"Batsu'unsai, I think I've recovered. Can you take off the bandages?" Kazuma asked after draining a large bowl of meat soup.
He looked down at his torso, wrapped so thickly he looked like a mummy, and felt helpless.
For days, he had been treated as a critical patient, but his body had long since healed.
"Oh? Are you really better, Kazuma?" Batsu'unsai's eyes held a hint of disbelief.
She scrutinized him, searching for a flaw in his expression.
Kazuma's face showed only determination.
In truth, this was Batsu'unsai's little scheme.
She had deliberately wrapped him up tightly to restrict his movement. Kazuma had always been reckless, and she was going to teach the unruly bastard a lesson.
Remembering his wandering hands from a few days ago, Batsu'unsai pinched his side and twisted hard.
"Ow, ow, ow! Batsu'unsai, let go!" A cold sweat broke out on Kazuma's brow.
'Women really hold a grudge.'
"Looks like you're not better yet," Batsu'unsai smirked.
Kazuma didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He knew she was making things difficult on purpose, but he couldn't bring himself to be angry.
Finally, at his strong insistence, Batsu'unsai removed the bandages.
As the linen fell away, Kazuma felt an unprecedented sense of relief. He stretched his limbs, his body had completely returned to normal.
In reality, his injuries hadn't been life-threatening, his collapse was mainly due to severe Reiatsu depletion.
You might ask why he didn't just go to the Fourth Division for Kaidō treatment.
A thousand years ago, the concept of Kaidō barely existed in the Gotei 13.
The Fourth Division only became a dedicated medical squad after the first great war with the Quincy.
"Finally free! I've been lying down for too long. I should go see Captain-Commander Yamamoto."
Having broken free from his restraints, Kazuma bolted out the door.
Batsu'unsai shook her head. 'I already let you go. Are you still afraid I'll drag you back?'
...
"Lieutenant Kazuma!"
On the way to the First Division, passing Shinigami greeted him enthusiastically.
The news of him slaying a Gillian on the verge of evolving into an Adjuchas had already spread throughout the Seireitei.
He wasn't a nobody anymore!
"Captain-Commander, I'm here to report."
"Kid, you performed exceptionally well. To kill a Menos of that caliber with just Zanjutsu and Hohō proves my teachings have not been in vain. However, you must speed up your Shikai training. Kidō and Hakuda can wait."
"I understand, Captain-Commander." Kazuma bowed.
"You didn't come just to report, did you?" Yamamoto's sharp eyes pierced through him.
"The Captain-Commander is wise. I wanted to ask about Shikai." Kazuma scratched his head. "I feel like I'm close."
Yamamoto raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You've reached the threshold? Batsu'unsai should have explained the process."
Kazuma nodded. "She detailed the principles. Recently, I saw the materialization of my Zanpakutō in a dream. And during the fight with the Menos, my blade revealed a sliver of its released power, which allowed me to secure the kill. My Spiritual Pressure also broke through to the fifth rank."
"Detail what you saw in your dream and the final strike," Yamamoto commanded, a trace of interest in his voice.
Kazuma described the Heian-era palace, the lightning motifs, and the crackling blue Reiatsu that coated his blade during the killing blow.
"It seems your Zanpakutō is a lightning type. Lightning-attribute blades boast terrifying destructive force. You are just one step away from Shikai: successfully communicating with the spirit. Your Spiritual Pressure has reached the fifth rank without a release. Once you achieve Shikai, you will rival an average Captain in combat power."
"There is one more thing." Yamamoto paused. "I hear your relationship with Captain Batsu'unsai is unusual. Many Shinigami saw her carrying you back. The old Batsu'unsai would never have been so intimate with a subordinate."
Kazuma's heart skipped a beat. 'Does the Captain-Commander even care about gossip?'
"Y-yes, Captain-Commander," Kazuma answered, steeling himself.
"Hmph. I don't meddle in the affairs of the youth, but do not let it affect your duties. If I find out you've neglected your training because of personal feelings, I will be harsh."
"I promise it won't happen!" Kazuma quickly agreed.
"Actually, it would be good if you two tied the knot. It would be a joyous occasion for the Gotei 13. Do your best, Kazuma. I will personally officiate your wedding." Yamamoto delivered the line with a completely straight face.
"Huh! Captain-Commander, isn't it a bit early for that? We haven't even started yet!"
'The old man actually has a goofy side!'
...
Kazuma left the First Division and headed straight back to Batsu'unsai.
"Batsu'unsai..." Kazuma stood before her desk.
She looked up, a faint gentleness in her eyes. "What is it, Kazuma?"
"My Shikai... how exactly do I trigger it?" Kazuma asked.
"Don't be anxious. You're close. Enter Jinzen. Try to feel your Zanpakutō. Listen for its name. It will guide you."
Kazuma nodded. He closed his eyes, centered his breathing, and entered sword meditation.
A moment later, he heard the faint crackle of thunder echoing from the depths of his soul.
'Is this my Zanpakutō...' Kazuma opened his eyes, which shone with realization.
Batsu'unsai nodded in satisfaction.
"That's right. You've taken the first step."
"Thank you, Batsu'unsai."
"Between us... there's no need for formalities." Her tone shifted, and she turned her head away to hide a blush. "By the way, from now on, watch your conduct in front of others."
Kazuma paused, then understood her meaning.
He gave an awkward laugh. "Understood, Captain."
"I still haven't successfully communicated with it. I've been doing Jinzen for days." Kazuma sighed in frustration.
"Take your time. Sword meditation requires a still mind. You won't succeed with impatience," Batsu'unsai said.
"Let's have nabe first."
Ever since Kazuma had cooked nabe for her, Batsu'unsai had fallen in love with the dish.
She demanded it at least four days a week. Spicy broth with a little sake—it was a great life.
"Cheers!" Kazuma raised his cup. "Batsu'unsai, when can we have a Captains' get-together? It feels lonely with just the two of us. Let's invite the Captain-Commander and the others to eat nabe. I want to get to know them."
"A good suggestion. Focus on learning Shikai. The day you succeed, we'll host a banquet."
...
Kazuma spent his days at the First Division learning Kidō and Hakuda, and his nights at the 8th Division practicing Jinzen.
He was mentally and physically exhausted.
"Time for meditation." Kazuma assumed the posture.
Perhaps because the sake had loosened his nerves, the transition was exceptionally smooth.
"You've finally come," a deep voice echoed.
Kazuma opened his eyes.
He stood in the Heian-era imperial palace from his dreams.
Threads of blue lightning coiled around the massive wooden pillars.
The ceiling was entirely transparent, revealing a sky full of brilliant stars.
A man dressed in elegant purple kariginu robes sat on the dais.
This time, Kazuma saw his face clearly.
He looked to be in his thirties, with sharp, resolute features. Just by sitting there, he exuded an overwhelming pressure.
"Sit. Care for a drink?" The robed man waved a hand, and a low wooden table materialized before Kazuma.
"Are you my Zanpakutō?" Kazuma sat cross-legged and took a sip from the sake cup.
"Zanpakutō? An interesting term. You can think of it that way. After all, you wield my power," the man mused.
"Does that mean I've gained your acknowledgment? Can you tell me your name? Once I have your name, I can use Shikai."
"There is no rush. Kazuma, what do you think my power is?" the man asked.
"If I'm not mistaken, it's the power of thunder." Kazuma gestured to the lightning crackling along the pillars.
"Correct. I command the storm. As for my name," the man pondered for a moment, "call me Raitei."
"What do you mean 'call me Raitei'? Do you have other names?" Kazuma frowned.
"This exchange is over. As for Shikai, you will master it upon waking. Go back. If you wish to see me again, call my name." Raitei raised a hand, and the world warped.
"Hey! Raitei, I still have questions!"
...
Before he could finish, Kazuma snapped back to reality.
'Seriously, kicking me out like that. Fine, I'll ask next time.'
As Kazuma opened his eyes, a spark of blue lightning flashed in his pupils.
The Spiritual Pressure inside his body detonated!
It rocketed from the fifth rank to the fourth, then from the fourth to the third, and it was still climbing!
'No way, this is ridiculous. Is my Reiatsu going to break into the second rank?'
The pressure finally stabilized at the absolute peak of the third rank.
Feeling the wild surge in Reiatsu, Batsu'unsai kicked Kazuma's door open.
"Kazuma, you learned Shikai? Was that your Spiritual Pressure leaking from the release?"
"No. I learned the name, but I haven't released the blade yet. That was just my base Reiatsu increasing."
Batsu'unsai stared at him like he was a ghost.
"You're kidding. Your Spiritual Pressure reached the peak of the third rank without even drawing your sword? Are you a monster?"
"Show me. I want to see how ridiculous your Reiatsu gets when you actually release it," she demanded.
Kazuma followed her to the 8th Division's training grounds.
He drew his Asauchi and leveled it in front of him.
"Beneath the starry firmament, let thunder shatter the nine heavens. Slay gods and vanquish demons. Strike down, Raiteiken!"
As Kazuma chanted the release command, the Asauchi erupted in blinding light.
The blade transformed into a sleek, double-edged tsurugi.
The steel was a deep, mesmerizing purple, etched with jagged lightning motifs that crackled with silver energy.
The hilt was wrapped in silver-purple silk, capped with a heavy pommel forged from meteorite iron.
"Is this your Zanpakutō? The power to command thunder... it's chilling," Batsu'unsai murmured, stunned.
Upon release, Kazuma's Spiritual Pressure shattered the barrier of the second rank.
The violent, thunderous aura shook the entirety of the Seireitei.
Instantly, several figures streaked into the courtyard via Flash Step.
The Captain-Commander and the other Captains of the Gotei 13 materialized, drawn by the suffocating Reiatsu.
"Astonishing. I thought someone had activated Bankai," Second Division Captain Chika Shihōin noted, his eyes wide.
"He is worthy of the title 'genius.' To learn Shikai so quickly... judging by his Reiatsu, he qualifies to fight a Captain-level opponent. If he masters Bankai, he might reach my level," Yamamoto said, genuine emotion in his voice.
Yamamoto glanced around the ruined courtyard.
"Kazuma. Seal your blade."
"Yes, Captain-Commander." Kazuma willed the energy down, and the tsurugi reverted into a standard katana.
The violent storm of Reiatsu vanished.
"I was planning to invite the Captain-Commander and the other Captains to a banquet here at the 8th Division once he learned Shikai," Batsu'unsai stepped forward, offering a smooth smile. "I didn't expect his release to cause such a commotion. My apologies."
The Captains shared knowing looks.
A disruptive Shikai was not uncommon among their ranks, but knowing how recently Kazuma had arrived, they were deeply unsettled by his potential.
"Batsu'unsai, you've really found a monster for the Gotei 13," Furōfushi Saitō, the Captain of the Sixth Division, grinned fiercely.
"That's enough talk. Let's move to my office. Kazuma and I will be good hosts. You can shower the kid with praise over nabe and sake," Batsu'unsai said, gesturing for the Captains to follow.
Kazuma fell in step at the back of the group, heading toward the banquet.