"Reiatsu resembling an Arrancar has appeared in the Living World? It seems Aizen has begun to move..."
Toshiro's eyes flashed with a sharp light.
Considerable time had passed since Aizen defected to Hueco Mundo. During this period, various incidents had occurred one after another in the Soul Society, leaving them no time to deal with Aizen.
Aizen, meanwhile, had taken this opportunity to familiarize himself with the power of the Hogyoku and conduct various experiments.
The sudden appearance of an Arrancar in the Living World was likely Aizen's doing.
"Rangiku, I'm going to the Living World to check the situation. Let everyone know, and tell them not to worry."
Toshiro put down the documents he was holding, stood up, took his clothes from the rack, and dressed neatly.
...
Living World, Karakura Town.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Ichigo and Shinji were locked in combat, swords clashing.
"S-Such strong Reiatsu! Are these two monsters?"
Zennosuke lay on top of a distant building, trembling as he watched the fight between Ichigo and Shinji.
Earlier, when he first appeared, Zennosuke had vaguely sensed that Ichigo's Reiatsu was very strong, which was why he tried to intimidate him using his status as an 'elite Shinigami' of the Gotei 13.
But although Zennosuke felt that Ichigo was strong, he never imagined he would be this strong.
In Zennosuke's opinion, Ichigo's Reiatsu was definitely on par with some of the Captains of the Gotei 13.
And that was bad enough. But then, besides Ichigo, another guy named 'Hirako' suddenly appeared. Judging by how effortlessly he was handling Ichigo, his strength was probably even greater.
"Sigh, what is happening in the Living World? One incredibly strong person after another keeps popping up."
Zennosuke sighed worriedly.
Normally, aside from Hollows, there shouldn't be any particularly strong beings in the Living World.
Furthermore, due to the low concentration of Reishi in the Living World, even when Hollows appeared, they were mostly ordinary ones. Menos Grande rarely appeared.
And judging by Ichigo and Shinji's appearances, they clearly weren't Hollows either... they looked more like Shinigami!
Clang!
Shinji and Ichigo clashed once and then stepped back from each other.
"Well, well, there's quite a commotion over there too."
Shinji suddenly turned his head and glanced behind him.
"Hirako, who exactly are you?"
Ichigo demanded loudly.
"Hey, can't you control your wildly fluctuating Reiatsu? If you keep that up, you'll..."
"I'm asking you a question! Who exactly are you?!"
Ichigo rudely interrupted Shinji.
Seeing Ichigo's rude demeanor, Shinji's expression turned cold.
"You're really annoying. Since you're so eager to know who I am, I'll tell you. Watch closely."
Shinji held his left hand in front of his face, then dragged it downwards. A mask with a fierce, demonic visage appeared in his hand.
"So, Ichigo, what do you think this is?" Shinji asked teasingly.
"That's a Hollow mask!!"
Ichigo exclaimed in shock.
"Ah, that's right. A Zanpakuto and a Hollow mask. Now you understand. I am a person who has stepped from the realm of Shinigami into that of Hollows. I told you before, 'Let's get along', didn't I? The reason I said that..."
"Is because I am a Vizard. Ichigo, we are kindred spirits."
"Ichigo, join the Vizard. Because you shouldn't be on the Shinigami's side!"
Shinji extended his invitation solemnly.
...
Whoosh—
Grand Fisher's giant hand swept down, bringing a gust of wind, and slammed towards Kon.
"Waaah!!"
Kon, scared out of his wits, screamed and dodged to the side.
Bang!
After Kon dodged, Grand Fisher's hand smashed directly into a building, pulverizing the dozens-of-meters-tall structure.
"Hey! Wait! Hold on! How can you just attack like this in the middle of the street? That's not right!!!"
Kon frantically ran for his life while trying to get Grand Fisher to stop.
But Grand Fisher paid no attention to Kon's words, relentlessly pursuing him.
"Don't just run away, Kurosaki Ichigo! Turn into a Shinigami and fight me!!"
Grand Fisher roared.
"Although I'd like to fight as a Shinigami, the fact is, I'm not Ichigo at all!!"
Kon shouted back, his expression full of grievance.
Unfortunately, Grand Fisher obviously didn't believe Kon's explanation. How could he believe someone wearing Ichigo's face claiming not to be Ichigo?
"Damn it! Why am I so unlucky?! The one time I finally get out, this happens!!"
Kon looked utterly frustrated. He never thought that while he was used to causing trouble and letting Ichigo take the blame, this time he would end up taking the blame for Ichigo.
Swoosh-
After chasing for a while, Grand Fisher finally caught up and grabbed Kon.
"Trying to run? I wanted you to become a Shinigami and play with me, but since you refuse, go die!"
Bang!
Grand Fisher slammed Kon onto the ground, creating a sizable crater.
"Turn to dust, Kurosaki Ichigo!!"
Grand Fisher roared and slammed his palm down towards Kon, who was embedded in the crater.
"Oh no! I can't move..."
Kon watched helplessly as the giant palm came down on him, powerless to do anything.
Although Ichigo possessed Captain-level power, his physical body was that of an ordinary human. Even with Kon controlling it, he couldn't unleash much strength. It was a miracle he hadn't been killed by the fall. If he was hit now, he would undoubtedly be crushed.
Swoosh-
At the critical moment, an unknown object shot through the air and slammed heavily into Grand Fisher's palm.
Bang!
Under the powerful impact, Grand Fisher's giant form was actually pushed back.
Grand Fisher looked incredulously at the object that had hit his palm: "This is..."
A charm! He had been pushed back by just a small charm!!
"Hey, didn't I tell you? After returning from your trip, you should always keep this charm with you."
A voice suddenly rang out. Kon couldn't believe that the newcomer was Isshin … or rather, Isshin dressed in a Shihakusho, with a Zanpakuto at his waist, looking every bit a Shinigami.
"Yo, Mr. Hollow, I'm terribly sorry, but Ichigo happens to be out. How about I play with you for a while?"
Isshin slowly walked to Kon's side, then looked coldly at Grand Fisher… the murderer who had directly killed his own wife!