So, what exactly is Modified Soul Technology?
Well, for that explanation, we turn to the one and only master artist of Soul Society—Kuchiki Rukia.
"Soul Society once proposed a unification project," Rukia explained while sketching her version of the concept on paper. "They wanted to artificially inject battle-enhanced souls into the bodies of deceased humans, and use them as an elite task force to combat Hollows."
Ichigo took one look at her drawing and smacked his palm against his face.
Oh no. He could only pray that his future children wouldn't inherit Rukia's artistic skills...
"You haven't destroyed a story like this in a while," Ichigo muttered helplessly.
"What did you say?" Rukia glared at him.
Thankfully, Senna stepped in to smooth things over. "Come on, let's not argue."
Nozomi, though, told the truth flat-out: "That drawing sucks."
Even Ichigo couldn't hold back a snort. Rukia's face turned black instantly, but since Nozomi was a girl and was hiding behind Ichigo, she couldn't vent her anger directly. She settled for slapping the sketchpad against Ichigo's head instead.
Ichigo was about to cry. He didn't even do anything!
Nozomi gently rubbed Ichigo's head with concern—making Rukia even angrier.
Still, Rukia knew how to prioritize. "Though the plan was immediately scrapped, the concept that came from it… was the Modified Soul."
Essentially, Modified Souls were enhanced versions of Gikongan.
So why was such a useful technology destroyed?
Well, as usual, blame the Central 46.
But this time, to be fair, their reasoning wasn't entirely baseless.
The truth was, the modified souls had originally been tested on the bodies of dead spirits, and required infusions of Shinigami spiritual particles.
The Soul Society elders deemed this unethical—using corpses as war tools went against the moral foundation of their society.
After all, no one wants their body used in experiments after death.
Of course, no one knows if Inaba Kagerōza also used human remains in creating his Reigai…
However, Ukitake had once revealed the real reason why the project was buried:
Because the Central 46 feared Modified Souls having free access to Shinigami powers could one day become a threat.
And now, as the Reigai Shinigami proved… those fears weren't entirely wrong.
But before all the data was destroyed, Inaba Kagerōza—one of the original developers—converted the research into a form of spiritual particles and threw it into the Dangai.
Years later, after hiding under a false identity and fully researching Kyokotsu within the Dangai, he retrieved that data once more.
In a way, Aizen Sōsuke's destruction of Kyokotsu indirectly helped Kagerōza, or else he might've remained hidden forever.
At that moment, Nozomi revealed her own secret—
She was the first Modified Soul ever created!
While Ichigo and the others were still analyzing the implications, Renji Abarai arrived at a hidden location in Soul Society.
There, he found the injured Yamamoto Genryūsai and Unohana Retsu, and relayed the results of the battles between the original captains and the Reigai.
He also gave them the intelligence report from Urahara.
After hearing it all, Unohana determined that aside from the lieutenants stationed in the World of the Living, only Ichigo and his companions were still able to fight.
Though Ichigo was currently dealing with internal issues involving Zangetsu, both Senna and Rukia were powerful in their own right.
Unohana gave a firm order:
"Abarai-fukutaichō. Head to the World of the Living and warn Ichigo and the vice-captains. They must prepare to repel the Reigai invasion immediately!"
Moreover, due to the internal rebellion in Soul Society, the balance between the Three Worlds had grown unstable.
The number of Hollows in the Human World had surged.
Even Harribel and Ulquiorra couldn't keep them in check—Hueco Mundo was simply too vast.
In fact, Las Noches only covered about 30% of its territory!
With Unohana's orders, Renji returned swiftly to the World of the Living.
At the Kurosaki household…
Isshin, Masaki, and Karin were already dumbfounded seeing Ichigo return with yet another girl.
Isshin looked at his son with a complicated expression.
He was a man of pure love—he'd never loved anyone other than Masaki.
But his son?
Still in high school, and already bringing three girls home in the span of six months!
Ichigo gave the excuse that Nozomi had suffered tragic family loss and had no relatives nearby—only distant cousin Rukia, who lived with him.
After hearing this heartbreaking tale, Isshin and Masaki burst into tears and hugged each other while sobbing uncontrollably.
Ichigo and the girls were stunned into silence.
Ichigo, knowing his dad's Shinigami identity, could only sigh. How is he crying this hard and still this convincing?
In any case, Nozomi was officially moved into the Kurosaki house.
But due to the increasing Hollow attacks, Ichigo, Rukia, and Senna had to head out once again after dinner to deal with the intrusions.
That night, in Ichigo's room, the remaining lieutenants gathered to discuss Nozomi's identity.
Though it was now known she was a Modified Soul, Kagerōza's true motive for capturing her remained unclear.
Thus, protecting Nozomi was still the highest priority.
However, the lieutenants had mixed feelings about the situation.
After all, Modified Souls were originally designed to protect Shinigami. And now, the Shinigami were risking their lives to protect one?
Ayasegawa Yumichika spoke up:
"Isn't this… just a little too ironic?"
Unbeknownst to them, Nozomi was standing outside the door—and heard everything.
She couldn't help but feel like a burden.
She thought about the other women around Ichigo:
Rukia.
Senna.
Rangiku.
Orihime.
Tatsuki.
Not one of them was ever a burden to Ichigo.
So, late at night—Nozomi left Ichigo's house.
This time, it wasn't to run away.
It was to become stronger.
She no longer wanted anyone to get hurt protecting her.
As the first Modified Soul, she had Shinigami powers from the start. She had simply never used them—because she never wanted to fight.
But she had used Kidō when escaping from Reigai Nanao and Kira.
And sure enough, walking the streets of Karakura, she encountered a Hollow.
Just as the Hollow lunged—her Zanpakutō awakened.
Unlike normal Shinigami, her shihakushō was a short skirt-style uniform!
With ease, she dispatched the Hollow.
Hidden nearby, Ichigo watched in silence—then turned away.
Like when Rainbow Cat saw Sally training with her left hand sword technique…
Ichigo understood:
Nozomi didn't need his help anymore.
She had stood up on her own.
Meanwhile, in Soul Society, the recovering Inaba Kagerōza once again deployed his Reigai captains to the Human World.
But fighting them there would cause massive civilian casualties.
And since Soul Society was still under Kagerōza's control, they couldn't teleport any reinforcements to Karakura.
So, Urahara Kisuke had to act himself.
He used a special device to freeze the space around Karakura Town.
And, as soon as his sensors picked up Reigai entering the Dangai, he triggered several traps—
Slowing them down and forcibly separating them.
Back at the Kurosaki house, everyone was stunned to see Nozomi in her Shinigami attire.
"Nozomi… You can use Shinigami powers now?" Rukia asked.
Nozomi nodded, her eyes gleaming.
"Of course. I was the first Modified Soul ever made—so my power should be the strongest!"
Senna felt her reiatsu and confirmed it.
Nozomi was telling the truth—her spiritual pressure was nearly captain-level.
In Ichigo's room, the vice-captains were also shocked.
"I think… my Zanpakutō's Shikai might be able to counter Kagerōza's ability," Nozomi added.
Hearing that, Nanao's eyes lit up.
"That would be incredible!"
However… Nozomi scratched her head awkwardly.
"There's just one problem… I forgot my Zanpakutō's name."
Everyone: "..."
Still, Nozomi didn't give up.
She turned to Ichigo. "Ichigo… will you spar with me?"
This time, not only Ichigo—but Renji and the others also stepped in to train with her.
They soon realized that Nozomi's Zanpakutō did seem to share traits with Kagerōza's.
Even though it hadn't fully awakened, she was able to absorb Chad's spiritual energy into it.
Watching from the side, Ikkaku remembered when he first fought Kenpachi Zaraki—
How Kenpachi held back deliberately, giving Ikkaku room to grow.
It was then he pledged his loyalty to Kenpachi.
Seeing Nozomi train so desperately, Ikkaku offered his wisdom:
"If you don't have the resolve to shoulder the power… even the power you do have will destroy you."
But right then, a crushing spiritual pressure shattered the space around them—it had arrived in the Human World.
Everyone recognized it instantly.
It was… Kenpachi Zaraki.
The Reigai version.
Wanting Nozomi to continue training, Ikkaku stepped forward.
"Don't worry, Ichigo. I'll handle him."
He flash-stepped away.
But the other lieutenants still followed—because it wasn't just Kenpachi. The other Reigai captains were arriving too.
They split up to intercept.
Only Yumichika stayed behind.
Moved by Nozomi's effort, he turned to Ichigo and said,
"You should fight her with everything you've got. Only at the edge of life and death… can a Shinigami awaken their true strength."
But if Nozomi couldn't handle even a weakened Getsuga Tenshō, she could die on the spot.
Ichigo hesitated.
But Nozomi stepped forward firmly.
"Do it, Ichigo."
With her determination unwavering, Ichigo activated Bankai—and fired Getsuga Tenshō!
Nozomi held her blade in front of her, resisting with all her might.
As the black crescent hurtled toward her, she remembered Ikkaku's words:
"If you don't have the resolve…"
At that moment—her memories returned.
"Yes… this is my Zanpakutō!"
"Crimson Rain Retreat!!"
With her cry, the black Getsuga Tenshō was instantly absorbed into her blade.
A wave of pink spiritual pressure surged over it, reshaping the sword.
Her Zanpakutō—now fully released in Shikai—had taken the form of a glowing cross.
(End of Chapter)
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