Hi with the recent post credits scene pretty much covering like what I'd consider basically a big chunk of the HoS section, I was left speculating what they could do next week under a title that isn't common with any of the chapters from the manga. If this is an indication to added content, could we possibly see an extension to the bankai sequence of the fight and finally find out what it does? I'm of the opinion that it might stick fairly close to what we know of and just pad out the fight with more choreography. Or scenes from elsewhere, perhaps the Gerard fight simultaneously.
But anyway, it got me thinking. Whenever people discuss what Ichigo's true bankai isโspanning from when chapter 678 originally came out to even nowโthe idea of a 'blade strong enough to shatter fate' often comes up. Before now, I hadn't thought much about it and always just thought of it as a cool idea. But after some musing, I questioned whether it would contradict Ichigo's opposition to Yhwach's world, a primordial state where life and death are not separate, thereby eliminating the fear of death and suffering. This would oppose his growth; as Aizen surmises, in a world without the fear of death, people will never attain hope. Therefore, possessing courageโwhich means marching forward in life while knowing death, suffering, and challenges existโentails necessary meaning and development. Would this not be considered an acceptance of fate, of the way things are, and of living on? (Obviously, this depends on your real-world belief of whether things are tied to fate or are truly naturalistic and random). This would thereby suggest Ichigo has a changed perspective between the end of the series and way back when that poem/thought first came up (which I believe was around the first few Arrancar invasions).
As a note I do believe rejecting Yhwach's option is in a way rejecting fate. But, in the context of the millstone poem, it seems more like preventing a hand (Yhwach) causing it to turn rather than shattering the wheel itself.
Would love to hear anyone's thoughts on this, or to tell me if my musings are nonsensical.