─Thank you, Rukia.
"...Ugh."
Rukia Kuchiki snapped awake, her chest tight with a suffocating ache.
She stared at the documents scattered across her desk for a moment. After a deep sigh to expel the heat from her lungs, she wiped her eyes and let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Napping during duty... I've truly lost my edge."
She was in the heart of the Seireitei, at the Thirteenth Division headquarters. As she cleared away her daily paperwork, she tried to push away the image of the young man's sorrowful smile that had haunted her dreams.
It had been seventeen months since that day of parting.
Following the Captain Commander's orders, all contact had been forbidden. Since then, the name of the orange-haired youth never reached her ears. The World of the Living had regained its peace, and the Gotei 13 was focused entirely on cleaning up the aftermath of Aizen's rebellion and monitoring the Kyogoku Faction.
To an outsider, the Soul Society's indifference toward the man hailed as the "Hero of the Spirit World" would seem heartless. But it was the greatest reward they, as mediators of souls, could give to a human like him. At least, that was what Rukia and those around her told themselves to suppress their feelings.
If she could only entrust her impossible wishes to her nightly dreams, then perhaps her heart's weakness could be forgiven.
But that secret longing was answered when a sudden order was issued to the high-ranking officers.
—This time, it is our turn... to save him.
The order was simple: imbue a Kido-enchanted blade prepared by Kisuke Urahara with their spiritual pressure. With it, they would once again transfer Soul Reaper powers to that good-natured idiot—Ichigo Kurosaki.
She would see him. She would fight alongside him again.
As her suppressed emotions finally found an outlet, Rukia wept with joy and relief. However, as she discussed the finer details of the operation with Urahara, she began to realize the gravity of the situation.
A secret society of Fullbringers with terrifying abilities like "Past Manipulation" and "Enforced Contracts." The truth behind their leader, Kugo Ginjo, and the dark history of the Substitute Soul Reaper system.
And above all...
"—I never imagined there was such a connection between Ichigo and Lady Hinamori..."
"Ichigo's talent stems entirely from Aizen's research. The one who has been guiding him is a separate personality—no, a separate soul—of Lieutenant Hinamori, who calls herself the 'Reader.' The reason Aizen was obsessed with Hinamori and why he implanted the second Hogyoku was to separate this supernatural existence from her," Urahara explained.
It was a hidden side of the Great War that a mere Lieutenant wouldn't normally be allowed to know.
Rukia thought of her friend from the Academy, Momo Hinamori. After the war, Hinamori had spoken somberly of how she felt she owed Aizen a debt. Urahara's information seemed to provide the outline for what that "debt" truly was.
"The problem this time is the relationship between the Reader and Ichigo. Since the original host, Hinamori, is under the protection of the Zero Division, we can't touch her. But there's still a chance to free Ichigo from that influence," Urahara continued.
With Aizen gone, the Reader's influence was bound to go out of control. Even if it was a part of her friend's soul, Rukia could not allow Ichigo to be treated as a toy.
"...In other words, you intend to use Kugo Ginjo's plan to remove the suspicious power planted by this 'Reader' from within Ichigo?"
"That's the idea. But the problem is that Ichigo has been completely charmed by the Reader. So, we'll let the Fullbringers take the brunt of his resentment. Once he's broken off his connection with that 'dangerous woman,' we'll pull him back to the Soul Society's side."
Urahara spoke with his usual flippant, devious grin. But as Rukia bristled with disgust at the thought of Ichigo's suffering, he fixed her with a cold, steady gaze.
"Ichigo is more paranoid and distrustful than ever right now. And the primary reason for that is the fact that we prioritized the Soul Laws and his family's peace over him, cutting off all contact."
"...!"
"If we explain everything once it's over, I'm sure Ichigo will understand. But if he learns about the darkness of the Substitute system while he's in this state, do you think he'll see the Soul Society as an ally? If we treat his benefactor, the 'Reader,' as a threat and steal his Fullbring away... do you think he'll still believe we're his friends?"
Do not forget the Captain-level officers we have standing by... in case he betrays us.
The man's flat question presented a worst-case scenario that made the room turn cold. Rukia listened in silence, lowering her face.
Ichigo had suffered in his helplessness. After his friends were hurt, he must have been devastated. Then, he lost his bonds with his loved ones to Tsukishima's ability, was betrayed by the man he turned to for help, and finally had his regained power stolen from him. Just thinking of his heart made Rukia's own chest feel like it would burst.
To point a sword at him in such a state and test his faith in the Soul Society... Urahara believed that restoring their relationship would be nearly impossible otherwise.
"...I truly do not like you."
But as Rukia opened her eyes, there wasn't a shred of doubt in her blue gaze.
"Because you are so needlessly clever, you believe you can handle everything on your own. You decide that any independent action taken by others is merely an 'interference.'"
"..."
"Given your past, perhaps it can't be helped. But deep down, you don't trust the Soul Society—or anyone outside your inner circle. You filter the information you give us, restrict our movements, and try to manipulate us like pawns. Just as you hid the Hogyoku in my spirit body. Just as you pushed Ichigo and the others to save me."
Urahara used Ichigo's trust as a shield, but what he was truly discussing was the danger of the "Reader." While the Gotei 13 optimistically viewed it as a "Zero Division matter," Urahara had decided that the Reader's influence had to be purged from the youth.
But he knew that act would draw Ichigo's intense fury. Therefore, to maintain their friendship, he explained nothing, allowed Ichigo's dreams and efforts to be trampled, and deliberately let him be caught in Ginjo's conspiracy.
It was true; everything was "necessary."
"...But Urahara, there are some whose hearts cannot be moved by logic alone. Irrational, stubborn, and utterly foolish people."
Or perhaps he intended to take the fall himself by making her point this out. But even without such a convoluted method of taking responsibility, there was only one answer that idiot would lead them to.
And the answer she believed in was the same—it had been the only answer since the beginning.
"I will show you, Kisuke Urahara. I will show you the noble heart of that fool who once shared his life and power with me... the one who saved my life."
The heart of Ichigo Kurosaki.
+++
...It wouldn't stop.
That sense of dread. The feeling that she was being forced to look away from something incredibly important.
"...Why?"
Orihime Inoue sprinted through the woods behind the old mansion, driven by a stabbing pain in her chest as she followed the faint spiritual pressures.
"...This is wrong... this is all wrong..."
Why are Mr. Tsukishima and Ichigo fighting when they're best friends?
Why is Ginjo stealing Ichigo's power?
Why is Uryu siding with Ichigo when he's gone crazy?
Why am I...
"...Ichigo..."
Mr. Tsukishima is so depressed. My most precious person is in so much pain, looking so sad.
Then why?
Why am I...
"...Ichigo...!"
The name that spilled from her lips wasn't her "great benefactor" and first love. It was the name of a mere classmate, someone who should have been nothing more than a friend. That fact made Orihime's mind a jumbled mess.
He was crying. Ichigo was crying. Because his power to fight had been stolen.
"...No... please, no..."
It hurts. It hurts so much.
My head, my heart, my stomach. Everything aches.
Shukuro Tsukishima was the most important person to Orihime. He had been by her side long before she ever met Ichigo Kurosaki, always protecting her. He had taken her away from a horrific household and raised her by himself for seventeen years. For the man who saved her life, Orihime felt she could do anything. She could sacrifice anything. Or so she thought.
—Don't cry, Ichigo.
The world twisted and warped. Her knees shook, and she fell to the ground. Something inside her heart was splintering.
Once she noticed it, she couldn't stop.
The memories of Tsukishima that had looked so beautiful—her precious treasures from the past—began to peel away like a forgery painted over a masterpiece. As the canvas of "Orihime Inoue" crumbled, she was left in ruins.
"Ah... ugh..."
A splitting pain shot through her head. Her consciousness became muddled, as if tossed into a blender. Not just her thoughts, but her memories, her emotions—everything.
No longer knowing even who she was, Orihime surrendered her final wish to God in the depths of her despair. It was a wish that was sweet, painful, and the most beautiful request a girl in love could make—
—...?!—
Whether that prayer reached the heavens or was spotted by some kind of demon, Orihime didn't know. But the moment a tiny pink star shimmered in the falling darkness above her...
The girl's world breathed back to life.
"...Hah?!"
Her heart beat like a wild drum as she gasped for fresh air. Wiping away the sweat that poured down her face like a waterfall, Orihime stood up, her mind clearing. The fog in her brain was gone. Her hands and feet had stopped trembling. Feeling like she had been reborn, she began to run once more, following the wish she had prayed to the star.
Trees blurred past her. The ground was scarred with the marks of battle. Bursting into the battlefield above the mansion, she saw them.
Her dear friend, Rukia Kuchiki.
Uryu Ishida, treating wounds.
Kugo Ginjo, leveling his sword.
Riruka and the other members of XCUTION.
A tall, black-haired man she didn't recognize, slumped over.
And the moment she saw the young man standing in the center of the storm, she shouted his name with a surge of overwhelming love.
+++
The gale of brilliant spiritual pressure began to subside.
Ichigo, standing on a foothold of spirit particles, slowly turned around, feeling the nostalgic weight in his right hand.
"—It's been a while, Ichigo."
A woman's tomboyish voice, one he had buried deep in his memories, made his ears ring. Making sure the friend before him wasn't a dream or an illusion, Ichigo spoke her name as if savoring it.
"Rukia..."
"What is with that pathetic, sentimental voice?! It gave me the creeps! Honestly, the moment I take my eyes off you, you turn into a total weakling!"
The sight of the girl huffing with indignation—"How embarrassing!"—warmed his chest. It was their usual childish bickering. It had always been like this.
As he basked in the sharp, familiar sting in the back of his throat, Rukia calmed her blushing face and raised the sword she held toward him.
"...This is a Kido-enchanted blade that Urahara spent seventeen months creating just for you."
"Mr. Urahara did...?"
"It's irritating, but he certainly has the skill. Thanks to this, I was once again..."
—...able to grant you the power of a Soul Reaper.
Her words echoed in his soul. Staring at the massive blade in his right hand, Ichigo slowly processed the truth of the power surging through him.
What had flowed into him from the blade in his chest was a massive torrent of familiar spiritual pressure. Just like that night when it all began, their fates had crossed again, and he had finally reclaimed it.
The Soul Reaper he had longed to be.
"...You're saying... his Soul Reaper powers returned?"
A voice splashed cold water on Ichigo's joy.
"Don't be ridiculous. Stop talking in your sleep, Rukia Kuchiki."
"...You must be the one..."
"Two years ago, you only succeeded in the transfer because his Soul Reaper power was already dormant within him. A second success is impossible. Because I took every last drop of that power for myself!"
Kugo Ginjo laughed triumphantly. The leader of XCUTION, having revealed his true nature, leveled his greatsword at Rukia.
But she didn't flinch.
"You're wrong, Kugo Ginjo. What you stole was merely Ichigo's Fullbring. The Soul Reaper power that wells up from within Ichigo... a man like you could never hope to steal it all...!"
A mischievous grin played on Rukia's lips. Ichigo and Ginjo both followed her gaze as she looked into the air.
"Ichigo, they don't know. They don't know how many times you've overcome despair. And for every time you did, they don't know about the..."
...brilliant light of hope you've seized!
As he turned toward the spot Rukia was watching, a miracle descended before Ichigo's eyes.
"Ichigo!!"
A girl with a black ponytail fluttering in the wind. His precious younger sister, her face a mask of tension and irritation, was standing in mid-air on an unsteady foothold of spirit particles.
"Karin...?!"
"Honestly... what is going on?! My memories of this afternoon are all gone... I don't understand any of this...!"
Karin shook her head repeatedly, and Ichigo was stunned. Why is she here? When did she learn to walk on spirit particles? Did she come here on Tsukishima's orders?
But before he could ask, the girl spoke words he couldn't believe.
"...But there's one thing I know for sure."
—Those guys are Ichigo's enemies!
She pointed toward Kugo Ginjo and the five members of XCUTION.
"You... Tsukishima's ability..."
"'Tsukishima'? Who's that? The guy in the leather jacket acting like he's a big shot?"
The girl tilted her head, and the affection for her brother in her eyes was unchanged.
"...What, Ichigo? You aren't going to tell me it's dangerous and that I should go home, are you?"
"Wh— No! Of course it's dangerous! Besides, you don't even have the power to fight—"
But before Ichigo could stop his sister's recklessness, a loud, angry shout cut him off.
"—Who says the Karakura Super Heroes don't have the power to fight? I won't let that slide!"
Standing there was a schoolboy with a golden club and a girl in a blazer carrying a massive cylinder. Jinta Hanakari and Ururu Tsumugiya, showing the growth of the past year and a half, were radiating spiritual pressure.
"The kids from Urahara's shop?! Why are you here?!"
"Because we followed the shopkeeper in secret, obviously! Your house's violent woman decided to go on ahead, so we had to step in. You're welcome!"
"...Ichigo. We'll provide backup for Karin," Ururu said softly.
Watching the three of them face the enemy, Ichigo caught his breath. Karin looked pouted yet pleased, flanked by the boy and girl from the Urahara shop. It was a scene exactly like his own with Chad and the others—comrades standing together to challenge a powerful foe.
"...I can vouch for their strength as well, Ichigo."
A new voice reached the stunned Ichigo.
"Uryu?! Are your wounds..."
"A Quincy is a race that can fight even if their limbs are torn off. Thanks to all the noise you were making, I was able to pull myself together."
Uryu Ishida leveled his spirit bow, offering a sarcastic, "Your flaws are useful for once." It seemed he had used his spirit-thread technique to close his wounds, regaining his fighting spirit in record time.
...And finally, as he saw the last two figures appear, Ichigo couldn't stop a smile of relief and joy from breaking across his face.
"Ichigo!!"
The chestnut-haired girl raced from the ground up into the air.
Ichigo caught Orihime Inoue as she collapsed toward him, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Whoa! ...Are you okay, Orihime?"
"Thank goodness... you're safe... I'm so glad...!"
He flinched as she sobbed into his chest. But her presence was a certain hope that roused his heart.
"...Ichigo, sorry to keep you waiting."
And his hope was doubled.
"Chad...!"
"...I'm sorry. My memories of the past few days are hazy. It's hard to put into words... it was like I wasn't myself..."
Chad Sado pressed a hand to his chest, his face twisting as he realized the nature of Tsukishima's ability. Reclaiming his reason, his best friend once again clenched his fists to protect Ichigo's back.
"Ginjo... so you really did betray Ichigo?"
Was it rage toward the enemy, or frustration at his own weakness?
"...So you were Ichigo's enemy after all, Riruka."
Was it the regret of losing a friend, or a pure, unspoken affection?
"That's the second time I've been caught off guard. But don't think there will be a third!"
Was it a desire to avenge his defeat, or righteous fury for his comrade?
Chad, Orihime, and Uryu leveled their quiet, burning rage at the enemies who had hurt Ichigo. After seventeen months, his irreplaceable comrades had all gathered in one place.
"...Tch. You've really done it now."
The enemy leader spat a curse at the row of reinforcements that had assembled for Ichigo.
"Because the user lost his nerve... I never thought the Book of the End would be broken. This is a first."
"The tides have turned, Kugo Ginjo," Uryu taunted.
But the XCUTION members merely laughed.
"...Wow, how embarrassing. They've already forgotten how Tsukishima took them all out by himself."
"Do not say such things, Yukio. Humans, Hollows, Soul Reapers—they are all equally powerless before the God of Time," Giriko said calmly.
"Sorry, Ichigo. I'm sure your bond is deep, but our bond isn't so fragile that it'll break just because the odds shifted," Jackie added.
"How dare you people do that to Mr. Tsukishima...! I won't forgive you!!" Shishigawara barked.
"...Hmph."
Yukio, Giriko, Jackie, Shishigawara, and Riruka—the group of troublesome psychics—stood their ground against Ichigo and his friends.
"...This is really irritating..."
And then, there was him.
"...Talking about 'hope' and the 'power of the heart' when you don't know a thing... you're all just dreaming foolish dreams..."
"...!"
The tall youth stood up slowly. Shukuro Tsukishima, his dark circles stained even deeper by his exhaustion, radiated a suffocating murderous intent. Ichigo froze for a moment as he recalled the nightmare of having his bonds stolen.
"—Do not hesitate!"
But a powerful voice of encouragement reached the youth's back.
"It's okay. We won't be defeated again...!"
"That's right! We've been honing our power just for this moment!"
"This time, it's my turn to protect you...!"
"You've had a gap of nearly two years in your training. You should worry about yourself."
"Ichigo...!"
"Ichigo...!"
"Ichigo!"
"Ichigo!"
"Ichigo...!"
They were calling his name. His family, his comrades.
Feeling the depth of their affection, Ichigo stood tall.
"...That's right, Ichigo. No matter what happens, as long as you do not abandon hope—we will always be with you!"
"Rukia...!"
And as a final touch, his partner struck him with a rallying cry of all her might.
"Show them, Ichigo! Show them the strength of your heart—the heart that saved the world for the sake of those you love!"
Show them that despair cannot stop your steps!
The girl's encouragement struck his chest. His heart filled. Power overflowed.
Ichigo Kurosaki, having reclaimed his former spirit, stood ready. Once again, to answer the feelings of everyone around him, he swung his power.
"...Yeah!"
—GETSUGA TENSHO!—
The massive figure of the youth as he swung the blade in his right hand was a sight that matched his resolve...
He was, without a doubt, a hero.
***
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