>>3302386
“So, what now?”

Rukia's question snaps your focus back to the here and now... you honestly hadn't thought this far ahead, and nobody who actually knows you would have expected anything different. Your initial objective is complete: your mother and Ishida's are safe, most of your friends are here. Even your family and friends who remained in Karakura are safely tucked away somewhere, all according to the shinigami's plans.

“We could wait it out here,” you offer. “Give the Gotei 13 time to do their part of the job.”

“No can do,” Renji insists.

“I hate to agree, but I do,” Rukia agrees immediately. “We're officers of the Gotei 13. We have obligations that come with that, and they don't end just because we helped take out a few of the enemy's rear echelon.”

“We also have to consider what to do with him,” your mother points out.

“Him?” Renji repeats.

“It's... complicated,” you sigh. “Like, really complicated.”

“How complicated?” Rukia presses.

“Like Aunt Riku seems to understand what happened,” you explain, “but that's about it.”

“Ah,” Rukia nods. “That gives some clear context.”

It's a good question though. What should be done about Aaroniero, an arrancar who wears the face of a deceased shinigami? How would the Gotei 13 respond to such a thing? You know that even Riku seemed to have her own reservations about it, and she's by far the most open-minded of the Captains you've met to the point that you actually think it drives her comrades a little crazy.

Then again she always seemed to have the 'long game' in mind, even creating a force of arrancar of her own capable of facing the ones created by Aizen. If the woman who's grown used to playing the game a century ahead seems to be keeping an open mind, isn't that an argument in favor of taking the same approach?

>Call Aaroniero in, see what Renji and Rukia make of him and take their thoughts into consideration.
>Suggest that Aaroniero should remain here until Riku can go to bat for him. This is above your pay grade.
>Suggest that Aaroniero could be of some help to the Gotei 13, and that another arrancar should meet with him.
>Other?

>Suggest that Aaroniero could be of some help to the Gotei 13, and that another arrancar should meet with him.

>>3302395
>Call Aaroniero in, see what Renji and Rukia make of him and take their thoughts into consideration

Good first indicator of what other officers might think

>>3302395
>>Call Aaroniero in, see what Renji and Rukia make of him and take their thoughts into consideration.

>>3302395
>Call Aaroniero in, see what Renji and Rukia make of him and take their thoughts into consideration.

>>3302395
>>Suggest that Aaroniero could be of some help to the Gotei 13, and that another arrancar should meet with him.

>>3302395
>Call Aaroniero in, see what Renji and Rukia make of him and take their thoughts into consideration.
Rukia’s reaction will be... interesting to say the least.

>>3302395
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 9, 6, 2 = 17 (3d10)

>>3305137

Rolled 3, 3, 3 = 9 (3d10)

>>3305137

Rolled 4, 2, 3 = 9 (3d10)

>>3305137

>>3305137
“Mom?” you ask quietly. “You mind bringing him in?”

Your mother gives you an appraising look, then glances at Renji and Rukia. “If you think that's best.”

You nod once. “It's gonna come out eventually. I don't wanna be the guy who tried to keep it a secret.”

“I get it,” your mother agrees. “I'll be back in a minute or two.”

“You... might wanna preface this.”

You cough nervously into your fist for a moment. “Well, so here's the thing. We ran into an arrancar.”

“You're talking about that Aaroniero guy?” Renji asks in shock.

“You just now figured that out?” you ask incredulously.

“Who's Aaroniero?” Rukia asks you.

“The arrancar we ran into,” you begin to explain. “He... has a face you'll probably recognize.”

“What the hell does that mean?' Rukia demands. “Ichigo, knock off being so cryptic about it.”

You're about to explain in detail when your mother returns with Aaroniero, and Rukia's eyes immediately widen in recognition... damn. You shouldn't have taken so long to get to the point.

“Maki?” Rukia asks, clearly too shocked to say anything beyond that.

Aaroniero shakes his head. “Kuchiki Rukia... sorry. But I'm not Ichinose Maki, not really.”

“Then... how?”

Aaroniero sighs. “I am Aaroniero Arruruerie, an arrancar made by Aizen Sōsuke.”

Almost predictably, Rukia's sword sweeps out of its sheath and clashes against Aaroniero's. The expression on her face is entirely wilder than you've ever seen it, desperate and angry and bitter.

“Then how do you have his face?” she demands. “How do you have his sword?”

“The hollow that became me had the ability to steal memories, fragments of a victim's soul,” Aaroniero replies, holding a close bind between their swords. “Ichinose Maki is dead, killed by that hollow.”
>1/2

>>3305378
“Does the Captain know about this?” she presses, still leveraging her blade against Aaroniero's.

“She does,” you tell her. “Renji, you explain it.”

“Why me?” he protests.

“Because you know more about zanpakuto than I do!” you shout. “Come on, I know you're an idiot sometimes but this is too much!”

“What did you say?” Renji demands.

“Maybe coming on too strong there, Ichigo,” your mother sighs.

“This is getting dumb,” Tatsuki grumbles, walking over to the two fighters whose blades are still locked together. “Both of you take two steps back, or I deck you both.”

To your surprise, after a brief moment of eye contact, they do as Tatsuki demanded.

“Now, pineapple? Explain what Kusajishi did.”

Renji stares at her. “You talking to me?”

“Anyone else here have hair like a red pineapple?” she frowns.

Renji glances at you and you simply shrug. So he clears his throat. “Anyway, Captain Kusajishi apparently talked to Nijigasume. No idea what she said though, she went apeshit on this quincy a few seconds afterwards and they never came back to it.”

“So what did she decide?” Rukia presses.

>She ran off afterwards, probably to beat the crap out of someone. Don't ask me what she was thinking.
>She DID seem cautiously optimistic? It's not like she had much time to make a decision.
>Until she gets back, maybe Aaroniero should speak with the other arrancars like Halibel or Apacci.
>Other?

>>3305392
>>She DID seem cautiously optimistic? It's not like she had much time to make a decision.

>>3305392
>She DID seem cautiously optimistic? It's not like she had much time to make a decision.

>>3305392
>>She DID seem cautiously optimistic? It's not like she had much time to make a decision.

>>3305392
>She ran off afterwards, probably to beat the crap out of someone. Don't ask me what she was thinking.
>She DID seem cautiously optimistic? It's not like she had much time to make a decision

>>3305392
>She ran off afterwards, probably to beat the crap out of someone. Don't ask me what she was thinking.
>You know my aunt longer than I do, what would Mrs. Kusajishi do next in a situation like this when shit like this goes south?

>>3305392
>>She DID seem cautiously optimistic? It's not like she had much time to make a decision.

>>3305392
>She DID seem cautiously optimistic? It's not like she had much time to make a decision.
>Other?
Tell us about yourself Aaroniero. How'd you come about to be...you? Does this mean you have the conscious collective memories and knowledge of all the souls you're made of?

>>3305392
>Until she gets back, maybe Aaroniero should speak with the other arrancars like Halibel or Apacci.

>>3305392
“She seemed open-minded about it,” you shrug, “but it's not like she had a long time to make a decision. She immediately ran off to beat someone else up.”

“And you expect us to accept that?” Rukia demands.

Aaroniero shakes his head. “I don't expect anything. I'd like a chance at something other than what Aizen had planned for me, but I don't expect you to give it to me. I'd like for the Captain I remember respecting to simply approve of my existence but I don't expect her to when I have the face of a dead man.”

Rukia narrows her gaze, like a poker player watching for tells. “Can you use Nijigasume?”

“I can,” Aaroniero replies carefully, “but Aizen Sōsuke has a perverted sense of humor. My body is weakened by intense light, so using Nijigasume harms me as well.”

“I see,” Rukia nods, shutting her eyes. “I suppose that does give you a reason to fight against him.”

“Make no mistake, I fought for my own freedom,” Aaroniero admits. “Not out of any sense of duty borrowed from Ichinose. However... seeing Captain Kusajishi again did feel unexpectedly emotional.”

“Emotional in what way?” Rukia presses... you've never heard her speak like this, aggressively questioning on every point.

“... nostalgic,” Aaroniero explains after giving it a few seconds of thought. “Like I found something I wasn't even aware of having lost.”

Rukia eventually nods once. “Then I'll take you to speak with miss Halibel. She'll make a decision, at least until Captain Kusajishi returns.”

Aaroniero sighs. “Right. That's completely reasonable.”

“You've grown a bit harder from the young woman Ichinose knew, Kuchiki Rukia.”

“So, we're going to the living world now?” Renji grumbles. “If all that heavy shit's taken care of?”

>Just the four of us. You, me, Rukia, and Aaroniero.
>We'll all go together.
>You and me go first, with my mom. Rukia, you stay here with everyone else until you hear from us.
>Other?

>>3307598
>We'll all go together.

>>3307598
>We'll all go together.

>>3307598
>>We'll all go together.

>>3307598
>>We'll all go together.

>>3307598
>We'll all go together.

>>3307598
>>We'll all go together.

>>3307598
“We'll go through together,” you declare. “No one gets left behind.”

“Isn't that a risk?” Ishida asks quietly.

“Even if it is we'll be better off dealing with it together,” you shrug. “At least that's the way I'm looking at it.”

“Karakura's also our home too,” Tatsuki points out. “We all have a responsibility.”

That's also true of course, though you weren't about to say it aloud. It's difficult to admit but you understand how Tatsuki feels because it's exactly how you've always felt in situations like this. You felt obliged to save Rukia's life, so you led a desperate invasion of the Soul Society. You felt an obligation towards your mother... if loving your family can be described as an 'obligation' that is... and so you led a desperate invasion of the Schaterberich. Schattenbirikt? Shittybrick. You invaded the Shittybrick.

You're still not a particularly good quincy.

If anyone were to tell you that you couldn't join them on those misadventures you wouldn't have taken that sitting down. You'd have followed along even if you had to do so on your own.

“Tatsuki's spoken,” you shrug. “She's gonna find a way to pick a fight regardless, so we might as well all go together.”

“Damn straight!” Tatsuki nods confidently. “As if I'd let you jerks leave me behind.”

“So let's get a move on, Ishida,” you suggest.

Ishida sighs, adjusting his glasses. “Alright, I understand.”

“I'll help,” your mother sighs, clearly drawing reishi from the ground around her feet. “It's been a while, but I'm still one of this generation's 'Sternritter' after all.”

Between the two of them they open a portal again, connecting this realm to the living world. It seems to go a lot more easily with your mother's help... you guess you knew that she was supposedly experienced, but you never really understood the difference in skill between her and Ishida.

You wonder how skilled your dad actually is.

When you arrive in the living world, the scene is unexpectedly chaotic. Dense reiatsu clings to the battlefield like a choking invisible smoke, strong enough that Chad even staggers a little bit. The smell of actual smoke and pulverized clouds of concrete dust lingers here as well, with entire city blocks having been reduced to nothing.

>Look for Head Captain Kyōraku.
>Look for Byakuya or Captain Shiba.
>Look for Halibel or Apacci.
>Other?

>>3310056
>>Look for Halibel or Apacci.

>>3310056
>>Look for Halibel or Apacci.

>>3310056
>Look for Halibel or Apacci.

>>3310056
>Look for Halibel or Apacci.

>>3310056
>>Look for Halibel or Apacci.

>>3310056
oh man... all that reiatsu...
won't that massively boost a quincy's abilities?

>>3310056
> Head for Halibel or Apacci.
Nothing against the Captains, but they all have targets on their backs, and the group is too worn out for another pitched battle. Need time to rest and regroup.

>>3310240
Maybe? Got to remember that there might also be a whole lot of Hollow essence mixed in with that.

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>>3310056
You immediately sense for arrancar reiatsu, and follow the strongest one that you can sense straight to Halibel. The dusky-skinned arrancar recognizes you on sight, and waves off a shinigami wearing the relief Division uniform as you approach.

“I see you succeeded, Kurosaki Ichigo.”

Looking at her, it's clear she's just as battered as all of your friends are despite refusing to show it. There are several wounds on her body that haven't even fully closed yet, but are in the process of healing... even if she's not capable of rapid regeneration she's still a hollow.

“Yeah,” you nod, rubbing the back of your neck. “We're all banged up but we didn't lose anyone. Where's Aizen? What's been going on here?”

“Aizen left,” Halibel sighs. “His abilities exceeded our expectations.”

“So he's in the Soul Society?” you demand, clenching your fists. “I need to...”

“.. calm down,” Halibel interrupts. “We planned for this possibility.”

“How bad were the casualties?” Rukia asks.

“The only Captain who escaped significant injury was Captain Shiba,” Halibel informs you. “Komamura and Zaraki are unable to move.”

“And the Head Captain?” she demands.

“Dragged a Sternritter off into the Dangai,” Halibel shakes her head, before glancing away. “We have not heard from him since.”

“What can we do to help?” your mom asks quietly.

“You are Kurosaki Masaki,” Halibel realizes. “You are an able healer?”

Your mom nods. “When I have to be.”

“Then that is what we need,” Halibel nods, before turning her gaze to Aaroniero. “Who is this?”

Before you can say anything, Aaroniero replies on his own. “Aaroniero, a former Espada.”

“I guessed the latter,” Halibel tells him sternly. “Why are you here?”

“Kurosaki brought me here,” he admits. “Said you could make a decision about what to do with me until Captain Kusajishi returns.”

After a few moments, Halibel nods. “I will have you explain a few things to me then.”

“Kurosaki Ichigo, someone is here who would speak with you.”
>1/2

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>>3310336
“Who...”

Before you know what's happening a foot collides with the side of your head.

“What the hell are you doing, standing around catching flies with your mouth? No son of mine would be caught dead with such a blank look on his face!”

Completely shocked, you look up from the ground to see your dad in a shihakusho, with a white haori thrown over his shoulder and a sword at his waist.

“Dad!?” you sputter. “The hell is this?”

“I got bored,” he admits, scratching at his ear distractedly as he accounts for himself, “so I decided to swing by and see how Kaoru was doing. Then you turn up.”

“Hi, darling,” your mom pecks your father on his cheek. “I'm going to go start healing people.”

“Yeah, we'll trade places,” he shrugs. “I'll deal with the boy and come back to help you in a bit.”

“Yuzu and Karin okay?” mom asks.

Dad shrugs. “Both asleep, I left 'em with Kūkaku in the real Karakura town. So if they're not okay, we're all screwed anyway.”

“Ah, thought I felt something off about this place,” your mom sighs. “See you in a bit.”

Finally, your dad turns back to you. “So, you ready to start taking this seriously?”

“What?” you ask, not following his meaning.

“I mean, you wanna fight Aizen or not?”

>Yes, definitely.
>What, you mean like alone?
>No? Not really?
>Other?

>>3310343

>What, you mean like alone?

>>3310343
>>What, you mean like alone?

>>3310343
>>Yes, definitely.

>>3310343
>What, you mean like alone?

>>3310343
>He needs to be stopped, but if he’s beyond everyone here I doubt I could do it alone.

>>3310343
>What, you mean like alone?

>>3310343
>Yes, definitely.

>>3310343
>>What, you mean like alone?

>>3310343
“What, you mean like alone?” you ask incredulously.

Your father flicks your forehead hard enough to put you back on your heels in response to your surprise. “Hell no! There'll be at least five Captains waiting for Aizen when he gets to the Soul Society including Yoruichi and Riku.”

“But as you are, you're not gonna be able to help them much. So unless you get your act together damn quick I'm not gonna be able to let you go.”

“Even Kisuke's training method took days to pull off,” you sigh. “What're we supposed to do in ten minutes?”

“For someone in my position there are ways,” your dad shrugs. “You interested or not?”

“Definitely,” you nod. “What's the plan?”

“The plan is to get into the Dangai and do exactly what it was designed to prevent people from doing. I think the situation makes it excusable.”

“Which is?” you press as your father draws his zanpakuto and seemingly inserts it like a key into a shimmering patch of nothing in particular in front of him.

“You'll see,” he insists as a Senkaimon opens in front of him. “Let's go. We'll use the Kuchiki family's gate, they're not supposed to have it anyway.”

You cast a glance over your shoulder at Tatsuki, which your dad notices.

“What?” he grunts.

>Nothing, let's go.
>Tatsuki should come with us.
>Other?

>>3314537
>Tatsuki should come with us.

>>3314537
>Tatsuki should come with us.

>>3314537
>Tatsuki should come with us.

>>3314537
>>Tatsuki should come with us.

>>3314537
>Tatsuki should come with us.
She deserves better then what happened in canon

>>3314537
>Tatsuki should come with us.

>>3314537
>>Tatsuki should come with us.
I refuse to disrespect Tatsuki's efforts throughout the quest.

>>3314537
>>Tatsuki should come with us.

>>3314537
>Tatsuki should come with us.

>>3314537
>Tatsuki should come with us.

>>3314537
“Tatsuki's coming with us,” you decide aloud.

“I don't wanna be...” she begins, before you quickly interrupt her.

“Yeah you do,” you frown. “And we both know it. So don't bother trying to lie, you're not very good at it.”

After a moment, Tatsuki sighs dramatically. “If you don't mind, Mr. Kurosaki, could I tag along?”

“I see no reason why not,” your dad shrugs. “Just don't expect a conversation.”

You soon find yourself within the familiar tunnels of the Dangai, where your dad quickly takes a knee to examine the floor.

“What's up?” you ask.

“Something's wrong,” he frowns. “The sweeper's not here... but that works out in our favor.”

He draws something from his shihakusho. “I had Tessai whip these up for me on short notice, just for the occasion. Now I'm glad I did.”

His hands move swiftly, and a series of handles are abruptly stuck out of the walls. Each is connected to a cord, with two tied to each of your dad's wrists.

“These are called Kaikyō Kotei,” he explains. “They're designed to stop the flow of the Kōryū, at least for a little while. Normally it takes dozens of shinigami to do this, but for a Captain... I can hold out for a good long while.”

“How long?” Tatsuki asks.

Your dad quickly counts using his fingers, though it looks a little more like he's wiggling them randomly. “Three months?”

It takes a few seconds for you to respond. “Dad, you know what the problem with that is, right?”

“I know what you're thinking,” he grumbles. “Time doesn't pass normally in the Dangai, so I can get you through the other side in good time. That's why we're not supposed to do this, messing around with time normally causes more problems than it solves.”

“But this time, it's worth the risk.”

>Tatsuki, spar with me.
>So I guess... I'm supposed to meditate?
>So... what happens next?
>Other?

>>3317804
>>So... what happens next?

>>3317804
>So I guess... I'm supposed to meditate?

>>3317804
>>So I guess... I'm supposed to meditate?

>>3317804
>>So I guess... I'm supposed to meditate?

>>3317804
>So... what happens next?

>>3317804
>So... what happens next?

>>3317804
>So... what happens next?

>>3317804
>>Tatsuki, spar with me.
So what I'm hearing is team battles in the vein of what Riku and Yoruichi are capable of. Not to the same degree obviously since they only have 3 months instead of centuries. But same principle.

>>3317804
“So what happens next?” you ask, honestly not quite sure what your dad expects you to do now. “It's not like you can train with me with your hands tied up like that.”

“I guess we can fight each other?” Tatsuki wonders aloud.

“Is your shikai even any good for that?” you frown.

Tatsuki shakes her head. “I'd be getting a lot more out of it than you I think.”

“The best way I can think of to do this is to use Jinzen,” your dad admits, taking a seat on the ground. “Ichigo, you're definitely at the point where you can make use of training like that. Tatsuki, I'm not as sure... you've come a long way far quicker than any shinigami I know of, maybe thanks to who it was that gave you your powers in the first place.”

“I have no idea how it works,” Tatsuki shrugs.

“Ichigo's development would've been slower since it was Kuchiki who first awakened his latent abilities,” your dad guesses. “It's because she didn't have Bankai at the time. When Riku did something similar for you she had Bankai and something equal to that for her hollow powers, so the result might've been different.”

“So you think this is the best plan for both of us?” you ask warily.

Your dad nods. “I do, yeah. I assume you know how to do it without me teaching you?”
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 7, 7, 7 = 21 (3d10)

>>3320477

Rolled 2, 1, 5 = 8 (3d10)

>>3320477

Rolled 6, 10, 6 = 22 (3d10)

>>3320477

Rolled 1, 2, 7 = 10 (3d10)

>>3320477

Rolled 7, 9, 7 = 23 (3d10)

>>3320477

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>>3320481
Jackpot!

>>3320477
“... and then there's this asshole!” White Zangetsu shouts as you enter your own inner world.

“Am I interrupting?” you sigh. “Like watching a married couple squabble. You two are awful.”

“You wanna go, asshole?” White Zangetsu demands.

Old Zangetsu shakes his head. “This brings us back to my original point.”

“You don't have a point!” White Zangetsu shouts, turning back towards your other source of power. “You're totally pointless!”

“I see what you did there.”

“That wasn't a fucking joke!”

“No, because you're the only punchline I see around here.”

“Fuck, do you wanna go old man?”

“Alright, forget this,” you grumble, releasing your full reiatsu. “Listen up, both of you!”

The two Zangetsus pause, and White stares at you with a narrowed gaze. “You have my attention.”

“I'm here to fight,” you admit. “That's just how I learn, so yeah White. I guess I do wanna go, assuming you're not just talk.”

“Just for that, I'm gonna kick your ass!” White grins, punching his fist into his hand.

>We'll take turns, then. We've got three months, we'll all get our shots at each other.
>Free for all, may the best man win. No holds barred.
>You guys name the terms. I'll win whatever they may be... because I HAVE to.
>Other?

>>3320555
>>Free for all, may the best man win. No holds barred.

>>3320555
>>You guys name the terms. I'll win whatever they may be... because I HAVE to.

>>3320555
>You guys name the terms. I'll win whatever they may be... because I HAVE to.

>>3320555
>You guys name the terms. I'll win whatever they may be... because I HAVE to.

>>3320555
>You guys name the terms. I'll win whatever they may be... because I HAVE to.

>>3320555
>>We'll take turns, then. We've got three months, we'll all get our shots at each other.

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>>3320555
“Name the terms,” you sigh, crossing your arms impatiently. “Whatever nonsense you insist on I'll be sure to win... because it's not like I have an alternative. I have to win.”

“Well now, sounds like the brat finally learned how to talk big,” White's grin fades, no longer mocking you just by existing. “Like a little baby bird, finally ready to leave the nest.”

“What kind of bird?” Old Zangetsu presses.

“Wha- I don't know!” White shouts. “Any kind of bird, what does it matter!?”

“There are many kinds of birds in the world,” Old Zangetsu explains patiently. “From magnificent raptors to the humble sparrow. If you haven't considered that then it was a poor analogy.”

“The terms?” you insist loudly, trying to preempt another argument.

Old Zangetsu and White Zangetsu confer some distance away from you, their voices low. White gestures emphatically though, most of his gestures implying violence of some kind. Beyond that it's difficult to tell.

“We've come to an agreement,” Old Zangetsu declares.

“That'll be a first,” you grumble.

“You'll fight both of us,” White Zangetsu adds. “One at a time.”

“That's fair,” you nod.

“But using the opposing set of powers,” Old Zangetsu tells you.

You pause for a moment. “So that means...”

“You can only use your visored powers against me,” Old Zangetsu clarifies.

“And your quincy powers against me,” White Zangetsu chimes in. “Ain't that fun?”

“For once one of White's ideas was interesting to me,” Old Zangetsu admits with a heavy sigh, as if the admission itself has somehow broken his spirit a little. “I want to see how you handle this test, Ichigo.”

“And even if you lose,” White grins manically, “that just means we get to keep kicking your ass until you improve! Everyone wins!”

“So, who do you wanna fight first?”

>Old Zangetsu
>White Zangetsu
>Come at me at the same time
>Other?

>>3322846
>>Old Zangetsu
I don't think Ichigo knows much about his quincy half, so he can probably pick up a few things from Old Zan

>>3322846
>>>Old Zangetsu

>>3322846
>Come at me at the same time

>>3322846
>>Old Zangetsu

>>3322846
>>Old Zangetsu

>>3322846
>>Old Zangetsu

>>3322846
>Old Zangetsu

>>3322846
3d10, best of three, DC 17 crit 22

Rolled 1, 9, 3 = 13 (3d10)

>>3325486

Rolled 2, 4, 5 = 11 (3d10)

>>3325486

Rolled 9, 4, 10 = 23 (3d10)

>>3325486
Oh Boy

>>3325486
“Old man,” you decide, turning to face Old Zangetsu head on. “I know the least about you at the end of the day, so I'll face you first using White Zangetsu's powers.”

Old Zangetsu inclines his head slightly. “Then I will leave the preparations to White.”

“Yeah, yeah,” White scratches the back of his head. “Ichigo, draw your sword and release it.”

“Release it?” you ask, narrowing your gaze. “Bankai, or what?”

“Just shout 'Bankai'!” White shouts, raising his hands mockingly, as if he'd shouted 'banzai' instead. “I'll take care of the rest for your scrub ass.”

You sigh loudly, but do as White instructs. “Bankai!”

The blade in your hands turns pale as the moonlight in a massive flash of reiatsu, the familiar shape of a guandao but with a different appearance than you're used to.

“That's what Zangetsu was supposed to look like,” White explains, staring away from you as he does so. “If it weren't for that old bastard's influence. Turning everything black like he's stuck in some kinda permanent goth phase.”

“It's only to stand out as distinct from you,” Old Zangetsu insists, producing in one hand what looks like a reishi bow made of roughly-shaped 'blades' of black and blue spiritual power. “Now, Ichigo. Come at me, let us pit the two 'true' forms of Zangetsu against each other.”

With a shunpō you do just that, winding White Zangetsu up and bringing its head crashing down against the lower arm of Old Zangetsu's bow, where it slides off to his left. In an instant the upper arm of the bow slashes towards you like a short sword forcing you to block the old man's arm with the haft of your guandao, only for him to turn in place and stab at your gut with the point of the lower arm. When you step away he reaches forward to create an arrow, releasing it and forcing you to take a sidestep. But in that same instant the shot curves to match your movement.

“No such luck,” the old man tells you as you barely manage to sweep the projectile aside with the side of White Zangetsu's head. You barely manage to parry his sweeping strike by conserving your own momentum, and by the time you turn and swing the pommel-cap at him he's already taken a step back.

The next arrow you block with the haft of your weapon, having prepared for it to curve whichever way you dodged.

“Getsuga Tenshō!” you shout, releasing a white arc of hardened reishi that Old Zangetsu manages to sidestep.

But as he does he finds White Zangetsu's heavy head sweeping for his side, after you took a spinning shunpō step towards him to close the distance.
>1/2

>>3325589
“You're conserving momentum and varying your attack patterns,” Old Zangetsu comments as he disengages again. “Very good. You've taken a strong step beyond instinctive 'muscle memory' of the basic technique and begun to apply it intelligently.”

“Fool,” White huffs dismissively. “He's still a greenhorn... which is just a step up from a scrub. You still need work Ichigo, so don't use this as an excuse to slack off.”

Old Zangetsu swiftly fires off two shots in quick succession, which you weave and parry to get past and charge with the head of your blade raised like a lance. But to your surprise Old Zangetsu doesn't move to parry: instead you catch a brief glimpse of a silver flash.

“Tilt the goblet to the west, Wolke!”

Suddenly your vision is obscured in the last ten feet or so before you reach your target, and you feel your body slam into something... almost like what you'd imagine falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff would feel like. More than that, you feel smothered... you can't see or sense anything in this damn cloud!

The cloud scatters just as suddenly as a powerful arrow blows it away, exploding against your back and sending you crashing face first into a nearby building that rises from left to right across your view.

“Of course this is what makes you a greenhorn,” White scoffs, his chuff of disapproval echoing harshly. “Even a Third or Fourth Seat would be able to use kidō in a fight. All you have is zanjutsu, and some basic maneuvering and fistfighting technique. Even Renji can do basic kidō.”

“Just think about that a sec... Renji can do it! Renji! The guy whose own zanpakuto wanted to jump ship and hook up with your hot, crazy aunt!”

“Dial it back a little,” Old Zangetsu sighs.

>Respond with cero, it's way more your style.
>Respond by trying some kidō that Rukia used one time... if Renji can do it how hard can it be?
>Other?

>>3325628
>Respond by trying some kidō that Rukia used one time... if Renji can do it how hard can it be?

What can go wrong?

>>3325628
>>Respond by trying some kidō that Rukia used one time... if Renji can do it how hard can it be?

>hot, crazy aunt
Man, Riku is great.

>>3325628
>>Respond by trying some kidō that Rukia used one time... if Renji can do it how hard can it be?

>>3325628
>>Respond by trying some kidō that Rukia used one time... if Renji can do it how hard can it be?

>>3325628
>Respond by trying some kidō that Rukia used one time... if Renji can do it how hard can it be?

>>3325628
>Respond by trying some kidō that Rukia used one time... if Renji can do it how hard can it be?

>>3325628
This is making me wish Ichigo had been around to see some of Nel's crazy Cero tech when she was using it. Those were cool, and it'd be nice if he could learn from some of it to distinguish him a bit.

>>3325628
>>Respond by trying some kidō that Rukia used one time... if Renji can do it how hard can it be?

>>3326211
Do you mean Appacci?

>>3325628
>3d10, best of three
>DC 20, crit 25

Rolled 7, 8, 4 = 19 (3d10)

>>3328419

Rolled 10, 7, 5 = 22 (3d10)

>>3328419

Rolled 6, 10, 10 = 26 (3d10)

>>3328419

File: 75665427565438657435643.gif (2.76 MB, 350x254)

2.76 MB GIF

>>3328436

>>3328419
You've seen Rukia do kidō before, Renji too for that matter. Never with any real success in the latter instance, but you've got a general idea of how it works. So that should be enough, right? Worked that way for your zanjutsu training, worked that way for shunpō. Why wouldn't it work for kidō too?

As Old Zangetsu closes the distance again, slashing at you with the wickedly curved arms of his reishi weapon, you extend your arm and do your best impression of a spell.

“Hadō 33: Shakkahō!”

What ends up happening isn't quite what you or anyone else who's seen it work properly would call “kidō”. Instead the red ball in front of you explodes immediately, blasting your sleeve off and singing your left arm... but also practically going off in Old Zangetsu's face like a bomb.

Momentarily blinded he staggers back, allowing you to close in and swing at his ribs.

“What?” you grunt as your blade is kicked away by Old Zangetsu's booted toe, and you take an arrow to the chest at point blank range that throws you off your feet.

“Man he got you good!” White Zangetsu crows. “It was a shitty try, but it was something!”

“I'm surprised,” Old Zangetsu admits. “I was under the impression that kidō had to be learned, and for it to be learned that it had to be taught.”

“It is pretty weird,” White agrees, folding his arms across his stomach. “Normally you'd be right, but apparently we're not dealing with 'normal' here.”

“I never thought that from the beginning,” you groan, rolling from your back onto your knees. “Dunno why either of you would. I mean, have you ever met you?”

“The way you said that was dumb and you should feel dumb,” White snorts. “But I kinda see your point, I guess.”

>White, you next. Let's go.
>We're not done, Old Man.
>I've almost got the hang of this kidō thing.
>Other?

>>3328462
>We're not done, Old Man.
not unlike how a hollow does it.

>>3328462
>>We're not done, Old Man.

>>3328462
>>I've almost got the hang of this kidō thing.
The mismatch between number, name and what he expected seemed to have an interesting effect

>>3328462
>We're not done, Old Man.

>>3328462
>>We're not done, Old Man.

>>3328462
>>I've almost got the hang of this kidō thing.

>>3328462
>I've almost got the hang of this kidō thing.

>>3328462
>>I've almost got the hang of this kidō thing.
I'm definitely curious to see where this is going. Especially considering their comments on kido being something you're supposed to be taught.

>>3328793
Especially considering Riku's comments that it's normally necessary to have proficiency in kido in order to have a fully realized bankai.

>>3328809
do we know what zangetsus bankai actually does?
cause all i have seen is it being 'white'

>>3328372
I mean both, really. Appachi seems to have focus and power, but Nel's seems to have a lot of range and applications

>>3328462
>I've almost got the hang of this kidō thing.

>>3328462
>3d10 for kido
>best of three
>DC 19, crit 23

Rolled 6, 2, 2 = 10 (3d10)

>>3332329
scrappy berry

Rolled 4, 6, 3 = 13 (3d10)

>>3332329

Rolled 2, 6, 5 = 13 (3d10)

>>3332329

>>3332329
You figure if you picked something up that easily that should have to have been taught for you to know it, then you're probably on the right track already. Why change things up at all when you're improving?

That's how you figured it when you raised your arm to try it again, but it seems that you might have miscalculated.

“Shakkahō!” you repeat, and this time the blast only envelops your arm and face as it literally backfires on you, sending you tumbling across broken glass and twisted steel window frames.

“Now that's just plain pathetic,” White grumbles. “Old man, lay off a minute. Imma say something.”

“Be my guest,” Old Zangetsu bows politely, taking a few steps back as White takes his place.

Your zanpakuto is staring down his nose at you as the dust from your own failure dissipates. “What the hell was that, Ichigo?”

“That was Shakkahō,” you cough.

“No, that was an explosion,” White corrects you. “And it's not hadō thirty-three, that's Sōkatsui. Rukia used it in front of you once. Shakkahō is thirty-one, and it's like the one hadō Renji ever uses.”

“What does that matter?” you demand.

“Hadō has actual theory behind it!” White declares. “You've gotta know the incantation too, you can't just make that shit up as you go and expect it to work. Idiot.”

“Well how the hell am I supposed to know the incantation!?” you demand angrily. “Do you know the incantations?”

“I have no idea!” White shouts back at you. “Have you ever asked anyone?”

“No?” you shake your head.

“Well there you go!”

>This is going nowhere. Maybe try cero instead, that should be instinctive for White.
>You'd assume that Old Zangetsu knows something about Quincy techniques like ginto.
>Maybe your dad can give you some pointers on kidō?
>Other?

>>3332581
>>This is going nowhere. Maybe try cero instead, that should be instinctive for White.

>>3332581
>>Maybe your dad can give you some pointers on kidō?

>>3332581
>This is going nowhere. Maybe try cero instead, that should be instinctive for White.

>>3332581
>>You'd assume that Old Zangetsu knows something about Quincy techniques like ginto.

>>3332581
>This is going nowhere. Maybe try cero instead, that should be instinctive for White.

>>3332581
>You'd assume that Old Zangetsu knows something about Quincy techniques like ginto.

>>3332581
>Maybe your dad can give you some pointers on kidō?

>>3332581
>3d10, best of three
>dc 17, crit 23

Rolled 6, 2, 3 = 11 (3d10)

>>3337277

Rolled 1, 5, 8 = 14 (3d10)

>>3337277

Rolled 3, 3, 10 = 16 (3d10)

>>3337277

>>3337277
You come to a sudden realization: that kidō is a nonstarter. But there's still definitely something White can teach you.

“Then how about cero?” you ask him.

“Excuse you?” he asks.

“Cero is instinctive,” you reason, “so as a hollowfied zanpakuto you probably know how to do it, right? Same as when I hollowfy... or when I used to hollowfy?”

“Is that still something I can do?”

White shrugs. “Maybe? Maybe not though.”

“Whatever, can you help me improve my cero?” you press.

“No.”

The answer is abrupt and definitive, leaving you stunned for a moment. “What?”

“It's instinctive, like you said,” White explains. “So what makes you think I can teach you anything about it? You either know how to use it or you don't.”

“Then what about Apacci?” you demand.

“She's a weirdo,” White shrugs dismissively. “It's rare that a hollow can actually improve their abilities like that just by working at it, by trying out new things. Most simply don't have any desire to do so, and even fewer have the control over their reiatsu that you'd need to do anything more clever with a cero than making it bigger.”

>So that's it then? All you do is Getsuga Tenshō and keep my speed passable?
>Well then it's a good thing we're NOT hollows, isn't it? So help me THINK of something.
>You, me, right now. Maybe I can actually sharpen the Old Man's abilities.
>Other?

>>3337332
>You, me, right now. Maybe I can actually sharpen the Old Man's abilities.

>>3337332
>>You, me, right now. Maybe I can actually sharpen the Old Man's abilities.

>>3337332
>Well then it's a good thing we're NOT hollows, isn't it? So help me THINK of something.

>>3337332
>Well then it's a good thing we are NOT hollows

>>3337332
>>Well then it's a good thing we're NOT hollows, isn't it? So help me THINK of something.

>>3337332
>>So that's it then? All you do is Getsuga Tenshō and keep my speed passable?

>>3337332
>>Well then it's a good thing we're NOT hollows, isn't it? So help me THINK of something.

>>3337332
“Well it's a good thing then that we're not hollows!” you declare, crossing your arms and staring White down. “So what we've got here is a chance to come up with something.”

“How many times to I have to tell you?” White grumbles and rolls his eyes. “You don't teach cero, numbskull!”

“Since when has anyone ever taught me anything?” you contest. “Unless you mean beating the crap out of me is some kinda grand lesson plan?”

White's eyes narrow, and he stares at you in silence for a while. You're not actually sure how long, you just know that it feels like something between 'a long time' and 'forever'. But eventually he scoffs, then turns to face Old Zangetsu.

“So there's two ways I can think of to make this work,” he declares, “and you'll be happy to know that both of 'em involve Ichigo getting the crap beaten out of him. So he should like it.”

“What are you thinking?” Old Zangetsu asks.

“The first possibility is that I could just beat the crap out of him for a while until he figures out how to improve his cero on his own,” White explains.

“That sounds like fun for you,” Old Zangetsu replies.

White laughs loudly. “Yeah, not gonna like I really hope he goes for that option.”

“And what's the other choice?”

“You get to fight him,” White explains. “Show him a little about what you can do. Hopefully knowing anything at all about being a quincy makes him better at doing creative shit with ceros.”

“And in that instance you don't have to do any of the work,” Old Zangetsu surmises. “So you enjoy that options as well.”

“Hey, not as much as getting to beat on him,” White frowns. “I'm not that lazy. I'm just particular about how I spend my time.”

“Mhm,” Old Zangetsu nods patronizingly. “I believe you.”

“I fucking hate you,” White grumbles.

>I'll fight White. That makes sense given how I've trained in the past.
>Learning to apply quincy techniques is something I've meant to do anyway.
>Other?

>>3340288
>>Learning to apply quincy techniques is something I've meant to do anyway.
guess I'll go LEARN SOMETHING INSTEAD

>>3340288
>>I'll fight White. That makes sense given how I've trained in the past.

>>3340288
>>Learning to apply quincy techniques is something I've meant to do anyway.

>>3340288
>Learning to apply quincy techniques is something I've meant to do anyway.

>>3340288
>Learning to apply quincy techniques is something I've meant to do anyway.

>>3340288
>Learning to apply quincy techniques is something I've meant to do anyway.

>>3340288
>>Learning to apply quincy techniques is something I've meant to do anyway.