Bleach: New Generation

Chapter 62: Just Getting Started

"Ichigo-kun, huh? How convenient for you to show up just as we were in trouble", Shunsui smiled as he looked toward the strawberry.

Ichigo walked over towards them as soon as the Garganta sealed back up. His short orange hair was messy because of the wind following his spiritual pressure. He had a relaxed look in his expression, scratching the back of his head and then putting his hands in his pockets.

"What are you doing here, Ichigo? Shouldn't you be with Kazui right now?", asked Byakuya, who sheathed his sword.

Although it was a serious question, Ichigo smiled sincerely. He walked past the Squad 6 captain and looked up to the Royal Citadel that hovered high in the sky. He took a deep breath before answering.

"I wouldn't worry about that. Kazui's just fine by himself. You should just go rescue Renji right now. I'm guessing he's at Osho's Riden"

Shinji shook his head, calling out to him, "Hey, you should be with your son right now. There might be no time before something happens. We'll save Renji afterwards"

"What a pain, Shinji. I said it's fine. Right now, rescuing Renji should be top priority right now"

"Hah?! What makes you think that, Ichigo?"

It took a second before the strawberry turned back around, a smile still displayed on his face. It was an expression full of pride and even something else. Everyone was looking at him, surprised.

"Because I believe in him. I believe that Kazui's got this", Ichigo looked back to the citadel, "Because that spiritual pressure that just entered that place...

"Just shows how confident his chances of winning are"

Kazui's POV:

Planting my two blades on the ground, I pulled back the mask that was worn on my face. The surface of the mask felt rough on the skin of my fingertips. I turned back and examined the front of the accessory, surprised to see what it looked like.

Red stripes covered the entire left side of its face. The mask resembled what looked like a Hollow mask, coming from the experience of fighting them for a long time. It felt brittle, almost ready to shatter, but also sturdy.

"This is a surprise. Didn't expect my Shikai to come with a mask. Nice"

Two taps from the other side of the room finally drew my attention. I forced my Hollow mask to disappear back into wherever it came from. It was only then did I realise how much of a mess that this whole place was.

A massive hole was blown through the wall of this room, tons of rock scattered everywhere, and the marble floor shattered. Looking to the darkness, I could see a wide figure holding what looked to be a giant paintbrush while standing menacingly.

"I figured that Ichigo himself would come here to save these two. I didn't expect his son to also come forth to face me", he chuckled softly, "No matter, either way the plan doesn't change in the slightest. I can work with this"

"Who the hell even are you?", I asked, focusing my attention on him...and his bald head.

"You can ask those two behind you. They might know the answer now, won't they?"

Slowly turning my head back, I could feel the blood immediately rushing to my head. I could feel it almost trying to pump outside of my head. I saw Ichika and Kaito laying on the ground, almost dead.