Ichigo Kurosaki's New Training

Everyone rose and dispersed. Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto returned to Orihime Inoue's apartment, Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki went to Urahara Shop, and Ikkaku Madarame Yumichika Ayasegawa Martial Arts Hall Liu Ziyun. Under the moonlight, their figures gradually disappeared into the night.

Liu Ziyun stood up, dusted himself off, and said to Ichigo Kurosaki beside him, "Let's go, Ichigo. I'll take you somewhere."

Ichigo Kurosaki paused for a moment, then nodded. He knew where his teacher meant by "that place"—the Visored's base. Although he didn't know why his teacher was taking him there at this time, he believed that his teacher's arrangement must have its reasons.

The two walked side by side through the streets of Karakura Town. Night had fallen, and there were hardly any pedestrians on the streets, only the streetlights casting a dim yellow glow that made their shadows appear longer and shorter. A gentle night breeze rustled through the distant forest, making the night exceptionally peaceful.

As Liu Ziyun walked, he explained the upcoming training arrangements to Ichigo Kurosaki. His voice was calm and clear, flowing gently in the night breeze. "Ichigo, the training ahead will be a little different from before. You need to enter your Inner World, to talk to Zangetsu, and then... defeat it."

Ichigo Kurosaki paused slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. "Enter the Inner World? Talk to Zangetsu?"

Liu Ziyun nodded and continued to explain, "Zanpakuto is the manifestation of Soul Reaper's soul; it exists in symbiosis with you. But your situation is rather special... Your Zanpakuto, Zangetsu, is not just an ordinary Zanpakuto. It has two forms, or rather, two different 'personalities'."

Ichigo Kurosaki frowned, recalling every encounter he had with Zangetsu. That mysterious man with sunglasses and long hair always spoke to him in that unfathomable tone, teaching him how to fight and how to become stronger.

But besides Zangetsu, he could indeed sense another consciousness existing within him—that white, violent "Hollow".

"Your Zanpakuto, Zangetsu," Liu Ziyun continued, "Is actually a manifestation of the Soul Reaper Power within you. And that white Hollow is a manifestation of the Hollow Power within you. They were originally one, but because the composition of the power within you is too complex, it split into two different forms."

Ichigo Kurosaki nodded thoughtfully, but then raised a new question, "But teacher, why is my Hollow so violent? It always tries to take control of my body, always wants to replace me..."

Liu Ziyun stopped and turned to look at Ichigo Kurosaki, his gaze deep and serious. "Because it is also a part of you. The more you reject it, the more it rebels. The more you fear it, the stronger it becomes. The relationship between you and it should not be one of hostility, but of coexistence."

He paused, then continued, "What you need to do now is not to suppress it, but to accept it. Enter your Inner World, find Zangetsu, find that white void, and then talk to them, communicate with them. Only when you reach a consensus, only when you are willing to fight side by side, can you truly control your full power."

Ichigo Kurosaki was silent for a moment, then raised his head, his eyes shining with determination. "I understand, Sensei. I will do it."

Liu Ziyun slightly, turned around and continued walking forward. The two walked through several streets and came to a seemingly ordinary abandoned building. Liu Ziyun open the door and led Ichigo Kurosaki inside.

After passing through a dimly lit corridor, the space suddenly opened up before them— the Visored's base. In the vast Underground Space, Shinji Hirako was lazily leaning against the wall reading a book, Hiyori Sarugaki was doing push-ups in a corner, Kensei Muguruma was practicing his Zanjutsu, and the others were doing their own things. When they saw Liu Ziyun and Ichigo Kurosaki arrive, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at them with curiosity.

"Oh, Ziyun, you're here so late?" Shinji Hirako put down his book and asked with a smile.

Liu Ziyun nodded and got straight to the point. "I brought Ichigo here to cultivate. We need to borrow your space and Barrier."

Shinji Hirako raised an eyebrow and stood up. "What kind of cultivation requires the use of Barrier?"

"Blade Zen," Liu Ziyun replied simply, "Ichigo needs to enter his Inner World and converse with Zangetsu. During this process, he might become Hollowfication or lose control. Therefore, I need Hachigen to set up Barrier to ensure everything goes smoothly."

Hachigen Ushōda adjusted his glasses and stood up. "No problem. What level of Barrier do you need?"

"The stronger the better." Liu Ziyun's gaze turned serious. "If Ichigo were to fully Hollowfication, ordinary Barriers might not be able to contain him."

Hachigen Ushōda nodded and turned to prepare the Barrier. The others also stood up, their faces showing interest. They all knew how powerful Ichigo Kurosaki was, and they all wanted to see just how far this kid could go.

A moment later, Hachigen Ushōda set up a tight sealing Barrier around the base, completely isolating the entire base from the outside world. Then, he activated an even more solid Barrier in the training ground. The walls of that Barrier emitted a faint light, like a huge light shield, enveloping the central area of the training ground.

Liu Ziyun led Ichigo Kurosaki to the center of the Barrier, and the two sat facing each other. Looking at Ichigo Kurosaki, Liu Ziyun said calmly, "Ichigo, close your eyes and sink into your heart. Find Zangetsu, find that white version of yourself. Don't be afraid, don't resist. Remember, those powers are all yours; only when you accept them will they truly be yours to use."

Ichigo Kurosaki a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes. He regulated his breathing, calmed his mind, and then began to sink into the depths of his consciousness. In the darkness, he felt as if he were falling, passing through layer after layer of the sea of consciousness, sinking towards some place in the deepest part.

Meanwhile, outside, Liu Ziyun sat cross-legged opposite Ichigo Kurosaki, his hands on his knees, his eyes half-open and half-closed, constantly watching Ichigo Kurosaki's condition.

Time ticked by. The training ground was so quiet that only the sound of breathing could be heard. Everyone held their breath, waiting for that moment to arrive.

A moment later, Ichigo Kurosaki's face began to change. A white substance seeped out from under his skin, slowly covering his face and forming a hideous Hollow mask. The mask was covered with red patterns, and the eye areas were two pitch-black holes, emanating a chilling aura.

Immediately afterward, Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes snapped open. Those were no longer Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes—the pupils had turned into golden vertical slits, the whites of his eyes were stained jet black, and his gaze was filled with violence and madness.

"They're here," Liu Ziyun a low voice, his body slightly tense.