XX-level Hokage

Before Ichigo could react, the ancient book suddenly transformed into a streak of light and pierced into his chest. A powerful energy surged within him, the power of the ten fragments perfectly merging with his Shinigami power, Hollow power, and Fullbring energy to form a completely new and unimaginable power. His hair moved without wind, black spiritual pressure swirled around him, and the Hollow mask flashed across his face before quickly disappearing.

"Ichigo!" Urahara and Yoruichi shouted at the same time, trying to get closer, but were repelled by the energy around him.

But at that moment, he suddenly sensed intense spiritual pressure emanating from all parts of the city—the remaining fragments were frantically converging on him. They sensed the presence of the "core host" and wanted to complete the final fusion.

In the distance, countless streaks of light were rapidly approaching, like shooting stars with long trails of light, flying towards the hospital.

"Ichigo, you must control these powers!" Urahara shouted anxiously. "If the remaining fragments are absorbed into your body, even if you have learned to control your consciousness now, you will be devoured by the power!"

Ichigo slowly opened his eyes, golden light shimmering in his black pupils. He felt the surging power within him, felt the call of the fragments, and a determined smile appeared on his lips.

“I will not be devoured.” He opened his arms, not to accept the fusion of the fragments, but to gather the power within his body into his palms, forming a warm golden beam of light. “I will purify them, just as I purified the fragments before.”

The "meteors" drew closer, and the energy fluctuations on the rooftop grew stronger. Ichigo took a deep breath and concentrated all his power in his palm.

He knew this trial was not over yet. But he was no longer confused, no longer afraid.

Because he was Ichigo Kurosaki, a Shinigami trusted by his comrades, someone who could control his own destiny. A golden beam shot into the sky, colliding with the incoming fragments.

The twilight in Karakura Town carries the warmth of early summer, and the setting sun casts long shadows of cherry blossom trees on both sides of the street.

Ichigo sat at the low table, elbows propped on the surface, his fingertips lightly touching the glowing dots on the pages of the book. The touch was cool, like touching a melting snowflake.

It melted into his fingertips in an instant, leaving a faint warmth. He looked up at Kisuke Urahara across from him, who was wearing white gloves and carefully turning the pages of a book, his eyes behind his glasses filled with amazement.

“It’s incredible.” Urahara’s voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing the light and shadow in the pages. “These soul fragments were not only completely purified, but the host’s most precious memories were also sealed inside. Look here—” He pointed to one of the pages, where the light points gathered into an image of a little girl holding a doll. “This is the little girl who was devoured by Shuchun before. She remembers how her mother sewed the doll for her, and even the color of the needle and thread is very clear.”

Ichigo nodded, his fingers still warm from the lingering light.

He sighed softly, a hint of relief in his voice: "Every fragment tells me that what they truly want is not destruction, but to be remembered. Now I seem to understand better why someone would go to such lengths to protect a memory."

Urahara put down the book and tapped the table with his fingertips. "The power of this book is very stable now, but it still needs to be well preserved, after all..." Before he could finish speaking, a series of light footsteps came from outside the window. The rhythm was steady, unlike the chaotic footsteps of ordinary passersby, but rather seemed to be coming with some purpose.

Ichigo tensed instantly, his hand instinctively reaching for his back—where Zangetsu should have been hanging, but it was empty. He then remembered that the battle had ended.

Jianyue was still repairing things in Puyuan's workshop. For the moment, she could only clench her fists and cautiously head towards the stairwell.

"Don't be so tense, Ichigo." A familiar voice came from downstairs, carrying a hint of deliberate ease.

Ginjou Kūgo appeared at the corner of the stairs. He was wearing his usual black coat, his hands in his pockets, and his steps were slow, yet he exuded an invisible sense of pressure. His hair was a little messy than usual, with stray hairs hanging down in front of his forehead, partially obscuring his eyes. Only his lips could be seen, not smiling as usual, but rather taut.

Chapter 307: Prelude

Ichigo paused for a moment, then relaxed his clenched fist: "Ginjo? What are you doing here?"

The gaze was so focused, even a little intense, like a hunter spotting his prey, that Ichigo felt a strange unease rise in his heart. He subconsciously moved closer to the table, blocking Ginjo's view.

“Kurosaki,” Ginjo finally spoke, his voice lower than usual, with a barely perceptible urgency in the last syllable, “that book… could I borrow it?” Ichigo hesitated for a moment, glancing at Urahara. The other raised an eyebrow, not objecting, but quietly placing his hand on the Benihime hilt at his waist.

He leaped backward, his toes barely touching the floor, retreating to the doorway of the Japanese-style room, his back pressed against the doorframe, forming a superior position. The change happened in an instant; Ichigo was still in the posture of handing over the book, his face full of confusion.

Urahara reacted even faster. Benihime was instantly drawn, the blade gleaming coldly. He flashed forward, blocking Ichigo's path, his tone turning icy: "Ginjou Kugo, what are you doing?"

He rubbed his cheek against the book cover as if he were caressing a rare treasure, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Finally... finally, this moment has come!"

A shocking scene unfolded—the pages that had been glowing white suddenly began to fade, and black lines spread out from the spine like vines, quickly covering most of the pages. Even the memory images embedded in the light spots began to distort and become blurry black shadows.

"How is this possible!" Ichigo's eyes widened in disbelief, his knuckles white from rubbing his fists together. "I clearly used Zangetsu to purify all my obsessions, how could you..."

"That good-for-nothing Xin, all he thinks about is a perfect world," wasting such a valuable resource; while I... he paused, his eyes growing even more fervent, "I know what it's truly meant to be used for."

The sound of shelves collapsing came from the first floor of the store. The barrier that was originally used to shield spiritual pressure began to crack, making a "crackling" sound, as if it would shatter at any moment.

The air in the Japanese-style room became heavy, making one's chest feel suffocated. Even the sunset outside the window seemed to be dyed dark red. The pedestrians on the street had disappeared at some point, leaving only an empty road.

As Ichigo looked at Ginjo, his heart sank. He recalled the scene when Ginjo guided him to master the Fullbring technique, the seriousness with which Ginjo said that "Fullbringers must protect what they cherish," and the tacit understanding between them when they fought back-to-back against Tsukishima—those images now pierced his heart like needles, making his throat tighten.

“A container?” Ichigo finally understood, his voice filled with disbelief and disappointment. “You’ve been using us from the very beginning? Using XCUTION to use me?”

Only it can free me from all constraints and make me a true powerhouse!

The ancient book seemed to come alive; its pages began to shrink, transforming into a dark red light that seeped into his body through his chest.

Yincheng let out a painful roar, his body trembling violently. Black lines crawled up his neck and cheeks, and the irises of his eyes turned pure black, leaving only a sliver of scarlet light in his pupils.

But his face was full of satisfaction, as if he was enjoying the pleasure brought by extreme pain.

"Tsukishima wants to create a new world? How laughable!" Ginjo's voice became hoarse, with an inhuman depth. "And I... will become the god of the new world!"

"boom-!"

A powerful spiritual pressure erupted from Ginjo, like a sudden hurricane.

The roof of the second-floor Japanese-style room in Urahara's shop was instantly blown off, and wooden beams and tiles fell down. Urahara instinctively tackled Ichigo to the ground and shielded him with his body.

The blade of the Crimson Princess let out a mournful cry, the barrier shattered completely, and spiritual pressure surged into the entire street like a tidal wave. Cherry blossom trees along the roadside were snapped in half, and glass shop windows shattered one after another, making a piercing sound.

"Stop him!" Urahara propped himself up, the blade of Benihime glowing red. He was about to rush forward when Ginjo simply raised his hand and swung a dark red stream of energy like a whip, striking Urahara hard in the chest.

Urahara groaned, his body flying out like a kite with a broken string, crashing into the opposite wall, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Ichigo suddenly stood up, and the Shinigami power, Hollow power, Fullbring, and human will within his body began to operate wildly, with black spiritual pressure swirling around him.

But just as he was about to take a step, Ginjo gave him a cold, wary look—and with that one look, the power within Ichigo suddenly felt as if it had been choked, instantly becoming chaotic. The power of the Shinigami and the power of the Hollows clashed in his meridians, causing him to bend over in pain and cough violently, clutching his chest.

Chapter 308: The Attack

"It's useless, Kurosaki." Ginjo slowly raised his hand, dark red mist condensing into a black sphere in his palm. "The Fullbring you're using now was taught to me. I know every technique, every rhythm of power bursts; your Shinigami power is merely the remnant soul inherited from Rukia Kuchiki, not truly powerful; as for that bit of Hollow power and human will..."

With a flick of his finger, Ichigo suddenly felt an invisible force grip his throat, pulling him uncontrollably toward Ginjo. Ichigo's feet left the ground, his hands gripping his neck tightly, his face flushed red, and his vision blurring.

"In the face of absolute laws, they are utterly insignificant." Yin Cheng's voice was as cold as ice, and the black sphere in his palm grew larger and larger, within which one could vaguely see countless twisted souls struggling.

At this critical moment, the store door was suddenly kicked open, accompanied by Liluka's scream: "Silver City! What are you doing?!"

Ichigo struggled to open his eyes and saw the members of XCUTION rush in: Liluka was holding her doll, her face full of shock and anger; Jekyll clenched her fists, her nails almost digging into her palms; Sakizawa's pocket watch eyes spun wildly, the hands on the dial spinning erratically, making a "click-click" sound; Yukio was holding a handheld console, her fingers rapidly tapping on the buttons, the screen full of red warning symbols.

They had received a message from Ginjo to discuss the follow-up plans, but as soon as they arrived at the store, they felt the terrifying spiritual pressure. When they rushed in, they saw Ginjo choking Ichigo.

"Silver City, have you gone mad?" Jieqi's voice trembled, filled with disappointment. "We formed XCUTION to prevent Fullbringers from being ostracized, to protect the people we care about! What you're doing now, how is it any different from those who hurt us?"

Yukio's handheld console screen suddenly lit up, and red text scrolled across the screen: "Reality structure has been detected being rewritten! Cracks have begun to appear in the space of Karakura Town. If this continues, the entire city will be drawn into the distorted space! We must stop it immediately!"

Yincheng turned to look at them, a twisted smile on his face. Black markings writhed on his cheeks, appearing particularly strained. "Perfect timing, my companions." He released his grip on Ichigo's throat, and Ichigo slammed to the ground, clutching his neck and gasping for breath. "Witness," he said, "that I will create a completely new world where we Fullbringers will never have to bow our heads again, never have to fear anyone!"

But instead of cheering as he expected, the members of XCUTION all took a step back.

Liruka hugged the doll, her eyes reddening: "The new world you're talking about, is it about sacrificing so many people? Is it about using Ichigo as a vessel? I don't want a world like that!"

"It seems you've chosen the wrong path." Yin Cheng's smile vanished, his eyes turning icy. "Since you're unwilling to follow me, then become..."

Let's be the first batch of observations in the new world.

He raised his hand and waved, sending four dark red streams of energy entangling Liluka and her companions. Unable to dodge, the four were tightly bound by the energy and slammed to the ground.

The airflow tightened, and Liluka groaned in pain as the doll fell from her arms; Jieqi gritted her teeth, trying to break free, but the airflow tightened even more, and blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

Taking advantage of Ginjo's momentary distraction, Ichigo struggled to his feet.

Zangetsu appeared in his hand without him noticing—Urahara had tossed the sword to him with his spiritual pressure when Ginjo wasn't paying attention. He gripped the hilt tightly, and black spiritual pressure condensed around him again. This time, he didn't let the power become chaotic. Instead, he gradually fused the power of the Shinigami, the power of the Hollow, the Fullbring, and the human will, allowing them to form a stable cycle within his body.

“Ginjo!” Ichigo’s voice was filled with deep disappointment, and Zangetsu’s blade gleamed with black light. “You said before that Fullbringers should protect their comrades and the things they cherish—is this what you call protection? Treating your comrades as sacrifices and those who trust you as tools?”

Yincheng turned to look at him, his eyes filled with contempt: "Acting on emotions will only hinder evolution, Kurosaki. Look at me now—" He spread his arms, and dark red mist condensed behind him into a huge shadow, like a demon with outstretched wings, "I no longer need to rely on anyone's understanding, I no longer need to worry about weak companions, I possess the power to control everything! This is true freedom!"

Their lights collided in mid-air, shattering the tacit understanding they once shared in battle and the bond they once had as master and disciple.

Ichigo gripped Zangetsu tightly, took a step forward, and a vortex of black spiritual pressure formed beneath his feet: "I misjudged you, Ginjo. You are more pathetic than Tsukishima—at least he is still fighting for his ideals, even if he is going in the wrong direction; while you are just running away from your weakness, using power to cover up the fear in your heart."

"Shut up!" These words seemed to strike a nerve with Yin Cheng, his expression instantly contorting, and dark red mist surging wildly. "What do you know? You..."

You had family, friends, Rukia Kuchiki, and Urahara to help you! And me? From birth, I've been treated like a monster, hunted, and abandoned! I only have power; only power can keep me alive!

He roared, and the black ball in his palm suddenly shot towards Ichigo.

The black sphere exploded in mid-air, transforming into countless dark red light blades that rained down like a storm.

Ichigo did not back down. He completely fused the four powers, and the black spiritual pressure enveloped the moon. He swung his sword fiercely, and a huge black slash broke through the air, cleaving the light blades in two. The aftershock hit the shadow behind Ginjo, making a loud "boom".

Enraged, Ginjo launched a frenzied attack: crimson light blades, black air currents, and distorted spatial rifts... Each attack carried an aura of destruction, utterly annihilating Urahara Store, sending rubble and wood chips flying everywhere.

Despite his injuries, Urahara used Benihime to set up a temporary barrier around Karakura Town to prevent the aftershocks of the battle from affecting innocent people; the four members of XCUTION were struggling to break free of their restraints, wanting to help Ichigo.

Silver City's aura grew stronger, the black markings around him became denser, and a massive energy vortex began to appear in the sky above Karakura Town, turning the clouds dark.

Red, the buildings on the street began to distort, as if they had been put into a funhouse mirror. Some houses collapsed and then reassembled, and doors and windows that did not belong here suddenly appeared on some walls. The whole city was collapsing in a chaotic direction.

The blade of Zangetsu has also changed; tiny specks of light seep from its black body, like stars embedded in it.

The vortex expanded instantly, and the entire reality structure of Karakura Town began to collapse violently. People's memories became chaotic: some people forgot their own names, some mistook strangers for family members, and some stood still, not knowing what to do.

"Since you all want to stop me," Ginjo's expression was crazed and resolute, his voice echoing throughout Karakura Town, "then let everyone witness the birth of a new world! Let everyone witness the birth of a new world!"

A massive energy vortex appeared in the sky, and the structure of reality began to collapse.

Buildings collapsed and reassembled like building blocks, and people's memories and existence began to become chaotic.

Looking at the apocalyptic scene, Ichigo knew he had to make a decision. He took a deep breath and focused all his power into Zangetsu. "Ginjo, this is the last time I'll call you 'teacher.'"

A dark golden light shone around Ichigo. This time, the four powers were no longer merely fused, but sublimated into a completely new form of existence. "Let me teach you what true power is."

Chapter 309: Ichigo VS Ginjo (Part 1)

The afternoon in Karakura Town, which should have been a leisurely time filled with the chirping of cicadas, was now completely swallowed up by an energy vortex that was tearing the sky apart.

The vortex resembled a giant, vertical pupil that had been opened silently, with dark golden patterns flowing around its edges. Each contraction caused the surrounding space to distort like ripples on water—first, the vending machine on the street corner vanished into thin air, then the convenience store sign turned into unfamiliar characters, and finally even the faces of pedestrians began to blur, as if they were sketches randomly smeared by an eraser.

"Look! My hand... My hand is turning transparent!" A mother raised her wrist in horror, watching the lines on her palm gradually fade as if they were being washed away. The child in her arms cried out, "Mommy doesn't recognize me anymore!" Meanwhile, her own memory was rapidly shifting. The home address that was clear just a second ago had now become a completely unfamiliar street name.

In mid-air, Ginjo Kugo hovered directly below the vortex, dark golden energy wrapping around him like tangible silk. He looked down at the chaotic city, a near-mad smile playing on his lips.

Ichigo gripped Zangetsu tightly, the warmth from the hilt helping him to keep his composure.

Just minutes ago, the four powers within his body were still restless due to the pressure of the energy vortex, but now they spontaneously merged in the face of adversity: the Shinigami's spiritual pressure was no longer sharp, the Hollow's black cavity was no longer cold, the Fullbring's manipulation of matter was no longer limited to "contact," and the human will was no longer fragile—they flowed like streams into the sea, eventually condensing into an indescribable energy form. A pale golden halo surrounded him, neither ostentatious nor oppressive, yet it quietly calmed the distorted space around him.

“Ginjo, you don’t understand at all.” Ichigo raised his head, his gaze piercing through the energy turbulence and locking onto the other person. His voice was calm but carried an undeniable power. “You can indeed rewrite the appearance of the streets and alter people’s memories, but you cannot change the deepest things in people’s hearts—a mother’s concern for her child, a promise between friends. These are not words you write, and they cannot be erased.”

Before he could finish speaking, Ichigo leaped into the air, his Zangetsu drawing a straight arc.

There was no dazzling spiritual pressure burst, no earth-shattering roar. This strike seemed as ordinary as daily practice, but when it touched the dark golden energy released by Ginjo, it instantly restored the distorted space: the vanished vending machine reappeared on the street corner, the unfamiliar sign turned back into the familiar "7-11", the mother looked at the clear lines on her palm, hugged her child and burst into tears.

“Because I’ve seen the essence of this book.” As Ichigo landed, the floor tiles beneath his feet no longer cracked from the energy impact. “Before you got the complete book, I touched its fragments. It was never the creator of the laws, but merely a mirror of wishes—it reflects whatever you think. And what you’re doing now is forcibly stuffing your own wishes into someone else’s heart.”

Yincheng's face instantly darkened, and his dark golden energy surged: "Stop talking big! You have no idea what I've been through!" He waved his hand and unleashed an energy wave, instantly cracking the ground and sending deep trenches splitting open. The buildings on both sides were like clay being kneaded by an invisible hand, pressing towards Ichigo.

Ichigo dodged to the side, and Zangetsu lightly tapped the wall, instantly restoring the deformed wall to its original shape. "I don't know your past, but I know what you're doing now—you're making more people experience the pain you once suffered."

In the scene, young Ginjo hides in the closet, watching through the crack as the Void's claws pierce his mother's body, and blood splatters on the floor, becoming a color he will never forget.