Chapter Thirty-Three: What Is Meant to Come Will Come (Part Two)

Chapter 33: What Is Meant to Come Will Come

“Who are you?” Renji Abarai asked, narrowly avoiding the sudden attack, his gaze fixed on the Shinigami before him.

“I am Ichigo Kurosaki, the one who will defeat you! Pleased to meet you...” Ichigo declared boldly as he made his entrance.

“Shihakushō! Which squad do you belong to? And... what is that? Such a massive Zanpakutō...” Renji stared in astonishment at Ichigo’s attire, finally fixating on the enormous sword he carried.

“What’s the matter? Is this sword really that big? It is indeed much larger than Rukia’s Zanpakutō. But honestly, I haven’t seen any bigger so far...” Ichigo said, locking eyes intently with Renji.

“Uh, the size of a Zanpakutō typically corresponds to the wielder’s spiritual power. How could this kid have such a large sword? There must be some mistake...” Renji muttered in surprise as he examined Ichigo’s blade.

“Ichigo... you fool! Why did you come here? Even if you die, we’re doomed!” Lolita helped Hust lift himself up, exclaiming.

“Tch, I’m not hiding at home just to survive! Even if you trap me with some strange power!” Ichigo said, turning to Hust, who was supported by Lolita. “Don’t underestimate me! You’re the one who can’t even protect your own sister.”

“Listening to you, I understand now...” Renji interjected from the side.

“...” Hust shook his head at Lolita’s attempt to explain his injuries.

“You’re the human who stole Captain Kuchiki’s spiritual power!” Renji leapt forward, swinging his blade at Ichigo.

With a thunderous crash, the ground shattered beneath Renji’s strike, yet Ichigo’s shadow was nowhere to be seen.

“Shunpo—that technique’s learned fast. Looks like the 60th Kido spell can now be cast without chanting... Is this the talent of the Child of the World?” Lolita murmured inwardly as she watched Ichigo use Shunpo to evade Renji’s attack and appear behind him.

“Pfft,” Hust spat a mouthful of blood mixed with chaotic spiritual energy, finally managing to stand.

“Brother, are you alright?” Lolita asked, concerned to see Hust standing without support.

“How could I be? If this were full-strength, I could ignore this backlash. But I’m too weak now.” Though he seemed fine, Hust’s pale face and labored breathing revealed the lingering effects of his injuries.

“Hey! What did you do to Rukia’s brother? She’s been asleep since she got home, and no matter what we do, she won’t wake up! Wah!” Ichigo shouted back at Renji while narrowly dodging another blow.

“Rukia? Just a sleeping potion. She’ll wake up tomorrow. By the way, Renji, what’s your current rank?” Hust asked, watching the heated battle.

“Me? I’m vice-captain of the 6th Division—the position Captain Kuchiki held before. Hmph.” Renji appeared to be holding his ground, but gradually he was losing the upper hand.

“Damn it! This kid can use such a large sword with finesse to deflect my strength and conserve energy... Could it be...” Renji glanced at the identical brother and sister standing behind him. ‘Captain Kuchiki’s strikes already have the level of a captain! I admit defeat in swordsmanship, kid, but...’

“Roar, Zabimaru!” Renji shouted the release command, watching his blade transform into a segmented, flexible whip. “Now you’ll understand! The gap between Shikai and Bankai cannot be bridged by strikes alone!”

Watching the serpentine scythe dance through the air, Ichigo bowed his head, refusing to dodge. To onlookers, a Shinigami with only two months’ experience should have no chance to evade Renji’s attack. But was Ichigo ordinary? With two months of training under Lolita and Hust and his innate talent, Ichigo’s strength had surpassed his original self. Slowly, Ichigo raised his head and met the incoming Zabimaru calmly. “Too slow. Compared to you, Lolita’s blade is faster!”

“What?” Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise as Ichigo stepped back, flicking Zabimaru’s largest segment lightly with the back of his hand. Using precise energy, he turned, switched the sword to his left hand, pressed down, and drove the blade deep into the earth, locking Zabimaru in place. Releasing his grip, Ichigo raised his palm toward Renji. “Lolita once said the strength of a Shinigami isn’t measured solely by their Zanpakutō... Kido No. 63: Raikōhō!”

With a thunderous roar, a massive bolt of lightning surged forward, targeting Renji, who was defenseless.

“Ching!” The sound of a drawn sword rang out as the Raikōhō dissipated less than a meter from Renji.

“What? What happened?” Ichigo stared in disbelief as his attack vanished.

“...To reach such a level of chantless 60th Kido in two months—this talent surpasses even Hitsugaya. I must say, you truly found the right person,” Byakuya Kuchiki said calmly, maintaining his grip on his sword.

“Abandoning the weakness of the Zanpakutō and compensating with Kido and sword strikes—that’s always been my strategy. Seems like no one’s been taking things seriously during my absence from the Seireitei,” Hust remarked with a quiet tone.

“Sorry to disappoint you, Captain Kuchiki, Captain Kuchiki,” Renji bowed his head to Hust. If not for Byakuya’s timely intervention, he would have been severely injured or dead from that blow. Thinking of this, Renji bowed even lower.

“Enough. Since you hold my former position, you should understand our difference in strength. My brother must have told you,” Hust said, glancing at Byakuya.

“...” Byakuya said nothing, merely resting his hand on his sword’s hilt.

“Ichigo! That’s enough! Leave here immediately. This isn’t your fight, understand?” Lolita shouted at Ichigo upon seeing Byakuya’s movement.

“What nonsense! I risked my life to save you all! Damn it!” Ichigo swung his massive sword, then clenched his left fist, shouting at Lolita.

A hand suddenly reached out and pressed onto Lolita’s shoulder.

“?” Startled, Lolita turned to see who it was.

Shaking his head, Hust said, “No need. That kid won’t stop until he hits a wall... Brother, spare his life. We’re doomed anyway. When it comes to my life, I think your noble honor matters more.”

“...” Byakuya gave a barely perceptible nod, then turned his gaze back to Ichigo.

“Here we go...” Ichigo tensed instinctively as Byakuya faced him.

...

“Ching!”

“!” Byakuya’s figure appeared behind Ichigo, but he wore a surprised expression.

“Pfft!” Blood sprayed from Ichigo’s right shoulder; his right hand was useless but not seriously injured.

“...How... How is this possible? Captain Kuchiki’s Shunko was blocked! And the second strike missed the vital spots!” Renji exclaimed in shock.

“Damn it! If not for instinct, I’d be dead!” Ichigo panted, back turned toward Byakuya.

“...” Byakuya said nothing, repositioning himself in front of Ichigo again.

“Ching!”

“!” Surprised that Ichigo dodged the second Shunko, Byakuya’s eyes showed a trace of admiration.

“Pfft!” Blood gushed from Ichigo’s left shoulder as well. Slowly, he collapsed, kneeling on one knee, right hand bracing against the ground.

“Damn it!” Ichigo gritted his teeth, trying to rise, but Hust’s voice cut him off.

“That’s enough, Ichigo. Stop struggling. Can’t you see the gap in strength?”

“...” Lolita silently stepped forward, striking Ichigo unconscious with a single blow before returning to Hust’s side.

“...”

“...”

“Pfft,” the two turned silently as they heard the sharp sound of a blade piercing flesh behind them. They knew Ichigo’s ‘Sealing’ and ‘Soul Sleep’ had been severed.

“Alright... let’s go,” Hust said calmly.

“...” Without a word, Renji stepped before the three, inserting Zabimaru into the void and opening a Garganta.

“...” Silently taking Lolita’s hand, under the soft blue light, she transformed into a blue beam and became Hust’s Zanpakutō. He then withdrew from his ghoul body, storing it in his spatial ring.

“Put these on me,” Hust said to Renji as he prepared to leave.

Renji hesitated. “By the rules, I should cuff you with the killing stones, but you’re still nobility, so—”

“Enough nonsense. Hurry up.” Hust snapped angrily. “I’ve been stripped of my noble status. I’m nothing but a criminal now!”

“...Yes, sir.” After a pause, Renji took out the killing stone cuffs and placed them on Hust silently, then led the way through the Garganta.

“Not even one last glance?” Byakuya said as he passed by, though his steps never faltered.

“No need. We were never meant to cross paths. But fate is so uncanny, so unimaginable... ha,” Hust said with a self-mocking smile as he stepped through the portal.