Chapter 108: Guidance

"Are you sure? You aren't exactly like the rest of us..." Hirako shrugged, his downturned mouth curling even further, clearly finding Chojiro's words somewhat unreliable.

"Ah? Well, how should I put this..." Chojiro also seemed quite troubled by the question. "It's not that I intend to train him, but rather that the guy is bound to come looking for a fight with me."

"???"

"What does it matter? You all want to know the extent of his strength anyway, right? Wouldn't it be easier if I just tested him myself?"

Hirako didn't quite grasp what Chojiro was talking about. Despite the sea of question marks hovering over his head, he agreed with the proposal; after all, they had time to spare, and it wouldn't hurt to use it to gauge Ichigo's potential.

"But how are you so certain Ichigo will come?"

"Hmm?" Chojiro raised an eyebrow and turned his head with a strange look. *Should I tell him I’ve read the script?*

...

Although the Visoreds were still speculating about how Chojiro knew Ichigo would seek them out—or rather, they had known Ichigo would come, they just hadn't been sure of the timing—Ichigo arrived exactly as Chojiro had predicted.

"Yo, long time no see, Ichigo." Hirako balanced his cap on his finger, spinning it with a mischievous smirk as he greeted the orange-haired, spiky-headed teenager who had suddenly appeared in their territory. "Didn't I tell you that you'd come looking for us?"

"You're a real nuisance."

It was true; when they had clashed before, Hirako had indeed said that, but Ichigo hadn't expected the prediction to actually come to pass.

"I want you to teach me how to control the Hollow inside me."

"Are you planning to become one of us?" Hirako countered.

"I said teach me, didn't I? I only want to gain power from you; I never said I wanted to be your companion."

"Then we have no reason to teach you."

"I'll make you teach me."

"How? With force? There are eight of us here, you know. Or do you think you can force us to submit..." Hirako put his cap back on his head, tilted it, and offered a wicked grin. "With that tiny Bankai of yours?"

"!"

Ichigo froze. It seemed they were aware of the existence of Bankai, and worse, they didn't seem the least bit intimidated by it.

"Well, say what you want, but you'll end up as one of us eventually. So, we have to test your strength first."

"Are you going to be the one to do it?" Upon hearing the mention of a fight, Ichigo’s hand immediately gripped the hilt of the massive sword on his back, his gaze sharpening.

"That was the plan, but there's a better candidate now. He said that the moment you saw him, you would challenge him."

"?"

*Someone like that exists? Someone I'd want to challenge on sight? Who? Why don't I even know?*

"Yo, you've recovered quite quickly, haven't you..."

As Hirako finished speaking, a man cloaked in a white haori emerged slowly from the shadows of the warehouse, looking entirely relaxed.

"Ichigo Kurosaki."

"It's you!"

Upon seeing Chojiro, the calm aura surrounding Ichigo suddenly shattered. Violent, manic spiritual pressure surged from his body, as if he intended to tear the man before him into pieces.

"I must have left quite an impression on you when we first met. Don't you want to get some revenge? I'm giving you a chance." Chojiro deliberately spread his hands and smiled triumphantly. He wasn't sure if Ichigo would strike, so provoking him was the surest method. Besides, he wanted to see for himself what kind of power this legendary protagonist possessed.

"...I couldn't ask for anything better."

With a savage grin, Ichigo didn't waste any more words. He drew Zangetsu from his back and placed his left hand on his right wrist. "Bankai!!"

After he had defeated Kenpachi Zaraki, he had been utterly crushed by this guy without him even needing to release his sword. Now that he had grown many times stronger, he had to go all out and use his true power to take him down.

"Tensa Zangetsu."

"Hey, hey, it's just a challenge, isn't it? Is all this really necessary?"

The others nearby, who had been ready to enjoy the show, shifted in discomfort. While they knew Chojiro’s words might only be half-true, what was with this immediate jump to Bankai? What kind of deep-seated grudge did they have?

"Ha, Bankai, is it? I’ll give you credit for your talent, Ichigo Kurosaki, but you’re still too weak. Let me show you just how far you are from our level!"

No matter how strong Ichigo had become, Bankai was never something to be taken lightly; one mistake could prove fatal. However, that only applied to a mature Bankai. Chojiro didn't give a second thought to this incomplete, unevolved Tensa Zangetsu.

*Whoosh.*

Ichigo's Bankai was impressive, to say the least. Never before had he seen a Bankai that could boost speed so dramatically. Before Chojiro had even finished blinking, the orange-haired intruder was already behind him.

*Clang!*

The black blade, no larger than a standard sword, swung toward Chojiro's neck, only to be blocked by the man’s backhanded strike.

"What..."

"Oh, the speed is truly remarkable. No wonder you could hold off Little Byakuya’s Senbonzakura Kageyoshi; you certainly have a unique edge." Without turning his head, Chojiro applied a slight force, repelling Ichigo. While the speed boost was surprising, the power wasn't as potent as he had imagined, and pushing him back was no difficult task.

*Little Byakuya?*

Hearing Chojiro describe the cold, arrogant captain that way, Ichigo’s eye twitched. *Who... exactly is this guy?*

"But you should know that speed alone won't win you this fight, Ichigo Kurosaki."

"That remains to be seen..." Ichigo was brimming with confidence. His speed just now hadn't been his peak, and he hadn't used his full strength either. The fact that the man could easily block him wasn't something to brag about. But the young Ichigo was clearly being a bit stubborn; there was one fundamental fact he failed to notice.

Even while blocking his Bankai-enhanced attack, Chojiro still hadn't released his own sword.

In other words, in Chojiro's eyes, Ichigo’s so-called growth hadn't yet reached a level that required his full attention.

"Alright, let's go somewhere else. I don't want to get yelled at by Hirako for wrecking this place. Follow me..." Chojiro grabbed Ichigo by the shoulder and darted toward the deep darkness of the warehouse.

"Tell me... Ichigo Kurosaki."