Kapitel 68: Senkei

"Misunderstanding Senbonzakura's abilities?"

Hearing Uncle Ailin praise the might of his Zanpakutō, Byakuya Kuchiki felt delighted. The earlier feeling that his Zanpakutō was weak instantly dissipated. This was something he couldn't accomplish even after mentally reciting Uncle Ailin's initial words multiple times.

In fact, Ailin's words made Byakuya Kuchiki truly believe that he had failed to fully utilize his Zanpakutō's potential.

If it had been anyone else saying those words, Byakuya Kuchiki would have already silenced them with his blade. But since it was Uncle Ailin who spoke, Byakuya Kuchiki sincerely sought his guidance, "Please teach me, Uncle Ailin."

Long ago when he was first heavily injured by Uncle Ailin and witnessed one of the thousands of Zanpakutō being released by Uncle Ailin to heal him, an extremely bold conjecture had formed in Byakuya Kuchiki's heart.

Could Uncle Ailin release all of those thousands of Zanpakutō and obtain the abilities of thousands of Zanpakutō?

While other Soul Reapers could only possess a single Zanpakutō, Uncle Ailin was already a man in command of thousands of them.

In terms of comprehending Zanpakutō abilities, Byakuya didn't think there was anyone in this world who could match up to Uncle Ailin.

"Earlier, you said that Senbonzakura's ability was to transform its blade into tens of thousands of blade-like sakura petals. However, during our earlier battle, I discovered that aside from the initial petal blades transformed from the Zanpakutō itself, there were also many more blades that emerged later through the conversion of your Reiryoku from the hilt."

"In other words, Senbonzakura's true ability is to convert your Reiryoku into blade-sized sakura petals. The stronger your Reiryoku, the more blades that can be transformed from Senbonzakura's Shikai."

Byakuya Kuchiki felt sudden comprehension. Indeed, indeed. After releasing his Zanpakutō, he had used a move like "Reiryoku Burst" which clearly allowed him to sense his Reiryoku transforming into even more blades.

"Byakuya, I have to say, your Zanpakutō's abilities are very powerful. However, your current Reiryoku is too weak, severely hampering this formidable power. Senbonzakura's might lies in attacks and defense through a sea-like density of blades.

But with your present Reiryoku, even after releasing Senbonzakura, you would at most be able to reach tens of thousands of blades. That is completely insufficient to display Senbonzakura's true power."

After hearing Ailin's words, Byakuya Kuchiki couldn't help letting out a sigh. He raised his Zanpakutō before his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Senbonzakura. With such a useless master like me, you are unable to bloom with your radiance. But believe me, I will diligently cultivate and strive to have your petals blanket all of Soul Society!"

Buzz...

As though understanding Byakuya Kuchiki's words, the Zanpakutō in his hands trembled slightly, as if in response to him.

After conversing with Senbonzakura, Byakuya Kuchiki bowed towards Ailin, "Uncle Ailin, even if I can only display a portion of Senbonzakura's power, I am unwilling to fail Senbonzakura's formidable name. Please teach me!"

"Rise, Byakuya." Ailin helped Byakuya Kuchiki to his feet, "What do you think we're doing now? Am I not teaching you already? Based on Senbonzakura's abilities, I have two weapons here with similar capabilities. Next, I will battle you using these two weapons. As for how much you can learn from me, that depends on you."

"Mm."

***

The blue glow faded away. Byakuya Kuchiki's Reiryoku had been fully restored. Towards this bandage capable of completely restoring his condition, Byakuya Kuchiki was already long used to it.

With Byakuya Kuchiki's current abilities, condensing Reishi to traverse the void was no difficult feat at all. After the Void Bandages danced away, he slowly descended to the ground.

"I've recovered, Uncle."

"Then let's begin, Byakuya."

Ailin stretched out a hand. Among the thousands of Zanpakutō, one transformed into a streak of light that shot right in front of Ailin.

"Eh..."

Ailin felt somewhat awkward. This guy, wasn't it because Ailin had said its abilities were similar to Senbonzakura's Shikai and it didn't want to give him any face?

Fortunately, Byakuya was unaware the Zanpakutō was sulking with Ailin. In order to conceal his awkwardness, Ailin pointed a finger at Byakuya.

"Byakuya, before we battle, let me introduce the Zanpakutō I'll be using against you." Stepping forward a few steps, Ailin firmly gripped the Zanpakutō's hilt.

"Shatter - Senkei!"

Accompanying Ailin's chant, blue glows blossomed on the Zanpakutō's body. These glows spread from the hilt to the blade tip like veins, enveloping the sword.

The entire blade took on a cyan color, with black veins running across it, making it seem as though the sword was formed from countless shattered fragments.

Ailin drew Senkei and held it horizontally before himself. "Senkei's abilities are quite similar to your Senbonzakura. However, your Senbonzakura transforms Reiryoku into countless sakura-sized blades. As its name suggests, Senkei was crafted from a thousand shattered pieces. It can only split into a thousand fragments. But Byakuya, don't look down on Senkei just because of the difference in numbers with Senbonzakura."

"I won't, Uncle Ailin." Byakuya Kuchiki held his Zanpakutō vertically against his chest, "I would never underestimate you, Uncle."

"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

Byakuya Kuchiki's Zanpakutō transformed into innumerable slender sakura-colored blades, surging towards Ailin under his control.

"Not bad, you actually took the initiative to attack first. But Byakuya, did you forget? Although Senkei can only split into a thousand fragments, each fragment is over ten times bigger than your Senbonzakura blades!"

In a flash, following the veins on its body, the Senkei in Ailin's hand fractured into a thousand pieces. These fragments swirled around Ailin.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh...

With a wave of the hilt in Ailin's hand, the thousand blade fragments poured down like raging storms, directly scattering Byakuya Kuchiki's innumerable sakura blades.

Before reaching substantial numbers, the minute Senbonzakura blades posed little threat in their attacks.

On the other hand, the substantial Senkei fragments brought tremendous penetrating power when flying at high speeds. They could easily pierce through a person's body.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh...

After shattering Senbonzakura, these blade fragments maintained their speed as they shot towards Byakuya Kuchiki.

Left with no choice, Byakuya Kuchiki could only utilize Shunpo to evade.

Boom boom boom boom boom...

Having narrowly avoided that assault, Byakuya gazed at the deep cavities in the ground and felt his heart jolt. If he had been slower in dodging earlier, he would probably have needed healing again...