Black Rebirth – Asta’s Journey in Soul Society

The forest was eerily still, the only sound being Asta's heavy breathing as he gripped the nameless Asauchi in his hands. The weight of the blade felt unfamiliar yet natural as if it had been waiting for him all along.

Across from him, the Hollow-like entity stood in the moonlit clearing, its massive body shifting like black mist given form. Its cracked mask gleamed in the dim light, glowing red eyes locked onto Asta with hunger.

Then—

It moved.

A blur of darkness.

Asta barely saw the attack coming before BOOM!

A clawed fist crashed into his chest, and an instant later, he was flying backward. His body slammed through a tree, splitting the trunk in half before he hit the ground, rolling through dirt and shattered bark.

Pain flared through his ribs. He gasped, trying to push himself up—

Too slow.

The Hollow was already on him.

A second strike smashed into his side, sending him skidding across the clearing. Asta barely had time to process the pain before—

A third blow.

A fourth.

Each hit landed with brutal force, his body cracking the ground beneath him. Blood dripped from a fresh cut on his forehead, blurring his vision. His fingers clenched around the Asauchi's hilt, but his arms felt like lead.

The Hollow was relentless.

It roared, rearing back before slamming both massive fists down—

Asta barely managed to roll away before the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the ground, dirt and rock erupting into the air.

Damn…! He coughed, forcing himself to his feet, legs shaking.

This thing wasn't like the Hollows he had fought before. It wasn't just strong—it fought like a beast, overwhelming him with speed and brutality.

Asta wiped blood from his lip, eyes burning with determination.

"Alright," he muttered, grinning despite the pain. "You hit hard."

He tightened his grip on the sword.

"But let's see if you can take a hit too!"

The Hollow screeched and charged again, its claws slicing through the air. Asta didn't retreat this time—he moved forward.

The Hollow swiped at his head—he ducked.

It lashed out with a second claw—he twisted to the side.

Then—he struck.

The Asauchi flashed, slashing through the Hollow's chest. The creature reeled back, its mist-like form flickering where the blade had cut.

Asta grinned. So you can be hurt, huh?

He pressed forward, launching into a flurry of slashes. Each attack was faster, sharper, and his movements more refined. The Hollow screeched as Asta's strikes began pushing it back.

For the first time—he was gaining the upper hand.

The Asauchi hummed in his grip, almost as if responding to his resolve.

Asta felt it—

The connection.

The Hollow roared in frustration. Its body began shifting, mist coiling around it like a storm. The red glow of its eyes intensified, and then—

It did something unexpected.

Instead of attacking Asta—

It lunged at his sword.

The moment its dark form collided with the blade—

Everything changed.

The Hollow's body began to melt into the Asauchi, black mist spiraling around the weapon in violent tendrils. Asta's eyes widened as his hand trembled from the sheer force pulsing through the sword.

A strange, powerful presence wrapped around him, pressing into his mind.

The Hollow let out a final, distorted screech before—

Silence.

The mist vanished.

The Hollow was gone.

Asta stood there, gripping the sword that now felt different—as if something had awakened within it.

The air around him was heavy.

Then—

A voice echoed in his mind.

"You have found me, Asta."

The sound wasn't menacing. It wasn't hostile. It was familiar—as if it had always been there, waiting for him to hear it.

Asta's breath was ragged, but a grin spread across his face.

"Heh…" He chuckled. "Took you long enough to say something!"

The sword in his hand felt whole now.

This was no longer just an Asauchi.

It was his Zanpakutō.

The final trial was over.

And Asta had finally found his blade.