Chapter 895: Chapter 896: Commit Suicide, Zangetsu
"Can’t stand it anymore?"
Yoruichi had long understood Ethan’s personality. With his attitude toward power, he would never tolerate the idea of being fooled by his own power.
"Yeah."
"So you plan to make a move?"
"Yeah."
The distorted light scattered, and a figure suddenly appeared where there had been nothing. Even though it was a familiar face, Ichigo was still startled. In the brief moment he froze, he was almost struck by Zangetsu.
"Mr. Ethan?"
Ichigo did not expect to see Ethan here. Although he had grown significantly during Ethan’s training, the style of that training had left some lingering psychological shadows. Seeing Ethan while practicing Bankai made him feel like he was about to be tormented again.
Ethan jumped down from above and waved to Ichigo. He did not even glance at Zangetsu, as if the figure simply did not exist.
Ichigo wanted to say he was training, but he still walked over obediently. On the way he glanced at Zangetsu and noticed that Zangetsu had stopped attacking and was standing quietly.
"You came to the Soul Society too?"
"I arrived a long time ago. I’ve been watching your performance."
"A long time ago?"
Ichigo had not noticed anything at all. However, he did not doubt Ethan’s words. The gap between them was simply too great. Ethan stood right in front of him, yet he could not sense even a trace of the other’s spiritual pressure.
It was obvious that if Ethan did not reveal himself, Ichigo would never find him.
"Your performance earlier was good, so I decided to give you a reward."
"A reward..."
Ichigo’s expression became stiff. Ethan’s so called rewards were never easy to obtain. However, he also knew that Ethan’s guidance really could make him stronger. Since he urgently needed more power, he should actually be happy to see Ethan again.
"What reward?"
"I will teach you the true Bankai."
Ethan deliberately emphasized the word true. Even someone slow would understand the meaning, and Ichigo was not stupid.
"Isn’t this already the method to train true Bankai?"
Ichigo turned to look at Yoruichi. Did Ethan think Yoruichi’s method could not teach him real Bankai? Before he could think further, Ethan flicked his forehead with a sharp hand chop.
"You’re mistaken. For ordinary Soul Reapers, training with the Tenshintai can indeed allow them to master Bankai. Kisuke used this method to achieve Bankai."
"Urahara-san..."
Ever since arriving in the Soul Society, Ichigo felt the number of questions in his mind constantly increasing.
He already knew Yoruichi’s identity. She was the former Captain of the 2nd Division and the Commander of the Onmitsukido.
But who exactly was Kisuke? And what about Ethan? From Ikkaku’s reaction when hearing Ethan’s name, it was obvious that Ethan was not an ordinary person.
"Who exactly is he? And you, what is your identity?"
"Former Captain of the 12th Division. Founder and first Director of the Department of Research and Development."
"You?"
"No. That’s Kisuke."
"..."
"I’m just an ordinary Captain." Ethan pointed toward Yoruichi not far away. "Organizations like the Onmitsukido or the Research Department may sound impressive, but they have nothing to do with me."
Being a Captain is already impressive enough.
Ichigo only dared to complain silently in his mind. If he actually said it out loud, he would probably receive another hit.
"Yoruichi, put away the Tenshintai."
After Yoruichi deactivated the Tenshintai, the physical manifestation of Zangetsu disappeared.
Ichigo really wanted to ask Ethan how he was supposed to learn the true Bankai. However, before he could speak, Ethan had already pressed a hand against his forehead. The world immediately went dark.
His mind briefly blurred, but Ichigo quickly regained consciousness. When he looked around, he realized he had entered his inner world.
This empty space filled with towering buildings.
"Huh? What just happened?"
"I pulled you into your consciousness space."
Ethan’s voice came from beside him. Ichigo turned his head and saw Ethan standing there.
"You can enter my inner world?"
"Your mental defenses are too weak. You cannot block my intrusion."
"..."
That did not sound good. Ichigo felt extremely uncomfortable. His personal consciousness space had been invaded so casually. Even if it was just an empty world of buildings, the feeling still bothered him.
"Relax. I have no interest in your personal privacy. I came here only to teach you how to use your own power."
"Are we going to learn the true Bankai here?"
"Bankai?"
Ethan showed a faint smile of disdain.
"Strictly speaking, you are not even a real Soul Reaper. So where would you get Bankai?"
Zangetsu was indeed a Zanpakuto, but it was actually an aggregate of Quincy power. It also contained Soul Reaper power and a small portion of Hollow power, yet those parts were suppressed by the consciousness of the Quincy side.
In the original timeline, White entered Ichigo’s body and fused with his Soul Reaper power. His Soul Reaper and Hollow powers became inseparable, and White’s consciousness dominated that part.
Meanwhile, the Quincy power existed inside Ichigo in the form of Yhwach, the figure Ichigo believed to be Old Man Zangetsu.
Both represented different aspects of Ichigo’s power. As the representative of the Quincy side, Old Man Zangetsu strongly rejected Soul Reaper power. He constantly suppressed Ichigo’s true Soul Reaper power, which was White. Only when Ichigo faced danger would he release White to save him.
Because of Ethan’s interference, White never invaded Masaki and never entered Ichigo’s body to become that part of the power.
At present, the Soul Reaper power, the small Hollow power, and the Quincy power inside Ichigo were all controlled by Old Man Zangetsu. This made it even easier for him to suppress the Soul Reaper power.
Ichigo understood none of this. He had no idea what Ethan was talking about.
"I’m not a real Soul Reaper?"
"Yes. The power you are using is not Soul Reaper power at all."
Ethan turned to look toward Zangetsu, who seemed to have been standing there the entire time but had actually appeared silently.
"Am I right, Zangetsu? Or should I call you by another name?"
"..."
Ichigo stared blankly at Ethan, then at Zangetsu standing nearby, unable to understand what was happening.
"If you want to learn to use your own power, then what you need to do is..."
Ethan turned back toward Ichigo.
"Kill him."
"What?"
Shock filled Ichigo’s face. He suspected Ethan was playing a joke.
"Kill Zangetsu? But he is my Zanpakuto."
"He is your Zanpakuto, yet he is not your Zanpakuto."
Ethan did not explain further. He only left that confusing sentence before walking aside and sitting down.
"If you want to truly master your own power, you must kill him and take back what belongs to you."
The words take back made Ichigo understand a little more. He stared at Ethan, waiting for an explanation, but Ethan remained silent. Ichigo then turned to Zangetsu, hoping for answers.
Zangetsu also remained silent, simply watching Ichigo calmly as if silently agreeing with Ethan’s words.
This reaction made Ichigo even more confused.
"How can this be?"
A Zanpakuto is born from a Soul Reaper’s soul and will. It represents the manifestation of a Soul Reaper’s power. The will of a Zanpakuto originates from the Soul Reaper. Therefore it should be the most trustworthy companion in battle.
At least that was what Ichigo had always believed.
But now everything seemed completely contradictory.
Of course, Ichigo did not know that the source of his Zanpakuto’s will was not his own soul. Old Man Zangetsu’s will was born from Quincy power, and all Quincy power carried Yhwach’s personal imprint.
Because of this, Zangetsu could suppress Ichigo’s Soul Reaper and Hollow powers according to his own preferences, lending only the Quincy power he approved of.
This time there was no White to oppose him. If Ichigo could not eliminate Zangetsu, he might never regain the powers that truly belonged to him.
Ethan did not explain any of this. Perhaps after Ichigo defeated, or killed, Zangetsu, he would explain a little.
As for the minor issue of Ichigo losing his Zanpakuto afterward, Ethan did not consider it a problem.
Ethan knew many combat techniques. It was not like someone could not fight without a Zanpakuto.
At worst he could teach techniques like the Wicked King Flaming Killing Sword or Spirit Sword. If that was still not enough, even Unlimited Blade Works was possible.
Of course, whether Ichigo could learn it was another matter.
While Ethan was thinking about what techniques he should teach Ichigo, Ichigo and Zangetsu were still talking endlessly without any intention of fighting.
"Are you planning to persuade Zangetsu to commit suicide so you can easily reclaim your power?"
To Ethan’s surprise, Zangetsu finally spoke.
"If Ichigo wishes it, I can do that."
"?"
(To be continued.)
