Ichiro smiled. "What? Weren't you just complaining that I didn't take you seriously? Why have you changed your mind now?"
World slowly walked up to Ichiro, wrapped her arms around him, and choked out, "Lord Ichiro, I was so thoughtless before. I really don't deserve this."
Ichiro gently stroked World's head. "You do. You deserve it all."
As he spoke, Ichiro remembered what had just happened.
Time rewound to the moment just before the transmutation was complete.
Reconstruction
At this stage, Ichiro's spirit suddenly left the Transmutation Circle and arrived before a great door. It was covered in all kinds of knowledge, every bit of it something Ichiro had learned.
The Gate of Truth!
The thing necessary for performing Alchemy!
It existed within every alchemist, but under normal circumstances, alchemists couldn't see the door. Only by using a Human Transmutation Circle could one glimpse its grandeur!
Besides recording all of one's knowledge, the Gate of Truth had another powerful effect, just as its name suggested: Truth!
Open this door, and you could gain all the knowledge in the world!
If you could afford the price.
When he had first arrived in Soul Society, Ichiro had once thought of creating souls with Alchemy, transmuting them into a Philosopher's Stone, and then using the stone to come here and exchange it for knowledge!
With enough Philosopher's Stones, he would be truly omniscient and omnipotent!
Unfortunately, after researching the matter further, Ichiro eventually abandoned the idea. First of all, even artificially created souls were still souls, each an independent life.
Transmuting life into a Philosopher's Stone and then trading it to the Gate of Truth would mean treating life as a mere ingredient. That clearly went against Ichiro's belief that life was priceless.
So in the end, he gave up on the plan.
But after Ichiro obtained his Zanpakuto and began communicating with it—well, after it began communicating with him—he came up with an idea: turn his Zanpakuto into a human!
As time passed, he came to understand his Zanpakuto better, and the idea grew ever stronger. Eventually, he decided to restart his research into the Philosopher's Stone!
He would use a Philosopher's Stone to turn this closest friend, who knew him better than anyone, into a real human being instead of a sword!
However, after Ichiro successfully entered the Mental World and met his Zanpakuto, World, he abandoned the idea of creating a Philosopher's Stone once again.
Because his Zanpakuto and he were two sides of the same coin, no one in the world was closer to Ichiro than his Zanpakuto, World. So, could he really use something as wicked as a Philosopher's Stone to taint her?
After all, as an embodiment of a part of Ichiro's heart, World believed that life was priceless, too. Would she accept being reborn through a tainted Philosopher's Stone?
The answer was no!
Of course, giving up on the Philosopher's Stone didn't mean Ichiro had given up on his plan to give his Zanpakuto a new life. On the contrary, after the incident in which he had hurt his Zanpakuto, the idea became even more compelling.
Before him lay two choices: first, research a true Philosopher's Stone, one not made from human life; second, offer Alchemy as the price and make a deal with the Gate of Truth!
Ichiro chose the latter without hesitation!
The first choice was an unattainable dream. Countless alchemists had pursued it for countless years without success. Ichiro didn't believe he could obtain it so easily.
Exchanging Alchemy was simply a last resort.
The Gate of Truth's exchanges had one peculiarity: it took away what mattered most to you. You weren't usually aware of what that was; only after losing it did you become painfully conscious of it. (This was explained in the original Fullmetal Alchemist, so I won't go into detail here. Anyway, it takes something away.)
Unless you willingly exchanged something for it. Just as Ichiro had told World that day, World's abilities and Alchemy weren't equal in value. And likewise, Alchemy wasn't equal in value to World.
World or Alchemy. He could only choose one.
The Ichiro of today would choose the former without hesitation!
Memories from the past floated before Ichiro's eyes like a dream. Standing before the door, he glanced at the gradually materializing "Ichiro" and asked, "Did you make these memories appear?"
"Perhaps this will change your mind. So, choose, Tenshin Ichiro. What price will you pay to change the very nature of your Zanpakuto, World?"
"So my research really can't turn World into a human." Ichiro murmured, then raised his head. He placed his right hand over his heart and declared without hesitation, "I'll give up my Alchemy in exchange for World's rebirth!"
With that, he strode forward and reached out to push open the Gate of Truth!
"'Ichiro'" smiled without a word, watching Ichiro's back as he vanished along with the Gate of Truth.
"Don't cry anymore. As my other half, how could you remain a sword forever?"
"Lord Ichiro, aren't you afraid I'll betray you, like those characters in stories from my previous life?"
Ichiro smiled and asked in return, "Would you?"
World hugged Ichiro tightly and said softly, "Never! World will never betray you, Lord Ichiro!"
"Mm, I believe you. All right, you're a real human now, too. Choose a name for yourself." Ichiro gently pushed World away and looked at her.
"Just World. My name came from the manifestation of Lord Ichiro's inner power, so my name should be World!"
"Then what about your surname?"
"World... can I have the same surname as you, Lord Ichiro?"
Ichiro stroked his chin, intrigued. "A daughter or a little sister? Hmm, that feels closer than being friends. All right, from now on, your name will be Tenshin World!"
World pouted. "Mm, from now on, my name will be Tenshin World. But I'm not your little sister or daughter. I'm Lord Ichiro's friend!"
"Uh..." Coming back to his senses amid the joy of the successful experiment, Ichiro suddenly realized something. Awkwardly, he nodded and accepted her words.
He took a couple of steps back, held out his hand, and smiled. "Then let's introduce ourselves again. My name is Tenshin Ichiro."
World beamed. "My name is Tenshin World. I'm Lord Ichiro's friend, and I'll always be your Zanpakuto, too! Your Zanpakuto alone!"
As Ichiro watched in confusion, World turned into Reishi and gathered at his waist, transforming back into a Zanpakuto!
"World?"
"I'm here, Lord Ichiro."
"What are you doing?"
"Being your Zanpakuto, of course. Turning World into a human was your idea, Lord Ichiro, but all I want is to stay by your side and always be your Zanpakuto. But don't worry. Now I can turn into human form whenever I like. I just hope you'll let me stay by your side in the form of a Zanpakuto most of the time."
World's soft, sweet voice sounded in his heart. Ichiro smiled helplessly and replied, "Then do as you like. Whatever makes you happy."
At the same time, Ichiro didn't know that when World turned back into a Zanpakuto, Ichibei Hyosube, who was in the Soul King Palace, turned his head and frowned in Ichiro's direction. Just then, he had forgotten the true name of Ichiro's Zanpakuto!
He knew there was such a thing, but he had completely forgotten what it was!
Before you continue