[Soul Society Arc] Part 84: Dark Side of Universe

When Yato opened his eyes, he found himself within Cheshire's private world, a surreal realm where he could see thousands of crimson threads crisscrossing the vast emptiness. These threads emitted an intense red glow, and their intricate patterns created a mesmerizing spectacle.

Yato blinked a few times, trying to adapt to the surreal surroundings. However, he quickly averted his gaze from the threads. He had learned from a painful experience that attempting to focus on them resulted in a severe headache. Since that time, he had made a conscious effort to avoid looking directly at the threads that permeated this peculiar world.

Yato: "Shouldn't I be resting right now...?" - He asked, sighing, and soon the red cat materialized in front of him through the threads.

Cheshire: "But you are resting... at least your body is... or did you forget that this world doesn't work exactly like your inner world...?" - The cat smirked with an almost mischievous glint in its eyes.

Yato: "...Oh.... Right..."

As Yato continued to look around, he noticed his physical body nearby, lying dormant in this unusual realm.

Before heading to the Soul Society, Yato had made arrangements with Cheshire to conceal his human body within this unique realm. He harbored a lack of trust in leaving it in the world of the living, relying on some random Gigai from Urahara's shop.

Yato let out a heavy sigh, his frustration evident in the way he clenched his fists, recalling the challenging decisions he had to make during his intense battle with Captain Tōsen.

In addition to his original body, Yato had specifically tasked Cheshire with obtaining a Gigai and a Gikongan from Urahara's well-stocked inventory. He chose this course of action while Urahara was occupied, cleaning up the mess Yato had created by splattering paint all over him. These carefully planned preparations were essential components of his strategy, aimed at not only rescuing Rukia but also cleverly deceiving Aizen in the process.

Cheshire: "Well, was it worth using that Gigai against Tōsen?" - Cheshire asked in a playful tone. The red cat couldn't resist teasing Yato about his use of the Gigai during the encounter with Tōsen.

Yato's brows furrowed as he grappled with his mixed emotions, trying to find the right words to express the inner turmoil.

Yato: "Well... it's complicated. I was worried that defeating Tōsen might draw more attention from Aizen... Or push Yamamoto to make even crazier decisions." - He confessed, regret lacing his voice. Despite the reasons he had considered, Yato was starting to second-guess his choice of discarding the Gigai to feign his own demise.

Cheshire: "Oh, I totally understand, my dear friend~" - The cat's voice dripped with sly amusement as he stretched his grin wider, his eyes glinting mischievously. He playfully flicked his tail, a gesture emphasizing his enjoyment of the situation. - "Life, you see, it's like a grand puzzle with pieces that refuse to fit perfectly. Choices, oh, they're the trickiest pieces of them all, aren't they?" His tone turned contemplative, and he raised an eyebrow in mock curiosity, his expression a masterclass in playful mockery. - "So, now that the Gigai is but a distant memory... what's the plan, hm?"

The young man, Yato, ran his fingers through his hair, a pensive expression on his face. He took a moment to let the gears turn in his mind, searching for a solution. Then, a spark of realization crossed his features.

Yato: "When they brought Rukia to the Soul Society, they confiscated her Gigai... it's probably in the 12th Division... maybe I can get it back..."

**

Ichigo stood his ground, determined and ready for Zaraki's relentless advances. Their zanpakutōs clashed again, the sound of metal on metal echoing through the area.

This time, Ichigo was unyielding, his grip on Zangetsu resolute. Zaraki, known for his reckless and brutal fighting style, seizing an opportunity and did something unexpected. With a swift and audacious move, he grabbed the massive blade of Zangetsu. The edge of huge zanpakutō cut into his hand, spilling a few drops of blood, but he didn't seem to mind. This action caught Ichigo off guard, but he reacted quickly. With a determined expression, Ichigo leaned to the side, narrowly avoiding Zaraki's deadly strike. He then executed a calculated kick aimed at Zaraki's hand, forcing the captain to relinquish his hold on Zangetsu.

Ichigo regained his stance, ready for the next exchange. However, In the blink of an eye, the captain vanished from Ichigo's line of sight, but upon hearing the jingling of bells, Ichigo's instincts kicked in, and he quickly turned, his zanpakutō held high to protect himself just in time to intercept Zaraki's sudden attack.

Zaraki: "Good! Excellent reaction!" - He grinned with a hint of admiration as Ichigo skillfully blocked his strike. - "Now you're more focused. You reacted well to the bells. Those bells, the eye patch... I use all that to make the fight interesting. It would be a waste if you didn't take advantage of it."

Ichigo: "Heh... So you're just mocking me. Is that why you haven't even called out your zanpakutō yet?" - He responded with a cocky grin. - "Be careful, though. My blade can cut you now—"

Zaraki: "My zanpakutō has no name." - Zaraki's smile faded. - "My sword is bare. It was never sealed." - He spoke in an indifferent tone of voice while showing the jagged edge of his blade. - "This blade is my zanpakutō."

Ichigo: "Really? That makes me feel better." - His grin exuded confidence. - "It means you won't get any stronger than you already are. In that case—"

Suddenly, Ichigo had to move swiftly, positioning his massive zanpakutō to block Zaraki's jagged blade. The clash of their swords sent sparks flying.

Zaraki: "In that case, what?" - He asked seriously, his intense gaze locked onto Ichigo's. He continued to press Zangetsu with the tip of his zanpakutō. - "You think you can win just for that reason? Now it seems like you're the one mocking me." - Zaraki's eyes bore into Ichigo's. - "I don't seal my zanpakutō because my reiatsu is so great it can't be contained. When I fight, I have to restrain myself." - He spoke seriously, locking eyes with Ichigo, his intense gaze piercing through the moment. He increased the pressure on the teenager's zanpakutō, causing the air to quiver with tension. - "You get it? Because if I don't hold back, my opponents would be so weak that everything would end before I could have any fun!"

With these words, the jagged blade of Zaraki's zanpakutō pierced through the massive Zangetsu. The sound of metal grating on metal filled the air, and the blade cut through it, ultimately impaling Ichigo in the chest.

Zaraki: "That's exactly why I told you not to hold back, dammit." - Captain Zaraki's voice was laced with frustration, and he practically spat out the words as he scowled at Ichigo. - "You let your guard down just because you thought you had a shot at winning!"

With a swift and forceful motion, Zaraki withdrew his sword from Ichigo's chest, the metallic sound slicing through the heavy atmosphere. Blood spurted from Ichigo's wound, staining the ground beneath him.

The small hole in Ichigo's zanpakutō, like a rapidly spreading crack in a crystal, caused Zangetsu's blade to shatter into two jagged pieces.

Ichigo crumpled to the ground, his gasps for air labored and desperate, his eyes wide with shock and pain.

A somber silence enveloped them, broken only by the harsh panting of Ichigo.

Zaraki: "Hmph... Someone who can actually cut through me, and who can hear the bells... appeared after a long time..." - He spoke in a low, disappointed tone as he fixed a piercing gaze on Ichigo. - "Is this how it ends...?" He glanced down at Ichigo, who lay defeated and unable to rise.

With a heavy sigh, Zaraki turned away from Ichigo and took slow, deliberate steps, the jagged zanpakutō dragging on the ground behind him. The sound of metal scraping on stone filled the tense silence, echoing the captain's inner turmoil.

Zaraki: "How disappointing..." - He grumbled to himself, his annoyance palpable. He clenched his fist in frustration and let out a frustrated growl. - "Maybe I should've gone after the guy who bested Hisagi... This was a waste of time."

Ichigo: 'Dammit! No!! I can't let this be it! I can't die here! Not now, not like this!!' - His mental screams reverberated within his mind, a fierce battle cry against the throbbing pain in his chest. - 'I must rise again! Stop bleeding, damn you! Let me keep fighting!!' - His voice in his head was a desperate plea, his frustration mounting with every beat of his heart. - 'Rukia... I have to save her!!'

As Ichigo continued to watch Zaraki slowly move further away, the teenager soon noticed that, all of a sudden, Zaraki had come to a halt. It was as if time itself had momentarily frozen in the space surrounding them. Then, seemingly out of thin air, a man slightly taller than Zaraki materialized and started striding purposefully in Ichigo's direction.

The man's wavy brown hair cascaded down to his shoulders, adding a touch of wildness to his enigmatic appearance. He was cloaked in a long, black overcoat, its shapeless form giving an almost otherworldly quality to his presence. A striking burgundy accent adorned the coat, its ragged ends rippling like dark flames in the still air, creating a dramatic contrast against the obsidian fabric.

Despite the absence of any breeze, the man's hair and coat swayed as if they danced to an invisible tune. His eyes remained concealed behind brown-tinted, semi-transparent wraparound sunglasses, their lenses reflecting an enigmatic coolness. He fixed his gaze upon Ichigo, his eyes just slightly narrowed, as if sizing up the young man with an air of intrigue.

Zangetsu: "Do you want to fight... Ichigo?" His question seemed to resonate in the very air around them, carried by a solemn, echoing tone. - "Do you want to win? Or do you want to live? Which path do you choose?"

Ichigo: "I want to win." - He spoke softly while gripping the wrapped hilt of his broken zanpakutō.

Zangetsu: "I can't hear you."

Ichigo: "Fighting for its own sake is meaningless... survival in itself is meaningless! I want to win!! I want to win!!!!"

Zangetsu: "Very well..." - For a fleeting moment, the depths of Zangetsu's eyes betrayed a subtle hint of sorrow, a nuance that escaped Ichigo's notice. - "I'll take you there..."

Zangetsu approached Ichigo and laid a firm hand on the teenager's back. In an instant, Ichigo found himself shrouded in swirling shadows, a sensation of being pulled away from the battlefield with Zaraki and then reappearing within the confines of his inner world.

Once inside, Zangetsu casually tossed a katana toward Ichigo, who caught it, his grip uncertain due to the blade's lack of a sheath.

Zangetsu: "Hold it. This is your zanpakutō."

Ichigo: "Huh? But this isn't you."

Zangetsu: "This is an Asauchi. A nameless zanpakutō meant for those yet to carve their legacy within the ranks of the Gotei 13."

Ichigo: "What are you even talking about? My zanpakutō's name is Zangetsu!"

Zangetsu: "Zangetsu...? The Zangetsu you speak of..." - Suddenly, a massive zanpakutō, its hilt wrapped in tattered bandages, materialized in the man's hand with uncanny speed. - "Is it this one? The zanpakutō you allowed your adversary to shatter? I can't return it to you..."

The man casually tossed the imposing zanpakutō out of Ichigo's reach, and as the teenager rushed forward to retrieve it, a mysterious figure intercepted, deftly seizing Zangetsu in his stead.

What unsettled Ichigo even further was that the figure that now held his zanpakutō appeared to be an exact replica of himself. However, this other Ichigo was entirely clad in white, from his Shihakushō to the hue of his skin and hair.

Ichigo: "Who the hell are you?!" - He asked with a mix of apprehension and curiosity, his gaze fixed firmly on his white counterpart.

White Ichigo: "What do you mean by that, partner?" - The white Ichigo replied with a sly grin, his tone carrying an air of eerie familiarity. He nonchalantly balanced the colossal zanpakutō on his shoulders, a posture that exuded an odd sense of confidence and control.

As Ichigo locked eyes with his white counterpart, he couldn't help but notice the peculiar gaze. The black sclera and yellow irises in those eyes bore into his, conveying an unsettling feeling.

Zangetsu: "I want to see... if you are worthy of possessing me..." - The man's words carried a deep, resonating gravity as he manifested by White Ichigo's side. - "If you desire to have me back... you'll have to wrest me from your own being..." - He fixed a piercing, solemn gaze on Ichigo. "This time, your opponent... is yourself."