Chapter 24 – Zanpakutō: Zangetsu!

"Ahem!!"

The black-clothed girl realized she had said something off-script, so she quickly cleared her throat and shifted topics:

"Since you can see me, that means you probably see Hollows too."

"Then I'll explain briefly—"

As the girl in black talked, Ethan Kane's expression turned flat, already several steps ahead of her explanation.

Reaper.

Kuchiki Rukia.

Of course. He finally recognized her.

(So even Bleach characters are in this world too?)

Ethan smirked slightly.

Meanwhile, Yotsuya Miko was standing still in wide-eyed disbelief.

"W-Wait… Are you saying you're from a place called the Soul Society? And you're here to slay evil spirits?"

She tried summarizing the girl's introduction.

"Yes," the black-haired girl nodded proudly. "And for the record—my name is Kuchiki Rukia. I might look young, but I'm over 150 years old!"

Rukia placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest with pride.

"...150?"

Miko's eyes practically popped out of her head. She looked at the tiny girl—barely 140cm tall—and had trouble imagining her as a centuries-old spirit warrior.

"So!" Rukia declared with a smirk. "You can call me Miss Reaper! Or Lady Rukia!"

"Lady?" Ethan arched a brow, then reached out and casually patted her on the head. "Grow fifteen more centimeters, and maybe I'll consider it."

"Wha—!"

[Ding~]

[Treasure Chest Owner Detected: Rukia Kuchiki]

[Extract?]

Extract!

[SSS-Rank Treasure Chest Acquired: Zanpakutō – Zangetsu]

Ethan's eyes lit up.

(That's Kurosaki Ichigo's blade. The strongest Zanpakutō in Bleach.)

(If Ichigo doesn't exist here... I guess I'm the one wielding it now.)

A grin tugged at his lips as he opened his personal status panel:

—

[Host: Ethan Kane]

[Race: Human]

[Abilities:]

Sharingan

Mangekyō Sharingan

Psychic Sensing

Breath Concealment

Armament Haki

Conqueror's Haki

Zanpakutō: Zangetsu

[Points: 600]

—

While Ethan was still smiling smugly, Rukia's brow twitched.

"You damn human brat!"

She immediately shoved his hand away and formed a one-handed incantation.

"Bakudō #1: Sai!"

Ethan blinked, then suddenly felt a force pull his arms behind his back.

Kane!" Miko yelped. "Are you okay?!"

"I'm fine," Ethan answered calmly. "Is this what you call... Ghost Rope?"

Rukia narrowed her eyes, confident in her Kidō skills. "It's advanced ghost-binding magic, passed down only among Shinigami!"

"I see."

Ethan gave the ropes a light tug—and instantly shattered them.

Rukia's smug grin froze on her face.

"…Impossible."

"Your 'advanced ghost magic' feels like party streamers," Ethan shrugged.

"Y-You—!"

Rukia's face flushed with embarrassment. "You're mocking the honor of Soul Society!! Bakudō #4: Hainawa! #9: Geki! #32: Sōkatsui!"

Beams of light and rope-like bindings shot at Ethan in rapid succession.

He stood calmly as every spell fizzled out mid-air or fell to pieces upon contact.

Rukia stared in horror.

"How… How did you break every one?!"

"Have you had enough fun, Little Miss Reaper?"

Ethan reached out and bonked her lightly on the forehead with his knuckle.

Donk!

"OWWWW!!" Rukia crouched down, cradling her head. "That really hurt!"

"Aw…" Miko whispered to the side. "Poor Death Sister."

Death Sister…

So pitiful…

Rukia's face burned red with humiliation.

"Miko," Ethan said with a playful glance. "Keep talking like that. I like it."

Kane-kun, don't bully her too much!" Miko pleaded softly.

"Don't underestimate me!!" Rukia yelled. "I'll show you my real power! Dance, Sode no Shirayuki—!"

She was about to release her Zanpakutō when Ethan interrupted.

"You haven't noticed yet?"

"Huh?"

Rukia's eyes widened.

A shrill noise echoed through the air, almost like a scream made of spirit energy. Her flip phone went berserk with alerts.

Miko instinctively clutched her ears in pain—but Ethan quickly covered them with his hands, shielding her from the worst of the sound.

Her body relaxed instantly as his warmth calmed her nerves.

"...Kane-kun, what was that?"

Ethan looked ahead.

"A Hollow is coming."

---

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