Chapter 91: The World Ark, Loaded with the Strong, Officially Sets Sail
Ichigo Kurosaki's punch profoundly altered the entire world! The very structure of existence was undergoing a cataclysmic transformation.
The concepts of Primal Chaos Judged, Separation of Clear and Muddy, and Yin and Yang Fixed carried complex metaphysical weight, but under Ichigo's fist, their manifestation was simple: the New World, symbolizing the Yang side, began to rise, while Hell, symbolizing the Yin side, continued to plummet. The distance between the two widened at an accelerating pace.
"Hell" faced this punch head-on and was nearly blasted into opening the heavens with its own body. It was in absolute agony, but sensing the New World escaping its grasp, it panicked. A cry like that of a thousand infants echoed through the heavens. Countless pitch-black miasma tentacles erupted, stretching between sky and earth, desperately trying to latch onto the ascending New World.
Hell had every reason to be anxious. Though the process had been rocky, it had managed to swallow the Chaos World in one gulp. Even if it couldn't digest it immediately—suffering from a sort of cosmic bloating and spiritual indigestion—the "meat was still in the pot." The Chaos World was shattered; total assimilation was only a matter of time.
Furthermore, during the Genesis of the Strong, the Chaos World had transformed from wreckage into a New World. Hell found this acceptable. After all, many powerhouses had accepted Hell's curse, embraced the Dark Absolute Realm, and become Hellish Martial Artists. The New World's reconstruction had utilized Hell's essence, essentially refining a portion of Hell into its own foundation. Even if the New World was harder to digest now, those links made it an inevitability.
And time, to Hell, was never an issue.
So, what was the problem Hell truly couldn't accept? Simple: The New World was running away!!! And it was running away right in front of Hell's face, carrying a massive amount of Hell's stolen essence!!!
For a million years, Hell had maintained the style of a glutton—entry only, no exit. For the first time, it experienced the sensation of a "heart attack" brought on by pure anxiety.
At this moment, the long-vanished Monk suddenly appeared at the edge of the battlefield, shouting toward Ichigo:
"New Era Soul King! In this moment of reshaping the universe, I implore You to reconstruct the Three Worlds! You must know that their existence is indispensable to the world's cycle! Without the Three Worlds, the cycle is flawed, and all shall eventually fall into silent death!"
Ichigo turned his gaze slightly toward the Monk.
Having attained 100% Absolute Realm, he was now the Avatar of Power—identical to the Soul King in his prime as recorded in ancient legends. He was the unique, supreme "Physical Entity of Power" in the universe. His gaze pierced past and future; every secret within the world was known to him. Naturally, he understood the significance of the Three Worlds' structure.
But he didn't deign to answer, nor did he have the interest to listen. The power contained in that casual glance naturally blasted the Monk into molecular dust.
The forging of a new era was not an overnight affair; it began the moment the King of Fighters tournament opened its preliminaries. The Monk—who hadn't even made it to the main event and showed zero merit in the finals—had been effectively phased out by the era. If he had sought only to survive in obscurity, no one would have cared. But to jump out and bluster as the curtain fell? Even the gentle Ichigo found the man too much of a clown.
To show the Monk even a shred of respect would be an insult to the other powerhouses who had gambled their convictions and wills, trading blood and strength to contribute to the forging of the New World.
Ichigo looked back toward Hell and said gently:
"Hell, I wish to hire you as the Underworld. Coordinate with the New World and help handle the cycle of souls and Reishi. What do you think?"
Though he looked at "Hell," Ichigo's gaze pierced the river of time, observing all future possibilities. The Three Worlds were destroyed; that was the destiny set by the Spectator, Mo Yu. Ichigo had the power to shatter that fate and rebuild the old system, but he had no desire to do so. He now agreed with Mo Yu's philosophy.
The supreme power and survival of the worlds resting upon a single linchpin... the Purity of such a thing is simply too low!
However, the issue of the cycle could not be ignored.
"Hell" gave no verbal response. It merely vented its madness, clinging to the New World like a spoiled child gripping a toy it refused to share, wailing hysterically. Ichigo's response was to gently lift his fist.
"How unsightly. Hell, you are at least a million years old. Stop crying like a brat. Come... like a mature adult, let's talk about your new job..."
The universe fell silent, save for the sound of Ichigo's fist hitting "Hell." It unleashed a majestic energy shockwave capable of covering a third of Hell's territory. The miasma tentacles gripping the New World snapped one after another, unable to halt the New World's ascension.
Hell was utterly shell-shocked—like every child who experiences a "slap of love" from a parent, but worse. Not every child meets a parent capable of throwing a straight punch strong enough to crack open the heavens.
"Hell, your Purity right now is truly too low for me to talk to. However, Fisher once taught me through his example: for an enemy, one might need to provide guidance and opportunity, allowing them to become a powerhouse that makes a fight worthwhile..."
Whether it was being jumped by muscle-men when he first entered the fighting world or being deliberately spared by Fisher, Ichigo viewed these trials as wonderful experiences. He was willing to share this "wisdom" even with Hell.
"My plan is this: I will open certain permissions from the New World to you. Everything within—Reishi, souls, even phenomena—that dies of natural decay or chooses to throw itself to you, you may devour at will. However, every year, I will hold a new King of Fighters Tournament. The New World will descend upon Hell, and countless fighting powerhouses will swarm out to launch a war of plunder against you to reclaim what was lost. Regarding this cycle... what do you and your residents think?"
Ichigo's tone was gentle, but his voice miraculously echoed through the entire world!
As the tournament ended, Ichigo—who had unleashed that indisputable supreme power—was the champion by universal acclamation. Now, the Champion was delivering his victory speech and proposing the format for all future tournaments.
The Monk, having just resurrected again, froze. He hadn't expected Ichigo to propose such a radical new cycle.
Other powerhouses—Yamamoto, Yhwach, and the rest—remained silent, deep in thought. Soon, smiles spread across their faces. This new cycle might not be "perfect," but it was certainly "POTENT"!
Of course, it carried risks, and they knew it. But so what? The world is never perfect. If there's a problem, just follow Ichigo's example: beat the world until it looks the way you want it to. They had survived the fall of the Three Worlds and the farewell to the Soul King. They didn't fear battle; they only feared a fight that wasn't potent enough!
Ichigo's existence proved the height a Martial Artist could reach. Who wouldn't want to stand beside him? Ordinary "legendary battles" could no longer excite these peak-purity fighters. Only a tournament of this magnitude could keep their blood boiling.
Facing Ichigo's "proposal," Hell's attitude was complex. It was unwilling. The thought of the New World descending every year to let a bunch of martial arts giants run amok and plunder its hoard made its "heart" bleed. Its primal instinct urged it to kill the "brat" who dared speak so arrogantly.
The only problem: it couldn't.
In fact, Ichigo's two punches had instilled a sense of "Fear"! Even its internal monologue had changed, instinctively picking up a "potent" accent and spiking in pitch.
Hell soon realized the reason: Purity. An extreme level of Purity had eroded Hell's origin through Ichigo's pummeling. But understanding this didn't help, as Hell's logic was fleeting. It decided to "bravely" offer a counter-proposal.
Using the remains of the Soul King's fallen vessel, the monster that was Hell's physical form extended countless tentacles, curling the tips into fists. With a high-pitched roar, it struck at Ichigo!
Hell failed to understand one thing: Ichigo's "hiring offer" was never a negotiation.
Invincible power slammed into "Hell" once more. The force was so terrifying it hammered "Hell" deep into the bedrock, simultaneously forming a set of power-shackles that pinned it there.
Ichigo then turned to the Progenitor, Fisher.
Fisher gave a half-smile. "And what do you have for me, boy? Am I still a black-hearted politician? That's fine, as long as Uryu Ishida is my private secretary."
Ichigo said softly: "The New World no longer needs 'Hollows.' However, it needs a group of special Martial Artists to serve as a bridge between Hell and the New World. I hope you can play an active role in that."
Fisher clenched his fists, laughing easily. "Beat me into the dirt, and we can talk. Otherwise... hand Uryu over!"
Ichigo clenched his own fists. "Fair enough. Let us follow the established tradition: Uryu Ishida shall be the prize for this match!"
Uryu, having his "chastity" gambled on for the umpteenth time, wanted to charge in and kill both of them to prove that a prize can hit back. But he was held back by Yhwach.
"As the successor to the Quincy Empire, you have more important things to do!"
The phenomenon of the Genesis Epilogue was still at work. Under the effect of Yin and Yang Fixed, the separation between Hell and the New World grew distinct. Yhwach realized that moving now was more important than watching Ichigo fight Fisher.
"The Quincy Empire of Light shall be rebuilt in the mortal realm! Those who wish to return to the order of the New World, follow me!"
Yhwach summoned boundless shadows, taking Uryu, the Quincies, and the residents of Karakura Town toward the rising New World. Many Sinners who hadn't lost their minds saw the chance and ran toward the light. Yhwach didn't hesitate to pull them up with his shadows—though his power wasn't infinite; he couldn't save everyone.
Ichigo smiled. The Genesis Epilogue he created responded to his will, sweeping across the land to sever the links of those Sinners Hell tried to keep, sending them toward Yhwach's "express train."
And it didn't stop there. Under Ichigo's matchless Purity, the phenomenon even interfered with the timeline, pulling certain people from the past and sending them to the New World. As Ichigo said: he could do anything now.
The old covenant had ended; the covenant of the New Era was beginning. On this day, the King of Brilliance sent a gospel to the people: The dead shall receive my blessing and return after a seven-day trek through the underworld!
Yamamoto gazed at the ascending world. After a moment of thought, he turned and walked into the distance, calling out without looking back:
"The world has changed, but the destination of souls remains the duty of the Soul Reaper. The Seireitei shall be rebuilt in Hell. That burning order of death shall be the Sun that illuminates the underworld. Those who would follow me... come!"
The King of Soul Reapers made his choice. Nearly every Reaper followed him. Some residents of the Soul Society went with them, while others chose the New World. It didn't matter. The Ghost King, wreathed in crimson flame, led his parade of demons into the depths of Hell to become the True Gods of Death.
Aizen didn't choose immediately. He watched the start of Ichigo and Fisher's duel. Behind him, countless Hollows waited. Eventually, Aizen turned to them.
"Regardless of the outcome between the Progenitor and Ichigo, fate is set: the race of 'Hollows' shall perish. But our ambitions do not end here. Follow me to the New World to seize our place, and witness me become the God of the New World."
Aizen reached out. Reality and Illusion inverted in his palm. Amidst howls, the Hollows began to metamorphose into human forms. Even without the Hogyoku, Aizen—the master of Arrancarization—had plenty of ways to turn Hollows into human-shaped Martial Artists.
Aizen led his "Hollow-Martial Artists" toward the New World.
While these internal shifts were profound, the greatest change happened outside the view of all.
In the Silver Sea, the Bleach world-bubble had originally been a chaotic, spherical froth. Now, following the internal restructuring, it gradually transformed into a blurry, "I-shaped" Ark.
Under the shroud of a light descending from beyond the infinite boundaries—protected by an invisible "Wind"—it began to move through the Silver Sea, sailing toward the unknown.
End of Chapter
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