NOTAKING
patreon
Chapter 45
🕑 Added 2025-04-19 10:42:55 +0000 UTCRukia tried to run toward Ichigo, her legs moving with desperate urgency, but before she could get more than a few steps, she was suddenly ensnared by a bind spell. It wrapped around her body, cold and unyielding, and she fell hard to the ground. Her gaze locked onto Ichigo as blood poured from his wounds, his form crumpled and broken.
Byakuya walked over and, with a cold expression, scooped Rukia up effortlessly. Renji, still battered and slow, managed to push himself to his feet, eyes lingering on Ichigo for a brief moment. They shared one last look before they both walked towards the doors leading to the Soul Society, disappearing into the distance.
A steady drizzle began to fall as the minutes passed. The rain was soft at first, but it grew heavier, soaking the battlefield as Ichigo lay there, barely conscious. His vision flickered in and out, the pain gnawing at him like a relentless beast. For a fleeting moment, he regained awareness, and a faint, broken smile crossed his face.
‘That was fun, I didn’t even use Shunpo or Sonído. I kinda wanted it to end like this. Fuck, this hurts, oh here I go again,’ he thought as his body finally succumbed to the pain, and he passed out once more.
A few minutes later, Urahara arrived at the scene, his face shadowed beneath his hat. He stood over Ichigo, his gaze calculating and calm. Without a word, he carefully lifted Ichigo onto his back, carrying him away from the battlefield and toward the safety of his shop.
The day passed, and with it, Ichigo’s body lay still in Urahara's shop, his wounds raw and bleeding. A day later, he began to stir. A presence loomed over him, and as his eyes cracked open, he found himself staring at Tessai, who watched him intently, his expression unreadable.
"Hi," Tessai said, his voice low.
Ichigo's response was immediate. With a quick, instinctive motion, he kicked Tessai away. Tessai flew across the room, crashing hard against the wall with a loud thud.
‘Would have preferred a beautiful woman,’ Ichigo thought with a grunt as he sat up, the ache from his injuries making him wince. He looked down at his battered body, feeling the burning pain everywhere.
He sighed, focusing his Reiatsu, channeling the energy through his body as he began healing himself. The process was swift, the wounds closing up one by one as if they were never there. His bandages fell away, revealing smooth, unblemished skin.
Tessai watched in stunned silence, his eyes wide with disbelief.
‘What a remarkable healing factor,’ he thought, impressed by Ichigo’s sheer resilience.
A few moments later, Urahara walked in, his staff in hand, his fan covering his face. He paused, looking at Ichigo with an amused smirk.
"Wow, all better already?" Urahara teased.
Ichigo, still catching his breath, glanced at him with a smirk of his own. "Umm, what was your name again? Hot and Clogs?!"
Urahara raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the nickname. "It’s Urahara Kisuke. I don’t think we’ve had the chance to properly introduce ourselves," he said with a playful grin.
Ichigo snorted, his usual sharp attitude coming back. "Oh yeah. So, why did you save me?" He fixed Urahara with a serious stare.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Urahara replied with a tilt of his head, feigning innocence.
Ichigo’s gaze hardened. "You know what I mean. But you know what? Don’t answer. Rukia’s gone. I have to find a way to get to the Soul Society."
"So, you plan on saving her?" Urahara asked, his tone curious.
"Yeah, of course. She’s my friend. Plus, I owe her a lot," Ichigo said, determination burning in his eyes.
"Then you’ll be happy to know there’s another way to get to the Soul Society," Urahara said, a glint of something almost playful in his voice.
Ichigo’s eyes lit up. "How? Tell me!"
Urahara raised a finger to his lips, a teasing smile curling on his face. "Ah, ah, ah… I’ll tell you under one condition. For the next ten days, you must allow me to train you."
"Ten days? Sure," Ichigo replied without a moment’s hesitation, surprising Urahara. He had expected more resistance, a retort—something. Instead, Ichigo’s response was swift and unyielding.
Urahara blinked, momentarily stunned by Ichigo’s compliance. "Oh well, let me explain. The Soul Society generally waits a month before executing a kyokushu. That should hold true for Miss Kuchiki as well. Seven days to open the gates to the Soul Society, and eighteen days for you to save her. We have plenty of time. The question is, can I get you strong in just ten days?"
Ichigo didn’t hesitate. "Let’s do it."
Urahara’s grin widened. "Be ready. Fight like your life is on the line, because it really is."
Ichigo stood up, grabbing a shirt and slipping it on, his body still aching from the battle. He walked toward the door, determination in his steps.
‘I’ll make sure to grow stronger. Stronger than the manga. I plan on taking zero damage. Except maybe when I fight with Kenpachi,’ he thought, a fire igniting in his chest as he stepped into his new path.
The next day, Ichigo was walking through the school courtyard, the weight of yesterday's events still heavy on his mind. As he passed a group of students, one person stood out. Orihime. She was standing off to the side, as if waiting for him.
When Ichigo noticed her, he slowed down, his pace halting just in front of her.
“Orihime?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She smiled softly, her eyes bright and earnest. "Ichigo, how are you holding up?" Her tone was gentle, though there was a subtle worry behind her voice, as if she could sense something was off about him.
Ichigo shrugged nonchalantly, though the exhaustion from the previous battle still lingered in his posture. "I’m fine," he muttered, trying to brush off the weight on his shoulders.
Orihime hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the ground before looking back up at him. "I’ve been thinking... about Rukia," she said softly. "I remember her. I know everyone else has forgotten, but I remember her. I remember what she did for all of us. I remember how she fought for our world, for us."
Ichigo’s expression faltered slightly. He hadn’t expected anyone to remember Rukia, given how the rest of the world had seemingly erased her from existence. His chest tightened at the mention of her name.
Orihime continued, her voice gaining a bit more strength. "Ichigo, are you really going to let her stay there? In the Soul Society? Are you going to save her?"
Ichigo didn’t hesitate. His resolve was unshakable. "Of course. I'm going to bring her back. It's the least I can do."
Orihime’s eyes softened as a bright smile spread across her face. "I knew it," she said, her voice warm with relief. "I’m glad you’re not going to give up on her."
She took a small step forward, her gaze serious but full of kindness. "Ichigo... if you do go, promise me you’ll come back safely."
Ichigo met her eyes, the sincerity in her voice touching him more than he let on. "Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine," he said, his tone firm, though with a hint of reassurance. "I’m not going to lose."
Orihime’s smile widened, though it was tinged with a mix of hope and concern. "I believe you," she said softly.
Ichigo gave a small nod, turning to leave. His destination was clear. Urahara’s shop awaited him. As he walked away, Orihime watched him go, her expression thoughtful.
But as the distance between them grew, her smile faded into a look of determination. ' I can't just stay here. I have to do something. I have to save Rukia too.'
The decision was made in an instant. She wasn’t going to sit idly by while her friends risked everything. With a renewed sense of purpose, Orihime turned on her heel, her resolve firm. She was going to join Ichigo. She had to.
“I’ll save her too,” she whispered to herself as she walked away, a plan forming in her mind.
TO BE CONTINUED 
