At the same time.
"Distracted even at a life-or-death moment? Needing protection from a human, how pathetic, Shinigami!" Watching Rukia and Ichigo, the mask-patterned Hollow laughed maniacally as it swung its arm down to smash them.
Holding Rukia, Ichigo leaped up, dodging the mask-patterned Hollow's heavy hammer blow, then turned and ran into the distance.
While running, Ichigo evaded the Hollow's cat-and-mouse style attacks and asked Rukia, who was in his arms, a question to which he already knew the answer:
"Hey, Rukia, have you lost your powers just like that? Is there any way left to defeat him?"
"This..." Rukia fell into hesitation and thought.
Hearing Ichigo's question, the live stream comments had already pronounced a death sentence on him.
"No hope, just waiting to die now!"
"The lucky bastard has fallen (sobbing tone)!"
"Got to say, although we previously thought he was a coward greedy for life and afraid of death, seeing how he handles the crisis, my opinion has changed somewhat. Maybe he just wanted to risk it all for a big gain."
"It's just a pity, this world is so cruel. The only one with combat power, the Shinigami, is severely injured. Based on the information we've seen these past few days, with one Shinigami assigned per area, both of them are probably done for."
"What a shame!"
"Indeed!"
"This guy was actually alright."
On account of Ichigo being about to die, a wave of regret for him swept through the crowd.
But, being carried by Ichigo, Rukia had already made a decision!
"Hey, Ichigo, at the corner up ahead, put me down!"
"What are you going to do? Did you think of a way?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, we need to perform a ritual!" Rukia took a deep breath, and her barely mobile right hand tightened its grip on Sode no Shirayuki. "I'm going to make you become a Shinigami!"
As soon as Rukia said these words, the comments section exploded again.
"!!!"
"????"
"Huh, huh, huh?"
"Did I hear that wrong?"
Countless people who witnessed this scene were utterly astonished.
'Did Rukia just claim that she could make Ichigo, an ordinary human, become a Shinigami?'
"No way?" The haters who were just expressing regret for Ichigo a moment ago suddenly had a bad feeling.
But in the live stream, Ichigo had already reached the street corner.
"What do I need to do!" Ichigo asked.
Rukia raised her Zanpakuto, "You just need to thrust my sword into your chest. Then I will transfer power to you!"
Rukia offered an encouraging smile. "So, Ichigo, I don't even know if it will succeed. Are you afraid?"
"Afraid? Of course I'm afraid. But I'm more afraid of not being able to slaughter that bastard!" Ichigo's eyes were firm. He took two steps forward and grasped Rukia's Zanpakuto with both hands.
At this moment, behind them, the mask-patterned Hollow, deliberately building pressure and enjoying their desperate resistance, was still slowly advancing step by step.
"What's wrong, human? Shinigami? Huddled in the corner, not moving? Have you given up? Or are you brewing some scheme?"
"It's useless! Give up! Be afraid! Only fearful souls are the most delicious souls. Don't worry, I'll eat you all while you're still alive!" The mask-patterned Hollow continued to apply pressure.
But the further forward it went, the less fear it sensed, which wasn't much to begin with!
The mask-patterned Hollow suddenly had a bad premonition.
At the same time, a bright white light suddenly erupted from the street corner ahead!
A new Shinigami's Reiatsu emanated from that white light!
"Oh no!" Realizing it had messed around too long, the mask-patterned Hollow began to charge.
But when Ichigo reappeared before it, he was no longer a feeble human.
But… a Shinigami!
Staring at the mask-patterned Hollow charging towards him, Ichigo's gaze was calm.
A trace of the immense latent Reiryoku within him was stirred, flowing into the massive Asauchi!
"Hyah!" Ichigo swung the sword forward!
At the same time, the mask-patterned Hollow's heavy fist arrived!
"Ichigo!"
Watching Ichigo clash with the mask-patterned Hollow, Rukia was extremely tense!
But soon, she would learn exactly what kind of person she had chosen, and what kind of treasure trove of power she had unlocked!
The massive Asauchi swept towards the Hollow's fist!
The skin that could defend against Rukia's hasty slash was as if non-existent, and Ichigo's Asauchi smoothly sliced through the Hollow's wrist!
Thud!
The mask-patterned Hollow's massive fist hit the ground with a dull thud.
Before it could even howl in pain, Ichigo took another step forward, and a now fist-less arm fell!
Fresh red blood sprayed from the Hollow's shoulder cavity!
"Arrrrggghhh!!!" The mask-patterned Hollow threw its head back and roared in agony.
But whether it was in pain or rage, Ichigo's expression remained consistently calm, cold, and severe!