Chapter 203
The Fullbring Arc can be considered an important turning point in Bleach. It fills in the last piece of the puzzle for the four abilities within the series.
It also connects directly to the Four Great Noble Houses Arc.
The relationship between Kurosaki Ichigo and the Soul Society in the original work is revealed gradually here. As a human, Ichigo technically has no obligation to protect the world, nor should he need to take part in the battles of the Shinigami.
It is only when the Gotei 13 cannot defeat an enemy such as Aizen Sōsuke that they turn to Kurosaki Ichigo to fight in their place.
However, after the Thousand-Year Blood War Arc, Ichigo's strength reached a peak that made it difficult for the Four Noble Houses Arc to present an enemy stronger than Yhwach. Additionally, the darker themes of the Four Noble Houses Arc were not suitable for serialization in the manga format, making the Fullbring Arc a natural transition point, shifting the series from a hot-blooded shōnen into something more mature in tone.
The Four Noble Houses Arc itself carries much darker content than previous arcs, more suited to being expressed in novel form rather than in manga chapters.
The four fundamental powers in Bleach correspond to one another.
The Quincy utilize reishi from the outside world in combat.
In contrast, the Shinigami fight using their inner reiryoku.
Hollows rely on devouring souls as their power.
The opposite of Hollows is humanity.
Humans possess Fullbring.
Where Hollows consume souls, Fullbring represents the outflow of souls.
Everything in existence contains a soul-not only animals and plants, but even tools, objects, and elements such as glass, water, and stone. When tools such as pens, keyboards, and other objects are used skillfully, they demonstrate performance beyond their design, reflecting their inherent connection with those who wield them. The essence of Fullbring lies in drawing out these souls and shaping them with one's own reiryoku to enhance and control them.
For example, drawing out the soul of stone allows one to leap higher; drawing out the soul of water allows one to walk upon it; drawing out the soul of a beloved object allows it to transform and manifest as a personalized weapon with unique abilities.
In this sense, Fullbring shares similarities with the Shinigami and their Zanpakutō.
Each Zanpakutō possesses its own soul, and the Shinigami engraves their own essence into it by training with an Asauchi through day and night. The bond between them could also be regarded as a form of "soul outflow."
However, unlike the Zanpakutō, Fullbring is not restricted to traditional swords. Any beloved object-a necklace, a bookmark, a phone-can become the basis of a Fullbring.
Fullbring manipulation occurs in several stages:
First, one draws out the soul of an object.
Second, one infuses it with individual soul essence to strengthen it.
Third, one manipulates the object directly in combat.
Fourth, one maximizes that object's potential through the power of deep emotional attachment.
This final stage can be seen as the "heart" of the user aligning with the "sword."
When viewed from this perspective, the relationship between a Shinigami and their Zanpakutō resembles the same principle-the strongest results come when they fight as partners bound by heart and spirit.
If Fullbring's similarity with Zanpakutō is considered proof, then it also suggests that Shinigami, Quincy, and Fullbringers ultimately draw from the same source: the Soul King.
Only the power of Hollows exists outside of the Soul King's reach.
Hollows are born from a lost heart.
The hollow hole represents its absence, while the mask becomes its manifestation, shaping each Hollow's unique form and abilities.
From this concept, to create the Soul King, the powers of Shinigami, Quincy, and humans are all indispensable.
From an evolutionary stance, Shinigami, Quincy, and humans could theoretically grow stronger through Hollowfication. Since Hollow power derives from a source separate from the Soul King, integrating it into one's body would elevate an individual's strength further.
The Quincy, however, despise Hollows so deeply that Hollowification holds no value for them.
For Hollows, their possible evolutionary paths lie in Shinigami, Quincy, and humans-all forms that could lead toward a connection with the Soul King's power.
The Arrancar and the Espada represented one such path.
They were Hollows attempting to become Shinigami.
At the same time, their humanoid forms reflected the humanization of Hollows.
The Primera, Segunda, and Trecera Espada hardly differed from humans at all, while Ulquiorra Cifer-the Cuarta Espada-embodied their more bestial flaws despite holding humanoid form.
Yet, the concept of Hollows evolving into Quincies has never been observed, perhaps hinting that Quincies are regarded as a unique existence even among Hollowkind.
......
By the window, sunlight filtered through the wooden grille, cutting into beams where dust floated gently in the light.
Outside stood healthy green trees, with a wall beyond them. Utility poles and wires lined the distance, and small birds occasionally chirped as they perched on the cables.
The war had ended, and finally, stillness returned.
With a soft splash, golden-hued tea flowed clear into a cup. The leaves swirled as they settled.
The one holding the pot was none other than Aizen Sōsuke.
"By the way, Captain Yuta... am I not to be executed?"
Hideki Yuta lifted his cup and tasted the tea before answering.
"For men like you and me, what meaning is there in a prison sentence?"
He set the cup down lightly.
"For humans with only a century of life, ten years in prison is enough to rob them of youth. But in comparison, the history of the Soul Society stretches across millions of years. Twenty thousand years of imprisonment is nothing but a blink, a punishment that holds no value."
"Logically speaking, you slaughtered countless civilians in Rukongai. Out of justice alone, your life should have been ended. But the Soul Society cannot bring itself to take that step, so imprisonment is offered in its place."
"So, tell me... what do you think, Yuta Hideki?" Aizen placed the pot down and sat beside him.
Yuta tapped his fingers against the table once and regarded him coldly.
"What is it you want? That I kill you here?"
"How could I dare suggest such a thing?" Aizen smiled faintly.
"Then remain where you are and serve properly."
"As you command, Captain Yuta." He gave a shallow incline of his head. "But I will require a name, will I not?"
"Continue to call yourself... Aizen Soyosuke or just soyosuke."
...
In Soul Society, Captain Unohana Retsu extended an invitation to Yuta to share a cup of tea within the 4th Division barracks.
The news of his visit stirred excitement among the healers.
"Hey, did you hear? Yuta-taichō of the 12th Division, the Grand Kidō Chief himself, is coming here!"
"Really? You mean Yuta-taichō, the one who defeated Aizen Sōsuke and saved Soul Society?"
"Unbelievable... I heard he's incredibly handsome too. I wish I could see him just once."
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