Chapter 253 252: Kurosaki Ichigo's Rain

"Arima Shizuya."

"How should I describe this man? He is a very complicated figure for us."

"As the captain of the 5th Division, he may be competent. After all, as far as I know, many team members still do not believe that he can betray the Soul Society."

"But on the other hand, as the captain of the Gotei 13, he is absolutely derelict in his duty... This guy betrayed his mission and committed an evil act that no one can forgive."

Hirako Mako's statement is without any emotion, and is completely a bystander's narrative.

His expression is the same.

Calm, cold, as if everything has nothing to do with him.

Because of this... Hiyori, who is shouting and jumping beside him, seems a little 'abstract'.

"Huh?! What do you mean by being competent as a captain? I don't agree, I don't recognize it, I think there is a big problem!!!"

"Okay, okay... I get it. By the way, I ordered some things from Mr. Urahara before, can you help me pick them up?"

"... You don't need such a bad excuse to get rid of me, right?"

"Do you think I'm the type who likes to use my brain?"

"Baldy!"

In just a moment of distraction, the topic of these two people can go off to who knows where.

Kurosaki Ichigo covered his face in some pain.

——Is it really okay to trust such an unreliable person?

After reluctantly getting rid of this noisy yellow-haired girl, soon, only Hirako and Ichigo were left in this independently developed "basement".

"Sorry, that guy didn't mean any harm."

"No... I didn't care much in the first place."

So, let's get back to the point.

"There are so many things to discuss about that man."

"Before we start this topic, you must be more concerned about your own life experience, right?"

"I said before that we have been paying attention to you for a long time... I am not exaggerating."

After arranging the words, he sorted out the rules clearly and clearly.

Mako Hirako stared at the top of his head, and told the story of a long time ago in a nostalgic tone.

From his own identity, the origin of the mask, to the marriage between the god of death and the quincy.

And the final combination, and the birth of Kurosaki Ichigo.

"At the beginning, we were still in the dark and thought that Arima Shizuka was also a simple victim."

"And his power was reborn in you, so we also paid great attention to you."

"As for what happened later... well, I don't think I need to say more, you have witnessed it with your own eyes."

The absolute power shown in the Soul Society.

The sense of transcendence that transcends everything, even now when thinking back, Kurosaki Ichigo can't help but purse his lips.

Based on Arima Shizuya's strength, he had corresponding guesses and assumptions about the general information of the opponent.

But now, Ichigo Kurosaki found that the opponent was far more "powerful" than he had imagined.

After years of planning, the goal was clear.

After he succeeded, he did not get carried away in any sense, but showed his superiority to the greatest extent within the limit.

As an enemy.

Arima Shizuya and his group showed enough strength to despair.

"Why would such a powerful person do such a thing..."

Hirako Mako tilted his head in contemplation.

"Now that you ask me, I can't tell you."

People have been wandering in the world for decades, and the Masked Corps naturally doesn't understand what the Soul Society is like now.

He confessed the origin and explained all the contents clearly.

Completely different from the direction of the original work, at this stage, he already knew his life experience and knew the ins and outs of the content.

Ichigo Kurosaki inevitably fell into a state called "entanglement".

"I, I need a little time to digest..."

Such a choking look was also expected by Mako Hirako.

"Well, it's not that I can't understand your situation. If it were me, I would definitely show this expression now."

"No... That's not what I want to say."

Mako Hirako was a little surprised. He turned his head halfway and looked at Ichigo who lowered his head as if he was about to cry.

The boy's voice was sobbing.

"With such a powerful ability, dad... why didn't you protect mom..."

Power, identity, origin.

That kind of thing is good no matter what.

For a boy who lacked maternal love since childhood and has a melancholy personality.

Nothing is more frustrating than knowing that his mother died in vain... or even angry.

Facing Ichigo Kurosaki's one-sided confession.

Mako Hirako thought for a moment and tried to explain.

"Ichigo, I don't think this is that simple."

Although I haven't experienced it myself, the power between the Hollow and the Shinigami needs to be balanced, and this point is still very clear.

As the leader of the Masked Corps, Hirako Mako can only guarantee this.

"Your father is also trying his best to protect you, but his method may be somewhat unacceptable to you."

"..."

Silent response, I don't know whether it is acquiescence or resistance.

The orange-haired boy covered his head in pain, tears dripping from his fingers.

Annoyance, remorse. Pain, self-blame.

There were more or less emotions mixed in.

After all, he was the cause of his mother's death, and now that he knew his own life experience, many problems were solved.

No longer confused, and he would not question any of his parents.

The emotion brewing in Ichigo Kurosaki's chest at this moment...

It was the outline of "courage".

He took a deep breath and calmed down.

Ichigo Kurosaki forced a forced smile.

"Thank you, Mr. Hirako..."

"Ha, are you using honorifics already?"

Feeling a little "snobbish", the person in question also touched the back of his head and showed an embarrassed expression.

But then again...

"Well~ I don't hate this frankness."

The two of them were frank and soon brought the topic back to the original direction.

"Ichigo, I explained so much to you, on the one hand, based on our observations of you over the years."

"We think you are trustworthy and can become our companion."

"On the other hand, it is about the power in your body..."

Ichigo Kurosaki's expression became slightly serious.

He could fully understand the other party's intentions-the power in his body that symbolizes the hollow came from the soul split of Arima Shizuya.

"To be honest, it is difficult for me to make a judgment on the thing in your body at this point."

For uncertain things, even a frivolous person like Hirako Mako would not make unreasonable judgments.

"I don't know whether it is now the incarnation of Arima Shizuya, or a brand new individual with only some traces left but a part of the self..."

This situation is extremely special.

After all, the opposite side of Hirako Mako and others' hearts is guided by the immature Hougyoku.

Although immature, there are many defects and shortcomings.

But they are like a coin, two sides of the same coin.

To put it bluntly, it is "scaring oneself", and naturally there is little contact with the outside world.

But Ichigo Kurosaki is obviously different... He was stuffed with half of Arima Shizuya's soul. What is the current situation, I am afraid only the person involved knows.

"But then again, Ichigo, after you came back from Soul Society, you should have tried to avoid using this power, right?"

The boy's expression was inevitably surprised.

"Why would you..."

"Ha, I have been a captain for at least a few years. If I don't have this kind of vision, then there is a problem."

Hirako Mako adjusted his sitting posture, and his expression became a little serious.

"Ichigo, although I can't help you in your situation, from the perspective of a person who has experienced it... I can give you some advice."

Avoiding the problem will not solve the problem.

"Since it is a part of your body, sooner or later there will be a time for deeper contact."

"Because of fear, timidity, and shrinking, you will continue to intersect with the other party... This way you will never become stronger."

"You also have something you want to protect, right? Whatever it is, it must be important to you."

He reached out and gently patted Ichigo's shoulder.

"We can't really help you, but if you really want to develop this ability... then please contact us, and we will do our best to help you."

Having said this, his heart was done.

Kurosaki Ichigo nodded heavily to the other party, but his expression was still a little hesitant.

"Thank you, I... will think about it for a while."

"Yes, I understand."

Sent Kurosaki Ichigo away.

The masked army hiding in the corner slowly appeared.

"Is it really okay to just let him go like this?"

"What do you mean... do you still want to keep him here?"

"It's not impossible, after all, Arima Shizuya's power is too worrying. If possible, it's better to kill him as soon as possible."

"Are you discussing it directly based on the premise that Ichigo Kurosaki is out of control? Isn't this a bit disrespectful?"

"The principle of the Gotei 13 is to rather kill the wrong person than let him go."

"Ha, do you still think you are the captain at this point?"

"What did you say?!"

It's not the first time that conflicts have occurred within the Masked Corps. Under normal circumstances, Hirako Mako would just pretend not to see it.

After all, everyone is not from the same team, and each has different personalities and experiences.

At the moment, they are simply gathered together for revenge and to seek stability.

Naturally, there will be no surprises in this situation.

But... the atmosphere today is particularly solemn.

"Let's stop here. Talking about others behind their backs is not something a decent person would do."

After all, he was the leader of the Masked Corps, and no one refuted what Hirako Mako said.

He stared at the direction where Kurosaki Ichigo left, his expression slightly stiff, his lips tightly pursed.

Some words could not be said in the end, after all, many things now seem to be just his wishful thinking.

Wait a little longer.

Time will prove everything.

"What if Kurosaki Ichigo really doesn't come again, then what should we do?"

In response to other people's questions, Hirako Mako answered decisively.

"Then you should be happy for him, because in doing so, it means that in Ichigo's opinion, there is someone more trustworthy than us."

An underage boy who has not yet gone to college.

But he has to shoulder this kind of unreasonable responsibility and burden, and in the end, he even has to ask "strangers" like himself for advice.

"If it were you, would you think this is a very frustrating thing?"

"..."

No one responded.

Because the so-called ‘empathy’ is a very rare spirit of compassion.

…

Kurosaki Ichigo returned home.

He couldn't wait to see his father and ask him clearly about himself, him, and his mother...

Are those things true?

However, Kurosaki Isshin seemed to have evaporated, disappearing completely at this moment.

"Maybe you're on a business trip?"

Seeing his sister Kurosaki Yuuko smiling and speaking, Ichigo couldn't say the words that were stuck in his throat no matter what at the moment.

"Brother, what do you want from dad?"

"No, no..."

You can't pass on unnecessary pressure to others, let alone the eldest son.

Kurosaki Ichigo has also become accustomed to his own unique way of resolving emotions.

Lock yourself in a room, be alone in silence, and think.

It doesn't matter.

It's just the same thing as before.

Time will dilute these uneasy emotions, and it is useless to think too much about it now.

However, he still had trouble falling asleep while tossing and turning.

He reached out and groped in his arms.

Kurosaki Ichigo took out the Death Agent Certificate he carried with him, his eyes slightly straightened.

I want to find someone to talk to, but there is no suitable person around me right now. And in this case...

Gu...

The body sank rapidly along the flowing water.

The hazy scene suddenly opened up, among a bunch of leaning skyscrapers.

Kurosaki Ichigo started running aimlessly and started shouting uncontrollably.

"Zangetsu! Uncle Zangetsu!"

Where are you?

I... need your help.

"What's wrong."

The figure of Yhwach appeared not far behind, causing Kurosaki Ichigo to stop.

"Uncle Zhanyue! I..."

I want to say a lot of things, but I don’t know where to start.

"I, I..."

What should I say?

My life experience is clear, but there are more and more problems.

What plans does Arima Shizuya have for himself? What do you do with yourself now?

I don’t know, I don’t understand, I can’t help but want to scream!

It would be better not to know how happy it is from the beginning!

Yhwach did not interrupt Ichigo's thinking. He just watched quietly.

Until he sighed vaguely.

"Ichigo, don't feel afraid."

"It's not your problem to be hesitant."

"Until you find the answer, be as sad as possible. That's hesitation."

After all no matter what.

"We're all here."

Under this sky without sun and moon, in the young man's soft and delicate heart.

"Grow up quickly, Ichigo."

Yhwach disappeared.

Kurosaki Ichigo fell to his knees, covering his face with his hands, sobbing weakly.

World, it started to rain again.