Half a day later, Human World, Karakura Town replica.
Two figures stood on an empty street. One was unmistakably a member of the Royal Guard, while the other was Kurosaki Ichigo.
"You... are you sure you really don't need it?"
The Royal Guard member named Oetsu Nimaiya sounded utterly surprised. "I thought I made it very clear. Every Zanpakuto's original Asauchi was forged by me and distributed throughout Soul Society. Only when the essence of your soul is imprinted upon an Asauchi can you obtain a Zanpakuto of your own."
"Yeah." Kurosaki Ichigo nodded lightly, but his gaze remained fixed on the Zangetsu in his hand.
"And yet, you have no Asauchi."
Nimaiya's gaze turned somewhat cold, and a flicker of rejection passed through his eyes. "Once given the name 'White,' the Hollow Aizen Sosuke created by layering countless Shinigami souls underwent a strange transformation after merging with you, becoming something similar to an Asauchi. The thing into which you imprinted the essence of your soul was that Hollow. Are you really okay with that?"
That bastard White Ichigo... he really had been playing me from beginning to end...
He was clearly an extension of my soul, my own power, yet he kept messing with me. Was that really so amusing?
But...
A faint smile curved Kurosaki Ichigo's lips.
Hadn't he discovered this long ago...?
Ever since Brother Biao told me not to fear my own strength, from the moment I completely opened my heart to White Ichigo and fully accepted him...
I had already realized it. That was why my control over the Hollow Mask had become so smooth!
After all, Hollowfication was my Zanpakuto's ability. Though should it be called Shikai... or Bankai?
As for Old Man Zangetsu...
"Regarding the one inside you who appeared in the form