Shadow, Yoruichi Shihōin

Shadow had grown up among wolves. He was used to bloodshed and killing, so his pursuit of power for survival was far stronger than anyone else's.

But in Konoha, when he had yet to gain any strength, he suffered endless bullying. Meeting Mitaraishi Anko was the brightest sunlight in his life.

Mitarashi Zixiao's death brought Mitaraishi Anko pain, while also planting the root of Shadow's pursuit of strength in his heart.

White Fang's suicide was merely a trigger, drawing out Shadow's gradually budding impulse. His desire for power had never been stronger. He believed that if he possessed strength that made everyone fear him, tragedies like White Fang's would never happen. So, he left Konoha.

During his wanderings through the Shinobi World, he shed his former hotheaded, impulsive nature and learned to hide himself.

Orochimaru's defection and what happened to Mitaraishi Anko were Shadow's most painful memories. At last, he saw clearly what he needed most. Filled with regret, he believed that if he had not left, none of it would have happened.

So he became someone who was no longer himself—cold and heartless.

When he came to Soul Society and met Yoruichi Shihōin, something in his heart stirred inexplicably. That familiar situation suddenly gave Shadow the desire to keep living. To give himself a reason to live, he chose to pledge loyalty to Yoruichi Shihōin.

But at first, that loyalty was cold, because in Shadow's heart, Yoruichi Shihōin, who resembled Mitaraishi Anko so much, was merely her substitute.

That battle against the Fake Vasto Lorde moved not only Yoruichi Shihōin, but Shadow himself as well.

After spending so many years together, emotion gradually found its way into Shadow's loyalty.

During the war in Hueco Mundo, Shadow was gravely wounded. Images of the past surfaced one after another in his consciousness, tearing open old scars again. Those regret-filled memories in Shadow's heart were a past he could never forget.

His conversation with Yoruichi Shihōin was the first time Shadow truly opened himself up. But what was he really thinking? Who could understand that sorrow?

Kenpachi Zaraki was so much like his former self, and Gin Ichimaru was so much like his present self.

During their brief separation, Yoruichi Shihōin saw her own heart clearly, yet Shadow remained utterly unaware. Did he truly know nothing?

The Visoreds' defection and their peaceful life in the World of the Living seemed to have worn away Yoruichi Shihōin's former ambition to become the Flash God. They also seemed to have smoothed away Shadow's edges, allowing them to temporarily forget that grief.

When they infiltrated Soul Society, Shadow had nothing to say in the face of Gin Ichimaru's choice. Facing Kenpachi Zaraki and Byakuya Kuchiki, who had finally seen himself clearly, Shadow felt the gratification of being a teacher and elder.

A beast had no need for so-called emotions, yet Yoruichi Shihōin's tears spoke of the stirrings within Shadow's heart.

In the Soul Hunter Arc, even after losing consciousness, her shadow remained in his heart. He would rather destroy himself than harm her in the slightest.

Just as Yoruichi Shihōin said, "Before, Shadow was always the one who stayed by my side. This time, if he truly cannot come back, then let me go stay by his side." "So what if he is the strongest in the world? If I could, I would rather he never had that power."

After being together for so long, it was not that Shadow did not understand Yoruichi Shihōin's heart. He simply could not let go. He pretended to be a fool; perhaps that would make his heart hurt a little less.

The Zanpakutō materialized, and Shadow's blade was actually...

Faced with the choice of returning to the past or remaining in the present, faced with the unforgettable Mitaraishi Anko and the Yoruichi Shihōin he could not let go of, Shadow only cowardly chose to run away.

Could he truly think it through?

Aizen attacked Karakura Town. Yoruichi Shihōin and the Bleaches went to face him. Shadow suppressed his chaotic thoughts, and when he arrived,

the gravely wounded Yoruichi Shihōin smiled. "Shadow, I knew you would come!"

Hearing those simple words, Shadow cried. At that moment, he finally understood.

What did he have left to cling to? That last trace of obsession should simply fade away.

Luoshan, who had lived only for Mitaraishi Anko, had long since died...

I am Shadow, and only Shadow!

Just as we promised, we would always be together and keep walking forward, until we could no longer walk. Then we would find a quiet place, choose a comfortable way to die, and in the next life, I would find you again. Then we would spend our entire lives together...