Understanding Bankai

As Liu Hao immersed himself in his mental conversation with the Imperial Princess, carefully dissecting the principles behind Kyōka Suigetsu's ability, Sōsuke Aizen seemed to notice his distraction. The Fifth Division Captain stopped addressing the team members and walked slowly over to Liu Hao.

A gentle voice drew Liu Hao out of his thoughts and back to reality. "Fifth Seat Liu Hao, what are you thinking about?"

At that moment, Liu Hao distinctly felt the Imperial Princess give an almost imperceptible chuckle deep within his consciousness, with a hint of mockery. Before he could consider why she was laughing, he quickly raised his head and met Aizen's gaze through his glasses.

Those eyes were as calm as still water, yet Liu Hao felt an invisible pressure.

"Uh..." Liu Hao quickly gathered his thoughts and put an appropriately puzzled expression on his face. "I was thinking... Kyōka Suigetsu uses mist and flowing water to confuse opponents. If it encountered an ice- or fire-type Zanpakuto, or a corresponding Kidō, wouldn't it be countered?"

The question came naturally: it was perfectly reasonable for a medical team member unfamiliar with combat to wonder about such things after seeing a Zanpakuto with a special ability.

A gentle smile appeared on Aizen's face. He adjusted his glasses and answered slowly, "In theory, such counters do exist. Ice-type abilities can freeze flowing water, and fire-type abilities can evaporate mist. But there's a condition—the opponent's Reiatsu must exceed mine for the counter to truly work."

He paused, a hint of inquiry in his eyes. "By the way, Fifth Seat Liu Hao, what ability does your Zanpakuto have? I recall you mentioning that it has healing powers?"

The question came suddenly, but it was only natural. After demonstrating one's own Shikai, asking about the other person's Zanpakuto was a common part of such exchanges.

Liu Hao answered naturally, "My Zanpakuto... you could call it a pure combat type. But during combat, it has the ability to heal my own injuries. So I'm also trying to develop that ability, hoping I can use it to treat the team members in the future."

The answer was half true and half false. The Imperial Sword did have healing abilities, but its core went far beyond that. Naturally, Liu Hao wouldn't reveal too much to Aizen.

"Have you encountered any problems while developing it?" Aizen continued, his tone carrying a mentor's concern.

Liu Hao shook his head, a trace of helplessness in his voice. "I haven't found any particular problems yet. It's just that progress on developing the healing ability has been rather slow. I need more time to explore it."

"If you run into any problems, you can come to me." Aizen smiled and extended the invitation. "We could study it together. Perhaps we'll come up with some good ideas."

His words came completely naturally, just like a warmhearted senior offering to help a junior.

Alarm bells rang in Liu Hao's mind, but he put on a grateful expression. "Thank you, Captain Aizen. If I have any problems, I'll be sure to ask for your guidance."

"We're just sharing ideas." Aizen waved a hand, then changed the subject. "By the way, since you can already perform Shikai, why not give everyone a demonstration here? Seeing different Zanpakuto and different ways of releasing Shikai will be enlightening for the team members too."

It was a reasonable suggestion. As captain of the Medical Guard Team, giving a demonstration after the Fifth Division Captain would both encourage exchange and motivate the team members.

Liu Hao had no reason to refuse.

"Of course, Captain Aizen." He nodded in agreement.

The two walked side by side toward the front of the formation. Liu Hao's steps were steady, but his thoughts raced.

As he walked, he spoke to the Imperial Princess in his mind. Do I need to say the entire release phrase? Could I... use one that isn't so chuunibyou?

The Imperial Princess's laughter rang out in his consciousness, plainly teasing. "Do whatever you like. It's your Zanpakuto anyway. Say it however you want."

Her words sounded like she was giving him freedom, but Liu Hao could hear the underlying message: if he dared to say whatever he wanted, the consequences were on him.

He sighed inwardly. Am I going to die of embarrassment in a moment...? That release phrase is so chuunibyou.

But things had already reached this point. There was no turning back.

The two stopped in front of the formation. Aizen stepped aside, faced the team members, and said gently, "Next, let's welcome Fifth Seat Liu Hao, who will also demonstrate his Shikai for everyone."

Every gaze fell on Liu Hao.

Liu Hao took a deep breath and slowly gripped the hilt at his waist with his right hand, lightly steadying the sheath with his left. His movements were composed, but he felt somewhat uneasy.

He knew that the release phrase he was about to say might sound a little... over the top to others.

But that was the Imperial Princess's demand, and also the way he had achieved resonance with his Zanpakuto.

Liu Hao closed his eyes, regulated his breathing, and sank his consciousness deep into his soul. When he opened his eyes again, a flash of golden-red light passed through them.

Then he slowly spoke, his voice clear and firm:

"The Imperial Princess at my side, I offer up the sword—"

Every word rang out and echoed across the quiet training ground.

"The emperor grows wrathful—"

He paused, and the final words seemed to surge from the depths of his soul:

"The Imperial Sword is unsheathed!"

The instant his words fell, Liu Hao drew his sword.

The moment the Zanpakuto left its sheath, its form began to change. Dark golden light poured from the blade, flowing and reshaping itself like molten metal. The blade grew longer and wider, a distinct dragon pattern appeared along its spine, and the guard took the shape of a dragon's head. The entire sword radiated an ancient, dignified aura.

At last, a complete Eight-Sided Chinese Sword appeared in Liu Hao's hand—the Imperial Sword's Shikai was complete.

Yet in stark contrast to the Imperial Sword's majestic form, an uncanny silence filled the training ground.

Then—

"Pfft..."

Someone was the first to lose control and laugh.

Muffled laughter spread like ripples. The team members looked at one another, their expressions varied: some couldn't keep from smiling, some were incredulous, some were struggling to hold back laughter, and others simply found it amusing.

Finally, someone couldn't help murmuring, "Squad Captain Liu Hao, that release phrase of yours... isn't it a little too chuunibyou?"

The remark seemed to flip a switch, and the training ground erupted in laughter.

"Ha ha ha ha—"

"Sorry, sorry, I really can't help it..."

"'The Imperial Princess at my side, I offer up the sword'... pfft, ha ha ha..."

"'The emperor grows wrathful, the Imperial Sword is unsheathed!' Wow, it sounds so cool, but saying it out loud is so embarrassing!"

The team members doubled over with laughter. Even several of the senior members who were usually the most serious couldn't keep the corners of their mouths from twitching.

Liu Hao stood where he was, his grip on the Imperial Sword tightening slightly. His initially calm expression gradually stiffened, and finally his face darkened completely.

He could feel his cheeks burning.

This was probably... what dying of embarrassment felt like.

He took a deep breath and tried to maintain a captain's dignity as he said in a low voice, "Laugh if you want. I know it's very chuunibyou."

That only made the laughter louder.

Liu Hao: "..."

He waited a few seconds, and when the laughter showed no sign of stopping, he finally raised his voice. "Are you done laughing?!"

His voice carried a trace of annoyance, as well as helplessness.

Only then did the team members realize that Liu Hao seemed to be genuinely angry. They hurriedly stopped laughing, though many were still holding it in, their shoulders bouncing.

The training ground fell quiet again, though the cheerful atmosphere from moments ago still lingered in the air.

Liu Hao settled his emotions and began his explanation. "This is my Zanpakuto—the Imperial Sword. At my current level of development, it's mainly used for combat, with healing as a secondary function. But for now, the healing ability only works on me."

He paused, then continued, "So, at its core, my Zanpakuto is a combat-type Zanpakuto. Even its healing ability is meant to keep me fighting in battle, so I don't lose my ability to fight because of injuries."

He turned to his own training process. "I achieved Shikai through a long period of Tōzen, communicating deeply with my Zanpakuto. Only after I finally earned her recognition did I learn her true name and complete the basic Shikai."

"After achieving Shikai, you can develop more abilities by continually improving your compatibility with your Zanpakuto." Liu Hao gave an example. "My healing ability, for instance, couldn't initially be used during combat. But through continuous training and development, I can now use it to recover from injuries while fighting fiercely."

His explanation both demonstrated the results of his training and gave the team members a practical example: Shikai was not the end, but a new beginning.

When Liu Hao finished, Aizen slowly walked up to him, a gentle smile on his face. "Your method is excellent, Fifth Seat Liu Hao. Starting with basic communication and developing abilities step by step—this steady approach to training is worth learning from."

"You flatter me, Captain Aizen." Liu Hao bowed slightly.

"Well then, my task for today is complete." Aizen checked the time. "I'll take my leave now."

Liu Hao bowed respectfully. "Sorry for the trouble, Captain Aizen."

Aizen nodded slightly, then turned and left with Momo Hinamori. Their figures soon disappeared through the training ground's exit.

Only when he could no longer sense Aizen's Reiatsu at all did Liu Hao truly relax.

Just then, the Imperial Princess's voice rang out deep in his consciousness, carrying a hint of amusement. "What an interesting ability."

Liu Hao's heart stirred. What is it?

"From the moment he released Kyōka Suigetsu," the Imperial Princess said, her voice carrying a deeper meaning, "he never actually came over to you at all. You and the others were talking to thin air the whole time."

Her words exploded in Liu Hao's mind like a thunderclap.

He abruptly recalled the entire sequence of events: Aizen walking over to question him, the two of them talking, walking together to the front of the formation, demonstrating Shikai, explaining and exchanging ideas...

Every detail was perfectly clear, every word as vivid as if it were still ringing in his ears.

But now the Imperial Princess was telling him that it had all been an illusion?

No wonder... Liu Hao murmured inwardly. From the moment he released Kyōka Suigetsu, I felt something was off, but I couldn't put my finger on what...

That subtle sense of incongruity hadn't been an illusion after all.

"It seems you're close to reaching the level needed to comprehend Bankai," the Imperial Princess said with a hint of approval.

Liu Hao's heart jolted. What do you mean?

"The fact that you could sense Kyōka Suigetsu's influence, even if it was only a vague feeling, shows that your control over your own soul has already reached a considerable level," the Imperial Princess explained. "That's usually a sign that a Soul Reaper is approaching the threshold of Bankai."

A question arose in Liu Hao's mind. But I remember that to comprehend Bankai, don't you have to defeat your Zanpakuto's materialized form and make it submit?

The Imperial Princess chuckled. "Those things you've heard... 'The secret of Bankai is to subdue your own Zanpakuto and make it take a submissive posture'... is that it?"

Isn't that right? Liu Hao was puzzled.

"Not entirely." The Imperial Princess's voice grew serious. "First, Shikai means getting your Zanpakuto to 'recognize' you. As for Bankai... what they call 'defeating the materialized Zanpakuto and making it take a submissive posture' is essentially a ritual, a form of 'proof.'"

She paused, then continued, "Proof that you fully understand your own power, and proof that you can completely control the part of your soul represented by your Zanpakuto."

Liu Hao fell into thought. So... the materialized Zanpakuto is actually a manifestation of my own power? Defeating it means defeating myself?

"You could understand it that way," the Imperial Princess confirmed. "A Soul Reaper and their Zanpakuto are one to begin with. A Zanpakuto is the manifestation of power separated from a Soul Reaper's soul through an Asauchi. And training means using the Zanpakuto as an 'intermediary' to understand and master your own true power."

Her voice grew more profound. "So whether it's Shikai or Bankai, they're only different forms of a Soul Reaper's power. Once a Soul Reaper's strength reaches a certain level, whether or not they use Bankai no longer matters much. They can use the corresponding form of power directly on their own."

Her words completely overturned Liu Hao's understanding of a Soul Reaper's power.

He was silent for a long time before slowly asking, Then when you say that breaking Kyōka Suigetsu would mean I've reached the level needed to master Bankai... is it because I'd be able to perfectly control my own spirit body and expel or assimilate the Reishi that doesn't belong to me?

"That's right," the Imperial Princess affirmed. "At that point, you'd already be able to perfectly control your own power. Even without 'defeating' me, you could still use Bankai, because that so-called 'defeat' is only a formality, a symbol. The true core is your control over yourself."

Understanding dawned on Liu Hao, but he soon felt pressured again. Then I need more time to refine my spirit body and train myself to control every bit of Reishi in my body... isn't that a little too difficult?

"It is difficult," the Imperial Princess admitted frankly. "But..."

She paused, then her tone suddenly turned teasing. "I don't believe I ever said you could only use Bankai if you broke Kyōka Suigetsu yourself, did I?"

Liu Hao was stunned. What do you mean?

"I only said that being able to sense you're affected by Kyōka Suigetsu to some degree shows that your strength is already approaching the level needed for Bankai," the Imperial Princess said with a laugh. "I didn't say you had to break Kyōka Suigetsu completely to use it."

Liu Hao was left speechless. ...All right. Then what level do I actually need to reach before I can start training for Bankai?

"Let's talk after you've completely mastered Shikai." The Imperial Princess's tone grew serious. "Your Reiatsu is sufficient now, but Shikai... you haven't completely mastered it yet."

She paused, then added, "Don't think that using your combat and healing abilities well means you've completely mastered Shikai. The Spatial Barrier you had me use to conceal your Reiatsu before—that's also a Shikai ability. And I can't use power at the Bankai level while you haven't mastered Bankai."

The Imperial Princess's voice took on a hint of instruction. "There's still a lot you need to master."

Liu Hao fell silent.

He looked down at the Imperial Sword in his hand. The dragon pattern on the blade moved slowly, as though telling an ancient story. Golden-red light flowed along the sword's spine, warm and powerful.

He had thought he already understood the Imperial Sword well, that he had more or less mastered the power of Shikai.

But now it seemed he was still far from it.

Spatial Barrier, Time Manipulation, deeper applications of the power of the Five Phases, the mysteries of the Imperial Princess's materialization... all of these were abilities within the scope of Shikai, yet he had not completely mastered any of them.

"It seems..." Liu Hao murmured, a trace of relief in his voice, "I still have a long way to go."

He raised his head and looked at the sky above the training ground. The sky over Seireitei was a clear, brilliant blue, and white clouds drifted leisurely past. Everything seemed so peaceful.

But Liu Hao knew that beneath this peace, undercurrents were surging.

Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu, Yhwach's The Almighty, the many crises of the future... all of them required power to face.

And the power he had now was not enough.

Far from enough.

Liu Hao tightened his grip on the Imperial Sword. The blade trembled slightly, as though responding to his resolve.

"Then," he said quietly, a flash of golden-red light passing through his eyes, "I'll start by completely mastering Shikai."

The road ahead was still long.

But he had enough time, and enough determination.

He would keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Until the day he could truly control his own fate, and also... change the futures he did not wish to see.

That day might still be far away.

But at least he had already set foot on this path.

And he would keep walking it.