Looking at the two Reigai Hinamori standing before and behind him, Hitsugaya Tōshirō was speechless.
Damn you, Inaba Kagerōza. Did I kill your dog or something?
Why use such a dirty trick on him?
Everyone else only had one Reigai. Why was his turning into some twisted spy thriller?
What Hitsugaya didn't know was—Inaba actually hadn't done it on purpose.
Having witnessed Aizen Sōsuke's betrayal and the Zanpakutō Rebellion firsthand, Inaba was extremely curious:
Why the hell couldn't anyone kill Hinamori Momo?
Even Aizen's devastating blow didn't take her life. Even in the Human World, she tanked a serious hit—just a few broken bones!
Such superhuman survivability fascinated him.
Of course he wanted to replicate it.
But no matter what science he employed, Inaba couldn't recreate Hinamori's absurdly unreasonable spirit body.
Even after two attempts, he finally had to admit—he couldn't copy her.
So he gave up.
Back to Hitsugaya—he was completely exasperated. Not only had he been ambushed by two fake Hina-chan, but they both came for him! Shouldn't they be targeting Ichigo like the rest!?
But all that could wait.
First priority—eliminate the two Reigai Hinamori.
The two fakes regrouped and, wearing identical "green tea" expressions, said in unison:
"Shiro-chan… would you really raise your sword against me?"
Two identical voices echoed in his ears.
Hitsugaya frowned and drew his Zanpakutō.
One of the Reigai Hinamori tilted her head and asked with mock sorrow,
"You don't love me anymore?"
That was it.
Hitsugaya blew a fuse.
"WHEN did I ever say I loved you?! I've always treated you like a little sister!"
He was so furious, he actually shouted that out loud at the two fakes.
Hidden nearby, Yoruichi was eavesdropping—and couldn't help but click her tongue.
Wow. The younger generation's drama is seriously messy.
But then again, her "casual dates" with Ichigo weren't exactly clean either...
Still, she had no interest in watching this cringe romance play out.
"Shunkō!"
She Flash Stepped behind the two Hinamori fakes—kicked each of them like a rocket.
Both Reigai Hinamori flew like broken kites into a nearby building—leveling it.
And because Reigai aren't as durable as the originals, that one strike was enough to completely obliterate them.
"Sorry, Shiro-chan… so sorry…"
Even as they died, the two Reigai Hinamori threw in a final "green tea" guilt-trip.
Hitsugaya turned to Yoruichi.
"Thanks, Yoruichi-senpai."
She waved it off. "Not a big deal."
Hitsugaya sighed in relief, watching the last ashes of the Reigai dissipate.
"Finally some peace."
He didn't linger—he Flash Stepped toward the R&D Bureau.
Yoruichi watched him go with a faint sigh.
——
In the Human World, at Urahara Shop.
Nozomi looked at Ichigo curiously.
"Why? Why are you protecting me?"
Ichigo blinked.
"…No real reason. I just… heard a voice telling me to protect you."
Nozomi's cheeks turned bright red.
"You idiot…"
"Huh? Why would you call me an idiot right now?!"
"I mean… I never heard that voice," she muttered.
"I didn't mean it like that!" Ichigo was exasperated. What did I even say wrong!?
Nozomi chuckled,
"See? You are an idiot."
"Hey! Stop calling me that—my name is Kurosaki Ichigo!"
But she reached out and gently touched his face.
Ichigo froze.
What the hell is going on!? Why are girls suddenly this forward!?
——
After defeating Reigai Renji, Rukia and the others returned to Urahara Shop.
Even Nishio, who had been operating solo, made it back.
Senna was visibly upset. Everyone else had run into enemies last night—except her.
It was like the Reigai were deliberately avoiding her.
After an entire night of running around pointlessly, she was furious!
With most lieutenant-level Reigai in the Human World now eliminated, Ichigo turned to Urahara.
"Urahara-san. Send me to Soul Society. If we don't stop Kagerōza, this'll never end!"
But as soon as he said that—
Rukia, Rangiku, Senna, Nozomi, and Orihime all objected.
"No way, Ichigo! Your spiritual pressure is unstable. If you keep fighting, you could lose your powers permanently!" Rukia scolded.
"She's right—you need to rest," Senna added.
Even the guys—Chad, Ishida, and Urahara—were in agreement.
Nozomi stepped forward and gently placed her palm on Ichigo's chest.
A soft pulse of power flowed into him.
"There. Now you should be able to access some of your spiritual power again."
Ichigo's eyes widened.
Zangetsu's suppression… it's weakening?!
"Whoa!"
He could feel it clearly—he could fight again!
"…This feels a lot like when Unohana used to heal me," he muttered.
She had treated him many times in the past, when Soul Society was still in regular contact with the Human World.
That's also how Kagerōza had managed to extract her Reishi.
But Nozomi wasn't as durable as Unohana. The moment she finished helping Ichigo, she collapsed.
Ichigo caught her quickly.
"You okay, Nozomi?"
"I'm fine," she said softly, nestled in his arms.
Watching this scene, Rangiku and Orihime both had the same thought—
…Damn, this girl's got game.
Rukia and Senna hurried to help Nozomi sit down.
Ichigo turned to Urahara again. "Now I'm ready. Let me go."
Urahara frowned. Even with Nozomi's help, it wasn't nearly enough.
Not even Unohana's full treatment had been able to stabilize his power.
But looking into Ichigo's determined eyes, Urahara finally gave in.
"Ichigo, I'm coming too!" Rukia said immediately.
"So am I!" Nishio added.
But Ichigo shook his head.
"No. I'm going alone. Kagerōza will keep attacking the Human World—and someone has to protect Nozomi."
Rukia and Nishio fell silent.
Urahara warned,
"This second infiltration will be far more dangerous than the first. Kagerōza isn't just a manipulator—he's a scientific genius."
"Trying the same trick again won't work."
Ichigo looked back at Nozomi—and smiled.
"Leave it to me."
Seeing his resolve, Urahara finally opened the portal.
Ichigo entered the Dangai without hesitation.
But as soon as he did—Kagerōza noticed.
This time, however, he didn't attack.
He simply moved the exit—rerouting Ichigo to a remote corner of Rukongai.
He planned to finish Ichigo personally.
When Ichigo arrived, he immediately drew both Zanpakutō.
Kagerōza stood there, laughing.
"Ku—ku—ku… Kurosaki Ichigo. All those traps, all those schemes… were because you are simply too unique."
"You're not human, not a pure Soul Reaper. Not even I can recreate your spiritual pressure. It's… frustrating."
For Kagerōza, Ichigo was the ultimate anomaly.
A threat that had to be erased.
Ichigo groaned.
Why did everyone treat him like some legendary anomaly?
Aizen… Kagerōza… every damn villain.
He had no intention of talking anymore.
Ichigo charged with both blades!
But—
Kagerōza spun his Zanpakutō—then suddenly, they switched places!
Ichigo was thrown back—right into the middle of the Dangai again!
And in that precise spot—
The Kōtotsu was waiting.
Ichigo barely had time to react—
WHOOSH!
He was swallowed whole.
——
In the Human World, Urahara's alarm blared.
Ichigo's spiritual pressure… had vanished.
Everyone went pale.
Nozomi clutched her chest in disbelief.
——
Back in Soul Society—
Byakuya, still recovering from his battle with Reigai Hitsugaya, was ambushed again.
This time—by his own Reigai.
And this clone was at full strength.
Unlike Byakuya, who was still carrying injuries from Hyōten Hyakkasō, the Reigai was in peak condition.
Everyone could see it—this would be a brutal battle for Byakuya.
But as the head of the Kuchiki clan, he wouldn't run.
He wouldn't waver.
He drew Senbonzakura—and vanished.
"Hadō #4—Byakurai!"
The Reigai blocked it effortlessly—then countered with a Hadō #4 of his own!
Byakuya Flash Stepped away just in time. The blast blew a hole in a nearby tower.
He reappeared above his clone, diving down with a vertical slash.
But the Reigai caught it—parried—then knocked Byakuya flying!
Too fast. Too strong. Too perfect.
"Hadō #33—Sōkatsui!"
A blue fireball exploded behind Byakuya, knocking over a twin spire.
Using the smoke as cover, Byakuya pressed forward—headbutting the Reigai before slashing down!
——
(End of Chapter)
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