A New Zanpakuto

Captain-level existence and Second-class Spiritual Pressure were the most basic requirements.

Only with Second-class Spiritual Pressure could one manifest a Zanpakuto.

Then came the Zanpakuto's ultimate release—Bankai!

During the day, Ailin handled Vice-Captain affairs alongside Marechiyo Ōmaeda and occasionally received missions as well.

But before the greatly strengthened Ailin, those missions merely added a few more accomplishments to his record.

At night, Ailin held Shihoin Yoruichi's and Urahara Kisuke's Zanpakuto, absorbing their training memories and further strengthening his fundamentals.

Shihoin Yoruichi rarely used her Zanpakuto, so Ailin gained almost no Zanjutsu experience from hers.

However, Shihoin Yoruichi was most renowned for her mastery of Shunpo.

Throughout the Seireitei, Yoruichi was known as the "God of Flash."

No one could rival her attainments in Shunpo.

From Yoruichi's Zanpakuto, Ailin obtained Shihoin Yoruichi's Shunpo experience.

From Urahara Kisuke's Zanpakuto, Ailin gained the most in terms of Kido.

At the same time, based on the ability of Urahara Kisuke's Benihime, Blood Mist Shield, Ailin successfully forged a sheath for Tetsusaiga, giving his Zanpakuto's sheath the ability to deploy a defensive barrier.

As a result, Tetsusaiga's completion rate rose somewhat, and after Shikai, its amplification of Spiritual Pressure reached three and a half times.

Time passed amid everyone's efforts.

"Hm?"

That day, Ailin went to the Captain's office to coordinate with Shihoin Yoruichi over squad matters.

Normally, however, the one who dealt with Ailin was Shihoin Yoruichi's little fangirl, Sui-Feng.

Over the years, though Ailin and Sui-Feng had not exchanged many words, they had become quite familiar with each other.

"This feeling..."

The instant he saw Sui-Feng, Ailin narrowed his eyes and looked toward the Zanpakuto at her waist.

Blue patterns flickered in his eyes, and in just a few seconds, Ailin had finished analyzing the Zanpakuto at Sui-Feng's waist.

"Congratulations, Miss Sui-Feng."

"When are you planning to begin the Seat Officer challenge?"

Setting the documents on the table, Ailin smiled as he congratulated Sui-Feng.

For Sui-Feng to complete the nurturing of her Zanpakuto was also wonderful news for Ailin.

After all, he had a weapon in mind that was exceptionally compatible with Nigeki Hissatsu.

Once he returned that night and forged Suzumebachi, that weapon should be ready to appear in the Human World as well.

"Oh? You could actually tell that I completed my Zanpakuto's release?"

Sui-Feng looked up at Ailin in surprise.

Although she had not thought highly of Ailin after losing a bet on his challenge match and being one-upped by him, the unpleasantness from back then had long since passed after several years together.

Moreover, judging from the documents she handled, Ailin, as a Vice-Captain, completed his missions exceptionally well.

Beyond that, Ailin lacked the aristocratic airs of the former Vice-Captain, Marechiyo Ōmaeda. Every time he went on a mission, he took the lead, and whenever he encountered injured Seated Officers, he used Healing Arts to treat them. Over the years, Ailin had earned the trust of the Soul Reapers under his command, and his prestige had completely surpassed that of the former Vice-Captain, Marechiyo Ōmaeda.

That alone made Sui-Feng acknowledge him a little more.

But what surprised Sui-Feng even more was that she had only completed the nurturing of her Zanpakuto a few days ago. Yesterday, she had gained her Zanpakuto's recognition and completed her Shikai training.

Even Lord Yoruichi had not noticed, yet Vice-Captain Ailin had seen through it at a glance?

No, how could Lord Yoruichi possibly have failed to notice?

Her little achievement must simply have been too insignificant in Lord Yoruichi's eyes, not even worthy of praise.

But...

If she successfully challenged a Seat Officer, would she receive praise from Lord Yoruichi?

"A Seat Officer challenge?"

Thinking of this, Sui-Feng tapped her head with the pen in her hand.

Vice-Captain Ailin was very strong, especially his Zanpakuto technique—was it called Wind Scar?

That move could cover nearly half the area in front of Ailin. Sui-Feng was not confident she could escape it.

The Third Seat, Urahara Kisuke—although Sui-Feng could not stand him, she knew his strength was almost on par with Lord Yoruichi's.

The other Third Seat was the former Vice-Captain, Marechiyo Ōmaeda.

After considering her Zanpakuto's ability and Third Seat Ōmaeda's Zanpakuto ability, Sui-Feng simulated the battle several times in her mind before finally making up her mind.

While Sui-Feng filled out the Seat Officer challenge form, Ailin craned his neck and easily saw the name she had written down.

"Oh? Miss Sui-Feng actually wants to challenge Third Seat Ōmaeda. It seems Miss Sui-Feng's Zanpakuto ability is quite formidable."

"Third Seat Ōmaeda really is unlucky..."

Ailin shook his head with a chuckle.

This Marechiyo Ōmaeda truly had terrible luck.

There was no denying that Marechiyo Ōmaeda was indeed very strong.

But his compatibility with Sui-Feng was zero!

Before one's Spiritual Pressure reached a certain level, Sui-Feng's Zanpakuto, Nigeki Hissatsu, was truly unbeatable.

Marechiyo Ōmaeda's Spiritual Pressure was much stronger than Soifon's; that was true.

But his Spiritual Pressure had not reached the level where he could ignore Soifon's Zanpakuto ability.

With Sui-Feng's Shunpo, avoiding Marechiyo Ōmaeda's attacks and finding an opportunity to strike him would not be difficult.

"Hah? Don't say it like I've already won."

Sui-Feng raised a brow, put away the document challenging Third Seat Ōmaeda, and glanced sideways at Ailin. Though she refused to admit it aloud, her brows and eyes lifted slightly.

After leaving the Captain's office, Ailin returned to his quarters.

"Bzzzz—"

Blue light flared as a Zanpakuto descended from the sky and plunged into Sword Hill.

To Ailin's surprise, Soifon's Zanpakuto, Suzumebachi, was positioned on the same level as those Zanpakuto that had completed Bankai.

"Oh?"

Ailin stepped forward and gripped Suzumebachi's hilt. A few seconds later, a smile appeared on his face.

"This is truly a pleasant surprise..."

"Unlimited Shunko, Suzumebachi: Jera..."

To Ailin's surprise, Soifon, the original wielder, had not yet trained her Zanpakuto to the Bankai stage.

Yet the Suzumebachi he had forged within Unlimited Blade Works was already a Zanpakuto capable of Bankai.

But Ailin soon understood.

The weapons within the Inner World all originated from his memories.

In his memories, Suzumebachi was indeed a Zanpakuto capable of Bankai.

In other words, if Ailin copied those Zanpakuto from his memories in the future, then even if their wielders had not yet completed their Zanpakuto releases, as long as they successfully nurtured their Zanpakuto, the versions here with Ailin would already be what they became more than two hundred years later.