"Urgh..."
Ichigo Kurosaki, who had been roaring at the sky, heard a thunderous boom from above. Then, after Jackie, Yukio, and Kiriko Tsukishima activated their Fullbring transformations, he felt a blade stab into him.
Seeing the Zanpakuto protruding from his chest, Ichigo Kurosaki's pupils suddenly contracted as he slowly turned around.
Vaguely, Ichigo Kurosaki saw a blurred figure.
Then, that figure gradually came into focus before his eyes.
It was Shino Madarame!
"Why?"
Ichigo Kurosaki asked hoarsely.
He did not understand.
Ginjo Kugo and the others wanted to seize his Fullbring power because they coveted his strength.
But what about the Shinigami?
Though his main goal had been to protect the friends around him, he had indeed ruined Aizen Sosuke's plans and made no small contribution in the battles in Seireitei and Hueco Mundo.
Why would Seireitei still refuse to let him go?
Surveilling him was one thing, but now that he had lost all his power, they were even sending Shino Madarame to kill him?
"Yo, Ichigo. Long time no see. Looks like things haven't been going too well for you!"
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki was quietly grieving, he saw Shino Madarame look up at him with a smile and say those words.
Then, Ichigo Kurosaki felt a familiar power emerge from within his soul.
It was White Zangetsu and Uncle Quincy Zangetsu...
As though remembering something, Ichigo Kurosaki pressed the Substitute Shinigami Badge in his hand against his chest—
"Boom!"
Ichigo Kurosaki's body collapsed limply. Standing in his place was a figure wearing a black Shinigami uniform, with an enormous Zanpakuto strapped to his back and a smaller Zanpakuto at his right hip.
"Welcome back, Ichigo!"
Seeing Ichigo Kurosaki like this, Shino Madarame wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and smiled as she extended her