Chapter 4: A Soul Reaper From the Past

I have to tell you, I underestimated your strength. With your abilities, you shouldn't have any trouble fighting the Adjuchas.

There's something I've been wanting to ask you about.

It's alright if you don't want to tell me.

What is it?

That mask.

............

Why do you...? Never mind. You don't have to talk about it.

I came here from the Soul Society long ago. It was several hundred years ago, actually.

Unbelievable.

I know. I was chasing after a Hollow back then as it was retreating to Hueco Mundo. I followed and landed in this place before I knew it.

And I've been here ever since, constantly fighting and destroying Hollows.

That's horrible. Isn't there any way to escape?

Yes, there is.

Well, then, why haven't you tried to leave?

Because I am a Soul Reaper.

And so?

It's likely that all of the Hollows that appear in the world of the living originate from here.

In which case, if I can dramatically reduce their numbers, then the world of the living will suffer much less damage.

That's why I stay and kill as many as possible.

............

Have the number of Hollows appearing in the world of the living decreased at all?

Uh...

I can tell from your expression that it has not.

I can't lie to you. I'm afraid it's gotten much worse. I'm sorry.

Don't apologize. It's alright.

Where are we?

This is where we first arrived centuries ago.

You didn't travel here by yourself?

I had teammates with me.

We knew where we'd ended up, and how important it was to emerge victorious. We fought with everything we'd been taught as Soul Reapers.

But there were so many Hollows. We were barely able to contain them. And then, the Menos got involved in the battle as well.

I saw friend after friend become exhausted.

Until finally...

...they were too weak to resist and were killed.

In order to protect human souls and keep the promise I made to those who lost their lives, I've stayed here and fought.

I won't allow their deaths to have been in vain.

I asked you earlier if the number of Hollows had decreased.

I didn't ask in hopes of hearing how well I was doing. I just thought it would be nice to report in to my friends.

Sorry.

It's okay. You don't have to apologize.

............

When you meet up with your friends, you should go right back to the Soul Society.

If we're not making a dent in the number of Hollows, there's no point in staying here.

I'm not leaving until I make it to Las Noches.

What for?

One of my friends is being held captive there.

There are Vasto Lordes in that fortress. Average warriors can't defeat them.

So I've heard. But I still have to try.

The girl's a friend of mine. A very dear friend.

Don't worry, though. I'm not going there on my own. All of my friends will work together to save her.

When it's time to leave, I'll show you the exit to this forest.

Ashido, why did you bring me here?

Whenever I talked, you'd respond, ask questions, and interact with me.

I wanted to let my friends hear another voice besides mine.

It's been quite a while since they've heard a different Soul Reaper's voice.

Huh?

It's Ichigo!

Follow me!

Where are we?

That's strange. I'm sure I felt your friends' presence here just moments ago.

You're right. Now, there's no Spiritual Pressure left at all.

Because I destroyed all traces of it! Gillians, attack!

There's... There's so many of them!

Gh!

Rukia!

Ashido!

It's all my fault that you even got hurt in the first place.

So I'm going to defeat that Adjuchas myself.

Ashido, I'm sorry. I know how much this meant to you.

............

Ashido, it may not be my place to say this, especially at a time like this...

...but maybe it's time for you to once again return to the Soul Society.

I understand your feelings towards your friends, but the situation has changed.

Things aren't like they were before. More importantly, you're alive.

The friends that you lost down here won't blame you if you return to the life that you had.

Thanks for the advice, but I'll choose my own path.

Come on, we'd better get going.

Yeah.