XX-level Hokage

On the way there, Ichigo had already seen training equipment along the way, some of which he had seen with the 11th Division, and some he hadn't seen before. Yoruichi explained to him that the 11th Division's training method was also invented by Mashiro, who, before becoming the captain of the 10th Division, had served as...

For a period of time, he served as the captain of the Eleventh Division.

This gave Ichigo a preconceived notion that he was about to undergo military training, something he had experienced before.

What Ichigo didn't expect was that before the military training, Mashiro said she wanted to see his current abilities and strength, and at the time, Ichigo thought it was extremely presumptuous to just let him untie the ropes.

Now, if Ichigo were asked the same question again, he would only have one answer: ... Ouch, that hurts!

It was just one punch, but it really hurt. If crying wasn't so embarrassing, I would have burst into tears. "I've figured out what Ichigo-kun's ability is," Mashiro's voice drifted from the other side.

Looking over there, you can see Mashiro walking towards you with an air of nonchalance, as if she had just done something insignificant.

She said in a clear and calm voice, "After the release, Ichigo, your spiritual pressure will be divided into two parts. One part will change the style of your Shinigami uniform, allowing you to perform super-fast movement and super-fast sword swings for a short period of time."

The other part is condensed into a small-volume Zanpakuto with extremely high spiritual pressure density, capable of unleashing incredibly destructive slashes. Because the Zanpakuto becomes light, thin, and delicate, it doesn't hinder ultra-high-speed movement or ultra-high-speed sword swings.

There seems to be some "disappointment" with Ichigo's abilities, probably because Ichigo's abilities are neither cool nor powerful, neither elemental nor rule-based, and are a bit too simple.

Its abilities are so simple they're almost like those of a lowly henchman you'd see anywhere.

But Zhen Zi wasn't surprised, after all, such simple power is often the most difficult to deal with. Hearing this, he covered his mouth and could only apologize.

Although he also admired those flashy abilities, just like in RPG games, mages are always much cooler than simple warriors.

But he couldn't deny that this was the ability that best suited him. He didn't need to think about too many things; he just needed to keep outputting.

"Not only that, even his Getsuga Tenshou is incredibly crude, and even simple attacks are weak and ineffective." Mashiro changed the subject, directly pointing out Ichigo's fatal weakness.

Protect

Getsuga no Kyuu is a skill that Ichigo learned during a battle.

Getsuga Tenshou is not simply a slash of spiritual pressure, but rather a slash composed of extremely high-density spiritual pressure released from the tip of the blade using one's own spiritual power. In terms of both power and range, it far exceeds that of a normal slash.

At the same time, the closer you are to the target, the greater the power when you hit it.

He could comfort himself that he was just outmatched, but if Mashiro were to deny even his only source of pride – his offensive prowess – then Ichigo would truly have nothing to boast about.

Even a somewhat laid-back young man like Ichigo couldn't help but defend himself.

And...and please, it's really strange! What's with that tone of voice? Why does it sound so impressive?

The tone suggests a deep understanding of the "Crescent Moon Gate" ability!

However, before Ichigo could even take a deep breath and prepare to retort, Mashiro's next words struck a nerve, leaving him speechless for a moment.

"In the end, Ichigo, what are you worried about? Isn't it uncomfortable to step on the gas and brake at the same time?"

Mashiro's words were like an electric shock, piercing Ichigo's body before he could react, reaching the depths of his soul. He had to admit that Mashiro's description was accurate, hitting the nail on the head and addressing the crux of the problem.

Mashiro didn't simply want to teach Ichigo a lesson or give him a hard time. That's why she deliberately fought with Ichigo. She genuinely wanted to understand Ichigo's current situation, and she truly did understand it.

Her purpose, from beginning to end, was solely to understand the essence of Ichigo's power and the fundamental problems in its usage.

Chapter 163: The Essence (Part 2)

That's right, pressing the accelerator and the brake at the same time—this description couldn't be more apt.

Even during battle, Ichigo Kurosaki consciously increased his power little by little, eventually reaching the point of going all out, but to outsiders it might have seemed like he was just doing his best.

However, Ichigo was the only one whose heart he could no longer deceive. He was afraid—afraid of his own power, or more accurately, afraid of something deep within him—that Hollow.

The first time he appeared was when Kisuke Urahara severed his causal chain, helping him regain his Shinigami powers.

Just before he was about to become a Hollow, he finally regained himself. From then on, the Hollow within him was also awakened.

At that time, Ichigo hadn't fully grasped this fact; strange masks would occasionally appear around him, which bothered him greatly. Then, when he defeated Kenpachi Zaraki, and during his battle with Aizen... he finally clearly realized that within his own body...

What exactly exists in one's inner world?

After Rukia Kuchiki was taken away by Yoruichi Shihouin, Byakuya Kuchiki created a barrier to imprison Aizen inside. This also meant that Ichigo could launch a full-scale attack without worrying about affecting Rukia Kuchiki.

However, to their surprise, it wasn't just them who were unleashing their full power; Aizen, far stronger than them, was also there. Aizen defeated all three of them single-handedly, and this happened before Byakuya Kuchiki's barrier shattered.

At that moment, the Hollow suddenly surfaced from the depths of his heart, ignoring his personal will, forcibly taking over his body, and continuously covering his face with the mask during the ongoing battle.

Ichigo had a premonition that something extremely bad would happen once his face was completely covered by the mask. So, before that moment arrived, he used all his strength to regain control of his body and drive away the Hollow.

After that, the mask that would always return to you no matter how you discarded it suddenly disappeared, replaced by a pure white figure deep within your heart—the one inside you.

It kept calling his voice, slowly drawing closer, not in days, but in much shorter times, every minute and every second bringing it ever closer.

It will be closer than before, and the next second will be closer than the last.

That thing is screaming every second, trying to devour Ichigo. Once it completely approaches Ichigo, then... Ichigo will probably disappear... And as a concrete manifestation, the more Ichigo uses his power, the closer that thing gets, and the faster it will devour him.

"Don't look at me like you know everything. It's obvious." The footsteps stopped, and Mashiro stood in front of Ichigo, speaking in her unchanged tone.

Her voice was like an interpretation of the saying "There is nothing new under the sun," conveying a profound wisdom within its ordinariness.

Perhaps it was precisely because of Mashiro's unchanging voice that Ichigo was able to grasp the pulse of reality and find a benchmark.

He suppressed the fear that had been abruptly awakened within him, wiped the sweat from his brow, and stood up, leaning against the wall. He glanced at Yoruichi first, only to find that she had the same expression, one of understanding and silence.

In that instant, Ichigo realized that he truly lacked the talent for lying. Just as Mashiro had said, even though he tried his best to appear normal, he had actually been detected.

Perhaps that's why Yoruichi suggested Ichigo undergo special training, because she also realized the seriousness of the problem. Ichigo pursed his lips and swallowed.

He slowly looked at Mashiro, his mouth slightly open, then quickly closed again. The words he was holding in his mouth were so difficult to say, as if once they were spoken, once they were denied, it would be like having a terminal illness, with no hope left, and all hope would be shattered.

In contrast, keeping it to oneself allows one to retain a sliver of illusory hope.

"If this continues, Ichigo-kun, you should go back. You might no longer be suited to be a Shinigami." Mashiro, meeting Ichigo's gaze, let out a soft sigh, her voice tinged with regret yet unwavering resolve. "Continuing like this is pointless."

Before Ichigo could even hesitate to speak, Mashiro, like the most skilled doctor, had already made her judgment—a cold and direct diagnosis.

It's hopeless, time to prepare a will.

To Ichigo, this was the same conclusion, which backed him into a corner with no way out, forcing him to confront his deepest fears.

"Can...I destroy it?" Ichigo finally uttered the words, and the sound startled even Ichigo himself, making him wonder if it truly came from his own mouth.

The hoarse, dry voice that came out of his mouth was filled with despair and longing.

That's right, that's the real reason why Ichigo was pressing the accelerator and the brake at the same time.

The Hollow was wreaking havoc inside his body, slowly approaching him, intimidating him, trying to control him, and devour him. But he had no confidence whatsoever that he could extinguish the persistent Hollow.

Therefore, Ichigo was terrified. Humans are beings who are afraid of such intangible things.

"Extinguish it?" Mashiro repeated, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. "That's right, destroy it!" Ichigo replied firmly.

"Then..." Mashiro smiled, a silver-white Zanpakuto appearing in her hand, its body shimmering with a cool light. "Choose! Zero White!"

The Zanpakuto, gleaming with silver light, trembled slightly, and a crisp clang of the blade reached Ichigo's ears.

Whether it was an illusion or not, accompanied by the sound of the sword ringing out, I even seemed to see blue ripples spreading in the air beside the Zanpakuto, rippling like water.

"Don't worry, Ichigo-kun, because all you need to do is stand there and not move—" Mashiro took a step forward and walked towards Ichigo, while extending her hand, her index finger pointing straight at Ichigo's forehead.

Ichigo instinctively tried to dodge, but was shocked to find that he had lost control of his body and was unable to move. In that instant, Mashiro's finger landed on Ichigo's brow.

"No Man's Land"

Then, a massive, man-sized, spiraling, blue vortex appeared before Ichigo, constantly collapsing inwards. It resembled a door—yes, it was a door, a door leading directly to Ichigo's inner world.

This is one of the two abilities of Mashiro's Zanpakuto: Zero White and Blue, and No Man's Land.

Ichigo's Inner World: The Never-Ending Gray Rain—

Pat-pat-pat

Heavy rain fell from the sky, covering everything in sight.

Raindrops pounded on hard surfaces, making a sharp, pattering sound. The water didn't even have time to drain away before accumulating on the ground beneath our feet.

The heavy rain completely soaked the entire world and everything in it, as if the end of the world had arrived.

The gray rain also fell on Mashiro, who had just stepped into this world, pattering on her shoulders. Her hair and haori, soaked through in an instant, clung heavily to her body, outlining her graceful figure.

The distant scenery was completely blurred by the drizzling rain and the misty, damp air. The whole world seemed to have sunk to the bottom of the water, filled with a sense of oppression and despair.

However, looking at the buildings that have already disappeared, and the horizontal trees that are about to be submerged, it may not be long before this world is completely submerged.

"What a heavy rain." Mashiro fell, then stepped onto a relatively sturdy platform. After looking closely, she realized that she was on the side of the building, which followed the same rules as the horizontal trees in the distance... no, on the side of this horizontal, sideways world.

Mashiro slowly stood up, observing the world as she murmured softly, "Gray rain, how annoying."

"Right, you think so too, don't you? This annoying downpour just won't stop!" Suddenly, a voice came, echoing Mashiro's thoughts. It was a rather sharp and arrogant voice.

"Because Ichigo, that guy, is always terrified!!" The voice came from behind Mashiro, filled with hysterical mockery. Mashiro couldn't help but turn around and look behind her.

Chapter 164: The Essence (Part 2)

In Ichigo's inner world, at some point, a figure almost identical to him, yet completely different, was also bathed in the torrential rain.

This figure, so pale and serene like a dead man, powerfully proclaimed its unique existence.

Although he looks exactly like Ichigo at first glance, no one would mistake him for the same person.

Her strong personality and existence present two completely different forms from Ichigo's, and can even be said to be the opposite of each other.

If Ichigo is somewhat naive and innocent, yet fearless and courageous in protecting someone, then this guy, who at first glance seems exactly like Ichigo, is the complete opposite—indulgent and arrogant.

He was a being capable of wielding a powerful blade, completely unleashing his instincts, and tearing apart everything in his path.

Perhaps to correspond with this completely opposite nature, the shihaka he wears and the zanpakuto he holds are completely opposite to Ichigo's.

After the flying release, the shiha suit, which was originally a trench coat-style garment, changed from red inside and black outside to black inside and white outside; the Japanese samurai black sword, which also had a shaped handguard and a small iron chain attached to the hilt, also turned into a completely white sword, called white blade.

Not only that, Ichigo's signature orange hair has also turned white.

Ichigo's skin, which was originally of standard Asian descent, also appeared white on him. However, it was not the same as the fair and rosy complexion of a Caucasian. Instead, it was a deathly pale color, exuding an ominous aura.

This white-clad Ichigo seemed weightless, wielding his white blade with a single hand.

Despite the heavy rain, the blade still sparked orange-red flames as it sliced ​​through the ground (wall), a direct manifestation of power and instinct.

"So that's how it is. You're the source of Ichigo's fear?" Mashiro observed him closely, her eyes slightly lowered, as if she already knew something deep within him.

The answer was hidden. A sudden realization flashed through her mind: Is this the thing Aizen created?

"Huh? Isn't it because Ichigo is too weak? If he can't even defeat me, who can he beat? Is fear useful?! If you can't do anything but be afraid, then you can only be called a piece of trash, right?!" The sharp voice mixed with the sound of rain echoed throughout the world, revealing blatant instinct and extreme arrogance between the lines.

"Therefore, I am now in the upper hand, and I will gain more and more share until I completely own it all!! Until the very end, I will be the one who owns it all!!!" A wild smile appeared on Haku Ichigo's face.

The hand not holding the knife reached out towards Mashiro, as if declaring something, or as if trying to grasp something, full of aggression.