Hōmonka – a black butterfly-shaped mark left on an enemy after Soi Fon struck them with her Shikai-released Suzumebachi. If Soi Fon landed a second attack on the same spot, the overlapping Hōmonka would instantly kill the enemy.
However, this ability became ineffective against individuals with significantly higher reiatsu than Soi Fon. In fact, this wasn't unique to Soi Fon; almost all Shinigami Zanpakutō abilities were weakened or rendered useless when facing opponents with vastly superior reiatsu. Naturally, powerful abilities required even greater reiatsu to counteract their effects. This was what Aizen meant when he said a Shinigami's battle was a battle of reiatsu.
"If your Zanpakutō's ability truly is 'Nigeki Kessatsu' (Two-Hit Kill), then you should be able to kill an enemy by striking the same spot twice consecutively with lightning speed," Ailin explained. "But in reality, that doesn't work, does it?"
Soi Fon stared at Ailin in shock. After learning about her Zanpakutō's ability, she had tested it as Ailin described, but the results confirmed his words – rapidly striking the enemy twice wouldn't kill them.
"For your 'Nigeki Kessatsu' to take effect, you need to wait for your attack to form a complete 'Hōmonka' on the enemy. Only when your second attack hits the same spot, perfectly overlapping the two Hōmonka, will the ability kill them.
This is what I meant when I said it's not your Zanpakutō that kills the enemy, but the 'Hōmonka'."
In Ailin's opinion, Soi Fon's "Nigeki Kessatsu" wasn't even as strong as the ability of 3rd Division Vice-Captain Izuru Kira's Zanpakutō, "Wabisuke." After all, in Kira's hands, "Wabisuke" could stack its ability through consecutive attacks.
"Soi Fon, I speculate that your Zanpakutō's Shikai ability is the 'Nigeki Kessatsu' of Hōmonka, and its Bankai ability might be something that can achieve 'one-hit kill'.
However, just like your Shikai, your Bankai might have even stronger limitations. Mastering Bankai might be a burden for you right now."
In the world of Soul Society, if anyone understood Zanpakutō better, Ailin would consider himself second only to "Sword God" Ōetsu Nimaiya, who wouldn't even dare claim to be first. Indeed, Ōetsu Nimaiya was the creator who forged the prototype of Zanpakutō, "Asauchi." But Ailin, in essence, was a "sword" himself – a "Kenjin."
Furthermore, the Zanpakutō Ailin had forged over the years, and the memories he had absorbed from countless weapons, gave him unparalleled understanding in the realm of "swords."
Ōetsu Nimaiya created the prototype of Zanpakutō, "Asauchi." After obtaining an Asauchi, a Shinigami would cultivate its "spirit" through "Jinzen," nurturing it with their own soul. In Ailin's understanding, this was somewhat akin to cultivating a "second primordial spirit" in the world of Xianxia.
"Asauchi" was the catalyst. The "spirit" nurtured by the Shinigami could manifest certain traits of its owner into various abilities. By calling out the Zanpakutō's name and achieving Shikai, the Shinigami merged with the Zanpakutō's "spirit," boosting their reiatsu and granting them control over the Zanpakutō's abilities.
And Bankai, the final form of a Zanpakutō, in Ailin's view, was like the "second primordial spirit" growing up and maturing.
If one cultivated "Bankai" before the Zanpakutō's "spirit" was fully nurtured, it would be like forcing the "spirit" to mature prematurely.
If the abilities were of the same lineage, achieving Bankai prematurely wouldn't have much impact on future cultivation. As reiatsu increased, any slight developmental deficiencies would gradually improve. This could be seen in Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
Therefore, when Ginrei Kuchiki was on the verge of death, Ailin took Byakuya Kuchiki to Kisuke Urahara to borrow a Gigai, allowing Byakuya to complete his Bankai training prematurely. After all, Byakuya's Senbonzakura, like Tōshirō Hitsugaya's Hyōrinmaru, had a Bankai ability that was an enhancement of its Shikai ability. Prematurely completing Bankai wouldn't have any negative impact on their future cultivation.
However, if the Zanpakutō's Shikai and Bankai abilities differed significantly, the forced maturation of the "spirit" would result in a weaker Bankai compared to others.
Ikkaku Madarame, Renji Abarai, and Soi Fon all belonged to this category.
After Ikkaku Madarame's Zanpakutō entered Bankai, it needed battle to awaken its true power, and any damage to the Zanpakutō would weaken the Bankai ability permanently, rendering it irreparable.
Renji Abarai was slightly better off than Ikkaku, as his Shikai and Bankai had a relatively strong connection. After completing his Bankai training, his Bankai strength surpassed Ikkaku's.
As for what Ichibē Hyōsube said about Renji Abarai's Bankai name being wrong, Ailin didn't believe it one bit.
Shikai might have "incomplete Shikai" due to the Zanpakutō's personality, but Bankai was the full manifestation of the Zanpakutō's power; there was no such thing as "incomplete Bankai."
The more likely possibility was that Ichibē Hyōsube, in order to allow those entering the Soul King Palace to better resist the attacks of the Wandenreich Quincy, changed the name of Zabimaru, granting it greater power.
After all, it could be seen from the embodiment of Renji Abarai's Zanpakutō that the Baboon King was a sturdy woman with chains wrapped around her waist, while Zabimaru was more slender, with chains bound around its neck. It appeared that Zabimaru was the Baboon King's slave.
If Zabimaru were also a "King" of the same level as the Baboon King, then Renji Abarai's Zanpakutō should also be a "pair of Zanpakutō" like Jūshirō Ukitake's Sōgyo no Kotowari.
But it was evident from Renji Abarai's Shikai that the Baboon King Zabimaru wasn't a pair of Zanpakutō.
Whether in Shikai or Bankai, Renji used Zabimaru's body to unleash the Baboon King's immense power.
And Soi Fon was no exception. In Ailin's memory, in order to take over the position of 2nd Division Captain as soon as possible, she went to the Shihōin family for help and did indeed master Bankai in a short time. However, this ability also placed a heavy burden on her.
She could only use it once every three days, and after each use, she would be injured by the ability's recoil. Moreover, in Ailin's memory, Soi Fon's Bankai didn't achieve any significant results.
Now, Soi Fon hadn't gone to the Shihōin family but came to him for help. Ailin also hoped that Soi Fon could become stronger under his guidance.
"If you choose to increase your strength, I will teach you the technique 'Shunko,' which combines Kidō and Hakuda, mastered by Lady Yoruichi. Of course, if you choose to cultivate Bankai, I will also help you complete your Bankai training in the shortest time possible... Now, Soi Fon, tell me, what do you choose?"
Soi Fon raised her head and looked at Ailin. She wasn't an unreasonable person. She knew which of the two options Ailin offered was more beneficial to her.
But...
The 2nd Division belonged to Lady Yoruichi. Until Lady Yoruichi returned, she had to take good care of the 2nd Division for her.
"Captain Ailin, if I choose to increase my strength, will I be able to pass the captain's proficiency test before the 7th Division selects its captain?"
"Soi Fon, can I take that as you looking down on me?" Ailin's lips curled up slightly. "Don't overestimate the importance of captain-level, Soi Fon. Once you reach captain-level, you'll discover that there are even higher and farther sights beyond..."
"Alright, then I choose to increase my strength!"
"A wise choice." Ailin nodded in satisfaction.
Then, he turned to Haruko and said, "Haruko, I'm taking Soi Fon to train for a few days, at most half a month. I'll leave the house to you."
"Yes, go ahead, Ailin-kun."
Swoosh!
Two figures flickered, reappearing farther ahead with each blink. These two were naturally Ailin and Soi Fon.
With their Shunpo, many Shinigami couldn't even detect their movements. Only the captains standing at the pinnacle of Soul Society could capture their fleeting forms.
The moment they saw the two, everyone knew that perhaps soon, the "acting" part of the 2nd Division "Acting Captain" would be removed.
***
"We're here."
Arriving at a secluded location, Ailin stopped, and Soi Fon appeared beside him in the next instant.
Finding a hidden entrance, Ailin led Soi Fon straight down. A square black frame suddenly appeared in the blue sky, and the next moment, two figures fell from the frame and landed on the ground.
Thump!
Thump!
"Where is this?"
Soi Fon looked around, surprised to find such a large space underground. Moreover, the blue sky and white clouds above were almost real enough to be mistaken for the genuine article.
If Soi Fon hadn't remembered jumping down from the surface just now, she might have thought this was some secluded spot in Soul Society.
"This is the secret base of Lady Yoruichi and that guy Kisuke Urahara. Not long ago, they treated Shinji Hirako and the others here, then opened a Senkaimon from here to the World of the Living."
"What? Lady Yoruichi's secret base?"
Ailin had chosen Urahara's abandoned underground base as the location to train Soi Fon.
On the one hand, with Kisuke Urahara and the others gone, this place had become "unowned," and training here wouldn't cause much commotion or be disturbed.
On the other hand, Ailin also wanted to use this place to stimulate Soi Fon, keeping her motivated and energized for training.
As expected, upon hearing Ailin's words, Soi Fon's eyes lit up with excitement. As for Kisuke Urahara mentioned by Ailin, she had selectively ignored him.
However, Soi Fon then frowned and looked at Ailin. "Hey, since this is Lady Yoruichi's secret base, how do you know about it?"
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Soi Fon's sudden question caught Ailin off guard. He glanced at her and replied, "Well, have you considered that maybe Lady Yoruichi didn't bring you along because your strength is lacking?"
"Damn it!" Soi Fon clenched her fists, teeth gritted.
Though she hated to admit it, Ailin might have a point. Both Kisuke Urahara and Ailin surpassed her in strength by a significant margin.
Taking a deep breath, Soi Fon slowly composed herself, pushing down all other emotions. "Captain Ailin, let's begin."
"Alright." Seeing Soi Fon regain her composure, Ailin wasted no time and began explaining the theory behind Shunko.
"Shunko is a technique that combines Kidō and Hakuda, with power comparable to a Shinigami's Bankai. Before practicing Shunko, one must first identify the Kidō attribute that best aligns with their own."
With that, Ailin started instructing Soi Fon on the intricacies of Shunko within the underground base.
Over a century ago, Ailin had already acquired knowledge of Shunko from Soi Fon's Zanpakutō, Suzumebachi. However, due to Yoruichi Shihōin's departure, Soi Fon only had access to the basic theories Yoruichi left behind, leading her to believe that Yoruichi herself hadn't fully developed the technique.
Based on Yoruichi's incomplete theories, Soi Fon stumbled through the development of her own Shunko over the next hundred years.
However, since she followed Yoruichi's notes, and Yoruichi's attribute was lightning, the Shunko Soi Fon used when they met again a hundred years later was still the lightning-attribute Shunko with bursts of electricity from her shoulders.
After gaining Yoruichi's approval and receiving more insights into Shunko, Soi Fon completed her own unique wind-attribute Shunko during the Thousand-Year Blood War – the Mugen Shunko.
Naturally, Ailin wouldn't let Soi Fon take the same roundabout path. From the beginning, he had Soi Fon determine her own attribute and then taught her the key points of Shunko cultivation based on that attribute.
Since this was essentially Soi Fon's own experience from over a hundred years later, she learned quickly under Ailin's guidance.
It took her only three days to master the initial steps – converting her reiatsu into wind-attribute Kidō reiatsu and then merging it with her own reiatsu.
There was no helping it; having a cheat was just that convenient. Whenever Soi Fon made a mistake in her training, Ailin would immediately point it out and offer better suggestions. It felt as if he, not Soi Fon, was the one cultivating Shunko.
The fusion of two different types of reiatsu in the world of Soul Society brought exponential improvement to a Shinigami.
When a Shinigami released their Zanpakutō, their own reiatsu merged with the Zanpakutō's "spiritual pressure." Shikai could increase their reiatsu three to five times, while Bankai could boost it five to ten times.
Similarly, the "Hollowfication" of Shinji Hirako and the others involved merging the Hollow's reiatsu with their own, resulting in a surge in their spiritual pressure.
The technique of "Temporarily Placing a Soul Within the Body" created by Kirio Hikifune also involved merging a different reiatsu with one's own to enhance their spiritual pressure.
Shunko followed the same principle. Moreover, it shared similarities with Hikifune's technique.
However, Hikifune's completed research permanently increased one's spiritual pressure, while Shunko involved using one's reiatsu to create Kidō reiatsu and achieving fusion outside the body.
Within a week, Soi Fon mastered the basic Shunko. However, what gathered on her shoulders and back wasn't crackling lightning, but swirling tornadoes.
After using Shunko, Soi Fon's speed saw the greatest improvement, nearly rivaling Yoruichi Shihōin's.
Ailin then shared the theory and key points of Mugen Shunko with her.
With her experience in Shunko, it took Soi Fon half a year to finally complete the cultivation of Mugen Shunko.
***
"Hah!"
Boom!
With Soi Fon's shout, two azure tornadoes, like wings, spun behind her shoulder blades, causing her reiatsu to surge.
Her fists clenched, and her spiritual pressure erupted. Similarly powerful tornadoes swirled around her limbs.
Swoosh!
In an instant, Soi Fon vanished from her spot and reappeared beside Ailin. She compressed the massive tornado around her fist and threw a punch.
Boom!
The giant tornado exploded upon impact, unleashing the destructive force of wind-attribute Kidō and creating a powerful blast.
The resulting smoke and dust were instantly torn apart and dispersed by the raging wind before they could even spread.
Within the Muken, Ailin concentrated his reiatsu in his hands and engaged Soi Fon in a Hakuda duel.
Every clash of fists and feet produced thunderous booms from the exploding wind. If this weren't the Muken, everything around them would have been reduced to rubble by the shockwaves of their battle.
Feeling the tearing and explosive power in Soi Fon's attacks, Ailin couldn't help but think of Kensei Muguruma, the "combat power level measuring unit" of Soul Society.
The reason Soi Fon and Ailin were fighting in the Muken was that after mastering Mugen Shunko, she immediately applied to Captain-Commander Yamamoto for the Captain Proficiency Test.
Since she hadn't completed Bankai training, she chose to challenge an existing captain. After much deliberation, she ultimately decided to challenge Ailin.
There was no helping it. Even with Mugen Shunko, she couldn't compare to the strength of the captains from other divisions. Since she would lose regardless of whom she challenged, she might as well choose the strongest. Thus, Ailin became the target of her challenge.
Typically, only the recommending captains and the Captain-Commander would observe the challenge for the Captain Proficiency Test.
However, ever since Soi Fon approached Ailin, everyone had been paying close attention to her progress, curious to see how much her strength had improved under his tutelage.
Before Soi Fon, Captain Ailin had already trained two captain-level disciples: Byakuya Kuchiki and Gin Ichimaru.
If Soi Fon also passed the Captain Proficiency Test, there would be three captains trained by Captain Ailin.
Of course, everyone knew that Soi Fon wouldn't have applied for the test without the confidence to pass. However, they were still very interested in how much she had grown under Captain Ailin's guidance in just half a year.
Therefore, almost all the captains came to the Muken to witness the battle between Soi Fon and Ailin.
During their fight, Soi Fon mainly attacked while Ailin defended, allowing her to showcase her strength before the numerous captains.
"Captain Soi Fon's current state involves converting her own reiatsu into Kidō reiatsu outside her body and then merging it with her own reiatsu, allowing her to infuse each attack with powerful Kidō damage... Captain Ailin is truly a genius..." After observing the battle for a while, 5th Division Captain Sōsuke Aizen adjusted his glasses and praised.
"Who can say otherwise?" Beside him, Shunsui Kyōraku joked, "When 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru took office half a year ago, I said that Captain Ailin's teaching ability was already comparable to Old Man Yamamoto's. Now, looking at Soi Fon, the 2nd Division captain position is undoubtedly hers. It seems Captain Ailin has surpassed Old Man Yamamoto in the aspect of teaching students."
Among the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Shunsui Kyōraku got along well with every captain. Additionally, if other captains encountered any difficulties, Shunsui would never refuse to help if he could.
After recommending Aizen as the 5th Division Captain, Shunsui often interacted with him, which didn't seem out of place.
No one could have guessed that Shunsui's actions were all to deceive Aizen and find his weaknesses.
If before hearing Ailin's words, Shunsui's suspicion of Aizen and Urahara was fifty-fifty, then after Aizen personally nominated Kaname Tōsen as the 9th Division Captain, it became seventy-thirty.
After all, Shunsui learned from Ailin that it was Aizen, Tōsen, and Gin who attacked Lisa Yadōmaru and the others that night.
Gin Ichimaru was Captain Ailin's disciple, personally recommended by Ailin as the 3rd Division captain candidate.
Sōsuke Aizen had a high reputation and was personally recommended by Shunsui as the 5th Division captain.
As for Kaname Tōsen...
If Ailin hadn't mentioned him and Aizen hadn't recommended him, no one would have imagined that the 3rd Seat of the 9th Division also possessed captain-level strength.
"Indeed, I've long heard of Captain Ailin's teaching ability. 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru once worked with me for a while. Whether it's Kidō, Hakuda, Shunpo, or Zanjutsu, Captain Ichimaru is exceptionally skilled. Captain Ailin seems like an all-rounder, with no weaknesses... to possess such strength in just over a hundred years, Captain Ailin is truly fearsome..."
"Hahaha, if Captain Aizen hadn't mentioned it, I almost forgot Captain Ailin isn't even two hundred years old yet..." Shunsui pulled his hat lower, his mind racing with thoughts.
'Sōsuke Aizen, was that carelessness or intentional? But regardless of whether it was careless or intentional, Aizen must be planning something, possibly related to Captain Ailin... Otherwise, he wouldn't have said that Captain Ailin is 'fearsome'. After all, a powerful ally brings peace of mind. Only a powerful enemy would inspire fear...
However, Captain Ailin's 11th Division already has two captain-level subordinates. With Captain Kuchiki, Captain Ichimaru, Captain Soi Fon, and Captain Ailin himself, their side would have six captain-level powerhouses. With this level of influence, if they had any ulterior motives, the Seireitei would surely fall into chaos again.'
At this thought, Shunsui suddenly realized something. No, Aizen's words weren't meant for him, but for his teacher!
As a disciple of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Shunsui understood his teacher better than anyone. Old Man Yamamoto was perhaps the most devoted follower of the Soul King.
It was precisely because of his admiration for the Soul King's actions that Yamamoto believed everything in the world unfolded according to the Soul King's will.
Regarding the betrayal of the Five Noble Houses, Yamamoto believed that since the Soul King hadn't acted against them, there must be a reason for their existence.
However, Yamamoto disagreed with the Five Noble Houses seizing the Soul King's authority to rule the Seireitei.
Therefore, two thousand years ago, Yamamoto founded his dojo to teach students. A thousand years ago, he formed the Thirteen Court Guard Squads under the banner of "protecting the Soul King's Seireitei," promoting the existence of the "Soul King," and ending the aristocracy's million-year dictatorship over the Soul Society and the Seireitei.
To avoid being purged by Yamamoto, many nobles joined the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and supported him.
In the current Seireitei, although the nobles still had the "Central 46 Chambers" to maintain their lofty status, everything they did had to be within the rules.
The true ruler of the Seireitei was the Captain-Commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto!
The Thirteen Court Guard Squads were Yamamoto's life's work.
To protect the current Seireitei, Yamamoto would eliminate any existence that might threaten its stability.
The reason for Zaraki's current state was that Yamamoto saw his fanaticism for battle and the immense power hidden within him. Fearing that Zaraki might cause harm to the Seireitei in the future, Yamamoto disregarded even Retsu Unohana's plea and used less-than-honorable means to dampen Zaraki's interest in swordsmanship.
If not for Ailin, Zaraki's strongest "swordsmanship" technique might have been simply holding a sword with both hands.
But because of his "ten-year promise" with Ailin, Zaraki was currently learning swordsmanship more suited to him from Unohana.
Presumably, in their next battle, Zaraki would surely bring Ailin an even greater surprise.
In the past, Captain Ailin rarely involved himself in affairs, so Yamamoto might not have thought much of it.
However, now that Aizen had brought it up, Yamamoto might have already started to develop a rift with Captain Ailin.
After all, Captain-Commander Yamamoto was wary even of Zaraki, who hadn't fully recovered, let alone Captain Ailin, whose strength was sufficient to receive an invitation from the Royal Guard of the Zero Division.
Sōsuke Aizen, this man, his schemes ran deep.
Shunsui buried his apprehension about Aizen deep within his heart and pretended not to understand Aizen's words, continuing their conversation.
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