My Zanpakuto Seems to Be in a Bad Mood Today? (Part One)

Clang—!!!

The blades collided, sending sparks flying.

The impact numbed Liu Ziyun's hands and sent him sliding seven or eight meters backward, carving two deep furrows in the ground.

He barely managed to steady himself. Gasping for breath, he looked at the muscular, cold-eyed man opposite him—Tulu, one of his Zanpakuto.

"I-I lost again..." Liu Ziyun gave a rueful smile.

How many times had it been today? Five? Six?

It was the same every time—he charged in, exchanged blows, got overwhelmed, and lost. The whole thing went by as if on fast-forward. He couldn't even last three minutes.

Strangely, though, Tulu didn't continue his pursuit this time as he usually did.

He stood where he was, arms folded, and looked coldly at Liu Ziyun. In those sharp, eagle-like eyes, there was neither the joy of victory nor the excitement of battle, only an... indescribable coldness.

Tulu's stare made Liu Ziyun uneasy.

What's going on? Did Tulu take the wrong medicine today?

No, Zanpakuto don't need medicine... Then is he...

He carefully looked over at Life-Taker. The gentle woman in hanfu was resting her cheek on her hand, watching them with a smile.

"Life-Taker," Liu Ziyun asked quietly, "what's wrong with Tulu today? I don't think... I offended him, did I?"

Life-Taker covered her mouth and chuckled. "Are you sure... you didn't offend him?"

Her voice was gentle, but there was a hidden meaning in her words.

Liu Ziyun was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Life-Taker tilted her head, a teasing glint flashing in her eyes. "Did you forget that today... you used Shikai in front of other people?"

Liu Ziyun said, "...Huh?"

"That was the first time you used your Zanpakuto in front of others," Life-Taker continued, a hint of teasing in her voice. "And... you used my ability."

Only then did Liu Ziyun realize what she meant.

Right... I used Heal in the Trial Grounds today...

But wasn't that to save people?!

He hurried to explain. "Well... didn't you know I had to hide my strength? I'm going to join the Fourth Division, so it's perfectly normal to reveal a healing ability! If I were joining a combat division, I'd definitely have revealed a combat ability instead!"

He paused, then added, "Besides, it was an emergency. Hirako and the others were about to die. I couldn't just stand by and watch them die, could I?"

Tulu snorted coldly.

Even a deaf person could have heard the displeasure in it.

Life-Taker smiled even more brightly. "We know. But... even knowing that, it still feels awful."

She looked at Tulu. "Especially for a certain someone. He saw his master use a Zanpakuto in front of others for the first time, but it wasn't his ability he used... Tsk, tsk. That felt worse than swallowing a fly."

Tulu glared at her. "Shut up."

Liu Ziyun said, "..."

So that's what it was...

Tulu was jealous?!

Even a Zanpakuto could get jealous?!

He felt his worldview had been shaken.

But on second thought... maybe it wasn't so hard to understand?

After all, a Zanpakuto was part of a Soul Reaper's soul, a partner, a comrade-in-arms. Yet the first time he had displayed his power in front of others, he had used Life-Taker's ability...

I guess... that really was a little hurtful.

He scratched his head and looked at Tulu. "Well... Tulu, I'm sorry."

"I didn't consider your feelings. I was wrong," he said sincerely. "I apologize."

He paused, then added, "But... this might happen again in the future. If you're unhappy, how about I come in and let you hack at me every time?"

He spoke seriously, but his words made the corner of Tulu's mouth twitch.

Tulu turned his head, unwilling to bother with Liu Ziyun.

His expression clearly said, Who wants to hack at you?

Life-Taker, meanwhile, burst out laughing, rocking back and forth. "Hahahahaha... Ziyun, your way of cheering someone up... really is unique."

Once she'd had her fill of laughter, she wiped the corners of her eyes. "So, what did you come in for this time...? Surely you didn't really come just to get beaten up?"

Liu Ziyun quickly shook his head. "No, no! I missed you both!"

He counted on his fingers. "I've been too busy lately, with the trial, the rescue, and nobles picking on me... I haven't had time to come in and see you."

He looked at Tulu. "So I came in especially today to talk with you both and, while I'm at it... have a fight with Tulu to help him pass the time."

His words were heartfelt.

But Tulu's response was—

"Really? We've already fought. You can leave now."

His tone was cold and merciless.

Liu Ziyun said, "..."

Do you have to be so heartless, bro?!

Life-Taker laughed so hard she shook. "Hahaha... Ziyun, your sweet talk didn't work this time~"

She winked playfully at Liu Ziyun. "How about this? Today... let me have a match with you first."

She stood, the skirt of her hanfu spreading like water. "A certain someone is in a bad mood and doesn't want to talk to you anyway. How about... I practice with you instead?"

Liu Ziyun's eyes lit up. "Sure!"

A chance to fight Life-Taker was rare—though she was usually gentle, her fighting skills were no worse than Tulu's.

The two stood facing each other.

Both held their swords in their left hands—that was how Life-Taker usually wielded hers.

Then—

Whoosh!

Almost simultaneously, they charged at each other!

Blades flashed, and their figures crossed.

Life-Taker's movements were as graceful as a dance. Every strike was precise and deadly, yet she held back just enough—she was matching Liu Ziyun's fighting rhythm, feeding him moves and helping him improve.

Liu Ziyun sensed the care she was taking.

He focused completely, constantly adjusting, learning, and improving as they fought.

Rather than a fight, their battle was more like a lesson.

But Tulu, watching from the side, was clearly dissatisfied.

"You can't spoil him like that," he said coldly.

Then—

Bang!

He suddenly sprang forward and kicked Liu Ziyun in the chest!

Caught off guard, Liu Ziyun flew backward like a cannonball and slammed into the ground.

"Cough, cough..." He got up, looking utterly bewildered. "Tulu, you..."

"Shut up." Tulu cut him off.

With a flick of his right hand, a Zanpakuto appeared in it—not his usual Tang saber, but Liu Ziyun's Asauchi form.

"Come on," Tulu said. "Release your Zanpakuto... and fight me."

The seriousness in his eyes was frightening.

Liu Ziyun was silent for a few seconds.

Then he, too, flicked his right hand, and a Zanpakuto appeared in it—likewise in its Asauchi form.

But he didn't release it.

Tulu glanced at him, said nothing, and charged straight at him!

Clang—!!!

He brought his sword down!

Liu Ziyun raised the sword in his left hand to block, but Tulu was too strong. His blade pressed against Liu Ziyun's and cut deep into his shoulder!

Blood sprayed!

But Liu Ziyun didn't retreat.

Instead, he swung the sword in his right hand diagonally upward at Tulu!

Tulu instantly pulled his sword back to block—

Clang!

The two blades collided.

And Liu Ziyun's left hand was already following through with a horizontal slash!

The move was swift and vicious!

But Tulu reacted even faster—he forced aside the blade in Liu Ziyun's right hand, then slashed diagonally upward!

That strike could both wound Liu Ziyun and block the attack from his left hand.

A perfect strike!

Liu Ziyun's pupils contracted, and he instantly shot backward—

Whoosh!

The blade swept past the tip of his nose.

A little closer, and his face would have been split open.

Tulu looked at him, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile. "Good judgment."

Before his words had faded—

Whoosh!

He vanished in a flash step and appeared in front of Liu Ziyun again!

His flashing blade formed an impenetrable net!