Renji's Bankai Training

In a space of uncertain location, Renji Abarai is facing an unprecedented challenge. His opponent is not an external enemy, but the physical manifestation of his own Zanpakuto —a peculiar being combining features of a baboon and a snake.

"I've already told you what to do next, so let's begin, Renji." The Imperial Princess Zabimaru, in his materialized form, spoke in a low voice, his tone unreadable, neither expectant nor indifferent.

As soon as it finished speaking, it swung its Zanpakuto. The blade instantly extended, tracing a strange trajectory in the air like a living thing, heading straight for Renji Abarai.

Renji dodged to the side, the blade grazing his shoulder and leaving a shallow bloodstain. Instead of retreating, he used the Zanpakuto slashing fiercely at the baboon.

The baboon leaped backward, simultaneously flicking its wrist, causing the extended blade to circle in the air before striking Renji from behind. Renji immediately withdrew the blade, placing it behind his back to barely block the attack. However, the immense impact sent him flying involuntarily toward the baboon.

The baboon clenched its left fist and punched Renji squarely in the abdomen; at the same time, its serpentine tail, as if possessing its own will, shot towards Renji, attempting to wrap around his neck.

Renji stretched out his other hand to block the fist, and at the same time slashed his Zanpakuto downwards, trying to sever the snake's tail. However, the blade was precisely bitten by the snake's head and could not move. At that moment, the baboon's Zanpakuto slashed horizontally.

Caught between a rock and a hard place— Renji wanted to retreat, but his knife was caught in the jaws; he wanted to parry, but his hands were full. He could only duck sharply, barely dodging the sweeping blade. But the baboon had anticipated this move and kicked Renji hard in the face.

"Bang!"

Renji was kicked flying and crashed into a rock formation. The rocks shattered, and dust filled the air. He slid off the rock formation, barely managing to stay upright, and wiped the blood from his nose and mouth.

"You really don't hold back, do you, Zabimaru?" Renji said, panting.

"Of course we don't need to hold back," the head on the snake's tail spoke, its voice sharp and mocking. "Because once we defeat you, we'll be in charge. We won't have to follow this piece of trash around getting hacked to pieces anymore."

These words stung Renji. He remembered his battle with Ichigo Kurosaki, the helplessness he felt when he was defeated, and the guilt he felt for not being able to protect Rukia.

Without another word, Renji Zanpakuto, the blade extending like a snake, aiming straight for the baboon. The baboon simply waved its hand casually, deflecting the incoming blade. In response, it unleashed the same attack.

The two began a strange duel—two identical Zanpakuto, in the hands of two different controllers, collided, intersected, and separated in the air in the same way and along the same trajectory.

The swords flashed like silk, and Reiatsu surged. This was a battle to determine who was the true master, a trial that would decide the relationship between the Zanpakuto and its wielder.

Just then, the baboon's snake tail suddenly opened its mouth, and a scarlet energy began to gather.

Renji's pupils contracted—it was Cero!

He swiftly leaped to the side, Cero to whittle past, blasting a large hole in a distant rock.

"I didn't expect you to have this kind of attack ability," Renji said, panting.

"As I said, we've fused with the soul of a Hollow, so naturally we can use Hollow abilities," the baboon replied calmly. "Of course, you can also use Kidō to attack me. But you don't seem to be very good at Kidō, do you?"

Renji gritted his teeth. Kidō was indeed his relatively weak area. Liu Hao had reminded him many times before to strengthen his Kidō training, but Renji always believed that Zanjutsu was the foundation and Kidō was just an auxiliary technique.

"Damn it, if I had known this would happen, I would have listened to Liu Hao and diligently trained my Reiatsu control and guidance," Renji said with some regret.

The snake-tailed creature responded mockingly, "It's not too late now, but who knows, maybe you'll be the one who gets blown up."

Although the two were talking, their Zanpakuto didn't stop for a moment. The blades clashed continuously in the air, sparks flying, and the collision of Reiatsu made the entire space tremble.

Renji gradually closed in on the baboon during the battle. He needed a decisive close-range attack. The baboon clearly saw through his intentions but didn't react much, letting him get closer.

When he was close enough, Renji lunged forward, simultaneously retracting his Zanpakuto, preparing to deliver a fatal blow.

The baboon responded with the same action, retracting its blade and precisely blocking Renji's slash.

"Such attacks are useless," the baboon said.

At the same time, the snake's tail attacked again, its head opening to bite Renji's neck.

Renji laughed, "I know. But I just don't know who can take a beating."

A dazzling red light suddenly gathered in his hand. It was a ball of highly compressed Reishi energy— the Kidō Shakkahō —but the way it was condensed was extremely crude, clearly lacking precise control.

"Shakkahō!"

With Renji's roar, the red light exploded before the snake's head could bite him.

It wasn't a precise attack, but rather a near-suicidal close-range detonation.

"Boom--!"

The shockwave from the explosion sent both of them flying. Renji crashed heavily to the ground, his body riddled with blast wounds, his clothes torn, and covered in blood. The baboon wasn't in much better shape, with multiple scorch marks on its body and its snake tail injured.

The two struggled to their feet and looked at each other. The baboon looked at Renji, its tone complex. "You really are insane."

"If I don't go a little crazy, I might not have a chance of winning." Renji wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, grinned, and there was a kind of resolute determination in that smile.

The battle continued. The two clashed again, Renji more. But this time, the baboon's snake tail gave him no chance, constantly using Cero to disrupt his path.

As time passed, both of them began to pant, their strength visibly waning. But the baboon was clearly in better shape than Renji —it was not only using Renji's power, but also secretly drawing on his Reiatsu to maintain its own existence.

Just then, a figure appeared at the edge of the battlefield.

It was the Imperial Princess, the physical manifestation of Liu Hao's Zanpakuto. She was elegant and dignified, her gaze calmly sweeping over the two disheveled figures.

"Alright, that's enough." The Imperial Princess's voice, like a clear spring, stood out starkly in the tense atmosphere.

The baboon turned its head to look at her, its tone displeased. "This is his cultivation; you shouldn't interfere!"

The Imperial Princess stared coldly at the baboon, her eyes sharp as knives. "I know this was originally your cultivation, and I didn't want to interfere. But from the moment you materialized, you shouldn't have been continuously drawing power from his body. It's the ethereal part fused into your souls that's affecting you."

She paused, then continued, "At this point in the battle, you're still draining his Reiatsu. This will eventually destroy his soul structure. Even if you win, what's the point? It will only make your soul and his incomplete, ultimately turning you both Hollowfication mindless monsters."

These words silenced the baboon. It lowered its head, seemingly deep in thought. The head on the snake's tail nodded in agreement with the Imperial Princess's statement.

In the end, the baboon transformed into a streak of light and merged back into Renji's Zanpakuto. The battle was over. Although the outcome wasn't decided through combat, the purpose of this trial had been achieved.

The Imperial Princess turned to Renji, who was slumped on the ground, and her tone softened. "Renji, rest well now and recover your Reiatsu before continuing your training. Remember, your Zanpakuto is your partner, not your enemy. Only by truly understanding this can you truly master its power."

"Okay." Renji responded, closed his eyes, and began meditating to recover.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Seireitei.

Liu Hao was squatting beside Yachiru Kusajishi, and the two of them were watching the battle in the distance— Kenpachi Zaraki was fighting an enemy, and the battle was incredibly intense.

Yachiru Kusajishi swung her legs and asked curiously, "Little Hao, who do you think will win, Little Kenpachi or Little Ichi?"

"Who knows?" Liu Hao said idly, resting his chin on his hand. "Anyone can win until the very end. The outcome of a battle depends not only on strength, but also on will, determination, and even luck."

Yachiru Kusajishi tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said, "Little Hao, when are you going to have a match with Little Kenpachi? I feel like you're really strong; Little Kenpachi might not be your match right now."

Liu Hao smiled wryly, "Let's talk about it after I've cleared my name. Right now, I can't even show my face in public in Soul Society, let alone have a formal duel with someone at the Captain-level."

"That's true," Yachiru nodded, then suddenly asked, "But you really didn't do that? The one where you attacked Captain Ichimaru with Utsuro?"

Liu Hao's expression turned serious. "Of course not, Little Deer. If I really did it, how could I dare to appear in front of you? Captain Zaraki is most sensitive to this kind of thing. If I were really a suspect, he would have already drawn his sword and attacked me."

Yachiru Kusajishi blinked her big eyes. "Then why did they all see that it was you? So many people testified."

"They were all used," Liu Hao sighed. "I can't clarify things now, but there will be an opportunity soon—the truth will naturally come to light once things develop to a certain point."

Yachiru, then asked, "What about Captain Aizen's death? Shiro-chan and Gin issued a joint statement saying that you were the one who did it."

Liu Hao's expression became somewhat complicated. "Like those people, they were deceived by the same person. The Reiatsu they sensed was indeed mine, but I wasn't the one who killed them. Captain Aizen... that matter is far more complicated than it appears on the surface."

"Who's so amazing? How could they fool so many people at once?" Yachiru exclaimed in surprise. "Little Kenpachi would be thrilled to fight him! After all, someone who can fool so many people must be incredibly strong!"

"It's best not to," Liu Hao shook his head helplessly. "That guy's abilities are disgusting; he's not the type for direct combat. Little Kenpachi would be driven crazy by him. That guy excels at intrigue and deception, not the pure combat that Kenpachi prefers."

Yachiru Kusajishi retorted, "How could that be? Little Kenpachi is very strong! No matter what ability it is, as long as it's strong enough, Little Kenpachi will be happy!"