Chapter 7: Times are Changing

After teleporting back into my room, I landed on the bed I had left not too long ago. Ignoring the distant clashes of reiatsu, I settled in to get some sleep.

....The Next Day....

After school, Ichigo and I walked home together, marking the end of our last day before summer vacation. Ichigo had been downcast all day, and the mood continued during our walk. With a sigh, he turned to me and asked, "Do you remember Rukia?"

"Absolutely, my mind remains untouched by any ability in this world," I responded confidently.

He looked at me, a hint of sadness in his eyes, and murmured, "At least someone still remembers." Just then, Orihime's voice chimed in from behind, saying, "I remember."

Ichigo seemed surprised by her presence and questioned, "Orihime, were you able to see everything?"

"Yes, ever since the incident with my brother," Orihime answered.

While they conversed, I detected something unusual in the surroundings "You guys can go ahead and talk I'm going to go on ahead" I interjected before heading forward.

Walking for a while and ensuring I was alone, I casually stated, "I'm aware you're there."

After saying that a black blur appears on the wall next to me.

At my words, a black blur materialized on the wall next to me. I addressed the black cat, a tinge of nonchalance in my tone, "What do you want?"

"Kisuke requests your assistance with Ichigo's training," the cat's deep voice conveyed.

"Sure, why not?" I responded almost immediately.

"Oh, are you excited to help train Ichigo?" the cat inquired.

"Not particularly. Summer vacation just started, and I've got time on my hands. Might as well help Ichigo out," I replied.

"Besides, my training has taken a back seat due to school. I can use the training grounds you're planning to use for Ichigo to work on my own abilities," I added.

"Interesting I would like to see how you train an ability like yours." the cat remarked. "Be in front of Kisuke's store within an hour." With that, the cat transformed into a blur and vanished.

"Uhh I don't want to wait an hour" I replied with an irritated tone. "Oh, how about I try something out then." I immediately teleported in front of kisuke's shop and started to imagine time moving forward.

The world around me sped up, a frenzy of motion. Birds, people, and the city itself seemed to fast forward, akin to hitting the fast-forward button on a remote control.

After a while, the accelerated time effect gradually slowed down, returning the world to its normal pace.

"This should be about an hour." I remarked, analyzing the outcome. "However, it consumed roughly 50 percent of my energy reserves. That's a kink I need to work out."

Pondering a potential solution, I questioned aloud, "I wonder if conjuring up an infinite amount of energy would work." Attempting this concept, I concentrated on the idea of limitless energy, yet the result was disappointing, it didn't pan out as expected.

"It seems that while I can make my body and reiatsu nearly infinite, this separate energy used in imaginative processes remains largely unaffected," I mused. "But on the plus side, even though I couldn't manifest infinite energy, I was able to significantly boost my energy levels permanently."

"This might just be a more effective way to train," I concluded, lost in my thoughts.

In the midst of my musings, I felt a sudden hand on my shoulder, causing me to startle.

"Next time, maybe call the person's name before giving them a heart attack with your jump scare," I said to Ichigo, who had managed to sneak up on me.

"I've been trying to get your attention for a couple of minutes now," Ichigo retorted, a touch of annoyance in his voice. "And why are you here? Are you training with Urahara too?" he inquired.

"Nah, I'm here to assist with your training," I replied simply.

"How?" Ichigo pressed.

"I don't know, you might want to ask the guy who looks like an eccentric, unemployed uncle right behind you," I quipped.

Curious, Ichigo turned around to find Kisuke standing there, half his face hidden behind a fan.

"Oh, are we discussing me? I had no idea I was so captivating. But before you start forming a line for autographs, let's head indoors so I can introduce you to your training spot," Kisuke suggested with a mischievous grin.

"Follow me inside," he beckoned.

Ichigo and I exchanged a glance before trailing Urahara into his shop. Once inside, he raised a carpet to reveal a substantial hatch in the floor.

"Don't tell me that's our training area?" I expressed my skepticism.

"Oh, indeed it is," Urahara confirmed, his grin widening.

As he swung the hatch open, he added playfully, "Ladies first."

I proceeded to towards the hatch before seeing Ichigo give me a weird look.

I walked up to the hatch, observing Ichigo's bemused expression.

"What? If you're not going first, then I will," I declared, climbing down the ladder into the unknown depths below.

With a sigh, Ichigo relented, "I'll follow right after you."

As we reached the bottom of the ladder, I turned away from it and took in the sprawling expanse before me, it was almost like a desert within the confines of this space. The walls appeared to be painted with a realistic depiction of the sky, but I couldn't help but wonder about the source of the lighting.

"Do you find it to your liking?" Kisuke's playful voice broke through my thoughts.

"It's decent, I suppose. Although, I could likely come up with something even more impressive," I remarked, affecting a serious expression while scanning the area.

"Well, I'm intrigued. Please, do share," Kisuke replied, his fan hiding the lower part of his face.

"Nope, don't feel like it. Plus, this is good enough for what were about to do." " I responded, my hands comfortably tucked into my pockets.

"Hmm, not as exciting, but fair enough," Kisuke commented before turning his attention to Ichigo. Unexpectedly, he struck Ichigo with the bottom of his cane.

Ichigo exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing?"

"In order to regain your Soul Reaper powers, you'll need to be in your soul form," Kisuke explained. He then pointed to a young girl in the distance and rapidly continued, "You'll be facing Ururu and Gremmy for now. We don't need you immediately."

Confused, Ichigo questioned, "Why can't I face Gremmy? And I don't want to fight a little girl."

"If you were to fight Gremmy in your current state, you'd be obliterated. It wouldn't even be a contest," Kisuke teased.

With a sigh of resignation, Ichigo conceded, "Alright, fine."

"Excellent. Here, take this protective gear. You're going to require it," Kisuke supplied, offering the gear without hesitation. Then, turning his attention to Gremmy, he instructed, "You're free to do as you please until we require your participation. Just try not to demolish the place." He pivoted back to Ichigo, a readiness in his demeanor.

At that moment, I teleported several hundred feet away and conjured a makeshift bed. "I think I'll catch a nap until they need me."

"Eh, I guess I'll train a bit too after I reach full energy again." I thought.

'Wait, let me try envisioning myself at full energy,' I thought. I concentrated on the idea of being fully energized, but alas, it yielded no results.

"Well, it was worth a shot," I reflected, drawing a blanket over myself and closing my eyes to rest.

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Sorry about the wait for this chapter. A lot of stuff was getting in the way. Hope you enjoy.