I'm Here, the World of the Strong (A 5,000-Word Chapter)

I'm Here, the World of the Strong (A 5,000-Word Chapter)

Inside the Dangai, Ichigo, Sado, Orihime, and Wu Biao were running for their lives. Behind them, the Kotsutotsu, like a train, devoured everything in its path.

Unlike the others, who were all tense, Brother Biao looked thrilled as he carried a huge pack on his back and held Uryu Ishida in one hand. Yoruichi was sprawled across the pack.

"Wahahaha! Look, you guys! There's a subway train chasing us!"

No one paid him any attention. Instead, they turned their puzzled gazes toward Yoruichi on the pack.

"That's the Kotsutotsu, a cleaner that appears only once every seven days." Yoruichi frowned. "Of all the times for it to show up! Anyway, just keep running. That thing's terrifyingly fast!"

"Easy for you to say!" Ichigo grumbled. Yoruichi was really talking without feeling the pain herself. She was riding on Brother Biao while telling them to run faster...

Wu Biao remained relaxed. "Hey, you guys! Didn't you hear what this black cat said? Run faster!"

"But we're already going as fast as we can!" Orihime glanced at the rapidly approaching Kotsutotsu and cried out. If it swallowed them before they reached the Soul Society, there wouldn't even be anywhere to cry about it!

Sado was in the same situation. The two of them had gained spiritual power and each had their own special abilities, but their physical abilities hadn't improved like Ichigo's. They were still only human!

"Quit wasting time! The exit's up ahead!" Yoruichi shouted, looking at the sliver of light at the end of the passage.

Uryu, who was being carried by Wu Biao, looked at the rapidly approaching Kotsutotsu. His expression turned grim. "We won't make it!"

Everyone looked back. Sure enough, the terrifying Kotsutotsu was less than a meter away, and getting closer by the second.

Inoue's expression tightened, and she was about to turn around and use her ability.

But just then, Wu Biao, who had been at the back of the group, suddenly accelerated. Grinning, he said, "We just have to get over there, right?"

The moment he sped up, he caught up with Orihime. Just as she was about to use her ability... he grabbed her and tossed her onto the big pack.

"Hang on tight! Brother Biao's going all out!" Wu Biao let out a wild yell, took a huge stride, and tossed Sado onto the pack as well. Then he did the same with Ichigo.

Thankfully, Brother Biao's pack was big. Otherwise, there might not have been room for everyone!

Once he'd tossed everyone onto the pack, Brother Biao tucked one person under each arm. With three people and a cat sprawled on his back, he pounded forward on his long legs at a terrifying speed!

Yoruichi couldn't help looking surprised. That showed just how fast Brother Biao was under these circumstances.

Even most Shinigami using Shunpo might not have been able to keep up with Wu Biao. At this breakneck speed, he reached the exit in no time. The instant the light appeared before them, the world changed.

"Wahahaha..."

Accompanied by Brother Biao's signature laughter, everyone... no, just him, landed on the ground, since everyone else was still on him!

When Brother Biao landed with a solid thud, the others climbed down one by one. They couldn't help marveling at the quality of the pack Kanonji had bought Wu Biao. It was definitely sturdy!

An old-fashioned building stood beside an empty street. It seemed as if there was no one else in the world—not a person, or even a soul.

The eerie silence surprised everyone. Only Yoruichi glanced at Kurosaki Ichigo, knowing that the reason this place was so quiet had everything to do with Ichigo—or, more precisely, the Shihakusho he was wearing.

"Is this the Soul Society?" Ichigo asked, taking in his surroundings.

"That's right."

Yoruichi explained, "This place is known as Rukongai. After souls arrive in the Soul Society, they stay here. It lies outside Seireitei, where the Shinigami live. It's the most populated and poorest place in the Soul Society, but also the freest."

"The most populated?" Ichigo and the others were clearly taken aback. They'd been here for so long without seeing a single person. How could it be the most populated place?

"Hey, old man! Why are you all hiding?"

Everyone turned to look. They realized that Wu Biao, who hadn't said a word since they arrived, had somehow run into the barbershop next door and come back out with an old man. From the half-finished haircut, it was clear the man had been in the middle of getting his hair cut.

The old man stared at them in terror, trembling uncontrollably.

At that...

"You idiot! What are you doing?" Yoruichi shot up and gave Wu Biao a cat punch. "Why did you grab him? Anyone who enters the Soul Society without being guided by a Shinigami is called a Ryoka. It's only natural that they'd be scared and hide. Why did you drag him out?"

"Oh!" Brother Biao nodded in understanding. "I see. How was I supposed to know if you didn't tell me? The old guy looked pretty imposing, so I thought this dude was the head honcho of those damn Shinigami!"

Rumble—

Just then, a series of stone gates dropped out of the sky between Rukongai and Seireitei, cutting the two areas off from each other. An enraged voice rang out through the clouds of dust. "Release the elder!"

Yoruichi's mouth twitched. Who could have guessed that Wu Biao's casual grab would end with him hauling out Rukongai's elder...

"Whoa, you're tall! You must be pretty strong!" As he spoke, Wu Biao set the elder aside, rolled his shoulders, and prepared to step forward for a fight!

"Brother Biao, let me handle this!" Kurosaki Ichigo stretched out an arm to stop Wu Biao. Looking at Jidanbo's icy expression, he smiled. "I haven't faced any opponents since my training. He'll make a good test."

"Tch, suit yourself!" Wu Biao didn't argue with Ichigo. He'd never fought Jidanbo, but just looking at him, he could tell that this giant wasn't a Shinigami.

He was a strength-based fighter, just like Wu Biao.

Judging by the density of his muscles and the pressure of his physique, Brother Biao was certain that the big guy wasn't as strong as him!

Yoruichi listened to the two of them, her eyes practically blazing.

Jidanbo came from Rukongai and lived there whenever he wasn't on gate duty. That was why he'd let down the barrier when Wu Biao grabbed the elder, even though they hadn't forced their way in.

Now, after Wu Biao and Ichigo pulled this stunt, the people of Rukongai probably thought they were a gang of ruthless villains...

"He's enormous." Uryu Ishida studied the man. "Who is he?"

"Jidanbo. He's a famous strongman in the Soul Society, a warrior selected from among the best of Seireitei's fighters. He guards the White Road Gate, the entrance to Seireitei. It's the gate behind him."

"A strongman? Give me a break. He's not even as strong as me!" Wu Biao cut in smugly.

But everyone was used to ignoring Brother Biao's comments. They filtered them out without the slightest hesitation.

"So he's the gatekeeper," Uryu said, looking at Jidanbo. "If we want to get in, we have to defeat him?"

"That's right, but it won't be easy. He's been doing this job for three hundred years, and no one has ever made it past the White Road Gate he guards. He's a legendary strongman," Yoruichi explained. "He's not a Shinigami, but his axes are the equivalent of Zanpakuto. He once killed thirty Hollows with a single swing. That's why he became the guardian of the western gate."

"Thirty Hollows, and all with one swing..." Uryu murmured, watching Jidanbo.

"Bring me thirty Hollows and I could take them all out with one punch!" Brother Biao continued trying to make himself heard!

Ichigo nodded in understanding. "So, if we beat him, we can enter the Soul Society?"

"That's one way to put it, but we should fall back and discuss our strategy first... Hey!"

Before Yoruichi could finish, Ichigo took her confirmation and ran straight toward Jidanbo. Yoruichi nearly jumped out of her skin in frustration.

As for Brother Biao, when no one paid him any attention, he set down the huge pack on his back. First, he took out a tablecloth, then pulled out a pile of food.

Crackers, bread, ham, fruit... he had everything.

"Do you think this is a school picnic?" Ishida's mouth twitched. "Kurosaki's over there fighting. Aren't you worried at all?"

Rip.

Wu Biao tore open the bread wrapper and took a huge bite, nearly finishing the whole loaf. "Why would I be worried? That big guy isn't a match for Ichigo. Ichigo's gotten so much stronger than he was half a month ago!"

Hearing this, Yoruichi's worries eased. She'd been with Orihime and Sado the whole time, so she had no idea how strong Ichigo was now. She'd been a little concerned earlier.

Wu Biao could be a bit dim, but Yoruichi had a lot of faith in his instincts.

"Hey, do you guys want some?"

Orihime and Sado exchanged a glance, then came over at the same time. They'd left at one in the morning, and they were indeed getting hungry...

"Are you really all this relaxed?" Uryu Ishida's mouth twitched.

Yoruichi glanced at him. "Aside from Wu Biao, you're the least qualified to say that, since you brought a change of clothes!"

"..."

At the same time, the battle had already begun on the other side. Just as Wu Biao had said, Jidanbo wasn't a match for Ichigo. Even when Ichigo simply stood there and let Jidanbo swing at him, Jidanbo couldn't break through Zangetsu, which was infused with spiritual pressure.

With a final metallic clang, Ichigo released his spiritual pressure and struck. He cut Jidanbo's axe in half. The force of Ichigo's spiritual pressure, comparable to that of a captain, sent Jidanbo's massive body flying as well.

Wu Biao didn't even glance over. He kept his head down and ate.

Once they went through that gate, they were bound to face a fierce battle. As far as Wu Biao was concerned, the most important thing now was to eat his fill, then get inside and fight to his heart's content.

After a brief, pleasant conversation, Ishida turned and called out, "Hey, we're ready to go. Jidanbo agreed to open the White Road Gate for us!"

"Got it!"

Brother Biao nodded, packed the leftover food back into his bag—this was his lifeline, and he couldn't afford to lose it. But then he suddenly stopped what he was doing and sniffed.

Nearby, Jidanbo hoisted the enormous White Road Gate. But the instant he lifted it, his body stiffened, and terror spread across his face.

Though he was still holding the gate up, Jidanbo stared at the person behind it in sheer horror. Once he recognized who it was, his body began to tremble.

The man had silvery-white hair and skin pale enough to make women jealous. His narrow eyes were slightly squinted, and the corners of his lips curled into a cold, disdainful smile. He looked like a cunning fox.

"3rd Division... Captain Ichimaru Gin." Jidanbo trembled as he identified the man before him.

Ichimaru Gin curled his lips at Jidanbo. "Now, that won't do." He rested a hand on the hilt at his waist. Without any obvious movement from him, a flash of light appeared out of nowhere.

Then...

Splurt—

A huge wound appeared on Jidanbo's left arm, and a large amount of blood spurted out.

Ichimaru Gin had attacked so suddenly that even Ichigo, standing beside Jidanbo, hadn't reacted in time.

"As the gatekeeper, losing means death." Ichimaru Gin chuckled and took a step forward. Ichigo stood in front of Jidanbo, his body tense as he watched Gin.

Even from this close, Ichigo hadn't understood what had happened during that attack. The moment he stepped forward, he had brought all his spiritual pressure to bear, ready to stop the same attack from happening again.

But there was no way he could match Ichimaru Gin right now. Even unleashing all his spiritual pressure would be futile!

"You're Kurosaki Ichigo, aren't you? The human who took Kuchiki Rukia's Shinigami powers." Ichimaru Gin looked at Ichigo, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. In fact, the name of the person who had taken Rukia's powers hadn't been made public.

The only reason Gin knew Ichigo's name was... because that man had been watching him all along!

"Yeah. That's me," Ichigo said coldly.

"So it really is you."

Ichimaru Gin turned around and walked away with his back to Ichigo. After going some distance, he stopped and said, "In that case, I definitely can't let you through."

The instant he stopped, terrifying spiritual pressure surged into the sky, crashing over everyone like a raging storm. A cold smile appeared on Ichimaru Gin's lips. As his Zanpakuto slid from its sheath, he called out, "Shoot to kill, Shinsō."

The terrifying flash appeared again. But this time, since Ichigo was the target, he could just make out its trajectory.

But seeing it and responding to it were two different things. He could only raise Zangetsu in front of himself.

Clang—

A long, metallic clash rang out. Ichigo was sent flying backward with almost no resistance. He slammed into Jidanbo behind him, and the two of them rolled more than ten meters before stopping.

The White Road Gate began to slide shut. Ichimaru Gin smiled, bent down, and waved at the group. "Bye-bye!"

Boom!

With a crash, the White Road Gate closed completely!

While everyone else rushed to check whether Ichigo was hurt...

Wu Biao, who hadn't spoken or made a move, hoisted his huge pack onto his back and headed straight for the White Road Gate.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

Yoruichi was the first to notice. At her words, everyone—including Ichigo, who had just climbed to his feet—turned to look at Wu Biao. By then, he had already reached the gate.

He bent down, shoved his right hand into the ground beneath the White Road Gate, and lifted.

Crack!

The enormous gate was raised effortlessly with one hand. Wu Biao's face hadn't reddened, and he wasn't even out of breath.

Even Jidanbo, known as a "legendary strongman," had to use all his strength to lift the gate, straining until his face turned purple. Yet in Wu Biao's hands, the White Road Gate might as well have been made of foam.

Just looking at him, you could tell he wasn't using much strength at all.

"H-How is this possible?" Jidanbo's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. He watched, so worried it looked as if they might pop out.

Yoruichi was just as astonished. Strength and spiritual pressure were two different things. Having strong spiritual pressure didn't necessarily mean you had great physical strength; the two weren't directly connected.

Wu Biao's strength was enough to astonish anyone!

And the most important thing was that the wall surrounding Seireitei was made entirely of Sekki Seki, which could completely block spiritual pressure. That meant using spiritual pressure to open the gate was impossible. It could only be opened with raw strength.

However...

Boom—

With a loud crash, the White Road Gate fell back into place, jolting everyone out of their daze.

"..."

Everyone, Yoruichi included, stared at the spot where Wu Biao had vanished in front of the gate, their foreheads bulging with veins!

Because that bastard had gone inside...

He'd gone in all by himself!

"You bastard! Open the gate!" Yoruichi screamed in fury!

On the other side of the gate, Wu Biao grinned at her with his trademark dopey smile.

But the smile was icy, cold enough to pierce the heart, cold enough to make anyone feel as if winter had come...

He was here!

He'd come to this world filled with powerful fighters!

He wasn't particularly familiar with Rukia. But since she was someone his younger brother cared about, she was family.

There were plenty of strong fighters here. The moment he stepped into the Soul Society, Wu Biao had sensed them. He couldn't pinpoint their exact locations, but the presence of powerful people filled the entire Soul Society. There was no way he could fail to notice it!

So he'd come. He'd come ahead of the others, all by himself!

No matter how much they shouted behind him, Brother Biao paid them no mind. This place was full of powerful people!

"This is pretty interesting!"

Ichimaru Gin, who had been about to leave, turned around the moment the White Road Gate opened. His eyes were full of surprise as he looked at Wu Biao!