Put the Chocolate Parfait Down for Now

"Your training ends here."

Yoruichi stood with arms crossed, her expression filled with emotion.

The Tenshintai—an artifact designed to shorten the time it takes a Shinigami to synchronize with their Zanpakutō, allowing for faster achievement of Bankai—was one of Kisuke Urahara's early inventions. Under normal circumstances, it wasn't particularly useful—everyone knew the dangers of rushing power.

Yet now, it had become essential—witnessing not just one, but two Bankai being born.

In front of Yoruichi, Renji Abarai stood freshly dressed in clean Shihakushō, long hair tied back.

He looked sharp—far more composed than his usual rough self.

All of this was for one purpose: to save Rukia.

As he thought about it, Renji glanced back.

"..."

The other side was still clattering with activity—clearly not finished yet.

By rights, moving forward together would be best. Combining all forces to face the coming crisis was the logical choice.

But… the situation wasn't quite so simple.

Yoruichi smirked, arms still crossed.

"Looking like that, I've got nothing else to say… Renji Abarai, take care of yourself."

Reason evaluates gains and losses.

But some act on instinct—changing the course of events beyond expectation.

Especially the young and headstrong.

With a faint smile, Renji bowed his head respectfully toward Yoruichi.

"Thank you, Miss Yoruichi… I don't say this often, but I really needed your help."

He looked down at his hand, repeatedly clenching and releasing it.

In his eyes flickered the spark of fire.

Power.

With this, everything might just be solvable.

He took a deep breath and half-turned toward the still-training Ichigo in the distance.

A faint smirk crept across his face.

"Sorry, you might not even get your chance to show up."

Rukia… I'll be the one to save you!

Renji left the underground training ground, leaving Ichigo behind. While his expression didn't change much—

With a clang of clashing blades and both landing from a strike, Yhwach didn't press the attack.

Instead, he stood still, muttering like in a dream.

"Let's take a short break."

"No, I can still—"

"You can't."

He cut Ichigo off flatly.

"Your heart's not here… This training is meaningless. Just a waste of time."

"I know you're emotionally stirred, desperate to save that comrade you hold dear."

"But distraction isn't an excuse. Focus, Ichigo."

Shifting his stance, blade angled—

Yhwach adjusted himself like a diligent mentor, speaking calmly and clearly.

"Only by aligning your mind and spirit can you summon forth the power that belongs to you."

"..."

He saw through him.

Ichigo's expression twisted with inner conflict.

"I—I understand…"

Even Yoruichi, watching nearby, couldn't help but reflect.

—No matter how talented, he's still a kid not even a hundred years old.

Come to think of it…

Placing hope in such an immature soul—how shameful, that even now she could only do so little.

Yhwach's "rest" was literal—a few seconds.

He narrowed his eyes, raised his blade.

"Tense up. Here I come."

"...?!!!"

How could anyone endure training like this?

But for Rukia's sake—even the bitterest pain had to be swallowed.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Blades clashed, sparks flying, thoughts colliding.

The form born from the Tenshintai reflected the Shinigami's inner self.

Another close-quarters clash.

Using forward momentum, Yhwach pressed Ichigo down, face close to the boy's contorted with strain.

"Why haven't you called him out?"

To outsiders it sounded cryptic.

But Ichigo knew exactly who he meant—Seiya, the embodiment of Ichigo's Hollow and Shinigami powers.

"Since the Tenshintai could bring me out," Yhwach said, "it could've made him appear too."

"Didn't that redhead… well, whatever, you know what I mean."

Logical. Reasonable. Convincing.

But Ichigo instinctively avoided his gaze.

His voice hesitated.

"No, I… I just…"

"Sometimes I want to rely on Zangetsu-ossan."

"That's all."

A delicate silence.

Yhwach stared at him blankly, then sighed.

"You're afraid."

It wasn't a question—it was a statement.

He didn't wait for Ichigo to answer.

"You fear the opposite of your soul—the part that is you. You fear the unknown."

"..."

"What is it? You can't even look me in the eye now?"

"I—I just…"

Ichigo gritted his teeth, face twisted in guilt.

"I didn't think… that power would be so violent…"

He didn't want to hurt people.

Even enemies he had to defeat—he never intended to kill.

Life was precious.

His own was bought by his mother's sacrifice—so he treasured every life.

"I didn't mean to hurt Zaraki Kenpachi that badly…"

In that moment, his mind overflowed with rage and brutality.

He wanted blood. To hear screams. As if something terrifying deep in his soul was trying to crawl out and take over.

That person—wasn't him.

Yhwach's expression softened slightly.

Then he closed his eyes, resigned.

"Naive thoughts."

"I know, but Zangetsu-ossan, I—"

"I don't hate it."

"…Huh?"

As the part symbolizing his mother, containing the Quincy side, Yhwach didn't see it as weakness.

In fact—perhaps the opposite.

"To win without disgrace. To spare life despite having the power to take it—that's the true freedom of the strong."

Rules restrict. Common sense binds the mediocre.

A faint smile appeared on Yhwach's usually stone-calm face.

He didn't want Ichigo to fight—because it would hurt.

Pain and struggle were part of growth. But if he had the choice…

Who'd ever want their child to walk a thorny path?

So—

"Ichigo, don't blame yourself for your innocence."

Reality may be cruel, but that's no reason to discard hope.

"Chocolate parfait… that's something you really like, right?"

The sudden shift in topic was startling.

Just mentioning it made Ichigo's face flush.

"Sugary and cute—often seen as girly. But I don't think there's anything wrong with liking it."

Yhwach stepped back, face calm and warm.

"Humans are born with the right to choose. Innocence isn't a sin, Ichigo."

However—

"You must learn to accept the heavy and dark side too."

Like a gentle mother, embracing all emotions unconditionally.

But also like a strict father, teaching unpleasant but necessary lessons.

"Don't reject it. Don't think it doesn't belong to you."

"Running away changes nothing."

"Try to accept it. Grow."

Become a better version of yourself.

So—

"Put that innocence aside for now, Ichigo."

Set that chocolate parfait down for a while.

Sometimes, you need to taste the bitterness of dark chocolate.

It's part of growing up.

That was enough.

Though he didn't want Ichigo to fight, nor see him hurt—

But with a desire this strong, to deny it would be cruel.

Besides, this version of Yhwach wasn't as strong as in the original timeline.

He could barely manifest half his power—he couldn't suppress what rightfully belonged to Ichigo.

So this was inevitable.

Yhwach closed his eyes, body disintegrating like a shattered butterfly.

"Take it."

"This is a part of your power."

"That name… is now engraved in your soul."

Ichigo stood in stunned silence as everything unfolded before him.

Then, responding to the voice deep within—

Confused, but resolute—

He reached out his right hand.

…

Chained and shackled, Rukia Kuchiki appeared frail, almost ghostly.

Led by executioners in white robes, she staggered out of the White Tower.

"..."

The sun—

So bright.

She didn't know if it was because she hadn't seen sunlight in so long, or if she had simply grown afraid of it.

Rukia squinted instinctively.

The sky was pure blue, no clouds. Birds called above, declaring their unique existence.

Her steps were slow.

Her gaze searched the surroundings—hoping for something, someone.

Then a voice came beside her.

"The one you're waiting for isn't coming."

"...?!"

She spun around—saw a disheveled Byakuya Kuchiki standing quietly in the distance.

Expression frozen, like a witness to history.

His voice carried no emotion.

"Renji Abarai."

"I never thought highly of him."

"But even that kind of fool trained desperately for your sake. Willing to die."

Such courage and resolve.

"I acknowledge everything about that man."

Rukia noticed the scarf Byakuya always wore was gone. Her expression shifted from surprise to serenity.

She slowly closed her eyes—and smiled softly.

"I see… Brother… Renji earned your approval…"

As a final message before death, it was more than enough.

Rukia never thought her death meant anything.

In the Soul Society, there were countless people stronger, more powerful, more beautiful than her.

She was just a minor noble's adopted daughter.

Unworthy of attention.

But…

Rukia suddenly stopped.

"Brother!"

The sudden call didn't even prompt the executioners to stop her.

"During this time, I'm sure Sister said many inappropriate things to you."

"I know you may be displeased, but it was all because of me."

"After I die… please don't blame Sister!"

Byakuya didn't respond. He simply turned his back.

As if he'd shut down his senses.

He walked down the steps silently.

That fragile concern—

Expressed only through his clenched fists.

Time passed.

Before the gathered Gotei 13, Rukia was lifted high and bound upon the execution scaffold.

The hidden ceremonial spear was brought forth.

Before Yamamoto Genryūsai, the seals were lifted, revealing its true form.

A massive spiritual pressure exploded as the spear was released—

The winds it conjured forced everyone to squint.

Blue currents twisted and took shape.

The execution spear transformed into the legendary form described in ancient texts—the King of Ruin.

A great bird soaring in the sky, stunning many onlookers.

Everything would end with Rukia's execution.

But at that moment—

A figure appeared on the scaffold.

"Sorry, I'm a bit late."

That calm voice—

Wrapped in bandages, Ichigo Kurosaki stood tall.

"But… I think I just made it in time?"

With a confident, fearless smile.

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Powerstones?

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