"So, I've basically stumbled upon a bug, huh-"
Kyoya shook his head.
Perhaps, for him, as long as his Zanpakuto in this Bleach World was one of those he was familiar with, this bug would inevitably activate.
However, Kyoya was clearly not fortunate enough to resonate with any of the Zanpakuto bearing the title of Strongest.
Of course, Kyoya was also relieved that the ability he had drawn from the [Devil Fruit User] achievement happened to be one he recognized.
Otherwise, like other Shinigami, he might have had to spend a long time buttering up his Zanpakuto's Spirit before learning its true name and achieving Shikai.
"Can I use the power of Shikai right now?"
"Maa maa, didn't I already say it?"
"With your current Reiryoku, you can't fully wield my power."
Shinigami and Zanpakuto are two sides of the same existence.
The Shikai of a Zanpakuto is essentially the fusion of the Shinigami's soul with the Zanpakuto's Spirit, thereby enhancing their spiritual pressure and granting access to the Zanpakuto's abilities.
Since this is a 'fusion', the Shinigami's spiritual pressure must naturally take the dominant role.
But as things stood, Kyoya's Reiryoku was nowhere near sufficient to bear the weight of Borsalino's Reiryoku.
"Hah, don't tell me you don't know what a 'Partial Shikai' is."
Hearing Borsalino's words, Kyoya smiled and said, "As my Zanpakuto, you should have my memories."
Not to mention Partial Shikai, there's even Partial Bankai!
Ayasegawa Yumichika's [Fuji Kujaku] was a Partial Shikai achieved by deliberately misnaming his Zanpakuto to provoke it.
Abarai Renji's [Hihio Zabimaru] and Hitsugaya Toshiro's [Daiguren Hyorinmaru] were both incomplete Bankai… also referred to as Partial Bankai.
Renji's Zanpakuto, Zabimaru, according to Ichibe Hyosube, had intentionally given him the wrong name.
But Kyoya strongly suspected that Ichibe had used his own Zanpakuto, [Ichimonji], to alter Zabimaru's name.
As for Toshiro, his situation was similar to Kyoya's… his own power was insufficient to fully manifest his Zanpakuto's abilities, so the Zanpakuto adapted to its wielder, resulting in a special mode.
Of course, precisely because Hyorinmaru was so overwhelmingly powerful, even an incomplete Bankai allowed Hitsugaya to rival the strength of other Captains.
"If you want to slack off, I don't mind."
"And I can promise you that, unless absolutely necessary, I won't casually call your name."
"But the moment I do, you must lend me your power!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah…"
The first conversation between Kyoya and his Zanpakuto ended with both sides getting what they wanted.
Kyoya gained partial access to the powers of the Pika Pika no Mi, while Borsalino secured the 'leisure' he desired.
Of course, Kyoya was well aware that his relationship with Borsalino wouldn't remain like this forever.
Well, more accurately… Borsalino probably hoped it would stay this way, while Kyoya intended to nullify this agreement once his strength reached a certain level.
After all, for a Shinigami to train for Bankai, the Zanpakuto must submit completely, becoming nothing more than a 'steed' to amplify the Shinigami's combat power.
To put it more vividly, the relationship between a Shinigami and their Zanpakuto during the Shikai stage is one of 'friendly cooperation'.
When a Shinigami wishes to wield their Zanpakuto's power, they call out its name, asking the Zanpakuto to lend them its strength.
However, a Shinigami's Bankai is about fully integrating the Zanpakuto, making its power a true part of their own.
Shinigami who have already completed Bankai training can perform Shikai without even calling their Zanpakuto's name… they can directly summon and merge its power with their own to achieve Shikai.
Borsalino may seem lazy, as if he only wants to be a slacker collecting a paycheck.
But in reality, as one of the Marine's top combatants, Borsalino naturally carries his own pride.
In the past, after Whitebeard's era came to an end, when Kaido and Big Mom showed signs of allying, Borsalino even volunteered to Fleet Admiral Akainu to intercept Kaido.
While the general consensus is that 'Admirals and Emperors are on the same level', the Four Emperors' feats tend to outshine those of the Admirals.
As a salary-stealing slacker, you can call Borsalino lazy, but you can't call him weak!
If Kyoya were to try and forcibly subjugate Borsalino, unless Kyoya demonstrated absolute strength and defeated Borsalino, earning his recognition, it would be impossible.
Otherwise, simply knowing Kizaru Borsalino's name would never be enough to make him Kyoya's "steed" and enhance his power, allowing Kyoya to complete his Bankai training.
…
"Genius!"
"As expected, I wasn't mistaken."
After the spirit within Kyoya's Asauchi was fully nurtured by the Devil Fruit of the One Piece Achievement System, the instructor teaching him Zanzen was overjoyed.
Zanzen can be faked.
However, the fluctuations in Reiatsu when a Shinigami first communicates with their Zanpakuto cannot be faked.
"The fact that Kyoya managed to communicate with the spirit inside his Asauchi during his very first Zanzen proves that his Zanpakuto undoubtedly belongs to one of the Strongest in existence."
"Unfortunately, Kyoya's Reiryoku is still too weak right now. Even if he communicates with the spirit inside his Zanpakuto, he won't be able to clearly hear its name."
"Otherwise, we could determine exactly which Zanpakuto has manifested by its name."
According to the records left by the Seireitei, there are only a handful of Zanpakuto known as the Strongest in their respective categories.
The strongest fire-type Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka.
The strongest lightning-type Zanpakuto, Gonryomaru.
The strongest ice-type Zanpakuto, Hyorinmaru.
The most beautiful Zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki.
The strongest living-type Zanpakuto, Gagaku Kairo.
Among these, Ryujin Jakka is the Zanpakuto manifested by Captain-Commander Yamamoto and has always remained in his possession.
Gonryomaru belongs to Chojiro Sasakibe, the Lieutenant of the 1st Division, and is already claimed.
Gagaku Kairo was the Zanpakuto of the 8th Kenpachi, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi, and has been dormant since his death at the hands of the 8th Kenpachi, Azashiro Soya.
The wielder of Hyorinmaru has been dead for centuries.
This means Kyoya's Zanpakuto could be one of Sode no Shirayuki, Hyorinmaru, or Urozakuro.
Of course, the instructor is aware that the records in the Shin'o Academy are not exhaustive.
Kyoya's Zanpakuto could also be an unrecorded [Strongest] Zanpakuto in another category.
But no matter what, a Shinigami who possesses one of the Strongest Zanpakuto will undoubtedly grow into a formidable figure among the Captain-level once they reach their full potential.