Even though he was entirely different from Ichigo, his memories helped him in ways he didn't expect. It was almost like Ichigo had borrowed experiences from another world rather than the other way around. That was what it felt like to him—fragments of knowledge merging seamlessly into his own mind.
Maybe that was why aura farming came so naturally to him. It wasn't something he had to think about—it was instinct.
When the girls arrived, Ichigo chose not to approach them today. Instead, he leaned back and kept the conversation going with his friends, letting the usual morning interactions play out without his involvement.
As expected, Chad arrived precisely ten minutes before class, his towering presence drawing a few glances as he took his usual seat. Without a word, he joined their conversation, nodding at Ichigo in greeting.
Once class began, everyone returned to their seats.
'I think I can practice in class. I just need to use a bit of my energy,' Ichigo thought, tapping his pencil absentmindedly against his desk. 'I want to use spiritual energy like I'm breathing. Maybe if I practice long enough, I'll start seeing Spiritual Ribbons. Man, that would be cool… even though I doubt I'd use it more than once.'
While keeping his focus on the lesson, Ichigo subtly moved his Reiatsu through his body. At first, it was sluggish, like trying to force a river to change its course. But as the hours passed, it became easier—like guiding a stream with nothing but a thought. The energy flowed through him like water, shifting currents at his command. If he needed it to surge, it would. If he needed it to slow, it would obey without resistance.
He smirked slightly. This level of control would be invaluable in battle.
'I do not plan to learn hado, though. I mean, I get that it could help me get OP, but like I said—I'll work with what I have,' he thought, rolling his shoulders slightly. He had no interest in flashy spells or incantations. His strength would come from mastering what was already his.
The rest of the school day passed without much issue. Ichigo kept his Reiatsu flowing, adjusting to the sensation of moving it naturally. By the time the final bell rang, he felt like he had gained a deeper understanding of his energy, making it feel almost second nature.
As he slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped out of the classroom, Keigo immediately latched onto him, dramatic as ever.
"Finally, freedom! Ichigo, let's hit up a karaoke bar or something—"
"No."
"But you didn't even let me finish!"
Ichigo sighed, tuning him out as Mizuiro chuckled beside them. They walked down the hallway together, parting ways with some of their classmates before stepping outside. The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the town.
Chad walked silently beside Ichigo, his presence steady as always.
"Ichigo," Chad finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the background noise of students chatting around them. "You seem different."
Ichigo glanced at him, raising a brow. "Yeah? How so?"
Chad paused for a moment before replying. "More focused."
Ichigo wasn't sure if that was a compliment or just an observation, but he smirked nonetheless. "Guess you could say I've been training."
Chad nodded, accepting the answer without further questions. That was one of the things Ichigo appreciated about him—he never pried.
They continued walking, eventually reaching a familiar intersection where Chad split off.
"See you tomorrow," Chad said simply before walking off.
Ichigo gave him a nod, then turned his attention toward the sky. The day wasn't over just yet.
'Maybe I should meditate again,' he thought, rolling his shoulders. He had been making solid progress, and there was still plenty to improve on.
But before he could make any decisions, a sudden pressure in the air made him stop in his tracks. His senses sharpened as he turned his head slightly, feeling an unmistakable presence creeping into the edges of his awareness.
A Hollow.
Ichigo's expression darkened slightly. It wasn't close yet, but it was there—lurking.
'I'm hiding my presence so there's no way it'll sense me,' Ichigo thought, his footsteps silent on the pavement as he walked back home.
His Reiatsu was tightly controlled, cloaked like a shroud, and the stillness of the evening seemed to deepen around him. Every step was deliberate, each movement smooth and fluid, ensuring that nothing could detect his presence.
When he arrived at his house, the door creaked softly as he entered, the only sound the rustling of his clothes as he quickly changed into his training gear. The fabric of his shirt slid against his skin as he pulled it on, the faint scent of cotton mingling with the musty air of the room. The dull thump of his shoes hitting the floor echoed lightly, the only sound in the otherwise still house.
With his transformation complete, he rushed outside once more, his footsteps barely audible against the concrete as he headed for the playground.
As he approached, the familiar mess of debris greeted him—shattered swings, splintered wood, and scorched earth still bore the scars of his earlier fight. The air felt charged, thick with the residue of the battle. The faint crackling of lingering energy echoed in his ears, like the aftershock of a thunderstorm.
Crunch, crunch.
His boots crunched through the broken wood and gravel, the jagged debris scraping against the soles. The wreckage still smelled faintly of burned grass and charred metal, the stench of battle lingering in the air.
'It's a mess. I guess it's a good thing I'm not here for a leisurely walk,' he thought, scanning the area with narrowed eyes.
He grounded himself, his feet sinking into the earth, settling into the solid foundation as he focused. The hum of his Reiatsu became a constant buzz beneath his skin, a low vibration like the pull of a distant thunderstorm, building as he concentrated.
'With Reiatsu, I can strengthen my body, create barriers, and much more. I might be able to use Blut Vene now. I just need to unlock it. Also, my Hollow side... I know my soul reaper powers and Hollow powers are connected in fact they're the same thing,' he thought, mentally pushing those dangerous thoughts aside.
The air around him grew still, the silence heavy as if the world were holding its breath. He didn't need anything to distract him. He was ready.
'Let me try using Reiatsu to create a shockwave attack first. If I can do that, I'll have a solid foundation to move forward,' he thought.
Ichigo inhaled sharply, focusing all his energy into his core. His muscles tensed, and he could feel the power building within him, like a tightly coiled spring ready to snap. The air around him thickened, charged with the raw force he was about to unleash.
Whoosh.
The air seemed to part around him, a low hum rising as his Reiatsu surged outward. His focus sharpened, his entire body a conduit for the energy he was commanding.
With a sharp exhale, he extended his palm toward the ground, pushing his Reiatsu outward with the force of his will.
Crack! Bang!
A massive shockwave erupted from him, slamming into the ground with a deafening roar. The air exploded in all directions, a rush of wind tearing through the playground. Debris was flung into the air, spinning violently in the wake of the blast.
Thud, thud, thud.
The scattered pieces of wood and metal crashed to the ground, settling in the aftermath of the powerful wave.
Ichigo stood still, his chest rising and falling with each steady breath. The energy swirled around him, the vibrations in the air still buzzing in his ears. Ssss, ssss—his Reiatsu hummed beneath his skin, alive and eager, responding to his every command.
'That was good. If I can refine this, it'll be a solid foundation for something more powerful,' he thought, his breath steady. He cracked his knuckles, the small snap of his joints echoing in the stillness. Already, he felt the pull of the next step.
TO BE CONTINUED
[A/N: Please drop 5 drillion stones ]