Black Rebirth – Asta’s Journey in Soul Society

The cool night air swept through Karakura Town, carrying with it the faint scent of asphalt and distant rain. The moon hung high, casting its pale glow over the rooftops, illuminating the shadows where creatures lurked. Asta stood on the edge of a building, eyes scanning the quiet streets below. His hands twitched in anticipation, his heartbeat quickening.

"Hollows," he muttered to himself, sensing their presence growing stronger. His excitement flared. It had been too quiet lately, and now, finally, something was happening.

Rukia landed beside him, her expression calm but alert. "Multiple spiritual pressures are appearing all over the town," she said, her hand resting on the hilt of her Zanpakutō. "We should split up. It'll be easier to cover more ground."

Asta grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Fine by me! Just don't fall behind, Rukia!"

She shot him a sharp look. "I wasn't planning on it. Now go."

Without another word, Asta pushed off the rooftop and launched himself toward the nearest source of Hollow energy. Rukia went in the opposite direction, her form disappearing into the night.

As Asta sped through the town, his senses sharpened. The Hollow presence ahead of him was growing stronger—far stronger than he had expected. He landed in the middle of an empty street, his boots skidding against the pavement as he looked up.

A dozen pairs of glowing red eyes stared back at him from the darkness.

Asta let out an excited laugh. "Finally! A real challenge!"

The first Hollow lunged at him, its jagged claws slicing through the air. Asta ducked low, sidestepping the attack with ease before slashing upward, cutting straight through its mask. The creature shrieked before dissolving into nothingness.

But the others didn't hesitate. They swarmed him from all sides, howling and screeching as they struck. Asta gritted his teeth, weaving between attacks, his movements fast and precise. His sword cut through another, then another, his grin never fading.

"Come on! Is this all you got?!" he shouted, his voice ringing through the street.

The Hollows roared in response, and Asta saw something shift. More of them appeared from the shadows, their sheer numbers overwhelming. He realized then—this wasn't just a small group. This was a horde.

For the first time, Asta frowned.

"Okay… maybe this is a bit much," he admitted, tightening his grip on his sword.

Meanwhile, across town, Rukia had found herself in a very different situation.

She stood in the middle of a park, her breathing steady, her sword drawn. Across from her, a tall, monstrous figure loomed.

Grand Fisher.

His grotesque form stretched unnaturally, his massive clawed hands twitching with anticipation. His mask had a twisted, jagged grin, and the lure atop his head took the shape of a young girl.

Rukia narrowed her eyes. She had heard of this Hollow before—a cunning and dangerous one. Unlike the lesser Hollows, Grand Fisher was intelligent. He was known for luring in his prey with deception before striking.

"You… you are not my usual prey," Grand Fisher mused, his voice like a low growl. "But you are strong. Perhaps I will enjoy this more than I expected."

Rukia didn't respond. She moved.

In an instant, she closed the distance between them, her sword flashing in the moonlight. Grand Fisher reacted fast, his massive arm swinging toward her, but she was quicker. She ducked, her blade slicing across his shoulder.

The Hollow roared in pain but didn't stagger. Instead, he grinned wider. "Good… You'll be a nice addition to my collection."

Rukia's stance remained firm, but deep down, she knew something was wrong. This Hollow was stronger than she anticipated. And more importantly—

She was alone.

Grand Fisher moved suddenly, faster than before. His claws slashed through the air, and Rukia barely had time to block. The impact sent her skidding backward, her feet digging into the ground.

"Tch… he's fast," she muttered, adjusting her grip on her sword.

But before she could counterattack, something unexpected happened. A new spiritual pressure surged through the air—one that didn't belong to a Hollow.

A human?

Her eyes darted toward the source.

Standing there, watching the battle unfold with wide, confused eyes, was a boy. Orange-haired. Dressed in casual clothes.

Ichigo Kurosaki.

Rukia's eyes widened. "No! Get out of here! Now!" she shouted.

But it was too late. Grand Fisher had noticed him, too.

With a sickening grin, the Hollow turned away from Rukia and lunged straight toward Ichigo.

"No!" Rukia sprang into action, her body moving before she could think. She leaped between them, swinging her sword with all her strength. But Grand Fisher was ready.

His massive hand slammed into her, sending her flying across the park. She hit the ground hard, pain exploding through her body. She tried to move—but her limbs felt heavy. Her vision blurred.

She had underestimated him. And now—

Rukia gritted her teeth. No. She wouldn't let it end like this.

She forced herself to look up. Grand Fisher loomed over Ichigo now, his massive claws reaching for him.

No choice.

With the last of her strength, Rukia pushed herself up and moved toward Ichigo. Before he could react, she thrust her hand forward, her fingers pressing against his chest.

A bright light exploded between them.

"Ichigo Kurosaki," she whispered, her voice firm. "From this moment on… you are a Shinigami."

Ichigo's eyes widened as a surge of energy rushed through him. His body felt lighter, stronger. In his hands, a sword materialized—a massive blade, unlike anything he had ever seen before.

The moment of transformation ended as quickly as it had begun. Ichigo, now dressed in a black Shinigami robe, stood in stunned silence. Rukia, drained of her power, collapsed to the ground.

Grand Fisher's grin faltered. "What…?"

Ichigo gripped his sword. The weight of it felt unfamiliar, but at the same time, right. His eyes sharpened, his stance shifting instinctively. He didn't understand what had just happened… but he knew one thing for certain.

He wasn't going to let this monster hurt anyone else.

Grand Fisher roared, lunging toward him.

And Ichigo moved.

Meanwhile, still fighting through the swarm of Hollows, Asta suddenly felt a massive surge of energy from across the town.

A new power.

A Shinigami's power.

Asta paused mid-swing, his eyes widening as realization hit him.

"What the—"

Before he could finish his thought, another Hollow lunged at him, forcing him back into the fight.

But in the back of his mind, one thing was clear.

Something big had just happened.

And it was only the beginning.