Then the smoke cleared, revealing Ichigo's figure standing proudly before the Hollow.
Ichigo's appearance had drastically changed. His school uniform transformed into a Shinigami's Shihakusho. He carried a large blade slung over his right shoulder.
However, this large blade wasn't the future Zangetsu. Aside from the blade being wider than a typical Zanpakuto, it otherwise resembled an ordinary katana.
Meanwhile, Rukia nearby exclaimed in disbelief, "How...? I only intended to give him half... but he ended up taking all my power?!"
Now completely drained of power, even Rukia's Shihakusho disappeared, replaced by ordinary clothes.
"And I never imagined his Reiatsu would be this powerful..."
Feeling Ichigo's Reiatsu, Rukia couldn't help but be shocked.
At this moment, Ichigo, carrying the massive Zanpakuto, charged at the Hollow.
"Prepare yourself! For harming my family, your only fate is death!"
Ichigo shouted.
Then, with all his might, Ichigo swung the blade down on the Hollow!
Schlick!
Without resistance, Ichigo cleanly sliced the Hollow in two.
Not far away, inside the Kurosaki House.
Seeing Ichigo successfully awaken his Shinigami powers and slay the Hollow, Isshin hurriedly said to Toshiro, "Ichigo will be back soon. Let's talk another time."
With that, Isshin quickly lay back down, pretending to be gravely injured and unconscious.
Seeing Isshin's comical act, Toshiro couldn't help but twitch his mouth, suppressing the urge to laugh.
"Then, see you next time."
Toshiro bid farewell to Isshin.
Then Toshiro's figure flickered, instantly vanishing from the spot.
'Toshiro's strength is becoming more and more unfathomable...'
After Toshiro left, Isshin, lying on the floor, couldn't help but sigh.
Earlier, Isshin hadn't detected Toshiro's arrival or departure.
'Yare yare... I thought after breaking through, I could close the gap with Toshiro. Now it seems not only hasn't it closed, but it's widened even further. This former Captain's gap with his former subordinate keeps growing. How embarrassing...;
Isshin muttered to himself.
Isshin remembered when Toshiro graduated from Shin'o Academy and joined the 10th Division, his strength was only mid Captain level, while Isshin was peak Captain level.
Although Toshiro's combat prowess was formidable, Isshin held the advantage in level and Reiatsu. So in a real fight, Toshiro might not have won.
But afterwards, Toshiro's strength skyrocketed, leaving Isshin far behind.
Now, years later, upon meeting again, Toshiro's strength felt even more inscrutable.
Although Isshin had regained his power and even made a breakthrough, facing Toshiro, he felt Toshiro was even more unfathomable.
In fact, facing Toshiro gave Isshin a feeling similar to facing Yamamoto.
Isshin pondered, 'With Toshiro's talent... catching up to him in this lifetime is impossible. But if it's Ichigo... there might be a chance...'
A deserted alleyway.
Rukia walked unsteadily.
Earlier, after dealing with the Hollow, Rukia parted ways with Ichigo.
Now, having all her Shinigami power taken by Ichigo, Rukia's Shihakusho had long vanished, leaving only a thin white yukata.
Thump!
Weakened and powerless, Rukia suddenly collapsed to the ground.
"Sigh... What to do? After losing my power, forget continuing the mission; I can't even return to the Soul Society. And even if I do return, I'll face severe punishment, right?"
Rukia felt somewhat despairing.
"Oh my? This young lady seems quite troubled, doesn't she?"
A voice suddenly sounded in the quiet alley.
Rukia turned to see a person wearing a white-and-green striped hat and a yukata, with wooden clogs, suddenly appearing.
"Young lady, would you like to borrow a gigai from me?"
The newcomer continued.
"You are...?"
Rukia looked at the person.
"Me? I'm Urahara Kisuke, a merchant. I run a shop selling items Shinigami need."
Kisuke said.
"Is that so?"
Rukia said, surprised.
Though surprised Kisuke sold Shinigami goods, Rukia didn't know what the name 'Urahara Kisuke' signified.
The Soul Society hadn't widely publicized the incidents involving Kisuke, Yoruichi, and the Hollowfied Captains and Lieutenants. So Rukia was unaware of past events and didn't give the name 'Urahara Kisuke' much thought.
"Young lady, it seems you're not carrying money right now. How about I lend you a gigai first?"
Kisuke said.
"Then thank you very much, Shopkeeper Urahara."
Rukia said gratefully.
For Rukia, finding a gigai to slowly recover her strength would be ideal. So she felt very grateful toward Kisuke, who suddenly appeared and helped her.
"Hehe, young lady, no need for such formality. It's just a gigai. Just visit my shop often in the future."
Kisuke laughed.
"Oh, right, Shopkeeper Urahara, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Kuchiki Rukia. I came to the Living World for a garrison mission, but something unexpected happened."
Rukia introduced herself.
"Oh my? Kuchiki? That's a great noble family of the Soul Society, isn't it? How fortunate."
Kisuke put on an expression of pleasant surprise.
"And since you're a young lady from a noble family, you must be quite wealthy. Please do visit my shop often."
Kisuke said with a very delighted expression.
"Although the Kuchiki Clan is indeed a great noble family of the Soul Society, I..."
"Ah, let's not talk about that now. Kuchiki-san, come with me to the shop first and put on the gigai."
Kisuke interrupted Rukia.
Then Kisuke led Rukia away from the alley.
After Kisuke and Rukia left, a figure suddenly emerged from the shadows in the alley… none other than Toshiro, who had left Isshin.
"Urahara Kisuke, huh..."