NOTAKING
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Chapter 52
🕑 Added 2025-04-21 17:00:28 +0000 UTCIchigo sat on his bed, checking the time on his clock. As the hands hit 1 AM, he let out a quiet sigh, got up, and slid open the window. The night breeze slipped in, cool and refreshing, but before he could enjoy it, a small black sphere shot into his room like a bullet.
THUD!
The thing smacked against his wardrobe and rolled to the floor. Ichigo glanced at it, then walked over, picking it up. There was a message written on it in bold letters.
[Gather in front of Urahara Shoten immediately.]
He clicked his tongue. ‘Wow. I wonder who’s gonna clean that up.’ He tossed the ball aside and turned toward his bed.
"Oi, Kon. Wake up."
Kon was sprawled out on the bed, snoring, a little drool leaking from the corner of his mouth. Ichigo nudged him with a finger.
"Ughhh… what, Ichigo?" Kon groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Do you have any idea what time it is?!"
Ichigo grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Shut up. Let’s go."
Kon yawned and stretched before reluctantly climbing onto Ichigo’s shoulder. As Ichigo walked downstairs, he took one last glance at the house, his gaze lingering for a second before stepping outside.
The moment he did—
"GOOD MORNING ICHIGOOOOOOO!!!"
A shadow loomed above him. Ichigo barely had time to register it before his father came crashing down toward him from the roof.
Ichigo stepped aside without even looking.
THUD!
Isshin landed face-first on the pavement, his arms and legs twitching as blood spilled from his head. "Uhh… you evaded my attack… well done, my son…"
Ichigo stared at him, unimpressed. “What are you doing?”
Isshin sprang up as if nothing happened, pulling out a small talisman. “Before you go, here. I wanted to give you this.”
Ichigo took it, eyeing it curiously. "What’s it do?"
"Umm… good luck! Yeah, let’s say that." Isshin scratched his cheek. “Your mother gave it to me a long time ago.”
Ichigo’s fingers tightened around it slightly before he stuffed it into his pocket. “…Thanks.”
“YOU CAN’T HAVE IT FOR KEEPS!!!” Isshin suddenly shouted, making Ichigo’s ears ring.
“DO YOU HAVE TO YELL?!” Ichigo shot back, covering his ear.
“Hey, keep it down, I’m trying to sleep!!” someone yelled from a nearby house.
“Oi, Kurosaki, some of us got work tomorrow!!”
Isshin waved awkwardly toward the neighbors before turning back to Ichigo. “I’m lending you this for the trip. Give it back when you return, alright?”
Ichigo exhaled. “Alright. See you then, Dad.”
Without another word, he took off running. The streets were empty, streetlights casting long shadows as his footsteps echoed through the night.
Kon peeked out of the bag, rubbing his eyes. “Man, your dad is a nutcase.”
Ichigo snorted. “Says the founding father of nutcases.”
“Hey!! I’m the progenitor of nutcases!” Kon huffed.
Ichigo smirked slightly before his thoughts drifted elsewhere. ‘Man, I remember watching some anime about a vampire dude who was the progenitor… never understood it. For some reason, it had an ungodly amount of seasons though. Like, who the hell was funding it?’
His brow furrowed slightly. ‘I think it was called Strike the Blood… yeah, man, that thing wasn’t boring, but it wasn’t good either.’
With that pointless thought lingering in his mind, he continued running through the quiet streets, heading toward Urahara’s shop.
Ichigo sprinted through the quiet streets, his footsteps light but quick. The air was crisp, the only sounds coming from distant traffic and the occasional rustling of leaves. As he turned a corner, he nearly ran straight into Orihime.
She flinched but quickly recovered, matching his pace. "Oh, Ichigo! Did you get the summons too?"
"Yeah," he replied, glancing at her. She wasn’t her usual energetic self—her voice was lower, and her expression held a hint of sadness.
He furrowed his brows. "What’s up? You don’t look well."
She hesitated for a second before sighing. "Well… I was told that I have no sense of humor."
Ichigo blinked. ‘Oh, that. Didn’t even notice it, honestly.’
He shrugged. "Oh, well, I think you have a great sense of humor."
Orihime’s eyes lit up almost instantly. "Really? Thank you, Ichigo!" she said, her voice brimming with happiness.
Ichigo smirked slightly but kept running. "By the way, are you sure you want to go?"
She clenched her fists in determination. "Of course. I’ve already made up my mind!"
"Then let’s hurry."
The two of them picked up speed, dashing through the city streets. It wasn’t long before they reached Urahara’s shop, where Chad was already waiting, standing with his arms crossed in his usual silent manner.
A few minutes later, Uryuu arrived. The moment Ichigo laid eyes on him, he stopped and stared.
"...What the hell are you wearing?"
Uryuu adjusted his glasses, looking smug. "It’s a specially designed Quincy combat outfit, optimized for maximum efficiency."
Ichigo deadpanned. "You look like you lost a bet."
Uryuu’s eye twitched.
Ichigo kept going. "Nah, scratch that. You look like an NPC from some budget sci-fi anime. What’s with the stupid cape? You planning to fight or direct traffic?"
Uryuu clenched his fists. "Say that again, Kurosaki!"
Ichigo smirked. "Relax. I’d challenge you to a fight, but I don’t wanna embarrass you twice in one week."
Uryuu’s vein nearly popped. "That’s it! Rematch—right here, right now!"
Before things could escalate further, Urahara suddenly appeared, clapping his hands.
"Alright! The gang’s all here. Excellent~! ♡" he sang. "Now then, let’s head inside. I’ll explain how to get to the Soul Society. Listen carefully, otherwise… well, let’s just say you won’t make it there alive."
They followed him through the shop, descending into the massive underground training area.
Orihime’s eyes widened in awe. "Wow! I had no idea this huge space was underneath Mr. Kisuke’s store. It’s so cool, like a secret base!"
Tessai suddenly appeared, tears streaming down his face. "I’m touched! What a sublime reaction!"
Orihime giggled. "Hehe, thanks!"
Ichigo watched the interaction with mild amusement before glancing at Chad and Uryuu. 'Orihime’s got a real talent for making friends with people she just met. She’s the opposite of these two antisocial bastards right here.'
Chad and Uryuu both glanced at him at the same time.
"You got something to say, Ichigo?" Chad asked.
Ichigo smirked and looked away. "Nah."
Uryuu fumed. "Just say it, dammit!"
Before Ichigo could retort, Urahara clapped his hands again, calling for attention.
"Alright, kiddies, pay attention please! And away we go~!"
With a flick of his hand, the portal gathered and was set up into a rectangle shape.
Ichigo narrowed his eyes as he stared at the swirling mass. ‘…Yeah. Minecraft definitely stole this design from Bleach.’
TO BE CONTINUED
