Bleach: The Captain of the Fifth Division Becomes Stronger Through Training.

Chapter 253: Kurosaki Ichigo's Rain

"Arima Shizuya."

"How can I describe this man? For us, he is a very complicated image."

"As the captain of the 5th Division, he may be qualified. After all, as far as I know, many members still don't believe that he can betray the Soul Society."

"But on the other hand, as the captain of the Gotei 13, he was absolutely derelict in his duty... This guy betrayed his mission and committed an evil act that no one can forgive."

Mako Hirako's statement is devoid of any emotion and is completely narrated from the perspective of an outsider.

So did his expression.

Calm and indifferent, as if everything has nothing to do with him.

Because of this...Hiyori, who was shouting and jumping beside him at the moment, seemed a little 'abstract'.

"Huh?! What do you mean by being a competent captain? I don't agree, I don't approve, I think there's a big problem!!!"

"Okay, okay... I got it. By the way, I ordered some things from Mr. Urahara before, could you help pick them up?"

"… If you want to get rid of me, you don't need such a lame excuse, right?"

"Do you think I'm the type who enjoys using my brain?"

"Bald!"

In just a moment of distraction, the topic between these two people can deviate to somewhere unknown.

Ichigo Kurosaki covered his face in pain.

——Is it really okay to trust such an unreliable person?

They reluctantly sent the noisy girl away, and soon, only Hirako and Ichigo were left in this independently built "basement".

"I'm sorry, that guy didn't mean any harm."

"No... I didn't really care."

So, let’s get back to the topic.

"There is so much to discuss about that man."

"But before we start this topic, you must be more concerned about your own background, right?"

"I said before that we have been paying attention to you for a long time... and I am not exaggerating."

Arrange the words and then sort out the regulations to make them clear and understandable.

Mako Hirako stared upwards and told a story from long ago in a nostalgic tone.

From his own identity, the origin of the mask, to the relationship between the God of Death and the Quincy.

And the final combination, and the final birth of Kurosaki Ichigo.

"At the beginning, we were kept in the dark and thought that Arima Shizuka was just a simple victim."

"And his power was reborn in you, so we also paid great attention to you."

"As for what happened afterwards... well, I don't think I need to say more. You have already witnessed it with your own eyes."

The absolute power that manifested itself in Soul Society.

That feeling of transcendence that was above everything, even now when he recalled it, Ichigo Kurosaki couldn't help but purse his lips.

Based on Arima Shizuya's strength, he also had corresponding guesses and assumptions about the opponent's general information.

But at this point, Ichigo Kurosaki discovered that the other party was far more powerful than he had imagined.

After years of planning, the goal is clear.

Once they succeed, they do not become complacent in any sense, but instead express their sense of superiority to the greatest extent possible within limits.

As an enemy.

Arima Shizuya and his group displayed a strength that was enough to inspire despair.

"Why would such a powerful person do such a thing..."

Mako Hirako tilted his head in thought.

"Now that things have come to this, if you ask me, I can't explain it."

People have been wandering in the human world for decades, so the Masked Corps naturally has no idea what Soul Society is like today.

He confessed the whole story and explained the whole matter clearly.

Completely different from the original work, at this stage the character has already known his own life experience and understood the whole story.

Ichigo Kurosaki inevitably fell into a state called "entanglement".

"I, I need a little time to digest..."

Such a choking look was also within Hirako Mako's expectations.

“Well, it’s not like I can’t understand your situation. If it were me, I would definitely have the same expression right now.”

"No... That's not what I wanted to say."

Makoto Hirako was a little surprised. He half turned his head and looked at Ichigo, who lowered his head as if he was about to cry.

The boy's voice was sobbing.

"With such great abilities, Dad... why couldn't you protect Mom..."

Power, identity, origin.

That kind of thing is good no matter what.

For a teenager who lacked maternal love and had a melancholy personality since childhood.

There is nothing more depressing than knowing that your mother died in vain... or even making you angry.

Facing Ichigo Kurosaki's one-sided confession.

Mako Hirako thought for a moment and tried to explain.

"Ichigo, I don't think this matter is that simple."

Although I haven't experienced it personally, it is still clear that the power between the Hollows and the Shinigami needs to be balanced.

As the leader of the Masked Corps, this is the only thing Mako Hirako can guarantee.

"Your father is also trying his best to protect you, but his methods may be somewhat unacceptable to you."

"..."

The silent response was unclear whether it was acquiescence or resistance.

The orange-haired boy covered his head in pain, tears dripping from between his fingers.

Regret, regret, pain, self-blame.

There is more or less emotion involved.

After all, he was the one who caused his mother's death. Now that he knew his own life experience, many problems were solved.

No longer confused, and no longer questioning any of my parents' questions.

The emotions brewing in Ichigo Kurosaki's chest at this moment...

It is the silhouette called 'Courage'.

Take a deep breath and calm yourself down.

Ichigo Kurosaki forced a forced smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Hirako..."

"Ha, are you starting to use honorifics already?"

It felt a bit snobbish, and the person involved was touching the back of his head with an embarrassed expression.

But then again...

"Well, I don't hate your frankness."

The two of them were frank with each other and quickly brought the topic back to the original direction.

"Ichigo, I explained so much to you, partly based on our observations of you over the years."

"We believe you are trustworthy and can become our companion."

"On the other hand, it's about the power in your body..."

Ichigo Kurosaki's expression grew slightly serious.

He could fully understand the other party's intention - the power that symbolized the Hollow in his body came from the split of Arima Shizuya's soul.

"Honestly, it's hard for me to judge the thing inside you at this point."

When it comes to uncertainty, even someone as frivolous as Mako Hirako would not rashly make irrational judgments.

"I don't know whether it is now a clone of Shizuya Arima, or a completely new individual with only some traces left but with some of its own self..."

This situation is extremely special.

After all, the negative side deep in the hearts of Mako Hirako and others is all guided out by the immature Hougyoku.

Although it is immature, it still has many flaws and shortcomings.

But it's like two sides of the same coin.

No matter how hard you try, you are just "scare yourself", so naturally you have very little contact with the outside world.

But Kurosaki Ichigo is obviously different... He was stuffed with half of Arima Shizuya's soul. I'm afraid only the person involved knows what the situation is now. "But then again, Ichigo, after you came back from Soul Society, you should have tried to avoid using this power, right?"

The boy's expression was inevitably surprised.

"Why would you..."

"Ha, I've been a captain for a few years at least. If I don't have this much foresight, then there's something wrong."

Mako Hirako adjusted his sitting posture and made his expression a little more serious.

"Ichigo, although I cannot help you with your situation, as someone who has experienced this, I can at least give you some advice."

Running away won't solve the problem.

"Since it is a part of your body, sooner or later there will be a time for deeper contact."

"Because of fear, cowardice, and shrinking, you will continue to rub shoulders with others... You will never become stronger this way."

"You have something you want to protect, right? Whatever it is, it must be something important to you."

He reached out and gently patted Ichigo's shoulder.

"Although we can't provide any substantial assistance, if you really want to develop this ability... then contact us, and we will do our best to help you."

Having said this, I have expressed my sincere gratitude.

Ichigo Kurosaki nodded heavily at the other party, but his expression was still a little hesitant.

"Thank you. I'll... think about it for a while."

"Yeah, I understand."

Send away Kurosaki Ichigo.

The masked army members hiding in the corner slowly appeared.

"Is it really okay to just let him go like this?"

"What do you mean... do you still want to keep him here?"

"It's not impossible. After all, Arima Shizuya's power is too worrying. If possible, it's better to kill him as soon as possible."

"Are we going to discuss this based on the premise that Kurosaki Ichigo is out of control? Isn't that a bit disrespectful?"

"The principle of the Gotei 13 is to kill the innocent rather than let them go."

"Ha, do you still think you're the captain now?"

"What did you say?!"

This is not the first time that conflicts have arisen within the Masked Corps, and under normal circumstances, Hirako Mako would simply pretend not to see it.

After all, everyone is not from the same team, and each has different personalities and experiences.

Right now, they are gathered together simply for revenge and to seek stability.

Naturally, there would be no surprises in this situation.

But... today's atmosphere is particularly solemn.

"Let's stop here. Talking about others behind their backs is not something a decent person would do."

After all, he was the official leader of the Masked Legion, so no one refuted what Mako Hirako said.

He stared at the direction where Kurosaki Ichigo left, his expression slightly stiff and his lips tightly pursed.

There were some things that he could not say in the end. After all, many things now seemed to be just his wishful thinking.

Wait a minute.

Time will tell.

"What should we do if Kurosaki Ichigo really doesn't come again?"

In response to other people's questions, Mako Hirako answered decisively.

"Then we should be happy for him, because if we do this, it means that in Ichigo's eyes, there are people who are more trustworthy than us."

A young boy who has not yet gone to college and is an underage boy.

But they have to bear this kind of unreasonable responsibility and burden, and in the end, they even have to ask these "strangers" for advice.

"If it were you, would you think this was a very frustrating thing?"

"..."

No one responded.

Because the so-called "putting yourself in someone else's shoes" is actually a very rare spirit of compassion.

……

Ichigo Kurosaki returned home.

He couldn't wait to see his father and ask him about everything that happened to him, him, and his mother...

Are those things really true?

However, Kurosaki Isshin seemed to have evaporated from the face of the earth and disappeared completely at this moment.

"Maybe he's on a business trip?"

Seeing his sister, Kurosaki Yuuko, speaking with a smile, Ichigo could no longer utter the words that were stuck in his throat.

"Brother, what do you want from dad?"

"No, no..."

We cannot pass unnecessary pressure on to others, especially as the eldest son.

Ichigo Kurosaki has also become accustomed to his own unique way of relieving his emotions.

Lock yourself in the room, be silent and think alone.

It's ok.

Just the same thing as before.

Time will dilute these uneasy feelings, and there is no point in thinking too much about them now.

However, he still couldn't fall asleep after tossing and turning.

Reach out and grope in your arms.

Ichigo Kurosaki took out the Death God proxy certificate he carried with him, and his eyes were slightly straight.

I want to find someone to talk to, but there is no suitable person around me. In this case...

goo...

The body sank rapidly along with the flowing water.

The chaotic scene suddenly became clear, among a bunch of tilted skyscrapers.

Ichigo Kurosaki began to run aimlessly, shouting uncontrollably.

"Zangetsu! Uncle Zangetsu!"

where are you?

I…need your help.

"What's wrong."

The figure of Yhwach appeared not far behind him, causing Ichigo Kurosaki to stop.

"Uncle Zangetsu! I..."

I have a lot to say, but when the words come to my lips, I don’t know where to start.

"me……"

What should I say?

His background was clear, but more and more questions arose.

What exactly does Arima Shizuya plan for herself? What exactly do I do now?
It’s unclear, incomprehensible, and even makes people want to scream out loud!
It would be better if you didn’t know it from the beginning!
Yhwach did not say anything to interrupt Ichigo's thoughts. He just remained silent, just a quiet spectator.

Until he sighed faintly.

"Ichigo, don't be afraid."

"Being confused is not your problem."

"Before you find the answer, be as sad and hesitant as possible."

After all no matter what.

"We're all here."

Under this sky without the sun and the moon, in the boy’s soft and delicate heart.

"Grow up quickly, Ichigo."

Yhwach disappeared.

Ichigo Kurosaki fell to his knees, covering his face with his hands, sobbing weakly.

World, it started raining again.

(End of this chapter)