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>>1870768
“How so?” Masaki asks, more curious now than shocked like her son is. Isshin must not have told her much about the intricacies behind what a zanpakuto actually is, partly because much of what you now know you either learned in secret or just recently, after his departure from the Seireitei.

“Because my quincy powers became my 'inner hollow' in a similar way,” you summarize, “while my zanpakuto came to the fore... despite having her own origins as a separate spirit altogether. Two separate sources of power came into direct competition after little Byakuya attacked you, Ichigo, and that struggle was never truly reconciled in the following months.”

“I'm here to correct that issue,” you declare, stepping out of your own 'gigai' in a cloud of falling autumn leaves and resting your hand lightly on Tenkotsuki's hilt. “I wanted to give you time to sort it out naturally, but I fear that time is running out. I want you to have plenty of time to get used to a new situation, to not get in a fight for your life with unfamiliar powers.”

“With your parents' blessing, I'd like to begin at the Urahara Shop.”

It may come across as rather bold of you to make such a statement so bluntly, because of course the implication is that if your request is denied you'll simply kidnap Ichigo and train him anyway. Which you'd be willing to do, if for no other reason than to spare him the decision of whether or not to run away from home and openly defy his parents' wishes. In either event it's much more subtle than your first instinct to shatter Zangetsu with your bare hands on the spot... which is an extreme measure that you're still contemplating of course, since Ichigo's retraining may well be easier without the vestiges of his old powers still hanging around as a distraction.

“You plan to turn our son into...” your brother's voice falters momentarily as he struggles with the wording. “Into whatever it is you've become?”

“No,” you shake your head solemnly. “If you're gonna get technical about it I suppose I'm no more a shinigami than Ichigo is: technically I'm an arrancar whose abilities mimic the quincy abilities I possessed in life, and my soul also happens to serve as shintai to an aspect of Inari.”

“Kinda hard to replicate that, you know.”
>2/4

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>>1870772
Ichigo's eyes widen a little at the pronouncement, and you hear a squeak from Yuzu. You're not sure if it's pure surprise or a little bit of fear, but either way she stifles it almost immediately.

“Sorry!” she apologizes quietly as Karin frowns at her. You can tell the older daughter doesn't quite believe what she's just heard, but that at the same time she suspects it could well be true.

“They say that knowing the name of something increases its power... it's nonsense,” you finally assert. “I don't care what I'm called, what's important is that I know my own true nature. I embraced it with the resolve that whatever it turned out to be, I'd fight with it as a Captain.”

“So you're saying I have to reject Zangetsu... I mean, the quincy Zangetsu... and start using the hollow Zangetsu?” Ichigo asks, trying to work it all out in his head.

“No,” you sigh in consternation. You'd thought it was pretty clear what he had to do. “I'm saying you need to stop trying to assign a portion of your power to the role of 'Zangetsu'. Because no matter how you try to do it you'll always be doing it wrong.”

“So neither of them is Zangetsu?” Ichigo asks, and your palm is firmly planted against your forehead even before he's done asking the question.

“No... I'm saying your concept of 'Zangetsu' is flawed,” you try one last time to clarify, “because until now it's the only concept you accepted as being 'your' power. So even if your inner hollow really is called Zangetsu, as things are knowing that and conceiving it as such will only lead you to treat that portion of your soul as the seat of your spiritual powers.”

“Both powers are you, Ichigo,” you assert, trying to be as direct about it as you're capable. “If you don't acknowledge them as distinct but equal and inextricable parts of yourself, how can you ever expect to reach your fullest potential?”

“And how is it you've gotten as strong as you are?” Ichigo snaps. “You dance around the question of what you even are, so why should I listen to you lecture me about what I am!?”

Your nephew takes a moment to collect himself before placing a hand against his chest. “When we fought, Byakuya insisted I wasn't a shinigami. My parents insist I'm not a hollow either, Shinji insists I'm not a regular human, and now you're telling me I'm none of the above?”
>3/4

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>>1870774
Of course he feels overwhelmed. You can't exactly blame him for that... it's taken you nearly two hundred years to get where you are, and Ichigo's only lived for sixteen or so. Last winter he was only just starting to come to terms with what the spiritual world was actually like, after spending most of his life thinking that ghosts simply “passed on” when they were ready. Shinigami were cloaked, scythe-bearing figures in cartoons and hollow was normally used as an adjective. Quincy was a town in Massachusetts that he'd never actually heard of, so the word wasn't one he even knew.

>Exactly, and to move forward you need to accept that fact.
>You're a little of everything, like me but with a shorter lifespan.
>I said no such thing. All I said is you're thinking about it the wrong way.
>... would it make a difference?
>Other?

>>1870779
>>... would it make a difference?
This doesn't necessarily have to be a worldview-shattering revelation.

>>1870779
>... would it make a difference?

>>1870774
>... would it make a difference?

Don't let yourself be categorised by people who are scared of the alternatives. You have the option of deciding for yourself what you are, which is something not a lot of people get. A big responsibility it might be, but them's the breaks.

>>1870779
>I said no such thing. All I said is you're thinking about it the wrong way.

>>1870779
>... would it make a difference?
>You've been thi all along, it hasn't changed who YOU are because that isn't what makes you who you are, idiot!

>dice+3d10, DC 18

>>1870779
>>I said no such thing. All I said is you're thinking about it the wrong way.
>Other?
Maybe it's time to insist your own identity then?

Rolled 2, 8, 10 = 20 (3d10)

>>1870818

>>1870818

Rolled 4, 9, 7 = 20 (3d10)

>>1870818

>>1870839
Damn

Rolled 1, 10, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>1870818

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

>>1870818
Been a while....lets see if I can still do this...

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>>1870818
“Would it really make a difference?” you ask nonchalantly, catching Ichigo completely off his guard. His jaw moves like he's trying and failing to start a sentence, but eventually he settles on something... somewhat less than 'using his words'.

“Kinda?” he insists awkwardly, raising his eyebrows.

“Why?” you press, remaining the calm before and after his proverbial storm. “You haven't changed. You were always what you are now, and when this is all over you'll still be what you were then: which is to say, an idiot.”

You hear a snort from Isshin... unfortunately for your brother his son hears it as well and shoots him a dirty glare as you drive what you hope to be the final point home. “The only thing that's changed is how you see yourself, what you believe you are and what you can do. So this is really just another point where you'll have to re-define yourself, same as when you met Kuchiki, and when you charged off to the Seireitei half-cocked, and when you managed your hollowfication the first time.”

“Just... do it again.”

Ichigo remains quiet a moment. “You really think it's that easy?”

“Simple, yes,” you correct your nephew's mistaken characterization. “Easy, that remains to be seen. But somehow I doubt it.”

“So... how do you want me to start?”

>We'll head for the Urahara shop, see where you stand without Zangetsu.
>We'll train the way Yoruichi and I once did: hollow versus hollow.
>What we really could use is more time, and Tessai may have a way...
>Other?

>>1870848
>We'll head for the Urahara shop, see where you stand without Zangetsu.

>>1870848
>We'll head for the Urahara shop, see where you stand without Zangetsu.
If he really sucks, then we can see if Tessai is willing to play...

>>1870848
>We'll head for the Urahara shop, see where you stand without Zangetsu.

>>1870848
>We'll head for the Urahara shop, see where you stand without Zangetsu

>>1870848
>>We'll head for the Urahara shop, see where you stand without Zangetsu.
Probably gonna rope Tessai in either way.

>>1870848
“I need to see where you stand without relying on that thing you've been calling Zangetsu,” you tell your nephew. “And I suspect you need to see it too if either of us is going to decide on a training regimen.”

“Alright,” Ichigo nods before turning to his parents. “Hey... I've gotta handle this real quick. Sorry to run out on you like that.”

“Whatever,” Isshin grumbles, turning his head and staring resolutely at the wall. “Just don't come crying to me when you miss dinner because Riku left you drooling on the floor with tissues shoved up your nose.”

“That's an oddly specific scenario,” Masaki observes, glancing at her husband.

“And a likely one,” Isshin replies.

“Well, either way...” Masaki begins. Then after a moment's hesitation she nods and slaps her cheeks. “No. If you need any help from either of us don't be afraid to ask. We'll be here for you.”

“Yeah, I'll know where to find you,” Ichigo smiles softly in that way he only does around his mother and sisters.

Then his expression turns serious. “Let's go.”

When you arrive at the Urahara shop you're surprised to find nobody there but the two brats Kisuke always kept around, who for lack of more accurate names you'll simply refer to as Ginger and Gloomy.

“Whaddya want!?” Ginger demands loudly, holding out the business end of a broom like he expects it to actually keep you away from the shop.

“I need to use the training area,” you insist. “Please step aside.”

“Alright,” Ginger agrees, still somehow full of bluster, “but only because the boss is terrified of you.”

Gloomy nods in solemn, silent agreement.
>1/2

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>>1870898
You set your two swords down against a large rock, then crack your neck and stretch your shoulders. Ichigo sets Zangetsu aside as well, right next to Tenkotsuki and Kobara no Tachi, and looks at you expectantly.

>Open with a Shunkō assault.
>Begin with standard Hakuda.
>Your Shunkō should be a match for his hollowfication.
>Other?

>>1870906
>Don't take berry-boy lightly, start off with shunko and ikkotsu, but let him dodge it so he can see what happens if he doesn't

>>1870906
>other: Cast Kido Kyokko and disappear from view half-way into the spar.

>>1870906
>>Your Shunkō should be a match for his hollowfication.

>>1870912
Supporting this also, he's going to be fighting aizen with us most likely, so he needs to learn how to fight something he can't see.

>>1870906
>>Begin with standard Hakuda.
Beating the stupid out of him is probably impossible, but it's still fun to try.

>>1870916
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Help him learn to use his power properly before we get into crazy stuff like that. Gotta walk before he can run.
Then again, a shonen character being pushed beyond reasonable limits...

>>1870912
Support

>>1870906
>Your Shunkō should be a match for his hollowfication.

>>1870925
We're out of time boyo, time to go full shounen.
No better way for him to draw out his power and learn to use it than being pushed past his limits in a desperate situation.

It's time to break some bones, because if we really pull our punches he won't get anywhere.

>>1870906
>Begin with standard Hakuda.

>3d10, DC 18, Crit 23

Rolled 5, 10, 1 = 16 (3d10)

>>1870939

Rolled 3, 4, 10 = 17 (3d10)

>>1870939
AAAAAAAA

Rolled 9, 3, 9 = 21 (3d10)

>>1870939

Rolled 7, 4, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>1870939

>>1870939
Forgot how to dice.

>>1870949
Clutch

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>>1870949
that clutch.
>>1870952
also another clutch.

>writing

>>1870979
“Shunkō!” you call out, feeling the familiar tingling surge of spiritual power flowing through your body. “I suggest you use that hollowfication form of yours now!”

Almost reluctantly, Ichigo reaches for his forehead. “I guess you're not in the mood to mess around then? That's fine by me.”

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGUdFiTmCWw

With a flick of his wrist your nephew manifests a hollow mask, the patterns crossing its white porcelain substantially bolder and wider than you recall them being. His spiritual power increases dramatically as well, possibly enough to rival your own strength at the moment: the main difference is that where yours is like white frost seething and hissing close to your skin, his releases in great black columns which roil skyward.

Your attack is swift and merciless, a straight punch thrown from your left side towards his midline which he blocks almost as quickly. The force displaces the air around your bodies ever so slightly, kicking up dust at your feet. Or at least around one of your feet, since the moment you realized your first punch was going to be blocked you pulled back with your left fist and swept up with your right leg to kick Ichigo under his ribs as he tried to exploit what proved to be a very short opening.

“Your instincts were good,” you comment as your assault continues unabated with a sweeping roundhouse kick and a casting punch that follows hot on its heels. Ichigo finally manages to collect himself in time to block your wrist as you swing for his jawline, but his own right straight meets your raised right palm. Instead of withdrawing your left arm you grab him round the wrist and shoulder, roughly yanking his arm around behind his back to leave him helpless.

Then you launch a strike with your left elbow at the back of his head while he's all but helpless, which sends him reeling forward.

“Gotcha!” he crows as he plants his hands and throws a heel kick straight back from that position, a counterattack which damn near catches you under the chin. Had it been most shinigami, even most Captains, it might have connected.

But for you hirenkyaku comes just too easily, and you open enough range that the kick misses the tip of your nose by just an inch or two.

Again, much to your surprise, Ichigo quickly rolls to his feet.
>1/2

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>>1871015
“I see Isshin taught you something after all,” you grin, raising your fists in a boxer's guard and bouncing lightly on the balls of your feet. “But how much did he teach you I wonder?”

“He used to jump me every morning when I got outta bed,” Ichigo explains. “Don't tell Tatsuki, but that's the real reason I kept up with her in martial arts classes.”

“I see,” you muse, setting your gaze on him and lowering your center of gravity.

At the end of a second charge you whip your right leg high towards Ichigo's head, high enough that he simply ducks under it with the intent of countering. But even as you're swinging your leg over him you swiftly create cushions of reishi above your hands and push down off of them, dropping even lower than the level Ichigo's guard is at while you use your waist and the muscles in your knees to shift your momentum into a kick with the back of your left heel that sweeps Ichigo's legs right out from under him.

Pushing back off your right foot you slide back into a guarded stance, much quicker than Ichigo manages to get back up.

>Keep pushing him. Never deliver a finishing blow, but never let up either.
>Mix in kidō. No better way to raise the pressure than doing something he can't.
>Break his mask. Demonstrate how fragile this borrowed power really is.
>Other?

>>1871032
>Break his mask. Demonstrate how fragile this borrowed power really is.

>>1871032
>Break his mask. Demonstrate how fragile this borrowed power really is.

>>1871032
>Mix in kidō. No better way to raise the pressure than doing something he can't.
>Break his mask. Demonstrate how fragile this borrowed power really is.

How about using ultra high speed feints to confuse him before going for his mask?

>>1871032
>>Break his mask. Demonstrate how fragile this borrowed power really is.

>>1871032
>>Mix in kidō. No better way to raise the pressure than doing something he can't.

>>1871032
>Mix in kidō. No better way to raise the pressure than doing something he can't.
See how he adapts to an opponent with his instincts.

>>1871032
>>Break his mask. Demonstrate how fragile this borrowed power really is.

>>1871041
Oh shit, that could be something. THAT COULD BE SOMETHING!
I bet ichigo can use flash steps and hirenkyaku just like riku, which means he could perform *that* technique!

Let's show him! And then warn him not to use it!

>>1871032
>Keep pushing him. Never deliver a finishing blow, but never let up either.
>Mix in kidō. No better way to raise the pressure than doing something he can't

>>1871032
>Keep pushing him. Never deliver a finishing blow, but never let up either.

>>1871032
>Shunpo Hirenkyaku combo to break his mask

>>1871055
Damn it I copied the wrong option and can't delete this on my app

>>1871041
>>1871052
are you advocating for the shunpo hirenkyaku combo?

>>1871032
>>Mix in kidō. No better way to raise the pressure than doing something he can't. inb4 Ichigo pulls off a bastardized cero

>>1871059
Good lord that'd be dangerous, though. I'd say use it to get behind him, then smash it when he gets confused and turns around.

>>1871063
Hell yeah dude, that's a special move that, when it comes in handy, goddamn does it ever come in handy!

>>1871067
Plus it's a really special technique that's kind of unique to us and ichigo, so it kind of seems like a shame not to teach it to him considering he's basically the only other person that could use it, and essentially all he needs to do it is the knowledge that he can.

>>1871070
Isn't that the one that tunnelvisions you to the point of being completely blind?

>>1871078
Yes, meaning you have to decide what you're going to do before you make the movement.
It basically sacrifices everything for the ultimate burst of speed, and it's saved our asses twice now.

>>1871078
yes. in exchange for LUDICROUS speed and near guarantee of catching your target off guard.

>>1871081
What faster, that or Ichigo with a mullet?

>>1871088
Well, there's one possibility that i've suggested in the past, however it's never been entertained.
There is in fact, a third rapid movement technique which we could both potentially use on top of shunpo and hirenkyaku.

At that point, i don't know.

>>1871070
Yoruichi could use it in theory, she's just not crazy enough to take the second step without hesitating.
>dice+3d10, DC 19 crit 22

Rolled 8, 9, 7 = 24 (3d10)

>>1871102

Rolled 8, 5, 6 = 19 (3d10)

>>1871102

Rolled 3, 9, 7 = 19 (3d10)

>>1871106
Jesus, calm down.

>>1871102

Rolled 7, 8, 9 = 24 (3d10)

>>1871102

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>>1871106

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>>1871106
>>1871109
It's time for fast.

>>1871102
In theory, not in practice.
Ichigo would definitely do it.

>>1871119
he'd try it out just to see what it does. and then immediately yell at Riku for not telling him the side-effects of the technique (blind tunnelvision and a lack of control over agility also dealing with the obstacles Ichigo crashes into)

>>1871106
>>1871110
Double 24s

>>1871107
>>1871109
Double 19s

Spooky

>>1871127
That alone is worth seeing.
Dat mach 1 faceplant

>>1871130
Boi so fast, he crack his mask

>>1871133
>>1871130
pls. queen. I wanna see this happen. for the funnies.

>>1871133
It'd be neat if it turned out ichigo could actually maneuver while using the technique, giving him back that super speed he was supposed to have had in the first place.

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>>1871032
With an explosive burst of power you lead off with shunpō, getting right into his face only to find him using the same technique to slide around to your right side. Yeah, no way he's getting off that easily!

Instead of striking you his fist only meets an afterimage, which he immediately follows with a second shunpō of his own to try and catch you while you're still in the middle of your own step. Not to be outdone of course, you decide to commit. If it's a battle of speed he's looking for, you're not going to be one-upped by anyone but your own wife, and only then if she's in the mood for it.

So you use a hirenkyaku in the middle of your own step, sliding around Ichigo's stance even as he's trying to sidestep you, and you throw a blind punch with the full weight of your combined zanjutsu and hakuda mastery behind it.

Your fist never even makes contact, it doesn't need to. The force alone shatters the side of his mask, from over his left eye down to his left cheek, and utterly pulverizes the fragments. A hell of a thing for your first sight after launching the assault, but you're not done. He's still off his balance, which gives the advantage straight back to you.

“Hya!” you shout, not even bothering with the incantation or name of the spell as you wrap Hainawa around Ichigo's wrist and pull hard, spinning his whole body around into you even as you fill your heel with momentum.

The kick collides with Ichigo's right jawline, reversing his spin and pulverizing the lower half of his hollow mask. He stumbles, only to find your hand grasping at the collar of his shihakusho. His black eyes glare down at you as you lift him bodily off his feet, then flick at him with a Shunkō enhanced blow that sends him sailing in a low arc until he crashes to the ground.

After rolling once he comes to a sliding stop on his back, the last fragments of his hollow mask gone.
>1/2

>>1871137
>yfw hirenkyaku and shunpo for speed then he sonidos for changing direction

>and then he does that fullbringer steppy shit for traction

Didn't King say at some point that using any more than two fast movement techniques would pretty much be impossible or just plain a terrible idea since you'd be going so fast you'd just splat into something before you even saw it? Too fast, too furious?

>>1871148
Even two pretty much leaves you incapable of reacting to any change in circumstances. By definition Riku just exceeded the speed where her own eyes could keep up.

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>>1871146

>>1871150
If you're already exceeding your own ability to react, there's no reason not to go even faster!

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>>1871150
>>1871148
>>1871153
to summarize with a misquote: KONO SPEEDO

>>1871153
Brilliant

>>1871150
>>1871153
We must learn to see without eyes.

>>1871153
Can one Ghost in Space?

>>1871159
We already can

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>>1871146
“How?” he mutters, clearly stunned by the string of successive hits to his head.

“I used the quincy and shinigami rapid movement techniques in a way that stacks,” you explain, lowering to stretch the aching tendons and muscles in your legs... particularly your knees. “The usual limit of either is what my own eyes can keep up with, so don't feel embarrassed that you lost sight of me entirely. Because frankly, so did I.”

“That's good,” Ichigo sighs dramatically. “Because I had enough to be embarrassed of without it.”

>It's fine. You have no hakuda training to draw on which left you deeply disadvantaged.
>Someone should have taught you by now that hakuda and zanjutsu are interrelated. Get up, we're doing it again.
>Of course you lost. You're still only BORROWING your own powers from yourself. That SHOULD embarrass you.
>Produce a weapon. Right here, right now.

>>1871163
>Of course you lost. You're still only BORROWING your own powers from yourself. That SHOULD embarrass you.

>>1871161
We must learn to see without eyes better.

>>1871163
>>Of course you lost. You're still only BORROWING your own powers from yourself. That SHOULD embarrass you.

>>1871163
>Of course you lost. You're still only BORROWING your own powers from yourself. That SHOULD embarrass you.

>>1871163
>Produce a weapon. Right here, right now.
You are part Quincy Ichigo, you should be capable of this

>>1871163
>>Of course you lost. You're still only BORROWING your own powers from yourself. That SHOULD embarrass you.
We might be able to piss him off enough to make him power up out of sheer rage and the need to punch us in the face.

>>1871163
>>Of course you lost. You're still only BORROWING your own powers from yourself. That SHOULD embarrass you.
>Produce a weapon. Right here, right now.

>>1871163
Are berry-boy's ears ringing after that one?

>>1871163
>you're borrowing powers from yourself. what kind of power is that when you can call upon the whole thing? have you even tried to reconcile with your hollow half? From what I've heard from Shinji and the other Vizards it's more subjugation than reconciliation.

>>1871163
>>Of course you lost. You're still only BORROWING your own powers from yourself. That SHOULD embarrass you.

>>1871168
We just need eyes on the inside of our heads. Grant us eyes.

>>1871208
We need sight beyond sight. Quick let's go beat up the Thundercat's for The Sword of Omens.

>>1871163
>dice+3d10, DC 20, crit 24
>Ichigo is... well, he's a shonen protagonist
>which means he's not going to get this until suddenly he does

Rolled 6, 6, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>1871231

Rolled 9, 5, 10 = 24 (3d10)

>>1871231

>>1871237
Yo that's a nice crit there.

Rolled 10, 8, 7 = 25 (3d10)

>>1871231

>>1871237
Yoooo

Rolled 5, 7, 2 = 14 (3d10)

>>1871231

>>1871237
>>1871231
>>1871249
>Shonen powahs ACTIVATE

>>1871231
>>Ichigo is... well, he's a shonen protagonist
He get's it from our side of the family. Boy takes after his favorite Aunty.

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>>1871237
HE GETS IT

>>1871231
Okay then. This will require a combat roll from Riku as well.
>3d10, DC 18, Crit 24

Rolled 9, 2, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>1871272

Rolled 6, 9, 4 = 19 (3d10)

>>1871272
shit

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

>>1871272

Rolled 5, 10, 10 = 25 (3d10)

>>1871272

Rolled 2, 9, 7 = 18 (3d10)

>>1871272

>>1871278
>>1871277
>>1871276
wait...Anonymous (ID: 9yDCr2mO) 09/16/17(Sat)16:25:24 No.1871278 ▶

Rolled 4, 3, 3 = 10 (3d10)
Anonymous (ID: n0qpFgZ5) 09/16/17(Sat)16:25:34 No.1871279 ▶

Rolled 5, 10, 10 = 25 (3d10)

both of these rolls came in at the same exact time. which one of these rolls count?

>>1871279
Nooooo

>>1871284
blehs. I'm an idiot. I was one minute too late. *READ I YELL AT MYSELF. READ.

>>1871284
I'll go commit sudoku I have dishonored my family.

>>1871288
That's okay, we all have derp moments too.

>>1871288
Nah, it was more like 10 secs. Would've been super good, but we got a pass anyway.

>>1871294
I had a derp moment just now where I thought that 19 was less than 18.

Jet lag is a hell of a drug.

>>1871300
aye
it is a mean mistress, the biological clock.

I'm glad he gets it, this training session is turning out to be worth something after all.
We should have a drink with ichigo after this, to celebrate his growth. Sake, the good shit.

>>1871311
Yes. We need to get him drunk!

>>1871311
If we do we need to tease him about the girls in his life, and also imply we may have engaged him to rukia.

>>1871315
Huh, if he blacks out in drunkenness, does the hollow take control?
I mean, it's instinct, his one that is.
Riku science is go!!

>>1871163
“Good,” you reply bluntly. “You should be embarrassed, borrowing powers that are yours to begin with.”

“Isn't it the same way with us?” Rosa chimes in.

“Shut up,” you shoot back. “You know why I don't rely on you when you wouldn't want to use our power.”

“What?” Ichigo asks, sitting up in sheer confusion.

“The sword I use that gives me a resurreccìon gets pissed if I use her like a convenience,” you swiftly explain, “and since we share thoughts and memories it'd piss me off too if I did it. So I only call on her when I have to.”

“Ah, I get it,” Ichigo nods. “So you don't borrow her power lightly?”

“I don't borrow it at all,” you insist sharply. “It's our power, I can use it any time I want. I just don't always want to use it, that's all.”

“So you're saying I can't treat my hollow powers like they're...”

“I'm saying they're not even 'hollow powers', they're your powers,” you snap. “If you can't sort that out with yourself then we have a problem.”

Ichigo closes his eyes, and exhales slowly.
>1/2

>need to get up and stretch my legs, will be back in a few minutes

>>1871322
Hell even if we don't go drinking with him we still need to tease him. It's our obligation as his Aunt.

>>1871336
>>1871322
tease on him like we're actually flirting/hitting on him. what I just said may be taking things a bit too far.

>>1871346
Yeah no, family is not for flittering. Family is for embarrassing.

>>1871335
You're not sure how long he remains in that position, but it's certainly long enough for you to tire of waiting for him to make a move. And so when he finally does, he finds you calmly seated in seiza several paces away.

His aggression is what catches you first. The Ichigo you've become familiar with over the last few months would never attack a woman who didn't look ready to defend herself: maybe he's figured that you really are just as able to defend yourself from this position as you would be standing, but it still seems utterly out of character.

And so you swiftly rise forward and pivot off your left foot, shifting his momentum and throwing him over your shoulder as he tries to attack. But what catches you second is that he merely pushes off the ground with his hands and feet, rolling over midair to extend one hand back towards you with a release of... some manner of blast. Whatever it is it's black, about as fast and powerful as a bala but continuous like a cero, and it comes totally unexpected.

That's why even after using utsusemi to escape the line of the blast, you were a bit too slow.

“That was unexpected,” you muse, cradling your singed left arm in front of you as you stare at Ichigo. He's rolled to one knee, arm still outstretched. “What was that?”

“That was a cero,” he declares, staring you dead in the eyes.

>No. It wasn't, not exactly.
>You used a cero without hollowfying?
>... what were you doing?
>Other?

>>1871431
>No. It wasn't, not exactly.

Already making up his own abilities

They grow up so fast

>>1871431
>>No. It wasn't, not exactly.
Close but not quite kiddo

>>1871431

>No. It wasn't, not exactly.

>>1871431
>>... what were you doing?

>>1871431
>No. It wasn't, not exactly.
>... what were you doing?

I'm so proud

>>1871431
>>No. It wasn't, not exactly.
By the end of of this training session we're gonna have a tear of pride, aren't we?

>>1871431
>>No. It wasn't, not exactly.
>It was better
>... what were you doing?

>>1871431
>respond with our white cero

>>1871462
This, we could show him our own cero.

>>1871431
>>No. It wasn't, not exactly.

>>1871462
Sure, support


>>1871431

>3d10 for cero performance
>16 to get it to work on the fly
>22 for full dramatic effect

Rolled 7, 9, 10 = 26 (3d10)

>>1871506

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

>>1871506
DRAMMA

Rolled 4, 6, 7 = 17 (3d10)

>>1871506

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>>1871510

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1.96 MB GIF

>>1871510
MAXIMUM DRAMA

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>>1871510
all according to keikaku

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>>1871510

>>1871560
Critz are on a roll tonight. Who did the ritualistic neckbeard sacrifice to Laim, cause they deserve a medal.

Just goes to show, it must run in the family.

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>>1871510
“Not quite, Ichigo,” you shake your head. “You didn't get it quite right.”

“I used all the tips Zangetsu gave me,” Ichigo frowns, “but did I do something wrong...”

“Zangetsu?”

Ichigo nods in confirmation. “Actual Zangetsu. Hollow Zangetsu. He taught me the basics just now.”

“Well, that's always been a shock to me,” you admit. “How fast you learn I mean. But you didn't harden it quite the same way. Have you ever seen a real cero up close?”

“Hiyori used it a few times when we were training,” he informs you.

“So that's a no,” you sigh. “Alright, let's see if I can do this a second time.”

“Bet you a beer she can't,” Rosa taunts.

“I will accept those terms,” Tenkotsuki agrees.

“Wait, you have beer in there?” you ask, the joke having just connected in your mind. Then you quickly shake your head. “No, focus time Riku. Beer time can be later.”

“Are we doing this?” Ichigo asks, bored by only hearing one half of your own internal monolog.

“Come at me with that attack again,” you order, already gathering your reiatsu where it needs to go.

With a shout of effort Ichigo thrusts his palm forward again, the same black beam of energy lancing forth from his hand. But your response is swift and overwhelming. From two outstretched fingertips of your own a tighter, more powerful blast bites into the incoming darkness, scattering the incoming attack like smoke on the wind. You miss Ichigo on purpose of course, but the difference between your ceros is clear enough from that demonstration.

“How did you do that?” he demands.

“It's easy with experience,” you explain. “The difference is compression and energy level. You have to really get the power behind it.”

“What does any of that mean?”

“Well, with most users a cero produces a lot of heat,” you explain. “You have to force the reiatsu to vibrate but contain it at the same time. Instead I mostly rotate mine and compress it, meaning a narrower beam that bores a hole rather than incinerates. It's also far more accurate at longer ranges.”
>1/2

>>1871691
Yup, hope he can understand savant speak for a dodon ray.

Sniper Cero?

Nice.

>>1871691
“I learned it from Rosa, my inner hollow manifested from my living memories,” you add. “It works well with her released state. Had I used the technique in such a situation, it would have literally incinerated your own cero.”

“Burning a cero?” Ichigo asks, eyes wide. “Damn. I mean I guess anything can burn at some point, but still.”

You shrug back at him. “Well, your own version of it is coming along. You just need to keep it compressed more... so far as I can tell your reiatsu control's always been lousy for a quincy, but it makes a certain amount of sense. Most quincy don't have much in the way of reiatsu generated from their own bodies.”

>Now, speaking of which, generate a spiritual weapon. I'll wait.
>I want to show you a kidō technique. I'm getting curious.
>Try that cero again, I want you to nail the compression aspect.
>Other?

>>1871691
>From two outstretched fingertips of your own a tighter, more powerful blast bites into the incoming darkness, scattering the incoming attack like smoke on the wind. You miss Ichigo on purpose of course, but the difference between your ceros is clear enough from that demonstration.
YES. SNIPER CERO DEBUTS AFTER GOD HOW MANY THREADS.

>>1871510
Berry-boy does have a stupid amount of reiatsu and limitless stamina. He could really pour a lot of power into kido if he ever learned to use it.

>>1871709
>>I want to show you a kidō technique. I'm getting curious.

>>1871715
You'd snap the thing, you need equal parts control and power.
All he's got is muscle.

>>1871709
>>Now, speaking of which, generate a spiritual weapon. I'll wait.

>>1871709
>I want to show you a kidō technique. I'm getting curious.

>>1871709
>>Now, speaking of which, generate a spiritual weapon. I'll wait.
That cero is tempting to teach though.

>>1871709
>Now, speaking of which, generate a spiritual weapon. I'll wait.
Learning to use his Quincy ability is going to be essential to truly grasping his true potential.

>>1871709
>>I want to show you a kidō technique. I'm getting curious.
I can never not choose something indicative of a mystery box

>>1871709
>Now, speaking of which, generate a spiritual weapon. I'll wait.
I wonder how op berry is gonna be fare if he gets both Quincy!Zangetsu and Hollow!Zangetsu working together?

>>1871709
Berry boy needs a roll.

Rolled 1, 7, 7 = 15 (3d10)

>>1871768
One miracle at a time famalam

Rolled 8, 9, 8 = 25 (3d10)

>>1871768
Same dice as before?

Rolled 6, 3, 7 = 16 (3d10)

>>1871768

>>1871775
Now you feel like number one!

>>1871774
>15
IT'S A SIGN

>>1871775
>>1871768
A FRUITFUL TRAINING SESSION. WITH BOUNTIFUL EXPERIENCE.

>>1871779
https://youtu.be/5XQzfpCu3SA?t=23

>>1871799
it runs in the family. Riku has protag powers 2 centuries before berryboy. now that protag power trait is inherited in him. through adoption and marriage.

My god. The ROLLS in this thread.

Ichigo's still got his protagonist powers, even in someone else's story.

>>1871813

Well, that's embarrassing on my part. Mispelled something and went, nobody was watching and went, eh, quick delete and repost.

Shows what I know.

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>>1871768
“I want to see you summon a spiritual weapon,” you order. “Do it.”

“I don't think I...”

“I didn't bring you here to think Ichigo,” you scowl at the boy. “You have a natural talent for fighting and good instincts... now it's time for you to use those things.”

“Focus on what your mom told you,” he mutters, closing his eyes again. “Focus in the palm of your hand... feel the reishi around you... feel the reishi...”

Then he starts making a weird noise, like what Kūkaku would probably insist he'd have to do were she here. An ominous sort of “wooooaaah” sort of tone rather than an “ohm”, which is to say stupid instead of religious. It's not a kiai either: while not normally one to approve of random shouting in a fight you've heard that sort of thing from less assassination-oriented practitioners for more than a century. So it's something you can forgive, within reason.

You're about to tell him to knock it off when you see something glowing in his hand. The outline of a sword is there: vague, but definitely present. It looks an awful lot like a khopesh, the same way Zangetsu does, but it never quite becomes fully manifested in the way Uryū or Ryūken or Masaki's weapons do.

After a while of making increasingly weird and occasionally awkward noises, all with no appreciable improvement, Ichigo slumps to the ground.

“I can't,” he wheezes. “I can't keep making those damn noises...”

“And you couldn't manifest your blade either,” you muse.

“Yeah, it was like... almost like my attention was... I dunno. Split. Like I was trying to do too many things at once.”

“Too many things at once...” you mutter, glancing at the blade sitting next to your two zanpakuto.

>Keep it to yourself for now, move on to something else.
>Suggest that now is the time to part with Zangetsu as Ichigo knows it.
>Break the bloody sword, get it out of the way so Ichigo can progress.
>Other?

>>1871856
>Suggest that now is the time to part with Zangetsu as Ichigo knows it.

>>1871856
>>Suggest that now is the time to part with Zangetsu as Ichigo knows it.

I don't think Ichigo would forgive us for destroying Zangetsu, and I think it would hinder his development if he mentally can't go of Zangetsu. It'll be a loss and grieving, and he'll always wonder what if.

On the other hand...maybe Ichigo won't be willing to let go, and we do need to force this to happen.

>>1871856
>>Break the bloody sword, get it out of the way so Ichigo can progress.

>>1871856
>>Suggest that now is the time to part with Zangetsu as Ichigo knows it.

>will be back in a bit with the last update for the evening
Maybe a brief continuation after SoZ tomorrow.

>>1871856
>Suggest that now is the time to part with Zangetsu as Ichigo knows it.
It is time to help Ichigo strip away this false shape and allow zangetsu to become what it was truly meant to be

>>1871856
>Suggest that now is the time to part with Zangetsu as Ichigo knows it.

He cant access his power because he hasnt reconciled it as part of him fully?

if he starts complaining we can suggest dressing him up as zangetsu to take the piss.

>>1871938
You gotta be the sword.

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>>1871912
“I know exactly what you mean,” you announce, pointing Ichigo in the direction of his existing sword.

It's a full ten seconds or so before Ichigo realizes what you mean. “Oh, no. You don't mean that.”

You nod in confirmation. “You can't summon a spiritual weapon using your quincy abilities because you already have one. This blade that you've called 'Zangetsu' is holding back both your hollow-based powers and further development of your quincy powers. Without destroying it, and I mean utterly destroying it... this is as far as you go, Ichigo.”

“But if I destroy that sword, the old man...”

“Yes?” you ask.

“Could you do that to your own zanpakuto?” he grills you, staring straight into your eyes with an uncharacteristic intensity. If you didn't know any better you'd say they were accusing. “If I break that sword, he ends. That's it, isn't it? A quincy's powers don't have a personality... I'd be killing him.”

“He'd still be a part of you, Ichigo,” you observe. “And before you go and run your mouth some more, factor this little tidbit in: I may end up dying myself in much the same sense. When I release both my swords, the Riku you're talking to disappears, subsumed within a fourth entity made up of the three of us.”

“So don't you lecture me on ego death young man,” you snap, perhaps a little more harshly than you intended. “I've been there.”

Ichigo glances away from you, apparently unable to formulate a reply that he'd be satisfied with: let alone one he thinks would satisfy you.

“You don't have to decide now,” you tell him, the bitterness not quite out of your voice entirely and the look in your eyes uncommonly hard for a conversation between family. “And I'll try to pull some strings with that goofball who makes all the asauchi. But there may come a time when both of us won't have much in the way of an option.”

“If it comes down to sacrificing the Zangetsu you've come to know to save your famiily, your friends, your hometown? Then that's what you do. Likewise if the 'me' I am right now has to 'die' to protect what I love, then you bet your ass that's what I'll do.”

>>1871954
And that's where we leave off for now! Thanks for stopping by, thread is archived for future reference and your reading pleasure, link is in the OP.

I'll announce on twitter when I plan to add a little more. Maybe an omake in the week? Could be.

Instead of breaking zangetsu, why not just suggest he reforge it?

>>1871963
Still changes what zangetsu is.
Breaking it is quicker and easier
No running from this one.

>>1871954
>“If it comes down to sacrificing the Zangetsu you've come to know to save your famiily, your friends, your hometown? Then that's what you do. Likewise if the 'me' I am right now has to 'die' to protect what I love, then you bet your ass that's what I'll do.”

*low whistle*

This...this might be the best way to get through the Ichigo. Someone who feels exactly the same as he does about protecting their loved ones, and who has and is facing the exact same problem he is, and already resolved her answer.

When you think about it, this is what is meant by listening to your elders. In the end a lot of problems have been faced and solved, and the solutions handed down to the children.

This is Riku handing down her hard-won experience to Ichigo, so that his path is a little easier.

>>1871954
wow. In some ways, Riku is more like a mother to Ichigo in the spiritual sense...despite Riku being Ichigo's aunt and Masaki being alive.

Also Ichigo is gonna learn the same harsh lesson Riku had to confront a few days ago. Learning how to let go in the face of death.

>>1871977
>both of them walk the path of the special snowflake.

>>1872241
>They are so special, they don't even leave footprints in the snow

>>1871962
Omake ideas:
>Kaoru confesses to Kai

>>1871962
So what did Shunsui do when he arrived on the scene in the aftermath of Riku's 5 dragons of LUV spell?

>>1872431
Yeah i feel like that was an interaction that was supposed to happen and just never did.

>>1872431
>>1872440
That’s the weird thing.
>Thread 110: There's a pregnant pause. “I'll be there in an hour or so.”
Next thread we talk to the femritters and give two of them the regen serum, then go talk to Nel and Menoly, then it was out to squad eleven and agreeing to help Ikkaku, and finally Kido Corps HQ to talk to Kaoru.
And then there’s the fact that none of them were wondering what the big explosion was. Kaoru even talks as if the casting of Hado 99 was a week or two ago.

>>1871962
Masaki and isshin's faces when berry-boy comes home basically fixed?

>due to a critical lack of sleep, there will be no SSQ after I conclude this session of SoZ.
>Omakes in the week though.

>>1875641
can you answer some questions throughout the week?

So how does Ichigo feel/view about Riku now? It seems that the idea that Ichigo finally realized Riku is very similar to him in the sense of having the "shinigami-quincy-hollow-hybrid" aspect and also had to grapple with the same (if not worse) problems he's having regarding his existential crisis.

>“So don't you lecture me on ego death young man,” you snap, perhaps a little more harshly than you intended. “I've been there.”
Wow, that's a rare moment of weakness for Riku. Even though she's resolved herself to accept the outcome when the time comes to cross the bridge. The thought of it still scares her to some degree. Even moreso when she's persuading her nephew to experience ego death to one of his own aspects. So how long is Ichigo gonna take to sort out his feelings on ego death of "old man Zangetsu"?

>Ichigo: so what was Hollow Zangetsu like in personality when you went into Jinzen and had an honest to god soul-to-soul talk? Did he still try and murder you?

Can you answer >>1872431 ?

Omakes: Ichigo finally talks with Hollow Zangetsu on even ground.

>>1875641
How did Shinji’s attempt to recruit Ichigo go?
> Shinji: Soul Society won’t accept someone with an inner hollow.
> Ichigo: But they’ve got several arrancar working for them.

>>1875641
How is the Beerybowl between Rukia and Tatduki (and maybe Orihime) going, and how aware of it is Ichigo? What's his reaction if he's not aware and Aunt Riku tells him?

And on that note, how's the Rukia/Tatsuki bonding/training/friendshipping going, and how is Orihime doing as a not-involved-in-spiritual-matters civilian (assuming I'm not forgetting her powers because we rarely see her)?

>>1876859
Yeah, I can do that. Getting a late start today, but I can do some stuff later tonight.

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>Omake: Shunsui's Dayjob

Yeah, of course she ran off to do something else. There are probably a thousand and one different things Kusajishi Riku would rather be doing than reporting directly to Shunsui about the massive disruption her training just caused the Seireitei, and he knows it. In fact were it still the Old Man in the Head Captain's seat and it were him in Kusajishi's place, he might just do the same until the issue was either dropped or resolved or the Head Captain came calling at his own Division.

With a sigh, he decides that unlike his predecessor he is the type to actually go and get an explanation out of his subordinates for things like this.

“Hey, Nanao~!” he calls out, rising slowly from the chair behind his massive desk. “I'm thinking about going out for a while, wanna come with me?”

His Lieutenant pokes her head around the frame of the door, frowning behind her glasses.

“Captain, I must protest!” she scoffs. “The paperwork is piling up and you want to go gallivanting off to who knows where?”

“I apologize, but I cannot allow such irresponsible behavior.”

“But Nanao~!” he faux-whines, “there's always going to be more paperwork, can't you take a break from that if it's also for work? Come on...”

“It's for work?” she muses, clearly not buying it for a minute. “I've never known you to take on a task voluntarily.”

“You're being too mean!” Shunsui protests. “Besides, it's not unlike me at all to act on something when the mood strikes.”

“And you're in the mood to work?” Nanao presses, her tone still dubious but less so than before. The exact logic of the situation escapes her, but he does have a point. The Head Captain is nothing if not impulsive... but there's another option which legitimately scares her: that he's suddenly taking his job seriously.

What could possibly account for that?

“You're muttering to yourself, Nanao,” Shunsui observes with a sigh, having heard just enough internal dialog to get the picture.

“I know,” she insists. “I... suppose I could take the time to see what this is all about.”

“Great!” Shunsui declares. “Then maybe while we're out we could...”

“I refuse.”

Shunsui hangs his head pathetically. “You could at least pretend to give me a chance...”
>1/?

>>1880149
It takes a little longer for the two officers to reach the Ninth Division grounds, as Nanao repeatedly refused her Captain's offers to carry her. That means they've had to move at her pace rather than his, which means everything takes quite a bit longer even with Shunsui pressing on just fast enough to force his Lieutenant to the edge of her ability. Which is why by the time they arrive Nanao is already winded, while Shunsui hasn't even broken a sweat.

“You...” she mutters mutinously, stifling a curse for the sake of propriety. “How is it you can run that fast for that long? It's unfair to the rest of us.”

“A gentleman should always look his best,” Shunsui smiles, and before Nanao has the chance to challenge the notion that he in any way counts as a gentleman the Head Captain has already engaged with the guards at the Division's main gate.

“Hello there!” he greets them jovially, causing them to stand up even straighter at attention. “I hear things have been pretty exciting around here! Might your Captain be on the premises?”

“We're here about that... that thing that happened this morning?” Nanao realizes aloud. “The blast that had so many people on edge?”

“That's right, Lieutenant,” he nods. “So, how 'bout it? Do either of you know what your Captain's been up to?”

“I heard she was in the jail complex,” one of the guards offers, with a belated “sir”.

“Then that's where I'll be going,” Shunsui grins, sweeping his way past the guards with Nanao following some distance behind.

“What would she be doing there?” Nanao muses. “Though with the Seki stone walls, it'd be one place where her reiatsu might disappear.”

“That's what I'm thinking too,” Shunsui agrees. Instead of Riku inside the building, however, what he finds are quincy.

“Could you maybe come back later?” Bambietta asks, glaring sharply at the two intruders.

Nanao stares quietly at the trio for a while before speaking. “Why are those two prisoners out of containment?”

“Riku and that dope Kisuke shot them full of regenerative serum,” Bambi explains impatiently, “so their brains are in a better place now. We've been catching up... getting to know each other again.”

“They did what?” Shunsui asks flatly.

“More or less saved our... lives?” Candice wonders aloud, not quite sure how to put it.

“Souls,” Liltotto corrects her. “We technically have no lives to save.”

“Yeah, I'm still trying to get my head on straight and that's not helping,” Candice shakes her head. “We spent a lot of years completely insane, remember?”

“I try not to,” Bambietta grumbles.
>2/?

>>1880151
“Well, that's one more thing I'll want to discuss with Captain Kusajishi,” Shunsui frowns. “I trust you three intend to behave yourselves?”

“Captain, you can't be serious,” Nanao sighs, her shoulders sagging noticeably.

“They're surrounded by the Ninth Division,” her Captain points out, “and they don't seem totally well on top of it. So can I trust you three not to cause trouble?”

“I'm in no mood for it,” Candice shrugs. “I mean there's some resentment there, but I guess I can handle it?”

“Close enough,” Shunsui nods. “So where'd Captain Kusajishi run off to once that was done?”

“Said something about her sister?” Bambietta offers. “I dunno, it's hard to keep track of her sometimes.”

“Tell me about it,” Shunsui grumbles. “Well if you'll excuse me...”

“Is she in trouble?” Liltotto asks with a frown.

“Depends,” Shunsui admits, offering an almost nervous smile.

“Well, just remember that we owe her now,” Candice tells the Head Captain, crossing her arms in front of her.

“My dear, is that supposed to be a threat?” he asks.

Bambietta narrows her eyes dangerously. “Depends.”

Nanao chooses to remain silent until they've left the jail cell and started on their way to the Sōkyoku Hill. “That got unexpectedly tense. What was Captain Kusajishi thinking?”

“Probably nothing different from what she normally thinks,” Shunsui admits, slowing up just enough to let Nanao close in to hear his response. “Which is probably part of the issue... she just doesn't think along the same lines as the rest of us.”

“Which is what's gotten her in trouble,” Nanao observes.

“And it also makes her an asset,” Shunsui counters. “When every officer you have under your command views a situation the same way, it doesn't blind you to the alternatives. You're not even aware that there are alternatives. The conservative nature of the Seireitei's society has made it increasingly difficult to find genuine creativity among its upper ranks... if Lady Yoruichi was the spark, Captain Kusajishi would be the fire.”

“What's that?” Nanao asks, puzzled at the analogy.

“Nothing,” Shunsui shakes his head. “Just the ramblings of an old man.”
>3/?

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>>1880170
this some gud sheit

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>>1880170
“Ah, Head Captain!” Shiba Kaoru greets her commanding officer from behind an impossible stack of papers and scrolls, most of which would be considered incomprehensible even were they legible. “I wasn't expecting you. Please forgive the mess!”

“That's quite alright!” Shunsui insists, reaching out to prevent an imminent avalanche from sliding its way off Kaoru's desk. “What's all this?”

“It appears to be records of old kidō techniques,” Nanao realizes, glancing over a scroll that slips through Shunsui's hands and unrolls itself across the floor. “Very old techniques by the look of it.”

“And all of... 'questionable' legality now,” Kaoru admits with a smile. “So if you wouldn't mind rolling that scroll back up, Lieutenant, I'd be most grateful.”

“And what has you digging through such dubious reading material?” Shunsui asks, taking the scroll off Nanao's hands and tossing it back on top of the pile. “A little too early for bedtime reading, isn't it?”

Kaoru chuckles to herself at the notion. “No, you're right. Riku... that is to say Captain Kusajishi and I spoke a while ago. We were brainstorming ways to frustrate Aizens ambitions with Karakura town, I was just about to send you a preliminary report.”

“Oh?” Shunsui asks playfully. “And where might that be at the moment?”

“On my desk,” Kaoru grimaces. “Somewhere... problem is I keep adding more stuff to the pile than I can work through in the same time.”

“Well, Sisyphus, when you're through rolling that boulder I'd appreciate reading your report,” Shunsui sighs deeply. “Since you're one of my few officers it seems who still feels the need to file them regularly.”

“... thank you, sir?” Kaoru replies, still deciding whether that worked out to a compliment or not. “Anyway, if you're looking for my sister she already left. Headed for the Eleventh Division if following her reiatsu traces is any indication.”

“That could be bad,” Nanao insists quietly. “Those Eleventh Division thugs are notorious for picking fights, and Captain Kusajishi's impatience for poor discipline is legendary.”

“Well, I guess if you'll excuse me I have to go save the Eleventh Division from certain destruction,” Shunsui bows dramatically. “Again.”

“This is no time for joking, Captain!” Nanao insists sternly.

“I love it when you lecture me...” Shunsui practically coos as his Lieutenant drags him out the door by his ear. “Report as soon as you can, Lady Shiba!”

As he disappears around the corner Kaoru flashes a thumbs-up over the stack of paper, only to have half of the files slide onto the floor in the momentary lapse of attention. “Shit!”
>4/?

>>1880177
Little did we know that Madarame was the wisest among all the bankai users within the G13.

>>1880177
So much paperwork.

I wouldn't be surprised if Kaoru ever compiled and folded them into those zigzag ward thingies found on shrines and temples, which'll form the basis for her most potent seal or barrier.

>>1880177
It's neat to see how little anyone actually knows about riku's own keikakus
She's like a nega-aizen

>>1880185
Are you sure Aizen is not the nega-riku?

>>1880186
Makes me wonder about aizen's childhood, how he turned out like this.

>>1880177
Much to their surprise, Eleventh Division is still there by the time they arrive. Shunsui had been aware of it for quite a while, since there wasn't a second massive outburst of reiatsu like the one Riku released earlier that day. But just because she didn't cast a city-leveling spell doesn't preclude beating every Division member to within an inch of their lives if it's a Captain you're talking about.

“Nothing's happening,” Nanao observes blankly, and quite correctly. The only injuries to be found are a few regular sprains and a bruised forehead from regular sparring matches.

“Excuse me,” Shunsui asks a shinigami walking past and forcing the man to stop. “Can you tell me who the highest ranked officer on the Division grounds is and were to find them?”

“That'd be Fifth Seat Ayasegawa,” the man frowns, considering all of the absences. “That way, sir”

“Thank you.”

Yumechikka is, as it happens, in the middle of filing some sort of paperwork when the Head Captain and his Lieutenant find him. He glances up, then sits up much straighter at his desk. “Head Captain! To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Looking for Captain Kusajishi... she's a hard woman to find apparently,” the Head Captain explains.

“Well, you missed her, sir,” the Fifth Seat admits. “She offered to train Third Seat Madarame in the proper use of his Bankai. But that was hours ago.”

“Madarame has a Bankai?” Nanao asks, clearly shocked by the news. “I never realized.”

“Well, Captain Kusajishi would probably contend that he doesn't,” Madarame sighs. “He hardly ever even practices with it, forget using it in combat. So most of the time it may as well not exist.”

“You said this was hours ago?” Shunsui realizes aloud.

“Yes, sir,” Ayasegawa nods in confirmation. “Long enough that Madarame had time to debate whether to run off and get in some last minute training before he gets beaten up by a Captain tomorrow morning.”

“Then why would Lady Shiba send us this way?” Shunsui muses aloud.

“Well, they are sisters, and old friends on top of that,” Nanao points out, seizing upon the reality of the situation. “Or so I've heard rumors.”

“So you're suggesting she sent us this way to throw us even further off Kusajishi's trail?” Shunsui asks in disbelief. “And I was totally duped!”

“If it were a male Captain you would have questioned his motives more deeply,” Nanao scolds her Captain. “It's your own fault for taking all of their words too lightly.”

“Even the quincies sent us to where Captain Kusajishi had probably just been rather than where they thought she would be going.”
>5/?

>>1880191
Shunsui takes off running in the direction of Ninth Division. “This time I've got her! See if she gets off using the single most powerful hadō in the books in public and not even reporting it to me.”

“Hold on!” Nanao protests as her Captain leaves her well and truly in the dust. It takes a while for her to catch up, and by that point the sun is starting to go down.

“We've wasted...” she eventually gasps, having winded herself in the chase, “an entire day... chasing ghosts... and rumors?”

“Seems that way,” Shunsui admits from where he's seated atop one of the walls surrounding the Ninth Division's grounds. “Doesn't it?”

“And what... will your report state?” the Lieutenant presses.

“That Captain Kusajishi spent the day recruiting allies, strengthening our strategic planning, and training up some of our junior officers,” Shunsui explains, still looking down into the Ninth Division's grounds where the trees are already starting to turn shades of orange and red and gold, or else lose their foliage altogether.

“Is that who I think it is?” Nanao asks, as she too spies a pair of white-cloaked figures walking side by side across the small gap between the official Headquarters buildings and the residential block inhabited by the Division's top officers.

“Yeah,” Shunsui nods, rising from the spine of the roof and stepping back off the angled tiles to land on the walkway just outside the perimeter wall. “They look like they're enjoying each others' company. It'd be ungentlemanly to interrupt.”

“You didn't actually care about the report?” Nanao realizes aloud that she's been played.

“I could have just called her,” Shunsui admits, “and taken her report that way.”

“Why didn't you?” she demands.

“You needed to get out of the office,” Shunsui explains, not making a joke this time but completely serious. “You wonder how us Captains have stayed sane for so long, it's because we've learned from experience how to balance our responsibilities with our lives. For some of us our work and play overlap, but you've always been all work!”

“Forget about making you dull, it's not healthy. And I need my Lieutenant in top shape, both physically and mentally.”

After a few moments of thoughtful silence, Nanao renders her verdict. “You're an idiot, sir.”

“I take it that's still a no on dinner then?” Shunsui sighs wistfully.

“... we'll stop and get something on the way back.”

>>1880203
Smooth moves, Captain-Commander.

>>1880203
pfft. shunsui pls.
>the trees are already starting to turn shades of orange and red and gold, or else lose their foliage altogether.
well shit. we only have 1 month left before the big war happening.

>possible short omake tomorrow
>schedule for Saturday uncertain

>>1884010
What happened to the small updates throughout the week stuff?

>>1884064
My schedule and availability changed. I can no longer be available during the week at all, except for whatever time I can carve out for an omake or two.

>>1884175
Wargle syndrome?

>>1884269
You what now?

>>1884366
Wargle changed a couple things and, whoops, destroyed his ability to quest due to having zero free time.

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>>1884010
Ichigo honestly needs a moment to himself. First Riku had told him that his zanpakuto wasn't even a zanpakuto, and that his hollow is actually his zanpakuto, then she told him that even thinking about either one as a 'zanpakuto' is actually counterproductive. And now she's telling him that all those powers are his anyway, so it's basically irrelevant anyway.

Something does bother him though, more so than just in the general sense: “Zangetsu”, which is the proper name of this “inner hollow”, always insist that hollowfication was his power, as in not Ichigo's.

So Ichigo shuts his eyes, and turns his focus inward the way his old man taught him.

“I was startin' to wonder if you'd ever show up!”

Ichigo's inner world is just as strange and vertigo-inducing as ever, though this time different faces present themselves. His pale, black-eyed doppelganger is the one who is speaking, while the old man in black hasn't put in an appearance.

“Where's the other one?” Ichigo grumbles.

“He's taking some time off,” the white Ichigo replies without actually explaining anything. “What, are you concerned for the guy? He's been lying to you!”

“Actually I'm not really too happy with either of you right now,” Ichigo counters bluntly. “And if either of you ever fucking explained stuff to me when I came here I wouldn't have to ask, would I?”

Zangetsu has nothing to say to that, since of course it's perfectly true. “So that woman out there's been tellin' you a lot of stuff, hasn't she? Meddling bitch...”

“If it weren't for her we wouldn't be having this pleasant conversation,” Ichigo smirks slightly, “so watch your damn mouth.”

“Why are you here?” Zangetsu demands.

“I'm here to ask you something I should have asked a long time ago,” Ichigo admits, taking a seat on one of the edges of the sideways buildings that seem to stretch on forever in both directions, never seeming to reach the sky or the ground.

“That so?” Zangetsu sneers.

“What part of me are you?
>1/?
>it's nearly 3am, will finish tomorrow

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>>1887785
For several long moments the two Ichigos simply stare at each other, one in silent expectation and the other in silent disbelief.

“Is this kid serious?” the hollowfied one eventually asks himself aloud. “You're serious, aren't you?”

When he doesn't hear a denial, his tone turns mocking. “'What part of me are you', you actually asked that question?”

“Um... yeah?” Ichigo replies warily.

“I said it once already,” Zangetsu insists impatiently. “Not my fault you're an idiot.”

“And I said it once already,” Ichigo shouts back, “quit jerking me around! Every damn time with you!”

“Am I this?” Zangetsu demands, drawing out a familiar crook-like blade and swinging it at his master. Ichigo is forced to duck forward and parry the unexpected attack with his own blade behind his back, even as the cloth wrappings unwind themselves. “This isn't even my shape! That quincy fuck couldn't even make us look like a finished weapon!”

“What part of me are you!?” Ichigo demands again, this time much louder as he sweeps his blade at his own mirror image.

“You already know!” Zangetsu roars back, his own getsuga tenshō meeting with Ichigo's between them. “You call on me every time you fight even if you're too stupid to realize that's what you're doing!”

“Instinct?” Ichigo guesses even as their swords meet again.

“Yes!” Zangetsu confirms as their blades bind against each other, almost seeming to surprise himself. “I'm your survival instincts, you crazy bastard!”

Zangetsu swiftly breaks the bind, sliding past Ichigo and under his blade to strike him in the head with his elbow. “But no, you just can't fucking accept what you are, can you? You just have to fight with logic, don't you? It's unnatural!”

“I'm not gonna start fighting like an animal if that's what you...”

“Bullshit!” Zangetsu interrupts Ichigo's attempts at an argument. “You're an animal too, same as any hollow. You wanna live, don't you?”

The two lock blades again, Zangetsu leaning in to sneer at Ichigo. “You don't wanna die, right? Accept that! Use it!”

“And live as a coward?” Ichigo demands, struggling against his own zanpakuto's strength but not making any headway.
>2/3

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>>1888557
“Since when is wanting to live the same thing as fear?” Zangetsu asks, visibly appalled at what he's hearing. “Try telling that arrancar girl she's a coward next time you see her... what was her name again?”

“Shut up,” Ichigo growls.

“Make me, brat,” Zangetsu challenges, shifting his blade upwards and planting a foot firmly in Ichigo's gut. The blow knocks the teen to the ground... if these things were anything like real buildings he'd have fallen through a window just now, so what does that make them?

A question for another time.

“You're alive, and so's your enemy,” Zangetsu lectures his wielder, grabbing his own copy of himself and spinning it rapidly by its cloth wrapping. “Nothing's stronger than the will to live, and if your enemy's more determined to live you die. Remember that, brat.”

“Now go back and fight that smug bitch out there.”

“Language,” Ichigo reprimands his sword. “And I'm not gonna use that blade... part of the point. I need something else to fight her with.”

“Well you're kinda lousy at hakuda,” Zangetsu offers his blunt criticism, “and without me or the old fuck helping your shunpō's nothing special either.”

“Gee, you're a ray of sunshine,” Ichigo sighs.

“Stroking your ego's not what I'm here for, dumbass,” Zangetsu snaps in return. “That... woman has a sword. It's kinda like me, but angrier. I wanna cut her up real bad, but she won't even give me the fucking time of day.”

“Your point?” Ichigo grumbles.

“Her wielder can use cero because of her,” Zangetsu finally explains. “Without releasing.”

“You want me to use cero?”

Zangetsu shrugs, refusing to really commit one way or the other. “Either it works or it doesn't. You should be able to do it... but you also suck legendary amounts of ass at kidō... so I give it a coin toss odds of working.”

Ichigo stares blankly at his zanpakuto for a moment before shaking his head. “You're no damn help.”

“Just pretend it's a getsuga tenshō but without a sword,” Zangetsu offers.

“Fine, I'll try it,” Ichigo relents, disappearing from his inner world.

After staring ahead for a few moments, arms crossed in front of him, Zangetsu sighs. “That's not gonna work, is it?”

“Frustrating, isn't he?” a second voice muses seeming to echo from all corners of this world at once.

“How the hell did you manage?” the zanpakuto spirit wonders aloud. “If it weren't in my nature to preserve my own existence... I couldn't be held responsible for what I'd do to him.”

“Patience, Zangetsu. He will learn.”

"But will he learn fast enough?"

"... he'll have to."

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>>1888567
>“This isn't even my shape! That quincy fuck couldn't even make us look like a finished weapon!”
>“Just pretend it's a getsuga tenshō but without a sword,” Zangetsu offers.

I mean, that skinny Zangetsu shape is really just one half of a greatbow, right? Seems like it'd be a decent focus for firing things.

>>1888585
Explicitly, Zangetsu was pissed that Ichigo's quincy power didn't even create a weapon with proper fittings. The implication however is that "Zangetsu" should look quite different.

>>1888567
>“Now go back and fight that smug bitch out there.”

>“That... woman has a sword. It's kinda like me, but angrier. I wanna cut her up real bad, but she won't even give me the fucking time of day.”
Jesus, Hollow!Zangetsu, you have a fight boner for your Hollow!Auntie?

>>1888714
More to the point, it physically hurt to admit there was someone even angrier than he is.

Appaci confirmed victor of the berry bowl

>>1888894
I'm unironically okay with this

>>1888894
A black horse who wasn't even present at the starting line.

>>1888894
>Shinigami Savant Quest #63
>“Wanna help me find my nephew?” you ask.
>“You mean the cute little punk who tried to save Miss Rukia?” she muses. “Sure, I'm in.”
>“Did you just call my nephew cute?”
>She grins. “What can I say, naive idealism and a “tough guy” facade are cute. Bet the human girls eat it up.”

>>1889397
Ah yes. thread #63, one of my favourites and most commonly revisited.

>>1889397
>Later Yoruichi takes out a small scrap of paper, writes 四 on it, and hands it to Appaci
>"The fuck is this? Some kind of reaper pun?"
>"Your number in line for the Kurosaki boy."

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>>1888894
Apacci is best

>>1889827
>Meanwhile, in Karakura town
>"Hey, Aunt Riku."
>"..."
>"What's with this tension..."
>"You break her heart I break your limbs."
>"Which one?"
>"All of them."
>"Wait, all of my limbs... or any of the women?"
>"Yes."

>>1892922
Pfft, as if anyone needs to tell Shounen The Protagonist to try to make everyone happy and protect everyone's smiles.

>>1893014
Riku enjoys being dramatic

>>1892037
Wojtek agrees with you, 100%, and will maul any naysayers with his bear hands.

I'll have some juicy omake action tomorrow, today has been... inconvenient.

>>1895243
did you died
if so, RIP in pieces hope you get better

I wonder... What sort of drunks are the Arrancars in our service are? The bestial three I'd imagine would just get louder and rowdier then usual, Stark might become emotional and sappy, and Harribel? Giggly. Yes.

Omake idea maybe? No one is as honest as someone who is drunk.

>>1897748
>giggly harribel

hehehehe

>>1892037
Holy destructive power, Batman!

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Picture not really related to anything, came across it like a month ago and wanted to share I found it kinda funny.

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>Omake: Human After All

Ichigo Kurosaki has had a rough time over the last couple of weeks, and almost anyone who knows him has realized it. Even his homeroom teacher Miss Ochi has taken notice, with her normal attitude of “so long as you get caught up” having given way to something more clearly resembling concern.

“You know why I kept you here, right Kurosaki?” she asks as he finally shuts his book. The rest of the room is empty, the other students having gone home more than an hour ago, but Ichigo's been kept late.

“Probably the third late assignment this week?” he guesses.

“Right and wrong,” Ochi sighs, rolling up the magazine she'd been reading for the last hour and gently rapping her pupil over the head with it. “I'm not stupid, Kurosaki, I know that something's up with you that no amount of detention's gonna fix.”

“Then why am I here?”

Ochi returns to her place behind the desk and begins putting her own things away in her bag. “I know you're at that age when it feels like you're in it alone, but you're not. Open up to someone. If you can't trust your teacher with the actual problem at least trust me on this, it'll help.”

“Go home, Ichigo.”

The sun is low in the sky by now, painting Karakura town and the surrounding hills in a rapdily-fading orange glow. But the orange of the town around him has nothing on the girl he finds waiting for him at the school's main gate.

“Inoue? What are you doing here?”

“Well,” she begins hesitantly before settling on just telling him the truth. “I was waiting for you, Kurosaki.”

“That's... nice,” he offers, uncertain both of Inoue's motivations and how to react to them.

The two students begin to walk, letting the silence between them define the trip for several long minutes. Eventually Inoue interrupts.

“You know...” her voice falters as abruptly as she began.

“Maybe?” Ichigo jokes. “I can't answer that until you finish the thought.”

“It's nothing,” Inoue tries to lie, waving her hands insistently.

“You wouldn't have started if it was nothing,” Ichigo observes.

“Well... people are worried about you, you know?” she renews her efforts to speak her mind, rather clumsily reviewing her thoughts on the matter occupying it. “My brother... he always used to say he was happy when I smiled, and he cried when I did. Tatsuki said something similar...”

“I guess I can see that?” Ichigo admits. “Where are you going with it?”
>1/2

>>1897906
“You may not realize it, because maybe nobody told you,” Inoue continues, finding something approaching a stride to fall into, “but when you're feeling confident, that spreads. When you feel relaxed, other people feel like it's okay for them to relax. And when you worry about something, when you're upset... we feel that too.”

“We?”

“Your friends, Kurosaki,” Inoue clarifies. “I've never met your family, but aren't they the same? Even Ochi-sensei's starting to worry!”

Ichigo falls silent, having been chastised a second time in one evening for the same carelessness. But to Inoue the mood is clear: this is far from pouting or brooding, like what some others at school might accuse him of. Having said what she needed to she simply allows him to think for a while, until they come to a stop in front of a small apartment complex.

“This is your place, right Inoue?”

The orange-haired girl's eyes widen slightly, as if she'd been walking in a trance the whole time. “Oh... shoot! How did we end up at my apartment?”

“... I guess I ended up getting walked home instead,” she realizes aloud. “How embarrassing!”

“It's no big deal,” Ichigo brushes off his classmate's concern. “Least I could do.”

“For what?”

“Well, without Tatsuki or Rukia around... nobody else at school has the guts to straight-out tell me I'm being an idiot when I'm being an idiot,” Ichigo explains bluntly. “Chad avoids confrontation unless someone's gonna die, Mizuiro's polite to women and guys he knows could snap him in half, and Keigo's... well... you've met Keigo.”

“So... thanks,” Ichigo nods politely. “For saying what I needed to hear.”

Ichigo offers a wave as he turns and says goodnight, but if it weren't so dark he might not have been able to play it quite so cool. He couldn't see how much his classmate had been blushing, and his refusal to look back kept him from seeing how she stood like a deer in headlights for almost a full ten minutes afterwards before she realized how cold she was getting and scurried indoors.

But however cool he tried to play it, one fact remains true... he was grateful, and he wasn't about to forget that.
>2/2

>>1897906
>>1897982

I always liked Inoue even if she was underutilized in the source material, but I do love how you make her adorkably endearing King. Almost makes me want her to win the Berrybowl again.....almost.

>>1898151
Rukia Tatsuki Apacci three-way tie