Bleeding Weakness

Bleeding Weakness

"Shikai."

"It is the first stage of a Zanpakuto's release, and likewise the first step in reflecting a Shinigami's inner nature."

"Generally speaking, through an understanding of one's Shikai, we can more or less grasp the emotional coloring of its wielder."

"Those who bare their fangs and claws wear their emotions on their sleeves, with no depth to their thoughts. The released form of such a Zanpakuto will likewise be rather flamboyant, displaying its owner's desire to show off."

"Those with composed minds are reserved and silent, meticulous and cautious. The forms of their released Zanpakuto tend to undergo few changes. This is a manifestation of restraint and one's true nature."

"Of course, there are disguises, exceptions, and the occasional special case. But such things are exceedingly rare, so there is little point in discussing them."

Aizen smiled at Arima Shizuya before him. At some point, the amusement in his eyes had deepened considerably.

"And through observation, the simplest and most direct method."

"I have already noticed, Shizuya-kun."

"Your Zanpakuto belongs to the second type."

So it did not reveal its own uniqueness, but instead leaned toward maturity and restraint? Listening to Aizen's description, Arima Shizuya lowered his head and began examining his Zanpakuto.

It was long and slender, possessing an inexplicable sense of translucence.

At the same time... it had clearly extended from its Asauchi form, seeming lighter, thinner, and sharper.

It was not quite thin as a cicada's wing, but as a weapon, it was indeed excessively light and thin.

Yet compared to those features, what drew the most attention was a silver-white chain extending from the hilt.

It was composed of tiny, tightly linked clasps.

Looking closer, one could make out extremely small and twisted markings engraved upon it...

They resembled some kind of pictographs.

Or perhaps incomprehensible symbols, or meaningless patterns.

In any case, this level of intricacy was rather extraordinary... The long chain wound around Arima Shizuya's wrist, unusual like some sort of ornament.

Although he had released his Zanpakuto in places where no one could see before, this was the first time he had let someone inspect it so closely.

Arima Shizuya gave an awkward smile.

Prison Master, I think my Zanpakuto is already rather flashy.

Can this really still be called "plain"?

As though he had read Arima Shizuya's thoughts, Aizen said with a smile,

"Shizuya-kun, restraint does not mean plainness. Appropriate refinement and understated splendor are likewise expressions of modesty and a sense of proportion."

Ugh, that sounded so professional...

Aizen raised his right hand and rubbed his chin. Rarely, his smile faded as he took on a thoughtful expression.

"Still."

"Although I have seen many released Zanpakuto forms."

"One like yours, Shizuya-kun's, is truly rather rare. It is like..."

Right.

Once he thought about it carefully, he understood.

This appearance was practically like some fragile object made of Lapiz Lazuli.

"An image that exists in order to be broken and shattered."

Fragile, gorgeous, and filled with an unrealistic sense of illusion.

Although this was Prison Master's assessment, Arima Shizuya felt it was somewhat different? After all, Bow Clothing had blocked Guiganjo's strike head-on before. If it were truly that weak, the blade should have snapped outright.

After he briefly explained his thoughts, Aizen's brows furrowed in a rare display, as though he too was pondering the reason.

"I see. It is somewhat complicated... but it is not a bad thing. Yes, there is no problem with continuing like this for now."

He said several incomprehensible things.

Aizen nodded faintly, then spoke to Arima Shizuya.

"Having seen such an exquisite thing, it would indeed be inappropriate if I did not show you something as well. But forgive me... Shizuya-kun, my Zanpakuto Ability is somewhat special. I can only explain it to you later through words."

Others did not know what Aizen's methods were, but Arima Shizuya did.

The most important thing about a hypnosis-type Zanpakuto was not its ability, but the "information gap" in the literal sense.

Using the effect of catching an opponent off guard to seize the initiative—that was Aizen's personal fighting style.

It was a trump card, after all. It was perfectly natural that he did not wish to reveal it.

"Come, Shizuya-kun. Attack me without restraint. Let me see what you are capable of now."

Since things had been said to this point, there was naturally no reason to continue being polite.

He held his sword level, turned half a step sideways, and shifted his stance as Arima Shizuya began to regulate his breathing...

Until he assumed a complete opening stance.

His spiritual pressure began to gather and flow in reverse, pouring into the Zanpakuto in his hand.

The black-and-white world descended once more.

Within this space stripped of all color lay Arima Shizuya's absolute time.

The Mobius Ring had already coiled around him.

A complex, intricate labyrinth appeared. At a crossroads... four Arima Shizuyas began advancing in their respective directions, frantically exploring.

Countless blue afterimages appeared in the air, only to swiftly collapse and disappear.

In but an instant, he saw countless versions of himself retreating in rapid defeat.

Aizen kicked them unconscious, his palm struck their temples and sent them reeling with dizziness...

It was not as exaggerated as death, but every outcome was enough to make Arima Shizuya lose his ability to fight on the spot.

Has Prison Master gotten a little serious too? As he pondered, Arima Shizuya quickly "saw" the path where he successfully closed in and struck his opponent.

Right here.

The crushed stone debris of the Stuttering Gear was ground apart. The gears of time meshed once more and began turning slowly.

Back in the colorful reality, Arima Shizuya darted forward, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He swung his blade in a horizontal slash.

Aizen's sidestep to evade was within expectations. This should have been the best moment to press the attack, yet Arima Shizuya instead curled up and made an evasive motion.

Then, in the next moment.

Lightning violently burst from Aizen's left hand, concealed within his wide sleeve!

Hado #63: Raikōhō.

Kido cast without an incantation could not unleash its full power, but this light, like thunder erupting from level ground, was still terrifying.

Arima Shizuya's figure seemed to be directly swallowed by it...

Yet in the next instant, the youth appeared behind Aizen, expressionless as he swung his blade toward Aizen's back.

"..."

Silently.

As if he had failed to react in time, Aizen could only make a response that seemed half a beat too slow.

A slightly weighty sensation traveled back through the blade as it sliced through. Aizen's Shinigami Uniform was split in two across his back, and the flesh beneath it was severed as well.

He had been hit.

But it did not hinder Aizen from reacting further in the slightest.

As though completely unaffected, he took a large step to the side, instantly closing the distance.

At this range, there was no way to dodge.

Thus, faced with the incoming strike, Arima Shizuya could only barely raise his left arm to block it.

Bang! It was not the impact of flesh against flesh. Arima Shizuya's body was sent flying outright.

—Everything that had happened thus far had been entirely within expectations.

The exchange between them seemed complicated, but in truth, it had lasted only an instant, like a flash of lightning.

Beside them, Tōsen Kaname's brows were tightly furrowed. Even from the perspective of an observer, he apparently found it difficult to understand what exactly had just happened.

Because... it was simply too strange.

Aizen took half a step back.

He looked at Arima Shizuya, who was half-crouched on the ground, clutching his left hand and grimacing as he rose to his feet.

Then he extended his right hand and calmly touched his back.

His hand came away covered in blood.

A stabbing pain, mixed with warmth and slickness, spread from his back.

Yet it made Aizen smile with immense delight.

"I see, I see... so it is this type of ability. Very interesting. As expected of my student; my judgment was indeed correct."

But.

An inexplicable gleam flickered in Aizen's eyes.

"The weakness of this ability is actually quite obvious, Shizuya-kun."