Just as the icy sword energy was about to reach the tip of Senna's nose, and Chizuru was about to pull back, a faint power was drawn out of Senna.
A cloud of golden spiritual energy drifted from her body, then took the shape of a Zanpakuto.
"Fall into the darkness of twilight, Mirokumaru!" Senna recited the release command without thinking.
Clang!
Golden light burst from the Zanpakuto as its blade lengthened.
The released Zanpakuto, which looked much like a monk's staff, appeared in front of Senna and blocked Chizuru's sword.
"Phew." Senna let out a long breath, relief written all over her face. "Thank goodness. I'm alive."
"Congratulations, Senna." With her goal achieved, Chizuru put away her weapon.
Senna gave her a sidelong look. "Congratulations for what? You nearly killed me."
"I almost died! How would you have explained that to our teacher?"
Chizuru broke into a sweat. "I was definitely holding back."
"Could've fooled me." Senna snorted and brushed the dust off her clothes.
Yuko slid down the banister with one hand and took in the scene. "You know, you've got a real knack for wisecracks."
"Teacher!"
Yuko looked at Chizuru first. "Thanks for the effort, Chizuru."
Chizuru smiled and shook her head. "Not at all. Helping Senna has improved my control over my spiritual energy, too. It was no trouble."
Senna rushed over and wrapped herself around Yuko's arm. "Hey, Teacher, Mirokumaru came out. Does that mean training's over?"
With her other hand, she held Mirokumaru out to Yuko.
Yuko took the staff-like Zanpakuto. "I had someone look into it. This blade belonged to a Soul Reaper who was swallowed by Karakura Town more than a hundred years ago."
Senna blinked. "Really?"
After being reborn, she had no objection to the fact that she had been pieced