In the underground training room of Urahara Shop, after Kisuke Urahara agreed to Ichigo Kurosaki's request to train, the two did not delay and immediately began training in this huge underground space.
Kisuke Urahara's so-called training was to have Ichigo Kurosaki find his own power, the power of Soul Reaper, on the verge of Hollowfication. Once Ichigo Kurosaki was completely Hollowfication, Kisuke Urahara would kill Ichigo Kurosaki as he had promised Ichigo Kurosaki beforehand.
Not long after the training began, countless white substances emerged from Ichigo Kurosaki's body. These white substances continuously enveloped Ichigo Kurosaki, making him increasingly resemble a raging Menos Grande. The ominous Spiritual Pressure that Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki was being released continuously from Ichigo Kurosaki's body, and the terrifying Spiritual Pressure enveloped the entire training ground, causing the two children Ururu Tsumugiya and Jinta Hanakari, to tremble in fear.
"Manager, this isn't your average product!"
Tessai Tsukabishi, as the former Kidō Chief, possessed formidable strength, capable of defeating even ordinary squad captains. However, even so, he still felt pressure when facing Ichigo Kurosaki.
"It's up to you now, Ichigo Kurosaki..."
Kisuke Urahara watched as Tessai Tsukabishi to the ground by Bankin, struggled relentlessly, giving the impression that he might break free at any moment and launch a Bankin attack. Holding his Ichigo Kurosaki, which gleamed with a chilling Zanpakuto, Urahara waited patiently. If he could, he truly didn't want to personally kill Ichigo Kurosaki here with the sword in his hand.
"Roar!!"
Ichigo Kurosaki, whose entire body was beginning to Hollowfication and become indistinguishable from a human, was the Roar incessantly, his terrifying Spiritual Pressure soaring into the sky. At this moment, he had completely lost all reason...
Within the realm of consciousness, Ichigo Kurosaki lay in a blank world, enjoying an extremely rare moment of peace...
" Ichigo! Ichigo! Ichigo!"
A weathered shout rang in the ears of Ichigo Kurosaki, who was sleeping peacefully on the ground of this empty world.
Who is calling me?
Ichigo Kurosaki slowly opened his lifeless eyes. He heard a constant stream of shouts around him, and felt somewhat confused. He should be the only person in this world...
Ichigo! I'm right here beside you... I've always been by your side.
The voice continued to ring in Ichigo Kurosaki's ears, and the speaker's tone made it seem as if the speaker knew Ichigo Kurosaki very well.
"Who are you?"
Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes remained lifeless; he merely asked the other person a question instinctively.
"You should know my name... Say it out loud!"
That weathered voice didn't answer Ichigo Kurosaki's question; instead, it asked him Ichigo Kurosaki in return.
Yes, I know your name, your name is...
Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes were no longer confused, and he loudly pronounced the name of his Zanpakuto.
"Let me lend you my power, Ichigo Kurosaki..."
In the very center of countless towering buildings, a man in a black trench coat and sunglasses looks up at the azure sky above and smiles slightly.
The next second, a soaring Spiritual Pressure rose from around Ichigo Kurosaki, completely cleaning away the white substance that had clung to his Hollowfication. After his Ichigo Kurosaki, Soul Reaper Shinigami, finally broke free of his cocoon and was reborn at this moment!
Ten days have passed since Rukia Kuchiki and taken back to Soul Society by Byakuya Kuchiki.
In just ten days, amidst trials of life and death, Ichigo Kurosaki not only regained his lost Soul Reaper powers but also advanced further, raising his Spiritual Pressure to a level that even surprised Kisuke Urahara.
"Truly worthy of being Mr. Isshin's child~"
"At just over ten years old, his Spiritual Pressure has already reached the Captain-level! At this rate, mastering Bankai will be a natural progression."
Kisuke Urahara watched Ichigo Kurosaki display his talent, pursed his lips, and thought, "Are all the descendants of the Five Great Noble Clans monsters?"
"Call..."
"Mr. Urahara, when exactly are we going to Soul Society to rescue Rukia?"
Having prepared everything, Ichigo Kurosaki stretched his body and Kisuke Urahara that after ten days of training, Ichigo Kurosaki Ichigo Kurosaki undergone a complete transformation. His confidence was now extremely high; he... believed he could win!
"Calm down, Ichigo Kurosaki. You can't save Kuchiki-san by yourself."
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki was clinging to Kisuke Urahara, intending to immediately pass through the Senkaimon to the Soul Society, Uryū Ishida, dressed in the white robes of Quincy, gently pushed up his glasses and came to Ichigo Kurosaki's side.
" Uryū, did you come to Rukia too?"
Ichigo Kurosaki looked at Uryū Ishida and felt a surge of joy.
"Hmph! Don't call me so intimately. I don't remember us being in a relationship where we could call each other by our first names."
"As for saving Rukia? Don't flatter yourself. The only reason I went to Soul Society with you was to seek revenge on the Soul Reaper."
Uryū Ishida snorted coldly. He already knew that the reason why Rukia Kuchiki was taken away was entirely because he used the bait of tempting Hollows, which ultimately summoned Gillian- level Menos Grande. Therefore, he had to take responsibility for Rukia Kuchiki's capture.
"Haha... Thank you so much."
Ichigo Kurosaki put his arm around Uryū Ishida's shoulder and burst into laughter.
"I already told you, I'm not here to save Rukia Kuchiki, so you don't need to thank me."
After hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words, Uryū Ishida blushed slightly, then pushed Ichigo Kurosaki away and spoke earnestly.
"Okay, okay..."
Ichigo Kurosaki shrugged helplessly. Although Uryū Ishida was emphasizing his purpose, Ichigo Kurosaki knew very well that the other party actually intended to save Rukia Kuchiki, but was just too shy to say it.
"Can we set off now?"
Ichigo Kurosaki around Uryū Ishida's shoulder and asked Kisuke Urahara.
"Please wait a moment Kurosaki-kun, there are still some people who haven't arrived yet~"
Kisuke Urahara smiled slightly at Ichigo Kurosaki and spoke calmly and patiently.
" Kurosaki-kun, I'm sorry we're late."
Just as Kisuke Urahara finished speaking, Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado, who had just changed their clothes, rushed in from the entrance of the training room.
" Yasutora Sado? Orihime?"
Are you two also planning to go to Soul Society?
Ichigo Kurosaki looked at Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado in shock.
" Kurosaki-kun, that's very rude of you! Rukia-san is our classmate too!"
After hearing Ichigo Kurosaki's words, Orihime Inoue stood with her hands on her hips, feigning anger as she spoke to Ichigo Kurosaki.
"Hahaha... Sorry! Sorry! That's not what I meant."
After hearing Orihime Inoue's words, Ichigo Kurosaki burst into laughter. He had originally intended to tell Orihime Inoue that Soul Society was too dangerous for someone as weak as her, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. After all, as long as he was strong enough, he could protect Orihime Inoue if anything happened.
With that in mind, Ichigo Kurosaki did not stop Orihime Inoue.
"Don't worry~ These two are very strong now, and they will be a great help to you in rescuing Rukia from Soul Society."
Just as Ichigo Kurosaki burst into laughter, a beautifully colored black cat appeared out of nowhere and leaped in front of them, speaking calmly.
"Ah, it's Mr. Yoruichi."
Everyone looked at the black cat that had spoken and said in unison.
"Thanks a lot."
Kisuke Urahara looked at the black cat that had landed on all fours and nodded slightly.
"Snort..."
The black cat proudly raised her little chin, her smug expression as if to say to Kisuke Urahara that these things were all a piece of cake for her.
"Now that everyone is here, it's time to explain the situation in Soul Society."
Kisuke Urahara bowed respectfully, gently picked up the black cat from the ground and held it in his arms. Then, facing Ichigo Kurosaki and the others, he spoke softly.
"The situation in Soul Society?!"
Upon hearing Kisuke Urahara's words, Ichigo Kurosaki's eyes sharpened and became serious. Although he had been clamoring to hurry up and rescue Rukia from Soul Society, he was not a reckless person. He clearly understood the principle of knowing yourself and your enemy, and that to rescue Rukia from the Soul Society, he had to understand what kind of place Soul Society really was.
" The Soul Society is divided into two main areas: the Seireitei, where nobles and Soul Reaper reside, and the Rukongai, where commoners live. Rukia Kuchiki... as Soul Reaper of the Gotei 13 and a member of the Kuchiki Clan, one of the Five Great Noble Clans of Soul Society, she must be imprisoned somewhere within the Seireitei..."
"Therefore, your task is to infiltrate the Seireitei and secretly rescue Rukia Kuchiki from her place of imprisonment."
"Therefore, there is some information that concerns your lives, and you must remember it well!"
"First of all, the internal forces within Seireitei are complex and intertwined. However, the only ones who will directly confront you are the Soul Reaper of the Gotei 13. These thirteen Soul Reaper divisions represent the highest fighting strength of Seireitei, and each First Division is led by a captain and Lieutenant-level."
"As for Soul Reaper Soul Reaper at the squad Captain-level and the Lieutenant-level, I think Ichigo Kurosaki-kun has already experienced their power."
As Kisuke Urahara speaking, he gave Ichigo Kurosaki a slight smile.
As Kisuke Urahara paused, the others turned their gaze to Ichigo Kurosaki Ichigo Kurosaki, their eyes questioning him about the true Soul Reaper of the so-called squad Captain-level and Lieutenant-level Soul Reaper...
"Ha?"
Ichigo Kurosaki scratched the back of his head, completely baffled by what everyone was saying.
" Renji Abarai is one of the two Soul Reaper who came to the World of the Living to find Rukia Kuchiki. The red-haired one is the vice-captain of the Gotei 6th Division. As for the man who defeated Kurosaki-kun in an instant, he is the captain of the Gotei 6th Division and Rukia Kuchiki's older brother, Byakuya Kuchiki."
Kisuke Urahara abandoned the idea of having Ichigo Kurosaki explain the strength of the squad leader to others; he shouldn't have had any expectations of Ichigo Kurosaki.
"So, there are thirteen enemies who could instantly kill Kurosaki-kun?"
Uryū Ishida gently adjusted his glasses and clicked his tongue in amazement.
As Uryū Ishida finished speaking, the atmosphere among them instantly became much heavier.
"Have you misunderstood something?"
"They only defeated the me of ten days ago; I am no longer the same person I was then!"
"If I had another chance, I don't know who would be the ultimate winner."
Ichigo Kurosaki clenched his fists tightly. He knew that the greatest difficulty he would face on his journey to Soul Society was probably the man named Byakuya Kuchiki, who had knocked him to the ground in an instant.
Hahaha... Don't worry~
Not everyone in the Gotei 13 is our enemy.
Kisuke Urahara chuckled softly as he looked at the tense expressions on everyone's faces.
"Could it be that Urahara- sensei has someone he knows in the Thirteenth Division?"
After hearing what Kisuke Urahara, Orihime Inoue asked excitedly.
"I do have acquaintances, but none of them will give me face."
Kisuke Urahara smiled slightly at Orihime Inoue. He did indeed have many acquaintances in Soul Society, but those acquaintances would probably take action as soon as they heard his name... It was better not to mention it.
"Forehead..."
After hearing Kisuke Urahara's words, Ichigo Kurosaki and the others fell silent, somewhat at a loss for words.
"In short, I can't go into too much detail because it involves some of us, and some of our family matters. So I'll just briefly mention a few things that you should be aware of."
"First of all, if you encounter the captain of the Second Division, that man named Sōgo Shihoin, remember not to resist. The more you resist, the more excited he will become... If things get out of hand, it will be difficult for everyone to handle the situation."
Kisuke Urahara held the black cat in his arms with one hand, and with the other hand, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead. Although hundreds of years had passed, the psychological shadow that Sōgo had cast on him still lingered in his heart.
"Is that man named Sōgo Shihoin very strong?"
The inflated Ichigo Kurosaki was starting to get restless.
"Calm down, Ichigo. You'd be killed in one punch right now."
Kisuke Urahara that Ichigo Kurosaki might commit suicide, spoke up to warn him.
"..."
After hearing Kisuke Urahara's words, Ichigo Kurosaki froze on the spot; he really didn't know how to respond.
"What should we do if we encounter Sōgo Shihoin?"
Uryū Ishida knew that since Kisuke Urahara had said so, he must have a way to deal with the man named Sōgo Shihoin.
"It's simple, just use Mr. Yoruichi as a hidden weapon."
Kisuke Urahara smiled slightly at Ichigo Kurosaki, and casually placed the black cat Yoruichi into Ichigo Kurosaki's arms.
"Ha?"
Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryū Ishida were both stunned, completely baffled as to what Kisuke Urahara, this shrewd businessman, was talking about.
"You are now qualified soldiers; you must learn to use Shihoin to fight Shihoin on your own."
Kisuke Urahara offered no explanation and continued uttering words that left everyone bewildered.
(End of this chapter)