Chapter one.
''Welcome to the Bleach System, under this system the user will have access to most of the unique Bleach abilities, for additional information of any of the other functions of the system, please press 'I accept' on the screen.''
''… What?''
''For additional information of any of the other functions of the system, please press 'I accept' on the screen.'' That weird artificial voice repeated, completely ignoring the question.
''...'' Without any other options, the young man shrugged and decided to agree with the strange demand.
Without waiting another second, the boy touched a blue holographic screen that appeared in front of his face, illuminating the darkness that covered him just a few seconds ago.
''I accept.'' He clicked the screen and verbally agreed, even though he wasn't sure to what he was agreeing to.
''The Bleach System counts with three main windows, those being 'Store', 'Missions' and 'Inventory'.'' As the voice started the explanation, three new windows appeared showcasing each of the systems functions.
''Hm… It looks like any normal RPG menu.'' He gave a quick nod, quickly catching on just what was going on.
''You know, you're surprisingly calm, shouldn't you be more surprised?'' The system suddenly asked, in a surprisingly human voice.
''So you can talk like a human! What the fuck was up with that weird robot voice then!?'' The boy almost screamed.
''… I thought it would sound cool.'' The 'system' quietly answered, suddenly sounding incredibly shy. ''I'm sowwy…''
''Ah… Great, now I feel bad.'' The boy mused, although he didn't make any attempt to apologize.
''No, no, it's okay, it was my fault… Snif snif.''
''Are you crying!? Is that even possible!?
''Hehee, I'm just playing with you, don't mind me. Anyway, back to the point, you're probably wondering just what is going on here, am I right?'' The system finally decided to get back on topic, it's tone now considerably more serious.
''No, not really.'' The boy replied, slightly tilting his head to the side.
''… You don't?''
''Come on, I've already read enough fanfictions to know where this is going.'' The young man answered. ''It probably goes like this, I died, a sad pathetic death.''
Before the system could attempt to interrupt him, he kept talking. ''Then, some random God felt bad about laughing at how pathetic my death was and thought, maybe I should give this guy a chance… The point is, I'm dead, am I right?''
''I stand by what I said before, you're way too calm.'' The system noted once again, not bothering to confirm nor deny what the boy's explanation. ''Are you sure you're not mentally ill or something?''
''I mean… Considering I'm talking to a system which shows tsundere tendencies, I might as well.'' The boy lazily replied, not really caring about the current topic.
''Point taken… I'm not a tsundere though.'' The system almost whispered that last part.
''Anyway, to my understanding I'm free to do anything I want with this system, right?'' He asked, changing the topic to something that interested him far more. ''You still haven't explained much about that.''
''Right, I probably should finish explaining what the system does and it's meaning.'' The system agreed with it's user. ''Like you mentioned, the whole system looks pretty much like any normal RPG game, minus the levels and stats.''
''I think most of the functions are pretty much self-explanatory, but allow me to further explain it just in case. For example, if you enter the store, -which you can access by merely voicing the command-, you'll find yourself looking at your average store, only that this one is full of most of any valuable Bleach objects.''
''Store.'' The boy tried summoning the strange window once again, and he was pleased when it appeared right in front of his eyes.
He locked eyes with the store, and was surprised to see just how much items were on it.
''It's easy for you to find items such as an asauchi, a quincy's cross, you name it, it's probably here.'' The system allowed the boy to take his time scrolling down the window, exploring all the options that the store offered.
''Asauchi: 500 I.P''
''Quincy's Cross: 500 I.P''
''This…'' The system user whispered, finding a few options that peaked his interest.
''Ah, that.'' The system said, noticing what the boy was looking at. ''That's the race section, as you see, be it a Shinigami, a Quincy or a Hollow, you can pretty much join any race, as long as you have points to pay for it, that is.''
''Shinigami: 1500 I.P''
''Hollow: 1500 I.P''
''Quincy: 1500 I.P''
''Fullbringer: 1500 I.P''
''Regular human: 1500 I.P
''… Does that mean I'm not a human anymore? Since i've to pay for it, i assume i'm not.'' He noted, a greedy smile slowly reaching his face as he realized just how much power this system would allow him to get.
''Pretty much, yes.'' The system confirmed. ''Although you will look like one, you're technically not classified as one.''
''Can I have more than one of these races? Like, for example, a Hollow and a Shinigami?''
''You can, although there are some notable exceptions like a Quincy and a Hollow, since you would essentially be committing soul suicide.'' The system pointed out. ''You should be careful though, since this prices are subject to change.''
''I'm not sure I understand what you mean.'' Tilting his head to the side, the system user quizzically looked at the store.
''This are the prices for your first race, but the very moment you acquire any of them, the prices for your second one will skyrocket.'' The system warned. ''So you better be careful with what you pick.''
''And I suppose the points to buy things will be acquired through missions, right?'' Changing the topic once again, the boy waited for confirmation.
''Spot on.'' The system replied. ''Maybe i should give you bonus points for that!''
Ding, ding.
50 P.I obtained.
''… Thanks?'' Unsure on how to react to that, the boy offered a quick response.
''Your welcome.'' Back to it's usual tone, the system went back to business. ''Naturally, the more dangerous the mission is to your life, the more points you'll be awarded. You should know that most missions are optional, and generally there's more than a single way in which you can complete the mission.''
''More than one way? The hell do you mean by that?'' Once again, the boy found himself at a loss of words, this system didn't seem entirely conventional, if at all.
''For example, you should consider most of the things 'events', there's often more than one way in which you could solve that same event. If there's a random escort under attack, you could both assist or help, both have their own rewards.'' The system's example allowed him to finally understand just what he meant, and he sure liked the sound of it.
''So, what you're saying is…'' He trailed off, now unable to hide the full on smirk off of his face. ''That I can do whatever I want, and the system is even going to reward me for it?''
''Basically, yes.'' Coincided the system. ''The rest of the system's functions are pretty much crystal clear, inventory is your own private dimension in which you'll be able to store most of the objects you acquire from the store.''
''The points that are used to acquire anything from the store are named Influence Points, or I.P for short.'' The system added. ''You'll instinctively know what to do for the most part, there…''
A light interrupted their conversation, more precisely, a blue light that completely covered the boy.
''System… What's this?'' Unable to hide the panic from his face as he saw how his body started to shatter into small pieces, he tried his best to remain calm.
''Ah, don't worry, I guess it's about time for you to go.'' The system simply answered, seemingly unbothered by it. ''It'll be a while until you hear my voice again, so I sure do hope you take care of yourself, if you die, I'll die too.''
''Good luck, user.'' With those final words, the boy's eyes started to close as everything started to fade for him, falling under complete darkness.
. . .
He didn't know how long it had been, it could've been seconds, minutes, even hours or days, he wasn't sure. Eventually, he had managed to wake up, his eyes lazily opening up as he instinctively started studying his surroundings.
''Is this… My room? Was it all just a dream?'��� He asked himself, after all he was looking at an exact replica of his bedroom.
As disappointment started growing inside him, a sudden message ringed inside his head as that familiar blue screen appeared in front of him.
''Special quest: Attend school.
Karakura's high school might be just what you need to get started in this world, so you better get moving!
REWARD: 100 I.P''
The young boy's blue eyes widened in surprise, without being able to hide the disbelief from his face. ''Karakura?''
Of course he already knew what the Bleach System was about, but he never though he would also be teleported to the Bleach World too.
''This is bad.'' Contrary to what someone might expect, his first emotion wasn't happiness for being able to meet his favorite characters, it was quite the opposite actually. ''No, no, no.''
His reaction was understandable once you thought about all the unimaginable monsters that lived in the Bleach World, and he wasn't talking about the literal monsters. Hollows were the least of his problems if he truly was in Karakura.
'Yhwach.' His body shivered as that name repeated itself in his mind, a character who took Bleach's power levels to another level. 'Damn it, not even a second here and I already need to get stronger.'
He hated being defenseless more than anything else, so the sole idea of coexisting in a world with such monsters made him feel incredibly angered. Of course, it's not like any of them would even waste a second on him as he was right now, but that was only even more demeaning for him.
''Tch, whatever.'' Shacking his head to the sides, he forced himself to move, getting out of his bed and walking towards where his bathroom should be.
'A hundred influence points.' As he walked absentmindedly towards his bathroom, he started peeking at the store. 'Is a hundred supposed to be a lot?'
Once he arrived at the bathroom, he took a quick look at himself through the mirror and found himself at a loss of words.
'Is this really me?' He couldn't help but think. 'My eyes are blue as always, and my skin is as pale as ever, but…'
He opted for not finishing such a thought, after all he wasn't even able to recognize his own face.
Where once he had short blond hair, he now had a long messy black hair, almost covering his eyes completely.
''I guess it isn't so bad.'' He commented, but his hair wasn't really the problem.
His face was clearly attractive, he had thin red lips, sharp eyebrows and his equally sharp face made him fairly pleasing to look at, that was for sure.
''And that's not at all.'' He noted. ''I look like two years younger, what am I, fifteen? And I lost a bit of muscle too, I look kinda thin…''
''Whatever, I can fix most of this stuff with time, but for now… Store!'' He called for the system, and the command immediately triggered a response from it, making the blue screen appear.
He started looking through most of the options, this time taking a few seconds for each of them until one managed to catch his interest.
''Reiatsu boost: 50 I.P''
''… This could either be disgustingly overpowered, or incredibly lame.'' He said to himself, and it just so happened that he had 50 I.P right now, so he gave it a try.
He purchased it, and immediately felt a sudden burst of energy rush through his body, completely enveloping him.
''A-ah…'' He couldn't help but moan, that was single handedly the most satisfying sensation he had ever felt, so much so that he was already missing it.
That was not all it was though, he wasn't sure on just how much the boost was supposed to be, but he felt at the very least considerably stronger.
''Maybe I should purchase more whenever I've the p…'' His words got caught on his throat as he observed how the price for the boost had suddenly changed.
''Reiatsu boost: 100 I.P''
''Double the price?'' His dreams of his power skyrocketing through the roof were done in single second, after all if the prices kept doubling for each purchase it would surely take him a considerable amount of time to get to a high level.
''… I guess it's only fair, otherwise it would be to broken, and even then it probably is already broken.'' Even though he couldn't quantify just how much stronger he felt right now, he could for sure tell that his reiatsu reserves were at least twice as much as before.
'Then again, twice the strength of an ant is still insignificant.' He added in his thoughts.
Closing the store for the time being, he started washing his teeth, submerging himself deep into his thoughts once again. ''If I'm really in Karakura Town, I'll need a Japanese name, right? On second thought, if I understand the mission correctly I seem to already be enrolled into Karakura's High school… The question is, am I a new transfer student? Or does this body already have established relationships with the other students?''
He frowned, feeling a slight irritation for the lack of information he had been given.
'And how the fuck am I supposed to know how to get there?'
Looking at his reflection on the mirror, he noted that he was already wearing the male version of the uniform that Ichigo and his friends usually used to wear. That basically meant that the only thing he needed to do now was to find the school.
Shrugging his shoulders, he decided that since he wasn't going to get anywhere by just waiting, he might as well leave, not without taking a look at the clock on the wall. ''12:30? I guess that the classes start just before the afternoons then.''
Without another word he took his leave from his house, slowly walking his way onto the streets as he scanned his surroundings.
'I can't recognize a single thing.' He noted, as every single house that his eyes managed to see was completely foreign to him. 'I should remember this if I don't want to get lost.'
''Auch!'' He felt someone colliding straight into him, and moved his head down to find just who that might be.
His blue eyes ended up finding themselves meeting a beautiful pair of brown eyes, and he recognized the person who they belonged to immediately.
Right in front of his eyes was no other than Inoue Orihime, a beautiful fifteen-year-old girl who was part of the main cast of Bleach.
'Just how cliché is this whole situation supposed to be? The good old bumping into a beautiful girl is kind of overused.' The boy thought with a contained smile, hiding his amusement from the girl. 'I'm not complaining, though.'
''Hidden mission completed:
Meet Inoue Orihime.
REWARD: 200 I.P''
'Again, I'm not complaining.' He repeated to himself, if this was supposed to happen for each one of the relevant characters then he would be selecting his new race in no time.
''Hey girl, you okay?'' Finally deciding that he had probably stared at her for too long, he offered a hand to the girl on the ground.
''A-ah… Yes, thank you!'' She gladly accepted his hand, using it to help herself to get back on her feet. ''I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention.''
''Does this happen often to you?'' The pale fifteen-year-old asked to her, though he already knew the answer to that.
''It seems to be happening more and more now… But I guess it's because I'm always so distracted!'' Orihime answered, a smile now back on her face as she happily answered to this unknown guy.
''… I see.'' Was the only answer he offered, quickly changing the subject into something more interesting to him. ''Hey, I couldn't help but note that you're wearing the same uniform as me.''
''Am i?'' The girl innocently asked, and finally took her time to take a better look at the black haired boy. ''Ah! You're right, but I've never seen you in our school!''
'So I am a new student after all, huh?' He thought, now finally getting some useful information from the girl.
''That's normal I suppose, I'm a transfer student after all.'' The boy tried to answer to her as naturally as he possibly could, though knowing how innocent this girl was it probably wasn't necessary. ''So, what's your name anyway?''
''Ah, I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself!'' Orihime apologetically waved her hands in front of her, bowing slightly at him. ''I'm Inoue Orihime, it's nice to meet you!''
''I'm…'' He made a slight pause, and suddenly a name appeared on his mind, instinctively knowing that it was the right answer. ''Akihiko Kuromiya.''
''Kuromiya-san, as in, Black Shrine?'' The beautiful girl curiously asked, tilting her head cutely at him.
''Yes.'' He didn't really know that his family name meant Black Shrine, but at least he got a cool name from the system. ''Anyway, Orihime…''
The girl seemed slightly surprised by his words, and he suddenly remembered that not using honorifics in Japan was actually a big thing when addressing someone.
'Too late for that, I guess.' He told himself.
''Y-yes?''
''I'm a bit lost, you see. Would you mind guiding me there? Otherwise I fear I might not get to class at all.'' Akihiko requested, after all since destiny decided to allow him to meet her, he might as well use the opportunity to fulfill his current mission.
''Ah, you're right!'' As if suddenly realizing just how much time they had lost talking, she started running in the opposite direction to which Akihiko was originally heading. ''If we get late Tatsuki-chan will get mad with me!''
And so, they both started running towards Karakura's high school.
Ten minutes later, at Karakura's High School.
''So you're the new student? You don't seem like much.''
''Tatsuki-chan, don't be so mean!'' Orihime pouted at her friend, who was currently looking straight at the new student.
''… I guess you're right.'' Tatsuki agreed, as she finally stopped staring Akihiko down. ''I'm Tatsuki Arisawa, and you're…''
''Akihiko, Akihiko Kuromiya.'' He greeted her, shaking her hand.
Immediately after that, the three of them headed towards their classroom as both girls started a conversation.
Truth be told, Akihiko wasn't really paying attention to what they were talking about, he was busy planning about on what he would spend his Influence Points.
'After meeting Orihime, Tatsuki and getting inside the school I've a total of 350 points, fifty of those after meeting Tatsuki.' Now that he had confirmed the fact that he would get points each time he met a somewhat relevant character, he wasn't too worried about spending some of those points.
'Maybe I should just get some Reiatsu Boost's? It's not like I need an asauchi right now, and it probably wouldn't be wise to become a shinigami until I've a considerable amount of reiryoku, I don't want the Soul Society to find me after all.' He pondered all of his option inside his mind, and at the end he decided for increasing his reiatsu first.
''Kuromiya-san?'' Orihime's voice forced him to change his attention towards her.
''Is there something wrong, Orihime?'' The black haired boy asked her, not knowing what they were talking about. ''By the way, just call me Akihiko.''
''Ah, no honorifics? You sure are close for just knowing each other for a few hours.'' Tatsuki shot at them, smiling slightly.
''It's not like that, Tatsuki!'' Orihime denied, shaking her hands wildly in front of her face. '
''Think what you want about it, I don't really care about that stuff.'' Akihiko simply decided to shrug his shoulders at her. ''Anyway, did you need something Orihime?''
''A-ah, no.'' Shacking her head, Orihime proceeded to explain herself. ''Tatsuki and I were just thinking that it's unusual to have two transfer students in just a few days.''
The three of them suddenly stopped, but for different reasons.
Both Tatsuki and Orihime had stopped because they were finally at the door of their classroom, Akihiko on the other hand…
''Two new students, you said?'' Hearing Akihiko's question, Orihime tilted her head at him.
''Yes, two, is there a problem? She gave the blue eyed boy a concerned look, since he suddenly looked noticeably worried. ''You don't have to worry though, Rukia is a nice girl, I'm sure you'll make friends in no time!''
Far from encouraging the boy, Orihime's words only managed to confirm Akihiko's thoughts.
'Damn it, Rukia is already here?' He bit his lip, now suddenly realizing just how little time he had before shit hit the fan. 'And she has been here for at least a few days, what do I have then? Two months? Not even that?'
There was only one thing that Akihiko knew now, he needed to get stronger, and FAST. If not, well, he could always join Aizen's side, couldn't he?
End of chapter one.
A bit of a slow chapter, i'm sure you understand why though. You can expect things to speed up next chapter. I would like to know your opinion on what should his first race be, since that would define just where this story is going.
Do remember that this MC isn't good, by any means.
So, the question is, Quincy, Hollow, Shinigami or Fullbringer? Of course he could eventually get a second one, again, you decide.
I've plenty of ideas for each case already, so it's up to you guys.