Chapter 136: Meeting Zangetsu
(Ryoto's pov)
After I returned home together with Lala, I told my story to Rito and Mikan, and my little sister was amused that every time I took a walk, something strange happened. She even made a joke that I'll cause a war on one of these walks.
I think she raised a flag but better not to think about it.
For the next week, nothing unusual was happening, but my arm was fully healed. When I went to Mikado-sensei about it, she was not only confused but fascinated by how fast I recovered.
Thank god for Spider-man's regeneration power, even if it's minor.
I also punished Zastin. I only let him meet Mil-tan because I still need him to draw my manga, but I definitely scared him in some way.
Before I go to my new swordsmanship teacher, I'll try one more time to talk with Zangetsu. He didn't answer before, but I have a good feeling about today.
As always, I trained in the garden, and after I was done with my usual routine, I sat under Celine and started meditating.
As I was reaching out to Zangetsu, there was finally a difference, so I opened my eyes and looked around.
I didn't like what I saw.
Half of the world was cloudy with the sun coming out behind the clouds, and the other one was heavily raining. I could even see some lighting there.
But that's not what I didn't like.
I was inside the town. Some of the buildings were from this world, some were from the Assassination classrooms world, but there were from my previous life.
They all were mixed together.
In the distance, I could also see a forest and even a mountain.
Better not to think about it for now.
Ryoto: "Zangetsu!?"
I called out for my sword since I couldn't see him nearby.
???: "Yo, you called?"
From behind one of the buildings, a person looking exactly like me emerged. His voice was distorted, but you could still recognize it as mine.
The only difference was that all his colors were inverted. All expect his teeth. That and his clothes. He was wearing a traditional shinigami outfit, but like everything going else, its colors were reversed. On the back, he was carrying a sword as big as he was that was wrapped in some kind of black cloth.
Ryoto: "Zangetsu?"
Zangetsu: "No, Santa. Of course, it's Zangetsu! Who else would be in your inner world?"
Ryoto: "I don't know. I was just expecting old man Zangetsu and not... me."
Zangetsu: "Did you already forget who that old man was?"
Right, he was the materialization of Ichigo's other power.
Ryoto: "Sooo, what now? Do we fight? Are you going to give me a Shikai?"
Zangetsu: "Nah, don't feel like it right now. Maybe you'll convince me otherwise, Jacob."
He said it with a big smile plastered on his face, but my blood started boiling.
Ryoto: "Don't you ever call me that name again."
My voice was calm, but you could feel the rage inside me building up, and so did Zangetsu, but he didn't care.
Zangetsu: "What? Pushed a wrong button?"
No, calm down, Ryoto. He wants you to get mad.
I took a deep breath to calm myself down and looked at Zangetsu once more.
Ryoto: "My name is Ryoto."
I practically hissed at him.
Zangetsu: "Sure it is buddy, and I'm Ryujin Jakka. What other lies are we telling each other?"
Ryoto: "Asshole."
Zangetsu: "You are saying to the guy who not only has the exact same face as you but also knows everything that you know. You are practically calling yourself an asshole."
Ryoto: "OK, I'm done for today."
Zangetsu: "Oh, by the way. You can't continue like this. Sooner or later, repressing your past will bite you in the ass."
That was the first time that he looked serious.
Ryoto: "If you know me that, you should also know that it's not the option."
With these words, I left my inner world.
(Zangetsu's pov)
Well, that was productive. Pissing off Jacob was not my goal in itself, but he needs to face his inner demons.
Hehe, inner demons.
Zangestsu: "You can come out now!"
I call out to my companion in this world.
It was a teenage girl with short brown hair and brown eyes. She wasn't tall at all. Her clothes seemed normal for a girl her age to wear.
???: "How did it go?"
Zangestsu: "Not the best. Sometimes he is too big of an idiot."
The girl snickered at my comment.
???: "Yes, that's Jacob for you. Hey, maybe I should talk with him?"
I shook my head.
Zangestsu: "You know why we can't do this. He isn't ready to face you at the moment. He practically exploded hearing his name."
She now looked sad.
???: "Why is that?"
Zangestsu: "There are many reasons. He wants to have a fresh start. He is happier right now than he ever was before. He blames himself too much for what happened in the past and can't accept that it was him or, to be more precise, that he is still that person."
???: "But achieving happiness by sealing the part of yourself isn't true happiness!"
Zangetsu: "I know, and that's why we'll try to help him, *****."
I patted her head which she clearly enjoyed, but at the same time, I frowned. I couldn't even call her name in this world because Jacob was rejecting her.
???: "Do you think that he'll be happy seeing me?"
Zangetsu: "He may be shocked, but I'm sure that he'll be livid. But not now. We'll wait for a better time."
She agreed with me.
Let's see, Jacob, if you'll reach your full potential or crumble like many others. I'm hoping that it's not the latter.
I was broken from my thoughts by *****.
???: "Hey Zangetsu, are you planning on letting Jacob wield you?"
Zangetsu: "I hope that he'll grow enough to do that, but if the situation demands it, I'll help him. I don't want him to die after all."
Don't make the same mistake twice, Jacob. History likes to repeat itself, so be careful.
(Ryoto's pov)
I exited my inner world in a visibly worse mood than before, and Celine noticed it and tried to cheer me up.
Ryoto: "It was nothing, Celine. Thanks for worrying."
I patted her, which she enjoyed.
Mikan: "Ryoto, breakfast is ready!"
I was called for food.
Right, I'm Ryoto. Jacob died already. I acknowledge that I was that person in the past, but right now, I'm Ryoto Yuuki.
With these thoughts, I joined the breakfast.
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END
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