Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Muramasa

Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Muramasa is a fight taking place in the Zanpakutō Rebellion. It is the final fight in the Rebellion, focusing upon the conflict between Substitute Shinigami Ichigo Kurosaki and the instigator of the Rebellion, Muramasa.

Prologue
As Ichigo is immersed in Muramasa's reiatsu, he travels unconscious inside the crimson-red reiatsu. However, he emerges from the water in Kōga Kuchiki's inner world, wondering where he ended up. He hears Muramasa's footsteps upon the water, as the Zanpakutō spirit states that he is surprised to see him inside the inner world of his master. He asks Ichigo how he managed to reach this place, to which Ichigo responds that he has no clue either.

Ichigo asks Muramasa what this place is, to which Muramasa informs him that, like other Shinigami, he used to have an inner world, as Ichigo realizes where he is. He protests, stating that his Shinigami master is dead, as Muramasa says that it is beyond his comprehension. Muramasa wonders why he came here, postulating whether this is merely an illusion, or that his reunion with Kōga manifested this place from memory. He states that their time here is short, as a pillar plunges into the water below.

He, however, thanks the fates that keep the two of them intertwined, stating that it has given him the chance to finish off their previous fight. His sword materializes into his hand, using Shunpo to appear before Ichigo.

Battle


As the two clash in mid-air, Ichigo questions why they have to fight, as there is no good reason. He pushes Muramasa away, who states that Ichigo is weak, and that his power will nourish his body. He states that he must fight until there is no strength left in his body, pointing his sword towards Ichigo. The blade glows a purple hue, as he tackles Ichigo into the body of water. This causes a huge explosion, as Muramasa prepares to strike Ichigo with his blade. However, Ichigo states that will not work, deflecting it with a Getsuga Tenshō.

This causes a typhoon to form within the inner world, which Ichigo cuts in half with one swing as he emerges from the water. Muramasa appears behind him, raising an outstretched hand towards him, as Ichigo states that his trickery will not work twice. He moves backwards, tracking the spirit threads through the water's reflection, firing a Getsuga Tenshō at Muramasa, who uses Shunpo to evade his attack. Suddenly, Ichigo is bound in mid-air, held in place by Muramasa's threads.



He appears once more, stating that Ichigo will never defeat him, if his strategy is to blindly swing his sword around. Ichigo wonders how Muramasa was able to bind him through his ability, glancing down at the water, noticing the multitude of hands binding him. Muramasa states that it is all over, materializing his sword, laughing wildly while he did so. However, a pillar collapses behind him, disrupting the illusion, as Ichigo uses a Getsuga Tenshō to disperse the illusion below him.

Muramasa is surprised at this, as Ichigo states the true nature of Muramasa's abilities, in which he disguises his attack in reflections, in order to make his opponent believe that his attack is invisible, and therefore, unforeseeable. Ichigo counters this by churning up the water with his Getsuga Tenshō, immediately pushing Muramasa back, clashing forthwith. He charges up at Muramasa, who is seemingly offguard, as Ichigo runs him through with Zangetsu.



Muramasa merely smiles, fading away from Ichigo's blade. He appears behind Ichigo, lightly cutting him on the arm. Ichigo turns back to face him, but the illusion fades away, revealing another figure. He clashes with Muramasa, who explains that, although his full powers are inaccessible whilst in Kōga's inner world, he states that he has other abilities that have proven useful. Muramasa intentionally gets pushed back by Ichigo, allowing for him to get run through, only to disappear.

Ichigo is surprised at this, and is instantly surrounded by several replicas of Muramasa. He states that, ever since they began fighting, he had already fallen within his trap. The figures then charge at Ichigo, who is promptly overwhelmed, as he was unable to land a hit on them. He moves back, resting momentarily, when the real Muramasa appears before him, knocking him down onto one of the pillars. Ichigo pants heavily, wondering how he will be able to counter the illusionary properties of Muramasa's Shikai.



Zangetsu interjects, stating that his hypnosis abilities do not have any effect upon him. He says that he can be his eyes, but that they will have to utilise the bond between Shinigami and Zanpakutō. Ichigo states that he understands what is required of their partnership, closing his eyes promptly. He faces off against Muramasa, knocking him into a nearby pillar. However, he propels himself off of it, returning to fight Ichigo. They clash briefly, as Muramasa smirks.

Muramasa uses his illusions, appearing behind Ichigo, but due to his heightened awareness, Ichigo is able to block the strike, as the Zanpakutō spirit realizes that he has seen through his power. He knocks him backwards, crashing into a pillar, but emerges unscathed. As Muramasa charges behind Ichigo, he immerses his blade in black reiatsu, sending a Getsuga rippling towards Muramasa, causing him to crash through several pillars.



Muramasa appears heavily damaged by his attack, and realizes that Ichigo has Zangetsu fighting with him. He charges at Ichigo once more, clashing briefly. However, Muramasa is sent hurtling to the ground by Ichigo’s strike, stumbling up once more. Ichigo states that he finally understands what Zangetsu means, in which a Shinigami and a Zanpakutō must acknowledge the existence of the other. He asks Muramasa whether he understands that simple fact, causing Muramasa to writhe in anger.

Ichigo starts berating him upon his beliefs, as the pillar crashed abruptly into the water. They slide across the surface of the water, clashing along the way. As Ichigo stops to examine his surroundings, Zangetsu states that time is nearly up, as Kōga’s inner world is starting to destabilize, due to the resent held by the many Hollows he has consumed. Muramasa takes Ichigo by surprise, emerging from the water behind him.



They fight briefly, but Ichigo forces him backwards, colliding with a ruined pillar. As Muramasa emerges from the ruin, he notices that the pillar is beginning to collapse, as Zangetsu states that they have to leave, unless they want to remain trapped here. Muramasa falls to the bottom of the ocean alongside the rubble, as Ichigo watches on in shock. As Muramasa begins his slow descent, he contemplates that Kōga’s voice never reached him. Muramasa appears resigned to his fate, closing his eyes with reassurance.

Ichigo calls out to Muramasa, snapping him out of his stupor. Muramasa rushes out of the water, landing on a nearby pillar, as Ichigo questions his motives behind the Rebellion. Muramasa states that it is none of his concern, to which Ichigo counters, stating that his own master even refused him. Muramasa explains that Kōga was powerful enough to have ruled over Soul Society, and that it was his pride in Kōga’s abilities that motivated him. Muramasa states that he is still able to fight, using Shunpo to clash with Ichigo.



He says that it was him who vowed to free the Zanpakutō from their Shinigami, but Muramasa reveals he just said that to deceive the Shinigami. Muramasa charged at him, shortly before taking refuge on a nearby pillar. Ichigo states that he even told the Shinigami that he was directly responsible for his master’s death, and that he probably knew that Kōga couldn’t care less about his Zanpakutō. Ichigo states that, despite all this, he still fought to release Kōga from his seal, because deep down, he still desired to communicate with his Shinigami master.

Muramasa glances at his hand, noticing that it is becoming transparent, and realizing that his goals were fleeting, and could not last forever. Muramasa moans, and momentarily, a Hollow hole forms in his chest, as he pants heavily. Zangetsu repeats his warning, stating that Muramasa’s body of reiatsu could destroy Karakura Town if he turned into a Hollow. However, Ichigo strongly believes that Muramasa would never allow himself to permanently become a Hollow. Ichigo asks Muramasa why he made a mockery of the bond between a Shinigami and a Zanpakutō, because he of all people knew the strength of this connection.



Muramasa ignores his question, stating that his powers merely allow for a Zanpakutō to assume a material form. Ichigo tells him that Zanpakuto aren’t just tools for destruction, and that he did not have to obey his Shinigami master. As a tidal wave consumes everything in its path, a Hollow mask gradually forms upon Muramasa’s face, realizing that he has run out of time. Zangetsu states that they must finish things now, as Ichigo releases an outburst of reiatsu.



Muramasa tears his Hollow mask off, promptly doing the same. Meanwhile, in Karakura Town, the Shinigami and Zanpakutō alliance kill off all of the remaining Hollows, as Muramasa’s reiatsu dome crackles with red energy. Hitsugaya wonders what on earth is happening inside of there, as Ichigo and Muramasa charge at each other one final time. As they clash together, they are submerged by a tidal wave, as the dome proceeds to dissipate, cracking into pieces, much to the surprise of the external forces.

Aftermath
Muramasa sinks in the water once again, as Ichigo calls out to him repeatedly. He comments upon the ironic nature of their fight, in which Ichigo’s voice was able to reach his soul. As he raises his hand out, Ichigo grabs it promptly, rescuing Muramasa. At the shoreline, Rukia wonders what transpired inside of the Dome, as Sode no Shirayuki observes that the Hollow reiatsu has disappeared. They notice Ichigo sitting next to Muramasa on the main island, as the Zanpakutō spirit wonders whether this is what it feels like to understand one’s soul.

Ichigo confirms this, to which Muramasa blames himself for Kōga’s downfall, coughing out spatters of blood. He reassures Muramasa, stating that everyone makes mistakes, and that they just have to accept that. Rukia and Orihime come across to the island, as Muramasa states that he will someday, falling to the ground. Ichigo tries to pick his hand up, but Muramasa dematerializes back into a sword, which clatters broken to the ground. It then disappears into energy, leaving Ichigo surprised.



He asks the others whether they are alright, to which they confirm this, as Orihime asks whether Muramasa disappeared, to which he explains that he kept his pride as a Zanpakutō until the very end. Byakuya appears before the three of them, as it begins to rain. The Zanpakutō then return back to their Shinigami’s swords, as Byakuya states that this is the second time he has thanked him. Byakuya leaves the area with Shunpo, as Ichigo accepts his thanks, and they proceed to leave alongside him.