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"This...this is such a huge snake!"
"Ikki, is this still a sword?"
"After the Hyōrinmaru Bankai you gave me, it forms wings made of ice on the user's back. But at least the weapon in his hand still looks like a sword. But after Zabimaru's transformation, it seems like it can't even be called a sword anymore, right?"
"Does it take a certain level of swordsmanship before such a weapon can be used?"
Shyarly blinked and looked at Ikki with some confusion.
Although Viola said nothing, the way she looked at Ikki revealed her curiosity.
"I understand. You think that the Balmung I gave to Kyros before doesn't require any swordsmanship realm. So you're confused as to why Zanpakutō have so many restrictions. They not only require Devil Fruit power, but also require the user to improve their swordsmanship realm to a certain level."
"I don't have much explanation for this. You just need to understand that weapons like Zanpakutō are too special - that's why there are so many requirements."
"As for Zabimaru's Bankai..." Ikki glanced at the state of Abarai Renji opposite him, "Indeed, such a weapon can no longer be considered a sword. But improving your swordsmanship level isn't a bad thing."
"Using a Zanpakutō's Bankai is very troublesome. If you can usually defeat enemies using regular swordsmanship, there's no need to use the Zanpakutō's Bankai."
Shyarly and Viola nodded in understanding.
"Although I still don't understand completely, I know you want to build a fleet of all great swordsmen, Ikki. No matter what, I'll complete your trial."
Viola said solemnly.
Ikki patted Viola on the shoulder with satisfaction.
At the same time, Abarai Renji made his next move.
He suddenly waved the handle in his hand, and the huge snake body connected to it immediately rose up and strangled the surrounding Menos Grande.
Even with their 100-meter-tall bodies, the Menos Grande fell instantly when touched by the massive blade of Sōō Zabimaru.
After gathering all the Menos Grande in one position, Abarai Renji once again exploded with huge Reiatsu.
"Baboon Bone Cannon!"
At Abarai Renji's roar, the snake head of Zabimaru sprayed out a giant red light cannon.
All the Menos Grande along the path of the light cannon were pierced through.
In just a moment, they disappeared into the air.
"Such powerful destructive force! Even the top brass of the Donquixote family... no, even Doflamingo would be seriously injured by such power."
Viola clasped her hands together and looked excitedly at Abarai Renji performing his technique.
At this moment, she could see herself holding Zabimaru against Doflamingo.
"Haha, Zabimaru is a pure, highly destructive Zanpakutō. There's no fancy rule-based power, nor elemental powers like ice or fire. It simply uses overwhelming force to deal with enemies - it's the same type as the Zanpakutō that Perona holds."
"Besides, Viola, you're too quick to be surprised. The current state of Zabimaru isn't its complete form."
Ikki laughed.
"Not its complete form yet?"
Viola exclaimed in surprise, her beautiful eyes widening even more.
As if to prove Ikki's words, Abarai Renji once again erupted with massive Reiatsu.
The pressure from pure Reiatsu made Viola immediately hide behind Ikki.
The weaker Shyarly was well prepared and positioned herself behind Ikki while avoiding the pressure from the Zanpakutō demonstration.
Although Shyarly joined the Explorer earlier than Viola, without suitable nutritional supplements, she's no stronger than Viola now.
In the distance, a huge burst of red light erupted around Abarai Renji, completely encompassing him and Zabimaru's massive form.
After a few seconds, under Viola's intense gaze, the red light surrounding Abarai Renji dissipated.
Immediately, his new form caught Viola and Shyarly's attention.
At this moment, Abarai Renji's shoulders were covered with light armor, and a snake-headed skull covered Renji's left arm. From a distance, it looked like his left hand was covered with solid armored gauntlets.
In his right hand was a standard serrated long blade.
The handle of this blade was connected to an extremely long tail.
"This...it changed back into the shape of a sword?"
Viola exclaimed.
"Sōō Zabimaru - this is Zabimaru's form after its true Bankai. How about it, Viola? In this state, Zabimaru can now demonstrate proper swordsmanship."
Ikki asked, looking at Viola with interest.
"This...can indeed be used for swordsmanship. Really, if you'd demonstrated this state earlier, Ikki, I wouldn't have misunderstood the point."
Viola chuckled and nodded.
"Well, the important thing about demonstrations is making progress step by step."
Ikki shrugged, raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
The next moment, more Menos Grande appeared next to Abarai Renji, allowing him to demonstrate Sōō Zabimaru's true power.