Returning to his room, Shirou didn't sleep like usual but instead decided to meditate. It was something he learned from his late father to regain his calm.

Meditating helped him calm down and gather his thoughts. He could focus and clear his head, and it's also a good way to recover faster. It helped to get rid of all the negative emotion, something he needed right now.

In his mind, his fight against Byakuya Kuchiki played on repeat, the memory of him almost losing and being forced to use his trump card. He was confident he could defeat the captain in his reality marble.

Still, he couldn't let himself get injured that much. He couldn't let himself get hurt again and worry his family.

All frustration and fear that had built up in his mind, Shirou vented them at this moment.

'Letting myself be overwhelmed by emotion, that's a failure on my part.' He thought in shame.

Strategize and win, that's what he should aim for. If he was too occupied with his emotions, then it would hinder him. There was a thin line between being confident and being reckless.

'However, this emotion... I can't let them disappear either.' A wry smile formed on his lips, 'Because without that... then, am I even human anymore? I will only be a husk, similar to that man.'

That was the thing that made a human different from a machine.

Choose and protect.

Be as efficient as a machine but keep human self close to his heart.

Shirou sighed as he recalled what he could do. If he couldn't defend himself using Blut Vene, then he could always offset the damage he gained with regeneration.

"I am the bone of my sword."

He was a sword.

"Steel is my body and fire is my blood."

Who said he couldn't repair his own wound? After all, he was also a sword. He just had to use steel to stitch the wound and temper it to heal himself.

The unconscious healing in the Holy Grail War reinforced his body. He got stronger and stronger as time passed. His strength would recover in a short amount of time as his healing factor worked, repairing the damage he got and strengthened him.

And now, he could even do that consciously with his new knowledge.

"I have created over a thousand blades."

All which resided in his reality marble.

"Unaware of beginning."

Nothing was too late for a new beginning. There was still a long way for him to be the strongest and the fastest. He would never achieve that, but at the very least, he could aim for it. No matter how unreachable, it was something that was worth aiming for.

He could start from now.

A new chapter of his life. The world of supernatural and the Soul Society, he would aim to survive there. Survive and protect his loved ones.

"Nor aware of the end."

No one knew. Not even him.

If he chose this path, he would fight against Soul Society, the world that valued balance and protecting the world. In a way, he would become the opposite of the Hero of Justice.

But, did that matter? His world was limited to begin with. It's not like he would destroy the world if he went against them.

At that time, the door of his room swung open with a loud thud. Isshin appeared, looking awfully concerned.

"Shirou, what are you doing at this hour-"

Not even finishing his words, the man froze. His eyes widened in surprise as he looked at his sitting son.

Shirou's reiatsu stabilized. His spiritual energy stopped leaking out and his aura was no more overwhelming.

A pleasant aura came from the boy's body. It's as if the whole room had become serene, a warm light surrounded the room and made his son look ethereal.

The boy had accepted everything.

His father approached him and noticed something different.

The boy was smiling, not with his usual fake smile that he showed a few times when he was concerned about something, but a real one.

One that seemed to accept everything, his new reality and new ideal. No longer would he hesitate.

He opened his eyes and looked at his father.

"Dad... I am going to help Ichigo save Rukia."

Not for the girl's sake or his own sake, but for his brother. If he didn't join that reckless journey, he wouldn't be at peace. He was worried. And he was also scared. Scared for Ichigo's life, and what would happen if his brother was to die there while he was stuck here, unable to help.

'If I don't do it, I won't be at peace. And so... this is my selfish reason.'

"I see. Will you be fine?"

"I will no longer hesitate to follow what my heart says." He answered confidently, his eyes filled with embers of resolution.

The answer was clear.

With a warm smile, he said, "Can you protect mom, Yuzu, and Karin while I am away? There might be enemies targeting our family, so…"

Crossing his arms, Isshin replied with a wide grin, "That's my line. Of course, I can. What about Ichigo? Will you be able to protect that brat? He's a big idiot."

"Please leave him to me.." Shirou grinned. He could see Isshin's expression changed from a happy smile to a serious look, his eyes becoming sharper and more piercing. "No one will lay their hand on him as long as I live. No matter who they are."

"I see..." Isshin trailed off, perplexed by his son's change of attitude. The boy was usually kind and caring, but now... his words carried the weight of a warrior, a fighter, a soldier.

A Hero.

His gaze was firm, unwavering.

"You've changed."

"I guess I have." Shirou looked at his hands filled with calluses, "I just found a new path I want to walk, something I can be satisfied with."

"That's good then. You should follow it with all your heart."

"I will." The auburn-haired teen said in a firm tone.

***

"Damn, I lost again!"

Ichigo's whine resounded throughout the underground training ground. The voice filled with frustration and anger at his current state, unable to achieve his bankai after days of intense training.

He laid down on the ground with his arms spread widely. Sweat flowed from every part of his body and he panted loudly, looking at the ceiling of the cave. Blood trickled from the wound of his forehead.

Whatever training he did, it was an intense one.

Swords surrounded him, many forms of his Zangetsu stabbed the ground, all of them had their blades facing downward.

Just like before, he had to find the right one—one that could become his Bankai. One that reflected his strength.

Yes, the practice seemed to be the same as before, but something had changed slightly from when he tried to achieve his Shikai. It was way harder due to his opponent.

"Is this the limit of your conviction, Ichigo?"

A figure clad in black coat appeared in the boy's vision, looking at him from above. His black coat fluttered as he looked down, and a jagged sword was in his hand. He looked at the boy with a cold gaze from behind his tinted visor.

Zangetsu, the spirit of Ichigo's sword. An existence born in the depth of Ichigo's heart.

"My conviction is not weak!"

"I'm not talking about your conviction to rescue Kuchiki Rukia, I'm asking you whether your conviction to wield me as your weapon is firm."

"Of course it's strong!"

"Are you really?"

Zangetsu raised his sword, ready to stab it into Ichigo's body.

Responding quickly, Ichigo jumped from where he was and grabbed another sword from the ground. He swung it to meet the spirit's sword, but Zangetsu was far stronger. The sword shattered and Ichigo was thrown to the side.

He rolled and crashed onto the wall, pushing out all the air inside him.

"Argh!"

"As I've said before, these swords represent a piece of your heart. A lot of fragility is within your soul, and that's the result of your lack of resolve. Your will is easily shaken." Zangetsu said with a disappointed look on his face.

Ichigo panted heavily, the spirit continued his words, "In your case, the power you wield is too great, yet your soul is fragile. You don't know how to use me properly. And you think your sword is just a tool, one that could be replaced easily."

Narrowing his eyes, Ichigo grabbed another sword and lashed out in anger, "Don't talk as if you know me! What the heck is that supposed to mean?!"

He rushed toward Zangetsu and thrust his sword.

Zangetsu dodged him with a graceful step to the side and appeared behind the orange-haired Shinigami. He raised his sword, intending to cleave Ichigo into two, but found his sword got blocked.

"Heh, this time the sword didn't break in one go." Ichigo grinned at Zangetsu and put a power into his swing, forcing Zangetsu's blade backward and throwing him off.

He glared at the spirit and clenched the hilt of the sword tighter.

"I don't understand what you're talking about, but I know these swords are my weakness. However, if I stay as weak as I am, I won't be able to save Rukia. I won't even be able to help Shirou who went off somewhere to fight alone. That's why-"

"That's why?"

"That's why, Zangetsu... Lend me your power! Come at me at full strength and give me your power!"

Zangetsu smiled and swung his sword.

They clashed intensely, sparks flying everywhere and dust formed from their every step. The clash was so powerful that the swords from the ground fell to the ground.

"You have a long way to go, Ichigo. But it's closer than before." Yoruichi, who monitored everything, muttered from the top of the rock.

***Chapter End***

Stronger rival fester faster growth!

And Shirou has changed slightly. Where will he go from this point onward, even I am unsure! I combined all routes Shirou, trying to blend them all into a strange Shirou we have in this route.

Anyway, give me stones!

And if you're curious about Soul Society arc, visit my pat -reon / ShuviLily.

Peace!