Chapter 22: True Purity, The True Absolute Realm
The instant Grand Fisher and Ichigo Kurosaki clashed, a mysterious sense of predestination welled up in both their hearts. It was as if this battle had been destined to happen many, many years ago.
Fisher, radiating an aura like a predatory tiger, unleashed a barrage of Kaiser Emperor Waves. A mysterious smile curled his lips as he asked leisurely:
"Kurosaki-kun, do you believe in fate?"
"Keke! I believe in fate—because fate tells me that today, you shall be ground into dust by my hands, dammit!!!"
Ichigo had already entered the combat state of a "Reishi Madman." Roaring, he pushed the power of Getsuga Tensho to the limit. Getsuga Shoryukens and Getsuga Whirlwind Kicks were unleashed with ease, each strike carrying a lethal intent aimed at Fisher.
"Fate is an invisible hand. It dictates every meeting and every battle, carving our endings into the steles of time. I once hated fate because it left me with nothing. But now, I am incredibly grateful to it, for it has brought the most intense colors of this world charging toward me. Kurosaki-kun, can you feel the ecstasy from the bottom of my heart? I can't wait to swallow all your 'colors,' even if the price is my life!"
Reciting like a poet, Fisher's expression gradually began to border on insanity!
The sense of destiny between them was not an illusion. Even without Mo Yu's intervention, they were bound to meet. This was the fate ordained for them the moment this World Bubble was birthed within the Silver Sea.
However, the "original" destiny would not have been a good thing for either. Fisher, who had lived as a coward for decades, would have finally stepped up as a boss only to be one-shot by Isshin Kurosaki, dying like a common mob. Ichigo, meeting his mother's killer, would have had no highlight performance, being crushed and chased like a loser until his father saved the day.
Their meeting was fate, but that fate was destined to be dull and uninteresting—barely leaving a mark on the audience's mind. But now, their destiny had been completely overhauled by a certain God's "Magical Modification."
Fisher might not have seen the truth of fate, but he felt the transformation of his own destiny. Originally destined to die like a bug, he was now marching toward an unpredictable finale. Even if he still died in the end, it didn't matter anymore.
Fisher suddenly stepped forward, his leg moving like a blade. In an instant, a radiant moon-like arc rose—a sharp energy remarkably similar to Getsuga Tensho.
Not only had Ichigo plagiarized his Kaiser Emperor Wave, but Fisher had also used the power of the Absolute Realm to crack a portion of the secrets of Getsuga Tensho, compressing and tempering his own energy to manifest a similar technique. Ichigo noticed this, but his expression remained indifferent.
Ichigo knew that upon reaching the Absolute Realm, the importance of "technique" or "mechanics" plummeted. Fisher's Kaiser Emperor Wave, a nine-fold stacking of Qi blasts, was deep enough for a regular martial artist to study for a lifetime. But so what? Ichigo had understood it just by looking at it a few times. Similarly, Fisher cracking Getsuga Tensho was no big deal.
The so-called Absolute Realm is the complete mastery over all changes within and without, integrating the complex myriad of phenomena into a unified Purity. It is the convergence of everything into "One."
Ichigo had realized this fully during his sparring sessions with Shinji Hirako and the Visoreds. Once he understood, many techniques became self-taught—including the so-called Hollow Mask. It wasn't that complicated; it was merely taking the power that already existed within his heart and body, integrating it with powerful Purity, and then manifesting and utilizing it.
This was why "Absolute Power" existed in percentages. Digging out and mastering every change within oneself is not an overnight process. Making those changes manifest as fangs to gnaw on the enemy also takes time.
Upon reaching 10% Absolute Realm Power, Ichigo mastered Hollowification. Then, like learning to walk, he naturally mastered all Hollow powers. Whether it was High-Speed Regeneration or Hierro, they were fundamentally just a Hollow's instinctive way of utilizing Reishi.
Plagiarizing Fisher's Nine-Fold Kaiser Emperor Wave was the same—it was just a technique for using Reishi. See it, understand it, and with the Absolute Realm's perfect mastery over the self, perform it. Fisher's cracking of Getsuga Tensho followed the same logic.
Whether it was Fisher or Ichigo, both were martial artists of extreme Purity. To them, battle no longer required "belief," "fighting spirit," or "momentum"—those were low-tier impurities. Nor was there room for "wavering" or "hesitation." Once the slaughter began, the intensity of their struggle climbed to the highest peaks.
Both chose to close the distance, pouring all their power into the other at point-blank range. There was little blocking; they relied on their flesh to endure everything.
Blood sprayed like a fountain. A wound stretched across Ichigo's chest from shoulder to hip, deep enough to see bone.
But in the next instant, the wound began to heal rapidly. The activity of his cells was terrifyingly fierce, even emitting wisps of steam as the flesh closed!
Fisher was the same. A piercing wound Ichigo had punched through his shoulder healed in the blink of an eye.
This flesh-and-blood carnage didn't last long, for as the battle progressed, their bodies continued to grow stronger. Ichigo and Fisher's physiques swelled, their muscles becoming full and vibrant with raw power. Their skin began to mutate; after a few moments, strikes that lacked sufficient force only produced sparks against their hides, as if hitting metal.
The battlefield made them both look like non-human monsters!
In the basement of Urahara's shop, the Visoreds led by Shinji Hirako and Kisuke Urahara were watching the fight through a Reishi screen.
As he watched, Shinji wiped his hand across his face, manifesting his Hollow mask. His aura became savage, and his voice turned into a beast-like growl:
"Strange... it's all Hollowification, but why do I feel like my Hollowification and Kurosaki-kun's are two completely different things? Power levels aside, the essence is fundamentally different."
Urahara was busy adjusting his monitoring drones near the site to better capture combat data. Without looking up, he replied:
"I tested this yesterday. Ichigo's Hollowification is indeed essentially different from yours. To use a simple metaphor: you guys just put on a Hollow mask, gaining a buff of evil power while being influenced by Hollow-like negative emotions like destruction and hunger. But Ichigo... the mask he wears is a condensation of the evil, dark side of his own heart. It looks like a Hollow mask and the power is similar, but the core is entirely different..."
"On a technical level, there's a difference too. You just grafted on a tentacle; you have an extra hand, but because of physical and mental rejection, you can't use it to its full potential. Ichigo, however, is a super-evolved mutant 'Tentacle Monster' from the ground up."
Shinji dispelled his mask and stroked his chin. "Is that also the power of the Absolute Realm? Interesting. Hey, Urahara... if we started learning 'Martial Arts' now, could we reach Kurosaki-kun's level of Purity?"
Urahara instinctively looked at the sky, as if observing an unspeakable entity. He said in a mysterious tone: "According to my observations, the Soul King Palace—er, I mean, Heaven Media—is currently hiring. Maybe I can go ask if they have a 'Crash Course in Fighting' for you all..."
Meanwhile, Mo Yu, the man being talked about, had no time to worry about others. He was focused on Ichigo's battle. At the exciting parts, he even took a swig of "Fatty Happy Water" (Coke), enjoying himself immensely.
To Mo Yu, this was more exciting than any anime. He wasn't just watching the fight; he was watching the performance of the Absolute Power setting.
Through the filming of the first episode, Mo Yu had planted the seeds of Absolute Power—derived from the Hong Kong Manhua KOF—into the Bleach World Bubble. This setting was implemented by the Hogyoku reading Mo Yu's conscious and subconscious thoughts. Thus, even Mo Yu wasn't entirely sure what the Absolute Realm would look like, but as he watched, he began to understand.
The secret of the Absolute Realm is using Purity to govern all changes within and without. The core is that very "Purity."
Originally, Purity was just a bit of fictional flavor text. But through the Hogyoku's construction, Purity had truly been birthed as a profound, extreme mental state. Only a strong-willed powerhouse could condense Purity. Its sole function is to change one's own reality. By integrating everything into Purity, one gains its blessing, giving rise to all sorts of miraculous changes.
For example: if you believe your will can physically beat your chaotic instincts into submission, then under the blessing of Purity, your will can become a fist that pummels a non-physical instinct. But Purity has flaws—if it's insufficient or not "pure" enough, you might only be able to throw punches without winning, or even be beaten back and subdued by your own instinct.
Fundamentally, Purity is a Fullbring created by the Hogyoku. It is a tool for self-transformation. It cannot be achieved overnight, nor can it create something from nothing. To gain immortality through Purity, the Purity can only manifest some Hierro and High-Speed Regeneration; if the user doesn't know where to go, Purity cannot walk the path for them.
This "Self-Targeting" Fullbring is theoretically weaker than Orihime's "Reality Rejection," which can ignore time and space. But as the saying goes: it's not the power, but the user.
In the hands of Ichigo and Fisher, the power of Purity was unprecedentedly strong, with infinite potential. But the side effect was clear: once you step into the Absolute Realm, you become a "Purity Maniac." From then on, Purity enters the brain, and nothing else matters but Purity.
Mo Yu didn't mind the side effect. He felt it captured the spirit of Hong Kong Manhua—a path for "Reishi Madmen" that was both visually stunning and practical. He mentally gave the Hogyoku a thumbs-up for its interpretation and structural skills.
As Mo Yu was praising the Hogyoku, Aizen—who also shared a "fate" with the gem—was feeling quite complex.
Aizen had known about the time reversal and guessed the Soul Society would react. He had intended for Tosen to secure an investigation mission. However, the reaction was larger than expected. The Nobles had ordered a strict investigation through Central 46, and the Captain-Commander had personally decided to send Aizen and Byakuya Kuchiki to the World of the Living.
No matter. As a seasoned mastermind, Aizen wasn't bothered by small surprises. He traveled to the human world with Byakuya to lead the investigation personally.
Aizen thought he was well-traveled and wouldn't be shocked by anything. But upon arriving, he was immediately stunned by the "atmosphere" of the human world.
A male human and a male Hollow in human skin were engaged in a violent battle over a male Quincy's virtue. Aizen had to admit his life experience was still lacking.
Regardless, one of the contestants was his "adopted son"—er, his best and most anticipated experiment, Ichigo Kurosaki. Aizen composed himself and observed silently.
What he saw truly made him realize that "one should look at a person with fresh eyes after three days." Ichigo's current strength and will were beyond "powerful"; even in the Soul Society, he would be a brute. What surprised Aizen most was the perfection of Ichigo's Hollowification.
Hollow and Quincy powers were natural enemies, but in Ichigo's hands, they were a match made in heaven, with zero rejection. Aizen even sensed a faint trace of Soul Reaper power—though thin, it played an irreplaceable role in every Getsuga Tensho.
The path beyond the limits was manifesting in Ichigo. How could Aizen not be delighted?
Seeing Ichigo's wounds heal instantly, Aizen whispered in his heart: "To manifest such perfect High-Speed Regeneration in a human body... truly amazing."
As Aizen evaluated, the martial artists watching nearby were shouting: "He's using Purity to beat his own healing ability, making it work ten thousand times faster! His Purity is just too high...!"
When Aizen saw their muscles swell and skin mutate: "Such perfectly structured Hierro. Even among Arrancars, not everyone can achieve this. Very good..."
The martial artists continued their commentary: "Their Purity is terrifying! Even their skin cells are being pushed by Purity to brawl with the incoming force, achieving cell-level neutralization...!"
Aizen found the commentary a bit noisy, but he suppressed his irritation with his characteristic poise. When he saw Ichigo and Fisher begin to step on thin air, climbing higher as they fought in the sky, Aizen mused:
"No need for Reishi footholds; just by stepping on the air itself, they achieve flight. The Purity is indeed high... Wait, why am I thinking about 'Purity' too!?"
Aizen frowned. As a master of illusions, he was naturally sensitive. He detected an anomaly in the atmosphere. The repetitive, high-frequency commentary of the martial artists was making the concept of Purity highly active—as if the concept had gained life, stretching its limbs and swimming through everyone's minds to manifest its existence.
Aizen observed for a while. Aside from a slight sense of "wrongness," he found nothing else to worry about. He merely lowered his eyes and whispered: "Interesting!"
Regardless of the sideline drama, the stars of this battle remained Ichigo and Fisher.
With their energy reserves, they could fight for a day and night against any other opponent without tiring. But against each other, after only ten minutes, exhaustion began to set in.
Power had been pushed to the peak. Whether it was plagiarized techniques or their own, everything had been fused into a single furnace during these ten minutes. By the end, they had used every variation of every move, yet were still a hair's breadth away from a decisive blow.
Neither had any intention of a draw. Their only thought was to kill and devour the other completely.
Martial arts is ultimately a contest of Purity. Ichigo had never understood this as clearly as he did now. To defeat Fisher, he had to surpass him in Purity.
At the height of his frenzy, the eyes behind Ichigo's mask flashed with a mad bloodlight. He squeezed every drop of power from his body. Keeping up this rate of energy output was already making his internals creak and groan, but Ichigo didn't care. He roared frantically:
"Reached my limit? I don't believe it! Power! Get the hell out here right now, dammit!!!"
Others might train hard or study carefully to gain power. Ichigo ignored all that. To him, common sense was meant to be crushed by Purity; otherwise, how could he be called a "Strongest" who does the impossible?
When he wants power, power should obediently roll out and serve him. If it won't, he will use peerless Purity to beat it until it does.
Under the effect of extreme Purity driven by this absolute will, a change suddenly erupted within Ichigo's body!
End of Chapter
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