

As requested by anon. :)



In canon Bleach, Isshin doesn’t actually tell Ichigo the truth about his Quincy/shinigami heritage until seventeen months after Ichigo has finished up with Aizen. For some reason. But what if Isshin cared more about honesty than he did about dramatic timing? What if, the moment that Ichigo acquired his shinigami powers, Isshin sat him down and told him everything? How would Bleach be different then?



1. Ichigo and Rukia might have that talk much earlier.

Bleach fans are waiting for Ichigo and Rukia to talk about the whole “Rukia killed Ichigo’s cousin” thing. Knowing Tite Kubo, we may in fact wait forever. But if Ichigo found out immediately about his past, then he and Rukia may have found themselves talking about it much sooner.

Rukia: Hey, you okay? Ichigo: I just found that from my dad that he’s a former shinigami from sort of fallen noble clan. Rukia: … Rukia: Fallen…noble…clan? Ichigo: Yeah. I know. Ichigo: Hey, you’re from Soul Society. Did you ever run into these ‘Shiba’ people? Rukia: OH MY GOD



2. Ichigo’s meeting with Ishida would be…different.

A bit later, when Ishida made his debut, his challenge to Ichigo would be received differently.

Ishida: I’m a Quincy…and I hate shinigami. Ichigo: Oh cool well that works out because I’m a Quincy too. Ishida: What Ichigo: I take it your dad never told you that he was once engaged to my Quincy mom? Ishdia: WHAT



3. He’d also know a lot more basic shinigami facts.

A lot of Ichigo’s canon journey through Soul Society involves him being surprised every time he learns something. What? Shikai? What? Bankai? What? Thirteen captains? But if his dad had given him the Soul Society lowdown, then he wouldn’t be surprised by much of anything.

Renji: I bet you don’t even know your zanpakuto’s name! Ichigo: Well no. This is from Rukia. Ichigo: I assume when I meet my own zanpakuto, it’ll tell me its name. Renji: Your own zanpakuto….? Ichigo: …I maybe shouldn’t have said that.



4. In Soul Society, Ichigo would know the Shiba were family.

Later, when Ichigo went to Soul Society to rescue Rukia, he would know upon meeting them that Ganju and Kukaku were family.

Ichigo: My cousin has a boar gang. Ichigo: My other cousin has the world’s most embarrassing house. Ichigo: I want go home now. Yoruichi: Focus, Ichigo!



5. Ichigo would know the truth about his soul world.

Oh yeah, and when Ichigo visited his soul world? He’d know why it was so crowded.

Ichigo: So you’re my zanpakuto? fake-Zangetsu: I’m gonna go with “yes.” Ichigo: And creepy dude is my hollow powers, I assume. Hichigo: Maaan! I was was looking forward to blowing your mind with that reveal! Ichigo: So, uh, where are my Quincy powers? Ichigo: Quincy! Quincy! Heeeere, Quincy! fake-Zangetsu: … fake-Zangetsu: I might want to revise my earlier statement.



6. Ichigo would get dual zanpakuto earlier.

Of course, Ichigo would want to embrace his Quincy power immediately, because why the hell wouldn’t he? He likes more power, and he loves his mom. So as soon as Ichigo found out that fake-Zangetsu was his Quincy power and Hichigo was his hollow/zanpakuto, he’d be all for dual zanpakuto right away.

fake-Zangetsu: So anyway, I guess I’ll just be going, then. Ichigo: DUDE! Are you kidding me? Ichigo: Group hug with all three of us, right now! fake-Zangetsu: I-I’m so happy! Hichigo: I have never been more uncomfortable.



7. Ichigo could reassure Byakuya.

Ichigo, with his cool dual zanpakuto and extensive knowledge of Soul Society, would definitely train with Yoruichi, get bankai, and then go after Byakuya. That would all be the same. Mostly.

Byakuya: But how Byakuya: Bankai is reserved for the strongest, for the noble families of Soul Society. Byakuya: You are just a human. Byakuya: How can you have bankai? Ichigo: No, dude, it’s okay. I’m actually secretly a shinigami noble! Byakuya: … Byakuya: WAIT, WHAT?!



8. Ichigo would be much more accepting of the visored.

Later still, when Shinji shows up, Ichigo won’t be quite so freaked out.

Shinji: Zanpakuto and mask, just like….you. Ichigo: Oh cool! You must be one of the visored? Shinji: … Ichigo: My dad told me all about you! Shinji: … Ichigo: So you’re gonna help me control my hollow, right? Shinji: …I hate it when a good dramatic entrance falls flat.



9. Ichigo would basically mow through his enemies.

I mean, the whole reason that Ichigo loses so many fights in Bleach is that a) fake-Zangetsu suppresses his real power and b) Ichigo doesn’t understand the true nature of his power so he doesn’t always use it right. But if Ichigo knew everything up front, and had his dual zanpakuto from the beginning, then

Ulquiorra: I came here for Aizen-sama to see what sort of threat you really are. Ichigo: … Ichigo: [casually cuts Ulquiorra in half] Ulquiorra: But why I’m so pretty



10. Maybe Hitsugaya and Matsumoto would meet Isshin.

I mean, in this new reality, Isshin is all about honesty and about not hiding his past for dumb reasons. So when Hitsugaya and Matsumoto show up in the human world, maybe he’d actually say something to them.

Isshin: Hey guys, what’s up? Hitsugaya: !!! Matsumoto: !!! Ichigo: Oh man. Been there.



11. Yhwach would not be able to surprise Ichigo.

Much, much later, when the Quincy invaded, Ichigo wouldn’t be in the dark. Yhwach certainly wouldn’t be able to surprise him.

Yhwach: See ya later, son. Ichigo: That seems like an exaggeration. Yhwach: What Ichigo: I mean you may be the distant ancestor of all Quincy, but calling me “son” seems a little melodramatic. Yhwach: Don’t make me ground you.



12. Ichigo and Ishida might work together.

This is probably just a pipe dream, but who knows. If Ishida knew that Ichigo knew everything, then maybe Ishida would team up with Ichigo rather than being a little shit who goes off on his own. I mean, Yhwach ate both of their moms. That seems like a reason to work together. If nothing else, Ichigo wouldn’t have expected Ishida to just stay out of this one.