Tenshintai

"Whoa~ What a beauty~" Ichiro glanced at Yoruichi beside him and taunted her in a sarcastic tone.

Just as Ichiro had expected, Yoruichi's expression darkened as she looked at the beautiful Benihime, especially after Ichiro added fuel to the fire.

"Tsk~ A manifestation of one's inner self, huh? I didn't expect Urahara to be into this type. Who would've guessed~"

"Ichiro, your Zanpakuto-personification technique shouldn't work on other people's Zanpakuto, right?"

Hearing Yoruichi's icy voice, Ichiro helplessly spread his hands. "I'm not sure. It probably can't, but it's hard to say whether Urahara might study the Tenshintai more deeply in the future. Maybe he'll be able to manifest one someday."

"Is that so? I don't think he'll be interested in studying it!"

Feeling the bone-chilling aura beside him, Ichiro smiled happily. A new source of amusement!

"Master Ichiro, you really are so mean."

"Haha~"

Elsewhere, Urahara seemed to sense something. A chill ran down his spine, and he shivered for no apparent reason.

What the hell is that bastard Ichiro planning to do to me this time? He instinctively suspected Ichiro, then focused his attention on the fight about to begin.

The Tenshintai's effect was merely to manifest a Zanpakuto in the World of the Living and bring forward the battle required to obtain Bankai. It didn't grant Bankai outright, and that battle was no simple matter.

After all, you were already too weak and hadn't earned your Zanpakuto's recognition—that was why you couldn't use Bankai. In other words, using the Tenshintai actually made obtaining Bankai even harder.

Trading difficulty for time was only fair. After all, using the Tenshintai meant you had to raise your strength by one or even several levels in just a few short days!

Did you think you were Ichigo?

Most people leveled up after a fight, once they gained experience. This guy leveled up in the middle of one. One level per boss, going from Seated Officer to Captain-level in just two or three days. Damn, even fanfiction wouldn't dare write something like that!

So this method wasn't for everyone. Ichiro, for example, couldn't use it. He was a typical late-bloomer whose strength came entirely from steady effort. A sudden burst of power?

Sorry, he wasn't built that way.

But Urahara was different. He was a true genius, an all-around genius!

The battle was about to begin!

The two instantly clashed, swords in hand!

Their blades met, unleashing countless sword waves that filled the air with dust!

"Wow~ A fog-raising workout~"

"What the hell is a 'fog-raising workout'? Don't make puns if you don't speak the language." Ichiro quipped, then instructed the World beside him, "You've got strong perception, so keep a close eye on them. If Urahara's life is ever in danger, cut him immediately and heal him!"

With that, he flashed away and watched the battle from another position.

Fog-raising workout? What kind of nonsense is that? Yoruichi glanced curiously at the master and servant. But given how much of a goofball Ichiro usually was, she wasn't all that surprised. She vanished in a flash as well, and the three of them watched over the fight from positions forming a triangle.

Thanks to Ichiro's involvement, Urahara's battle went exceptionally smoothly. Halfway through, the World slashed him back to peak condition, and he got even more fired up, launching straight into a mad-dog style assault. In just a day and a half, he surpassed himself and defeated his Zanpakuto!

"World, thanks for all your effort." Ichiro meant it. Of the three watching over the fight, he and Yoruichi had spent the whole time spectating, while the World alone had kept slashing Urahara to maintain his healing buff.

The World didn't say anything. She only smiled gently, then turned into countless specks of light that gathered again at Ichiro's waist, forming a Zanpakuto.

"Tsk~ So that's what it's like to personify a Zanpakuto. Must be nice~" Seeing this from the ground, Urahara couldn't help sighing. He'd truly felt the full extent of the World's abilities over the past day and a half. That healing power was ridiculously overpowered!

As long as the injury was physical, one slash was all it took. The Reishi in the wounded area would rearrange itself, restoring it completely!

Even spiritual pressure could be restored!

The only regret was that mental fatigue couldn't be healed. No, more accurately, the World didn't dare try. Urahara sensed she could do it, but she seemed to be holding back for some reason, just like Ichiro.

That was why he couldn't help making that remark when he saw the World turn back into a Zanpakuto.

But one person didn't take his words that way.

"Is that so? If you're that envious, why not ask Ichiro to make one for you? Or do the research yourself?"

Hearing the voice beside him, Urahara lay on the ground, cold sweat pouring down his face. Before he could say a word, Ichiro spoke up, and a terrible premonition instantly washed over him!

Sure enough, Ichiro didn't disappoint him. His first words were a finishing blow!

"You can forget about my technique. It can't be replicated. But I think your Tenshintai could be developed in that direction. By the way, those human dissection materials you asked me for earlier—weren't they for this? You really are something, Urahara! You were thinking that far ahead!"

"Tenshin Ichiro! Don't slander me! When did I ever ask you for materials for that research?"

"Oh~ So you really are researching it." Yoruichi appeared beside Urahara, her whole body radiating a cold, ominous aura!

Seeing that, Ichiro smiled faintly and slipped away without a trace, leaving only his good deed behind!

"Master Ichiro, you really are a dog."

"...Since when did you become the one who makes snarky comments? Have your roles changed that much?"

"Isn't that just like you? The World is a manifestation of part of your inner self. Maybe it's already in your genes."

"Stop putting everything in our genes." X 2

Ichiro:

Sighing, Ichiro headed toward the academy. He'd rushed out earlier, and the leave he'd just gotten hadn't been extended. Now he'd skipped a whole day of classes.

After offering his teacher a sincere apology, he returned to the dormitory at dusk and collapsed straight onto his bed, too tired to move. He'd thought he'd be able to get some proper rest after coming back, but the moment he'd sat down, he'd been dragged off to work for a day and a half without a break.

But as he stared at the ceiling, memories of his days since enrolling gradually surfaced in his mind, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. The heart that had grown carefree over the long years seemed to be slowly filling with something else.

Before long, Ichiro fell asleep, a faint smile on his face.

"Whoosh~~"

Specks of light appeared, and the World's figure materialized beside the bed. She gently adjusted Ichiro's sleeping position, then slowly crouched beside him. She crossed her arms on the edge of the bed and rested her delicate chin on them, quietly gazing at his sleeping face, her smile as lovely as a spring flower.

"It feels wonderful to be your Zanpakuto, Master Ichiro..." she murmured. Her eyelids lowered, and faint white specks of light drifted from her body. The dormitory once again fell silent.