The Seeker of Power

After Chizuru left, only Yuko, Ichigo, and Yoshino remained in the Coffee Shop.

Ichigo looked curiously at the long blade in Yuko's hand. "Is something wrong with that blade?"

"No. Chizuru's spiritual power has nearly reached the limit that spiritual-power infusion can achieve. We need to increase both the amount and quality of the spiritual power stored in the blade itself."

With a powerful source of spiritual power constantly radiating nearby, even ordinary people could gradually become accustomed to its presence under its influence, and might even learn to control it.

Orihime, Chad, and even Chizuru had initially been able to see Hollows because they had absorbed part of the immense spiritual power radiating from Ichigo after his awakening.

Yoshino slightly furrowed her brows and asked worriedly, "Won't this be forcing things too quickly?"

"Of course not. Relying only on their own strength, ordinary people would find it difficult to gain enough power to fight Hollows even after a lifetime." Yuko shook her head. "Besides, my spiritual power is pure enough, and it influences her subtly. The absorption process is slow and stable."

"This is the fastest way I can think of to help her catch up with the others."

Ichigo scratched his head. He had not expected it to be so complicated.

"If Chizuru knew you had done so much for her, she would definitely think she shouldn't have gotten involved."

Yuko glanced at him indifferently. "Compared with your affairs, this hardly counts as something worth worrying about."

The corner of Ichigo's mouth twitched. He could not refute that. "...Then I'm really sorry."

Yuko held the blade and had just opened her mouth to say something when a customer entered through the door.

Ichigo hurried forward. "Welcome."

Yuko put away the long blade and said nothing more.

Taking advantage