7-4 beLIEve

Good, so you finally made it out.

What happened? Why are you such a mess? Damn, you look pathetic!

Sorry. I escaped from that dimension a while ago during the blast. It was a long time before I could move again.

Seriously, why do you guys always start arguing the minute you show up?

What the hell? This wasn't the deal! You promised you were gonna let me go once I turned off my powers!

Not yet.

Oh, I can't undo that one.

Did you know Fullbringers and Substitute Soul Reapers can trade their powers?

When we first joined Kugo, we traded a portion of our powers with each other as a sign of loyalty. We also placed a small restriction on those powers.

The restriction I share with Kugo? Anytime he's in a close enough range of me wielding my abilities, then I can't undo them unless he orders me to.

Aww, what's wrong? Taking your sweet time to analyze the situation?

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

So, you've finally come out, have you? Well? Were you able to hatch up some sort of plan while you were off in hiding?

Getsugatensho? Makes sense. You almost finished me off with that the last time around. If you're going to beat me, it's about the only chance you've got.

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

Getsugatensho!

If he's incorporated your spirit energy into his own, then he can probably use your techniques as well. Are you listening, Ichigo?!

Like listening to you is gonna change anything! What're you gonna do? Talk his powers away?

Very funny, but at least you know to be careful now. Watch it, Ichigo. His last blow made it very clear.

It wasn't just your spirit energy and Fullbring that he took. He's probably acquired every one of your abilities as well.

Tsukishima? He's dead. Well, he's not dead yet, but it's only a matter of time before his Spiritual Pressure is gone.

What's more, when a Fullbringer dies, all traces of their abilities disappear.

!!!

Do you know what that means? If Tsukishima dies, all the memories of the past he created will be wiped away.

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

Kurosaki. Tell me, do you know why you were entrusted with a Combat Pass?

What are you gettin' at?

I can just imagine what they must have told you when they placed it in your hands.

"If a Soul Reaper is deemed beneficial to the Soul Society, it is customary to entrust them with the Combat Pass."

Listen closely, Kurosaki. You've been fed a lie.

Kh!

(I assumed that much. It's no simple task for an organization to determine whether someone will be of benefit or a hindrance.)

(They may have told Ichigo that those deemed of benefit are given Combat Passes.)

(But they neglected to tell him what happens to those who are not.)

The truth of it is, whether one is of benefit or detriment to the Soul Society is irrelevant.

Combat Passes are always handed out equally, regardless of the person in question.

The pass's official name is the Substitute Soul Reaper Combat Pass. It certifies one has permission to conduct Soul Reaper duties in the world of the living.

But have you ever, to this moment, truly felt its authority?

Are you saying there's another reason they hand out Combat Passes?

The Combat Pass is a device that communicates with the Soul Society, absorbing your spirit energy, then analyzing and controlling it.

It was given to you so that they could keep you under their eye and under their thumb.

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

Now let me tell you the name of the man who spawned this idea: Jushiro Ukitake, the captain of Squad 13.

We've been duped by the most peace-loving man in all the Court Guard Squads! He has completely betrayed our trust!

All this time, his aim was to watch us, control us, to use you and me as pawns of the Soul Society. But if we'd resisted, we'd be eliminated!

They all know. Do you understand? Everyone in the Soul Society knows the truth except you! And now, they've abandoned you and left you to die here, Ichigo!

(This is bad. There's no way he can cope with these truths in his present state!)

Ignore him, Ichigo!

Shut up!

Bankai!