Tenshintai

"Oh my~ what a beauty~" Tenshin Ichiro glanced at Yoruichi beside him, his tone dripping with sarcastic provocation.

As expected, Yoruichi's expression darkened as she stared at the beautiful Benihime, especially after Ichiro stoked the flames once more.

"Tsk~ a manifestation of the inner heart. I never would have guessed this was Urahara's type. Who knew~"

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

Hearing Yoruichi's icy tone, Ichiro shrugged helplessly and said, "I'm not sure about that. Probably not, but who knows if Urahara will delve deeper into Tenshintai technology in the future? Maybe he'll be able to manifest it eventually."

"Is that so? I don't think he has any interest in that kind of research!"

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

Excellent!

"Lord Ichiro, you really are... wicked."

"Haha~"

On the other side, Urahara seemed to sense something, feeling a sudden chill that made him shiver for no reason.

What is that bastard Ichiro plotting to sabotage me with now? He habitually suspected Ichiro in his mind before focusing his energy on the impending battle.

The effect of the Tenshintai is merely to manifest the Zanpakuto into the physical world, accelerating the battle to obtain Bankai; it does not grant Bankai directly, and this battle is far from simple.

Because you are unable to use Bankai precisely because your strength is insufficient and you haven't gained the Zanpakuto's recognition, using the Tenshintai actually increases the difficulty of achieving Bankai.

Trading difficulty for time is fair enough; after all, using the Tenshintai means you have to elevate your strength by one or even several levels in just a few short days!

Do you think you're Ichigo?

Others have to finish fights and collect experience points to level up, but that guy levels up mid-fight—a level per boss, going from a seated officer to captain-class in two or three days. Even fanfiction authors wouldn't dare write it like that!

So, this method isn't for everyone. Ichiro, for instance, couldn't do it. He is a typical growth-type hero whose combat power relies on steady accumulation. A sudden burst of power?

Sorry, he doesn't have those genes.

But it's different for Urahara. He is a true genius, an all-around genius!

The battle was on the verge of breaking out!

The two collided instantly, swords clashing!

The exchange of blades stirred up countless sword auras, filling the sky with dust and smoke!

"Wow~ the Yangwu Movement~"

"What the hell is the 'Yangwu Movement'? If the languages don't match, don't force the puns," Ichiro retorted, then instructed the person beside him, "Sekai, your perception is sharp. Keep a close watch. If there's any fatal danger, give Urahara a slash immediately to heal him!"

With that, his figure flashed away from the spot to observe the battle from another vantage point.

The Yangwu Movement? What kind of nonsense is that? Yoruichi looked at the master and servant with curiosity, but knowing Ichiro's usual goofy nature, she didn't find it too strange. Her figure also flickered and vanished, leaving the three of them to guard the battle in a triangular formation.

Thanks to Ichiro's intervention, Urahara's battle proceeded very smoothly. Especially after being slashed back to peak condition by Sekai halfway through, the guy got even more hyped, switching to a "mad dog" fighting style. He completed his self-transcendence in just a day and a half, successfully defeating his Zanpakuto!

"Sekai, thank you for your hard work." Ichiro meant it sincerely. Of the three watching, Ichiro and Yoruichi spent the whole time spectating, while only Sekai kept swinging her blade to refresh Urahara's "resurrection" buff.

Sekai didn't say anything, just offered a gentle smile before dissolving into stardust and condensing back into a Zanpakuto at Ichiro's waist.

"Tsk~ Zanpakuto anthropomorphism? That's really nice~" Urahara, lying on the ground, couldn't help but sigh. Over the past day and a half, he had gained a deep appreciation for Sekai's abilities; that healing power was simply broken!

Any physical injury, as long as she gave it a slash, would have the Reishi in the wounded area recombine and restore itself to its original state!

Even Reiatsu could be restored!

The only regret was that mental fatigue couldn't be recovered—no, to be precise, he felt she didn't dare to recover it. Urahara felt Sekai had the ability, but was holding back due to some concern, just like Ichiro.

That was why he spoke up upon seeing her turn back into a sword.

However, those words didn't sound quite right to someone else's ears.

"Is that so? Since you're so envious, why don't you ask Ichiro to make you one, or research it yourself?"

Hearing the eerie voice from the side, Urahara, still lying on the ground, broke into a cold sweat. Before he could even open his mouth, he heard Ichiro's voice, and instantly, a bad premonition flooded his heart!

Sure enough, Ichiro didn't disappoint him; his opening remark was a killing blow!

"Don't even think about my technique; it can't be replicated. But I think your Tenshintai could be developed in that direction. Oh, by the way, the human anatomy data you asked me for earlier—wasn't that for this? You really are something, Urahara! You certainly think far ahead!"

"Tenshin Ichiro! Don't you dare frame me! When did I ever ask you for that data!"

"Oh~ so you do have that research then." Yoruichi appeared eerily beside Urahara, radiating a chilling aura!

Seeing this, Ichiro smiled slightly and silently walked away, not taking a single cloud with him, hiding his merit and fame!

"Lord Ichiro, you really are a dog."

"...When did you become the straight man? Is your character changing this much?"

"Isn't that just following your lead? Sekai is a manifestation of a part of your inner heart; it might already be etched into your genes."

"Stop etching everything into my genes." X 2

Ichiro: ...

Sighing, Ichiro headed toward the academy. He had been in such a rush when he left that he hadn't even renewed his leave, and now he had missed a whole day of class.

After offering a solemn apology to his teacher, it was already late. Ichiro returned to his dorm and collapsed onto his bed, not wanting to move. He had thought he could get some good rest after coming back, but no sooner had he sat down than he was dragged off to be a laborer for a day and a half—without even a break.

Staring at the ceiling, Ichiro's mind gradually drifted to the days since he had enrolled. The corners of his mouth curled upward, and his heart, which had grown leisurely over the long passage of time, seemed to be slowly replaced by something else.

Slowly, Ichiro fell asleep, a faint smile lingering on his face.

Whoosh.

Specks of light shimmered as the figure of the World appeared by the bed. After gently adjusting Ichiro's sleeping posture, she slowly crouched at the bedside, resting her chin delicately upon her crossed hands on the edge of the mattress. She watched his sleeping face in silence, her smile blooming like a flower in spring.

"Lord Ichiro, it is truly wonderful to be your Zanpakuto," she murmured. Her eyelids fluttered shut, and faint white motes of light drifted from her body as the dormitory fell back into tranquility.