XX-level Hokage

"Hey, Ichigo!" A familiar voice came from behind.

He turned around and saw Inoue Orihime running towards him, carrying a textbook that had been soaked by the rain.

Her long, orange hair clung wetly to her cheeks, but her smile remained radiant. "Why didn't you bring an umbrella?" Ichigo asked helplessly, moving the umbrella over her head.

"Did you forget to check the weather forecast before you left?" Orihime stuck out her tongue, her gaze falling on the bandage on his arm. "Hey, you're injured?" "Ah, this..." Ichigo subconsciously tugged at his sleeve. "I accidentally fell."

Orihime glanced at him, then suddenly pulled a small amulet from her bag: "I got this from the shrine yesterday, I'm giving it to you! I hope it will protect you."

Ichigo paused for a moment, then touched her slightly cool fingertips as he took the amulet: "Thanks." The rain intensified, and the two walked side by side down the deserted street.

Orihime suddenly stopped and pointed to a dessert shop with warm lighting ahead: "Want to go in and sit down? It's on me!"

"Huh? No need, right?" Before Ichigo could finish speaking, she grabbed his sleeve and dragged him into the shop. Inside the dessert shop, the warm yellow lights dispelled the chill of the rainy night.

Orihime ordered a strawberry cake, while Ichigo got a hot cocoa. She took a spoonful of cake and suddenly asked, "Ichigo, have you been very tired lately?"

Why do you ask that?

“Because you’re always frowning.” Orihime tilted her head to look at him. “Although you usually look fierce, it seems to have gotten worse lately.” Ichigo smiled wryly: “Really?”

“Yes!” she said earnestly, putting down her spoon. “If you have any worries, you can tell me. Although I may not be able to help, at least I can listen to you.”

Ichigo remained silent for a moment, his gaze falling on the six-flower hair clip on her wrist. It was a keepsake from her brother, and her most treasured possession. He suddenly realized that behind Orihime's smile might lie untold pain.

"And then..." He hesitated for a moment, "Why are you so optimistic?"

Orihime paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Because I believe that as long as you try to live, you will always encounter good things, just like today, I met you and ate a delicious cake!"

Ichigo stopped her, then turned his head away: "Idiot, what kind of good thing is this?"

Orihime smiled without saying a word, continuing to eat her cake. The sound of rain outside the window gradually subsided, leaving only the crisp sound of spoons lightly tapping against porcelain plates inside the shop. By the time she left the dessert shop, the rain had stopped.

Orihime stood under the streetlight and waved to Ichigo: "See you later!"

"Okay, be careful on the road." Ichigo turned and walked in the opposite direction, but suddenly heard a scream behind him. He turned around sharply and saw Orihime being grabbed by the wrist by a huge Hollow and being dragged into the air.

"Inoue!" Ichigo rushed over, only to find that he didn't have his Shinigami Substitute ID. He gritted his teeth and watched as the Hollow flung Orihime against the wall.

*Bang!* Orihime crashed heavily to the ground, blood seeping from her forehead. She struggled to get up, but was grabbed again by the Hollow's claws. "Let her go!" Ichigo roared and charged forward, but was swept away by the Hollow's tail. He crashed into a lamppost, his vision going black.

"Ichigo!" Orihime called his name weakly, her eyes filled with terror. The Hollow grinned, opening its massive maw: "Delicious soul, I will devour you—"

At the critical moment, a flash of silver light appeared, the Hollow's arm was severed, and Orihime fell to the ground. Ichigo looked up and saw Rukia Kuchiki holding a Zanpakuto, standing coldly in front of the Hollow.

"Rukia!" Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief.

"Don't let your guard down, this guy is no ordinary opponent." Rukia swung her sword to force back the Hollow, then turned to Ichigo and shouted, "Quickly, go save Inoue!" Ichigo rushed to Orihime's side and helped her up: "Are you alright?"

Orihime forced a smile: "I'm fine... I'm sorry, I've troubled you again." "Don't talk nonsense!" Ichigo shielded her behind him, his eyes fixed on Hollow's movements.

The Hollow's severed arm regenerated rapidly, and it roared as it charged towards Rukia. She swung her sword to meet it, but was forced back several steps by the Hollow's spiritual pressure.

"This guy's spiritual pressure... is wrong!" Rukia gritted her teeth. Ichigo clenched his fist: "Damn it, if only I had a proxy license..."

“Ichigo!” Orihime suddenly grabbed his arm. “Let me try.” “What?” Ichigo was stunned.

Orihime removed her six-flower hairpin and softly murmured, "Double meaning, I refuse."

The hairpin transformed into six petals, encircling her. A soft light enveloped the void, freezing it in place. Rukia exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening.

Orihime's right hand glowed with golden light as she gently waved it: "I refuse the Lone Heaven Shield Slash."

Golden light transformed into a sharp blade, cleaving the Hollow's body in two. The monster let out its final, mournful cry before dissipating into spiritual particles. Ichigo stared in disbelief: "Inoue, you..."

Orihime put away her hairpin, her face somewhat pale: "This is the power my brother left me... I've never dared to use it, afraid of causing trouble for everyone."

Rukia walked over and patted her on the shoulder: "You did a great job." Orihime lowered her head, her voice trembling slightly: "But... my brother..."

Ichigo reached out and ruffled her hair. "Don't cry, you're already amazing." Orihime looked up at him, her eyes blurry with tears. "Really?"

“Of course.” Ichigo smiled, a rare sight. “Next time you encounter something like this, remember to use this trick sooner.”

The night sky after the rain was clear and sparkling with stars. Ichigo and Orihime walked side by side on their way home, while Rukia followed far behind.

“Ichigo,” Orihime suddenly spoke, “thank you.” “Thank me for what?”

“Thank you for protecting me all this time.” She stopped and turned to face him. “Actually… I’ve always been afraid, afraid that I’ll be a burden to everyone.” Ichigo was silent for a moment, then said softly, “You’re not a burden, you’re our comrade.”

A tear glistened in Orihime's eyes, then she smiled brightly: "Yes! I will strive to become stronger and fight alongside everyone!" Ichigo nodded: "That's more like it."

Rukia stepped forward, interrupting their conversation: "It's getting late, we should head back." "Okay." Orihime waved to them, "See you tomorrow!"

As Ichigo watched her disappear around the street corner, he suddenly felt a great weight lifted from his chest. Rukia glanced at him and said, "What, are you smitten? Stop talking nonsense!" Ichigo glared at her, then turned and strode away.

Rukia chuckled and followed.

In the darkness, the shadows of the two were stretched long by the streetlights, as if extending into the unknown distance.

Chapter 56: The Parasitic Seed

"Orihime, what's wrong? You seem a bit down." In the coffee shop, Mashiro asked with a light laugh. "Nothing, nothing," Orihime replied with a smile and a shake of her head.

Ever since she used the power left behind by her brother yesterday, she has had a deep sense of unease, as if her peaceful life was about to be taken away.

"Oh, okay then~" Mashiro didn't ask any further questions.

"Um, Mashiro-chan, if, I mean if, you suddenly gained a magical power that allowed you to refuse certain things, but required you to fight monsters, what would you choose?" Orihime asked.

“Having magical powers is certainly a good thing, but the thought of fighting monsters is still quite terrifying,” Mashiro said thoughtfully. “I knew it…”

"However, this is not bad either. Since monsters exist in this world, having power is very important. It can protect not only oneself but also those who need it, which is much better than silently waiting for others to help." Mashiro interrupted Orihime with a smile and continued.

Upon hearing this, Orihime was stunned. "Yes, that's true."

"Anyway, if it were me, I would be very happy, because then I could protect you, Orihime, when monsters attack." Standing up, Mashiro walked behind Orihime, hugged her, and said earnestly.

"Mashiro-chan, you really are a cunning hedgehog." Hearing Mashiro's words, Orihime couldn't help but chuckle.

Protecting others? The next day.

The cherry blossoms at Karakura High School were in full bloom, their pink and white petals drifting in the wind. As Orihime walked through the corridor carrying her textbooks, a petal landed on her hair. She reached out to brush it away, but then heard Tatsuki's impatient complaint behind her: "We should be playing ball on the playground in this weather! Why are we having to attend extra classes?" But Tatsuki, Mr. Kojima had said this test was very important. Before Orihime could finish speaking, she suddenly saw a boy standing stiffly at the corner of the corridor.

He kept his head down, and strange purple patterns were faintly visible on his neck, creeping up behind his ears like vines. "Hey, Asano-kun?" Ryuki strode forward and patted the boy on the shoulder.

The next second, the boy suddenly looked up—his pupils shrank to pinpoints, his lips parted in an unnatural curve, and a beast-like growl escaped his throat.

The utility knife in his hand flashed coldly, aimed straight at Ryuki's throat! "Danger!" Orihime grabbed Ryuki's collar and dragged him backward.

The blade grazed Long Gui's collarbone, and drops of blood splattered onto the falling cherry blossoms, blooming in a glaring red. More footsteps approached from all directions.

In the classrooms lining both sides of the corridor, students swayed out like marionettes, each with glowing purple vines wrapped around their necks, their pupils empty as abysses. Their shadows stretched long in the setting sun, twisting into countless menacing monsters.

"What's wrong with these people?!" Ryuki tore off a piece of his school uniform sleeve, pressed it against his wound, and pulled Orihime down the stairs.

The crowd behind them let out inhuman screams, crawling on all fours in pursuit, the cracking sound of their joints snapping was chilling. "They've been controlled by the Hollows," Orihime said, her face pale.

Having witnessed everything she had seen and heard at the gates, and having heard everything Ichigo had told her yesterday, she now knew about Hollows and Shinigami. Upon reaching the central courtyard, Tatsuki suddenly ran after her and knelt down.

To Orihime's horror, a glowing seed emerged from the wound on the side of her neck, its tiny roots spreading along her blood vessels—a truly terrifying sight. "Leave me alone!" Tatsuki shoved Orihime's hand away, cold sweat soaking his bangs. "Run! This thing is burrowing into my brain—"

Before she could finish speaking, a purple mist suddenly clouded Long Gui's right eye. She trembled as she raised her fist to strike her temple, but stopped abruptly at the last moment: "I can still control my speed!"

Orihime turned to flee, but crashed into a cold sea of ​​flowers. Countless vines sprang up from the ground, entwining into a huge cage. The flower buds bloomed one after another, and a distorted, illusory mask emerged from the stamen of each flower, emitting overlapping mocking laughter: "Found you, delicious soul."

At the top of the vine cage, a humanoid phantom slowly descended.

It wore a tattered kimono, with withered flower branches tied at its waist, and a mask resembling a hannya. Sticky fluid dripped from its cracked mouth: "My parasitic seed can amplify human malice—jealousy, resentment, fear... These nutrients ensure that my flowers never wither."

Orihime stood protectively in front of Tatsuki, her six-flower hairpin burning hot in her palm. With a flick of her ethereal finger, she sent a seed flying into Tatsuki's brow. Tatsuki let out a painful groan, his right hand involuntarily gripping his own neck, while his left hand tightly gripped Orihime's wrist: "Kill me... before I hurt you!"

"What a joke!" Orihime's eyes reddened, and six golden petals shot from her hairpin, forming a shield of light to block the feinting claws. "Twin Heaven Return Shield, I refuse!"

The moment the light shield collided with the claws, the Hollow suddenly sneered: "So that's how it is! Your ability isn't attack, but rather the rejection of reality!" Its form dissipated into petals, only to reform behind Orihime, as withered branches pierced her shoulder. "Then let me see how many times you can reject death!"

Blood stained her school uniform, and Orihime knelt on the ground.

Utsuro stepped on her back, his fingertips gathering more seeds: "Your friend will soon become my guilt; she will personally rip out your heart—" "I refuse." Orihime's voice was soft, yet it made Utsuro's movements abruptly halt. His six petals suddenly swelled, and in the light, images of her first encounter with Ryuki appeared: Ryuki's flowing ponytail as he chased away the bullies, the strawberry milk he secretly shared with her during gym class, the jacket he covered her with during her rooftop nap.

"I refuse this ending!" Orihime's right eye ignited with golden light, and her six-flower hairpin shattered into stardust.

The parasitic seed of the void was forced out of Long Gui's body by the light, and the vine cage collapsed inch by inch. She reached out and grasped the void, and a long sword woven from light appeared out of thin air: "Lonely Heaven Shield Slash, I refuse!"

The blade flashed, slicing through Huang Jie, and the illusory mask cracked. It roared in despair, "Impossible... Could this power be...?!"

"This is the power to protect those who are important to me." Orihime swung her sword a second time, and the illusory body vanished in the light. Cherry blossoms fell again, but no longer stained with blood, gently resting on the unconscious Tatsuki.

A moment later, Mashiro quietly approached Orihime's side. Orihime was sitting alone under a cherry blossom tree, while Tatsuki had already been taken to the infirmary.

Her school uniform was tattered, and there were still traces of the light blade burning on her palms. Scattered around her were remnants of Hollows and unburnt flower petals. "Orihime, did you fight a Hollow?" Mashiro asked softly, sitting beside Orihime.

Orihime didn't ask why Mashiro knew about Hollows, just as she didn't know how Ichigo became a Shinigami. Orihime looked up and smiled, the golden light in her eyes still lingering: "Mashiro, I think I understand what you meant yesterday."

She picked up a perfectly intact cherry blossom and tucked it behind her ear. Her six-flower hair clip had somehow returned to its original state. "Having this ability isn't a bad thing. Refusal doesn't have to be about refusing to hurt someone; it's about refusing to make someone important cry."

Just then, the sirens of ambulances sounded in the distance, and the students who had been restrained gradually regained consciousness. Ryuki, still groggy on the stretcher, opened his eyes and gave Orihime a thumbs-up.

The night wind dispersed the last trace of blood, and cherry blossoms fell like snow, rustling down onto the shoulders of the two men.

When Ichigo and Rukia arrived at the school following the spiritual pressure, they saw two girls sitting under a flowering tree.

Chapter 57: A Day with Rukia

As the setting sun bathed the shopping streets of Karakura Town in a honey-colored glow, Rukia Seidan stood in front of a convenience store shelf, hesitatingly holding a carton of strawberry milk between her fingers.

Suddenly, the sound of fabric rubbing against a counter came from the other side of the shelf. She looked up alertly and met a pair of crescent-shaped eyes—a woman wearing a light gray knit sweater.

The girl was perched on top of the shelf, her silver hair braided into a fishtail braid and hanging down, the ends of which were adorned with bells made of lapis lazuli.

"Gotcha, Kuchiki-kun. You're quite the busy one." The girl landed with a somersault, the light tinkling of a bell startling the sparrows foraging outside. Rukia recognized Mashiro; she was holding three boxes of different flavored Pocky in her arms, and bloodstains were still seeping from the bandage peeking out of her sleeve. "You're hurt?" Rukia asked, straightening her brow.

In her eyes, Mashiro is an incredibly powerful Shinigami, possibly even stronger than her brother. What could possibly harm such a being?

"Oh, this? I accidentally scraped my wrist while rescuing a kitten yesterday afternoon." Zhenbai shook his wrist. "It's nothing, the school doctor said to just put some iodine on it."

Then Mashiro suddenly shoved the strawberry milk into Rukia's arms, "Here, as a thank you gift. Will you go shopping with me?" Rukia took a half step back: "I can buy this myself—"

"Rukia doesn't want to? Hmm~, that really hurts me. I thought we were friends all along." Mashiro tilted her head and leaned closer, and Rukia could even see the crumbs of golden apple candy stuck to the corner of her mouth.

The fluorescent lights between the shelves suddenly flickered, and Rukia gripped the milk carton tightly. *Thud!*

"Two hours." Rukia turned and walked towards the cashier. "I have some things to do in two hours." "Okay~"

The neon lights of the shopping street lit up one after another, and Mashiro pulled Rukia into a Showa-style dessert shop.

The stained glass chandelier cast dappled light on the wooden tabletop. Mashiro, holding a spoonful of matcha parfait, suddenly tapped the rim of her cup with the spoon: "Hey, how are the vacations divided among the captains of the Gotei 13 now? Do they take vacations like this?"

Rukia's hand holding the hot cocoa trembled. She looked down at the swaying reflection in the cup, which showed her Gikai form, not the Shinigami uniform. She really knew a lot, but it seemed like she had been away from Soul Society for quite some time.