Another chapter for today!
“The experiment is over for today.”
Flump.
The moment she heard my words, Tatsuki collapsed. Unlike when she was a mere Hollow, fighting three Huge Hollows completely drained her Reiatsu. It spoke to the intensity of the struggle, but it was remarkable progress compared to the first day when she could barely handle a single one.
“It’s been six days. As I thought, fighting without Shikai seems a bit too much for her.”
Her combat data had accumulated significantly over the past six days. Well, she mostly relied on speed rather than brute force, so she hadn't suffered any major wounds, but the drain on her concentration was immense. One slip-up would have led straight to death, necessitating a constant, razor-sharp focus.
“I suppose I’ll move on to Shikai-related experiments starting tomorrow.”
Tatsuki’s thirteen-day combat experiment phase ended today. Up until now, I had only pitted her in 1-on-1 matches. To move on to 1-vs-Many combat, obtaining her Shikai was priority number one. Furthermore, for the final confrontation, she’d need to master both Bankai and her Vizard powers, or things would get difficult.
“Can you even move?”
“Haa... haa... haa...”
I walked over to the sprawled-out Tatsuki and asked. She didn’t even respond, her ragged breathing making it clear just how exhausted she was.
“Combat training against Huge Hollows is done for a while. We’re moving on to the next experiment.”
“Haa... haa... what kind of experiment now?”
“I’ll tell you once we’re inside. Can’t you get up?”
“Impossible... no way...”
The look on her face suggested she was already sick of the word 'experiment.' She couldn't even lift a finger, repeating that it was impossible over and over. She really was a high-maintenance test subject.
“Fine, I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”
“Sure... wait, what?!”
“I said I’m carrying you.”
Grab!
She was being annoying making me repeat myself, so I just scooped her up and headed back toward the main palace of Las Noches.
“I-I’m fine now. Put me down.”
“Don’t make me laugh. You couldn't move a single muscle a second ago, and now you’re talking big.”
“T-that was then, I can move now!”
“Quiet, test subject. Just shut up and go to your room to practice what I tell you. That’s the only way we can start the new experiment.”
“Uugh...”
Tatsuki looked like she had a mountain of complaints, but she finally shut her mouth. Seeing her quiet down, I gave her a brief explanation regarding Shikai.
“First, that katana you have is called a Zanpakuto.”
“A Zanpakuto?”
“Yes. A Soul Reaper usually trains in four main disciplines: Zanjutsu, which is swordsmanship; Hakuda, which is hand-to-hand combat using hands and feet; Kido, which are spells using Reiatsu; and Shunpo, the movement technique. These four are their primary tools.”
“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be the King of Hollows? How do you know so much about Soul Reapers?”
Tatsuki asked, sounding suspicious. I certainly possessed an abnormal amount of knowledge. Most of the memories from my past life that I deemed important were still lodged in my head, and obviously, information regarding Soul Reapers was among them.
“‘Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.’”
“How do you know old human idioms?!”
“Hollows were originally humans, and I was no exception. It’s not something to be surprised about. Just be quiet and listen.”
I silenced Tatsuki, who was surprised yet again by my literacy, and continued.
“Every Zanpakuto has its own unique name. However, you need to earn the right to know it. Listening for that name and calling it out is called Shikai. Two things are required for Shikai: communication and synchronization with your Zanpakuto.”
“So a Zanpakuto isn't just an ordinary sword?”
“You should have seen it yourself. Didn't someone give you a test to obtain your Soul Reaper powers?”
“Ah! That woman in red!”
Tatsuki shouted as if she’d finally remembered. It seems she had a visual on the spirit's form.
“A woman? Well, that means your Zanpakuto’s manifestation is female. Zanpakuto spirits take various forms—animals, objects, anything really—but yours seems to be human. Anyway, we’ve arrived at your room. Do exactly as I say.”
“Mm... this is all happening so fast...”
“What is?”
“N-nothing! Anyway, what do I need to do?”
She sounded like she was lingering on something, but I didn't think much of it and continued my explanation.
“First, sit down. Use a formal meditative posture, either Zazen or Agura, and place the Zanpakuto across your knees. Soul Reapers call this Jinzen. Then, focus your mind on the blade. You can think of it as meditation, but the goal is specifically to talk to and synchronize with the Zanpakuto. Don't let your mind wander.”
I helped Tatsuki settle into the correct Jinzen posture before leaving the room. I don’t know how many days it will take, but if she stays at it, she’ll achieve Shikai soon enough. After that, she’ll need both talent and something like a Tenshintai to learn Bankai rapidly. But well, that’s a concern for after she masters Shikai.
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Tatsuki's Jinzen has begun after a brief explanation. The issue is how to create something like a Tenshintai for Bankai training... I'm currently thinking about trying to manifest one using the Hogyoku. Anyway, I'm off to slowly write the next part.
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