Zangetsu rolls his eyes. "The ends always justify the means. Especially when the ends are you staying alive. That's what I'm here for."

He wonders that as well. Was the old man affected by this strange haze too? Or was he perfectly normal with a voice that couldn't reach Ichigo in his current condition? Maybe a little of both? Zangetsu feels like he could probably go back inside Ichigo's soul if he wanted, to check on his old friend. But he isn't sure he'd be able to find his way back out again.

Not worth the risk.

"Yeah, and? What if I want the organs and stuff in the middle? Those are the best parts."