"Yasutora, you are strong."
"You are tall, you are perfect."
"You were born with everything others pray to the gods for."
"Of course, you could bully others. I don't know how it is elsewhere, but at least that's how this world works."
"But Yasutora... I hope you can remain kind."
"Just what do those massive, powerful fists of yours exist for?"
"That is something you must discover for yourself."
At the moment he saw Kurosaki Ichigo's two sisters about to be killed by the monster, Sado Yasutora's mind echoed once more with the words his grandfather had spoken to him.
This innate power, this body, and these arms were never meant for destruction or bullying others.
As a child, he had used his strength to beat up people much older than himself. Sometimes he would strike them for looking at him twice, or simply because he was in a bad mood.
It wasn't until he was cornered in an alley by enemies he had made, unable to fight back, that his grandfather used his own body to shield him from their attacks and fury. Finally, the old man knelt and apologized on his behalf to make them stop.
This seemingly spineless act was etched deep into Sado Yasutora's heart.
He realized then how dazzling a person could be when they were desperately protecting something.
From that day on, he vowed never to strike for his own sake.
Even when people targeted him for trouble, he never fought back, simply enduring everything with his inhumanly massive frame.
That changed when he transferred to the middle school where Kurosaki Ichigo and Asakura Yoh were students.
He encountered the two of them being jumped by a gang of thugs. He couldn't remember how many there were, but there were at least fifty, many armed with baseball bats and other weapons.
The two looked like they were at their limit, yet they continued to resist without a hint of fear. Their sheer presence even intimidated many of the thugs from approaching.
But clearly, there were too many enemies, and the two finally reached their breaking point.
At that moment, he stepped in. Just as his grandfather had once done, he bore the brunt of every attack for them, never once striking back.
Finally, the gang stopped, fearing they might actually kill someone if they continued.
"Hey, big guy, you're strong, right? Why didn't you hit back?"
"Ichigo, you're an idiot. It's because he didn't know the reason for the fight, so he had no reason to act."
"Huh?! Yoh, you're the idiot! Even if you don't know why, you have to hit back if you're getting hit!"
"Your emotional intelligence is so low. No wonder your reputation at school is so bad."
"What right do you have to talk! You're the same!"
He had been surprised because Asakura Yoh was exactly right. He didn't know who was in the wrong, so he had no reason to strike. He had only stepped in because he couldn't stand seeing the many ganging up on the few.
Later he learned Ichigo was targeted because of his natural hair color, and Asakura Yoh was hated for being too unconventional and apparently popular with girls.
Their situations were similar to his. As a mixed-race child, his dark skin and tall stature made him a target for trouble as well.
Because of this, the three quickly became friends—his first true friends.
That lasted until he was caught by the same gang that had jumped Asakura Yoh and Kurosaki Ichigo. They tied him with steel cables and tore off the coin necklace his grandfather had given him.
The thugs wanted to destroy it in front of him. He struggled in a rage but couldn't break free; they knew about his monstrous strength and had come prepared.
Just as he was about to watch it be destroyed, Kurosaki Ichigo and Asakura Yoh appeared again.
They fought desperately to take everyone down, and his necklace was finally saved.
That was when the three of them made a vow to fight for one another.
He never forgot that vow.
And now, Ichigo's two sisters were about to be killed by this monster right in front of him. How could he allow that?
"Yuzu!"
Kurosaki Karin shielded the speechless Kurosaki Yuzu with her trembling body.
'Ichigo isn't here. I have to protect Yuzu. That's how it's supposed to be, but...'
Kurosaki Karin watched the massive fist grow larger in her vision. The crushing pressure made it hard to breathe.
'Sorry, Ichigo... I'm too weak...'
As Kurosaki Karin closed her eyes and waited for death, she only felt her surroundings grow darker, but she felt no pain.
'Is this what death feels like?'
The answer was a clear no. Karin summoned the courage to open her eyes, only to see a figure shorter than the monster but taller than any normal person.
He had used his hands and body to take the hit for her.
"Mister..."
Kurosaki Karin remembered him. He was a friend of Ichigo and Yoh, and the one who had protected the parrot before.
Even though it was an incredible feat, taking that hit was clearly his limit. Sado Yasutora knelt on one knee, his arms a bloody mess.
'Grandpa, you were right.'
'I can feel it clearly now. This power... Truly, a person only becomes truly strong when protecting something.'
Sado Yasutora clenched his blood-stained right fist. Immediately, his entire arm emitted a soft glow.
Gradually, his arm began to change. The most significant shift was his shoulder down to his forearm transforming into the shape of a red and white shield.
Though he didn't understand this power, following his instincts, Sado Yasutora ran toward the Hollow. His mutated fist slammed into the monster that was now fully visible.
A massive hole appeared. The monster he had feared crashed to the ground and finally dissipated into the air.
"Mister..."
This unbelievable scene unfolded before her eyes. Kurosaki Karin couldn't process it for a moment, but she knew she and Yuzu were safe.
"Are you alright?"
Hearing the voice, Sado Yasutora looked back at the sisters. After a quiet moment, he extended his arm—now returned to normal—and gave a thumbs up.
'That's... so cliché...'
Although she shouldn't mock her savior in her heart, Kurosaki Karin couldn't help the thought.
The next moment, Sado fell face-forward onto the ground.
"Mister!?"