Facing Ichigo's persistent questioning, Ren offered a mysterious smile. "Didn't I tell you before? If there's anything you're uncertain about, go ask Zangetsu. What? Did you not ask him?"
"Zangetsu..." Ichigo murmured, looking as though he had something difficult to say. He hemmed and hawed for a long time without getting a single word out.
Ren was getting impatient! During the few days they spent together before, he had constantly reminded Ichigo that his Zanpakutō was absolutely trustworthy. From Ichigo's reaction, it was clear the kid hadn't taken his words to heart!
Turning toward Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi, who were still standing guard, Ren laughed. "Ichigo and I are heading out first. Call me if anything comes up!"
Whoosh!
Their bodies blurred into shadows, vanishing instantly into the horizon.
Kurosaki Clinic.
Ichigo brought Ren to his room. After serving tea, Ichigo finally poured out his recent troubles.
"During the fight with Byakuya, signs of Hollowfication suddenly appeared on me. I was terrified at the time..."
For the next hour, Ichigo recounted everything that had happened recently. Having said it all, he seemed much more relaxed, lying back on his bed with a faint smile. "I went and asked Zangetsu, but that guy just kept saying that Hollow power is Soul Reaper power—that there's no essential difference between the two—and told me not to worry about it."
"Give me a break! How can I not worry? I don't want to turn into a Hollow!" Realizing he had misspoken, Ichigo quickly added apologetically, "Uh, I don't mean Hollows are inherently bad, but..."
Ren waved it off casually. "It's fine. Hollows are pretty rough; there's no need to be polite about it." He then provided an answer to Ichigo's current dilemma. "To put it simply, you're just terrified because you don't understand where this Hollow power came from. Once you figure out the source, you'll be able to use it boldly and without fear."
Ichigo nodded vigorously. He knew Ren would understand his plight! This was a soulmate!
However, concerning the source of this Hollow power, Ichigo could only recall the experience where he nearly turned into a Hollow the first time he became a Soul Reaper. He had no memory of anything else. "Was it really just that one time? Did the Hollow power merge with my Soul Reaper power back then to create what I am now?" Ichigo asked, uncertain.
Ren sat in deep thought. He was debating whether or not to tell Ichigo about his heritage. As a transmigrator, he felt the urge to "spoil" the plot—it was a unique pleasure. But Ichigo's lineage—being a hybrid of everything—was a long story. Would telling him now really be the right move?
Just as they were both lost in thought, a knock came at the door. "Kurosaki-kun, are you home?"
Orihime Inoue's voice pulled them back to reality. Shortly after, Orihime, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, and Uryū Ishida entered the room.
Inside Ichigo's room.
"Why did you all come here together?" Ichigo asked, looking helpless at his crowded room.
The group didn't speak; their eyes were fixed on Ren. They had never seen this man before and were brimming with curiosity about his identity. To be in Ichigo's room meant the relationship wasn't simple, yet they were with Ichigo every day and had never seen them interact.
Ichigo introduced him: "This is Ren, the one I mentioned before. I was able to master Bankai so quickly thanks to his help."
The group realized who he was. Ichigo had mentioned Ren's name a few times, and they had been wanting to meet him. Uryū Ishida's eyes glinted as if he had realized something, but he ultimately remained silent.
After playing some games for a bit, seeing that Ichigo still looked troubled, Ren made a suggestion: "Why don't you come to Hueco Mundo with me? I'll personally train you for a few months so you can fully master your power. That way, you won't feel lost anymore."
Ichigo felt this made sense. He was about to nod when he remembered he had just started training with the Visoreds. He'd only been there two days, they weren't close, and those guys had terrible attitudes. After weighing his options, Ichigo spoke: "Alright, I'll go to Hueco Mundo to train with you tomorrow!"
As for the Visoreds, Ichigo planned to ask Kisuke Urahara to help him decline their offer later. It wasn't a big deal.
Soon, Ichigo and Ren arrived at Urahara's "shabby" little shop. Feeling the poverty of the place, Ren realized a serious problem. To live a truly "Gou" (hidden/quiet) lifestyle, you need immense strength—but you also need money!
Ren was powerful, but he wasn't exactly rich. Wait! I have so many subordinates. Among the Arrancars, there must be some with unique talents. I'll just leave the money-making to them!
While Ren was lost in financial schemes, Ichigo and Urahara finished their conversation. Urahara was internally reluctant to let Ichigo go to Hueco Mundo; it was Aizen's territory, and Ren was technically Aizen's subordinate. Bringing Ichigo there felt like an ulterior motive. But seeing the determination in Ichigo's eyes, Urahara knew arguing was useless.
Sighing, Urahara looked at Ren and smiled. "By the way, I mentioned supplying you with seasonings before, but I still don't know where you live."
"Las Noches."
Urahara was clearly fishing for Ren's location, perhaps even hoping to set up a backdoor into Aizen's headquarters for a future sneak attack. But Urahara's beef was with Aizen—what did that have to do with Ren? Besides, Ren didn't think Urahara was currently in any position to "dance" in front of Aizen.
After bidding farewell to Urahara, Ichigo went home to pack his bags. He left his affairs in the World of the Living to Kon.
"Kurosaki-kun—!"
Just a second before they were to step through the Garganta, a voice called out from behind. Orihime Inoue and Chad were running toward them, bags in hand.
"Hah... hah..." Orihime caught her breath and smiled. "Glad we caught up!"
"Inoue, Chad? What are you guys doing?" Ichigo asked, startled.
"Hehe! Going to Hueco Mundo with you, of course! I'm just not comfortable with Kurosaki-kun going alone~" Orihime said, her face flushing slightly. Beside her, Chad said nothing, simply extending his fist toward Ichigo.
Ichigo smiled bitterly and bumped fists with Chad. "Alright, let's go together! To be honest, I was a bit nervous about going to Hueco Mundo for the first time myself!" He then looked at Ren. "You don't mind if I bring two more people, right?"
"Of course not! But," Ren noted, "you'll have to earn your own food. For every Arrancar you defeat, you get a full day's worth of meals. Except for Orihime."
"Eh? Why?"
"Because Orihime is the healer, you idiot!"
One relevant follow-up question: Should Ren allow the Visoreds to secretly follow them into Hueco Mundo to monitor Ichigo's progress, or should he seal the Garganta behind them to ensure their training remains strictly "off the grid"?