Chương 54: Up For A Conquest?
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One week passed in the blink of an eye. Ichigo juggled between learning Kaidō from Retsu, bugging Kisuke to speed up his body acclimation, spending time with his sisters, hanging out with his friends, and training with Yoruichi. It was a fruitful week—an amusing one too, given that he could tease Tier's Fracción whenever he liked—but Ichigo couldn't help but feel stifled.
The time Ichigo had spent in Hueco Mundo had let him taste freedom. He didn't need to be mindful of his power. He was not suppressed so he could breathe lightly. He couldn't do that in the Human World, lest he would kill the people. His destructive power was the reason why he ignored Coyote and didn't kill Ulquiorra at that time. Ulquiorra and Coyote wouldn't have been the only ones dying if he had gone all out.
It was only one week and Ichigo could feel his growth hindered. His Reiryoku didn't stop growing, but it was slower than when he was in Hueco Mundo. He would gladly trade that off with the chance to meet his family, but he couldn't even get into his physical body. Worse, his physical body couldn't keep up with his growing Reiryoku.
"Are you even doing your job, Hat-and-Clogs?"
"You are not giving me enough credit, Ichigo-san."
"The results speak for themselves," Ichigo scowled.
"Well, blame your freakish body, then!" Kisuke retorted petulantly. Ichigo deadpanned, motioning at the Hōgyoku planted in his chest, making Kisuke rub his head sheepishly. "Well, I am trying hard, you see, Ichigo-san. It's just…there are so many projects I have to work on. I can't prioritize you, considering Aizen's obscure status."
Ichigo frowned but didn't say a word. He understood Kisuke's position. Kisuke was involved in the Kototsu Restoration Project, the Temporary Human World-Soul Society Bridge Project, and the Fake Karakura Town Project. The pay was good, but he was under pressure. Unlike Mayuri, he was alone, after all. The R&D had offered him some staff to help, but he declined politely. He didn't want to risk Mayuri spying on him.
Ichigo sighed and stood up. He would give Kisuke some slack. Kisuke asked where he was going and Ichigo waved his hand casually. He wanted to let loose a little. Ichigo went out of the shop and got into the sky. Flicking the air, he opened a Garganta. He stepped into it and rushed to the other end of the limitless tunnel.
Ichigo found himself in the Rukongai when he stepped into the light. He loosened the hold he had over his power, causing the ground under him to cave in. Ichigo reveled in the freedom. He scared the creatures in his surroundings but didn't care. When he had enjoyed the momentary freedom enough, he reigned in his Reiryoku. Acting like nothing happened, he left for Kūkaku's house.
The 12th division was alerted by the huge Reiatsu that appeared in the 70th District of West Rukongai. They thought Aizen was attacking until Mayuri scoffed and told them it was probably the orange-haired monkey Kurosaki. His subordinates calmed down but wondered if their Captain would lose his head one of these days. The Reiatsu their radar caught was enough to rival the General's own. It would bear no good news offending someone of that caliber.
Ichigo arrived at Kūkaku's house in five minutes. Combining Shunpō, Hirenkyaku, and Sonido had its perks. Ichigo still didn't have a name for the technique. He also didn't feel worthy enough to name it as he was not proficient yet. During the five minutes, he had only used the technique thrice but torn his leg muscles every time.
"Ichigo-sama. Welcome back!"
Ichigo gave a light nod to Shiroganehiko and Koganehiko before entering the house. He traversed through the hallways and eventually found Masaki. The brown-haired beauty was playing with needles using Reishi strings under Kūkaku's disbelieving gaze. The two were so focused on their activity that they failed to notice Ichigo's arrival.
"I see you are having an interesting activity."
"I- Ichigo-san!"
"Oh, hey, Ichigo."
Ichigo's remark startled Masaki, dispersing her Reishi strings. On the other hand, his stunt only elicited a noncommittal greeting from Kūkaku.
"Back from saving the world already?" Kūkaku quirked an eyebrow.
"Not quite, but I am back," Ichigo nodded lightly. "I assume you no longer need processed Reiryoku, Masaki."
"Ah, yes. I can absorb them from the air now," Masaki confirmed.
Ichigo sat down beside her. "That is cool. Do you know what you just did?"
Kūkaku shot Ichigo a look. She also wanted an explanation. She knew Masaki was Ichigo's mother—at least, she used to—but hadn't heard anything about her heritage. Kūkaku had never seen one herself but wagered that Masaki was a Quincy.
"No, I don't know. I woke up and had this ability one day," Masaki shook her head sheepishly.
"When is this one day?"
"Two days ago."
"I see…" Ichigo rubbed his chin in thought before pulling out the Cross Ryūken gave him. "Why don't you channel your Reiryoku here?"
"How do I…"
Masaki trailed off as her Reiryoku was sucked off as soon as her hand touched the Cross. A bow made out of Reishi materialized before she could process what happened. Ichigo hummed in appreciation. The Cross was Masaki's to begin with. Although it worked for him, it was better to look at it in its original glory.
"That is called Heilig Bogen," Ichigo informed as Masaki admired the bow. "Only a Quincy can manifest it using that Cross. You are one, just like me."
"Woah. What does the bow do?" Masaki asked in fascination.
Ichigo chuckled. "Why don't we go outside?"
The group moved out of the house and settled in the empty backyard. Masaki kept her Heilig Bogen all the time. Ichigo unsheathed the shorter Zangetsu and held it in a vice grip. He channeled his Quincy power into the Zanpakutō, materializing a Heilig Bogen using it as a medium. The bow was smaller than his real one, but that was enough for demonstration. He didn't want to alert the paranoid Gotei 13.
"Wow. You can just use anything to produce this?" Masaki gestured at her Heilig Bogen.
"No," Ichigo shook his head. "The Quincy Cross is a necessary tool to materialize one's Heilig Bogen. I am special."
"Ah, okay."
"Now, watch me."
Ichigo pulled the bowstring with his right hand, causing an arrow to materialize. He aimed at the tree in the distance and released his Heilig Pfeil. Masaki watched in amazement as the Heilig Pfeil tore the tree to pieces. On the contrary, Ichigo frowned. He had thought his Heilig Pfeil would have just passed through the trunk instead of obliterating the tree.
'I guess I am stronger than I thought,' he mused. "Well, it's time for you to try."
"C- Can I do it?" Masaki asked nervously.
"Sure. Why not?" Ichigo shrugged.
Masaki carefully drew her bowstring. She watched in fascination as an arrow automatically materialized. She aimed at the tree a couple of meters from the one Ichigo had obliterated and released her Heilig Pfeil. She missed, much to her chagrin. On top of that, her Heilig Pfeil just stuck to the ground like a normal arrow instead of blowing up.
"Not bad," Ichigo praised.
"I missed," Masaki pointed out with red cheeks. "Are you teasing me?"
Ichigo looked at Masaki's red cheeks and smiled mischievously. "I wasn't, but now that you are showing me that cute face, I will tease you from now on," he shrugged.
Kūkaku whistled as Masaki sputtered in embarrassment. Ichigo only smirked before resuming tutoring Masaki. He didn't want to involve her in the fight but didn't want to make her ignore her heritage. Besides, although he wouldn't let anyone harm her, it was better to arm her with means of self-defense.
Ichigo ended up spending three days with Kūkaku and Masaki. He had spent the three days flirting with the women. He didn't necessarily want to get into their pants. He just enjoyed their embarrassed faces. Masaki was endearing and Kūkaku was adorable. It brought Ichigo a certain satisfaction to make the tomboy act like a foolish maiden.
"Well, I have to go back, so see you guys some other time."
"Take care, Ichigo-san."
"Come visit soon, Ichigo. Masaki will miss you."
"W- What? I won't! Eh, no, that is not what I mean. I mean…"
Kūkaku snickered at Masaki's panicked look. Masaki scowled when she realized what Kūkaku was doing. Ichigo smiled softly at the scene. He decided to tease them a little bit and extended his hands to rub their heads.
"Well, I will be right back. Don't miss me too much, both of you," he said huskily.
The two women froze before leaning into his warm touch. Ichigo chuckled softly in amusement, awakening the women from their reverie. Their cheeks turned red. Masaki looked down but Kūkaku bravely raised her head, albeit avoiding his gaze. Ichigo waved his hand and disappeared from the place with Shunpō.
Ichigo stopped before the tree not far from Kūkaku's house. He put his hand on the trunk, pinning the girl leaning on the tree.
"Done with your business?"
"It was more of a holiday, but yes. Why didn't you join us, Yoruichi?" Ichigo looked at the girl in amusement.
"I don't want to disturb your family time," Yoruichi shrugged.
"But you are a family, no?" Ichigo leaned into her face. "You are going to be."
Badump! Badump!
Yoruichi's heart pounded as Ichigo's face got closer. Her cheeks reddened and she closed her eyes. The kiss never came. She only met Ichigo's teasing gaze when she opened her eyes. She scowled, not finding the prank funny. Ichigo laughed throatily, causing her heart to flutter, washing away her irritation.
"Cheeky bastard. Anyway, I am here to—"
She couldn't finish her sentence as his lips sealed hers. She almost fainted when his tongue invaded her mouth.
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