The Inner Battle (I)

Ichigo Kurosaki stood amidst the ruins of his Inner World, surrounded by shattered skyscrapers and cracked earth. The sky above was a chaotic gray-white, and the ground beneath his feet was covered with spiderweb-like cracks, as if the entire world was teetering on the verge of collapse.

Opposite him, the "other self" with the same face but completely pale was staring at him with cold, mocking eyes.

"What do you mean?" Ichigo Kurosaki Zanpakuto tightly, his gaze fixed intently on his opponent.

White —the Hollow Power that had always lurked within him, coexisting with Zangetsu —tilted his head, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. That smile carried a hint of mockery, a touch of playfulness, and a profound, unfathomable meaning. "Heh, King, since you desire to wield my power, then let me see just how capable you are."

His voice was deep and hoarse, like an echo from the abyss, each word carrying a chilling sense of oppression.

Ichigo Kurosaki frowned, a sense of unease rising within him. He pressed, "What exactly do you mean? Why did you become Hollowfication because I couldn't control your power?"

He recalled those moments of losing control in battle—whenever his life was threatened, whenever his emotions surged violently, this force would erupt uncontrollably, transforming him into the monster wearing the bull skull mask. He had thought it was the void seizing control of his body, but now, listening to the White's words, it seemed that wasn't the case.

White didn't answer. He raised his Zanpakuto, its blade pure white, a stark contrast Zangetsu Ichigo Kurosaki. He made no unnecessary movements, simply slashing down with incredible speed, the blade tearing through the air with a sharp whistling sound, aiming straight for Ichigo Kurosaki's throat.

Ichigo Kurosaki instinctively parried with his Zanpakuto, the two Zanpakuto and sparks flying. The immense impact sent numbness through his arm, and he staggered back half a step. He gritted his teeth, steadied himself, and a flash of anger crossed his eyes. "Since you're unwilling to talk, I'll beat you until you do!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly exerted his strength, deflecting White's knife, and then turned defense into offense, slashing at White's shoulder.

White casually sidestepped, his movements fluid and effortless, as if he had anticipated Xu Bai's every move.

The two engaged in a fierce battle amidst the ruins, their blades flashing and sparks flying. Each collision caused the surrounding ground to crack and rubble to fly everywhere.

While parrying Ichigo Kurosaki's attacks, White chuckled. His smile was full of mockery, like a cat toying with a mouse. Suddenly, he exerted force, knocking Ichigo Kurosaki back several steps, then gripped his Zanpakuto with both hands, and a dazzling blue light suddenly emanated from the blade.

The light was like a ghostly glow from the deep sea, cold and profound, carrying a suffocating sense of oppression.

White's smile deepened, and with a flick of his blade, a massive crescent-shaped slash roared forth from the edge—it was Getsuga Tenshō, but unlike the Getsuga Tenshō that Ichigo Kurosaki was familiar with, this slash was purer and more violent, as if it contained the most primal instincts of Hollow Power.

Ichigo Kurosaki's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively retreated, simultaneously swinging Zangetsu to unleash a black Getsuga Tenshō. The two slashes collided in mid-air, erupting with a deafening roar. The shockwave spread outwards, leveling the surrounding ruins and raising clouds of dust.

As the dust settled, Ichigo Kurosaki stood in the distance, panting heavily. Zangetsu in his hand trembled slightly, the Reiatsu on the blade fluctuating. He looked at the smiling White opposite him, a complex emotion welling up inside him—the other's power originated from the same source as his, yet it was purer, more violent, and more... free.

He took a deep breath, pointing the tip of Zangetsu at White. The white bandage on the hilt wrapped around his arm as if it were alive, securing it tightly. This was the bond between him and his Zanpakuto, a symbol of his power.

Seeing this, White did the same. Bandages extended from the hilt of his white Zanpakuto and wrapped around his arm. The two simultaneously shouted, "Bankai, Tensa Zangetsu!"

Two powerful Reiatsu erupted simultaneously, tearing and distorting the surrounding air. The dust was dispersed by the shockwave, revealing two figures wielding Tensa Zangetsu — Ichigo Kurosaki's Tensa Zangetsu was entirely black, with a long and sharp blade; while White's Tensa Zangetsu was pure white, radiating a cold light. The two stood facing each other, their gazes meeting in mid-air, their invisible battle intent clashing as if it were tangible.

The next instant, the two launched themselves simultaneously. Their speed was astonishing; they were almost invisible, with only the metallic clang of blades clashing audible. Ichigo Kurosaki's attacks were fierce and swift, each strike carrying a deadly intent; White's defense was impeccable, each parry perfectly timed.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Ichigo Kurosaki seized an opening and kicked White in the abdomen. That kick was infused with all of his Reiatsu, and its power was so great that it sent White flying. White's figure crashed into a distant high-rise building like a cannonball. With a deafening roar, the building was smashed into pieces, with debris flying everywhere and dust filling the sky.

Ichigo Kurosaki gave his opponent no chance to breathe. He gripped Tensa Zangetsu tightly with both hands, his Reiatsu surging wildly, and dense black light condensed on the blade. He swung the sword fiercely, and a huge black Getsuga Tenshō roared out from the blade, slashing towards the direction where White had fallen with the momentum of destroying everything.

Amidst the dust, a white figure soared into the sky. White emerged from the ruins, completely unharmed, a mocking smile still playing on his lips. He looked at the black crescent- Getsuga Tenshō flying towards him, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. He raised the white Tensa Zangetsu in his hand and casually slashed—the black crescent-shaped Getsuga Tenshō, powerful enough to destroy a building, was actually cleaved in two by his single strike!

The two halves of the blade swept past him, slicing the two buildings behind him into pieces, which then collapsed with a deafening roar.

White landed on the ground with a chuckle, looking at Ichigo Kurosaki with a tone full of mockery. "My king, have you forgotten that in Bankai form, I was the one who used Getsuga Tenshō first? You were just imitating, and not even doing it properly."

His voice wasn't loud, but it pierced Ichigo Kurosaki's heart like a knife. Ichigo Kurosaki teeth, his hand gripping the sword trembling slightly—he knew that White was telling the truth. His Getsuga Tenshō was indeed imitating White. In his Bankai state, White was the creator of Getsuga Tenshō, while he was merely a learner, an imitator.