Ichigo despised having to depend on others. It made him feel powerless and vulnerable. The thought of needing help from others made him feel inadequate and weak.

As he laid eyes on the unfamiliar woman who appeared out of nowhere to assist him in the intense battle against an Espada, he was struck with disbelief. She bore the semblance of a human, yet there was something undeniably otherworldly about her.

Why was she helping him?

“Who… are you?”