Bab 213: Chapter 213: Bankai and Leopard
Naruto and Kurama watched closely from the sidelines. They weren't just keeping an eye on Ichigo's safety; they were also learning.
Although Naruto had previously trained in Bankai with Byakuya and Gin Ichimaru, he had never witnessed someone else's Zanpakutō fully manifest.
Now that the two parts of Kurama had revealed their true name and merged into one, both Kurama and its sword needed to go through the same process of attempting Bankai.
Seeing this firsthand was a valuable experience.
Inside the training ground, Ichigo plunged his sword into the Tenshintai without hesitation. "This is the only way now, isn't it?"
"I don't want to be protected."
Spiritual energy surged as his sword shattered, dissolving into a black line that stretched and pulled. A black figure emerged from that line, charging toward Ichigo.
"Your resolve is strong, Ichigo," the figure spoke, its voice steady.
It was a mature-looking man wearing black sunglasses and a black trench coat.
Ichigo turned around. "Zangetsu…"
"You heard everything?" Yoruichi asked.
Zangetsu nodded. "Of course."
Yoruichi used Shunpo to return to Naruto's side. "Fight however you like. Let's begin."
Spiritual pressure spread across the area, marking it as Zangetsu's domain.
Naruto tilted his head, watching the man in the black trench coat.
It seemed like the figure had been paying attention to Naruto earlier.
And this spiritual pressure... It didn't feel like typical Shinigami energy. It was more like what Naruto shared with Kurama — as if "another type of power" was manifesting as Shinigami energy.
"So this is what happens when a Zanpakutō manifests," Kurama muttered from Naruto's shoulder, grumbling. "I thought it would be more impressive."
"The source of power is appearing."
"In that case…"
"Haven't we been like this from the start?"
"Hey, Naruto, can you use Bankai now?"
Kurama knew quite a bit about Bankai, having studied it with unusual dedication.
Fighting and subjugating weren't the only ways to achieve it. Reconciliation was another. From the moment Kurama had revealed its true name to Naruto, they had reconciled in every way.
"Not yet," Naruto shook his head.
Kurama blinked, surprised, tilting its head to look at him.
"I can already use all your power," Naruto continued as they watched Ichigo struggle, repeatedly getting beaten down by Zangetsu, falling behind in every aspect of the fight. "But to go further…"
"That might require your power to evolve as well, Kurama."
He didn't finish the thought.
Kurama pondered for a moment. "So that's why you asked me if we could bring their power here — it's for Bankai, huh?"
Kurama realized it was the one who had suggested this to Naruto.
After all, the Tailed Beasts' power came from the God Tree.
So, to go further, they'd need to trace their power back to the source and tap into the God Tree's energy.
Naruto nodded.
"We can give it a try," Kurama grinned, finding the idea exciting. "It sounds interesting."
Naruto continued to observe Ichigo.
The young man had tremendous potential.
At first, Ichigo struggled to even defend himself, but after a few attempts, he started fighting back. By the end of the first day, Ichigo had stopped losing ground entirely. Occasionally, he even managed to push Zangetsu onto the defensive, though his sword kept breaking, preventing him from finishing the fight.
"It's not about subjugating; it's about absorbing," Kurama mused, noticing something about the battle.
Naruto nodded. "Ichigo's situation is a lot like ours."
"His sword is made from Quincy energy."
Kurama wagged its tail. "So could he have three swords?"
Naruto tilted his head at the suggestion.
Kurama raised its paws, counting. "Look, he has Quincy power for one sword, Hollow power for another, and his Shinigami power — that makes three, right?"
Naruto smiled, shaking his head. "It's not the same."
"The reason I have two swords is because you, Kurama, are a separate entity."
"But all of Ichigo's powers belong to him, so..."
"He'll only have one sword. But it might change form depending on how his powers awaken, just like how you changed, Kurama."
Yoruichi approached, curious. "What are you two talking about?"
Naruto and Kurama remained silent.
"Are we that distant now?" Yoruichi sighed.
Naruto looked at her but didn't speak.
Yet in his eyes, there was a depth of unspoken emotion.
"I think I understand," Yoruichi hesitated, turning away.
Naruto shook his head. "No need. I get it now."
"Urahara mentioned this before — as a way to deal with Aizen."
Yoruichi exhaled, relieved.
"But understanding and accepting are two different things." Naruto narrowed his eyes, smiling slightly. "And right now, Aizen's actions are more pressing."
Yoruichi fell silent, lowering her head.
As Urahara had predicted, Naruto wouldn't accept this approach.
Two days later.
"The 152nd sword." Zangetsu stood on a rock, calm but cold. "Do you really want to keep trying?"
Ichigo stretched out his hand. "Of course!"
He didn't look discouraged. In fact, he grinned, brimming with excitement. "I've figured it out!"
"The real Zangetsu isn't here."
Zangetsu's expression remained unchanged.
"Or rather, every sword here is the real Zangetsu." Ichigo grabbed the nearest sword. "Just like you said in the beginning."
"The more I rely on Zangetsu's power, the more fragile the sword becomes."
"Is the sword fragile?"
"No, it's me."
"So—"
"As long as I believe this is the real sword, that's all that matters."
He pulled the sword and swung it at Zangetsu.
The sword in Zangetsu's hand shattered.
Ichigo grinned, panting heavily. "Looks like I won."
Zangetsu didn't respond, his gaze shifting past Ichigo to Naruto.
Zangetsu's body condensed, forming a long black line of spiritual energy that flowed into Ichigo's sword.
"Bankai — Tensa Zangetsu."
Ichigo called out, speaking the name that echoed in his mind.
Spiritual pressure wrapped around him, transforming his body.
His sword was no longer a large cleaver, but a sleek, katana-like blade, completely black.
His Shinigami uniform transformed into a long black coat.
His spiritual pressure surged, approaching a level far beyond 3rd Class, nearing 2nd Class.
"He's given Zangetsu the answer it wanted," Kurama murmured.
Three days later, in the real world.
At an abandoned warehouse in Karakura Town.
"Urahara didn't dare meet you," Yoruichi said softly. "So I came to take you to the group."
She extended her hand, releasing spiritual energy.
Before her, space rippled.
Moments later, the warehouse door opened from within.
"Well, well, Yoruichi-san, and... Naruto." A blonde man emerged, grinning. "Kisuke told us a while back. Took your time, huh? Slow as always."
"Captain Shinji, long time no see." Naruto grinned back.
Shinji waved him off. "Don't call me Captain. I haven't been one for a long time. And you, Naruto — aren't you a Captain now?"
"Just call me Shinji."
"Come on in."
The Shinigami forced to flee during the Hollowfication incident were all gathered here.
After some polite conversation.
Shinji turned to Ichigo. "How much do you know about Hollowfication?"
Ichigo glanced at Naruto. "Uncle Naruto told me I have Hollow powers and that I need to learn from you all how to control them."
"He also said…"
"Even though it's Hollow power, I shouldn't reject it. Plenty of Shinigami have mastered similar powers."
Shinji chuckled. "Still as gentle as always, huh?"
"But..."
"Even though that's true, it's still Hollow power — ugly and evil."
He suddenly shouted, "Ugh, damn Aizen! If it weren't for him, none of this would've happened!"
Ichigo tensed.
Naruto smiled, patting his shoulder. "Alright, this won't take long."
Shinji pouted and said, "Naruto, how about putting a seal on him first?"
"Your sealing technique works wonders."
Naruto shook his head. "That won't work."
"Unlike you all, the Hollow is part of Ichigo's power. It's not a separate entity; it's a part of him."
Shinji nodded. "I see."
"Then we'll have to do it the hard way."
"Don't worry, even if the Hollow takes over your mind, Naruto's here to bring you back."
Ichigo nodded, bowing in respect. "I understand. I'm counting on you."
He hesitated, then looked at Naruto before turning to Shinji, deciding on a suitable title. "Uncle Shinji."
Shinji smirked, turning to the blonde Captain beside him. "Unbelievable, huh?"
"In such a short time, Naruto has become someone we can fully rely on."
Naruto smiled. "A hundred years is hardly a short time."
Shinji waved them forward, leading Ichigo deeper into the warehouse.
In Hueco Mundo, a blue-haired Arrancar with a fragment of a Hollow mask on his right cheek raised his head and shouted, "Aizen-sama, that kid you had your eye on has returned to the World of the Living!"
"Do we move now?"
Aizen, reclining with his head resting on his right hand, turned slightly. "No need to rush, Grimmjow."
"Did you notice the blonde Captain in the image?"
The blue-haired Arrancar nodded.
"He's the 7th Division Captain, Naruto Uzumaki — a very powerful man," Aizen said softly. "He detected our surveillance."
"He didn't destroy it because he wanted me to see."
"Why not just kill them, then?" Grimmjow shrugged indifferently.
Aizen smiled faintly. "I told you, he's strong."
"You are all the fruits of my cultivation."
"And until you're ready to serve your purpose, I won't let you be easily destroyed."
"Knowing that Kurosaki has returned to the World of the Living is enough for now."
~~~
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