Living World, Karakura Town.
After school that afternoon, Ichigo walked home feeling troubled.
Yesterday, Shinji had revealed his identity as a Vizard and invited Ichigo to join them.
Although Ichigo had refused on the spot, Shinji hadn't given up. He had pestered Ichigo again at school today.
Of course, that wasn't the main reason for Ichigo's troubled mood. What bothered him was what Shinji had said at school.
'It's far too late, Ichigo. In your current situation, once the symptoms manifest, you'll never be able to return to normal...'
'So, no matter what you think, you are, and can only be, part of our Vizard. Only we Vizard are your true comrades. As for Inoue Orihime, the tall guy, the bespectacled kid, and the other Shinigami... do you think they'll always be your comrades?'
'If you think that, you're sorely mistaken!'
'Because they are your comrades only for now... but if you continue being a Shinigami, you'll eventually lose control as the Hollow inside you devours you. By then, it will be too late...'
'Your power will destroy everything then… your comrades, your future, and even yourself will be shattered by that rampaging power!'
'Actually... even if I didn't tell you, you must have already sensed it yourself, right? The Hollow inside you has grown... too strong for you to control...'
'Come with me, Ichigo! I will teach you... how to stay sane...'
Ultimately, Ichigo still hadn't gone with Shinji.
But that didn't mean Shinji's words had no effect on him.
In fact, as Shinji had said, ever since the Hollow inside him, or [White Ichigo], had appeared during his fight with Byakuya in the Soul Society, Ichigo had found it increasingly difficult to suppress him. As a result, White Ichigo's voice often echoed in Ichigo's heart, eroding his will.
"..."
Lost in thought about Shinji's words, Ichigo had unconsciously reached his doorstep.
He pushed the door open and said listlessly, "I'm home..."
"You're… ho… me…, I…chi—go!!"
Bang!
Isshin delivered a direct 'Love Fist', knocking Ichigo to the ground.
"Ah? Why didn't you dodge, Ichigo?" Isshin asked, surprised.
"Hey! What are you doing, Dad?!" Ichigo's two younger sisters, Karin and Yuzu, complained to Isshin, then asked Ichigo nervously, "Are you okay, Ichi-nii? Dad is so mean, hitting so hard."
"Hey, how can you blame me for hitting too hard? He usually dodges that easily, right?"
Isshin tried to defend himself pitifully to his beloved daughters. "It's not that I hit too hard... Ichigo just has no energy. Speaking of which, why is Ichigo so listless? Could it be that his exams before the break went badly..."
Isshin kept rambling, but unlike usual, Ichigo didn't engage in a 'friendly father-son exchange' with him.
Tap, tap, tap...
Ichigo walked past Isshin.
"Sorry, I want to be alone in my room for a while before dinner..."
Hearing Ichigo's voice from behind, the playful grin on Isshin's face stiffened.
Even with his usually thick-headed nature, Isshin could clearly tell something was very wrong with Ichigo today.
After Ichigo disappeared upstairs, Yuzu said to Isshin, clearly displeased, "It must be because you went too far, Dad, that Ichigo is like this."
Isshin: "..."
Creak!
Ichigo entered his room and closed the door behind him.
Then, putting down his bag, he fell onto his bed wearily.
"Hey, Ichigo, what's wrong? You seem kind of weird today?" Sensing the commotion, Kon poked his head out of a drawer and asked.
"I'm fine. Don't worry." Ichigo lay on his bed, his back to Kon.
"Huh? Looking like you're about to die and saying you're fine? Lord Kon kindly asks, and you just brush me off? Hmph! Fine, I don't care anymore. I'm running away from home. Deal with it yourself!"
Kon huffed angrily, then jumped out the window, leaving Ichigo alone in the room.
"I know. If this continues, once I can't suppress the Hollow inside me... Inoue, Ishida, Chad, and even Yuzu and Karin will all..."
Knock, knock, knock...
Just as Ichigo was wallowing in self-pity, a knock sounded.
"Ichigo, can I come in?" Karin's voice came from outside the door.
"Karin..." Ichigo was about to get up to open the door when Karin pushed it open and walked in.
"Ichigo, please tell me honestly... what are you worried about?" Karin asked seriously.
"What are you talking about, Karin? What would I have to worry about..."
"I've known for a long time!!" Karin suddenly said loudly. "I've known for a long time... that you're a Shinigami!!!"
"What?!" Ichigo's face paled in shock.
But after the initial shock, he quickly reacted.
"I'm... a Shinigami? What are you talking about, Karin? What's a Shinigami?" Ichigo played dumb.
"Don't play dumb, Ichigo. I've seen you... a long time ago..."
...
Soul Society, 12th Division, Research and Development Bureau.
"Oh no! The equipment monitoring the Living World is reacting!!"
"Coordinates 36000-40000, Tokyo, East Karakura Town!"
"Requesting correction and capture!"
Just then, the 12th Division's Third Seat, Akon, walked in.
"What's wrong? Has something happened?" Akon asked quickly.
"You came just in time! Look! Arrancar Reiatsu has appeared again in the Living World!!" Kamishiro, the head of the Bureau's section, exclaimed.
...
Living World, East Karakura Town.
Boom!!
Two figures fell from the sky like shooting stars, smashing a giant circular crater into the ground.
As the dust cleared, the two figures revealed their true faces.
One was slender and thin, with short black hair, pale white skin, green eyes, and deep green, tear-like Arrancar markings on his face.
The other had dark skin and black hair, a massive body, four strangely shaped protrusions on his head, and symmetrical red markings on his cheeks.
The two were members of Aizen's [Espada]: Cuatro Espada, Ulquiorra Cifer, and Diez Espada, Yammy Llargo!