Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

Hui hadn't expected Ichigo to show up at his villa out of the blue, asking him to teach him how to get stronger.

"Something must have happened," Hui said calmly, "Otherwise you wouldn't be in such a rush to power up."

Before Ichigo could even finish replaying the day's events in his head, Hui had already read them straight from his thoughts.

"Fine," Hui shrugged, "Since you're determined to grow stronger and I'm a little bored anyway, I'll teach you."

Ichigo stayed silent, clearly unwilling to explain what had shaken his resolve so badly. 

Hui didn't press as he already understood. 

Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia had run into an unusually powerful Hollow. Rukia was gravely wounded, on the verge of death. 

At Ichigo's bleakest moment, Kuchiki Byakuya appeared, rescued them both, and delivered a few choice words that cut straight into Ichigo's pride.

'Talk about melodramatic,' Hui thought.

"In this world there are Shinigamis, Hollows, and humans.

"Shinigamis draw their strength from Reiryoku, their Zanpakutō, and their mastery of Kido.

"Hollows grow strong by devouring and evolving.

"Humans… well, humans rely on the body, the soul, and unique powers."

Hui's gaze sharpened.

"So tell me, Ichigo: what do you think you need to rely on to become strong?"

Hadn't the answer already been given? Humans rely on their bodies, souls, and unique abilities to become strong. Why ask again?

Despite his inner doubts, Ichigo still answered honestly.

Hui shook his head, a playful smile curling at his lips.

"The path in front of you isn't that simple.

"You're different from all of them.

"You are not a Shinigami nor are you a Hollow, and likewise… you're not an ordinary human!"

"Wh-what do you mean?" Ichigo blurted, completely thrown off.

"Well, that's not entirely accurate," Hui went on, "Because while you don't belong to any one of these races, you actually belong to all three at once."

Ichigo's confusion only deepened.

"Your mother, do you still remember her? well, she was a Quincy."

"Quincy…?" Ichigo murmured.

"That's right. We'll go over what a Quincy is later. Now, let's talk about your father."

"My father?" Ichigo's heartbeat hammered in his ears; he sensed everything he thought he knew was about to be overturned.

"Your father is a Shinigami."

Ichigo's eyes flew wide. 'Dad… a Shinigami?'

"Which means you're the child of a human-Soul-Reaper union. You carry both Shinigami and human power in your veins. You belong to them, and yet you stand apart from them."

By the time Hui finished, Ichigo was frozen in place, chest heaving, mind a complete whirlwind.

Hui Hui went on, unfazed by Ichigo's shock.

"I told you, you belong to Shinigamis, and humans, yet at the same time you belong to none of them.

"I've already explained why you both belong and don't belong to Shinigami and humans.

Now, I'll tell you why you belong and don't belong to Hollows

"Before you were born, your mother, a human Quincy, was attacked by a modified Menos Grande. The assault triggered Hollowfication, leaving her with Hollow traits.

"Because of that, the power of the Hollow was passed on to you at birth.

"As such. You both belong to the Hollows and stand apart from them."

The explanation left Ichigo completely dumbfounded.

His family, his parents, their very identities seemed to tumble into chaos all at once.

Hui fell silent for a long while, waiting until Ichigo's breathing steadied and the boy's eyes refocused. Then he continued:

"You carry Shinigami, Hollow, and human power simultaneously. This is your greatest advantage, it gives your growth limitless possibilities.

"Your road to strength won't look exactly like that of a Shinigami's, a Hollow's, or a human's. It will be a fusion of all their paths."

"Senior, you said my mother, was attacked by a modified Hollow that triggered her Hollowfication. Can you tell me, was this an accident, or was there someone behind it?"

Ichigo spoke, his thoughts a mess yet keenly perceiving the information in Hui's words.

Hearing this, a slight smile appeared on Hui's lips.

"Actually, I didn't intend to tell you this now, because compared to him, you are simply too weak. 

"But since you asked, I'll tell you, so you can have a goal. 

"No, I should say, one more goal. I don't know if the attack on your mother was a conspiracy, but I can tell you who modified that Hollow. 

"The person who modified that Hollow is named Aizen Sosuke. This name might not be unfamiliar to you; you should have heard Rukia Kuchiki mention him. 

"However, I must tell you that Aizen Sosuke is no longer the captain who defected from Soul Society. His power has undergone massive changes.

"Now, Aizen Sosuke is...the current ruler of Hueco Mundo."

Ichigo's eyes widened upon hearing this.

He hadn't expected his "enemy" to be the current ruler of Hueco Mundo. This was undoubtedly a powerful enemy, making him feel immense pressure.

"Since I've told you about Aizen, let me tell you about another 'enemy' of yours, concerning your mother's death."

Hui thought for a moment. Since Ichigo had already set his sights on Aizen, he wasn't afraid to add one more.

Upon hearing this, Ichigo's body trembled, his breathing heavy, his chest heaving.

"Senior, please tell me, who killed my mother?"

He asked, his voice hoarse, his eyes reddened.

Hui nodded, then slowly said:

"It was someone named Yhwach. He can no longer be called a human. Most people refer to him as the Almighty.'

!!!

The Almighty?!

Ichigo's heart was shaken. Although he had already prepared himself mentally, he never expected that his mother's killer would be referred to by Hui as "The Almighty"

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