Chapter - 2

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Chapter - 2: My cute Tatsuki

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I focused all my energy, channeling it into my right arm. Taking a deep breath, I let the power flow, intense and controlled. "Blut Arterie," I whispered, fully aware that in a world like this, names carried weight and power all their own.

Instantly, vivid blue lines emerged on my skin, pulsing like veins of light. The intricate patterns intertwined in a complex design, starting at my shoulder and running down my arm to my hand. The energy vibrated, alive, responding with precision to my will, amplifying every fiber of my body.

But it wasn't enough.

I added a layer of Armament Haki, feeling a faint yet tangible barrier enveloping my arm. It was weak, barely noticeable, but for now, it represented the peak of what I could achieve, pushing myself to my current limits.

Simultaneously, I closed my eyes, focusing on locating the core of my Dragon Reactor. Trusting my instincts, I let them take over, guiding me to activate Mana Burst.

Suddenly, a destructive wind erupted around my body, lifting dust, fragments of stone, and leaves as the ground trembled under the sheer intensity of power. It was like standing at the eye of a cyclone. The surrounding trees began to bend, and some branches snapped even before the attack was unleashed.

As I threw the punch, the impact obliterated an entire line of trees, carving a path of pure destruction that stretched as far as the eye could see. Uprooted trees, shattered trunks, and cracked earth marked the trail of my unleashed power.

Silence fell. Only the sound of crashing trees and the dying winds filled the air. I took a deep breath, looking around to take in the devastation I had caused.

"Damn," I muttered, a grin tugging at my lips. "This is the potential I wanted to see." My knuckles tingled slightly, but beyond that, there was no pain.

And remembering that the Templates are currently only at a low level, I knew that with proper training, I would become much stronger in the future. My physical strength would surpass even Yammy and Zaraki by a wide margin, making me the strongest in this universe.

As for the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, I couldn't use it yet. It would probably unlock once the Whitebeard Template reached its peak tier.

A long road of training lay ahead. Even with Talents, it would take years to reach my full potential. But, fortunately, thinking of a stunning dark-skinned beauty who would mentor me and spend a lot of time with me, the idea of facing it all suddenly felt a lot more enjoyable.

"At the moment, I'm not much stronger than a typical Lieutenant," I reflected, confronting the reality of my situation. "If I had to face a Captain-level Shinigami, I'd be easily overwhelmed. I can't afford to slow down just because I'm stronger than the average cannon fodder in this world."

I don't have that much power now. Till I'm really strong, I'm only that… Hybrid Man.

But this is just the beginning.

 [Interlude]

As I approach the gates of my school, my thoughts are interrupted when I notice a group of people heading in my direction. It's not just a few—practically an entire gang at full strength.

I raise my gaze calmly, observing their faces and body language. It's obvious what they want: trouble. Fantastic. They're about to jump me. A textbook shonen scenario.

Considering we're talking about Ichigo, it's not surprising a situation like this would arise. In fact, it's almost predictable given all the delinquents I've beaten up, according to my memories.

But these guys? They're just petty thugs. If I wanted, I could flatten them with a snap of my fingers. The idea almost amuses me, so I keep walking and stop right in front of them.

"So, you're Kurosaki Ichigo, huh?" says the one who seems to be the leader, trying to act tough.

From the corner of my eye, I notice some of them shifting nervously, avoiding my gaze. Judging by their expressions, they've probably already been on the receiving end of a beating in the past, though I honestly can't remember.

Ichigo's memory doesn't bother storing details about minor characters like these, guys who enjoy bullying those weaker than them.

"If you already know, get to the point," I reply in a flat tone, not even bothering to look at them, while a familiar scowl settles on my face.

"Tsk." My indifference must have wounded their pride because the leader steps closer, visibly irritated, unable to hide his annoyance at my attitude.

"You hurt my friends, and we're not leaving until you kneel before him and apologize!" he shouts, his voice full of rage. "Let's see if you're really as strong as they say!"

"Sorry," I reply with a mocking smile, giving a sarcastic bow. "But I'm not like one of your girls who enjoys taking your tiny dicks without a word."

The jab hits its mark. The atmosphere shifts, the air grows heavier. It's clear now: talking won't solve anything. There's no reasoning with them. They're acting on pure instinct, more beasts than men.

One of them tries to hit me from behind, throwing a punch straight for my face. A cheap shot, taking advantage of the fact that I'm still talking, aiming for an easy win. "How rude."

I turn quickly and catch the punch mid-air before it can land. The guy freezes, his courage vanishing instantly. I squeeze his hand just enough to make him realize he's made a mistake.

Maybe I can get something out of this situation. Yes, this could work. An opportunity like this definitely shouldn't go to waste. A brawl here might just serve my purposes.

I suppress a grin to avoid scaring them off. "Alright," I say, releasing his hand. "But remember, you're the ones who started this."

Despite their hesitation, I see a flicker of uncertainty in their eyes, but their desperate need to prove themselves outweighs any common sense. They're still holding on to the hope of beating me.

This is going to be fun—at least for me.

As they start throwing punches at me, I simply dodge or block, using only the minimal effort necessary. Every move I make is calculated, not to take my opponents down but to focus on something far more important: my training with Observation Haki.

Their attacks are predictable, slow, and hesitant. This allows me to concentrate on the flow of my Haki, working to refine my ability to anticipate their movements.

I can sense their intent a moment before they act, and each defense becomes smoother, faster. It's not immediate progress, but I notice that the flow of Haki toward the parts of my body I need to protect is improving.

"Not bad," I think, as a punch aimed at my face is deflected without me even looking. This kind of training will allow me to develop my awareness and react in critical situations.

But seeing into the future? That would take much longer.

I keep dodging and blocking while observing them. The thugs are starting to lose energy. Their movements grow clumsier, and their faces twist with anger and frustration as they fail to land a single hit on me.

Some of them are rubbing their fists or legs with pained expressions, trying not to attract attention from their friends. It's obvious that my body, far tougher than a normal human's, has given them trouble.

"Pathetic," I think to myself, holding back a sigh. Now I understand why in manga, truly strong characters tend to ignore opponents of this caliber. It's not arrogance; it's pure boredom.

Not worth wasting energy on.

At some point, though, something different catches my attention. A familiar spiritual presence rapidly approaches my position. It's strong, familiar, and brimming with combat instinct.

I glance up just in time to see a figure leap over one of the thugs and land a perfect jumping kick to his face, sending him crashing to the ground without even realizing what hit him.

It's a girl of medium height with black hair and brown eyes. She has a tomboyish look and a very lean build. Her short, dark hair is spiked at the sides, and she's wearing a school uniform.

"Tatsuki," I think, recognizing her immediately. I can't help but notice a rather appealing detail from my current angle.

For a brief moment, the motion of Tatsuki's kick slightly lifts her skirt, revealing white panties and a glimpse of her toned ass. An image I can't ignore and, honestly, don't mind at all.

"Well, at least something good happened today," I think with a faintly ironic smile as I refocus on the situation.

Tatsuki lands gracefully, her gaze fixed on the remaining thugs, who now look visibly confused and scared. "What the hell do you think you're doing, attacking someone in broad daylight in front of the school?" she scolds them sharply.

I can't help but admire her. Not only is she strong, but she has an incredible presence. Even without any spiritual powers, Tatsuki has always had an aura that commands respect.

"Tatsuki," I call, interrupting her tirade.

She turns to me, her expression a mix of frustration and concern. "Ichigo! Why didn't you do anything? You just let them attack you like an idiot!"

I raise my hands in surrender. "I was using them for training," I explain calmly. "They weren't worth taking down right away."

"Training? With this trash?" she retorts, gesturing to the thugs, some of whom are already fleeing while others try to help their injured companions.

I shrug. "Sometimes even garbage can be useful."

Tatsuki sighs, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable. Always so irresponsible."

I smirk slightly, but before I can respond, one of the remaining thugs decides to make a last-ditch effort.

He charges at Tatsuki with a wooden stick, probably thinking it'd be easier to handle her since she's a girl. "Fatal mistake," I think, already picturing the outcome.

Without even turning around, Tatsuki intercepts the stick with one hand and snaps it effortlessly. Then, with a swift motion, she punches the guy in the stomach, sending him to the ground with a choked groan.

"And let that be a lesson not to mess with people stronger than you," she says, glaring at the remaining thugs with a look that dares anyone to continue the fight.

As the last of the delinquents scatter, leaving us finally alone, Tatsuki turns toward me, crossing her arms under her chest in an obvious attempt to make it seem bigger than it actually is. "So, don't you have something to say to me?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

I smile, scratching the back of my neck. "Thanks for the free show. Maybe I should let myself get attacked more often," I mutter under my breath, holding back a chuckle. Despite everything, this day suddenly doesn't seem so bad.

"I didn't do it for you," she snaps back immediately, but I can see the faintest hint of a smile playing on her lips. Then, she stops and looks at me for a moment, like she just realized something. "Wait a second… what exactly do you mean by 'free show'?" she asks, curiosity evident on her face.

I can't hold back, and with a mischievous grin, I drop the bomb. "Oh, just that you might want to reconsider doing stunts like that while wearing a skirt... Not that I'm complaining, of course."

Her reaction is instant. Tatsuki freezes, then spins toward me with a death glare, her cheeks beginning to flush a deep red. "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" she yells, drawing the attention of a few students passing nearby.

I raise my hands in mock innocence, trying to suppress a grin that's definitely bigger than it should be. "I'm just saying, the view was greatly appreciated. Pure observational skills, nothing more."

Tatsuki clenches her fists, and for a moment, I seriously think she's going to kick me again. Instead, she jabs a finger at me. "If you tell anyone about this, I swear I'll break your legs."

I can't help but laugh, which obviously doesn't help the situation. "Relax, Tatsuki. It's a compliment! Not everyone can pull off such a... boyish charm and—"

"What? Finish your sentence, you idiot!" she snaps, her eyes practically sparking with rage.

I shrug, feigning innocence again. "And it's really... something to see your, uh, big butt bouncing like that."

Tatsuki's glare intensifies, and for a second, I think the sheer force of her stare might set me on fire. "You're dead, Kurosaki!" she shouts.

Before I can react, Tatsuki lunges at me, trying to grab me. But this time, I'm ready. With a quick leap back, I avoid her grasp, laughing.

"Hey, you're just proving my point!" I call out as she continues to chase after me.

"You're a stupid pervert, and I'm going to make you pay!" she yells, but there's a noticeable smile on her face as she tries to catch me.

"I didn't think you were such a... Tsundere," I tease, still laughing.

"I'm NOT like that!" Tatsuki retorts, but her words are betrayed by the smile she can't quite hide.

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Marvel: I'm Spider-Man in this Damn Reincarnation: 3 advanced chapters

Osmosian Sorcerer?: 2 advanced chapters

Hybrid Man (Ichigo Si/WC Fic) 2 advanced chapters

Son of Li Qiye?: 3 advanced chapters

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 Chapter - 14: Symbionte - Chapter - 15: White Tiger -

Chapter - 17: Onmyoji - Chapter - 18: The Power of Bao 

Chapter - 3: My body is Good! - Chapter - 4: Fast Adaptation

 Chapter - 7: Hobby - Chapter - 8: New Hunt - Chapter - 9: Past unknown

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