In Las Noches—
Kurosaki Ichigo had mostly recovered.
After the battle with Ulquiorra, he fainted.
Inoue Orihime had continuously healed him. Though his spiritual pressure hadn't fully recovered, his injuries were healed.
After Ichigo awoke, he sensed the battles in Las Noches had stopped. His friends seemed fine. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"All right, Inoue, I've mostly recovered."
He still couldn't quite believe he'd defeated Ulquiorra—it felt like a dream.
But Ulquiorra was dead. Upon waking, his body had already dissipated into ashes.
"No, Kurosaki-kun, you haven't fully recovered yet!" Inoue insisted, worried.
But there were no more battles outside, so it wasn't urgent. Better for Ichigo to fully recover.
Ichigo was about to speak when a voice called from outside.
"Ichigo!"
He turned, delighted. "Rukia?!"
It was Rukia Kuchiki. She, too, had mostly recovered.
"Where are Byakuya and the others?" Ichigo asked.
"Brother and the others are being treated by Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu, but it might take some time for them to wake up," Rukia replied.
"…That's good." Ichigo sighed in relief. "Inoue, why don't you go help them? I'm fine here."
"This… all right." Inoue saw that Ichigo was mostly recovered and nodded.
Rukia said, "Even though we've dealt with the Arrancar, we're still sealed within Hueco Mundo."
That worried Ichigo. He was very concerned about Karakura Town. But they had no way to open a Garganta.
"Captain Kurotsuchi is missing," Rukia added. She also wanted to go to Karakura Town—mainly to see Yoshio again.
Currently, only Mayuri Kurotsuchi could break the Garganta seal, but he was missing.
Were they going to be trapped until the battle ended?
"If Mr. Angra were here, it would be great," Ichigo sighed.
"Do you want to go to Karakura Town?"
As they felt helpless, a new voice appeared—invigorating them both!
Especially Rukia. She turned and saw a familiar figure at the door.
Only the two of them remained in the wreckage; Inoue had just left. They hadn't sensed any new spiritual pressure.
This sudden voice startled them—and the words mattered most.
It was too familiar!
"Yamiko…?!" Rukia turned. It was Kamado Yamiko!
Nominally Yoshio's cousin, she was well known in Seireitei. But Rukia didn't know her true identity—nor the true faces of these people. Whether Yamiko was Yoshio's cousin was questionable.
Still, they had a past friendship, even if it now seemed ridiculous.
"Long time no see, Rukia." Yamiko greeted her.
Rukia tensed. "What do you want?"
"Don't you want to go to Karakura Town?" Yamiko said lightly. "I can help you."
"You?" Rukia was skeptical. "You'll help us?"
"We met as friends."
"Heh, friends?"
"No matter what you think, I do consider you a friend."
Yamiko opened a Garganta.
Garganta!
Rukia and Ichigo's eyes lit up. They started forward, but Yamiko extended her hand, stopping them.
"You…" Rukia said, "What are you doing?"
"I'm just curious. The path your enemy gives you, you walk without asking or looking. Isn't that too naive?" Yamiko asked with a hint of amusement.
"We have no other choice," Ichigo said immediately.
Indeed, they had no other path.
Were they going to stay here until the war ended?
Absolutely not!
"Even if the path you give leads to hell, we can only brave it," Rukia said quietly.
"Don't worry. This path does lead to Karakura Town. I wouldn't trick you," Yamiko said, clapping her hands. "But we are enemies. I can open the way for you out of old friendship, but I can't just let you in."
"So… we still have to fight, right?" Rukia understood, her face serious.
"Yes, but not with me."
"There's a guardian in this passage. If Mr. Kurosaki can defeat him, then both of you can go to Karakura Town. If Mr. Kurosaki escapes without fighting, only he can pass."
"…I'll defeat him," Ichigo said. "I just need to go in alone, right?"
"Exactly," Yamiko nodded.
"Good!" Ichigo nodded. "Rukia, wait for me."
"…All right." Rukia had no choice. Was she going to fight Yamiko?
Yamiko's strength was considerable. Kisuke Urahara had fought her and was completely helpless. They hadn't figured out her ability—numbers seemed to have no effect.
Fighting Yamiko was unwise. Since she dared show herself, she evidently feared nothing.
The best solution was to deal with the enemy inside the Garganta.
Rukia signaled Ichigo not to worry about her. He nodded, and walked into the Garganta.
Yamiko, meanwhile, leaned against the dimensional entrance as if it were a solid wall.
"Why are you doing this?"
Rukia, now alone with Yamiko, couldn't help but ask. She often visited the Kamado Family, making her one of Rukia's few friends in the Gotei 13.
So Rukia voiced her doubts.
"Whether it's you or Yoshio, I can't think of any reason for you to help Aizen."
"It's a matter of course," Kamado Yamiko said softly. "It doesn't need a reason."
"Everything needs a reason!" Rukia protested, unable to accept that. At the very least… She should make up a reason!
Yamiko was silent, then said, "Then I'll tell you."
She pointed to her head. "I am not a true Shinigami."
"?" Rukia was confused, but before she could ask, Yamiko said something that shocked her.
"I am an 'Artificial Shinigami' created by Captain Aizen. No, 'Artificial Shinigami' isn't quite right. I should say 'Artificial Soul'," Yamiko said softly.
"?!" Rukia's pupils dilated.
Artificial Soul? Kamado Yamiko… is an Artificial Soul?!
How is that possible? She doesn't look like one at all…
"Are you surprised? There's no need to be. The Hollow within your body was also created by Captain Aizen," Kamado Yamiko said.
"…I had a vague suspicion," Rukia admitted grimly. "Aizen… why would he do that?"
Sure enough, the Hollow inside her was not a Parasite Hollow!
It was the Bull-Head Hollow from back then!
So why had Yoshio lied, calling it a Parasite Hollow?
"Are you talking about the original Hollow White?" Yamiko shrugged. "Actually, that was just an exception. He was going to kill all of you, but your soul's characteristics attracted him, so he directly transferred himself to you."
"Transfer…?"
"Don't you know? There are two ways to Hollowfy. One is Hollow Poison, like the Visoreds. The other is transfer—the actual transfer of a Hollow into another soul, achieving complete Hollowfication."
"This is true Hollowfication. Only a handful of souls can do it. You are the first, the earliest lucky one."
"Lucky one…" Rukia sneered. "I don't think this is lucky."
"Of course it is. Normally, a Hollow transfer would cause soul suicide. But you had Kisuke Urahara's 'Hōgyoku' in your body. The Hōgyoku and the Hollow created a balance, allowing you to survive."
"You thought your Captain-class strength was from your own talent? No—it was Hollow White's power transforming your soul."
"So, according to you, I should thank Aizen?"
"Exactly," Yamiko nodded. "Rukia, come with us."
"Don't you think it's too late to say all this now?"
"Late? Why? The Shinigami are about to be defeated. They can't match Captain Aizen and Yoshio. If you join us, you can fight alongside Yoshio again."
Rukia shook her head. "I will see Yoshio again, but only to question him about what's going on."
Seeing Rukia's resolve, Yamiko fell silent.
…
Meanwhile, inside the Garganta,
the battle began.
The last opponent Aizen Sōsuke arranged for Kurosaki Ichigo was—
"It's you…"
Ichigo looked at Hikone Ubuginu in surprise. "Aren't you…?"
Dead?
He didn't say it aloud, but he had fought Hikone before and had to work hard to win. Hikone was covered in blood. Theoretically, unless someone like Inoue healed him, he couldn't have survived.
But now, Hikone Ubuginu stood before him.
Facing a former enemy, Ichigo wasn't nervous.
He was much stronger now, mastering his Hollowfication and even growing in Quincy power.
Therefore, he didn't think Hikone was a match.
But then, Hikone displayed a power that astonished him.
First of all—
the sword.
Hikone took out a sword, completely different from before—much larger.
He changed… Zanpakuto? Ichigo was puzzled. Is that possible?
Thinking back, Hikone hadn't released his Zanpakuto when they fought before.
Ichigo became much more serious. Could it be that only now was Hikone drawing his Zanpakuto?
"Jot down their funeral, Ikomikidomoe."
Hikone spoke in an innocent tone.
In the next moment, the blade changed shape—turning into a white arm, somewhat like a Hollow's. A wicked spiritual pressure burst forth!
Boom!
Ichigo's eyes widened in disbelief.
"This is… Hollow power?!"
He was too familiar with it—clearly Hollow power!
But a Shinigami, even with Hollowfication, shouldn't have Hollow power in their Zanpakuto!
A Zanpakuto… but it seemed like a Menos Grande?
How could this happen?!
"Mr. Kurosaki, I'm coming for you."
With that, Hikone lunged like lightning!
Such incredible speed! Completely different from before!
Ichigo dared not be careless. He immediately used Bankai!
Bankai—Tensa Zangetsu!
In Bankai state, Ichigo's slender blade blocked the giant white arm-like sword, but he was still sent flying several meters.
In the Garganta, they had to constantly create reishi footholds, or fall into the dark abyss. Luckily, Ichigo's Quincy skills meant he could keep his footing.
"I don't have time to waste with you, so…"
After being repelled, Ichigo took a deep breath.
"I'll finish you in one blow!"
A mask appeared on his face—
Hollowfication!
Ichigo unleashed his strongest power!
Getsuga Tensho!
He roared, sending a massive black crescent at Hikone!
Could Hikone's small body withstand this? Their swords clashed—the black crescent devoured him, sending him flying.
When the black crescent moon faded, Hikone was covered in blood, with a deep, bone-deep wound in his chest!
"That last attack only took away your fighting ability. You should get treated," Ichigo said.
But to his shock, Hikone stood up, no pain on his face. He patted himself off and said:
"Mr. Kurosaki, you really are naive and kind!"
?!
An incredible thing happened:
Hikone's wounds began to heal instantly!
Wait—
Super High-Speed Regeneration?!
How? Hikone didn't Hollowfy!
Could it be because of that Zanpakuto?!
Ichigo eyed the oddly named blade: Ikomikidomoe.
"Hatch out and be ruined, Ikomikidomoe."
Hikone held the sword horizontally, uttering another release command.
After the second release, the sword changed again.
A giant monster burst from the blade! Like a Hollow, but much larger!
Larger than a Menos Grande. Ichigo had never seen Yammy, so this was the largest Hollow he'd ever seen.
"What is… going on?" Ichigo asked.
"Ikomikidomoe, Mr. Ichigo—you'll be fighting the two of us."
Roar!
The white Ikomikidomoe let out a roar, unleashing a powerful spiritual pressure, as if releasing a reishi storm!
The immense power slammed into Ichigo, but, in his Hollowfied state, how could he be affected?
"Is it the type that evolves in battle and can self-heal?"
This was the most troublesome enemy—for Ichigo really didn't want to kill anyone.
But if he didn't kill Hikone, he would only evolve and grow stronger.
What should he do?
Forget it—ignore Hikone for now and take care of this monster first!
If he doesn't kill people… does that mean he won't kill Hollows?
For a monster like this, Ichigo had no mercy.
Ichigo charged at Ikomikidomoe, enduring the powerful reishi. Hikone tried to block, but Ichigo's Hollowfied speed was faster.
Pfft!
Just one slash—
A black blade instantly cut down!
As the giant Ikomikidomoe split open, Ichigo's body rushed through the center.
He was now…
so powerful!
Even this monster couldn't stop him!
Boom!
After passing through Ikomikidomoe's body, it was Hikone again—their swords clashed!
Pfft!
In an instant, Ichigo lunged again, leaving another wound on Hikone!
Two blows, two slashes;
one killed the Menos Grande,
one wounded Hikone!