"You're serious? You actually agreed?"
Before Zhuyin could fully register Akira's response, her tone shifted from joy to wary disbelief. Though pleased, a sliver of suspicion crept into her molten golden eyes.
"Of course," Akira replied smoothly. "Among all the powers I've cultivated, you're the one I value most. You're not just my weapon—you're the foundation of everything."
"You said it yourself: the Zanpakutō is the root of a Shinigami's strength."
The words flowed easily from his mouth, almost too naturally.
He looked—if one ignored the spiritual setting—eerily like a man who'd just sweet-talked a woman into trusting him a bit too easily.
"You're not lying to me, are you?"
Zhuyin's eyes narrowed, but her lips curled into the faintest smirk. Her tail swayed behind her, and she visibly relaxed—though whether from trust or amusement wasn't clear.
"Shinigami don't lie to their Zanpakutō."
Akira nodded solemnly.
"…You said it."
"Fine then. That's enough for now."
"I still have things to handle. Let's continue this later."
Zhuyin seemed satisfied. She raised a clawed hand, gently placing it on his shoulder. Her form shimmered slightly, then—whoosh—the world around them dissolved in an instant, like paint washing off glass.
The boundless skies of the inner world collapsed, and in a breath, Akira found himself standing once more in the classroom of the Spiritual Arts Academy.
Dozens of faces turned to him instantly—from noble-born prodigies to rugged students hailing from the furthest districts of the Rukongai.
Even Aizen, who had previously closed his eyes in quiet meditation, looked up to study him with narrowed interest.
Then the system message appeared in his mind:
[Due to your outstanding first communion with your Zanpakutō, her affection and recognition for you have greatly increased. As a reward, she has voluntarily revealed a second liberation phrase—granting you access to her complete Shikai form, the peak of light and dark dual-attribute Zanpakutō.]
As soon as Akira's spiritual consciousness re-entered his body, the voice echoed clearly in his ear—and with it, a new liberation phrase emerged in his mind.
Having already taken introductory Zanpakutō classes, he understood exactly what this meant.
To release Shikai, one had to learn their Zanpakutō's true name and successfully call it forth with a proper release phrase (kaigo). But more than that, a single Zanpakutō could have multiple release commands—each invoking a different nuance or variation of its ability.
Urahara Kisuke's Zanpakutō, Benihime, was a perfect example.
"Awaken, Benihime."
"Sing, Benihime."
"Shatter, Benihime."
"Bind, Benihime."
"Play with fire, Benihime."
Five distinct kaigo phrases—all triggering different manifestations of Benihime's power.
Though the Shikai name remained unchanged, each liberation phrase altered the nature and intent of the ability.
And now, Akira had unlocked something similar.
His Zanpakutō, Zhuyin, had already revealed her name. But now, she had also willingly shared a second liberation phrase—granting access to her true dual-natured form.
Not only that, but the message had made something clear:
Zhuyin wasn't just a rare elemental-type Zanpakutō.
She was a dual-elemental Zanpakutō, wielding complete dominion over two antithetical forces: light and darkness.
Both of them.
Flash—one of the most offensive-type energies in Soul Society. Darkness—the most elusive and consuming. Most Zanpakutō belonged to a single elemental alignment: ice, flame, wind, shadow, etc.
But Zhuyin was the first in Soul Society's recorded history to manifest as a complete dual-aspect Zanpakutō with two fully actualized systems.
And not just any systems—both the strongest in their respective spectrums.
Light, in its destructive radiance.
Darkness, in its engulfing silence.
None could compare.
As that realization settled in his mind, a quiet voice broke the silence.
"Akira."
What does it feel like to be forcibly pulled into your Zanpakutō's inner world?"
"Would you be willing to share that experience—with me or the class?"
Shiba Kaien stepped forward, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. Akira had just returned from a meditative trance—the Jinzen state—and his presence still radiated faint traces of spiritual resonance.
To witness a Zanpakutō take the initiative to fully materialize and draw its Shinigami into the inner world without command was rare enough. But to witness it happen to the most gifted student in the last 2,000 years—one personally praised by Jūshirō Ukitake—was another matter entirely.
This class had not been a waste.
Even as a Shiba clan member, born into one of the great noble houses and trained in advanced combat techniques, Kaien had never encountered a manifestation like Akira's. The level of harmony between soul and Zanpakutō was extraordinary.
"Feel it?" Akira echoed. He nodded lightly. "It's like speaking to your own soul face to face—no more barriers, no more ambiguity. Every part of her—her emotions, nature, even grudges—becomes clear."
He paused, then added matter-of-factly, "I also gained a new kaigo—a second liberation phrase."
Akira didn't attempt to hide this fact. In principle, this wasn't a secret; any Shinigami could obtain multiple kaigo after achieving deeper spiritual alignment with their Zanpakutō.
However, the specifics of his Zanpakutō's abilities remained unspoken.
Because that would be foolish.
No elite Shinigami openly revealed the nature of their Zanpakutō unless forced to. Even Aizen Sōsuke—who maintained the facade of humility—kept the true nature of Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnotic ability hidden until his spiritual pressure and Zanjutsu skills had already reached near-captain level.
Kaien raised his voice so that all students could hear.
"Did everyone hear that?"
"This is what Jinzen truly is. The right way to engage your Zanpakutō. The more clearly you understand her, the deeper the power you can unlock."
He gave an approving nod, not pressing Akira further. He had no intention of breaching taboo by asking about the Zanpakutō's ability itself—he merely wanted to help the class learn from the experience.
"Especially those of you from noble families—you've probably heard this saying: 'Achieving Bankai isn't the end. It's only the beginning.'"
"But that principle applies to Shikai as well."
Kaien looked across the classroom—his tone firm, authoritative.
"Akira's interaction with his Zanpakutō shows you that there's depth even within Shikai. It's not a static state. It evolves with you."
"So remember—unlocking Shikai is not your final goal. It's the foundation. The deeper your bond with your Zanpakutō, the more she will reveal."
"Practice Jinzen earnestly. Treat your Zanpakutō as a true partner, a reflection of your soul. Do that, and Shikai will come. Eventually—so will Bankai."
It became immediately clear why Ukitake had entrusted Kaien with substitute instruction today.
Despite the carefree manner he'd shown at the start of class, Kaien's insights, experience, and precision in explanation were first-rate. He could take dense, complicated concepts from the academy's manuals and deliver them in a concise, digestible way that even first-year students could grasp.
That was the strength of noble upbringing coupled with field-honed talent.
The Shiba clan had once stood among the Five Great Noble Houses, and their legacy still echoed through Kaien's every word.
With Akira as the perfect example and Kaien as the perfect interpreter, the classroom was charged with excitement.
Tōsen Kaname, Komamura Sajin, and even Byakuya Kuchiki—despite his normally cold demeanor—showed unmistakable signs of fascination. Even Urahara Kisuke, already well-versed in Jinzen from childhood, leaned forward, intrigued by Akira's unique experience.
They all raised their Zanpakutō slightly, feeling the weight of the blades in their hands with renewed interest.
Each began attempting to meditate, trying to reach their Zanpakutō's inner world.
But this wasn't something that could be forced.
Mastery over Jinzen didn't rely solely on determination. It was a convergence of spiritual power, emotional maturity, and compatibility with one's Zanpakutō spirit.
Urahara Kisuke, Shihōin Yoruichi, and others who had already reached Shikai-level could at least hear faint voices from their Zanpakutō now and then—subtle whispers echoing through their soul.
But students like Komamura Sajin and Tenbei Shuzou, who had only just acquired their sealed Zanpakutō the day before, weren't so fortunate.
Their concentration yielded nothing but blank silence—like trying to tune a radio to a station that didn't exist.
And then—
"Everyone," came a calm, composed voice from the side, "if you're willing, I can demonstrate a Shikai release. Perhaps seeing one up close will offer you further insight."
Aizen Sōsuke stood from his seat, eyes mild and unreadable.
He had sensed Komamura's frustration—and others'—and offered his assistance like a true model student.
What none of them could have guessed, of course, was that Kyōka Suigetsu had already begun its deception.