Kaito skipped the incantation entirely, instantly unleashing Hado 96: Itto Kaso.
Before Soi Fon's shocked eyes, a massive, blade-shaped pillar of fire erupted out of thin air right beneath the Vasto Lorde's body!
"His hand!"
Soi Fon remembered that Hado 96 was a sacrificial Kido. This Vasto Lorde was already heavily injured, and even if she hadn't healed Kaito with her Bakudo, he could have handled it. Why did he resort to a spell of that level?
Kaito was currently an anomaly among Soul Reapers. He didn't have his own Zanpakuto, but he was highly proficient in Kido, Hakuda, and Hoho. It could be said that even without a Zanpakuto, he had slain countless Hollows purely through his outstanding Kido abilities, which was why he had been exceptionally admitted into the 13th Division. He certainly hadn't asked his brother to use any connections to get him the job. In other words, given more time to grow, he would undoubtedly become a formidable force.
But why? Why would this guy use a Kido at the cost of sacrificing an arm?
Soi Fon, of course, had no idea what Kaito was thinking. Kaito, on the other hand, was simply curious.
Since his Reversal Technique could repair his injuries, it theoretically meant he could heal himself indefinitely, provided he minimized his spiritual energy consumption. Therefore, did a sacrificial Kido like Hado 96: Itto Kaso really carry an permanent cost for him?
If Soi Fon knew what he was testing, she would have screamed at him, "You're a lunatic!"
Kaito had only thought of the idea during the battle, so he decided to use this Vasto Lorde as a guinea pig.
The flames erupted and then rapidly dissipated. The Vasto Lorde had already dissolved into specks of spirit ribbons, vanishing into the air.
"Ding! Vasto Lorde defeated. Fusion rate increased by 7%!"
When the smoke cleared, Soi Fon was stunned to see that both of Kaito's arms were completely intact. The only difference was that half of his sleeve had burned away.
How was that possible?
Kaito's method of using a sacrificial Kido completely shattered Soi Fon's common sense, opening her eyes to entirely new possibilities. She was beginning to realize that the surprises Kaito brought her were far more intense than any administrative paperwork she had to deal with on a daily basis.
"Alright, that's taken care of." Kaito clapped his hands with a look of utter relief, as if he had just casually disposed of a piece of trash.
There was a strict hierarchy of power among Vasto Lorde. Fortunately for Kaito, this particular Hollow had only recently evolved into a Vasto Lorde. It hadn't even given itself the chance to relish its new status before Kaito obliterated it.
"Woah, you're so incredible!" Saburo jumped down from the tree and hurried to Kaito's side, looking him up and down. "You used a spell of that caliber and came out completely unscathed."
Kaito scratched his head and laughed heartily. "It's nothing. After all... I'm invincible."
These words filled Saburo with deep admiration.
Soi Fon rolled her eyes in disbelief. This guy was utterly shameless.
Saburo's expression suddenly became somewhat conflicted. Then, he closed his eyes, pointed at Soi Fon, and said expressionlessly, "She's thinking: This guy is utterly shameless."
"..."
Soi Fon stared at Saburo, dumbfounded. Is this kid out of his mind?
She felt completely petrified and mortified. The moment Kaito shifted his gaze toward her, Soi Fon immediately used Shunpo to flee the scene. She made up her mind that as soon as things were wrapped up here, she would return to the Soul Society immediately.
Watching Soi Fon dart away faster than a rabbit, Kaito remarked, "Truly worthy of the Captain of the Stealth Force."
***
3 PM.
The weather remained gloomy, and the rain was growing heavier.
Masaki was already waiting at the entrance of the karate dojo. When Ichigo and his classmates walked out after finishing their lessons, he spotted his mother immediately.
"Goodbye, Rimi!"
"Goodbye, Kudo!"
After waving goodbye to his new friends, Ichigo ran toward his mother as fast as his legs could carry him.
"Mama!"
Masaki Kurosaki opened her umbrella, affectionately pulling Ichigo into a hug. She smiled warmly. "How was class today, Ichigo? Did you make any new friends?"
Ichigo happily replied, "Yes! I met a lot of classmates, and I even learned some karate!"
To prove it, Ichigo stood in front of Masaki and began executing his forms with adorable seriousness. Watching her son's childish movements, Masaki felt a wave of genuine happiness.
"Then it's decided. Let's go buy some warabimochi to celebrate, Ichigo."
"Wow! Awesome!"
The mother and son left the dojo, chatting and laughing. Along the way, a joyful Ichigo babbled on about everything that had happened in class. Masaki listened attentively, occasionally patting his head to encourage him.
As they walked past a river embankment, Masaki suddenly felt a soul-shaking tremor. Immediately after, the Quincy power within her body began to rapidly drain away!
Masaki's body convulsed uncontrollably, and she doubled over in pain.
"Mama!"
Ichigo noticed his mother's face distort in agony as cold sweat drenched her skin. The young boy froze, terrified.
"Ichigo... go rest over there for a bit. Mom will be fine in just a moment."
Masaki handed the umbrella to Ichigo. She used her immense willpower to suppress the inner Hollow, White, but with her Quincy powers severely diminished, White's influence was beginning to break free.
She quickly pulled a container from her pocket. It held a medicine her cousin, Ryuken Ishida, had given her to temporarily suppress the Hollow. Without hesitation, Masaki swallowed a pill. She sat down by the embankment and closed her eyes, relying on the drug to force White's raging spiritual pressure back into dormancy.
Ichigo stood beside his mother, holding the umbrella and staring blankly at her. For a moment, the young boy had no idea what to do, and the joy he had felt just moments ago vanished entirely.
Ding...
Just as Ichigo was drowning in helplessness, he caught the faint sound of a bell. The rainy air around him seemed to grow strangely hazy.
"Help... help me..."
Down on the grassy bank of the river, a young girl had appeared. She looked completely helpless, and her leg appeared to be injured, stained with blood.
The rain poured harder. The girl was completely soaked, and her voice sounded incredibly weak.
Ichigo glanced back at his mother, who was still resting with her eyes closed, and then down at the injured girl. Hesitating for a brief second, he bit his lip, placed the umbrella over his mother to shield her from the downpour, and rushed down the bank toward the girl.