Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Yhwach: Final Fight

Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Yhwach: Final Fight is a conflict which takes place during the Quincy Blood War. It focuses on Ichigo Kurosaki's final fight with the Emperor of the Wandenreich and the usurper of the Soul King's power, Yhwach.

Prelude
The day after Yhwach reshapes the Royal Realm into Wahrwelt, Ichigo confronts him in his throne room alongside Orihime Inoue, prompting Yhwach to ask him what had taken him so long before greeting Ichigo as his son of darkness. Noting that Ichigo would ordinarily be foolish for not yet drawing his Zanpakutō, Yhwach observes that he is actually far from defenseless.

Yhwach explains how Ichigo's sheer Reiatsu is providing him considerable defense and that this is the power Ichigo has always held within him before wondering which direction he will attack from, prompting Ichigo to point out how Yhwach should already know due to the power of The Almighty. However, Yhwach claims that he will not be using The Almighty in order to savor this meeting with his son, only for Ichigo to state that he has a different father. Dismissing Isshin Kurosaki as not being Ichigo's true father, Yhwach reminds Ichigo of where his power originates from, but Ichigo proclaims that Yhwach is the one who killed his parent, prompting Yhwach to taunt Ichigo for speaking of his mother's death.

Battle
Unsheathing the larger sword of Zangetsu, Ichigo attacks Yhwach with Getsuga Tenshō, only for Yhwach to block it with a mass of dark energy before sending it toward Ichigo, who is protected by Orihime's Santen Kesshun. After pulling out his other sword, Ichigo cuts through the dark energy and rushes toward Yhwach, who stops Ichigo's subsequent strike with the dark energy while claiming that Masaki Kurosaki died after giving birth to Ichigo in order to nourish Yhwach himself, which was the greatest happiness she could have hoped for. Blasting Ichigo into a wall, Yhwach proclaims that they shall do battle as he stands up.

As Orihime runs to his aid, a furious Ichigo charges toward Yhwach, who begins pushing him back repeatedly with the dark energy while reprimanding him for attacking so recklessly and questioning why he brought Orihime with him. Wondering if hatred has clouded Ichigo's judgement, Yhwach tells him to be patient and not hasten his inevitable death because of how much effort he put into creating Ichigo, who continues to be repelled by the dark energy as he attempts to push forward. After declaring that Ichigo's body and power are not his alone, Yhwach tells him to unleash all of his power before dying.

Hurled back once more by Yhwach's dark energy, Ichigo gets up and prepares to resume his charge, only for Orihime to grab him while pleading for him to calm down. However, Ichigo merely looks at her, prompting a surprised Orihime to let go as he dashes forward once more. As Ichigo begins clashing with his dark energy, Yhwach wonders why he is rushing to his death and asks Ichigo if he is afraid of his full power being stolen before pointing out how he will destroy the Human World and Soul Society if Ichigo dies here. When Orihime uses Sōten Kisshun to heal Ichigo, Yhwach claims that she is telling Ichigo to fight and resumes his dark energy assault while demanding that Ichigo stand, fight, and die for the sake of those weaker than him. Suddenly, the larger sword of Zangetsu begins turning white, prompting Ichigo to have Orihime block Yhwach's next attack with Santen Kesshun.

As Ichigo thanks her, Orihime notes that Ichigo slowed down so she could grab him because she was not fast enough to keep up with him before explaining how she knew Ichigo had a plan and was not fighting recklessly when he looked back at her. Confirming this, Ichigo reveals that he wanted to wake someone up by clashing with Quincy Reiatsu as Orihime notices the larger sword of Zangetsu turning completely white as an explosion of Reiatsu engulfs both her and Ichigo. With Yhwach noting that this is what Ichigo was aiming to achieve, the dust clears to reveal Ichigo has entered a new, Hollow-like form. Upon seeing Ichigo's new form, a frightened Orihime recalls the form he took on during his battle with Ulquiorra, only for Ichigo to reassure her that he is still in control this time.

When Yhwach notes his visual similarities to a Hollow and wonders if this is the result of Ichigo merging with his power, Ichigo explains how his Hollow and Quincy powers are normally in balance following the reforging of his Zanpakutō before revealing that he used Yhwach's Quincy Reiatsu to draw out the power of his inner Hollow. Moving on front of Santen Kesshun, Ichigo tells Orihime to maintain her barrier before leveling the entire upper level of Wahrwelt with his Reiatsu. Yhwach forms his broadsword in preparation for fighting at close range, but Ichigo closes the distance and restrains his sword arm before slashing at Yhwach, who manages to block with his free arm. Declaring that Ichigo cannot hurt him with such meager strength, Yhwach sends him flying into the air with a slash, only for Ichigo to retaliate by cutting Yhwach deeply with a Getsuga Tenshō combined with a Gran Rey Cero.