Watching Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai

While Liu Hao and Momo Hinamori quietly caught up, Sōsuke Aizen finished instructing the Medical Guard Team on site. He walked slowly over to them, his trademark gentle smile on his face, like a model captain concerned for his subordinates.

"It seems you two are having a good chat." Aizen's voice was mild as his gaze passed between Liu Hao and Momo Hinamori. "I almost forgot. Vice-Captain Hinamori and Fifth Seat Liu Hao, weren't you classmates at Shin'ō Academy?"

Momo Hinamori smiled and nodded. "Yes, Captain Aizen. But everyone's been busy since graduation, and Liu Hao and I rarely get a chance to meet, so we talked a little longer just now."

"Mm, it's only natural for old classmates to catch up." Aizen expressed his understanding gently, then turned to Liu Hao. "I observed the Medical Guard Team's training just now. The members all have a solid foundation. It's just..."

He paused, his tone growing slightly serious. "Their practical combat ability is still lacking. After all, as the Medical Guard Team, your duty is to protect yourselves and your comrades. On a real battlefield, medical skills alone aren't enough. You need sufficient combat ability to deal with unexpected situations."

His words hit the mark. Most members of the Medical Guard Team had been selected from within the Fourth Division. Though their medical skills were excellent, their combat experience really couldn't compare to that of members of the combat divisions.

Liu Hao nodded seriously. "You're right, Captain Aizen. These members were selected from the existing medical personnel, and their practical combat ability is indeed somewhat lacking. Do you have any suggestions that could help them improve?"

It was a natural question. As captain of the Rescue Corps, Aizen did have extensive experience in practical combat training.

Aizen pondered for a moment before speaking slowly. "Besides targeted daily training, the main way to improve practical combat ability is to participate in combat exercises and accumulate experience. Also..."

He paused, sweeping his gaze over the members sparring on the training grounds. "Having the members master Shikai as soon as possible is also key to improving their combat strength. Shikai doesn't just greatly enhance a Zanpakuto's abilities. More importantly, it's proof of the resonance between a Soul Reaper and the soul of their Zanpakuto. The process of mastering Shikai is itself a deep exploration of one's own power."

His explanation was professional and sound, leaving nothing to criticize.

Liu Hao looked thoughtful, then said, "I've considered the issues you raised too, Captain Aizen. As for combat exercises, we've already asked the Twelfth Division for assistance and are building a Virtual Training Environment to simulate real combat. It's expected to be ready for use next month."

He paused, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "As for Shikai... although I've mastered it myself, to be honest, I've devoted most of my energy to studying medical techniques. I'm really not very good at using or teaching others to use a Zanpakuto. Could you give us some guidance and advice in that regard, Captain Aizen?"

It was a clever request. He acknowledged his own shortcomings while asking Aizen for help, perfectly fitting the image of a medical team member who focused on medicine and neglected combat.

The smile on Aizen's face deepened slightly, and a nearly imperceptible glint flashed in his eyes. "Of course, that's no problem. While teaching at Shin'ō Academy, I often demonstrated the process and techniques of Shikai to the students."

Liu Hao showed a trace of regret at just the right moment. "I know. It's just that when I was at the academy, I was always focused on studying medicine and didn't pay much attention to training with my Zanpakuto... so I missed your classes demonstrating Shikai, Captain Aizen."

He looked up at Aizen, his eyes full of sincere entreaty. "Captain Aizen, could I ask you to explain and demonstrate Shikai for me and my team here today? I'd also like to take this opportunity to make up for the classes I missed."

His words were heartfelt, like those of a student who had finally recognized his shortcomings and wanted to make up for them.

Aizen watched Liu Hao quietly. After a few seconds of silence, his lips slowly curved into a meaningful smile. "Of course."

Liu Hao had expected that answer, and it was part of his plan.

"Thank you very much, Captain Aizen." Liu Hao bowed respectfully, then turned and walked to the center of the training grounds, signaling the sparring members to pause.

The Medical Guard Team quickly assembled in formation, anticipation and curiosity on every face. Having the Fifth Division Captain personally instruct them in Shikai was a rare opportunity.

Aizen walked slowly to the front of the formation, standing tall and carrying himself with gentle refinement. His gaze swept over every young face as he began, "I had a brief talk with Fifth Seat Liu Hao just now. All of you are excellent in medical skills, but in practical combat ability, there is indeed still a gap between you and members of the combat divisions."

His voice was calm and rich, making it easy to listen attentively.

"So, to help everyone improve, Fifth Seat Liu Hao asked me to explain and demonstrate Shikai for you. I'll take this opportunity to share my personal understanding of the Zanpakuto."

Aizen paused, then began a systematic explanation. "First, the most fundamental step toward mastering Shikai is raising your own Reiatsu. Reiatsu is the source of all a Soul Reaper's power. Without enough Reiatsu to support it, a Zanpakuto's abilities cannot be fully brought out."

He took a step forward and continued, "Once your Reiatsu reaches a certain level, you need to communicate with your Zanpakuto on a deeper level. Many call this process 'Tōzen.' Through meditation, you let your consciousness enter the world of your Zanpakuto and speak with its soul."

"And the key to communicating with your Zanpakuto," Aizen said, his voice growing deeper, "lies in understanding its 'personality.' That may sound mysterious, but in reality, it's a process of understanding yourself."

His gaze passed over the team members as he explained slowly, "Because a Zanpakuto is, essentially, an extension of a Soul Reaper's soul. Its abilities, form, and personality all reflect the traits deepest within the Soul Reaper's own heart. So understanding your Zanpakuto is really understanding yourself; achieving resonance with it means achieving harmony with your own soul."

The explanation made profound ideas easy to understand, offering both theoretical depth and practical guidance. Many team members looked as though something had suddenly clicked.

Aizen continued, "When you truly understand your Zanpakuto and yourself, when your Reiatsu reaches a critical point, and when your soul resonates with your Zanpakuto, Shikai will happen naturally. It isn't a power forcibly 'summoned' forth, but a 'blossoming' that comes when the soul matures."

The entire explanation lasted about a quarter of an hour. Every sentence Aizen spoke was clear and orderly, and every point invited thought. He was indeed one of Shin'ō Academy's most popular instructors; his teaching ability was truly outstanding.

When he finished, Aizen smiled faintly. "That's enough theory. Next, I'll demonstrate the actual process of Shikai for everyone."

He slowly drew the Zanpakuto at his waist.

The moment Kyōka Suigetsu left its sheath, its blade reflected a soft gleam in the sunlight. It was an ordinary-looking Asauchi, no different in appearance from most Soul Reapers' Zanpakuto.

But Liu Hao knew that the power contained in this blade was enough to overturn all of Soul Society.

Aizen held the blade upright before him, gazed calmly at it, and slowly spoke:

"Mesmerize..."

His voice was soft, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Kyōka Suigetsu."

The moment the words fell, something changed.

It wasn't a violent eruption of Reiatsu or a dazzling burst of light, but... mist.

A faint vapor, like the thin mist of dawn, slowly spread from Kyōka Suigetsu's blade. At first it was only a thin layer, but it expanded rapidly, soon covering the entire training grounds.

The mist wasn't thick, but it blurred the view just enough. Sunlight passed through it, forming soft shafts of light, and the entire training grounds seemed draped in a dreamlike veil.

This was Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai, seemingly nothing more than an ability to create mist, perfectly consistent with Aizen's public claim that it was a Water-Type Zanpakuto.

But Liu Hao knew the truth was far different.

He stood quietly in the formation, feeling the mist around him. When it touched his skin, it felt cool and damp, as though it really were just ordinary water vapor.

But beneath that sensation, Liu Hao could feel an extremely faint, almost imperceptible fluctuation of Reiryoku.

The fluctuation was so well hidden that if he hadn't known the truth about Kyōka Suigetsu beforehand, and if Imperial Princess hadn't warned him in his consciousness, he could never have detected it.

His release command... wasn't it "Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu"?

Liu Hao wondered to himself. He remembered that in the original story, Aizen's Shikai release command was supposed to be "Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu," not the "Mesmerize" he had just used.

Just then, Imperial Princess's voice sounded deep in his consciousness, carrying a trace of disdain.

"A release command isn't necessary. As long as the Zanpakuto's name is spoken correctly, Shikai can be completed. The so-called release command is more of a 'ritual' that Soul Reapers establish to focus their minds and guide their power. A Soul Reaper at Aizen's level can change it however he likes."

A thought occurred to Liu Hao. Then why does the extent of the Imperial Sword's release change depending on the command I say?

"Because the release commands you used struck me as too careless!" Imperial Princess answered bluntly. "'Come out,' 'unfold'—casual words like those do nothing to convey the Imperial Sword's majesty. Only a complete, solemn release command makes me willing to display all my power."

Liu Hao was speechless. So... those "cringey" release commands you taught me were actually your own requirement?

"Do you think the release commands I taught you are too 'cringey'?" Imperial Princess sounded faintly teasing, as though she could see through his thoughts. "That's because you haven't fully understood the secrets of the Zanpakuto. When you truly understand the Imperial Sword's nature and the meaning of 'Emperor,' you'll see that those words are exactly the most suitable ones."

She paused, then added, "After all, you can see that I can even materialize and fight. Do you still think the Imperial Sword is just a 'sword'?"

Her words held a deeper meaning. Liu Hao pondered for a moment, then asked tentatively, You mean... your materialization is also part of my Shikai?

"That," Imperial Princess said mysteriously, "is for you to understand on your own. I won't give you the answer directly. But now, can you feel it? Kyōka Suigetsu's power."

Liu Hao returned his attention to reality. Feeling the mist around him and that hidden fluctuation of Reiryoku, he replied inwardly, I can. It really is a top-tier illusion-type Zanpakuto... just seeing its Shikai is enough to complete the hypnosis and leave all the senses at its mercy. How does that work? I didn't feel my soul being directly affected... is my Reiatsu still insufficient?

"It's not a matter of Reiatsu," Imperial Princess explained. "Although your Reiatsu still can't compare to Aizen's, it's already reached a considerable level. Kyōka Suigetsu's ability is, at its core, an extremely intricate Reishi Manipulation Technique."

Her voice grew serious. "At the moment of release, Kyōka Suigetsu emits a special kind of Reiryoku 'seed.' These Reiryoku Seeds are extremely tiny and almost impossible to detect. They enter the observer's soul through sight, then merge into the soul's Reishi structure."

Liu Hao was startled. Through the eyes?

"Yes. Sight is the primary channel through which the soul receives information from the outside world. Kyōka Suigetsu's Reiryoku Seeds use that channel to slip silently into the depths of the soul," Imperial Princess continued. "Once integrated, the seeds become part of the soul's structure. They don't change the soul's nature, but they do... interfere with information processing."

Interfere with information processing?

"Simply put," Imperial Princess said, offering an analogy, "the soul receives information from the outside world through sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. That information must be 'processed' within the soul before it can form perception. Kyōka Suigetsu's Reiryoku Seeds intervene in that process. They can alter, delete, or even create information out of nothing, making you 'see,' 'hear,' and 'feel' everything Aizen wants you to perceive."

Liu Hao sucked in a breath. So... it was actually that trace of Reiryoku affecting my judgment, keeping me from noticing anything abnormal about my soul?

"Something like that." A trace of helplessness entered Imperial Princess's voice. "Because that trace of Reiryoku has already become part of your soul's structure, strictly speaking, it's 'you' affecting 'yourself.' How could you notice anything abnormal?"

The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became.

Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis wasn't imposed from outside, but a modification made from within the soul. The hypnotized person wouldn't even feel that they had been "hypnotized," and would only believe everything was real.

In other words, Liu Hao thought heavily, even someone whose Reiatsu surpasses Aizen's can't be immune to Kyōka Suigetsu's control?

"Yes," Imperial Princess confirmed. "For Soul Reapers and Hollows who aren't skilled at fine Reishi manipulation, this form of control is nearly impossible to counter. Unless they know the way to break it in advance, or touch Kyōka Suigetsu's blade before the hypnosis is complete, it's very difficult to escape once they're caught."

Liu Hao fell silent for a moment, then suddenly thought of a question. What about Quincy? And Fullbringers? Could they possibly free themselves from this control?

"In theory... it's possible." Imperial Princess sounded uncertain. "Quincy and Fullbringers have different systems of power from Soul Reapers, and they manipulate Reishi differently too. But first, they would have to know how Kyōka Suigetsu works and be able to detect the 'abnormal' Reishi in their own souls. Otherwise—who would notice a problem with the Reishi that make up their own soul?"

That really was a difficult problem. Even a Quincy couldn't constantly check every Reishi particle in their soul.

All right, Liu Hao sighed inwardly. Then how can I break Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis? Now that you've told me how it works, there must be a way to counter it, right?

Imperial Princess was silent for a moment before slowly speaking. "I've already told you how it works. At its core, Kyōka Suigetsu interferes with information processing through Reiryoku Seeds implanted in the soul. So, in theory, as long as you can clear away those 'seeds' or stop them from working, you can break the hypnosis."

She paused, her tone turning serious. "But how to do that is something you'll have to think about and try for yourself. This is a rare opportunity, Liu Hao. Aizen personally released Kyōka Suigetsu in front of you, letting you experience this ability firsthand... this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to train."

A chance to train? Liu Hao smiled bitterly. All I see is an enormous risk.

"Risk and opportunity go hand in hand." Imperial Princess's voice carried a deeper meaning. "If this experience helps you find a way to counter Kyōka Suigetsu, you'll have your greatest trump card when you face Aizen in the future. If you can't find one... then at least you'll have learned firsthand how terrifying this ability is, and you'll be more careful in the future."

She had a point. But the pressure Liu Hao felt hadn't eased.

He looked up at Aizen in the center of the training grounds.

The mist had gradually dispersed, and Aizen was gently explaining to the team members what Shikai felt like and how to use it. His every movement and expression was flawless; he was the very image of a model captain patiently teaching his juniors.

But Liu Hao knew what truth lay hidden beneath that perfect facade.

Kyōka Suigetsu had been released.

And everyone present, himself included, had already become a target of Aizen's Complete Hypnosis.

From this moment on, everything they saw, heard, and felt might no longer be real.

Liu Hao clenched his fist, his nails digging deep into his palm. Pain came, real and clear.

But was that pain real?

Or was it pain Kyōka Suigetsu made him "feel"?

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened them again, his gaze had grown resolute.

No matter what lay ahead, no matter how terrifying Kyōka Suigetsu was, he had to keep going.

Because this was the path he had chosen.

And this path was destined to be filled with thorns.

But at least, at this moment, he still had a chance—a chance to understand, to break the hypnosis, to find a way to counter Kyōka Suigetsu.

That was enough.