Nijirika

But the figure before him was not the real Shiba Kaien...

And in the end, Ukitake Jūshirō had failed to keep his promise. He had failed to protect Shiba Kaien's younger sister and brother.

"I'm sorry, Kaien."

A trace of barely concealed sorrow showed in Ukitake Jūshirō's eyes as he spoke.

Hearing this, Aaroniero imitated Shiba Kaien's tone and said,

"Sorry is useless, Captain. Why don't you come down to Hell with me?"

Ukitake Jūshirō coughed softly several times before answering, "I will come find you in Hell and properly apologize to you, Kaien, but now is not the time."

Then, under Hirako Shinji's watchful gaze, Ukitake Jūshirō raised the Zanpakuto in his hand and recited,

"All waves, become my shield; all lightning, become my blade..."

"Sōgyo no Kotowari!"

Yet as Aaroniero watched Ukitake Jūshirō release his Shikai, his expression showed not the slightest fear. Instead, he said,

"Captain, I know your Zanpakuto's abilities very well. And how much longer can your body keep supporting you in battle? Why not..."

Aaroniero's expression abruptly became even more eerie.

"Why don't you let yourself be devoured too, Captain, and keep me company inside this body? That way, I can continue being your lieutenant forever."

"Don't try to confuse my mind, No. 9 Aaroniero Arruruerie." Ukitake Jūshirō's gaze darkened as he shouted.

"If that's the case, then let me have another proper spar with you, Captain, just like we did decades ago."

As Aaroniero finished speaking, he raised the Zanpakuto in his hand and recited,

"Turn the waters and heavens upside down, Nijirika!"

At once, before the stunned eyes of Ukitake Jūshirō and Hirako Shinji, the Zanpakuto in Aaroniero's hand transformed into a trident-shaped spear.

This was unmistakably the Zanpakuto ability once possessed by Shiba Kaien!

"It can even perfectly replicate a Zanpakuto's