Soul Society, Department of Research and Development.
Cold white light illuminated Mayuri Kurotsuchi's laboratory, the air thick with the mixed scent of disinfectant and various chemical reagents.
"It's complete! I've done it—!"
"Hahaha—!"
A nearly frantic exclamation shattered the silence of the laboratory.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi's mouth split open to reveal a mouthful of golden teeth, the white haori on his back swaying wildly as his limbs danced about.
Before him, in the empty space at the center of the laboratory, a giant golden baby slept peacefully in an area flooded with sleeping gas. It was none other than Mayuri Kurotsuchi's Zanpakutō, Ashisogi Jizō.
The materialized Ashisogi Jizō had, once again, been successfully summoned by him.
"Tenshintai... Tenshintai!" Mayuri Kurotsuchi's eyes flashed with excitement. "I've finally managed to develop it!"
Back when he was still the Vice-President, he had heard that Kisuke Urahara, in order to learn Bankai, had independently developed a miraculous little device called the [Tenshintai].
By forcibly extracting the Zanpakutō's main body and materializing it, it compelled the sword spirit and the Shinigami to engage in the Bankai ritual, making it easier for the Shinigami to subjugate the spirit and master Bankai.
He had to admit, it was an incredibly genius invention. It was the equivalent of playing a game and completely bypassing the prerequisites to directly unlock the hidden CG.
If not for the Zanpakutō materialization incident, who knew how long it would have taken Mayuri Kurotsuchi to develop his own Tenshintai.
"I really must thank you, Kōga Kuchiki..."
"To express my gratitude, I'll pick out a few high-quality Menos Grande for the next Konso Ritual. No need to thank me."
He spun around abruptly, rushing to a messy workbench nearby, and snatched up a stack of report papers covered in blueprints and observation logs.
Without a moment's hesitation, Mayuri Kurotsuchi clutched the reports tightly in one hand and cradled the precious prototype in the other, rushing out of his laboratory in a whirlwind and heading straight for the First Division office.
Hehehe, now I can ask the First Division for even more research funding!
A short while later, Mayuri Kurotsuchi burst through the doors of the Captain-Commander's office while holding the Tenshintai. Before he could even be seen, his voice rang out:
"Captain-Commander, sir!"
"Please, take a look! The Department of Research and Development's latest achievement—an epoch-making combat power enhancement auxiliary device, the Tenshintai!"
Accompanying his exaggerated voice was a large humanoid apparatus, which Mayuri Kurotsuchi placed steadily in front of the office desk.
The Tenshintai that Kisuke Urahara had once built? Hadn't this thing been ordered by Central 46 to be destroyed along with all its data?
The Captain-Commander naturally knew of this item, and was even very clear on who its original developer was. Back when Kisuke Urahara created it, the shock and controversy it brought were no small matter.
Subconsciously, the first thought that welled up in the Captain-Commander's mind was rejection.
What seemed to be a shortcut to mastering Bankai was, in reality, a perilous trial that gambled with one's life.
However, these were not peaceful times...
Captain-Commander Yamamoto studied the Tenshintai placed not far away for a while. After pondering for a moment, he spoke,
"Approved. It is permitted for use..."
"Issue a document informing all members ranked 3rd Seat and above. Those who meet the application criteria will be allowed to use the Tenshintai."
"However, the use of the Tenshintai must be conducted under the supervision of at least two Captains."
The only thing the Captain-Commander was thankful to Soifon and Aizen for was that they had wiped out Central 46 before leaving.
Without those guys holding him back, he could finally operate with his hands untied.
Second Division training ground.
Rangiku Matsumoto's breathing was a bit unsteady. Standing opposite her, Rukia and Momo Hinamori looked thoroughly battered, their bodies drenched in sweat mixed with the dirt from the ground.
The battle temporarily halted.
Rangiku Matsumoto put away her Zanpakutō. Haineko condensed back into the shape of a sword and returned to its sheath. She raised a hand to gather her somewhat disheveled long orange hair.
Momo Hinamori lifted her head, looking at Rangiku Matsumoto with an envious gaze. "Senior Rangiku, your strength has grown again. Even together, Rukia and I can't do anything against you..."
Beside her, Rukia nodded in agreement.
"What are you talking about? Aren't you two improving rapidly as well? Your coordination is getting more and more seamless. That strike just now almost got me."
Despite being praised for her strength, Rangiku Matsumoto's smile was somewhat forced.
Have I grown stronger again?
Yes, without a doubt.
The sense of stagnation that had plagued her for decades was long gone. Her Spiritual Pressure was steadily increasing, and her control over her Zanpakutō was becoming more and more proficient.
Just recently, she even felt as though she had broken the boundary between Vice-Captain and Captain.
But the root of this growing strength...
Rangiku Matsumoto gently pressed her fingertips against her chest, as if she could feel the newly repaired and completed soul through her Shihakushō and skin.
Asking herself honestly, had she trained to a level where she could fight Captain Soifon?
The answer was no.
Even a genius like her own Captain wasn't a match for Captain Soifon in a single exchange, let alone her.
However...
I only have the power I do today because of Captain Soifon's help...
Perhaps it was the Soul King who allowed us to meet, so that I could save Captain Soifon from falling into darkness...
Thinking of this, Rangiku Matsumoto's gaze sharpened. She decided to seek out Captain Mayuri of the Twelfth Division and become the first test subject for the Tenshintai.
Turning around, Rangiku Matsumoto carried her sword out of the training ground, heading back to the Tenth Division to draft an application for the Tenshintai's use.
"Senior Rangiku!" the two girls called out in unison.
Behind her, the two young girls cast worried glances.
"What is it?"
Rangiku Matsumoto smiled and looked back.
"Are you..."
"...going to use the[Tenshintai]?"
Rangiku Matsumoto's eyes couldn't hide it from them. News of the Tenshintai had already spread among the high-ranking Seated officers and Vice-Captains, so the two subconsciously guessed her thoughts.
Department of Research and Development, Underground Testing Grounds.
The walls and floor were entirely forged from heavy Seki-Seki Stone mixed with special metals. Choosing this location was precisely to prevent a materialized sword spirit from escaping due to losing control or going berserk, minimizing any potential destruction.
As the first Vice-Captain officially approved to use the Tenshintai, the Captains present to supervise included not only Mayuri Kurotsuchi, but also the Captain-Commander and Unohana Retsu.
After being informed once again of the potential dangers of using the Tenshintai, Rangiku Matsumoto nodded heavily without hesitation.
"I'm already prepared, Captain Mayuri."
"Excellent." Mayuri Kurotsuchi's mouth curled into a grin. "Then... pierce the Tenshintai with your Zanpakutō, then inject your Spiritual Pressure to establish a connection with it!"
As his words fell, Rangiku Matsumoto's Haineko pierced right through the exact center of the Tenshintai.
Gradually, the glow of Spiritual Pressure grew increasingly radiant, slowly enveloping the entire Tenshintai...
The Haineko sword spirit, once again, appeared in Soul Society in a materialized form.
"Haineko..."
Rangiku Matsumoto looked at the Zanpakutō that had appeared before her and took a deep breath.
"Yo, Rangiku." Haineko waved her hand, a flash of sharp killing intent crossing her eyes. "You should know, right? This time won't be like the last..."
"You don't need to tell me. I've been prepared for a long time."
Rangiku Matsumoto gripped her sword with both hands.
The surrounding Kidō Corps members simultaneously formed hand seals, sealing Rangiku Matsumoto and Haineko inside a space the size of a football field.
"Growl, Haineko!" both voices shouted in unison.
At the same time, ash-like mist particles kicked up on both sides, reducing the visibility within the battlefield to an absolute minimum.
Outside the arena.
"A solid 3rd Spiritual Rank."
Seeing the battle begin, the Captain-Commander stroked his long beard, passing judgment on Rangiku Matsumoto's strength.
The Bankai trial for every Zanpakutō was different. Unless one possessed such overwhelming strength that they could force the sword spirit to acknowledge them, they had to follow the trial rules set by the spirit, completing the trial to obtain the true name of their Bankai.
Clearly, Rangiku Matsumoto's strength meant she could only rely on the latter method...
Slowly, the battle dragged on for more than two days.
Inside the barrier, grayish-white mist surged ceaselessly. Outside, the Captain-Commander could only gauge the ferocity of the battle within through the fluctuations in Spiritual Pressure and the tremors at the edge of the mist.
Rangiku Matsumoto's Spiritual Pressure was like a candle flickering in the wind. The three Captains present furrowed their brows slightly, none of them optimistic that she could pass the trial.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, the dense gray mist obscuring the entire battlefield suddenly, without warning, began to slowly dissipate.
The scene at the center of the battlefield gradually became clear.
Rangiku Matsumoto was kneeling on one knee, supporting her body with the Zanpakutō in her hand. Not far opposite her, the materialized figure of Haineko had grown extremely faint, bordering on transparent.
Haineko looked down at her dissipating hands, then raised her eyes to look at her master opposite her—who, despite looking battered, possessed a resolute gaze. She revealed a helpless yet somewhat relieved smile.
"I really can't stand you, Rangiku..." Haineko spread her hands. "Going so far... Fine, I'll count this as your win."
Her figure accelerated in its fading, her entire being gradually turning into flying ash that submerged into the Zanpakutō in Rangiku Matsumoto's hand.
"Make sure you remember this well—!"
"The true name of my Bankai is..."
In the split second before the figure vanished, Haineko's voice distinctly branded itself deep within Rangiku Matsumoto's soul.
The blade trembled slightly. A brand-new and powerful force transmitted from the hilt to her entire body, washing over Rangiku Matsumoto's exhausted Spirit Body.
Rangiku Matsumoto raised her Zanpakutō high. Using all the strength in her body, she shouted the true name that had finally been completely laid bare to her:
"Bankai!"
"Kessha Haineko!"
A grayish-white sandstorm, ten times denser than before, erupted explosively with her at the center, instantly filling the entire barrier space—
The barrier erected by the Kidō Corps let out overwhelmed wails, surprisingly being gradually eroded and dissolved by the sand.
In just a few seconds, the barrier that had firmly withstood two days of impacts was completely eroded away by Rangiku Matsumoto's Bankai.
The sandstorm persisted for several seconds before slowly retracting under Rangiku Matsumoto's control, ultimately forming a hazy gray halo that lingered around her body and Zanpakutō.
"A domain-type Bankai?"
A glint of sharp light flashed across the highly experienced Captain-Commander's eyes. In less than a moment, he had analyzed the ability of this Bankai.
"Its malleability is very high. Before long, she might be able to fill one of the Captain vacancies."
Unohana added.
Turning to face the Captain-Commander and Captain Unohana, Rangiku Matsumoto raised a hand, allowing the sand and gravel to gather in her palm, forming a massive sphere of sand.
"Yes, Kessha Haineko's Bankai is a domain-type. It can only attack enemies within fifty meters of me. This sand will erode the opponent's flesh and Spirit Particles. Sand that has absorbed Spirit Particles and flesh will become even more aggressive."
"However, Kessha Haineko's Spiritual Pressure consumption is immense. With my current Spiritual Pressure, I can only maintain it for about thirty seconds."
...
Rangiku Matsumoto's success left Momo Hinamori and Rukia itching to try as well.
However, having barely reached the 4th Spiritual Rank, the two were still far from the 3rd Spiritual Rank. Halfway through their reports being submitted to the Department of Research and Development, they were intercepted by Byakuya Kuchiki.
"Brother, why won't you let us use the Tenshintai!"
After returning to the Kuchiki Clan, it was the first time Rukia had ever spoken to Byakuya Kuchiki in such a loud voice.
"Rukia..." Hisana Kuchiki shook her head at her sister. "Mind your manners."
Yet, Hisana Kuchiki—whose words were usually highly effective—was unable to dissuade the currently hot-headed Rukia.
She continued to glare stubbornly at Byakuya Kuchiki.
Looking at Rukia Kuchiki's unyielding eyes, Byakuya Kuchiki sighed and turned around to face her.
"I believe you've misunderstood something, Rukia."
"Vice-Captain Matsumoto only learned Bankai through the Tenshintai because she was already at the foundation of the 3rd Spiritual Rank..."
"It was not that she reached the 3rd Spiritual Rank after learning Bankai."
"Rukia, you and Momo Hinamori have mixed up the order."
Right in front of his wife, Byakuya Kuchiki dashed Rukia's thoughts of using the Tenshintai word by word.
Her elder brother's words pierced into Rukia's heart like a sharp sword. She stumbled two steps back, losing her balance and slumping onto the floor.
"Rukia!"
Hisana Kuchiki was just about to go support her sister, but her hand was gently taken by Byakuya Kuchiki, and she was irresistibly led away toward the distant courtyard.
"No one can help her with this matter. Let her be alone to calm down, Hisana."
The figures of the two gradually drifted further away.
Even as the dead of night arrived, Rukia still sat numbly alone on the corridor where she had fallen, hugging her knees and ignoring everyone.
The food box beside her had long gone cold, but the aroma of the Kuchiki Clan's exquisite meals still faintly wafted out from it.
Step, step.
The sound of footsteps gradually drew nearer, yet Rukia still showed no reaction.
"Idiot Rukia, I was out looking for you all day, only for Captain Kuchiki to tell me you were here spacing out?"
Obviously, only a bad friend like Momo Hinamori would call her that.
"We got rejected..."
Since the arrival was Momo Hinamori, a ripple of emotion appeared in Rukia's eyes. She lifted her head and repeated the words her brother Byakuya had said, exactly as they were spoken.
Standing in place, Momo Hinamori rested her hands on her hips, patiently listening until Rukia finished, her expression not changing much.
"Is that it? Captain Kuchiki already told me that when I came in."
Though she had been very disappointed in that fleeting moment, Momo Hinamori still managed to quickly cheer herself up.
Compared to that, seeing Rukia looking so dejected right now made her much angrier.
"As my only recognized rival in love, are you planning to admit defeat now, Rukia?"
"Fine, then just starve to death~~ When the time comes, I'll learn Bankai, tie Teacher Soifon up, and bring her back to keep all to myself."
Momo Hinamori walked over to Rukia, picking up the food box and poking her friend's fleshy cheek.
The enticing aroma of the food, combined with Momo Hinamori's deliberate goading—even though Rukia knew this kind of tactic was really low-tier, she still took the bait.
Clack.
The lid of the food box dropped to the ground. Rukia's cheeks puffed out as she chewed like a cute hamster, glaring at Momo Hinamori while she ate.
—Damn it, there's no way I'm giving Teacher Soifon up to you!
On the other side, in the Fourth Division, a similar scene was playing out simultaneously.
"Captain Unohana, I would also like to apply to use the Tenshintai!"
Isane Kotetsu trailed behind Unohana Retsu, her words almost begging.
"I've said this many times, Isane." Unohana shook her head. "Your Spiritual Pressure is too weak. You do not meet the conditions for Bankai."
"Then, is there any method to rapidly increase my Spiritual Pressure...?"
Subconsciously, Isane Kotetsu asked this nearly idiotic question. By the time she finished speaking, her voice was almost inaudible, seemingly aware of how foolish she sounded.
"If it were possible, I too would hope such a method existed."
Unohana suppressed the emotions in her heart, casually looking up at the sky beyond the corridor.
"It was wishful thinking on my part. I'm sorry, Captain..."
Pursing her lips, Isane Kotetsu bowed deeply to Unohana, but her forehead was caught by a pair of warm palms.
"It's nothing." Unohana gently 'consoled' her. "Honestly, even if you did learn Bankai, you still couldn't defeat Captain Soifon, so there's no need to be sad."
"Because the ending will not change because of you."
____
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