Is My Zanpakuto Schizophrenic? (3)

He stood frozen, speechless for a long time.

Then he lowered his head and looked at Life-Taker in his hand.

Were you... thinking the same thing?

he asked inwardly.

The blade trembled slightly.

Then a warm power flowed from the blade, through the hilt and into his palm, into his body, into his soul.

It was neither language nor sound.

It was a more direct, purer emotion—

Yes.

For everything that is yours, I can give up everything.

Whether I'm damaged or shattered, as long as I can help you, as long as I can fulfill your wish...

I would do it willingly.

Liu Ziyun's pupils contracted sharply.

He gripped the hilt so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

I see... he said softly in his heart. That's right...

You are the ambition deep in my heart, and I am the desire you protect.

My existence is your existence.

He raised his head and looked at Tulu, golden flames blazing in his eyes.

But...

Please forgive me.

I might have to... hurt you a little.

"Hummm—!!!"

Life-Taker's blade suddenly burst with an unprecedented golden light!

The light was so dazzling that it dyed the entire inner world gold!

Reiatsu began surging wildly around Liu Ziyun!

It wasn't growing stronger. It was... being released!

For the past five years, he had suppressed his reiatsu, hidden his strength, and played the part of an "ordinary student of average talent."

But now, he was done hiding!

"Boom—!!!"

Terrifying reiatsu shot into the sky, whipping up a gale that shook the buildings on both sides of the street!

The intensity of that reiatsu had long surpassed that of an ordinary Lieutenant, and it was even close to touching the threshold of Captain-level!

At the center of the reiatsu, the notch Tulu had cut into Life-Taker's blade was mending, healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

At last, the whole sword looked brand-new, the golden patterns on its blade clearer and its light more brilliant than before.

Tulu watched, and at last a hint of... satisfaction flashed in his eyes?

"Come on."

He raised his sword and took a fighting stance. "Show me your resolve."

Liu Ziyun rolled his wrist and flashed a wild grin. "Then—"

He stepped forward, and the ground cracked beneath him!

"—Here I come!"

This time, his fighting style had completely changed.

He no longer fought cautiously, holding back. Instead, he launched a furious, reckless assault with everything he had!

He used every technique he had secretly trained in over the past five years—

Zanjutsu: He no longer relied on simple slashes, but incorporated various sword techniques he remembered from his previous life: Iai from Japanese kendo, the head-wrapping techniques of Chinese saber arts, and even a few strange moves he had figured out himself.

Shunpo: Though he couldn't use real Shunpo in this inner world, he used sheer speed and footwork to replicate its effect—moving so fast he left afterimages!

Hakuda: Between sword strikes, he would suddenly close in with elbow strikes, knee strikes, and even headbutts! He caught even Tulu off guard.

Kidō: Though he couldn't chant, he used reiatsu to imitate the effects of Kidō—flames would occasionally burst from his fingertips, or he would fling out a bolt of lightning. They weren't very powerful, but they were enough to harass his opponent.

Man and sword clashed in a furious battle!

This time, it was no longer a one-sided crushing.

Liu Ziyun was actually... trading blows with Tulu!

Though he was still at a disadvantage, at least he could fight back now, at least he could pose a threat!

Life-Taker watched from a distance, her eyes full of relief.

But her relief didn't last long.

For she soon noticed something was wrong.

Liu Ziyun's eyes... were starting to turn red.

That was no figure of speech. They really were turning red—bloodshot threads spread deep in his pupils until his entire eyes glowed faintly red.

His fighting style grew wilder and wilder, too.

No, it wasn't wild. It was... insane!

He no longer dodged Tulu's attacks, choosing instead to take them head-on!

"Squelch!" A gash opened on his left arm, sending blood flying.

"Crack!" His ribs seemed to have broken, but he didn't even frown.

"Bang!" A sword struck him in the chest and sent him flying backward, but he immediately scrambled up and charged again!

The wounds on his body multiplied, and blood dyed him red from head to toe.

But he didn't use Heal on himself even once.

All he did was... attack! Attack! And attack again!

Like a madman who knew neither pain nor fatigue!

Finally, during one exchange, Liu Ziyun caught an opening and drove Tulu back with a slash!

He stood there, gasping for breath and drenched in blood, but on his face was... a smile?

No, it wasn't a smile.

It was a vicious grin!

"Haha... Hahaha..." He threw back his head and laughed, his laughter wild and exhilarated. "This feels great! This is the fight I wanted! It feels so damn good!"

He wiped the blood from his face, his eyes fixed on Tulu. "Come on, Tulu! Let's keep going with the second half!"

With that, he silently recited, Heal.

Golden light shone, and every wound on his body healed in an instant.

Then he charged at Tulu again as if nothing had happened!

Tulu: "..."

He frowned and met Liu Ziyun's attack once more.

But this time, he fought with... puzzlement.

Something's... wrong with this kid.

As he blocked Liu Ziyun's frenzied attacks, he analyzed the situation in his heart:

Why is he fighting like a madman? He's paying no mind to the consequences, no care for himself...

This doesn't look like a trial. It's more like he's... letting it all out?

Something suddenly occurred to him.

That's right... these past five years.

For the past five years, he's hidden his strength, played the part of an "ordinary person," and suppressed his instincts and desires.

And while fighting me... he finally let it all out.

Tulu's expression grew complicated.

Looking at Liu Ziyun before him, his face full of madness and his eyes fixed on nothing but the fight, he suddenly understood.

This wasn't a trial.

This was... an outlet.

A complete release, five years overdue, of what had been suppressed for far too long.

He no longer held back, no longer probed.

Instead, he truly gave it his all.

"In that case..."

A smile curled at the corner of Tulu's mouth, and excitement glittered in his eyes.

"Let me see just how crazy you can get!"

The two clashed again.

This time, the fight was fiercer, crazier.

Blades flashed, and blood flew.

In the distance, Life-Taker watched and sighed softly.

She knew this trial... was no longer a trial.

It was Liu Ziyun's... reconciliation with himself.