"Ichigo, do you know why you, who are usually poor at controlling Reiatsu, were able to find this place? It's because I anticipated you would come looking for us, so I intentionally emitted a strong Reiatsu wave. So even you, who isn't good at fine control, could follow my pressure to find our Vizard hideout."
"Alright, enough preamble, Ichigo. Since you're here, it means you're willing to join us, right?"
Shinji said with an expression of certainty.
However, Ichigo's answer surprised him.
"Don't be delusional! I'm not joining any Vizard group!!"
Ichigo refused without hesitation.
"Whaaat?!"
Shinji exclaimed, almost falling over in shock.
"Don't misunderstand me, Hirako. I am a Shinigami. I'm not joining any Vizard group. The only reason I came here is to use you!"
Ichigo said calmly, speaking 'shamelessly'.
"What did you say?"
Hearing this, Shinji's expression turned cold.
"Then let me state this clearly again. I am a Shinigami. I'm not joining you. The only reason I came is that I want to learn how to control the Hollow inside me from you."
Ichigo declared seriously.
As he said, Ichigo had always considered himself a Shinigami and had no intention of joining the Vizard. He came to their hideout only because the Hollow inside was severely hindering his ability to fight and constantly eroding his mind.
He wanted to learn how to control his inner Hollow, resolve this problem, and perhaps even further increase his strength.
"Brat! How dare you look down on us! With that attitude, you think we'll teach you how to control your inner Hollow? Dream on!!"
Shinji shouted.
"That's fine. I'll make you tell me voluntarily!"
Ichigo said confidently.
"Oh? How will you do that?"
Shinji's eyes glinted.
"By going all out, of course!!"
Ichigo suddenly took out his Shinigami Substitute Badge, transformed into his Shinigami state, and charged at Shinji with a yell.
"You've got to be kidding..."
Seeing Ichigo charge, Shinji suddenly kicked his Zanpakuto lying nearby. The sword spun through the air into Shinji's hand.
Clang—!
Shinji unhesitatingly drew his sword and slashed at Ichigo.
The fight between Ichigo and Shinji didn't produce a winner. Not because Ichigo could match Shinji, but because Shinji wasn't fighting seriously. Then, Lisa, fed up, kicked Shinji out and took his place, fighting Ichigo herself.
Then, failing to show off and getting beaten instead... wait, no. Ichigo suddenly Hollowfied during the fight and, in a berserk, out of control state, thrashed Lisa. The Vizard had to quickly intervene to stop the fight and subdue the Hollowfied Ichigo.
"Brat, you pass! I'll teach you how to suppress your Hollow!"
Shinji said to the returned-to-normal Ichigo. Although Ichigo hadn't joined the Vizard, Shinji ultimately agreed to teach him how to control his inner Hollow.
After all, they shared a common enemy in Aizen. The stronger Ichigo became, the better it would be for the Vizard too.
…
Kurosaki Residence, living room.
"Waaah! When will Ichi-nii come back—!!"
Yuzu wailed.
"So noisy, Yuzu. Don't worry, Ichi-nii will be back in a couple of days."
Karin said, chin in hand, looking resigned.
"Karin, how can you be so unconcerned? Ichi-nii might have been kidnapped!"
Yuzu said discontentedly.
Just then, Isshin walked into the living room. Seeing Yuzu's state, he hurried over, looking worried. "Oh dear! Yuzu, what's wrong? Are you alright?"
"There, there, Yuzu, stop crying. Daddy will show you his sure-kill laughing technique!"
To cheer up his daughter, Isshin contorted his face into various exaggerated, funny expressions and leaned towards Yuzu.
Bang!
Before Isshin could touch Yuzu, Karin suddenly punched him in the chin.
"Get lost! Your silly faces are scaring Yuzu!!"
Karin scolded.
Clack, clack, clack...
Footsteps suddenly sounded from the entrance. The Kurosaki sisters thought it was Ichigo and quickly turned to look, but only saw Rukia.
"It's Rukia. Any luck? Did you find Onii-chan?"
Yuzu asked. Rukia had gone out to look for Ichigo after he suddenly disappeared that morning.
Rukia apologized, "Sorry, I haven't found Ichigo yet."
"Oh."
Karin just nodded faintly, while Yuzu beside her started crying again. It wasn't that Karin didn't worry about Ichigo... she just hid her concern.
Although Yuzu was the older twin, Karin had always been very mature. She knew that showing too much sadness wouldn't change anything and would only worry the family more.
'I can't sense any Reiatsu at all... Where are you, Ichigo? Don't you know your family is worried about you?' Seeing the Kurosaki Family's dejected looks, Rukia couldn't help but mentally complain about Ichigo.
Even if he had to go out for something unavoidable, he could at least tell someone!
Ding-dong—!
Just then, the Kurosaki residence's doorbell rang.
"Could it be Ichi-nii? No..."
For a moment, Karin thought it was Ichigo, but then remembered he wouldn't ring the doorbell.
Not only did he have a key, but even without one, the door was just closed, not locked, and he wasn't in the habit of ringing.
Even Rukia, staying at their house, didn't ring the doorbell, let alone Ichigo, the owner.
"I'll get it."
Karin said and went to the entrance.
"Kurosaki residence, how can I—"
As Karin opened the door, she suddenly saw a silver-haired 'elementary schooler' standing there.
"Um... who are you?"
Karin was sure she had never seen this handsome, silver-haired boy with the cold expression before, but somehow felt a sense of familiarity, as if something about him attracted her.
"Hello, I'm Hitsugaya Toshiro. I'm a friend of Ichigo. I have something to tell his family."
Toshiro was also surprised that Karin answered the door, and he inexplicably felt something special about her.