"Huh? Already know about it, Toshiro?"
Isshin was surprised.
Regarding Aizen, Isshin only learned about it through his interactions with Kisuke while living in the Living World all these years. He never expected Toshiro to already know.
"Yeah. About Aizen, ever since that incident years ago, I've been investigating the mastermind's true identity. Not long ago, I finally confirmed that mastermind is Aizen."
Toshiro explained to Isshin.
Well, of course, this reason was fabricated by Toshiro. Toshiro naturally knew about Aizen from the beginning. But he couldn't very well tell Isshin he was a Transmigrator who knew about Aizen from the start, could he?
"So, what do you plan to do about Aizen?"
Isshin asked.
"About Aizen..."
While Toshiro and Isshin conversed, not far away, Ichigo and Rukia were undergoing their trial.
"Hey, Shinigami, can you check how Yuzu is doing?"
Ichigo looked at the unresponsive Yuzu in his arms.
"She's fine. Just unconscious. And your father should be okay too. Their souls haven't been devoured by the Hollow yet."
Rukia, facing off against the Hollow, spoke without turning her head.
"Hey, wait!"
Ichigo suddenly said.
"Don't Hollows attack people to devour souls?"
"Otherwise, why would it attack my family?"
Ichigo wondered.
The Hollow could have devoured Yuzu's soul first, then dealt with Ichigo. But it didn't… it chose to attack Ichigo first.
Rukia patiently explained, "Not all Hollow attacks are for devouring souls."
"To obtain souls with higher spiritual density, Hollows wander about..."
"So incidents involving unrelated people happen often."
"And you, with your own strength, broke Kido that only Shinigami can see..."
"A person with such high spiritual density..."
"I've never seen one before."
Hearing Rukia's explanation, Ichigo's expression turned grim. "You're saying..."
Rukia looked back at Ichigo. "Most likely, its target..."
"Is you!!"
Ichigo's expression grew even grimmer. "Wait!!"
"So, I'm the one who attracted it?"
"Because of me, Dad's lying there, hanging by a thread..."
"Because of me, Karin and Yuzu are covered in blood..."
"All of this..."
Seeing Ichigo so self-blaming, Rukia couldn't help but say sympathetically, "Alright, I know. It's not entirely your fault..."
Bam!
While Rukia was distracted comforting Ichigo, the Hollow, which had been facing off against her, seized the chance to attack, sending Rukia flying.
"Shinigami!!"
Ichigo cried out worriedly.
After sending Rukia flying, the Hollow now turned toward Ichigo.
Seeing the Hollow approach, Ichigo angrily shouted, "You bastard! Don't push your luck!!"
"Ahhhhh!!"
Saying so, Ichigo actually charged at the Hollow himself!
Ichigo stood before the Hollow, expression cold. "Hey! You want my soul, right?"
"Fine! One-on-one! Don't involve others! Got the guts to kill me?!!"
Ichigo roared.
"Roar!"
The Hollow had no intention of being polite. Ichigo told it to kill him, so the Hollow opened its large mouth and bit down at Ichigo without hesitation.
Not far away, Rukia, who had been sent flying by the Hollow and lay on the ground, seeing this scene, angrily thought, "This idiot!!"
Swish!
Rukia's figure suddenly blocked in front of Ichigo.
Schlick!
Rukia was directly severely bitten by the Hollow!
Thump!
The severely injured Rukia weakly knelt on the ground.
"Shinigami! You..."
Ichigo, witnessing this, was stunned.
Ichigo clearly understood this Shinigami fell to the ground to save him.
Rukia, covered in blood, spoke with difficulty, "Idiot... Didn't you already know you're no match for it?"
"You didn't think giving it your soul would solve everything, did you?"
"So you really are a big idiot..."
Seeing Rukia's state, Ichigo couldn't help but feel guilty. "Sorry... I just..."
Rukia then said seriously, "Saying that is useless now. If this continues, we, and your family, will all be devoured... So we must think of another way."
"There's another way? Tell me quickly!"
Ichigo immediately exclaimed joyfully.
"There is a way... no, precisely, this should be the only way..."
Rukia suddenly raised her Zanpakuto, pointing it at Ichigo. "That is… you become a Shinigami!!"
"What?!"
"You... what are you saying?"
"Is that even possible?"
Ichigo said incredulously.
"It is indeed possible. By inserting my Zanpakuto into your chest, then transferring half of my Shinigami power into your body, you can temporarily gain Shinigami power to fight it!"
Rukia explained.
"Will that really work?"
Ichigo wondered.
"I don't know... Because your spiritual potential is high, I want to take the risk... So it might not succeed. If it fails, you'll definitely die!"
Hearing this, Ichigo's expression turned serious.
Rukia continued, "But you have no other choice. Without doing this, not only you, but your family also won't escape."
"Then there's no choice! Come on, Shinigami! Stab my chest!!"
Ichigo instantly resolved.
Seeing Ichigo's determined expression, Rukia said, "Kid, remember. I'm not 'Shinigami'. My name is Kuchiki Rukia!"
Ichigo also nodded. "Mm, I remember. And my name is Kurosaki Ichigo!"
"I hope this isn't the last time we greet each other!"
"Roar!"
Just then, the Hollow let out a tremendous roar, charging at them.
"The Hollow's coming! We must hurry..."
Saying so, Rukia pressed her Zanpakuto against Ichigo's chest.
Ichigo said solemnly, "Come on!"
Rukia also said gravely, "Mm!"
Then Rukia forcefully thrust the Zanpakuto forward!
Schlick!
Rukia's Zanpakuto instantly pierced Ichigo's body!
Boom!
A powerful Reiatsu erupted, stirring up smoke that obscured Ichigo and Rukia's figures.
Swish!
A blade light flashed. The Hollow nearing them instantly had its remaining left arm severed!