I'm not even a fan of Bleach...
Oh wait, did I say that out loud?
It's not like I hate Bleach, I just haven't watched the anime from start to finish.
I know its final season has several parts for that Blood War or whatever, so I was waiting for it to finish in its entirety first before binge-watching it all in one go. Reason being, I hate cliffhangers, haha!
And well, Bleach didn't even end before I got carried into the MCU. Its last part of that last season was set to air the following month before that took place and well...
I'm twenty years back into the past, damn it!
Beggars can't be choosers, I suppose. I set 2006 as my starting year so I could experience the majority of Phase 1 and onward in the MCU without a big time gap in-between movies. Contrary to other anime, Bleach is one of those long-running ones.
Now that I think about it, didn't Bleach officially start airing in Japan in 2004? It should have a couple seasons available to watch here in 2006, no?
Streaming services aren't really a thing yet, and unless I want to watch some random episode, I'll have to venture out to a nearby store to acquire physical copies. I haven't owned anything physical in ages. I kept most of my games and shows stored away on digital storage.
Hopefully those DVDs won't be super expensive. Tony isn't around the rest of the day so I only have half a grand to work with...
I didn't have a look at the details quite yet. Instead, I reached out to Jarvis, since I left him hanging like that.
"So you couldn't see what the previous box turned into, but you can see the sword I now have, yes?", I asked.
"I can see it. Are you suggesting Mr. Stark is capable of creating items out of nothing as well?", Jarvis asked. "Such a form of technology shouldn't exist, and yet, I see it happening before me. Very intriguing."
"I wouldn't exactly call it creating items out of nothing. It comes in the form of loot boxes!", I happily exclaimed.
"...Loot boxes?"
"Yep. Loot boxes. Just like how you'd come across one in any role-playing game. Though in those, they're called treasure chests.", I said, keeping the Nameless Zanpakuto resting on my knees. Even though it was nameless, I already felt a hint of attachment, like it was longing for something. It was a strange feeling.
"I'd love for this to be all a joke, but it's clear that you aren't joking here, Alex. This may require some further investigation and discovery, especially if Mr. Stark has access to these 'Loot Boxes', as you call it.", Jarvis said.
"It's still all new to me, so let's not jump the gun, Jarvis. Can we keep it a secret for now? Tony will come here tomorrow anyway to tackle the second dungeon, the place that you couldn't connect to. I want to surprise him. Instead I have a task for you, if you're willing. I want you to investigate that interference. If we can find a way to use you inside those dungeons, it will be a boon for sure.", I explained.
"I will see what I can do.", Jarvis responded. "And that bet I made with you, it stands. Any time that you want to enjoy a meal, it shall be prepared.
"Heh.", I chuckled. "You do realize you're an AI, right? How can you even make meals?"
"That is simple. Otherwise I wouldn't have suggested the bet in the first place.", Jarvis said.
In response to Jarvis's words, I heard a sudden mechanical whirl coming into the lounge. I saw a metal arm attached to who-knows-what wave up at the foyer. I just stared, looking at the arm.
Right...Tony's experiment. What did he call this arm again? It isn't shown a whole lot later on so I forgot, hahaha!
"That explains that. But are you sure I can request anything, Jarvis?" I responded. "Let's say I want triple-decker chocolate pancakes drenched in maple syrup. Is that possible?"
"If that is what you request of me, then it shall be done.", Jarvis replied. "During the cleaning on Fridays, the pantry gets restocked with fresh ingredients, allowing you to cook to your heart's desire. I would like to remind you this is but a temporary placement, as you are residing here temporarily. If you become Azure Point's permanent resident, I will no longer be around."
Ahh, there it is. So the extra layers of security around Azure Point is just temporary. Perhaps Tony considers it an invasion of privacy? That just means I'll have to make as much use of Jarvis as I can until the end of the three months~
"Add in a raspberry lemonade. In a bit, I'll head down into the dining area, I'm going to continue reviewing the items I'm going to get.", I said. I wanted to check out what the Nameless Zanpakuto did.
"Very well. It was nice talking with you.", Jarvis said, before the mechanical arm waved its arm at me again.
Similar to a feed cutting off, I felt alone again, making me smile. I waved back at the mechanical arm before it slowly moved to the kitchen. As funny as it would see a mechanical arm attempt to make some pancakes, my attention was elsewhere.
Let's see the details on this guy...
[Nameless Zanpakuto]
A Shinigami's one and only blade from the world of Bleach. It has yet to take form, but holds a desire to form one. It is curious to find an owner.
Rank: Purple
HP: 20% MP: 20% STR: 20% VIT: 30% DEX: 30%
Attack Power: +300
Special Effect 1: Grants the Soulbind status. Cannot be dropped or lost when it is equipped.
Special Effect 2: Can unlock its true form upon killing 100,000 monsters. Current count: 0/100,000.
Special Effect 3: Upon obtaining a true form, the weapon's grade will strengthen and evolve.
It really can unlock its true powers! And boy, what effects those are. That boost in Attack Power is icing on the cake. Now this is what a Purple-grade is. I can't wait to see how it goes.
And you might think 100,000 monsters is a lot, but I think that is manageable.
As the saying goes...
"The grind has just begun~", I murmured, and smiled again, feeling satisfied with this weapon alone. Do I even have a reason to open the second one?
Might as well. I'm curious!
Without hesitation, I opened the second Weapon Box (Purple). It shone a bright glow before its contents were revealed before me. The moment I saw it, I was left gobsmacked.
"You've got to be f*cking kidding me!", I exclaimed.
[Ding! You have opened 1 Weapon Box (Purple)]
[Ding! You have received 1 Nameless Zanpakuto.]
...
That's right. I saw not one, but two Nameless Zanpakuto! What in the hell is this!? I'm not Deadpool, you know!
Are you telling me I can get two of them to evolve?
Sighing, I had a look at the information of the second one. I expected it to be the same, but I was left pleasantly surprised.
[Nameless Zanpakuto]
A Shinigami's one and only blade from the world of Bleach. It has yet to take form, but holds a desire to form one. It is curious to find an owner, and knows it is not alone.
Rank: Purple
INT: 30% WIS: 30% LUK: 50%
Attack Power: +600
Special Effect 1: Grants the Soulbind status. Cannot be dropped or lost when it is equipped.
Special Effect 2: Can unlock its true form upon killing 100,000 monsters. Current count: 0/100,000.
Special Effect 3: Upon obtaining a true form, the weapon's grade will strengthen and evolve.
Special Effect 4: If formed with another Nameless Zanpakuto, you can forgo the Shield slot, allowing you to equip both.
[Ding! Two Nameless Zanpakuto have been identified in your Inventory.]
[Ding! You have gained a new effect.]
[Ding! You can now equip both Nameless Zanpakuto!]
[Ding! By equipping both Zanpakuto, you will be unable to equip Shields.]
[Ding! The effects of Hylian Shield will be removed.]
[Ding! You will no longer have access to the Active Skill: Hylian Guard.]
I really can dual-wield these two swords...
I don't see a reason to refuse.
Sorry Link, but your sacrifice will be worth it. It's not like I'll lose the Hylian Shield, if I want to gain Shield-related Skills later on, I'll have the avenue for it. I unequipped the Hylian Shield, and saw the increased stats go with it. But what I got instead was more than enough to not feel the loss of stats.
[Ding! You have deposited Hylian Shield into your Inventory.]
[Ding! Your HP has decreased by 40%.]
[Ding! Your VIT has decreased by 40.]
[Ding! Your DEX has decreased by 20.]
[Ding! You have triggered the special effect of the two Nameless Zanpakuto!]
[Ding! You have equipped both Zanpakuto.]
[Ding! The Shield slot has been temporarily disabled.]
[Ding! Your HP has increased by 20%.]
[Ding! Your MP has increased by 20%.]
[Ding! Your STR has increased by 20%.]
[Ding! Your VIT has increased by 30%.]
[Ding! Your DEX has increased by 30%.]
[Ding! Your INT has increased by 30%.]
[Ding! Your WIS has increased by 30%.]
[Ding! Your LUK has increased by 50%.]
[Ding! Your Attack Power has increased by 900.]
[Ding! Points Doubler has triggered!]
[Ding! Your increased stats have doubled!]
[Ding! Your Attack Power is now 1800!]
[Ding! Your Status has been updated and is ready to view.]
"Holy...", I uttered, feeling amazed by the Gamer Notifications that I just saw. Imagine chugging down several energy drinks all at once but not having any of its negative side effects. I feel bursting with strength! "Besides that, it almost feels like I'm at an anime convention doing some cosplay, haha!"
Wielding the two long blades, I was now standing up in the space beside the bed. I obviously wasn't doing this while I was still on it. Duh.
Moving the two swords around, I tried placing them on my back just like how Deadpool does it, only to realize I have nothing to hold them with. Despite that, they actually stayed there, looking menacingly at a side glance.
You know what that means, right? It was time to review my Status again! Let's see those boosted stats.
This time I didn't have a need to check the entire thing, I just reviewed what I wanted to review. Testing Active Skills out will come later.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Myles Alexander
Age: 18
Level: 4 (72/80)
Total EXP: 142
Location: Long Beach CA
Time: March 1st, 2006. 12:00 PM
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 60*F
Title: Money Grubber
HP: 924/924 (660/660)
MP: 182/182 (130/130)
STR: 49 (35)
VIT: 14 (9)
DEX: 24 (15)
INT: 48 (30)
WIS: 32 (20)
LUK: 34 (17)
Attack Damage: STR + Attack Power + Skill Power
Attack Power: 1800
Skill Power: Skill Damage
Resistance: VIT + External Modifiers
Target Resistance: Target VIT + External Modifiers
Target Attack Power: Target STR + External Modifiers
Points: 0
Wallet: $490 USD
Fast Travel: Unlocked
-Azure Point (Long Beach, CA)
Inventory: Unlocked
-Weapon Slot: Nameless Zanpakuto - R
-Shield Slot: Nameless Zanpakuto - L
-Left Armguard: N/A
-Right Armguard: N/A
-Left Ring: N/A
-Right Ring: N/A
-Left Pauldron: N/A
-Right Pauldron: N/A
-Left Earring: N/A
-Right Earring: N/A
-Helmet: N/A