In the depths of consciousness, amidst towering skyscrapers, Ichigo Kurosaki stared solemnly at the figure before him.
He opened his mouth but struggled to speak a single word.
In contrast, the figure sitting cross-legged on the ground, wrapped in swirling black mist, smiled first.
"Long time no see, Ichigo."
"…"
"You've gone to such lengths to find me. Don't you have anything to say?"
"…"
"If you just keep quiet, nothing will ever move forward, you know?"
Whether it was those words that prompted him or simply that Ichigo had sorted out his thoughts…
"I…"
He finally began to speak, though his expression remained deeply conflicted.
"I… I want to know… some things."
"Of course. Ask anything—I'll tell you everything."
Ichigo looked hesitant, unsure, as his voice trembled.
"Are you… really Arima Seiya?"
"Yes. I am."
A surprisingly straightforward answer.
As the black mist dissipated from his form, Seiya's figure gradually emerged.
Unlike the man Ichigo had seen in the Soul Society, this version of Seiya was thinner, his face still bearing a youthful look.
"You… this appearance…?"
Seiya raised an eyebrow, then smiled casually.
"Oh, you're asking about this look? It's nothing major. After being separated as an independent entity, my time basically froze at that point."
Just like Yhwach a thousand years ago.
For Seiya, time had stood still in that moment.
Though he wanted to explain more, seeing Ichigo's uneasy expression, Seiya let it go.
It was clear…
Ichigo wasn't focused on appearances.
The anxiety, the fear, the source of all Ichigo's confusion—
All of it revolved around a different question.
"Then… is it true what Hirako and the others said?!"
Ichigo stepped forward instinctively, his voice tense, as though arguing with something invisible.
"Did you appear in my inner world for some sinister, unknown purpose?!"
Seiya was silent for a moment, then offered a resigned smile.
"Well… that's a long story."
The World of the Living, the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo.
The trinity anchored by the Soul King was facing an unprecedented crisis.
"It concerns all sentient beings across the three realms… and your future as well."
A fusion of all powers, born under the witness of many powerful beings—Ichigo Kurosaki was literally the child of destiny.
"In fact… even your mother's death is related to all of this."
Every statement cut deeper.
After that last line, Ichigo's pupils visibly contracted.
The shock was beyond words, and it felt like at any moment, he might burst out—
Tell me everything!
But…
The orange-haired teen forcefully suppressed the urge.
He didn't say it aloud. Instead, he pressed his lips tightly together, holding back every thought.
Teetering on the edge of indecision, Ichigo finally managed a strained smile.
"I see…"
Seiya looked at him calmly.
"What, you're not interested in your origins anymore?"
"No… It'd be a lie to say I don't want to know. But… I'm not that clueless anymore."
The more Ichigo had learned, the more cautious he'd become.
Unlike the canon Ichigo—who often stumbled blindly through events—this version had already acquired a great deal of knowledge.
And with it came the ability to judge for himself.
"I do want to know what happened to me… and everything that happened to you."
But would knowing really change anything?
To know, and yet be powerless to alter anything—
That was the despair Ichigo most wanted to avoid now.
He looked down, fists clenched tightly at his sides.
"Instead of chasing the truth… I think there's something more important for me to focus on."
His thoughts sank deeper, rooting themselves within him—becoming the very foundation of his will.
He looked up, his eyes bright with nervous conviction.
"Because… Mr. Arima, you're not here to harm me, are you?"
"…"
Seiya's expression didn't change.
He simply folded his arms and watched silently for several breaths before replying.
"You've grown a little."
There was nostalgia in his tone.
And relief.
Compared to the Ichigo of the original story, this Ichigo had gained clarity and independence.
Even when the situation strayed far from expectations, he tried his best to turn things around.
Good.
That's the point of education.
Seiya rubbed his chin lightly.
"Are you so sure… I have no ulterior motives?"
Just testing wasn't enough.
A little pressure was necessary.
"You know, our relationship is unprecedented. And if you believe only Hirako's words… you might get hurt."
It's not good to trust too easily, Ichigo.
"Let me be blunt."
"You saw what I did in the Soul Society."
"To me, other people might just be tools. Sacrifices needed to reach a certain goal."
Can you really afford to trust someone like that?
Ichigo lowered his gaze, lips pressed together.
"I understand…"
He turned slightly, a shadow of doubt on his face.
"I know I can't just trust people easily… So it wasn't Hirako who helped me decide."
"…?"
Seiya raised a brow. Then he saw Ichigo look up sharply, his eyes locking onto his.
"Mr. Arima… When I was little, I got lost once."
"Maybe I was upset… or maybe I just missed my mom. I ran away from home."
"It's funny now—just a kid who couldn't even read street signs, thinking he could find where he was going..."
Ichigo's smile was full of self-mockery.
Seiya stayed quiet, listening intently.
"I walked for what felt like forever…"
"The sky grew dark, I couldn't find my way home."
"I was scared. Regretful."
Should've listened to Dad…
Why was I trying to act strong?
"And then—someone appeared beside me."
"He told me not to be afraid. He said I shouldn't cry anymore… because when I cried, the sky grew heavy, and it would start to rain."
"It's embarrassing… I promised I wouldn't cry again, but I didn't keep that promise."
Even so…
That warmth had never left Ichigo's chest.
His gaze sharpened, focusing on Seiya.
"Mr. Arima… It was you who stood by me that day, wasn't it?"
"…"
"You don't need to answer. I'm not here for confirmation—I just wanted to say what I've been holding inside."
This wasn't manipulation.
These words were his own.
"I don't believe you'd do anything that bad… So even if you don't tell me, it's fine."
Because trust needs no reason.
Maybe one day Seiya would tell him everything—but until then…
"I'm sorry!"
Seiya's surprise showed in his expression.
"…What for?"
"I shouldn't have doubted you. That was my immaturity… I'm sorry for disappointing you."
Even if Seiya had done questionable things…
Ichigo couldn't bring himself to hate him.
There was no malice in Seiya's presence. Beyond the Hollow pressure, all Ichigo sensed was something gentle—
Like Zangetsu.
He was no longer lost.
"I still have a lot of growing to do."
"There are questions I haven't answered yet. I still need to move forward."
"There's so much I want to protect. And right now… I can't."
So—
"Mr. Arima, can you…"
Ichigo hesitated, ashamed of his request.
"Can you trust me… and lend me your power again?"
Seiya's expression softened.
Underneath the frost, warmth remained.
He smiled.
"You've grown, Ichigo."
The lost, tearful child searching for his mother—
Now had his own will.
And chose to trust him.
How moving.
For a moment, Seiya's eyes drifted.
He finally understood why Aizen once felt such satisfaction.
To witness the child you raised grow strong…
That fulfillment was priceless.
Seiya discarded all his pre-planned speeches.
It was enough.
He was proud.
Though—
"Ichigo. There's one thing you're wrong about."
He took a breath.
Black and red lightning surged around him, whipping up spiritual storms even in this mental realm.
Ichigo shielded his face from the gale.
"I can't lend you my power."
"Because it was always yours to begin with."
"I… am the part of you you've refused to face. Your shadow."
Now—
By accepting his weakness and flaws,
Ichigo Kurosaki had taken his first true step toward becoming strong.
…
Ichigo left swiftly, soaring into the distance like an arrow.
Only Seiya remained, watching with a nostalgic smile.
"Even you make that kind of face."
Yhwach squatted nearby.
He smiled faintly.
"You think I'm heartless?"
"Hmph. As long as you know."
Yhwach didn't argue.
He stared after Ichigo and muttered,
"Children always grow in ways their parents don't expect..."
Seiya chuckled.
"And that unpredictability… is what makes them full of potential, right?"
"…Sometimes you say things with real depth."
"Ha, thanks."
In this timeless world of the mind—
He had all the time in the world before Ichigo returned.
Meanwhile…
Elsewhere—
Two Arrancar received their orders in Las Noches.
"Understood."
Aizen, seated on his throne, spoke lazily:
"Repeat it again. Your mission."
Ulquiorra Schiffer bowed deeply, his tone and posture exuding reverence.
"Go to the World of the Living and bring the Substitute Shinigami—Ichigo Kurosaki—to Las Noches."
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Powerstones?
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