Chapter 70
This is an innocent cave goblin.
"Tch! If I could unleash my Zanpakuto, I could wield not Juzu Izumi, but a few more of them at will."
He was immediately surrounded by girls after saying this.
"..."
All of the above discussions vanished completely in an instant with Munechika's loud recitation of the liberation slogan.
Volume 1: 045, Shiren
Shikai.
The first hurdle on the Soul Reaper's path to becoming stronger.
Although the blade at Soul Reaper's waist is mostly referred to as Zanpakuto that cannot be unleashed...
Asauchi is the most appropriate name for them.
Moreover, the words "shallow" and "hit" are used very cleverly: the former represents insufficient ability, and the latter indicates unfamiliarity with skills.
To put it less objectively, the other three elements of Zankensōki were originally designed to assist Zanpakuto.
Although the Seireitei has six thousand Soul Reaper, the number of Soul Reaper who can achieve Shikai is less than two hundred; this is even including the Kidō Corps, the Stealth Force, and even the private armies of nobles.
So.
When Munechika unleashed his Zanpakuto, even the students, who weren't even formal Soul Reaper, were instantly rendered speechless:
Whether his actions are to be criticized or praised, it is Munechika earned respect through his own abilities, without relying on his noble status.
Secret Technique?
If they possessed the secret technique to easily unleash their Zanpakuto, the Mikazuki Clan would have been far more than just a mid-level noble family.
Munechika's own efforts were the key.
"..."
"Is there even a need to fight?"
Two Soul Reaper on their days off are looking at each other in bewilderment.
They weren't even Seated Officer, and their level of Kidō was only slightly better than that of current students; as for Shikai, that was out of the question.
My visit to the Shin'ō Academy today was purely for entertainment; of course, I did harbor the thought of offering some guidance to younger students if the opportunity arose.
As low-level employees of the Gotei 13, this is about all the opportunities they have to show their faces.
"They've Shikai used their Shikai. Who was it that unleashed their Zanpakuto during their last school years?"
"I don't remember, I think it was the Seated Officer of the Fifth Division?"
The two were referring to Ms. Mutsuki.
However, judging from the patterns on their uniforms, they are clearly from the Soul Reaper of the Thirteenth Division (Purification Team) – perhaps because they have just returned from a mission in the World of the Living and are not very familiar with the internal affairs of the Seireitei.
"Never mind."
"This one-sided match is probably not as exciting as the previous ones; at least they were evenly matched at that point."
"The Shakkahō has the same flair I had when I graduated."
Just as this Soul Reaper leaned back in his chair, preparing to take a nap,
"... Hey, Gondawara."
"Um?"
"Haven't you noticed the problem yet?"
"... Speak plainly."
Gondawara clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
"This student who can unleash his Zanpakuto just used the word 'challenge'!"
"You mean... the other one can also Shikai!?"
To be able to unleash one's Zanpakuto before even joining the Gotei 13 a genius that appears at least once in ten years; the probability of such a talent appearing among one's classmates is incredibly low.
"Have no idea."
The Grim Soul Reaper, whose surname was Kanemitsu, shook his head.
"But I'm sure..."
"He was definitely the stronger one before."
"A very elegant Zanpakuto."
Haruto quietly observed Munechika's Shikai.
Munechika is not Byakuya, so Haruto had no reason to interrupt his Zanpakuto's release— Fifth-Class Reii Shikai directly threaten Haruto's life, but Seventh-Class Reii Shikai... If the Zanpakuto's power wasn't strong enough, it wouldn't even be able to touch the hem of Haruto's clothes, let alone break through his defenses.
Munechika's sword transformed into a golden-red "iron plate" resembling a long whip.
It is nearly three meters long, quite heavy but extremely flexible, and has double-edged, silver blades on both sides.
It presents a strange and beautiful aesthetic.
Undoubtedly, this is a mid-range close-combat weapon.
"Elegant...?"
This was the first time Munechika had spoken since entering the room.
Munechika, having released his Zanpakuto, stared intently at Haruto with bloodshot eyes— the Mikazuki Clan liked such praise, but Munechika scoffed at it... He even felt there was a hint of sarcasm in Haruto's words.
That's true.
Munechika's gaze slowly shifted from Haruto to his Zanpakuto.
His father was very satisfied with him, both for completing the Shikai and for the Zanpakuto after its release; even though the conditions for achieving it meant that the warmth that Munechika had once felt was now being eroded by a coldness many times greater.
"But."
Munechika swung the hilt of his sword, letting the sharp edge, which stung his skin, dance with the wind.
"Buzz!"
"I'd prefer you to use other words to describe her, for example..."
Munechika's chin drooped slightly, obscuring half an inch of the intense bloodshot color in his eyes.
"Fatal."
Before he finished speaking, Munechika's figure had already traversed the entire training ground, his long sword slashing fiercely towards Haruto's neck!
"Call out!!"
"Clang."
A dull metallic clang rang out, Munechika Jin's speeding figure was sent flying backward several meters.
"..."
The focused spectators around the training ground created a tranquility in a different sense.
What was that just now?
Did you see it clearly?
"No..."
With the increase in Reiatsu, Munechika's Shunpo has improved significantly, even surpassing Haruto's level at the entrance ceremony.
The students couldn't catch a glimpse of Munechika moving.
However!
Munechika's Shunpo was not yet perfect; at the moment he launched his attack, a few with keen eyesight or sharp senses could always catch a glimpse of it.
But it's only to a certain extent.
For example...
The moment Munechika's Zanpakuto was deflected.
It wasn't with a sword, nor with Kidō), but simply by bending the middle finger and flicking it lightly towards the Zanpakuto.
Munechika was sent flying, sword and all.
This bizarre scene made even the few top students doubt their teacher's description of Zanpakuto release:
If the Shikai is really as strong as described in the book, why was it repelled by a single finger?
"Rush."
Her petite stature meant that Nanao could only sit in the front row. Holding a heavy book, she adjusted her glasses and muttered to herself.
"What's A-Qing's best combination of Kidō?"
Ayaka poked her head out from behind Nanao and asked.
"No, it's not the 'repulsion' of the combination of Bakudō No. 9, but the purest 'charge'."
"... This guy is getting more and more perverted."
Ayaka muttered something under her breath, then turned to Isane, who was sitting in the back row, and asked, "Given Isane's height, sitting in the front row would probably be more effective at blocking the view than a screen."
"Is A-Qing's Rei'i Grade not yet at Fifth Class?"
"Hmm, I haven't heard Haruto mention that. He wouldn't deliberately hide something this amazing."
Isane nodded.
"He's busy practicing Jinzen and special training in Kidō, so he probably hasn't been focusing on increasing his Reiatsu."
Nanao added a comment from behind.
"... That would be even more perverted."
While keeping an eye on the situation on the training ground, Ayaka carefully tidied Nanao's hair. As a girl at the forefront of fashion in Class 1, Ayaka would always help Nanao change her overly classical style whenever she met Nanao.
The label "pervert" was Ayaka's first impression in every sense of the word.
Haruto's Reiatsu was only one level higher than Munechika's —in terms of cultivation levels, it could be considered two levels, like a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator fighting an early-stage Core Formation cultivator—and with the difference not being significant, Shikai the Zanpakuto's attack using the most basic Hadō...
Outsiders find it difficult to grasp the abstract nature of this difference.
Not to mention.
Haruto's Hadō was no longer Eishōhaki, but a completely instantaneous "silent chant".
Is this all there is to it?
Haruto glanced at the slightly reddened knuckles, then calmly addressed Munechika, who had just come to a stop.
"This level?"
Munechika's grip on the sword tightened noticeably.
You mean--
"Whoosh!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Munechika was already close to Haruto's side again.
"To what extent!?"
This time the speed...
It was twice as fast as the initial attack!
Regardless of whether the first strike was intended to test Haruto's strength or to lull him into a false sense of security, the speed displayed by the second strike alone...
"Shunpo."
Haruto's pupils contracted for a moment.