluggish. His stamina was nearing its limit, while Byakuya Kuchiki's attacks remained as sharp as ever.

Liu Ziyun's gaze sharpened: [Is it coming out?]

Uryū Ishida keenly noticed his unusual behavior. "Teacher, what's coming out?"

Liu Ziyun gently shook his head. "It's nothing. Just watch quietly."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Ichigo Kurosaki finally gave in, and Byakuya Kuchiki seized an opening, piercing Ichigo's foot with a single strike and pinning him firmly to the ground.

Ichigo Kurosaki screamed and fell to one knee, unable to move.

Byakuya Kuchiki frowned slightly and subconsciously looked at Liu Ziyun in the distance—he was asking whether they should continue.

Liu Ziyun remained silent.

He raised his hand, and a bolt of white lightning shot out from his fingertips—

"Hadō #4, Byakurai"

The lightning bolt pierced Ichigo Kurosaki's shoulder with pinpoint accuracy, and blood splattered everywhere.

Everyone was stunned.

Uryū Ishida's eyes widened, Orihime Inoue covered her mouth, Yasutora Sado's face was filled with disbelief.

Liu Ziyun coldly, his voice as cold as a thousand-year-old glacier. "Byakuya Kuchiki, do you want to be killed by me?"

Byakuya Kuchiki was stunned.

Liu Ziyun continued, "Are you playing a game with him?"

Byakuya Kuchiki's face darkened. "What are you saying, Liu Ziyun?"

Liu Ziyun's voice grew even colder. "Then why aren't you making a move? Kill him."

Everyone was stunned by these words. Uryū Ishida's mouth dropped open, and tears welled up in Orihime Inoue's eyes.

Just then, a terrifying Reiatsu was released from Liu Ziyun, pressing down on Uryū Ishida and the others as if it were a tangible force. They were unable to move, and even breathing became difficult.

Byakuya Kuchiki's face darkened. "What if I don't want to do it?"

A dangerous smile crept across Liu Ziyun's lips, "Then I can do it too. However, I wouldn't mind taking you down with me."

Ichigo Kurosaki was horrified and struggled to his feet. "Sensei! What are you doing?! What do you want to do?!"

Liu Ziyun looked at him, his eyes cold and disappointed. "You're too weak. Looks like you're useless. I'll take care of your friend first. Let me see if your strength can still improve."

With a flick of his left hand, a Zanpakuto appeared out of thin air and was held in his grasp.

Ichigo Kurosaki's pupils contracted sharply.

At the same time, his Reiatsu began to surge wildly.

But just then, a voice rang in his mind. The voice was hoarse and deep, tinged with mockery and disdain. "Tsk, tsk, you're so weak. Let me do it."

Byakuya Kuchiki watched this scene, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

[Liu Ziyun wanted me to train Ichigo Kurosaki, so why did he have to be so ruthless? Wait... Liu Ziyun Ichigo Kurosaki's friends to threaten him, and Ichigo Kurosaki's Reiatsu is also rising. But... why do I have this strange feeling?]

Just then, Liu Ziyun suddenly spoke up, "Byakuya, be careful."

Byakuya Kuchiki's train of thought was interrupted by these sudden words. He instinctively looked at Ichigo Kurosaki—

Then, his pupils suddenly contracted.

A white mask appeared on half of Ichigo Kurosaki's face. The mask was ferocious and terrifying, revealing only his right eye, which gleamed with a scarlet light.

A violent Reiatsu erupted from his body, shattering the blade stuck in his foot.

He raised his sword and slashed fiercely at Byakuya Kuchiki.

Thanks to Liu Ziyun's warning, Byakuya Kuchiki was already on guard. He quickly withdrew, but was still struck by the blade's edge, leaving a deep wound on his body.

Liu Ziyun withdrew the Reiatsu that had been suppressing Uryū Ishida and the others. His voice carried a hint of relief. "Finally... they're out."

Orihime Inoue and the others stared at him blankly, completely bewildered as to what had happened.

With difficulty, Uryū Ishida asked, "Sensei, is this what you were talking about? Is what's hidden inside Ichigo Kurosaki's body a Hollow? Why... why did you draw it out?"

Liu Ziyun's gaze fell upon the half-human, half-ethereal figure in the distance, his eyes flashing with complex emotions. "This is his true Soul Reaper power. It has been suppressed all along. If it isn't brought out, Ichigo's growth will reach its limit. Only when it is unleashed can Ichigo continue to grow."

Uryū Ishida nodded thoughtfully. "I see... But how could a Hollow be Ichigo's Soul Reaper power?"

Liu Ziyun's gaze deepened. "This involves the essence of the soul. I don't have time to discuss it with you now."

Uryū Ishida looked at him and suddenly laughed, "I thought you were really going to kill us to provoke Ichigo, Sensei."

Liu Ziyun gave him a cold glance, as if he were looking at an idiot. "Do you think your teacher is that tasteless?"

Uryū Ishida quickly waved his hands. "No, no!"

Liu Ziyun snorted, "When I get back this time, I'll talk to Ryūken and ask him to take care of you for a while longer. Otherwise, you're too weak. He doesn't care about you anyway."

Uryū Ishida paused for a moment, then asked cautiously, "So, teacher, what do you want to teach me?"

Liu Ziyun grinned, revealing a wicked smile, "I'll teach you cruelty."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Yachiru Kusajishi his head, her clear voice ringing out, "Hey, Little Yun, don't scare the little kid!"

Liu Ziyun immediately resumed his amiable smile, "Alright, alright."

He sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness. "Oh, Little Deer, you have no idea, all the students I've taught are scoundrels. It's a good thing I didn't formally take on any disciples, or I would be furious."

Yachiru Kusajishi giggled, swinging her little legs happily.

The group wanted to continue asking Liu Ziyun about Ichigo Kurosaki, but he ignored them. His gaze returned to the distant battlefield.

There, the Hollowfication Ichigo Kurosaki is engaged in an even fiercer battle with Byakuya Kuchiki.

The white phantom and the black blade light intertwined, each collision unleashing an astonishing impact.

Liu Ziyun watched quietly, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.