Ichigo best challenge - By:Jean Bio (large screen ebook reader TXT) 📗

Yoruichi a concerned look of fear. She then got rid of the mask, much to Ichigo's dismay.[22]

During the battle with 6th Division captain Byakuya Kuchiki at the execution grounds, Ichigo was pushed into a corner and as Byakuya went to deliver the final blow Ichigo is possessed by his inner Hollow. As he swings the sword down Ichigo catches it with his barehand and starts speaking to himself, when Ichigo looks up a mask is forming over the upper left half of his face much to Byakuya's surprise. Byakuya asks how this is possible and who he is but Hollow Ichigo simply states he is nobody.[23]

He then states he doesn't have a name and slashes Byakuya down his torso. As Byakuya puts some distance between them, Hollow Ichigo states how weak Ichigo is, commenting that his inexperience with his own Bankai's spiritual pressure and speed made his bones shake like crazy. He then crushes the sword he grabbed from Byakuya and states he will show Ichigo how to use a Bankai correctly. Byakuya calls another sword to his hand and prepares for another attack. Hollow Ichigo fires off a Getsuga Tenshō. He uses Shunpo to move behind Byakuya and fires another one then appears directly behind the Shinigami captain before the two attacks meet. They both survive the explosion with Byakuya making note that the spiritual pressure and the mask are akin to a Hollows and asks what he is. Hollow Ichigo tells him not to worry about it as he will soon disappear but before he can finish his sentence Ichigo regains control and rips the mask off. Before Hollow Ichigo leaves he tells Ichigo that he cannot win without him, but is pulled into Ichigo's inner consciousness as the fight nears it's conclusion.[24]
Ichigo vs Ichigo continue

Ever since the fight against Byakuya, the mask didn't keep coming back and eventually disappeared. However, from that point on, Ichigo could hear his inner Hollow calling out to him, and about time of Arrancar invasion, he felt its influence dangerously growing over him.[27] During Ichigo's fight with Yammy Llargo, Hollow Ichigo began interrupting Ichigo's thought process telling him to call upon him for help, stating he could make quick work of the two Arrancar, including Ulquiorra. This interruption cost Ichigo the fight and most of his friends got seriously injured.[28] Later, when Ichigo confronted a Hollow to regain his fight confidence, he felt his inner Hollow trying to take over for an instant, which led him to be punched by the Hollow.[29] During another Arrancar invasion, Ichigo ended up fighting Grimmjow, and was subsequently forced to use a black Getsuga Tenshō. As that attack was one of Hollow Icihgo's moves, Ichigo made him easier to take over, causing one of his eyes to turn black. However, he was overcome by Ichigo.[30]

Ichigo and his Hollow prepare to release their Bankai.
Ichigo then found the Visored and as he fought Hiyori Sarugaki, Hollow Ichigo started to take control again and would have killed her if not for her fellow Visored subduing him.[31] Seeing the uncontrollable power of Hollow Ichigo, the Visored agreed to train Ichigo to control him. As they placed Ichigo in a spell, Ichigo's body went completely out of control and began to turn into a Hollow. If his inner Hollow could not be defeated in time, they would be forced to kill him.[32]
During this time, Ichigo journeyed to his inner world to confront Hollow Ichigo.[33] Ichigo asks where Zangetsu is and proceeds to take out his sword. Hollow Ichigo asks him if he is already carrying Zangetsu, revealing that he had his own white Zangetsu, and making the claim that he is Zangetsu (referring to the fact that now it is his subjugation he must battle for).[34] The Visored take Ichigo's body down to a underground training area, [35] where they take turns battling Ichigo's body, as it was possessed by Hollow Ichigo.[36]

In the inner world, Ichigo is persistent in asking Hollow Ichigo where Zangetsu is. To which Hollow Ichigo explains that he is Zangetsu, that he and Zangetsu were originally one being, as both are the source of Ichigo's power and Hollow Ichigo was part of Zangetsu. Although they both share one physical body, if the master and servant exchange roles, the form changes as well. As Hollow Ichigo's power grew control was transferred to him and Zangetsu became a part of him. Therefore the more Ichigo tries to draw out Zangetsu the easier it gets for Hollow Ichigo to take over Ichigo's soul.[37] Ichigo, realizing if Hollow Ichigo is defeated, it will put Zangetsu back into control, brings out his Bankai only to be surprised that Hollow Ichigo also possesses the ability to use Bankai creating a white Tensa Zangetsu. Hollow Ichigo explains he got it when Ichigo did, the two battle and Ichigo unleashes his Getsuga Tenshō which Hollow Ichigo bats away as if it was nothing he then unleashes his own highly powerful white Getsuga Tenshō.[38]

While in the real world, Lisa Yadōmaru is fighting the Hollow possessed body of Ichigo and then switches places with Kensei Muguruma.[39] Kensei battles him and stabs him with his Shikai. When Kensei uses his Shikai's special ability, Ichigo's body begins to undergo serious Hollowfication, becoming a reptilian looking Hollow.[40]


Hollow Ichigo stabbing Ichigo
In the inner world, Ichigo has been heavily injured and Hollow Ichigo explains how he is the first user of the Bankai version of Getsuga Tenshō and taunts Ichigo about his lack of skill. He then moves close up to Ichigo and grabs his Tensa Zangetsu, turning the blade white while telling him he can't use Bankai, destroying his sword.[41] Hollow Ichigo attacks the now defenseless Ichigo explaining his reasoning for his ascendancy to power and what true power between two beings really is. He then stabs Ichigo in the stomach with his Tensa Zangetsu and tells him he will no longer be the servant of someone weaker than him and that now he will be in control.[7] Ichigo gains his will and and grabs the sword in his stomach and it transforms into his black version. Ichigo resolves to pull out the sword and use it to attack the now defenseless Hollow Ichigo by impaling him through the stomach. Hollow Ichigo's clothes become black like Ichigo's and he begins to disintegrate into the wind. Before totally disappearing he reminds Ichigo that he concedes to his control only for now and that one day given the smallest opening he will take control and destroy Ichigo. He tells Ichigo if he truly wants to master his power, he must stay alive.[42]
As Love Aikawa now begins to fight the fully Hollowfied Ichigo, he realizes the battle is going to be tough. Then Hollow Ichigo prepares to charge up a Cero, but before he can unleash it, his body begins to break apart, resulting in an explosion of spiritual energy. When the smoke clears, Ichigo is seen coming out of the husk of what is left of the full Hollow form, wearing his Hollow mask. As the husk falls to the ground and shatters. Shinji has Hachi bring down the barrier and Ichigo falls and his Hollow mask falls off. Shinji asks how he feels, to which Ichigo simply responds; "Not too bad, actually." [43]

New Captain Shūsuke Amagai arc (anime only)Edit
Note: Events occurring in this arc are only in the anime and do not constitute canon material.
Click "show" to read the arc plot. [show]

Fake Karakura Town arcEdit
During Ichigo's battle with Ulquiorra Cifer, the latter seemingly kills him with a pointblank Cero Oscuras into his chest.[45] Orihime Inoue tries to heal Ichigo while Uryū Ishida holds Ulquiorra off, but there seems to be no change in Ichigo's state. After Ulquiorra defeats Uryū, Orihime begins to panic and frantically begs for Ichigo to help her. However, she fails to notice Ichigo's hair growing longer, which begins to resemble a mane. This is a new transformation, as Ichigo's mask changes shape.[46][47]

Hollow Ichigo cuts off Ulquiorra's arm.
Shocked at his enemy's unexpected revival, and believing Ichigo to be dead, Ulquiorra demands to know who he is. Hollow Ichigo summons his sword to his hand without touching it and answers with a roar. Believing words are useless, Ulquiorra fires a Cero Oscuras. To his surprise, Hollow Ichigo fires a Cero powerful enough to counter it. Ulquiorra refuses to believe a human could release a Cero, especially one capable of blowing away his own. Hollow Ichigo appears behind him and effortlessly takes off the Espada's left arm.[47] He quickly regenerates the arm, and states that his true power is not his offensive abilities but his ability to instantly regenerate any non-vital body part. He then resorts to using Lanza del Relámpago, a powerful spear made of energy. Ulquiorra tells Hollow Ichigo to stay right where he is, because he doesn't want to risk using it at close range. The attack misses, creating a massive explosion in the desert and causing Ulquiorra to state to himself that it is a difficult technique to control. Once a second spear is prepared, Ichigo appears right beside him, startling Ulquiorra because he used the Hollow equivalent to Shunpo, Sonído. Hollow Ichigo throws the detached arm at him, but Ulquiorra slashes it away and thrusts the spear. Hollow Ichigo catches it with a single hand and breaks it. Ulquiorra is left dumbfounded, allowing Hollow Ichigo to slice him down the torso and slam him to the ground. Ulquiorra states he can't believe he was defeated by a human turned Hollow. Hollow Ichigo steps on Ulquiorra's head and begins charging a Cero. Ulquiorra comments on how Hollow Ichigo shows no mercy, something very Hollow-like, but because Hollow Ichigo has beaten him he has no reason to live. Hollow Ichigo releases the Cero, creating a vast and powerful explosion on the dome of Las Noches.[48]

Hollow Ichigo's Cero fired off against Ulquiorra.
He barely survives, but his left arm, both legs and lower torso were blown away in the blast. Hollow Ichigo tosses his tattered body aside and prepares to impale his throat with his sword. Uryū attempts to stop Hollow Ichigo from carving up the apparently dead body of Ulquiorra, stating that he will no longer be human if he goes through with such a merciless act, which prompts the possessed Ichigo to stab Uryū through his stomach unexpectedly throwing Tensa Zangetsu at him, sending him flying a distance away. Just as he is about to attack Uryū with a point blank Cero, Ulquiorra, having partially regenerated, severs one of Hollow Ichigo's horns, causing his Cero to disperse skyward.[49]
The explosion shatters Ichigo's mask and he collapses to the ground. As his body and leg begins to regenerate, Ulquiorra thinks to himself that it is merely a front, as his internal organs were decimated from Ichigo's Cero and can't regenerate. Even so, he believes Ichigo is finally dead. However, the hole in his chest completely repairs itself and Ichigo awakes, shocking Ulquiorra with his ability to use high-speed regeneration.[50]


Hollow Ichigo stands before Ichigo after being ripped out by Tensa