Chapter 416: Your Zanpakutō Is of the Water Type, Right?
"Which of them do you think will win, Vice-Captain Kai?" Aigre asked, his eyes shifting from the two figures on the battlefield to Kai, curiosity evident in his gaze.
From Kai’s earlier descriptions of Aizen’s mastery of Kidō, it was clear that Aizen was an extraordinary talent in this art. He could learn a technique after observing it just once.
It sounded daunting, and it truly was.
On the battlefield, Aizen had used low-level Kidō to neutralize Captain Unshō’s attack, a feat achievable only by someone with profound mastery of Kidō and formidable Reiatsu.
No one could predict how many Kidō techniques Aizen had already mastered.
Rumors circulated that his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, was of the water type. However, there was no word yet of him achieving Bankai.
It seemed implausible for someone to master Bankai in mere days. Even condensing a Zanpakutō into its physical form took considerable time.
"Captain Unshō is very strong," Kai responded to Aigre’s question and the curious glances of other Shinigami, his tone vague.
His ambiguous reply was as good as saying nothing, leaving room to interpret any outcome.
Hearing his response, Simifu, standing nearby, glanced at Kai and rolled her eyes. Kai always enjoyed teasing others. He had once promised to play with her after finishing her work, but the tasks never seemed to end.
Had she known, Simifu would never have taken on the role of acting captain, burdened with trivial responsibilities. She was still a child, why was she stuck with adult duties?
All Simifu wanted was to spend her free time communing with her Zanpakutō to learn Bankai. Then, she could become a true captain, appoint a vice-captain, and delegate the team’s workload. That way, she could spend every day playing with her brother, a thought that filled her with joy.
On the battlefield, the confrontation intensified.
"What decisive action. It seems Captain Unshō holds deep memories," Aizen remarked, his spiritual shield dissipating from his right hand as Unshō paused across from him.
Aizen adjusted his black-rimmed glasses with a deliberate gesture, his words carrying a meaningful undertone.
He had heard about the nature of spiritual beings in Soul Society. For those newly arrived in this unfamiliar world, memories were the sole proof of their existence. A person’s past was a critical factor shaping their identity.
"Hahaha, now isn’t the time to dwell on the past during a fight, Aizen!" Unshō replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. He had no attachment to bygone days. The past was gone, why should a dead man linger on such things?
"If you won’t share that, are you not going to use your Zanpakutō?" Unshō continued, his tone laced with curiosity. "I heard your Zanpakutō is of the water type. Won’t you show it to us?"
Aizen’s eyes, hidden behind his glasses, glinted with an enigmatic expression as he noted Unshō’s interest.
"My Shikai? Captain Unshō will have a chance to see it," Aizen responded calmly.
The current setting, however, was not ideal for Aizen to wield his Zanpakutō. Doing so might draw unwanted attention from that smiling senior nearby.
For now, Aizen preferred to avoid stirring trouble.
’What arrogance!’ Unshō thought, sensing a subtle haughtiness in Aizen’s demeanor.
As he prepared to speak again, Aizen suddenly acted.
"Bakudō no. 61: Six-Rod Light Restraint." (Rikujōkōrō)
Six beams of yellow light shot forth, swiftly targeting Unshō’s waist and locking his movements in place.
Aizen executed the technique with such speed that Unshō had no time to evade. Even if he had tried, escaping the binding would have been nearly impossible.
His body was now restrained, Unshō’s usually cheerful eyes widened slightly, a solemn glint replaced his smile.
Yet, even in his gravity, he reacted swiftly. In his mind, he summoned the Shadow Snake to act. Two of its heads moved to dismantle the Bakudō, while the third lunged toward Aizen through the shadows.
Unshō’s Zanpakutō, which summoned the Shadow Snake, offered a versatile solution. Even with his movements temporarily restricted, he could still counter effectively.
However, Aizen evaded Shadow Snake’s attack with a flash of Shunpo.
Raising his hands again, he spoke, "Bakudō no. 63: Ethereal Binding Chain." (Sajō Sabaku)
Thick, snake-like chains materialized from his hands, entwining Unshō, who was already bound, further restricting his movements.
Unshō’s composure faltered as his restraints tightened.
His gaze locked onto Aizen, who stood calmly nearby.
Beside Unshō, the two shadow snakes furiously bit at the light rods and chains binding him, producing sharp, grating sounds. Particles of light began to fracture and scatter.
With a surge of his Reiatsu, the initial bindings started to weaken. But the new chains strengthened the restraint.
Feeling the potency of these two chantless Bakudō spells firsthand, Unshō’s thoughts grew heavy.
Was this truly Bakudō without incantation?
The Reiatsu of the man before him must have reached a terrifying level. Otherwise, such powerful bindings could not be achieved through technique alone.
"Hadō no. 33: Pale Fire Crash." (Sōkatsui)
As Unshō grappled with his shock, Aizen pressed his assault.
Blue-white flames erupted from his hands, engulfing the shadow snake that had attacked him and surging toward the bound Unshō.
Faced with the overwhelming blaze, the two shadow snakes beside Unshō ceased attacking the bindings and turned to confront the incoming flames.
The explosion roared, leaping dozens of meters into the air. A dazzling blue-white light illuminated the entire battlefield.
Yellow sand scattered, and fierce winds swept through, bending nearby trees. Even Shinigami elsewhere in Seireitei were drawn to the commotion.
"This newcomer is terrifying! Is that still the Pale Fire Crash?" Pivitt, the acting captain of the 10th Division, a young boy of about fifteen or sixteen, observing from nearby remarked.
The spectacular scene left him stunned, and he murmured in disbelief. The attack reminded him of his own struggles learning Kidō.
Pivitt had mastered Hadō up to number 80, though techniques above 70 still required chanting. Such progress marked him as a prodigy among Kidō practitioners.
Yet, who was this man, mastering Pale Fire Crash to such a degree after only days of study?
Suddenly, Pivitt’s eyes widened as he heard a low chant.
The familiar incantation filled his eyes with shock.
"Limit of the thousands hands, respectful hands, unable to touch the darkness. Shooting hands unable to reflect the blue sky," Aizen intoned.
"The road that basks in light, the wind that ignited the embers, time that gathers when both are together, there is no need to be hesitant, obey my orders."
The chant stunned not only Pivitt but also the other captains, vice-captains, and officers watching. Their faces betrayed their astonishment.
Had this man truly mastered that Hadō in just days?
Was he defying the heavens?
The light on the battlefield gradually faded. Unshō, relatively unscathed, stood firm.
But that might not hold for long.
He gazed at Aizen, still reciting the incantation, and his heart skipped a beat.
He recalled the shadow snake, which had been shattered while shielding him from Pale Fire Crash, back to his side.
He needed to break free from his bindings.
"Light bullets, eight bodies, nine items, book of heaven, diseased treasure, great wheel, grey fortress tower. Aim far away, scatter brightly and cleanly when fired," Aizen continued.
"Hadō no. 91: Thousand-Hand Bright Heaven Cannon." (Senju Kōten Taihō)
( End of this Chapter )