Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Yhwach

Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Yhwach is a fight that takes place during the Quincy Blood War between Ichigo Kurosaki and Vandenreich Emperor Yhwach.

Prelude
Earlier Ichigo Kurosaki was trapped within Garganta on his way to Soul Society because of Quilge Opie, despite being seemingly incapacitated by Kisuke Urahara. Standing back up through the use of Ransōtengai, Quilge proclaimed that he would not allow Ichigo to go to Soul Society and would stake his life on his order to stop Ichigo by imprisoning the Substitute Shinigami in a cage of sorts, immobilizing him. Ichigo attempted to cut out of his cage, but was unable to. Despite attempts to contact Akon, Ichigo found his communications did not work. Quilge is then soon killed by an unknown individual Unfortunately, Ichigo found himself trapped even after Quilge’s death. Seeing Getsuga Tenshō was ineffective and even communications with Urahara were cut off, Ichigo cursed in frustration.

While Ichigo was trapped in Quilge’s cage, Yhwach quickly moved to not only see Sōsuke Aizen at the Central Underground Prison in an unsuccessful attempt to recruit the treacherous Shinigami, but also steal Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto’s Bankai and kill the Captain-Commander. Having successfully killed the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yhwach ordered Haschwalth to tell the Stern Ritter that they were to raze Soul Society, and observed the ensuing devastation of Seireitei by the invading Soldat. With Seireitei and the main forces of the Gotei 13 decimated, Yhwach informed Haschwalth that they are retreating to await the Royal Guard's inevitable arrival. However, he is startled by an explosion in the air above.

This explosion is revealed to be caused by Ichigo Kurosaki, who finally broke free of Quilge’s cage and attacked Shaz Domino. Ichigo first checks on the status of Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki before coming to a fatally injured Byakuya Kuchiki. The two briefly talk, with Ichigo confirming that Renji and Rukia are alive as well as Byakuya requesting Ichigo to do what he was unable to: protect Soul Society. As this occurs, Haschwalth and Yhwach both confirm that the new Reiatsu on the battlefield is Ichigo Kurosaki’s. Haschwalth asks if he should eliminate it, but Yhwach simply tells him ‘no’ and that they were leaving. Before they can get far, they are surprised by Ichigo Kurosaki suddenly thrusting Tensa Zangetsu in front of them and intercepting the two.

Battle
As Ichigo stands before the two, Haschwalth moves to step forward and deal with the Substitute Shinigami, only to be stopped by Yhwach. Though unaware exactly how, Yhwach congratulates Ichigo on escaping Quilge's jail. He then questions if Ichigo is really intending fighting him, given his body's condition. Not answering Yhwach’s question, Ichigo instead asks if he is the “enemy’s” leader. In response, Yhwach answers that he both is and isn't. Not satisfied with this vague answer, Ichigo presses Yhwach by demanding to know if he was the one who caused Soul Society to fall into such a state. Seeing what Ichigo really meant with his questions, Yhwach simply states that he is. This enrages Ichigo, causing him to emit a torrent of Reiatsu. Haschwalth tries address his leader, to which Yhwach tells his subordinate that as they can see, they have no other choice now but to crush Ichigo.

Ichigo then charges at Yhwach and unleashes a Getsuga Tenshō. The attack creates a large explosion, but Yhwach emerges unharmed and quickly pins down Ichigo. Ichigo then tries to reach out and strike at Yhwach with his bare hand, but the Quincy deflects it with arm. Smiling maliciously, Yhwach then raises his sword and strikes at the Substitute Shinigami’s throat with the tip of the blade. As this occurs, Haschwalth looks to be surprised as Ichigo is seemingly subdued. Standing over Ichigo, Yhwach affirms that he is still breathing and orders Haschwalth to bring Ichigo back to their castle, where they can then recruit him into their army. Haschwalth acknowledges this order. However, Yhwach soon notices that Ichigo has not been subdued. Looking at the point where his blade entered Ichigo’s neck, he is shocked to see that the blade only slightly pierced Ichigo and that there are pronounced veins indicative of Blue Vene. Ichigo then strikes at Yhwach, engulfing the Quincy with the attack’s force.

Haschwalth yells out his concern for his leader, but Yhwach emerges relatively unscathed. Reeling back from Ichigo, he comments that he had made a mistake. Ichigo asks if Yhwach is calling his own attack a mistake because Ichigo endured it. Yhwach quickly clarifies that he was not referring to that and attacks Ichigo again with the image of the markings that he saw on Ichigo’s neck in mind. Ichigo blocks the attack with his blade. Undeterred, Yhwach adjusts his sword’s trajectory so that it cuts Ichigo’s arm. Seeing Ichigo’s arm uninjured and with the same markings under the shredded sleeve, Yhwach notes that his initial observations of Ichigo using Blue Vene were correct. Ichigo asks what Yhwach is talking about, to which the Vandenreich leader tells him that it was his mistake to send a pure Quincy to stop Ichigo instead of something like an Arrancar as it caused the memories of Ichigo’s Reiatsu to awaken earlier than he would have wanted. Continuing his explanation, Yhwach notes that the remains of Ichigo’s Reiatsu must have incorporated some of the surrounding Reiatsu when he unleashed a high amount of Reiatsu in his attempts to break free of Quilge’s jail. As a result, Quilge’s Reiatsu reached the deepest parts of Ichigo’s soul and awakened the memories of his Reiatsu. He further explain that Quilge’s jail cannot imprison a Quincy. Still confused, Ichigo wonders if Yhwach is saying that his Reiatsu is that of a Quincy’s. Noting Ichigo’s reaction, Yhwach observes that Ichigo knows nothing about himself or even about his own mother. Before Ichigo can question him further, Yhwach states that he had hoped to slowly re-educate Ichigo after bringing him back, but declares that he'll force Ichigo to surrender and drag him back since things will not go that smoothly. Ichigo yells at Yhwach to explain what he is talking about, but the Quincy simply promises that all of Ichigo’s questions will be answered once he is taken back to the Vandenreich headquarters.

Yhwach appears right before Ichigo and slashes, which the Substitute Shinigami barely blocks. Yhwach then grabs Ichigo’s head and tells the Substitute Shinigami that he will next thrust his blade and that Ichigo will not be able to depend on Blue Vene. As Yhwach states that he will release his power, he is stopped by the appearances of shadows around him. He recognizes this phenomenon and is notably surprised. Haschwalth steps forwards and informs Yhwach that they have reached the time limit for operating outside the “Schatten Bereich” area, and so should return back to their headquarters. Yhwach is in disbelief, noting that they should still have time before realizing that that Sōsuke Aizen had confused his perception of time during the few minutes they spoke.

Asking why Haschwalth did not inform him if he had noticed, Haschwalth states it would have been a fruitless effort to try to stop the Quincy leader. Smiling slightly at this reply, Yhwach turns around and agrees to leave. Ichigo then tries to stop them from leaving, asking if they really think he will let them go after what they did to Soul Society. However, both Yhwach and Haschwalth do not give a reply back. As a result, Ichigo charges at the two, Haschwalth intercepts that attack and cleanly breaks Tensa Zangetsu. Ichigo is in shock that his Zanpakutō was so easily broke and as a gateway of shadow opens up, Yhwach bids Ichigo farewell and promises to return for him.

Aftermath
Yhwach and Haschwalth take their leave, with Ichigo being left to contemplate about Yhwach’s words that he may not fully know about himself or his mother as well as deal with the fact that his Bankai was broken. The other members of the Vandenreich also depart after their demolishing of Soul Society. The Gotei 13 is then left to begin rebuilding, treat their wounded, and bury their dead. Shortly after, the Royal Guard arrive in Soul Society to help rebuild the Gotei 13.