Shinichi stared at the quest window hovering before him, its glowing letters practically taunting him.
[Quest: Deal With the Mess
Rewards: +5 Levels, 1 Gold Ring]
Oh, wonderful. So the system just expected him to take care of this Hollow problem, huh?
His gaze shifted from the floating text to the monstrous form of Acidwire—formerly Sora Inoue—looming in the dimly lit room. Sharp claws, twisted mask, and an eerie glow behind its hollowed-out eyes. Yeah, this wasn't going to be fun.
A sharp glare from Rukia made him sigh. "I knew it," she said, eyes narrowing. "You did kill that Hollow that day, didn't you?"
Shinichi held up his hands, feigning innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Rukia didn't buy it. "Why hide it from me?"
He smirked. "Lady, I'm not strong. This is just me never skipping my workouts."
Rukia closed her eyes and shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, right…" She didn't believe him for a second.
Acidwire didn't wait for their banter to end. With a guttural snarl, the Hollow lunged, claws aiming straight for Shinichi's head.
Shinichi sidestepped and delivered a sharp kick to its ribcage, sending the monster skidding back. His mind raced—he couldn't fight here. If this turned into a full-on battle, his home would be in shambles. He liked having a roof over his head, thank you very much.
He turned toward Rukia and, before she could react, scooped her up in his arms—bridal style.
"Wha—?!" Rukia's face turned red. "What are you doing?!"
Shinichi spoke in a sarcastic tone. "I don't want to be homeless, and I don't think you do either. So let's take this fight outside, shall we?"
And with that, he shot out of the house, blurring past the furniture.
Acidwire snarled and opened a portal, vanishing into it.
As soon as they were outside, Shinichi set Rukia down gently.
She smoothed out her clothes, still looking flustered. "Warn me next time."
"Noted."
With a guttural growl, Acidwire reappeared.
Shinichi cracked his neck. "Alright, let's do this."
Rukia took a few steps back. "Be careful!"
Acidwire lunged, slashing out with razor-sharp claws. Shinichi ducked, rolling under its arm before delivering a swift elbow to its gut. The Hollow stumbled but quickly retaliated, swinging its tail in a brutal arc.
Shinichi barely dodged, feeling the rush of wind as the tail missed his face by inches. He countered with a quick jab to its mask, forcing it back.
Acidwire screeched and lashed out again. This time, it was faster. Shinichi tried to step back, but—
A sharp sting sliced across his cheek.
He grimaced, touching the cut. Blood.
"Tch." He wiped it away, eyes sharpening.
Acidwire lunged again, but this time, Shinichi was ready. He sidestepped, grabbed the Hollow's arm mid-swing, and spun, using its own momentum to slam it into the ground.
The impact sent cracks through the pavement.
Acidwire roared in pain.
Shinichi didn't let up. Using his enhanced speed, he blurred behind the Hollow, delivering a devastating kick to its spine. Acidwire howled, body twisting from the force.
A portal opened beneath it, and before Shinichi could follow up, the Hollow disappeared.
Rukia ran up to him. "Where did it go?"
She quickly checked her Soul Pager. Her expression darkened. "Ichigo's place."
Her head snapped to Shinichi. "We need to go—quick!"
She didn't wait for a response. In one swift motion, she hopped onto Shinichi's back.
Shinichi froze. "WHO SAID YOU COULD CLIMB ON MY BACK?!"
Rukia smacked the back of his head. "We don't have time for this! You're the fastest here, now move!"
Shinichi sighed. "Fine. How do i end up in these situations.."
Then—
BOOM!
He shot forward like a bullet.
Rukia's eyes widened. The sudden acceleration made her grip him tighter. Cold wind rushed against her face as the world blurred past.
He was fast—faster than the average Shinigami.
They arrived at Ichigo's house in seconds.
There was just one problem.
Ichigo was still asleep.
Shinichi and Rukia shouted, banged on the walls, threw pebbles—but nothing worked.
Rukia held her chin. "What do we do?"
Shinichi snapped his fingers. "I have an idea."
Rukia looked hopeful. "Really?"
"Yeah. His window is open, and you can fit through it."
She blinked. "...And?"
Shinichi said with a harmless smile, "I'm gonna throw you through it."
"NO, WE ARE NOT DOING THAT, YOU IDIOT!"
Shinichi threw his arms in the air. "SO WHAT, YOU WANT HIM TO DIE?!"
Rukia glared. "WE CAN THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE!"
"WE DON'T HAVE TIME!"
After several rounds of yelling, Rukia finally gave in.
As Shinichi grabbed her by her clothes, she screamed, "YOU BETTER NOT MISS, OR I SWEAR I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
Shinichi smirked. "Don't worry, madam. I have a 60% accuracy rate."
"...Sixty?"
And then—
WHOOSH!
Shinichi threw her.
Rukia soared through the air, screaming, before crashing directly onto Ichigo's legs.
"AGH! WHAT THE HELL?!" Ichigo bolted up, clutching his now-bruised legs. "ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
Rukia groaned, rubbing her head before shooting a glare towards the window. "Damn it, Shinichi! I swear I'm going to—"
Before she could finish, she realized there was no time for petty revenge. With swift movements, she yanked a peculiar glove from her uniform and jammed it against Ichigo's chest.
"Wait—what are you—?"
POP!
In an instant, Ichigo's soul was forcibly ejected from his body, his black Shihakushō and oversized blade materializing as he landed on the floor in Shinigami form.
"What the hell, Rukia?! Give a guy some warning next—" Ichigo's words cut off as a low growl filled the room.
A dark portal spiraled open behind him, and a massive, clawed hand reached through. Ichigo spun around, eyes widening as the familiar mask of Acidwire emerged from the swirling void.
"You—!" Ichigo barely had time to react before the Hollow lunged.
The confined space of the room made maneuvering difficult. Acidwire's tail lashed out, knocking over a chair as Ichigo barely ducked in time. He brought up his blade, blocking the next swipe of claws, but the force sent him skidding backward.
The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.
"...Inoue's Brother?" Ichigo muttered, eyes narrowing as he took a closer look at the Hollow. "Tch—damn it!"
Meanwhile, outside the house, Shinichi watched from the yard, arms crossed. "Well, that worked out nicely."
"Shinichi!" Rukia's voice snapped him out of his thoughts as she leaned out the window, fuming. "Do not think you're off the hook for throwing me like that!"
Shinichi smirked. "Hey, it got the job done, didn't it?"
Rukia clenched her fists but groaned, knowing he had a point. Her attention quickly turned back inside the room.
Ichigo and Acidwire continued their fierce exchange, Ichigo parrying the Hollow's attacks while dodging through the cluttered space. Despite his determination, the weight of his blade slowed him down, while Acidwire's long tail and claws gave him the advantage in close quarters.
Then, just as Ichigo began to push back, Acidwire suddenly halted its assault. A dark portal flickered to life behind it.
Rukia's eyes widened. "It's retreating again?!"
Ichigo lunged forward, but the Hollow slipped through the portal before he could land a strike.
"Tch!" Ichigo clicked his tongue in frustration, panting slightly. "Damn thing just keeps running!"
They stepped outside through the door, and went where Shinichi was standing looking as relaxed as ever. "So… how's your night going?"
Ichigo shot him a glare. "Like hell. And what the hell are you doing here, anyway?!"
Shinichi shrugged. "Just enjoying the show."
Before Ichigo could throw more questions his way, Rukia quickly checked her phone. Her expression turned grim.
"It's heading toward Orihime's place."
Ichigo stiffened. "Inoue—!" Without hesitation, he broke into a sprint.
Shinichi sighed, cracking his neck. "Welp, here we go again."
Rukia turned to him, giving him a look.
"…No," Shinichi said flatly.
Rukia immediately hopped onto his back. "Go, go, go!"
Shinichi let out a strangled noise. "WHY ARE YOU STILL DOING THIS?! ICHIGO IS FAST TOO!"
"Less talking, more running!"
Ichigo, already halfway down the street, glanced back in confusion. "What the hell are you two doing?!"
Shinichi grumbled but launched into a full sprint, the rush of wind forcing Rukia to grip onto him tighter.
She couldn't deny it—his speed was insane. The scenery blurred past them as they raced through Karakura Town at a speed that surpassed even most Shinigami.
In mere moments, they reached Orihime's apartment.
What they saw made their blood run cold.
Tatsuki lay unconscious on the floor. Acidwire loomed over Orihime, its massive hand wrapped around her throat as she struggled weakly against its grip.
Ichigo wasted no time. "BASTARD!"
He lunged.
The battle began.
A gust of wind howled through the open window as Ichigo skidded to a stop inside Orihime's apartment. His sharp amber eyes locked onto the monstrous figure of Acidwire, its serpentine body coiling unnaturally, claws tightening around Orihime's throat. The young woman struggled weakly, her breath coming in ragged gasps as her brother's twisted form constricted around her.
Nearby, Tatsuki lay unconscious, slumped against the floor—evidence of Acidwire's earlier attack.
A cold fury settled in Ichigo's gut. This bastard hurt Tatsuki. He hurt Orihime.
Ichigo tightened his grip around his Zanpakuto, its cloth wrappings fluttering as spiritual energy surged through the blade.
"Let her go, Sora!" Ichigo's voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade.
Acidwire's grotesque face twisted, the Hollow mask contorting as if it had just heard something utterly ridiculous. Then, a deep, distorted chuckle rumbled from its throat.
"Sora?" the Hollow mocked, its voice layered with something inhuman. "That name means nothing to me anymore."
With a sickening hiss, Acidwire launched himself at Ichigo, his massive claws gleaming under the moonlight. Ichigo barely had time to react before the Hollow was upon him, swiping with vicious intent.
Ichigo ducked low, the claws missing his face by mere inches. He retaliated instantly, slashing upwards with Zangetsu, aiming to sever Acidwire's extended limb—but the Hollow was fast. It retracted its arm in an unnatural, whip-like motion, slithering backward across the floor.
Ichigo gritted his teeth. This wasn't going to be easy.
Acidwire lunged again, this time aiming to sink his fangs into Ichigo's shoulder. Ichigo twisted mid-air, barely dodging, but the moment he landed, Acidwire's massive tail lashed out—slamming into Ichigo's ribs with brutal force.
CRASH!
Ichigo was sent hurtling backward, smashing into a bookshelf. Papers and books rained down around him as he coughed, trying to shake off the impact.
From the sidelines, Orihime screamed, "STOP! PLEASE!" Her desperate voice echoed through the apartment.
For a brief moment, Acidwire hesitated, his claws trembling as if something deep inside him was resisting. His Hollow mask twitched—the remnants of Sora fighting against the monster he had become.
Ichigo noticed it immediately.
"You're still in there, aren't you?" Ichigo said, pushing himself to his feet. He wiped a smear of blood from his lip and took a step forward, his voice steady. "Sora! You don't want to hurt her! You're trying to fight it!"
Acidwire staggered, his massive hands clutching his head as a distorted growl escaped him.
"Shut… up…"
Then, with a roar of frustration, Acidwire's body convulsed—as if his soul was being torn apart from the inside. His head jerked violently, Hollow instincts warring with the fragments of his former self.
Orihime, tears streaming down her face, reached out toward him.
"Onii-chan, please!" she cried. "You don't have to fight alone! You don't have to be like this!"
For a moment, everything seemed to freeze.
Then—Acidwire screamed, his voice echoing with agony as his claws ripped at his own mask, as though trying to claw himself free. His soul was breaking apart.
Ichigo took a deep breath, his grip tightening on his Zanpakuto. He had seen enough.
With a flash of determination, Ichigo lunged—not to kill, but to free Sora from his suffering.
A single, clean slash.
Acidwire's body shuddered as the blade cut through him, severing the chains of his Hollow existence.
A heavy silence followed.
Acidwire's form slowly dissolved, the monstrous exterior fading away to reveal the spirit of Sora Inoue—no longer a Hollow, no longer twisted by darkness.
Orihime sobbed, reaching for her brother as he gave her one final, gentle smile before his soul vanished into the light.
Ichigo exhaled, lowering his sword.
It was over.
Shinichi was sitting at the rooftop, flailing his legs playfully, sipping on some coffee provided to him probably by the system.
"Yo system, Am I heartless for not feeling sad here and just enjoying it from a distance?"
[No, I don't think so you are heartless at all]
"Woah Thanks! Didn't expect you to say that, thought you were going to say something insulting again but I guess you've become a good boy!"
[You are not heartless, it's just that you are kind of a loser who would rather watch from a distance than take action]
"Damn it! Should've known better.."
As the battle concluded, Orihime's memories were erased by Rukia.
Shinichi, perched on a rooftop, let out a breath. Finally, everything's back on track.
He leaped down, approaching Ichigo with an easygoing smirk. "Man, you almost got your ass handed to you, huh?"
Ichigo twitched. "Says the guy who's powerless."
Shinichi raised an eyebrow. "I saw how you looked at me back there. Don't tell me you're impressed?"
Ichigo clicked his tongue. "Hah? As if. I just didn't know you were this fast, that's all."
Shinichi grinned. "Well, now you know why I ran like a lunatic every night."
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
As the night wind blew through the streets, Shinichi stretched. "Alright, I'm heading back. Rukia, let's go."
Rukia nodded, falling into step beside him.
As they walked, she glanced at him curiously. "When we first met, your reiatsu and strength were like that of an elementary schooler."
Shinichi gave her a deadpan look. "Are you insulting me?"
Rukia laughed. "No, no. I'm just saying… the growth you've shown is impressive. I protected you that day, but today—you protected me. I am kinda proud of you actually!"
Shinichi turned away slightly, his face heating up. "D-Don't say weird shit like that…"
Rukia chuckled at his reaction.
As they reached their apartment, exhaustion finally hit them. Rukia collapsed onto the bed, while Shinichi, as usual, took the floor.
A small screen suddenly appeared in front of him.
[Quest Complete!
Rewards: +5 Levels!
Congratulations! You are now Level 40!
1 Gold Ring Obtained!]
Shinichi smirked. "Well, at least it was worth it."
He summoned the Gold Ring and slid it onto his finger. The moment it vanished, another screen popped up.
[New Ability Unlocked: Combat Insight!]
[Ability Description:
A heightened state of perception that allows Shinichi to analyze enemy movements in real time. His mind processes combat data at high speed, predicting attacks based on muscle shifts and intent. This grants enhanced reaction time, precise counters, and the ability to spot weaknesses.]
[Duration: 30 seconds (Varies based on level)
Cooldown: 12 hours]
Shinichi grinned. "Finally, something useful."
Then—
[Yeah, enjoy that. A girl is sleeping in your house, and you're smiling at a damn screen. Don't you hate yourself?]
Shinichi twitched. "…Fuck you."