Interview With Ichigo Part 2

Ismail Abdelazim asks: Lord ichigo, can you describe how it felt to view the world from so many diffrent perspectives? Like from normal human, to a japanese death god, to a devil and then to a unholy demon. What was it like, and thank you in advance.

Ichigo says: You know, that's a great question. I've always been aware of the Supernatural, having had the ability to see and interact with dead spirits since I was very young. That being said, as human, I never really considered the greater implications of the phenomena, it was just something that was a part of me. Call it the naivety of youth; but as human, I simply didn't have the experience nor the depth of mind to have wider perspective other than what was in front of me.

As for being a Shinigami, that was quite the life changer. As I said, I was always been aware of the Supernatural, but when my friend Rukia gave me her Shinigami powers and walked me through what it meant to be a Shinigami, I saw a peek behind the curtain. Not only did I get confirmation about the afterlife, but that there are multiple afterlives. Let me tell you this, one's motivation to be a good person skyrockets when Hell is confirmed to be real. Was a bit of bummer to learn that Soul Society, wasn't exactly the Heaven I thought it'd be. But still, the fact that even in death, people need protections and guidance lest they become or be preyed upon by Hollows; it made me realize how cruel and harsh our world is. And that it's even more important to be good and kind, and look out for the people around you. On the other hand, I was only ever a Shinigami for 7 months, and those were a very busy 7 months. I didn't really have much time for reflecting on the grand scheme of the world. And, again, the added naivety of youth. I was only 15 years old, and 15 years old generally don't have a solid grasp of the world.

Becoming a Devil was a complete shift in the other direction. Whereas, as a Shinigami, I was comsumed with paying attention to everything around me, being a Devil made me hyperaware of myself. You have to understand how those Evil Pieces of Ajuka work - it's not just that I grow a pair of wings and can suddenly use magic: my entire soul was rewritten. Shinigami, Hollow, Quincy; no matter how you cut it, they're all different forms of the human soul. Now I was completely out of that cycle. I was something else, and I could feel it. You know, there's this annoying voice in my head that's always going on and on about instinct. And suddenly, I found myself listening to it more. I found myself feeling okay with being slightly more aggressive and possessive. I wanted things and I didn't feel so bad going after them, I didn't feel as guilty or self-accusatory for being somewhat selfish. Hell, the younger me would never have even considered the idea of being in a relationship with two women simultaneously. I used to have this other voice in my head, and it once told me to "Move forward and never stop." That sums up my experience as a Devil, I found a much bigger and wider world, and I dove head first right into it, never looking back.

Being a Demon is very, very different. If Devils are aware and self-indulgent of their own faults and desires, Demons are very much aware of all the faults and desires of everyone around them. If I stand in a city, for example Fellgrand, the millions of people living there, I know all the dark wants and twisted desires in their hearts. Instinctively. Those dark corners in your mind, that fragile part of your psyche, a Demon is always aware of it. It is a Demon's nature to encourage and feed those twisted thoughts in your heads, to make you want to Sin more. And the Seven Deadly Sins feel their spheres on influence on a cosmic scale. If you feel anger, doesn't matter where, I'm there, I'm watching. And I can use if I choose to. But my Siblings and I follow the path of restraint. We prefer order and progress to wanton chaos and misrule.

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John Alton asks: Prince Wrath, in your time managing and exploring Hell, have ever come across an Sinners you actually know or know of. If so, what is their punishment.

Ichigo says: You know, can't say I have. Which isn't surprising given how many Sinners there are in Hell. You have to understand, Hell is the dumping ground for all Sinners across all realities. Think about this, Earth is one planet with how many pantheons and adjacent realms? Now imagine the Milky Way Galaxy with over 100 billion planets. And the Milky Way is one galaxy in a single universe containing trillions of other galaxies. And this is one universe in a multiverse containing an infinite number of other universes. And beyond the multiverse is the Void of Nothingness containing, potentially, an infinite number of other multiverses. Hell touches all of that. For the record, I am very, very busy all the time. Thank Lucifer Hell exists outside of time and space, otherwise I'd never get anything done.

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Ole Freberg asks: What are your views on Sousuke Aizen and his ideals? Have they changed after you took over as Wrath?

Ichigo asks: I think he had a very flawed way of looking at things. And I don't think it was entirely his fault.

As powerful as the Hōgyoku is, Aizen wasn't anywhere near the point of apotheosizing and being able to hold up the reality of the Shinto afterlife. The Soul King isn't a true chthonic deity and he forcibly took on the Throne of the Dead to hold up the crumbling realm of Yomi and then partitioned it into Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, the Valley of Screams and other lesser dimensions. All the while keeping them separate from the Human World, Hell and all the other various adjacent realities to the Earth including the Underworld and the many Celestial Planes of other pantheons. If it isn't obvious, the Soul King is insanely powerful and the continued expenditure of his power over the eons through sheer strength of will is an unmatched feat. Not for naught is he the most honored divine in Takamagahara after Amaterasu herself.

I have no idea how Aizen planned on successfully usurping the Soul King, even with the Hōgyoku. Maybe there was some other facet of his plan that he hadn't revealed. But, you know, when I fought Aizen, I glimpsed a small part of his heart. And what I saw was an empty world... it was... very sad. A very lonely world for an exceptional man. Aizen could have been something more, he could have been something great. A part of me wonders if Aizen saw himself in the Soul King... so much power, yet so terribly alone. It's a crushing thing, to be surrounded by everyone and still feel utterly alone. And I think Aizen rebelled at the idea of someone like him, someone so exceptional, be shackled by loneliness. And if someone as noble and powerful as the Soul King was also forced to live in those same shackles, then the world was inherently wrong and needed to change. As the Sin of Wrath, I think that Aizen's discontent with the world eventually grew into resentment, and resentment quickly breeds anger and hate.

In his own heart, I'm sure Aizen felt his path was the correct one, the noble one. But you know what they say, the path to Hell is paved with good intentions.

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Mand'alor asks: My lord wrath; I come to you with but a single question: To what height do you strive for in your goal to increase your power?

Ichigo says: To quote the American author George Orwell, "Power is a means, not an end."

I have my realm of Infernity, I have millions upon millions which look to me for protection and guidance. I have a duty, a responsibility to keep them safe, secure and (relatively) happy. Beyond that, I have the greater Devil Empire governed alongside my Siblings. Billions more who put their faith in us, that they may live their lives in peace and stability. And we have enemies, enemies who would see us destroyed and our people or their newfound way of life destroyed. I have Yasaka and Tiamat, both of whom have their own list of foes that I want nothing more than to protect them from. I have two little sisters, who I want to grow up peacefully, far removed from the ceaseless conflicts of the Supernatural World.

I will become as powerful as I have to be. I will strive to the deepest depths of my being to ensure everyone I keep under my protection leads a peaceful life. And to every being and soul who would try otherwise, Zangetsu and I will gladly send them to Hell.

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Zeridoz asks: Lord wrath, if given the opportunity, would you consider an alliance of mutual defence between seireitei, and the three faction?

Ichigo says: Uh, can't really speak for the Three Factions, especially considering we're currently in the midst of a very tumultuous Cold War. As for Seireitei, uh, I can say even less. Sera's the one in charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after all. That being said, given how Demons by nature are inherently inclined to corrupt Souls and bring them into our ranks; it's kind of an unwritten rule that we're not allowed to visit other afterlives. Doesn't help Ajuka kind of went and invented tools that corrupt and transform souls into a Devil ones.

But hey, never say never. Stranger things have happened.

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NASUVERSE asks: Hey Berry-stud, how ya doing? Your rage fits are terrifyingly awesome, by the way. From a safe distance of course. Now, I gotta ask: As the designated Warden of Hell, do you have contact with the Cthonic Gods from different pantheons? Like Hades, or Morrigan, or even King Yemma? It's really sad that Mesopotamia is gone, I heard Ereshkigal is the kindest Underworld Goddess in records.

Ichigo says: ...Berry-stud... fucking Sera... -sigh-

Adding to what I said above, Demons and Devils are generally unwelcome if not outright barred from the other afterlives, but yes, we do have, to a certain extent, a working relationships with all of them due to our species being the unofficial Wardens of Hell. Although, honestly, most times it feels like we're glorified janitors.

But yeah, I've exchanged many emails, letters and conversations with numerous chthonic deities including Hades, Hel, Yama, Osiris and others. Mostly it's about the movement and regulating the flow of Sinners into Hell. There's also a lot of hunting down escapees. You'd be surprised how often human spirts get sway from their Dead Rulers. By the way, if you die, don't try and cheat the system. You're just going to land yourself in Hell.

No comment on Irkalla, I think my biases toward that particular pantheon are rather well known.

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Saber of Red asks: Lord Wrath, In your new position as a Satan and Crown Prince of Hell you've taken over the jurisdiction of the judicial systems that govern the underworld. You've mentioned that two other members of the 72 handle the bulk of the work but you still do have final say.

Is there any unique insights that you as a reincarnated human have on the internal justice and penal systems? Examples would be like the types of punishments for various crimes and how current political leanings influences crime and its consequences.

Ichigo says: Honestly, not really. Crimes of the magical and mythical nature tend to be far more egregious and thus require much harsher punishments. It's just a necessity. For example, someone caught making and distributing illegal drugs in the human world can be sent to prison with a sentence ranging anywhere from months to decades. But here in the Underworld, a drug capable of effecting Devils and other supernatural species can have disastrous effects. Like, accidentally spawning an infectious mutant zombie horde that obsessively dry humps anything that moves. Yes, it was a thing, I don't want to get into it.

But as you can imagine, chucking someone into jail for a few centuries doesn't quite equal the damage they caused. So yeah, sometimes you have to allow for a few bad actors to have all their bones broken one by one, healed up to full health and then rinse and repeat the process daily for a thousand years. Or, enslave the person and have them work torturous labor for the rest of their lives in some dark and inhospitable environment. Or just push them into Hell, that also works.

That being said, there is a socio-economic element to it as well. Depending on the injured party(ies) the sentencing may vary. For example, if a Count of the Empire could prove damages that occurred due to criminal intent that amounted to, say, one million bloodstones, outside of paying the damages and an additional fine, the accused would be sentenced to manual labor or jail time for a few decades. But if instead of a Count, let's say that the victims were an average Devil family, damages of up to one million bloodstones would prove far more life-altering to them than to a Count. Thus, while the monetary damages are the same, the relevance and impact on the victim(s) is much more severe. Ergo, so would the sentencing.

As for politics, I do try and keep it as neutral as possible. Like Sirzechs always says, "Everyone is guilty until proven innocent."

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Harish159 asks: Lord Wrath, how has married life treated you so far? Also, certain personages amongst the Devil Nobility and beyond - both male and female - are curious if yourself and your wives are willing to consider courtship of interested parties.

Ichigo says: Honestly, it's amazing. The support and comfort of a flourishing and stable relationship is beyond descriptions. Find yourself someone who looks at you the way Yasaka looks at my clavicles.

Yasaka says: Hmph!

Ichigo says: Oh, honey, no! It was a joke! It was just... ah, dammit. Anyways, yeah I'm aware of interest from other parties. Seriously, it's kind of disturbing how many people have a vested intrest in my sex life. Being a celebrity sucks. Anyways, for the time being, I'm happy with where I am with Yasaka and Tiamat. If the three of us decide to spice things up... well, ask again in a hundred years. Maybe we'll have a different answer then.

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Perseus 092 asks: Lord Wrath, has there ever been a time when your two loves had an actual conversation, or even a peaceful moment goether with you? One where they were...forgive my temerity, but attempting to be the bigger fish so to speak?

Drexawn543 asks: Lord Wrath, with all of the political tension that has been rising recently, concerned citizens wish to inquire as to your mental health. Have you had time to just relax and be with your loves recently?

Ichigo says: Well... there was my birthday... but there wasn't much conversation going on...

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Ichigo says: Thank you all for all your questions! Sorry we couldn't get to everyone's, but unfortunately I do have get back to work. Demon Kingdoms don't run themselves, sadly. Also, if you see a couple of teenagers being chased by Saviġuk on your way out, just ignore it. It's mutual exercise.