*(PS: Re-read ch 117 if you want since I already fixed the name error.)
"Bankai?"
Ichigo stared at the unfamiliar word, completely puzzled.
"Every Zanpakutō has two stages of release," Shimo explained calmly.
"The first release is called Shikai.
The second… Bankai.
"To serve as a captain in the Seireitei, the minimum requirement is to be able to use Bankai.
"Of course, Zaraki Kenpachi, the one you just fought, is an exception."
These were basic truths, and Shimo knew them well.
"The key point is this — the difference in power between Shikai and Bankai varies from person to person…
"But even for the same Zanpakutō, the increase can be five to ten times."
Hearing this, Ichigo's expression instantly sharpened.
"Then… how do I train to achieve Bankai?"
Shimo placed the Tenshintai upright in front of him and explained:
"This thing is called the Tenshintai.
"Kisuke invented it. It forcibly projects the true spirit of your Zanpakutō into the real world."
Ichigo's face went completely blank. He clearly didn't understand a single thing.
"…I don't really get it, but it sounds amazing."
Shimo nodded and continued.
"A simpler explanation: you've already met Zangetsu, haven't you?"
Ichigo froze, then nodded.
"I don't know how you figured that out… but yes.
"I've seen Old Man Zangetsu."
Shimo smiled faintly and adjusted the Tenshintai.
"This will summon your Old Man Zangetsu out from your inner world…
"And your job is to defeat him — to make your Zanpakutō submit.
"Now then… stab the Tenshintai and begin your training."
Before Shimo even finished speaking, Ichigo thrust his blade straight into the Tenshintai.
A trembling sound rang out. The Zanpakutō in Ichigo's hand shattered into dust.
A black rift in space tore open beside him.
A dark silhouette emerged, flickering behind Ichigo in an instant—
"Looks like you've fully recovered…
…Ichigo."
A steady voice echoed behind him.
Shimo watched the scene with genuine interest — it was his first time witnessing a Zanpakutō's materialization.
"So this is what it looks like…
"This is Zangetsu, huh?"
Yoruichi stepped beside Shimo, chuckling.
"Well now, Shimo…
"Seeing this, are you getting jealous?"
"As far as I know, that Tenshintai is useless for you, isn't it?"
Shimo sighed helplessly.
"Yeah… probably because my reiatsu and Zanpakutō are far too strong.
"I hate to admit it, but seeing someone else's Zanpakutō take physical form… I'm a little envious."
Truthfully, Shimo rarely released his Zanpakutō in combat.
Simply relying on the four basics — Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kidō — he could already deal with almost any opponent.
More than ninety percent of battles required no release at all.
But to say Shimo didn't understand his Zanpakutō would be absurd.
His daily zanpakuto meditation had brought him ever deeper into its nature.
At present, he had already climbed nearly one hundred thousand steps of the Staircase of Time inside his inner world.
"In my opinion," Yoruichi said softly, comforting him,
"That kid's potential is strong…
"But still not even one-tenth of yours, Shimo.
"Even without Bankai, you could defeat most captains anyway."
Shimo smiled at that.
"Maybe I just need an opportunity…"
Could reaching the hundred-thousandth step allow him to attain Bankai?
He shook his head. He had no confidence in that at all.
He had walked his Zanpakutō's inner world for so long…
Yet he had never once seen the spirit of his blade.
Aside from the endless Staircase of Time, there was only the throne — the Throne of Time that suppressed the entire space.
Yet even after climbing a hundred thousand steps, he still hadn't reached it.
Bankai… seemed impossibly far away.
But at the same time, Shimo couldn't help feeling excited.
If his Shikai was already this powerful…
Then what would his Bankai be?
As he pondered, Ichigo and Zangetsu had already begun fighting.
Two black silhouettes flashed across the underground space.
The clash of steel rang like a thunderous symphony.
"Boring fight."
After observing for a while, Shimo finally gave his verdict.
"Neither Zangetsu nor Ichigo is going all out.
"Compared to Ichigo vs Kenpachi…
"This looks like children play-fighting."
Yoruichi asked curiously,
"Then what are you thinking of doing, Shimo?"
Shimo nodded.
"Ichigo's potential isn't even half awakened.
"He needs a much stronger fight."
And with that, he vanished.
A step later, he appeared between Zangetsu and Ichigo.
Crack!
Both of their blades were caught — effortlessly — between Shimo's pale fingers.
"Hold on."
His voice rumbled with unquestionable authority.
"The intensity is far too low.
"At this pace, you'll never master Bankai in three days."
Ichigo, who now trusted Shimo instinctively, asked:
"Then… what should I do?"
A dangerous smile slowly curved on Shimo's lips.
"Simple.
"A much stronger battle."
Yoruichi perched on the cliff overlooking the underground space, resting her chin on her hands.
After watching for a while, a bright smile appeared on her face.
"I have no idea what Shimo's planning…
"But as long as he's happy, I'm happy."
In the underground arena, Shimo was clearly enjoying himself.
Seeing him in good spirits, Yoruichi's mood naturally improved.
The only person who wasn't happy…
Was Ichigo.
"Faster!"
"Angle upward — aim for my left shoulder!"
"Idiot! Who told you to zone out?!"
Ichigo realized he had made the worst mistake of his life—
Agreeing to Shimo's "high-intensity training."
Compared to his past opponents, Shimo wasn't even the same species.
Unpredictable attacks.
Crushing spiritual pressure.
Lightning-fast Kidō with no incantation.
Shunpo so fast he couldn't even see them.
All together, there was only one word to describe Shimo:
Ridiculous.
And the worst part?
Shimo wasn't holding back at all.
Light injury? Blood everywhere.
Serious injury? Disemboweled.
The first time Ichigo was wounded, he genuinely thought Shimo was trying to kill him.
But after Shimo healed him instantly with his eerie Kaidō…
Ichigo learned the cruel routine:
Get injured —> Heal —> Get injured —> Heal.
Over time, he began to wonder…
Does Shimo's spiritual pressure even have a limit?
Zangetsu's large sword crashed against Shimo's blade again.
"Huff… huff…"
Ichigo panted heavily. His body could heal, but his mind was nearly broken.
At that moment, Shimo suddenly raised an eyebrow and looked north.
"That reiatsu…"
A bright smile appeared on his face.
"Looks like something interesting is happening."
"Alright, Ichigo."
Strength surged through Shimo's arm—
BOOM!
The ground collapsed, leaving a massive crater.
Ichigo, completely unprepared, fell straight down.
The force alone broke both his arms with a crisp snap.
"That'll be all for today."
A greenish healing light burst from Shimo's hand, enveloping Ichigo.
His injuries healed instantly, and he managed to climb out of the crater.
Then he froze.
Shimo had made this enormous crater…
With a casual burst of strength.
"You rest for now.
"When your mind recovers, continue your Bankai training."
Shimo turned away.
"I need to step out for a moment."
Soft footsteps approached.
"Did something happen in the Gotei 13?"
Yoruichi asked curiously.
Shimo chuckled.
"Just someone reaping what they sowed."
"Watch things here for me."
Yoruichi nodded, watching him leave.
Shimo trusted her strength completely.
With high-speed shunpo, Shimo quickly left Sōkyoku Hill.
---
Gotei 13 Barracks — Streets
The violent spiritual pressure felt like a lighthouse in the dark.
He didn't even need to sense it deliberately — the clash was obvious.
By the time he arrived, the battle was already reaching its climax.
A massive beam of spirit particles fell from the sky and slammed into the street, exploding violently.
Dust clouded the battlefield.
Uryū Ishida descended from the air, coldly gazing into the smoke.
"Beg for mercy… then disappear from my sight forever.
"If you do that, I might spare your life."
Drip… drip…
Blood splattered onto the ground.
The dust cleared, revealing the scene to Shimo.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi's body was half-destroyed — his entire left arm gone.
"Pathetic… a mere Quincy…"
Mayuri snarled. As he was about to continue—
"Tsk. A mere Quincy almost killed you?
"That's embarrassingly pathetic, Mayuri."
A mocking voice came from atop a nearby wall.
Mayuri's remaining eye twitched with madness as he looked up.
"Y-you bastard—"
But when he saw who it was, the second half of his curse stuck in his throat.
"…!"
Shimo raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong?
"Can't handle one Quincy, so now you want to attack your own allies?"
Mayuri's face twisted into the ugliest expression imaginable.
He never expected Shimo to appear here, at this moment.
Uryū also grew wary, staring at Shimo.
"Don't mind me."
Shimo waved casually.
"Continue your fight.
"I'm just here as an audience member."
Mayuri had no way to deal with Shimo, so he poured all his fury onto his opponent.
"Boy! Taste my wrath!
"Bankai: Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō!"
Flesh writhed along Mayuri's Zanpakutō, transforming disgustingly.
Moments later, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō appeared in its monstrous form.
Seeing it, Shimo couldn't help admitting the truth—
Mayuri's Bankai was the ugliest he had ever seen.
A gigantic golden infant head.
A centipede-like body.
A red cloak draped behind it.
Truly a monster.
Purple poison gas erupted from its mouth.
Shimo frowned.
"Bakudō #81: Danku. (Splitting Void)"
A massive transparent barrier appeared in front of him, blocking the poison completely.
Mayuri twirled his arms, falling into madness.
"Devour that boy!"
Countless fleshy legs thundered across the ground as Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō charged toward Uryū.
Faced with the terrifying sight, Uryū instinctively glanced at Shimo.
Shimo didn't move.
Seeing that, Uryū's heart steadied.
He drew his bow, hand on the string, arrow aimed straight at Ashisogi Jizō.
"It ends here."
His voice was calm.
The next moment—
The arrow streaked through the air.
A clean shot.
--------------------------///
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