Another way Ichigo could get his powers back in fanfiction is through a magical or spiritual artifact. Maybe he discovers an ancient sword or a talisman that has the ability to restore his lost powers. This could be part of a grander plot where he has to go on a quest to find this item, facing various challenges and enemies along the way. During this journey, he might also learn more about the true nature of his powers and how they are connected to the overall 'Bleach' universe.
In some fanfictions, there could be new characters introduced specifically for this arc of Ichigo getting his powers back. For example, an old and powerful soul reaper who has some special knowledge or ability related to Ichigo's powers. They could play a crucial role in guiding Ichigo, training him, or even sacrificing themselves to help him regain his powers. Additionally, villains would also be main characters in a sense. They could be the ones who initially took Ichigo's powers or are trying to prevent him from getting them back, thus creating the conflict in the story.
The Soul Reapers could be involved too. Some of them might notice that Ichigo is acting strange and try to figure out what's going on. Captains like Byakuya or Kenpachi could potentially cross paths with Ichigo during this time. And then there are the Hollows. They might sense that something is different about Ichigo but not be able to fully understand why he seems weaker than before, which could lead to some interesting confrontations.
Perhaps in the fanfiction, Ichigo hides his powers because he wants to live a normal life for a while. He could be tired of all the battles and responsibilities that come with his power. So, he tries to blend in at school and with his family, but of course, it's not easy as his true nature keeps showing up in small ways.
Ichigo might gain the ability to manipulate shadows with the Darkness Zanpakuto. He could use the shadows to hide, to attack from unexpected angles, or even to create illusions. This would give him a whole new set of tactical options in battles. He could also absorb the darkness around him to strengthen his attacks or heal himself, much like how he currently absorbs spiritual energy.
The boy could use his hypnotic powers to heal people's traumas. Suppose a person had a bad accident and was haunted by the memories. The boy could hypnotize that person and guide them to face their fears in their subconscious, thus helping them to get over the trauma.
It could completely change the dynamics of his powers and battles. Maybe a new Zanpakuto would give him unique abilities or force him to adapt his fighting style in unexpected ways.