Saito: Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes (4.5K)

I used to think I had some talent, but compared to you... Iori, you'll definitely become one of the most important figures in Seireitei someday—I'm sure of it!

"You flatter Bankai is too mediocre. It's just a pure elemental attack. Without special abilities, it's difficult to occupy a place at the very top."

Iori smiled modestly, then sheathed her longsword. "But thank you for thinking so highly of me."

Even if you say that... speaking of which, what about that just now?

"Is the technique too exaggerated?" Iori said seriously. "That is a technique I developed using Bankai. It requires concentrated power. Unlike Shikai, this can only be used once or twice even if you exhaust your spiritual pressure."

"I see, that makes sense."

Tenkai felt relieved. "It feels like I could be wiped out by just splitting off a stream of water... With such outrageous power, it's normal that it consumes a lot of energy."

Is its name "Mirror Water - Yamata no Arashi"? A water-type Zanpakuto named after a legendary water god—that's quite fitting.

"Haha, I do think this name is a bit cringeworthy... cringeworthy means embarrassing."

Iori smiled and explained, then looked wistfully at the longsword that was already sheathed.

"I communicated with the sword spirit according to the method given by Lord Saito. I should say I was lucky or unlucky. It was a rather irritable guy, and for some reason, it started attacking me right away... I almost got killed."

"So that's how it is. There's such an unruly sword spirit," Tenkai's expression darkened, but then he relaxed as if he had thought of something. "But it seems you've successfully tamed it after all."

"Well, I guess so." Iori scratched his head and didn't continue. Judging from his expression, there must have been a lot of shady dealings between him and the sword spirit... but Tenkai didn't seem inclined to pry.

Each person's Zanpakuto is different, and the way to gain the sword spirit's approval and make it submit is also different. How to do it depends on personal style and ability, and others can't learn it even if they want to.

Judging from Iori's description, the sword spirit he encountered was the most dangerous type, and being able to master Bankai was purely a gamble... I have to say, this guy is really lucky. He encountered this kind of thing right after mastering Bankai, and he still managed to survive!

However, while feeling a sense of lingering fear, Tenkai couldn't help but feel joy for Iori.

Of the thousands of Shinigami in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, only a handful of individuals in the same era are capable of Bankai.

Once Bankai is achieved, the Shinigami's name will be forever etched in the annals of Soul Society!

Learning Bankai is also one of the necessary conditions for becoming a captain under normal circumstances.

While Shinigami who have mastered Shikai are considered elite and can potentially secure a Seated Officer position with some effort, they are ultimately only comparable to lower-ranking officers. However, those who have reached Bankai-level, or Captain-level, are instantly elevated to the top, immediately joining the decision-making ranks!

While the Central 46 possess the highest authority within the Seireitei, the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are responsible for the daily operations of almost all specific matters, including military affairs, intelligence, and technology. The Captains' power can be said to be second only to the Central 46.

Regardless of their origins—commoner or lower-ranking noble—once they become captains, they gain a transcendent status and are no longer bound by class.

It's hard to imagine that someone as young as Iori would be given such significant authority, but there's no doubt that he's already secured half a ticket to the inner circle!

If others saw their companions rising so high, they might feel jealous, but Tenkai did not. Instead, he was genuinely happy for Iori.

Young, determined, talented, humble, polite, and valuing his companions, and also very handsome... In Tenkai's opinion, only someone as outstanding as Iori can climb to a high position!

As for the difference in their social status, Tenkai didn't care—he was indifferent to fame and fortune, at most he had a bit of a desire to perform and wanted his father's approval.

"Can you keep it a secret that I've mastered Bankai?"

Iori's sudden remark stunned Tenkai.

"Why?" he asked, puzzled. "Isn't this a great thing? Although you're not experienced enough, you can compete for the captain's position after a few more years of training."

"That won't do, I don't have such ambitions."

The boy smiled slightly, "Each of the Thirteenth Division holds an important part of the Seireitei's responsibilities. The Captains are all pillars of strength and pillars of the sea. How could I, a student temporarily promoted from the academy, be qualified?"

"Iori... are you serious?"

Tenkai frowned, not believing that this was Iori's true feeling. "Is there something you're worried about? Don't worry, Lord Saito thinks highly of you and will recommend you when necessary."

According to the Seireitei's system, a new captain must not only learn Bankai (except for the Eleventh Division), but also be recommended by three senior captains and demonstrate his Bankai in front of them to prove his strength and ability.

Tenkai thought that Iori was considering his humble origins, lack of connections and background, and inability to find other captains to recommend him.

"Although the Expeditionary Army is not in the Thirteenth Division, Lord Saito's status is equivalent to that of a division captain, and she will definitely support you!"

"... That's why I'm asking you to keep this a secret."

Iori shook her head slightly and said seriously, "This will cause trouble for Lord Saito!"

"What?" Tenkai was taken aback.

"The Expeditionary Army was practically a semi-exile anyway. If Saito were popular in the Seireitei, she wouldn't be stationed here permanently."

Iori said earnestly, "And as you said, the speed at which I learned Bankai is too abnormal. I'm not from a prestigious family like the Five Noble Clans. If the news gets out, it will easily arouse jealousy."

"Jealousy? Oh..." Tenkai suddenly realized.

He wasn't interested in the sordid affairs of power struggles, so he hadn't thought about it at first, but Iori's prompting made him realize it instantly.

It is said that the First Gotei 13 was just a purely violent organization, but over the course of thousands of years, it has long since evolved into a behemoth encompassing multiple fields, effectively ruling the entire Seireitei and even the Soul Society.

There are significant conflicts of interest involved. For example, the Fourth Division controls most of the medical professionals who can use advanced techniques, 12th Division has produced many valuable inventions, creating immeasurable economic value.

In the vast Soul Society, there are only thirteen captain positions, making them highly coveted by everyone.

If it weren't for the rigid barrier of "Bankai," a series of political dramas would definitely have unfolded in order to seize these positions!

Iori is a typical commoner Shinigami from Rukongai. Even if he has mastered Bankai, he has no chance of rising to a higher position as there are no vacancies in the Thirteenth Division.

Of course, the Thirteenth Division is ultimately based on strength. If he proposes a duel, any captain must respond, or he will lose the respect of his squad members.

The Eleventh Division was even replaced by killing the Kenpachi!

Especially now that we are at war, if the Thirteenth Division encounters any setbacks, a newcomer like Iori could potentially rise to the top... However, his foundation is too shallow, and as the saying goes, the taller the tree, the more the wind will blow against it, which will definitely attract the jealousy of others.

—Tenkai believes that Iori is worried about this.

The disheveled young man sighed, feeling sorry for Iori: "Do we really have to keep this from everyone? It's like a precious gem being buried in dust."

"The value of the gem doesn't decrease just because it's covered in dust," Iori reassured him. "It just means it won't seem so exaggerated after a while. Besides, I'm still a member of the Expeditionary Army and need to get through this with everyone... If it's revealed that I have Bankai, I'll probably be transferred to the World of the Living."

"You think so much. Sometimes you're almost frighteningly perfect."

Okay, don't worry, I'll keep it a secret!

Tenkai shook his head with amusement, but Iori's words still moved him deeply. The young man in front of him could have easily achieved great things, but he was willing to wait for his companions. What noble character he had!

He was probably admiring my noble character, wasn't he?

—Thinking this through Iori's mind, a pang of shame swept through her heart.

In reality, he was not as noble as Tenkai thought. This Bankai was just Noble Phantasm, and together with the Shikai, it was all a sword technique of "Ama-no-Murakumo".

The reason I told Tenkai this was to use him as an experiment, to see if anyone could see through the trick.

For the sake of authenticity, he deliberately activated the water-based divine nature of the sword during his "Bankai," changing its surface color, and then released the spiritual pressure that had been restrained, creating the illusion of increased spiritual pressure.

The result was quite good. The ability to inherit the Bankai Shikai Iori's, and Iori's soaring spiritual pressure made Tenkai have no doubt about Iori's "Bankai"!

I'll find another opportunity to "confess" to Saito later. If I can even fool this veteran captain, then I can openly say in Seireitei that I have the Water-type Bankai...

"Oh! That's it!"

Tenkai suddenly remembered something and smacked his hand in regret, saying, "You shouldn't have told me you had Bankai... What if I'd accidentally revealed it in my sleep?"

"Uh, cough!"

Iori laughed, thinking it was something serious...

"I'm just an ordinary person, so of course I should share this joy with close friends and family!"

"Huh?" Tenkai pointed to herself. "You thought of me first?"

"To be honest, I don't have many male friends who are my age or close to me... In Hueco Mundo, the only one who comes to mind is you, Tenkai."

Iori scratched her head and smiled shyly, "I'm sorry for dragging you into this... I hope it doesn't bother you by treating you like a close friend?"

"Hmm!"

Tenkai Shūsuke a deep breath, feeling radiant.

"Of course not! What are you talking about? We're like brothers and sisters who would risk our lives for each other on the battlefield!"

[Drop]

[CGs have been collected]

If only you were a woman.

Type: Bond

Attribute points:...

Iori: "???"

——

Using the Bankai, Iori sent Tenkai away and watched his figure disappear behind the sand dunes for a long time before finally letting out a slight sigh of relief.

Almost messed up!

Just then, a playful voice came:

"Don't you feel guilty about lying to such an honest person?"

"... Is there?"

Iori turned around and Earth Flow a few leisurely steps. Then she reached out and grabbed a ripple in the void, which then rose up like a curtain, revealing her true appearance hidden beneath her Bleach.

Her long, flowing hair, her captivating beauty and independent spirit, and her ever-smiling, beautiful eyes:

Aizen Souyuki!

"I'd like to ask you, dear sister, what are you doing here?"

"My half-brother was sneaking out of the camp with a grown man. Shouldn't I come up and check on him?"

Yuki walked out of the Kido barrier where she was hiding without any embarrassment, her expression calm and casual—even the Vice-Captain Tenkai didn't notice her standing right next to him!

"They specifically chose such a far place. I thought it was something shameful, but it turns out they just didn't want anyone to sense their Reiatsu fluctuation."

Even with such a low profile, it's still inevitable that people will come knocking on your door.

Iori smiled, then changed the subject. "Onee-sama, what are your thoughts on my Bankai?"

"... Your progress is much faster than I expected. I even suspect you used some forbidden methods."

Yuki thought for a moment, "As for your Bankai... I didn't expect it to be Water-type."

"Of course, what do you think?" Iori an eyebrow. "I've always been completely open and honest."

"That's not necessarily true."

Yuki narrowed her eyes slightly, revealing a sharp glint in them, and slowly drew an Asauchi katana from her waist with her right hand.

"As for the power of your Bankai, why don't I interrogate you myself? It just so happens that my Zanpakuto is also of the Water-type!"

Chapter 166: Saito - No zuo no die (4.5K)

"Swords have no eyes, sister, please be careful."

"Heh, looks like you're pretty confident~"

Yuki flicked her Asauchi, the snow-white blade gleaming with a cold light. The straight yet slightly curved blade swayed like a willow leaf in the wind as her right hand moved—

Clang!

The brilliant sparks shattered the beautiful imagery. Before anyone could see Yuki's footwork, the blade had already reached Iori by the time it fell, colliding with the Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi. For a moment, it seemed as if the person had deliberately approached Yuki.

Despite being on the defensive, Iori his sword firmly with one hand without wavering. His arm and wrist were as if they were made of steel, and his Asauchi failed to push the sword down even by half an inch.

"Oh?"

The girl with long, straight black hair raised an eyebrow slightly as she felt the force coming from her.

Women are generally considered to be at a disadvantage in terms of strength, but Yuki is different. She is a perfectionist who does not allow herself to have any obvious weaknesses. She has put a lot of effort into her Hakuda -Taijutsu skills and has mastered the technique of using spiritual pressure to enhance her physical functions at a young age. Many strong men who are taller and heavier than her cannot defeat her.

"Hiss--"

With her jaw slightly clenched, Iori took a small step forward.

The burst of power knocked Yuki back a step, and then a whistling wind blew as the strangely shaped longsword flew past, colliding with Asauchi three times in succession.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The brief exchange sparked like lightning, with no gaps between them, almost simultaneously.

The contest was Flash Step, a sword fight within three steps. The moves were simply the most basic forward and backward slashes, but the speed of the movements exceeded the limits of vision. The process was completely invisible, with only the afterimage remaining at the end.

Whether attacking or parrying, the two fighters displayed astonishing sword speed.