The moment the wall cracked, Orihime Inoue froze.
Before she could even react, a sharp pain, like being struck by a hammer, hit her chest, and her breath caught in her throat.
The next moment, her vision blurred.
Her body was lying on the ground.
“Orihime!” Tatsuki Arisawa’s expression changed drastically, and she rushed over.
But she had only taken one step when the long tail emerging from the black hole swept across, striking her forehead with a loud thud.
Tatsuki didn’t even have time to groan before she fell to the side.
Blood trickled down her forehead.
Orihime’s eyes widened.
She looked down at her hand, then at her own physical body lying on the ground, her face filled with bewilderment.
At that moment, the Hollow had completely crawled out of the black hole.
Its slender, twisted body writhed like a snake.
Its tail was still dripping with a nauseating acid.
Most chillingly, half a human face was visible beneath its tattered white mask.
It reached out and grabbed Orihime’s spirit.
“Found you…
Orihime.” The voice was hoarse and venomous.
Orihime trembled.
That voice…
she knew it all too well.
“Brother…
Sora?” The Hollow’s movements paused noticeably.
But quickly, its emotions surged even more violently.
“Why?” “Why can you laugh and be with others?” “Why don’t you only think of me anymore?” “After all…
I’m your brother.” Tears welled up in Orihime’s eyes.
She stared at that familiar yet distorted face, her mind blank.
She never imagined that the one who attacked her would be her already deceased brother, Sora.
She had always thought her brother was just gone.
She never expected him to return like this.
“No…” Orihime shook her head desperately.
“I haven’t forgotten you, Brother.
I’ve never forgotten.” “Liar!” Sora roared, his grip tightening suddenly.
Orihime winced in pain, her face turning pale.
Just then, the door was violently flung open.
Ichigo Kurosaki, wielding his massive sword, practically charged in.
“Let her go!” He swung his blade directly.
But the Hollow’s tail was incredibly fast, wrapping around the giant sword like a living thing.
A pungent, burning sensation instantly traveled from the hilt to Ichigo’s hand.
“Hiss…” He frowned.
The next moment, the long tail lashed out violently.
Ichigo, sword and all, was sent flying, crashing through a window and plummeting to the ground below.
Rukia Kuchiki’s expression changed the moment she entered.
“Ichigo!” She was about to attack when Sora dragged Orihime towards the corner.
Through the Transparent World, Yoriichi Tsugikuni saw it clearly.
This Hollow didn’t simply want to eat Orihime.
It was in too much pain.
Thinking this, Yoriichi entered from outside.
His footsteps were light, but Sora still noticed him.
His tail lashed out like a hook, aiming for Yoriichi’s neck.
The speed was fast.
But Yoriichi was faster.
With a simple sidestep and a flick of his wrist, Yoriichi dodged all the attacks.
Rukia watched from behind, her pupils slightly contracting.
Sora’s attacks became increasingly chaotic.
Its spiritual pressure grew increasingly violent.
Furniture in the room was constantly being smashed, and the walls were covered in acid corrosion marks.
Yoriichi drew his sword.
A gentle yet intense spiritual pressure emanated from the crimson blade as he lightly slashed Sora’s mask.
Crack.
A crisp sound rang out.
The mask shattered.
The broken halves of the mask fell to the ground, cleansed by the blade.
Sora’s movements froze.
He stood there, the madness in his eyes gradually fading.
Finally, only bewilderment and sorrow remained.
“Orihime…” Orihime covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.
“Brother.” She ran out from behind Rukia.
Rukia was startled.
“Wait!” Yoriichi didn’t stop her.
This soul would no longer harm her.
Orihime threw herself into Sora’s arms.
She hugged him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear at any moment.
“I’m sorry…
Brother…
I’m sorry…” “It’s not that I don’t miss you.
I think about you every day.” “But I also want to live well…” Sora looked down at her, his expression softening.
He raised his hand and gently stroked his sister’s head.
Just like when he was alive.
“It’s my fault.” “I was just… too lonely.” Orihime cried even harder.
Rukia stood beside her, silent.
Not long after, Sora’s body began to slowly dissolve into spirit particles.
He couldn’t hold on any longer.
“Orihime.” “Yes…” “From now on, live with a smile.” “Okay.” Orihime gave a tearful smile.
Ichigo, who had just climbed back upstairs, stopped and watched this scene.
Soon, Sora completely turned into specks of light and dissipated into the air.
Orihime stretched out her hand, staring blankly ahead.
Tears were still flowing.
But the expression on her face was no longer as desperate as before.
The room was quiet for a moment.
Rukia was the first to come to her senses.
“Check on the injured first.” She immediately knelt beside Tatsuki, examined her injuries, and her expression darkened slightly.
“Head injury, but not too serious.” Then, she looked at Orihime.
“Her soul was damaged; the injury is severe.” Ichigo, clutching his numb hand, frowned and asked, “Can you heal them?” “I’ll try.” Rukia raised her hand and began to chant a healing Kido.
A faint light enveloped Tatsuki and Orihime.
But sweat quickly beaded on her forehead.
It had an effect.
But it was very limited.
Yoriichi glanced at it and calmly said, “I’ll do it.” Rukia looked up.
“You can use healing Kido?” “I just learned it by watching you.” With that, Yoriichi knelt down.
He raised his hand, a soft green light gathering at his fingertips.
The pure, refined spiritual pressure made Rukia’s breath catch in her throat.
The next moment, the warm light enveloped Tatsuki’s forehead, and the wound healed almost visibly.
Then, the power fell upon Orihime.
Her pale complexion improved significantly.
Rukia stared at this scene in shock.
“How is this possible…” Ichigo was also stunned.
“This technique isn’t very complicated; you can understand it at a glance,” Yoriichi said, continuing his treatment.
“Who exactly are you?” She realized she needed to reassess Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
“Just an ordinary human who accidentally gained special powers.” The treatment ended.
Yoriichi withdrew his Kido and stood up.
“Now that this is over, I should head back.” He said, walking towards the door.
Orihime, having just regained consciousness as her soul merged back with her body, opened her eyes to find Yoriichi standing at the door, about to leave.
“Yoriichi-kun…” Yoriichi turned and glanced at her.
“Are you alright?
You’ve recovered well.” Orihime’s nose stung with tears.
“Th…thank you!” Her voice was trembling with emotion.
Yoriichi nodded, then waved and turned to leave.
“Kurosaki-kun, Kuchiki-san, thank you!” Orihime bowed to Ichigo and Rukia.
Late at night.
Outside the Urahara Store.
Rukia stood outside, glanced at the sign, then pushed open the door and went inside.
Behind the counter, Kisuke Urahara was fanning himself.
“Oh dear, it’s so late.
What brings you here, Miss Kuchiki?” Rukia stared at him and said, enunciating each word clearly, “Manager, I need you to investigate Ichigo Kurosaki’s classmate, Yoriichi Tsugikuni.”