Shikai (2)

The street fell quiet again.

Tulu and Life-Taker stood side by side, watching the direction in which Liu Ziyun had disappeared.

A few seconds passed.

"Pfft."

Both of them burst out laughing at the same time.

"What a greedy guy." Tulu shook his head, though his eyes were smiling. "He's only just learned Shikai, and he's already thinking about fighting alongside us and cutting his way through Soul Society someday."

"What a smooth talker," Life-Taker said with a chuckle. "He was scared to death, yet he made it all sound so stirring."

They exchanged a glance and burst out laughing together.

Their laughter echoed through the empty city, carrying a certain indescribable... sense of relief?

Like parents watching their child finally learn to walk. His steps were unsteady, but he had finally taken the first one.

Like a teacher watching a student finally grasp the lesson. He still had many shortcomings, but he had finally found his direction.

Pride, satisfaction, happiness.

And a trace of... anticipation.

"Tell me," Tulu suddenly asked, "when will he truly earn our recognition?"

Life-Taker thought for a moment, then shook her head gently. "I don't know. But... it probably won't be too long."

She paused, then added, "After all, he's the master we chose."

Tulu pursed her lips. "I didn't choose him. He was the one who insisted on coming to us."

But the corners of her mouth curved upward, unseen by anyone.

The real world, underground training ground.

Liu Ziyun, sitting cross-legged, slowly opened his eyes.

He blinked, adjusting to the dim light around him. The Reishi lamps in the underground training ground were still on, but the barrier was barely holding together, and fine cracks had begun to appear around its edges.

The barrier's about to give out... he thought. I need to get out of here fast. It'd be ridiculous if I got buried in here.

He got to his feet and loosened up his somewhat stiff body.

Then he lowered his head and looked at the Zanpakuto in his hand.

Its sheath was simple and ancient-looking, its hilt smooth and warm. But now a crimson-black pattern had appeared on the blade, quietly coiled like a sleeping dragon.

Liu Ziyun gripped the hilt, feeling the faint pulse coming from it.

Like a heartbeat.

Like... a response.

Although I haven't been fully recognized yet... he thought silently, I've taken the first step.

From now on, I'll keep working hard and keep getting stronger.

I'll make you recognize me from the bottom of your hearts.

I'll become a master worthy of you.

As if it had heard his thoughts—

"Hmm..."

The Zanpakuto trembled gently, letting out a low hum.

As if saying:

I heard you.

I'll be waiting.

Liu Ziyun smiled.

He took a deep breath, raised his Zanpakuto, and recited aloud the release words he had already learned in his inner world: "Existence is to change fate, Life-Taker! Slaughter is nothing but an improvised game, Tulu!"

The moment the words left his mouth—

"Swish! Swish!"

Two rays of light burst from the sheath!

One was a pale brocade color, gentle and mysterious like the first light of dawn.

The other was crimson-black, wild and chilling like the gaze of an abyss.

The two rays of light circled once in the air, then—

The pale brocade light flew into his left hand, transforming into a slender, elegant Tang sword. Its blade shimmered faintly with brocade-colored light, its guard was as exquisite as a work of art, and two brocade-red tassels drifted gently from the end of its hilt.

The crimson-black light flew into his right hand, transforming into a heavy, imposing Tang sword. Its blade was broad at the front and narrow at the back, its guard was majestic and fierce, and two scarlet tassels at the end of its hilt moved without wind, burning like flames.

Both swords were in his hands.

Liu Ziyun lowered his head and carefully examined the two Zanpakuto that belonged to him.

During the fight in his inner world, he hadn't had time to get a good look. His life had nearly been lost then, so how could he have been in the mood to admire the weapons?

But things were different now.

Now he could take a good look at the two companions who would accompany him through the long years ahead.

Life-Taker's sword was gentle yet sharp, like an unparalleled expert who kept her abilities hidden.

Tulu's sword was fierce yet majestic, like an invincible general who had fought across battlefields.

The two swords were completely different in style, yet here in his hands, they were unexpectedly harmonious.

These are... my Zanpakuto.

My power.

My companions.

An indescribable excitement welled up in Liu Ziyun's heart.

Five years.

Five years of training, five years of hiding, five years of waiting.

Today, he had finally... taken this step.

He felt the power coming from the two swords. Although it was only "borrowed" power, it was still strong enough to astonish him.

As I am now... he assessed his own strength, my Reiatsu should have just about reached Lieutenant level... Maybe fifth class? Sixth class? Whatever, I'm a lot stronger than before.

If I keep working hard...

He was happily thinking to himself when suddenly—

A gentle voice rang out in his heart. "Stop standing there getting sentimental. You're going to be late for school."

Liu Ziyun: "!!!"

He jerked his head up and looked at the Reishi clock on the wall. "Shit! It's eight thirty! Headmaster Yamamoto's class starts at eight!!!"

He scrambled to put the two swords back in their sheath. Strangely, the moment they went back in, they merged into an ordinary Asauchi, except for the crimson-black pattern that had appeared on the sheath.

That's convenient... He had no time to think about it and took off running.

"The barrier! The barrier's about to come down!"

The moment he rushed out of the underground training ground, the barrier behind him shattered completely with a crack. Countless pieces of rubble fell from the ceiling, burying the entrance completely.

That was close... I was almost buried alive...

Liu Ziyun wiped away his cold sweat, then sprinted at full speed toward Shin'ō Academy!

Shin'ō Academy, training ground.

The morning's classes were already more than halfway over.

Hakuda class had ended, and it was now time for Kidō.

The students were scattered across the training ground in twos and threes, practicing various Kidō on targets in the distance.

"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"

"Bakudō #1: Sai!"

"Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"

Multicolored Kidō lights flashed across the training ground, accompanied by the students' cheers and sighs as they succeeded or failed.

Liu Ziyun hunched over and sneaked in through the side gate of the training ground.

He planned to slip into the crowd unnoticed and pretend he had been there all along. He had perfected this maneuver over the past five years.

However, just as he set one foot inside the training ground—

"Liu. Zi. Yun." A deep voice sounded behind him.

Liu Ziyun's body stiffened, and he slowly turned around.

The Kidō instructor—a middle-aged Soul Reaper with glasses who looked refined but was in fact terrifyingly strict—stood behind the gate with his arms crossed, staring at him expressionlessly.

In an instant, everyone on the training ground turned to look at Liu Ziyun.

His three roommates, Kentarō, Ryōta, and Yūji, widened their eyes and mouthed, "Where did you go?!"

Liu Ziyun: "..."

I'm screwed.