A cold wind howled through the empty streets of Karakura, rustling the trees and casting eerie shadows under the streetlights. The moon hung in the sky like a silent observer, illuminating the battlefield about to unfold.
And standing at the center of it all—was Shinichi Kisaragi.
His breathing was calm but measured, his muscles tensed, his amber eyes locked onto the grotesque figure in front of him.
The Hollow stood a good eight feet tall, its body covered in jagged, dark-blue armor-like plating that resembled the twisted exoskeleton of an insect. A gaping white mask with four hollowed-out eye sockets covered its face, each one staring at him with an unnatural, empty hunger. A pair of elongated, mantis-like arms jutted from its shoulders, their edges sharp like blades. Its legs bent backward like a predatory beast, clawed feet scraping against the asphalt.
But what disturbed Shinichi the most—was the mouth.
Beneath the mask, rows upon rows of serrated teeth peeked out from its grotesque, grinning maw, dripping with saliva. The thing looked like it enjoyed the thought of tearing him apart.
"Tch." Shinichi exhaled sharply, cracking his knuckles. "Ugly as hell, aren't you?"
The Hollow let out an ear-piercing screech in response, its mandibles twitching as it lunged.
A blur of motion.
Shinichi barely had time to react before the Hollow closed the distance—its bladed arms arcing down in a brutal cross-slash aimed straight at his head.
Shit!
His instincts screamed at him. He threw himself to the side, narrowly avoiding the first strike, but the second followed immediately after.
"AGH!"
Pain exploded in his side as the Hollow's clawed foot slammed into his ribs, sending him skidding across the pavement. His body tumbled like a ragdoll before he crashed against a streetlight with a sickening crack.
"Ghh... damn it..." He hissed, clutching his side. The bastard was fast.
The Hollow wasn't just strong—it was overwhelming him completely.
But the damn thing wasn't done yet.
The Hollow's four empty eye sockets gleamed in the moonlight as it rushed forward again, moving like a twisted marionette. Its arm reared back—then came down in a diagonal slash.
Shinichi ducked.
The air above him screamed as the bladed limb missed him by a hair's breadth, carving deep into the street where he had stood a second ago. But before he could counter—
The Hollow twisted.
Its other arm shot out sideways— and Shinichi had no time to dodge.
SHLCK!
A sharp, burning sensation erupted in his abdomen as the Hollow's blade sliced into his flesh.
His body staggered back. His breathing hitched. A warm, wet sensation spread across his stomach.
Blood.
Dark crimson seeped into his clothes, dripping onto the pavement in soft, rhythmic splatters.
His fingers trembled as he pressed against the wound, feeling the sticky warmth against his palm. The pain was sharp—deep. His vision swayed slightly.
And yet—the Hollow grinned.
It stepped forward, slow and deliberate, its serrated mouth parting.
Shinichi grit his teeth, his amber eyes burning with frustration.
He was losing.
Badly.
The Hollow was stronger, faster, and more durable. If he kept fighting head-on—he would die.
He took a slow breath. Alright. Think.
"I can't match it in raw power... but I have speed."
He wiped the blood from his lips, straightened his posture, and exhaled.
His body relaxed.
Instead of bracing for the next attack, he allowed himself to feel it. To read it.
The Hollow lunged again.
But this time—he was ready.
Its arm came down in a vicious arc— but at the last second, Shinichi pivoted.
His body weaved through the air like water, the Hollow's blade missing him by mere centimeters.
The Hollow growled in frustration, slashing again and again—but Shinichi kept dodging.
Left. Right. Step back. Pivot.
His footwork became sharper, his reflexes sharper.
The monster was stronger, but its movements were predictable.
And for the first time since the battle began—he saw an opening.
"NOW!"
He ducked low, sliding under the Hollow's arm. His fingers clawed against the pavement, twisting his momentum—then he launched upward with everything he had.
His knee rocketed into the Hollow's chin.
CRACK!
The Hollow's head snapped back from the impact, its body stumbling.
Shinichi didn't hesitate.
He surged forward.
His fists blurred as he unleashed a flurry of rapid punches—each strike precise, each blow heavier than the last.
One. Two. Three. Four.
He drove his elbow into its ribs—CRACK!—then spun on his heel and smashed a kick into its kneecap.
The Hollow let out a strangled roar—its leg buckling.
But Shinichi wasn't done.
He had one last move.
He took a deep breath—then darted forward, grabbing the Hollow's head.
With a growl, he leapt into the air—twisting his body mid-flight.
And then—he DROVE the Hollow's skull straight into the pavement.
BOOM!
The ground shattered. The asphalt cracked beneath the impact, debris flying in all directions. The Hollow twitched once—then went still.
Silence.
Shinichi's chest heaved, his body aching, bleeding, exhausted.
But—he won.
As Shinichi stood victorious over the disintegrating Hollow, his chest rose and fell heavily, his body trembling from exhaustion. The pain in his side burned like fire, and he pressed a hand against the bleeding wound, feeling the warmth of his own blood seeping through his fingers.
Just as he was about to take a breath, a familiar chime rang in his head.
[Quest Completed!]
Reward: +6 Levels, 1 Silver Ring
Another notification followed immediately.
[Congratulations! Level Up! Level 22]
Shinichi let out a dry laugh, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Hah… If every level up comes with this much pain, I'd rather stay weak forever." He glanced at his wound, wincing. "On second thought, nah. Weakness hurts even more."
Still catching his breath, he opened his hand, and in a flash of silver light, a ring materialized in front of him. It floated in the air for a moment before dropping into his palm. The metal was cool to the touch, its surface engraved with strange, intricate symbols.
"Let's see what you do," Shinichi muttered, slipping it onto his finger.
The moment the ring made contact with his skin, it vanished into thin air.
A silver screen appeared before him.
[Skinny Bitch: 40% bonus progress in Physical Training (Duration: 4 Hours) (Cooldown: 48 Hours)]
Shinichi's lips curled into a grin. "Well, well… Finally, something that makes my suffering a little less miserable. But i feel insulted for some reason" He cracked his neck and stretched his aching body. "Still gotta train, but at least now I don't have to cry myself to sleep every night."
His attention then shifted to the Hollow's remains. The once monstrous creature had almost completely faded, leaving behind nothing but wisps of black energy dissolving into the air. But right before it vanished entirely, a new prompt appeared above it.
[PREDATION can be used on this foe.]
Shinichi's eyes narrowed. He took a deep breath, steadying himself.
"Guess it's time to see what this thing can do…"
He reached out, pressing his palm against the Hollow's disintegrating head.
"PREDATION."
At that moment, the air shifted.
A deep, ominous hum resonated in his ears as tendrils of visible dark energy erupted from the Hollow's remains, wrapping around his arm like living shadows. They coiled, spiraling up his limb, crawling toward his chest.
Shinichi's entire body tensed. A surge of power—violent and raw—rushed into him. His eyes widened as a wave of spiritual energy flooded his system, filling every inch of his being. His muscles burned, his veins pulsed, his heart pounded like a war drum.
Sweat dripped from his chin as he gritted his teeth. "T-This is…" His head spun, nausea creeping in. The sheer intensity of the energy made him feel as if his body might burst apart.
Then, just as suddenly as it started, the chaos settled.
His breathing was ragged, his legs felt weak—but deep inside, he could feel it. His body felt lighter. Stronger. Faster.
A notification appeared before his eyes.
[Strength +10] [Speed +9] [Endurance +11]
Shinichi clenched his fist, feeling the difference immediately. His muscles tensed with newfound power, his movements sharper and more refined.
He let out a breath, a smirk playing on his lips. "Damn… this is kinda insane." He flexed his fingers, testing the strength in his grip. "If I can keep stacking this ability… I might actually become a monster myself."
His moment of reflection was interrupted as the system's barrier shattered with a faint crack. The Hollow's energy had fully dispersed, and the veil that masked his presence was gone.
It was time to leave.
Clutching his wounded side, Shinichi turned toward his house, which, luckily, was only a short walk away. Each step sent a dull throb through his ribs, but he powered through, his thoughts racing.
Not long after Shinichi left, a figure landed gracefully on the empty street.
Rukia Kuchiki narrowed her violet eyes, scanning the area.
"This doesn't make sense…" she muttered, her brows furrowing.
She had definitely sensed a Hollow here just moments ago. Its reiatsu was strong—too strong to disappear this quickly. Yet, as she looked around, there was no sign of the creature. No remnants, no disturbances. Nothing.
But there was something else.
Her gaze shifted to a faint spiritual residue lingering in the air. It was subtle, but undeniably familiar.
"This reiatsu…" Her expression darkened. She knew it from somewhere.
Following the faint trail, she leapt into the night, her thoughts racing.
As soon as Shinichi reached his room, he collapsed onto his bed with a groan. He peeled off his bloodstained T-shirt, revealing the deep gash on his side. The wound wasn't life-threatening, but it was bleeding enough to be a problem.
"Ugh… I really should've brought some bandages." He glanced around, spotting an old white cloth on his desk. "Guess this'll have to do."
With slow, deliberate movements, he wrapped the cloth around his waist, tightening it just enough to stem the bleeding. The pain flared as the fabric pressed against the wound, his face paling from the blood loss. His breathing grew shallow, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
He sighed, shaking his head. "Well… I've had worse…"
Lying back against his pillow, he pulled the blanket over himself. The exhaustion weighed down on him like a brick, his eyelids growing heavy.
Just as he was about to doze off…
A sudden chill ran down his spine.
Someone was watching him.
His gaze drifted toward the window.
There, bathed in the pale glow of the moonlight, stood a figure.
Dark violet eyes. Petite frame. Shoulder-length black hair swaying gently in the night breeze.
Shinichi's entire body stiffened.
His mouth moved before his brain caught up.
"AAAAGHHH!!" He jumped, blanket flying off him as he scrambled back. "SHIT—WHAT ARE YOU, A STALKER?!"
The figure hopped through the window, landing gracefully inside his room.
It was Rukia.
She crossed her arms, eyeing him with suspicion. "I should be asking you that question. What exactly were you doing at the Hollow's location?"
Shinichi blinked. "Uh, excuse you? At least knock before busting into a guy's house."
"Answer the question."
Shinichi scratched his cheek, glancing to the side. "Oh, you know… just taking a peaceful walk home, minding my own business, when BAM—a Hollow decided I was its dinner."
Rukia's expression remained unreadable. "And the Hollow? Where did it go?"
Shinichi shrugged. "No idea. Maybe it got bored and left."
Rukia narrowed her eyes, clearly not buying it.
"Your spiritual energy…" She stared at him, a hint of disbelief in her voice. "It's… stronger than before."
Shinichi's heart skipped a beat. Shit. He had forgotten to reactivate Spiritual Perception.
A quick mental command triggered the skill.
[Spiritual Perception Activated. Reiatsu Suppressed.]
Instantly, his energy became almost nonexistent.
Shinichi feigned confusion. "What are you talking about? Must be your imagination."
Rukia frowned, still suspicious.
Rukia's gaze locked onto the dark crimson stain spreading on Shinichi's bedsheet. Her brows furrowed, and her sharp voice cut through the silence.
"…Are you bleeding?"
Shinichi blinked. Then, with the most unconvincing smile in history, he said, "No."
Rukia deadpanned. "You're lying."
"I'm not."
Her eyes narrowed. "Then explain the blood literally dripping onto the floor."
Shinichi followed her gaze. A single drop of blood splattered onto the wooden floor. His smile twitched. "Uh. Maybe the house is bleeding?"
Rukia's patience snapped. Without warning, she grabbed the blanket and yanked it away.
The moment she did, her face went red.
"W-WHY ARE YOU NOT WEARING A SHIRT, IDIOT?!"
Shinichi gave her an incredulous look. "I'm literally in my own house."
"T-THAT DOESN'T MATTER!"
"It does."
Rukia took a deep breath, forcing herself to ignore his shirtlessness. Her gaze dropped to his side, where the bloodied, makeshift bandage wrapped haphazardly around his wound.
"What kind of moron wraps a dirty cloth around an open wound?" she scolded.
"A resourceful one?" Shinichi offered.
Rukia groaned and sat on the edge of the bed. "Stay still."
Her hand hovered over his injury, glowing faintly with soft green light, it was a healing kido. She pressed it against his wound.
Shinichi winced, teeth clenching at the sudden sting. "Damn, warn me next time."
"Quit whining," Rukia said. "It'll only hurt for a moment."
He expected the pain to linger, but instead… warmth. Gentle, soothing warmth seeped into his wound, dulling the pain. His eyelids drooped as a wave of exhaustion washed over him.
(…This warmth…)
(The pain… it's fading…)
(I like it.)
His golden eyes lifted to Rukia's face. The moonlight framed her delicate features, casting a soft glow over her porcelain skin. In that moment, she looked… different. Serene. Almost radiant.
She glanced down at him, their gazes meeting. Before Shinichi could react, his body surrendered to exhaustion. His eyelids fluttered shut.
Darkness. Peace.
Sleep took him.
---
The Next Morning
Shinichi awoke to golden sunlight filtering through his window. Blinking groggily, he sat up, stretching his sore muscles. His side still ached, but the bleeding had stopped.
"She really healed me…" he muttered.
A glance around the room confirmed he was alone. Rukia had left.
He ran a hand through his hair. "Guess I should get ready for school before Tatsuki hunts me down."
Dragging himself out of bed, he began his morning routine—brushing his teeth, washing his face, and throwing on his school uniform. As he slung his bag over his shoulder, a familiar voice called from outside.
"I knew you were okay, you damn idiot."
Shinichi opened the door to see Ichigo smirking at him.
He rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't have doubted me in the first place."
They started walking towards school, their usual banter filling the morning air.
Soon, they ran into Orihime and Tatsuki.
"Kurosaki-kun! Kisaragi-kun!" Orihime greeted with her usual enthusiasm.
Tatsuki, however, folded her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. "Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence."
Shinichi gave a dramatic sigh. "Yes, yes. I, the great Shinichi Kisaragi, have returned. Please, no need to cry tears of joy."
Tatsuki snorted. "Dumbass."
The group shared a laugh as they continued towards school.
---
Later That Night
After school, Shinichi returned home and let out a deep breath.
"…I haven't trained today."
Despite his injury, he dropped to the floor and started his workout—push-ups, sit-ups, squats. His muscles burned, sweat dripping down his back. His wound ached, but the pain was manageable.
Finishing his session, he stepped onto his balcony, looking up at the stars.
A smirk played on his lips.
"Tomorrow… the story of Bleach begins."