Chapter 39

The Hollow snarled in frustration as its attack was effortlessly blocked. Orihime, still in shock at what she had just done, tightened her fists and focused. The tiny beings floating around her weren’t just talking nonsense—this power was real.

The Hollow’s red eyes gleamed with malice. "So, you can defend yourself now," it growled, flexing its clawed fingers. "But that won’t save you!"

With a guttural roar, the Hollow lunged forward, its massive body crashing down from above as its elongated arms lashed out. The air shook with its movement, the sheer force sending loose debris scattering across the ground. Orihime’s heart pounded in her chest. The monstrous figure was overwhelming, its grotesque form casting a suffocating shadow over her.

'Move!' her instincts screamed, but her body felt frozen in place.

Then, a sharp voice rang in her mind.

"Use us! Call for Ayame and Shun'ō!"

Orihime’s breath caught, but she didn’t hesitate. She threw out her hands and shouted, "Sōten Kisshun!! I reject!"

A warm, golden light burst forth as two of the small spirits—Ayame and Shun'ō—dashed forward. Their energy formed a dome of vibrant orange light around Tatsuki, who lay still, her body wracked with unnatural convulsions as the Hollow’s control over her remained strong.

The Hollow skidded to a stop, its eyes widening in rage. "What… What are you doing?!" it demanded, its voice twisting in disbelief as the dark veins on Tatsuki’s skin began to fade.

Orihime’s hands clenched tighter. "I’m saving my friend!"

The Hollow roared in fury, lurching forward once again, its massive claws cutting through the air toward her. It was fast. Too fast. Orihime barely had time to react before another voice called out.

"Tsubaki!!"

The smallest of the six spirits, Tsubaki, flared with energy and shot forward like a streak of fire.

"Koten Zanshun!! I reject!"

A sharp, crescent-shaped energy burst from Tsubaki as he cut through the Hollow’s thick chest. The impact shook the air, sending a shockwave outward.

For a moment, the Hollow froze. Its grotesque, mask-like face twisted in confusion. Then, a thin red line appeared across its torso.

A sickening crack echoed as the Hollow’s body split apart, the wound expanding like shattered glass.

"Wh…What did you…?" Its voice wavered, filled with horror, before it erupted into a piercing scream.

Orihime watched, wide-eyed, as the creature's massive form crumbled into darkness, its body disintegrating into nothingness. A rush of wind swept through the courtyard, carrying away the last traces of the monster’s existence.

It was over.

Orihime exhaled, her breath shaky, her whole body trembling from the weight of what had just happened. She had just fought—and won.

A soft groan caught her attention.

"Tatsuki!" she gasped, rushing forward as the protective barrier around her dissolved.

Tatsuki slowly opened her eyes, her expression groggy. "Ugh… Orihime? What happened…?"

Orihime let out a breath of relief, her chest tightening. "It’s over. You’re safe now."

Tatsuki’s eyes darted around, her forehead creasing. "That thing… Where is it?"

"It’s gone," Orihime reassured her, her voice softer now. She reached out, placing a hand on Tatsuki’s shoulder.

Tatsuki sat up, rubbing the side of her head. "I don’t remember much… but I remember you yelling something weird… and then there were these lights…" She blinked at Orihime, eyes narrowing slightly. "What happened to you?"

Orihime hesitated, looking down at her hands—hands that had just wielded a power she never even knew existed.

Before she could answer, the small floating spirits gathered around her.

"Not bad for a first battle," Tsubaki muttered, folding his arms. "You managed to kill that thing before it turned you into mincemeat. I’m honestly impressed."

Orihime looked at them, still overwhelmed. "This… this power…" She swallowed hard. "It’s mine?"

Shun’ō landed lightly on her shoulder. "Yes. It’s always been inside you, waiting to be awakened."

Ayame nodded. "And now, it’s yours to wield."

Orihime let their words sink in. This power… It had protected Tatsuki. It had saved her from that Hollow.

She took a deep breath and smiled to herself.

This was only the beginning. The moment Orihime’s body slumped forward, exhaustion overtook her completely. Her flower hairpin glowed faintly for a brief second before the energy dispersed, and the tiny spirits vanished, returning to their resting state within the delicate ornament. It fell beside her with a soft clink against the pavement.

Tatsuki’s heart clenched at the sight. Orihime had just done the impossible—defeating a Hollow with an ability neither of them understood. But now, she was unconscious, her body unable to handle the strain of using so much spiritual power at once.

Tatsuki exhaled and stepped forward, bending down to pick up her friend. A small, relieved smile played on her lips as she reached out—

Crunch.

The sound of approaching footsteps made her freeze.

She turned sharply, her muscles tensing as two figures emerged from the dimly lit school grounds. One was a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing traditional Japanese robes, his stern face partially obscured by square glasses. The other, in contrast, was far less intimidating in appearance—clad in a simple green and white striped hat, a matching haori draped lazily over his shoulders.

Tatsuki narrowed her eyes. Something about the man’s carefree smile unsettled her.

"Could I borrow the young lady for a minute?" Kisuke Urahara’s voice was smooth, carrying an air of amusement despite the situation.

Tatsuki instinctively shifted in front of Orihime, protective instincts flaring. "Who the hell are you?"

Urahara chuckled, waving his fan. "Just a simple businessman."

Behind him, Tessai adjusted the unconscious Chad on his back, his serious gaze scanning the surroundings.

Tatsuki’s hands balled into fists, her body still tense. She had no idea who these people were, but after everything that had just happened, she wasn’t about to hand Orihime over without answers.

Urahara sighed, lowering his fan. "I assure you, we’re here to help. Your friend has just awakened a rather special power, but she won’t understand it on her own. We’d like to ensure she gets the guidance she needs."

Tatsuki hesitated. Orihime had just done something insane… and she was completely drained. As much as she wanted to protest, Tatsuki could feel her own exhaustion catching up to her.

With a reluctant nod, she stepped aside, watching as Urahara knelt and gently lifted Orihime.

"Good choice," he murmured, tipping his hat before he and Tessai disappeared into the night.

—

Meanwhile, Ichigo stood high above Karakura, suspended in the air like it was solid ground beneath him. The city stretched out below, its lights flickering softly in the distance.

He yawned.

'Hollows, Hollows, and more Hollows. Man, this is getting old.'

Ichigo had already slain fifty-one of the creatures today. At first, it had been thrilling—cutting them down one after another, feeling himself grow stronger with every swing. But now? Now it was just… repetitive.

'Hmm… I wonder when I’ll unlock my Bankai.'

He smirked to himself, amused at his own impatience. 'Wow, I’m such a big dreamer. I haven’t even gotten my Shikai yet.'

Suddenly, a sharp presence flared behind him—one hundred meters away, moving fast.

Ichigo didn’t even turn. He just threw his sword.

WOOSH!

The massive blade ripped through the air at breakneck speed, whistling as it carved a path toward the incoming Hollow. The creature barely had time to register its impending doom before—

CRACK!

The sword impaled it cleanly through the head, its mask splitting as the Hollow let out a final, gurgling wail before dissolving into nothing.

Ichigo grinned. "Bullseye."

He raised his hand, and as if obeying an unspoken command, his sword jerked free from where it had embedded itself in the air and shot back toward him, flipping once before he caught it effortlessly.

A cocky smirk tugged at his lips.

'I got loyalty on my sword,' he thought, amused.

He turned his gaze back to the horizon, feeling the chill brush against his skin. There were still more Hollows out there. So he continued to walk on air as he searched.


TO BE CONTINUED