On the other side, Kujo Nozomi and Ichigo found a naturally formed portal to the Dangai hidden in the Human World.
Nozomi had run away from home again specifically to search for this Dangai portal.
She wanted to enter it and close it from the inside, so no one could ever find her again.
But once the portal was closed, it would be impossible to return to this same timeline. In other words, she might be able to cross into another timeline to hide—but she would never be able to come back.
She was planning to use this method to completely escape from Inaba Kagerōza's pursuit!
After listening to her explanation, Ichigo calmly stared at the ground and asked,
"You've really made up your mind? Once you leave this timeline… you'll never be able to return."
Nozomi nodded. After all, it was because of her that many of the friends she had just made had gotten hurt. Her kind heart couldn't bear to see her companions injured again.
She intended to end Kagerōza's pursuit once and for all.
Seeing how determined Nozomi was, Ichigo didn't try to stop her. He just silently watched her approach the portal.
But what Nozomi didn't know was—everything she knew might already have been leaked.
There were Reigai Shinigami waiting for her at that very spot!
Reigai Rangiku, Rukia, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Hisagi, and Ōmaeda!
The six Reigai stood in Nozomi's way.
"Well, well, so Kagerōza's prediction was right. You really did show up here, Kujo Nozomi," said Reigai Rangiku.
Ichigo immediately moved in front of Nozomi to shield her, glancing at the familiar faces in front of him and chuckling,
"Oh? Look at that, it's a bunch of old friends."
Reigai Rangiku struck a flirtatious pose and said in a teasing voice,
"Oh, it's Ichigo! Say, can I make a little request? Why don't you hand that girl over to me?"
Seeing Rangiku acting so wanton, Ichigo was thoroughly disgusted.
"Please don't talk to me like that. Rangiku's not that kind of woman!" he snapped.
Reigai Rangiku's expression immediately darkened, and she angrily drew her Zanpakutō.
"In that case, guess we're doing this the hard way!"
The others didn't wait either—they all drew their Zanpakutō at once!
"That's the guy who beat Aizen Sōsuke! Don't bother with reason—attack all at once!" shouted Reigai Hisagi.
The Reigai charged at Ichigo as one.
Ichigo muttered,
"I may be weakened right now… but I'm not weaker than you!"
As he said that, his spiritual pressure burst forth!
"Bankai! Tensa Zangetsu!"
An immense surge of spiritual pressure crushed down on all six Reigai Shinigami.
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
In just a single blow—Ichigo wiped out all six Reigai Shinigami!
However, using his Bankai once again made him feel the chaos in his spiritual energy.
As he released the form, he dropped to one knee, panting and sweating.
Clearly, old man Zangetsu's suppression was growing too strong.
Just activating his power was becoming difficult.
Seeing him like that, Nozomi rushed to his side and supported him.
"Are you okay, Ichigo?"
Ichigo caught his breath and replied,
"I'm fine. But what about you?"
Nozomi stared at him in concern, propping him up with her shoulder.
"Even knowing you might lose your Shinigami powers, you still fought. Why?"
Ichigo, almost fully recovered, looked her in the eyes and said,
"Because I promised."
"Promised?"
"Yeah. I promised to protect you."
Nozomi went silent at those words.
Ichigo added calmly,
"So… someone had to be the one to take the hit."
Nozomi closed her eyes.
She was beginning to understand—why so many people placed their trust in Ichigo.
"…I get it now."
Ichigo nodded.
"Then, let's go home."
He sheathed his Zanpakutō.
Not just Ichigo…
Even Muramasa had gone quiet.
That usually chatty guy with the aloof exterior—he said nothing. That meant Ichigo's internal struggle had become incredibly intense.
And the worst part was—Ichigo didn't even know what kind of power Zangetsu truly represented.
Even for healing, you need the right diagnosis. How could he master this unknown force?
To make it worse, both Kisuke Urahara and Isshin were keeping their mouths shut, playing riddlers as usual.
And now, Zangetsu was becoming more and more of a mystery.
——
Meanwhile, in the Urahara Shop…
Byakuya, Komamura, Tōshirō, and Kenpachi were preparing to return to Soul Society through the portal.
Before they entered, Urahara said,
"Though the Dangai is under Kagerōza's control, he still can't fully dominate the Kōtotsu. As long as you follow directly behind it, you won't be affected by his influence."
The captains all nodded in understanding.
But despite the advice, their immense spiritual pressures would still draw out more Kōtotsu than usual.
Still—for the sake of Soul Society, they had long since cast aside personal safety.
Everyone agreed that Kisuke Urahara, in the absence of Mayuri, was the most trustworthy scientist.
"Alright then. Please be ready."
Urahara opened the portal, and the four captains stepped through.
The moment they entered the Dangai, Kagerōza sensed them.
Though he couldn't control the area while the Kōtotsu was active, he could alter the flow of time nearby.
Which made the Kōtotsu accelerate—faster and more violently than expected!
Komamura immediately turned back and unleashed his Bankai!
"Bankai! Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō!"
The massive black-armored warrior blocked the advancing Kōtotsu with its body!
"Go!!" Komamura roared.
Without hesitation, the other three bolted ahead—grasping the opportunity Komamura had created.
They reached the Soul Society through the portal and immediately unleashed their spiritual pressures.
To locate Kagerōza's position more precisely, the three captains split up and advanced from different directions.
These three were the ones who'd fought against M—each of them overwhelmingly powerful.
Tactically, this maneuver was suicidal.
But they were just too strong for normal rules to apply.
And… they weren't actually just a three-man squad.
Yachiru Kusajishi had been hiding under Kenpachi's haori the entire time.
Following her directions, Kenpachi ascended a set of stairs—
Until he encountered his enemy.
The one opponent he'd most wanted to face…
His own Reigai self!
"Yachiru, go hide somewhere safe!" Kenpachi shouted.
Yachiru obeyed without hesitation and jumped onto a distant pillar.
With her safe, Kenpachi didn't waste a second—he ripped off his eyepatch!
BOOM—golden spiritual pressure surged into the heavens!
Seeing this, Reigai Kenpachi also removed his eyepatch.
No words exchanged.
Both Kenpachis understood—this was a battle to the death.
Only the survivor could call himself the real Kenpachi.
CLANG!! Their Zanpakutōs clashed with terrifying force.
Kenpachi instantly noticed—this spiritual pressure was no joke.
His Reigai was no pushover!
He leaped up and delivered a powerful slash that tore through Reigai Kenpachi's defenses, carving a deep wound into his chest.
But in the next moment, Reigai Kenpachi vanished and reappeared behind him!
Kenpachi hadn't even reacted in time!
Watching his blood spray out, he couldn't help but marvel,
"Man… I really am strong."
Yet as he raised his sword again, Reigai Kenpachi didn't block.
He let the strike land—completely unphased.
His spiritual pressure alone had repelled the blow!
Kenpachi grinned—this was exactly the kind of fight he lived for!
Reigai Kenpachi grabbed him by the head and hurled him through a stone wall.
Kenpachi laughed hysterically as he pushed rubble off his body.
"Hahaha!!"
That brief exchange reminded him of his first clash with Ichigo.
This time, though, they were truly cutting each other.
Last time, Ichigo was the only one landing blows—but this… this was exhilarating!
With steam rising from his breath in the cold rain, Kenpachi swung his blade once more!
Another massive strike smashed through Reigai Kenpachi's guard!
But—Reigai Kenpachi slashed back just as viciously!
Their battle became a brutal contest of pure strength.
No dodging. No defense.
Just two monsters trading blows until only one remained standing.
"RAAAAGH!"
With a mighty yell, Reigai Kenpachi overpowered the real Kenpachi and ran his sword clean through him!
Blood gushed as Kenpachi was sent flying across the floor, crashing into a shattered wall.
"Ken-chan!!" Yachiru cried out in panic.
But Kenpachi didn't respond.
He had passed out from the pain.
In his unconsciousness… he heard a familiar voice.
"Ken-chan! Ken-chan!"
"Huh? What is it, Yachiru?"
He opened his eyes to see Yachiru's worried expression—
But when he fully awoke, she wasn't there.
Groaning, he forced himself to stand, spiritual pressure surging again.
With a roar, he slashed toward Reigai Kenpachi!
BOOM! Golden energy exploded as their attacks collided!
The real Kenpachi collapsed, finally too injured to continue.
But his opponent also reverted—turning back into a Gikongan Mod Soul.
Satisfied, Kenpachi fell flat on the ground.
"Ken-chan!"
Yachiru rushed to his side and sat beside him.
"…Still alive?" she asked.
Kenpachi cracked one eye open and grinned.
"Of course."
——
Meanwhile, Unohana Yachiru's investigation continued.
Using her access to the Great Spirit Book Archive, she found the one pulling the strings—Inaba Kagerōza!
Not only that—she confronted him directly in the Research and Development Bureau!
But before she could strike, Isane Kotetsu suddenly drew her blade and slashed at Unohana!!
(End of Chapter)
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