Renji instantly twisted his body, dodging the spirit particle arrow.
"Two big men with weapons bullying an unarmed girl... Really hard to watch."
A figure slowly approached… the Quincy, Ishida Uryu.
"Who are you?"
Renji looked angrily at Uryu.
"I'm just her classmate... Someone who hates Shinigami."
Uryu adjusted his glasses.
Naturally, Renji and Uryu fought...
…
Kurosaki Household.
"Does Rukia even plan to come back? It's already 2 a.m."
Ichigo worried.
Although Rukia went out before, she returned quickly. But this time, she hadn't come back yet.
Later, while using the bathroom, Ichigo discovered Kon, whom Rukia had tied under the toilet. From Kon, Ichigo learned Rukia was in trouble.
"I'll become a Shinigami to find Rukia. Come with me, Kon."
Ichigo said determinedly.
"Oh, I understand."
Kon nodded.
"Huh?"
Ichigo suddenly realized, "But how do I become a Shinigami?"
Ichigo was human. Previously, Rukia helped him transform each time. Now Rukia wasn't here.
"With the soul-separation glove..."
"That's with Nee-san."
Before Ichigo finished, Kon interrupted.
Ichigo said helplessly, "Then I can only use the Soul Candy..."
Here, Ichigo glanced at Kon, immediately dismissing the idea.
The Soul Candy was inside Kon's plush body. But Kon, previously tied under the toilet, reeked terribly.
Thinking of extracting the Soul Candy from Kon's body and putting it in his mouth made Ichigo nauseous.
"Ahhh!!"
"Without Rukia, how do I become a Shinigami?!"
Ichigo grabbed his head, frantic.
"What now? Rukia's probably fighting Soul Society people, right? But if I don't become a Shinigami, how do I save her?!"
Ichigo shouted at Kon.
"Why shout at me?! Not my fault! Don't take it out on this plush doll!"
Kon also shouted anxiously.
Just then, a voice suddenly came.
"Oh my, you two seem quite troubled. Need help?"
Kisuke, wearing a blue-green hat, black yukata, and wooden clogs, suddenly appeared by the window.
"You!"
Ichigo exclaimed in surprise.
"If you need my help, just say so. This concerns an important client of mine. So, as a special offer, she can owe me for now."
With that, Kisuke poked Ichigo with his cane.
Bam!
Struck by the cane, Ichigo's soul and body instantly transformed into a Shinigami.
Thud!
Uryu was sent flying by Renji, crashing hard onto the ground.
"Hmph, daring to fight me? Know your place now!"
Renji looked disdainfully at Uryu.
"Cough, cough..."
Uryu, on the ground, spat blood, wanting to fight Renji again but unable to even stand.
"So strong... Renji's gotten much stronger!"
Rukia thought, surprised.
"Next..."
Renji walked to Uryu. "I'll deliver the final blow!"
"Before you die, remember: the one who killed you is Abarai Renji!"
With that, Renji swung his Zanpakuto at Uryu.
"Stop!"
A loud shout suddenly came.
Simultaneously, an attack shot toward Renji.
"What?!"
Renji hastily dodged.
Boom!
The spot where Renji stood moments ago was blasted into a crater.
"You! Who are you?!"
Renji exclaimed angrily.
"Kurosaki Ichigo! Also the one who will defeat you! Pleased to meet you!"
The newcomer was Ichigo, arriving just in time.
"Wearing a Shihakusho...?"
Renji now saw the other wore Shinigami attire.
"Who are you? Which division?"
Renji demanded.
"Division? What's that? Never mind. Let's defeat you first!"
With that, Ichigo gripped his Zanpakuto, ready to fight.
"Wait!"
"What... what is that?! How can a Zanpakuto be that huge?!"
Renji pointed at Ichigo's Zanpakuto incredulously.
"What's wrong? Is it really that big?"
Ichigo wondered.
"Well, compared to Rukia's, it is a bit bigger."
Ichigo thought for a moment.
"Zanpakuto size relates to Reiatsu strength. How can this guy have such a huge Zanpakuto? Could it be... the one who stole Shinigami power from Rukia is you?!"
Renji looked coldly at Ichigo.
"So what if I am?"
Ichigo said indifferently.
Hearing Ichigo's answer, Renji couldn't help but glare angrily.
"I'll kill you!!"
Renji roared, directly slashing at Ichigo.
Not only Renji, but even Byakuya nearby, upon hearing Ichigo admit to taking Rukia's power, couldn't help but say coldly, "Kurosaki Ichigo..."
In Byakuya and Renji's view, without Ichigo, Rukia wouldn't have violated Soul Society regulations.
Now, facing Renji's attack, Ichigo also swung his blade to meet it.
Clang!
Blades clashed, then swiftly separated.
"Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!!"
Renji seemed possessed, continuously shouting 'kill' while slashing relentlessly.
In Renji's mind, Rukia was implicated by Ichigo. Killing Ichigo, retrieving Rukia's power, then shifting all blame onto Ichigo would absolve Rukia.
Thinking this, Renji couldn't suppress his killing intent, attacking Ichigo like a madman.
"Hey! Are you crazy? What's with the shouting?!"
Ichigo frantically blocked Renji's attacks.
'Dammit! Who is this guy?! His movements are so fast!'
Ichigo inwardly groaned.
Swish! Swish! Swish!!
Renji unleashed continuous blade slashes at Ichigo.
Schlick!
Blood bloomed! As the saying goes, constant defense inevitably fails. Ichigo ultimately couldn't completely block Renji's attack, and Renji's blade cut into Ichigo's shoulder.