Ichigo can't Fight

The door burst open with a loud crack as Ichigo kicked it in, stepping inside with an exaggerated sigh.

"Talk about no one missing me at all!" he exclaimed, expecting a warm welcome.

But his excitement vanished in an instant.

Sosai and the others stood before him, their faces heavy with sadness. A quiet tension filled the room. Ichigo's heart pounded.

"What's happened?" he demanded, his voice sharp with worry. "Where's Teigen?"

Nobody answered. The grief in their eyes said enough. Something terrible had happened.

Slowly, they stepped aside, revealing the small sleeping mat where Teigen lay.

Ichigo's breath caught in his throat.

Teigen was unconscious, pale, and feverish. His legs were a mangled mess—twisted, shattered, with jagged bone piercing through torn skin. The sight made Ichigo's stomach churn.

Sosai's voice was heavy with guilt. "We pooled everything we had, but… it's not enough to get him to the healer."

Ichigo said nothing. His eyes burned with emotion as he knelt beside Teigen. For a moment, he clenched his fists, his whole body trembling.

Then, without another word, he disappeared.

In the blink of an eye, he returned—this time holding a small cloth bag filled with his savings - his stash.

"We have to get him to the clinic." He shoved the money toward Sosai. "Take it. Let's go."

Sosai hesitated. "No… I can't. That's everything you've been—"

"I don't care." Ichigo's voice was firm, unwavering. "What good is being the strongest fighter if I can't even protect my family? I won't let anything happen to any of you."

For the first time that day, Sosai almost smiled.

Then his expression darkened.

"You all take him. There's something I have to do."

Ichigo frowned. "What do you mean?"

Sosai inhaled deeply, as if steadying himself. "There was a fight."

Ichigo's pulse quickened.

"Yui's gang ambushed Teigen and the others on their way back from Baker Ba's place.Teigen tried to fight back, but… he was no match. One of them did this."

Sosai's jaw tightened. His next words came slowly.

"It was Shin. He's been holding a grudge against Teigen since the game."

The name hit like a dagger.

Ichigo clenched his fists, the veins in his arms bulging. Shin.

Sosai smiled faintly, though there was no warmth in it.

"I failed to protect him, i failed you all, but I won't fail to avenge him." His voice was calm, almost too calm. "You go on without me ichigo, Find the healer —she owes me a favor. With this much money, she won't say no."

He placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder.

"Take care of the kids while I'm gone. And remember what I always tell you…"

Ichigo swallowed hard.

"You're stronger together. Always."

Sosai scoffed and turned, his silhouette framed against the dim lantern light.

As he stepped away, he took one last, lingering look at Ichigo and the others.

Whether or not he survived the night, he knew one thing for certain—

Ichigo would become a better protector, a better leader, a better brother than he ever was.

Because Ichigo wasn't just a fighter.

He was a warrior with a righteous heart.