Ichigo leaves and takes up residence in Soul Society!

Soul Society, it's been so long since I've been back.

I wonder if those acquaintances still remember the name "Instant God".

"Yes, let's make a big scene together, just like Aizen... hoped."

Kisuke Urahara slightly curled the corners of his mouth, his expression resolute.

Chapter 51 Why are you so sure he's a fake?

Soul Society, Fifth Division Barracks - Training Grounds.

bass!

The blade sliced ​​through the air.

It also cut open Ichigo's collar. Although he retreated in time, blood still splattered on his chest after his back foot landed.

He ignored the pain, tried his best to regulate his breathing, and stared intently at the two figures crossing back and forth in front of him.

The sparks bursting in the air resembled raindrops rippling on the ground, their number too many to count.

The metallic sounds that rang in my ears were as loud as the continuous roar of rain, making my heart tremble.

The spiritual pressure released from the intense battle had ravaged the training ground beneath their feet.

For the average player, it was a clash on another timeline, another dimension.

Suddenly, a figure was sent flying.

Ichigo rushed forward almost without hesitation.

Seize this opportunity to launch a surprise attack from behind on the other side, who seems to be in control.

"call……"

The Four Palace Master's face was covered in sweat, his heart was pounding like a drum, and his muscles and bones were aching all over, with many deep knife wounds that exposed the bone.

The continuous high-intensity combat has pushed the body's functions to their limits.

He doesn't plan to go anymore.

He walked to the side and sat down, sheathing his Zanpakuto.

He picked up the water he had prepared beforehand, poured half a bottle over his head, and then drank it all in one gulp.

After I finished drinking the water, I heard a "bang".

Ichigo was sent flying backwards and landed on the ground, sliding all the way to his feet.

"..."

Seeing this, the Four Palace Master calmly picked up Ichigo's water cup and poured it on his face.

"Cough cough cough... What are you doing!"

"You looked like you couldn't get up, so I wanted to help you... and it worked out pretty well, didn't it?"

"Can't we use common sense methods! Common sense methods!"

Ichigo, choked on his own water, sat up abruptly and grabbed the glass to drink.

"Phew... I'm alive again."

Let's call it a day.

Aizen strolled over leisurely. Unlike the two who were wearing kendo uniforms, he was dressed in formal captain's attire, holding a Zanpakuto. He was both elegant and dignified, and even the slightest trace of his aura after the battle felt like a needle pricking one's heart.

Ichigo's fingers twitched, and he instinctively tried to grip the hilt of his sword tighter.

The Four Palaces Master also tensed up.

This is proof of the instinct to sense a deadly crisis.

"Thank you for your hard work, teacher... You have to secretly investigate Ichimaru's crimes and also accompany us in our training."

"It is indeed a bit tough, after all, your progress is too fast. Without showing your true strength, it is impossible to achieve the purpose of cultivation. But this is actually a good thing. Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye, and we don't have much time left."

"Yes."

The Four Palaces Lord looked up and squinted at the direction of the Twin Poles.

More than ten days have passed since the judgment was issued.

During this time, he and Ichigo had been undergoing practical combat training with Aizen.

This isn't the first or second time I've injured myself so badly.

"nailed it!"

At this moment, Ichigo wiped away his sweat, revealing a satisfied expression.

"You worked hard too."

The Four Palaces Master tried raising his arm.

The knife wound, which almost severed the tendon, showed no signs of existence; there wasn't even a scar.

I just feel a little weak and sore.

If you ask why this hellish training, which often leaves you covered in injuries, can continue day after day without any impact, you might wonder...

The reason lies with Ichigo.

Retsu Uenohana's directions were correct.

Through repeated injuries in actual combat, Ichigo accumulated rich experience, and his "Return to the Path" technique became more and more proficient. He could heal his injuries in just a few seconds and still have the energy to heal Shinomiya.

Therefore, the two were able to recover quickly and devote themselves to the special training the next day.

Even Aizen, who initially suggested that Ichigo specialize in "Return to the Path," was amazed by this.

This progress can no longer be described as merely rapid.

Skilled technique is one aspect, but abundant spiritual energy also plays a crucial role.

In addition, perhaps due to the talent brought by the Quincy's "blood armor", Ichigo is also particularly good at healing internal physical wounds.

"If this continues, I'm really worried that Unohana-san will drag me into the Fourth Division... Shinomiya, you have to help me think of a way then."

Ichigo felt a great sense of accomplishment as his "Return to the Path" skill deepened, but the thought of Retsu Unohana's kindness and the duties of the Fourth Division gave him a headache.

He had promised Ukitake he would go to the 13th Division.

For no other reason than that the function of the 13th Division is the Purification Squad, which often sends its members to the human world to guard. Although it is not the vice-captain's place to do such a small thing, it is not a problem to inspect it under the guise of going deep into the grassroots, right?

"Just tell her you don't want to go, that'll be enough. With your 'Returning to the Way' skills, she can't kill you."

The Four Palaces Venerable spoke casually.

"I didn't ask you to praise my 'Return Path' like that; I asked you to come up with an idea that doesn't require any knives!"

Why not ask the teacher?

Upon hearing this, Ichigo instinctively looked at Aizen.

"Regarding this...why not ask Captain Ukitake? As your future superior, he won't turn a blind eye to your difficulties."

Aizen pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Makes sense."

Although it made sense, Ichigo felt a little out of place watching these two people blaming each other.

Without saying much more, Aizen left the scene.

Besides investigating Gin Ichimaru, there are also many other official duties within the team, which cannot all be left to Momo Hinamori. Otherwise, if she "dies" later, people will inevitably suspect that it is due to excessive work pressure.

Wait... that's also an excuse.

"The immense work pressure led to her being lured and murdered while trying to relax, highlighting her tragic fate and making her even more infuriating than a typical murder. The angrier one is, the harder it is to calm down and think things through. If the teacher could use his literary skills to help Hinamori polish her writing, it would surely touch people's hearts and make them fall for the deception..."

"I mean... I have this strange feeling that we're plotting to overthrow Seireitei."

Hearing the Fourth Prince muttering thoughtfully, Ichigo's eyelids twitched.

"What are you talking about? Going against the 46th Chamber is, in a sense, no different from overthrowing the Seireitei's order."

Shinomiya-no-Tsuru stood up and patted him on the shoulder.

"You should really think about Bankai. Thanks to my teacher for pushing me to the brink of death these past few days, making my soul feel the danger of disappearing and causing my spiritual power to rise sharply. I cultivate during the day and then go back to continue... well, cultivation. The first stage of materialization is almost done."

"Hmph, I've already taken care of it."

Ichigo laughed triumphantly.

The theory of "the crisis of soul disappearance leading to an increase in power" proposed by the Four Palace Master is universal, which is why there is this kind of practical training.

If it's just about honing combat skills, then it's a bit too... disregarding the importance of time.

That being said.

"I felt that I was no weaker than Kuchiki Byakuya, and I even felt that I could fight back against Unohana, but when I fought against my teacher... I couldn't see any hope of winning at all. It was a one-sided suppression."

"Only after revealing his murderous intent, and through this terrifying power, could we feel the impending crisis of death, thus unleashing more of our potential and allowing me to 'materialize' in such a short time."

"However, I encountered some trouble during the 'Submission' phase."

As Ichigo spoke, his expression became conflicted again.

Why didn't you ask for help while the teacher was around?

"Well... I don't really want others to know, but it's fine for you."

"?"

"What kind of look is that! I mean, can't you also summon strange creatures that don't seem like something the Grim Reaper would have?! You even said they were monsters from Europe, I think we should have something in common!"

"I see... then tell me about it."

The Four Palaces Lord asked with great curiosity.

What I'm about to say could very well cause a misunderstanding.

Ichigo planted his sword aside and sighed heavily.

"Last night, while practicing 'Sword Zen,' I went to my inner world... and encountered a Hollow that looked exactly like me."

"...Who is that?"

"Hollow! Have you even forgotten what a Hollow is?! It's that masked, strange-looking Hollow that hunts souls everywhere!"

"But the one you're talking about doesn't seem to wear a mask, nor does he look strange, and he hunts souls everywhere... Why are you so sure he's a Void?"

The Four Palaces Lord had a strange expression.

Chapter 52 Xu Bai: He calls me brother?!

Let's go back to last night—

Ever since I accidentally learned that someone was using "sword Zen" instead of sleep, Ichigo has started trying to do the same.

For him now, entering his inner world is like coming home.

"Uncle Zhan Yue?"

Ichigo searched everywhere for a familiar figure.

Suddenly, a chilling killing intent swept across the back of my neck.

No... it's not just murderous intent.

"?!"

Ichigo ducked and rolled over, barely dodging the blade that was colder than killing intent. Then, his eyes sharpened as he looked at the attacker.

"...?"

Upon seeing the other person's appearance, Ichigo's expression froze, and his mind went blank.

"Ha! You thought it was that guy who did it, right? You're disappointed. The one who cut you down wasn't him, it was me... Zhan Yue!"

Ichigo, dressed in white, stood far away. The attacking sword was actually thrown by using the bandage at the end of the hilt as a lock. After missing, it was pulled back and spun so hard that it was invisible to the naked eye.

A fierce wind was blowing.

Even from this distance, Ichigo could feel a faint pain in his cheek.

"What a joke... How could you possibly be Zangetsu! Who are you? Where did Uncle Zangetsu go?!"